My Boracay Vacation

What a glorious day for a holiday!  The day began with cloudless blue skies and sunshine.  My two children and I are headed for a mini-holiday to the island of Boracay in Aklan, Iloilo.  This is our fifth time to the island so we are no strangers to it.  But every time we go back, we still get the excited ‘first-time on the island’ feeling. 

This time we are flying to Caticlan via Philippine Airlines.   Our friend drops us off at the Centennial Airport where all the Philippine Airlines flights take off from.  When we reach the sliding doors where the baggages get scanned, the security guard informs me that we are at the wrong terminal!  Annoyingly, someone forgot to inform us that the smaller aircrafts have been moved to NAIA 3.  Good thing we had plenty time to spare and we managed to cab it to NAIA 3 without a problem since our friend had already taken off.  Check in was a breeze and we had an hour to kill before boarding time.  The girls and I decide to take some refreshments and ‘people’ watch.

The flight was full of tourists- mostly foreigners.  Since it was a beautiful day the girls had a clear view of the different islands we passed en route to Caticlan.  The 45 minute flight passed without a hitch.  Landing was smooth.

The representative from our hotel, Pinjalo, was late.  When he finally arrived, we took a short tricycle ride to the Visitor’s Welcome Center where our private boat was waiting to take us across the Tabon Strait to the Cagban Jetty Port.  My daughter was ‘looking’ for the hotel’s speed boat which picked us up on our last visit to the hotel.  The representative told us that it got damaged during the last typhoon which hit the island.  So instead the three of us rode on our own personal ‘banca’ which is the local boat.

Pinjalo (www.pinjalo.com) is owned by a friend who hails from Switzerland originally.   We always stay at his hotel as it is perfectly situated in Station 2.  The restaurant and dive center is along the walkway next to the beach, a building away from the tourist center, and the hotel itself is tucked away about 5 minutes walk away in one of the quiet side-streets.  Plus, the discount we get of course helps.  For a double room which is quite large with a free buffet breakfast it is USD 60/night.  The hotel has its own private pool and gym which rarely has any guests in it.  They also have their own private spot on the beach.

My children and I love the restaurants in Boracay.  One of our favorite restaurants is called Dos Mestizos which specializes in Spanish cuisine.  This is our favorite place for lunch time because normally we just feel a bit peckish and do not want anything too filling.  So tapas are the perfect choice for luncheon with a pitcher of Sangria for Mama.

Aria is another fun place to have dinner.  It is located right at the edge of D’Mall at the beach.  This restaurant features Italian cuisine.  My girls and I enjoy their pizzas and salads.  They also have a very decent wine list.  Aria is brilliant for dinner because you can people watch while you are having dinner.

True food is a restaurant which my youngest daughter begged to go to.  I think she was fascinated by the giant-sized throw pillows they had on the floor.  Their specialty here is Indian food.  We sampled their vegetarian dishes and it was fantastic.  The ambiance is wonderful after a whole day of lazing in the sun.  Actually, those pillows put you to sleep after the wonderful meal they serve you!

For hamburgers and French fries head over to Jammers.  I actually had a nice chat with the owners of the establishment.  The gentleman is American and his wife is French.  They also own a souvenir shop at D’Mall.  This is great for when you have the cravings for ‘grease food’!

Lemon i Café is a cutesy place to have coffee or tea and desserts.  My children are true Europeans in that a meal is never complete without dessert.  We discovered this café while walking around D’Mall when we spied the cakes they had on display.  This place definitely whets the sweet tooth craving!

The entire 3 days of our stay in Boracay was utterly predictable.  From early morn to sunset we lounged at the beach.  From sunset to late at night we were out sampling all the wonderful, international cuisine in Boracay.  What more can we ask for?  It was the perfect mini-holiday.  We got our sun and surf, sampled superb cuisine, and best of all we spent quality time together.

Pope John Paul II: The Holy Man

     It was year 1981 when I have heard the news that Pope John Paul II will visit the Philippines. I was very young then about eight years old, but the truth about this man has brought curiosity in my mind why they say that he is a Holy Man. I just can’t understand why a single man could be so popular with just a simple reason of being a pope. During those times all I thought was he is a political leader who has just brought popularity for his greatness and leadership. I don’t really care at all about this man and why do I have to watch him all over again in the news.

