Summer at Coron, Palawan - Day 1

It was my most awaited getaway of 2011's first quarter. Palawan had been my ultimate destination ever since and I was quite blessed to finally mark my foot prints at Coron.

Together with the backpackers, we boarded Cebu Pacific's 12:45 flight to Busuanga with this aircraft. (Do I also have to mention that the flight was delayed? @_@)

smallest aircraft i ever rode to date :D

At the plane, I was able to get some aerial shots that makes me more excited to touchdown to Coron!

  

We arrived at Francisco B. Reyes Airport at around 2pm and started the 45 minute land travel going to Coron town proper.

touchdown to Busuanga Airport with hubby :)

The Coron town has no beachfront resort. Most of the accommodations in the area were built inside compounds and within residential areas. Otherwise, it would be real pricey if you wanted a sea view with shores you can dip in.

We stayed at Palanca Guest House which is a walking distance from the port and wet market, giving us easy access to everything. We were able to occupy the entire second floor as it has only 2 rooms, leaving the veranda exclusive for us. Tehee! The total experience with Palanca was totally nice. Both rooms have aircons, fan, tv, toilet and bath plus the wifi! The staff were also attentive to our needs and demands, from ash tray to coffee and sugar, (though they provide 3 in 1 coffee, i requested for a coffee with no creamer, they gave me their personal supply, sweet!!) and extra mattress etc.

@ the stairs going to our rooms

 

meeting area (hahaha!)

girl's room

At around 4pm we decided to grab something for merienda since we skipped our lunch. Ate Irma lead us to an eatery across the street which was her suki carenderia when she first visited Coron. And as we wait for our order being prepared and cooked, we indulged ourselves with a veryy yummy isaw from an ihaw-ihaw beside the eatery.

one of the best isaw i've ever tasted!

And before jumping off to the first leg of our tour, we stopped by the wet market to buy some FRESH seafoods.

on looker lang ako sa mga marunong mamalengke :P

After our wet market stint, we haggled a package (P 250 per trike) with a tricycle driver outside the eatery to bring us to Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hospring. Pricey, huh? But tourist's doesn't have any option other than to deal with them since there are no stations of any public transpo at the foot of the mountain to drive you back to the town nor to the Maquinit Hotspring.

Mt. Tapyas had a very good view of the sunset so it is suggested to hike at around 5pm in the afternoon. One has to go up 724 steps to reach the summit.

Before ascending, Anna told us to utter a silent wish first. And before I even notice it, Anna was gone. Poof! Vanished into thin air. Her heart must be crying out for her wish that she wanted to finish the climb as fast as she could (Peace, Anna! :P )

The steps had markers to indicate how many steps, one had gone. At 300 steps, Kitin surrendered and told us that she'll wait there as we ascend. She was accompanied by a kid who's selling drinks for climbers.

Out of breath at 300!

And so we continued our journey to the top, meeting Anna with a smoke at hand :) And the sunset was beautiful indeed!

I am not a photographer and this is the best shot I can provide :(

I conqured Mt. Tapyas!! Woot! Woot!

After that, off we went to Maquinit Hotsping to relax our sore feet.

Temp gets as high as 40 degrees C

To call the day off, we went back to the eatery for dinner at around 10pm traversing the long dark and bumpy road. Coron Day 1 Accomplished!

Arthur and Dhey (Wedding Supplier Rating)

Legend:

Rating:

5 - Highly Recommended

4 - Above Average

3 - Average

2 - Below Average

1 - Not Recommended

1. Church: Sta. Clara De Montefalco (Pasig)

     Rating: 5

     Peso Power: 10k but we got a 20% discount since we used their function hall for the wedding venue

     Pros:
       - 2 hours allotted time for each wedding, so no need to hurry kahit may susunod na wedding
       - Ample space for parking

       - The church have a vintage feel.

       - They are not strict for the bridal entrance song.

    Cons:
      - There is no close door grand entrance for the bride because the church have bars for the door
      - Medyo sabog ung sound system ng church.

      - There is a designated area for the photographers

    Additional:

       - We were not able to submit our recession song but they still played a music no matter how long the picture taking was.

