Logo

What are your plans for Holy Week? Are you going for a vacation? visit your relatives in province? Or spend it in beach resorts? 

This is gonna be a long weekend vacation, away from our deadlines, projects and work loads, who would not want to spend it? I'm pretty sure that resorts and beaches are gonna be crowded by vacationist by now, since it's our only way to have some time for relaxation and enjoyment.

However, the real reason for this event is already forgotten. We already forgot to practice the time to observe silence, to meditate through praying and to ask for forgiveness. The generation is very different from before as they say. Back then, every holy week we just stay at our house praying, we can't watch T.V. because there are no programs aired, the observance of holy week is very solemn. But now, we can go to every places that we want, and watch whatever shows we want. This is so true, we are embracing the modern world yet, we tend to set aside GOD.

All I am saying is that we can still go to beach any time of the year but not when holy week, let's give this time to think, to have peace in our heart and to remember the true meaning of this season.

Eliminate those fats and get ready to wear those sexy swim suits, summer is here!

While planning for a summer trip and getaway, Swim suit is every girl's top of the list. But how can you wear your sexy thongs if it don't fits your figure. To make our body in it's sexiest shape, here are some tips to remember:

*Make walking a habit, if your not in a hurry you should try use the stairs instead of elevator. It's a way to burn calories.

*Try eating more vegetables and fruits instead of eating steaks or meats. Avoid lunch outs, or eating from restaurants.

*Eat at least five but small meals a day, to avoid you from overeating when starving. Digestion also helps burn calories.

*Always drink lots of water, also to make you feel, full even without taking foods or snacks. Water is also good for detoxification of our body's bad fluids.

*Do chores, Moving your body for work will increase the amount of calories you are burning.

*Jogging to lose weight. Simplest but most effective workouts for losing weight.

*Above all practice exercise. Hit the gym at least 4 times a week for better results.

Always remember that determination and confidence are also keys to achieve your goal of making your figure look great.

Every city have different ways to celebrate their Piesta. Some celebrate it by remembering the foundation of their town or by representing their specialty or their patron saint. But no matter how they commemorate this occasion, it always be enjoyable for it will show the true Filipino tradition.

I'm from Pateros, the town known for "BALOT" and "ITIK" every second week of February we prepare for celebration of Piesta ni Santa Martha. A day filled with different activities and games, foods and traditions for all the people of Pateros.


The night before the Piesta, people will gather to the Pateros Church to watch the Pandangguhan, everyone enjoys this, because every baranggay has their own representative to the contest. The Pandangguhan or Pandanggo sa Ilaw is one of the folk dance of Filipinos, also one of the tradition of Pateros is to have a contest of the dance every Piesta.

Every Piesta, there's a prusisyon or parade that will go around the town, every house will throw foods, candies,eggs and  money at the people while the parade is passing through. They believe that it will bring luck to their business or their family.

When we talk about food on piesta, every house have different delicious recipes and food prepared for their visitors, like crispy pata, menudo, pancit, mechado, adobo, lumpia, lechon, kare-kare etc. Aside from that are the different recipes for Balot, through cooking contest. Children also enjoy the Piesta, because of games and different toys they can get. A lot of bargain accessories like earrings and necklace, different candies and toys.

I love my hometown Pateros, I'm thankful to the place where I grew up. A town that never forget the true customs and traditions and a place for well mannered and kind people. Though small in territory, still manages to have a simple and peaceful living.

Farms have been withered since the El Niño arrive the country. Seems all the farmers have been praying for the rain to fall. Farmers complain that irrigation is not enough to fill all the water needed by their plants, thus the reason for staple crops such as rice dying in the Country.

Our country depends on agriculture, it's the main source of income to our some fellows in the province. As they say we can't survive a day without eating rice, so now we see the current problems facing our farms, we became more concerned about it. Some already feared that we may experience rice shortage, but as the government states, there's still enough supply for everyone. Aside from rice farms crops like corn, potatoes, cabbage, onions, and other vegetables have been greatly affected by the dry spell.

The effects of El ñino dry spell, is not only causing so much problems in agriculture but also in tourism. Number of tourist who visited the country for the summer vacation has decreased due to the intense heat given by El Niño.

