117th Philippine Independence Day

Hi everyone....yeah, it's been a long time since my last blog post and actually this post was happened almost one month ago.

Through the sponsorship of Fareastone Telecom in Taiwan, this 117th Philippine Independence Day celebration was a successful. And by this time they make it more colorful and meaningful. With the theme Masskara Festival, one of the most prestigious festival in the Philippines and was originated in Bacolod.

Masskara Festival was the main contest event in this celebration.

ABOUT MASSKARA FESTIVAL

Masskara Festival was born during the period of crisis in Bacolod, Philippines. Many people in Bacolod much relied with sugar cane product but due to the American introduction of sugar substitute and the sugar cane price became low. And during that year there was a tragedy including prominent families from Bacolods.  From the City of Smiles,the local government and civic groups decided to hold a festival of smiles to cheer up the Bacolodians from the gloomy atmosphere.

In additional there are Pinoy celebrity guests including Mr. Sam Milby and Birdy, she gain popularity after the Superstar singing contest here in Taiwan. and now she's releasing her solo album "I'm BIRDY".

This was happened last July 17, 2015 in TIME SQUARE No. 161, Sec. 1 Zhongshan Rd. Banqiao District, New Taipei, Taiwan.

Though it's a little bit sunny in the morning till noon,, we enjoyed a lot but too the bad, in the afternoon the rain was crazy..so we decided to go home with the my companions.

Filipino Community in Hualien Taiwan delegates.

I'm Proud to Be PINOY!!!

For more information about the history of Masskara Festival (Philippines) pls. visit this website Wikipedia.org and also PHILIPPINE TOURISM


Photo Credit : EEC Taiwan

OFW's Celebrate the 116th Philippine Independence Day in Taiwan

Overseas Filipino Workers ( OFW ) in Taiwan celebrated the 116th Philippine Independence Day in Banqiao, New Taipei on July 15, 2014.

About Philippine Independence Day

Independence Day is Araw ng Kasarinlan also known as Araw ng Kalayaan in Filipino term which literally means "Day of Freedom". It was a national holiday were Filipinos commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain which observed on June 12.

We, Filipinos in every part of Taiwan gathered and unified as one to celebrate this day of freedom. It was very memorable experienced especially for us Filipino Community in Hualien, Taiwan delegates. We wake up early about 4:00 in the morning because we want also to be part of the celebration. We travel by bus about 4 hrs from Hualien to Taipei. Even though we experienced dizziness in travelling 2 hrs. zigzag road still we enjoyed this journey and it was a great experienced for us.

Filipino Community in Hualien Taiwan delegates

The celebration was started by a Catholic mass followed by the program featuring Filipino cultures from different Filipino groups and organizations working here in Taiwan.

Opening Remarks by our Department of Labor and Employment Director in Taiwan and Tourism Organization and Taiwanese friends.

There was also a parade from different Filipino basketball teams because it was also the opening of IF Basketball League.

IF Basketball League

 Next was the presentation of Filipino cultures joined by Cordillera Group, Ilonggo Seafarers Org., Ilonggo Foundation and many more...

Choir members wearing Philippine costume 

Because it was also the celebration of Migrant Workers day they brought  also ABS- CBN Kapamilya Network celebrities for more fun and enjoyment.

One of the highlight event featuring Doris and Sabel "Pambansang Katulong" through Kapamilya Network telenovela Be Careful with My Heart where they act as caretakers. And also they brought Billy Joe Crawford a PhilAm singer actor, and host.

There are also different booths where you can subscribe TFC or The Filipino Channel to make sure Filipino feel at home while watching Kapamilya telenovelas. There are also payment booth for those who want to pay their GSIS, SSS and PhilHealth.This are government agencies where they encourage Filipinos to join for more benefits. There is the booth of The Migrants, a Filipino newspaper. And there is also food booth for those who miss Filipino foods.

I'm proud to say PILIPINO AKO.

Enchanted Kingdom: The Magic Stays with You

Way back November 2011, I was given the chance to visit and enjoy an amazing amusement park on my birthday. Together with my family we pack up our bag, foods and things needed in travelling. My sister in law who got the discounted tickets through online. She made a treat with us and we are blessed because finally we will enjoy another day of our life.  Because it was a family day we also expected that there are many excursionists who will go there on that day.

Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park located in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines. It is about 29 km away from Manila. The main entrance was resembles like Disneyland just like what in Disneyland Movies. and here it is.

Photo Credit: enchantedkingdom.ph

Here are the lists of the Enchanted Kingdom Park Zones for you to have a lists in your travel plan going to this place.

1. VICTORIA PARK - It was inspired by the era of Queen Victoria's rule and displays in its elegance. There are entertainers and mascots in this area of the park, and most notably, the entertainer was ELDAR and the mascot was the mascot of Enchanted Kingdom.

Attraction : Carousel.
Merchandise : Grand Era Gifts, Parkside Sweets and Culinary Delights, Stroller/Locker Rental,  Victoria       Scrapbooks Souvenirs.

2. PORTABELLO - it was the replica of Portabello, a place in Panama in the Carribean Sea where the riches Incas where shipped by the Spaniards. It features treasures hidden by the Spanish sailors. Portabello hosts the Rio Grande- the largest attraction in the park.

Attractions:

• 4D Discovery Theater - 4D Film Theater
• Flying Fiesta - Wave Swinger
• Rio Grande Rapids - River Rafting Rides
• Shake, Rattle and Roll : The Experience!!! (SRR : X!!!) - Haunted attractions
• Xtreme Paintball
• Disc-O-Magic - Dick'O Rides

Merchandise : Discovery Photo, Enchanted Kingdom Cafe, Stir Fried Rice, Purefood TJ Hotdog Kiosk,     Treasure Island Gift and Rio Grande Photo

3. BOULDERVILLE - prehistoric theme with dinosaurs as main characters. There are rides designed for childrens. Puppets shows and dinosaur mascots are found in this area.

