Revisiting Gigantes

My first trip to the sleeping giants' isle was a few months after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated a big chunk of the Northern parts of Iloilo. During that visit, Carles is not considered a getaway place for most people. I don't think it was even on the top 20, considering the Philippines has over a thousand other islands to see.

Islas de Gigantes

But here we are 5 years later, Islas de Gigantes has become a social media phenomenon that more and more vacationers flock to this pristine little island to experience authentic island living even if it's just for a few days. I was actually afraid that maybe it was not as clean as it was when I first take a peek. My worries were for naught though as the beaches are still as white as before with only a few pieces of garbage here and there and a cleaning crew combing the beaches for pieces of trash that may have been accidentally left behind.

I am getting ahead of myself, so before I get carried away again, here are the details that you are looking for.

How much did I spend?

For this entire vacation, I spent 3500 pesos including fares and a bit of pasalubong. But this is on the pricey side because there are less than 10 or us. The more people you have, the less money you'll pay.

How did this happen?

I have a friend who knows a friend that offers tour packages. But on Facebook, you can find people who also offer tour packages and even promo packages to Gigantes.

How to get there?

From Iloilo City, ride a jeepney to Tagbak Terminal for 7-10 pesos depending on where you are in the city. If you're from the airport, you can grab a taxi for 350. The fare for the VAN is 150 pesos until Estancia Terminal, and the trip is for 2 hours.

If you have a tour package waiting and you want to get all your money's worth, I suggest you leave for Estancia or Carles early like 4AM (not that you won't get its worth if you'll leave at a later time ).

THE TOUR

At the terminal, we were met by the tour guide and he has tricycles waiting for us, so that's 15 pesos for the tricycle ride to the Port of Estancia. Then we paid 10 pesos for environmental fee and off we go for Gigantes.

We left the Port at around 1 PM and arrived at the resort that we will be staying at around 3PM and waiting for us is Mr. Crab asking to be eaten.

Eat me! -Mr. Crab

One of the things that I was really looking forward to in this vacation was the food and it never failed to deliver from the lunch we ate upon arrival until the breakfast we had right before we left.

We delivered our bags to our room and dig right in.

So we had sinigang na isda, crabs and some shells for lunch and unlimited rice :D.

Sinabawang Fish

After resting a bit, we went on to our island tour because we requested for a night swimming activity.

The first stop is Cabugao Island, the "selfie capital" of the Philippines. I think this was more fun than when we first went because now they have stairs and railings to hang on to while going to the top, and they also have barricades and warning signs so that you won't accidentally fell down.

Cabugao Island

The island also has Buddhist stone stacks arranged around creating a nice view on the ground.

While there, we observed locals cleaning up the island, they were combing the beach for trash, fallen leaves and sticks and other pieces of stuff that had fallen on the beach.

A reminder to our fellow travelers, please pick after yourselves.

Buddhist Stones

Next, for the night swimming activity, we were ferried to Bantigue Island, where the Sand Bar is.

It was a very long beach and all you can see is white white sand. The locals were even asking our ferrymen to attend the bonfire party for later that night. :D

Sand Bar, Bantique Island

They definitely have the place for it. Some people were already pitching tents on the beach when we get there. But we were there to swim, so that was what we did until the sunset turned to dusk and the night settled in.

Sunset at the Sand Bar

Then we were deposited to our room for cleanup and dinner.

Dinner was laswa with crab meat, grilled squid, squid adobo, calamari, and some scallops with eat-all-you-can rice.

Delicious foods, eat-all-you-can

After dinner, we stayed at the beachfront talking and playing with the fine white sand until bedtime.

2ND DAY

For the second day, the day started with breakfast. The breakfast consisted of fried dried fish, sunny side up and shells, I forgot the specific shell and lots of rice. Rice is the staple food for Filipinos.

The view during the climb.

The tour started with mountain climbing for the caving. I was excited at first, because the first time I went here for spelunking, it was inside a very magnificent cave with stalactites and stalagmites everywhere, though a bit of a hard work to squeeze through gaps to reach the other end. The cave this time was also good but it was small compared to the first one and it did not have any mineral formation. There was a very huge space though that can enclose a large building.

