Affordable Romantic Destinations in Manila

Valentine's Day is coming! In keeping with the season of love here's my entry regarding affordable romantic destinations in Manila. I think I'll be in Manila by then thus the reason for choosing Manila. Oh I'm such a sucker for romance.

A romantic place is basically based on one's personal judgement. What I think is a romantic place may not be romantic for others. Many find a distinct place romantic because of the past experience they have on that place. Call it memorable and romantic. Like they were introduced there or they had their first date or engagement there.

Most women though look for certain qualities to make a place romantic and conducive for celebrating the love between two people. Attributes such as quite, cozy and pleasant with lots-of-flowers environment connote romance.

For me, since I'll be in Manila by then I look for some romantic places to celebrate love in the capital city. Here are some suggestions for those who are also thinking of having a romantic get-away in Metro Manila. No expensive hotel restaurants or fine-dining here.

• Sunset Manila bay Cruise   This is an inexpensive unique cruise experience in the Manila bay.

• Dinner date at Cafe Ysabel. 
• Location:  455 P. Guevarra St.,San Juan, Mandaluyong City
• Perfect for a cozy laid-back dinner date at an affordable price. The garden outside adds romance to the ancestral theme of the house. A thousand pesos per person is more than enough for a modest yet satisfying and delectable meal.

                         

                               

• Stroll in the Manila Bay at sunset then later on have dinner at any affordable restaurants in the Mall of Asia.
• Manila Bay area near MOA is conducive for a romantic walk. Never mind the gazillion people around the area. What matters most is that you enjoy each other's company right? It's still romantic.

at Manila Bay sunset (my sis & a friend)

me & my sis

photo from: philippines-travel-guide

Hope you will enjoy Valentine's Day.

VMV Spring Cleaning Purifying Facial Wash Review

I bought VMV Spring Cleaning Purifying Facial Wash about one month ago at VMV outlet of Abreeza Mall of Davao for 560.00Php. It's pretty expensive but since I really want to find the perfect facial wash for my oily skin, I bought it anyway. Having a good skin is important for me since I don't really wear make-up everyday.

Oiliness is next to ugliness (just kidding).Oily skin is prone to pimples that's why I'm always looking for a good facial wash which can control if not eliminate oil production in my face. I'm not comfortable having breakouts in my face to the point of pinching my pimples which only worsen the case. I know I shouldn't do it.

It's been almost a month since I started using it twice a day-morning and night. The result?

What I like about it?

• Cleanses well yet non drying. It leaves the skin matte and yet hydrated.
• Gentle on skin. It has no foam. It's like slathering a lotion and oil combination in your skin.
• Non-comedogenic 
• Has Monolaurin, a derivative of plant known to have anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
• Controls the oil production for hours. I like this.

What I don't like about it?

• Price. 560.00Php for 120ml. I think it will last me for 2 months only.

Will I repurchase?

         Yes but I will also try other products.

While using this cleanser I still got persistent pimples nevertheless I like this product because it controls oil-production for hours.

photo from: vmvhypoallergenics

My 30th Birthday

I celebrated my 30th  birthday last January 27 with a cake only and on the next day I prepared some dinner. Everything was simple according to plan. Just my immediate family and some friends were present. Here are some photos. 

my cake

 

the next day I prepared a birthday dinner 

Underground River Official Winner of New7Wonders of Nature

The official title of Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New7Wonders of Nature will truly bolster a sense of national pride for us Filipinos. This will help the campaign of the Department of Tourism entitled "It's more Fun In the Philippines" to attract more tourists to visit the country.

Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, made the announcement in Manila. PPUR is the second to be confirmed after Jeju Island of South Korea.

PPUR is located some 50km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, on Palawan island. It consists of a limestone karst mountain landscape, several large chambers containing significant formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2 km. navigable underground river that winds through a cave before flowing directly into the West Philippine Sea. At the exit, a flawless lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge.

photos from: PPUR facebook

Stylish Traveling Celebrities

Celebrities love to travel in the best travel destinations around the world and they travel in style no less. It's amazing how they look stunning even after so many hours of flight. Here are some of the celebrity photos in their jaw-dropping outfit as they travel.

