All Roads Lead to Boracay

The succeeding posts will be a blow by blow account of our ultimate travel this year --- our anniversary escape to the island paradise of Boracay. I'm sharing our experience in this blog in the hope that other travelers may also learn from it.

We boarded Cebu Pacific Air bound for Iloilo. As mentioned in the previous post, sometime March I was able to score a piso fare deal and only paid a total of Php1550. This is already good for two passengers round trip. Since we'll be in Boracay for four days, we were bringing a luggage that's already beyond the allocated allowance. I got a tip from some friends that it's better to purchase in advance luggage upgrade coz it's cheaper compared to just paying it at the airport. We paid the luggage upgrade a day before our trip and only paid only Php150 per way instead of Php300 if paid at the airport. 

Anyway, after less than an hour, we were already in Iloilo City. The last time I was in Iloilo City was more than 8 years ago and I am amazed at how big and modern their airport is. It's even better compared to Mactan Airport. 

From Iloilo airport, we rode a van to SM Iloilo and paid Php50 each. From SM Iloilo, we took a cab to Ceres Terminal and paid the taxi driver Php150 (amount in the meter is only about Php120 but the taxi driver was so nice we gave him extra). We immediately boarded the next bus that will bring us Caticlan. Bus fare is Php336 per passenger. 

After almost 6 hours, we finally reached Caticlan. We were dropped off at Jetty Port only to be directed by security to Tabon Port for some reason. We boarded again another tricycle paying the regular fare of Php25 per pax. At Tabon Port, there were 3 counters that you need to approach to be able to board a boat that will bring you to Boracay. We paid the following fees per person:

Terminal Fees: Php50 

Environmental Fees: Php75 

Fare: Php20

Boat ride from Tabon Port to Boracay Port only takes 15 - 20 minutes so we were already in Boracay in no time. From Boracay Port, we took a tricycle that will bring us to D'Mall. Since we already made initial research, we made sure that we only paid the regular fare of Php25 per person. 

After walking a few meters in the sea of tourists, I finally got a glimpse of the beach to my dismay. The beach was totally deserted and waves were really huge. The resorts built these windbreakers and sand screens at the beachfront. It's feels like were isolated from something. But of course, I didn't allow that sight to ruin our vacation. We're finally in Boracay and there's no turning back.

NEXT POST: Our home for the next 3 days

Cheers to 10 Years

"Being together isn't about a honeymoon. It's about the real you and me. I want to wake up with you beside me in the morning, I want to spend my evenings looking at you across the dinner table. I want to share every mundane detail of my day with you and hear every detail of yours. I want to laugh with you and fall asleep with you in my arms. Because you aren't just someone I loved back then. You were my best friend, my best self, and I can't imagine giving that up again..." 

- Nicholas Sparks -

Last August 3, Earl and I celebrated our 10th year wedding anniversary in Boracay Island no less. I was able to score a piso fare deal from Cebu Pacific last February for a flight from Cebu to Iloilo (and back). Being with each other on that beautiful island on our 10th wedding anniversary is our gift to each other. The weather in Boracay didn't cooperate though as it was windy and there were rain showers most of the time. We also didn't get the chance to swim and enjoy the beach as the waves were very huge and unsafe for swimming. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed each other's company for 4 days. We went out and party the Boracay way hopping from one bar to another and getting wasted after --- something that we haven't done together in years. 

Until now, I am still amazed at how far we've come in this marriage. Fact remains that we're two different personalities combined and though at times we clash and collide, we remain steadfast in our commitment, love and respect for each other. I give credit to my husband for putting up with me and my imperfections all these years. 

So, cheers to 10 years dad --- more blissful years to come!!!

Amazing Spiderman

I received an invitation from Globe for an exclusive screening of The Amazing Spiderman at no less than SM IMAX Theatre. I was supposed to watch it with my husband but the kids tagged along so I throw all decency outside the window by asking for two more tickets from our Globe account manager. I felt really ashamed but for Spiderman and for the kids, who cares? It was our first time in IMAX we were really giddy.  And it was Zabbie's first time watching movie in big screen. Not to mention the free Flame It Burger and drinks. How amazing is that?

lucky kiddos

I have to beg off in attending our PAS Board Meeting just for this. The new Spiderman, Andrew Garfield is way too HOT for the role. And I think I'm girl-crushing on Emma Stone. She's beyond beautiful. I've read somewhere that they're a real couple off-screen. Oh well, they're too cute together. 

If not for the little drama after the movie, it would've been a wonderful night for the family. Sigh!

Thank you Globe for this treat. Until next IMAX experience!

