GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL

Tomorrow, I will be going to the garden City of Samal to check a grocery store that I approved last year to have a credit line. I was informed by our salesman that the subject has already changed ownership. it used to be called Fernandez Store before. But now, the ownership of the grocery was already transferred to a Korean national, who is residing in The Garden City of Samal.

Before going there, I will first report in the office to get some things that I will be needing for tomorrow's trip to Samal. Just a piece of thought about the place. Samal Island is known here in Davao City as the place where beaches are abundant. The famous Pearl Farm and the always visited, Paradise Resort are just two of the many resorts situated in Samal Island. Tourism is the main source of earning for the Garden City of Samal. Aside from the beaches, there are also other agricultural products that Samal is known for. Like the coconuts or copra, mangoes, and hardwood.

I need to prepare everything that I will be needing since I will making a report after the trip. I will be canceling the credit line that I extended to the entity to prevent future loss for the company.

A TOWN FEAST

This afternoon, I was in Padada Davao Del Sur to do my regular routine field work. I was surprised to noticed that the public utility vehicle did not enter the public market area. It was strange for me to see that. I thought that it was just a market day for the town. But a fellow told me that it was their town feast.

In the market area, many stores and sidewalk vendors occupy the grounds. Movement was limited because of the people celebrating the town feast. I tried my best to squeeze my way into the crowd and finally I reached my first destination. I cannot see the pharmacy's signage because of the crowd. I have been in Padada several times already and maneuvering in the town was not a problem for me, only this time.

Most local residents of Padada Davao Del Sur would prepare food in their houses and welcome guests to their homes. This is like the traditional feast in Bohol. According to my customer, there are many strangers visit their house and they will offer them food as thanks giving for the bountiful harvest of the town.

Other residents of nearby towns like Sulop, Malalag, Digos City and Malita would go to Padada just to celebrate the town feast. In Padada, Crime rate is very small and usually crimes committed are petty. Nobody goes to jail in the town. If only I knew that it was their town feast, I should have rescheduled my trip their. I saw also many drunk men in the highway. The bottles of liquor are scattered anywhere. This what I call A town feast.

ITS GOOD TO BE BACK AGAIN

Hello guy! Did you miss me?I'm just thankful to be back again in our house. I've been away for quite sometime and I really miss my blogging job. I was not able to update my post for about 7, lonely, long days. I was in the province and as you all know, internet connection is really a big problem when you are in the province.

Last week, I was in some areas in Sarangani Province and several areas in South Cotabato and in Sultan Kudarat. Life living away from your house has some pros and cons. The pros are, You get to feel living alone and surviving in the environment that you are a stranger. You meet new friends along the way and build your image, when nobody knows who you are. The cons are, you feel lonely and sad since you are far from your love ones. You feel like you are alone and nobody will come to rescue you when you are in a problem. There are others more, but I just don't want to talk about it anymore. I am just happy to be blogging once again in my comfort zone, my house.

THE PERFECT FAMILY VACATION

I really give importance to family. Giving family quality time and spending time with each other is the most important thing of all. The other week, I personally organized a family outing. Last year, we went to the hills of Eden. I want it this time to be more fun and thrill-filled adventure. I decided to make the beach as our family vacation place.

When it comes to beach, nothing beats the Riviera Maya beaches. The location is known for their white sand beaches and has so many resorts to accommodate us. I personally selected Azul Beach Hotel, one of the Karisma Hotels that can be found in Riviera Maya. The hotel was the venue for the stay. The good thing about Riviera Maya is that the beach is so beautiful that no time will be boring for one's stay.

Our family vacation was for about 7 days and hose seven days were filled with fun memory and my cousins wanted the next family vacation be in Riviera Maya again. They will never forget the place forever.

