Travel: Bicol Region, Philippines

      Despite the many bad reviews about tourism in the Philippines, you can never deny how beautiful resources this country has. Sans the corruption issues, the crazy politicians, and the government mishaps, the Philippines has so much to offer to this world, I'm not even kidding. It just takes a little bit more love from its people. I'm not even kidding again.

     Take Camarines Sur and Sorsogon. I seriously have never heard of these places except from my Philippine geography class back in elementary school. Located in the Bicol Region, it's about a 45-minute plane ride from Manila. So I was so happy when my friend who's from Bicol offered to show us around (my friends and I have this traditional annual trip we started 2 years ago). It was such a wonderful experience; first of all, because the place was amazing. And second, I was travelling with great people. The weather wasn't that bad either. The whole time we were there, the sun was smiling with us. The food, was unsurprisingly delish. That's a given for this country. Wherever you go, there's always great, sometimes-questionably-exotic-yet-still-amazing hunger busters. I wanna let the photos (i mean caption) do all the talking because I might bore you with my blabber mouth. So here are some of what we took!

Legaspi City

Hello there! At my friends house. 

This is the tip of the Cagsawa church, now popularly known as the Cagsawa Ruins.
It was brutally destroyed by the eruption of the Mayon Volcano in the 1800s and covered the whole church with "lahar".  It was pretty cloudy that day so the usual perfectly cone shaped volcano that comes with this view wasn't too clear. I guess you just have to see it for yourself, huh? Kidding.
Oh and that's our giant friend, Mary. I'm serious.

To believe is to see ;)

Filipinos are very artistic. A lot of really good artists are Filipino.
I guess it comes with the colorful culture that we have and the natural joy that runs in our blood.
You see art in the highways of this country. Literally.. 

My friend said that this place was really popular in Bicol. This is their local version of fastfood.
 The food was actually good though. 

So as what any group of teenagers on a trip without their parents would do, we went out to try the nightlife in Legaspi.
But because we didn't wanna end up being irresponsibly happy kids, we decided to just check out the local stores and hung around a local coffee shop. Pluuus, it was a weeknight..  But then again, you gotta try it.

 Camarines Sur

     After we were picked up at the airport, we went straight to my friend's house to freshen up and headed to CamSur Watersports Complex where we stayed for our first night. It's popular for its wakeboarding facility but it also offers a lot of other water sports. It has spa services located beside the pool and the ambience itself is already relaxing. Good for those who are not really up for the extreme wakeboarding experience. What I love about the place, next to wakeboarding, is the rooms. You can rent  either the bungalow houses or the cute little trailer-like rooms. I really went all giggly because of how smart the rooms were made. I'm so proud of what the local government has done to develop this fast growing tourist spot.

Those are little "bahay kubos" where they hold the spa services.
They look so beautiful at night with all the candles!
Quite romantic and relaxing for some couples out there who wants some private time. 

Heya!

Walking back. Because the heat was really getting hotter! 

    

EXTREME! Seriously, that is what we were saying here.
Haha. We were just too proud to be doing wakeboarding! 

A must try! Bring out the fearless in you.

Little tents by the pool. And what's summer without Palm trees?

The wakeboarding facility and the restaurant. There are bars here too! 

That's me with my dry hair and my dry lips.
Don't forget to condition your hair and protect your lips from the sun too!

Did you know that you can really catch the sunlight?

Sorsogon

     Going here was the most incredible, unexplainable experience I have ever had. I never thought I would be able to do this. I never thought I'd be able to swim with a whale (locally called "butanding")!!! A real one, not a Shamu stuffed toy my sister and I got ourselves from Hong Kong Ocean Park when we were younger.

Boat ride to paradise

Need I say more?

