Our Lady of Peñafrancia

All roads lead to Naga City, Camarines Sur for the yearly celebration of the Feast of the Virgin of Peñafrancia - miraculous patroness of the Bicol Region. This year marked the 300th year of the feast, and Mr. Iggy was among the millions who flocked to that part of South Luzon to pay honor to the virgin whom the Bicolanos fondly call "Ina" ("Mother"). During her feast day, pilgrims gather at her shrine to pay her homage for favors and blessings received. Mr. Iggy certainly has a lot to thank her for this year! Viva la Virgen!

The Iggy Trinity

On Wednesday, there was a mini congregation of the Miss Iggy Sisterhood at Gingmaganda's residence in Cainta, Rizal. In attendance were two Mr. Iggys owned by Sailormoon and Gingmaganda joined by the only Benguet rose among the Igorot thorns: Jersey Iggy. It was a night of savory food on pretty Mikasa china lovingly prepared by Gingmaganda's family, followed by videoke and "addicture" (picture addiction) sessions. It was also an educational night with a special emphasis on Jejemon 101.

halalan 2010

it is the last day for campaigns & mr. iggy can't wait to get rid of those eyesores along the streets. he is likewise looking forward to exercising his constitutional right of suffrage & ultimately experiencing the first ever automated elections in the country.
god bless you philippines!

summer sun in san juan

mr. iggy recently spent a fun weekend with friends in laiya, san juan, batangas. considered a favorite destination of local and foreign diving enthusiasts, the province of batangas is just about 2-3 hour drive from manila. it can be reached via south luzon expressway (slex) and star toll expressway (star).

san juan, batangas is known for its white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. it's a perfect place for swimming, snorkling, diving, and other forms of water sports. the above photo shows a set of small boats being used for island-hopping - another favorite activity of the guests of local resorts. it is said that san juan nepomuceno is the patron saint of the place. he died a martyr in a bridge in prague and is known as the patron of waters.

mr. iggy goes to bicol

mr. iggy recently visited the province of bicol - home to the world famous mt. mayon, scrumptious laing,
sweet pili nuts and other exotic delicacies.
this photo was taken outside the airport of legazpi city, the center of albay district.

mt. mayon is the main attraction of the province of bicol. this name was derived from the bikol word "magayon" which literally means beautiful. erupting more than 40 times over the last two centuries, this active volcano towers over the entire bicol region, rising at 2,462 meters above seal level.

they say you haven't been to bicol if you haven't been to bigg's diner. it is the biggest fast food chain in the entire province. bigg's diner is known for its wide variety of food - from burgers to pasta to laing. mr. iggy sampled their famous all-day breakfast combo meal of spanish chorizo, scrambled eggs & garlic rice. very yummy indeed.

mr. iggy and marching band

because a proper parade in the philippines is not complete without your very own marching band!

mr. iggy and the ducati riders

mr. iggy and the philippine ducati riders. they are usually a force to contend with on weekends at either the south luzon expresway or the north luzon expressway, when they make their weekly rides. vroom vroom!

mr. iggy at sta. lucia east grand mall

mr. iggy at the sta. lucia east grand mall--cainta, rizal's first ever shopping mall.

sta. lucia east grandmall is at the crossroads of cainta, pasig, marikina, and antipolo and is a favorite transit point for commuters from these places on their way to quezon city. hopefully it will have its very own train station in the near future. loyal mallgoers refer to the place simply as, "santa lu".

meet the igorota-toting sisters, part 2

As promised, here's the second installment of the online interview with the three other sisters that carry Miss Igorota the Doll Explorer. If you missed the first part, you can read it here or simply click the link with the itty-bitty strawberry on the left-hand sidebar that says "meet the sisters, part 1."

The dolls have been given nicknames to help distinguish them from each other location-wise. Hey, it's fun to have nicknames!

"Have doll, will travel!"

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Igorota:

Gingmaganda: Travels with Mr. Igorot & Ms. Igorota/"Coco Jam Iggy" (works for both genders, hehe)

maligayang pagdating sa mundo ng mapagpalayang panitikan!

ako si gingmaganda. patay na ang pink na iPod kaya't kinakantahan ko na lamang ang aking sarili sa pagtulog. basahin ang aking mga tula dito.
(welcome to the world of liberating literature! i am gingmaganda. my pink ipod has died so i just sing myself to sleep. read my poetry here.)


Sreisaat: Travels with "Khmer Iggy"/"Outback Iggy"

I have a sunshine and sunflower personality, laced with enough barbed-wire to make it more interesting.




