If you only have a couple of days to stay in Bohol, you have to make sure that you make each day count. You have to get the best place to stay that could offer what other lounging spots couldn't and when you are in Bohol, the right one is nothing else but Amorita Resort.
Amorita is Bohol's 'beloved' or 'little love'. It is the only resort in Bohol that is perched on top of a seaside cliff overlooking the islands of Panglao and the famed Alona beach - a feature that in itself makes it a cut above the rest.
When we speak about Bohol, what usually comes into our minds would be the old staple, the Chocolate Hills and the world's smallest primate, the Tarsier. While many tourists and a few locals frolic their minds with these two concepts (for initially putting Bohol on the tourism map) as the only best things the Island can offer, a number of people enjoy more than those two attractions.
If somebody would ask you what Bohol could offer, you'd probably answer what I have mentioned above. You'd say, Chocolate Hills and Tarsier. Well, If somebody would ask me what Bohol could offer I wouldn't cite those names first. I would tell them adventure parks and underwater beauty.
The Summer Capital of Cebu, Dalaguete, celebrates its 300 years of grace and pride. In line with the event, sports competitions are conducted to showcase camaraderie and sportsmanship among 'Dalaguetnons'.
Yesterday, I received an invite from two bloggers to join them in covering one of the sports activities Dalaguete will be having. Of course, I affirmed to accompany them in the adventure.
February 5, 2011
Everything that I needed was prepared and I hurriedly filled my backpack with it. It was already 2:40pm and I was on my way to the University of the Philippines Cebu College to have a peek at what's happening at Otaku Fest 4.0. I only had a couple of minutes to stay inside the campus to meet and greet, take shots and observe cosplayers and anime fanatics roaming around. Twenty minutes after 3:00pm, I rode the taxi going to Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC). I met a lot of runners and some people from the media.
Miss Juliet and Janice
Mark M., Me and Mark G.
There were two buses used for all of us to transport going to Dalaguete. Runners dominated the two buses as there were only less than 10 people who were media. My fellow bloggers sat beside me. Across our seat was the seat of Miss Juliet; the person who invited us to join the event and Janice; her close friend. The long ride began at 5:00pm and ended pass 8:00pm.
Touchdown: Maria's Batchoy & Restaurant
Dinner
After dropping the runners at Dalaguete's Municipal Hall, we went to a a nearby restaurant and took our late dinner. The name of the place is Maria's Batchoy & Restaurant. The bloggers and newspaper writers got the chance to know each other. The food there is really good. I love the Chicken Curie and Chapsuey.
By 9:30pm, we all rode a service van to the town's sports complex where many of the locals trooped. Why? There was a basketball competition. Who were playing? Good question! The game spiced up because it was played by the Dalaguete Basketball Team and the PBA All Star Team. Yup! You read it right! The PBA All Star Team.
I captured short video clips during the event. Check it out below.
I felt so happy and excited when Miss Juliet told me that I can interview all the members of PBA All Stars. I didn't wasted time; I went out of the sports complex and took some papers and a ballpen in the van. I continued watching the game when I got back in the complex. A couple of minutes later, I felt so down because the driver of our service van wanted to rest already which means we have to go to the resort we will be staying over the night. We had no chance because the resort is quite far from the complex. We all had to go because nobody else can drive us to the place. We were not able to watch the last quarter of the game.
Before we arrived at Dalaguete, we already knew that the PBA All Stars were playing in the town and that they were staying in the same resort we were going to stay, but we also know that the stars won't be staying there all night. They were going to play a round of game and then go back to Cebu City to prepare for their flight back to Manila, tomorrow at 10am. Just when I thought that everything was over in meeting the stars, we knew that their bags and luggages were left inside our rooms at Jonadels Resort. I had hope. Haha. If the stars don't have assistants, it could be possible that they are the ones who'll carry their bags from the resort.
Slacking outside the resort
(L-R) Janice, Ms. Juliet, Me, Merlita
To make the very long story short, I met all the members of the PBA All Stars that night. I was able to sit in their van and check out their room. I took a lot of videos and pictures of them. I was so happy. Usually, in blogging, I keep on meeting artists and singers but I don't feel so excited to meet and greet them. Often times, I don't even hope to see them personally because I always dreamed to be a star someday. I know it- I believe it, so I think I don't need to take pictures with them. LOL. Yea. I dream big, alright.
A few of my pictures. I also have vids of them too!
I wasn't able to sleep right away after the incident. I was starstrucked! I had the stars in one roof with only me and a good friend who offered to be my photographer of the night. I was so happy! The stars invited me to come with them going to Cebu and have some dinner but I had an event to cover (The Fun Run-which is the main reason I went there). I felt no worries after refusing them. After all, I just met them. I don't have much trust in them.
Moving on, I was able to sleep at 2:00am which is the time the stars arrived at Waterfront Hotel (yea, I know :P they told me) I woke up at 3:00am. Oh wait! Did I mentioned that the room the guys stayed in is my room in the resort? Hahahahhaha!!
Dawn. I prepared all my stuff for the Fun Run and realized that I left my running shoes at home (Talisay) Yikes! Didn't saw that comin! But I didn't worry because I thought that I can always use my Fushu- but of course it will keep me slow in running so as for me to not wreck it.
