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.

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.

Finding Oscar in Carcar

Warning! This is not about the Netflix film Finding Oscar.

'Twas when my dear friend Krys and I agreed to have a lunch out one morning. We're both craving for lechon and she suggested that we check out Carcar's than going to CnT in Emall or SM Cebu as we usually do. She learned from watching a travel program on TV that Oscars have the best tasting lechon in Carcar. Indeed Carcar's lechon is the number 1 Best Tasting Lechon in Cebu according to ceburepublic.com. Our all-time favorite CnT is surprisingly at number 3. Though both of us have lived in this city for quite sometime, there are still a lot about this place that we've never been to or haven't discovered and tried yet.

When we passed by the rotunda, we headed to the pasalubong strip first to buy some chicharon (pork cracklings) as it's cheap to buy it from there than from any supermarkets.

Suddenly, the rain poured heavily but we're glad that we found a good place to dine that also serve and sells lechon. Guessed, we weren't satisfied so we continued with our mission just in time when the rain has stopped. We decided to just walk to the city's public market and we ended up in the different lechon stalls savouring the free crispy lechon skin. It's great that the vendors gave out some samples to help you decide on where to buy. But still, we couldn't find Oscars. Then, someone recommended Bebie's lechon. Little did we know that it's the same that we had for lunch. So, where could we find Oscars? The other vendor pointed out to the stall sign: Oscar's! But to our disappointment, there's no lechon on top of the table. Their stall is close for the day. The lady vendor next to it says that they're selling the same Oscar's lechon as the owner is Oscar's wife. We didn't doubt her anymore as we got excited to try it and eventually bought some kilo to take home.

I must say that Carcar's lechon isn't tastier than CnT's and CnT or other Cebu lechon taste better than the former. They're all unique when it comes to texture and taste.

We may not have tried Oscar's on that day but we're grateful that we've accomplished our mission and we'll surely go back hoping to see and taste the real Oscar's next time.

Welcome back to Cebu Lingzi!

Credits to @kristinachiong1 for the photos

Mother Mary's Haven in Simala 2.0

The perks of going back to somewhere you've been to before. You get to see it grow and change. It's like knowing someone well for quite sometime as opposed to meeting them only once in your lifetime. You don't need to get a feel of it as the place itself welcomes you with warmth. Just like growing older with friends, seeing these changes and their transformation can truly enrich the experience of traveling.

Places of my Year 2011

Like my list of unforgettable places in 2010. Here it is for 2011.

1. Changi Airport, SG- one of the most beautiful airports in the world that I've been to.

2. Robertson Quay Hotel- simply our home in SG.

3. Limketkai Mall, CDO- a place to go when in CDO. Just love to come here for a walk every afternoon.

4. Bukidnon- There was a time last year that I feel very exhausted with some stuff. My journey to Bukidnon was indeed the answer. Had also the chance to visit some of my relatives.

5. Cebu City- After living and working in Cebu for a few years, I had to leave the place and say ' til I see you again' to my good friends who have been with me since 2008. Missed the place and of course my friends but will never say 'goodbye' instead 'til I see you again' Cebu!

'Til next year folks;)


credits: Google for the images

Mother Mary's Haven in Simala

September 2, 2010 is the date when I posted my very first blog. Time flies so fast. Happy Anniversary to my site! I know there are a lot of reasons to celebrate. Here's a shout out and a million thanks to everyone who spends time in reading my blogs, my life less ordinary stories.

Today, September 8 is Mother Mary's birthday. So, let me take you to one of Mama Mary's haven at the Monastery of the Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration in Simala, Sibonga, South of Cebu. The first time I went there was last November 2008, my birthday.

Took the photos above years ago so it may look different today after some renovations of the Monastery.

How to go there:

From Cebu City, go to South Bus terminal (near Elizabeth mall or Emall) and ride a bus going to Sibonga. Please inform the conductor on where you’re heading to so you don't have to worry about when and where you’re going to STOP.

It’s a 2 hour or 2 hour and a half ride from Cebu and another 5 km motorcycle ride (habal-habal) away from the highway. Make sure also to go there early like 7am as a lot of devotees are going there everyday. 

Have a safe trip!!!

Q Style Christmas at Waterfront

One of the biggest hotel in town with a very unique design and with its castle-like roof is the Waterfront hotel & Casino. A place to many international and local concerts and big events and parties. Speaking of big events, our recent company Christmas celebration dubbed as 'The Q Style Christmas' was held in one of their grandest ballroom. Since I am not into big events such as this, I went there to see 'what is there to see' and of course use my lenses as I haven't had any photo of the hotel even if I keep coming back and now I'm living here in Cebu.

the entrance to the hotel

not just one but lots of Christmas trees at the hotel lobby

even the chandeliers are also decorated for Christmas sake

the stage at the grand ballroom

Some Random things I Like about CEBU

Today, I had so much fun reading about Bianca's blog. One of the blogs I followed. One of her posts is about a random list about herself that she wrote last year. I'm also thinking to write my own list but since I am dedicating this month to just write about Cebu, I will stick to that idea. Here's my own list of Random things why I like CEBU- the Queen City of the South!