      - We had a dead air during our picture taking. Again, because of not submitting any songs. :)

      - After the wedding, they are the ones who submitted our marriage contract to Pasig City Hall. Less hassle :)

 

 

 

2. Venue: Sta. Clara De Montefalco Function Hall A and B
     Rating: 4

     Peso Power: 8.5k  (discounted rate)

     We originally have Acropolis Clubhouse for our reception venue but it can only accommodate 200pax so we have to cancel the booking despite of being fully paid since hubby have a lot of relatives plus we have a lot of common and individual friends :P Fortunately, we were able to refund the entire amount and just paid the penalty of 500 pesos.

    Pros:
      - Less hassle for the guests to travel since sa baba lang ung venue
      - We reserved the function hall at 5pm, but they allowed as early as 1pm to set-up without extra charges granting that it is not reserved at that time.
      - We were able to put in things inside the venue the day before the wedding

     Cons:
      - There is an Ossuary near the function hall plus nakakaloka kasi may advertisement ng 40% discount for its phase 2 at the parking lot (hahahahaha!)
      - Elmer of Rejectkrew was not able to maximize the light effects due to limited power supply (But the lights still turned out super nice, thanks to him)

3. Caterer: Madel's Cuisine

     Rating: 4
     Peso Power: 83k + @ 375/adult meal, 200/kiddie meal, 175/supplier¡¦s meal
                               Freebies included: MB Bridal Car, 2 party poppers, soup for all guests

      Pros:
        - Anj is nice to talk with, she offers unlimited meetings as long as it fits her schedule
        - The set up was good. Everything that we had discussed went well.
        - She's very patient granting that I am flicker minded.
        - They will let choose your own freebies.
        - There is a 5% discount for w@wies, Anj also updated me na meron siya binibigay at that time na free chocolate fountain for w@wies. Pero I still choose the 5% disc, budget wedding kasi kami.

Cons:
        - There are couple of times that she does not answer promptly to text messages
        - Little food servings according to the guests.

Additional:
      I have a sharing, kasi I just realize, iba iba pala ung taste buds ng tao. Pwedeng masarap ung food for another person pero hindi sa iba. Madami sa guests namin ang nsarapan sa food na naserve ng Madel¡¦s, even yung mga maarte sa food na friends ko, they have high praises for the food. Hindi ko nman
masabing binobola lang nila ako kasi even si hubby, super nasarapan siya sa food. Pero me and my family, wlang lasa for us ung food. Tapos after a few days after the wedding, nagdadala kasi sa house namin ung mga tita ko ng food so one time habang kumakain kami.. sabi ni hubby, siguro daw kaya wlang lasa para sa
family namin ung food kasi maalat daw ang taste buds namin. Yung tipong may tama naman sa lasa but it has to be a little bit strong for us to appreciate. Kasi on their side, nsa sweet side naman daw ung taste buds nila. So nag no comment ako sa taste ng food.. :)

4. PV: Emacs Photography

     Rating: 1

     Peso Power: 27.5k (Gold Package - Old rate)
                                                 Prenup
                                                Onsite Video
                                               2 Photographers
                                               2 Videographers

    Pros:
        - They arrived exactly 3 hours before the wedding

    Cons:
        - During the prenuptial, template ung mga pictures. It's always forehead to forehead shots. May kasama kami na photo hobbyist friend that time and he tried to suggest poses pero tumatagal ung shoot.
       - Supposedly, we have a free thank you card because I'm a w@w member. But even after the wedding, they did not even bother to say anything about it. And note that it is hand written in the contract.
       - I find it hard to contact Stephen, I have to call him up pa and there was this time na hindi din nya na-tatake ung calls and he won't even bother to return the call.

       - Ung CD ng prenuptial pictures, sabi ng photog during the shoot that they will send it via LBC after a week. Guess what? They sent it 2 weeks after much pangungulit about it. Ang siste, finollow up ko na sila a week after the shoot at isesend na daw nila. Naubos ang another week, hindi pa pala nasend.
      - Hindi na sila nagset-up ng lights during the wedding, I don't know if it's because of the lighting of the church or what. Na-set up lang nila ung lights one time while my HMU is putting make up then wla na.
     - Yung church kasi, may ID ung official photog. Hindi sila pumunta ng rehearsal. Osige busy sila. Pero ilang beses naming sila finollow up to communicate with the church for the IDs. Kinuha nila ung ID during the wedding itself na.

