DEPED LATEST UPDATE - CLASSES STILL SUSPENDED IN METRO MANILA

Due to typhoon "PEDRING" as per DEPED latest advisory, classes in NUEVA ECIJA and NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION(NCR)  including Metro Manila will still be suspended, September 27, 2011, That is all levels--PRE-SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL.


Typhoon signal no. 2 still hoisted in NCR/Metro Manila. Meanwhile, some colleges/universities in Metro Manila already announced suspension of classes, as follows:


CENTRAL COLLEGE OF THE PHILS
FEU-MANILA, MAKATI, EAST ASIA, DILIMAN
SAN BEDA COLLEGE-MANILA, TAYTAY
RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
 UNIVERSITY OF STO.TOMAS
UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST-MANILA,CALOOCAN. 


CHED also appealed to head of HEI's to make their respective announcements of suspension, not later than 5 a.m. today.


for detailed weather updates/additional info, you may also want to click on this link:


http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/233494/nation/some-ncr-universities-colleges-suspend-classes

BORACAY UNDERWATER ADVENTURE : REEF WALKING

It 's my first Boracay Trip with my kids, so i planned to make that short vacation...sweet. Even before   booking our reservation for the trip, I already find time to check out the internet, also ask some of my friends who had already gone to Boracay, about the must-see places, and adventures we could explore in the island. 

The very first day we arrived at the Island, I already went out talking to some tourist guides roaming the area, offering for tour guide services. I noticed that their prices varies, also the services that they offer. One thing is for sure though, you could get a better deal if you come in groups not lesser than five. Also you should at least have an idea, where you want to go and what you want to do. If you don't have any idea yet, you might wanna ask the tour guide what they could offer at least you have an idea, if you 'll enjoy it or not. I suggest you maximize the time, and bargain to go to as much place as you can, to get the most of what you paid for.

The services that you would actually pay for is for the boat service or what they call "ISLAND HOPPING", This should include island hopping to various places of your choice like Puka Beach, Crocodile Island etc...and of course Reef Walking,  also known as helmet diving and snorkeling.

It's our first reef walking experience, and we're kind of hesitant at first, especially when we reach the spot where they do it, cause i could tell, that spot is already deep maybe around 20 ft. or so, and me and my kids we're really not that good in swimming, but that's why it's an adventure?! or at least that's what we thought, so we went for it. The session starts with a briefing, where you will be told what to expect and what to do during the reef walking session. The briefing was quite quick and concise so, if you'll listen well and follow instruction, you're good to go. I think it would be fun to go in group cause at least you have enough moral support to let you go through the most scary part going down the deep waters with that very heavy helmet, resting on your shoulder. 

No worries though as soon as you plunge the water, the helmet becomes lighter as it flows the water. Honestly, plunging in the water, i almost panic cause i could feel the pressure as i sank deeper until the bottom of the sea. Not kidding, you really are going to reach the bottom and should be walking freely, while breathing at the mercy of that big helmet. Piece of advise...don't panic! surprisingly you'll be able to breath as usual under, and believe you me, when your eyes starts to see the beauty of the fishes and creatures under the sea, it will be all worth it. Imagine, being so close as touching the fishes, feeding them with bread, some even touching your hands and skin... the corals, starfish...amazing, really! It's worth every penny spent, considering you get home with Video CD/pics like the ones i posted here, as a souvenir...awesome! :)

touching as much fish as we can... :)

feeding the fish...awesome!

enjoying the corals

PSALM 100:3

JOHN 36:11

Video and Lyrics: THE MAN WHO CAN'T BE MOVED by The SCRIPT

THE MAN WHO CAN'T BE MOVED 
by THE SCRIPT

Music...

Happiness in poetry...

I have been happy, tho' in a dream.

    I have been happy- and I love the theme:

    Dreams! in their vivid coloring of life,

    As in that fleeting, shadowy, misty strife

    Of semblance with reality, which brings

    To the delirious eye, more lovely things

    Of Paradise and Love- and all our own!

    Than young Hope in his sunniest hour hath known.

-Edgar Allan Poe

Boracay Getaway 2011 Off to Boracay - How to get there?

