Sunday, April 11, 2010

Boracay ... 20 Years Later !



~ BEAUTIFUL ISLAND of BORACAY ~


My kids and I traveled almost 4 hours from Laguna to Termial 3 Manila inorder to take the plane taking us to Caticlan airport. Nervous and stressed being caught in monstrous traffic jams not once but 3 times starting from Los Banos, then in Calamba and the worst one was bumper to bumper before Filinvest all the way to the entrance of the Skyway. Lucky enough we made it to Terminal 3 just in time for the flight ... wheww ... I was so relieved indeed !


It was an estimated 50 mins flight via Air Philippines but we landed in Caticlan ahead of schedule. The weather was great ... really sunny and clear with the spectacular view of Boracay from the plane . The sight of the island gave me a feeling of pride & gratitude also considering I'm extremely excited to have a glimpse again of my favorite island I had visited 20 years ago. First time I was there was in 1988 then again in 1989 and lastly in 1991.


Although I was nearly shocked to see how different the island is after all these years, we arrived in the island via the Ambassador in Paradise Banca safe & sound. Eventhough we waited almost 30 mins for the hotel shuttle to pick us up by the pier at the right tip of the island, we just feasted our eyes with the view all around us to entertain ourselves. There aren't any more drop-off of guests in Stations 1,2 & 3 inorder to avoid running over swimming guests in the sea. The shuttle bus driver was late but very apologetic . Anyway, along the way to the hotel passing the only road located at the backside of the rows of hotels, I had noticed the never ending shops selling all sorts of stuffs ( food, clothes, construction materials, just about anything they could sell, etc., ) and make-shift houses out of  dilapidated woods ( similar to those squatter places found in Manila ) housing the poor locals and their extended families as well as new inhabitants of the island. Upon seeing all these I got confused & can't help telling myself ... Oh no ! The Island had changed into a disastrous commercial area. All sorts of People are all over the place - vendors, local kids running on the side street , old dogs , tricycles going in all directions , tourists walking everywhere, it's manic ! I calmed myself and took a deep breathe... ok I'm in Boracay and hoping I was really in Boracay and not some place else ! Breathe in ... breathe out , c'mon 20 years had passed and lots of changes are just normal !

 I used to remember this place to be quiet. Hardly anyone on the island except for tourists who can afford the cost of hotel accomodations and expensive seafood. No other mode of transport except for walking along the beach or hired bicycles you can ride by the back alley which is not even cemented 20 years ago. Well, I guess, modern time had transformed this quiet island into something else ...
But never mind, what's important is ~ I was there then and had experienced the best state of this tropical island before its massive transformation and I'm here now again to see the changes that had happened , the effects and the positive sides or disadvantages after all these years .

Despite of all I see around here, this visit had started bringing in memories of how I had loved this long stretch of beautiful white sand and how unique this island was. It was magical !






I had been in a lot of beaches ~ Puerto Galera, Amanpulo & El Nido Palawan ( Philippines ), Maldives, Bali, Phuket, Khao Lak, Koh Samui, Belgium, Hongkong but I had never seen one really so fine and white like the one in Boracay. The sea is always inviting and I never had any fear to be in the sea water coz it's very shallow and sand floor is flat. Perfect place for non-swimmer like me. I can just either stand in the water or sit there for hours getting some more tan. Just a pity that this summer is the season for the "Algae" getting washed on the beach.






This "Algae" comes once a year especially during months of March to April but doesn't bother the swimmers much coz it is harmless and accdg to people around, it's very therapeutic aside from keeping the the sand as white as ever. It has a very cooling effect under your feet while strolling by the beach .


We were booked at the Ambassador In Paradise Hotel managed & owned by a Dutch guy alongside his Filipino wife . It is a 5 Star Resort nestled directly on one of the finest part of Boracay, located in Station 1. With 50 well appointed Guest Rooms and a luxurious Presidential suite, all with personalized Butlers. We had the Casita1 Honeymoon Suite for ourselves and it was surely spacious for the kids and I.


