Showing posts with label Puerto Princesa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Puerto Princesa. Show all posts

Thursday, October 16, 2008

My Local Visits 2008

I love travelling abroad for recreational and "educational" purposes. But I also make it a point to visit the local spots---ang ganda yata ng Pilipinas! (Philippines is so beautiful!)

Pagsanjan Falls. A high school friend based in Pasadena, California was in town so we brought her to "shooting the rapids." It was my first time to be in the area and I was amazed by the number of tourists visiting Laguna. There were buses loaded with Korean and Japanese nationalities enjoying the two-hour river trip. The boatmen were organized, respectful and friendly even to local tourists. The boat trip costs less than P1000 each.
I chanced upon this Angel (he's smiling in all angles) when a relative invited us to come to his resort, also in Laguna. But since I am not good with names, I forgot the resort name! I hope my family will not disown me for forgetting, haha. The place has a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and comfortable airconditioned rooms that looks like hotel rooms. Good place for corporate workshops and team building seminars. Below is a plant called, birds of paradise which I love seeing because it reminds me of my trip with my childhood friends in Putol, Laguna.



Kusina Salud. The place is known for its Pinoy-French style cuisine made famous by Chef Pol Poblador and his wife, Nina Tesoro Poblador. Known for their authentic menu with a local flavor, I will show here the ambience of the place. The food photos are all over the net, so there is no need for me to emphasize its sumptuous specialities. They also have a Day Spa.

Their motto: Filipino food served in a Filipino home. I grew up visiting this place on weekends, sometimes sleeping over just to relax and commune with nature.


It is located at 285 Brgy Sta Cruz, Putol, San Pablo City, 83 km from Manila. You can take a Lucena bus, tell the driver to take you down at Kusina Salud (there's a big signage) then take a tricyle and you'll be delivered safely to this "not-so-secret" paradise. Cell: 0921-7726985, Laguna: 049-5736155, kusinasalud@gmail.com

Puerto Princesa. One of the cleanest cities in the world. The city government's anti-littering campaign is so successful that every local resident put into their hearts that garbage should only be put on the thrash bin and nothing else! You don't see candy wrappers or cigarette butts on the streets! There is a huge penalty for anyone who litters!

The island is preserved like a "virgin." No commercial establishments. All peace and quiet. Throw me at a beach and I'll be gone in a snap---snorkelling and swimming! I'm a Pisces. A tip: throw a piece of bread and different kinds of colorful fishes will swamp over you and gorge your "offering." We become friends instantly!

FYI, I used a Lomo Fisheye No. 2 for the Puerto Princesa trip. For Kusina Salud, just my old reliable N73 Nokia cellphone :)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

A Film "Missionary"


I have been spreading the "gospel" of independent filmmaking all over the country. I guess it is just sheer passion on my part to do something proactive because I want to develop a new, critical audience willing to open their minds to new possibilities of storytelling techniques. My philosophy is to bring these films to the "needy." Literally, I bring these digital films and show this to a "makeshift" theater cum classroom.

I always say YES to school invites. Sometimes I even use my personal funds to fly to Cebu or Davao just to screen important indie films or to meet these young, idealistic students. I am a city girl all my life, without a province to boost so I long to see laid back, tranquil, nature-laden communities and interact with the people.

I enjoyed my visit to UP Mindanao because the school was surrounded by trees and carabaos! Imagine the carabaos were a window away listening to my lecture LOL :)

At Holy Angels University in Pampanga, we had a night screening---al fresco!

At the Holy Trinity College, Puerto Princesa, we had simultaneous screening in four different venues :) I was like a ping pong ball, huffing and puffing, going up and down the building rushing to my next talk. Kapagod. (Tiring).

In Bicol, all our screenings were full house. And the local food was fantastic!


In all the places I visited, one can see the yearning in the eyes of the students that they need these new kind of entertainment. They are hungry for more.

Reach out and good things will always come your way...that's a guarantee!

Here are some pics of our film screenings:



Bicol! See their happiness :0

Welcome to Puerto Princesa City! Still using colored chalk :)



Holy Trinity College students



Andy Bais, star of "Saan Nagtatago si Happiness?" with Davao Press

Calabarzon students at De La Salle Lipa, Batangas


The Manila Times School of Journalism, Intramuros


De La Salle University, Manila



Even had a screening at Tacoma, Washington USA for a

Filipino-American event but was there in spirit only :)




These are just some of the pics I got, did not have the time to document all the other schools/venues (and they were so many places)!