Paradizoo

This is part of my baby bro's birthday wish. He confessed to us that he never have any memories of himself going to the zoo. Hello? taba, nung bata tayo dinadala tayo nila Mommy sa Manila Zoo no. Di bale punta nalang tayo sa Avilon Zoo sa Taytay. I know this is not close on how he pictured what a zoo like. Walang lion, tiger at elephant. Paradizoo is a zoo farm. They breed and take care of different farm animals and nurture various trees, vegetables and flowers. It's situated in Mendez, Cavite ... few minutes away from Tagaytay. Let this photos tell you our experience to our visit in Paradizoo. Enjoy!

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Our Baguio Trip 2007

Sorry guys, I've been neglecting my blog for a week now, sorry about that. It's been a great week for us. A lot of family trips, shopping and dining out. February 24 - 25, 2007, we went to Baguio for the Panagbenga Festival.

Panagbenga means "flowers in bloom", and every year Baguio celebrates this event. It's a very colorful festival with float parades and colorful costumes. Of course, lots and lots of flowers. This is the season that all flowers in Baguio blooms. Hmmm ... I think lagi naman blooming ang flowers sa Baguio because of their climate. Panagbenga festival is a 2 month event. But the main events are the Street Dance and Float Parade. Ut's been a family tradition for 5 years now that we get to see the parade. Although when meninggococima (did I spell it right?) is an outbreak in Baguio, we missed the festival. We also missed it last year because of vehicle issues. The oil from the rear right wheel is leaking. That time we are about to get married by October. Alam nyo na, ang pamahiin, malapit sa aksidente ang ikakasal... kaya we just decided not to go.

We missed the street dance parade last Saturday. Too bad because the traffic was quite heavy due to a flyover being constructed in Baguio. Hmmmm... bakit kailangan ng flyover sa Baguio? And weird! We were checked in at Ridgewood Hotel. We we there by 10:30am na dapat 7am palang nasa Baguio na kami.

The manager of Ridgewood Hotel advised us not to go downtown because of the heavy traffic and tons of people going there to see the parade. He suggested to go to the Little Flower Convent if we want to buy some pasalubong. And after that, go to Sabado's Handicraft madami daw sila pretty goods.

The Little Flower Convent
After eating brunch, we went straight to The Little Flower Convent. It's our first time to see this place, that's why we got curious. Inside their premises lies a small store selling Baguio's famous products. Strawberry Jam, Ube Jam, Peanut Brittle, Cashew Brittle, Tamarind candies that is so addicting to eat because the sweetness and the sour taste is just right. And it has less seeds on it. Plus, if you buy their products, you help the Igorots who's making those products. It's like you're hitting two birds with one stone, nakatulong ka na, nabusog ka pa sa sarap ng products nila. We also bought Yacun tea which is good for diabetics like my dad. He bought a handful of it, kasi nga naman, kailan pa kami makakapunta ng Baguio ulit di ba?

The Little Flower Convent

The Little Flower Convent Store

inside the store

Sabado's Handicraft
Not the usual handicraft store I see in Baguio. Medyo high end ang products nila compared to Mines View and the market in Baguio. Medyo natuwa lang kami mag site seeing, when my mom eyed over the small chair. She has a small director's chair at home but it's already broken. She asked Dad if he can buy it for her. And of course, how can a husband resist his very makulit wife hehehe! Tuwa ang nanay ko hehehe! Maganda naman kasi yung chair, made of pine wood. On the other hand, that bought a stick, some like a kamagong used in arnis. Para daw pag nag-jogging siya may pamalo daw siya sa mga stray dogs hehehe. What did I have for myself? None! Aside from I don't have money to buy something so expensive yet so beautiful, eh I don't know where to put it in our house. Though I love the sungka they made, not the usual sungka you see na mahaba ... shape nya parang oblong na paint palette. Ang ganda grabe!

Yep that's me, photo taken by my brother


the small chairs made of pine wood

other stuffs you can buy in their store

Ridgewood Residence
When Jason and I went to Baguio for our mini honeymoon last December, we checked in Ridgewood Residence. So we made a reservation for the Panagbenga festival. We reserved Apartelle C. It's really a big room. 10 Occupants allowed, with 3 big beds and a sofa bed. 2 TV's, one at the sala and one at the bedroom. One powder room and one bathroom. One dining room and kitchen. There's an electric range and kitchen utensils too. Dinner sets is also provided. And eto ang the best ... it has it's own fireplace. Though Dad and Mom appreciate it more if it's located upstairs with the view of Baguio. It's downstairs kasi, malapit sa carpark. So wala ka makita view and medyo kulob siya. Pero pag pumapasok na yung lamig ng Baguio sa loob ng room, grabe freezer cold na siya. Yun nga lang, mahina signal dun sa ibaba... you need to put your cellphone sa may window side pa para magka-signal.



