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By admin, December 23, 2010 2:56 am

Daughter and I left Iligan City almost 6 in the evening.  Sounds quite late but the boat was scheduled to depart at 10:45 pm.  Dimple and I boarded the Rural Transit because there was no gray bus at the Super 5 station. We arrived a little bit before 8 pm so we just took a jeep to Gaisano to eat dinner.  We had a quick dinner at Jollibee – Gaisano City.  Then from there, we took a motor trike direct to the pier and we paid 20 pesos each.   The loading up the boat has not yet started when we arrived at the waiting area.

They were strict in their luggage and quarantine inspection.  They also have K9 dogs to sniff on all luggage.  The dog was a girl and we dunno her name but we call her “good girl” because her boss called her good girl after behaving.

This is good girl in action.

Dimple’s Boarding Pass

I also had mine.   We were brought to the foot of the gangplank by bus.  The distance from the waiting area to the boat was just so near yet they want organize system, so we still took the bus/couch.

The moving bus.

The daughter and me.

After we settled our things, we roam around and check out the side deck.  CDO pier was already quiet because SF 12 was the last one to depart.

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By admin, November 18, 2010 10:26 pm

Please click on the photo for better view thanks

We have one kitchen window. And beyond the rooftops is a nice scene of the sky. In this photo is one of a sunset taken last week.

Photo for:

Thanks to the sky watch team for this great photo meme:

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By admin, November 14, 2010 1:11 am

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  All photos are not watermarked but are mine.  If you want to use it in your blog, please ask permission.  Thanks.

There are so many places to dine at at Paseo del Mar.  But during weekends the place is typically full.  We almost had a hard time finding a place to eat and just to relax while enjoying the food, the music, and the night.

We picked Pinokyo because it was not yet so crowded when we arrived.

They serve varied foods at very reasonable prices.

Dimple ordered for herself beef toppings and the california maki.  I had pancit canton and this:

This cost P1.00 each.  I was so impressed so i ordered 20 pcs. I think I ate more than what Dimple had.

My friends had:

~~ sisig~~

~~ Lechon Kawali ~~

~~ clam soup ~~

And oh i had a whole serving of the java rice:

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By admin, November 13, 2010 9:01 pm

If you have been to Zamboanga City for a day or two and have not been to Paseo del Mar, then you miss one of the beautiful landmarks of the city. We spent 4 nights there and I was able to see and feel the place during our third night because we went there to have dinner and also have a look for the nearby areas. I was so excited to see the place. I thank Ace & Kerslyn (Davao couple), Bing & Pat (Iligan couple) for agreeing to go there once again even if you have already seen the place the night before.

Here are some of our photos: (all my photos are night shots) i wonder how the place looks like in broad daylight.

~~~

a pose of remembrance at the entrance

They said the place is full during weekends.  People are there to eat, to enjoy the sea breeze, enjoy the bands (they have it on weekends), and others are just there to walk around.

these guys enjoying the distant lights and sea breeze.  it showered around this time.

I enjoyed taking photos of the lamp post before finding a place to eat.  And this one my fave shot of all:

The place we ate at and the food photos will be shared in another post.

This trip was related to the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 4 which was held earlier that day at the Garden Orchid Hotel.  City tour was scheduled the next day yet. (that would be another post in this blog).

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By admin, November 9, 2010 9:08 pm

Never did i imagined going up to see a mine site as far as Canatuan mine site  in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.  We were informed that the trip will take 3 hours but after 12 hours bus travel from Iligan City to the Latin City of Asia , the trip feels like going back to my hometown.  It was not exactly 3 hours.  It was more because upon leaving the highway, the road leads up and down into the mountains.  Our vehicle was not the highland sporty type so the speed was just moderate.

99% of us on the trip were first timers and that 99% represents the attendees of the Mindanao Bloggers 4th Summit that is hosted by Zamboanga bloggers.

Personally, if not for the summit, i would not have the chance to see Canatuan Mining and will see with my own eyes the betterment of the community specifically the Subanons.  TVI Resources Development  brought hope to the people of Canatuan and Siocon in general.  TVI promotes responsible mining by promoting environmental protection programs and sustainable development programs.  Being guided by human rights paradigm the company implemented community development projects that promotes sustainable life even beyond the life-of-mine and into the future.  Meaning if ever the company leaves, the community will still survive.

There were several things that awed us bloggers when we stepped foot in their area.  First, the majestic view of forests, mountains, and hills and endless cloudy blue skies.  Second, impressive buildings which we later known are staff houses.  They also have the entertainment building.  Then thirdly, the food!  It was started with a heavy snacks before the orientation began and later the sumptuous lunch, and again another heavy snacks after the exit conference.  My daughter and I were so blessed of the free food saving us the food budget for that day because even the breakfast and dinner were also shouldered by TVI.  They were so generous.  Thank you, Sir Ernie Rojo for touring us to the mine site.

I know i missed a blogger seminar that day down in the city but the things i’ve learned up there was just enough to cover up any regret.  The video was shown at the summit proper – but seeing the proof of responsible mining was one thing i would never regret missing the blogging seminar that day.  I know it’s now only me who was blessed.  All of us who were there were so impressed.  There was one thing though i wished — sana lahat kami nakasama.  Sana wala ng seminar dun sa city para lahat nakasama.   Not only were our stomachs filled but our knowledge were also enhanced.  Just so bad it rained hard that it hampered the plant site tour because it would be dangerous for us to go up the building.  Good thing we were able to come down from the open field site safely while the rain was pouring in torrents.  If it did not rain, we could have the chance to touch those reddish black stones that contains gold.  Maybe we can also get a handful of those silver looking stones. And for sure we could have gone to the most top of the open field to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Canatuan mining.  Oh another place we missed seeing which i would have love go to and see was the lake or the dam area.

I really don’t have too many nice pics at the open mine field because i was confined to a very small area of the viewing deck.  The rain was so strong that we can’t move around to take pictures of the whole area.

Oh well – picture talk loudly than words so i want you to enjoy the pics now.  Enough of the blah. lol

