celebraTINg exisTENce: September 2013

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What sets this vacation apart from the rest?

MY FIRST TIME RIDING AN AIRPLANE.

When I was younger, I love seeing airplanes. Whether it's gazing up the sky or passing by an airport, I'd always look at the humongous plane wondering if I'd be able to ride it even once in my life.

Dreams do come true because as of this writing, I've ridden an airplane for a lot of times already. But we all know that nothing can ever replace the joy of trying things out for the first time, right? Because it was a dream come true, my Cebu trip would always be an unforgettable one.

Today is the perfect day to post this since this took place around four years ago. Are you aware of the trend in Social Networking Sites when people post nostalgic pictures every Thursday? That's what I'm about do.

Care to join me in a Throwback Thursday?

...

Have you ever felt so excited for something that you can't even fall asleep? I'm pretty sure most of us have experienced that kind of rush in our lives.

Now, imagine my excitement because at that time, Cebu was the farthest of all my vacations plus we had to ride an airplane.

What I had wished for a lot of times was bound to happen and I was definitely in cloud nine!

I got the seat by the window.
This shot was taken minutes before we took off.
Is that what you call a twilight? Or is it a sunrise already?

On our 45-minutes airplane ride, my eyes were only fixated outside.
If you saw me then, you'd think of me like a child beaming with much happiness.
To be honest, the plane ride alone was enough to make me feel ecstatic.

When we arrived at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, we ate our breakfast and waited for our coaster which took us to the municipality of Badian, Cebu.

We still had to ride a boat to reach Badian Island Resort and Spa where we stayed for the first two days. Going to there can be a hassle especially for those who despise long travel time but I think once you arrive at the island, the long travel is worth it.

Our welcome drinks in glasses made from coconut shells.

You deserve to be treated like a spoiled child once in a while and this resort is the place to be. It's the perfect getaway for people who want a mix of nature, luxury and serenity.

They make sure that their guests are pampered and I can vouch for that.

On our first day, we just explored the whole resort and spent the entire day swimming and eating and swimming and eating.

Also, you can never go hungry in Badian Resort and Spa because all meals were served buffet-style and were all delicious. It was my first time trying out a legit Lechon Cebu. :>

This is the view outside our cottage; it faces the garden, mountains and the sea.

One of the best things in going out-of-town is the privilege of waking up with this kind of view. I've always adored views like this 'cause I feel like I somehow become one with nature... something I miss because I live in the metro where my usual views are cars, houses and buildings.

On the balcony of our cottage was this hammock.
Hahahaha. It's so perfect that I remember napping there and waking up with my face flat on the floor.

We left the island to explore the rest of Badian. Unlike our first day, our second day was full of sightseeing and water activities.

Just a random info: I can't remember since when did I start becoming more courageous with this kind of adventures because I know that there's a point in my childhood when I feared boat rides. Thankfully, I'm over that phase. Now, you can even challenge me to bungee jump and I'll gladly say yes. Bucket list dropping?? Not really! hahaha!

Admittedly, I was too paranoid thinking about all the things that may go wrong. But right now, the only thoughts I have are for all the things that will go right. hihihi.

Our first stop for that day was Kawasan Waterfalls.
It's the most popular tourist destination of the town specifically Barangay Matutinao and I've seen it featured on television programs for several times already.

But before you reach the falls, just like most waterfalls I've been at, you'd have to trek uphill.
On times like this, the trek itself is a treat so can you even complain?

This is the Kawasan Falls.

Tourists are asked to wear a life jacket before riding the bamboo raft.
The bamboo raft would enter the cave from the side to get to the back of the falls and then pass by the cascades of water for some nature-al back massage. The same feeling when you try the hard hydro-massage in Ace Water Spa.

Then, we went to Coral Garden to eat our lunch and go snorkeling after.
I didn't have my underwater camera at that time yet so I have no pictures but it was also my first time to snorkel.

This is me while waiting for the boat that would take us back to the resort.
As you can see, I was sexier before. What happened to me? Lol. Hahahaha!

That evening while waiting for our dinner to be served, we went to the Floating Game House for a game of billiards.

Aside from eating, I have nothing else that I am good at so naturally I just played with the powder, our room key and my camera. And because of my limited creative prowess, I usually have nothing to write except my name.
My blog URL is a concrete example of this, isn't it? -_-

While eating our dinner, we were entertained by these dancers whom we joined afterwards. One thing I enjoyed during this whole vacation was our food. Aside from my obvious love for eating, we got to eat on different parts of the resort per meal. They made sure that each meal was uniquely themed. For that dinner, our theme was Hawaiian.

I like dancing and singing. Thing is, both never liked me but I'm persistent so I still dance and sing despite the hate. hahaha.

Our third day in Cebu and it's already a goodbye.
Time surely fleets when you're having fun.

Back in the days, I have so many pictures like this one.
Probably because I don't really have that much back flabs to deal with then. haha! Not that I'm hating my body now. Just that, this post reminded me of my slimmer days.

