Sinagtala Resort in Orani, Bataan

My high school friends and I recently went on an weekend getaway as our summer outing. A few suggestions were made and we had initially thought of going to a beach resort in Zambales but we unfortunately the places we were interested in were unavailable. Iona then suggested Sinagtala Resort in Bataan. Her family had been there before and they enjoyed their stay. It looked really nice in photos so we agreed to spend a weekend there.

Sinagtala is in Orani, Bataan, about 2 1/2 hours from Metro Manila (passing through SCTEX). It's like a resort community; there's the main area with a pool and a variety of adventures and activities that guests can experience.

The Sinagtala Adventure Park is probably the highlight of this resort. There are four activities - Sky Bridge (P100), Sky Zipline (P350), Sky Bike (P200), and Sky Swing (P200). Guests can get an All Ride Package for P750. There is also a Kids Zipline, Paintball, a River Trek, and a Waterfall Trek. I didn't feeling like doing any of these activities but some of my friends tried the Sky Swing and the Sky Zipline.

My friends trying out the Sky Swing

Visitors can dine in the Sinagtala Cafe, which is the resort restaurant that serves very good Filipino food. There are also many options for accommodations which I believe are owned and managed by different people who work together to help develop the resort. Guests don't need to stay overnight; they can just pay the entrance fee.

We stayed in Labuyo Villas. Our villa could about a dozen people and it was very comfortably and tastefully designed.

Labuyo Villas

There's a main area for 6-8 adults, an attic for about 3-4 kids, and a little space under the stairs that can fit 2 people. This room under the stairs was where I stayed, making me feel like Harry Potter. :)

The dining area and lounge area is quite comfortable and a great place for people to hang out in. This area opens out into a patio with more seating.

There's a lawn shared by all the villas. There is also a small negative edge swimming pool that is perfect for small kids.

In the late afternoon, we took a short stroll to take a look at the resort. We spotted a coffee place that we thought would be a good place to chill but it was close to dinner time so we decided to just keep going around the resort grounds.

We spent the evening playing tabletop games. I brought a handful of my board games that I know the kids and adults could play and enjoy. We ended up playing a few rounds of Splendor and a few rounds of Bagani. In fact, the kids enjoyed Bagani so much that we played one more round the next morning once we had all gotten ready. Once we were done playing, there was still enough time for us to take some group photos at the lawn before leaving.

It was a very pleasant weekend spent in an idyllic place far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The fact that I got to spend it with some of my lifelong friends made it even better.

The Sinagtala Resort
https://www.sinagtala.ph/
Bgy. Tala, Tala Road., Orani, Bataan
Email: sinagtalabataan2012@yahoo.com
Day Tour Info: 0917.178.2345  0998.856.1664
Special Events: 0927.053.8632 (Ms. Maica)

Social Butterfly

So I've turned into a bit of a social butterfly these last few weeks. It started when I had dinner with Kat and Sol in Podium. Kat was traveling to Singapore so we all had dinner before she left. We dined in Nikkei, which is a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant. The fact that this resto featured Peruvian fusion cuisine made me feel a bit nostalgic and reminded me of my incredible time in Peru. The food here was really good, so good in fact that I forgot to take photos LOL. I'm pretty sure I will eat here again so maybe I will take photos next time. After dinner, we moved over to Ça Va Creperie for some coffee and dessert. Both Kat and I didn't bring cars that day but Sol very kindly and generously drove us both home. Cool!

The following evening, I joined Joyce in Manila Peninsula for a buffet dinner. A buffet isn't exactly ideal for someone on a diet but I managed not to eat too much despite my desire to head back for second and even thirds (to maximize the buffet, I ended up picking a few of the most expensive items LOL). Joyce checked into Manila Pen that evening and we met there so she could talk to me about some policies that I got from her for my nephews.

I met up with more friends the next evening in Chili's in Robinsons Galleria. It was the first time I hung out in Galleria since I had dinner with Elbert about a year and a half ago. This was a great evening because I got to hang out with Pia and Marco as well as some people I hadn't hung out with in ages - Auds, Hoz, and Bong. Most of us had left our previous company already so there was a whole lot of sharing with each other of what's been going on in our lives since we left.

Shortly after, my college friends Hestia, Letlet, Mitch, Lala, and I met up with Weng who was in town just for a week. We had dinner in Noor in Burgos Circle. I hadn't eaten in this Mediterranean restaurant before and I have to say, the food was really good (although I think Souv is better). For dessert, we moved to UCC where we were joined by Gosh. We stayed there until UCC closed. We discussed a possible trip to Pansol before school starts; it remains to be seen whether the plans will push through.

