Philippines Holiday for 2013

Proclamation No. 459

Guys, long weekend Again in the year 2013! The Presidential Palace (Malacanang) has just released Proclamation No. 459: The list of holidays for 2013 (Regular holidays, special non-working days, and a special school holiday for 2013). Below is the list of Philippine Holidays for 2013:

Month of January: Long weekend from December 29, 2012 to January 1, 2013

January 1 (Tuesday) - New Year's Day

Month of February:

February 10 (Sunday) - Chinese New Year (no holiday declaration yet)
February 25 (Monday) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (holiday for schools only)

Month of March: Long weekend from March 28 to 31

March 28 (Thursday) - Holy Thursday
March 29 (Friday) - Good Friday
March 30 (Saturday) - Black Saturday (four-day )

Month of April:

April 9 (Tuesday) - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)

Month of May:

May 1 (Wednesday) - Labor Day

Month of June:

June 12 (Wed) - Independence Day

Month of August: Possible long weekend if declaration for August 9 is made and from August 24 to 26

August 8 (Thursday) - Eid'l Fitr (no declaration yet)
August 21 (Wednesday) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 26 (Monday) - National Heroes Day

Month of October: Long weekend possible from October 12 to 14

October 15 (Tue) - Eid'l Adha (no declaration yet)

Month of November: Long weekend from November 1 to 3

November 1 (Friday) - All Saints Day
November 2 (Saturday) - Special Non-Working Day
November 30 (Saturday) - Bonifacio Day

Month of December: Long weekend for Christmas Holidays

December 24 (Tuesday) - Special Non-Working Day
December 25 (Wednesday) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Monday) - Rizal Day
December 31 (Mon) - Last Day of the Year

A separate proclamation will be issued for the official date for Eid al Adha and Eid al Fitr.

Bagac Proper: Sugong Island

As the locals calls it Sugong Island, i didn't bother to ask where the name came from. I am just excited to go there, swim and jump then dive! Yes, you hear me right... It is actually cliff diving. Last March, well this is super duper late posts. As usual don't have time yet for blogging. It's never to late than never!

Event:  Pre-celebration of my 29th birthday! hehehe!
Place:  Beach of Bagac, Bataan
People: Aux officemates ( March 2012), Asiatype officemates (May 2010)

As you can see, it's already my second time in the island with different workmates. Here's the pictures taken last 2010.

This is the cliff diving area. Be careful to do this. If you are not that fun of this activity, better not to do it. Hospital or clinic are far here and you can't claim any insurance right afterwards.

Underwater pictures with clear water

They are trying to hold at the front of the boat which is the bow.

I encourage my previous officemates to go there again. Here are the photos taken last Summer.

These are my fellow aux officemates. ready to go island hopping

The area of the boat is below 10 feet. small cave where you can swim without the heat of the sun. Swimming here is lots of fun because the water is coocoold! :)

How to get there: 

Just about 2.5 hours drive from Metro Manila is the province of Bataan. Take Genesis or Bataan transit going to Balanga. At Balanga terminal, take jeep or mini bus bound to Bagac. Transportation here has to wait for passengers to fill the seats. When you reach the town of Bagac, take tricycle and just tell to the Barangay Pag-asa beach area. Then just ask for the locals you want to go to Sugong island. and where to hire boat. It is best to go there early in the morning.   

Expenses:

Manila(Cubao) - Balanga City                     -  Php200

Balanga City to Bagac Proper                      -  Php47

Tricycle going to beach                                 -  Php30 whole tricycle

Boat (max 8pax)                                            -  Php1500

 

Sagada Trip: Sunrise View at Kiltepan Peak

The next day, we woke up very very early just to witness the sunrise in Kiltepan Peak. Coming from long hours of ride manila to sagada, and the cold experience of the cave spelunking, I still wanted to get more sleep due to these tiresome activities and the ride. It was nice or i should say i miss this climate way back in college when i am in Baguio. Wrapping yourself with your blanket because it was cold. But back to reality we are here to explore the place with limited time. My friends were already up and it would be embarrassing if I were to stay behind. So I stand up, go wash, sip a drink and viola, the journey begins! We are going to the mountain, no jeep. We are going to walk! Imagine that it is 5am in the morning and it is freezing cold! But it was nice. I miss the fine trees anyway! :)

walking around 5am in the forest is freaking cold

How to get here:

Just walk with your guide for 30 minutes or hire a jeep or van :)

