Javalava Surfapalooza: Zambales Surf & Shoot Tour

JAVALAVA SURFAPALOOZA
ZAMBALES SURF & SHOOT TOUR
DECEMBER 21-22, 2013


Join Javalava Surfapalooza. We'll take you to the best beach with perfect learning waves and we’ll have you riding in no time. What’s more, we’ll be joined by our friendly photographer to take snapshots as you ride the waves.

We meet in Cubao in the morning of December 21 and we’ll whisk you away to Liwliwa in San Felipe, Zambales where the waves are best for learning to surf. Once we get there, we'll get you fitted with a surfboard. After a quick stretch and beach lesson, we'll hit the water for some surf school action. Our professional and fun surf instructors will get you up and riding waves in no time.

RATE: PHP 3,100 PER PERSON

Inclusions:
Roundtrip Manila-Liwliwa transfers by private air-conditioned van
Overnight beach cottage accommodation
Sumptuous picnic lunch
Two days surfing lessons including surfboard and instructor
Surfing photo shoot

If you wish to join but plan to bring your own vehicle rate is PHP 1,800 per person.

Round up your friends and join Javalava Surfapalooza for the ultimate surfing holiday. It only takes one wave to change your life. Join us and get ready for an experience of a lifetime!

SCHEDULE

21 DEC (SAT)

06:00                  Assembly at 711 Ali Mall Cubao (fronting P. Tuazon)

06:30                  Leave for Liwliwa

10:30                  Arrival Liwliwa, rest

12:00-14:00         Picnic lunch then rest

14:00-17:00         Surf lessons and surf photo shoot

17:00                  Back to kubo, rest

19:00-20:00         Dinner (own arrangement)
22:00                  Overnight

22 DEC (SUN)

06:00                  Wake up call

07:00                  Breakfast, warm up

08:00-11:00         Surf lessons and surf photo shoot

11:00                  Back to kubo, rest

12:00-13:00         Lunch (own arrangement)

14:00                  Leave Liwliwa

18:00                  ETA Cubao (drop off at Gateway)

REMINDERS

    * Please be at the meeting point on time.

    * Limit luggage to one backpack per person to maximize convenience inside the van.

·   * There are no concrete roads in Liwliwa. Wearing sneakers is discouraged, instead bring your flipflops.

·   * Accommodation will be in cozy sleeper-kubo (huts) that vary in size and capacity. The huts come with sleeping mattresses, pillows, electric fans, and electrical sockets for charging, and communal toilets for all guests.

*   * Bring your own towel.

    * One-time picnic lunch is included in the package. The other meals by own arrangement.

·   * There are two carinderias in Liwliwa open from early morning till 10PM selling food which cost as low as PHP 60 (palabok). One of these, Mommy Phoebe's, is really more of a one-stop shop selling not only food but also souvenirs, surf gear, as well imported items like English tea and Mexican hot sauce. (Sowsyal!)

·   * Each participant will get one hour surf lessons with instructor per day.

·   * Tipping surf instructor is not required but highly encouraged.

·   * Bring your own rash guard.

·   * Surf photos will be sent via email shortly after the tour.

·   * Mobile phone signal is present in Liwliwa, however 3G signal is almost dead.

·   * In Liwliwa most people are surfers by day, drinkers  at night. *wink*

·   * Don’t forget to pack sunblock, playing cards, MP3 player, your favorite book, and other things for entertainment.

·   * The locals speak Filipino, English, or Ilocano. If you speak a little Ilocano trust you’ll make new friends instantly.

Reserve your slot now!


JAVALAVA MANILA TOURS
52G 13th Avenue Socorro Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila
tel (02) 913.9770, 6222.129
mobile 0917.804.5282, 0917.806.5492
email travel@gojavalava.com
BBM 742389C1
Twitter/Instagram @javalavamanila

Typhoon Yolanda aftermath: Visayas needs our help

The victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) need our help. Javalava Manila Tours accepts donations in cash or in kind.

Items to be donated can be dropped of at:

Javalava Manila Tours

52G 13th Avenue Socorro Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Cash donations can be sent to the following bank accounts:

For Peso donations:

BPI

Account Name: Melissa Abegail A. Carballo

Account Number: 4239051567

Branch: Trinoma

For Indonesian Rupiah donations:

BCA

Account Name: Wahyu Bagus Setiadi

Account Number: 8050037101

Kantor Cabang: Bukit Tinggi

For US Dollar donations:

Banco de Oro

Account Name: Mark Anthony A. Carballo

Account Number: 100160830338

Swift Code: BNORPHMM

Bank Address: SM Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Collection will start today until Monday, 18 November 2013, in the afternoon.

