Zambales Postcards

Detours and delays are the minimal fees for the spontaneity and excitement that we all thrive for in 'whirlwind vacations.' Like in a whirlwind romance, a trip this fast, intense and memorable is simply worth it and irresistible. Anawangin, Nagsasa, Camara and Capones Coves were full of treats and thrills-the only prerequisite to savor everything is to be ready and open for all eventualities.

Camara Island

HerBench- value for money

mini-mini-minimo

approaching Nagsasa Cove

Island-hopping!

here comes the sun

cone-y Island

I was a bit late for the perfect Sunset photo op

the ride home

My dreams, My rules

Got this from Maria Popova’s excellent site, Brain Pickings and it really teased and intrigued me. 

From now on, I want all of my dreams to be lucid 

where the only one in control is 

me, myself and I.

Guten Tag!

No second thoughts. No looking back. No regrets.

Something Good

Sweet nightmares are made of these. The eyes are captivatingly haunting or hauntingly captivating, words just failed me. Confess. Yield. Wake up. I was just lost in the flashing images.

In short, awesome video!

Summer Anthem

For the record, I really like this song even before it became the 'Game-changing' soundtrack.

and of course Sandwich’s Sunburn

this too for the summer nights

Mallrats

Filipinos have this inimitable fascination with malls and it’s not just because we are crazy about shopping. I kid you not, two of the largest malls in the entire world can be found in Metro Manila- SM North EDSA (3^rd) & SM Mall of Asia (10^th.) No wonder, SM tycoon Henry Sy topped the list of Forbes’ 40 richest Filipinos. His chain of malls boosts his impressive net worth of over $9.1 billion.

In my attempt to uncover this facet of the typical Pinoy’s psyche, this was what I wrote 12 years ago, long before these gigantic retail ‘haven’ dominated the urban landscape of the country.

Fantasy Kingdom

By Milan Rustia

(2bu! correspondent reprint from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 16, 2001)

http://news.google.com/newspapersnid=2479&dat=20010815&id=BVU1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=bSUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3389,34561856

 MALLS enchant me no end like Scottish castles and fairy tales. A mall has the power to put anyone who sets foot in its inviting interiors under an assiduous spell. Once inside, a mall lures one to willingly spend hard-earned money and effortlessly gives one an insatiable impulse to return. Perhaps, its the air-conditioning that has this effect on mall-goers. A mall's appeal reminds me of Sleeping Beauty's tale where the king, the queen, and a throng of servants are put to sleep by an evil witch for a hundred years or so. Similarly, mall habitues are turned into individuals void of the skill that enables them to distinguish a want from a need.

It may be presumptuous to note but for me, malls are the modern-day equivalent of Prince Charming. The prince that bears such a generic name was God's gift to womankind, while malls at this day and age are sunctuaries in the midst of urban chaos.

Prince Charming is God's gift to womankind

Right after you've had your bag inspected at the entrance, its as if you're being transported to another place and time where everything is so downright orderly-a far cry from what it really is outside. The mall is a place where its alright to become self-indulgent. It will make you doubt if you're still in the Philippines, a country synonymous to everything Third World. It will make you wonder if its the same crises-stricken country undergoing an economic slump.

However, it’s not sorcery that draws people to malls and entraps them into moats of unrestrained shopping and people-watching. Human beings have this partiality over anything ideal especially if it’s accessible. That's why going to malls has become a habit common to the young and old and broke.

                                  Good life

A mall represents a place that allows for luxuries fit for a princess. Its a premature representation of what its like to 'live happily ever after.' Malls not only serve as a refuge for shoppers but as a park for those who want to chill out and a venue for other forms of recreations as well. The soothing temperature and the ambiance help create an illusion of a 'good life.' Today's malls are tempting domains replete with different items and its full of happy people spared of the hazards and hardships of everyday life. It can readily cater to any material compulsion from jewelry, clothing, beauty bars to items as obscure as a drapery tassle or a frying pan. Like a place in the medieval ages resplendent in its extravagance, a mall is a place so easy to love.

But before you can get the hang of Prince Charming's sweet kisses, something painful will hit you in the gut the moment you step out of its portals. You'll be zapped back to a not-so-magical world. Suddenly, you'll become a helpless mortal. You'll be confronted with the worries that plague commoners who live in the real world: heavy traffic, an annoying credit card limit notice and a penniless pocket.

Often, you'll get a curse in exchange for the few hours spent living a fairy tale. The dose of pleasure will be so addictive that unlike in most stories, there will be no moral lesson learned. Charmed, people like me will keep on frequenting malls and there will be no antidote strong enough to snap me out of this dry dizzying spell.   

