Happy Father's Day

An Open Letter To My Dad

Dear Dad,

Seems just like yesterday I was pondering the terrible thought of never being able to put my hair in a perfectly slicked ponytail, due to you always being the one to do it. When did the spider hiding in the corner suddenly become less terrifying without you being the one to save the day, smashing it with your shoe? I always wondered when I grew up if life would make more sense. Honestly, it just gets more confusing as the years continue. Although the one thing that never changes is you, my rock.

You’ve taught me that discipline, hard work, and “rubbing some dirt in it” when times get rough are how to make it out of this crazy world still standing. But you have also taught me that eating that extra spoonful of ice cream, leaning on a shoulder when life knocks you down, and taking a day just for yourself is essential for your sanity.

Whenever there is heartbreak with that boy who seemed so different, but essentially turned out to be just like the rest, you always make everything seem okay, even if it’s just for a moment. Simply intimidating the boy who walks through your front door so he truly knows who he has to deal with if he even thinks about breaking my fragile heart. Sometimes it seems as though love will be impossible to find due to the fact no man compares to your self worth. But when this love is found someday, you will be right there by my side to walk me down the aisle. I know you never have enjoyed dancing in public (or in general), but you bet we will be dancing to our favorite Heartland song, "I Loved Her First."

I will always be your number one fan. You’re my biggest supporter who never seems to get the credit you truly deserve. I know I haven’t been the perfect daughter at times, and have probably said some things that I don’t mean during an argument… I guess my short temper is something I get from my old man.

The point is that no matter how much older I get, or how many miles separate us, someday, when I have a grown-up job, nothing will replace our relationship. You were the most important man in my life the day I was born, and will be the most important until the day I die. I hope you never forget that.

Love you to the moon and back,

Your forevermore little girl.

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LIQUOR BOUQUET PH

The First In The Philippines!

Last year I made a bouquet using miniature bottles of imported liquors. Mix of Jack Daniels, Johnnie Walker, Bacardi... etc etc. The main concept is like this one is for the "GUYS". Usually, US girls always get the surprises. Like ferrero bouquet, chocolates and stuff. Well this is the game changer... Boys its your time to shine! Cheers!!

You can choose from the finest mini-alcohols available like absolut vodka, kurant and citrus.

We also have the chivas regal, red label and patron tequila.

You can also customize the design. Put whatever you want to put on it. 

Say whatever you wanna say on the cards. Pick up lines? No problem.

We are just here to revamp the bouquet game in MANILA!

Batch reunions? We are here for you! 

To express your affection to your loved ones? 

A simple but elegant birthday surprise!

And hey we also have Remy Martin

A dozen of whiskeys? Yey I know your dad's gonna be excited for this

And also your BROTHERS!

We also have designs available for Valentine's Day!

MAKE SURE TO ORDER A WEEK BEFORE YOUR DESIRED DATE OF DELIVERY!

We do deliveries in metro manila. For reservations you can contact us here

YOU CAN CHECK OUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

Liquor Bouquet PH

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

@LiquorBouquetPH

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Tinipak River 2015

The Beauty of Tanay, Rizal

My recent trip to Tinipak River is not actually solo. I’m with a friend but I decided to write this guide for solo travelers since I cannot find one on the net. I was actually planning to go solo before but I was a little bit hesitant since I haven’t heard or read from anyone who did.

The Road to Tinipak River From Star Mall in Shaw Boulevard, ride a commuter UV Express van going to Tanay Market. Upon reaching Tanay market, ride a tricycle going to Barangay Daraitan. It’s not hard to find them in Tanay since they will be the one to find you. Before riding, make sure to ask how much the driver will charge. Try to haggle but their rate is pretty much the same if you’re in a group of six. It’s also possible to ride a jeep bound to Sampaloc but you still need to get another tricycle going to Barangay Daraitan. After about 1.5 hours of tricycle ride, you will need to cross a river to reach Daraitan Barangay Hall. During summer, locals setup a bridge so vehicles can cross but during rainy season, they remove it due to the river’s water level. After crossing, ride another tricycle going to Barangay Hall. You will need to register and pay the environmental fee for Barangay Daraitan. After securing a guide, your trek to Tinipak River starts. The trek is easy but during rainy season, it’s muddy and the rocks were really slippery. Extra caution is needed.

