Live Life to the Fullest – Epilogue of Meaningful Life Adventure

“Getting back n living the simple joys of life is like reminiscing the past to enjoy the present. At the end, it really feels good.”

I remembered back then that my love to Malabon food started when I was doing on-site technical support with my bank’s full-time work.

From their famous Nanay’s Pancit Malabon, Dolor’s sapin-sapin and Arny-Dading’s cheesy pichi-pichi were among the food that bank personnel would served to us  aside from those great smile and warm treatment.

A remarkable gesture, I cannot forget.

When I saw an invitation about Malabon’s Culinary Festival 2012,  I got no second thought of signing up to be back in time and revive those gusto of food and people’s hospitality.  Truly, the loong trip going to Malabon was not a disappointment battling those heat and sweats around.

Honestly, loving those summer heat at Malabon! Why?

Malabon’s Kulinarya Festival 2012 introduced me to other delectable dishes worth to die for to taste which were not popular to a non-resident like me.

Spearheading the event was led by Lenlen Oreta (Acting Mayor  of Malabon City) who wanted to featured the rich cultural culinary heritage of Malabon taste through this kind of festival together with its 413th Foundation Day.   The kick-off  was held at Dampa sa Paseo last May 15, 2012.  The said event would run up to May 21 with Food Bazaar and Cooking competition.

This was participated by a cooking demo from Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) founder Ms. Annie Pascual-Guerrero who was originally from Malabon and came from a family of cooks where they used to run a cooking school way back in the 70′s.

Ms. Guerrero showed those culinary secrets and techniques cooking those famous Adobong Pusit and Sumpia to enable the guests to appreciate the Malabon style of cooking and make those food extraordinary.

What I will be sharing were the food I personally tasted and definitely will come back with my family.

There is this, famous Judy Ann’s home made Crispy Pata  (Pig Knuckles) topped with pickles to crave for.  What is more intriguing with this pork dish was the reddish color of the skin and those sweet juice poured around.    The skin is so crunchy.  Love the versatility of the sauce like sweet and sour aside from the traditional vinegar-soy sauce.

The resto is located at 201 Gen. Luna St. Malabon City, contact no. 281-4193.

Another one is Simon’s Online Bakeshop version of Crema de Fruta boxed in lady fingers cookies.  Those layered sponge cake topped with fruit cocktail is not too sweet yet so creamy.  Love also their personalized cake and pastries showcase during the event.  You can also visit their Facebook Page for details.

The style on how Taste of Heaven prepared this Dinuguan is really “a must-try”.  Love the savory yet chili goodness of simmered meat cooked in a stew of pork blood.  To make it complete, I also grabbed some puto (white rice).

Taste of Heaven is also offering food like laing, embutido, cassava cake, leche plan, ube jam and baked macaroni.

Okoy ni Jr.  is like traveling those Okoy taste in Vigan with those distinct crisp loaded with shrimp and some herbs.  I was in the eye of buying these fritters as a treat for my kids.  Unfortunately, most of the food served here were for sharing and tasting.

I am always a look-out of Filipino delicacy  and desserts.  What struck me to taste was this ” Turon Pinipig” – a triangular shape stuffed with mongo aside from the traditional banana fried in in caramelized sugar.

Dampa sa Paseo showcased those seafoods around  that let me feast with their baked yet fresh cheesy – oyster/tahong and grilled pusit.

Now you know why I love those summer heat with Malabon?

I admired hand-in-hand cooperation of City Government and its people taking those full support and initiatives to preserve its food culture not only to promote local tourism but also to boost economic activities in the area.

This food tour served as a reminder of getting back in living the simple joys of life like Malabon City.  I went back to the basics of reminiscing the past to enjoy the present.   Seeing those culinary heritage  in preparing food give meaning to a hearty meal that made each basically happy. At the end, it really feels good.

Definitely, I would love to come back not  to personally visit the locations of those restos I have seen during the event but to also discover more those travel heritage around as what Malabon City has to offer.

I am fortunate to be invited as one of the speakers in the upcoming  Filipino Bloggers Hub Acquaintance Party this coming May 19, 2012 that will be held at Central Colleges of the Philippines.

I am a bit clueless on what to talk about or what to expect for.

Goodluck, goodluck for me and to all of us. LOL!

Maybe I will be enjoying the presence of fellow bloggers who have those same craft and to harness sharing those ideas into blogging  thus improving more.

