Sen. Miriam in swimsuit

As I tried to relax after long hours of reading I switched on the tv and and to my astonishment I saw Sen. Miriam Santiago in a bikini. Wow!

She will be featured in the next episode of Powerhouse (yes, not Penthouse.. lol) on GMA News TV Channel 11 this Tuesday, April 24 at 8:00PM. A MUST SEE!

What a stress buster!

Poignant Potipot

Potipot Island

This quick island getaway trip has been on my mind for quite sometime. My need for a relaxing vacation before the Holy week is really gnawing at me so as soon as the sky cleared up from the rain, off we went. For some of you who just needs to let off some stress but feeling adventurous at the same time, this is one place I would recommend. The place is just a few hours away from Manila.

Here's to let you know how our trip to Potipot island was.

Potipot Island Getaway (March 31-April 2, 2012)

Saturday, March 31, 2012
TIME	PARTICULARS	REMARKS
5:30AM - 9:00 AM	Departure from Antipolo to Subic via car	>NLEX Toll fee: P45.00 (San Fernando Exit) >SCTEX Toll fee: P112.00 (Dinalupihan Entry)
9:00AM - 9:30AM	Stop Over at Subic (SBMA)	>Engine & Battery Check, Restroom and Snacks
10:00AM - 12:00NN	Exit SBMA (via Kalakalan Gate) go straight to Castillejos until San Narciso Junction. Turn right at the juction to enter town proper and pass by towns San Felipe, Cabangan & Iba	>Photo ops of scenery, lahar riversand mountain ranges >Watch DVD
12:00NN - 12:30PM	Stop over at Iba	> Lunch at Jollibee
12:30PM - 2:00PM	Exit Iba then pass by towns of Masinloc & Candelaria where you'll see the signs of Dawal Beach Resort along the national road. Arrival at Dawal	>Upon arrival confirm reservation for the next day and arrange boat transfer to Potipot Island (P400/boat/6pax)
2:00PM - 2:10PM	Boat ride to Potipot Island	>Waterproof everything
2:10PM - 2:30PM	Set up Camp
2:30PM - 4:30PM	Island activities	>Snorkeling >Photo Ops >Tour the whole island (for 20 mins)
4:30PM - 5:30PM	Cook dinner	Pre-cooked meals are more convenient. Don't forget to bring plenty of drinking water
5:30PM - 9:00PM	Dinner	Night socials, bonfire
9:00PM	Lights out	Secure all things inside the tent before going to dreamland
Sunday, April 01, 2012
TIME	PARTICULARS	REMARKS
6:30AM - 7:30AM	Breakfast
7:30AM - 10:00AM	Island Activities	>Snorkeling >Photo Ops at the famous driftwood >Last tour of the whole island (for 20 mins) >Sunbathing
10:00AM - 11:00AM	Break camp. Boat Transfer to Dawal resort
11:00AM - 12:00NN	Check in at Dawal resort	Complete the payment for the reservations (P1,600/2pax) and go for lunch.
12:00NN - 3:00PM	Siesta	ZZzzzzz
3:00PM - 6:00PM	Resort activities	Free: Pool, Beach Volleyball court With pay: Billiards, Table tennis, Darts, massage
6:00PM - 7:00PM	Dinner at the restaurant	Set meal: P120-160/pax Ala carte: P200+
Monday, April 02, 2012
TIME	PARTICULARS	REMARKS
7:00AM - 8:00AM	Breakfast	>Cook your own
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Swimming pool
9:00AM - 10:00AM	Prep for Departure	>Check out at Dawal Beach Resort
10:00AM - 1:00PM	Road trip to SBMA	Pasalubong: mangga along the road (P50/kilo)
1:00PM - 4:00PM	Lunch and Side trip at SBMA	>Duty Free shopping @ Royal
4:00PM - 7:00PM	Arrival at Manila	Home sweet home

POTIPOT EXPENSES
Gas: P2,000 - Full tank
Accomodation (Dawal): P1,600/2pax
Food
     Island; P1,000/2pax
     Resort: P160/meal
     Road: P100/pax (Jollibee)
Boat Transfer: P400/boat/6pax
Overnight fee at Potipot: P300/pax
Pasalubong:
      Mangga: P100/2kilos
      Duty free shopping; P1,500 (mostly chocolates)

CONTACTS:
Dawal Beach Resort & Restaurant
Bo. Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales
Mobile nos:
0919-5730952
0920-6651577
0916-7231108
www.dawal.com.ph
reservations@dawal.com.ph


Pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

Moonlit sky with shooting star

Shoreline enveloped with moonlight

Night view of the resorts from Potipot island

View behind our camping area

Look who just flew in!

