Our La Carmela de Boracay experience

     During our 4 day/3 nights stay in Boracay, we stayed at La Carmela de Boracay. I actually first took notice of that hotel because it was constantly featured in various ABS-CBN shows! I heard Boy Abunda mentioning the name of the hotel a few times in The Buzz, it was also featured in Nasaan Ka Elisa and Growing Up! After checking out their website [click here] we found out that their rates weren't that bad. We called them and everything then bang! ROOM RESERVED!

     We chose La Carmela de Boracay among all the other resort hotels in Boracay mainly because of the following reasons:

     1. It was a beachfront hotel
     2. The rates were reasonable (considering it's a beachfront hotel)
     3. It had a FAMILY ROOM that best suited our need. Naghanap kasi kami ng family room na may another separate room and everything.
     4. It's quite famous I think ;p
     5. It's located in Station 2 which is considered as the entertainment heart of Boracay. (And true enough for the whole duration of our stay at station 2, everything seemed so alive kahit sa kalaliman ng gabi)
     6. The hotel reviews I've read were good enough :)
     7. I need to give it to them, they really have a very informative website[click here]. All the things you'd like to know are there. If you have other inquiries you can just call them (they have mobile numbers posted on their site) and they'll gladly answer you. Di ko naman sila masyadong ini-endorse noh? Lol

 
  Moving on... Ah! Here's a youtube video of their family suite in the executive wing. So even before we went to Boracay we already knew what our room looked like. Haha (Note: I have no idea if those annotations in the video are true though.)

     We had no problem with our transportation from the airport to hotel and vice versa also because we also availed the land and boat transfers offered by the hotel. We paid P650 each, so we payed P3900 in all since there were 6 of us. But we didn't regret availing their service. We really had a smooth and effort-free travel. When we landed to Caticlan airport, the La Carmela de Boracay van was already waiting for us outside...

La Carmela de Boracay van waiting for us outside Caticlan airport arrival area

     And to our delight, we were the only ones that the van was waiting for! We felt really special. Naks naman! After around a 5-10 minute ride, we were brought to Caticlan port or something if I remember the name right. Without delay, we were told to follow our guide to the La Carmela de Boracay boat..

At Caticlan port going to the La Carmela de Boracay boat

     The boat could actually fit in around 20-25 persons but guess what, again we were the only passengers the boat was waiting for! How touching! >.<

Inside the La Carmela de Boracay boat

Notice how spacious the boat is!

     We owned the boat during the whole trip. Pictures here, pictures there, pictures everywhere!! Bongga! After around 10-15 minutes of being swayed by the sea we have now arrived the Station 3 port of Boracay island. Another La Carmela de Boracay van was waiting for us, and it brought us straight to LA CARMELA DE BORACAY resort hotel!

    For a little while I forgot that we were at a hotel by the beach so I was like expecting for an airconditioned lobby. It was a very hot day and it made me bagulbol if you know what I mean. Matatamaan ka talaga sa utak 'pag mainit ang panahon eh. Diba?

     After around 20 minutes of staying at the lobby we were now brought to our room and really! It looked the same with the video above. Haha. They were really similar that I almost can't believe it. It was like going inside the video (exaggerating)! XD

     And that's it! We stayed at La Carmela de Boracay for 4days/3nights. We had our daily eat-all-you-can breakfast there. Okay the right term is "daily buffet breakfast" but you agree that it's just quiet the same with "eat-all-you-can" right? ;p 

     Just like any other restaurants, we were allowed to choose where to dine so one time, we tried dining at the poolside! It was my first time having breakfast beside a pool! lol

Having breakfast at the poolside!

No pressure! There were no left overs sir!

          Here are some of our pictures of the place kasama kami ^^,

Below us is the pool and as you can see at the back is the front view (facing the beach) of the hotel

     Included in the transport service we availed is our transportation from hotel to airport also so todo pa rin ang service pauwi. We met a little problem though. Before the departure date, we were given a notice saying that we should be in the lobby 15 minutes before 9 am since our flight is at 11am. It was almost 9 but we were still made to wait in the lobby. Little did we know that someONE was coming with us pala this time. My uncle was alreasy complaining because we can't afford to wait for the other ONE because we have a plane to catch. We had a point naman diba? For fairness sake, I'm sure naman that someONE was also given the same notice that everyone should be in the lobby at before 9 am!! Kalabisan na if hihintayin pa talaga siyang bumaba. The staffs will check pa kaya the room for any loss of damage before you can successfully check out and have your P2000 deposit back! So if we will wait until that someONE comes down, we will surely be delayed!

