Puerto Galera

This past holy week, me, my gf, my gf's 2 sistah my gf's friend, my friend and my friends wife decided to do something about the long weekend...

the original plan
The original plan was to got to sagada, somewhere up north the philippines, famous for its mountain ranges and its hanging coffins.. Sad to say we have to settle for less stressing and much closer place to go...

the backup plan
La union , Pangasinan., Well i've been to pangasinan once when one of my X officemate need us to attend to his wedding, but It's still okay to go if we know our way around the place and just having three days before the long vacation, It's quite hard to look for a resort which will accomodates us.

another backup plan was to go to Majayjay and spend at least three days in Imelda Falls, but it doesn't have the x factor to go there during long weekends.. plus the fact that just last year we been there for atleast 3 times. (back to the drawing board)

Last plan was to go to puerto galera.. well puerto is nice but during holy week.. man the price boom to its highest. if not triple the price it will be quadruple... But then again, who can blame them, its the only time of the year that they can really get paid.. and plus they keep the place peaceful and clean dba for us local tourist to enjoy..

My Tattoo

Subject: my new tattoo

Size: around 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall

Location: upper back of my body

Style: tribal with hidden name(My own Design)

Color: Black outline with bluish gray fill

Why: been wanting to get this for a long long time

Date: March 30, 2007 ( 2:30 pm up to 4:30 pm)

Where: Recto Cartimar, Manila

Who: Freedom Ink Tattoo

The Death of Marvel Legends

I been a Marvel Comic Character Fan since my younger days. Watching most of their low quality cartoons like: the mighty tour, the fantastic four, spiderman and many more, it was my idea of fun. when i was in highschool that is the time that a friend of mine introduce me to the xmen characters, God knows how i start to save my allowance just for a comic. Then came the Uncanny X-men tv series on channel two every friday. How many times did i argue with my brother just to watch it and how many times that I did not go to gimiks just to watch them . Then there was this marvel cards that gives you the picture of the character in front and a brief description at the back.. Well I used to have two show boxes full of them..

Then puberty kicks in, bands, girls and things came up... but i never give up on marvel, Time flies but my admiration to marvel never did vanished. I watched every marvel movies that they produced and when toybiz created marvel legends, it was a dream come true for me. coz now there are this toys that are not expensive but has a high quality appearance plus the free comics... It lasted for at 15 series plus the special series that I asked my tita to bought me coz it is not available in dep store here in the philippines.

But Man when HASBRO take over. I now have second thoughts on purchasing the set. for reasons like it is expensive it has no comics and it has a poor quality .. Well All good things must come to end and thats HOW MARVEL LEGENDS DIES

The Pico de Loro Xperience

Ang aming paglalakbay papunta dito sa lugar na ito ay na isagawa dahil sa pag organisa ng ANINO mountaineers. Matagal tagal narin naming napagiisipan at minimithi ang pag punta sa lugar na ito, pero wala sa amin ang naglakas ng loob upang pangunahan ang grupo sa kdahilanang ayaw naming masisi pag naligaw kami.. Sa sobrang tagal ay unti unting nawala ang aming pag nanais na pumunta dito at nadagdagan pa ng kwento na mahirap nga ang pag punta dito. Ang pagpunta namin dito ay di naging ganap na masaya dahil di namin lasama ang ilan naming ka grupo, sa kadahilanang maraming dapat asikasuhin, ang iba naman ay ayaw at ang iba naman ay sadya naming di inimbita... Naging malungkot naman sa aming paglisan ang dapat ay kasama naming si MIKE ngunit wala kaming magagawa dahil tatlo lang ang nakarehistro sa grupo... Ganun pa man nais kong balikan ang lugar na ito kahit na naging mahirap para sa akin ang pag akyat dito dahil na rin sa madaling sumakit ang aking paa dulot ng rayuma.
At sa pag balik namin sa lugar na ito ang tanging dasal ko lang ay sana maging mas malakas ang buhos ng tubig sa talon...

