I'm Mobile!

i haven't been really religiously working on my site for sometime. no, i take that back. i haven't been really working on it at all. my friend has been encouraging me to set up a new one complete with host and domain, and i have been putting it off for sometime.

i guess i woul have to be a little more diligent now that i'm mobile. so yes, eds, we'll work on that domain soon...

Facebook to Blame

It's weekend once again. The time of the week where I could spare a few minutes to tinker with the computer about non-work related stuff. Ok, I'm lying. I am usually in front of the computer almost everyday, even after work. It's just that I'm not really into blogging anymore, for the reason that Facebook has gotten the better part of me. hehehe

Reading updates from friends, seeing their pictures, watching videos and selling friends (in Friends for Sale) has taken me away from blogging. Instead of the broadcaster, I'm now more of a spectator. Instead of working my brains, I chose to be lazy.

Well, let's blame Facebook for that. =)

Life Goes On...

A few years ago, a friend of mine told me these lines.




"Well, it was not a surprise that you are getting married ... it's a shocker!!! hehe ... well the persona that you projected to the public is one that is far far away from marriage-hood. You are independent, marriage is limiting. You are carefree, marriage is serious. You are adventurous, marriage is settling down. You dream of great things, marriage is compromise. That's why people were taken by surprise."



I didn't have the chance to dispute, refute or confirm what he told me. My reply, if I remember correctly was a smile. I didn't really understand what he meant by then. At that point in time, in the midst of my wedding preparations, I was too excited and too naive to know what I'm really getting into to. And now, almost five years into marriage, I think I now have the answers.



Well the persona that you projected to the public is one that is far far away from marriage-hood - everybody is not what he seems he is. In most cases, people surprise other people, in which, i'm not the only one =)

You are carefree, marriage is serious - I am carefree, and yes I can be serious, too. Just because a person is carefree doesn't mean that I don't take things seriously. The two doesn't necessarily contradict.

You are adventurous, marriage is settling down - When I tied the knot, my adventorous spirit didn't get tied down. A major part of me still wants to explore the world, and marriage has not kept me from doing that. Thankfully, I have found a partner who shares the same spirit.

You dream of great things, marriage is compromise - whether or not you are in marriage, compromise happens. You compromise at work, you compromise with your family, with friends and there are somethings you have to give up in favor of other things. Compromise does not happen exclusively in marriage. I may have compromised a lot of things in the beginning of my marriage, but, this I'm truly proud to say, that my husband has shown me all out support for the things that I dreamed of, and has selflessly encouraged me in my pursuit of greatness.


I can honestly say that I'm truly happy with what my marriage has brought me, and what life, in general, has given me. But it doesn't stop there. At 28, I've gone to places, I've conquered some of my fears, reached some goals, given up on some dreams, build new ones .... but it doesn't end there. There are still places to visit, goals to reach, dreams to conquer and adventures that are yet to be taken. But the most beautiful part is that I have someone to share these things with, and having two adorable miniatures of ourselves, is definitely a bonus.

I just turned 28. Another birthday, another year, another beginning...but it's the same journey. Life goes on...

Stuckli Beach in Badian

Last May 2009, under the heat of the summer sun, we had an impromptu decision of beating off the humidity by going someplace cool and breezy.

We've heard about Stuckli Beach Resort in Badian and decided to check it out. Together with our colleagues, we headed northbound at 7am. We had a few stops to to get some supplies and arrived at the beach at around 11am. It shouldn't take that long actually except that the supposedly short stops took longer than usual. We had a hard time finding the place as it would appear that you are driving towards the middle of a mountain uphill, then we went downhill for a bit and discovered the beautiful stretch of white beach.

We didn't plan to go overnight, but because we got enchanted by the tranquility of the place, we decided to stay for the night.

For those of you who wants to get their contact number, here it is:


09273157259 and 2541057. Look for Rick.

