Looking for a unique way to bond with your family, friends or workmates this summer? Well, Camp N is one of the perfect places for that. And just recently, I was invited together with other online media to experience firsthand this premier outdoor adventure and team-building hub in the heart of Nuvali before it opens to the public this coming April 16, 2016.

Camp N, which is Nuvali’s latest outdoor attraction located inside the 2,290-hectare mixed-use development of Ayala Land that straddles the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna.

 “We designed Camp N in such a way that outdoor play and self-discovery are integrated seamlessly so people can enjoy bonding while being surrounded by nature. Camp N’s philosophy— expressed through providing people outdoor amenities where one can commune, learn, grow, and interact socially— jive perfectly with the sustainable philosophy of Nuvali being an eco-community. The presence of Camp N provides the community a convenient outdoor adventure stop. For Nuvali’s existing communities, it’s a fun learning camp within the neighborhood where they can take their kids out to play and learn. As Camp N evolves further, there will be more activities that will develop their physical and creative skills all within the comfort of nature.” said John Estacio, Nuvali general manager.

Camp N‘s location is very strategic since it is near an integrated self-supporting eco-city that is home to 12,000 residential units, two business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, two prestigious schools, and the 150-room Seda Hotel, which can provide accommodations for stay-cations and teambuilding activities. If you live within the Nuvali grounds or near the place, you are very lucky because you get to enjoy everything there.

There are a lot of activities to at Camp Nuvali which includes the Adventure Tower, which has the biggest rollercoaster zipline in Asia, as well as free fall, wall climbing, and rappelling facilities. The Obstacle Course has three challenge levels from basic to advanced, encompassing a broad spectrum of skill levels. The Aerial Walk is a series of rope-based challenges set high in the air. The High and Low Rope Initiatives is a series of balancing platforms and tightropes set just a little above ground and requires the participation of small groups.

Camp N serves as an incubation for self-discovery through obstacles and challenges testing one’s physical limits, mental abilities, and even character and values.

Preparing for the climb… Safety first. #CargoNet ?? Video taken using #AsusSelfie. #SeeWhatOthersCantSee @asusph @Asushq #CampNuvali #CampN #Nuvali #Adventure #Adventureplace #OutdoorActivity #OutdoorAdventure #Physical #newplace #PlacesToGo #Travel #Explore #Blog #Lifestyle #GirlAndBoyThingTravel

A video posted by GirlAndBoyThing.com (@girlandboythingph) on Apr 2, 2016 at 4:14am PDT

Of course, safety is one of the important things for Camp N. That is why they invested for very good quality safety equipments made from Germany. Each harness can crry up to 3 tons of weight. Whoa! That’s strong. For an outdoor activity place to prioritize safety, that is something every adventurer should consider. It’s a thumbs up for me.

Before trying anything at Camp N, make sure that you read the guidelines above.

Given a limited time to try different facilities and activities, I tried first the Cargo net. which is just near the main reception area. Whoooo! you will need a lot of upper body strength for this activity. Since the net is not steady, It’s difficult to climb up to the top(well, for me hahaha!).

The second and last activity that I tried is the Aerial Walk. This course is divided into three. Green which is the first level and the easiest part, Yellow which is the mid-level and Red for the last level and the highest part of the Aerial walk. I only reached till the starting point of Yellow level, since it’s quite high already and my fear of heights are setting in that time, so I decided to stop. I don’t want to have a panic attack up there and be a burden to the personnel and become a cause of delay for others.

Will upload a video of my  short but fun journey at Camp N soon. So Stay tuned.

Just in case you are done with your activities, Camp N has its own restrooms where you can take a bath and change and take a leak whenever you have the urge to go.

There’s more to see at the camp. Right beside Camp N is Greens & Patches which serves as a tree nursery, a demo organic farm, as well as an art and meditation center for those seeking an introspective approach in self-development. Guided tours and programs will soon be offered here so guests can learn about nature’s processes and gifts.

Camp N’s lush and scenic trails include paths for trail running beginners and mountain biking for kids and adults. So for those who just want to bike around and would like to practice their next bike race or duathlon or so, Camp N has a place for you to train.

