A weekend with my 2 favorite people

Since February, my mom has been bragging about going to Tagaytay. It's actually her favorite place to chill and pray, since there are lots of places of worship there. (super relihiyosa kasi ang mudra ko,obviously!)

And so, one fine Saturday morning, off we went to the south. The original plan was only to visit Pink Sisters, but, due to my insistent demand to go to the beach, we then decided to spend a night at Batangas.

We arrived at Pink Sisters Convent at exactly 10:30 a.m. It was just a short ride from my mom's place at Paranaque since we took the Cavite route. (hassle-free kahit medyo nagkanda-ligaw-ligaw kami at first!)

the kolokoy pose

After staying for an hour, we proceeded to Batangas. It's actually a challenge to Fritz since it will be his first time to drive this far. I brought a map with me (c/o google map) for us not to be lost. After a 2 hour of drive, we arrived at Nasugbu Batangas, where we searched for the cheapest yet comfortable accommodation. We then decided to choose Marlou Beach Resort after closing a deal of P1,500.00 a night for one room good for 3 people. Though it's only a fan room, it still catered our need for a little relaxation. (plus points pa ang super duper accommodating na staff!)

sayang at hindi ko naabutan ang 120 kph ng loko!

first glimpse of the beach

at may videoke pa!

mga cottages sa likod ng rooms

in all fairness, ang linis tignan ni 'lolo'

hilera ng rooms @ Marlou beach resort

hapunan

sa lahat ng lakad ko, never ako nagpagutom! hehe

goodmorning with hot choc and cappuccino

early in the morning beach bumming

hindi nya maachieve ang gusto kong peg!!

sana sinabi ni Fritz, para naayos ko board shorts ko! hahaha

bfast before leaving the resort

to the rooms

We left the resort early since we all wanted to visit Calaruega. Its just a short 1 hour drive from Nasugbu, Batangas.

ayun ah, 30pesos ang entrance fee

pretty...

nature 

my mom saying her prayers

ito ang hinarap namin upang matunton ang chapel sa tuktok ng bundok

pahinga before uwian

Caleruega certainly is astounding. It is a perfect place where you can peacefully commune with the Lord.

Feeling our tummies' growling of hunger, we then proceeded to Tagaytay to munch at Dencio's.

It truly is an amazing weekend when spent with my two favorite people.

Ifugao trip

Banaue Rice Terraces. When I was little, I only see this picturesque view on history books and postcards. Not until a friend invited us for an out of town trip to Ifugao, and guess what?? ALL EXPENSES PAID.


It was on the summer of 2010 that I got the chance to go to Ifugao. As I said, all expenses were paid, from the rented car, to the accommodations. Well, we didn't really have to pay for the accommodation since Kirk is a native of Ifugao and many of his relatives live there. But still, a free 8 hour long ride from Quezon City to Ifugao is a good bargain. hehe.


Indeed, it was an 8 hour drive from Q.C. We left Manila @ 12:00 midnight and arrived at Ifugao past 8:00 a.m. Here are some pix on our way..

stop over muna for yosi break

this is from Nueva Vizcaya View deck

me, fritz and n.a.

Nueva Vizcaya shrine (i forgot what it's called)

The plan was, to stay for a night @ Lamut (if I remember it correctly), where Kirk's relatives from his father's side lives. The place is good, and his relatives greeted us with their warm welcome. Since we just had an 8-hour trip, we rested a bit before we had our lunch. By noon, we all readied for the lunch.

boodle fight!!!

After the meal, Kirk invited us to go swimming on his friend's resort. (and again, for free)

And since I'm with my beau's friends, the inuman session will never be missed.

chat, me and n.a @ Little Ifugao

nakakamiss mga ganitong tagpo

me, chat, n.a

We spent the whole afternoon singing, swimming and just having a good time.

After that, we had a goodnight sleep.

The next day was our Banaue trip and since Kirk also have relatives in Lagawe, and the next municipality after Lagawe is Banaue, we stayed there for our second day. He rented a jeepney to bring us to Banaue Rice Terraces. It was roughly a 1 hour drive from Lagawe to Banaue.

The moment I glimpsed on the Rice Terraces, I was awed. 

since kaka-ani lang, wala na ang mga palay which makes the rice terraces color green

..but still, the place is fascinating

kumpletong group pic

from the left: Brix, Jay, Ron, Kirk, En, Fritz, Me, Bruce

imagine, the Ifugao people did this by their bare hands

magnificently done

bruce, fritz, me, n.a, ron, chat, jay, brix and kirk

kulitan sa ibaba.. hehe

The Banaue Rice Terraces is still impressively beautiful, (atleast for me), though I guess its much prettier during the earlier years. I just wish the government of Ifugao will do everything they could to preserve this majestic beauty. Until then, I hope I'll get to visit it again, but I'm praying that the next time, it will fascinate me more.

(nakakalungkot, ung area kasi na pinapaligiran ung rice terraces e napuno na ng illegal settlers, disappointing kasi, imbes na tulungan ang gobyerno to rehabilitate it.... well, i don't know what they do. I wish the next time I visit it will be the time when again, its a nominee for the 7 Wonders of the World)