The Sto. Nino Basilica was built in 16th century in Cebu City, Philippines. It was built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting the Holy Child Jesus found by Spanish explorers in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition.

Magellan’s cross can be found inside a chapel next to Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. Exact location is in Magellan’s street just in front of the Cebu city hall. It is believed that the real cross was encased inside the wooden cross to protect it from people or tourists who might damage it while others say that the real cross was already destroyed or might have disappeared after Magellan’s death.

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• A City Life Experience in Cebu

#1 on our itinerary for our 1st day in Cebu was the Taoist temple. We have heard a lot about it from friends and relatives who have been to Cebu so we decided to visit the place. Below are some facts that you should know about when planning to visit the place.

• It is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision, Cebu City.
• Open to worshipers and non- worshipers.

• Center of worship for Taoism.
• Usual rituals performed are washing of hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. They say if the blocks of wood are both faced up then one could make a wish. But if they don’t, then one has to return back to the temple some other time and redo the ritual.

• There are no public transportation allowed in the village except for taxis so one option would be to rent one. Could be pricey though and your time to explore the place would somehow be limited.
• There are some chapels that you are not allowed to take pictures of.
• But there are motorcycles for rent called “Habal” that you can consider when going out of the village.
• Cost is about 50 pesos per person. We did not go for both options but instead we walked out of the village then rode a taxi back to the city to visit Sto. Nino Basilica and Magellan’s Cross.

Have a safe trip to Cebu!

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• A City Life Experience in Cebu

Anyway, we went to Cebu last April 18, 2011 and stayed at the Waterfront Hotels and Casinos in Mactan, Cebu. I’ll be creating a different post about our stay in that hotel later today.

Cebu is one of the most developed province in the Philippines that can be found in Visayas. Its capital city is Cebu City which is one of the oldest city in the Philippines.

Me and my hubby decided not to go to the beach and instead, explore the city life of Cebu. We visited the most talked about tourist spots and below are just some of them.

1. Taoist Temple - Located in Beverly Hills, Cebu City and according to our taxi driver, this is an area where the rich people in Cebu resides. The temple is the a center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. It is every Wednesdays and Sundays that Taoist perform their rituals as they climb 99 steps of the temple to light joss sticks and have their fortunes read by the monks.

2. Magellan’s Cross - It is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 8, 1521.

3. Basilica del Sto. Nino - is a church founded in Cebu City by an Augustinian priest. It was built purportedly on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting the Holy Child Jesus found by Spanish explorers in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition.

4. Restaurants - There are lots of good restaurants in Cebu City. It’s like being in Tomas Morato meets Seaside.

Likes

• I love the idea of being in a developed province while being miles away from the similarly well-developed city that I  originally came from, Manila.
• Friendly people.
• Food!

Dislikes

• Traffic!
  

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• Sto Nino Basilica & Magellan’s Cross
• Visiting Taoist Temple in Cebu

Anyway, our first stop was the Cagsawa Ruins. When Mt. Mayon erupted last 1814, the surrounding areas were devastated by the overflowing lava and this is what was left of the Cagsawa Church.

It was really mesmerizing. The view of Mayon Volcano made our vacation perfect. When you reach the town of Legaspi, you will see Mayon Volcano literally everywhere! and it was a great experience. After we took pictures sponsored by the very talented youngsters of Legaspi (there were young boys in the park volunteering to take your pictures and I tell you, you won’t regret it), Kuya Nano would have brought us to Lignon hills, the highest peak in Legaspi but it was closed because of a recent car accident there.

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• Camsur Adventure!

She is another Filipino pride. Her voice quality is really incredible. Not as much of a belter like Charice Pempengco but she has her own style. She was also a part of America’s Got Talent and made it through the Quarter Finals; she sang “The Climb” of Miley Cyrus. The only reason I think why she didn’t made it that time was mainly because she sang the wrong piece. It’s really tough to sing a Miley Cyrus song since her voice quality is very unique.

