TAKE ME WITH YOU: BUDA MEMOIR

TAKE ME WITH YOU: BUDA MEMOIR: November 25, 2011.   Going to BUDA  (Bukidnon-Davao) is a great adventure for us living here in the city.  We only go there for summer to...

BUDA MEMOIR

November 25, 2011.  Going to BUDA  (Bukidnon-Davao) is a great adventure for us living here in the city.  We only go there for summer to cool down, but the group decided to go there for a change.  Buda is the favorite destination of travelers who choose to unwind and relax from the bustling metropolis, all thanks to its cool climate and clean environment.

Our batchmate offer a place for us to stay-in, thanks to Dimples Vasquez and Chis Vazquez  for accommodating us to their friends rest house just near Seagull Mountain Resort.

What cool  rest house they have.  The place itself is very peaceful, clean and cold.

As soon as we arrived we are all  freezing.  We let ourselves warm  a little bit.

And at night we have our palatable dinner.  Our so-called Chef of our batch Allan Armecin, grilled pork barbecue and chicken.  Thanks Chef. 

When it is cold freezing what will be a good activity to start so that children would enjoy their stay?  Hmp, your right!!!!  CAMPFIRE. 

With marshmallow and hot dogs on a stick. FTW!!!

Look my daughter enjoy roasting marshmallows and hotdogs over a campfire. hahahaha….

 How does it taste Chelsea?…hmmmmm…taste  so yummy…..

Well that makes our first night at Buda.  Being in one house and hanging out together. Food was the first thing, but we got to kind of chill out and make jokes, and it was basically the whole thing, not one thing specifically that stands out for our CHILL OUT GROUP.

visit my other site AMAYA CHIKA for more stories about MY TRAVEL in BUDA.

ESCAPADE at NIA DAM BANSALAN

Year 2009.  I visited the Municipality of Bansalan, Davao Del Sur. Bansalan was formerly called Miral.  It was established in 1952.  Bansalan was said to have gotten its name from a Bagobo datu named Dansalan whose tribal folks were the original inhabitants of the place. A reporting error by the early surveyors transposed the name to Bansalan and somehow became the official name on record.

photo from  photoblog.mindanao.com

The economic life of people there mostly dependent to planting and harvesting rice, corn, bananas, mango trees, coconut trees and sugar cane are grown in the lowlands while coffee, vegetables, cut flowers and fruits are grown in the colder highlands at the foot of Mt. Apo.  Bansalan is located at the lowlands of Mt. Apo.

photo from kapetabay.com 

There are many places to see at Bansalan:  

• Mainit Hot Spring, in Brgy. Caburan, is located 30 kms. west of Digos City in a forest setting 365 m. above sea level.  Another hot spring, in Brgy. Managa, is located 30 kms. from the poblacion and 200 m. above sea level.
• The 19-hectare Mt. Carmel Rural Life Center, in Brgy. Kinuskusan, is known worldwide for its innovative agricultural technology.  Foreign and local agricultural students stay here to immerse themselves in farming systems and perform hands-on research.
• AMG Mango Plantation;  Hillcrest Poultry Farm and  Lao Integrated Farm (Brgy. Eman).  The Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center, a conservation area in Brgy. Kinuskusan, is famous for its sloping agricultural land technology (SALT).
• The Balutakay Trail is another route up Mt. Apo.
• and last but not the least, my fave place to see is  the 65-million peso NIA Dam, an earth-filled reservoir dam, built in the 1990s.

NIA DAM Bansalan, Davao del Sur (photo using my mobile cam)

I did not waste time to pack my things and headed to NIA DAM.  One Hell of a Long Walk.  Having fun but staying safe.

Many children are having fun swimming and sliding at NIA DAM.  What a big pool for them. 

Let's face it, with the type of climate we have, almost any place outdoors is a good place to have a picnic, but this place is AWESOME!!!!

It has some wonderful, hilly, grassy areas where you can throw down a blanket and enjoy the solitude. But there's one great little area that's perfect for picnics, at the top of the NIA DAM.  It's a little triangle slice of grass just before you head into the picnic place, wherein you can see the lake at the back of NIA DAM.  


