Slumdog Millionaire

After seeing the Oscars, I was left intrigued and curious why this film won a lot of awards. Since dvd is still not available at that time, I decided to maximize the usage of internet. I downloaded the movie and checked what this film has to offer.

Slumdog Millionaire is a story of three individuals, surviving and facing all the realities in life. The story is focused on Jamal, who joined the game show and left everyone wondering why he was able to answer difficult questions though he was not able to go to school. It also shows the wonderful culture of India, which is rich in beliefs and heritage.

The story was great. Simple but deep. It tells us that everything is set and planned. Our destiny is already written, whatever it is.
Indeed, as what Time Magazine said, the movie is a buoyant hymn to life and is worth to celebrate.

Cebu City

coffee at seattle's best

lunch at fridays

dinner at big mao's with Anna and Bimbo

night out at the walk

the city hall of cebu

the famous cross of magellan

the sto. nino church

ayala mall

just arrived in ayala mall after the flight

These are some of the pics of our Cebu City escapade last February. The trip was so fun and was very memorable for us since it was all our first time. Though we were not able to completely tour around the city, at least we were able to go around some nice spots. Thanks to Anna and Bimbo for the very warm accommodation and for the treats.

Bora Anticipation....

I can't help it but be very excited for my " almost perfect summer getaway " in Boracay this summer...

BORACAY, here I come..

PAlawan, wait for me this May. UUUUUUU

You Changed My Life

Sarah and John Lloyd fever is on..

Last February 25, Mae and i decided to chill out and watch a movie. I forgot that it was the opening day of the follow movie of Sarah and Lloydi.

As expected, people were all in line to get tickets and to get inside the cinema houses. Good thing we were able to get good seats.

So here's my review for the movie"

" You Changed My life, the second installment of the Sarah and John Lloyd team up surpasses its prequel, A Very Special Love. The movie is funny and has really the kilig factor. The first movie is a complete fairy tale while the new one tells us how Miggy and Laida lives their fairy tale lives. A perfect valentine movie and it really brings out the kilig in you. It really has exceeded my expectations and I never thought that the movie could really give an extreme impact to its viewers. "

After watching the movie, I notice that everyone has smiles on their faces. How the movie presented the lives of the lead characters gives somehow a hope to all that there is still that special someone out there who will complete your so called fairy tale life. uuuu

The V-Day

Love is in the air especially its February. Its the love season again. 

What's the big deal with Valentines day? For me its just an ordinary day. Others might be having extravagant and fabulous dinner with their loved ones. Me? I just had dinner with my friends and sipped a cup of coffee the whole night.

Nonetheless, I just want to greet everyone  a Happy Valentines Day!!!! Keep spreading the love!!!

Wild Water Rafting

Just arrived at the pitstop

Weeeeee

The magnificent falls

Tampisaw sa falls

Inside the cave

After lunch

Before lunch

High five guys

Paddle hard

Warm up

Gearing up

This experience was so memorable for me. Last January ( this is a late post actually ), we had our wild water adventure in Davao City. It was costly though ( P2000.00 / pax ) but it was all worth it. It was a whole day affair. We started out at 9 am and ended by 330pm. THe rafting time was almost 4 hours with several stops along the way. We may ended up with cramped arms and wounded knees, but the scenery and the experience was all worth it. Hope I can try it again.

Bohol Survival Guide

Bohol Beach Club

Loboc River Cruise

The Chocolate Hills

Tarsier and me

Man made forest

Baclayon Church

Blood Compact Site

White Beach of Panglao Island

After seeing a lot of travel guides in the net, I was inspired to make one Recently, I just had my pre-summer vacation in Bohol. It was my first time and everything was unplanned. Good thing that we were able to survive and explore the whole Bohol Province even on a tight budget.

I hope this guide will be very helpful especially to those first time travelers in Bohol and will give you a heads up on the amount to shell out of your pockets.