The Becky/Dyowsa: Travels with "Singapurple Iggy"

handles too many secrets. comedian, writer, diplomat and humanitarian.

Interview with the Sisters

Hi! Where are you originally from?

Gingmaganda: i was born in sampaloc, manila, philippines. my mom was a teacher in bacolod when she was pregnant with me and had to go back to finish the sem so i was left in the care of my dad and lola in pasay city. then we moved to quezon city, then to antipolo, rizal and then to project 4, quezon city where the bulk of my childhood memories congregate. and then we finally settled here in cainta, rizal. my dad is from surigao in mindanao and my mom is from abra in northern luzon.

Sreisaat: I'm originally from Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines. Born in Roxas City, grew up in Quezon City and Angono, Rizal, then went back to Roxas City again to finish elementary and high school. I went to Cebu for my university degree.

The Becky: Oh...this is interesting. I was born (and conceived!) in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. Due to my dad's nature of work, we moved around quite often. I've lived in Sta. Mesa, Manila and Cainta. My family is now based in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. If you mean 'from', as in ancestry--my father is from Cagayan in the North while my mother is from the other side of Luzon: San Juan, Batangas. Now, if you look for them in your handy map, they are literally from the opposite ends of Luzon. (feeling special!)

Where do you live now?

Gingmaganda: i consider cainta, rizal, home. i live in a bright yellow house with a bright red roof on a street corner.

Sreisaat: I live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I've been here for more than 8 years now (going 9 this April).

The Becky: Er--Singapore. :)

How did you become part of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Igorota"?

Gingmaganda: i got a Lilo (of Lilo and Stich fame) doll from Connie some years ago. when i was in the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet, i saw these iggy dolls and immediately thought of connie. i got a doll for her and some for me as well. then she asked me to join the blog when i started doing photos of my own iggy dolls. it was really amusing for me having her take miss iggy's pictures at all these different locations. it was a laugh.

Sreisaat: I met Fortuitous Faery at Litratong Pinoy. It turned out that we both come from the same hometown and started visiting each other's blogs. We exchanged emails and I think that's when she asked if I would be willing to contribute to Miss Igorota's adventures.

The Becky: Uhh--I think Conniechiwa invited me. Now, how did we know of each other? I think it might have had something to do with gingmaganda and her Blythe obsession. Long story, folks.

Why did you decide to join this blog? (Any coercions, bribes, threats?)

Gingmaganda: i was in by default. haha.

Sreisaat: No bribes, nor threats at all. It was a mutual agreement! hehehe. Who would refuse such a brilliant idea of a traveling Igorota?

The Becky: Mine is purple...world peace... Oh, did I just mention that miss singapurple iggy is--purple? Mine is purple...world peace...

Have you ever traveled/do you travel with a toy/doll/object other than Miss/Mr. Iggy?

Gingmaganda: yes? ever since i was little i always had to have some sort of security object with me. it started with a tube-shaped pillow named Abra, and then a little ducky stuffed toy named Duckie. recently it's been Hodge (a teddy-dog), Stitch, Piggy (a blythe), a Jack Sparrow action
figure, Lilo, Bratz Kidz, a petite Blythe named Thursday... and the list goes on. i am what you call a person who has issues. haha.

Sreisaat: I used to bring with me a batik malong wherever I go. It was given by my university roommate who's from Surigao.

The Becky: I used to bring my Blythe doll with me, but eversince that incident in Po Lin monastery in Lantau I learned my lesson: anything with heavy heads are prone to falling 'face down'. These days I bring a toy camera from my collection, then there's miss iggy. Kermit jr. is tagging along for the wedding though. He's representing the other motif (for my wedding), which is--urm...green.

Do your family and friends know that you blog for an igorota doll?

Gingmaganda: some of my friends do. my family...my family...my family...they don't know what a "blog" is. haha.

Sreisaat: Family, yes, even the in-laws :), some friends also know of Miss Igorota's adventures.

The Becky: My fiance (now husband) does. And my folks.

Has anyone told you you're crazy for taking photos of a doll in public places?

Gingmaganda: no. people know i'm crazy enough as it is without an iggy doll in hand. i do get asked though if it is a voodoo doll.

Sreisaat: There were a few snobbish-old-fart foreigners who raised their eyebrows and turned their noses up in the air (I seriously think they're expats here - and they are definitely the NGO-crowd type-- because tourists would somehow understand what I'm doing) but most people who saw me, especially the locals, were more amused at the idea and curious at the concept that I ended up answering their questions about Miss Igorota, who, I was told, looks just like any chunchiet (indigenous minority) from the northeastern part of Cambodia.

