Was able to catch a glimpse a fireworks display at Ayala Ave. earlier while on my way home.
First I would like to say happy 2013 everyone after a while when I just missed my family in the province. I just thought of summarizing everything what happened in 2012. What a year it was to trace back 2012. This is the year when I’ve known a lot of people from the blogging world. It was when I created my first ever blog, joined fun run in AparriCagayan, first time to join the Iblog, and of course a new journey to my career.
My CVBSi family with sir Kel Fabie on iblog 8, May 25 and 26 😉May 12 Aparri fun run, it was nice meeting new people around there. 🙂
I found the best company where I suppose I mean to really stay for the longest period of time. As a new-born blogger I wish 2013 will be more productive for me.Though I am thinking of growing old again in another year and imagining myself into a relationship. 😀 I won’t be too dramatic staying single for another year again though. It isn’t bad at all to stay single anyway 😀 I have yet to accomplish some things scribbled set as my priorities and I am a hundred percent sure that 2013 will be more abundantly blessed with more opportunities and a lot of things are bound to happen this year. Hope to start a happy and fruitful 2013 for all of us and I am too excited for all the plans this year. 🙂
An email spam from my boss lol. Having this kind of good Quality scores at the start of my career is a good sign this coming year. Help me oh Lord! 🙂
I started my career with flying colors. I must be proud of this since I am just a newbie entering this field. FYI, I entered Accenture as a Collections Advisor on July 31 and was certified in September. I need to hit my goal for what ever it may be, we’ll see. I wish to also travel where I wanted to this year. Nothing is solid this time but I wish to really have everything accomplished and I really am too focused on my priorities since I am not getting any younger. Thanks to my family for all the support and inspiration. This is all for you. It was also nice meeting new friends at Accenture, I love you all for being too nice to me, one of the reasons that I am happy at work with you all.
It was nice meeting new friends to work and laugh with. It’s fun to be with Accenture! 🙂Nice meeting my gorgeous Accenture friends 🙂 Whom do you think the shy type Ryan Bardahi is? 😀 lol peace Ryan!
Of course there’s nothing more I could wish for other than good health for everyone of us. Again happy new year everyone and let’s start this year right! 🙂 Whatever comes this year, it’s all in God’s grace. Thank you LORD for all the blessings. 🙂
The origin of Christmas differs as the precise date of the birth and historicity of Jesus are much debated. Christmas, literally meaning the Mass of Christ, is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar. The festival of Christmas takes place on the 25th of December, every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is also celebrated as a secular holiday throughout the world, including countries with small Christian populations. Setting this aside, For me,Christmas is a celebration of thanksgiving, peace and loving everyone.What comes in my mind if I hear this word is something relevant about family to Jesus Christ relationship. When I was young, I would normally think Jesus is alive on Christmas days. But as I grow older, its beyond what is set on my mind. Now I would think Jesus is alive everyday to the extent that in my perspective, he is a phantom that is seemingly a stoker to me. What I meant for this is, in every smile that I see on earth is a sign of him existing on us. Thus, it is most excellent to think that anyhow we are all blessed if we can afford to smile and that one thing for sure is he loves us.During Christmas season, my family would always gather to celebrate, enjoy sharing gifts and feasting. It reminds me of the cool breeze of the air specially early in the morning when we go to church to attend misa de gallo.
While watching the lights at Ayala triangle, I felt so sad away from family 😦
Unfortunately, this was the habit when I was still in school and in my childhood days, sad to say when I started working in 2007, it all just dissipated and remained a dream hating my busy days at work. Notwithstanding this kind of situation, I do little things like visiting the church and saying a little prayer to God almighty that somehow he would take care of my family while I’m away, that he’d make ’em happy and that everyone is healthy this Christmas days.Poignant as it may seem, however, I don’t really have an alternate option and this is my only choice, to work away from home and to earn money more than anyone else in the province is earning (as an employee), to help my siblings (abit) sacrificing this kind of sacramental occasions.In as much as I hate to admit, I felt sorry for myself. I sound valuing things that is never good enough for our necessities, yes, and it looks like this does not really matter to me anymore because of my work. Do not be misled, I would love to work but spending quality time with my family is priceless.
