Five Beaches: Summer 2012 Travelogue

The rainy season is so on, I know, and this post may be a little bit untimely. Still, I resort to writing about this now because my love for beaches is never bound by weather conditions. So, let me share my experiences during the summer that was.

“Lord, I want to travel this year. By that, I mean I want to have more than one destination this summer. I don’t know how I can afford those trips, but I know You will provide. Amen.” This is my prayer at the beginning of the year, and yes, it was answered. And boy, travel I did. I was able to go to 5 different beaches in a span of 3 months. Hence, this post.

BEACH 1: Dampalitan Island and Puting Buhangin Island (Padre Burgos, Quezon)

It was a busy afternoon in February when I got a text message from my guy. It said, “Hey love, you wanna go to the beach this weekend?” Elated, I typed, “Of course!” like clockwork. Thus, summer 2012 officially started.

Later that night, I learned that this trip was for a friend’s birthday celebration. He thought that it would be a great way to celebrate our 23rd month since the trip fell on that date. Moreover, he said that we would only need to shell out about 1,500 bucks, which was a real bargain for a weekend escape to the beach. When I asked him where, he said that it’s an island in Quezon Province. By the help of Google and travel blogs, we learned about the place and became more and more excited.

Finally the day came and we were southbound to Quezon. It was a 3-hour bus ride from Alabang to Lucena. From Lucena, a van took us to the town of Padre Burgos. The drive was about 30 minutes. From Padre Burgos, we took a boat to Dampalitan Island. The boat ride took about 15-20 minutes.

Dampalitan Island, as I expected, was peaceful. There were no hotels, no establishments, no bars and no electricity; a perfect place for camping.

Immediately, we set our tents and camping gear up, cooked and had lunch, and enjoyed the rest of the day basking in the sun, sea and sand. Just pure relaxation and bumming around the shore.

The next morning, we headed to Puting Buhangin Island. It took us a 45-minute boat ride to get there. It kind of took some time to get to the island, but it was really worth it. The water, as compared to Dampalitan, was way cooler and clearer. It made me want to jump right out the boat while we were docking.

An addition to the beauty of this place is the cave or Kwebang Lampas as the locals call it. Tourists can actually go through this cave to go to the other side of the island, which unfortunately I wasn’t able to experience.

But the beach, in itself, was a sight to experience and behold. It’s just sad that overnight camping is not advisable in this island because it doesn’t have its own water source unlike Dampalitan.

Overall, this overnight trip to Quezon was fun and fulfilling. It was a great place for a weekend escape, a birthday celebration and our monthly ritual as a couple. And yes, it was a great jumpstart for my summer of 2012. I went home with fond memories, great photos and of course, TAN LINES!

BEACH 2: Dungaree Beach (Subic Freeport)

April marks the Lenten season for most Filipinos, but for me, it means so much more. It is the month of our anniversary. To celebrate, we decided to spend it with his family in Olongapo. We stayed there for 5 days which was also the duration of the Holy Week. Of course, our itinerary wasn’t complete without a trip to the beach.

We decided to spend one whole day at Dungaree Beach, situated inside Subic Freeport. It is a small beach, but it’s pretty nice. Nipa huts are all over the vicinity, but I’m not sure if overnight camping is allowed, or if they offer lodging for tourists who want to spend the night. A net is on the shore which makes the place perfect for beach volleyball.

Dungaree beach is perfect for family outings. It’s a small place so it’s not so hard to keep an eye on the kids. Also, it can be reached by land, which makes the travel safer for children.

Beach 3: Canyon Cove (Nasugbu, Batangas)

One perk of being an employee is getting to attend an annual team building. I see this as an advantage because it gives everyone a chance to travel for free because this kind of event is usually done out of town.

CBN, the previous company I worked in, held its team building event at Canyon Cove, Batangas. This place, I think, was really built for company or organizational trips. They have nice amenities such as function rooms, bedroom suites and swimming pools. Being used to camping by the beach, this was a change for me. In a good kind of way, though.

To my dismay, the beach was not as fabulous as the other amenities. The sand was not as fine and the water’s not as clear. Although, I think that people don’t go here for the beach, really. Being on the shore was relaxing, though. Listening to the waves while sunbathing can be fun too. Still, I spent more time on the pool. Lol.

BEACH 4: Potipot Island (Candelaria, Zambales)

Apart from Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove, Potipot is one of islands that the province of Zambales is proud of. Potipot is a small island situated in the town of Candelaria. I have been opting to go to this beach from the moment a friend told me about it. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time gushing over its pictures and reviews on the internet.

