tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24907051760797832182024-02-18T19:14:32.533-08:00UTOPIAN DREAM AFTERTHOUGHTSNONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-30402182798387590012017-06-22T00:42:00.001-07:002018-03-25T19:55:51.962-07:00CRAZY RICH ASIANS by KEVIN KWAN<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rachel Chu caught herself overwhelmed upon discovering that her boyfriend Nick Young was crazy rich - as in rich beyond belief. During their stay in Singapore for his best friend's wedding, she was exposed to the culture and lavish lifestyle practiced by his family. <span class=""><span class=""><span class="">But more than the extravagance, what would turn </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="">Rachel’s emotions </span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">upside down was </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">the </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">interference by those who were against the relationship and the thought that maybe keeping their relationship would not work for long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class=""><span class="goog-text-highlight">Crazy Rich Asians has become abuzz </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">again </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class=""><span class="goog-text-highlight">lately since the shooting for its motion picture has begun. </span></span><span class="goog-text-highlight"><span class=""><span class="">Everyone's going crazy over the actors who will be playing the roles, especially for many Filipino fans ever since Kris </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class=""><span class=""> Aquino </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="goog-text-highlight"><span class=""><span class="">has become a part of the cast. </span></span></span><span class="goog-text-highlight"><span class="">Also, it's always an intrigue anticipating how a book's movie version is going to turn out regardless of whether comparing is a good idea </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class=""> or not.</span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="">It only takes a spark,</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="">to get the fire going.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">And soon all those around,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">can warm up in its glowing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Botticelli's Venus<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is just a quick review since it's been quite a while when I finished reading this book, and I thought I would give this book a spur-of-the-moment kind of reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The reason I wanted to read this was mainly because some say it's a lot like Gossip Girl, and, well, I love Gossip Girl.<span class="goog-text-highlight"> I had been missing </span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> GG</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="goog-text-highlight">, and I thought to myself this was the cure I needed. </span><span class=""><span class="">They were indeed similar with all the over-the-top showing off, the bratty gal pals and the nonstop bullying. </span></span><span class="goog-text-highlight">There were even bullying scenarios that almost bordered to being high school-ish </span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> which</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class=""> I am still not sure how I feel about.</span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="">It was also in many ways personally relatable because I am Asian and familiar with some names, places and superstitions mentioned here. </span><span class=""><span class="">I like how it felt so real, especially their </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="">c</span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class=""><span class="">onservativeness </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""> and the preservation of their traditions. </span></span></span><span class="">I mean, it could not get any more Asian than that.</span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class=""><span class="">Perfection comes at a sacrifice. </span></span>- Jacqueline Ling<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="">Romance was there, of course, but not all over the place which was refreshing. </span><span class="">The love story was cute and gave me butterflies sometimes. </span><span class="">That said, it was still good to read a novel that, despite having sweet moments, does not impose so much of it to the reader like it was the only thing about the book.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">This place is very real. You're the dream. - Nick Young</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="">As for the conclusion, I was surprised to find out that it already ended when it did. </span>I was so ready to read more because the situation was only starting to get better. I would say there was no real solution to the complication. <span class="">In my opinion, the resolution could've been explored a bit more instead of just leaving it at its tip. </span><span class="">The weight and intensity of the story could've also been played up a bit more.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="">While I enjoyed my time reading this one, I would still say that there was not anything unique here. </span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Except for the twist in the Asian flavor,
honestly, I have read the same plot in another book. </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class=""> </span><span class="">I guess all the hype did not help because even when I did not expect too much, I still expected something from it.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="">That said, I would still read other Kevin Kwan works because I think they would make for a relaxing escape.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Photo source: </span></span>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/"><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">https://www.goodreads.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13488369147628993056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-63272995303628428912017-05-11T08:26:00.000-07:002017-05-11T08:31:24.894-07:00The Happy List: Random List #13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Here’s another list for y’all and me!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUMi0_giNo1aJJiL6Xy49HaV2AK_V3TZ-Wtu7S4XKHgvt6iPAQirwK4PYP-WB3uc2-Jad1LlsXSx7ypSlVnIqL_8oqMEHEUhUFDNp-kidRSvnXN4W4EOyer8odweJN3TO-5wBrqoc5lkC/s1600/the+happy+list+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUMi0_giNo1aJJiL6Xy49HaV2AK_V3TZ-Wtu7S4XKHgvt6iPAQirwK4PYP-WB3uc2-Jad1LlsXSx7ypSlVnIqL_8oqMEHEUhUFDNp-kidRSvnXN4W4EOyer8odweJN3TO-5wBrqoc5lkC/s640/the+happy+list+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<ol>
<li>Playing Jenga for the first time</li>
<li>One whole day with my college friends and too much potato in my system,
hahaha</li>
<li>Swimming with Basty in his toy pool</li>
<li>Fully booked classes</li>
<li>Sweet words of appreciation from my students warming my heart, awww</li>
<li>De-cluttering our double deck and putting a curtain in my room</li>
<li>A new backpack ‘cos that Vans’ crazy sale was too good to pass up</li>
<li>HTGAWM S03, Suits S05, 13 Reasons Why</li>
<li>Looking forward to my next adventures</li>
<li>Acceptance being a key factor in the survival of the fittest</li>
<li>Holding onto good things</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Yup, let’s go and do that… hold onto good things.
:)<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Photo source: Justine Dador</span></span></div>
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NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-66773346642095430822017-04-21T09:18:00.000-07:002017-04-21T09:18:05.498-07:00The Happy List: Random List #12<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Long time no blogging! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">I had been hating on myself for setting this blog
aside since the turn of the new year, but you know, life’s life. You got to
deal with it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Life’s been pretty busy for me. I dealt with
something personally important. I had been meaning to do something meaningful. An
opportunity came. And knowing that the timing was perfect, I grabbed it right
away. I wanted to be sure that I’d get it, so I put all my attention and time
there. Everything eventually paid off! Now I’m one happy being again! Yipeeeteeee!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtXHsD8IYtTKPyJk1s01zDyyyNA3BReDiroq97oOGm4HIHnTHvR7FRiJMPr9Gj3M_Kadz8bk0pC2BSwG1bmi-waxwV2p8TqoT-d2bT6dyiYg6eMJF0Xy_QSKs-KvtysTK9DuL1wHgIrYV/s1600/the+happy+list+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtXHsD8IYtTKPyJk1s01zDyyyNA3BReDiroq97oOGm4HIHnTHvR7FRiJMPr9Gj3M_Kadz8bk0pC2BSwG1bmi-waxwV2p8TqoT-d2bT6dyiYg6eMJF0Xy_QSKs-KvtysTK9DuL1wHgIrYV/s640/the+happy+list+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Here are some of the things that keep me cheery
lately:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li>Trying out something new – online teaching! Cutest job ever! It may not
sound major to anyone else, but the thing is, change scares me and it took me a
hell of nerves before I decided to do this.</li>
<li>Fast and stable Internet connection. Never thought I would have this
much appreciation for the Internet. Hahaha!</li>
<li>My mini-makeshift work station. It’s a bit narrow, super messy and not
yet finished, but I’m already liking the feel of it and being cramped inside it.
<span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span></li>
<li>Reuniting with high school friends!</li>
<li>More social time with workmates</li>
<li>Nicole, my niece, graduating in elementary and Aly, my other niece,
completing high school. Congratulations, you guys!!! I am so proud!</li>
<li>My well-spent Holy Week vacation</li>
<li>My annual Way of the Cross <i style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">panata </i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">and the scenic route we
followed</span></li>
<li>Boodle fights with my family, the best <i style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">kasalo</i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"> ever</span></li>
<li>Choosing to be the nicer, bigger person and actually feeling pure about
it</li>
<li>Helping someone become better at something</li>
<li>Work balance? Still arguable but yeah hehehe</li>
<li>Finding inspiration and encouragement in other people’s words</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">I AM SO BAAAACK! :)<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-81706681666300074942017-01-18T00:44:00.000-08:002017-01-18T00:44:07.700-08:00ODE TO MOM<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
would this world be without your vibrance?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
household without your tenderness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
family sans your devotion? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Me
in the absence of your affection?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You’ve
got more than character <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You’ve
got verve, got candor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You
don’t do ordinary, boring love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
either silent love or tough love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
grown to be stubborn and spunky <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
much so that at times I fight even Mommy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
for that, I’ll never stop apologizing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Selfless,
you deserve no less than a child so revering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
I could also be laidback and funny<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Able
to carry myself around uncaringly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Others
never let their kids go un-chaperoned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
you let me do my thing, look after my own<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They
would think you don't pay attention<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Truth
is I've become my best version<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All
because you never confined your child to rust<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
greatest yield of our maternal bond is trust<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
would this world be without your vibrance?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
household without your tenderness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
family sans your devotion? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Me
in the absence of your affection?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy
birthday, Mommy! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-27090973330528108762017-01-11T23:24:00.000-08:002017-01-11T23:24:59.482-08:00Family Christmas: 2016 Christmas Photo Dump No. 4<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">December 25, 2016 | Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s to the most
eventful Christmas day I’ve had with #TheRimases to date! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I had fun enduring each
other’s noise, taking photos for memory keeping’s sake, exchanging gifts with
them for the first time, playing (and winning) bingo (which was total madness
btw), devouring potluck dishes, and munching on some leftovers after every
game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It may not be that
obvious, BUT I TRULY AND SINCERELY LOVE MY FAMILY! :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy New Year
again! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Photo sources: Charina
Iraola and yours truly!</span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-61116987873197083592017-01-05T23:39:00.000-08:002017-01-05T23:39:57.179-08:00Friendsgiving: 2016 Christmas Photo Dump No. 3<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">December 17, 2016 | Saturday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tastes
Around the World</span></i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
was the chosen theme of our batch for this year’s Friendsgiving! From decorations
to games to food, we have all made sure to follow <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">it</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAl9ORTaAPP2nGaO6zH_pBcYrDTaMdsCsLPeAVvqiAp5XHDPWHe9DK3JpoXi_YJrhWuPfyYUawvyVqyVh5aHZVMVACJsNzuqu8EJp5TKt6xG_p_RSh96TbTEwO_wL2ZbHF73vHZ4BtkxF/s1600/Friendsgiving+2016+Christmas+Photo+Dump+No.+3-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAl9ORTaAPP2nGaO6zH_pBcYrDTaMdsCsLPeAVvqiAp5XHDPWHe9DK3JpoXi_YJrhWuPfyYUawvyVqyVh5aHZVMVACJsNzuqu8EJp5TKt6xG_p_RSh96TbTEwO_wL2ZbHF73vHZ4BtkxF/s640/Friendsgiving+2016+Christmas+Photo+Dump+No.+3-11.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">There were kids!</span><span style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> Many of them! What was funny was how the kids who were supposed to be the
cause of noise were the ones who were actually deafened many times by the
shouting, cheering, stomping, and clapping of the supposed adults. Hahaha!
Sorry, kiddos!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Props to Nhika
Marfil and Sarah Danao not just for putting up this yearend party together for
all of us but for also planning and organizing all the other events and beach
trips of the past year. They did so well! We benefited! Harhar! Thanks, guys!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Good luck to our
2017 planners: Antoniette and Joeyleen! You go, guys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy New Year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Photo sources: Joeyleen
Aquino, Antoniette Pulutan, Justine Dador, Jerome Satera<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-49907691103994241832016-12-28T17:29:00.000-08:002016-12-28T17:29:25.272-08:00HSD Departmental Party: 2016 Christmas Photo Dump No. 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">December 14, 2016 | Wednesday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This party had been
something I was able to also get my hands on to. Preparation was a little last
minute, but the result was nice. Everyone went home with hands full of gifts
and hearts filled with much laughter and lightness. Everybody was happy! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Grateful to Sir
Ronnie as always for pushing through with the plan, making things possible and
extending his kindness and generosity to as far as he can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Also grateful to
Jason for being my partner in crime and co-haggard prepper. Haha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Photo sources:Housing and Settlements Department </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">and yours truly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-61725915210775325032016-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:002016-12-22T00:00:21.268-08:00Diamond Christmas Party: 2016 Christmas Photo Dump No. 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have decided to
make a photo dump of all events Christmas-related this year since 1) as much as
I’d love to be all detail-y with everything that happened/would happen, I don’t
think I’d have the time and energy to do just that and 2) I want to get this over
and done with, no more backlogging ‘cos it might just lead to laziness which
means zero content for my blog, my blog which is already suffering from
futility. Huhu, I’d hate that, hehehe. SO HERE GOES… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">December 11, 2016 | Sunday</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Appreciated all the
helping hands that contributed to this undying love for our high school batch
and Christmas partying – mainly Justine, Katrina and Julie Ann! :) Next year
again? Yes? Lol! Special mention to Jonathan, Alexa and Kevin for the
on-the-spot support. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So happy that the
Tolentinos were ever so welcoming and accommodating when it </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">came down</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> to lending their
terrace/garage for us, despite our noise!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was so happy to
see other faces of classmates aside from the regulars who show up every year! May
they all never get tired of each other’s noise and fun! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy holidays, FAM!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Photo sources: Jonathan
Hibek, Justine Dador, Katrina Tolentino!<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-87177054634596270872016-11-25T00:05:00.001-08:002016-11-25T00:05:50.589-08:00FANGIRL by RAINBOW ROWELL<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cath had been a
Simon Snow fan ever since she could remember, she and her sister actually, but she
was not just any fan. Her fan-fiction had a huge following. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The shift to college
overwhelmed Cath with a lot of new things including a new school and an advanced
class. Then there were also her dad’s health issue and her sister who wanted to
distance herself from Cath to selfishly enjoy college. She was stuck with her
roommate and their resident pesky friend who would later turn out to be trying
to be pesky on purpose. Cath would struggle to juggle real life matters, but
worse, even her escape which was fan-faction would also prove to be a
challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnmH01JiZRYQvPCyILQ2D0P_dmiYtFOzyijgOO0bVZS_pjUCqi9j0tBJbwtH7D8_aJYWhCr8hsBa-hYitLuKXVUkaOavN0WgOSgk-qe4saweICuY9yFcO1WtL5F70h744h6KaWNVYP3Ej/s1600/Fangirl+by+Rainbow+Rowell.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnmH01JiZRYQvPCyILQ2D0P_dmiYtFOzyijgOO0bVZS_pjUCqi9j0tBJbwtH7D8_aJYWhCr8hsBa-hYitLuKXVUkaOavN0WgOSgk-qe4saweICuY9yFcO1WtL5F70h744h6KaWNVYP3Ej/s400/Fangirl+by+Rainbow+Rowell.jpg" width="273" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“It means...I really like you.” “Like,
really like you. And I want that kiss to be the start of something. Not the
end.” – Levi</i></span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fangirl</span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> is a major
chic-lit. It is all that one would expect from college – the adjustment drama,
the boys, the social anxiety. Beyond all these though, it could still be
labeled a good read for a good rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As already
mentioned, <i>Fangirl</i> was bits and
pieces coming from different aspects. Despite this, one would not lose focus as
to what the story was really about. It didn’t have a complicated plot which
made it such a breeze to go through. There was not much frowning moment for me.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I would’ve
appreciated it more if the Levi development had not been tackled a bit late in
the story. I was thinking time spent with Cath dealing with Nick could’ve been
used wisely for Levi instead. I didn’t appreciate Nick’s role in the story. I
didn’t understand his character. I’d even go as far as saying maybe if Nick had
been left out, it wouldn’t have any effect on the whole story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I mean, I spent four months
trying to kiss you and the last six weeks trying to figure out how I managed to
fuck everything up. All I want now is to make it right, to make you see how
sorry I am and why you should give me another chance." – Levi</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I loved how the
romance between Levi and Cath was all bright lights and soaring hearts. I would
say this book wasn’t all cheesy content, as I figured it was only a bit later
in the story when cheesy Levi and Cath happened. I loved how refreshing it was to
read romance on a wholesome, plain-hearts level. You know, just the basic
handholding, hugging, kissing, and cuddling. Just cute. It was so nice to just
feel the sweetness through straight-from-the-heart metaphors, genuine
conversations and meaningful little actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don't make me angry-kiss you.” –
Levi</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Being a story
extracted from this modern day was among the things that made this one for the
entertainment. The new plot concept allowed me inside two new worlds, that of
fandom world and fan-fiction writing. I enjoyed how it made me see the way
fangirls actually feel and act. I mean, I already had an idea, but I didn’t
know how extreme it could get for them. And as for the fan-fiction part, it was
really interesting to learn how it works. I mean, wow, really admirable and
hardcore stuff going on right there. I dig all those geeky things. Also, it was
like Rowell was working on three stories in this book alone. Wild!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since I’ve already
brought up the fiction and fan-fic topics, I enjoyed the passages taken out of
the two alternatingly. The bits would sometimes be cliffhangers or something
that would put questions to bed altogether. Simon Snow and Baz Pitch were both
such interesting characters. Although, I have to admit that I was always more
excited to read the fan-fic spinoff since it was more intriguing with the
Simon-Baz affair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The ultimate act of heroism
shouldn’t be death. You’re always saying you want to give Baz the stories he
deserves... So you’re going to kill him off? Isn’t the best revenge supposed to
be a life well-lived? The punk-rock way to end it would be to let them live
happily ever after.” – Wren</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The ending was a bit
hanging for me in aspects relating to both the main story and the Simon Snow
fiction. I felt like there wasn’t any sort of resolution or closure as per
Cath’s mother. The maternal issue was brought up but to no avail. As for the
Simon Snow series, I was hoping there was a bit more to it not just in the end
but in general, so I could have had more background and have better
differentiated. But with the fan-fiction, I was contented with that clip where
the story closed. It was short but gave me all that I needed to read. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Aside from being
hanging, I felt that the ending had also been quite uneventful than expected. The
final book launch was a goody. That winning piece from Cath was really nice
too, but I just really wanted more from Levi and Cath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“But there’s nothing more profound
than creating something out of nothing.” – Professor Piper</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What really confused
me most of the time was the third person point of view. I had no idea why the
author decided to narrate through this person. From time to time, I would be
lost mid-sentence as to who was being talked about. It also somehow made the
characters feel detached and far from the reader. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All in all, I would say
I still had a nice time indulging myself with sweet romance and college life
drama in this book. It was something I decided to read to get out of my reading
slump, something not too intense but still not boring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are you done reading
this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share
them below!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Photo source: </span><a href="http://www.rainbowrowell.com/fangirl/"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">http://www.rainbowrowell.com/fangirl/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-39573547911767640732016-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:002016-11-11T00:00:39.148-08:00Alibijaban, Tinalisayan and Sombrero Islands 2016: Low-key Amazing, That’s All They Have To Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wq6BmMepUVY_A0G21DrnpahiP_u1dh6hZFWyS1j0I1qehYZhlMrhCLVzTCs5BqiEmbSAIXYiutdkuXLp6PDK5B_-Ite07C4uYUsAsOuEmBkvdIlIpAp3TOwhC6lrB0J0L7M5dfY8nAy8/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wq6BmMepUVY_A0G21DrnpahiP_u1dh6hZFWyS1j0I1qehYZhlMrhCLVzTCs5BqiEmbSAIXYiutdkuXLp6PDK5B_-Ite07C4uYUsAsOuEmBkvdIlIpAp3TOwhC6lrB0J0L7M5dfY8nAy8/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As
if your unconscious rawness isn't already a turn on<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As
if your cloud and sea's seamless melding isn't a miracle on its own<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God
so wished to show us what it’s like in heaven<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
made you, said for now you’ll do, safe haven<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
let me experience you with the other halves of my soul<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now
no other could ever say they had you better than I did<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cos
they'd never ever have you like I did<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cos
they'd never ever have soul mates like mine<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who
would’ve thought desertion could feel this divine?</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzQqV5ZIwFuv8JD8ysbR3-PXhiWhRTeq9Xs_gwsTLkENtrgCT6qiHZQd8nU8tXUSDGcZLkI8RLR0E8f7hnnhgF62FlOxO7hY2irj8VZBBjQPFxt5mT5eAbxZWGaHbCD4zsH1AfegnaxK4/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzQqV5ZIwFuv8JD8ysbR3-PXhiWhRTeq9Xs_gwsTLkENtrgCT6qiHZQd8nU8tXUSDGcZLkI8RLR0E8f7hnnhgF62FlOxO7hY2irj8VZBBjQPFxt5mT5eAbxZWGaHbCD4zsH1AfegnaxK4/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tinalisayan
Island, Burias Group of Islands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
know I haven’t been to so many beaches yet, so I can’t tell for sure. But based
on all the beach destinations I’ve been to, Tinalisayan may be the best island as
of yet. I’m still torn because Lord knows the <u><a href="http://iheartnona.blogspot.com/2015/05/caramoan-2015-where-clouds-sand-and-sea.html" target="_blank">islands of Caramoan</a></u> can
give me a run for their money too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tinalisayan
may be the most beautiful of all for it owns up to a bunch of things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR530pIEdwWW3r_LR32xUYiUqGW5z2nDiIK0GGd2C8zCvb7PRfAatzk_jBDUCTlPcc2j1GcfWlTpKhBiD-W2YHuFWa3gKiTlufqBi8hK25mbFJPhkoABSUGPr4w9CWdA2NKJoT5gK69_06/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR530pIEdwWW3r_LR32xUYiUqGW5z2nDiIK0GGd2C8zCvb7PRfAatzk_jBDUCTlPcc2j1GcfWlTpKhBiD-W2YHuFWa3gKiTlufqBi8hK25mbFJPhkoABSUGPr4w9CWdA2NKJoT5gK69_06/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We were dropped </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">off</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> on a round sandbar which was an awesome welcome idea. The sand
was basically fine white with a mix of pebbles. The good thing was they were
small, so they didn’t really hurt the feet. From the sandbar, we walked through
the cold, waist-leveled water until we reached the curvy shore. It was the
perfect hue of turquoise water I’ve seen in my life. For someone who’s very
particular with beach gradients, I was the happiest. It was beautiful. Swimming
for a bit felt good too, as I didn’t feel any itchy or prickly skin sensation
while in the water. It was usually unavoidable when in saltwater.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As
if the sandbar and the beach weren’t already enough, a small plateau filled
with palm trees may also be found. It was meant to serve as a chill spot for
whoever needed shade and a place to stop and stare. Standing there, it was
different seeing the beach from that vantage point, like everything was
perfectly placed. The sand, the water and the sky were so perfectly blended
that I couldn’t tell anymore where the sand ended to meet the water and the
water ended to meet the infinite clouds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sombrero
Island, Burias Group of Islands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sightseeing
from near and afar, people would obviously get why Sombrero Island is named as
such. Sombrero (hat in English) is the form the island takes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
couldn’t tell for sure if they were once just one, but there were two islands.
The one where we had lunch was at the bigger island. It was yet another pretty place
of escape, a tad bit more commercialized too. There were little cottages and other
accommodations. From here, a good view of the small, hat-looking island may be
seen. They were being separated by meters and meters of water, not sure if the
distance was swimmable though. Also, I’m not sure if the latter’s privately
owned or not. What was weird was it was shaped so much like a hat that it made
us wonder whether it was natural or was just artificially made to look like
that. It was uncanny, too good to be true, but definitely an eye candy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohZKBE6jZJoJPjlDMXkIt0nf_yA1fDwk_3rndkw9xUrNvcRNI9FLJfdiBpbIKJLCL7ZYMnftUUuTfd-P0vOVj7tGbH-P68kgI4MNk3m5-9xc2IhjOT4Y0dytEWE018BbOA8enGIcX0-p4/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-25.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohZKBE6jZJoJPjlDMXkIt0nf_yA1fDwk_3rndkw9xUrNvcRNI9FLJfdiBpbIKJLCL7ZYMnftUUuTfd-P0vOVj7tGbH-P68kgI4MNk3m5-9xc2IhjOT4Y0dytEWE018BbOA8enGIcX0-p4/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-25.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
also passed by Dapa Island, another part of Burias Group of Islands. It didn’t
seem much like an island to me, though. It only looked like a flat rock
formation that emerged from the waters. We went around it via boat but never
actually stepped foot on it. As much as we would love to do so since every new
place is worth discovering, we took a pass, so we’d still have time to visit
Animasola Island only to be disappointed in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjLTFnYCWgEllg3m4Sy7rx_2nuLmo0iuv-eZm6-eAfNcBbXYhIiscdzfJFI73yV3LaY72EjcTlsgxjXstlRKq0sKB3lnAN70W4FCzBWMiVgjiQyfJPMyEFoeHOecOroec5x1CzFZ6_VQX/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-27.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjLTFnYCWgEllg3m4Sy7rx_2nuLmo0iuv-eZm6-eAfNcBbXYhIiscdzfJFI73yV3LaY72EjcTlsgxjXstlRKq0sKB3lnAN70W4FCzBWMiVgjiQyfJPMyEFoeHOecOroec5x1CzFZ6_VQX/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-27.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Animasola
Island, yet another part of Burias Group of Islands, was supposed to be our final
destination on our first day, but due to the strong winds and waves, the
boatmen decided against going anymore. It would be risky they said. We were
really excited to see the rock formations that the island’s most popular for,
though. We had been talking about it since the beginning of the island hopping.