Centralized "ihawan"

The other side  of the island

The Campsite

Beach front

Cam whoring with my beau

Survivor Potipot (Celebrity double???)

 

Another large space behind our campsite

Right side view of the beach front

The Famous Driftwood

Back view of the campsite

View of the Potipot island from Dawal resort

Left side view of the beach front

Sunny smile!

Dawal Beach Resort

Summer Pool Workout

     It's another hot summer day and I'm looking for a place to break a sweat without the risk of a heat stroke. Running is definitely out of the question but I really need to burn those extra calories. The local village swimming pool is off limits (some party is being held there at the moment) so Rey suggested we head to Philippine Sports Complex (PhilSports Complex, formerly known as Ultra) and do our summer pool workout there.

     I developed a knack for swimming way back in college. It was my last year in the university and I still need to finish 3 more units of P.E. class. Choosing between volleyball and swimming, I chose the latter. I love water and being a Pisces, it hurts my ego knowing I could not even go beyond the shore to enjoy the water without the fear of drowning. It's very embarrassing at my age back then because everyone in the family practically moves like a mermaid whenever they get near any body of water and I'm... well I look like a drowning kitty next to them, so to say. I earnestly learned any lesson there has to be learned and practiced during every spare time I had. After graduating that semester, I never looked at the water the same way again and the rest was history.

Outrageous Orange Monster!

     Because of my love for water and the sport, I began teaching others for free, my boyfriend being one of them and now my greatest opponent. A good student always surpasses his master's skills so I'm OK with that. That would only mean I'm a good teacher, yeah? :)

     If you really love to swim but can't get out of the city because of work or because you are really short on budget, there are many public pools around Manila where you can splash around. (I will mention a list of public pools on separate post) Here at Ultra Pool, entrance fee is only PhP 60.00. They are closed on Mondays for cleaning. Best days to swim is every Tuesday (cleanest day) and Sunday where there are only few swimmers to bump to.

Let's always stay fit and healthy, fabulous and happy! Swim away those calories!

Ultra Pool

University of Life / Philippine Sports Commission - Ultra Pool

Augustin 1 Building, Meralco Ave., Pasig City

(02) 635-0102

Pool Details

Amenities: Showers, Locker Rooms

Activities Offered: Lap Swimming

Admission/Rates: Visitors (adult): PHP 60 (as of March 2012)

Additional Scheduling Information: Except for holidays and special events, hours are 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. Tuesday through Sunday, with a break from noon to 1 P.M.

Diving plank

Pool Specifications

Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor 

Pool Length: 50 Meters

Pool Width: 20 Meters

Pool Depth: 4-8 feet

Lanes: 10 

Heated/Unheated: Unheated

Chlorine-Free: Yes

Waxing Season

     Summer is officially here and it's waxing season. I'm sure everyone is busy looking for the best beach tour bargain this March, my birthday month. So together with that, bikini shopping and waxing comes next. Summer = less clothes + more skin exposure. Everybody wants to look best in their sexy swimsuits so you don't want to be caught dead wearing any outfit with hairs poking out, right? It's just too appalling if someone sees you like that so I went to my regular appointment just to be ready for any unexpected trip to any body of water.

Cubicle at SM Marikina, my fave branch

     As I made my visit with Lay Bare recently, the only waxing salon I trust btw, I remembered my first Brazilian wax experience. It was more than a year ago when an idea struck me together with my Nursing classmates: "How does it feel to be bare down there again like a small girl?" Hehehe. Curiousity strikes again! They made me guinea pig it. I have no problems with that so I conditioned my mind by reading articles about Brazilian wax just to ease up my tension. Keep in mind that there are no room for shyness and embarrassment here,  their personnel is very professional. My classmates had to wait outside the reception area, anticipating any screams that I would be making, while I lay bare on a salon bed. Prior to that I took 2 tablets of ibuprofen to counter any discomfort I may feel during the procedure. Preparations were done but nothing really could prepare you until you've had the taste of the excruciating pain of hairs being pulled out from the most sensitive skin area of your body.

     Holy Mother of God! Torture! I'm not going to sugar-coat my reaction. It's best that you know this early on.  First timers, you really have to deal with the pain. It's a given fact. The waxed area will be red, puffy and stinging like hell. No pain, no beauty...er gain, whatever. Think of it as part of an initiation rite needed for making yourself more beautiful down there. Its okay, everyone experienced that. But once you get past the first wax, you'll eventually learn to tolerate the pain and feel better. 

