2010 saw the birth of Libotero.com which initially featured family trips around Luzon from the previous years. I’ve always had the passion for travel but was limited by my fear of travelling alone. June 2010 marked a breakthrough as I embarked on my first solo trip ever, and to Mindanao at that. From that point up to the end of last year, I was able to visit 5 new provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.

There are various reasons for travelling. As for myself, I’ve always been inspired by these travel shows on television and wanted to personally experience the places away from home, to discover a colorful mix of cultures in different settings, and more.

Travel has shaped me. It made me realize that life can also be about doing things you love, and not just about things you’re supposed to love. This blog is a reflection of how I live the dream and I’d like to grab a few lines from a song, “Believe in the dream, believe in the promise, that you can be all that you wanted to be…”

And so, for the final part of this Year-Ender series, I share to you a round-up of my travels and lifestyle gigs for the festive -ber months!

Read Part 1 here.

Read Part 2 here.

Read Part 3 here.

September

September 2 – Asian Food Festival at the Marco Polo Plaza – Cebu City’s finest, Marco Polo Plaza launched its weeklong Asian Food Festival at the Cafe Marco as part of its monthly Culinary Journeys. They welcomed back one of the country’s top celebrity chefs, Chef Gene Gonzales (whom they also commissioned during last year’s Pinoy! Pinoy! Food Festival), along with his son Chef Gino Gonzalez. Their comeback in Cebu featured a collection of treasured recipes highlightingo the flavors of the East. The squid ink maki was flavorfully awesome!

September 26 – A brief hop to Manila – Manila was already placed under Signal Number 1 because of the approaching Typhoon Pedring, but I didn’t allow it to cancel my trip. Thankfully, my noontime flight went on schedule and the flight was smooth all-throughout. As we landed though, heavy rain started to pour and we were inconvenienced because the aircraft just parked at the tarmac, so we had to go down the stairs and take the bus. We reached the terminal building only to find out that the escalator wasn’t functioning! Hassle! NAIA, worst airport! LOL. When I got my luggage, I quickly proceeded to the taxi bay and instructed the driver to bring me to Eurotel Las Pinas where I was staying for the night. This trip was meant purely for shopping and I did that for the whole afternoon. I then learned that Manila was already under Signal Number 2. After dinner, I was already idle and Don and Fitz, who live nearby texted if I was available for coffee. I replied yes ofcourse. A few minutes later, they picked me up at the lobby of the hotel and drove to Starbucks in BF. The weather was deteriorating further! It wasn’t raining that much but the winds, I heard them sing, shout, howl, and we were seated outdoors! Bam! Tarpaulin stands of the adjacent establishment fell just beside where Don was seated. So we decided to move to a vacant table inside. After some chit-chats, we called it a day, but before Don and Fitz brought me back to Eurotel, they gave me a short tour of the Las Piñas side of BF Homes. Thank you so much guys for being so accommodating while I was in your territory. See you again next year! At around 12am, I already fell asleep but it got cut short because of the very disturbing sound of strong winds! For the unholiest hours of 2-4am, I went to the lobby to observe nature’s wrath. With a few trees and street posts falling down, and GI sheets flying around, I was worried that my flight to Cebu on the evening of September 27 would be cancelled. I thank God that it wasn’t. Our flight proceeded on schedule, but I really felt the low winds as we took off from the ground. It was really unstable, you know, that feeling when you’re trying to fly a kite for the first time but at the same time, it was very surreal seeing the night skyline of Metro Manila during a typhoon.

October

October 14-17 – Masskara Festival Weekend – This is my third visit to Bacolod, and my second Masskara Festival. When I first visited Bacolod and Negros Occidental August last year, I immediately fell in love because the people were so warm, the food is so good and it is very easy to go around given the very established bus network. This third visit, however, was made more special because I donated an amount to support Barangay 17′s production. Barangay 17 is supported by blogger friend Byahilo Enrico Dee because the choreographer, Sir Bhoyet, is his friend. Seeing how they were very passionate and hands-on with the production, especially with how they sourced the indigenous materials for their masks from all over the country (e.g. from rolls of cloth at Divisoria, to brass bells in Lake Sebu, to banig in Samar, to beads in Cebu, and more!), I was really inspired to help them out in my own little ways. The Masskara Festival 2011 was an overwhelming success and I really got teary-eyed when the group was announced as the 1st runner-up and Best in Choreography as I really saw the burning passion, when I witnessed their final dress rehearsals and ofcourse the grand performance itself. The Masskara Festival is one of my favorite festivals in the country because it is all just pure fun. I like the fact that we were still able to get transportation back to our hotels immediately after the performances at the plaza were over. It was tiring, but not so, and definitely very enjoyable and heart-pumping! I will be back next year!

October 20 – IBM presents proposal for a smarter Cebu – After 3 weeks in Cebu, six senior IBM leaders from the United States, in cooperation with the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB), announced the completion of an operational framework project towards an integrated development process, particularly highlighting urban planning and traffic management for Cebu. Present during the event was Governor Gwen Garcia thanked IBM as public-private partnerships like this will help ensure a greener and an integrated Metro Cebu.

October 21 – Krispy Kreme Press Launch – The confectionery goodness that Krispy Kreme bought when they first arrived in the country in 2006 is on the move. Half a decade and 23 stores after it opened its pioneer store in Bonifacio Global City, the world’s favorite doughnut is now going national as it turns on the Hotlight switch in the Queen City of the South, Cebu. A day before their grand opening of not just one, but two outlets in Cebu, members of the Cebu media got to taste all their doughnuts, Pull-Aparts, Kruffins, coffee and other blended drinks ahead of the general public and ofcourse we got to ask questions to Krispy Kreme executives relevant to their expansion in Cebu.

October 21 – Think Pink Cocktails at Ayala Center Cebu – Every October, Ayala Center Cebu presents Think Pink, an annual month-long celebration of breast cancer awareness. This practice has already been awarded the top prize in the community relations–marketing category of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Awards. And ending such a colorful month is Think Pink Cocktails, this time featuring MYMP. Shoppers who bought tickets got to enjoy sumptuous food and entertainment. The best thing about it is that the proceeds of the event immediately go to ICanServe Foundation.

October 23 – Blake LIVE at The Terraces – In its tradition of providing world-class entertainment, Ayala Center Cebu brought in town the Classical British Award-Winning boy band Blake. The band was in the Philippines for a series of shows at the Ayala Malls. Their mall shows kicked off at the Greenbelt 5, they also performed in Alabang Town Center. Finally, they culminated their mini-concert series in Cebu. Honestly, I’m not really a fan of classical music but Blake made me open my eyes and appreciate the genre.

October 24 – Coffee Dream meets The Universe – In a very eventful evening, Coffee Dream founder and president and proud Cebuano Glenn Soco, was joined by two globally-significant personalities, Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2011 third-runner up and Kenneth Cobonpue, world-famous for his renowned furniture creations, to formally open Coffee Dream’s latest branch and launch the 15th anniversary of the brand. Cobonpue mentored industrial design students in upgrading the look and feel of the coffee shop. The new branch in Banawa features new set of furniture, new colors and an expanded menu. For the first time, Coffee Dream will be offering premium wines and beer with additional food items to complement the experience. Soco explained that the concept was to enhance the “third place” definition of Filipinos as part of Coffee Dream’s effort to be adaptive to the needs and wants of the community.

