Visiting One Hundred Twenty Three Islands In One Day

Almost a month ago, on August 8, my youngest son went on a school field trip to learn about resort operations. It was a three day, two nights seminar. On the last day of their tour, they were given a "free day" to explore the beauty of Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan. 

Located along the northwestern seaboard of the main island of Luzon, this National Park has 123 limestone islands spread out on a total area of 16.67 square kilometers (6.47 square miles), roughly 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Manila. Getting there would consist of a travel time of 4-6 hours by land, either by private vehicle or public transport (provincial buses).  The islands vary in shape and size and are believed to be millions of years old. The tranquil blue-green waters are simply breathtaking!

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Only three of the islands however, have been developed to provide lodging and other basic amenities. These islands are Governor Island, Quezon Island and Children's Island. Governor's island provides a viewing deck to showcase the beauty of the natural formations. There are many activities that one can enjoy while visiting the place, aside from enjoying the sand and sea, you can also go island hopping, snorkeling to view the giant clams, kayak, trek, and explore the caves.

Here are pictures of my son's trip:

Arrival at the site. He does seem excited, doesn't he?

Doing the "Rose and Jack Titanic Pose" while standing on an outrigger

A happy boy he is

Mickey on the viewing deck of Governor's island. Great view!

Riding the ferry to start the island hopping adventure

"Alright now, we're done with those. Let's move on to the next." - Mickey

And now, time for some snorkeling fun!

Back on the beach. This is a tiny lighthouse.

He loves the beach so much.

Enjoying the nice breeze and warm sunshine.

"Perfect!" - Mickey

On his Facebook page, Mickey tagged this photo as "Future Chefs"

No field trip is complete without those wacky jump shots!

Before they started their trip back home, Mickey took the rare opportunity to have his picture taken holding the super moon in his hand. 

Mickey got me a souvenir shirt! Isn't he thoughtful?

Hundred Islands is worth a visit. Its won't cost much, its accessible by land, and it gives you the opportunity to see how beautiful our country is. The best part of it, though, is after you have visited the place, you can be proud to say,
"One hundred twenty three islands visited! Only 6,984 more to go!"

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The Philippines.

Definitely more fun.

Enhancing the Acoustic Experience

Technology has brought about so many innovations in the field of music. It is a welcome change for artists because it produces more quality sound and provides better listening experience for their audience. It is for this reason that a sound investment must be made in choosing a pre-amp equalizer. A pre-amp, sometimes called a processor, is an intelligent device that decodes or "processes" incoming audio.

In the market today, you may find pre-amps with built in equalizers that adjusts the volume, tone and sets distances. A good pre-amp equalizer by Fishman is one of the best finds in the market. It boasts of an all analog digital path with parallel digital effects that give the best sound quality for acoustic players. This high quality pre-amp, combined with a 4-band equalizer provides superior tone control enhances the purity of the acoustic instruments. 

It is an exhilarating experience to perform and listen to music with sounds so clear and rich even when you are at the farthest end of the concert venue. Everything seems to get better and better everyday. 

Life Lessons I Learned from a Computer Keyboard

My work entails sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours every night. There are weekly goals, reports and ad hoc tasks that always seem to be labeled "ASAP." The keyboard has been my friend. It helps me put down my thoughts, complete my tasks and taught me these valuable lessons that I apply not only in my job, but in my life as well.

1. CTRL + ALT + DEL. The greatest keyboard function that has helped me survive the worse of the worst. CTRL, short for "CONTROL". When I stare problems in the eye, I look down at my keyboard and stare at the CTRL key. Control, control, control. Chill. Relax. Take a breather. Sort things out. Temper flares won't get me anywhere. I have to take the reins and look at the bigger picture. Why did I have this problem? Where did I go wrong? What are the things that I can control? What are the things that I cannot? Then I move on to ALT, short for "ALTERNATE." I look for ways to work through the task. I said "work through" not "work around." There is a big difference between the two, wherein the former means to face the task and the latter means to find a way to avoid the task. I think of solutions to make me finish the work quicker without compromising quality. The last key is DEL, short for "DELETE." This teaches me to eliminate the factors that steer me away from the goal. Delete redundant tasks, useless files, and time consuming activities. Whenever I feel confused, angry or depressed, I remember those three keys - CTRL+ALT+DEL.

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2. F5. Refresh. After sorting out a problem, I find it essential to refresh my mind to open up new ideas. Just like pressing F5 on your keyboard. I stand up, walk away from my desk and look out the window. I let my mind wander for a while, looking at the stars or the bright lights of the buildings around me. 