Too bad there wasn’t anything that could be done about it anymore. Aww. Next
time perhaps? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Alibijaban
Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
small hut, a couple of tents, a make-do monoblock table – the only things that
made up our lodging in this island where we kept our things, prepared food and rested
for the night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For
your information, Alibijaban is still located along the borders of Quezon
province. This residential island was the first to grace our eyes, but it was
the last we explored since we had to prioritize Masbate. If there was any good
that this yielded, it was that we got to spend all of our second day enjoying
this place alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCPn4tyDZwsdZYL7Be4_WTMPxuIKXdboHvrIVIO9M4NNa3Ur4kzzEXgZoaRiT2zfsu0R6X81SQJpgQ4UTvg94h9g3bY15b7lxN1jKhskV-TQemcl8L8tr56iCJNqxdSBAqbFD1jeht0Kl/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCPn4tyDZwsdZYL7Be4_WTMPxuIKXdboHvrIVIO9M4NNa3Ur4kzzEXgZoaRiT2zfsu0R6X81SQJpgQ4UTvg94h9g3bY15b7lxN1jKhskV-TQemcl8L8tr56iCJNqxdSBAqbFD1jeht0Kl/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-19.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On
the one hand, the residential area is still raw, still isn’t inhabited by too
many locals, still a modest place. Electricity is only available from 6PM
onwards. Decent water is scarce too. There isn’t much to do but swim, but even
that wouldn’t be so incredible because of the seaweeds. On the other hand, the
island’s a long stretch that its other end is something else; at the other end
of the beach was where all the magic was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMV_6Vrwq00YE_3nFwTrmQ3fGRdngXCYRiaBBBP9Dnf4P5LDFPaoBowXthxyTii0pAVQteRoVZMVvSu0RzzEOyzkM7YDI9jb9bNT2JPEQua2jZlN8ecyapCRH_Ak16WzjwR7uslzoc-p3/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMV_6Vrwq00YE_3nFwTrmQ3fGRdngXCYRiaBBBP9Dnf4P5LDFPaoBowXthxyTii0pAVQteRoVZMVvSu0RzzEOyzkM7YDI9jb9bNT2JPEQua2jZlN8ecyapCRH_Ak16WzjwR7uslzoc-p3/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk-vdZHldE1rq818cFPjYnO2PULZxrmVTypr9vHlknnQZY8D_4FT2kghNmkI-G-cb3kK06KRm1KaEhQ70eByT9PPoz-BPErfY7Xh3kS3JYapFHunH7wE3ynRyTVFpL-L0Ia0BTerOm0OA/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-30.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk-vdZHldE1rq818cFPjYnO2PULZxrmVTypr9vHlknnQZY8D_4FT2kghNmkI-G-cb3kK06KRm1KaEhQ70eByT9PPoz-BPErfY7Xh3kS3JYapFHunH7wE3ynRyTVFpL-L0Ia0BTerOm0OA/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-30.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnDSaLa0d-3RDXzU4qnjvjsaPOzxUWqvQeywEahmnxb6e8wvTmYdEfV2I0N88s8lr_NBQospq0t6nRxRDQLSRQJrrlh4WvkXpLPKkLNEHIhKdNFWCjx7spUVhibov_rmPxdf8wMQgxs9L/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-31.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnDSaLa0d-3RDXzU4qnjvjsaPOzxUWqvQeywEahmnxb6e8wvTmYdEfV2I0N88s8lr_NBQospq0t6nRxRDQLSRQJrrlh4WvkXpLPKkLNEHIhKdNFWCjx7spUVhibov_rmPxdf8wMQgxs9L/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-31.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBMBcvt8t8s8oS_OYuL4_yq0opqMOgOp98lFOiuKxFUZ54Xm2D-0F9Ht4FoY1KMNB5YLKY0OTERRl8ZqXdWAwVta7IJ6eUeFcGIaoCfrtnIbwVrKzMDcHF9e0V5nY31lzSqXdWxhHch7R/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBMBcvt8t8s8oS_OYuL4_yq0opqMOgOp98lFOiuKxFUZ54Xm2D-0F9Ht4FoY1KMNB5YLKY0OTERRl8ZqXdWAwVta7IJ6eUeFcGIaoCfrtnIbwVrKzMDcHF9e0V5nY31lzSqXdWxhHch7R/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Alibijaban’s
isolated portion is pure nature. It is where another fine sandbar may be found,
but it is best known for its mangroves. Though they may not look that appealing
at first (big thanks to horror/suspense films for using them during creepy
scenes), they are actually nice to look at collectively. They are not that
tall. While the stems are not that chunky, the roots are the opposite. They are
huge and swarming. Their look during low tide kind of adds to the raw vibe in
the tropics. Low tide also means us being able to wander and play around, come
close to and actually go through the large beach forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7UuI6Jn1iItLKHOZgZfyRxgHM22FKjFPw5KVCRdR0SbV4BiC7mQWmHcJKvubVVegCN5OJJi9k8YMuCKbf2lDKO6NtyqMiGjIofG2Y9_nx-CMcOkFI9_UgssSpTSRn6bVT_YEds1knvoR/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-32.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7UuI6Jn1iItLKHOZgZfyRxgHM22FKjFPw5KVCRdR0SbV4BiC7mQWmHcJKvubVVegCN5OJJi9k8YMuCKbf2lDKO6NtyqMiGjIofG2Y9_nx-CMcOkFI9_UgssSpTSRn6bVT_YEds1knvoR/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-32.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGVi-McItylRjxZUiBSuje8v8upkSGBMoPL6jXf8KK1sIAaKZLq3TfWdZ8OVh3LKF6ZEfbwqhjkZC_4jeaaiWa4XKkZOC-iNykyMKIt_blbLXhlkG0MvEUF3HISMIJDErN9HjjJbzn7Zk/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGVi-McItylRjxZUiBSuje8v8upkSGBMoPL6jXf8KK1sIAaKZLq3TfWdZ8OVh3LKF6ZEfbwqhjkZC_4jeaaiWa4XKkZOC-iNykyMKIt_blbLXhlkG0MvEUF3HISMIJDErN9HjjJbzn7Zk/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-33.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Our
restless feet even brought us to this abandoned, elevated and worn-out hut
which was the coolest hangout spot after so much walking done. It was shaded
and had a table. We would’ve eaten lunch there except we left our food in the
boat, which as it would later turn out, was not a bad thing too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBTb0eX-58JZFbq_gR5ULr8NZv6KxYmTl03LfwajPPXfpbzbPAbUreZ7fPjgUSiuvdA8OSlkZ6eYu-bP-bKPnIjr4J8Pav472lJgRpP8BVWCrOe0_JCq4piKN__aCiOYzXAN-0YRYuYY2/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBTb0eX-58JZFbq_gR5ULr8NZv6KxYmTl03LfwajPPXfpbzbPAbUreZ7fPjgUSiuvdA8OSlkZ6eYu-bP-bKPnIjr4J8Pav472lJgRpP8BVWCrOe0_JCq4piKN__aCiOYzXAN-0YRYuYY2/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYBxfoLwy53DOYq1jop_LtEMl4ejFbC6HnOSdo3LfJu6zILI0O4g1trA2JF9RExnFBLR95cBxaZTHrIGuvRQX2zxj8CC6tfjCstHR3wZlyptqulbfQSoZBddEopnOzZs39NNvXQribJZ1/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYBxfoLwy53DOYq1jop_LtEMl4ejFbC6HnOSdo3LfJu6zILI0O4g1trA2JF9RExnFBLR95cBxaZTHrIGuvRQX2zxj8CC6tfjCstHR3wZlyptqulbfQSoZBddEopnOzZs39NNvXQribJZ1/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One
and a half days, three islands and no proper swimming just yet – because island
hopping was just really island hopping, more about taking all the view in,
appreciating the colors, feeling the air, not wanting to miss anything on the
itinerary of islands. We couldn’t let this be all there’d be, so we asked our
boatmen to take us in the middle of the sea where we could enjoy some sun and
swim our heart away. It was our adventure capper. We just floated there then
snorkeled a bit. Lunch, even though just made up of some canned goods, boiled
eggs and dinner leftover liempos, was still awesome because we had it on our
boat by the water, and that doesn’t happen everyday. Lunch by the boat was made
more fun by my friends’ antics, as I watch them struggle, slip and eventually
fall off the boat in an effort to actually get on the boat. Mantra at that
moment was laugh first before helping, and they didn’t get mad about it at all.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1SlB1Afi8brwYCStZHHfceCZud3t9oRbkQ-4gxypeor3Q6plAeJ80Qcb9y9rYbPvzLncBjWWbHFgunAe0m-T4d3qiEFgmL6Bjw5vGeOZroYePqHaCyluaZtQfjkfEHeXP89Mfxv6S4DG/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-34.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1SlB1Afi8brwYCStZHHfceCZud3t9oRbkQ-4gxypeor3Q6plAeJ80Qcb9y9rYbPvzLncBjWWbHFgunAe0m-T4d3qiEFgmL6Bjw5vGeOZroYePqHaCyluaZtQfjkfEHeXP89Mfxv6S4DG/s640/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-34.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As
with our island hopping experience, I had been so accustomed to the idea of <i>hopping
</i>as something stress-free<i> – </i>just quickly and smoothly sailing from
one island to another. Oh, how wrong was
I to think that this time. Gratefully, the somewhat harrowing boat rides for
hours lost their impact on us the moment we were off the boat and onto the
sand. Clichéd? You could say that, but honest to goodness, it really was what
happened, and I couldn’t come up with any other way of better putting it. There
could be no better compliment to an island. From Alibijaban to Tinalisayan, it
took us roughly two hours; from Tinalisayan to the other islands, travel time
was more or less 45 minutes to an hour each. The waves weren’t so friendly
either. Then there was also the high heat. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ8y5IrzseLDP-Svl4FVY5T7ebhjzwfsdRjqkQH6meUe3VxWUbooiI43pDZkXeOOAIubsx054f9qI3KOxJq_IAbdYee9vzz1wo-rCVEmQx-I3Ypk4gLoF2iAb4J9dhRDeTVnPLY9gVJhO/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ8y5IrzseLDP-Svl4FVY5T7ebhjzwfsdRjqkQH6meUe3VxWUbooiI43pDZkXeOOAIubsx054f9qI3KOxJq_IAbdYee9vzz1wo-rCVEmQx-I3Ypk4gLoF2iAb4J9dhRDeTVnPLY9gVJhO/s400/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-3.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If
I’m not mistaken, there are two routes from Lucena travellers can take to get
here. The one we followed was the one where, from Turbina, we were dropped off
at Lucena Grand Terminal where a van picked us up and took us to San Andres
Port via the Pagbilao-Catanauan route. Travel time from Turbina to Lucena Grand
Terminal was three hours; from there to the port was another three to four
hours sans the traffic. From there, we rode a boat for less than 30 minutes to
get to Alibijaban Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A-DYgd14Lik4cWkFFhK-3rkEc1PIQmXt4MdijwM_xPYOVlQFviZV1KGIlQ9OZCR9_w34T7dS5XyHVPh7Lpg20epMOZHCOoi0CunDQNhBEc8EZ8wgjPUw5a-vHLL_ejQh9Er3xDgii0o6/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A-DYgd14Lik4cWkFFhK-3rkEc1PIQmXt4MdijwM_xPYOVlQFviZV1KGIlQ9OZCR9_w34T7dS5XyHVPh7Lpg20epMOZHCOoi0CunDQNhBEc8EZ8wgjPUw5a-vHLL_ejQh9Er3xDgii0o6/s400/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-21.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Even
with these beautiful photos and high praises, I still somehow feel that I am
not even halfway close to describing how heavenly these islands truly are. So
what if they are pretty in photographs, they are 10 times better in the flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Wi7cHK7S7vewuuxSy8phD8fcIkhcFnxgcxgmgRSJ8n5d0361_NwC0qWvYbDysN3KxjFrFve8WYDLR6QJVUhMXdn2f5aEsyTj2B0-eCIRZUXKJfBvAkFdK5cNoPsJ7cVfwWTQBfZmAxV3/s1600/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Wi7cHK7S7vewuuxSy8phD8fcIkhcFnxgcxgmgRSJ8n5d0361_NwC0qWvYbDysN3KxjFrFve8WYDLR6QJVUhMXdn2f5aEsyTj2B0-eCIRZUXKJfBvAkFdK5cNoPsJ7cVfwWTQBfZmAxV3/s400/Alibijaban%252C+Tinalisayan+and+Sombrero+Islands+2016-20.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Special
mention to our organizers this year, Nhika Marfil and Sarah Danao, for putting
this trip together! You’re the best! Also to Joeyleen, who, despite being the
birthday celebrator, found joy in preparing food for everybody. With this in
mind, we couldn’t let all her efforts be for nothing. We did our part by
surprising her with gifts as she welcomed her birthday with us! We could tell
she was more than surprised; she was thankful and content. We were happy with her
happiness! Happy birthday again, Juwie!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bottom
line of this post: Why did I only learn about Masbate just now?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well,
better late than never.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now
I’m ready for Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Watch
our adventure video at: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFV4B39bgo"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFV4B39bgo</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 667px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.95in;" valign="top" width="667">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fees
and fares:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">P320<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">two-way
fare Turbina-Lucena Grand Terminal (Bus)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">P540<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">two-way
fare Lucena Grand Terminal-San Andres Port (Van)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">P8000 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">island
hopping fee for Burias Group of Islands and Alibijaban Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">P200 (2 pax)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">tent
rent in Alibijaban Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">P1000 (6pax)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">hut
rent in Alibijaban Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">P100<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">entrance
fee <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">P60<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">cost
of water per drum in Alibijaban Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Photo sources: Catherine Nhika Marfil &
Antoniette Pulutan</span>NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-70298065869512587412016-10-27T00:24:00.000-07:002016-10-27T00:24:50.044-07:00The Happy List: Random List #11<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Writing this one right here right now because I have
been aching to do this in a long while, and I’m feeling laidback today!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr4BbbvaWn9uWcRst8VQLcW9AbWveb6nfF4VJDuI-mZCMPG7fW6gneg9GAajssilJhTDqER1JQv59BTY22_rwaRMQv_ag9hyphenhyphenwN1JSjIJb0BA_nh59FDihx0k61oPW_nDgGnVGMWbQjNvP/s1600/The+Happy+List+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyr4BbbvaWn9uWcRst8VQLcW9AbWveb6nfF4VJDuI-mZCMPG7fW6gneg9GAajssilJhTDqER1JQv59BTY22_rwaRMQv_ag9hyphenhyphenwN1JSjIJb0BA_nh59FDihx0k61oPW_nDgGnVGMWbQjNvP/s640/The+Happy+List+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That broke-but-happy attitude
<i>#thanksAlanisMorissette</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, Penny, Amy,
Bernadette, Stuart!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Narcos S02 and having a crush on the Steve Murphy
actor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another mini-writing feat (which happened a while
back but still makes me happy to this date so…)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seasoned fries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Levita’s pork sisig, my all-time favorite</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lanterns on display in front of our house making me
look forward to going home every night and to CHRISTMAS</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giving poetry a shot, not caring if my poems sound
elementary, but still hoping deep inside they don’t sound like that at all
hahaha</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coffee by Miguel / Breathe by Rhodes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realizing that I’ve been to the beach seven times
this year; that's major!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surprising a dear friend</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trying even when there’s a low chance of getting that
something. It’s the trying that matters. :)</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy,
that makes happiness.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 5.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>– <span style="background: white;">Charles Spurgeon</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Happiness
is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> – </span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Mahatma Gandhi</span></i></span>NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-77851825498482811062016-10-18T21:45:00.000-07:002016-10-18T21:45:00.177-07:00Laiya 2016: Years Later, What Changed?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysAxU7qS6rTAZagYM-iNvA5NaQlTyzKWsIi61pvjwYXx-TR2RVIM1ijqeC_-cfKDfJ43gJtwq9ANQfLt0OyZETN2nVJm-84v0QGz9fpGC0JsX1pXmu60hrncLFGQivF-dVPhawOeVsM2B/s1600/Laiya+2016-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysAxU7qS6rTAZagYM-iNvA5NaQlTyzKWsIi61pvjwYXx-TR2RVIM1ijqeC_-cfKDfJ43gJtwq9ANQfLt0OyZETN2nVJm-84v0QGz9fpGC0JsX1pXmu60hrncLFGQivF-dVPhawOeVsM2B/s640/Laiya+2016-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Some
places strike me as ordinary<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>To
me, it was all this was before<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Yes,
it’s the beach, but nothing about it’s noteworthy<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Some
sand, some shore, nothing more<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>A
little bit fine, a little bit pale, that’s all<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I
know I’ve been to prettier places<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Too
proud, too smart, too tall<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But
that was no excuse to be savage <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Looking
at you now, things have gotten better<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Regretful,
I was just blindsided<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>All
these ill remarks, blandness a-waiver<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Much
was left unexplored, undiscovered<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>By
me, who deemed herself tall <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sorry
I looked at you small<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sorry
I looked at you small</i></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOICveHx2V6TMW1VLFsjl-6Uv_YFj8muNlF8W9q-6CPccx39S2IVMm414TkWXBKDtLlc99SelHy103ywtJJfzE1DCvuMZhy9sYzPhtx4FOl8R6Ecx7O-55Ta5beEK0XNTjwawPchpWCRRk/s1600/Laiya+2016-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOICveHx2V6TMW1VLFsjl-6Uv_YFj8muNlF8W9q-6CPccx39S2IVMm414TkWXBKDtLlc99SelHy103ywtJJfzE1DCvuMZhy9sYzPhtx4FOl8R6Ecx7O-55Ta5beEK0XNTjwawPchpWCRRk/s640/Laiya+2016-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Laiya
is different from the one I’d been to before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Laiya
is coastline pretty, but what good is its long strip of sandy shores if not for
some leisurely stroll? We went a number of times during those two days, first
upon our arrival early in the night, then a couple more on our second day. We
happily went resort hopping, but that was just as far as being able to see the
facades from the shore would go. I mean, of course we wouldn’t be let in. Lol! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOngWzf6lG8ai3fShW2IyHmyFCKKN-g5DCIdhaBE4bYCAYbA-IihDHG0cEjkCgXbMd4lqvuG27HV5uiqz83TqrDlkwpgMNon8Sa4DQjftpUbX1oJQDZUymTO5oV3eMICn10om7jDC8R83-/s1600/Laiya+2016-14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOngWzf6lG8ai3fShW2IyHmyFCKKN-g5DCIdhaBE4bYCAYbA-IihDHG0cEjkCgXbMd4lqvuG27HV5uiqz83TqrDlkwpgMNon8Sa4DQjftpUbX1oJQDZUymTO5oV3eMICn10om7jDC8R83-/s640/Laiya+2016-14.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2WUYByrolXWsubhTh9vac1JO5pxqt2lTt4QqOIWX9GahNmJhrpTt5vEeqLo7DS-w4Dlywah1jQ8F2CaJvwLzqkOFRReAkDnwOq2cbghMDVE7X7GLzvkcPEMJnQc_rHJ2WkvPynMidFhO/s1600/Laiya+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2WUYByrolXWsubhTh9vac1JO5pxqt2lTt4QqOIWX9GahNmJhrpTt5vEeqLo7DS-w4Dlywah1jQ8F2CaJvwLzqkOFRReAkDnwOq2cbghMDVE7X7GLzvkcPEMJnQc_rHJ2WkvPynMidFhO/s640/Laiya+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The high-end resorts’ frontages really got me wanting to enter them. They were
fancy, decorated with deluxe benches, hammocks and lifeguard stations. They
were inviting, taking on themed ambiances per resort. They were intriguing, because if the facades
were already that pretty, imagine how much more the rooms and pools could be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWm8oi4p3vipM0hgysX2vp1MIZah6-n-DL_f7MRwaCib1qyy3EQlQig4yH_dHwEiHzkvzQ6hrKFLGjz-7l_NLC3XiGv2UeKDKcHMpoyENO1svf8P1RhCEDA-l3DrHozxKL2EypeMAEWl2/s1600/Laiya+2016-22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWm8oi4p3vipM0hgysX2vp1MIZah6-n-DL_f7MRwaCib1qyy3EQlQig4yH_dHwEiHzkvzQ6hrKFLGjz-7l_NLC3XiGv2UeKDKcHMpoyENO1svf8P1RhCEDA-l3DrHozxKL2EypeMAEWl2/s640/Laiya+2016-22.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpnXp3WTK2jDErr9Yuho5OBQxZU7PwZeYTD4N7vkVxIsJUH8hAHu__wnAfmk4WAzP-iQ99c66CTBGAwxKkfXeXgeQjjr4xy86Ew0Cm375jIeiJtWQl6uNwQuKesOM7GuRmfxXx_tS_jQs/s1600/Laiya+2016-21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpnXp3WTK2jDErr9Yuho5OBQxZU7PwZeYTD4N7vkVxIsJUH8hAHu__wnAfmk4WAzP-iQ99c66CTBGAwxKkfXeXgeQjjr4xy86Ew0Cm375jIeiJtWQl6uNwQuKesOM7GuRmfxXx_tS_jQs/s640/Laiya+2016-21.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
am not sure how many we were then, maybe around 40 people?! That was a lot. Imagine
all of Jason’s clan adventuring together. This was also why we stayed at the
budget-friendlier side of the beach (I couldn’t remember the exact name of the
resort though), because of the expenses, which was not a problem at all because
none of us were finicky. Besides, we weren’t there for the accommodation; we
were there for the beach, and the beach was the same anywhere we looked out
there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well,
actually, not really. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbTQXIKbatQzVNKrE1CokxT0LqiX_PzrtFoFCV9-4CaIm4nkQLrNFQkZCb3BmQzs3iOU4BgkqBCoFH7IFHAG_czyWPs7rCrWKbDUPfa-Ml7KXxc44oPmxPM-n-aDElGho3EDGVOKHYvK2/s1600/Laiya+2016-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbTQXIKbatQzVNKrE1CokxT0LqiX_PzrtFoFCV9-4CaIm4nkQLrNFQkZCb3BmQzs3iOU4BgkqBCoFH7IFHAG_czyWPs7rCrWKbDUPfa-Ml7KXxc44oPmxPM-n-aDElGho3EDGVOKHYvK2/s640/Laiya+2016-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
mentioned a while ago that we went resort hopping, right? And since we couldn’t
get inside the resorts because we didn’t pay one dime for anything, we just
dipped in the saltwater (now that’s free stuff haha, priceless even haha) in
between walks to forget the fact that the resorts could stay a mystery forever.
So while swimming, I observed how the sand underwater in front of and near our
accommodation was fine and a bit rockier on the farther side of the beach where
some expensive resorts were located.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8EbFQZ7ZkZmS2M-pYjlgYYk_juofgxLchpZJdYMaqmlms4olAdzKCx0OE24PdQPZPYbCKhuc21XNqJi0BRxUBgwavOpNfSRQ0Cv_9HW0_46atbZvlvzTtBD-I7O_uAjyPkbsGrkY8W4Z/s1600/Laiya+2016-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8EbFQZ7ZkZmS2M-pYjlgYYk_juofgxLchpZJdYMaqmlms4olAdzKCx0OE24PdQPZPYbCKhuc21XNqJi0BRxUBgwavOpNfSRQ0Cv_9HW0_46atbZvlvzTtBD-I7O_uAjyPkbsGrkY8W4Z/s640/Laiya+2016-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbcUBuRMphQo0QmxEWqvJLx2_fcpMoKNXXudgydZi7fhIoElDQwWw8mDV9g-e04391IFwx_GTwUmN8SVAPkrlqmvNj8JvFK9_yi_BKYbRnUqzgN_lBSl-_BKVluzI0m8uXy9JOOQZKHQU/s1600/Laiya+2016-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbcUBuRMphQo0QmxEWqvJLx2_fcpMoKNXXudgydZi7fhIoElDQwWw8mDV9g-e04391IFwx_GTwUmN8SVAPkrlqmvNj8JvFK9_yi_BKYbRnUqzgN_lBSl-_BKVluzI0m8uXy9JOOQZKHQU/s640/Laiya+2016-17.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And
since the last time I had been to Laiya was way back six or seven years ago, I
couldn’t help but notice how much has changed. I remember how limited the
things we could do around the area were. Aside from swimming and sunbathing,
there wasn’t much of anything else to kill time. But that was long before.
Right now, an evident improvement in the area is the availability of other activities.
Boatmen offer island hopping, parasailing, flying fish, kayaking, and banana
boating packages, the last of which we excitedly availed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjVLNUuzaA7IS4GFiKsdWF2LQ6BPTXPKzDnePTgz9SQaUeOivzD4VigMQQyDCgoDaI9QzjN9Z8OA2wcehaBWjQNxUUAo_n5deG380RF5VYaomafg9ggLho979k9mfow1Jl3TpjR-_P2vj/s1600/Laiya+2016-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjVLNUuzaA7IS4GFiKsdWF2LQ6BPTXPKzDnePTgz9SQaUeOivzD4VigMQQyDCgoDaI9QzjN9Z8OA2wcehaBWjQNxUUAo_n5deG380RF5VYaomafg9ggLho979k9mfow1Jl3TpjR-_P2vj/s640/Laiya+2016-9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Renting
a banana boat, we divided our group into four to five batches to accommodate
everyone and all our different riding conditions. You see, the oldie aunts and
uncles didn’t want to make the boat flip, but us younger ones so wished to fall
off it many times. It was already my second time doing this, but the adrenaline
rush was still so high. But know what was even nicer? More than the thrill and
action, it was the landscape. You might say, “Again?!” But what can I tell you,
landscapes are pretty! Some spots in Laiya can only be seen and/or reached by
riding a boat. We didn’t land ashore, but we didn’t have to just to appreciate
the <i>beauté</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_r-5cSyXAzNP3K6JbWMmJjC0hBP70SAiD7K-KyfRxJYbAy1I4N61xvJDL1eQ939CD2CbiGaO53oqkSBXHi6fdRgYKWK59tpAA1zqxBhOvYWwwWHrov5Jt_qBzDwWUBR9SLyysMxFxfip/s1600/Laiya+2016-10.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_r-5cSyXAzNP3K6JbWMmJjC0hBP70SAiD7K-KyfRxJYbAy1I4N61xvJDL1eQ939CD2CbiGaO53oqkSBXHi6fdRgYKWK59tpAA1zqxBhOvYWwwWHrov5Jt_qBzDwWUBR9SLyysMxFxfip/s640/Laiya+2016-10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Even
without stepping foot on these <i>new</i>
shores, I’d still even go as far as saying that maybe the parts I saw could be
more beautiful than the common strip of shore where most of the accommodations
are situated. Why? Two things: because some look like they are as is, you know,
not yet exploited by commercialization, while the others look like they’ve
already been bought exclusively and are now undergoing development – two
opposing conditions but both promising.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMZ_GnK0xO3Es-NQON_L-2Ax_KEgIylvgkEn8LvBIq5z0Aif0fPzmFrdV1bM2vwYSOPjBKDj6UDwy0JQ05jjCVg9sbUvtDAKeMqJXJ-5F64Ggu0-tCt7YDS4DB3VN728JU2Qyqbwbjwam/s1600/Laiya+2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMZ_GnK0xO3Es-NQON_L-2Ax_KEgIylvgkEn8LvBIq5z0Aif0fPzmFrdV1bM2vwYSOPjBKDj6UDwy0JQ05jjCVg9sbUvtDAKeMqJXJ-5F64Ggu0-tCt7YDS4DB3VN728JU2Qyqbwbjwam/s640/Laiya+2016-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By
the way, one can take either of two roads to Laiya: via San Pablo, Laguna then
Quezon or STAR Tollway then Ibaan Exit in Batangas. We followed the former
which took us about three and a half hours, more or less.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqkOxB-PtSbZXDdjrFznatOqgfoNdRlFNH1AqMXLZoUtnOnvTJilavlYS7UeCxGB1XY735GovWdW4-d61CutSrKad3CvVD1cBsPuUQwuUsV8vKS6xdgSopwW_577JM9VdRSNugL6VQZoS/s1600/Laiya+2016-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqkOxB-PtSbZXDdjrFznatOqgfoNdRlFNH1AqMXLZoUtnOnvTJilavlYS7UeCxGB1XY735GovWdW4-d61CutSrKad3CvVD1cBsPuUQwuUsV8vKS6xdgSopwW_577JM9VdRSNugL6VQZoS/s640/Laiya+2016-19.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6LmddNNgqi7L6sRCq8lAsFmvvdfzV_704yLVqUel7FW9gAUZperCzql7N5TQVFnwL80XVVzzimJV_DF8nKrl1KP29Vg66sc9oNSz0DAbUVoAtvaTfGhQGoYTHd3JpNLfnmsHkq9bAEsT/s1600/Laiya+2016-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6LmddNNgqi7L6sRCq8lAsFmvvdfzV_704yLVqUel7FW9gAUZperCzql7N5TQVFnwL80XVVzzimJV_DF8nKrl1KP29Vg66sc9oNSz0DAbUVoAtvaTfGhQGoYTHd3JpNLfnmsHkq9bAEsT/s640/Laiya+2016-16.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With
all that I have experienced in this trip, I feel a bit regretful. Not for this
trip but for the past years that I had lived underestimating this Batangueño
gem. I was so naïve to think so little of this accessible <i>paradiso</i>. I wouldn’t get so hyped whenever we’d visit here. Conceited
me would just go, “Uh, uh-kay.” Wow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So
what if Laiya was a bit raw before? A beach is a beach, something one doesn’t
get to see every day in the life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiWzAYoVRj52exDAi9sK2QsWQRHYIAQ7aD28iTe1FL5zCAtZJMIkcG9RIv3tI2iFmOa4pSsfAmNVqEFgrhsBgW2wm_WNr7ivvn4Vm_xXsG07n9ENGKHcm0gaZtIHzjhQHaQkKAnDqRtNC/s1600/Laiya+2016-13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiWzAYoVRj52exDAi9sK2QsWQRHYIAQ7aD28iTe1FL5zCAtZJMIkcG9RIv3tI2iFmOa4pSsfAmNVqEFgrhsBgW2wm_WNr7ivvn4Vm_xXsG07n9ENGKHcm0gaZtIHzjhQHaQkKAnDqRtNC/s640/Laiya+2016-13.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr0nTFdT97s-NifSKGZTugZZgtjA1VXSue7tU9oMMq4uoi12D7yXXXCq5oSfAr3j1YKjMTt2qaiU4l6r_gyyxE3In6xCJOpRgHvlCBAXrWvjMg01qa0cYnu6fz56EMMGn8lZQBMi9-zHE/s1600/Laiya+2016-18.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr0nTFdT97s-NifSKGZTugZZgtjA1VXSue7tU9oMMq4uoi12D7yXXXCq5oSfAr3j1YKjMTt2qaiU4l6r_gyyxE3In6xCJOpRgHvlCBAXrWvjMg01qa0cYnu6fz56EMMGn8lZQBMi9-zHE/s640/Laiya+2016-18.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
getaway wouldn’t have been possible if not for Sir Ronnie and Tita Nida’s
outpour of love. You see, it was their 23rd Wedding Anniversary, a feat truly worth
celebrating. And since this couple has been in servitude of the Lord for many
years already, it’s no wonder they're lasting this long. I can even attest to
this couple's being #goals, and not just in the cutesy and superficial criteria
but the real deal, as in the <i>quality</i>
kind. They put God above everything else. They value family so much. They help.
Selflessly, they share, take this outing for instance. Thanks to them for
sponsoring and for having us to celebrate their marriage with them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ_2OPPT-qX0b-9x04GEs7JXAHm3URpBD9MwE_IZHy6HWPG0IOQu5ZdGu65hRhVEzS4pGsJOx_C7VsnBv4YMgDpbLB3gldHZhEYy-YxzPny9QeW8Z_yDSyiP1TvIqPoPLLhb9XQVab9u-/s1600/Laiya+2016-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ_2OPPT-qX0b-9x04GEs7JXAHm3URpBD9MwE_IZHy6HWPG0IOQu5ZdGu65hRhVEzS4pGsJOx_C7VsnBv4YMgDpbLB3gldHZhEYy-YxzPny9QeW8Z_yDSyiP1TvIqPoPLLhb9XQVab9u-/s640/Laiya+2016-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
has been my second trip this “-ber” season, and I’m just overjoyed because I
didn’t expect to have an extra outing in Batangas this year. What’s more is
this will not be the last for me this season. Yes, another beach trip is in the
works. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">*Photos
by Ann Alcaraz, EJ Dela Cruz, Ronnie Dela Cruz, and yours truly!<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-63434767663885584742016-10-06T01:05:00.000-07:002016-10-06T01:05:39.784-07:00THE WKND SPECIAL Vol. 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiG0tVGpG0PSZ7sXykCvQI_srWonXykJEc9sKGvG1W_1grzG6VRmZ0KdxE4mb08sMfDRc-T5j2LXYQbypkoMSidRp21BoxoBil-K9u_AsRkjeFo2qST2lYPGF8CJkDU3V9hN2L9gm_DYf/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiG0tVGpG0PSZ7sXykCvQI_srWonXykJEc9sKGvG1W_1grzG6VRmZ0KdxE4mb08sMfDRc-T5j2LXYQbypkoMSidRp21BoxoBil-K9u_AsRkjeFo2qST2lYPGF8CJkDU3V9hN2L9gm_DYf/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is a late post
but <i>whatever</i>. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">September 01, 2016 |
Phillip’s Birthday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Family time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There’s no easier
and faster way to gather the family than by the mention of <i>*you know it*</i> FOOD. It always works! Haha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was my cousin
Phillip’s birthday + we also really wanted to visit his family’s new home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QA40ovic0JzQhjF9rmZ1wce0mDSLLxd4HOQhxmiPclW2kl1EMJkbSfzD6kbYi5bxNkoChiOQJGAU86JVLqYAgda_UhlQMx9j_IZxl_gyayxdFxUmqvLwKLNGN8Vcy4C-qp00kMEvF52A/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QA40ovic0JzQhjF9rmZ1wce0mDSLLxd4HOQhxmiPclW2kl1EMJkbSfzD6kbYi5bxNkoChiOQJGAU86JVLqYAgda_UhlQMx9j_IZxl_gyayxdFxUmqvLwKLNGN8Vcy4C-qp00kMEvF52A/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The new home is
huge! And pretty! And near ours so that’s great news! I’m so happy I got to
visit! It has plenty of rooms and space, manicured lawns, a large balcony, high
ceilings, nice furniture. Aaah! #GOALS Hahaha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a pretty
intimate night with mostly just us relatives there. Dinner was simple but
complete with pasta, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, veggies, and desserts. The
rest of the evening was mostly spent by the front yard. Cousins, aunts, uncles,
nieces, nephews, and even dogs came and went sporadically. School activity,
work, social life, and household chores could get in the way of people’s
schedules, but we would always try to make do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrMYmUDY02_czfqaMSx0bipwEY-WSgwXz8DwakSupCdgRaQQv4Yz0-kYe0ro7qbR33dDT44KE08zkKUBi95jMrCYUz1GTcz4w0fJ3WR7pWOWEc5TtlikH0jESs0LnP1hU5Pf1xnbg_hYe/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrMYmUDY02_czfqaMSx0bipwEY-WSgwXz8DwakSupCdgRaQQv4Yz0-kYe0ro7qbR33dDT44KE08zkKUBi95jMrCYUz1GTcz4w0fJ3WR7pWOWEc5TtlikH0jESs0LnP1hU5Pf1xnbg_hYe/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy birthday again,
Phillip! He’s 26 now I think? :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">September 03, 2016 |
Isaw Date/Spontaneous Road trip with College Friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So this was supposed
to only be just a simple and quick meet-up with friends. We were just really
missing the <i>isawan</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you live in
Tanauan or Sto. Tomas in Batangas or anywhere near this place, you’ll know
which specific <i>isawan</i> I’m referring
to! In my personal opinion, this <i>isawan</i>
has the best street food out there. And the vinegar sauce, I can’t even explain
how much I love this food spot’s <i>suka</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtG2hE5m8masPhhyiOFlo55FM-UllfjKVSbd18f9nnWjCq6iqsB_DV2CzGRW0hlAFLnMbarzUNvce795eoV7rHWR249bQ9MEShZDSZ8mbZHGP7cRZHmpz9G46rWOJdFO9VsKetPO4omBG/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtG2hE5m8masPhhyiOFlo55FM-UllfjKVSbd18f9nnWjCq6iqsB_DV2CzGRW0hlAFLnMbarzUNvce795eoV7rHWR249bQ9MEShZDSZ8mbZHGP7cRZHmpz9G46rWOJdFO9VsKetPO4omBG/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This <i>isawan</i> played a great part in helping us
survive college life. This place witnessed some crazy hilarity among friends,
the coming and going of people in our lives and the stress eating caused by
school deadlines. Hahaha, crazy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After eating stick
after stick after stick of chicken intestines and other innards, we had nowhere
else to go, no plans. Since Aileen Mame was Lipa-bound to buy some lippies, we
thought we should go with her for some road trip fun, so we did. We were, as
usual, laughing the whole time, the laughter mainly brought to us by Mame, her
driving skills and candid funniness. We were laughing out our nerves 70% of the
time while she was driving because she is still new to this whole driving thing.
