Masked for the Halloween

How are things going on lately, bloggerbuds?  I was out of the blog world lately and inasmuch as the magical season of Christmas is just around the corner, I want to first share my memorable halloween with my long time friends- the 4As.  I know this post is a week-long overdue but the memory is still there.

I was spending my day off in the comforts of my bed when my high school friend Jobelle arranged a meet-up.  It was October 31, 2011 and while the whole Philippines was already preparing for 'All Soul's Day,'  I was at home, sleeping my day off.  Hence, I went to McDonalds, Calapan by mid afternoon and  after some time, my friends Ralph, Jobelle, Kathrina and Angelito came in.  We planned for a road trip by the end of the year.

I, Ralph, Marian, Angelito and Kathrina at McDonalds

Jobelle and I smiling for the cam

By the end of the day, we all bid goodbye to Mr. McDonalds for a masquerade party.   We even invaded Citimart and the outskirts of downtown Calapan to buy some stuff.  It was our way of welcoming Halloween 2011. 

Paparap...pap...pap... Love ko 'to :)

This is how we shop.

at Citimart

As the evening went on, the gang invaded Kathrina's house to party.  We ate a lot, took a bunch of pictures, reminisced old times and planned for the future.  It was really fun! 

Marian, K-Anne, Me, Kath and Ralph at Kath's preparing for the party

Care for some pizza?

4A's Halloween goodies

It has been eight days since I and my high school buds wore our masks to welcome Halloween and the pictures and memories of that day are all that's left of me.  However, I will always treasure those in my heart knowing that such events might not happen again.   We only live once, right?  So, let us make the most of it.

Happy Halloween, Bloggerbuds!

Lovelots, 

Maica Angelle

The Subic Invasion

Guess what?  I am officially back after a long vacation!  I have already survived a couple of shifts at the hospital after a week- long absence but there is this one place that I still can't get off my mind- SUBIC.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)- Luzon Chapter held its annual conference last October 18-20, 2011 at Subic Bay, Philippines and I, together with my mom and twin sister were allowed to join.  It was surreal!

Well, I was sleeping off another morning after another toxic night at the Emergency Room when my mom invaded our room to have us prepare for the trip.  Imagine, I was really sleepy by then.  Hence, our ship sailed forth to Batangas by noon and before we knew it, we were already scheming through the various boutiques of SM North EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) by sunset.  As the evening came, we landed into a hotel at Quezon City to take some rest.

We had a good night's sleep.  Thanks to the comforts of  Fersal Place Hotel.

Furthermore, the next day started out early as the real trip pushed through.  Subic is a two- hour drive from Quezon City.  It is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Dubbed as 'the number one destination for extreme adventure in the Philippines,' Subic is well-known for its wide array of beaches, shopping spots, casinos, water sports and historical places.

Rise and shine, dear!  The roadtrip begins.

Hence, we got there by noon of October 18 when we accompanied Papa for his registration at Subic Traveller's Hotel.  Then, we went to Subic Holiday Villas to set up our things.  However, although we stayed there for only a couple of days, I am still at awe about it.  Honestly, I was speechless upon seeing the villa.  It is a very classy and traditional inn with a modern touch.

twin beds for Mara and I

the master's bedroom

overlooking the Villa

By mid- day, we left the villa for a while to explore Subic and Olongapo.  We had a memorable lunch at one of the well-known restaurants at the area and did some shopping. It was tedious and tiring but it was really worthwhile.  We went back to the villa before sunset and Mara and I had the chance to take some pictures.

