Dumaguete: Balinsasayao-Danao Twin Lakes and Casaroro Waterfalls D.I.Y Day Tour

I can't believe it took me 8 years of travelling until I got to get my ass in Dumaguete. I didn't know what I have been really missing all this time until late last year. It was chuseok holiday in Korea so I packed my bags and traveled solo to Cebu-Dumaguete-Siquijor and Apo Island.

Dumaguete is a pretty small city with Silliman University at its core. All you need is a day to go around and get to know the place. That is not to say though that there is nothing to do here. There are still many things to discover. One can enjoy strolling by baywalk and get a sense of how laidback the city can get.

There are also a few pubs along Silliman Avenue that you can try if you want to chill. And a few specialty restaurants for your palate too. The attractions around Dumaguete are the ones that make Dumaguete such a to-go-place. There are lakes,waterfalls,hot springs, sand bars. There is also Siquijor just an hour away by slow ferry and Apo Island which is haven for turtle spotting. I will write about my experiences one by one but first, let me talk about my day trip to Balinsasayao-Danao Twin Lakes and Casaroro Waterfalls.

#FreedomFridays at the 6th Pool Bar and Lounge Novotel Manila Araneta Center

It's summer and you are stuck in the Metro. Pity right? I know how it feels. It is saddening at times especially if you see the feeds of your friends on social.media enjoying the islands. Well it's not that bad. I have been travel-less actually for more than a month and I have been enjoying myself. The reason because there are so many nice spaces in Metro Manila now where you can chill and never feel your missing the fun. One place I frequent is Novotel Manila Araneta Center. This is very obvious on my sns feeds especially Instagram. And #FreedomFridays has added to the must-try events at Novotel Manila.

Freedom Fridays at the 6th Pool Bar and Lounge Novotel Manila Araneta Center happens every Friday 6:00 pm - 3:00 am.

Discreet -- 6 local beers -- Php 699 nett per person 

Loud -- 4 Signature Cocktails -- Php 799 nett per person 

All Out -- Choice of 6 local beers, signature cocktails or house wine 

-- Php 999 nett per person
One on One Cocktail 

Mojoto, Cuba Libre, Margarita & Tequila Sunrise --Php 350

Microtel Inn & Suites Cabanatuan: Hotel-In-a City with a Nice Country Vibe @microtelph

I was to attend the Christening of my cousin's daughter in Gapan Nueva Ecija two weeks ago and I thought of staying in Cabanatuan the night before so as to make it at 9:00 an the next day. What made my decision easier was when I found out that there is a Microtel by Wyndham branch there. And when I saw online that it has a pool, my decision was sealed. I have tried Microtel in Mall of Asia with my aunts before and I like to no-frills feel of the brand. The one in Cabanatuan has the same ambiance of that of Baguio branch, and I have been dying to stay at the latter but it was always fully booked during my visit. The one in Cabanatuan I found out later is actually 9 years old. Wow! Older than my blog.

About Microtel Cabanatuan:
Microtel Cabanatuan has 50 air-conditioned rooms features chiropractor-approved mattresses, Internet access, an IDD/NDD phone, and more. It is part of Microtel Group’s chain of budget hotels.
Microtel currently has  16 locations in the Philippines.

Acropolis, QC | Baguio | Batangas | Boracay | Cabanatuan | Eagle Ridge, Cavite | Davao | General Santos |Mall of Asia | Palawan | South Forbes | Tarlac | UP Technohub, QCSource:  http://www.microtel-cabanatuan.com/

Phone Numbers: +63 (44) 958 7777

Fax Number: +63 (44) 958 7778

Mobile: +63 (927) 804 2929

Email: cabanatuan@microtel.ph

Manila Sales Office

Phone Numbers: +63 (02) 899 7171 | +63 (917) 888 1800

Fax Number: +63 (02) 870 0319

Email: sales@microtel.ph | reservations@microtel.ph

Location:

The hotel is located 2 kms off city center if you consider the central bus terminal as city center. That is a comfortable distance and if you are commuting takes only around 30-50 pesos by tricycle depending on the time of the day. Just tell the driver to take you to Microtel in Sta Arcadia and they know it. The fact that it is a little off from city center is a big advantage for Microtel Cabanatuan because it is in an area the is quiet so you get this hotel-in-a-city with a country vibe.

