|  | I took sepia and colored shots on this trip. Sad to say that some of the sepia shots do not have versions in color, whereas the colored ones can be edited into sepia.
No matter. :)
Some people have told me to take photos in color then convert it to sepia and I always say no. I think it just wouldnt be the same. Furthermore, I like the shots unaltered. Sepia kung sepia, colored kung colored.
This is my versions album since three or four of us in the entire trip may have the same shots of the same things. |
| | June 6-8, 2008
The Super Ferry left Pier 15 on June 6, a Friday afternoon at about 4:30 in the afternoon. This is my third trip to Coron and I wasn't too keen on going... except that Ryan has never been there and so many of my Travel Factor friends are going, so it was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up.
We got back to Manila on June 9 but I have no pictures of that day anymore. :)
Sepia kung sepia!! Hahahaha!! |
| | May 30, 2008
Instant mini-reunion at the Coffee Beanery, Avenue Square, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.
I was there to have coffee with Joan Zablan and Cheekay Torres, but was pleasantly surprised to see Doray Savilla was there too. They also ran into Patricia Milla and Fladger Sweet Gregorio (who although did not go to CSI for high school, was there grade school) who were there to have dinner at Lolo's bar. Fladger is my niece, daughter to one of my first cousins, same age and batch as me, and also went to UP Diliman for college.
Also texted Pia Torres to come join us. We joined Jay Baylon later at Mugbugs after leaving Coffee Beanery for another hour more of billiards and playing games with the videoke machine.
Michelle Obias was supposed to be there too but she wasn't able to get my text messages.
Next time everyone. Oh, next year 10th year reunion na dapat. |
| Start: | Jun 2, '08 09:00a | | End: | Jun 6, '08 6:00p | | Location: | Digital Media arts Development (DMAD) laboratory, National Computer Center, UP Diliman Q.C. |
A workshop on animation using Blender, an open source program. Learned how to model, rig and render.
| Start: | May 27, '08 05:00a | | End: | May 29, '08 11:00a |
Went with Mama, Papa, Aunt Helen and two of Mama's officemates to Garchitorena, a hard-to-reach small fishing town where Mama is assigned to work at this year. Went to Mansangat Island first to get a taste of the local baranggay fiesta before going to Baticorao Island for some relaxing good time at the beach.
From the creative minds of two love struck artists David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim emerge the Uglydoll family! What started as a drawing of a playful orange character known as Wage has turned into a whole new world of fun! In 2001, when David's soon to be wife and creative partner Sun-Min had to return to Korea, he sent her many "I miss you" letters with his little Wage character drawn at the bottom. Sun-Min sewed Wage into a plush doll and sent him to David as a surprise gift. David asked Sun-Min to sew a couple more for the Giant Robot store in Los Angeles and they sold out in one day! A very excited Sun-Min sewed many more and those sold just as fast! Sun-Min and David then began to pull more characters from the Uglyverse, a universe where UGLY meant unique and special, to translate into plush Uglydolls. They both met again at their very first Uglydoll Toy Fair booth (a small 6x6 booth made of felt and wood) in New York, where they would go on to win Toy Of The Year 4 years later!
Now the award-winning Uglydoll characters are available in a variety of sizes and styles of plush, and are available at specialty retailers worldwide, and you can learn all about the Uglyverse through the Ugly Guides published by Random House.
UGLY means celebrating who you are on the inside... I got Tray for my birthday... because she's best friends with Babo. 
Tray is the brain of the bunch. Not because she is smart, but because she has three brains...one in each lump, or one per eye, as Babo likes to point out. Tray is also the hungriest of all the Uglydolls, and has a desperate need for Blueberry Pie. Some say her eyes are blue because of her craving for it. Tray often combines her hunger for pie with her brainpower to talk Babo into getting food for her. Unfortunately, Babo usually brings back a branch, a rock, or something that no one would eat. If you want to make Tray extra happy, sit her next to you in the subway, or in your car. It makes her feel important.
