controversial document

the new UAE immigration law really caused a loud commotion among all visit visa holders in Dubai. and why should I care? yeah coz i was supposed to be one of them if i really was able to fly earlier than july 28. At first i was pissed off because i thought I had all the badluck for having to face the issue when all of my other batchmates are there already working their asses off... and i was already ready to take off when the airborne was interrupted...and so i was dissappointed.

But after all the updates and conversations with my friends who are already there..i'm even more thankful because i will be entering dubai with a work permit and that's gonna equal to a resident visa after a little while!! so it was actually a blessing in disguise!!

Im sure isolutions was still thankful because i was not complaining after all the hassles they have caused me. hehe. and the fact that I was willing to pay more than what was being agreed. (Let's just say this is my investment, not necessarily for a brighter future but an investment to finding out what i really want in life.) In turn I'm also very thankful to them for straightening out the issues even if they knew I was starting to get skeptic (well i was skeptic but was just discreet about it, giving them the benefit of the doubt). BUt well, like what kiba says, not time for celebration yet because i still have to keep my hopes up until i really get to leave. and yes, i'm still crossing my fingers. join mehhh!

dead bored

It's been weeks and this wait is killing me.


I have no idea how it got overly extended when i was told to leave between july 25-30. At first i thought it's going to give me more time to spend with my family, friends and more time to pack up and think of the things to bring there. But guess what, it only made me think stupid thoughts, do stupid things and waste more money. I didn't even had the time to pack up and fix things. All i did was party, go out of town, beach outings, go to friends' houses, get together with lost friends, eat, sleep and rot in movie houses. not to mention the boring dates with boring guys. i even missed out in many volunteer activities. uugghh. guess it's all about boredom and being stuck in the agony of waiting. I don't know it's like im going to die in a few days so I'd go and do things i used to do during college days. Im supposed to be done with parties and nightlife already. It's a sick routine I've been and i know its all vanity. For quite sometime i kinda lost focus on serious things that are supposed to be taken care of. Somehow i forgot the list of things to do i made months ago when i was thinking of leaving by the end of july.

Genesis called me and ask what have i been up to. I didn't show up to any of the meetings. Well i made another alibi when in fact i was just in the house sleeping because i had a hang over the other night. what a lame excuse. I couldn't tell him coz i knew he would just tell me to "graduate na ana gi oi!". BUt somehow i made him believe i was really busy over ..well nuthin. So anyway he asked me to meet up with cherry rose so we can make the agreement about the pc to be placed at their office as part of my investment in that cleaning business ..God knows if things will work out well. And I can't cough off any cash anymore i will need more cash when i get there. And the more days i spend here im gonna be spendin and spendin. Mama help!

So anyway, Mr.Solomon is not really clear about the article deadlines..but I'm still hoping to get some help from my FP buddies. I don't know if I can write for their column. Either I'm distracted or I just can't really come up with a worthy article. I guess he can't bug me yet because they better take care of my flight and ETD. And so last night i was happy coz Irene finally broke the greatest news! So i think the real wait is soon gonna be over. Well patience is a virtue but its obsolete now. I don't just wait, I wanna make things happen. I want it ASAP.

The Bantayan Escapade 2008

Summer is here again and like everyone else, I'm making a list of perfect places to go to and spend this season as worthwhile as it could possibly get. For most people like me, I'm sure the list is long. However, for travel freaks with limited budget (count me in), cutting costs and finding alternatives are a must.

Few months ago, I had an amazing experience with newly-found friends from Manila who came and visited Cebu. I accompanied them to one of the Cebu's famous- for -white- sand -beaches town, Moalboal. Even I myself have been there for quite several times, but the beauty of the tropical place always makes me give a surprising appreciation. Like every visit is a first visit!

We really had a great time and right away planned another trip to Cebu during the summer. Like a proud Cebuana, I suggested we visit Bantayan Island where most people go to during the holy week. And the fact that it is a cheaper alternative than going to Boracay Island, where most of their holy week holidays were previously spent, the trip appeared even more appealing to them. Right then, the plan is sure as sun is shining. And I, their official tour guide!

Going to Bantayan during the holy week requires advance preparation. Transportation, resort reservations and accommodation are on its peak since hundreds and hundreds of locals and tourists are coming to the place due to its dual occasions, the town fiesta and the Lenten season. Gladly we are part of that enormous crowd. Ten of us, with our backpacks and summer attires, off we go to the island paradise.

Early Morning Traffic (North Bus Terminal) (March 20,2008 -departure day)

While the entire city is observing Maundy Thursday, my friends and I are getting ready to take off the city. Since the van rental we reserved was unknowingly cancelled, we decided to take a bus (like most people do) going to Hagnaya port, northern part of Cebu where we depart for Bantayan. It is a 3-4 hour bus ride. Not bad. Knowing that we all are excited for this trip, obviously we don’t mind at all. Besides, we don’t have a choice! But seeing people like a stampede, everyone wants to get the first ride; some people even enter thru the bus window. The North Bus Terminal is a mess. The buses can’t even stay for long, people fill it up in just seconds. For almost an hour we waited for a ride, but obviously we can’t get it if we just sit around and wait for the people to decrease in number. Thanks to my friend who’s driving a v-hire, he offered us a ride and paid a fair amount. At exactly, eight in the morning we left Cebu city, finally after more than an hour of waiting at the terminal. Our excitement is refueled, the 12-seater, air-conditioned van saved the day!

Joining the crowd at Hagnaya Port port of Sta.Fe

We only had few stops during the three-hour comfy ride and arriving at the Hagnaya port is not so exhausting. Although there was a thick crowd but we were able to get the tickets in no time. Sailing to Bantayan Island was only a few minutes away and in less than an hour, we set foot in the ports of Sta. Fe where a loud music from the town band greets the tourists and locals arriving in the island.