It was around the last week of April when my cousin suggested that we go to a little family trip together. He said he wanted to experience camping on the beach and asked me which beach is perfect for exactly that. I suggested Potipot. I guess I have a fair knowledge about the place and it’s good that none of us has been to this destination. He okay-ed, and it’s a done deal.

We left Manila at 11:00PM on a Friday night. We took the last trip of Victory Liner to Iba, Zambales. We arrived at Iba at around 4:00AM the next morning and we transferred to a bus going to Candelaria. We reached Candelaria at around 5:30 AM. From there we met with the bangkero (boatman) who will take us to Potipot. From the dock, the island can already be seen, which explains why the boat ride took only 5 minutes.

A view of Potipot Island from the dock

The moment I set foot on the sand of Potipot, I knew immediately that I fell in love with this place. The sand is white and really fine. There are trees all over that makes the atmosphere breezy and cool. And the water; it was so calm and clear. Just perfect.

We spent the day swimming, lounging on the shore and just enjoying the island in all its perfection. We even built this.

Potipot is a fairly small island. It can be easily explored. So the following morning, we gathered our cameras and sunblock and set about walking around the island. We found a lot of pretty interesting formations around the beach. The more footsteps we make, the more we get amazed by its beauty.

Potipot is definitely one of the places that I would visit again. Staying overnight was not enough for me to fully enjoy its beauty. Enough said. This place is awesome.

BEACH 5: Sabang Beach and Ditumabo Falls (Baler, Aurora)

Baler is popular for its waves and for being one of the surfing destinations in the Philippines. Baler was also my last hurrah for summer 2012.

We said goodbye to Manila on a Thursday night at around 8:00 PM. At 4:00 AM the following day, we said hello to Sabang Beach. Listening to the waves crashing while waiting for the sun to rise was just blissful. The sand of Sabang beach was fine but dark, yet people drive all the way to Baler for the waves, not the sand.

Most of us spent the rest of the day surfing, playing with the waves and taking pictures while walking along the shore. Leaving our mobile phones in our bag, we just savored the moment of being away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Later that night, after we had dinner and cleaned up, we went back to the shore to light some sky lanterns while enjoying a few drinks.

Aside from Sabang beach, two other places were also on our itinerary– The 100-year-old Balete Tree and Ditumabo Falls. We set out early the following morning. Our first stop– the century-old Balete tree.

Awestruck, yes, I was, upon seeing it. According to the locals, people can actually go inside this century-old tree. Some of us went inside, some even climbed to the top (yes, I have crazy friends, but I love them. Lol.). As I was going around the tree and exploring it from the outside, I can’t help but wonder that this thing right in front of me was also right in front of history unfolding over the hundred years it existed. And I’m glad that I was able to see this historical tree in the flesh. It’s just amazing and I swear I had goosebumps, but in a good way I guess.

What excited and scared me most about this trip was the fact that we had to trek to reach another tourist spot in Baler — Ditumabo Falls. From the 100-year-old Balete Tree, we drove for about 20-30 minutes more. The drive was a bit challenging since the road was pretty rough as we near the starting point for the trekking route. Anxiety started filling me up, yet I was giddy with excitement. I know I have a mountaineer for a boyfriend, but I’m telling you that I don’t have a bit of an inkling to the world of spelunking, climbing, much more with trekking. I even bought Sandugo sandals specifically for this trip. Anyway, I still went through with it. And I must admit, it was fun. Challenging, but fun. I reached the majestic falls in one piece, thanks to my friends and thank God.

Tourists were swarming around the falls when we got there. Regardless, we were still able to enjoy the cold water gushing from it. I just wished that I kept my sandals on as I tread through its waters, because my feet felt sore because of the rocks underneath. But other than that, we had a fun time splashing around.

I’m not tired, I’m just being a drama queen. Lol.

Yey! I survived my first trek ever!

Though it’s humid and hot, summer will always be my favorite season. Living in a tropical country makes it all the more better. More than the places and destinations I have visited, the memories made my trips extra special. I may not have stayed in these destinations as much as I wanted to, but I have memories and keepsakes that I was able to bring home with me.

(For details, travel costs, itinerary and what-nots, feel free to shoot me a question at jana.sebastian@yahoo.com.)

First Love Never Dies

Cliche. I know. But this is just so true for me lately.

