Kelly Clarkson - Because of You

One of my favorite songs. One of Kelly Clarkson's best! (Credits to the owner of this video)

Awesome Graveyard!

Hong Kong, China - We were on a bus on the way to Ocean Park in Hong Kong when we passed by this huge cemetery. I don't know what it's called (probably Hong Kong Cemetery? - I'm guessing here), but it is by far the biggest cemetery I've ever seen, alongside commercial areas and towering buildings. Oddly, I find it beautiful.

Life and Nature
Hong Kong Ocean Park
May 20, 2010

Amateur video clips taken at Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China.

Election Day

May 10, 2010
Election Day
Philippines

Did you vote? I hope everyone who is qualified, did. Despite the glitches, the long lines of voters waiting for their turn to vote, the defective PCOS machines, the human errors unintentionally committed by untrained COMELEC representatives/teachers - we should still persist and have the patience and perseverance to be able to cast our votes. This could be the one chance we've been waiting for that could change the future of the country. Some didn't want to vote because they believe whoever gets the position won't change anything. With due respect, I believe otherwise. I prefer to never stop hoping that there is HOPE in the country. And if that most coveted CHANGE happens, I can proudly say, I am part of it.

I voted, and I felt good.

COMPANY OUTING - KABAYAN BEACH RESORT

Kabayan Beach Resort
April 27, 2010 Tuesday
Laiya, San Juan Batangas
Philippines


The employees gathered at the company's Corporate Headquarters as early as 4:00am. Some even stayed overnight at the clinic(office) to avoid coming in late and risk being left behind by the bus. As always, there were those who just can't come on time, so we had to wait for them, I should say, unhappily. Even the bus was late (huh!). We were able to leave the office at a little past 6:00am. We had to prepare ourselves for a long trip, about 3 to 4 hours from where we came from.

The bus was a mess - aside from being late, it was running slow apparently due to some mechanical problem, and the AC wasn't working properly. To top it all, the bus driver wasn't familiar with the place and it took longer for us to reach our destination. Good thing, the long trip was all worth it when we finally reached the resort.

Entrance to the Resort


A Grotto welcomes all visitors, found right after the entrance/gate.


A picture of the beach




Serene...but steaming hot!


This is where they do ceremonies like weddings, birthdays, and other events.


Some employees played beach volleyball...


...while waiting for the food, which was being prepared right in front of our cottages


Swimming time!!!


Everybody enjoyed the day. Overall it was a fun-filled, memorable company activity.

Family Outing - Morong, Bataan

After spending the whole morning looking for a beach resort first in Subic, then in Morong, Bataan, we finally settled in a newly opened beach resort, The Bonito Beach Resort, located in Morong, Bataan. According to the receptionist, they opened just a few days ago, and indeed, the rooms were very new, cozy to the point of being elegant, and ours was big enough to fit 11 heads (six adult and 5 children). Well, the sand wasn't as white as Boracay's and other beaches in the South, but it was so fine, and it was surprisingly beautiful.

Day 1

We started swimming at around 4pm, when the sun was not so high and we were spared of sunburn. Just to be sure, I applied a lot of sun block on my kids' body. It was effective.









Day 2

The sky was so clear, the sun was up as early as 6am, still my kids braved the sun and basked in the sea. Oh, how they love the beach!





We went to the other side of the island, about 30 minute travel by a banca (boat). There we were able to visit a small sanctuary for "pawikans" (tortoise).



A "pawikan" (tortoise)


Life cycle of a "pawikan"


Getting ready for home.


It was worth the long search. We had so much fun!

It's Summer! Where to go?

Summer is officially here! School is out, kids are at home, and everyone is thinking of a place to go. Since the start of the month (March) the sun shines so early and at about 9 a.m., it can almost burn the naked skin. My kids have been prodding me to go swimming. Okay, it's the Holy Week (religious holidays among Christians that commemorates Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, it is also the week before Easter). This year, Holy Week holidays fall on April 1 and 2, and it's a long weekend. Where should we go?


My son has been bugging me to go to Baguio City, the country's summer capital. The last time he was there was about 3 years ago. It's definitely the place to chill out, and I mean literally chill out, coz it is cold there as compared to Manila. But it's a long drive too, like 6 hours or more, depending on the traffic, and since it's Holy Week and most of those in the city will go somewhere colder, most of them to Baguio, travel time could be longer.


The Beach. We're planning to hit the beach, but I don't want to travel far, so we're looking at Batangas, this is one of the provinces in the South that boasts of nice, clean, white beaches. My niece did some reservations and it turned out almost all the resorts in that area are already fully booked for the Holy Week. But she hasn't given up yet, neither have I.

Another option is to go swimming at waterparks. This (picture) is one of the more famous waterparks in Bulacan (8 Waves), the nearest province up north, and it boasts of a number of wave pools and offers other activities such as volleyball and billiards. My kids will definitely enjoy it here.

So, where to go? I'll see where our feet bring us.