PHILIPPINES 2024 - PICO DE LORO

Sony A7IV  ■ f/18 ■ 1/250 ■ ISO 200

It was just last night, or should I say earlier since it was already passed midnight, at my cousin's house that we had an impromptu plan to go to their beach property in Pico De Loro. My cousin Marc had work but was coerced to take some time off or work remotely, not sure what happened. My other cousin Albert had to rebook their flight back to Cebu.

Though we wanted to spend an overnight at their beachfront property, it was not possible because my kids were flying back to the States the next day. We will just be doing a day trip so that they can still finish packing.

The drive was not that bad, it was about a 2-hour drive from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Nasugbu, Batangas. We just took a little bit longer since we needed to stop for breakfast as well as buy some items that my cousin Graced asked for.

The property is gated and you need to be a property owner or their guest to be allowed entry. There were still a lot of units if you are interested in buying, Pico De Loro. My cousins met us at the clubhouse before we went to their condo unit on the second floor a couple of buildings away from the clubhouse. They had food catered for our lunch before we headed to enjoy ourselves at the beach.

After lunch, Joel booked a banana boat ride and I went with the speedboat, pulling the banana boat, with Joel and Ash. I opted not to ride the banana boat since Water and I don't like each other very much. I just took pictures of them from the speedboat.

Then Joel rented a few jet skis and we took turns taking it for a ride after being given safety instructions. Others enjoyed swimming in the pool or enjoyed watching those who were on the jet skis. My mom and dad were just under the shades watching us all enjoy ourselves. It felt unfair to them since they were not able to participate in our activities and just watched from a distance.

We headed back to their unit, cleaned ourselves, and ate before we headed home. We took obligatory pictures before we went our separate ways. This time the drive back was eventful, it took us more than 4 hours this time. It was either our driver made a wrong turn after avoiding traffic or we were just driving slower. I don't know which, but the good thing was we got home safely.

We dropped Nanay and Tatay home first before we were dropped off at our hotel. My cousin Marc and his family were dropped off last since the driver lives near them. Pictures

COLLEGE REUNION 2022

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I have posted this before in my previous blog post, but I forgot to renew my WordPress site and was taken down. I am reposting this again and hopefully, I will be more active in keeping this blog and adding more posts this time.

I attended a mini-reunion held in Niagara Falls (Canada side) during the 4^th of July weekend of 2022. Countries were starting to open after COVID-19, this is a conversation for next time.

Most of us probably saw each other last in 1989, which was too long ago. Our Canadian classmates organized this reunion as well as hosted it. It was around an 8-hour drive from our home to Niagara and it was a very relaxing drive. I opted to take back roads more than highways whenever possible. I arrived a day earlier and just walked around a familiar and not-so-familiar Niagara. I have visited this place with my family a few times already.

The next day, I met up with some of my classmates at the meeting place and it was nice to see them. Had a lot to talk about stuff and whatnot. Of course, the obligatory pictures with the group. We hung out the entire day, walking along the famous Niagara Falls after lunch before meeting some more classmates and heading to the Filipino restaurant for our dinner.

It was crowded in Niagara Falls; you were walking shoulder to shoulder with other tourists or other Canadians. In addition, the weather at that time was nice. It felt like people just wanted to be out and about after being couped up for a very long time.

At the Filipino restaurant, I believe the entire place was booked for our reunion. There was a lot of food but amazing enough no alcohol. Back in our college years, any gathering had alcohol involved, and yet this time we had to scamper to get them.

After dinner, I found out that most of my classmates were booked in the same hotel, except me. We agreed to continue our reunion in one of my classmate’s hotel rooms. Somehow, we managed to get some beers to bring to the hotel, I think. I believe I walked back to my hotel way past midnight.

The next day I woke up early and grabbed the complimentary breakfast then checked out. Met up with my classmates at Niagara Lake. On my way, had to stop at a huge floral clock to take pictures.

We had a picnic at the lake and just continued chatting and planning for our next reunion. After lunch, I had to say my farewell since it was going to be an 8-hour drive home.

It was great seeing my classmates, some looked like they did not age at all were others gracefully aged. I truly would like to get a chance to see them again. Reunion Pictures

PHILIPPINES 2024 - MANILA

Sony A7IV  ■ f/4 ■ 1/100 ■ ISO 320

On the day of my mother’s actual birthday, we were invited to lunch at Café Rizal. This place used to be the Army Navy Club. It is situated near Manila Bay. Joel and Grace’s family met us inside the restaurant for lunch.

Getting there was a hike, distance wise it was not far from Laguna, however, traffic was really bad. The beauty of having a driver is best. We rented a van with a driver for the entire day. For those who want to rent, it was around US$100 including driver, gas, and toll. We tipped our driver well, I would think.

On our way, I saw the hotel we stayed at when I was on our college field trip to Manila, which seemed ages ago. To our surprise, we also saw a statue of a popular Filipino actor, Fernando Poe Jr., who I was told ran for the presidency but did not win. I need to find out why the statue.

Our lunch was super, as always, the food that was ordered seemed endless. Again, to our host, thank you for lunch. The plan after lunch was to go food trekking in Binondo. It is a place where you can walk around and experience different local specialties. However, that day was not a day to walk about. Not to mention the temperature was like in an oven, it was not fair for my mom to brave that heat in a wheelchair or for any one of us for that matter.

My ever-ready cousin Grace bought tickets to go to Manila Ocean Park. It is located behind the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park. This is called Rizal Park, the name of our National Hero. They have erected a monument where he was shot during the Spanish Regime.

The Ocean Park was not like what we have in the United States, but it has so many species that I have seen only for the first time. There was also an outdoor attraction but chose not to see it because of the super-hot weather. It does not only have marine animals but also other land animals or were they different attractions but in the same building as well as different tickets?

Our day did not end in Manila but rather we were invited to my cousin’s new house. I don’t need to mention how bad the traffic was, it was so bad that my wife and I needed to use the bathroom and we were up in the skyway where traffic was moving like molasses if at all. We had to hold it a lot longer and as soon as we got through our exit, we stopped quickly at a gas station restroom.

At my cousin’s house, we ate dinner and did karaoke afterward. Filipinos like to sing; a home will never be complete without a karaoke system. Well, if there is alcohol involved then definitely, I will have the courage to sing. To my surprise, my cousins Albert and Marc were good singers. Grace, I already heard her sing the night before with live performers, I am not even in her league. Before we called it a night, we planned to go to Pico de Loro in Batangas the next day or should I say later that day. My cousin Albert had to rebook their flight and my cousin Marc had to work remotely or he called in sick. Philippines 2024 - Manila Pictures