Montalban Rizal (Wawa Dam)

Exploring the pride of Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal

Adventure Time: Wawa Dam and Dado’s Resort

Nov. 23, 2013

personal capture:)

One fine Saturday, I woke up at exactly 4:30 in the morning. Prepare my things and get ready for a day adventure.

Together with my travel buddy, our destination for today is the Wawa Dam, Rodriguez (Montalban) Rizal.

The first time I discovered this place through internet which was over a year ago, I already got curious about. I said to myself that one day, I will go here.

I tried to invite some of my friends, but they became doubtful of going with me because of some mystic legend or stories about Wawa Dam.

Despite of all the things they say and I’ve heard, I’m still decided to go here.

So today, I packed my bag and go for the adventure!

Thanks to those travel bloggers who already went to this place so I got some useful tips and ideas how to go here and what to do.

This is my first time going here so I really got excited about it.

At Cubao, there are FXs or shuttle vans going to Rodriguez (Montalban). The fare is Php. 50.00 (as of today), there are also public utility jeepneys that cost Php. 38.00 (as of today also).

We told the driver to take us to Eastwood subdivision in Montalban wherein actually it’s their last destination or stop, then rode a jeep going to Wawa.

Sometimes, jeepneys are taking too long so you can ride a tricycle instead which were scattered all over the place.

The air gets cooler as we reached the Wawa Dam.

We stop by the Tourism Office because I need to use the bathroom. The personnel there were kind and hospitable. They let me use their bathroom without asking for any money. I have read on one of the travel blogs that they were asking for donation.

I tried to give but they refuse and instead just gave me a smile then saying that it’s alright. Having a beautiful user of their CR is already enough. Haha! Thanks, Kuya! (for letting me to use your toilet.)

Since it was off peak season for that place which I have heard that it is pretty crowded every summer, visitors or tourists were a bit few today. We bumped in some bikers and picture enthusiasts.

Before we reach the Wawa Dam itself, we have to walk for not too long upward. We saw some shanties beside the small way we were walking through.

Then at its cliff, we can already see the river full of big, live and white stones. The flow of water was a bit rigid today. I think it rained before we got there because its water was a bit brownish and muddy.

But still it didn’t lessen the beauty of the place.

 Then we passed through a cave side. At our right side, we can see some cave entering and when we look to our left side are huge mountains beside the “rocky river” that I appreciated a lot because I am a city girl who were used to tall buildings.

 My eyes were filled with so many glows upon looking at everything around me. Rivers, mountains, falls; these are life outside paper works, endless deadlines, toxic meetings, mind bursting phone calls and the likes.

We also passed through a metal bridge that is a bit rusty. I think, the government may already repair it for everyone’s safety.  And also some metal bars for holding. Looking downward, it’s a bit scary because a deep river is down there as we walked towards some metal bridges.

We reached the river and I may say by just observing it that it is a very deep one. It is very calm, peaceful and quiet. Now I don’t wonder anymore why it became so mystic.

I am really amazed by falls. I love looking at them. It’s a big shower room outside bathroom then a large swimming pool after the falls. Hehe.

There are also some cottages made of bamboo for rent. I just didn’t know the price because by the time we went there, there’s no one to ask to and also there’s no one who’s using or renting it.

We had no plans to swim there but just to take some pictures for keeps.

I am pretty amazed by the place. It was very beautiful and I really appreciate its nature.  For me, it is one of a kind plus the fact that it is just an hour away from the city’s busy life.

I would love to go back there again.

After exploring the place, we decided to go to a nearby resort.

Dado’s Resort, here we come!

Tip: Maybe the tricycle driver didn’t know the said resort; just tell him to go to Dau Street at Brgy. San Jose before passing the bridge.

We asked the tricycle driver to take us to Dado’s Resort. Entrance fee is only Php. 50.00 per person (for a day swim; 70 pesos for night swim) while cottages range to 200-800 pesos. They also offered some private rooms that costs Php.1,000 pesos.

