Friday, February 22, 2019

Aliw sa Liwa

Liwliwa, Zambales

Minsan darating tayo sa punto ng ating buhay na para bang pagod na pagod ka na sa pag tatrabaho pero di ka pwede mapagod. Simple lang naman ang sagot ko sa mga pagod na kaluluwa na katulad kong isang empleyado. Pwede mapagod pero wag susuko. Kaya sa twing ako ay napapagod humahanap talaga ako ng panahon para mag aliw lahat naman tayo kailangan makaisip ng isang outlet para makapag pahinga, makalayo sa problema at magkaroon ng oras para naman sa iyong sarili. Hindi pagiging makasarili ang pagbyahe sa ibang lugar na ikaw lang mag isa.

Kaya napag isip isip kong magpunta sa isang paraiso. Basta may araw, may dagat at tahimik malayo sa trapiko ng Maynila. Matagal ko nang nais magpunta sa Liwliwa para makipaglaro sa alon dahil nabanggit ng kaibigan kong si Ian isa ding lagalag na nanggaling na sa Liwliwa na maganda nga daw don at pwede magsurfing at medyo friendly ang alon don lalo na sa mga baguhan pa lang at gusto pa lang matuto mag surf. Nataonan na naging swak na swak ang aking budget at oras kaya di ko na pinalagpas magpunta don.

Lima hanggang anim na oras ang byahe mula Maynila papuntang Liwliwa, Zambales. Mula Maynila sumakay ako ng bus byaheng Iba, Zambales pero sa San Felipe ako bumaba. Sumakay sa isang maliit na tricycle papunta sa hostel na aking napupusuan. Kahit may contact na ko sa isang hostel mas pinili ko yung tinuluyan ko kasi patuloy nilang pinapractice ang Zero Waste movement. Alam naman natin noon pa man ako ay sumusuporta sa ganyan.

The Circle Hostel

Doon ako nagstay sa The Circle Hostel. Kasing kulay ng lugar ang pagtuloy ko doon. Kasi naka kilala ako ng ibat ibang klase ng tao. Nakipagkwentuhan at nakipagkantahan buong maghapon siguro kung nagpunta ako doon ng mga bandang biyernes o mga sabado mas magiging masaya kasi madaming nandoon na kapwa ko lagalag. May mga bunkbeds sila doon, may mga duyan at mga tent na pwede mong rentahan para pag pahingahan. Ang dalawa sa  mga gusto ko doon lalo na pag ako ay nag gagala gusto kong may water heater at bidet sa mga shower room pero kung wala ay ok naman. Pero meron doon kaya panalo talaga para sakin.

Saglit lang ako sa aking pinuntahan dalawang araw at isang gabi kong malayo sa Maynila ay talaga namang malaking tulong sakin para makapag relax at magbigay ng oras para sa sarili. Bibihira lang ako makapaglayag kaya naman sobrang saya ko talaga. Sa maliit kong inipon para makapagrelax ay talagang sulit na sulit.


Expenses Breakdown: For Solo traveler

Bus: Manila - San Felipe - Manila: 
312 x 2 = 624
Tricycle: San Felipe - Liwa - San Felipe:
60 x 2 = 120
Overnight stay circle hostel: Bunkbed:
550
Environmental fee:20
Food:480


Total of 1794 pesos

Dahil solo lang akong nagbyahe kaya halos 1800 din ang nagastos ko pero ok na yan di na yan masama. Ang budget ko talaga ay 2000 may sukli pa pero syempre di maiiwasan makikipag kapwa tao ka sa mga nakakasama mo kaya mag seshare ka din sa gastos.  Pero kung may kasama kayo pagpunta sa Liwa makakatipid kayo sa tricycle at sa food.


Tinapos namin ang araw na magkakasama kame na puno ng kantahan at isang maliit na boodle fight sa tanghalian bago kami naghiwahiwalay pauwi sa Maynila. Totoo nga ang kasabihan sa the Circle hostel na
"no one will leave the place as strangers"

You can also watch my vlog sa aking youtube channel 


For contact information you can contact them thru Chat sa kanilang facebook page or you can reserve thru text kasama sa picture na nasa ibaba..




Friday, November 30, 2018

HOW TO BE SMART IN BUDGETING : TOP 3 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

How to be smart in budgeting?

People wonder how I manage my income, paying bills on time, saving while traveling on a budget. Before I learn saving money on a bank; I learn first the traditional way of saving. Keeping new bills, coins and the secret of budgeting. Now a days we need to learn the art of saving for your future and learning how to spend your money wisely. We always hear that we need to know what's our "WANTS VS NEEDS" and need to live within your means.

