The Passing

 
 I just remember when my mother was teaching Rizal Course during her younger days, these beautiful lines were highlighted in her Zaide textbook:

"Si sobre mi sepulcro vieres brotar un dia
Entre la espesa yerba sencilla, humilde flor,
Acércala a tus labios y besa al alma mía,
Y sienta yo en mi frente bajo la tumba fría
De tu ternura el soplo, de tu hálito el calor."
- Mi Ultimo Adiós por Dr José Rizal, 1896

1911 English translation by Charles Derbyshire:
"If over my grave some day thou seest grow,
In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's warm power."

It has been quite a while since my last entry appeared here. I was then very busy preparing for another exam when my very dear mother passed away last August 21st. It is very hard to get again into action and energy since it is just more than 40 days since her passing but life must go on. Our family is very grateful to friends and relatives for their support and sympathies during the days of our mourning and bereavement. May the Good Lord forever bless you with abundance and prosperity.

source: http://www.fabulousphilippines.com/mi-ultimo-adios-jose-rizal.htmlimage: flowerinfo.org

Heart's Day at Cuidad Christia 9 Waves Resort

     My friends, it's been a long time since I got another entry in this blog... and that was a year ago since my last entry! I was telling my 12-year-old son, who also loves writing, to continue blogging since I barely had the time to do it. However, he still prefers to master his moves in PSP and daze in front of Cartoon Network and Disney,

     Last Saturday, we had a great time at Ciudad Christhia 9 Waves Resort. That was how we celebrated Valentine's Day for the family.

     Why 9 waves? According to their website, the 9 waves swimming pool cast out nine different types of waves giving you that beach feeling without the mess of sand in your swimwear.

      The kids enjoyed the pool, especially the wave pool, which gives us an extraordinary experience. The place is indeed a perfect destination for summer vacation. It has affordable rates that are fit for the family's budget. The place has nice greenery and clean and well-maintained facilities that the entire family will surely enjoy during their stay. Guests can choose an array of cottages, from tables to Pavillion in the picnic areas.

     Also, an experience rides down the 69-meter double loop water slide was surely one we don't want to miss at the adult pool. Deep inside the 6-foot-deep adult pool, we had a great time taking pics and videos with an underwater cam.

Besides the double loop is the soothing outdoor jacuzzi covered by anahaw hut.

We also had a great time at the huge stage waterfalls.

At the kiddie pool, the whale slide will surely amaze the children. 

     We had a wonderful day in the anahaw kiosk and had a "salo-salo"  ( a Filipino way of family solidarity of eating together) of "pansit-bihon" (noodle), spaghetti, adobo (a Filipino pork dish favorite), "inihaw na tilapia" and  "liempo" (grilled fish and pork). Together, a vacation to Ciudad Christhia was really a great time for all of us.

      How to get here? Ciudad Christhia Resort is located at Carrieland Country Homes II, Ampid San Mateo Town, Rizal Province, Philippines. The historic and beautiful town of San Mateo, the home of the famous Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, is located on the western side of the Rizal Province and surrounded by Quezon City, Marikina City and the equally historic town of Montalban (made famous by the Tale of giant Bernardo Carpio and the famed Avilon Zoo). It is just an hour's ride from the heart of the City of Manila so it is considered as the most accessible holiday wave pool getaway in this part of the beautiful pacific islands.

     It is indeed a great summer holiday destination perfect for family bonding. Take a visit there and experience the fun too! Help preserve and protect the beauty of nature and enjoy its pristine beauty. Happy Hearts Day!

Source:
Ciudad Christhia 9 Waves Resort, San Mateo Town, Rizal Province, Philippine Islands

Fun and Trill at the Island Cove, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite

It is at Island Cove Philippines where fun and good times take care of nature. This 36-hectare island is only 45 minutes away from Manila. If you would come from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport you have reached Binakayan, Kawit, Province of Cavite, Philippines by passing through Aguinaldo Highway to get extraordinary actions. I say extraordinary because the islands have one of the best family-oriented adventure resorts outside Metro Manila. This Mediterranean-inspired island is ISO 9001:2000 certified and accredited by the Department of Tourism as a triple “A” resort. Among the various attractions of the park are the Oceania Water Park, the Animal Island, and the Adventure Zone. Island Cove is also perfect for celebrations, corporate functions, team-building activities, and family affairs. Its free Wi-Fi is accessible in most parts of the resort or alongside the pool area making blogging seamless together with your laptop.

 

Oceania Water Park has the most exciting water attraction. It has a 3,000-square-meter two-layered swimming pool with four giant slides. It also has a wading pool for children, called the Kiddie Cove which has slides, fountains, and showers that are really a hit to kids and parents alike.

