It's been a while since I've been there. Tropicana Beach Resort, the usual place where my HS friends would definitely choose. It's June, and I guess it's the most late summer getaway. Since school's not yet starting, we decided to hang out sometime. What else would I do there aside from swimming in the afternoon's tide? Shoot.

I only got few shots, and the rest was left for fun.

The pile of stones which would sink whenever the tide rises.



Could you think of a better reason why I shoot this?

Read More...

First and foremost, before starting this Samal post, apologies for my blog readers and subscribers for not blogging on almost a month. Summer class is over and I got the chance to grab this very late summer getaway.

I spent the whole weekend dazzling around the upper part of Southern coast, Davao specifically, and thinking of a better getaway other than staying late at Davao's famous coffee experience and their unforgettable malls.

A nice spot to shade around in the east coast of Davao is Costa Marina which is located at the Babac District of the vast city, more specifically Samal Island Garden. Just a boat ride away, with a cheap fare of 10-20 pesos, you are off from the city's usual environment but maintaing the view of Davao's cityscape.


Along the Pearl Farm and other lining resorts located in the island, Costa Marina is a frequent visiting place of Davao folks and tourists. You could enjoy the beach with the entrance fee ranging from 50-100 pesos.



A view could even satisfy you while sitting under the shade of the beach's trees. The white sand gives you a lot of reason to enjoy a stroll along the bay. You could even dip yourself down in the afternoon's high tide, or shoot the scenery in the morning's low tide.



How to get there? For first timers, well I guess I have to include myself, all you have to do is, ride a Panacan-route jeepney or if you are unsure, just take a taxi all the way, drivers would instantly know it.

You should be guided by the boat crew in selecting your route or resort.

Here are some of my shots last weekend:

If i'd be given another chance, i'll definitely visit Samal again, and try island-hopping.

Read More...

Summer days are over for a frustrated student like me. Those afternoon strollings and sleepless nights are ending up, unfortunately. Nothing beat those old yogurt nights and a tiring movie marathon. Those are the things I usually do during that short summer break, and now, seems like a snap of an eye, i'm back to school. For a freshman-turning-sophomore, I know i'm not used to it, but one thing's for sure, I know i'll be used to it. Summer classes are definitely tiring, when laziness strikes, especially when you're in front of the most infamous teacher who would turn out to be the most profound and boring teacher you've ever had.

It's been a while since I've been a freshman, so many tons of homeworks and pop quizes and now, I finally caught myself unloading completed subjects, however, I'm still undergoing NSTP1 and NSTP2, along with IT ethics. Since it's summer, class hours are longer than the usual semester, and unfortunately, the subjects are taken up daily.

Who would ever forgetmy previous timeline? I must say, I'll be having a distorted summer timeline:

5:00 - phone alarms with a scary alarmtone

5:30-6:00 - snooze, snooze,snooze

6:00 - Finaly off from bed, gargle mouth

6:00-6:15 - on CR;the soap is getting thinner as days pass

6:15-6:30 - a cup of coffee or a chunk of meat is prepared in the dining table

6:30 - proper grooming for a frustrated student; hair clay, perfume and neat attire is a must

7:00 - plurk early in the morning with a handy-dandy laptop

7:15 - off for a ride to school

7:30 - prepare for a 4-hour subject. God! I hat NSTP

9:45 - off for a snack-break

10:00 - back at the lecture hall

11:45 - finally free from an insane and unbearable subject

12:00 - NO LUNCH! off to IT Ethics

2:00 - school day is over; off to school cafeteria for a late lunch

3:00 - descend back home

So? Summer class is hell, but, it's still cool being in school. There are so many things which could be done aside from keeping your eyes on those unbearable lectures, I just haven't think of those yet.

How about you? Have you been engaged into this kind of summer activity? How's the first impression?

Read More...

Plurk has been dominant here in Gensan. It's been a useful source of latest information about the online and offline world in real time. For bloggers like us, it's been a source of upcoming blogger meet-ups. This time, I finally attended the 2nd Plurkfiesta which was finally pushed through with the initiative of Sir Avel of Gensan News Online Magazine.

The second Plurkfiesta of SOCCSKSARGEN bloggers, particularly Gensan Bloggers and Plurkers, was held last February 26, and the recently opened Blugre Coffee Shop was the first venue.

Blugre Coffee Shop had been one of my favorite since I visited Davao, it's my first coffee experience back when I was in my early days in high school. So when I know about Blugre's opening here in Gensan, I got ecstatic all over again.

My first experience from Blugre was the Davao-inspired taste, Blugre Larcepuccino, the special taste of the Coffee Shop, along with its Durian Gatchpuccino. Another thing, Blugre offers meals too, along with its satisfying drinks.

For night workers, Blugre is suited for you, wifi hotspot, and it's chilling place and a modern-inspired interior design.

