I kissed April goodbye

Bright, sunny day to end April - me and my friends decided to go trekking to Mambukal Mountain Resort.

Mambukal Resort is about 31 kilometers east of Bacolod and is surrounded by therapeutic sulfur springs, leisure trails leading to waterfalls, streams, lush valleys and hiking trails leading up to Mount Kanlaon.

It was a "no-plan: we're just bored" outing, so we are really not sure what's in store for us. The boys werent even prepared so they decided to buy some "gears" in the nearest market. As for us girlies, we went shopping for basic stuffs like chips, water, and more water!

Our first stop: SM Save More - Libertad.

COUPLE A: Tarah and James

COUPLE B: Tequila and Phael

After our breakfast and prep sessions at Save More, we are now ready to face the challenge.

Welcome to Mambukal Resort!

Now let the trekkin' begin!

Inside Mambukal Resort, you will find lots of amenities like sulfur bath, swimming pool, bathhouse with spa, boating lagoon, butterfly garden, rock climbing wall, and slide for life.

They also have their food court with 5 different concessionaires. We decided to have our lunch taken out since we want to have it on the 7th falls. And since the trail for 7th falls inside the resort does not allow bringing of food, we took the other way - the longer way. The road less traveled. It was actually an hour and a half walk compare to the one inside the resort, but we dont have any choice.

I'm giving credits to this guy since he never gave me a single flower before.

Not that I blame him for not doing it, I'm just not a fan of cutesy, fancy, flower-giving tradition.

What a scene!

GameCocks farm on top of the mountain

Thirst quencher

And we're so glad for this cute water bombs we bought in Save More. For 5 Php each, it helped us get through the tiring walk under the sun.

So what's the 7th falls looks like?

You need to check it out by yourself. :) Trust me, it's worth it. Although I could not assure you that you wont get....

Blisters! x_x

Lunch Time!

We arrived around 1:30 PM, and gosh we are starving and tired. So we prepared our lunch (which we bought from the food court inside the resort) and ate sincerely. Ahhhh!! :)

After eating, we decided to take a dip. The water is very cool and the sound of it is so relaxing. I love it there! Serenity. Pollution-free. Heads up though: take it easy with the slippery rocks.

We left the 7th falls around 3 Pm and trekked down to other falls. Along the way, wild flowers caught my attention.

And though we hiked the other way, Mother Nature never failed to amaze me with its beauty.

After 20 minute walk, we arrived at the 6th falls. The 6th falls is less crowded but surely caters for the daredevils. It is 12 feet with strong current and only few would dare ump from the high cliff.

And one of them is...

Phael: My knight in shining aluminum foil with a daredevil attitude.

This part of the 6th Falls is about 12 feet high.

After satisfying his thirst for adventure, we hiked again to check out other falls.

3rd Falls.

After about 5:30, we decided to pack up and fix ourselves. Its time to go home. But before leaving the resort, we decided to drop by the Butterfly Garden.

The Butterfly Garden is located near the Boating Lagoon. Admission Fee is 20 Php. Inside, you'll find taxidermies of different butterflies, beetles, and other insects. Life cycle of butterflies are also shown in diagrams as well as its anatomies.

Taxidermy of Beetles and Butterflies.

And of course, you get a chance to have a close encounter with these beautiful winged creatures.

Us and the butterflies. ♥

Indeed, time flies so fast when you are having fun. We left the resort around 6 PM.

Tired but happy.

We finally made it to Bacolod around 7 PM and decided to have dinner at McDonalds. I really had a great time with Tarah, James and Phael. This is actually our post monthsary celebration. Yay! We're 6 months and counting.

Our next stop: Silay!

Al Cinco de Noviembre

Well I'm suppose to post this one last November 5 but I got really, really tired after the whole day affair. Fancy Drill competition has always been the life of the C.A.T Carreer of high school students. You'll definitely feel out-of-place if you haven't perform in one. And that is what my blog entry is all about.

My day started at 4 a.m, I have no choice but to wake up after 6 hours sleep. I hurriedly pack my stuff, some personal necessities and gadgets to help me document such event. I asked Dad to dropped me in the office and he pleasantly granted my request even though there's drizzle. When arrive, everybody was ready. Everybody was excited. Everybody was nervous. After a few more preparations, we left school for our one hour journey to Bago City.

Upon our arrival, we magically turned into little kids who are on a field trip. We got excited when we saw more people who will join the parade. And subconsciously, we raised our eyebrows when we saw other competitors - especially that one competing group.

Going back, The competition was divided into two parts: the Parade and The Drill Competition. I wasnt able to join the parade no matter how much I wanted. I was ordered to stay on the bus and rest because I wasnt feeling well and I have to take care of my voice because I will do the narration on the second part of the program.

After the parade, we relaxed and roam around the coliseum. We had lunch and after that, it's finally time to prepare for the most important part of the competition. We are performer #2 so we have a quick prayer, short reminders, and a little confidence boost message for the performing Junior Officers. I know they are nervous since it's their first time. But just like what an ad said they have to "Face their fears, and Live their dreams". As Luisa Medel Nationla High School exited the Coliseum Floor, the eyes of the audience are all set on the next performer: the NEGROS OCCIDENTAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (with me, as their narrator, of course!).

At first, my junior officers were doing great. They were showing off. Their snappiness in every executions made the crowd crazy. Until one mistake was made. And that caused chaos. I dont want to talk about it since that one girl who caused it made my blood boil even before the competition. And as they exit the coliseum floor for the next perform, I can see that the "Medal of Stupidity" is ready to be pinned to her. I wasn't even shock when our Senior Tactical Officer, murmured something in my ear. Something explicit to be posted here. I was glad it was finally over. I was glad I did well but i feel bad my junior officers didn't.

We watched the other performers with a heavy heart. I know my junior officers feel that they're not gonna make it on the top three. They sadly cheered for the other competing teams. And as for me, I see their failure as an oportunity for them to learn something new.

For the benefit of you, my dear readers, who wasnt able to see the 1st Bago City Invitational Fancy Drill Competition, I posted some pics and clips below for you to enjoy.

The Visayan Maritime Academy strut their stuff

Visayan Maritime Academy's Pass-in-Review

Bacolod City National High School at Present Arms

Domingo Lacson National High School: Pass-in-Review

Lopez Jaena National High School at Present Arms

Lopez Jaena National high School: manual of Arms executions

Pulupandan National High School at Present Arms

Other competing team whom I wasnt able to take snaps are Luis Medel National High School and Negros OCcidental High School. I'll try to get some snaps from friends. Probably soon you'll see how we did at the competition.

We could have done better but for now, it's better to reign at 3rd than nothing...