The Most Beautiful Places in the World You Have to Visit

There are places on our planet that everyone should see at least once in their lives. We offer you the list of 10 most interesting places that you must definitely visit. Thanks to our kind friends from amurdate.com for providing us with this curious information.

1.The Philippines

This country is often forgotten by tourists because there is a much more popular Thailand nearby. But the Philippines are one of the most beautiful places in the world. It consists of more than 7000 islands that are scattered in the beautiful Pacific Ocean. And Palawan Island is regularly recognized as the most beautiful island of the planet!

2.The Galapagos Islands

Spend your day in the clear waters of the Galapagos Islands. There are three major ocean currents, so the diversity of marine life is particularly noticeable here. You shouldn’t remain such a wonderful adventure outside the list of the main desires in life.

3.Brazil

This is the fifth largest country in the world, and perhaps the most amazing in terms of natural diversity. There can be found everything you want to see: huge beaches, tropical jungles in the Amazon delta, a lot of reserves and waterfalls. And Rio de Janeiro was recently recognized as the second most beautiful city in the world.

4.Australia
Here you can do something to relieve your mind and body from stress. Everything facilitates for relaxation and especially the quiet pleasant waters of the ocean. You can jump from a yacht, go diving, and sunbathe on the beach. Allow the child inside of you to start every day with sincere laughter and a thirst for adventure.

5.Cambodia

Here you can find one of the biggest and most impressive monuments in South Asia – Angkor Wat. Start your day with enjoying the dawn, the view of which is just breathtaking.

How To Write an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay uses reason to demonstrate that certain ideas are more valid than others in academic writing. This type of essay provides the reader with a thorough overview of a topic, covering all facets of the situation or a fact. The purpose of such an essay is to persuade the reader into agreeing with the author's point of view.

An argumentative essay must be based on sound logic and must contain factual evidence to support the argument. The effectiveness of this type of essay depends on the author's ability to parse through the various facets of the topic and lead the reader toward an obvious and logical conclusion.
Building up a strong argument – is very hard task, it requires a lot of efforts and skills of yours.


Argumentative essays provide your audience with a well-rounded summary of the issue at hand, but clearly indicate what your own point of view on essay topics is and why this view is the best option over others. Thus, make sure you have your desired outcome in mind as you move forward in the writing process. This will help to sway another person or group of people in their opinion on a subject.

Argumentative essay structure

When you are starting writing an argumentative essay you need to know the structure of it so to shape your writing in a right way.
A good essay of this type should consist of:

a) an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed, without giving your opinion;

b) a main body in which the points for and against along with your justifications, examples or reasons are presented in separate paragraphs; and

c) a closing paragraph in which you state your opinion or give a balanced consideration of the topic.

Photo By: Meghan Davidson

Useful essay words and phrases

Certain words are used to link ideas and to signpost the reader the direction your line of reasoning is about to take, such as adding more emphasis, or introducing an alternative point of view.
Opinion words (such as I think, I believe, In my opinion, etc.) can only be used in the closing paragraph where you give your opinion on the topic.

Laki Beach : Laki-ng Sakit ng Ulo. #TheNotSoLakiTrip #HolyWeek2017 #Mariveles #Bataan

Note: For the many whose vacation  on April 14-15 2017, Good Friday and Black Saturday were ruined, this is for you.   - Anton

DISCLAIMER: It is not my intention to demean the place. I just want to share the bad experience we had on Good Friday of 2017 when we decided to pick Laki Beach in Mariveles Bataan as the place to spend one night for the long Holy Week Holiday. This could be an isolated place due to the nature of the holoday but this was what happened anyways.


