Graceland Resort - Tayabas Quezon (pt 1)

The area of Tayabas in Quezon Province is a quaint town which most tourists just pass by on their way to the more popular Lucban. Of course, the Pahiyas Festival (which I will write about in the coming days) in Lucban is one of the main reasons why tourists flock Quezon. But last year, we went to Graceland Resort in Tayabas. And that trip convinced me that in the neat future, Tayabas will be a tourism hub because of the resort.

I was able to go to Graceland through Nathan, whose father is a member of the exclusive club that runs the resort. I've been there thrice and I know I'll be back again.

As you drive into the parking area, gigantic vegetable replicas welcome you. Immediately, you will see a "bahay kubo" that serves as a waiting area for guests who do not have private transportation and wait for the resort shuttle. I saw two quaint hotels and thought its where we will stay just like ordinary out of town trips that last for 3 days or more. But I was surprised when Nathan's dad drove farther, only to find out that we are staying in the campsite area. Great. Outdoor fun! But I suddenly worried when I remember we didn't bring provisions for the night. Geez, where will I sleep? All of a sudden, a staff approached us with a handful of tents, linens, blankets and pillows. In due time, we were inside comfy tents complete with 6 - inch matresses and crisp smelling linen. It was 8 in the evening and so we decided to cap the day off and sleep with the sound of whistling grass and splashing brook. The chilly wind coming from the overlooking Sierra Madre mountains lulled us to sleep.

As dawn breaks the next day, I felt revived and enthusiastic. I slept the night under wood canopies, inside my quaint tent. The shower area surprised me as it has a modern water - heating system. Something I least expect in a campsite. The coming days' activities were already planned. The big Graceland resort catered to my every whim. Adjacent to the campsite is the mini - putting area for golf enthusiasts. We went straight ahead to the nearby basketball court for early morning hoops. Nathan's kiddie cousins were thrilled with the playground big enough for all of them. Nathan's dad challenged us to catch our own meal in the lagoon. I caught a decent sized tilapia and ate it in the gazebo, right at that very lagoon. Afternoon siesta came and I dozed off under an acacia tree when I heard gallops. There are horses around? (to be continued...)

(image c/o http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/158418322_a50504366d.jpg?v=0)

Rockstar - Nickelback

For the past 23 years of my life, I've aspired for a lot of things. Material and non alike. And so, when asked what is the one thing that I wanna fulfill, I went into deep thinking. Then this song played on the radio - Rockstar by Nickelback. That's it! The song wraps up all the things I want. Here it goes...

Title: Rockstar
Album: All The Right Reasons
Artist: Nickelback

I'm through with standing in line
To clubs we'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
And I'm never gonna win
This life hasn't turned out
Quite the way I want it to be(Tell me what you want)

I want a brand new house
On an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough
For ten plus me(So what you need?)

I'll need a credit card that's got no limit
And a big black jet with a bedroom in it
Gonna join the mile high club
At thirty-seven thousand feet(Been there, done that)

I want a new tour bus full of old guitars
My own star on Hollywood Boulevard
Somewhere between Cher andJames Dean is fine for me(So how you gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

[Chorus:]'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
And live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger'sGonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunnyWith her bleach blond hair
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I wanna be great like Elvis without the tassels
Hire eight body guards that love to beat up assholes
Sign a couple autographs
So I can eat my meals for free(I'll have the quesadilla, uh huh)

I think I'm gonna dress my assWith the latest fashion
Get a front door key to the Playboy mansion
Gonna date a centerfold that loves toBlow my money for me(So how you gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

[Chorus]And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and today's who's who
They'll get you anything with that evil smile
Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I'm gonna sing those songs
That offend the censors
Gonna pop my pills from a pez dispenser
I'll get washed-up singers writing all my songs
Lip sync em every night so I don't get 'em wrong

[Chorus]And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and today's who's who
They'll get you anything with that evil smile
Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar



.... there! We are all entitled to our dreams no matter how big or small they are. What matters is that we move forward to achieve them. Otherwise, the dream is just going to be an illusion forever. And so, I would like to say, let's all be rockstars and rock the world over!

;p

(lyrics from http://songs-lyrics.blogspot.com/2006/09/rockstar-nickelback.html)

pre hong kong '09

i'll be off to hong kong on monday, march 23 '09 to accompany my best friend Eula. since i'm pretty familiar with the area, plus i can speak teensy mandarin chinese, she opted to count me in. and as if she has a choice, Eula decided that she'll pay for the trip's expenses. hurrah for kawaiiboi!

problem though. since i just got re hired by my office, i don't have leave credits yet. and as if i can just leave my work hanging, i find it very very difficult specially under the circumstances im into right now. oh well, might as well get stressed before i relax!

