flip'n travels

It was around 6:00 PM (manila time) I was snoozing when a tremor woke me up. Not sure about the magnitude but it was that strong that the few seconds of movement of my apartment building jolted me up from my dream sequence.

I never thought it’s a warning of nature. 12 hours later right across the other side of the globe, in Port-au-Prince a 7.0 magnitude eartquake hit the city one unsuspecting afternoon. This claimed the lives of what feared to top about 100,000 people. This nation has never faced anything on such a cataclysmic scale in 200 years.

Photo by Reuters

photo by EPA for FT.com

The photos of horrific scenes came out after several hours of blackout and disconnection to anyone outside the country – fathers carrying dead babies, mothers lying bleeding in enormous piles of rubble, shrouded bodies lined the streets as dazed survivors scrabbled in the debris for loved ones.

the presidential palace before the earthquake (photo by  garrett crawford @ flickr)

Photo by Reuters

The capital Port-au-Prince was largely destroyed. The national palace smashed into a lurching heap over the grassy Champs de Mars. The collapsed twin spires of the Notre Dame d’Haiti cathedral complex claimed the life of the archbishop. The collapsed parliament trapped several public officials including the senate president, they remained under the rubble until Wednesday.

Now, aid is still scarce. Our Haitian brothers and sisters are in need of any possible help from the global community.

Here are some organizations that are accepting donations:

http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
www.redcross.org
www.theIRC.org
www.oxfam.org.uk
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

We had our rainy Boracay stint last September, and we really had fun despite the b**chy weather. We managed to make the best of what the island can offer the Flip’n Travelers way. CLICK HERE to see our 2009 Bora adventure.

Now Imagine this: Flying with no less than the country’s flag carrier. Being taken care of, including all meals throughout the entire trip, plus covering the island activities with PhP5,000 pocket money, and it will run for 5 Days while staying in 5 Star Luxury Resort.

Now wake-up! You can make this dream paradise shenanigan into reality, check out  http://www.boracay-packages.com on how to join.

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency
WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it’s 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:

Le Soleil de Boracay Resort 5 Star Accommodations

The Le Soleil de Boracay hotel is located on the best part of Boracay beach, station 2, also known as Boracay central. Here you will find exciting activities, shopping areas, highly favored restaurants and the best beachfront on Boracay Island. WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. choose the Le Soleil de Boracay resort in Boracay not only for its prime location, but also for there excellent service, great food and superb rooms that overlook the swimming pool. We have no doubt that you will thoroughly enjoy your stay at Le Soleil de Boracay Beach Resort.

Flights to Boracay Island via Caticlan Airport

Boracay Flights will be provided by Philippines Airlines, leaving Manila Domestic Airport and flying directly to Caticlan Airport on Panay Island. Once you arrive at the Caticlan airport you will be taken by currier to the jetty port where you will board a banca boat for a 15 to 20 minute ride to the jetty port on Boracay Island located at Cagban beach.

Inter-Island Land & Sea Transfers by Southwest

All land and sea transfers to and from Boracay, Caticlan and Manila will be provided for by WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc.

(3) Three Meals Daily for (5) Five Days

All meals will be provided for, three set meals, with soft drinks only will be provided for each day, there will be a set buffet breakfast, set lunch and a set dinner buffet, all meals will be received at the Le Soleil Boracay Restaurant, at the beachfront.

Boracay Activities (Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat)

Included in your Free Boracay Package will be three activities, starting on your second day your first activity will be a 1 hour horseback riding event, your third day will consist of Island hopping to other near by Islands, this also includes snorkeling and your forth day will include a ride on the Glass bottom boat including snacks and soft drinks.

PLUS – php5,000 peso Spending Cash per couple

As an additional bonus WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. will also include (5) five thousand peso of spending cash, use this on souvenirs or anything you like, to remember you Boracay vacation.

In the last couple of months, the pacific ring of fire has been under siege. And now, Mt. Mayon is on the verge of erupting.