The Guitar Maniac

Last week, we tried to fixed my old electric guitar with the help of MIKE, from the paint to the new string to the loose screws. (I bought my guitar second hand, Its first color was neon yellow green then i sprayed some blue paint and after a while my friend offer to scrub the paint and varnish it. Then I painted it neon orange and after a year I painted it with neon green...... now here she is

TheTribe

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Makita kang MULI

Last Saturday (january 13, 2006) dinalaw ako ng one of my bestfriends, He lives in Paranaque, malapit lang but we haven't got the time to see each other and it took us atleast two years before we finally see each other. Well sobrang namiss ata namin ang isa't isa that we drunk 1 case of san mig lights and 1 liter Tequila (cuervo). We been drinking buddies since college sa PWU but its my first time to drink this much. Pero the odd thing is di ako nalasing, Malakas ako uminom but never ko na experience na uminom this much.. sa sobrang haba ng inuman namin nakapag Videoke kami courtesy of my bro's magic sing, nakapanuod kami ng movie (odessey) and nagsounds kami, siempre ung iskulbukol at porkchop na cd para medyo comedy.... Na isipan kolang i blog hehehe

Asan na nga Ba?

Naglalakad ako nuong isang araw pauwi ng bahay, napansin ko may tinatayo nanamang gusali, siguro para sa dorm o boarding house, napansin ko rin na ang dami ng nagbebenta sa may sidewalk papunta sa amin. Naisip ko tuloy, ang dami dami ng tao dito sa siyudad, naisip ko rin ano ba ang meron dito sa siyudad na wala sa mga lalawigan. Bukod sa matao, magulo, delikado at makalat ano ba ang nagugustuhan nila, natin. Ano ba ang meron sa maynila na nagiging kaayaaya para puntahan ng tao.

Edukasyon ba, sige sabihin natin sa magarang paaralan sila nagaral, sa isang esklusibong paaralan na ang bayad ay sobrang pagkamahal, bakit ang iba sa kanila pagkatapos ay walang trabaho, bakit ang iba ay sobrang arogante at bastos. bakit ang iba ay ginagamit ang nakuhang talino para manloko ng kapwa. Bakit patuloy parin ang pagbaba moral ng tao.

Naalala ko tuloy dati importante sa ating mga pinoy ang paggalang ang pagsabi ng po at opo ang pagtawag nga kuya, ate manong at manang sa mga nakakatanda kahit di kaano ano. Ngayon maririnig mo sa mga labi ng mga tao, pre, tol, brod, sis, kumag, mokong.

Pati ang mga pagmumura na dati e pag napakinggan mo eh sobrang nakakaalibadbad, ngayon kasama na sa mga ordinaryong pag uusap. Tulad ng ( pre tang ang sarap nitong sago. tang na nito di man lang tumawag at siempre pag namiss kapa eh.. Putang-ina mo pre tagal natin di nagkita ah.

At asan na ang mga boyscouts na mahilig mag paupo sa bus? meron parin namang iilan pero dapat siguro ay ilagay natin sila sa endangered species dahil paubos na ng paubos ang lahi ng mga ito.

Oo nga pala dati meron tayong mga pinoy na isang salita, palabra de honor, paninindigan.. haaaay nako. Ngayon kahit nanloloko ang tao nakakatingin pa ng diretso at naka ngisi pa. Wala na ang hiya naubos na sa karamihan. Pano ba naman yung mga naka pwesto at may kapangyarihan na may mga pinagaralan sila ang ubod ng walang _ _ _ _.

Hay naku saan nga ba papunta ang Pilipinas saan nga ba tayo dadalhin ng mga modernong kagamitan. para kasing habang nagiging moderno ay lalong pahirap ng pahirap ang buhay.
Habang umaalis tayo sa simpleng pamumuhay lalo tayong nahihirapan.
Marami rami narin kasi ang mga mamahaling kagamitan na kung iyong iisipin ay wala namang gamit. Magmula sa mga laruan ng bata hanggang sa mga laruan nga matatanda.