It was even her first time to drive at the expressway which was nuts! Hahaha! It
isn’t the safest road trip I’ve had but surely one of the most memorable ones,
what with our lives on the line. At least it became an interesting story. LOL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">September 16, 2016 |
UPLB Fridate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jason and I always
go on our LB dates on Fridays because they serve as our simple workweek capper.
Dates are always a good idea, and UPLB’s the nearest place that can get us
going for a long time without boring ourselves out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And finally, Big
Belly’s again! Remember that <u>last time</u> in July that we were here? That
time when it was <i>*gasp*</i> closed? Thank
heavens it was only temporary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We got there around
past six after work, so we got to order and finish our plates of Cheesy Garlic
Chickens in peace – no whiners, no panicky waiters, no long queues, very few
occupied tables! I’d say it was a good time to recapitulate the whole workweek.
:)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OXi_5lM-pTjj3qANJFxjpcjPQybmJ1lRGOxSqo1rqk0QjiokVfM5vRVZGZjP4l9hjAI75ki096As_3H9QOqW5OV1ain4HhTE5IHLqHwE058IKbNnajeskEhdzHqJHNuRTO0UjK-meh40/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OXi_5lM-pTjj3qANJFxjpcjPQybmJ1lRGOxSqo1rqk0QjiokVfM5vRVZGZjP4l9hjAI75ki096As_3H9QOqW5OV1ain4HhTE5IHLqHwE058IKbNnajeskEhdzHqJHNuRTO0UjK-meh40/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We then went
strolling around the area, like we always do. Going in and out of shops to
check out whatever, we were just basically killing time. We were enjoying
ourselves too much that we didn’t notice the time. It was already 9, so we
started looking for this particular food trike. I chanced upon this food trike
online when my cousin posted a photo of it. It got me feeling intrigued, and it
so happened to be in UPLB so win-win for us! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5zt1c0U-wpfhHl2rIK-U932tg0Cg2KUYVVYosDHlQzG5ynqrDDs2lsh9ryTzZLhc-f4_myvcyR3nlZWy9aP5INqaShECp9rnTqZdxzTyhIXplqaEIc1uBk6NytdxhaQOlEOTJTFj5D7x/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5zt1c0U-wpfhHl2rIK-U932tg0Cg2KUYVVYosDHlQzG5ynqrDDs2lsh9ryTzZLhc-f4_myvcyR3nlZWy9aP5INqaShECp9rnTqZdxzTyhIXplqaEIc1uBk6NytdxhaQOlEOTJTFj5D7x/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-8.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Interestingly, this
food trike only comes over every 9 or so each night. The idea is the
driver/server sets different menus every night, so it’s always something else
every time. What <i>manong</i> offers is
cheap, ranging from P10-P40, and pretty unique for street food fare. On that
particular Friday, there were <i>macarogna</i>
(obviously a play between the classic baked mac and lasagna), yema cake NHN
(NHN stands for “na hindi nakakataba”) and pizza! They are good enough for what
you pay for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5ctQRHEfjdrgX3v5KdmurW1-tyNwmuCR2kedoROZ5tLsRkuiCQNHPOW_gg8jV4Bthjf_oc9fP6q1eFQu2lOUHCoaBwURa5M7BBsF4lOhYsywoEirUXRUDg8zQQgtmTIxNzG_0MUJuGTa/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5ctQRHEfjdrgX3v5KdmurW1-tyNwmuCR2kedoROZ5tLsRkuiCQNHPOW_gg8jV4Bthjf_oc9fP6q1eFQu2lOUHCoaBwURa5M7BBsF4lOhYsywoEirUXRUDg8zQQgtmTIxNzG_0MUJuGTa/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This food trike is
perfect for students who are on the go and down to their last straw of
allowance for the week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">September 24, 2016 |
Antoniette’s Birthday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was Antoniette’s
or, as we so fondly call her, Tegs’s 24<sup>th</sup> birthday! How come she’s
only 24? Boo, haha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This has become a
yearly thing for my college best buddies and me. How would this not become a
yearly thing when the celebrant/celebrator knows how to cook so well and does
not just prepare enough but floods the table with too much food goodness? Feel
us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbU1Id95iTl4XUPm32Rf4H-Dopzc-fD-0mCd39bkM48gFbtKiSXzRZYNa0tTf9cBZRyvb70fwVTdZ5silzcFSMnmWdNi8AZFbAajoLsXa9TA7lz8QQTV45D-Vt2ly7sDDHnLG-7YsjZuV/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbU1Id95iTl4XUPm32Rf4H-Dopzc-fD-0mCd39bkM48gFbtKiSXzRZYNa0tTf9cBZRyvb70fwVTdZ5silzcFSMnmWdNi8AZFbAajoLsXa9TA7lz8QQTV45D-Vt2ly7sDDHnLG-7YsjZuV/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since it was also
Zhello’s birthday last September 14, she, along with Antoniette, received
quirky gifts from us too. When I say quirky, I mean something I’m not
comfortable showing here and something they wouldn’t wanna use in public! Haha!
Btw, Roc’s also a September baby, but he didn’t make it. He still contributed
to the party, though. :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhyphenhyphenjxUvIQYRk3UKfwjfWU6qSTRQ84tiKuoqq8ww_b74WYMlArOZs1d7qbNFMS5uxcm3KTjLit5xwowm0YW1bF3dIVYViwGKs641ufGWXGEt2hg2R6VylSgwaA8TndVu_nz6zKBt2REImI/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhyphenhyphenjxUvIQYRk3UKfwjfWU6qSTRQ84tiKuoqq8ww_b74WYMlArOZs1d7qbNFMS5uxcm3KTjLit5xwowm0YW1bF3dIVYViwGKs641ufGWXGEt2hg2R6VylSgwaA8TndVu_nz6zKBt2REImI/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxQ4xPsOHJ99d7ZnSaGz3c2QGfoW_HT7wV76T08V_j40lTsNz8Hvc88XPWusQsek9JQ9GtwZbx9mvubQxx4YFlhhAOMQW62BbA8u1oEtaQmmjxrdmenANFrHT4ixnq5_865ZQ_slW7lRW/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxQ4xPsOHJ99d7ZnSaGz3c2QGfoW_HT7wV76T08V_j40lTsNz8Hvc88XPWusQsek9JQ9GtwZbx9mvubQxx4YFlhhAOMQW62BbA8u1oEtaQmmjxrdmenANFrHT4ixnq5_865ZQ_slW7lRW/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQSFulwBMJ1jqYVVVKWkWgBIPWzJcHmjt05jraPYuIUpmlBbz3x1ZokDbk7OyoO3jR4Ypvtrr55H9iLVCxNMWjAcBz87cnhwnNI8YJGZbylKDiIFDtmcj3Dd2D5ZjLAaTsEv1Cga_XQiD/s1600/the+wknd+special+vol+9-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQSFulwBMJ1jqYVVVKWkWgBIPWzJcHmjt05jraPYuIUpmlBbz3x1ZokDbk7OyoO3jR4Ypvtrr55H9iLVCxNMWjAcBz87cnhwnNI8YJGZbylKDiIFDtmcj3Dd2D5ZjLAaTsEv1Cga_XQiD/s640/the+wknd+special+vol+9-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We were all just
either in Antoniette’s room lying around and making fun of each other or at the
big table munching on food the moment we already felt hungry from too much
laughing. Yup, laughing can be tiring. How can you not laugh too much while
watching friends struggle to do sit-ups?! Imagine their crumpled facial
expressions every rep? Haha! Aaaan yuuup, we were living the boss life for a day.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As for Roc, Zhello
and Antoniette, I wish happiness and light and love for them! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Belated happy
birthday, friends! xx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo
sources: Antoniette Pulutan, Aileen Malbataan, Justine Dador, yours truly!</span></span>NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-48615201655057600452016-09-23T00:26:00.000-07:002016-11-13T17:16:07.595-08:00Borawan, Puting Buhangin & Dampalitan 2016: Quenching That Pinch of Wanderlust & The Best Thing About Travelling<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd9rIP96WFF6jc56sUItwYAhqMyVYhsNWrUL6JL5nyFnvGyp6i1ZdakgHBVzqmlPtcgw_j4Q-pmck7khnDEIUsq6lZeX6UJvj9P9usSHSgbsH3P-Oa34l_UL2WDB1dxIxvQ090MF5hhpi/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd9rIP96WFF6jc56sUItwYAhqMyVYhsNWrUL6JL5nyFnvGyp6i1ZdakgHBVzqmlPtcgw_j4Q-pmck7khnDEIUsq6lZeX6UJvj9P9usSHSgbsH3P-Oa34l_UL2WDB1dxIxvQ090MF5hhpi/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">show me your eyes <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">all your inside lies<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">come undone<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">get gone<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">nothing to be scared of<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">there's only the beach to strip
you off<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">no one's here to judge<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">maybe you just need a little
nudge<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">it's just the bitchy waves and
whistly air<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">with you here, all is fair<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ny5Iuq63CoVT7_sO7UXLv43SsnSu_rR5HsqZeJr1ka9xlkzH4sSIAMc3unNKxkt7EE39Op_VlWAYazWmWaQVyNZyfJ7UAqNhoFEf9t0DqJ7PtEwObVGMJ0Gvls3bYfJsYYMvG5KvNp23/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ny5Iuq63CoVT7_sO7UXLv43SsnSu_rR5HsqZeJr1ka9xlkzH4sSIAMc3unNKxkt7EE39Op_VlWAYazWmWaQVyNZyfJ7UAqNhoFEf9t0DqJ7PtEwObVGMJ0Gvls3bYfJsYYMvG5KvNp23/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
had been three months since the last time sand graced my feet. It felt too
long, and I was missing the breeze. I was actually supposed to go someplace
else, not the beach but a relaxing one too. Long story short, things got in the
way; it got cancelled. I was already feeling blue until this escape plan came
into being. Ah, thank God I live just a few hours from some really pretty
beaches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Puting
Buhangin Island and Kwebang Lampas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Puting
Buhangin (White Sand) was the first island we visited as per the advice from
our boatmen that we start from the farthest island to save time and be more
efficient with the tour. This little paradise may be found after boating for 45
minutes from the drop-off point in Padre Burgos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyXTRCynaNKzv3kQc0jhS-bsr9q5F1fZn-0euxxWOUfCsWGofokUuE5leN9gG9nftnYvgptrmBpZGqIpAOd1e1ZcKO7hrUYDtuI-VAIH_NCqfkeKQ8lnHIdqcRDXk3CBZanHORZDz4iH2/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyXTRCynaNKzv3kQc0jhS-bsr9q5F1fZn-0euxxWOUfCsWGofokUuE5leN9gG9nftnYvgptrmBpZGqIpAOd1e1ZcKO7hrUYDtuI-VAIH_NCqfkeKQ8lnHIdqcRDXk3CBZanHORZDz4iH2/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Personally,
I would say Puting Buhangin is the nicest of all the three islands we visited. It’s
best to go swimming here. It has the clearest water, that which is a play
between the green and green blue gradient, so fresh to the eyes on a sunlit weekend.
Its sand, as its name suggests, is fine white but that which becomes compact,
the kind that doesn’t break or loosen under the feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS8Y0_QJRyoM71QX9DFQoBkN96uAhSopz8uvuQjBjZSzNpRG-RsjQG3TK4343ZzcKFr-xbjmTrZUDm9wtj9uIaSMn7SHZDhNyBtQnnE6dI0eUsOxOCxusHKvJV7_wv2-nIOl7Jxo8YZWa/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS8Y0_QJRyoM71QX9DFQoBkN96uAhSopz8uvuQjBjZSzNpRG-RsjQG3TK4343ZzcKFr-xbjmTrZUDm9wtj9uIaSMn7SHZDhNyBtQnnE6dI0eUsOxOCxusHKvJV7_wv2-nIOl7Jxo8YZWa/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Locals
warn swimmers about the risk of <i>salabay</i> (jellyfish) in the area.
Actually, all the islands have this. Good thing it is off season this month, so
we got to swim quite freely while still being watchful. No one wanted to get
stung. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG_7HggOiKCJm68s5Ple4qQvCuYlnEc2L8AOUtjzg0ITJRgvktsC57zgxfM-rNvL-kG2XG-f6_UqzbAYJUTAI2v7LfiVe6MCtR4HpsmnWSO2S_o1Q35zHUfe3Cs78897wARydwVNbF_hL/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG_7HggOiKCJm68s5Ple4qQvCuYlnEc2L8AOUtjzg0ITJRgvktsC57zgxfM-rNvL-kG2XG-f6_UqzbAYJUTAI2v7LfiVe6MCtR4HpsmnWSO2S_o1Q35zHUfe3Cs78897wARydwVNbF_hL/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is how you shower island-style!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
not that huge, though. Okay, it is actually huge, but there’s this Kwebang
Lampas, a small cave/tunnel that divides the island in two. One needs to go
through it and out to make it to the other side. I think it’s passable when
tides aren’t that high, but I didn’t even consider trying when we were there.
To me, the cave was already a treat in itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStk6Ofsyptl99z2_s2KwuCFJqL1O8oV15IunoxVjTW5y0L4N6SIYTVUdeXMIFeLWrXFeD6AQW8ijlUPYhQJGIhiI6gASuzejsS2lg4uBnD02YkyEhQudYEi0G0rLF1SAqyYng6lOan2La/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStk6Ofsyptl99z2_s2KwuCFJqL1O8oV15IunoxVjTW5y0L4N6SIYTVUdeXMIFeLWrXFeD6AQW8ijlUPYhQJGIhiI6gASuzejsS2lg4uBnD02YkyEhQudYEi0G0rLF1SAqyYng6lOan2La/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kwebang
Lampas consists of rocks and stalactites that add mystery and subtle beauty to
it. More than anything there, though, is the fact that it has the beach inside
and outside; water goes through it. From inside it, one can watch the beach
through a huge opening with uneven borders and edges which form a dark
silhouette that makes the water outside of it stand out more – dramatic and
picturesque. I’d say it’s the best spot
to sightsee and take it all in, everything while swimming. Aaah, yes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
anything though, I wish we could’ve stayed here longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dampalitan
Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After
more or less 25 minutes onboard the boat, we caught ourselves in yet another pretty
island, Dampalitan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS2oMQZS5qGorDHGQGsbZRl-mJyDZwfujcKPYK6pelKCfSTMQLhhBZ8WxdJgHHpvaSkXgdq_AbOQCgucuKHAyQAjTkDUdLGEymJuzTsBAM7kQAQk0kOFrFVH4mYKJFQGZW-stwfadU1Br/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS2oMQZS5qGorDHGQGsbZRl-mJyDZwfujcKPYK6pelKCfSTMQLhhBZ8WxdJgHHpvaSkXgdq_AbOQCgucuKHAyQAjTkDUdLGEymJuzTsBAM7kQAQk0kOFrFVH4mYKJFQGZW-stwfadU1Br/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Setup-wise,
Dampalitan is obviously the rawest among the three. What you see is what you
get in this island. Everything looks as is, as though there’s not much effort to
maintain and make it look inviting to tourists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDDKFApS9PjW3OSpcWCV9ri9ihunEZhYCeNq9OgFtSaYr_ir04m4NRA-5yfSr0TVw9XTfe-e4FQj6zADnhQQIWNI2iHvj7rKaENsEIpGojMrq_u5zBzPjeuFR9t67Ihdq9oKdPMHUC6CW/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDDKFApS9PjW3OSpcWCV9ri9ihunEZhYCeNq9OgFtSaYr_ir04m4NRA-5yfSr0TVw9XTfe-e4FQj6zADnhQQIWNI2iHvj7rKaENsEIpGojMrq_u5zBzPjeuFR9t67Ihdq9oKdPMHUC6CW/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Based
on observation, this has the best sand quality. It is white, soft and loose. So
yeah, the best sans some natural trash found. There are dry leaves and seaweeds
scattered ashore. Well, I guess it comes with being a raw island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhTMIuYwY9ZBPKe6RCSbLCADLcKV2MW1wW1-59k7RnDzyGwWGnsF7q7PxtuNheE74ot8d9BzLH3Ik_hlkW0pkFFzr9hzuDD4N9k_IjZULUDAEd3fV_y5y6DNTyMUGltFka1a__FudWNxS/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhTMIuYwY9ZBPKe6RCSbLCADLcKV2MW1wW1-59k7RnDzyGwWGnsF7q7PxtuNheE74ot8d9BzLH3Ik_hlkW0pkFFzr9hzuDD4N9k_IjZULUDAEd3fV_y5y6DNTyMUGltFka1a__FudWNxS/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dampalitan
is filled with shrubs and trees, some of which resembling the ones in Anawangin
Cove, Zambales. They provide natural shade and comfort since there aren’t much
shaded portions near the water.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO30C_eH7Iu9IfIoY7fnq7_PcKMailpJak6wGatZj8dkdpPdSsMMdcA7Zxm8u7D7BWEAuTwbEPNlOyXC9MPJqQc6GfbPRmL5CMWkv3CY5vp4G2Y_5b1TyGf7ORH17bkh5n9Vqm5Eeggst/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO30C_eH7Iu9IfIoY7fnq7_PcKMailpJak6wGatZj8dkdpPdSsMMdcA7Zxm8u7D7BWEAuTwbEPNlOyXC9MPJqQc6GfbPRmL5CMWkv3CY5vp4G2Y_5b1TyGf7ORH17bkh5n9Vqm5Eeggst/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC71PotffOIASPjbbv5RO7Ojvce9YNPv8aSh6S2RUx1bsVg8-F8rj5NBGEr8vOf76qY5yHiUewFUWtF2ztxebVcgrFkGmKN0gCLrpN-v6QIY_vuEDCsmiptCnfeJ5sEsZVrtKozVCeexti/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC71PotffOIASPjbbv5RO7Ojvce9YNPv8aSh6S2RUx1bsVg8-F8rj5NBGEr8vOf76qY5yHiUewFUWtF2ztxebVcgrFkGmKN0gCLrpN-v6QIY_vuEDCsmiptCnfeJ5sEsZVrtKozVCeexti/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lunch
time was apparently not a good time to get here, as this is when it’s low tide.
Also, the heat was insane at 12 noon, so we decided against swimming even for a
bit. Our time spent here had been divided into strolling around, stopping here
and there for some picture-worthy shots, resting on torn down logs, and eating
lunch before we left again for our last destination for that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Borawan
Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Based
on what I’ve read from other blogs, people who come here in Borawan often end
up feeling disappointed because they make this crazy expectation about the
place. I mean, I guess I get it because what else is anyone supposed to think
when the island’s named from Boracay and Palawan, the two arguably most
beautiful beaches here in the Philippines? (Sadly, I haven’t been to any of
both beaches yet. Someday soon maybe!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK66newlHlZULRMjqhBQyIL3OJPHdFQVmLeH5GkDTreMcawc9PQoA475MSKEjY5O2_vfqMUJttqKR1tiuNLciWHQ_m3CQDzZ8gLHnUXuX6XoTe2TkrEtGFypqR36OPDrGTPwf-f3OcGNeF/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK66newlHlZULRMjqhBQyIL3OJPHdFQVmLeH5GkDTreMcawc9PQoA475MSKEjY5O2_vfqMUJttqKR1tiuNLciWHQ_m3CQDzZ8gLHnUXuX6XoTe2TkrEtGFypqR36OPDrGTPwf-f3OcGNeF/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Borawan’s
name is such because people compare its sand with Boracay’s and its rock
formations with Palawan’s. I’d say this is bad advertisement, and people should
give it credit for its own beauty. Its sand is of the color cream and in fine,
loose form while the huge rocks are such a sight to behold from near and far.
Strolling around is a great idea because of the island’s long stretch of
greens, creams and green blues. People are not going to run out of scenic views
to ogle at. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa_QOIfQvagrsrtFT81xIn33f4Tt4sg8zNAEejoc5lkRs810Eu9VRWSwvxTc28In8zIZzFdw_l0ZgkdbcTCwcATs40Sv6ODVCmhgJykgi5dFpfQGv0u3FXJyBoB3si0p6HtWQ1oCtAReU/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa_QOIfQvagrsrtFT81xIn33f4Tt4sg8zNAEejoc5lkRs810Eu9VRWSwvxTc28In8zIZzFdw_l0ZgkdbcTCwcATs40Sv6ODVCmhgJykgi5dFpfQGv0u3FXJyBoB3si0p6HtWQ1oCtAReU/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
boatmen told us that people couldn’t land ashore this island in the past, as
the water was always really high that its sandy shores were buried deep under
it. Looking at the rock formations, some still have lined marks that tell just
up to how high the water used to get. Time and again, the sand would disappear
and appear until it stayed visible making the island visitable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Lepw13o7sQpvMhqzIjzFuQ9q1fS4nK0D2gpG_BIOwXZfdzFW7ibZ2aMv1JVuLA9_ZIC_458wvGixKO4V76psUONT2vfr0rtOvTHthag042x7i3mTU0issfe5CYB-qS-tvgdlWomwjN46/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Lepw13o7sQpvMhqzIjzFuQ9q1fS4nK0D2gpG_BIOwXZfdzFW7ibZ2aMv1JVuLA9_ZIC_458wvGixKO4V76psUONT2vfr0rtOvTHthag042x7i3mTU0issfe5CYB-qS-tvgdlWomwjN46/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Of
the three islands, this has got to be the most developed, but that’s still not
saying much about it. There are a few <i>kubo</i>-style
cottages that can be rented if tents are not preferred, but I’d say it’s not
really fit for sleeping for big groups. There’s a table and built-in seats
inside each, but it’s not a closed unit. The shower and comfort rooms are
decent and clean for an island. There’s even a protective net around a small portion
of the beach to prevent swimmers from getting stung by the jellyfish. Some say
water can sometimes get murky inside this part, though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNCE3dKRscxKO9z-Lyha6oBa_ecIzHnxwDEIlaL1YyFsQ_Ujd_qBLYqfrk64JW25QKcu0QWoev4Pog9VqqpQ5gQo-sVDSdNSYFj8XhIb9Wi9PL4HoCj1L39I1agvVb3h5L8hrgm_XOwEl/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNCE3dKRscxKO9z-Lyha6oBa_ecIzHnxwDEIlaL1YyFsQ_Ujd_qBLYqfrk64JW25QKcu0QWoev4Pog9VqqpQ5gQo-sVDSdNSYFj8XhIb9Wi9PL4HoCj1L39I1agvVb3h5L8hrgm_XOwEl/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
spent our time here swimming within the net’s limits, sunbathing, snacking,
exploring other parts of the beach, and people watching different sorts of
other guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was a rather short trip but a good one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Was
the money worth it? Considering that we didn’t actually spend a lot but still
got to check out three nice islands, it’s safe to say that it was! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
were happy campers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
are a lot of bests about travelling. The most fundamental of which is
discovering oneself. People often think travelling means discovering new
places, but subtly and actually it is a revelation of oneself. It is a chance
for us to re-create or, better yet, modify ourselves. Travelling is
adventuring. Adventuring is surprising ourselves because we get to surpass our
own limited estimate of what we are capable of because finally we get to jump
off cliffs, chase waterfalls, dive from the sky, swim with whale sharks, rough-ride
4x4’s, free fall, and so on. And none of these things we thought we could do. Until
that moment we let our feet take us somewhere. Travelling is proof that we <i>can</i>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhlK36N5y0dKmtXwZyI8YiRzKXwrOKDI8lL2Vq1VGLAU1JxPMwI58PaxVi2afSv4bLrT9WZgCAV5RqikAkLWUJuB_HSnOHqLZJYBN32_IecveKJuifQiQShxNYcp-Vw_YJUs2qAfnNyZV/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhlK36N5y0dKmtXwZyI8YiRzKXwrOKDI8lL2Vq1VGLAU1JxPMwI58PaxVi2afSv4bLrT9WZgCAV5RqikAkLWUJuB_HSnOHqLZJYBN32_IecveKJuifQiQShxNYcp-Vw_YJUs2qAfnNyZV/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-13.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Borawan Island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One
can be a whole new being out there - free and unafraid. He/she is not scared of
acting silly. I know this is something I take advantage of many times because
how often are you given the chance to be someone else you want to be? Or at
least try to tweak something about you? Without judgment? It’s not pretending. Maybe
some people just find this to be a way to completely detach themselves from
everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Or
you know, if you happen to fall on the other side of the coin, you can be just
you, the real you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_420Q3US56u-ZV7DTizC_LhQp1A7ltYZDfosBXgTcl1qfNVzjVac2WJBBl_awURt9uqSq21nHTrpEf2HX8V7Bc7BnYsLy3BuS94OXILrAdqhXGYblFuttzohPqLNRTvQEflzQqxeQdfr/s1600/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_420Q3US56u-ZV7DTizC_LhQp1A7ltYZDfosBXgTcl1qfNVzjVac2WJBBl_awURt9uqSq21nHTrpEf2HX8V7Bc7BnYsLy3BuS94OXILrAdqhXGYblFuttzohPqLNRTvQEflzQqxeQdfr/s640/Borawan%252C+Dampalitan+and+Puting+Buhangin+2016-8.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Puting Buhangin Island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because
many days, for some of us, we have to put on a face of strength, determination,
control, power, of whatever it is that our daily life requires us. Travelling
lets us let our hair down. And where else is the best place to do that but when
you’re away, where no one, again, is there to judge or exploit you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Travelling
is a lesson in motion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t
do it because it’s the “in” thing; do it because it naturally occurs to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Extending
my thank you to: a) Ate Vanessa for quickly attending to all our concerns and
arranging the tour for us and to b) Tatay Omeng and Kuya Dino who had been such
accommodating boatmen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Should
you wish to visit the mentioned places, feel free to hit her up at
0915-106-7594. I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to assist you. :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 667px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.95in;" valign="top" width="667"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fees
and fares:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P260<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">two-way
fare Turbina-Lucena Grand Terminal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P70<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">two-way
fare Lucena Grand Terminal-Padre Burgos<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P1500-P1800 (1-8
pax)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">island
hopping fee for Puting Buhangin, Dampalitan and Borawan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P800 (1-8 pax)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">island
hopping fee for Borawan only<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P80/P160<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">entrance
fee in Puting Buhangin for day tour/overnight stay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P80/P100<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">entrance
fee in Dampalitan for day tour/overnight stay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P150/P220<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">entrance
fee in Borawan for day tour/overnight stay (with unlimited use of shower and
CR) (discounts for senior citizens and students also apply)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P300<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tent
rent in Borawan/Dampalitan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P200<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tent
space fee in Borawan/Dampalitan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 135.9pt;" width="181"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P50<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 364.5pt;" valign="top" width="486"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">cost
of water per container in Dampalitan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*All
photos by me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-74744576254114480512016-09-15T01:08:00.000-07:002016-09-15T01:08:54.813-07:00FORBIDDEN by TABITHA SUZUMA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ever since their
childhood, Lochan and Maya had always been the closest among the five siblings,
for they had gone through all the ups and downs of their lives together. The
moment their dad left and their mom slowly lost interest in them, Maya and
Lochan took it upon themselves to raise and look after their younger siblings
which led the two to become even closer. This closeness would turn into
something more intimate revealing a deeper feeling, that which was beyond
fraternal love, that they had for each other all along.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1QgWBTkKHC61QKINSvGouPo3F8lMtKetEAekLiegPasR3h9cm1I_7LHgbx1mvcPFyqo_fJYL9NxKjJ_OpnV0EPlMf7GFybLpWjzhxDzYAv8qOG5BenVbHKgUr9gUJu8h9f0MiQQGBsSH/s1600/Forbidden+by+Tabitha+Suzuma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1QgWBTkKHC61QKINSvGouPo3F8lMtKetEAekLiegPasR3h9cm1I_7LHgbx1mvcPFyqo_fJYL9NxKjJ_OpnV0EPlMf7GFybLpWjzhxDzYAv8qOG5BenVbHKgUr9gUJu8h9f0MiQQGBsSH/s400/Forbidden+by+Tabitha+Suzuma.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seeing you, being with you every day
but not being able to do anything – it’s like cancer, it’s like this cancer growing
inside my body, inside my mind! – Lochan Whitely<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upon reading <i>Forbidden</i>, not to brag or reduce my
impression of this book, first thing I realized was how this book was mainly
intended for a much younger audience. One could easily tell this by way of the themes,
the characters and the writing. This caught me a little off in the beginning,
but it’s worth pointing out that this was also why it became such a breeze for
me to read. I may have thought this was a little too young a writing for me, but
it eventually got me wanting to sink deep in Lochan and Maya’s lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s always nice being fancied. It’s
always nice being wanted. Even if it’s by the wrong person. – Maya Whitely<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finding out what the
story was really about made me feel uncomfortable and unsure because incestuous
relationships don’t particularly make for an appealing topic. It was sometimes
harsh, sensitive and complicated reading this story. I would even catch myself
frowning. It didn’t quite feel all right. Of course, it didn’t. As the story
progressed though, I became a more open-minded and accepting reader until the
awkwardness paled and paled while other emotions broaden and prevailed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">More than love or
equally, <i>Forbidden</i> is also about
family. This aspect made the story a whole lot more interesting, relatable and complicated.
