Been to : BORACAY

Every Filipino beach bums had been dreaming of going to the most popular Summer get-away of the Philippines, Boracay. So when I got the chance to finally set foot on this most talked about beach hub, I grabbed it right away.

If you are the relaxation-in-vacation type of person, here are some things you can do when in Boracay:

1. People Watching

 Boracay is one of the best places where you can just sit and watch people. They come in different nationalities, different races, different colors and different shapes. Thus, perfect sunglasses do come in handy as you settle in the white beaches of Boracay. 

2. Finish the NOVEL you've been eyeing to read.

 If you do not want to try the water sports Boracay has to offer, reading a book in a bench is good idea. Look for a perfect spot where you won't get toasted, wear a nice piece of bikini, bring a bottled water or order some fresh fruit shake and you are good to go.

 

3. Watch the beautiful sunset.

 Boracay has one great view of the Sunset and a Boracay visitor should never miss it. The setting would be more romantic if you have a love one with you. Go to the seashore around 4 in the afternoon and start waiting for the sun to set. It is also the best time for meditation as you savor the natural beauty of God's amazing creations.

4. Walk or Jog

 With different food stations and restaurants Boracay has, most likely, you will over-eat. To warm you and your sore butt up, take a walk or jog along the shore lines of Station 1 to Station 3 of Boracay. It is also one way of checking the shops, restaurants and more shops Boracay has without spending much.

5. Take a lot of Picture

 Being in Boracay gives you the right to become a camwhore. Make sure to take a photo of you with the popular stores, shops, hotels and restaurants in all stations. Your Boracay experience would not be complete without you taking a picture with the white sand and the ocean as the background.

These are the very few of the things you can do in Boracay. If you are more into adventure, they offer a lot of water activity packages, make sure to ask around first before saying yes to a package.

Enjoy Boracay!

Been to: Bluejazz Resort, Samal

Last August 19, 2011, the whole family troop to Davao to attend the Awarding Ceremony of my father for his 20 years service to PAGCOR  (Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation), just in time for the Davao's celebration of the famous Kadayawan.

As a gift, our father treated us to a beach get-away. The trip is pretty special since its the first for a very very very long time. So, off we went to Bluejaz Resort and Waterpark. Going to the said resort is a first for all the members of the family so everyone's excited.

views from Bluejaz Resort

Since the resort operates a regular boat service regularly, we decided to take a a 5-minute ferry ride from the Beachside Resort, Maryknoll road, Barangay Vicenta Hizon, leaving our car at the available parking lot. For more details click this link for the directions.

What made your visit to this resort extra speical is the band of drummers that enthusiastically welcome its guest from the Pump Boat! You would really would love to dance along its island beat.

Aside from its infinity pool, water rides and white sand beach, one great offering Bluejaz gives is their exciting Gigantic Water Slides to die for. Do not miss to try and take a huge splash at these famous slides. You may check the resorts website for more info - Bluejaz Resort.

Experience the Gigantic Water Slides

Meanwhile, here is a rundown of the expenses incurred for those who are saving and are planning of visiting the place (per person):

PUMPBoat Fare (Back and Forth)         - Php 30.00

Entrance                                            -        90.00

Rides: Unlimited use Gigantic Slides      -        90.00

           Banana Boat                           -      250.00/person for 15minutes

           *other water sports are for RENT check their website for the fees.

Food  - you can either order from the resort's resto or bring your own food with corkage fees

Cottages - Day Tour: There are available open cottages for free or you can rent a "bahay kubo" type cottage for P250.

I hope this helped you with the budgeting!

Been there TIP! Be among the early birds and you can skip paying CORKAGE FEES for the food you bring!

12th International Youth Day Summit: Highlights and Downlows!

Busy B on IYD 2011

Now on its 12^th year, Philippines celebrated the International Youth Day through a Youth and Educators Summit for the Millennium Development Goals spearheaded by no less than the United Nation Youth Association of the Philippines under the banner of the United Nation Association of the Philippines. Held for the very first time out of the Metro Manila setting, the venue for this year is at the City of Love - Iloilo City. Another first for this activity is the fact that it is one of the most attended International Youth Day celebrations in the Philippines so far and that includes us as part of the history.

