Completing the 81 List - Final Province: Dinagat Islands

Completing the 81 List - Final Province: Dinagat Islands

Completing the 81 visited provinces took me many years. Due to schedule and priorities, I was able to do it by mixing my travels with my regular or irregular work. 

Anyway, my girlfriend and I arrived in Surigao City after spending time with family for the holidays (Christmas and New Years).

We booked at Bohol Travellers Inn at the nearest corner of Borromeo and San Nicolas Streets. We took the 12 hour space rent for the needed rest and shower. Im from Negros Occidental and shes from Misamis Oriental, we need that little pampering. Space is affordable and no hot/cold bath. For P599.00 uiu got this room for 12 hours.

Ok, wake up early for the boat ride at Pier Dos, so not mistook it with the expensive looking port.

Pier Dos

Travel time will take you 1 up to 1.5 hours. P100.00 fare.

Habal2 is P10 within Poblacion, best to talk to locals just do not be too gullible. Place is known to be safe, well everybody knows everybody.

We went to DOT and asked for any within the range day tour. Took a while for them to arrive.

Provincial Toru Guide Mark Acain . Helpful

With Dinagat Toursim Officer Danilo C. Bulabos

People are generally peaceful and food is inexpensive.

Tip for backpackers: buy seafood at the market, have it grilled at the nearby grill and go, then go to the nearest Silogan (frid rice and egg) - saves you up from cleaning plates. Hahahaha

Tapsilog is P50 as we speak
Special Goto is P40.

1500 - 2000 boat improvise roofing max 4 person look for others who wants to tag along. This is just around Basilisa.

If you need a bigger boat and more places to go to that can easily be transact through the tourism office. Tip: If you plan ahead, have it posted as an event so you can find a tag along buddies to leasen the financial burden of boat rentals.

Enjoy people.

With my Pinalangga...

Jogging Jogging pag may time

Jogging Jogging pag may time

I have an occasional need to "jog", or so I thought. Here in Tandag City, the roads are recently asphalted. I would like to say, that the city is starting to get neat. That would be good for the coffers because the asphalt was an over lay on the concrete high-way. 

Now going back to the jogging, I cannot help but always look on the road side as the sea is just way within 30-50 meters from the road. From my place to Surigao Del Sur State University, it is about 5.2 kilometers from my place. Since its been a while since my last "jog", Most of the time I am walking. I am like, okay this should improve.

Let me contemplate for now as I am munching my breakfast thinking, how ironic, that as much as I would love to exercise, My Love for Good Food is always a hurdle!!!

Enjoy the Photo's. I will post some soon for Surigao Del Sur.

The Mindanao Adventure

The Mindanao Adventure

I will engage in a mission in Mindanao Island. Specifically to the area that face the Pacific Ocean and the brunt of our ever changing climate.

New adventure for Hijo, and this is moving towards reaching out and make a difference.

Travelling from Negros Occidental to Manila, then to Davao City then Tagum City to Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur last March 2015 reminds me of good old days jaunts and journeys. Looking to the road going to Surigao del Sur at the back of my mind I am saying, this Province is on the right track. Roads are very essential to the logistical and economic activities of any location.

Anyway, I am very excited for the fact that this is a budding province where great potentials can happen, laidback yet willing to move forward (much like home Negros). We can only guess as when would this happen, it would really depend on what kind of development the people of Surigao Del Sur would want. We can all hope for a climate resilient options. As to what are those, we will be finding that out.

I am here to work in partnership with the Local Government in building resiliency. Building Resiliency- BIG WORDS!!! This is a big task, my stay here will be in four years(hopefully) and many things can happen in four years, with the constant threat from our ever changing climate and the challenges of inclusive growth and the external pressures of the world economy, this province would need all necessary effort and cooperation from within to keep up and definitely move as resilient.

Anyway, just enjoy the photo's of Surigao Del Sur below. I hope this would help my fellow bloggers and you my audience to go here and pay this blessed province a visit.

Surfing along Tandag City's waves

Cagwait Beach

Rice Fields at Municipality of Cagwait

Beach in Tandag

Truly yours...

2014, Around Bacolod and Negros Occidental

Bacolod City 2014!!!

Bacolod City, being the largest highly urbanized city in Western Visayas is gearing up for many things yet to unveil within its borders. Construction here and there, its like the LGU and the Private Corporations are in a hurry to outdo each other.

We will start with Mall Expansions. Sounds like a lot of Negrense demands for more. This time their requests are very well heard.

SM City Bacolod Expansion: WHOA!!! not only Henry Sy himself said it will double in size after the current expansion, it looks like they would not just stop from there. It is the Prime Holdings' 29th 69,337 sqm SuperMall and serves customers in this dynamic hub of trade, education, and government services in Negros Occidental. SM Prime Holdings' will spend roughly P1.4 Billion for this expansion divided into different phases that will add more space and make the mall a whooping 171,380 sqm, making it the largest SM mall in Western Visayas. 

Phase 1 is The Store. 

Phase 2 is The Atrium.

This is how it would look like when it is done.

Apart from this. SM ventured to build Savemore Stores in Talisay City and a Hypermart in Cadiz City.

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888 Mall Expansion: 888 Bacolod China Town Square is a 10,000 sqm mall. Designed to cater Negrense from all walks of life. This mall is going to expand. They will call it - 888 Bacolod China Town Square Premier. It occupied the old Provincial Jail Lot, it will be linked via Bridge to the existing Mall.

Photo By: Efren Pomperada

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Lopues East Center Expansion: Lopues Malls are Local Players of Mall Operators in Bacolod City. Lopues East is ever Expanding and became a mover of activities in Bacolod East Area.

Photo by: Negros Patriot of SSC Bacolod

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Ayala Capitol Civic Center: Ayala is going to build its Commercial Complex in Bacolod City, this is going to be very big as it will have a Convention Center, Hotel, Mall, and Condominiums. This development will definitely encourage many things.

The District North Point: The First AYALA Mall in Western Visayas!!! This mall speaks for itself. Located in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

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Now We are done with the Malls. We will proceed with other developments around the city.

Bacolod has been declared as the Center of Excellence in IT-BPM by Department of Science and Technology. Making it the fourth in Philippines to be named so (Together With Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Clark) and the Only one in Western Visayas.

This is also the reason why it was Upgraded by Tholons in the List of 100 Top Outsourcing Cities in the World at 93rd Spot.

Negros First Cyber Center: Negros Occidental is going entrepreneurial. Finding ways to venture into business that matters. This building is going to house many IT Offices that will bring an estimated of 7,000 jobs.

Photos by: Taz08 of SSC Bacolod

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SM Prestige

SM Prestige

I was invited to attend a supposedly a lifestyle/fashion bloggers event. It came across to my mind. Sure why not. So I am on my way of attending to what I do everyday. I realize that every week, I would spend time in SM, either to relax or just a hunch laugh time with friends. It only meant one thing. SM became a part of a Negrense Everyday Life. 

We are discussing about as to why is it in a very short span, SM is willing to expand for Negros. Well lets talk about numbers.

Bacolod :

BDO Sapphire and Diamond Members as of May 2013  - 1,191 members
Prestige as of May 2013 -  6,129 members
SMAC as of May 2013 - 114,736 members