HAPPY SOUL

Before the start of whole year stressful and hectic work, we are able to have retreat to replenish our energy and feed our soul.

Organized by the administration of the institution in coordination of the Human Resources, they look for specialized speaker to give inspirational talk for all employees.

Now, the venue is at Tagaste Retreat House. Tagaste Retreat House was established in 1991. This is an Augustinian Recollect Sisters' integral part of a new ministry in order to comprehensively assist and guide people of all walks of life to re-establish, re-strengthen and to re-define their foundation of faith.

wide grounds

Located at Magallanes Drive, Tagaytay City, Province of Cavite, Philippines. This is an integral part of a new ministry of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters, who trace their roots to the investiture of blood sisters Dionisia Mitas and Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz of Calumpit, Province of Bulacan in 1725 as Tertiaries of the Order of the Augustinian Recollect (OAR). A two minute ride from the corner of the highway (Magallanes Drive), feel the essence of scenic Tagaytay.  Wide grounds which are beautifully landscaped, clean & green, surrounded by a concrete perimeter fence, with round-the-clock security service of competent uniformed security personnel.

       There are many reasons why we need to participate in a spiritual retreat. Replenishing your energy, feeding your soul, taking time out, going deeper into your practice, listening to your intuition, joining others of like heart, letting go of stress, Self discovery, and reflection are a few of these reasons. The many challenges of the current times affect us personally, nationally and globally. The mind can easily get caught in the web of fear, anger and confusion. Going within directs you towards your inner knowing. You discover the great wealth of intelligence and love that dwells within you at all times, and this new found clarity brings awareness, stability, and grounding into your life.

minutes of silence

        Meditation and contemplation are forms of retreat that we use in your daily schedule. Meditation is both a technique and a state of consciousness. Meditation occurs naturally when you are walking on the beach or watching a bird glide across the sky, listening to music or sitting in silence with your Beloved. Meditation is a natural state of consciousness that occurs when you are not caught in your thoughts or emotions. When the mind is still, you receive sustenance directly from within.

move around and pray

        Singing God’s name is another form of retreat. When you open your heart and lungs to chant or sing the many names of the Divine, a softening takes place. Feelings of nourishment and love are some of the gifts of this practice. Gathering together for prayer, storytelling, or singing devotional chants and hymns are practices found on many spiritual paths. Coming together in community allows you to focus on finding the heart of our shared humanity. In bringing these experiences back to your families, workplace and community (students), you are able to share this nourishment with the world. The truth of our humanness is profound, and retreat helps you stay focused on that truth.

        At the end of two days retreat, it helps me reach a whole new level of living. I move up out of chronic frustration, fear, anger, sadness, boredom, anxiety, grief, powerlessness, depression and other lower vibrations to peace, joy, or even bliss. Issues resolve, life circumstances transform to match my new, higher vibration--and it not only lasts, it keeps expanding forever after. As an educator, it made me clear how heavy my responsibility in guiding and being a parent to more than hundreds of students.

One quotation that struck me goes like this:

In life the greatest handicap is FEAR;

The hardest thing to do is to BEGIN;

The most useless asset is PRIDE;

The most scary thing to make is CHANGE and

The greatest mistake is GIVING UP.

     Now I’m ready to start the school year with right mindset and fully energized. I will become a natural catalyst without "doing" anything--just by being me, whatever I "do" in the world, I’ll change others' lives (students) without trying, despite my human imperfections.

author in orange

WHAT TO BRING DURING RETREAT:

1.    Personal experiences

2.    Willingness to listen and change

3.    Open heart and mind

WAY POINTS:

From Batangas:

Route 1: Bus

1. Ride a bus to Cubao, Quezon City. Ask for the one that will pass by Tagaytay and the rotonda circle of Tagaytay City.
2. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tagaytay.

Route 2: Bus

1. From Nasugbu, ride a bus to Pasay.
2. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tagaytay.

From Caloocan:

Route 1: LRT-1-Bus

1. Take the LRT-1 to EDSA station.
2. Ride a bus to Nasugbu.
3. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tagaytay.

