The Great Bodega Sale @ Mango

It all started when I got a message from Primer about a Bodega Sale up to 80% off on Selected Delsey, The North Face, Sanuk, Kickers, Jansport, Samsonite , World Traveller,Columbia , etc. on Sept 17 -19, 2010 at Mango Square Mall. Being occassional shop-a-holics, Iris and I didn't think twice to check it.

Got there around 7pm. The parking attendant must have smelled us, as before he handed us the parking ticket, he already guessed we heading to the Bodega Sale.

I almost sprint my way to the mall. For the moment I felt like Rebecca Bloomwood. Haha.

Anyways, I rummaged through the racks hoping to get a good bargain for a pair of Sanuk. I've been dying to own one since the first time I saw it but I cant get enough courage to splurge almost 3k for a pair (I know! I'm such a cheapstake!). I look through and all I can find are DC skater shoes (not my type), black Kickers shoes, some North Face and Sanuk flip flops. I was lucky as Iris found me 2 pairs of Sanuk only to find out its 2 sizes smaller for me and the other one is one size bigger I'd look like Ronald McDonald.

Shirts, pants, jackets ans shorts from Columbia and The North Face looked like ukay-ukay laid on open boxes and some scattered on the floor.

Iris and I went through all the other stuffs and ended up taking home one Jansport bag each. A blue one for her and a pink one for me only at 776php and 973php respectively. I knew it was worth it. I eyed on some The North Face bags too but they're just too expensive still. Anyway, I still have my Habagat bag that I can take anywhere during our travels.

I smell a party tonight. Mango Square is packed.

So for those who are interested, you still have a chance tomorrow! They are located on the 3rd level of Mango Square Mall Unit 305-306 and they're open 2pm-10pm. Just get your card ready for swiping. ;)

Beautiful Pagadian

I remember I used to sing "Beautiful Pagadian" for 4 years everyday from Monday to Friday during flag raising ceremony that is why until this day I still can't forget the song. Haha. I've been a nomad for the past months and like every traveller, I have to go home, which I did last weekend. A four-day stay at home to be with my family and be back to the place I originaly hailed from - Pagadian City. I originally planned to stay there for a week but didnt got lucky to get a 4-day leave but not bad as I got half of it.

Unlike my previous homecoming where I usually take a boat or plane via Ozamis City, I took the plane this time direct to Pagadian City via Cebu Pacific Air. The flight was short that it only took 50 minutes from Mactan International Airport to Pagadian Airport. The ricefields in Labangan were like golf course and I can see the Labangan River cutting and winding through the greenfiled. Sadly, I forgot to take a snapshot.

I must say the airport was alot better than it is in Ozamis. My father and my two siblings welcomed me upon coming out from the airport gate. I had already plan my activity when I get back home and I'm glad to say I have accoplished most of them.

Prepared french toast and cheese roll for breakfast. I have been bragging Mama about my new skill in cooking.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cuddling with our dog Cutie and Mimoy ( not in picture ). By the way, that's my sister Marizze in the photo
 
 

Of course, I didnt miss the chance to visit the city's most famous landmark - The Rotunda. I watched till the vehicles illuminated the highway.

Bonded with my highschool pals- Jesil, Jake and Niña (not in picture)

Of course, I didn't miss sunrise ;)

..and the usual view from our terrace

Visit the butterfly sanctuary in Dao.

By the way, I didnt get to see any butterfly as we arrived there around 5pm. They were actually closed when we got there but we persuaded the caretaker to let us in.

Jesil told me this structure's gonna be ala Enchanted Kingdom. Haha! Well, we will see in a few months time.

Bonding time in Springland Resort with my family. Two years ago, we went boating on this pond

We were supposed to feed the Koi but they ran out of feeds

I remember this chicken barbecue only costs 50php ten years ago. Now it costs 80php.

An ongoing Persian-inspired building located in Rotunda. Niña asked me to go horseback riding but I didnt dare.

Also visited this newly opened Raymund Mountain Resort in Bulatok

Its inside Tan's Subdivision.

