Milktea Invades Zamboanga!

Milktea houses and cafes are definitely the new cool places for people fond of chilling and hanging out with friends and loved ones. 

If you're going to tour around Zamboanga, you're going to get fun hanging out with friends in the different milktea houses that offer a variety of cool drinks, especially milkteas, coffee-based and water-based quenchers with such a cool environment, you couldn't resist on having a selfie up.

As of now, the number of franchise houses at service around the city that offer milktea is now at a range of 20, including those that are not yet popular by the consumers. Cafes that have unique features, like the Hello Kitty Cafe are most likely visited. But then, I have not been into the place because 1. It's too cute, 2. It's far from where I stay and 3. I could shriek at a stuff toy's sight. 

There are, however places that I have been into that I could recommend visiting to. The first nearest milktea house that I have spent money to, is the I Love Milktea, located at San Jose. I think this is the first cafe house to become popular, although I have heard such cafes and I'm really not a fan of the drink. i have always believed that milktea drinks are served plain, that's to explain my disfavor for the taste. 

The second that I tried is the Cha Dao, which also brings a cool, green environment. The place makes me want to read more. Because i always stroll around to find places which I can put myself into some sumptuous reading, the Cha Dao is, I think an 'okay' place.

I also set foot to Sugar Rush (I forgot the previous name) due to my need for something different on that day. Since it was lunch, I braced myself into proceeding to walk under the sun and found myself under the place, to cool down, honestly speaking.

I usually bring friends to make libre for me, since I was not born with a silver spoon between my teeth, so I was lucky enough to have acquaintances who can squander money and buy me something to fancy my craving (although I don't have a sought-after feeling for milktea.)

Then again, I do not have the enough time and obviously the money to fund my adventure for quencher quests. In the end, I obliterate the thought of ordering all the necessary drinks for a credible review of all the cafes here in Zamboanga. For some time now, I have been seeking for sponsors to patron my search for the best milktea houses in town.

Photos grabbed from facebook (milktea houses' facebook page) and some are mine. 

A Walk to World Peace: International Peace Walk in Mindanao

Today marks the International Peace Walk in Mindanao.

We can recall the September 9 siege last year in Zamboanga City that misplaced thousands of families and destroyed infrastructures down to the ground. Victims revive stories of first-hand experiences during their captive in the hands of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). A year after, pieces of memories still linger in the minds of  the Zamboangeños. But they can always stand up.
I was told that there would be an upcoming Peace Walk in Zamboanga City that would be graced with Korean guests. They will be here in the city to help us build back better Zamboanga, and more importantly, move on. Their presence to the event would be awesome and true enough, their appearance earlier in the event made the crowd go wild as they cheer for the guests. It isn't peculiar for Pinoys to cheer at speeches they don't understand. As long as they're helping us, they'll be glad to clap their hands for an applause. Well, I was one of the members of the crowd who were too far to hear the interpreter decipher the Korean's speech, so, I don't know, i just clapped.

Annyeong hasseyo!

These are some of the guests from the Korean-based organization, Heavenly Culture, World Peace. They talked on matters that deal on the restoration of peace in Zamboanga City and eventually, to the world.

A Korean media man atop a makeshift tower for a better camera view.

Students of Zamboanga City State Marine Science and Technology (ZCSMST) cheered and waved flags as they were acknowledged for their presence.

It's fascinating to notice how awesomely noisy the crowd was. Amid the great 2 in the afternoon heat, they were eager to stay at their places until the proper peace walk. Maybe because they were required at staying or they liked having the sun burn their skin or they prefer listening to the speeches of great cause than minding the sun or they didn't have the choice but to stay put and enjoy the moment of congestion to the road. The latter seemed fit for these next pictures.

The 612-mile walk from the City Hall grounds to Paseo del Mar wasn't strenuous said than done. We had to stop over at a random store for a drink. But I wonder how I could not be tired at walking to such distant places when I go alone for a Friday getaway.

These are the participants with their slogans and posters. 

The sun-bathed us, still ready for a picture.

The International Peace Walk would kick off the month-long activity leading to the September 9 siege commemoration. There are also healing and confidence building activities that intend to "heal the wounds of the past" for a better Zamboanga. Pondering over, the peace walk is unlikely going to contribute to the healing process that the city aims to achieve. Although the signing of the peace pact served to slowly mend the wound and calm the troubled waters, there are still major problems that should be taken seriously.
Then again, let's still row the boats and rise the banners. We're one step closer to achieving peace. I hope next time, we would be running the race towards it, not just making lame, slow walks.

Photos courtesy of The University Digest (Jonathan Acabo)

Dia De Zamboanga Adventure (and photo op)

I tried remembering my experiences in Zamboanga City and I think the Dia De Zamboanga would best fit. I'm still busy this week, so I guess I couldn't blog recent adventures of mine, or feature awesome people that would explain my blog name.

Anyways, the Dia De Zamboanga happens every February. Last year, we had great moments going to and fro the city streets, as we are opt to cover events for our yearly magazine. Things are quite messy back then; forgetting to eat lunch, standing in the sun and constantly sweating out for the rest of the day. Since then, I became fond of bringing an extra shirt or two whenever possible.

This is me, and my friend Lynette trying to have a great Mini-Milan shot and we found ourselves bugging the doves after feeding them. It was a nice idea to play with the doves, but after a few attempts, we ran out of feeds and the doves won't cooperate anymore. This is by lunch time, as we wait for our co-writers to come. The event we will be covering will be happening at an hour, so we ended up gathering these flock of doves for amusement.