Hope the Local Government of Bansalan will make NIA DAM more beautiful and exciting to visit and  for tourist to enjoy. 

BACK AGAIN: DAVAO EAGLE RIDGE RESORT a Garden Resort in Upper Ulas Davao

December 28,2010.  Ateneo Dance Troupe had their reunion held at DAVAO EAGLE RIDGE RESORT.  It is just a few meters away from Ulas-Toril Intersection.  Owned by Carmen Cayetano-Molina, who also owned Casa Ruby at Dona Vicenta Village in Davao City.


Prior to the said event we had our ocular visit at the place with Mrs. Ludivina Quiros, ADT Moderator and Kris Ybanez.

one of the room at Davao Eagle Ridge Resort

The venue is good for weddings, birthdays, picnics, office parties and even seminars.

THE POOL

                         

Relaxing,,,hehehehehe

for wedding reception

outdoor games

For those who are planning to have seminars, conference, retreats, team-building activities and workshop, this garden resort is good for you.  They have a mid-sized function room with bedrooms around the hall.  Corporate groups can unwind while working by renting out their nice and comfy conference room which can accommodate to fifty to sixty persons.

We rented the whole place just near the pool.  It was fun, we had a good time, great gifts coming from our moderator, and great prizes too.

playground for kids with bridge

DAVAO EAGLE RIDGE RESORT cater our party.
Bon Appetit

reminiscing our dance

smile 

my ADT FAMILY

Davao Eagle Ridge Resort is back in business. Accepting bookings and reservations.  For more info please visit their website DAVAO EAGLE RIDGE GARDEN RESORT.

  

MATI ESCAPADE

Year 1994, the Ateneo Dance Troupe were invited by the Davao Oriental Tourism.  I was in my first year in college then when we are chosen to showcase dance number for the pageant, Bb. Tourism 1994.

Our meeting place at SILVERIOS BOUTIQUE-UM ARCADE     

We are waiting for our service to arrive. 

As soon as the van and the pick-up arrive we immediately headed to Mati, Davao Oriental.  

ATENEO DANCE TROUPE - EXTREME COLOURS
at the back the well known SLEEPING DINOSAUR
The Sleeping Dinosaur is one of the key attractions of the City.  It an island nestled along Pujada Bay that resembles like a submerged sleeping dinosaur. Its grandeur is visibly seen upon passing the 8 kilometer Badas Zigzag Road. It is greatly admired especially by those first timers. There are view decks made for tourists and travelers wanting to capture the gorgeousness of this Sleeping Beauty. In fact, it is the first welcoming attraction one will see upon entering the soil of the City.

We arrived there almost 6 in the evening.  The organizers meet us and 

confirm the essential details of our itinerary.  We had our dinner first 

at the canteen and after that they lead us to our room, we sleep at the 

Provincial Capitol Conference Room.  

It's not a lie to say that we were packed in there like sardines and still enjoy ourselves. 

And when we are finished unpacking our things we went to the GYM and have our dance rehearsals with the Bb. Tourism candidates.

with Sir Ricky  Enriquez as our Dance Choreographer and at the same time one of the organizer

Our dance rehearsal helped us to understand the empowerment and the 

familiarization of our dance step.  Some tension, but soon we settled into our 

rooms for a much needed sleep for tomorrow will be the day of the 

pageant. 

PAGEANT NIGHT.  We all wake up in the morning to have our early breakfast.  It is early for the show so Ate Annie and I went outside the capitol and have our pictorial.

Me and Ate Annie enjoying the scenery  of  Mati

Since it is too early for us to prepare for the show the organizer decided to tour us at Dahican Beach.

Once a quaint beach famous for its long stretch of pristine white sand and clean crystal clear azure waters facing the mighty Pacific Ocean, Dahican Beach is the City’s most famous tourist attraction. 

Today, Dahican Beach is widely known as theSkimboarding and Surfing Capital of the Davao Region. It has captivated a lot of beach lovers and has created an unfailing trademark as one of the beach destinations in the South. 

After the long day of having fun in the beach, we went to our room to have our bath and get ready for our opening number and for our final show. 

