More Fun in the Philippines

It was a busy 2011, and the year past by in a whirl. I posted, in my facebook, that 2012's theme shall be places. But before going anywhere else let me share with you the fun travels I've had in my home country, where sites are fun, and (sometimes) scenarios funnier.

Here's my take on the Department of Tourism's #ItsMoreFuninthePhilippines campaign.

As the water recedes from Panglao beachfront, the children goes out to play, and maybe catch some seashells .

The Humps. These natural hills are made of coral, not your typical hill, and turns brown during the summer, hence it's name "Chocolate Hills".

The thinking island. If this island could talk (or think) what would it say, how does it feel to be constantly marveled with the magnificience around it.  Taken at Camiguin, an island literally borne of fire, where one can enjoy the grandiosity of Mt. Hibok Hibok while getting a tan at white island -- a sand bar in the middle of the sea.

At White Island in Camiguin.

Yesterdays Tragedy...At Coron, Palawan where World War II wrecks have become the home for schools of fish and other marine life, and a constant tourist draw. 

Calamianes Islands. After enduring the short ascent up Mt. Tapias, tapias in Filipino means cut, this view of Calamianes Islands will great you -- breathtaking!

Pit stop. We made a quick, and precise stop on our way to Kayangan lake where this view - which  is  identified with Coron - and it was the best stop ever!

One of Many. During our four-day stay in Coron we always have lunch out, included in the tour package, where the boat man and tour guide sets a buffet lunch in different islands -- all white sand, view always unbelievable beautiful. Photo taken at Banul Beach, Coron.

If walls could talk...I hope they don't coz these limestone walls will surely roar. To say they are towering is an understatement.
Entrance to Kayangan Lake at Coron, Palawan.

Group Shots. Everyone knows Filipinos love to take photos, and with ready smiles and that ubiquitous peace sign, they'll gladly  (and with take two!) pose with you.

Say goodbye to LA Walk. Line dancing at Sinulog is only for the Fierce.
Sinulog 2010, Cebu, Philippines

100 Islands, (Almost) 100 Bancas.
Hundred Islands, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Off the beaten track. Lake Sebu is Situated in North Cotabato in Mindanao. Do not let the news about the insurgency in Mindanao faze you, going to Lake Sebu from General Santos is easy and worry free.

One of the seven waterfalls in Lake Sebu

Suspended. Took this photo while hanging about 100 feet at Lake Sebu's zipline -- the longest and (i'd say) most picturesque zipline in the country.

It is bluer than blue!
Mt. Pinatubo, Pampanga, Philippines

At Kiltepan. Sunrise.
Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Kiltepan Rice Terraces. Early Morning.
Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Which way to go? It doesn't matter.
Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

These limestone formations took millions of years. You have to see it in your lifetime.
Sumaguing Cave, Sagada.

Go on. Go green!
Sagada Rice Terraces.

Wear your SPF. Literally.
Sinulog Festival.
Cebu, Philippines

Come, visit my Philippines. It's more fun...

Football, Basketball and more Pahabols

On my way to UP, the cab driver said when he saw the colorful scatter of people at the sunken garden 'dapat yang football and prinapraktis ng mga pinoy, masyado tayong bansot para sa basketball'*.  Such a funny but true comment. I wonder why Filipinos didn't get into football...

I remember my former professor saying before why Filipino's will never really get into football 'it's because we cannot appreciate delayed gratification'. Since it will take forever, if at all, to score in football as oppose to basketball, that could be the key.

The book that documents the Filipino's love for basketball

But then again, could it be that maybe we just don't have enough open spaces to play football in. Or, could it be something trivial like maybe Filipinos just don't like hi-cut socks...

*Filipinos should practice football, we're too small for basketball 

Sagada: Defying my Limits

Nike said 'Let's do it' and Adidas said that 'Nothing is Impossible'.

I have never been, maybe never will be, athletic and sporty. I love eating healthy and has an extremely low sugar tolerance so I am not really at risk - Black Swans aside - of obesity or any health related disease. Running has been my only sport lately with my fitness regimen chronicled by nike plus.  So when I got the itinerary for an action packed weekend in Sagada, I knew I would be so tired.

Indeed, I wasn't wrong, not only did I get so tired but I was also able to do things which I thought I would never be able to do.

It's Time, It's Time

The end of season sales, the coats now dominating the stores windows, the back to school sales, they all herald one thing: summer is (almost) over and the rainy season is about to begin.

It's time to bring those coats out from the back of the closet, dust of my plueys and start humming 'I'm singing in the rain'. Oh how I wish facing the challenge of the rainy season is that easy! Not on this side of the (third) world.  Aside from the erratic weather, there is one thing that we people of the Philippines need to worry about: floods, traffic (a much worse one!), typhoons, dengue outbreak, clogged drainage, and floating trash.