Now I’m certain that my family seemed very high on my list of priorities, to say at least and I love them challenging me to be my best. And its nice to think that I’m one of the most important individuals for them. Apparently, I’m telling you this ‘coz my wish this holiday season is to be with them, and that will be an awesome gift for me! My sole purpose why I wrote this is to let everyone know that whatever my wish is, granted or not, it is still wise to think that we are all blessed because we are all children of God and he created us equally with love and affection. He bless us in his own ways. Then again, shouldn’t every day be Christmas Day? This is my family’s message to yours. Let us all have a Merry Christmas and a bountiful gorgeous New years to come.God loves us!
As a call center agent, some say that my life span will only last up to 50 to 55 years? That is pretty alarming isn’t it? But It’s not yet too late for me to do something for a jump-start of my healthy living. Yes, all the kind of jobs has a health risk practically speaking (I guess). The only thing here is, as to how an individual motivates himself/herself on a health conscious thinking style. How can I be so sure that I am choosing a healthy lifestyle? I thank GOD I found We Choose Wellness Weekend (WCW Weekend) which was sponsored by Nestle Philippines aiming to drive Filipinos towards a healthy living.
Registration 🙂
Every scheduled sessions, you will enjoy some sort of basic aerobics suitable for all ages, and also, nutritionists visit us once a month giving us some tips on how to be healthy. This has been going on since June, and according to one of the staffs whom I spoke with, this will also end on June of 2013. Why don’t we just grab this opportunity so we can be trained to discipline ourselves despite our busy days at work? Soon enough I can feel the satisfaction of eating anything whatever I crave for without feeling guilty or being deprived. All you need is just visit the locations listed below and register for free so you can have points every time you join the week end sessions. Amazing right? Yes! No fees are being collected!
The following are the lists of the WCW Weekend Sites where you may join:
Saturdays at 5:30 am
1. Bayanan Muntinlupa Baywalk
2. Cultural Center of the Philippines
3. Mandaluyong City Hall
4. Quezon Memorial Circle
5. Ynares Center-Antipolo
6. Ynares Sports Arena-Pasig
7. Cabanatuan Freedom Park
8. Lipa Community park
9. La Paz Plaza Iloilo
10. People’s Park Davao City
Sundays at 5:30 am
1. Ayala triangle, Makati City
2. Marikina Sports Park
3. San Juan Pinaglabana Shrine
4. Taguig City Hall, Taguig City
5. University of the Philippines Diliman
6. Calamba Baywalk
7. Baguio Burnham Park
8. Bren Z. Guiao Convention and Sports Complex, Pampanga
9. Dagupan City Plaza
10. New Talisay City Hall, Cebu City
11. Gov. Pelaez Sports Complex, CDO
My housemates Ate Jen and Ate Alva during our registration. 🙂Ate Alva who tries to catch up on the photos I’m taking 😀
Using your Wellness Passport, you’ll keep track of you healthy choices and achieve all your wellness goals. And wait, there’s more! Every time you visit WCW weekeends, you will also earn points which are redeemable for amazing prices. Everyone wants to be healthy but unfortunately, being healthy is something that we need to work for, to simply enjoy the life that God has given us. For more details, please see http://ww1.nestle.com.ph/wellness/
See you there!