How to get there:
Bohol is accessible in many ways. In our part, we took the Davao-Cebu route. Major domestic airlines like Cebu Pacific, PAL Express and Air Philippines offer direct flights to Cebu from Davao.

Once in Cebu, you have 2 options to get to Tagbilaran. One is through RORO, a bigger boat that carries more or less 300 persons a trip. The trip could take up to 4 hours but its much cheaper. Prices are usually between P200 to P300 Pesos. Since we want to maximize our time, we took the fast craft. It is a smaller boat but its much faster. Good thing it has air conditioning and you can watch a movie during the entire duration of the travel. Travel time is also faster since it will take you a maximum of 2 hours. Though its much expensive since you have to prepare P500 to P 800 per one way, depending on the carrier. A tip to travelers, much better if you leave Cebu early in the morning or take the first trip, mostly by 5 to 6 am.

When you're already in Tagbilaran, that's the adventure begins. Outside the port, a lot of people will offer you car rentals and tour services. This is very helpful to those backpackers and travelers who have not made any bookings or arrangements beforehand. Car rentals are between P2000 to P2500 ( up to 6 pax ) and for bigger groups ( up to 13 pax ), vans are available too. Price ranges are between P3000 to P4000. I advise all travelers to really rent a van or a car. It is the cheapest and convenient way in getting around Bohol. Trust me.

In need of a guide? Need not to worry. The driver himself will be your guide. So all you have to do it relax in your cars and enjoy the scenery of Bohol. And by the way, prepare your cash for the fees on spots that you're about to go.

Major Tourist Spots
Blood Compact Site - No entrance fee

Baclayon Church ( One of the oldest church in the Philippines ) - No entrance fee. Though if you want to see their museum, prepare P25.00. Bad thing is that cameras are not allowed there

Loboc Museum - No entrance fee

Loboc River Cruise - A fee of P300.00 is needed which includes buffet lunch and the boat ride

Tarsier sight seeings - No entrance fee. Its along the highway. It up to you and the driver where to stop.

Man made Forest - No entrance fee

Chocolate Hills Park - prepare P50.00 for the entrance fee

Butterfly Garden - P20.00 entrance fee

On our whole day affair in Bohol, we were able to go to all those places. We started at 830 am and ended by 4pm. Most of the time are consumed because of traveling since those destinations are apart from each other. Too bad we were not able to go to the other spots due to lack of time. But to think of, each part of Bohol is a scenery.

Your visit in Bohol wont be complete without visiting Panglao Island. Its a nearby island near Tagbilaran and travel time can take up to 30 to 45 mins by car from Tagbilaran. So if you really wanna go there, you'll have to add P500.00 one way. The stay there is worth it. So if you're not in a hurry, spend the night in Panglao.

There are many resorts that you can choose when you're in Panglao. Among are Bohol Beach Club and Alona Kew. But prices are way too high. Rates can go as high as P3000 to P6000 a night. If you want to spend less, then go straight ahead to Dumaluan Beach Resort. The resort is divided into 2 parts, the main Dumaluan Resort which is a little expensive ( the lowest rate is P1300 ) and the other Dumaluan, just beside it ( rooms can go as low as P600 ). For us, we were able to get a standard room which is good for two persons with an overnight rate of P750.00 plus additional P100.00 for the extra pax. Cheap but still a good find. The room has a fan, a queen size bed, a private cr and your own veranda.

For side trips, you can rent a banca that can take you on an island hopping and dolphin watching. Rates can go between P2500 to P4000 depending on the season and the number of passengers.

Food is quite expensive in Panglao. The cheapest we can find there are grilled goods ( chicken, pork, fish ) with prices between 60 to 100 each. Nightlife is also not so-so on Panglao. You can go ahead and gate rash to the other side of the resort which is Bohol Beach Club. That night, there were acoustic band performers that will serenade the night away.

When leaving Bohol, dont forget to bring with you pasalubongs. Some of the favorites are Peanut Kisses, Piyaya and Kalamay. A lot of novelty shops and pasalubong stores can be found in the city proper. In the port, prepare P12.00 for the terminal fee. Good thing its cheap.

