Enchanting Coron: Siete Pecados and Kayangan Lake

Our first day’s first destination was Siete Pecados. Sabi ni kuyang tour guide na nakalimutan ko na ang pangalan dahil sa tagal bago ko nagawan ito ng post, once there was 7 pasaway sisters na sinumpa ng kanilang parents at naging small islands, the end. In short, Siete Pecados means Seven Sisters.

Siete Pecados entrance fee: Php 100

I love snorkelling but I hate the strong current. Hindi ko masyadong na-kabonding ang mga fishes sa Siete Pecados dahil super lakas ng current. Kapag nakabitaw ka sa lubid na nakatali sa mga bangka in no time nasa laot ka na. We didn’t stay long and move on to our next destination.

Our next stop was my favorite, Kayangan Lake. Entrance fee is Php 200.

Before we can reach Kayangan Lake we need to exhaust ourselves a little. 

On the peak of the climb, just before descending the lake there was a cave.

Opposite the cave was a priceless scenery and the most photographed place in Coron, it was called the Blue Lagoon.

Excited akong makabalik sa Kayangan Lake. It was the most that I like among Coron Islands. The water was so clear. And for me, describing it as exquisite was an under statement.

school of baby sword fish

my brother Marlon, my mom, me and my youngest sib Morris

There was also a small cave on one side of the lake that we wasnt able to explore the first time I was here. Because we dont know that it was there.

After almost a couple of hours exploring Kayangan, we decided to take our lunch in Blue Lagoon. May mga cottages doon kung saan pwede mag-rest or kumain. Our package was, again inclusive of lunch, a picnic style one.

Sarap ng lunch namen, gusto ko matulog after. Pero sayang naman kung matutulog lang ako kaya after ng lunch gora na sa next destination, Diwata Beach and CYC Beach. But that would be on my next post na.

I hope you enjoyed the view kahit sa pictures lang. Next post ulit, bye for now!

Coron: Revisited

Kumusta naman na hindi pa rin ako nakakapagpost ng Coron trip. I need a secretary yung mabilis at masipag magtype. Ang init kasi ng panahon nakakatamad magtype (may maidahilan lang). Ang haba pa naman ng gusto ko ikwento regarding our Coron trip. Hay naku masimulan na nga!

March 10 when we leave Manila for our Coron trip. Im with my mom and two brothers. Kasama din dapat si dad kaya lang mas pinili nyang maiwan. Masyado daw kasing matagal ang 5 days baka daw pagbalik namen eh lugi negosyo na.

Yep, it's my second time in Coron. The first was 2 years ago with 2 of my friends and my ex boyfriend.

May itinerary na kami pagdating pa lang. Aakyat sa 700+ steps ng Mt. Tapyas at pagbaba deretso sa Maquinit Hotspring. Kaya lang pagdating namen sa airport, actually sa plane pa lang hilong hilo na ko. Sabi ko nga sa twitter status ko, "worst landing ever". Sama talaga sa pakiramdam muntik na ko masuka. My mom and my brother Marlon felt the same kaya ayun pagdating sa lodge cancel na muna ang itinerary for that day at nagpahinga na lang.

Nakuha ko yung ticket namen ng promo which costs 1,013 pesos each lang via Cebu Pacific.

Hindi rin ako masyado matyaga mag DIY kaya nagsearch ako ng mga murang package tours for Coron at kay Aaron Tams ako napadpad. This is his contact number 09103626507 and email address aaron@coronpackagetour.com. Unlike others, mabilis syang magreply.  He offered us a good tour package for a price of 5,550 pesos only per person for 5 days and 4 nights.

