Do you always find yourself  at loss at what to give your father for Father’s Day? And later on, you end up giving a present that is unwanted or probably the same as what you planned for the past years?

Canada, US and UK as well as some Asian Countries already celebrated Father’s day last June 20 while Australia and New Zealand gets to celebrate it on September 5. It is for most family an integral bonding to honor our father and celebrate fatherhood.

Aren’t we glad that today’s choices for Fathers Day Gifts are not only limited to personalized mugs and caps? There are exciting gift ideas as endless as your mom’s choices.

We get to spoil Dad this year with as simple as a nice massage or even go on an ultimate getaway. Why not check the things to do in Sydney? Live on the most exhilarating day of your life and go Skydiving at Wollongong for a Weekday Tandem Skydive above 14,000ft, or get both your scuba diving license and swim down under with Shark Diving for Non-Certified Divers. If that’s too much of an adrenaline rush, why not take your father for a ride to the sky to learn the basic of flying and get his pilot training certificate.

A thoughtful gift is an added bonus to celebrate this one special day with the most important man in your life. In the end, it doesn’t really matter how grand your gift is, but how you take the day off and showed your appreciation for your old man.

The modern airplane creates a new geographical dimension.  A navigable ocean of air blankets the whole surface of the globe.  There are no distant places any longer:  the world is small and the world is one.

- Wendell Willkie

Valentine’s Day was just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than be gone for the weekend! Clark, Pampanga is an ideal getaway place, more so after securing tickets for the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

A weekend without sleep was all worth it. Last Friday was a bit hectic while I juggle work, errands and preparation for our weekend getaway.

We have to leave around 3 AM on Saturday to commute from Manila to Dau and be on time to catch the morning fleet of hot air balloons. From Balintawak, Quezon City we hopped in at Five Star bus bound to Dau Bus Terminal. Traffic was light at the crack of dawn.

It was quarter to 5 when we reached Dau Bus Terminal. We then look for a jeepney bound to Clark Gate or chekpoint near SM City Clark. From there, we hailed one more jeepney going to Air Force City where the Hot Air Balloon Festival is being held since Feb. 11.

Good thing, we already have tickets or we’ll dreadfully be wasting time on the long, long line at the ticket booth.

Various photographers positioned themselves near the fence. Families, couples and friends are present during this big event. Many tourists are enjoying the day too. Army & Men in uniform were roaming to secure everyone’s safety. Ample parking space were provided at a P50 fee.

Branches of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have set up booths for the curious visitors. Firearms, Air crafts,  Army Jeeps and fighter jets are just some interesting pieces on display by Air Force, Philippine Army and Marines.

It was hard to find a perfect spot to get a good shot at the field when the balloons are being prepared. Three sky divers graced the morning sky to signal the start of event. One carries a huge Philippine flag and sway it across the sky while the national anthem plays in full volume.

A moment later, hot air balloons started lifting up. We’ve gone crazy over the jumbo turtle balloon named Mister Bup, Old Mc Donald’s Farm, Karlsberg Urpills and a Smiling Sun. It was just amazing to watch the sky filled with colors.

After the morning show, the hot air balloons returned at around 6 in the evening for the Night Glow. Meanwhile, the morning has just started as Candaba Bird’s Fly-in put on a unique show. Paragliding, sky diving and ultralight aircraft show followed. While kids and kids at heart enjoys the kite flying experience.

Yellow Cab and other food booths are conveniently located for anyone who wants a delight. Sponsors like Caltex with Techron showcase an Alien and Predator model made of gears and metals. Other booths sell souvenir items and we scored some freebies from DHL, an umbrella and a promotional stunt kite.

At around 10 in the morning, we left for breakfast and savor the best bulalo in town. Oh, we were in heaven.

We did check out Parkson Duty Free and PureGold for some sweets. Then off to Century Resort Hotel to check in. Our eyes were heavy and our restless soul were longing for rest.

We dose off for less than 2 hours and we’re in the road again to witness the hot air balloon night glow. The number of people increased compared earlier that day.

The top of the armored vehicle provided us with great vantage point. Too bad the weather wasn’t coordinating and we failed to see a single hot air balloon go up to lit the night sky.  The participants just put on a light show from the ground.

We had dinner at Rumpa before going back to our room.

Sunday – 14th -Heart’s Day

We can’t get enough of those colorful hot air balloons and decided to check out the day’s show. We didn’t stay long though and missed out the valentine’s air show and fireworks.

Heavy traffic as visitors doubled up on the last day. There were additional Hot Air balloons on the show but the turtle and the barn are still the crowd favorites.

