Taal Escapade

It was one sunny Friday morning when me and my cousins decided to go for an adventure and start a trek to one of the country's pride and glory- the ever beautiful looking Taal Volcano.

Taal Volcano is known to be the smallest active volcano in the world surrounded by a lake located in Batangas. This picturesque creation can be viewed from the higher grounds of Tagaytay. It is the most talked about world's largest island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island. (yay! isn't that a bit confusing?! haha)


We arrived at around 8am at Olivarez Terminal and planned to ride a jeep to be dropped off at Ligaya drive where we can ride another jeep going to Talisay. But luckily, we found a guide that rented us a van with a round trip service from Tagaytay to Talisay  (vv) and boat rental from Talisay to Taal Volcano (vv).


So from Tagaytay Terminal it only took us around 30min. till we reached Talisay where we rode a boat going to the volcano island.

Boat ride going to volcano island.

All my life I believed that the Taal Volcano was this volcano like island that I've been seeing as photo shown below.

But it was during this trip that I've learned that the real Taal volcano was the other island connected to this crater like island located behind it.

It was quite funny because none of us knew the truth, so as we were on the boat we were expecting to reach this island (photo above) but when we realized that the boat was going far from this island, the guide/boatman told us that the real Taal Volcano was the other island. The five of us, (me and my cousins) felt a bit disappointment from what we heard. HAHA but on the other side, we were fortunate that at least we learned the truth. I guess most of you didn't know this either.

The real Taal Volcano is the larger crater

Upon reaching the island we were directed to the hall where we have to pay for the registration fee/environmental fee worth P50. There is an option for you to ride a horse with a fee of P500, but since we are looking for an adventure we opted to walk.


And so our journey begins...

Before we begin our trek

It was all our first time to hike at Taal but the trails were not confusing as there was a path leading up to the main crater. Lots of locals and tourists were also visiting the island and you will encounter lots of foreign enjoying the trek even when the sun was scorching. So be sure to bring lots of bottled water to keep you hydrated. Although there are several stores along the way where you can buy your drinks or fresh buko juice but it is not recommendable for those on tight budget because it's a bit pricey.

Aside from the scorching sun, another challenge on this trek was the dusty path. The path also is a bit sandy on the first part making it a bit harder to walk.

We had to make so many stops as the heat was intense  and of course we had to take some photos. hehe.

Almost there...

After almost an hour and a half, we finally reached the main crater! And we are truly in awe upon seeing the majestic view of this island. From the viewing deck, you can see the smoke coming from the lake within.

It was truly an amazing and a must try experience. For all the nature lover and adventure seekers out there, I highly recommend to you to visit this amazing God creation. Truly, Batangas is blessed with so many mountains and Taal is one not be be missed.

#WagMagingDayuhanSaSarilingAtin

Good Old Days

Okay, I know I've been gone for a long time and I so freaking miss doing this stuff. I missed blogging. So right now, it’s really fulfilling for me to do the honor of writing down some stuffs that happened to me this past few months.

Let’s start with how I spent my summer days this year.

It all began last April. Actually while some are out enjoying the summer heat and chilling out with the best summer spot all over the country, I was so busy pursuing my OJT and acads at the same time. At first I felt so horrible for not spending some time at the beach knowing that it’s summer, the best season of all! But as I pursue with my OJT, I somehow felt relieved and happy. Wanna know why?

I've spent my OJT days at Tagaytay Highlands, located at Brgy. Calabuso, Tagaytay City. It’s approximately a five minute drive away from the Picnic Grove and 45 minute drive from Manila via Sta. Rosa Road exit. Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club Inc. is an exclusive golf membership club situated in a 450 hectare land. It is said to be a home to Asia’s most exciting golf courses as well as a plethora of sports and recreational amenities for golfers and even for non-golfers. The club doesn't only serve its members with the best and exciting golf courses but also it provides ultimate haven for sports and other recreational activities. The club also offers it members the best relaxation therapy and beauty treatments at The Spa & Lodge. Aside from the best service that they provide, the lush green and woodlands scenery gives additional satisfaction for everyone’s relaxation.