Here is the run-thru on the said event:

In the cyber world where all bloggers are moving-in, it has become more challenging due to different trends that have been born from time to time in every click and tick of their finger on the mouse.

As the blogger pursue their passion, they tend to produce more effective write-ups that are based on experiences, observation and even with their own opinion.

“There are points in our life that we do something that makes us happy. Learn to cope up. Take those positive things to do one step at a time. Just be patient and someday everything will come to reality.”

I got to worked before in Las Piñas area for almost two years and getting back again was a reminiscence of looking back comparing the “before and after” especially the Villar Foundation.

This time it was different.  We were tour around and oriented on the different projects spearheaded by Ms. Cynthia Villar which is the main purpose is to rehabilitate not only the environmental aspect but to uplift the livelihood and well-being of the people around.

These are  the following livelihood projects:

1. Coconut Weaving  located at Barangay E. Aldana

Concept:  To produce coconut net that can be use for slope protection and soil erosion control thus holding the plant’s root system which also absorbs water. 

According to Engr. Dexter Gonzales,  instead of throwing away those green coconut husk as a waste material, its fiber can be drawn out to rope and can be weave as net.

Engr. Gonzales even shown to us the step-by-step procedure on how to do it:

• Put the husk into decorticating machine that let to separate the fibers and dust.
• Separate the fiber and dust it.
•  Twine in preparation for a rope.
• Weave the twined rope to produce net.

I got to seen this one in the southern area using abaca products. Good to know that those husks are effective way to protect environment. It has also created jobs along barangay from all walks of life – men, women like mother, grandmother while children can also be with them.

We have also personally met Divine who were working during our visit and how this livelihood project changed her life.

2.  Handloom Weaving Center located at Bernabe Compound, Pulang Lupa

Concept: To weave blankets that can be sent to victims of disasters in various parts of the Philippines.

According to Engr. Dexter, most of the workers were dropped-out from school and trained here to weave.  Each of them was able to do three (3) blankets a day.

Activities shown here were:

• Arranging those thread running in a refurbished electric fan.
• Once the thread was set-up on the loom, one can make a flat pieces of knitting based on the width size of the pattern.
• Then the weave will begin setting the blanket to be long.

3.  Eco-Center located at Barangay Pamplona Dos

Concept: Using biodegradable wastes to produce quality compost

This time, the barangay chairman, Mr. Roberto Villalon  oriented us on the steel composters that can produced almost 1,000 kilos of organic fertilizers a month.   One bag cost P 3.00 per kilo which is far beyond more affordable compared to other fertilizers sold in the market.

Mr. Villalon demonstrated to us the segregation and composting made of biodegradable waste. This was not new to me since we were practicing the same method with our Los Banos Garden Society in Laguna to nourish more the growth of our horticultural plants.

The process include:

• Kitchen waste were picked-up by garbage collectors along the neighborhood and put it in a well-sealed white container.
• These were manually mixed with trichodema and coconut dust that came from the coconut weaving.
•  After thorough mixing, this will be placed in a composting hammer machine that would pulverized to produce an organic fertilizer.

How about those plastic bags or sachets included with those trash?

Mr. Villalon showed to us the use of plastic materials  that can also be included in doing hollow blocks and bricks from a mix of one sack of cement and kilos of plastic.  Did you see those red and blue color below within those hollow blocks?  Those were plastics together with those cement that can beused as a filler.

4.  River Station and Livelihood Center  located at BF Resort Village Barangay Talon Dos

Concept:  Clean up the garbage and water lily floating around the river to avoid flooding

Whow, I was amazed to see lot of improvements in this historical river!

Way back then, I have to climb in a woody stairs, pay P 2.00  just to crossed over the fastest path going to Cavite  whenever I got a meeting with my client after a work in Las Piñas.

Lot of improvements, I may say!  If only I took those pictures way back then, we could compare how this river become so nature friendly together with those almost clean atmosphere of free flowing water bodies around and trees to support it.

Engr.  Gonzales told us that this was actually a historical dam that can be part of cultural heritage conceptualized by St Ezekiel Moreno (Patron Saint for Cancer victims) that would provide water capacity along the nearby areas.