Next stop: Trekking to Bomod-ok Falls(Big Falls)

Sagada Trip: Spelunking at Sumaging Cave

Sagada is located 275 kilometer North of Manila, adjacent to its provincial capital, Bontoc. We reached the province of Sagada after 12 long hours of bumpy and dusty ride from Manila to Baguio then Sagada.  Everyone in our group was so tired when we reached the place so after checking in at Residential Lodge, we all rested for a few minutes. We unpacked are things and headed to Tourist  Information Center. We just rest a few minutes and we are ready for one of the highlights of our Sagada trip – Spelunking (for me: ‘sumuong sa masalimot na kweba!’).  Most of us are new to caving and some of our office colleagues decided to take the spelunking activity at Sumaging Cave. Sorry for the late late posts. This was last May 2010. :)

This is the signage  going to Sumaging  and Lumiang Cave.

Along way road. We walked for 30 minutes going to the cave. Below are the rock formations different forms.

 

 

I can fit obviously here like the rocks will eat me!

This is the point of the cave where your guide ask you to remove your footwear. So wear proper foorwear. Our guide knows the place more than we do so we left our stuff at one side. See things behind Namar. Also, this is a naughty rock formation :)

The more impressive one called the King’s Curtain. A huge limestone formation where water drips from the top of the curtain and into the pools below. I didn't have full picture because many are taking pictures with it. To go down one will have to shimmy down the two “curtains”. That is why the need to leave the footwear behind. 

See?!! A challenge one!

A rock formation

A small hole where one persons can fit. Our guide was the one supported us when entering hole.

How to go back, this is the final challenge. Going out  is to climb up the wall using that piece of rope that hanging the cave wall. At first, I was thinking I can not make it. But when i saw a girl larger than me, she make it to climb up successfully. So nothing to  worry about i said. But when the time i was the one, i am having a hard time because of my weight but still i make it to the top.

It felt really good after completing the challenge. It is dark, slippery and wet but still, no trip to Sagada is complete without experiencing its caves. The whole exploration lasted for less than three hours. Caving in Sagada is such a worthy experience. Difficult but well-worth it.

Rates for Spelunking at Sumaguing Cave

    Visitor Registration: Php10 per person
    Guide Fee: Php500 for 1 - 4 persons, 1:5
    Kerosene Lamp: Php50

Things Must Haves

    Licensed guide
    Quick drying clothes like rush guard or any
    Sturdy, comfortable and non-slippery rubber sandals
    Headlamp or Kerosene Lamp(c/o guide)
    Hand Gloves
    Plastic bags or Ziplocs (To put in your valuable things)
    Camera (preferably waterproof) with extra batteries and memory cards
    Small towel

Visiting a Farm at Bataan

I just want to share about the beauty of nature. The cool breeze, fresh air, fresh fruits, touching one's nature. I live also in a farm place at Pangasinan, Philippines. Most of the delicacies here are vegetables ( beans, eggplant, malunggay, okra to name the few, but most are in bahay kubo song). Mangoes also are many in Pangasinan. Here in Bataan, it  is considered as Preserved natural park. As you can see at the pictures, is just one of the farms in Bataan.  

path going to the farm

a bulb wire was use to separate one's property

Touring the greenery farmland

After visiting the farmland, reward yourself with refreshing buko (coconut)

This is the way of harvesting coconut according to Berto

hahaha! pagod na si papa magbuhat! :)

 Next time I'll post more!

Open Field Shooting Range

Most people who enjoy shooting at indoor ranges are very aware of safety. Wearing protections like for their eyes and ears is a must for beginners or even the amateur. But few wear respirators to protect their lungs from the lead dust that presents. Below are the steps how to shoot a Handgun, I have just collected online.

    ·         First, read the instruction manual. This applies for the beginner or first time or people who haven’t used it in a while.

    ·         Find a target (please not your enemy). Just aim at a safe target in a controlled environment. Never shoot randomly.

    ·         For proper safety gear, use eye and hearing protections. Use proper gears for your safety.

    ·         When picking up the gun, you have to be careful. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard. Be careful always.

    ·         Insert the magazine (for a semi-automatic) or rounds (for a revolver).

    ·         Hold your weapon in the firing-ready position.

    ·         Stand in the proper firing stance.

    ·         Align the front sight with the rear sight.

    ·         Aim for center mass. Bring your weapon to bear on the target. Maintain your focus on the front sight.