Us looking like a fish, ready to dive into the water. You gotta stay in character you know!! Haha

Too bad we didn't have a picture with Mr. Butanding himself. I guess you gotta see it for yourself again! Haha. Kidding! But really. Trust me, it was unbelievable. Nature at its finest, at its 3-inch closest!
(BTW! You are not allowed to touch the whale! One of the reasons why they are called "the gentle giants" is because they are so peaceful, and a little disturbance scares them away. One tourist didn't listen to the instruction video and
actually touched the whale. So poor little butanding swam as fast as he could.)

The whales had spots!

From underwater with love

We asked our boat driver to stop at one of the islands so we can do a little snorkling. These two kids are
one of the locals around the area.

I still have so many pictures from my camera and my friends' cameras but it might bore you
if I posted them all here. So to end this photo diary, here's the beautifully captured coastline
of the Bicol Region, Philippines. Come visit!

Here's a my Travel essentials:

Sunblock. For your face, body, lips, and hair. It's good to soak yourself in the sun and get that little tan, but better do it wihout harming yourself. Just a little healthy sunkissed glow :">

Extra Protection. Hat, for an extra shade. And sunglasses, because it's a mortal sin to squint.

Cute bathing suit / bikini. Just because! :)

Good company. Unless you're on a soul searching trip, it's best to take with you some good friends. It's one of the best highlights of the whole thing, trust me.

Go local. My mom always said that the best way to travel is to travel local. Which means, do what the locals do, eat what the locals usually eat. Going to New York? Skip the limo and take the subway or walk and grabe a bagel! Just like any ordinary New Yorker would do. Manila? Try the famous jeepney. Just don't forget to take extra care of yourself. Hong Kong? Don't miss out on the Cantonese food. For Bicol? Try the bicol express, laing, lechon kawali, and all those good stuff. You get my point? 

Now go, wanderlust. Be Dora.

<3 Roni

My Feel Good, Look Good Mantra

    We all have our bad days, right? And sometimes we stress out for the strangest reasons (I know I do- eyebags/dark circles, that kid on the street who doesn't have family or food, politics, why gravity has to pull my stuff down when i'm carrying a lot of things-seriously, and many more). So we have to have a foundation, a go-to list to constantly remind us that life is beautiful despite it's really screwed up and intentional downfalls, and that we should feel good. Beauty that comes from within shines brighter than any ultra shiny lip gloss or world cup trophy. So I created a guide, sort of a mantra actually, things I have to do to feel good most of the time, that I want to share with all of you. This is also actually a good New Year's resolution list. So think about it.

EAT HEALTHY - You are what you take in.

     Nope, don't worry. I'm not gonna tell you to cut out meat from your diet or eat less because I,myself, can never do that. I love to eat, I even think I eat too much, but lately I've realized that I'm not getting any younger and I don't wanna spend the rest of my life regretting why I ate all those Mcdonald's. But seriously, eating healthy is a huge thing right now, hence all the organic and calorie counts that's been going around. And so, it's very accessible. No reason for us to postpone it for another day.

    I was also inspired by this good show on TV called "Cooking Yourself Thin" (they have a book now too). They help you cook recipes that actually have the same amount of flavor (sometimes even looking mas delicioso) but with much less calorie count. There's also this blog that I love called "The Fat Kid Inside", run by an equally appetizing host (and by appetizing I mean inspiring. Haha) who has a passion for food. So for those of you who have extra time in they're hands, maybe you can check out some recipes that they have and do them yourself. But if you're the type of person who's always on the go, try researching for places or restaurants that actually serve healthy food. There's a lot out there. That's what I've been doing. Trust me, most of the paranoia and stress that you are strangely experiencing sometimes have something to do with what you are eating. Try it for a couple of weeks, the key here is HONESTY ;)

I was never fond of salads but I really love this one from Guy
and Gallard New York. It's called Spicy Thai Chicken salad
and I don't think it's that hard to make either.

Romaine lettuce + carrots + chicken + corn + avocado + balsamic vinegar

Paired it with wheat bread and low fat butter. It doesn't really
look very inviting in this picture 'cos I had a little time to eat
lunch and had so many stuff on the table, but its really
really really good.

wheat bread + low fat butter

GET SOME GOOD AMOUNT OF SLEEP.