posing by the villas' banner

Mara and the tree

posing by the heart-shaped pool

my twin sis Mara

Me and my twin sis Mara

The real adventure began the following day as we visited Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari. It was really tiring and memorable as I saw various animals and one of the most famous bays in my country- that of Subic. I was at awe with the performances of the dolphins, sea lions, tigers, monkeys, cobras and the humans as well. It was clearly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

breakfast at the villa

Ocean Adventure

Mara, me and Mom by the aquarium

by the bay

gotta love the dolphins

Mara and the surf board

chilling out at Ilanin Bay Cafe'

at the Dolphin show

Mara at the Sea Lion show

Maica conquers Ocean Adventure

Subic Safari

at Subic Safari

Mara riding the Safari train

surviving the Tiger Safari

at the bony area

sitting by the Aeta's trail

After experiencing the wilderness, we had a sumptuous feast at one of Papa's fave restaurants- Shakey's. I bet he brought us there for the sake of his fave thin-crust pizza. 

Shakey's and the thin-crust experience

Thus, the last leg of the tour has finally come to an end.  We had our last breakfast by the next morning as we were preparing for the trip back home.  Then, we took a bunch of pictures, reminiscing every bit of Subic for the last time.

by the terrace

Mara chilling by the bed for the last time

Subic: One last time

As for me, this trip has enhanced my love for travelling and dining into various restaurants in different parts of the globe. It is an experience that I can always look back and be proud of.  I will always treasure the memories of my stay there in my heart and soul. 

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle

P.S. The next convention of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines will be held at Cebu this upcoming December. I really hope I can go there as well

OMPH Gets Physical

The BER months officially arrived and that only means one thing:  CHRISTmas is nearing.   And well, I'm already looking forward to this year's holidays.  Henceforth, before I see Christmas ornaments and New Year's Eve's fireworks, let me share my memorable experience during this year's Sportsfest at Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital.

Last October 9-15, 2011, OMPH (Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital) organized its annual sportsfest with the theme: 'Let's Get Physical.' As for me, it was my first time to attend such event and I really had fun.  Imagine, I've had tiring cheer dance practices in between duties but it was all worth while.  Such festivity was clearly a breath of fresh air from all the stresses and dramas of work.  Maybe, it was all I needed to get away from all the toxicities of the hospital within these past few months.

Anyway, the said event started out with basketball matches held on October 9, 2011.  The parade, cheer dance competition and others followed suit on the next day.  

Let the Games Begin !


Ms. Hospolympics 2011

The most memorable one for me is the Cheerdance competition.  Imagine, almost all teams exerted much effort just to make the said event a memorable one. 

Blue Phytons

 Red Warriors

Yellow Jaguars

Green Spartans

The Hospital Olympics will not be complete without the ball games.  Imagine, the doctors, nurses and employees from all walks of life joined in for the sake of their teams.  And after all the yells, stunts and dances, the hospital witnessed the battles of the reds, blues, greens and yellows.  It was really fun!

D-E-F-E-N-S-E!


strike a pose :)


Say Cheese :)

the girls of Blue Team

Oh wait, let us not forget the indoor games such as scrabble, chess, word factory and dart and some other feel-good games like tug-of-war, obstacle and relay.   Without those, the Olympics will not be complete.

Scrabble champioship w/ Dr. Abubo and Doc Nuestro


Go for the goal!

Tug-of-War w/ Blue Team

Tug-of-War w/ Red Team

Thus, after a week-filled of fun, sweat, yells and smiles, the judgement day finally arrived.  The annual olympics ended-up with a big bang!  Thanks to the show-stopping performances of the teams for 'Showtime.'

Laughtrip with the Blues

the jaw-dropping performance of 'The Red Warriors'

Yellow Team stars in 'Ang Istorya ng Buhay ni Piolo'

The Greens show their moves

Hence, as the show ended and the winners were finally proclaimed, we all went home with smiles on our faces knowing that the event was such a success.  At the end, the blues may have went home with the Championship trophy but the other teams were happy as well.  It is not in winning and losing that competitions end as they say.  What matters most is that camaraderie, respect and peace prevailed.

                                                    

Caselle and I having fun during the awarding ceremonies

Blue Phytons- the Ultimate Champions

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle