My Bicol Express Escapade 05/09/2008

Destination: Albay Provinces (Legaspi, Daraga, Malilipot and Camalig)
When: May 9 ,2008 – May 12, 2008

Route:
(disclaimer: take the non-aircon bus at your own risk :P. I will not do that again)
Cubao, Manila –> Legaspi City (05/09/08 10:02 PM – 05/10/08 9:54 AM) ETT 11 hours 52 minutes
Legaspi City –> Daraga City (17 mins Jeep ride)
Daraga City –> MRT Taft avenue (05/11/08 8:04 PM – 05/12/08 5:28 AM) ETT 9 hours 24 mins

Who:
Keen (in my room before going off to Albay)


Things brought:
Money – spent around 3.5k max, whoa! Looking the breakdown below it’s just supposed to be around few thousand. Where did the thousand go? That’s between me and Mike! hahaha :)
PSP with Cam loaded with Riot and All We Know is falling albums
Extra clothes
my favorite travel backpack
the map I found in google and my overall guide to Albay :)


Why: to discover Bicol and see Mt Mayon. I also wanted to see how it has been there since typhoon reming. Back in the college days, my block made a 2 week class to class campaign to gather rehabilitation goods for Reming victims. See Project Reming Thread for more info in Blockmates Community.

Moments with cost management

The travel
Ali Mall, Cubao Bus station to Legaspi, Albay – P400.00
Daraga, Albay to Pasay Bus station – P350.00
Fare around Legaspi city – P7.50

People met
Jenny- HS student going to Rapu rapu island to meet her tita. She is very proud of her hometown Legaspi. To quote “Legaspi is just like Makati with less billboards”. And so there di na ako nag comment :) haha
Ramon – going home from Cavite to Liboh, Albay with his wife and 2 little daughters
Miss Silvia – Angola Coliseum architect going home to Tobacco, Albay to see her family.


Legaspi experience
Room for rent (c/o Linda’s Carenderia and dorms)– P100.00
Linda’s Bicol Express meal – P16.00
Linda’s special ginataang sitaw – P16.00

People met:
Melinda Garaje – Owner and cook of “turo-turo” restaurant


Mike Garaje – young single dad and local guide I met in Linda’s Carenderia

Ate Eden – room maid, cleans the rooms for rent.


The Mayon Volcano experience.






Isa lang masasabi ko “amf ang mga ulap”, in English darn the clouds.haha I only got a clear cone view when my camera no longer has batteries. ;) Viewing Mt Mayon is a calming and exciting experience all in one.

Busay falls


Busay falls is located deep inside the barrio of Malilipot, Albay. It’s a favorite gathering place for locals esp during summer. Seeing and hearing the waterfall is very relaxing. The water is cold and many people are enjoying a dive to the center of the falling water.






Entrance to Busay Falls – P5.00
Legaspi City to Malilipot Municipality – P15.00
Malilipot highway to Busay Falls site (via “Padyak”). SeeVideo below for track- P50.00



People met
Jonathan Rariza – serious but funny drive of pedicap aka “padyak”



Detour Brgy Padang and Aquinas University
Padang is a barangay in Albay that was erased from the map. It was believed that all residents were buried alive when typhoon Reming struck.









Albay Park and Wildlife and Lingnon hill
Entrance to Animal Park– P20.00
Legaspi City to Daraga and vice versa P7.50

















Entrance to Lingnon hill – NO entrance fee! - you just need the guts to take the 25 minute uphill climb. Lingnon hill has a spectacular view of Legaspi, Daraga and Nearby cities in Albay.


(pitstop shack for climbers)






(In the Nas Residences with Ruel and Rachel. They own a pup named brownie)






People met:
Rolando Nas – Owner of a small shack and store on top of Lingnon Hill
Liza Nas – wife of Mang Lando
Ruel and Rachel – the industrious, happy and kind Nas’ children

Tonnet and Marimar – kids I met in Lingnon hill who helped me took pictures


Cagsawa Ruins Trip
in 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted and sent lava flows cascading down its sides. The townspeople of Cagsawa fled to the church where they perished when it was engulfed in the fiery flows. Today, only the church tower remains as a memorial.