Camp N is for everyone and anyone who is not only looking for some outdoor adventure fun but also a place where they can recharge and connect with other people or even themselves, while being surrounded by nature,” said Estacio.

Here are the rates for your pursual.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CAMP N:

On April 16, Camp N will be the venue for the first leg of the “AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016”, a multi-stage adventure race similar to The Amazing Race, also popularized by the AXN network. Adventurers will go through intense obstacle challenges in Camp N and the first 20 finishers will head to Boracay for the final round. Only 200 teams from Manila may join the AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016. Registration is through the AXN website.

DIRECTIONS:

To get to Nuvali, one can take any of the five South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) exits at Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan, and Canlubang. Nuvali is also easily accessible via public vehicles from major centers like Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Balibago.

For more information about Camp N, you may visit Nuvali.ph or you may follow them on Facebook, Twitter(@NuvaliOfficial) and @Nuvaliph on Instagram.

To schedule teambuilding sessions, guests can contact Camp N by phone through 0977-84-CAMPN or email camp-n@lakbaykalikasan.com.

 

 HOW TO GET THERE?

1. Ride the Bontoc-Banaue(route) PUJ which you will find at the parking area beside the Bontoc Town Hall.

2. Tell the driver to drop you off to Bayyo Rice Terraces.

If you are going to visit Sagada and stay there for days, do not expect to look or stay in a luxurious hotel. Believe me, you will never gonna find one there. In Sagada, If you don’t know anyone like friends or relatives to temporarily stay on till the end of your trip, then you have to find an inn, homestay, lodge, hostels or guesthouse.

During our Organic Agriculture trip in Sagada, our sponsor arranged a place for us to stay in. They managed to book us at  Sagada HomeStay Inn located at Besao Rd., Sagada Mountain Province.

It’s wood everywhere. The scent of wood added to the relaxing ambiance which sets a very good mood in the place.

Here’s the common area on the first floor. Just adjacent to the reception area.

There’s also a dining area that guests can use for free. This is also located on the 1st floor.

Someone’s watching you as you climb up the stairs going to the second floor where rooms are located.

At the second floor there’s another common area where you can hang out. There’s also a TV that the guests can use free of charge, but we seldom use it because we are always out and when we come back to the homestay, we are dead tired already.

The rooms were pretty clean and comfortable. Thank God there’s no bed bugs. 🙂 Surprisingly, the room rates are very affordable. For about P300 – P350 per person per night/bed(without breakfast) not bad for a backpacker on a budget. But of course, that’s the per bed rate. It means that you might have some stranger company when you book on that. If you want  privacy, you can book the whole room for Php750/night for 2 people(without breakfast- not sure if this rate is per person though). Well you can contact Sagada Homestay for more details about bookings and reservations.

Photo owned by Melody Co

My room mates… Melody Co, Ruth Floresca, and JR Bustamante. 🙂

Here’s the view from our room.

The comfort room is a common, so “Bawal mag-inarte!”(don’t be choosy!)Per cubicle is quite small but enough for you to move and take a bath. It is clean as well 🙂 By the way, there’s no free toiletries and no towels will be provided when you check -in. So bring your own ok?.

So after bathroom talk, let’s go outside Sagada Homestay Inn. Well, if you go there you would notice that there are other rooms. This is also part of Sagada Homestay. If you happen to stay on those rooms, hope you could share some info. 🙂

If you want to spend a night under the stars, burning marshmallows with the fire, you can actually use this Bonfire pit. I don’t now if you can use this for free or with charge. This would be a very nice experience for you and your friends or family.

Just out of the blue, Sagada Homestay is also offering massage service for only Php350/hour. just perfect after a straneous activity like trekking, spelunking and touring around Sagada.

For food, you can go outside Sagada Homestay, walk a few steps and then you will reach Sagada Homestay Inn Diner. For breakfast, you can pre-order your meal P100 – P130/head. For lunch and dinner, I believe the prices are different. By the way, you can drink Free UNLIMITED Sagada Coffee when you dine at Sagada Homestay Inn Diner.