Route 2: LRT-1-Bus

1. Take the LRT-1 to Baclaran station.
2. Ride a bus to Tagaytay.

From Laguna:

1. From Balibago bus terminal in Sta. Rosa, ride a jeep to Tagaytay.

From Las Pinas:

1. From Alabang-Zapote Road, ride a jeep/bus to Alabang, and get off at Manuela Metropolis Alabang (Metropolis Mall).
2. Ride a jeep or bus to Balibago/Sta. Rosa via SLEX or National Road (passes by SM Sta. Rosa).
3. From Balibago Terminal, ride a jeep to Tagaytay.

From Makati/Mandaluyong/Pasig:

1. Take the MRT to Taft terminal station.
2. Ride a bus to Nasugbu.
3. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tagaytay.

From Manila:

1. From Taft, in front of Rizal Park (Luneta), ride a bus to Tagaytay.

From Muntinlupa:

1. From the West Service Road or Alabang-Zapote Road, ride a jeep to Manuela Metropolis Alabang (Metropolis Mall).
2. Ride a jeep or bus to Balibago/Sta. Rosa via SLEX or National Road (passes by SM Sta. Rosa).
3. From Balibago Terminal, ride a jeep to Tagaytay.

From Paranaque/Pasay:

Route 1: LRT-1-Bus

1. Take the LRT-1 to Baclaran.
2. Ride a bus to Tagaytay.

Route 2: LRT-1-Bus

1. Take the LRT-1 to EDSA station.
2. Ride a bus to Nasugbu.
3. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tagaytay.

From Quezon City:

1. From Cubao, ride a bus to Batangas. Ask for the one that will pass by Tagaytay and the rotonda circle of Tagaytay City.
2. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tagaytay.

From Taguig:

1. From Net2, Market! Market!, or the Fort Open Field, ride the Fort bus/shuttle to Ayala.
2. Take the MRT to Taft terminal station.
3. Ride a bus to Nasugbu.
4. Ask the driver to drop you off at Tagaytay.

Life is Colorful at Hot Air Balloon Festival

Once again, this is another late post about my tour. Last February 2011, I attended the 16^th Hot Air Balloon Festival. Leaving Manila early morning we arrived at Angeles Pampanga just exactly before the start of the show.

In 1994, three years after the devastating effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption, Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor together with Korean businessman and hot-air balloon pilot, Mr. Sung Kee Paik, and British Airways General Manager, Mr. John Emery, and the German aviation enthusiast Max Motschmann engineered the Philippine International hot air balloon festival to help jumpstart the local economy and spirit of the Central Luzon region with the commitment of developing hot air ballooning as an aviation sport in the country and making the Philippines one of the leading sports aviation and travel destinations in the Asia Pacific region.

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an annual event that occurs between January and February at the Omni Aviation Complex in Clark Field, Angeles City, Pampanga. It features multicolored hot air balloons with more than a hundred balloon pilots from around the world. This three to four day hot air balloon event is the biggest aviation sports event in the Philippines.

The festival also features a number of events in skydiving, flag jumps, micro light and rocketry demonstrations, small plane fly-bys and fly-ins, remote-control airplane and helicopter flying exhibitions, freestyle aerobatics, precision maneuvers, light airplane balloon bursting, ultra-light flying formation and bomb dropping, kite-making and choreographed kite-flying, hi-start launch gliding, pylon racing, banner towing, aero-modeling symposium and races between ultra lights and motorcycles.

colorful kites

Colorful balloons will start to invade the morning sky and after that numerous sky activities can be watched like para-gliding, sky diving, aircraft formation flying, aerobatic display, kite flying exhibition etc.

 What makes a hot air balloon? The main parts of a hot air balloon are the envelope, the basket and the burner. The envelope is the fabric gas bag which is usually made of light-weight and strong synthetic fabrics. Attached to the envelope is the basket or what they call gondola, too. Obviously, this is where it carries people. The basket is usually made of woven wicker or rattan because these materials are proven light and durable for balloon flights. Lifting the balloon up in the air, we need a burner. It is mounted above the basket and centered in the mouth. This is the main fuel of the flight well aside from the wind. The burner is fuelled by propane and liquefied gas.

balloons at night

Currently, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival continues to be a popular international sports aviation event. The 2006 festival featured 30 multicolored hot air balloons and more than a hundred balloon pilots from Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. It also drew an approximated 60,000 visitors to the event.