The fact that I'm living in a fast phased generation we should learn how to save money the right way. I kept on reading pdf files on ways how to save money and I got the top 3 ways how to save money and how to be a smart budgetarian.

TOP 3 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

1. Know what you want and what's your needs

We all want to save money but in order for us to save we need to think 10 times before we purchase something.  I love to travel and also to save but I'm always skeptical whenever I buy things for my travel goals.  Before I used to buy single used items now I buy reusable materials and make sure that I can still use it even not traveling. Let's also admit that we love buying "duplicate things" like for example I already have packing cubes but I still buy another one for future use.  Then I just realize why should I buy a new set if I can repair stuff. Instead of buying new one I would rather use the same packing cubes til it ware off.

2. Live with in your means

Save first just like paying yourself first for your hardwork then live with the remaining balance that you have.

3. Make your own food

Everybody likes "to go" foods sometimes buying isn't a good habit but most of the time to go foods are also not healthy.  Better make your own food and it will allow you to be more creative with new heathy recipes and you will be able to save if you learn buying things in bulk.

Always remember every single cent counts!

Monday, March 26, 2018

Fight Depression Keep Going

When Depression Strikes

People are asking why there's a sudden silence in me knowing for a fact that I am a loud and jolly person. Why I want to travel alone where in most of the time I used to travel with my family and friends? What's going on?

Severe depression made this changes in me, I tried to act that I'm ok but seriously I'm dying inside. Yes this is the same feelings that other felt whenever they feel depressed and others commit suicide to escape reality. Things I learn as time pass by, what's my purpose in life? What are the things that will make me stay? Whay are the reasons why I want to live?

Nothing beats your strong faith, your best support system is your family and friends or should I say TRUSTED friends. I found my comfort zone whenever I travel alone and stay at places I dont know. Immersion with locals at places and be lost makes me feel I'm ok and feels like I'm back.




Sweet escape to reality.. Back to Masasa Tingloy, Batangas

Saturday, January 6, 2018

A Day Before New Year's Eve

A Day Before the New Year's Eve

I painted my room white a day before the new year's eve. Achievement for me painting my room all by myself without the help of others. I wanted to welcome the new year with a good vibes and besides its also one of the requirements for  some home based jobs. Most of them are requiring white background so I'm hitting 2 birds in one stone. New look with better vibes and preparing my room for a home based job in the near future. Yes last year I'm thinking of switching jobs to a home based one for me to maximize my time however I still need to have my laptop fix and need some quality tools to help me work more efficient. Since I already ran out of my budget I just painted first my room and will take some time to save and handle the rest on the following days.

I know my room isn't perfect yet definitely I know time will come and I'll be able to have it renovated. God will always provide! Cheers!


Welcome 2018! More blessings to come!

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Zero Waste: Operation Room 308

Zero Waste: Operation Room 308






My Mom asked me to accompany and help her clean the class room since she is preparing for the coming Christmas party for the class she handles. Not knowing that she has a surprise for me too. My mom knew already that I am transitioning to zero waste already for several months now. I'm doing it slowly but surely. I know for a fact that my mom has tons of paper trash since she is a teacher in an elementary school. So I already expected that I will be dealing with lots of papers but my mom ask me to take care of the collected bottles instead of the papers. She arranged the sacks that's full of plastic bottles. Mom asked me to remove the labels and pressed it thinly. Silently followed her instructions, while doing my tasks. A lot of things is running inside my mind. Do i need to film what I'm doing or no need? Will it help to promote my advocasy? Why plastic bottles? I thought its just papers? She knows how allergic I am with plastics since I'm getting rid of them as I transition to Zero Waste Lifestyle. It's not easy though because living in a country which is not offering any organic store is pretty hard. Everything is packed in plastic, markets are not like the once in the US that markets are really separated from wet to dry.

Every bulk items you'll buy is already pre-packed in plastic, like you dont have the choice to put it in a cloth bag. Most of your delish drinks are packed in plastic bottles. So transitioning to zero waste is really a hard time. However we can do something to share awareness so that we can minimize our plastic trash. Just like what we did, we collected some plastic bottles for some treats for the advisory class of my mom. We only have three days left to prepare for the Christmas Party. So we decluttered and we are planning to sell this plastic bottles and papers to the junkshop and all of the money that we will get, we will buy something for the kids.