Here are some events/things that i considered highlights of the summit:

1.  As already mentioned, it is the first IYD gathering that is held outside Manila! A first time for many years.

2. The delegates who came are doubled from the expected number of attendees. From an expected 350 participants the total reached to more than 800!

3. The partner institution Central Philippines University was all out in supporting the event. A big BRAVO for them! Hands down most especially to the CPU President Dr. Teodoro Robles and the rest of the student body who worked hard for a successful IYD summit.

4. This year's Outstanding Youth Leaders Awardee are all inspiring: Mark Roy Macanlalay (Pangasinan) and Jo Jan Paul Penol (Iloilo) for Public and Government Service, Brenfred Romero (Northern Samar) and Kristopher John Rivera (Cagayan de Oro) for Community Service, Neil Sandoval (Manila) and Alein Navares (Cebu) for Education and Danilo Roqayan (Zambales) and Jovic Maurice Lee (Albay) for Environment.

OYLA 2011 with Rep. Arenas of Pangasinan

5. International delegates either came in two or in groups like that from Japan, Bangaladesh, Cambodia, Oman and Indonesia.

6.The National Youth Commission is also a partner for IYD 2011. Represented by Undersecretary Leon Flores III, he introduced NYC to those who have not heard about the office.

7. Photo-op with the CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida at the Hotel Lobby.

Kuya Efren at the hotel lobby

8. A chance to visit the Central University of the Philippines and admired their huge reception hall! Wishing that one of our universities here in General Santos City would have one like that.

Central Philippine University

9. National Forum on Volunteerism at CPU was graced by Atty. Alex Lacson (12 Little Things you can do for your country) and Mr. Antonio Meloto (Gawad Kalinga) - both are volunteers themselves who are being looked upon by the younger generation as a living inspiration.

Forum on Volunteering with Atty. Alex Lacson & Tito Tony Meloto

10. Mindanao is on the spotlight during the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines election of officers. The National President and other officers are usually Mindanaoan. Thus Mindanao as the next venue of the IYD Summit is a clearer possibility. General Santos maybe? Why not!

Down Lows:

1. Because of the number of delegates, the organizers had a hard time accommodating everyone fast and efficient! Some even waited until nine o'clock in the evening to get their room assignments, waiting for almost 10 - 12 hours! PATIENCE attack!

2. The organizers were not prepared for the out pour of delegates thus their kits, receipts, meal stub and others are not sufficient.

3. Everyone is a LEADER. Putting intelligent people and leaders of their respective organization in one group will cause mayhem. Nobody wants to be the follower. Everyone wants to decide. The outcome - NOTHING! ZERO! MESS! That are the things that they should improve. Considering that this is the 12th time they conducted the IYD Summit, they should have learned from their previous mistakes.

4. The supposedly highlight ECO-TOUR at Guimaras Island turned out to be a nightmare for everyone. The weather was not suitable for a Guimaras tour that day (moral lesson: check Weather Update before bringing a group of 600 to an island tour). The coordinators were not well coordinated. The tour itself was not well planned (moral lesson: if you plan of bringing your delegates to an island tour or tourist spot tour, try it yourself first so you would know the time duration, the capacity of the place you will be visiting, the orientation you need to conduct and others). Remember that it should be SAFETY over FUN!

5. Because of the disorganized and traumatic Guimaras tour, the delegates missed the talk of Efran Penaflorida at the Central Philippines University. FAIL!

Happy International Youth Day!

Go out and VOLUNTEER towards the realization of the MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS on 2015!

Been to: IML Resort & Nature Park

Sarangani Province is indeed working hard for its tourism. The success of the recent Sarangani Bay Festival says it all. But that is just the other side of Sarangani, The other side is also gaining its fair share of popularity as well. If Gumasa, Glan is proud of its white sand beaches, the Municipality Maasim Sarangani got different type of fun to offer.

Slowly drawing crowds from its locality and neighbors, Maasim's Lemlunay already got its regular from the diver community, extreme sports enthusiast also troop there for the Water Tubing adventure and to those who want a serene beach setting on a weekend goes to Susan Beach Resort.

Last April 8, another tourist destination opened at Barangay Lumasal, Maasim Sarangani Province, Philippines.

