Cebu Weekend

Last weekend (June 15-16), Celine and I went to Cebu for another USJR Google Apps Training. On Friday night, we had dinner at Tokyo Tokyo Greenbelt 1 and had difficulty hailing a cab. We still arrived in NAIA but found out our flight will be delayed by around an hour. We arrived in Cebu around one in the morning and went straight to The Center Suites to sleep.

On the morning of June 15, Lora picked us up at the hotel and we went to USJR. The attendees of the training were both teaching and non-teaching staff.

The trainees

After the training, we had dinner at Koa Tree House (cheese sticks and fries) and La Bella Napoli (pesto and Diabola pizza).

After dinner, we went back to the hotel, watched a few TV shows then slept early. The next day, we went to the airport at around four in the morning and had breakfast (pork steamed rice) at Tsim Sha Tsui Dimsum & Tea Bar.

Ozamiz Weekend

Celine and I went to Ozamiz last May 24-26 for a two-day Google Apps training for La Salle University Ozamiz. There were only a single flight to Ozamiz so we had to go early morning of May 24. The Ozamiz Airport was a bit small and the claiming of baggages is manual. We went straight to the campus after seeing Miss Leslyn from LSU.

The first day of training was for the faculty. At lunch time, we went to Royal Garden Hotel to check-in and eat at Hukad Sa Golden Cowrie. Our lunch was Baked Scallops, Bicol Express, and Tuna Sticks. Afterwards, we went back to LSU for the continuation of the training.

After the afternoon session, we went back to the hotel to have a few minutes rest. We visited the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and had early dinner at the nearby Mooon Cafe. I ordered Spaghetti ala Gambas while Celine had Quesedilla Vera Cruz. We then went to Shoppers Plaza Ozamiz City, a grocery to buy water before going back to the hotel. At the hotel, we had Red Velvet and Sinful Chocolate cake slices at The Coffee Lounge. After that, we slept early. At around eight in the evening, most of the stores are already closed so it's dark outside.

Our dinner at Mooon Cafe

The next day, we had breakfast in Jollibee then went to the LSU campus for the second day of the training, which is for non-teaching staff. For lunch, Miss Leslyn and Sir Harold treated us in Big J Grill House. Jerome also arrived in the afternoon.

Our lunch at Big J Grill House: Grilled Fish and Chicken

After the second day of training, we went back to the hotel for a quick rest before dinner. The two-day training was a great training experience for Celine. She even say that it has been her best training (yet). We waited for Miss Leslyn and Sir Harold and we had dinner at Hukad Sa Golden Cowrie. We had so many food for dinner! After dinner, we ordered cakes at the Cofee Lounge: Rainbow Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Sinful Chocolate, Black Forest, Ube Cake.

Our dinner

Counterclokwise: Rainbow Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Ube Cake, Black Forest, Sinful Chocolate

The next day, the LSU service picked us up at the hotel. We went to Jollibee to take out breakfast and then went straight to the airport. The checking of baggages is being done manually so there is a long queue of people. Cebu Pacific checkin counter is also in the other building on the right. The next security check before going to the boarding room is also manual. There, we ate our breakfast while waiting for the plane.

Ozamiz is a small city and yet we weren't able to tour most of it. I'm hoping we can be back there to visit those places soon.

Ilocos Adventure: Places Visited

From May 17 to 19, Celine and I, along with her high school best friends Deci and Lik, went to Ilocos for a weekend tour. I had already blogged about the food we ate during our trip. In this post, I'll list the places we have visited in Ilocos.

Calle Crisologo (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur)
We arrived very early on Friday morning so we had a view of the street when it was still dark and there are not much people. On Sunday noon, we went back but didn't have enough time and it was so hot to walk around and check the stores there.

Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad/St. Augustine Parish (Bantay, Ilocos Sur)
Apo Caridad (Our Lady of Charity) is the Patroness of Ilocandia. We visited the church, the Chapel by the Ruins inside and the Bantay Bell Tower outside.

Baluarte (Ilocos Sur)
Baluarte is a zoo that is open to the public. There are still parts that are under construction though.

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum (Batac, Ilocos Norte)
The Mausoleum is where you can see the body of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. The museum has an entry fee of fifty pesos. It showcases the life of Marcos, along with some memorabilia.

Paoay Church (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)
It is one of the oldest church and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best examples of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines. We went inside and in the garden.

Malacanang of the North (Paoay, Ilocos Norte)
Malacanang of the North was the official residence of Former President Ferdinand Marcos in the North.

Museo Ilocos Norte (Laoag, Ilocos Norte)
Museo Ilocos Norte is a simple museum that showcases the history and life of Ilocanos.

Tobacco Monopoly Monument (Laoag, Ilocos Norte)
It is a landmark constructed as a symbol of the forced planting of tobaccos during the Spanish colonization of the country. Tobacco is one of the products of Ilocos.

Sinking Bell Tower (Laoag, Ilocos Norte)
It is said to be sinking because it has been literally sinking at about an inch a year.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (Burgos, Ilocos Norte)
We climbed until the base of the tower. From there, we can see a good view of the South China Sea.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (Burgos, Ilocos Norte)
You have to walk a few minutes but what you will see is worth it. The rock formations created by nature is just wonderful.

Bangui Windmill (Bangui, Ilocos Norte)
The first and largest in Southeast Asia, the Bangui Windmill provides an alternative source of electricity.

Kabigan Waterfall (Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)
After around thirty minutes of trekking, we reached the waterfalls. It wasn't that good when we saw it. However, it might only be because there were too many people. The water is cold though and looks clean.

Patapat Viaduct (Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)
It is a bridge that was built along the mountain.

Bantay Abot Cave (Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)
Bantay About Cave is another marvel created by nature. Bantay About means a mountain with a hole. The hole was created by an earthquake and the waves.

Blue Lagoon (Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)
We were able to take a short swim here. The sands are white and the water is clear.

Paoay Sand Dunes (Ilocos Norte)
Paoay Sand Dunes gives you a glimpse of what a desert is. We tried the 4x4 adventure for about thirty minutes. It was one great and thrilling ride!

Note: All the pictures shown above were taken by Celine