It got me boring a deep sympathy for Lochan and Maya. Anything and everything
in it that has an effect to the familial aspect surely had a great impact and was
really heavy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s horrible, being ashamed of
someone you care about; it eats away at you. – Lochan Whitely<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The buildup until
the climax was really nice. It had gotten to the point of all good things, and
bam – a major heartbreak. It had been progressive. And when it finally peaked, the
emotions stayed for a while longer. It had been a long-enduring pain, as the
details and events unfolded. And as with the mentioned heart-wrenching scenes,
they absolutely were! Some pages of agony never failed to give me that pinch
while bigger scenes effectively showed the incomprehensibility of the
situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I couldn't come up
with my own theory as to how the story was going to end for both characters. It
was too complicated a situation. But when it ended the way it did, I was taken
aback. I wasn’t expecting it to take that path for a conclusion. But the more I
think about it, what other possible ending could there have been?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are no laws, no boundaries on
feelings. We can love each other as much and as deeply as we want. No one,
Maya, no one can ever take that away from us. – Lochan Whitely<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Forbidden</span></i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> is a balance
between an easy read and a serious page-turner. It leaves something to the
readers – an invitation to put themselves in the shoes of the characters and be
lost and confused there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are you done reading
this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share
them below!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Photo
source: </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabitha_Suzuma"><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabitha_Suzuma</span></a></span></span>NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-46052865935917102016-08-25T01:05:00.000-07:002016-08-25T01:05:31.744-07:00birthday blues<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDZ_TLWosHHBsm34oniS8LZk13S-T3VmMwJg6Zz-ZANjyMxJBlw20hBs4kjOcXKFZbMEwhsW26CyhV9GPJLHUEFN2HvyhTsfRZzCvJk-aZS3EqLy9T8yCqdcp1csIT61ymx5_al-Et_21/s1600/quarterlife.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDZ_TLWosHHBsm34oniS8LZk13S-T3VmMwJg6Zz-ZANjyMxJBlw20hBs4kjOcXKFZbMEwhsW26CyhV9GPJLHUEFN2HvyhTsfRZzCvJk-aZS3EqLy9T8yCqdcp1csIT61ymx5_al-Et_21/s640/quarterlife.png" width="640" /></a></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I was far from
excited about my birthday. The closer it came, the more anxious I felt.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And every birthday
since I hit 20+ has been like this. It’s like a formula. Every nearing of a
birthday is reason for self-evaluation, one which clings more on my negative
side. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I don’t like where
I’m at right now.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It’s official. I’m literally
in my quarter life, and it’s not looking cute. It’s easier to say age is just a
number, but that number hits you like rock – because with that number comes a
long list of dreadful life issues. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I know I’ve already <s>ranted</s>
talked about this a couple of times <u><a href="http://iheartnona.blogspot.com/2013/08/quarterlife.html" target="_blank">here</a></u> and <u><a href="http://iheartnona.blogspot.com/2014/11/notes-on-being-20-something.html" target="_blank">here</a></u>, but it’s only
now that I can say it’s been most real. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I was petty, and I’m
being petty again. But what can I do?<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I begin with the
trivial physical differences. I was used to being the youngest one anywhere I
go, may it be in school, at work, in cliques. But not anymore. Even with the artists
and musicians I follow on TV and social media, the ones who are my age are now
either getting married or having children. The popular it-girls and bands of
today are years younger than me. Everybody’s younger than me. Yuck me. To think
that this nonsense celebrity blah-blahs never used to bother me one bit.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Then come the youth
of today. They are the walking and talking reminder of how much I’ve already
been left behind. I can see them girls running around in their school uniform
or hanging out in their ragged attire, with no or not much makeup on, still
looking sparkly and full of life. Then there’s me. I have to exert so much
effort on my face putting makeup on, fixing my hair, myself just so I can at
least come close or, if luck would have it, match their effortless freshness. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I see wrinkles
forming, and I am all like, “Where did that come from?! WTH?” Add to that some
grey hair popping up here and there. But what’s worse, you know what’s way
worse? Get this, flaaaaaabs! Ever since I hit my 20s, bloated-ness has been an
issue for me when my tummy used to not endure three cups of rice before.
There’s apparently this slow metabolism thing. Don’t ask me about it. All I can
tell you is it eats away my self-esteem one lumpy fat at a time.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It’s all dawning on
me now. I’m recalling just how many times I have taken my own youthfulness for
granted. Okay, maybe I didn’t really neglect it. I had an awesome time, but it
is a regretful feeling now that this youthfulness
is slowly walking out on me. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I’m not being stupid
and shallow. This loathing of physical aging is normal, comes first in this
crisis most of the time. Don’t dare tell me it’s just me. Are you going to be
that hypocritical? <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I don’t know where to
fit. There’s this constant struggle of having to weigh myself using the age
scale. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Am I already being
childish for still doing blah-blah?” <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Is this not cute
for me anymore?” <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Girl, you aren’t supposed
to do that just yet.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Grow up!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Everything’s
revolving and evolving faster than I want. I am just unable to control and slow
life down, and that scares the hell out of me. I’m scared. Aren’t we all?<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But then again, above
the obvious physical change lies the more crucial change, that of priority setting.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have to take care
of everything about myself now – from taking over the basic chores at home,
taking care of my own expenses, making my own big decisions. I can’t depend on
my mom and dad anymore because that would only make me look irresponsible, and
I’m just not up for the sermon. Even when this didn’t happen instantly (I had
the time to make gradual adjustments), I still felt loaded. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Then again, it can’t
only be just myself.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now, I must also
look after my family. Not because it’s payback time, but because now I think I can.
Don’t get me wrong. I want nothing more than be able to serve my parents. I’ve
never loved them more than I have now. But my question here is, am I really
capable now? I’ll tell you what, NO.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now this next one’s
a favorite recurrence.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Everyone enjoys expecting
so much from me – to get promoted, to get married, to bear children, to get my
own house. Guys, is there a formula which equates to me getting all these
things at once without losing my sanity? And do they all have to happen now?
How about, can I work on them at my own pace? Time here is the enemy, but
sometimes it’s hard not to confuse time with people especially when they’re
acting up like mad dogs on the loose.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Every damn time.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What follows is
another string of questions affecting each other. It just makes me question just
how much I’ve already done (devaluating what I’ve already accomplished in the
process of course), contemplate what else needs to be done and examine self if making
enough. Because all these things just really get in your head, believe me.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This, of course,
leads me into comparison with other people. You know, because that can’t be avoided.
And that’s when I eventually sink into a tiny piece of human being because I’ll
get blindsided and all I’ll see is their good life and my pitiful situation. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So now you see what
I mean? <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>All these things are
why I was hating on my birthday.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Apparently, this is
a good thing.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Can you believe it? <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It’s a good thing –
not the feeling bad part but the spilling of emotions part.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Apparently, this is
a sign that I’m growing old, instead of just getting old. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It’s a reminder that
my observations, the changes are all a part of progressive transitioning. And
based on what I have written now and what I had written before, there have actually been changes as per my
dilemmas. I have learned to let go of some, improve on some, embrace some, completely
solve some. Some new struggles have surfaced, but there are also some from
before that have been resolved and forgotten.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If anything, if
there’s a good that adulthood has caused me, it’s that I’ve learned to let go
of physical things. I’m not being literal, just saying I’m at that point where
I’m old enough to not lust over much material stuff. Maturity is finding
happiness in what’s intangible. This I’d say is a bigger deal than I’m letting
on.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Just on my birthday,
I asked for two things – one for me, the other for my family. Both are
non-material things. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I’d like to think
that this so-called crisis is eventually going to lead me to maturity, and that
should be a good thing, right? <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Besides, there’s no
escaping adult life.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This is not to say
though that I’m already over quarter life crisis, not yet.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What? You’re just
19? Oh, you just turned 20? Wait until you hit 25. Good luck! <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>*I
began writing this days before July 1, 2016, my 25<sup>th</sup> birthday, when
my emotions were in need of an outpour. And even when it’s already August and
I’m feeling better now, I thought it would be a waste not to post this. I am
leaving this here with an open heart and mind for future reference.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">*Photo source: </span><a href="https://www.theodysseyonline.com/having-quarter-life-crisis"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">https://www.theodysseyonline.com/having-quarter-life-crisis</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-9497102275670094022016-08-11T00:45:00.000-07:002016-08-11T00:45:00.948-07:00THE WKND SPECIAL Vol. 8<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZQ6AX_RMFAHMXYadWlTa8vGQ9ZAoref-CdzE2TnDHmSrzcGnWXcXN5KKzYpSu348JozUeQVy_eXEkol1ONaWaTLvDFE3z1EKWhMHcJl8MClm-bOW83pD2S3LEUev3qp9AA28iBUKvYZA/s1600/the+wknd+special+8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZQ6AX_RMFAHMXYadWlTa8vGQ9ZAoref-CdzE2TnDHmSrzcGnWXcXN5KKzYpSu348JozUeQVy_eXEkol1ONaWaTLvDFE3z1EKWhMHcJl8MClm-bOW83pD2S3LEUev3qp9AA28iBUKvYZA/s640/the+wknd+special+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An
early throwback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be warned: This is a
long post because this is about my whole July.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
01, 2016 | My Birthday <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was a good thing that I was on leave on my birthday since I opted for just a
simple celebration at home. I ran some errands that morning. Then late in the
afternoon, I went to the supermarket to buy some ingredients for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Birthday
dinner celebration consisted of some home-cooked dishes by Mom and the company
of my family and my boyfriend. It wasn’t fancy, but I’d say I had more than
what I needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was actually having a, I wouldn’t say breakdown (that would be too much), an
ugly moment perhaps? I wasn’t feeling good about getting older. A bulk of
realizations came crashing down on me. I let out some bad emotions days before,
in written form. <i>(I should probably post
about that here. I will. Soon.)</i> I even thought I wouldn’t have my spirits
lifted on the exact day of my birthday. It was that bad. But I can say I’m past
that now, not totally because there will always be bad days and bad days
trigger ugly feelings, but at least I understand my situation and know myself
better now. Everything has purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That
dinner gathering meant more than just some dinner to me, and it did help me feel
good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
thank you goes out to all the people who greeted and remembered me on my
birthday.<i> </i>I love greetings,
especially those that are sincere and heartfelt. THANK YOU! :) :) :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Belated
happy birthday to me! A year older and a bunch more accepting – yey!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No
photos, duh. Lol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
02, 2016 | Ate Delee and Kuya Jerry’s House Blessing | Haya’s 7<sup>th</sup>
Birthday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am so happy for Ate and Kuya. They’ve always been a nice couple. Maybe they’re
not perfect, but when people see them, people see a married couple who is
happy. It’s easy to say they really do love each other.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobuJfsoFaVBcsGD0keLRMzjXSpFBvsvqeGeUG2WbtPJF3kYqZfVvoV3t3zc_4B6cGPyrocarBa8c-p3Gu7kmgReAdJ2U_ReYW7K-ntajLhCdPWxYq7eaXQ_n4Q7tUYVElFxZu4FnIQWrh/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobuJfsoFaVBcsGD0keLRMzjXSpFBvsvqeGeUG2WbtPJF3kYqZfVvoV3t3zc_4B6cGPyrocarBa8c-p3Gu7kmgReAdJ2U_ReYW7K-ntajLhCdPWxYq7eaXQ_n4Q7tUYVElFxZu4FnIQWrh/s640/the+wknd+special+8-15.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Their
love and hard work paid off as was evident during the house blessing of their
new home. I found out that they were both really hands on while it was still
under construction, so I could only imagine their happiness during this special
day. The family, with some of their friends and other relatives, was invited
for some lunch and a house tour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIATng89qUXYZaDHK1hYXA4Pt-8QyhvbAhiHHXJWQ2DUdHIJpc1kNa_hkUEEGcRMreXQrrbl2To8joVYbCpzzAcy6WGUlIo5ueEWYDcw9dS7CdS9lKOrUu76Rs-bU21vuJ_qpwZNKnMoV/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIATng89qUXYZaDHK1hYXA4Pt-8QyhvbAhiHHXJWQ2DUdHIJpc1kNa_hkUEEGcRMreXQrrbl2To8joVYbCpzzAcy6WGUlIo5ueEWYDcw9dS7CdS9lKOrUu76Rs-bU21vuJ_qpwZNKnMoV/s640/the+wknd+special+8-13.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
Mommy and I got to tour around their three-story house, I saw a lot that I wish
to incorporate in my dream house too. I am talking about glass walls, a high
ceiling, a rooftop, a walk-in closet! Dreamy! My most favorite of all is this
particularly cozy reading bedside just after the stairs. It’s perfect for
cuddling and reading, perfect for mornings and midnights!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-evWbq1kqj6L6oKgXXd57hHOoN_-HtUr6qc9q85dOWXsgkXGBtMa74VXHQRG8A1zeguWVQJNxQyLhat0BQ3BDgyiywkCFkACC5APxXk74gW9qOAKglMVE9niikzEqEIm0DN0G5u0Ckr8/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-evWbq1kqj6L6oKgXXd57hHOoN_-HtUr6qc9q85dOWXsgkXGBtMa74VXHQRG8A1zeguWVQJNxQyLhat0BQ3BDgyiywkCFkACC5APxXk74gW9qOAKglMVE9niikzEqEIm0DN0G5u0Ckr8/s640/the+wknd+special+8-16.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAAAAAAAANT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Congratulations,
Ate and Kuya!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5MnEhH6XnH9VtyyK0kBlxLGrcfmqvVdE5te_58AMFT2F3Q3BlaNiNVupr5ZkQgEo111IWWL_0SOFvgcLooeR1IK-pw59bn5NFgQPyESo_n8Lv02KU79mR1pR8atqFXJNFqdw3wprc7bJ/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5MnEhH6XnH9VtyyK0kBlxLGrcfmqvVdE5te_58AMFT2F3Q3BlaNiNVupr5ZkQgEo111IWWL_0SOFvgcLooeR1IK-pw59bn5NFgQPyESo_n8Lv02KU79mR1pR8atqFXJNFqdw3wprc7bJ/s640/the+wknd+special+8-9.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother and Ate Delee!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
come the late afternoon, my workmates and I attended the birthday of our
officemate’s daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was suddenly raining hard, so the party program had to be rushed before the
situation could get worse. After eating, when it was already dark, we decided
to play by the photobooth before heading home! Souvenir-ing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghikcwesty6Oc1M04TJu2WpLcSbByXHhnZDrvf3ZHhbxvvGQ8qnJyGlCtNv75HvZGDhq5ErvLOgBWXd6NqE7fW1c2QxhlMBS6DVtmmbAEhD-tA4pS7AdUH8XMv1FOe3NT4fCHjpLilayXI/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghikcwesty6Oc1M04TJu2WpLcSbByXHhnZDrvf3ZHhbxvvGQ8qnJyGlCtNv75HvZGDhq5ErvLOgBWXd6NqE7fW1c2QxhlMBS6DVtmmbAEhD-tA4pS7AdUH8XMv1FOe3NT4fCHjpLilayXI/s640/the+wknd+special+8-8.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNDfNqQKOBryMMiVZ38ax_USE6_Hvoqf7_VpB2jgyBtcY2YLJSGEhU5Pol21bq__JvJePpvL0W_1Zflv0OtbvpZjdSRwBXzefSfsDwvzDZ3YNUxUaabx0SHVgCmg7IhLKZRO3xXG5_qRD/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNDfNqQKOBryMMiVZ38ax_USE6_Hvoqf7_VpB2jgyBtcY2YLJSGEhU5Pol21bq__JvJePpvL0W_1Zflv0OtbvpZjdSRwBXzefSfsDwvzDZ3YNUxUaabx0SHVgCmg7IhLKZRO3xXG5_qRD/s640/the+wknd+special+8-6.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABnComyQua63qxv8CsuJEITzgSrXl9kyld9Bsebthj0jKuTpNIpkomlhtGan38qO5xdg2eyRgNz7ghlK5BzTGNfNnpxeJSoFrGXC70IPE_zDY-lLOHaEpdt7eE6JxD9cZ-lmC3L8iGAKD/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABnComyQua63qxv8CsuJEITzgSrXl9kyld9Bsebthj0jKuTpNIpkomlhtGan38qO5xdg2eyRgNz7ghlK5BzTGNfNnpxeJSoFrGXC70IPE_zDY-lLOHaEpdt7eE6JxD9cZ-lmC3L8iGAKD/s640/the+wknd+special+8-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
love going out with my officemates. It’s not often that I get to bond with them
outside the office, so I make the most of it every chance I get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank
you to our officemate Yeye and her husband Jervin for having us!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFkxtvWbjslZMiZ9hCIf6gc_3gYiKYMudqoO18XFNB3bwxf33ucUmqQWBSBrRViH_jnqNVwiY-2DAHYtj5XkzYIGYTWMllz6eARye5EP5bE3HMnvSurN2U5xp-J4S9893qLLZgrmK1MAr/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFkxtvWbjslZMiZ9hCIf6gc_3gYiKYMudqoO18XFNB3bwxf33ucUmqQWBSBrRViH_jnqNVwiY-2DAHYtj5XkzYIGYTWMllz6eARye5EP5bE3HMnvSurN2U5xp-J4S9893qLLZgrmK1MAr/s640/the+wknd+special+8-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeye's family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy
birthday again, Haya! May you grow a healthy and kind daughter! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
05, 2016 | Impromptu Night Swimming<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
were taking a drug test when Jason’s phone rang to an invitation for a night
swimming. It was the middle of the workweek, a Tuesday, but since the next day
was a holiday, we said yes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jason’s
clan rendezvoused at Southwinds Resort in Pansol, Calamba. Even when we opted
for a public swimming resort, we were still lucky that it wasn’t packed that
night. Few gazebos were occupied. Also, we got in early, so we had first dibs
at the clean pools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZgY0_SY_vIMymTgpdDlMVuK7dqnGnO_0vsqRd7AF1_35R613mlQyWkJ9x9hRaA_PNkg_DnetDYkqCjggBA2K48aXL5IkbdHMY5pmtsJL9WowddUMe4U65XpjExmu-TXB0PQof75U-UwV/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZgY0_SY_vIMymTgpdDlMVuK7dqnGnO_0vsqRd7AF1_35R613mlQyWkJ9x9hRaA_PNkg_DnetDYkqCjggBA2K48aXL5IkbdHMY5pmtsJL9WowddUMe4U65XpjExmu-TXB0PQof75U-UwV/s640/the+wknd+special+8-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
truth was I’d been missing swimming in pools. I’ve had my fair share of water
adventures last summer, but all of it was at the beach. Living near a lot of
pool resorts and going swimming to many of them all my life, maybe I got tired
of them for a while. But lately, I’ve been back to appreciating and craving
swimming in pools again. Water in my system is always welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jason’s
family is nothing short of pool-loving people. I had tons of fun trying and
failing miserably to mount a pyramid, fearfully sliding in the semi-kiddie slide,
and being helplessly played a prank on by his aunts and cousins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
17, 2016 | Post-birthday Celebration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Obviously,
not much happened on the very day of my birthday, not that I was unhappy about
it. I always believe the exact day of birthdays should be spent with one’s
family, usually at home. When there are other birthday plans, they must be done
another day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
few weeks late but at least my boyfriend and I still got to go on a
post-birthday date somewhere. A whole day was spent strolling around all the Solenads
in Nuvali. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
lot of walking must be compensated by a lot of eating as well. We had late
lunch at Banapple upon our arrival. We ordered our ultimate favorite,
Hickory-smoked Barbecue Country Ribs! Serving was huge like always, so we were
full right away. And then right after emptying our plates, we had Banoffee Pie.
This, my friends, was a revelation to me. I’m not really adventurous when it
comes to desserts. As much as possible, I order the staple cake flavors. I am
glad I tried this one because it tasted so good! The fresh bananas balanced the
cake’s sweet taste! No photos though because the pie was too good to delay.
Lol!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since
we were already being adventurous with food, we then went to Café Seoul Hwa:
Korean Dessert Cafe to try out another new food. We were on a roll. This shop
is best known for its bingsu which is basically a shaved ice dessert that comes
with different sweet toppings. We had Chocomilk Bingsu, and it was sooo good.
And sooo cold inside the mouth! Yay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
for our last meal of the day, Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzzeria was the choice for
two reasons: 1) because it’s obviously my name right there sans the extra <i>n </i>and 2) because we wanted to try brick
oven pizza which was another first for us. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignjnzMC7MFI75pMXAXT_5AkD5axaeDKQ9l-njrV2j0PBrpZV8r8Kr175xXCiM_BNh01JfTimctOaTYJhSeD-y63zlMGXTk319OIyKW4OCwluWWGkCTEmvGMWqjPsWVgAoZgzrJGg7vguT/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignjnzMC7MFI75pMXAXT_5AkD5axaeDKQ9l-njrV2j0PBrpZV8r8Kr175xXCiM_BNh01JfTimctOaTYJhSeD-y63zlMGXTk319OIyKW4OCwluWWGkCTEmvGMWqjPsWVgAoZgzrJGg7vguT/s640/the+wknd+special+8-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nonna’s is the sister of another
great Italian resto in Solenad, Mama Lou’s. Our pepperoni pizza paired with the
resto’s signature honey sauce was the major bomb. We would’ve also ordered
pasta, but we knew we would not be able to eat everything if ever. Next time
hopefully! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9FJS61Ru6qvLUNj8sY3mJR2NH359V57h_RDoTMXcaymIdMd15UEzPBwUTMUd1IWC4kiEOcpEY5T2wkc06nORHOHQlzQArd6rQ8Xo4rQGwzzKnqBa2s2u87W9Pd0RLX-IDs2UKx0C91Yv/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9FJS61Ru6qvLUNj8sY3mJR2NH359V57h_RDoTMXcaymIdMd15UEzPBwUTMUd1IWC4kiEOcpEY5T2wkc06nORHOHQlzQArd6rQ8Xo4rQGwzzKnqBa2s2u87W9Pd0RLX-IDs2UKx0C91Yv/s640/the+wknd+special+8-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’d
say I may have compensated way too much because at the end of our dinner, I was
feeling like all that I swallowed wanted to come out. Ugh, no!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
has been the grossest and funniest thing ever because I’m not really the type
who gets sick and pukes easily. The truth is the last time I threw up was when
I was still in elementary, so when it did happen on our date, it was so odd and
awkward for me. Too odd that my boyfriend was laughing at me up until the last
seconds before I headed to the comfort room because he thought I was just
playing a prank on him. Thanks, Jake. Oh, my God! Hahaha! Absolutely memorable!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank
you so much for the date, Jason!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
22, 2016 | TGIF Date with the Girlfriends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After
a couple of postponements, my girlfriends and I got to sit down together for a
dinner date. The struggle to be with these girls lately is major, but they are
worth it. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was catch-up night with lots of talk about <i>adult</i> things, <i>adult</i> as
in buying a car, getting a house, wedding planning among other major
responsibilities. Wow, look at us! There was also a little bit of post-birthday
celebration for Jusz and me, but only I got the birthday song and ice cream
because Jusz came in a little late. :) Thank you, Shakey’s. Haha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
because my boyfriend was with me that dinner date, I asked him what he thought
of my friends. He said they were just like me – bubbly, funny, loud mouths! He said
he enjoyed their company even when it wasn’t obvious. Haha! Hope he talks more
the next time he joins us for dinner. He was too quiet. Hmp!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
23, 2016 | Heidi’s Birthday Celebration | Heidi and Tita Hazel’s Despedida<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another
bonding with Jason’s family!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was invited for a two-in-one merienda celebration one weekend afternoon. Jason’s
family’s favorite hangout place, their <i>kubo</i>,
is the perfect Pinoy merienda spot. Situated at the back of their compound, it
has a farm of rich green leaves as its background where clean air and nature’s sounds
pass through freely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pancit
na puti</span></i><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">,
spaghetti and tuna shanghai were the best! His family is a family of really
good cooks, lucky me. Haha! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tita
Hazel and Heidi are hustlin’ and werkin’ it in Manitoba, Canada right now.
Hoping for the best for them. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
29, 2016 | LB Date<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
were being spontaneous human beings when Jason and I decided to go to UPLB. We
went there because we missed the place, and we wanted to hang out somewhere not
so near but not so far either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
always loved UPLB because of its vibe. It’s always full of energy. Students are
everywhere. Shops of unique accessories, cute apparel and creative things are
always open. Food chains vary their offerings from desserts to heavy meals.
Coffee shops know how to set the mood too. In general, I love how, even during
late nights, people are still out and about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just
when our mouths were all set for Big Belly’s Cheesy Garlic Chicken and Krispy
Kare-Kare, lo and behold, the resto was closed! *tears* We were not sure if it
was just closed that day or permanently. (Hope it’s the former!) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8xPo3wzOd8m_0KewLsj01OjokaA2reWifUuhi6mh1S1pPUK9euze45ZJ53klb2evLrEia19FUtB_K8Sfq6q8LAjzPefecwS0MvSi6skJdEheh-aDVgqKhMlhOIvrBUYE0udVQq36p52c/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8xPo3wzOd8m_0KewLsj01OjokaA2reWifUuhi6mh1S1pPUK9euze45ZJ53klb2evLrEia19FUtB_K8Sfq6q8LAjzPefecwS0MvSi6skJdEheh-aDVgqKhMlhOIvrBUYE0udVQq36p52c/s640/the+wknd+special+8-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Instead of
moping around though (what good would it do us anyway), we decided to just head
to Chubby Habbi Mediterranean Grill. I ordered Beef Koobideh which tasted a
little sweet for me while Jason had Shawarma Plate which was what you would
expect from it. Both were really good! They mixed so well with the garlic
sauce. I wish the servings were bigger, though. I wanted more, but my plate was
already empty. Hahaha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">July
30, 2016 | Tintin and Jeff’s Wedding<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was a reunion with my Reyes Family!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tintin’s
an elder cousin from my father’s side. She got married to his boyfriend at a
private resort just last, last Saturday. The sun was at its peak, and everyone
was out to celebrate with them. I attended with my Kuya Leo Dan, Ate May,
nieces Nicole and Elaine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
best part was seeing some old faces again. In the few known faces to me, most
were of aunts and uncles. I could tell they were also delighted to see us.
Though this was the case, I was still awkwardly shy because I didn’t know what
to say or how to start a conversation. Smiles were mostly all I could offer to
the attendees I wasn’t familiar with. We didn’t stay for long, but I was glad
we came. Maybe when Daddy comes home, I should go with him to visit our
relatives on his side, should be fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhC-EFgqlrKc-9Fwd_QmNmK4srMH6NR59ixUWolpVK44pLpR-iUK-EXxHTF2Cxh_1OAVn402pUzM9did7-8RTs5SFUgb3rzI8L0-svYZ-uhVxplE0s_rYtmiMLpthoryX4hyphenhyphenooou3CaVx/s1600/the+wknd+special+8-14.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhC-EFgqlrKc-9Fwd_QmNmK4srMH6NR59ixUWolpVK44pLpR-iUK-EXxHTF2Cxh_1OAVn402pUzM9did7-8RTs5SFUgb3rzI8L0-svYZ-uhVxplE0s_rYtmiMLpthoryX4hyphenhyphenooou3CaVx/s640/the+wknd+special+8-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Big
regrets though that I wasn’t able to even snap a few photos for souvenir and,
more importantly, so that I would have something to send Daddy. All I got is
this photo of the fondant cake giveaway which tasted really nice, not too sweet
for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Best
wishes, Tintin and Jeff! With a baby on the way, congratulations and good luck
too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Photo
sources: <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SweetPhotolicious/" target="_blank">Sweet Photolicious FB Page</a></u>, Heidizel Dela Cruz, yours truly</span></div>
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<br /></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-74200114444259727322016-07-28T00:55:00.000-07:002016-07-28T00:55:21.942-07:00MONDOMANILA by NORMAN WILWAYCO<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tony de Guzman was
raised in the shanties. He and his family barely had a home and food to eat.
