May 14, 2009 by ajay
Hubby and I went to Island Cove Hotel & Leisure Park because we were suddenly too tired to drive as far as Tagaytay. Coming from our place in the south, this resort near Bacoor, Cavite was only an hour away. First impressions: the place was really huge! It was also a good deal that we got a two-bedroom cottage for P4,500, although it seemed strange that it didn’t go with free buffet breakfast. Anyway, more on that later. 
Here are some pictures of the place I unearthed from my archives.
Category Road Adventures | Tags: giant chessboard,Island Cove Cavite,Island Cove Hotel Leisure Park,Island Cove review,Island Cove weddings,Island Cove zoo | 3 Comments
May 12, 2009 by ajay
So the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter went home to a triumphant welcome as he toured key cities in Metro Manila yesterday. As officials scrambled for their own chance to share in the Pacquaio limelight, at least one piece of news caught my eye: youth party list Representative Raymond Palatino proclaimed Manny Pacquaio as the “Pambansang Hinlalaki.” A bit awkward sounding and the direct translation is “National Thumb.” Anyway, this was all meant to underscore Pacquiao’s role in encouraging people to vote in the 2010 elections (i.e. use their thumbs to register), a move that should complement Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s RV caravan.
Totally unrelated:, here’s one Pacquaio feel-good joke I got from my inbox today, courtesy of my friend Issa from Switzerland. Apologies to my British/Britain-based readers
What is the relation between Pacquaio and yoga? Indian yoga is an exacting discipline and takes one to three years to achieve.
While Indian yogis go into the ‘stream of consciousness,” Mexicans lose consciousness by drinking too much tequila. Unknowingly, they imitate the classic yoga pose:
British yoga is the easiest of all.
Category Pacquiao watch | Tags: | 5 Comments
May 8, 2009 by ajay
A trip to Mt. Pinatubo wouldn’t be complete without sampling a ride in locally-assembled 4 X 4 jeeps, also known as four wheelers. In fact, they’re your vehicular gateway to Pinatubo. Riding these sturdy vehicles of metal and steel makes the whole trip half-fun and half adventurous. Seven of us were able to squeeze in one jeep (including the driver) and our guide was seated by the hood, for lack of space.
Anyway, I couldn’t help but be amused when I asked the driver about the make and assembly of the jeep. The body was like a surplus Willys jeep, while the engine and chassis are either Toyota or Mitsubishi. I really don’t know what kind of quality control our local mechanics imposed on the jeeps, but their performance sure looked impressive as we climbed the famed “Skyway” (shortcut to Pinatubo) with its rough roads, steep climbs, rocky surface, and lahar-laden territories.
If, as a tourist, you’re amazed at the colorful Philippine jeepneys, the Pinatubo four-wheelers are another incarnation. As they say, iba ang Pilipino….. Only in the Philippines!
Category Road Adventures | Tags: 4 x 4,four-wheelers,jeepneys,Mt. Pinatubo trek | 4 Comments
May 7, 2009 by ajay
Kinunan ko ang larawang ito habang lumalakbay ang aming binibyaheng jeep galing Mt. Pinatubo. Kahit kuha sa moving vehicle without any setting, natuwa naman ako at maganda ang kinalabasan nya. Ewan ko ba kung bakit tinuturing kong dramatic ang litratong ito at masasabi mong isang larawan to na paborito ko mula sa aming byahe. Sa tingin ko lang, akma ito sa tema ng Litratong Pinoy ngayong linggong ito.
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Category Litratong Pinoy | Tags: | 19 Comments
May 7, 2009 by ajay
A daytime trek to Mount Pinatubo -with a starting point in Capas, Tarlac – is highly recommended if you’re looking for an activity you can do in one day. An overnight stay is also good if you’re one who likes camping out. Overall, this was one trip I totally enjoyed this summer. It had the right combination of sightseeing, physical exercise and adventure, such as our rough ride in the those make-shift four wheeler jeeps – only in the Philippines!
Viewing Pinatubo’s magnificent crater lake for the first time was a breathtaking experience. It was like being transported to paradise after the trouble of waking up at the crack of dawn, riding the four-wheelers on rough roads for one hour and trekking just to reach the foot of the mountain. The ultimate reward is the sight of this beautiful sulphur lake…..
Category Road Adventures, Travel | Tags: 4 x 4 jeeps,Aetas in Mt. Pinatubo,Capas Tarlac,daytrip Mount Pinatubo,Mt. Pinatubo,Mt. Pinatubo tour guide,Mt. Pinatubo trek,Pinatubo crater,Pinatubo lake | 5 Comments
May 5, 2009 by ajay
My Facebook status says it all: why would Manny Pacquiao run for congressman…. why?
It is something that continues to confound me, two days after Pacman, the greatest Pinoy boxer who ever lived, smashed to smithereens the British pug Ricky Hatton.
The obviousness of Pacquiao’s political intentions is signified by the formation of his political party People’s Champ Movement and his introduction in the Las Vegas boxing ring as being from Sarangani province where he’s touted to run next, after being beaten in the last elections in his hometown of General Santos City.
On the issue of his entry to politics, my Facebook friends are divided on the matter.There are some like me who wonder why he has to enter the tarnished world of politics.It sorts of breaks the illusion. Some of us would rather preserve the image of El Pacquiao being the resolute boxer that he is, instead of the traditional politician whose ilk are blamed for bleeding the country’s coffers dry.
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Category People | Tags: | 3 Comments
May 1, 2009 by ajay
Just a few hours and the whole Philippines will be glued to the historic May 2 big fight between Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Arena. The grand confrontation is scheduled at 8 a.m. Manila time, with Martin Nievera singing the Philippine National Anthem.
I will be out of town and will not be around to know how traffic in Manila stops during this time. Although I’ve pinned my hopes on Pacman before, this time am betting on Hatton to humble down the greatest Filipino boxer of all time. But then again, I could be wrong and that makes their match really exciting 
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Category Happenings & Events | Tags: Manny Pacquiao,Pacman,Pacquiao-Hatton match May 2 | 4 Comments
May 1, 2009 by ajay
As a mother of three kids, am no stranger to the culinary staple that is the Kiddie Meal. In fact, one of my criteria in eating out with the young ‘uns is that it should be a kid-friendly restaurant. Good ol’ McDonald’s and Jollibee come to mind. Fine dining slash family restos have their offerings as well, complete with crayons, drawing paper, toys and the like. Let us list a few of them that offer tempting treats. Credits to those who makethe effort to present the food well:
Do you agree with me when I say McDonald’s beats Jollibee in the kiddie meal game? I remember when my children were toddlers and I felt numb already bringing home the McDo toys as pasalubong. Even an adult like me was specially fond of their old Hello Kitty & Daniel giveaways. They were real dolls mind you. Photo shows their present promotion featuring Tamagotchi toyz. Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal at P109.
Singaporean chain Sakae Sushi , known for their sushi conveyor belts, has the most fab presentation for their food, at least from what I’ve seen. Their kids’ meals, at P159, come in reusable ship and airplane designs. This is a good way to introduce your angels to the pleasures of Japanese food. Photo shows Japanese fried rice with beni shoga on top, chicken teriyaki BBQ and kani tempura. This mom tasted it and it was yummy!
Category Munchin' | Tags: | 5 Comments
