Miss Philippines Wins Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Congratulations to Leren Mae Bautista for winning the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015 on December 31,2015 at the Putrajaya Marriot Hotel, Grand Ballroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Philippines has totally proven its supreme reign at beauty pageant competitions when it once again bagged another award before the year 2015 ended. Fresh from our win of Miss Universe courtesy of the lovely Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, we again revel in delight hearing about another win of our fellow Filipino.

The candidate from Laguna, Philippines was already another favorite even before the top 12 finalists were announced. Belarus, Bolivia, China, Uganda, Malaysia, Portugal, Lithuania, Iceland, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, India and the Philippines made it to the list.

The Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International (formerly known as Queen of the Year International) is unique beauty pageant that showcases the gems of the respective participating nation. The first ever Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International was staged in Kuala Lumpur, the City of Lights in 1993.

Like a diamond, the pageant unfolds the brilliance and magnificence of its distinctiveness and grace of a perfect woman. Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International is an international world class event that honours the exceptional women of today, women who gracefully uphold the epitome of beauty, poise, good moral character and personality.

Best Cities in the Philippines for First-Time Homebuyers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In real estate, the adage “drive and drive until you qualify” holds true, especially in the case of Metro Manila. As homes in the capital become more expensive, many first-time homebuyers whose work base is either Makati, Bonifacio Global City, or Ortigas Center are looking further afield in search of their dream home.

The good thing is that areas that surround the capital abound with affordable options for these homebuyers. Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph) picked the top cities and towns around Metro Manila for first-time buyers, using five factors to judge the best: market popularity, prices, inventory, and ease of commute to the capital.

1. San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
Average home price: Php495,999
Inventory: 590

Although San Jose Del Monte, situated just north of Quezon City, has been previously known as the government’s go-to site for mass relocation projects, the city is now shedding that image and is fast becoming an economically important city. Big-ticket real estate projects, such as Ayala Land’s Altaraza Town Center, are putting San Jose Del Monte on the map. Homes in the city are still quite affordable, which average Php495,999, and plenty of inventory is available.

#CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour (Second Day Wrap Up)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The second day of our #CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour was more of a leisure walk in the park compared to the first day. There was nobody screaming out loud this time but surprisingly some of us somehow still got wet at one of the activities that we tried out. What was more evident were the sincere smiles and laughter from everyone.

The #CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour is a Tourism Advocacy Campaign to help generate online buzz for the upcoming Cavinti Water Sports Olympics: 1st International Competition happening on February 8-14, 2015. We were there to visit the site where the event will take place and to tour the other places where visitors could also check out to give them more reasons to agree when we say "It's More Fun in Cavinti" as well.

The early morning wake-up call of the numerous roosters around our improvised sleeping quarters at the Villa Oliveros Resort were no longer necessary since majority of us were already awake due to the 3 am earthquake. The rest who slept even during the earthquake were apparently dead tired from all the climbing we did during our descent down the Cavinti Falls through the metal ladders or stairs designed to test our endurance and courage against our fear of heights.

Honestly, I didn't take a bath in the morning because I already almost froze to death last night when I took a shower. It's quite a challenge taking a bath here at Cavinti due to the cold weather. I just hope nobody was smelling me secretly (and dying of the scent) during the tour. Poor seatmates in the jeepney. Lol!

#CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour (First Day Wrap Up)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To continue with our stories of our #CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour, we head off towards our first destinations for the day on board a jeepney (the best way to tour the Philippines) after having a filling breakfast of hotdog, eggs, "dinuguan" (amazing  dish) and "puto," plus a short orientation from Ms. Nitzshell Dela Torre of the LGU Tourism Office of Cavinti held at the Bumbungan Eco-Park.. There was also a short stop at the Kalakal (Pandan Weaving Center) to get our "sambalilos" to protect us from the sun and rain before finally reaching the Pueblo El Salvador Eco Park.
The #CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour is a Tourism Advocacy Campaign to help generate online buzz for the upcoming Cavinti Water Sports Olympics: 1st International Competition happening on February 8-14, 2015. Several activities were lined up for two days and surprisingly, even though there were a few hiccups along the way, we managed to do most of it as planned, plus an added bonus visit to the Japanese Garden.

Our visit at the Pueblo El Salvador Eco Park was a surprising pathway towards the majestic Cavinti Falls, otherwise known as the Pagsanjan Falls, but geographically should be called Cavinti Falls since its located in Cavinti, Laguna. But it wasn't easy getting there from our point of origin since we had to take several flights of metal stairs and ladders going down into the very bottom where the Cavinti Falls is located.

#CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour (Day One)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Our first day at Cavinti, Laguna was an exhilarating adventure that tested our endurance. Imagine walking downwards from Pueblo El Salvador Eco-Park towards the Cavinti Falls situated at the very bottom, rappelling down at some points, then climbing back afterwards on the same path - obviously harder since you're now against gravity plus the fact that you'll be climbing vertically using metal ladders that's times ten your height - forgive the exaggeration.

But we endured both fear of heights and pain of our legs, since the sight down below is a majestic display of the enchanting wonders of nature. Who wouldn't be at awe with the spectacular creation crafted by nature to entice us further to appreciate the rest of the world's natural wonders.

The Cavinti Falls, more popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls but geographically right to be called the former,  is truly an awesome reward to all the sacrifice. Just like climbing Mt. Pulag, that very moment you reach your destination brings a delightful feeling that would forever be unforgettable.

I will tell you more about the highlights of our first day in Cavinti on my final or wrap-up blog about our adventures. From the very first steps on its soil, to our sumptuous meals from morning until sundown, to our meeting with its Mayor, the honorable Milbert Oliveros, and so on.