Traipsing Chronicles

Star-Spangled Journey: Overnight in Virginia Beach

2011-09-30T20:09:00.005+08:00

Virginia Beach wasn't originally in our itinerary. But then, we learned that my mom's former boss, who is now based in Virginia Beach, just had a major surgical operation so we decided to visit her before embarking on the east coast journey.

We took Delta's red-eye flight, had a stopover and breakfast at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and reached Norfolk International airport before noon. As we were descending, I took a peek from my seat and I liked the sight of trees and the body of water that snaked its way across the green expanse (a contrast to the drab airport environment in LA). I also loved the presence of plants and light inside the airport. We were welcomed by Dr. Milagros Bacus and her family into their home, had a sumptuous seafood lunch and took a quick nap (being in three time zones in one day can be tiring) before we went around Virginia Beach.

Since we were pressed for time, we drove around Virginia Beach while catching up on six years of not seeing each other. It impressed upon me as a serene community with picturesque houses, manicured lanes and rows of trees. Virginia Beach is home to a number of US Bases and is close to the Atlantic Ocean.

We had Asian dinner at the Uptown Buffet and then explored the Oceanfront before turning in for the night.

with the Bacus family

Should I find myself again in the US, I'd like to see more of Virginia and enjoy its scenic and historic cities.

Star-Spangled Journey: Mission of San Juan Capistrano

2011-09-27T11:18:00.015+08:00

Does anyone know, or has anyone ever heard of this song?

I'm totally clueless about this song until the day we visited the place mentioned in it. But my mom knows the song and has been singing a few lines while we were at Mission San Juan Capistrano which is the subject of this post.

Cliff Swallows

Of all places to fly to during migration, the cliff swallows almost always find themselves in Mission San Juan Capistrano every March 19. They sometimes come as early as February or as late as June but at least there are cliff swallows in sight during the feast of St. Joseph. And because of the large number of avians in flight, fierce competition for survival among the birds is common.

San Juan Capistrano

It is a town in the Orange County in California. But San Juan Capistrano also refers to Giovanni Chiori, the Italian Franciscan from Capistrano, Italy. He lead a group of volunteers in a face off with Sultan Mohamed II and his soldiers who wanted to abolish Christianity. The former succeeded and to commemorate the triumph, church bells are rung and the angelus is said every noon.

Upon reaching San Juan Capistrano, we made a stop at the beautiful Mission Basilica. What caught my attention were the walls which were filled with written mysteries of the Holy Rosary and the Stations of the Cross (instead of carved figures or photo prints normally seen in churches).

Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano

Downtown Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano

The Mission in San Juan Capistrano is the only mission in Orange County. It was founded by Fray Juniper Serra on November 1, 1776. Just like the rest of the colonies of Spain, Christianity was introduced to the Native Americans --- the Acjachemen (pronounced as Ah-HAWSH-eh-men) and a community was built wherein the locals adapted to the ways of living of the colonizers.

Curious how the friars went about their daily life?

A Padre's Daily Schedule as displayed on Mission San Juan Capistrano exhibit

2:00 AM Early morning prayers (Matins)

5:00 AM Wake up, pray and prepare for the morning mass

7:00 AM Conduct morning class and religious class for the Native Americans

8:30 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM Ring the bell for community work to begin. They either teach, supervise or care for the sick

12:00 PM Ring bell for lunch

12:30 PM Midday prayer followed by siesta

2:00 PM Ring bell to resume work

3:00 PM Short break to pray

5:00 PM Ring bell for community work to end

5:30 PM Conduct evening mass and lessons for Native Americans

7:00 PM Dinner followed by a siesta

7:30 PM Updating of ledgers

9:00 PM Prayers and sleep

Looking at their schedule, their day was always filled with prayers (they prayed five times, not counting the mass that they celebrate twice a day). Plus they had siesta, not just after lunch but also after dinner. I was wondering if some of the padres who took siesta after dinner eventually fell into deep sleep, thus neglecting their nightly duty of updating the ledgers.

(from top left clockwise)

1. A padre's bedroom or dormitorio

2. The sitting room where they worked, entertaining traders, priests, ship captains, dignitaries and alcaldes. It was also in this room where they read, wrote letters and updated their ledgers.

3. The dining room or comedor

4. The Acjachemen who were very skilled musicians learned ho to play the European instruments

As for their meals, the padres dined in the comedor. The pozolera or the padres' kitchen was buzzing with a variety of tasks such as roasting and grinding grains, smoking and curing meat and preparing three meals daily. Back then, only the male cooks and servers worked in the kitchen and prepared the dishes for the priests and important visitors. On the other hand, the female counterparts worked in an outdoor kitchen and prepared meals for the community to be served to over a thousand people on a daily basis. Wow, talk about discrimination and a patriarchal society. Women had to sweat it out outdoors and churn out dishes to feed a thousand mouths while the men worked in the comforts of the pozolera preparing dishes only for a number of padres.

(from top left, counterclockwise)

1. The padres loved to eat smoked and cured meat and so they would hang pieces of meat in the chimney.

2. The Acjachemen used mortar and pestle in grinding acorn and seeds for their Wi-wish porridge. When they moved in to the mission, they learned how to use the flat stone metates.

3-4. Ingredients for their daily fare. Some of the dishes prepared were atole (barley or corn gruel) and pozole (meat chunks and vegetables)

However, almost a century later, the mission saw its demise with the independence of Mexico from Spain (California was a territory of Mexico), the collapse of the Great Stone Church during the earthquake of 1812 and the division and sale of the mission's landholdings to 20 prominent families in California.

Just in case you'd like to know the families who owned the twenty ranches, here is the list:

And here's the map of the landholdings:

Later in 1845, the mission itself was sold by Governor Pio Pico to John Forster for $710.00. The Forster family made the Mission their home for over 20 years. When California became the 31st state to join the Union, efforts were made for the return of the landholdings to the mission. In 1853, Bishop Joseph Alemany filed a petition with the Public Land Commission for the return of the mission lands. Two years later, the US Land Commission gave a decree for the return of the said properties to the Catholic Church. Meanwhile, President Abraham Lincoln signed a Patent of Title which nullified the Forster's claims over the property and secured the ownership of the same to the Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The grounds of Mission San Juan Capistrano

There is an interactive room in the mission where you can watch a video about the Mission's history and try your hand in designing a brand for the cattle.

The church inside the Mission which also has a chapel of St. Peregrine near its entrance.

