Suggested Summer Getaways

Super hot days are here! It is my favorite time of the year ( I was born in summer). Summer is always associated with vacation from school, thus becoming the favorite and most anticipated season of all (at least here in Pinas). With this, let me share some of the places and their stories I've been to near Metro Manila and other places also in my exploits in life. Sure worth a visit during this hot season..

8 Waves Waterpark - San Rafael, Bulacan

I went here with my friends in 2004. Luckily at that time, people were not splashing around in pools like fish caught in fishing nets and we were able to swim freely in the open waves (8 kinds of waves). Travel was sort of exciting because we took public transportation to get to the site. Sorry no food and drinks allowed. Even our chips were confiscated by the resort personnel. But still a very nice place. http://www.8waveswaterpark.com.ph/

9 Waves Ciudad Christia Resort - San Mateo, Rizal

I honestly cannot differentiate the 8th wave from the 9th, but this place has a somewhat provincial feel to it (that was in 2007). Maybe because I saw a horse on the resort lawn and because it is in San Mateo which is still a province. It is a small resort good for small family gatherings.

http://www.9wavesphilippines.com/

Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park - San Mateo, Rizal

This is a memorable one. This was a special outing for my family and we decided to host it here. I happened to chance upon one of their leaflets when I was reading Manila Bulletin. It was a real coincidence which was a convenience for me to find their leaflet because I was actally looking for a nice place where we could enjoy swimming in the summer of 2008. We actually did a site visit first to check if the place looks as nice as it did in the picture. It was located in the foothill of the mountain and I mean that literally because the mountain towers the whole resort and it looks so near you can touch it (exaggerated). Also, once you leave the main street and turn right on the corner of Seaoil, be prepared for more than 30 minutes travel on rough road which leads all the way to the foothill of San Mateo mountain. If you're going to commute, you can ride tricycles who dare to traverse the uncivilized road. Another thing I noticed there is that it looks like every 5 to 10 minutes, trucks carrying loads and loads of boulders or stone are passing by, coming from the mountain. No wonder mountains in this place are all bald and stripped of trees tsk tsk. It was a holiday when we did a visit and the place is full of people. It was a really nice place, probably because it's still a bit new compared to other resorts and there are amenities like basketball court, volleyball court, billiards, playground, etc. You can also choose treehouses over gazebos or benches if you're not staying overnight. We decided to reserve a recreation room with videoke and paid the downpayment. But when the day came and we got to the resort, the lady or manager (whoever she is) told us that another group was occupying the place we reserved. You can just imagine how pissed we all were. I was on the verge of going to the next door resort which I think was Villa Trinidad. They then gave us another place large enough to accomodate all of us (we were about 30 in all) and gave us a discount but it did little to dissipate our disappointment. But heck, we decided to make the most out of the day. We still enjoyed our day of swimming and picnic despite of what happened. So if you want to go some place to see a mountain real close and enjoy, this is a good one. One tip though, always double check your reservations before the exact day..
http://www.greennatureresort.com.ph/html/index.html

Loreland Farm Resort - Antipolo City

Now I know for a fact there are a number of pools here, but this is the exact pool where I spent on of my summer nights with friends during college. I vaguely remember those were the last days before summer vacation, and a few friends of mine decided to have a swim here. Since it was at night and there aren't a lot of people around, some of the other pools were closed so I don't exactly remember how the resort looks like. But I also visited this site before settling for Green Nature last year so my memory is renewed. There is a part of the resort overlooking Manila ( I assume) and at night it gets really breezy because it's located high up in Antipolo. The reason we settled for Greeen Nature is when you would like to have a family gathering, it is easier to have it in a smaller resort that way you would not lose count of the kids hehe..

http://loreland.com.ph/


Coco Beach - Puerto Galera


I went here in October 2004. Me and my bestfriend decided to take a break and we searched the net and found this resort. She's never been to Puerto Galera at that time and I've been there once before, so it was sort of an adventure for us to go there on our own. I would have wanted to take the public transportation that is, taking a bus to Batangas Pier and riding a ferry boat till we reach White Beach. Good thing we decided to take the transportation offered with the package for a 3 days 2 nights stay because we though Coco Beach was within White Beach, but it was an entirely different island and the only way to get to White Beach is through a boatride. We got the farthest room from the beach (it was the cheapest) but it was really nice albeit the lack of a tv set and other forms of entertainment. We enjoyed the beach but preferred the pool since the beach has a lot of underwater plants. On our second day, we rented a boat going to White Beach and stayed under the sun till our skin hurts. But the thing I remember most about Coco Beach is their breakfast buffet! It was so good they had all kinds of breakfast you can think of. Let me enumerate some: different kinds of sausages, hams, hotdogs, eggs cooked in different ways, pancakes, goto, freshly baked breads, fresh fruits, and fruitshakes ( i might have missed some). Hmm, I'd love to go back there..
http://www.cocobeach.com/home.php

Big Apple Dive Resort - Puerto Galera

You would probably think twice before taking a dip in the beach in this part of Puerto Galera; the water is somewhat oily and the water is unclear, like some sea monster is waiting to pull you under. I guess this place really is for diving only, since the beachfront is not that attractive. There is a pool(nothing exceptional), but during the time I went there, I find the place unevenly spaced out and a bit messy. We still went to White Beach since we didn't enjoy the Sabang beach.

