Traveling with Purpose: The Toothbrush Project

I'm thinking of traveling with purpose, as part of my social responsibility. As much as possible I want to be a traveler not a tourist.  The idea came to me last year when I was asked to buy toothbrush for the dental mission of our company. May mura pa lang toothbrush. Colgate pa ang brand. When I read the blog of Pinay Solo Traveler, she has also a project while traveling. She's giving pencils and school supplies for the kids in places she's visiting. I thought kaya ko ring gawin ito. I hope.

http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/5050781/2/stock-illustration-5050781-happy-toothbrush.jpg

I choose toothbrush (maybe with small toothpaste) as my project. Marami kasi sa mga kabataan ngayon ang hindi mahilig mag toothbrush. Hindi pa ako nag start but I plan to start hopefully this year.

Because I usually travel on a budget, I will start small. I will start with maybe 50-100 toothbrush kit to distribute. Maybe sa isang school sa community or sa church.

It's time to give back to the community. Simple act can make a difference.

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Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club Daytour Rates

I noticed that my Daytour at Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club   post gained many views this past view weeks. Many are searching for rates for daytour in Anvaya Cove.

Here is what I gathered from Anvaya.

Day tour rates:

1.  LEAN SEASON (July 1-October 15)

Weekdays 

• unaccompanied guest with authorization form from member
• maximum number of guests per member is 20
• free guests is 10
• Php 400/guest for 11th-20th guest
• Php 500/guest for 21st guest onwards

Weekends

• unaccompanied guest with authorization form from member
• maximum number of guests per member is 10
• free guests is 5
• Php 400/guest for 6th-10th guest
• Php 500/guest for 11th guest onwards

2.  PEAK AND HOLIDAYS (October 16 - June 30)

Weekdays 

• unaccompanied guest with authorization form from member is allowed
• maximum number of guests per member is 20
• free guests is 10
• Php 400/guest for 11th-20th guest
• Php 1000/guest for 21st guest onwards

Weekends

• should be accompanied by member
• maximum number of guests per member is 10
• free guests is 5
• Php 400/guest for 6th-10th guest
• Php 1000/guest for 11th guest onwards

3.  SUPER PEAK 

Weekdays and Weekends

• Holy Week, All Saint's Day (October 31 - November 02)
• Christmas Holidays (December 24 - January 03)
• unaccompanied guest not allowed
• maximum number of guests per member is 5
• no free guest
• Php 400/guest for 1st-5th guest
• Php 1000/guest for 6th guest onwards

*Guest fees apply to ALL unaccompanied guests.
*Guest fees are inclusive of Php 250.00 consumable applicable to food and beverage only.

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Four Things I Learned from the Movie "It Takes a Man and a Woman"

Official Movie Poster

Dalawa. Dalawang beses kong pinanood ang movie ni John Lloyd at Sarah. This is not a movie review. I will not tell the history of the story as everyone knows it well. Dahil hindi ako maka-get over, I will just blog about it. I will talk about the things/lessons I learned. This is one of the best Filipino movies that is worth your money.

Watching the movie made me realized many things in life.

1.  TRUST

Trust is a big word. This is a big factor in any relationship. Sa panahon ngayon, mahirap na talaga ang magtiwala, sa relasyon, trabaho o sa anumang aspeto ng buhay. Sa trabaho, kung hindi mo nagawang mabuti ang trabaho mo, mawawalan ng tiwala sa iyo ang employer mo. Sa isang relasyon naman, ang tiwala ang pinakamahalaga. Kapag nasira ang tiwala, mahirap ng ibalik. Kapag ang tiwala nabawasan, sunud-sunod na ang hinala. Better yet, maghiwalay na lang. Gaya ni Laida (Sarah). Nasira ang tiwala niya sa tatay niya kaya ganoon na lang ang sakit ng sirain din ni Miggy (JL) ang kanyang tiwala. Kaya kailangang pakaingatan natin ang tiwalang ipinagkatiwala sa atin.

2.  FORGIVE

Mahirap talagang magpatawad. Ng masira ni Miggy ang tiwala ni Laida, hindi niya ito napatawad. Hindi niya binigyan ng second chance. Hindi naging madali para kay Laida ang magpatawad, ang patawarin ang kanyang tatay at si Miggy. Sabi ng nanay ni Laida "Forgiveness is a choice". Nagpatawad siya dahil mahal niya. In reality, It's easy to forget but to forgive will take time lalo na kung nasaktan tayo ng sobra. The movie teaches us to forgive and let go of the past. Sometimes people we love hurts us, it's okay to hate them for a while but we must learn to forgive to make us better person and to move forward.

