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La Union Escapade 2010 Day 2

2011-03-27T20:58:00.005+08:00

Saturday, October 30, 2010 - It was the second day of our couple's La Union adventure. Mr. Thomas Glenn and wife Julie is a very generous couple who invited me and my family to witness the La Union Surfing Break 5 held in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union which is just very near to Tito Tom's house.

While my wife and I is used to wake up seven o'clock in the morning in Metro Manila caused by our work schedule, in La Union, it was very very sweet to wake up so early, much earlier even before the sun rises behind the mountains. Our baby Pam who was then 7-month old woke up so early too. As originally planned, we trod the trail behind Tito Tom's house leading to the sea. The sound of the surf feels so good. The sea breeze is so fresh. Even at a young age, our baby already enjoyed herself observing the movements of the water. It was her second day of seeing the sea (the first ocassion is here) but it was just like another new experience for her.

On Waking Up in the Morning

After we had our breakfast, everyone prepared to be going to the surfing event. Tito Tom's wife and daughters prepared the food that we can eat while watching the surfing event. Though the surfing event is just a walking distance away via the seashore, Tito Tom opted to transport us via his van and took the highway route instead. We also brought with us a few monobloc chairs that we could use in case we need those.

Scenes at the Surfing Break

Tito Tom get for us a rented cottage so we could stay at the whole event so comfortably. Luckily for us, it was the same cottage that we had during our first day of the event.

Photography enthusiasts like me and Tito Tom couldn't just sit down under the shade that the cottage comfortably offers. So we decided to brave the scorching heat of the sun and dangled our cameras behind us.

There were varieties of interests that waited for the right opportunity to be photographed.

Beach Photogs

Beach Volleyball

Action Shots!

I was able to use my 300mm telephoto lens to capture those action scenes from afar.

Beach Hunks

I've never been into surfing. I was wondering what would it be like to be playing with those giant waves!

Beach Babes

Just the same, beautiful women in swim wears abound to add heat to the already sizzling noontime of the surfing event.

CF card disaster

After lunch, as I resumed taking photos of those who were into surfing, my CF card suddenly malfunctioned. I didn't bring any spare as I was using a 4GB compact flash card. I stopped taking photos right there and just enjoy myself looking at the sceneries with my naked eyes. Later in the evening, Tito Tom would give me a 2GB micro SD card so I could switch storage media and use the same CF card the following day.

La Union Sunset

The adventure didn't end up there as soon as we left the surfing event to go home. While there were more numbers for the event in the night time, we decided to call it finished and just enjoy the sunset from Tito Tom's abode. Tito Tom's veranda offers a great vantage point with an unobstructed view of watching the sun to settle down into the darkness of which is the China Sea. It is one of the natural occurencies you'll only find amazing and ponder about when you're comfortably seated on a rocking chair at Tito Tom's veranda.

Goodnight

We were totally exhausted for the day's event, nevertheless, we also enjoyed hotel-like accommodation.

Our Generous Hosts

The generosity and hospitality of the Glenn couple accorded me and my wife a grand vacation not to mention our little daughter's big adventure...

Photos in this blog entry can also be accessed from this Facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248733&id=619219369&l=3702739ad5
Our first day of this La Union adventure series can be read from this link: http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/2010/11/la-union-escapade-2010-day-1.html.

My Blogroll is no longer working and I lost link to my friend's blog

I'd been using blogrolling.com's link service and enjoyed the free service somehow for quite a few years. Then, after six years, six months, and five days of enjoying the service, blogrolling.com shut down the service without a deliberate notice aside from the notification they've posted in their blog. I was caught off-guard and now my links are nowhere to be found. On October 6, 2010 Blogrolling announced they would cease operation on November 1, 2010 but didn't offer an export option to extract the links. A tedious copy and paste must be done to get the links of which, unfortunately, I didn't have that much time to do it. Here's the screen capture of Blogrolling status after it shut down.

It reads as follow:

Blogrolling Has Ceased Operation

The Blogrolling service is no longer available.

If your site is still using Blogrolling code you should see a blank space where your blogroll used to be. That is because rpc.blogrolling.com is currently serving up a blank file.

We will continue to serve this blank file for six months.

After April 30th, 2011 rpc.blogrolling.com will no longer respond to requests. Please note that this could, and probably will, cause problems with your web site, so you’ll want to take all Blogrolling.com code off your site as soon as you can.

Clean Your Code

Remove the blogrolling JavaScript code from your site.

