Seriously, It's a Cellphone!

Cherry Mobile don't just do calculator and TV phones. They are now producing a super mini iPhone look-a-like cellphones! Could be the grand daughter of iPhone? Haha. This is Cherry Mobile Cutie worth P1200. It's a fully-working phone with all the functionalities a basic phone has. Messages, Phone book, Calendar, Calculator, Alarm, FM Radio, Bluetooth, MicroSD and even Games! Hehe. Cutie.

Mighty Mt. Pinatubo

Dreams do come true. :)

I can't remember the time when I saw images of Mt. Pinatubo on one blog, and instantly, I fell in love with it. Excitement grew inside me. And thankfully, the dream of seeing the beauty of Mt. Pinatubo in person for a long time has finally became a reality.

(Ako, si Chito, Dugal, Joy, Elaine at Aldin sa McDo Ortigas Jr. corner Emerald Ave.)

May 6 of this year when I and 8 more friends joined some groups for a tour to the crater of the great volcano. We left Manila 2AM in the morning and arrived 5AM at Capas, Tarlac. I'm not sure if I had enough sleep since I was all thinking about what I am about to see in the morning. 'Excited much?' Haha.

6AM the facilitators have already organized our papers and paid environmental and DOT fees so we're good to go! One of the most exciting part in Pinatubo trek is the 45mins to an hour of 4x4 ride going to the jump-off. But I found it a little more like a cradle that made me drowsy. Haha. But don't get me wrong. The bumpy ride to the 4x4 truck traveling the wonders of Mt. Pinatubo landscape is a very rewarding moment that you don't want to miss. It's like you're in the land of Lord of the Rings. Hehe.

After almost an hour of 4x4 ride, we're finally on the jump-off. My feet is as excited as my eyes to see the sorroundings of Pinatubo as it started walking the very moment I got down the vehicle. Hehe. So much of that.

(Yan ang excited magtrek magpa-picture)

From the jump-off, it would take about 2-3 hours of trek for you to get to the crater that is purely depends on how much time you expend in picture taking. Haha. As for us, it took us 3 hours. Alam na. Be sure to have enough water supply and apply sun block as you will be walking under the scorching heat of the sun with minimal shade on the trail. Buti nalang may dala akong payong. Wahahaha. (Evil Laugh)

(Oh di ba. Inggit sila! Haha.)

(See me? Syempre ako yung nakapayong. Haha.)

You will never get bored trekking in Pinatubo since all you can see is a breathtaking view of landscapes and rock formations that is as other calls it, 'out of this world'. However, I find it very tricky. I mean I can't even tell if we're ascending or we're really going to the crater since all I'm seeing is wide path of sands and a long and winding rocky stream.

When you reached the shady part of the trail where trees and bushes grows, you're almost on your destination. The trail then will lead you to a steep concrete stairway which leads to the entrance to the crater.

And gwolah! Behold the enchanting crater of Mighty Pinatubo.

You are free to swim in the lake as long as don't go in the middle as from that point currents might pull you down underneath. Nakakatakot. Hehe. You can also rent boats that may tour you to the other end and leave you there of the crater for P350 per person.

As we head back to the jump-off, heavy rain poured on our way making us all wet. Yes, I wasn't ready. Thunders and lightning striking on both side of the trail really scared us. But it somehow help us to hurry. Haha. What our guides are telling us is that the stream on the trail can be very strong due to rainfall that we may not be able to pass through it if we don't walk faster, which scared us more. (eto na nga nananakbo na!)

Luckily, we're still alive and got home the same day. Hehe. I must say Mt. Pinatubo is a great place to visit. Specially if you're looking for a different kind of nature trip. But you might want to plan a visit soon, as I've seen on the trail, trees and shrubs are already growing along the way and the landscape may no longer be the same in the future.

