Camaya Coast

Camaya Coast is a Residential Resort and an Emerging Vacation Destination. It is once a secluded cove accessible only to small boats from nearby villages of Mariveles carrying fishermen and local tourists, this beautiful hidden beach facing South China Sea has now been unveiled as the newest showcase to tourists or vacationers.

Blessed with natural white sand beaches amid grassy forest and rolling hills, the coast is being earmarked for recreation, eco-tourism, and nature preservation. It will also have hotels, commercial and entertainment strips where guests can shop, dine, and simply enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

-Camaya Coast Visions Portfolio

Last Saturday morning, we were invited to have a glimpse of Camaya Coast’s stunning exquisiteness in Mariveles, Bataan. It’s an hour and a half trip via Ferry in PICC. When we got inside the Ferry, I thought of a “Ro-ro,” it’s a ship wherein people can ride there going to a nearby shore.

The Ferry

I was mistaken, because once you get inside this convey, it’ll transport you into wonders of “I’m lucky to be here.” The big space inside this first class ferry has a capacity of a hundred and fifty passengers, in which they can assemble in a cozy blue seats plus they can enjoy in watching R’n’B music videos on a wide flat screen plasma.

 Plasma, attention getter inside the ferry

Later on, the sluggishness that I felt due to waking up too early was turned into enthusiasm as the 2 beautiful ladies woke us up with their knack in entertainment and hosting. There’s no room for yawning inside since it was filled with fun games and videoke, and as an energetic as I am, I participated in the game called, 1 minute and videoke. Luckily, I won the Camaya Coast’s white cap and a 15 minute free massage. My sister also bagged the 15 minute free massage and my mom got the calendar for being consistently awaken with the ice breaker’s stream and fearlessly adapting the wave as it shudder the ferry.

The ferry turned silent after the announcement of winners. I consider the trip as a reunion for some unknown passenger, because some of them look like a Green card Holder who misses their family terribly. The seafarers were roaming as they checked everyone was having a safe spree.

Afterwards, it’s time for us to get off the ferry and walk along the wide blue flabby bridge with yellow poles and blue strings which were strongly built. Good thing, my vertigo didn’t distract me in crossing from it in going to Camaya Coast.  

Exodus moment while going to Camaya Coast

 Save the diving for later

Finally, we set our feet into the lovely natural white sand beach as it unveiled the hidden beauty of this resort. It looks inviting; I saw some kids running towards the water and felt the freshness of it.

The beach amid grassy forest and rolling hills

As I was walking along the sand, I miss swimming. I dreadfully, terribly, die-hardly wanted to swim! But I have to follow the program flow first prior to pursue that strong impulse. So, as we sat along the nipa hut, I listened seriously to Arnold, Property Investment Consultant as he stated the benefits of investing our future homes there. The project consists of residential and commercial development designed for elegant living and modern lifestyle found in unique and natural landscapes. You can find there the following:

l  The Beachfront Facilities

l   The Camaya Boardwalk

l   Beachfront Gazebo

l  Residential Subdivisions (Kenchana hills, Menara Point, Pelangi Heights and Bayu Peaks)

l  Cliffside Condos

l  The Commercial Town Center

l  White Sand beach

l  A view of the South China Sea

l  Forest trails

Thus, as he continued illustrating about it, lunch was served and I ate it heartily. Afterwards, we moved out from the Nipa Hut as he tour as around the regal resort.

1.       Resort hotel 

-   It’s still a work in progress but they started to put up different amenities and decorations arranged for summer vacation.

     

Hotel’s captivating façade

The manufactured chairs are perfect for chatting with friends

2.      Cliffside condos

-         Once you get there, you can oversee the Camaya Coast and the South China Sea, with one, two and three bedrooms condo suites.

Camaya Coast Van: Ready to aboard the cliff trip?

Experiencing the Ec0-nature Park’s splendid view

My favorite spot: The Santorini-inspired wall overseeing the Camaya Coast

                                                         Bachelor/ette pad

3.      Beachfront Gazebo

- It caters special occasions and activities for numerous guests.

Soothing and uniquely designed swimming pool

Pavilion- avenue for the resident's occasion

4. The Resort

- This is one of the perks from this place, the easy-puzzy access to the beach.

Little cruise ship

Cinderella left her slippers because the seabreeze hushed her to turn, Ariel.

Thus, you will enjoy Life’s Great Pleasures. That half-day experience is worth-remembering because it made me connect with my inner-mermaid again, swimming into the depths of the sea and seeing the treasures in it. Thank you, Mother Nature!

Photos by Shem

Weddings and beyond fair

complimentary ticket      

Last Sunday, after attending The Feast, our Ministry photographer, Cris Legaspi was expecting us to visit her booth from the this wedding fair in PICC forum. Cris gave us a complimentary ticket, which really excites me to see the first, the biggest and the grandest weddings and debut expo for this year. It’s not that I’m excited to get married, but come on; this will be helpful to those who have a wedding plans. When we got inside, the first thing that caught my attention was the voice of an acoustic singer and guess what? It’s from the band, Pillowcase. I’ve heard them perform before and they’re still good. The second thing was the cherry blossom ark that you’ll pass through.

