Boracay: the Kuripot's Guide to Paradise Part 1

I was so blessed to have won accommodation for two (2) to Boracay courtesy of Glad Kitchen!  We stayed at Alta Vista for three days and two nights.

Despite the 8 hour delay in flight, we managed to find a van to Caticlan and get on a chartered boat to Boracay Island at 3:30 in the morning.

Pero siyempre, I am a practical mom. I don't believe in spending more when you don't get the full value of things. So here's a post (more to follow) about the normal expenses we had to shell out for our trip so you would have an idea when you plan for your Boracay Trip.

Van to Caticlan - P250 per head (May night differential rate siguro kasi madaling -araw na).  (Pwede ikandong ang bata, walang bayad)

Van to Kalibo - P175 per head (Hapon kami bumalik ng Kalibo)

Terminal Fee - P100 per head (Free for child 5 years old and below)

Environmental Fee - P75 per head (Free for child 5 years old and below)

Boat to Boracay Island - P2500 for the chartered trip. But since there were 32 of us, we paid only P75 per head. Again, a child is free of charge.

Boat to Caticlan - P25 per head only.

Since we arrived at 3 am, the tricycle cost P150 from the port to Station 3.

If you flag a tricycle that is not waiting in line, the usual price from one station to another is P10.00 per head.  Fare from Station 2 to Cagbag Port is P20.00 per head.

Accommodation at Sanders Inn (At the Back of Villa De Oro, Station 3) - P1500 per night.  (Standard room, with two beds, a CR, Aircon, Hot and Cold Shower) ---> Don't expect a palace.  But my kid had a good "morning's" sleep.

Extra: Overnight accommodation at Alta Vista costs P7380 for a Suite Room without breakfast (Maximum of 4 adults).

A trip to Boracay is not complete without devouring tons of seafood. Here's some price list:

Lobsters:  Price range: P190 - 300 per 100 grams

Prawns:  Price range: P150-250  per 100 grams

Lapu-Lapu: Price range: P180-280 per 100 grams

More posts to follow!

Thank you talaga Glad Kitchen!

“Good taste, great pairings with San Miguel Lifestyle Brews”

Christmas: A time to spend with Loved Ones
 (sorry hubby, you're not in the pic)

First question:

What's my favorite dish? 

Chicharon.  I think I detailed it my favorite chicharon brands  here.  

from my other blog, www.jcajote.blogspot.com

My second most favorite dish is Pork Barbecue.  I know, I know, pork again.  But what can I do, that's what my taste buds love!

Second question:

What's the perfect drink to go with my Chicharon and Pork Barbecue? San Miguel's Cerveza Negra.

Third question:

How does the Cerveza Negra amplify my favorite "pulutan(s)"?

Wait.  

Here's a little history. 

I am a late bloomer.  In my teen years, when that stage should have been the opportune to drink and be merry, I shied away from it.  My best friend even tried to buy a bottle of vodka, but we only consumed about half a glass of it, and half of the half of that glass was barfed up. It tasted nasty.

When I reached 30, that was the time I tried to really drink alcohol. Not just literally a sip, but one I tried to taste and enjoy.  My hubby and I occasionally drink at home, we're drink buddies but we rarely consume a bottle of hard drink because neither of us is a heavy drinker.   I never liked alcohol, but when my brother introduced Cerveza Negra by San Miguel, I began to appreciate alcohol/beer.   That was the birthday of our cousin last year and it was paired with yummy pork barbecue! Aaaahhhhh! Unforgettable!

Last Christmas, my brother bought a case/box of Cerveza Negra.  He had just started an alcohol collection at home and the Cervezas have a special place in the middle of his cabinet display.  So I took, err, stole three (3) bottles home. (he-he-he)

My brother's collection.  There's the Cervezas

Imagine, it was the first time in my 34 years of experience that my parents saw me drink beer. Yup, definitely surprising eh!?

San Miguel's Lifestyle Br

Now, going back to the last question, how does it amplify the taste of my favorite dish?

