Visiting our relatives in Mauban Quezon

by Twaddler Boy 

2012 family Vacation 2nd stop: Visiting our relatives in Mauban Quezon

My cousins Joana and Karen spent part of their childhood in this small town in province of Quezon called Mauban. Mauban means a person with a lot of gray hair. I remember when I was a kid people used to tell me that the place was led by a datu called Gat Uban. This is where my parent and grand parents were born and they all grew up here too. I remember that I also grew up here until my family moved to Lucena City when I was 7 years old.So my cousins are visiting our relatives here.I actually have not visited the town for almost 5 years now so this is also a good opportunity for me to see everyone again.

Statue of Gat Uban

Mauban is a town by the sea. Its a small town and this in this is already half of the town.

John( Joanas's bf) ate Risa(my Aunt), Joana (cousin), Pamela (cousin), Lola Mercy, Abby (cousin), Karen (cousin), lolo Bayani (my dad's uncle)

Lola Mercy, Lolo Bayani and ate Risa prepared food for us. This is their computer shop. Ate Risa said they asked all of their customer to go since we were eating lol.

C

Pictures of Town Mayors, one of our relatives Tita Michelle works in the Municipal Hall so we were able to take a tour inside it.

  

Inside the Catholic Church in Mauban.

The Church looks better now than the last time I saw it. The windows are new, the altar looks a lot better and the wooden chairs too. 

Karen, me, John and Abby

1st stop, Visiting the cemetery

by Twaddler Boy 

2012 Family Vacation: 1st stop visiting the cemetery  
 
Several years ago when my cousins and I were still very young. Their father passed away. I don't even have memories of him. Joana and Karen (my cousins remember that they visited their dad in the cemetery before leaving the country to join their mom in the US. it was about 14 years ago and right after they checked in the hotel we went straight to visit their dad. W e had a hard time looking for it since it has been a long time now. We were also surprised to find that it was still well kept.

My cousin Karen

Cousins Karen and Joana Lighting up their candles with help from my dad

Karen and Joana

from the left, my dad,my uncle Marlon, Karen, Joana and my grandma.

This is the name of Joana and Karen's dad. He was a classmate and close friend of my dad in college and that's how he met my dad's sister and married her. They had 2 kids but unfortunately he died at an early age. 

me, Karen, Joana, John (Joanas' BF) and my dad.

My grandma, (my dad's mom). She took care of Joana and Karen when their mom left to work in the US. She also lives in the US now. She went back to America the day after this photo was taken

From the left my mom, John (my cousin Joana's BF), cousin Karen, me, my cousin Joana, uncle Marlon, my grandma and my dad. The 2 guys wearing yellow works in the cemetery. 

John, Joana and Karen

me, Karen, my dad, uncle Marlon, Joana and my brother Jerome

2012 Family Vacation

by Twaddler Boy

My cousins from the US are visiting and we went to our province in Quezon to see our relatives there. They are visiting after being away for 14 years. We had a lot of fun and I wanted to share some of our photos. We ate a lot and I probably gained a lot lol. This was also an opportunity for me to spend time wit my relatives since I haven't visited them in about 5 years. We wen't to most of the nearby towns; Mauban Quezon, Lucena City, Pagbilao Quezon, Lucban Quezon, Tayabas Quezon, Caliraya Laguna, and Pakil Laguna. You will see our picture in the next posts.

I choose Boracay for now

by Twaddler Boy

I would like to thank our guest blogger Wandering Attercop. I have now decided to go to Boracay instead of Coron becuase what she told me is I would require several days to enjoy my adventure at Coron. Unfortunately I don't have too many vacation leaves available. Plus I'm more of a people person and would probably emjoy more people in Boracay than Coron. My cousins from New York are visiting this month and would be going to both Coron and Boracay. I'll just join them in Boracay. Please check out my pictures as well.  I'm exited lol.

Summer destination #2: Boracay

by Wandering Attercop

Boracay Island

Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards numerous times.

