Baguio City: A City Tour

It's always a pleasure going back to Baguio every now and then. After the heat of the lowlands and the provinces, Baguio City is a real breath of fresh air. So we took time to savor the perks of being in the City of Pines. Contrary to facts that it's becoming polluted, we find ways to relinquish that there are still trees and a fresh of breath air here and a beauty to behold. Here are pictures that become testaments to this reality. So if you're considering to feel in the coolness that only Baguio City can offer especially these holidays, then do check out these following scenic spots.

PMA (Philippine Military Academy)

You think the place is more for cadets but not anymore. It's a one of the gems of Baguio where clean and fresh air as well as pine trees commune. Don't forget to check their museum where you can take pictures. I think it's one of those rare museums where you can take photos!

Perfect Tree House

Replica of a Cadet's Life

The Blogger Imitating G. H. del Pilar

Long Gray Line or Is it now orange?

Canons and War

PMA Museum: A Maniature

Momentous Monument

The PMA Seal

Botanical Garden: It is a fusion of the indigenous and the floral array. Often unkempt and unimproved nowadays. (Too sad...)

Thing You Find at the Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden: Floral Allure

Wishing Well: Do all wishes come true?

Tam-awan Village: The Venue for the Arts that is truly Cordilleran

Indigenous and Ingenuity

The Dream Catcher

Snails: A Natural Habitation

Let's Dance

Jack of all trades but master of none. Yes, I am a self-confessed jack of all trades. If there was no word for what I wanted to express, perhaps I'll be creating my own dictionary (lol)! Yes, I am a dreamer. Besides being a frustrated pianist, I too wanted to be a ballerina. But my bones are too brittle that I thought it would crack at bending (lol)! Luckily, I didn't have 2 left feet at all. Yes, I love dancing - from jazz to hiphop and the other dances, I sure did it all once in my life! Whether in school as a requirement, at different occasions or at home, dancing with the music or without any music at all (lol)!

That is why I had the time of my life when my sister invited me to watch her at one of the University of Baguio concert entitled UB Graces. To my amazement, they featured dances from Ethnic to Folk Dance to Ballroom Dance to Contemporary Dances including that underground dance style called "Crumping or Krumping "! If there was versatility in dancing, I give them not only a thumbs up but hands up (lol)!I was awed and wowed by the performances that I so wanted to capture every moment but they were too fast for a newbie like me. But the photos by CSA who was working her feet and hands to keep up with the beat of capturing moments were pretty good. So I'll let you in to the groove and say, let's dance!!!

This says it all: Everybody has the inner G for Grace!

An Ethnic Dance Called Pattung: Consists of Putting Together Clay Pots on the Head without Breaking Them. (Good thing, not one pot was broken or else the floor manager would have to clean up the whole place... lol!)

A Muslim Dance: Sitting Like a Queen on Two Bamboo Sticks (Wow!)

The "Pinasikat na Baso" Dance: I never thought there was this kind of Folk Dance using glasses as an accessory other than for drinking. Filipinos really are imaginative (lol)!

Rigodon Dance: By my Sister "Cha"

Real Ballerina: Wish I could be in her shoes (lol)!

A Contemporary Jazz: With lifts and all (this was one of my favorites during the performance)

A Contemporary Jazz: With lifts and all (this was one of my favorites during the performance)

A' La Broadway: Spell Spectacular!

Girl Power and the Swagger

Crumping: How I wish I could do that (lol)!

Coron, Palawan: Mt. Tapyas Hotel

After going to Coron for the second time around, we know that finding the best accommodation deals traveling in the Philippines generally lies in staying in lodging houses (I know it's so "kuripot" but why spend too much when you can save more???). But, oh boy, we were wrong! This is what we proved when we were booked in Mt. Tapyas hotel in Coron (Busuanga), Palawan. After the staff attended to our every request, we were really glad we stayed here.

