HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

A Spooktacular Day!

1st MSI-ECS' Halloween Costume Contest 2010

Plants and Zombies fans

The Finalists

Dracula's admirer...

and the Winner is... non other than the blood-sucking teammate of mine...

Reggie a.k.a. DRACULA!

I missed all the fun. I got back to the office 15mins after the announcement of winners. And although the "Big Boss" -I just heard(whispering)- almost spoil the fun because he didn't seem to like the ambiance of the spooky workstations and the scary looks of his employees(according to him, the all black costumes could attract negative vibes which isn't good to the business), people still managed to enjoy the afternoon! and i'm happy with the outcome... the winner came from our group!

Most Romantic Islands

The Pamalican Island in The Philippines where Amanpulo-the only resort you can find in the island-lies is among the Top 10 most romantic islands in the World listed by Yahoo! Travel.

"Amanpulo is the most expensive resort in the Philippines. It has its own private museums and galleries. It's paradise-like beauty was enjoyed by the rich and famous personalities like Michael Jackson, Robert De Niro, Tom Cruise, Claire Danes, Samuel L. Jackson, Al Pacino, Erik Morales, the Prince of France and the Prince of Wales. Amanpulo wins several awards every year, such as The Gallivanter's Guide #1 Best Beach Resort Worldwide. A little pricey for most people, but it's very much worth it. Three days is enough for tourists to immerse themselves in Amanpulo's paradise, but if you wish to stay longer and can afford it, you can be sure that the time and money is well worth it." - Celine B. Roque

Among others are listed below:

1. Rangali Island, The Maldives

2. Molokai, Hawaii

3. Capri, Italy

4. St. Lucia, Carribean

5. Bocas del Toro, Panama

6. Catalina Island, California

7. Santorini, Greece

8. Barbuda, Caribbean

9. Laucala Island, Fiji

Source: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-36037813

I hope somebody would take me there (for free hehehe) one day! =D

Things you can do in Baguio City

Baguio City was named the Summer Capital of the Philippines for nothing. The average temperature is 15-26˚C, and it can drop down to 8˚C from December to early February. The Cordillera mountains is 8˚ cooler than any place in Philippine lowlands. So if you want to avoid the heat in Manila, just visit the mountainous city of Baguio and explore!

Join the celebration of its month-long flower festivities every February. Tourists usually comes during the Panagbenga Festival which showcases a lot of activities like the flower parade, landscaping competitions, concerts, etc.

If you're not tight with your budget, you can stay at The Manor Hotel in Camp John Hay, one of the best hotels in the city.

Then walk around the camp's wooded hills with lots of pine trees or try to befriend one of the guards and borrow their gears. =D

You can also try the coffee or hot choco in Choco-late de Batirol cafe.

Visit Tam-awan Village which was located at the outskirts of the city. It has a charming collection of Ifugao and Kalinga huts and it also has realistic paintings like the one below.

Personally hand-pick some fresh and sweet strawberries at the Strawberry farm in La Trinidad.

and of course don't forget the Mine's View Park. You can try the Igorot's outfit or have your photo taken with the friendly St Bernard Dogs.

Along the way to Mine's View, you can drop by at the Botanical Garden(you can take a pose with the katutubos) and The Mansion (which also serves as the bahay-bakasyunan of the President)

Before you dine in SM Baguio, pay a visit to The Cathedral.

For dessert, buy strawberry taho and stroll along in Burnham Park. You can also try paddling at the park's boating area.

Watch the cadets do their morning routine at the Philippine Military Academy

You can also drop by at the Chinese Temple...

or the Asin falls just beside an old bridge (a two hour drive from the city)

or simply have a picnic in one of the view decks.

Have a chilly vacation!

Remembering Boracay

Boracay Island

Philippines

November 16-19, 2006

Four years ago, we had our much deserved break after a year-long implementation job at the office. It is my first long vacation outside Luzon during my stay in MSi. November is the beginning of Peak season in this romantic paradise and its a very good timing coz we had a very nice weather and the beach was free from any seaweeds and was not crowded.

The group arrived in Caticlan Airport via Cebu Pacific Airbus (from left: Jo, Gi, Karen, Me, Dennis, Francis, errr forgot his name, harold, stew and FanFan)

Ginebra Kings Team of PBA were also in the old domestic airport for their game in Palawan. Here I'm with Erik Menk.

Philippine Basketball legend Mr Samboy Lim

Our hotel: the Boracay Regency, one of the most prestigious hotels in the island.

The hotel's pool...

and its mini bar.

It's also my first time to drink and I got really, really drunk. Needed to throw up and wash my face before I got back to my senses. I was too dizzy to walk straight but it was fun drinking with these guys... hehe...

Boracay's fire dance: one of the various events you may enjoy at night time.

We had a noodle party(Korean spicy noodles that is! t'was so hot, it burnt my lips and tongue! hoo!) along the shore on the first night, just enjoying the white, powdery sand and clear sky.

The creative sand castle

Row, row, row your boat...for island hopping

The view from our bangka

Welcome to crystal cove! Glad we made it safe. The sea was not calm at all. We feared the waves might flip our little boat over, fortunately it didn't! Yeba!

A picturesque background

Made of stones.

Snorkeling along with our guys.

A Porcupine fish just caught by a fisherman.

Gearing up for Jetski

Hold on tight Fanfan. This will be one heck of a ride!

The banana boat before being flipped over.

Ahhh... I miss this sight of serenity.

Inside the cave. The tide was high and the waves were smashing furiously to the cave's wall that's why were not able to swim. Sad!