 I think this is the cheapest one I knew yet their vicinity is pretty good. They have two large pools for adults which are 4-7 feet and two kiddie pools which are 2-3 feet.

The entrance fee for kids is Php. 30.00 only.

There were other resorts you can try there. Before and After Dado’s Resort location, there were also some resorts beside it and you will pass.

The river at the back of the resort is also a scenic view.

By 5 p.m. we were ready to go home bringing the good memories of today.

To those people who were a bit hesitant in going to Wawa Dam (just like me before) because of some mystic stories, you will surely enjoy the scenery you can witness out there so just try it before judging it first. But of course anywhere we go, being extra careful is still should be practice at all times.

  

And that’s my Adventurous Saturday today! : )

My Gurlfriend

10/30/2013

Today, one of my closest friends got married.

We were eight in the group and she’s the one who got married first.

Way back in college, there were times that we talked about who will get married first among of us.

She said that she wanted to be the last one. But then as we can see now, the other way around happened.

She once had a very colorful, wonderful love life. I even don’t know the exact number of boys she has deal with. On our four years in college then life after school, I’ve know guys that she had a relation to. Some of the, I don’t remember the names anymore. Peace gurlfriend, hehe!

She’s a kind of girl who never believes in Moving On. If she realizes that she already loves this man, then she will go for it no matter what the circumstances may be.

She got hurt a lot of times, she cried, she felt pains, she became happy, crazy, she got mad, and she wept. After all she’s human just like each one of us.

There also came a time that she doesn’t want to fall in love again. She let her heart rest for a while.

Then earlier this year, she finally decided to open her heart again to a man who patiently waited for her while she’s resting her heart.

They put God on the center of their relationship, that’s what I admire about the.  And I also think that she grew up a lot.

Despite of our young age, I feel that she became mature.

After a few months of being together, they finally decided to settle down and I am so much honored to be one of the witnesses of their civil wedding.

It may not be the kind of wedding that she dreamed about but still she is so lucky enough to find a man who will stand for her for a life time.

Her husband to be showed his courage and deep love for my friend by saying their vows in front of us with tears in his eyes wholeheartedly.

It’s rare to see some men who can truly show their tears of joy and tears of unbreakable promise.

This may lessen her time to bond with us who are still single and enjoying life (no more out of town trips, shopping, bar hopping, overnight movie marathon, house sleepover, coffee shops and bookshops bonding, and the likes) yet we are so happy for her.

Finally she found a man who will truly love her despite of her flaws and will never left her till the last breath of their lives.

Good luck to your marriage life my dear friend.

You so much know that I love you and will be forever here when you need me…us….

: ) LaiN loves you.

When that “Spark” Sparks Again…

Oct. 15, 2013

10:45 p.m.

When that “Spark” Sparks Again…

Sometimes, being on a long term relationship can be “a little bit” tiring.

There’s a quote that says, “Being in love is a choice, staying in love is an effort.”

When you do that usual boyfriend-girlfriend petty things such as dating, going on each other’s house, meet the family, hang-out with friends, and the likes for five straight years, it makes you feel that same old stories were just repeating themselves. Again and again.

Of course, I love him. I do love him so much but then once in a while, you will going to look for something different, vivid, extra ordinary, some things you haven’t done yet.

And when you do those things, that spark that you once felt during your first days of being together came into live again.

And it makes me fell wonderful. Like the world is so colorful that all you wanted to do is to smile like crazy when you’re alone. Even to tell it to your best friends eagerly while giggling so much.

I just wanted to share what those simple things he did to make me feel that spark sparks again.

­

It was holiday. I have no work at the office, so I have nothing to do but just to lay back or curl up on my bed.

He called me and he said that he wanted to meet me.

At first, I became hesitant because what I planned to do for that day is just to rest, eat, and watch movie and then write.

I wanted that day to be a day just for myself.

He ruined it!

But then on a good way….

In thirty minutes, he’ll be here at my place. So I rushed to take a bath, washed my clothes and while I am combing my hair, oh my! He’s already there outside.

