Showing posts with label It's more fun in the Philippines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label It's more fun in the Philippines. Show all posts

Monday, October 21, 2013

Balangayan Camp! Walang Iwanan! Hooowaaah!




CAMPING


The last exhausting camp I attended was 9 years ago.  Well, I did some camping during high school but it was not as tiring, nor exciting. Good thing I was able to join this year's Balangayan Camp.  Good thing I was able to join this year's Balangayan Camp. It made me realize that I have to start doing some exercise and stretches because what I learned during my girl scout days were somehow getting rusty.


We arrived there at 9:00 and had an orientation with Sir Toby. He's the representative of Pilipinas Natin. He was there to guide and help our school's facilitators.


Who would feel tiredness in this kind of place? Morning walk on the 2nd day
After that we had our boodle lunch. Eating using my hands is not new to me because I always do it when I feel that using eating utensils does not match what is served on the table.
Another orientation was made by Sir Toby, where he told us what Pilipinas Natin is all about and its mission. It was made solely for the Filipino Youth. Empowerment and social engagement. The real stuff started at 2:00 pm. We had a short walk to the drill venue. The challenges were labeled as BUNDOK, PATAG and GUBAT.

First stop. BUNDOK. 


For me, the first stop is second in terms of difficulty. You have to pass 8 drills to go to the next level. I forgot what those obstacles are called, so, I'll just name them.


  • Tunnel (where-I-have-to-stoop-very-low-because-my-butt's-not-small-enough-to-fit)
  • The Horizontal Rope Tunnel (was-so-easy-because-I'm-small-and-pulling-myself-was-easypeasy)
  • The Swinging Tires (was-not-able-to-swing-to-the-last-tire-because-my-arms-were-too-tired...got-some-scratches) 
  • The Spider Web (was-able-to-roll-twice-because-I-was-too-excited-to-let-go-of-the-rope) 
  • The Tire Tunnel (easy-peasy...tsss)
  • _________________
  • _________________
  • Hiking (easy-peasy...tssss)

Troyka flashed her sweetest smile while doing the Tunnel Tire Obstacle. Haha.
So yeah. Selfie. Roxanne took these photos, she told me that the first photo did not look like that I'm on a challenge. So, I flashed my oh-so-I'm-so-tired-I-wanna-rest-pose. Haha


The Bundok challenge was an individual battle. It's between you and your fears. 



Second stop. PATAG

This was the hardest among the challenges for me, because it  made me physically weak and mentally drained. The challenges were:

  •  Drag Me
  •  Leadership Walk
  • ABC
  • The Don't Touch the Straw
  • Memory Game
  • Water Relay
  • Duck Walk
  • Mud Roll


Hello there, Agel! Haha
Lorenz dragging Jem.

PATAG challenges were designed for small groups to work together and help each other to accomplish all the tasks.



GUBAT. The Last Challenge.

This was the most fun part of the Balangayan Camp because we were able to pass the challenge while we were blindfolded. It was dark and muddy. The downhills and uphills were too steep and slippery. 

The small groups were formed as one team. And we formed a one long line in order to start the trek. The trick was you have to hold the straw as a guide with your right hand and put your left on the shoulder or waist of the person in front of you. 

The first person in the line will guide the whole team of the things they should do. The funny part was when every time that the team leader would shout the instructions, every one would follow him, so, everyone would duck. Imagine almost 40 people ducking at the same time? Haha.  



Our "we-did-it-because-we're-great" group photo.
Morning walk with my girlaloos. 




And I'm so happy that I have added a new entry in my sembreak video collection. Watch! 



Friday, May 24, 2013

Church Hopping in Iloilo


  It's my 4th time  in Iloilo but it was my first time to do church hopping. My 4-day and 3-night vacation was somehow worth it because I was able to visit 4 different 400-year-old churches in the province. You will be awed by how intricate the details of the churches were. I was awed. Haha. 


Inside Jaro Metrolopolitan Cathedral







My favorite was The Parish of St. Anne at Molo. But I haven't visited Miag-ao and San Joaquin Church yet. 

Will go there again with my friends. 




I'll try to post my day-by-day adventure in Iloilo before May 29. 
Happy 3rd year, fleryberry! 
Bye! 