Babo will protect you. Having a bad day? Someone giving you a hard time? Babo's got your back. What Babo lacks in mind power, he makes up for in love. He's everybody's best friend. He will stick with you to the end and when something scary happens, he will send you a nice greeting card from wherever it is he runs away to. A very curious, mischievous creature, Babo may need some guidance and parenting, so make sure to bring him with you to as many places as possible. Leaving him at home is fine, but please put all cookies and money on the highest shelf.
To meet the UGLIES, http://www.uglydolls.com/#/meet-the-uglies/tray/ To know more about UGLY town, http://www.uglydolls.com/#/uglytown/
| | May 27-29, 2008
Went home to Camarines Sur to spend time with my family.
Went to Garchitorena, a hard-to-reach small fishing town in Camarines Sur, where my Ma is assigned to work this year. The town is actually right next to Caramoan.
An hour or less from Pili to Naga by car. 2-3 hours by jeepney, through rough road, from Naga to the port of Tamban. 2-3 hours by boat from the port of Tamban to the town of Garchitorena.
Spent a total of 35 hours of sleep out of the 54 hours of this trip. Cool! Hahaha! |
| | A beginner’s clinic and surfer’s party for those who want to get their first taste of surfing.
We arrived at nine in the morning and the beach was already teeming with life and people. For the surfing clinic, a registration of P300 was required that entitled one to two days worth of surfing inclusive of the use of a long board and a surfing instructor, as well as a free event t-shirt.
Since there were only eight long boards and eight instructors to go along with each, participants were divided into batches of eight people. While the eight take their turn at surfing in the water, the others queued may involve themselves with other activities available on the beach such as frisbee, volleyball, artificial rock climbing and skim boarding.
While the surfing instructions required a registration of P300, the skim boarding instructions for beginners were free and could be taken on as long as there is an available skim board. Skim boarders from the JCI gamely and patiently took on enthusiastic students for two days.
We signed up at nine in the morning and had our turn at one in the afternoon as two of the eight people of Batch 5. An hour of surfing with our friendly and patient surfing instructors who were all locals was more than enough. We headed back to our inn at two-thirty in the afternoon vowed to come back early the next day.
The surfer’s party started at about eight in the evening with local bands performing. The highlight of the night would be the wonderful performance emerging popular reggae band Coffee Break Island did for a very energetic crowd of surfers and locals who were dancing and singing to the music, free San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen bottles in hand. CBI ended their performance at eleven and was followed by a show band who also did a wonderful job with entertaining the then probably-drunk crowd. We left at eleven forty-five and the party was still well under way with people coming in all the time.
Sunday turned out to be a beautiful, though hot day for surfing, with relatively big strong waves. Most of the students from the day before could now stand on their boards. Hurrah for everyone, students and instructors alike.
The event was sponsored by the Provincial Tourism Division of Camarines Norte, The Department of Tourism, the Province of Camarines Norte through the efforts of the governor, ABS-CBN, Coca-Cola, San Miguel, Rush Fitness Water, Mojo Sandals and Power Up Center for Climbing and Fitness.
The first ever Bagasbas Summer Surf Clinic turned out to be a successful, fun-filled and promising event and we would be more than happy to come to the second, third and succeeding surf clinics in the years to come.
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| | May 24-25, 2008
A driving trip to Daet for my birthday. We weren't really sure of what we will do but we went anyway. It turned out to be a great trip.
It was extremely hot when we got there Saturday morning but it started raining at nine and did not stop all day. It was over-all a great weather for surfing.
Sunday started out gloomy but became extremely hot as the day progressed. Sunburns galore! :D
We left Daet at 4pm. |
 This is more of traveller's info, as we found other blog entries like this useful and found them lacking as well. Hope this helps in any way. Perhaps lesser known as a surfing spot than Siargao, La Union, Baler and Zambales, Daet with its Bagasbas Beach in Camarines Norte offers no less a great place for surf and beach lovers out there. How to get to Daet, Camarines Norte
Flights to Daet: There is a small airport right at Bagasbas Beach that can accommodate small planes like Seair which has direct flights from Manila on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you need a bigger plane, you have to book a flight to Naga City in Camarines Sur then take a bus or van for a one-and-a-half hour or two-hour trip to Daet.