Had my share of a bumpy and dusty ride around the city ;)
 
 

Tried this newly opened coffee shop, Bialetti, just accross Mendero Hospital
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spent my last night couple of alcohol with Jake and my brother
 
Took these photos while the plane was taking off from Pagadian Airport
 
 

The city's growing ;)
 

The tapay-tapay are visible here
 

Ricefields in Labangan

No way but up!!.. to Baguio!

The weather maybe cold but we are definitely too hot to set our foot in the City of Pines. Started the journey via Cebu Pacific Air from Cebu to Manila at 4:50am and landed on Manila almost 6am. Since Iris and I are on a budget trip we decided not to take the airport taxi and (again) walked our way outside the NAIA Terminal 3 premises (not to mention it started to rain on our way out).

Thank God the walkalator was working when we got to NAIA Terminal 3.

Boarded the taxi by 6:30 and found our way to Victory Liner terminal in Pasay and took the 7am trip to Baguio.

I was thinking of taking the Deluxe trip that will pass thru SCTEX but it was scheduled at 11:15am and we cant afford to lose any time.

Started our journey at 7am passing thru EDSA all the way to Monumento while traffic was starting to build-up.

Made our way to Balintawak exit to NLEX's toll gates by 8:30. The trip along NLEX was smooth and non-stop. I was thinking it will be that well until we reach Baguio. But I was in vain when the bus made a turn in Tarlac City. We cut our way to Tarlac for about 4 hours including two bus stops - one in Tarlac City and the other in Sison.

Not to mention for the entire 4-hour-trip all I can see is plain boring rice or sugarcane field and that Soliman EC Septic Tank Services that vandalized almost all concrete walls along Tarlac highway! (I was meaning to take a pic but of course I didnt thought it would go all the way till the end of Tarlac)

Anyways, we also passed by a couple of malls along the way and some amusement parks built in a subdivision (yes!). We figured the province is a landlock province located in a valley and unlike Cebu going to the beach will be a luxury for them so instead they've built amusement parks and resorts near these Subdivision.

The bus started climbing the mountains by 12:30 and we were greeted by fog along Marcos Highway. The temperature started to drop and Iris is already complaining about the pressure pricking her ears. The fog looked like curtains unveiling the view of the mountains with every turn.
 
The weather was great when we got to Baguio. Its not even raining though the wind is so cold. At first we were hessitant to take a Taxi going to Hotel 45 thinking they might ask for an extra fare. But we were surprise taxi drivers are so honest that they really give you change down to the last cent and they dont even complain about where you wanted to go wether its rush hour or no.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  We checked in at Hotel 45 for 2 nights and paid 1300/night with free breakfast (but dont expect much on the breakfast). The room was ok, equipped with an electric fan, cable TV, a comfy bed, heater for shower, a cabinet.
 
Iris and I walked our way to SM Baguio since its just near our hotel. We bought an umbrella since it has started to rain. I forgot to mention my umbrella was confiscated in the airport earlier. I was told I have to checked it in. No way I'm 100php for an umbrella so I have chosen to part ways with it.
 

SM have an amazing view of the city.
 
We looked all around SM only to realize it has been monopolized by BDO and could not find any Unionbank ATMs! Then, I remember thru my earlier research via wikimapia that there is one Unionbank along Session Road. So we walked our way out of SM to Session Road only to get lost! We ended up walking for almost a kilometer with no sign of Session Road. I swear we never got lost before on our trips except for this one. So we ended up taking a cab to session. I think I have to blame the mountainous terrain for that. You see, when we walked our way to Victory Liner we also got lost even with a map on hand. Tsk
 
   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We saw the stairs heading to the Cathedral so we took it and visit Baguio's Cathedral.
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Went to Camp John Hay via Taxi and guess what we only paid around 56php to the driver and I tell you it wasnt near the city.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Yes! Iris dared to go out with her shorts and slippers on this chilly weather. hahaha
 
 
 

I couldnt tell you how prepared I am for this trip. hahaha

 

Look closely the Cullens might be there somewhere.