 Pool 1 - also known as the Kiddie Pool

IML Resort and Nature Park is strategically located on top of a hill just before you reach Kiamba. The place has two big swimming pools. One for the kids with 4 feet as the deepest part plus two slides and the other one for adults which is 8 feet deep. For an adrenaline pumping activity, IML Resort and Nature Park has a 500-meter long Zip line. A firing range is also set-up to those of you who enjoys the thrill of practice shooting. Little children would also enjoy the kiddie playground designed for them. Planning to stay overnight? Fret not for IML Resort and Nature Park got affordable hotel rooms good for the whole group or your family. They also have a restaurant which offer meals for the budget conscious tourists. They also serve different dishes of native chicken. They say they got a function hall but I haven't seen it so I cannot tell you exactly its person capacity. 

 Uphill -Downhill

IML Resort and Nature Park got all the elements of a good place for relaxation. With an easy view of the vast Sarangani Bay, it is like enjoying God's creation at its best. They have an accommodating staff which are mostly from the locality of Barangay Lumasal. Maybe with more trainings and orientation the human resource of the resort will be better. There are few restrictions though, since 1ML got restaurant, bringing of foods is discourage- but if you cannot help it  you'll have to pay for the corkage. You also cannot bring floaters and the likes (e.g.salbabida) - the resort has floaters for rent.

Playground

Rating the resort, 10 as the highest I will give them 6 for now. As we always say there is always a room for improvement. Here are some things that I am not very happy about IML - their open cottages area is so small that you can already rub the elbows of the other people occupying the next cottage. Aside from that, the cottages cannot keep you from getting wet if it rains - the management should do something about that. I would also recommend they assign a standby waiter with a walkie talkie at the open cottage area to take orders and requests of their guests and customers, since going to the restaurant from the pool area is tedious considering the uphill/downhill walk you need to take. Those are just my 10-cent worth for now.


If you wish to visit the resort one of these days, here are some of there rates:
ENTRANCE - Php 50 (Day Rate)
                      - Php 75 (Night Rate)
ZIPLINE       - Php 200/ride
COTTAGES - Php 150 (small)
                     - Php 200 (small)
ROOMS       - Php 1,500 - Php 2,000


Oopps! Before I forget, tell your driver to check your car's brakes if you are planning to go the resort. It is an uphill drive afterall.


For more inquiries or reservation you may 
contact these numbers: 09489757710 & 09077494549.

Un Dadsan Festival 2011

The southern most part of Mindanao is becoming one of the places that travelers both local and foreign would love to visit. With the growing popularity of the Sarangani Bay Fest that is annually staged by the government of Sarangani Province, people considers this part of Mindanao a place to be during Summer Breaks. Check the Schedule of Activities of SarBay Fest here.

Sarangani and General Santos City is gifted with beaches that should be taken care of thus the Barangay Council of Dadiangas South thru the leadership of Punong Barangay Alvin Veneracion- taking cue from its neighbor - conceptualize a Summer Feast that can be likened to the SarBay Fest of Sarangani. Highlighting the improvements of the then Lion's Beach - the Festival would like to promote and develop the Queen Tuna Park into an inexpensive Summer destination.

An addition for the Summer Attraction in SOCSSKSARGEN is the 1st Dadiangas South UN DADSAN Festival. Before you troop to the white beaches of Gumasa, Glan, check out the Dadsan Festival on May 4-7, 2011 at the Queen Tuna Park, General Santos City.

Beach activities includes, Volleyball, Football, Frisbee and other competitions you could think of. See the poster above for the schedule of activities.

It will be a party 

from 

Sun Up to 

Sun Down 

at Queen Tuna Park 

with the 

1st DadSAn Festival!

4TH GENSAN ECO-KARERA

The 2010 Best Tourism Event Sports Adventure Category City Level by the Association of the Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) is now on its FOURTH YEAR! 


Gensan Eco Karera Adventure Series aims to test the Human Endurance and Skills of the Adventure Racers across Mindanao with much more demanding challenges for the year 2011 will be on May 5-7, 2011 across the 14 Barangays of General Santos City.


Charing the event is the Committee Chairperson on Tourism, City Councilor Virginia Llido, while Mr. Jing Velos who served as the Event Director for the previous Eco-Karera is still handling the event like his very own baby.


A Re-Launching/Opening Program will take place on May 4, 2011; 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon at the Queen Tuna Park together with the opening of the 1st Dadiangas South Un DadSan Festival. 


