Mandaue: Marcelo Fernan Bridge

Like most of the health conscious people, I spent my weekends if possible on pampering oneself or hiking around the nearby roads and explore new places. This is way of enjoying my weekend most of the time, specially if I am in the condition to take a walk and breath fresh air on a beautiful cold morning, as long as it's a dry season or fair weather on a weekend.

My route will always be from our house then going to the national highway down to the 2nd Mactan bridge, since it is also the place where most of the health conscious people gather and have their morning/afternoon exercise.

I spent most of my time working then staying all day long at home, that's why when I am not too tired to have a hike, I will make sure to endure the pain and refresh myself through hiking and the same time exploring new routes.

I usually spent 1.5 to 2 hours hiking from our house to the usual destination the Mactan 2nd Bridge depending on the route I will choose. And from there, I take a rest and relax myself while watching happy children roaming around and taking a swim at the sea, jumping from the sea boarders under the Marcelo Fernan bridge.

Hiking will save you so much penny at the same time will give you many benefits. You able to see the beauty of Nature even if your in the city, able to breath fresh air along the boulevard or even at the bridge, since it's early morning and less vehicle running around and same time you able to secrete those unhealthy fluids from your body through sweating.

All you need to have is the strength and the determination to go to the set destination, water to hydrate oneself and a good pair of shoes for you not be hurt for your long walk.

Poem: Travel of Time Without Love

Days passed by so fast, night’s conquered day hurriedly,
Age is adding year after year, and here you are still alone and single.
You make thought you made the best you can, but you are not,
You are becoming frustrated by the talks of people around.

Talks that disturb your concentration on making out some money,
Money to be used for you to able to help your family who are dependent on you.
Then there you are wandering around just to find peace and happiness,
And be away by the bullies you received from your relatives and workmates,
And sometimes to the people close to you and even to the closest friends.

You are on a state of thinking and gathering though happy moments in life,
When one of the girls you courted shared her innermost thoughts about you and her,
Upon reading this, it creates a shield of getting into such a relationship,
Relationship you know that will just bring pain all over you and broke you into pieces.

Later on the relation you have with her suddenly withered until it dried up,
With sunrises turn to sunsets, days into nights, months slips, and years leaps on,
Your heartbreaks healed little by little, ex-romances becomes friends,
You’re getting open about getting married, but not knowing to whom,
For when you’re getting ready, you’re already loaded with schedules of trips,
Travels that makes you strong and happy again and regain what you’ve lost.

Aloguinsan: Hidden Beach Resort

It was not so fine Saturday morning when I decided to leave home for a sudden trip. It's always unpredictable where and when will I go for a trip. Since I don't have a travel buddy, and being single sometimes give you reason to be crazy and escape from making some plans and travel itinerary.

It just pop on my mind to go to South Bus Terminal of Cebu, and from there I ride a bus with a sign going to Tuburan. Along the national highway of Naga-Toledo route, I suddenly remembered that I need to explore new place that I've never been before.

The bus reach Toledo, and when it's already in Sange, I decided to drop from there and take a walk going to Toledo boulevard. While taking a walk, I remember that I have few friends in the Place so I decided to meet and jam with while I was on the place. after almost an hour, they came and we have a chitchat for a while till I have shared with them that I was longing to find new place to explore, and then one of them suggested Aloguinsan.

Without any delay, they decided to come with me, and so we took a multicab going to the place. We ask the driver to take us to the nearest resort in Aloguinsan since we don't know where exactly it is. I check my phone to locate the nearest resort that Google can assist, but seems like it's not working good that time. I decided to let the driver take us to the place where I may explore anew.

After almost half an hour, the drive told us that we are already in the nearby resort, but I can't even see a beachline nor a signage to let us know where are we. I ask the driver where is the resort located,he show us the rough road and told us to just follow the road where we drop off till we able to see flaglets.

