Drunk Passenger

Today is not a regular day for the passengers riding a Talomo public utility vehicle. To think its 3 in the afternoon, its very unusual to find a drunk man that is almost unable to determine if he is still alive or not. I don't know where he come from and what amount of alcohol he take but one thing is for sure. He is flat dead asleep on a jeep going nowhere. Ahahah. Every person coming in the jeep would think trice or more if they're gonna pursue riding that jeep. Every person that sees the sleeping drunk man in the middle of the path screams at the back of their minds saying "Holy Mother of Drunkards!! What the hell is that man doing there!?". Of course seeing a laying man in the ground and not moving, one would surely think like this, "Omg, is he dead?! I should take the next jeep instead!!".

Ahahahah. Luckily this man didn't vomet during our trip. Whew! Else i'll be super troublesome considering i am the one in front of him. I will surely catch all the ewness he'll throw. Ahahahah.

Biko with Leche flan

For me its weird to see a traditional Pinoy delicacy paired with a saucy desert. Its weird but taste like heaven. lol I first tasted this when Ate Nene's relatives brought this for the blessing of their house months ago. Sadly I was busy eating other food that I did not had the chance to appreciate it.

But this week Te Nene gave me 2 slices me it. She must have got it from her father's birthday. Even though its not good for me that time because of my soar throat, i still indulge in it. And its very delicious indeed.

Pochero for Lunch

Thanks for this mouth watering menu Te Nene. Sluurp3x!

Sunrise View in Sea Wall

My cousin Allan and his pregnant wife asked me to guide them to Sea Wall to have a little walking exercise. They are not from Davao so i was a big help for them. But on the way to Sea Wall, i got confuse of the way because we took the other route. heheh. After few minutes wd arrived at the place, this wonderful scenery caught my eyes. Instantly, that moment i regret that i did not brought my camera with me. But its okay since i have Ace with me.


Note: next time wear the freaking shoes! Stupid! ahaha

Bloggeroid

This is my first post on my blog using a mobile and an Android App. I kinda miss my blog so i feel like creating a new post since it's been a while since the last time i created one. But now, since i got a new mobile in which i can write post from anywhere when i want to, i hope this will make my blogging drive return. heheh. Hopefully though. Also thanks to the Bloggeroid, i think this will really make my blogging experience more exciting and more fun, not to mention more mobile. hhehhe. Hopefully this Android App will surely be the key to make me find the lost interest i had with blogging. Cheers!!

Run For Humanity Moments

The Run for Humanity sponsored by Red Cross was the first fun run I joined after college. The last time I run is during college days and its because of our CWTS. Now, it is because of the cause. I'm not really a runner or something like that but still since it is Red Cross, I'm always willing to participate and share in order to help even in a little way.

Floral Float Parade in Kadayawan

For the past few years I always go out on the streets of San Pedro Davao City during the last Sunday on Kadayawan Festival to witness the beautiful floats. The floral float parade is among the many activities during the festival, but this is my favorite because it showcase lots of beautiful produce that Davao can offer. Since its a floral float parade contest each entry are well design and thought of, with the help of using beautiful flowers, fruits, vegetables and other indigenous materials. Each float showcases different ideas, materials and approach to win the eyes and scores of the judges and also the people who came to be the viewer in the streets.

Abreeza Mall Float

Davao's Kadayawan Festival Activities

Davao City Red Cross Run For Humanity

Davao City Red Cross invites everyone to take part in their event entitled, Run For Humanity. This event will be held on the 28th of August 2011, 5:00am - 8:00am. This run has three categories to choose from, 3k, 5k and 10k. Registration is still going on. Registration forms are available in Red Cross office behind the Marco Polo Hotel, Run Club, KURV and R1 Adventures. There registration fee is Php300.00, with it is a singlet(till supply last daw), refreshment, and other surprises.

Matina Aplaya Fiesta and Shiela's Pre-Birthday Celebration

Last weekend was a big weekend for Durante family. There were two things to celebrate that time, first was the fiesta of there area Matina Aplaya(i'm not sure if they were also affected by the flash flood) which fell on Saturday and the birthday of their only daughter Shiela which fell on Sunday.

