The trip to Pinatubo...

So, yeah, the trip to Pinatubo with my LSQC sacristan buddies happened over the weekend.

On the way back to Manila from our Sagada trip, Peter brought up the idea of doing the Pinatubo trip. Everybody seemed up for it and that was really great. I, on the other hand, didn't want to commit since something might come up at work. Thankfully, there was no weekend work. I was able to join the guys. My super best friend Tey even got to join us as well.

Tey mentioned before that she wanted to go to Pinatubo. I told her about the plan with the guys, and we were lucky enough that she didn't have any weekend work, too.

Joseph and the rest of the guys picked fetched me and Tey at my house on a very early Saturday morning (around 5:30PM). From QC, the drive up north began. We passed by Meycauayan to get Dennis, followed by a quick stop at the next gas station just outside of the NLEX toll to get breakfast.

We reached Pinatubo Spa Town in Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac a little after 8AM. It was quite easy to reach the place. There were enough signages to make sure you reach the place. Joseph was able to park at a spacious lot of one house across the Pinatubo Spa Town. Private parking was just P50.

While we prepped our stuff, Peter went ahead and got us registered. We had to pay P1,500. This includes the the 4x4 vehicle, a local guide and a heavy Filipino or Korean lunch when you get back to the Spa Town from the trip.

After all the arrangements, the drive to the jump-off point began. It took us almost an hour to reach it. It's a bumpy ride, but I didn't care because I was too absorbed by the panoramic view surrounding us. When I told some colleagues about the trip, they said it was different from before. I guess the last Pinatubo eruption changed the surrounding lanscape literally, huh?!

When we reached the jump-off point, there were already close to twento 4x4s parked. There were that many people! Woohoo! But seeing so many 4x4s also was a sign that we already started late. Hehe! It was true, because as we made our way to the crater, we already met some groups who were making their way back.

The climb was nothing spectacular for me. Except for the land formations from the lahar which made me feel like I was on the set of Lord of the Rings, the climb was just like one of the climbs I have done during the tree planting activities I cover for work.

What was really awesome for me was when we reached that part with paved steps. There was nothing more in sight but the clouds. I knew that when we reach the top of those steps, the Pinatubo crater lake would come into view.

Even if I knew that, nothing prepared me for the beautiful scenery that welcomed me when I reached the top. It was out of this world. Can you see that I'm struggling to find words to describe to you what I saw?! I am failing. Hahaha!

Seriously, you have to be there to appreciate the picturesque view. I'm not really a mountain person (between the beach and the mountain, I would always for the former) but Pinatubo is most definitely an exception.

After the mandatory group photos at the "welcome" signage, we walked further and the lanscape was further reaveled to us. I was already on a major high trying to absorb all the colors and the wonderful scenery around me.

We rested a little bit, and then I managed to convince Tey to take the walk down to the lake. We were there already, so we might as well. I would have liked to go swimming in the lake but I didn't bring swim clothes. I was really after the photo ops, rather than swimming. I did want to try to go boating though and find out what was on the other side of the mountains.

By 1PM (or was it already 2PM?), we decided to head back to Pinatubo Spa. Just as we reached the jump-off point where the 4x4s were parked, it rained hard. We were really soaked. Hahaha! What would have annoyed me on any other day instead made me happier. Yeah, we were drenched. But hey, I just saw the Pinatubo crater. Nothing could dampen my mood. Haha!

Back at the Pinatubo Spa, we had a fantab Filipino lunch - noodles, soup, grilled chicken, veggies, rice, more rice. Haha! We had a mostly silent lunch because everyone was just too hungry. Hahaha!

Once done with lunch, we took a shower and changed into fresh clothes. The shower rooms had a spacious changing area. Lockers are free to be used. There were also clean towels available for use. For P1,500, it wasn't bad at all.

The venue offers different kinds of massages and facials, but we didn't get to try them anymore since it was already getting late. We had to get back to Manila already.

It was a fantab experience! Would I want to go back? Definitely. But this time, I would like to be there much earlier so that we can spend more time at the lake. It would be such a perfect spot to just enjoy nature and free one's mind from the wearies of the metro life. Haha!

Pinatubo Spa Town
Web: http://pinatubospatown.com/
Mobile +63 928 3410402
Landline +63 45 4930031

Trip pics here.

Unplanned dindin at Sonya's...

Iloilo, here I am... wooohooo

What is it with my out of town trips and late nights? Hehe! The last time I flew to Iloilo, I went home from work at 2AM only to pack my stuff quickly and then leave at 3AM to make it to my flight.