August 31, 2012, the day I officially entered the world of the unemployed. What’s a bum to do? Major room decluttering, of course. But clean, I did not. Instead I found myself soul-searching among my old written works which made me ask myself, “Did I really write these? Damn, where did all that inspiration go?” And that’s when I looked back and re-traced my steps to my first love.

Aside from Barbie and Polly Pocket, my stash of Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley Kids has been a companion while I was growing up. This stash grew to be a huge collection of young adult fiction and teen magazines which later took a transition to a wider range of novels and non-fiction books.

This love for reading paved the way to my first love, writing. I started a journal at an early age of nine. My diary became my refuge; an outlet for the musings and rantings of a young girl. Never did I know that this habit would later turn into a very important part of my life.

2001, I was a freshman in high school then. It was through a simple essay-writing exercise for an english class that I discovered that I have a way with words. It came as no surprise for my family, but it was a shock for me. Who could’ve thought that this guilty pleasure of mine actually developed into a talent I never thought I had?

And it all started there. I embraced my potential and it definitely gave my life some sort of roadmap. I joined the school newspaper, I took up communication in college and had my first job at a broadcasting company.

Somewhere between the job description, deadlines, crisis of being a young professional, time management, the hustle and bustle of the industry, the pressure to deliver and standards to be followed, I lost the fire; that inspiration to use writing to express and not just to impress. And it sucks. Writing may be a huge part of my previous job, but towards the end, it didn’t fulfill me as much as it did before. That’s the challenge of growing up, I guess. It’s all about fighting and striving to do what I am intended to do. And that is to write, not just because I have to earn, but because I have to LIVE.

“You have a talent for writing. Use it well,” my Creative Writing professor wrote on one of my papers.

And yes, that’s what I intend to do.

Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter: All Fad and No Fun?

Several months back, there seems to be a new trend in social media apart from selfies, OOTDs, foodporn and duck faces—the Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter camwhoring spree. I’ve seen this spread a lot of times on my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds. I even got follower requests from online sellers who carry this item.  However, I never gave into the fad easily and it was only two weeks ago that I let my curiosity get the better of me.

Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter is within the P450-550 price range. Pretty hefty for a spread, huh? Then again, if a lot of people are raving about it, then this spread must be worth my every cent, right?

So finally, the package came and I was really excited to sample the spread that everyone seems to love so much. I immediately removed it the from the courier pouch, unsealed the jar, got a spoon and tasted it.  I was expecting a burst of flavor but all I got was a bland and neutral taste. I thought, is this it??? REALLY? Okay, I feel like I just got ripped off. Those were my initial thoughts. Yes, you could say I was disappointed. The taste was not repulsive, don’t get me wrong. I guess it just didn’t meet my expectations.

The spread tastes like graham crackers with a hint of cinnamon. I’m not a fan of both, so I guess, that’s the reason why I didn’t like it so much. More so, it lacks a certain oomph—that distinct flavor that would’ve made it stand out. What I like about it though, is its texture. It’s very smooth and easily glides on crackers and breads. I got the crunchy variant so it was infused with cookie bits which totally amped the over-all texture of this spread.

This would be the first and last time that I would shell out hundreds for a spread like this. (Yep, I won’t dare to try the ones from other brands because I’m pretty sure that they taste practically the same.) A lot of people love Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter—whether for the taste or just because of the trend. However, I don’t belong to that bunch and I’d rather stick with hazelnut spreads like Nutella or other local peanut butter brands here in the Philippines like Lily’s.

Yay or Nay: Tony Moly’s Cat Chu Wink Tint

I was shopping for my usual eyebrow make-up when I chanced upon Tony Moly’s Cat Chu Wink Tint in one of the stalls in the make-up section. I thought that a lip and cheek tint would come in handy especially on days when I don’t feel like wearing much make-up. I had it swatched on my hand and decided to buy it and give it a try.

So is it yay or nay? Well, I found that it could be both for me—depending on how I use it.

(Before you read my evaluation, see the photos below for how the product looks like when applied)

one swipe

when blended

Initial Verdict

At first, I was disappointed, especially when I applied it on my lips. I hated the fact that the product seems to get stuck on the middle area of my upper lip—making me look like I ate a whole pack of Lipps candy or got punched in that area. As for the cheek, well, it was pretty hard to blend as it dries up easily. More so, I thought 70% of each swipe just ends up on my fingers—which I guess is a common downside of most lip and cheek tint products. Since that was the case, I shelved this product for the meantime.

