Enchanted Kingdom Coca-Cola Partnership

Last Chinese New Year, on Jan. 22 to be exact, I was invited to go to Enchanted Kingdom not just to witness the celebration of Coca-Cola's 100th year, but also to celebrate its new partnership with Enchanted Kingdom. I remember when I attended all the other EK events before, Pepsi products were the ones being sold in the food stands. Now, it's all Coca-Cola. I find it awesome because I am a Coca-Cola fan myself. Even if it's one of those things that I am not allowed to drink by my doctor anymore, I still do so from time to time. Hihihi.

Caliraya Windsurfing, Japanese Garden, Isdaan Trip

What happens during a Caliraya Windsurfing Trip?

Driving from Alabang to Caliraya Laguna takes about 4 hours so we usually head out early on a Saturday or Sunday morning to avoid traffic, hoping to reach Surf Camp between 10-11 am.

For directions on how to go to Surf Kamp in Caliraya, please go to this link:
How to get to Surf Kamp

Entrance per person in Surf Kamp is Php75.00. Once inside the premises, you can check the place first, take some photo ops, and see if there's enough wind power in the air to help you windsurf later on. Well at least, that's what we usually do. We scout the area, see if there are already windsurfers and kite surfers enjoying the lake, or camping around, plus we test the water temperature. Usually, the lake water is quite freezing in the morning so instead of renting a windsurfing board out right, we schedule afternoon lessons instead with Noni (my instructor) and come back after lunch. You can contact him at these numbers: 0909-2243921 or 0918-3435666.

Best Orlando Hotels

When going to Orlando, Florida, the first thing that comes to mind more than visiting the theme parks there are Orlando Hotels. Where will we stay? Will the cost fit our budget? Can we get great packages that include both tours and accommodations? What if we want to bring pets with us (my sister has three super cute shih tzus that she never leaves behind)?

It would also be great if we can get deals that include breakfasts, lunch and dinners so we won't have to think about it anymore, plus, activities or programs that kids can do in case my nephew comes with us too.

Things to Do at Mambukal Resort

If you're going to Bacolod any time soon, I suggest that you check out Mambukal Resort located in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental. It's a beautiful nature park perfect for family and group outings with lots of things to see and activities to do. 

To know how to get there, and how much to spend, please head to this link: How to get to Mambukal Mountain Resort

To read all my posts about Mambukal Mountain  Resort, please go to this link: Mambukal Mountain Resort

So far, we've already gone boating in Mambukal as well as trekked its magnificent waterfalls. Watch the waterfalls videos here: Mambukal Falls videos

For other things to do, read more...

Mambukal Falls Videos

Since the new year, I've been very busy delving into new and old things. There's my freelance virtual assistant work, my vegetable garden, my herbal jelly soap business which I am incorporating into my course on Artist's Way, quiet time, tarot cards and meditation, my interest in feng shui, and now I've enrolled myself into an unlimited type of gym membership at Gold's Gym for one month. It was my second time today and I've already spent about 8 hours at the gym in total. Yep, I plan to go there everyday if possible to maximize the membership, plus to also prepare myself for surfing some more, both in La Union and Siargao's Cloud Nine.

Chasing Mambukal's Seven (7) Waterfalls

This is a continuation of my travel posts about Mambukal Mountain Resort, a beautiful nature park located in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental. 

To know how to get there, please head to this link: How to get to Mambukal Mountain Resort

To read all my posts about Mambukal Mountain  Resort, please go to this link: Mambukal Mountain Resort

On this post, I'll focus more on the best thing you can do while visiting this wonderful mountain resort: Climbing the 7 Waterfalls

It's More Fun in the Philippines - new DOT slogan

Well, it's true! Even Neil Gaiman tweeted:

I should know! I was one of those people who did hug him and smiled at him a lot when he was here! LOL!

 *pardon the person who took this blurred shot. The line was so long with so many people waiting we weren't allowed to take any more pic. Oh well.

Anyway, despite the many calamities we face on a regular basis, I still say with a big resounding voice IT's MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!!! This is why I never dreamed of working abroad; why until now, I still haven't applied for any U.S. or European visa, why I keep coming back and exploring the many beautiful islands we have. With 7,107 islands in the Philippines, I don't think one lifetime is enough to enjoy them all. I am, however, lucky enough to have been to and done so many FUN things in the Philippines:

• I surfed La Union and Zambales (and soon in Siargao!)
• I did scuba diving in Anilao, Batangas
• I experienced the sardine run in Pescador island, Moalboal, Cebu
• I conquered my fear of heights on the ziplines in Mount Mayon, Legazpi, and Misibis Bay in Bicol
• I frolicked with whale sharks, the gentle giants of Donsol, Sorsogon
• I snorkeled in an otherworldly lake, teeming with millions of stingless jellyfish in Siargao
• I took a dip and even jumped off many different waterfalls, Katibawasan in Camiguin, Kabigan in Ilocos, Mambukal in Bacolod, Pundaquit in Zambales to name a few
• I danced my heart out in the street at the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio
• I windsurfed in the calm waters of Lake Caliraya and Misibis bay
• I explored and experienced all the wonders of Coron and Palawan
• I lived on the still beautiful island of Boracay
• I discovered even more beautiful, more pristine islands in Caramoan
• I soaked in the sun and played in the waters in the many gorgeous beaches in the country

I've done all that and more and yet, I not only find myself doing it all over again; there are still a lot of places in the Philippines I haven't gone to; there's a ton of other fun experiences I want to try. There's really no denying it; it really is more fun in the Philippines. (^_^)

Sexy Nomad's New Adventures

I've been meaning to update my travel posts here the past few days but since New Year my time has been spent on other things that also matter to me like biking, meditation and some light yoga. I've always been meaning to live a more healthy lifestyle and this year proved to be a good start. But don't worry because traveling is still one of my passions and where I get most of my inspirations. I'll be sharing with you some of my travels soon. But for now, do visit my other blogs for updates on these new adventures...