Finally, late this week, I met up with Gian and Blessy and a few of our other ex-teammates in Skinny Mike's. Gian moved to the US late last year but he came home for a couple of weeks so we managed to slot in some time to have dinner. Apart from getting to hang out with Gian and Blessy, I also saw Rich for the first time in almost two years. We were also joined that evening by Chelle, Miguel, Mitchell, and Mon. It was interesting to hear about how Gian's move to the US was shaping up and it was really nice catching up with my ex-teammates again.

I also spent a weekend with my high school friends and their families recently but I will write about that out-of-town trip in a separate blog post.

Finally, Rafa wins a title in 2019!

Rafa Nadal finally wins a title this 2019! He defeated Novak Djokovic in three sets, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1, to claim his ninth Internazionali BNL d'Italia, more popularly known as the Italian Open in Rome.

Another incredible moment for @RafaelNadal! 🏆#ibi19

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) May 19, 2019

2019 hasn't been a very good year for Nadal and his fans, at least not by the impossibly high standard he has set throughout his career. He lost to Novak in the final of the Australian Open and had a string of semifinal losses, including three in a row during this clay season against three different players - Fabio Fognini, Dominic Thiem, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. This prevented Rafa from adding to his massive collection of clay court titles. The Italian Open is the last tournament before the French Open so it was Rafa's last chance to find his form and gain some much-needed confidence heading into the second Grand Slam event of the year. Thankfully, he did.

Congratulations Rafa and good luck at the French Open!

Club Balai Isabel

Our company outing this summer was held in Club Balai Isabel. As far as I recall, this was my fifth visit, having been here before three times for company outings and once with my friends for a weekend getaway.

Since my last trip, quite a bit has changed, including the Aquapark...

...and a large photo op set-up by the shore.

It was a bright, sunny (and very hot!) day when we were there but while many of my colleagues and their families hit the pool to cool down, I decided to stay dry since it wasn't an overnight event and I didn't want to swim if I wasn't checking into a room.

Thankfully, we didn't need to stay under the sun for too long. Lunch was served in one of the new function halls - I say new because it wasn't there in my last visit a few years ago - and we were entertained by a pretty good band. In the middle of their set, the band asked people to jam with them and my teammates volunteered me. I ended up singing Sam Smith's Lay Me Down which is kind of my default karaoke song nowadays. I didn't get to practice but I think it turned out quite well.

The highlight of this summer outing for me is that I got to try riding an electric scooter. My colleague brought his scooters with him and he encouraged us to try riding. I gave it a go and it was pretty cool. Too bad I wasn't able to have a photo taken while I was on it.

While this outing was only a day trip, it was still fun and eventful and I'm happy that it provided a venue for me to bond more closely with my teammates.

Lifestyle Change

Two things happened this year that triggered my lifestyle change. First, as I had previously written, I had a bit of a health scare earlier in the year. My doctor suggested that I should significantly reduce my intake of a few food items. Then, more recently, my annual physical exam results came out and it seems I have a few more minor health issues that could become bigger issues if I don't make some adjustments. Since I don't want to have major health issues in the near future, I decided to follow doctor's orders.

What changes do I need to make? First, I have to reduce my intake of sugar, fatty food, cholesterol, and alcohol. Second, I have to improve my HDL (good cholesterol). Third, I need to exercise regularly. My doctor told me to do low-impact exercises for 30 minutes at least a few times a week. Finally, I need to reduce my weight, ideally by 3 to 4 kilos (or more if possible). I started my lifestyle change in mid-March and while it has proven to be a struggle, I've managed to follow doctor's orders pretty well:

1. I used to eat lots of foods that are high in sugar: breads and pastries such as sticky cinnamon buns and Danish pastries, cakes and desserts, chocolates, rice, pasta, and noodles. I probably managed to cut my intake of these food items by about 30% if not more.

2. About three to four times a week, I have just a salad for lunch or dinner. This has helped me increase my vegetable intake and reduce my carb intake but I do get hungry pretty quickly. When I get really hungry, I eat a handful (or two) of nuts. I also eat a lot more fish now. I have instant (unflavored) oatmeal for breakfast quite regularly. I know it has carbs and sugar but it also has a lot of dietary fiber and it is about as healthy a breakfast option as you can get.

3. Finally, I am exercising two to three times a week again. I'm proud that even on days when I'm not in the mood or when I feel too lazy or tired, I've managed to will myself to hit the gym.

Thankfully, I've achieved some tangible results in the last month and a half. I lost 4.5 kilos, more than what my doctor had initially suggested. I also slimmed down quite a bit, moving up one belt hole. This also means that I can now fit into some shirts that I haven't been able to wear in years because they had become too tight. My stamina is also getting better when I exercise; my heart rate doesn't go as high as it used to. The true test, however, will be when I complete my follow-up tests in a few months. I'm hoping the lifestyle changes I've made so far will also be reflected in these test results.

