Retreat at Caleruega

Last month, we had our retreat at Caleruega as 4th year students. Usually there's only one retreat trip, but we go twice in our college, first during third year then another one during our senior year. Though we don't go with the same set of people anymore because there's a reshuffling of sections in 4th year.

I will never get tired of Caleruega's beauty even if I already went three times here!

Camping at Katungkulan Beach

I'm already on my last year before graduating from University so here comes the biggest challenge of my school days, T-H-E-S-I-S. Since I'm on an art college, the categories for our thesis are fashion design, events, package design, production design, ad campaign, book illustration and photography. I chose photography and decided to come up with a coffee table book promoting the nice beaches near Manila.

I don't want to go into details about my thesis since it will be too long for this blog and I don't want to spill the beans yet haha. But here's where I went first, Katungkulan Beach Resort in Ternate, Cavite!

Before, I wasn't aware that there's a beach this beautiful 2 hours away drive from where I live. I visited this beach in a weekend but it wasn't crowded (maybe because it's not summer). The water is very clean and clear. This is one of the cleanest beaches I actually went to!

Hinulugang Taktak Falls

I've always heard/read about this falls when I was a kid. I remember reading about this on books saying that it was once very famous but then people started neglecting this gift from nature until it turned out very different from what it was before. Fortunately, the government started rehabilitating this tourist spot and for the first time, I was able to visit the falls. I don't know if it's because I wasn't able to see the falls' original state or it is just still undeniably beautiful.

Of Screams & Slides: Splash Island

Before we came up with Splash Island (just the night before our trip!!!!), our original plan was actually Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas but some of us ran out of budget or weren't allowed by their parents because you can actually consider it a little far from Manila. Fortunately, my friend suggested that we just go to Splash Island, since there were only 4 of us left and it was just an hour or two away. Though I can't explain how much fun we had because IT WAS A LOT!!!! And if you're not familiar with the place, it's not a real island, I don't know how they came up with that name but Splash Island is a waterpark with awesome slides!

Photos from Mina and Tara

Tagaytay and Regina Rica

I really feel guilty for not updating this blog for almost 3 months. Blogging was one of my priorities before, making sure that I jot down every important travels or happenings in my life. But I was really busy these past couple of months: final exams, sending application for my internship, little summer getaways and my internship itself.

I just finished my 160-hour internship last week so here I am, catching up with 2 of the places I went to earlier this year.

Tagaytay City
It's almost impossible for us not to visit this place at least once a year mainly because (1) it's just a 2-hour drive from Manila and (2) who doesn't love the cool breeze of Tagaytay?

I'm on Behance now!

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Weekend Of Everything That Flies

at the 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark Field, Pampanga

It was held last February 12-15, 2015 and we were able to come on the last day to finally see a hot air balloon up close (it's been on my bucket list since forever!!!), as well as the celebration of my mom's birthday. We left the house at 4:00 am and arrived at the venue by 6:15am, just in time for the balloon flying.

Watching the balloons fly as the sun started to rise seems surreal, complete with a live band singing energetic songs, people everywhere looking up and smiling, the moment was just too beautiful.

Baguio: The City of Pines (Part 2)

This was our second (and my favorite day) in Baguio maybe because I finally had some sleep and was used to the cold weather already. If you haven't read the part one yet, you can check that out here. We ended our day 1 with a hearty meal at Pizza Hut because we were so hungry! Then we got back at our hotel by 9 pm and everyone slept already but I just had to update my instagram first before rest (hahaha).

DAY 2: MORNING

CAMP JOHN HAY
We followed an Eco trail here for like 45 minutes but there was no exit on the other side so we had to go back again from where we started, fortunately the trees were so pretty and the air's clean not like in Manila- I didn't mind the loooong walk again.

Baguio: The City of Pines (Part 1)

December is the city's peak season because of the really nice and cold weather. Tourists flock around the famous landmarks, restaurants and parks all over the city. Since my parents were on their holiday break, we also decided to go to Baguio too and see for ourselves what this city can offer.

I did the itinerary myself with the help of various blogs and websites. And since I can't describe how beautiful the city is, here are the photos from our trip:

DAY 1: MORNING

OUR LADY OF ATONEMENT CATHEDRAL/ BAGUIO CATHEDRAL