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel

It just dawned on me that as member of the Philippine Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals Cebu Chapter, I get to visit hotels and resorts every month as one of the perks and I never blogged about it. We always hold sponsored membership meetings in various hotels and resorts in Cebu City and Mactan Island.Almost always, we get a guided tour around these venues. 

From now on, I will be blogging about our monthly meetings and post some pictures. I'm sure our sponsors will appreciate it. For a start, let me share with you my experience at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel - the venue of the 2012 National Convention of Administrative Professionals. I was lucky to be sent by our company to this biggest gathering of secretaries, executive assistants, office assistants and admin professionals. I was with our president, Rhiza who was sent by PAS Cebu Chapter as one of the privileges being the president of our association. 

This is my second time in attending this convention. Being PAS President last year, I was also privileged to attend this gathering. Anyway, going back to the venue, I was very excited knowing that the convention will be held at Sofitel. Aside from the fact that this is one of the most luxurious hotels in the country, I was anticipating the food and the amenities. 

We occupied Mindanao Ballroom for the duration of the convention but lunch was served in other function rooms. 

This was the view from the function rooms. 

Manila Bay

That hammock is so inviting.

Cebu delegation

I think they need to upgrade their furniture --- feels like Marcos regime pa

I didn't get to photograph the food though. I was famished after every session. I wanted to try the famous buffet at Spiral as suggested by the husband but it was closed for renovation after severely hit by typhoon Pedring. Well, that's all folks! I know this is long overdue but better late than never as they say. 

More hotel experiences to dominate this blog...watch out for it!

DAY 17: WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU COULD SAY TO SOMEONE?

Dear YOU,

 What happened?

Love, 

ME

Photo Credit: random tumblr post

Midyear in Review

Early this year, I wrote in my 2012 Starbucks planner a list of the things I want to do this year. 

Allow me to go over the list and give an update of each item...

* Have at least one plane ride out of Cebu - I've had one already when I attended a convention in Manila last April. I also have two more coming up (Boracay and Camsur) - thanks to CebuPac piso fare!

* Wear heels 3 times a week - I've been wearing flats to work so I think I will have a lot of catching up on this one. 

* Run 3 times a week - Been really lazy and sometimes the weather in Cebu has not been cooperating. But I think running twice a week is already good enough. 

* Call Mamsi and Papsi once a week - check!

* Talk to Magee (my sister in Italy) via Skype once a week - there are weeks when our schedules don't meet but we make it a point to give each other updates from time to time.

* Go on a trip to the beach or the mountains with the family once every quarter - the past 6 months, we've been to the beach on several occasions (Plantation Bay, Imperial Palace, Portofino, Nemo's Hideaway, Bahia's Resort Hotel etc.). Two more quarter and I think we would be able to accomplish this.

* Save Php500 every payday - with my siblings living with me, my expenses really shoot up to the highest level and that my take out pay isn't really enough to cover. That explains why I wasn't able to hit this goal. Sigh!

* Read 10 books this year - Thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey, I was able to somehow catch up. I am now on my 4th book this year and wish I could find time to beat my target. 

* Laugh Everyday - thanks to friends and family who never fail to make me laugh everyday. Check!

* Sing and Dance Everyday - sing in the shower but I haven't been dancing lately. 


That's it...my midyear in review. I will need to check on this list from time to time to see how far have I gone. This list somehow gives me some kind of perspective as to what I want to do with my life this year. But I am not putting pressure on myself and just take this year one day at a time. 

Driving...Finally!

Yeah, I finally enrolled myself to a 10-hour driving class after years and years of putting it off. Learning how to drive has been in my bucket list since time immemorial. I want to kick myself for not learning especially when the husband is out on a trip and the car just sits in the garage while I and the kids take public transportation. Don't even mention about bad weather and emergency situations and not being able to even start that darn engine. It sucks!

So, when a colleague recommended this cheap driving school at Php2500 for 10 hours, I finally grabbed the opportunity. I was scared sh*t when the instructor immediately settled me in the driver's seat on day 1. I thought there's some sort of an orientation and familiarization but I was shocked to be behind the wheel immediately with zero knowledge on driving. At first, I was having difficulty as there are a lot of things that you need to focus on --- there's the road, the clutch, the gas, the brakes, the steering wheel, the gears, the side mirrors, the traffic lights, other motorists and the pedestrians among others. But I was able to pull it through with a few engine shut offs in the middle of traffic BUT with no accidents at all. Before I knew it, I was already cruising the streets of Cebu (of course with the instructor in the passenger seat ready to pull the brakes anytime in case I screw up hehe). It is such a liberating experience!

I have yet to get my driver's license since the husband is not yet confident with my driving skills and won't let me drive our car his dad's car. I will make it a point though to hone my driving skills every now and then. As they say, practice makes perfect!