1. There are a lot of  Boracay like white beaches here. To name a few: Camotes, Bantayan, Malapascua, Moalboal and many others. They are heaven like beaches as captured in photos with sea-meet-the clouds view.
2. It is so much easier for me to go home in CDO from here. Just 1 overnight trip by boat or 45 minutes by plane.
3. Easy to communicate with people because Cebuanos speak the main language that we also use at home.
4. Cebu is the best place to eat lechon or roast pig. It is guaranteed super tasty!
5. I just love the 'death by chocolate' dessert in Casa Verde.
6. There are a lot of  'All you can Eat' places here that they called 'Eat All You Can' if you'd like to have a pig out day. Must go to 'Jovens' in Mandaue or at 'The Port' just beside Waterfront hotel. I've been to a few before.
7. The cost of living here is not that much and you can always get a good meal anywhere.
8.  Cebu is home to many old and big churches in the Philippines. I've been to the famous Miraculous home of  Mother Mary in Simala and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino in the heart of the City.
9. I love the bargains at Colon Street-known as the oldest street in the Philippines.
10. Golden Cowrie's crispy pata is also one of my many favorites here.
11. Sinulog- the biggest festival in the Philippines is celebrated here every January that is why a lot of people are coming here from all points.
12. Some of my best friends from University days are living and working here for years now.
13. I like to take an early morning walk from Mango Ave-Jones Ave-across Colon St to Carbon market every Sunday to buy fresh fruits and sea foods.
14.Hmmm...the SuTuKil seafood places in Mactan are also the best!
15.
16..

And the list goes on...I believe I will discover more things in the future about this place. For those of you who've been here in Cebu, what are the things you love about coming here?


More about Cebu this whole month of December as promised. Salamat sa pagbasa! (Thanks for reading!)

Thanksgiving day in Camotes Island

Destination: Camotes Island! It was Thanksgiving day when my cousin and 2 of our friends went to the island of Camotes. From SM Cebu City passenger terminal lounge, we boarded a van to Danao port as early as 7:00am and paid Php50 each. We reached Danao port at exactly 8:30 just in time for the next ferry trip to Consuelo port in Camotes. Good thing my cousin booked us a transportation from the port to Santiago Bay Garden Resort where I booked our overnight accommodation.

Welcome to Santiago bay!!!

The Santiago bay beach front

We arrived at Consuelo port at 10:30am (2 hours ferry trip for Php180) and hurried to the van waiting for us since we were already hungry. The driver offered us for a half day tour round the island for a reasonable price including a local tour guide and the pick up from the resort back to the port the next day so we grabbed the opportunity. By the way, the most common transportation on the island is the habal-habal or motorcycles that would cost you Php40 for each ride.

the very wide Santiago seashore

Wow! I was never wrong about Santiago bay because aside from their warm staff, the place was so lovely. We headed to our room and ate our lunch outside admiring the beautiful view and the very wide seashores. Then, we went down to the beach and took photos while waiting for Manong Pitos (van owner and driver) for the afternoon round the island tour.

we enjoyed the clear waters

 chilling and relaxing=Chillaxing!

what a wonderful world..

Our half day tour consists of 4 main tourist destinations in the island. We started in Mangodlong beach resort (sister company of Santiago bay), to Danao Lake Park, Timubo Cave resort and Buho Garden which were all breathtaking!

at Mangodlong resort

you'll see lots of these huge jellyfish in Mangodlong

Welcome to Lake Danao park (entrance fee: Php5)

the scenic Lake Danao park

at the cave's entrance (entrance fee is Php10)

going down to see more

Sunset at Buho garden

We also droved to Jestrera's to try their delicacies. They exclusively produced products made of camote or sweet potato. That was where the name of the island came from. According to our tour guide the shape of the island is similar to the shape of a sweet potato. We had a sumptuous dinner at Manong Pitos after the whole afternoon tour. It's one of the best dinner I've ever had as everything in our table is fresh. You can still taste the sweet flavor of the fish after it's cooked or grilled. It only cost us around Php300 for all those dishes you can see on the photo below.

Wow! Sutukil for dinner. dig in!

It was our time to go home the next morning. So we woke up early to watch the sunrise and took more photos around the resort. The place was so peaceful like the morning breeze of the ocean. We also ate our free breakfast and headed down to the souvenir shop before we packed up our things. Manong driver was already outside the resort's entrance waiting for us.

zooming my cam to capture the lovely sunrise and saw this fisherman

early morning at Santiago beach

Santiago bay poolside in the morning

Manong Pitos van with the ad of his Sutukil biz

the ferry about to leave Camotes..

I enjoyed the trip. Though I wish my partner was there too to see the beauty of the island and its wonders. Bye Camotes...

Boat Schedule: http://www.travelcamotes.com/
Accommodation: http://www.camotesresorts.com.ph/santiago_accomodation.htm

SuTuKil feast in Mactan

It's the 1st of December! I would like to dedicate this last month of the year writing about the island of Cebu. Cebu is one of the islands in the Visayas region where you can find lots of beautiful white beaches, fresh sea foods and not to mention dining places that offer a relatively cheap (Php200-300) all you can eat lunch/dinner or buffet meal.

We visited a famous seafood place in the island of Mactan where you can just choose what you want to have and they can cook it for you. The term SuTuKiL is very popular among the locals. Su is the short term for sugba which means grilled. Tu is tula which is a soup based dish. Kil is kilaw which is raw fish cooked in vinegar and spices.

We went to No Problem. Such a cool name for a seafood restaurant. The easiest way to go there from the city proper is by cab (taxi fare is around Php190). This was actually the same eating place that I've been to years ago during our Cebu field exposure when I was still in the university. It was like 7 years ago so I was all excited to go back.

All freshly cooked that you would surely love!

Having lunch while enjoying the view of the mangroves..

hello buttered shrimp!

Fact: The sea foods are affordable but they will charge extra for cooking so make sure to ask.

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