 This are some of the pictures we had during the pageant 

The show ended at exactly 1 in the morning.  We have great time, though all of us look exhausted we still want to go home that exact day because we all have our mid-term exams.

We all headed back in Davao City, 3 hours ride from Mati. 

Even if we only stayed for a short time in Mati City, I will always cherish the moments we spent there.  Nice place, nice view, and wonderful people.   

  

Sunday Treat At Villa de Mercedes

VILLA DE MERCEDES, a posh and exclusive resort subdivision developed by Uraya Land Development, Inc.  Located in Catigan, Toril, Davao City.

It offers an infinity pool that's clean, a pool area with a magnificent view and with white sand great in playing volleyball.  It was a rainy day when we arrived there, pool water was warm but the buffeting winds were cold.

Volleyball Area

Baby/Toddler Pool

This resort is exclusively for VILLA DE MERCEDES residents only, but if you have a friend working here or an agent, like my Aunt Lilibeth Ancheta-Antiola.  She did invite me to visit the resort together with my two kids.

My kids love the pool.   They're not swimmers yet but there is no stopping them to wade in their 4 feet deep pool.

  
A kid friendly pool indeed, with two lifeguards presently on guard.  Not only do I have my eyes on my children, I have two additional eyes on guard, very strict and every time you do something not allowed in the pool they're going to give you a whistle to call your attention.

Another thing I'd like here is that they give you complimentary beach towel, you don't need to bring towels if you want to go swimming here.

After a long time swimming, we all got hungry.  But don't worry Villa de Mercedes had DON ALBERTO'S CAFE, a contemporary coffee shop alongside a manicured view deck that welcomes guests.

The location of the resort is great.  Away from hassle busy of the city.

As long as Villa de Mercedes is there, people from all around the world that would like to live in a house just like in Tagaytay City would probably pay 
loads of money for whatever accommodations/
reservations available, whether those
accommodations or reservations be decent or sub-par.

So if you plan to have a visit for a house/location trip or merely to see and try their INFINITY POOL have a reservation first.  You can visit DAVAO SUITABLE HOMES and contact Ms. Lilibeth Ancheta-Antiola 09427161018.   

From Matalom Leyte to Cebu

May 21, 1997.    4pm we headed to Bato, Leyte. And about a minute we arrive at the port.

LADY OF GUADALUPE by mbb8356
Taken at Bato, Leyte.  

It took us 5 hours and 8 mins to arrive in Cebu City from Bato, Leyte.  Though we arrived there almost 12 midnight.  For me the City was so amazing.  Still nearing the port I can see the light all over Cebu.  No wonder she was called the QUEEN CITY of the South.

The excitement started to faint because of the waiting and lack of sleep.  Time  can be mean.  It wasn't improved by the not-so-good weather which made me lose the visual impact of a city from afar.  The first thing I saw clearly was the pavement of the port, a sight very common at your regular seaport.

After getting through all of the necessary stops it was time to get our baggage's.  I felt like they were taunting me, with signs pointing towards the retrieval area but never reaching it. May be that the place is huge, but making annoyed and angry remarks about it is more entertaining than being understanding.  

At the exit we were picked up by our cousin, Mabel!   She was waiting to take us to Mandaue City. Taking a jeep to Mandaue was interesting.  I sometimes questioned the driver’s sanity. But my co-passengers seemed relaxed and were laughing.  Apparently the driver was very funny though we both speak Visayans, I can't barely understand his Cebu Visayan dialect.   The same could be said about his driving.  Hahahahaha.  It was 2 in the morning when we arrive in Mandaue City.  Tired and sleepy, we sleep at TANO'S RESIDENCE.  

It was 8 in the morning when we wake up and had our quick breakfast because we are all excited to see the STO. NIÑO BASILICA and CHINESE TEMPLE.