Lucky for him and a real smartass that he was, he got out of the squatters when
he graduated in college and scored a corporate job after. When he was no longer
in his company though, he avenged himself from all the oppression he had gone
through. All of this he narrated in flashbacks of specific situations that
shaped his personality.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrE-Vp6ce5jW-h3MBF_FLMjIBoVmjkDpOz3-MgSKZasfRV-HA0nCWIlKruB_hh55cXoTlmK7T7JugpYQu2woWqc7VfVjp5lC5bM1suiXkMzwDCIUdYyoR0fLzIQhyOGvgdchOl3KyHqrE/s1600/Mondomanila+by+Norman+Wilwayco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrE-Vp6ce5jW-h3MBF_FLMjIBoVmjkDpOz3-MgSKZasfRV-HA0nCWIlKruB_hh55cXoTlmK7T7JugpYQu2woWqc7VfVjp5lC5bM1suiXkMzwDCIUdYyoR0fLzIQhyOGvgdchOl3KyHqrE/s400/Mondomanila+by+Norman+Wilwayco.jpg" width="231" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anuman ang sabihin nila, wala
akong pakialam. Alam ng Diyos o ng kung sino mang nakatataas sa atin na masyado
nang mahaba ang nilakbay ko. Putang ina, kailangan kong magpahinga. Kailangan
kong tumigil, humimpil. – Tony de Guzman</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Also known as <i>Kung Paano Ko Inayos Ang Buhok Ko Matapos
Ang Mahaba-haba Ring Paglalakbay,</i> <i>Mondomanila</i> is as real as real
could get. It’s the mean thing, the crazy, the bad, the sad. In short, <i>WASAK.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mondomanila</span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> has received
numerous recognitions of which I’d say the most important being the Carlos
Palanca Award. As if to prove just how good this book is, it got the Palanca
Award twice but for different categories. Those awards speak volumes about the
kind of book that this is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mahirap talagang magpahupa ng galit</span></i></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Lalo na iyong ganitong klaseng
galit na bunga ng pagkaagrabyado at walang katiyakan kung paano makakaganti. –
Tony de Guzman</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was exploratory
of life in the slums, specifically growing up in slums. It was about poverty,
drug use, violence, and leaving the slums but not really. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It hurt to read such
a sad novel. It was so ugly, so broken, so obscene. As a local writing, it has
been relatable in all its ways. What’s more is I felt really connected with the
story in a way that somewhere in many of Wilwayco’s words, I was part of it. It
was as if Wilwayco put me in the story like I either caused the problem or I
may have contributed to the scenario because I embody the locals; I am a face
of the locals; I am them. That was how personal it has gotten for me.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Content-wise, this
one was obviously compelling, what with all its subjects being serious societal
concerns. It was not just gripping that way, though. It was also compelling
narration-wise. It was always moving back and forth but making sure that, while
this was how the story paced, there was always this continuous and growing progress
until it peaked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Part of what also
made this compelling was the crazy depiction of characters, setting and
situation. Wilwayco’s attention to detail was uncanny. A lot happened, and
there was so much experience in the book. The writing was casual, unpretending
and natural. He did not limit himself. He used lewd words to show lewdness
which, I admit, got me hooked in an instant. He did not try to blanket what was
ugly into nicely covered phrases. Some of the content may come off as something
difficult to process, but none of it was exaggerated. The reader would know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Malakas pa rin pala ang tawag ng
mundo. Ngayon alam ko na na hindi lang ako ang nagdedesisyon para sa buhay ko.
Nariyan pa rin ang lipunan, ang ibang tao, ang mga pangyayari, ang mga babae.
Kahit na isara ko ang sarili ko sa lahat ng bagay, hindi pa rin pwede. – Tony de
Guzman</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was so much I
got to take home in my heart from this book. My most important inference was
the way it showed me just how much effect where one comes from, how one has
been raised, how much of both one carries with him/her until he/she has grown
old. That and the other important fact that there’s no escaping this impact
which can either be a scary or good thing depending on how one’s life has been.
This is the truth about human behavior. It was good reading about it for once,
from an unbiased and uninhibited point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was an
extraordinary experience immersing myself into the story and finding a solid
understanding and tighter grip of my surrounding as I get out of it. It was
like diving deep in my own soil, in that place people don’t enjoy talking
about. Many things about the story hit home, only naturally because this is
about <i>my</i> home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This novel has
already been adapted for film which I have yet to watch. Moreover, three other
books, <i>Rekta</i>, <i>Gerilya</i> and <i>Responde</i>, have already been published. I’m really looking forward
to reading these novels, as I can already tell by their title that a lot is going
to happen again. Tony de Guzman is a very interesting character with a very
interesting life. If anyone here has an idea how I can get a copy of the said
writings, please let me know. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are you done reading
this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share
them below! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Huge thanks to my
eldest bro for telling me about this book. He told me if I really want to read
something that means something, I should read this. Of course he was right!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*Huge thanks to
<a href="http://www.blink.com.ph/" target="_blank">Blink</a></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> for the e-book copy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Photo
source: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://absurdrepublic.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">http://absurdrepublic.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></span>NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-16503104798206202142016-07-21T00:53:00.000-07:002016-07-21T00:54:26.338-07:00The Happy List: Random List #10<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">I
have squeezed in a few minutes of my day to blogging today just to keep this
site alive and my mood to a consistent goodness. Happy Thrusdayin’!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscUe5FhaA6XS9H-PyKWF_MS9TxAyqefqXPpGa31TAIuOCzM_UVLgJWh13kFCC4UgK4cWQwo4UlTSpkL1tTKBDe7TYm32JVtS7L7riA9gLa6rC2e9nKc4CNxXPfoT02MuOeYPNBjP5rIFM/s1600/Happy+List+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscUe5FhaA6XS9H-PyKWF_MS9TxAyqefqXPpGa31TAIuOCzM_UVLgJWh13kFCC4UgK4cWQwo4UlTSpkL1tTKBDe7TYm32JVtS7L7riA9gLa6rC2e9nKc4CNxXPfoT02MuOeYPNBjP5rIFM/s640/Happy+List+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">My birthday!!! :) :) :) (But more on that on my next posts)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">That secret mini-writing feat #kilig</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Trying out new food</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Captain America: Civil War and Ant-Man, I didn’t know I’d have too much
fun!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">New stuff as in a new sling bag with fringes (yesss) and a cute pair of
short shorts lels</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Being in the company of ball-dribbling, head-banging,
almost-talking-but-still-stammering Basty. He’s my current sunshine, the person
I want to see after 8 hours at work, hayyy, you cutiepie</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Finally getting around to reading Norman Wilwayco’s Mondomanila, more
about it on my next post also</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">(Rare) nights when I get to sleep for 7 hours, I pray to make this my
nightly routine</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Cozy ambiances & pretty places</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Sincerely praying for other people and hoping for the best for them</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">Accomplishing so much in a day :) Feeling motivated :) When was the
last time I felt this way? :)</span></li>
</ol>
<br />NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-61319553752537695792016-06-30T00:33:00.000-07:002016-06-30T00:33:09.307-07:00THE WKND SPECIAL Vol. 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qtMWw7ow-wNlnum4MHhH8lHnCNa6nsV1-zXhWxQULJhaKiozHV7sDS63QyY9emh88Vn1IkWUvdt6cImpBBKHW2xu2u93AOmGWoZtI0Wp2uoR_rLHmXanjVSOtzghpTaO-Gra65BO2tNI/s1600/the+wknd+special+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qtMWw7ow-wNlnum4MHhH8lHnCNa6nsV1-zXhWxQULJhaKiozHV7sDS63QyY9emh88Vn1IkWUvdt6cImpBBKHW2xu2u93AOmGWoZtI0Wp2uoR_rLHmXanjVSOtzghpTaO-Gra65BO2tNI/s640/the+wknd+special+22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
been doing this series for quite a while now. And even when this is my own
making, I still get confused about what I actually mean when I say weekend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
a personal definition and for this particular blog series, weekend may refer to
Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, 5PM onwards after work on a Friday, work-off days,
or days when I’m absent at work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">THE WKND SPECIAL
Vol. 7</span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
is the gist of my life for the month of June. I thought it was going to end
being just another one of those humdrum months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">June
05, 2016 | Drew Gabriel’s 1<sup>st</sup> Birthday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Drew
Gabriel is my workmate Nick and friend Danica’s son whose baptism Jeck
(godfather) and I weren’t able to attend. We kind of wanted to make up for that
absence by attending his 1<sup>st</sup> birthday party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Drew
is such a fluff ball overflowing with cheeks and fatness. His birthday was a
simple gathering of their family and friends with a little Doraemon-themed party
for the kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj9AgQ39FhCdLrZbC7y5bfLe9-XoH9YnPenkPxf7L1U7mIbWMls7r4g5BpzChMSp0T4hOhXjQEtw-d9IXJ14DsAtpa2Lnbugv1sqAIk87qjRMe1mYrVUvjJDuDar2oZlaPrGwOof42OFc/s1600/the+wknd+special14.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj9AgQ39FhCdLrZbC7y5bfLe9-XoH9YnPenkPxf7L1U7mIbWMls7r4g5BpzChMSp0T4hOhXjQEtw-d9IXJ14DsAtpa2Lnbugv1sqAIk87qjRMe1mYrVUvjJDuDar2oZlaPrGwOof42OFc/s640/the+wknd+special14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
went home with some photo souvenirs to remember this day by. So nice, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Belated
happy birthday again, Drew! Stay cute!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">June
18, 2016 | The Conjuring 2 Date <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
was the last time I’d been to the cinemas? Oh, wait. It was just a few weeks
back when I watched Love Me Tomorrow with mommy to satisfy her movie craving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
with friends? I can’t even remember! So it was a good call when Julie and
Katrina invited me for a spontaneous movie date. Yes, please!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Tzc9zIBfUSqn0CkqeK7hypP74RC63iQitRtPb6McfqLSik10Fohwin_jLZbXDwCwMUx6wHMZmHi-HkSrTj6c8Bw6FWl0J_8tLt9PKpVmp6EuBtE2TlICiBbFk1NyBpujGsa86EuTfAqF/s1600/the+wknd+special6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Tzc9zIBfUSqn0CkqeK7hypP74RC63iQitRtPb6McfqLSik10Fohwin_jLZbXDwCwMUx6wHMZmHi-HkSrTj6c8Bw6FWl0J_8tLt9PKpVmp6EuBtE2TlICiBbFk1NyBpujGsa86EuTfAqF/s640/the+wknd+special6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
fairness, The Conjuring 2 was a goody. No, let me correct that. It was way
better than the first movie installment. I admit I had some serious screaming
moments. I couldn’t help it. Big screens and creepy faces don’t mix well for
me. I’m not really brave or anything, but I still enjoy torturing and scaring
myself with all these horror movies. Aside from some crazy horror content,
there was also drama, romance and slight comedy which made it much nicer. There
was even that one moment where right after an intense scene, everyone,
including me, applauded in triumph and relief. We were that carried away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_upVw8m8L9jWSVXbb8rxCgdzIE-_VREca7vWilRAvyye0nmChNfClmhIYP3FAuj2-lA-8B_RKsBqGl1srfTwL-sPGw29BFv7ugj-IKFeO4t2Tq0x2DBaZpuq4crnyI9kjb9_4trI_giYA/s1600/the+wknd+special8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_upVw8m8L9jWSVXbb8rxCgdzIE-_VREca7vWilRAvyye0nmChNfClmhIYP3FAuj2-lA-8B_RKsBqGl1srfTwL-sPGw29BFv7ugj-IKFeO4t2Tq0x2DBaZpuq4crnyI9kjb9_4trI_giYA/s640/the+wknd+special8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Btw,
huge thanks to Julie Ann for the movie treat! Next time again, yes? :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">June
24, 2016 | Basaan Festival 2016 | MTV Music Evolution<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
wasn’t really keen on joining Basaan Festival 2016 that morning in Calamba City
because it sounded a lot like hassle to me. Splashing water all over me while
parading my whole self in the streets? Uhm, no thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gI29xvOC9BWpSSpuG3mfb7PLvzlCsxwme-CnU4um2XRurt8bgQ9cnnajfdyuJe3J2FStjNbbZM3gnoVG6ddL27buOFo-BT2vrdbBxyeiiiRdGQ_DmtvsbEjOBl_JBjS1RHAVBdyHqqHT/s1600/the+wknd+special2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gI29xvOC9BWpSSpuG3mfb7PLvzlCsxwme-CnU4um2XRurt8bgQ9cnnajfdyuJe3J2FStjNbbZM3gnoVG6ddL27buOFo-BT2vrdbBxyeiiiRdGQ_DmtvsbEjOBl_JBjS1RHAVBdyHqqHT/s640/the+wknd+special2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq96vTbTm9ECtftL6nFLhQmDn_8cBk-ANMbUbYnFVdS6D2B3os2nxd1f72nyMFTRUO8_5BMz-f_YzBgHOg5BgdvgmWz45OHx5YVRy9Jkfas9LEf9TAwk5f9-s5CETbAy_BITGVJZ4APBbR/s1600/the+wknd+special.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq96vTbTm9ECtftL6nFLhQmDn_8cBk-ANMbUbYnFVdS6D2B3os2nxd1f72nyMFTRUO8_5BMz-f_YzBgHOg5BgdvgmWz45OHx5YVRy9Jkfas9LEf9TAwk5f9-s5CETbAy_BITGVJZ4APBbR/s640/the+wknd+special.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
was why I was glad I, together with Jason, participated anyway because it was
surprisingly fun. While parading with all the other attendees, we were being
water showered by fire trucks. But not just us.
All students, passersby, bystanders, sari-sari stores, food chains,
schools, even funeral parlors covered by the procession route were not spared
from the entire wet snafu. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HD0or-pXO7pSEM-9uWuqCET8wCrbWryV-bTADRf3oahB4VlQIMJyKjjdY_oqk7Zoxzv-vAee1-L7vSXgB4hxGRsB4thUUJSgP0PwOItVL9ZdIizJ3f_l0QVXLqkbKpFaP20O2OaIGc7t/s1600/the+wknd+special3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HD0or-pXO7pSEM-9uWuqCET8wCrbWryV-bTADRf3oahB4VlQIMJyKjjdY_oqk7Zoxzv-vAee1-L7vSXgB4hxGRsB4thUUJSgP0PwOItVL9ZdIizJ3f_l0QVXLqkbKpFaP20O2OaIGc7t/s640/the+wknd+special3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJbdemxCkqy7BJxApg_nqlBj7fYyZLUbIKyWUHaTQUcDr5229UiSf47f8Y2v_aop9zN00ZzxInYBhqvT7fkF-vYEOuOOonhfaE0ltOXD-kKETgtXDuknmGRwq4e3Xb9UxwdYaltILOHV9/s1600/the+wknd+special5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJbdemxCkqy7BJxApg_nqlBj7fYyZLUbIKyWUHaTQUcDr5229UiSf47f8Y2v_aop9zN00ZzxInYBhqvT7fkF-vYEOuOOonhfaE0ltOXD-kKETgtXDuknmGRwq4e3Xb9UxwdYaltILOHV9/s640/the+wknd+special5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
people couldn’t do a darned thing about it. They couldn’t complain, weren’t
allowed to because it was all part of a fest, a tradition. And that made it all
the more fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Basaan
Festival 2016 was celebrated in honor of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Come
the gloomy afternoon, I was off to attend MTV Music Evolution 2016 at the SM
MOA Concert Grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
went to see some acts perform, but, most importantly, I went because I wanted
to be with friends again. I hadn’t seen my college mates for a month or so then,
and I consider that a long time already since I’m used to seeing them often. I was
reunited with Jerome, Jonas, Kreng, Liezette, and Masa that night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa00odJlBMVHMFSO-aKOxtdwFvX39M0tsAvlGnU-HQSQzNKdjDWmf0nWX3kfUFe1XR5HlJuNs6hzVuI_J5RIHQHc-Q67SSAIPuNCD43_rfPfOpsvW2CR853rlnf9mUWyRi567vIBBiUaH/s1600/the+wknd+special12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa00odJlBMVHMFSO-aKOxtdwFvX39M0tsAvlGnU-HQSQzNKdjDWmf0nWX3kfUFe1XR5HlJuNs6hzVuI_J5RIHQHc-Q67SSAIPuNCD43_rfPfOpsvW2CR853rlnf9mUWyRi567vIBBiUaH/s640/the+wknd+special12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fest-wise,
it didn’t go well for us. The stage set was really nice. It was huge, full of
party vibes and well-coordinated. The lineup of performers listed big names from
both the local and international scenes. What went wrong, the only thing that
went wrong of all the things that could have gone wrong, was the weather. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEvOmjW4P6iS14qb5OuWFDjOZchH9BvQFx9vUOx9vHLN9fjEWWEKRIh3or2J339uogEaX6o7YnIUX0FSMkut2OL022YBO7ly70WdaRPXQxJjWu4hyphenhyphenpUlfHVx0tIWT5vozn-y6FbwPVZGg/s1600/the+wknd+special13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEvOmjW4P6iS14qb5OuWFDjOZchH9BvQFx9vUOx9vHLN9fjEWWEKRIh3or2J339uogEaX6o7YnIUX0FSMkut2OL022YBO7ly70WdaRPXQxJjWu4hyphenhyphenpUlfHVx0tIWT5vozn-y6FbwPVZGg/s640/the+wknd+special13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
had no idea a tropical depression was forming that day. It was a vicious cycle
of it raining then stopping then raining again for hours. So even when we were
provided with free disposable raincoats, we were still drenched in rainwater. And
it wasn’t just that, we were also wet in sweat because 1) it felt hot wearing
the coat and 2) we were like sardines along with the other fest-goers squeezing
and tugging at each other while watching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXjgA0itSEM00Go3zEuvWxjGht6yGyvHy4PY34LDD8df-2aHNdXOReGK5fK6hIzftS-HshBXqCcgngM33ki2oNHUTwCKAYLZjYF2oht3PHyybP57kjYNMxdETLU6sw1xge17zUUb6J_wQ/s1600/the+wkdn+special+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXjgA0itSEM00Go3zEuvWxjGht6yGyvHy4PY34LDD8df-2aHNdXOReGK5fK6hIzftS-HshBXqCcgngM33ki2oNHUTwCKAYLZjYF2oht3PHyybP57kjYNMxdETLU6sw1xge17zUUb6J_wQ/s640/the+wkdn+special+23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
were unable to last long in such a pathetic situation, so we left halfway
through the concert. The only acts we got to watch were the local ones and zero
international artists who we really wanted to see, huhuhuhu. No OneRepublic and
Bebe Rexha for us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">June
26, 2016 | Lola Itang’s 80<sup>th</sup> Birthday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even
when Lola Itang already passed away and despite the heaviness in that loss, the
Dela Cruz Clan still made sure to celebrate her 80<sup>th</sup> birthday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp0j8u1sHciJZnr_br36s43T1VXbdHOCbHYBFZ-QDQyUKL5Nmi0RcJB9bx5UtdsqkT3y69Ieis8PZ0B2jxNYPfBLXbMjYzIudKH_6s8ciBBC92Tvv52Qc43CTTV8iYKkqTnvonFSjkk58/s1600/the+wknd+special11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp0j8u1sHciJZnr_br36s43T1VXbdHOCbHYBFZ-QDQyUKL5Nmi0RcJB9bx5UtdsqkT3y69Ieis8PZ0B2jxNYPfBLXbMjYzIudKH_6s8ciBBC92Tvv52Qc43CTTV8iYKkqTnvonFSjkk58/s640/the+wknd+special11.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
surely would’ve been a happier celebration had she been there with us alive,
but we took what we could get. We just opted to visit her in the cemetery and
share some good food and good Lola Itang memories together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy
birthday, Lola Itang! Take care up there! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">June
29, 2016 | Amber’s Baptism | Feast of Saint Peter | Abakom June Babies’
Birthday Surprise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yesterday
was a big day because my college friends and I celebrated the abovementioned
big things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
don’t know how many godsons and goddaughters I already have. All I’m sure of is
the list in which Amber is the newest addition keeps on growing. I’m not
complaining because I’m happy to be godmothering such a charming little baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Welcome
to the Christian world, my love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj134MfWkJbLjxc_2pSIjt0-b4YTqIFTmvTIcaAMsYHugzFuFXN6hmQbMzrh_TXKHYmijNjkapy_o_5VlKGB60iyl9lhbs1KXRE_9rCsr9RxYm-WeaGWr-M52HrU6A4jlReX1aiuX2OWSHn/s1600/the+wknd+special19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj134MfWkJbLjxc_2pSIjt0-b4YTqIFTmvTIcaAMsYHugzFuFXN6hmQbMzrh_TXKHYmijNjkapy_o_5VlKGB60iyl9lhbs1KXRE_9rCsr9RxYm-WeaGWr-M52HrU6A4jlReX1aiuX2OWSHn/s640/the+wknd+special19.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was also a good thing that her baptism was done just in time for the Feast of
Saint Peter because I happen to love feasts. They mean great desserts and
friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGr4GFSg4Uw709vOLhNyKA-eTCP7javzCxOjfpyVEMmmJU3ONXDF2skMs4PyoOYVcZRKeZmN6uJ3-1Zj3YbW-fCYqoMNLC4roSEry48ka5YofAUgMumvNn4DnOQLvzTz9dpa2RjT8iySx/s1600/the+wknd+special15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGr4GFSg4Uw709vOLhNyKA-eTCP7javzCxOjfpyVEMmmJU3ONXDF2skMs4PyoOYVcZRKeZmN6uJ3-1Zj3YbW-fCYqoMNLC4roSEry48ka5YofAUgMumvNn4DnOQLvzTz9dpa2RjT8iySx/s640/the+wknd+special15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6W_2yBrWwRz3kHJYj1zXtQ9W4z_RTYOcEFuzl7F0YQPYezDlQY_qvxZB42-_-RwK-GNloE62U0DjUuWh0LHl6zLJ-xPj9HT7cX2AWg1sc4mbYcpZnRiHkt53D29jSHfRTX9ZN63ki0xC/s1600/the+wknd+special10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6W_2yBrWwRz3kHJYj1zXtQ9W4z_RTYOcEFuzl7F0YQPYezDlQY_qvxZB42-_-RwK-GNloE62U0DjUuWh0LHl6zLJ-xPj9HT7cX2AWg1sc4mbYcpZnRiHkt53D29jSHfRTX9ZN63ki0xC/s640/the+wknd+special10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
since this was a time we knew many of us college friends would come together, we
didn’t pass up the chance to throw a simple birthday surprise for our June
babies – Jerome, Joanah, Jamie, and Marfi. It was a bit sad that only Jerome
and Joanah got to attend, but we were happy to see they liked our little gifts
to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oVBoQ3cmbU3wjdScbDEt1woJnw24ax6fpSX3yWZaujk_XdlKRTpWfaG4JNgWaTXfSghb-WXgDPQ6yWujsMwGNhlEfc-hiwHY6s15NY5cEDz8iv-5QNYE1esG8IGbduPQxVdW2sNKV0A2/s1600/the+wknd+special18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oVBoQ3cmbU3wjdScbDEt1woJnw24ax6fpSX3yWZaujk_XdlKRTpWfaG4JNgWaTXfSghb-WXgDPQ6yWujsMwGNhlEfc-hiwHY6s15NY5cEDz8iv-5QNYE1esG8IGbduPQxVdW2sNKV0A2/s640/the+wknd+special18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVqPuZAzAhrOyj4ZkM2yrEjGGcaWPmoRkVL9nlbGEazeGY4ybyyYL_PixXNgpy4nz1c9Bxe1-e3pumRTZ4CHVPGr8gD78DvDdhFpAzZHaeFr6WsReNgB-nR-VdpFiKN2nPuOWm71EsjIe/s1600/the+wknd+special17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVqPuZAzAhrOyj4ZkM2yrEjGGcaWPmoRkVL9nlbGEazeGY4ybyyYL_PixXNgpy4nz1c9Bxe1-e3pumRTZ4CHVPGr8gD78DvDdhFpAzZHaeFr6WsReNgB-nR-VdpFiKN2nPuOWm71EsjIe/s640/the+wknd+special17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbbf8yiPGer3gRV-H2OMqpJEoOH0mSU_XbAMk64P6rtSe4mCR3J12BtCWKe3ymXAxRN4IresHyD6VBZELyaLhlLGezjE4zgdPkwrnwX4nziEzy81S_OqfFdTQDJSYEjtSwxOftvuQP3q6/s1600/the+wknd+special20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbbf8yiPGer3gRV-H2OMqpJEoOH0mSU_XbAMk64P6rtSe4mCR3J12BtCWKe3ymXAxRN4IresHyD6VBZELyaLhlLGezjE4zgdPkwrnwX4nziEzy81S_OqfFdTQDJSYEjtSwxOftvuQP3q6/s640/the+wknd+special20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">S/o
to Liezette for baking the yummy cupcakes and Jason for doing the layout for
the party hats and cupcake toppers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy
birthday, guys! Let’s all be older and wiser together!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking
back now, I can tell the recent weekends have been full of socializations after
all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Photo
sources: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kalanbanga/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Kalan + Banga etc. Facebook page</a>, Antoniette Pulutan, yours
truly<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-87085163226609515632016-06-23T00:31:00.000-07:002016-06-23T00:31:56.952-07:00The Happy List: Random List #9<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I
was feeling heavy inside the past two weeks. You know that feeling of pain when
someone close to you is going through some rough patch and there isn’t much you
can do about it? I was having that ugly moment. But now I’m past that. Thank
God. I could look back now and see not just the bad but the positive things as
well. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s
all about </span>re-framing the mindset.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK53RO6ZY5sCL5lGU0D8uXXEsfXbMAfpdV65lGcBG08dYNbmC_GPvXpED_uq5K-ABBVUmYNcJHkxdc7TixmDi7_rTusz6CiueqxwxpulG77Fb-b3Zq15XDaJJXKIKuLm21hcGymm5hnyPQ/s1600/Happy+List+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK53RO6ZY5sCL5lGU0D8uXXEsfXbMAfpdV65lGcBG08dYNbmC_GPvXpED_uq5K-ABBVUmYNcJHkxdc7TixmDi7_rTusz6CiueqxwxpulG77Fb-b3Zq15XDaJJXKIKuLm21hcGymm5hnyPQ/s640/Happy+List+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Laundry days, making
them a part of my weekly routine, enjoying the domestication from it, and my
washed clothes not having after smells</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The Conjuring 2 date
w/ Julie+Katrina and our establishment of stronger admiration for James Wan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Buying insoles for
my too big sneakers and docksides, end of struggle for my poor feet, yesss</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Thankfulness because
Lola Itang finally got the rest she needed, even if it meant not seeing her
around anymore, we’ll forever remember her</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Trying hard to be
the most supportive companion</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Fun times with the (BIG)
extended family and some sense of belongingness there</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Catching up with Jason
after his busy days of mourning</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">GOT S06E09 a.k.a.
The Battle of the Bastards!!! #holdsbreath</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Translation side
duties, even when English to Filipino is much harder, hahaha, seriously</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Three straight days
of solid breakfast meals</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Photo
was taken during an early dinner with Jason’s family after Lola Itang’s
interment, still a happy </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">shot</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">*Photo
by Ronaldo Dela Cruz<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-8261146177973897892016-06-16T20:52:00.000-07:002016-06-16T20:52:10.326-07:00Baler 2016: Surf, Stroll & Stall<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
joy in getting something done always feels way beyond itself. It goes to as far
as throwing away the value of that something being either just a small or great
feat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS0Kl5SiWYrceFEQB0J6fmkBSHr16yv-N9jwKiClOJCgTnfLYvEpyHn9xLscH4cYATLT-RtKylT2-QRP59y4fG0gV6Sv6wWTPX9YW_iP0xRBYwjNVHpfYvJBJO9zg9mX3nUJ3bDsyKgGe/s1600/Baler+2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS0Kl5SiWYrceFEQB0J6fmkBSHr16yv-N9jwKiClOJCgTnfLYvEpyHn9xLscH4cYATLT-RtKylT2-QRP59y4fG0gV6Sv6wWTPX9YW_iP0xRBYwjNVHpfYvJBJO9zg9mX3nUJ3bDsyKgGe/s640/Baler+2016-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As
for this trip, the true accomplishment was getting high school friends to say
yes without backing out at the last minute and really actually pulling this off.
