2011 means Rock & Roll!

So six months or so after unfortunate events... I'm alive and kicking still. I kid you not. Last year was a training ground for life's disaster and I'm proud to say I've learn to breath even in barely breathable ones. I will not take credit for any of it though. Of course my parents have much to do about saving a sinking ship. My husband abs-olutely turned into my Hercules (carrying a ref 12 floors down). Gavin most definitely led the pack to a more hopeful perspective on things. God and all that jazz was always forgiving of my queries and merciful despite my unholy thoughts (Eeeeep! I just had one right now again!). 

Now that a perfect ten has been replaced by drumsticks, it only means it's time to rock n' roll. I've decided to roll with the punches and be a rockstar while doing so. I promise to take it easy on myself while I push hard on myself <--- grey areas are the new painting of the town red kind of thing huh? And speaking of red ( I'm sorry Ms. Eala for starting my sentence with a conjunction), it's Chinese New year in a few. Second chances are made real by a another calendar (2 new years in a year---AWESOME).  So no excuses. Ever since I was told by my dear sister to bite the bullet, I've been spitting out slugs (Pistol lang kasi) and using gun powder for make up. Every morning I wake up to my very own not so blackboard and read the mantra while having my fattening (I gained 10lbs. after learning to eat my breaky) breakfast...

I've also had melt of cheese and heart as I started the year by saying "hello" to someone I use to despise. Somehow the universe conspires and repeats itself, which only means that I guested in a show and this victim was made to face a previous assailant who by the way acted nonchalant about everything. After all, it were years ago, who could blame the guy. So I sat as a juror and put on that smile. 

Thankfully, I've learned to be thankful of everything still. Thank you.... Thank you... The little cute blessings of meeting and having speaking lines with John Lloydy Cruz ( be thankful even for the most jolog things). The big blessings of having wonderful travels and adventures (Be thankful for what scares you and opens your eyes). The amazing blessing of life, living people, and of this world (Be thankful for people around you and that your not dead or killed yet). Thank you... Thank you... 

Hip Hop Rabbit Year! Here's a little breakdance move to get the 2011 party started;)

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS

I've braved Ondoy with my son and my husband, swimming across murky waters in Magallanes just last year. I just finished a weird ordeal of having to explain to people that I was not some girl in some ugly picture. This year, after getting to move out and slowly designing our own place and loving the view and space that we have, the unthinkable (yes,unthinkable because who would have damn guessed it) happens. 


2 weeks ago, a couple of people started to dig up in front of the condo. They were noisy alright but that was fine. We started to smell gas here and there and dismissed it. Until the "STRICTLY NO SMOKING" signs were put up on the elevators, see now that was alarming especially for my Vee. 


   This was taken last week from our windows. The same area            
                     now as been excavated almost fully.

         I hope you find what your looking for and seal it asap. 

To cut the tedious progress of this horrible experience, there was a need to evacuate. EVACUATE- a word I only hear in the news when a volcano erupts. I was in my ticketing class (which sucks as well)  as I received several text messages from people saying " hope ur ok... saw the news..." I was panicking because Gavin was still in the condo with yaya and they were not picking up my calls. My driver and I speeded and when I got to the condo, there was a media frenzy in the lobby together with the firetrucks. Awesome. I went up and was just happy to see Gavin and yaya reading Goodnight Moon. Then after trying to get some answers from the admin, the announcement came. Evacuate the building. Gosh. Where do I start? Ironically,we took as much as we could, leaving as much as we had. 


We still have plenty of our wonderful and important stuff in the condo. We'll need to rush them out bit by bit. Ref, sofa, tvs, furnitures, paintings, my clothes, antiques, etc. who needs to go to the gym?  I really thought that condo was a good catch. Similar to a chick going to a public school, only to realize she speaks good English and has good breeding after all, that condo served as well. Memories abound in that little piece of home of ours. 

The Night View (not counting the wonderful Makati Skyline and

the amazing bay's view in my son's room)

  

The amazing natural sunlight we get

So now the order is final. Say goodbye to 1208 and we must start making a miracle by getting a new place asap while praying really hard that as we retrieve our stuff out, the building does not blow up with us in it or even near it. Aren't you reminded of Quad (I grew up to know it as that)/ Glorietta blowing up a few years back because of gas leakage as well? 


As I read and see the news http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/07/22/10/binay-orders-makati-condo-closed-due-gas-leak I hope the company responsible or whoever is acts on it asap. There are other homes and offices nearby. I really think instead of denying, why not just turn off the freaking source of the gas first! To our dear government , I'm sure human lives are worth more than the millions you get from pumping gas to gas stations. 


Anyhoo, we consider oursleves luckier than most. Our neighbor just remodelled her entire unit to the ultimate bachelorette's pad of the year... so goodluck to all of us I guess. As I digest with my husband everything we must do this weekend and everything that has happened... I can not help but ask, Dear Lord what's the catch? 


Side Dish: I Just remembered, our poor fish got left without food. Sorry dude.

Ultimate Northscape!!!

All aboard Sand Boarding in Poaoy, Ilocos!

