1st of the many, I Hope!

So we are off to a hood start in the Travel department, as I was Blessed enough to have been able to Travel this past January...  For over two weeks!!!

It matters not that it was just in the Philippines - Again!!! - as this time around I got to:

-Visit 2 new Destinations: Baler and La Union..  

-Wander about and see some old historical and marvelous churches....  

-And got to visit the island of Puerto Galera once more!!!

 

Yep, Yep... you read that right....  we hit a total of  3 BEACHES!!!   Just in time too as it was the perfect getaway from the cold and dreary winter of Taipei.....   First stop was Baler....  a looong drive from Manila but soooooo worth it....  they call themselves the Surfing Capital of the Philippines and judging by the folks surfing - locals and tourists alike - it surely looks like it!

The second beach town was La Union... used to be surfing Haven before it all moved to Baler...  I requested this place as I really wanted to stay at Thunderbird Resorts....  The Greek decor inspired resort that I first got to see in the movie, "The Other Woman", a few years back... and have been admiring posts by other on Facebook and Instagram....  It was A OK....  not as IMPRESSIVE as it looks in photos....  pricey for what it had to offer... but it helped that there were not many people staying at the time we were there... got to enjoy the pool very much...  especially since no one can really swim on their private beach...

a few days break back in Manila and we headed back to Puerto Galera in Mindoro....  it has been many years since we were there last, about 2008, and it was great to be back... has changed... has grown... and just have so much more to offer - young and adults alike...  the waters were so calm... not too cold....   even Juju did not scared and swam every chance she got....   The nightlife is soooo much fun - even if you do not drink....   lively entertainment right along the beach... one after another....  our last nite, we even went from venue to venue to venue... not wanting to miss out on anything...

I truly had a WONDERFUL TIME this trip....  it was a promising start to a brand new year of travels - and I hope that it will be just like that - full of firsts, fun times, unforgettable memories....  Here's Hoping and Praying!!!  

 

You can see more photos of the trip by CLICKING HERE!

 

 

 

 

Travels 2014

Travels 2014

So Thankful for all the opportunities to travel last year... Besides the numerous trips to see family in the Philippines , was able to fit in Nagoya, Okinawa. Thailand , Myanmar & Hong Kong.

Loved seeing the snow - in the Nagoya region of Japan - again, having not seen it for a long time; spending Holy Week in the Philippines for the first time - such an emotional experience; Disneyland through Juju's eyes; and being able to add another country, Myanmar/Burma, to the list of countries visited.  Revisiting Okinawa was a lot of Fun, and this time around, a tastier treat as we ate sooooo much!!!   And seeing the awesome Holiday displays in Manila and Bangkok are always a FAVE of mine.  So many first time experiences in 2014 - and I love them all!

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After all these years, I finally got to see Mayon Volcano in my Mom's Province Region of Bicol!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Nagoya, Japan

Hong Kong Disneyland with Juju n GioGio!

Foodies in Okinawa, Japan!!!

Goofing about at Terminal 21

Bangkok, Thailand

Travel Anyway You Can!!!

Rockwell XMas

Manila, Philippines

Awesome fishermen of Myanmar!

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Thanks to my families (The Palmas, The Teruels, The Wus),

and friends along the way, for making it all much more FUN!😚😚😚

Here's hoping 2015 will be just as Good to me!!!😃😃😃

#FlasbackFridays  #Happiness #Travels

16 Years!!!!

16 years ago yesterday, January 9th,  I arrived in Taipei, Taiwan to make a go of a new life...  And what a life it has been...  Would not change any part of it. Okay maybe one or two - but truly, for the most part it has been filled with adventures & happiness...  Got to spend more time with my family in The Philippines....  Got to spend tine with Mom and Dad before their passing.., see my nephews and nieces grow into adulthood...  and have been Blessed to be a part of another family, The Wus!!! 

To You, Thanks for being my Best Friend, Biz Partner, and my Family all these years...  Through the Ups and Downs we have managed to stick it out...  Here's to more years of adventures, more countries to explore, and more of everything to come...

Manila for My Special Day!!!

