Beach Fun @ Bataan

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Singapore Day 1 at Sentosa Island

We conquered Singapore on our first day-August 5! No time spared, after quick lunch, we went to Sentosa Island via train… Great place, it is “all-in-one” place! Since we will have the Universal Studio on the following day, whole day, we explored the rest of the Sentosa Island… What we did there? A lot!


see and almost touched the huge version of Merlion

up the hill (of course with stairs and escalator) to ride the Sky Tower, the 360-degree revolving viewing ride! So we have a whole glimpse of the City.


the kids are not yet warming up, so we see the Cine-Blast featuring the Log Adventure, a 3D simulated ride! Great… can always be remembered!


we should not miss the Luge ride (a cart down the winding hill), operated only by a little push and pull of the hand lever! wheee!


then the sky-ride up again the hill, a four-seater open cable ride… everybody’s getting sick of height? si Papi lang… Wheeh!

we rode the bus to the tip of the island going to Fort Siloso, Lean’s pick from the brochure. this is their one of the war history museum! memorable!
we rode the tram and explore the tunnels and played on the ground!

we rode bus back to the island center…. then we took the queue at Segway ride… I thought I couldn’t do it, but it was easy pala, Lean loved it.

so while resting, we took the tram to explore the stretch of Siloso Beach!

tired? who isn’t? We took the trains back to the city — Vivo City, Dhoby Ghaut interchange, then Bras Basah!
By the way, in between all those, Papi and Jolo are making fun of me , catching me on video in my moods…. hindi sila nagtagumpay!
ohh, we ate at Kopitiam foodcourt, near our hotel, Bayview Hotel….
Patikim pa lang yan… Tomorrow will be USS!!!it

Up We Go To Garden City

Yes we are going to Singapore! Wow! Great! Didn’t I wish for that since I heard of new Universal Studio there… well it’s another “wish” coming true. God, I am truly blessed! But did you know that I almost missed the chance (story on that later). For now, I will have to bring to words my “preparation 101″… i am getting too excited to think straight to prepare… hehe excited lang talaga… Here is my task list:

Of course I will bring along the kids (minus Aliya) – so check the passports.
There must be lots of water and food to bring along (mahal e!) – grocery.
Cameras and chargers – save the photos now to pc to free up almost 7gb memory card – well thats almost 14,000 pics — haha konti…
Pack clothes – i realized that there are only few to choose from (few means not having been taken pics of)
Bags and luggage (nawawala na talaga red luggage ko–have to stop looking na)
Excuse letters for schools (they will miss classes and quizzes – they will just make up) – check
Tickets to Universal Studio thru internet (sabi there is a long queue everyday for tickets) – check
Arrange for service going to/from airport – check
Check hotel’s facilities (coffee maker, elec kettle, etc — para makaluto mami, hehe) – check
Important! pocket money! have to raket for more…
Set itinerary and check maps (that’s what keeping me busy -and yet ala pa rin haaay….) Here’s the rough list:

• Sentosa Island: CineBlast + 4D Magic Max + Luge and Skyride + Segway + Tiger Sky Tower + Merlion + Songs of the Sea
• Sentosa Beach: Silosa or Palawan?
• Unversal Studio – syempre! on Friday! Catch the Hollywood after Dark
• China town for shopping
• Litte India
• Esplanades
• Singapore Flyer – quite pricey
• Marina Bay Sands – at the top! a MUST!
• Night Safari
• Dinner Cruise – maybe

Now, I have to make a budget! and physically prepare! this will happen Aug 5-9!

101 Minus 15th – Bonding Moments with Ma & Dad

#23 of my 101 - Relaxed Moments and Adventures with Parents (Abroad or Province) – This time it’s Subic!

I have planned for this trip for multiple purposes. It was originally because the announced store opening of Puregold Duty Free Subic was March 15. I booked right away for the house of my dear former Boss Manny from SGV as early as February and I happened to secure the place. Great! It is also the birthday getaway of Jolo and Lean. And I really have to squeeze this gimick in my tight schedule because of my commitment (to myself) of at least 2 adventures every month. Plus, it can also be a treat to Mama and Dad! So, off we go!

