Last Minutes with Oden - A Touching Story of a Faithful Dog

Last Minutes with Oden is a short documentary of the last day of a loyal dog who helped his owner, an ex-convict adapt to life after prison. Despite already having lost a leg and chronically stricken with cancer, he showed Jason how to love, and to believe in God.

The 6:15 minute video is directed by Eliot Rausch which won the Best VIdeo and Best Documentary in the 2010 Vimeo Awards Night.

It is a stunningly filmed and edited that it engages the viewers so deep that it makes you feel the pain of losing Oden. Last Minutes with Oden is simply heart breaking, yet it has again left an imprint of how dogs can change our lives. Truly, a dog's loyalty and love knows no bounds.

Disclaimer: Credits of the video goes to their respective owner.

"God is love, and love is God. God was that dog I held today. He showed me unconditional love. By that I forgot I loved a lot of people I think a lot more." -  Jason Wood

His struggle finally came to an end. May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

~ City Boy Tripper

Read More

Escape to Anawangin Cove

Anawangin Cove is one of the few places where you can go for a mountain hike (Mt. Pundaquit) and completing it via a traverse to an ash laden beach front for a refreshing swim.

The Cove, located in San Antonio, Zambales, is one of the provinces devastated by the 1990 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. From an unknown place, to a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts and the curious, Anawangin is a testament of nature's power of bringing to life a place that was once inhospitable.

 Ash and sand. Mountains and the sea.

What's magnificent about the place, apart from its coast of ash and sand, is that the beach is lined up with Pine trees instead of the usual Coconut trees. I was mesmerized to see how it all towered up high, and how it could fully grow in such a place, when all the while, thinking that I would only find them in Baguio. The trees extend inland where a river also runs. It was here that I found Anawangin most enchanting. The calm flow of the river was like a mirror reflecting the sand, trees, and the mountains. There was absolutely life all around.

Welcome to the Cove

The Sea in Zambales is known to be unforgiving, and the sea right at the jump off at Pundaquit is no exception. Crossing the ocean to Anawangin can be mild to moderately rough even on a fine day. As you take a scenic ride on your chartered banca, you will see the might of the ocean, smashing wave after wave of sea water through rocks and cliff.

Left: Sea water smashes into the rocks. Right: Sunset at Anawangin Cove

Significant Hours

Bus ride from Manila to Pundaquit: 6 hours
Private Vehicle: 4-5 hours
*Private vehicles may be subject for parking fees

Trike from San Antonio to Pundaquit: 30 mins.

Banca from Pundaquit to Anawangin: 45 mins.

Itinerary

Day1 Victory Liner Cubao

0630 AM - Call time
0730 AM - ETD Victory Cubao to Iba, Zambales
1030 AM - ETA Bgy.San Antonio Zambales and purchase supplies
1100 AM - ETD Brngy. San Antonio to Jump off at Pundaquit
1130 AM - ETA Pundaquit
1145 AM - ETD Pundaquit to Anawangin cove
1230 AM - ETA Anawangin cove

View Victory Liner Schedule

Day2
0600 AM - Wake Up call / Prepare breakfast and eat
0700 AM - Free Time
0900 AM - Clean Up / Break Camp
1000 AM - ETD Anawangin Cove to Capones Island
1045 AM - ETA Capones Island: Register, head to Light House [Explore / Photo ops / Lunch]
1230 PM - ETD Capones Island to Bgry Pundaquit beach shore
0130 PM - ETA Pundaquit [Clean up / Shower / Rest]
0230 PM - ETD Brgy. pundaquit to Brgy. San Antonio
0315 PM - ETA Brgy. San Antonio
0330 PM - ETD Brgy San Antonio to Olongapo
0415 PM - Olongapo to Subic Free port*
0700 PM - ETD Olongapo to Cubao/Pasay
1000 PM - ETA Cubao/Pasay

Post script: Our Itinerary was suppose to take us to Capones Island, however our chartered Banca were experiencing engine problems that we decided to go straight back to Pundaquit than getting stranded in the middle of the ocean.