      My teacher in religion took his vacation and leave during those time. She will go to Baguio City to represent our school, and when she arrived she had all the good news and blessings for all of us. Our teacher is so proud to tell us that she is blessed and relief simply by hearing the word of God coming from this man. He is a holy man, and that is the only thing that left in my mind since I never been really am interested in him because he is old in fact I hate his face during those times and life goes on. I never thought that I shall meet him again as a grown up.

      I believe it was year 1995 as I remembered when I was dressed in fatigue uniform as one of the CAT Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) student. I am one of the school representatives to handle crowd control and give information service to visitors especially foreigners in Luneta Grandstand. There were lots of people from different nations around the world and most of them are children and adolescence.

      The world youth day is being celebrated here in the Philippines and Pope John Paul the II is the supreme speaker that will conduct the message and his theme was “Tell the World of his love” sung by a beautiful girl who’s name I just can’t recall. And so it begins when the speaker begun to show on the stage the crowd began to come alive as if they have sawn a great Hollywood actor.

      Everyone begun to raise their hands others began to cry while others stand still simply waiting for what should happen. A simple wave in his hand suddenly gave a silence to the crowd. While it seems like everyone are so eager to hear his voice. His message is soft but clear.  His presence is so slow but dignified as if everyone will not spend his opportunity without having to listen while we awaited his ending. This has brought total unity to different nationality of people around the world. People began to hold hands some even provided an embrace and a soft kisses as if we already knew each other for a long time. Again I don’t really care with my heart of stone. I hate those dramatic moment, for me it’s just not realistic.

      But when I began to observe the crowd I felt empty and in need. But still I’m fighting over with myself that I hate the feelings of surrender. Until sometime that I am growing deep and I can’t help but to join them.         

      Not to mention the experience of love and openness in everyone’s heart, such a welcoming thoughts and open arms have spread throughout the Luneta Grandstand. How can I forget the joy that touches my heart during those times when people from different nations is at peace with each other like brothers and sisters? Words cannot express what my heart understands.  This man Pope John Paul II has brought hope to everyone like he always does; he was indeed a holy man. He was on the news for the last few days during his stay and the impression of the world by welcoming him have been positively approved all over the world.

      For so many years Philippines has not brought unity without struggle among its people but this man does and I praise him for what he has done, I believe he has changed my life for the better and others too. For once again our country has shown unity and hospitality all over the world. Thanks to the Holy Man “Pope John Paul II” May the Lord our God blessed you wherever you are.

        

     

       

Adapting Conservation Measures and Coping with Oil Price Hikes

Adopting a strategy in a stringent economy will overcome population distress with high gasoline prices and soaring basic commodity prices. It is perceivable with a tangent effect on my mind and convinced that every citizen needs to make amends to conserve basic man’s need of expensive power and water on a daily basis due to their respective assets drive with the use of crude oil that justify high consumption costs. This has been the common norm and mindset among the population. An operational facet of daily living is the uncertainty faced among the common population and the shocks that hover overat our imaginary perception and centralizes on the uncertainty how volatile oil prices are succinctly dictated by the global economy.

Recent conflicts in Libya reversed strong positions in the foreign currency markets that support the recent drastic oil price. Especially this is truly reflected in the impact of transportation means which acceded untimely to inflationary levels. As a self-opinion, people have seen food supply scant with lesser supply at higher demand, as this adds to inflationary effects on local levels.

Rise in oil prices impact directly basic commodities due to the costs associated in delivery of food into the table. Expensive costs associated to refrigeration processes, goods transportation, food process refinement require crude oil.According to inflation effects due to pervasive play of the international economy through presenting events in the rise and fall of foreign currencies and market futures, oil became invincibly at risk to soar. This is especially true when economic indicators are volatile for change that was manifest in oil price volatility in shifting the dollar and the growing trend of debt bailouts in the European Union despite the midst of surfacing signs of economic recovery in the United States.All these dynamical elements play the market at uncertain circumstances and it is convincing enough for the public to understand to undertake market preferences. This is particularly true that as these processes require oil that embeds into the cost accounting of the finished good, an effect results directly on food with the delivery risk to supplyquality amounts at uncertainty risks. These leave overtime to selective customers the belt-tightening approach when purchasing basic goods.

