Hot night, hot water... hot ako? 😂😂😂 ♨ Night swimming.💗 Ay, morning na. #hotspring #pool

A photo posted by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on May 1, 2015 at 9:33am PDT

This was our room. 2 bunk beds and 1 pull out bed. It was an okay room but we had two problems with it. 1. They did not provide blankets. 2. 'Yung aircon namin, nasa bandang baba kaya hindi naka-circulate 'yung lamig. Dun ako natulog sa taas kaya ang init. Akala ko naman mahina lang 'yung aircon, only to find out when we were exchanging stories in the morning na 'yung mga nasa baba e hindi rin naman masyadong nakatulog kasi sobrang lamig naman pero hindi nila mapatay 'yung aircon dahil sobrang maiinitan naman kaming nasa taas.

No water heater but it's fine. Hindi naman sobrang lamig dun para maging essential ang water heater.

Party party sa gabi. May kasama ng water dispenser,refrigerator, lpg, water saka karaoke dun sa binayad namin.

Sa compound ng Villa Kitane, pwedeng share 'yung dalawang group. Kung ano 'yung facilities na meron sa side nila, meron din sa'min kaya dedma lang. Unlike the other hotspring that I went to, walang stones and fishes dito at okay talaga aesthetics wise. Okay dito kung swimming sa hotspring ang gusto with friends/family saka private. Pero 'yung pag naghahabol ka ng therapeutic properties, syempre mas okay dun sa isa.

Good morning, Mt. Makiling!!! I don't know what the rates are kasi hati-hati na 'yung binayaran namin.  And... you can find them on facebook because I don't have their contact number. :)

This was my second fly out for 2015. I have some (some kasi baka may madagdag pa) more so keribells. Make it work nga, diba. Hahaha.

I had a different "assignment" during the second day. Importante na ginawa ko. As in super important. Ako lang naman, A-K-O nagbanlaw ng mga dental tools at nag-disinfect ng mga ito. O DIBA!!! E kung wala kami ni Ate na kasama ko?! Wala. Kung importante ang mga doktor, importante rin kami!!! Hahaha. So ganito na nga, syempre kailangan din itaas ang self-worth. Habang nakikipag-usap ako kay Ate, sabi niya sa'kin, "Bukas, dun kayo pupunta oh." Sabay turo sa isang isla na medyo malayo. Tanong ko, "Saan 'yun?" Sagot niya, "Kalanggaman 'yan. Lilipat pa kayo ng Palompon tapos magba-bangka para makarating diyan." ^TAMA BA 'YUNG NARINIG KO?! KALANGGAMAN ISLAND?! OMG.

Gusto ko lang ipakita sa inyo ang mga dental tools na hinugasan at dinis-infect namin. BWAHAHAHAHA.

During the afternoon, I was asked to stop disinfecting and start taking pictures again. I gladly obliged because it meant that I will be able to roam around the vicinity again.

Thank you, Colgate-Palmolive for sponsoring the toothbrushes that were given away.

And Lamoiyan Corporation for the Happee Toothpastes.

Isa sa mga batang nagmamadaling tumakbo papunta sa palikuran dahil pinapapila na sila sa mga tutuliin. Hindi ko alam kung sadista lang talaga ko pero 'yung mga batang tinutuli ang pinaka-paborito kong pinapanood at pinapakinggan. Nakakatuwa lalo: 1. 'yung mga magkakaibigan tas kahit na may gusto ng umiyak, hindi pa rin siya iiyak kasi makakan-tyawan siya. 2. 'yung mga ngiting tagumpay ng mga batang bumababa pagkatapos tuliin sa taas kasi natapos na sila. 4. 'yung mga tatanungin ko kung kinakabahan ba tas hindi kami magkakaintindihan, buti na lang e merong iilan na marunong mag-Tagalog. 3. HAHAHAHA. Sa lahat ng natutuhan kong salita this my favorite. :))))) "PATYON TAKA!!!!" na ang ibig sabihin daw e, "PAPATAYIN KITA." Kahit na pinipigil na nilang umiyak e may mga bata pa rin na hindi kinakaya kaya umiiyak nang sobrang lakas. Pag nangyari 'yon, lahat ng nasa kwarto e iiyak na rin. Pag-akyat ko, may isang batang nakahiga na sumisigaw sa doktor na, "Patyon Taka!!" Pagbaba ko, naririnig din pala ng lahat ng tao 'yung sigaw nung batang 'yon kaya tinanong ko agad kung anong ibig sabihin... Ah, 'yun pala. Patyon taka!

