The Isla del Fuego Experience

My friends I were so desperate for a summer getaway adventure and so we planned and planned on where to go. We had a few choices but we ended up choosing Siquijor (Isla del Fuego) because most of them haven't gone there yet. The plan was somehow concrete already and then most of my friends backed out (because one had to go home to her province, the other one had work, the other one had a Civil Service exam the following day, [insert more reasons here!]). And so I was left with RJ who was really willing to go on with the plan with me.

Both of us were really itching to go to Siquijor and so we adjusted our plan because this time, only the two of us are going. Just when we had really really concrete plans, Andrea decided to join us. Haha! So there were three of us already. Yay! 

Since RJ was in Cebu, he had to travel from Cebu to Dumaguete, then together with me and Andrea, we travelled from Dumaguete to Siquijor through Delta. Fare is Php 140 + Php 15 (terminal fee). 

RJ and I at the Dumaguete port terminal

RJ and I at the Delta terminal

There's our Delta! :)

Me, Andrea and RJ. All smiles! Right before we discovered Delta's aircon was busted! Super INIT!

We were all giddy as we stepped foot inside the Delta fast ferry. Super excited to go to Siquijor. Although it wasn't my first time there (HELLO?), but it was my first time to be with RJ and Andrea (Sila na ang first timers sa Siquijor!).

Upon arriving in the port of Siquijor, a trike driver came up to us and offered his service. We asked him how much it would cost us to go to Salagdoong Beach, which is in Maria - three towns away from Siquijor, Siquijor. We finally agreed on Php 400. That's already expensive for a trike ride but we agreed on such price because we knew we're going to have a lot of stop overs because we still had to buy a lot of stuff (a.k.a. ba-on) and we also had to go to the pier in Larena because RJ had to buy his ticket (Siqujor-Cebu) for the following day.

There's our small trike! In case you need a tour guide or trike, just contact Kuya IP at 09272633983. He's really nice and kind to us but PLEASE HAGGLE WITH HIM. You should also ask him (or the trike driver you chose) to pick you up from Salagdoong on the day of your departure. 

RJ buying some more ba-on for our Salagdoong trip.

The way to Salagdoong Beach from the high way. Parang yung man-made forest ng Bohol. :)

It took us about 1 hour and 30 minutes (including the stop overs) to finally get to Salagdoong Beach. We were so ready to hit the beach but we had to set up our tent first and cook lunch. You can rent tents there so no need to worry if you don't have one or if you're too tamad to bring one. A small tent (good for 3 people) costs Php 300 only. That's just Php 100 per person/night. :) I think they also have a big tent that is good for 5-6 people which costs Php 500. Not sure with that though. We also rented a table (with 4 plastic chairs) for Php 50/day.

Andrea with our tent and our table. Camping na ito!

If you have noticed in the picture above, we brought a cooler with us. Haha:) It was really a brilliant idea because we stayed at the beach shore the whole time! So in case you go there, PLEASE DO BRING A COOLER with you for your ice cubes. You can actually buy ice cubes at the canteen of Salagdoong Beach, but we were too tamad to go there back and fourth just for ice so we hoarded! Haha.

So after we got settled with our tent and stuff, we started cooking our lunch. Yes, we brought raw meat and grilled it there. There's actually food in the canteen but we were just paranoid. The next day, we were too lazy to cook and decided to order food in the canteen nalang. Haha:) After we had our lunch, the inuman has begun at 2 in the afternoon. Drinks (alco and non-alco) are sold at the canteen too, but we just had to bring our own Jagermeister. We bought our beers at the canteen though. San Mig Light at Php39.

Jager test tube shots. 

We went swimming from afternoon till night time. We had to make the most of our time there and since that was what we wanted (BEACH!), so go na sa swimming! Haha:) Night time came and we had dinner at the sand. We ate the remaining food we had from lunch and some canned goods we brought. Then the inuman continued.

The 3B essentials pag pupunta ng beach: Baraha, Beer, and Banig (wala kaming banig so sarong nalang) Haha:)

Light drawing. SIQ... UIJOR. Haha:)

Our attempt for a jumpshot. Omg J, your legs are so tiny wtf!

Salamat sa tripod! Haha:)

Rj playing with my poi. :)

The next day, it rained very hard WTF so me and Andrea woke up very early. Like 5:30am early! We couldn't go back to sleep anymore so we decided to go swimming. Salagdoong has a really amazing sunrise but we weren't able to witness that because of the rain. Boohoo. Rj woke up at around 9 already.

Beer for me at 5:30 in the morning. Yayyy! Nothing beats morning beer! :)

We had the whole morning to enjoy the beach for ourselves, because the place started to get crowded during noon time. It was a sunday kasi. I suggest bakasyonistas to go there during weekdays if you want a more peaceful outing. :)

The whole Salagdoong to ourselves...

...but it got really crowded come lunch time.