If you are looking for a decent place to stay on your next visit to Sagada, You might want to consider Sagada Homestay Inn.

For booking and reservations, you may contact Karen Fiar-od(owner) with the following contact details:

The Church Of St. Mary The Virgin in Sagada, also known as the ANGLICAN CHURCH in Poblacion is said to be the oldest church in Cordillera. It was originally built under the direction of Rev. John Staunton year 1904, under the American regime and became a parish year 1962.

Whoa! It is really a very old church. Even older than my grandparents. One of the reasons why this church became very interesting for me. This church even survived the World War 2 and was just repaired.

I love visiting churches, especially the old ones because aside from the amazing architectural designs, you will be , amazed how these kind of churches were built. Actually,it was my second time to visit  Church Of St. Mary The Virgin Sagada. But it is just my first time to see what’s inside the church.

The first time we visited, we only took our photos within the vicinity. We did not roam around much because of the time constraint, but I was able to take some photos:

For Daily mass services, kindly refer to the photo below.

Well, that’s it. I hope that you can visit the Church Of St. Mary The Virgin too when you visit Sagada. There’s so much more to see and do in Sagada like the famous Hanging coffins, spelunking, mountaineering, exploring food, culture and knowing their people. ok? Enjoy your trip!

When you visit Sagada, It is not just about doing spelunking, exploring caves, and visiting burial sites etc. There are other things that you can do there like meeting the local people, knowing the history of the place and the best part… FOOD EXPLORATION. There are some food establishments that are popular in Sagada and one of those is The Sagada Lemon Pie House.

The Sagada Lemon Pie House is located in Atey, Daoangan, Sagada. If you are from Sagada Municipal Hall, you just walk down the hill and you will never miss it. It just alongside the road(Right side). If you get lost, just ask a local there. It is a famous place so it will not be very hard for you to find it.

HOW The Sagada Lemon Pie House STARTED?

“The Sagada Lemon Pie House is owned by Joseph Daoas. It was Joseph’s mother, Elena Daoas, a native from Candon, Ilocos Sur (married to Bartolome Daoas, originally from Poblacion, Sagada) that started it all. It was her original recipe and she passed it to Joseph that later improved the recipe to make it taste even better.

It took 12 years for Joseph to perfect the recipe. He experimented to get the right amount of flour for the crust and the right texture for the filling. It was five years ago when the lemon pie reached its greatest improvement. But of course, it didn’t end there.

In 2008, The Sagada Lemon Pie House was opened to the public for the first time, but it wasn’t a hit. So Katrina decided to bring her lemon pies to the public market, downtown Poblacion, to get better sales. Soon, more and more people buy their pies, and the rest is history.” – Source: sagadalemonpiehouse.blogspot.com/

When we visited the place, saw this cute dog sitting at the facade of the store… What a great morning for this fur baby. Hedefinitely know the importance of getting Vitamin D in the morning. 🙂

I love the ambiance of this place. The wood furnishing really made the place look ethnic and native. Plus the staff was really nice to us.

I got myself a slice of the famous lemon pie in Sagada. Well, I’m usually not fond of soury taste-like pastries and pies. So, I wasn’t able to finish everything. But My fiance, Rey, loves it and finished as well the remaining of my pie.

You should also try their egg pie (if available) for Php35 per slice. Unfortunately, it is not available at the time of our visit there. Maybe we are just early, since we went there around 7 in the morning. There are more to eat in this house, you may refer to the photo below for the food selections at The Sagada Lemon Pie House.

Photo from The Sagada Lemon Pie House FB Page

On your next visit to Sagada, don’t forget to go to The Sagada Lemon Pie House and try it out. 🙂

For more information, comments, suggestions , you can call their mobile number at (63) 907-7820360. Or email them at  lemonpiehouse@gmail.com

It’s my dream to go to Boracay.  I have been, seen and felt the sand in Palawan, in Laiya Batangas, in Pagupod and Panglao, but they say that Boracay is far different and way better than those. Luckily, I got an invitation by Azalea Residences Boracay to stay in their hotel and experience the beautiful island that even foreign tourists are very fond about.