The room rates are as follows:



ROOMS 1 and 2 (good for 2-3 persons) = P 1,000.00
ROOM 3 (A/C - good for 2-3 persons) = P 1,500.00
*HOUSE 1 and HOUSE 2 = P 2,000.00
**HOUSE 3 and HOUSE 4 = P 2,500.00
HUTS = P 500.00

DAY USE = Minus 50% of the Normal Rate
*Good for 6 persons with beds, electric fans, and toilet and bath.
**Good for 8 persons with beds, electric fans, and toilet and bath.
** For excess persons we charge P150.00 each.

Boracay: Return to Paradise

When I left Boracay last year, I made a promise that I would be back the soonest that I can. Cebu Pacific presented me a very good opportunity last February, so I booked a flight for our anniversary on June.

Since we already tried staying in station 1, we decided to try station 2. Also, I've researched that station 2 has cheaper restaurants and resorts. It's also where Talipapa is located which is their wet market where they sell live seafood and you can have them cooked by the surrounding restos.

Unfortunately, June is not a very good season to go to Bora. It's habagat season which means it's so windy and rainy. We didn't even get to land in Caticlan due to heavy rainfall and zero visibility. We braved the turbulence on air and attempted twice to land in Caticlan, until the pilot decided to land in Kalibo instead.

It was raining so hard when we got to Bora. There were several re-routes before we got to the island, and to the strip of white beaches. We got off from the pedicab in Talipapa where we treaded the waters of Bora - the "baha" (flood) water, that is. hehehehe

Nevertheless, we enjoyed our stay there. We got to try the really great food at very affordable prices. I forgot the name of the resort we stayed in during our first night, although I know it's in station 2. We stayed Orchids Resort in station 3 on the 2nd and 3rd night. We originally planned to stay in different resorts each night but decided to settle in Orchids Resort because the place is great and affordable, and the staff are also very friendly.

Setting aside some of the unfortunate events, my 3rd visit to Bora is still superb. And again, I still don't want to leave the place. hehehehe...Hopefully, I could go back with a larger group, and tag my kids along.

My Boracay Experience

Boracay has always been one of my dream destinations...Being a water-person, there's something about the beaches that draw me close. And since my first visit to Bora was not exactly an experience to highlight, I planned another visit, with my hubby this time.

To say that I was really prepared was an understatement. I purchased our plance tickets more than 4 months ahead. I filed for a leave from work 3 months ahead. And despite a client visit on the very day of my scheduled trip, I, the client services coordinator, escaped from the office for a much anticipated vacation.

We had an uneventful trip going there. We took a plane via Cebu Pacific and in less than two hours, arrived at our resort. I didn't make any reservation because I know that they shoot up resort prices when booked online. But I knew where to stay.

We checked in at Boracay Tourist Inn in station 1. It's not exactly beach front, but it's less than a minute-walk to the famous white beach. We got the deluxe room for only 1k (I negotiated a discount) for an off-peak rate. Not bad for the location and the amenities provided. Actually, I think it's already a very good deal. There room has a double bed, cable tv, hot and cold shower and a small refrigerator.

When the plan landed in Caticlan, my heart sank because the runway was wet and there was a drizzle. It was even raining when checked in to our rooms. We were already starving so immediately unpacked and changed into our swim wears and headed out to the beach line to look for a place to eat. When we hit the shorelines, lo and behold, the sun is out. God must have really loved me! hehehehehe

We went to the grocery store after lunch and bought a few essentials including a bottle of red wine and some cans of beer, as well as some chips. And then we proceeded to officially start our sun-baskings and photo shoot.

We were invited for a free dinner on our 2nd invite and was given a presentation about investing in realty shares. Naturally, we declined not because we don't want to, but because we can't afford...hehehehe....but the meal was good, and the best thing was that it was for free.

I also unexpectedly met a college friend who I haven't seen for a long time, Mutya, with her boyfriend who's visiting from the states. A few weeks later, when I was back in Cebu, Mutya informed us that she got engaged.