PARTY WITHOUT ME

Tomorrow was supposed to be the day when we, in the office, will be going to BlueJaz Resort in Samal Island. It is a new resort in the coastal area of Samal. I already told my office mates that I will not be able to come along with them because I have a baptismal to attend to. They understand my situation. I have to priority the baptismal of my niece since this is just once in a lifetime event for her. I also don't want to miss it since I am one of the Godfather or Ninong for common term. Besides, I already saw the resort and I find it still on process of beautification. The resort has these huge and verly long slides towards the swimming pool. The resort also has an infinity pool and the glider. The entrance fee of the resort is 90 pesos and the ferry boat going to the resort is 60 pesos. from Davao City the ferry would take around 15 minutes crossing the Davao Gulf area to reach the resort. I would suggest to all of beach goers going to Bluejaz to avoid bringing foods and drinks for you will be required to pay the corkage of the resort.

BAPTISM TOMORROW OF CHLOE

Tomorrow, I will be going to Tagum City early to attend the baptismal of my niece Chloe. Tagum City is just a hour away from Davao City where I am in. I plan to drive as early as 6 am to Tagum to avoid the heavy traffic going there. I already packed and wrapped the gift that I will be giving to my niece. Along with with me is my mother and 3 aunties. I guess I have to sleep early so that I will be able to wake up early morning. The baptismal will be held at the old Christ the King church in Rizal Avenue. My wife will be waiting there since she is working in the city. I have to check every thing tonight, from the wheels to the brakes of the car. But I know every thing will be alright by tomorrow.

BACK TO MY NATIVE ROOTS

I just got home from my trip to Mati Davao Oriental. Mati is about 4 hours bus ride from Davao City. But when you are in a private vehicle, probably around 3 hours, depending on the road condition. Mati was a former city. But the city status was revoked due to the income of the former city was not enough to be in a city level. The supreme court ruled that the city be returned back to the provincial level.

I was there to visit my grandmother who will turning 93 this year on May 14. Aside from that, I also checked the farm land in Mati for future plans. The major agricultural product of Mati is copra and second to that is corn. There are rumors about the entering of some banana plantation in the area. This means the conversion of land from coconut to banana. But this is still rumors and might not happen. There are some areas already in Davao oriental that has converted the rice Fields into banana plantation. If this would push through, we might opt to this conversion to gain more profit on our part.

SUMMER GETAWAY IN THE MOUNTAIN RESORT

This is another way to make the summer more exciting and fun-filled adventure as we go to Seagull Mountain Resort. This is 2 hour ride from Davao City to the mountain resort. This resort is owned by the Dureza family.

As we arrived in the resort, this was the view that made my breathe stop for a couple of seconds. The place was very cold. Many visitors would prefer to wear thick clothes to prevent the needle cold in the area. The place is breathtaking and the air is fresh and silence swarms the area. This is a 500 hectare property. According to the resort manager, only 10 percent of the total land area is being used at the moment. The Golf course is still being developed.

Ever since I was a child, I always dream of visiting a real falls. This is what the mountain resort is proud about. This is a 40 feet drop falls. The water is very cold and clean. Bottled water is far from the coldness of the water here.

This where all of the visitors would stay when in the mountain resort. You can cook you grilled foods and do the leisure things. I did not bring any swimming clothes. I was just taking pictures and watching my companions get wet and wash away the summer heat. Aside from taking pictures, I was also busy with the tequila. It is because I felt so cold and the only way to get heat, aside from hugs, is from the bottle. The next summer outing would be in the beach. Watch out for my post.

UP TO THE MOUNTAINS

Our company will be having a fun familia outing tomorrow and I am very excited. We will be going to seagull mountain resort in Buda area. According to my office mate, the bus ride would take around 2 hours before reaching the place. The mountain resort is owned by Sec. Jesus Dureza, the presidential adviser who prayed for the longevity of tenure of the president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the dinner in Malacañang Palace. Enough of the politics and let me get down to fun and exciting trip for tomorrow. The bus leaves at 5:30 am and the problem is that I have a problem of waking up early, especially on a Sunday morning. I guess sleeping early would do the trick so that I get to wake up early morning. The mountain resort was opened in 2007. According to my friend who was there last year, the place is cold and slippery because of the moist of the dew. He added that slippers is not likely to be worn in the location because of the wet condition. There is a falls there and a big swimming pool and that is where I wanna be. I better pack my bags and prepare for tomorrows activity.