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!

Blog Mom

Its been a week na since I came back from our Coron getaway with my family pero parang hindi pa rin ako nakaka-move on. Gusto ko pa ng bakasyon! Sana merong ang trabaho eh magbakasyon lang ng magbakasyon. Yung tipong babayaran ka dahil sa pagbabakasyon mo. Ako na siguro ang may pinakamataas na posisyon dun pag nagkataon.

Ang tagal na rin nung huling post ko, tinamaan na naman ako ng katam. Dagdag pa yung sobrang mainit na panahon, mas lalong nakakatamad. Pero napansin ko na konti lang ang nagu-update sa mga pina-follow ko na blog. In short hindi lang ako ang tinamaan ng katam marami kami o tayo (nangdamay pa!).

Anyways bago ang kwento ko sa super enjoy na Coron getaway gusto ko munang ikwento ang meet and greet with my mom in the blogosphere. None other than mommy Joy! Yey!

Na-excite ako ng malaman ko na uuwi sya from Norway. And then came March 17 at ayun nagkita kami with the other bloggers.

the girls: Kat, me, mommy Joy and sis Joanne

dapat may solo picture kami lahat with mommy Joy

Medyo nalate ako ng slight ahmmm sige na nga more than an hour pala akong late sa usapan, sorry naman. Pagdating ko sa meeting place (SB) nagtayuan na sila. Alisan na chos!

Pagkakita ko kay mommy Joy syempre kiss and hug, at ang sabi nya saken "ang sexy". Ang honest talaga ni mommy Joy hihi. Syempre sabi ko sa kanya mas sexy sya. True naman, lalo na in person. She really looks younger than her age. Speaking of age, happy belated birthday din pala sa kanya.

She treated us for lunch. Thank you po mommy Joy. Then kwentuhan, tawanan, kulitan. Medyo bitin pero we really enjoyed the time with her. Ang sarap lang ng kwentuhan na parang matagal na talaga kaming magkakakilala.

me with mommy Joy

Thank you for the time you spent with us mommy Joy. We're all grateful that we've met and be friends with such an inspirational woman like you. Thank you din po sa walang sawang pagsuporta sa PBO. Until we meet again, kami naman ang susugod sa Norway chos!

♥ ♥ ♥ 

I wanna take this oppurtunity na rin to greet a funny, bubbly and obessy blogger friend a happy happy birthday. I know you're genuinely happy for what you are and what you have right now. So wala na siguro akong mahihiling pa para sayo. Just stay happy. God bless you always. Happy Birthday Christian Paul Dee!

We love you Teriyaki Boy!

Siargao Adventure: Surfing

Surfing was on my bucketlist that's why Im so excited about this trip.

It was already 4pm when we arrived at the resort from a tiring but super fun island hopping. We changed outfit without resting a bit and instantly went to Cloud 9. Thanks by the way to the very accommodating ate Anita, the owner of the resort where we stayed, Jadestar Lodge, who find a habal habal that would take us to the surfing area.

Cloud 9

One of the best known surfing waves on Siargao and the Philippines, with a worldwide reputation for thick, hollow tubes is "Cloud 9". This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.The wave was discovered by travelling surfers in the late 1980s. It was named after a chocolate bar of same name, and made famous by American photographer John S. Callahan, who published the first major feature on Siargao Island in the United States- based Surfer magazine in March 1993, and hundreds of his photos in many other books and magazines since his first visit in 1992. Callahan has put the island on the international map and has drawn thousands of surfers and tourists to Siargao. - Wikipedia

After 10 minutes, we're on Cloud 9, the famous wave and surfing area in Siargao. We were approached by a local in his motorcycle who happened to be a surfing instructor too. He offered us a one-hour surfing lesson for 500 pesos each. We agreed then start the lessons immediately because the sun was also starting to set.

The waves in Siargao were amazingly big. I still remember when we were on our boat trip going to the islands, we were like riding a car passing a zigzag road.

I felt excited and anxious at the same time. Anxious because, again, I dont know how to swim. But then again, nothing can stop me and besides the water was only above waist high even though we're already far from the shore.

My first attempt to stand on the surf board failed. Second, failed again. Third, still failed. I cant manage to balance my feet on the board. Im always falling. My body was starting to feel the pain of falling hard on the water. But I cant give up, I should never give up!

Im envious of how Zai and Empi nailed it. They were like pros! Seeing them so relaxed while riding the waves inspired me and thought, I can do it too. And so, on my 6th attempt to stand, I finally made it! The feeling was as high as Cloud 9! Im ecstatic, I raised my both hands while standing on the board and shouted my heart out! Wohooooo! I did it.

look at the abs of my surfing instructor haha!

No one was left on the shore to take our actual surfing photos.

All the body pains and bruises paid off. I really had fun. It is something that I will always look forward doing again.

By the way, this is for the girls, if you'll gonna try surfing please dont ever ever wear string bikini.

Until my next adventure. See you!

Siargao Adventure: Naked, Daku and Guyam Islands

After our cave exploration and that "buwis buhay" jump on Mangkukuob Cave we set sail to our next destination, the three lovely islands of Siargao.

We docked in first to Naked Island. Why naked? Well, as the name implies, it is indeed naked! You can see nothing but a fine white sand and some seaweeds carried by waves through the shores.