October 28 – Hello Lion City! – In an unexpected turn of events, dad was relocated from Manila to Singapore due to the operational requirements of the company he is working in. For that, mom and I decided to visit him on the last week of October to see how he’s been adjusting and coping. On the other hand, our visit also served as a “dry run” for our longer visit with the whole family on December! LOL. Singapore gave me a good first impression. It is very clean, organized and well thought-of! Gawd, it’s easy to say, hard to do but I hope the Philippines was as organized as Singapore. Among the places we visited and experienced are the MRT, buses, food, VivoCity, Cable Car, Sentosa Island, Marina Bay Sands Skypark, Boat Quay, Orchard Road and Merlion Park, among others. We also paid a visit to a family friend’s family, that’s already relocated in Singapore. Within our week-long visit, we also transferred from an HDB, where dad originally stayed with his officemates, to his very own condo unit.

November

November 15 – Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Night – As part of the Virgen de la Regla festivities, the Lapu-Lapu City Government held its annual Tourism Night to celebrate the togetherness among the tourism players in the island. In her message, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza expressed her appreciation on the efforts and alliance of private tourism stakeholders and the city government. She admitted that tourism is a very important economic driver of the city.

November 18 – French Food Festival at the Marco Polo Plaza – A creative showcase of typical and popular French cheeses and breads, seafood and meat entrees such as Supions aux Artichauts (octopus with artichokes and savory walnut cream), Bouillabaisse (rich Provencal fish stew), Traditional Chicken Coq au Vin, Quiche Lorraine (bacon pie), and Ratatouille (Provencal stewed vegetables), topped off with portions of delectable French crepes and desserts like Le Millefeuille and Saint-Honore (cream puffs), Regal Chocolat (bitter chocolate sponge soaked in vanilla syrup), Paris-Brest and Crepes Suzette. We experienced that and more at Marco Polo Plaza’s French Food Festival. Master-Cheesemaker Richard Poirier graced the occasion to explain each type of cheese served. Among the highlights of the annual French Food Festival is the Soiree Beaujolais, Cebu’s grandest wine festival, and this year the event was even made more colorful and exciting as Marco Polo Plaza brought in directly from Paris, the CanCan Girls.

November 18 – SM Hypermarket Cebu serves most number of bibingka! – The final round of the SM Hypermarket’s Supersized Challenges was held at the SM Hypermarket in Subangdaku, Mandaue. The previous ones were Iloilo’s Batchoy Challenge, which produced 1,862 servings of the beloved noodle dish; Batangas’ Bulalo Challenge which came up with 522 cups of the beefy broth, and Pampanga’s Sisig Challenge, which produced 1,775 plates of the spicy pulutan favorite. Knowing the Cebuanos’ cheerful fighting spirit, the final round bested all the previous cook-offs as there were at least 2,000 plates of bibingka served! At the end of the day, two groups were proclaimed as winners. The Best Tasting Bibingka was awarded to the Alang-Alang Group with a very high average score of 93.33%. Meanwhile, the Most Number of Plates Served was awarded to the Mandauenian’s Group for serving 391 plates of bibingka. Each winning group got P25,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates and a plaque of recognition from SM Hypermarket.

November 18 – Resort-Living at Hanaya! – AboitizLand introduced to members of the Cebu Bloggers’ Society and SkyscraperCity Cebu, Hanaya, the first resort-inspired mid-rise residential community in Canduman, Mandaue City. With 70% of its area dedicated to open spaces, well-thought-of wide living areas, first-rate amenities, lush gardens and pools, future residents, or vecinos as how AboitizLand calls them, will definitely enjoy resort-living at its best.

November 22 – Miss Cebu 2012 Candidates’ Press Presentation – Twelve lovely ladies were officially introduced to the media as the candidates for what is arguably the most elegant beauty pageant in the country, Miss Cebu 2012! Organized by the Cebu City Government through the Cebu City Tourism Commission and Cebu City Tourism Foundation, Inc., it is the city’s official search for the most fitting representative and spokesperson of Cebu who does not only possess physical beauty but has a heart as well. Miss Cebu 2012 Coronation Night will be held on January 11, 2012 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

November 24 – SumoSam Grand Opening with Marvin Agustin – Although it began ‘soft’ operations last October, SumoSam only formally opened with the presence of two of its young founders, Raymund Magdaluyo and actor-turned-entrepreneur Marvin Agustin. Located at the ground floor of Ayala Center Cebu’s The Terraces, SumoSam’s first franchise in the Visayas included the entry of their Cebu partners Glecy Lopez-Go and Shanna Lopez. Their branch at The Terraces is their first in the Visayas and the biggest in the country so far, with a seating capacity of 120. SumoSam is one of the more popular Japanese food chains in the country today and it is positioned to be “not too expensive but still able to provide quality”, claims Magdaluyo. The menu is very extensive with around 140 items and each one actually has a photo with it so when you’re browsing SumoSam’s menu, you’ll feel as if you’re viewing a photo album. This was done for “people not to be scared of Japanese food”. SumoSam, as the name suggests, is a Japanese-American Restaurant truly reflected by its interior design featuring a unique ambiance of stained wooden planks, textured paints, and colorful light boxes. Playful decor of sumo wrestlers captured in various poses are also a visual treat.

November 24 – Solinea Launching – The country’s top property developer, Ayala Land, Inc., launched Solinea, the first multi-tower development to rise in Cebu Business Park to be undertaken by Alveo Land, together with Cebu Holdings, Inc. Solinea is Alveo’s first multi-tower development in Cebu City, with its theme “city resort living” as its major come-on. The development will be much-like Serendra in Bonifacio Global City. Also on the same night, Ayala Land announced the rebranding of Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park (formerly Asiatown IT Park) as a unified Cebu Park District. This marks the company’s efforts to bridge the best of the best in Cebu’s leading growth areas, applying ALI’s best practices in Makati and Bonifacio Global City, here in Cebu!

November 24 – A Tragedy – Carrying a lot of stuff, I felt tired and exhausted after covering two events in a row that I rushed to a taxi going home. When I arrived home, I already felt quite re-energized, and settled the things I brought. I turned on my laptop and started drafting my blog posts about the events. When I completed my draft, I was about to add photos when I realized that I didn’t have my camera with me! I panicked! I called a coffee shop which was my last stop before I went home. They didn’t recover any camera. So I thought, I left it in the taxi! I immediately checked my pockets if I still had the taxi information sheet with me and thank goodness, I didn’t throw it right away. I then texted Ms. Jeanette of Cebu Holdings and Ms. Janra of Ayala Center Cebu at the most untimely hour of midnight to inform them of what happened hoping that they could help in recovering the camera since I rode the taxi at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu. They promptly responded that they will be coordinating with the mall’s security team to trace the taxi and hopefully recover the camera. All I could do at that moment was sleep and hope for good news the next day..