The Becky: will i look uncrazy if i stop taking photos of a doll in public places?

Have you ever been to Baguio City or anywhere else in Benguet Province? If yes, what's your favorite thing about Baguio/Benguet?

Gingmaganda: i kind of grew up in La Trinidad, Benguet. i go there once or twice a year. my extended family is based there.

my favorites in Benguet include: my family, my kuya's (big brother's) house in La Trinidad, the market, the ukay-ukay, the mountains, the cold climate, manang linda's cooking, the flowers, the people (mostly the iggys), and every now and then you get a glimpse of the hippies that are still up and about in the city. it's cool. it's like being still in the 70's.

i am missing my kuya though, he passed away at the age of 26 due to an aneurysm. he was the one who took me places there when i was little.

Sreisaat: The first and last time I went to Baguio was in the 90s for a national school paper conference. We stayed at Teacher's Camp in Baguio. I love the cool weather, pine tree-lined roads, the strawberry jams, strawberry and chocolate crinkles and peanut brittles, the everlasting flowers, and the lovely people I met along the way...

I vaguely remember how Baguio looks like now (I went there before THE earthquake) so I'm making it my mission to visit Baguio the next time I go home, and maybe go further up - to Sagada.

The Becky: Yes, but a long time ago. My favourite thing about this trip is this chocolate drink I had at the Manor Hotel. It was thick, smooth yet light (not the throaty-sensation you get from drinking chocolate drinks). Overall, I love the cultural side of it--the Igorots and the irony behind their oversized 'americanas', and how people very often misrepresent igorotas as dark-skinned and looking very indigenous. (okay, long-winded na..)

What kind of camera(s) do you use to photograph Mr./Ms. Iggy?

Gingmaganda: i have a pink sony cybershot. i also use my dad's mobile phone cam for fun. i plan to shoot with film. i hope i remember to.

Sreisaat: Sony Cybershot DSC-W35.

The Becky: I use my camera phone, aka iPhone. Only recently--my blackbird, fly and my Holga K200.

So far, where have you traveled with Miss/Mr. Iggy?

Gingmaganda: here and there. boracay in aklan i think is the farthest we've gone off to. the iggy blog was not yet operational when i was really going places, although i already had the iggy dolls with me. that kind of makes me saaaad.

Sreisaat: Only within Cambodia - in Phnom Penh and in the coastal town of Kep. If only Ms. Iggy came earlier, I could have taken her to lots of places as I used to travel a lot within Asia. But, there are plans to go overseas this year so Ms Iggy and I are keeping are fingers crossed!

The Becky: Hmm.. Holland Village in Singapore, Manila, Binondo, Tagaytay and my dentist.

What dream destination(s) would you like to visit with Ms./Mr. Iggy?

Gingmaganda: tortuga, middle earth, shipwreck cove, on board the Black Pearl, Frida Kahlo's house in Mexico.

Sreisaat: I'd love to go to Europe -- to Prague of my dreams :) And if there's an opportunity, to Africa and South America.

The Becky: I'd like us to visit Casa Mila in Barcelona, Prague Castle and Palawan. And the Uluru!

What's the hardest part of traveling with your doll(s)?

Gingmaganda: travelling? travelling is always a breeze. hee. i just don't want to get her wet seeing as it is that she has non-waterproof mascara on.

Sreisaat: No problems so far. The only hassle I've encountered was when locals mill around me while I'm taking Miss Iggy's photos. Also one time a traffic cop accosted me for taking a photo of Miss Iggy right at the same spot where they were. These Phnom Penh cops are a sensitive bunch. They thought I was trying to take a photo of them accepting bribes from truck drivers and traffic offenders. Mukhang guilty? Guilty talaga sila *lol* but of course, I just had to disguise myself as a tourist.

The Becky: carriage. :)

What travel souvenirs do you take home from a trip?

Gingmaganda: stones. pictures, beach sand. tickets. shirts, anklets and bracelets and earrings. if there are dolls, they go in my luggage too. i'm a souvenir hoarder as this is what i use to give away come the Holiday season.

Sreisaat: Ay caramba, a lot! Fridge magnets, postcards, stamps, maps, mouse pads, key chains. Just like Fortuitous Faery, I am also souvenir junkie *lol*

The Becky: fridge magnets, lot of stories and definitely-- pictures.

