CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH PILAR PILAPIL

I am awfully sorry for pulling the disappearing act for 7 days.It was during my leisure hours when I got the chance and began to engrave this short diary.
Reasonably, I had been occupied in some other work.I would have updated this blog if it's not being taken away from busyness.
Last August, I posted my trip experienced at Baguio.I relatively wrote at the coming part near the end of my writings "my up-close meetings" with a veteran Actress-Beauty Queen, whom I refused to mention as a respect to her, though,she had shown an inclement gesture because of the persistence I made of asking her for a picture taking, politely.
A week ago, while I was in SM-Dasma waiting for my friend, I had thought of dropping by at National Bookstore to avoid boredom.Instantaneously, while turning around towards the center of the bookstore, I was unpurposely passed through the Biographical section and saw this book " The Woman Without A Face".The picture was vividly clear to me that it was the young Pilar on front cover.
Immediately the recollections happened leading me to remember in what manner she swelled up by raising her voice at me.That paused me for awhile and took my time to reading half way of the book as it was the only one unwrapped with a plastic.
The book was written by herself-Pilar Pilapil was once a beauty queen representative to the Miss Universe before she joined the tumultuous world of showbiz.
Upon reading her personal testimony, my norms of passing judgment has changed and that's when I got to know her as an Actress and a person.She shamelessly revealed everything included the dark side of her life, how she went through the ups and down of life till she succeeded and found all the answers of her questionings through Christ.
I had learned of my reading on her book, that even celebrities and famous people aren't exempted of the problems coming in.What inspired me most was her strong personality as Pilar Pilapil as she is, amidst of the lewd act being done by a man-blood related to her.
She could have committed suicide in a way that her integrity was ruined, yet, she made it on top as a beauty queen and one of the most sought actresses in the country during her time.
She had failed in love several times to a different men with the hope she could find the right man for her. Her decisions of surrendering it all to God brings peace and happiness that settled her life to a woman with the face.
Well, I found myself entertained and amused of my reading.The moment you'll read her book the Pilar Pilapil whom we know as villain, antagonist both TV and movie is a different Pilar in person.
Many asked previously, why did I bother myself to have a picture taking with this not so old yet, mataray Actress?
Well, she's a veteran actress and considerably one of the pillars of the Philippine Movie.She's intelligent and one of a few local celebrities who can express herself in plain, yet, refine English.Lastly, she's a good actress  when we say a veteran, she made history.

My Trip to Baguio

I still clearly remember my first trip to Baguio last December 2006. That was my first time to spend the yuletide season away from my akin.
The trip I had last 2006 at Baguio wasn't mainly emphasizing on tour around the Pine city but a Youth Spiritual Conference. Practically, we stayed most likely in teacher's Camp throughout the 2 weeks.
Nonetheless, we tried to sneak out in the midst of the Conference just to find out how beautiful Baguio was.
My propensity or inclination to travel ignited once more when my cousin that just works in Baguio invited us to spend most of the weekend there.
We chose to leave at 11 pm at Pasay-Victory Liner Bus Station so that we can arrive in Baguio early morning of 5. Time expected to arrive by 5 wasn't met because the road traverses to Marcos highway densely filled or covered with thick fog which the driver was hard to see through the way up to Baguio.
The foothills nor the mountains can't speak the coldness of the morning, due to the garment of fogs worn over the Pine city. I haven't seen such a fog bank or mass of thick fog during the rainy season as thick as that in Baguio.
At the immediate moment of our arrival in Baguio, we decided to look for a place to stay in for a while since we lost contact with our cousin. We found one that wasn't a so expensive hotel, so to speak.
We stole some quiet moments to take some snapshots early morning as the freezing wind shooing the shrouding fog to clear the city.
I continue to demand steadily prioritizing Camp John Hay as our primary destination since it's the only place in Baguio I haven't visited, yet, on the contrary, it was the second to the last place we had stopped.
We had our sumptuous lunch in "little John Hay resto" before we went to Hotel Manor, the extravagant hotel in Camp John Hay.
The hotel that we had checked in was adjacent to Burnham Park and 500 meters away from SM. Baguio is the third shopping spree in main Luzon because of its affordable and known to be the ukay-ukay capital of the Philippines or wag-wagan by Ilocanos.
Looking for some good quality of ukay-ukay yet affordable? hit Baguio as a place for digging imported clothes while chilling out.
Honestly, Baguio is already a crowded, moderately polluted city, however, you won't feel any stress because of the relaxing and soothing weather. I think one way to stress out all the casualty and causative is to try the healing wonders of "weather therapy".Especially those worry-warts, consider Baguio as a healing place to freeze the anxiety and break the frozen ice of misfortunes in life.
As we were climbing aboard, a veteran Philippine Actress who usually plays the villain, a pure mestiza former Miss Philippines was also a fellow passenger. She seated in front of our seats. It's because we recognized her, we politely asked for a picture which I personally approached here in a certain.
Conceitedly she responded with pride to give her enough time for a catnap with raising her voice sufficient for the other passengers to look back astonishingly.
I couldn't believe that she was that nagger off-cam.
After a while she apologized for being so mean, knowing that we're professionals. If she's weren't a veteran actor we wouldn't waste time on picture taking.