Commute from Manila: From Manila, buses to Daet are available at EDSA Cubao, Quezon City or along Pasay via Philtranco. You can also take buses from the Cubao Central terminal (in front of Ali Mall at the Araneta Center) via Superlines and Amihan. Travel time is about 7-8 hours. Upon reaching Daet, take a tricycle to Bagasbas which is 4 kms outside of Daet. The tricyle trip takes about 10 minutes and costs P10/person.
Driving Directions from Manila: Take SLEX, past the toll gate, past the Canlubang exit, past the bridge and take a right at the Batangas/Lucena signage to get into Maharlika Highway. First stop is Brgy. Turbina, Calamba. Passing through the town of Sto, Tomas where shortly you will take a left at the intersection, to head to Bicol. You will pass through the towns of Alaminos, San Pablo, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya on to Lucena City. You will then pass through the towns of Pagbilao, Atimonan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Lopez, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Sta. Elena, Labo, Talisay then finally Daet. At the intersection where the supermarket is, a sign to Bagasbas Airport/Beach will make you take a left turn. Follow this road and it will lead you straight to Bagasbas beach.
Commute from Naga City:
At the Central Business District (CBD) terminal, you can take either a bus or a van to Daet. Van fare costs P127/person and the trip will take at least an hour and a half. Upon reaching Daet, take a tricycle to Bagasbas. The Daet terminal for vans can be found right next to the Central Plaza Mall which is a little off the main road.
Where to stay:
 We stayed at Traveller’s Hotel, a five minute walk from the beach front and an old and run-down hotel/motel which has a concrete structure with decent enough and big enough rooms and many small huts/cottages scattered in two separate courtyards. The other courtyard which was nearer to the road had bigger cottages but they were as run-down as the ones found in the inner courtyard.
 Personally, I was very disappointed when I saw the state of the cottages. I could not imagine myself sleeping there at all. They were cheap though at P150 for an overnight stay. They have a supposedly-VIP room on the second floor, with its own balcony and glass doors which will give you a view of what? Nothing really. The VIP room did not quite meet our standards and we think it is very expensive at P800 for an overnight stay given the state it is in. We scouted around the area for other possibilities but we ended back at Traveller’s Inn for lack of so-called other choices and settled for their air-conditioned room at the concrete structure which is at P500/night. Harbis Penthaus, about two kilometers away from the beachfront is fairly new and is thus, cleaner and more presentable. Its rooms are very small though and expensive given how cramped they are. Their air-conditioned family room, with a double bed, is at P750 for a 24-hour stay. Air-conditioned rooms with a single bed, advertised as good for two people, costs P500 for a 24-hour stay. It is not something I will also recommend. Looks like demand is up for more rooms as they were building a third storey when we dropped by. Take note that these inns have rates for short-time stay (3 hours), 12 hours and 24 hours. Harbis Penthaus was pointed to us by by-standers we happened to have chanced upon on the street.
Later in the afternoon though at the beach while we were waiting for our turn at surfing, we got the chance to talk to a local who informed us there are at least three more relatively new inns by the beachfront. He wanted to take us there to look at the rooms since he said the one at the far end of the beach had so far, the best rooms though the most expensive of course in the whole area but we had to decline since we were only staying for the night. Perhaps the next time we visit and there will definitely be a next time as the local also charmed us with stories of island hopping, white sand beaches, fishing, diving, snorkeling and unadvertised barrel waves for surfing in the nearby islands which you can get to by hiring a boat at P1400 per day. Not a bad idea at all. A definite must-try the next time we are in the area.
Where to eat: Kusina ni Angel
 We had brunch at this famous eatery. Ordered delicious Fritto Misso. Total damage was at P280 for two people. P195 for the mixed seafood (which we also had to have half of it packed for take-home since we could not finish it off), P45 for a plateful of garlic rice, P25 for a glass of calamansi juice and P15 for a bottle of 12 oz coke.
We had breakfast here again on our second day. Total damage was P310, quite expensive for breakfast. Omelet at P70, corned beef guisado at P135, garlic rice at P45, two cups of instant coffee at P60.