Package inclusions are:
-breakfast at the lodge
-lunch during boat tours
-roundtrip transfers via van from Busuanga airport to lodge and vise versa
-accommodation (private toilet and bath, hot and cold shower, airconditioned rooms, tv, wifi access)
-boat rental and tours
-tour guide on boat tours

The places and islands included on our itinerary for five days are:
-Mt. Tapyas                                                    -Banana island
-Maquinit Hotspring                                         -Malcapuya island
-Siete Pecados                                                -Twin Lagoon
-Kalachuchi beach                                           -Sunshine beach
-Kayangan Lake                                              -Barracuda Lake
-Twin Peaks Reef                                            -Skeleton shipwreck
-Banol beach                                                   -Diwata beach
-CYC beach                                                    -Atuayan beach
-Caliwantay beach

Unfortunately hindi namen napuntahan lahat ng nasa list. Currently there's a dispute going on between the natives of Coron islands. According to our tour guide napagkasunduan ng mga may-ari ng islands na i-centralized ang pagbabayad ng entrance fee sa bawat islands or attraction and then ika-cut na yung 10% para sa Tagbanua (natives of Coron islands) communities. Kaya lang yung ibang may-ari daw ng islands ayaw pumayag na may cut na 10%. They want the whole entrace fee na sa kanila mapunta. So ngayon yung pinakamataas daw na Tagbanua leader who owns the Kayangan lake, prohibited boats to dock on the islands of those who disagree on the 10% arrangement. And those prohibited areas includes Banol beach, Caliwantay (a.k.a. Smith) beach, Twin Lagoon and Kalachuchi beach. May mga prohibited beaches pa na hindi naman included sa itinerary namen kaya hindi ko na natandaan kung ano.

It was strictly implemented as I observed kasi may mga guns talaga yung mga guards na nagbabantay sa mga prohibited areas at hindi talaga nila pinapapasok yung mga bangka. Ganyan daw ang set up sa Coron islands hanggat hindi pumapayag yung ibang Tagbanua sa 10% cut arrangement. It was kind a disappointing cause Banol, Caliwantay and Twin Lagoon were on my top list of beautiful islands in Coron. Although napuntahan ko na sila before gusto ko rin kasi na makita ng family ko ang ganda ng mga lugar na yun, tsaka kaya nga ginusto ko na bumalik sa Coron eh.

Anyways sana lang maayos na nila yung dispute kasi medyo nakakadiscourage sa mga tourists kapag may ganun. Although Coron has really a lot to offer at ipapakita ko ang iba sa susunod kong post kasi ang haba na nito. Kahit ako tinatamad ng basahin eh.

O sya see you next post na.

A sneak peek on Kayangan Lake.

P.S.

I had a friend who visited Coron last April and she said the feud was now over. Good thing!

And thank you guys for the comments on my last post I appreciate it much. Im starting to visit your blogs na. Yey medyo sinisipag na ulet ako (fingers crossed) haha!

update update din pag may time

Hello hello hello! Kumusta naman kayo? Ako? Eto almost a month ng walang blog update. As if may nagaabang ng update ko. Ang tagal ko na ring hindi nakakabisita sa mga blog nyo tsk. Ewan ko ba  tinatamad busy busy-han na naman ang peg ko. Sa sobrang busy nakalimutan hindi ko pa rin nagagawa ang statement of account ng PBO for the last project, sorry naman. Eto na isusunod ko na dito. At talagang nauna pa ang blog update. Nagsunod sunod lang ang alis ko plus events and activities plus business and lovelife pa. Oh yes may lovelife na ang lola nyo ngaun.

Naalala nio ba si best man sa Maid of Honor post ko? Yes, korek, tama, palangak, walang duda sya yun! Eh hindi na nya daw kasi nakalimutan ang aking kagandahan mula ng makita nya ko sa wedding ng common friend namen. He courted me since then at ayun nung April 21 ibinigay ko na ang matamis kong OO.

Nung una hindi ko sya gusto. Although kinikilig ako sa mga effort na ginagawa nya. Pero syempre iba pa rin kapag may romantic feelings. I almost told him to stop na but still I give myself a chance. Hindi rin naman kasi dapat madaliin ang mga ganung bagay. Dumating din yung time na Im starting to fall na kaya ayun na nga. Kapag sinipag ako ipopost ko dito ang buong kwento. Syanga pala binabasa nya tong blog ko kaya hi my Love (kilig much!).

