Steps from the JDHP to McDonald's

Along Biyuleta Street, we discovered one of the best tasting ice candies around the village. Just for ten pesos.

 Rafa and Angel enjoyed their one piece chicken happy meal. 

Plus the free toy.

We even got to meet Marcus and his baby brother Matthew as they were having their own Sunday lunch at McDonald's.

Rock climbing at DreamPlay

Together, Rafa and Angel conquer their fears and reach for the top at the rock climbing wall at DreamPlay. Rock climbing can be a serious workout for the kids and even adults. Definitely  provides an adrenalin rush.

Located within the City of Dreams complex, in Paranaque City, DreamPlay opened last June 2015.  

The cooking class is Angel's favourite while Rafa prefers the boat race where one can design his/her boat flag. 

Memorable part of the Steps Of Our Lives with Rafa and Angel.

Celebrating Halloween at DreamPlay

Yes, this is our 5th visit back to DreamPlay.

Halloween is a celebration that wouldn't be missed. Rafa and Angel had done "trick and treating" around the village. And now, they shared and cheered this weekend at DreamPlay.

This is our 5th visit and our family together wouldn't get disappointed with how Rafa and Angel are sweating, running and rediscovering of what DreamPlay has to offer.

Can you feel all the smiles between Rafa and Angel?

Steps Of Our Lives Around Halloween

The characters from "Beat Bugs" would greet kids and teen who would pass by our street for trick or treats. Rafa and Angel, in their Harry Potter costumes would be at the gate passing on candies, chocolates and cookies which they had collected earlier.

There are some many creative ways on how our neighbours can spread cheer during Halloween. Rafa and Angel particularly enjoyed the long horizontal "Chamber of Secrets" inspired banner along Champaca Street.

Yes, random acts of kindness is what the world needs more of these days and our children, Rafa and Angel are putting it into practice this Halloween weekend.

Steps around Daranak Water Falls

This was one of the most memorable out of trips of the LSDB community.

Daranak Falls is located in

There is the 14-meter high waterfalls cascading into a deep catch basin. Must admit that the cache basin needs a lot of cleaning. The water isn't clear. But still the kids enjoyed every moment being on the water.

Plus, people need to be more conscious of their trash. 

We rented out two vans and had the boys sit together and the girls sit together on separate vans. More bonding time between them.  Yes, that is Enzo, Santi and Rafa sharing a photo moment. There was a lot of snack food being passed around. "Knock knock" jokes  too. Only then did I discover that our son, Rafa, had a comedic sense.

Hopefully, the Steps Of Our Lives will bring our family together again with the LSBD Community.

Candles of Manaog Cathedral

Last 19 April 2019, The Steps Of Our Lives brought our family

the The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

This is our second family pilgrimage to this renowned church.

We first visited a few years ago when we came down from Baguio City. Back then, Lolo Popcy and Lola Mamsit, and Lola Meya were with us, together with Manny and Vangie and their sons.

The basilica is under the administration of the Order of Preachers or OP. 

Or the Dominicans. 

I really don't know what Rafa and Angel prayed for 

as they lit their own candles 

but I am sure these candles will brighten the path of the Steps Of Our Lives.

Palilio and Velez Steps Around Manaoag Church

Back In San Fabian, Pangasinan

Yes, we were in San Fabian, Pangasinan this April for our annual summer beach road trip. And this time, the Macaso Family (Edmund, Ofie and their daughter, Cesca) and the Palilio Family (Viboy, Ana and Santi) joined us for a few days at the beach.

The Garcia cousins first visited the beaches of San Fabian back in the 70s. I am searching for old photos from this summer outing. But for now, all I have are memories. 

Steps around Zoofari

During the Holy Week break of 2011, we spent three days and two nights at a house Binictican, which costs around 7,500 pesos a night. A little expensive, but it was worth the trip out of Manila to take these steps around the Subic Zoofari.

Around Zoofari, Nady and Rene took these photos. I really couldn’t snap much pictures as I carried Rafa most of the way around Zoofari.

