I am Corporate Junkie.: June 2013

Jun 28, 2013

Corporate Junkie Goes Back to Davao

Davao always fascinates me. It is one of the places where there is nothing to do but eat and chill (just like Bacolod!).

My husband and I stayed there for three days and two nights from June 15-17 to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We were accommodated by a very lovely Davaoena (if that is even the term) who made our stay so pleasurable <Thanks, Karen!>

We took a Cebu Pacific flight to Davao and arrived at around 8 in the morning on a Saturday. From Davao airport, we planned to go straight to Samal island. We hailed a cab and told the driver to bring us to Paradise Island Hotel wharf. We paid around PHP100++ for the fare.

A little over five minutes, we were already docking at Paradise Island Resort. Boat trip was at PHP15 each. The resort is nothing too fancy. It is very quaint and quiet. If you are looking for a long beach to frolic on, this may not be the place for you since it houses a short stretch of sand and water.

Since we were there on a weekend, there were a lot of people who arrived sporadically at the resort. Most of the package tours in Davao usually include a stopover in Paradise Island where guests can enjoy a short stay and have a beachfront meal. Activities in Samal include some watersports, a visit in the aviary where they have a modest selection of birds, game of pool and several in-house entertainment such as fire dances and magical shows.

We stayed in a cozy little hut with twin beds. Haha! Usual amenities included a hot and cold shower, cable TV and free water.

We had an overnight stay in the island and headed to the city proper the next day.

One thing you should not forget while you are in Davao is that the city has a very strict smoke-free regulation. People who smoke in the streets are caught by the police. Last May 31, the city reinforced their ordinance and smoking was strictly limited in the comfort of your own home. What a nightmare it was for the husband. Haha!

The next day we visited Eden Nature Park and Resort. From Davao City, it took about an hour and thirty minutes to get to the resort.

A mountain resort 3,000 feet above sea level, Eden Nature Park is 95% man-made! It is a great model of how we can re-create nature and rebuild a lost environment.

Discovered sometime in 1971, the resort used to be a logged-over area covered only by a blanket of wild grass. Its potential was, however, readily seen by the owners as the property provided an imposing view of Davao City and the Davao Gulf.

Not long after, terraces were carved out of the mountain slope, and thousands of pine tree seedlings were planted. As the pine trees grew, they provided canopies allowing other trees and plants to grow and creating a secondary forest. Today, there are over 100,000 pine trees spread throughout 80 hectares, providing a refreshing backdrop to the various attractions in Eden Nature Park. - Eden Nature Park

A pit stop during the tour where we were treated to the native culture including dances prepared by local elementary kids.

The park also boasted of Lola's Garden (Grandma's Garden) where one can have an overlooking view of the different plants that the resort raises from basil to rosemary and other spices.

Wishing Well, grant my heart's desire :)

Last but not the least, Eden Park is home to several teambuilding facilities such as this zipline they call Skyrider. There are different obstacle courses scattered around the park as well as horseback riding for the enjoyment of kids and adults alike.

Skyrider Fee at PHP270.

After a busy day, we headed back to the city. We stayed in Seda Hotel across Abreeza Mall. After a while's rest, we headed to Glamour Restaurant for a satisfying crab buffet.

Glamour Restaurant is located at Padre Gomez Street. You can reach them through +63 82 2220045. Buffet is at PHP398 per head. They change menus every time except for the mainstay, the crabs, of course ;) Yum!

We were so full after dinner that we did not go out anymore. We just stayed at the hotel and got some rest. The next day, we were greeted by a wonderful breakfast from Seda. Good breakfast selection!

After breakfast, we started packing our stuff before we headed out to look for some waling-waling and durian to bring home. We were able to find some good variety near the Airport at:

Airport View Commercial Complex
Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road)

Buhangin, Davao City

while the durian and other fruits like the pomelo (or suha) can be bought from Magsaysay Market.

Davao always does not fail to relax me. Another great experience from this beautiful place. I shall see you soon.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Plasticity

Today, I free myself from you and all the bad things you represented in my life.