Yes helping my mom, giving some small treats for the children, decluttering and saving the planet in an easy way is the best way closing the year 2017. This is a small achievement for my zero waste lifestyle promoting to minimize the usage of plastic. I'd rather advice you guys to use reusable things to minimize trash. We cannot say that we can be totally be a zero waste but minimizing our trash can definitely help us saving the planet. I'm not pleasing someone I just wanna share some thoughts and let you realize that we can do something better. Everyone can contribute, simplest way is throwing trash on the proper trash bin so that we can easily determine which is biodegradable and non biodegradable.

People may think I'm just seeking for attention, yes probably but the only reason why I want to post in in social media because I want to share awareness on what we can do to save the planet on our little own way. I will keep you posted my zero waste journey and I will share some insights about some easy swaps that we can do on my next blog. Thank you for taking time to read this. ;)

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

EASTERN VISAYAS TRIP

MY LEYTE AND SAMAR TRIP

Eastern Visayas is consist of 6 Provinces namely Eatern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte. I was able to ticked three provinces in my 81 provinces check list; Leyte, Southern Leyte and Samar. It was full pack backpacking experience in this 3 provinces.

Initially I plan going to Kalanggaman Island and stay there overnight then a day tour in tacloban and just make a city tour in Samar and eat some local deli however due to enclement weather since there was a tropical depression found within the Philippine Area of Responsibility  my plan gone haywire. A total change plan. Before my flight it seems everything is not meant for me. Had some transportation issues before flight, heavy rain pour down all over Metro Manila while my brother and I is on the road going to the airport and even my elder brother reminded me that it wont be a good trip if I'm gonna push through my trip.

It was planned trip supposedly however due to unpredictable weather I thought everything will be a mess. Thank God there are still some reasons for me to hold on and enjoy my trip to Eastern Visayas. I met a few locals who taught me how to go to different places within Leyte and taught me how to speak some waray phrases ( a dialect in Visayas mostly spoken in Leyte). A plus for one of my bucket list, learning a third language or dialect. Gained a lot of new experience in my trip. I had my first airplane ride going to Tacloban, had my first habal-habal ride ( a single motorcycle where 3-4 person can fit in, ussually found in remote provinces), first time tried caving, first time traveling without any exact itinerary and slept with strangers in a hostel room. A lot of first and I love it. I'll be planning my next wet season adventures soon.

Here's the link for my vlog for this trip.

 https://youtu.be/kZC4HH6pG2o

Just like what I promised in the video here is the Itinerary and expences for my Leyte-Samar trip.

Airfare via AirAsia RT : 1200 got a promo fare last November 2016 as a gift for myself.

Day 1 Tacloban City Tour
From Romualdez airport I found a tricycle driver who offered me a city tour for 700 pesos claiming I can visit McArthur Landing, MV Eva Jocelyn, and San Juanico Bridge. Others may say its too expensive for me its worth it any way due to I took 2 1\2 Hours in San Juanico Bridge since I walked on the longest bridge from Leyte's checkpoint til Sta Rita,Samar checkpoint. *Option 2 can have the city tour including Sto Niño Shrine with the same price however I opted out Sto Niño Shrine during my tour since I really wanted to experience walking on the longest bridge in the Philippines and enjoy the view from end to end.
So after my 5 hours city tour I thought I will be able to go to Kalanggaman the following day so I asked Kuya Jon to drop me of the terminal to Palompon. Had a bumpy ride all along since heavy rain is pouring during my 3-4 hours travel time from Tacloban City to Palompon. I went to the Tourism office and checked if rhere will be any boats the following day to Kalanggaman but they told me to wait til morning since they will wait for the Coast Guard's instruction. Since they told me to wait the following day I asked if there's any budget hotel near the office told me 2, one in Pacci Hotel if you want to stay in Solo/2 pax air conditioned room worth 1100php and there's another hostel/lounge named Breadfruit Backpackers Lounge a CO-ed airconditioned dorm for 299 per bed. It's a capsule type lounge. I stayed with Pacci overnight.

Day 1 expenses
700 tricycle city tour
150 fare from Tacloban to Palompon
1100 Pacci Hotel
--1950php

Day 2
Did nothing since there's heavy rain within the area and the coast guards didn't allow the boatmen to go to Kalanggaman due to big waves going to the island.
So pretty roam around Palompon.
I transfered to Breadfruit and feels like home since the owner treated me very nice stayed overnight and waited if there will be any changes with the boat schedule to the island. Unfortunately there's none again.

Day 2 expenses
Breadfruit 299
--299

Day 3
My itchy feet is calling for a trip or adventure so I met some travelers who looks for some places to go so we visited Hindang Caves and Wild Monkeys, Lintawon Cave, 16000 Blossoms.