Yipee! I was so excited to travel going to Boracay. Hey, it’s a first for me, pardon my child-like excitement hahaha!

(Click Photo to enlarge)

So we flew going to Caticlan via Skyjet Airlines which by the way was a pleasant and peaceful flight. Skyjet served us complimentary snacks and drinks during the flight which was surprisingly cool unlike other airlines with no snacks at all.(I love the sparkling grapes drink by the way. I love it so much, I can drink a whole bottle of it). We rode a very quiet 4-engine British Aerospace 146(BAe 146) airplane and just took us around less than 30 minutes from Manila to Caticlan Airport. Whew! that was fast!.

TOUCHDOWN CATICLAN AIRPORT!!!

Skyjet by the way offers a free baggage allocation of 10 kilograms to every passenger. As of today, Skyjet Airlines has regular flights going to Basco Batanes, Busuanga, Balesin including my destination Caticlan. Visit www.SkyJetAir.com for more details.

After claiming our baggages, we went outside the airport already and there were two vans and Azalea Residences Boracay personnel waiting for us and transported us to Tabon Port.

(Click Photo to enlarge)

If you are going to cross via boat from Tabon Port, you will have to pay Php75 for the ENVIRONMENTAL FEE/ADMISSION FEE and Php25 for the TERMINAL FEE which I find very reasonable in terms of the price.

SAFETY FIRST! Each boat is equipped with life vests for passengers to wear for the duration of the boat transfer. Then you have to leave it there after use.

(Click the photo to enlarge)

Thank God that the waves were peaceful during our transfer. And so TOUCHDOWN BORACAY ISLAND! Finally! Yehey!

My first-ever step on Boracay sand!…

Another van waited for our arrival. This time, this van will transport us to Azalea Residences Boracay. For your information, when you book at Azalea residences Boracay, they will assist your from the port-hotel-port. There will be Azalea personel waiting for you there to assist you.

(Click Photo to enlarge)

And so we have reached our destination. Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay. We used to talk about this when we were in their Baguio branch, that there will be a new branch opening in Boracay and now we are here.

Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay is a 4-star serviced apartment hotel located at Station 2, Sitio Mangayad, Brgy. Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan. It is not at the beachfront, but it’s just a few minutes(about 2-3 minute walk or maybe less) going there. It is also very near D’Mall, restaurants, bars, and various establishments and just a few minutes away from Caticlan Jetty Port.

So… Me, together with my blogger friends and company were warmly welcomed by Azalea Residences Boracay staff. Welcome drinks and cold towel were given to refresh us from the scorching heat outside the hotel.

Azalea Residences never disappoints. It has the same great ambiance just like in their Baguio branch. How can I say no to this?! Definitely a YeS!. Go! Go! Go!. ?

We were then assisted to our own room by their kind staff. Hello there!

Azalea Residences is known for their  condo-like rooms with modern interior design. What I like most about Azalea Residences is that you have your own kitchen and dining area, cable TV, mini-bar, and private toilet and bath. By the way, there’s also a FREE wi-fi access. For room rates click here: www.azaleaboracay.com/rooms-rates/

Gosh! I miss lyining on those soft sheets! Just the same quality and materials with the one they are using in Baguio.

(Click photo to enlarge)

By the way, Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay also offers other rooms  such as one bedroom apartment suite, two-bedroom apartment suite, and deluxe room whichever suits your needs or preference.

As always! Azalea has always been so sweet to their guests. Thank you so much for this welcome healthy treat. 🙂

First time to encounter this type of room key. Isn’t it cool? It is water resistant and you can wear it even while you are swimming at the beach or doing other beach activities like snorkeling, island hopping and many more.

Lovin Azalea Residences Boracay’s hallways. just a perfect area to do my summer #OOTD. Thanks Rey Belen of www.Lifestylebucket.com for taking this shot.

Photo credits to Azrael Coladilla

(Click Photo to enlarge)

If you want to have more fun aside from staying in the hotel, Azalea can arrange something for you, your friends and family such as land tour, island hopping and other water activities.