The slide to the open sea! 

Salamat sa tripod again! Haha:)

In the afternoon, we went home to Pop's house in the 'bayan' to wash up and rest since RJ was already leaving in the evening while Andrea and I decided to leave the following day since there were no trips to Dumaguete already. 

Dead tired from the beach.

We just had to withdraw. Haha;) Yes, there's an ATM in the bayan. :)

So that's probably it - the whole of our weekend getaway to Siquijor! Hahah. Too little time, I know. We wanted to tour around the island and see the whole of Siquijor but we had no enough time. Well maybe next time, yeah? :) 

SIQUIJOR AYOS!

The Pocket God Update.

WOW. It's been almost four months since I wrote something here. That long? I focused more on my food blog lately because I really really think it needs more of my time and attention. Don't you think so too?

Sooo anyways, the Team O went to Bacolod City last April and it was helluva fun! It's been months since we had a not-so out of town trip and I was so excited to attend Les' thanksgiving party in Bacolod because it was a good excuse to kick-off the summer season. In case you wonder, here's a detailed entry on how to go to Bacolod from Dumaguete City.

As soon as we set foot on the City of Smiles, the Dumaguete delegation got reunited with the Bacolod and Cebu delegation. It was fun to catch up with them over good food courtesy of Pao at the Carribean Waterpark and Resotel.

Team O at the Carribean Waterpark and Resotel

After the orgasmic lunch courtesy of Pao, we went to Calea (which I haven't blogged about yet) to have desserts. Well, what's going to Bacolod without visiting Calea, right? Everything we ordered were mouth-watering and I am seriously salivating right now!  Nom.

So night time came and it was already time for Les' thanksgiving party, but we still went to The Ruins (Talisay City). It's about 30 minutes away from Bacolod City. Entrance fee is Php 40.

The Ruins showcases what is left of the Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson Ancestral Home in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. During its heyday, the mansion was the largest residential structure ever built. It boasted of its garden of lilies in and around the four-tiered fountain on the mansion’s front lawn and the finest furniture, chinaware and decorative items that its owners brought from their travels across Europe and Asia. Read more

The Ruins

After the sight-seeing and picture-taking moments at The Ruins, we proceeded to Les' party at some clubhouse back in Bacolod. Although we were late but what's important is we were there to celebrate that special moment with Les. Haha labo much? :) The party was sooo fun that I forgot most parts of it. Mahaha:)

This trip to Bacolod is probably one of the most unforgettable trips of my life so far. :)

Tinta 2011: Dumaguete's First Tattoo Expo

Last night, we were given complimentary tickets for the Tinta 2011, Dumaguete’s very first Tattoo Expo. The event was held at Hayahay Treehouse Bar and there were a lot of cool bands who played that night: Finpot, Spacepets, Ground Zero – all are Dumaguete’s pride; and of course the main band for the night: Powerspoonz from Cebu City.

While the bands were entertaining us with their beat, at the back were the Tattoo Artists’ stations. If my memory is right, there were 5 Tattoo Artists and to name a few were Oliver and Dino from BlackRose Tattoo shop and of course, the man himself, Ricky Sta. Ana. Wooot!

Here are some pictures I took from the Tinta 2011: Dumaguete's First Tattoo Expo event. 

Twenty-Seven.

It’s one of those days. I don't know, but I just feel like everything in this world is ganging up on me. I know I still have a lot of issues to settle and instead of moving my ass right now, here I am, laying down on my bed, blogging. Well, at least I’m somehow trying to be productive, right? And besides, it’s too early yet. Excuses, excuses. I never ran out of them.

The ‘issues’ just kept coming one after the other and I just feel like bursting anytime soon. I must say, this has been the most down point of my life, next to that thing that happened on the summer of 2003. The sad part here is, I have no one to talk to right now. No, let me rephrase that. I don’t want to talk to anyone about it right now. Why? Well maybe because I’m really not that type of a person where I spill everything out. After all I’ve went through, I have proved to myself that people can be very judgmental. Thus, if you don’t want to be judged, then don’t just blab to everyone about everything. People really don’t care about it or worse, they’d even be happy that you’re having an effed up life. 

I have been judged and misjudged several times and up to this very day, they keep haunting the crap out of me. Every time I think about those moments, I still can’t imagine how I was able to handle it. But the important thing is that I was able to shrug it off and move on. I mean, what else is there to do but to keep the past behind and just wish those mothersuckers karma. Bad karma to them, please. 

So going back, I just wish I have someone to talk to right now. Maybe a friend who wouldn’t say something like “It’s your fault” or some sort. You see, that is also the reason why I really don’t open up to friends or even family because everything that comes out of their mouth are words that I don’t want to hear. I feel awful for crying out loud, you guys don’t have to squeeze some lime to the open wound. I just want to hear the things I want to hear because yes, I am a stubborn child of God for Christ’s sake. 