November 25 – Life Goes On – With no signs leading to the recovery of my camera, I tried to move on and was already even thinking about buying a new camera. I had two events for the day and it would be so wrong if I’d skip them just because I’m grieving over the loss. In the afternoon, I, together with Fleire, our Membership Committee Head in the Cebu Bloggers Society, spoke before the merchants of Ayala Center Cebu in their annual Merchants’ Meeting. The Ayala Center Cebu management holds this annual event to celebrate their accolades with their tenants and recognize the best performing, and most improved tenants of the year. Before the event, I really did not know what to expect and what I’d be talking about since I’ve never been put into a panel discussion before so I was literally trembling when our names were called to be on stage. Basically, Fleire and I shared our experiences as bloggers and social media practitioners and how they could basically tap the digital platform to further widen their horizons. I’d like to thank Ms. Janra and Ms. Mikmik for this opportunity to speak before the prestigious tenants of Ayala Center Cebu and ofcourse Ms. Joy Polloso, General Manager and Ms. Janice Parreño, Marketing Manager of Ayala Center Cebu. After the event, I approached Ms. Janra to ask if they had any updates regarding my camera and thankfully, the security team of the mall was already tracing the contact details of the taxi operator. The next event was the launching of Marco Polo Plaza’s Festive Season and with me was a good friend, Norman Ymbong of iStorya.net and since I didn’t have my camera with me, I decided to record videos through my iPhone. Cebu City’s finest hotel held its traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with the presence of veteran broadcaster, Mel Tiangco, chief operating officer of the Kapuso Foundation. The hotel invited benevolent individuals to further give color to the Tree of Hope, a Christmas ball at a time. “Each Christmas ball represents a little donation for the beneficiaries of the Kapuso Foundation…”

November 26 – The Visayas Blogging Summit 2011 – Organized by the Cebu Bloggers Society, the second installment of VBS was held at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall A. The event was an overwhelming success, thanks to the 400+ attendees who ranged from students, professionals, bloggers and media, the speakers and sponsors. Among the highlights of the summit were: #VBS2011 being the 3rd top trending topic in Twitter Philippines for at least three hours; the presence of Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama; the brief visit of four Miss Earth 2011 candidates; and Ms. Gina Lopez’s presentation about syncing online and offline campaigns for social cause. Her talk was definitely the most moving of the day. I really saw how she was so sincere and passionate about what she was fighting for that I shed a few tears after seeing the massive destruction mining has given our forests and our people! YES TO LIFE and NO TO MINING please!

November 27 – Ciudad Project Presentation with the Cebu Bloggers – A very controversial project along the Banilad road, I was glad to have been part of this event so I could be more informed about what the project is really all about and where all the hullabaloo comes from. The Ciudad Cebu is a heritage site, tourist destination and commercial enclave, all-in-one! The main issue here is how it could possibly add up to the heavy traffic along Banilad road, and I guess, political interests, but traffic should not be a reason to block development. The city government should be proactive rather than reactive! Ciudad will definitely create jobs, give tourism a boost, be the first heritage-themed park, add to Cebu City’s hotel rooms, and be another shopping and lifestyle destination so I hope this project really does push through. After all, Mike Rama’s most popular quote is “Together We Make Things Happen” so the traffic problem in Banilad should be addressed immediately so the development along the whole stretch could resume. After the event, we stayed at Y.OU Restobar in One Mango Avenue and to my surprise, my CBSi Family instructed the band to greet me a Happy Birthday by 12 midnight. Awwwe! More power to us CBSi and special thanks to Joanne for the cake!

November 28 – The perfect birthday gift – On this day, I turned 21, and I was very overwhelmed by the greetings offline, and online. The best gift I received on that day would have to be Ms. Janra giving to me the contact numbers of Bernd Taxi for a “surprise”. I was thrilled, so I breathed for a while before I texted the mobile number of the owner. A few minutes after I sent a text message telling my story, my phone rang and the owner of Bernd Taxi was glad to inform me that my camera was with them. We arranged the procedure on how I was going to redeem my camera the next day and was instructed to bring a valid photo ID. Yipee!

November 29 – It is back! – The owner of Bernd Taxi and I agreed to meet at their head office in Talisay for the redemption of my camera. After having lunch in Ayala, I flagged a cab to bring me there. As I arrived, I came across Manong Rico, the driver of the taxi, so I really thanked him for his honesty. He narrated that after I disembarked that night, a set of 4 passengers rode the taxi. He overheard that the passengers saw a camera on the floor and they even planned to bring the camera home! But Manong Rico told them to surrender the camera as the owner might go after him. If he knew that it was my camera, he would have sent it back to home but he was unsure since he said he turned on all the lights before I disembarked so I could check if I left any belongings behind. Admittedly, I was really stressed and distracted last night, so I did not bother to check and quickly got off the taxi. The next day, he already surrendered the camera to their head office. We had to wait for the owner for the proper handling and redemption procedure. As soon as he arrived, we went inside his office and talked about their humble taxi company. Bernd Taxi was established a few years ago starting with only one taxi unit. Now, they have more than 20 units! The owner shared that it isn’t the first time a passenger has left something in their taxi units. When passengers do leave some items behind, most of the time they’re IDs, passports and other documents and they really go to the head office to retrieve this important official documents. Occasionally, cellphones are also left behind but most of the time, the owners do not make an effort to retrieve them anymore. The owner says that passengers might not be expecting for their cellphones to be returned and nowadays, cellphones are “disposable” gadgets. He even went further by saying that he believes 90% of his drivers are honest as there are some occasions wherein a driver will be sporting a new phone or gadget. If his judgment tells him that there is no way the driver can afford such gadget, he will talk to the driver in the most diplomatic way possible. Anyway, the owner made me write my own affidavit stating that I have redeemed my camera in good working condition on November 28, 2011, with my signature above my name. They also asked for my ID to be scanned for documentation. After the process, I handed over an envelope to Manong Rico as a simple thank you. Once again, I’d like to thank Bernd Taxi, Manong Rico, and Ayala Center Cebu because my camera is my most precious gadget. Since I was a child, I have always been passionate about photography, and now, I don’t think I’ll be inspired to write this year-ender series if not for the colorful photos I have taken this year. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

November 30 – SinjinForever21- Good friends, headed by Ethy and Greg, organized a very out-of-this world 21st birthday party for me. Edd, Achi, Doyzkie, Norman, Angeli, JP, Wilbur, Ron, Raprap, Shakey, Nowi, Nayki, Shimer, Mommy X, Greg, Ethy, Bryan and I (special thanks to Reymond and Yuki for dropping by), had a simple but very satisfying dinner at The Ranch in Banilad. And then, this part which I really did not expect happened. One-by-one, all of them gave me a sash. On these cute pink sashes, they wrote how their impression about me or what they thought about me as a person and a friend. Then, they gave me red roses. It was as if they were crowning me in a pageant, LOL. Thank you guys for this very novel and amusing idea! I hope you’ll all stay the same. Friends forever!

December

December 9 – Best Cebu Blogs Awards – I was very honored to have been proclaimed as one of Cebu’s most famous bloggers. This was determined through Facebook likes over a period of two months. Thank you so much to you my readers for always supporting Libotero and ofcourse the judges, and the organizers of the Best Cebu Blogs Awards. Congratulations to a friend and co-CBSi member Mark, one of the co-nominees of Libotero in the travel category for bringing home the Best Travel Blog award! Little recognitions like these is what fuels us bloggers to continue with what our doing and give it our all. Thank you!

