Lakwatsera's Random Nuggets

Every Monday except those that fall on a holiday, our agency, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) holds a Flag Raising Ceremony.  The program includes the singing of our national anthem, a One Minute Prayer, Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas, and Good News from the Lead Department. I can distinctly remember my first ever flag ceremony as a new SBMA employee on November 3, 2003.  A certain department (out of the 40+ depts. and offices) is scheduled or assigned to lead each flag raising ceremony.  Today's ceremony was led by the Treasury Department.   Being the last day of April 2012 and tomorrow being Labor Day,   I would like to dedicate this post to all the concerned SBMA departments who always make an extra effort during each flag raising ceremony specifically the Law Enforcement Department (LED), Transportation & Communication Department (TransComm), Human Resource Management Department (HRMD) and Fire Department.   Mabuhay an...

Visit http://www.fontanaleisureparks.com for more info (Please click photo to enlarge.) Visit http://hotelstotsenberg.net for more info (Please click photo to enlarge.) Instead of queuing for the grand opening of Harbor Point Subic (Ayala Mall) last Friday (27 April 2012), moi, hubby and friends opted for a road trip to Clark.  It was a fun Friday night! It was our first time to visit Fontana and Hotel Stotsenberg and we even made new friends.  We had late dinner at Red Chinese Restaurant in Fontana and capped the night with cafe mocha at Hotel Stotsenberg.   It was way past midnight when we got home.

Jessica Sanchez  singing "Dance with my Father" Wow! this girl is truly talented! I can't imagine she's only 16!  Go go go Jessica for the win!!!

Hubby and moi's first trip to Bangkok & Ayutthaya Thailand with some friends. (Click photo to enlarge, thanks!) Bangkok or Krung Thep is also called "City of Angels" and Thailand being the Land of Smiles :):):)  I believe there's NO question calling this place "AMAZING", hands down! It's been three years since we've visited this amazing place on earth but I can still clearly remember everything as if it was only yesterday:)  I was the designated "travel agent" for our group composed of 8 adults and 1 child.  We made the most out of our 4 days 3 nights trip to the Land of Smiles.  Some of the highlights include the following: -strolling at the famous backpackers paradise Khao San Road and dinner at Mayompuri Siam Garden; -took a TUK-TUK ride to visit the Democracy Monument; -early morning visit to Chatuchak Park and bargain shopping afterwards at  Chatuchak Weekend Market; -trip outside Bangkok, to Thailand's old capit...

2012 Collection (Please click photo to enlarge) 2011 Collection 2010 Collection 2009 Collection I used to collect post stamps when I was younger.  I also collect pocketbooks.  I even collect quotes and write them down in my notebook/organizer. Three years ago, (back in 2009) I was fortunate to be a part of a group of female SBMA employees who were given a chance to participate in a Seminar Workshop called "Fashion Accessories Making" which is a joint project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority(SBMA).  This paved the way for my new collection slash small business:)  Most of the items above are made with loooove.  Some items are bargain finds from Zamboanga including some beads and materials for other handmade items.  It makes me proud looking at the collections as I realized I've been doing this for over 3 years:)

Strategic Planning/Team Building Activity @ Montemar Beach Club in Bagac, Bataan Annual Tree Planting Activity @ Kalayaan Heights. The annual Karakol Festival in honor of San Roque, my patron saint.  International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) Conference hosted by SBMA. The first ever SBMA Halloween Parade! (Kindly click photos to enlarge, thanks!)

(Please click photo to enlarge) I'm happy to be a part of a team of personnel from the Seaport Department who actively participated in the Clean-Up activity at the office premises this morning.  It is part of the Earth Day Celebration spearheaded by the SBMA Ecology Department. I hope our little contribution to Mother Earth  made her happy:)  It was a sweaty yet fun activity:) Anything for Mother Earth! After all, the earth we live in is the only one we got:) Happy Earth day y'all!

Bonding with Rustan, Kaycee, Denis & Malou @ Seorabeol Grand Leisure Hotel Subic and Seafood  by the Bay. My second trip to Zamboanga with family and friends from Subic. Family get-together at Mall of Asia with Ate Joyce, Malou, Riza and kids. (Please click photo to enlarge)

(Please click photo to enlarge.) Nanning City is the center of science and technology, education, culture and health in Guangxi Province.  It is the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China. It is known as the "Green City" because of its abundance of lush tropical foliage. I was very fortunate to be part of a team from Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to represent the country  and Subic as a harbor city of charm. It was a wonderful learning experience!

All You Can Eat for PhP 238! It's definitely worth the travel not to mention worth the money! We were in for a rare treat as we went to a road trip on a Friday after office, instead of the usual hang-out "tambay-mode" at 7eleven near Magic Lagoon, our group opted to have an all you can eat dinner at Bale Capampangan in San Fernando, Pampanga. Photos at the top are the "before photos" while obviously the "after photos" were at the bottom part.  Need we say we were full? Well, very...burp! (Kindly click the photo to enlarge, thanks!)

Screen shot form Vien's ipad It all started when Simsimi called me a lakwatsera, hence the blog's title.  I must admit it's true though I find Simsimi a bit racist, lol!  Although my skin color doesn't have anything to do with being a wanderlust, cause it's inborn:) I'm tan and I'm proud of it:)

Welcome to Corregidor!  That's the tadpole shape island--- as you can see from the background map. "To live in freedom's light is the right of mankind." @ the Eternal Flame of Freedom @ Gen. Douglas McArthur's monument. Hubby and moi @ the Topside Barracks( also known as the mile-long barracks).  @ the Middleside Barracks. I can still remember how the eerie silence gave me goosies! Hubby enjoying the view while on board a rented jeepney in Corregidor Island.

Here's a few reasons to come and visit Subic not just this summer but all year:  Zoobic Safari, Camayan Beach, Bat Kingdom, Kamana Sanctuary, Ocean Adventure and watch some monkeys up close at the Nabasan area.  Have fun everyone!

My hubby and friends enjoying the cold water of Cabangan, Zambales.  Indeed, swimming's more fun in the Philippines!  Let's just hope that the debris from North Korea's test rocket launch won't ruin our lovely seas!  Till then, take care peeps!

Here's a teaser of how we spent our long weekend in Cabangan, Zambales for 4 days and 3 nights with no electricity and running water just pure nature---sun, sea, sky, stream and mountain:)

My favorite things from top to bottom, l-r : who doesn't love ferrero rocher ? ; milk tea with pearls from Ang De ; McDo french fries paired with MCfloat ; free iced coffee from Starbucks courtesy of HSBC(wink!); the new ice cream craze  ) Magnum (Almond) ; and my very own version of mango float (love your own-hehehehe!).  Happy eating!!!

Meet our baby boy Danjo and his toy :D  Life's simple treasures include coming home after a hard day's work and getting a warm kiss from our loveable boy:) How about you, do you have a darling like Danjo?