Caves

Then we went on another island hopping.

The first island was Antonia Island for snorkeling and swimming. If you come here, bring your own snorkels and lifesaver if you do not know how to swim. The corals are wonderful to see if you can hold your breath long enough especially in the slightly deeper areas near the beach. they also have jet skis for rent and banana boat rides available.

Antonia Island for Snorkeling

The next stop was the Tangke, this is a natural saltwater lagoon or pool found on the island. But for some environmental reason, it was close to tourists, so we had to content ourselves to having our picture taken and left. You can also cliff jump here.

Tangke - Saltwater Lagoon

Some of our companions are leaving ahead because they have a flight to catch early the next day, so after visiting the Tangke, we head off to the resort so they can clean up and leave with the other guests. We cleaned up also and eat lunch.

Lunch was crabs, calamari, and squid. The food is really delicious.

Delicious lunch :D

After lunch, we told our guide that we will rest a bit and explore the islands some more afterward. We went to our room for a bit to siesta and ended up sleeping until evening.

We messed up on our tour but still sleep is also part of taking a vacation :D

But we were not able to visit the lighthouse :(

So, we were woken up to eat dinner.

Dinner was squid adobo and sinabawang isda (fish soup). The fish was fresh as the soup was slightly sweet. Perks of being on an island.

Dinner :D

After dinner, we watched the lightning storm some distance away. And we were also told that we had to leave with the passenger boat because the boat was not available for the next day.

Lightning

There was also a masseuse who offered massage services after dinner but failed to show up after.

The next morning, our breakfast was fried dried fish, dilis and tapa, and scallops.

Then we were lead to the passenger boat and its Goodbye Islands.

Bye Islands

Before leaving Estancia though, we passed by the market to buy dried fish as pasalubong since we really loved the tapa we ate for breakfast.

So that ended our tour, it was not as fully packed as what was promised during negotiations. Some of it, our fault for delaying and arriving at the islands late and sleeping off half a day. But all in all, it was a relaxing trip and a memorable one as it was spent with friends you do not see on a daily or even monthly basis as they live so far away.

Sunsets

The food is unforgettable and one of those nice things you always want to have in the house, simple yet delicious. But since fresh is not in our vocabulary lately, so we settle for what we can have.

But if the opportunity arises, please grab it and rise above what is common and make it good.

Go UP!

Until the next adventure.!!!

If you want the number of the tour guide, send me a message or search for persons on Facebook who offers tours to Gigantes.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article once a week... :D

Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 2

Part 2 was late because author was busy…. Gomen…

Crocodile Farm – Barangay Irawan, Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan

Crocodile Farm

top – Rio
middle – Mascot
bottom – Baby Crocs

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is a cab ride away from Sta. Monica.

We arrived there just in time to miss the 2PM tour. So while waiting for 30minutes for the tour to start, we bought our ticket which costs 40pesos each, ate some ice cream and look around the souvenir shops. In the end, I bought lots of miniature crocodiles and stingrays for the fiends back home.

The start of the tour introduced us to Rio, a crocodile who was captured because he ate half of the spear and was injured. He was treated but sadly because of old age, was unable to adapt to the new environment and died of stress. Next were the baby crocs from the newly-weaned to the almost adult ones kept in tubs in ones, twos, threes, fours or fives. There are screens on top of tubs but there are spaces with no covers. Because of this, signs of “DANGER: Baby Crocs may jump and bite. Do not place hands on top of tubs” are placed around the holding area. Then, we went to enclosed area with a bridge on top where the adult crocs are kept. The biggest one is big all 60+ cm semi-hidden in the water but the head and jaws can be seen and the horror you will be experiencing when you fell into the pen to be his meal is beyond my imagination :D.

Crocodile Pen

After this, there is a booth where you can have a picture with a baby croc and have it printed as well for souvenir.

