Loves art, music and coffee, not necessarily in that order. And oh, travel.
07 Jan 2013 1 Comment
in Family, MOMents, Photography Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, family, Lia, MOMents, photography, Stonehouse, Stonehouse Gardens Resort, travel
Lia was borrowed by her grandparents during the weekend and I was missing her so much that I went back to the photos taken at Stonehouse Gardens Resort while we were in Bicol last month. This is really, I could say, Part 2 of Lia and her Mama at Stonehouse Gardens.
01 Jan 2013 No Comments
in Camarines Sur, Family, MOMents, Photography Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, family, Lia, MOMents, photography, Stonehouse Gardens, Stonehouse Gardens Resort, travel
Having finally decided that Lia and I will never come back to live in Bicol, we embarked on a road trip to haul all of our stuff back to Manila. We used to travel together every two weeks when Lia and I were both based in Bicol in 2011 but this was Lia’s first return trip to Bicol after leaving nearly ten months before. We allotted two out of the three-day long weekend for just driving the 900+ kilometers back and forth, and only one day to stay and roam around the area. This mainly meant having coffee at Starbucks Magsaysay, dropping by Bigg’s Diner and Red Platter, having kinalas and puto bucayo. Of course we could have done more but with the limited time, we had to prioritize the ones I missed the most.
I have always wanted to go up and visit Stonehouse Gardens, and because we had no plans of ever coming back, it was imperative that we go this time.
Finally.
We arrived a few minutes before four in the afternoon on the first Saturday of December. The sun was nearly at the horizon and behind the clump of trees by the fence. After refreshing ourselves with glasses of juice served by the resort and take-out food from Bigg’s Diner, we went on a walk around the place and took photos. The setting sun gave just the right light for what would become some of my favorite photos for the year 2012.
31 Dec 2012 3 Comments
in Camarines Sur, Photography Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, HDR, Mt. Isarog, photography, Stonehouse Gardens Resort, travel
One of the very first things I learned about when I first arrived in Naga last year was the existence of a semi-private mountain resort nestled in the foot of Mt. Isarog, Stonehouse Gardens Resort. I have vowed, and repeatedly tried in the course of many months, to get there, only to be stopped by typhoons, floods, time constraints and my general need to move about the country all the time. One December weekend though, we finally made it. And this was the result. A few hours of shoot time on a cloudy day while playing peek-a-boo with the setting sun.
07 Sep 2012 No Comments
in Photography Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, Naga City, Penafrancia Festival, Penafrancia Festival 2012, photography, seminar, wedding photography, workshop, WPPP
One of the most exciting events happening at this year’s Penafrancia festival is a wedding photography workshop from the masters themselves!
Registration fee is Php2,500 (regular) and Php1,500 (students).
Check this set out for the speakers’ portfolio: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.455678827787873.99959.455669151122174&type=1
Like the Wedding Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP) Facebook page for more information and updates.
The workshop/seminar venue will be held at The Avenue Plaza Hotel located at Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.
This is the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/
06 Sep 2012 No Comments
in Camarines Sur, Music and Arts Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, Celsa Gallarte, Naga City, Penafrancia Festival, tattoo, tattoo arts, Whuatt?!!! Production
The first Penafrancia Tattoo Arts Festival was held at the Wharf Galley in Avenue Square in September 2011. I was really proud of Celsa, the woman behind Whuatt?!!! Production, as I am now. Please support.
Like them on Facebook for more details and updates.
14 Jul 2012 No Comments
in Photography Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, Edwin Tuyay, Naga City, Penafrancia Festival, photography, seminar, wedding photography, workshop
A seminar/workshop for Bicolanos, though non-Bicolanos are welcome too.
22 Jun 2012 No Comments
in Design Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, Naga City, tattoo, tattoo festival
Stay tuned for more details!
21 Jun 2012 3 Comments
in Camarines Sur Tags: accommodations, Bicol, Camarines Sur, hotel, Naga City, Ramashinta Resort and Spa, resort, spa
One gloomy and rainy July morning, I found myself in Naga without a place to stay at. Hotel check-ins are usually at two in the afternoon, and my bus pulled in at the Central Business District (CBD) Terminal of Naga City at six in the morning.
One of my friends’ family owned this little resort and spa in San Felipe, and this is where I found myself for 12 hours.
RAMASHINTA RESORT AND SPA
Ramashinta Resort and Spa is a Balinese-inspired spa-resort that boasts of a grand recreational pool, children’s pool, fully equipped cabanas with majestic interiors, exclusive massage rooms for men and women, a charming garden, a multi-purpose function room, and a clubhouse/ restaurant that serves a wide array of delectable dishes. A Balinese paradise right in Naga City.
Ramashinta Resort and Spa at night, photo from Facebook page
I was in need of a little nap and a swim, so I headed over to the little resort. They gave me one of the cabanas. Mine is the one with the slightly open doors and yellow curtains.
02 May 2012 45 Comments
in Camarines Norte, Travel Tags: Bicol, Calaguas, camarines norte, CNN, tourism, travel
My blog title may be misleading but two days ago, my Facebook news feed had some really interesting things going on. It started with a blog that appeared on Tramping Philippines:
Nasa Calaguas Parin Ba Ako? had a video of the Calaguas we knew and the Calaguas that the traveler and concerned citizen found on that Saturday night in the beach of Mahabang Buhangin (Long Beach).
The Calaguas is a group of islands in the Philippine province of Camarines Norte. It includes the islands of Tinaga, Guintinua and Maculabo and several other minor islands.
Most of the islands are under the administrative jurisdiction of Vinzons, Camarines Norte while the minor island of Maculabo is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Paracale, Camarines Norte. The island of Tinaga where the famous long beach called Mahabang Buhangin is located is experiencing influx of tourists in the area despite the absence of accommodation. Campers and backpackers are coming and going daily to experience its powdery white sands. (Source: Wiki)
I have been to Calaguas myself and blogged about it here and here. I can understand the sentiment and know exactly what is going on. Unlike my friends, I opted not to say anything about the issue. Two days later though, I found myself being plagued by it because of the number of posts appearing on my Facebook feed. It turns out, except for concerned citizen on Tramping Philippines and the person who wrote on the Calaguas Island Facebook page, I knew all the people involved here. Now I think would be a good time to share what I know and what I think. I am sorry for all those who will be affected by this.
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28 Apr 2012 No Comments
in Sorsogon Tags: accommodations, Bicol, Butanding Festival, Donsol, guesthouse, homestays, inn, resorts, Sorsogon
I compiled a list of resorts, inns, guest houses and homestays available in Donsol, Sorsogon for those who are planning to go there on a little trip of their own or participating in the festivities of the Butanding Festival.
There are so many choices!
RESORTS
AGM BEACHFRONT RESORT
Contact: +639173813404 / +639196882264
Email: agmresort@gmail.com
Visit: http://www.agmresort.com/
AMOR FARM BEACH RESORT
Contact Nos.: 09095181150 /09176941687
Email: info_amorbeachresort@yahoo.com
Visit: www.amorfarmbeachresort.com
CASABIANCA BEACH RESORT
furnished duplex cottages
Dancalan, Donsol, Sorsogon
c/o Mr. Jun-Jun Belmonte
0906-309-9372; 0920-2739-984
vicejjb_58@yahoo.com, casabiancadonsol@yahoo.com
Visit: http://casabiancadonsol.multiply.com/
Total No. of Rooms: 1 4
Accommodation Capacity: 48 pax
Fan/bath P800
Villas 3pax 1500PhP
Sunset Rooms 4pax 2000PhP
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