Another Cold Break (Day Two)

After three freezing hours of sleep, I got up, grabbed some chicken wings and a cup of coffee and prepped up for my early morning run with Dee, my partner in crime.

I wore my fraternity shirt (proud to be) and ran all my stress out within the grounds of Camp John Hay.

We had some stops at the Manor and  the Baguio Country Club.

I miss playing golf, but with that smirk, it ain't that obvious, right?

After two hours of running and walking and picture taking, we stopped for a break, stayed for 10 to 15 minutes at the bench, hailed a cab back to the hotel, had a warm bath and rewarded ourselves with our favorite breakfast.

So I had bacon and hashbrown and scrambled egg with my bread and jam (above).

After breakfast, we had our Sunday obligation. We attended mass at St Joseph Parish (just 5 minutes walk away from the hotel).

We checked out after mass and had some more meet ups over lunch.

We had lunch at the Tea house with Leli and her bestfriend, Jhannia and Dee and her friend, Abby.

So with their partners, I was left with this blueberry cheesecake as my temporary buddy. Ending? I gave up on my buddy. She's sweeter than me.

The temperature started to drop again around 4pm. 

Oh this picture has nothing to do with the temperature. It's just me and the sunflowers.

Here's a proof now that it's cold.

Before we left, I tried to capture the sunset, but I was not so successful. I wonder where the real sun is: the one on top or the one behind the mountain. Or was this even a picture of a setting sun? :p

Okay, here's another try with my two suns: one rising and the other one setting. Haha!

So how did my cold Sunday end? Simple. I slept at the bus, grabbed some fish balls and balut and hotdog along the way, and when i woke up, we're back in the city, few minutes before Monday! :)

So, how does that sound? 

Oh, I forgot to mention that both Leli and Jhannia were wearing polka dots. Coincidence or soul mates? Hehe.

One cold break: Baguio in December (Day One)

This is one of the unplanned trips that I had for this year. This may be the last for the year, but who knows? Things are getting spontaneous nowadays.

I decided to go up after a series of stressful weeks in the office. I tried to chill with few liquor nights during the last 2 weekends but they didn't help heal my broken soul.

So after a last minute hotel reservation, we decided to go... and the travel enthusiast in me has finally come back to life.

Touchdown: BAG 6:45am 

We had our early morning walk along Session Road and had breakfast at Pizza Volante.

We headed to Burnham Park for another walk and had some catch up with the flowers and the trees.

We stayed at Hotel Elizabeth. The reviews (which helped me decide to book this hotel) are a bit accurate. It was frustrating that The Manor was fully booked but this wasn't far from what was expected.

Did I mention that I traveled with my girlfriend? Oh yes, I did. 

Lunchtime? We spent it with my baby sister, Leli, and her bestfriend, Jhannia at Cafe by the Ruins.

After lunch, we went to Mines View Park and Good Shepherd for our pasalubong shopping.

I also had some chitchats with my cousin John who was travelling with his girlfriend that time (as part of his postbirthday celebration).

So that's him and his girlfriend, Belle (such a pretty girl).

What's next? Few more meetups. The photos are still in my camera and will upload later (hopefully).

The night was spent barhopping along the stretch of Legarda. 

Lights off: 2am

That capped our first night. 

It was a real cold break.

APODAP in the Mountains of Rizal

The team building was organized by our president bro Dr Fritz Morales and his lovely wife sis Dr RA. It was held at Sitio Cabading which is about an hour drive from the foot of Cogeo, Antipolo City. The road seemed endless as we traversed the forests with our SUVs. We are a group of 30 dentists from Alpha Phi Omega and we have one goal: To relive the true cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service.

It was around 8 in the evening when we arrived there. We nestled in a big hut with two big rooms: one for the frat and one for soro. 

After dinner, bonfire was set and the fellowship began!

It was all pure fun!

Drinking session was continued after midnight (inside the huts).

Lights off: 4am

Lights on: 6am

Breakfast started at the clubhouse and instructions for the activities were given. We were divided into two groups. The activity started with a cheerdance competition. 

And the battle began! :D

It was one whole day of obstacle fun madness.

The afternoon ended with us all soaked in mud. 

After the mudslide, we were all given few hours to freshen ourselves up, and with some few ceremonies over snacks, we closed the program with a big smile and a round of APO toast song.

Here's to Alpha Phi Omega. May we always be. :)

Casa 1022

It is Bro Jungar's birthday, and after a lunch party at the Heat in ShangriLa, an invitation was sent to all attendees and few special Aphio peeps for another celebration in his farm in Lipa Batangas.

We left Makati at 1pm, and with 7 vehicles on convoy, we arrived the farm at 3pm. 

So that's the seven of us [above photo] parked near the pool.

The warm pool ambiance welcomed us as we greeted the birthday boy with the traditional APO hand clasp.

Meryenda was followed by an early tequila toast.

Then the party began. It's a night of bottomless food and drinks and non stop dance party with songs from the 70s to 90s.

The party did not stop from dusk til dawn til early morning sunrise.

It was a fun-filled night. It was our last night with our dear bro Bob too who is for sure enjoying where he is right now. (RIP brother).

We left the farm at 8am after breakfast. 

Happy Birthday bro Jungar! Cheers!