Before reaching Tinipak river camp site, you will need to pay another registration fee to pass a private lot. This is also because of ongoing disputes of which jurisdiction between Daraitan or General Nakar Quezon Tinipak belongs so both sides were charging separate fees. After another 10 minutes, you’ll reach the camp site which is also where the rock formations, swimming area and the cave are. If you wish to go inside the cave you need to pay to cross a makeshift bridge. Make sure to bring flash lights to appreciate the beauty of the cave. Headlamps are available for rent at Barangay Daraitan Hall. Things to do Cliff jumping – Ask you guide for the right spot to do it. The river bed is not consistently deep and some were rocky. Make sure to jump on the correct area to avoid any accident. Climbing up is a challenge because you need to swim against the current from one side of the river to the other.

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Kawasan Falls 2016

Kawasan Falls is a three-stage cascade of clear turquoise water from mountain springs located in the jungles of the Cebu island. The waterfall is considered as a pearl of the Philippines. But in order to get a pleasure of nature, you need to get away from tourist spots and to find a hidden lagoon. How?

Hidden beneath an enclave of luscious greens on the foothills of Baranggay Matutinao lies the famed Kawasan Falls, a bizarrely beautiful waterfalls known for its perfectly clear water running down from the mountains of South Cebu. The crisp and cool spring water flows into a series of streams, cascades through multiple boulders and vigorously plunges into a fairly deep pool dyed in azure blue. The natural pool is so vibrant blue, it seems artificial (but it’s not). No wonder Kawasan Falls is on every south Cebu itinerary of both local and foreign travelers.

Do you know what makes the captivating Kawasan Falls even better?  Two more falls connected to the previous can be reached by those who dare to explore. A moderate trail which involves a steep ascend using a rope and a dirt path flanked by a overgrown trees, lead to the a second waterfalls surrounded by a more “concrete” environment. The most challenging would be the way to the third which requires canyoneering (which we’re saving for our next visit) and an infinite hunger for adventure.

1. Directions to Kawasan Falls: From South Bus Terminal, take a Ceres Bus bound for BATO VIA BARILI which passes by the jump-off point to Kawasan Falls (Note, this is important: Don’t take the bus bound for BATO via OSLOB because that bus will pass by on the eastern side. Badian is on the west). Travel time is approximately 3 hours.

2. When you get off the bus, locals will swarm around you offering guiding services which is NOT necessary. The 30 minute trail to Kawasan Falls is well-established.

3. Wearing hiking sandals would be advisable especially when it’s raining or going up to the second and third falls. You will want that extra friction on your feet.

4. The pool of the first waterfalls is deep so if you don’t know how to swim, you could rent a life vest for P50.00

5. There is a resort and restaurant within the area but according to other posts it’s a bit overpriced. But you could also bring your own food and drinks.

6. Entrance fee to Kawasan Falls is P10.00

7. More destinations in Biyaheng Cebu

8. This is my 4th post in the Southern Cebu Sojourn series.

9. Like Penny For Your Thoughts on FACEBOOK

10. Follow @PFYT2013

11. Enjoy and have a safe trip.

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Whale Shark Experience in Oslob 2016

IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

It's been a very, very long time since I've put up a post on my blog - over a year and a half, now.  Family, work, and life in general keep all of us busy, and it becomes easy to lose any vestige of discipline in trying to keep a semi-regular blog.  But I hope to be able to gradually get back into the swing of things again, and ultimately to regain some of the old blogging friends who I am sure have moved on to reading more regularly updated blogs, as well as to post some content of interest to newcomers to my blog.  

This last week, we took a trip to Oslob to drive southwestward down the eastern coast of Cebu Island to watch and swim with the whale sharks, gentle giants of the deep that are a spectacular sight to behold. The local name for them is 'butanding'.  Our destination was Oslob, on the eastern side of the southernmost tip of Cebu Island, and the barangay (village) where the whale watching tours were located is called Tan-awan. You can't miss the whale watching tour signs there right on the main road; they are very obvious. 