Not sure where the code is? “View Source” on your pages and search for “blogrolling” in the code.

Thanks again for your support these many years.

Happy blogging!

To my blog friends, I apologize for the mess. I'm gathering back my links so feel free to drop your links here in this post or the the link page of this site. Thank you very much.

Relax, ticket easy! Enjoy Cebu Pacific's low fares to China and more!

2011-03-26T12:07:00.002+08:00

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers a China and Vietnam seat sale starting now until March 28, 2011 or until seats last.

For travel from May 1 to July 31, 2011, guests can avail of P1,399 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Ho Chi Minh.

China seat sale fares are also up for grabs, for travel from July 1 to August 3 1, 2011. P1,399 ‘Go Lite’ seats are available for those traveling from Manila to Guangzhou, while P1,899 ‘Go Lite’ seats are available for those going from Manila to Beijing and Shanghai.

CEB also offers you a one-day select domestic seat sale on March 26, 2011. For travel from May 1 to July 31, 2011, you can avail of P499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Bacolod or Tagbilaran.

‘Go Lite’ fares for travel from July 1 to August 31, 2011 are also on sale for as low as P399 from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro, P699 from Cebu to Butuan and P999 from Manila to Butuan or Cagayan de Oro.

Cebu Pacific lowers fares to China by as much as 62%, and our fares to Vietnam by as much as 53% to further promote trade and tourism. So book in advance to avail of Cebu Pacific's trademark low fares at www.cebupacificair.com now! You can also select seats in advance and avail of CEB’s web check-in service for your travel convenience or log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for your Fun Tours packages.

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Cebu Pacific is slashing Hong Kong fares by as much as 64% and putting Boracay and select Visayas destinations on sale too!

2011-03-23T07:01:00.001+08:00

Fly the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, as Cebu Pacific lowers fares to Hong Kong by as much as 64% in a seat sale starting now until March 25, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from July 1 to September 30, 2011.

Cebu Pacific is offering low fares to their most popular international and domestic destinations, Hong Kong and Boracay. Grab your P899 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila, Cebu and Clark to Hong Kong. Cebu Pacific flies to Hong Kong five times daily from Manila, and daily from Cebu and Clark.

P499 ‘Go Lite’ seats are also on sale for flights from Manila to Bacolod, Iloilo, Roxas and Kalibo, as well as from Manila and Cebu to Caticlan (Boracay).

So book in advance to avail of Cebu Pacific's trademark low fares at www.cebupacificair.com now! You can also select seats in advance and avail of CEB’s web check-in service for your travel convenience or log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for your Fun Tours packages.

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Grab flights to Malaysia and Taiwan as well as Luzon in Cebu Pacific Seat Sale for as low as P499!

2011-03-20T12:29:00.002+08:00

Grab flights to Malaysia and Taiwan for only P899 in Cebu Pacific's seat sale starting now until March 22, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2011.

You can avail of P899 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Taipei, Taiwan. Cebu Pacific (CEB) flies to Kota Kinabalu thrice weekly, and to Taipei daily.

If you are headed to Luzon catch P499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Cauayan, Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, San Jose and Tuguegarao. This P499 seat sale fare is also available from Cagayan de Oro to Davao, and from Cebu to Legazpi.

With P499 seats to destinations in Luzon and P899 seats to international destinations, it’s time every Juan flies! Log on to www.cebupacificair.com and avail of Cebu Pacific's trademark low fares now! You can also select seats in advance and avail of CEB’s web check-in service for your travel convenience or check out http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for great deals on your Fun Tours packages.

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KorYeah! Really low seat sale fares to Korea and selected destinations!

2011-03-18T10:08:00.001+08:00

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers you a fantastic P2,499 seat sale to South Korea from now until from March 19, 2011 or until seats last!

For travel from April 1 to June 30, 2011, you can avail of P2,499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila or Cebu to Incheon or Busan. Our Manila-Busan flights will be launched on June 15, 2011.

Spend your days in the cities of Jinhae and Jeju, home to the cherry blossom festivals this April. The 2011 Hi Seoul Festival, which celebrates culture and the arts, will also happen in Seoul this May. From June 4 to 7, the famous Haeundae Beach in Busan becomes filled with beachside events, sports activities, firework displays and concerts during the Haeundae Sand Festival.