The third Plurkfiesta which was held on March 6 was a new experience. This time, we were enjoying the wonderful live acoustic band of Generals Brew, located downtown, Pioneer Avenue. The newly established Genbrew offers a wide variety of food experience, such as coffee, coolers, sandwiches and pastries. Another item to be added in my foodlist is Genbrew's Stromboli. It is a turnover dough filled with cheese inside, and its very sweet Strawberry Smoothies.

The third time I joined the meetup, I finally meet my plurk friends, and the other bloggers I usually see in the blogger's meetings.

Another thing I love about having meetups, PHOTO OPS!

thanks sir avel and sir leonard for the photos

Read More...

The lights on every corner are brightly gazing in everyone's ecstatic face, while guiding myself into the aisle in between the rows of the uniform-colored chair. It's 14th of Feburuary and every couple inside that event hall would definitely marked that day as a history.

After finding a comfortable yet suitable sit near the stage, I excitedly took a glimpse on everyone, making up the familiar faces while the light is still on its peek. I couldn't describe much more of the place that night, except the fact that I got an eye on the stage's design. It was splendid, the theme suites well.


Hours later, the event started its toll, the lights were turned off, and the stage was completely became the center of attention. After the band of instrument players ascended, David Pomeranz finally got off to the center stage who would later sing almost 15 songs. The crowd was starting to grow desperate for a David Pomeranz experience in Gensan.

The crowd had been hypnotised the time David Pomeranz stepped up and hit the note on his preluding song, Got to Believe, which later followed by his hit songs My Favorite Story, Tell Me, Trying to Get the Feeling Again, and On This Day. On the other hand, obviously, the oldies are once again reliving the spark with their partners that night.

The amazement never ended yet, instead, we were very much amaze with another unexpected-ness of David Pomeranz, his Charlie Chaplin musical approach.

The fact that I grew up with his love sings playing over and over again, I haven't been much of David Pomeranz' songs not until that night end. It was surely a night to be cherished. Although my night ended without a valentine partner, I knew I still got the best part, making new friends.I know there's more to be stated here, but i'll leave some of the experiences inside.

credits: collage photos taken from kyawster.

Read More...

One good thing about having a family is: PHOTOSHOOT!

Nothing beats how my family do the thing. From pulling out the funny faces down to retiring the serious approach. Nothing beats how my mom, dad, brother, and sister shows off their natural pose, of course, I would probably include myself on that list.

Every year, I'd check my previous face and compare my physical developments on the newer family portrait, and in conclusion, I was getting nervy and older, but, needless to say, I know how to carry my personality, from way I dress up and how I project through the lens. Natural it is.

The bonus part of this is, our family portrait has been chosen to be the model family of the studio, how interesting is that? It's really good to have a family of all seasons.

Studio: Ritratto Studio, General Santos City

Read More...

Sarangani Province has so much in nature's blessings to offer beyond a festival full of surprises and scenic landscape.

If you have ended your week with those hectic activities, then start off your weekend with one of Sarangani's boast, Isla Parilla, a premier resort not so far away from Gensan. The place is not just an ordinary type of usual scenery.

Given us the chance to visit Sarangani again, I never mind being the last one to board on the vehicle. I never got the chance to charge my phone which is wasted from the previous night's plurking. I was too excited to try out their most sour sinigang again, and expect to have some snapshots on what's the latest development on the islet.

We started our late lunch at Formosa Cafe, which serves as the main board of the islet. Stuffed with the place's main taste of attraction: Pork Barbecue, Sinigang (I bet it's the most sour fish soup I've ever tasted), Kinilaw, and their juicy Tilapia, which comes fresh right from the lake engulfing the island. The meal went smoothly, I didn't even bother to take a shot of the served foods, all I did was to intake the delicious meal seriously.

After a sweet burp from our contented appetite, everyone agreed for a calorie burn, do a little walk around.


If you want to relax and would like to have a dose of soft breeze around, then Fishing Village is suited for you, or you can go with the second option which is boating. One of the two will do.

Cozy cottages for overnight travellers are prepared along with the mere view of the sunset. Aside from the cottages which are erected in the middle of the lake, recreation also centers in the pool, billiard bars, videoke hut, and the shaded playground not only for kids, but to those who are kid wannabes too.

A dip in their warm pool cools off stresses, and pressures from the urban hemisphere, thus, we ended up hanging around the poolside, where videoke kings possibly trying to top the videoke's high score, while trying to take a glance on the pool.

Our CDO guess's eager urge to go home must have speak of their talks about the appraisable visit on the islet . No wonder, Isla Parilla is a place of silence, a haven, and a nature's sanctuary which Sarangani Province should be proud of.

If you are off for a soothing weekend, take time to visit Isla Parilla's website.

Read More...