Dahilayan

Dahilayaners

Last month we as a family went to Mindanao for a road trip with our awesome Aunt Zeny and Uncle Fernie.  Most of us grew up in Iligan City with occasional trips to Lala, Lanao del Norte and Cagayan de Oro, you could say that we also feel very much at home down south.  We stayed over at the Dahilayan Forest Park in Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.  The park is located at the foot of Mount Kitanglad 4,700 ft. above sea level.  Before going on further, let me trace you back to the genesis of this road trip.  Warning, awesomeness right after the jump.

2012

Sayonara 2012

If you look that the Archives carefully, you'll notice that this is the very first post title that would probably make sense to you.  Yes, last year I decided I am ending my one-word post titles.  Twenty Twelve was a year of milestones.  It was a year of change but it was also a year of recollection, reconnection and re-evaluation. 

Wander

"Not all those who wander are lost."

What is Wander?  I have no idea but the beautifully designed startup website draws users to register to find out more.  So I did, yet there's still a large big chunk of the puzzle missing.  If you haven't registered yet, you'll see this on the site's front page.

Sanctuary

To The Reception Area

Bohol is full of surprises and today was one of those treasured moments.  The place we went to was located in a very remote area in Panglao and though I have read about this place in the papers, I never get the chance to visit until today.  The place exceeded my expectations and I was quite surprised why this place was never featured frequently on tourist destinations here in Bohol.  If you are ever coming to Bohol, please do drop by to this truly magical and wonderful place.  From here on, let the photographs speak for themselves.

Kanlungon

Alona Kew

Yesterday we officially started summer 2012 as a family by giving ourselves a treat to our favorite and secret beach in Kanlungon.  We made a few stops on the way though.  For the longest time, we revisited Alona Kew Beach Resort and its neighboring resorts.  The place has transformed over the years to a Boracay-ish kind of feel with the addition of restaurants, bars and resorts.  We just scoped out the place and found a shade while my sister and I did her levitating attempts.

Fun

Today, the Department of Tourism finally launched a brand new theme for Philippine Tourism - fun.  You've seen the hype on Twitter and the brand new website.  Also, this campaign is supposed to be fueled by social media like it's a new thing - I don't know what is the fuss about that but on that note you have probably noticed that I am not all out in this campaign.

Tourism Campaign For International Use

Sure thing, it is more fun and even better than the last failed attempt of "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" yet still if we were to be on par with other countries, they should have beefed up "WOW Philippines" instead.

Enchanted

This is one of those seasons that you and your family are probably gearing up for Enchanted Kingdom.  I would like to recollect my experience which happened around a couple of years ago.  If you really are planning a visit to Enchanted Kingdom, please do read Possibly Pinay's Enchanted Kingdom Holiday Survival Guide.

100 Light Years to Enchanted Kingdom

I don't know if this has already changed but a couple of years ago we drove to Sta. Rose from Makati and couldn't find a sign anywhere. Jollibee and other fastfood stores have done better by placing signs almost 20km away from the site but for EK? Nada. We knew the lines would be crawling if you do not go there early so we went to Sta. Rosa early but we end up going in circles asking for directions. Apparently, some of the locals don't know the place either. When we finally saw a sign, "To Enchanted Kingdom" you could actually the site -- and the queues were depressing to look at.

Boracay

I have been working here in Kalibo, Aklan for a year now yet I have never set foot at the famous Boracay Island.  I have my reasons.  First, the fare and the accommodation would amount to the same as going home to Bohol.  I would always choose the latter.  Second, I don't like crowds.  If you have been a following this blog (and you should) notice that I do not post (or tweet) about going to bars, concerts and whatnot.  Again, I have my reasons for that and probably will discuss on a separate post.  Anyway, this time I had another set of reasons why I should go to Boracay.  First, it was free almost free.  Second, I have two days more to spend on my days off.  I feel that my stay in Kalibo won't be much longer now at least I can visit Caticlan and Boracay for the time being free.  Thanks by way to my good friend Randy Miasco, CEO of RJM Travel Services.  This is not a sponsored post but if you plan on traveling  he can help you out.

Be Right Back

The primary purpose of this trip was mainly business.  The second we got there we hit the road and visited almost all the hotels found on stations 1,2 and 3.  I admit I had high expectations before I came.  With all the hype shown on the television and magazines, I thought Boracay would be somewhat different.  I was not really impressed as people often compare Boracay to Bohol and I think majority would say that Boracay is much better than Bohol "hands down".  Whatever that means.

TrafficDito

TrafficDito is a Metro Manila traffic updates from people stuck in it.  The concept is pretty simple:  use Twitter to share traffic updates within the metro and let TrafficDito filter these tweets and place them in one beautiful stream.  TrafficDito is designed by, um, who knows?  Anyway, I get to play with their  iPhone app currently in Beta, thanks to some Peanut who gave me the invite.  Some of you have heard or who even read my review of the MMDA iPhone app might say, "oh another traffic app like the MMDA iOS app."  Well, yes and no.

[UPDATE] TrafficDito is now available in the app store!

TrafficDito Website

There are already 3 Metro Manila traffic iOS apps and they are free.  You have the MMDA, Metro Traffic Live! and StreetSmart and they are pretty much redundant in terms of features with some minor differences.  So how does TrafficDito differ from these apps?  Yes, this is an another Metro Manila traffic app and no, it's not an MMDA copycat.  It's a totally different spin that will appeal much to Twitter power users.  Non-Twitter-ers are still lost in translation when  it comes to a "tweet", "Twitter" and "to tweet".