I thougt it was wrong timing kasi I have a friend who's currently hurting because her partner cheated on her. Medyo natakot ako at naisip ko pano kung mangyari din yun saken. Pano kung sobrang mahal ko na sya tapos biglang malalaman ko na may minamahal na syang iba? Ang dami kong naisip nun pero yung friend ko mismo nagsabi saken. Wag daw akong matakot kasi magkaibang tao naman sila at oras na para sumaya naman daw ako. Oha may ganong factor si friend.

Naisip ko rin naman kung palagi tayong matatakot magmahal eh wala talagang mangyayari. Nakita ko rin naman kung gano ka-sincere si best man. Sabi nga nila ang true love minsan lang dumating kaya kapag anjan na wag mo ng pakawalan, ikaw rin. At kung sakali man na magloko sya hindi ko kawalan. Magloloko pa ba sya eh neseken ne keye eng lehet charot!

Samantala sa ibang mga balita (segue segue din pag may time) natuloy na rin ang pizza making bonding namen nina Pao at Carlo. Andito ang kwento. Naaliw ako sa ginawa namen kahit mahirap pala mag-knead ng dough. In fairness nabusog kami ng bonga sa pizza at nagenjoy sa kwentuhan kahit medyo bitin. Salamat Pao and Carlo until next bonding time.

Ang dami ko pang gusto ikwento katulad nung Camsur vacation namen ni mudra at funfest ng suking grocery sa Enchanted Kingdom pero next time na lang tinatamad may gagawin pa kasi ako.

Nga pala may Feeding Program ang PBO sa Friday, May 10, 2013, 8am at TM Kalaw Taft. Kung hindi kayo busy sama kayo ah. For more details or questions and suggestions click nio lang ito Pinoy Bloggers Outreach or email me at pinkline_21@yahoo.com. Maraming salamat. Hope to see you there.

Na-miss ko kayo!

Tinago Falls- Iligan

My Tinago Falls adventure was part of my Cagayan de Oro trip last September 2012. I cant recall why this was stock on my draft like forever and Im thinking of just deleting. But you know, I cant afford not to share my first time falls adventure. So here it is.

Before leaving CdO, we had our late lunch at Mykarelli's Grill. This place was worth mentioning the second time around. I cant and will never forget the yummiest chicken inasal I've ever tasted.

It was already seven in the evening when we arrived in Iligan. We contained ourselves from an exhausting but a delightful day at the Famous Pension House.

We have settled to leave the pension house as early as 7am so that we can have all our time to see the two most famous falls in Iligan. But our driver slash tour guide who had a convention at the same area got himself drunk the night before. I had already detailed this story on my bacon series post so lets move on.

Unfortunately with all the delay that happened we didnt get to see Maria Cristina Falls but I promised to myself that I will, one of these days.

Iligan is known to its majestic waterfalls which, of course includes Tinago. We almost got lost before we finally reached the mystifying trudge to the falls.

When we climbed out of the car, we're immediately approached by two local in their teen age, who claimed themselves as tour guides. They said they're gonna help us carry our things and guide our trek down to the falls. Since its our first time and we have yet to be familiar, so we agreed.

Beside the signage was the registration area. We paid 50 pesos for the entrace including the life vest.

On our trek, we passed by this unfinished structure. According to our teenager guides, it was supposed to be a hotel but before it was done the owner faced bankruptcy and now it was on the government's trusteeship. It looks creepy. Even when its done I wouldnt want to stay here.

Our guide led us to the 400+ stair steps down but they mention that there's another route which has more than 500 steps.

My legs were wobbling while descending.

The falls was literally hidden.

I really cant hide the excitement running through me as I hear the rushing sound of falling water growing loud as we get closer.

When I saw that view, I wanted to dive straight to the water as if I know how to swim.