The gift shop which used to be the Forsters' sala.

Currently, efforts are being made to preserve the land, the buildings and what is left of the Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Star-Spangled Journey: CA's Disneyland, For Kids and Young Once

2011-09-27T11:02:00.016+08:00

This is my second Disney experience, my first time was at Hongkong Disneyland. But the magic isn't lost on me.

Our day in Disneyland in Anaheim, California started on Main Street by visiting The Disney Gallery and the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (Disneyland Story). Sketches and illustrations of Disney characters are on display at the gallery. Meanwhile, the audio-animatronics technology was utilized to relive the moments in history with honest Abe.

While checking out the framed items, I learned that Disneyland opened on July 18, 1955 with more than 50,000 guests in attendance. So that means the park has captured the hearts of young and old alike for fifty-six years now. And it wasn't just by random that Anaheim is home to Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The place was the choice of Stanford Research Institute after months of research. And the materials and equipment used inside the park? They were sourced across the United States, from Baltimore and Philadelphia to Nashville and Memphis and then San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento.

From Main Street, we trooped to Tomorrowland and went on a submarine voyage with Nemo and his family and friends.

Then it was time to get back on dry land. We took a ride on the monorail and had a view of the park.

around Disneyland

Matterhorn Bobsleds

We needed a bit of excitement so we boarded the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a ride in the wilderness of the wild west. But according to my mom, it definitely shook her vertebral column.

We had to relax after that heart-pumping ride by boarding the Mark Twain Riverboat. The vessel is 28 feet tall and 105 feet long and has four decks. For a quarter of an hour, we just lounged on the deck, savored the breeze and enjoyed the sights down the river. And by the way, Mark Twain, aside from being a pen name, also means that a vessel at safe depth in riverboat lingo.

All Aboard the Mark Twain

When we disembarked, we saw a crowd forming just several feet away. Curious, we moved toward the crowd and saw a comedy performance just outside the The Golden Horseshoe building.

It started out with three cast members, the mayor, the mayor's daughter and the sheriff. Later, it became more interactive as they picked out members from the crowd to join them in their show. Each performer has a particular line to deliver. As a member is being added to the cast, then they also have to deliver their lines from the top. The number of members joining the performance equates to the number of times that they have to repeat their lines.

Then it was time for the most-awaited entertainment. I missed the parade in Hongkong and so I was excited to see the Mickey Soundsational Parade.

Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse

and their friends

Aladdin

Disney Princesses

Peter Pan

Mary Poppins

Lion King

After the parade, we went back to Tomorrowland to be part of the force in the Star Tours. But the line was soooo long. Waiting time was for an hour. They also ran out of Fast Pass Tickets as early as 12:00 noon. So we decided to watch the kiddos being trained by a Jedi master. Later on, these young Padawans faced Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers.

Up next was "It's A Small World." Just the perfect ride after being under the heat of the sun and standing in line for quite some time. Easy, laidback. The song almost lulled me to sleep. Inside the magical castle were dolls representing different races and people from the different continents across the globe. When we reached the Asian sector, I was on the lookout for any doll representing the Philippines or even a banner screaming Mabuhay. But I saw none or maybe my eye wasn't quick enough to spot them. But when we reached Hawaii, I saw an Imeldific-looking doll. Too bad, I wasn't able to take a presentable photo of it.

A trip to Disneyland won't be complete without meeting the famed charming rodent. We visited Mickey Mouse's house, explored every nook and cranny of it and then waited for our turn for a photo-op with MM inside the theater room. Finally after how many re-runs of Mickey's shows, we were led to the studio and hammed it up in front of the camera with dear Mickey.

After that, we boarded the Disney Railroad for another ride around the park. Then we had our dinner of sandwich, corn on the cob and turkey leg and gave our bodies some rest while waiting for the next show.

Then it was time for "The Magic, The Memories and You." The castle of "It's A Small World" was transformed into a huge, colorful photo wall filled with Disney characters and the Photopass photos of guests taken that day.

To cap the night, we watched the grand Fireworks at the Sleeping Beauty Castle. I loved the part where Tinkerbell made an appearance. The display was so beautiful, it definitely brought color to the dark sky and warmth on the chilly night.

Disneyland is touted as the happiest place on earth. For those who'd like to make this as their next holiday getaway, I suggest you buy the 2-day or 3-day park ticket. And visit the park on a weekday. That way you'll get to ride all the attractions and enjoy the shows not just in Disneyland but also in the next-door Disney California Adventure Park, minus the rush, the long lines and the crowd. You may check out their website.

We may have missed out on a number of attractions (Pirates of the Carribean, Star Tours and Indiana Jones Adventure) and a show (Fantasmic) but we definitely we had fun. It was nice to be transported back to the world of your childhood even just for a day. And of course, a big thanks to the Baldado couple (Uncle Donding and Auntie Ida) for the Disney treat.

All Set for the Star-Spangled Journey

2011-09-10T06:29:00.008+08:00

It took me about a month to prepare for the month-long vacation. Hours and hours of surfing the web, communicating with people in different time zones (which meant staying up late for so many nights which spilled over to ungodly hours, reading blogs and suggested itineraries in travel search engines and making huge dents in my pockets. Google, Trip Advisor, Expedia, B ooking.Com and official tourism sites of the various states we'll be visiting became my virtual neighbors.

Finally, August came and we were set.

- Philippine Passport valid for more than six (6) months ✓

- Valid US Visa ✓

- Travel Insurance from Blue Cross ✓

- Itinerary (which included the addresses and contact numbers of the people we'll be meeting and the hotels where we'll be staying as well as the webiste, address, contact numbers, admission price and opening hours of the sites we'll be visiting) ✓

- Print-out of our airline tickets and hotel reservations/booking ✓

- Light wash-and-wear clothing ✓

- Just in case it becomes chilly clothing set (sweater, pairs of socks, mitts, bonnet, scarf) ✓

- Several pairs of footwear (slippers, ballet flats, sneakers) ✓

- Travel/Toiletry kit ✓

- Extra pair of spectacles and the mini-screwdriver for the specs ✓

- Several bags (backpack, mailbag and a huge toiletry kit which I converted into a camera bag)

- Camera, USB cable, SD card, battery, charger (for the camera, cellphones, and laptop), universal adapter which also doubles as current converter (this piece of gadget has served me well for five years now, the 100kr was worth it.), laptop, cellphones ✓

- Book (to keep me busy during the long waits anywhere) ✓

- Emergency medicines ✓

- Application for roaming service for my 2 phones ✓

- Roomy luggage (enough space for the shopping and souvenir knick-knacks) ✓

From Incheon, we flew for ten hours to LA via Korean Air. Along the way, we experienced turbulence not once, not twice, but every so often. Was it because we were flying over the Pacific Ocean? I dunno. Good thing there was an AVOD to keep me busy and not think of the shaky flight. For this leg, everything that the airline offered was great, from the meals (aside from the western concoction, they also included a Korean dish as part of their selection) and drinks served, soft and warm blanket to the updated movie and music lists on their AVOD. My complaint, aside from the turbulent ride, was the very minimalist travel kit which didn't include a sleeping eye mask. It only contained a toothbrush, tube of toothpaste and a pair of slippers.