As of this moment, there is a folder, hidden somewhere, that contains 27 write-ups of unexpressed and unsaid feelings. At least, writing them keeps me sane. 

The Emoness In Me.

Every time I feel the urge to write, it's either I feel too up, or too down. Just like now, I feel so shitty. I don't understand exactly, but all I know is that I feel there are a lot of things to cry about now. I've been carrying this heavy heart lately, and I just wish I have someone to cry on. I wish everything's just fine right now so that I could be happy -- WE could all be happy.

I know people change, but memories don't, right? We outgrow the things we were used to do and have. That's given, and I completely understand that. But I just think it's quite unfair that everything around me has changed and moved on, and leaving me just the way I am. Why can't I just move forward and live my life the way I should be living it?

You know the feeling when you want to do this and that because that's what you guys were used to do, but you can't because your fellas have other more important things to do anymore, and besides, it's not their thing anymore? It hurts like crap, you know, because you can't do the things you enjoy most with your friends anymore. But all you can do is just act as if you're not affected, but inside you, there's this knife stabbing every organ you have inside your human body.

I wish I have friends who are by my side right now.

So maybe no one's reaching out, or maybe someone is, but I just can't feel it. But prideorwhatsoever aside, I miss them. That's all.

Balentyms.

Did anyone say "Valentine's Day"? Oh shyeah, I guess I heard it right.

I was chatting with Liza a while ago and she asked me, "Kams, mag-unsa ka karong 14? Naa na ka date?" [Kams, what are you doing on the 14th? Do you already have a date?]. I was like WTF?! What's with the 14th pala? And then it hit me. Haha:-D Can you imagine that I honestly forgot that Heart's Day is already around the corner. What the h*ll.

So anyway, few weeks ago, my friends and I planned to go on a group date on the 14th. Dine out then, as usual, drown ourselves with alc*hol. My V-Day is usually like that. Go drunken-crazeh-babeh. The only difference every year is the people I'm with. And this time, I plan to spend that very special day with my very special friends. My Alpha Delta Kappa friends are planning to "celebrate" on the eve, February 13, and we'll welcome the V-Day with a big bang bonggang bonggang bongbong. Lol.

But if, just if, worse comes to worst and I end up being alone on the 13th and 14th, I already have "back-up" plans.

♥ SKIP THE V-DAY. Sleep on the 13th and wake up on the 15th.

♥  JUSTICE FOR THE LOVELESS! Go and rally outside the usual restaurants where couples would have their oh-so-sweet candlelit dinner to celebrate the V-Day.

♥  FIND A DATE. Go to Mount Ararat and maybe, just maybe, find the ultimate Valentino there.Who knows, right?

Ok, that's pathetic, I know. Hahaha. But hey, those suggestions would probably work. Don't you think? So to those who are alone and do not know what to do on that day, just pick your choice among the three of my "back-up" plans. Ok? Go.

TYs.

Mommy. Lolo Dad. Lols. Manong Popoy. Kyle. Ate Kim. Tita Yeen. Uncle Vinnie. Lolo Uncle. Auntie Weena. Auntie Mila. Lola-Lola. Tita O. Nikka. Papa.

Tita Wing. Piwiw. Timon. Choi. Mar. Pusoy. Bison. Bobbyrich. Marky.

Rizza Mae. Manil. Jhoey. Mak. Jude. Koya. Porpor. Doms. Vince. Manang. Piggy Bank. Smith.

Yana. En. Gail. Bam. Drei. Chino. Jupo. RJ. Chedette. Lher. Derick.

Sir Arpee. Yuimien. Beneno. Goma. gelloXP.

Lloyd. Allen. Jude. Wing. Ate Liza. Ate Beauty. David. Panda. Wynne. Chres. Daryl. Meliza. Desiree. Hanzel. Nixx. Ricky. Elaine. Jerome. Genesis. Dee-Jay. Rose. Sinclaire. Louie.

Jai. Giowoah. Mrs. Limjoco. Jake. Mara. Klara. JM. Winsse. Isabella. Erika.

Thank you for making my birthday extra special!

...and this will be updated...

Survivor.

Looking back on my 2008, I couldn't help but give myself a tap. I couldn't imagine anymore how I survived the 365 days of 2008. I had my ups and downs, and it was super chaotic, sure thing. But here I am, still whole, alive, and kicking.

I couldn't point out anymore the important things that happened last year, but I can surely point out the things that made me happy - the times when I felt that I was in the highest point of my life. I could clearly remember that those were the months of the last quarter of the year, and honestly, I still haven't gotten over with those things. I don't know if this is good or bad, but there are a lot of feelings and actions that I brought to 2009 which, I know, should be left behind.

But yeah, here I am now, as I said, whole, alive, and kicking.

Generally, 2008 was a great year for me.

I just don't know what to expect this 2009, because I am very much aware that I didn't start my year right. Thankstoyou.