And now on the positive side, after the stingy feeling fades away, you'll feel naked. Its breezy, clean, smooth, and light, feeling like a little girl again. Confidence level increases as well. That's the secret of models having their photos taken wearing an itsy-bitsy-tiny-winy bikini. Make yourself a model too! You're sexy and you know it!

Happy summer waxing!

Wonderful Anawangin

Anawangin Cove

Camping time! All gears ready for another outdoor adventure. Again among the many firsts, time to rough it out in the wild this time. First time I'd go on a trip without the luxury and convenience of a hotel. Rey and I chose to spend his birthday at Anawangin Cove in Zambales by camping out together with his colleagues from Lufthansa Technik Phils, who hosted the trip.  I have always been interested in meeting new people and this group was very accommodating. 

Matanglawing Rey

Quite the anxious one, since I had no experience on camping, I had no idea what to bring. I tried asking around about what things to get. My boyfriend, a seasonal hiker, helped me on my essentials. Below is the IT we followed for the trip , breakdown of fees and what-to-bring list (c/o Bibing)

ANAWANGIN COVE
San Antonio, Zambales

DAY 1, MAY 1, 2009

Pundakit shore

7:30AM – Assembly at Victory Liner Terminal, Pasay City
8:00AM – Depart for Olongapo
12:00NN– Arrive in Olongapo, (Lunch at stopovers), Last minute shopping at Gapo Market
1:00PM – Depart for San Antonio
2:00PM – Arrive in San Antonio town proper, Buy drinking water, coal
2:30PM – Boat ride to Anawangin
3:00PM – Arrive at Anawangin, Pitch tents

Tricycle ride going to Pundakit

4:00PM onwards – Leisure time

DAY 2, MAY 2
Do whatever you want

DAY 3, MAY 3
6:00AM – Wake up call
6:30AM – Breakcamp
7:00AM – Depart for Capones Island
8:00AM – Arrive at Capones, Visit the lighthouse
9:30AM – Depart for Pundakit
10:00AM – Arrive at Pundakit, Breakfast, Wash up at Manong Alfring’s house
11:30AM – Depart for Olongapo
12:30PM – ETA Olongapo, Lunch at Chowking
2:00PM – ETD Manila via Victory Liner
6:00PM – ETA Manila

BUDGET
More or less P250 (not so sure) – Bus Fare from Pasay to San Antonio and vice versa
More or less P1000 – one boat rental to and from Pundakit (Round trip); Optional: sidetrip to Capones Island  P1,200 per boat, 3 to 4 pax per boat)
P20 – trike fare from San Antonio to Pundakit

Setting tents at the camp site

More or less P1,500 with Chowking! :)

WHAT TO BRING
1. Food for 3 days and 2 nights – chip-in P200/pax
2. Tent, Burner/Stove at Lamp
3. Snorkeling stuff
4. Swimwear
5. BOOZE!

It was that simple. At P1,500, you get to have fun in the wild. At the cove, we stayed at the campsite on the left (facing Anawangin). Much cooler here than on the left side because of the pine trees. For those who are worried about bathroom facilities, the campsites have restrooms. But the one on our side is better. They have motor pumps and provide large drums that are always filled with water. 

Pine trees: a good shade from the scorching sunlight at midday.

Wet campers

Dry river bed found in the woods

Lighthouse at Capones Island

Unfortunately, I was not able to buy cake for my dearest (for fear that the icing will just melt), an earnest request. Sorry about that sweetie.

Galera Revisited

      It has been a long time since I last traveled and just when I though about doing it again,voila, it fell on my birth date. :) And so 'Galera revisited' materialized.

       I really looked forward to this trip, excited is more like it, because it was my first time to go on a trip to the beach with my boyfriend.. :-). One more thing different about this trip is that I'm with the 'girls' (Jana and Mae) and this time we did not acquire the services of any travel agencies because of bad experience. It's cheaper if you'll plan the trip and save up to the last centavo. We brought our own utensils, stove, canned goods, drinks etc. just to stick to our budget. Mismo!

   Upon returning to Galera, I noticed some changes. Part of the shoreline near the commercial establishments have been cemented and elevated. The beachfront is much shorter than before, more crowded. Same ol' activities like banana boat ride, snorkeling, diving, henna tattooing are still available.

      And so we went on to the usual IT in Galera (bumming at the beach, drinking spree, food trip...). At night time, a sponsored event was being held at the events area. It was party-to-the-max. There was a group of gay flirts who harassed my boyfriend when I went to the washroom (poor Rey), saw John "Sweet" Lapus, had a picture with him/her and got wasted. The night was already in a blur at that point so I had no idea how I got into our room. 

       Morning came and most gather their 'pasalubong' early on. Time to say "goodbye Galera" for now. :)