5. Las Pinas Arts and Crafts  located at Caroline Masibay St.  BF Resort Village Barangay Talon Dos

Concept:  To convert water hyacinth into handicraft products

When I was working in Las Piñas, instead of going to the nearby mall, my first stop was going here in this arts and crafts to check those latest creations.

If budget permits, I would bought those native decorations at home or a gift to loved ones and friends.

I heart those materials intricately made out of dried water hyacinth stalks that can be converted to extra-ordinary handicrafts and can make one each home a stand-out.  Those interiors that can be use to as an accents to lights, furniture,  wall decor, cabinets and alike.  They also maximize the use of bamboo crafts that is very common product in the heart of Las Pinas.  Remember, their famous bamboo organ?

After our tour, we got to personally met and have lunch with Mrs. Cynthia Villar.

We got those casual talks sharing those experiences on how to mentor, monitor and especially spearheading this kind of advocacy.  It was truly a huge task to take to be on this kind of advocacy.

I have been to different NGO project but what stuck to my mind on those simple meet-ups where actions to initiate to make it a reality:

• Its harmful consequences into environment can be best achieved if “someone would take those lead”.  Creating awareness is the first and foremost  the initial key.

• A leader can only initiate being a role model and the main primary supporter.  All products hand-over like coconut net, blankets and handicraft were used by Las Pinas community and found to be effective in preserving the nature.

• Together with the people around the community, stricter rule of banning like the use of plastic bags by the government can now be easily be supported.

This would really be a tough job.

But based on my assessment with Mrs.  Villar advocacy, there were really some points in life that we do something to make a dream a reality. Learn to cope up.   Take those positive steps one day at a time.  Just be patient and someday everything will come to reality.

For more information: Visit their website – Villar Foundation

Kudos again as I end my post with this video by Jordin Sparks – One Step at a Time.

“The more commitment you fill in with your desire, the more benefits you are seeing. 

Do not ever doubt about it. “

After 3 weeks of doing those routine exercise for four minutes in a day and some other physical activities,  my stamina perked up.   I don’t know.   It is just that I was addicted to it which Coach Jim Saret told us when we were starting this Immuvit Metafit Challenge. One cannot stop.

Did I share to you those muscles forming at the back of my legs? More defined and slimmer, I suppose.  I felt those pain everyday and what I did was to do those exercise.  After which, you never know it was gone.

Our next 4-minute routine for Week 3 were:

• Mountain Climbers
• Half  Burpees
• Ski Jumps

I find this cardio exercises a lot of stretching, jumping  and need more strength to finish those 4-minute routine.  Honestly, I got only one-half round.  Again no forcing, no pressures, only a desire to put this activity to routine and most of all, to enjoy it.

Next in the morning, I was too lazy to do it because it was too stressful for me as I felt those soaring around my shoulders, chest and thighs.

What I did was to do it once as in no tuning back as I got up to bed and after I open my computer in our home office.  No workout outfit,  still on my bed clothes and did this in barefoot.  LOL!

Below were the sample exercises that I did – Mountain Climbers and Ski Jump.

Then up to the metro for consultancy work as I recalled my activities:

• Since vehicles were bumper to bumper traffic here in Calamba because of summer outings around, I settled to walk instead of riding a tricycle to catch the bus  going  to Manila (10 minutes)
• During meetings in a coffee shop, instead of ordering pastries, have eaten heavy sandwich that become sometimes my lunch.
• I drank water for the whole three-day duration.  My coffee intake was down one each day compared to other days that I was drinking coffee 3x a day.

Other activities that I did was the weekend getaway with the family at Chateua Royale, Nasugbu Batangas where I substituted my 4-minute exercise by:

• Strolling along the resort while taking pictures (1 hour)
• Swimming (2 hour, one in the morning and one in the afternoon)
• Drink water most of the time
• Eat suman/mango at breakfast and chicken during meals

From last remaining day back home,what I did was to start  again those routine and continue it with other activities like:

• Helping hubby to fix and clean up the house.
• Continue to serve family with healthy food as our meal.

I felt raising those fast heart rate beat when I was doing those exercise for five days.  I thought I cannot do it.  With the aid also of  Immuvit vitamins aside from the healthy food intake,  those new cardio exercise can be possible.  I got to intake also two(2) soft gels before my first meal on my third week instead of one.

I have those many hats everyday – from a mother, working with our client, blogging and also manning our family business.  Immuvit content combined with Ginseng extracts and CoQ10 would assist me in boosting those energy levels.