I have been to Boracay 3 times already (2008, 2009 and 2011). I keep coming back because of the fine white sands and clear waters. Compared to other beaches, Boracay is highly commercialized with a lot of hotels, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops.

Accommodation

Me and my friends stayed in Boracay Courtyard in Station 2. It is not in the beachfront but it is near the D'Talipapa. We got the Deluxe Room for 5 persons: P1,450/night with set breakfast for 2 at La Carmella de Boracay. We just upgraded it to buffet by adding P75 each and added P220 each for the rest of us.

buffet breakfast at La Carmella

Island Hopping and snorkeling

I often go to Boracay on off-peak seasons so the prices are lower than in summer season. Boat rental is at P1,500. They will take you to some of the islands, includes: Pukka Island, Crocodile Island and other islands. They will also offer you to spend your lunch in an island.

ready to snorkel

Puka Island

Water Sports and other activities

In my first trip here I tried the banana boat and cave tour. It was fun because we were a barkada of 13. Other water sports are also available.

Banana Boat: P200/each
ATV:  P500/hour
Helmet Diving: P500/each
Cave tour: P200/each
Parasailing, Flyfish, Zorb, etc...(have not tried it)

Cave tour at Crystal Cove

helmet diving

Food and night life

The famous Jonah's Shake is located in Station 1. There are a lot of restaurant all over Boracay. Mang Inasal, Shakey's and Starbucks and other restaurants are strategically located in the island. At night, there are eat-all-you can dinner by the beachfront, mostly with seafoods as their menu. Prices start from P250 above. Fire dancers are there to entertain the guests. Bars are active at night.

buffet dinner

giant halo-halo

at Dejavu Bar

Shop for pasalubong

Shops are all over the island. D'Mall is located in Station 1 and D'Talipapa is in Station 2 (cheaper prices). Atm's are located at D'Mall in Station 1 and there is a BPI atm in Station 2.

keychain - 5 or 6 for P100
t-shirt (white) - 2 for P150
(colored) - P150 - P250
bayong bag (small) - P100
(medium) - P150
(large) - P200
native pouch (small) - 3 for P100

Relax and stroll along the beach

If you do not want those island hopping and water sports, you can just walk along the shores of the island. Experience the fine white sands and the clear waters at your feet. Go to the Grotto of Virgin Mary in Station 1. This is most photographed tourist spot in Boracay.

by the shore

view of  the Grotto

Tip: If you want to experience Boracay Island, you may wait for airfare promos. Go with your family and barkada for lesser expenses. Look for cheaper hotels for booking.

Breakdown of Costs: (off-peak)

Cebu Pacific Airfare: approximately P2,400 - P3,000 back and forth (with promo)
Accommodation: Deluxe Room for 5 - P1,450 per night (with set breakfast for 2) @ Boracay Courtyard
add: P70 for buffet
Buffet breakfast: P220
Website: http://boracaycourtyard.com/rates.htm

Estimate cost per person (off-peak): P5,000++

Artist of the Week: Babyface

by Twaddler Boy

He is one of my favorite artists and I've even included two of his song in the list of songs that I sing with my band namely Change the world which is a very famous song that he shared with Eric Clapton and the song Fire that I watched in youtube, he sang it there with Desree. He is not only a singer but a song writer, guitarist, keyboardist a film producer and an entrepreneur as well. Now thats what I call a man of music. I also had a bit of piano lessons when I was little but unfortunatley I don't know how to play anymore lol. My band mates also tried teaching me to play the Guitar but I can never seem to remeber how to play it lol.  Babcyface is now 53 years old and I was wondering if he would ever change his name to not too babyface anymore lol. His real name is Kenneth Brian Edmonds, we actualy share a same name. I have Bryan in my name too, mine is spelled with a Y though. Please look him up in youtube and you will find great songs. His voice is very pleasant to hear which I believe is why he is called babyface lol but don't quote me on that coz I'm not sure lol.