I rushed to him, talk to him that we forgot to kiss each other like what we always do when we meet and bid goodbye.

“Hey, you haven’t kissed me yet!” I said to him.

He kissed me on the lips, “it’s because you talked to me first. Hehe! Let’s go there at the mall.”

He then held my hands and we walked on a nearby mall.

We sat on a bench that faces a water fountain.

We didn’t talk that much. We just feel each other’s presence while sitting together.

It was a fine day and everything just seems so fine.

Until we heard a sound coming from the water fountain, as the song plays, the water also started to go into different directions as if it is dancing to the tune of the music that was playing.

This got the attention of all the people passing by.

Same as we who were sitting on the front of that dancing fountain pretty quietly.

I got my phone and made the video.

And now, as I watched it repeatedly, I can’t help but to smile.

After an hour or two, (I’m sorry I didn’t notice the time because it feels like the time really stops whenever we’re together. Oh my, I’m so mushy right now! Hehe.) we decided to get back to my place. He wanted to eat pancit canton with bread (pandesal). Hehe.

So we went home.

After I cooked, he finished those three packs of pancit canton that I prepared for him. (Takaw niya. Hehe!)

It was almost dark so he then decided to go home.

Of course we bid goodbye. We kissed quickly on the lips. Well, as I thought.

But then he wrapped his arms around me, held me tight and kissed me deeply.

I wanted to let go already because some people might see us but he didn’t let me.

Instead, he kissed me more deeply and passionately that maybe lasted for minutes.

I can’t remember when the last time we did that was.

Sneaking for a passionate kiss and I miss it so much!

I’m a little bit worried that someone might catch us but then, I’m so excited and thrilled.

As he went home, I laid back at my bed trying to recall what happened.

Here it goes! With that simple gesture, the spark sparks again. Then here I am, smiling alone like crazy while thinking of what we did.

I felt so happy and so much loved.

Happy Holiday!

“Where are You?”

My College Friends – Are you still there?

“Where are You?”

Written by: Yours Truly

To all my college close friends,

Where are you?

When our graduation came

Does even the friendship come into its end?

We were seatmates during class time,

Even at free times, we’re still together

With all our stories, we were present as witnesses

With all our problems, we were there for each other.

My four years in college

Has been so colorful because of you

You were my siblings to other mothers

And for all of these, I so much thank you.

And now we’re individually separated

Tackling down different careers

Every time I am alone

Wishing that you’re all here.

Don’t you have any spare time for me?

Where are you my dearest friends?

Or maybe you already forget about me?

But still, will you please always remember this?

That wherever you are right now

As time may pass and change

I just wanted you to know,

I’m still a so called friend.

I love you all so much.

My Note:

I wholeheartedly dedicate this poem translated in English to my friends’ way back in college.

As our college days became over, we had lesser time with each other.

I’m sorry for sometimes I became rude through my words when some of you can’t make it to our get together. It was just that I strongly believe that if you still treat me as your friend, then you will have time for us.

Yes, I’m bitter when there were times that all you do is to make excuses so that you won’t be able to meet us.

I even sometimes became mad, when you go to our meeting place but then you have your chaperones.

If you may call that as a childish act or narrow minded (hard for me to understand) then I’m sorry.

What I want is just to be with you, guys. All alone.

Friendship is a commitment.

It doesn’t require so much time but just a little, a little time to be with you.

And it will mean so much to me.

I know that we already have separate walks of life now, but then is that an enough reason for us not to meet somewhere along our own roads?

I miss you, guys. Terribly.

Us being complete is such a rare event.

Anyway, thank you for the memories.

My college life would never be completed without you.

Thank you so much and I wish you all the best in life.

_LaiN

TSG: A Friendship to treasure forever

Updating my thoughts….

I have a group of friends....

We call ourselves, TSG. And its meaning is a sacred secret. Hehe.

We became friends when we were in first year college. We were eight in the group. Seven girls and one boy.