Have you notice that climate is changing? Back when I was young, I can walk longer under the sun, I can even ride a bike and play outside our house but now, I can't even stay a minute outside. The intense heat of the sun is like burning my skin. And the rain, winds and typhoons are not that really strong, I can still remember that every time the class is suspended because of typhoon, but if you look outside your house, it's not even windy or raining hard, now the typhoons are getting worst. The active earthquakes are also noticeable today, that goes from country to country. It's really scary specially to our country whose under the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and volcanoes are greatly active.

We can't say how the nature acts, sometimes we will be surprise for the harm it can give us. A month ago the countries Haiti and Chile were shocked by high magnitude earthquakes. About 100,000 died in Haiti while Chile counts over 200 casualties.

Now our country, also have another calamity to overcome, because we are suffering from El Niño phenomenon, after having so much rain and water last year when typhoon Ondoy hit us, now we are facing water shortage.

Philippines is a tropical country, and only have summer and rainy seasons, don't have winter and autumn season, but being  visited by so many typhoons. Now that the summer approaches, El Niño also is being experience. Last night I heard the news that Mindanao is under the state of calamity because of the damages and problems being brought by the El Niño. Hydro Electric Power Plants are being shut down because of low level of waters in dams. Businessmen and employees can't operate their business well, due to the power shortage. In some areas of the country, the agriculture, fishing, poultry and livestock are mostly affected.

From all the disasters that we are facing, hope that we learn to avoid all the things that can only worse the nature. The truth and the sad fact is, we brought our own lives in danger, by all our wrong activities and for taking for granted about the real importance of mother nature. There's still time to make a move, let's not wait for another punishment. The mother nature is crying for you just look at the picture.

While I was studying during summer vacation, aside from watching TV shows, my favorite past time was playing RPG game in Nintendo. For some it will be very boring to spent your whole vacation just sitting in the couch while playing game console, but for me it's still the best way to use my vacation days.

It's fun and interactive, lots of twists and secrets to finds, the game I was talking about is Harvest Moon, it can also be played in PlayStation, but I prefer playing it in Nintendo. It has a lot of version, it started from friends of mineral town until upgraded to much enjoyable and interesting versions and story. 

The game is all about farm life, growing crops, raising animals, mining jewelries and precious stones, fishing, buying and selling items but aside from that the adventure of the character is in your hand, you are the one who will make him successful or even poorer. There are also town's people and sprites whom you would befriend, by being nice to them you will earn points and privilege. The character also have to choose from the town's bachelorettes or bachelors depending on your chosen character if your a boy or a girl. You have to court you chosen girl/boy to be your wife/husband, you will get married after she/he accept your proposal and after the wedding you will have a baby.

Events and festivals are also exciting parts in the game, you can also upgrade your wooden house into mansion and able to go in other town. You will be punish by the Harvest goddess if you're not nice to people and animals and also if you throw garbage in the streets. The character's journey, is up to you on how will you earn your success in farming and by building a happy family.

I write this post because of how I missed playing the game.  I always imagine how peaceful a life in a farm.

We can't change the fact that when summer arrives, the hot temperature also approaches. Intense heat can give a lot of bad effects if were not careful. Heat can kill us, or give such health risks like Skin cancer, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat injury and heat stroke.

Much important is how can you keep yourself cool and comfortable on Hot weather. Here are some tips to keep you cool when the Hot temperature start to soar:

*Protect Yourself from the Sun. You can still enjoy the summer just remember to protect your skin from the sun's Ultraviolet rays. If your going to a beach always bring sunscreen lotion or even if your just going outside the house. Also avoid going out while the sun's heat is intense, mostly in time of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*Be hydrated. Always bring a refillable bottle of water. Spraying your face with water mist is also a good idea. Drinking seven to eight glasses of water a day is very important, to keep you hydrated especially if you are going to stay in the outdoors a lot.

*Eating refreshing foods. Refreshing foods are sure to provide some relief from the heat. When your body feels uncomfortable try eating ice creams or fruit shakes to keep your mood calm and relax.

*Avoid wearing fit and dark colored clothes. Wearing hat is also helpful to protect your hair and avoid it from getting dry.

*Plan water activities. This will help you enjoy the summer and also a way to avoid the irritating hot weather. Since summer is a time for fun and vacations, going into beach or swimming pools, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving and wave surfing can keep your summer mood enjoyable.