Makati City Metro Manila is known to be the Central business district where most decent professionals work wearing corporate attires rushing with the rhythm of the traffic jam. You’ll find the tallest buildings or towers and most likely you would also spot the building(s) where I worked as call center associate for over 2 years now. 😀 Ayala avenue of Makati is the busiest street I’ve known so far since this is where all public vehicles including jeepneys, buses or cabs pass by heading EDSA. I observed that most people here are disciplined. This is the place that I appreciated most. Cases of snatching and stealing is very rare in this area, which is why my parents would still prefer me to work here considering that opportunities here are just around the corner. The busy streets makes me think of how busy people are towards career. Every individual are really rushing for work which signifies success for professionals driven to make it to the top.
Overview of Ayala Avenue from the 4th floor of Metrobank Card Anz Ayala.
Ayala Avenue was named after the Zóbel de Ayala clan. They have created the Ayala corporation, a holding company who pioneered Philippine real estate development, banking and insurance. Ayalas control the businesses such as the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Ayala Land Inc., the Manila Water Company, and Globe Telecom, one of the largest mobile phone networks in the Philippines. Ayala has also played a big part in the development of the large areas of Makati City into residential subdivisions between 1940s and 1960s. These subdivisions include Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village, Bel-Air Village, San Lorenzo Village, Urdaneta Village, San Antonio Village, and Magallanes Village. They also developed Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Paseo de Roxas & Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue which now comprises of the horizon of the Makati Area.
Ayala Avenue.
PBCOM Tower is known to be the tallest building in the entire Philippines soaring at 52 storeys high and an 8-level radio tower. It’s peerless architecture and prime location at the very vein of Makati City is every global business man’s dream which opens new door for success of every professionals driving it to the top. PBCOM Tower is prominent and redefined which is a portrait of a great distinction of premium value among other towers here in Manila. Furthermore, it shares a history derived from the Philippine Bank of Communications, which holds a 6 decade-long reputation of the time-tested strength, stability and innovation.
PBCom Tower at it’s highest.
Glorieta Malls was used to be a park which has refreshing space to sit and rest in between bar, restaurants and cinemas around the perimeter. It is known that QUAD is the only big building near Glorieta untill in 1990’s, Ayala Land Corporation decided to renovate QUAD and Glorietta park untill from time to time Glorieta 1 to 4 was built. Glorieta 5 was built separately accross Rustan’s and the Manila Intercon.
Glorieta 4 at night.
Glorieta Malls was used to be a park which has refreshing space to sit and rest in between bar, restaurants and cinemas around the perimeter. It is known that QUAD is the only big building near Glorieta untill in 1990’s, Ayala Land Corporation decided to renovate QUAD and Glorietta park untill from time to time Glorieta 1 to 4 was built. Glorieta 5 was built separately accross Rustan’s and the Manila Intercon.
Yuchengco museum.
Yuchengco museum was named after Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco highlighting his contribution in fostering arts in terms of international, cultural, or design exhibits and programs. Located in Makati besides RCBC PLaza in Ayala Makati, was developed for public back in September of 2005 caters not only arts but also for education purposes.
Makati Medical Center started their operations back in May 31, 1961 when the Ayala conglomerate was still implementing their initial plans of transforming Makati City into a premier business district. Makati Medical Center is the leading healthcare facility in the Philippines, which provides satisfaction to their clients aiming to provide quality services exceeding beyond expectations. This hospital is where prominent public figures choose to be hospitalized because of their satisfactory service. One example is the comedy king Dolphy who stayed here for medication for over a month until he waved good-bye to the world.
Ninoy Aquino Shrine along the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue.The attractive Peninsula Hotel fountain.
Peninsula has been operating for over 30 decades now having been the forefront of Manila’s five-star luxury accommodations. One of the most admired hotels in Makati city, it’s being patronized by business travelers all over the world
Nevertheless, I am not saying that I have to stop appreciating from here. I have a lot more to say and I am writing about this as a preliminary task for my blog. By just seeing Makati alone, I suppose Philippines is a progressive country. Sad to say, we are still struggling as a third world country. As a Filipino, I wish something has to change and I wish to contribute out of it. But how do you think can I do that?
