Cafe Andessa.... It's Different!

Looking for different yet cozy place for a sumptuous dinner? CAFE ANDESSA is the place to be.
Cafe Andessa is located at No. 2, Cabantian Road, Carpio Subdivision in Buhangin, Davao City. It's tagline "...it's different" denotes a non-typical Bicolano Cuisines served delicately and tastefully in a very special way.
A beautiful ambiance, soothing jazzy music, complimenting interiors and lightings: these what make Cafe Andessa just a right place to dine and unwind. In addition, their mouthwatering Bicol Cuisines are simply delectable.
VISIT Cafe Andessa and experience dining at its finest. Above all, like its tagline, indeed ... it's different!

Celebrating My Valentine Birthday This 2009

THEY SAY: TAKE A VALENTINE BREAK!

And I say, I'm taking a break because it's my
Valentine Birthday Break! Yes, I am a certified Valentine Birthday Boy and I just turned another year older last February 14. For me, celebrating my birthday every year is like celebrating it with the whole world. Everybody does. It's Valentines Day anyway.

So this 2009 as i turned another year older, I thank God for all the blessings I dearly enjoyed for myself and for the people I love.

At some point, getting another year older becomes a bit nerve racking to me. I even got what they called “birthday blues” – a melancholy feeling of despair for no reason at all.

SURPRISE LUNCH PARTY FROM MY APO VIEW DIAMOND CLUB STAFFS

But looking at what life has beautifully made me become, I realized that I should be always grateful instead of entertaining the feeling of dismal. Life has treated me so well. It treated me so fairly that I must and will forever be happy and joyful.

BIRTHDAY PARTY AT HOME WITH SELECT FRIENDS

So this year, celebrating my birthday with my closest friends at my Humble Abode is my way of thanking God for another beautiful year added to my life.

Celebrating the gift of life…

Celebrating the gift of having a family…

Celebrating the gift of great friendship…

These are what my birthday is for me.

To all those who remembered, my millions thanks.

To all my blogger friends, thanks for the greetings. To Vanny, thanks for the Blueberry Cheese Cake. See you soon while in Davao.

AGAIN, my grateful thanks and gratitude for being with me on my special day. A part of my journey. A part of my voyage!

Kanaan: The Other Side Of Samal

The Island Garden City of Samal has always been the much loved beach getaway of Davao people like me. Two reasons. First, going to its nearest resort will take just around 5 to 10 minutes boat ride from Davao City. Second, Samal is an island blessed with different beach wonders ranging from coral filled shores, refined white sand beaches, vanishing Islands, perfect dive spot locations, beautiful first class and second rate resorts and a lot lot more.

I have personally been to the different places in Samal but like everybody says there’s more fun waiting to discover.

So this time, together with my Apo View Hotel’s Diamond Club team , we went to the other side of the Island - KANAAN.

Kanaan is one of the Barangay consisting Samal. It is situated at the eastern part of the island.

Unlike some barangays near the Penaplata, Kanaan is not blessed with cemented or concrete roads. Going there especially for those who hate bumpy road, road trip going to Kanaan can be a disaster. Most of the roads were bloody muddy. Some were creepy cliffy giving everyone of us a great scream. Some roads were even so scary giving us nerves that our vehicle will turn upside down. But for adventurers and thrill seekers like me, it’s a helluva fun! Hehehe!

Upon reaching the resort, we checked the place right away. Kanaan Beach is not a sandy nor a pebbly beach. It is a coral rocky beach surrounded with vegetation, an indication that it is not much visited by beach goers.

For my Apo View Diamond Club team, the place is just a perfect for team building activity. We were the only group in the resort, so, literally we owned the place. And it's just a perfect place too feasting over mouth watering foods.

For picture-addict individuals, Kanaan Beach can be of a place for a picture perfect shots. Here are some.

Kanaan Beach may not be as fantabulous as those other beach getaways I had been, it still is a place to remember. Quite, solemn, unspoiled.

Come try Kanaan – who knows, there’s more to see than what’s I’ve seen.