Entrance Cagsawa Ruins - P10.00
Legaspi City to Daraga City- P10.00
Daraga City to Cagsawa Ruins highway – P7.50
Cagsawa Ruins highway to Cagsawa Ruin Site – 15.00







People met:
JayR and Chris – children selling Cagsawa photo souvenirs and they helped me take cool pictures of the city including the superhero trick and leaning tower trick.




Hoyop hoyopan cave


Located in Cotmon, Camalig, Albay (11.8 Hoyop-Hoyopan Cavekm from the town proper), the crystal caves are its central attraction. Visitors often experience: "eternal whispering breeze" from whence its name was derived.

Legaspi City to Camalig Municipality– P18.00
Camalig highway to Brgy Hoyop hoyopan – P12.00
Brgy Hoyop hoyopan to Cave site (via DTD or door to door single motorcycle) – P20.00
Cave site to Camalig City (via DTD) – P50.00







People met
Romeo – My tour guide
Lola lilly – Cheerful old lady and 1/3 of the owner of Hoyop hoyopan cave site
Alwin – one of the friendliest tour guide and tripper in the site.
Marife – Alwin’s cousin, her family is 2/3 of the owners of the mountain cave site
Denver – owner of the Honda single motorcycle Wave100 DTD (door to door) service
Frank Martinez – Driver of DTD service, and eventually became my tour guide and cameraman around Camalig City. He also recommended a great place (Lets Pinangat) to eat the local delicacy Pinangat.



Lets Pinangat
Located in Camalig National Road. They offer one of the best cooked Pinangat and Bicol Express in town. “Masiramon ni Pinangat!” In other words “ang sarap ng Pinangat”



Pinangat - P50.00
Bicol express – P30.00

Person met:
Aling Sally – sister and cook of Lets Pinangat!


Learning:
Peanut is a root crop! Tsk tsk
Barangay Padang and Purok 4 was wiped out in the Albay map after typhoon Reming
StalaC(ceilng)tite is the rock formation above, StalaG(ground)mite is the rock formation in the cave grounds. :P

Special thanks, my greatest gratitude for your hospitality... Unfortunately, I lost all your contacts because my 3310 travel phone stolen on my way home, errrr. Thanks anyways.

Mike Garaje, for touring me around Legaspi City and assisting me locate Busay falls
To the Nas family who entertained most of my Mayon Volcano and Reming questions in Lingnon hill
To the Garaje family, for letting me stay in their humble home
To my new friends in Barangay Hoyop hoyopan who assisted me in the caving adventure.
The kids at Lingnon hill, thanks.

Journey to the past – searching were I started

After 5 years of living independently in Manila, I finally did it.

When I was in college, I often dream about this small park in Manila where my mom carries me around when I was very young. There’s this white dog that kept on barking near the paved garden with white painted rings on the side. It felt so real.

I realized that it was a memory from my infant period triggered by something. Somehow that memory has reserved a spot in my tiny hypothalamus!*haha (*I think that’s the part of the brain that stores memory) It has to be the place where mama and papa lived 2 months before they decided to migrate in Dipolog City and raise a family. That’s also when I told myself that someday I’ll go back to that place.

And so my adventure begins with my birth certificate…

Homesickness made me awake last night. Hoping to exhaust myself, I exerted effort in cleaning my room. While doing the *unkeenly deed, I saw my old certificate of birth. I know its there but I never really paid attention on the details.



That was the first time I learned the name of the hospital (DJFMH) and the exact time I was born (2:30 PM). My mama’s address was also there when they stayed in Manila. It made me think of the wild idea once I had to search my past. I found 3 clues in the birth certificate. Those are:

- 24-2 Teachers Bliss, Balintawak QC
- DJFMH
- Lady of the Holy Rosary

I searched for the clues and found Teachers Bliss Subdivision and Dr Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital. My mama told me that I can find the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Montalban Rizal.

Earlier, I went on a great journey to the past!

24-2 Teachers Bliss, Balintawak QC

I searched balintawak for Teachers Bliss and after a few turns with the cab driver I was able to locate the village.


I just know that this was the park in my dreams. Its now full with plants and the white arc rings was gone.


Unfortunately, I was not able to get in since a new family is now living in the apartment.


I ordered a local halu-halo in this stall.