     - The shots were mediocre.

Additional:

       - They are my major headache ko for the preps period. I know na wla pa sila negative feedback so medyo nag-aalangan ako i-rate sila pero this comments are only based sa prep period and the wedding day itself.

       ***Up to now, i haven't receive my albums and videos and I haven't heard anything from them since the wedding. OMG!!

 

5. Florist: Clint Flowershop (Dangwa)

     Rating: 5

     Peso Power: 7k (original price: 8.5k)
                              Bridal Bouquet (2 dozens purple tulips)
                             1 Groom (Tulip Corsage)
                             6 Male PS and 2 Father (Paper Roses Corsage)
                            7 FG (Roses Flower Basket and Headpiece)
                            1 throw away bouquet, 1 MOH, 3 SS, 2BM (Purple Paper Roses, Roses, Gerbera with Fillers)
                            2 Mother (Stargazers and Paper Roses)

Bridal Bouquet

 

    Pros:
       - A w@w find! I super love my flowers. It was so beautiful! Nilagyan pa ni Ms. Leia ng pearls. And this is to consider na wla kaming mock up, we just met once and I got them 2 weeks before the wedding. Isa lang ang sinabi ko sa kanya, I want a purple tulips for my bridal bouquet and bahala na siya sa iba. Come
wedding day, at 4am she called me up bec i-dedeliver na nila. I told them na 4pm pa ang wedding and requested to deliver it at 9am. Dumating siya before 9am and when I saw the ento flowers, they are all nice. So super high praises ako with them.

6. Couturier: Mang Jun from Taguig
     Rating: 4

     Peso Power: 42k
               Bridal Gown: Gazaar
               Barong for Groom, 1 Male PS, 1 Father
               Gowns for MOB, MOH, 1 Female PS, 3 SS, 2 BM, 7 FG

     Matagal na sa kanya nagpapatahi ung tita ko and sila ung couturier ng cousin ko during their wedding. Super ok naman sila, nagkaproblem lang ako sa mismong mananahi ko. Yung suking mananahi kasi ni tita under Mang Jun, hindi available during the time na pumunta kami. So napunta ung acct namin kay Aling Pacing, mabagal siya magtahi plus nakailang fitting ung ento ko, hindi pa din maitama.
 

     Then, ung 1 SS and MOH ko, hindi tama ung sukat. Even, ung gown ko kamuntik ko ng iyakan kasi hanggang final fitting.. hindi ko gusto ung tela ng gown ko. Though I have a fault din kasi since nag yes na lang ako nung binanggit ni Mang Jun ung Gazaar, wla kasi akong alam sa tela. And in full trust, akala ko yun ang tela na bagay sa design na binigay ko. Pero hindi nakuha ni Aling Pacing ung design plus hindi ko pa masyado gusto ung tela, so nagpapanic na ko. Super maktol ako kasi ang ganda ng gawa ng other gowns at ung bridal gown ko lang ang pangit. Pero nung makuha ko ung gown, super tuwang tuwa ako kasi super galing ng beaders nila. Nakuha siya sa beads, nagmukhang elegante ung tela. Hindi man nakuha ung
design na gusto ko, pero natahimik ang kaluluwa ko when I saw my finished gown.

      So ang ending, satisfied naman ang lola mo. Recommended ko pa din sila wag lang si Aling Pacing ang kunin nyong mananahi.

7. Wedding Ring: VGems

     Rating: 4

     Peso Power: 22k+
 

     Sila ang first supplier na kinuha ko and from a bridal fair ko sila natagpuan. Ok sila kausap, super mabait ung owner and satisfied naman ako with them.

8. HMU: Rhea

     Rating: 5

     Peso Power: 3.5k for the Bride and 500 additional per head

      I met Rhea during a wedding of my friend from a church community. From there, na-set na ung mind ko na siya ung kukunin ko na HMU come my wedding day. Hindi man siya super professional, pero she got my full trust kasi after that wedding, 2 friends ko pa from the same church community ang kumuha sa kanya as
their HMU. I have super high praises for her kasi madami ang nagcomment na maganda ung make up ko. She was able to highlight ung assets sa face ko. Plus she arrived really early. She's already there by 10am.