 

Foggy morning at The Golf

View of The Midlands

  

I’ve stayed here for almost 2 months specifically assigned to the Club Marketing department. How can I describe my stay? “It’s more fun in Marketing!” these are the words that can best describe my internship at Tagaytay Highlands. I honestly admit that I felt nervous and anxious during my first day for I have no idea how strict everyone could be. I used to have the thoughts of terror bosses and pressured work coming ahead of me but luckily all these thoughts didn’t come into reality. During my first day, I was asked to assist in a photoshoot event that will be used for the Highlands Magazine. It was my first task and I felt nervous on how things will go, to think that I wasn’t yet introduced to everyone. Luckily the shoot went smoothly and everything goes just right, plus I got the chance to tour around the different places inside the club. In general I did enjoy my first day though it’s a bit tiring.

     Photo taken during the photoshoot ©Marlone

 I’m lucky to have met my other co-ojt and I just loved them so much. Though we came from different schools, have different attitudes, we still share same interest and we all become good friends—sisters would probably best described us. We’ve done so many things together, done so many crazy stuffs, chitchat as if we were not on duty, strike a pose and capture every moment, laugh together as if no one’s watching, go out and spend time lurking around, done a lot of filing documents and did a lot of inventories. We don’t care much about the load of work that awaits us; we just enjoyed every moment and savour each other’s company. (Ahhhh! I miss you girls so much –elou, Lorraine, mharvie)

From left to right [Lorraine, Mharvie, Me, Elou]

During my stay, I’ve learned and experienced so many things on how things go in the corporate world. I’ve experienced administrative works like rounding files to other departments, sorting and encoding files, documentation, receiving files and answering enquiries from interested clients. Other things I’ve learned were some basics in photography and additional learning in photo-editing. I also learned some things in event planning and how important it is to make and use a timeline for things to do and accomplished. I’ve also experienced creating an invitation and sent email blast to different photographers for a photoshoot promo though I don’t know if my invitation would work, but I’m hoping it would.

One of the most unforgettable experiences that I have was when I was assigned to become the temporary Events Manager. It was my ultimate dream someday to become an Events manager, because I’m really more on events. I never expected to be assigned in this position but fortunately I’ve been blessed to have it. I was exposed to different club events and been aware of the planning system that the club has. Surely this experience and learning that I have can help me in my future endeavour as I travel far in this filed.

My table when I was the temporary acting Events Manager J

Another thing that I will surely not forget was the first and last event that I’ve attended- the Tree Planting activity and the Flores de Mayo. I really did enjoy these two events though there were some problems that were encountered. This made me realized that not everything can fall perfectly into plan, but what’s important is to be able to think of a better plan to overcome such trouble, and if there isn’t anything to be done in order to correct the mistakes, just take it easy and simply learn from it. Nothing’s perfect because even perfection depends on how every individual views it.

Photos taken after the Flores de Mayo [L-R Lorraine, Mam Apple, Me]

 

 Photo taken during the Tree Planting activity ©Jo Siah

    From Left to Right [Sir, Sir Alfred, Sir Prince, Lorraine, Me]

I’m also very lucky to have the best and the coolest boss so far. They made my ojt days the best days ever. Everytime I’m with them I never felt like I’m not part of their family. They welcomed me with their sweetest smiles and warmest hugs. They truly made my stay fun and exciting. They were all very caring, very approachable and very fun to be with. There was never a day that I didn't laugh my heart out. Oh how I miss all those days. :(

      Strike a pose with Sir Marlone, Mam Rhea, me and Jo Siah (L-R)

                               With Sir James

                                  with my choco baby Lorraine :)

Kulitan moments with Sir Marlone, Lorraine, Jo Siah

Last day blow-out

In this short period of time that I spent with the marketing team, I am truly grateful for accepting me with your warmest welcome and smile. I've learned so much and gained so many ideas and experiences that will surely helped me grow a lot better than I am now today. All the learning that I have will be my guide as I travel down this long journey that awaits me.