As I age also, I have to combat those somatopause syndrome to be able to be fit for my family.  I dream that someday as I finished this one-month challenge, I can join them on the sports activities they were engaged every time we went out.

Sharing this picture how versatile my children including hubby in terms of sports activities when we did our last getaway doing those rock climbing.

Aside from that desire, I also observed these benefits I have been doing for 3 weeks:

• I don’t feel tired at all during the day even I have already did those 4-minute exercise.
• I sleep very well at night and when I woke up, I felt those feeling to start ASAP.
• My level of concentration is focus.

Of all those in my plates, I feel I am more awesome as a being.  Positive outlook of emotions keeps on coming.  Definitely, I will still continue the same routine for the fourth week of this challenge, my last hurray!  I can’t wait to see what more it will offer as I complete those fitness to my body.

The more commitment you fill in with your desire, the more benefits you are seeing.  Do not ever doubt about it.  Now, I am really excited.  Hopefully, we can continue the quest to become fitter.

Peee…….Essss……

I just bumped a weighing scale in a client’s clinic.  Here what I found out – from 134 lbs., I was down to 128lbs loosing almost 6 pounds.

Yehey!  What I did was to treat myself with Cinnamon Rolls and Strawberry Icescape from Cinnabon as a reward.

Please, can I have just one “cheat day” with my diet?  XD!

Ohhh, I even bought a box of treats from my children at home as I celebrate those fitness achievement.

Hi guys.

For more than 2 weeks now, I involved myself to a fitness challenge and aim to do this by joining Immuvit Metafit Challenge.

I got to share also my:

• The Result After Week 1
• The Result After Week 2

I am now gearing to my Week 3 and to tell you honestly, I am loving the pain and sweat as I am turning myself to be healthy as a routine.

To celebrate the feeling of fit and healthy, I am giving away a Gift Certificate from Slimmer’s World worth of P 1,500.00 services.

How to win Slimmer’s World Gift Certificate:

• Like Live Life Fullest Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/livelifefullest

• Leave reply and comment at Result of Week 2, Immuvit Metafit Challenge and answer the question “How do you like to be fit and healthy”.  Share your insights and complete the reply with your NAME and E-MAIL ADDRESS. Failure to do will disqualify your entry.

• This contest is open to all readers in the Philippines. One entry per person only. Winners will be chosen via electronic raffle. This contest will run from May 7, 2012 to May 10, 2012, 11:59PM.   I will be notifying the winner via email and will also announce it here in my blog. The Gift Certificate  will be delivered to the lucky winner.

Is it that simple?

What are you waiting for?  Celebrate life by being fit and healthy!

Eagle’s Den is the extension of the famous Aguila Catering in Batangas specifically in Bauan area. The catering exist for more than a decade already. Expect that food served here were carefully chosen based on the most best-selling preferences of their guests.

Why?  Beside that the owner is a relative which I am not bragging about because of good food, my relatives on the mother side who were rooted in Batangas got good raves about the food they serve and the services they offered.

Honestly, I did not recommend them.   I just found out that every time my relatives got a big gathering, Aguila Catering will always be their first choice.  Knowing the sisters of my grandmother who loves to eat, cook and gathered, they really have those preferred good taste.

They are also part-owner of Aguila Beach Resort which they also catered in many event occasions like wedding, reunion, birthdays and alike.

We have already got the taste on some of the foods they were serving with the family and I am definitely satisfied.  I got to share this food escapade with friends around and thus, our journey begins.

I have shared to you our Anilao Trip in the perspective on how we did to organize going to the place.  We have our suggestions on the food preferences but I also told to them what were those bestsellers that their customers were ordering.

What they served to us were the set of seafoods.   Wow!  Yes, I know I have a skin allergy.  But I just found out that I have to eat in bites which is for me a sort of an advantage where one can really taste the essence of each food.  I am also in the process of the Immuvit Metafit Challenge.  So better, I have the control also on what I eat now.

The marinated taste of Sizzling Pusit induced the power when it was grilled.   Not to sweet nor too oily.  Price per plate  is P 170.00.

Who can resist those Shrimp Tempura where one can smile when it was neatly presented?  To make it a standout in its taste, shrimp must be fresh first, the combination of flour mixture and deeply fried.  I just have one and I love it.  Price is P 180.00

I have already tasted this Fish Fillet with Butter Sauce when we had our lenten season vacation with them. Really anticipating that they will serve the same decadent buttery sauce sprinkled with chopped carrots that made these fish fillet so sensational.  Price is P 120.00.