After ten hours, we have reached Los Angeles. So this is LA. As we hovered over LAX, it impressed upon me as a big tract of land filled with huge box-like structures bathed in brown. After getting out of the plane, we proceeded to the immigration area. There were long lines and it took us an hour before we had our turn. I learned it was because there were many of us tourists, plus interpreters had to be called for our Asian neighbors, a computer had to be rebooted and in our section, the four counters serving us were reduced to two. Interview with the immigration officer was really brief, maybe under two minutes. We proceeded to get our luggage and went past the arrival gate.

My mom's friends, Uncle Donding and Auntie Ida Baldado picked us up at the airport. Mom also got another surprise when a member of the welcoming party was a former colleague from work, Dr. Alvin Cadalin. From the airport, we proceeded to Zen Buffet in Long Beach for our lunch and hours of conversation. Then they drove us to Radisson LAX which was our temporary home in LA.

While in LA, I checked my phones. My Sun phone worked but my Globe phone didn't. (So sorry to my friends, I never got to read your messages sent to my Globe number for the duration of my trip.) Anyway, since we'd be making lots of phone calls while in the US, we decided to buy a prepaid phone. We chose the Net 10 phone which comes with LG phone and 750 minutes of airtime worth $25.00 good for 30 days. Mind you though, that every SMS sent is worth 1 minute under this plan.

Let me share with all of you the quote I got from my fortune cookie at Zen Buffet. A sign of great fun on this journey: Joy comes from adventure today. Time to shake the world.

And now, the star-spangled journey begins.

In Transit in the Land of the Morning Calm: Incheon, South Korea

2011-09-09T05:59:00.024+08:00

I'm still on my one-month vacation with too much backlog. So let me get started with this post.

My mom and I boarded a Korean Air flight from Cebu to Los Angeles with a stopover in Incheon. It was my first time to take Korean Air and I was impressed. Our assigned aircraft was an Airbus (as always, very roomy). The lithe flight attendants were cheerful and attentive to the needs of the passengers. (Prior to boarding, the cabin crew were huddled in front of the boarding gate, patiently jotting down notes on the prior requests and needs of the passengers.) As they as they strutted down the aisle, they reminded me of fragile porcelain dolls in white and light blue. But they were also stickler for rules. Whenever the fasten seatbelt sign was on, they were quick as lightning in making sure that every single passenger was strapped to his/her own seat. Not even a bladder break can weaken their stance.

As for my personal space in the economy section, I had my own audio-video on-demand (AVOD) similar to QR Airways and had a fairly good entertainment selection including the latest Hollywood hits, a few European and Asian films, documentary and news, games and audio books and channels. I also liked the individual coat hanger, usb port and electrical socket.

Food and beverage selection was okay except that they didn't have apple juice onboard and the pineapple juice and orange juice were too sour for my taste. Breakfast was served an hour before we landed in Incheon.

Travel time from Cebu to Incheon was four hours. Transfer took so long because of the security check and the bulk of passengers going through it. Finally, when we were done with the security check, we proceeded to the rest and relax area to get some sleep.

After we have recharged ourselves, we explored the airport. Incheon is really a nice place to waste your time while waiting for your flight. If you need to catch some sleep, there are several lounging chairs and armchairs. But for the works, you can check in at the hotel located within the airport. The airport has shower rooms to keep you freshen up and massage rooms to relieve the stress and body pains which one may have experienced during the flight.

Getting wired and having a dose of entertainment ain't a problem in Incheon. Wifi connection is fast and it is free. For those without laptops, there are several computers in the rest and relax area.

There are several restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and duty free shops inside the airport. Rest rooms are located near almost every boarding gate. Plus there are water stations located near the rest rooms.

But what I really liked was the visit to the different cultural centers in the airport. Near the rest and relax area, one can find a display of the garments and paraphernalia used during a wedding.

On the departure gates level, there are two centers. In one center, we donned the traditional costumes during the Joseon period and at the same time, learned about the games the royalties played during that period.

In another center, the passengers were entertained by Korean music. We also tried being artsy through rubbing and using the Dancheong scheme (color scheme of the five basic colors used in Korean buildings in the olden times and was used to embellish the building frame, protect the surface from weathering and denote the hierarchy of buildings).

My work of art which I get to take with me for free.

To know more about Korean Air and their services, do check their website.

The Journey to the Land of the Star-Spangled Banner

2011-09-03T15:53:00.005+08:00

It has been a while since I made my last post. For two weeks now, I've been criss-crossing the land of the star-spangled banner. Seven states and counting. And that means I have too much blogging backlog.

A trip to Uncle Sam's land was not on the top of my list. I wasn't keen on spending a vacation here anytime soon, like now. But then Mom's birthday is around the corner and she'd like to spend it here (my sibling and I have treated her to trips in Southeast Asia, Europe and North Africa but never in North America). Why not this year? And for the very first time, we applied for our visas. Fortunately, Lady Luck smiled upon us. So here we are, traipsing this northern continent and will be celebrating Mom's birthday soon. This trip has somehow changed some of my impressions (you see, I've always been partial to Europe and Asia). We had to squeeze in so many sights but as early as now, there are some cities which I have come to like and which I hope to explore more at a leisurely pace in the future.

I hope to trim down my backlog. In the meantime, I'll have to bear the heat in the sin city.

Before Ever After: The Slight Detour

2011-08-15T10:06:00.020+08:00

You might be wondering how a novel found its way in a travel blog. While it reeks of romance, the more than hundreds of pages of Before Ever After are screaming TRAVEL.