     Moving on, we rode the van which brought us back to the port of Boracay. I heard the driver and the guide say that the hotel will let that someONE who was left pay additional fees. Tsk. Wawa naman but it's his fault naman talaga eh. Problema yan ng mga taong walang pakialam sa ibang naghihintay!! Arrrgh!

     When we arrived at the port we were surprised to see a very long line. People were lining up buying tickets for a boat and then after buying a ticket they again fall in line waiting for a boat to arrive. I thought we would also fall in line and everything but we just sat there and for a matter of seconds we were called by our guide and brought to the La Carmela de Boracay boat, leaving behind the long line and the people whose faces when they saw us leaving through another gate cannot be drawn. Then we realized how this travel service rocks!! Imagine if we didn't avail of this service, we would still be there standing and lining up!! Wooh!

At the Boracay port

On our way to the boat

Introducing the La Carmela de Boracay boat

     Since we were the only ones in the boat again, we felt like we own the boat again and then the picture taking begun!

     Arriving at the Caticlan port

At the Caticlan port

     A L300 aircon shuttle was waiting for us outside the port. It brought us straight to the airport! That's the end of our La Carmela de Boracay experience!! Amen.

Island hopping in Boracay

     After having the mass we were now ready to take on an adventure!! wahaaa! Island hopping!! We went back to our hotel and changed! We walked through the white sand followed Bonnie, our guide, towards station 3 where our boat for the island hopping is resting. Before going on-board we were told to buy at least 2 breads which we'll be using later to attract fishes!! Yeabah!

     While they were busy renting the gears and everything, we, the righteous people, were also busy with our pictorials!

     Then on-board we went. I secured myself by putting on the life vests they lent us. On the way to the snorkeling area, we passed by beautiful places. Being vain people, we just can't help but take pictures here, there, and everywhere. . .

     While we were travelling it started raining already! The excitement doubled when what came across us were big waves! I remembered the time when I had my first white river rafting in CDO! With the rain hitting my face, the waves making our boat dance, and the cold wind embracing us, I started feeling cold! The only thing that kept me going is the beautiful sceneries and the chitchat we had in the boat. Grr!

     Well according to them, they saw many fishes under the sea (Pepet and Fr. Macky even saw a clowfish). The bread we bought was partly eaten by somebody! Poor fishes! The bread was supposedly for them but hungry people wasn't able to control themselves from eating the bread! Tsk. Maraming isda ang nagutom dahil sa tinapay na kinain nila. Sino ang salarin??

     A kuya selling buko went near the boats anchored. He sold buko for 3 pieces for P100. Since uncle father didn't bother leaving the boat, he had no choice but to buy buko (he actually bought 6 pieces). I just drank the buko juice from one of the buko but after I finished I then realized that I am now hungry! Tsk! With the wind was still blowing very hard that I felt like it went inside my empty stomach. Poor me! I knew the wind in my stomach is there to stay until I'm able to eat something.

     Our guide brought us to another place tosnorkel. We didn't go to Crystal Cove though because the guide himself told us that it's not as beautiful as we expect anymore. I think I heard him say that a part of it was damaged or something. He brought us to a more secluded place. After tasting the water for a couple of   minutes, I went back on-board. I can't help it, I'm very hungry already. I almost have no strength left. I was very happy when I heard that we're going to take our lunch already.

     

     On our way to the place where we're suppose to take our lunch, we passed by many high end resorts owned by known figures in the Philippines including the controversial West Cove.

The West Cove

     When I first took a glance of the West Cove I thought it was really lovely but as our boat moved closer to it until we were right in front of it, I felt like it was so out of place. I don't know it's just that I think the people including myself are going to Boracay because they'd like to enjoy nature, they'd like to witness how great the gift of mother nature to the island is. But there in front of me is something that modified nature so that something may be put or established on it. Hahayyy. 