I was stunned the moment Im standing in front of this strong falling water. The sound of him was like music to my ears and thats the only thing Im hearing. It was like I fell in-love again for the first time. And Im not amplifying, that was really how I felt when I saw this marvelous falls.

We took photos endlessly and filled our hearts and eyes with the view.

We rode a balsa that took us beneath the falls. Some locals were kind enough to assist us and helped us explore the falls. Though it was not compulsory, we gave them monetary tips after.

Locals told us to climb the rocks. They said the view was more striking up there. No one dared but me! I felt so overwhelmed by the strong sound of falling water so I accepted the challenge. The rocks were slippery plus the water falling through my face was destructing my eyes. It was really formidable but Im fearless!

That boy was telling me to enter the small cave he was pointing  at. I was hesitant because the cave was so small and was very dark inside but I thought andun na rin naman ako why not try. 

I found my love team here. I forgot his name but he was very kind assisting me all through out my falls exploration.

on another part of the falls

Dyosa ng Tinago Falls

Afternoon came and we have to fix ourselves cause we have a flight to catch (which unfortunately we didnt). While we were climbing back we came across people going down the falls. I can say that it is best to go there by morning when it's not yet crowded.

There's a shower room near the registration area where we rinsed ourselves. We paid 20 pesos each for the clean water.

This was another great adventure I would never forget.

Si Lola Natalia sa Bahay ni Maria

Bago ang lahat gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat na naging bahagi ng 2nd outreach ng PBO na ginanap sa Bahay ni Maria, Calamba, Laguna noong nakaraang Sabado. Sa mga cash donors, mga volunteers, officers and members, maraming maraming salamat. Kung wala kayo alam kong hindi possible ang gawaing ito.

Ang totoo wala na kong makukwento pa dahil naikwento na ng mga kasama kong bloggers ang mga naganap nung araw na yun sa Bahay ni Maria. Heto ang mga kwento nila:

Pinoy Bloggers Outreach, Bahay ni Maria, Couples/Youth for Christs atbp by Bino of Damuhan
PBO shares love to the grannies at Bahay ni Maria by Marge of Coffeehan
A Heart Bigger than a Home: Bahay ni Maria by Kulapitot
PBO Outreach Program: Bahay ni Maria by Sunny Toast
PBO 2nd outreach: Bahay ni Maria by Kol me eMPi
Si Lola Binay sa Bahay ni Maria by Nutty of Nutt Cracker Presents
Laruan! PBO's 2nd Outreach by Mar of Unplog
2nd PBO kick-off by Rixophrenic
Bahay ni Maria by Glentot of Wickedmouth

So bye bye na nag-thank you lang talaga ako charot! Syempre may kwento din naman ako, naks parang totoo.

Ako ata ang pinakahuling dumating sa mga volunteers, galing pa kasi ako sa bahay namen sa Batangas kaya hindi ako nakasabay sa kanila. Akala ko nga late na ko pero pagdating ko may nauna pa palang event. Hindi ko na ikkwento kung ano yun. Nakwento na rin ng ibang bloggers at ayoko na alalahanin naiinis lang ako ng slight.

Anyways gusto ko lang ikwento ang tungkol sa isang lola na nakakwentuhan ko ng matagal, sya si lola Natalia. Kinuwento nya saken kung paano sya gumaling sa pagka-bed ridden. Sabi nya nagkasakit daw sya noon na halos hindi na sya makabangon, hindi na nya maigalaw ang buong katawan nya. Pero sinabi daw nia sa nanay nya noon na pahiran ng gas yung tuhod nya. Ilang linggo lang daw lumakas na sya. Noong narinig ko yun, I was like "talaga lola?!". Hindi ko talaga alam kung maniniwala ako. Then I asked her, "paano nyo po nalaman yung tungkol dun?". Sabi nya nadiskubre lang daw nya sa sarili nya. Until now I have yet to discover if that was true. Ano sa tingin nyo? (tamad mag-google).