Expenses

Bus fare:
Option 1: Victory Liner Pasay to Iba, Zambales
Option 2: Victory Liner Cubao - 350Php, via SCTEX - 380Php

Olongapo - Cubao/Pasay 360Php

Trike to San Antonio to Pundaquit and vice-versa: 50Php - Day tour / 100Php - Overnight
Banca: 2000Php for 6 PAX inclusive of Capones Island lighthouse side trip
Anawangin Registration and / Environmental Fee: 150 Php

*Optional Trip: Olongapo Subic Freeport FX fare - 50Php

Special Concerns

• Ocean currents are unpredictable and is strongly advised to check the weather before pushing through.
• It is said that there is a strong under current in the area. Swimming near the shore, waste deep is advised. There has already been a few cases of deaths due to drowning. (Just recently, January 2014, there has already been a report of drowning. Luckily, the girl was resuscitated and survived.)
• During rainy season, the river also gets swollen and current can be strong to cross or bathe in, therefore caution is again advised.

Details are as of October 2013

~ City Boy Tripper

Read More

Giving is the Best Communication

"Giving is the best Communication" This is what the video is trying to get across to its viewers.

The video is an advertisement from a TELCO in Thailand called True Move H. It may be a simple ad to further enhance the company's brand marketing and sales but never the less, the video has touched so many hearts in different countries.

The video was aired sometime in October of 2013. All credits of the video goes to its rightful owner.

I cannot help but relate such scenario to the crisis our country is experiencing. With goods being sold instead of being given to the ones in need, claims of overpriced bunk houses, overpricing of basic needs and the like, why can't we find it in our hearts to give? Has our morale standards gone so low to the point that we now capitalize on other people's misfortune?

Think about it, if today we let the blame-game stop, and start being accountable in everything that we do, and if we acknowledge and learn from our past, wouldn't it prepare us in making the right choices for our future?

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. 

- Oscar Wilde

~ City Boy Tripper

Read More

Pinto Art Museum

On a fine day for people in Metro Manila, we usually go to the mall, play ball, go on a jog, go biking, or even go picnic on a few parks that our city has. The metro does not have an abundance of public pools, and the handful that are around does not seem to be well-maintained. Beaches on the other hand are hours away making it an expensive option as the distance would require one to dedicate more resource, time and effort.

As I was looking for a weekend away from the city, I was told by my friends of an art museum in Antipolo that is only less than an hour away. The place? Pinto Art Museum. 



How to get there

A. Via Commute
There are numerous ways to get to Antipolo, however, I will post only the ones I am familiar with:

Route 1: FX

1. From SM Megamall or Robinsons Galleria, ride an FX to Antipolo.

Route 2: MRT-LRT-2-FX/Jeep

1. Take the MRT to Cubao station.
2. Walk through Farmers Plaza and Gateway Mall towards LRT-2-Araneta Center-Cubao station.
3. Take the LRT-2 to Santolan station.
4. Ride an FX/ jeep to Antipolo.

Route 3: MRT-FX/Jeep

1. Take the MRT to Cubao station.
2. Walk through Farmers Plaza towards Gateway Mall.
3. Take the Aurora Blvd. exit.
4. Ride an FX/jeep to Antipolo.

Once you are on the final commute to Antipolo, ensure that you are to get off at Ynares Center, then;

Take a trike going to Gran Heights where the Museum is located.

B. Via Private Vehicle

1. From Manila or Quezon City or Makati, take the Ortigas Avenue from EDSA and proceed to Ortigas Extension passing through Cainta Junction and to Tikling.
2. Take the uphill road until you reach the Ynares Center.
3.  Turn on the first street to your right, to a hill then follow this to the Grand Heights gate.

 

Apart from wonderful and creative artworks, the place itself is clean and serene. It has a lush landscape with ponds and fountains, where one can, at times, see frogs swimming in it.

After roaming around the area, you'll find a place to refresh and eat at the Pinto Café. The meals I would say, are a bit pricey considering that the volume of each order would be finished in just about 5 servings or so. On the brighter side, the taste in my opinion is well and good.

Tips

1. Go full charge - There's a lot of photo opportunity in this place so make sure to charge your camera.
2. Take your time - There really is a lot to see and creativity to behold in this place so I personally suggest to visit the place at an earlier time to see and appreciate them all.
3. Avoid the urge - To avoid damaging the artworks, try to avoid touching them.
4. LNT - Keeping one of the core principles of a mountaineer. Leave No Trace. Let's dispose our trash properly.