Compared to the typical lodging houses in Coron which consists of nipa-like houses, Mt. Tapyas is a spell of class, comfort and affordability. You can even walk from the hotel to the port (which happens to be where the market and plaza is located together with the boats you will use for island hopping) in 15 minutes. You can dine sumptuous meals which by the way are really delicious (and which I forgot to take pictures of because we were really famished!). You can choose a mountain view or sea view of their rooms which ever suits your taste.

Indeed, our stay was a spectacular stay. Every request, every problem and every need were responded with warmness. Thanks to Mt. Tapyas Hotel!

So if ever you're planning to visit the spectacular Coron, Palawan, do consider a stay in Mt. Tapyas Hotel. You'll never regret it! We never did!

The Entrance Header

Garden View of the Hotel

Waiting by the Entrance

My Bed for 3 Nights (This was before I turned it into a choatic whirlwind... lol)

View from the Bar

Bar Snapshots: 1. Zye looks at the Spectacular Ocean View; 2 and 3: Views of the gang with Lot

View of the Bar at Night: Where we commune every night to discuss financial affairs and dine and drink!

Sun, Sea and Sand

There are many islands in Coron, Palawan. Most of them have white sands that are soft and fine which makes it so endearing to brush against your toes.It can have an ankle-deep water where you can get down and get dirty in the sand like in Bulog Island or shallow waters in Malcapuya or clear waters for snorkeling in Banana Island. This is what we were able to capture this time - getting down and dirty under the sun and the sand. Like little children at play, we had fun. Here are snapshots that made us realize that it's really nice to have fun, smile, laugh and live life the most.

Getting Down and Dirty in the Sand

Pulling the Boat Rope

Who Didn't Make it to the Jump Shot? Me!!!

Beach Bodies? Not So! (lol)

Random: Hey, What's Going On?

Coron, Palawan: Senses

Nature is always a beauty. It possesses wonders and colours that can be captured only by our senses. But time is fleeting, so you need to capture and take a memory of every treasured moment. Sometimes, we let time pass by without sensing how beautiful God's creations are. nature in its simplest has always been the most beautiful. The following are shots taken by different hands including me at different times capturing the sights of Coron, Palawan's natural beauty. At the end of the day, let us thank God for these majestic beauty. For He is the greatest painter of all!

Skies as Viewed from Maquinit Hotsprings by CSA

Siete Pecados at its Glory by Roy

Splendid Kayangan Lake View by LD

Illumination: Caves near Kayangan Lake by Roy

Boat Unica Yza: Our Boat for the 2 day travel by LD

From Afar: Banana Island by LD

 

Beach Stretch: Malcapuya Island by Roy

Not Just Another Sunset: It's Coron by LD

Thanks to the boat Unica Yza with boatman Kuya Alvin and photographer/ boatman assistant Roy. They took care of us during the trip. They even cooked our food and assisted us during the boat ride. Thanks also to Lot for preparing food for us and giving us the kindest service. Thanks to Mt. Tapyas Hotel for the very warm accommodation and granting our requests. We'll definitely come back again sometime soon.

Conquering Moments

This is me - a writer but more than that a dreamer. There are moments when I look into the camera and flash a smile but there are moments when I have the flare for drama and desire to be alone. Oh yes, I love being me and I want to inspire others to love themselves too. I believe in the uniqueness of every person as there is beauty in life always.

Sometimes, there must be moments for soul-searching. it creates wonders to know one's self as opposed to knowing one's self as described by others. That's why we have mirrors to see ourselves clearly and eyes which reflects our souls. Whoever we are and where ever we may be, there's beauty yearning to be discovered and ready to touch other people's lives.

Here are my own moments during our trip to Coron, Palawan where I couldn't help but be me.

Breathtaking Resilience at Bulog Island

View from the Kayangan Lake

Sitting by the Trees

Walking Along the Beach When the Sun was Hot

Me and the Cottage at Malcapuya Island

Captured Glimpse

The Look: Side Glances