Lifestyle+Places – Page 2 – Shainne Hostalero

2015 Year-End Ramble: Baguio

Last touch for the year! Wooohooo! Sorry, couldn’t get over the excitement my short travel brought. Looking back, I have started this year with a travel – to Baguio – and eventually ended it in… Baguio.

Baguio has been that good serene place for me to explore but it is just recent that I got to explore lots of places there. Though I have not explored the place in its entirety still, I guess this has been a great start and a good spree to find the chance and the time to go back and traverse the place more next time.

My good friend and former housemate (parang PBB lang) Emily hosted me for the past 3 days and 2 nights of my stay. She religiously heading back to Baguio whenever there’s a long vacation because her relatives reside there. Lucky me that I got to stroll around the city with a local and a good friend, oh but of course.

I went to Victory Liner in Cubao, Quezon City on a Christmas day to buy tickets in advance for the next-week travel. I left the bus station around 6:00AM and set foot in Baguio around 2:00PM. The travel time was that looooong due to the volume of vehicles going up North for the holidays.

And so, the fun times have reigned:

Day 1

T-Bone Steak
Sizzling Plate, Baguio City

Travel time was kind of lengthy and I got two stopovers only. Since I wasn’t able to have my breakfast before the travel, the result of all these was inevitable: HUNGER

We went to Sizzling Plate – the one located in Carino Street, along the corner of Abanao Street and Kisad Road – and ordered some heavy late-lunch.

Oh My Gulay located at the Top Floor La Azotea Building along Session Road

Since my first day was still young, we explored some good places we could think of around the city. I must admit that the volume of tourist visiting the place this year-end was and still is tremendous. It was very unlikely during my 2015 New Year visit.

We couldn’t believe how this beautiful restaurant came out and set up at the top floor of a building. It was really commendable. The place was not crowded when we visited and everything seemed picture-perfect.

The place has a nice ark feature where people can enjoy a Baguio over-looking view and watch the sun as its set

Some goodies at the back of the Madame who was having her day-off

Baguio Sunset

Baguio’s temperature went all the way down to 16 degrees that night – though it was not the coldest being recorded but still it was really cold. We decided to break down some frozenness and looked a cozy place where we can have coffee. We wanted to make sure that it won’t be a usual coffee place we are used to go to in Quezon City.

Under The Tree Book Cafe
26 Baden Powell Inn, General Pack Road

We discovered a good (and warm) cafe with books! And post-it walls! And feelings! The messages we were able to read were really cute and mostly love-confessing. Umibig tayong lahat ng lubos! Push natin yan!

Can you read some of the ‘Uwi ka na. Hindi na ako galit’ messages? Hahaha!
Awesome wall!

Promptly took a bite because I can’t resist

If you will get the chance to drop by Under The Tree Book Cafe and would like to know what to try, I suggest you taste this combination – Strawberry Cheesecake + Cafe Mocha – comes in a very affordable price. This might be the best coffee-cheesecake combination I’ve ever tasted. The best Strawberry Cheesecake and Cafe Mocha sa balat ng lahat ng coffee shop na napuntahan ko!

Day 2

I woke up to a very very cold (understatement) Baguio. Taking a bath was a serious struggle but I have managed to survive anyway. Whatta lifetime achievement! Chos! A loooong good day was sure to come next.

I planned (even long before) and eventually fulfill and have made it to Baguio because I want to visit the BenCab Museum. I’ve been in various museums ever since – and thus, became my favorite place to chill out because… ~Art~

With that being said, I promised myself that I will not leave Baguio City (and/or Benguet, for that matter) without visiting the museum.

BenCab Museum
Km. 6, Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet

Starting by January 2016, their Museum Entrace Fee will increase to, if I’m not mistaken, 20%
And please excuse my hand because it was thaaaaaaat cooooooold!

At the entrance

Sabel

BenCab Museum View

Truth be told, I couldn’t get enough of that amazing view. And even I, can’t believe my own eyes. I’ve been with various places where nature was at its peak and its the ultimate star – and so, this could be one of those treasured places I will keep in my gazillion-size memory storage of a lifetime (and even beyond that).