Yep, decided to spend my Birthday in Manila for a few reasons: 

-mainly because the last time I hot to celebrate my BDay with my sis was almost 10 years ago..  Back in 2005.  Her BDay is June 8th, while mine is June 9th.  

-secondly,  i decided that as a gift to myself on my BDay, I will get a Full Physical Check Up - something I have not done longer than celebrating BDays with my sis...  LOL

So the day after my arrival, I spent pretty much the whole day at My Healthway Clinic - getting the works.,,  "Top to Bottom" as they call it!    Of course it was a bit scary...  But as always, once I have decided, I just go for it and go with the flow..  And Hope for the Best!  

I got the blood works done...  Urinalysis and fecalysis..  ECG...  UltraSound and a few others i really do nit know the names of..  All done in one day - just need to wait till Monday, my actual BDay, to get my results... 

with all that out of the day - it was on to Bataan to celebrate my sister's and my BDays quietly....

Pray For The Philippines

By now am pretty sure all of us have heard of the most recent and most devastating disaster that has befallen the Visayas region of the Philippines.  As stated, Typhoon Yolanda or Typhoon Haiyan, as it more commonly known worldwide, proved to be the most ferocious typhoon to hit anywhere in the world for a very long time.  

Everywhere else in the world, it would have proven a disaster of major proportions.  With The Philippines being surrounded by bodies of water - the magnitude increased two folds.  Reports are now stating, it could even be worse than the Tsunami that hit South East Asia a few years back.  No confirmed number of deaths so far - as soooo many are still missing...  but with towns totally demolished with nothing left standing - initial estimates are well in the 10,000 lives lost.

5 days after the Haiyan wreck havoc in the Islands, so much chaos still ensues...  with lots of people still homeless and hungry...  even worse, CNN's Anderson Cooper, who is on hand reports that in one of the places hit the worst - no relief aids can be seen, nor government aids...  and this cause for more tensions - with local medias and government attacking Mr Cooper and company....  the lack or slow pace the government is taking in sending in help, or making way for the relief goods/help to reach the victims is truly deplorable, disheartening, and making people feel so much more hopelessness about the situation...  Couple this with the public concerns about the DONATION/FUNDS getting to the rightful people, and not the pocket of the politicians arises more concerns...  Totally warranted and understandable, due to the latest round of PORK BARREL SCANDAL, hovering over the Philippine government - with so many Political Figures involved.

 

It scares me to think/know that some of my friends in foreign countries - and even some fellow Kababayans (countrymen) - are apprehensive about donating...  this is a BAD THING as we all know - no mater how SMALL an amount our contributions are - they do go along way in helping out the victims.   My only advice is to: "Be Aware, Make Our Contributions Count."   Mainly it is all about getting the donations to the proper channels...  this we can do so by going through some of the most reputable relief aid institutions: Unicef, WHO, RED CROSS, & WFP - to name a few...  there are others so please be SMART and GIVE WISELY.  Make our CHANGE help CHANGE LIVES!!!

So sadly, due to these matters discussed above:  are the victims to suffer even more so?  Was it not enough that so many lives and livelihood were lost from Typhoon Haiyan?  I for one, am so frustrated and disgruntled over all the reports of late...  to a point that I try not to read anymore....   Who cares about the bitterness Ms Korinna Sanchez feels over Mr Cooper's statements?   At this point, who cares about how slow or uninformed the government was in preventing so much of what went on?  Instead, work together... focus on getting aids to all the needies....  making sure they have clean water, food and a place to sleep in....   Get the Donations and Reliefs goods to the right places....   Yes, this is all easier said than done, but if we do not work together... if we do not let go of our EGOs...  and more importantly, if we do not  focus on the more important matter: THE VICTIMS!!! - chaos will ensue and more lives will be lost...  Let us avoid escalating the chaos and disaster even more than necessary...

LET'S ALL UNITE & WORK TOGETHER!!!
 

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A Letter of Note that I wanted to share...  this one is from one of Philippine Cinemas\'s esteemed directors, Peque Gallaga...  what he wrote, am sure, is something most Filipinos have thought of (Rightly so!), but could not put into words...  well, here it is - well, written , honest and direct.... 