We went island-hopping on the 3rd day, which happens to be my birthday and had a su-tu-kil lunch at Puca beach.

On the mornings, we'd walk the shoreline, drop dead by the sand and enjoy the sun and the cool waters. What amazes me the most about Bora is that despite how blazing hot it is, the water so icy cool....paired with torquise waters and white sands...it was a perfect combination!!!

I the afternoon, we'd go to the soveiner shops to buy pasalubong for friends and family at home, then enjoy the sunset by the beach.

We had several night caps where we had to fortune of meeting the amazing firedancers.

I didn't want to leave Bora but I had to. When I did, I made a promise that I would be back. And indeed, I did. More stories in the next blog....

And I'm back in the game!!!

For the longest time, I haven't been writing here. For the past 3 months, I didn't have internet connection, and that's truly my excuse. I realized that I could quite live without connection and be fine with it. However, another vacation is on the works which have led me to extensive research that I am planning to go to. I searched for information online at work and came across blogs that has inspired me to blog again. And so I'm back in the game.... =)

my not-so-nice Intosan experience

My husband's cousin who is based in Malaysia went home for a short break mid-May and we headed out to prepare for our annual family outing. Due to a lack of time, we opted to go somewhere near since we will be bringing kids with us and we didn't want to have travel far tagging several kids ranging from 10-2 years old.

We decided to go to Intosan Water Park located in Danao. The place is indeed good, something that the kids will definitely love, with their water wade and kiddie slides and mushroom shower. The older kids also loved the slides and the bigger pool as well as the lazy river pool.

I'm not really a fan of pools. I would prefer to feel sand on my feet, with blue waves crashing against the shores, and a great sandcastle. But the place did impress me. Okay I admit, anything that pleases my kids would probably impress me. (LOL)

What I didn't like the place was their customer service. Some members of the family reserved the place for us and we forgot to verify whose name was there on the reservation. We gave a couple of names and we hit jackpot. They asked where's the person who did the reservation and we told she's on her way, along with the rest of the company. They told us we have to wait for that person since they can't allow us to take our reserved rooms. It would have been fine with me if they told us in a civilized manner. But they look at us as if we can't be trusted, and that we were fools to arrive ahead of the person listed under the reservation. I tried to show a little sarcasm and told them that we can't wait in the lobby with kids running around when we know that we have our reservation. Besides, isn't it enough that the we know the name of the person to which the rooms are registered?

Then come the payment time. They told us that we have to pay PhP120 each, even the kids. I gently reminded them of their website, that kids are supposed to be 50% discounted and kids shorter than the counter will have free entrance. They said that prices have changed. Then, I reminded them also that their website states breakfast for two is included for every room reserved. They said to not mind the website as it is not updated. My question is, why is the website not updated? We live in a technology-adept society and most of the information we gather, we get it from the internet. The least that an establishment could do is update the information in their website, because that's the easiest and cheapest form of advertisement these days, otherwise, we could accuse them of FALSE ADVERTISING.

We reserved 3 rooms for the night, and the 2 two rooms are next to each other. The other room is approximately 50 meters away, or probably a good 3 minute walk under the blazing heat of the summer sun. Now, who would want that? It was a hassle for us to get the group together, as well as getting stuff from the far-away room like towels, sunblocks, etc.