 

Entrance fee cost

• P150.00 - adults
• P100.00 - students
• 20% discount for senior citizens*

Pinto Art Museum business hours

• Wednesdays to Sundays: 9am to 6pm
• Special tours are by appointment only

Museum Contact Details

Tel. No.:

• (632) 697 1015
• (632) 703 44 53

E-mail:

• info@pintoartgallery.com

Note: Details are as of June, 2013

~ City Boy Tripper

Read More

On Love and Heartaches

This post is a written anecdote of a girl with a genuine love for her country and its people. A girl who hopelessly devoted so many years trying to make a change in a capitalistic country plagued with corruption and inequality.

Just like any other person I had my fair share of love and heartaches. But mine is not a typical story of love and break up. I was in high school when I learn to love selflessly. Not to one particular person but to the causes towards social change. I have joined the movement and shared the dream that one day, somehow somewhere, our dream society will be put in place.

After college I devoted myself as a full time volunteer educating the young people, engaging in different campaigns and organizing my generation to be part of the so called greatest cause. Just like our national hero Jose Rizal once said, the young people are the hope of our motherland. They are the catalyst of change because of their new ideas, their uncorrupted minds and their ideals.

I've devoted so many years, so as to say, most of my younger years fighting for the greatest cause. While most of my colleagues are busy with their careers, love life and other normal routine that the young people should do based on the standards of our society. I've done this because I believe that we all should live a life where equality and equity should be enjoyed by the people, that we all have the same rights, therefore we should have an opportunity to practice and celebrate these rights. While the reality contradicts, while some have so many, the rest of the population bears and suffer in a very unfair way of living called poverty.

I have never been in love like this, I have never been so passionate and selfless that’s why I decided to spend my life for this cause, for the people, for their empowerment, for system change, for our dream society.

But circumstances are not on my side. Just like the rest who have put themselves selflessly to their first loves, I've also experienced heart aches. I got lost. Lost in the world where I thought I knew like the back of my hand. I have cried. I have shed so many tears. I never had been broken like this. I was torn into pieces. I even came to a point that even my comrades, my once so called brothers and sisters became complete strangers to me. I didn't know them anymore. I am completely lost.

I've hated myself for not fulfilling the tasks that were given to me. I've failed my comrades, I've failed the movement and most especially I've lost the fire that once been so bright and alive that pushes me and keeps me going. I've lost myself…

Now, I have moved on but the great and strong feelings for my first love and extreme heartaches will be forever part of me, it is part of who I am today. Yes, I have been in love, the highest form of love that any human can give to himself/ herself, to her people, to her motherland. And I have never been broken, the most painful kind of heartache that I have experienced when I decided to leave the movement, my once so called family, my once so called world… my once so called ME.

Liana

12/26/2013

Read More

Movie Dates Of 2014

So goodbye to 2013 and say “hello” to 2014! Cheers for a fresh start, new resolutions for self-improvement and for new films to anticipate! There are a lot to look forward to so keep your popcorns poppin’!

January

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit - 17-January

Jack Ryan is a fictional character created by Tom Clancy, the same writer which inspired movie adaptations such as The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger and The Sum of All Fears.

He passed away October 1 of last year at age 66.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones	3-Jan
Lone Survivor	10-Jan
The Legend of Hercules	10-Jan
I, Frankenstein	24-Jan
Labor Day	31-Jan

February

RoboCop - 12-February

A remake of the original 1987 film. Alex Murphy is back to bring order to the streets of Detroit!

Monuments Men	7-Feb
The Lego Movie	7-Feb
Vampire Academy	14-Feb
Winter's Tale	14-Feb
3 Days to Kill	21-Feb
Pompeii	21-Feb
Non-Stop	28-Feb

March

300: Rise of an Empire - 7-March

With the death of King Leonidas, and with the Greek city-states under the brink of Persian domination, the Spartans and their allies take their last stand.

Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller.