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3. F11. Go full screen. Using the keyboard key F11 allows me to view a webpage full screen. In the real world, an effective strategy to solve problems is to look at the situation from a wider perspective. I can see other details hidden from my initial view of the matter. With all things clearer, I can now work on a viable solution.

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4. F1. Pressing F1 in most browsers will take you to their Help tab. As for me, it reminds me that I can always ask for help when I need it. 

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5. ENTER. The "affirmative" key. In life, we do have to take risks and "enter" doors that lead to either opportunities or misfortune. Until I am doubly-doubly sure of what I have written my my book of life, only then will I press the "Enter" key.

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6. ALT+F4. The keyboard combination of quitters and non-achievers. Pressing this combination will close the window or take me to the Shutdown Menu. I have been tempted to do an "ALT+F4" so many times in my life. However, the calling of CTRL+AL+DEL was stronger, and I am definitely a fan of F5.

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However, the best key I love is shown in this picture below:

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Have a blessed Sunday and a great week ahead! :)

A Ton of Everything.. That's My Aton!

Dear Aton, 

One stormy August night in 1991, I was admitted to Capitol Medical Center to deliver you, my second child. It was barely two months after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and Metro Manila was still reeling from the ash flow, which made the floods worse than the usual.

You were born at 8:37 am on the 26th of August 1991. You were 7 pounds 12 ounces at birth. My doctor wanted to do a C-section because she said the you were big. I said, "No, I will opt for a normal delivery." Oh, the pain, the episiotomy, was unbearable! I felt total relief after it was all over. I had a son! Hairy, chubby, and so cute! 

You were such a handful growing up. You started to walk early and was practically running at 18 months. You babbled your way asking for your milk and toys. You gave yourself your own nickname. You were having difficulty in saying the "s" (and "r") sound in words so "Jason" evolved in "Aton" (pronounced with a short "a" sound, like "ah-ton.") At two and a half, you were writing your name with your finger everywhere - on the car, the soil, on the table (using ketchup). You didn't know how to read yet, but it seems that you memorized the shapes of the letters spelling out your name. When your younger brother Mickey was born, the popular song on the radio was "Achy, Breaky Heart" and so you called your baby brother "Bwekky Heart." You would rock Mickey's crib and start singing "Don't bweak ma heart, my ekky bwekky heart.."

You were so full of energy. You were three years old when I got you a trike. He rode it almost the whole day. One day when we were visiting my grandparents, (of course, the trike had to be with you), you tried an aerial stunt from the porch to the driveway. As expected, you fell from the trike and your cheek hit the corner of a concrete flower box. Your cheek was so swollen and I had your pediatrician check if there was any facial bone fracture. Luckily, there was none. However, when the swelling subsided, a dimple appeared right on the spot where your cheek hit the flower box. The pediatrician looked at it again and said the muscles could have suffered a tear and gave rise to the dimple. So that is the history of your deep dimple on the cheek.  

You hated afternoon naps and Lola made sure that all of you took naps. You would obediently lay down and close your eyes but you never slept! Just to comply with the rules, you would pretend to be asleep. It was funny how you could lay perfectly still for an hour and a half just pretending.

It broke my heart to leave you guys to work in Taiwan. I had nothing but thoughts of you everyday. With every meal I had, I was thinking about what you were having. On my first night back home, you said, "Mama, wag ka na ulit aalis, ha?" ("Mama, don't leave us again"). That is a promise. I won't. 

We've been through tough times. We had arguments, disagreements, and fall outs. But nothing will ever change. You are my first born son. I know that you will be successful someday. I know all of you will. Sometimes I feel I don't have enough time with you guys. I hope you understand that it is really difficult to manage a full time job and run a household. My promise though, is that I will always be here for you.

On your 23rd birthday, I wish you all the best that life has to offer. I pray that God will guide you in your every endeavor. Do your part and study hard. Your future is within arms' reach. I will eagerly await the time when you start carving your name in the corporate world.... just like you did when you were a baby. And don't forget you promised me a shopping spree on your first payday! Hahaha. 

Happy birthday, Aton, Toniks, Katong, Kuratong, Atonski. 

I love you!

Always,

Mama

P.S. Here's your birthday video! :)

The "C" That's Good For Me

In this day and age, both parents are usually employed full time leaving them little time to really prepare a healthy home cooked meal for the family. Because of time constraints, most family opt to feast on fast food because of the convenience it provides. However, we cannot guarantee that fast food fare has the health benefits that growing children as well as adults need in order to stay healthy. 