Because...

...today, as I moved around the chaos, I am looking forward to a new beginning.

To real friendships. To real relationships.

I bid you farewell.

xx,

Corporate Junkie

Graphic Expo Turns 18

The biggest printing and imaging event of the year, Graphic Expo, kicked off its 3-day expo today at the SMX Convention Center.

Fiera de Manila, the event organizer described the event as --

"It is an ideal marketplace for industry professionals, businessmen, advertising and industry experts to do networking, technology introductions and demonstrations, and source business ideas. It is also an excellent opportunity to expand business, meet serious customers/buyers, get business ideas, source new technologies and solutions and upgrade existing tools. The exhibition space spans 5,000 square meters to showcase these state-of-the-art technologies in creative imaging and printing."

Several lectures are also available for those who want to learn more about the graphic arts industry. A photo exhibit is also staged during this event and participated by several camera clubs.

Visit the Canon booth and see their latest gadgets from cameras to desktop and large format printers.

Bring your Canon gear and get free camera cleaning, too! :)

Event will run until Saturday, June 22. For more information about this event, visit this link.

Nuggets of Wisdom

I came across this content from Paulo Coelho's blog and found some references to the original author. Lovely piece of work. I just needed to repost :)

I Have Learned by Octavian Paler

We have time …

We have time for everything
To sleep, or to be all over the place,
To regret mistakes and do them again,
To judge others and find excuses for ourselves,

We have time to read and write,
To correct our writings, and regret what we wrote,

We have time to make plans and never complete them,

We have time to fantasize about impossible things and later on to look into the ashes of them.

We have time for ambitions and diseases,
To blame fate and the details,

We have time to watch the clouds, TV commercials and shocking news,

We have time to not answer questions,
To postpone the answers,

We have time to kill a dream and recreate it later

We have time to make friends, and lose them

We have time to get lessons and forget them later on,

We have time to get gifts and not understand them.

We have time for everything.

But we don’t have time for a little kindness.
When one does they are dying.

I learned some important things in my life and I would like to share them with you.

I learned that you can not make somebody love you. All you can do is to be a lovely person, the rest … depends on others.

I learned that it does not matter how much I care, others don’t.

I learned that it takes years to win somebody’s trustand it takes just a few seconds to lose it.

I learned that doesn’t matter what you HAVE in life; all that matters is with WHOM you have it.

I learned that in the first 15 min you can impress somebody by using your charm
after that you have to come up with something smart.

I learned that you don’t have to compare yourself with what other people are best at you have to find out what is your best.

I learned that it does not matter what happens to people what matters is what I can do to help.

I learned that each episode has two faces.

I learned you should part lovingly from those you love. It may be the last time you have the opportunity to see that person

I learned that you can run a long time after you said that you are exhausted.

I learned that heroes are people who do the right thing when it is needed, not caring about the consequences.

I learned that there are people that love you but they do not know how to show it.

I learned that when I am upset I have the right to be upset but I do not have the right to be mean.

I learned that you can have long distance friendships; the same applies to love.

I learned that if somebody does not love you like you wish, it does not mean he or she does not love you from the bottom of their heart. He or she will occasionally hurt you and you will forgive it.

I learned that it is not enough to forgive others sometimes you have to forgive yourself.

I learned that regardless how much you are suffering the world will not stop.

I learned that your past can have an impact on your personality but you are responsible for what you are going to become.

I learned that, if two people get into a fight, it does not mean they do not love each other and the fact that they do not fight does not mean they love each other.

I learned that sometimes you have to put the person first and not their actions.

I learned that two people can see different sides of the same incident.

I learned that indifferent of the consequences those who are honest with themselves are the winners in life.

I learned that your life can be changed by strangers in a few hours.

I learned that when you think you have nothing to give your friend can call for help, and you will find the strength to help him

I learned that talking and writing can help to heal your pain.

I learned that you spend too little time with people you love the most…

I learned that is very hard to know when to be nice so you do not hurt people but you still sustain your opinions

I learned to love so I can be loved in return.