Davao-scope

Davao is said to be the country’s most livable city mainly because of safety and security. This report from Rappler.com tells us why:

“Davao City’s Public Safety Command Center (PSCC) is reported to be on par with international standards.

There are high-tech, high-res CCTV cameras around key locations in the city that help solve crimes and traffic violations.

The city has its own Twitter account, @TrafficDabaw, which provides real-time traffic updates to Davaoenyos.

Moreover, the PSCC is equipped with a Weather Monitoring and Flood Alert System, which has an Automated Weather Station, river level gauge, and land and sea tracking devices.

The PSCC also works with Central 911, patterned after the US of A’s 911. This provides all types of rescue services, from fire prevention to hazardous materials response.”

And why else, here’s what we’ve seen:

After reading gazillion threads and blogs, here's what we have concocted for our DIY 3day & 2night budget travel to Davao City.

Day 1 (Janaury 17, 2013)  Samal Island

3:00am       –  Call time/meet up at Casino Filipino-Heritage parking

5:00am       –  ETD Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Cebu Pacific Air

6:45am       –  ETA Francisco Bangoy Airport (Davao International Airport)

Touchdown Davao!

7:00-7:30am   - Collect baggage; Picture taking at the Airport & Giant Durian

the king of all fruits: Durian!

8:00am      –  Sasa Wharf (ferry terminal going to Samal Island)

                   Sasa Wharf is only 10 minutes away from the airport (via cab.) Fare should not exceed P120 as of January 2013. Ferry travel from Sasa wharf to Babak Wharf is only 15 minutes. Fare is P10.

Samal Island here we come!

8:20am       –  Babak Wharf
             (nearest wharf to our accommodation-Precious Garden of Samal Resort)

                   The resort shuttles guests for free from the wharf.

8:45am       –  Check in at the Resort- Precious Garden of Samal

                   The owners are Mr. & Mrs. Ulrich Kroenberg. Ulrich is German while his wife, Precious is a Filipina. A room good for five is priced at P2500/night. I am definitely vouching for it because of the excellent service and food.

Precious Garden of Samal

9:30am         – Brunch at the resort restaurant/coffeeshop

10:15am       – Snorkeling, Swimming at nearby Vanishing Island

                   It will take around 15-20 minutes from the resort dock to the island via a motorboat.

all set for the island hopping

ooops the Vanishing Island is ...vanishing

mangroves please hold it together

12:30pm     – Snack/Pizza at the resort coffeeshop; gearing up for the island tour

                The Precious Firewood pizza is a must try as well their fish and chips.

oh yum!

Its a glorious day to explore the isalnd

cruising via the Land Cruiser

1:30pm         – Monfort Bat Sanctuary

smells really, really bad

                   It is a Guinness World Record holder. Around 1.8 million Rousette fruit bats are in the colonies.

3:00pm        – Hagimit Waterfalls

refreshing!

4:00pm        – Virgen Dolorosa Parish

a moment for some prayers

4:30pm        – Halo-halo; light snack

the best halo-halo in the island

5:00pm        – Stroll at the resort shoreline

this fella works for Mr. Krusty Krab

7:00pm        –  Dinner at the  resort Coffeeshop

        The pinakbet-liempo is a must try. The sweet and sour fish is also excellent!

the Precious Garden of Samal Coffeeshop

8:00pm       –  Coffee/Stroll at the resort shoreline

9:00pm       –  ZZZZzzzzZZZ time

Day 2 (Janaury 18, 2012)  Davao City Tour

7:30am       –  Breakfast at the resort Coffeeshop

worth the wake-up call

8:00am      –  Babak Wharf (ferry back to Davao City)

                   Ferry fare is P10. Ferry ride will take around 15 minutes.

on our way back to Davao City

8:20am      –  Sasa Wharf

         Travel time from Sasa Wharf to Ponce Gallery Suites will take around 20-30 minutes (via cab.) Fare should not exceed P150 as of January 2013.

9:30am      –  Check-in at Ponce Gallery Suites

this hotel-suites also doubles as an Art Gallery

the only reptile allowed within my personal space

                   Why Ponce Gallery Suites? Cebu Pacific’s Smile Magazine says it’s Davao’s most remarkable. This Inn doubles as an art gallery. The wall-to-wall art is a visual superfluity. A suite good for 5 is P2500/night. San ka pa?