3.  LOVE

Just like forgiveness, love is a choice. Love goes  hand in hand with trust. The movie teaches us about love of family. It also teaches us on how to love again. Kahit nasaktan tayo, patuloy pa rin tayong nagmamahal. Gaya ni Laida, sa dalawang taong paghihiwalay nila ni Miggy ay hindi nawala ang kayang pagmamahal. Gaya ng nanay ni Laida, kahit nagkahiwalay sila ng asawa niya, pinili niyang patawarin at mahalin ang kanyang asawa. Gaya ng mga kapatid ni Miggy, even though he messed up, they still  believe in him and support him because of love of family.

4.  BE GOOD

Ang pinakagusto ko sa lahat ay ang speech ng tatay ni Miggy about being good and always believe in goodness. I don't have a copy of the full transcript of the speech but it goes something like this (based from what I remembered)

"Being the best means being the least. Madalas sa kagustuhan nating maging pinakamagaling, nakakalimutan nating maging mabuti. To be good is being able to say sorry and to forgive those who hurt you. We lose sight of the fact that everyday is a struggle to just be better. Doing good is what kept my family together… for the future of our children, and for our children’s children. It’s not the easiest, but that is probably the best legacy that a person can leave behind – to always believe in goodness and just be a good man." – Luis Montenegro

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Daytour in Anawangin Cove, San Antonio Zambales (3 of 3)

Dahil day tour lang kami, dala na namin ang aming pagkain. Luto na kaagad.

There are many stores who sells everything you need in Anawangin. Water, pangatong, cup noodles, souvenirs, sorftdrinks, toiletries at kung anu-ano pa. Kaya kung may nakalimutan ka sa mainland, may available din sa cove. At gaya ng maraming sikat na beach resorts, meron din henna tattoo dito.

Nakuha ng aming pansin ang mag-iinang katutubo na nagbebenta ng souvenirs. Nakipagkwentuhan si ate sa amin. Dati daw malaya silang naglilibot sa Anawangin noong wala pang gaanong pumumuntang turista, ngayon kahit magtinda ay pinagbabawalan sila. Nakatira daw sila sa Nagsasa. Marami pang kwento si ate. Sana naman huwag mangyari sa kanilang mga katutubo ang nangyari sa mga Ati ng Boracay.

Sa sobrang init ng panahon, bumili si Gian ng halo-halo. Mantakin mo.... Php 40.00!

If you're staying overnight, kung ayaw mong mamulot ng panggatong, may mabibili din sa halagang Php 50.00.

We walked along the beach to the far end of the cove. Yung malapit sa bundok. Napakainit ng buhangin. Even though we wore our slippers, tagos hanggang talampakan ang init. Mas maganda siguro kung meron kang beach shoes.

And then I saw this sa mga rock. Vandalism. Parang CR ng girls noong nasa high school ako.

Nagpasundo kami sa bangkero ng 4:00pm. Tamang-tama lang ang oras namin sa Anawangin para sa day tour. Overall, its a great weekend for all of us and we will definitely come back....overnight naman next time!

TIPS:

1.  Pumunta ng maaga. Mas maaga, mas malamig, mas makakapili ka ng spot na pagtatayuan mo ng tent. Makipagtawaran sa bangkero.
2.  Ibalot ang mga gamit sa plastik kapag nakasakay na sa bangka. Medyo malakas kasi ang alon at sumasalpok ang tubig sa loob ng bangka. 
3.  Magdala ng tent kahit day tour lang para kung gusto mong magpahinga o matulog meron kang masisilungan na tent.
4. Magdala ng maraming tubig.
5. If day tour lang, maligo ng maaga, mga bandang 3pm para walang masyadong pila at medyo malakas pa ang tulo ng tubig.
6.  Magdala ng maraming pagkain. Kahit may mabibilhan dun, medyo mahal ang presyo kumpara sa mainland. Parang nakakainggit kapag nakikita mong maraming pagkain ang mga katabi mo. Lalo na kapag naaamoy ang barbeque nilang dala.
7.  Magdala ng duyan. masarap magpahinga/magduyan sa ilalim ng mga pine trees. Kung wala kang duyan, may mabibili dun. Php 150.00. Matutong tumawad.
8.  Magdala ng first aid kit o kahit alcohol man lang.
9.  Magdala ng extra battery para sa camera.
10.  And of course ang pinakamahalaga, magdala ng garbage bag. Matuto tayong huwag magkalat.

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Daytour in Anawangin Cove, San Antonio Zambales (2 of 3)

At around 9am... we were on our way to Anawangin Cove. Medyo malayo ang biyahe mula Capones. Oh! I'm sea sick!

Finally, nakarating na din kami. Malayo pa lang ay matatanaw na ang mga nagtataasang mga pine trees.

Anawangin Cove is very different from the way I imagine it to be and from what I saw on pictures from my sister last year. Sabi niya, dati daw wala pang fence and you can explore the whole cove. Now, you have to pay Php50.00 for every campsite. Parang may mali no. Naging commercialized na ang place. Baka pagdating ng araw ay magkakaroon na ng mga concrete cottages dito at mawala na ang camping. In fact, I saw a signage na "This lot is not for sale." Meaning may mga naganap na inquiries in buying it. Huwag naman sana.