While we left the island, a new set of tourists arrived and they would be making their own memories in there too. I sound tad bit emotional, don't I? haha.

Anyhow, we traveled back to the city to do a tour for that afternoon before flying back to Manila.

Taken at the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist at Simala, Sibonga.

When you enter the cathedral, you get to see several crutches and wheelchairs given/left there by devotees who experienced miracles and answered prayers.

This is a Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills Subdivision.

I remember going inside the chapel and we did a ritual using two blocks of wood. If you drop the wood and both of them face up, I think you're allowed to make a wish. Or you make a wish then if both of the wood blocks face up, you're wish will soon be granted. I can't remember which is which but it goes like that.

You can always pass by this temple when you're in Cebu. This is open to worshipers and non-worshipers.

A monument we passed by at.
Sorry, I can't recall what the name is.

Magellan's Cross next to Basilica Minore del Santo Nino and the City Hall.

When you say Cebu, I think Magellan's Cross is one of the things that would immediately come to mind.
It's like the symbol of not only Cebu but of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines as well.

Apart from Magellan's Cross, Cebu is also famous for daing or dried fishes.
Before we drove back to Mactan Airport, we passed by Taboan Market first to buy some souvenirs.

Taboan market is the one-stop-shop of souvenirs in Cebu. They're tourists-ready because the stores there use vacuum packs so the fish won't smell when you're checking your baggage in airports.

And as you can see at my back, they sell wide varieties of dried seafoods.

Another 45 minutes airplane ride and we arrived back in Manila. It was officially the end of that trip.

And these has been our trip.

I would never ever get tired of looking at the view from an airplane.
It's a must for me to request the window seat whenever I ride one because I get uncomfortable otherwise. I need to see the clouds and everything outside.

This trip was dreamy in a sense that flying was my ultimate goal when I was younger and fulfilling because the trip made me learn more about Cebu and the lives of the people living there. There's really a great difference in just reading articles and stories about a place and going there experiencing everything by yourself.

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Bakit kailangan magbukas ng Savings Account? link: here.

Napansin ko na maraming tumitingin ng tungkol sa savings back na posts ko. Nilagay ko 'to dito almost ten years ago and thanks, everyone for continuously accessing them but we now have better options if we're talking about the interest that our money will gain while deposited. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to keep the two banks accounts that I wrote about before and stuck with BDO because there's a branch a few blocks away from home making it the most convenient bank for me at the moment. And well, my credit card is still with BDO so yeah.

While the information in this post are still relevant since, I made the switch and here's my review of two Digital Banks here in the Philippines.

Go Tyme Bank and Seabank

1. I opened my Eastwest Basic Savings Account because I needed a Visa Card to use online. However, my friend keeps telling me that even if a website is secured, it's still risky to enter my card number especially if all my money is in that account. I was a bit apprehensive to get myself this prepaid card because it'll just add to my collection of cards na walang laman. Buti sana kung may laman!! Hahahaha.

Anyway, I got one to be safe.

Requirements:

I.D
P 100.00 Prepaid Card Fee
Initial Deposit

Prepaid Cards aren't your regular Savings Account meaning the money "loaded" in it won't earn interest. Find out more about Prepaid Cards, Debit Cards and Credit Cards: here.

2. I got my BDO Cash Card more than a year ago for the same purpose actually. I needed a card which I can just reload everytime I go out because it's really a risk to carry my ATM card all the time. Yes, it's safer to carry around an ATM card compared to having cash but the fact that all my money in my savings account is always within my reach makes it unsafe for impulsive buys and gluttonous cravings which are the two most dangerous things on Earth.

Purchase your CVV Sticker here.

EWB's Prepaid Card or BDO's Cash Card?

EWB's carry a VISA logo which makes it better because of the variety of establishments and online merchants who accept VISA card. Mas marami talagang tumatanggap ng VISA compared sa BDO Cash Card na Megalink lang ang nakalagay.

For this, EWB's Prepaid Card wins.

For online transactions, of course, EWB's Prepaid Card wins.

Nga pala, for all VISA cardholders, are you aware of this promo wherein you get a P 100.00 gift certificate when you buy worth P 1,500.00 in any SM Stores? More info: here.

And that Eastwest Bank has a raffle wherein Ipad Mini is at stake when you reload and purchase something using your EWB's Prepaid Card? More info: here.

We should maximize offers like these because they give our money "more purchasing power". Gagastos ka lang naman din, dun ka na sa may chance na babalik sa'yo, diba?

BDO Cash Card is reloadable using their online banking but you can only reload EWB's Prepaid Card over-the-counter. At dito na sila nagkatalo. I'd stick with my Cash Card because of the online banking feature. The main reason why I use Prepaid Card is to reload the money I need for the day and this isn't at all possible yet for EWB's Prepaid Card. Yet nilagay ko kasi baka magbago sila ng isip. hahaha! It's a hassle to go to the bank to deposit money everytime you need to use the card, isn't it? Andun talaga 'yung convenience of reloading via online fund transfer lang eh saka online banking feature enables you to check how much money a card has free of charge unlike going to the nearest ATM. You'd pay not only for the service fee of the bank but for transportation costs as well.

