Treasure Find 33 -- Going OA is a lot OK!

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Yes, you read it right.  Going OA is a lot OK!  But before you get confused, it's a different OA I'm referring to.  It's not over acting but Organic Farming or Organic Agriculture!

Why did I say that?  Well for someone who is in constant search and struggle for healthy eating and hunt for our country's rarest treasures, OA is something that really opened my eyes.

Congratulations to Melandria for Winning the Pasalubong from Treasure Find 25!

First and foremost, foydi's Treasure Hunt would like to express its apology for the delay of the announcement of the winner due to some technical glitches.  But now, it can be revealed, the winner of the Pasalubong from Treasure Find 25 is Melandria Romero from Naga City!  :) 

Photo c/o Melandria's Facebook Page

Melandria won these souvenir shirts from Batanes! :)

Congratulations Melandria!  foydi's Treasure Hunt will contact you on how to get your prize!  :) 

Treasure Find 25 -- Pasalubong (and you can get some from foydi's Treasure Hunt!)

Treasure Find 32 -- There's More in Ivana's Honesty Store

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Honesty Store.  At first, it sounds strange to me.  But when I saw it on TV,  heard it on radio and read it on newspapers, it fired up my soul to pursue my life long dream of going to Batanes and search for that wonderful place. 

And when I finally made it to this heavenly place, I made sure that visiting the "legendary" Honesty Store will be part of the itinerary!  So right after my journey to Sabtang Island, we went to Radiwan, Ivana where the said store was located.  And finally, I found the Honesty Store!

The Honesty Store / Coffee Shop is owned by Ms. Elena Gabilo.  The difference of this store with the rest of the sari-sari stores in the Philippines is that the customers can buy from the store without the storekeeper / owner.  The customer just needs to serve himself, either prepare his own coffee, buy goods and put his money in a box.  In fact, he can even make a change himself.  He just needs to write down on a notebook what he bought from the store.

Treasure Find 31 -- The Brown Bag

JUST AROUND THE CORNER:

Recently, my colleagues and I have been going home from work at around 12 midnight to 1 am.  Yes, you just read it right.  In fact, call center agents have better situation than us since after their night shift, they can sleep in the morning.  But for us, we still report in the morning.  Oh well, this post is not about my blood draining work life.  

When I go home, I sometimes pass by at convenience stores to buy water or milk or anything refreshing.  That's the least I could do to treat myself.  

Treasure Find 30 -- The Quest for Deep Sleep Indulgence and The Discovery of Remington Hotel

JUST AROUND THE CORNER (JATC): 

With my job, long quality sleep / rest has already been a much desired luxury for me. In fact, I even need to plan for it. No kidding, I myself am surprised. Oh well, I guess that already is the reality I have to face each day. With lots of thought and pseudo-planning, I finally came up with a decision -- take a break and get that much needed sleep / rest. After long hours at work (often until 12 midnight!) and several weekends sacrificed, I guess I deserve a day-off on a Monday right? :)  Sometimes you just need that different environment to destress, unwind and recharge.  And it doesn't have to be far or out-of-town.  I'll check-in and sleep in a hotel right here in Manila!   

So I planned for that quest for deep sleep indulgence.  But since I've been nice since birth (haha), something much nicer came up!  I, together with the rest of my Bloggies Jeman Villanueva of Orange Magazine TV, Ruth Floresca of Write Breathe Live, Rod Magaru of The Rod Magaru Show, Myke Soon of Mix of Everything, Enrico Dee of Byahilo, Enzo Luna of Juan Manila, Alex Dizon of Recycle Bin of a Middle Child and John Michael Toress Bueno of Kumagcow just got an invite from Remington Hotel in Resorts World Manila to try their rooms! How could I say no to that right? So without much further ado, I gave my sweet yes and planned for that stay! :)

Treasure Find 29 -- Sabik sa Subic and the Commodore's Cup 2012 International Regatta

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

After the US military left Subic, no one knows what will happen to the place. A lot were skeptical but there are also hopeful individuals.  But now, after several years, Subic has been turned into one of our tourist and economic attractions.  

Tourism wise, it has now adventure based theme parks such as Ocean Adventure, Zoobic Safari and Treetop Adventure.  It has several tourism facilities such as hotels, restaurants, spas and casinos.  It is one of Central Luzon's premier eco-tourism destinations, thanks to Pamulaklakin Traits, JEST Camp, Triboa Mangrove and several beach resorts, dive sites and bird watching spots.  It is also a top destination for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and cruise ships as it has natural deep harbor, modern passenger terminal and unique combination of tourist attractions and terminals.  And if you think you are already drowned with these attractions then try to get a life vest and hold on to your breath and Subic has a lot more to offer.  It is also a premier sports tourism destination having hosted the 23rd South East Asian Games for archery, kayaking / canoeing, sailing and triathlon; Le Tour de Filipinas; Philippine Olympic Festival, and many more.  