Simple Tips:

You should bring, water and food, mat and portable chair and go early.

Son plus de plaisir dans les Philippines en raison Hot Air Balloon Festival-Clark Field Angeles Pampanga!

Way Points:

By Land:

Clark is located 80 kilometers north of Manila and is reachable by land or air. Driving by car from Manila takes an hour and a half. Take the North Luzon Expressway and exit at Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga. Make a left turn toward Angeles City and then a right turn toward Clark

Clark may also be reached via the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). From the North Luzon Expressway, continue the drive leading to the SCTEX exit. You may use either the Clark North Interchange (Panday Pira access road near Nayong Pilipino) or Clark South Interchange (near Yokohama and Clark Main Gate) to enter Clark. From Clark, via the newly-opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, you can reach Subic within a 30-minute drive and the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac in 15 minutes.

Public buses also ply the routes on a daily basis. Ride a Victory Liner bound for Dagupan and alight at Dau common terminal. Walk a bit toward the highway where jeepneys or tricycles are available. These vehicles can take you right up the Clark gate. Another bus line, Philippine Rabbit, also has trips to Angeles, Pampanga, via Dau, and other buses going north may also pass by the area. Ask the driver or conductor beforehand to be sure.

By Air:

Five airlines offer domestic and international flights to Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

Where to stay:

You can visit the website: http://www.visitclark.com/wheretostay.html

If your cowboy/cowgirl, you can rent overnight transient house for affordable price.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park - One of the New7Wonders of Nature

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The river also called Puerto Princesa Underground River. The national park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east.

The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang.

The park has a limestone karst mountain landscape. Main attraction here is St. Pauls Underground River Cave - more than 24 km long cave, which contains an 8.2 kilometers long underground section of Cabayugan River. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea and is navigable with a boat up to 4 kilometers deep from the sea. The cave includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers, including the 360 m long Italian's Chamber with approximate 2.5 million square meters volume - one of the largest cave rooms in the world.

stalactites

stalagmites

The Park has a range of forest formations representing eight of the thirteen forest types found in tropical Asia, namely forest over ultramafic soils, forest over limestone soils, montage forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, riverine forest, beach forest, and mangrove forest.

Birds comprise the largest group of vertebrates found in the park. Of the 252 bird species known to occur in Palawan, a total of 165 species of birds were recorded in the park.

Palawan Hornbill

Palawan peacock

There are also some 30 mammal species that have been recorded (Madulid, 1998). Most often observed in the forest canopy and along the shoreline feeding during low tide is the long-tailed macaque, the only primate found in the area. Other mammal species in the park are the bearded pig, bearcat, Palawan stink badger and the Palawan porcupine.

Palawan Porcupine

Nineteen species of reptiles have been identified, eight of which are endemic (Madulid, 1998). Common species in the area include large predators like the common reticulated python, the monitor lizard and the green crested lizard. Amphibian fauna include ten species. The Philippine woodland frog is the most dominant and frequently encountered. One species, Barbourula busuangensis, endemic to Palawan was also observed in the area.

lizard

Notable are the nine species of bats, two species of swift lets and whip spider found in the cave, and the sea cow and the hawksbill sea turtle that feed in the coastal area of the park.

The boat journey round the coast to the cave entrance allows you to see some picturesque jungle like something out of Jurassic Park. Then there are the monitor lizards and monkeys that can sometimes be seen.

While inside the river, you’ll notice that the waters are as crystal clear as Palawan's beaches and the images formed by the stalactites and stalagmites are amazing.

They have very nice bangkeros with nice sense of humours because you won’t be bored while you're taking the tour inside the underground river even if the place was very quiet.

canoe ready to go inside the river

Puerto Princesa Underground River was entered as the Philippine entry - and topped the first round of voting - in the New7Wonders of Nature competition, and on July 28, 2011, after the second round of voting, it was declared 1 of 28 finalists. Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn extended his gratitude to all those who supported and voted for the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

I am one of the promoters of this beautiful place when I asked my students to vote during the whole year campaign. Part of my requirement in my subject actually is on line voting.

