OSLOB & Mactan- Combining adventure & luxury

When my mom bought me an underwater pink camera years back,  I proclaimed to the world that I would swim with whale sharks. Of course when you talk too much, less action is done. So this 2014, we made a decision on a whim to head over to Oslob. Everything fell into place. Extremely grateful as well that after hearing sad stories about how the whale sharks were used to monetize the town, improvements have actually taken place. They all work together now to keep these gentle giants coming. A great adventure for the family, paired up with a relaxed weekend resort hopping experience is what we got. So here's a quick how to on how to head to Oslob for those who would want to...just do it!:) 

1. Fly in via Dumagete (if you're coming from Manila). Flights are usually cheaper and travel is shorter than going back and forth from Cebu. 

2. From the airport, take a tricycle for Php150 to Sibulan port. If you wish to stay in Dumagete, our trike driver, Kuya George09269072597, has a great contact with some good resorts around. The ride will take around 20min. 

3. From Sibulan port, buy your boat tickets to Liloan, around Php45 for adults and Php25 children. That's for a pump boat. Fast crafts are just for Php10 more. Either way, they're both good to use with almost the same amount of time to get to the other island. 

3. Prepare your coins.  Php2.00 is collected for each pax as a toll upon arriving. Php5.00 if you need to use the toilet is collected as well :D

4. Hire a trike again to take you to Oslob. It should cost you around Php300 for around 30min. 

5. Make sure to arrive before 12noon. They stop the tour after 1230pm. Feeding stops and Whale Sharks leave after that. We paid Php1,200 for 3 pax. Foreigners usually pay a little more. This fee is if you'll opt to swim. A cheaper rate is given if you'll just stay inside the boat. 

You'll be given a little briefing first before heading out to the whale sharks. Make sure to pack light since a lot of traveling will be happening. Leave your thingswith either the tricycle driver or ask for a room where you could keep your stuff. Remember, no sunscreen if you'll be swimming with the Butandings. Simple showers are available outside for some quick cleaning up. 

6. You may choose to stay in Dumagete and explore more. I hear Apo island is a wonderful place to go to as well. You may also book a resort in Sumilon island for some glamping moments, or head out to Cebu like we did. If Cebu is your choice of destination, you could take a bus after the swim for Php150/pax. Bus arrives every 15min and may take around 3-4hrs. Our trike driver knew a seaman who had a comfy 4x2 and who was willing to take us to Cebu for 3.5k. Not bad at all! Private vans usually cost around 6k to head to Cebu. Our gracious driver brought his wife along for the ride and we were able to make comfortable stops along the way whenever we wanted to. 

     Shangrila Mactan

    Movenpick Hotel

My suggestion is to take a flight back to Manila via Cebu. After the tiring swim, a good beach trip in Cebu would be awesome. My personal picks are Shangrila Mactan for a very very very good family R&R, as they are well equipped with kiddy stuff all around the resort. Movepick Hotel for a cool ambiance, perfect for younger ones out to enjoy and have fun. Plantation bay may not have a wonderful beach to boot, but service is priceless and Mogambo Spa is always amazing! Cheaper than Chi but hella good too! Of course there are other cheaper city hotels & resorts around (e.g Imperial (great for kids), Be resorts, Island stay, Crown Regency etc etc). Choose depending who you're with and what you need from a vacation. This is the reason I keep coming back to Cebu. It has endless possibilities for a vacation. There's always never enough time to explore and enjoy Cebu. 

Anyhoo...My say, have a weekend or 4days/3nights package mixed with roughing it out the 1st or until the 2nd day in Dumagete, then head over to Cebu to relax and unwind. Oh... And whatever you do, if you plan to swim with the whale sharks, don't forget to bring an underwater camera:) 

For hotels,resort,flights, and tour package bookings, call 8541813 #jerontravel or email inbound@jerontravel.com :)

Just do it 2014!

I'm quite OC with plans and goals. This year, I'm surprised I haven't written anything on my black book. No reSOLUTIONS (yet), which I annually have. Quite odd. Then I got it! This 2014 is about doing! No press releases, just all action!

      

What a beautiful way to start the year! Close to nature, high above the ground, and next to my boys! 

Glad I finally grabbed the chance to meet with Buko the birdman. Carmona Flightsite was a good Jan 1 hangout. Winds were gusty but no regrets at all! I'm 1 step closer to my dreams!:) 

Cheers to a healthy, active, cool, rich, successful, amazing, destined, & blessed 2014!!!

Who says shopping is fun?

   Today I shopped for 3 "new" pairs of          shoes in Mom's cabinet. 

I was never big on shopping. It doesn't excite me like how it excites other women. I spend good money on others, experiences, wonderful service, & good food, more than shoes, clothes, & bags. Maybe because I grew up with a Grandma & Mom who shopped well for me. Maybe because I grew up being happy with my sister's hand-me-downs and mom's vintage stuff. Regardless, I'm happy my credit card is not tied to things and I'm proud to say, this hasn't impaired my fashion sense. If any, I've gotten more creative and had so much fun with fashion because of this.

Let's be fair. I shop from my Dad too. His old sweaters and polos make great office  & everyday comfy-wear with a few cuts and adjustments. 

Yes. I still buy my occasional Stella Mcartney Adidas stuff. No. I do not go gaga over LV's latest release. I'm quite lucky to be able to shop in my mom's closet. It was always her intention. She knew shopping for stuff would not go to waste, since she has 2 daughters to pass things on to. I personally love all her amazing 70's stuff! Vintage!  Fashion is a not so sick cycle. 

I've always wondered, with everything being made and produced everyday, where does all the wornout clothes go? Years of dumped old clothes are filling up the earth and it doesn't really hurt to lessen production & consumption. So hurray for me and doing my part for earth's sake! 