So here's the rundown of the expenses for the 2 days and 1 night stay in Bohol:

Fast craft ride : P900.00 roundtrip

Car rental: P3000 ( P2000 for Bohol day tour and P1000 for Panglao round trip ) divided by 3 ( since there are 3 of us that time ) = P1000.00/ pax

Entrance fee to major tourist spots: P400.00

Panglao accomodations : P850.00 ( divided by 3 equals = P285.00 / pax )

Tagbilaran port terminal fee: P 12.00

Which means, you can explore Bohol for only P2597.00 each person. The more you are in your group, the lesser you will spend.

Going to Bohol is not that costly. If you know how to budget and look for good finds, everything will be okay. To those people who are planning to go to Bohol, I hope that this blog has help you and I also hope that you are considering in going to Bohol of one of these days because as what I always say to my friends, we need to enjoy life. Be in places you've never been to before its too late. Its not with how much you spent, its the experience that always count.

My next travel blogs: Boracay, Cebu and Palawan Survival Guides. Wahahaha

P.S.
Feel free to leave your comments and feedback. I would really appreciate it. UUU

The Love Of Siam

Its the first time I appreciated a Thai film. The Love of Siam is not your ordinary love story. The story is simple yet complicated in some ways. I have nothing more to say about this movie except for well done.

After watching the movie, I realized that love is really magical. I felt very inspired and had those kilig moments too. I can't also help but had tears.Huhuhu

Till now, I still can't get over with Tong and Mew. uuuuu

I Stay In Love with You

Baby, I Stay In Love with you

Dying inside cause I can't stand it
Make or break up
Can't take this madness
We don't even really know why
All I know is baby
I try and try so hard
To keep our love alive

If you dont' know me at this point
Then I highly doubt you ever will
I really need you to give me
That unconditional love I used to feel
It's no mistaking
We're just erasing
From our hearts and minds

And I know we said let go
But I kept on hanging on
Inside I know it's over
You're really gone
It's killing me
Cause there ain't nothing
That I can do
Baby, I stay in love with you

And I keep on telling myself
That you'll come back around
And I try to front like "Oh well"
Each time you let me down
See I can't get over you now
No matter what I do
But baby, baby
I stay in love with you

Na na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na na
Baby, I stay in love with you

It cuts so deep
It hurts down to my soul
My friends tell me
I ain't the same no more
We still need each other
When we stumble and fall
How we gon' act
Like what we had
Ain't nothin' at all now

Hey, what I wanna do is
Ride shotgun next to you
With the top down like we used to
Hit the block
Proud in the SUV
We both know our heart is breaking
Can we learn from our mistakes
I can't last one moment alone
Now go I know

We said let go
But I kept on hanging on
Inside I know it's over
You're really gone
It's killing me
Cause there ain't nothing
That I can do
Baby, I stay in love with you

And I keep on telling myself
That you'll come back around
And I try to front like "Oh well"
Each time you let me down
See I can't get over you
Now no matter what I do
Baby, baby
I stay in love with you

We said let go
But I kept on hanging on
Inside I know it's over
You're really gone
It's killing me
Cause there ain't nothing
That I can do
Baby, I stay in love with you

And I keep on telling myself
That you'll come back around
And I try to front like "Oh well"
Each time you let me down
See I can't get over you
Now no matter what I do
But baby, baby
I stay in love with you

I stay in love
Love
Oh, I stay in love.

Christmas on the Beach

Mga parasites on the dagat

Vanessa, Grace and me

Beautiful people

On our way aboard Grace's floating machine

Just messing around and getting wet

Building our humble abode

Us having the time of our lives

Took me a while to uplaod these pictures. My very close friends ( with some missing in action ) and I had our Christmas party/ trip/ get together at Isla Reta Beach in Talicud Island, Samal.
It was a very memorable and fun time for us though were not complete. It really feels great to see and be with your best of friends once in a while.