Exploring Taal Volcano and my not so good Experience

Taal Volcano is one of the most visited volcano here in the Philippines. So a dream come true for me to finally climb and explore Taal Volcano. To see, explore and experience is simply thrilling and somehow very exciting.

The experience for me is totally all new. Everyone is really excited on these new experience. It is everyone's first time to definitely visit these most talked about volcano in Batangas.

I admire the scenic spots in the Philippines and as much as my hearts desire I wanted to visit all of them. Of course one of the most accessible places is Batangas because its just a few hours away from Metro Manila.

How to go to Taal Lake?

The easiest route is going to Tagaytay. So from Metro Manila take a bus going to Tagaytay. Fare may cause you less than a hundred peso per person. Once you are in Tagaytay take a tricycle going to Taal Lake. You have to ask the tricycle driver first with how much their charge is or else you'd end up being shocked by their bill. They would also offer to wait for you until you arrived from the crater and then bring you back to Tagaytay. When we went their they charged us with Php 120 per person for a round trip (Tagaytay to Taal VV)

The tricycle driver will then bring you in a place for a boat ride going to Taal Volcano. They would normally charge you with Php 3000 for a round trip good for six person.

Then you would have to pay for Php 50 per person for an entrance fee and then you would have to choose if you would want to go to the crater by foot or by horseback riding. If you opted to walk and feel the beauty of Taal Volcano, you will only pay additional Php 500 for the tour guide. Or if you want another experience you might want to opt to horseback riding which would cost you Php 450 each person.

However, as first timer in visiting that place in general it was awesome. In our case, we end up paying more than the usual fee.

As a first timer, of course it is expected that you would go to a place using a public transportation because you dont know how to get to where you should go and of course it would add income to the community as well that you are visiting. So here's my story that I would like to share:

We got off the bus pretty excited when we reach Tagaytay. There were barkers as we call them since they are calling passengers to ride to their tricycle going to their destinations. So we asked the driver as to how much they charge per person going to Taal Lake. The tricycle clearly stated that its Php 20 per person. I myself would never ride until the driver gave me a figure on the fare. I am hesitant because I knew that Tagaytay to Taal is quite far. So I asked him again and he said its Php 20. So off we go to Taal Lake. We are happy and excited because all of us are first timers in visiting Taal Volcano.

The tricycle driver drove us down to Taal Lake. Fresh air, luscious rain forest, cool fresh air. I wanted to go down the tricycle and take some photos. But of course we are running out of time so I didnt. hehe. When we reached Taal Lake, the boat owner told us that it would cost us Php 3000 for a round trip from Taal Lake to the foot of Taal Volcano. Honestly, I thought it is really expensive because its will only take you 15 minute boat ride from the shore to the foot of the Taal Volcano.

When we reached the foot of the Taal Volcano, someone met us and asked for our names. It was a good thing at least they would have a record of tourist who is visiting the place. Then of course asked us to pay Php 1200 per person accordingly. We were quite for a moment because we have this instinct that it is too much for a horse and a guide that would cost us Php 4800 for 4 of us. So the man lowered it down to Php 3500. We still told them it is pretty expensive so he scratch his head and said we will meet half way at Php 3000 for the 4 of us. So we went up the crater with our horses. We had fun and we had moments of picture taking.

I have few TURN ON's in visiting TAAL VOLCANO:

1. The people there are of course helpful and jolly.
2. The scenes are of course majestic as ever.
3. The horseback riding experience is one of a kind.
4. The place is picture perfect a must see places in the Philippines.