Noah - 28-March

Russell Crowe is seen striking a burning sword on the ground with flames rippling across the land. So where was that in the Bible? Surely it was never there, but personally, it was a special effect to behold!

The Grand Budapest Hotel	7-Mar
Mr. Peabody and Sherman	7-Mar
Need For Speed	14-Mar
Veronica Mars	14-Mar
Divergent	21-Mar
Muppets Most Wanted	21-Mar
Nymphomaniac: Part One	21-Mar

April

Captain America: The Winter Soldier - 4-April

Cap is back with new allies, new rivals and apparently needs a better way of protecting tax payers money from crashing helicarriers.

Under the Skin	4-Apr
Dom Hemingway	4-Apr
Draft Day	11-Apr
Sabotage	11-Apr
Only Lovers Left Alive	11-Apr
Nymphomaniac: Part Two	18-Apr
Transcendence	18-Apr
The Other Woman	25-Apr

May

Godzilla - 16-May

Gojira is back! And I mean back to how he looked like during the monster's debut back in 1954 as compared to the Jurassic looking reptile by Roland Emerich in the 1998 film of the same name.

Godzilla's iconic look features a reptilian, robust build that stands upright with spines from it's nape all the way to the tip of it's long tail.

Maleficent - 30-May

Maleficent first appeared in Walt Disney's 1959 film Sleeping Beauty and is the main antagonist in the film. In this rendition, Jolie takes the "Mistress of all Evil" role into a wickedly new level!

Neighbors	9-May
Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return	9-May
Chef	9-May
The Amazing Spider-Man 2	2-May
Million Dollar Arm	16-May
X-Men: Days of Future Past	23-May
A Million Ways to Die in the West	30-May

June

Transformers 4: Age of Extinction - 27-June

A beefier looking Prime, the Camaro gets an upgrade, and oh, wait! What's with that fossil in the poster background? No way! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

The Fault in Our Stars	6-Jun
Edge of Tomorrow	6-Jun
How to Train Your Dragon 2	13-Jun
22 Jump Street	13-Jun
The Purge 2	20-Jun
Think Like a Man Too	20-Jun
Jersey Boys	20-Jun

July

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - 11-July

Andy Serkis portrays Caesar. So who is Andy Serkis? He is my precious...

Deliver Us From Evil	2-Jul
Tammy	2-Jul
Jupiter Ascending	18-Jul
Hercules	25-Jul
Sex Tape	25-Jul

August

Guardians of the Galaxy - 1-August
I'll bet my month's salary that Rocket Racoon's gonna have more fans than any of the Guardians will ever have!

Get On Up	1-Aug
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles	8-Aug
Lucy	8-Aug
The Giver	15-Aug
The Expendables 3	15-Aug
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For	22-Aug
Jessabelle	29-Aug
Jane Got a Gun	29-Aug

September

The Equalizer - 26-September

Based from the original TV series starring British actor, Edward Woodward as Robert McCall. The series ran from 1985-1989.

Denzel Washington plays Robert McCall in this movie adaptation which also stars "Hit-Girl" Chloe Moretz from the movie Kick Ass.

October

Dracula Untold - 17-October
Originally named "Dracula: Year Zero", the story tells of the origins of Vlad the Impaler portrayed by Luke Evans. It also cast stars from Les Miserables and Game of Thrones.

The Vatican Tapes	TBA
Gone Girl	3-Oct
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day	10-Oct
The Judge	10-Oct
The Interview	10-Oct
The Book of Life	17-Oct
Paranormal Activity 5	24-Oct

November

Interstellar - 7-November

The first post-Batman movie directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie could arguably posses a hidden meaning about America's stagnation in terms of space exploration.

Big Hero 6	7-Nov
Fury	12-Nov
Dumb and Dumber To	14-Nov
Blackbird	14-Nov
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I	21-Nov
Horrible Bosses 2	28-Nov

December

The Hobbit: There and Back Again - 17-December
Bring on the Battle of the 5 Armies! Since this last film completes the LOTR saga, I wonder, will Peter Jackson go even further back in time with Silmarillion?