Lady of the Holy Rosary

I travelled an hour from Cubao QC to Montalban Rizal just to see this place. The feeling was amazing. I can imagine the baptismal photo from my mom while inside the church! (*gives me goosebumps)







I have visited the place where I was baptized/


I ate Adobong Manok, and pinakbet in Lina Carenderia near Holy Rosary Church.

Dr Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital

I took the LRT line 2 Katipunan-Recto route to get to this hospital. I then took a cab unconsciously knowing that Fabella Maternity Hospital is just a hundred meters away from the station. *haha


Meet Jose Fabella, in memory of this great contribution and keen sense of service to the public, this hospital is name herewith (*not kidding.. its written in the scriptures)




Patron of the new born child


I have visited the place where I was born!


I took a cab after and arrived back home around 7:30 PM. The experience was great. Visiting the past made me understand that no matter where life takes us, we will always have our tracks somewhere. Just like a footprint in the sand, that guides us to go further and not back or sideways...:P

Hundred Island Trek - pictures to follow

Summary

Destination: Alaminos – Hundred Island Pangasinan
When: April 12, 2008 to April 13, 2008
ETD (Manila) 1:40 AM ETA (Alaminos) 7:28 AM
ETD (Alaminos) 8:40AM ETA (Hundred Islands) 9:15 AM

ETD (Alaminos) 11:00 AM ETA (Manila) 7 :20 PM April 13, 2008

Who:

Microsoft Community Members


Keen (sharpangel)


Glen Gamboa (ggsubscribe)


Michael Corpus (dreamlordzwolf)


Rhea (rhea)


Jerome Punzalan (punzie)


Dennis Alfaro (den16)


Things brought:
PSP w/ Cam
Mobile Phone
Ipod (Jerome)
Extra clothes (which was not enough)
DSLR cameras (Glen, Mike and Dennis)
Digital Camera – Cannon Powershot (Jerome)


Money: (See below for breakdown)

Transportation

L300 Van Package (48 hours rent with drivers) = 6000.00
Bus (Ubaya, Pangasinan to Manila) = 287.00
Gas = 1300

Boat (Package for overnight and special tours) = 2800.00

Food

Tourist Center Prices
Tortang talong = 35.00 Php
Rice (Marami ang rice nila.. di pa NFA ) = 10.00 per cup/

Quezon Island
Value Meal 1 = 75.00 Php
1 soft drink
1 sardines (MEGA)
1 rice

1 service pancit canton (Lucky me) = 20.00 Php
Snorkel Gear (feet protector, air tube, snorkel glass) = 250.00 Php
Fishing rod set with bait = 250.00 Php


Adventures

Preparation
I left the office early to buy a camping tent to use for the trip. I went to ACE hardware (3rd floor Landmark) and found this cool sleeping bag with very soft mattress so I end up buying it instead of the tent thinking that I want to sleep under the stars. 

I arrived home around 6:30 PM and started packing my things to bring. I had dinner in Jake’s house and shared a couple of mango slices with lola in our house. I left the house at 11PM.

The good deed near 7 eleven Kamias

Call time was supposed to be 12MN. Glen said that there will be a delay for the pickup since the van will be coming from Mall of Asia and will be picking up Mike and Rhea in Ortigas first.

I’m from the North so I took a bus to Cubao/Aurora overpass. I know I was early and in an adventurous mood. Instead of taking a cab or bus to Kamias in the north bound lane, I walked 300 meters to 7 eleven Kamias at 11:30 PM! It was scary knowing that I’m in Cubao area at this time.

Just in the 7 eleven Kamias block, a lady (Maam Sheila) and a 9 year old girl (Keisha Mae) approached me and asked my help to give them transport fare to their house in Marilao, Bulacan. (Naman sakto! Sweldo day ko.haha) I was in this kind of situation before and it was very unpleasant. Needless two say the two were very desperate and Keisha looked pale.

I sensed that they were hungry so I asked them to eat in this ‘Binalot’ restaurant beside 7 eleven Kamias. Seeing them take the first bite of their steak orders made me feel good. I was in a sudden realization that the reason why I chose to walk instead of taking a cab was because of them. Anyway I am not a saint; it just feels good to help out. I’m just a common fellow with a full wallet that time.  Now I’m the helpless one, just kidding.haha

I was the first to arrive in the pickup site at 12:30AM. Next is Jerome, followed by Dennis and Glen.