#LakiTravelToMariveles 
We decided not to go with the main exodus Tuesday and Wednesday nights so we decided to take the trip to Bataan at around 2am Friday. We left 5- Star Cubao Terminal via their affiliate bus company Bataan Transit at around 3:00 am. We were #laki we were able to board the bus without the long lines and got to Mariveles at around 7:00 am. So easy! Had a quick breakfast in town. Thank God there is Jolibee in Mariveles town. We were on board a tricycle (75 php per tricycle) and got to Brgy Porto in no time.

About Laki Beach
Laki beach is a beach-in-a-cove located in Mariveles Bataan which is roughly 4 hrs by land from Manila and 30 minutes by boat from Brgy Porto Mariveles. It is a white sand beach with fine sand the length similar to that of Anawangin Cove in Zambales. Since it is a cove, access to the beach is only via boat. The beach is pristine with very clear water. It has the same vibe of that of Puting Buhangin in Pagbilao Quezon so I actually call it "Little Puting Buhangin".

How To Get to Laki Beach

1. Ride bus from Cubao via Bataan Transit or Genesis bound Mariveles Bataan. Travel time is approximately 4 hrs. Fare is approximately 280 pesos. 

2. Alight at the bus terminal in Mariveles Bataan. This is the end of the route so you will not miss it. 3. Take tricycle or jeepney to Brgy Porto. In our case, we took tricycle for 75 pesos. 

4. Board the boat frm Brgy. Porto to Laki Beach for 30 minutes or so.

Ice Ñ Cream : Scooping Starts April 16 @NovotelManilaAC

I always feel hesitant whenever I hear "in-house ice cream". Or shall I say skeptical is the better word. It's just that there are many ice cream shops out there that are "try-hards" when it comes to this favorite summer refreshment and in most cases they fail. So I came to Novotel Manila Araneta Center with "reservations" and a "wait-and-see" attitude. But after trying almost all of the 18 flavors they have at the newly opened section of Novotel Manila Araneta Center, -- Ice Ñ Cream --I was convinced that it can give expensive commercial brands a run for their money. And I say this because it left me with not just one, not just two but many favorites. That I will mention in detail later. Read on.

WHAT IS YOUR FLAVOR? 

Like me, I am sure you will find your favorites among the 18 flavors categorized into 5 -- Classic, Philippine Flavors, Sorbets, Alcoholic and Sugar-Free for those who are health conscious.

Classic 

Oui Vanilla! ( Vanilla) 

 Real vanilla bean infused in smooth custard 

Wake Me Up Before You Go-go! ( Caffe Latte)

 2 Rich notes of coffee with real coffee bean crunc 

Choco Goes Nuts ( Choco Peanut) 

  Premium Belgian chocolate matched with roasted peanuts 

It Match-A Been Love ( Matcha) 

 Deep yet delicate Japanese matcha essence coupled with rich cream.

Philippine Flavors 

Purple Dream ( Ube and Langka) 

Smooth yam elevated with slivers of Philippine Jackfruit 

Green with Envy ( Avocado) 

 The richness of avocado perfectly balanced with Belgian chocolate chips. 

Smell Me, Taste Me, Love Me ( Durian) 

 Sweet creamy custard with the King of Fruit's subdued essence 

Leche de Almond ( Leche Flan) 

 Velvety leche flan ceowned with ceunchy Almond Florentine

Mt. Ulap Itogon Benguet: New Year Hike, Gungal Rock + Traverse to Brgy Sta. Fe #iAmSuperInMtUlap

I know many have blogged and shared on social media their experience in Mt. Ulap. But as each experience is different, here's mine. It was special because it was my first hike this year 2017, January 2 to be exact, and extra- special because I hiked with a special someone. Naks! The weather was perfect and I celebrated new year's eve in Baguio so I didn't feel the stress of going here. Based on photos one might think that this mountain is in the middle of nowhere. Wrong! It is actually only 45 minutes away from Baguio City. Cool ayt? As cool as the weather here so hiking was a breeze.