There are lot of food establishments outside Azalea Residences Boracay. But just in case that you just want to stay inside the hotel, you can just go down on the the ground floor and dine at Kuya J Restaurant. This said restaurant is where guests of  Azalea Boracay are having breakfast as well. Just don’t forget your breakfast stub that was given to you when you checked-in. 

What other people say about Boracay are true. The beach is really different. I love the feel of the fine white sand under my feet as I stroll along the shore, the waves that touches my skin, the breathtaking view of the sea… A priceless experience for a first-timer in Boracay like me.

Thank you Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay for a very pleasant stay and for making my Boracay trip a memorable one. It’s really a very nice place to unwind, de-stress and appreciate the beauty of nature at the same time. Truly, a holiday haven in an island!

For Bookings and reservations, you may contact  Azalea Hotels and Residences Boracay:

Website: www.azaleaboracay.com/

• Manila Central Sales & Reservations:
  No. 1725 M. Adriatico St., Malate Manila 1004
• Manila Office Trunk Lines:
  (632) 450 1151 ? (632) 450 1584
• Manila Reservations Direct Lines:
  (632) 579 4890 ? (632) 5794894
• Reservations Mobile Numbers:
  0917 8611641 ? 0919 9944140

• Email: reservations@azalea.com.ph

• Vacation Club Membership Services
  Customer Care SpecialistManila Direct Line: (632) 450 115

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AzaleaHotelsResidencesBoracay

Instagram: @AzaleaBoracay

I’ve been passing a lot of times to and from Quezon City. But still, there are a lot of things that I don’t know about the place. And what a great timing to start to get to know it well as they celebrate their upcoming Quezon City 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Wow! 75 years.

Photo Credits: Earth Rullan

To start with, a group of bloggers including me were toured inside The Quezon Heritage House in Quezon Memorial Circle during the launch of Quezon City 75th Diamond Jubilee.

The said house is said to be the exact replica of Manuel L. Quezon’s house located at 45 Gilmore Street, New Manila. The house was transferred in Quezon City Circle to become a tourist attraction and more importantly, for the Quezon City government to preserve the legacy of the late president Manuel L. Quezon.  

The original lot area in New Manila is 6,000sqm. but when it was transferred inside the QC. Circle it was compressed to 771 sqm. The main house lot area remains the same at 171sqm.

The house is called “weekend house” by Manuel L. Quezon because this is where he and his family used to stay during weekends(Saturday-Sundays and holidays) during 1927.

This is the room of Doña Aurora, wife of Manuel L. Quezon. The bed was given by the americans during their time.

Manuel L.  Quezon’s Room.

 Doña Aurora and Manuel L. Quezon does not sleep in the same room because this was the time when Manuel L. Quezon was diagnosed with Tuberculosis.<

Doña Aurora and Manuel L. Quezon’s Private nurse room.

Manuel L. Quezon’s personal journal.

Manuel L. Quezon and Doña Aurora had 4 children and one of them is still living gracefully at the rightful age of 94. She’s Doña María Zeneida Quezón Avanceña.

And here are some of the photos I’ve taken during our tour:

(Click to enlarge)

The Quezon Heritage House is open to public every Tuesdays-Sundays from  9 A.M. to 4 P.M. FREE Admission.

Back to anniverary special. In just a few days, Quezon City, also known as the “City of stars” will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. This year is not just a simple anniversary, because the city has prepared a lot of exciting activities that residents and even the tourist will enjoy.

These activities starting October 10-11, 2015 has been crafted to leave a mark on Quezon City’s 75 years of cityhood at the same time to welcome the coming year with positive vibes.

Here’s the schedule of activities for the Quezon City 75th Diamond Jubilee:

There are also other activities this month of October. Please read for your information.

