Quick Escape to Canyon Cove with my bae

Since I didn’t have anything planned  for the summer, I got well too excited when Nelle asked that I arrange something for the two of us. She needed a quick escape; I needed an excuse.

I got us a Superior Room for Php5800 for an overnight stay with free set breakfast. I was thinking why would they call it “Superior” when this is their cheapest? When we got into the room I found the answer. It was spacious with really nice interior. The bed is huge and comfy and they were not stingy with the pillows. There’s shower and bath tub – there’s hotel shampoo and soap; but no lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste.

The veranda offers a really good view of the resort. But of course exploring the resort is the best way to judge it. I have to say it’s really a good option for a weekend getaway. The only disappointment was the set breakfast. There were only a few meals to choose from, nothing to crave or come back for.

Getting there is a no-brainer too, at least if you’re familiar with Nasugbu or have a good sense of direction – I know the person I came with didn’t have it ;p. We took the Nasugbu bus from the Coastal Mall Terminal. Its last stop is at the Nasugbu town proper – usually in front of Jollibee. If I remember right, fare is Php152 coming from Coastal Mall. There’s neither a tricycle terminal nor fixed rate for a trike ride going to Canyon Cove (at least that I’m aware of) – drivers would quote absurd fare so you should bring your haggling skills with you, better yet a car. The resort has enough parking spaces. With a bit of annoyance we paid Php80 for the 3km ride.

(going home tip for those who live in Alabang, to avoid Aguinaldo hwy Coastal/traffic, you can get off at Robinson’s Palapala/Dasmariñas and take a van going to Alabang – their route is via Daang-Hari it costs Php50)

Going back to fun. So, what I found out in my recent trip to La Union is that I’m absolutely in love with sunset while at the beach. If only it could last longer; if I could only pause it just right before the sea swallows the amazing orange red ball of fire. And the color of the sky, the orange-pink-purple glow when day meets night – everything is so beautiful! I was very excited for this cause I know Nasugbu faces the west – it certainly did not disappoint.

A lot of people care so much about swimming in the sea at night, unfortunately as soon as the sun has set, the resort prohibits it. I didn’t really mind; had I brought a jacket or a blanket, I could lie at the beach for hours.

I know I haven’t mentioned it yet, but our trip was mainly for Nelle to cry (but she didn’t), to drink and do crazy things (just partially; I was expecting more) and to take plenty of photos – at least one was accomplished. Of course we did a little bit of swimming. It was hard since it was just the 2 of us. We took turns in facing the beach to watch our belongings. Then as soon as we came out of the water we took some more photos.

 

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3rd date with Mr. Boyd - Or shall I say Mr. Einziger

"@MichaelEinziger: I'll try not to smash my guitar again tomorrow night... 😉 ”  How cute is this Tweet from Mike? July 28, 2011, Megalomaniac -- by far the most memorable concert experience ever!

 "I dig my toes into the sand...." Incubus opened their 4th concert here in Manila with Wish You Were Here. I almost didn't make it to this concert. I reactivated my Facebook just so I can ask friends if they're going so I can tag along; Garcia, MD is the answer yey! Bought a ticket  from a stranger on Facebook on the same day-- I was definitely unprepared. I spent 3k+ back in 2011 for the If Not Now When Tour and I said to myself that this may be the last time ("it will not be the last time" Oil and Water playing in my head) -- buuuuuut how can I miss this one? Got a really good seat at the lower box section - ushers offered us to go to the VIP area for free - I stayed at my seat -- Why?! Why did I pass a free upgrade?!
Kinda felt that the audience did not have that much of energy - I don't know with them, I really had a good time. I yelled "I love you Mike!" Unfortunately he did not hear me.

1. Wish You Were Here
2. Anna Molly
3. Adolescents
4. Made for TV Movie (with Lionel Richie's Hello snippet)
5. Absolution Calling
6. Vitamin
7. Dig
8. Circles
9. Trust Fall
10. In the Company of Wolves
11. A Kiss to Send Us Off
12. Nice to Know You
13. Sick Sad Little World
14. Drive
15. Pardon Me
16. Megalomaniac
"Encore"
17. The Warmth
18. I Miss You
19. A Crow Left of the Murder

It was Ben's birthday a day before their gig here, or maybe that same day, since we're 12 hours ahead. Someone yelled "Happy Birthday Ben" and there was a placard (is that what it's called?) that says "BEN IS THE TITS". There weren't much of band-audience interaction during the concert, but really, some people in the audience were just glued to their seats - why?

Anyway, you know what girls anticipate during Incubus concerts? -- Brandon taking his shirt off!! Hahaha - Of course he did, but already towards the end of the set. I was seriously obsessing over Mike this time - I kinda liked his Sick Sad Little World Solo back in 2011.

But I was so kilig when they played "I Miss You" - I totally forgot that they already played it in 2011.

Saw this hilarious but painfully true graph:

Hope to see you again Mike, Brandon, Jose, Ben and Chris ♥

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Obtaining NBI Clearance

Hindi ko alam kung kelan na-implement tong new process of obtaining NBI clearance. In a nutshell, you have to create an online account first and set an appointment beforehand to apply for an NBI Clearance.
There are other blogs na mas detailed ang pag tackle sa steps but generally here's how it goes:

1. Create an online account @ clearance.nbi.gov.ph/
2. Once you have an account click on APPLY FOR CLEARANCE
3. Select the branch wher you'd like to obtain your clearance
4. Set your appointment schedule
5. Select payment option - either thru Bank (over the counter or online banking), Mobile or Bayad Center
6. If you've made a payment ahead, you can go straight to Biometrics and have your photo taken
7. Clearance to be printed shortly after

Hindi ko alam kung lahat ng satellite branches require paying ahead. Based on my experience ganon sa Robinson's Dasmariñas Satellite branch. When I went to SM Centre Las Piñas naman, parang they don't require you to pay ahead. Madaming din naga-assist and some would even help you to create an online account. In my opinion though, mas convenient kung bayad ka na bago ka magpunta sa NBI branch of your choice.
Although I've also read some comments sa forum that they had to go back after certain number of days dahil may hit sa name nila -- appears to be some what caused by the new system.
Anyway, I think if everyone knows about this process, mas convenient talaga sya. I remember standing in queue for hours just to get this processed. Pero with this new system, saglit na saglit lang ako sa Satellite office.





