NORTH-Bound : Vigan, Pagudpud, Tuguegarao – 12/22-26/2013

It's this time of the year again when our family travel to celebrate Christmas. After 6 years, we're back to long drives up north. 

I will just be storytelling what happened since this blog is also my online diary. If you reached this site, please feel free to read!

This was the route of our LONG Drive in the North of the Philippines

Day 1 : Long Drive to Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Our meeting time in San Mateo Rizal was 4:30 am. We pulled over to grab some lunch at The Bay Grill and Cafe. Here's a view of our sumptuous meal!

Then we arrived in Vigan around 4/5pm (around 12 hour drive) checked in at the Cordillera Inn at Calle Crisologo and took some rest. We ate at the famous Café Leona for dinner.

 Then we also ate their signature Vigan Empanada at the Vigan Empanadaan

After dinner, we strolled along their historic streets for some photoshoots J

A little selfie in this historic place :)

Day 2 : Vigan and drive to Saud Beach, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte

For breakfast, I ate their famous Vigan Longanisa. It may look like an ordinary Longsilog but the taste is very different. :)

After breakfast and some shopping-strolling, we packed our bags to drive northwards to Laoag. We ate lunch at Northview Hotel, Ilocos Norte (we used to check in here when we were younger)

We arrived in the afternoon at Saud Beach, Pagudpud and since the weather is too cold, we were’nt able to swim in their white sand beach. But the beautiful sunset, the sands on our feet, and cold air was enough to enjoy ourselves in this scenic view.

Day 3 : Tour at Ilocos Norte
This day was a full sched for us. We visited the following tourist sites included on our list :

1. Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure - Check!

2. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse - Check!

3. Kapurpurawan – Rock Formations - Check!

4. Bangui Windmills - Check!

5.  Patapat Viaduct - Check!

Too bad it was raining at some points of the day that we weren't able to maximize the views and photos.

That night on Christmas Eve, we didn't eat in a fancy restaurant for a grand noche buena but stayed together in our beach resort to eat the food served by the locals. One of the best food for that evening was the inihaw na pusit! Yummy! :)

Day 4 : Drive to Tuguegarao, Cagayan

The next day, we packed our bags again for Cagayan! We checked in at The Holiday Plaza Hotel, a fancy/ boutique hotel.

Then after lunch, we went on a 183-step hike to reach the Callao Caves. FYI, this cave was where John Lloyd and Bea shoot for the Mistress. :)  

Then we went boating down the foot of the caves for the bird watching (well, they're bats who flock together around 5-5:30pm daily)

Then we dropped by the plaza and went to church.

For dinner, we ate at a hotel very close to our hearts- Hotel Lorita. On their placemat, it read :

We had an amazing accommodation at Holiday. Was able to sleep very very well.

Day 5 : Long Drive back to Manila
At around 9am, we were all packed for departure back to Manila.

We stopped over and ate lunch at a classy café.

Then for 12 hours, we drove and headed back home.

We've been up north a couple of times during our childhood but there's a lot of new attractions now. It was still a new adventure for us. :) Sorry if there's lot's of food pictures. We really love to eat. After all, eating local cuisines in itself is an adventure alone!

From my family (and extended families), Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warmest greetings,

Shaine

My Thank You's for 2013 -12/31/2013

It's the end of the year again. So ill be listing my top 13 highlights for the year. 13 lang since 2013 naman ngayon. :)

To start off my list :
#13. Community & social works :)
Some of the best things to do is to reach out to our neighbors in need
Tahanan ng Pagmamahal (Orphanage for girls) - 1/11/2013
School Supplies Sharing for Dumagats in Calawis, Antipolo - 6/3/2013
Outreach with Victory Ortigas - 8/4/2013
Gawad Kalinga Build - 8/26/2013
GK Relief Operations at DAR -11/16 & 23/2013

#12. Videoke Nights 
Hey Girls Reunion at my place - 3/17/2013
Red Box with office friends/ Pantals - 7/30/2013

#11. Night Outs & Dinner Dates with Family and Friends 
This was the ultimate dining year. Ate at a lot of different restaurants with friends, officemates, and family. Some of the memorable ones are :
It takes a Man and a Woman with Lyssa and Daddy - 4/12/2013
My Birthday at Cafe Juanita - 9/8/2013
Shopping Date with Czari - 12/3/2013

Then my top 10 are mostly my travel trips (except one).

#10. Nagsasa Cove- 5/11-12/2013

9. Rizal Adventure with Den and Nheri - 12/29/2013

8. Taal Lake Trekking -4/13-14/2013

7. Enchanted Kingdom & Nuvali - 11/13/2013

6. Mama's 80th Birthday - 11/2/2013

5. HongKong Trip - 12/4-7/2013

4. Farm at San Mateo Highlands 4/6-7/2013

3. Norte Trip - 12/22-26/2013

2. Treetop Adventure Treat - 2/2-3/2013

1. MICECON Davao - 3/6-9/2013


Sinong nagsabi na malas ang 2013?! Sa dami ng nangyari, there's still MORE great things that happened.