Shiela was my classmate when I was in high school. We have been friends since then, and since then she and her family loves to invite people to come to their house during the fiesta of there area. Not only to celebrate the fiesta but also to celebrate the day they're daughter was born(even if its the next day). I forgot how many times I attended this celebration, but the I can still remember the things we have done before. First of course is the food. Lots of delicious unlimited foods! Next is the company, happy people who loves to talk, laugh and sing. Everybody is so game that what ever we will do they still participate(maybe because of alcohol too..lol). This event also is one of ways that we, my friends got the chance to get together after not seeing each other for some time due to our different lives and busy schedules. So here are some of our happy faces last weekend at Shiela's crib.

Surigao Escapade: Sea Turtle(Pawikan) Encounter

This post is a continuation of my Surigao Escapade. The interval is a bit too long now but I still decided post it anyway because I believe it is a great experience to share here in my blog. I believe it is a once in a life time experience for some of us. So enjoy some of the pictures taken by my girlfriend Cindy while I'm very busy hunting(more on chasing..lol) the sea turtles.

New Home at El Rio Subdivision, Davao City

2011 started really great for us. Financially we are slowly getting stable, my sister graduated from college and my father found a new business ventures. Recently my aunt from my mother's side constructed their house here in Davao City where their lot is beside ours. Another aunt of mine on my father side also have a lot near our lot or its adjacent to ours. When they visit here in Davao last month, they were looking for potential houses to buy so they'll have a house to live in when they are here. (Btw, they are from Sultan Kudarat and had a good business there so the just visit here.) Luckily, they might found the house at El Rio that time and decided to buy it.

Last week, my aunt from Sultan Kudarat with here son and her son's wife went here in Davao for a checkup and also to buy the house they found in El Rio. Now, since they just visit here from time to time there will be no one who will stay at their house when they were in their other house and managing their businesses. So they told my mother that they would want us to stay in their house so there will be someone to look after it while they are away. And it was a very major-major best idea ever! First is we will no longer pay for rent(less expenses for me..heheheh). Second is no more flooding, because the area is a bit sloppy and the house is a bit on top(for 7 year we lived in a place where flood always occur...T_T) Lastly, the place is 300% cleaner that the other houses we lived in, as in or maybe because the house was new. heheh. So here are some of the pics i took when we visit the house at El Rio which we are also living in right now.

Surigao Escapade: Enchanted River

The long and much awaited trip we were planning came to reality last May 22, 2011. About 1:00AM, we, the BoB and friends made our way to Surigao before the summer ended. Here are some of the pictures to share, first is Enchanted River in Hinatuan.

First pit stop is in Tagum Jolibee where Richard and Ma'am Mish are waiting for us. While on the road, I find their road lights very interesting. It is like a path that guides and lights us to our destination. The long stretch of yellow lights are simply beautiful, I manage to take a picture from the van we rented, it is a bit blur. Heheh.

We also stopped in San Franz to fetch Vice, our tour guide since he already been to Hinatuan. Vice's family live in San Franz and he went back to their home so we can simply grab him along the way.

This pic was taken in Barobo, I forgot who told me but he/she said its the boundary between Surigao and Agusan. We stopped hre because the driver had a little rest with coffee and bread after hours of driving.

And we finally arrived at Enchated River, Hinatuan. First thing to do is to pay the entrance and reserve a cottage, table or something. When we arrived there, there were already few families there. They are having their breakfast there. After eating our breakfast, we all go to the river and swim to the clear salted water of the said enchanted river.

Bed to Tongson Village to NCCC Mall to Bed Again

When I woke up this morning, I was confronted by my mother. I got shocked because I was not yet in my right mind (still sleepy..*bed....more bed time..beeeedddd). Most of the things she told me and what was happening around us was not yet registering into my sleepy mind. Then I wash my face (hilamos), brush my teeth and drink about 2-3 glasses of water. Then it all sunk in to me. My mother wants us to come with her to the lot be bought because my Aunt Lala and Uncle Nonoy from Lebak, Sultan Kudarat was going to fetch us to go there with then. Without having breakfast, I go along with then! Yeah! It was a nice thing the my aunt and uncle brought with then their service, an Isuzu Trooper.