 All the staff are really friendly and always handy. A lot of OJT ( On The Job Trainees )  staff recruited from different provinces work for the hotel as waiters/ waitresses, beach staffs, etc. I found out that they work without any pay or allowances from the hotel at all. I had interviewed a couple of them to confirm if the case of no salary is true. I came across their hidden woes and they all say the same thing. It's a tough life for them. Being away from their families & working without pay at least a month or so ? No food allowance & No board & lodging ? Not even part of the service charges goes to these poor trainees. The trainees were not entitled to the centralized tips either. Oh Dear ! They have to shoulder all their expenses out of their own pockets ! What a cruel world they have !

My heart was really broken seeing people getting exploited this way. There must be something to be done to help these young workers ! What if they get sick while on their job ? Just come to think about it !

I remember when Boracay wasn't so popular yet and had only about 3-5 resorts ( Pearl of The Pacific , Coco Mangas, Jony's, San Lorenzo , Titay's ) even without any electricity in the whole island too. We are all obliged to go to sleep as soon as the glowing oil lamp had come to a stop. But now, there's no sleeping early anymore not until all the restaurants & bars had closed down .So many bars and 3-5 Stars resorts / hotels had sprouted all over the island!

 It's really very busy here and now is the peak season that's why the beach is always over crowded during sunset. I'm just happy to see that a lot of locals ~ fellow filipinos can now enjoy touring the island unlike before when only tourists can do so. A lot of teenagers and those in their early 20's, 30's are partying hard which I had never seen before. Meaning, a lot of Filipinos are doing ok financially. That's good to know & see !


Anyway, getting around the island is fairly easy. Just don't forget to rub sunblock on to avoid the unwanted burning of your skin. I didn't forget to bring sandals which can surely bear the never ending walk along the beach. These are the 2 must haves I had in our luggage. Kids & I always balance the beach and the sea and some sight seeing tours in between. It's a great need to keep them busy ~ Island Hopping, Banana boat ride, ZORB ride, Kayak Ride , Paraw sunset Cruise ... whatever activities available in the island  that can tire them so they can sleep soundly at night ! Prices are reasonable and since I 'm a Filipino, I can always do some bargaining & get the best prices . Good for me !

ZORB Ride = Php 2,200 for 2 persons / 3 rides


Banana Boat Ride = Php200 / per person -15 mins ride
 ( regular price at Php250/person )


Island Hopping Tour for 3-4 Hours - Php2,000 ( Good Price )
We have the boat just for the 3 of us + the Boat man and his assistant
( Regular Price Php3,000 )


Paraw Sunset Cruise -Php800 for all 3 of us / 1 Hour Ride
Kids & I had the Paraw for ourselves for 1 hour !


The Island offers a lot of souveir stuffs and I managed to buy some Freshwater Pearls ...


Our Holiday to this island is almost ending ... our last day here is tomorrow 12fth of April and we'll be flying back to Singapore via Singapore Airlines . I'll miss this place again and my kids would surely feel the same ...

We Love BORACAY !



These are the Flowers blooming by the Garden of Ambassador In Paradise Hotel.
They're really lovely , aren't they ?

Thursday, April 08, 2010

April Birthstone ~ DIAMOND


~ April Birthstone ~ 
Diamond



"She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow."
 
The word Diamond is derived from the Greek word "adamas" which means "hardest metal" which reflect the property of the stone. The diamond is a precious stone or gem excelling in brilliancy and beautiful play of prismatic colors, and remarkable for its extreme hardness.
 
Properties with which the Diamond is associated - enhancing relationships and increasing inner strength.The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the April Birthstone Diamond are balance, clarity and abundance. The healing properties of the April birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to brain diseases, pituitary glands. It is also used to draw out toxins and therefore was used as a remedy for poison.
 


Tuesday, March 16, 2010


Year of the Tiger ... what does this year has to offer ?

Tiger Woods being the leader of the pack ( so it seems ) ... meaning obviously that the rest of the group would follow . In a way, It's true and it's happening all over !