Arrival in Cagayan de Oro

Last Wednesday morning, we arrived in Cagayan de Oro, together with Rene Bernal and Nady Nacario, my best friends from UST Graduate School. Unfortunately, another friend, Christie Que, arrived late at the airport but was able to join us Thursday morning.



For this trip, two boys joined us. Miguel, the only son of my sister, Violet and Julius Gabutina, the eldest son of Vangie and Manny Gabutina.

And for Cecile and myself, this vacation, together with my best friends from UST Graduate School.

Carabao Festival Crowds

These people were lucky as the roof didn't give in to all their weight and allowed them to watch the famous Carabao Festival held a couple of days ago at Pulilan, Bulacan. And they also got to see the rampaging carabao who let loose his anger on some of the crowds watching the Carabao Festival.

It was really a hot Thursday afternoon here in Pulilan, Bulacan as I snapped the these local residents above the street-level, all braving the heat and eagerly watching the parade from their vantage points.


The program host kept on instructing the marshals, the local police and barangay tanods to push back the crowd which had built up. But “matigas ang ulo.” There is definitely a better need for crowd control. Even the photographers were "matigas ang ulo" as we would sometimes obstruct the parade route hoping to capture the moment when the carabao kneels infront of the church... or some pretty face leading the parade.

Photo shows local residents finding shade under the specially-constructed view-deck, found in front of the church entrance, where the carabao pass and kneel to pay respect to thier patton saint, San Isidro Labrador.


These nuns and local residents probably had some of the best seats along the streets of Pililan to watch the Carabao Festival.


At least the tree kept these kids cool and away from the heat of the sun.

This was my first time to watch the Carabao Festival and hopefully, my travel here won't be the last. Maybe, next time, Chief would come with me, together with Rene, Nady and Issa? I was also in town a few months back as I did some "quick and dirty" brand awareness research for a client and talked to some local residents.

I would like to thank my friend, Donald Tapan, for these travel steps to Pulilan, Bulacan and the warmth and hospitality of the local town. Special thanks to Santi Santos, one of the festival's organizers, who welcomed us, provided us with IDs and free lunch!

Next year again?

Unang Hirit in Pulilan

By 5am, I had reached the 5-Star bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City.

Chief and I had slept late last night. We watched Robin Williams swap stories and deliver punch-lines at the “Late Show with David Letterman.”


It has been nearly ten years since I met up with Donald Tapan. I had first met him when I was with CITEM. Our creative team worked with several known photogs for our requirements. But this Thursday, I didn’t have a Job Order or Creative Brief for him. It was really just a simple out of town leisure photo coverage of a famous festival, the Carabao Festival.

One of my students had expressed interest to do a photography thesis and I had introduced Jenna Alejandro to Donald Tapan by SMS. Jenna had secured her parent’s approval and was joining this trip.

I tried to catch some sleep during the bus ride, but the excitement kept me awake most of the strip. The bus ticket cost only 59 pesos!

By 7am, we were in Pullilan. Took a tricycle ride to the front of the Pulilan Church. We quickly saw the production team of “Unang Hirit” already preparing for the features. Between "Umagang Kay Ganda" and "Unang Hirit," can you guess which one serves me the local news in the mornings?

Here are some “behind the scenes” pictures from the Thursday feature of “Unang Hirit” on the Carabao Festival.

The Search for Lucban Longganisa

We spent Saturday afternoon (02 May 2009) in Lucban. I didn’t even realize that it was nearly an hour’s drive from Tayabas to Lucban. Originally, we had planned to spend only one night in Quezon. But somehow, I got to convince Chief, Issa, Nady and Aida to spend one night in Lucban. Both Rene and I had agreed earlier that this trip to Quezon was worth an extra night in Lucban!

Lucban is very near the footsteps of Mt. Banahaw. According to the 2007 census, the municipality has a population of 45,616. Lucban is famous around the world for the annual Pahiyas Festival which is held every May 15. But we would be missing that festival this year. Maybe, next year? My good friend, Nady, snapped this photo of my jump for Banahaw!