Last June i got the chance to go to Boracay, with my kids and some friends. Since, it is our first time to go to Boracay, we decided to get a 3-day package complete with accommodation and airfare, i just thought three (3) days is too short a vacation, to still worry about place to stay, and other hassles. For those planning to visit Boracay, during the rainy season, and you're doing it the first time,you might want to read on, to have an idea what to expect, getting there.

Zest-air check-in counter

inside Manila Domestic Airport

weighing baggage for check-in

Zest-air Boarding pass

Inside boarding waiting area...

waiting at the boarding area...

inside Manila Domestic Airport

From the Manila Domestic Airport, we flew to Kalibo via Zestair, not very impressed with the aircraft, but considering the affordable cost, good enough for me. Since, it's only about 30-45 mins. flight, and the weather is really bad, my only concern is that we arrive at the destination, safe and sound. Back at the airport, while we are waiting to be board, it was announced that flight to Palawan was cancelled, due to bad weather, I was afraid our flight will be cancelled as well. Fortunately, it wasn't. By the way, Domestic Airport charged Php 200.00 terminal fee, per passenger.

 My kids were both excited and nervous, since it's their first plane ride, quite glad they get to enjoy the flight as we travel. They even manage to take some pics inside the plane. Transfers are included in our travel package, representative of Southwest Travel  pick us up at the airport. We rode a small aircon tourist bus and travel by land for about an hour and a half to Caticlan/Jetty Port, upon arrival, we waited while the Southwest tour guide, pay for the boat fare to Boracay and environmental fees. I gathered, the environmental fee cost Php 50.00, Port Fee also Php 50.00.

The boat transfer fare varies from Php25.00 -Php30.00. The boat transfer from jetty port Caticlan to jetty port Cagban, Boracay took us about 20-25 mins. It was raining when we reach the port and due to bad weather, riding the boat was a bit scary, to think that, when i look for the life vest hanging on the boat, it wasn't enough for everybody. To forget my fears, I just led my eyes to feast on such an awesome view. Thank God, the wind is not that gusty, and we arrived at Port Cagban, Boracay safely. 

arrival - KALIBO AIRPORT

KALIBO AIRPORT, AKLAN

KALIBO AIRPORT

THE BORACAY GRAND PRIX HOTEL

VAN USED FOR TRANSFERS

WELCOME DRINKS courtesy of the Hotel

Check-in at Boracay Grand Prix was scheduled 2pm, so we can't check-in at the hotel yet. It's way past lunch and we're really starving so, we decided to head to D'Mall, there are a bunch of good restaurants there, no problem finding a place for your meals, so we took the time to enjoy lunch. We finished our lunch in time, to head to the hotel for check-in. 




I also suggest, you get a beachfront hotel,they were conveniently located just a few steps in front of the beach, it can save you a lot of time travelling from your hotel to the beach side. Besides, most of the night clubs and restaurants are also along the beach side...where the party and the fun happens! Most of the good and classy hotel, some expensive ones also, are located in Station1.

Video and Lyrics: THE LAZY SONG by Bruno Mars

THE LAZY SONG

By: Bruno Mars

Today, I don't feel like doing anything

I just wanna lay in my bed

Don't feel like picking up my phone

So leave your message at the tone

Cause today i swear, I'm not doing anything

I'm gonna keep my feet up 

then stare at the fan

turn the TV on

throw my hand in my pants

Nobody's goin' to tell me, I can't

I'll be lounging on the couch

just chillin' in my snuggle

click to MTV so they can teach me how to douggie

cause in my castle. I'm the freaking man

Oh yes i said it, I said it

I said it, cause I can

Today I don’t feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don’t feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything
Nothing at all

Tomorrow I'll wake up, do some P90X
Meet a really nice girl, have some really nice sex
And she's gonna scream out: 'This is Great'
(Oh my god, this is great)
Yeah

I might mess around, get my college degree
I bet my old man will be so proud of me
But sorry pops, you'll just have to wait
Oh, oh

Yes I said it
I said it
I said it 'cause I can
Today I don’t feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don’t feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything
No, I ain't gonna comb my hair
'Cause I ain't going anywhere
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, oh

I'll just strut in my birthday suit
And let everything hang loose
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah-eah
Oh
Today I don’t feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don’t feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything

Nothing at all
Nothing at all
Nothing at all