Because...

Barcelona, Spain - Circa 2014

Because sometimes, all you need is a photo, to remind you that you had been happy most of your life. Memory of happiness may fade away but having something to remind you of your happiness will sometimes help you go through whatever loneliness, unhappiness, soul searching-need-feeling you're into. 

That you had been happy and you can again be happy. That you have a purpose in life and you need to continually push yourself to achieve that purpose. That God has been and still is good to you. His grace is sufficient and His love everlasting.
It's hard to appreciate life when you're at the bottom, when you just want to give up just to get it over with. Then you become happy again, love your life again... and would want to stay that way for as long as you can.
So, pray.. that God would remind you of those happy memories and for His comfort, love and grace to keep you in such times when you feel that everything is about to burst. Walk down the memory lane with God and know that everything's gonna be alright.
Remember, this too shall pass
 

GastroAdvent#8: Food Court in Harrison

I don’t know how popular this old mall is, but despite the history this longstanding mall might have, and even if it’s still trying hard to compete with the mall tycoons that continually emerges non-stop everywhere, old shopping malls tries to invite people in, in hopes to bring nostalgia to shoppers who had seen them in their former glory.

Latest addition to their community, a small “international” food corner. Nothing fancy, just food goodness.

Thai Beef Noodlesssss

One stall in particular recently became our favorite “automatic” food whenever we crave for hot soup. Sen Lek Thai Noodles serves close to authentic (I think and I hope) thai noodles and milk tea. I have yet to try their Phad Thai (which always reminds me of the Big Bang Theory episode where Sheldon can’t get enough Phad Thai, ate too much then split into 2 Sheldons… and its way off topic…)

Happy tummy? :)

Back to the food court, if you’re not into Phad Thai, you can choose to have the good ol’ Rice in a Box, Lugaw (porridge), siopao, some Japanese takoyaki, Vietnamese noodles and some shawarma.. if that’s not enough to get your mouth water, feel free to explore Harrison plaza, where I’m sure you’ll find something which will get your attention and fill your hungry tummy.

So… Where in the world is this Harrison Plaza? (aka how to get to Harrison Plaza)

If you’re coming from Manila, along Quezon Blvd (simbahan ng Quiapo.. familiar now? No? google it..) take a jeep with route going to Baclaran, Mabini, Vito Cruz, Harrison, tell the driver to let you off in Harrison, your landmark would be Shopwise grocery. You can also ride the LRT, alight at Vito Cruz station, ride an orange jeep and ask the driver to let you off.. guess where.. Harrison Plaza :)

Davao City Tour

 So what to do in Davao.. Day 1 was supposed to be travelling to Ma-a to visit Eden Nature Park. Woke up a bit early and decided to eat at Taps for our first breakfast in downtown Davao. Found one branch of Taps in Bolton Street. Good thing this branch is near our hotel (located along C.M. Recto). After our breakfast, my navigator decided to walk around. This “walk around” turned into our actual day 1 activity.

Osmena?? not..

Thanks to technology and my techie navigator, he was able to navigate his way “accidentally” to sort of a plaza which I initially thought to be Osmeña Park (but it’s not). We did find San Pedro Cathedral. I found the shape of this cathedral rather odd at first. After all it’s not your usual Roman Catholic architecture. But that made sense after our visit to Museo Dabawenyo.

Davao Museum

On the way to the museum, we got to visit (or see from the outside) the Sangguniang Lungsod ng Davao and the Peace Monument (the monument which symbolizes peace between Christians, Muslims and Lumad), cause they were both in front of the Cathedral. Had a taste of fruit shake davao style while waiting for the museum to open.



The visit to Museo Dabawenyo gave us an overview of Davao plus made sense as to why and what San Pedro Cathedral’s architecture is along with the history of Davao, its people. I especially liked the background about the Lumads. Our jolly museum guide gave us a colorful and entertaining educational experience which more overly elevated my respect for Dabawenyos.
After our Museum tour, my navi brought us both to see Davao City Hall and of course Rizal Park. It was still early but we opted to have an early lunch at Kuya Ed’s. Walked some more until we got back to our hotel to rest. After all, it was a long breakfast (and I haven’t taken a shower yet). As we were walking back, we stumbled upon a vendor selling durian and langka flavored bibingka…. and, you just have to give it a try.

unusually flavored bibingka

First half of day1 turned up ok. It was time to rest as all the walking around did burn up considerable amount of calories (which I love!!!!) plus.. I gotta take a bath~~~~

In and Around the Wonderful City of Davao

It would be my 2^nd time being in Davao city as of writing this. Until now, I still have the hangover and full admiration that such relatively peaceful city exists particularly in Mindanao area, where peace is quite hard to attain due to cultural difference, belief and principles of its inhabitants. I admit that our travel checklist is not that long, but so far, I can say that this is one of the best cities I’ve been in the Philippines (yes, my list includes Baguio and no, sadly I still can’t count Metro Manila in). I can’t help but express my appreciation and respect to their beloved Mayor Rudy Duterte for his efforts to keep peace, order and harmony among the Lumad, Christians and Muslims in Davao.