The Van arrived in the pickup site with Mike and Rhea at 1:30. With no much time to spare, we left 7 eleven Kamias at 1:40 AM bound to Pangasinan.

Pit stop in a bridge

The sunlight was slowly swallowing the night sky when we passed by a bridge in Pangasinan where Glen, Mike and Dennis took photos from their DSLR cameras. (Aba, Magpapatalo ba naman ang PSP camera ko?? )

Alaminos, Pangasinan

Finally, after a couple of wrong turns and roads taken. We arrived in Alaminos port at 7:28 AM. Picture time!

We ate breakfast in the local tourist center.

We left Alaminos port with our private boats to Hundred Islands at by 9AM and took a 35 minute great sea trip to the Hundred Islands’ Governors Island.

Island Hopping

Governors Island
PBB house
The local beach
Governor’s point – this is considered the island lobby where you can see a spectacular view of the other islands on top of the Governor’s island.

The cave

The hidden beach – this is located on the western part of the island where you need to take a narrow and dangerous steps.

Quezon Island – generally this is where Glen, Mike and Dennis found their photo subjects  Nah, not that subject, the views, birds, and beaches :P Too bad my PSP cam cannot take long range shots!hahaha 

This is where I did a long snorkel to the platform. It was a very scary and exciting experience at the same time. I was able to see colorful fishes and marine life up close. Looking down in the middle of the islands was the scary part as ocean darkness shuttered most of my senses.

Scout Island – The Island has a small beach with very fine white sand. This is where most of us took a dip under the hot sun. With the Korean HELP academy Baguio students! Ah oh did I say most of them were female students in swim wear???  Shhhhh.. :P

Lopez Island – this is where we made our camp. I took the liberty of snorkeling around the island after setting up Rhea’s tent. :P This is also the time that I realized I was addicted to it. Hahaha


The night sky

It was almost seven at night when we ate our packed dinner. The last thing that I remembered was that the group made a discussion about the scariest experiences that they had. I was sooo exhausted from the day trip that I just fell asleep in my sleeping bag.

Around midnight, I opened my eyes as the moonlight gaze over the sky and provided luminance over the sea. I looked up and there they were... stars,stars,stars! I stood up and walked on the seashore, it was very calm and I could hear the sea breeze. The feeling was very cool. Until now I’m still looking forward to experience it again.20 minutes of fulfillment. :) That’s a minus one to my bucket list. 

Morning dew

It was almost six in the morning and sky was clear. I can see Glen and Mike taking photos. In one side there’s this fisherman trying to sell some of his catch. Dennis and Jerome are still down, fast asleep as they helped in the monitoring of our camp from rats and snakes.

From Lopez island, we started packing at 9 and made our way back to Quezon Island for breakfast. We had multiple photo sessions in the island from Glen’s camera.



Quezon Island photos

Back to the Mainland

We then made our way back to Alaminos port and arrived around 10:30 AM. Ofcourse, doing another set of photo ops. We returned the snorkel gears and fishing rod to the Municipal tourist center and then ate lunch. I only ate halo-halo in the cafeteria since I’m still full from the pancit canton and bread that we had for breakfast. And oh, Glen ate a sea urchin!

We headed our way back to Manila in the Van at 11:10 AM

Stranded

At exactly 1:00 PM, the Van stopped near the border of Bugalion and Ubaya, Pangasinan. The driver and his assistant checked and it appears that the carborator(not sure if this is the name) is damaged due to a loose water pump. The loose water pump stopped pumping water pushing the carborator fan towards the screen. This made a damage/hole in the carborator that is regulating heat for the engine thus a loose carborator equals overheat! (Hmm.. I sound like a mechanic now.hehe)

We found shade in the kind Santaban compound. As usual, the playful me was able to adapt to the children’s personality. 

The accident

At 2:21 PM Just 50 meters away, a car, a tricycle and a single motorcycle collide with each other. Glen was one of the first respondents of the accident. I was partly shocked but I still managed to get some photos of this dark experience. (takot ako sa dugo)

At 3:20 PM, the Van is still not fixed so we decided to take a bus to Manila. We arrive in Manila at 7:20 PM with Victory Lines and the ticket cost 287.00 Php. Me and Rhea was the first to get off the bus and bid our fellow community adventurers farewell.