It is the best place for sun bathing. Weather you like it or not you will be sun bathed in this island.

After our pictorials we decided to move to the next island. It's getting really hot and we have to maximize our time. So bye Naked Island and hello Daku Island!

palm trees, refined white sand, blue waters- paradise!

Among the three islands, Daku was my favorite. When I was a child, I always dream of going to a white beach with palm trees and hammock. And everytime Im in a place like this it feels like my dreams were reality all over again. A real paradise.

This is where we also did our much anticipated Metro Magazine-peg photo session. Conceptualized, visualized and directed by none other than Zai! If you want to see our "flaming" photos just click here and feel the heat. Warning: view at your own risk.

Here are some of our behind-the-scene photos in my favorite Daku Island. Caption these!

And this is my favorite photo of me taken in this charming island.

Dyosa ng Daku Island

By the way Daku means "big" in Visayan, therefore it is the biggest among the three.

Our last stop was the Guyam Island. If you're looking for a tranquil uninhabited place then Guyam is perfect! This is a real depiction in my mind when someone is asking "if you were stranded on an island...". I wouldnt mind being a damsel, without the "in distress", stuck in this island. Well, atleast for a week. Just leave me with food and good books.

We didnt stay too long. We bid the island goodbye and wished to come back.

There's plenty of beautiful places to discover in our country. I never thought that Siargao has so much more to offer than surfing. Another wonderful place to be.

Reunited with Fireworks and Bowling

Puputulin ko muna ang Siargao Adventure post ko. Isisingit ko lang ang ganap sa aking Saturday.

Reunited

Finally ay nagkita na ulet kami ng long lost kabarkada namen na bigla na lang nawala sa sirkulasyon. Almost 4 years hindi nagparamdam. Recently lang bigla syang sumulpot sa FB at ayun super daming kwentuhan through chat at napagkasunduan na magkita kita. Pero hindi magkatagpo ang mga schedules namen. Until nag-aya akong manood ng Pyromusical Competition sa MOA. 

Me: (through SMS) Guys nood tayo Pyromusical Competition sa MOA sa Saturday

Barkada: Umaga ba yun?

Me: Ahmmm fireworks yun eh so malamang umaga sya. 

Barkada: May pasok ako sa umaga eh

Me: O sige sa gabi na lang. Yung fireworks na maga-adjust para sayo.

Barkada: Okay, go na ko

Pasensya na ganyan lang po talaga kami mag-usap. Normal po samen yan. Though hindi lahat makakapunta itinuloy na rin namen ang meet up. James hasnt change a bit, well except the beer belly. Mas lumaki ang tyan nya. Pero sya pa rin yung barkada namen na mahilig sa sabaw. Kanin at sabaw lang solve na sya. Sobrang pagkamiss, pagkakita ko sa kanya nagpa-Dawn Zulueta ako charot! I just hugged him so tight. He has his own family na rin.

Richelle, long lost James and Me ;)

Fireworks

United Kingdom and South Korea were the competing countries who performed last Saturday for the 4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competion.

We bought our tickets on Metrodeal. Originally 300 pesos yung price ng Gold pero discounted ng 40% kaya 180 pesos na lang. Pero ang masaklap pagdating namen dun, buy 1 take 1 ang Gold tickets and worst may nagbebenta pa samen ng 50 pesos na lang nung malapit na magstart ang show. Kainis lang diba? Ayoko na ngang isipin besides nagenjoy naman ako sa fireworks eh.

Unang nagperform ang United Kingdom. Syempre amazed na naman ako. Mas nagustuhan ko ang pinakita ng UK kesa South Korea. Mas unique ang mga fireworks and upbeat yung music na ginamit. Opening song was Skyfall by Adele, followed by One Direction's Live While we're Young. Im thrilled when the song Diamond by Rihanna played, synchronized with the fireworks.

Medyo mabagal ang music na ginamit ng South Korea though mas synchronized compared to UK. Korean songs ang ginamit except for Frank Sinatra's Fly Me to the Moon, that somehow made the moment so romantic. Syempre hindi nawala ang Gangnam Style. Na-boring lang ako ng slight sa performance nila at parang tinipid. Plus yung mga ginamit nilang fireworks ay common na. In short walang kakaiba.

Well, I super love fireworks. Nakanganga ata ako habang nakatingala at pinapanood sila. So malamang manood ulet ako sa mga susunod pang Sabado.

(Nakalimutan ko ang digicam kaya walang photos ng fireworks.)

Bowling

Mga 9pm na natapos ang fireworks. Kumain kami then nagkayayaan mag-bowling since maaga pa naman. Another first time and another check on my bucketlist yey!

First time ko pero would you believe na unang tira ko strike?! Pati ako nagulat at sa sobrang tuwa ko eh nagpatalon talon pa ko na parang bata haha! May hang-over pa ko ng fireworks at parang wala lang na binitawan ko yung bola pero naka-strike ako. Wohooo! Standing ovation habang nagka-clap-your-hands ang lahat ng tao sa bowling centre ng MOA, syempre charot lang. Yung mga barkada ko lang ang pumalakpak.

Strike!

Super fun ang bowling kahit medyo masakit sa hinlalaki na kailangan ipasok sa loob ng bola para mahawakan ng maayos. Nakakaaliw na sports at great bonding with barkada. Uulit ulitin ko syempre.