    Now this is a department I am never good at. I actually have a really bad body clock. But that's never an excuse. I know we all have a lot of things to do for school or for work and we just don't have time to sleep! But if you really think about it, we can do better work if we HAVE enough sleep. I actually read somewhere that we can make up for the lost sleep that we had. I'm not really sure how true that is but all I know is that once we have the time to rest, do it. And if we don't have any valid reason to stay up, don't stay up... hmmm all the time? Haha. Kidding. But seriously, the key here is TIME MANAGEMENT. I know, I know it's hard, I myself am still working on this but it's better to be aware about it and try. A good rest brings out glow.

You don't wanna be caught sleeping at the
middle of your graduation ceremonies,
do you? YIKES. Haha

photo courtesy of Joan, my sneaky friend. Haha

EXERCISE.

   I am a sports fan. I love sports. I've tried soccer, volleyball, softball, frisbee, rowing, boxing, and fencing. And I am very thankful that I do because I don't know what I would look now if I hadn't gone with my friend to soccer tryouts that day in elementary school. Not most of us are fond of sports though. But we still have a lot of other choices to try and get our bodies movin'. So once again, no reason to postpone. If you don't have the time to go to the gym, try running up and down your stairs at home or walk around your village for a few minutes maybe twice or thrice a week. Just to at least sweat out the stress and toxins in our body. Yet to those of us who like a bit of a challenge, there's a whole lot of exercise programs to choose from.

Running- fun runs are so in right now. It encourages a lot of people to be healthier, and well, it's fun, hence the name. You can go with your friends or family and actually take it as a time to bond. Also, what I love most about fun runs is that it is usually a fund raising for a good cause. So it's actually a win-win situation. You get to shed some extra pounds while saving mankind.

Boxing- I've tried this and I must say it is very addicting, not to mention therapeutic. It's true what they say that it literally releases stress. And isn't it nice to actually punch your problems out without hurting someone? This is also a good form of self-defense in case you get into some shady situations.

Core Kinesis- A lot of celebrities have been doing this program and it seems interesting. According to Women's Health Philippines, it helps tone the body using 360-degree movements and improves flexibility. This is going on my things-to-try list!

So there you go, just a few suggestions from me. You can actually go to a professional trainer to have yourself evaluated. A lot of facilities do that so you can find the right program for you. Goodluck to us!

PRACTICE A REGIMEN.

   I would be such a hypocrite if I say that all we need to take care of is what's on the inside. No, that is not true. It's always good to have a daily routine in taking care of our outer beauty. Some of the basics are taking a bath and brushing our teeth (which I'm sure are the most important). But it's also very nice to actually follow a regimen that keeps our skin extra pampered. This may be a job for a dermatologist or just yourself. Start from identifying the type of skin you have. This is very important because what you use on your face (or entire body) will depend on your skin type. You can't use a strong facial cleanser if you have dry skin, right? And then, try and look for the best products for your skin. A little effort now will go a long way.

What I think are most essential:

Wash your face before you go to bed. I suggest you do this once you get home before you do all your homework because by then your eyes are strained already and it's not advisable to wash tired eyes. A nice hot bath is actually nice. It's relaxing, and helps you free your mind before you start working.

Moisturize. Yes, even you guys. There's tons of different moisturizers out there for every skin type, man or woman, skin problem to skin problem. You just have to find the one that's best for you, which is the most crucial part.

Drink lots and lots of water. A lot of people think that drinking too much water is bad for you. I don't know how true that is because I'm not really a scientist but I believe water is the most effective cleanser. It's liquid so you actually release it after you drink it. What I do is take sips every once in a while. It's more of the rehydrated feeling that I go for.

SPOIL YOURSELF, RESPONSIBLY.