Who would've thought that in this lifetime, I'd have a chance to be a part of a "Medical" Team.

A lot were already waiting for us when we arrived at the area. I didn't even notice this when I took this picture but some of them were smiling. Hahaha! If someone took a picture of me while seated there, I won't even look at the camera.

The town of Villaba is a coastal and mountainous town. I've heard a lot of stories about Yolanda through news reports but it feels a lot different when you hear it from someone who experienced it first hand. Only one died in this area but it was indirect (heart attack) but almost all houses were destroyed. It took three months before electricity supply was restored but until now, they have no proper water line. They still had to get water from the mountain if they can't afford to buy their own water pump.

Cutie. Haha. A lot of kids went to this part too. I don't know what they're talking about  but it was still better than having no one there with me. Hehehe. Dito lang may paunti-unting signal so I always went back on this part of the stage 'cause I wasn't able to text my mudra that we were there already. And, medyo nase-sepanx ako sa internet but to no avail, wala talagang mobile data. On the first day, I helped giving vaccine shots. Give talaga. hahahaha. Alalay lang dun, taga- ng kung ano ano kasi malay ko ba naman sa injection and I was the one who took pictures because documentation was needed. Buti na lang!!! Buti na lang may nagawa kahit konti.

Natapos din so we rested for a while and I was able to catch the sunset. Hayyyy, Thank You!!!! So wala pa kaming ligo at wala ngang running water sa tinulugan namin but luckily, one resident found out that bathing was a problem so she offered her house and let us bathe there. Huhuhu. Buti na lang hospitable ang mga Pilipino.  <3

Asked to choose between an Ilocos tour and a medical mission at Leyte, I chose the latter. But it wasn't an easy decision. Really. Not to the point that I had sleepless nights but it was tough. Friends vs. Strangers Leisure vs. Work Ilocos used to be my dream destination but I was able to go there last 2013 so okay, fine. Tumigil na ko but it wouldn't hurt to tour the place again especially when going back meant creating new memories with different set of friends. Tacloban, on the other hand, wasn't in my radar. It never occurred to me that I'll have a chance to go there. The opportunity just came all of a sudden. And, even if I were to go, medical mission 'yun eh. Anong gagawin ko?? I am not a healthcare professional and I don't even like the sight of blood. But I wrote here before that I want to ride an airplane again and that I wanted to make this year less about me and more of others. Wala kong kaalam-alam sa pupuntahan, ni hindi ko nga alam kung anong gagawin ko dun, at dalawa nga lang sa mga kasama ko 'yung kilala ko, pero para hindi maguluhan ang universe sa kung anong gusto ko, sige, tara, Tacloban it is. Anyhow, this is my second fly-out for 2015. Hi, Tac. <3 (Baka ito pala 'yung lucky charm... second kasi may third, fourth, fifth, sixth and so on fly-outs pa. Malay natin, diba!)

O ako na magaling, pero nagulat talaga ko sa itsura nitong airport nila. I know for a fact that it was one of the greatly damaged infrastructures in Tacloban because it's near a body of water but airports are the gateways to cities so I feel that they should make extra effort in renovating their facilities.  It's a good thing that Tacloban Airport was scheduled to have a rehabilitation when we went there. Nabawasan nga kami ng isang araw kasi dahil sa rehabilitation nung airport at buti na lang din, sana nga, mas maayos na.