My mom would always joke, some people need to dump themselves with brands allover to make up for their ugliness. And if their's anything I've learned, buying experiences will always be more rewarding. 

Flight Love

An intriguing docu on Blackholes, Supernovas, & Unovas, narrated by Morgan Freeman. A wonderful film about Nixon & David Frost (if you host, this is a fun one). Ooh! Another one, a classic- Citizen Kane. Add to that a wonderful selection of world music & beautiful Jazz! Then a few pages from my 8 month old read (I'm a slow book reader). I LOVE BEING IN TRANSIT! 9.5hrs of zero text messages, calls, emails, etc!  It's the only time that being "disconnected" is still excusable! Because even being in the hospital nowadays is not good enough anymore. Just one of the many reasons why I love Airplanes! Let's keep moments & "excuses" of disconnecting to connect to oneself & others alive! 

P.S. Yes. I even make more in-flight  friends than online. 

P.P.S. Thank you ANA for that right amount of peace and turbulence. I'm happy like that:) 

"All drains lead to the ocean"- Gil Bulabog, Boracay

Woke up early to go to Bulabog beach. The other side of Boracay known for its beautiful sunrise. We wanted to catch a banca that would go fishing so we could hopefully join them & see fishermen live in action. However, all the excitement for some local feel left us as soon as we arrived. What greeted us were cigarette butts all over the sand, trash here and there. There's no need to take a picture of it. Wouldn't want to be the cause of bad PR. Hopefully, someone could just do something about it. If (environment-friendly) rules were able to be set for the stations in front, why not for Bulabog and the entire Boracay island as well? May it not be a sign of what's in store for Boracay's future. 

"All drains lead to the ocean" - Gill ( Finding Nemo) Bulabog Beach June 2013

IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING --- When crazy IN LOVE :)

Let me tell you about the greatest love story of all...

It was tragic, full of drama and adventure. It was crazy and yet as awesome as it can be! It was IMPOSSIBLE, but hey we did it because Adidas said IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING:)

Happy 4years of married life to my favorite husband in the world! :) Our advice for lasting 12years in love? DON'T DO IT! Lol!

P.S. We are  outliers. Don't try our love story at home.

                    Soooo Gwapo! Look at my 12 year old crush ( and still crushing & <3 )

I was Butter. He was Fly. Ok. I 'll shut up now. Hip Hip Hurray Year 2000!

And as my wedding vow goes... "To infinity & beyond"- Buzz Lightyear.

CHEERS!!!

How to make a MESSY BACKYARD PARTY! :)

I've always wanted to have a backyard party for my son. It just seems cooler and a lot more fun. Then I came across "Messy Parties" online. Oh the joy & excitement it brought to me! See most of us were taught that "messy" is just downright wrong. I knew it would post a challenge to get the kids to warm up to all the icky & yucky goo I plan to have. Then again, kids will be kids. 

I highly suggest having goo' old fashion backyard parties. If you could make it a "messy" one then all the better. This one is good for grown ups too by the way:) 

HOW TO, WHAT TO, NEED TO:

1. A backyard, garden, front lawn, or any other (safe) outdoor home space is needed of course. It could be your space or a friend's who's (REALLY) nice enough to let you ruin their garden. The grassy areas tend to be the safer choice. Having a pool posts more hazard threats but adds to the fun. No, I'm not making you choose between fun & safety here, but please take note of things like this. 

2. Decor is a must! No kid wants to feel like they were dragged out of their home to just be at someone else's home. Yes, "homey" is the key, but it still is a kiddy party! We used banderitas, colored paper, printed and stuck Gavin's pictures to form a huge number 3 which served as greeting wall too, ( it was my little cute alien's 3rd year on Earth). We covered tables with random printed cloth and Manila paper. We even had an edible Jello aquarium center piece (homemade by Twinkle Ferarren) :). 

3. In our city,most  party guests are used to being spoiled by a hired party host . I had wonderful SPIT friends hosting 3 games but I wanted them to enjoy the party as well. So the rest of the time, kids were made to explore on their own. We had stations just to guide people. "Grub Station", "Goo Station", "Clean up Station" ( water hose and an empty plastic pool), "Art Station",  "Bubble Station" and even a sign to lead people to potty areas. 

 * Art Station were just kiddy tables covered with Manila paper with painting activities ready for them. Paint clay, bandanas, or on the table! Even the adults sat in here! This station was open until 9pm. :)

 * Bubble station - A blow-up baby pool filled with bubble solution and a hoola-loompa-loop.

 4. Ah! The Games! Relay games with slides, improvised tunnels, pool filled with homemade goo, gunk, and more! Teams fought to search each "pit stop" for an angry bird toy (Im not a fan. it just happened to be the only thing we found good enough to be hidden and searched for). Other messy game ideas below:

 * Tent filled with umm... umm... "trash". Newspaper, old cloths, flour, and other "messy tent stuffing".

 *Any game with whip cream, ice cream, or pie is a perfect mess!

 *Pop the balloon and win a prize. Of course balloons were slimy and filled with flour for that wonderful sticky feeling!

 5. Add the DIY touch as much as your sanity and time can allow you to! We made party hats by folding colored papers into two and sticking the ends together. Snip the top part halfway and create slits for that crown effect. Add beads, shells, and ribbons for decor. Don't forget to punch holes on each side  for the ribbons/garter! We made a lot and left them as decor on the table as well. Spent hours making a lot of these while cursing Martha Stewart, but they turned out to be the cutest add-on of the party! :)

 6. Do not forget to get Messy and have fun!

***For details on suppliers used, ( all were friends willing to do the same thing all over again just coz it was so much fun!) just message me :)