Not only in the US but in Singapore, and other parts of the world as well. What's happening to the male species ? Getting so overwhelmed by power, money and ego. Let's consider the matter of Pride, Territory and position in the community too. They inevitably forget that there are innocent people they're dragging to their own meltdown once the stolen moments of glory comes to an end. Yes, create sufferings to no one else but their unsuspecting poor family members .
Forget Tiger Woods, forget Jack Neo but how to forget that my disgraced half had joined the group as well ? Cases like Hillary Clinton reaffirming her commitment to her marriage to Bill Clinton, Erin had left to search for answers but came back to support Tiger Woods to get his life back , Irene had stayed beside Jack Neo coz she loves him that much and here I am still here in the same house with my swinging half trying to keep my family together. They're celebrities and I'm not. But, What do we women have in common ?


We all had joined the line of wives publicly standing by our straying husbands.
I don't mean we're all stupid for doing so but we are all sacrificial lambs for the sake of our children involved. Are there any other options when young kids are involved ?
NADA !  ZERO!  NUL !
That's it !
No matter how and where we weigh our anger against the adulterous ones, the sight of the kids would keep us on a mellow stage. Typical Mother Nature !


Lucky, I would say for I have beautiful kids who are my precious jewels. Who keep me strong and help me concentrate in all things I do. Having been in a broken family myself gave me enough experiences as well and great courage to create decisions without seeking other people's help to keep my feet on the ground. Although Moral support from dear friends who were so concerned about my feelings gave me even more mental and emotional strenght and help me realize that I'm just not alone in this kind of chaos. Even them had suffered the same faith but had moved on with their lives. Although some were not as lucky to have a new way of life as single mothers.
Question now is, how to move on ?
 Some women have weaker personality who cried their eyes off and isolate themselves from everyone to avoid the judging stares of people whether family members or simply friends. Why cry over spilled milk ? Get on your feet and cheer up ... not easy for some but it's all worth a try ! Believe me !


I don't cut my cord to let myself off my connections. I face the world with chin up high and no more tears to spare but with more courageous stories and experiences to impart to them. All I know in my mind is I still have my conscience clean to have a good sleep every single night and I'm not the cheater , that's what's more important for everyone to know ... for my kids to know when they reach adulthood as well.
They can say one day ...
" My Mommy is the Best ! "


I have my kids ... 
my ever loyal dogs ,


my good dear friends ready to support & rally behind me ...


and of course my Beads to cheer me up ...


So for deary other half , all that is left to say is ...
 he can eat his heart out while on his knees ...
begging for forgiveness !



Thursday, March 04, 2010

MARCH ~ What's New ?



~ March Birthstone ~
AQUAMARINE


The Pisces Birthstone and for 19th Wedding Anniversary jewelry

By her who is this month was born


No gem save Aquamarines shall be worn


They will ensure her constancy


True friendship and fidelity.
 
Aquamarine is a type of pale blue to green gemstone which has been used in ornamental jewelry for centuries. Its light blue arouses feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship. Good feelings. Feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships. The blue of aquamarine is a divine, eternal colour, because it is the colour of the sky. However, aquamarine blue is also the colour of water with its life-giving force. And aquamarine really does seem to have captured the lucid blue of the oceans.


Aquamarine has been credited with providing courage, curing laziness and quickening the intellect. In the Middle Ages it was believed to give the wearer both insight and foresight and freedom from insomnia. Among various peoples, it had the reputation of providing happiness and everlasting youth. Water in which an aquamarine had been soaked was believed to cure eye troubles, stoppage of breath and hiccups.


Aquamarine comes from Brazil, Madagascar, Russia and the USA. Specimens from China and Colombia tend to be of a yellowish tint.
 

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

February Birthstone ~ AMETHYST



~ AMETHYST ~
FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE


 Amethyst is the Birthstone for February.
It is also the Zodiac stone for the constellation of Pisces.

The color purple is traditionally the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers. Today, amethyst is a lovely and affordable gemstone that is fortunately available in a wide variety of cut and uncut stones that we can all possess and admire.


The name "amethyst" comes from the Greek and means "not drunken." This was perhaps due to a belief that amethyst would ward off the effects of alcohol, but most likely the Greeks were referring to the almost wine-like color of some stones that they may have encountered. Its color is unparalleled, and even other, more expensive purple gemstones are often compared to its color and beauty.

Although it must always be purple to be amethyst, it can and does have a wide range of purple shades.