And since, I'm looking for some adventure, I decided to go and follow the instructions of the driver have told me. With my friends from Toledo, we follow the rough road, till we able to find a flaglet. Along the way I was amazed by the new place I have been, since it's so quiet and just a very few houses. We continued till we see an open after and we enter and from there I ask if it's the right place, the resort that we are about to go, and the person I asked assisted as cheerfully.

She seems so friendly, and she welcomed and accommodate us well. The entrance of the place was 50 pesos per head and the available cottage that time was open cottage since the vacant nipa hut is already reserved. And so we go downstairs to the beachfront, and choose what cottage we will be spending the night. It cost 300 pesos for the open cottage. Only two cottages have guest including our cottage, the other one have 3 guests that time.

I did not take much time on the cottage, I decided to take a walk around the resort together with one of my friend. We took photos and explore the area. The place was really nice, has a white sand beachfront and. So quite that you can really take a calm stay-cation.

The adventure that I was looking was given, cause at around 10:30 in the evening the wind suddenly rushing with water droplets. And it's getting stronger and colder and everything turns like we are on a survivors show. We haven't able to sleep well cause of so much coldness and we are very thankful to Nanay who assisted us cause she gave us blankets earlier that night that help us survive the coldness.
Early morning, i started to have a walk farther than I have taken and really amaze how much beauty it has, though the beach-side has needs some cleaning caused by the storm that hit that night. See some of the pics for you to discover..

Budget for the trip:

tricycle from mycrib to Tintay - 8 pesos
jeepney from Tintay to Colon - 12 pesos
bus from South Bus terminal to Toledo - 60 pesos
multicab from Toledo to Aloguinsan - 25
Hidden resort entrance - 50 pesos
cottage - 300 pesos
food allowance - 500 pesos
extra allowance - 1k

Tula: Pasapit na ang Pasko

Sarap damhin ang simoy ng malamig na hangin,
Mga ngiting kay sigla sa bawat isa nagnininging,
Sing kislap sa mga bituin sa langit ang bigay man din,
Tila problema'y nilulusay sa paskong darating.

Bawat isa'y abala na sa paghahahanda sa bawat tahanan,
Kahit Septiyembre pa, mga palamuti inihanda't nililinisan,
Ang iba'y nakasabit na sa dinging mga palamuting kumukutikutitap,
Na sa mga nagdaraan ay nagbibigay ng saya at galak.

Malayong mga kapamilya ay eksayted na rin sa pag-uwi,
Nakahanda narin kasi mga nakabalot ng pamasko na ipamamahagi,
Mga bata'y nagkakandarapa narin sa paglilista ng mga gusto nila,
Para sa mga ninong at ninang na hihilingin nila sana ay mapasama.

Mga kapitbahay na di maganda ang pakikitungo sa bawat isa,
Unti-unting nagkalapit at nagkakamagandahan na ang pagsasama,
Mga kaibigan ay abala narin sa mga plano nilang mga gala,
Sa mga kalapit na bayan kasi mga kasiyahan ay nakahanda na.

Tuwing kapaskuhan talagang may dalang kasiyahan sa bawat nilalang,
Kahit ano paman ang estado nang iyong pamumuhay at estadong nakamtan,
Walang pinipili ang dalang kasiyahan ng paskong papalapit,
May asawa, single, may nobyo or nobya ka or galing sa hiwalayan ang sinapit,
Mapabata kaman, may edad or matanda ka man ay ok lang yan,
Pagka't ang Pasko ay para sa lahat yan mapahayop or ano kaman na klaseng nilalang.

Balak Bisaya: Tagingting sa Pasko

Kabulanan nasad sa Ber, kun kanus-a tanan nangandam,
Mga inaanak preparado na sa listahan sa mga ganahan,
Para sa ilang mga ninong ug ninang nila nga panilnganan,
Maong sa mga pinoy-anan sa ninong ug ninang nag-atang-atang,
Kay ubang ninong ug ninang sa laing lugar sila magpasko man.