Collected funds will be used to buy bottled water, food, and medicine.

All items will be transported to the typhoon-affected areas through Alphaland's Balesin Island Club which have their own private planes. Those who wish to join us drop off the items at their hangar (Airport Road corner Tramo) are most welcome.

What not to donate:

Noodles/powdered milk (due to lack of potable water)

Hard to open cans (food should be easy to open)

Cosmetic soaps (victims need anti-bacterial soap)

Sexy clothes (not suitable to be worn in an evacuation center)

Thick clothes (not suitable for warm philippine climate)

Donations as modest as 50 Pesos are most welcome. 50 Pesos can buy 6 bottles of drinking water.

More information please call Remus, Melissa or Mersi at (02) 9139770, (02) 6222129, 09178045282.

#BangonVisayas #YolandaPH #BangonPinoy #BangonPilipinas

"Metro Manila" to debut in Philippine theaters on 09 October 2013

"Metro Manila," UK's entry for best foreign language film for the 2014 Oscars, is set to debut in theaters in the Philippines on 09 October 2013.

"Metro Manila" was directed by Oscar-nominated British filmmaker Sean Ellis and stars Filipino actors Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla and Althea Vega.

Its story depicts the struggles of a poor family from the province as they move into the city and try to make a living.

"Metro Manila" is this season's must-see movie! Spread the word!

Indonesian culinary delights to tickle your tastebuds

With tons of delicious dishes to offer, Indonesia is easily one of Asia’s top destinations for culinary tourism.

Since I still have a hangover from Indonesian food (because of the Indonesian Food Festival I attended at SM Megamall a week ago), let me pay homage to some of my favorite Indonesian dishes.

All together let’s say “Selamat makan” (Happy eating!)

Rawon

RAWON or NASI RAWON (If it comes with rice)

Rawon is beef with black soup. Originally from the city of Surabaya, black nuts (keluak) give this dish a distinct flavor and black color. Rawon is usually topped with baby bean sprouts and served with salted eggs. Rawon has to be my most favorite Indonesian dish. Too bad keluak is not available in the Philippines :c

Find delicious rawon at:

Rawon Setan (Devil’s Rawon)

across JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya, Jalan Embong Malang, Surabaya, East Java

Rendang

RENDANG

Rendang is a spicy beef dish, sometimes called ‘West Sumatra caramelized beef curry’ as it originates from the Minangkabau ethnic group from this region. It takes long hours to prepare ‘authentic’ rendang. The coconut milk together with the meat is cooked in fire and mixed non-stop for 4-6 hours. In 2011 an online poll among 35,000 people by CNN International chose rendang as the number one dish for the 'World’s 50 Most Delicious Food.’ The same way Philippine adobo can be prepared dozens different ways, rendang recipes vary from region to region but I would say the best recipe is the original one from Sumatra.

Find delicious rendang at:

Warung Indo

Ground Floor LPL Manor, 116 Leviste Street Salcedo Village, Makati, Metro Manila

Bebek goreng

BEBEK GORENG

Bebek goreng simply means fried duck. Tell the Peking Duck to pack up and leave because Indonesian bebek goreng is how duck should really taste.

Find delicious bebek goreng at:

Nasi Bebek Tugu Pahlawan

Jalan Pahlawan, Surabaya, East Java

Kepiting telur asin

KEPITING TELUR ASIN

Kepiting telur asin is crab with salted eggs sauce. This yummy dish easily puts Singapore chilli crab to shame. Expect to set your table manners aside as you’ll end up licking every drop of the sauce from the crab shells. :)

Find delicious kepiting telur asin at:

Layar Seafood & Ikan Bakar

Jalan Manyar Kertoarjo, Surabaya, East Java

or

Lorenzo’s Way

Greenbelt 5 Paseo de Roxas corner Legaspi Streets Ayala Center, Makati, Metro Manila

That's it for now. Hope I didn't make you drool too much. LOL. I'll add more dishes in this list soon. :)

Million People March to scrap Pork Barrel

Sleepless yet driven by patriotism, we went to Rizal Park on 26 August 2013 to demand for the abolition of Pork Barrel. 

Wearing our white shirts, we joined thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life in this historic gathering to protest a rotten system that allows dirty politicians to siphon public funds for their own personal interests.

The energy at Rizal Park was one that's positive. People were chanting, asking for signatures, distributing flyers. Some were working on a signature campaign. Others were singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

I felt a deep sense of nationalism.