Click thumbnails for your viewing pleasure.

’twas a fun, fun weekend. We’ll definitely going back next year with families and friends.

Special thanks to Ninong Bob for helping us.

Im’ma one happy birthday girl ;-}

Our stressed out soul longed for visual thrills and weekend frenzy. You can tell our inner nature seeker selves just got happy from this befitting adventure.

Day 2 of Bulacan Ultimate Weekend Challenge

Our morning started out late. I guess the only one who made it to the peak at the crack of dawn was Rob who missed out our socials the previous night.

I got up at 7 and noticed that the other group was already preparing breakfast while most on my troupe were still dreaming. Bong and Rob decided to go down and fetch some water.

We all crammed up for Pork Adobo, Salted Egg with chopped tomatoes and Scrambled Egg with Mushroom for breakfast. To top it all, a warm coffee to start our day.

Someone’s missing and catching up some more zzz’s. Can you guess who?

After the delightful feast, we busy ourselves with cleaning up and preparing to break camp. Our Mt. Manalmon assault isn’t complete without a hike to the peak. We got crazy over group photos and jump shots taken with the amazing bird’s eye view of Bulacan province as backdrop.

We were more thrilled when Super Bong aka Guide Extremist, did jump and climb to the other rock summit.

As much as we want to stay longer for more photo session, we were running out of time. We did a last group photo and offered a prayer for safety before vacating the campsite. Time check: 11 AM.

Descending requires less effort. We made a few stop and rest. Everyone seemed excited with the next activity. We headed down to Madlum Training Center to drop our bags.

We while away the time by resting and getting ready for another challenge. Then, we’re off to the monkey bridge. The challenge seemed easy from the looks of those little kids jumping over and over again off those cable wires down to the deep river. You can’t see fear on their faces, yet they were full of excitement and happiness. On my second try, the nerve-racking feel won’t go away. I bet the rest were haunted by fear too. Then again, peer pressure was more powerful. It’s still worth another million try though, with much zest every time.

We then proceed to trek the steep trail up to Bayukbok Caves. The sizzling weather can’t take our spirits down and we’re ready to conquer our fears. Our spelunking was a test of endurance and brave heart. Climbing up a ladder, bouldering, striding from one cliff to another, and most of the time struggling, crawling and stretching out to fit ourselves through the chambers.

Bayukbok Caves showcase beautiful limestone formation dating hundred years. Awesome Stalactites and stalagmites at the Men’s Room aka Sensational Room kept Toni and the girls giddy.

Ada may have faced her greatest fear, but conquered it with much motivation from everyone. Bong did caught our attention when he jumped out of the cliff and back. It was a dangerous act that only our super guide can do.

Back at the training center, we had a super late lunch. Pork Sinigang and Fried Tilapia for Lunch ala Dinner.

We had a quick dip at the river before packing up for home.

Photo Credits:

Ferdie Teves
Jeneth Gile
Valerie Teves

For Contact Details of our Jeepney Service, you can email me or leave your message here.

Muchas Gracias to everyone!

We choose to go…not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to measure and organize the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Instead of spending a lazy weekend at home, we challenged ourselves for some fun, extreme and action packed outdoor adventure.

The destination: Mt. Manalmon in Sitio Madlum, Barangay Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan

Participants: 15 (Jen, Rob, Flor, Precy, Mac, Rod, Pat, Tevan, Kathe, Dale, Ada, Toni, Malen & Moi) with our super guide Bong Stone.

Itinerary:

Jan 23, Saturday
0600 Assembly Time at Baliuag Transit bus bound for San Miguel Bulacan
0700 ETD San Miguel, Bulacan
0900 ETA San Miguel, Bulacan ( Palengke)
*** Last buying provisions (packed lunch)
0930 ETD San Miguel Palengke to Madlum
1000 ETA Jump Off
*** Registration | Briefing | Preparation
1100 Early Lunch
*** Briefing for Rappelling
1300 Rappelling
1500 Packs on back, start of Trek
1630 ETA Camp site, Rest, Pitch tent
1700 Peak Assault | Picture Taking
1800 Prepare Dinner
1900 Dinner
2000 Socials
2200 Lights out

Jan 24, Sunday
0500 Wake up Call | Peak Assault
0600 Prepare breakfast
0700 Breakfast
0800 Break camp
0830 Descent to cave | River Crossing
0930 Spelunking
1130 Back to Training Center | Prepare for lunch
1200 Lunch
1300 River (Tubing | Monkey Bridge | Swimming | Balsa Ride| Bouldering)
1800 ETD Manila

Some of us weren’t first timers in this ground and some are newbies whose eager to take the challenge.