The Country’s  most active volcano could erupt within days, officials warned Sunday after detecting a drastic surge in earthquakes and eerie rumbling sounds in surrounding foothills. Tens of thousands of villagers have been evacuated as a precaution.

Scientists raised the alert level for the Mayon volcano to one step below a major eruption after 453 volcanic earthquakes were detected in a five-hour span Sunday, compared to just over 200 Saturday, said Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Army troops and police will intensify patrols to enforce a round-the-clock ban on villagers within a five-mile danger zone around the 8,070-foot mountain, said Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay province, about 210 miles southeast of Manila.

No these aren’t red icicles on a Christmas tree. These are lava flow from the mouth of Mt. Mayon. (Photo from csmonitor.com)

This eruption is actually attracting tourists and daredevil photographers alike. The enigmatic mountain proved once again that it’s beauty is still glaring even during an eruption. NDCC already evacuated hundredths of families within the 6 km permanent danger zone, we advise travelers to stay outside the danger zone and coordinate with local officials from DOT region 5 and LGU’s if you are in the area.

Legaspi City, Albay (Photo from nydailynews.com)

We are praying for two things right now: (one) that the residents of the surrounding cities be safe, and that hopefully, (two) this eruption won’t damage the perfect shape of our very own Mayon Volcano.

How will you react when you lost an important entity in your life?

How will you accept the loss of that one thing you are drawing inspiration from?

Will you remain still and endure the pain of hollowness? or, should you unleash the anger to that person who took it away from you?

To you who stole him, who practically snatched it from my hands: You know for a fact that I cannot possibly scream right in to your face to exhaust this pain you caused me.

That’s because I am more than your “being-ness”, I will simply rise above it!

And maybe, just maybe… you needed him more than I do.

Maybe, just maybe… you deserve having him after all the catastrophes you went through.

I can’t help but cry, merely thinking of the possibilities and partnership. My plans for him, for the two of us, are not necessarily more important than yours. BUT THAN MOMENT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE! and you stole it!

He is yours now, I just hope and pray that he will help you cross another day in your miserable life!

He deserve someone who can bring out the the best in him. You know that you’re not that person, you are not even close.

Maybe, I don’t know you, and what you are capable of. But the manner how you played it says a lot. I know that you cannot take good care of him the way I can, the way I could possibly have.

I know you will be doing this again to other people really soon, like how you did in the past, but I hope that your momentary possession of him would produce good things.

Now I’m empty, basking in the feeling of pain, or not feeling anything at all. With this silent nothingness, I’m paralyzed and incomplete.

I lost the drive. I cannot possibly do anything without him… the void inside me is ringing echoes of silence, of restrained anger, of numbing absence!

I will miss my Alfonzo

Ron

Photo by Alvin Chua

Last Saturday, we were scheduled to attack Bonifacio Global city to watch the first day of WPO. We were excited to see this show, since it’s China’s turn. It would’ve been like watching this whole hullabaloo from the people who invented it. More like watching Einstein talk about theory of relativity, or politicians talk about corruption (sounds like a typical day in the congress).

We’re about to hit the road when it started drizzling. So we’ve decided to just wait for the next match instead. I already put my tripod and all sorts of gizmos in my car for the 2nd Saturdays show. Until the organizers posted this:

Due to safety considerations of the firing site where the fireworks will be launched, the Executive Committee of the World Pyro Olympics (WPO) has decided to postpone the staging of the WPO 2009 to January 2010. Originally set on November 28, December 5, 12 and 19, at the Bonifacio Global City, WPO will continue as soon as the safety issues have been fully addressed. The incessant rains and flooding during the past months have rendered the firing area almost unfit for pyrotechnics launchings which have certain international standards to observe. The participating countries have thus agreed to postpone the event.

Tickets purchased will still be honored on the new event dates. Final dates will be announced very soon on this website. Please keep checking for updates.

Ticket holders are requested to contact our hotlines at 568-6908 / 384-0239 or log on to www.worldpyroolympics.com for more details.

Great! so I guess we’ll have to wait until next year… Bummer!

Ron