Usually we expect Calamares were breaded rounded fried squid dish and got those crunchier taste.  Maybe because this dish got those too much breading that empowered those squid rings.  Hope they can improve this one to make it more appealing to taste.  Price is P 180.00.

I love the simple taste of this Baked Tahong (Mussles).  Those freshly baked tahong topped with butter-garlic mixture made it mouthwatering even it was not covered with the traditional bread crumbs.  Price is P 120.00.

We always anticipating Tilapia as big and lot of stuff inside.  But this serving is maybe good for one person.  Even it was small, the meat is firm enough not to flake and fall apart when it was grilled and serve to us.  Price is P 95.00.

Crispy Pata’s crunchiness made this fried pork legs easy to eat.  Although got those cholesterol content, the dipping like vinegar, chopped garlic and soy sauce made it more irresistible.  Price is P 350.00.

Lechon Kawali got also those firm yet crispy taste.  Price is P 130.00.

To beat those summer feeling, what they did was to let us taste those different flavors of shake – Chocolate, Mocha, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry and Mango .  Price for each shake is P 80.00.

Batangas food trip will never be complete without tasting their lomi. For merienda, we served a huge bowl of thick lomi with plenty of  toppings from egg, chicharon, meat balls, pork strips, etc.  Drooling yet very indulging to taste!  Price is P 60.00 for two servings but for this big one, price is P 150.00.

Bartenders were also fully trained and know what they serve in terms of drink mixes like  Margarita, Cuba Libre, Mai Tai, Wall Banger, Jack Coke and among others.  I cannot say more about it because I am not into these popular drinks.

In terms of Aguila’s Den Cafe ambiance, quaint yet so elegant and a touch of modernized homey interiors.

It is really a great move for the Aguila family to build Eagle’s Den to where they were started.   From there, people will not wait for another catering event in a gathering just to have a taste of their services in terms of their food taste and the ambiance.  I am also surprise on the price which is very affordable.

I have already announced those pictures in my social network account (Flicker, Facebook, Twitter) and good to know there were people around who gave those fair share to their colleagues.  Hopefully,  with this post, people will give time to visit this hidden foodie place right in Anilao.

Peeee…..Essss………..

Before we left that morning, Eagle’s Den Cafe was very generous to serve us breakfast to full those tummy in the morning after a 30-minute hike, Longsilog – Longaniza, Sinangag and Itlog.

“Perk up yourself the desire in doing it.  It is about doing what you think and feel you should be doing.”

Yehey!  Gone with my two-weeks Immuvit Metafit Challenge…Yay, I am now looking forward for a halfway more.  Looks exciting, I don’t know.  Maybe, perhaps, XD!  But definitely it would be.

Anyway, sharing to you my post what I have done for last 2nd week.  This time a new set of 4-minute exercise  with a beat of background music at the side:

• 10 Touch Toes
• 10 Squat Jump
• 10 Alternate Lunges

I executed this activity in the morning for five days when I was home, this time in our terrace.  Maybe because change environment, breathing more fresh air and lot of wide spaces.  I felt that:

• Too straining which I got to started two rounds in a row and ended up the same thing
• Found dizzy in the evening
• Pain in the neck and back

Below were some of  the sample exercises that I did – Touch Toes and Alternate Lunges

Note that I am not forcing myself to do this.  Whatever rounds I got, it is just ok.  Just settle for the desire.  Later this would perk up on how you think you will do it and feel you should be doing it.

Since I was already stretch-out with those workout,  I decided to  jog/run in our subdivision when the air is still cool and the area is not that hot for 30 minutes.    Walking along let me appreciate those wide trees around our area.

I got to also plan our meal for almost a week where most of them include vegetables and fruits.

I know the importance of those food but because of busy schedule sometimes, we choose easy to prepare food like frying or sometimes noodles in a cup.  There were times also, we go to the mall for a quick meal in a fastfood.

Getting to be healthy again give me a twist to prioritize and plan again our family  meal.  I am posting this image below to serve as a reminder the beauty and benefits of real food.

