My name is Hannah Villasis, and I am addicted to surfing.  Check all of my surfing blog posts here.

picture by Philippe Villareal and Cheryl of LittleRunningTeacher.com

There was a time when I would surf every week for 3 months.  All my savings went to surf trips.  It was a whole lot of fun… I WAS BROKE haha!  I do sound like a legit addict.  I got busy though and I had to forego surfing to earn real bucks travel and stuff.

The sea has been calling me lately.  I do think that I’m a mermaid or a gypsy in my past life.  I just love to travel and I love the ocean especially.

You know what, I just realized that I don’t have to spend so much on surfing anymore.  I can just drive 3 hours to Zambales, stay at a cheap hostel that fits my budget and worry about nothing else – just fun, surf, swim oh and a whole lot of art and friends!

Oh thank heavens for The Circle Hostel.

It’s not your ordinary accommodation.  Here, you don’t get a fancy room with A/C, TV, fridge and all the fancy things a regular hotel room offers.  Nope none of that.  But let me tell you something, it was an experience that surely brought out the best in me.

 It’s not your usual hotel accommodation, but it definitely has its charm!  It is ranked high on TripAdvisor as well!

Typical budget for overnight (including gas or bus fare, accom, food, etc) – P1,000!

This was my bunk bed. It was surprisingly comfortable!

I often sleep alone at my solo apartment – it was quite lovely to share this huge cabana with friends and new acquaintances!

If you’re iffy about your belongings, they have a locker for you 🙂

An alternative to the luxury you get from a regular hotel accommodation is nature, art, fresh air and new friends.  On our stay at the Circle Hostel, I didn’t even get to use my gadgets!  Poor iPad – I never touched it at all.  It’s a shame how we have so much to enjoy in this world – and they’re free.

– The smile of a stranger

– The laughter of friends

– The air that we breath

– The sea that gives us a good ride

– Creativity through art and painting

– Good food

– and awareness of our body through Yoga and meditation

It’s also amazing how you can create a game out of throwing a plastic disk – Ultimate Frisbee time!  My glutes were activated so badly, they were swollen the next day – good work out! I should do this more often!

I brought my hoop to take a few videos of me hooping by the beach – just for vanity’s sake really.

I can share with you my experience about this place all I want but bottom line is, you need to experience it for yourself 🙂  Spread and share the love!

First-time surfer Cheryl got some good rides! woohoo!

The Circle Hostel Contact Details

Email: thecirclehostel@gmail.com, lu@thecirclehostel.com, zambales@thecirclehostel.com

Website: www.thecirclehostel.com

Twitter: @thecirclehostel

Cel: zambales 09178611929, la union 09178326253

Facebook: facebook.com/thecirclehostel

The Circle Hostel Directions and Location: https://www.facebook.com/thecirclehostel/notes

The Circle Hostel, Zambales Accommodations

Bunk bed: P350 / night includes bananas and toast for breakfast

Hammock: P250 / night includes bananas and toast for breakfast

The Circle Hostel, La Union Accommodations

Bunk bed: P400

Hammock: P300

Mommy Phoebe’s Place, Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales

Contact no.: 09173200700 and 09185458007

Surfboard rentals: P200 per hour

Surf instructor: P200 per hour

His name is Garfield and he lives to the song of Bruno Mars

translated to lolcat language:

“Ohai! Todayzzzz I dun feel like doin anyyything”

“Me juz wanna layzzz in my bedzzzz!!!”

The girls are ready to surf!

\

Vanity shots by the artful rock cubes!

Okay fine! It looks better without my face in the photo!

POSERS!  There weren’t any big waves on our first day, except for some little bumps by the river mouth good enough for the beginners.

Thank you Nivea and Watsons for this awesome SPF spray! It’s water proof and when you’re super in a rush to get on that surf just spray away!

Easy application – especially when you need to retouch some sun protection!

Once again, thank you to Watsons PH for this Water and Sweat (coz I’m a sweaty one) resistand SPF 50 sun block!

This is best applied 20 minutes before basking in the sun.

Oh and thank you Celeteque for the awesome after-sun gel!

Everyone in the team loved using this after getting a little burn from the sun

Eli loves it so much he wants to drink it for sustenance! Crazy guy Eli >.<

Chow time!!! Our meals – homecooked with love by Mommy Phoebe’s

Here’s the facade of her humble canteen

This was where we had our meals because we were a big group!

