The Sweet Escape: An Excerpt from Sweetie's Diary

Dear Diary,

It is April 9, 2013.  Historians claim that 71 years ago, almost 76,000 Filipino, Chinese Filipino and American soldiers participated in a death-defying and life- threatening 140 km. march from Capas, Tarlac to San Fernando, Pampanga taking the lives of almost 10,000 troops.  This event, more commonly known as 'The Death March,' has been commemorated in the country every year through a special non-working holiday called 'Araw ng Kagitingan' or 'Day of Valor.'

For Romeo and I, this day is also a historical one since it marks our 5th month anniversary as a couple.  We both know that we can't be together on this day so we decided to have an advanced celebration a week ago at a place bestowed with one of the world's most beautiful harbors - Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

Known for its breathtaking bay area, white sand shores and amazing nightlife, Puerto Galera has been a favorite tourist destination not only in Oriental Mindoro but also in the whole country as well.   Romeo and I were quite lucky though that we got to experience the beauty of this place last March 30, 2013 with my family.  We visited Elizabeth's Hideaway, Hollwood Palm Beach Resort and Hotel, Infinity Resort, Muelle Port and Tamaraw Falls.

Our first stop was at Elizabeth's Hideaway Resort.  Located on Boquete Island, this area is known for the breathtaking views of its tranquil turquoise waters and the rich tropical vegetation of the Puerto Galera bay.  It also houses a  freestyle swimming pool, a bar, various recreational spots and one of the best pizzas at the island.

We also got the chance to visit Hollywood Palm Beach Resort and Hotel.  Dubbed as a 'vacation-perfect spot at Oriental Mindoro,'  the resort offers the most spacious and comfortable rooms at the island.  It is also home to a swimming pool for kids and adults, a fine- dining restaurant for 300 people, a music bar and a sports bar.

The next leg of the trip was at Talipanan Beach.  Known for its relaxing and peaceful ambiance, Talipanan boasts of a relatively new resort at the area- the Infinity Resort.  We weren't really given the chance to explore this gorgeous resort since it is privately owned and costly so we then headed back to White Beach to experience the crowd.

Famous for its countless inns, souvenir shops, music festivals and nightlife, White Beach is one of the most  popular areas for tourists at the island.  We went there for sightseeing, pictorials, 'halo-halo' and souvenirs. Check out these photos!

at White Beach, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

The 'Port of Galleons' also serves as a port of entry to Or. Mindoro through the Muelle Port.  Along with its breathtaking bay area, the port offers round trip boat rides to Batangas mostly during the day.

Our last and final stop was at Tamaraw Falls.   With its magnificent 423 ft. (129 m.) waterfalls, what else can locals, tourists and foreigners wish for as they explore Puerto?

I've been to Puerto Galera countless times before but this trip is far different from the ones I used to have since it is my first out-of-town trip with my Cutie.  We've been together for five months now and we've already been through a lot.  We're not a perfect couple, I know.  We have a variety of differences. We fight and argue for childish reasons and we're apart most of the time.  However, despite of it all, we always manage to say those three sweet words to each other by the end of the day.

Five months may not seem that long but for me, it seems a lifetime already.  I really hope that I'll be given the chance to spend the rest of my life with my Cutie exploring the whole wide world and creating great memories together. 


Lovelots,
Maica Angelle

Experiencing Anawangin with the 4As

Imagine an overnight stay in a remote place deprived of electricity, concrete buildings, cellphone signals and all the hustle and bustle of the city life.  That's what I and my high school buddies had to go through last month at Anawangin. 

Described as a crescent-shaped cove bestowed with off-white sand, lush pine forest surrounding and crystal clear waters, Anawangin is an island located in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. It is a 4-6 hour drive from Manila, a perfect destination for those who want to get closer to nature.  

In our pursuit for the perfect summer getaway, I and my 4A friends came up with a non-traditional out-of-town get together last May 12-13, 2012 at this place.  Despite of the 2-hr. boat ride from Mindoro to Batangas seaports, the 3-4 hr. bus ride from Batangas to Manila and the long journey all the way to the north, our group braved all the odds just to experience the cove's wilderness.

Station I: Calapan Seaport

Station II: at a Montenegro Shipping Line bound for Batangas

Station III: SM North EDSA

Station IV: Subic

Station V: @Resto Bar, Subic

Station VI: Chilling at 7/11

Station VII: waiting for our boat ride heading for the island

Hence, after all the endless walks, the tiresome boat rides, the never-ending drives and the long wait, we were finally able to set foot on the cove.  We then saw the evergreen pine trees, the calm shore, the colorful tents and a camp site like no other.  We were somewhere unlike any other places we've been with before.  We were one with nature.  

