FIRST VISIT TO KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA AUG 2010

Hayy, at last was able to see Kuala Lumpur. It is just only a short trip there so i should maximize my trip. Grabe yung sched ng Cebu Pacific, only one sched na nga tapos 1:20 am pa yung flight sched. sobra tiring talaga.I stayed in Crowne Plaza Hotel located mismo sa City Center, just a walking distance from Petronas Twin Tower kaya on my first day dun, I immediately visit the twin tower and see the shopping center there. Suria Shopping center is consist of 10 floors. And the Twin Towers have 88 floors, considered the tallest building in the world. So hard to take photos when u are near coz its really really tall hehehehe, ok lang kung di ako kasama but pag ksama na ako hirap na kunan ng angulo, hehehehehe.

On my second day, i took the tourist bus with other tourists. So we went to Batik shops, they showed to us how batik, sarong were being done. We went also to Royal Selangor, the mining factory, we were tour inside the factory and showed their different product. Then they brought us to Batu Caves, where u can find some hindu temple inside the cave. the cave was not that big but u will see a big golden statue that will attract your attention, it is so nice and amazing. You need to go up to the cave using the stairs with 352 steps, grabe hingal to the max. Aside from that, u will several monkeys walking with u, they are just playing with u, grabe ingat kami, kasi nang aagaw ung mga monkey, food, bags, whatever basta malingat ka lang, they will try to get something from u. I dont know if they are trained with that. I saw different idols from their temple, I attempted to go inside, kaso napagalitan ako hehehehehe coz i am wearing my sandals, everybody goes inside must be barefooted.

I was really disappointed with the tourist guide coz they keep on bringing us to the shops, different shops, like watches, crafts, tektiles, chocolates, leathers, it is good if it is a place where we can find cheap goods but they are not, grabe they are expensive, really expensive. Thats why i really dont like going in a group tour. But he said, its part of the tour package. Seems they are getting commission out of it. Then, we visited also the museums, the King's Palace, Historical places, different shopping malls/centers and passed by to different foreign embassies.I met some friends there from different countries and meet some pinoys also, but hardly identify who are pinoys kasi halos pareho lang ng hitsura. The only way to identify is when they speak. Hirap mag travel alone kasi walang taga picture picture. . . . hehehehe. But so far, though it is too tiring, i enjoyed the trip but there are so much to see in Kuala Lumpur that i haven't seen. I hope there will be next time. . . .

FAMILY VACATION IN DISNEYLAND HONGKONG JULY 2010

I am very thankful to God coz I was given a chance to bring my family to Hongkong and able to spend more quality time with them. Even for a short period of time, i was able to give joy to them and show them how special they are to me.I got a promo ticket from Cebu Pacific Air for only less than P20,000 for 4 persons by booking online in advance. There is also a Travel Tax of P 1,620 if u are going out for a tour. But a lot of people doesnt know that they can get 50% discount on tax for each child. All u have to do for u to avail of this reduced tax (50%), just apply directly to DOT, this is a tip for those families who wants to travel abroad. More discount is also given for those dependents of OFW. Just visit DOT website.THis is my kids first time to be outside the country and 10 days before the trip, they are already excited, they are counting the days til our schedule date. Well, so nice to see their reactions while on the plane, i heard their comments when the plane start to fly, when they see the clouds and see the small houses, building, roads from above. When the plane landed, they started to ask, "are we in Hongkong?" "Where is Disneyland?". THey are so excited. It is really a long walk going out the Hongkong Airport. We took an airport bus to go to the hotel since it is the cheapest way compare to train and taxi. I already booked a hotel before we go there in USA Hotel in Mirador Mansion (Tsim Sha Tsui) , but so sad coz upon looking at the room, it was too small compare on the pics i saw from their website, so i decided to transfer to a bigger one. Good thing, hotel rooms there are cheap ones. One thing that I got turned off was it says from their website that there is WIFI on each room but unfortunately they dont have it, thats the main reason why i booked on them. With this, i need to go out and went to their lobby for me to use the internet. One thing, I have noticed there, well, i would rather use in tagalog, karamihan sa chinese ang tataray at suplada, nag tetake advantage sila for them to earn a lot. Nothing says from their website that if u use ur credit card in paying, there is a 3% charge, so when im paying it, she said i have to add 3% charge if u use card so better pay her in cash. WHen i asked her that I am planning to change or cancel my booking, she said if i do that, she will ask the card company to charged everything whether i check-in or not. But the agreement says that only 1 night will be charged. To avoid further argument with this lady and for me not to ruin my trip, i took it but pay in cash. I am just telling this, so that those who are planning to go there, must be aware of these people. Ang daming chinese di maganda ang ugali. but i am not saying all, meron din naman mabait. And don't believe whats in websites coz not all of it are true.THe next day is our schedule to disneyland. We took a MTR (train) to go straight to disneyland for HK$18 for adult and HK$9 for child from Tsim Sha Tsui. The train is really fast compare to our MRT. Upon arriving in disneyland, my gosshhhh a lot of people, and my kids start from shouting "yahooooo! we are here!" they really dont know where to go first because of too excitement. Good thing, I already booked online for our tickets with no additional cost, so I just need to pick it up from the booth. HK$ 350 for adults and HK$250 for kids aged 2-11 y.o. So when we got in the disneyland, it was really big, they will provide u with a map for u to plan your journey inside the resort.