That and checking Baler off our list. Baler’s been on our minds since before we
graduated in college, so one can only imagine how fulfilled we must’ve felt
when things finally came through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But
enough of being sentimental. This is supposed to be a fun adventure story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">DITUMABO
FALLS (MOTHER FALLS)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
30-40 minute hike through a trail that involves a stream, a damp concrete pathway
and a stuck (I think) dam leads to Ditumabo Falls. Hiking, though a bit hard,
was made fun by the relaxing sound and cooling feeling of stream water. Also,
we started early, so it really wasn’t that hot yet. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bJ6Ezb2ONdPfB4fQzHSMPYcutzTb3rWDqyC_r8bCUrZ7O_21YBg0m-6OOwWGfdV8QGDOAReXCF_Fokqy2fEBG8IwGT-dgjSEqGZGun53APKr4Z8AFbN2bKUNnt-IosnSc25ugBwG-ehK/s1600/Baler+2016-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bJ6Ezb2ONdPfB4fQzHSMPYcutzTb3rWDqyC_r8bCUrZ7O_21YBg0m-6OOwWGfdV8QGDOAReXCF_Fokqy2fEBG8IwGT-dgjSEqGZGun53APKr4Z8AFbN2bKUNnt-IosnSc25ugBwG-ehK/s640/Baler+2016-42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd_zM3ArrRoqLHXX5c-C7jM_ot5PLSvGauH2BIlcfEKHHwQisG1QlRTvyoY1SDwtYOpFx264K5dJgQhWJSIcZK5eHj6RNQE2ktQ7RHrFHz_4RfhbMG0HYRPBTOZ7WaHEHJVjpZ9lp2s46/s1600/Baler+2016-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd_zM3ArrRoqLHXX5c-C7jM_ot5PLSvGauH2BIlcfEKHHwQisG1QlRTvyoY1SDwtYOpFx264K5dJgQhWJSIcZK5eHj6RNQE2ktQ7RHrFHz_4RfhbMG0HYRPBTOZ7WaHEHJVjpZ9lp2s46/s640/Baler+2016-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The falls itself had strong
and wide torrents cascading that made for solid viewing. Water was, as
expected, ice cold. Swimming for long could result to some serious shivering. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzu-cE6a3FoCaD-fpxpag-tO5Nzr98x9hvzHUgK3jjEt-YEJUdcxQlsDkTkotOHm2eIGXGnlwtrYbkBQp8Ti_-7dDN0JvW0x5kFzIV5Whiv2cnRPciD8RYFvA1p8VtLJIpgmJeVrKDFRX/s1600/Baler+2016-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzu-cE6a3FoCaD-fpxpag-tO5Nzr98x9hvzHUgK3jjEt-YEJUdcxQlsDkTkotOHm2eIGXGnlwtrYbkBQp8Ti_-7dDN0JvW0x5kFzIV5Whiv2cnRPciD8RYFvA1p8VtLJIpgmJeVrKDFRX/s640/Baler+2016-43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
was even a mini-falls on the way near the main falls. It was crowded during our
visit. We were either sitting or standing side by side other groups, so we
didn’t stay long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">HANGING
BRIDGE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Though
scary-looking, the wooden hanging bridge was something I enjoyed crossing. It
didn’t make me feel queasy but jolly like a kid instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjjYiDzei92VoCSIwg-GCzmBB8Mkcg4-3VhcO4IPBkfiNFF8dm4c9t2ikNZ7nLlPiGcyvaArpatf7kq7w9RSsX2nbHvizoSla0GsXjoxMLU1RSD0BD8ZjVHwYDE0W9RszF_WwmmFEWVA8/s1600/Baler+2016-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjjYiDzei92VoCSIwg-GCzmBB8Mkcg4-3VhcO4IPBkfiNFF8dm4c9t2ikNZ7nLlPiGcyvaArpatf7kq7w9RSsX2nbHvizoSla0GsXjoxMLU1RSD0BD8ZjVHwYDE0W9RszF_WwmmFEWVA8/s640/Baler+2016-40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhCb0skWTgL91DZCZ0tjsL252QWuaxPEO1Om31YDuEWd_m9fTqThEhseCu6qO7EiVdaT6K0bx4wBgNxzn8a0UWDnxFCqu8vrsdxUR8ewBXupwMktLaONOubQDXHopYQ_2pJ_9a6AWVBD5/s1600/Baler+2016-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhCb0skWTgL91DZCZ0tjsL252QWuaxPEO1Om31YDuEWd_m9fTqThEhseCu6qO7EiVdaT6K0bx4wBgNxzn8a0UWDnxFCqu8vrsdxUR8ewBXupwMktLaONOubQDXHopYQ_2pJ_9a6AWVBD5/s640/Baler+2016-4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLvW0xjUn22TDTuPJ6JViSO_DSca1cDGEdnwFbkln5vIoxpVknRIQuY3O8UpWtL0sjMTCSx_X1ucof1pRbnZoYXSKgQjicrYU-etYaabdkFmE6g7OGw1URgJwAEtFBnLQWqkGCU6mBkR5/s1600/Baler+2016-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLvW0xjUn22TDTuPJ6JViSO_DSca1cDGEdnwFbkln5vIoxpVknRIQuY3O8UpWtL0sjMTCSx_X1ucof1pRbnZoYXSKgQjicrYU-etYaabdkFmE6g7OGw1URgJwAEtFBnLQWqkGCU6mBkR5/s640/Baler+2016-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It
has been built to link two barangays, but because of the nice river view it
provides, it now also serves as a tourist attraction. I enjoy bridges. They can
take you to two or more places at a time. They can make you feel exploratory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpxg4pxbXJ9MOkY3ns6jTQmHOd5vUl3fJDYrbEFfPDX50-xBKJFaR9lqYvcL2dRe6l2TyWx-Q7CJT6fcGMTQCbCdAu4sKxDLkQIoVg-U16Ncroppq0YGLncsXJ7_rQbopVm6EM0ExUpAo/s1600/Baler+2016-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpxg4pxbXJ9MOkY3ns6jTQmHOd5vUl3fJDYrbEFfPDX50-xBKJFaR9lqYvcL2dRe6l2TyWx-Q7CJT6fcGMTQCbCdAu4sKxDLkQIoVg-U16Ncroppq0YGLncsXJ7_rQbopVm6EM0ExUpAo/s640/Baler+2016-5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuquqRalRP7o0Vm8vTPbVC_eUBYeTUaFaBVHq2iG5JkJjrsIB3gItezxiKPcn6Gg5nlUZQ0b_ykTPAuBis0bY6u16xFY1a_9-e9NVZU7BHh3A7Rf-ACFB7BNgjt98fmYc9jxuHc_GgLLv1/s1600/Baler+2016-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuquqRalRP7o0Vm8vTPbVC_eUBYeTUaFaBVHq2iG5JkJjrsIB3gItezxiKPcn6Gg5nlUZQ0b_ykTPAuBis0bY6u16xFY1a_9-e9NVZU7BHh3A7Rf-ACFB7BNgjt98fmYc9jxuHc_GgLLv1/s640/Baler+2016-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After
crossing though, there isn’t much left to do aside from checking out souvenir
items on sale at the stalls or riding a boat back to the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">ERMITA
HILL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ermita
Hill is symbolic of the catastrophic tidal wave that once hit the town and
wiped out parts of it way back the 1700s. In memory of those who died, a
structure was erected. In front of the hill, a sculpture of seven persons
climbing and scrambling up the hill represents, according to our guide, the
story of the seven families who tried to save themselves from the said tragedy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8xHS_5pudi5Een2gUgbmQUoC4jcqpsbcs9puKTY16RpMi-vBxCIzNEg4RC_TbpNReQKwRIfn3HwKW0VEaesY86epcavqyxuAqLWeGq5E7ZX2-R17ztYDS7paC1-HdqW10ZeTGreaAAYb/s1600/Baler+2016--8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8xHS_5pudi5Een2gUgbmQUoC4jcqpsbcs9puKTY16RpMi-vBxCIzNEg4RC_TbpNReQKwRIfn3HwKW0VEaesY86epcavqyxuAqLWeGq5E7ZX2-R17ztYDS7paC1-HdqW10ZeTGreaAAYb/s640/Baler+2016--8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aside from this sculpture, a white cross may also be found atop the hill, but
one must take on the challenge of going through 200 steps to see it. Moreover,
Ermita Hill also has viewing decks that let tourists get a glimpse of the
overlooking beaches around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLWYPKvpaLOigzfRuJh9CtErkZpMEe2Txd8w_jGv0R7Rx5UOmWIjGBBiiMScPC-iZd4iojT5V5bbRTrpLNXpHu2-p1REtcHg9XIQgK1CmDaDp13yY2r29YTpiRVjw1WryoUS-kjIw9gLN/s1600/Baler+2016-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLWYPKvpaLOigzfRuJh9CtErkZpMEe2Txd8w_jGv0R7Rx5UOmWIjGBBiiMScPC-iZd4iojT5V5bbRTrpLNXpHu2-p1REtcHg9XIQgK1CmDaDp13yY2r29YTpiRVjw1WryoUS-kjIw9gLN/s640/Baler+2016-9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx0ybWreYuy7hm0NclWlwXmHd0TGmnSUM9LoWEOlEUNiUZnLUjPW3_IQJLRXwMxpxBuv40Jg7YxrTwwMUGr5FLt2VK1Nyh9aoBYyMrCtg8prQkQBpP2Fx5SB0iwtPGD5lkKN-ZLXsSBKR/s1600/Baler+2016-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx0ybWreYuy7hm0NclWlwXmHd0TGmnSUM9LoWEOlEUNiUZnLUjPW3_IQJLRXwMxpxBuv40Jg7YxrTwwMUGr5FLt2VK1Nyh9aoBYyMrCtg8prQkQBpP2Fx5SB0iwtPGD5lkKN-ZLXsSBKR/s640/Baler+2016-7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As
for us, we decided not to climb up the hill anymore. We were already solved after
seeing the sculpture and being in the viewing decks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">DIGUISIT
ROCK FORMATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Diguisit Rock Formations, as the name implies, is best known for its rocks and
islets. Since it was low tide by the time of our visit, we got to really see the
small rocks beneath the water. We also saw tiny sea creatures. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsfosUnKfiFZHhYR8se__uidT08i9r6mI2afobWSlz82NsFCEpLqR_MW5Srk-Z7M_aOc2D5tVGQo16VC8z3uAFW2XVyolm3NUh8vjGekLVjkdPlGbE2GI7XzgL6gJpQDbLLbPJBLxNu69/s1600/Baler+2016-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsfosUnKfiFZHhYR8se__uidT08i9r6mI2afobWSlz82NsFCEpLqR_MW5Srk-Z7M_aOc2D5tVGQo16VC8z3uAFW2XVyolm3NUh8vjGekLVjkdPlGbE2GI7XzgL6gJpQDbLLbPJBLxNu69/s640/Baler+2016-37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We then kept
walking into the water until we came close with the huge boulders. Even from
afar, I could tell they have rough surfaces and pointed ends. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuqDXlLClJd9w6q18waKfXu6s2kiu3M_9NE1HuC_veYt_NnJJLj8B8xg0OmH7ASth1oNwl4YNkm8tDhogG2UjnpjkzbfIC0Cmbi5y2YVLjDyOseVnK_-UisU1kXrayu7Zx2Ut3XdoUi0w/s1600/Baler+2016-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuqDXlLClJd9w6q18waKfXu6s2kiu3M_9NE1HuC_veYt_NnJJLj8B8xg0OmH7ASth1oNwl4YNkm8tDhogG2UjnpjkzbfIC0Cmbi5y2YVLjDyOseVnK_-UisU1kXrayu7Zx2Ut3XdoUi0w/s640/Baler+2016-10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK20ybRVIFJVFIEuGXzW3ml5MUKnnWYD6W1ON6qtqFH8zeGK1Nm6JsP1RBBQTyMT-p10n_4EtN3Z_NM1GR7T7ReNOPOk7DRJd5qKtIy0fmMK-oltSrLGz36kJWHlI3sO6Eq_3hb-VDc16/s1600/Baler+2016-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK20ybRVIFJVFIEuGXzW3ml5MUKnnWYD6W1ON6qtqFH8zeGK1Nm6JsP1RBBQTyMT-p10n_4EtN3Z_NM1GR7T7ReNOPOk7DRJd5qKtIy0fmMK-oltSrLGz36kJWHlI3sO6Eq_3hb-VDc16/s640/Baler+2016-11.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOMPWy1amq0rVuSBXy5Nk6AEs-H0g7TFEMTMPd2p7FNX0UVZhdoooKzxGpBliGuCjNbAicxiVlQjEOM8YvfK8zmkjV-vmO8dlOZS5OHWntCqllZ5KSb2kFQN7P8s2biT5LLNDb8tu89oR/s1600/Baler+2016-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOMPWy1amq0rVuSBXy5Nk6AEs-H0g7TFEMTMPd2p7FNX0UVZhdoooKzxGpBliGuCjNbAicxiVlQjEOM8YvfK8zmkjV-vmO8dlOZS5OHWntCqllZ5KSb2kFQN7P8s2biT5LLNDb8tu89oR/s640/Baler+2016-12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We didn’t go to
the beach proper, though. We took turns taking pictures since it made for a
nice photo backdrop. It had that dramatic look to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">BALER
CHURCH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It
is nice how, in every trip, either planned or unplanned, we always get to
include a church or two in our itinerary. Since most travels take up much
effort and risks, it’s an instant chance to give thanks for an amazing opportunity
and pray for a safe adventure. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgM0f66WENGUL9PIuN9m6NkryehCwD7dmR_Nyhu7KAZaxU7nK5P9SeCx1L0y-EvsPiz0aDrXCvzk3NcyIOiFGcHQMcnzAaJGVLmUPN1Y4k0ZEoSvcBku4aoFYMIEX4bT7eYSK0gCbfkTo/s1600/Baler+2016-14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgM0f66WENGUL9PIuN9m6NkryehCwD7dmR_Nyhu7KAZaxU7nK5P9SeCx1L0y-EvsPiz0aDrXCvzk3NcyIOiFGcHQMcnzAaJGVLmUPN1Y4k0ZEoSvcBku4aoFYMIEX4bT7eYSK0gCbfkTo/s640/Baler+2016-14.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In a way, there’s also much that one can tell
about a particular place based on the story of its church/es. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJKrzih75Xd_U3BKLREK2bRHEvEADKXwZdAjvH2kQnchlX7GkEs2Yu0a_f9Hnwupxjc4PfHu-BS41GNnVLqK60N6VeyiDusLWJMppyKDCBgGjPNOMs2NpFk3ltL5Q0v-lkx05wkKKKwcf/s1600/Baler+2016-13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJKrzih75Xd_U3BKLREK2bRHEvEADKXwZdAjvH2kQnchlX7GkEs2Yu0a_f9Hnwupxjc4PfHu-BS41GNnVLqK60N6VeyiDusLWJMppyKDCBgGjPNOMs2NpFk3ltL5Q0v-lkx05wkKKKwcf/s640/Baler+2016-13.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As with Baler
Church, I’d say I didn’t see anything that stood out for me. Research told me
that this wasn’t the original church constructed here, so this one is still
fairly new and have yet to make history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">AURORA
QUEZON’S ANCESTRAL HOUSE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Little
info: Aurora Quezon was Manuel Quezon’s wife. They also happened to be close
cousins. Unconventional but yes, it’s true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXr9HfLu7RPfr4xZ2rDaXpDgUD4uH_-P0tbbmEFjsQAfoJDruADqWcwDQsGUAllKH64MQ6fmZrFe7b-JiuxHVP-WEEWD1Mghy5WAji0uMug8-C7kXELvDgRce-J88UIvkDhPuMMI3PYrY/s1600/Baler+2016-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXr9HfLu7RPfr4xZ2rDaXpDgUD4uH_-P0tbbmEFjsQAfoJDruADqWcwDQsGUAllKH64MQ6fmZrFe7b-JiuxHVP-WEEWD1Mghy5WAji0uMug8-C7kXELvDgRce-J88UIvkDhPuMMI3PYrY/s640/Baler+2016-17.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As
per the ancestral house, it’s still the original house but not really. Some
parts of it have been renovated to ensure its stability. Inside it are photos, furniture,
paintings, and writings relating to the couple’s family. A favorite display
here is the vintage vehicle Manuel Quezon used when he was still president. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpufmPOrJ4F6JXn_xzi0ES_P-CIAZpF8sYoBfbtLqRRbY5ALuMaK50hlcP7Qt_wpdrRXk12Tm6DRU5HJgTLPUDkpRsTPFcInyQVCe_58ofG9BcDsQMx58i-X-3mLQX0llBEOG48kBJJXQy/s1600/Baler+2016-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpufmPOrJ4F6JXn_xzi0ES_P-CIAZpF8sYoBfbtLqRRbY5ALuMaK50hlcP7Qt_wpdrRXk12Tm6DRU5HJgTLPUDkpRsTPFcInyQVCe_58ofG9BcDsQMx58i-X-3mLQX0llBEOG48kBJJXQy/s640/Baler+2016-20.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZzMf9MJB9Frp3wE4YHy6rDAQhfwflWa24CCReFp94tUezdv6iM2CZPIeDHJuee63EMUKdV2Yw9uMele6JU9DZY7SDgUUyWgPSmz_Z5oE6XCP7ubGccz5cT1LFuFDAZzYs78bH2Z53_bY/s1600/Baler+2016-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZzMf9MJB9Frp3wE4YHy6rDAQhfwflWa24CCReFp94tUezdv6iM2CZPIeDHJuee63EMUKdV2Yw9uMele6JU9DZY7SDgUUyWgPSmz_Z5oE6XCP7ubGccz5cT1LFuFDAZzYs78bH2Z53_bY/s640/Baler+2016-18.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T7LmX75xH6EY8ef-d4kjAZAo5MioYEG8FLMSagBaDzRZm2sDIfV216crEillbDlePdSK_OeCIDv2tYwfX0gbGiaNZbEsCCm9vYMcdOfIbNEVbRxwPKbu-BBy1l7yiJbp1LgQ0jp8Zphy/s1600/Baler+2016-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T7LmX75xH6EY8ef-d4kjAZAo5MioYEG8FLMSagBaDzRZm2sDIfV216crEillbDlePdSK_OeCIDv2tYwfX0gbGiaNZbEsCCm9vYMcdOfIbNEVbRxwPKbu-BBy1l7yiJbp1LgQ0jp8Zphy/s640/Baler+2016-16.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It
is a typical ancestral home, not grand, not palace-like. There isn’t much to be
explored here, but what would leave a mark to visitors is its ambiance inside. This
ancestral home reminds me just how houses from before could be so ventilated
and comfortable, so homey, to live in despite being small and simple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">MUSEO
DE BALER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">First
eye-catching thing about Museo de Baler is its façade because it gives off that
rustic impression to it which only seems fitting considering what this place
contains inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YhqOueR73y9fv8yif7irmHVyDRx8ZFTJheasctgaL1C4VZGxqgZjRJAts__OzpUWVTtjp6aduXH1N-fD2IhtmxjOXI_UvVKBewCn_9M4re1VigICqlShiWpqwdJVd8shwZkc6vRTUHX9/s1600/Baler+2016-22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YhqOueR73y9fv8yif7irmHVyDRx8ZFTJheasctgaL1C4VZGxqgZjRJAts__OzpUWVTtjp6aduXH1N-fD2IhtmxjOXI_UvVKBewCn_9M4re1VigICqlShiWpqwdJVd8shwZkc6vRTUHX9/s640/Baler+2016-22.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKyQV-1iQvXdzjN8MQkUV6FEMlf8Px8OYJKYA-zNOu7bS7ar2CxXDDEwa4IT-iMvoPj9gWFsLpoidenJs1LU23Xx5K0Sv1AN7HvgfTpVbWKTQ990wIoLWKf_VZfKbxN4y_MaKINLlNZjg/s1600/Baler+2016-26.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKyQV-1iQvXdzjN8MQkUV6FEMlf8Px8OYJKYA-zNOu7bS7ar2CxXDDEwa4IT-iMvoPj9gWFsLpoidenJs1LU23Xx5K0Sv1AN7HvgfTpVbWKTQ990wIoLWKf_VZfKbxN4y_MaKINLlNZjg/s640/Baler+2016-26.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Visiting
Museo de Baler is like time travelling to the past of the town through exposure
to photographs, writings, dioramas, and antique earthenware inside. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl5FUMpmoJ89KaMo0qRhq8AbME-8X-9LMY5QzWocOSnXrxcZaBwT-U93EdZssXeZUASu2xNhH10m6gclpgQd_12wQ7rkx4VstENo7Bb8L5Qnsf-9kVyUl4hz6o4OPfMxVBMqMZxNG6MBL/s1600/Baler+2016-25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl5FUMpmoJ89KaMo0qRhq8AbME-8X-9LMY5QzWocOSnXrxcZaBwT-U93EdZssXeZUASu2xNhH10m6gclpgQd_12wQ7rkx4VstENo7Bb8L5Qnsf-9kVyUl4hz6o4OPfMxVBMqMZxNG6MBL/s640/Baler+2016-25.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-aqoa3vV-e-QbWWXqhth1_smhSKEInTroUVmv4ioVqDbHrEBC8H7i6rMqZWOgZLkYpRtapRf1MjDIbF7kNrq6LDNGbUobpMS2sTVQ_oqQCqbrlAw22RjKtFihEpBp_ljVLt3AdkAvDwC/s1600/Baler+2016-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-aqoa3vV-e-QbWWXqhth1_smhSKEInTroUVmv4ioVqDbHrEBC8H7i6rMqZWOgZLkYpRtapRf1MjDIbF7kNrq6LDNGbUobpMS2sTVQ_oqQCqbrlAw22RjKtFihEpBp_ljVLt3AdkAvDwC/s640/Baler+2016-24.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXyjsl-OTlK0w7TP4A6eTm2h4MI3GzfPd4VVvqI47gRz9vq0XjxA6TymumH1V7XMKcxnlakSu646sJ88_5VFMDsPKDchLlutaBIAb4ertMVhPcSj-mctx1wGvKi__KC2IeRFDj3u1knf7/s1600/Baler+2016-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXyjsl-OTlK0w7TP4A6eTm2h4MI3GzfPd4VVvqI47gRz9vq0XjxA6TymumH1V7XMKcxnlakSu646sJ88_5VFMDsPKDchLlutaBIAb4ertMVhPcSj-mctx1wGvKi__KC2IeRFDj3u1knf7/s640/Baler+2016-23.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l2XxaVUNk9EgXdepCcMLbighvOvJjNlDLi5xZRt3LuAaUT0cBQKtCRa4YhspzC-K4IDnOp8oWT50uHmWzgTXGdeMJ1k-EhYXy7iWcAEoEHtcMtRONeBIXtjlCjJoK-y8JXWVTx4Il1PE/s1600/Baler+2016-21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l2XxaVUNk9EgXdepCcMLbighvOvJjNlDLi5xZRt3LuAaUT0cBQKtCRa4YhspzC-K4IDnOp8oWT50uHmWzgTXGdeMJ1k-EhYXy7iWcAEoEHtcMtRONeBIXtjlCjJoK-y8JXWVTx4Il1PE/s640/Baler+2016-21.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Displayed
on the first floor are mostly artifacts like old porcelains, items of clothing,
church bells relating to Baler while more abstract paintings may be found on
the second floor of this two-storey building. This place is perfect for student
field trips. It is seeing these antiques that makes history more interesting
and less boring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">SABANG
BEACH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
waves were a-calling, and we obliged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngHN-9xwSBPlZAwt9_q0w93cCiycJIVetycWBQTk-zrGjf8rAKVNM3prU9TRS3NmKrelwIoGuuN9izZDXRDIuefoZuvv4s1mEb3KrITwenKkCnO9wrYY7kV4dY43m2t-AuCXst-5Z_LdJ/s1600/Baler+2016-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngHN-9xwSBPlZAwt9_q0w93cCiycJIVetycWBQTk-zrGjf8rAKVNM3prU9TRS3NmKrelwIoGuuN9izZDXRDIuefoZuvv4s1mEb3KrITwenKkCnO9wrYY7kV4dY43m2t-AuCXst-5Z_LdJ/s640/Baler+2016-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When
people say they want to go surfing in Baler, this is where they go. First of
all, it’s important to remember what it’s for. One should not expect anything spectacular
as per its view, fine white as per its sand and clear as per its water. But whatever
it lacks in all of the above mentioned it makes up for in its waves. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFugwFTO027rp0vfBmz4HqjiS1oMuxp1s_zeptGiMHT_Q1nWUZ2Gt0CuNuo8dmBnvku2NaWEtalk5ZrIYthnmQxDvV3v34pROqm6bVeTIUbDBmPzzoJWvbsLa-J92BWfbq5FT0jKDp-Ig/s1600/Baler+2016-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFugwFTO027rp0vfBmz4HqjiS1oMuxp1s_zeptGiMHT_Q1nWUZ2Gt0CuNuo8dmBnvku2NaWEtalk5ZrIYthnmQxDvV3v34pROqm6bVeTIUbDBmPzzoJWvbsLa-J92BWfbq5FT0jKDp-Ig/s640/Baler+2016-29.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sabang’s
waves are just the right kind for amateurs who wish to at least be able to
stand on the board and, if luck’s on their side, actually ride the waves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cMDieiaV7UeLN1ZfF-WG1M_zCiDUDaPgXiLjLoZw2vQ_gKzG8dtFRHIBCk_9mOlzZ_XcFmekgBnsCi852f-uow5rbxVp_5gTJr71jH38j3HnJMCtEHH0ODpx24m0dWIp0ybfX8RZDx6G/s1600/Baler+2016-28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cMDieiaV7UeLN1ZfF-WG1M_zCiDUDaPgXiLjLoZw2vQ_gKzG8dtFRHIBCk_9mOlzZ_XcFmekgBnsCi852f-uow5rbxVp_5gTJr71jH38j3HnJMCtEHH0ODpx24m0dWIp0ybfX8RZDx6G/s640/Baler+2016-28.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h-qhp2oaLMnJxBge1bwIWy5wKfoBhyphenhyphenI1b1qrE-X1vBZ5fz-oGB2A6WxRr0ud3FVQvZINNyD4o_gFUMfNgfH9PWiIyN1khrzNh2UJIGF5D8VGCbzG9ZSPKLZ2TF10aeIrp7ElRvyf4-_x/s1600/Baler+2016-27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h-qhp2oaLMnJxBge1bwIWy5wKfoBhyphenhyphenI1b1qrE-X1vBZ5fz-oGB2A6WxRr0ud3FVQvZINNyD4o_gFUMfNgfH9PWiIyN1khrzNh2UJIGF5D8VGCbzG9ZSPKLZ2TF10aeIrp7ElRvyf4-_x/s640/Baler+2016-27.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When
we got there, we were welcomed by beginners and instructors alike. I was
instantly inspired. My friends and I were each assigned an instructor to give
us a 10-minute lecture about the basics. Afterwards, we only had to be a few
meters away from the shore to ready ourselves and catch some waves. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO0A2PLj66XZBvEeCvGRKD9KuA34pu0wAB8kR0HE1lS-8-_e_0VeESqMV8qGkeKJzDoc2Yvnv7k9l5ehBIQfzEwfyvjR5kxS4eJC795hClxOHOQ-4jQAXNKKNdEIz0IVr0Wte2BkXKPNS/s1600/Baler+2016-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO0A2PLj66XZBvEeCvGRKD9KuA34pu0wAB8kR0HE1lS-8-_e_0VeESqMV8qGkeKJzDoc2Yvnv7k9l5ehBIQfzEwfyvjR5kxS4eJC795hClxOHOQ-4jQAXNKKNdEIz0IVr0Wte2BkXKPNS/s640/Baler+2016-31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LcFJx3Kimmk2V3ntgAQjNsOeS05sUJ5ekWpghfQJEMylh20Rmy72WLDi2ZX4a1pRWyNaSYONrKo1753WvScTK27LHe47FW3RNLQWTWRmOHTtCnTWVlZie7yuDA3yhFN86Vf9rZRIednb/s1600/Baler+2016-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LcFJx3Kimmk2V3ntgAQjNsOeS05sUJ5ekWpghfQJEMylh20Rmy72WLDi2ZX4a1pRWyNaSYONrKo1753WvScTK27LHe47FW3RNLQWTWRmOHTtCnTWVlZie7yuDA3yhFN86Vf9rZRIednb/s640/Baler+2016-38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wasn’t
scared of the embarrassment of falling off because I could see that most of the
surfers were also just beginners. And so I did fall off, many times. Then I got
to stand on the board, and then fell off immediately. This was apparently
because I wasn’t extending the distance between my two feet enough which would then
make me lose my balance. Balance was everything here, but being able to push
yourself up was also key. Then I got to stand on my board longer and longer.
That first time I did get to follow the waves from start until I was almost ashore
felt so gooood. Gratifying even. And it was all I did for one full hour, sometimes
even playing with my friends who were also already able to control their
surfboard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7t3z5VMih8lWeSQqCLKzcFy1to2rOu-K7Dt8sTCYZoP9qAnsN_tVHev9MHNaF5tx6q7FqnJKqFGsZEu-BREKJBRd7wUoMNQvdIrCdqhG-W-UzWRYwcOEo7AV6bEws2v0ssf6rDxBMDSV/s1600/Baler+2016-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7t3z5VMih8lWeSQqCLKzcFy1to2rOu-K7Dt8sTCYZoP9qAnsN_tVHev9MHNaF5tx6q7FqnJKqFGsZEu-BREKJBRd7wUoMNQvdIrCdqhG-W-UzWRYwcOEo7AV6bEws2v0ssf6rDxBMDSV/s640/Baler+2016-48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Be
warned: It could get tiring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">DINADIAWAN
BEACH <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Dinadiawan
Beach was where we capped off our first night and jumpstarted our second day. It
is technically not a part of Baler but the neighboring town of Dipaculao. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNM7pRN0XAfDt8Mn6vEeZO9la0Ea3ukgvbVEWpO_DVIIxbwLox2wb7T37PCl9H691sFrurYNBC8aPbOVfP3p3OzXzCOXc6xyj-XfauwWleNvUKDFaP2q1zmVUni0HAmP7qjbdmGJ6Y1wn/s1600/Baler+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNM7pRN0XAfDt8Mn6vEeZO9la0Ea3ukgvbVEWpO_DVIIxbwLox2wb7T37PCl9H691sFrurYNBC8aPbOVfP3p3OzXzCOXc6xyj-XfauwWleNvUKDFaP2q1zmVUni0HAmP7qjbdmGJ6Y1wn/s640/Baler+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
ride to this refuge was zigzagging, so it was a little inconvenient and risky.