That day, Ridgewood celebrates it's 2nd anniversary. They had steak night for buffet. A treat for all the guest of the hotel. A lot of foreigners and media were there with us celebrating the steak night dinner. After that, there's a cultural dance show by young igorots to entertain us. Before the dance ended, they've asked guest to come join and dance with them. And I'm one of them hahaha! It's was quite embarrasing and fun at the same time. Anyway, they won't see me for a year so they won't recognize me anymore.


By 1:00a.m. Jason came after his camping trip with his fellow UAP in La Union. By 4:00a.m. my brother came also from his Saturday samba sa Dating Daan. Now we are complete hehehehe! We woke up early for the float parade. Before breakfast I was in the bathroom for so long because I'm nauseous at that time. When everybody thought I was pregnant ... vomit talaga ako ng vomit ... ebs ng ebs ... my mom told me baka daw hindi ako natunawan sa steak that night. Buti nalang nandiyan si mom, pinahiran niya ako ng eucalyptus oil sa stomach and sa dibdib. And after that I'm already okay.

Since I wasn't that hungry, I just ate cereals and sandwhich for breakfast. Everytime I eat rice, I'm throwing up. Jason was kind of worried that time and asked if I can still go to watch the parade... siyempre no! Ayoko na ma-miss yung float parade ... na-miss na nga namin yung street dance nung Saturday eh.

Panagbenga Float Parade 2007
We were there at the start of the float parade at around 8:00am. We can see a lot of people already seating at the sidewalk waiting for the floats. We don't know if we have the best spot to watch the parade that time. So just stayed there, geared up our videocam and digicams and wait patiently.


You can view more photos from Panagbenga Float Parade here

As I expected, the floats are so pretty, especially Baguio Country Club Hotel's float. They are already a hall of famer kaya di na sila kasali sa contest. They always have a wedding theme.

Bad trip kami sa mga nagwowork sa SM Baguio. Daan sila ng daan sa mga kinaroroonan namin kasi daw malili-late na daw sila sa work. Heller? Alam naman nila na may float parade, bakit hindi sila pumasok ng maaga?! One guy told us that we're so mayabang daw, dayo lang naman daw kami. Yung sinabihan niya na middle aged woman told him "Anong dayo sinasabi mo diyan? Kung wala kami walang kwenta ang Panagbenga nyo?" Go manang ... iboboto kita sa Senado hehehe joke! Then Jason kid arround and said, "Wag kang pupunta ng Fairview, malilintikan ka!!!" and Everybody laughed! I really love my husband hehehehe!

There were a lot of famous celebrities as well. Team Unity minus Tito Sotto were there. They have their own float. Hay naku, ang pulitiko talaga. Super gwapo ni Migs at papa Ralph hahaha. Mike Defensor was there also but he's already in Session Road ... Allan Peter Cayetano was also their, nasa Session road din. Manny Villar ang super bait ... hindi nag-float. ANg sipag maglakad at makipagkamay sa tao. Nakakatuwa siya. Mr. Pichay have his own float representing Surigao. He has also a helicopter showering petals and confetti. Ang yaman no? hehehe! Who cares??? Ara Mina was there with Cebuana Lhuiller float and their basketball team. Francine Prieto for the San Miguel float. And starstruck Paolo riding SM's float.

That's papa Ralph with Chavit, the one wearing orange polo is Cesar Montano. Migs Zubiri is at the left side of the float

Ara Mina

Manny Villar

Francine Prieto

Prospero Pichay (hmmm... kaya siguro nasa Bgauio siya aksi maraming pechay sa Baguio)

After that we were so exhausted na kaya bumalik na kami sa hotel to pack our things and head home. Feeling ko talaga super napagod kami, but it was fun watching and celebrating the festival with Baguio. Next time ulit :)

We love Baguio

Our honeymoon was cancelled last Nov. 4. and we are having a hard time booking a hotel or flight bound to Bohol dahil peak season na. Lahat ng dates na pwede kami pumunta dun eh booked na. Since we're going to Cebu next month for mom and Dad's wedding anniversary, we decided mag-sidetrip nalang kami sa Bohol pag nasa Cebu kami.