Mga utangan nagtago-tago na sa mga gipanghulaman,
Kay sigurado panahon nasad sa pagpaningil kay bunos ihatag man.
Daghang mga aktibidades nga pasiugdahan sa mga opisyal,
Mapasiyudad, baranggay or sa mga ginagmay nga sitio man,
Para magpa-alegre sa adlawng natawhan sa anak sa Diyos amahan.

Mga katoliko, o laing relihiyon man, iya-iya ang diskarte sa pagselebrar sa kapaskuhan,
Ang uban magtapok-tapok ug sa kabalayan mangaroling ug mangambahan,
Kauban ang mga suud nga kahigalaan ug kasilinganan pati na kaliwatan,
Hudyaka ang kadalanan tungod sa kataw-anay ug  sinungugay sa tanan,
Dinuyugan sa tinagingting sa pasko ug mga kantang pang-ambahan,

Mga kaliwat sa halayong dapit magkatapok-tapok sa pagsugat sa pasko,
Magkantahay, kataw-anay ug kinamustahay ug uban bisi tunod sa baso,
Kay dili man mawala ang tagay labi na kun ang kalakin-an na ang maggrupo,
Samtang walay hunong ang kusina sa pag-aso kay mga nanay bisi pud didto,
Nagpreparar sa mga putahe nga gihinamhinam nga matagamtam panahon sa pasko.

Inig untop sa alas dose sa tungang gabi sa sugat sa Petsa beynte singko,
Magtapok ang tanan ug sa gawas para saksihan ang pagduslit sa mga pabuto,
Nga gina-andam ug giplastado ana palang buntag or kundi udto,
Ug sa pagduslit tanan makasaksi sa nagkadaiyang kolor nga sa langit mambuto.

Katawa ug hudyaka ang mopasuabi sa panahon sa pasko sa mga kabalayan,
Kay kini man ang adlaw nga ang tanan dasig sa nga gipangandaman,
Magamay ug dako man ang hekay nga napreparar sa kakusinahan,
Ang importante nagkapundok ug nagkasinabot ang tanan.

Florentino’s Eco Park "Cebu's Little Tagaytay"

Florentino’s has a great mountain view overlooking Balamban, and from the resto park you can see the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, the shipmaker company of Cebu. You’ll surely enjoy the chill and cozy ambiance of the park, with the breathtaking view. 

You surely enjoy spending the day with your family, friends and special someone in the eco park. They got lots of flowers planted around which is perfect for insta shots. You can bring foods with you. They have available foods in ther canteen. You will be relax with the cozy ambiance of the place. Best time to go to the area is around 6-8 in the morning and 4-6 in the afternoon. You’ll surely be amazed the sunset view.

The Eco park is still on development. There are still cottages that are construction on-going. 

How to get there:

From Ayala terminal, you can ride a van via Balamban-Asturias-Tuburan. Fare is 120 pesos, just inform the driver to drop you at Florentino’s. The eco-park is along the trancentral highway in Brgy. Gaas, Balamban just across the Adventure Cafe. Travel time will take about 45 minutes to an hour.

If you are from Balamban area, you can take van going to Ayala, fare about 50-70 pesos from Balamban proper, and just inform the driver to drop you at Florentino’s. 

Florentino’s Amenities:

cottage = range from 50-100 (depending on the style)
entrance = 50 pesos rent
community fee = 5 pesos

Camotes: Buho Rock Resort

The first destination of the group on our first day trip in Camotes island. The road going to the resort from the main highway is narrow.. Upon entering the resort, it has this inviting vibes with its exterior decorations and landscaping. The resort has a canteen and rooms for those who wants to have an overnight stay.

If you want to go swimming, you need to go down the cliff for about 2-3 minutes down the stairs... There are 3 cottages found on top of the rocks formation.. and from there there are slides going to the water, and diving boards intended for those who are fun of adventures. And if you are brave enough and know how, you can try the highest cliff jump available. Note: You must a professional diver or have been to many cliff jumps, since the diving board is about 30 meters high above the water.