The animal park is a do it yourself tour, we roamed around for a bit. The 1st animal is the bearcat, when we approached he got out from his hiding place to have his picture taken. Lucky us. The 2nd one is the bearded pig, snobbish creature who kept his face hidden all the time as if telling us not to bother him in his mealtime. The next are the majestic serpent eagle, I think. They looked regal all the time sneering at us, mere mortals. Then the lonesome sea eagle who gave a plaintive cry when he was disturbed. His tail was magnificent though. Then we have the hornbills who doesn’t want their pictures taken and kept themselves to the foliage inside their cage. Next, the noisy mynahs. Then, the parrots who rarely made a sound while we were looking at them. There was also a wildcat which has no name plate, so we could not really know what it was. They also have monkeys. But the last animal we went to see is the porcupine and we think it’s dying because its pins and needles are falling off. And the skin is showing, with red pelts.

Bearcat, Eagles, Parrots

After this, we wander back to the crocos for the last time then walk back to the highway to go to the tiangge.

Tiangge-Tiangge – Barangay San Rafael, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Tiangge is a marketplace for souvenirs. We told the driver specifically to drop us off there but he thought that we are not getting off because when he looked at me I did not take that as a hint that he was asking if we were getting off. So, we had to walk back a few blocks to get back there. In there, we added a few more souvenirs. Some pearls and a shoulder bag. We also looked for croc meat for people who requested but we’ll, the souvenir meat shop is closed. So, we left the tiangge behind before we are tempted to buy more.

Kinabuch’s – Rizal Avenue, Puerto Prinsesa City

Kinabuch’s Bar & Restaurant

Kinabuch is a highly recommended place to eat in Palawan, so from the tiangge we rode a tricyle to get there for an early dinner.

We ordered the specialty of the house, crispy pata, baby back ribs, halo-halo and shake, a platter of rice as well. The serving is good for 5 persons for the pata and the back ribs for 2-3. We ate a lot but we couldn’t really finish all of it, so we had those wrapped up to be taken out. It was a very satisfying meal and the place is quiet to as there are a few other guests in the resto. We paid almost 1000pesos for that meal but we had lots of leftovers that we still ate the next day.

Puerto Prinsesa Capitol

After the meal, we bought some soap, shampoo and food for breakfast. There was a funny scene when a foreigner asking why liquor is not sold in that store when it is sold somewhere else even though its banned because of the recall election. He did not insist though.

We also passed by the Provincial Capitol but did not go in because it was already late 

Baker’s Hill – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Baker’s Hill

Before going back to WPU for the night, we decided to stop by Baker’s Hill to taste the tamilok. The driver finally dropped us off where we want to go and he said, we can walk or ride. We decided to walk, decidedly the longest walk in my life. Two almost uphill climb and stretch of land in between. Poor feet. But we arrived, passing by wagyu beef, mother of steaks advertisement and many other restos along the area. Baker’s hill is aptly named, many stores sell pastries, pizza among them. There is also a massage parlor. After resting a bit, we explored. No tamilok for us, as the resto serving is already cleaning up when we arrived. And as we are not really hungry, we just walked around the park.

Shrek Park, Cherry Blossom, Peacock Display, Flowers

It was very dark, and I think we disturbed more than one fowl creature. They had a golden pheasant, peacocks (stuffed and real), and other birds couldn’t recognize because its too dark. There are also over-sized vegetables. I am not sure if all of them are real though. Then there are swings, and see-saws for children. Shrek Park have Shrek, Puss, Donkey, Fiona and the kids and other figures as well. Then there’s the cherry blossom and flowers. After exploring, we decided to call it a day, hired a tricycle to WPU for bed and rest.

As the next day is for the Palawan Underground River adventure.

For the first day of our adventure, aside from the 7200pesos for airfare which is 2-way trip for 2 persons, we spent about 3000pesos for transportation, souvenirs, food and other miscellaneous things we bought as we go.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Palawan: Puerto Prinsesa City Escapade Part 1

Booking a ticket several months ahead bound for Puerto Prinsesa, the Princess of Ports (because any kind of sea vessel can take rest on its bay), we finally travelled on May 8-11, 2015. These series of posts will chronicle what we did, what we saw and what we conquered on this summer escapade bound north.