• We were able to meet the disney characters there and got some pictures with them.
• We were able to see also how the cartoon characters is being drawn.
• We witness different parade of the casts of Walt Disney cartoons.
• We enjoyed the musical show of Golden Mickey, we saw the cast of Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mickey& MInnie, Donald & Daisy, Ariel the mermaid, and a lot of characters.
• We able to enjoyed the different rides, the fave one that my kids enjoyed is the Blaster where u will shoot your target inside the tunnel while riding on a car. but the scary ride they had is the Space mountain, where we entered the outer space. Grabe, maski ako natakot, at first it so nice kasi u will see the stars, the planets. . . etc. para kang nakasakay sa spaceship, but later on, grabe sobrang bilis, at parang mahuhulog ka. i would not suggest little one who are too young to ride this. Christine cried a lot and Emmanuel hindi man lang nakapagsalita. But so far, all rides naman ay so exciting but we missed the dumbo ride.
• We were also entered the small world castle where u can see different dolls wearing different costumes from different countries and their culture while riding in a car.
• We were able to have a boat ride around the small island in Adventureland while seeing different animals found in a jungle (seems real but they are not).
• We got a chance also to go to Tarzan House in a tall tree house so we were able to see the view from top of the tree.
• We drove a car around.
• THe one i like most is the disney magical show. You are watching a show that seems real, that seems you are also there by using a different sunglass. Seems the characters are just there near u like u are in a magical world. It is so fantastic and real magic!
• We were able to ride a train around disneyland to see the overview of the place.
• They have bakeshop, coffee shop, chinese restaurant, souveneir shop, foreign exchange, costume shop and a lot more but please be informed, most of it are too expensive. But for rich people and dollar earner, it is cheap. . .
• The most exciting event there, is the fireworks display, that all people waiting for. THousands of people are sitting infront of Cinderella castle to witness the spectacular show. Truly it is so amazing, I saw my kids clapping their hands and saying "wow!"

The most amazing part on our disney trip is that, my kids didnt ask me to buy any toy from there even they saw it, not any single toy just food. THey didnt even touch it. Maybe they assumed that everything there is expensive hehehehehehe.Our day ended so nice. . . and i saw my kids so happy eventhough they are too tired because of the long walk and the weather temperature. And kids said, "Mom, lets go back here again!" Well, i hope they know how expensive it is.

THe third day, we tour around the city center to see some tourist spot like the Space Musuem, Cultural Center, Arts Center, Avenue of the Stars, the Clock tower, Exhibition Center and the nice view of the sea and the tall buildings. We were not able to see the night market because we are really too tired in the evening so we went out on nearby places where we can do some little shopping and eating.

When we are buying our souveneirs, we walked around to find where we can find cheap prices. There was 1 shop selling souveneir. For a fridge magnet, he said its HK$20 and for the tshirt its HK$38, so we negotiate the price to lower it down. Sabi nya," its already cheap why u ask to lower it down?I gave it $25 and $40" Sabi namin hanap kami sa iba, sabi ba naman nya, "if u look for others dont come back here, coz the price is not cheap anymore". Sabi ko ang taray naman ng matandang yun. Good thing we found a fridgemagnet for only $10 and tshirt for $20 from other nice lady. So, really be careful, coz lot of people there wants to deceive others especially tourists.I am very thankful coz we were able to maximize our vacation eventhough it is just for 3 days and i made my kids so happy with this trip.