If there's an award for best-dressed traveler I'm sure Victoria Beckham is in. She doesn't look like she's traveling noh? She always dress impeccably anywhere. She makes the airport look like a catwalk even with a baby at hand.

at LAX airport

at LAX airport

Traveling in style is a cinch for Kim Kardashian, who pulls together a cream sleeveless top and black pants with a gold-buckle belt and leopard pumps at JFK.

Kim in her departure from LAX

Cameron Diaz is chic even when traveling. Picture below was taken while she was sightseeing in Peru.

photos from: people.com 

My Palawan Trip Plan

I am so excited to go to Palawan soon together with my hubby. Although no fixed schedule yet I'm hoping it will be in the next few weeks. It would be our first time to go to this popular destination (at least in the Philippines). I've read a lot of travelogues and now I'm sold on visiting this province which is known as the Philippine's Last Frontier. There's just too many must-go-places in Palawan but I'm contemplating on two major places - Puerto Princesa City and the other one is either Coron or  El Nido.

I know one week is not enough to experience the beauty of one of the most famous tourist destination in the country but I just have to make the most out of our vacation days.I need to stay there for at least one year if I want to fully experience most of it's beauty. Coron alone, one of the municipalities of Palawan, is noted for picturesque steep limestone cliffs, white sand beaches, hotspring, seven mountain lakes famous of which is the nationally-acclaimed cleanest lake in the Philippines the Kayangan mountain lake. And that is Coron alone. There are 22 other municipalities which has it's own must-go-tourist spot. I heard that El Nido has sparkling white beaches and Busuanga has wildlife sanctuary. The list of wonderful places goes on and on.

Big Lagoon in El Nido

Coron

It's quite hard to decide where to go in Palawan given the time and financial constraints but as I've said I just have to settle in two major places which are Puerto Princesa City and El Nido or Coron. I'm sure of Puerto Princesa because this would be our base when we go to Honda Bay for island hopping tour and Sabang for Underground river tour, two indispensable tours if you are in Palawan. But for the other one, I'm torn between Coron and El Nido. Both places have crystal clear water and white sand beaches which is what I'm looking for. One day I prefer El Nido the next day it would be Coron (lol). Well there are still some time to decide for that. At least I'm sure of Puerto Princesa City. 

I used to be rather confused what exactly is Palawan. I did a little research and here are some interesting facts worth mentioning. (source: palawan.gov.ph & wikipedia )

• Palawan is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction.
• Palawan is basically composed of
• City - which is Puerto Princesa City
• Mainland Municipalities - this is the big/main island which is divided into 12 municipalities (Aborlan, Bataraza, Brooke's Point, Dumaran, El Nido, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Roxas, San Vicente, Sofronio Española and Taytay )
• Island Municipalities. - these are the smaller islands surrounding the big/main island, consist of 11 municipalities (Agutaya, Araceli, Balabac, Busuanga, Cagayancillo, Coron, Culion, Kalayaan or Spratly Islands, Linapacan and Magsaysay.
• The Tabon Caves in the municipality of Quezon is known as The Cradle of Philippine Civilization because the earliest human remains ( until 2010) have been found in that cave on May 28, 1962 by an American anthropologist. The bone fragments was believed to be 22,000 years ago. BUT just last 2010 another fact was established when they have proven that another older remains were discovered at the Callao caves near Penablanca, 210 miles north of Manila. The Callao Man's fossils can be traced back 67,000 years ago, making it the earliest human remains found in the country.
• Palawan is known as the Philippine's Last Frontier simply because it has wild and undeveloped natural resources left in it's natural condition with abundant  wildlife species much like an unexplored paradise and a wonder of nature for human beings. This place is rare nowadays. Hopefully it will remain as it is forever. Industrialization is good but it should not be at the expense of a very beautiful paradise such as Palawan. There are now several protected areas in Palawan to preserve it's natural ecosystem like the Calauit Island in Busuanga. The island is mostly surrounded by coral seas where endangered and rare species including sea turtle, giant clam and dugong maybe observed.

