Cebu - The Tropical Paradise

My first trip for 2014 was to my dad's hometown, Cebu!!! My renter was moving out so I had to accompany my Mom to do inventory. Thus, we took it as a chance to go on a short holiday as well.

I'm sure for most of us foodies, the first thing you think of when you hear Cebu is LECHON (look up and drool). I cannot agree more with Anthony Bourdain that the best roast pork is indeed in Cebu. I've tasted Babi Guling in Ubud, Bali Indonesia and it doesn't compare (haha). My mom knew of a place where they sold whole roasted pork so we checked it out. I'm so sorry I forgot the name of the place but it's near Banilad in Cebu along the main road.
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Hiatus

Wow it's been a while. Apologies for the long hiatus. As if anyone cares haha. I've been pretty busy (obviously), mostly with work, renewal of documentation and other stuff. Last May, I renewed my passport since it's up for expiry on December plus I was up for work visa renewal. I got my passport last June (after a month, ugh) and I finally renewed my work visa in end-June.

It was really a relief to have my work visa renewed for another 2 years. Singapore has been very strict lately with the influx of foreign workers. In fact, some of my Filipino friends got their passes either rejected or demoted to the lower type. I can't blame the government though. I just feel grateful I could stay here longer. Towards the end of this year, I plan to apply for Permanent Residency for the 3rd time.

Anyway, it's been 3 months since I started gym and I'm darn happy I've lost 7kg. Slowly but surely. I've been sick though the past few days due to flu and have been giving in to my cravings but I hope to be back on track.

Earlier this month, I was in Manila and Cebu for a short 4 days. The trip was mainly for the Cebu townhouse turnover. Yey! I'm a homeowner! :-P Huge thanks to my Mom really. She has really helped a great deal, not only financially but more importantly by physically going to Cebu to handle all the admin stuff prior to turnover and minor renovations with the townhouse after the turnover. I love you Mom! :-)

I'll be broke for the next 8 years to pay for the monthly amortization haha, unless we get the place rented out. Either way, it's a great investment. I'm happy my mom influenced me to make this investment :-)
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2012 Travel Plans (and more...)

 

Now, I'm sure you've probably heard of the new campaign by the Department of Tourism in the Philippines - "It's more fun in the Philippines". And since my blog is about travel ("flight" being one of the F's in this blog), I feel I should contribute in my own little way towards this campaign. First of all, to all the smart-a$$ critics out there, let's give this a chance. The WOW Philippines campaign needs to be changed - inspite of all it's success (or was it?). And to the smarter a$$ who said the "fun" campaign was copied from Switzerland's campaign in 1951 with the same slogan - Helloowww?? that was so 19-kopong kopong. Even "Amazing" Thailand and "Incredible" India were used by several countries.

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LOOK WHO'S BACK???!!!!

Wow I just realized it's been a year since my last real post. I've been busy with just work and life in general (and with the advent of Facebook) that I totally neglected this blog. I also noticed Blogger has so many new features/functions It's like learning how to blog all over again (arghh).

The other day I was looking through my posts and felt a bit of nostalgia with all the memories, photos and rant/raves that I've managed to pile up in this blog of mine. AND all the food I've eaten!!!

You're probably wondering why the sudden comeback. Well, I quit my job - which explains the free time to blog. But really, I also realized I've put so much effort in this blog that it would be such a shame to not go back to blogging. About the job, I don't really want to dwell too much on the topic but let's just say I feel it's time to move on. My company has really given me the experience I need to beef up my resume so let's just keep it at that.

Annnyyywaaayyyy, Let me just run through the things, events, and milestones that have transpired during my absence (If you'd like to see pictures from the destinations below, add me in Facebook and let me know you read my blog hehe. Search for "Christian Abellaneda"):


July 2009 - Aileen & Bill's Wedding in Tagaytay, Philippines
- such a memorable and fabulous wedding with the fireworks and all! Also a family reunion of sorts since our relatives from all over the world flew over (including us from Singapore! haha)


Aug 2009 - Moving in to our new place
- Since Aileen and Bill got married, we had to move in to a new place so they can commence their married life with me!! hahaha


Sept 2009 - Trip to Boracay, Philippines
- Needed a break (As always haha) so went to Boracay with Yo & Mike


early-Oct 2009 - Birthday with Mom and Yo
- Since I wasn't able to go home for Xmas back in 2009, my ever sweet Mom and twin brother visited for my/our birthday


end-Oct 2009 - Trip to Bangkok
- short 3 day trip to Bangkok for a weekend getaway


Dec 2009 - Christmas Holidays with Yo
- Aileen, Bill and I weren't able to go home for Christmas so I asked, or shall I say forced, my twin bro to fly to Singapore to celebrate the holidays with us :)


Feb 2010 - Trip to Cebu, Philippines
- Spent the Chinese New Year holidays in my Dad's hometown Cebu in the Philippines. It's been a while since we travelled as a family


April 2010 - UNFORGETTABLE Trip to Turkey
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE TURKEY!!! Oh did I say I love Turkey?!


early-May 2010 - Trip to Vietnam
- First time to travel with Aileen and Bill overseas


mid-May 2010 - Visit by my BFFs
- My BFFs Cathy, Krizia, Karen and Ivy came over to visit

end-May - I quit my Job!!!


June 2010 - Visit by cousins / Trip to Bintan, Indonesia
- The Salamat cousins came over to visit so off we went to Bintan, amongst other things

I never realized so many things happened this past year and I'm very grateful to God for all the wonderful blessings and all the time spent with loved ones. I do hope I finally get this blog up and running again on a regular basis. And I do hope to find a job soon! Work sucks but beggars cant be choosers!! I need the damn money to keep up with my life haha.

WELCOME BACK TO MYSELF!!! :)

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