Dear Love, I was apprehensive taking the trip we were supposed to take together. But it was better than I expected. It's great being single again. I finally understand why we can't be together and I thank you for giving me that. When I went on the trip, I thought maybe I'd be thinking about you all the time and how the trip would be better if you were there with me. Truth is, it was almost perfect without you there. The combination of work, old and new friends, booze, partying, and stress gave me a new perspective. It would have probably been a fun trip with you but I would have probably been too guarded, too worried about you that I wouldn't be able to work and party as hard as I did. I finally see what some of my friends told me, that I wasn't me when I was with you. It's both good and bad. Good because I became a better person when I was with you. And bad because somehow I made us the center of my life. You might not believe it, but I was trying very hard to make us work and I suffered…
Year: 2011
A Kapatagan Adventure
One of the hidden gems in Davao Region is Kapatagan Valley. It is known to mountaineers as one of the pathways leading to the Mt Apo trail. It is also the camp site of choice for Mt Apo trekkers. In recent years, it has become an exciting destination for those looking for a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of city living. One of the resorts that is nestled in Kapatagan Valley is Camp@tagan, formerly known as the Mt Apo Highland Resort. Camp@tagan is composed of two resorts: Mirror Lake and Hillside. Mirror Lake is designed to be a comfortable halfway camp site for those preparing to trek to and assault the peak of Mt Apo. It has room accommodations and camp grounds equipped with a bonfire pit and a kitchen for easy food preparation and cooking. The cottages and the camp grounds are located alongside Mirror Lake which makes it an idyllic venue for bonding and team building activities, as well. Meanwhile, the still under construction Hillside Camp@tagan Resort is located along, where else, the hillside with a beautiful view of Mt Apo and the mountainside of Davao del Sur. It is the perfect escape for couples, families,…
Weekend in Davao Bid Winner
In behalf of the 1000 Volunteers for AJ Group, I would like to thank the bidders for the "Weekend in Davao" Auction. The winning bid was sent by Mary Jane Cabrera, an Iloilo Blogger. She will be visiting Davao in January. She will be flying from Iloilo to Davao and back via AirPhil Express. And she will be staying in a De Luxe King Room at the Green Windows Dormitel. Thank you Mary Jane! :) We'd like to thank our generous trip sponsors AirPhil Express and Green Windows Dormitel! AirPhil Express flies to Davao from Iloilo and back daily. To book a flight visit their website at http://www.airphilexpress.com. Green Windows Dormitel offers luxurious and clean accommodations at affordable prices. It is at the FTC Tower located in the middle of downtown Davao at Mt Apo Street, Davao City. For inquiries and reservations, contact them at greenwindowsdormitel@gmail.com or at +6382-3003893. View Larger Map
Win an All-Expense Paid Weekend in Davao
Our friends are holding a fundraiser for our dear friend, AJ Matela, who passed away weeks ago. The event is Thrilla for Matela, to be held this Saturday, September 24, 2011, 6 pm at Shift Bar. As my contribution for the 1000 Volunteers for AJ group, I will be auctioning an all-expense paid weekend here in Davao with me as your tour guide. Yes, you read that right. By sending the best bid, you will win a weekend in Davao package which includes: Manila-Davao-Manila round trip tickets courtesy of our generous friends from AirPhil Express; 3 days and two nights accommodations at a King Deluxe Room courtesy of Green Windows Dormitel; and 5 all-expense paid meals here in Davao City. The winning bidder may also request other Davao tours and adventures and I'll try to accommodate your requests. :) The bidding will starting now, September 22, 2011 and end at 11:59 pm on October 1, 2011. To get a chance to win this fabulous weekend here in Davao, follow these simple mechanics: Email me at riajose at gmail.com with the Subject: WEEKEND WITH RIA BID. In your email, include your Name, Contact Number, and Email Address. Indicate your bid and…
Day 50
...and I'm still counting. I just finished watching "The Love Affair," and I am now in the middle of "First Love (A Crazy Thing Called Love)." These films are two of my most favorite romance films. I have been watching a lot of those lately because for 50 days, I have been trying to do everything there is to do to try to get over a break up. I have tried staying in for two days. I have tried going out and staying up late. I have tried watching cheesy Tagalog films. I have tried binge-ing and I have tried dieting. I have cried myself to sleep. I have tried drowning myself in work. I have posted emo messages and status updates. I have become addicted to Facebook games which I was so against before. Yes, I have tried almost everything there is to do when one is depressed or heartbroken. Kulang na lang mag-droga ako. Last weekend, we saw each other and it was then that I realized he was right. That we are not for each other. That while there is nothing fundamentally wrong with each one of us, it could have never worked out. I could have…
Top 5 Reasons this Weekend will be Memorable
I am terribly excited to go to General Santos City this weekend. It's one of my favorite places in the Philippines, mostly because of the people. My friends Donna, Avel, and Orman are just three of the wonderful people who make my every visit memorable. This weekend, I will be visiting General Santos City once again. On Thursday, I'll be taking the bus to Gen San from Davao along with several bloggers from Davao and Manila. And I will be there til Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Long vacation is long! And super exciting! Here are the top 5 reasons why I am super excited: TUNA FESTIVAL 2011 I missed the Tuna Festival last year but I'm not going to miss this one. I have witnessed Gen San's Kalilangan Festival twice and those were fun experiences. This time, I'll be enjoying the Tuna Fest. I'm looking forward to taking peek at the Float Parade and the Street Dancing competition. Two Tuna Festival highlights that I am also looking forward to are the next two reasons why I am looking forward to this weekend. MR AND MISS GENSAN 2011 I have been a judge of the Queen of Mindanao Festivals Pageant…