Other activity that I did was the weekend getaway at Anilao Beach in Batangas where I substituted my 4-minute exercise with:

• Strolling along the beach shore (30 minutes)
• Swimming (1 hour)
• Trekking (1.5 hours)
• Taking pictures by walking (2 hours)
• Drink water most of the time
• Eat seafood dishes, less rice, less meat, more carbs like lomi noodles

One time, I got a call from a friend and have a chance to share what I was doing right now.  She was telling me do i really have to do this one? Something that, am I that desperate enough to be slim again doing all those stuffs.

Actually, I just smile and explain to her the somatopause issue.    Metafit challenge is fast track that let me do those workout in the comfort of my home or any working place/area I am in.  Doing this now for almost two weeks give me those higher metabolism on the way I do my work.  For two weeks now, I got to feel those hard muscles at the back of my legs.

Why?  I am not a gym trainor but getting those information from Immuvit Website let me understand that those high-intensity cardiovascular exercise combination is a mix of calorie burning, endurance, and strength training.   This kind of workout has been scientifically proven to help the body release somatotropin or growth hormones that counters somatopause and the effects of aging.

Together with the intake of Immuvit, I was able  to perk more those momentum as this vitamin contains 2 kinds of ginseng that gives energy boost.

After two weeks of no sweets like pastries, cakes and donuts, sometimes I was craving for it.  What I did was to supplement our dining table with fruits.  At first, it was a struggle.  There were also times that when I was out, I got to bought some treats with kids like donut.  This time, me and hubby substituted it with bunch of fruit salad that was bought in the mall.

I don’t know how this would take long but definitely I am planning for more like:

• Still continue with the new set of exercise
• Workouts where I got one-month unlimited gym membership
• Trekking together with the family.  There were events I let them do it  and me, left alone preparing meal.  But now, I am prepared to do it with them.

Love to end this post with this simple guide to health that would let one realize this is is just so very simple.  What do you think?

Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.
by: A. A. Milne

For almost a month now, friends with interest in blogging and photography planned an out-of-town activity where we can work, exchange ideas, travel and play in the sun at the same time.

There were hurdles along the way like:

• mode of transportation
• getting the schedule that would fit to everyone
• companions like family, friends or loved ones
• day tour or overnight

Despite all of this, the wait was over when we already push those plans to become a reality as each of us carried those spirit of camaraderie, openness and cooperation along the way.  Meeting one mind to push-thru with it is the most important part.

Most of them arrived before the specified time for meet-ups so very early in the morning.  Excited with lot of enthusiasm, I suppose as we kept on updating thru calls, text message and social media (facebook, twitter) status.

Now the tour began in Anilao Beach located at the southeast area of Batangas nestled in Mabini town which is a a 3-hour drive if one is coming from Manila. Anilao is very popular in clean blue water even without those powdery sand around.

We stayed at Aguila Beach Resort which is very accessible along Mabini stretch.  This is also the first resort that you can transcend for those adventurers who like to explore the Anilao beach right away.

As soon we arrived together, what we did was to stroll along the resort, walked along the shore and do swimming while others were already taking those pictures around the beach.

For meals, we ate at Eagle’s Den and we got suggestions to try most of their seafood dishes and some meaty food like Crispy Pata and Sisig. My only worry was my skin allergy.  But then, discipline in tasting the food in a bite is always the key to enjoy all those succulent cravings.  Anyway, I will have a separate post for this one because there are a lot to share with this food escapade.

During those relaxing hours in a day, exchange stories came by and we started to know each other more especially sharing crafts like blogging and photography.   Something like:

• How one can schedule posting the blog despite of the myriads of good write-ups and events coming
• Photographs that were also in line for selecting and due for editing
• Doing content on the blog posts

Yes I experience the same thing which made me realize you are not alone on some of your predicaments.  At the end, still, organizing and being discipline goes hand in hand in each tasks.

After the late merienda,  the waiting was over when we almost rush to witness the beauty of Anilao beach – the sunset.

Even at the metro, I love watching the sunset as the sun gradually dropped out of the sight displaying those ray path of light.

The whole horizon of the sea captivated its combination between each nature’s color.

Even clouds are floating, sunset adds color to the sky, as if  one was looking through the gates of Heaven.

I actually took only  a few shots of it.  Maybe to give time to breathe and feel the captured beauty on its own.

Day tour was the only plan with the group but when we knew from the local that one can trek up to see the whole stretch of Anilao beach at the top, we stayed to witness those lookout.  Anyway, the resort allowed us an overnight stay and who would resist it if that was the original plan.