For those divers who will try the highest diving board, are advice to have an extra careful specially if it it's there first time to jump on buho rock resort. They must coordinate with the personnel who are attending the place for them to know if the water is deep enough for diving or not.

It's really nice to take the cliff dive on a high tide, for your safety so that you won't get hurt when jumping on the highest diving board on a low tide and it's not advisable also to jump. Always listen to or coordinate with the watchman who is on the place. And for those who don't know how to swim, there are lifejackets available for rent, just approach the personnel/watchmen on duty.

Location:  Poro, Camotes
Entrance Fee: 25 pesos

Tula: Sa Isang Sulok

Sa 'sang sulok ng madilim at malamig na kwarto,
Ako'y nakatabon sa matingkad na kulay na kulambo,
Habang nakahiga na walang suut na damit panghitaas,
Mga matang pungay sa gabi-gabing pagluha ng wagas,
Animo'y wala ng bukas na darating pa sa buhay,
Ng dahil sa pagdurog nito ng taong inaasam habangbuhay.

Mga brasong sugat-sugat ng dahil sa blade na gamit,
Nagsituyoan na mga dugo sa nagkalat na mga damit,
Na syang pinagpapahid sa mga sugat na ikaw rin ang may gawa,
Sa kadahilanang gusto ka nang magpatiwakal pagkat kay sawa na,
Sawang-sawa na sa palaging pananakit sa iyo ng mahal mo,
Doon na sa iba sumama at sa ibang lugar nagpunta para mapalayo,
Upang sa kamunduhang aliw sila'y magpakabusog sa tuwina,
Pagkat sa piling mo di na sya nakaramdam ng ligaya pa.

Sobrang sakit ang nadarama ng puso mo'ng di lang sugatan,
Kundi durog na durog na sa kanilang mga kagagawang kamunduhan,
Noong minsan naaktuhan mo pang sa silid mo sila nagkasaluhan,
At nang sila'y sinigawan mo'y animo'y wala silang pakialam,
Kasi alam nila na ikaw ay sobrang mapagmahal at di sila kayang saktan,
Kaya minabuti mo nalang na lumabas at umiyak sa labas ng inyong tahanan,
Hanggang silay natapos at ikaw ay naiwang luhaan at puso'y durog at sugatan.

Balak Bisaya: Nakulet nga Hulagway

 

Nag-inusara sa daplin sa baybayon samtang nagsud-ong sa mga balod,
Nag-aninaw sa kadasig sa balod sa paghampak niiini sa mga dagkong bato,
Samtang naay lusay nga nahipadpad ug nisugasong sa unos sa kadagatan,
Sa wala madugay nahi-anod kini sa daplin ug nahisuksok sa kabato-an.

Ako nidool, gianinag kun unsa nga klase kini nga lusay ug gikuha ko kini,
Gidala sa daplin para utingkayon ang hulma niini ug ang klase,
Miabot kini sa mga usa ka metro ug tunga ang gihitas-on,
Ug wla ko mahisayod sa kun unsa kini nga klase sa kahoy.

Samtang nagduki-duki sa mga nahulma nga mga desenyo sa maong lusay,
Naaninag ko ang daw nakulet nga hulagway sa usa ka babaye,
Nga nga sa pagkakita ko niini mipasiga sa akoang mga mata,
Kahugis niini ang hulagway sa kanhi ko nga hinigugmang nibiya na,
Ug sa akoa nagbilin ug dakong samad sa akoang dalughan.

Sa wala ko damha, nahikulet ang ngisi sa akoang mga ngabil,
Nigaan ang pamati ug daw nahuwasan sa dugay na nga kasakit,
Unsa man ning pagbatia nga akoang nabatyagan nga wala damha,
Daw nakalinggawas ako sa hadugay nga pagkapreso sa kasakit,
Ug diha diha, nibuhagay ang mga luha ning mga mata ko,
Dili tungod sa kasakit pero tungod sa kagaan ug kahupay nga naangkon,
Dala sa nakulet nga hulagway sa babaye nga pinalangga ko.