TCB

photo source: palawan.gov.ph

                       tourism-philippines

Cheap Things to Do in Davao City

map of Davao City
from: visitphilippines

This is for those who are planning to travel to Davao for a vacation. As a tribute to my hometown, here’s my list of cheap things you can do in Davao City.

1. Roam around People’s Park (along Palma Gil St). Entrance is free and the view of lush green is good enough for relaxing.

2. Eat all you can at Tita D’z (along Anda St.)  For 129.00 Php only one can enjoy eat-all-you-can buffet including drinks. The restaurant serves delectable Filipino dishes mixed with different foreign cuisine (fusion food) everyday. When we dined there last August 2011 it was Filipino-Japanese fusion food. I forgot to take pictures on the food because I was so hungry then. For 129.00 Php, you get more than your money's worth. Of course don't expect a top-notch restaurant. 

Dinner at Tita D'z with my family.

 3. Shop cheap bargains at R. Magsaysay Avenue (better known as Uyanguren St. among       

     locals). This is the “Divisoria” of Davao. This is also part of Davao Chinatown. 

    There are many cheap chinese items (such as accessories, clothes, shoes) sold here        

    everyday. DCLA Mall (located just along the street) is one of the favorite stores of shoppers. 

DCLA Plaza along Uyanguren St.

 4. Watch movies in G-Mall ( J.P. Laurel Ave., Bajada) The movie costs less than 150 Php only. Stroll  around the mall before the movie starts.   

Gaisano Mall or G-Mall for short.Located along a very accessible street of J.P.Laurel Ave.,Bajada 

 5. Eat at Jack’s Ridge Hill top in Shrine Hills, Matina. This is the place where you can see the view of Davao City from atop. It’s open day and night for viewing purposes with minimal fee.  But if you dine and unwind in the cozy restaurant and café inside, viewing and picture taking are included.  Historically, this place was once the headquarter of the Japanese troops in World War II. 

Photos from : jacksridgedavao

6. Buy fruits in Bankerohan market. This is the biggest wet market in Davao city. You don’t really have to go inside just to buy some fruits, there are fruit stands along the road. Just roam around or ask some locals for assistance on where the fruit areas are. Fruits here are affordable.

Fruit stand in Bankerohan

7. Eat durian at Magsaysay fruit stand. Durians are sold just outside the Magsaysay park and the stores have tables and chairs where you can sit and eat durian. If it is durian season usually August to October the price is really cheap for as low as 30-50 Php per kilos depending on the variety. If the price of durian is too high, then there are yummy and affordable durian candies available too. Try Lola Abon's Durian Candy it's the best durian candies I've ever tasted simply because it's not too sugary you can actually taste the durian pulp. It is also available in different variety like durian tarts, bar, empanada, macaroons, polvoron and even chocolate! (yes durian chocolate). Gotta taste that soon. Though Davao is known for durian I'm not really into this fruit, I prefer the candy. 

Magsaysay fruit stand in Magsaysay Ave.
and Lola Abon's durian candy ( 25.00 Php only) & yema ( 35.00 Php only)

8. Stroll around the Abreeza Mall Davao. This is the newest grand mall established here to date. Ayala Malls really know how to make their malls more than just "malls" by incorporating a lush green garden outside it's buildings. Although the garden here is not as grand as Greenbelt or Ayala Cebu, it is still worth watching and picture-taking. At this time since the mall is basically new, the plants have not yet fully blossomed.  

Abreeza Mall Davao

Enjoy Davao !