Good thing the view of the coastline was able to turn our worry into awe. It was
hard not to notice the vast crystal green, and sometimes crystal blue, gracing
our eyes. At first glance, it was very enticing to look at, what with the sand
color complementing that of the water.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA2ZCsXMzos78uDLy_W_El-Xhju2T2Htk36ZylY4fNciflafmRdPZDy3evIHY29tzNwWwrU5YJCag6nAGZWglA_07yGgf7jOBM-atVfBIo5b4ZjCwkcdG-RgByS9BqKhFH1GNL5IbIiJY/s1600/Baler+2016-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkA2ZCsXMzos78uDLy_W_El-Xhju2T2Htk36ZylY4fNciflafmRdPZDy3evIHY29tzNwWwrU5YJCag6nAGZWglA_07yGgf7jOBM-atVfBIo5b4ZjCwkcdG-RgByS9BqKhFH1GNL5IbIiJY/s640/Baler+2016-32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDohH8ACSWpwoWlflYy8rxl1Thcc3EiU-tEJ7gBQ5BncQgdJ9rNEUV2f-cqY2BAAJdQpv4a4Miv_2J-SiCRz_QXdf95j-0zxd9jJDEJlBu9jl4bfGIFd7ScaJbQrsotq51r6Hbw0bBY9OK/s1600/Baler+2016-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDohH8ACSWpwoWlflYy8rxl1Thcc3EiU-tEJ7gBQ5BncQgdJ9rNEUV2f-cqY2BAAJdQpv4a4Miv_2J-SiCRz_QXdf95j-0zxd9jJDEJlBu9jl4bfGIFd7ScaJbQrsotq51r6Hbw0bBY9OK/s640/Baler+2016-41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI0PLg7At7Xn6wkEy1PhWamfw3GI50GG3gl78wnPJADyEMDQ1sM2fy-U8X1w4dyfXMRnjdAgB565F_dM7LvSTGPn79nmQLS04jpDkCQ6xLckVOJB8QQOwlm7RUG1xYZ7nhDoV25GMGCSy/s1600/Baler+2016-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI0PLg7At7Xn6wkEy1PhWamfw3GI50GG3gl78wnPJADyEMDQ1sM2fy-U8X1w4dyfXMRnjdAgB565F_dM7LvSTGPn79nmQLS04jpDkCQ6xLckVOJB8QQOwlm7RUG1xYZ7nhDoV25GMGCSy/s640/Baler+2016-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiocgf4lkERZp5riUMIiyc1ea4Gw5li5vviHgTQrEmtwEc8Wi5mZahYizKBs00d4iwcvquXadz3KfNZgw0XXG1DabOjyDeQsSqLXDTulfDat6eWNGLNdGdqFl3QEy3TT0vzfgKCkp5LWx/s1600/Baler+2016-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiocgf4lkERZp5riUMIiyc1ea4Gw5li5vviHgTQrEmtwEc8Wi5mZahYizKBs00d4iwcvquXadz3KfNZgw0XXG1DabOjyDeQsSqLXDTulfDat6eWNGLNdGdqFl3QEy3TT0vzfgKCkp5LWx/s640/Baler+2016-34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEK6uLFcW7A1kxX7Ipz4hlTIzHkvrZg6nHG6zGxcqtURq_3lIJPO0FNkC_B0Ua-3K8XBDCrWtsAVw0wGVGAEcbN8uJqRRYtgX7vGJdY7iLb2BzIRHq-SCZvgX3-E1wRXPsOqBaVw-jhXB/s1600/Baler+2016-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEK6uLFcW7A1kxX7Ipz4hlTIzHkvrZg6nHG6zGxcqtURq_3lIJPO0FNkC_B0Ua-3K8XBDCrWtsAVw0wGVGAEcbN8uJqRRYtgX7vGJdY7iLb2BzIRHq-SCZvgX3-E1wRXPsOqBaVw-jhXB/s640/Baler+2016-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When we went swimming, the waves were strong
enough to lift us up and move us, so going farther into the water wouldn’t be a
good idea. Also, while the shore looked all sandy, it was actually rocky
beneath. Swimming meant the possibility of gaining scratches here and there. But
I couldn’t keep myself at bay. I dipped in for some playtime with the waves;
what good were they if I didn’t make good use of them myself anyway, right? With
everything that I mentioned about Dinadiawan Beach, my heart was happy and
contented with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">MILLENNIUM TREE
(BALETE TREE)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After heading out to
buy souvenirs and before hitting the road home, we stopped by the Millennium Tree.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitykosNDgiKXUKCNs_DVDbvFkiqdEO9xcVN5BVboj-1HO6dOkCeU9C3nqaGs6ScaCxBrZEhJB9NTo7Owde6BNw3ISDPWKoV_JzOP9SlUIlUFu4PWfwRymsL8YS9ALc5XfzfsbDTnGi1R2/s1600/Baler+2016-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitykosNDgiKXUKCNs_DVDbvFkiqdEO9xcVN5BVboj-1HO6dOkCeU9C3nqaGs6ScaCxBrZEhJB9NTo7Owde6BNw3ISDPWKoV_JzOP9SlUIlUFu4PWfwRymsL8YS9ALc5XfzfsbDTnGi1R2/s640/Baler+2016-44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It looked more
striking physically than in photos. It’s huge, as in huge-huge. Contrary to its
name, it’s only 600 years old, leave or take a few. What’s more is locals say
that its enormity is the making of many Balete Trees that have sprung and
branched out from the original Balete Tree. The roots are long, thick, curving,
and branching making the tree so big. It’s so big and wide that 20 persons can
actually fit inside it. We just circled around it and took some photos then we
were on the road again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgGo-RB92DmPgslAFrEgSFgB2g2bNm5MPG1iaR7NPxQCXufw4LwQ-tTNYH7Ld72QApCClzoxLKRlllkt0tmgDRQuFbxvYwCQlESk0rOmTLtQ8K94k1qriK15TDUsvl3HalXKtHgngG4sI/s1600/Baler+2016-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgGo-RB92DmPgslAFrEgSFgB2g2bNm5MPG1iaR7NPxQCXufw4LwQ-tTNYH7Ld72QApCClzoxLKRlllkt0tmgDRQuFbxvYwCQlESk0rOmTLtQ8K94k1qriK15TDUsvl3HalXKtHgngG4sI/s640/Baler+2016-46.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a good idea
that we took a local tour guide with us. I learned that he has undergone some
kind of training plus he’s a local, so he knows his business. The destinations
are already beautiful by themselves, but knowing how they have come to be just
adds color and interest. Also, talk has better recall than books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgSalEL9FmaQigUTtIcjBPEd3pWawufAGDHlvADQGmDQ9OUfkdTTaRxf1Zlcf4eJZwZaDp9TxP_ecXWls78DIQAYF-UGsfQpuSE2GqizgMUsbemKi23bjuoBC5grUT6RAItHux0heNCrY/s1600/Baler+2016-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgSalEL9FmaQigUTtIcjBPEd3pWawufAGDHlvADQGmDQ9OUfkdTTaRxf1Zlcf4eJZwZaDp9TxP_ecXWls78DIQAYF-UGsfQpuSE2GqizgMUsbemKi23bjuoBC5grUT6RAItHux0heNCrY/s640/Baler+2016-6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4QdmSemEagHSx_hrvEb_qjtgen27lSunu183mrrDuuOCIrHpGsTUCPr_jJ2D838zuhZxqBl-4W-gsV0C-4-WCX2hHL8e9O5cKicieSBfC7XxuqU5imHqQaMVUy0xGuTz1i1R6Cai-5V1/s1600/Baler+2016-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4QdmSemEagHSx_hrvEb_qjtgen27lSunu183mrrDuuOCIrHpGsTUCPr_jJ2D838zuhZxqBl-4W-gsV0C-4-WCX2hHL8e9O5cKicieSBfC7XxuqU5imHqQaMVUy0xGuTz1i1R6Cai-5V1/s640/Baler+2016-15.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every destination we
visited, except Dinadiawan Beach, was packed. It was a summer weekend then, so
that was expected. More than that though, I’ve come to realize that there is
only one and the same Baler tour being offered here, so people basically follow
the same itinerary and do the same activities. That’s understandable since
Baler is just a small town. Beach options are the only thing that differs in every
tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaN6l6MxjzTFL0EL69wdB-gxgI7VpTWOsCMAWBqIJnyh6BucriDiLkIXKW1tnNTWM6AP77xkAj9AyjV6LBGczxN9CprfqQ_nz2_lWdlj-6jz5C7rrA3O2-zgw3qvoBdx2hgD9ZIRwT4r4/s1600/Baler+2016-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaN6l6MxjzTFL0EL69wdB-gxgI7VpTWOsCMAWBqIJnyh6BucriDiLkIXKW1tnNTWM6AP77xkAj9AyjV6LBGczxN9CprfqQ_nz2_lWdlj-6jz5C7rrA3O2-zgw3qvoBdx2hgD9ZIRwT4r4/s640/Baler+2016-39.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The
trips I’ve been a part of lately have leveled up activity-wise. From simple island
hopping activities, we have upped the game by pursuing extremes. We have begun
exploring and appreciating places not just by their breathtaking sights but also
by how much they can satisfy our want for adrenaline rush. The truth is we
don’t really look for these thrills, but they just happen to be available where
we decide to go. As for the </span><i style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">(kind of)</i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
adventure-seeking bunch that we are, we never want to pass up the opportunity ‘cos
who knows when we will come back to these places we’ve been and (I know this
can be irritating to read. I can think of another way to reword this, but let’s
be real here and now), </span><i style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Y-O-L-O</i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Being
in places like this makes one wish days could stretch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Published
this post today because more than a week of rainy days needs a share of a little
sunshine and warmth. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Photos
by Froiland Pajutan and Charles Cornejo!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Photo edits by yours truly!</span>NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-26585518281774090612016-05-31T00:21:00.000-07:002016-05-31T00:21:49.452-07:00THE BEST OF THIS IS A CRAZY PLANETS BOOK 2 by LOURD ERNEST H. DE VEYRA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Best of This Is A Crazy Planets Book 2</span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> is the second collection of Lourd de Veyra’s
most popular published essays on his blog of the same title at SPOT.ph.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpc86zIDzPHcj7I_cN5HXbe0hZPZr7VHCrcogt1K7O6A3KWts-wW-AUvGTgqu94aLxa7FDN60U65YEHXu4r7Ugo2zHcZkBb3wD5ewrtg2RNRwAp_cMsg3NsJfjThKY4CvWh3Z6mGCOQH6/s1600/The+Best+of+This+Is+A+Crazy+Planets+Book+2+by+Lourd+de+Veyra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpc86zIDzPHcj7I_cN5HXbe0hZPZr7VHCrcogt1K7O6A3KWts-wW-AUvGTgqu94aLxa7FDN60U65YEHXu4r7Ugo2zHcZkBb3wD5ewrtg2RNRwAp_cMsg3NsJfjThKY4CvWh3Z6mGCOQH6/s400/The+Best+of+This+Is+A+Crazy+Planets+Book+2+by+Lourd+de+Veyra.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is to say it’s
alright that I skipped to Book 2 because it’s not really a continuation of Book
1 but just another separate compilation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Someone once said that the root of all comedy is
pain, and that the line separating humor and hurt is dangerously thin. – Lourd
de Veyra (The Thin Man: There Has Never Been Another Palito)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Best of This Is A Crazy Planets Book 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">is intended for the Filipinos, as the essays
are reflective of Filipino culture and attitude (from the mundane like TV viewership,
censorship and daily life choices to critical like political views). Only that
the articles expose the absurdities and ironies of the populace’s actions,
words and beliefs; hence, the book title. Or, this book maybe intended for
other readers too, so they can better understand the Filipinos as a people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ganun talaga ang kabalintunaan ng buhay. Ang mga
namamatay nang maaga ay nabubuhay nang walang hanggan. – Lourd de Veyra (In
Defense of Lito Lapid)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The writing was
brilliant, so effective. Lourd de Veyra did here what he does best. He has
always been known for his use of the comedic approach in relaying rather
important, eye-opening messages across <i>so
casually</i>. His words in his articles hit home. He had also put a word, a
definition to the things others couldn’t seem to put a finger on, or afraid to
do so. That said, even more amazing was when the comedic approach was let go to
turn straightforwardly all serious and crucial with his observations,
situations and questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I noticed the
questions. There were lots of them actually. Some were literal questions, but
some were rhetorical. Some sounded simple and easy to answer, but some were
just impossible to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I like how there are
articles aptly written in English, in Filipino, sometimes in a mix of both, often
with the appearance of the most slang form of the vernacular. The language variety
adds an extra appeal to the book, as this clearly sets one article apart from
the other. This makes them so conversational and easy to understand. As per the
tone of the articles, like the language choices, it takes on different kinds as
well depending on the subject, but it is playful more often than not and
unapologetic almost all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The thought of an indifferent universe is the most
frightening of all. What, then, would be the use of all that sacrifice, the
repression of the most basic appetites, the denial of profound pleasures? –
Lourd de Veyra (Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Personally, many of
the essays hit home in both a positive and a negative way. It would be positive
when I would come up with an understanding of or be in agreement with a
particular sentiment. It would then be negative when I would realize how those
realizations were most of the time about either bad practices, wrongdoings or
ugly truths. Among my favorite essays were <i>Dolphy:
May Liwanag ang Buhay</i>, <i>The Thin Man:
There Has Never Been Another Palito</i> and <i>A
Night at the Comedy Bar</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was always looking
forward to the closing sentences of each article. They were always snappy and
witty. Sometimes the point of the entire article is only set in the end with
either a rant, a blow, a ridicule, or just a statement of the fact. Even better
is when the last sentences change the way one understands what has been read. Even
better is when they are short, pointed and hurtful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some things stuck
with me like how people, including me, can just turn indifferent all of a
sudden, how their short attention span can be dangerous, how they like putting
the blame to others, how sometimes they are just too sensitive for their own
good, how while they keep on blaming the system they forget they are the ones
who make it up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I closed this book
with renewed awareness of myself and my environment. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I should probably visit
his blog for more. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are you done reading
this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share
them below!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Photo source: </span><a href="https://www.summitmedia.com.ph/"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">https://www.summitmedia.com.ph/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-8861815572287592732016-05-20T00:10:00.000-07:002016-05-20T00:10:38.268-07:00The Happy List: Random List #8<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">While
I write some of my happy lists in one sitting, it takes me days to make them
most of the time because I either instantly get mental block or I still have to
think of ways to squeeze in all my happiness in but a short list (cos I like
keeping it that way) or sometimes I feel I don’t have much cheery things to
write about (cos, admit it, there really are just days like that). This one was
written from Tuesday until Friday today.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18CCFWrhcoHQzi5423-vJiAPVdETcEvVtSBywO3iJ1Qf6eknW40-gkDXs6zF5W1diKOp1r8cLFKCJ6JlHQD5IwP9qPGEHW_QXtgK5tNLs3huHgrLLWKTznW4npNLPFFNmepAwNNrSEyN/s1600/Happy+List+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18CCFWrhcoHQzi5423-vJiAPVdETcEvVtSBywO3iJ1Qf6eknW40-gkDXs6zF5W1diKOp1r8cLFKCJ6JlHQD5IwP9qPGEHW_QXtgK5tNLs3huHgrLLWKTznW4npNLPFFNmepAwNNrSEyN/s640/Happy+List+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Two simple gifts for
Mom last Mother’s day, belated Happy Mother’s Day to all sorts of moms out
there btw!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The feast of St.
Isidore (even though I ended up getting LBM, ew, haha)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Buns with cream
cheese</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Election day and it
being a quick and successful one in general</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Still
election-related, seeing my online friends get really involved in sharing the
pros and cons of candidates and become critical in choosing who to vote for (at
least the way I see it) Personally, I could say I was able to make a well-researched
vote</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Opening </span><i style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">This is a Crazy Planets Book 2</i><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> by Lourd
de Veyra and learning so much from it, I was won over after two essays, and see
that little turtle bookmark peeping in the photo above, I got that as a souvenir
for myself from Caramoan, isn’t it cute?!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Tearing up over the
confrontation between Steve and Lisa near the end of the Steve Jobs movie and
that poignant scene when Cooper was reviewing all the video backlogs until he
got to Murph’s in Interstellar, awww</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Burgers in local
burger joints around</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Making up after a
fight</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Knowing that boredom
will soon fade away because it’s almost the weekend, and you know what weekends
are for #beaching</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">TGIF</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Happy
weekend to all of us! Let us enjoy the remaining days of this summer!<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490705176079783218.post-35995329778239627852016-05-13T00:53:00.000-07:002016-05-13T00:53:19.891-07:00Ilocos Norte & Ilocos Sur 2016: Touristy Things on Land & Other Realizations<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My
college adventure friends and I have already explored quite many of the prized
destinations in the South, so we thought we should start moving up North to see
what lies ahead. We decided to go for Ilocos Norte and Sur for the total North
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">ILOCOS NORTE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Day
1 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Paoay
Church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRSSANvh7Z6x66DhDy4gfEJ6JKvBnDDe4vQztaZDsenDlbi5U5w2vXUb0xw2QhNwhFxnYPCtBRCQwLFzOEWXTY7ZcOl4YEZBAco8tL2mFmaQVqJfXwpbeJdS5C5__Y5dBG5yXSYTA1QoE/s1600/Ilocos+2016-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRSSANvh7Z6x66DhDy4gfEJ6JKvBnDDe4vQztaZDsenDlbi5U5w2vXUb0xw2QhNwhFxnYPCtBRCQwLFzOEWXTY7ZcOl4YEZBAco8tL2mFmaQVqJfXwpbeJdS5C5__Y5dBG5yXSYTA1QoE/s640/Ilocos+2016-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
first order of business after more or less 13 hours of travel time from Cubao
was Paoay Church. This was a fitting starter spot, as it was an instant picker
upper the moment we saw it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtluzy6wqtUtVKU9ZHrvVb4Y-fh1oxJdV5b68e1CHZ4eM-fdjtGheXV1YKyDWo9VOo33Pqn3xKFzoU6KT5J6k_x_dfLqxVFXWdUqJ7BbGvYXFf8QJdvS__3y6egrDMt9EGR6SIQR2JWHG/s1600/Ilocos+2016-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtluzy6wqtUtVKU9ZHrvVb4Y-fh1oxJdV5b68e1CHZ4eM-fdjtGheXV1YKyDWo9VOo33Pqn3xKFzoU6KT5J6k_x_dfLqxVFXWdUqJ7BbGvYXFf8QJdvS__3y6egrDMt9EGR6SIQR2JWHG/s640/Ilocos+2016-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRSwmGXc5Vao-Z6al7Pt6dupRtF4-0tZjrEYZ0g5odVFg-PXEpXKH4dc2g7jbVeWBzUtgKKu5NdtEPQOFvvvhfU-CWa75-4OqT9X3OziCHRbDLNsDiZ4hKqBFrzNcQ0pneqzT9jkK3Par/s1600/Ilocos+2016-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRSwmGXc5Vao-Z6al7Pt6dupRtF4-0tZjrEYZ0g5odVFg-PXEpXKH4dc2g7jbVeWBzUtgKKu5NdtEPQOFvvvhfU-CWa75-4OqT9X3OziCHRbDLNsDiZ4hKqBFrzNcQ0pneqzT9jkK3Par/s640/Ilocos+2016-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Paoay
Church’s being a mix of Baroque and Gothic architecture makes it an interesting
structure to look at. With details so beautiful and rare to see, the church was
truly admirable. This is one of the biggest and most beautiful churches I’ve
ever seen. No wonder it’s among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Marcos
Museum and Mausoleum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceWtPJuG4rTdiulLhy7Qz2Z9yB6cb5XHK-sx33_duEMLvUw5x0PgBSwRYQw7b-CcVHwtFFxmLtMcgIbxd0wxBbguK5oIlJLakNaIf2qSyssODh02F886PhlY47X01ApMTKxaHEob-23TD/s1600/Ilocos+2016-29.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceWtPJuG4rTdiulLhy7Qz2Z9yB6cb5XHK-sx33_duEMLvUw5x0PgBSwRYQw7b-CcVHwtFFxmLtMcgIbxd0wxBbguK5oIlJLakNaIf2qSyssODh02F886PhlY47X01ApMTKxaHEob-23TD/s640/Ilocos+2016-29.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
two-floor museum houses different memorabilia that trace the story of Former
President Ferdinand Marcos from his beginnings until his death. This trip down
history lane was rather interesting. There was much learning. Also, nothing is
more fascinating than seeing items of clothing, writing, transportation etc.
from way, way back, especially those that are already obsolete in this era, to
show us how people lived in the olden days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HLX8OU4ICwQDtJprHR1CbPF93NnTEWRBhAa1CgbwOo3h_r8bXEpSkBgPqhAwQTpPcp9SyPF2MIESq6Slhmb4ORjLFr9xbNYMUWHqgpKWGz-LFyRiB5r1or7zaUbweieqwQ2ye5W7cAFf/s1600/Ilocos+2016-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HLX8OU4ICwQDtJprHR1CbPF93NnTEWRBhAa1CgbwOo3h_r8bXEpSkBgPqhAwQTpPcp9SyPF2MIESq6Slhmb4ORjLFr9xbNYMUWHqgpKWGz-LFyRiB5r1or7zaUbweieqwQ2ye5W7cAFf/s640/Ilocos+2016-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekYBaioqoOKOWNAd0mOA7COrr7xd6do34JvHOpGcWnUwxhbl9PglroBaursdD3e-zDsBqy8UrgaCUYEHlz74a4mDrQQR4n9GM4TxLfQ-OHPmPmqMpFHvFFxYg7rfx_K_bg5pT_AQ62Kez/s1600/Ilocos+2016-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekYBaioqoOKOWNAd0mOA7COrr7xd6do34JvHOpGcWnUwxhbl9PglroBaursdD3e-zDsBqy8UrgaCUYEHlz74a4mDrQQR4n9GM4TxLfQ-OHPmPmqMpFHvFFxYg7rfx_K_bg5pT_AQ62Kez/s640/Ilocos+2016-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Inside
the mausoleum, it was eerie and chilling which, I think, was only a natural
reaction when inside a rather dark room with an unburied dead body in it. He
was there. Ferdinand Marcos looked like he was just sleeping. He was such a
curious thing to watch. It was his face, but in a way, I could also tell that
it wasn’t really it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBSao52G7VgW5tv5XlAXSzQJMMp1-GGY9m92qOHgl0AsX1z6hYdthSGGoLn8cicT0q8ZReApJJFXx1aYd6q_Ull-t3fMGCSZ8oHQL6aoH_KQ0mCVIhKwu1mLNrfXCdZbPVWdVMeodR4V3/s1600/Ilocos+2016-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBSao52G7VgW5tv5XlAXSzQJMMp1-GGY9m92qOHgl0AsX1z6hYdthSGGoLn8cicT0q8ZReApJJFXx1aYd6q_Ull-t3fMGCSZ8oHQL6aoH_KQ0mCVIhKwu1mLNrfXCdZbPVWdVMeodR4V3/s640/Ilocos+2016-55.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Five
things I’ve learned from our guide: seven layers of wax were applied to
maintain the body, an Egyptian expert was the one who did it, even the guides
in the mausoleum are not allowed to open the crypt, only every 10 years does
the body get retouched/waxes get replaced, and the 3<sup>rd</sup> time the body
will be retouched is after three years, on the 30<sup>th</sup> year of his
death. It was creepy there, but it was also cool, literally and figuratively.
Imagine rounding a preserved body while an air conditioner releases really cold
air. Now that was some major goosebump moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Paoay
Sand Dunes (!!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjOjscMJ1fCCZjNyghb6KD_CSSVNrDFqsn4ZZ0-gWRHpgklrCdtRj3R6vtJDdHPsgvgUuoOvHd29hXbtK-V8j-P_Pc8Md0MK5iDQuvXtzg9X9elu89iewljHGjZv-rcMTkt9zn8m-XaQk/s1600/Ilocos+2016-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjOjscMJ1fCCZjNyghb6KD_CSSVNrDFqsn4ZZ0-gWRHpgklrCdtRj3R6vtJDdHPsgvgUuoOvHd29hXbtK-V8j-P_Pc8Md0MK5iDQuvXtzg9X9elu89iewljHGjZv-rcMTkt9zn8m-XaQk/s640/Ilocos+2016-43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
don’t even know how to describe what happened here, and this is not to just sensationalize
the experience. Let’s just say the 4x4 off-road adventure ride is not to be
missed by thrill seekers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHNda99q9BS58trlvHsXatL8-oLjklm_Sc3fq1bHyF-P2NkaeTGaHMgSV8pEsvMs8C-w1ZnR-OnD1TzlAVrcJkQvUgdTrE_cDHLnYF4vpraob-R1s_AoGzbLEQsnDEZ_zEtHJI_4RIy8y/s1600/Ilocos+2016-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHNda99q9BS58trlvHsXatL8-oLjklm_Sc3fq1bHyF-P2NkaeTGaHMgSV8pEsvMs8C-w1ZnR-OnD1TzlAVrcJkQvUgdTrE_cDHLnYF4vpraob-R1s_AoGzbLEQsnDEZ_zEtHJI_4RIy8y/s640/Ilocos+2016-44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
sand dunes look pretty imposing with its vastness. There’s so much promise of
adventure just by staring out to as far as anyone can see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D7X1k9V4kqZZDuoZWYd3trQDYBEHoGj7EHcX1dU8zhqmhbYGqu_HRpWZPyKt_ZoXSUOgv_6Qap6DmSX3mZ486Sg91GidPcQFpLrR7oR7Dkc_AhE71Fpc9tOrSun1WaSLfH5b0d1xH49r/s1600/Ilocos+2016-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D7X1k9V4kqZZDuoZWYd3trQDYBEHoGj7EHcX1dU8zhqmhbYGqu_HRpWZPyKt_ZoXSUOgv_6Qap6DmSX3mZ486Sg91GidPcQFpLrR7oR7Dkc_AhE71Fpc9tOrSun1WaSLfH5b0d1xH49r/s640/Ilocos+2016-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
moment we hopped in the 4x4, there was no more backing out. We had no
protective gears or locks to secure us. We were only told to hold on to the
tube bar tightly and never let go. And that was it, before I could even prepare
myself for what was going to happen, we were already either chugging sideways(!)