lola Natalia and me

Ganun lang daw kasi ang ginawa nya, ang pahiran ng gas ang tuhod nya, hanggang sa makatayo na sya ulet at kahit pano ay makalakad. Sabi nya kaya pa naman nya maglakad pero may suporta.
"Humihingi nga ako ng gas kay sister kasi sumasakit yung tuhod ko minsan kaya lang ayaw nya ko bigyan".
"Bakit daw po ayaw kayo bigyan?"
"Hindi daw pwede baka daw kasi masunog kami dito." May point naman si sister.
"Haha ganun po ba? Ok lang yan lola lakad lakad ka lang ng madalas pag nagtagal magiging maayos din pakiramdam ng tuhod mo". Yun na lang nasabi ko. Tumango naman si lola hehe. Napansin ko na dumaan sa harap namen si sister sabi ni lola, "andyan pala si sister hindi mo sinabi hehe".
"Ok lang yan lola hindi naman nya narinig eh hehe".

Lola Natalia reminds me of my own lola. May katarata kasi ang kanang mata ni lola Talia. Pareho sila ng lola ko. Mula kasi ng magkaisip ako bulag na ang mga mata ng lola ko. Sabi ng mom ko katarata daw yun. Hindi nila napagamot agad noon kasi kapos sa pinansyal. Noong may sapat ng pera para mapagamot sya hindi na rin kaya pang magamot. Hopeless case na daw yung sa lola ko. Nalungkot ako kasi ramdam ko na gusto pa nya makakita. By the way namatay ang maternal grandma ko at the age of 82.

Balik tayo kay lola Talia. Nakakaaninag pa naman daw ang mata nya. Nililinis lang daw nya palagi para kahit pano ay makaaninag pa. Marami pa kaming mga simpleng bagay na napagkwentuhan. Marami rin sana akong gustong itanong sa kanya kaya lang hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang itanong yung mga yun.

"Gusto ko sana kuhanin na ko ng pamilya ko dito". Bigla ako nalungkot. Parang may kumurot sa puso ko. Hindi ko maiwasan na makaramdam ng awa kay lola Talia dahil sa sinabi nia. Ilang sandali din akong natigilan. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Minabuti ko na lang na wag magtanong pa tungkol sa pamilya nya ayoko ng dagdagan ang bigat na nararamdaman nya. Hanggang sa niyakap ko na lang si lola at sinabi ko "wag ka na malungkot lola, kaya kami nandito ngayon para kahit pano mapasaya kayo". Tumango na lang sya na bakas pa rin sa muka ang lungkot.

Siguro nga kahit papano napapasaya sila ng mga katulad naten na dumadalaw sa kanila. Pero at the end of the day maghahanap at maghahanap pa rin sila ng pamilya. Sa ganitong mga sitwasyon matatanong mo na lang sa sarili mo bakit kaya sila iniwan ng mga pamilya nila. Sigurado naman ako na may mga dahilan pero kahit ano pa man ang mga dahilan na yan hindi pa rin tama na abandunahin sila ng tuluyan at kalimutan.

with lola Natalia and the other lolas

Wala na akong grandparents ngayon. Kasama na sila lahat ni Lord. Ang huling grandparent na nakasama ko ay ang maternal grandma ko. Namimiss ko na ang paghiga sa lap nya habang sinusuklay nya ang buhok ko. Namimiss ko na ang pagkanta nya sa tuwing magrerequest ako ng kanta. Namimiss ko nang makita ang mga ngiti nya sa tuwing bibigyan ko sya ng regalo tapos hahalikan nya ako at magpapasalamat. Sobrang miss ko na si lola ko at habang tinatype ko to hindi ko mapigilang hindi maluha. Kung gano ako natutuwa sa mga babies ganun din ako natutuwa sa mga lola kasi naalala ko ang lola ko na kahit kelan hindi ko na makakasama.

Bago kami umalis sa Bahay ni Maria niyakap ko ng mahigpit si lola Natalia.