TCB

Gift Ideas for the Travelers in Your Life

Since my birthday is approaching this post is just timely for me. This is also known as My Birthday Wishlist post.These are the things that I'm wishing to buy but I can't even if I have some money because these are just expensive for a travel gear/ accessory. They maybe pricey but the quality is really worth raving about. Of course I will be so happy if ever I receive any one of these as a birthday gift.*wink*

Travel backpack from  Pacsafe  

US$99.99 

Security money belt from Pacsafe

US$16.99

Moleskine Hardcover plain notebook (extra small)

HK$105.00

May this will serve as your guide in giving gifts to your loved ones who love to travel. It doesn't really have to be this expensive. I'm sure there are other affordable alternatives available.

In the Philippines, Pacsafe is distributed by Travel Club while Moleskine is available at National Bookstore and Fully Booked.

Photos from : pacsafe.com and moleskineasia.com

Cebu Pacific 1 Peso Fare is Back

For those who are planning to travel in a few months. This might help you. Just log on to cebupacificair for more details. Hurry up before it's too late.

The Big 3-0

photo credit to:
clowningaroundonline.co.uk

           Exactly one week from now I’ll mark my (err ! )  30^th birthday..Oh my…why does time flies so fast? I can still vividly remember when I celebrated my simple 18^th birthday with my family and high school friends and now I’m going on 30?

          When I was 16, I was so eager to grow up and see the world. But now that I’m old enough, oh how I wish I am young again, carefree and full of boundless dreams.

              Enough of my wishful thinking. They say 30^th birthday is a milestone worth celebrating just like 1^st, 7^th and 18^th birthday. I think it makes sense ( because I don’t want to celebrate 35, 40, 50, I will stick with 30! ) because it is the point when we should embrace being full- grown matured individual.

            How I wish I could spend my birthday with my hubby but he couldn’t make it since his expected sign-off from ship was cancelled (thus my backpacking trip is also cancelled). Three days after our wedding, he left for work and until now he has not come home yet. Sad as it may be, I think I should get used to this kind of situation.

            So how will I celebrate my big 3-0? I am not into grand celebration because I don’t have the means and I think it is impractical for me. So I will modestly celebrate it with my family and some friends over dinner. The dinner will be on the next day which is Saturday to ensure my working friends (most of them are teachers) are available. It will also be a sort of get-together or reunion for us since we rarely see each other nowadays.

            How about you, how will you celebrate a milestone in your life?

TCB

Why I Am No Longer Into Facebook

Some of my friends had noticed that I no longer update my facebook  as much as I used to. They are right since it would take weeks or months before I open my account just to see if there’s an important message for me. I’m not ecstatic to download my latest photos. If not for my husband (who works abroad and wants to see my new photos) I will never care to download new photos anymore.  If not for some important messages, I will never open my FB account anymore. I changed since middle of 2011.

photo courtesy of : vectorimages.org

This is very opposite to what I used to be few years ago when seldom is the day when I will not  check my account for at least three hours. That’s the average time I spent facebooking then!  Had there been an award for those facebook addicts, I’m quite sure I’m in. How and why did I change? Read on.

First let me tell you a how I started. The year 2007 was the start of my so-called addiction and it started in friendster . I was so obsessed that even at work I would sneak some few minutes just to beautify my account. There were so many ways to customize the friendster account and I never want to be left out. There were background customization, picture slideshow, music video, font’s customization, etc. I was so vain when it comes to my account (more vain than to  myself) that I would spend hours just to find the perfect background, make new slideshow, change my previous slideshow, put music video and upload many photos.

It was early 2009 when I started FB. It is more dynamic and I could easily see new updates of my friends (albeit no beautiful background). And it started to get even more popular than friendster so I stick to it.  Another plus was the game Farmville to which I also got hooked for like 6 months. I would go home hurriedly just to plant, harvest and water my crops! I would even put it in my daily to do list just so I will not forget it. I never made it into million (despite my “hard work” in the farm) and I quit because I got tired of taking good care of my farm.