Strawberry fields forever at the BenCab Museum

Some of my favorite artworks from the museum:

Screaming Bulol (2015) by Leonard Aguinaldo
in Rubber Print

Meditation on White and Yellow Against Black (2015) an oil on canvass work of Marina Cruz

Bahala na si Batman (2015) an oil in canvass work of Azor Pazcoguin

This one is really incredible! A work of Yao Sampana
Beautiful Decay (20150
Oil on Canvass

Cordillera Gallery
This gallery showcases tribal artifacts and indigenous crafts of the Northern Philippine highlands

Basic (2005)
Oil on Canvass by Ronald Ventura

Spin Doctors
2008, Oil on Canvass
Joel Welbart Bartolome

Wow!
Mindscape: A Breeze of Expectancy II
2008, Oil on Canvass
by Justin Nuyda

Surreal

Emily and I enjoyed a brunch at BenCab Museum’s Cafe Sabel after the tour.

Home-made Longganisa at Cafe Sabel

From Tuba, Benguet, we headed back to the main city and decided to go to the next stop at Camp John Hay: the Bell House Museum.

One PINE day at Camp John Hay. Once a troll, always a troll.

Emily and the Bell Amphitheater

Since 1903

And if you’re feeling a little negative, burn it and leave it in 2015. The Cemetery of Negativism might be a good suggestion.

The weather was working well and we decided to stroll more around Camp John Hay. We also headed to The Manor after.

The Manor

Day 3

The past 2 days were really a blast. My third and last day came and it was slowly sinking in. I wanted to stay a little longer but I also needed to be in time for the New Year’s celebration at home with my folks. So before I head back to Manila, we dined in at Cafe By The Ruins for a more Baguio vibes.

Cafe By The Ruins
located at 25 Shuntug Road, Baguio City

Morning coffee with that sugar

Tapa for breakfast

And before finally heading back to Manila. One last glimpse:

Burnham Park

2015 is coming to an end whether we like it or not. We don’t know how 2016 will work but hopes are high! And we must make the new year fun, happy, and in content. Yahoooooo!

Happy New Year, everyone! Manalig!

Shercon Resort and Ecology Park

Summer couldn’t get any better when you get to spend it with happy and yes, funny people. Our whole company went to Shercon Resort and Ecology Park in Batangas for our Rest and Recreation Activity. Remember the feeling when you were a kid and you had your field trip for the very first time? That’s how it felt!

Photo by Shainne Hostalero

This is the view from our room’s veranda. The place was really serene and you might want to relocate there when you first set your foot on the resort ground. The almost 3-hour travel time was all worth it.

Photo by Ms. Cherry Asuncion, RP, RGC

We tried so many activities like Zipline, Rappelling, Wall Climbing and Maze. This is the photo of the maze we conquered. Almost 20 of us went in and it took us no more than 30 minutes, I guess. Hahaha! It’s not easy like how it really looks, nonetheless, it was of the funniest experience we had at the resort. Good thing the tour guides gave us a hint on how we can finish the maze because if not, we might have been stuck there for an hour or so. Hehe

Photo by Shainne Hostalero

This is the last photo I took while having our merienda before leaving the place. It was breathtaking.

It resembles Baguio, Philippines and Arkansas, US.

I still have so many photos during the trip that our beloved SAs took of – the other areas of the resort and of course, our happy faces during the games, the resort tour and the travel.

Aside from the beautiful place, the food was great, too. Kudos to the organizers of the trip! It was a fun-filled day from dusk ’til dawn.

Location: Shercon Resort and Ecology Park

Brgy. San Sebastian, Mataas na Kahoy

Batangas, Philippines

Date: April 24, 2015

Talipanan Beach, Puerto Galera 2015

Do you, by any chance, wonder why beautiful places soothe your mood? It is because new experiences bring us a certain touch from the world that could calm us. Traveling to beautiful places makes us realize how blessed we are to finally have a glimpse of the wonderful nature.

Last Holy Week 2015 (April 4-5, 2015), Rara and I decided to have our getaway to one of the most relaxed beaches (still) in Mindoro, the Talipanan Beach. Puerto Galera isn’t something new to me. In fact, I’ve visited it hundreds of times before, so I tried different beaches there then. I have gone to White Beach and Sabang Beach way back, and very recent, Talipanan Beach. That, I must say, the most relaxed one.

We are not fond of partying or drinking (well, not anymore). Maybe because as you grow older, you will outgrow this kind of thing and you will realize that sleeping late is not the ‘deal’ anymore (oldies. Hehe!)

That was what we like about the beach. It was just comforting and won’t leave you dead tired. When you work so hard every week and finally have the chance to take a break, you want more adventures to take; but then you also want to relax and rest a little bit away from the blunders of the city. I think that has just happened during our vacation and we couldn’t be any happier.

Shainne and Rara

We talked about our personal lives, our plans, careers and our next destinations. Safe to say, we are after the experience than too much of material things the world is offering. Work hard, play harder.

Rara

Puerto Galera, Philippines

Where we stayed.

