CO JORDAN POND & SEAFOODS RESTAURANT, CEBU

One of the places I always visit when I'm here in Cebu is the Co Jordan Pond. A great seafood restaurant where you can have fun and relaxation at the same time. If you will just look on it on the outside, you can say it is just a typcal restaurant but hold your thoughts until you see the whole place. Let me take you there..

It is situated at Consolation Cebu nearby the new Cansaga-Mandaue Bridge if you are from Mandaue City . It's a 40-minute ride away from Mandaue City or SM Cebu. The place is easy to locate since it attracts local and foreign guests especially now since there is another SM Shopping mall being constructed nearby.

You can rent Nipa cottages at a very competitive price depending on size. Prices vary from P100, P150 and P500, good enough to accommodate 3 to 35 persons depending on the size of the cottage. The biggest cottage has videoke.

Co Jordan Pond & Seafood Restaurant, Consolation Cebu, Philippines

You can fish for your own. You could actually fish from where your cottage is. You can rent fishing rod made of bamboo for only P10 and can buy fishing bait for P10 as well. That time, we were lucky enough to catch 4 bangus (milkfish) in a span of 10 minutes.

me and my friends... strike a pose!

Price of fish is on a per kilo basis, raw or cooked. Their attendant will give you options how you want it to be served. They will have it ready for you whether it's grilled, steamed, fried or in soup. You can also order food like grilled pork belly,  tilapia, prawns, oysters and other sea foods as well as other Pinoy dishes, of course for a reasonable price.

BEING STRONG!

A picture i found on the internet with obvious but profound meaning.

KARAKOL FESTIVAL & FLUVIAL PARADE, MAMBURAO!

Karakol Festival of Mamburao Occidental Mindoro is celebrated every 10^th of October in honor of the town’s patron saint Nuestra Señora Del Pilar. This parade is a festive celebration in the streets of the town wherein the parishioners joyfully carry the patron saint with jovial music while dancing and praising with the belief that they will be blessed with prosperous life and good health. Street dancers wear colourful dresses and hats decorated with fresh flowers. This celebration started since 1970.

Fluvial Parade comes after the town’s Karakol Festival. This is to show their thanksgivingfor the good harvest from the sea and rivers that surround the municipality. This annual event happens every October 11. This procession in the river is demonstrated by a parade of small and big motor boats decorated festively by the owners. The main attraction of this celebration is the biggest boat that carries the town’s patron saint.

Credits to: Nuestra Senora Del Pilar (facebook account) and Ms. Elma Tejada of LGU Mamburao, Occ Mindoro
             

TING'UDO FESTIVAL, COTABATO!

Behind its swampy and remote locale lie numerous fruit-bearing trees which make them one of the top producers of banana, pineapple, mango, durian, rambutan, marang, mangosteen and pomelo. This is the reason why they celebrate “Ting’Udo Festival” every 10^th of October. This is to celebrate bountiful fruit harvest highlighted by fruit festival.

Another reason to celebrate life! 

                                                                                                         

                                                              

TODAY IS EMPTY.

Why is it the world seems so empty even if only one person is missing??

location: fort san pedro, cebu city, philippines

thoughts running through my heart right now.

i miss you. text. Davao. french fries. leche flan. mama. i love you. okay. beach. gloomy sunday. office. kiss. nanay bebeng's. laughter. wink. hugs. 

Well, it all boils down to just one thought. I just wanna be with you this very moment. Life is totally different when you are miles away from me.

I miss your so called "baby fats". I miss your smile. I miss your lips. I miss the way you look at me. I miss everything about you. I terribly miss you.

I miss you my one and only. :)

STRESS! STRESS! STRESS!

Stress is a mental, emotional or physical response to an upsetting condition from both external and internal factors. It can also be define as a state of extreme difficulty, strain or pressure.

Stress affects people of all ages from all walks of life. It can come from any situation or thought normally characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, muscles aches, fatigue, weight gain or loss, sleep disturbances, moodiness, irritability, depression and even anger.

Photo Credit: www.medicinenet.com

Stress can affect both our body and mind. People under large amounts of stress can become tired, sick, and unable to concentrate or think clearly and sometimes it can result to mental breakdowns.

What I personally do when my stress level is almost near unbearable is to find a quiet spot and reflect on places and people I love most. I relax; with hands open while running through my usual serene breathe in-breathe out technique, and realize that this particular situation won’t do well in the next few hours or days.  Some manage to reduce stress by eating a healthy diet or getting a good night’s sleep while others rejuvenate themselves by walking, listening to music, painting, blogging or writing a journal, laughing, dancing, getting back or foot massages or simply by deep breathing exercise. 

KINILAW FESTIVAL, SURIGAO CITY!

The Kinilaw Festival of Surigao City is a celebration displaying different styles in preparing a “Kinilaw”.

Kinilaw, an appetizer, is a local delicacy consisting of raw fish marinated in citrus, vinegar or coconut milk mixed with spices.

The festival is being celebrated every 2^nd of October.  This festival also features other sea foods and marine products found in the locality. 

HERMOSA FESTIVAL, ZAMBOANGA!

Hermosa festival or Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival is an annual event in the city of Zamboanga in honour of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Pilar), city’s patron saint, every 12^th of October. This celebration kicks off today, October 1, and ends 12 days after.

Part of the festivities include cultural and flower shows, Chavacano song festival, trade fairs, Miss Zamboanga beauty pageant, sail boat race using the colourful vintas known as the Regatta De Zamboanga and several others.

Each year, dancers pay tribute to their patron to the tune of lyres and drums. It is also during this time of the year when Zamboangueños -- from all over the world -- make a pilgrimage to the Fort Pilar Shrine. The city’s devotion to the Lady of Pillar was legendary because of the wealth of stories, miracles and apparitions surrounding the virgin.

