Our Cebu Tour ..

top view of Imperial Palace Resort taken from 8th for

     February 2, 3, and 4, are our scheduled stays in one beach resort in Dalaguete Cebu. Don't want to mention the name of the resort for we were not satisfied with the accommodation and their services. Anyway, we were very excited to board a plane since this would be the first time for my eldest and youngest, I got 4 kids and they were all with me during the trip. We arrived before 6am at Mactan Airport, and from there we rode a taxi to take us to Dalaguete, a 2-hour ride from Mactan. Have seen on the map that we have been on from end to end of the island. 

     With all the tiresome trip we were expecting a warm welcome from the resort staff..but ..alas..no one welcomes us, and we were even asked if we had made a reservation! To make the story short, they had given us a room. It's a big but old family room, with a mirrored door but no curtains. Well, the beach is not as good and as clean as in Boracay, we prefer to swim in their pool. Our first night there was a sleepless one for I don't know I'd been uneasy the whole night, maybe because my knee joint was aching or I don't feel secure with the place. I think the latter was the reason for I am not at ease when in a strange and far away place unless there are many people around and hotel guards. It was raining hard that night and brownouts occurred .. creepy. Since this is not a hotel and far from the one we used to stay in Boracay, I should not expect something special to happen. We were supposed to stay there 2 nights and 3 days but I decided to go back to the city the next morning and find someplace to stay and where we could also swim. 

     From Dalaguete to Lapu-Lapu City, we were led to a five-star hotel, Imperial Palace Water Resort, and Spa..whew for just overnight ..don't want to remember that huge amount..geesh, it still aches my pocket. Anyway, I've given my kids their best time to enjoy and it's giving me happiness to see them with it. The breakfast eat-all-you-can was superb with all the different oriental cuisine. We really have a good time since breakfast time is our favorite and the biggest... ('-')...Of course, our swimming would not be complete without our Olympus underwater camera. 

     I would say Cebu is like Manila in its structure, even when we were over the city on the plane you would think from above you're still in Manila. Though we had a short time exploring the place, there are nice beaches around, and it's not that polluted compared to Manila. Traveling throughout Dalaguete and Cebu City, you would still see the simplicity of life in some remote areas to those in the city. Magellan's cross is not as big as my son had thought before. By the way, we are very grateful to the driver who gave us full service touring the city and fetched us from Mactan airport to Dalaguete to Lapu-Lapu and to Mactan for our flight. Call me for his number if you want a driver who can be trusted..('-'). And remember, when you say Cebu, it's the island, and Cebu City is within that island as well as Lapu-Lapu City.

Our Boracay Tour

     Kinda late to write about our Boracay tour, but since we just came from the Cebu tour a week ago, I can't stop comparing the two places and what we experienced in the previous one.

     The thought of boarding a plane really excites us, especially for a mom who would give her kids a taste for the first time traveling through the plane. I got 4 kids but only the 2 of them were with me on our Boracay tour. Excited since it is our first, we would be able to see Manila lights from above since our flight is at 5:20am, the seas, the clouds..and how does it feel when the plane is about to take off.
     We have a smooth journey and from Kalibo airport, somebody was waiting for us to take us to Caticlan, which is part of the promo package I had bought from an Ensogo deal. An hour of travel lulled us to sleep later we have to board a ferry boat to take us to the island of Boracay. Another ride was waiting to take us to our accommodation tour package in Patio Pacific Hotel Boracay. I would say if u want a more quiet place to stay, not too far from the beach hub and free from the loud music of bars and restaurants, choose this one. Secured, cozy rooms with wi-fi and cable tv, great dishes as well as friendly staff, and affordable rates.