Whale sharks are a slow-moving filter-feeding shark (with a mouth like baleen whales) and the largest known species of fish in existence.  They are, however, not whales, which are mammals.  The largest confirmed one known was about 41 feet (12.5 meters) long and weighed about 47,000 pounds.  They have a mouth that can be up to about 5 feet (1.5 m) wide, containing 300-350 rows of tiny tech and 10 filter pads that it they use to filter feed.  Their dark grey, almost black skin (with a lighter colored belly) is marked with pale whitish-yellow spots and stripes, which are unique to each individual.

The companies who run the whale shark tours hire some of Oslob's fishermen to feed the whale sharks every day by dumping "chum" buckets of krill from outrigger canoe bangka boats (these are hand-paddled and not boats with an engine and propeller).  This has sparked some controversy regarding whether or not this is in the best interests of the whale sharks and their health, but on the flip side of things, it seems that they are generally well-protected and there are rules and policies in place to protect both the whale sharks and visitors by prohibiting touching the whale sharks or swimming too close to them, prohibiting wearing sunblock lotion near them (this is toxic to them), etc.   I think that in some ways we have to see the whole "big picture", too -- public awareness is being raised about these whale sharks by allowing for these closely monitored encounters, and in fact more money is being funneled to protect and humanely study these creatures per the sign in the photo above.  

If your point of origin for the trip to Oslob is Cebu City (the largest city in the region), it is advisable to leave very early in the morning   (around 5:00 AM, or 5:30 AM at the very latest) so that you can arrive at Oslob at a good time for the arrival of the whale sharks, who come in regularly in the mid-morning  (around 8:30-9:00 AM), as they are being fed at that time.  It's more or less a 3 or 3 and a half hour trip, but during the days close to Christmas, traffic in Cebu City in particular is crazy (but not in the wee hours of the morning).  The tour is also best done on a weekday as opposed to a weekend, so you don't have to compete with as many tourists. 

After arriving at their ticket counter (I think the tickets were something like P 500 per person) and reading various educational/advisory signs about the rules for the sharks' and visitors' safety, they will lend you snorkeling  goggles, snorkel, and life jacket  (at no extra cost).

You'll then load up in an outrigger canoe bangka boat to take the short  trip to just perhaps a few hundred meters off the beach.  There, you will already be able to see the whale sharks being fed, and swim among them, and you are given 30 minutes' time to be out there with the whale sharks.

My first encounter hihi

Selfie with the whale shark!

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A must read comeback: Globally Informative

NOTE* SORRY FOR THE LATE POST. I HAVE BEEN "MIA" FOR COUPLE OF MONTHS BECAUSE I BECAME A SENIOR IN SCHOOL. BEAR WITH ME AND RIGHT NOW I'M HAVING MY INTERNSHIP AT PGIMI. THIS IS A SPECIAL BLOG ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS!

 

     My main focus is PGEM

Paradigm Global Education & Management Co. Limited (PGEM). Its an independent international education consultancy group based in Hong Kong & Mainland China. PGEM is made up of world class teachers, international consultants, dedicated student advisers, and guidance counselors who are motivated, enthusiastic and caring professionals. Our team of academic experts had helped our students and teachers achieved their desired goal and experience a world-class education and teaching in various countries like in the UK and USA. 

       PGEM believes in the importance of offering a personalized approach to education. All of our services intend to connect students and schools to the wider world while upholding a commitment to excellence.

Pgem's mission 

Educational opportunities for everyone

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PGEM - "Educational Opportunities for Everyone!" is our mission and our vision is to be the world's preeminent educational consultancy, nurturing students, and promoting the development of teachers and schools around the globe. As a group of educators, we value COMMITMENT, OPPORTUNITY and EXCELLENCE.

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For more info visit their website paradigm-gem.com

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Please do follow them to get the latest updates about the trendy techniques and tools in education. International students are also welcome to inquire. Guidance from the experts is very importance in early education so inquire now!

I'm posting this in behalf of Paradigm Global Investment Management Inc.,

Thanks for your cooperation!

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