This line of coconut trees adorned the entrance of the Oceania Water Park

The kids tried the Walk on Water (WOW) Aqua Balls where they run and roll inside a giant, inflatable and transparent balls.

My son got inside WOW Ball with his cousin and Uncle waiting for the action.

The adventure began the adventure and feels good about how to walk on the water.

It is time to walk on the water.

Their excitement at Kiddie Cove is superb.

The 3,000 square meters two-layered swimming pool with four giant slides.

There's the Fishing Village, which is a 3-hectare fishing ground. There you can have your catch cooked exactly the way you want. You may also enjoy classic Filipino dishes and fresh fruit shakes while dining in huts on stilts over the water. The huts in the background are of different sizes and can accommodate 6 to 150 persons.

This is the place that really drove the kids crazy. The attractions here include a Butterfly Farm,  a Crocodile Farm, and Monkey Island, and a Petting Zoo, where we meet six-foot tall ostriches, Bengal tigers, deer, bearcats, wild boars and rabbits, and different species of snakes and iguanas, mammals, and birds like the predator eagle.

Inside the Crocodile Farm, we had a chance to feed twelve-foot-long crocodiles and monkeys. We also took a leisurely stroll along pathways lined with colorful flowers inside the Butterfly Farm. Horseback riding and horse-drawn carriage services are also available at reasonable rates. Worth watching is the baby crocs at the entrance to the Butterfly Farm.

The crocs scrambled after chicken meat was thrown.

How about an up-close encounter with Bengal Tiger.

Going to Bacolod Chicken Inasal and mission accomplished.

Although man-made, the islands have through the years faithfully mimicked the romantic fantasies of nature. The place is perfect for sports and athletic events. It has a modern gym that is open every day and equipped with quality equipment, which includes treadmills, cardio machines, and weight lifting equipment. Qualified trainers are on duty to ensure that guests and gym members do the right workout. Health buffs may also use Jogger’s Lane and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings of the island while sweating it out. They have basketball, tennis courts and beach volleyball courts. Table tennis and billiards are likewise available. A playground is also at hand for children. They also have an outdoor giant chess set, a playground, and Concert Park.

But of all these things, one thing I really admired about Island Cove is its environment-friendly park. A paradise in the making has sound waste management. To reduce fuel emissions, a zero-emission electric tram transports guests around the islands. Here at Island Cove the adventure never stops because nature is always the best adventure.

Source: Island Cove Website

From Clean Water to Sizzling Billboards

Passing by La Mesa Watershed

When we went to Imus, Cavite, our cousin drove the Adventure. When we passed by the La Mesa Watershed it was really appalling to see how that area has been fast deforested. Equally very consternating was the nearby landfill which used to offer relief to Metro Manila's painful garbage woes. As this bleak sight of grim and stench gradually eroded the AUV left the supposed to be protected area but now desecrated by irresponsible citizens. Heading for Commonwealth Avenue, I could not fathom shortly how my children and descendants would savor and enjoy the gift of nature. Will they have a clean water supply or lush greenery? Perhaps privatization of this water reservoir, where millions of people drew their daily water buckets would get the area greener and yield more water. Will it really solve the problem? Water, please!

Stinky Gas Station

But wait. I could not barely notice it...we have to drop by a gas station as our rear wheel needs some blow. Upon reaching the gas station, I also alighted the vehicle and I came inside their comfort zone. But inside I could not barely take it...and I told to myself...luckily my son didn't come with me. I haven't got out from the sight of grim and stench. The toilet in that gas station stinks. And the worst thing was that their air pump has long been not functioning! This one is along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City near the Ever Gotesco Shopping Mall. Perhaps the administration of this petrol station doesn't know about this. I assume that being among the big three, it practices some sort of a degree of sound and quality management. Good enough, we were able to reach another one near UP-Ayala Techno Hub, and finally, there we got the relief.

Thinking about EDSA without sizzling billboards?

Reaching EDSA is not a breeze. You know when it's SUNDAY...traffic is not so terrific. Pong told me not to pester him with eye-popping billboards along EDSA. I know, he won't dare to even glance. Angel was not his taste, perhaps Derek...perhaps. For all we know, we were sandwiched by two huge delivery trucks...Really, it's so delicate to spare the steering wheels My entire family is on board so I just remarked..."Oh, Manila...we're heading to Cavite...where there are no sizzling billboards along Aguinaldo Highway". But I like billboards, especially huge ones.

This sizzling F and H billboard along EDSA features a tanned Angel clad in a white one-piece swimsuit. It is not a surprise that she has also been awarded as Style Star's Readers' Choice for this billboard on Stylebible's Style Star weekly poll for last year's Hottest Billboard in the Philippines. I'm a huge fan of supermodel Angel so I searched for this one on the web.