I invited my parents to come with us for some meaningful bonding moments. With only us in the big house (of 4 bedrooms, 5 baths and one big play room), we watched there the Pacman boxing with Clottey and just relaxed! Or so I thought, because relaxing is not suitable if you have 3 kids in tow. So we went for a great fun at Tree Top Adventure! I think this is a must in Subic! So, we tried the “rides” if that’s what is called of tossing us between trees, sideways and upwards! Jolo and Papi did the “Interactive Tree Fall” and “Surfing” while Jolo and I did the “Superman” (read more here as this is also an accomplishment of one of my 101), later on Lean and I rode the Canopy Ride for 40-minutes cable ride (chair) atop the trees up to 150 feet. See for yourself, see this site. The following day, we went on beach swimming at All Hands Beach (which Aliya enjoyed so much) and sunset watching.

But the highlight of our escapades (at least for me) is our daily breakfast at the garden… Just the family and Mama and Daddy! relaxed talks and lots of laughters! Great, great weekend!

Did I mentioned that the store did not open on that weekend? so I just drop-by to see the set-up (while they watch the sunset….)

see pictures on my multiply site, and the sample below:

“Been There”: Local Version

After reading several travel blogs from around the globe and read their nice praises and adoration about how beautiful is our dear country, it made me felt a tinge of guilt for not seeing more of it. So, instead of my daydream to go to Sentosa, I directed my plans to go to Palawan or Bohol… (another daydream? )….

Well, to soothe my “guilt,” I am taking inventory of places of great interest I’ve been in the Philippines… (not in particular order and much specific…please bear with me)

1. Cebu City (my first experience of domestic flight)
2. Magellan’s Cross, Cebu City
3. Cebu White Sands Resort, Maribago Mactan
4. Sto Nino Basilica, Cebu
5. Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro (my first ferry ride)
6. Tanawin Bay Resort, Puero Galera, Mindoro (our honeymoon)
7. Tamaraw Falls, Mindoro
8. Camp John Hay, Baguio City
9. Mines View, Baguio and other city tourist spots (been here several times)
10. Mt Data Hotel, Bauko, Mt. Province (honeymoon again)
11. Intramuros Walled City, Manila
12. San Agustin Basilica, Intramuros
13. Manila Cathedral, Intramuros
14. Villa Escudero, San Pablo, Laguna
15. Batangas Beach (twice, same place, with HS friends then with SGV friends), Batangas City
16. Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

17. Candon, Ilocos Sur
18. Candon Church, Ilocos Sur
19. A beach house in Ilocos Sur (allegedly owned by C.Singson)
20. A beach house in La Union
21. Fontana Leisure and Waterparks, Clarkfield Pampanga
22. Nayong Filipino, Clarkfield Pampanga
23. Expo Filipino, Clarkfield Pampanga
24. Zoobic Safari, Subic
25. Tree Top Adventure, Subic
26. Tagaytay Highlands, Tagaytay
27. Tagaytay Picnic Grove
26. Manaoag Church, Manaoag, Pangasinan
28. Club Balai Isabel, Talisay Batangas
29. Ace Water Spa, Quezon City
30. Fireworks Olympic, MOA
31. Star City, Pasay (the rides and the ballet shows!)
32. Microtel Inn Boracay, Aklan
33. Crown Regency Hotel, Boracay, Aklan
34. Stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and the Mall, Boracay (see pics here)
35. Ocean Adventure, Subic (most recent)
36. Mt. Samat Shrine, Bataan (most recent)

I know there are several more, like churches, museums and zoos that i have to rake my brain a bit more to remember (and no need to count malls, nearby resorts, parks and dining experiences….). Well, after this exercise I am relieved that i have not taken our “home” for granted after all….