Goodbye and thank you, 2013! and hello 2014! :)

Love, me. :)

#micecon2013 Davao

04.6-9-13

#micecon2013
This was a trending hashtag for the Philippine tourism industry last March 2013. I know this post is long overdue but I really want to blog about this and share my MICECON experience. :)

M.I.C.E. stands for Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions/ Conferences, and Exhibitions/ Events. MICECON is an annual convention organized the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board that convenes all local and private organizations to learn from local and international speakers, discuss issues about the industry, network with co-delegates, and of course, experience FUN and world-class hospitality in the Philippines.

This year, the host is DAVAO CITY.

So, selected members of our team flew down south to witness and experience this spectacular event!

DAY 1

By the moment we set foot in Davao International Airport, we were transported to the MICECON "world."

Here's some of MICECON's gimmicks to promote the event to incoming guests and delegates.

Touchdown Davao!!!

Some perks and hero’s welcome treatment we had : Photo booth! Free Pomelo Welcome Drinks! Free Shaaades! :))

Outside the Davao Airport, we had service buses to transport us to and fro the Convention venue. (This is what you call event branding!)

We checked in at Crown Regency Hotel.

This sign was funny :)

We had some time to rest and to prepare for dinner.

We stayed in a Villa! Jovy, Lyza and I had this whole room for ourselves :))

Come evening, we attended The Black Circuit Lounge Welcome Dinner at Waterfront Insular Hotel. 

Attire : Black and White

Yummy cocktails for the night!

DAY 2 

MICE Conference at SMX Convention and Hotel hopping for lunch and dinner
Conference Theme : Galactic Explosion; Gold, Silver and Bronze

As we fisrst stepped inside SM Lanang Premiere, we were welcomed by Galactic people in their silvery costumes :)

Welcome to SMX Lanang Premiere, Davao! We're in the exhibit area 

Servers were also from outer space! Even the breakfast itself were in Gold and Silver! WOW. 

The Exlink Team in Gold, Silver and Bronze  

This is the welcoming number. Truly, the conference venue was converted into a galaxy!

President Aquino is our Guest of Honor for this year's MICECon

We had our East meets West themed Lunch at Marco Polo Hotel

We were welcomed by these acrobats? 

Welcome to Marco Polo Davao!

The Dessert Table. The Cake is made out of Durian! :)

Going back to the bus that will transport us back to SMX

Our White Chocolate Tablea Souvenir treat from the Marco Polo Davao

After lunch, we had a continuation of MICE Conference at SMX 

We have a Free M.I.C.E. Book! :)

Even snacks have branding and sponsors - that's marketing! :)

One of the remarkable practice I saw in this conference is that they have a downloading station where delegates can get the soft copy of the speakers presentation. Very convenient, and wise!

Our dinner was hosted by the City Gov't of Davao held at the Grand Ballroom, D'Leonor Inland Resort. Dinner Theme : MADAYAW DABAW! Life is Here.

 

We had Pomelo welcome drinks and Suman served by these Davaoenos in their ethnic costumes :)

The Governor's Night was one of the most amazing banquet I've ever been to! Aside from the good food, they also showcased a LOT of cultural presentations which can prove that IT'S REALLY MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!

We have the BEST SMILES in the world :)

Tribes eat nga-nga, and this is how they look like. Creepy but very unique and distinct.

Our Souvenir for the night : Notepad and Wallet wrapped in Tinalak weaved by the T'boli Tribe :)

DAY 3

MICE Conference at SMX Convention and Hotel hopping for lunch and dinner
Conference Theme : Convergence; Mosaic of Colors

This is our attire for the day! Very colorful and vibrant :)

Hallway to SMX. This time, we were welcomed and greeted by people with colored cloths 

The Stage is now colorful and in line with the theme

Breakfast were also fun and colorful. We even have candy jars and colored drinks

Our snacks were distributed the these cool servers inside these colorful tables :)

For today's themed lunch, it was Brazilian Mardi Gras at Royal Mandaya Hotel

Welcome drinks anyone? :)

We all got masks :)

By lunch, we have entertainers on stage, serenading us as we eat

Yummy!!!

Buffet every meal time! I will really get fat with these!

Goofing around :)

Our Durian Souvenir Keychain from Royal Mandaya Hotel

Then finally for our last themed dinner, it was The Clark American Dream hosted by Clark Development Corporation at the Waterfront Insular Hotel
Attire : Red and blue cocktail attire

with DOT III Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico

A not-so-wholesome Fashion Show  

We had a great cocktail dinner served by Davao Chefs. :)

I just love desserts!

Our souvenir from Clark Development Corporation

After dinner and since it was the last day of the conference, we went to Ms. Rhaine Lim Crisostomo's place : World Palace.

We drank, party and sang the whole night till the next morning! :)

DAY 4

MICE Mart
*This is for a special registration, additional P2,500 per delegate. But it’s a good opportunity to talk one on one with target buyers and sellers. Theme was White Corporate Attire.

As for the most of us, we had a free day in Davao City.

We had breakfast at the Fifties Café inside Crown Regency Hotel.

Ms. Rhaine was kind enough to offer us ride, toured us around the city.

We bought pasalubong at SM Davao and in the pasalubongg center, then went back to the airport.

Indeed, this is one avenue where you can say that IT’S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!!!

Next year, the host for MICECON 2014 is Clark,Pampanga. I hope I can attend. I hope YOU can attend.

See you in Clark!

Shainey