One of the vitamins essential to ward off illnesses is vitamin C which is widely known to boost immunity against disease. With regular intake (natural or as a supplement), it helps us to be protected against the common cold and other respiratory illnesses. It also speeds up wound healing and fights stress. 

We can easily obtain vitamin C from fruits and vegetables, however, commercial preparation and sometimes heat through the cooking process can decrease the beneficial properties of it. The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) for Vitamin C is 70-90mg, however, to reap the full benefits of the vitamin, we must be taking 500 mg of it daily. 

If we opt to obtain vitamin C from natural sources such as fruits, we have to consume a lot of it. Let's take for example, an orange. A regular sized orange contains only 97mg of Vitamin C. Which means, we must consume at least 5 oranges a day to get a little less than 500mg. However, the downside of it is that it would cause too much acid in our stomach. We don't want that, do we?  

Let us now tackle the idea of taking vitamin C supplements. The market is flooded with different kinds of vitamin C preparations, all claiming the maximum health benefits of the vitamin. However, the best one I have encountered so far is Mega C Vitamin C. One of the things that sets this brand apart from the rest is that it comes in an all natural veggie capsule. The greatest benefit, however, lies in the fact that Mega C is non-acidic, which would be good for me because I suffer from hyper-acidity from time to time specially when I am stressed.

Mega C offers 12 benefits for you to make you switch to their brand:

1. Mega C is non acidic with a pH range of 7.5 to 7.8

2. It helps fight stress by boosting your immune system to help prevent you from the flu, cough, bronchitis, respiratory problems and other viral and bacterial infections.

3. It protects your cardiovascular system, particularly your heart, from bad cholesterol.

4. It protects the body from carcinogens found in processed meats and by blocking the reaction between nitrates and proteins

5. It has a direct effect on collagen and it has shown that it has the capacity to mend skin and bone injuries

6. It helps reduce the insulin requirement of those suffering from Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and spondylitis.

7. Its antihistamine function helps fight all forms of allergies

8. It enhances sexual performance by making the endurance glands perform at its peak level.

9. Its antioxidant properties prevent the weakening of the sperm cells

10. It smoothens and whitens your skin.

11. It prevents constipation and reduces the size of hemmorhoids.

12. It uses a vegetable capsule, which is all natural and retains all the advantages of a standard two-piece capsule.

Learning about all the benefits that I could get from it, I am so convinced that Mega C would be a better brand for my family. I would suggest that you too make that big switch. Health is Wealth!

Find out more about this amazing product through the following links:

www.mega-c.com

www.facebook.com/pages/MEGA-C-Vitamin-C/685063438239076

https://twitter.com/MegaCVitaminC

Mega C is available in all leading drugstores nationwide. 

Click here for full disclosure. 

Wash Hands With the Right Hand Wash

Its back to school time again. Many young mothers will be sending off their little ones to Kindergarten for the first time and may feel some anxiety. During my daughter's first day in Kindergarten, I actually experienced SSA (Severe Separation Anxiety). It is a normal thing, and I am glad that both me and my daughter were able to breeze through the next few days.

Young children are very curious about their surroundings, specially in a new environment. They would pick up a curious looking stone, pet an animal or just enjoy the feeling of creating things with their hands (like mud pies and mud sculptures). 

It is in this stage that we must teach our kids the importance of hand washing. It is indeed a challenge to train kids to do a certain routine task, specially the young ones who have just gained "some sort of independence." I would say that the best way to teach kids to make hand-washing a habit is to set an example. In other words, we should "walk the talk." We can start a fun activity at home like washing hands together while singing the new song they learned in school. Educating our kids that hand washing keeps us healthy, and being healthy means having to spend more days with their friends at school. No kid wants to be left out because he/she is sick and has to stay home.

The human skin is host to numerous normal, beneficial germs/bacteria. Let me repeat that - normal and beneficial. They are usually called "the good bacteria" that helps in wound healing and prevents the growth and spread of harmful germs. It is in this light that we, as parent have to be careful in choosing a good soap to use for hand washing. The best choice would be something that is formulated to get rid of the harmful germs and yet gentle enough to maintain the skin's natural composition. A hand soap and sanitizer made from organic materials what we need.

Meet CleanWell and Say Goodbye to Germs Naturally. CleanWell is offering an innovative product that does not use harsh chemicals to kill germs. They have tapped the antiseptic property of Thyme, which has been used for the same purpose for thousands of years in the ancient civilizations. 

Now that we have found the best product to use, we must teach our child the proper way to wash hands. Using CleanWell Liquid Hand Soaps, demonstrate to your child to rub their palms together, the area in between their fingers, the back of their hands and their fingernails. 1-2 minute washing is recommended, so singing a nursery song would be a good activity to go along with the handwashing activity.