Image from http://samanthasotto.com

Before Ever After introduces us to the motley happy campers of The Slight Detour led by its scruffy guide with amber eyes Maximilian B. Gallus. The vintage electric-blue Volkswagen van with a disco ball inside was a prelude to a "not your usual tourist trap" that they are about to embark.

The novel takes us to certain points in our history's timeline set against picturesque towns and cities across Europe. It allows us to get lost and soak in the vivid descriptions of places and accounts of past events, and come out of it enriched and wanting to chart the next vacation following the same route.

Emmental Valley, Ljubljana, Ercolano. These places are most likely not to be found in top-of-the-list destinations. But these were made more interesting by the tales of basilisk and Swiss mercenaries, of the lonely River Man and of a population which did not even have a term to denominate a land mass which we now come to know as the volcano.

Even popular cities like Paris, Vienna and Venice have their own share of hidden treasures often overlooked by many. Who would have thought that a mug of Guinness goes well with Seine or that better coffee is often served in cafés with ruder staff? And the hype over Venice, yes, there are islands worth exploring beyond Piazza San Marco. Because I did although not to the island of Torcello.

I wonder how the author Samantha Sotto chose the backdrop for her first-born. Were these her favorite pit stops when she traipsed Europe during her teenage years? Or was it because it simply fitted into the off-the-beaten-path theme?

The novel reminded me of my own travels in Europe four to six years ago. While I did what newbies would do of flashing wide grins next to famous landmarks, what made my trips memorable were the misadventures I had, the interaction with the locals and blending in the daily scene, the nirvana in obscure haunts and the gastronomic feasts (from the ordinary kotbullar to the swanky formal dinners where the hosts painstakingly prepared the dishes).

And since this book is published and released internationally, it is a good thing that a part of the story was set in Boracay (although I am not a big fan of Boracay after it has transformed into a metropolitan island) because it is a good come-on for those who have not been or worse, have not heard of the Philippines. For now, The Shell will do.

I love the novel for the travelogue it has become more than the tale of immortality. As I reached the last page, I smiled for another dose of inspiration and a chance to explore worlds beyond my reading nook without spending a single centavo. And the adventure of Max, Shelley and the rest of the campers resonated my travel mantra of allowing my pair of feet to take the lead and to enjoy the thrill in visiting old, familiar places and getting lost in new territories.

This Is What Travelling Is All About

2011-08-07T21:46:00.006+08:00

Last Friday, these three videos made the rounds on the internet an in social networking sites. It was indeed a triple treat heralding a beautiful weekend for me. I love the concept, the shots and the music. Travelling is not about covering numerous cities or countries. It's about immersing in different cultures, breaking free from comfort zones, learning from the locals, enjoying home-cooked meals, and loving the thrill in visiting old familiar places and getting lost in new territories.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Canigao Island: A Gem in Leyte

2011-07-30T14:03:00.006+08:00

I never heard of Canigao Island until my mom brought me to this place. It was February of 2010 when we attended the Sto Niño fiesta in Brgy. Tab-ang in Matalom, Leyte. Per tradition, the locals would hie off to a nearby island with white sandy beach a day after the fiesta and on Easter Monday.

That nearby island is Canigao. On the scheduled trip to the island, we woke up before the break of dawn. But the guy who was supposed to ferry us to there had to catch some sleep after a night's dancing. Finally, at seven in the morning, we embarked on our excursion. It took us twenty minutes to get to the island.

On our way to the motorboat

Our ride

Canigao Island is definitely a piece of paradise in Leyte. It boasts of powdery white sand, marine sanctuary, clear blue green waters and a tranquil environment. It's a perfect place if you need some respite from a chaotic world.

We rented a table and several chairs and found a spot near a tree which was also close to the shore. Then we started to stroll down that long stretch of white sand on that clear, sunny Sunday. The island is fairly small so it can be explored in an hour (for those on a leisure walk) or even less. A part of the island is off-limits because the seas serve as a marine sanctuary.

The island was generally quiet save for a few cottages, a tree house, a monkey cage, pitched tents and beachcombers. There is a sari-sari store but it is best to bring your own food and supplies. Grilling areas are found in a designated area in the island.

Most of the guests stay in the island for the day but others opt to stay overnight although be warned that there are no fancy accommodations around. Hence, tents do come in handy. Security-wise, tanods patrol the place at night.

We swam, snorkeled, had lunch, chatted with gusto, stretched out our bodies on the powdery white sand, visited the monkey in its cage, walked around, swam again and repeated the same routine until it was time for us to go home.

Kinilaw na locot (or pansit sa dagat) and donsol

What it is like on a crowded hour

Canigao Island is a recommended intermission from the mad chaos of the metropolitan life.

Dining the Taitong Way

2011-07-07T17:16:00.013+08:00

I first heard about Taitong through an article in a local daily. My friend and I have been wanting to try it out but it always got shelved. Last week, we finally freed up our schedule on a weekday and devoted one night to Taitong.

This low-key restaurant is located along A.S. Fortuna Street in Banilad, Mandaue City. It's in an obscure spot, in between AA's Barbecue and Nuat Thai massage place. The place is small with a capacity of twenty people maximum. It has these large wooden dining tables that make the space all the more cramped. The simple and clean interiors and the soft light gave off that cozy and homey feel.

For dinner, we ordered the chicken hotpot, plain siomai and pork spareribs in salt and pepper. To my friends, I know you'd be wondering how a chicken dish made its way to my dinner. And that caused me a night of itchiness.

While waiting for our orders, they gave us service tea and a set of chopsticks and spoon and fork even without us asking. In between chats, we observed the goings-on inside the restaurant. For a newbie, this place has a good number of customers, some dined in while the others had to-go orders (especially those who looked like they are of Chinese descent).

Waiting time took about 15-20 minutes. Finally our dinner was on the table. The serving for the chicken hotpot with rice was generous. It can feed up to three persons. The chicken meat was soft and flavourful with just the right mix, not too salty nor sour nor sweet.

chicken hotpot

The siomai was okay, not too dry nor too moist but nothing spectacular about it. It was like any typical siomai.

plain siomai with chili sauce

The spareribs was yummy. It was crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside, the meat so tender and juicy. The garnishing enhanced the taste of the spareribs.

spareribs (pepper and salt)

Taitong dinner

By the time we were done with our dinner, we were so full. Imagine, there were just the two of us sharing a meal that can feed three persons. Plus, the prices for the dishes were reasonable and affordable. In fact, we intend to return to Taitong to try their noodles, hakaw, siopao and other house specialties.