We graduated last 2010 and from then on, we started to have our own separate lives.

Let me introduce them to you based on how I knew them.

Of course, people do change for it is one of the constant things in this world.

But then again, yeah people do change but not the memories that once built.

Okay let’s move on.

Here they are:

Jhon

The Grandma of the barkada.

 She’s very strict when it comes to school projects and group works.

 She’s a love expert because she once had a very colorful love life.

Rose

 During our first two years in college, she was so studious, conservative and well-reserved.

But when she fell in love, she became so numb. (Hehe. I love you, Rose!) All she ever did was to follow her heart.  

She’s also the first on our group who bore an angel.

Lan

 The one who never rush in love.

 Outrageous, spontaneous and adventurous.

 Super effort in terms of fashion statement.

 She’s a kind of person who keeps in herself what she truly feels.

Cez

 The harshest and straight forward.

 She’s a fighter, a war-freak but then the truest to herself.

 She’s someone who would choose her friends over her boyfriend.  

She loves us so much but rarely shows it. Hehe.

Lyn

 She’s the one who can get along well with anybody.

 But then she has a low self esteem. She sometimes considers herself as an outcast of the group.

One of my friends said that she’s also a kind of person that you can depend when she has really something to offer.

Dez

 The most silent.

 The one who can keep your secrets for the longest time. She loves truly and genuinely.  

Just like Lan, she only keeps to herself what she feels and what she’s been going through.

Marky

 The only guy in the group.

Our boyfriend.

 He’s a very funny guy.

 Protective and sweet.

 The most optimists among all of us.

 Full of stories whether senseless or trivial.

My relationship with them.

Even though we belong in a group, we still had someone who became close to each one of us. And as for me, here it goes:

With Jhona.

We were once become a rivalry in school. But then it was a healthy competition running between us. 

We became closer as friends after college.

I usually go to their house whenever I have time. Those girly things such as shopping, sleepover and sleepless girl talks, we used to do those.

I’m glad when there are things she first told me before our other friends. It makes me feel special.

With Marky.

He’s my male best friend. We had a lot of hang-outs. He always comes at our house expected or unexpectedly well, anyway he’s always welcome.

My mom loves him more than my boyfriend. Haha! Sad but true.

I can comfortably tell him whatever I feel or think. He’s always there supporting me in every thing that I do. He’s also a good listener and adviser.

I love him so much! Of course as a friend and a dear brother, nothing else more than that. And I know that he loves me too.

With Lan.

We became close during our first year in college. I even considered her as my twin sister. We bought the same clothes; we eat at the restaurants we wanted to, we watched movies just the two of us; we sleep at each other’s house; we shared secrets. She became my chaperone during my suitor’s date and she’s always there as a very good listener. She’s not good at giving advices though. Hehe. But that’s fine. As long as there’s someone who’s willing to listen then it’s alright.

She’s the type of person who likes to keep her feelings and thoughts just to herself. Sometimes, I really need to force her just to tell the whole story to me.

We can have a sleepless night just by talking and talking. You know, girl talk.

Before graduation, she became close with Rose and I to Dhez. But then after college, the closeness gets back.

With Rose.

Actually, she’s the least in the group that I became close but then there’s still had time when she cried on my shoulders and I cried with her too.

We had fights and misunderstandings but then we’re still friends and became okay! I love her.

With Cez.

She’s the friend who always shows the real her. And that’s what I really love and admire about her.

Although sometimes there were words that she shouldn’t say but at least if you tell her that she’s wrong, she admits it.

Lyn.

I love boosting her self confidence and helping her with all that I can. She’s a true friend and I can attest to that.

She’s one of the girls that I became first close. She’s real, she considers me as her friend and she loves me. I can feel it.

With Dez.

She’s silent, I’m noisy and we clicked.

 She became my human diary. I told her what I feel and think everyday of our school lives. She knows my story specifically about my love life. Although she’s not a good adviser (like Lan), she listens to me so well.

