We took the flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa via Cebu Pacific and immediately went to the jeepney terminal bound for Sabang. The jeepneys (150 pesos one-way) didn’t have a fixed schedule so we left after 3 hours of waiting for the jeepney to get full. The supposedly 2.5 jeepney ride took 5 hours because we experienced 3 flat tires and tons of house to house deliveries from eggs, to cooking oil, to gasoline in huge containers. We were lucky to get seats in the front otherwise it would’ve been a tight squeeze at the back — not only with people but also with baskets and vegetables and chickens! The Underground River was worth the long, dusty and bumpy jeepney ride though.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park popularly known as the Underground River is considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be the longest navigable river tunnel in the world. It takes 30 mins by pump boat (P700 pesos good for 6 persons) to get to the park’s entrance from Sabang Beach.

Visitors are only allowed to traverse 3km of the river’s length. Hundreds of bats await you once you go inside the cave. It was eery, scary and at the same time amazing. It was like a scene straight out of Lord of the Rings!

The guided tour itself showcased not only the cave’s and river’s beauty but also the guides’ sense of humor. We had to stretch our imaginations and creativity to make out The Holy Family, a cathedral and some other objects from the stalactites and stalagmites.

After the tour, we decided to stay in Sabang Beach to enjoy its other attractions. And yeah, we didn’t want to injure our butts for another bumpy jeepney ride.

My friends and I are suckers for anything cultural – be it a classical piano recital, a jazz concert, European, French, German, Filipino, Indian or Japanese film festivals. Like travelling, these events provide insights into our own Filipino culture and other country’s distinct cultures. It is probably the closest thing to visiting these countries through their films, plays, songs, poetry, music and dances. And once you’ve actually visited these countries and immersed in its cultures, or you’ve actually interacted (and yeah, have fallen in love) with its people, you gain a deeper insight and understanding not only of the country but also of its people. Most of these cultural events organized by the embassies or the cultural centers are for free so that is also another motivation to trek to wherever the event is held.

Last Saturday, we found ourselves navigating through Taft Avenue for Instituto Cervantes’ Open House and Dia del Libro (International Book Day). The festival started at 10:00 a.m. but we arrived only at 1:30 p.m. just in time to catch the award winning film “La Colmena” or The Beehive. The film was about the lives of ordinary people in Madrid during the post-civil war years. I didn’t read the synopsis and just expected the film to be spectacular because it won an award. But yeah, I ended up somewhat disappointed. Maybe also because I forgot my eyeglasses (what else is new?!) and I had to squint through the entire movie to read the English subtitles.
After the movie, we feasted our senses with the saxophonist serenading at the lobby. Then we hopped to the photo exhibit. Since it was Dia del Libro, there were a lot of books on sale – from cookbooks (I was tempted to buy one ), popular fiction and non-fiction to Spanish literature. The biggest steal for the day was the book on Filipino-Spanish Cultural Structure in the Philippines sold for only 100 pesos! Of course there were books for 20 pesos – but in Spanish .

The event smacked of a fiesta minus the buffet with people of all ages and nationalities checking out the books, reading poetry from Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese authors, watching movies, learning latin dances and people like us who were there just to soak it all in (or ogle the gorgeous Spanish guys! ust kidding!).

We were too drunk with the heat, the books Spanish fiesta to actually get drunk with the Spanish Wine tasting sponsored by Rene Barbieri.

We couldn’t stay until the Latin Party in the evening and just contented ourselves hanging out at the wishing well until it was time to leave. Maybe will will finally get what we wish for . If you want to visit Spain but don’t have the budget for it yet, you can soak it all in at the Instituto Cervantes.

For more information:
Instituto Cervantes
855 T.M. Kalaw St.1000 Ermita, Manila
Tlf.:63 2 526 14 82 – 85
Fax:63 2 526 14 49
cenmni@cervantes.es

It seems like Metro Manila’s heat is getting worse everyday. I went to the bank during yesterday’s lunch break and I felt like an ice cream melting under the sun. This morning, I wanted to sleep some more after staying out late last night with SSEAYP batchmates in Greenbelt but I just couldn’t. The heat is really getting to me. I want to escape to Pagsanjan!