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CAVITE NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL BATCH 1992 REUNION

The CNHS Batch 1992 held our get-together party on June 5, 2010 at Amy's Resort. There are so many attendees from different sections. I was really amazed coz after 18 years, i was able to see them and be with them again. This is my first time to attend this. I wasnt able to attend the previous gathering of our batc...h coz I lost my contacts with them.

THe event was so successful and we really enjoyed it. Sad to say coz some were not able to make it due to some reasons. We elected the new officers of the batch to lead and manage the upcoming 2012 Grand Reunion (20th Year). My gossshhh, sobrang daming food, I dont even had the chance to taste them all . . . . hehehehehe even i really like it. But sa sobrang tagal of not seeing them, some of them, I forgot the names, the others di ko nakilala coz of some changes on their looks hehehehe yung iba they look matured unlike the times when we were young, heheheh parang mga totoy at nene lang. . . Some have their own families now while the others. . . hehehehe prefer to be single or maybe not yet found the right one.Listening from their stories were really a nice one especially bringing back all the memories we had. . . . . the kalokohan, kapalpakan, favorite teachers lalo na ung terror hehehehe, even the hitsura nung highschool days hehehe and so many things.

It was really great that evening, coz u will hear the laughter, seeing the smiling faces and the longingness of meeting each other.Well, let hope and pray that Batch 1992 will stick together and remain strong.

God bless us all and more upcoming events.

MARISOL CASTILLO MEET WITH THE FAMOUS INTERNET MARKETER MR. LLOYD LUNA

I got the chance to meet the famous internet marketer, consultant, author, no other than Mr. Lloyd Luna. He conducted a two full-day seminar about Internet Marketing initiated and sponsored by the company, the Green Circle Realty Sales headed by Mr. Billy Dominguez, which was held only last August 3-4, 2009 at PSEC Tower in Ortigas Center.

It was really a great opportunity for me to be one of the participants on the said seminar. I have learned so much from Mr. Luna. The knowledge that he had imparted to us, not only theories but also technical applications has a great use especially for us who are in the selling business. Being into a real estate business, we really need to have a wide and huge market. Selling or marketing online or shall we say thru internet is one of the greatest tools in making sales internationally.

I remember when I was in Europe, I can even make sales in the Philippines. Thats the time i appreciated the power of “internet marketing”. Thru this system, we can even reach out filipinos who are working abroad or those who are not living in the Philippines who wants to have investments and to have their own houses here. With this system, we can transact and deal with clients in an easier way.

IRELAND ESCAPADE

I was really so glad after knowing that my visa to Ireland has been approved. I have been to different countries but only to asian countries like Thailand, Hongkong, China and Malaysia but never in Europe. I never thought that I would be able to see one of the countries in Europe. The visa was sponsored by my brother Ariel who works in Dublin as a nurse. I really want to extend my appreciation to him because he had helped me a lot especially for the accommodation. During my 3 months stay in Ireland, I was able to see lot of things, know more about the country and the people there, and meet different people.

There are several things that I have seen there which are different from our system here in the Philippines so I really made several adjustments. I have noticed that malls open early and close early normally 7pm. They dont have frisking or bag checked upon entering the malls or other business establishments. They don’t have package counter also. Also, what I really like there is they dont use plastic bags, supermarkets and other shopping centers even fastfood chain dont use plastic bags. They always advise the use of reusable bags or paper bags.

I was able to drive in Dublin using my brother’s car but he should first include me to his insurance before I can drive and use his car. Good thing that I have secured first my International Drivers license here in the Philippines. I was really amazed of the traffic system and the drivers there. The traffic rules are strictly followed. They give respect to other drivers also. One thing that really shocked me is when I need to gas up from the gasoline station, I need to do it by myself! Ha ha ha, the first time, it was really funny because I dont know how to do it. No one is there to teach me. In one gasoline station there is only one staff, who is the cashier. . . . ha ha ha so I am forced to do it alone.

The other thing there that really amazed me are the buses. There is only one bus line who go around the city. . . the Dublin Bus. They used “number code system” for their route or destination. There are particular loading and unloading station for a particular bus, they cannot stop anywhere. Their buses are really friendly, because it provides seats for senior citizens, disabled and those who have babies. There is space provided for troley, big luggage, wheelchair and baby stroller (Boogy). There is no bus conductor who will collect the fare. Machine is being used but it only accepts exact fare and no bills is accepted. . . only coins.