Special thanks.

To Glen, Dennis, Jerome, and Mike – for teaching me about shutter speed, aperture, and other DSLR concepts. Sadly, I cannot buy a DSLR camera for now.

To Rhea – Skulmate! Salamat sa kwentuhan!

To Mang Jaime at Duncan – ang aming mga boatmen na sumama samin at natulog sa bangka.

To Santaban Family, salamat sa pag welcome sa inyong compound

At kay God uli, salamat sa paggawa ng Hundred Islands 

Lesson learned.

Function ng Carborator sa sasakyan ay mahalaga!
325 pamasahe papunta Alaminos Pangasinan

Trip namin to - Isplash isplash Pagsanjan Pols! (Flashback Jan 2008)

Destination: Pagsanjan, Laguna
When: January 20, 2008,
ETD (Manila) 7:30 AM ETA (Pagsanjan) 9:48 AM
ETD (Pagsanjan) 3:10 PM ETA (Manila) 5 :45 PM

Who:

Keen (me)


Cath Herrera (Office mate, HP)


Iris Gelera (friend, IBM)


Things brought:
PSP (keen)
Ipod (Iris)
Extra clothes (which was not enough)
Digital Camera, c/o Cathy
Guts and wits

Money: (See below for breakdown)
Transportation

Bus(Cubao –> Sta Cruz, Laguna) = Php138.40
Bus(Sta Cruz, Laguna -> MRT Magallanes station) = Php121.40
Tricycle(Sta Cruz, Laguna -> Pagsanjan, Laguna) = Php 8.00
Tricycle(Around Pagsanjan) = Php 6.00

Food (Lunch in Riverside grill houses)
Big Barbecue = 50Php / stick
Rice = 10.00 per cup

Boat Ride = Boatmen fee (500.00Php) +
Resort fee (50.00Php) + Gov fee~not sure (110.00Php)
= Total Boat ride fee (660.00Php)

Raft fee = 90 Php
~ They ask additional fee if you want to go under the falls. This is not mandatory. Cathy and Iris got scared.nyahaha

Contacts:
Mark Vicuna
Tourism officer, Pagsanjan City Hall
Mobile - 09272993130
Landline - (049)8084057

They are always ready to assist other adventurers. Contact them if you want to go to Pagsanjan for assistance.


Adventure moments

Bus ride to Pagsanjan. The cloud was so dark and we thought there is going to be a heavy rain. Good thing there was only drizzle. Yey! Cathy got sleepy cause of the cold weather. It took around 2:35 minutes for us to get to Sta. Cruz.Laguna from Cubao, QC station. See below for bus location.



Pit stop 7 eleven. While waiting for our contact Mark Vicuna, we grabbed some stuffed pandesal and pineapple juice in the common store.



Vicuna Ancestral House. Mark accepted us in his beautiful century house in Pagsanjan. We were able to meet his family and they were very accommodating.











Sto. Nino Festival. Aside from Cebuanos celebrating Sinulog to commemorate Sto Nino, Pagsangenyos were also celebrating it with a parade at noon and float exhibit at night.







The resort. We took a 10min tricycle ride from central Pagsanjan to a barrio were there are lots of Resort that offers boat rides. Errr.. I forgot the name of the result. There was a dried pool and I was game enough to go in the center of it.







The boat ride to Rapid’s gate aka Toll Gate. You will journey the long Pagsanjan River until a certain toll gate before you can reach the uphill boat climb.







Up the mountains boat ride. This is a very good ride. This is an exhilarating two-hour boat ride from Pagsanjan River to the Falls and back. Let the photos speak for themselves.



The great Pagsanjan Falls. I recommend that you see the view of this great waterfall. The town of Pagsanjan in Laguna is noted for the famous Pagsanjan Falls. The trip to Pagsanjan Falls is an experience of lifetime – the feeling was like eating Tobleron for the first time.


Finally made it to our destination.








To those who dare, they allow thrill seekers to go under the falls for 90Php. I took it ofcourse. Cathy and Iris doesnt want to get wet daw. anuhkeyahyun.