I missed also those hiking last week we had in Anawangin.  If  we can substitute this into physical activity to socialize, workout and enjoy nature’s beauty, then I am very, very willing to do it again aside from staying in a cafe and ate.

We walked for almost 30 minutes stripping thru Bisa Resort and up to Orense to see the panoramic view of Anilao Beach.

Truly captivating at the top!  Reaching it in cemented grounds makes it more easier to do those walks.

Overall, the result of this out-of-town activity is a success, I may say. There would be some improvements along the way like more people to join by providing a bigger transportation, include more activities like boating to other places and more resorts to explore.

Out of town adventure like this is also a form of fitness activity like walking, swimming, hiking, trekking and at the same time capturing a surround nature folded with fresh air.  One thing for sure, organizing such an event is a huge task especially if one is spearheading it to happen.  Laying all those cards to meet each mind is valuable once each has its goal or objective.

Definitely, there would be another trip for us and for now, I am just anticipating….

“Make a best beliefs that would empower you to move on.  And for me, if dancing and loving again my body will be the way to become fit again, I am DEFINITELY IN.”

Letting one to be at home gave me more the opportunity to include fitness in a daily routine with a twist like doing the 4-minute workout but to plan also healthy meal with the family.

What I did was to go to the market with my daughter soo early as in 5am in the morning.   We commute that gave us th0se opportunity to walk as our physical activity and form a bonding between us while looking for healthy stuffs around.

The picture below was only half of the vegetables and fruits we bought for our market day.   This estimated stock I think, would last for five days the most.

Our forecast meals for the week were:

• Chopsuey
• Pinakbet with Fried Tilapia
• Pork Adobo with Sitaw
• Chicken Tinola
• Pork Sinigang

For munching, instead of chips, we substituted it with indian mango and singkamas.  For fruits, we go for banana and mango and shakes like corn.

This is one of our sample Chopsuey meal that me and my kids prepared – less of a chicken but more quail eggs around.

After I have prepared the lunch, now it is the time for me to do the the new set of 4-minute exercise as shown below.   If in Week 1, there were two alternative set of exercise, this time it would only be one:

• 10 Leg Exercise
• 10 Squat Jump
• 10 Alternate Lunges

Soo exhilirating but honestly, loving those sweats.  Go figure!

To make it more exciting, got to dance it with the new song of Jennifer Lopez.   Dance Again  is a 4-minute uptempo party song that signal that I have done also the 4-minute exercise once the song is done.

Love the rhythm of the song as  J.Lo plays those sexy scenes and vocal yet infectious dance beat with a little dose of Pitbull’s energetic verses.

“I wanna dance, and love, and dance again

Dance, yes
Love, next
Dance, yes
Love, next”

To tell you honestly, when I saw the new set of exercise video, I was a bit hesitate to do it.  As I said, this will be so hard.  It was exhilarating when I tried it.  But screw up!  Sometimes we have to think ways to spice it up, varieties to make it enjoyable like putting music with the activity.

Go back again why one has to do this rather than justify reason that would made one stop and not to do it at all.  From there, we can think ways how can we work it out.  Make a best beliefs that would empower you to move on.  And for me, if dancing and loving again my body will be the way to become fit again, I am DEFINITELY IN.

There were moments in my last year’s work that I was a bit awkward to go to the metro for a business meeting especially to the northern part.  Maybe because travel expense and time to be allocated have to be spare once I decided to go with this one.

Usually, I am recommending SM North Edsa  because of the accessibility of MRT along the way.  This really save my time.

We usually go to Sky Garden as I love the touch of urban environment with lush interior of green space.  There were lot of coffee shops, restos and also gimmick places to choose from.

When I was there, I had the opportunity to stroll the grand array of life-like sea animal structures.  Replicas like dolphins, walrus, sea lions, penguins, whales, turtles, sharks combined with their natural habitat placed in the different areas of Sky Garden.

While walking,  mallgoers can hear those narrative voice that would make it fun and educational experience for everyone.

This would be an exciting summer event for those staying in the city – an environmental simulations which more or less give those realistic feeling of under-the-sea adventure between April 27 to May 31, 2012.

Now, did I enjoyed my north metro travel?  Definitely!  So sail up to SM City North Edsa’s Summer Seaworld.

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