I’ve read that there were 300 suppliers and I actually got a bulk of flyers and letters from them. Prior to visiting Cris’ booth- my eyes feasts from the pre-nup/nuptial packages, cakes, photobooth, gowns, rings, bouquets and catering.

I’m glad that they’re giving away white bag perk, handy for carrying such hassling flyers.

                             

The most fun part was when the photographer named Joseph Claravall talked to us about the free photobooth, which is an Eiffel tower inspired and gave us his pitch about the Unique selling point (USP) of their event coordination. Sounds, impressive huh! You can visit his site here.

Never forget the pastries and cakes free taste! Harharhar!!! : D

                              Proud owner, Cris!       FH flyer flies       Funky FH booth

Finally, we went to Cris’ flickerhappy booth and among all the booths around the fair (coined me as bias, I-won’t-mind!) their booth looks so modern, lively, artsy, down-to-earth yet sophisticated, funky and cool!!!:D (woah-so many adjectives to describe it!) We also met her tandem, M, who looks simple yet rock! She has good news to us, they booked a sensible client.

No, doubt-- check out their photos here.

Before ending our capriciousness inside, she ritually took a mug shot of us. Talk about bonding with friends and mama!:)

 mug shot

Binondo

We went to Binondo last Monday in accordance to the Chinese lunar new year. Woah, I told you  last time that I went here before and the volume of people who attended last Monday doubled from 2010.

I was with the same folks along with Mama and Pao for 3 consecutive days. That's what this long weekend means to me-- tingling feet and hyperactiveness. Let me enumerate the places we've been to.

1. Sta. Cruz Parish church

It's a huge church across the Escolta street. In front of it is a fountain, which turns to be a resting haven for people who's gone in celebrating the festivity.

The fountain

2.  Ongpin

What to expect? a large crowd coming back and forth. I'm already geared up. Dragon dances with fire crackers shakening the pavement. Sellers pitching about the lucky charms along the way, which I bought one. Big arks telling about their beliefs. Tikoy (gummy cake) with different colors lined up on a table. Circled fruits, oranges from Sagada which awed me. really? it's a long travel. Searching for the Taoist temples along with apartments, business establishments and restaurants. Mash feet with people because of parades and photographers gorging their cameras to capture beautiful moments.

 The crowd

Dragon dance

Family fortune? might be.

incence's well

The wanderer

Tradition: make 3 bows then blow a wish

Dragon's fire

Side car driver with his 25th Chihuahua 

 Me with a 3 year old Fil-Chi girl

I still feel like I'm a tourist in my own country. Visiting Chinatown send me into a portal of rich and vital culture. Chinese people already brought their preserved culture and traditions in this hamlet.

It was a superb experience. I'm proud to be Pinay after knowing how we embrace other's culture and at the same time maintaining ours.  

3. Binondo church

This enormous church, made up of stones with stained glasses Stations of the cross portraits served us our resting vicinity, though there's an ongoing mass. Afterwards, we went out to look for a restaurant.

4. Maki's place

It's a small Chinese restaurant with a cool ambience and recommendable for dining in too. The food's price is cheap yet "sulit" (they'll meet your taste expectation).

 Yang chow rice

Sweet and sour fish fillet

Chicken with mushroom sauce 

Go on and a pay visit to our motherland's beautiful places. It will deepen your love for your country.

Lovely night along the Lawton bridge

Photos by  Dave and Michael



Bookay ukay

I was inspired by my friend's post about Bookay ukay, a booksale somewhere in 55 Maginhawa street, UP Village. Just a walk away from Quezon city circle and a tricycle away across. We tagged along there to look for cheap books or magazines, expecting how it'll look like. It's a small space and artsy bookstore, wherein you can find 2nd hand books/magazines, record tapes and even new books.

After my eyes unflinchingly scrutinize the place, I realized that I'm already sluggish prior to attending a recreational activity in Quezon city circle. Thanks to their friendly sofa for knowing their customer's need and I decided to chill out with their reggae, opm, r'n'b and boyband songs for few minutes.

Go forth & dig in your preferred book/s

abstract, comic photos and map inspired on their wall

Since, my sister and friends starting digging the books and showing me how cool the book they're holding. Ok, enough for being lazy- I got up and started to search for Dr. Seuss' books. Unfortunately, nowhere to find! arrghh.

can't remember why I'm crazily chuckling here

holding a 2nd choice book

I ended up purchasing nothing, nonetheless I enjoyed as my eyes indulged from the books there and the place itself. They have a facebook fanpage, wherein you could check out their available books.

Thank you, Bookay-ukay, because they may inspire other enterpreneurs to create this kind of business. Why not expand in Manila? Ahh, it'll be risky because they'll be competing from Recto's book owner.

