Plant For Life

Last 1st of July, I experienced one of the best things in this world...and that was to spend a day to give back to nature! Our office organized a tree planting activity in the Ipo Watershed, in Norzagaray, Bulacan. As a water company, we recognize our duty to save and protect the environment as it is vital in giving life to everyone. The Ipo Dam is one of the biggest sources of the metro so it is essential that we protect it.

We left the office at 6:30am and we got there at around 8am. We had a short program where the officials of the participating companies/institutions shared a few words. Then we took a 30-minute boat ride to the area where we'll be planting trees.

It was so fun 'coz it felt like a hiking/trekking activity going up a mountain. We met a lot of Dumagats, the indigenous people who live in the area. Also, we had to cross streams to get to the planting site. I haven't seen such a clear and cold stream for the longest time!

We planted Narra seedlings, which were prepared by the Dumagats. It was such an adventure! We ended at around 1pm, then we had lunch under the trees. We took a dip in the stream and it was so refreshing! It was a fun yet very productive day!:)

We were able to plant around 5000 trees since we were a big group. Our next tree planting activity is on July 29 in the same venue. We have scheduled month tree planting activities to reach our target of 35,000 trees until the end of the year.


 My attempt on Photography:

kids of the Dumagats

Making the Most out of One Night!

Saturday night (July 9) and I got no plans of having a long night. I just went to Araneta Coliseum to watch the PBA game: Talk N Text vs. Petron Blazeboosters. As usual, we got hungry after the game so we we had dinner at Coffee Bean (Coliseum Circle). I love the food there, most especially the salad and pasta.

We're supposed to have a spontaneous trip to Tagaytay, but we ended up in Blue Onion, Eastwood City. I didn't had any alcoholic drink there 'coz I decided to meet up with my friends who were in Makati that time.

 the geeky look LOL

now without the glasses haha

After a couple of hours, when I was about to leave Blue Onion, my friends hid my Blackberry that's why I can't leave the place. After struggling to get back my BB, I was finally able to move to Kyss in Makati City. It's the after-party of a successful skateboarding event of Vans Philippines which happened earlier that day at A-Venue. Got lots of free flowing alcohol. Finally got reunited with Patron!:) I was glad to finally party with my girls in Makati, since I haven't partied with them for quite some time 'coz I work and live on the other side of the metro.

 the girls

 BFFs

 Wendell, Troy, and another friend

After an hour, we left the party. Just when I though the night's over,  my friend Farah and I drove to Palladium where our foreign friends were. We got in for free even at 3am 'coz we knew the promoter. We stayed there for just an hour, then finally called it a night!

See, that's how "having no plans at all" can lead to "having a fun spontaneous night"!:)

Philippines Bikes for Water: LTdF 2011

Last April, we took part in the Le Tour de Filipinas Cycling event. It's a 4-stage cycling event wherein cycling teams from different Asian countries competed. In this event, we have aligned our advocacy of protecting the environment and providing everyone an access to clean and safe drinking water -- the Philippines Bikes for Water.

Stage 1: Manila (April 16)

It was Rahim Emami of Azad University (Iran) who won this stage.

 Mayor Fred Lim

 with my officemate Kris

 Mr. Cayton & Ms. Patricia Hizon awarded the winners

chillin' by the Manila Bay

Stage 2: Bataan to Zambales (April 17)

It was Kazuo Inoue of Bridgestone Anchor (Japan) who won this stage, however we weren't able to join the group this day.

Stage 3: Zambales to Bataan (April 18)

Mirsamad Pourseyedi Golakhour of Azad University (Iran) won this stage, but we didn't make it here because it's just the morning that we left Manila. We proceeded to our boss' rest house instead for a meeting and a bit of unwinding.

 Our boss' rest house. It's "antique"-themed

 i enjoyed swimming at the pool during sunset

 while resting on the hammock

the beach with dark gray sand 

Stage 4: Pangasinan to Baguio

The final stage! We witnessed the cyclists as they rode up to the high lands of Baguio City. I really admired their determination. We stopped by a few spots to cheer for Team Smart (Philippines). It was Rahim Umami of Azad University (Iran) who crossed the finish line first. And after the long journey, it was Team Azad University (Iran) who won 1st place, 2nd was Team 7-Eleven (Philippines), and 3rd was Team Smart (Philippines).

After the race, we had lunch at Rose Bowl and proceeded to Microtel. We attended the awarding ceremonies and party at night. We also had late dinner and drinks at our company president's resthouse in Camp John Hay, then we headed back to the hotel. The next morning, our bosses just attended a couple of meetings while Kris and I shopped in the  Baguio City Market. Then we headed back to Manila. But since it's already Holy Week, our bosses had their own family reunions in their respective provinces on our way home.

 before stage 4 started

Our team :)

 at work in the hotel

 Mayor Domogan of Baguio City at the center

 Team Smart

 proud!

 fireworks!!!

 Don Podring band

 Microtel

 late lunch in Pangasinan 

1st Time to Watch the Azkals LIVE!

Last July 3, I was able to witness the 2nd leg of the Azkals vs Sri Lanka football game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. There were lots of football fans who came despite the bad weather.

I wasn't able to start the game 'coz I came only 30 minutes after the game started. But that was actually a blessing in disguise because as the game started, heavy rain started to pour and all the fans at the bleachers got soaked, while those in the grandstand with tickets worth Php 2000-Php3000 were saved. We only got free tickets from our friends and ex-coworkers in Smart Sports, and we're so thankful 'coz we saved 300 bucks! haha!

It was the first international football game I've seen live and it was such an awesome experience! When I came, the score was 1-0 in favor of Azkals. It was funny that people were asking me why I was dry and they found me uncool for not getting wet!:))

Anyway, I've seen a lot of friends and familiar faces there. We all enjoyed watching the game. Most especially because Sri Lanka couldn't score. I loved the crazy crowd. We've been doing a crowd "wave" from point A and back, with all the crowd in the stadium. It's so fun! Plus there's a huge flag which crawled around the stadium. So cool!

After  2 hours, the game ended 4-0 for the Azkals! The crowd was cheering and jumping for joy! The team went around the stadium to thank the fans. After the game, there were cameras and interviews at the exit gates asking the fans how their experience was. My friend said it was "fun fun fun!" haha!

It was indeed an awesome experience. Btw, thumbs up for Neil Etheridge for playing good defense!:)