    ·         Slowly squeeze the trigger.

    ·         Practice firing several rounds. Do not rush.

    ·         Unload your weapon and re-verify that it is unloaded. Open the action of the pistol and properly store it. After go wash your hands and face; gunpowder residue can be toxic because of the lead

 Whew! That was the proper way of shooting pala! Hehehe. Guys be careful, lalong lalo na ke tatay! In grandpa’s farm in Bataan. They try to shoot in an open field using a handgun. Actually I was not informed they will try it. Sabi ko, sure kayo? Hehehe… Please don't try this at home without proper knowledge about shooting with handgun.

just trying to shoot don't know if it's successful :)

berto kayang kaya mu yan!

Tumalog Falls: “Untouched” Waterfalls in Oslob, Cebu

After the Butanding encounter, another must see in Oslob is this untouched waterfall setting. It is called Tumalog Falls or some people called it Mag-Ambak Falls or Toslob Falls. This falls has no entrance yet. It's free. Just go there and enjoy the cold water. No shed, tables or chairs. Just bring a picnic basket with your family and friends.

Start of the mini trek to going back to the main road.

This is the hardest part of this mini trail going to falls. Be sure you yourself not running out of gas. Hehehe! Just kidding...Just walk slowly and enjoy the scenery along your way. Good Luck!

First sighting you can see in this area.

Full view of the Oslob Water Falls...Very cold and refreshing!

Trademark jump shot kuno :)

Testing mode :)

Getting Here:

Just ride a habal-habal, ask them to take you at nearest water falls. Php100 per round trip ride. The driver will wait you.

Excuse me, Excuse me....Whale Shark!

After numerous posts and blogs about whale shark in Oslob, Cebu. Me and my husband decided to see the whale shark. Actually we don't have yet itinerary for our Cebu Escapades. We just book our flights months ago for our first year wedding anniversary. It's just a promo tickets from our budget airline. I Googled, searched about places and viola. I ended up reading about whale shark.

baby whale shark as of the banca people

he can't see actually... hehehe!

i am having a hard time taking photo with the whale shark

small fishes at tuki's belly

mama whale shark :)

Here is the Code of Conduct when encountering whale shark that should be aware of.

a.    Do not attempt to touch, ride, or chase a Whale Shark 

b.    Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the Shark

c.    Maintain a minimum distance of 3 to 5 meters from the Whale Shark

d.    Do not undertake flash photography, kindly turn off camera flash

e.    Do not use underwater motorized diver propulsion

Two-Day Cebu Itinerary:

Day 1

0425H               - Departure Manila airport

0540H               - Arrival Cebu airport

0600H - 0610H   - Ride multicab(airport) to Marina Mall

0610H - 0630H   - At Marina Mall, ride any jeepney bound to SM Cebu

0630H - 0700H   - Drop off near SM, transfer again, ride jeepney that passes South Bus Terminal

0700H - 0730H   - Had breakfast at cafeteria

0730H               - Ride Ceres bus to Tan-awan, Oslob

0730H - 1130H   - Arrival at Tan-awan, Oslob. It was roughly 3 to 4 hours ride due to frequent stop overs

1230H - 1300H   - Went to    registration area, need to briefing

1300H - 1430H   - Start of the sight seeing or swimming with the Butanding

1700H               - Back to Cebu city

Day 2

0730H - 0900H   - Went to Taboan Market to buy danggit, just a few blocks from our GV Tower Hotel

0900H - 1130H - Had our breakfast, clean up because of the market smell of danggit

1200H               - check our hotel, then we just put our luggage at their store room.

1300H - 1730H - Spent time at Taoist Temple, Santo Nino Church, and  Fort San Pedro

1800H               - Back to GV Tower Hotel to pick up our things and went to SM Cebu

1830H               - Deposit our things at SM Traveler's Lounge with minimal fee

2100H               - We use the Web check-in(CebuPac) at Cebu Airport, spend our time and wait to board the plane back to manila

2345H               - Cebu Departure

0115H               - Manila Arrival 

Expenses for the Whale Shark Encounter: (Fees May Change)

Fares: Cebu South Bus Terminal to Tan-awan, Oslob: 156Php one way

Resort Entrance Fee: 75 Php

Boat Fee for 40 minutes: 300 Php per person( for us, 1 and 1/2 hours) :)

Snorkeling Gear: 100 Php

Snorkeling Fee:   20 Php

Underwater Camera Fee(Owned): 100 Php