     We were supposed to have lunch somewhere where we'll be needing to pass through the open sea part of the sea I mean of the island nalito ako dun ah but because the waves were to much that the guide decided that it won't be safe anymore if we go further, we just went back and decided to have lunch at a restaurant near the Shangri-La Boracay.

     While waiting for our lunch to be served, we decided to take pictures of the beautiful white sand and beach. Yeah! Really, the sand and beach at this part of Boracay is much cleaner compared to at Station 2.

     Maybe because everybody was really hungry, nobody bothered taking pictures while eating. Seriously! Well I really enjoyed my lunch that time, I forgot about the diet and everything! Maybe it was also because of the freshness of the seafoods they cooked.  Eat or the yummy  food will be taken by your monstrous companions. Lol. After the lunch all my energy went back to me! Yey! That's the way it should be! We took more pictures then went back on board now going back to Station 3.

     We now went back on board while silently burning into our eyes the beautiful sceneries we again passed by. Looking at how beautiful the sceneries are, I really praise and thank God that I'm still alive! 

     The next thing I knew, we were now back on Station 3. Our island hopping may have been short and may not be as perfect as I would have wanted but I still have God to thank for the beautiful things He'd let me see that day. Thank you sponsors! but most of all Thank you God!!

Praying in a paradise island

     Who says going to Boracay is just FUN FUN and FUN? Even when you're on an island where everybody else is busy riding the waves and walking along the white sand, you can still take some time to be with your God.

     Before going to Boracay, I had a feeling that we would somehow visit a parish church there or something, considering that we will be going together with my uncle father (my uncle who's a priest ^^). And true enough, morning of the 19th of March when we went to the Holy Rosary Parish in Balabag, Boracay.

     The exterior part of the church would already suggest creativity. You will see seemingly painted stones that formed the image of God and his beautiful creations (coconut trees and waves of the ocean). 

At the back is the Holy Rosary Parish of Boracay

     Upon hearing that the daily mass is at 6am (which we missed)we just went inside the church and just said our prayers. . .

     And I knew it! My uncle father together with his friend priest (Fr. Jonathan) offered a mass. The next thing I knew two of his friend priests sat behind us (Fr. Carlo and Fr. Macky).

My uncle father and Fr. Jonathan

Fr. Jonathan, Fr. Macky, my uncle, and Fr. Carlo

     It was a meaningful mass especially for my cousin (Ate Ezra), it was her birthday! How nice! She got to start her birthday with a mass in the paradise island, Boracay. ^^

XU Engineering days

     I've been very busy these past weeks that I wasn't able to compose anything for my blog. :( Well, as for the reasons of my "busyness", Hmmm I'd rather keep it a secret! Lol. Just kidding! We've had left and right quizzes and presentations lang naman in school. It's really inevitable especially now that the final exams week is approaching. This is the last chance of our teachers and instructors to torture us. I'm sure they are making the most of it! Haha. 

     The following is actually the write up ma'am Ruena asked me to pass in lieu of the written report regarding the plant tour (which I wasn't able to attend) the class is supposed to submit. Since I don't have an entry for March yet, I decided to just post this! Brilliant idea huh! This is actually about our celebration of the annual Xavier University Engineering Days. This isn't exactly the same with the one I submitted to her. I added some side comments and everything to lighten the mood! =)

     Xavier University engineering days is being celebrated annually. The XU engineering days this year was celebrated last February 24-29 with the theme XU warriors beyond Sendong: igniting the fires, reengineering resilient community. Series of lectures and activities were scheduled in the hope of educating the engineering students regarding the various concerns of the present time, the and of course to also promote a deeper sense of camaraderie between students.

Mass 


     On the first day of the engineering days (February 24), a mass was offered in thanksgiving to all the blessings the students and the faculty of the college have received for the entire school year. Some engineering students and faculties attended the mass and also prayed for the success of this year’s celebration of the engineering days.

