Category Archives: Provinces

Activities and Itineraries, Business Trip, Cities, Provinces

Oriental Paradise Casino: a first-timer’s tale

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On our way to Subic from Manila, my bosses were discussing about trying out their luck in the casino, especially since we’re basically free at night. Of course, when I heard the terms “luck” and “casino”, an image of slot machines, 21 dealing tables, roulettes and dice came to mind. You see, I have never been inside a casino. All I know about casinos came from movies or documentaries (as in Breaking Vegas) or tidbits of info from my aunt who spent most of her adult life working for PAGCOR. Oh, some info from my brother too who worked at Gloria Jean’s before.

Casino, here I come!

The first time I had an “almost” casino moment is at Genting Highlands in Malaysia during Jed and I’s Sg-KL trip back in April 2010. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to enter. I can’t remember if it’s because we were carrying big backpacks or coz I was in shorts and slippers. Anyway, bottomline is we didn’t get to try. I was only able to have a glimpse of the seemingly gold surfaces of the slot machines, shining and shimmering as it tries to attract as much players (and money!) as possible. Continue reading Oriental Paradise Casino: a first-timer’s tale →

Accommodation, Business Trip, Cities, Food, Provinces, Uncategorized

Horizon Restaurant, Subic Park Hotel: devouring platefuls of goodness

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I LOVE EATING.

Dining on the first night

There. I said it. I believe that eating is one of the best ways to get to know a person, a place or an entire culture. No, I am not making up excuses just so I can justify the gluttony that I exemplify. I’m just saying, you know, there’s a lot of joy to be found in savoring the food prepared by people with much love and passion. Plus, the effort they put in to have it presented to you in the most delectable and mouth-watering manner. I think cooking is more of a skill than a talent, more of an art than a technique, and definitely more of a passionate heart than a calculating mind. Continue reading Horizon Restaurant, Subic Park Hotel: devouring platefuls of goodness →

About Me, Accommodation, Business Trip, Provinces

Subic Park Hotel: a video tour

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Hello from Subic!

This is our second day and night for the 5D/4N Capacity Building Programs Manual Workshop (Work Camp) like the one we did in Davao last week and in Tagaytay in the previous months. In total, including the first step in February 2010, the CBP Work Group has been doing this for the 7th time already. If I remember correctly, one in NIA Central Office, two in Days Hotel, Tagaytay, one in Iba, Zambales (can’t recall the name right now), another two in Days Hotel, Tagaytay, one in Brokeshire Resort and Convention Center in Davao and the last one (that would be outside of NIA CO) currently happening now in Subic Park Hotel.

Subic Park Hotel: front entrance

This is also the last work trip I would be making for the Project, and all the members of TCP2’s JICA team for that matter. I have not counted how many field works and business trips I have made over the past two years while working with the project. Knowing that this could really be the last also hits me with a realization that the Project is indeed about to end. But this “realization” will be for another post probably in my personal blog and the number of work-related trips taken as another in this blog which I will write once I’m able to count all my travel applications stored in my office PC.

For now, let me take you to a video tour (the first one I made!) of Subic Park Hotel, our venue for this work camp. Continue reading Subic Park Hotel: a video tour →

Business Trip, Cities, Food, Provinces

Home Avenue Cake Galerie: My sweetest spot in Davao

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Before heading to TP’s house for Lutz’ surprise birthday party, Jed and I picked up Christian from his house at Matina (luckily they weren’t among those who got flooded). Just beside their house (actually I think it’s attached), is the cute and cozy Home Avenue Cake Galerie, a cake and pastry shop which is among one of my favorite spots in Davao. Christian, upon my asking, realized that it has been a year already since they opened the shop in June 2010.

Welcome to Cake Galerie!

I first went to Cake Galerie on October 2010 for my 4-day vacation and has been bugging Jed to take me back there every time I visit Davao, whether for business or leisure. If my stay for work is very short, he just brings me something from the shop and then I’d feel like I’m right back. I like it here coz, well, it’s food! And sweets at that!

It also has a great atmosphere. You know, like, chill and relax and just chat the day away while enjoying cakes, cupcakes, cookies, coffee, smoothies, and recently, even pasta! Yet to try their pasta though but I think it’s quite promising!

Cute, isn’t it?!

Cake Galerie is ran by Christian’s sister Charisse, who’s also the chef. Naks! I like the sound of that. I bet she does too. Hehe. 🙂 The decorations and designs were created by (I think ) Christian and his brother, who are both artists. Their designs are really colorful, and cool. They also use colored chalks for the menu board, with the tiny artistic details around. I think it will make you feel like a little one, like a child who can eat all the cakes you want without your Mom saying no coz you’ll have sugar rush.

The chairs and tables are quite small for me though–maybe because I like my chairs a bit higher and wider. Which is why I like the two-seater type, coz I can do an Indian sitting position. Like a real child. Hehe. 😀 The chairs and tables are set-up quite close to each other but still comfortably apart. And, whenever we go there, it’s not really very full. Maybe because we always go just before closing time, which is around 7pm. Continue reading Home Avenue Cake Galerie: My sweetest spot in Davao →

Accommodation, Business Trip, Cities, Food, Provinces

Punta Villa Iloilo: a garden estate away from the city (Part 1)

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Work has brought me to Iloilo a number of times, usually staying at the City Proper district as it is equally close to either Barotac Viejo in northern Iloilo and Mambusao in Capiz. These are the two river irrigation systems we are monitoring for NIA-JICA TCP2, the joint project of Philippine and Japan governments that I am working with (more info at my personal blog).

Since Iloilo is such a big city, with seven districts covering 180 barangays, expect that there is relatively much hustle and bustles especially in the City Proper. If you are on vacation and you want to stay away from it all, you might want to head in the Arevalo District and enjoy some beach scenery (though it’s not a very attractive beach) and relatively fresher air. Well, I wasn’t on vacation but we still went to Arevalo because this is the location of Punta Villa Resort, the venue for the test run of a training manual for farmer leaders.

Gazebo and the Second Building (we were booked at the second floor)

The website’s homepage has this introduction: “Located in the one of the city’s coastal towns, away from the crowds, is a place where old world elegance still exists. In this modern age of square structures and modern lines, Punta Villa Resort stands out as the only place where old and new elements meet. You can just imagine ladies wearing magnificent gowns and men in coat tails dining under the glittering candelabras.” True enough, every time I go to Punta Villa (this was my 3rd time), I always get transported in the time of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Derbyshire and to Victoria and Albert’s palaces and gardens. Continue reading Punta Villa Iloilo: a garden estate away from the city (Part 1) →