http://www.divebigapple.com/

Oceana Beach Resort - Puerto Galera

This is where me and my friends stayed the first time I've been to Puerto Galera. The resort is very nice and relaxing, but the beach has brown sand and dark water. The place is very open, there are amenities like volleyball court, billiards, and a restaurant. They offered to give us a ride going to White Beach (for a fee, of course) and come back for us at night going back to the resort since it's a bit far from White Beach. But you will enjoy the view here, they have some nipa huts near the beach where you can lounge and relax. Nice place.
http://www.oceanadive.com/index.html

Boracay

This place is the best! I went here in 2005 and 2006. The first time, we rented a room from one of the locals who had set-up the second floor of their house for rentals (they live on the third). It was considerably cheap having our own bathroom and a cable tv. Of course, there aren't any amenities but I had no problems with that since I didn't plan to stay indoors anyway. We spent most of the time swimming and walking on the shore. The sand is really as fine as powder and the water is warm and clear. I hope it's still that way now. Most of the time spent there was to just discover the island, eating sugpo, shopping for souvenirs, and just relaxing on the beach. I went to Crystal Cove, D'mall, Puka Beach scouring for puka shells, and basically just lazing around on the beach. The second time I've been here, it was kinda stormy so I didn't get to enjoy the White Beach that much. Not unless it's late in the afternoon and the wind slowed down and it's low tide. I wish the beaches in Boracay will be preserved and taken care of because it is indeed a natural beauty. Next stop, probably Palawan.. (I wish! hehe)

Pondering about Pooh

I've just recently been able to watch The Heffalump Movie with Pooh and Piglet and all the cute characters there. While undoubtedly Winnie the Pooh looks all cute and cuddly, I don't like the idea that he has an addiction to honey to the point of overeating it. There was one scene in the movie where he (most probably Winnie the Pooh is a he) was awakened by the call of the mother elephant and rushed to Rabbit's house with his jar of honey. He told Rabbit that the one who made the scary noise ate his honey and then later corrected himself that he ate his honey but it made him do it (what's up with that?!) . I wonder why the people responsible behind Winnie the Pooh's character made him like that. I don't think that is a very good example, considering lots of children and adults alike has a certain fondness over the Pooh bear..hmm just pondering..

Idol Habit

I have always been a fan of American Idol, well, Season 7 to be exact. I just like to watch the auditions really, cause it is hilarious and really entertaining. It was only during last year that I became a real fan (partly because of my mom). My mom never missed an episode (David Archuleta addiction), so whenever I could, I would watch also. That was the time I got hooked. I actually wanted Archuleta to win but I can't argue with the fact that David Cook is a bit more talented. This year, I have my bet - Danny Gokey. I make it a point to watch it before going to work, which results in a shortened sleeping time and loads of coffee at work. I like to see the contestant's transition from being a nobody to suddenly becoming a household name, and really unearthing good talents. Last year was a tough one. Lots of people like Archuleta, but Cook can really make his version of songs stand out. This year, I like this Gokey guy, he can really sing and he looks a lot like Robert Downey Jr. I hope he can maintain his momentum. Well, I'll just have to see but one thing I'll know for sure (though I don't live with her anymore), my mom still never misses an episode of American Idol (I wonder who her bet is now)...

Magkamukha sila..or inaantok lang ako...

American Idol look-alike

Idol contestant Danny Gokey looks a lot like Robert Downey Jr., don't you think?

Twilight-Unsolicited review

So I'm a fan. Of the book, I should say. The movie somehow lacks the intensity of the emotions felt in the book. For those who are not a fan and were just dragged to see the movie for the sake of others, it may be a little too corny, labeled as a chick-flick and later on forgotten. For those who are constant followers, it may be perfect. What, with the gorgeous-looking vampires and the cute little Kristen Stewart, who would not get goosebumps whenever the two main characters get just a little too close?

I personally think that Kristen Stewart did not portray enough emotions for the character Bella. I distinctly remember her in one facial expression. Sorry. Nevertheless, the movie is such a success probably because it is a somewhat different vampire story. We are so used to seeing vampires with blood, dead people, more blood, and more dead people. This time, the movie targeted a young, dreamy audience and portrayed vampires as creatures not so different from us, which is very refreshing. I have never encountered a vampire movie/love story which revolves around high school and all its drama, so this is a really different one from your usual dose of vampire adventure. It is undoubtedly a success, but I guess it will not make it to the list of classics.

Forever Dawn

It's a bit surprising to know that Twilight's original sequel isn't New Moon. I wonder what would've happened if there weren't any sequels at all to Twilight. By the way the books were written, one would've thought that it was all planned out from the first book to the last. From how the stories are laid out, you would think that there were no coincidents to this, that werewolves would eventually come into the picture since there are vampires, and that Bella will inevitably come to a point where she needs to choose between the werewolf and the vampire. But Stephenie Meyer mentioned that she was not planning to write a sequel at all. What a great moment it might have been for Stephenie Meyer when she finds out that her stories are all falling into place.



From Ms. Meyer's website:

"If you've read the story behind Twilight, then you know that I didn't set out to write a novel or begin a career as an author. I was just writing down a story for my personal enjoyment, letting it grow as it would and lead where it would. No pressure, just fun.
The first sequel I wrote to Twilight—Forever Dawn—was more of the same. I wasn't planning a sequel any more than I was planning to write a book in the first place. Originally, Twilight had a more defined ending. But, when it was ended, I started writing epilogues. After I'd written three epilogues, all of them over a hundred pages long, I realized I wasn't ready to stop writing about Bella and Edward. One of those epilogues turned into Forever Dawn."



It would also be really interesting to read Forever Dawn. After all, it was set out to be an adult novel since it passed Bella's high school and is written with "more mature themes". I wonder how "mature" that is. Ü Would Bella turn out to be a vampire too in Forever Dawn? Who knows the answer to that?