The Race Managers promised a much more complicated and demanding challenges for the teams coming from all over Mindanao. This will also showcase the natural wealth and wonders of General Santos City particularly of the 14 Barangays of the City. 


Interested Teams may check this link for more details or you may find them on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/gensanecokarera

SKIMBOARDIN' @ QUEEN TUNA PARK - GENSAN

Skim Dance

Where in General Santos City, can you spend one summer day or afternoon just lazing and dozing on the sand or swim and soak in the salty waters or learn new water sport with all your might for FREE?


Years after rehabilitating the Lion's Beach Resort, people of General Santos and few of its neighbors started to flock their way to the now known QUEEN TUNA PARK during hot weekends and holidays.Located just at the downtown area, the park is pretty accessible for beach bums everywhere. FACT. It is near the Public Market and a walking distance to a number of restaurants. Plus, rides like tricycles and jeepneys are available on your way out.


QUEEN TUNA PARK is now clean and safe to bum around the place. The Generals who are on tight budget or not, go to the park to meet with friends, bond with love ones or just enjoy the beach. There are those who do more than that!


Introducing a water sport that you might consider learning - SKIMBOARDING!

SKIMBOARDING
- n The sport of riding a skimboard over shallow water on a beach and into oncoming waves close to shore The board is usually tossed ahead and jumped on after a running approach.

SHOW TIME! PLAY TIME!

Since its was introduced in 2000 at Tanauan, Leyte (SkimBoarding Capital of the Philippines), the SKIM fever reached the shores of General Santos City also!At first, young generals usually come together at the Queen Tuna Park to simply enjoy the small waves through skimboarding, until they considered joining friendly competitions and staging Skimboarding Competition as well.  


Considering that  General Santos shores does not have huge waves like those of Hawaii, skimboarding is a good substitute for surfing. No need to go to Leyte to experience SkimBoarding. You just need a skim board and you are good to go!


Interested? Let me know and I'll help look for someone to make a Skim Board specially made for you.


Who says Summer Outing need to be expensive? That I differ! 

Been to: SUSAN's BEACH, Maasim

Relax & Enjoy at Susan's Beach

If you think Gumasa is the only place that offers commercial-free white sand beaches in the district of Representative Manny Pacquiao, then I must say you have not gone to the other side of Sarangani.


Opposite way going to Gumasa in Glan, there is this unassuming place where beach lovers will surely add up to their must-go to lists.


Susan's Beach is a white sand beach in Maasim, Sarangani Province. Going to the place is so easy, cause it is just along the national highway, below the 73rd IB Philippine Army Camp in Maasim. If you are coming from Gensan, it is before another tourist destination Lemlunay. Yes, you can see it from the Highway.


The place is still going through different improvements like additional cottages and other amenities, but the resort has available clean bathroom and shower area. Plus, a weekend treat for your family does not need to be expensive for the entrance for both children and adults is only Fifteen Pesos while the cottages rate is only P300 for medium size and P500 for the large sized cottage. 


The next time you want to get sunburn, check out Susan's Beach! It is worth the long ride!

TAGUM's MUSIKAHAN 2011 goes INTERNATIONAL

Tagum City is now my second home. An hour and a half ride from Davao City, Tagum is one of the emerging cities in the South, proving that there is truth to their slogan. INVEST IN ME. I SELL.

the new City Hall of Tagum

Taking place every 3rd week of February, Musikahan sa Tagum comes a long way since its first staging ten years ago. In the year 2000, Musikahan is just a cultural performance component during the celebration of the “Araw ng Tagum”. Now the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival has been institutionalized as a full-blown music festival with a clear vision to engage creativity as an irreversible component in advancing Total Human Development, making it the 
longest-running and all-inclusive Music Festival in the Southern Philippines.

on the streets for the Musikahan 

Aside from the usual inter-school, inter-barangay and inter-City competitions on Rondalla, Brass Band, Choral and other contests, the 10th Musikahan sa Tagum opened its doors for the 3rd International Rondalla Festival.

Tagum City goes International as its opens Musikahan Fest 

Tagum City extends its musical reach globally as it opens the Musikahan Festival with the infusion of the 3rd International Rondalla Festival on February 11 at the New City Hall. 

“Music is a universal language and all countries have the same notes." 

These were the words of Mayor Rey T. Uy as he stressed the importance of developing music among our youth since this will give them better future. 

