Have you ever?

Have you ever felt so numb? So numb that your tears won't fall anymore? So numb that you just want to think of yourself and let go of all the things that makes you sad. You want to let go of the things that makes you happy, as well.

I want to let you go. Not because of "trust" issues, but because I know that you're not happy anymore. That no matter how hard I try, it always ends up with sadness. I feel the need to give you freedom. The freedom to be happy with others, as well. I want you to feel that you can make your own decisions without worrying that someone might disagree. I feel the need to give you that kind of happiness that only you can find. It'll be much more happier if we have our own lives, if we live for our own self.

I think everything comes to an end. This is just a part of it. Maybe the reason why I feel so numb and feel less of a broken hearted is because I might be doing the right thing. I've been the happiest girl, this year. But I guess, I would be happier if I do the right thing and find myself again. I guess, being such an obsessive planner has an advantage. I did not plan this, but I was always thinking of this. I was always wondering whether to stay or not, even at the happiest times. I was just afraid to expect what would happen next. I guess I am ready, that's why I feel this way. I never really thought I'd be able to stand with my decision. But this time, I'm not crying. Siguro, nauubos din talaga ang luha.  Siguro naubos na. I was born without you, I grew up without you, and I guess I can live the rest of my life without you.

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Panguil River Eco Park

The eco park is located in the province of Pangil, Laguna. It is a couple of hours away from Manila. The place is perfect for campers and family outings. If you plan to go on a camping, swimming, water tubing and trekking, I highly recommend this place to you.

There are two ways in which you can reach this place: through buses from EDSA and through jeepneys/fx van in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

How to get there:

Vans going to Tanay - you can find the terminal going to Tanay on the left side of Starmall, Shaw Boulevard. It will cost you PHP60 per person. It will take about 1hr and 30 mins to reach Tanay market.

Jeep from Tanay Market - when you reach Tanay Market, ride a jeepney that goes to Siniloan Market. Jeepney drivers usually wait for the passengers before they leave Tanay Market. The fare is about PHP30. (Sorry, I lost my notes!)

From the Siniloan Market- you can either ride a jeep (but you have to wait for more passengers) or take a tricycle going to Pangil Eco Park. As for us, we took a tricycle and paid approx. PHP80. (Trust me, it’s less than P100!) The tricycle driver will drop you off at the entrance of Panguil River Eco Park.

admin's office

From the park, you have to pay the entrance fee at the admin’s office (just beside the entrance). As for us, we paid PHP45 each, and another PHP300 to rent a tent (2D/1N).  Don’t worry because there’s a guide that will assist you once you get inside! If you plan to have just a day trip, you can rent an open cottage located on the riverside. 

this place has a lot to offer.

cottages for day use

There’s a big open function hall and the lights were open at night. There’s no electricity problem in the place. However, they don’t allow people to bathe (or even stay near) in the river after 6PM. There are stalls near the entrance that sells fruits and ihaw-ihaw foods. In the morning, my loves and I had to go out of the park just to eat our breakfast at a nearby carinderia. (YES, we didn’t learn from our Majayjay experience!)

 river

 pool

Because my loves insisted that we go on trekking, I had no choice but to say yes and ask the guide if we can join other groups in trekking. We were given a life vest and and paid PHP90 each. Trekking to the Ambon-Ambon falls was tiresome. We have to ride a balsa and walk through huge rocks in order to reach the falls. We also did some sliding in the Bollero Dam (I have never been this close to a Dam before!) and it was very fun!

 Bollero Dam

trekking to the falls

long long way to the falls

I have a little complain though. The public restroom for campers needs to be developed. I was really dismayed because the restroom was just too dirty. The pool was very crowded with kids.

Going home, we rode a tricycle going to Siniloan market, and then from there, we rode the jeepney going to Sta. Cruz. We stopped by at Greenwich to eat our lunch. From Sta. Cruz, we rode a bus going to EDSA.

Overall, it was still a great experience for me.

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Majayjay Experience

Majayjay is a municipality located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. My boyfriend and I went to Majayjay on my 21st birthday (April). It was our first out-of-town trip together.

How to get there:

Bus from Cubao to Sta. Cruz - Less than P200 each- 3 hours
If you're travelling on a weekend, it would be better to leave before 1PM. We left Cubao at around 3PM and we reached Sta. Cruz at 6.30PM.