I checked the room next to the two adjacent rooms and found out that it was empty. I called the reception area and requested if we could move to that room since our third room is so far. They asked me to go the reception. When I got there, I explained our situation and they said they have to check if we have messed up the room since it would mean they have to clean up twice, and would mean extra work for them. I told them that the room was unused, we just placed our stuff there but we haven't messed up the bed or used anything in it as we proceeded to go to the other two rooms. They said they have to wait for a particular person to check the room. When they found a person who could check the room, they discussed among themselves if they should allow our request as it would mean extra work for them, and they were talking out loud as if i weren't there. I butted in and told them that if it's cleaning up they're worried about, it shouldn't be a concern because the room is clean. Then they said that it shouldn't be allowed at all. I told them that the reason that we're there is for us to get together, and how could we do that if our rooms are worlds apart. Then the lady at the counter said "Excuse me, ma'am ha! Lain baya ang name na naa sa reservation. Then kato nga person kay nag personal visit jud diri so kabalo sa location sa room." What the!!!?!?!?!?! I told them that it's not true. The person who made the reservation went to Jasmine Pension, in Capitol (their Cebu booking office) not here. Then, realizing that she was caught in a lie, she said that it was probably during the downpayment that the person went there personally. I told her that reservation and deposit were made at the same time. Caught in another lie, she had no choice but to send one of the attendant to check the room, who was very rude and impolite.

When they realized that the room is clean, and nothing at all was touched, they then proceeded to be so nice to us, telling us that the other room will be ready in a while and so on and so forth. I was already fuming mad, and I was near to tears in anger and I didn't have enough strength to even put up a poker face. I forgot all my manners and did not return the niceties.

My whole career revolved around customer service. I moved my way up the corporate ladder instilling the importance of pleasing the customers and satisfying their needs. I never forget the fact that my salary is paid for by our clients, whose businesses rely on the quality of customer service we provide to their customers. In my travels, I always take note of the level of customer service that an establishment provides, because, as always, I'd like to get the best value for my hard-earned money, and in most cases, it's not how nice the room, how great the food, or how nice the view that would make a person come back but how he was treated.

Intosan was a great place. I did have a good time with the great company I was with, and I have to admit that my kids loved their water park. But will I be going back? I doubt that. There are other places to go in Cebu. Far better places with far better services. False advertising and poor customer service (in this case, i'm not just talking about the lack of customer service, but the improper way of treating a paying customer)is something that I would not subject myself again, nor I would recommend to someone I know.

The management of Intosan resort should know that customer service is what keeps them apart from their competion. A good customer service is also the cheapest way of advertising because words travel, verbal or written, through internet or word of mouth. Well, at the end of the day, I still win, because even if I wasn't treated nicely, they won't get my business again and words will spread in the internet how bad their customer service is. Well, that should get them to update their website at least.

It's Been A While

It's been a long while since I visited my site. I haven't done any updates. It's not that I lsot my interest in blogging. It's just that a lot of things have been screaming for my attention lately and I haven't got the time to do something else. A lot of things has happened to me I don't even know where to begin. Guess I just have to take one step at a time....

Give, and it will come back to you...

When I went to Manila for a short vacation with my family late November of last year, my sister showed me the Belle de Jour planner in Powerbooks. She showed me the pages and the discount coupons and all the perks. I wanted to get one for myself but I thought it might be too early.

When I got back to Cebu, I realized we have to give our boss an early Christmas present because she would be leaving for Manila 1st week of December. So I went to Powerbooks at SM and bought her the BDJ planner. She was already on her way to the airport when she opened the package and was thoughtful enough to send an MMS letting us know that she loved it. In my heart, I knew I would love to have one, too.

When the package from Manila arrived on Dec 24, my sister Ats and I, rummaged through the boxes (like little kids, yeah) to look for our gifts and made guesses. Mine was a no-brainer. The moment I saw the rectangular box with my name written on the tag, I immediately exclaimed "A book!"

My sister Milona has a habit of giving out books for gifts. I can still clearly remember how happy
I was on Christmas of 2000 when she gave me “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” as a gift, and how it has molded my life positively.

Opening of gifts came and I was so busy assisting my kids with their presents and trying to remember which gift came from whom so we could thank the person accordingly that I didn’t bother opening my gifts. Aldrich pulled me with him while so we could open our gifts together, and everybody stopped with what they’re doing when I loudly exclaimed “Wow, a Belle de Jour planner!”

And so this is my Christmas-present story….I promised Ate Mhil I’d blog about the best present I received this year and here it is. Thanks a bunch, te!