But anyway, who cares, she’s in American Idol! I’ll pray that you win..

Watch her sing “Out Here on my Own” below…

Thia Megia of American Idol 2011 Sang Out Here on my Own

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Mutual feelings can be the start of something great because more often than not, people who have already found their ideal partner in life will do everything to make sure that the relationship will result to marriage—the bond that will keep people together against all odds.

But wait, marriage is such a strong word and it will be impossible to be in that stage without its most valued requirement otherwise known as the marriage proposal and definitely, it will take a lot of guts and creativity for a guy to be assured of the best results. Some men may go through such process with so much ease but there are also those who wouldn’t mind going through so many uproars just to win the hearts of the women they love.

Here are some of the best marriage proposals that can surely influence the results that you will be getting:

• Up in the Air. It will surely be great to make your proposal extra special and there is no better way to do it than to have the magic words: “Will You Marry Me?” spelled on air. The idea will really make the girl exceptional especially when everything is done at the perfect timing.
• Cruising by the Sea. The best way to propose is when there is no other disturbance that may distract her attention. Dinner while on a cruise is a perfect idea that will allow you to take advantage of the pipe-in music that can move your emotions even more and of course, with a diamond ring to help you with your goal, how can a girl turn away from such an attractive offer?
• Say it with diamonds. Perhaps, the simplest yet the most effective way to make sure that your feelings will be complemented the best way is thru the traditional way. Nothing can be more appropriate than to speak the words sincerely and with the greatest affection while holding a diamond ring in one hand and your loved-one’s hand on the other. Most of the time the conventional things still do the trick especially when there is no doubt the feeling is genuine. This is what Makeityourring Diamond Engagement Rings of Shiree Odiz encourage.

Nothing can get in the way of a person who has the greatest desire to win a girl’s heart. Some proposals may take so much time and effort and there are people who may need a lot of guts to say whatever they have to say. Marriage proposals often come with a lot of knick-knacks but nonetheless, everything is just worth it especially if it would mean enjoying a lifetime with the woman you love.

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Anyway, before I book any resort or hotel, I make sure I read as many reviews as I can about them since I always put our safety and satisfaction on top of the list. And with all the comments and reviews I’ve read, The Avenue Plaza Hotel passed my expectations.

From their website, the hotel looked great and that’s what the previous guests have been sharing on their blogs and review sites. And it really is.

I booked a Spazio (Superior) for 3 nights with the rate of Php 3,214.25 (Double) and Php 3,348.20 (Twin). The difference between the Double and Twin is just the type of bed you want in your room.

Here’s a complete list of The Avenue Plaza hotel’s accommodation and rates.

Spazio (Superior) - Php 3,214.25 (Double) | Php 3,348.20 (Twin)
Spazio Grande (De Luxe) - Php 4,062.50 (Double) | Php 4,196.30 (Twin)
Palazzio (Executive Suite) - Php 6,090
Presidential Suite - Php 10,500

The Room:

It was spacious and very clean. Furniture looks great. The bathroom was super neat and it has a bathtub by the way. No problem with hot and cold water for both the shower and the faucet. Almost complete condiments, they just don’t provide disposable comb and I didn’t bring one as well so I wasn’t able to brush my hair practically for 4 days! haha…

The Pool:

The pool was amazing! It’s a 2-level infinity pool, 5 feet deep (just a guess) and the tile design was mesmerizing. It’s not as beautiful and as big as the infinity pool of Acuatico Beach Resort but it was also worth a dip.

Outdoor Dining Area & The Olympia Gym:

This hotel is not just the typical hotel with an average gym area. In fact, one building was allotted for The Olympia Gym and Sauna, pretty much similar with Fitness First here in Manila. And for the people living nearby areas, they also offer Premium Membership that often cost Php 18,000 but during Sale and other Events, they sometimes lower it down to Php 15,000. (I’m just not sure if it’s life time membership or a yearly thing)

Food:

Complimentary breakfast was included on our accommodation and our favorite was Beef Tapa. It was perfect! Just the right amount of everything. We didn’t try other menu though, it was a bit expensive for just lunch and dinner.