Along the way, we passed by Mt. Banahaw, which stands at 2,158 meters or 7,080 feet. This mountain is considered to be sacred, even enchanted. Even, talks of being “alien.” The word “banahaw” is close to the modern Tagalog words BANAL THAW which literally mean a holy being. That deserves a blog on its own. But here’s one photo I snapped.



It was late Saturday afternoon when we arrived at the town proper. Ryan Palad, our heritage resource expert in Tayabas, had recommended we stay at Casa Rizal. He said it was right at the center of the town. He was right. The only problem was parking. Shaq found a space front of Café San Luis, where we had a light snack after we had checked in at the hotel. Cost of room was 2,200 per day. Not bad. Much cheaper than the 3,200 per day at the aborted beach hotel in Tayabas.



There were a few patrons at Café San Luis. The turon was a best-seller here. But am not really used to a “tiny” turon. I like my turon long and wrapped well so that it is crunchy and the wrapper “breaks” as one takes a bite. It should also be flavored with langka.

Photo of turon bought by Rene Bernal and shared by everyone, courtesy of my Canon DSLR.

There wasn’t really much to see around the town this weekend, except the church and for me, the wet market. Am sure during the Pahiyas Weekend, this town would be more exciting and crowded!

The morning after, we hit the “palengke” and our search for the famous Lucban longganisa begun.



While Chief and Rene were buying longganisa at the corner store infront of the palengke, I snapped these longganisa pictures.


Any trip to Lucban would not be complete without the famous Lucban longanisaa. We bought more than enough for our families.



Makes you want to have breakfast with fried eggs and fried rice and... deep-fried Lucban longganisa!

The search was successful!

Blood in Bohol

On our first day in Tagbilaran, Bohol, one of our first stops is the site of the blood compact between the Spanish king conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi and Filipino native of Bohol, Datu Sikatuna.

The blood compact between the two leaders happened in 1564 or 1565 (different dates based on which book one reads), when Spain dispatched more expeditions to set colonies in the Far East. Remember, the Spaniards were competing against the Portuguese.

One of the expeditions, led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi reached the Philippines in the beginning of 1565, and established a Spanish settlement. He tried to land Cebu but was thwarted. To make the long historical story short… he met up two chiefs of Bohol, Datu Sikatuna of Bool and Datu Sigala of Loboc. He convinced (or misled) the leaders that they came in peace.


Termed in Spanish as “pacto de sangre,” a blood compact is an ancient custom or ritual where two people drink each other's blood to seal a friendship, a pact or treaty.

And on 16 March 1565 (or 25 March?) Legazpi and Sikatuna undertook the now famous blood compact. Today, this in Bohol every year as "One Blood" festival.

For me and Chief, our “blood compact” will last until all future becomes past. But no blood involved.

Tarsiers of Bohol

Friday morning brought us up close and personal to the tarsiers. Yes, those small “monkey-like” animals found in Bohol. I told Lenelle and Chief that I remember the government gave Prince Charles a tarsier a few years ago during his visit to the country. Lenelle validated this “donation” and said that the tarsier died.

“They are very territorial and will survive only in their natural habitat,” says Lenelle.


We saw their enormous eyes and their extremely elongated feet, which gives them the strength to jump to up to 2 to 3 meters. But they can’t walk. Their fingers are also elongated, a little scary site. The third finger is seen to be longer. They also have a slender tail which can reach up to 25 cm long.

Can you believe that the head can turn 180 degrees? One tarsier sampled to me that 180-degree turn and I could not believe it until I saw it.

Tarsiers have very soft, velvety fur, usually colored beige or ochre. Tourists are not allowed to touch these tarsiers and they could be squeezed and suffocated.

Lenelle says that they are also suicidal and have been known to knock their heads on walls to kill themselves. They are easily stressed when caged or in captivity. The males are territorial and pee on their territories. The females salivate on these territories to show that they are attracted to the males and then, the male search for the females and their relationship begins.