For convenience, BDO Cash Card wins.
Kung hindi tinatanggap ang Cash Card sa establishment na pupuntahan mo, edi i-withdraw muna ang pera.

Purchase your CVV Sticker here.

Now that I think of it, I should have opened another Basic Savings Account na lang because account to account online fund transfer is possible. If only Eastwest Bank can add Prepaid Card Reload in their online banking transactions, that would be great.

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Last Saturday, my friend Louise and I attended Matgalne Korean Restaurant's Good Bloggers Appreciation Dinner. It was about time to satisfy our Korean Cuisine cravings once again and were planning to eat at a Korean buffet. Fortunately, Matgalne Restaurant posted their invite on Facebook while we were talking online so we immediately replied to them.

Glad to be back!!

View my previous review of Matgalne here.

The three dishes below are especially prepared for us bloggers:

Pajeon ( Korean Pancake) and salad

I am not sure what this dish is called nor have tasted something similar before but based on the ingredients, it has beef... are those beef bones? Potatoes and it's a soup so.... 소 감자 탕? Beef Potato Stew/Soup? Hahaha.

Of course, my ever favorite pork slices for my Samgyeopsal.

Lunch Unlimited Pork Belly: P 299.00/person
Lunch Unlimited Pork Belly and Beef Brisket: P 399.00/person
Dinner Buffet - P 399.00/person

For once, I think my plating is good enough.
I did my best.

And once again, my bibimbap Jr.

Here is Ms. Park, the Restaurant owner, as she picks the week's winners of a free dinner or lunch buffet for three. Imagine being able to eat as much as you can and still have the chance to eat there again for free because of the raffle.

If you want to avail the 10% discount when you eat there, all you have to do is take a photo and upload it with the hashtag #welovematgalne.

By doing this, you also stand a chance to become one of the three winners of dinner/lunch buffet for three per week.

LIKE THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE UPDATES. CLICK: HERE.

Some pictures of the buffet spread.

But I think that I took better pictures before. Click here.

Korean Cuisine cravings? Very much satisfied!

P.S. This isn't my first time attending a "bloggers" event but I still felt uneasy on the first few minutes so super thanks to Ate that we were able to enjoy Matgalne's Korean Buffet while laughing our hearts out. She made us feel more comfortable while she cooks the pork and beef slices.

The picture above is grabbed from Matgalne's Page.

Saya ko talaga oh.

3 possible reasons why:
1. May nakakatawa.
2. Maraming pagkain.
3. Kumakain ng marami.

Masaya daw talaga ko pag kumakain ako. hahahaha. Okay, fine!

Makati Branch

4768 Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Mariano St.,

Poblacion Makati City, Metro Manila

Contact#: (02) 890 2949

Operating Hours: 11am-11pm (Mon-Sat)

Pasig Branch

2F Millenium Bldg. Meralco Ave. Ortigas Center

San Antonio Pasig City, Metro Manila

Contact #: (02) 632 9714

Operating Hours: 11am-11pm (Mon-Sat)

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August went by so fast. It's already -BER months! OMG. Pasko na naman!!

I usually say "Wake Me Up When September Ends" whenever it's the start of September but I won't say that this month, rather it's Hello, September! I'm looking forward for this month because I can feel something great is about to happen. Claim lang ng claim kahit

'yan din sinabi ko last month pero parang wala naman nangyari. Hahahaha!

Wala na naman akong idea kung ano mangyayari at wala rin naman atang plano kaya...

1. Nakahabol pa 'to. The highlight of my August is our Dusit Thani Manila dinner. When you're hungry, you become capable of asking for food blatantly even if you're in a high-end place. Sabi nga, ask and it shall be given.

"Kuya waiter, we're gutom na."

Oh, the things we do for food.

Please keep these things coming...
I've been to other 5 star hotels and Dusit Thani is one of the best when it comes to food. There's nothing I didn't like. Bet na bet.

Babalik ako't makaka-kain din sa Sunday Crossover Buffet nila, hindi ko lang alam kung kelan. Hahaha.

Also, I drank English Breakfast tea when I was there and now, I have another tea variant that I like. English breakfast has a strong taste yet it wasn't bitter and most of all it doesn't smell like flower.

2. My MP3 player of more than 4 years has retired. My songs a.k.a my memories of the past years are all there and they're all gone now. But seriously, the first thought that came to mind when it won't turn on, "OMG. Paano na 'ko makakatulog nito!?" that's because for the past years, I've always relied on that MP3 player to lull me to sleep but so far so good. I am able to sleep even without listening to music.
This also reminded me of something, "We should invest in things that don't break; our relationship with other people, with God, and with ourselves are far more important than material things. But I'd still like to think that it's repairable. Sayang ang 32 gig na memory eh.

So ito na lang muna...
God bless. :D

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Purchase your CVV Sticker here.

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