Travel from June 1 to August 31, 2011 and you can avail of P499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Cebu to Legazpi, as well as from Manila to Legazpi, Naga and Virac. P999 ‘Go Lite’ seats are up for grabs from Manila to Cotabato and Manila or Cebu to General Santos.

International seats from Manila to Brunei and Ho Chi Minh are also available for the ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare of P1,399.

This South Korea seat sale is perfect for those who wish to visit during the months of April to June. So book in advance to avail of CEB’s trademark low fares at www.cebupacificair.com now! You can also select seats in advance and avail of CEB’s web check-in service for your travel convenience or log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for your Fun Tours packages.

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More than Juan! Fly and explore any of Cebu Pacific's 9 destinations on sale for as low as P399!

2011-03-16T14:06:00.001+08:00

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific offers you nine (9) select domestic and international destinations in a seat sale as low as P399 from now until March 17, 2011 or until seats last.

Explore these destinations from June 1 to August 31, 2011 with our P399 ‘Go Lite‘ seats from Manila to Tacloban, Catarman and Calbayog, as well as from Cebu to Tacloban. You can also avail of P1,399 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Macau.

Travel from April 1 to May 31, 2011, guests can avail of P1,299 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Kota Kinabalu, and P1,999 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Kuala Lumpur.

Those headed to Korea and Japan can also avail of P2,399 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila or Cebu to Incheon and Busan, and P2,999 ‘Go Fare’ seats from Manila to Osaka. This is for travel from September 1 to November 30, 2011.

CEB's extensive network, flight options and trademark low fares offers you the best deal, so take advantage of this seat sale and book your flights in advance at www.cebupacificair.com. Experience convenience at your fingertips with Cebu Pacific's web check-in service for your travel convenience. You can also log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com and avail of hot Fun Tours packages!

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The best bai! Cebu Pacific offers sweeping P488 all Visayas seat sale!

2011-03-11T14:45:00.001+08:00

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) puts 19 Visayas routes on sale from now until March 14, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from June 1 to July 31, 2011.

It's your chance to fly to your favorite Visayas destination! Grab your P488 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Calbayog, Catarman, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban or Tagbilaran.

From Cebu, you can also avail of the same P488 ‘Go Lite’ seats to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Clark, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa or Tacloban.

Travel from June 1 to August 31, 2011 because P999 ‘Go Lite’ seats are also up for grabs from Clark to Macau!

Guests traveling from Manila to Guangzhou can avail of P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ seats, while those traveling from Manila to Beijing or Shanghai can also avail of P1,999 ‘Go Lite’ seats. This sale is for travel from May 1 to July 31, 2011.

This sweeping P488 seat sale to the Visayas is available at www.cebupacificair.com. Go online to book fantastic deals on your Fun Tours packages.

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popular destinations on sale to celebrate Cebu Pacific's 15th anniversary

2011-03-08T23:44:00.000+08:00

Seats as low as P699 for Boracay, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur

Cebu Pacific is putting popular domestic and international destinations on sale starting now until March 11, 2011 or until seats last. This sale is for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2011.

Since Cebu Pacific (CEB) started operations in March 8, 1996, they have flown over 50 million passengers. This is their 15th year, and they give back by offering their popular domestic and international destinations for as low as P699!

Spend your vacation in Boracay (Caticlan) or Puerto Princesa! Fly from Manila and Cebu and avail of P699 ‘Go Lite’ seats. The same P699 ‘Go Lite’ fare is available for guests going from Manila to Kalibo or Tagbilaran, and from Cebu to Siargao. P1,999 ‘Go Lite’ seats are also available for flights from Manila to Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur.

So book your seats now at www.cebupacificair.com or log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for your Fun Tours packages!

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Grab Cebu Pacific seat sale fares to Singapore and South Korea for as low as P999!

2011-03-06T17:45:00.002+08:00

Here's another email I received from the Philippine's cheap fare carrier:

You can afford to fly to Singapore and South Korea because the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) is giving you a hot seat sale deal from now until March 8, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from May 1 to June 30, 2011.

Grab your ‘Go Lite’ seats for as low as P999 from Clark or Manila to Singapore or P1,499 from Cebu to Singapore! We are lowering our fares by as much as 50% in this seat sale to Singapore and South Korea.

Guests headed to South Korea have the choice between going to Incheon (Seoul) or Busan from Manila and Cebu. Catch your ‘Go Lite’ seats to South Korea for only P2,999 now! Our Manila-Busan service will start on June 15, 2011.

