Friday, 9 January 2009

Waterskiing at Lago de Oro

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Before the Aga Muhlach craze of water skiing, my family and I have already discovered the beauty of Lago de Oro in Batangas. A 3 hour drive from Alabang, this resort is worth the trip! Plus, while going there, you have the chance to admire the view of Tagaytay and Batangas, so as I have said, its worth it! If you really want to have a relaxing and fun weekend, this is the place to go to. Also, if you are star- crazed, you might just be lucky to have a photo- op with Mr. Jollibee man himself, Aga Muhlach. We availed for the 2 days & 1 night stay plus a free hour of water skiing (about P4000/person). A bit pricey, I must say, but again, its worth it!

One thing I'm very picky on during my travels is the bathroom. A bathroom has to be clean and sanitized, otherwise, I'm so leaving the place! The suite not only had a sparkling clean bathroom, there was a bathtub as well. The room was big enough to accommodate my family and our luggages. Plus, the terrace in the room we stayed in gave us a clear view of the water skiing place. Not only can we watch the other water-skiers, but we get to scream our delights privately when we watch famous people passing by! There are a lot of activities you can opt to do in Lago de Oro. But of course, the most popular thing to do while you are in here is the water boarding/ skiing. This is a must experience!

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The cable ski system looks pretty safe. You are secured in a cable while water boarding or skiing around the place. This assures you that you won't be flying back to Manila while doing the stunt! My advice: Try not to level yourself right away with the professionals, as I regretfully have. Watching them fly, spin and do some dangerous turns made me foolish enough to believe that I too can do the same thing. Needless to say, my belief and reality did not even come close. It took about 10 tries before I even stayed on the board longer than 15 seconds! Though it doesn't come cheap and easy, water boarding is quite fun once you get the hang of it.

If you are not up for the extra challenge of water boarding, the resort also offers other mild activities, such as swimming, golf, fishing and other indoor fun stuff. The only fun indoor stuff I had was screaming when I saw Marc Nelson take off his shirt before his turn to water ski. Food, is an entirely different story in this place. The plus side, you get to enjoy your meals near the poolside. The down side: nothing in the menu that I have seen have meals lower than P300, drinks not yet included! Their breakfast menu is pretty much the same, tapsilog and other -silog Filipino meals, Continental and other varieties I wouldn't know about since I didn't order it.

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For lunch, we had ours on the sea since we rented a balsa. But I believe what the resort is most proud of is their meals that have lambs in them. They guarantee you that its fresh, and I believe them! Before entering the resort, you will see a small herd of lambs. If you are an animal-rights activist, this may make you crazy knowing the lambs outside will be devoured anytime. But if you believe in the circle of life, like me, then you must taste their lamb meals. Maybe a bit pricey, but as I have been consistently saying, its worth it!

All in all, my stay in Lago de Oro is, well you know, worth it! If you are willing to spend big time for a 2 days & 1 night vacation, Lago de Oro may just be a place for you! Not only will you enjoy the quality time bonding with your family, you get to bump elbows with celebrities as well!

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Saturday, 8 November 2008

Great- Grandpapa's Memory

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I have met him before... yet I never have talked to him...
I have seen him before... yet I never heard him talk... I have known him... yet I never knew him...


One thing I regret being young is not being able to know my great grandpa. He passed away when I was too young to even understand about death. I heard from all my relatives that he was a great man. A man too strict when it comes to discipline, but too lax when it comes to love.

He was a Surgeon General back in Martial law days, they said. With all the power and fame he had during that time, my family could have been 1 of the most powerful in our country today. But since my great grandpa was never corrupt, he had let go of some of the oppurtunities, even being given a permanent status in any country of his choice.

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Looking back at the chances given to him, most of my relatives, including me, believe he may have made a wrong choice. But during his wake, most the people who came to give repsect to him, amazingly, were not the "powerful" people back then... but those who served for him. All those under him remembered how my great-grandpa never was tempted with power or fame.

My mom used to say, despite his busy schedule before, my great- grandpa would make time to visit St. Jude every Thursday and Sacred Heart every Friday. He even forced my mom to go with him most of the time.

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To be bad is the easiest choice one can make... but to be good and do the right thing is the hardest... a lot of people can easily confuse money with power, most of us, when we have money, we think we are greater than others... some, confuses money for hapiness... but look at me... i have money (given by others), i have all technology the world can offer... yet, im depress!


My great-grandpa may have had a hard life when he was living... he may not have all what rich people may have materially... but during his last days here on earth... he was given the respect and honor he truly deserve... and... isn't that what matters the most?

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

Grandpa's Visit 10/30/08 - 11/3/08

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Grandpa has visited us again.

I really appreciate his visits everytime. He would bring a lot of things from Japan, most of them are fresh things. He is our supplier of all things Japanese. First agenda on our list for his vist is a visit to Puerto Gallera. We stayed in Dreamwave Hotel.

Since it was a holiday, there were so many people in Puerto Gallera. It seems that hundred of people arrived every hour in different boats. There were some who were playing beach volleyball, some were even doing their teambuilding activities right in the middle of the beach. It was a fun and nice view to look at.

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There were so plenty of things to do in Puerto Gallera. We did snorkeling, swimming, and even got hena tatoo. One time, while swimming, Grandpa caught a starfish! People thought we got it from snorkeling... but we didnt! Snorkeling is pretty easy. The corals below the sea is a sight to behold! Seeing it makes you believe there is another world under the sea!

One thing I love about Puerto Gallera too is that all the local people were very friendly and warm. Yeah, they sell you so many things and even follow you around. Yet, they sometimes give friendly advices and are really accomodating. I simply love how they can braid my hair while I relax in the middle of the beach.

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Everything in Puerto Gallera is perfect! Food and accomodation are affordable. Locals are very friendly. The downside, though, is that the vendors tend to follow you everywhere you go. All vendors of all kind here in Puerto Gallera have the skills of a stalker! Just when you thought you lost them already, the popped out in the most unexpected moments.

I had a blast in Puerto Gallera! I swam to my heart's content, meet new friends, and had lots of shells for souvenir! It was a perfect place to bring my Grandpa in and spend some quality time together. I wish we would visit anytime soon again!

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Onearth Family

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This is a site dedicated for my family. Since most of my relatives are scattered around the world, this would be a place that I will use to keep in touch with all of them.


All of the pictures shown in this blog are taken by me. If you tend to use them for any purpose, please give credit to me.