    It's not really bad to spoil yourself sometimes. A little shopping spree, some food trip once in a while. But make sure you're doing it for a reason. Had a really long day at work? Get a massage. Nailed that thesis defense? Probably a night out with friends. Went to all of your exercise appointments with the trainer? Perhaps a cupcake or two (make it cheat day! haha). The term "spoiling", i believe, is not as bad as it seems. I'd like to think that the word is subjective. This is actually also a good motivation!

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH.

Live. Let's be real, we will never know if we're going to be hit by a bus tomorrow or get bitten by a snake today. So don't waste your time dwelling on the things that make you boring, set your goals and start living for your dreams now.

Love. Because it's the best gift you can ever give to someone.

Laugh. Because a wise man once said, it's the cheapest medicine. And you know how it is with wise men! Haha

And so as I end this mantra of mine, I hope I kind of gave you an idea on how to start feeling good about yourself. I decided to make this post because I haven't been feeling well the past few days myself, and going through it actually made me feel better. And I thought, well, another year is coming to close and one is fast approaching. Give yourself the chance to become better everyday.

Let me know what you think,

<3 Roni

Sketches

I love to draw! It's also one of the things that take me away from everything that I have to worry about. I don't actually know how I got to do this project but anyways I just wanted to share it here.

The story: Two of my aunts asked me to sketch some dresses for them. Both of which are for very special occassions. Hmm I'm not really good at it 'cos I never went to school for it but if you, who is reading this, could let me know what you think, I'm happy to accept your opinion (be nice? :">)

These were all done in my handy dandy... sketchbook! :)

I would really appreciate some feedback! I actually haven't heard from both my aunts which makes me really really nervous. I wanna know if I should work on it or actually go to school for it. Haha!

<3 Roni 

New York Streets II

First of all, happy thanksgiving everyone! Today is the day for us to be extra thankful for our blessings. And tomorrow is a perfect excuse to be crazy consumers (Black Friday, bring it!). I wish I could post pictures of our thanksgiving dinner but I was just too sick I couldn't even enjoy the awesome food :( Anyway..

It's been really gloomy the past few days and I'm not just talking about the weather. I woke up and for some reason my bed was extra comfortable, my pillows were extra soft, and my blanket was extra warm. Oh those lazy weather days, right? But I had to get up, get ready, just like every one of us on a weekday. So I literally just grabbed whatever I could wear, put on my coat, and went. Fortunately! Since it was the day before Thanksgiving and everyone had the reason to get out of work early, well, we all got out of work early! Heehee. I decided to go around the city again, took some photos so I have something to post on my blog. Seriously! :)

Gloomy gloomy day. It was cold and drizzling.

I just love witty advertising. Don't you?

I've always wanted a photo that depicts motion!
I was so excited I got to capture this. Little joys!

So artistic. Must've taken awhile for this to be done?

I actually got lost here.
So to not make it too obvious, I just stopped and took a photo.

The New York Public Library

Hello! Yes, this was in a dressing room!
polo-Old Navy | pullover-H&M |
jeans-DKNY | suede boots-Old Navy

My dirty boots. It's so annoying how I always end up
wearing this when its raining. Hmm.

Once again, happy thanksgiving everyone! Have a good weekend :)

<3 Roni

Travel: Santa Cruz, California

Probably one of the many cities in America that retained its old town scene. No tall buildings, no busy streets. Just laidback living, very 20th century America. Pacific Avenue, a long street lined with various establishments from vintage shops to jewelry houses, from cinemas to Urban Outfitters to Jamba Juice, is a view I personally think is very eye-catching; Independent musicians fill the streets with music in their ripped jeans, psychdelic shirts, and dollar boxes. Hobos give a hint of where the American economy is right now with their signs that say something about losing their jobs and any donation will do. The benches, I don't even really know why I love the benches.. And of course, what is California without a beach? Take a peek :)

Feels like I'm in Greece.
And it's overlooking the beach too, which makes it even more Greek than it already is. 