I think I have three major major answers:

1.  Since it's less foamy, I don't easily feel bloated and full so I can eat more Chicharon and BBQ!!!
2. I like it's smell. It has a fruity taste but the bitter taste of beer is not overpowered by it, hence a great mixture of two tastes.
3.  There's also a hint of roasted something that I can't place that, when paired with my favorite "pulutan" gives the pulutan a more defined taste and a more pleasurable drinking experience.
4.  (I'm bad at math) I don't get drunk easily with this.

Well, I am no alcohol expert.  But this one, San Miguel's Cerveza Negra, I like so much!

That's me in my brother's kitchen last Christmas!

Additional photos:

Christmas Eve with my Favorite Sister at my Brother's Home

That's my Favorite Brother and Favorite Mom on Christmas Day

“Drinking experience that’s above the ordinary”

 

Chivalry is in the ICU

I remember a post I made in my other blog many years ago about a very unfortunate evening.  It also opened my eyes to the death of chivalry in the Philippines.  In that post, endangered pa lang ang chivalry in my eyes. Ngayon, parang nasa ICU na.

Since I'm a regular commuter, and a frequent rider of LRT and MRT (all the lines, take note), I have seen several men who gave up their seats for ladies and senior citizens.  Even some ladies give up their seats for pregnant women, women with a child/children and senior citizens.

Pero mas marami ang hindi na nagpapaupo ngayon.

Take this one instance.  I was given a seat by another girl because I think at that time, I looked pale and was nauseous. She probably saw me and offered her seat. When she stood up, another girl from who-knows-where appeared and took the seat.  Ang nakakainis, she was younger and much slimmer than me.  (Neng, pagod ka din ba?)  We all stared at her. She was "deadma" until one lady said, "Ms. binigay sa kanya yang upuan na yan " (pointing to me). Since I didn't want her to be humiliated so much, I just told her to go on and remain seated. She didn't budge and so remain seated on my "pwesto".

Then last Friday, I took the train to Recto.  And look what I saw:

Nakakacross legs pa ang kuya sa dulo.

At ang isa ay tulug-tulugan.

Samantalang three women kaming nasa harap nila, and the two were almost senior citizens.

Hay!

Oh well, times are a-changing. Sabi nga nila, we women ask for equality. That includes seats on commuter vehicles.

Pero sana, wag naman itong i-apply sa senior citizens, pregnant women and those with children.

I told a friend nga, who also experienced the same dead chivalry that we have right now that I'll make sure  that I try my best to teach my son about chivalry.  So that he grows up not really a perfect gentleman, but someone who will always have genuine care and concern not just to women and old people, but to everyone in need.

sMiLe!!

Christmas Party (Photo Story)

(Photos courtesy of Bless C. and Thesa I.)

I've shared with you before that I have cool bosses and cool workmates who love dressing up during our costume parties.

Our theme for this year's Christmas celebration is Safari.  Each wing competed against each other for the best in decoration award.

Though we placed only second, I can say with confidence that our wing was the most sophisticated, classy and most creative. (Love your own diba? Tsaka blog ko ito, kaya walang kokontra!)

Here's a picture of  our CEO in our wing, with my boss and our and ex-housemate (peace James!)

That's a giraffe and an elephant on the background

One had to admire the effort and character
he places on his costumes 

Again, our CEO, the day before, dressed as an explorer
complete with a "latigo" (whip) where he won
Best in Costume during the KSA Party

The pussycat dolls

Amazing faces painted safari-style

Tribesmen, An Ma Be's Sister and Explorer

That's our Bonggang Lady Guard
who gave a special dance number. 

The hosts, with the Top 5 Best in Costume for Females

The hosts, with the Top 5 Best in Costume for Males
(may Red Horse pa si kuya Jeff)

The AN-MA-BE Tribe

OCEO/ARG Wing

The Group Presentation. Take note of the "kawa"/pot.
That's where the missionaries were placed, ready to be eaten

The party was fun alright, but it was more fun because everybody was in high spirits then.

I am just reminded that no matter how wild we may become, Christmas will always soften our "wild" hearts if only we would keep the Spirit of Love and Giving alive.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photo Credit:  www.shutterstock.com

New year, new hope, new possibilities.

I wish everyone a great year!