But never in facebook. I was so keen in uploading my latest photo of the day (I must upload some new pictures at least every week or else I feel so left out), thinking of a good quotation and uploading it as my shout-out (I must show to all that I am smart ) and discretely stalking my friends, elementary classmates, childhood crushes, ex boyfriend  and many more. I was so eager to know what’s going on with their lives that I forget to take care of my very own life. Dammit!  

Early 2011, I no longer work and all I did was to go online like forever. I would never go offline, as I choose to avail the unlimited internet.  And then one day I pondered, why am I spending so much time on facebook? How does it make me as a person? What do I really get from it? And I count the inevitable truths…

1)      Self-pity. ..At some points while facebooking  I said to myself  “How come my unintelligent elementary classmate turns out to be a very successful   businesswoman now? while me?  I can’t even put up a sari-sari store on my own. …I’m smarter, prettier, better than her!” Why oh God  why? …and another… “How come my dull and boring high-school classmate is travelling the world now??  while I can’t even get out of my house!?? .Life is not fair....and..”Wow my Not-so-pretty-elementary-classmate is oh so rich and gorgeous now how come..how come? Wasn’t she dark and naive then? How could she be oh so sophisticated and porcelain-skinned  now while me? I can’t even find a perfect facial wash for my oily skin! I’m such a failure (in life and in facial wash). *sobbing*.There were many similar instances like these.The ending? I just felt bad about myself.

2)      Anger at myself - I scolded myself,  “Miss Unintelligent elementary classmate is not as unintelligent as you think, you stupid self ! ”…and ..”Miss  Boring high-school classmate is travelling the world now and Miss Not-so-pretty-elementary-classmate is rich and gorgeous now because they both work hard and deserved to be where they are now bitch!”. I felt a bit disgusted at myself.

3)      Never ending gossip – While stalking the account of my former crush I said “Gosh my ultimate elementary crush who never even care I exist, is in a relationship with our uninteresting schoolmate (as I saw in his facebook account)..Months later,..  Oh they are separated I think because he deleted her in his status, …months later,...he has a new girlfriend now and is getting married?. ..so on and so forth with all my childish rants.. I felt so silly.

  I’m DONE with stalking in facebook. I will never do those foolish things again. It was a waste of time. I could have used it productively by starting this blog then. At least with blog I could earn in the long run. Or I could have spent those hours constructively like reading a book, exercising, cooking and bonding with my family.

For now I’m at peace without facebook. Although I have not deleted it because it is one of the medium of communications with my hubby (if skype is not available), I know I am just fine without it. And when I unintentionally see the account of Ms. Now-Intelligent, Ms. Travelling classmate or Ms. Now-Gorgeous classmate ?  I just smile and say to myself that great things happen to them because of their hard-work and a little bit of good luck. Who knows one day I can be like one of them too. And if not? I am perfectly fine and happy with who I am today. I've learned to really value what I have.

                 

Chic Style : My Pink Backpack

I was surfing the polyvore website when I saw a picture of an Adidas pink backpack I bought weeks ago (see how excited I am to go on backpacking).What a better way to play in the polyvore than to know that you already own an item there (kahit isa lang).


This is my very first backpack actually. Of course don’t count on my elementary days. I’m not really a backpack person even on travel because the color (most backpacks are in black) and the style is too masculine for me. Until I saw this pink backpack...

my pink backpack

It is from Adidas and it is pretty expensive at 1,495Php. I was hesitant to buy it but I want need a sturdy backpack and can’t settle to buy those cheap low qualities so I bought it anyway.I seldom find a pink, good quality backpack. It has a portion inside for a laptop. Plus it is lightweight (but heavy on the pocket!) you know other backpacks are quiet heavy even without anything inside it. Hmmp  what else good can I say about it just to defend my purchase …Kidding aside, I think adidas is a well-known good-quality brand.

Back to polyvore. So I created some simple yet chic travelling looks with my pink backpack. Here they are, enjoy.

SET 1

SET 2

SET 3

Hayy polyvore how you satisfy my fantasy.Gotta go back to reality. :)

Have a nice day.

TCB