Shooting Pagsanjan rapids. I enjoyed this a lot. The return trip is where one experiences the thrill of " shooting the rapids", a headlong joyride with a smooth and swift guide with the current downriver, splashing through cool and foamy waters. All of us got wet.


Our boat went under a waterfall.


Meynard was kind enough to offer us to stop a while in a mini fall on the way down. Me and Iris plunged into the cold waterfall.hehe


Tour around the city. We walked around the city to view the old houses and other landmarks of Pagsanjan.



Pagsanjan City Hall

Victory Monument


Our Lady Of Guadalupe Parish. This is a landmark in Pagsanjan. At the moment, many floats were being assembled for the procession in the evening. Unfortunately, we were not able to see it. But we were able to take photos of the floats.




Puerta Real. Luckily, the kind tricycle driver allowed us to stay and get pictures for a while in the city gate. They say that this structure is the most strategic and historical landmark of Pagsanjan.








Back to Manila. We arrived around 5PM in Manila. We all tool MRT since we expect a lot of traffic in Cubao area.

Trinoma then home. Sa Tokyo tokyo trinoma na ako nag hapuna.hehe I fell aslep right away after lying down in my bed.

Special thanks.
To Sir Mark and his family. Maraming salamat po.
To boatmen Sir Lito and Meynard for the great trip. They let us go under the mini fall on the way back.
To anonymous drivers at kahit dun sa mamang flagger na sumusunod sa amin at walang nakuha. Salamat pa ren sa assistance…

At kay God, salamat sa paggawa ng Pagsanjan Falls. 

Lesson learned.

Super traffice pabalik ng Manila sa SLEX pag Sunday. Tsk.
Bring extra clothes (Not just shirt). nyahaha
Good things happen. Chill. *wink
Maroon 5 will have a concert this March.
Boat ride fee at 660 PER PERSON! :)

Links:
Catherine Herrera's Multiply Site

Night in the Island: Pinahon, Zamboanga del Norte

Isla Tour: Pinahon Island

When: January 2, 2008 – January 3, 2008

Summary:

Destination: Pinahon Island, Zamboanga del Norte


Who:

Keen Robante (Me)


Kelvin Keith Robante (My little bro)


Darlene Gomez(Cousin)


Jaypee Jimenez (Cousin, studies Nursing in Cebu Polytech University)


Janet Jimenez (Cousin, working)


Roma Rica Sumalpong (Guest, Jaypee’s girlfriend, Studying to be a Chef)


Paula (Guest, Jason’s girlfriend)


Jason Lear (Cousin, studies in DMC)


Janet Lear (Cousin, studies in ABC)

Thing brought:
Extra clothes
Extra Pillows and blankets
Water
Food
Digital Camera
PSP (Loaded with FIFA08, FOB, M5, Regina Spektor, Click 5 and Red Jumpsuit Music)
Paper plates
Plastic Utensils
Grill (Naiwan ni Jason sa Pinahon!hahaha)
Money ;)

Highlights:
1 The island, the beach and the bamboo bridge


2 Starfishes,


3 The 170+ square meter island,


4 Walo-walo snakes,
5 UBE with cousins
6 The ghost


7 Bonfire with chilly Inuman session



Transport:
Multicab ni Ate Janet [Dipolog-Sibutad Pier] - (Php350.00=gas)
Banca ni Manong [Sibutad Pier – Pinahon Island] – Php15.00/head

Food:
3 kgs of pork – Php420.00
1.5 Kgs Hamonada – FREE (Taken from our fridge from New year!haha)
2 pieces of BIG(And I mean big) fishes – err, can’t remember how much.
2 kgs rice – FREE (from Jason)

Expenses:
Php200.00 – Shack/Cottage fee
Php100.00 – Food table fee
Php20.00 – Firewood, used for Bonfire
Php30.00 – Charcoal – Used to grill the pork and fish
Php20.00 – Gas to light charcoal
Php30.00 – 1 Gallon of mineral water
Php3.00 – 2 boxes of matches ( I can’t remember how we used all. I had to do with the puzzles *wink)
Beer – 4 bottles Grande – 42.00x4 = Php168.00
Wine – Maria Clara – Php137.00
Chichiriya (Chippy, Mr Chips, Boy Bawang, etc)

From Dipolog to Sibutad Zamboanga del Norte
1. Preparation. We bought 3 kgs of Pork and 2 pieces of big fishes from the local market
2. Transport. Ate Janet and Jaypee fetched me, ate Darlene and Keith in our house. We then went to fetch Baby Janet, Jason, Roma and Paula in their houses.
3. Problem. On the way to Sibutad, the Multicab engine stalled because of a loose battery wire. Good thing we have a rubber band to fix it ;) Took a picture before we set off the rufus(Aw, blurry).