Pagsanjan in Laguna became famous as the locaition for some of the final scenes of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic Vietnam war movie Apocalypse Now. Unfortunately, the place was notorious in the ’80s for the pedophiles who went there preying on unsuspecting children. So, I thought the place would be crawling with toursist traps – exorbitant fees, persistent boatmen and pesky vendors. But when I went there with my meditation friends, not only were there no traces of its sordid “place for pedophiles” past, the trip to the Pagsanjan Falls was actually fun and highly recommended for the family. The place is only one and a half hour drive from Metro Manila. Of course, there were the ever-present hagglers along the highway trying to entice us to hire their boats. But we chose the easy way. We went to the Pagsanjan Garden Resort and hired the resort’s boatmen.

The highlight of the trip for me was not the water falls but the bumpy ride going there. Two bangkeros or boatmen paddle each a canoe with 2 -3 passengers against the river’s currents, through a gorge with lush vegetation. At some point, the boatmen had to carry the canoe because it was impossible to paddle through jagged rocks. The Magdapio waterfalls, popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls beckoned to us after a 1 1/2 hour boat ride.

For 90 pesos per head, the boatmen took under the water falls for what an intense hydro-massage! It was such an adrenaline rush. My Indian friends got addicted so we went under the falls three times and felt like we had the best massage in our lives . To recuperate from that hydro-message, we went behind the water falls and just chilled out in what seemed like a cave. We would’ve wanted to swim the lenghth of the waterfalls but the currents were actually strong and so I chickened out. Maybe next time.
 
Tips when visiting Pagsanjan Falls:
1. Bring plastic bags for cameras and other valuable or better yet, buy an aquapack
2. Wear aqua sandals or mojos – the rocks at the cave behind the falls are sharp
3. Wear lots of suncreen
4. And wear additional mexican hat (never mind if you look silly)
5. Ignore the ridiculous Korean tourists who visit there with full make-up and high heels!
6. Feed your boatmen or at least buy them Coke and bread when you reach the falls after the 1 1/2 hour tiring boatride
7. Take photos along the way, during the scenic boat ride. I was too scared to get the camera wet that’s why I don’t have any photos to share.
8. And yes, enjoy!

I feel lucky for having visited the places in my previous post. The Philippines is truly beautiful with a lot to offer to the discriminating tourist. When I was in Palawan with The Boy, my heart just swelled with Pinoy pride seeing El Nido’s wonders and the Underground River’s secrets. This is only the tip of the country’s natural wonder. There is much to explore and experience. Here are the rest of my favorite Summer Getaways. I will just reminisce and daydream of lazing around the beach while sipping my green mango shake, and waiting for spectacular sunsets since I am stuck here melting in Metro Manila’s heat.                          

4. Camiguin Island – Thanks to Cebu Pacific’s P10 promo, I was able to visit Camiguin last year via Cagayan de Oro on a shoestring. Camiguin has a mix of everything for the adventurer – volcanic hot springs (Ardent Hot Springs – I just wanted to soak in the warm pools the whole night!), cold springs (Sto. Nino Cold Springs), waterfalls (Katibawasan Falls), volcano (Mt. Hibok-hibok) and of course a White Beach which is actually sandbar of fine white sand.

5. Cagayan de Oro – I didn’t have time to explore Cagayan de Oro but the time spent in this city was one adventure after another. In Cagayan de Oro’s Macahambus Adventure Park, I walked through the hanging bridge, tried the exhilarating zip line but balked at rappelling the giant tree (also because I had to pay an additional 300 pesos J). I capped my stay with its main attraction – the White Water River Rafting along the Cagayan river. It was one big adrenaline rush and worth steep 1,100 pesos per head fee (discounted rate – inclusive of gear and lunch).