Taitong Steamer Food

A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad

Mandaue City

Contact Nos.: +63 32 2390023 / 3182438

Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Nalusuan Island

2011-07-06T20:05:00.012+08:00

I just got back from a work-related meeting which brought me to an island in our beloved archipelago. A few people I know have been raving about this island which is a good spot for snorkeling.

Nalusuan is a marine sanctuary off Mactan, a part of the municipality of Cordova. We were at the Tonggo wharf at past 6:00 in the morning to have a good headstart with our day's activity and then have the R&R for the rest of the day. But then the low tide didn't permit us to go the island as scheduled. So we got to serious business mode at the wharf instead. We started before 7:00 a.m. and had everything done by 7:30 a.m.

Sunrise at Tonggo wharf

We had so much time in our hands. Some had breakfast, others sang their hearts out at the nearby videoke, while a few us (me included) decided to catch more sleep since we woke up at dawn.

Finally at 11:30 a.m., the motorboat from Nalusuan island arrived to pick us up. It took us around 40 minutes to the island. We passed by Hilutongan Island before reaching Nalusuan.

Our ride to Nalusuan Island

Nalusuan is a small island, its size comparable to a village park. It has a restaurant, cottages and a function room. It also has a fish pond and a spot for snorkeling to admire the creatures under the sea.

the cottages

A view of the Hilutongan Island from Nalusuan

fish pond

the bridge to the snorkeling area

Over-all, what I saw did not measure up to the expectations I had based on the glowing feedback from some people who have been there before I did. Swim, snorkel and laze around. That's pretty much what you can do on this island. Plus the rates here were just too high based on a Cebu budget-conscious standard.

Weekend in Dapitan and Dipolog

2011-07-02T02:01:00.035+08:00

Finally, thanks to a wedding invitation, I had an excuse and opportunity to set foot in the cities of Dapitan and Dipolog. What even made this weekend vacation worth looking forward to was the time that will be spent with dear friends and coincidentally, celebrating Jose P. Rizal's 150th birthday in a place where he was exiled for four years.

On our flight to Dipolog, I finally got hold of a copy of the inflight magazine and see for myself what my friends have been telling me the past weeks, that this blogger has been featured in this month's issue of Smile. And of course that made me smile and giddy. Thank you Nikka Sarthou for the spot.

Day 1

After more than an hour of cruising on air, we were hovering over the norhern part of Zamboanga. One can easily identify Dapitan because of the Cokaliong ship that was about to dock in the port (my friend JRTU travelled by sea to Dapitan onboard Cokaliong and we were arriving at around the same time). And my favorite part in this view from the top was seeing that beautiful cove which, at first I thought was a lake. I lost no time taking snapshots of what can be seen by the eye from the sky.

Our plane landed and then we proceeded to the arrival area. The passengers were directed to the waiting area past the barricade while the ground personnel arranged the luggage and parcels to be claimed. When everything was in order, that was the time when they allowed the passengers to re-enter the baggage claim area.

At the arrival area, porters who offered to carry our luggage or arrange a tricycle ride. Unless there's someone who will pick you up at the airport, the public transportation available is the tricycle. Originally, our plan was to take the tricycle to the Dipolog Boulevard. But while waiting for our luggage, my friend called me up and told me to wait at the airport gate because her classmate (who happens to be the owner of the pension house where we will be staying) will be doing the rounds of fetching his weekend guests from the sea port and airport.

My friend JRTU and her friend Jo Fortugaleza (owner of Antonio's Pension House)

Our home for the weekend was the Antonio's Pension House. It's fairly new, having been in operation only in May 2010. In fact, there was an ongoing construction on the top floor. The place is owned by Jo Fortugaleza who is also the president of the Dipolog Camera Club (see his works on the wall of their information area). The pension house was named after his grandfather while the restaurant Cusina de Binoy was named after his great-grandfather, one of the first Malay settlers in Dipolog. And so I asked him if he had any business which was named after him. After some prodding, he revealed that he has an eatery which bears his name (located near the medical center) and they sell deep-fried chicken parts, particularly the neck.

We settled in our rooms. There are around sixteen rooms in this pension house (if I have to base it on the alphabets identifying the rooms). My mom and I shared the standard room for two. This airconditioned room has one double bed, cable tv, a dresser with open closet, basic amenities of a T&B and free fast internet connection inside the room. It's a bit cramped though with barely enough space to move around with the luggage that we had. But if you'll just turn in for the night, then the Php 550.00/room/night was already a good deal for us happy campers. Antonio's is also next to Karyll's, a favourite hangout where a band plays on a Friday night.

We had late lunch at Binoy's located on the roofdeck. You can dine either indoor or al fresco. We had seafood bilao of bangus, calamares, shrimps, achara and pansit. While we were feasting on our sumptuous lunch, we enjoyed the view of the boulevard.

It was already mid-afternoon when we started our tour because we waited for the rain to stop. From Antonio's we went to the terminal to catch the Evergood bus bound for Dapitan (Php 20.00/pax). We did the Rizal Trail in Dapitan.

The Boulevard in Dapitan

At dusk, we found ourselves in Gloria de Dapitan, a big complex with restaurants and of course the Fantasyland. But it was not vast as I originally imagined. We didn't stay long in this place. We proceeded to our next destination which was the Dampa for our dinner.

Gloria de Dapitan and Fantasyland

On our way to Dampa, this building caught my attention.

We decided to dine at Pocherohan ni Job. While waiting for our order of talaba, sweet and sour fish and chicken, we wasted our time taking photos of the surroundings.

For our dinner, the talaba had too much toppings --- (diced ginger, garlic, onion and tomato). I'd rather have it plain and soak it in vinegar. The sweet and sour fish dish (and it came in large pair) had the right sweet and sour mix. The fleshy fish was likewise tender, just right. Overall, the food was delicious and the bill that we paid was reasonable. The only downside was having to deal with the mosquitos and other tiny, winged nocturnal creatures. But then I guess, that's also part of the Dampa dining experience.