Team WhenInManila!

Thank you foor the good food!  We felt so at home 🙂

My favorite!  I couldn’t get enough of this!

I forgot to ask where they got the garlic longanisa – it was yummy!

Sunset by Liwa beach, Zambales

Thank you Sanuk for these cute designed play cards!

We had a fantastic night playing card games and random games

Thank you Raf of The Circle Hostel for hosting our games and drinks!

Here’s another cute kitty from Mommy Phoebe’s place.

Everyone was doing their own thing in the beach – surfing, skim boarding, swimming, chillin’, frisbee, sunset photography etc…

It was quite a relaxing sight!

‘Til the next surf trip!

Backpacker surfing, backpacker accommodations, Zambales, Liwliwa, Liwa, San Felipe, The Circle Hostel, Circle Hostel, Budget accommodations, hostel in zambales,

Coming back to Manila, I experienced the worst traffic situation ever. It’s already the holiday season and I’m expecting it to get worse.

I’ve been ranting on Twitter and Facebook saying I couldn’t take this traffic anymore. I go to work and it just hurts my eyes and I get constant headaches. It is very uncomfortable. We need a better solution. I came up with ideas about passing a bill to the Senate (if ever I get elected as a congresswoman which is unlikely) called “Work from home Fridays.” But then again, the traffic would just be diverted to Thursday. or “Tax break” from companies who implement “work-from-home” policies.

I think it is unhealthy both for our body and in our time, to spend 2-4 hours of our life in a day with traffic.

It’s just not the way to live.

But then again, I know our government and MMDA has been thinking of a lot of solutions already and though they might have though of my ideas, I know there’s a butterfly effect on a lot of things.  Tax breaks would affect other companies, even the mamang drivers would be deprived of their livelihood, and so on and so forth.

Moving out of Manila

My second solution is to move out of Manila. I thought of going back to Bacolod. BUT HEY!!! I CAN’T! I need access to a huge airport hub to take me to many places I want to and I want to go to cool events here in Manila too!

Next best bet is to go a bit farther not close enough that I could still drive an hour away to Manila.

Sizzlin’ Manila

Literally. It’s so hot here! I keep on wanting to go to Tagaytay just to get a cool breeze. I love natural cold breeze btw and not the one that comes out of an air conditioning unit – it makes my nose suffer from rhinitis.

Thank you Skyway and awesome highways!

I don’t mind paying extra just to avoid traffic.

Living in Batangas Perhaps?

Why not? It’s near the beach, that I love 🙂 Near The Farm, Mount Malarayat, Puerto Galera and many diving sites. I heard there’s also a surf spot in the area.

Lipa City comes in mind where it is among the most progressive cities in Batangas.

• Lipa is only an hour away from Makati
• Accessible via SLEX and Star Tollway
• 24-hour bus transport system available from EDSA Cubao and Buendia

Bel-Air Residences

Oh yeah, I’m an adult, and soon I’m going to buy my own house. I am considering this area as one of the places I’ll stay. Apart from the amenities I listed down above, Bel-Air residences has more to offer:
– Walking distance to SM, Lipa
– At the center of Business and Social Activity
– Beside Fiesta Mall and across a school
– Weather is generally COOL (BIG PLUS!!!) because this area is elevated at 1025 ft above sea level (known to be the third highest place in the Philippines)

On top of that,
– I can save on travel cost.

• I can find work or open a business in the area
• Amenities available like basketball courts (the big boys need this), a jogging path for me, a playground for kids (in the future), barbecue area, multiple parks, a pool where I can do my card, a lanai, gazebo and Club House.

• Near schools such as Stoneyhurst International School, Nazareth School, Mc Kinley International School, Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Liba and De Lasalle, Lipa.
• It is also close to established hospitals like Lipa Medix medical Center and metro Lipa Medical Center
• Walking distance from major malls: SM Lipa, Fiesta Mall, Robinsons mall, Big
  and more

Choices of House Units

Your choices of house units range from townhouses to two-storey units with floor areas as big as 55 to 165 sq. meters, all designed under the concept of “Modern Zen” architecture. Clubhouse and Entrance Gates are designed and conceptualized by renowned architect, Arch. Ed Ledesma.