Dati nung bata pa ako ang paborito kong laro ay taguan, lalo na nung kadalasan ng pag babrown-out sa kamaynilaan. Naalala ko pa dahil sa sobrang enjoy namin lagi kong hinihintay ang brown-out. Siempre sino ang di nag laro ng patintero, luksong tinik, luksong kalabaw at 5-10 black 123 o moro moro o agawang base nung panahon nayon, Sino sa inyo ang umuwi na sira ang mga botones sa polo o dikaya may warak ang shortpants mo o kaya naman ay may galos na kung tawagin ay tocino dahil sa sobrang pula.

Naranasan nyo rin bang kumain ng cheesecurls na galing sa magbobote dahil imbes na pera ang ibigay sa mga tinago mong bote at dyaryo ay chichiriah nalang ( meron ding flavored balls yung colorful na balls)

Eh yung pag tinatawag ka ng tropa mo ang gagawin eh papalakpak o sisipol para lumabas ka ng bahay nyo. Di pa uso text nuon ang may cellphone lang eh yung boss ng tatay mo o yung ninong mong mayaman. Ngayon pati nagtitinda ng fishball nagttxt.

Buti nalang naabutan ko ang panahon na iyun at nagpapasalamat ako kahit papaano naranasan ko ang mabuhay sa panahong di pa masyado magastos, sa panahong di lahat ng kilos mo ay may bayad. Dati rati pwede kang makiinom ng tubig. ngayon bumili ka sa 7-11. Welll ganun talaga lahat ng bagay ay may kapalit, ang pagunlad ng iba ay magdudulot ng kahirapan sa iba ang di pagsabay sa pagbabago ay may kanya kanyang kahihinatnan.

Ang sa akin lang sana wag masyado maging mabilis ang pagbabago sa Pilipinas at wag sanang piliting gawing moderno ang lahat ng lalawigan. Para may matira pa kahit konting lugar dito sa atin na walang bahid ng modernong pamumuhay.

Gulugod Baboy Assault

Well its been quite a while since the last I posted something in my blog, well its been a while since we manage to go somewhere aside from my daily routine which is Opis, Bahay during weekdays, baclaran every Wednesdays and sometimes looking for dvd's in Quiapo (animation) on Sunday's.


Our trip to Gulugod Baboy is quite exciting, first, no one in our group has been there, which means we are clueless about the terrain, climate, the wind condition and the locals living there. The solution bring the basic stuff and enough supplement for the trip.

Second, We didn't get lost or anything like that, thanks to the sign at the nearby store (to gologod baboy) and the clear trail.


Third, the hike was'nt that really that hard come to think of it. I think Maculot is much harder, (but maculot has halo halo store at the campsite plus it has ice cold buko juice in some resting area) well Glgd baboy will make you appreciate nature at its finest. No stores means less trash and less expenses.

Fourth, it is quite accessible, ride a bus bound for Batangas city a jeep to Anilao/Mabini and a jeep to philpan dive resort , walla!

and finally the locals are very friendly.... plus the lomi is very tasty and satisfying too bad we did not managed to take a dip at the blue sea water of anilao...

Customizing toys

well its been more than 3 weeks since the last time I've post something in this blog...
guess just been busy, busy at work and busy with my new hobby.

CUSTOMIZING TOYZ
Customizing toys has been one of my hobbies ever since I was a kid.. but now customizing is made easy coz i have the financial backing to do it and the support of my girlfriend Mitch who enjoys customizing toys, from repainting, sculpting of hairs and stuff up to making clothes from garbage materials...

here are some of our works





















well you may ask who are this guys....
Kapre , Lastikaman, Zuma, and Tikbalang

alll filipino characters....

Scorpion for sale

for sale asian forest scorpion
to all metro manila residents only
pick up only
1000 pesos
adult

The Un-Disenchantment

ENCHANTED KINGDOM THE MAGIC IS HERE AT SANTA ROSA LAGUNA

After about a decade of “disenchantment,” my BF Ben and I finally made it to the “Enchanted Kingdom” (“the magic is here at Sta. Rosa, Laguna”). We used to pass it taking the South Superhighway from what ever other adventure we went on in the South and wonder when we’d actually get to see the place for ourselves. Fortunately, with our trip to Pinatubo postponed and all other alternatives a dismal option, we found ourselves headed there thanks to Mar’s suggestion, driving and her mom’s car.