The Frugalicious - It's a simple online store I made for my crafts. Right now, I've been adding my all-natural herbal jelly soaps I call SEXY BONBON in my inventory. Do check them out! I'll be adding more flavors soon as well as other handmade crafts, beautiful apparel and other pretty and useful stuff. I try to devote as much of my free time in this endeavor as possible. You can say that I'm doing this slowly but surely. (^_^) For promos and discounts, like my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thefrugalicious

2012 Philippine Holidays - Official List

With the various important things that I want to accomplish this year, I still want to be able to travel like I did before. It's a good thing that we have a lot of long weekends this year! Philippine tourism will further flourish, I'm sure! I just hope that my hubby don't get to work on long holiday weekends so we can once again travel some more. So if you haven't scheduled your travels yet (like me), here's the list of 2012 Philippine Holidays to help you plot your next adventure. (Reference: http://www.starmometer.com)

 Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday- April 5
Good Friday – April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day -May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day – August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Sunday)

Special (Non-Working) Days

Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day – November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year- December 31 (Monday) 

Special Holiday (for all schools)

EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday) 

Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha

(These are tentative only, official dates to be announced by our Muslim brethrens)
Eid-al-Fitr – August 20 (Monday)
Eid-al-Adha – October 26 (Friday) 

Long Weekends are:

January 21-23, 2012 (Chinese New Year) (Sat-Mon)
April 5-9, 2012 (Holy Week and Araw ng Kagitingan) (Thurs-Mon)
April 28-29 (April 30) May 1, 2012 (Labor Day) (Sat-Mon)
August 18-21, 2012 (Eid-al-Fitr and Ninoy Aquino Day) (Sat-Tues)
August 25-27, 2012 (National Heroes Day) (Sat-Mon)
October 26-28, 2012 (Eid-al-Adha) (Fri-Sun)
November 1-4 (All Saints’ Day) (Thurs-Sun)
November 30-Dec 2 (Bonifacio Day) (Fri-Sun)
December 29-Jan 1 (New Year) (Sat-Mon)

Hello 2012, Goodbye 2011!

Less than three more hours to go and my vow to start a new life is now here to be realized! But before I say hello to 2012, let me say THANK YOU 2011 for all the amazing blessings you have given me:

JANUARY

• Getting featured at ABS-CBN's Bandila for their episode on virtual assistants 
• Getting re-acquainted again with my creative self when I attended another soap making seminar
• Re-acquainting myself with a childhood hobby - drawing

FEBRUARY

• Having the best Valentine's Day and longest birthday celebration so far
• Joining the Garnier video shoot
• Being part of Train Station at Radisson Blu

MARCH

• Being part of Eurotel Bloggers Tour
• Another Train Station moment at The Manor, Baguio

APRIL

• Fulfilling my long time dream of living in Boracay for a month!

Jayme Timbol, Yoga and Creative Dreams

It's almost the new year and I'm glad that I spent Dec. 29-30 with my friend, Jem, who came home from Utah, U.S.A. We've been friends since our Etelecare days back in 2001, meaning we've maintained our awesome friendship for a decade now! I may have very few NEW friends these days, but those I keep, I do intend to keep them for eternity. (^_^)

Joel Disini says i.ph is shutting down soon

Peter and I were enjoying our time together one afternoon. While window shopping for kayaks and hobie cats somewhere here in Alabang, we saw Mr. Joel Disini, the man behind i.ph, shopping for a two-seater kayak.

This was the second time I met him in person. The first time was last year in Enchanted Kingdom. 

Peter and Mr. Joel Disini

The Day that was Christmas

Christmas has now become my least favorite holiday...

Hitachi Life Studio External Hard Drive

One of the things I bought for myself this Christmas was an external hard drive. My old one is a 500GB Lacie external hard drive which I've been using since 2007. It's mostly for work, blogging and photos so I think another 500GB external hard drive would suffice.

How to Successfully Use Payday Loans - a Guest Post

There are so many people who use payday loans without really thinking about what this type of loan could do to their finances. Payday loans could cause the borrower to go into a vicious cycle of debt that can be very difficult to get out of. If you have considered all of your options, and a payday loan is your only way out, you should still take some factors into consideration and think about your financial future before you borrow. With the right strategy, you can successfully pay off your payday loan and prove that anyone can use a payday loan wisely.

Shop around and ask questions

There are lots of options for payday loans today. There are hundreds of stores across the country, and even more companies offering payday loans online. It is very important that you shop around for the best interest rates and ask questions about the company you are considering. Read reviews to see if the company is trustworthy, and find out if there are any hidden terms and/or fees for your loan. Read all of the fine print on your contract, and make sure you find the best deal for you.