*At night, take advantage of the cool evenings to cool off your entire house. Open windows and doors with screens to bring the inside temperature down.

Hope these tips will help you this hot summer vacation, just enjoy and take care of your health.

Lucky for students, because summer means vacation. And also for those employees who have grant a vacation leave by their bosses.(harhar!!!) It's the perfect time once again to enjoy the clear water from the beach, to explore new things and places and to admire the beauty of nature.

We never run out of best things to enjoy, mostly in summer time. Our thoughts of going into swimming, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, and snorkeling are now coming to a plan.

Talking about activities this summer, scuba diving is the best to try. We have abundant coral reefs and amazing marine life absolutely great for scuba divers and beginners. The islands of Puerto Galera, Subic Bay, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan offer some of the country’s best diving spots, these Islands are diving haven due to it's marine characteristics.

Philippines, auspicious to have countless variety of flowers. A true paradise surrounded by exotic flowers, tropical orchids, roses, lilies, sunflowers, and more other colorful flower variations. That's why every year Baguio City celebrates the grandest event, during February to March, The Panagbenga Flower Festival. Tourists and foreigners from around the world are always expected to drive all the way to Baguio City to witness this much awaited happening.

The flower capital of the Philippines, as we all know the City of Pines, has a cool climate, that's the reason why various kinds of flowers are found here. Most of the beautiful species of flowers that we love like roses, sunflowers, marigolds, poinsettia, dahlia and more. Baguio also is the main source for flower in Manila, including the flowers  in Dangwa.

This well participated celebration never fails to entertain the crowd, fantastic costumes are worn while parading on the streets, beds of flowers covering the Panagbenga parade float and street dancing competitions.

Most awaited month of hot summer break, where do you want to spend it? Not everyone can be so lucky to go to Boracay, but I think, most of us love to go there. I envy like a child whenever I see some of my friends pictures when they visit bora, the sugary white sand beach and the sky blue ocean, their activities that they'd enjoy, I promise I would go there -  but I don't know when (haha!!!). I just hope someone will give this grand vacation as a treat or gift for me.

So much of my Boracay dream, here is something that the northern part of the country is very proud of, The Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. The beach of Pagudpud can be compare to the Hawaii, because of it's perfect strong winds, excellent for wave surfers. Another version of the famous Boracay because of it's alluring views of clear blue water and fine white sand beaches, Pagudpud promises visitors nothing but magnificent summer getaway experience.

How to get there

If your going to Pagudpud from Manila, get a direct trip from Florida Bus Line, its terminal is located in Sampaloc, Manila. Bus company heading to northern Luzon offer Manila-Laoag trips like Partas, Baliwag and Fariсas.

From Laoag, is a two hour jeepney ride to Pagudpud. To go to Saud, ask the driver to drop you off at Baduang Market then take a Tricycle to Saud - the beach resort. 

The 12-hour travel by bus to this place is worth it, what with the pristine beach and lagoons and waterfalls so breathtaking. The Mabogabog Falls, Bantay Abot-abot cave, Bangui Windmills and Paoay church will take your summer vacation into a one of a kind getaway.

Iligan is tagged as the City of Majestic falls for having 20 or more waterfalls. Though the city is already urbanized, the local government still pays attention to improve and to promote it's attraction.

The City's pride Maria Cristina Falls is the waterfalls coming from agus rivers, and is sometimes called the "twin falls" because of the rock that divides the flow of water into two. Is not just an attraction or place to visit but also the source of energy. Maria Cristina Falls is the site of NAPOCOR's hydroelectric project that generates 70% of Mindanao's electricity, truly amazing isn't it?


Every year colorful fiesta are celebrated here, in giving thanks to their patron saint, Saint Michael-defender, protector and faithful warrior of God. One of the significant highlights of the fiesta celebration is an Iliganon tradition and cultural heritage -- the San Miguel Comedia. The religious musical play is one of the country’s last surviving zarzuelas and considered a priceless heritage. 

Iligan City is also rich from beautiful resorts and parks. Rizal Park, Timoga pool, delamar resort and maze park,tinago falls and Mt. Aga-agad are just some of the places to see in Iligan.