Unimaginable and hard to describe, truly a MASTERPIECE OF NATURE!

Son plus de plaisir dans les Philippines en raison de Puerto Princesa Underground River!

SIMPLE TIP:

Purchase or get the permit much earlier, advice is before your travel date. I would prefer to be in contact with a travel tours to assist on this.

WAY POINTS:

By Air

From Manila there are 3 -5 flights daily (morning and afternoon) to Puerto Princesa. You can choose between Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu-Pacific. Cebu Pacific is servicing also 3 to 4 times weekly the route Cebu-Puerto Princesa-Cebu.

Also Seair is connecting Puerto Princesa with other destinations in Palawan (Busuanga, El Nido) and from there also with Manila.

By Land

Negros Navigation is sailing the route Manila to Puerto Princesa once a week, leaving every Thursday in Manila and arrives in Puerto Princesa on Friday (return to MNL the next day).WGA Superferry is sailing from Manila every Friday and arrives Saturday morning in Puerto Princesa.

          A Ferry travel can be recommended very much if you have a lot of time and if you are enjoying travel on the Sea. The trip takes around 24 hours. There are nice cabins available on these ships. At Coron the Ferry will make a short stop over.

How to go from Puerto Princesa to Sabang

Sabang is located on the South-China Sea side of Palawan. It is 80 km away from the City going North-West (Sabang is still part of Puerto Princesa City; even the village is that remote). The trip will take about 2 - 4 hours by Van or Jeepney.

         On the way to Sabang you will see amazing Nature and beautiful landscapes. The first 40 km it goes on the new Highway connecting Puerto Princesa with Roxas in the North. In Salvacion is the junction to Sabang.

Public Transportation:

Public jeepneys are leaving for Sabang at the new Public Bus Terminal at San Jose, Puerto Princesa. It is better to be early at the Terminal. The best time to travel the route to Sabang is with the 7 AM jeepney or the the 9 AM Bus. Until around 3 PM several jeepneys are departing for Sabang.

VAN Hire:

Vans (Air-conditioned) can be hired at the Aiport or at any Travel Agency in Puerto Princesa. The vans can accommodate maximal 8 persons.

BICOL EXPRESS

Bicol region was my long time wish list in my travelogue. Unfortunately it was not realize until the 3^rd of May. My buddy invited me to explore his hometown in Nabua, Camarines Sur. I never had a second thought. The following day I packed my backpack and leave the hot temperature of metro for a while.

palay rice field

My first stop – Nabua - a 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the census, it has a population of 75,422 people in 12,724 households.

Nabua is the mother town of Iriga City, Buhi, Bato, Balatan, Bula and Baao in Camarines Sur. Nabua has five districts: Antacudos, Binoyoan, Caobnan, Lupa and Sabang.

The plain hectare of land is covered mostly of “palay” one of the major source of income of the people.

However, the main problem of the farmers is the habitual typhoon leaving the agricultural land nothing but flood of water.

My second stop - City of Iriga - a 4th class city in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is located about 400 kilometers south of Manila, 37 kilometers south of Naga, and about 61 kilometers north of Legazpi City. It is bounded by the town of Buhi in the east, by the municipalities of Baao, Nabua and Bato in the west, by the province of Albay in the south, and by the municipalities of Ocampo and Sangay in the north.

in front of plaza

One of the tourist attractions here in Iriga is Lourdes Grotto. Our Lady of Lourdes is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary invoked by Roman Catholics in honor of the Marian apparitions which are said to have taken place before various individuals on separate occasions around Lourdes, France.

stairs going to grotto

My third stop - City of Naga - a highly urbanized city in the Philippines. Naga is 377 kilometres south-east of Manila, the nation's capital. Naga City is the second largest city in the Bicol Region when it comes to population but not in land area.

Naga is the "Heart of Bicol" being the religious, cultural, educational, financial, administrative and commercial center of the Bicol region. Residents of the City are called Nagueños.