There are three basic ways to cope with the cost of food, conservation of power and water, and save reserves in terms of transportation mileage:

Food cost can be conserved by just buying what are the predetermined to be the primary needs. A selective determination is implementable to examine over what can serve as second options and take into account what type of food is healthy for the body. For example, while we buy or consume chicken or beef averagely twice a week, we opt to eat vegetables which are the most economical goods sold. Eating vegetables have also natural health benefits common to all ages covering multiple vitamin elements and that are strong in Vitamin A vital to eyesight health, which middle age more over people need.

In terms of water conservation, instead using the shower, an alternative gathering water in a pail would serve to be a better alternative, especially in the current situation in a typical hot summer day that our bodies need to cool and embeds the cold sensation as drops penetrate into our body pores, giving a fresher and satisfactory feeling. Using the pail is conservative over using the shower since a small dig of water is sufficient to wash our bodies. How we use these resources by volume depends on us, and that is where conservation at national figures start with.

In terms of power conservation, eliminating aircondition use except in an extremely hot summer day for two hours will suffice. This need depends on how and the households adjust to these governing conditions of nature. Though the heat may be annoying, it is the same time healthy to shell off unwanted fats through sweating with a slight exercise.

With a clear understanding of the background that causes the effect of oil price rise and inflation, it can be said that conservation depends on every person to my experience and how flexible we can be in coping daily challenges. At most times overanalysis of the pro conditions require our mindset to keep at pace at all times with challenges of inconsistent or decreasing income and sudden expenses. Consequences that bear on an economic point of view and degree serve as the guideline on how the population, or we, implement conservation measures.

My Unforgettable Vacations

       It seems like yesterday when I just took a vacation from my brother’s house in Cavite City.  They invited me to their house for a trip. I never really felt much excitement until the next day when we finally started our journey.

Our first destination was the Island Cove in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite.  That was the only time I felt such excitement when I saw the entrance and the beautiful wide scenery that welcomed me. I believed that this was a first class resort because of its amenities.  

      After renting a cottage we went directly to the swimming pool which had giant slides and fountains that was really soothing and refreshing to the eye and there were many inflatables for children. We spent a lot of time swimming in a wide pool that almost took us half of the time during our stay. We also had a chance to visit their mini zoo which I believe they call the animal Island and I took pictures of the varieties of animals including many colored butterflies that just flew around. If you have your fishing rod you can also go fishing and cook your catch if you want. Unfortunately after half an hour of waiting I only caught one small fish that we included in our meal.

      If you are a sporty person you can also find a gym inside the resort that has complete facilities or simply jog around the resort so you get a wider place to run. There really is so much fun to do in this place. I love it.

      About a few minutes ride from Island Cove is the Aguinaldo Shrine - a historical place honoring Emilio Aguinaldo which gave me the chance to experience his past heroic acts that has already been a part of our history. This place is properly governed by the Kawit government.  When I entered the place, the antiques were all clean and furnished. Streamline is also set so you cannot enter maybe the confidential areas the people should not suppose to visit and I learned a lot from this place.  I’m just wondering why some parts of the place cannot be visited and as to why videos and cameras were not allowed during those times.

I believed I enjoyed those times and I will keep in my memory for a long time. Even I went home.

       It was then I remembered the place Mt. Samat shrine in Pilar Bataan the Memorial cross that they is 92 meters high you will be taken there by elevator and when you finally arrive at the top you will feel the strong breeze of air in your entire body . “Dambana ng Kagitingan” This Mountain is the resting place of 78,000 soldiers who participated in death march. It’s a good place to experience the heroic memories of our Filipino soldier during World War 2.  

      Talking about the Northern place I also remembered the Ocean adventure in Subic Bay Freeport area. According to some staff this use to be a US naval base when the American has not left the place and now it is a wonderful place where you can experience shows of dolphins up close and personal feed them and touch them if you like but get ready to get wet. Sea lions are not that big like the dolphins but they are also fun and it seems like they are all the time.