Bagasbas Boulevard is teeming with carenderias and videoke bars where food is cheap. Leo’s Cuisine One such establishment found in the Bagasbas Beach Boulevard is Leo’s Cuisine. Upon the recommendation of a friend, we sampled their Bicol Pusit Express for dinner. Total damage was P240 for two people. P160 for the Bicol Pusit Express, P40 for two orders of iced tea, P20 for a plateful of steamed rice and P20 service charge.
 Also, if you are lucky, as we were and it was truly a pleasant surprise, you might catch a live performance of a girl beautifully singing famous covers to the accompaniment of an organ. At first we thought they were playing a Nina or an MYMP cd but I heard her say her introductions and we confirmed with our waitress that it was indeed a live performance. These live performances, our waitress informed us, is not a regular occurrence.
We had dinner at their open-air second floor space and loved it so much that we decided to have a sunrise breakfast at the same overlooking open-air space for the next morning. We were disappointed though to find out that none of these boulevard establishments are open in the morning. We passed by at nine in the morning (coz we woke up late) and they were all closed. We ended up having breakfast again at Kusina ni Angel.
For lunch, we went back to Leo’s Cuisine to order what my friend recommended. Total damage was P220. Sinigang na laman na isda at P160, steamed rice at P20 and P40 for two glasses of iced tea. It was wonderful to have delicious lunch, facing the sea, enjoying the view while beautiful piano music was being played by someone inside.
Acknowledgments: Misel Obias on Bagasbas, Daet Camarines Norte. URL: http://misel28.multiply.com/journal/item/13/Bagasbas_Daet_Camarines_Norte_ Tutubi on Budget Travel Philippines|Living Asia Backpacking Guide. URL: http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/
| Start: | May 21, '08 | | Location: | #46 Anonas Ext., Q.C. |
I always get depressed when my birthday approaches so this is turning out to be a drink-the-night-away week. We wanted to go to Saguijo in Makati but the car is affected by the coding system on Wednesdays so we ended up in Q.C. Wonderful night. Had a glass of Mai Tai and a glass of Zombie that had me singing Meat Loaf's "I Would do Anything for Love" in the car on the way home. Drink-the-night-away-week is not turning out well for non-alcoholic drinkers like me. Entrance fee: P100. San Miguel Light at P40. Mai Tai and Zombie: P100/glass. Pasta at P150/dish. Total Damage: P720.
| Start: | May 20, '08 | | Location: | Katipunan Ext., Q.C. |
Saw this posting on Multiply and thought it would be fun to go. But we went out really late as the going out bug doesnt really hit me until ten or eleven in the evening. We went there and no other drinks were available aside from Red Horse beer, which was one of their sponsors. So, since i dont really drink, I got drunk in less than hour. We should've gone to Xaymaca. Entrance fee: P150. Iced tea: P50. Total Damage: P400
| Start: | May 19, '08 | | Location: | #3 Anonas Ext., Q.C. |
Going out on a boring Monday night with Ryan. Free entrance. Had a glass of Long Island iced tea, cheese sticks and Ryan had two or three beers I think. Total damage: P220.
 | Marisol | May 22, '08 8:05 AM
for everyone |
| Start: | May 14, '08 7:00p | | End: | May 17, '08 7:00p |
Krystal Banzon, 2007-2008 Fulbright Student scholar, will be having her end-of-grant presentation of Marisol, a Jose Rivera play with a Filipino adaptation by Rody Vera. Cast: Mailes Kanapi, Nicco Manalo, Sigrid Bernardo, Marj Lorico, Virgie Sorita-Flores, Tao Aves, Miela Sayo, Chic San Agustin 7pm Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan, Faculty Center, U.P. Diliman. Free admission. No tickets necessary. No reservations necessary.
| Start: | Jun 6, '08 | | End: | Jun 9, '08 | | Location: | Coron, Palawan |
This is going to be third trip to Coron within a period of 7 months. This is Ryan's first trip though. We are ubBerly excited as we are going with our ubBerly fun friends from the Travel Factor (three jampacked boats nonetheless!). I hope the weather cooperates with us though. From the Super Ferry trip Friday afternoon, through one weekend of island hopping, to the Super Ferry trip Sunday night to Monday morning.