So we arrived at the Tongson Village where my other aunt Vic and uncle Arnold (Spo 3 Arnold Agosto) was there busy attending and working with the construction of their house. Here are some of the pics there.

under construction

Spo 3 Agosto

Te Vic

Kol Nonoy, Te Lala, Te Nene, Mama

Night at Seawall Davao

Last Tuesday Mamy, Gelo and me went to Seawall. Its like a park by the sea, its known for its every controversial giant statue of David. We went there to unwind a bit. Also I want to try my new cam. I wanna see how it performs under a low light scenery. Here are some of the moments I captured while strolling and taking picture at "tatwa dabid". 

don't be shy, pics are clickable..

Panorama

bridge of lights

cute..lol

GE X500

GE X5

Early this year I saw GE X5 from Rated K show when they featured some cool new gadgets. The first thing that made me decide to wanna have one was its 15x optical zoom.  Second was about the cheap price, 10k pesos for a bridge camera. I told my self, "sorry ES60, you might have a rival soon." ES60 was a Samsung point-and-shoot camera I bought at Gmall last year, April 14 to be exact so I have a camera for my graduation. So since then, I kept on checking the web for infos about the said camera. I viewed reviews, specs list and sample images taken by the GE X5. By the way, the X5 is the first of its kind from GE, so I found some problems about it based from the review I read. And this product problems really lowered my expectations. So I decided to let go of the idea for having a new camera.

But last March 2011, as I was surfing the net and looking for some basic dictionary for photography terms I came a cross with GE X500 (searched aperture ge camera and from the model from a user's comment). Again, for the second time around, I got hooked to GE camera as I finish reading the specs of X500. I didn't find the previous problems with X5 in it and also there are some improvements compared to its older version. Almost all features and specs are still the same, even the look/design of the camera is the same. But the thing that I like about it that time was the 16 megapixel and the price is cheaper than of x5. Even though I really don't know what the 16mp is all about but I'm sure it was better than 14MP, right? hahah. So the feeling of wanting to have a GE camera came back again. And this time, I have the required resources. Heheh.

GE X500

Refreshing Watermelon

Want some? Watermelon is one of my favorite fruit during summer. The weather is hot and I easily get thirsty, so a nice slice of chilled watermelon is very relieving. It is also one of the best way to rehydrate during this hot season. Most of the time I am the one who do the honor of slicing the fruit. What I normally do is take about 1/4 slice of the whole fruit and then slice it into smaller pieces. But I will not eat from those slices, I cut a piece of mine from the 3/4 left. Hahahah. It is always me who will have a bigger slice among the rest. Besides, that is my prize for being the one who is slicing the watermelon for everyone. (greedylaugh)

Now, I have a way of eating watermelon, even my relatives and family notice it. As what they say, I am like having a coffee or a soup when I am eating a watermelon because of the sipping sound I am creating after I have a big bite from the slice. (big bite...hhaaab....heeiiiiiiipsh) I'm actually sipping the water from the piece I am biting. I have to do that because I do not like the fruit juice/water (I call it water since its a "water" melon..lol) from dripping to my fingers. Heheheh. Also when I finish eating, one can really distinguish which slice belongs to me because I always make sure that no red part of the fruit is remaining from the slice. It should always be the skin and the white meat of the watermelon left so that it is clean and nothing is wasted. Heheheh.

Cosplay, Toys and Pizza at Gmall Davao

Last Sunday there were lots of young people gathered at the atrium of Gmall. The second Mindanao Toy Convention was again help there and this time I got a chance to see the last day on the said event. There were lots of toy displays as expected that ranges from the cutest to the sexiest. But on my opinion, last year had more displays of toys than this year. The Toy Convention also have a Cosplay competition as part of their program. I'm not really familiar with the competition but there were two classifications of entries that time, original and non-original characters cosplay. Most of the people who came there brought with them their cameras. As you would look around the atrium, you would see lots of flashes, nikons here, canons there, pose here, smile there and everywhere. The atrium that time looked like Bankerohan, Davao wet market from the above view. Hehehe.

Chocolate Selection

My aunt brought a box of chocolate which was given to her by a relative from abroad. When we saw it, we immediately, tried the chocolate to determine which one is delicious and not. There are some chocolates that taste like a regular one but there are also those weird ones. Some actually taste like medicines when I tried it. After a day, the first set of the chocolate was consumed/eaten, so we took out the second/last set. Then we slowly eat the chocolates 1 by 1. When the last set is about half left, I decided to try those white colored chocolate. So I pick one and put it in my mouth. It taste good and tried again another one. After putting the chocolate in my mouth, I held the box on my hand and started looking for the markings where those chocolates are made from. Suddenly, something caught my attention. This was the markings that caught my attention by the way, "11 March 2011 - 15 April 2011". So I told myself, "(swallowed the remaining chocolate in my mouth) WTF! These are expired!" But it was too late, we already eat 3/4 of it. LOL. 