From Sta. Cruz to Majayjay - P250 - approx. 30 minutes
Since the jeepneys from Sta. Cruz to Majayjay operates until 6 only, we decided to take a tricycle from Sta. Cruz to Majayjay town proper. (Costly, eh?)

From Majayjay town proper to Taytay Falls - P250 - less than 30 minutes
There are tricycles available when you reach Majayjay town. (See, it's really costly. So better leave Manila early!)

Taytay Falls - we have to pay PHP90 in the Barangay Outpost (the tricycle dropped us off at the barangay outpost, walking distance to Taytay Falls) for the tent and the guide to Taytay Falls. There's also a PHP20 environmental fee to pay. According to my bff, there's a small store near the barangay outpost that offers oil lamp rental for PHP20.

Majayjay falls.

another view.

Since we arrived before 10PM and we have no idea where to borrow a lamp or flashlight, my boyfriend bargained and paid the guide PHP100 for him to lend us his flashlight for the whole night.

trekking to the falls

We trekked for about 10-15 minutes going to Taytay Falls. The tour guides were the ones who set up our tents. Mind you, it was really cold there even at night, the water from the falls was "ice" cold.

 the tent.

ice cold water

The place was crowded, since we went there during summer time. The place itself was “rocky” so it was very hard to find a place where we can pitch our tent. The water is very clean but mind you, I noticed that the campers (definitely not us!) don’t really clean their trashes when they leave the place. At night, there’s no electricity so better bring a flashlight or rent a lamp. AND, bring insect repellent! The good thing is, you can set up a bonfire there! Nice!

very clear water.

water from the falls.

Since we didn’t bring any rice or food, we trekked our way outside the camp site just to eat our breakfast.  Rice meals cost around PHP60 to PHP120.

hanging bridge (closed)

for breakfast.

It was easy to go back to Sta. Cruz that morning since the jeepneys were already available. It took us 2 jeepney rides going to Sta. Cruz. From Sta. Cruz, we rode a bus going to Manila. It was a very memorable experience with my loved one.

A budget of 1, 500 each is more than enough for this trip. It was indeed a very "memorable" experience.

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Starbucks Planner Vs. Belle De Jour

Hi! I’m back! I would love to separate this post to another tab, but I really don’t know how. :(

Anyway, there is no reason to be sad because I finally got what I’ve been waiting for!

A 2013 Starbucks planner! But first, as the title suggests, I’ll write a brief comparison about the Belle De Jour, otherwise known as BDJ, and Starbucks planner.

Belle De Jour

I bought my BDJ planner last January of 2012 but I wasn’t able to write on it.

What I didn’t like:

Over-coupon-ized - the small coupons consumed a big space in the planner. I know girls would love to get discounts from coffee shops, shoe stores, shopping malls, but the discounts are just between 15-20%. To be honest, I wasn’t really able to use any of the coupons. I gave some to my classmates.

Over-planned - there’s the weekly plan, the monthly goals, resolutions, budget list, check list.. Oh. That’s just too much planning for me. I found the “Menstrual Cycle Track” helpful.

Lesser space to write - I really don’t need to explain this anymore. Haha.

What I did like:

Transparent storage for papers - it’s really helpful. I can just put the receipts and other important papers there.

Design - every cosmopolitan girl will like the design-- very chic, playful, and sexy.  I must say, my classmates did like the style of the planner too.

Size - it’s not “very” wide that it didn’t consume much space in my bag. Although I found the weight a little heavy.

Bookmark - there’s a bookmark too so you won’t really miss out all the plans you’ve set for the month.

Price - it costs around 565.00, I guess. You can buy it in the National Bookstore.

STARBUCKS

Last December 2nd, my loves helped me complete the last stickers to claim my Starbucks planner. 

What I don’t like:

The coffee challenge- spent too much for this. I went back to my coffee addiction just to get this. I probably spent 2K+ only for this. Glad that I have my loves to help me.

Wide- it is really wide. It will definitely catch other’s attention because it-is-wide.

Bookmark - the magnetic bookmark is really impressive but it’s a bit large.