6. White Beach, Puerto Galera – I went there a few years ago and the crowd was still tolerable. The snorkeling was better than in Boracay and everything was just cheaper. The island hopping was also memorable (maybe because I was with friends) plus the cheap massage (200 pesos/hour) by the beach. White Beach in Puerto Galera is for those looking for a quick beach fix on a tight budget.

 1. El Nido, Palawan – the most beautiful place I’ve visited in the Philippines. Pristine clear waters, rich marine life, friendly locals, the intimate Small Lagoon and the breathtaking Big Lagoon, the Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Seven Commandos Beach, Simisu Island, Cadlao Lagoon – these are just some of El Nido’s attractions. It was like paradise on earth and for an affordable price! We skipped the high-end resorts and stayed in Og’s Inn in El Nido town itself for only 500 pesos per night for a double room.

 2. Underground River / Sabang Beach, Palawan – traversing 3km of this UNESCO Heritage site was like going to the earth’s core. It was also an exercise in stretching your imagination and creativity — imagine seeing The Holy Family, Jesus Christ on stalagmite formations! Sabang beach is a good place to chill-out after or before the Underground River trip. No pesky vendors or annoying party crowds — just you, the sea and the stars.

 3. White Beach, Boracay – Aside from its enviable powdery white sand- the finest I’ve seen this side of the world – Boracay is of course famous for its party atmosphere, international crowd and cuisines and yes, celebrity sightings.

To be continued…

 Gute nacht, mein liebe!

1. Honey

2. Sweetheart

3. Sweetie

4. Baby

5. Darling

6. Sexy

7. Fine

8. Handsome

9. Stud muffin

10. Sugar

11. You just make me feel so good.

12. You are the best.

13. I can’t get enough of you.

14. You drive me wild.

15. You know me inside and out.

16. I love you so much.

17. I love you with all my heart and soul.

18. You make me laugh.

19. You are so funny.

20. I love the way you love me.

21. I love the way you make me feel.

22. I never want you to stop loving me.

23. I don’t know what I would do without you in my life.

24. You make me feel so special.

25. I need you in my life.

26. You just made my day.

27. I can’t get enough of your hugs and kisses.

28. I apologize.

29. I promise to love you forever.

30. You are the one for me.

31. I don’t need anyone else in my life.

32. You are more than enough for me.

33. Marry me and make me the happiest woman.

34. I have always loved you and will always love you.

35. I miss you so much.

36. I am so lonely without you.

37. My life is empty without you.

38. I can’t wait to see you.

39. I want to be with you forever.

40. I love the way you hold me.

41. It kills me to know that you will be gone for a long time.

42. I feel like I am dreaming when I am with you.

43. I have never been loved like this before.

44. I’d love to wake up next to you forever.

45. It hurts me so much to see you this way.

46. If I can’t be with you, then I don’t want to be with anyone else.

47. I am not waiting for a knight in shining armor – mine has already arrived.

48. If your kisses were wishes I would make a 1000 wishes.

49. Life has never been better since you came into my life.

50. I can’t believe we have been together for so long. I guess time flies when you are having fun.

51. I will go to the ends of the world for you.

52. Life without your love is a life I’d rather not live.

53. I love the way you look at me.

54. I trust you with all my heart.

55. Thank you for all you have done for me.

56. The words “I love you” are not enough to express how I feel about you.

57. I can’t find the words to express how you make me feel.

58. You make me feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world.

59. Just being with you is enough for me to have a great time.

60. You don’t have to say a word for me to feel your love.

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Ubah

Here’s to finding The One, more get-togethers, more travels abroad, more success and yeah, more moolah!

Visit http://pinayinmanila.blogspot.com for more Philippine travel stories. 