We love how quiet the place was. The food was great, too!

Chicken Tinola

Since we left Manila very early, we haven’t had the time to eat breakfast. So by the moment, we set foot to the island, we were very famished. We left around 7:30am, arrived at the Batangas Port around 9:00am and arrived at the island around 11:00am after almost an hour of boat-travel and a few minutes of waiting time to board.

We ordered Chicken Tinola and I must say that it was A-OK! It was far from the city version, that was why we loved it.

Beautiful sea. Isn’t it lovely?

Mango Crepe at Luca’s Cucina Italiana & Lodge

After lunch, we checked-in to the hotel room and went swimming. We haven’t had so much to do since it was high-noon; then we decided to eat. Luca’s Cucina Italiana & Lodge has really huge servings so they really give justice to every penny you pay for your food. Good food, too!

View from Puerto Galera Beach Club’s terrace

Swimming done!

Hahaha! Chill!

We had our early dinner still in Luca’s Cucina Italina & Lodge
Pizza and Pasta

During the high-noon. Photo (c) Rara Solitario

Relax time by the beach

Photo (c) Rara Solitario

Morning View

This was the day after we arrived. We had the chance to have breakfast by the beach and I must say, it was my favorite. Great view + great food, how can you go wrong?

As per the menu, this is what they call Canadian Breakfast

Breakfast by the beach

Rara

Of course, we must take the universe and the Lord above for giving us people to our lives, especially the ones we know who will be there no matter what.

I can’t thank the Lord enough for giving me such a good friend like Rara. We were friends since college days and went through a lot together. We share almost the same visions in life and she cares more than enough to those people who are part of her. She tolerates every amount of food I eat no matter how it can destroy her diet.

‘Til we run out of words to say and places to go.

Thank you for the wonderful trip and life-long friendship!

Baguio 2015

Our family went to Baguio last January 1st and I must say that this was our first for this year (or in such a long time.)

Often times these days, families get together when someone’s sick or worst, someone faced death. It happened and perhaps this is our way of making up for the lost and wasted time.

My family, I can say, is crazy. We don’t agree on much of the things like other families but I guess, sticking to it is the secret. Bound by different personalities, choices in life and beliefs, we kept it loud, clear, nonvocal yet true and fun. We were never showy but that does not mean we can never be.

We’ve had way too many photos but these are my faves.

Cousins who used to be babies are soon to be taller than me

Puerto Galera 2014

May 31 – June 1, 2014; Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines

June 7 – 8, 2013; White Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines

I am somehow a Puerto Galera kind of girl, even those time that it wasn’t that too mainstream yet. Exploring the beach life, getting sunkissed tan skin and salty hair are the things I love whenever I set foot on the beach.

Puerto Galera, is by far, the nearest white beach and accessible beach I can go to whenever I feel like it or whenever I feel like I needed some place to cool my mind.

This 2014 (and 2012 and 2013), I went to a series of heartbreaks. Every year it seems to have something achy though I am still thankful. Not everytime is a heartbreak to endure, there are still times that I feel I’m on a cloud 9, happiness that are bound to last forever or something to that effect if there’s really none.

I am not afraid to travel alone. I love it, actually. It makes me know myself more. My mistakes, weaknesses, and strengths made me explore places alone and meet a lot of new people who sometimes shares the same vision as I am or the total opposite.

White Beach, Puerto Galera

“Travel and meet yourself.”

White Beach Party at White Beach, Puerto Galera

Seaside lunch

Mindoro, Philippines

Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera

Holy Week 2014: Sagada Tour

April 16 – 19, 2014; Banaue – Sagada – Benguet

Now that the year is soon to be over, I finally found time to blog about my 2014 adventures. I know that these might not be glamorous like the others but these adventures made me see myself and how life should be despite of the challenges, sadness and all negativity. Amen!

Banaue – Sagada -Benguet tour could be one of the most unforgettable trip I had in my entire life. I spent it with awesome friends and of course my bestfriend included. This trip was meant to be enjoyed and somehow forget – nature is indeed the best answer and a remedy to cure a broken heart! Hahaha! It made me realized that there was more to life than visions of how things you want them to be. Because somehow, what we want is not always what we need. You just have to take it all in!

We left Quezon City around 6:00 or 7:00PM then on with the road. The travel lasted for 16 hours, stops included. Then the next day, we dropped by in Banaue to see the Rice Terraces. It was kinda foggy because it rained; the weather was so nice though roads were kind of slippery.