Day 3 expenses
Van Fare from Palompon to Ormoc 125
Habal-Habal Fare From Highway to Hindang Cave 50 per head
Hindang Cave and Wild Monkey's Entrance 20
Guide 150/3pax =50 per head ( ussually 400 during peak season)
Zipline 180
Habal-habal fare back to the highway 30 per head
Van Fare to Pomponan 50
Habal-habal fare to Lintawon Cave 50
Entrance to Lintawon Cave And Cave pools 50
Entrance to 16000 blossoms 20 pesos
Habal-habal from Lintawon peak to highway 50
Tricycle from Highway to Pomponan terminal 20
Van fare from Pomponan to Tacloban City 150
Multicab from Tacloban city to Downtown 13
Downtown to Pension House Lounge 60/3= 20 per head
Pension House Aircon Room 700
---1565

Day 4

Parted ways to the gals that I met and continue traveling alone so I had my tour to Sto Niño Shrine then spent a couple of hours in Caluwayan beach. Since I just stayed for few hours in the ressort the front desk just ask me to pay just for the entrance fee. Then back to Tacloban stayed in a Hostel near GV Hotel since Budget rooms for GV is already fully booked.

Day 4 expenses
Fare from Downtown to Sto Niño Shrine 8
Sto Niño Shrine entrance for Solo/2/3 - 200
30 pesos per Camera/ Cellphone// per person
Fare from Sto Niño to VanVan 8
Van fare from VanVan terminal to Sta Rita 80
Habal habal from Sta Rita to Caluwayan Beach resort 400
Caluwayan Entrance 25
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
*swimming pool 200 adult/ 10 y/o below 175
*room rates starts at 2300
*pumpboat tour 500
*paddled boat 150
*cottage 500
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Van fare from Caluwayan to Tacloban City 80
Downtown to Hotel 13
Hostel Lodge 500
Hotel to Romualdez Airport 13
Romualdez airport terminal fee 150
---1507


A total of 6521 pesos


Pasalubong, Food and drinks not included its up to you on how much budget you will put for your food and pasalubong.

People may say it's expensive for my solo travel yes it is but enjoying traveling alone that's fine with me.Learning from experience is the best way to share knowledge to people around. ;)


Monday, September 18, 2017

10 Milestone as a SOLO Backpacker


My Ten Milestones as a Solo Backpacker 

1. Planing a trip to one of my dream destination.
   ♡ As a solo traveler I used to dream going somewhere I really dont know. Getting out of my comfort zone helps me a lot to gain confidence and experience upon traveling.

2. Learning new dialect or language from the place I go.
   ♡ Asside from English and my native language as I travel I learn some few words and phrases from the people I used to talk to. They taught me some words that I can use as I get around to the place and I can use in the future.

3. Booking for a flight all by myself.
    ♡ Booking for a flight is one of my bucket list. Once you learn how to book for a flight it'll be easier for you how to manage your next trip to your next destination.

4. Going on a trip with no Itineraries.
    ♡ Yes sometimes its quite expensive though if you go somewhere without any itineraries yet its an awesome adventure and it will let you learn how to negotiate and talk to strangers.

5. Going on a trip with a very tight budget.
   ♡ Here in the Philippines theres many types of backpackers they maybe a backpacker with lots of money in their pockets and enjoy extravagant trips,and there are some who goes for a trip with few money yet was able to experience the best things that the world could offer.
6. Sleeping on a hotel/hostel/transient house alone.
   ♡ Sometimes its nice to sleep on someones bed and experience some luxury like breakfast on bed served by the hotel or by the host. Effortless preparing your food.

7. Sleeping on a sand near the beach.
  ♡ My family and friends knows how  much I love spending time on unspoiled beaches sleeping on a powdery sand is like connecting back to nature. Just feeling the cold breeze and listening to the waves as it rush to the shore.

8. Sleeping with a stranger.
  ♡ Pretty odd at first but sleeping with a stranger wont hurt you. On my solo trips I love sleeping with strangers because we used to talk about life and share some experiences that we do as we travel til we fall asleep.

9. Drinking with locals.
   ♡ Before I started traveling I dreamed of drinking with locals and it's GREAT! Sharing stories and experience with them has no right or wrong answer as long as you are true to them.

10. Disconnecting from phone and internet for a couple of days or so.
   ♡ Sometimes I wonder if I can live without any internet connection nor load to contact my family and friends, when I went to Leyte where theres a poor signal for cellular phones and internet its like I'm going back to basics and it is awesome. As a matter of fact its nice living just thinking how you will survive the day without load and internet. Though I assured my mom that I'm always safe on my trips.