* photo courtesy of VUDU Cebu
December 10 – Gengs Christmas Party and Iced Out – X, Ethy, Norman, Jean, Dinnah, Melda and I held our simple Christmas Party at The Veranda in Banilad. I swear, the shrimp sauteed in garlic and olive oil is to die for! The night was even made more eventful with the total lunar eclipse! After we exchanged our gifts, we headed to VUDU for Iced Out. Cebu’s nightlife institution was transformed into an ice wonderland, with free-flowing booze!

* photo courtesy of Buboy Tapia
December 12 – Hotel Elizabeth turns 1 – With Ayala Center Cebu just a three-minute walk away, Hotel Elizabeth couldn’t be in a better location. The hotel, designed by socialite Tessa Prieto-Valdez, celebrated its first anniversary. Before the program, bloggers and guests were given a tour of the hotel’s rooms. I noticed that the rooms were really elegant, stylish and homey. To top that, the room rates are very reasonable! During the program, the hotel thanked their partners, suppliers, and guests for being hand-in-hand with them during their first year of operations. The hotel is managed by the Fernando family who owns the Fersal group of Hotels and Inns. Elizabeth is named after the family matriarch who was present along with her daughter for the event. The event was also graced by Governor Gwen Garcia and Mayor Mike Rama, who entertained the crowd with his singing. At the end of the night, dozens of overnight stays were given away! Congratulations and more power, Hotel Elizabeth!

* photo courtesy of Doi
December 14 – PTB Bagets at Casa Verde – Have been invited to several PTB Bagets Cebu Meet-ups in the past but I was unable to dropby since I was always unavailable but I finally had the chance to meet THE PTB Bagets. Some PTB Bagets from Luzon and Mindanao spent a few days to explore the beaches in Cebu, and while I wasn’t able to join them out-of-town, I was able to meet them when they returned from Bantayan. It felt good to be with people of the same “age” who shared the same interest and passion in travelling! Nice meeting Carla, George and Belle, Mr. Lakbay Pilipino, Chin Chan, Brenna, Ivan, Andrew and ofcourse, it was good to see you again, Mica, Robbie, Renz, Dylan, and Doi and Edcel, whom I only get to see when there are regional blogging summits or visiting bloggers from other regions, LOL!

December 19-present – Family Holidays in Singapore – This is it! Our third international destination as a family and our first time ever to spend the holidays away from home! While I’ll be posting most of the details in another series, here’s a rundown of what we’ve done so far. On December 19, we arrived in Singapore before midnight aboard Cebu Pacific. December 20, we experienced the Christmas light-up along Orchard Road. December 21, we presented ourselves at the Employment Pass Services Centre to register for a dependant’s pass. We then proceeded to explore Boat Quay, Merlion Park, Marina Bay and ended the night with Marina Bay Sands’ Light and Water Spectacular show. December 23, we did some Christmas shopping while Orchard Road was flooded. December 24, even more Christmas shopping at Mustafa Centre, Bugis Street and Bugis Junction. December 25, attended Christmas Mass, had lunch at The Asian Kitchen in NEX, proceeded to VivoCity for some shopping and explored Sentosa Island’s Siloso Beach. December 26, we paid a visit to Singapore Zoo. December 28, we spent the whole day at Universal Studios Singapore and had more shopping at VivoCity. December 29, we crossed borders and spent an afternoon in Johor Bahru Malaysia. Yesterday, December 30, we explored the Singapore Botanic Gardens and shopped for New Year at Orchard Road (again!).. And tonight, we are going to be part of the biggest Countdown Party in Singapore at the Marina Bay, wooohooo!

At 21, I am still young and the world is waiting for me. The start of the year was quite a blur since I did not know what to do until after graduation. Now, I am sure that I will pursue travelling all around the country and all around Asia until I get tired of it. Hopefully, we could explore even more places and experience more thangs next year!

To my real-life friends, blogger friends, online friends, to the companies/PR agencies who invited me and Cebu Bloggers Society members to your events, to all my blog readers, to my haters (LOL!), to my family and to God Almighty, thank you so much for the YEAR 2011! It was a roller coaster ride of a year which gave me a bucketful of learnings and realizations which have transformed me into who I am, a stronger person that will be facing the New Year 2012 ahead!

LET’S TANGO THIS 2012! HAVE A GREAT YEAR AHEAD EVERYONE!!!

2010 saw the birth of Libotero.com which initially featured family trips around Luzon from the previous years. I’ve always had the passion for travel but was limited by my fear of travelling alone. June 2010 marked a breakthrough as I embarked on my first solo trip ever, and to Mindanao at that. From that point up to the end of last year, I was able to visit 5 new provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.

There are various reasons for travelling. As for myself, I’ve always been inspired by these travel shows on television and wanted to personally experience the places away from home, to discover a colorful mix of cultures in different settings, and more.

Travel has shaped me. It made me realize that life can also be about doing things you love, and not just about things you’re supposed to love. This blog is a reflection of how I live the dream and I’d like to grab a few lines from a song, “Believe in the dream, believe in the promise, that you can be all that you wanted to be…”

And so, for the 2nd part of this Year-Ender series, I share to you a round-up of my travels and lifestyle gigs for the 2nd quarter of 2011. Cheers!

Read Part 1 here.

April

April 8 – Ayala Center Cebu Lenten Exhibit opening – Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma opened the mall’s annual Lenten exhibit which features life-size statues owned by Msgr. Cristobal Garcia. These statues depict the Passion, suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The event was memorable for me as this was my first encounter with the newly installed archbishop of Cebu. He’s one tall guy was my first impression.

April 12 – Intel launches 2nd generation core processors – Intel launched the long-awaited, revolutionary computer processor that features a smart visual experience for end-users at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel. Code-named “Sandy Bridge”, these new processors will attract everyone who are into visual content.

April 13 – Kadaugan sa Mactan launching – This brainchild of the Lapu-Lapu City Government, through the initiative of the Commission on Tourism and International Relations, the Kadaugan Street Party will be true to its name, a street party, from sun-down ’til the wee hours! It will feature a street parade wherein contingents in their Samba-inspired costumes from all-over the city and all-over the province of Cebu.

April 14 – Sumilon Bluewater launches Glamping – Perfect for that ultimately unique summer getaway, Bluewater Resorts introduced Glamping, short for Glamour Camping. An innovative camping option, glamping provides the experience of the great outdoors while enjoying the amenities never experienced before in traditional camping. With this idea, Bluewater Resorts aims to be the first to provide this luxurious adventure to the Cebuanos and visitors.

April 16 – Mr. Lapu-Lapu 2011 – The day has finally arrived when the modern day hero of Lapu-Lapu City was declared at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob. Jumar Andrew Bilocura bested 15 other hopefuls in the search for the someone not just with a remarkable physique but a remarkable character as well.

April 17 – Pineda Family Summer Outing – I can still very well remember that the whole Pineda family often went on beach outings back when we were kids but this went to a pause when we were all busy with our school life and our parents were occupied with their work. Gladly, we all found the time to gather once more at the Costabella Tropical Beach Resort and Hotel in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

April 21 – Holy Thursday 2011 – Every Holy Thursday, it has been a tradition of my family to observe the Visita Iglesia wherein we visit 7 churches in Cebu City after the mass commemorating the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet to visit, pray and adore each of the churches’ Altar of Repose.