A great souvenir from Baguio is to have a picture taking with the Igorot...


Different SM among the SM malls.....no need to use of air conditioner at all.


Three of a kind...which above us is SM-Baguio.


Hanging out at Burnham with my cousin....


The El Kabayo of Baguio....trimmed with different colors...refused to smile 'coz of the obnoxious odor of the dung thing.


Leaning the Mansion gate's.......


The White House of the Philippines....the Mansion.


Statue of Burnham, the man behind what Baguio it is to be now....a park was named after him Burnham Park.


Baguio Cathedral...one of Baguio's landmarks.


Freezing time at Baguio....feels like in Germany.


A giant gate that dwarfs the passersby....


Enticing colors invited the visitors to come down and see the breathtaking Mines View.


the landscape that captures our camera...honestly it was pretty.


Fogs wrapped the crowded slums of Baguio.....thanks to the weather it covers the eyesore sight.


At Hotel Manor...fog almost embraces the whole building....


PMPA...is among the destinations that we love to visit.... well-manicured garden made the environment more attractive.


The comfortable abode that we stayed in Baguio....

PUERTO AZUL BLASTS

We took our Korean students to Puerto Azul as their special trip since they longed to see the fine beaches in the Philippines.
Sad to say,I wasn't satisfied of the trip which my expectations was a world class one.Puerto Azul was considered to be one of the best destinations for beach bummers...yet,it's not what you expected to see.
I was searching for the Puerto (rich)Azul (blue)around,yet, I couldnt find them...it's just the lushful greenery preserved forest.


Just to prove that I've been there.....This is the entrance way to the lobby area.The building were quite old and baroque...


Up on the way to the reception area...Seeing those hanging well decorated and designed shells gives the lobby more attractive and cozy.


The receiving area which is so wide and spacious...look impressived isn't it.The spiral design of the sailing was so breathtaking.


I stood and awe with that hanging pasted shells as chandeuliers(dont know the spelling)....I don't know exactly if it has bulb on it....but it's truly amazing.


The not so beautiful beach of Puerto Azul.....can you find the Puerto and the Azul there? Well,we tried to appreciate the beach..knowing that only the club members were aloud to visit the resort.


Sultanate style Resto........nobody eats there except us..ehehehee.But the foods were so expensive that almost drained your pocket.


My first jetski ride ever.....this was the most ecstatic part in Puerto Azul amidst of the disappointing beach.Down on to my crotch was Jack,goofin around in gayness as I was about to speed up for my jetski ride.


Golf course area...Teacher J-Anne and teacher Amor...exotic teachers with nice voices...really.Only the club members of Puerto Azul were aloud to play golf and take a splunge in the beach.


With our Students.....well,they were enjoying though.....We closed our mouth not to give negative comments about the beach.


Puerto Azul by 5 in the afternoon.....quite soothing and relaxing..Many from our korean students appreciate the sunset and took their time watching the sun went down.


Larry our student...looking towards the melancholic sunset....that's one of the most attracting site in Puerto Azul during afternoon....good for dating and rejuvenating for the weary soul.

Yours truly..recharging for awhile...see the beach? it's not that simply impressive but you'll enjoy the sunset and the jetski ride..believe me.