Puerto Prinsesa City International Airport

Leaving Iloilo International Airport at 8:40 in the morning, we arrived Puerto Prinsesa International Airport at 9:45 am. Our accommodation was booked ahead by a friend who teaches at Western Philippines University (WPU), she gave us a recommendation to stay at the university guest house. This allows to save a few bucks as the guest house is only for 350 pesos/pax for an overnight stay. We paid 2100 Php for the 3-night stay. There are also lots of cheap hotels and apartments around the city, you can always google it up ahead or ask the tricycle drivers that are fetching passengers to and fro the airport. The drivers are honest and recommends good places to stay at.

A Different kind of tricycle

Upon our arrival, we hired a tricycle driver to chauffeur us to WPU, Pajara, Sta. Monica; since we don’t know where that is. We paid 100 Php from the airport to WPU. The driver even offered to tour us around the city when he knew that we did not get ourselves a city tour. But we did not take his offer, this is our first time in Palawan and we are planning to tour it on our own. Plus, my friend advised that Puerto is too small to get a tour for it and she gave us a list of recommended places to visit. And so, let’s tick off the list one by one. There are also agencies who offers city tour for 500 to 1000 Php for each person.

Western Philippines University
(inset)Guest House Signboard

We deposited our bags at WPU, after 30 minutes or so of waiting. We arrived at the ungodly day of recall election for Puerto Prinsesa City. It was a holiday and the caretaker was not there to greet us since she was off voting. Good thing, the student residents were helpful and helped us get in touch with the Mrs. Conching. We left our bag, took a key for the room and searched for an eatery for lunch.
After eating at a small eatery just outside of WPU, we asked the ladies how to get to Butterfly Garden, our first stop. We rode a multi-cab to Butterfly Garden and got lost because the driver forgot that we asked to be dropped specifically at the garden. So we got off and rode the tricycle to get exactly where we want to go.

Butterfly Garden

Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

The Palawan Butterfly Eco Garden houses 10 species of butterflies that are being bred in the garden and by sponsors who helps populates the garden. The entrance fee is 50pesos each person. 

Butterfly Life Cycle
(top)caterpillar (mid)pupae (bottom) butterfly

An attendant informed us that the butterflies are donated by enthusiasts who also sells butterflies to other visitors. She showed us the different stages of butterfly life cycle from caterpillar to pupae to butterfly. She also explained that different species of caterpillars prefers a different plant where to lay their eggs. So depending on what butterflies are found in the garden, they also plant the preferred plants for these butterflies to lay eggs. Then she showed us the chrysalises, most are empty but there are some that are yet to hatch.

Aside from the butterflies, the garden also have other insects and animals under their protection. Scattered around the garden are pens and glass cases that houses the following: millipedes, stag beetles, stick insects, bearcats, a gecko, giant Malay scorpions, a baby croc, a box turtle, and peacock pheasants.

the animals (clockwise) stag beetle, stick insect, gecko, scorpion, pheasant, box turtle, bearcat, crocodile

The Tribal Village is home to the Tribu Palwan when they come down from the mountains to sell their goods. They are given a place to stay here for people to learn of their culture and traditions. Tribu Palwan is believed to be the descendants of the Tabon Man and they have weaponry and knowledge handed down from their ancestors that they still use in their everyday lives. This tribe reveres the monkey as a sacred animal.

(left) Ginger around bf, the tribesmen, their instruments & tools
(right)the spear

They also have musical instruments used in rituals and songs. They allowed us to hear bits of their music but the dancing is part of their sacred rites and is only perform during ceremonies. Their weapon of choice is a bamboo blowgun where they shoot darts and poisoned arrows by blowing on it from the other end. Their accuracy is amazing. The other weapon is a spear decorated with monkey bones for luck in hunting and sort of blessing from the gods. They also have a rock used to create fire in 2 strokes and it smells like resin. They also have a torch that lasts for a month if lighted.

