Nasugbu, Batangas

Today is a non-working holiday the Chinese New Year and yesterday we were supposed to have an overnight family outing in a resort in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. However, Ate finished her appointment with the dentist at past 3:00 p.m. Since it would take three hours to drive to Laiya, we decided to take Plan B which is Munting Buhangin Beach Camp in Nasugbu, Batangas. We arrived at the place after one and a half hours and hurriedly left our stuff in our chosen nipa hut to admire the golden sunset and capture it in photos.

The beach sand is fine but not as white as that of Boracay. I liked the gently sloping beach area and the water was calm and clean. Our night swim increased our appetite for dinner. We just ordered chicken and pork adobo combo meals and lechong kawali. Yum, yum!

This morning we traversed the shorelines of the cove from our beach camp to the other three adjacent beach resorts. After the walk cum pictorial, it was swimming time again despite the low tide. The day tourists began to arrive and we got to enjoy swimming again in the crystal clear waters after our breakfast consisting of tapsilog and tocilog.

Bye, Munting Buhangin. We truly enjoyed your beauty and serenity.

New Eyes

This is it! There's no turning back. I needed to upgrade my eyeglasses and I just got tired of looking for my eyeglasses whenever I had to read something up close. My second attempt to use progressive lenses. The first one was just a waste of money because it didn't fit me well. Reading small font sizes and from my netbook was a blur. I also need to protect my eyes from glare especially when I'm under the sun so I finally decided to go for Transitions. Quite expensive but it's a necessity. The eye doctor said that I had to make the most of it if I wanted to be benefited the most. I definitely will do it!

Aklan

From Iloilo, it took four hours by bus to reach Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan. We arrived on campus at lunchtime. After a short rest, we were busy the whole afternoon with our evaluation and planning workshop.

All work and no play make Juan a dull boy. It was time to visit Sampaguita Gardens Resort in New Washington, Aklan which is noted for "It's always Christmas at Sampaguita Gardens." and the famous Precious Moments collections. Despite seeing the place in September 2009, it still felt good to see the attractions of the place.





A visit to Aklan would not be complete without Boracay in the itinerary. So the following day, we were off to one of the world's finest beaches.  This time I didn't have the luxury to go swimming though I was tempted to try the "reef walking" adventure. It turned out to be an eating adventure for our group when we tried the big bowl of crushed ice with cream and fruits.

    

Guimaras

After lunch in Iloilo, we took the 10-minute boat ride to Guimaras and reached Jordan, the capital town, without any hassle. At the provincial capitol, we were welcomed by no other than the governor who is also a medical doctor. It was a privilege to visit next the mango processing plant of the Magsasaka Siyentista of FITS OPA Guimaras. There were assorted bottled products and delicacies made from mango, the top produce of the province.  

 Going back to Iloilo, we took the 50-passenger boat ride this time from Buenavista Wharf. One has to balance on a wooden plank less than a foot wide to board and get off the pump boat. And sway as you do so because of the waves.

Iloilo

From Bacolod, we took the fast craft going to Iloilo the following morning. After dropping off our luggage at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, we were brought to the office of WESVARRDEC in UP Visayas, Iloilo City.

The next stop was the FITS center in the municipality of Pavia which was severely flooded by Typhoon Frank in June 2008. The humble mayor of the town shared how they were able to move on after the storm. The Magsasaka Siyentista of the center welcomed us to his farm which is into ornamental production particularly the growing of dracaenas. Lunch was served at the West Visayas State University back in the city proper.

Bacolod, Negros Occidental

No conflicting schedules. After four years after my appointment as RMIS coordinator, I was able to join the cross-visit for the first time. It was my second time in Bacolod but this visit is official and longer than the first one which was just a quick stopover on the ferry on our way to Cagayan de Oro.

From the Bacolod airport which is actually located in Silay City, we just dropped our luggage at the pension house and hurried immediately (we were late because of the delayed departure of the plane from Manila) to the first item in the itinerary. The Penalosa Farm in Victorias City, which is into organic farming, offers buffet meals highlighting dishes from their organically grown chickens, pigs, fish, and vegetables. The farmer gave a very clear and informative lecture about what they are doing on his farm. It looked like many of us were convinced about the healthy, profitable, and environment-friendly prospects of organic farming systems.



The second destination had to be canceled because of the time constraint. We opted to take a side trip to the Ruins in Talisay City.

I'm sure most of us, if not all, truly enjoyed the informative and entertaining tour of the place courtesy of our energetic and comic guide named "Roger Lacson".