Arriving there at 9AM, Mar, her brother Tin, my BF Ben loitered somewhat outside, waiting for the opening time of 10 AM (excited or what?). Actually, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The cynic in me thought after 10 years the place would probably be in dire need of maintenance and rehabilitation, but I was wrong. It was quaintly and effectively updated and taken care of. I can honestly say their restrooms weren’t bad having spent some time in one of them after the roller coaster and cinema shook around the insides of my stomach which had to be thrown up and out literally.

Determined to make the most out of our first trip we practically did not sit until after 6 hours, only after we checked out the:

Flying Fiesta
Roller Skater
Bump N’ Splash
Rialto
Wheel of Fate
Grand carousel
Anchors Away (just the 4 of us)
Space Shuttle (also just the 4 us, but Mar and I decided to pass up the 2nd opportunity to be propelled in circles forward then backwards again, leaving the boys to happily enjoy it themselves, save for the high pitch screaming of the girls behind them)
Rio Grande Rapids (2 times, which completely finished off the wetlook that the Jungle Log Jam started)
Jungle Log Jam (3 times…just to get the picture perfect _expression and position as we dropped down from the highest waterfall)
Dodgem Bumper Cars (6 times)
Up, Up and way (which finally made us all dizzy)

As if we weren’t wet enough, at around 5PM it started raining cats and dogs forcing us to huddle near the taco area where I must say, the Chimichangas tasted rather delicious. When the weather let up a little we made a break for the car and headed home. So much for watching the fireworks later that night.

I am pleased, however, to note that government employees can get a discounted rate of P375 per person for 4 people from the regular weekend rate of P500, as long as you bring your ID or at the very least your Social Security card. The food was actually quite affordable though it helped that we lunched out (in the car). I was rather amused, I must say, with the digicams at the Jungle Log Jam and the Riogrande, which despite it’s cost of P155 and P205 respectively, was something we had to buy in memory of the moments. Thanks to Mar’s sponsorship, Tin’s skills and my BF’s support hehe, I also have Marty, my EK stuffed toy dog which you win if you shoot an average sized basketball into a high hoop about half a centimeter wider in radius than the ball.

All in all I’d say we successfully enjoyed the weekend despite the fact that I confirmed I was now part of the elderly. I no longer feel the magic of riding things that change directions at more than 60 kms per hour. This I proved as I whined all the way into the space shuttle. I even thought my BF and Tin were insane as they frolicked back their 2nd time ‘round and even wanted to try it a third time as the rain poured.
We would have liked to try the Kart Trak and even the Xtreme Paintball, but you need more money for the earlier and more people for the latter. At any rate, it didn’t lesson the magic…naks…Thumbs up to EK where “the magic stays with you!”

yomitch pets

Crocodile Lizard
Shinisaurus crocodilurus

They prefer clear pools of slowly moving water with rocky or sandy bottoms and overhanging vines. They inhabit secondary growth forests of evergreens and bamboo at elevations of 600-2400 feet. They sleep along branches above pools and streams and dive into water at the first sign of danger. They are solitary and usually the only animal per water pool. They generally hibernate between November and March.

Physical Characteristics: The crocodile lizard’s coloration combines shades of gray with bright orange markings. Ridges of large scales are situated in rows that jut out.

Diet and eating habits: Mollusks, small fish, tadpoles, and insects.

Reproduction: Breeding season is in the spring after hibernation. The young are born alive in the fall. Clutch size is 2-7 young who are very active and begin to feed soon after birth.

Size: Adults can reach lengths of up to 8 inches.

Wawa Dam, Montalban Rizal

Wawa damN =)

Just coming from what seemed like a looong and stressful week, my BF Ben had the itch go out of town and be with nature again. So with details that were last minute coupled with the participation of others precluded by things they needed to attend to, the two of us headed for Wawa Dam after lunch on a Saturday, taking an approximately 40 minute FX ride from Taft to Litex, costing P35 each.