      She's a super good find. Nameet lang siya nung friend ko sa sm megamall while buying make up, tapos nabanggit na she do make up for weddings and the rest is history. I had a free trial make up from her. Sa mga gamit naman nya, super oks nman, hindi humuhulas ung make up. Actually, mahirap siya tanggalin. 

9. Lights and Sounds: Elmer of Rejeckrew
     Rating: 5

     Peso Power: 7k

        Need to say more?? I have proven right every good feedback he has. I have super high praises for Elmer, he loves his craft and he never fails to do his best.

Kwento ko lang, since may power problem ung venue, elmer requested for a generator set, so since I don't know anything about it, akala ko pwede na ung generator ng office that I have borrowwed. But when I talked to Elmer 2 days before the wedding, ang generator set na binabanggit nya pala ay yung nkakabit sa truck. So in short, wlang generator. He told me na ok lang and gagawan na lang nya ng paraan ung lights. 

So there, nag expect na ako ng super minimal to no light effects at all. Pero come wedding day, I was so surprised to see the venue. Ang ganda ng lights nya. It was more than what I was expecting. Nasunod din ung sinubmit ko na song list. They were also early sa venue. I have no negative feedback for them.

Backdrop by Rejectkrew

10. Cake: Hearts and Bells

        Rating: 5

        Peso Power: 8,250.00 (Gift ng cousin ko)

           I love my cake + the topper. I just booked them thru the wedding fair.  They were very easy to deal with.

11. Invitations: Printed Matters       Rating: 5 

       Peso Power:  Gift ng isa pang cousin

            They were able to finish the invitations in 2 weeks time. Malinis ung pagkakagawa and super nice ng invitations :)

Wedding Updates

5 months to go and still the wedding prep rush is not yet getting into my nerves. A lot of details are still to be discussed and finalized. I guess, the "this is it" feeling is not yet occupying what is left of my sanity. :P

Anyway, here are the updates that we had accomplished so far:

1. Church: We'll be taking our vows in front of the altar of Sta. Clara De Montefalco in Caniogan, Pasig.

Update: We have to submit all the documents first before we can officially reserve. (The only document that we have is my cenomar. I still have to fix my name in my baptismal's and confirmation certificate too. Not to mention that Arthur doesn't still have any documents at hand. hmp!)

2. Reception Venue: It's final, we will be having our reception at Acropolis Clubhouse in front of Eastwood, Libis. We immediately fall in love with the ambiance of the place the first time we had set foot in the clubhouse. And thanks to Grace and Tito Manny for helping us out in the reservation of the venue. We got the place at a homeowner's rate which is really affordable.

Update: Paid in full.
Pros: There is an ample parking space.
Cons: The venue's maximum capacity is 200 pax and this conflicts our guest list. No matter how we wanted to invite all our families and dearest friends, it will seem impossible for us (and not to mention that we cannot afford it. huhuhu).

3. Caterer: Madel's Cuisine
We had already made our reservation payment with Ms. Anj. We will be having our 2nd food tasting with her this Sunday. But first things first, I still have to sms her our chosen menu. (Good God, I remember!)

4. Photographer/Videographer: Emacs Photography
We got Emacs at their old package rates. We reserved them the day before they raised it. Who say only high school crams? Our prenup is scheduled on the 31st of this month. (Any suggestions with the prenup venue?) I'm thinking of an abandoned warehouse, vintage and cowboy styles while Art wanted a city light theme. Kind of complicated, huh!

5. Couturier: Mang Jun/Boy from Taguig
He was recommended by my Tita. She alternately calls her Mang Jun and Mang Boy during the time we were discussing about him. So I am also confused. Hahahaha! I hadn't done any fitting or measuring with him. Not even any of my entourage. But we had already made up our minds that we will be getting him. We just visited him once when we were asking for quotation. We might be visiting him this month to finalize. Hohoho! I still don't have a bridal gown!!

6. Wedding Rings: V-Gems
They were the first supplier we had ever book. I believe they are affordable and are easy to talk too. We already paid them in half but we still have to finalize the inscription on our bands. Initially, we have:

Groom's Ring: "I finally found the one..." AD.11292010
Bride's Ring: "...in whom my soul delights" AD.11292010

It is a verse from Song of Solomon.