Kahibalo quiz bowl


     Kahibalo is a famous college-wide quiz bowl. Groups representing the different engineering departments competed in the quiz bowl. The Kahibalo quiz bowl was held 2:30 pm still on the first day of the engineering days. All the groups showed their intelligence in this quiz bowl, but group from our very own chemical engineering department went and grabbed the first place.

Amazing Race and Larong Pinoy

     The second day of the engineering days (February 25) was quite an adventurous one. Amazing race is a race whose winner is worthy of being called a warrior. Facing various obstacles before coming to declare a winner, the amazing race is indeed a very challenging game. All the representatives of all the departments played and enjoyed the race with all their heart, just like how a warrior should. Different strategies were used by each teams but the strategy used by the team of the civil engineering department proved to be the best for they were the ones who were able to grab the gold medal.

     Larong Pinoy, as the name implies, consisted of games which are originally played here in the Philippines by the Filipinos. Teams were also formed that would represent each of the engineering departments. Larong Pinoy consisted of the games Maria went to town where the players dressed like Maria (basically a Filipina), the famous Patintero which is a famous game especially for the younger ones, Tug-o-war and egg transfer. For both the Amazing race and Larong Pinoy, our representatives from the chemical engineering department got the second prize. It was not that bad though, considering the sizes of the opponent’s players and also the effort they applied to their brilliant strategies.

Sportsfest

     The sportsfest last February 26 was also quite a scene (but I actually didn't witness it first hand ;p). This year’s sportsfest consisted of two sports namely, volleyball and basketball. All the players showed their mastery of the sports mentioned and also exercised the value of sportsmanship. The players from the chemical engineering department got the fourth place in volleyball after they lost to a group consisted of varsity players lang naman.

Lecture series

       A series of lectures were also conducted for the engineering students. The topics for the first day were Renewable Sources of Energy and Analog Devices (to be updated). I actually lined up for the lecture on the renewable sources but unfortunately their list was already full. For the second day, the topics were Basic Geographical Information System (GIS) and Septage Treatment and Maintenance Technologies. Since the topics were quite interesting, a lot wanted to attend. Too bad they only allowed 50 students per lecture. Why were they limiting the number of students who can attend the lecture series in the first place? I don't know the answer to that question, We weren't given any explanation regarding that matter. 

Salo-salo

       An eat-together was organized by the college of engineering. The faculty and students who worked under the working committee HAPPILY (and violently) shared the foods served. It was not surprising that after a few moments the 2 lechons were already consumed, since the ones present in the salo-salo were all warriors. Aside from the delicious foods that were served, the thing that made the salo-salo more enjoyable was the company of the people who worked together for the success of the different events and activities. Charing! Anyways, after the salo-salo, I was really conscious of my stomach. It felt like it was about to burst!! Di ako masyadong busog noh? Pero pramis, minus the lechon pa yun! I didn't eat lechon eh.

Photo Exhibit

             The opening of the photo exhibit was held last February 28 which was attended only by the people above. The opening happened after all the other students and faculty went home so we were the only ones left. The photos were judged according to its quality and its connection to this year’s XU engineering days’ theme. The photo exhibit showed the artistic side of the engineering students and faculty. The photo exhibit manifested that besides having brilliant minds, the engineering students also have talents in other fields like photography.

FYPS display and presentation

      Monday when the preliminary presentation of the six Final Year Project Study by six representatives, one from each of the six engineering departments. The group from the chemical engineering department, along with the groups from the civil and electrical engineering departments got the top three places. In the last day of the engineering days, the presentation of the FYPS of the 5^th years was held at the roof deck of the Magis building. Several studies were received various awards granted by some sponsors. With or without awards, all of them were successful in their study and presentation that day. All of them were able to show their mastery on their fields and confidence on their studies.

         Overall, the celebration of the engineering days was indeed a great success! The students were able to learn new things through attending the different lecture series. The creativity and sportsmanship of the engineering students also surfaced during the different events and activities that were lined up. Even after the heartbreaking experiences we had when typhoon Sendong came, the warriors still live their lives positively. Even if all the typhoons come together, it can never stop a warrior from picking up himself and standing up again. Warrior on the go! Awoo! Awoo!