We're at it again! OPEN CALL TO ADVENTURE TO ALL AGES 18 and Up..UP..UP! Free up your weekend for some fun and adventure! This coming July, make way to meet awesome new friends and try something new. Presenting the latest craze in Ilocos… Sand Boarding! If you’re a child at heart and slides are your thing, then prepare to take it to the next level! Here’s what’s sliding down on April 8-10 this 2011! 

April 8, 2011

Pack up and get ready for one of your most memorable weekends this 2011. Head over to our meeting place. We take off by 10:00PM sharp to make it to Paoay early in the morning Obviously, sleep is the itinerary of the night.

April 9, 2011

Welcome to an action-packed day! Here goes roughing it out!

10:30AM- Pass by for breakfast (fastfood)
11:30AM- We arrive Pagudpud, check-in at PUNTA AZUL BEACH RESORT at BLUE LAGOON ( go google) Nothing fancy but decent and beachfront!
12:00PM - Lunch at Near by resort (Punta Azul does not serve meals but there are plenty of , nearby resorts that does)
1:00PM- We head towards Bangui Windmills, Kapurpuruan rock formation, Cape Bojeador
3:00PM Drive to Sand Boarding place at Laoag
4:30-6:00PM- Sand Boarding & 4x4 wheel drive
7:00PM - Dinner at Laoag (Robinsons resto/ fastfood/eatery... etc)
9:00PM- Drive back to Pagudpud (2hrs) 


It’s body jumping and humping style on 4 wheels!  No boring situation here as we get on specialized boards for our Sand Boarding experience. Sit, Stand, or dive, it’s your choice as we surf the sands of Paoay! 

April 10, 2011

 We head back to Manila for the usual grind up ahead of our lives. No worries though, you just had yourself some awesome adventure and kick-ass pictures to get you by!:) 


8:00AM- Breakfast
9-11- Swimming 
12:00 Lunch at nearby resort
1:00 Departure

*** Optional Vigan stop

Then head back to Manila (12hrs) 

*P5,600/pax
Inclusions: Roundtrip Transportation (2 rosational drivers); Sand Boarding & 4x4 ride, Pagudpud Accommodation & Mentioned Tours
Exclusions: Meals & Personal/Additional exoenses not mentioned

*12 more available slots

Get on this NorthScape! Email us at ultimatevich@yahoo.com or reply to this by giving us your email address, name, and cell number and will send you further details. Option date is on April 3,2011.  


Live you Ultimate Life!=) http://www.ultimatevich.blogspot.com/  


Yours in Adventure and addVentures,
UltimateVich!

*Photos not users own.

Ang Bitag ng Pulag...CONQUERED! :)

Blue Moon on Saddle Site

 So National Geo!                                    

     "Cloud 9"

Sunrise Love Birds

           Me taking a photo of our Photographer... Mark:)

                                                     Like little ants on God's earth bumps

It's always nice to be on top of things. In this case to be on top of Luzon's highest mountain. We took Camp 3 (Saddle Site) and darkness caught up with us. I could feel everyone wanting to push me over for taking the longer, harder trail... but it somehow paid off. We had the awesome view of the full moon on our right and the sun setting on our left. And might I add the main course, sea of clouds! That's what I call priceless! VR almost fell off the mountain, and he would have been the first "Tanga" of Pulag" (no death has ever been recorded from climbing Pulag). Tito Jun, our 60+ year old first time climber, was truly an inspiration. I could not sit my freezing ass when the man would be in front of all of us giving his very all to this hike. Sustagen Prime anyone? To all our VICHES that day... Thank you for taking this journey and getting high with us last January 2010!

For more awesome pics... Pulag Album 1 ,More photons, Yes more! and ok last na

side dish: Most of us went with no porters... Yes, we were macho like that!:)

Wag kang GamowwwLLL!!!

Like most people, I feel bare without a watch on my left wrist. It gives the feeling of completeness to my day’s outfit. As the New Year came, I decided to have my watches all tuned up and fixed. I didn’t make it to the store I usually go to so I ended up running to Powerplant mall, remembering that a watch store resides by Rustan’s supermarket. I luckily made it a few minutes before closing and was able to get 13 watches of my 20 plus watches fixed (or so I thought). The rest of my watches were quoted a P9,000 estimation for several fixing that it supposedly needed. I’m no watchman so I took everything that the (crook) “expert” advised me. However, I did figure out that P9,000 was a bit to steep for my mere Gucci, Lancaster, Guy Larachoche etc. watches, considering that he couldn’t explain to me fully what the damage were. Upon paying P3,000.00 for the other 13 watches, I managed to put my biggest smile to the owner and watchman and greeted them a Happy New Year!

A week after I decided to head to my watch store in Glorietta, taking all my watches with me for a check. To cut the long story short, I found out that the watch store in Powerplant played the nastiest trick on my tick-tocks! All the batteries that they changed were already old and leaking. This would have caused my watches more damage. They also loosened the batteries of my other watches so as to cause it to stop and make me believe that there was more than battery changing that was needed. Lastly, they tinkered with my other watches (that I did not have them fix because of the crazy P9,000.00 bill!) and pulled a few screws here and there. By some struck of fate, a woman in my trusted watch store overheard my conversation and mentioned that she was crazily billed as well by the store in Rockwell that’s why she decided to head to Glorietta instead.