What do you like most about where you live?

Gingmaganda: i love the way the sun falls on everything. everything is yellowy and warm. it gives me a very nice feeling. i love my country because of its history, its geography (beaches!) and the post-colonial culture gives us something to talk about for the most part of the evening. hehe. also, i so heart the foood and music.

Sreisaat: It's almost like my hometown in the Philippines - so similar, yet so different :) The people are nice and friendly, the rich culture and history, the lifestyle is relatively laidback, food is great, and most of all -- Vietnam, Laos and Thailand are all a bus ride away!

The Becky: I dunno--it's safe and the people are honest. Left something in public? You'll find it there when you come back for it, sometimes it will even find you!

If your Igorot/Igorota doll(s) could talk, what do you think would it say?

Gingmaganda: miss iggy: fix my headband! mr. iggy: fix my hair!

Sreisaat: Parang awa mo na, paliguan mo na ako! (Maalikabok kasi dito e.) [Please have mercy, bathe me! (It's dusty here.)]

The Becky: It'll probably belt out Dave Matthews' 'Where are you going?'.

What travel tip would you like to share with us?

Gingmaganda: research, research, research! it helps to know offbeat destinations and the like. also, take a steady supply of tummy medicine. haha. i usually bring my own water for the first day. and i have a standard list of things to bring so packing is not as troublesome. go to the market of that specific place- it will tell you loads about the area. keep a journal, and take loads of photos with you in them hahaha.

Sreisaat: Know where you are going and what to see and do there, allow extra time for delays, obtain necessary docs (visa, entrance permits, etc.), know what type of clothes to wear/dress appropriately, always bring with you a rain gear (you'll never know), most important of all, always be aware of what's going on around you!

The Becky: Keep an open mind. Read and research, but make room for surprises. They tell better stories afterwards.

Thank you, ladies!

meet the igorota-toting sisters, part 1

Meet the globe-trotting girls who go the distance with Mr. Igorot and Miss Igorota (or for brevity’s sake, Mr. & Miss Iggy). The sisterhood is growing, and so is the dolls’ itinerary! These wonderful women share a passion for travel and a snapshot-ready attitude. Together, they see the world through the eyes of their adopted travel buddies, making it possible for Mr. & Ms. Iggy to be the doll ambassadors of good will and travel thrills. Here are the fearless & fun-loving Filipinas who have taken on the challenge of transporting Mr. & Ms. Iggy from Strawberry Farm to different places and have them “Say Cheese!” (well, not literally)

Presenting, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Igorota:

Fortuitous Faery/Conniechiwa:travels with "Jersey Iggy."
this jersey girl is married to her 7.2-megapixel digital camera and almost never leaves home without it. she believes there's no such thing as too much picture-taking. she believes she is the megapixel fairy with a memory stick wand.



Princess Ody: travels with "Euro Iggy"/"Vienna Vixen Iggy."
I am just your ordinary average-everyday-sane-psycho Supergoddess.

Sailormoon: travels with Mr. Igorot/Mr. Iggy/"Makati Maven Iggy."

Interview with the Sisters

Hi! Where are you originally from?
Fortuitous Faery: Capiz: the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. It’s also known for something else, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s all been hearsay. You know, the stuff of fairytales and folklore. I grew up and studied in Manila.

Princess Ody: I was born and raised in Austria and spent the first 12 years of my life there. Years 12 to 23 were spent in the Philippines. I'm pure Pinoy and pure Batangueña.

Sailormoon: Tacloban City, Philippines.

Where do you live now?
Fortuitous Faery: New Jersey: the "Garden State". Migrated here with my family in 1998. Went back and forth between the Philippines and Jersey while still in school.

Princess Ody: I've been living in Vienna, Austria since June 2007.

Sailormoon: Makati City, Philippines.

How did you become part of the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Igorota”?
Fortuitous Faery: The story of how I acquired the doll is here. Inspiration struck me when I visited Quiapo Church in Manila. The doll was in my purse, and so was my camera. When I took that first photo, I told Gingmaganda that the doll was going places with me. Gingmaganda was supportive of the idea, and she was my first co-blogger. The rest is history.

Princess Ody: Gingmaganda asked if she could send me the igorota doll and if I could contribute to the project. I immediately said yes.

Sailormoon: Hmmm...I got asked by Conniechiwa and Gingmaganda.

Why did you decide to join this blog? (Any coercions, bribes, threats?)
Fortuitous Faery: I created the blog for Miss Iggy, so naturally, I’m the first to join.