May 22, 1997.  The distance between  Mandaue City is
5.11 kilometers (3.18 miles) from Cebu City.
At last we arrive in Cebu City with no hassle.  First stop Basilica Del Sto. Niño.  
The Basilica is a place of prayer and pilgrimage of hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The convent of the Sto. Niño de Cebu was founded by Fr. Andres de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565 , the very day the Legazpi-Urdaneta expedition arrived in the island. On May 8 of the same year, when Legaspi and his men planned the urbanization of the city, they allotted a "place for the church and the convent of San Agustin, "where the Santo Niño image had been found."In 1599, the convent was made a house of studies of grammar, headed by the Visayan linguist, Fr. Alonso de Mentrida. It also served as a rest house for missionaries working in the province and as a retirement home for the aged and the sick, usually attended to by a lay brother.The church has always been the Sanctuary of the Sto. Niño, under the custody of the Augustinians. The number of priests assigned to the church varied from three to five aside from one or two lay brothers.The Chapter held on August 6, 1578 recommended to all the fathers "that prayers to the Sto. Niño be offered every month as was the custom before." In 1641, the father provincial ordered that the feast of the Sto Niño be celebrated on January 14 “with all the possible solemnity, mass and sermon, since He deserves all the affection from us, being the Dulcisimo and most affectionate patron of our province."Fr. Nicolas de la Cuadra (1731) was very instrumental in spreading the devotion of the Sto. Niño. He led an exemplary life, had writings and solemn rites which he established in the sanctuary, and acquired many jewels for the decoration of the statue.Fr. Nicolas de la Cuadra (1731) was very instrumental in spreading the devotion of the Sto. Niño. He led an exemplary life, had writings and solemn rites which he established in the sanctuary, and acquired many jewels for the decoration of the statue.The first novena to the Santo Niño was introduced by Fr. Mateo Diez, rector of the sanctuary in 1889, under the Cebuano title Novena ug pagdayeg sa Sto. Niño Jesus nga guisimba sa cyudad sa Sugbu , printed in Mandaluyong, Asilo de Huerfanos , 1888. This novena has been reprinted countless times.Up to this time, the number of Sto. Niño devotees who follow the novena and attend mass every Friday keeps on increasing.CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH:•  1566 - the first church believed to be built on the site where the image of the Holy Child was found was destroyed by fire. It was said to be built by Fr. Diego de Herrera using wood and nipa.•  1605 - Fr. Pedro Torres started the construction of a new church, again made of wood and nipa. It was finished in 1626 but was again burned in 1628.•  1628 - Fr. Juan Medina started the construction of another church, using stone and bricks, a great innovation at that time. The construction was stopped because the structure was found to be defective - the bricks used seemingly "melted" upon contact with air.•  February 29, 1735 - Father Provincial Bergaño, Governor-General Fernando Valdes, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio y Ocampo of Cebu and Juan de Albarran Prior of the Santo Niño, started the foundations of the present church, using stone. A lot of help came. Fr. Antonio Lopez, prior of San Nicolas, assisted also together with the people of his district. The residents of Talisay also did four weeks of work and Fr. Francisco Aballe also tried to help with his parishioners from Mactan.The materials used:The stones were quarried from Capiz and Panay by an army of bancas. The molave wood came from the mountains of Talisay and Pitalo and was transported in bancas hired in Argao and Carcar. Fr. Albarran confessed that there was much difficulty in quarrying the stones. Despite the seemingly impossible task, Fr. Albarran was not discouraged. He used white stones to make the lime, with one banca transporting some 400 pieces of stones. There was also another obstacle: the lack of chief craftsmen and officers which forced Fr. Albarran to acquire some knowledge of architecture.The church was finished not later than 1739. According to an author named Vela, "the church has all the characteristics of a solid construction to withstand all the earthquakes..." And true enough, the church withstood all earthquakes.The original features of the church have been retained except for the windows added by Fr. Diez in 1889. In 1965, both church and convent underwent a bigger restoration on the occasion of the fourth centennial of the Christianization of the country. The face lifting was made with utmost respect for the historical character of the old structure.Cardinal Hildebrando Antoniutti, Papal Legate to the Philippines , conferred upon the church the title of Basilica minore , a special privilege granted to the Augustinian Order by the Pope Paul VI. On the other hand, the former President Ferdinand Marcos declared the Sto. Niño Basilica a national shrine because of its historical significance.Style of the Church•  Facade - a blending of Muslim, Romanesque and neo-classical features - all set in what has otherwise been described as a high degree of integration. The façade is preserved in its original stone texture and natural color, conveying an air of simplicity of line and elegance.•  Bell tower - serves as a counterbalance to the convent located on the opposite far end. It has two blind and open windows alternating in shape, ending up in triangular pinnacles with a circular disc crowned by balusters and a bulbous dome of Muslim influence.•  Center section - the focus of attention. The arched main entrance is balanced by the side rectangular corners. A double-edged triangular pediment crowns the facade.