February 6, 2010
Time check- 2:20am. The vampire in me was alive! I was still awake and wasn't sleepy at all. I settled myself on my bed and unconsiously fell asleep. Hurrah! My phone rang by 4:00am and goodness gracious- I hooked-up with sleeping. I wanted to sleep more but I have to move since the assembly time for the Fun Run is 5:00am.
After fixing myself, I called the boys outside their room which was just beside mine. And as I knew it, they were still sleeping. Haha. They woke up right away and hurriedly fixed themselves. We waited for our service van outside the gate of the resort and after a while, we joined the race. Mark M., Mark G., and I took 5k Track. The next parts of the story, will be told by my pictures.
The awarding followed right after the last racer crossed the finish line. I could tell, this adventure is for sure, one of my blogging events which I will never forget. It is so unique in so many ways. You can raise a good question to the previous line.. "How is the race in Dalaguete different from other fun runs?" Well, the town boosts well-known mountainous barangays where runners pass. Unlike other fun runs, in Dalaguete you won't be breathing gas exhaust and you won't be killing your seconds in crossing roads to give way to passing vehicles.
At exactly 10:00am, the runners and we, the media rode a big bus going back to our meeting place yesterday, CCSC. It was a very long ride. Since I live in Talisay, the bus driver dropped me at Gaisano Tabunok. Five minutes after, I was home alas! =) It seemed like I wasn't home for the last three days. Haha I was one long and awesome adventure!
"EVERYBODY settle your bags and luggages. The Ferry Boat is about to duck in the nearby port of Birhen sa Regla." the captain of the ferry boat announced to his passengers that signaled me and my family have finally arrived Lapu-Lapu City. It was already 8:00 in the morning when we got there. A 20 minute road trip followed from the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex to Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, after a solemn and short visit in the famous church of the place which was situated just across the port.
Passengers await for the ducking of the ferry boat
Excitement filled the air while we were riding the van. The vehicle was full of woes and wows from our speechless mouths because of the awesome views we have passed by. On our way to the beach not quite far from the sea, you can already feel the sour breeze of the air. You can see flocks of flying birds beautifying the mid air, making the sky look stupendous as it is not the usual view I see in our place. The presence of a herd of cows, a pump of ducks and a string of horse graced the green soothing grassland. It was like a taste of heaven in a wide field.
It was pouring that time. A few minutes after the long ride, we walked ourselves to Anemone Resort from Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort. We made a few preparations and check-ups of our things. Later on, we went to the nearby bay where our reserved boat was found. Three friendly men were present in the boat. One of them is the owner who led the directions while the other two were assistants in maneuvering the water transportation vehicle.
HILUTUNGAN Island is one of the islands in the Olango Reef which is protected by the government as fish sanctuary. This beautiful island is 20 to 30 minutes away from Mactan Island. This island is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving due to abundant corals and tropical fishes. Within 3 to 7 meters you can have fun in feeding the fish, these tropical fishes are friendly that you can feed them with bread and swim together with. During lowtide the opposite side of the island is bare at low between Olango Reef at knee below you can walk between 5 islands along the reef.
We didn't had the chance to set our foot on the soil of Hilutungan Island but from afar, you can already say that the island is one awesome place to visit. Its entrance was lined-up by tourists that even looked even more made interesting and persuasive to visit. The operators of our boat told us that it takes around 20 mintues to travel from one island to another and to be able to visit the planned islands of our trips, we should be going. Next stop was Sulpa Island.
Sulpa Island
It was already 11:30 in the morning and we have reached the island but before we enjoyed ourselves with the view, we took our lunch. For the very first time, I was able to take my lunch in the middle of the sea. Several times I made my morning and evening meals in cases of traveling but never did I experience having the noon meal while on a boat floating at the middle of the sea. That was a fine meal. It was all specially prepared by Aunt Rose. Below are pictures of some of the delicious food we ate.
While our aunts and uncles prepared the meal, Michelle and I hooked up with our cameras and began taking pictures for the nth time. A small boat drew near to ours with around four men who rode in it. According to the owner of the boat we rented, Sulpa island is known as a good diving site. Many rough coral sands and shell vendors are found there. Speaking of corals and shells, the unknown men jumped into our boat. One of them clasped a small basket with wonderful natural sea ornaments!
The men introduced themselves to us. They elaborated that they are sellers of shells, corals and other sea ornatments. Their products are all natural and are sold at a very high price. My relatives had second thoughts in buying but I strongly told them that we need no souvenir for that trip or ours. The men gladly welcomed us to the island, slowly walked down themselves back to their boat and headed on to the next tourist and / or people they could deal with to buy their products.
After all the dealing and chit-chat about some facts about shells and corals with the sellers, we continued eating our lunch. We shared some to the owner of the boat and to his assistants as well. We were all satisfied with the meal. It was really terrific! The vegetable salad was awesome!
Moments after we finished cleaning the table, it rained. It was 1:30pm and we have to move on even though the rain is getting harder and harder and so we did. The fun fact about that moment was that our boat had to go straight against the hard rain and wind. It was totally fun! It seemed like we didn't have any roof for the whole day because before we arrived in Olango Island, all of us were very wet as if we danced in the rain. We headed ourselves to the next island: Olango Island.
