Adto na 'ta

Get a load of the dramatic Zambales sunset at Bakasyunan sa Baybay Dagat. Bakasyunan sa Baybay Dagat is located at Barrio Amungan in Iba, Zambales about 4 hours drive from Manila. Bakasyunan is amazing since its waters were never deep and always lukewarm, that you always want to submerge yourself under them. You can go as far as 300 meters from the shore but not fear you'd drown. This is a view of the sea at Zambales. It is kept clean by a regular beach clean-up. Aside from swimming in the beach, visitors can amuse themselves at the many recreational facilities that Bakasyunan offers. One of them is the fishing lagoon. Visitors can also try putting at this mini-golf-course. Or try a volleyball game or two. And take a quick dip in the inviting pool, anytime of the day. Bakasyunan in Zambales has facilities that would accomodate everyone from all walks of life. Like this medium-sized hut which is ideal for families. And smaller huts which is good for smaller groups or couples. Th...

Manila Ocean Park is the ultimate treat for kids in Manila. Aside from being educational, parents and children can bond while watching the different fish in the big aquariums. At Manila Ocean Park, my fear of the underwater instantly vanished that I wanted to snorkel right there (if only it were possible). I would have loved to take gazillion photos for souvenirs, but finding a good opening was impossible. The crowd was just indescribable although I managed to get some few ones for you to check out. The starfish looks so cute and inviting in this clear water that some kids almost could not contain themselves. There must have been hundreds of small multi-colored fish in this aquarium. My apologies for the poor shot, if you ever get a nice shot of this, this will make a cute PC screen-saver. The live ‘taklobo’ was not captured very well. It was my first time to see one, and it was unforgettable to me. I have always wondered if I can see real pearls (how ignorant) inside them. ...

" The Happiest Place" is the sign that welcomes you at the entrance of the Zoobic Safari, which is located at a deeper and greener area of Subic. Subic used to be the largest naval facility of the US outside the US shores and was abandoned by the military when Mt. Pinatubo exploded in 1990. It is now under the care and administration of the SBMA. After paying the P395 entrance fee, guests are oriented of proper demeanor inside the menagerie. Various animals can be seen inside cages of different sizes. To give you an idea of how circuitous and how long the safari route is, just look at this map located at the entrance. The entire trip will take almost two hours, and that is even riding the Safari train! Just imagine how long it will take you if you go on foot. This train will take the guests to various destinations inside the menagerie. The sun becomes bearable and the rough terrain does not pose a problem to guests anymore. Before hopping in the train, guests were tak...

A heritage dating 2,000 years ago, Banaue is considered a world wonder. As its name suggests, the terraces are mountain slopes carved stair-like in order to preserve the mountain from erosion and other natural disasters at the same time to be used for planting rice. This is a display of the Ifugaos' (the minority group that live in the area) ingenuity and engineering skills. It is said that their entire length would circle half the globe. Can you imagine how wide it is? It used to reach as far north as Cagayan and to Quezon in the south but natural wear and tear took its toll. Fortunately, efforts from the government to maintain the beauty and attraction of the Rice Terraces continue to this day. Can you feel the cool and clean air prevailing in the surroundings? A tiny Ifugao village, that continues to till the rice terraces. A picture of serenity. Far from the crowd, polluted metropolis, close to nature. It takes 9 hours to go to Banaue from Manila.

Last Saturday, October 18, 2008, about 25 bloggers who are inclined to food-blogging were treated to an intimate dinner by no less than Jose Fil Benitez, the current manager of the establishment who took over the helm from his mother, after finally convincing her it was time Mario's is taken to the next level, and we were all impressed with what Fil has planned and laid out for Mario's and of course, what he has planned and laid out for us bloggers that night. (Fil, the gracious host, shown here with Arpee) Fil, was the perfect host, entertaining us all with anecdotes about Mario's origins in Baguio city until it was burned to ashes (sadly) and how it remained to be a landmark in the restaurant scene after 37 years. Yours truly can't complain about the food I ordered and tried. Let me enumerate them, from appetizers: Oyster Rockefeller in pesto hollandaise, buttered garlic, and chorizo shrimp. For main course: Paella marinera, Chilean seabass, broiled salmon, Steak in...