Davao decor in Jack's Ridge

 So if you haven’t been in Davao yet, I strongly urge you to stop by and experience how it is to live in this city. Wear your most comfortable and decent clothes, download the city map and get those muscles warmed up cause Davao is best experienced the commuter’s way.

 

After much research from other blogger’s experience and version of itinerary, I’ve come up

And we're here

with my initial version of itinerary, which my travel companion and photographer happily re-arranged on the spot, cause he doesn’t seem to believe in following itineraries as is, thus make our trip rather exciting and full of surprises. Too bad our trip didn’t coincide with the Kadayawan Festival. That would have been epic.

Anyway, here our actual itinerary in and around Davao City:

Day0:

5:00pm: ETD from NAIA Airport to board the much delayed flight of you know what airline

10:30pm: ETA Francisco Bangoy International Ariport (Davao)

Around 11:20pm ETA Uno Hotel along C.M. Recto via taxi

Zumba, Dabawenyo Style

Day1: (City Tour)

9:00am: Breakfast at Taps

10:00am: City tour (Osmena Park, San Pedro Cathedral,Sangguniang Lungson ng Davao and Peace Monument, Museo Dabawenyo, City Hall,Rizal Park)

12:30pm: Lunch at Kuya Ed’s Buffet, Walked back to hotel to rest

4:00pm: Walked to People’s Park

5:00pm: Commute to Jack’s Ridge

9:00pm: Dinner at DL-Xandro’s Kambingan

Day2: (Samal)

9:00am: Breakfast at Lolo Cardo’s

11:30am: Check out hotel. Commute to Magsaysay, Lunch at Luz Kinilaw

12:30pm: Walked to Magsaysay park, bought mangosteen, pomelo and durian for Samal trip from fruit vendors. Walked to Sta.Ana Wharf

1:00pm ETD Sta. Ana Wharf to Kaputian, Samal (travel time around 1-1.5hrs)

2:00pm: Check-in Kostal Resort, rest, swim

5:00pm: Walked to aplaya to find dinner (roasted chicken and puso [rice in ibos?]

Day3: Samal Island Tour and back to Davao

8:00am: Montfort Bat Cave, rode along other resorts, Maxima, Hagimit Falls

11:30am: Back at Kostal Resort, check-out

12:30pm: ETA Babak Wharf via Habal-Habal, back to Sasa Wharf, commute to downtown

1:50pm: ETA D’Counter, check in

5:00pm: Jog at People’s Park

7:00pm: Walked around Roxas St. Dinner at Lyndon’s World’s Worst Ribs and Awful Chicken

8:30pm: Walked back to Hotel, Chill at Primo Café and Bar

Day4: Philippine Eagle and Eden Nature Park

9:00am Walked to Bangkerohan to L300 terminal to Calinan

10:50am: ETA Philippine Eagle Center

12:42pm: ETD to Eden

2:15pm: ETA Bayabas Crossing

3:00pm: ETA Eden

4:45pm: ETD Eden to SM Davao

5:45pm: ETA SM Davao, Coffee

7:00: ETD SM to Hotel

8:00pm: ETA Hotel, Dinner at Barbeque Boss

Day5: Pasalubong Shopping Day

9:00am: Pasalubong Center, walked to find Glamour Crab Buffet

12:30pm: Unlimited Crab for Lunch

2:00pm: Aldevinco Shopping

4:00pm Commute to Magsaysay Fruit Vendors

6:00pm Dinner at D’Counter, Coffee at Primo Café, rest

9:00pm ETD downtown to Airport

10:00pm ETD DVO to Manila

12mn: Back to reality

Note: It’s also possible to spend another in Talicud Island. You can ride a boat from Kaputian going to Talicud’s Isla Reta then ride a boat back from Talicud to Davao City (this I’ll try on my next Davao visit).

So next time you chance up on those seat sale promo, don't forget to check if they have one going to Davao, a place worth visiting.