Still, thinking about EDSA without sizzling billboards? That spells the difference between your Lolo's Highway 54 and the "jejemon" generation Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

From Coastal Road to Bottleneck in Bacoor, Cavite

And so having reached Imus, Cavite about ten in the morning...we were again caught in traffic while approaching Puregold on Aguinaldo Highway. We Uncle's fabulous abode very later. He was in town for a week-long vacation from his European assignments. Thereafter, he leads us to a sumptuous special pancit meal with ice cream and of course, hindi mawawala yun...a cake from Goldilocks. And after a brief chit-chat, we boarded his hi-ace in droves as we left the AUV for the next destination...the historic Kawit, Cavite...the birthplace of the First Philippine Republic.

Looking for another best thing about Kawit, Cavite?.. why not try Island Cove!

Three of the World's 10 Largest Malls

Metro Manila may not be the biggest city in the World but according to Forbes.com, the jewel of the Philippines holds a record of having three of the World's 10 Largest Malls. These Philippine Malls are the SM Mall of Asia, ranked No. 3 with a gross leasable Area of 4.2 million square feet; SM Megamall, ranked no. 6 with a gross leasable area of 3.6 million square feet; and SM City North Edsa, at 10th rank with a gross leasable area of 3 million square feet. All of these shopping malls I mentioned are owned by Filipino billionaire Henry Sy.

SM Mall of Asia is located in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

SM Mega Mall is located in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines

SM City North EDSA is located in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

To complete the excitement, here is the prestigious list of the World's 10 Largest Malls according to Forbes.com:

1.  South China Mall
     Location: Dongguan, China
     Year Opened: 2005
     Gross Leasable Area: 7.1 million square feet
     In the Chinese mall arms race, this facility opened a year after the Golden Resources Mall to displace it as the country's and the world's largest. The space includes windmills and theme parks, plus a replica of the Arc de Triomphe.

2.  Golden Resources Shopping Mall
    Location: Beijing, China
    Year Opened: 2004
    Gross Leasable Area: 6 million square feet
    Not sprawling, this is a stacked-up five-story mall. Approximately 1,000 stores, selling plenty of familiar global brands like Nike and DKNY. A truly ambitious real estate project, with new apartments and offices, surrounding the mall. A tough location outside the heart of the city has resulted in disappointing traffic from foreign tourists.

3. SM Mall of Asia
    Location: Pasay City, Philippines
    Year Opened: 2006
    Gross Leasable Area: 4.2 million square feet
    Includes the first Olympic-sized swimming pool and the first IMAX theater in the Philippines. Spread over four buildings, customers can get around on a 20-seat tram.

4. Cevahir Istanbul
    Location: Istanbul, Turkey
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet
    Europe's largest shopping mall has a roller coaster, a wave pool, and several IMAX theaters.

5. West Edmonton Mall
    Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    Year Opened: 1981
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet
    The biggest in North America, the West Edmonton Mall has over 800 stores, along with attractions like a water park, skating rink, casino, and rides.

6. SM Megamall
    Location: Mandaluyong City, Philippines
    Year Opened: 1991
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.6 million square feet
    Fun stuff includes bowling, ice skating, and a 12-cinema movie theater, along with traditional mall fare-like arcade games. Customers can also get a haircut or see a doctor at the Manila clinic.

7. Berjaya Times Square
    Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet
    Built with an adjacent hotel and convention center. In addition to over 1,000 retail shops, the mall includes a 12-story-high roller coaster, plus a pool, skating rink, and "Cosmo's World," a children's theme park.

8. Beijing Mall
    Location: Beijing, China
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet
    The first real suburban mall in China, located about an hour from downtown Beijing, this center has four levels with parking for 8,000 cars, plus a man-made beach. Bootlegged DVDs of American movies are top sellers.

9.  Zhengjia Plaza
    Location: Guangzhou, China
    Year Opened: 2005
    Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet
    Has been known to attract over half a million shoppers on a good day. Another mixed-use space, the mall has a hotel and office tower in addition to retail stores.

10. SM City North Edsa
Location: Quezon City, Philippines
Year Opened: 1985
Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet
The first major "mega-mall" was built by SM Prime Holdings, which now claims three of the largest 10 in the world. It's a five-story complex that boasts over 100 retail outlets and restaurants, along with 12 cinemas, a bowling alley, and a skating rink. An IMAX theater could be added soon.

Source of the article: World's 10 Largest Shopping Malls by Tom Van Riper at Forbes.com 
Source of images: Forbes.com