P599 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Bacolod or Iloilo are also available at www.cebupacificair.com.

Hurry, your hot seat sale deal is is available online now! For your travel convenience, log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for Fun Tours packages or select your seats in advance and avail of CEB’s web check-in service.

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Cebu Pacific sale for as low as P499

2011-03-03T06:52:00.002+08:00

Juan to shop? Enjoy our Sale for as low as P499 to your favorite shopping destinations!

Juan to shop? Enjoy our sale to your favorite shopping destinations because the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) is holding a Hong Kong and Bangkok seat sale starting now until March 5, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from May 1 to June 30, 2011.

Shop 'til you drop because our flights from Manila, Cebu or Clark to Hong Kong are selling for only P1,499 and as low as P1,999 ‘Go Lite’ from Manila or Clark to Bangkok.

CEB flies to Hong Kong five times daily from Manila, and daily from Cebu and Clark. We also fly to Bangkok ten times weekly from Manila, and twice weekly from Clark.

Our lowest Fun Tours packages start at P4,075 for Hong Kong, and P959 for Bangkok, inclusive of 3 days- 2 nights hotel accommodations. Log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for your bookings to experience this hot deal!

Shop some more because P499 ‘Go Lite’ seats are available from Cebu to Davao, and Davao to Cagayan de Oro. While P699 ‘Go Lite’ seats are also up for grabs from Cebu to Dipolog or Zamboanga, and from Davao to Iloilo or Zamboanga.

Guests traveling from Manila to Davao, Dipolog or Zamboanga can also avail of P999 ‘Go Lite’ fares.

The cities of Hong Kong and Bangkok are renowned for their great value bargains and shopping options, so you can spend less on your airfare with our seat sale, and spend more on your destinations! Book your seats now at www.cebupacificair.com!

O, ano pang hinihintay natin. Book na :D

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CEB slashes up to 60% in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Brunei Seat Sale

2011-03-01T01:10:00.001+08:00

Cebu hub also on sale for as low as P299!

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) holds a seat sale to four international destinations and the Cebu hub starting now until March 2, 2011 or until seats last.

Grab your P299 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Cebu to Bacolod, Clark, Iloilo, Ozamiz, Tacloban and Zamboanga, as well as from Davao to Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga for travel from April 1 to June 30, 2011.

You can also avail of P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Cebu to Hong Kong, and from Manila to Brunei and Ho Chi Minh.

‘Go Lite’ seats as low as P1,999 are selling for Manila to Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai, for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2011. This promotion is available at www.cebupacificair.com.

For your travel convenience, log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for Fun Tours packages or select your seats in advance and avail of CEB’s web check-in service.

Book na ;)

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CEB celebrates 25th EDSA Anniversary with P25 seat sale to all domestic destinations

2011-02-26T00:14:00.001+08:00

Received this email from Cebu Pacific today:

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) recognizes the 25th EDSA Anniversary with a P25 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale to any domestic destination on February 26, 2011 only or until seats last. This is our way of recognizing the significance of the 25th EDSA Anniversary in the history of our country.
For travel from June 1 to September 30, 2011, you can avail of P25 ‘Go Lite’ seats to any of CEB’s 33 domestic destinations, including Boracay (Caticlan), Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Iloilo, Legazpi, Zamboanga and Cebu. This is available only through www.cebupacificair.com or travel agents on Amadeus.
International seats are also on sale from now until February 28, 2011. Grab this amazing deal to explore the Philippines, Hong Kong, Brunei, South Korea and Japan.
You can avail of P899 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila, Cebu and Clark to Hong Kong, for travel from April 1-June 30, 2011. This is up to 64% lower than CEB’s lowest year-round fares for Hong Kong.
For travel from June 1 to August 31, 2011, hot seats are available for as low as P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ from Manila to Brunei, and P2,999 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila or Cebu to Busan or Incheon. CEB’s new four times weekly Manila-Busan flights will start on June 15, 2011. Manila-Osaka P2,999 ‘Go’ fares are also up for grabs.
For your bookings, log on to www.cebupacificair.com or http://funtours.cebupacificair.com for your Fun Tours packages.

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HALF 'til you drop! 1.2 million seats available in biggest 50% OFF seat sale

2011-02-19T01:45:00.000+08:00

I received this email direct from Cebu Pacific. I just thought you might be interested:

Half 'til you drop because the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers you a 50% off system-wide seat sale starting now until February 20, 2011 or until seats last.