 link here:  http://www.basilicasantonino.org.ph

We went there Thursday in the morning.  Because if you go there at First Friday of the month  is a bad idea because there are thousands of Patrons going to mass, you will not able to fully appreciate the place.

According to locals, the first Friday of the month is the novena mass for the Sto. Nino. They say that if you go to church that day and make a wish, It'll come true. I don't know about the whole wish coming true just yet, I still not WON in any LOTTERY (haha! kidding) Anyway, despite the fact that we went there Thursday of May 22, 1997 still there a lot of people, elbow to elbow with tourist and locals alike. 

And my visit there was still worth it. The church was a splendid century old cathedral with antique chandeliers, painted ceilings and old statues. If I had the time and space to move around I would have gone to the church museum, but like I said, too many people. So I did what I can to make the most out of that visit.

For 2 pesos I buy a candle and offer a prayer,  thanking God for our safe sea trip. 

next stop Cebu Taoist Temple 

ME

ate Connie, Mama, Carmela and Me

Carmela, Me, Mama and cousin Mabel

Located in the wealthy residential suburb of Beverly Hills about 6 km north of downtown Cebu is an enormous Taoist Temple. It was built by Cebu's substantial Chinese community (the Chinese make up about 15% of Cebu's population).
The temple is the a center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. You can see Taoist devotees following their rituals on Wednesdays and Sundays, as they climb the 99 steps of the temple to light joss sticks and have their fortunes read by the monks.
Built in 1972, the Taoist Temple is constructed in a highly ornate and, some would say, gaudy style of Chinese architecture, and is topped with a pagoda-style roof.
The temple has an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, and if you climb the 99 steps to the entrance, you will be rewarded with a good view of Cebu City and in the distance Mactan and Bohol islands. Nice sunset views too.

LUNCH TIME.  We decided to have our lunch at McDonald near Taoist Temple at Lahug, Cebu City.

Before going back to Matalom,Leyte we decided to visit SM CITY CEBU. That time Davao City has no SM yet.  And we are so excited to see the MALL.  

Photo credit to SM CITY CEBU

Upon entering the mall, the feeling of astonishment only began since this is our first time to see such a huge mall. This is SM CITY CEBU. Not only was the areas huge and dynamic, I later realized by the waiting that I wasn’t even in the main building parts! we have to walk (I prefer calling it a "social na escalator", because we all have a simple escalator that time in Victoria Plaza). The trip took as long as a trip with Liloan to Matalom, Leyte which was the feeling I got from there.

I am also amazed that time that their food court is near the games and entertainment section.  I cannot concentrate eating my food because I have to keep on eyeing my niece running around.

Me and my niece Carmella (3yrs old then) at SM City-Bibo
(arcade games such as basketball, racing and play time for kids)  

SM Cebu Food Court and Entertainment Plaza

SM Cebu WORLDS OF FUN

My mama take a post after buying pasalubong the likes of SHAMROCK Yummy OTAP, Peanut Kisses, and Dried Mangoes.

SHAMROCK Yummy OTAP

Dried Mangoes

Peanut Kisses

All those thoughts disappeared when I got a glimpse of anticipation. My brain is here for just a quick trip, but my being is fueled with exploring!  But time to Go Home back to Matalom, Leyte.  

Now for those of you who read all the way to this, congratulations. I can’t believe you did that. You have more focus and concentration than I do. This post is probably the longest I will do, or the shortest. I will try to at least keep it somewhat interesting and regular. Much has happened this trip way back 1997 so I have a lot to say. And I’m tired which stops my ranting.