Princess Ody: Miss Iggy was too charming to resist!

Sailormoon: Definitely by coercion and undue influence. :P

Have you ever traveled/do you travel with a toy/doll/object other than Miss/Mr. Iggy?
Fortuitous Faery: Back in the Philippines, our van had a little plastic Korean figurine with a suction cup so she was meant to be stuck on the dashboard. Her name was Cong-Cong, she stood on a swing like a parrot. She went everywhere the van went. We brought her with us to New Jersey to live in our new van, and she’s traveled to as far as Canada up north and as far down south as Florida (where I’ve never been!). But I’ve also featured a tiny Happy Meal toy from Build-a-Bear in my blog when I traveled to Lake George in upstate New York. She was a bunny named Pawlette Coufur. That was the only place she’s been.

Princess Ody: I used to travel with a nice little teddy bear named James Blund.

Sailormoon: Yes. Before, I used to have a small stuffed bear. Now, I have a baby giraffe & Mr. Iggy as travel companions.

Do your family and friends know that you blog for an igorota doll?
Fortuitous Faery: Family: yes. My sister is the anti-Miss Iggy. But she’s gotten used to her. Friends: some!

Princess Ody: My family probably doesn't, but my friends sure do!

Sailormoon: Some of them do.

Has anyone told you you’re crazy for taking photos of a doll in public places?
Fortuitous Faery: They don’t exactly use the word “crazy,” but the chuckles, shocked expressions and eyeball-rolling are equivalent to it. Some have accused me of practicing voodoo. Hey, I figured life is short, and you have to be a little crazy when creating art. Yes, travel photography in blog format is an art—and when you use a doll as a subject, that’s taking it to another level. I’ve seen crazier things in New York City, and Metro Manila for that matter. Art is about risking being ridiculed, but it’s also about doing something that’s fun, something you believe in, and it's cathartic. I’ve been told by an aunt that I probably will never get married and that Miss Iggy (they call her “Ang Manika”) is my daughter. I told her that I’m already married…to my digital camera. Haha.

Princess Ody:No, but if I could read their thought bubbles "crazy" is probably written all over them! And if ever they would tell me I'm crazy, I just play the tourist card! My human travel buddies are quite amused. They love Miss Iggy!

Sailormoon: Yes.

Have you ever been to Baguio City or anywhere else in Benguet Province? If yes, what’s your favorite thing about Baguio/Benguet?
Fortuitous Faery: Baguio City, a lot of times especially as a young teen. It was the ultimate road trip for us. There’s so much I love about the City of Pines, such as the long and winding roads leading there, the nippy, pine-scented air, the fresh vegetables you can buy by the bagfuls, the flowers you won’t see in Manila, peanut brittle, strawberry-everything…I can go on and on!

Princess Ody: I've been to Baguio once. I loved the cool air, the nice people, the smell of the pine trees, and choco flakes!

Sailormoon: Yes, I've been to Baguio. Other than the cool weather, I love their ube jam, peanut brittles and of course the s-t-r-a-w-b-e-r-r-i-e-s!

What kind of camera(s) do you use to photograph Mr./Ms. Iggy?
Fortuitous Faery: It’s a Sony Cybershot DSC-P200 7.2-megapixel camera. Sometimes I borrow my sister’s Sony Cybershot 5-megapixel camera, when she’s not looking.

Princess Ody: I use a Sony Cybershot W80.

Sailormoon: Usually my cameraphone...kase mas madalas ko siyang bitbit (because I carry it often).

So far, where have you traveled with Miss/Mr. Iggy?
Fortuitous Faery: In the Philippines: Metro Manila, Rizal, South Cotabato. In the United States: New Jersey, New York, Detroit (airport), Massachusetts, North Carolina (airport), Pennsylvania and Texas. Elsewhere: South Korea on a layover.

Princess Ody: Ms. Iggy and I have been to Thessaloniki (Greece), Gelnhausen and Frankfurt (Germany) and of course the streets of Vienna.

Sailormoon: I take Mr. Iggy wherever I go. Usually to work on weekdays & out of town on weekends. Lately, we went to Baguio City to visit his relatives and friends there.

What dream destination(s) would you like to visit with Ms./Mr. Iggy?
Fortuitous Faery: Where do I begin? Mostly Europe…like Prague, Ireland, Italy. But more feasibly, I’d like to take her to the West Coast, such as California—San Francisco, especially. In Asia: China to see the Great Wall and the Bird’s Nest, and Cambodia to walk where Lara Croft did, and also to reunite with her sister there who lives with Sreisaat in Phnom Penh. Oooh, and New Zealand, to roam the land of hobbits! But I should really start with the rest of the Philippines!