April 23 – Family Summer 2011 – Our annual family summer vacation in Luzon begins!

April 24 – Easter Sunday – We started Easter Sunday by attending mass at Festival Mall in Alabang followed by a sumptuous lunch at Racks in the same mall. We then proceeded to McKinley Hill where we did a site inspection of dad’s condo unit which is due for turnover next year. After that, we spent the whole afternoon strolling around Eastwood City. We ended the day with a dinner at Oyster Boy in Metrowalk, Ortigas.

April 25 – First International Trip – One of my dreams as a traveler finally came true as I set foot on my first international destination, Hong Kong, with my family. When I started this blog, I promised you my readers that I will not go beyond borders if I have not visited at least half of the provinces we have, and I did not break that! From Manila, the flight to Hong Kong took us one hour and fifty-five minutes. We were on a package tour so after arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport, we were picked up by a tourist bus and sent to our Hotel, Wing Sing Hotel along Temple Street. We spent the whole afternoon around the vicinity of the Avenue of the Stars where we waited for the world-famous Symphony of Lights held every 8pm. After the mesmerizing lights show, we had late dinner at a local restaurant with a catchy name and funny tagline, “Man’s Paradise: Enjoy Yourself!”. Then, we checked out the Temple Street Night Market for some good finds and called it a day.

April 26 – Hong Kong Day Two – Day Two of our package tour brought us to Avenue of the Stars (again!), Jewelry City, Ltd., and Aberdeen Fishing Village which gave us a chance to see families living on boats. Also located in Aberdeen is Jumbo, the world’s largest restaurant on three floating ships. We then proceeded to the Victoria Peak observation deck which gave us another vantage point of one of the world’s best skylines. The rest of the day was spent in the ever-magical Hong Kong Disneyland.

April 27 – Hong Kong Day Three – The whole of our 3rd day in Hong Kong was spent in Ocean Park, one of South East Asia’s largest oceanaria and theme parks. This particular attraction remains to be on the top of the itinerary of many visitors to Hong Kong, especially first-timers.

April 28 – Macau Day Tour – Located just an hour away by ferry, Macau usually has the spillover tourists of Hong Kong or those who’ve “had enough” of the big city bustle. Although Macau is a big city itself, it offers a quaint, laidback Portuguese charm. After the necessary immigration procedures, we hopped on a bus and stopped at the Lotus Square. The sculpture of a Golden Lotus Flower in full bloom commemorates the return of Macau’s sovereignty to China, a very important moment in history for Macau. Located nearby is the Macau Tourism Activities Centre. Our next stop was at A-Ma Temple, the oldest in Macau. Around the temple are several stalls selling the famed Macau beef tapa. The best thing about it is that you could actually taste a bit of everything, for free. We then proceeded to the Macau Museum, which explained the history, traditions and various cultures of Macau, and the Ruins of St. Paul, the most famous landmark in Macau. We then had sumptuous lunch at New Camões Portuguese Restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf. Finally, we conquered Macau Tower, which offers the best panoramic view of Macau. Before sunset, we were already back in Hong Kong!

April 29 – Hong Kong Day Five – Basically a free day. Free day = Shopping day. Our flight was scheduled for 9:50pm yet!

May

May 7-8 – We spent our weekend in Real, Quezon, passing through the scenic countryside of Laguna dropping by some of the churches along the way. We visited the town of Infanta and stopped by the Agos Bridge which connects the town to the next, General Nakar. We also had an awesome time at Balagbag Falls, and the breath-taking rugged coastal views along the way at the Real-Mauban Road. Finally, we settled at Ocean Blue Resort and enjoyed the fresh grilled seafood we bought from the Real Market.

May 14 – Evoliving at Nuvali – Nuvali is the burgeoning mega-eco-city of Ayala Land in Laguna. Solenad at Nuvali is perfect for a family weekend. We had lunch at Pig Out then did some fish feeding by the man-made lake. It was really a heartwarming feeling to see all the fish wrestle just to get a bite of the pellet-sized food. We then rode a water taxi which toured us around the man-made lake in Nuvali. Indeed, Nuvali is the city of the future.

May 20 – eBloc 2 tops off – Cebu Holdings, Inc. and mother company, Ayala Land, Inc., celebrate the topping off of their latest office tower development in the south, eBloc 2.

May 28 – The Amara Lifestyle – What perfect way to cap off a great summer than great food with my CTowner friends at the most-fitting venue, Amara, a master-planned community by Ayala Land Premier nestled by the sea and undulating hills accentuated by the eternal warmth of a century-old lighthouse.

June

June 3-4 – Close encounter with celebrities – Ayala Center Cebu’s Back to School Sale brought in some of the hottest stars today: Jake Cuenca, Nina Dolino, Guji Lorenzana and my ever-favorite, Asia’s Diamond Soul Siren, Nina.

June 6-10 – First solo trip of the year – ..and my first new province for 2011, Negros Oriental. Very “chillax” trip as I only visited Robinsons Dumaguete, Silliman University, Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete Cathedral and Belfry, the Provincial Capitol, Bacong and Dauin, and the ever-sweet Sans Rival. The rest of the time was spent for “soul-searching”.

June 14 – Double food events – Max’s Restaurant launched their Chicken-All-You-Can promo. For only P199, all you can eat chicken quarters! After lunch, members of the Cebu Bloggers Society were also invited to the opening of one of the latest branches of Coffee Dream in Benedicto College, A.S. Fortuna, Mandaue City where we were made to taste some of their cakes and breakfast offerings.

June 15 – Phoebe’s Cupcakery – The best red velvet cupcakes I’ve ever tasted! A home-based cupcakery in Cebu, all of Phoebe’s cupcakes are baked fresh daily from their home kitchen. Phoebe Roxanne Ouano, a young entrepreneur introduced her four initial cupcake flavors: Mocha Loca – chocolate-y with a hint of caffeine, Scarlette – the best-seller, red-velvet cupcake, Cookie Monster – cookies and cream, and Nuts for Nana – banana plus Nutella!

June 26 – Leyte exploration – I, and some blogger friends from Manila, Don, Fitz, Rina, and Alvin, flew in to Tacloban to experience the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2011. They arrived one day ahead of me so as soon as I exited the airport, they, together with Ma’am Ludette and Sir Gerry of Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours, picked me up aboard an e-jeepney! We then proceeded to the Leyte Landing Memorial in Palo. By sunset, we relaxed at Cafe Lucia in Tacloban. We then checked-in at Luxury Suite Hotel and freshened up before dinner at Cafe Z. The crispy tenga is a must-try! After dinner, we then witnessed Bituon Han Leyte, the search for the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival Queen! We were even fortunate enough to talk with Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla!

June 27 – Pintados-Kasadyaan 2011 – We were eagerly waiting at Bo’s Coffee Tacloban for the streetdance but it did not push through due to political conflict between the City Government and Provincial Government of Tacloban, (The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is organized by the provincial government while the city government produced its own “spin-off”, the Sangyaw Festival, held on the same dates!) so we decided to have lunch at Gerry’s Grill. After lunch, the show must go on. The participating contingents performed for the whole afternoon at the Leyte Sports Development Center. I was really-awed by the world-class performances of the participating groups and I can’t help but appreciate that the festival is like Sinulog, in terms of production. The event was capped off by a 15-minute pyromusical.