*Thanks kuya Mar and sis Marge for the photos I used.

Nuvali Food Trip

Ayan medyo sinisipag na ko mag-update ulet. Sana tuloy tuloy na to!

I've been to Nuvali for the first time last Tuesday. Nuvali is in Sta. Rosa Laguna by the way. Kasama ko si Pao at kuya Mar. Nainggit kasi ako sa mga pagkain na pino-post nila sa fb na sila lang ang nag-eenjoy. Then nag-aya si Pao ng picnic daw sa Nuvali.  Kaya ayun gora kami.

I dont know how to get there buti na lang maraming beses na nakapunta dun si kuya Mar. We reached Nuvali by 1pm at sinimulan agad ang food trip.

Simulan naten dito sa Buddy's Pancit Habhab na dala pa ni kuya Mar all the way from Pasig. Since hindi ako kumain bago umalis ng bahay sa van pa lang gusto ko na syang habhabin. Pero syempre tiniis ko. Pumasok kami sa isang Mexican themed resto (I forgot the name) at habang hinihintay ang order namen we started eating this. Ang sarap nya lalo na kapag may suka (vinegar)!

In just a while, dumating na rin ang order namen.

Kain at kwentuhan ng matagal hanggang kami na lang ang tao sa loob ng resto. Nang mabusog lumipat naman kami sa Starbucks para magkape kahit na super init!

Perfect na partner ng kape ang siksik sa buko na Original's Buko Pie na dala ni Pao. Eto yung sikat na buko pie na pinipilihan pa daw sa Laguna. Um-effort dito si Pao sa pagpila. Thank's Pao! Parang redundant ang "Pao" noh? Eh kasi birthday nya kahapon. Happy Birthday ulet Pao! Sana makapasa ka sa board exam. Good luck!

More kwentuhan at tawanan habang nagpapaypay dahil sa init. Nasa loob na kami ng SB pero ramdam na ramdam pa rin namen ang init sa labas oh mahina lang talaga ang aircon nila.

Nung medyo nawala na ang init ng araw lumabas na kami para magfeed ng mga sugapang fish (according to kuya Mar) at magboating. Unfortunately sarado na ang bilihan ng pagkain ng fish at naglast trip na rin ang boat. Kaya more on picture picture at watch nalang kami ng super daming fish sa man made pond.

Hindi ako masyadong natuwa sa mga fish na to. Nakakasawa na silang tingnan sa sobrang dami. At talagang nagaagawan sila sa mga pagkain na binibigay sa kanila to the extent na tumatalon sila sa part na wala ng tubig para lang makuha yung pagkain.

fishes ba to o worms? lol

pig out!

Inviting ang halo halo na nadaanan namen sa Conti's kaya binalikan namen. Unfortunately na naman ubos na daw yung halo halo. Na-set na yung utak ko na magha-halo halo kami. Buti na lang may Razon's sa Paseo na isang gulong lang from Nuvali. So sakay kami ng car ni Pao at gora sa Razon's

Buti na lang may halo halo sa Razon's kasi kung wala magwawala na talaga kami char!

Tinikman din namen ang kanilang Silvanas.

Kunwari mga fish daw yung mga naka-orange na hinagisan ni Pao ng pagkain kaya ang saya saya nila.

I felt bloated after at habang naghihintay kami ni kuya Mar ng bus pauwi parang masusuka na ko sa sobrang busog. Buti na lang napigil ko sayang naman kasi kung ilalabas ko lang lahat yun. Pero paguwi ko naman ng bahay kumulo na yung tyan ko haha!

Thanks to these boys who sponsored this food trip specially to kuya Mar. Kelan pala despidida mo?



*PBO Update*

PBO is having it's 2nd outreach na po sa March 30, 2013 sa Bahay ni Maria, Calamba, Laguna. For more infos please visit our page Pinoy Bloggers Outreach. Nag-aaccept pa rin po tayo ng donations. See you mga ka-PBO!