0 A NIGHT WITH THE PHILIPPINES' X-FACTOR

Few nights ago I had the chance to watch to live performance of the X Factor Philippines hosted by KC Concepcion at the Pagcor Theatre. One of the most prestigious shows in the country and the world originated from Great Britain. This is owned by well-known Simon Cowell known from his firm judgement of the American Idol. A friend of ours invited to watch the gala night in support to KZ Tandingan. She is one of the best contenders in the competition for her versatility and uniqueness. She has the ability to alter the song on her own way but the lyrics and the tune is still at hand. Obviously I know her since the audition.

Honestly, hindi ko kilala ang mga contestants. I don’t watch X Factor not because I don’t like the show but I just don’t have time to watch because of my work time. Although I heard other names, groups and solos but I don’t have any idea how good they are. Nung nasa loob na ako ng theatre, ang alam ko buong suporta ko kay KZ lang dahil nga talaga namang magaling siya. Tulad nang sabi ko sa audition pa lang nakuha na niya ang atensiyon ko, even the judges and the people inside the hall. There was a standing ovation from other supporters. Magaling talaga ang batang ito..the way she sang, the way she changed the tune then back to its original harmony. So, she has the style.

Before the show started there are rehearsals, not just the participants, not just the staff, even the audience. What to do and when to do.. I was quite the whole time while waiting for the show live on air, I need to reserve and my energy and my voice. I have to give all my support to her in return to a free ticket and the chance to be there live. When the show began, the host introduced then the judges then the contestants.

KZ  supporters.

Every week has a theme. As the host commenced, it was tribute night from the great singers who has gone already. So let us check what the song choice of the contestants.

Order of Performances: 

Mang Modesto Taran (voted out) performed "Pure Imagination" by Louis Allen Rawls. 

Daddy's Home performed "All at Once" by Whitney Houston. Whoo..anlalamig ng boses.

Allen Sta. Maria performed "Waterfalls" by TLC.

Jeric Medina performed "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley.

Joan Da on her "At your Best" by Aaliyah.

Kedebon Calim on his "Yugyuan na" by Karl Roy. An energy-magnet guy. Ubos energy ko sa taong 'to. His supporters below. He has a lot of energy, a total entertainer. Pero kaya kaya niya ang mga All at Once na kantahan. Let's see how verstile he is for the next round.

Take-Off performed "Dreaming of You" by Selena. Again I dunno these guys at magaling daw silang sumayaw. Well from this performance, less movements. Maganda rin naman. Artistahin din ang mga hitsura. Magagandang mga Lalaki. 

KZ Tandingan execute the "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse. She executed the looks, the song and the dance. Alam na. Nawala boses ko sayo mam. Salamat. Pina-ingay ko lang naman ang grand theatre.

Gabriel Maturan performed "Dance with my Father" by Luther Vandross. 

Now I know who these top 9 and now turned 8 after Mang Modesto voted out. As the judges mentioned you’ll never know how hard to judge in front of these contestants. Galing. Had a great night and experienced watching live. Goodluck to KZ.

0 SET FOOT IN TAGAYTAY: BIRTHDAY 2012

It happened only once every three hundred sixty six days. Another year, one more challenge, another thriving and fruitful year and another life to thank for. There are lot of reasons to celebrate; another existence would always the best gift ever received. 

Last month I had one of the best birthday celebrations. We simply rock the highlands. Thank you soo much to Santarin family and to my partner who is always on my side for joining me welcoming another year of praises. Thank you all guys for the simple yet the best b-bash celebration.

We arrived at the hotel around twelve noons and waiting 2pm for check in time. Meanwhile we used to take our lunch and leave the belongings inside the hotel reception. A lunch without direction which is really cool, we ride a jeep going nowhere. Basta may madaanan lang kame na medyo masarap sa panlasa ang pangalan. Therefore it should always at best in selecting the business title. Approaching elsewhere, we saw something fishy ishy restaurant – Viewsite. Sa pangalan pa lang mukhang eating while viewing the tiny-gigantic Taal Volcano. 

The resto offers one of the best cuisines in town, with their special Bulalo. We ordered different viands as to fulfil the happiness of eating outside in a new place. Great panoramic view added the appetite, delicious food, and the best harmony. Medyo hindi nga lang sanay ang mga kasama ko na may kumakanta habang kumakain. So I asked them to leave after the two songs. Btw, just a reminder never mind about the price when eating nakakaalis siya ng gana sa pagkain. Hehe.  Isipin niyo na lang pag busog na kayo.