And since we need a time of together alone, we went to Baguio last Dec. 3 for our honeymoon. Corny pero we love Baguio talaga. Ninong Fourdie suggest we stay at Ridgewood Residence. 15 mins. away from the city. Wala siya aircon pero super freezer cold ang lamig niya. Sarado na nga windows namin ni Jason dun pero di namin alam san nanggagaling yung lamig. It's practically walking distance from The Mansion. Ok yung place, as seen on photos. Super nag-enjoy kami ni Jason kahit di kami masyado naglibot doon. Nagbabad lang kami sa room namin just watching movies and ... you know ... wink wink ... They have rooms good for 6 person, kaya we booked them right away for our yearly Panagbenga Festival. We booked their Apartelle C ... may sariling fireplace yung Apartelle C kasi. May own kitchen and sala kaya parang nasa bahay ka din. Their food is so good and the service is excellent. Nung nag make-up room sila sa room namin may rose pa na nilagay yung room boy sa bed namin. Tapos amoy flowers yung room namin... forgot what scent he used ... so romantic.

On our 2nd day, we went to the marketplace to buy some veggies. Wag daw namin kalimutan bumili ng brocolli sabi ni mommy hahaha! 100 pesos for 6 kinds of veggies. Pre-packed na siya, di ko lang alam kung half a kilo or 1 kilo yun. Basta naka-packed na siya. We bought 3 bags of veggies ... yung dalawa para sa bahay and the other para sa mom niya. I also bought knitted poncho ... super cute, pwede pang-gimik ... I bought two, one for me and one for mom. I saw this cutie knitted hairbands .. 3 for 100 hehehe wala ng tawad. Ang daya... At mabigat ang dala namin ha hihihi. We ate at Yellow Cab for lunch ... sabi ko nga kay Jason, di natin pinapansin yung Yellow Cab sa Manila, dito pa tayo kumain.

Ewan ko ba kung bakit super tamad kami ni Jason maglibot ... gusto nga namin pumunta ng SM Baguio, eh kaso naman umulan bigla... as in malakas ... kaya super ginaw to death. Hay grabe, I can't wait to go back again next year ... I'm sure sila Mom matutuwa sa place ...

I'm done choosing our photos for our wedding album...pero ido-double check pa ni Jason pag may time siya. In the meantime, gagawa muna ako ng photoslide para malagay sa Youtube para makita ng friends and family namin yung photos.

Baguio Escapade, April 2006

I haven't posted this one. We went to Baguio last April 28-April 30. With my family plus Jason and my brother's girlfriend Coolet. We had fun sobra. First time na na-tour namin yung Baguio. Kasi before, we only get to go to Baguio pag Panagbenga lang. Ngayon nag-hire si Dad courtesy of Hotel Veniz ng tour guide para libutin ang Baguio. We had a lot of pics pero chosen ones nalang tong mga i-popost ko. hehehe! Sarap din ng food, additional fats to get rid again... tsk!

Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Yesterday, Dad and Mom along with my brother Lloyd and my Amore Jason came from Manila for a vacation. My grandma was teasing me that I'm very very happy daw kasi nandito na si Jason. Ahihihihi kilig... wala naman kami ginawa kundi kumain at matulog. Nasa iisang kwarto lang kami. Si Dad at Mom nasa kama while my bro, me and Jason sa sahig magkatabi. O ang saya di ba? super bonding hihihi!

Yesterday, we went up North of Ilocos Norte. Pagudpud is known to be "Boracay of the North" because of the beautiful beaches and white sand.

We went to Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud ... nope we didn't swim ... naglaro lang kami ... yes naglaro lang kami ng kapatid ko, mga pinsan ko at ni Jason hihihihi! We arrived in Blue Lagoon at 6:00 a.m. and the place doesn't look good in photos. Good thing I had some shots of it last year. I took this at around 10:00 a.m. I got it from my photo collections. It is a hidden bay found at Maira-ira Point, which is a half-moon in shape edifice, by the Nacatnagan Cliff in the east and the Dos Hermanos in the north. This place is where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Reaching the place is quite tiresome for it is around 2.5o kilometers away from the highway with rigged roads and it is found at the interior part of Sitio Malingay. On the way is thick forest and you can also have glance of the sea. Malingay Cove is famous for its crystal blue water and fine white sand.

Hep, di po prenups yan hahaha! Nagpakuha kami sa brother ko para may souvenir kami ni labs hehehe! Original plan talaga Mag-pe-prenups kami dito along with my photo hobbyist friend Dennis. Eh kaso pahirapan ang reservation dito sa Pagudpud. Saka problema ang sasakyan kaya I told him na sa ibang place nalang pero kung willing pa din siya eh di good hahaha!