The Taal Volcano Crater is an Awesome Experience however, I also have TURN OFF's

1. They force tourist to give a tip. (Giving Tip in the Philippines is not a culture. We give tip if we like to not because we have to give a tip.)
2. The tourism office don't manage the fees collection in general. I have visited few places in the Cordillera and everything there is centralized. You go to the municipal office and thats where you pay your dues or they have a uniform fees per destination. Ending we paid way too much for our TAAL VOLCANO Experience.
3. I conducted interview in Tagaytay and found out that the tricycles going to Taal Lake gets commission on the boat but we ended up paying the tricycle driver Php 120 per person as suppose to what we heard at first which is Php 20. So honesty is questioned. This happens when the Department of Tourism do not intervene or do not have an office for tourist to inquire. Department of Tourism should have at least have an office near Tagaytay for people to inquire about going to Taal Volcano.
4. There is no safety guidelines found anywhere in the TAAL VOLCANO Crater. There are no or should replace the weak fences as well in the view deck of the TAAL Crater. The safety guidelines and fences are needed to of course protect their visitors from untoward accidents.
5. There are no public comfort rooms. Yes the place is a volcano but that is also a tourist attraction so it might be a good idea to have a public comfort room to at least better manage sanitation.
6. The fees should be lowered as well to attract more local tourist. I am sure there are a lot of local tourist wanting to visit the place however no one is willing to pay more or less Php 10000 just to visit the crater of TAAL Volcano. We spent approximately around Php 10000 for the four of us including fare, food . boat ride and hinete (pony boys), horse ride when we visited the Taal Volcano and I think that is not a reasonable price. I would rather stay in Tagaytay have a horseback riding there and of course eat all we can there plus buy some souvenir to spend the whole Php 10000.

Here's our Awesome Taal Volcano Experience:

President Aquino Declares October 15 a Regular Holiday

Another holiday in the Philippines in observance of course of our Muslim brethren.

My Thoughts: "The Blame Games they have to Play?"

The pork barrel scam is in the big screen of every Filipino at this point in time. I hate to hear the fabulously crafted speeches of these senators and congressmen. It seems like, the moment they open their mouth, another lie is set to be uncovered and covered. I see the whole thing as: Guess that Name, Name Games, and of course there's always this BLAME GAMES.

I just dont get where these senators and congressmen their faces to brood on their chairs and a golden egg would hatch to a billion peso money in a span of their service. I was taught by my teachers way back then that being a politician is public service. I didn't agree nor disagree with them. It might be that it is in deed public service. However, to hear them talk today simply means otherwise.

I just wished that the Philippine Governent would focus more on farm to market road, health care like providing a free check up at Heart Center, Lung Center, government hospital, kidney center, education up to the tertiary level, and of course highways and roads. Instead of spending millions of pesos in flagpole, basketball court, and other soft projects.

Are these congressmen, senators, vice president, president, governors, and mayors project implementors? Are they suppose to be implementing projects? Are they not suppose to be creating laws for the common good of the Filipino public?

It is just so upsetting because I felt I am being robbed in my face. I worked hard and have sleepless nights just for me to have a milk and cheese in my table, a medicine for my weakening heart and of course to help with my siblings. Unfortunately, because of these tax I am forced to pay, I have to sacrifice some of these priorities. Then by the of the day you would hear a senator finger pointing and blaming games.

Every payday, its really difficult to see those deduction..... MOST SPECIALLY the INCOME TAX DEDUCTION. And when I go to the government hospitals, there are no room, no airconditioner, sometimes no doctors... We have abortion roads everywhere and if they do road repair it happens in a rainy season (WOW). The senators and congressmen should be a watchdog to their implementing agencies like Department of Agriculture, Education Public Works and Highways, etc.

I don't know... all i could do is rant for now.... because even during election these magical politicians do wonders and win! I remember during the election about a very popular joke which says: "Tuwid na daan o limang daan... Siyempre limang daan sa kumakalam na sikmura!" (Straight path or 500 pesos...Of course 500 pesos for an empty stomach!)

Look at what's happening now.... This is the wonder of that 500 pesos, a lousy and corrupt politicians brooding their golden egg hatching in a multi-million project scam. However these politicians may call it, they are still using the taxes grabbed from every Filipino. The government has savings but they disburse it and term it with whatever name they call it and fluff their you go its a multi million project. Bad news is, when the citizen goes to a public hospital, they dont get the service they need to get.