Peque Gallaga"s Letter

am not well versed in Philippine Cinema, not even sure if I have seen any of his movies, but will surely look them up, but I salute him for his letter and being brave enough to Go Against The Flow and Voice Out his feelings...  not be trapped in the "Don't Speak Out Showbiz policy, fearing backlashes from the Goverment and the Industry."

Wicked Wednesday

The MEN of My Husband's Lover

For Hump Day!!!  Photo from the last COSMO Bachelor Bash - September 26, 2013

Top 4 in the current issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine, Philippines.

Of course, Tom and Den are included!!! 

Other two are Personal Faves, too : Matteo Gudecelli and JC De Vera...

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Been in Manila the last week and a bit more...  

As always, never enough time but I surely made the most of it all...

Eating..  Malling.. Massage...Swimming..  Shopping...  And basically just hanging out...  

Can U tell am Happy N Relaxed!!!

My Husband's Lover Bois!!!

Just had to get this in before Hump Day goes by...  Am totally obsessing on this new series...  

And of course, the Men who makes my week nights: Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez, & Victor Basa!!!

Oh the Drama!!!  The storyline between Eric and Vince are heating up once more....  Yeah!!!

Soooooo Thankful I can catch this on YOU TUBE!!!

Quick Trip

Just had one of the fastest trip to Manila....  sometimes, my schedule works out like so that I have no choice but to make a quick run to Manila; do all that I needed to do; and fly back to Taipei right away...  It was OK... tiring but OK.... though I really did no get to see Family this time.... still it was OK....  I got to do what I needed to do plus I even got to visit Mom's resting place, as I will not be around come All Soul's Day.... 

 

Even got to visit a very beautiful Church from the 1500's, Taytay Church, located nearby....

Bench Universe

Yep, it is that much awaited time once more in Manila, Philippines... The time when Hot & Up and Coming Models, Actors, Starlets, and other celebrity struts their stuff on the runway... And i do mean their stuff, as most will be walking he Bench catwalk in their skivvies... Much to many screaming fans delight....

The date is set for the 13th and the 14th of this month, September... Sadly, will be relying on DVD and You Tube once more for coverage... I just cannot seem to time it right that I could be in Manila formone of these events... :(

Anyhow, one of the thrills the past few years for Bench Fans, myself included, is Jake Cuenca... It is said that this is to be his last year as he wants to take a break from being admired for his sexiness... But do not fret my friends, as he promises to be even bolder than ever for this event... Wonder how much BOLDER that could be when he stripped right down to a jockstrap a few years back? 

 

 

Well, for now, we will all just have to wait and see...

For now feast on past and present advert with Jake for Bench...

and TEASER POSTER for the BENCH UNIVERSE EVENT promoting the other celebrities that will be walking the catwalk in their skivvies - make sure everyone's Temperature Stays Hot!!!

 

Mabuhay UniQlo

Japan 's Hot Clothing Franchise comes to Manila... And it is very much welcomed!!!  Located on the 2nd floor of The Mall Of Asia - the retail space allocated to the shop is quite biiig... rivals/comparable to the ones I ahve seen here in Taipei and even in Bangkok....  lots of fun offerings... and at the moment - their tees are averaging much cheaper than the SALE Prices here in Taiwan, at least by Php60 each tee...  According to an employee, when I inquired, the current prices are INITIAL SALE PRICES and will go up to their regular retail prices soon....  so RUN and GRAB a tee or two - loads of styles to choose from:  DC COMICS, SNOOPY, Hello Kitty, COKE, One Piece, Beatles, EVANGELION... and my personal fave, JP BRAND TEES....

As with the other countries, Local Celebrities are used to promote the cool lines - Philippines uses Premiere Actress Iza Calzado, all around entertainer Nikki Gil, and the one that makes me smile,  celebrity athlete Chris Tiu....  see photos below....

AM OK WITH THIS CHOICE of ENDORSER:  CHRIS TIU!!!

Just in time for the PREMIERE of SPIDERMAN - Fun SPIDEY TEEs....

AM HERE!!!  in my UniQlo pants even!!!!

The Shop takes up quite a biiig space....  can RIVAL those UniQlos in Bangkok and Taipei....

SUMMER SHORTS in COOL COLORS