Gerry's Grill Trinoma

Lee has always been a food lover. And so for her birthday, she wanted to try something new. She treated me and some officemates in Gerry's Grill Trinoma. I thought it was just a "drink beer - eat nuts - smoke lights" place based on the Grill part in its name but it's actually a seafood resto which boasts of a unique menu. From the appetizers to the main course, the dishes are given twists by the experienced stay - in cook.

We had baked mussels as appetizers and I'm telling you, it's superb! The crustacean's oozing with garlic cheese and savoured in flavorful manner. We had the house favorite sisig, kare kare and liempo as the main course. And oh, the staple rice completed the full meal. Mind you, it wasn't just plain rice. We devoured their very own Bagoong Rice. Yum yum! Despite the sumptuos meal we had, I still have my comments.

1. Gerry's Trinoma should convert into a wifi zone. The adjacent restos and bar (and pretty much the entirety of Trinoma) have wireless internet connections that makes dining better for food and net junkies like us.

2. They should come up with their own line of desserts for our sweet tooth. The powerful flavor of the dishes must be washed down with sweets! I know the sous chef can do it!

Over all, Gerry's is good. We'll surely add it in our list.

(image c/o http://ph.88dbmedia1.jobsdb.com/)

SSG

When the nearby Rempson's grocery closed out last 2004, I felt sad because I've been used to roam it's spacious aisles and shop around for stuff that I need. Oh well, move on. I gotta bemuse myself in going to the father GL grocery and finish up things there.

But Lo and Behold!

I just found out that in a month's time, a new grocery will be put up where the old Rempson's left off. As per first hand info, the grocer's name is SSG. Hmmm..??? I wish it'll have the same ol' charm Rempson's had.

As usual, I'll write a review once things get up and running!

hail summer, hail mt sea

As summer opens up this year, I thought of the places I've been to where I think I'm heading back. One place popped above the rest, which happens to be Mt Sea Grand Resort in Tanza, Cavite. The resort is a good 1 - 1.5 hours drive south of Metro Manila. Bearing in mind that Cavite is a typical sea-lined province, I didn't expect anything special. Besides, I've been to the place years before it was renovated. But lo and behold! Surprise of all surprises, my mouth gaped open as I stepped down the pebbled walkway towards the grand lobby. The entire resort was vamped up and how.

The hotel used to look like a dusty motel, lined with the usual floral linen. But now, though I am not that architecturally savvy, it seems Balinese with low lamps and a faint yellow lighting, complete with the cozying effects of Buddha statues. The restaurant which used to look like a typical eatery also had it's facelift. It has turned into an al fresco dining, complete with entrees that are noteworthy. And the swimming pools you ask? Wow. The lazy, olympic - sized pool with slides was turned into a jungle - inspired oasis. Complete with bridgeways, treehouses, and apes, the pool area was turned into a marvellous watering hole. The empty spaces of the resort have been lined with interesting pieces like trampollines, slides, alligators (stones ones silly!) and the like. The dingy beach front is now heavy with cabanas, perfect for that afternoon siesta or just hanging out.

Surely, with a place as near as Cavite, I'm sure to hit the resort back. For more detailed information, log on to http://www.mountseagrandresort.com.ph/ or check out some of my our pics at http://kawaiiboi.multiply.com/photos/album/27/Hail_Summer. Summer is indeed the "funnest" time to just relax, enjoy and be silly. And should you decide to do so, Mt Sea is the perfect place to be.

fuzzin' over Frosty (by Wendy's)

When a friend of mine, who happens to be a manager at a local Wendy's branch, taught me how to eat Frosty properly, I was dazed. By eating properly, I meant putting creamer atop the chocolatey creamy treat and savour each scoop one by one. Yum!

For a regular sized Frosty, it is reasonably priced at 32 php. And the creamer? Just charm the ol' lady behind the counter and she'll hand it out for free.

I dunno if this is really allowed by management, but if it isn't, well they should! The taste and texture of the smooth soft ice cream can rival that of the more popularly known brands easily available in the market. Especially now that summer's coming up, Wendy's should focus in marketing this wonderfully delicious treat.

At this point, I'm really fuzzin' over Frostys. I'm elated that we have a Wendy's stall in the pantry which equates to easy access to my current fave.
;p