Is it too obvious Jason loves the place so much? O siya lang ang gusto kong subject? hahahaha! May dala siyang Dragonball ... joke hehehe! Oh and that's Sebastian, the crab. Dead na siya pero di pa mukhang patay hihihihi!

Di po kami ang F4 ha hehehe! nataon lang na ganyan position namin lahat tapos sabi ng pinsan ko "Oi wag kayo gagalaw... " Kaya ayan hehehe!

Patapat Falls

I must say mas nag-enjoy kami dito. Kasi sa sobrang init ang sarap maligo dito sa waterfalls na ito. Malamig yung tubig as in super cold ... kuha ka ng water from the fridge, ganun kalamig. If you have migraine, I'm sure matatanggal pag naligo ka dito. Kung may dala kang softdrinks na di malamig, ilagay mo lang sa ilog na yan, lalamig na hahaha! Sabi nga ng tito ko, pag cold season, nagyeyelo daw yung tip ng mga bato na yan. Imagine nyo na kung gaano kalamig yung tubig. Hehehehe!

Nung nakita ni Jason to, ayaw na niyang umalis. Umaakap na siya sa mga bato. I took this shots again last year hehehe! obvious ba hindi ako nag-swimming last year ang dami kong kuha ng place eh. Saka medyo scary nga lang pag naanod ka hanggang baba ... kasi sa China Sea ka na pupulutin. May nag-aabang na sharks na dun sa dulo kaya wala din masyado pumupunta banda sa baba. Eto lang pinakamagandang shot namin dito...yung iba candid ... medyo di maganda itsura namin hahaha!

Patapat Bridge

This shot was taken last year when we first got here in Laoag. The shots we took was not that good so I got some from my photo collection.


FYI from www.pagudpud.gov.ph:

Patapat bridge is a winding bridge found at the foot of the cliff of the North Cordillera Mountain Ranges. It connects Barangay Balaoi and Pancian and it is around 1.2 kilometers long. This bridge is often referred to as the “French Riviera of the North”. Along the bridge, you can pass the Mabugabog Falls that serves as a source of power for the mini hydroelectric plant. It is only during the rainy days when it shows its splendor with its water dropping rhythmically to precipice on the rocky shore of the sea below. While at the middle of the bridge, you could take a look at the amazing view of the sea and the luxuriant mountains that is 200 meters above sea level. The bridge itself is a superb craft of men and the fabulous sceneries that surrounds it makes it really a breathtaking to behold.

Now this is me and Jason on that bridge. Shot taken by my cousin and my bro. May shots din sila of course. Buti nga medyo maganda na kulay ng paligid. Kasi an hour before di pa masyado blue ang sky and di pa din masyado green ang paligid.

That's Mom and Dad ... Si mommy color combination niya yung motiff namin sa wedding hihihi. Ngayon ko lang napansin.

That's my mega healthy brother dear hehehe! Panay ang pose kasi ini-inggit niya yung girlfriend niya na suppose to be kasama din sa trip kaso di pinayagan ng mommy niya.

That's me with cousin Nurse Rema and my pasaway cousin Fuji, na super duper nahilo sa zigzag road ... buti nalang di siya nag-throw up yung car kundi lagot siya kay dad hahaha!

Bangui Bay Wind Farm

Towering on a strip of shoreline along the Bangui bay here are 15 wind turbines that have started generating "clean power" under the Philippine's first wind farm feeding an initial 7 megawatts, equivalent to 40 percent of Ilocos Norte's power requirement. Also a first in South East Asia, the Philippine wind power plant is composed of 15 wind turbines with a hub height of 70 meters and 41meter rotor blades having an installed capacity of 25 MW. Lahat ng houses papuntang windmill lahat naka Dream Cable. Sosy sila ha hehehe! Ang init ng buhangin as in. Di ka pwede mag-barefoot. Pero malamig dito kasi nga may windmill eh. The best time to go here is early morning or late afternoon. Konti lang posing namin dito kasi nagugutom na kami. Saka may isa pa kami pupuntahan eh.

Burgos Lighthouse

Based on historical records, Cape Bojeador was built on March 31, 1892—which now makes the structure 114 years old presently. Aside from being one of the oldest intact structures, it is also considered to be the tallest lighthouse in the country. We don't have much photos in this place because its super duper hot. And ang daming tao nagpunta. Di na nga kami makapunta sa pinakamataas eh. Ang haba ng pila. Kaya hanggang dun lang kami sa pinaka landing niya. Ang taas ng rising ng stairs paakyat. Lumabas lahat ng fats ko grabe! Pagdating namin sa taas hinihingal kami lahat hahaha! Nawala ang poise!