Where at?: Southern Leyte

Okay, so here's me taking a short break from studying in preparation for my Graduate School comprehensive exams. I have to pass this exam in order to qualify for thesis writing that will eventually lead to my MBA. Whew! Yea, I forgive you for sleeping through all those words.

Anyways, this is another delayed post detailing our visit to Southern Leyte a few weeks ago. From Camotes Island, we took the boat that would take us to Ormoc City, the home of the Queen Pineapple, which is the sweetest pineapple in the whole wide world (Okay, that's just biased. I honestly haven't tried any other pineapples but those in my country). This photo below is taken at the World War 2 Veterans and Centennial Park, which was constructed in honor of all the WW2 soldiers who fought for the liberation of the country.

We also visited the beautiful campus of Visayas State University and were so impressed with all its administration's efforts and successes in the various aspects of the university's operation. It's such an inspiration to a developing SUC like ours.

On our way to Baybay City, Leyte, we made a quick stop over at Hindang Caves and Wild Monkeys Park. Being in various caves already, like the ones in Mabinay and Tuguegarao, I honestly am not that impressed with the ones in Hindang. It's not that developed yet. It's not even lighted inside, so no one is still allowed to get in and really see what's inside. On the way up, you will also be greeted with a headache-causing stink because of the great number of bats residing in the cave. The beautiful rock formations can be a great consolation, however.

The monkeys appeared a few minutes later, and we had some fun feeding them with the bananas we bought before going up.

Our next stop was Agas-Agas Bridge. The place is quite known for its long zipline and cable car line, so we went and tried them. Errr... more like they went and tried both, while I only decided to hop on the cable car with four others, AND that took a lot of budging and convincing and all the serious courage I could muster. Fear of heights, that's why; but hey, that's me taking a few baby steps already!

Of course, who would ever miss the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park. That's third grade History lesson come to life! Errr, not quite, but you know what I mean.

Before traversing San Juanico Bridge, we made a quick stop at Rafael Farm. Look at that landscape!  I could have taken photos around the huge farm if not for the scorching heat. We got there at noontime, so you can just imagine the insane heat!

Aannnddd... Another Social Studies lesson come to life - San Juanico Bridge! This bridge is considered as the longest one in the Philippines.  It practically connects two islands - Leyte and Samar.

Our original plan was to visit one tourist spot in Samar upon getting there, but some friends at another university that we visited told us otherwise. Talk about political sh*t with the elections coming up.

So, those are just some of the beautiful spots you can visit in Southern Leyte. The Philippines is such a beautiful country with breathtaking natural wonders. I wish I will be able to visit all of them. Soon.

xoxo,

Janjie

Where at?: Camotes Island, Cebu

Part of the major thrusts of the university I work for is the personal development of both the faculty and staff members. This is done through various activities including the annual field trip to other state universities and colleges and benchmark on these institutions' best practices.

This year, our batch decided to visit Camotes Island in Cebu and Southern Leyte. Our first stop during this 1-week trip was Camotes Island. It was actually my first time in the island and I expected it to be just like Siquijor. Unlike Siquijor, however, Camotes is still very underdeveloped with no big establishments and very few vehicles around.

We first visited Timubo Cave. At first glance, the opening of the cave looks like an ordinary tunnel; but a few steps down leads you to amazing rock formations with fresh water dripping and oozing out from them.

A few steps down makes you think the cave is all rocks and mud...

... but this beautiful, very inviting natural pool awaits you and lures you to give in and have a dip. This is actually just the first chamber. There's still a small passage here that leads you to the next chamber for a quieter and more relaxing swim.

Look at how the gang is enjoying the water! It was really a struggle for them to get out of the water and climb up for our next destination.

Next item on our list was Lake Danao Park. The place is so scenic, you'll run out of words to describe it. The water is so calm that you can literally take a good mirror shot with it. Look at that reflection! You can practically flip any photo taken on it 180° and still get the same image.

The next day, we dropped by Hindang Caves before heading to Ormoc, and we were given enough dose of majestic view as parting gift. Too bad we were not able to have a dip on the cool water.  As I said, we were already on our way to our next destination, and so we decided against travelling wet. :)

The virgin Island of Camotes and its breathtaking tourist spots will remain as a wonderful memory to us. When you get the chance to visit the island, also do not forget to enjoy a good swim on their very clean beaches and sunbathe on the white powdery sands. You can also grab some really fresh seafoods at the San Francisco baywalk and ask the local food stall people to cook them for you. 

Til next time, Camotes!

xoxo,

Janjie

Comfort is Key

Hiiii!!! I'm back!!! The hiatus was unintentional, I was actually offline for a week. Talk about field trips, tourist-y tours, orientations, tourist-y tours, benchmarking activities, tourist-y tours, and some more tourist-y tours. Hahaha! I'll talk about that soon. 

This is one of my looks during our visit in Leyte. Since the day was filled with orientations and tours around the beautiful campus of Visayas State University, I opted to stay comfy and cool with this ensemble. Well, yeah, the maxi skirt may not look cool on picture, but its thin fabric and flowy feel made me survive the heat. I paired it then with this cropped top that's short enough at the front to show a little skin and to further ensure ventilation. 

The vintage bag and vintage round shades completed the look with a hint of a vintage vibe. I'm really glad this look went well with the place. There was actually a lot of 60's houses around the campus that I intended to have this looked photographed in, but the insane heat just wouldn't allow it. Phew!

This is just a quick update as the heap of files on my table right now are becoming such an eyesore. I will be posting about the places we went to next time.

Top, Maxi Skirt, and Bag - Thrifted
Sandals - Liberte

Dress for Less

Talk about buying clothes, I always opt for those that are versatile and perfect for any outfit to pair. This dress has been worn with my jeans, my summer shorts and as a dress itself. See? Because we girls do get bored easily (me as a very good example), getting new things always excite us. Now that is probably the reason why you see us at the mall more like everyday! Hah! Well anyways, so instead of changing your wardrobe very often, which is very expensive, why not buy clothes that can be turned into different styles without spending too much? 

Fedora: Bazaar

Sunnies: Sprinto

Dress: Thrifted

Shoes: Hebe 

Promise Yourself

“Promise Yourself"

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

photo by glenn

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side

so long as you are true to the best that is in you.” 

― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

Venture Out

I was excited when I was invited to a photoshoot with a friend but it made me hesitate at first knowing that I don't know her group of friends and the photographer. I'm kind of used to argey taking our pictures and all, so that sort of made me have second thoughts. But, oh well, what harm can it do anyways? Let's just take it as a 'venture out into little-known waters'. Hehe!

And so, here we are, the product of our fun shoot! Haha! We were expecting a group of five or eight girls but the last-minute-i-cant-make-it-today reason happened that day. Awww.. But the shoot turned out well. 

photo by glenn

See how we can dress up to our match our own personality? We just had to pick our own clothes according to the colors we decided and viola! That probably made it unexpectedly a great shoot! 

Till the next fun photoshoot guys! ;)

All the clothes I wore are all thrifted! :)

watch: timex

belt: thrifted

hot pink flats: local shop

wedge: primadonna