      Just a few ride from ocean adventure in Subic you can also find the Zoobic Safari  one of my favorite where you can find a wide variety of animal and animal show that often seen on television  you can see the dog dancing a native dance of “tinikling” and the monkey who knows how to act and fight with swords. The personnel then ask for a volunteer who wants to hold the 13 feet 300 pounds green snake. Of course I have to volunteer because this is just a rare experience, good thing a friend catches a photo of me that I have put on to my facebook.  We also had the opportunity to visit the tiger that is not in cage and have freely moving along the area and the crocodile farm with various colors. Talk to the tribe people who dance and climb so fast like monkey.

      What a wonderful memory do I have in these places where I been it seem like it's all coming back to me but only in my mind and I wish I can visit them again soon. 

A Vacation Experience in the Philippines

            This year, my husband was not required to drop in on their office during the long Lenten holiday season. What a relief! We can plan on having a long vacation. But, he was on-call so we have to pick a spot that was near Metro Manila.

            Where do we go? Some family members want to stay in Tagaytay so they can  view Taal volcano in its erupting stage. They also wanted to go to the much improved Taal Vista Lodge. Some married female relatives even wanted to go to the Quezon province to buy inexpensive crabs and lobsters. The golden generation relatives just wanted to go to Laguna where there are hot springs, even if the temperature in Manila was hotter than hot springs.

            Some prefer to go North, to Baguio (too many people), Vigan, La Union, and Ilocos Norte (too far from Metro Manila).

            Until at last, we agreed on one destination as  base for five days and two northern provinces to visit for two days.

            As luck would have it, my aunt’s three daughters were all gallivanting abroad and she  offered us her small bungalow in Subic rent-free. What good fortune! We only have to provide the food the whole time we were there, clean the house, and help in her gardening. As an additional bonus, the cottage was very near the beach.

            The view was fantastic. There was a small rocky hill on the horizon that made a very fine backdrop when the sun set. There were parts of the beach that were full of little fishes. If we want to, we can go fishing which my husband and other men relatives did for a while. The sea was placid the whole time we were there, and the waves were tolerable even to little kids. We can rent boats, ski jets, and a water vehicle with two big wheels that looked like a small chariot without the horses at very reasonable prices. Although it was also hot during the day, it was breezy when night sets in.

            We always woke up early to catch the sunrise. Having a cup of coffee watching the sunrise was so serene and uplifting that it was indescribable. I just wanted to freeze the moment forever. Then, here came the nephews and nieces, and senior citizens starting to fret about breakfast that the magic was broken.

            After a day, it was now time to do the Visita Iglesia to different churches in Bulacan and Pampanga. Holy Wednesday was allotted to churches in Bulacan,  and Maundy Thursday in Pampanga. This was the reason why the elders gave up their choice of Laguna hot springs.

            We visited fourteen churches in Bulacan including the famous Barasoain church and the National Shrine of Divine Mercy. In Pampanga, we visited nine churches. We even witnessed some “padugo” where people, especially men, whipped their backs while walking towards a church. They did this even if their backs were already bloody. They even have some form of a crown (of thorns?)  on their head. They did this as a penitential rite.

            Some members of the family, especially the men, wanted to witness the crucifixion but the women and the children were against it.

            Almost all churches that we visited in these two provinces are historical churches, built around the 18^th century. They were all majestic. You can feel the splendor of the Spanish era inside these churches, and will not have a hard time visualizing the Spanish friars, gobernadorcillos, the mestizos, and the indios celebrating a Latin mass together.

            For Good Friday, we just stayed in the cottage all day. In the afternoon, we went with our aunt to church to pray the Stations of the Cross and marveled at the very long procession. There were life-sized statues of different saints dressed in  magnificent fineries owned by ancestral families in Pampanga and loaned to the church during the Lenten season.   But the longest line can be found after the statues of the Pieta (Mother Mary embracing her dead son) and the Crucified Christ. Candles were lit, rosaries were prayed, songs were sung. We were all touched by the spirit of Lent.

            We stayed and frolicked in the beach the whole day Saturday, savoring the feeling of relaxation and ease. On Sunday morning, we went back to Manila tired but refreshed.