Resilient Puerto Galera after Typhoon Nina

Saturday, December 31, 2016

December 28-30, 2016

Typhoon Nina hit the Philippines on Christmas day until the 26th of December. There was a storm signal #1 on the 25th in Mindoro and it escalated to signal #3 the next day. We were supposed to visit Masasa beach in Batangas and planned to board on the 27th going to Puerto Galera, but that did not happen.

We felt hesitant to push through with the plan for Puerto Galera before the year ended because of the effect of Bagyong Nina. A lot of pictures flashed on Facebook taken during and after the surge of the typhoon. I suggested that the plan should be moved instead of canceling it. We were supposed to be four, but I guess plans sometimes never really happen. Probably, next time there would four of us or more, for this trip, I was with Arra and it's also our second beach getaway. It was 3 days and 2 nights trip.

1st Day

From Laguna, a van took us to Batangas port. We bought tickets from Puerto Galerians Shipping Lines. Tamaraw express was the name of the boat of PGSL. It was bigger and not too crowded compare to the one from Cagbalete Island. The boat ride felt light this time. The dizziness I experienced last time in Cagbalete Island was gone. I enjoyed the ride this time. The sea seemed endless again and the water looked green, not the blue color I yearned to see.

We arrived at Muelle Port at 11 something, the boat ride took more or less 1 and 1/2 hours. Kuya Boying from Sandra Taylor Lodge fetched us at the Muelle Port. A ride on a tryk took us to the lodge we rented ahead of time at Batangas Port care of Miss Angelic, she was kind enough to give us a discount. We paid 1,000 pesos each for a 3D2N stay at Sandra Taylor's lodge with free transport from Port to White Beach.

We had a look at the White Beach first before deciding what kind of activities should we do during our stay. There were lots of restaurants and carinderia enough to feed a bunch of tourists, souvenir shops for pasalubong and also they had water sports like jetski, banana boat, parasailing and more.

In the afternoon, Ate Baby one of the masseuses roaming around at the beach braided our hair for 125 each. We loved the finished product. And at night, we tried henna tattoo at the Intensity Henna Tattoo. Kuya (I forgot to ask his name) did not give us a discount though we're persistent. Haha.

2nd Day

Close encounter with nature. My favorite part...

Kuya Boying, the caretaker of the lodge we checked in, prepared water activities and Island hopping activities. Having a close encounter with sea creatures during fish feeding and snorkeling was the best. The beauty underwater was undeniably just one of the magnificent pictures of nature, though some corals were damaged due to the typhoon surge.

Kuya Elmar guided us throughout all the activities (thankies Kuya!), though my power bank, connector, and headset experienced tragedy at the beginning, still fighting! (Hoping they would still work 🙏🏼)

We visited a cave at one of the islands in PG.

Island/Beach Hopping

Fish Feeding and Snorkeling

Chillin' at the beach and some photo opportunities before the day ended

3rd Day

... and also the last, it was time to take our final walk at White Beach. Surely, we experienced one of the best times in our life from the days and nights spent at Puerto Galera.

Time to buy some souvenirs...

Waiting at the terminal...

Some reminders...

Confirm your departure date a day before at the White Beach's terminal shipping lines.
Morning is the best time to board a boat (current are stronger in the afternoon).
During water-activities avoid bringing electronic gadgets or accessories.

Itinerary

Hello Puerto Galera! (1st day)

7:45 am to 9:45 am - From City of Santa Rosa, Laguna to Batangas Pier
10:14 am to 11:30 am - Batangas Port to Puerto Galera via Galerians shipping lines
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Braiding and Henna

DIY Travel (2nd day)

8:00 am to 11:30 am - Water activities
4:00 pm to 6:00pm - Chillin' at the beach like reading, eating snacks

'Til next time Puerto Galera! (3rd day)

8:00 am to 9:30 am - Buying souvenirs and pasalubong
1:20 pm to 2:50 pm - White Beach to Batangas Port
2:50 pm to 3:10 pm - Batangas Port to Stoplight
3:10 pm to 3:30 pm - Stoplight to Batangas Grand Terminal

Afternoon lunch :)

4:10 pm to 6:00 pm - Batangas Grand Terminal SM Calamba
7:25 pm - Finally home...

Expenses

Fare and Activities (in Peso)
1st day
130 - Van from City of Sta.Rosa, Laguna to Batangas Port
500 - A round trip ticket from Port to White Beach
30 - Terminal fee
1000 - Sandra Talyor Lodge
125 - Braids by Ate Baby
150 - Henna tattoo by Intensity Henna Tattoo
2nd day
119 - Morning breakfast
600 - Water activities c/o Kuya Boying and Kuya Elmar
50 - lunch
100 - Snacks from passing by vendors at the beach (e.g. fish crackers, chicharon, kropeck, pastillas, banana chips)
15 - a cup of rice for dinner because we have San Marino corned tuna
3rd day
260 - Souvenir and pasalubong (1 sleeveless shirt and 8 pcs. of coin purse + 1)
50 - 9 pieces of macapunong bigas
7 - Batangas port to Stoplight
10 - Stoplight to Batangas Grand Terminal
80 - BGT to SM Calamba
23 - SM Calamba to City of Santa Rosa

I spent almost 3,300 pesos for the 3 days and 2 nights trip.