Anne, Rara and I (Photo by Carlo)

Right after Banaue, we went straight to Sagada. It was the main destination for the trip and I tell you what, Sagada is really really beautiful. It felt like a dream! The people were nice and very accommodating; the weather was colder than Baguio and everything felt like a scene from a certain movie. We went caving (until our bodies ache), went trekking (more sore came up) and went to see the Hanging Coffins. Sagada is actually rich in tradition, and it was good to know that they still keep those traditions up until today.

What a wonderful way to repent, enjoy and seek adventure last Holy Week.

Day 1:

View from our Hotel! Who wouldn’t love to see that kind of beauty everyday?

Sagada

I remember he asked me if we can have a picture together because he was wearing a Banaue/Sagada traditional wear and followed it through by telling me that he was not charging or looking for a payment. He was nice! He told us that he just want us to have a memorable vacation even if it is just in a photo because he can’t give us anything as a souvenir.

My faith in humanity was restored. That was one of the main reasons why our Sagada tour was so memorable to me. I don’t need any souvenir, His kindness and hospitality were more than enough.

On our way to do some caving. We didn’t know what body soreness was coming up! Hahaha!

To Sumaging Cave

On the way to Sumaging Cave

Coffins inside Sumaging Cave – not us! The ones behind!

The Cave Adventure begins!

Stop over!

Going through holes!

Finally! We spent almost 5 hours to reach the end of the Cave.

All wet and tired but happy! We made it!

Day 2:

Trekking all the way to Bomod-ok Falls with our van mates!

Trekking with out resident tourist guide who seemed to be 50+ years old but treks way better than us!

See that way?

It was 12 noon, the sun was up but it was so cold in Sagada

With the bff!

Glimpse of how the water in Sagada was like. The falls supplies the water in Sagada!

Hanging bridge all the way to the other side of the world! Hahaha!

Happy looking people!

Finally! The Bomod-ok Falls!

Hanging Coffins! Traditionally, they used to bury their their dead loved ones and hang their coffins on the cave. The higher the position of the coffin, the higher their place or rank in the society.

Up until now, others still practice this kind of burial to preseve their tradition.

After trekking and Hanging Coffins spree at the Sagada Lemon Pie House

It’s the famous Lemon Pie!

Day 3:

Highest Point at Kiltepan Viewpoint! It was so foggy!

Carlo, Anne, Me and Rara at Kiltepan Viewpoint

Adventure is out there!

Getaway – Pamarta Bali Beach Resort

I landed on a great sphere of life. The place was really beautiful and I would not want to blink my eyes, I could see the best thing – this was the greatest reverie. It was a tranquil place that made my heart skipped a beat, it removed all my disappointments and frustrations, and I could say, I was happy and contented.

Philippines is a wonderful country.The inner piece of the place can excite me and amuse me in every single way. I am a Filipino, and I would say that it’s a pity of me and it’s a poorness of me to not appreciate what I have and what I can see right now.. and by this I could also utter, I am a real Filipino and I am proud of it.

Pamarta Bali Beach Resort, Bataan is the perfect getaway for this sembreak. After the stressful days, with all the depressions and frustrations you had for the past semester would actually fade away with this kind of place; the people are very friendly and accommodating, you could easily talk to them or interview them about the place and you can feel that you are really a priority and a very important customer. Great customer service, I could say!

(October 19, 2011). We traveled for more than 3 hours, the journey was great because of the beautiful places you could see along the way, it’s more like you’re happy, fulfilled and relaxed rather than you feel exhausted and tired about the travel. Public transport for the win; took the bus from Cubao to Olongapo, tricycle to Olongapo terminal to SBMA and a mini bus from SBMA to Morong, Bataan then tricycle again going to Pamarta Bali Beach Resort.. with hot weather, great stories and excitement, yes, it wasn’t really tiring at all, it was more on the FUN side!

Yes, Philippines!!

Some photos from the wonderful trip! 🙂

The Pamarta Bali Beach Resort! 1:00 in the afternoon, the beach was smiling 🙂 I fell in love with the place. It was really reaaaalllly beautiful!

The infinity pool! They were actually activating the infinity pool, the fountains and the Jacuzzi by the time we landed on the place.

The room key. Nice key chain, very Bali!

Can’t wait to swim and enjoy the sand!

S is for Shainne

Exploring the beach and the pool at this moment. I have a thing for sunset, and I’m telling you this was the best sunset ever! 😉 Sunset by the beach. I don’t have a camera to take beautiful pictures, I lost it few months ago (long story) and I don’t have (yet) the time and money to buy a new one (because by this time, I want an expensive camera hahaha) so, I just used my cellphone to take pictures. Not bad at all.