Naga City is at the core of Metro Naga, an official designation given the City and 14 municipalities in the area administered by the Metro Naga Development Council. MNDC covers the entire 2nd district of the province of Camarines Sur, and part of its 1st, 3rd and 4th districts.

Camsur Watersports Complex or Camarines Sur Watersports Complex is a water sports park designed for wakeboarding, wake skating and waterskiing. It is located within the Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. The province of Camarines Sur, situated in southeastern part of Luzon is found in the Philippines, Southeast Asia.

great ride

         Just shortly when we arrived, rain pours. We decided to have our lunch before exploring the whole complex.

The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral is located at Elias Angeles Street, Naga City Camarines Sur.
Constructed in 1816 to 1831, the Cathedral was for many years the seat of the Archdiocese of Caceres which encompassed the six Bicol provinces. It is the biggest church in Bicol.

outside view

          The old stone church, magnificent in its striking baroque style of architecture, has two large belfries attached to its sides.

The ceilings are said to be painted using the art technique called Trompe-l’œil which makes it look like a three-dimensional piece of art.

inside the church

The pavilion on the Naga Cathedral grounds, other than being a good place to have a wedding portrait taken, serves as a shelter for the image of the Lady after the major processions – the Traslacion (First Friday of September from Basilica to Naga Cathedral along the streets of Naga City) and the Fluvial procession (8th day of the devotion, from Naga Cathedral to Basilica along the Bicol River).

The Basilica Minore is located at Balatas Road, Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Home to the miraculous image of the Patroness of Bicolandia, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia. Thousands of pilgrims flock to this site during the September celebration of the Peñafrancia Fiesta just to visit and venerate the virgin.

The image of Virgin Mary is housed at Basilica Minore, a palatial structure replicating the Gothic architecture.

nuns are having night prayer during my visit

Nabua Church - the existence of Nabua as a municipality dates back to as early as 1571 when Fray Alonzo Jimenez, an Augustinian missionary, started his first Church mission in the settlement known before as Lupa. The historical marker found in the Church of Nabua indicates, however, that the town was founded seven years later from the date it was founded by Fr. Jimenez, which means that it was founded also in the year 1578.

My fourth stop – Pasacao - is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. Pasacao has beautiful attractive beaches particularly located in Barangay Balogo and Caranan which are frequently visited by tourists and excursionists during summer season.

black sand in a pristine clear water

What to Eat

Bicol fare is characterized by a heavy use of coconut cream and a copious amount of chilies – a culinary tradition that sets the region apart from the rest of the country but has a strangely similar affinity with the Malay culinary traditions. Try Langkang Palusag which is made of langka (breadfruit), bangut, garlic and onions in coconut milk, boiled, and simmered. Or the ever popular, Bicol Express named after the Philippine National Railway that goes through the Bicol heartland. Bicol Express is made of balaw (small shrimps) with a bit of ground pork and the notoriously spicy – siling labuyo- probably the spiciest chillies in the world. Diced lobster meat mixed with young coconut meat, taro leaves, lemongrass, ground garlic and diced onions in coconut milk makes the dish called Pinangat. Ginuygoy, meanwhile, is made of taro leaves, flavored with dinaelan and seasoned with lemon juice. If you are in the area, also try Inon-on – saltwater fish cooked in vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, onions and oil; Ginaring – roast skewered fish called talusog; and of course Gulay na Natong or commonly called Laing- taro leaves with chillies, and sometimes ground pork.

laing, bicol express with rice

Should we forget Pili Nuts? Nope! It is a sacrilege to skip out these deliciously addicting nuts that Camarines Sur is known for.

nuts in a plastic ready for pasalubong

Son plus de plaisir dans les Philippines en raison de Nabua, Iriga, Pasacao camarines Sur !

Way Points:

By Land

Naga City in Camarines Sur is accessible from Manila via the scenic Pan-Philippine Highway. Air-conditioned coaches plying the Manila to Naga route leave the Araneta Center at 30 minutes intervals starting at about 4 p.m. thru 9:30 p.m. daily.

By Air

If you are not coming with a tour group, Camarines Sur (through the Naga Airport in Pili) can be accessed via plane (45 minutes ride). Zest Air, Philippine Airlnes and Cebu Pacific from Manila and vice-versa.