Halfway there!

Back in grade school, if you get five out of ten in a test that means you failed. So does this mean, as a Filipino, who is surrounded by these amazing beaches, I'm a failure? Challenge accepted it is then!

Nah...who am I kidding? Challenge or not, I will make sure that I get to go to all the ten beaches that they mentioned here...even more! I've only been to five and I can't wait to see the other half...live!

According to Netguard.dk, these are "some of the best beaches in the Philippines that one may consider visiting"

1. Boracay

Discovery Shores Boracay

2. Pagudpud - the first and last time that I went here was 18 years ago. I have yet to find my picture! I must post as soon as I find it.

3. Mactan Island

Costa Bella Resort, Cebu

4. Panglao

Bohol Beach Club

5. Camiguin – the palce has been known to be one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines because it still seems like a paradise. Some people even consider the palce the “Garden of Eden” in the country. Camiguin has a great topography that includes waterfalls, and the hot and cold springs. The place will be mesmerizing and will definitely tempt you to go back.

6. Dakak – a private beach that spans about 750 meters long the Sulu Sea. The beach also has great white sands that can be compared to powder. The pool’s water comes from the spring water and the waterfalls that are on the area. 

7. Honda Bay – this are islands that surround the capital of the South Western province of Palawan. Among these islands, the tourist can go island hopping, diving and swim on the cool waters. In one of the islands, one can see the variety of fishes without swimming out too deep. 

8. El Nido – the palce has been known as the country’s last frontier and Palawan - the Island of the Gods. This place offers great beaches that will tae you away from the urban life. This place is the best to visit if you are looking for complete peace and quiet. Aside from the magnificent beach, the palce also offers you a sight of the beautiful seascapes, towering marble cliffs and a variety of tropical birds. 

9. Pearl Farm – far south in the city of Davao, lies the premier beach resort know as the Pearl Farm. The place no longer has the pearls you are looking for. But the place can still offer an experience as valuable as a pearl. This is because of the great resort that is accompanied by the white sands. 

10. Siargao

Surfing at a secret surf spot in Siargao

TOTAL: 5/10

5 MORE!!!

(Source: http://www.netguard.dk/top-ten-beaches-philippines.php)

Too direct?

This is a billboard that I saw along Roxas Boulevard. You won't notice this unless you pay attention to your surroundings, which is caused by the traffic. It is overwhelmed by the trees and the abstract metal sculptures beside it that I find odd by the way. I mean, since Luneta is a historical landmark, it should be surrounded by vintage or design that reminded of our historical past. How odd is it to find two abstract metal structures just right in front of Rizal? Anyway, this hidden ad is too direct and straightforward...there's nothing more to it. I bet Mr. Jimenez could do more than this!

Keep Calm

Chilling on a hammock facing Cloud 9

I can't believe that it has already been a month since my one week getaway to Surigao and Siargao! I haven't even started drafting my blog post yet. I would really love to share my experiences but I just really lack time though I will...one day!:)

I miss the place, food, ocean and most especially, the people. This picture does not do justice to how marvelous and calming the view was, I could stay in this place forever.

Happy Aurora Day!

Last weekend's surfing trip was definitely a first and fun as always. It was my first time to celebrate Aurora Day but Gene said last year's celebration was better since the People's Party was held by the beach. This year, the People's Party was held at the Sentro Baler Grounds, which is near the Aurora wet market and the bus stop. The weather was insane but it did not stop us from celebrating and most especially, surfing!

The waves were pretty strong and it actually gave me a hard time to catch a wave. We were all dead tired after surfing so we all decided to sleep! Our room is another crazy place because there were twelve of us inside a room that only allows four people. Nonetheless, it made the entire experience extra memorable!

After our siesta we went back to the beach for our last surf before the sun sets. We had an awesome dinner at the old gasoline station then we went to the People's Party after to support Blue Island, a local ska band from Baler, as well as General Luna and Ebe Dancel, who are both Soki's talent! The greatest part during the party was the rain! We partied and sung in the rain that was definitely a first for me.

We decided to head back and drink at Bay's Inn after the party. While we were drinking, Soki arrived along with Ebe who joined us. He was really cool and funny! He even remembered and joined us again the next day. I really can't wait for Aurora Day 2013. Looking forward to a bigger and better one!

Because we're girls and we don't want our beds dirty

DEAD TIRED

SOKIng wet!

with Ebe

Hungover as hell

Uwian naaaaaa :(

Floating Vibes

I would usually quote a part of the song that I was listening to during a road trip but for this trip...I actually don't remember listening to my iPod. AT. ALL. I wasn't able to listen to it already because the road trip was tiring, fun and funny! If we weren't sleeping, we were talking and lauging non-stop. Vic and I rode with Cloch and Johanne, we both ended up sleeping the entire trip from Manila to La Union, which was understandable since we both came from work...well, too bad for the boys.

For my first surf trip for the first weekend of this year, we headed to La Union! We left Starbucks Katipunan around 11:00 P.M. (Friday), there were 7 or 8 cars in total and we arrived at Mikee's place around 5:00 A.M. (Saturday) Mikee's rest house in La Union is nothing but a haven for a beach bum like me. I really wished I lived in a place like that where I could relax and just simply forget everything. The first thing that we did as soon as we reached the place was to watch the sunrise. Suddenly, we noticed the sun was rising behind us. Since our sunrise watching was a fail, we ended up sitting by the wooden panel by the beach and started to drink! We were all drunk by 7 in the morning! I was awaken by the bright light that was hitting my eyes, turns out it was already lunch time and I've been sleeping on the beach for hours already.

La Union waves are nothing but the best! It's just too crowded. Nevertheless, good start for my surf trip this year! Can't wait for Siargao on the 25th!

(The title of this blog post is one of Surfer Blood's songs called Floating Vibes)

Soundtrack of my life: Years Around The Sun - Miles Away

I immediately fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. Seeing this Corona ad makes me want to marry the director of it, which would be the legendary surf director, Taylor Steele. Not bad...I really wouldn't mind marrying him at all. HAHA! But it's like he saw and captured what I would always daydream whenever I would listen to this song! Watching this video never fails to set me adrift on a memory bliss...

The Great Escape

"Hey child, things are looking down. That’s okay, you don’t need to win anyways. Don’t be afraid, just eat up all the gray and it will fade all away. Don’t let yourself fall down. Bad day, looking for the great escape." - The Great Escape - Patrick Watson

Destination: Baler, Aurora
Date: December 3-4, 2011

Road trip # 7 playlist:

• Rawness EP - Ponchos
• Summer Days - A Hipster Collective Mixtape
• Summer Nights - A Hipster Collective Mixtape
• Everything is Dancing - Fair Ohs

Traveling alone will always be in someone's bucket list. Sometimes we need this, a break from everything, a time for yourself. Last weekend, I took a trip to Baler by myself. My parents, of course, does not now that I went on my own. But I made sure that some of my friends knew where I was going. I know I was safe but deep down, I was nervous as hell. But sitting in the ocean alone, waiting for the wave to come and surfing that wave...made me feel that this trip is worth it.

Sunrise in Sabang Beach, Baler

If you think I go to Baler to surf...no. I go for this - Bay's Inn Chocolate shake! HAHA

Traveling alone could be boring but for me, I think it could be one's way to reconnect with themselves or what others might call "soul-searching". Even though I've crossed "travelling alone" out of my bucket list, I still to travel to an unfamiliar place alone...immerse myself in their culture, live their life for a day or so and just live, not caring about what others think, because this way we get to appreciate the simplicity of life sans technology, luxury and whatnot, which I believe we all need now.