We have our picture taken with their pet Ginger, a 5-foot yellowish python that wrapped up the tour on the Tribal village.

After this, we spent some time with the butterflies and then leave for our next destination: The Binuatan Workshop.

Binuatan Creations – Sta. Monica, Puerto Prinsesa City

Binuatan and how the looms are created

Binuatan Creations is a workshop where Buri, Pandan and other native fiber-y materials in Palawan are used to manufacture handloom woven products. It is located in Sta. Monica just a few blocks away from the Butterfly Garden. We rode a tricycle to get there. 

front and back view of the loom

The lady in charge of the weaving showed us how to work on the loom, how patterns are made, what type of materials are combined to create different finished products/patterns. After the materials are woven into a certain length, it is then transferred to the item creation. From this, placemats, bags, cellphone holders, purses, ipad covers and other stuffs are produced then displayed in the showroom.

Most of the workers in the shop are mothers who just need extra money or has nothing to do in the idyllic afternoons. There are also students who work there for the summer and on weekends during school time to earn some extra cash, male and female. The lady told us that they really try to accommodate all individuals who want to work there. She said that she is very happy if the youth shows interest in these things, so as to avoid bad company and other influences that may hinder education or pursuit of a brighter future.

I bought a purse from the showroom because its’ beautiful and I needed one. Also, the price is cheaper compared to buying one from the malls.

Binuatan Show Room

This has been a long post and I am not even halfway there…
We still got to the Crocodile Farm, Baker’s Hill, the Tiangge, Kinabuch, and the capitol.
Please watch out for the Part 2 of this escapade.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Rest Easy Now!

Sometimes we wonder
Sometimes we know
For most times we fear
Still, we pursue

Not everything is clear
Not everything is certain
The most we can do is be aware
Even if we are uncertain

The world is not black and white
The world is not wrong and right
Why must we always divide
Whole into parts?

We always question our existence
We always deny a higher being
If the answer does not make sense
Begin at the beginning

Who can answer me
Who knows everything
Answers surround me
But who will be checking?

I have my doubts
I have my fears
But life must go on
So we get a move on

If I am wrong today
I trust that tomorrow
Everything will be OK
I will be allowed to redo

So rest easy now
Give me self a break
Lay my head on the pillow
Until dawn breaks...

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Resto Review: Into the Rabbit Hole

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the new tambayan of yuppies and teens in Iloilo which is Smallville. I recommend you go visit a quaint little place near Atrium that will remind you of a childhood classic.

Let’s get lost together down the Rabbit Hole with the White Rabbit and your friends to attend the tea party.

Me and my friends are always on the lookout for new places to eat here in Iloilo. We heard a bit of a place called Rabbit Hole near St. Paul University but did not really know exactly where it was until I stumbled upon it by accident when I took the wrong turn when walking to Tibiao Bakeshop.

There was the small sign that said Rabbit Hole.

So me and the friends decided to try it out one Friday night.

On the door, it said Café + Bar. We hesitated for a bit before entering because none of us is much of a drinker, but decided to try the menu, if nothing else.

The café is small and one of the company said that it used to be an internet shop when he was in college. So that might explain the setup.

It has a high rise table (portion of the wall) that looks like it holds something and the cashier desk is somewhat further in with displays on shelves which now shows the menu but once upon a time displays available food.

Anyway, the place was small, about 10-11 small tables with 2 chairs per table. But it was comfy and dim lighting really creates a relaxing mood plus the music playing are the usual un-irritating top hits.

The neon lights and the art works displayed on the side does not cause loss of appetite at least. 

When we were handed the menu, I resisted a giggle because at the top it read Eat Me! for the Food Menu and Drink Me! for the Cocktails and other drink selections.

At the side, the menu is also displayed.

(That's the door to the kitchen)

So for the Food we ordered their Rice Meals: Honey Chicken, Mongolian Beef and Pork Schinitzel.

We also have 3 orders of Hot Box Burger, 1 Buffalo Wings and 1 Mozzarella Sticks.