Homeward

Migriño, not Migrino

I will be flying back home to Bohol on the 3rd! I miss home, our dogs, our kitchen and my family. I made a short list that I need to accomplish in two weeks time. I'll be flying with Airphil Express (see my revamp of the Airphil Express blog here) from Iloilo to Cebu then Cebu to Tagbilaran via fast craft.

I made this list so that I'll have reachable goals when I get home and not just stare at this, whole day!

All things bright and beautiful!

I'm going to enjoy breakfast again with this in front of me. Read my bible and have coffee the usual but this list will help me to be more productive since I have more resources at home like: a much faster internet connection, a camera and my sister Scarlet as my personal slave assistant.

Tourism

Pilipinas Tara Na! Logo

The Department of Tourism just launched the updated, expanded and probably more polished version of the 2004's tourism campaign, Biyahe Tayo (Let's Travel). Recorded by 57 of the country’s leading musical artists and entertainment personalities, the music video is just the first of three installments of songs and videos under this current campaign. While the video was mostly welcomed by most netizens, I know find myself (again) in an odd position. I expected more than a remake or a polish of an old campaign. After all the brouhaha of Pilipinas Kay Ganda and the hooplah of the current logo which looked like Batibot, I was still hoping they could somehow pulled it off. Something creative, new and innovative.

Don't Get Me Wrong

Before you stone me with Pan de Sal, I just want to make it clear that the video was good. Really! If you try to separate the video and the song from the campaign and it's horrible Batibot logo, it would really stand out. 57 music artists, that's a lot of talent there. I would probably give the video a 5-star rating if I own 5 stars.

Been There, Done That

So why all the negative comments? Ya heard of the line - polish a turd it's still a turd? Basically it means it's still the same. It's like the same old product with a new package. It's the same old idea with more stars. I don't know but I haven't read any blog posts about comparing the current music video to the last one. So far I've read this one guy's Facebook status that he prefers the original version the newer one. You know most part 2's don't do so well. The original version received such praise because it was the first time something like that was organized and recorded for a tourism campaign. Instead of focusing on how to get the attention of both local and foreign travelers to visit the Philippines you now have another problem which is trying to outpace the former with the later.

Airlines

Zestair Mock-up

Planning a trip is not a walk in a park especially when you have to scout every airline company for special promotions.  That means you have to visit each website one by one and compare travel fares.  Then, the moment you decided on a flight - it changes status.  No kidding, I've been there a lot of times.  Often times these websites are difficulty to manage.  I've already said it a lot of times, I'm no designer but I've read web design books and experienced websites themselves and most of the Philippines airlines websites are not as friendly as they should be.  If my aunt can finally book her flight all by herself, then that'll be the day that someone finally thought of giving customers a good experience.  Bad experience is as the same as bad passenger experience like, this guy.  A lot of people have credit cards but I still wonder why they flock to the nearest travel agency to book a ticket - they don't know how to use the website. Ah, if people would just stick to the idea of giving a service that's awesome!  Anyway, I've dug through four airline company websites and their respective social networks.

Philippine Airlines
Asia's First, Shining Through
Follow @flyPAL


Zest Airways Inc. 
Asia's Most Refreshing Airline
Follow @ZestAirZ2

Singapura

Singapore Sunrise

I've been procrastinating for a year (oh yeah!) on my trip to Singapore last year.  Well it's a year now since the last time I visited Singapura.  But I know I had to after reading Mindanaoan's post on her Singapore escapade.  Anyway, here's a short post on my Singapore trip last year plus some tips.

Travel Blogger - Not

I envy travel bloggers on how they can write their trips painstakingly in detail.  So let's skip the part where I went to the airport, boarded, flew, landed, got my documents stamped and rode Mazzie on our way home in Singapore.  I'm not a travel blogger but sometimes I try to be and this is actually an attempt.  Anyway, unlike travel bloggers who travel (obviously) to a certain place and stay for like 2-3 days, this trip was not like that.  I stayed in Singapore for almost two months.

The first two weeks I was home sick.  Despite all the peaceful place, the disciplined traffic, the food (we'll tackle that later) I miss home.  This trip was not just a visit to Singapore it's also a chance for me to catch up with my Dad.  Every year it's either he comes home or some of us go their to visit him.  Yes, it's expensive but it's a must for a family to be together at least twice a year.

I deleted my Singapore photos on my Flickr account so you just have to rely on my words here.

Singlish



I think it's like an unwritten rule that before you go somewhere else, you at least make some research about the place better yet, ask some friends who have been there.  Even better, if you have friends and relatives staying in Singapore ask them to guide you. Singlish makes Singapore unique.  I know the above video you can hear laughing on the background, don't mind him.  You have to flex your listening muscles and skills to learn and understand Singlish.  Also try to research terminologies because usually they are fixed.  For example "to reload" credits to your mobile phone you must say "top up" or else they won't understand you.

Aery

Cake Garden Place

Cinnamon summer is now breezing in and if you're planning to take a next trip to Bohol, do check out Cake Garden Place.  Cake Garden Place is located at Unit 6, Seaview Apartment, Bool District Tagbilaran City.  It's one block away from the Sandugo Shrine and 15-20 minutes away from the city proper.  It gives you an aery feel to your Bohol experience.

Englewood Hospital is also just around the corner should there be any emergency arise.  Basically you're smacked right in the middle between the Dauis Junction and Baclayon, in other words you can have the best of both places.



The main package is 3,300Php good for 4 persons.  Two bedrooms fully air-conditioned, one common bathroom/toilet, fully functional kitchen with refrigerator, WIFI and cabled TV.  The best part probably is waking up to a scenic and peaceful sunrise with free breakfast served fresh and hot.  It is overlooking the island of Panglao and also sunsets are a treat.  Evenings are usually graced with activities from the Bool Barangay Hall:  basketball games, volleyball games and the like.