After lunch, balik hotel na kame para ayusin na ung gamit na nakakalat lang sa may reception area. Although wala pang 2pm as check’in time pinapasok na kame tutal wala namang masyadong guest. Maganda naman yong room, bukas na ung aircon pagpasok kaya nakakarelax after ng busog busog na tanghalian. Malawak siya with 6 bedrooms, maganda yong design, very simple with matching frames on the wall plus the mattress na sobrang linis at puti. Rest muna kame ng konti then prepare na for Tagaytayventure.

First stop is the People’s K ‘N the Sky. Did I typed it correctly, do I have the right spelling. Well yan kasi ang nakasulat when I took picture of it. Anyway medyo malayo layo pala siya and the only way of transportation is tricycle. Thought mabilis lang ang biyahe, although okay kasi malamig tsaka somehow nagagala mo na din buong place tsaka amoy yong pine trees. Pakiramdam ko nga bibigay yong makina ng trike ni manong. Anyway when we get there entrance is Php30/each, we chose to ride a jeep kasi they offer for P15 each except for a special trip kong buong pamilya kayo. Pero bumaba na din kame at naglakad para maenjoy namin yong real adventure. Paakyat kasi siya kaya ang naiisip kagad medyo nakakahingal and only to find out malapit lang pala talaga. I think Peoples Park is the highest peak of Tagaytay. Up there, you can see the best scenery of Laguna de Bay, province of Cavite and Batangas, and if you wanna go higher where the gigantic grotto and satellite then you are on the highest place of the city. 

Next stop would be the picnic grove, not too far from the place, just a few minutes trike ride back down. Upon reaching the grove expect peoples outside offering horse riding. Pero hindi yan ang pakay kaya dedma muna sila kuya. Entrance is Php50/each. We bought hot buko pie while waiting and taking a quick rest. And what the picnic grove can offer..hmm. Of course the zipline. It was my first time kaya hindi ko pedeng palampasin ang lahat. I was the one who go first coz im really oozy and excited in an extreme adventure. I open my camera and set on a video mode. Endless shouting while flying like a superhuman and wobbling the camera like it was the last chance ride. Ang sarap ng feeling when you saw down there, nakakalula. Pero ang sarap ng pakiramdam like you are really flying that comes with great responsibility. Hihi. Superhero mode. I think first namin lahat ang ganung klaseng adventure except to my partner. So we maximize the entire day in a full adventure and awesome travel experience.

Priceless smiles and laughters, maraming salamat sa pagsama sa aking kaarawan. Sa uulitin.

Expenses -- no mention for now.

0 BORACAY: SET FOOT AT THE WORLD'S BEST BEACH

Ito ung Polvoron na sinasabi ko.

Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan.

Two Thousand Twelve is one of the best years for me, the time where I travel most not just once, twice, even more and still counting. In fact, I got booked for HK before the year ends. Wondering I got 3T’s and not to mention, lemme include another “T” for Ttttravel.

Nonetheless I spent a lot of money instead of saving for my future but you really can’t pay the happiness you got for every place you visited. And how bout Boracay, isn’t more fun? How bout more exciting..and howww abouuuut first time flying above the earth. Woshoo.. This is really glorious. Oh well, this is just a story telling since this happened last February but I can still feel the excitement brought by this adventure. I am still looking at myself back the time where and when it came about. Furthermore I’m looking back the photos from Manila and back to Manila. Sensya naman sobrang saya lang magkwento. This might be tarnished but deep inside you know the feeling of contentment.

The night before Boraventure was really sleepless. I was thinking how it feels inside the airplane. How does it feel when the take off began. Questions running out on my mind and I know this is not about the flying but please forgive me, everything is really firsts. Pagdating namin sa NAIA Terminal 3 nagmamasid masid lang ako dahil wala naman talaga akong alam. I asked if I’d like to know something. Buti na lang si partner matalino, magaling and also a traveller so everything will be very easy for us. No bore-feeling habang naghihintay ng oras for our flight, although expected na ung mga delays pero dahil nga unang karanasan kaya wala sa utak ko ang salitang boring. While boarding the plane, I can’t resist taking picture of myself. I want the world the know that “Hey, nakasakay na rin ako ng eroplano.” Forgive me fellas I know, you know the feeling when you first boarding the plane. Anyway I can’t refuse to get along with my first fly. Pasensiya naman po.

Propeller Plane, not bad for the first time.

Goodbye Manila, top-view.

Cotton Candies

Above the earth, over the sea clouds.

Boracay Island seen from the plane.

Trike going to Jetty Terminal

Okay, Okay.

