The Majestic Mount Pulag

The beauty of the Philippines lies on the beautiful natural resources. The Philippines scenic and crystal clear sea water of its majestic beaches to the proud and powerful mountains of the north.

It is my long time dream to travel to the second highest mountain in the Philippines, "Mount Pulag" but due to time constraint and luck of resources it remains to be a dream.

Luckily, my Uncle Robert of Department of Agriculture, Cordillera shared his photos in their trip to the said mountain.

I am still a mega fan of green vegetation of our vast and wonderful mountains. It is the heart and lungs of the Philippine society. It is the backbone of the Filipinos.

Photo Credit: Robert Domoguen
Photo Enhanced by Author

Shopping at Divisoria

When we say low-cost shopping destination in Metro Manila, we would automatically think of Divisoria. Divisoria is located at the heart of City of Manila. It is also a shopping destination for all kinds of low priced goods from accessories, to kitchen accessories, apparels, toys, vegetable.

Divisoria is actually jump packed with shoppers in May and December. It is also advisable to buy in bulk rather than in pieces because it is cheaper if you buy it whole sale.


Tips for a successful shopping at Divisoria:

• I would say before you go there you list down all the things you need and include the needs of the whole family so when you go there you could at least bargain when you buy. The more the merrier as they say. haha
• Always bargain. It is a known culture in Divisoria to always bargain with the sales girl. However when you bargain always bargain at a reasonable price so you get the price you wanted to avoid discussion.
• If you are a Divisoria Shopper or if you go to Divisoria frequently you would definitely know that going there at past 9 is difficult. Go there early so you would have more time to look around and to avoid the rush and there'll be fewer buyers.
• Don't be an impulse buyer. It is always good to canvas the prices of the other stores and so you would have an idea as to how much you would bargain for the price of the item. Here's a good tip... the farther you go the cheaper the price is. Check every corner and every roads along Divisoria before deciding where to buy.
• Don't wear jewelries, watch or any other expensive accessories. Bring the cheapest cellphone you have and of course as much as possible your money should be in hundreds, twenties and fifty pesos. This would be easier for you to pay them at exact amount and also it is not advisable to bring with you a handbag. Instead use a clutch bag if really necessary.
• Don't bring kids. So you could twist and roam freely and you can do shopping at your own pace.
• BE PATIENT! Expect that there would be huge crowds since this place offers relatively cheap good item and canvasing is painstaking but worthy.
• Wear tight jeans or tight shorts. The only reason for this is for you to feel if someone is attempting to get your cellphone or wallet on your pants. Always make sure as well not to place your money on one pocket only as much as possible pocket the 20's and 50's denomination on your pocket and the 100's denomination on your wallet (dont put your wallet on your pocket)

So here's a general map so you would know where to find some specific items: Go to Ilaya Streets if you want to buy fabrics. Tabora is a perfect place for ribbons, buttons, beads, crafts and or other notions. Also, since this is street market you would definitely see street vendors who will be selling other stuffs like native products, housewares or even clothes. Its good to ask their price because you might be surprise when you see these stuffs inside the shops just behind this street vendors. Good to note so you could bargain inside the shop and or you can go back to this street vendors and buy the said product.

This is also the best place to buy affordable wedding gowns and barongs. Next stop is the New Divisoria Mall along Tabora. It offers air-conditioned comfort with various items like apparels, housewares, balloons and the basement with a wet market and dark corridors. The corridors sell the cheapest party toys and giveaways (this toys and giveaways are really just for fun it don't last a day)

Across the New Divisoria Mall is the Divisoria Shopping Center. It also sells cheap plastics toys, wooden toys and decorative materials like artificial flowers and leaves. 

Streets between Divi Shopping Center and New Divi Mall for fruits by the kilo.

168 Mall also offer almost everything from toys to apparels. It is more expensive than the other mall but of course still cheaper than any other malls in Metro Manila. 

If you are shopping for t-shirts but planning to buy it in bulk Juan Luna Street is your best place.

On your way out to Divisoria is Q. Paredes St near or closest to Binondo Church offers school and office supplies.

Enjoy shopping and Good Luck!

It’s More Fun in The Philippines – Experiencing Anawangin Cove

Summer indeed is fun and exciting. For students, its time to sit back and relax and do away with school projects and activities but for working people it is time to have a little family and friends getaway during national holidays.

My first stop is a beautiful island in Zambales popularly known as the Anawangin Cove. It is very much making its name to beach goers and campers. It is also located at Pundaquit Zambales. My group had so much fun as we feel the beauty nature has given to the people of Zambales for everyone to enjoy. It is as if the place is between you and nature or should I say you and the beautiful sceneries of the volcanic white sand beach with sparkling crystal blue water and the feel of being swayed by the gentle mountain summer breeze. 

It is a perfect place to run away from the hustles and bustles of the busy metro, a perfect place to do away with your usual activity. Above all, it is a perfect place for you to just relax.