The Avenue Plaza Hotel Staff:

All I can say was EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. Everybody acted in a professional way, from the airport pickup (which is included on the accommodation by the way) to driving us back for our departure. They all looked tidy, even the driver looked like the manager. And I’m not kidding. When he was outside the van, I thought he was the manager but to my surprise, he entered the driver’s side and drove us to the hotel.

The bellboy who handled us was very kind, respectful and accommodating. The security personnel were also hospitable. Everyone that works at The Avenue Plaza Hotel never failed to greet us every time they see us around. And it was comforting and nice.

Our overall experience while staying at this hotel was fantastic. They even helped us out with the directions on where to go and how much to pay for the rides. Although, their tour specialist, Brian (looks like Chinese) can also assist you if you want to visit Caramoan, Gota beach, Cagsawa Ruins in Albay and the other most sought tourist destinations in Camarines Sur.

And I would like to thank The Avenue Plaza Hotel for making our Camarines Sur vacation smooth sailing.

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Makeityourring Diamond Engagement Rings encourage not only the groom-to-be’s but as well as the bride-to-be’s to consider Diamond for their engagement rings. There’s a saying and it was even used as a title of a song that “Diamonds are Forever” and this somehow affects how people perceive diamonds when used in engagements or weddings. It signifies strength and everlasting love.

Diamond Engagement Ring

Diamonds have become the best way to express love and affection to someone you love and a lot of people have become victorious when they used this precious stone in winning the hands of their loved-one for marriage. It can also be used as a perfect gift for your girl during anniversaries.

This is why Makeityourring Diamond Engagement Rings by Shiree Odiz is encouraging people of its use.

Quick Trivia: The use of diamonds as engagement rings was first recorded in 1477. It was when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed marriage to Mary of Burgundy. During that time, rings were instrumental for the waiting period before the marriage ceremony, a period now being commonly referred to as the engagement.

Engagement is indeed an important rite before marriage. And as special as the occasion, the engagement ring to be given out to the bride must be special as well. In fact, there are other options available like Antique engagement rings, Avant Garde engagement rings, and many more!

Below are  images of some fantastic and luxurious diamond engagement rings that you can give your future wife.

Avant Garde Engagement Ring

Unusual Engagement Ring

Classic Diamond Engagement Ring

There are lots of shops, online sites and even jewelers that sells various types of Diamond engagement rings. Makeityourring Diamond Engagement Rings also advise people to be extra careful in buying these expensive gem.

There are several important ideas that a person must be aware of before purchasing a diamond engagement ring.

1. Color - Be mindful that one factor you should never miss checking is the diamond’s colorlessness. It allows the maximum light to pass through to make it sparkle and shine its best. But a true colorless diamond rarely exist.
2. Carat - This is how a diamond is being measured. Keep in mind the conversion rate: 1 carat = 0.2 grams.
3. Clarity - When speaking of a diamond’s clarity, the blemishes and flaws inside and on the surface of the diamond is being talked about. You may ask assistance from a credible jeweler in rating the clarity of a diamond if you are planning on purchasing one.
4. Cut - Some people are confused when talking about the cut of a diamond. Some think that it is the shape of the stone but it refers to the reflective qualities instead. When the light enters the stone and travel through it and finding its way up, the Better. It’s because in this way a diamond can shine its best.

And here are the basic factors that many of us are pretty well aware of.

• Shape - varies from round cut, emerald cut, princess cut and marquise cu.
• Setting - This is what most of us care about since the setting will be the one to showcase your stone. Variations are prong, bezel and channel set but prong is commonly preferred by many since it permits the diamond to standout.

