Ocean Adventures

Ever since i can remember, the water has been a big part of my life. From beach trips every summer to skin color that will very much vouch for that thought, my family and I are true sun-worshippers! That's why this summer we've taken on new ocean adventures and tried something besides the usual swimming by the beach... DIVING CLASSES! 

  

All I can say is that patience is a really big part of becoming certified. We spent several hours watching instructional videos and taking written tests, but the real fun came when it was time to learn it all first hand, thanks to our diving master, Tito Nands! 

(Photos: Setting up our equipment at the boat, Mara, E.G. and I during our Rita Island dive, Nemo, The big blue clam!)

Then came the real ocean dives. It really is true that everything underwater looks much prettier up close! We saw feather starfishes that we've never seen on the surface or near the shore, stonefishes and crocodile fishes... giant clams and Nemo too! Can't wait for our next dive! :D

Diving love! :D

Back in Manila, we took on another ocean adventure and paid a visit to the all new Manila Ocean Park. Although it isn't as big and as filled as the one in Hong Kong, I think it's a great way to start to sharing our very own underwater world in the Philippines! 

Scary looking stonefish is absolutely NO FUN when accidentally stepped on!

Fierce stingrays!

The cool tunnel with a stingray as big as me!

 

VERY Deceiving "fish spa" which i thought would be a relaxing experience! You dip your feet in a pool of tiny sucker fishes that eat away your foot's dead skin cells! Unfortunately, only E.G. survived it because Mara, mom and I couldn't take the fish sucking. Haha! Must try it again next time when I'm braver! ;D

A lot of construction was still being done when we visited, so I'm sure it will be a lot nicer within the next few months! They're even putting up a hotel inside! It should be really cool. Plus, there was an area that showed how we can better save our planet, especially our marine life! Let's all do our part and save the earth! 

(Polka-dot Onesie: Had it sewn, Belt & Bag: Vintage, Turquoise Bangle: Mango, Necklace: SM)

And that ends my ocean adventures for now! :D Looking forward to lots more in the future! Yay!

Don't need no fancy dance studio

The last time I came here, Jay, Lagy, Kev and I walked past the Plaza on the way home and saw a big group of teenagers practicing a cheerleading routine. When we gave it a closer look, we noticed a small group of break dancers who were showing really incredible skills! Right then and there I was inspired and amazed at the extent of the street dance culture in our country today. 

For the past 3 days that we've been here, my brother and I have been visiting the same plaza every night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the dancers during rehearsals, and so far, they have not disappointed us! Today however, was quite monumental for us because we finally got up the courage to get down into the pit and ask them questions that we've been so curious about. 

(Lots of cool and dangerous techniques! They even told me about the difference of Powermoves and Style nowadays and how important Style is when making bboy combinations during battles! So true!)

Just like back home, there are apparently a lot of dance competitions out here too! In fact, we'll be able to catch 2 of them this weekend, one ABDC style, and one purely 3-on-3 breakdance battle style! Yay! :D They love watching videos on Youtube too, and despite the lack of any formal and hands-on training here, they learn just as well on their own! I sooo admire their passion for dancing because the fact that there are NO dance studios here doesn't stop them from learning some more! They gather at the plaza every night and stay till 4am rehearsing and battling each other for fun, no matter if the floor is so dangerously made out of cement and that any fall could seriously cause them bad injuries. 

(Seeing more of the street culture here! L-R: People chilling in the plaza at night and watching all the amazing performances, just like us! Really good skateboarders try tricks on the benches, and BMX bikers working it on the ramp!)

I was happy to share what the dance community was like in Manila, talk about the group that I'm part of and was humbled when he mentioned that they join competitions so that they could actually travel to Manila and try competing there! I realized how we can sometimes take advantage of the facilities we have back home and how amazing it is to get the chance to be trained by some of the best instructors in the country. Some people only dream about it! :O

He shared that one day, the first person to make it big will fulfill their dream of putting up the first dance studio with a high ceiling here so they could perfect their stunts! I'll be sure to include that in my prayers from now on! :D 

Ahh... inspiration always comes when you least expect it to! 

Doing a little extra for the Earth!

How'd you spend Earth Day 2009? 

(In true fashion blog fashion... Left: My Favorite t-shirt. Right: Dress: Made out of my grandma's old skirt, Bag: Vintage, Necklace: SM)

Exploring the city has been a real treat for us since we aren't heading for the beach till a few more days. We chanced upon the Earth Day celebrations here and I was really happy to see a lot of people attend and realize how important it is to do our own little parts to save the earth! There were lots of things to do around the bay area, such as watch the city's PEP Squad perform (I have a weakness for watching all kinds of dance performances), rent a bike and go from end to end like what my brother and I did (and unfortunately at the same time endure the stench that flows from the sea right beside you... think Manila Bay air!), and buy all kinds of little knick-knacks like glowsticks, toy balloons, etc. 

(My mom just happened to be wearing her Earth Hour t-shirt tonight too! Did you participate last time?)

Here's something I picked up from the Earth Day Network (www.earthday.net) -->

What can I do for Earth Day?

Since the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been an annual event for people around the world to celebrate the earth and renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world for all of us. There are many ways you can get involved. Volunteer. Go to a festival. Install solar panels on your roof. Organize an event where you live. Change a habit. Help launch a community garden. Communicate your priorities to your elected representatives. The possibilities are endless! Do something nice for the earth, have fun, meet new people, and make a difference.

So yay! :D That's one more step to save the Earth! I hope to be able to do lots more things in the next days to come. 

Summer So Far

In my quest to be productive, I....

... finally brought my friends to one of the places I call home, just like I always dreamt! 

(Palawan trip with Lagy, Rj and Kevin)

...performed for the last time as an active member of LSDC-Street during our year-end recital, Revive!

(Pictures care of Adrian Gonzales! For more, log onto http://corinthians13.multiply.com)

... got to catch up with my fellow "unemployed" blockmates at our mini reunion

(Gotta love Steph's rockband!)

... went back to Palawan a second time, but now with my group of friends since High School!

 

(Days and nights filled with games, walks around the island, playing with the starfishes and sea urchins, roasting marshmallows on the bonfire, and of course, learning a dance or two! Sorry, i bit choreography from Gino's Shake Your Pom Pom routine! I like it too much! Haha)

... helped my friends hold a garage sale and spent an afternoon playing dress up!

(Photos care of http://littlemissdressup.com. The two little misses are my blog inspirations!)

... and most recently attended my cousin's first show as a swimsuit designer.

(Love the first model! Congratulations, nix!)

Right now it's back to Palawan with my family, and we've got lots of adventures lined up ahead! :D I've been missing our cousins back in Manila though, what with our movie all-nighters and late night takeouts, and random swimming days at home with different groups of people! But there's a whole summer ahead with lots more things to do and explore! Hoorah!