Treasure Find 28 -- Expedition to the World of Tubbataha

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

When I went to the picture perfect Batanes, I thought nothing can surpass nor equal that experience anymore.  But our Bayanihan Republic has a lot to offer.  The Philippines is a paradise country and each corner of the archipelago offers something unique.  And that is why we also need to be extra careful and responsible about taking care of our environment as majority of our country's attractions are gifts of nature. 

I've been a wildlife enthusiast since I was a child.   And that fascination led me to becoming more concerned about the environment.  As most of the problems encountered by the wildlife is largely because of the loss of their homes.  That same interest also made me dream of being part of National Geographic or Discovery Channel or Animal Planet and capture nature's spectacular moments myself.  But destiny led me to a new direction.  And that new direction led me to having a more pro-active work for the environment, it led me to helping out WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Philippines.

Photo by Sophia Dedace of WWF Philippines

WWF Philippines manages various conservation programs in the Philippines.  One of its most important project sites is the Tubbataha Reef which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered as the 8th best dive spot  in the world according to CNN.

Treasure Find 27 -- The Art and Science of "Letting Go"... Tokyo's Hi-Tech Toilets!

HELLO WORLD:

Warning: if you are eating, don't read this anymore or better yet, drop your food now!  :D

Food blogging is such an enjoyable activity because we savor the taste of the food we eat and share it with the rest.  But while eating is such a fun thing to do, don't you think "moving" or "letting go" is an equally refreshing experience? :D   Di ba, iba yung feeling once you let it go?   LOL :D  So shouldn't there be another niche in blogging that deals on the last part of the digestive process? :D

Well, this blog post is really not actually about pooping.  This is about my Treasure Hunt in Japan and the marvelous thing that I found.  And that is Tokyo's hi-tech toilets!  :)

Well, I know, you may ask, why the hell am I blogging about toilets!  Haha, don't click away, let me explain first.  Don't you think having a good toilet is an essential aspect in traveling?  As much as we enjoy the places we go to and eat the most delicious food in town we visit, we also need that amenity for our bathroom break that will keep us moving.  And I was fascinated to discover these hi-tech toilets!

I first encountered this in Hotel Shinagawa where we spent our first few days in Tokyo.  I was amused that  right after that "ceremony" I won't need a toilet paper (or water and soap), as I just needed to press a button to clean you know what. :)  It sprays water in different ways depending on how you want it!  At Hotel Sakura, our second home in Tokyo, an added option is available.  This time, it can be like sprinkle or shower or bazooka shots hahaha.  Some of my colleagues were even surprised when they tried the hi-tech toilet for the first time.  Others on the other hand joked that they stayed longer in the comfort room because they enjoyed the water splash hahaha.  Anyway, we were also able to adjust the temperature of the water.  And since we were there at winter time, the warmer of the bowl, as it touches the thighs, is very relieving.  So right after moving, you just need that tissue paper and you're done. 

Treasure Find 26 -- Surviving The Heat

JUST AROUND THE CORNER:

I know the Philippines is a tropical country and the heat during summer season is something that we expect.  But I'm sure you will agree with me that the heat right now is something that's unbearable, it's as if we are being cooked inside an oven!

Haist, actually, with my work for WWF Philippines, I candidly even said that I won't have a hard time explaining what Global Warming is!  Just imagine experiencing 35++ and 36++ temperature right here in Manila?  Goodness, this heat really will not just drive us crazy, it can actually kill us! 

Anyway, I know Filipinos are very flexible and resourceful people.  We adapt wherever we are, whatever the situation is.  And with this scourging heat, I bet many have adapted, in a way, already. 

For example, I myself treated the situation lightly, (whenever possible!) and joked at it with these pick-up lines:

Manila ka ba?  Ang hot mo kase.

But when the temperature gets hotter the next day, I said:

Manila ka din ba?  Kase, you're getting hotter and hotter each day.

And it was a surefire hit on Twitter and Facebook haha.

But more than that, while everybody go to our captivating beaches and resorts or go to a colder country at this time, some people looked for means how to get through.  

And recently, I found two things that caught my attention and really made me wanting them all the time.  

It's the back-to-back electric fan and the so-called Melona ice cream from Korea!  The former is something I would really love owning!  I know it wouldn't solve the heat but I think it can be of a little help.  And besides, don't you find the fan so cool, that's literally and figuratively speaking! :)

The back-to-back electric fan and Melona ice cream

And the Melona ice cream, goodness, it just tastes so good!  The fruitiness of the flavor just blends very right with the sweetness.  Sorry though I don't know the actual retail price as I buy from my office mate who sells it.  And I get it for only PhP30!  So move over Magnum, Melona is taking your place!  And it's much cheaper!  :)

But aside from that, when you are outside, don't forget to bring water (not bottled as it will add up to our urban waste), wear comfy clothes and sun protection (shades, umbrella, sunblock).  Well, if you don't need to go out and you can avoid it, I suggest you stay inside, and make your surrounding comfortable. 

I know this too shall pass.  We will survive the heat.  And that I guess this has been my 26th Treasure Find!  :)

But while we try to survive the heat, let's be mindful next time of what we do with the environment.  You can log on to www.wwf-org.phils to know more about environmental sustainability.