A Nun's Side
No movie will open next week other than
Superman Returns. So this week, left with
Kinsey,
Scary Movie 4,
Secrets of the Code and
The Nun. Guess, it's "The Nun".
The Nun
The movie is about a strict nun who disappeared and returns with a vengeance as alumnae of an exclusive boarding school start dying. Those still alive decided to meet and face what is going on. A horror/mystery, expect a twist in the end...
Side A
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
heaven 'n eggs. At the Glorietta 4 Park (across the restaurant), the free concert of
Side A, sponsored by
Ayala Mall, has started. We were able to finish dinner and cross to the park while Side A is singing "Rosanna". Their finale, which the audience swooned over, is the song "Forevermore"... c",)
The Lake House
Love it! Would buy a VCD once it is available..
The Lake House serves as the link between Kate Forster and Alex Burnham who are actually living two years apart. Patterned after the Korean movie "Il Mare", this movie stars Keanu Reaves and Sandra Bullock who has such good chemistry together which gives this movie the
kilig factor. It just leaves the audience wondering if the two would finally meet. If I would base it from the how the audience react to certain scenes in the movie, it just proves that they are really into the film.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Pancake.
An American Haunting
Good thing it is just a four-day work week for this week. Monday was a holiday because it is Philippine's Independence Day. From Tuesday to Friday, it is meeting left and right for me. But, I was able to sneak out and go to a Smart Wireless Center yesterday lunch time and inquire about its retention plan. Hopefully, I'll be having a Nokia N80 by next week... c",)
Lunch today, we went to
North Park for a
despedida. A friend (with her kids) will finally be joining her husband in Australia. Hopes she'll have time to go online so that we can still stay in touch.
After office, checked the net to see what's being shown in the theaters. There is last week's Cars, The Omen, The Inside Man, and Take The Lead. This week it is The Lake House, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, An American Haunting, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
There's just too many movies to watch... so better start to tick one by one off today (LOL).
Decided to watch first the An American Haunting. Based on a true account of what happened to the family Bell (the legend was known as the Bell Witch Haunting) in year 1818-1820, the movie presented one of the theories of what could have happened to the family. What makes this haunting different is that it does not fit the standard mold of hauntings or spirit entity behaviour. Same is true for the movie itself. Do not expect it to fit the mold of "standard" horror movies. Backed by solid performance of Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek, would have slept (it is of a drama genre, and am never into drama) except that one keeps on wondering why it would be happening to the family. Must watch the movie from beginning so as not to spoil the mystery, the suspense and the twist.
Cars
It is my Nana's birthday today! Been so busy in the office, wasn't able to buy a gift for her. As soon as my niece woke up, she sang a "Happy Birthday" song for her in her verrrryyyyy throaty voice. c",)
Cars' Tow Mater and Sally
With my niece in tow, went to Glorietta to watch
Cars, buy Nana a gift and get some accessories for my mobile phone. Her sister is already at
Glorietta with my niece from my cousin and some of their friends for a "gimmick".
A movie by Disney, expect the kids (and the kids-at-heart) to enjoy the movie. Lightning McQueen, a rookie racer, has lots of confidence since being young in the race, he was able to make a name for himself on his first year. But when he got lost in Route 66, he gets to learn a lesson about humility. Here, the rookie (and the audience) would learn the importance of knowing "when to brake and take a drive, when to rev up for a race, and when to finally enjoy the ride".
After the movie, went to
Time Zone for a few game. Had lunch (I ate Mongolian barbecue, my niece just ate siopao), and went to
Landmark Department Store to buy Nana's gift. It's a toss-up between an indoor griller or a watch. The watch won..
Next is to look for a leather case for my Nokia N90 (my current case is already cryng out that it be replaced). Able to buy one plus put a screen protector for my phone. Also bought a silicon case for my niece's mobile phone (her phone has lots of scratches--the silicon case would prevent the rest of her phone's body being scratched.. I hope).
Since I intend to attend the anticipated Mass, and my niece, her sister and their cousin will be picked up by the driver around 5:00PM, they set Starbucks at Glorietta 4 as the meeting place before they leave the mall.
After the Mass, had dinner at
Italianni's, went to Goodwill to show my friends the
picture books I am telling them about, and back to
Goldcrest again as one of my friends plans to buy a mobile phone for her sister as a gift. Obviously, led her to my
suki so she can get a discount. She was able to buy an open line mobile phone and got a SIM for free.
Davao: Day Three
Our last day in Davao... would have loved to stay a bit longer and enjoy the sea, the sun and the beach. The
Pearl Farm Beach Resort is a relaxing private retreat in a tropical paradise.
We would be taking
Philippine Airlines' Flight PR812, leaving Davao around 1:15PM. This means, we would be taking the 10:00AM boat ride to
Davao Marina to be in time for our flight home.