It is almost the weekend and I am already dreaming of a weekend get-away.  Where to go this time? Shoot the rapids again in Pagsanjan? Brave a trek on Taal Volcano under the summer heat? Or laze around Puerto Galera’s white beach? Unfortunately, I will have to content myself with dreaming and reliving past adventures and travels as I will be stuck  in Metro Manila over the weekend. But for those itching to escape the city’s stifling heat, you can try experiencing a different heat at Hidden Valley Hot Springs in Alaminos, Laguna. I’ve always wanted to go there ever since I read an article in the now-defunct Colors Magazine. Last year, I finally got to visit with my meditation friends.

After painstaking research in Google to find the resort’s contact number and directions on how to get there, we set off to experience Hidden Valley’s delights. It was a 1 1/2 hour drive through South Superhighway and Laguna – I just can’t remember the exact route as I dozed off or blabbered for most of the drive. The resort itself is situated a few kilometers off the main road and is hidden behind a lush forest to give it a jungle feel. We had to pay 1,500 pesos at the entrance which already includes buffet lunch. The resort does not allow guests to bring food so we had to leave our home-cooked Indian vegetarian food in our vehicles. However, we managed to sneak them in as the resort didn’t have anything for our vegetarian friends (shhh don’t tell the resort )

We followed the gurgling sounds which brought us to the 3 main pools. From warmest, warmer, warm – we tried them and loved them all. I especially love just staying under the warm waterfall for a very relaxing back rub. We could’ve stayed in the warm pools for hours but other attractions beckoned.

After dropping off our bags on one of the cabanas, we headed to the “Hidden Falls.” On the way we saw this giant 100-year old tree. I felt in awe of its majesty, like I was just a tiny speck in comparison.

This awaited us after a few minutes of trekking and skipping over huge tree roots. The hidden falls was magical. It actually beckoned us to enjoy its cool waters but the resort guide said guests aren’t allowed to swim in this area. Too bad. We just watched and took photos of the kids from the neighboring barangay as they jumped from the top. Watching the kids brought Fr. Ferriols’ “Lundagin mo, beybeh” to mind.

Aside from the warm pools, Hidden Valley also boasts of a soda pool – according to the guide, the water in this pool tastes like soda; and a lovers’ pool located off the road and away from prying eyes. When we were there, the lovers’ pool was empty. Perhaps because it was more tempting to laze in the warm waters.

We left Hidden Valley’s relaxing warm waters at dusk with a promise to return. It was worth sharing bathroom space with naked Koreans and the  blah buffet lunch. I shall indeed return. And maybe next time, I’ll visit with The Boy so we can verify the lovers’ pool’s claimed seclusion .

* Hidden Valley Hot Springs
  Alaminos, Laguna
 Tel: (+63 2) 840-4112

*Photos courtesy of Otmar and Mama Rosa.

•  Kalipayan Resort. Admittedly, it is not exactly your idea of paradise. But it still beats being stuck in the office.

• Yummy free food! I wanted to eat all the left-over buko pandan but thank god I was able to restrain myself. Whew!

• Aguinaldo’s House. We got a grand tour of the site of the Philippine Independence declation. We even went up to the balcony and had a taste of what it was like back then for Gen. Aguinaldo and his men. The house reeks of history and grandeur. Very impressive not only because of its size (it has an indoor pool and 2 bowling lanes!) but also because it is well-maintained.

• Imus River. This is one of our project sites. We hope that our project will protect the lowland communities from flooding.

• Talking to beneficiaries. We chanced upon two families on their bangkas fetching water from an artesian well. My Japanese boss was horrified to see them get their drinking water from the well that is located beside a polluted river.   

•  Polluted river. My boss asked me if the garbage problem is due to non-existent garbage collection system. I explained it still boils down to the lack of discipline and love for the country. Of course, I believe there is still hope — we have our project and committed people like our partners.

20 RULES TO A HAPPY LIFE

1. LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND
To move ahead in the future, you must free yourself from the past. Clear up those cobwebs that bring nothing but gloom into your life. The bad experiences hurt, and heartaches and miseries. Step fresh into a “new life” each day by bringing with you only the best memories.