Thank you for making my internship fun and exciting. Truly it’s more fun in marketing at Tagaytay Highlands. :)

sound of silence

I'm used to hear noise every time, everywhere.. like for real everywhere we go noise wont leave us. be it day or night.





and for me, i'd like it more to hear  noise rather than to be all alone and hear nothing...
nothing as in total SILENCE.




for in every silence, i got the time to think of the things i should not think about.
i got the time to reminisce,
think about me,
think about my family,



think about what my life had been, would been and should have been...




and it almost kills me every time i got this time to think. i mean, why in the hell thinking kills me?





i don't even know the answer.
there's so many question in my mind that me, myself cant even answer.all the why's? i cant.





and it s*cks! really.








every night, when everybody fell asleep.
when all i want is to sleep 
i would close my eyes, pray to God, talk to Him...



then later i could just feel my tears flowing from my eyes.



i never force myself to cry, and i don't even know why these tears fell from my eyes



all i have is this time to talk to Him and ask Him why? 
i know i don't have the right to question Him, i don't wanna be disrespectful or what, but all i want is to know everything, even not all, but at least i should have known something.



its been 18 years of my existence and i haven't found the answers to all my questions...



 why am i having such a hard time every night?



why do tears fall from my eyes each night?




why does its hard for me to breathe each night?




why do i have to pretend each day that i am fine and cry alone at night??








why do i have to be silent about what i feel inside?



why cant i ask them the questions i long want to ask???




why am i such a coward?




why me??WHY????




i never thought that living a life, that being me would be this hard.


i never thought that i could have a life like thisa life full of pretension, a life full of uncertainties,a life full of questions...




a life full of unknown realities.






i can't even be happy, it's as if i don't deserve such happinessokay, i smile, i laugh, but that isn't enoughbecause i know behind those laughter are the realities that would hit me every time.


the reality that i don't deserve such thing
the reality that i'am not capable of something
the reality that i don't even know







 my own self

it s*cks right.how can you be happy, how can you be jolly if deep inside you your crushed. your damage. your broken.



and how can you be happy if the only person who could mend you is also lost and broken




how can i know the truth? how can i be healed? how can i be happy if the only person that can answer all my uncertainties was also lost like me.














i  only want to live a simple life,











a life living with my family
a life with my father, my mother, and all the people i love and care about



a life living with laughter and happinessa life full of smiles, happy moments spent with the people i know can make me happy




a life living with tears, fears and real emotionsa life to cry, shout and feel all the emotions normal people could feel.




a life with no more uncertainties, no more pretensions and no more unknown reasons.





a life to live with the people i love..









































a life with my dad and my mom.





i love them soooooooooooooo much!but it hurts to love them this much...:((

x

today was a fairy tale...

Today, September 26, 2011.


we had our 1st general assembly for this year at Summit Ridge Tagaytay. It was a very cold day and all of us were exhausted. we've waited for so long cause the bus wasn't there and we were all like a foolcause we've waited under the cold rain and that's the reason why we're all soaked up. after getting wet finally the bus has arrived. we arrived at the venue at near 1pm and we hadn't eaten our lunch. we ate at The Sizzling Pepper and spent Php 330 per head(on my part). that was too much, but the food really taste good and that justifies our payment. wow what a really nice day...


then the seminar went on. 






after the seminar it's now the time were me and my classmates took lovely pictures. and it's my time to had even just one pic from my inspiration . i felt kinda nervous bout that but finally i got not just one pic with him but even more. whoa! kilig much!  i was like a high school student who admires someone so much. i hate to act like that but i just cant help it. maybe its something personal that i had to deal with.




oh i hate to like someone cause its driving me crazy,
liking someone who cant like you back, ouch that really hurts
but i have to be positive. it's just a matter of positivism! Law of attraction come on! 






have a great day! 

let's get started!

yeah! yeah! yeah! 

definitely i'm here and i can now call myself a BLOGGER! haha. never thought that i could be one, but still i feel good being here. wish to outlive and carry on this new journey. i haven't got much thought for today coz i feel so tired and my head feels like it's gonna explode. so i guess i'll end up with this and sure to be back soon. (i hope so. haha :>)

BYIEEE!!!