Carlito’s Corner

Summer was far from over.  Here’s a continuation of my fun-filled summer getaway.  As mentioned in my previous post, the best place to spend summer is in the beach.  So after Cebu, La Union, Baguio and Davao, I headed off with my college barkada to Puerto Galera. 

April 8, 2006.  At 5.30AM (imagine that! so early), we were on our way to Batangas pier.  I was with Abbey and Marlo and Budy and Abe.  So isn’t it obvious that I was a chaperone then?  Hehe!  At around 10AM, we got to White Beach in Puerto Galera.  It’s a beach.  So what do you expect?  Lots and lots of people.  Oh and yes.  That spectacular sunset scene was taken from my N70. 

What do you do when you’re in a beach?  The usual of course - island hopping, snorkeling, going to bars at night.  Though I didn’t drink that time.  I dunno.  Guess wasn’t just in the mood to get drunk.  I really had a good time with my friends in Galera.  We stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights. 

Too bad the rest of the gang weren’t able to go with us - Jay had to go out of the country for work (workaholic ka masyado, Jay!), Ariel is out of the country (Yel umuwi ka na!), and Lele was just not in the mood (arte mo, Le!)

May 1, 2006. From the southern part of Luzon, we go to South Philippines.  We had an event in Dumaguete and Cebu.  The even was scheduled on May 3.

May 1 was a holiday so we went to this beautiful beach resort called Antulang first.  This breathtaking sunset scene was taken using my (new) Canon IXUS i zoom.  And look at the second pic.  The water was really clear (and super salty.  Hehe!)

I spent Labor Day with my close office mates Inaki, Tin and Che.  Just look at that nice place.  We were in this balcony overlooking the beautiful water…working.  Hehehe!  Ok na rin.  Cause the view is just spectacular.  What did we do that night?  O just a little bit of drinking while gazing at the sky full of bright twinkling stars.  Antulang’s really a nice place.  It’s a beach resort at the edge of a cliff.  There are cozy and affordable rooms; but the food is quite expensive though.  We were really relaxed and ready for another event in Cebu.

May 3, 2006 at around 3.30PM.  We had a ferry ride from Dumaguete to Cebu.  It was my first time to ride on a ferry and it was fun.  Kinda tiring but ok.  We had a very nice place to stay in Cebu.  Check out the pic.  Oh yes!!  We stayed in one room - Che, Pau, Tin, Abe, Inaki and me.  The place is I guess a 0.5-star hotel.  Hahaha!  Well Marriott and Waterfront were both fully-booked that time so we had to check in to another hotel.  As they say, it’s not the place that makes it enjoyable; but the people you are with in that place.  Awww.. senti. 

So after the event, of course I had to pamper myself so I got a nice spa.  Oh check out the pic btw.  After Antulang, this was how I looked like when I presented in Dumaguete and Cebu (nognog!!) 

After the event, we went with the ibm.com team to Hilton Hotel in Cebu.  They were kind enough to let us sleep in their room.  We went island hopping the next day. 

Models?  Not really.  Hehe!  This was taken on the boat. 

We were already on our way back to the hotel so we thought of posing in front of the cam.  Hehe!  Our trips in the South were really fun.

I went to Penang, Malaysia in May as well.  But that’s a different post already.  So am I done with my Summer Escapade?  Of course not!  Next stop, Boracay in June and Puerto Princesa in July!

It’s always fun to travel during the hot summer season.  And where’s the best place to spend it?  The beach of course.  This summer is just a blast!  Here’s an account of how I spent my summer with my friends.  Well not all were spent in the beach.  And not all were just for fun.  Some were business trips.  But like I always say, it’s always good to mix business with pleasure.  First stop, Cebu.

We had an event in Cebu on Feb.  I was supposed to be the one to represent our group; but sad that Joseph (my colleague) was chosen over me.  So what did I do?  I took a leave and followed them there.  Hehe! 

February 4, 2006.  After the event, we went on to this cool bar called Station 17.  It’s a bar that looks kinda like a fire department of some sort.  Hehe!   I stayed in Cebu for 2 days.

March 21, 2006 at around 11AM.  We set off on a van to La Union to have an event there. 