• October 2-11, 2015 : Our Lady of La Naval Daily Novena Masses(Quezon City Hall Lobby)
• October 6-9, 2015 : Quezon City International Pink Film Festival(Cinema 1, Gateway Mall)
• October 7-9, 2015 : Future Perfect: Cities at the Forefront of Change and Development(Richmonde Hotel, Eastwood City, Libis)
• October 12, 2015 : State of The City Address(Carlos Albert Hall, Quezon City Hall)
• October 19, 2015 : Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal Night. (Smart Araneta, Cubao) 

For more information, updates and inquiries about Quezon City 75th Diamond Jubilee events and activities, visit www.facebook.com/Quezon-City-75th-Diamond-Jubilee

A new port has opened! SM just recently launched the ESPLANADE SEASIDE TERMINAL which is a part and a new addition to the fast-developing Mall of Asia complex. The terminal is SM’s new project to provide good services that adds convenience and enjoyment of the public. The ESPLANADE SEASIDE TERMINAL is the new terminal replacing the one in CCP Complex.

It has a very good location since it is just along Seaside blvd., near SM Mall of Asia and other entertainment and business hub such as SM By The Bay, MOA Arena, SMX Convention Center and E-Com buildings. Actually, you can walk from SM MOA going to the terminal or vice versa(if you are not too tired, lazy to walk or in a hurry) just to appreciate the beauty of the bayside. ESPLANADE SEASIDE TERMINAL is very accessible for public transportation(taxi) especially for private vehicles.

ESPLANADE SEASIDE TERMINAL has sufficient and safe parking space where you can leave your cars while you enjoy your Manila Bay cruise or Corregidor tour.

The terminal provides the public a venue where one can easily book cruises and tours giving the public an avenue to a unique dining and leisure experience at the bay. ESPLANADE SEASIDE TERMINAL is PPA (Philippine Ports Authority) accredited and can accommodate both domestic and foreign vessels.

As of today, the terminal  has three(3) ferry service partners: Sun Cruises, Prestige Cruises and Orient Craft. Please refer below for their promo and schedules.(Cruise schedules and price are subject to change without prior notice.):

SUN CRUISES

Orientcraft offers:

THE PARTY BOAT 

Celebrate your birthday, wedding, reunion, company outing, or corporate seminars while cruising the bay for Php24,000.

Inclusions:

– 2 hours cruise along Manila Bay

– Sound System with 2 microphones

– Php10,000 for every additional hour

– You can choose your own time

– LED TV

DINNER PARTY BY THE BAY

For only Php8oo/head enjoy your dinner while cruising.

Inclusions:

– 40 minute Manila Bay Cruise

– One glass of wine(chhose from red wine, white wine, or punch)

– Souvenir from Orientcraft

– Cruising time: 5PM and 6:30 PM

For bookings, reservations and inquiries about Manila Bay Cruise packages you may contact  Orientcraft at:

0908-8150704/ 0998-9938874/ 0908-8150704/ 0917-771-5270/ 0917-5757106/ 0925-5267106

994-7621

orientcraftcruises@yahoo.com

www.orientcraftcruises.com

Manila Bay Cruise: Php 250 PER PAX

Manila Bay Cruise with dinner: P650 PER PAX

***Children below four years old are free.

For bookings, reservations and inquiries about Manila Bay Cruise packages you may contact  Prestige cruises at:

994.1258/ 0917.525.5455

www.manilabaycruise.com/

During the terminal  launch, I together with other bloggers, media and guests were able to experience a different dining pleasure while cruising by the bay via OrientCraft.

Wow! Just look at that view. It’s like I’m not in the Philippines. Saw this kind of scenery when I visited Hongkong last May.  This is the first time I ever appreciated the Manila Bay Harbour. I must say this portion is the nicest part of the whole stretch. Well, just disregard the stinky fishy smell hahaha and ofcourse you have to get ready to get dizzy when the water is not calm.

Even you are not cruising by the bay, you’ll appreciate the nice view of the whole bay looking from the terminal. This is also a very cool spot to watch the sunset.  🙂

ESPLANADE SEASIDE TERMINAL is open daily from 7AM-9PM daily. So if you are planning to go to Corregidor or maybe just a simple date with your loved one or maybe throw a party for your friends and family as you cruise the bay, head on to the ESPLANADE SEASIDE TERMINAL and book your cruise trip.

HAPPY TRIP AND ENJOY CRUISING!!!