I thank my sister Mersi Carballo for being my partner in this event.

Mersi Carballo and I, Remus Mark Carballo

With my college friends (left to right): Sunshine Matutina, Herbert Docena, me, and Forsyth Cordero

Spray painting umbrellas with a pork image

Hello sister Mersi Carballo. Feel na feel ah!

Palawan, Boracay take top spots in 2013 World's Best Islands list

Philippine tourism gets a boost from Travel + Leisure magazine as two popular destinations take the top spots in its annual World’s Best Awards – World’s Best Island list.

Beating heavy favorites Bali and Maui, Palawan bags the number 1 spot with a score of 95.04 while Boracay takes second spot with a score of 93.58.

Palawan was nowhere in the list last year. Its giant leap to number 1 is a pleasant surprise.

Palawan recently gained massive international attention after Puerto Princesa Underground River, located in Palawan’s capital city, was declared one of New 7 Wonders of Nature. Famed to be the world’s longest navigable underground river, tourists have been flocking to this site since.

Inside the Puerto Princesa Underground River

Located on the northern tip of Palawan, El Nido’s pristine beaches dotted with ancient limestone cliffs was declared as the country’s best beach by CNNGo.com.

Kayakers passing through limestone formations in El Nido

On the number 2 spot, the party island of Boracay remains Philippine tourism’s biggest cash cow taking one-third of international arrivals. Tourists come to Boracay for its powdery white sand, clear waters, and awesome nightlife.

Boracay sunset

Here’s the complete Top 10 Islands list

1]  Palawan, Philippines - 95.04

2]  Boracay, Philippines  - 93.58

3]  Maui - 89.83

4]   Santorini, Greece - 89.37

5]  Prince Edward Island, Canada - 89.23

6]  Bali, Indonesia - 88.70

7]  Kauai - 88.50

8]  Sicily, Italy - 88.06

9]  Koh Samui, Thailand - 87.43

10] Galápagos - 86.95

Halal food at Red Sea Restaurant

If you're looking for a Halal restaurant in Clark, Pampanga, check out Red Sea Restaurant. Red Sea serves Arabic, Mediterranean, and Indian food. Cozy ambiance. Friendly staff.

I took my group from Telkom Indonesia & Pundi Tours to Red Sea for lunch. We were treated to a tasteful buffet of fish, beef, and vegetables. Overall it was delightful dining experience.

If you plan to visit Red Sea, I suggest making a reservation beforehand.

Red Sea Restaurant

994 Fields Avenue, Angeles City, Pampanga‎

Tel  (045) 892.1689

They also have another branch in Manila.

Red Sea Restaurant

1535 M.H. Del Pilar Street Ermita, Manila

Tel (02) 5255.981

Check out this video :)

Indonesian Tourism Gathering & Dinner at Diamond Hotel Manila

The Indonesian Tourism Gathering & Dinner was held at Diamond Hotel Manila last 28 November 2012.

The event was spearheaded by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as well as the Indonesian Embassy in Manila.

The event was attended by travel agencies from Manila who sell Indonesian tour packages. Your Manila tour guide was one those invited by the Indonesian Embassy. Featured sellers were BMW Tours and Aneka Kartika Tours.

Was surprised to see my long-time friend Weni. She was one of the cultural performers

Look at all the goodies I brought home

Watch this video :)

Aliwan Fiesta 2013: The mother of Philippine festivals

Aliwan Fiesta brings the best of Philippine festivals to Manila for an awesome 3-day event showcasing the colorful, diverse Filipino culture.

This year Quirino Grandstand and the Cultural Center were once again the venues for this colorful event held last 11-13 April 2013.

Among all the streetdance performances, I was most excited to see Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival. This year Dinagyang again didn't disappoint with performances and costumes taken to a higher level of perfection. I swear I got goosebumps watching the Iloilo contingent.

From left to right: Kuya Whisky Simon, Wahyu Setiadi & Mama Ofelia Carballo at Aliwan Fiesta 2013

From left to right: Your Manila tour guide Remus Mark Carballo, female shaman from Iloilo, Wahyu Setiadi & Mama Ofelia Carballo

Young beauty queen from Davao

Your Manila tour guide Remus Mark with tropang pula

Mindanao float featuring Islamic symbols and costumes

Davao beauty

Coconut lady

Panagbenga Flower Festival of Baguio City

Sagaya Festival of Maguindanao

Sagaya Festival of Maguindanao

Kalivungan Festival of Midsayap, North Cotabato 

Kalilangan Festival of General Santos 

Watch this video :)