Had a quick stop at Mile-Hi Shopping Center, where I scored a great jacket for only half the prices in Cebu. We even had ice cream at Mile Hi.

It started to get dark when we realize there is no cab inside Camp John Hay not unless some tourists arrive but no one did. We waited and waited but almost all cab that gets inside have passengers until the driver from The Manor offered us a ride to the City for 150php (gulp!) I know its pricey but do we have a choice? We cant wait till someone rescues us. LOL. The van can accommodate 10 people so if in case its packed you'll only pay 15php but that wasnt the case then. Tsk.

We asked the driver to drop us at Burnham Park and like all tourists who visit Baguio the trip wont be complete w/o a boat ride at the Burnham Lake.At first we had our own bangkero then he gave us chance to navigate the pond (or lake) alone. Paddled our way around until our back and hands ached.

We decided to give it up by 5:45pm and headed to the skating rink and took a bump car ride. You see, we cant ride the bump car at SM Cebu because its always packed with kids so we took the opportunity to do it here. ;D

We headed to Volante Pizza for our dinner and both had their combo meal priced at 160php a plate with spaghetti, a slice of pizza, chicken and fries with hot gravy. I must say that one tastes so much better than Shakey's bunch of lunch.

We took a box of pizza back to the hotel in case we get hungry. We enjoyed watching the people walking along Session road - some in their fancy winter-inspired outfit others on their plain Lolo's jackets and rubber shoes. Got back to the hotel at 7:15pm and I dont notice I doze off after 20mins of lying I didnt notice Iris' mom arrived around 1am.

The next day we headed to La Trinidad Strawberry farm after a quick breakfast at 6am. Iris' mom told us it will muddy as it rained the night before and she was absolutely right so she didnt tag along. 

 

Didnt got the chance to picked strawberries because aside from the mud there were no strawberries to pick. Hehe.

Trying some strawberry wine. I didnt buy one though as we are on Go Lite they might asked us to have it checked in! I got th chance to try their strawberry taho with real strawberries in it!

According to the people its Rattan's fruit that goes well in sinigang.

Our next stop was the Philippine Military Academy at Fort del Pilar.(Tip: You have to bring your ID upon entering the premises. No ID, No Entry policy applies.) We were lucky as the PMA cadets were on formation when we got there.

They were on some sort of a Tactical Inspection (which reminded me of my ROTC class way back in college).

Did I mention there were 6 buses loaded with students on field trip that day? You could only imagine how noisy and rowdy those college students watching the formation with us. GGrrr!

Next stop was Mines View Park that looked like more of a Tiangge than a park. It was packed! And of course we didnt miss having a mini photo op with Doglas.

By the way, its not for free and you'll have to pay 25/shot or you better get the sulit package at 50php/3 shots. I know! Murag Studio pic! ;)

you might also wanna try this. Picture ala cowboy, and oh! its 10/click so beware you might be surprised they'll asked around a hundred pesos. ahehe.

Taken by Iris' mom at  Wright Park

At the Mansion playing some sorta prisoner

At Kennon viewdeck. Didnt got the chance to visit the Lion's head its all the way down.

Had our late lunch at Cafe by the Ruins. Iris and her mom were both surprise they have no softdrinks. So they have to do with their shakes (organic shakes). We didnt know they serve healthy food minus the MSG lacing? tsk.

We stopped by Barrio Fiesta's Hotpot and took some wacky pics with these wax figures.

Ended the night with a dinner at Hann Mann in SM Baguio where Iris and her mom sang Happy Birthday for me before we hit our plates. So I celebrated my 23rd birthday in Baguio minus the cake and party. I realized why dont I do this? Be at any random place on my birthday? hmnn. Later that night Iris and I strolled Session and went to Vizco's for coffee and cake.

Strawberry cake for me and Tiramisu for Iris. Went to rummage some Ukay2 and scored a few bargains before heading to Volante for a nice cup of coffee with Vanilla ice cream. Had my birthday at Volante with Iris.