     With our accommodation, daily breakfast is included on buffet plus...free one lunch and dinner. On our 1st day, we decided to have our lunch outside a hotel in D'Mall rather than take the free lunch. Since it would be harder for us to find a restaurant for dinner, we had availed of our free dinner on our 1st night there and exchanged our free lunch for another dinner on our 2nd night. While eating, the kids and I kept thinking about their eldest and youngest siblings (I am with my 2nd and 3rd kids) who were left behind as suggested by their father. With all the menu being served, we can't stop thinking if they are there too. The food servings and the staff and crew at Patio Pacific Hotel Boracay are worth our dime. Php 8888, 3days 2 nights with round trip transfer from Kalibo to Caticlan, free daily breakfast, one lunch, one dinner for 2 and you can bring along one child below 10 years old for free.

Boracay, November 2011

     What would enchant a visiting tourist in Boracay? What I love in Boracay is the white fine sand, swimming with small fishes even near the shore, the hotel accommodation, the freshwater pearls, different people from different places and cultures, a  no inhibition zone (you can even walk on the beach and the national road on two-piece or bareback without intimidation). Visiting this place is worth your trip.

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 Boracay Views

Nuffamily Day..One thing I Love Nuffnang

     Nuffnang is not only an earning opportunity and advertising website in the bloggers' world.. but it's also about the blogger and their families. Nuffamily Day is one reason why I love Nuffnang. I never made a mistake joining this site. At first, I thought, it is just another pay-per-click ad but it isn't..it's about social influence, earning opportunities, and social awareness..take a look at Mothers' day. And why I do love Nuffnang...

N - oteworthy and 

U - nique gathering of

F - amily and

F - riends with

N -ew

A -dvertising

N - etworking

G - roup

     That group of bloggers, with their families, is a good idea, and meeting bloggers from different places. It's making a wave to look up to by the advertising community and companies who wish to be a part of the NUFFNANG bloggers.

     On May 28, I will have my 4 kids and their Papa join this Nuffamily day, bringing with us our camera..and of course, excited to feel the winds of Tagaytay once more.  The calming scent of 20,000 pine trees of Crosswinds Tagaytay and the breathtaking view of its long terrain. I think we will be joining the Nuffnang bus going to Tagaytay because traveling is more fun than riding a bus and the road we'll be trekking are full of things to catch on with my camera.

     NUFFNANG events such as these are made possible, of course by sponsors..thanks for all the goodies and freebies to come...(",)...

  

* I just received an email from Nuffnang...I will be joining this Nuffamily event with my kids!!! Yeah! We're very excited!!!... Luv  Nuffnang!
* Due to a typhoon, the event was moved to June 4.

#nuffnang #bloggersevent #tagaytay #familyday

Teachers of The Decade

     Attending my son's graduation from high school last March 31 made me shiver and reminds me of my graduation day 25 years ago. I wasn't sentimental back then compared to my son's graduation..there's a mixed emotion..happy, that finally another stage of my son's life has ended and the joy of hoping he would be in college and that he would make it better this time...sad, that my son isn't a baby anymore, the one I used to cuddle, he would have his own life and decision and I'm afraid for him to have mistakes.

     As the ceremony has ended, we took pictures with some of his teachers..our teachers. This blog is actually for these teachers who have exemplarily done their work..our English teacher, our Social Studies teacher, and our Music teacher. Except for the first one, both teachers were known for their terrifying effect on students and I had been one of those students. They really have an impact on me as a person and as a teacher. I would say they are effective and efficient as well.

     They are the teachers of the decade, dedicated to their work, inculcating the importance of teaching and learning to their students...How come...I'm an English teacher too and planning to get a certification in TESOL, I still remember the Afro-Asian literature, the use of auxiliary verbs, doing a written report, the World history, reporting inside the class, how to read musical notes, and understanding the piano parts. How to be neat, how to talk in front of people, and how to recite even if you're nervous. Twenty-five years have gone by, and they became the teachers of my son.