June 28 – Torpedo-ing in Samar – Before the experience, I was very anxious but then it was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience after all. In fact, I consider it as one of the best things that I’ve experienced in my life! To get to Paranas, we had to go on a two-hour roadtrip, passing through the iconic San Juanico Bridge. Because of the early call time, we slept on our way there. The torpedo adventure involves riding a motorized banca with no outriggers to traverse the Ulot River downstream for about an hour navigating through portions with rapids. Expect to get wet! Splashes and screams made the experience more exciting. As we arrived at the tip of the ride, we trekked for about 500 meters, carefully hopping from one slippery rock to another to get to the picnic area for lunch. Lunch was packed by Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours as part of the tour packages they offer. After lunch, we also got the chance to do some water tubing. My blogger friends were more daring as they jumped off the rock and just let the river current sweep them through the river. A rope was set at some point for them to hang on or else they’ll go all the way to the Pacific Ocean lol. As we relaxed for a few minutes, rain poured so we decided to get back to our boats before the river current gets too strong. The ride back upstream was even more exhilarating. Such an awesome experience I want to try again soon!

(…to be continued)

 
The Philippines, being an archipelago, has captured the hearts of both locals and foreign tourists for the beauty of its islands. With 7,107 to choose from, a wide array of island terrain meets the beauty-hungry eye.

In the heart of the country lies a series of islands famed for their unparalleled beauty. In the Visayas are quite a few tourist favorites. Foremost is Boracay with its powder-fine sands, and after that, it’s a debate between the islands of Guimaras, Cebu, Bohol, and Romblon.

The minor islands barely catch attention as they lack the promotional clout that has been established by the likes of Boracay and Cebu’s famed beaches, like Bantayan Island. However, this does not mean that these minor islands are any less charming or beautiful.

A neighbor to Boracay, Romblon’s islands have light-colored sands in some parts of its shores. Though not as pristine and fine as Boracay, there is a serene sanctuary that could become your newfound getaway: Tablas Island.

Tablas Island is the biggest of the islands that comprise the province of Romblon. It is home to waterfalls, lakes, beaches, and even mountain ranges.

One charming place to visit would be “Mainit Falls.” While it is located on private property, it is open to the public. Locals and foreign visitors alike enjoy the waters of the falls.

Calatrava is home to “Tinagong Dagat,” an inland saltwater lake. A beautiful circular pool, it is home to several species of saltwater fish and seashells. It is but 10 meters away from the sea itself. This inland saltwater lake is located in the northernmost part of Tablas Island.

Most tourists who visit Tablas Island rave about its pristine, unspoiled beauty. A far cry from its commercialized neighbor Boracay, Tablas Island and most parts of Romblon are so unspoiled as yet, that if you’re a shopaholic tourist, you will be able to make your therapist happy: there isn’t much to buy in terms of souvenirs, just yet.

Though the Romblon Islands have much to offer, commercialization has been slow, compared to its cosmopolitan neighbor, the famed Boracay Island. Maybe it’s because the focus has been Boracay for so long, or maybe it’s the fact that it’s a bigger challenge to travel to Romblon, given the limited incoming transportation to the area. Though there are ports and even an airport serving Romblon, only minor airways serve the area, like ZestAir or SEAIR. The only airport is also in Tablas Island.

Romblon is also home to an innovative eco-lifestyle retirement community, Sunset Beach Villas. It is a retirement community for foreigners, built by foreigners. The developers are Chris Bech and Will Irwin, who have created not only the structures suited for an eco-centric sustainable lifestyle, they’ve also partnered with Tablas Highlands Organic Farm in order to supply Sunset Beach Villas’ residents with healthy, chemical-free food. Indeed, Chris Bech, Will Irwin and the developers of Sunset Beach Villas are forward-thinking and sustainability minded.

Chris Bech and team also made sure that Sunset Beach Villas’ residents will be well-taken care of, as the community has maids, guards, as well as transportation to and from the Airport, including to and from the Tablas commercial area.

These are the things that Romblon and Tablas Island have to offer. So whether you’re staying for a spell or for good, live it up and soak it up here!

This is a guest post from Gaius Carbonell.

Part 6 of the Libotero Baguio-Banaue Roadtrip series

DAY 1.

After roaming around and buying the much-needed essentials at SM City Baguio, it was still raining so hard!

So, we decided to buy some raw meat and cooking essentials, and just cook our own dinner at the hotel (which was apartelle-style so it had a stove and a refrigerator).

Since there was really nothing better to do on a cold night, we immediately hit the sack after dinner. Hoping for better weather conditions on our second day. Zzzzzzz.

DAY 2.

Good morning Baguio!

Foggy Baguio City at 5:55am.

To minimize expenses, we still cooked our own breakfast then we took turns in the shower. Brrr, the water was ice cold! We were literally jumping inside the bathroom!

We finally got out of the hotel at around 7:45am. It was still drizzling but climbing the Lourdes Grotto was a now or never thing, so we started our morning exercise.

The foot of the hill

The Lourdes Grotto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Baguio City, especially for Catholics. It is located on a high hill and it takes 252 steps to get there. Surrounding the foot of the hill are stores selling candles and flowers, which you can offer when you reach the top.

Halfway up!

For the faint of heart, there is a shortcut! An asphalt-paved but very winding, narrow and steep road would lead you halfway up the 252 steps. There’s ample parking space in the area and pasalubong shops abound as well.

Taxis can also bring you up halfway through the 252 steps

And we finally reached the top.

The Lourdes Grotto. Clouds commanded for a washed-out sky.

Anyway, if you climb a few more steps from the grotto, you’ll reach those closed gates (see above photo), and on a clear day, you can actually see a strip of the Naguilian Road and a breathtaking panoramic view of a certain portion of La Union. When visibility’s really very high, you can even see Lingayen Gulf and some provinces of Pangasinan!

Upon reaching the top, we offered our own prayers and intentions, enjoyed and appreciated the view and then we started going down.

Halfway down!

(…to be continued)

Part 5 of the Libotero Baguio-Banaue Roadtrip series

DAY 1.

After lunch at Skyrise Hotel and Restaurant, it was the perfect time to climb up the Lourdes Grotto to shed some calories. Since it was just less than a block away from our hotel, we were at the foot of the hill in an instant.

Foot of the hill

We were all so ready to climb more than 200 steps to the top when rain just suddenly poured out of nowhere!

Run!

Bummer! So where else could we go on a rainy day? To the mall ofcourse, LOL. So we hopped on our van and proceeded to SM City Baguio.

If my memory serves me right, the last time our family was in Baguio was eight years ago but I never remembered having encountered insane traffic jams in the city! This time, traffic in Baguio is like hell. I think one can get to point A to point B quicker when walking than when on a vehicle. That’s practically okay when the weather is good but when it’s raining so hard, we had no choice but to be patient. I am really saddened by the urban mess that is Baguio City. It feels like the city is about to burst anytime. All I could do is just, sigh!

So after running like a turtle for at least an hour, we finally arrived in SM City Baguio!

During my last visit, SM wasn’t existent yet. All I could remember was a hill full of pine trees! I wonder where all those pine trees are now. I hope they were “transplanted” and are now breathing in a better place.