See also my other “Been There” page

Malaysian Movie 2007 by Bong Ngii

Here’s our photos during our Malaysian travel in 2007. The motiff and theme and music of the Smilebox production is brought to you by Bong Ngii (no other than Lee Andrew – pen name of Lean)!

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See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.

Sunset Jump Shots!

The pictures were taken at our favorite farm that witnessed a lot from our childhood days! Taken during sunset, that’s also our favorite time to play!

We just had a great, great time during and after our gift-giving activity, the day before Christmas! If there is one moment that I will choose to just “stood still,” this will be it! I came to believe that life is CREATED for moments like these. No other trimmings, no other frills and fuss, no fancy place and ambiance… but just laughs, fun, and great time… surrounded by family and loved ones and nature and blessings! (Made even better with the presence of my brothers Lito and RIcky and their kids, especially Chuko and Deanne plus Te Leli! – whom we have not seen for 10 years….)

Memories are made of these! Wow!

The Travelling Feet

See my collection of “my wandering feet” that somewhat chronicle my travel and adventure. It started in Macau last August. Here are the samples:

at the venetian hotel

the venetian casino

on top of macau tower

in HK train after been denied entry at shenzhen

at HongKong

at fontana clark

at baguio (store site visit)

at tumana marikina (relief operation)

Picture Gallery: Awesome Macau with Awesome Friends

Part 2 of Best of Macau Pictures!
Smilebox digital scrapbook is fun and easy to use… I just hope it’s fast to load.
Enjoy!



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Almost China….

We almost made it to China!
It’s just that…. we were denied entry at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen border!
We didn’t fret over it, we just laughed at the experience and still had a great time at Hong Kong! Regardless of the tiresome 7-hour travel: Macao to HK, HK to Shenzhen border, and back to HK, nothing and no one can just dampen our feelings because we were having fun! Spontaneity also adds to the excitement!
Here are some of the things learned in the process:
no one is allowed to take the Turbojet from Macao to Schenzhen without a Visa.
no visa processing on SUnday
no more visa being issued at the HK border (unlike before)
don’t have high hopes when it seemed the Chinese are very helpful in the process
travel light
don’t book on a hotel in a county you don’t have visa yet
we can rely on our staff to book us anytime, anywhere
HK’s train system is so efficient
there is no such thing as “gentleman” in HK train
we can still have fun no matter what the situation!

The Suite Life!

We had a GREAT time at MACAO!
We stayed at The Venetian! As in, the most glamorous, magnificent hotel! We lived (like rich) at The Rialto Suite (the most expensive). It’s just “WOW”!
We thank all this to our generous friend Flor!
Can’t really describe the awesome feelings that still linger until now (like a hung-over)!
Just too much of the most splendid and great things around!
But it’s more than the place! What makes this travel sweet and memorable is the fun having my close friends (and my papi) with me!

friends

Just being in The Venetian will probably fill-up my list of “Do/experience “first time”"… samples are:
1. Played in a casino (and we won)
2. Rode a gondola boat and being serenaded by a cute Italian guy
3. Seen an indoor “sky”
4. Experience checked-in in a suite
5. This is the best hotel so far I have visited
6. Amazed at its enormity and beauty
7. Got the idea of “travelling feet”
8. Seen the Mayor of Caloocan (Echiverri)
9. Walked 300 meters just to see the Hotel’s pool
10. Travel with great friends.

101 Minus 2nd – Travel with Close Friends (#29)

I’m so excited!
We have finally succeeded in making this trip possible! We’ve been planning for it for the past 4 years, but it never came close to even agreeing on a place to visit. But now, we’ve finally made the decision, then the scheduling and booking in just 2 days!
Tomorrow, we’ll fly to Macau, and on Sunday we’ll pass by Hong Kong, then go to Schenzen, China for a night!
I’ll be with BFF Flor and Kerol, with Ron, my Papi, Orly and Mike!
Wow… this will be fun!
Meantime, I have to pack….

Picture Moment #15 – Way to go….