on rocky portions or flying off cliffs. The whole time it was happening we were
calling to all the existing gods, screaming to infinity, cursing the guides,
and begging to be off the ride all at the same time. Adrenaline rush multiplied
by a hundred. It was nuts! In fairness, there were breaks after some minutes of
nonstop tension and craziness. There was even that time we stopped by the beach
spot to rest our lungs and take our mind off the nerve-wracking things for a
bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPZa75fBx8slsD4WmXPRGtRiLGM2Wm3OxdEGoq4mt7V5iDnq-Y8nzMDS-ukbLxt7scY2AnOFDnc4pOvBiEKpIDZ8rCKXxqdTpg4zNGT7C_r17e2sUeZJ9zW-4oEEBd9ADieEzFktm0uZT/s1600/Ilocos+2016-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPZa75fBx8slsD4WmXPRGtRiLGM2Wm3OxdEGoq4mt7V5iDnq-Y8nzMDS-ukbLxt7scY2AnOFDnc4pOvBiEKpIDZ8rCKXxqdTpg4zNGT7C_r17e2sUeZJ9zW-4oEEBd9ADieEzFktm0uZT/s640/Ilocos+2016-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After
overcoming fears, it gave all of us a different sense of accomplishment and
courage. It became a bragging right, a source of pride. And why not?! It is the
best experience, the absolute highlight, the act I hadn’t written on my bucketlist
but should have, and the one thing I would do all over again in Ilocos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Paoay
Lake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
only got to see Paoay Lake in passing on our way back to our lodge. Actually,
we were supposed to visit the Malacañang of the North which has a better view
of the lake, but it was already closed by 4:30, so we opted to just sightsee
for a bit just to get it off the list and say we’ve seen it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Day
2 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cape
Bojeador Lighthouse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwU8_07SRP8DFQSA4CNDgokM4vB4KCD5g74r_yYJh5DNvNfW36cdOiFrDeotrhQmBYESrWItG6PUwEXMLx5p43Mu2-7T6-XtmjSGTsb5O5TQl8P3c2DKBjrgN-b3rwbCYdiWDjFaLa7Qu/s1600/Ilocos+2016-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwU8_07SRP8DFQSA4CNDgokM4vB4KCD5g74r_yYJh5DNvNfW36cdOiFrDeotrhQmBYESrWItG6PUwEXMLx5p43Mu2-7T6-XtmjSGTsb5O5TQl8P3c2DKBjrgN-b3rwbCYdiWDjFaLa7Qu/s640/Ilocos+2016-25.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
lighthouse is considered a cultural heritage structure for good reason. Aside
from being a beautiful sight near and afar, it has also been in existence for
many decades now. And to my knowledge, it is still a fully-operational
lighthouse. It is amusing because it serves both aesthetic and functional
purposes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMMOOaJhg-kNK9OR_iak_KPXKOSNHC7rgujPUGy9sxKbHXf72zHSfHBaeEOdNOAmog6D3v-XBkRNWbTc4Cl1TT1IXRT6AZQjwFWBUu036odBJ8ZlWFKTSDyHTgUTj5TEeN7a1sSaSByCr/s1600/Ilocos+2016-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMMOOaJhg-kNK9OR_iak_KPXKOSNHC7rgujPUGy9sxKbHXf72zHSfHBaeEOdNOAmog6D3v-XBkRNWbTc4Cl1TT1IXRT6AZQjwFWBUu036odBJ8ZlWFKTSDyHTgUTj5TEeN7a1sSaSByCr/s640/Ilocos+2016-12.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
longevity of its existence also gave way to horror stories haunting this
lighthouse. From the old furniture, yellowed mattresses and broken posts, the
look of some of its rooms added up to the creep. This is also why we didn’t
stay long in this place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kapurpurawan
Rock Formation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacl_Kak0-BbIR86N_W5Ex_5bvo0U2Szs4HO8mcOmslYyk2ROLRviY1-XerFpCmIN1UvNkc6g4DoNIRpNsIAa7lxztawzpyN6Mg9Idox7Gss2QW8TheeFUQZr-76EcMzyEhewC_6ELJ_zt/s1600/Ilocos+2016-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacl_Kak0-BbIR86N_W5Ex_5bvo0U2Szs4HO8mcOmslYyk2ROLRviY1-XerFpCmIN1UvNkc6g4DoNIRpNsIAa7lxztawzpyN6Mg9Idox7Gss2QW8TheeFUQZr-76EcMzyEhewC_6ELJ_zt/s640/Ilocos+2016-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">To
be honest, I wasn’t really able to appreciate the beauty of Kapurpurawan
because there was so much distraction. The crowd of visitors, the scorching
(emphasis on scorching) heat of the sun and the long walk to the main
attraction were just too much to bear. It was a good thing there were stores
renting out umbrellas and selling thirst quenchers along the way. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cbtrFiA01w3lwEE8FoixJVRVPqEGi7RgKRE7f5IeivPFDBf4E6NhIclf720l7RbguexrQ_pMojmZK0GYVuN0Ke5J8HB1SU0brDqP3AJF6dnrt_An2zOIbezcsC4KFghldMhdZSJnPooS/s1600/Ilocos+2016-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cbtrFiA01w3lwEE8FoixJVRVPqEGi7RgKRE7f5IeivPFDBf4E6NhIclf720l7RbguexrQ_pMojmZK0GYVuN0Ke5J8HB1SU0brDqP3AJF6dnrt_An2zOIbezcsC4KFghldMhdZSJnPooS/s640/Ilocos+2016-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Don’t get me
wrong. I get why Kapurpurawan is popular. It may just be some rock formation,
but it looks as though it was purposefully sculpted which it was not, and that makes
it more amazing. The way to it has been made more appealing by putting other
little sights as well. From this area, one can already take a peek of the huge windmills
from the other side, and that makes them an extra attraction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bangui
Windmills<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpks8g-vS5CUr0nJ7RiKynE4F-qP7R9lB0gN5kG_ST-wT714Fn8y1IjD6HMGj3t-Raojl0AnSMgpcGg5QbqLNvQDLhjMZK0PcVyAYQD4xLoqtdDYXVfQ-YRbdgweHr0KkUB6rOXGz7Gpx/s1600/Ilocos+2016-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpks8g-vS5CUr0nJ7RiKynE4F-qP7R9lB0gN5kG_ST-wT714Fn8y1IjD6HMGj3t-Raojl0AnSMgpcGg5QbqLNvQDLhjMZK0PcVyAYQD4xLoqtdDYXVfQ-YRbdgweHr0KkUB6rOXGz7Gpx/s640/Ilocos+2016-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now
the windmills are among my favorites in this trip. From our van, I could
already see parts of them peeping from hills while we were still in transit to
Kapurpurawan. And then on our way to Bangui, they started to look closer, bigger
and taller. I don’t know how many they are, but there are plenty of them for
sure. Seeing them properly aligned makes them such a sight to behold. Not only
do I like them because they are an eye pleaser but because they are an energy
source so helpful as well. They provide electricity to Ilocos Norte at a low
price. How’s that for an attraction?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Patapat
Viaduct<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4pUYBeriFiDl2W5GcDbY7tPRmJqJ5S6sI0uUmjw6MWPxAI3EUb9UewDQTIlnZGZStwCAFcwmRXTEe6t_0cxwpZ_Gb1KHybi4usLSXOIUH6g5dMlZuk95BG8cA83q7Dp-IhGMilEUbY2j/s1600/Ilocos+2016-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4pUYBeriFiDl2W5GcDbY7tPRmJqJ5S6sI0uUmjw6MWPxAI3EUb9UewDQTIlnZGZStwCAFcwmRXTEe6t_0cxwpZ_Gb1KHybi4usLSXOIUH6g5dMlZuk95BG8cA83q7Dp-IhGMilEUbY2j/s640/Ilocos+2016-53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Honestly,
I had no idea what was so special about this spot until I saw it in person. It is
a bridge along a coast, and that’s kind of already self-explanatory. It has the
kind of view that would make one want to go on long rides. After some research,
I learned that this is an important viaduct, as it connects Laoag’s Maharlika
Highway to Cagayan Valley. We stopped here shortly for some photos before continuing
with our business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFwkd-0f0tURgox5OHOLPaDGyBp8tHrqB1jGoaLliFhEgnqntBZP9EAMSQpv7zFXevAqI3zFpp6D0D76WK8PNulAAB4zWgQXh3eGdaSuogO66kPCJ_K99iXiatCuLyqqySF5lodjc6vQJ/s1600/Ilocos+2016-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFwkd-0f0tURgox5OHOLPaDGyBp8tHrqB1jGoaLliFhEgnqntBZP9EAMSQpv7zFXevAqI3zFpp6D0D76WK8PNulAAB4zWgQXh3eGdaSuogO66kPCJ_K99iXiatCuLyqqySF5lodjc6vQJ/s640/Ilocos+2016-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bantay
Abot Cave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cXIe1qPsR6yGpnq8iG_7EArnayzL96fqXskxUXg-UTTFlBEW-2Mr_5VrvY1ABcrQd_iFjgyMjy0jALm1BmV2emaLLXjA_98LkseTsb_3MMSfkFa0CPiOVAHfHQErWioDdO3gn1A6Hxep/s1600/Ilocos+2016-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cXIe1qPsR6yGpnq8iG_7EArnayzL96fqXskxUXg-UTTFlBEW-2Mr_5VrvY1ABcrQd_iFjgyMjy0jALm1BmV2emaLLXjA_98LkseTsb_3MMSfkFa0CPiOVAHfHQErWioDdO3gn1A6Hxep/s640/Ilocos+2016-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
cave came as a bit of a surprise. I was expecting something closed, dark and
underground. It was none of those things because it was not the usual kind; it
was some kind of an open cave by the sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo62j9EVYKoLHnv0COVbX7YRoSuf1EyS_GHsIMrruONBLKLiEt7G4a4cM9l37K-m6dk0piLXVwsyGXOFgkVeLIvfgU629YQqGquWvf9fTdzm0H25TWdPWV1qIGz8QG5OQviBb9diudA-t/s1600/Ilocos+2016-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo62j9EVYKoLHnv0COVbX7YRoSuf1EyS_GHsIMrruONBLKLiEt7G4a4cM9l37K-m6dk0piLXVwsyGXOFgkVeLIvfgU629YQqGquWvf9fTdzm0H25TWdPWV1qIGz8QG5OQviBb9diudA-t/s640/Ilocos+2016-49.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">According
to our little guide Shadow, the two boulders that make up the cave look like a
man and a woman kissing. And after paying close attention, we were able to see
them too. How it came to be, I have no idea, but it was amazing to look at.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurXzVPiXvH1hJWD-RT-xEkSKAKNBI80qhCev7ebMM0Ivyy9Wwx9ODwbY0v5kpEsL2XnseDWddt12NNIsoaqPDEGWKg5zrw0h2h5a-oyE1khgbKKf8_9IkPXoCyfAMvJMYgDpggH2DHxiD/s1600/Ilocos+2016-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurXzVPiXvH1hJWD-RT-xEkSKAKNBI80qhCev7ebMM0Ivyy9Wwx9ODwbY0v5kpEsL2XnseDWddt12NNIsoaqPDEGWKg5zrw0h2h5a-oyE1khgbKKf8_9IkPXoCyfAMvJMYgDpggH2DHxiD/s640/Ilocos+2016-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGsiST0buA50XLt_I9DT1KoZMgwq-e96vG8L_GEYDp4x2i6cakwMBLdhcQA7RTOtKSzpmg_DDA__yFvcNYEwXzAcEbSaAnImMd7m6hRLhI9CkxLNnwxl0ZTSy7RVikOK_-IqYpsZdBxst/s1600/Ilocos+2016-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGsiST0buA50XLt_I9DT1KoZMgwq-e96vG8L_GEYDp4x2i6cakwMBLdhcQA7RTOtKSzpmg_DDA__yFvcNYEwXzAcEbSaAnImMd7m6hRLhI9CkxLNnwxl0ZTSy7RVikOK_-IqYpsZdBxst/s640/Ilocos+2016-40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
place was absolutely Instagram-worthy, but Shadow and her friend made sure that
it would be more memorable for us by teaching us poses that would make our pictures
unique. At a young age, it is admirable to watch kids work their business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kabigan
Falls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkpzvoo2yvoLgbwgqsQQgRWGayw7UAWZanXFpCnrP7EEWPXNRkc9fDcAsTaUOHvdly3tvpi6I7WpIGNkc04ENuK8JXznYj3qNU4JrdnnhLI27QJLczHnDTCcwiJNPpJdlaYNDMSDh36BZ/s1600/Ilocos+2016-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkpzvoo2yvoLgbwgqsQQgRWGayw7UAWZanXFpCnrP7EEWPXNRkc9fDcAsTaUOHvdly3tvpi6I7WpIGNkc04ENuK8JXznYj3qNU4JrdnnhLI27QJLczHnDTCcwiJNPpJdlaYNDMSDh36BZ/s640/Ilocos+2016-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
30-minute trek under the unforgiving sun was nothing compared to what we saw
when we got to Kabigan Falls. Beyond the farm and over the stream, we found this
mini-heaven. It was standing pretty and inviting. There was actually nothing
very unique about it, but it was so nice how just by being around it, I was
refreshed. It was all I wanted that moment because we had been touring around
for two days then, and some real refreshment was what my body needed. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ro04QZ6K2cDIVUtEZWbKyFqDQdmiCj1xUK9CPaStDqzqUKWDbWe32cA9LTcNwysov47r_XTqhoOm5Gw9IHR_pf9IG9hmh7GmNjUVEHRkQ0Rgk23blpjS22KjF8qUB6XJh2kQ0WRlOwzu/s1600/Ilocos+2016-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ro04QZ6K2cDIVUtEZWbKyFqDQdmiCj1xUK9CPaStDqzqUKWDbWe32cA9LTcNwysov47r_XTqhoOm5Gw9IHR_pf9IG9hmh7GmNjUVEHRkQ0Rgk23blpjS22KjF8qUB6XJh2kQ0WRlOwzu/s640/Ilocos+2016-47.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kabigan
Falls was all water and shade. I did not even go full on swimming; just half of
my body was soaked, but I was already totally cooled down. Feeling like it was
a little closed and secluded, the surrounding trees and rocks added to the laid
back atmosphere. I wish we could have stayed longer, though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Blue
Lagoon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
we felt like it would be a violation and misuse of summer if we didn’t at least
go beaching on our trip, we made sure to include Hannah’s Resort in Blue Lagoon
on our itinerary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JDec4W1oLjBVfgABuUGgp-PXo83YnYwpZXXG4vtpbYUI7OTslXP9Yi2ezZaa93bW1l6WuC2Z49Sch4R0Xfih9GO-tW8kQPou8J_bF6SIwNDlTTmQWMHhoNZQZnBf4wJig8Y-lzTtxSYk/s1600/Ilocos+2016-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JDec4W1oLjBVfgABuUGgp-PXo83YnYwpZXXG4vtpbYUI7OTslXP9Yi2ezZaa93bW1l6WuC2Z49Sch4R0Xfih9GO-tW8kQPou8J_bF6SIwNDlTTmQWMHhoNZQZnBf4wJig8Y-lzTtxSYk/s640/Ilocos+2016-51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Blue
Lagoon (also known as Maira-ira Beach) is made up of powder fine white sand and
blue green saltwater. It actually covers a pretty long stretch which makes for
great sightseeing. It’s beautiful. Aside from swimming and sunbathing, different
water activities can be done here as well like jet skiing, banana boat riding
and zip line riding. Because it was a weekend when we came, there were a lot of
guests, so we didn’t really get to have the place to ourselves or at least enjoy
the beach which was sad since this was one of the things we were really looking
forward to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeOfVLfO7_isXiSyKUIpc2fpwqlO9WBf7JCNa3bcpL0LL7FHAUMvAjuQ4on-9_51ZEotFjzD25ROSlEouC_yah0J0LZN6TsUUcqdnxbupwGyD2vWVW_5Ji89fg2eMLXosvfLoHN63jl0S/s1600/Ilocos+2016-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeOfVLfO7_isXiSyKUIpc2fpwqlO9WBf7JCNa3bcpL0LL7FHAUMvAjuQ4on-9_51ZEotFjzD25ROSlEouC_yah0J0LZN6TsUUcqdnxbupwGyD2vWVW_5Ji89fg2eMLXosvfLoHN63jl0S/s640/Ilocos+2016-50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Okay,
so Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center is huge. It is hectares and
hectares of beautiful scenery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgyaTE4as7-mnUB3AHtuo8hUdSfoO4tAX6YRkRHAX3Uj1y8wuQTR_YRkQ_4-UBsQsRPrh0nxbKWazlujUjq3vzDZpqYWDYwWkZ7pPU_57wkPbfrxL6D4-eC6bSqW9C2kfgq78VY6YI2fr/s1600/Ilocos+2016-24.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgyaTE4as7-mnUB3AHtuo8hUdSfoO4tAX6YRkRHAX3Uj1y8wuQTR_YRkQ_4-UBsQsRPrh0nxbKWazlujUjq3vzDZpqYWDYwWkZ7pPU_57wkPbfrxL6D4-eC6bSqW9C2kfgq78VY6YI2fr/s640/Ilocos+2016-24.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
fairness to the pools, there are plenty of them. So plenty that even when there
are many guests, the pools are not awkwardly crowded. There are those intended
for adults and those for children. The ones situated higher even provide an
overlooking view of Pagudpud. Water is not hot or cold, just right. And if I remember
it correctly, the water also comes from the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jTm4f7oRzQdbBoslhifLxFk35bwKfLOvjB4h01kn2NR-ri1L7-Gns2RsFGucwszUigiZLVktsNxzHVLu9sVPcMurk-TzX3qOEFhR9e1UjXd8TjW_AOf90HGrtEIR2peRP16DSDhwuxNU/s1600/Ilocos+2016-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jTm4f7oRzQdbBoslhifLxFk35bwKfLOvjB4h01kn2NR-ri1L7-Gns2RsFGucwszUigiZLVktsNxzHVLu9sVPcMurk-TzX3qOEFhR9e1UjXd8TjW_AOf90HGrtEIR2peRP16DSDhwuxNU/s640/Ilocos+2016-52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If
anything, it’s worth pointing out that this resort has so much of the
aesthetics. Some make it seem unorganized and scattered. Some of them are not
even necessary anymore. The statues on display follow different themes that
cause confusion. I am not sure it it’s trying to be USA or cartoon inspired. The
room units face different directions and are located sporadically. Stores are
also everywhere. It was crowded with people. It always feels like there’s so
much going on. It looks busy, so this is not really the place to be for
relaxation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">ILOCOS SUR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Day
3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bantay
Church and Bell Tower<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5pstdOm2OkfH4-Do72qnhALPgSodlbQNbihcMTzVWkB_XiL_-iZvwE6I9Dj95vNmo2azPgKKH4F38vTWD3Hr-mwBleyobiZHp_duSfdL-ysMNjgdmyOX_Rg0ot-GtnzwPoUEZ4FPvGRq/s1600/Ilocos+2016-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5pstdOm2OkfH4-Do72qnhALPgSodlbQNbihcMTzVWkB_XiL_-iZvwE6I9Dj95vNmo2azPgKKH4F38vTWD3Hr-mwBleyobiZHp_duSfdL-ysMNjgdmyOX_Rg0ot-GtnzwPoUEZ4FPvGRq/s640/Ilocos+2016-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
church happens to be the place where the miraculous <i>Apo Caridad</i> is enshrined. People who seek forgiveness, blessing,
guidance, and healing come to her in prayer. I was blessed that we had the
chance to <i>see</i> her <s>(but not really because
she was covered from head to toe for protection)</s>. After praying, we got to
talk to an old man who related to us stories about the miracles of Apo Caridad
as experienced by visitors. Despite being of service for decades, he was still
very much in awe while talking to us like he still couldn’t fathom her
miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhg4Z2n6VtXaq3aaetM6AYhlJkmtd6bk-QM-pgqLfSOCHck2SE4l6RY-AhlIChdLGlGNIN7rlR52yq5J6pydvAYpXYN96cZEHRiGw_80_5cRB5CjwKe81kudPSWV8MoZqqO_pfyMOIdzg/s1600/Ilocos+2016-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhg4Z2n6VtXaq3aaetM6AYhlJkmtd6bk-QM-pgqLfSOCHck2SE4l6RY-AhlIChdLGlGNIN7rlR52yq5J6pydvAYpXYN96cZEHRiGw_80_5cRB5CjwKe81kudPSWV8MoZqqO_pfyMOIdzg/s640/Ilocos+2016-9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b8yjp2a8JskMirqhHG0BVTzsUG6LlGbwCz94rswj-Xh2s0je_navBhIUVtdsVb1-IZdQ-PLLUyMqIkY3zSMxe5g5WF28vJ8m2IFCTGHfIH-7E7KHApHO4jPEt9AgmXzQ_GHElKN8cClO/s1600/Ilocos+2016-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b8yjp2a8JskMirqhHG0BVTzsUG6LlGbwCz94rswj-Xh2s0je_navBhIUVtdsVb1-IZdQ-PLLUyMqIkY3zSMxe5g5WF28vJ8m2IFCTGHfIH-7E7KHApHO4jPEt9AgmXzQ_GHElKN8cClO/s640/Ilocos+2016-27.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
also took a side trip to the bell tower. We climbed up to see the huge bell. Groups
of visitors took turns because the tower couldn’t accommodate a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Burnayan
Pottery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiratMVUvq9sBz6SazNgPa84BQ2smqWhTcRCqFtMiTdG9YEZpkjxyadeladAP7bTx7fSFhlXttoUfqeNe1Gx1FTXuctNN1aRlXIHgwTYG1ETrFfgfDEillAY0q1h_Dd6DNZvRzAfgC8Vc_u/s1600/Ilocos+2016-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiratMVUvq9sBz6SazNgPa84BQ2smqWhTcRCqFtMiTdG9YEZpkjxyadeladAP7bTx7fSFhlXttoUfqeNe1Gx1FTXuctNN1aRlXIHgwTYG1ETrFfgfDEillAY0q1h_Dd6DNZvRzAfgC8Vc_u/s640/Ilocos+2016-41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Burnayan
is where one can find <i>burnays</i> or
earthen jars of different sizes and designs. Some may be bought individually
while some are sold in sets. The moment I saw them, I was instantly reminded of
childhood. Girls from before used to enjoy playing kitchen cooking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8xA93BKesLStU69PhRXu3aTBYCTGjTGEYuxVrGLhK7ccuSp2QAQ9Ou3nyPOhPPpXbnUMKRvwW9_T8VeMnFuxs7yFgHmVThe5_3UfEwKnQMSL3rFG6qFuV-3eaGwvm9l-KiP2j1YO6dp_/s1600/Ilocos+2016-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8xA93BKesLStU69PhRXu3aTBYCTGjTGEYuxVrGLhK7ccuSp2QAQ9Ou3nyPOhPPpXbnUMKRvwW9_T8VeMnFuxs7yFgHmVThe5_3UfEwKnQMSL3rFG6qFuV-3eaGwvm9l-KiP2j1YO6dp_/s640/Ilocos+2016-42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oMfd7Nq_m6EDNyoanBD4jlc7I3hXnGigZ-rN-tYxURaS1XIQGXscghRPo3n0tgZR5S_FcMjVXFMJ1uNvr82s14q9zMH8X5W5TswecljOgXLUB1WwUzgk-iSW7BiCj0Q6tyWE3fcemQPz/s1600/Ilocos+2016-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oMfd7Nq_m6EDNyoanBD4jlc7I3hXnGigZ-rN-tYxURaS1XIQGXscghRPo3n0tgZR5S_FcMjVXFMJ1uNvr82s14q9zMH8X5W5TswecljOgXLUB1WwUzgk-iSW7BiCj0Q6tyWE3fcemQPz/s640/Ilocos+2016-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
place not only sells earthen jars to guests but also offers quick demos of
pottery making. It looked very easy when I watched the native maker do it, but
when three of my friends tried it, they had a hard time. I’ve noticed that the
form of the jars would differ depending on how tight one molds the mud. The
maker told us that after the clay was molded, it would then be dried for a few
days and fired/glazed after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hidden
Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5znmr15-gdAxySnJ5QGHtSPdetBuDVV5H2uMnEyA4S4tjJw_7vuaFXH5GVKvjxKowCrb8loKIAe0wqmvEMp-gRtNOReQHDzV2ECVvqHXvuiCCvdRGmXCzNe6aBqzZgVywe7fMLlgKBSL3/s1600/Ilocos+2016-23.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5znmr15-gdAxySnJ5QGHtSPdetBuDVV5H2uMnEyA4S4tjJw_7vuaFXH5GVKvjxKowCrb8loKIAe0wqmvEMp-gRtNOReQHDzV2ECVvqHXvuiCCvdRGmXCzNe6aBqzZgVywe7fMLlgKBSL3/s640/Ilocos+2016-23.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lunching
at Hidden Garden is highly recommended. It is an open-space restaurant and a
garden in one. It houses huge servings of some of Vigan’s unique dishes and delicacies
like <i>warek-warek</i> and <i>poqui-poqui.</i> These two may sound funny to a
local’s ears, but they taste really nice. <i>Warek-warek</i> is mainly composed
of grilled pork while <i>poqui-poqui</i> is of grilled eggplants. We ordered
both plus the <i>bagnet </i>which lived up to my expectations. It was so good,
so crunchy. Aside from these dishes, plants and organic drinks may be found in
the garden also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Baluarte
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGLhWI2QY06U0eoGTFRqm8S3lCRzJhByRwXtExg6a4Ge6p7eN7zyJ233gZZ4hk6xJ0UqwIC2CB19Rhg4st3LmljUpJhSb-KcsX2QvyFfynNPE1UC3Y_o_yg1aN77H06yeknitTsC5QbuA/s1600/Ilocos+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGLhWI2QY06U0eoGTFRqm8S3lCRzJhByRwXtExg6a4Ge6p7eN7zyJ233gZZ4hk6xJ0UqwIC2CB19Rhg4st3LmljUpJhSb-KcsX2QvyFfynNPE1UC3Y_o_yg1aN77H06yeknitTsC5QbuA/s640/Ilocos+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
visit to Baluarte is so field trip-like. It has everything that one will expect
from a zoo – animals (of course), galleries, souvenir shops, and photo
stations. We weren’t able to roam around the whole place, but we saw some
really amazing animals from which my most favorite ones are the tigers. I’ve
always been a fan because they look like handsome puppets when calm and scary beasts
when mad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNthKPnvIXO_B5RI1QXI8zMe9GHLyuSWsDIBWSHFzoX2r6MmfhVadleO8GzIlWyknAOAPR6CdkYKUqvoTQ8xuNKnsgI4MiTSiG63jwuTkIlRSZIkn73Yira40vjejouB6tscghhJwLzeBn/s1600/Ilocos+2016-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNthKPnvIXO_B5RI1QXI8zMe9GHLyuSWsDIBWSHFzoX2r6MmfhVadleO8GzIlWyknAOAPR6CdkYKUqvoTQ8xuNKnsgI4MiTSiG63jwuTkIlRSZIkn73Yira40vjejouB6tscghhJwLzeBn/s640/Ilocos+2016-4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After
checking out the live animals, we then visited the safari gallery that has in it
the animals the owner Chavit Singson hunted and killed in the past. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIuOfgThbYX1iZUkFZzz2yu4jnQu23JVhQXa0WUwMH-kuMqEBYNxJWjNfhi50xSII9jC0-b36OadVvS9pGHb0oa-4sohqv1Qb5xViw3xSsz0RO5os00zF017OXY6CjqLTQcniWzi8Lvuf/s1600/Ilocos+2016-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIuOfgThbYX1iZUkFZzz2yu4jnQu23JVhQXa0WUwMH-kuMqEBYNxJWjNfhi50xSII9jC0-b36OadVvS9pGHb0oa-4sohqv1Qb5xViw3xSsz0RO5os00zF017OXY6CjqLTQcniWzi8Lvuf/s640/Ilocos+2016-32.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Some of
them are really huge and wild beasts. Truth be told, I had mixed emotions, as I
stared at every preserved animal on display.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJCfctMnkldXrwGfp2tTmkb0A20o35cJtGSmRr7vSkbTClLSesmBrCPb-xFd91QLrDagd_miyE2L-Z3FOuS9iFf7zWQmuPhRMzTgARkUTpNTzY0VFhs1fERvpEqWj_inNJ7USCHrW0oor/s1600/Ilocos+2016-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJCfctMnkldXrwGfp2tTmkb0A20o35cJtGSmRr7vSkbTClLSesmBrCPb-xFd91QLrDagd_miyE2L-Z3FOuS9iFf7zWQmuPhRMzTgARkUTpNTzY0VFhs1fERvpEqWj_inNJ7USCHrW0oor/s640/Ilocos+2016-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP50MhO4SlEVVWDZnKyO6Fa3DD6KJAE0SitIqn33oXYQOgFFVEF7cZZJ5Ji_zYZDc74dG5Bzf2MwrgNaK49TfVqc3lOiulAwbbdmezvvb8xSKmEK8VlAlmkxAJzvy09ch-vWO0PQlOhKE_/s1600/Ilocos+2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP50MhO4SlEVVWDZnKyO6Fa3DD6KJAE0SitIqn33oXYQOgFFVEF7cZZJ5Ji_zYZDc74dG5Bzf2MwrgNaK49TfVqc3lOiulAwbbdmezvvb8xSKmEK8VlAlmkxAJzvy09ch-vWO0PQlOhKE_/s640/Ilocos+2016-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
ended our trip inside Baluarte with a panicky photo with Tom the Tiger. This was
another first for me. I had so much fun. I had the nerves too, but I’d rather
deal with a tiger than a snake, no thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4fH8nqdXc9KfGmeNs5yUdwPHo9Wms1Ne7TPoUof0w8zfG097S9ym4Mu6cAar0X_MvyjJ7WKgEbbTY8rHYQFZvPjFrIHIPMPA5v65JxNYnLh5twkLq9XTEEvBH73n76e6AsboBayWxhR8/s1600/Ilocos+2016-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4fH8nqdXc9KfGmeNs5yUdwPHo9Wms1Ne7TPoUof0w8zfG097S9ym4Mu6cAar0X_MvyjJ7WKgEbbTY8rHYQFZvPjFrIHIPMPA5v65JxNYnLh5twkLq9XTEEvBH73n76e6AsboBayWxhR8/s640/Ilocos+2016-37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Calle
Crisologo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Calle
Crisologo is one of the streets that form the so-called Vigan Heritage Village.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBTUondN1HJw3ohe2az4f87ofPgIQJUDE9BHcZQ65kmBCkH6lL8Rr7-CJw9lbxsxyAHW82gOeguZsV2vhpE4Muk7cRuW0Bn37xRCm70P2BnmC8GS8VTI-G5-GgQT1hezG3Y7BWBUST8aH/s1600/Ilocos+2016-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBTUondN1HJw3ohe2az4f87ofPgIQJUDE9BHcZQ65kmBCkH6lL8Rr7-CJw9lbxsxyAHW82gOeguZsV2vhpE4Muk7cRuW0Bn37xRCm70P2BnmC8GS8VTI-G5-GgQT1hezG3Y7BWBUST8aH/s640/Ilocos+2016-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
love the discipline in this place, discipline in a way that this little street manages
to preserve its being authentically vintage. It follows the Spanish colonial
architecture from cobblestoned pavements to ancestral homes. They weren’t just constructed
recently to look that way but were really built during the colonial era. They have
been there ever since. It’s amusing because it feels like I’m time-travelling
to a different dimension. It has always been a dream of mine to walk this
street and see what it’s like to be here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnddS2pLPRpjVrgGAFSBJjYV-qVQ-maP9EU6_06-8NEKZTDldO4WWJzW4DPDIpSaabmwZuTlkjHIXbZsxiEhJmLrujgeEfdTmXe2EDcL5T_Zet6o6Ewz071Ckp6-DcIEby9n-fHik_5RJ/s1600/Ilocos+2016-54.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnddS2pLPRpjVrgGAFSBJjYV-qVQ-maP9EU6_06-8NEKZTDldO4WWJzW4DPDIpSaabmwZuTlkjHIXbZsxiEhJmLrujgeEfdTmXe2EDcL5T_Zet6o6Ewz071Ckp6-DcIEby9n-fHik_5RJ/s640/Ilocos+2016-54.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Vigan
in general is like some sort of a detached city because everything else in it
is different. Establishments like food chains, bookstores and malls were built following
traditional designs to not look out of place in this rather strictly thematic
city, and that is where its magic is at. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
few things I’ve learned on this trip:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Every
corner of every Ilocos tourist spot is picture-worthy, but what people don’t
know is that behind every pretty photo is the enduring heat. It’s abnormally
hot in the North, especially these days. Precaution must be taken seriously. We
could’ve had an even more awesome time had it not been that hot out there.
Hopping in and getting off the van with the heat and the air conditioner
battling it out got us all feeling sticky and drained at the end of every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Oj_XbWRiLwU_AFbS9pecESFpF4nLbnWDSGv_s-X2MuuvVAa_-M0bn2pqvnpv9xS9UlQwXX0hGcW3u_Mpk4KgmNfHqkfYWRmXHYcRUh_zYDyLUU0CLNZvL9d3cYGoKVeHGrOxofzJ0s97/s1600/Ilocos+2016-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Oj_XbWRiLwU_AFbS9pecESFpF4nLbnWDSGv_s-X2MuuvVAa_-M0bn2pqvnpv9xS9UlQwXX0hGcW3u_Mpk4KgmNfHqkfYWRmXHYcRUh_zYDyLUU0CLNZvL9d3cYGoKVeHGrOxofzJ0s97/s640/Ilocos+2016-17.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Travel
takes up most time out of the tour. The towns covering our itinerary are not
really located close to each other. Laoag to Vigan was more or less two hours, so
was Laoag to Pagudpud. Time can be the enemy here. In the end, we had a few
places on our list that we weren’t able to go to because we ran out of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
bottom line is, while it was great that we got to try something different this
time by focusing more on land, nothing would ever beat our love for the beach. We
gave it a shot, and we realized it will always be beach over land adventure for
us. I guess the very inconsiderate heat added to our longing for water in our
system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPxuo7lDk93IqZhFSRVnCpYnPPbffxRSI15lp3RfW09lmfQeGFyYpNbCR9_085dmDMnTJzj7c694Uhy1MVtqnN4rG-safn-jJPETiT-LbZd_gdgrdKPt0pFTKa7xyXWBQBoejoVqKzKD3/s1600/Ilocos+2016-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPxuo7lDk93IqZhFSRVnCpYnPPbffxRSI15lp3RfW09lmfQeGFyYpNbCR9_085dmDMnTJzj7c694Uhy1MVtqnN4rG-safn-jJPETiT-LbZd_gdgrdKPt0pFTKa7xyXWBQBoejoVqKzKD3/s640/Ilocos+2016-46.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With
all that I’ve mentioned above, it is not to say Ilocos wasn’t worth it. It was!
We got to taste both land (in the form of museum hopping, church hopping and
sand dunes activity) and water (in the form of the falls and the beach). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It
had been a really jam-packed adventure time in the North. I know there’s still
so much out there, so we will keep exploring. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Photos by Rendell Barrera, Justine Dador, Monica
Mangalino, Jerome Satera, and yours truly!</span></span>NONA MARIELLE REYEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725899066899142790noreply@blogger.com0