Hopefully this blame game ends and start focusing on healthcare and farm to market road improvement from Northern Luzon to Southern Mindanao. But please stop pocketing 70% of the budget.

(Please note that this is simply my personal thought and the way I see it. What about you? whats your thought about it?)

Devina DeDiva calls Filipinos Smelly and Uneducated after Meagan Young won Miss World 2013

The day after the new Miss World has been announced. Several reactions sprouted all across the globe many are happy but a few are disappointed. However, a comment from Devina Dediva angered the Filipino netizen.

I have much to say about Miss Devina who apparently hate the Filipino people and calls them uneducated, smelly maids.

Filipinos can go abroad and scrub toilets, take care of other children while leaving their child behind, wash clothes, do carpentry, works in a dirtiest places and most dangerous works anywhere in the world and take care of your oldies in the hope that they could send back home a penny for their child's education and a piece of cake and a glass of milk on their families table.

And I think people like Devina should be thankful because at least there are someone taking care of the things they should be doing for their own family. Can you imagine Devina if there are no one who could wash your dishes, do your nail and hair care, take care of your kids and cook for your food. Will you see us (Filipinos) differently?

I saw her post as well and took some screenshot in case she hides it.

So I did checked her profile and she claims from Manchester University. However the said University denies her being a student of Manchester University.

She then changed her facebook profile name after a few days.

I would like to challenge Devina to look around her, coffee shop, hospitals, home for the aged, government offices, banks, airports, ships, and houses, etc... I bet there will always be a Filipino working there. Filipino's work all across the globe again to have a piece of cheese and a bottle of milk on the table and of course for their child's education.

We work hard and we dont care if by the end of the day we end up smelly on your nose for as long as we work hard to provide for our own family.

Enough for her...

Fact: Philippines is the FIRST Country to bag all crowns.... GRAND SLAM IT IS for Philippines....

Photo Courtesy of Ms Kevin Balot

Merger and Acquisition: The Decision You've Got to Make

Merger and Acquisition for me is very helpful for the company. It helps them expand their business and gain more income out of it.

Photo Credit: Picture 1 and Picture 2

For the employees side it could either be beneficial or not depending of course on how you see it. Of course the hassle and bustle of signing and updating your information somehow is very tedious and sometimes its kinda frustrating. Both companies involve though would ensure of course to have this transition really smooth. They however would let you sign a new agreement while you are waiving all legal rights to the other company.

This shouldn't be a problem its like resigning and signing back to a new company, of course there might be things that would hold you back from doing so. An employee like myself would definitely have a lot of questions. Here are a few of the action that I did before I even sign a new contract.