After our dinner, we had to rush a bit in order to catch the last bus back to Dipolog. Our thanks to the waiter who gave us tips on all possible options for our ride back to Dipolog. We were walking towards the highway when we got caught in the heavy downpour. We were still far from the main road and it broke our hearts when we saw several trykes and one Evergood bus plying the main road. Finally, one tricycle came to our rescue. We made our way to the bus terminal in Dapitan. It was a long drive. We were told that the last trip to Dipolog was at 8:00 p.m. but when we got there before 7:30 p.m., the place was empty. So the driver decided to take us to Pulô where we had better chances of getting a bus ride. That meant taking the same route back to the Dampa and beyond. The return journey was even longer coupled with the thrill of not knowing whether we'll get a ride back to Dipolog. We finally reached Pulô and yes, it was still raining. We took shelter near the rotunda and waited for the Rural Transit bus coming from Ozamis or Iligan. After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, the bus finally came (from Pulô to Dipolog = Php 15.00/pax). Glad it wasn't packed so we were able to choose our seats and had a quick rest for the next fifteen minutes. We got off at the Dipolog bus terminal and took a tricycle to the pension house.

Day2

The next day, I was planning to walk down that long stretch of the boulevard but never got to do it because I woke up late (more of like, I woke up early but then decided to catch a few more zzzzz....). We had breakfast at Binoy's and enjoyed the view of the boulevard from above. We had the usual Filipino breakfast paired with sunny side-up eggs.

After our breakfast, we went to the Dipolog Cathedral to round up our Rizal trail. From the church, we walked towards the plaza where we took some photos.

Then, we started searching for the Pasalubong Center. After asking several persons, we finally found it next to the PS Bank and near the UCCP church. We bought bottles of sardines and other food treats from Zamboanga del Norte.

We also visited the public market and bought a few kilos of dried fish before we had our lunch break.

At the Dipolog Central Public Market

My friend's friend AB treated us to a sumptuous lunch at Big Joe's. The walls of the restaurant had posters from the American 50's as well as miniature car collection. The soft lights and the table booths added to the coziness of this place. We answered the puzzles and read trivia on the paper placemat while waiting for our lunch.

We feasted on baked fish with cheese and corn, sizzling tenderloin and baby back ribs. The baked cheesy fish was flavourful, it simply melted in the mouth. The sizzling tenderloin was okay while the baby back ribs was tender and the sauce/marinade did not overpower the meat. Add the jumbo glass of iced tea, the lunch came in cheap considering the quality and yumminess of the food. Definitely a winner meal for this trip.

In the afternoon, we prepped ourselves for a friend's wedding. AB instantly became the vicarious Iron Man as he had to get my dress pressed since the pension house did not have any pressing service. In this wedding, the bride arranged a vehicle for her guests since the venue was a considerable distance from the city center and quite a number of us were not from Dipolog or Dapitan. The number of the wedding coordinator was given to us. And so we waited for the vehicle that would pick us up and bring us to the venue. I told the wedding coordinator that we will be ready by 2:00 p.m. but he begged for an hour extension. And so we waited. 3:00 p.m. came but no car in sight. I called the wedding coordinator but the phone just kept on ringing. 3:30 p.m., the start of the ceremony, still no vehicle nor advice from the wedding coordinator. At 4:00 p.m., we decided to go to the wedding. And we were quite a sight as we rode the tricycle (I on the back seat) in our red party dresses. Remember, there are no taxis in this city, just tricycles and buses. And had the wedding coordinator advised us ahead of time (I also learned that the other guests also waited for the service vehicle in vain. There were so many of us who were late for the ceremony.), we could have arranged for our transportation and be at the venue at an earlier time. Good thing, we arrived in one piece and luckily, no "mahangin ba sa labas" moment for us. Too bad, my friend and I forgot to take what could have been classic photos which would remind us of that moment in our lives.

We missed the bridal march but we were there in time for the traditional candle, veil and cord ceremony. It was an intimate garden wedding with family members and close friends in attendance. Just after the photo-ops and when everyone was starting to take their places inside the hall for the dinner, there was a heavy downpour. Good omen (if we follow a local belief). Rains on wedding day would mean more blessings to the couple. It was a fun party and it was nice to see my friend MHZT relishing the first few hours of her lifetime as Mrs. M.

And speaking of tricycles, this is the main mode of transportation in Dipolog and Dapitan. In Dipolog, they also have their own number coding system. All the tricycles have to be off the road for one day. And their day off is printed on the front portion of the vehicle.

Day 3

Again, I wasn't able to wake up early to stretch my muscles in the boulevard. We spent our Sunday morning of breakfast and packing our stuff. Before leaving Dipolog, JF brought us to KShei Aquamarine Park located in Sicayab Bucana in Dapitan. We turned from the main road and followed a long dirt road until we reached a spot which had the KShei sign.

We crossed the bridge before hopping on the raft that would take us to the restaurant on stilts on water (was it swamp or marsh or some other body of water?).

JRTU treated us to an advanced birthday lunch. While waiting for our meal, we enjoyed the serene view (still waters, verdant mangroves and locals paddling small boats) and the cool breeze, hummed and at times even sang to the standards in the background and got basic pointers from master photographer JF.

Finally, our food came and we savoured the sweetness of the camaron rebosado, the fleshy grilled fish and the thin slices of fish kinilaw.

Definitely a nice, lazy Sunday. And a perfect way to end the weekend vacation in Zamboanga del Norte.

Notes:

Antonio's Pension House

Genereal Luna corner Martinez Streets

Dipolog City

Contact Details: +63 909 4892909; (065) 9082159

www.antoniospensionhouse.com

Dipolog's Pasalubong Center

(next to PS Bank)

Contact detail: (065) 2127755

Big Joe's Cafe

Contact Details: (065) 2124111; 2123025

KShei Aquamarine Park

Sicayab Bucana, Dapitan City

Contact Details: +63 921 8290220 / +63 939 4188419

Rizal @ 150 in Dapitan and Dipolog

2011-06-25T11:55:00.031+08:00

On June 19, the Filipinos celebrated Jose P. Rizal's 150th birthday. Some trooped to his home in Calamba, Laguna while others braved the the rains in Fort Santiago. My mom, my friend JRTU and I did our own commemmoration by tracing Rizal's steps in Dipolog and Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte where he spent four fruitful years and made great and lasting contributions to our nation before he was executed in Bagumbayan in 1896.

June 17, 2011

From Dipolog, we took the Evergood bus to Dapitan (Php 20.00/pax) and got off near the Liwasan ng Dapitan which was our first stop of the Rizal trail. Just seeing that vast green plaza reminded me of Kasaysayan I and P.I. 100 and our discussions during those classes. From my Kas I class, I learned that most of the towns and cities in the Philippines are characterized by the plaza complex --- a very big plaza surrounded by the church, school, town hall, and other edifices of important institutions in the community. In Dapitan, the plaza was surrounded by the St. James Church, the parochial school and the city government offices.

