Maldives (Day 1)

The road to Maldives was long and eventful. We arrived in Kuala Lumpur at 1am and our connecting flight wasn’t until 8pm, so we checked in a hotel only to find out we’re checked in not until 2pm later that day. Good thing there was a nearby inn that was available. So we checked in, then checked out at 12nn, checked in again at the second hotel (the booking could no longer be cancelled), then checked out at 6pm. We flew to Male, landed at 10pm, stayed overnight at a creepy inn in the middle of nowhere, then finally took a sea plane to Kuredu island a few hours later the next morning at 6am. It was my first time ever to ride sea plane, so it was quite a thrill. A bit scary, especially when we hit the clouds, but way cool, especially with the water landing. After almost 36 hours since we left Manila, we have arrived in Maldives, one of my ultimate bucket list destinations.
But once we landed, almost programmed to be disappointed with such unreasonably high expectations of Maldives, to further abuse a cliche, we were greeted with paradise. The staff was so welcoming (not as festive as when you arrive in the big Palawan resorts where you’re greeted with a throng of singing staff members), and very professional.
We’re spending the first half of our stay in a garden villa, then the other half in the more expensive, but more stunning water villa.
And once we swam near the resort’s trademark sand bar, it turned out to be one of my most memorable beach experiences ever. The sun radiated steadily, the water was luminous turquoise, the temperature was warm and inviting, the cool breeze blew steadily, and big fish swam past you in the crystal clear, shallow water, free of stones or corals. It was, to put it simply, magical. It was one of those moments that you keep safe in your memory bank, pull it out when your feeling low, then put it back in for future use. It was so good I didn’t want it to end.
We booked a manta ray snorkeling expedition for tomorrow (another bucket list entry, if ever), so hopefully all goes well with that. It’s been just a day on the island, and already it’s been worth the money and effort to be here. In my humble opinion, you can’t put a price tag on the memories and insights you gain when traveling.
And I haven’t felt stronger about that opinion as I do now, nestled in this paradise island, a gem in the middle of the Indian ocean.

Boracay (Nov 2012) Part 2

If yesterday was really cloudy and rainy, today was as picture-perfect as can be! The sun was out full blast and we were deliciously baking the whole day. We basically soaked in the brine from sun-up to sun-down. I feel physically and emotionally disinfected by the ocean, the way we soak wounds in the sea to heal them. We’ve also been eating like starved swines since we got here. We had lunch at Dos Mestizos and tried out their famous Paella Valenciana. Absolutely delicious to the very last grain. And tonight we’ll be dining on Moroccan cuisine at the Kasbah. Had the sun not set, we’d still probably be in the water. Why do vacations have to end?

Boracay (Nov 2012)

I really needed a break. I don’t remember needing a break this badly in a looong time! With book 2 finally submitted and a ridiculously heavy December waiting for us, I need to recharge my physical and mental batteries. And so, we decided to take a quick Boracay weekend. We almost missed our flight this morning, not because of traffic, but because of the perennial parking shortage at NAIA T3. I don’t know why they don’t address this major glitch in operations. So frustrating. But since we made it, forget the bad vibes. We were three hours delayed but it was all good. We landed in Kalibo, so with the bus, boat, and tricycle rides, we got to the resort just shortly before 6pm. Loved the room (I’ll post photos later). Headed out for a hearty Mexican dinner, got Jonah’s papaya milk shake, then headed back to sleep early. We’ll just do all the activities tomorrow after a good night’s sleep. I actually don’t care what we do, I just love the idea that I’m on vacation for the next three days. Pure heaven. ❤️

The Monster Scholars (1st Sem 2012)

It’s that time of the year again when Monster Radio RX 93.1 goes on the search for the Monster Scholars. And again, this year proves to be a fruitful year in terms of finding deserving scholars. RX was able to sponsor 4 students while our listeners gave enough to sponsor an extra 10 students, for a total of 14 scholars! And on a personal note, special thanks to the listeners of The Morning Rush for pooling their resources and coming up with enough for 4 students. The Morning Rushers are sponsoring 2 students, while the Singapore Rushers are sponsoring another 2. They told us that the response was overwhelming, with so many people wanting to help out, no matter how small the amount. It’s so inspiring to hear how the willingness to help out is still alive and kicking. The scholars’ stories are heart-rending, which makes their eventual success stories extra poignant. Again, THANK YOU to all the kind souls who dug deep into their hearts and into their pockets and pitched in for our scholars. May fate smile upon your generosity.