PAGSANJAN RAPIDS

The Jewel of Southern Laguna,Pagsanjan Falls.


There can be no pleasurable days in my life but to experience of being a visitant among the pride of the Philippines.
Since elementary,usual oft repeated phrases of our teachers that Philippines is rich in tourist attraction, and one of them is Pagsanjan Falls at Southern part of Laguna.
I can't imagine how thrilled it was to see the rapids of Pagsanjan Falls.At last,I can proudly say that I have been to places where you can only see at postcards.


On the way to the falls was filled with untouched forest....High and panting cliff covered with lushful grass and trees.



Amidst of the turbid water, countless kids and other adults enjoying their swimming in the river just to refresh their selves from the excruciating heat of summer.


Yours truly at Pagsanjan falls at my back.....just see how rapids and beautiful Pagsanjan in personal.I can't believe that I got the chance to visit the falls..but I am looking forward of visiting Pagsanjan again.


On the way to Pagsanjan..with our boatmen.One at the front and the other at the back...the way to Pagsanjan wasn't easy yet,ecstaticly thrilling.I can feel the agony of our boatmen how they go through of this kind of job with three passengers.


Colorful boats for rent at 650.00 per person.But don't just go on directly to those fixers at the road calling tourists for boating..they will charge you high.


Our Korean students on their way to the cascading falls of Pagsanjan.Koreans and Chinese tourists were the usual visitors who came just to see how beautiful Pagsanjan is.

TAAL TREKKING

Tagaytay is the summer capital of Southern Tagalog because of its cold weather especially in the evening. Panting scenic views and cool breeze of Tagaytay gives you massage of relaxation and indeed it is an exquisite place. For nature communing, Tagaytay is one of the best place to be, for family outing, stressing out your problems and the best hideaway of the hustle bustle in the city.
If you think Baguio is far from your whereabouts, just think of going to Tagaytay, it's even more cheaper than Baguio.
It is overlooking to Taal volcano....which can be easily reached if you are coming from Cavite,Laguna, and Batangas.

Last Sunday,we had a trip with our students down to Taal volcano. I was ecstatic to see the volcano closely with my very own eyes.
Honestly,we left the Institute early 7 in the morning with the hope we could go back at the Institute earlier.
As we drove down to a zigzag road of Tagaytay headed to Taal, picturesque views surprised us with an awe.
We could not hold our breathe to utter the never ending words of WOW's.....
Cold breeze from Taal lake touches our faces as we tried to peep out the window with gay.
Our Korean students could not help but appreciate the beauty of what Tagaytay has to brag.It was also their first time to see such uniquely pride of the Philippines.
As we arrived, we never waste any moment but hopped in immediately to our respective pump boat according to our groupings.
Down to Taal lake wasn't impressive....seas aren't good as we expected to be a pristine clear water but seaweeds and other sea plants covered the shallow parts which showed it wasn't disturb.
We reached at the island exactly 30 minutes....horse guides were awaiting for us and give us the best horses in Taal.
It was my first time to ride a horse and the riding was quite frightening...it took us minutes to reach the peak of the volcano.The horse that was assigned for me was the slowest mover of all.The horse guide gave me the mother horse with a colt tagging along with us that caused our trekking delayed.
The weather was so excruciating and the road leads to Taal was so dusty and damp.Picture taking was flooded all over as we reached the acme of the volcano..which is the biggest volcano in the island.
The more I appreciate Taal when I saw overlooking the vulcan itself..it was very an unforgettable experienced for me,though we were toasted with the painful heat of the sun.It was a very hot as if you were in an oven being heated.


NEXLETH SEATED ON A CLIFF..ACTUALLY ITS THE MOUTH OF THE TAAL VOLCANO.


YOURS TRULY WITH THE LAKE AS THE BACKGROUND...


MIXED OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS


OUR KOREAN STUDENTS AT THE PEAK OF TAAL..


HORSEBACK RIDING ON THE WAY UP TO TAAL VOLCANO...


A 30 MINUTES HORSEBACK RIDING HEADED UP TO THE VOLCANO..


THE TAAL LAKE ITSELF....


LORRAINE POINTING THE TAAL LAKE....