CEB is making available over 1.2 million seats in the 50% off seat sale, which is for travel from June 1 to December 31, 2011. This is the largest number of seats we have ever offered in a single seat sale!

The 50% off seat sale is available to any of our 33 domestic destinations. This includes flights to Boracay (Caticlan), Kalibo, Coron (Busuanga), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Laoag, Zamboanga, Legazpi, Bacolod, Iloilo and Ozamiz.

Promo seats up for grabs also include CEB’s 16 international destinations, namely Beijing, Brunei, Taipei, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Taipei, Guangzhou, Osaka, Jakarta, Macau and Bangkok (from Manila and Clark), Incheon and Pusan (from Manila and Cebu), and Singapore and Hong Kong (from Manila, Cebu and Clark).

Book to as many domestic and international destinations at www.cebupacificair.com! Take advantage of great deals at http://funtours.cebupacificair.com and combine your lowest roundtrip airfare with the cheapest hotel accommodation.

From SOLO to SO LOW! CEB offers P999 buy-one-take-one Valentine’s sale

2011-02-15T04:20:00.003+08:00

Here's another one from Cebu Pacific:

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) holds a buy-one-take-one Valentine’s seat sale for the first time starting now until February 17, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from June 1-July 31, 2011.

Just in time for Valentine’s month, the P999 ‘Go Lite’ buy-one-take-one offering is available for flights from Manila to Boracay (Caticlan), Coron (Busuanga), Kalibo, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, and Tagbilaran.

This is also available for flights from Cebu to Boracay (Caticlan) or Siargao. For only P499.50 per person, you can plan your trips in advance and visit your favorite tourist destinations. This seat sale available at www.cebupacificair.com would make great gifts to loved ones!

Also log on to http://funtours.cebupacificair.com and combine your lowest roundtrip airfare with the cheapest hotel accommodation in your desired destination for the best gift package ever!

Have a HALFy trip! 50% OFF all domestic destinations!

2011-02-09T16:28:00.001+08:00

CEB offers P999 seats to all Korea routes, P1,499 to Brunei and Ho Chi Minh

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) holds a 50% off seat sale on all our domestic destinations from now until February 12, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from April 1 to June 30, 2011.

This 50% off seat sale is available to any of our 33 domestic destinations. This includes Boracay (Caticlan), Coron (Busuanga), Cebu, Legazpi, Zamboanga, San Jose, Dumaguete, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Iloilo and Davao.

Grab the opportunity to travel this summer! Up for grabs with the same travel period are P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Brunei and to Ho Chi Minh. You can even connect from cities such as Davao to international destinations such as Vietnam on CEB’s very low fares!

Book early and catch the autumn season in South Korea! For travel from September 1 to November 30, 2011, you can avail of P999 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila and Cebu to Seoul (Incheon), and Manila and Cebu to Busan.

Grab great deals on Cebu Pacific Fun Tours where you can combine your lowest roundtrip airfare with the cheapest hotel accommodation in your desired destination. For CEB booking and inquiries, visit our website at www.cebupacificair.com.

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CEB gives back! PISO seat sale up for grabs!

2011-02-04T01:28:00.004+08:00

Received this email right this early morning from Cebu Pacific:

Save on travel because the Philippines’ number one airline, Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers you the PISO seat sale to any domestic destination on February 4, 2011 or until seats last with the arrival of the Chinese New Year!

This is for travel from June 1 to September 30, 2011.

Book flights to any of CEB’s 33 domestic destinations, namely: Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Busuanga (Coron), Butuan, Calbayog, Cagayan de Oro, Catarman, Cauayan (Isabela), Cebu, Clark, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legaspi, Laoag, Manila, Naga, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, San Jose (Mindoro), Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tuguegarao, Virac and Zamboanga.

As the first low-cost carrier in Asia and the largest national flag carrier to date, we give back to you by offering the lowest possible fares. It will only take PHP 1 to travel with friends and family and explore the Philippines!

This promotion is only available via www.cebupacificair.com or through travel agents using the Amadeus global distribution system.

Welcome 2011!!!

2010-12-31T19:30:00.002+08:00

I'd like to welcome friends, relatives, and every Filipino to 2011. I hope and pray that this year will be prosperous, peaceful, and fruitful to each and everyone of us. I don't blog much nowadays so I'm sending this message from my phone.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T01:27:00.002+08:00

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to everyone!..