Opening to the public on November 2003, SM City Baguio is now easily one of the top tourist destinations in Baguio City! While we’re totally sad about the removal of hundreds of pine trees in the area, at least we get a neatly designed SM mall as a consolation.

I can confidently say that SM City Baguio is one of the best-designed SM malls. We were all so used to the boring boxes back then and this mall is actually the first that went out of the box. You can really see that much thought has been poured on the design and construction of the mall.

Taking advantage of the cool mountain resort climate of the City of Pines, SM City Baguio is mostly non-airconditioned! Only the cinemas and some of the individual tenants have their own aircon units. This was achieved through the use of a tensile roof and a terraces-like structure that allows the cool mountain air to come in. Cool!

Anyway, here are some photos of SM City Baguio:

The main atrium

SM City Baguio is made up of 4 levels

Heavy rain spawned a very long queue to the taxi bay

SM City Baguio is one of the most crowded SM malls. It has an average daily pedestrian count of 100,000

Another long queue to the taxi bay at the supermarket entrance

The mall’s lotus-like tensile roofing

Escalators

Directory

Foodcourt

SM City Baguio is set for expansion in the near future!

(…to be continued)

Part 12 of the Libotero Pampanga and Malolos Heritage Series

DAY 3.

After having lunch at SM City Clark, I went back to the hotel to take a short nap. Just a few minutes after I zzzzed though, I was back to my senses as I overslept the previous night.

For that, I just decided to kill my time at MarQuee Mall, and ofcourse to buy ‘pasalubong’ as well. But before that, I had to ready my luggage, check out and leave my baggage at the hotel lobby. Luckily, as I stepped out of the hotel, a shuttle was parked just across the street so I was immediately transported to the mall.

Upon arrival at the mall, I headed straight to the cinemas hoping to watch a new movie but unfortunately, I already saw all the movies that were being shown. I was desperately looking for something to do and so I ended up at a skin clinic, Dermstrata! And that’s where I had my very first facial ever, LOL. I won’t elaborate on that.

Anyway, after the relaxing-grueling-fulfilling facial treatment, I then proceeded to Krispy Kreme to buy 2 dozens of donuts to bring home to my family and friends. Time flew so fast, it was already 6pm when I checked my watch. There were no shuttles back to Friendship Gate at that time so I had to make ‘pakyaw’ a tricycle for P70 to take me back to the hotel. But before I went back in, I took a quickie dinner at a fastfood, just beside the hotel.

As I arrived back at the hotel, the driver that would take me to the airport was already there. I do not know how one would commute to the airport, so when I checked-in the hotel two days ago, I already pre-arranged for hotel transport to bring me to the airport, with a price tag of P300! So off we were to the airport for my 8:30pm flight back to Cebu.

The airport was a good 10-15 minute ride from the hotel.

The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) is located at the heart of Central Luzon, making it the most viable and convenient airport of choice for travelers from North-Central Luzon and the northern Metro Manila area who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city streets. It is one of the biggest aviation complexes in Asia with two (2) runways in parallel configuration that can easily be extended to 4 kilometers to accommodate new generation wide-bodied aircrafts. The airport was envisioned by the previous president as the next premiere international gateway of the Philippines but as of the moment only low cost carriers are using the airport.

I really don’t have much to write about airports because they’re all basically the same. Initial security check -> check-in counter -> final security check -> pre-departure area. I have to mention the security check in DMIA though since it was really one-of-a-kind. If I recall correctly, the airport was lauded for excellence in security checking. Anyway, after I passed through the metal detector, I had to stand on a platform where the security officer “laid his hands on my body”. The hands moved all over my body as if a snake was crawling over me. Amazing LOL. The officer then noticed a bulge on my pocket and asked what that was. I quickly responded, “lip balm and eye drops”. The officer then flashed a smile and said thank you.

DMIA’s terminal fee for domestic flights is P150.

One of the things that I look for in airports are decent food outlets. Thankfully, there was Smokey’s Hotdog Bar at DMIA. As if my dinner wasn’t enough, I grabbed my favorite Chicago Dog, and then patiently waited for my boarding call.

I could feel that security was really tight and so I wasn’t able to take a lot of photos of the airport.

At exactly 8pm, all Cebu-bound passengers were called for boarding.

And that wraps up my Pampanga and Malolos Heritage series. Thank you for your continued support dearest readers! Stay tuned for the Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Iloilo posts!

(…end of series)

Part 11 of the Libotero Pampanga and Malolos Heritage Series

DAY 3.

Located just a block away from 950 Condotel is SM City Clark.

SM City Clark has a huge atrium highlighted by a giant compass floor pattern

SM City Clark is located at M.A. Roxas Avenue in Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga. It is the second SM supermall in the province after SM City Pampanga.

SM City Clark’s Cinema Lobby

The mall has a gross floor area of 100,000 square meters. It features the SM regulars such as the Department Store, Hypermarket, Cinemas and other anchors such as Ace Hardware, SM Appliance Center, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus Shop and 300 other various shops and dining establishments.

Cyberzone, SM City Clark

It recently opened its own Cyberzone so techies in the area will be able to find all their favorite IT brands all in one place.

SM City Clark Cyberzone

Now here’s a fun fact. SM City Clark is actually one of the first SM Supermalls to feature an alfresco dining area and it is aptly called ‘The Meeting Place’.

This water fountain at The Meeting Place can easily be converted to a mini-stage to host concerts and other events at the alfresco area

If you think about it, this mall is among the trailblazers in the revolution of the SM mall experience.

The mall just turned 5 years old last May and it has already proven itself as a place of leisure the province of Pampanga can reach. This can be attributed to its strategic location being close to North Pampanga and South Tarlac.

The two-floor mall currently has 300 shops and dining establishments catering to Class A to D. Due to its success, it is set for expansion this year.

SM City Clark has a lot of dining establishments with some really interesting authentic Kapampangan restaurants. I really had a hard time choosing where I’d eat lunch. Having said that, I ended up eating in a fast food outlet. LOL. I regret not trying out the local cuisine. Part of me is Kapampangan but I’ve never really tried their food. They say that when you’re in some other place, you have to experience everything about the place, and that includes their food. Shucks. I can say that I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone in all aspects of travelling, alone, except for food. I need to muster up more confidence for that. Maybe next time..

(…to be continued)

Part 10 of the Libotero Pampanga and Malolos Heritage Series

DAY 3.

I had a very good sleep on my last night in Pampanga! My flight back to Cebu was still at 8:30pm and I had all the time to visit more churches (e.g. Sta. Rita, Minalin, Apalit, etc.) but then laziness took over me. My initial plan was just to visit seven churches anyway and I’m all good. And besides, I travel not just so I could have something to share with you guys but also for me to be able experience something new or actually relax somewhere away from home. For that, I declared my last day in Pampanga as my rest and relaxation day. LOL.

Anyway, as soon I woke up, I took a shower then headed to the rooftop to available of my free breakfast.