1. Build you confidence over the new company. I am not saying that I don't trust or I don't have confidence over the acquiring company but what I am saying is I have to assure that I am confident enough that I can live and be at par with the expectation the new company will be asking.
2. Ask question to build the confidence. My questions should be answered directly. Research about the new company through internet. There would definitely be a lot of information out there that you could read. Make sure that you list down all your question and ask it with the Human Resource of both companies. Make sure you have listed all your questions and concerns. Keep asking your manager and or the HR people about questions that may arise before you even sign the contract. Make sure that you are enlightened and understand all line items stated in the new contract. Don't leave yourself in a clouded places and darkened thoughts. If these happens I am sure you'd end up resigning when you've discovered things are going against the way you've expected.
3. Evaluate your benefit options. Benefit may change the moment you signed the contract. List down all the benefits that you really like and ask your new company. The questions I asked myself when before I even sign my new contract are: is this benefits really beneficial to me?
4. Evaluate your career improvement over the new company. Of course everyone wants movement. Before the acquisition happened I already laid down my 5 year career path and listed down ways on how to achieve them including of course my long term career path. However, I know you would agree with me that it is frustrating when all of a sudden you have to change the career plan you had for yourself for the next 5 to 10 years. It is also advisable to ask the companies HR personnel about training offer, companies 5 to 10 year projections and plan in your locations. In that way you could re-evaluate your career plan as well.
5. Think and Re-Think. After asking question and after researching and confiding my thoughts to all my friends and weigh all their feedback. I think I am ready. It is also advisable to take a day or two off from work for you to gather your thoughts and weigh things out. Its what I did, I filed a vacation leave for me to list down all my questions and the answer derived from the "Talks/ Huddle", observations, benefits, career projection and then I came up with the generalization. This is also a perfect time for you to asses yourself if you are up for the challenges in place.
6. Expect for the worse. Another thing to consider is to set yourself an expectation to prepare for the worst, either you are signing the new contract or not. Of course either or you would still go on the new hire process. Except of course on the interview process that you'd need to undergo when you're not signing. When you did sign and to continue your job function to the new company expect that changes will take place in the next 12 months at most. New work flow and processes, new employee handbook, basically everything will be new, so you'd brace yourself to cope with the new challenge of accepting change. So it is good to set yourself a proper expectation that everything will change and that you'd need to cope with these changes pretty quickly. For me aside from what I've said, I also told myself that the moment I will sign these contract I will definitely have to accept that the culture on how I do things on my old company will of course CHANGE. Well as they always say, change is the only constant in these world.

There would be people around you who will convince you to ether sign the contract or not. The reason, why I have to do what I have to do is because I would like to make sure that these is what I really wanted to do. That the decision I will make is because I have weighed my option and chose what I have to chose and its not because I was persuaded by anyone. Statements has been said. Actions has been done. By the end of the day, it is my only decision. For me, this is still my time to re-evaluate everything. Somehow in my point of view, I am signing because I am convince and that I have weighed my options, my questions are answered the way I understand it. Remember, questions are questions and it is important to you.

So I welcome my self to the new chapter of my career..... Though I really really love the old one... this time around I have to condition my self that I already resigned with them and will be starting a new life with the new one. So if you have doubts and you are uncertain and not convince then don't sign.

(Please note that the above situation are simply my personal point of view. We could be different and I am happy to hear from you by commenting below. This is of course for my benefit and for others as well.)

Leslie's Restaurant in Tagaytay

Every time I hear stories of Tagaytay, of course I would hear the majestic view of Taal Volcano and the cool place. Aside from that, another headliner is their awe so awesome BULALO and their Bulaluhan.

Leslie's Menu

Bulalo is a Filipino beef dish. Beef shanks and Beef bone with marrows are cooked in approximately 3 to 6 hours. It is believed that the more the beef shanks and bones are boiled the tastier it becomes.

So on my sisters birthday, we went to Tagaytay to enjoy good bulalo food. We don't know the best restaurants yet that offers bulalo so we asked around and the lady mentioned many restaurants but the one that catches our attentions is the Leslie's.

Good Points of the Restaurant:

• One good thing about the restaurant is situated over looking the majestic Taal Lake.
• I also like the singers going from one table to the other....
• The crew are also helpful in some ways. They politely ask for our orders and attends to our request promptly.

What I don't like?

• Their Bulalo is a little bit salty with me. So I didn't enjoy the soup.
• There's no bone marrow. I have these expectation that when I eat bulalo it goes along with a marrow. Unfortunately we didnt had it when we ordered.
• Its too crowded. Well its a big restaurant so it really look crowded and a little bit noisy because of everyone is enjoying talking and eating.

PEPSTERS' CHOICE: NOMINEES FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 2013

Here are the nominees for Pepsters' Choice awards...

