Sky Experience Adventure in Cebu! The Edge Coaster

For Cebu visitors, balikbayans, and even the locals - this time aside from the beautiful beaches and the Sinulog, there is another interesting thing to talk about Cebu! Somewhere in what was once known as Jones Avenue, now Osmena Boulevard – very close to Fuente Osmena is Crown Regency Hotel and Towers. It stands at a majestic 38 stories high commanding a splendid view of uptown Cebu.

What is very interesting is that, just recently (11 December 2008), it has launched its Sky Experience Adventure, a height defying amusement facility for the whole family in Cebu.

First, it features the world’s first Edge Coaster. It is the world’s very first and only amusement ride of its kind. Consider: the Edge Coaster goes around the edge of the building’s 38th floor while riders are strapped onto a rail seat. The riders will be rewarded here with a breathtaking view of the city.

However the Edge Coaster has another trick that will take your breath away – you can pull a lever that can tilt your seat up to 55 degrees making you feel like you are falling from the sky. Definitely heart stopping!

It definitely is not for the faint of heart! For those who want to defy their fear of heights - it is a Dare!   

Abaca Resort and Restaurant

Abaca Resort and especially its restaurant, located in Punta Engano, Lapulapu City (Cebu), has been steadily earning good reviews from its visitors and patrons. It is actually a boutique resort, small and still basically new compared to the other popular resorts, but nonetheless can compete in terms of amenities.

You can relax in these lounge chairs...

And enjoy this view...
They too have a spa...
I bet you can't help but agree that this is romantic!
Their restaurant looks like this before the sun sets...
And like this during the evenings...


Photo references: Abaca Resort and Restaurant

Scenes From Amara

Amara Gate

No, I'm sorry that girl is not me. I think she and her brother went wading in the beach at the time we took the pictures.

Some lot owners came and had a picnic and availed of the amenities even if their houses are not yet constructed...

The project is not totally finished yet and I have not seen any resident owner moving in. Not much construction is going on, so probably people will be moving perhaps in the near future...

Of Religious Icons, Antiques, and Some Woodworks

One of my aunts has a weakness for them...

See those lamps above? Those are real working lamps made of glass that sadly, we do not use anymore these days (understandable, I mean who would want to use them when the electricity is just a switch away, and in case of brownouts - there are rechargeable lamps). But they must have been used as bedside lamps before... Very romantic.

That little table above used to be a sewing machine (which probably did not work anymore). Instead of throwing it away, my Aunt kept the wrought iron stand and transformed it into a coffee table (changed the top with glass). Very ingenious...

Chair made of wood...

More furniture made of wood...

Lola Gracing's Birthday Bash

Lola Gracing turned 84, and her children decided to throw a small party for her. But there were a few more well-wishers who came (more than what was expected), and we thought the food wouldn't be enough. But it was just right after all.

Just to remind you folks who are already based outside the Philippines, here are some of the food you might have missed - on the foreground are Balbacua (to the left) and Pasayan (to the right). Behind is Kaldereta (sorry, forgot to take a closer shot), at the center is - I forgot the name but it is Breaded chicken fillet with some stuffing. Behind the Pasayan is Sweet and Sour Lapulapu which is mostly covered by the carrots and its sauce. There was Bam-i, Dinuguan and fruits such as Mango, Watermelon, and a Baked Lasagna (not a Pinoy dish but among the favorite fare).

The crowning glory is of course - the Inasal! It was filled and cooked with lemon grass and dahong sibuyas which made it quite aromatic. The skin was crunchy and the meat was tender and juicy...
And the celebrant was asked to blow her cake amidst happy well wishers!

In Order To Survive...

She used to knock at our gates at around 7 - 8 a.m. everyday, one pail full of fresh fishes on each hand. One time I asked her how she could carry those weight, being petite and all, she just smiled and said "no choice...".

I found out that she is just 26, but she already had 3 kids in close succession. Like most stories we hear, she comes from a poor family, and had to stop schooling (after 2 years in high school) because her parents could no longer afford to send her to school. It was not surprising when she decided to get married early. She tried working at first in a factory but her income could not sustain her family's needs. That was why she decided to try selling fish. Instead of getting a spot in the market, she chose to carry her stuff and knock on doors. The strategy paid off because she was able to get regular buyers. That was how I came to know her...