7. Florist: Mr. Rico Magat
He was recommended by Aaron (my MOH's bf). Nothing had been finalized with him. I still doesn't have any style/flowers in mind aside from that I want a purple tulips for my bouquet.

8. Sounds and Lights: Rejectkrew
I met Elmer of Rejectkrew just today. He was very passionate in his work and I am quite impressed on the ideas he has in mind. Art and I will be having a simple wedding so we will be mostly relying on how he will set up the ambiance of the place.

9. Hair and Make-Up: Rhea
She's the HMU of Ate Wana and Ate Jane. I already talked to her last January but I think I still have to follow up on her to remind her of the event.

10. Officiating Priest: Father Nolan Que
I got my favorite priest to officiate our wedding!!! yehey!! 

Details of our wedding is still under planning stage. I still need to create my mood board, finalize intial guest list and reception program proper. And the things we still have to work on are the invitation, souveniers and some details such as the party host, unity candles, veils, bible, arrhae, misallette (will I still have one?), songs to be played and the people who will take part in the ceremony. Haizt, i still have a lot of things to do.

Finding for the perfect church

We had a lot of scouting done for the perfect church where we will be tying the knot. I wanted a small church simply because I don't want it half empty come my wedding day. I want a small church filled with the persons close to us and who loves us dearly.

I eyed for the Parish of Hearts and Jesus (Twin Hearts) in Times Square St., West Triangle. But my tita wanted the wedding to be done in Pasig. Our hometown.

Next stop is the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Pasig downtown. The church is sentimental to me and Arthur. This is the first church we went to mass as a couple. And personally, the church had been my sanctuary whenever I am lost. I used to drop by in the cathedral every morning when I was in high school since I studied in the nearby school, the Pasig Catholic College. I also had my confirmation in this same church. And historical wise, the Pasig Cathedral is the oldest Marian chuch in Asia. But I wanted to be practical since the downtown can be so traffic and the church is too huge for me. I don't want to sacrifice the solemnity of the ceremony since people outside can be very busy and may affect us. The cathedral is really strict on wedding ceremonies. They only give an hour for the couple and they can be very strict for the bridal march.

We came back to our first option, the Sta. Clara De Montefalco Parish also in Pasig. It is considered as the tallest church in the Philippines. The first time I went inside the church, I already felt the "this is it" feeling. It does not have the long isle to walk on. And I loved it that way. It is also a big church but not as huge as the Pasig Cathedral. The only cons that I am saddened is that I'll have no close door grand entrance on my bridal march. But I think, I can live with it. ;) So this is it!

Graduation ni Bro!

Graduate na si bro! At hangga ngayon, hindi pa din ako makapaniwala na nag-graduate siya sa oras. Hahaha! I'm a bad sister, I know :P

At tamang tama ang graduation ni bro sa dakilang kapalpakan nya.

Bago ako pumasok sa office, may sinave akong file sa usb para ma-open ko sa office. Sa kasawiang palad, nakalimutan ko ang usb dahil sa pagmamadaling makapasok. Kaya naman, tinext ko siya:

Me: Isend mo sakin yung file na nasa usb

Nagreply naman agad si bro. Tinanong kung yung usb daw ba na black. Sumagot ako ng oo. At eto ang sumunod na reply.

Bro: Ate, isa lang ang file dito.

Susmio! Naloka ako. Isa na nga lang ang file na nakita nya. Tinanong pa niya. Edi sumagot na ulit ako ng oo. Nagbigay ako ng instructions. Sabi ko mag log in na lang siya sa ym para dun na lang niya isend. At naloka ulit ako sa reply nya.

Bro: Hindi ko alam ang email address mo.

Ay naku! napasabunot na ko dahil contacts naman kami sa ym. Hindi ko alam kung nang aasar ba siya at inuubos niya lang ang load ko o sadyang  tulog pa utak nya ng oras na yun.

Finally, nag log in na siya. So, sabi ko idrag and drop na lang nya sa ym ang file para mas mabilis. At ang ginawa niya:

Nag copy and paste ang bro ko!!!! Ay naku! pag uwi ko tinanong ko talaga siya kung ComSci ba talaga ang course nya o niloloko nya lang kami. Hahahaha! Anyway, pagkatapos ng 3 bloopers, na-isend nman ni bro yung file ng maayos. Thank God!