     Imagine the times they have been in our alma mater, the times they have spent teaching kids, the many times students were leaving them and new ones came in. I've felt the same way they had felt many times when my own students have graduated. When all else are leaving for the American Dream, they were the ones who are left for the Filipino dreams. And still, no one can surpass the dedication they have..love them all..they deserve more of the best! Kudos to all my teachers..\o/

Our English teacher, Mrs. Raquel Naanep-Bato.

Our Social Studies teacher, Ms. Loida Estrada

Our Music teacher, Mr. Silvestre Mariano.

My Advisory Class on their Recollection

     Kinda late to write this on my blog, since it happened last January 17. The place were Alagad ni Maria (Disciples of Mary) Formation House in Tahanang Nasaret (Nazareth Home) Retreat Center. This is actually a seminary for aspiring priest but as part of reaching out to the youth they offer recollection program for the graduating students of some high schools in and out of Antipolo vicinity. I'm actually handling 4th year students and they have joined this program initiated by our school.
     I was not in the room where the session is being held but I know what is happening inside since I had been into this kind of recollection program when I was in high school. Some of my students were sharing what happened during the session, what they have heard, and what they did. Well, there are some things that some students never shared to anyone but the session made them open it up. I wouldn't share what some of my students found out from their classmates, and it's a realization for them to understand each other and of course to understand these kids..what they have been undergoing in such a young age. But thinking of it, what's the recollection is all about..
     Every Retreat and Recollection is a SPIRITUAL ENCOUNTER with GOD, meant to be a venue for silence, prayer, reflection and renewal. This Recollection is a special moment, each year, which would hopefully facilitate this meeting with God, so as to bring about transformation. A true spiritual experience brings about change in values, attitudes and convictions, rendering persons more “Christ-like” - this is the heart of all the goals and objectives of the Retreat and Recollection Program. As every students who had undergone a recollection program, each had their own story to tell, experiences to share and a reflection to think about. It is knowing who they are, what they have, what they will be if without God on their side or if with Him all through out their endeavors. Recollection is the time for them to bringing again their past experiences, recalling how it was, but not to mingle with these pasts but makes it a learned lesson on how they will face the present challenges in their lives and how they would walk on to their future.

     These students if properly guided and motivated can be pushed on to set and work out their goals. Though they are not the best of the best nor the cream of the crop, each has its own unique personality, special gift, and talents that they can use. Each passing day, I am discovering new things from them and the time is getting nearer for them to say goodbye to their alma mater. On Tuesday, they will receive their diploma and say, "I did not drop the class! I have graduated!"...

Mesmerized by Baguio..

     City of blooms! The summer capital of the Philippines! whatever you may call it..it's the place I've always wanted to come back to.. the mountains, its landscape, her flowers, the wind, its people. It's been a long time since my last visit to Baguio, 12 years ago..but still the memories, all that is in Baguio lingers. A happy family back then, it seems. I have 2 kids then and we went boating in the man-made lagoon in Burnham Park, took our walk up the 100 stairs, and took pictures with the Mines View Park behind us and The Mansion. Sweet memories..we even experienced a tremor at 2am.  Earthquake!   at first, I thought there was a monster opening the door since our room is connected to the other moving through a common bathroom.
Traveling 6 hours from Manila.. always excited to get there.. remember my first visit when I was in college for a leadership seminar sponsored by one of our student societies I was a member of. Six months after the July 16, 1990 earthquake when Baguio, one that was badly hit at that time.. though we could still see the ruins, its natural beauty can still be seen despite the tragedy. The warmth of the native people living there, and the rich culture, would also make you back and even wanted to live there. I think this is the place where I can really be one with nature, be what I am, be with other God's creation, It's a beautiful place..being tired of the suburbs' polluted air, the noise. it's one place that will bring you to your senses. Though I know there is a far better place than Baguio, still, her flowers leave their color in my eyes.
     One day, two days, or even three days are not enough to see the marvelous splendor of Baguio..and maybe after all these tedious days, I would go back and experience once again the different colors and blooms of Baguio.