Reminiscing the Alluring Beauty of Bohol

The beautiful Islands of Bohol has been my favorite getaway. It is composed with gorgeous islands and islets so blessed with extra ordinary places to mesmerize people like me craving for new adventures and new places to discover.Being one of the oldest provinces in the Philippines, Bohol takes pride with its rich history and heritage that have shaped Christianity in the Philippines. Above all, the Islands of Bohol is the home of the different natural wonders that have become the country’s national Pride!

Having heard, seen and enthralled by its stories from books, magazine and other media, this blogger took his voyage to one the most loved provinces in the Philippines – the Province of Bohol.

OLANOLOGY’S PHOTO ANTHOLOGY

(Pictures below were taken during my last two trips at the Island Province)

1. Tagbilaran City - the capital of the island-province of Bohol. From the City of Cebu via Ocean Jet, the City of Tagbilaran is the gateway to the many Wonders of the Island Province of Bohol.

2. Legaspi-Sikatuna Blood Compact Shrine - The sculpture show what became known in Philippine history when Spanish conqueror named Legazpi made friends with the Boholanos and made a blood compact with Raha Sikatuna, the chief of Bohol.

3. Baclayon Church & Museum - It is considered to be the oldest church in the Philippines. The church is made of coral stones cut into square blocks and piled onto each other. Next to the church is an old convent that houses a small museum with centuries-old religious artifacts dating back 16th century.

4. Close Encounter with Tarsiers - The Philippine tarsier is known to be smallest primates in the world. Bohol takes pride to home these beautiful peculiar creatures. Mostly active at night and sleep all day, tourists and alike can have a closer encounter with these creatures during the day.5. The Chocolate Hills - The world-renowned cone-shaped Chocolate Hills is Nature's expression of beauty, mystery and romance. It is among the contenders of the 7 new wonders of nature in the world. The towns of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan home these extra ordinary natural creation. Because of its mystic beauty, the Chocolate Hills becomes Bohol’s signature attraction.6. The Loboc River Cruise - One of the things you should not miss when you go to Bohol is the Loboc River Cruise. It is an hour or so boat ride upstream the Loboc River, from a point near the Loboc Church, up to what seems to be the beginning of the river, which is a short waterfall people call the “busai”, then downstream again back to the point where the cruise started. Buffet lunch serve at the boat during the course of the river cruise is just a feast on my tummy.

7. Bohol Beach Club - one of the most beautiful, most admired and most visited Beach Resorts in the Island. Located at famous Panglao, Bohol Beach Club takes its pride from its kilometer long stretch white sand beach. Equipped with modern facilities and amenities, Bohol Beach Club offers quality service at its finest. Truly, a great perfect place to stay. Bohol Beach Club has been my home for my last two visits to the Island.

8. White Sand Beach of Panglao – For beach bums like me, the Island of Pangalo in Bohol is certainly a paradise. Many are lured to the island because of its white sand, cool crystal blue waters, and its world-famous surrounding dive sites. The tranquil ambiance of the place and the scenic beauty of its white sand beaches gives every visitor a worthy and unforgettable beach experience.

Bohol Beach Club

Ananyana Beach

Alona Beach

9. Hinagdanan Cave - Hinagdanan Cave is located in Dauis, Island of Panglao. It is a naturally lighted cavern with a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is lit by sunlight which filters through holes in the ceiling. The underground lake is a popular swimming spot.

10. Old Churches of Bohol - There are large number of old churches in Bohol and is considered as one of the most attractive heritage characters of the island. Almost all of the 47 towns of the Bohol Province have old, massive, stone churches with frescoes, carvings and other products of Spanish presence. These are the few that i visited.

TAGBILARAN CHURCH

BACLAYON CHURCH

DAUIS CHURCH

PANGLAO CHURCH

PANGLAO BELL TOWER

INDEED, going to the Island Province of Bohol is one of my most loved local trips. I have been there twice but I am sure I'll be going back there again. Just like I said, I am trully lured by its Island beauty.