What I like:

Space - yes! more spaces to write. As a student-slash-teacher, this planner will be helpful not only in writing down notes but also keeping track of my expenses and the tasks that I have to do at work.

Color - I like the fact that the white and black planner looks very “professional” while the green looks very “playful.”

Notes - they have some stick-notes with positive words that you can just give to anyone. I remember Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd’s move, “A Very Special Love.” The small notes, if given to anyone, will definitely make his/her mood happy.

I guess this time, Starbuks won. ;-)

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Punta De Fabian

How to get there: If you’re traveling in a group. it would be better to use a van or a private vehicle because there are no public transportations that pass directly through this place. I advise that you travel during the day.

Travel time: 1.5-2.5 hours away from Manila depending on the traffic.

Site: www.puntadefabian.com/

Budget: Not more than 4,500 each (3 days and 2 nights) for a group of 40+

Punta De Fabian is a nice, quiet place located in Baras, Rizal. I went there with my classmates for our final exam in Introduction to Law.

The place is perfect for retreat and team building because it is quiet and it has a good view of Laguna De Bay. The rooms are well-cleaned and the rates are "quite" affordable too.
 

 

View of Laguna Lake from the infinite pool.

The rooms range from 3000(single)-7000php(double-triple occupancy), however, you can get discounts if you're with a group. I guess each student in our class paid for less than 4,500 for 3days and 2nights. We were around 40 in class. Of course, it includes breakfast, lunch, meals and afternoon snacks.

 first bed

2nd bed

It has a game room wherein you can play billiards, chess and other indoor games. I like the Karaoke area. It also has a medium-sized function room that can accommodate 30-50 people. And, it has a place perfect for team building.

  Pool & Reception Area

I really like the rooms because they're spacious, stylish and modern. The foods that they served us were indeed, healthy and delicious although I heard that the foods are a bit pricey.

They have a big and small pool and one infinite pool. You have to be careful though, make sure the pool is clean before you swim. Staff were very accommodating. Just a tip, they “kind of” lack medicines there, so it would be better if you bring your own.

 Infinite Pool

Small & Big Pool

I will never forget this place. This is where I fell in love with him.

*photos from Zola Namoro:)

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Let's get started

who is the traveling babe?

I always wanted to travel. Time & money didn't let me to. Working as an online teacher for Koreans, it's really difficult to ask for a leave because attendance is important to them. that sucks, right?

Anyway, I met this fine, young lad. I used to ignore him in class (still in college). He was VERY persistent in pursuing me. We belonged to the same clique in school. So, after a year of being consistently pursued, I finally gave him a chance "of a lifetime." Char. Now, he's been my partner for more than a year.

Isn't that sweet?

I'm afraid of traveling alone so after giving him the "chance of a lifetime" I knew he was the perfect match. Don't get me wrong there, but isn't it nice to travel with someone? So yes, we started traveling.. seriously.

Although I must say, we haven't traveled all over the Philippines yet. Since we just started backpacking early this year, I thought it would be nice to share my experiences to all of you. 

What makes this blog different? I am very particular with the itinerary. The time, budget, and places. I'm a compulsive planner. I want everything well planned-- from the things to bring, the undies haha, the shoes, the time, the budget-- even the smallest things.

I read blogs, a lot.. I really like backpackingphilippines. I hope I can join Tutubi.. if there's an opportunity.

Anyway, I won't talk about myself anymore... I just want share a lot of things that I know.. through this blog.  AND, this isn't just about travel (but mainly focuses on places), this is also about.... everything-- from food, shopping, relationships, fashion & other stuff.

I'm not keen when it comes to grammar, so please forgive my future errors.

So God and bloggers, I hope ya'll help me promote this blog. 

Thank you!


follow me on twitter: 
http://www.twitter.com/jonifrancisco

on facebook: 
www.facebook.com/jonifrancisco

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I'm Joni Francisco, 22 years old, an English Teacher, a Political Science student from Polytechnic University of the Philippines and a travel blogger! I started traveling just a year ago and I am gradually wandering to the places I listed in my 2013 travel list.

I grew up in Manila and regularly visit my hometown, Antipolo City. I lived in Antique and Iloilo during my early childhood years.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at franciscojoni@gmail.com, or tweet me at twitter.com/jonifrancisco OR add me on facebook, www.facebook.com/KikiPucca.

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