Camp Tipolo Adventureland, Here We Come!

Once a year, it is a must for employees (like me) to get out of the four-corner room and have fun in outdoor activities. One of the best activities to indulge in is team-building.  This motivates everyone to interact, communicate and give their best in every challenge to be done. I was thankful that the company chose Camp Tipolo Adventureland because it was teeming with exciting outdoor games and is surrounded by verdant landscape and tranquil surroundings.

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going down was quite tiring but the verdant landscape will whisk off everything

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Loreland Farm Resort: Changed and Evolved

I was so excited when our team-building for Finance, IT, and Admin Departments for 2013 was set in Camp Tipolo situated within Loreland Farm Resort in Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City. This 8-hectare farm was owned by Lolita and Renato thus giving it the name Loreland. It felt so great going back to a place where I had a wonderful swimming activity with my family eleven years ago. You can book Loreland Farm Resort, Antipolo City with Traveloka.

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revisited Loreland Farm after eleven years

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Paguriran Lake: In My Little Conquer

The nestled lagoon in the middle of an island, a natural sanctuary for giant seafaring turtles, fills with saltwater during high tide.

This was the caption of the March to April 2007 page of PNOC’s (Philippine National Oil Company) calendar with their theme, “Our Undiscovered Country” with the stunning picture of Paguriran Lake in Bacon, Sorsogon. Imagine an enclosed lagoon in the middle of an island? I jotted it down in my brown notebook and vowed to visit it in the future. Below the main picture were small pictures of Vera Falls which I visited last year (so thankful) and the other was Naghaso Boiling Lake (next target to explore), both are found in my humble hometown Albay.

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The scenic view atop the jagged rocks

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Agoho Beach in Jonop: What a Nice Discovery

Election day was over. Part of our one-week vacation in our hometown in Albay is the exciting sun and sand getaway. My relatives mentioned a secluded beach in Baryo Jonop in the municipality of Albay. I was puzzled for I knew there’s no beach resort in this town. Out of curiosity, we contacted a van for hire, hastily cooked for our lunch, and off we go for another water adventure.

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the elusive Mayon Volcano

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Quezon Wonder – Part 2: Dampalitan Beach and Borawan Beach

Coming from a refreshing swim in Puting Buhangin and a visit from Kwebang Lampas, our boatman, Mang Urong brought us next to Dampalitan Beach for around a thirty-minute ride. We brought all our stuff because he will fetch another group from Borawan. But as soon as we were approaching the island, the sky became cloudy.

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The refreshing view from our table

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Quezon Wonder-Part 1: Puting Buhangin and Kwebang Lampas

I was amazed when I saw pictures of Puting Buhangin in Pagbilao Grande Island in Quezon. When my family rejected the idea of going back to Baguio for a Holy Week vacation, I showed them pictures of this island. Beaming with excitement, they all voted for a Quezon family beach getaway.

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Puting Buhangin is radiantly beautiful from afar

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Our Caroman Dream Tour – Part One

Caramoan of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region is now becoming famous for two reasons.  First, it is blessed with islands with pristine white sand, caves, lagoons, islets, and limestone karts formations.  Second, it has been the site of the global reality game show Survivor by several countries, including the USA in 2012.

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the awesome limestone cliffs in Sabitang Laya

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Part Two of our Caramoan Dream Tour

I stepped out of bed early to savor the cool breeze and the fresh morning scent of Caramoan. There was no sunshine photo because the sky was gloomy. A bit dismayed, I took a quiet walk on the peaceful road, amused to see early riser locals and pleased to smell the sweet wafting fragrance of flowers. Oh I just can’t sustain my excitement and happiness looking at the pleasing sights.

Good morning lovely Caramoan!

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the long stretch of creamy white sand of Sabitang Laya

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Cagsawa Ruins: Picture Perfect Moment

Part of our Caramoan tour with my former office mates is to visit Albay’s primary tourist attractions with Cagsawa Ruins topping the list. This sojourn is for Sir Alex and Alma who will capture memories as they will set foot in my beloved hometown for the first time. I was a tour guide on this exciting getaway.

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seize the moment

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Potipot Island: Enticing Island From Afar

Potipot Island is a small 8-hectare island located near the shore of Barangay Uacon in Candelaria, Zambales. What attracts travelers here are its calm clear water, soft creamy sand, solitude, the sunset, and proximity from the mainland.

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