What is amazing about these animals are their vision? They have extra big eyes like owls, who also sleep at night. They seem extra lazy when we were at the sanctuary but are used to being photographed. All tarsier species are nocturnal in their habits.

They catch and insects by jumping at them. They prey on small vertebrates such as birds, snakes, lizards, and bats.

Lenelle says tarsiers give birth to single offspring and gestation takes about 6 months. They reach sexual maturity after one year.

Would you believe that they have been around since the Jurassic times? That’s more than 45 million years. And they could also be found in Borneo and Sumatra.

Thanks to the efforts of the Boholanos, people can continue to appreciate the presence of tarsiers!

Crowds at Chocolate Hills

Next to the beaches in Panglao Island, high on the list of must-see in Bohol is the Chocolate Hills. Our guide Lenelle Isabela shared many stories and insights about these natural wonders. She says there are around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills. The hills has been declared the country's 3rd National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the 7 Natural Wonders of the world, together with Mayon Volcano and Tubbattaha Reef in Palawan. The hills are basically found in the town of Carmen and other municipalities of Sagbayan, Batuan, Bilar, and others.

From the "Chocolate Hills Complex.", we could see different shapes and sizes of these hills, spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers. They are covered in green grass that looks like the color of pandan says Lenelle.

They are not really man-made like the pyramids or great wall. The domes vary in sizes from 30 to 50 meters (98 to 160 ft) high with the largest being 120 meters (390 ft) in height. The lands, in between the hills, are cultivated to rice and other cash crops. Quarrying activities threatens some of the hills.

Lenelle says some local residents claim ownership of the hills besides their property but the local government has jurisdictions on these hills. No houses are allowed to be built on top of these hills. Dapat! These are wonders of natures not to be abused or used.

Our guide told us a few stories of how these hills came to be, from simple limestone formations to an ancient active volcano that self-destructed and spewed huge blocks of stone which were then covered with limestone.

Whatever the reason how these hills came to be, we are just glad to have been here! And hope to visit again really soon!

Arrival in Tagbilaran City

We barely had an hour of sleep before Manny Gabutina arrived at our Greenhome to bring us to NAIA 3 for our long long long long weekend trip to Bohol. Often when people rush to pack stuff for a trip or vacation, chance are one would forget something. I nearly forgot our airline tickets.

NAIA 3 was nice and clean and cool, but really still not yet 100% operational. I told Chief that most budget airlines like Cebu Pacific are now housed here at NAIA 3.

By 5:45am, we were at NAIA 3. We didn’t have time to buy breakfast at Cinnabon or donuts. Or coffee. Running late for our flight. But we were used to that. Our Cebu Pacific flight took around an hour and our seats, 1D and 1E were the closest we could get to the pilot. Nothing fancy about this flight, except most passengers were really all dressed down in their shorts and Havaianas or rubber shoes (like Chief and myself).



By 7:30am Chief and I were in Tagbilaran Airport, Bohol, located in the Central Visayas region.


Can you identify where our green American Tourister luggages are in these carts? I remember we bought these bags in Oakland, California, when we were in the States last December 2007. Siyempre, it was bought on sale.

Also, see the first copies of the major newspapers flown in from Manila. Can you spot them in this cart?

We breezed through arrival and soon we saw the blue van which would bring us Villa del Sol, our home for the weekend. Tere had recommended Villa del Sol as a good place to stay while in Tagbilaran. Her family had stayed here last summer.

Bohol is an island province located in the Central Visayas region and is the 10th largest island in the country. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. To the west of Bohol is Cebu, easily accessible by boat. Even Camigiun is just 3 hours by boat, but we wouldn’t really want to do that now. Chief and I, together with Rene, Nady and Christie were in Camigiun just last summer.

And for the next few days, we would be discovering the chocolate hills, the tarsiers, Bohol Beach Club and Tanglao Island, but most of all, get a weekend for ourselves away from work and emails... except blogging. And yes, these travel steps are part of our 7th anniversary weekend.