Travel Tips

I love going out of town with my friends...the best one I remember was when we were just having coffee at Startbucks 6750 then one of my friends said, "Let's go to Tagaytay", so we went. I'll still try to dig up pictures of that spontaneous Tagaytay trip, but let me take you to Nasugbu, Batangas; Davao del Norte and Cebu City. =)

(this first picture isn't from Batangas, Davao or Cebu, but it was taken after my Tali trip...I'm a beach girl! (or a biatch!) Haha!) ;p

I love to feel the wind on my cheeks. That's the same reason why I love to bike and love to run. This second picture of a boat ride to White Sands (near Tali) is one of my faves.

Still located at Nasugbu, Tali Beach is like heaven on earth (except for the roads, the place is perfect---but isn't the way to paradise bumpy?) =)

That's my bro PG with Carla, Tita Siony and yours truly still at Tali. He really loved swimming and just basking in the sun.

I loved visiting my grandparents because their house is (because it still exists) close to nature. There are lots of coconut trees at the back of the house and there's this beach in front. We could swim anytime for free! (Just like Malibu? Not really) =D

(Lolo Daddy-Pedro Fructuoso De Castro Misa- and Lola Mommy-Lucia Paulina Rey Cauwenbergh- are now in heaven, I believe)

There was a time when we were in Cebu almost every year because of the Sinulog. Obviously, this is an old shot with Tito (or uncle) Achie (God bless his soul) and his wife, mom's cousin, Tita (aunt) Leni Reyes at the Cebu Plaza (I'm not sure if it's now called the Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu) ---if it's not obvious, there were micromini paintings on our faces ;-p

If you couldn't see our faces at that other picture, it's clearer here. Gees, you can't still see mine! ;p

(something from the history book)...

Sinulog is a 9 day festival in Cebu in honor of the Child Jesus. According to traditions, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan brought the handcrafted image of the Santo Nino (from Prague) to the Philippines in 1521 and gave it as a present to Queen Juana, the wife of the Datu (chief) of Cebu. Forty-four years later, a Spanish soldier, Juan Camus found the image in a settlement in Cebu, which the Spaniards had previously burned. People considered it a miracle that the image survived the fire. An Augustinian, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta established the Convent of Santo Nino of Cebu on April 28, 1565, and later on, a church was built on the site where the image was found. Devotees believe that the Santo Nino performed and continues to perform many miracles.

Traditions also say that when Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana, the natives started to move their hands and shuffle their feet. Hence, dancing became part of the celebrations. "Sinulog," the dance, is named after the river current, "sulog." This might have something to do with how the image reached Philippine shores. In fact, the ceremonies in Cebu begin with an early morning fluvial procession, reenacting the coming of the Spaniards. A mass and then the "Sinulog" procession follow, where people dance while holding the image of the Santo Nino.

Filipinos consider "Sinulog" a dance of thanksgiving, intercession, petition, adoration—but most of all, it is performed to honor the Santo Nino, the child-king who, has touched many lives. So they shout "Viva Pit Senor Santo Nino!"

***********************

A little bit of trivia--hehehehe

Why was I named Lara Mia Veronica? Because of the three large island groups of the Philippines...Lara=Luzon, Mia=Mindanao, Veronica=Visayas...I was born on March 16 and according to history, that was when Magellan arrived in the Philippines...but dada still fondly calls me Larissa/Larrizza---and I got confirmed with the name Rizza---sheesh, isn't my beautiful name long enough?

Another reason---originally, they planned to name me Pierre Dominique after my two grandfathers, Pedro and Domingo, but French sounding because of grandpa Josephus Ludivicus-Yoosefoos Loodeeveekoos (see, his name really sounds German to me)...but after dada watched Doctor Zhivago, he was smitten. I could be his junior after all! (his name is Rufino Plaridel...so he got the lar...harharhar).