2. UNLOAD EXCESS BAGGAGE
As a rolling stone in life, you gather too much moss. You collect mountains of material possessions that take up too much of your space and time. Edit your belongings. Life will be so much easier if you travel light.

 3. START WITH A CLEAN SLATE
It is better to start a painting on a clean canvass. Bathe your life and spruce up your act. Cleanse your soul and purify your spirit. And kick those bad habits away!

4. SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS
Be properly equipped. Your success depends on your keen sense on intuition, preparedness and dedicated work. Keep your aptitudes honed, willingness-ready and mind always sharp.

5. GET EXCITED
The excitement you get in life depends upon how excited you are to live it. Anticipate great things to come. Feel that you deserve them. Always expect nothing less than the very best!

6. HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE
Your attitude affects your state of mind’s overall disposition. It determines how you act and react to people and situations. Have a great, new attitude to reach higher altitudes.

7. DWELL ON THE POSITIVE
There is nothing to be gained from wasting your time on negative things. Sift the good from the bad. See the blessings, not the miseries. Look at life through rose-colored glasses. Seek beauty, nobility and truth!

8. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
If you don’t know what you want, you’ll never get it. You will never hit the target if you don’t know what and where it is. Know your goal and set your heart and eyes on it.

9. BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE
To succeed, you have to be in the right place. It is ridiculous to sell beachwear at the winter ski resort. Go to the right places. Get into the right circles. And be there in the right time!

10. DRESS UP FOR SUCCESS
What you project is what people see. You reveal your personality through your attire and the way you carry yourself. Dress up in clean, comfortable and proper clothes. You have only three seconds to make that crucial first impression!

11. GET OUTSIDE SUPPORT
You cannot fully succeed by doing it all alone. No man is an island and you cannot be educated enough to know it all. Employ the help of others. And strive to win their all-important trust and moral support!

12. GIVE IT TO GET IT
To get it, you must give it away. The most important things in life operate by the law of Cause and Effort. Love, happiness, understanding, compassion and even money — you must give them away first before you can receive them. Be aware that the law works on negative things, too, cause misery and it will strike back at you!

13. LIVE IN THE MOMENT
Yesterday is done; tomorrow is not yet come. You only have present, the very precious now. Make hay while there is day. And do it while you can!

14. PERSIST TILL YOU GET IT
A man died and found himself in front of St. Peter at the gates of heaven. He saw cars, appliances and wonderful things dumped on top of the clouds. He asked, “St. Peter, please tell me. What are those things?” St.Peter replied, “Those things were ordered by some people on earth but they hung up before we could ask where to have them delivered”. Don’t give up. Try and try until you succeed!

15. SHARE YOUR BOUNTIES
Life showers us with glorious gifts. The tallest and biggest castle in the world becomes a lonely prison if you have no one to share it with. Share your bounties; share your time. Show you care by doing your share!

16. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR
Cry and you cry alone, laugh and the world laughs with you! Keep your sense of humor. Laugh and stay wonderfully sane. Most importantly, learn to laugh at your mistake!

17. KEEP YOUR CHILDLIKE WONDER
Keep the childlike wonder. Live with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Be in constant awe. Never permit yourself to be dull or jaded. Experience everything as if it was your first time to experience it.

18. FLEX YOUR BODY
Your body is the temple of your soul. Make it powerful and strong to weather any storm. Feed it well. Keep it neat, healthy and well maintained. Move the body and flex those muscles. Don’t be a couch potato, be alive and be on the go!

19. FEED YOUR MIND
A computer is only as good as the data you program into it. Update your knowledge. Delete bad past programming. Read, research and learn. Perform mental gymnastics. The most brilliant crown you can wear is an intelligent mind!

20. BELIEVE IN MAGIC
For anything to happen, you must believe that it will. A shadow of doubt is enough to prevent it from becoming true. You have to have faith in your heart and unwavering belief that God will provide what your heart desires. Believe in magic and with God’s blessings it will come true.