I love the fact that the place doesn’t offer the luxury of hotel and wifi and swimming pools. I think this is their advantage towards other beach destination in the Philippines.

Here's what your back pack should include:

• swiss knife with can opener
• rechargeable lamp (fully charge)
• mosquito or insect Repellent
• blanket - light blankets just for you to cover yourself
• lighter or matches
• food (also include emergency food like biscuits and canned goods)
• pajama (optional)
• camera (to catch those perfect scenes)
• speaker (battery operated)
• potable water, soda, liquor
• Swimming and hiking clothes like board shorts, sando or shirt, shades, sunvisor, extra slippers (it should be a heavy duty slippers for island hoping and mountaineering.
• personal hygienic kit (bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc)
• portable stove and cooking utensils (optional) 
• Dont forget to bring ziplok for wet clothes and camera…
• Bring your own cigarette and liqour because it prices would triple or quadruple when you are in the island.

There are many options for you to choose from if you want to visit Anawangin.

• Van for rent - this would depend depending on the Van owner. Rental would range from Php 9000 to Php 11000.
• Or thru Bus (Victory Liner) going to Zambales.

Below are the fees you need to prepare:

• TENT/GRILLING RENT-P150.00 each
• BOAT RIDE P350.00 each
• ENVIRONMENTAL FEE- P 100.00 (overnight stay in ANAWANGIN)

Pros:

• No hotel: meaning you need to rent or use your own tent. For me, it is an advantage because it gives the tourist a different feel and excitement.
• The use of Tents:
it is awesome. It gives a different experience and ads a thrill.
• Clean Comfort Rooms: So far when we visited the place they have this wide range of comfort room and shower room which is convenient enough for the
• It is also very good that the garbage bags are scattered everywhere. What I also like here is that it has labels in it so as to guide the tourist for proper garbage segregation

Activities at the Cove:

• When you say Annawangin Cove of course what runs to my mind when we were about to go there is a fantastic view of the beach. I did love it. The water is calm and tender. It gives a soothing feeling when I started swimming. The water and the depth of the beach is children and non-swimmer friendly.
• Mountaineering: is also fantastic as it gives the tourist more activities to choose from or to add it on their itinerary.
• Island Hoping: so after exhausting yourself in mountaineering and enjoying the water and flushing out your worries and stress in swimming. It is about time for you to try their island hoping. I would suggest for you to inform your boatman ahead of time that you are interested in island hoping tell them the date and time so they can fetch you up on your desired time. They would also act as a tour guide. Prices varies and negotiable.
• Before the dark night kicks in it is also advisable to go ahead and look for woods so you could use them for bonfire during the night.

Kudos for those who is managing the island for not making it commercial in the sense of having hotels or lodges near the beach. I think nowadays we need a space like the Anawangin Cove for relaxation. I would suggest though that the plastic garbage bins should have covers for a safer, cleaner and better experience. I think it would also be better if the shower rooms and comfort rooms would have a covered trash bins to have a better experience.

In general, it would still be a 2 thumbs up for Anawangin. I can't wait for my next trip to the beautiful white sand beach!

Travelling PASAY! The Premier Gateway to the Philippines

Last May 12, 2012 it was my friend’s Birthday (Anton). Since I work at night we decided to go out at night and visit the SM Mall of Asia. Sometimes, it is better to go there at night to avoid the warm ocean breeze most especially for me where I have little patience under the sun. hehehe

We decided to watch a movie, unfortunately that time we don’t feel watching the movies available. So we decided to just go around and do some window shopping and maybe spotting some items that we could buy when budget permits.

Photo care-of Izza Santos

After few hours we went out the mall maybe do some stargazing and to add it more the different lights adorn the MOA Park. The laughter of children playing on these beautiful rides scattered along the stretch of the park. Along with these are the songs played by the bands in the bar symphonized by the splashes sea water hitting the sea wall.

After long walk from window shopping to walking along the park and stargazing we decided to stop by a restaurant named Aling Marsha Dampa Resturant. Of course if you go out we don’t just don’t go out and tire ourselves out. After that tiring refreshing walk it is time for us to grab something to munch.

We never tried Dampa before. So we decided to just try it and have a feel of it. At least to have a totally new experience. I think it is always good to try something new once in a while.

Below is my top picks that I recommend worth visiting in Pasay City.

1. Nayong Pilipino – is a theme park that show cases the different cultural group and racial groups in the Philippines. This theme park is located near Manila International Airport. If you are in Mall of Asia or anywhere in EDSA one can just take a bus going to MIA (it will only cost you Php 12.00 depending on your location) or one can take a passenger jeepney if you are along Rizal Park or Taft Avenue (fare would range from Php 8.00 to Php 15.00) depending on your location)

2. Cultural Center of the Philippines 

3. Folk Arts Theater

Some photo's here are taken in google images. Click the image for redirect.