Do you love exploring underwater? Or something like you would really always crave for underwater adventure but you don’t have plenty of time to manage it? Here’s how you can see wonderful creatures which you’ll get amazed because it’s closer to your fantasy. Close your eyes, imagine you’re wearing some gears including an oxygen tank hanged at your back. Now the photos that I’ll let you view are the ones you’re longing to see ever!
Red lion fish or Pterois volitans is also found in the Indo-Pacific region but has increased its population in the Carribean sea and along the east coast of the United States. Adults can grow up to 43 centimeters and they can live up to 10 years They can also reproduce monthly.
Stone fish or Synanceia is known to be poisonous because of its neurotoxins secreted from the glands in the base of their fins when disturbed. Some swimmers may not notice them because of it being camouflaged into the stones underwater. Once touched, it triggers them to inject an amount of venom proportional to the amount of pressure applied to it.
Blue spotted ray or Kuhl’s stingray is light green in color and has blue spots on it. They eat small fish and small molusk but they are being preyed on by the killer whale or the hammer head shark. This specie can be found in Indonesia to Japan and south to Northern Australia. They can grow up to 18 years.
Striped moray eel has approximately 200 species. The longest specie or the slender giant moray can grow up to 13 feet. Moray eels are cosmopolitan and can be found in tropical and temperate seas though most of its species lives in the warm oceans. Some can also be found in freshwater like the freshwater moray.
Reef Shark or what we call “pating” in the vernacular is also found in the Indo- Pacific including the Philippines. They can grow up to 5.25 feet. Their main food are fish, octopus, spiny lobsters or crabs.
Clownfish are being protected from the sting of the anemone by their mucus. The largest can grow up to 18 centimeters.They normally reside in warm water of the Indian and the Pacific oceans including the red sea and the great barrier reef. Clownfish are omnivorous, since they eat mollusk, algae, plankton or crustacea.
Spotted garden eel or Heteroconger hassi can also be found in Indo-Pacific oceans at depths of between 7 and 45 meters. They grow up to 60 centimeters and the body diameter is up to 14 milimeters. This specie lives on sandy burrows close to corals and reefs.They feed themselves of zooplanktons.
More to explore, but guys our air tank is nearly expiring. Lets get to the surface and take a glimpse on some crocodiles too! Crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles which are found througout the rivers, lakes or wetlands in Africa, Asia, USA and Australia. They feed mostly on fish, reptiles and mammals or sometimes molluscs and crustaceans depending on the species.
Remember we are also considered mammals so I suggest to be cautious when we meet Mr. and Mrs. crocodile! Let’s end it here and I
hope you enjoyed our adventure. 😀
From the fun run that we attended to, the next itinerary was at Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort known as Sun City at San Vicente, Santa Ana, Cagayan Valley. I didn’t have plans to go there as far as my budget is concern since the place is only affordable to those VIP‘s or high- profile individuals. 😀 Embarrassing! It’s good that someone sponsored our trip going there including the villas where we stayed over night. Thank you Ferdinand Rey! ( http://www.cagayanvalley.com )
For a vacation to relax, Sun City has 112 villas designed with grandiosity full of elegant decorations, fully air conditioned and spacious rooms. Some of the staffs are Chinese so they would let you speak in English instead if you need some assistance. 😀
I did not dwell much on the inner views of the resort but what caught my attention is the breath taking and stunning sceneries outside. Boat riding will be the most wonderful experience that you might probably crave for. Boats are being rented in affordable prices and the usage is in an hourly basis.
Boats for rent in very reasonable prices.
Other than the beach where you can enjoy boat riding, You may also try the man-made pool good for night swimming with friends.