~~~~

THE MAJESTIC SKY VIEWS

I was sky watching, ya know?

Another place we visited was the Subanon community.   Before our group went to see their nursery, a pillar of their FAITH and SALT program we witnessed how they welcome us -

We did not stay long at the open mine pit because it rained.  It rained so hard that if we waited for the rain to stop, our vehicle might have a hard time going down.  So we proceeded to the exit conference where some administrators and department heads where there to answer our questions.  This is their way of practicing “transparency” in this company.

I have really seen responsible mining there that made me wish that somehow at least all small-scale mining fields in this country are handled by investors such as TVI.

I have so many photos that i wanna share but maybe in the future posts or in related post i will be making in my other blogs.  After the exit conference that was made earlier than scheduled because of the rain,  we had this souvenir photo:

I have so many photos that i wanna share but maybe in the future posts or in related post i will be making in my other blogs.  After the exit conference ,  we had this souvenir photo:

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By admin, November 5, 2010 1:16 am

All photos were taken last Friday, October 29, 2010 at Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Please click on the photo for better viewing.

Indeed, in less than 2 hours, it rained hard.

Because of the strong rain, the mine tour was stopped.    We failed to carry or even just at least hold the stone that contains gold.

Unforgetable Friday.

Photos for:

Thanks to the sky watch team for this great photo meme:

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By admin, November 1, 2010 6:54 am

Bienvenidos!

After twelve hours bus ride, we arrived here in Zamboanga City, hungry and worn.  But more hungry that after checking in our things at Hotel Preciosa we decided to go out right away to eat.  Our things checked in first because they cancelled our reservation made online.  Good thing there was a standard room available with a bed that can accommodate two persons.

We dunno were to dine but tried to go back the road our trike pass through in going to the Hotel.  We saw common fastfoods like Jollibee, Chowking and Mc Donalds yet we decided to eat something local.  The trike driver told us about Puericulture place but we were not so sure about the place and the kind of food, so we dined here:

Looks cozy and festive!

This soup warmed our cold stomachs.  Dimple and i felt so hungry because we have not eaten rice since breakfast.
We just had bread, biscuits, and some other sweets. 

Our companions, Bingky and Pat of City Government of Iligan went back ahead because Bing was not feeling perfectly alright.  Theythought of resting ahead to be ready of the 5 am trip tomorrow- a Mine tour at Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. Oh! We are here by the way for the Mindanao Bloggers Summit (4th) which will officially begin tomorrow.

This is all for now — lemme’ say goodnight!   Dimple will get online now.  I really don’t care because all i have is a very bad headache and i wanna sleep.

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By admin, October 24, 2010 5:36 pm

I was suppose to leave very early yesterday morning but instead of waking up at 3:30 i woke up at 5:15.  So i was sure that i can’t catch up the church service anymore.  I was just in there to some friends and of course to pick something from a friend.  I arrived on time when the speaker started and oh my he spoke for almost 2 hours that the 12:30 date with friends at the under the pines was doubtful.  So i went out to see Ate Sardale to inquire of the activity.

Some pics i took while traveling up to MVC on a motorbike. 

Anyway, i went to see Paul at the under the pines at past 1 and we talk a bit.  There were also some friends there and before the rain started we decided to move to the Jubilee Park.  I was glad because in spite of the short time i will have the chance to take photos there.

I think it was good to be at the Jubilee Park when it was not so crowded with visitors.  But one thing i observed, it’s not so Jubilee Park anymore as it was in my time or even before my time – i long for the great view of the plains beyond and the endless sky.  For now, that’s the case anymore.  It’s more like this:

I left MVC with Ma’am Apple and company at a bit past 5 and was on my way to CDO at 6:00.  Before the clock strikes 12, i was already inside the office dorm.  I jump with glee because i can imagine i would turn into a zombie if ever the clock strikes 12 and i was still outside walking towards the dorm. lol!

Though the time was limited, i had a great time meeting for a short while some friends.  Hopefully in the soon future, i can go back there and have a weekend stay at Jabby’s room.