There were times that we separate ourselves with the group and go on our own. Just the two of us. And I miss it. I wish those times could happen again. If only we could but I doubt.

After graduation, I hated her.

She already had no time to be with us. She always chooses her boyfriend over us. I told hurtful things and so was her.

Then we became total strangers.

I hate her so much. I even blocked her facebook account. When we were still in college, she’s so quiet but then after graduation she became mouthful through that social network.

As time passed by, I learned to forgive and to accept things just as they were right now.

If you still consider me as a friend, so do I.  Above all these, what I want is just a little time to be with them. Completely.

I hope she understands my point despite all the things we’ve gone and done through.

So here they are. My best of friends, way back in college.

I love you all guys.

Just always take care and keep in your minds that I will always be here for you.

Good luck to all of you and I wish you all the best. Sincerely….

-LaiN

10/16/13

PLEASE ALSO READ :)

SM Aura Premiere Sky Park

Downing Sun at Sky Park

( A tour at the newest mall of SM, SM Aura Premier )

It was one fine Saturday when I’ve decided to tour my boyfriend who is a first timer on that newly opened mall.

I wore a simple pink dress with a white long sleeved topper matched with a brown flat sandal while he was on his usual get up, walking shorts, polo shirt and his ever favorite Havaianas flip flops.

The original plan was just to roam around the mall which is Market! Market!, that we were very used to.

But then, I’ve volunteered myself to be his tour guide at SM Aura. And it was really fun!

The last time I went there which is few weeks ago, there isn’t roof top or Sky Park yet. But when we went there last Saturday, the Sky Park was already open to public.

It is so wide that the scenic view is really very spectacular. Wherever you laid your eyes on, you will always be amazed by the view that you can personally witnessed.

My hidden desire which is being a frustrated photographer, strikes down on me. Thanks to my mobile phone I captured a very breath taking view.

For me, Sky Park is much better than SM North Edsa has. It was very wide and there has two fountains which are very colorful.

You can also take a seat, sit back, relax and enjoy the view up there.

The sun was already turning down when we got there so we saw its two images. The one is during day time and the other one is during night time.

It was really a nice weekend for us and we are sure to go back there again and again.

Alone_Lonely_Happy_LOVE

I once felt

You know how it feels when someone so special to you has been apart from you for a long period of time.

Feels like you are all alone where in family and friends are not enough to make your day complete.

No one is available to accompany you when you want to go somewhere.

           

            When you are in the mall or market place, you see things that you wanted him or her to have.

No one is willing to be with you when you want some thing to do.

You cannot share what you feel inside.

You enviously staring to other couples who were happily together and showing sweet gestures at each other. In the end, you will be mad at them saying that they must not be over PDA (public display of affection).

There’s no reason to celebrate any occasion that for quite some time you were so eager and excited to celebrate it with.

When it rains, there’s only one person who always comes in your mind and then senti mode is on.

And when there’s no rain, you look up in the sky, staring blankly above and wishing that somehow, he or she is doing the same. After all, you were still living on the same place called earth.

When you listen to lonely music, you were so much relate as you deeply understand its meaning.

You end up crying when you miss that person so much.

You wish to fast forward the hours, days, weeks and months just for you to be with that person once again.

All you can hug is your life size teddy bear or even your eventually turning to wet pillows.

When you look at something, it was always him or her that you remember.

Memories of being together are always filling up your mind.

You wished to do all the things that you have done together.

You always show to other people that you were happily alone even though deep inside, it isn’t.

You feel disgusted when you want something to go or to do but the people you invited wasn’t available.

During get together or bonding moments with friends, you also feel disgusted or outcast when they brought their so called- keychains or boyfriends/ girlfriends.

            Your diary or journal is your best friend.

           

            You go to places you wanted to go, ALONE.

           

            For sometimes, it was quite awkward to go on shopping, once again, ALONE.

And when the time comes that you will be together again, the happiness that you once felt can erase all the loneliness that you’ve been through.

Love is really so powerful that everyone’s mood can change it from time to time.

L O V E

-LaiN