Prong Type

Bezel Type

Channel Set Type

I hope the images I posted would help you in distinguishing the different types of a diamond ring’s setting.  It’s really much easier to choose what ring you want if you have knowledge about them. This way, you are guaranteed that you won’t make the wrong choice.

Truly, Diamonds are forever and that is how it is going to be for a long time.

Let’s support Makeityourring Diamond Engagement Rings by Shiree Odiz.

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• Diamond Peel by Clarity

Happy Valentines to everyone by the way! Below are some of the places we will visit during our stay in Bicol Region.

• Malabsay Falls Ecology Park
• Our Lady of Penafrancia Museum
• Basilica Minore
• Naga Metropolitan Church
• Our Lady of Penafrancia Church
• Legaspi Cagsawa Ruins Park
• Mayon Volcano
• Embarcadero de Legaspi
• Camsur WaterSports Complex

I’m really excited! Will post more articles and photos tomorrow!

Have a happy hearts day with your loved ones!

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• The Avenue Plaza Hotel - A Review
• Cagsawa Ruins in Albay, Bicol

I want to share with you our experience at Caliraya Lake Resort last January 22, 2011. Me and my boyfie agreed on having our dates out of town every month. And for this month of January, I chose Caliraya Lake Resort as our destination. I have heard about this place since last year when we were looking for tourist spots we can include on one of my clients’ vacation packages.

Anyway, looking at their website, you’ll really be captured by how they presented their resort. It looked absolutely amazing!

There are tons of activities that tourists can do:

• Fly Pinoy (Zipline)
• Water sports - Jet Ski, Speedboat, Ski board, Zorb ball, Water roller
• Wall climbing, Rappelling
• Table games
• Outdoor games like Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, etc

We even planned out our itinerary for the day, the activities we would try out. But to our dismay, some of what we wanted to do was not available during our visit like the Firing range, Bicycle, Fly Pinoy or Zipline (since it was raining) and we didn’t want to pursue Water roller, Jet Ski and Zorb ball since we didn’t feel comfortable with how the lake looks like.

Anyway, when we got there, it was not exactly as what I imagined it to be. The hotel is not as brand new as it was presented on their website. On the lobby area while checking in, there were lots of people, guess they’re holding some team building program or something.

We were supposed to get the Cottage room which cost $32 per pax/per night, but Camille from their Sales office, said it was not available at the moment, we then took the Standard hotel room which cost $68 per pax/per night (Double occupancy). But since we only want a Day Tour, the rate went down to Php950 per person for the entrance and Php1,100 for the Standard room hotel. The entrance fee includes the following:

• Buffet LUNCH.
• Free flowing coffee & hot tea during meal time.
• Free use of swimming pool, slip n slide, earth ball, monster basketball and obstacle course.
• Free use of slide pinoy & hanging bridge.
• Ferry boat ride to and from the resort.

The room was mediocre. Not my type of hotel room to be quite honest. It was just like a dormitory type of room where you can hear all the noise from outside, see the shadows of people passing by your room. It was really disappointing. I don’t love the bathroom. Shower and faucet were ancient. Couldn’t say anything great about it actually.

Just a subjective comment, the lake looked scary and creepy as if a crocodile will just pop out of the water.. hahaha… Maybe, it’s just  my imagination or maybe it was just not how I imagined it to be, comparing it from the pictures posted on their website.

The front desk person informed us ahead of time that we should dine early, before 12noon because there are lots of guests that day. Good thing we went there at 11:40am and we were just in time for lunch. After we got our meal and sat down, the line for the buffet table just went crazy, as long as what you see in TV, when people fall in line for free goods or something. It was really uncomfortable but I guess it was usual.

We realized that the place was really perfect for groups of people and not for couples. If you are looking for a place for barkada vacation or team building events, Caliraya Lake resort is one of the spots you should consider. But if you are a couple who wants to take time off and relax, maybe, try browsing the Internet more to find a better place to spend quality and exclusive time with your loved one.

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