4. Travel Time. Two(2) hours and 14 minute (minimum) drive from Dipolog City to Sibutad Pier

Sibutad Pier to Pinahon Island
1. Boat ride. An exciting 30-45minute boat ride to the island. Big waves and Ate Darlene always get wet!


2. Arrival. A first look at the beautiful island. We arrived in the Island around 5:00 in the afternoon



In Pinahon Island (Night)
1. Pork yum - We roasted the pork we bought earlier right away cause we were sooo hungry from the trip.


2. Dinner. Me and my cousins ate dinner together
3. Bonfire Preparation. I was in the mood to make a bonfire despite the slowly dripping rain. Bought 2 rounds of firewood from the store.
4. Karaoke. Yes! There are generators here. Karaoke session in the main hall. Our female cousins sang their heart out.
5. The bonfire (take note it’s raining). We kept the fire burning to keep us warm
6. The fireworks miss. We missed setting the 19 shots flower firework (worth Php500) that I bought because of the heavy rain which lasted until dawn. The firework is kept in a safe closet and to be used next beach outing.
7. The freezing Inuman session. Beer and wine anyone? Opkurs!


Inside the shack
1. The snake. Walo walo snakes below us. Since the shack is located over a big rock and its an island. It’s normal to have snakes around for this paradise. Roma and Janet are very afraid of snakes. (and so as Jason.hahaha)
2. The ghost. Uhmm.. I don’t wanna talk about this. Still gives me the chills. (see picture in Highlights, focus on the small circle, you will see eyes staring.goosebumps.)
3. The dim and chilly night. Do this, imagine yourself waking blind ;) seriously… Point black! Scary..


In Pinahon (Morning)
1. The Bamboo bridge. I woke up early to see the island beauty in this manmade bamboo bridge.


2. The crying mountains. You could hear cries of the mountain when winds constantly whispers along the island situated in the center of two mountain provinces.
3. The beautiful sunrise.


4. Breakfast. With Milo ;)
5. Swimming. Wohoo. Hotties!


6. Starfishes!


7. Photo op! The fun part ;)









Lesson learned:
-

Love is like bonfire, uyo must keep the fire burning despite the heavy rain ;)

(tsk, malala na yan jepoy!)
- Tulod is good, sulong is bad. Dont ride a small boat with strong winds ;)
- Bring lots of shirt (not just one)
- Double check all things before going back :)
- Be ready to get wet.haha
- Bring a PSP charger and speakers!tsk.


More photos here

Gear UP: Cagayan de Oro!

Summary:

Where:
1. Southwinds Hotel, Capt. V, Roa Ext., Cagayan de Oro City
2. Grand Caprice Hotel and Restaurant, Limketkai Area, Cagayan de Oro City

When: November 6-8, 2007

Why: Conduct Windows Vista Technical Overview

Highlights: Mortem moments outline

Home -> Airport Centennial 2 -> Cagayan de Oro Airport
- Arrived 3 minutes late for boarding time, missed the first flight to Cagayan de Oro City
- 8F seat in PR1 196 ETD 1:25 PM
- Hard rain around 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, we thought 1:25 flight will be canceled.

People met:
John Bucas – PAL supervisor who gave me complimentary tickets for next flight
Mr. Mabait – Going to Cagayan for a business trip
JP – BS International Studies student from Ateneo de Cagayan, back to Cagayan de Oro from Ateneo Japanese culture exchange program in Hokkaido, Japan.
Joseph - Mass Comm student from Ateneo de Davao, same story as JP. He is Camille’s Ateneo high school classmate. Whoa! Small world cams!