For the Drinks, we only tried their Blue Turnate that turns the drink from Blue to Purple when Calamansi or Lemon Juice was added.

The food though was mouth-watering. Its presentation will really whet your appetite. And the taste, the taste of the food is heavenly. The honey chicken tasted sweet but you can really feel the tenderness of the chicken. 

 

Honey Chicken and Mongolian Beef

The Mongolian beef was easy to chew and the sauce in the Pork was creamy but not bland. 

Pork Shinitzel and an Exra Egg

The mozzarella was melted just right and crunchy even though it was chewy. 

Mozzarella Stick and the Hot Box Burger

I even nibbled on the Buffalo Wings even if I have a no-no rule for spicy foods. I think they added cheese in the Buffalo Wings and that added to the taste. 

Buffalo Wings

I only had problems with the Hot Box Burger because the patty was too salty for my taste but the other 3 people who ate the burger does not agree with me, they are highly recommending that you try the burger.

Hot Box Burger from the drinks

Purple Turnate

Don’t ask us about the drinks because we did not order any except for the Blue Turnate.

But I am recommending you try the place out and discover for yourself the wonders of their available cocktails.

You will get your money’s worth in terms of food quantity and quality.

That goes for drinks too, because even if we are no longer actively drinking socially, I am still aware of the price range.

So visit the Rabbit Hole, at Gen. Luna St., in an alley in-between Tibiao Bakeshop and St. Paul University, in front of Atrium.

Bring your own Alice or invite the Mad Hatter.

Youcan find them on Facebook:

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Parenting 101

I am not a mother. I am not even claiming that I will be a good one if I will be blessed with a child. But there are just some instances in life which will make you realize that some women or men, for that matter, are not really ready to become parents. And even if they accidentally become one, they do not even try to learn how to be good parents.

I had interacted with a lot of parents in my life. Every family has a different kind of approach to parenting. Some parents try to be as strict as possible with their children, some are too lax. Others think of it as a way to test out their theories on raising children and train their children at a young age to become somebody or behave in a certain way. Some are Spartan in nature. Others have the well-rounded family, the perfect family you read about. There are also some, who are a disaster waiting to happen and you wonder why it didn't strike yet, the way they were going.

---

Earlier today, I was at the mall when a commotion perked the interest of me and my friends. A child, about six or seven or younger, was screaming at the top of her lungs. Tears streaming down her face as she cries that her mother is missing. Two high-schoolers were trying to calm her down to no avail while the security guard radios the paging system of the mall that a child is found and is currently at the custody information desk of the mall.

We went near the scene because we noticed that the high-schoolers trying to calm the child are students of ours. Good thing we did, because the lady at the information desk was not even trying to help them. She was just looking in. One of my companions pointed out that it is her responsibility to calm the child because she is an employee at the mall. When she touched the kid, the kid bolted out and I had to grab her and hold her down at the same time trying to calm her and reassure her that her mother is coming. She was fighting for all her worth trying to run away, anyway. But at least, she was not screaming anymore.

The moment the mother arrived, she spanked the kid and told her that she was stupid because she lost sight of her mother. She then dragged the kid away, without even acknowledging or thanking the people who found her child.


What really raised my hackles was that first, it was a child. At that age, a child is curious. So the tendency is that you will look from left to right, up and down, if there are interesting things in your environment. So she was scolded for being curious.

Second, if you are in a big place or a crowded place, you always hold the child's (friend's) hand so you will not get separated. Clearly, the mother does not know this because when she led the child away, she just told her to follow.

Third, I know the feeling of getting lost in a very big and crowded place at a young age. An unfamiliar one at that. To say that it scared the bejesus out of me is an understatement. But my mother has told me what to do in case the situation arises, not that she expected me to get lost but precaution is always good. The kid obviously was not oriented on this matter, because that scream was clearly for hopelessness.

Fourth, when a child is scared, you should calm her down. Never berate a child in public. The fear, shame, and humiliation it causes marks a kid forever.

I was so pissed, not because she forgot to thank anybody but because she scolded the kid in a crowd and blamed the kid for everything.