Giddily reading and understanding Hope for the flowers

The main characters from the story were the 2 caterpillars named Stripe and Yellow. Both of them just met at the caterpillars pillar hoping to find out what was there at the top. As they continued climbing and smashing one another together with millions of caterpillars. Yellow blurted out that there must be more than knowing what's on the top, she wants to go down. Stripe wasn't convince so he unstoppably climbed, sometimes ignoring Yellow. Then she was hurt and cried for Stripe's behavior to her. She taught that Stripe was her companion and she taught wrong. Stripe felt guilty and said sorry for her, so he decided to climbed down with Yellow. They both curled into one , so that the smashing caterpillars won't stepped on their body, stomach and eyes. Alas, they were on the ground and took time to look at each other. 

As they walked along the grassy ground. They did the normal routine that they once had before getting into the pillar, like eating the grass, sleeping on the ground but never they realize that they would become couple. They were happy being together, but Stripe a normal hunter was never satisfied, so he looked again at the pillar, began to wander "what 's on the top?"

Yellow became worried again with Stripe's determination, but since she loves and supports Stripe, she lets him feeds his curiosity.

He climbed up again and this time, he's fiercer. While Yellow was left alone, thinking how is stripe doing. Days passed by and Yellow met a caterpillar surrounded with cocoon. She asked the newly acquainted friend what was he doing. And he said he's waiting to become a butterfly. Yellow wandered what's a butterfly and the butterfly wannabe answered. " That's what you're supposed to become." So Yellow is amazed and she told herself that if she has this stuff in becoming a butterfly.


Then Yellow took risk, made a cocoon around her and waited till it's time for her to have wings to fly. And the day came, she turned into a bright and yellow butterfly.She flew high and remembered the Strike at the pillar. She went to see him there while struggling to get on top. Then Yellow finally saw him looked him deeply in his eyes and Stripe felt unworthy of her glance. He remembered the words, "butterfly alone." And he decided to climbed down the pillar.


He didn't bother the commotions from other crawlers. Alas he was down, he did his normal routine, and of course he searched for Yellow. But he failed. Until one night, this familiar creature glanced at him and might be telling him to follow her lead. Then Strike followed. He saw other crawler's cocoon wrapping around him and he imitated.


While Yellow was drinking the flower's nectar and waited for him.


Alas' he became a striped white and black butterfly and the place was surrounded with many butterflies wherein the flowers add another beauty on it.  


The end.

Children's Book Review

I bought 4 Children’s books last Christmas, like what I wrote last time, I’d make some reviews first then will give to it to my God daughter and my extended relative from Bicol. The other 2, still undecided to whom will I give it. Nonetheless, here are the following Reviews:

1.       Ang Tsinelas ni Inoy ( Inoy’s Slippers) by Renato C. Vibiesca/ Illustrations by James B. Abalos

I’m proud to say that it’s one of the Award-Winning stories for Children; it won A Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Unang Gantimpala, Maikling Kathang Pambata 1996.

Basically, the story is about Inoy, he’s used to wear slippers that are interchanged. His mother always reminded him to wear it properly but he disobeyed her and even if his father has threatened to whip him if he does not wear his slippers properly, he continues to wear them the wrong way. Until he gets himself lost in the world of opposites and a smooth cockroach tells him he can only go home after he has found three things that are not reversed.

That’s what he did along staying in that strange world. The story is a reminder to the parents on how to teach their children a proper way of wearing clothes, shoes, slippers or any facilities at home or outside their house. It’s also a way for the children to learn obedience to their parents because it’s for their benefit to look good and proper, and also to use things appropriately.

2.      Ang pambihirang sombrero (An amazing hat) Story and Illustrations by Jose Miguel Tejido

“Mia was fond of collecting unusual thing.” That’s the first line from this story and one day she rummaged through her grandma’s wooden trunk and found a hat. She giddily wore the hat but it’s not enough for her to just look on the mirror to see if it fits her- so she decided to go out and asked different people’s opinion. They liked Mia’s hat, but they want more out of it, so what they did was to give her various things then put it on Mia’s hat. Before going home, everyone find out something unusual from the hat.

I think what made the story worth reading (aside from the colorful and dazzling illustrations) is that it will make the readers, especially the children from 8-9 years old to widen their imaginations and describe things vividly. It also gives a sense of curiosity on what might happen next to each line’s sequence.

3.      Sampung magkakaibigan (Ten Friends) by Kristine Canon and Illustrations by Ruben De Jesus

Friendship can be developed during childhood in school and this is what happened to the characters from this story. The main character here is Karlo, who bullied his weak classmates and friends. Later on he found himself alone in the middle of the playground. He was searching for his friends to play with him but no one wanted to.

The reader can either expect if there’s a character development on Karlo’s role or not. For the parents, they can be a role model to their children’s growth, because what the children initially see, they followed.

 

4.      Nag-iiyakang mga bata (Crying children) by Grace Chong  and Illustrations by Beth Parrocha Doctolero

The story went on when Teo volunteered to take care of the children at the Day Care Center. He thought being a volunteer teacher was an easy job. But- “Waahhh! Waahhh! Waahhh!” All the children started crying. The conflict stirred up when all his strategies failed in calming the crying children.

 The questions such as will the students calm down or not will arise upon the readers' minds. If he calm, then what was his strategy?

The moral lesson from this story is that sometimes music can calm down a storm even children’s unsettled emotions.