One is greeted by a marker before entering the park. It is said that the liwasan or park was designed according to Rizal's plan. He even planted some of the acacia trees which are standing tall to this very day.

From the park, one can see the parochial school and next to it, the St. James Church where Rizal heard mass during his exile. The historical marker was placed on his favorite spot in the church. What caught my eye inside the church was the orange-and-white twirl-like design of the ceiling. On the other side of the plaza was the city government office.

We also checked the relief map of Mindanao nearby which Rizal made with the aid of Fr. Francisco Paula de Sanchez, S.J. and based on the map of Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde, S.J. He used the said map in teaching history and geography to his students.

We crossed the street to the spot where the Casa Real once stood, the official residence of the politico-military governor which became Rizal's home for eight months before he was transferred to Talisay.

And of course, I had my Rizal passport so I asked the guides under the tree where I could have my passport stamped. They directed me to the Tourism Office which was located within the confines of the Aniano Adasa Ancestral House which was built in 1900.

Finally, I got my 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th stamps in this leg. Unfortunately, I was told that the persons-in-charge for the Rizal Shrine and Punto del Disembarco were not around at that time. I was advised to make my way back to Dapitan on June 19th to have my passport stamped.

Thanks to Joey Utzurrum for this "me and my Rizal passport" shot.

But with or without the stamps, we continued our trail. We hailed a tricycle which took us to the Rizal Shrine in Talisay. This place earned Dapitan the monicker Shrine City. According to the info in the Rizal passport, this huge piece of property in Talisay was bought by Rizal using his lottery prize and earnings as farmer and merchant. He developed this place into a homey abode and conducive spot for learning. He also constructed the waterworks system. Today, the replicas of the houses and the structures that Rizal built serve as a reminder of the contributions he has made to our nation and the peaceful and productive life he had while on exile.

On the right side, one can see a statue of Rizal (which made me wonder if that was a life-sized statue).

And you wonder what's written on this slab? Here goes the first stanza of the poem Mi Retiro:

By the spacious strand where the sands are soft and fine,

At the foot of the mount in its mantle of green,

I have built my hut in the pleasant grove's confine,

From the forest seeking peace and a calmness divine,

Rest for the weary brain and silence to my sorrow keen.

From the entrance one can see the Casa Redonda, a replica of the octagonal hut which was used then as a clinic and dormitory of some of Rizal's students.

Going up the slope, one can see several huts. One of these is the Casa Residencia, a replica of Rizal's home where he stayed for three years.

Just a few steps away is the replica kitchen.

And the replica of the hexagonal poultry house, the Casa Redonda Piqueña.

The Talisay Water System which became the main water source for the farm and the household.

This rock is called Mi Retiro Rock (Rizal's Retreat Rock) since it was on this spot where he initially wrote the poem "Mi Retiro." At other times, it is called the lovers' rock since it was believed that Rizal and Josephine Bracken spent many moments here. This part of the vast estate also became my favorite because it has a vantage point of the sea which can bring about creative inspiration and at the same time, sitting on the rock can free one's mind from the daily stresses. The cool breeze and the calm waters can definitely give the weary soul a lift.

Just near the rock, Rizal's poem "Canto del Viajero" was inscribed on concrete on a bed of green.

Inside the shrine, one can also find a marker which chronicled the short visit of Dr. Pio Valenzuela who was sent by the Katipunan to relay to him of their plan to revolt against Spain and to free him from his exile by means of escape. But of course, Rizal was not in favor of armed revolution nor of their plan to bring him out of Dapitan.

I also noticed one portion of the seawall which takes the form of the bow of a ship. It was on this shore where Rizal ended his exile by boarding the ship bound for Manila on July 31, 1896.

From the Rizal Shrine, we made a stop at the Punto del Disembarco de Rizal where, according to the historical marker, Rizal disembarked on July 17, 1882 at around 7:00 p.m.

I also found this fascinating. The streets in Dapitan have that Rizal connection. Here, you'll find street signs such as Noli Me Tangere, Leonor Rivera and Josephine Bracken, to name a few.

June 18, 2011

What greeted us at the Dipolog Cathedral, aside from the renovated facade of the church, was the long NO to RH Bill streamer.

We couldn't get near the altar which is said to have been designed by Rizal because a wedding was taking place while we were there. So we were contented snapping away photos of the church.

And that was how we celebrated Rizal's 150th birthday. We were just so lucky that the event that brought us to Zamboanga del Norte fell on Rizal's weekend birthday.

Casa Empanada

2011-06-19T17:43:00.008+08:00

I love empanada, that crescent or half-moon shaped pastry filled with meat or veggies or mix of everything, which I have either in between meals or as a dessert. In the Philippines, we usually stuff our empanadas with ground meat, diced potatoes and carrots, egg, peas, cheese and raisins.

When my friend told me that she has engaged in a new venture, that is rolling out empanadas, I immediately placed an order. I got my goodies on a recent trip to Manila. I had a pack each of the following flavors: bacon and chocolate, strawberry and cream cheese, golden corn and cheese and herbed mushroom and cheese.

First bite was the bacon and chocolate empanadita. At first, I thought it was an odd combination. But then the mix of my favorite honey-cured bacon and Nutella won me over, especially my Mom who loved the play of flavors ---sweet and salty at the same time.

Next was the strawberry and cream cheese empanadita which instantly became my favorite. It was like having strawberry cheesecake in bite sizes.

Then we had the golden corn and cheese empanada which is their version of Argentina's humita. I loved how the corn, carrots and peas were enveloped in the oozing Colby cheese sauce.

Lastly, we had the herbed mushroom and cheese empanada. The flavors and aroma of combined mushrooms, oregano and mozarella cheese reminded me of a garden, of a rustic and earthy place.

The dough of the empanada was just right --- not too flaky, not too hard nor not too soft. Plus the dough itself was already a treat to the taste buds especially those who love the buttery texture. But this can also be bane especially if you reheat and eat the empanada days later. I tried that and the richness of the dough was too much for me as it was bordering on oiliness. It's best to take to heart Casa Empanada's advice: their pockets of heaven are best enjoyed on the day they are made.