Tagum City Tourism Council Chairperson Alma Uy said that the festivity welcomes the international community for the glimpse of the common tao at the same time boosting the economy of the city. 

Adding to the festivity were the hoisting of the international flags, choral singing from Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School and Tagum City National Comprehensive High School, dance number from La Filipina National High School and production number from the performers of various barangays.

City Councilor De Carlo Uy formally opened the Musikahan Festival. Participants to the festivals include two groups from China, two groups from India, Iran, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and speakers and participants from Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, USA, New Zealand, ASEAN and UNESCO. 

Musikahan Festival features different competitions like choral competition with participants coming from Makati, Manila and Baguio City, rondalla, marching band, drum and bugle corps, MTV Biyaheng Musika with fifteen participants, Raprapan, Battle of the Band and Pasiklaban. 

Among the benefits from the festival cited by Mayor Uy are bonding among family members, presence of musicians in schools and churches who are graduate from the RTU Music Makers, and economic boost for different businesses in Tagum City. 

In fact, the fourteen festivals of Tagum City attracted more investors evident by businessmen who planned to establish eight-storey hotel with one hundred rooms. 

To facilitate those visitors and tourist who wanted to explore Tagum City, the City Tourism Office tapped thirty Department of Tourism (DOT)-trained drivers who can tour participants to the different landmarks of the city for just P100 per head per hour. 

Cultural presentations and tourist destinations will also be featured every night as dinner for participants will be hosted by Tagum Water District, Davao del Norte, Muslim Community, Davao City, Compostela Valley Province, Tagum City and South Cotabato. 

“We are dreaming of peace for Mindanao, perhaps we can achieve it through music and not through arms,” concluded Alma Uy.

clipped from: 

MUSIKAHAN SA TAGUM on its 10th YEAR 

A Story to Share

City Information Office and Music City Gazette Staff

a hair raising Closing Program of the 3rd International Rondalla Festival

Aside from the number of competitions, an Exhibit also took place at the new City Hall, where a display of music culture is open for the public to see for free.

Cuerdas sa Pagkakaysa Exhibit

Another crowd favorite is the Fountain at the center of the unfinished new City Hall of Tagum. You just cannot help but click away your cameras.

dancing of lights

The new City Hall which is still under construction is already a majestic site but another attraction is the stage located at the City Hall ground. Any event director would surely be inspired to mount an event that would surely be a blast. 

the awesome STAGE of Tagum City Hall

The 3rd International Rondalla Festival and the 10th Musikahan sa Tagum was one successful event. Congratulations to the City Government of Tagum lead by their feisty Mayor, Hon. Rey T. Uy, the City Tourism Council and the rest of TAGUMENYOS!

Sox Bloggers! Represent!

Madasigong Pag-salmot sa Musikahan sa Tagum Festival 2011!

PASKO SA GENSAN 2010 OFFICIALLY OPENS

The sudden downpour of rain did not stopped the Drum and Lyre contingents from doing their stints. Participants from various schools of General Santos City and neighboring towns looked all animated either with their costume and their make-up with their drums and other musical instruments at hand.


The Drum and Lyre competition organized by the head of Youth Affairs and Development Office, ELMER CEQUINA served as a loud siren that this year's Pasko sa Gensan festivities is on roll.

photo grabbed from General Joana

The swift Program turning every presentors into anime' characters, the parade of champagne and the lighting of the Christmas tree in the middle of the Oval Plaza were only a few signaling the  OPENING. Plus the longest display of fireworks in any General Santos City was greatly enjoyed by the Generals that night.

photo grabbed from General Joana

"Animi sa Gensan, Anime ang Paskuhan" is this years' Pasko sa Gensan Theme which really brought out the creativity of the Generals who participated, participating and will be participating the events and activities lined up. Click this for the lists of activities.

Ooooopppsss! Do not forget the activity I am managing. Go check it out on December 12, 2010 at the Oval Stage. Expect Ten young and talented Bands from General Santos City and the rest of the 1st District of South Cotabato showcase their stuff for the Sigaw Kabataan: Battle of the Bands sa Paskuhan sa Gensan.

Friends experience an Anime' way of 

Christmas only in Paskuhan sa Gensan!

Isang Maligayang Pasko sa Magandang Gensan!

photo grabbed from General Joana

All photos used in this post are taken by Mosler Paul Lapore.