I was thinking to check the best deals for Boracay trip but my partner insisted not to dahil alam na naman niya yong mga do’s and don’ts. So Manila pa lang everything is already set, the place to stay and roundtrip tickets. Fortunately a friend of mine way back High School who lives there and siya na nag-asikaso ng house namin. When I first foot Boracay Island I would say “This is it, after how many years longing for you we met after all”. Woshoo.

Arrived around 1pm at the Royal Park Hotel Station 2, rest for a while and the thrill-feeling drag me to go outside and witness the paradise. People were accommodating, busy for shopping, taking pictures, and wondering why most guests were Koreans. Well I’m just expecting non-Asians people on the island. One thing I noticed is the sand, sabi ko nga parang ang sarap kainin, para kasi siyang Polvoron super duper fine. Hehe. Alright, Boracay is not really more on water activities (except for the kicking flying fish, which was really fun) but its all about the unusual shopping experience, the food bizarre, the night party, the nature and most of all self recreation. I’m looking forward visiting again the one of a kind seventh heaven on earth. 

Hotel where we stayed.

Inside the room @ Php3000/night

The Boracay Paradise

Still alive during the night with the Fire Dancers.

Extreme Water Activity

Buffet Night

Inclusive Breakfast from Hotel

Till we meet again, thank you for the best rocking adventure. It was really fun. I love the place, I love going back again hanggang sa manawa na ang Boracay sa akin. Hehe. I enjoyed and relieved from 3 days and 2 nights vacay. For expenses please refer below, pero not accurate as far I can remember, ngayon lang kasi ako pumasok sa blogosphere. 

Roundtrip Airfare: Php6,000.00 for 2

Trike to Caticlan Port: Php25.00 each

Environmental Fee: Php75.00 each

Caticlan Port Fee: Php50.00 each

Boat going to Cagban Port: Php25.00 each

Trike going to Hotel: Php50.00 each

Hotel: Php3,000.00/night

Flying Fish Water Activity: Php400.00 each

Dinner Buffet: Php400.00 each

(Other food expenses, drinking sessions etc etc..di ko na po maalala)

Trike back to Cagban Port: Php50.00 each

Boat back to Jetty Port: Php75.00 each

Van going to Kalibo: Php175.00 each

0 JARDIN DE DASMARIÑAS RESORT IN DASMA CAVITE

Think about summer time, imagine about dipping your body in cold deep blue water. Feeling good tama ba?! Think about South?! You might be thinking Visayas or Mindanao..nah don’t get too far. Lemme say nearby provinces like Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, and Quezon. So what now on your mind?.. Hot/Cold Spring in Pansol Laguna, Beautiful Beaches of Laiya Batangas and Quezon, Resorts in Cavite. Sarap magtampisaw.

Therefore.

We decided to celebrate our first ever month celebration here in Jardin de Dasmariñas and we brought two of our friends. First, time was just the four of us a double date celebration and then second time is ‘yong family niya since they lived there in just few meters away for our summer getaway. So I've been here two times.

Whatta beautiful place, spacious with an Olympic size pool, two pools for kiddies and a private pool for company or family celebrations. Sa bandang dulo naman may dragon figure and slides for the kids. Cottages are everywhere with videoke (upon request). You can bring your own food with no corkage. There are rooms on the second floor for overnight guests, maganda ung loob malawak and very clean. So if you’re looking for a sweet paradise in Dasma Cavite, then Jardin would be the perfect place for you and for the family.

I really love the place and I should recommend this for you guys. I’m sure you will love the place, malawak siya at may playground din. Hindi siya mahirap hanapin. It’s along the road located in Brgy. Sabang, Dasmariñas. You can take FX (UV Service at MOA) or Bus (EDSA) going to Dasma Bayan then trike going to Jardin. Hindi siya ganun kalayo..in two hours nasa resort kana mula Manila.

HERE ARE THE RATES AS OF THIS WRITING (AUGUST 2012)

SWIMMING RATES
DAY SWIMMING (8:00am – 5:00pm)

Adult   Php 150.00

Child (3ft. below)  Php 120.00

OVERNIGHT SWIMMING (6:00pm – 6:00am)

Adult  Php 250.00

Child (3ft. below) Php 200.00



TABLE RATE:

TABLE  Php 200.00 (Day Swimming 8:00am-5:00pm)

COTTAGE RATES:

Regular Cottage  Php 400.00 (Day Swimming 8:00am – 5:00pm)

(good for 10persons) Php 500.00 (Night Swimming 6:00pm-12mn)

*Note: I have an updated article about Jardin for my third visit. Please click this link.