Townhouses

2-Storey Houses

House and lot with a garden area for my bunnies to hop into 🙂

Celebrity Homes

Lipa is also a fast becoming choice of celebrities as in the case of Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, Boy Abunda and Vilma Santos.

Bel-Air Residences in Lipa is developed by Convergence Realty and Development Corporation.

Bel-Air Residences Brings You To Bohol and Boracay!

 Bel-Air Residences Lipa, Batangas and Nuffnang invite you to join “At Home in the Philippines” contest and win a chance to a vacation in Bohol or Boracay! The contest is open to all member bloggers of the Nuffnang Network with at least one (1) valid ad unit. Contest period is from November 16 to December 16, 2012.

Check out this link for more details:
http://blog.nuffnang.com.ph/2012/11/16/bel-air-residences-at-home-in-the-philippines-blogger-contest/

Contact Bel-Air Residences at 0922-8733060; marketing@condev.com.ph; (043)7574210; www.belairresidenceslipa.com

*This is a sponsored post for Bel-Air Residences

The very controversial Monster Ball concert still pushed through despite protests.  I am one of those who went to watch the spectacular production that Lady Gaga and the crew has prepared.  IT DID NOT DISSAPOINT! 

The SM Mall of Asia Arena used for the first time to house the Lady Gaga Monster Ball concert.

I wasn’t prepared for the concert coz I decided to go watch just the day itself. Good thing I have some extra clothes by my car. The best of how I can look for a concert lol. And the bandage wrapped around my arm to hide that nasty bruise I just got. I hope it rather looks edgy and mysterious. Like DJ Mike was so eager to find out what’s wrapped inside the band.

Lady Gaga was quite emotional for the duration of the concert.  After singing the first few parts of the controversial “Judas”, the crowd cheered and danced and she said “Oh, you like this song huh…”  The song “Judas” is one of the songs people are protesting to saying it’s blasphemous etc. But Gaga explained that this song is just a metaphor of loving someone despite them betraying you.  And hasn’t this really happened to some of us in real life? 

There were threats from protesters saying they would sue Gaga if there were any acts of indecency and any form of actions that are unnaccpetable to the Christian community.

I was bracing myself the entire night for something weirder than life GAGA acts but hey – I’m not worried about GAGA, I’m more worried about other pressing matters our country is facing and the criminals on loose and not to mention, the very corrupt government.

I think all these protests just gained Gaga more noise, more spotlight to showcase her “REAL SELF” and she says (here we go, Lady Gaga Quotes from Monster Ball tour Manila 2012)

“Tonight is not about making a statement. Tonight is us all coming together because we believe we were all born this way.”

“Manila are you having fun? If you’re not. I don’t give a f*ck”

“Tonight is all about togetherness. In our differences, we are all the same.”

“For those of you who aren’t free. Take this opportunity to free yourself.”

“My lifestyle is like one whole performance of liberation, for those of you who aren’t free. Take this opportunity to free yourself.”

“Its the fcking goddamn truth that people in the world need to be free and be proud of who they are.”

“You guys taught me to never give up on myself.”

“The difference between rebels and non-conformists is that Non-conformists don’t take action & they pissed off when things don’t go their way-Lady Gaga 

and Lady Gaga’s full speech at the Monster Ball tour Manila 2012

“I’m not an alien, I’m not a woman, I’m not a man, and I’m not a creature of your government, Manila.  I’m all your dreams and I’m all your potential.  Let me be all your insecurities and your fears. I’m your future, I’m everything that makes you sad and angry.  I’m you, little monsters.  Tonight’s not a statement, tonight’s us coming together because we believe we were all born this way.  Some people say I stand for things that are bad.  The truth is, I want the best for every single one of you.  My life is like one whole performance of LIBERATION.”

“All of those kids all around the world who take their lives when they’re so young because they feel bullied, or they’re afraid because they’re gay and don’t want to tell anybody.  Don’t you think that some of us should f*cking stand up for them and speak the godd*mn truth? It’s true! It’s not about the music, it’s not aobut my clothes, it’s not about having hit records.  It’s the f*cking godd*mn truth that people in the world need to be free and be proud of who they are.”

At the end of the night, Lady Gaga said “It’s all about the truth.”

“Its the fcking goddamn truth that people in the world need to be free and be proud of who they are.”