Princess Ody: Hmmm...for urban adventures, Miss Iggy and I would loooove to visit Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid and Barcelona. For island getaways, Phuket and our very own Philippine islands.

Sailormoon: Hmm...I want Mr. Iggy & me to explore the Philippine Islands muna, then I want us to go to beautiful places in Europe!

What’s the hardest part of traveling with your doll(s)?
Fortuitous Faery: Trying to stay “incognito” when photographing her in public places. Also, getting the perfect shot in just two attempts. I still haven’t photographed her by the New York Times Building (the first thing anyone sees when they alight from the Port Authority bus terminal in NYC) because the perfect spot is right by the taxi queue! One of these days, she WILL have her photo there! Haha!

Princess Ody: Nothing really! ;)

Sailormoon: Ayoko siya madumihan. (I don't want him to get dirty)

What travel souvenirs do you take home from a trip?
Fortuitous Faery: First and foremost: photos! You can take as much as you want and as much as your memory stick can handle. I used to be a souvenir junkie with fridge magnets, keychains, shirts. Now, it’s mostly just postcards, a mug and maybe a local food product (like the hot pepper paste I bought from Korea). When on a plane, I keep the inflight magazines. Oh, and something I started collecting lately: Christmas ornaments featuring the place I visited. I had a lot just by visiting different cities in Texas. Oh, and pressed pennies! I guess I'm still a souvenir junkie.

Princess Ody: Small snowglobes! For places that don't have snow or don't sell snowglobes (like Bratislava), I buy little glass things. And plates for my mom.

Sailormoon: Pictures, food, unusual stuff...

What do you like most about where you live?
Fortuitous Faery: The fact that I experience the four seasons, that I’m only a bus ride away from the Big Apple, and that there’s no sales tax on clothing and shoes unlike in other states.

Princess Ody: The public transportation is so well-connected, one can survive without a car! It also has a nice mix of the old world and modern times.

Sailormoon: Other than the people & the beach, it's definitely the food (i love seafoods!) .

If your Igorot/Igorota doll(s) could talk, what do you think would it say?
Fortuitous Faery: She would sing, “I started a blog…which started the whole world trav’ling” (with all due respect to the BeeGees) Other than that, it’s mostly “Where will you take me next?”

Princess Ody: "Ilabas mo ako sa bag mo!" (Get me out of your bag!)

Sailormoon: That there's too much to do and too many places to visit!

What travel tip would you like to share with us?

Fortuitous Faery: Research a place before going, so that you know which attractions to visit and recognize what you’re looking at and not miss a thing. If the place has a public transport system such as a subway, study the map, the stops, and connecting lines that will take you to your destination(s). Know where the tourist information centers are so you can get free maps and even discount coupons to some attractions. Check the weather forecast in advance so you know what type of clothing and accessories to bring. Pack clothing that you can easily mix and match, and as much as possible, choose the ones that aren’t too bulky. Do I sound like a mom already? Haha. Try to eat the local delicacy, like say, fish and chips in London. Don’t make it look too obvious that you’re a tourist (ergo, I don’t have those big DSLR cameras although I do want one), guard your travel documents with your life…and of course, don’t forget your camera, and by Jove, have fun!

Princess Ody:

- Wear comfortable, but photogenic shoes.

- When traveling in summer or to a warm country, bring a light jacket/cardigan or a pashmina in case sleeveless shirts and/or shorts are not allowed inside some establishments (like churches, for instance).

Sailormoon: Try to travel alone - it's definitely fun!

Thank you, ladies!

mr. iggy feels so yucky

mr. iggy contemplates on why this creek along e. rodriquez avenue in quezon city is so icky.

it smells funny too. ieuw.

mr. iggy returns to baguio city

only a few days after he was given to me by friends ging & connie, mr. iggy eagerly accompanied me to a road trip to the city of pines (where i attended one of the many christmas parties last year). what better way to spend the holidays than to drive around baguio city - to commune with nature, to enjoy the winding roads, or to simply enjoy the cool breeze & high altitude.

the trip was especially memorable for mr. iggy coz he was able to reunite with some of his igorota sisters in such places as mines view park and the wright park.

... and also enjoy such wonderful local delights as ube jam, chocolate crinkles and of course - fresh and sweet strawberries!!!