Change of Heart

It was when I started the Skin Magic regimen that I decided to give this product another try. It wasn’t advisable for me to wear make-up while I’m under the peeling treatment so I resorted to using mild baby powder to lessen the oil and the tint to give my cheeks and lips some color.

After about 2-3 consecutive days of using the Cat Chu Wink tint, I finally learned the ropes of properly applying the product and its effect on my skin and lips.

Unlike most tints, Tony Moly’s Cat Chu Wink Tint doesn’t give that “just-bitten” look on the lips, rather, it gives the impression that I’m wearing red lipstick. I realized that it had to be applied fully on the lips—in such a way that you would apply a lipstick or a lipgloss—to see its overall effect. And I think it’s exactly designed to work that way. I guess that’s where I initially misunderstood this product because I was expecting, as I’ve said, a “just-bitten” look.

As for the cheeks, my view didn’t change much. But since it’s the only make-up product that I can use for now, I just apply it with caution and start with small dot-like dabs and gradually blend it. So far, that does it for me.

Currently, I still use this everyday. Did I finally fell in love with it? I don’t think so. However, I like the fact that its lightweight and lasts long and doesn’t need to be touched up often. For its price, I think it’s fair to say that I got my money’s worth.

Resto Review: Mango Tree Café, SM Southmall

Mango Tree Café is the recently opened Thai restaurant in SM Southmall. For our 40^th month (which was almost 30 days ago so evidently, this is a late post. LOL), Onie and I went to sample the place. All in all it was a very pleasant dining experience.

Atmosphere

Mango Tree has a very modernized feel to it. Its interior design is very simple, elegant, stylish and sleek. It has very cozy lighting that makes the place very inviting. Apart from dining, I think they designed this place for lounging.

The walls have a black panel that’s designed abstractly with what seems like doodles. It’s very interesting as what seems like disarray appeared to be very quirky and artistic.

Service

The staff were very accommodating, efficient and approachable. Since it’s our first time there, they suggested the must-try and best-selling dishes. Apart from that, they were attentive on the guests, asking every now and then if we needed anything. However, giving a sound judgment on the staff’s performance is still premature as this place is fairly new. If the personnel were able to maintain their attitude towards serving their guests for months or even years on end, then I guess this place would earn a five-star rating when it comes to service.

Menu

Since I forgot the exact names of the dishes we ordered, I decided to look their menu up online. I saw the one for the Greenbelt branch. However, I noticed that it has a broader selection as opposed to the one in SM Southmall. I guess their best-sellers are still included in the otherwise streamlined food offerings here in the south, but the names are somewhat different. I wish that they would make their menu uniform in all branches. This way, guests from different areas will be able to sample everything that they have to offer.

What we tried

I forgot the Thai names of the dishes we tried but on a simpler language, the food we sampled were the Chicken Pad Thai, Grilled Chicken with Lemon Grass and Thai Spring Rolls.

Chicken Pad Thai

The Pad Thai is one of their signature dishes. Guests have the choice of having it with seafood or chicken. Since the boyfie and I are both allergic to seafood, we opted for the latter. All in all, the Pad Thai is one gastronomic delight. It gives a full burst of oriental, sweet and spicy flavor. Likewise, the noodles were cooked perfectly. Seriously, I’m considering going back to this place just to have a plate of their Pad Thai all to myself.

Chicken with Lemon Grass

Meanwhile, I was skeptical about the Chicken with Lemon Grass upon seeing that it is grilled thigh fillet. Not a fan of that chicken part and if not properly cooked, I would seriously gag. Anyway, it won’t hurt to try, right? And guess what? That’s the first time I actually liked chicken thighs. It was wrapped around the lemon grass, therefore, the meat really absorbed its flavor. More so, it was cooked really good—well done but still tender. However, eating it on its own can be pretty bland. I highly recommend that you eat it with the provided dip made with–I think–lemon, vinegar, chilli and onions as it enhances the flavor of the meat.

Thai Spring Rolls

The Thai Spring Rolls are your usual fried spring rolls. There’s nothing distinct about this dish, but it’s not bad either. However, I think it’s a bit overpriced for its serving.

Dining in Mango Tree Café is fairly pleasant. The food is moderately priced, yet the place looks really posh. Will I go back? Definitely. And that’s probably because of their very delicious Pad Thai. Meanwhile, I’m hoping that they improve in terms of the their menu. It would up their over-all appeal if what they offer is in-lined with that of the other branches.