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Photos

I’m so glad this “MEAT” dress is a fake one. 

photos by me and wheninmanila.com

Thanks to Smart for letting me be THIS CLOSE to Lady Gaga!

Follow them on Twitter @SMARTcares #SmartLadyGaga

Haven’t bought tickets yet to the Lady Gaga Monster Ball Live in Manila 2012?

Ticket Prices:
PATRON Standing – P15,840
LOWER BOX Reserved Seats – P11,620
UPPER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P5,280
GENERAL ADMISSION (Free Seating) – P2,120

For ticket info, call 470-2222 or contact Ovation Productions at 532-8883.
Purchase online at http://www.smtickets.com

Click here to buy tickets online

MAY 21:

https://smtickets.com/event/view/680

MAY 22:

https://smtickets.com/event/view/734

More Lady Gaga Concert Manila pictures from my Blackberry:

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Ticket Prices:
PATRON Standing – P15,840
LOWER BOX Reserved Seats – P11,620
UPPER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P5,280
GENERAL ADMISSION (Free Seating) – P2,120

For ticket info, call 470-2222 or contact Ovation Productions at 532-8883.
Purchase online at http://www.smtickets.com

Click here to buy tickets online

MAY 21:
https://smtickets.com/event/view/680

MAY 22:
https://smtickets.com/event/view/734

Thanks to our friends from Nat Geo, Agatep and the President of course for inviting us into the Palace!

photo by Erwin Nolido

Jeman, myself and Rod with Caster, the Food Taster.

photo by Erwin Nolido

Caster’s job is very interesting.  He is trained here and abroad of different toxins and poisons that can be found on food.  His weapon: the flashlight!

Know more about Caster and the different PSG persons highlighted on the documentary here.

The National Geographic special Inside Malacanang will be shown on Nat Geo on March 18, at 9pm.

The Malacañang Palace was open for the public in the time of Corazon Aquino, the country’s first lady President.  Due to heavy security concerns, we can’t stroll along the compounds freely anymore but this documentary will take you inside the Palace.  It’s very interesting because the public knows so little about what’s going on there.

This special won’t only be played on local Nat Geo, but it will air soon in Southeast Asia and the rest of the World.  Congratulations to National Geographic Channel and Marnie Manicad productions for a successful documentary!

Here are a few pictures and snippets of what you are about to see on the documentary.  These are only pictures, but the story behind is very interesting.  Catch the documentary at Nat Geo on March 18, 9pm.

Inside the Malacanang Palace

Malacanan Compound

The Presidential Helicopter

Independence Day at Quirino Grandstand

PSG

It was once dubbed as a “foremost home” by Spanish governor generals. The Americans made it a social hub for the country’s elite while the Japanese transformed it into a garrison.

Yet after all these changes, Malacañan Palace still stands proudly by the Pasig River today. One would wonder what is now inside the cordoned-off areas of the palace.

On March 18, at 9pm catch the premiere of the original documentary Inside Malacañang as National Geographic Channel (NGC) takes you to an exclusive guided tour inside the official residence of the country’s chief executive.

This exclusive feature, which took one and a half years to produce, delves into chambers of the palace that were previously off-limits to the media and the public.

Inside Malacañang also examines and breaks long-held myths and beliefs about the President’s entourage. Get to know the everyday routines of the Presidential Security

Group commander, the close-in security aide of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the presidential photographer, and even the presidential food tester.

“NGC has been aiming to feature more relevant programs to the Filipino audience. With Inside Malacañang we hope more Filipinos would appreciate the office of the President and the people who help run it everyday,” said Jude Turcuato, Fox International Channels vice president and territory head for Philippines.

“Through this documentary that was proudly made by a Filipino production team, Marnie Manicad Productions International, in the hallmark standards of the NGC, we also wanted to show the world-class talent of Filipinos in producing long-form documentaries.”

The Inside Malacañang production team is composed of director, producer and head writer Marnie Manicad, writer Cris Lim and narrator Joonee Gamboa.

Key People

Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III, a friend and a fellow blogger

Lito Africano, the Personal Assistant

Jay Morales, the Photographer

Jaime Castro, the Food Taster

*we had a photo taken with him, I’d still have to wait for it to be posted

Colonel Ramon Dizon, PSG Chief

General Bodet Honrado

and of course,

President Noy Noy Aquino

My last trip to Baguio was for Vaseline Road Trip.  Check out my blog then, we did so much in one day!

