*photos clockwise: REGION VIII Pintados Photo by Eric Dee; REGION I Bangui Windmills; REGION V Bulusan Lake; Region VII Sea Traffic; REGION VI Maskara Festival Bacolod Photo by Eric Dee; Region X World Class Endemic Bird Specie – Mt. Kitanlad Bukidon

Tired of going to the same vacation spot over and over again? Don’t deprive yourself of the joy of exploring new places to visit when you decide to take that much needed break. Continue Reading »

Are you a constant traveler? The passionate type who just need to get away at least once a week and just explore? Doesn’t matter if its a day trip or weekend sojourn out of town as long as its fun because it just adds color and zest in your life. Operative words “fun”, “color” and “zest”..I got your attention now right? And you are wondering where M&M’s come into the picture..okay, hold your horses. Continue Reading »

The Zoomanity Group and Yupangco Group of Companies through Alex Dizon invited us once again to another of their adventure nature parks. It was a couple of days before my birthday so it was a great treat for me, my sister, cousin and blogger-friends. It was a crossover experience between Indiana Jones and an African Safari or was it more like after Noah disembarked the Ark’s animals..the photos says it all!

Zoobic Safari is the ONLY Tiger Safari in the Philippines. Located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone (the former American Naval Base), it boasts of 11 unique attractions guaranteed to make one’s visit a most thrilling and memorable one. A member of the Residence Inn Group, it started its operations in January, 2004 and since then it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

(Mr. Yupangco cuts the ribbon to the Forbidden cave; the animals inside the cave, Apatot Tree, tree planting with the Boy Scouts of the Phils.)

(Our Tiger Encounter and Savannah trip)

(The bunkers used before by the Americans are now used to shelter the animals during harsh weather conditions; our Crocodile Encounter; and Bird Sanctuary trip)

(A walk trough trip to view different birds, monkeys, deers, Albino Carabao; different fuzzies and the porcupines)

(More fuzzies; bunnies, deers; Ostrich Eggs; and our Camel Encounter)

(More deers, billy goats, donkeys, miniature horses, turtles; our Reptile Encounter; and that’s me before the animal parade)

(Our Baby Tiger experience and photo shoot; the Aeta ritual dance; and the animal parade)

(The animal parade is truly exciting and extraordinary because each has their own splash of personality when they come out)

*Thank you again Zoomanity Group, Yupangco Group of Companies and Alex Dizon!

Fresh from Lucban, Quezon’s Pahiyas Festival my sister and I trooped to La Loma, Quezon City to witness it’s Lechon (spit-fire roasted pig) festival. From what i gather its celebrated every third of May (thanks http://recyclebinofamiddlechild.blogspot.com/2010/05/lechon-festival.html) And yes its also our first time to witness it!

Lechon store owners dress up lechons to a different theme each year (this year seems like an election hype) and the pompous, the unique, the creative..the better! my favorite this year is of course the DIVA lechon..move over celine Dion hehe!

A lechon store owner was gracious enough to allow us to take photos where they spit-roast and might I say, its terribly hot there! Truly a labor of love but the result is a sumptuous golden-red and crispy roasted pig (pardon vegetarian friends and PETA).

The whole stretch of La Loma bears witness to this tradition or more like still booming business because you will be welcomed with lechon in all shapes and sizes, you can buy it whole, De Leche (suckling pig), by kilo, chicharon (crackling), etc.

Lechon has been a staple at Filipino gatherings, symbolizing success, bounty and sharing your blessings.. even abroad ( I know some of my relatives in Seattle and California maintain this tradition).

We were amazed to say the least..we’ll be there next year most definitely!

*Thank you Mila’s Lechon, La Loma City council and La Loma Firefighters Association

*photos taken with SAMSUNG ST550

“According to the oral and recorded history of Lucban, the Feast of Saint Isidore was first observed by the native Tagalogs who used to settle at the foot of Mt. Banahaw during the early Christianization of the natives of Lucban, Tayabas circa 1500. Then known as “MALUBAN” or “COLUMBAN”, the whole community of Lucban conducted a simple celebration as a form of thanksgiving to the ANITOs for the good harvest of farm products such as palay, vegetables, fruits, and fish. “

The word “KIPING” was derived from the root word “KIPI” or “KINIPI” and “KINIKIPI”, a local term which means “to dehydrate the extra water content out of the dough by putting heavy object on it”.

- History of the Pahiyas (www.pahiyasfestival.com)

The word “PAHIYAS“, derived from the local vernacular “PAYAS” meaning “decoration or to decorate”. The “PAHIYAS” has since been used to describe the colorful festival of Lucban. Though there was no factual recorded history of its first used, it was during the middle part of the 1970s when the festival was known as the Pahiyas Festival.

- History of the Pahiyas (www.pahiyasfestival.com)

DEALO Koffee Klatch

DEALO KOFFEE KLATCH started out as a canteen, serving employees of DEALO INDUSTRIES in December 1970. The drive to enter the competitive market and develop products to the consumers compelled Milada Dealo Valde to open it to the public. Thus, DEALO KOFFEE KLATCH was established (kaffeeklatcsh is a German word which means coffee chat). The newly opened coffee shop where one can chat with families and friends was an instant hit in Lucban, Quezon – the home of DEALO KOFFEE KLATCH.

Sulyap Arts and Antiques

Sulyap Arts and Antiques is an ancestral house originally situated at Quezon province. Located at the Old Cocoland Hotel Compound in San Pablo City, Laguna, it offers a variety of items and collectibles as far back as 1800. -  www.sulyap.net

Despite the horrendous traffic and almost missing the bus I’d say this road trip is so worth it! It is recommended to plan Pahiyas Festival Trip 2011 a week in advance and be there a day in advance..simply put, a day is not enough to experience this wonderful festival.

*Thank you SAMSUNG, Province of Quezon, DEALO Koffee Klatch and Sulyap Arts and Antiques.