The ride going there was of course fun.  I was with Tin, Joewel, Che, Marlo and Joan. After the event, we went out with our Business Partners in a bar.  Had some drinks, socialized with them, exchanged stories and all that.  It was fun especially when Che went up to the stage and sang the accoustic rendition of her signature song "I Will Survive."

At around 12MN, we headed back to the hotel.  We’re off to Baguio the next day for another event.

March 22, 2006 7AM.  We climbed up the road to Baguio.  Haven’t been there in a while.  Place still looks great.  It’s still cold as ever esp at night.

After the event, we just went to buy pasalubong.  We went to Good Shepherd to buy jams and strawberries and stuff.  We went to Mines View to buy some more pasalubong - Choc-o-flakes, peanut brittle and more.  Since it’s really cold in Baguio, guess what we did to warm ourselves up?  Hehe!  Yes, we went out for some drinks that night.  We headed back home the next day.  Our trip to La Union and Baguio were really fun.  Not only did we get good leads (ok this is about work), but we sure had a nice time together.

April 3, 2006.  We arrived at Davao Airport at around 6PM.  We had an event on the 4th.  After the event, I got myself a nice spa.  And what did we do after?  Just look at the pics.  Hehe!  I was with Pau, Tin, Che and Inaki this time around. 

We had good laughs that night.  We stayed in Marco Polo Hotel for 3 days.  Too bad we didn’t get to sightsee in Davao cause we had meetings the next day.

I’ve known you for quite some time now.  We enjoyed each other’s company.  We clicked.  We were good friends.  But as time went on, we became closer to each other.  I never imagined I would feel this way.  Now my head’s in a jam and I can’t get you off my mind.  I wanted to tell you how I feel; but I’m afraid because you might not feel the same way for me.

I wanted to brush off these feelings for you.  I wanted to just let them go.  But the more I do, the more I find myself longing for you.  There is no moment or moment in between that I have not thought of you.  I miss you terribly everytime I don’t get to see you.  I can’t let this feeling pass me by.  I don’t want to let you go.  But I’m afraid to let you know how I really feel. 

I’m so into you.  I love the way you smile, the way you talk, the way you sing.  I love it when you pout your lips.  I love it when you just stare at me; then you smile without saying a word.  I really wanted to let you know that I care so much about you.  But I’m afraid that I might say the wrong words and just upset you. 

I guess what I’m really trying to say is…I’m afraid for love to fade before it can come true.

How would you feel if the beach is just right in front of you; but you can’t take a plunge to enjoy it?  You’d be disappointed right?  I almost was when I visited Penang, Malaysia.  Sad that I really wasn’t able to swim in the sea.  Good thing I stayed in a five-star hotel.  Hehe!

I was fortunate enough to be given a trip incentive.  I went to Penang on May 22-25 with some of my colleagues in IBM Asia Pacific.  The trip started with a Welcome Dinner whereby we were introduced to each other, we had some drinks, - it was more of an acquaintance dinner. 

I got the chance to visit Intel’s factory in Penang the next day.  We were really priveledged because even high ranking officials weren’t permitted to see the actual production of Intel’s microprocessors.  It was really cool! 

Next day…Heritage Tour in Georgetown in the morning and Spa in  the afternoon!  The tour was nice -we visited a Buddhist temple, Chinese mansion, an Anglican Church and we toured the inner city riding what they call a tri-shaw (kinda like a rickshaw but with 3 wheels). 

What I was really looking forward to was the SPA!!!  The place (Danai Spa) was really nice.  It’s a secluded retreat that features both indoor and open-air spaces on a quiet hillside.  I got the Aseana Touch Treatment.  The theraphy starts off by cleansing the feet, followed by a cold shower and a nice warm dip in the whirpool.  I had a relaxing massage followed by a salt scrub.  Ahhhh…my favorite form of relaxation.

The best part of the trip?  I was awarded as one of the Top System x Sales Specialists in Asia Pacific in Q1.  We were 20 in all.  This was actually why I went to Penang. 

It was the IBM System x Q1 Sales Success Drive and Intel Tour. 

So was I disappointed cause I wasn’t able to swim in the beach?  With the heritage tour, special treatment, spectacular beach scene from my balcony, sumptuous food, and the rejuvinating spa…of course not!  The trip was really relaxing and rewarding.  Can’t wait for the contest in Q2!