Another celebration of good food, great dances and good life!

OKTOBERFEST NA!

Oktoberfest is an annual beer festival that starts every first of October and ends thirty days after. This year, San Miguel feature a 30-foot beer mug pyramid which stands as the monumental symbol of the goodness and freshness of San Miguel Beer.

With your 50-peso entrance fee, you will have 3 cups of world class beer and a chance to get a cup of your favourite beer for only P10. You read it right, P10 per 160mL cup of any of these beers: San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Mig Light, San Miguel Super Dry, San Mig Strong Ice, San Miguel premium All-Malt, Gold Eagle Beer, Cerveza Negra and Red Horse Beer.

They will feature some of the hottest musical performers including Slapshock, Greyhoundz, Mayonnaise, Gloc-9, Dice & K9, Nyko Maca, the Mocha Girls, Rocksteddy and The Dawn. 

San Miguel Oktoberfest 2011 Kick-Off Party Schedule:

September 16, 2011 (Friday) - Aseana Park, across DFA, Macapagal Avenue
September 30, 2011 (Friday) - Nepo Complex, Angeles City
October 1, 2011 (Saturday) - MEPZA Field, Cebu
October 14, 2011 (Friday) -  Limketkai, Cagayan De Oro
October 28, 2011 (Friday) - Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Laguna

You can buy tickets at the following:

1. Sazis Bar, Espana Manila
2. Headstock, Marikina
3. M. Avenue Bar, Pasig City
4. Route 196, Katipunan
5. Ten 02, Timog
6. Simplicio Elegante, Cainta Rizal, Ortigas Ext.
7. 9 Mile Bar, Quezon City
8. Saguijo bar, Chino Roces Makati
9. 70’s Bistro, Anonas
10. Freedom Bar, Anonas
11. Uno Pizziria, MOA
12. Capones bar, Makati Ave.                                                                       
13. B-Side, Malungay Makati                                                                         
14. Kaboom, Kamuning QC                                                                          

Gather your friends and let's PARTY ROCK for this grand celebration of San Miguel Beer!!!

Photo Credits: San Miguel

I AM INDEPENDENT. YES, IM PROUD!

It suddenly came up to my senses that I am pretty much lucky that I am independent for the moment.

As I was compiling the 201 documents of my newly hired staff, I noticed that there’s an employment contract missing. I rushed to her desk to ask if she was able to forward to me her signed contract and found out she didn’t.

I asked her why up to this time she wasn’t able to do such.

“Sir, I wasn’t able to complete signing the contract for I am still waiting for my mother’s decision of moving out of Davao City.” she explained.

Surprised having heard her reason, I questioned back “What’s with her mother’s decision that up to this moment she wasn’t able to start signing her employment contract?”

Teary eyed, she answered.. “Sir, my family plans to move to other place and I don’t want to be left alone here but I don’t want to compromise my work as well. I also want this job.”

Memories flashed back as I grasp the ideas bothering her mind.

When I decided to get separated from my family years ago, I knew it’s not going to be easy as 1 2 3. I knew for a fact that I will be responsible in every single action and decision I’m gonna make. I’ll be held liable for every endeavour I’ll create.

I poured all the guts that I have to that decision for I know it will affect not just my personality but my whole being in general.

Now, I am independent. And Yes, I am proud of it.

Nobody likes the idea of being tied down by someone else. Freedom, everyone wants it may they agree with it or not. You can do what you want. If you make mistakes, there is no one to be blamed but yourself and no one can blame you for that mistake.

Though at times there’s no one to share your tears and fears, you will develop your ability to cope with loneliness. Though sometimes there’s no one who’ll nurse you when you’re ill, you will learn to improve your ability to deal with emergencies. Though nobody will tell you what’s good or what’s not, you will eventually be able to distinguish.

Independence taught me everything. It helped me grow and it aided me to reach my horizon. It made me see the best in me. We’re unable to become independent because we are too scared of losing. Remember to always bear in our minds that losing is a part of learning.

DELICIOUS DURIAN

Hmmm...

fresh durian

One of the most mouth-watering food I really cant resist. Yes, it is durian.

Some find it disgusting due to its strong smell but on the contrary it is rich in vitamin B, C and E aside from being a strong blood cleanser. Durian contains high level of amino acid tryptophan and is known to alleviate anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Also, durian has a reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac.

It is highly nutritious but is not advisable to be eaten by pregnant women or people with high blood pressure.

IN A BLINK OF AN EYE

It’s a boring Wednesday night. It is also, somehow, an emotional one. Thoughts are running in my head but I really can’t figure out what they are. Out of nowhere, I thought of my brother whom I really missed. We haven’t seen nor talked for a couple of years maybe because we are too busy with our own lives despite the fact that we are miles apart from each other. Yes, I am here in the corner of Davao City while he is somewhere in Middle East working for their future, for the future of my 2 nephews. I salute him for having the courage to work abroad. He is really a brother to look up to. Then suddenly, part of my heart touched me. I felt guilty for I haven’t bothered texting nor calling him for a long time now just to ask how he is and how’s life going there in the other corner of the earth. I still recall the moment he called me just to say “Always take good care of yourself especially now that you are far from us.”

That was also the moment he let me know that he’ll be going out of the country for work. Somehow it bothered me because he’ll be miles and oceans away from us but of course Lord is always at our side. I know, He will always take good care of the people I love most.

Well, it’s never too late to say what you feel, to let people know how much we miss and love them.

I just wish I can take him out of my mind and hug him for real. I want to let him know that I really miss him and I want to spend quality time with him. I wish he can be beside me right now. I wish I can do this just in a blink of an eye.

I miss you Kuya!