Bacolod, beyond Masskara

“Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times” - this quote reminds me of my trip to the City of Smiles.

early Sunday morning at the Provincial Capitol lagoon

The idea of going to the Sugar capital excites me. I have a lot of things to do in mind and some sites to see but I won't put such pressure to get things done in a short period because I just want to enjoy my alone time.

I wanted to get a feel of the place so I tried very hard not to bother anyone to ask for directions. It's a bit confusing to commute around Bacolod at first but you'll get used to it after a few days.

I've looked around and stroll along Lacson street, dined outside a public market, visited the Cathedral and sat down for a moment in the plaza just to get a better understanding of their way of life.

I'm grateful to have met not just locals but some people with inspiring stories throughout my stay. How can I forget Manong Ben- the cab driver on my way back. He's been living in Bacolod for 18 years and he has one of the most unforgettable experiences the very first day he had set foot on Negros soil.

And I'd love to do it again in another city where I can walk in the streets unafraid even if unsure of where I'm heading to.

Solitude

I didn't waste a single minute when I landed in Bacolod for my birthday trip this year. I headed straight to Don Salvador Benedicto to see the Malatan-og falls also known as the Cigarette falls. Yes, it looks like a cigarette from afar. I've seen it a number of times in a travel show and I promised myself that I will not only take a photo of the picturesque falls from the Lantawan or viewing deck once I get the chance to see it in person.

the falls from the Lantawan

According to the locals, the downhill trail will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes and 45 minutes or so going back, depending on your pace. I'm proud of myself for conquering it in exactly 29 minutes including 2 2- minutes rest and water break. It's not that obvious how excited I am to reach the foot of the falls.

fresh water that you can drink for free halfway through the trail

I was totally in awe of the beauty before me and I stood still to feel the mists in my face as the water drops aggressively. I found a new place where I can be alone but happy. That sense of happiness that's impossible to ever understand.

I did almost 35 minutes going back as I had to stop somewhere to enjoy the view and a little chat with my guide (thanks to you Manong) while waiting for another group of hikers to pass the same steep.

Take me back to the old Baguio

I'd love to experience that cool breeze again and I'm quiet excited of going back to Baguio because I'm traveling with my son this time. Seeing those fog-kissed pine trees, the waterfalls visible from the Zigzag road and the scenic mines view park are just some of the things that I want my son to see and experience.

The cold wind followed us through as we traveled to one of the towns in La Union from Manaoag. Our driver surprisingly took the longer route which is the one going to Marcos Highway instead of Kennon road. I was feeling sleepy after an early morning mass in Manaoag so I forgot or didn't bother to ask the driver at all. I only assumed that we'll take the same route. As expected, we caught the downtown traffic when we reach the city of pines.

As you can read in my Instagram post, we were lucky that the weather was nice or shall I say warm during our visit. My son enjoyed his biking time around Burnham. It wasn't that cool anymore unlike before even if it's already September.

As of this writing, Baguio City and the neighboring Provinces are among those areas affected by the recent typhoon locally called #Ompong. It was exactly 2 weeks after our trip and it's hard to believe how devastated the area is from being sunny when we're there.

We also visited the Strawberry farm a few minutes outside the city and headed to Mines view park. I was surprised to see a lot of stalls and vendors around. Nonetheless, we still loved the view even when it's foggy. We waited for a few minutes to finally see the mountainsides clearly. We also dropped by at the Mansion and Wright park on our way back.

I'm amazed how Baguio transformed into one of the busiest cities in this country. But it seems like the progress brought some not so nice effects in my own opinion. I just do not like how it turned out to be sloppy place than how I used to imagine it. I do not have to say more about this but those who have been to Baguio in the past years would surely agree.

From roundhouse kicks to 5K runs

I wasn't a runner or hardly much of an athlete unlike my sister. I found my niche in different contact sports during my University days and I'm still into it until now. I ran my first 5K run in the 32nd Milo Marathon Clark leg in 2008 and in the Cebu race the following year. I have set a personal best of 38 minutes which I think is still great for a first timer like me.

at the 33rd Milo Marathon Cebu race. 2009.

I did have plans to continue running in other races however, I was pre-occupied with flying in and out of the country in late 2009. Then, there's the story of giving birth and becoming a full time mom.

In 2015, I participated in another 5K run (not Milo Marathon) and finished number 36 out of thousands of runners. I had no proper training at all as I have a full time job but inspired by the thought of getting my first ever medal as only the top 50 finishers are entitled to have including a finisher shirt.That made me realized that I still have the strength to go for more.

I was finally back for the 42nd Milo Marathon Metro Manila leg last Sunday and finished within my targeted time of less than 35 minutes. Yes, after a decade. I guess my early work schedule and proper sleep helped me a lot during that day as I'm not part of any running groups and do not have a lot of running friends to train with me. I just made the commitment onset of the year that this is something I want to continue doing.

I don't know yet if I can run a half or full marathon in the future but I can look back on my achievements proudly. And I can't wait to finish my first 10K run in my hometown next year for the Milo Marathon in CDO.

Cafe sa Bukid, a coffee haven in Kibangay

Where is Kibangay?

