Annual Reading Challenge

Since I joined Goodreads last 2010, I've been an active participant to their reading challenge. All these years, however, I've only completed the 2013 challenge just because I set fewer targets. Nonetheless, it's not really about completing the challenge but of how the books entertained, affect and taught you lessons and how you apply it to your life.

This year, as I set another reading challenge through Goodreads, I want to spice it up by adopting PopSugar's Ultimate Reading Challenge. 

I know, the image is too small to read but you can visit PopSugar's site I linked above for the downloadable and printable file. 

So, I will use this guide to select a book to read and there comes the real challenge - to finish a book which is set before you and not the one you like to read. It will expand your selection, versatility, universe and wisdom in the long run. 

Happy reading!!

Obligatory Post Every New Year

Yay! Another year has passed and I felt like I’ve grown more mature than the last five years! I mean, so many significant events happened in my life and it’s ridiculously hefty compared to previous years!

2014 has given me a lot of lesson I prayed I won’t forget over time. It also gave me a lot of first ever such as:

1. Baguio City visit (I can now stop being jelly to my classmates & friends who always visit the Pines)
2. Regular Employee (I was a contractor to different employers from the time I graduated until now. *smug face*)
3. Meaningful expenditures
4. Attended an international gala (the event was held here at Manila)
5. Independence (I am now living on a rented apartment with my colleagues though I miss mom and dad and the kids.)
6. Romance related genuine heartache

Some are just petty firsts so I excluded it on the list. However, these six contributed so much to my rebirth and to who I am right now and will definitely help me slay 2015.

It’s hard to leave some things behind but, hey, who am I to refuse God’s bigger blessings?

So, this 2015 I set myself to be stronger, more independent, courageous and spontaneous! I am claiming 2015 to be my year and nothing and no one can say otherwise!

And everything I do is for the greater glory of God!

Kenshin in Manila: The Ruckus

Ola! I was at SM Megamall earlier to watch the movie "Lucy" but I also know that Rurouni Kenshin's  main cast will be here in Manila specifically SM Megamall for the Asian Premiere of Kyoto Inferno. I knew this is the only chance I got to see Takeru Sato in personal, so I dragged my friends two hours earlier and hoped we could even glimpse at the artists.

Luckily, we arrived few minutes earlier before the artists were introduced and found a good spot beside Myx's VJ and Boggart The Explorer's designated place. 

There she is!

And maaaaan! It was knee-weakening to see Takeru Sato one ruler away from you!!! 

Images I took were all blurry because I was too caught up at the moment! I was thinking, the hell with these pictures, Imma memorize his face in my brain! So there... 

Takeru Sato, everybody!

No regrets tho!

Here are the Director and other casts..

Emi Takei, Takeru Sato and Munetaki Aoki

Keishi Ohtomo  

Steaks and Ice Cream

I have never been a fan of Friday night since I started to pay tax. Admit it, some of us ceased to enjoy Fridays since we left our academic years. Either you own a car or you utilize public transportation you gradually hate Friday nights because of the heavy traffic. So just to evade the horrific traffic, my friends and I opt to have our dinner around Capitol Drive, Pasig (which is sort of Maginhawa street of Pasig).

We dine at Mad Mark's Restaurant - a small and cozy fast casual restaurant. They serve steaks bundled with sauce and side dishes and its service size is reasonable for the price. I wasn't really paying attention to their menu because it's already 7 o'clock and I'm starving already, so I guess you can check Zomato or Munch Punch for it. But I do remember this big advertisement on their menu about not eating too much and leave a space on your gluttonic stomach (my words) for their homemade ice cream.

And I should say that their ice cream is a must try. It is rich, creamy, thick and flavorful. 

Here is the photo I posted at my instagram: 

Half-baked Madagascar Flavor

Cagbalete Island Trip - Do we have a semi-virgin?

Disclaimer: The author's experience may vary with what others have and you might experience. 


Cagbalete Island is one of those islands every beach junkie deserves a visit. Though *ehem* some *ehem* glitches may be encountered along the way, the scenery will take your stress away! It is really worth it. Just be prepared and be informed of these few facts.

1. On public transportation: Be early! Instead of taking the 5am departure from Manila, take the 2am and be at Mauban port earlier. Catch a private boat if you're not a fan of trekking. 1500 back and fort service for 1-2 pax (yeah its kinda expensive) or wait for the public boat ride until its full before it sail and apparently trek for about 30mins - 2 hours. FYI, at 9am everybody descends from who knows where and flock at the waiting area of the port. It's freaking chaos!

Tip: You can share your boat with others but advisable only if your resort is the same or near each other's.

2. Low tide approximately starts at 11:30am until about 4:30-5:00pm. Don't wait for this time if you're going to take a private boat because you'll be walking on these for 20-30 mins and Im not even joking. 

3. You can arrange a package with the resort you'll be staying and reserve ahead of time. Many of the tourists who doesn't own a tent decided to not push through with their Cagbalete visit since all the resorts are fully booked already (especially during summer. Take my heed, please. Don't waste resources and energy.) We got a large amount of 3 meals per day and an afternoon snack, a nice spot for our rented tents and extra smile from the staff. We stayed at Doña Choleng's where they have prepared a fire dance number and fireworks display. 

4. Bring at least 4 liters of water with you. Once you're on the island, the price hikes up as much as Php 23.00 per Sakto bottle of Coca-Cola. No shit.

5. Always stay at least two nights if you're going to an island. 

Just in case you're wondering:

Fare table:

Fare	Particulars	Remarks
Php 218.00	JAC Liner Manila to Lucena
Php 54.00	Bus from Lucena to Mauban
Php 50.00	From Petron Bus stop to Port
Php 2500.00/6-9 pax	Private boat ride from Port to Cagbalete	Depending on the number of pax

Php 45.00-Php 50.00	Public Boat	Morning and Afternoon rides only
Php 100.00	Environment and whatever-that-is fee
Php 100.00	Various tips (porter, boatman and his assistant)	optional (but come on! they live with your tip, have a heart!)
Php 100.00	Errands for the local kids	they will help and guide you for a tip and they are nice!

As mentioned earlier, we stayed at Doña Choleng's where, as per the feedback from our boat-mates, have the nicest staff among other resorts though Pansacola has the cleanest shore. 

I pretty much enjoyed the trip and would definitely go back since it's only few hours away from the Metro.

XoXo

Mao