Anawangin, Here We Come...

Our Camp Site

My twin sister and I experiencing the Camp life

4As at Anawangin

It took us a while to set-up our tents and prepare for the next adventure for the day: the trip towards Capones island.

Prepping-up for Capones Island

Famous for its lighthouse,  the sand and rock mixture, and the open sea, Capones Island is one of the main attractions of Pundaquit Zambales.  It is a 20-30 minute ride from the cove, a place to go if you are in for some adventure.

 Capones Island

the view atop the island

sitting by the rock

by the light house

the light house

the view from the top

The weather suddenly became unstable as we headed back to the cove.  Clouds overshadowed the sky giving way to the pouring rain.  Then, we went to the shore and swam our way at a place away from our home, somewhere we were only dreaming of seeing before.

Hence, as the day has finally come to an end, we all went back to camp.  There, we had to survive a dark, rainy night at the wilderness with nothing but our tents, bags and each other.  We were somewhere away from all the facebook dramas, the cheesy telenovelas, the stressful workplaces and all the negativities of the world.  We were at peace and before we knew it, a new day has finally arrived.

What a beautiful morning...

Good Morning Anawangin...

Start the day right!

Unlike the previous day, the next one is all about exploring the wilderness.  We've had two activities before we finally geared-up towards home. First, we had to climb one of the steep, rocky mountains of the cove.

Activity: Climb that mountain!

4As on a hike

My hiking adventure

Our last activity at the cove involved a visit to one of the rivers by the area.  It wasn't as grand as the other rivers I've come across with but I had fun.  We took a lot of pictures, had our own dose of 'kulitan' moments, and explored Anawangin for the last time as we then headed back towards home.

Time for some river adventure

by the river

with the Tamaraw skulls

Kulitan by the wilderness

I had to sacrifice another busy night shift at our ER for the sake of the long trip towards home but it was all worth it.  I was able to spend some time with my long lost high school buddies and amidst the scorching heat, the endless search for normalcy and the quest for survival, my experience at the cove is something I'll always remember for the rest of my life.

As we head back home...

Lovelots,
Maica Angelle

  


 

Team Medicine goes to Puerto Galera

Summer- just the thought of it puts a smile on my lips.  The endless walks by the beach, the heat of the sun against my skin or simply the thought of taking a break from all the stresses of life makes the idea worthwhile.

This year though, I've had my own dose of the summer heat with my friends from the Medical Department of our hospital.  Henceforth, while the rest of the Philippines go gaga over Boracay, our team has taken another route down towards the Pearl of Oriental Mindoro- Puerto Galera.

Located on the northwesternmost part of the province of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera is considered as one of the most beautiful and well-developed beach resort communities in the country today.  It is a town that has always been close to my heart.

How was my experience there so far?  Honestly, it has been nothing but great. It all started when I and my the rest of the Medical Team met up by the Calapan City Market on the morning of May 1, 2012.  We ate at one of the well-known Panciterias at the area and chitchatted for a while before heading off to our destination.

All set for the trip

Kuya Allan, Ivy, Joel, Rechelle annd Dr. Reyes while waiting for our ride

Say Cheese everyone :)

Puerto Galera here we come...

It took us two long and agonizing hours at the van before we were finally able to set foot on the beautiful shores of Puerto Galera.  We had to look for a place to stay in and prepare some food as we got there. 

Taken at our Inn

As the day went on, we all headed to the beach for some swim.  We played beach volleyball and saw the beautiful sunset.  It was all worth it!

Team Medicine at Puerto Galera

by the shores of Puerto Galera

Swimming during the sunset

Experiencing twilight with my buddies

We all headed back to our inn after that memorable swim.  We had our dinner there and bonded as a group.  As the night went by, the team got some dose of alcohol.  It was really remarkable!

our first night together

on getting some dose of alcohol

bonding by the seashore

Then came bedtime.  It was my first time to spend the night with my Medical buddies and it was really cool!  I couldn't sleep much because of my colds but I was really happy.  Then I dropped by the beach for some walk the following morning.  It was really nostalgic!

Good Morning Puerto Galera :)

Our second day at the Pearl of Oriental Mindoro was fun as well.  We dropped by the same, familiar shore, took a bunch of pictures, bought some 'pasalubongs' and had our last meal together.   

at White Beach, Puerto Galera

Swim, Swim, Swim...

Banana Boat Ride?

Kaiser, Ate Joey, Me and Lemuel

with Lemuel

Thus, the time to bid our goodbyes to the place which has brought us closer together has finally come.  I then took a glimpse of the shores of Puerto Galera for the last time knowing that my experience there is something that will always be treasured deep inside my heart.

 Lovelots,
Maica Angelle