Butanding / Whale Interaction in Oslob...

Sharing with you pictures taken from my trip to Oslob last week to experience the much publicized Whale Interaction Attraction in the town. 

This is about how close anyone can get to the sharks, right next to it. 

This is me about to dive to the water as one of the sharks swim beside our banca. 

Feeding them with "uyap" (Shrimp Paste). Not only is this practice being debated about because of its "domestication" impact on the whales, I have seen how the whales mouths are actually wounded from what must have been incidents on bumping on the bancas when attempting to eat what is being fed to them.
See related article on domestication from Cebu Daily News:
http://www.cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=12207

Swimming with the shark. Side by Side.

The shark right next to me. I actually got to swim with it side by side and at some point it was underneath me. That was quite an experience. 

This is how the actual feeding looks like. 

This is how the actual interaction in the waters look like. Bancas swarming around the sharks which are being feed by running bancas. 

A gentle giant up close.


While the whole experience was breathtaking and memorable, I cannot help but feel for  the sharks. Yes, legislation has been created on the fees involved to view the sharks, but I am wondering if the have made any resolution to strictly enforce protection on these gentle giants. On the same day, I can see people actually touching the sharks. Some fisherman, rowing too close to a point bumping the different parts of the sharks. It looks like we are more interested in making money out of these sharks, instead of ensuring their safety. Or at least that's what it seems....


 See related article from Cebu Daily News about the wounded sharks: http://cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=12197

Note: All photos from this post are from Kent Subong. 

The year in review....

Less the drama, which I am sparing you all from;  this was how 2011 looked like for me... 

January – Sinulog with friends.

February – my birthday month. Took some time out of Cebu and met up with my bestfriend who is a designer  in Zamboanga for a much needed reunion and vacation. I love this guy like family.

March – this was the month I started biking... I must say that it was fun while it lasted... I have a love affair with a lot of things and in most cases, they are whirlwind and brief.

April – went home to Dumsville for Lent. Explored Balamban towards the end of the month.

May – brainstorming for ITS UR DAY EVENTS. One of the best things about 2012 for me.

June – my first styling gig for ITS UR DAY EVENTS. The shoot was for our promo and site pictures.

July – was fun... Kate’s wedding. Planned for Oli and Carly’s birthdays.

August – first destination wedding of ITS UR DAY Events in Boljoon. It was challenging but we did it. Kind of made the rest of the weddings in the year easier in comparison. Went firing for the first time during the last part of the month.

September – ITS UR DAY in full swing. Signed up and met with several clients. And yes, my personal time was spent cheering for Ms. Philippines during the Ms Universe. Lol.

October – took a much needed break and went to Bicol for some fun. Planned for Trina’s birthday towards the end of the month.

November – my first solo out of the country backpacking trip. And yes, I am saving up to do it again soon.

December – After being away from home most of the year, this month was with Mama for the most part. She visited me for a week and we went to Manila for a vacation together. I was also home for a week during the holiday break. 

Thank you Lord for 2011. May all of us have a better 2012. 

My Wishlist for Cebu for 2012...

I was in Manila overnight for a very short Holiday break/shopping with Mama. Given what she wanted to do, I had to make sure I'm able to manage our time so both of us get to do what everything we want by the end of the trip. 

Since most of the trip was about going somewhere to buy this and that... Here is a list of things I wish we had in Cebu so I can stop my craving and have more shopping time while in Metro Manila; instead of making sure to include these places in my itinerary to try and get a taste of what they offer.

1. ARISTOCRAT - The barbecue chicken, honey garlic fried chicken, sotanghon guisado; Aristocrat can definitely add more excitement to Cebu's dining experience. 

Taken from the Roxas Blvd branch which is open but undergoing renovation after being hit pretty bad by the last storm in Manila.

2. BINONDO - I want a Chinatown in Cebu. Somewhere we can get hopia, and all those other delicious Chinese delicacies.

I was too scared to take pictures in Binondo, I took this photo of the Starbucks Binondo before stepping out of the cab.

 3. BON CHON CHICKEN - Thanks Karen for going with me to Glorietta to eat here. Definitely must have in Cebu.

4. DAIRY QUEEN - With Krispy Kreme, Cebuanos have proven they don't really care about weight gain. Someone bring Dairy Queen to Cebu and in IT Park, please? 

5. MRS. FIELD'S CAFE - Who doesn't love Mrs. Field's????

6. CINNABON - Thanks for being so conveniently located in NAIA but maybe Cinnabon can put up a stall somewhere in Ayala Center Cebu, I will willingly wait. I promise.

Well, that is more or less my Manila trip. The rest of the time were spent in Divisoria, Tutuban, Greenbelt, Sofitel, MOA, etc... Don't get me wrong, but i love Cebu and I can live with Ayala, Colon, Manalili, SM, Marco Polo, etc... but I do hope seeing some of the things above opening here in 2012, that would make not want to leave CEBU at all... 

I love biking...

Just around two weekends ago, I had the chance to be part of Ayala Center Cebu's Bike Out 2011. This activity is part of their "Green Advocacy" and given the number of participants, I would say was well received by the Cebuanos.

Thank God for those strong feet and legs...



I biked with college friend Jello Cubello of http://www.sidestreetwayfarer.blogspot.com/




Warming up before the bike run...




All set...





This is me arriving at the Finish Line after biking 22 kms.




An interesting group of people in Vintage Bikes.





First 200 participants get this shirt.



I was worried about not being able to finish the run, I went straight to the activity from a 9 hour graveyard shift. But luckily, I did. Looking forward to the next run. Thanks to Kent of http://grocerycouture.tumblr.com/ for coming and taking these pictures....