What the? Is the child a rational being who can think for herself? Was she raised to become independent? Is she of legal age, responsible for her actions?

The answer is clearly NO. If you bring a child to a trip, you are responsible for her. You should tell her what to do in certain situations. If you do not brief the child and bring her on a trip, then tie her down or rope her to you so you won't have to hold her hand. If you want independent kids, then train them how to act in public. Agree on meeting places, or agree on things the kid can do while on a trip with you.

Clearly, the mother was not aware of these methods or she was just not motherly in nature. Or she might also be panicking that she lost her child and so it was a defense mechanism that led to forgetfulness and attack on the emotional and mental state of the child.

Whatever the case was, the kid was found and reunited with her mother. She was certainly happy to be found. I hope the mother apologized to the kid or at least train her children what not to do in unfamiliar places, like not getting lost.

Just want to rant for a change.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D

Farewell Chester

Chester Bennington died on Thursday. I did not know about it until Friday when a colleague mentioned that Chester died when we were making small talk about various artists in and out of the country. It was so out-of-the-blue that I had to blink back tears hard to prevent myself from crying. (I even texted a friend and fellow fan if the news was true.) Calmly asking what's the cause of death and knowing that he took his own life did not really deter me from mourning the death of one of the power duo that made me realize screaming is not really that bad in music.

I am writing this article as a tribute to one of those artists that made my college days bearable. This is a collection of music forced on me by roommates who loved to listen to Linkin Park when we are on the verge of exams and studying with music blaring at 3 in the morning makes sense.

If the prospect of failing major subjects like Math, Physics, and various Computer Science does not force you to depression, LP music will surely do that but then you can just scream, right?

So here are some of the songs in the playlist of our study days with Linkin Park.

It was mostly songs from their Hybrid Theory, Meteora, A Thousand Suns, and Minutes to Midnight albums. So that gives away our age.

1. Numb
   
2. Breaking the Habit
   
3. Easier to Run
   
4. Leave Out All the Rest
   
5. Bleed it Out
   
6. No More Sorrow
   
7. Iridescent
   
8. Blackout
   
9. Waiting for the End
   
10. By Myself
    
11. One Step Closer
    
12. In the End

Linkin Park music, especially some of the lyrics are as sad as sad can be. It gives away the feelings of the artist when they write the song, and when they perform, they always lose themselves in it.

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but this band have songs that mirror their life situations, and ours for that matter.

We can lose ourselves in their music and scream out loud our feelings with no one to bother us because its a song after all.

So thank you for writing songs that we can relate to. I know you fight so hard to overcome your personal problems but in the end, being by yourself did not really helped matters.

Goodbye and Thank You, Chester.

Depression took him away from us. Let us be happy that he was able to hold out as long as he can. His childhood was not a happy one. He had experiences that would drove any one mad. His means of escape was drugs and alcohol abuse and later on, his music.

The music was no longer enough for him to hold on because in a way it also reminds him of the tragedies that have befallen his career and personal life.

At least he belongs somewhere now:

NOTE: All videos and links in this article belong to Linkin Park.
https://www.youtube.com/user/linkinparktv
https://linkinpark.com/



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!
I post an article once a week... :D just because!

Recipe: How To Eat Avocado

It has been a long time since I posted anything and so to break the non-activity I am writing on something I do best: EATING!!!

Yesterday, a fruit cart passed by the house. I bought some avocado for 40 pesos per kilo so that's 1 large and 1 medium-sized avocado.

This is how you eat avocado in the Philippines!

Avocado Dessert

Ingredients:

• avocado
• sugar
• milk
• crushed ice

Preparation:

1. Cut open the avocado fruit, please be careful since the hard seed is found inside the soft flesh of the fruit.
2. Scrape the fruit from the peeling into a bowl.
3. Add 1 tbsp of sugar and mix well.
4. Add condensed milk or 4 tbsps of powdered milk. Mix thoroughly.
5. Add crushed ice or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

And that's that...

Enjoy your creamy dessert, perfect for hot days and even cold days.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

I post an article once a week... :D just because!