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I'm happy for him. I am. I really am hap...I .I..I'll work on it. - Rachel Green

021615mon

In the jeep near manong driver pretending to be asleep so I won't have to make abot your bayad. 

#TrueStory #amininmostylemodinyan

Sorry na kasi :p


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SINULOG 2015

4^th time in Cebu, first time to SINULOG!

Initially solo trip to ni Fudge, my college friend who is now based in his home country, Kuwait. But then Lj and I made sabit. Magulo pa nga coz Fudge's trip is from madaling araw of January 17 til January 22. Mahaba stay nya and I don’t want to use that much of Vacation Leave credits from work; so Saturday til Tuesday naman ako (Jan 17^th to 20^th).  I found out night before na kasama din pala sister ni Fahad and friend. The more the many’er ;p. Lj my adventurerang friend went sailing. As in nagbarko si ate papunta dun, at na-delay delay. Ang ending, she got there the same afternoon that I left.

With only a Jansport backpack, I commuted from Alabang to Pasay rotunda. Rode the airport loop bus to get to Terminal 3, and got there about an hour and a half early for my flight. Sige ako sa tambay and browse/IG sa phone; at muntik pa maiwan ng flight ko!  But thank God I didn’t miss it.

I booked a family room at Main Hotel and Suites in J.Panis Street, Cebu City. We didn’t get to check in right away coz hectic ang schedule ng housekeeping! Hunger Games na ko ng mga oras na yun, so pagka check in namin, freshen up lang saglit then rampa na agad. And eto ha, ewan ko ba bakit ang malas ko. Tatlong restaurants (Sunburst, Golden Cowrie and Sugbahan) along A.S Fortuna, sarado! Ayaw ko sana sa mall, pero that’s what we ended up doing. We went to Parkmall in Mandaue where my most important agenda is happening. But dinner first, we chose Hukad – yummy Chicken Pandan!

At ang pinaka importanteng agenda for this trip --- FASPITCH!! Thank you Venom III for Threadfest Sinulog 2015. And really, a lot of great bands played, most (at least sa mga naabutan namin) I’ve already seen play live before sa mga Sonic Boom events; Sirens, Drop Decay, The Line Divides, Faintlight to name a few. There’s also this Singaporean band, Caracal and galing din nila. They played a sexy ass song that I can’t remember the title. And then there was Faspitch. This is only the 2^nd time na napanood ko sila coz they don’t play at gigs that much anymore. Another order of business is also Faspitch-related ~ getting the ScarsXFaspitch shirt. No sizes! I got one for Ali, and til now medyo regret pa din that I didn’t get one for myself.

Sa dinami dami ng festival sa Pinas, this is actually the first I’ve been to. So we waited for the parade at Fuente Osmeña. And man – mas matindi ang mosh pit dito than any other gigs I’ve been to hahahaha. Sinulog is very popular coz of the giant street party the city turns to be. We went to Spectrum’s SINULOG INVASION at the Fooda Parking lot. Bago pala yun, edi lakad lakad lang kami, there was this one party sa tapat ng isang restaurant, so pasok kami and naki sayaw and slam saglit - for free tapos ayun punta na sa Fooda. We only saw 2 DJs although mahaba naman mga set nila. One is from France I think (?) Quintino wait, googling. Okay mali ako, he’s Dutch – so from the Netherlands pala sya. Ayun then another one na naabutan namin, DJ Ace Ramos. First time ko sa mga gantong Dance/EDM gig. Akala ko they’re all the same, pero mas nagalingan ako dun kay Dutch DJ (sorry na sa mga fans). Sana pala kumuha ako nung Nick Automatic X Rhipstop shirt that comes in with free passes sa event na yun. Althought we didn't really plan kung saan party kami, una nga dapat dun sa Sensation sa Alchology, but since una namin nakita yung sa Fooda, dun na lang kami.

 

3^rd day is beach day! We stayed at Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel in Lapu Lapu City. Ganda ng lugar! I think they made use of the space very efficiently. But the beach wall is so panget. It made the beach less appealing. But the room and the cute pool, so nakaka relax! Yummy buffet for breakfast too! Their omelet is ♥. Gusto ko nga i-try yun gawin sa bahay. Fudge's friend went crazy sa French Toast nila. Seriously, if it weren’t for the beach wall, sarap talaga mag tambay sa shore. That afternoon, we went back to the city. I wanted to make pasyal sana sa Jesuit house and sa Yap Ancestral home sa Pari-an, but kainis lang, kasi there’s this "café" I saw sa blog na nasa Pari-an, na ngayon e carenderia na lang. So ending, nag mall na naman kami – we had dinner at Big Mao in Ayala. Pwede na din. Pila sana kami sa Casa Verde, kaso nagkaka ubusan na ng steak, and Farah is really hungry na.

I have to say there’s still more to discover, more to see (and eat)! Maybe someday I’ll go solo all the way. Yun nga, yung sa Pari-an and  gusto ko sana makapag Lantaw in Busay at night. And hopefully by then kaya ko na mag Cebuano – I need more practice pa! kthxbye

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