Happy Holidays!!!

"May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wishing all of you lots of LOVE, JOY and HAPPINESS. Merry Christmas!"

Pinoy Na Pinoy : Christmas in the Philippines 2010

Nothing beats the Christmas season in the Philippines.

Giant Christmas trees everywhere...

SM Mall of Asia

Robinson's Place Manila

Cash and Carry Mall

SM MOA - South Wing

SM City Iloilo

NAIA Terminal 3

Negros Occidental - The Ruins in Talisay City

In the afternoon of my day 1 in Negros Occidental, I visited this 903 square meter skeletal structure that is truly one of its kind.

"The Ruins" is considered as one of the 12 most fascinating ruins in the world. A monumental landmark that can be found in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

It is the ancestral house of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a rich and young Filipino Sugar Baron. Built in the early 1900's, as a memory of don Mariano's wife Maria Braga, a young Portuguese lady he met in one of his trips in Hongkong. During its heyday, the mansion was the largest residential structure.


The house is of Italianate architecture with a touch of renaissance structure typical of the homes of English ship captains. One of Don Mariano’s sons even supervised the construction of the mansion making sure that only A-grade mixture of concrete was used. Unfortunately, it was set to fire during World War II by the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East), to prevent Japanese Forces from using it as their headquarters. The raging inferno took three days before it reduced to ruins.

Batanes Deserves Me!

If only "good looks" can bring me to Batanes, I would definitely use mine. Wahahaha!!! Kidding aside, a Batanes trip has always been haunting me in my dreams. Without a doubt, I will do everything just to see and be able to set my "happy feet" in this awesome province.

I want to witness breath taking views of the beaches, lighthouses, hills, churches, and stone houses. I also want to meet the warm and gentle Ivatans. Feel the nice weather and to relax and have a time of my life. Needless to say, nothing can beat a natural high when you see a beautiful place such as Batanes.

Pinoy Na Pinoy : The New Generation Philippine Banknotes

A new set of Philippine peso bills were released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It still has the same famous Filipinos, except for the 500 peso bill that added President Cory alongside with his husband Ninoy.

What I like most about these new bank notes are the pictures at the back. It now features Philippines' iconic natural wonders and popular tourist attractions such as:

-Banaue Rice Terraces alongside the Palm Civet (20 pesos)
-Taal Lake and the Giant trevally fish (50 pesos)
-Mayon Volcano in Albay and the whale shark (100 pesos)
-Chocolate Hills in Bohol and the Philippine tarsier (200 pesos)
-Subterranean Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and the Blue-naped Parrot (500 pesos)
-Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the South Sea pearl (1000 pesos)

Negros Occidental - The Town of Murcia

The town of Murcia is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental. Known for Mambukal Mountain Resort, it is fast becoming an alternative residential hub in the province. Traffic and pollution free, the local government is eager to replicate the industrialization boom that was made in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna and Subic area. Develoment projects are ongoing that aims to improve road infractructures to and from Bacolod City.

Murcia Municipal Hall
After visiting Mambukal Resort, I pass by the Murcia town proper to roam and take photos around.

Alfredo Montelibano Sr (Former Governor)

Negros Occidental - Mambukal Resort in Murcia

I am quite sure that most of us want to take a break from our usual daily activities. Having not to think of anything but to commune with nature.


Mambukal Mountain Resort, a government-owned piece of paradise is a favorite vacation destination of local and foreign tourists since it is very accessible from Bacolod City, the capital city of Negros Occidental. It is located in the town of Murcia, some 31 km east of Bacolod city. With a land area of over 23.6 hectares, it is blessed with numerous beautiful natural resources and unparalleled scenic features.


Lies at about 1,200 feet above sea level, it serves as a gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon Volcano.

Trip Ko 'To : Turista na ba ako? V4.0

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

I've updated my lakbayan map with my latest trips to Tarlac, Quezon, Rizal, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental in the last 3 months of this year. From "C-", 3 months ago, I now have a Lakbayan grade of C! Yahoo!!!

What a great way to end my 2010!!! Looking forward for more trips next year!!!

On my bucket list:
January 2011 - Western Pangasinan with my officemates
February 2011 - Davao Del Sur with my MBA friends
July 2011 - Zamboanga Del Sur, solo trip