Cagayan de Oro airport –> Stickymedia Office, Cagayan de Oro
- Arrived around 3:15 PM, thought of using public transportation so I took the Jeep from Airport to Carmen
- From Carmen, I tried to look for public transport to Stickymedia office located in Tiano-Gomez Area. I end up taking a cab because I was lost. hehe
- I only spent P67.00 , P16 (Airport-Carmen Area) and P51(Carmen Area-Stickymedia)

People met:
Funny jeep conductor (forgot the name)


Stickymedia Office -> Resto -> Stickymedia Office -> Southwinds Hotel
- Arrived around 3:45 in the office and met PHIWUG colleagues Chester, Jay and Adrian.
- Introduced to the Gear up organizers from Stickymedia Solutions
- Did review of presentation and configuration of Demo machine
- Met Microsoft APAC Tech Evangelist Maria Green
- Phiwug and friends ate in this resto in Limketkai area, forgot the name but did not forget Chicken in a basket meal.
- Maria Green ate sisig!
- Back to Stickymedia for more testing and preparation
- Supposed to play DOTA with Tabby but we had priorities… Tabby-GF, Keen-Review
- Arrived in Southwinds at 12:43 AM.
- Room mate was Adrian Rodriguez, MVP Windows Games
- Washed my face and slept, I was sooo exhausted

People met: (First impression)
Tin Buyan – Smiles often
Jhellai Sevilla – Loves to talk and very accommodating
Tabby – Very friendly at mukhang chickboy 
Mark – Tahimik at misteryoso
Weng - quiet

Southwinds Hotel -> Grand Caprice (Event)
- Woke up 6:43, Enjoyed a good breakfast in Southwinds. Talked about SPARTANS! hahaha
- Arrived around 7:46 at Grand Caprice.
- Met with Anne Manalo and Jeo Barrios. Anne and I discussed some presentation points for our Windows Vista, The new revolution talk.
- Gear up photos











- Anne(PHIWUG) and Maria(Microsoft) liked the puzzle I gave them (the toothpick trick) :).



Grand Caprice -> Southwinds Hotel -> Sisig/Bulalo/Ostrich meat diner
- Ate Cagayan’s local beef bulalo + sisig and the famouse ostrich meat.
- Waiters have neon glow in the dark uniforms just like that of MMDA 

Sisig/Bulalo/Ostrich meat diner -> Karaoke Bar -> DOTA (sa wakas)!
- went to this Karaoke bar in Carmen area
- At first stickymedia people were singing in one portion of the room and PHIWUG folks were watching Kennedy Assassination in Discovery Channel on another!nerd!haha
- Eventually, each one had the time to sing their songs.
- It was Rain’s night, ang galling niyang kumanta! Pang doble kara pa nga!
- Danced and sang to the tune of ….. “Nakaka” by Masculados.
- Chester and aids are having a great time, waiving their hands and enjoying the celebration.

Karaoke bar -> DOTA
- DOTA speaks the universal language of friendship.
- We first parked Tabby’s wheels in Stickymedia office and meet Rex. We then went around the city to search for a vacant shop hoping we could challenge other players.
- With Tabby and Paulo, we told them we have to play DOTA outside. I wanted to play with the local players caused I’ve heard Cagayan de Oro breeds fine players in the south. It was a good fight. Outcome - 2-0.
Team 1 Team 2 Winner
Game 1 Keen+Pau (Bane+Magna) Tabby+Rex (Holy K+Traxis) Team 1
Game 2 Keen+Tabby(Razor+Tide) Rex+Pau (Juggernaut + Troll) Team 1

Summary: CDO likes to use strength types
Very patient
Goes to Roshan after level 12

People met:
Rex – DOTA player from Stickymedia solutions.

DOTA -> Southwinds- Arrived around 2:18 AM. Slept.
- Last stroll around Cagayan de Oro

Airport -> Jollibee -> Robinsons Summit

- Bought pasalubong for officemates (Pastel + Cashew fruit)
- Arrived in Manila 1:44 PM
- Cab travel to 6750 with Anne and Jay
- Walked to Jollibee to change clothes and shorts
- Did Trick or Treat Marshal for HP Trick or Treat



- Did my EMEA SAP Basis Support task until 12AM.

Reference: http://www.cdokay.com/gearup/

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