How To Get To Mt. Ulap 

1. Ride the jeepney bound Felix Mine or direct to Ampucao Benguet
 at Baguio Central Market. Fare is around 35-50 pesos and travel time is 45 minutes. 

2. Alight at the junction of Brgy. Ampucao for registration. 

3. Hike to Mt. Ulap -- 3.5 hours 

4. Traverse and exit at Brgy Sta. Fe Itogon Benguet 

5. Take jeepney back to the City

C-Boutique Hotel Baguio: Bad Choice!

"A nice hotel with bad service 

is like having a good-looking boyfriend/girlfriend who sucks." --anton

Warning: Don't be deceived by the nice photos. I am just good at it. Or say the hotel is photogenic too but a place is just a place. In the end, it's the people who runs it.

This is the same review I posted on my Tripadvisor account where I am a senior reviewer. I rarely say bad things about a hotel unless I really didn't like the experience. My reviews pointed to the main points --- too pricey, bad location and poor service. Most bad reviews on Tripadvisor all point to the same factors. No wonder why C Boutique Hotel only ranks #25 of Bed and Breakfast accommodations in Baguio City. Read  reviews>>> here

Too Pricey
So-so Rooms
It was a wrong choice staying here Dec 32- Jan 1, 2017 to spend New Year in Baguio. To be fair, the hotel holds to its name as a boutique hotel. Decent place, clean, well maintained but I find it too expensive for 3,500 pesos. I would put its fair value at 2,500 pesos as it is the typical type you can find in the Metro. If you are in Baguio with your whole family and set of friends and wants to achieve peace then this is the place to go but again with no amenities to boost of don't pay above 3,000 pesos just to get a typical-looking room. To think Baguio hotels don't pay for airconditioning. 3,500 php is too much. And then the bed was not so soft. Walang wala sa 5-star bed ng Tune Hotel/ Red Planet hotel which you can have for as low as 1,800php. Power shower is good. Heated water works well except that the shower drain clogged after 2nd use. Muntik nang bumaha sa restroom.

Cucina's Tasty Indulgence #Buffet @MarcoPoloManila

You know the reason why breakfast buffets im hotels are usually cheaper than other meals of the day? Because the former is usually included in your room charge while the latter you have to pay separately. While I was very satisfied with the breakfast buffet during our stay, I thought it would be nicer if we can also try dinner buffet. I was not disappointed. After all, Cucina will not be included in Philippine Tattler's Best Restaurants in the Philippines 2016 for nothing.


Savor a new and delightful culinary experience and taste the best meaty dishes with Cucina's signature dishes. It offers a versatile dining experience complemented by a well-curated spread of international cuisine that are heavy on flavours and is made from superior ingredients. From the Seafood Station, Asian Noodles and Pasta, Carving, Cheeses and Cold Cuts and Desserts, Cucina promises to be a one-stop-shop for all the finest flavors that diners’ palates are looking for.

Cucina is consistently seen in bringing something new to the table with these new buffet signature dishes, bringing incredible flavour and tenderness, prepared to perfection.

Meat-lovers will enjoy the new line up of signature specialties definitely brings a whole new surprise to everyone’s palate. Setting up a different kind of fusion featuring the tropical fruit, pineapple, enjoy the Filipino favorite, Crispy Pata, with a different twist―stuffed with foiegras and topped with Pineapple salsa. Opt for a dairy and ocean-fresh filling with Braised Beef Roulade Stuffed with Cream Cheese, Shrimp, Fish, and Shellfish Meat. Taste the best of both worlds with the Surf and Turf Blanket, featuring Salmon and Minced Beef with Sundried Tomato.