A pack of empanadita (6 pieces) cost Php 100.00 while a pack of empanada (5 pieces) is priced at Php 150.00 or Php 175.00. I'm sure some of you might roll your eyes at these prices. Casa Empanada doesn't scrimp on their ingredients. And besides, it's positioning itself as home-made, gourmet empanada. So every bite of it is worth the price.

A suggestion though: It's better if the empanadas are packed in boxes instead of the current plastic container.

For more of Casa empanada (on how to place your order), visit their website: www.casaempanada.com and their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/casaempanada.

Sommar i Gröna Lund*

2011-05-31T17:02:00.019+08:00

I was sifting through mementos in my travel shoebox when I saw this:

Gröna Lund Ticket

It reminded me of that summer four years ago when a mixed bunch of us (I, together with Philippine Embassy kids CPM and JPM, fellow exchange student RGI and DLSU exchange professors TG and AN) welcomed the sunshine and warm bright day after several grey, chilly and snowy months in Stockholm. So off we went to Gröna Lund, Stockholm's oldest theme park (built in the 1880s) by the sea located on Djurgarden island.

We were greeted with plastic leis for that summer feel inside the park. Ladies on stilts garbed in colorful gowns hovered above us. Then we explored the amusement park. It isn't humongous but it's manageable to be enjoyed in one day.

Just like any park, it has booths where you either shoot small figurines or play ball or some other games, and prizes such as large stuffed toys are at stake. There are rides for both the adrenaline junkies and the faint-hearted. And of course, what's a park without the korv (sausage) with mustard and fries, blasting music, energetic kids all over the place as well as tricks and treats for people of all ages?

Extreme Ride

And my memorable favorites in Gröna Lund?

1. Lustiga Huset (Fun House): True to its name, I really had fun inside the house. Entering the house made me sweat as I had to sync my feet with the quick, tricky moving steps of the house. There were challenges along the way as we explored every nook and cranny, just like being Alice in Wonderland. A fitting finale for the adventure in the Fun House was the carpet ride. This is definitely the place for the kids and the young at heart.

Carpet Ride inside the Fun House.

2. Fritt Fall (Free Fall) and Katapulten (Catapult):

Fritt Fall

We wanted to try the Free Fall Tilt but it wasn't open to the public at that time. So we rode the Fritt Fall instead, twice. First, to experience the drop and the second time, to have a nice, decent photo on our souvenir key chain.

So four of us strapped ourselves to the quadseat which slowly inched its way to the top. On the first try, I was anxious, imagining how it would feel to fall from a point approximately 80 meters above the ground. Finally, the moment came. We descended...so fast! I wanted to scream but I never even managed to vocalize it. All that energy for one big scream got stuck in my throat.

On the second ride, I wasn't scared or anxious. I simply enjoyed the sun on my face and the view of the sea. When we reached the top, we all flashed our smiles and V-signs before the camera. In a split second, we were speeding down. Still I couldn't manage a scream because by the time I could shout, we have already landed safely.

Souvenir Key Chain

Katapulten

Don't be deceived by the tower that is just 55 meters tall, lower than that of the Fritt Fall. Or how slow the rise and fall motion of the seats seems to the eyes. Katapulten was a crazy and puke-prone ride. We went up and down several times at the speed of 60 km/hr. Our hearts lurched. Our tummies twisted. And in the middle of the ride we wanted for it to stop and just get off but we can't. And so we endured that one helluva ride.

3. Kvasten: This is not your ordinary roller coaster. Make sure that your shoelaces are tied so tight and that your shoes snugly fit your feet because you'll find your legs dangling all throughout those loops, twists and turns.

Gröna Lund is definitely one happy place to welcome summer. It also brings out the kid in you even for just one season.

For more info on Gröna Lund, visit their website: www.gronalund.com

*Summer in Gröna Lund (Green Grove).

All Blogging Roads Lead to Cebu Blog Camp 2011

2011-05-22T07:11:00.010+08:00

In a week's time, bloggers in Cebu and maybe even across the country will be converging at the Cebu Blog Camp 2011 and I am thrilled as I count the days to the event. Here's my take on why I am excited to be one of the happy blogging campers.

5. The Emily Post in Blogging

In the past three years or so, we've seen the blog as a new form of media, and bloggers have utilized this platform either as an avenue of expression, a source of information or for profit. With the changing media landscape and all that buzz about the big bad blogger, it is high time for the blogging community to display some sense of decorum not just in media events but in carrying out day-to-day activities.

4. Beyond Food Drooling

I love to eat, no doubt. What's not to love about food? I always look forward to satiating my appetite whether it be in a hole-in-the-wall, a carinderia in the next bend or in a ritzy restaurant. It will be definitely a treat to know the fundamentals in food preparation, tasting and reviews so that the next time I share my gastronomic discoveries, it will be peppered not just by sensory delights but also techniques which I hope to learn from this camp.

3. Freezing Time

I have been documenting events (especially travel and work) and capturing moments that closely describe what I feel. I never had any formal training on photography; just aided by books and experimenting with my camera so I look forward to honing my skills by a photography expert even for just a short period of time.

2. Make Footprints, Share Trails

I've been traveling ever since I learned how to walk on my own, thanks to my parents, my schools, my job and of course, my passion for learning new things, immersing in different cultures and seeing the world in a different light. I may have explored cities and towns in the Philippines and across the globe, whether on my own or with a group, but I know that there is so much for me to learn and discover in the travel landscape. Plus, the event will also be an avenue for me to share my travel experiences with the rest of the campers.

1. There is always a First Time.

I've been to a girl scout camp, several science camps and quite a number of leadership camps but this is my first time to be in a blog camp. I don't know how the camp will go but one thing's for sure, my first blog camp will be the Cebu Blog Camp (fingers crossed!). I am ticking off the days to the big event (with an open mind and heart), looking forward to learning new things from the experts in the blogging community and excited to meet fellow bloggers, too.

The Cebu Blog Camp is an event organized annually by the Cebu Bloggers of the Blog and Soul Movement which is the educating leg of the Philippine Blog Awards Inc. which has been running for already four years. This is the largest gathering of bloggers in Cebu.

THE CEBU BLOG CAMP 2011

is co-presented by

Bronze Sponsors

Geiser Maclang Marketing Communications, Inc.

Media and Institution Partners

Official Web Browser

Official TV Media Partner

Official Online Print Media

Official Photo-Social Media Partner

DONOR

Academy for International Culinary Arts