Exodus	12-Dec
Paddington	12-Dec
Annie	19-Dec
Night at the Museum 3	25-Dec
Into the Woods	25-Dec
Unbroken	25-Dec

Disclaimer: Dates are subject to change

~ City Boy Tripper

Read More

Mt Pulag - Ambangeg Trail: 2013 Year End Hike

Major jump-off: Ambangeg Ranger Station, Bokod, Benguet
Summit: 2922 MASL, Days required / Hours to summit: 4-5 hours / 1-2 days
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2 Trail system: Grand Cordillera Trail

Mt. Pulag, is said to be the “playground of the gods” by the local people. The mountain highlights breathtaking views of grasslands, mountain peaks that pierce through rolling clouds, pine and mossy forests and a multitude of flora and fauna.

On hiking Mt. Pulag, you would be starting your trip from the city of Baguio, which is already on a high altitude – low temperature environment. This cool weather is for many, a welcome experience. However, hiking the aforementioned mountain can be troublesome if one is unprepared as temperatures have been recorded to have reached 0°Celsius, and on rare occasions, even below.

After getting off the bus from Manila to Baguio, the chartered jeepney will take you for a 2 hour ride to DENR office in Bokod, Benguet for registration and orientation. The orientation is a 15 minute video basically informing hikers of the Dos and Don’ts while inside the Mt. Pulag National Park. Once you are done, you again board your chartered jeep and ride your way on the newly cemented road towards the Ranger Station which is now an hour away.

At DENR office for registration and orientation

 Final preparation at the Ranger Station

Significant Hours

Manila - Baguio:   5
Baguio - DENR:   2
DENR - Ranger Station:   1
Total Hours on the Road:    8 Hours

Ranger Station to Camp 2:   4
Camp 2 to Summit:   1
Total Hiking Hours:   5 Hours

Itinerary

Day 0

0900 PM - Assembly Time at Victory Liner Pasay
1000 PM - ETD Manila to Baguio City

For Victory Liner Schedule, click HERE

Day 1

0400 AM - ETA Baguio City
0415 AM - ETD Baguio City
0700 AM - ETA Ate Gina's Karenderia for breakfast
0800 AM - ETD to DENR for registration and orientation
0900 AM - ETA Rangers station / Prepare for hike
1000 AM - Start trek
1200 NN - ETA CAMP 1 / Lunch
0130 PM - Resume Trek
0400 PM - ETA CAMP 2 / Set Up Camp
0500 PM - Prepare Dinner
0630 PM - Dinner and Socials
0900 PM - Lights Out

Day 2

0330 AM - Wake Up Call / Breakfast
0400 AM - Start trek to Summit
0530 AM - ETA Summit
0730 AM - Sunrise Watching and Picture Taking/ Rest
0830 AM - Descend from summit
0930 AM - Reach Camp 2 / Rest and Eat
1030 AM - Break camp
1130 AM - Start Descend
0130 PM - ETA Camp 1
0300 PM - Rangers Station
0315 PM - ETD DENR via chartered Jeepney
0415 PM - ETA DENR / Log Out
0515 PM - ETA to Ate Gina’s place for lunch and wash up
0630 PM - ETD to Baguio City
0800 PM - ETA Baguio City
0200 AM - ETA Manila

Side Trip

Stay another day to tour Baguio City

Expenses

Bus (Manila-Bagui-Manila): P890 round trip
Chartered Jeep: P8000
Registration Fee: P225 per person
Guide: P1000
Food (Meal plan): P200 per person
*Porter (Optional): P20 per Kilo per Day
*DENR Certification (Optional): P50

Special Concerns

Mt. Pulag can be hiked all year round with its peak season during December to May, it is important to be especially prepared for the cold nights. Fleece and Jackets, head warmers, gloves, socks and blankets are a must as low temperature and high altitude sickness are commonly experienced by hikers and tourist alike.

Download Presentation: Hydration and Hypothermia

Highlights of the Hike

 Sunrise at Mt. Pulag

 Sea of Clouds

Mt. Pulag Summit

Contacts

For jeepney rent contact details, you may contact ate Gina Epe at:
0918 816 9234 / 0999 991 6008

DENR reservations contact Emerita Albas at:
0919 631 5402

Suggested transient house for an extended stay in Baguio: Contact Babs at 09233498481

~ City Boy Tripper

Read More