Anyway, here’s our float for TV5! 

I loooooove our float! It has 10 flower variations and 2,000 bundles of flowers! Simple but more! Anyway, we started to prepare as early as 5am, unlike the Masskara Festival that starts in the after and culminates in the Plaza in the evening.  The flower parade started at 8am. 

More updates on TV5’s Official Facebook page and Twitter!

Ohai from Baguio City! I packed for a 20 degree weather. But it plunged down to 14 degrees! I am so not prepared for the cold.

This is a working trip and I’ll be covering Panagbena, Baguio’s flower festival, for my network 🙂 I’m so excited, but it means there will

be a lot of walking around the hilly parts of Baguio so I brought my Tretorn Nylites. Comfortable closed shoes.

I LOOOOOVE FLOWERS

Hello travel-hungry folks!  Work is work, but when there are holidays, it’s time to travel!  Plan your leaves and vacations early and base it on the Philippine Holidays 2012 Calendar below :

Check out my friends and partner’s holiday deals from time to time:

• AdvenTours from AirPhil Express. You can also visit their Facebook page for any questions.
• Buyanihan deals for  Holiday, travel, beach, spa, health & wellness and hotel packages 🙂

Philippine Holidays 2012 Calendar

*calendar courtesy of portalseven.com

The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2012 shall be observed in the country:

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
Holy Week 2012
Maundy Thursday – April 5
Good Friday – April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day – May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day – August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Sunday)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day – November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Monday)

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)

Notes :

WHEREAS, on January 23, 2012, the Chinese nationals all over the world will celebrate Spring Festival, popularly known as the Chinese New Year, which is one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines by both Chinese Filipinos and ordinary Filipinos as well; and the joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people; 23 January 2012 may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest

WHEREAS, Friday, 2 November 2012, falling between Thursday, 1 November 2012 (All Saints Day) and Saturday, has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country

WHEREAS, to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe All Saints Day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions in the country, Friday, 2 November 2012, may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest

Here are five ideas on how you can personalize your BlackBerry to show some Philippine pride and pay tribute to our national hero.  Simply visit the links or scan the QR codes below.

Enliven your BlackBerry with a Philippine theme

This distinctly Filipino theme puts the flag’s colors into one’s BlackBerry smartphone.  The battery and signal bar are replaced with stars, while the volume and the message indicator were changed to the Philippine sun.  Instead of the usual hourglass, BlackBerry users will see the waving Philippine flag as a waiting indicator. 

To get this theme, please visit http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/reviews/18936?lang=en

Get reacquainted with Rizal’s classics

When was the last time you picked up a copy of one of Rizal’s works?  BlackBerry users can rediscover his La Solidaridad essay La Indolencia delos Filipinos (http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20250?la) or Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer) (http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/39492?lang=en), available on selected devices, by downloading these from BlackBerry App World and reading them using their smartphones at their leisure time.

Learn from the past

In 1890, Rizal republished Spanish lawyer Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (History of the Philippine Islands to call attention to the richness of pre-colonial Filipino culture. BlackBerry users don’t need to go far and can download an English version of de Morga’s works available on selected devices by visiting http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20099?lang=en

Connect with your loved ones through BlackBerry Messenger (BBM)

Whether he’s in Barcelona, Spain finishing Amor Patrio (Love of Country) for home newspaper Diariong Tagalog, or in Tokyo, Japan, sending post cards to his brother Paciano, Rizal did not let the distance get in the way of his connection to his home country and family.  Filipinos today have the advantage of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), the unique messaging application that enables BlackBerry users to write with unlimited characters and reach out to loved ones even when overseas, at no extra cost to their data plan.  Unlike SMS, BBM travel as data so regardless of the number of BBM messages sent back and forth, it won’t result in outrageous phone bills.  

For more information, visit http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3729?lang=en

Discover a new local destination

Take advantage of the three day weekend to rediscover just why Rizal felt so intensely about his Patria Adorada (beloved country).  Whether you want to find flights to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, where Rizal was exiled for four years, or to any other local destination,   BlackBerry Travel makes it easy to plan, book, manage, and share travel activities.  Find great hotel and flight options, and get all travel updates in one place. For more information please visit http://www.blackberry.com/ph/travel