My friend Chelsea who is a very good swimmer at age 10 enjoys night and day swimming. She’s always on the go! 😀Chelsea and her mom together. 🙂
Sun city was known to be a resort intended for Chinese visitors but now they’re opening their doors for Filipinos too,less than a year ago. I guess what triggered them to open their doors for Filipinos is when Chinese visitors decreased last year. What a crap if Filipinos will not be allowed to enjoy there when it’s even in our province?! It’s more fun in Cagayan Valley! Enjoy every minute once you go there! 🙂
During summer time, what comes into our mind is automatically a beach adventure, or probably visiting some resorts near our places. It’s a bit boring if you think of the other way around like staying at home sleeping, or so. Some would also think of outdoor activities or sports like volleyball, badminton or soccer. And again, the best venue for that, is what I’m talking about right now. It has to be in beach. Yes! A beach! 😀
My cousin RJ who was once upon a time, at Nangaramoan beach. 🙂
One of the best experience that I have was when we visited Nangaramoan Beach in Sta Ana Cagayan Valley. There is no fee at all. If you visit the place, I suggest you’ll be there for a day for you to witness low tide in the morning till late in the afternoon, and high tide at night time. Low tide is perfect for collecting shells whereas for high tide, it will be perfect for swimming. Unfortunately when we went there with my fellow bloggers, it was already late in the afternoon. So what I enjoyed was the food trip session instead. One of the highlights why I went there with them hahaha! 😀
Photographs below are some shots late in the afternoon. People would really enjoy volleyball, picking shells and weird species, and some would roam around taking photographs.
I actually witnessed some kids picking up some shells and some species which at first I was so scared to look at but it was pretty amazing when I took photos of it. Those kids were camera shy so they didn’t allow me to take photos of them. Here are some of the species they got. 🙂
One of the most amazing thing about this is the rock formation– huge rocks are being formed everywhere. These guys really enjoyed walking on the beach while it’s low tide taking photographs and some stuffs.
My mentors in blogging, Kuya Roy and Kuya Diboy. 🙂
And again, like what I’ve said earlier, the highlight of my story. 😀 Drinking and food trip session with my co-bloggers! 😀 We did not take the responsibility to cook our food though. It so happened that Kuya Germain has a friend who resides nearby. Thank you Ate and Kuya who took care of everything for us. 🙂
Kuya Germain is the ones munching the yummy yellow watermelon. 😀
My blogging buddies…I miss you all. 🙂
Plus, before we headed off Sta Ana, we took a glimpse of San Vicente Port or what they call pier. If you look at map of the Philippines, this is the endmost part of the Philippines at the top right wing! Literally! 😀 If you wish to see Palaui Island, Cape Engano, or Anguib beach, those small vessels that you see in the photo is the best transportation for you to get there. Thank you Kuya Germain and Ate Karen for our transportation visiting those wonderful places I’ve seen ever!
A floating restaurant in the pier.
This is the ending of my story. 🙂 For adventurous people, I suggest you try those places. A credit to Aris Pasaraba Aczon and to my cousin Ricky James Babaran Guiyab for some other photos which satisfied my complete story. Till next time. 🙂 Thank you for visiting my page. For questions, suggestions or comments, don’t hesitate to place it right at the comment field below. 🙂
At first I was so hesitant visiting Sta Praxedes because of its distance from Enrile Cagayan where my residence is. By looking at the map alone, I didn’t realize we passed through nine (9) towns of approximately 400 kilometers away from my hometown. Amazing! I’m glad I have my father who served as my tour guide and supported me all along the way. Thank you dear Tatay. We passed through Tuguegarao, Iguig, Amulung, Acala, Gattaran, Allacapan, Pamplona, Sanchez Mira and Claveria sequentially. (FYI, Sta Praxedes is just a 30 minute-drive away from Pagudpud Ilocos where you can also see lovely spots like Blue Lagoon, Kabigan Falls and the like). That was so tiring but I was really eager about the experience that I can probably share with you all once I visited its known PORTABAGA FALLS, one of the two falls famous in town. And I can say this is priceless (I guess). The other falls is called MACATEL FALLS which I would also visit next time, good for rescheduling, too bad. I can’t visit two falls at the same time since I only had limited days for vacation. It’s good my second sister migrated in Portabaga, one of the barangays in Sta Praxedes where the falls is, which is pretty much convenient for us since we had a place to stay before heading to my target spot. Portabaga is one of the highest falls in Cagayan Valley about 40 feet high which has three drop off points and man-made catch-basins intended for swimming developed by the local government.