 (Group pic habang kami na lang ang hinihintay ng lahat. Pasaway! Haha. Sowee)

(Our poor coordinated jump shot. May sariling mundo ang bawat isa)

Notes:
1. Our group get a tour package from a group buying site for this trip which costs us P2000 each. That is inclusive of the 4x4 ride, tour guides, permit, packed lunch and transpo.
2. Wear comfortable trekking shoes. Sandals or slipper is ok but it may hurt your feet when it gets wet.
3. Bring cap, hat or umbrella (like me, haha) to cover up from heat.
4. Water, trail food, towel and sunblock.
5. Extra clothes for swimming.

Yes! It's the Ice Cream and Not The Other One

So what about this new product of Selecta called Magnum?

Well Magnum is not actually new to other countries but it is newly introduced here in the Philippines by Unilever and RFM. Just on time for summer! :) Magnum is an ice cream bar coated with Belgian chocolate. So tempting.

Since it was a new talk of the town, I can't help but to try one. Simply to know if what the netizens say is true. The vanilla ice cream has a thick and luxurious taste, and the chocolate is just lovely. It comes in 3 variants here in the Philippines: Classic, Chocolate Truffle and Almond. Each bar costs P50 in supermarkets and P60 in 7-11 stores. Yeah, it sounds expensive for a bar of ice cream but hey! Its coated in Belgian chocolate. One of the best chocolate in the world. You should try getting one. Creamy and chocolatey!

Express Talaga!

I was so amazed of how fast my order has been delivered to me by DHL. It was just yesterday when I recieved this notification that my order was already shipped out in Malaysia (I didn't know that it will be coming from Malaysia, haha). And last night, it arrived to HongKong and later then shipped out that midnight (Buti pa tong order ko nakarating na ng HongKong kahit papaano, hehe). And this morning it's already here in Manila! Very nice.

What I love about their service is that they have this website where you can track your order real-time! You can also add your number so that they can notify you through SMS. Galing! I'm a newbie in getting shipments so I really didn't know if these things are common to shipping companies but yes, I am happy with their service. Kudos to DHL!

Ang most importantly, I got my sweet package clean and damage-free. :)

Have You Tried These Drinks Already?

Lots of new beverages are introduced in the market lately. There were fruit juices, flavored water, varieties of milks, different blend of teas, energy drinks, sparkling drinks, yogurts etc. Among all of these new products, here are my top 3 favorites.

(Photo by Jenni Epperson)

Vitamilk is made in Thailand and distributed here by Asia Brewery. I first saw this soymilk drink in 7-Eleven stores last year but I'm seeing these already available in supermarkets. There are three flavors to choose from: the original soymilk, chocoshake, and vitamilk energy. It comes in a bottle packaging which is not so easy to handle when you're on the go. Each bottle costs 25 pesos, a bit pricey though. What I love in this product is the richness of the flavor and the thickness. It's not the usual soy drink that has this beany taste. Some find this too sweet though, but for me it's delicioso!

I'm just ignoring this product when looking for orange juice at beverages stalls before. Maybe because its packaging isn't attractive. For me atleast. But man! I never thought that this product would really taste so good. Smart C+ is a product of Liwayway Marketing, makers of Oishi products. It comes in three variants: Orang Crush, Lemon Squeeze and Pomelo Grapefruit. I was able to taste all three and I say to you that all of the three tastes close to real fresh fruit juices of its flavors. It's really thirst quenching and refreshing. For a price of 17 pesos per 500ml, you'll have 320% of RDA of your Vitamin C needs. Sulit di ba!

My recent discovery is Farm Fresh Low Fat Vanilla Milk of Pure & Best (ang haba ng tawag! haha). This is a local product made by Hacienda Macalauan Inc. in Laguna. It comes in a very cute tetra packaging which has really attracted me to get one. And it doesn't disappoint me. It tastes so good! Each pack costs 27 pesos, same price with most of sterilized milk products in tetra packs. What I love in this product is that has a rich flavor yet it is light. It has this nice sweet taste that is really addicting. Plus it is a milk! As they say, milk is an almost perfect food. So good!