Attractions:

• Air Pterodactyl
• Bouncing Boulders Mini Drop Tower - Drop Tower
• Boulderville Express - Train Ride
• Bumbling Boulders - Teacups
• Dinosaurs 
• Petreefied House
• Stone Eggs - Kiddie Ferris Wheel
• Bouncing Boulders
• Rock Quarry

Merchandise: Ice Age Ice Cream, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs Kiosk, Stone Age Souvenirs

4. MIDWAY BOARDWALK - colorful and carefree zone inspired by in a Coney Island, known as America's Playground. The attractions around this place mostlu including mimes, jugglers and clowns.

Atrractions :

• Anchor's Away - Pirate Ship Ride
• Bump 'n Splash
• Dodgem - Bump Cars
• EKstreme Tower Ride - Drop Tower
• Midway Games
• Roller Skater - Vekoma Junior Coaster
• Steeplechase Archade - Arcade Games
• Up, Up and Away - Balloon Ride
• Wheel of Fate - Ferris Wheel

Merchandise : Feltman's, Harry Houdini's Magic Shop, Henna Tattoo and Face Painting, Purefoods TJ     Hotdog Kiosk, Sips Ahoy, Stir Fried Rice

5. BROOKLYN PLACE - is a theater and shopping designed after 1940's Brooklyn, New York were slapstick comedies and silent movies are reminisced.

Attractions:

• Broadway and Brooklyn Shows
• Parade at the Cobblestone Street
• Rialto (now in 3D) - Simulator Ride

Merchandise : Soda Fountain, Five N' Dime Emporium

6. SPACEPORT - inspired by sci- fi films and NASA space program. Notably 11- Storey Ride, Space Shuttle that stands out in the park and it was the first shuttle coaster in the Philippines.

Attractions:

• Bandstand
• Eldar's Tent
• Kart Trak - Kart Racing
• Jr. Kart Trak - Kiddie kart Racing
• Launch Time
• Space Shuttle Max - Vekoma Boomerang Roller Coaster
• Laser Mission

Merchandise : Pizza Hut

7. JUNGLE OUTPOST - offers a jungle adventure. It was deigned after the Amazon Jungle.

Attractions:

• Amazon Hoops
• Jungle Log Jam - Log flumes
• Swan Lake
• Tropics Trading Post

Merchandise : Amazon Grill, Amazon Rice Meals, Burgers, Jungle BBQ Kiosk, Jungle Photo, Purefood TJ   Hotdogs Kiosk, Taco's (Mexican Outlet)


When the night comes, everybody was excited because the entire place was lit up with many lights and you will truly experience the fairy castle you can never imagine. And It was the best scene I've ever seen in my life especially when I tried the Wheel of Fate which was riding the ferris wheel. And if you where at the top it was really amazing and it was awesome because you can see the entire place full of lights. I cannot explained what I feel when I'm on the top looking at the place and you never feel feared or scared because what you can only see was a bright world.

Photo Credit: travelphilippinesnow.com

Unforgettable Puerto Galera : Swimming Mode in Day 1

As I mentioned to my first post about White Beach in Puerto Galera, this beach was very beautiful and popular among Filipino tourists. Many Filipino tourists flocks here during Holy Week. The rate of accommodation during Holy Week was increased and sometimes private houses was also rented because hotels and lodging inns in the area can no longer accommodate the numbers of visitors.

Before we went there we already reserved a lodging inn because it's Holy Week and expect the large numbers of tourists going in and out there. And to surprised we have a VIP escort with car going to our lodge which we reserved. We have our VIP treatment (just feeling great). Then we go straight to the lodge and put our luggage in our room and the we go out to find a restaurant for gastronomy. After we ate we went back to our lodge and take a rest for awhile to regain energy for our swimming mode.

View facing from front of Villa Cristine Resort

The feeling was great as if you relieve all your problems because of the nature. You can relax your mind, your body and your soul. I enjoyed a lot looking at the nature. The weather is good that's why we enjoyed even more.

Here in Philippines have also it's tropical fruit. Many kinds of fruits are found here. Some are not just seasonal but they bear fruits the entire year like coconut tree. The owner of the lodge offered us a fruits which they harvested from what they planted on their farm. What a very kind and generous lodge owner, isn't it? We enjoyed the fruits which they gave us.

Here are the fruits offered by the lodge owner.

Banana...la Banana..

Philippines are also a banana and mango exporter.

Philippine Mango

Philippine Pomelo

What a great to start the day that full of blessed coming from the nature.

Just me..

Eating fruits can make your body healthy. And can prevent some sickness because of vitamins coming from the fruits.

Unforgettable Puerto Galera | RO RO your Boat, Gently Down the Sea Stream

Philippine archipelago is surrounded by water that's why it has many beautiful beaches to visit in this country. One of the best beaches here are found in the province of Oriental Mindoro.  Puerto Galera was located in the southwestern end of the Isla Verde Passage and it is the northwestern most municipality province of Oriental Mindoro.

Puerto Galera has one of the most highest diversity of marine species in the world and some of the most diverse coral reef diving in asia.  Among the famous beaches in Puerto Galera are SABANG and WHITE BEACH because it has an active nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants. Sabang Beach is the main destination for foreign tourists while White Beach remains popular to local travelers.

Going to Puerto Galera was one of my unforgettable moments. I'm full of excitement because of those breathtaking views. You just have to say WOW...that was beautiful.

Here are some shots we took while we are on board going to Puerto Galera.

RORO means Roll-on Roll-off, one of the main transportation in going to white beach in Oriental Mindoro.