From Litex we took about a 30-minute, P17 each, jeep ride headed for Montalban, Rizal province. On the way, our senses were greeted by the aroma of the Payatas disposal facility lined with a crude fence and gates, some fully covered, for yards along the road. We didn’t see any mounds of garbage, but little traces of bagged plastic or piled cardboard could be seen here and there just within or outside the fence.

Avilon Zoo has been our list of places to go for months now, having gone to Manila Zoo quite a number of times. When we passed the sign that indicated our route was the way to get there, we made a mental note to return to see it one day.

Not too far from the sign “this way to Avilon Zoo” we got down at the nearest stop and took a 20-minute jeep ride for P7.50 to “The Municipality of Montalban” where we got down at a clearing beside part of the river. We just had to walk upstream, parallel to the river to get to the actual dam. Initially the path was lined on both sides with makeshift houses, sari-sari stores and hangouts that offer karaoke and billiards. Past those, to our left view we saw there wasn’t much of a flowing river. There were large rocks on the wide riverbed and some areas where the water was big and deep enough for people to swim in. There wasn’t a place to walk on the other side of the river as it was just a steep mountainside though we did see small falls pouring out of a hole into a small basin We also saw indications of Japanese presence as there was Japanese writing above a hole / cave rather high up the mountainside.

It would have been nice to travel down stream in the river and explore the other side, though I imagine it would be not as easy, not for it’s width but it’s uneven river bed with rocks of all sorts of sizes and the pools of water in between.

Continuing up the path, we came across many caves to our right, going deep into the mountain. There was one particular cave that we could have easily walked into standing. We also passed by an arch built from old cement bricks/slabs blocked with bags of dirt and a “1909” written above it, making us more and more curious about the details of the place’s history.

Further up the path we reached a tunnel that was dug into the mountain. While the path leads you beyond the top of the dam, we settled for the view of the tower that has 3 deep-tunneled holes that you have to be careful not to fall into because most of it is not covered. The ledge on this tower gives you a great view of a green and murky and rather calm river, before it overflows over the dam.

After backtracking a bit and clambering down the rocks over a small bamboo bridge, we reached the bottom of the damn. A very nice feature of it is that it’s slightly tilted wall was purposefully rutted giving water a nice frothy and sluggish curtain-look as it fell. The base of the dam was a cemented ledge where the water flows coming from the dam wall runs 3-4 inches. Another nice feature was the presence of benches and tables on the ledge made of bamboo with a thatched roof for people to picnic.
The water was nice and warm as it ran over the damn wall, heated by the afternoon sun. Caretaker Ronnie showed us 2 “kubos” (huts) available to stay overnight, though apparently not many do, on the other side on the only ledge that protrudes from the mountainside opposite below and opposite of the tower. There is also a ledge as wide as 4 ledges to set up a tent just below the kubos. Apparently though, when it rains hard, the river level can even reach heights of about 3 meters and more. While there were many groups of people that came, the also left. Coupled with the fact that the sky towards 5pm threatened rain, we were set to leave by 5:30 PM. We take the same rides back only for some reason, the FX from Litex to Taft is only P30.

One thing I’d like to note on our way back was the quarry area we past. I guess aside from the dumpsite, it would explain the many huge trucks that you pass on the road.

Despite the sketchy plan to go there, I’m glad we went and its definitely on or list of places to see visit again.

Malibiclibic Falls

Our trip to Malibiclibic falls is quite an experience. First there are only three of us who are available for this trip, 2nd we have limited information about the place that I gathered from the net, and third we still can’t decide if it’s going to be a day hike or we will stay through the night. It’s a good thing that waypoints post something about the place and also thanks to Angel Juarez who e-mailed me some pointers and tips on how to get there and the safety of the place.

Malibiclibic falls is located at Brgy. Lumipa, Aguinaldo Cavite. It is quite intriguing because Cavite is not known for waterfalls, so we decide to investigate; it took us 2 to 3 hours to arrive at Malibiclibic Falls, 2 hours from Baclaran to Alfonso Cavite and another hour going to Alfonso to Aguinaldo to Brgy Lumipa to the fall.

The hike is not that long but it is quite challenging, due to the rocks and boulders you have to climb to pass thru and it tends to get very slippery during rainy season. So I suggest that only go there during summer, plus the water gets murky during rainy season.

