Weekend Snapshots

Global warming really makes the summer hotter.
With the heat so unbearable, my nieces took a "plunge" in the make shift tubs.

I wish I could also do the same.
Have a great week everyone!

Weekend Snapshots

Away from the hustle and bustle of Manila, these are the things that I enjoyed in Dakak.
Lots of green!

Although the villas are built on hills several meters from the beach and pools, the walk in the woods gave me a breath of fresh air.

Weekend Snapshots

This is the St. Augustine Church more popularly know as Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It was built in 1694 and was made out of baked bricks, coral rocks, tree sap and lumber, and has 24 carved buttresses. This was taken in the Holy Week during my officemate's vacation.


While this one is the Heritage Village in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
He had his grand vacation while we stayed behind the office working on skeletal workforce.
Almost Seen in the pictures is his wife Anne.
I miss Ilocos.The place, the food, the beach and the people.
The first and last time I was there was in college about a gazillion years ago.

Weekend Snaphots - Giving Back

It's an advantage to be part of a company where employee volunteerism to help the community realize their sustainability.
Every year, we are given with one community service leave which is paid to participate in the company-sponsored community activity.
In partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK) and PLDT Foundation, Smart and PLDT employee volunteers help build the houses as our commitment to GK to build seven GK villages all voer the country.
The pictures below were taken in October 2007 last year as we took the privelege of building houses in General Nakar, Quezon province, for landslide and flood victims.


Though it was really a muscle work under the heat of the sun, carrying buckets of cement and straining the sand and painting the houses it's a great reward to hear the little kids living there say how they appreciate the volunteers' efforts.

Have a great week ahead!

Weekend Snapshot

It's official! Summer time is here.

This was taken in Boracay last year. My second time to that place. I really enjoy staying on that island. It's a paradise.

These are my team mates. Make a guess why I was not in the picture?

I can't wait to get back there but this April our team will be going to another beatiful island down south our country. It's still a beach though. I love the beach and I don't mind getting sun kissed.

What's your plan for summer?

Weekend Snapshot -

While everyone else went to the provinces to observe the lent or just kick the summer off, we were one of those left behind in the city. Our work does not observe holidays. But no biggie. I love holidays. No boss but with premium pay.
Here are the shots I tried my hardest to take from our office window (I was on the 6th floor)
Apparently it took me almost an hour to get a good shot and the sun has dawned on me while the moon got prouder.
Thanks to my ever reliable photo junkie offficemate who helped me get a better shot.
Have a great week ahead y'all. Hope you had a meaningful week.

Weekend Snapshot - Cebu City

Since it's the Lenten Season, I thought of sharing with you our shots in Cebu City, Philippines where we had our Team Celebration Program (TCP). It's an annual company-sponsored R and R program.
This is the Magellan's Cross.
It's a cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish conquerors headed by Ferdinand Magellan, on April 21, 1521 upon arrival in Cebu, Philippines
It is a symbol of Cebu City and the chapel's image where it stands can be found in its city seal.
It's also a symbol of Catholicism in the country which is the primary form of religion here. Magellan is said to be the one who discovered the Philippines which many Filipino historians refute. since there had been galleon trades exist long before Magellan and his troop set foot on the island.
The statue above us was Lapu-lapu (I was the one in khaki skirt).
Lapu-Lapu was a Muslim chieftain on Mactan who along with his men fought Magellan's troop on April 27, 1521. The battle is now known as the Battle of Mactan where Magellan and several of his men were killed.
I stink at history so my info here was all lifted from Wikipedia.
Have a great week ahead y'all!

Weekend Snapshot - Sumptuous(?)

My friend who’s now based in Singapore just came from Cambodia and she sent me this picture. A delicacy in Phnom Penh.Any thoughts on aphrodisiacs?
While have our own Balut or duck’s embryo sold in every corner of our country which I have never tried eating by the way, I would not dare eating spider. Man, I can’t even touch the creature or even last a minute looking at it. Oh well, if it's Peter Parker, then that would be a different story.

Weekend Snapshot - APhiO Trekkers

Today, March 2, 2008 (PST), we celebrate the Philippine founding anniversary of Alpha Phi Omega. A collegiate organization founded on the principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service. This was my second family in college. I'm glad that the alumni association is also active.
In commemoration of this, I decided to post some pictures of our organization's Mt. Pulag hike happened in December 2006.
Mt. Pulag is the Philippines' 3rd highest mountain.

Once I have mastered the art of packing lightly, I will be joining them.
Photos courtesy of Bro. Rommel L. (the guy in the left in the second picture)