Teaching our child that keeping our hand clean does not end at home. They should also practice this at school, during and after playtime or other activities.The CleanWell hand sanitizer is alcohol and triclosan free, kid-safe and doesn't sting. They come in a handy flip cap 1 oz. spray bottle that is easy to take anywhere. One 1 oz. spray bottle dispenses up to 200 spritz and is available in refreshing Orange Vanilla and Original (Citrus Herb) scents. Place a bottle in your child's schoolbag and rest assured that your child will stay healthy. Make them remember the phrase: CleanWell Hand Sanitzer - A Better Way to Clean Hands. Educate them to use it before meals and after play. Health is wealth!

I am a mom to three young adults and I have made it a point to provide my children this extra protection they need.

I am encouraging my readers to do the same. For a limited time, (August 22-29, 2014 only) you can avail of a special 10% discount! Click on the link below and save 10% or click on any CleanWell banner above.

Fight Germs in the Classroom: Save 10% on Hand Sanitizers, code HANDAA.

Wash and sanitize. CleanWell and be well.

The Beauty of Baler

Baler, Aurora is located on the southeastern part of the island of Luzon, around 230 kilometers (143 miles) from Manila. Accessible by land through zigzagging mountain roads, with travel time lasting 5-6 hours. The province of Aurora was named after the wife of President Manuel Quezon. It is a go-to destination for nature lovers because the province is 70% forest cover. It is also gaining popularity among surfers, and the best time for riding the waves are during the months of September to March.  

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Last summer, my son Aton's best buddy Mikey came home for a vacation. He's been staying in Canada for the past two years where his parents live. They were inseparable the entire time Mikey was here! Why wouldn't they? It was just like they were "brothers born of a different mother and father."

"Surprise, Aton! I'm back!!!" - Mikey

They planned a trip to #Baler, Aurora together with their closest buddies from the UST Yellow Jackets. It was their first time to go there which added to the fun and adventure. They hiked, trekked, took a dip in the cool waters of a river next to a waterfall. They went to the beach and tried surfing when the waves picked up. Gauging from their photos, they did have a good time. Oh, the things you can do when you're young and fit. (a bit jealous here. haha)

The UST Yellow Jackets

Time to explore that big Banyan tree

Conquering the roots of the tree

Practically "inside" the tree

Those tree roots are huge!

That's Aton and his girlfriend, Marga

The lovely waterfall

Taking a dip in the cool waters of the river 

Photo-op while taking a break from hiking

That's Aton and Marga

Another photo-op break

Mikey taking a breather on the river banks

Marga and Mikey

The coastline of Baler

First time to try surfing!

Mikey's send off party at Garahe 25 Bar and Resto. Best buddies for life!

I am happy my children know the value of friendship and how to treasure them. It may be a few more years before Mikey comes back for another visit, but who knows? It may be Aton who will visit him in Canada. :)

Why Eagles Never Die

I spent two years of my life in a foreign country, earning my keep to send my children through school. The homesickness was unbearable, and sore muscles and tears were part of my daily existence. To alleviate the longing for home, I pinned pictures of my children and immediate family on the inside of my closet, together with a newspaper clipping of a poem by the late Vice President of the Philippines, Salvador Laurel.

This poem gave me strength to go on each day. It speaks of perseverance, hard work and family. Let me share it with you.

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Why Eages Never Die

-by Salvador "Doy" Laurel

November 18, 2002

I've been watching eagles all my life; 

I've seen them soar and swoop in strife;

Gliding with grace against wind and sky,

But I've yet to see an eagle falter or die.

They all look alike up in the sky,

Strong and daring in their quest up high;

They only rest when the day is done,

To perch and care for a little one.

They sally forth each day without thought

Of wounds or flops, or yesterday's drought;

They care not for the past or the morrow,

They know the only time they have is now.

And when 'tis time to go, they never tarry;

They leave the world without being sorry;

To some forgotten cliffs they simply hie,

So mortals never see them ail or die.

In Perfect Harmony

Haven't we had enough? 

Famine, disease, war.

Senseless killing of the innocents.

Violence against women and children.

Lust for power.

Child trafficking.

Corruption.

Lies.

Greed.

Wake up, world!

I saw this video on youtube. The song sounded very familiar and then I remembered that this was the song for a Coke commercial way back in the 70s. The message is simple - spread love and peace. I am sharing it with you today.

I'd Like to Build the World A Home

Performed by The New Seekers

Songwriters: B.Backer, B. Davis, R. Cook, R. Greenway

I'd like to build a world a home

and furnish it with love

Grow apple trees and honey bees

and snow white turtle doves

I'd like to teach the world to sing

in perfect harmony

I'd  like to hold it in my hands

and keep it company.