Plus the basin is quite deep at least 15 to 18 feet deep. It’s a good thing that there are some bamboos available and already cut during are trip there, we managed to make a BALSA / RAFT with the help of Roger and my GF Mitch, they tie the poles together while I hold and supervise them.

Well to cut things short, it’s a nice place to go and spend your weekend not expensive and very near to Manila. By the way it has a nice place to camp.

Boracay

(april12-15, 2006)
Our Boracay trip is quite an experience for me, first of all we took a plane to get there (PAL) its my first time to ride a plane and it took me 27 years to finally board one. We landed at KALIBO, Aklan and it’s also my first time to go to this province which is basically near to CAPIZ which is well known for its ASWANG and MANGKUKULAM residents.

We ( Me my GF Mitch, Nik, Tina, Harry and Jen) arrived around lunch time so we decided to eat lunch there at Kalibo, well I had to say that I'm an avid fan of Bulalo and eventhough its bad for my health, I see to it that whenever I go to places that serves Bulalo, I'll try to order one, and I can say that the Bulalo here is quite impressive, sad to say that we did not manage to get second servings of the soup. tsk tsk tsk. On our way to Caticlan, Harry's uncle was kind enough to offer us a tour to a place that nestle a spring. The water is very tempting, it is clear, clean and it’s cold and it’s a very very hot day. But we decide to move along to our journey to Boracay.

Upon arriving to Caticlan jetty, we managed to sneak in very fast. From there we take a boat to station one, Again it’s my first time at Boracay so I’m pretty amazed with the view. It is quite crowded and yet the people there managed to keep it clean. But beware, people there seems to take advantage during peak season. Add it all up, it is still a very nice vacation, the accommodation is great (Fairways and Blue Water) thanks to Harry and Nik. The food is tasty, thanks to chef of Fairways.

Majayjay Experience, Taytay Falls

Have you ever experienced bathing on water as cold as ice?
Have you ever witness rampant flowing of water from above that seems so endless?
Have you ever been stunned by mother natures beauty?
Have you ever go to a place so majestic yet so near?

Well if not, then you haven’t been to Majayjay Laguna’s Taytay Falls.
Laguna is blessed with different kinds of bodies of water, from lakes, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs and others.
Majayjay is one of the province of Laguna that nestle a waterfall, the Taytay Falls (also known as Imelda Falls is one of the reason that I become fascinated with nature, and from the first time I been there from the late 90’s, it never stop me from coming back up to now. Well maybe a lot of things have changed, from the roads that are similar to the moon that are now really smooth, to the people who once go there to find solemn and peace of mind are now mixed up with those noisy, restless and stupid people, (stupid enough not to take care of their trash and garbage. Don’t worry its still safe). It won’t stop me from coming back, and at least spend a day or two. Well who will not want to go? Aside from the fact that it is very accessible it is very cheap compare to other gimiks or getaways. The fare will cost 400 pesos 2 way, and there are sarisari stores, which is not that expensive and are located at the top of the mountain near the registration for your comfort. And if you have a car it will be safe at the parking spaces which will cost you 40 pesos if you will be spending the night at the campsite.

Camping is made easier to people who does not have a tent, for you can rent a tent for 100 to 200 depends on the size of the tent and its capacity, with the installation of course.

All I'm saying is, if you want a nice and cheap getaway, think about going to TAYTAY Falls, Majayjay, Laguna. Its beautiful, clean, safe and accessible.

JAMMING

Feb 9, 2006, My Bros Mustache Bar, Timog
This is one of the best thing I ever done.
Using my KAHON and with the support of my Dad, Tito and my GF Mitch. I jammed with some of the Philippines finest musicians. It lasted for atleast 1 to 2 hours of non-stop live music. We play songs of James Taylor, Cat Stevens and some of the artist that I did not even heard off, and to my count atleast 20 to 30 songs were played, but I enjoy every second of it. Well my hands maybe sore but its all worth it. Not to mention this is one of my childhood dream, to perform with pro-musicians, and I don't care what songs they'll be playing as long as I'm one of the guys playing.