Kibangay is one of the barangays in Lantapan- known as the "vegetable basket" of Mindanao. One of the major crops grown around the area or shall I say in the entire province of Bukidnon is coffee. I can fairly attest to that as I've seen a lot of these trees anywhere in Bukidnon. We've also lived in this province for a couple of years and my father used too grow coffee when we're still kids.

Now, let's talk about Cafe sa Bukid

Kudos to the person or family behind this amazing cafe. They certainly knew what people are looking for nowadays. Though the place isn't that accessible if you're from any of the neighboring cities, it's all worth it once you see the place.

On our drive back to CdeO, one of my cousins suggested that we take the other route from Valencia City so we can drop by at Cafe sa Bukid. I've never heard about this cafe before. My cousin told me that it's been featured on a local TV show and a lot of people are posting about this new coffee place on social media.

With the name itself, I have a great feeling that there would be something like a hut made of bamboo with a balcony where you can try their local fresh brewed coffee or a fruity flavored drink. The cafe is not far from how I imagined it. The area is gifted with a beautiful surrounding which is one the best that I've ever seen.

You'll need to take off your shoes once you want to go upstairs. You'll surely like the experience of walking in their shiny wooden floors also made of bamboo and roam around while waiting for your coffee or hot chocolate. There's a mini balcony with a beautiful backdrop which is insta worthy. You'll also learn a little about their language with some of the Binukid (dialect used by indigenous people) phrases printed at the back of your queue number.

What I love about Cafe sa Bukid?

It's their authenticity! I've gathered that the fruits in their drinks like the banana and strawberries are freshly picked from their backyard garden which visitors can take a walk with no entrance fee. They are also using an organic bamboo straw for their drinks made by the locals.

To My what-you-may-call-it

It wasn’t always easy waiting for you as I’m not even sure whether you exist.

I'm writing this because I've been thinking about a few things I want you to know.

Obviously, I love to travel. I will surely welcome you to a life full of love and adventure. I'll introduce you to some places I've been to before. I hope that you'll want to hear my travel stories- the fun, excitement and fears brought about it. I want you to know that my life has purpose apart from and before you. The main reason of this is my only son who's my everyday inspiration. As much as I like traveling, I also love staying at home doing the basics. You'll often see me in the kitchen (a lil bit obsessed with shiny sinks) or in the bathroom- my thinking room!

Deareast, I want you to understand that you can still have a life of your own. I'll support and respect you, your hobbies and more importantly your opinion and views about life. I'll see to it that you'll also have time for boys night out once a week. Isn't it cool?

Maybe I will continue to work a full-time job or work at home while running our own cafe. 

As much as possible, I just want to have fun and sensible conversations. I would love to have coffee or tea time with you while we're singing our favorite songs in the balcony on weekends.

You can count on me as you chase your dreams and I'll help you about investing so we can have something to look forward to and we can retire young. When you're feeling sick or down, I will be the first person that you'd want to call and I promise to take care of you all the time. I'll cook your favorite dish even if there's no special occasion. I'd still kiss and squish you everyday even when we're fifty and grey.

I'll be your number one fan always and your best friend for life!

Lotsa Love and Hugs

Overwhelming Overview

Driving to Davao City from Cagayan de Oro and vice versa means passing through one big province which is the the province of Bukidnon.

I've been around Bukidnon before and may have passed this route a couple of times but I couldn't recall stepping onto this view deck. My cousin told me that they've just fully developed Overview recently. It's nice to discover a relaxing destination which isn't very far from CdO.

From the top of the hill, you'll see the beautiful mountain ranges and plains, the winding road that you'll have to pass through as you continue with the trip and some fogs in the morning just before the sunrise. The park is also adorned by big sculptures which represents the 7 major tribes in Bukidnon. The place reminds me of Mines view park in Baguio but with a clearer picture of the surroundings. Ah! What a lovely prairie. One can truly appreciate this great work of art with its natural beauty whether you're a native of Bukidnon or not. And there's so much to explore in this rich province.

Have you heard of "Cafe sa Bukid"? Watch out for my next blog about it. 

RIP Chef Anthony Bourdain

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”
--- No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach

Stunned to hear the news last night. To one of the few personalities I look up to in all of my travels and cooking, RIP. Gone too soon :(

#mysummerstory 2018

Life is a journey and it's not just about being successful but...

it's about spending a great weekend getaway with your family

a playtime with your college bff kids

an unplanned road trip to somewhere

it's also about great food and lotsa good laugh with your high school barkadas

it's about a kiss and a tight hug from a childhood friend that you haven't seen for years

a post mother's day lunch with your mum at her favorite place

it's a feeling of being a child again, full of hope, while watching the sunset...

Places of My Year 2017

Baler - had our first surfing lesson in Sabang- a famous beach among beginners and pro surfers. The trip also offers amazing views of some lakes and dams in the north.

Cebu - it's been 5 years since I left this city that I also consider as one of my hometowns. It's cool to go back to somewhere familiar to see long-time friends and hear their never ending stories. How I find it fun commuting from Mactan airport to the metro just like the old times.

Tarlac - known as a city of many firsts, it wasn't our first time to travel to Tarlac. We got curious about KCT as it has been featured in different shows and we made it there.