I voted for Jed Salang on this category. No one would ever forget Ai-Ai De Las Alas drama in one of the TV Talk Show of ABS CBN revealing her failed marriage to Jed.
Click here to vote for your Newsmaker of the Year

I voted for Ai-Ai and Charice3 because their's is a real drama unlike the Barretto family sometimes I felt like its all scripted because after every drama a new Barretto comes out either to dispute or a totally new breed entering showbiz. I did not vote for Marian just because she cant be a newsmaker oh sorry she did when she locked in Bella Padilla and bullied her.

Click here to vote for Female News Maker of the year.

I voted for Dennis Trillo. I believe he deserves the award more than anyone else after his stunning performance in My Husbands Lover.

Click here to vote for Female News Maker of the year.

I love Judy Ann Santos but this time around I am voting for Carla Abellana with her stellar and outstanding performance as Lally in My Husbands Lover I think she deserves this Award.

Click here to vote for your FEMALE TV STAR of the YEARhttp://www.pep.ph/pep-list

I would say my vote goes to Richard Poon. His singing is so captivating

Click here to Vote for your OPM Artist

Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez is so deserving on this award because of their magnificient performance in My Husbands Lover. Top trending topic since Day 1 the show got aired. Their chemistry in the show as well is so perfect. My Vote goes to Dennis and Tom

Click here to vote for your Celebrity Pair of the Year

I dont know why that Aquino baby is there. I am not voting for this award. I dont know the meaning of the said award so i am not voting.

I voted for Judy Ann Santos.

I voted for Zaijian at least he has a show. Why is Bimby there? He doesnt have a show at all. He only have TV guesting with her mom.

I am voting for Ryza Mae Dizon. Very witty little girl.

This award for me will go to Daniel Padilla.

I am voting for either Kathryn Bernardo or Bea Binene. Definitely not the Barretto and San Jose next year maybe.

Tom Rodriguez nailed every episode in My Husbands Lover making him a real Breakout Star.

Click here to Vote for Breakout Star of the Year

This is where VIC Sotto should be. He is already old and this is where he should be and not a Male TV Star

Of course no would beat the success of My Husbands Lover as the only show who make it to top trend in twitter from day one until the present. I am casting my vote for the show because it tacles social issue in good taste educational and fair.

Click here to Vote for your PrimeTime Teleserye of the Year

Ok so there they are.

My Husband's Lover - The Concert

After the phenomenal success of My Husband's Lover TV Series which started last June 11 2013 has swept and taken the center stage of the Philippines primetime television. It was the first show ever that tackled homosexuality in good taste. Now they are taking over the Philippines biggest concert arena to launch as a way of thanking their avid viewers and supporters.

To help you decide what kind of ticket you would buy for the concert.

Be there... a meet and greet with all the MHL Followers and fans. One More Try: My Husband's Lover Thanksgiving Concert on October 12, 2013 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Are you joining the pack? Lets go!!!

UPDATE: September 13 2013

I was practicing making a magazine cover and I realized what if I will make my own magazine that talks about My Husbands Lover. So here's it is....

Please note that this is just a practice cover magazine cover and it doesnt mean to implicate anything else.

The Face of Philippine Pork Barrel Scam

Photo Credit

Many had marched, chanted, protested against the Pork Barrel Scam. In fact I myself is so much against these Pork Barrel idea... and the ultimate face of the Pork Barrel Scam is none other than Janet Lim Napoles. She has been the subject of hard and practical jokes on the social network.

I am a tax payer too and I too is very upset and saddened on the idea that the tax the government siphoned on my hard earned salary was issued to ghost and questionable government projects. That tax I paid should have been used for my sisters education, food in my table, milk and coffee before going to bed and going to work, my monthly medicine or even a savings for future needs. I still pay my taxes not because I want to but because I have to; thinking that it will go to projects for the betterment of my country.

However, to point the whole pork barrel scam to only one person is not a good sign. Now that Janet Napoles has come out and surrendered herself to authority, she should point those corrupt government officials to join her in her own cell.