We chose to enter the far left campsite.

Since day tour lang kami, we paid Php 50.00 each. Tables are free.

Ang ganda ng mga pine trees.

 Habang wala pang masyadong tao, nauna na kaming nagpunta sa may ilog. Malamig ang tubig.

When we came back from our short walk from the river, medyo marami na ang mga campers. seeing the tents reminds me of my Girl Scout days.

This sign is so funny! But don't worry, hindi lang ito ang paliguan, marami pa sa may bandang gilid.

see Part 3 here

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Daytour in Anawangin Cove, San Antonio Zambales (1 of 3)

Biglaan lang. My cousins and I were eating and chatting when the idea of going to Anawangin came in mind. It's an old habit of us to always plan for something, then hindi naman matutuloy. Drawing lang.

Aba at seryoso pala! Matutuloy pala kami. Well siguro dahil summer vacation ni Nikki at kasama ang dalawang friends niya kaya tuloy na tuloy na kami. Day tour nga lang dahil puro kami girls at medyo hindi kami prepared. Wala kaming tent and my cousins, upon learning that no cellphone signal there, ayaw mag overnight.

We left Santa Rita at 3:00am. Iwas traffic because it's Saturday and we reached San Antonio at around 5:00am. Dahil medyo madilim pa, tambay muna kami sa 7/11. Imagine a small sleepy town with 7/11! Effects of tourism. 

Dahil dalawang beses ng nakapunta si Nestle kaya siya ang naatasang bumaba at makipag negosasyon sa mga bangkero. Rates can go from Php 200-350 per head depende kung ilan kayo. Mas mura if you are in group. We got ours at Php 250.00 per head (8 pax) with Camara and Capones Island sidetrip. Don't worry about your vehicle as there were many parking spaces in Pundaquit.

There are two ways to reach Anawangin Cove. By 25-40 minute boat ride or by trekking Mt. Pundaquit for 4-5 hours.

We were on our way at sunrise time. We decided to have the sidetrip to Camara and Capones first before heading to Anawangin Cove.

While waiting for our boat, we saw a fisherman who sells pusit for Php 100.00 per kilo.

Our first stop is Camara Island. It is the nearest from Pundaquit. It's not ideal for swimming kasi medyo mabato. You can see here some rock formations. The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of it. It's perfect for snorekling.

The picturesque view of Pundaquit from Camara Island.

After spending 20 minutes of wandering and picture taking, we headed to our next destination, Capones Island.

I wanted to go to the lighthouse. It reminds me of the destination I wish to visit. Batanes. Hindi kami nakapunta sa may lighthouse. Sa kabilang bahagi ng island kami dumaong. Next time, hindi ko na palalampasin ang pagkakataon na maakyat and lighthouse.

Look what I found...

Too bad, maraming tao talaga ang walang disiplina. Iniiwan na lang ang kalat kahit saan.

I also found cute shell and pusong bato!

Marami rin kaming napulot na mga shells. After spending 15 minutes, its time to go to our real destination, Anawangin Cove.

see Part 2 here.

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Sabuaga Festival 2013, Santo Tomas Pampanga

While I was thinking on my next destination, I search the net and found the Sabuaga Festival in Santo Tomas Pampanga. May ganito pala at malapit lang.

Before going to Santo Tomas, I've already search online for the Sabuaga Festival because I'm not familiar with it.

Sabuaga Festival came from two Kapampanga words “sabuag” which means ‘to scatter’ or ‘shower’ and “sampaga” which means ‘flowers.’ This festival was inspired by Parish activities during the traditional Salubong. The festival is held every Easter Sunday. It's a day-long full of activities such as street dancing to the tune of the official Sabuaga Festival music and free interpretation dancing.

 The street dancing started around 5pm And the free interpretation at 6:30pm. Hindi na kami nakapanood ng free interpretation dahil may prusisyon sa aming barangay.

All 7 barangays of Santo Tomas participated. They showcased the industry of their barangay in their costumes, pottery in Sto. Niño Sapa, Agriculture in Sto. Rosario, Fishery in Poblacion, Garments in Moras dela Paz, Casket in San Vicente, XLT in San Matias and Poultry in San Bartolome. The municipal government allotted P5,000,000 divided among the seven barangays as subsidy for their expenses.

People from different barangays and nearby towns witness the street dancing. Big crowd like this is also an opportunity for the vendors. It is also an opportunity for candidates running this coming election 2013. Hay! Too bad, religious celebration and town festivities is mixed with election.

For more information about Sabuaga Festival, visit Minimalist Sense for english and http://stotomaspampanga.com/content.php?content_id=160 for Kapampangan.

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