Also, this is the photo I uploaded to feature Plaza del Pillar as a miniature of Milan, and eventually I got the chance as a Globe talent on a MagTV segment. Anything but that, I really find the place an interesting spot for chillaxing and watching the day to end. At one point in life, I discover something magical, something fascinating to remember; an experience even money could not buy.

Costume change! These are our new friends, IT Monsters. They are ADZU graduates, and they happen to pass by us after we ran out of energy from the bird feeding. Seeing them with their shirt caught our attention. So, we got to interview basic information and ask them about the shirt they're wearing. Luckily, they had two spare shirts and thank God they all fit in! After dealing with the prize, we got the shirt for 250 php each. it's not a bad prize, and the shirt's awesome. Because I like it too much (and the design's Zamboanga-inclined), I chose to wear the shirt at the ABS-CBN segment (MagTV) and the IT Monsters was glad at seeing that I have put the shirt into good use.

After all there is (snap photos, interview people) that a journalist must do, we took time for ourselves enjoying the holiday. We watched a concert at Paseo del Mar, tried skateboarding and ended up laughing to our heart's content.

This is me, and the Zamboanga City sunset. We literally sat there for about an hour waiting for the sun to set before going home. Usually, the cameras are endlessly used even after the low battery warning. We just couldn't put down a day without taking memoirs of our Dia de Zambo coverage.

The last of our journey ends here. After the strenuous activities, we still managed to smile for the camera. It was worth the fun! We may have drained all our energy, but the fun and the excitement of doing something grand makes it a walk of a mountain. Until the next Dia De Zamboanga, then! Muchas gracias!

Any suggestions?

I've been thinking a lot on what and who to blog. I wanted my blog to be full of random but great people around Zamboanga Peninsula and since I'm currently in Zamboanga City, i'll have to check the city and find people who actually manifest greatness in all aspects. I'm sure there are people who I came to know are catalysts of power, and i know students who are actually doing something for others. There's really so much to do, and I can imagine now how it would be great talking to them and finding their achievements in life. It would feel awesome to actually have conversations with them and that would gladly fit in my blog requirements.

On the other hand, I also would like to know if featuring places around the city is a convenient thing to do. I feel digging into cafes or refreshments that recently invade the city. What do you think? Lemme know as soon as possible. Please message me if you had any adventures that's worth sharing to, or if you have any in mind that I can join so I can experience it firsthand. Muchas gracias! :)

UDistas @Harmony Village, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City

I met April during a publication interview three years ago. We were in the same batch and I eventually made friends with her. She resides in Zamboanga City as an English Major student but her hometown's in Pagadian City. She's currently the editor-in-chief of the pub and we had great times living the good and bad as journalists.

The picture was taken three days ago at Sinunuc, Zamboanga Sibugay. The place is called Harmony Village, owned by the Silsilah Dialogue. The first picture was taken early morning, right after waking up. We actually stayed at the venue for one night to cover an event by the student government. Basically, this is what we become during the free time.

This is me in my best look. We really planned to take shots at the place because of the calming effect of it to us. It's miles away from the busy streets of the city, and it's perfect for stress-fed people. There aren't many peeps in Zamboanga City who know the place and who actually took the time to go here.

You are gold, Labason!

Beach madness!

This picture was taken last summer and I tried sending it in The Philippines' Facebook page just last month and thank God they uploaded it yesterday.

Labason is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. If you're from the west or east part of Mindanao, you have to travel to Ipil-Labason National Highway to get there (see map).

Labason Map

Before you can actually reach the beaches, there's this one stretch of road where trees lined up besides.

 We actually came to a stop at this road on our way to Labason last May for a one-night beach experience. It always amazes me how the trees lined up perfectly and how it provide a natural shade for the weary travellers to rest on. It's also fascinating to know that there are places that still exist in the Philippines, considering the advancement of technology.

Anyways, after the one-hour travel (we departed at seven in the morning at Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and reached at about 8:15 am) the long beach stretch became visible and we came to stop at Babami's beach resort. Of course, my first instinct is to take a few pic of the beach.

I eventually grabbed my sister as my model. It's a bit windy there, so we had to wait for a perfect time where the wind is calm. It turned out windy for the rest of our photoshoot so she ended up with messy hair. The green slippers are mine, as I tried taking pictures with the available props. The sand there felt good on the feet, though it's not as fine as it looks. We had an amazing time even before the day closes. In fact, it was the best breath-taking moment of our stay. 

I had to take as much photos as I could because the sun was setting fast. It was an amazing experience, finding yourself looking at the sun, and the color breaking from the clouds and knowing that being alive is one lucky thing. There's still promising adventures that I experienced there, like staying late till the wee hours and helping the fishermen wait for the boats on a harvest and joking at them like they were the neighbors from your childhood. It gets to become a happy memory taking in all the experiences I had from my short stay. Now, it's your turn to find out why I wished I could get back there for a longer vacay.

Many thanks to my brother Edgar Gonzalez for funding our trip, my sister Eize, my phone for the pics and the sun for letting me see for the first time an amazing sunset.

Also to The Philippines' facebook page, thanks for uploading the pic. If you're wondering, here's the link of the picture: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=685726288164899&set=a.248748238529375.57540.240054519398747&type=1&theater

First post, eh?

So, I made this blog to specifically note that Zamboanga Peninsula is truly a place worthy to visit.

 It was my dream to make a blog about my homeplace, and now I can finally see that. There's still a lot to furnish here, but then there's also places to visit so, I'm going to be excited of what's gonna happen here. I will also post my adventures around the peninsula (stories and still pictures) and I'm sure you'd love to hear that. Until then!