Coming from a tropical country, and a town surrounded by water,
the beach for me is like a pillow you hug at night. So comforting..

THE BENCH. It's the cherry on top of this sundae street.

Hello! Don't you just love streetlights?
hat-street bazaar | sunglasses-H&M | men's shirt-American Eagle |
cross body purse-American Boulevard | knitted cover up-H&M |
high waisted shorts-Forever 21 | tights-Calvin Klein | flats-Shoebox |

AND THIS PLACE!!! ONE OF THE BEST COOKIES I HAVE EVER TASTED. I SUGGEST
YOU TRY MACADAMIA NUT, OATMEAL, AND CHOCOLATE CHIP. TRUST ME, I LOVE FOOD.

<3 Roni

New York Streets

    It's been over a month since I got here in New York and everyday I am always amazed by its people, its streets, and who could forget about its skyline? Here are some photos I took during one of the many errands I did in the city. More to come! :)

    On my first weekend in New York, I decided to visit the World Trade Center. It was crazy busy. One, because the construction for the memorial wasn't done yet. And two, because Occupy Wall Street was on its 3rd week. Pretty overwhelming,  I must say.

Construction.

Wish I had a photo of the whole street. 
It was filled with police cars , it almost looked like an exhibit.

Yeap, we have that in my place too!

Moi. At the middle of it all. In character ;)

 This is probably what I love most about this city. The lights always inspire you at night!

11th Avenue and 23rd St

The night I took this photo was the same night I almost literally froze to death. It was pouring and nearly 0 in temperature but I was wearing a shirt, jeans, and mary janes. How silly could I get.

I love love love this place! Every person who holds fashion close to his/her heart must have Soho in it too. I had a really bad day when I went here to do an errand, but after a few strolls around the place I just felt so much better. Don't tell me shopping isn't therapeutic!

Isn't this a lovely tree? Gotta love Autumn for its romantic view.

This is nostalgic.

Just like in the movies.

This was in Broadway on a Friday night. I love Christmas!

Hmm. Imagine this on a dress?

Merry Christmas from NYC

So that's all for me now! Feel free to share some of your thoughts! 'Til my next post,

<3 Roni 

A Quickie on Chasing Dreams

     WOW. That took me awhile to blog again. This blogging thing is actually quite hard to commit to. I, for one, am probably the person in this site who has the most underdeveloped blog. But it's never too late to give it a shot, isn't it? So.. So many things happened the past months since I made my first post. So many blog-worthy stories I can share with you, that I dyingly regret I haven't. But anyways, to make the long story short; after one hellavuh Thesis, an awesome wakeboarding-whaleswimming-nonstop-eating trip with my girls to the Bicol Region in the Philippines, a revealing island experience in Boracay with my loves, a bittersweet graduation, and a whole lot of unemployment/what-am-I-gonna-do-with-my-life- drama.. I'm here at the greatest city in the world, trying to chase my dreams. Sounds so cheezy but it's true.. I mean, we all want to get to where we want to be, right? We all have our dreams and we all want them to come true. The question that I have constantly running through my mind though is that, is it all going to be worth the chase, worth the sacrifice? Everyday I freak out everytime I ask myself, what if it doesn't work out? What if you end up not really living the life you want to live? 

    But you see, a friend of mine told me that I worry too much. I'm too young to be stressed out about what's gonna happen in the future when what's important is that I should focus on the beautiful things in the present. Love will come, and life will happen. Focus on your dream, and you'll get there. You may have tons of breakdowns and a bucket full of disappointments, frustrations, and rejections but you gotta keep your eyes on the goal and don't get discouraged. Take it from me who wasted so much time on ranting about how bittersweet this whole thing is (if only I could take those moments back!). And take it from a man who filled our childhood with insurmountable imagination, made us believe in fairytales and happy endings, and made his own dreams come true, my good 'ol friend Walt who said that, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them". So to us, who are constantly chasing our dreams, may we never lose hope in getting there.

<3 Roni