At the entrance, the roar of the water and the children shouting is already heard while having fun. This is how the entrance looks like. I hope the tarpaulin for the rates is visible. 🙂 There isn’t much art on the falls yet so apparently we just expect to have a simple visual aspects like these, and chances of having low-cost entrance fees too. Cottages are also being rented on affordable prizes. For reservations contact 0927-825-3311 | 0928-206-7162.
Here I learned some exotic foods too, like “kilawen and adobong pugita”(baby octopus) and “gamet”(dried seaweeds) which are being exported to other countries like China as an ingredient of their favorite menus. Buying fish is also amusing because of it’s inexpensive prices and this is customarily their main dish for meal and believe me, you’ll be fed up (in a good way). I also saw a watermelon which is one of a kind! It is elongated and and yellow colored. There isn’t much difference on the common red watermelon aside from it being a bit crunchy.
I decided to walk heading towards the falls just to capture some photos I might can publicize to make my visit memorable. There I saw bunches of Anahaw trees growing anywhere along the way, I learned that Agtas (indigenous people) sell it for 2.50 php per leaf in the localities but if they will export it to other provinces, the cost will increase to 4.50 php instead. Anahaw which they call “labig” is used as a roof for houses lasting up to 10 years.
For us who live in the North, It is very relaxing to unwind in places like these breathing the fresh air and listening to the roars of the waterfalls after our tough working days.
Kids just love playing on and around the pool. Climbing on the huge rocks is also fun but it’s a bit scary because some of the parts are really sharp.
My niece Nichi who took almost all the photos for me. 😉
I don’t really have much courage to swim into the pool since I’m not good in swimming, first of , other than the water being too cold. Woaaahhhh!.
My niece Kaye 😉
This is my niece KAYE. She just loved playing on the leaking water from the pool. She’s scared going into the deep kiddie pool haha! The pool on her background has no flooring other than huge rocks.
Man-made pool 🙂
HOW TO GET THERE?
Sta Praxedes Cagayan Valley is about 500 kilometers north of Manila, having a travel time of about 8-10 hours by land via Ilocos. You may either take it via SCTEX too, which is Roxas bound but it will take you about 16 hours to travel. Buses include GV Florida, Victory liner, Baliwag Transit, or Dalin liner. All buses mentioned are stationed in Cubao and Sampaloc. Fare rate ranges from 500.00 php to 800.00 php or so, one way. By air, we also have Cebu Pacific or Airphil which would cost you around 2800.00 php one way for only about an hour travel period to Tuguegarao. The nearest hotel where you can stay is in Claveria Cagayan, just 30 mins drive from Sta Praxedes and vice versa. Traveling by land is interesting for those who love nature since you would see vast forest lands along the way from Nueva Vizcaya all throughout the province.
Much more to explore in the North. This is my first itinerary so please watch out for my upcoming adventures on the next coming months. These are the things that I want our fellow Cagayanos to be proud of. After all we just need to have a little development for these spots and it will sound like you’ve already reached Pagsanjan Falls of Laguna or Tamaraw Falls of Mindoro perhaps. Great! All we need is to love the art of exploring and sharing whatever we’ve explored. Let me end it here.
I’m glad I have my father who served as my tour guide and supported me all along the way. Thank you dear Tatay. 
We passed through 
It’s good my second sister migrated in Portabaga, one of the barangays in Sta Praxedes where the falls is, which is pretty much convenient for us since we had a place to stay before heading to my target spot. Portabaga is one of the highest falls in 
Worth Sharing Thoughts 