We ate at Andok's and beside it is this building that wasn't repaired and still show how great the damage of Yolanda was. I can not imagine how strong the force was that it was able to do that. I can not imagine how difficult it was for them. I can't help but admire the strength of the people who have survived the onslaught. But I don't understand.... I am sure that lot of help came pouring in and one and a half year has passed, pero bakit wala pa rin ata masyadong improvement? I don't have pictures of other places but the effects of Yolanda were still evident as if it just happened a few months back. I know that it's not easy to rehabilitate but with that much help that they received, I believe that the people of Leyte deserve better. I know that there's still a lot of room for improvement. Hindi ko na rin masyado naisip na gusto ko mag-picture, tinignan ko lang hanggang sa nakatulog ako at pag gising ko, nasa Villaba, Leyte na kami.

I only had around 1 1/2 sleep prior to our flight so it's not surprising that I was so sleepy. I slept the whole travel from Tacloban to Villaba which took around 3 hours. So even if I wanted to stay awake and see sight see, I can't help it but fall fast asleep. Sabi ko nung hapon na 'yon, "Bakit kaya masakit 'yung ulo ko?" Nalaman ko na zigzag kasi 'yung daan dahil mountainous area papuntang Villaba tas untog ng untog 'yung left part ng ulo ko sa bintana ng sasakyan. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Di ko alam kung matigas lang talaga ulo ko o parang mantika lang talaga ko matulog.  Anyhow, I arrived there not as a tourist but as someone who's taking part in a medical mission. Huhu. I did it. <3

5 feet deep with two slides.

Shower room, comfort room area.

Jacuzzi and the slide to the 5 feet deep pool.

Another 5 feet deep pool with slide, there's also a jacuzzi on the side.

On my way to the tree house.

Taken at the zipline area/ tree house. On the view: 5 feet deep pool, children's pool with slide. There's also another children's pool (two feet deep) near the 5 feet deep pool with two slides. All in all, this resort has 5 pools. It isn't really that visible in this picture but you can see (smoggy) skylines from the resort. To #infinity and beyond. Yups, resort ko po. Hahaha. Jk. #nature #tree #pool ✌✌ A photo posted by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on May 6, 2015 at 2:34am PDT Taken at Cristina Villa's infinity pool which was my favorite pool that day. Aside from the cool water, the trees surrounding this place shade the whole area, and there's also a small man-made waterfalls here.

This is where we stayed at. I don't know what these are called but we rented the one with the "second floor"

It was a surprise that there were only a few people there the day we went. No other people rented these near our place so I was able to use one on my own. As in dun ako natulog, 'yung iba, kumuha rin sila ng second floor nila tas dun natulog. E kasi nga resort ko 'to diba, kahit isa lang binayaran e nagamit lahat nang libre. HAHA! I think two reasons for that (konti lang tao) is because it's not that well-known or a lot of people doesn't anymore have this place on their list because it has been in the industry for a long time. Pero personally, I didn't know I had a resort in Antipolo prior to going there. Kulang talaga sa exposure eh.  Sabi ng mama ko, matagal na raw 'tong Cristina Villas pero nagulat din siya nung pagdating namin e maganda pala dito. You know how those old resorts usually are, diba? Sometimes being old is synonymous to being ugly but ibahin niyo kaming mga Cristina. Kami pa ba? Habang tumatanda, lalong gumaganda at nag-i-improve. HAHAHAHAHA. Jk. Cristina Villas is continuously renovating and making their resort more beautiful and more relaxing place to stay in yet remaining to be a budget-friendly resort. I want to go back for a night swimming and/or stay in one of MY (My talaga. Inangkin. haha!) hotel rooms because the resort is overlooking a part of the Antipolo mountains and the Metro Manila skyline. Siguradong mas bet tignan pag gabi 'yung view.

Klook.com

#dessert comes first... and last.👍 There's always a first time for everything. First time na ako ang umayaw. Grabe, @sambokojin.😍 Hihi. Thanks for having #matcha #icecream. Sobrang enjoy. 😂🐘🐋🐖

A photo posted by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on Apr 16, 2015 at 4:04am PDT

I know there are some improvements with the food choices and all but I can't pin point any because none of those were my concern. :)))))

As usual, it was prawns-all-you-can for me plus the other food that looks good.