Pero kahit na nabuwisit niya ang araw ko. Proud pa din ako. Congrats bro! At nawa ay mailibre mo ko sa unang sweldo mo. :P

Thank You!

I am wanting to send my sincerest gratitude to everyone who made me feel special and loved on my special day.

As I celebrate my first birthday after my silver, I was longing to keep it quiet, unique and simple. I made an effort not to mention it to anyone unlike the other years that I was itched to announce it. And yet I failed to make it pass like an ordinary day.

Thank you to my Creator for another blessed year. Every dream that I have always wished upon when I was a kid came true. All the travels, my happily ever after, a year of good health and so much more I have not even prayed for. I was indeed so blessed despite of my shortcomings. Once, I claimed that I was a hesitant favorite. I hesitated being God's favorite. Now, I claim that I am really one of His most favored daughter.

Thanks to my friends who remembered and greeted me. It mean so much that you spend time sending your greetings and wishes.

Thank you to my SFC family for the non stop surprises that you have thrown for me. For making me feel special despite I didn't threw a blow out :P Hahahaha! Thanks for making me blow a candle cake. It really touched me. I was still a kid when I last blew a candle for my birthday. *teary eyed*

To my Household: Rosa, May, Tintin and Desiree. Thank you for all your efforts and love. For the AVP and scrapbook you created. The messages wholly warmth my soul. After a year, I still couldn't believe what I have done right for me to deserve you guys.

I know the Sagip Kids would never read my post. But I still wanted to thank them for touching my heart. Their letters made my Valentine's Day one of the most memorable one. I seldom failed to spend time with them. I know I am not a regular volunteer and despite of it they still have a room for me. It made me guilty when one letter said "Ate Dhey, sana di ka na umabsent kasi namimiss kita". It really broke my heart. Big Time!

Hon, thanks for the week long celebration. For the effort and time. Those two will always be enough for me. Thanks for another year that you have spent with me and those moments that you let me spend with other people. For keeping up to my stubborness and letting me grow on my own. I could never find anyone better than you. Hmm.. And even if there is, I'll stick with you. (I have no choice, duh!) :P

I find it hard expressing what I truly feel when things become mushy. Thus, here I am.. writing it in paper. But I truly appreciate everything. Thank you so much. Love you all!

A year that was (Reminiscing 2009)

The year that was to end was too amazing for me to reminisce. So, forgive me for a non detailed back track. In 2009, I had been blessed with so much that I could not contemplate what I have done right for me to deserve every moment there is.

When people tell me how lucky I am, I always answer back with a quiet smile and respond "I am not lucky. I was never lucky. I am just so blessed".

I had been blessed with a family that is still united withstanding all the difficulties. Back in 2008, I had a major quarrel with my father that led our home to be filled with hostile atoms of silence. But as 2009 started, everything had been back to normal and sweeter between the two of us.

I belong in a community that often reminds me how much God loves me. SFC also gave me a thousand opportunity to serve God in various ways making my life meaningful and knocking my head off to realize that I can be an instrument of God's love.

My household, Rosa, May, Tintin and Desiree who had always been an inspiration to me especially when spiritual dryness comes.

I was blessed with good friends who never fail to put a smile in my face.

Not to mention that I had been bestowed good health this year not catching any lung disease, which was indeed a miracle for me.

The year 2009 also granted me the opportunity to travel and ride a plane. First time! Hahahaha! I was able to land foot in Visayas and Mindanao in a year. And again, I am off to Davao in 2 months time.

And lastly, God gave me the best Christmas gift ever when he finally send me my triple G (greatest God's gift) making every December 24th doubly special. Aside that it was a day before JC's bday, it was also the day that my triple G asked me to be with him for the rest of our lives.

There might even be a lot more blessings that I have to be thankful for. And I know that the year to come will offer me a lot lot more. I could never thank God enough for everything that He has showered upon me. And my memories of 2009 will be enough to serve as an inspiration in the bad times to come. I love you goodbye to 2009 and welcome to my sweet 2010!