Ginoboi Joins Our Manila Bulletin Column!

Our very own bully boy Gino Quillamor is the latest addition to our growing Morning Rush family, and our column is no exception! Gino joins our Manila Bulletin column, now called “He Says, She Says, He Says” that comes out every Wednesdays. So now you’ve got 3 opinions to dish out very different perspectives on whatever your situation is all about. Yay!

Ginoboi Joins Our Manila Bulletin Column!, posted with vodpod

The Morning Rush Scandal 3

Just in case you haven’t seen this yet, it was one of our most fun “shoots” yet! Rebecca Black, watch your back!

The Morning Rush Scandal 3, posted with vodpod

Jollibee Floats

Jollibee invited us bloggers to try out their new floats, so we trooped to one of their newest stores, Jollibee in Amang Rodriguez, corner Marcos Highway for their event.

First there was a really nice spread for us, before they brought out the floats, so we chilled and bonded, and I learned a thing or two about blogging from my fellow bloggers. Special thanks to Saab Magalona for tips on the WordPress app and Vince Golangco for tips on hosting my own site!

I’m a guest im this event for celebrity bloggers, but after this, I’m also hosting the event for the bloggers! We got some games ready for them, we’re setting up as we speak.

Finally they brought out the stars of the show, Jollibee Chocolate Float, which is rich iced chocolate topped with creamy vanilla soft serve and chocolate syrup, and Jollibee Coffee Float, this time with smooth iced coffee, also with vanilla soft serve and chocolate swirls. They asked us which one we preferred and we all had our own favorites. So see which one you like better and try both! Thank you Jollibee!

One Day “Detox” At The Farm

Yesterday, after work, we went to the farm to de-stress, even for just a day trip. I put “detox” because it’s more if an emotional detox than a literal one. For reasons that I’d rather not expound on, Holy Week was uncharacteristically stressful for me. It was a difficult long weekend for me, even if we didn’t have work for 4 days. Anyway, I really needed a day to get away from it all, to just relax, and so we did. We got to Lipa around lunchtime, and we did nothing all day but swim, eat healthy food, and lounge. I really love the drinks. There’s the lemon + honey + cayenne pepper drink that I looove. It’s steeply priced at 350 per glass, but I love it! Nothing really to tell since we mostly just recharged with all the serene vibes we fed off of. We capped off the day with a reflexology massage under the stars. I have a love-hate relationship with reflexology. It’s nowhere as relaxing as the swedish massage with it’s soothing strokes, but more of pressing pressure points which at times could actually verge on pain. But I also love it because it’s a necessary pain. After the massage, I was relaxed, but I was also spent, as if I ran a marathon or something. In the car, I was completely knocked out. I didn’t wake up until we got home. Then I practically crawled upstairs to my bed only to be knocked out again. It was just less than a day, but we’re really like salmon swimming back to their birthplace everytime we go back to The Farm. It’s quite expensive, and it’s not for everyone (especially if your idea of a resort is fun and frolic), but if you crave fir peace and quiet and tranquility and serenity and a kick-ass spa treatment (and if your budget is plump and ready to go), then The Farm at San Benito is for you. But it’s back to reality for me. Time to earn again so I can afford another go at one of our favorite resorts.

Happy Easter! (2012)

It’s the end of Holy Week, so it’s time to rejoice (or time to mourn the end if your long weekend)!

It’s Madonna Day On Monday!

Monday, March 26, is the release week of Madonna’s much-awaited 12th studio album, MDNA. It’s her best buzz since Ray Of Light, with great overall reviews, coming off her record-breaking Super Bowl performance, the most-watched halftime show ever. This is the 2nd single off the album, Girl Gone Wild, the one with the lawsuit claims from porn meister Joe Francis. Madonna goes back to her gay roots, with men in high heels and cameos by male supermodels Sean O’Pry and Jon Kortajarena. Lots of Lady Gaga debates as to who did what first, but it only fuels interest in the single and album. Early reviews have been very good, as everyone says she aptly goes back to her dance roots. No more Madonna going serious, just serious dance music. I can’t wait!