It would be too cool if our itinerary were followed on schedule but circumstances get in the way and we were behind our timetable…  in short, merong late.

After two weeks of  planning, change of venue, event promotion and pre-climb meeting, our group was conceived. Precy who is single and ready to mingle will be leaving again soon for overseas work and a change of career. She was with Flor, her younger sister and a grade school teacher. MALEN (yes, in all caps) who lost contact with Mouhics after College, can’t wait to RAPPEL. She was with Toni, the giddy girl in the Men’s Room. Ada, the Manalmon-Madlum Survivor (except for the Monkey Bridge), Kathe, high energy happiness and Dale, the super blessed human being. Pat, the Spam and Imported goodies Man, who is on vacation till end of this month, Rod, the quiet first-timer. Mac, who can’t get over the hearts on our super guide Bong’s eyes. Someone to watch out for is Rob, who took beautiful photos. Jen, who is better late than never. Ferdie, the mountain shet este the mountain chef and Me, whom you’ll never wish to take on a rappel challenge unless you’re willing to wait 30 minutes as I get myself ready.

All set, we took Baliuag Transit in Cubao going to Kamias, San Miguel, Bulacan at 9 AM. From there, we hopped in to our arranged jeepney to take us to the town market. We used our last minute chance to buy our packed lunch and ingredients for  dinner and breakfast.

We reached Madlum at almost 2 in the afternoon. The low water level at Madlum river let us crossed to the other side on foot.

Registered at Madlum Training Center, had a quick lunch and prepared ourselves for rappelling activity.

We watched how Bong, Mac & Pat set up the rappel venue. Ropes and System: check. The jump site is lower than what we’ve conquered on 2006. When everything was ready, Mac did the first rappel down, while Bong and Pat gave us an introduction to Rappelling.

The fearless girls followed through and all of us survived the challenged even with wobbly knees, cold feet and sweaty hands. When I thought I could push myself easily down the jump site thinking this is only half of what I conquered last time, it still took me minutes to make the first step off the wall. Feels like the first, eh?

After more than 2 hours, we’re off to the Training Center, packed and set ourselves for a night trek to Mt. Manalmon camp site.

The trek wasn’t rigid, we passed through the river and off to the wilderness.

I guess we’re all on the same stamina level, newbies and oldies alike. The lack of training and outdoor activities for so long made our ascent a little strenuous. Climbing together again after so many years brought along some good and funny memories along the way.

Ada got a sprained leg but still managed it to the camp site.

A different group ahead of us occupied half of the camp site while we settled at the lower half. Its like a war site later, everyone battling to pitch tent right away and rest.

After the sudden commotion, our chef, Ferdie, lead the cooking session for dinner. We had grilled liempo and tinola for dinner. We gathered around for the yummy feast.

At socials, everyone loosened up over the BaR vodka and Generoso brandy. Sharing something about ourselves and reminiscing old times are great starter for new friendship and bonding sessions.

We call it a night at around 2 in the morning.

Watch out for Bulacan Ultimate Weekend Challenge day 2: Spelunking at Bayukbok Caves & Crossing the Monkey Bridge.

Photo Credits:

Ferdinand Teves
Roberto Lagmay Bernardo
Valerie Teves

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Expenses (P700 each / estimated for 15 pax)

228 – per person, bus fare (Cubao – Bulacan vv)
1800 – Jeepney rental (Kamias to Madlum vv)
300 – food/guide fee/ registration/ miscellaneous

feels so good to be back in the mountains,

While cleaning my files, I chanced upon our 2006 Teambuilding photos in Antipolo. ’twas one of my many unforgettable moments with Accenture colleagues.

We had the perfect plan for a weekend adventure that even heavy rain wasn’t able to put our high spirits down. A getaway to energized our soul, tickle our stressed out mind, fill our body with heavenly feast, plot a revenge and get even with our boss and coworkers. lol.

Reservations were made at Gotcha! Paintball field in Antipolo.

With ACN PMO Team – Black Ninjas vs Green Archers.

Decision was a draw. Thank God for the rainy day and muddy field. It made the game more exciting as the visibility of finding an attacker through our wet head gear is quite a challenge.

Ended our wet adventure with a yummy feast courtesy of Padi’s Point. The panoramic view overlooking Metro Manila is just refreshing.

Gotcha! Paintball Adventure Games
Alpadi Field, Alpadi Compound, Sumulong Hi-way,
Antipolo City.

For reservation call: 7255021 / 727513  loc 3

Frolicking under the rain,