We had our buffet breakfast at the
Maranao Restaurant, made a "deposit" back to our cottage, and left the resort at exactly 10:00AM.
Davao International Airport
Upon arriving at
Davao International Airport, we finally met Oliver Dorano(?), who one of us was supposed to meet, because of the boxes of
suha she would be bringing back to Manila. We were supposed to ask him to buy the rest of us boxes of
suha, too. But ever since we tried to call or SMS him, we were not able to make contact. He also told us that he did not receive any SMS from us... Guess, the mobile number given to us was wrong..?
Anyway, we learned from him that Amy Perez took the earlier Philippine Airlines flight. Hmmm... now what would she be doing in Davao unless...
Also, we noticed while we are checking-in our things, on the side are boxes of
suha, banana, pineapple for Tony Boy Floirendo. So, he would be taking the same flight as us! I wonder...
We should have been arriving at the
Centennial Airport around 3:00PM. The flight was uneventful, in fact, it arrived 15 minutes earlier as expected.
Haayyyy... I wonder where I would be going next. c",)
Davao: Day Two
Manong Marshal saved the day. He was the driver of the multi-cab that took us from our cottage to the
Maranao Restaurant the previous night. He learned that we wanted to take a city tour and the taxi driver we originally made arrangements to take us is not responding in our SMS nor in our calls. He has a cousin, Mang Boy, who drives a van we can rent to take us around Davao City. A city tour would cost us PhP1,500.00. If we wanted to go to the
Philippine Eagle Center, we would shell out an additional P1,000.00.
But first, before taking the 10:00AM ride to
Davao Marina, we would first go to the
Malipano Island where the resthouse of the Pearl Farm's owners are situated (the Floirendos own the whole Malipano Island). There are also cottages, called
Villas, where one can stay.
Have to be early as there are lots of activity in store for us today. Waking up to the soft sun's rays that trickles through the glass door promises that this would be a great day. And boy, what a view (from my bed)!
Villa Beach
Malipano Villa door
Malipano Villa sala
Manong Marshal was the one who picked us up at our cottage to bring us to the
Parola Wharf where we can take a boat ride to Malipano Island. But before proceeding to the Parola, we detoured to the Hilltop to get a view of Davao from the resort. On the way, he called the security at the Parola that there would be passengers taking the boat to Malipano Island.
It is just a few minutes ride to Malipano Island. Once there, we were directed to the
Villa Beach. We saw a resort staff who we started to "interrogate" on what we can see on the island, whether Dawn Zulueta was in the island, etc. What we forgot to ask is whether Amy Perez is in the island since Tony Boy is. (
Tsika!) On our own, we looked at every nook and cranny of the island. When given a chance, like an open door, we sneaked in to see what's inside a Villa. Even got pictures as proof! c",)
Parola Bar
Back to
Samal Island, we spent some time at the Parola to have pictures taken at the
Parola Bar. Afterwhich, went to the Maranao Restaurant to eat our buffet breakfast in preparation of the city tour.
Mandaya Weaving Center
Butik
After breakfast, visited the resort's weaving center and its boutique (aptly named
Butik). Then, went back to our cottage to make a "deposit" (LOL). Thirty minutes before the boat's departure, we were back again at the Parola for the 10:00AM schedule.
At the Davao Marina, Mang Boy is already waiting for us. We have briefed him on what we planned to do and schedule we have to observe as not to miss the 4:00PM boat ride back to
Pearl Farm.
First stop is
Market Basket for the
Nenita's suha. Alas! The
suha is no longer available. Delivery is only on weekdays every 4:00PM.
Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague
We were just in time for the Mass at the
Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague. Actually, we were even on time for the novena before the Mass. The Mass is in English until... we reached the sermon. The priest switched to the local dialect and my friends and I just have to smile and take it in... hehe!
Davao from view deck
We were supposed to go to
Jack's Ridge for our lunch and to have a view of Davao while doing so. Since our intention is only to have a good view of Davao City, Mang Boy suggested to do it in the view deck, go to a drive-thru for our food and eat lunch on the way to the Philippine Eagle Center. Smarts!
And we did just that.
Eagle at the Philippine Eagle Center
The Philippine Eagle Center is inside the
Malagos Garden Park. Aside from the noted Philippine Eagles, named Pag-asa, Pangarap, Bayani, Marikit, Magiting and Jean(?), there are other type of birds, animals (crocodile, monkey,
baboyramo) and various plants.
Our next stop should have been at
Puentespina Orchids to view the plant and orchid display. But due to time constraints, we decided to proceed to
Aldevinco Shopping Center instead. Here, we were able to buy some
pasalubong. By the way, the best-tasting
durian and
mangosteen candies, according the locals, is
Lola Abon's.