While in Pampanga, I stayed at 950 Condotel. 950 (“0″ pronounced as “Oh”) Condotel is located at the heart of the famous Fields Avenue in Angeles City. It is near Clark Freeport Zone, the North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

950 Condotel’s Restaurant

Robinsons Place Angeles as seen from 950 Condotel rooftop

Showing the proximity of SM City Clark as seen from the hotel’s rooftop

Anyway, their complimentary breakfast were all -silogs so I chose tosilog. In fairness, I loved their tocino but I forgot to take a picture of it..

After breakfast, I went back to my room to chat with some friends on Facebook. LOL.

Hallway leading to my room

Here are some photos of my messy room:

This is 950 Condotel’s standard room. At P1,530 per night, it is quite pricey but I guess it’s worth it considering its prime location at the center of Clark’s entertainment district plus the room was really very spacious with high speed free WiFi, a decent comfort room, a personal refrigerator and very cold airconditioning

After a few minutes spent online, I felt hungry again, so I decided to go to the nearby SM City Clark.

Fields Avenue

(…to be continued)

Part 9 of the Libotero Pampanga and Malolos Heritage Series

DAY 2.

After a brief visit to Barasoain Church, I took a tricycle back to the van terminal at Petron along the MacArthur Highway. It took at least 30 minutes for the van to get filled so I took the opportunity to take a nap. I was just back to my senses when the driver started to collect the fares then zoom, zoom, we were off to SM City Pampanga. On the trip, I fell asleep once more LOL.

As soon as we arrived at the SM City Pampanga transport terminal, I then took a jeepney to Clark Friendship Gate. Fare was P24. We took the North Luzon Expressway so we arrived in Clark in less than 20 minutes. The Clark Friendship Gate is just a few meters walk from where I was staying, 950 Condotel (read as nine-five-oh) so I just took a lazy stroll towards the hotel. Back in the hotel, I just freshened up for dinner at MarQuee Mall.

Now how would I get to MarQuee Mall? I had two options. First, I could have contracted a tricycle. That would have cost me P70-P100, depending on your haggling skills. But then I was lucky that when I went out of the hotel, a MarQuee Mall shuttle was parked just right across. Weeee! MarQuee Mall provides a free shuttle to/from Clark Friendship Gate and other strategic points several times a day, everyday! How convenient! So I quickly hopped in. We waited a few more minutes for the van to be half-filled at least and off we were to MarQuee Mall.

Marquee Mall is Ayala Malls’ first foray in Central Luzon. Turning 2 years old this September, it has already redefined the shopping, dining and entertainment experience in the region.

MarQuee Park

MarQuee Mall’s Interactive Water Feature. What’s amazing about this is that you’re actually allowed to play and get wet here so don’t get surprised if you’ll be seeing kids running around with their ‘yayas’ going after them.

MarQuee’s 2 hectare park

MarQuee Mall is a regional shopping center that brings together a rich and unique experience reminiscent of a lively town plaza, infused with an urban vibe. Its contemporary indoor and outdoor design provides a perfect setting that showcases an exciting mix of choice and select Manila-based shopping, dining and family entertainment choices. The mall is home to the first provincial branch of Krispy Kreme!

It celebrates as well the best of the region’s arts, crafts and cuisine. With its Marquee Park, it also serves as a social and civic center for the community. Infusing these local flavors with the Ayala Malls experience, Marquee Mall redefines Central Luzon’s lifestyle as it becomes its favorite gathering place.

Here are some daytime photos of MarQuee Mall:

As soon as I arrived at MarQuee, I went straight to Red Ribbon and ordered my favorite Crispy Chicken (as of this posting though, Crispy Chicken is already phased out! BOOO!). After dinner, I spent some time at the MarQuee Park, near the water fountains, just to breathe after a very long day of church-hopping. I also wanted to observe how the locals have grasped the entry of the first Ayala Mall in their area.

At 9pm, the mall closed but the alfresco area was still bustling, but I was feeling very sleepy already so I took the last shuttle trip back to Clark Friendship Gate. As I entered my hotel room, I jumped to the bed and shut my eyes… Zzzzzz..

(…to be continued)

MARQUEE MALL
Angeles Exit, North Luzon Expressway, Angeles City, Pampanga
Tel. No.: +6345-304-0806

Mall Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Part 8 of the Libotero Pampanga and Malolos Heritage Series

DAY 2.

From SM City Pampanga, I was planning to visit Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. I searched around the transport terminal looking for any means of transportation that would bring me to the historically significant church.

Since I was a child, I’d always look at the Barasoain Church in the ten-peso bill and say to myself, “I’ll go there someday” and my Pampanga trip was the perfect opportunity to make a short stopover at Malolos.

Fortunately, there are several jeepneys and vans that serve several points in Bulacan. A GT Express service was available for Malolos so I immediately hopped in. Fare was at P40, not bad.

For the entire duration of the trip, I was asleep, so I had no idea where we passed through, but I was quite sure we did go through the North Luzon Expressway. 30 minutes later, Manong Driver was poking me already as we had arrived at the van terminal in the Petron station along MacArthur Highway, Malolos City and I was the only passenger left inside the van. I felt quite embarrassed so I quickly jumped off the van, LOL. I immediately walked away and started looking for locals whom I could ask for directions. Passing by BPI, Greenwich and Chowking, I reached an intersection and then saw a queue of tricycles so I approached them. “Manong, sa’n po ba dito ang Barasoain Church? Malapit lang po ba? Pwede n’yo po ba akong dalhin du’n? Magkano po ang pamasahe?”, (Manong, where is the Barasoain Church? Is it nearby? Can you take me there? How much is the fare?) I asked. This old driver I asked gently replied, “Dayo ka ano? Malapit lang naman. Labinlima lang. Sige sakay na” (Hmm, you’re a tourist? Well, it’s just near. [Fare's] P15 only. C’mon hop in). And so I did. The engine started and we crossed the MacArthur Highway towards Paseo del Congreso St. We basically travelled just a straight line, about a kilometer long and in less than five minutes, we were already by the entrance of the Barasoain Church!

The Barasoain Church (also knows as the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) was built in 1630 in Malolos. It has earned the distinction as the Cradle of Democracy in the East and one of the most important religious structures in the Philippines and the palace of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

The church is also known for its architectural design and internal adornments. The original church was burned during the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution. However, it was renovated.

The church became a witness to three significant historical events, among them are:

- The convening of the First Philippine Congress (September 15, 1898)
- The drafting of the Malolos Constitution (September 29, 1898 to January 21, 1899), and
- The inauguration of the First Philippine Republic (January 23, 1899).

Because of this, the church was proclaimed as a National Shrine by President Ferdinand Marcos on August 1, 1973 by virtue of Presidential Degree No. 260.

Aside from the three events listed above, General Emilio Aguinaldo and Former President Joseph Estrada were also inaugurated in the Church as duly-elected president of the Republic of the Philippines during their time.

Right in front of the Barasoain Church is an imposing statue of Emilio Aguinaldo. He is the first president of our country and he made the church his home during his term of office. Behind his statue, are the flags used by the Philippines from the oldest to the current flag.

Even though the church isn’t part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List, I was very glad to have finally visited the church as it is the most important church in our country’s history. Some of you might find it weird that a 20-year old like me is more interested on old churches than bumming in the beach but that’s me. Although I really love the beach, and other natural attractions, I also really appreciate structures with historical value.

* The Barasoain Church is located approximately 42 kilometers north of Manila.

(…to be continued)