I'd like to see the world for once

all standing hand in hand

and hear them echo through the hills

for peace throughout the land.

Its the real thing

what the worlds wants today

That's the way it'll stay

with the real thing

I'd like to teach the world to sing

in perfect harmony.

A song of peace that echoes on

and never goes away.

Put your hand in my hand

Let's begin today

With your hand in my hand

help me find a way

I'd like to see the world for once

all standing hand in hand.

And hear them echo through the hills

for peace throughout the land.

I'd like to teach the world to sing

in perfect harmony.

A song of peace that echoes on

and never goes away.

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Break down the barriers of race, color, and religion.

We are all brothers.

That's all we need to believe.

12 Quirky Kitchen Gadgets For The Curious Homemaker

In this fast paced world, innovators have discovered ways and means to create gadgets that would make tasks or chores easier - specially in the kitchen. Some of these inventions are useful and has been widely sold worldwide. Others are just downright weird, but kinda fun.

Let us delve into the world of weird and quirky kitchen gadgets.

The Banana Slicer

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A knife would have served the same purpose. I wonder if anybody ever bought this product? 

The Egg Separator

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Baking always entails separating the egg yolks from the egg whites. This task requires skill and patience. Egg separators have been in the market for a long time and comes in all shapes and sizes. This one however, makes the task look really gross. 

The Knife Block

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A majority of homemakers keep their knives in a drawer after use. However, this may dull the knife quickly, so it is recommended that knives be kept in a knife block after use. This knife block however, is ultra scary! I would have a freak out experience going in the kitchen at night if I had this thing sitting in my counter. I would go for the standard wooden, rectangular knife block. 

The Self Stirring Mug

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No need for teaspoons! This self stirring mug has a small whirring disc at the bottom that stirs and froths your cup of coffee at the push of a button. Uses 2 AA batteries. The best gift for a lazy friend! Honestly, I still prefer using a stirrer or a spoon when I make my coffee. I'd use the money I would spend for batteries on something else.

The Hillary Nutcracker

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Like egg separators, nutcrackers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I found this unique nutcracker on the web and it is called "The Hillary Nutcracker." I have nothing else to say.

The Drink Caddy

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This contraption was designed to make dispensing drinks a lot easier. It does work, mind you, but come to think of it, do you really need this? 

The Onion Goggles

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Chopping onions can end up in a tear-fest. The sulfuric compounds in the onion are released when cut. To avoid this, I usually cut/chop onions maintaining a distance from them, keeping my eyes away from the direct line of fire from these sulfuric compounds. In short, I don't bend over my chopping board when I cut or chop onions. Another life hack to avoid tearing is to freeze or refrigerate the onions before use. Onion Goggles would guarantee "no tears" when chopping onions but for $20? I don't think so.

The Egg Cuber

Vanity kills, my friends. Why would you want to distort the shape of a perfectly boiled egg? Would it even matter?

The Butter Spreader

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Unless you'd be having corn on the cob everyday for the rest of your life, then this gadget would benefit you immensely. However, frugal little me would use my trusty butter knife instead. 

The Twirling Spaghetti Fork

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Eating spaghetti can sometimes be messy, however, if we learn to use the fork properly, we get to enjoy our pasta dish even more. Another quirky kitchen invention is this Twirling Spaghetti Fork. It is battery operated and twirls your spaghetti perfectly around the prongs of the fork. My dear mommies (and daddys), it would not be difficult to teach your child to use the fork properly, right? The money you'd have to spend for batteries could be spent for an extra carton of milk. Think about it.

The Finger Fork

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Worn on the pointer finger and used to pick up small portions of food. It would come in handy in informal gatherings or when the party host does not have enough silverware. I actually think this is practical to have during camping trips and picnics. It would also be great for bar chow. 

The Toilet Coffee Cup

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I honestly would want one of these. It is indeed quirky but I absolutely find it unique. I can just picture in my mind the looks on the faces of people seeing me drink coffee from a mug that looks like this. That would be so much fun!

To conclude, I know that these gadgets do serve their purpose for some people. To speak of the truth, I only have very few gadgets in my kitchen. I have a cleaver, an all purpose kitchen knife, a paring knife, a peeler, a bottle opener and a can opener. I also have a mortar and pestle and a manual (coil-spring) chopper. I guess that is all I need for now. My family never complains about my cooking so I guess I am good for now.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a blessed week ahead. 

Live. Pray. Practice Charity. Stay Happy.