                                      
                                          Van Rental:

          Huge props to Mr. Kenneth Viloria (driver/tour guide)

He went out of his way to keep our schedule. Good Job! Van rental for the      entire day is P2500. (Smart) : 09204241604 & (Sun) : 09323529431

10:00am     –  Start of Davao City Tour (Museum leg)

10:30am     –  Museo Dabawenyo

learn more about the Dabawenyos and their awesome city

                     Museo Dabawenyo is meters away from the Andres Bonifacio Rotunda and Osmeña Park and is situated along Fr. Selga Street going to Pichon Street.

        It is open from Tuesday to Sunday at 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. You will learn most about the history and people of Davao, miss at your peril! Be introduced to Datu Bago and the Spanish conquistador, Jose Oranguyen and find out more about the controversial but well-loved Duterte political clan. Former Mayor Rodrigo who has served for over 18 years as mayor (now Vice Mayor) is the father of incumbent Mayor Sarah Duterte. The City is predominantly Catholic but it also recognizes 16 cultural tribes. Entrance is free plus a Davao City map. Awesome!

11:10am       –  The Bone Collector Museum

sticks and stones have broken their bones 

          Where :Family Circus Compound, Barangay 76-A, Bucana, San Pedro Extension, Davao City 8000, Philippines (near Museo Dabawenyo) For reservations call 0919-624-0744. Do not litter! The remnants in this relatively small, private collection will eventually tell you why. Entrance fee is P50.

11:30am      –  Davao Museum

a testtimony to their rich heritage

                   Davao Museum is located at 113 Agusan Circle, Insular Village Phase I, Lanang, Davao City, and is open from Mondays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fee is P100.

11:50am      –  T’boli Weaving Center

Authentic intricate weaving

                   It is at Insular Village’s Beach house, right next to the dock where they ferry guests going to the Pearl Farm, Davao.

12:00pm     –  Lunch (fastfood drive-thru)

1:00pm       –  Davao City Tour (Nature tripping)

1:30pm       –  Eden Nature Park

just in time for the 2pm guided tour

                   Mount Talomo, Toril, Davao City (082) 299 1020.  What to see: Hanging bridge at the Mountain trail, Amphitheater, Garden of Eden, Lola’s Garden, Mayumi’s wishing well. Entrance fee is P200 and a guided tour fee of P150. Guided tour is scheduled every hour on a first come, first serve basis.

enjoying the trip so far

flowers in bloom 

4:00pm      –  Davao Crocodile Park

                   Crocodile Park Complex, Riverfront Corporate City, Diversion Road Ma-a, Davao City. Tels (082) 302 9923 | (082) 286 8883 Mobile: 0923 658 6041

Pangil and friends

we accidentally had a taste of crocodile eggs ice cream

5:45 pm     -  Holy Infant Jesus Shrine of Prague at Matina Hills

solemn

6:30pm      –  Lola Abon’s Durian Candy Factory

fortunately, this one has no crocodile eggs in it

      It’a at 23 San Miguel Village Matina, Davao City, Davao Del Sur, Philippines. (082) 297-2391)

7:00pm      –  Dinner at Jack’s Ridge Resort and Restaurant

Dinner time

                   It is at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City. “The place was once the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, which served as their watchtower against the American forces. Today, Jack’s Ridge still preserves mementos of its historic past: the warplane crash sites; Japanese-dug tunnels where gold bullions and other treasures were believed to be still buried; and even prehistoric clam shells which testify that the area was once underwater millions of years ago.”

Tel (082) 297-8830 to 31

Fax (082) 297-6535

8:00pm      –  Rest/freshen up at Ponce Gallery Suites

what a staircase! Very conducive for introspection

9:30pm      –  Swedish Massage (Miso Thai Massage at Door 3, Autoville Compound, F. Torres St)                  

12:00am     –  Videoke session at K-1 Videoke (at F. Torres St, right across Autoville Compound)

                   All I can recall were a power outage, some technical problems and my friends: She and Rona singing their hearts out to One Direction’s One Thing and What makes you Beautiful! J

2:00am      –  ZZZzzzzZZZ time

Day 3 (Janaury 19, 2013)  Pasalubong Shopping

10:30am     –  Picture-taking/Check out at Ponce Gallery Suites

we will definitely be back

11:00am      –  Brunch at Claude’s Le Café de Ville

Im still dreaming about their mouth-watering dishes

                Critics raved at it so we really had to squeeze it at our itinerary. The spicy eggplant in coconut cream was heaven. I’m still dreaming about their shrimp in aligue sauce. It’s at 29 Rizal Street, Paseo de Habana, Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines

1:15pm      –  ETD Davao International Airport

3:15pm      –  ETA Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3