Last night was sort of a repeat. Tey hosted a dinner at Cyma in Greenbelt. The dinner turned out to be a reunion of sorts since the guests were college friends Ella and Gino, Tey's good friends from former workplace Ryse and Dessa. It was a good post-birthday dinner party for Tey (and for Ryse who also recently celebrated her birthday). Got home at 1AM, packed my stuff, took a nap for an hour, woke up a surprised mom when I told her that I'm flying to Iloilo, and then headed to the airport.

I love early morning flights. I don't know why. Maybe because I feel like I'm making a secret escape, while the entire city sleeps. Haha! Not that anyone would care that I'll be away for the weekend. Hehehe!

Anyway, as soon as the captain announced that we were approaching Iloilo, I got excited. I was really looking happy to be in Iloilo again. Hehe! From the airport, I didn't feel like a big tourist anymore. I was more confident, and I knew where to go and what to tell the cab driver. Hehe!

It was good to be back at Grand Dame Hotel, too. I love the hotel. And I would recommend it as a good choice for accommodation to anyone who's going to Iloilo.

What I also love about the hotel is free Wifi. Hehe! Okay, this is it for now. Will post again tomorrow.

Heading to the Sooc barangay for work.

More Buri photos...

Here are some more photos from the Buri getaway trip.

Of course the whole trip was fun, but aside from the laughter and good times with work friends, what I enjoyed the most were conquering (to a certain extent) fear of deep water.

I don't know how to swim. I can float on my back though. But when I can't feel the sea bed anymore, that would make me panic. It's such a frustration because I really love the water world. I even want to go learn scuba diving.

Anyway, during the Buri trip, I was able to just let go of my fear and take the leap, literally. First was jumping off the boardwalk. It looks like it's shallow but that's about 15 feet or so deep. Terrifying for me, but I just had to trust my life vest. Haha!

The other one was snorkeling. Initially, the thought of being in the middle of the sea scared me. More than the depth of the water, what scared me was running out of stamina to breathe properly.

But I'm glad that I was able to get over the fear (I think) and that made the water much, much more enjoyable.

Blissful weekend at Buri...

Excited for Buri


Hidden paradise in Galera


Villas and the infinity pool


The sun, a book, a lounge chair... ah, this is good stuff


Angelo feeding the fishies

So last Friday, colleagues and I left Manila at an early 6AM for some rest and recreation. As mentioned in a previous entry, our destination was Buri Resort at Puerto Galera.

After about two hours or so of land trip, we boarded the banca that would take us to Buri. Though feeling tired from the land trip and the slightly bumpy boat ride, everyone got excited as Buri came into view.

"That's where we're going!"

I've been to Puerto Galera before, though it was at the more popular, hence more crowded area of the island.

Buri is a somewhat hidden treasure.

Fully air-conditioned villas that gave a panoramic view of the Batangas bay, the comfy bed and its immaculate sheets and pillows, the plasma TV, the plunge pool, the bathroom with its pristine tiles and closets with rustic designs.

And then, there's the infinity pool, the cabanas perfect for lounging, the Animasi bar for a unique dining experience, the Nurture spa for relaxing massage treatments, a boardwalk ideal for enjoying the sea breeze, and so much more.

Buri is not your typical beach resort.

While I think that the resort is more perfect for honeymooners or family bonding time, it is still a good option for groups of friends who may want to hang out together who are really looking for some quiet time away from the city.

When not hanging around at the infinity pool, one can just chillax at the bar or read a book at one of the pool lounge chairs while enjoying the sun, or if one is feeling sporty, there are kayaks for guests' free use or maybe a jet ski ride.


It was one good weekend. Will post more pics later.

Galera here I come...

So this is where I'll be at the beach this starting tomorrow until Sunday.

Will be going to Buri Resort in Galera. This is the first time I've heard about the resort and from the photos above and on its website, it looks like a damn fine place.

But I think I'd still want to go to White Beach and hit the bars and get a little bit wasted. Hahaha!

In any case, woohooo!!!

Puerto Galera here I come.

More good things about the Baguio trip...

Here are some more of my favorite photos from the Baguio trip over the weekend. I really love the man on the street shot (by Thea) and the thinking man shot (by Reena). Hehehe! Aside from the Panagbenga festival itself, what also made the trip enjoyable were the visit to Good Shepherd for their famous native delicacies, walking along Session Rd., having Andok's for lunch and for dinner (haha!), late lunch at the cozy PNKY B&B, finding Baguio Country Club's raisin loaf at a Caltex Star Mart, having my photo with the Chowking guy (haha!), and of course, on the top of the list, is hanging out with really good friends. The seven-hour trip (that's just one-way) was really worth it.