Amethyst is the purple variety of the mineral quartz and is a popular gemstone. If it were not for its widespread availability, amethyst would be very expensive.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010




My Creation Got Featured !




I was updating the item listings of my etsy shop today, 27th January when I came across my conversation page and found out that one of my works got featured by a previous etsy member "check2box " in a blog found in  http://foundhandmade.com/



Garnet : by admin on January 3, 2010

1. galit ($33.00)
2. artisanfield ($45.00)
3. AspiringtoGrace ($12.00)
4. stonesofhealing ($25.00)
5. MySECRETCorner ($18.50)
6. maryellendoran ($39.50)
7. hypho ($65.00)
8. SimonandRuby ($32.00)
9. citydetails ($48.00)
10. fussjewelry ($158.00)
11. artjewelryonline ($360.00)
12. MarcusBerknerJewelry ($135.00)
13. hadas1951 ($68.00)
14. onegarnetgirl ($126.00)
15. BriarandtheRose ($40.00)

Thanks so much for the special attention given to my item and looking forward to having more communication with all of you out there !
 


Saturday, January 16, 2010

January 2010 ...




I'd been away from my blog for quite a while and I must say I can blame it on the past holidays ha-ha ! Christmas was long way gone ( thanks a lot ! ) new Year was spent with the kids and hubby in the mountainous area of Chiang-Mai in the northern part of Thailand. We had seen several  waterfalls, hot springs, tribal villages where the famous Kayan ( Long Neck Women ) live, Tiger Kingdom , Elephant camps and the spectacular scenes surrounding this part of Thailand.


Visiting a small village near Pai ...


A young Kayan girl weaving a shawl


A Brass Ring from One of the Kayan Vendors


One of the numerous Breathtaking waterfalls ...


Hot springs in the middle of nowhere !

Although the Central city of Chiang- Mai where we were staying was loaded with tourists like me and traffic was so congested during the new Year celebrations, my family was happy to have seen a different world out there compared to the busy city life of Singapore. We were so happy to see the other basic side of life ...
The early weeks of January when we came back to Singapore were spent catching up with friends , of course ... party here and there plus the most special event of the month ... my birthday bash ! Oh gosh ... one more year was added to my ever piling age ! But worry free me spent time with all female friends having dinner with them at an Italian Restaurant in Roberston Quay and then some real dancing  until 4am in the morning at " Pump Room " located in Clarke Quay. Of course I came home sober coz I don't drink alcohol while dear hubby and  kids were fast asleep like babies at home.



But wait, let me extend my sicerest thanks to all my friends who celebrated my special day with me. hey ladies of " FEWS " Thanks so much  for being such a great company. A million thanks for your gifts too. You were all so thoughtful !

Ok, what else do I need to tell you ... oh yeah, new topic ... something new at home had came up lately. I finally had the chance to remove the old toys of my kids from their toy room and had the room converted into a Beading class room. Pity I was not able to take a photo of the toy room before I trnsformed it. It was such a big make over ! The Beading class room was designed to cater to my friends and their friends who had been asking me to teach them how to do jewelries thru beading. I had 2 tables with 6 chairs from the storage ( God knows how long they had been kept in there for years ! ) put up and a nice Teak Wood bookshelf moved into the room filled with beading books and magazines . I had decorated the room area with some finished jewelries, some beading paraphernalia and see what I've got :



It was such a cozy, quiet place . Well lighted and fully airconditioned . Excellent for beading & other art crafts.  An ideal venue for total relaxation . Since I will only use it during the daytime and mostly in the morning,  room can be used by my kids as a study room during the afternoon till  night.

To enhance the look & feel ,  I had added a few fixtures today ( 16th January 2010 )
 like the following :


standing half body mannequin so I can hang my finished necklaces neatly and nicely ,


a standing mirror which is always a must to see how we look like from time to time,


a rotating wire mesh rack to keep my beads / findings hanged & well organized in one corner


last but not the least, ( that I always hope lol ! ) was a copper brass table top Necklace & earrings holder.

How I really love the way this beading Class room was morphing so far. I already had a student last week for the 1st time to use this room and more friends who are eager to learn would be coming in the next few days .

2010 is giving me such a great start !

CHEERS TO A GREAT NEW YEAR !!!



 
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