And for a photofinish, we were back to Davao Marina five minutes before the 4:00PM boat departure.
To remove the day's stress, we again took a dip at the pool. This time, it's at the
Maranao Swimming Pool, so we can experience the infinity pool. The water is
maligamgam and would have loved not to leave the pool.
The plan, actually, is to go to the beach first, but the pool was inviting. By the time we decided to try the beach, it is already too dark.
During dinner, we were "rubbing elbows" again with Tony Boy Floirendo. c",)
BTW, a friend SMSed me that another nice place to visit in Davao is the
Eden Nature Park. Too bad it is only a three-day vacation for us.
Davao: Day One
Another place to check in my list: Davao!
We would be taking
Philippine Airlines PR811 flight, leaving the
Centennial Airport around 10:30AM. Expected arrival at Davao International Airport is 12:15PM... one hour and forty-five minutes travel.
Centennial Airport
Since we would try to catch the 1:30PM boat schedule from
Davao Marina to
Pearl Farm Beach Resort, it was decided to hand carry our luggage/s. This way, we can leave the airport immediately without waiting for our cargo, grab a taxi and be on our way to Davao Marina.
Also, since we are thinking of going around Davao City the following day, we chatted with the taxi driver and made arrangements of possibly picking us up at Davao Marina around 11AM. But, we will still have to confirm it with him. He gave us his mobile number if our plans will push thru. (As if it won't. hehehe!)
Davao Marina
Pier
Reached Davao Marina 30 minutes before the 1:30 scheduled boat departure for Pearl Farm... enough time to freshen up and look around the place.
The regular boat schedule was set depending on the plane's arrival and departure.
To Pearl Farm: 8:00AM, 1:30PM, 4:00PM and 6:00PM
To Davao Marina: 6:45AM, 10:00AM, 1:00PM and 4:00PM
Samal Houses
Along with guests, those who joined us in the boat are staff of Pearl Farm.
It is a 45-minute boat ride. Since everyone is excited to reach Pearl Farm, we did not mind the hunger pangs (hey! have not yet eaten lunch) and fought drowsiness caused by the rocking motion of the boat, lulling you to sleep. The first glimpse of the Samal houses further raised the excitement as you hear "click"-ing left and right. c",)
Mandaya Houses
As soon as we stepped out of the boat, we were given welcome drinks. As my friend arranged with the reception, the rest of us had a fun time taking pictures and having our pictures taken as we enjoyed the view which welcomed us.
We would be staying at Mandaya house. The Mandaya houses are arranged in U-shape with the pool and jacuzzi at the center. Thus, it (pool) would just be a few steps away from where we would be staying.
Maranao Restaurant
As soon our things were safely tucked in our cottage, we finally "obeyed" our stomach. So, off we went to Maranao Restaurant for our very late lunch/merienda. Here, we made friends with the restaurant's staff, making
kulit what brand of
suha is the best. All of them are one in saying that it is
Nenita's. According to one of them, Nenita's outlet is at
Market Basket. Since Market Basket is on the way to the
Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague where we plan to attend Mass, we decided we would be stopping by Market Basket for a few minutes to buy some
suha before proceeding to the Church.
Maranao Swimming Pool (Infinity Pool)
Parola view from the Infinity Pool
The Parola
After eating, it was decided to walk back to our cottage instead of taking the multi-cab. A good excuse to look around Pearl Farm and take pictures.
I guess the cat was not killed, we were curious what the inside of the Samal houses looked like. Since we would be passing by several Samal houses on our way back to our cottage, we were trying to determine which Samal house is empty so that we can sneak in and take a peek. An indicator it is empty? Aircon is not open, no television blaring, no lights open.... We found one! And we had our pictures taken, too. (LOL)
Once we were back in our cottage, changed to our swimsuits and had a dip at the jacuzzi... That was refreshing! Spent hours... and hours... and hours... Until it was decided to finally have our dinner.
Maranao Restaurant at night
For our first night, we were already "rubbing elbows" with the owner of Pearl Farm--Tony Boy Floirendo. (As if!) They were in the other table, we were on the other. hehehe! Not a bad ending for our first day... c",)
The Nun
Side A
Cars' Tow Mater and Sally
Davao International Airport
Villa Beach
Malipano Villa door
Malipano Villa sala
Parola Bar
Mandaya Weaving Center
Butik
Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague
Davao from view deck
Eagle at the Philippine Eagle Center
Davao Marina
Pier
Samal Houses
Mandaya Houses
Maranao Restaurant
Maranao Swimming Pool (Infinity Pool)
Parola view from the Infinity Pool
The Parola
Maranao Restaurant at night
