PUERTO GALERA and 5 Years of Friendship

I couldn't remember if I saved my gopro pictures of Puerto Galera somewhere or accidentally deleted the folder coz I cannot find them. So sad. But what is important i guess is that the good memories remain and the lasting friendship which started in Puerto Galera 5 years ago stays firm.

It was the summer of 2011 when I first met Rupert and RM via the now defunc Pinoy Exchange (PEX).

It was April, Holy Week and my partner and I were nowhere to go. And that is what Puerto Galera is all about --- quick escape and easy fun. Easy because it is so accessible. Since it was our first time, I contacted people on Pex to share accommodation. It is very hard to book a room in PG during this season. I remember it was Rupert who replied to my message on the board. After that day, Rupert and I have been travelling regularly in places like Camiguin, Capones, Jakarta, Jogjakarta to name a few. The latest being Apo Reef and the experience has always been pleasant.

I noticed that a lot have changed in Puerto Galera It is still popular for its party scene but I was a bit disappointed with the quality of shows. More of drag shows this time like those of comedy bars in Metro Manila. And if you are very familiar with comedy bar comedies, they are all the same and not very funny anymore coz it's the same thing over and over again. I also noticed that prices of food and alcoholic drinks are unreasonably expensive. Bomo-Boracay prices and hello, this is not Boracay at all! Tsk tsk.

PISO PARA KAY TOTO Outreach Program Sitio Masayo, Irid, and Tatawiran of Brgy. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal

Who was it that once said that "charity begins at home but it should not end there". I have to keep reminding myself that. I am a breadwinner but there are more people out there who are in dire need of kindness from others. Despite all my personal struggles that past few years I can proudly say I have successfully protected my heart from so as not to harden in bitterness. I am still lucky and feeling blessed I feel it's but proper to give back to the community.'

I first heard of this group from Facebook. I was lucky to be in contact with Ran Umbao who created the group a few years ago --- Piso Para Kay Toto.

About Piso Para Kay Toto

http://pisoparakaytoto.tumblr.com

Piso Para Kay Toto non-registered, non-government, non-profit effort incepted by volunteer Filipino bloggers from tumblr.com with a goal of sharing happiness to kids.

LAYAG-LAYAG Beach Papaya Cove Batangas #BitchCamp2016 #TeamLayagLayag

"It's not about the place but the people you are with"

Our Layag-layag Beach retreat in Batangas was theperfect illustration of this realization thus far. To start with, the beach is not that good. It's sand not smooth, swimming area full of big rocks, waves not very friendly and the beach is littered with garbage all over. Not just that, you can even encounter all kinds of debris floating on water swimming with you that you feel thankful you are not a fish or you might have already dies eating plastic mistaking it for food. At one point, I was swimming next to a wrapper of laundry detergent I thought, "okay to ah, nagsiswimming ako at nilalabhan narin at the same time." lol

But we were here not expecting too much. A beach this close to Metro Manila if very good would have been very popular on social media but it's not. Only a few dared to write about it. But we were here to have fun, to have a quick escape from the daily grind and fun we did achieve. So much fun that all the minor annoyances of the place didn't matter at all.

KALLISTA NAIL PAMPER LOUNGE: Because Everybody Deserves being Pampered like a Royal

Businesses in the Philippines have officially joined the Pokemon Go craze. SM Malls for example has come up with a #PokemonLureParty the other weekend to entice people to go to their malls and catch pokemon. We were one of those who were at Mall of Asia to join the fun but before the long walks to catch em all, we thought of having hand and feet pampering first. Perfect because at the 2nd floor of S’ Maison, Conrad Manila is Kallista Nail Pamper Lounge for that ultimate nail pampering.

Kallista Nail Pamper Lounge is the sister company of Posh Nails. Posh nails has of course become the gild standard when it comes to nail spa services and Kallista is the "high end line" of Posh Nails. The one at Conrad is the 1st Kallista Nail Pamper Lounge in the Philippines.

Kallista Nail Pamper Lounge

S’ Maison, Conrad Manila

I was surprised that there is a mall at the ground and 2nd-level of Conrad Manila with a nice selection of shops. Right after going up the escalator to the 2nd floor, you should find Kallista Nail Pamper Lounge on your left.

LULJETTA'S PLACE Bed and Breakfast: The New Addition to the Already Strong Portfolio of Loreland Farm Resorts #Antipolo #Rizal

Prior Posts:

- LORELAND FARM RESORT Antipolo has Evolved into Something "fresh"and "exciting".

- Luljettas HANGING GARDEN and SPA Antipolo

- 10 Reasons Why LULJETTA'S HANGING GARDENS AND SPA Could Be Your Ultimate Romantic Summer Spa and Wellness Destination.

- Tayo Na Sa CAMPTIPOLO ADVENTURELAND #LorelandResort #Antipolo

Loreland Farm Resort in Antipolo Rizal is a classic example of how resorts can continuously transform and reinvent to keep relevant to the needs of the ever meticulous public. With so many new accommodations in the city of Antipolo, keeping up with the competition requires not just the financial capacity but good foresight and careful planning.

As I mentioned in my last blog, the thing I like about Loreland Farm Resort is their attention to detail. Every single square meter of the resort is taken care of. That said, you can hardly find a dull space in here. This doesn't just apply to amenities but also translates to all services they offer.

Luljetta's Hanging Gardens and Spa
Opening Luljetta's Hanging Gardens and Spa a few years ago therefore didn't just serve as an additional attraction to the resort, it gave Loreland another dimension to it, another twist if you will to an already beautiful resort. It gave Loreland more character.

Camptipolo AdventureLand

Then came Camptipolo. If Luljettas Hanging Gardens is located by the (you guessed it right) cliff side, Camptipolo is the "Adventureland" below it. This is perfect for those who seek not just the typical company outing-by-the-pool kind of fun. Here, there are tons of team-building activities one can enjoy. An added draw for the resort indeed.

But Loreland Farm Resorts didn't want to stop there.

A new section of the resort has just opened and they call it --- Luljetta's Place.

VISTA TALA RESORT and Recreational Park: The Envy of Many Resorts in the Philippines for Years to Come! #Orani #Bataan

Infinity pools with the view of the sea, the beach or islands is so common. Not that I don't love them but to find an infinity pool facing a mountain declared as natural park with lush vegetation of original forest cover is something else. That makes Vista Tala Resort and Recreational Park in Orani Bataan exceptional and puts it on a league of its own. I discovered this place via social media and immediately tried it a few weeks ago. Tried another resort on the other side of Bataan that same week and our stay at Vista Tala Resort made for another awesome weekend.

How to Get to Vista Tala Resort 

1. Bus (Victory Liner or Genisis) bound Balanga or Mariveles Bataan. 

2. Tell driver ro drop you in Orani town before Balanga City or if the bus passes through the highway and not the main town of Orani drop by the intersection to Orani town. Look for the Petron gas station on your left. That's the marker. 

3. From the intersection, ride the tricycle to Brgy. Tala where the resort is located. That is towards the direction of the mountain on your right. It's a good 10 km distance from the highway but the road is concrete all the way to the resort.