Aside from the grilled prawn, I also enjoyed this buttered garlic shrimps (hipon ulit. Haha!)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. ITAWA NA LANG ANG KATAKAWAN. :))) HAHAHAHAHA! Thank you, Sambokojin for including matcha in your ice cream flavors. This was the first time, in all those four previous visits, that I enjoyed your ice cream to the point that I want to take the container from the freezer and have the matcha ice cream all by myself. Hahahaha!!!! Now, lagi bang may matcha o naka sakto lang kami sa araw na merong matcha?

From the LRT Station, we just walked to the southern gate of Intramuros. This gate is near Puerta Real and PLM. Should you want to spend the whole day touring around Manila, go there on a Sunday because museum admissions are free on Sundays. National Museum (NAG and MFP) link: here. Or should you opt for a WOKing tour before the walking tour, you might want to go to Chinatown first before heading to Intramuros. Binondo Food Wok link: here. Anyway, since we're on a tight budget... :))

Here's the Plaza del Gobernador. It used to be the home of the governor-general during the Spanish Colonization era but this 8-storey building now houses offices such as Intramuros Administration.

Here is the Manila Cathedral. The last time I was here was during our Visita Iglesia 2014.

Across the Manila Cathedral is the Plaza de Roma. The monument is made in honor of a the Spanish king Carlos IV as a tribute for the introduction of the smallpox vaccine.

Thanks to Intramuros Administration that the street from the gate to Fort Santiago is now pedestrian-friendly. There are several pedicab drivers who would offer to tour you around the historical landmarks inside the Intramuros but the fun is in the walking... or ako lang natutuwa pag naglalakad? haha. Support their livelihood and hire one if you don't want to walk a lot. :) It was written in one of the tarpaulins of IA that "Intramuros was Manila," there's so much history and heritage in that place so it's a good thing that they're reclaiming the historic streets to encourage more people to do a walking tour in the area as well.  Infairness sa announcement na 'to, gusto ko 'yung, "... not about the shortest route or time traveled. IT'S ABOUT GETTING THERE." Parang metaphor lang ng buhay, noh?

There are a lot of tombs inside the San Agustin Church and we spent several minutes looking for the tomb of the Spanish Conquistador/Founder of Manila, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. We were shy to ask around so we just looked for it on our own but to no avail. But I learned that it's located in the room beside the altar so the next time I'll go there, I'll definitely pay his tomb a closer visit. (Tama ba 'tong pinagsasabi ko? HAHAHAHA) There are currently 8 places in the Philippines that are included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO and I'm proud to say that I've been into 3 of them. Wow, laking achievement naman!!! HAHAHAHA. Gusto mo rin? Punta ka na San Agustin Church. I mentioned this because I'll be needing a back link when I get to visit the rest some time in the future (Di ko alam kung paano, gusto ko lang. Haha!). So for the three of them that I've been into: San Agustin Church. Intramuros; Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte and Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

They preserved the cobblestone streets in this area. On our way back to Fort Santiago from San Agustin Church, a street name caught my attention because it's one of the things that I need in this life. HAHAHAHA. Konting konti na lang maglalagay na ko ng Donate Button dito baka lang kasi may generous na tao, ganyan. :))

Yes pls. Marami. #intramuros #manila

A photo posted by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on Mar 29, 2015 at 10:57pm PDT

Going here has an entrance fee but I think paying is worth it since you may spend the whole day in this area.

We're so paranoid that we almost ran for our lives the moment we walked near this area. One of my friends saw the statues inside and he was like, "ANO YUNG NASA LOOB?!" Parang kami, without even looking, "HALA ANO NGA 'YUN?" Konting takbo palayo sabay nung naisip namin na nakakahiya kasi medyo maraming tao, "AH WALA. WALA PALA. WALA NA LANG PALA" Pero wala, statue lang. Kinabahan lang kami. hahahaha! Lam mo na. Pranela.

Pasig River Just like the Fort San Pedro in Cebu which is facing the sea, Fort Santiago is strategically built near mouth of the Pasig River.

The facade of Fort Santiago.

After our Intramuros Walking Tour, we went back to Rizal Park and waited for the start of the free dancing fountain show.

It doesn't have to be extravagant to enjoy the goodness of life. Char. 😂😂😂 #rizalpark #fountain #manila #arte #damingsinabi

A video posted by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on Mar 30, 2015 at 3:34am PDT