I was fuming! Messing with the insides of my watches is a serious offense and an indecent touch! Those watch-Rapists! VR and I headed straight to Powerplant and started talking to the storeowner. At first, the woman pretended to be an employee, until one of the staff squealed that she was the owner. The watchman seemed so confident despite the evidence, forcing me to believe that he truly had the backing of the woman owner. They tried to haggle with me, but I wanted the full amount back. After which, they took my “proof” for the crookedness they did (too long to explain what it is) and that’s when they returned to me the full P3,000.00. I did report their modus-operandi (always wanted to use that word hahah!) to the admin. However, they were consigned under Rustan’s supermarket. This insane story is actually longer and crazier, but the point is… BEWARE of those crazy crooks! I always considered watchmen and their skill to be art, until this. Only time will tell until those &$@#!$&*@ get what they deserve but I sure hope it happens sooner than later.

"Home green Home"

I'm happy to have survived the holidays that were. Imagine crusting with a big first time move to live on your own. Filled with a warm arrival from my sister and her family from Atlanta. Mix in the big decision of not having a maid, topped off with no time to shop and wrap for gifts (thus, our newspaper wrappers). My little cherry on the pie was a simple, loving Christmas and a calm and hopeful New Year. A big toast to all as I blend my homemade lemongrass juice!:) As I have slightly decided to go semi-green, I realized that this decision was coupled with a few pains, and yet earthly gains. As of the moment, I'm on the search for my own homemade all around cleaner. This means vinegar (Datu Puti in our country), baking soda, Dr. Bronner's and grapefruit essential oil shaking in one bottle spritzer right?

So as I ultimately start the year with the hue of Luntian and begin ventures that have been delayed in flight... let me share my little homemade felt Christmas tree. Ornamented with Christmas cards from received gifts...

Best perk is the starry shadows it casts on our blank walls! It's soo pre-school and yet soo cool! It saved me time, money, and sanity despite all the kerfuffle:) Scissors and felt paper rocks! Hope you all had an ultimate holiday!:)

It's time to be ultimately Livin' for 2010...

*Photo courtesy of Gideon Lasco

“As the highest mountain in Luzon, Mt. Pulag attracts a lot of mountain climbers. Highlights of the climb include the montane forests and the grassland summit with its "sea of clouds" phenomenon”

THIS IS IT! START 2010 WITHOUT FEELING BITIN! START THE YEAR WITH A HIGH IN AN AU NATURALE STYLE (and we don’t mean naked, since it will be really cold up there)! We hope this fulfills a resolution for 2010 or at least get you out and up while meeting new friends on a different level, approximately 2, 922 meters above sea level! ULTIMATE VICH MT. PULAG CLIMB is open to all!

Here are the details:

Location: Mt. Pulag, Benguet

Date: January 30-31, 2010

Fee: P3,500/ pax

Inclusions:

Roundtrip air-conditioned bus from Manila-Baguio-Manila

Roundtrip jeep Baguio-Ranger Stn.-Baguio

Entrance/registration fee

Certificate of conquest

Guides plus Medic (2 local + 1 mountaineering)

Photographer (Of course we want you to have the coolest shots, good enough for bragging rights, show & tell, FB profile pics, and of course for your memory’s sake)

Tentative Itinerary:

Jan 30, 2010 (SAT)

1200 MN Departure from Manila

0530 AM early breakfast in Baguio

0600 AM head off to Ranger Stn.

1200 NN Start trek to Camp 2

1700 PM arrival at Camp 2; pitch tents

1800 PM dinner / socials

Jan 31, 2010(SUN)

0400 AM early assault to summit

0600 AM arrival at summit

0800 AM head back

0200 PM back at ranger

1730 PM back in Baguio

2000 PM ETD for Manila

0200 AM back in Manila

(Dates may change to Jan 20-30, 2010 depending on the majority request of PAID climbers)

What you will need to bring:

Clothes (Estimated Temp is 10-15C°), Food, tent, etc.

This will be further emailed (upon confirmation) and discussed upon finalization of sure and paid climbers. Don’t worry, there will be a 30minute briefing meet-up so we could get all your concerns answered and tents and food may be shared with each otherJ

Payment Schemes:

Deposit P3,500 to either account numbers on or before Jan 15, 2010 (Friday):

BDO Account #: 1200047980 Account Name: Charlene C. Lontoc

BPI Account #: 0379001033 Account Name: Charlene C. Lontoc

Kindly text “VR” at 09189013720 upon depositing the payment to confirm receipt and kold on to your deposit slip until the meet up date to serve as your proof of payment.

We look forward to being on top of the second tallest mountain in the Philippines with You! May this be the start of an adventurous and amazing 2010 for you!

Ultimately yours,

Ultimate Vich (Vee&Chal)