Photo Credit

The politicians behind these Pork Barrel business may be are laughing and enjoying because the public is only focusing to their puppet. They may be are thinking go ahead persecute Janet Napoles anyway they can always get another one no matter what.

The whole pork barrel scam should not focus to Napoles as I said we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. The government should start cleaning the base of the iceberg... (Good Luck!)

Photo Credit

Isn't it that before and after issuing the money for the said project. it should have been verified first? Why is this part of the process neglected? So it means, without the "whistle-blowers" the government has no way of accounting these projects? I wanted to share a joke I overheard in the jeepney last weekend: "Naku kaya lang naman kumanta ang whistle-blower dahil kulang and kanyang kinubra." For me, I am thankful because we have those Whistle Blowers but they (referring to people talking inside the jeepney) could be true too, so they need to be investigated as well. Because if they became accessory to the crime then they should be part of the case to be filed by Department of Justice.

I hope that the President would listen to the cry of his people and totally abolish the idea of PORK BARREL. Remove the idea of giving a budget to his office, Senators and Congressman. The budget should go directly to the offices who are implementing projects and the executive branch of the government would only focus on their specific function. I hope that the President should go againts these Senators and Congressmans behind the PORK Barrel Scam. It is not acceptable that they dont know if the agencies are bogus, scam or not. It is for me a form of stupidity giving away millions of pesos without proper verification. Not unless of course IF they are part of the said business deals.

Not about Pork Barrel But Still Our Tax that is being used:

Last August 17 news broke about DILG budget allocation. Why spending too much on these housing for informal settlers? I am sorry but I think the "Baby Sitting" idea is simply too much and I also don't know what is that potable water for... is it for the general consumption of every tax payer?

Aired and reported by GMA NEWS TV and GMA NEWS ONLINE

Learning from all these....

For me there is only one learning I am seeing on all these happenings. This is for the government to have a fair disclosure policy of some sort where they will announce all their earnings and expenses every quarter and one on its year end. These is in a form of either a webcast, TV coverage for their reporting. Because the public has the every right to know where there taxes are going. Barangay officials up to the President should provide a report every quarter and progress that is either televised  for the media to ask question on behalf of every Filipinos. An accessible website where everybody could see the report should also be available. For me, these is very much necessary if we are that serious to eradicate contemptuous tax grabbing. The taxpayers pays their taxes no matter what. They pay their taxes even though they need every centavo of their salaries so they have all the right to know where the taxes are going, every centavos of spent for every project.

The If's of the issue....

In a normal human scenario.... If I am a government official and gives a million peso to an organization I would demand a detailed explanation and supporting documents to the said organization as to how the money was spent plus I would of course validate the information given to me. It is understandable for a government official to do so because they need to provide explanation as well to the public how the money/tax has been used.

If we persecute Napoles it is imperative to persecute the government officials as well because Napoles will not have the urge to do such a multi-million scam if the government officials are of course responsible enough with their responsibility to their constituents.

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***Note that these is based only on the authors observation and opinion and not intended to degrade someone in specific. This is also based on my own interpretation on the news aired or written.*****

My Weekend Fruit and Vegetable Diet

As we grow older our metabolism seems to depreciate and as a result we grow bigger in size... I am not a fan of dieting and starving yourself to death just to achieve your desired and acceptable weight and size. 

This time around for the whole weekend I have prepared my self a vegetable and fruit diet.

Here are my ingrdients:

• 10 pcs of grapes
• 1 head small size lettuce (chopped to bite size)
• 1 slice of orange 
• 5 pieces of small tomatoes (chopped in 4's)
• 2 pcs of strawberry (chopped)
• 1 small apple (diced)
• 1 small pack of Honey Mustard for the dressing

Oh goodness it is satisfying and fulfilling to me. It is already my 3rd weekend of eating fruits and vegetable only. Of course during weekdays since I work at night I need to eat rice still.

You can basically just add any fruits and vegetable there.