The moral of the story is that it's okay to judge the book by its cover. lol.

Fried Lumpia

Lumpia originated from China. The Chinese people brought lumpia to other places in Asia and from then on it started to evolve and variations came out. There are may ways to prepare lumpia, but for this post I'll show you how we make our Fried Lumpia.

About to be Deep-fried Goodies

Carrots and Mongo Sprouts

Ingredients:

• lumpia wrapper
• ground pork
• carrots
• mongo sprouts
• onion
• garlic
• bell pepper
• salt
• pepper
• vetsin

Ginataang Labong and Takway

My mother grow up in a rural place most of her life. She is very well verse with the life of a poor family and we are very blessed with that. Even in our most down times(financially), she can manage to feed us with delicious and nutritious food. One thing that contributes to minimal ways of our living is her Ilocano linage, where they are known to come up with a delicious menu out from weird, wild and unusual ingredients.

Now, the recipe I'm sharing is compose of three main ingredients. Labong or bamboo shoots, Takway or gabi/taro shoots and Gata or coco milk. The ginataan or ginataang term is derive from gata or coco milk, if a recipe has gata its mostly called as Ginataan. So for the recipe I'm sharing its referred to also as labong and takway with coco milk. And so, lets get on with the procedures and other ingredients.

Wella's Graduation Day

After spending 2 years in tertiary level, 6 years in elementary level, 4 years in high school and 4 years in collage level my younger sister Wella has finally graduated! It is a very big relief for my father who is working hard for our education. Now, we will have some extra income to invest in some business to have more income. YEHEY!

My sister took Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in University of Southeastern Philippines where I also finished my bachelors degree. The commencement ceremony took place at Central Bank Convention Center last April 15, 2011. Around 8 am that day, my father arrived from a 22 hours of travel via bus from a remote area somewhere in Zamboanga Peninsula. Even if he was very tired and his body ached he still manage to escort my sister to the graduation ceremony.  

we put hair dye on my father's hair when he arrived coz
his hair were mostly white.. preparation for sis graduation 

Outside the reception area

Wella and my father(the escort)

Sand and Sea Shell by the Sea Shore

Here are some of the sand and shell shots I have during our Island hopping. Some of the photos already appeared on my slideshow banner.

Harden

Beach

She'll See

My Birthday on Holy Thursday

Today happen to be my birthday. I am 23 years old now. A year older from yesterday. Today is suppose to be a party-party day. But this year my birthday falls on Holy Thursday so there's no party or celebration.

If you happen to be a non Christian pipz, you will ask about Holy Thursday and why we can't have a party or celebration in this day or time. According to Wikipedia, Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels. This day or this week is sacred to us Christians. This is the time we offer prayers, sacrifices in forms of fasting and other abstaining, visit churches and remembering the things that happen to our Lord Jesus Christ when he suffered on the cross and saved us from our sins.

Now, one thing I love about having my birthday falling on Holy Week is no expenses or if there is, it would be less. Hahahah. No party, no celebration equals less expenses, plus peaceful time with my family during these holidays! One way also of abstaining, and serves the purpose of Holy Week.

Zipline Adventure at Yellow Gate Davao

Zipline adventure was the main reason I went with my friends to Yellow Gate Adventure Resort. When we arrived and entered the resort, the first thing I noticed was the zipline platform. It was like a balcony with two cables connecting something to somewhere on the other hill. After a few minutes of chatting near the entrance and taking photos of the green, swinging and solemn scene we proceed to the rest house's living room for registration or autograph signing something.

Zipline Platform/Balcony	Safety Gears
After gearing up and autograph	On our way to the balcony

While some of us were busy signing the autograph or waiver, there were also some who were starting to geared up for the zipline. Of course, we have to wore some safety gears as an SOP(sure, okay pal) since we were from the city unlike Tarzan. Hehehe. So we wore a short like harness, which reminded me of the feeling of wearing an adult diaper when I was hospitalized years ago. Hehehe. Also a helmet, which I really do not understand its purpose because we were suspended for about hundred meters and I don't know if that would help us if we fell down or something. Hehehe.