Shout out to all the people who were kind enough to tolerate our 'tawad' and inquiries! 😂

Bangon Puerto Galera!

Lastly, I thank God for His wonderful creations and for guiding us throughout the trip, praying for more places to visit the soonest. Ciao!

Styling Serendipity by Racquel Sarah A. Castro

Friday, November 4, 2016

Styling Serendipity
by Racquel Sarah A. Castro

Blurb:

Birthdays are normally celebrated, but that is not the case for 26-year-old fashion designer, Olivia Rose Salvador. She doesn’t like birthdays, much less her own. She considers October 1st as a jinx, because all through her life, all the important people in her life have left her right smack on that day.

As the heir of the international Style Rose fashion brand, she is in charge of preparing for Style Rose’s first appearance in Philippine Fashion Week. During her stay in the Philippines, she meets 31-year old pediatrician, Jake Ocampo, who is literally the “boy next door” as he lives right next door to her temporary condo unit in Bonifacio Global City.

They start to get to know each other and everything seems to be going smoothly, as both, who have been burned before in terms of love, start to open up again and start living life to the fullest.

But what happens when it seems the jinx is strong and the ghosts of their painful pasts start coming back and making themselves felt? Will these ghosts threaten their very new and very fragile relationship?

Or will Jake’s love for Olivia break the October 1st curse?

Get it on

Review it on GoodReads

Excerpt: Olivia

I looked at my wristwatch as I walked toward the arrival area and saw that it was still on Italy time. it was 8:15pm. When I looked at the airport’s clock, it read 3:15 am.

I saw my cousins, Sandy and Joey with Aunt Toni, right outside, waiting excitedly for me. I waved and together they shouted, “Welcome back, Olivia!”

I approached the three with a smile and gave each one of them a hug and a kiss. I asked, “How’s Lolo Lito?”

“Lolo is waiting for you, Olivia,” Joey responded with a big grin.

I felt the humidity of Paranaque City as we walked to their rented van. I saw a few media people coming our way. They asked me a few questions, which I gamely answered, plugging our store and the fashion show.

After the encounter with Filipino media, we traveled from Paranaque to Taguig where I would be staying in Sandy’s condo unit for my 3-month stay. After the successful staging of the fashion show this month, I would be going on my Calaguas trip.

When I arrived at the lobby of the condo, I noticed a cute guy and he held a bag with a stethoscope hanging on one side. He looked like a pediatrician because of his Bugs Bunny necktie and his child-like vibe. His companions waved at him.

No distractions please . . . focus, Olivia, focus on your goal.

Excerpt: Jake

I think I ruined her night. I should have just stayed in my unit and try to reflect rather than going to her event and ruining it for her. I was so down when I found out that my patient had intracranial hemorrhage after a series of MRIs.

But I chose to show up to let her feel my support. When I saw her saying goodbye to the crowd, I felt a massive bundle of sentiments in my chest. I didn’t want to burst her bubble . . . but I needed her more than ever.

Call me selfish . . . call me inconsiderate. I have to because I need her. I need her kiss, her hug, her love . . . I need her.

“Let’s go . . .” She smiled at me and asked for my car keys.

I asked if she had a driver’s license. She laughed and shook her head. She pouted while I opened the door for her.

While we were in my car, I asked, “Your unit or mine?”

She meditated for a while and smiled, “Mine.” And as soon as we arrived at the condo, she hugged me. I whispered, “Thank you.”

She stated, “I am going to cook for you.” She asked if we could go to the nearby convenience store. Everyone was staring at us. I forgot, we were still wearing our formal attire.

“Back in Venice, I cooked dinner for Mommy Ellie. Her favorite dishes are bigoli and cacciucco.” She was stunning in her little black dress and white stilettos.

“What do you want for dinner?” She demanded an answer while holding my hands.

“Anything . . .” I was so distracted by the fact that I failed as a doctor.

She sighed and rubbed my chin with her forefinger, “He will be fine. Don’t worry too much.” It was almost nine in the evening. She smiled and stated, “I will cook Carbonara ala Olivia.”

I faked a smile because I wanted her to know I was okay. She asked, “Anything else? You want chocolate ice cream?” I nodded. We got to the soda section. Olivia requested, “Honey, can you get a bottle of soda?”

About Racquel Sarah A. Castro

Racquel Sarah A. Castro is living with cerebral palsy. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information technology from AMA Computer College–Biñan Campus. She always wants to inspire people in every way she can. She also desires to prove the goodness of God through her life. Racquel is living with her parents in Biñan City, Laguna, Philippines. She is a geek, a blogger, a math tutor, a food addict, a Web designer, and a freelance programmer.

Her family is currently a ground volunteer of Basics Global, a nonprofit organization based in Dubai, UAE. She also leads the music ministry branch of Jesus Christ Rules Bible Christian Church. She aspires to be an emissary of people with disabilities. She started the campaign called Novel Cerebral Palsy Awareness Drive by featuring her disability in her works.

Contact the Author

Email: racquelcastro2884@gmail.com

Blog: https://racquelsarah.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @rsacastro017

Facebook page: Racquel Sarah A. Castro

Wattpad: RacquelSarahCastro