One thing I really like also during my stay in Dubllin was meeting with my “kababayans” (filipino workers abroad). There’s so many of them, especially when I attended a Sunday Service in World International Ministries (WIM). I was able to hear their stories. . . different stories and i am happy to become their friend. I want to take this opportunity to thank my filipino friends particularly in Celbridge, Co. Kildare and in Dublin who gave their support and assistance during my stay there.

For Irish and other european people, they are so friendly, approachable and kind. Very easy to deal with them. They are always willing to help and most of the time extend their assistance. They are also easy to trust others. Most men are gentlemen.

I was able to see most of the nice places in Dublin and some part of Ireland. I visited some museums, castles, parks and beaches. I got the chance to visit Glendalough, Malahide, Wicklow, Bray, Kildare and other nearby places in Dublin as well as the largest province in Ireland. . . Cork. I want to thank Tibi who gave his time and effort to tour me around and for making my vacation so special and memorable one.

MARISOL CASTILLOWITH JOHN CALUB ON ACCELERATED SELLING

“Wow! Great! It is so fantastic and super amazing! “ The words that best describes after meeting the famous motivational speaker, Mr. John Calub. He is our speaker or trainor during our two-day seminar in New Horizon Hotel in Mandaluyong City about “Accelerated Selling”. This seminar was headed and supported by our Company President Mr. Billy Dominguez.

The good thing about this seminar eventhough it is about selling is that, it is not just merely focus on “how to make sales?” or “how to increase sales?”, or “how to make money out of sellng?” or “how to handle clients and their objections?”, but also deals with creating dreams, setting up goals, establishing your heart desires and most especially attracting positively everyone and everything that surronds us. . . the “LAW OF ATTRACTION” or simply called the “law of the universe”. Whatever you are consciously or unconsciously focusing on in your life, you will attract more of, whether wanted or unwanted. We become what we think about. So, we should always focus on what we want in our lives and not on what we dont want because we become what we think about.

I do agree that we have to know first what we really want in our lives. What we want to do? What we want to have? What we want to be? Well, dreaming is free. . . we can dream to have something valuable, we can dream to be someone, we can even dream BIG! But dreams should not be only dreams, it should not end there. Let our DREAMS turn into GOALS then into REALITY.

There are several things or excuses we made for not having our dreams come true. We, sometimes, blaming other people or pointing the mistakes to others, also we are justifying why those things happen, having all the reasons and most especially, we always complaining on everything. We should remember that everything we experience today is the result of the choices we made in the past. We should take the 100% full responsibility of our lives.

We always say, having dream is easy but making them come true is difficult. But one thing I have learned is we, as a human is an “infinite being”. We can even start from nothing to have something.

“LET US THINK POSITIVE ALWAYS, NO MATTER WHAT”

Thank you Mr. John Calub for sharing these wonderful lessons in life. . .

MY FIRST TRIP TO MALAYSIA

I was able to buy a promo fare going to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia from Cebu Pacific. I flew to Kota Kinabalu only last July 18, 2008 and that was their first flight. I went there alone, but I met some filipinos there and also met my old friend Elwin with his partner Pam at the airport. When I arrived to Kota, super awesome yung salubong sa amin ng mga malaysian. It so wonderful and they gave some souveniers also. Me, Elwin and Pam stayed at Borneo Global. We met lot of friends there from different countries, from Denmark, Mexico, U.S. and France. We went to different places, going around the city. We went to 1 Borneo Mall, the largest mall there, Borneo Rainforest, Atkitson Clock Tower, State Museum, State Mosque, Night Market, Sunday Market, and the beautiful Tanjung Beach. Since I don’t have much time there, i wasn’t able to go to the tallest mountain, the Mount Kinabalu and wasn’t tried the white water rafting. I will probably do that next time.

The trip was so exciting because instead of taking the taxi, i would rather take the public buses. I always have my map with me for me not to get lost and in order to familiarize the places. I met several filipinos there, who worked there and some have business there, so it has not been difficult for me to go around the city because some malay understood some or little tagalog. It was so amazing the they could speak tagalog.

Me, Elwin and Pam we’ve been only together for two (2) days since they are going to Singapore for a business trip. I have been closed to Ollie, a french guy and Leandro, a filipino during our stay and even after our vacation trip from Kota. I gonna missed these guys since Ollie is going back to France and Leandro is going to Oman for work. Hopefully I will be able to see them again.

My trip here was one of my memorable experiences. Seeing new places and meeting more friends is really so exciting. I hope to be able to see more places and meet more friends from around the globe.