Actually I was not too keen on buying from her at first because there is a slight difference between her prices and those from the wet market near our neighborhood. But what's a few pesos difference if I could help her find some means of earning. Beside I have to admit that I like the state of her fishes.
Lately however, she has not visited us. In fact I found out that she has not made her usual rounds in our neighborhood. Why? Nobody seems to know... I just hope that whatever the reasons for absence, should at least be something for the better. Her grit to stand the heat and burden is admirable. But then her story is our story too, in fact every mom's story. I believe that there is no mother who is not willing to make sacrifices and go an extra mile to secure a good future for her family.

The Day I Run Out Of Cooking Gas

One day, I ran out of gas and cash! So I tried to cook the old fashioned way - using charcoal and unused wood cuttings. I must admit that the exercise turned out to be quite a humbling experience.

For some time I have been guilty of being used to convenient and fast cooking methods - like gas ranges, electric stoves, microwave ovens, and other electrical conveniences which require little physical exertion simply because all that is needed is plug them in or switch them on.

The cooking activity turned out to be taxing and took more than twice the time it normally does when cooking on gas or electric stoves. I had to run in and out of the kitchen because the make -shift cooking stove was set-up outside. I felt I spent the whole morning waiting for the rice to cook (Okay, an exaggeration). Now if you are wondering why there is no mention of an electric rice cooker, it is because I have none. I ditched it so I can save on electricity bill.

Cooking the sud-an was worse. It took a lot of fanning and some puffing to create enough heat. And it seemed like - I am again waiting forever for the whole thing to boil and cook. And because I was not adept in making a good fire, I was constantly enveloped by smoke. I thought it was a miracle I survived suffocation.

Now don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the whole process. In fact I wanted to experience this method of cooking. Why? because my lolas on both sides survived a lifetime of cooking by wood, yet there was never any complaint - of too much smoke, or of dirt by soot. In truth, a lot of households in our area, those who can not afford the expensive LPG gas or electricity, still continue to cook this way. Their little children would patiently gather tree cuttings, unused wood, or even wood shavings. Maybe because it has always been this way for them, they never complain. I realized if we need to survive hard times we must learn how to adjust and be patient...

And so my day ended... hands covered with soot, red eyed and all - but still able to survive gracefully. What did I accomplished? A delicious, slow-cooked, aromatic, smoky-flavored meal!

Fiesta of Our Lady of Fatima Parish

Fatima Parish in Basak Mandaue City, Cebu is once again celebrating its annual fiesta in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. There were series of activities which lasted for a week and culminated in a mass celebrated by no less than our beloved Cardinal Vidal. Take a glimpse of the fiesta...

People were seen arriving at the church for the fiesta mass celebration. Candle and balloon vendors can be seen hawking their wares. Of course, balloons are a fixtures even during ordinary Sundays...

People slowly filled up the church and it was starting to overflow...

Inside - the church was already full as people waited for the mass to begin...

While outside - the altar boys were seen preparing to line up and patiently waited for the Cardinal to start the mass...

The Cardinal is about to make the entrance to the church to start the mass...

Offertory part - people brought flowers and other offerings...

After the mass - people patiently lined up to pay homage to the Lady of Fatima...

While others lighted candles outside the church and offered some personal prayers.

This is how it was in the years that passed. How it will probably be for years to come, unless the people's faith will change...

See you again next fiesta!

Game Show Contestant

My sister sent a text to ABS-CBN Kapamilya text raffle promo and surprisingly received a reply and got invited to participate in their game show. We laughed over it because, oh well, truth is we are a bit skeptical about raffle promos. Anyway to make the story short, out of curiosity, she accepted the invitation.

The call time time was at 7:00 a.m. one beautiful Saturday morning. But they soon found out that the program hosts and other staff just start to arrive only around 9:00 a.m. It was not an actual live show but a taping for a future episode. My sister did not get lucky because she got eliminated in the first Round, and was not able to proceed towards the next round. As consolation, those who did not make it were given snacks and consolation prizes.

She said that all contestants are urged to show enthusiasm and energy during the taping of the show, or else the segment is going to be taped all over again. My sister noted that Katya Santos (the girl in pensive mood wearing black blouse and maong pants) is not actually chubby in person, but just voluptuous.

All in all my sister said the experience was not bad after all, she even enjoyed it!