  

Saturday, April 13, 2013

ALIWAN 2013


      It's my third time to see Aliwan here in Manila. 2011, I guess was the best because we were able to sit in a decent spot during the field demo at Quirino Grand Stand. And for me, last year's way better than this year's festival. 

Aliwan Festival is an event where you can experience Philippines' awesome culture at a time without buying any plane ticket and spending too much to see different traditions from Luzon to Mindanao.  
I haven't tasted mangoes from Zambales. But they say that they taste sweet like the girl's smile. 

Keep your head up, Manisan(Manisan - muslim word for beautiful)
 I know the word by heart because that's what my Muslim friends would call me. Haha.


In terms of costume, music and other stuff, participants from Mindanao are the best! Why? Watch next year's Aliwan and you'll know the difference. 




Medyo strong si Kuya
 My favorite group from the beginning, since 2011, Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival.

Tika! (Peek-a-boo)

Hala! Tribu Panayanon, birahi! 

I thought I would enjoy this year's Aliwan because I already have my DSLR, but then, I need to find a photography guild to enjoy it more next year. I've been inviting my friends to come with me, but, they have some other things to do. So, better luck next time. Haha. And I guess, I need to read my DSLR's manual again because my photos were crappy. 

OFF TOPIC: While I was waiting for the event to start, a man asked  my phone number, I was caught off guard and I did not know what to do. News flash, I just gave my number to a stranger. Hahaha. Tangengo. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

How old is your soul?


           
    My high school friend asked me to find this certain book for his course at Rex Bookstore at Recto, after that I went to school to meet my pilgrimage buddies. 
    I've been dreaming to do a pilgrimage; my 1st year college professor has been encouraging me to join her parish's trip. Subic was their first stop, I did not have moolah that time so I decided not to join. Poor me. And after a week, I got the chance to do it with my college buddies. It was fun!


 Our first stop was at our school's chapel. The Chapel of the Crucified Christ is our school's gem. It survived the WWII and is still standing firm. 



The second church we visited was Quiapo Church (The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, also known as Saint John the Baptist Parish ). 



We then walked from Quiapo Church to Sta. Cruz Parish.


My favorite was Binondo Church ( Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz) It looked so old outside but it's fully renovated inside. I'm in love with the paintings on the ceiling.  My friend also commented that the building's details were so elaborate. Very elaborate indeed. 




We got no luck when we went to Intramuros, our supposed visit to San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral was a major fail. Both churches were closed. I mean, there not open during the time we went there. We went to Malate Church to have our 5th stop. 



From Malate, the trip to Baclaran was very long due to the heavy traffic caused by some road maintenance stuff by the government. Yeah. 



Our 7th stop was the Church in MOA (Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life) Long name. 





It was a very productive day, after a week that I spent doing nothing, I'm so happy that I did something unforgettable this holy week. My funny friends Cherry and Nathan. So much win for this GIF! 

See? (Cherry's a mean girl) LOL


-fleryberry

Saturday, March 2, 2013

It's more fun when it's free.


     After a tiring week, we decided to go to SMX Convention Center for the Chefs on Parade 2013 event. I did not really want to go there because I want to take a rest and I did not have any moolah. But then, I only paid for the taxi fare. Haha. Lucky me. 
      


             Free taste. Everything's not free but I can say that it was worth it. 


Elegant table setting. The event was not just about food. From table setting to bar tending. I think it's a nationwide event because I heard some folks speaking different dialects.


 Candy. Ibong Adarna, entry by Lyceum of The Philippines. I asked my friend if what this thing is made up of. She said that it's a candy. And I did not ask her again. Haha


Sweets. 

     
Girlfriends. Anna was part of the competition. She's going to be a chef but I'm still best in terms of cooking "sinangag". Haha

"Sa mga itsura palang ng mga pagkain nabusog na ko. Parang may effect na, kakainin mo pa ba 'to? Sayang kasi." - Flery, 2013

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Kung Hei Fat Choi!



I decided to go to Binondo with some friends just to feel the Chinese New Year vibes. I have never seen the place at night and I'm happy that some of the photos that I took were...haha.   

We looked for a place to grab some dinner but all Chinese Restaurants-especially the good ones were full. Mang Inasal FTW! 



 Taoist Priest at Binondo Mall





Dragon Dance
Last day of having a good sleep and all day marathon. I can already feel the pressure. Chill. 

Hello, year of the snake! Ssssss. 

The people who made my day. 

Noob.