MyIslandsPhilippines.Com: Sentimental Yearnings

2010-11-14T15:05:00.005+08:00

Once there was MyIslandsPhilippines.com, a photo-sharing website about the Philippines owned and operated by Dr. Ken Ilio, a native of Malinao, Aklan who is now based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. From the time the website is being opened for free membership sometime in 2004, it grew to a big online community for photography enthusiasts coming from different parts of the globe. The site provided a great training ground especially for those who just started photography as a hobby. It became an avenue for those interested to learn more about photography to exchange knowledge and photography techniques. Camaraderie started to grow among members. It was heart-warming as well as overwhelming.

I was just a point-and-snap kind of guy when I joined MIP (as MyIslandsPhilippines.com members fondly called their website) and the unselfish knowledge that masters share to members fed my desire to learn more about photography. Back then, I traveled extensively to different parts of the country and since then developed a new approach in taking travel photos after learning techniques from MyIslandsPhilippines.com.

In a short span of time, community members go beyond virtual friendship as Metro Manila-based members were getting to see in person the founder of MyIslandsPhilippines.com when he visited Manila. It was followed by another informal gathering with two photography masters from Cebu joining in. You can't go wrong meeting new friends that share the same passion and interest as yours. It was simply pure fun.

A few eyeball had turned into several photoshoots and several Christmas parties. A spirit of familiarity and trust gradually exists between community members. Unfortunately, not all MIP members were able to meet each other as there are more who are located a considerable distance away as from as Metro Manila is concern. One member who called himself hermanotomas (brother Tom) but people preferred calling him Tito Tom (for Uncle Tom), expressed an open invitation to all MIP members to his place in La Union. In 2006, I first met Tito Tom during the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio. After that, I slept in his house (he was living in Bauang then) and we roamed around his beautiful backyard the following day. When Tito Tom moved to San Fernando, I visited him again. I called the visit La Union Escapade. Once again, we were having good time taking photos around the surfing area which is just very much adjacent to his house, and we were also taking photos in some areas of San Fernando, La Union.

MIP website had long been down since then. Some members lost connection with each other and some are still able to maintain the connection. As for me, I still keep in contact with Tito Tom though I haven't had traveled much especially when I get hitched in 2008.

Last october, upon the invitation of Tito Tom to witness the surfing break event, I brought along my wife and baby to visit La Union once again. And just like in the old days, side-by-side Tito Tom and I were taking photos in every interesting scene and photographic opportunity we would come across during the surfing event. I was also taking photos of my wife and daughter. On the second day of the event, we also met Ronald Ibay, another MIP member. I wonder what it is like to had MIP website is still online and active.

Armed with the knowledge and technique I learned from MIP in taking photographs, these are just a few of the photographs I gathered on Day 1 of the surfing event. The whole set of photos can also be viewed from my Facebook album, http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248187&id=619219369&l=e96c376c6d (can be viewed even if you don't have Facebook account. The link will open up in a new window). Please enjoy...

My wife and daughter facing the sea.

Sand Castle Building

baby Pam and Mama view the building of sand castles.

Giant Ripples

Cameras and media

Beach Babes

Our baby during the surfing event

My daughter feeding having been tired witnessing the entire surfing event.

PC Inspector Smart Recovery

On the second day of the surfing event, the CF card that I was using suddenly became unreadable by the camera. Later on that day, I tried to access the CF card using a computer but to no avail. I waited until we can return home to Manila so I could access the CF card using PC Inspector Smart Recovery that my friend Rob recommended to me.

While most of the photos were recovered especially the most recent, some old photos inside the CF card were unrecoverable. All of the precious photos, shots in Manila Post Office together with Tutubi are gone forever. It was an unexpected disaster :(

Computer Workarounds

I had been having troubles with my computer lately and with a few Googling, I was able to solve the problem. Here are a few of them.

Total Video Converter that crashes on startup

My Total Video Converter had been working fine for quite a long time until most recently that it crashed with error stating, The application needs Flash, flash is not installed. I found the solution here. Here's what I did:

Download the file flash.ocx from this link: http://www.ocxdump.com/download-ocx-files_new.php/ocxfiles/F/Flash.ocx/6,0,79,0/download.html

Installed manually flash.ocx into this directory: c:\windows\system32\macromed\flash

Files like file NPSWF32_FlashUtil or FlashUtil9e can be found at c:\windows\system32\macromed\flash, it is used to update Flash.

After everything's done, viola! Total Video Converter is working again!