One of my life’s goals is to travel, travel, travel… and that is, with my family. It’s quite pricey and takes big chunk on our savings, but the joy and memories it bring are immeasurable, unquantifiable and lasting. Once we get old, these will be the moment we will remember and cherish most (because I guess we’ll have vague memory of our routinary working days! – and who would want to think about that?)
First picture shown was that of Papi in 2004 at the Peak, Hong Kong. We came back there in 2006, when Lean was already up for travel and the Disneyland had recently opened. Probably in 2011 when Aliya is about the travelling age, we will go back to Hong Kong.
Second picture was that of Jolo in 2007 in KL Tower, overlooking the Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpar. We just loved peaks and heights!
Life is short, and there are soooo many places to go!

Picture Gallery #14: Bora…Once Again!




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My favorite pictures now in SmileBox... Been very excited doing this scrapbook... Napupuyat ako!

Picture Gallery #8: Daytime Boracay

another series of boracay pictures!
look at the beach, so pristine, so pure, so inviting….
this is nature, this is blessing, this is just so gratifying!
Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful earth!

My In-Laws are in Town!

My mother-in-law, stepfather-in-law (British), and brother-in-law (twin brother) are in town for two weeks. They stayed in our house and they are just in time for the 1st birthday party of my Aliya (which is so happened also the 61st birthday of her lola).We made their visit special by having the dinner date on their actual bday (june 11), we have a get-together at Malabon on Lolo Mama’s bday, too. We had despidida party at Tita Vivian’s house, etc. We went “shopping” at plastican, divisoria and SM Manila. No extravagant vacation but we just make every minute of their stay worthwhile with lots of laughs, crying(?), and playing around aliya! And my papi (although he is not making it obvious), he is very happy!

Picture Story # 3: wacky moments at boracay

wacky moments at bora

what a body

don’t fall

boracay… can’t get enough of it… just love it!
here’s some of wacky photos of my papi, during our may 2009 vacation… we really enjoyed every moment when we were there… we were ourselves and having fun!

Picture Story#2: BFF

I know 2 guys who are BFF (best-friends-forever) in its true sense and form! They are too much attached to each other that they already knew each other’s moods, qualms and “tantrums” (i dont if they are talking about girls now!). They have a same taste of movie, shows (gag shows), pasttime and jokes. They knew when to have fun or when to settle down. They are even “look-alike” They can be so mean to each other or can be so sweet and engaging! I got jealous sometimes. I don’t think they have other friends outside that they treat as same as they do to each other!
Here’s their recent pictures, taken at the airport and while we were in Boracay last May 2009.

BFF Paul and Jolo

Paul & jolo under the sea

Paul & Jolo happy times @ bora

Picture Story #1 : Captured Moments in a Picture

My son Lean once said when he woke up one morning, “why is it everyday is always a same day to me?” and he goes back to sleep! Huuhh! There’s so much years ahead of him and he is now bored!?
Is it life seems so “the same” everyday?… it is not… only if we can capture and seize every moment and count every drop of blessing. Life is so good that we should not treat it as “boring”….
I don’t know if Lean can understand what im saying now (he is only seven), but i will try by making his “everyday” as brand new, exciting, and full of fun…
For now, as my project, I will post one picture – or pictures – (old or new) everyday and make a story, so we can have better appreciation what life is stored for us. And remind us that everyday is new!

lean

this is my lean, having a great time at fontana waterpark just last April 2009… so, how can be life so boring…. i dont think so!up

leandro wants to go to london

my 7-year old wants to go to london with her lola baby (now on vacation at Philippines with Tito Maurice), he sweetly asks for permission and promised that he will speak many, many, many english. He just want to see the big clock (big ben?), he will stay just for a week, he said! He has already a passport, he said, so he asked me to say yes!
i hope its that simple. I want to go to london, too, and see all those amazing places!
That makes me set our goal to have our vacation at London in 2013. By that time, Aliya will be 5! Lean will be 11 and Jolo will be 15! Well, why not!
See you Nay in 4 years!