| Start: | Jun 5, '08 | | Location: | U.P. Diliman |
Arriving from Bicol on June 4. I will allot a day for rest and housekeeping duties before heading out to UP for 1st sem enrollment. I hope to hold my Form 5 at the end of the day. The next day is alloted for packing for the much-awaited Travel Factor UBBE: Coron trip.
| Start: | May 25, '08 | | End: | Jun 1, '08 |
Ryan leaves for Manila from Daet Sunday afternoon. I will be left behind to spend some time at my hometown. Hopefully in the coming months, coming home will be less stressful as Cebu Pacific now offers a flight to the Naga Airport (which is actually in Pili) 5-10 minutes away from our house. My mom has plans of exploring the Caramoan Peninsula islands, take off from the small town of Garchitorena. Maybe I will also jump into the bandwagon and finally (after five thousand years) take up wakeboarding. Not too keen on it though.
| Start: | May 24, '08 | | End: | May 25, '08 |
Birthday surfing No real plans actually. Bahala na si Batman. Will be going with Ryan, taking the car and might be taking Ewok along for this weekend trip. *Sings "magdadrive ako hanggang Bikol... o please please lang, turuan nyo akong mag-drive..."*
| | May 5, 2008
Trend Micro annual company outing. Coffee at Cafe Breton afterwards with friends. It was one of my most relaxing trips lately. |
 | Marisol | May 6, '08 11:17 AM
for everyone |
In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines – Diliman, Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts and the Philippine – American Educational Foundation (PAEF) present Rody Vera’s Filipino Adaptation of José Rivera’s Marisol. Marisol is a surreal tale of an apocalyptic Philippines, a Manila on the verge of collapsing from the pressures of poverty and violence. The play revolves around the character of Marisol, whose guardian angel leaves her to survive in a world that is dangerous and falling apart, without the protection of her faith. The themes in Marisol ring true to a present-day that is local as well as global. To commemorate six decades of international exchange and mutual understanding between the United States and the Philippines, Krystal Banzon, 2007-08 American Fulbright Student Scholar directs this original adaptation of Rivera’s Puerto Rican/American play, in collaboration with an entirely Filipino cast, design, and production team. The cast is made up of eight talented artists, Marjorie Lorico, Mailes Kanapi, Nicco Manalo, Sigrid Bernardo, Virgie Sorita-Flores, Tao Aves, Miela Sayo, and Chic San Agustin. Set design and poster design by Lex Marcos, technical direction and lighting design by El Abquina, sound design by Roxanne Pagdanganan, costume design by Sigrid Bernardo, and the stage manager is Hazel Gutierrez. Marisol runs from May 14-17, 2008, 7pm at the Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan, Faculty Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Admission is FREE. Seating is on first come, first served basis. Please arrive early to ensure seating.
 | Guestbook | |
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ate sa megamall sa surfworld ang dami bikini boardshorts..ripcurl quiksilver
up to 50 to 70% off |
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virgie, belated happy birthday... |
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Happy Birthday Virgie!!! =) |
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Virge! Happy happy birthday!!! :) God bless! :) |
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happy birthday gorgeous!!! |
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Psst! Happy birthday Angkulet! |
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Superhappybirthday!!!!!!!!!! XD |
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Happy Burfday Virgie!!
open bar? haha!
ahh.... where's the invite? |
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Okay, thanks anyway! :)) Haha :> Coz she kinda looked like your husband :)) Anyway, thanks && H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ! |
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haberdey te angker! (^o^)/ |
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i hardly think so megan. Flores is a very common last name. Parang De la Cruz, Diaz, Santos... its hard to say who are really relatives and who are not. ;-) |
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Ms, I have a question. Would you and your husband know any "Margaux Flores"? She's my mom's friend and I just thought that maybe you guys are friends too since your last name is Flores too :)) Yey, thanks ;) |
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Advance happy Birthday Angku! |
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hello miss^^ how are you?!^^ |
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 Ms, are you going sa Fair? :)  I didn't see yow. :| BAD ME. =)) |
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i miss you i miss you! i don't get to log in multiply as much but i don't miss going to your site when i could. very refreshing. miss you Virg! see you soon!!! :)
enjoy Palawan! *hugs*
hi kay Rye at sa prinsesa nyong Ewok! |
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