No Display for Windows Explorer left pane

I am using Windows 2000 and probably during one of the updates, it advertently lost the display of the left pane. Here's how it looks like:

Googling, I found one workaround here. Based on what I've found in the link, this is what I did:

Solution for the folder problem & it works

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{EFA24E64-B078-11d0-89E4-00C04FC9E26E}\InProcServer32

The Default value for this key points to the file which builds the Explorer Band. That file is either Shdocvw.dll or Browseui.dll. The file varies according to which version of Internet Explorer is installed. If this entry is not correct, the Pane will not be built.

Internet Explorer 5.5 uses Browseui.dll
All other Internet Explorer Versions use Shdocvw.dll

Using a registry file and merging that file into the registry can repair the problem on all versions except IE 5.5.

------------------------------------------------

For All Internet Explorer versions EXCEPT IE 5.5

Go to Start>run and type Regedit. Press Enter

Navigate to this key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{EFA24E64-B078-11d0-89E4-00C04FC9E26E}\InProcServer32

Highlight InProcServer32 in the left pane. In the right pane, double click on Default. Modify the value data in the box which will come up, by typing in the correct path to shdocvw.dll. Click Ok. Close the Registry.

Or you can download a file and merge that into the Registry:

There are two files, one for Win9x and ME, another for WinXP and Windows2000. This is because the path to shdocvw.dll is different in each operating system. And the Operating Systems use different registry value types.
-quoted from http://www.daniweb.com/forums/post19471.html#post19471

After I restarted my computer, my Windows Explorer is restored back to its original state!

Canon PHotomarathon 2010

2010-10-25T10:18:00.003+08:00

Image from Canon Philippines

Date: November 6, 2010
Time: 6:30am - 8:00pm
Location: SMX Convention Center, SM Central Business Park, Pasay City

Registration is FREE!

Online registration starts today, October 25, 2010 (1:30pm) through www.canon.com.ph/photomarathon2010

The Plight of my Google AdWords Vouchers

2010-10-07T20:29:00.004+08:00

Received from post office today two envelops of Google Adwords voucher offer worth 1,500 pesos each - and guess what? It's exactly a week late from its due date.

In the two envelops, two bold lines printed on red strip stated that I should open the letter before September 20, 2010. What can I do? The vouchers are already expired for a week before I got hold of it. Need I say more? Philippine postal service sucks big time!!!

About This Site

2010-09-29T20:02:00.003+08:00

This site underwent countless modifications, change of theme, niche attempts, moving from one hosting service from another, moving from free-subdomain to another before finally resting into its own domain since December 2006.

Timeline:

2000-2003 Started as an online journal for everything that comes to mind. First started in Blogspot, this site had been moving from free hosting sites like Fortune City, Angelfire, Tripod, before being reverted to Blogger.
March 2004 Signed up a second Blogger account when I inadvertently forgot my password in my first Blogger account. A new photo and travel blog was created to supplement my static website (deleted by the web host without notice) that I created in 2003.
December 2006 A new domain was born as digitalrebel.ws. The domain was dedicated to my then newly-acquired Canon EOS 300D also known as Digital Rebel (I'd been an avid Canon SLR user since 1988). This blog was hosted at travelogue.digitalrebel.ws and titled ...a travelogue and Digital Rebel Website to emphasize my love of travel and taking photos and my favorite photography equipment.
March 2008 Started to monetize this blog using Google Adsense. A new 3-column black web template was being designed and implemented in this site.
April 2009 I started posting personal posts in this site and the travel and photography niche of this blog lost its meaning when I haven't had traveled extensively since 2008. The title was changed to dodong flores Up Close and Personal.
July 2009 Retitled travelogue.DigitalRebel.WEBSITE as a word play for its domain path http://travelogue.digitalrebel.ws/
March 2010 Blogger stopped supporting FTP publishing so I was forced to moved this site from my own hosting service to Blogspot. The domain name is retained though.

O.L.P. Carwash

2010-06-12T03:06:00.000+08:00

Whenever I would hit the vicinity of ABS-CBN and GMA-7, my most favorite tambayan or hang out is the O.L.P. Carwash situated at the street of Sct. Ybardolaza opposite Sct. Esguerra Street (formerly Bohol Avenue). I have all the reason to be visiting this place every now and then. Even before the carwash business existed, the site used to be my tambayan when I first arrived here in Metro Manila 15 years ago. The ambiance of the place is identical to what can be observed in the province; i.e., trees, fighting cocks, wooden bench, tricycles, and a carenderia nearby. So, even when I no longer lived in Quezon City, I make it a point to stop by into this place momentarily. And the good excuse to do it is to avail O.L.P. Carwash' services.

O.L.P. Carwash had already been in the business for more than ten years. They are open daily from 8am - 6pm. They are servicing private vehicles, taxis, and even tricycles. Price range is 60 pesos to 80 pesos depending on the kind of vehicle that you have (SUVs are charged much higher as compared to regular size sedan).

O.L.P. Carwash is owned and operated by Orly Pascual, a non-life insurance agent. He is being assisted by his son Allan.

My wife is getting bored but patiently waiting for the carwashing to be finished.

Presto! Super-linis, super-kintab after the carwash...

Note: Photos in this article were taken using inferior mobile phone camera.

Boil in My Left Hand

As I woke up one morning on Friday last week, I noticed a reddish and itchy circumscribed inflammation at the back of my left hand. I was not bothered about it so much as I thought it would be gone soon anytime of the day. How wrong I was! The inflammation had grown to a boil within the day.

Boil, also known in Tagalog as pigsa; uyapos in Hiligaynon; pugsa in Karay-a; mata'g tiki in Cebuano, is a deep infective folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle). It is almost always caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus areus, resulting in the localized accumulation of pus (usually with a centralised core known locally as mata that must be eventually removed) and dead tissue. This usually occurs during dry season, or when the weather condition is extremely hot, encouraging the rapid growth of bacteria.

In the evening, the boil had already grown so big. It was in fact getting painful that I even found it difficult to type in the keyboard. Washing dirty clothings became a challenge as well.

I didn't want to see a doctor anymore and my home-grown solution is to drink Amoxycillin for the swelling and mefenamic acid for the pain.

Saturday morning, the boil had swollen so much and became even more painful that I couldn't wear my riding glove into my left hand. The photo below shows how did I ride on that day on reporting to work.

It didn't end up there. As I was moving forward with my bike, I realized I get hurt in the boil part everytime there's bump in the wheel. It was one of the most uncomfortable situation that I ever had. I had to endure the pain as I was left with no choice of turning back. I don't want to get late at work.

The already painful boil is even much more aggravated when I had to squeeze the brake lever to stop or slow down in traffic.

The boil became so severe that I had to cancel my schedule of joining the Green Ride: Bike for a Change the following day.

Now I just felt to be unfortunate to have missed that one significant event because of the boil in my hand.

Print for Smiles (Enjoy upto 40% discount on Photo Printing for the benefit of children with cleft lips and palate)

2010-03-23T02:40:00.001+08:00

Canon is inviting everyone to join Print for Smiles, a fund raising activity for the benefit of children with cleft lips and palate.

Have your photos printed or blown up in canvas or satin-semi gloss paper through Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer at a price up to 40% lower than market. Proceeds of this event will go to Operation Smile.

The poster above reads as follow:

print for SMILES

print your photos through Canon large format printer to generate funds for the treatment of children with cleft lips and palate.

Have your photos printed or blown up in canvas or satin-semi gloss paper through Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer at a price up to 40% lower than market. Proceeds of this event will go to Operation Smile.

18"x24" satin semi-gloss photo paper @ Php350 per print

18"x24" canvas @ Php500 per print

Please have your photos ready for printing, set the file size to 18"x24" at 300dpi.

We can accommodate 60 print outs per day only, maximum of 4 prints per head. Please call 8849000 local 9139 to reserve a slot.

March 25 - 27, 9:30AM - 5:30PM at Canon Showroom G/F Commerce and Industry Plaza, Campus Ave., corner Park Ave., McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Share a smile. Change a life. Support Operation Smile.

Join the OSM Mapping Party in Marikina

2010-03-18T01:19:00.000+08:00

This Saturday, March 20 2010, there will be a mapping party in Marikina City, with the goal being to completely (and accurately) map the entire city. Be there and if you want to learn how you can contribute to OpenStreetMap and map your area, just come on by this Saturday. Read about the full event details at http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/WikiProject_Philippines/Mapping_Party/Marikina. It'll be a great fun filled event and a learning experience for everyone.

OpenStreetMap originally started with just a few people but at present, the site now boasts hundreds of members contributing to create the best online map of our country. The service is 100% free.

This information is cross-posted at http://www.bikelog.co.cc/2010/03/mapping-party-in-marikina-by.html.