VPeepz make it to the World of Dance Finals

Congratulations to VPeepz for reaching the finals of NBC World of Dance. I previously blogged about their incredible performance that allowed them to get to the Divisional final. They then executed another stellar routine that was good enough to bring them to the World Final where they faced some seriously stiff competition. While they made not have won the title, they deservedly gained a whole lot of fans all over the world with their amazingly intricate choreography and their unmatched synchronization. Here is a compilation of all their performances in the entire show:


video uploaded in youtube by NBC World of Dance

What a truly incredible run in World of Dance, VPeepz, and thanks for representing the Philippines in the best possible way.

Petron are the 2019 SuperLiga Grand Prix Champions

Congratulations Petron Blaze Spikers for winning the 2019 Philippine SuperLiga Grand Prix.

Back to back Champions, Petron #PSLTheGrandFinaleOnESPN5 #FearTheGas #LetsMoveNowhttps://t.co/39sVGsBgcz pic.twitter.com/8qidijqD25

— Philippine SuperLiga Volleyball (@SuperLigaPH) May 4, 2019

This title is significant for a couple of reasons. First, Petron successfully defended their 2018 Grand Prix title. Second, they won back-to-back championships (they also won the 2018 All-Filipino Conference late last year). The last time that a team won two in a row was when Petron took home the Grand Prix and All-Filipino titles as well in 2014-2015.

In this Grand Prix, Petron looked to be a heavy favorite, sweeping the elimination round as well as their quarterfinal and semifinal matches which gave them a 17 match-winning streak. It was then that F2 Logistics did the unthinkable - they shocked Petron in four sets in the first game of the finals. In fact, they were on their way to the title after being up a set and 22-19 up in Game 2 of the finals. Petron however shifted gears and started playing grittier volleyball. They allowed F2 only one more point in a 6-1 run that allowed them to steal that set from F2, 25-23. I felt that the loss of that set, after being just 3 points away from a possibly unassailable 2 set lead, turned the tides and F2 couldn't recover from it. In Game 3, Petron kept their strong form and while the match was very close (so many long rallies and so many great attacks and great digs!), Petron managed to edge out F2 in four sets.

Petron Blaze Spikers - your PSL Grandprix 2019 CHAMPIONS! Congratulations once again!

And to @SuperLigaPH for your yet another successful conference! 💯👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/ghQyiQBii4

— • YEYEFANATICSS • (@yeyefanaticss) May 4, 2019

I have to say that I am really happy for Stephanie Niemer. In 2016, Petron were favored to win but Foton beat them. Niemer didn't play in the Superliga again after that until now. Not only does she win the championship with Petron, she also finishes as the Best Scorer and she takes home a very well-deserved MVP Award. Niemer was doing it all, not only in attacking but also in serving, blocking, digging, and receiving. She was just so all-around and so consistent that she was also my choice to win MVP.

MVP. Nuff said. @StephanieNiemer #PSLTheGrandFinaleOnESPN5 #PSLGrandPrix #PSLonESPN5 pic.twitter.com/lctNKRSjpz

— ESPN5 (@Sports5PH) May 4, 2019

Other awardees:

Best Foreign Open Spiker: Katherine Bell (Petron Blaze Spikers)
Best Local Open Spiker: Ara Galang (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Best Foreign Middle Blocker: Grace Lazard (PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters)
Best Local Middle Blocker: Aby Marano (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Best Setter: Rhea Dimaculangan (Petron Blaze Blaze Spikers)
Best Foreign Opposite Spiker: Erica Wilson (Cignal HD Spikers)
Best Local Opppsite Spiker: Aiko Urdas (PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters)
Best Libero: Dawn Macandili (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)

Congratulations, Petron Blaze Spikers and all 2019 SuperLiga Grand Prix individual awardees!

Rest in Peace, Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)

It's a very sad day for Star Wars fans all over the world. Peter Mayhew, who portrayed Chewbacca in the original Star Wars Trilogy as well as in Revenge of the Sith and in The Force Awakens, passed away. His family made the announcement today (May 3rd morning Philippine time, May 2nd evening US time) through Peter's official twitter account TheWookieeRoars, a couple of days after his passing on April 30.

The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away.  He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home. pic.twitter.com/YZ5VLyuK0u

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) May 2, 2019

As someone who grew up watching the original Star Wars trilogy dozens of times, I have connected with the characters and the actors who positively impacted my childhood so much that the effects have lasted all the way to my adulthood. When I learned a couple of years ago that Peter Mayhew was reprising his role as Chewbacca in The Force Awakens, I started reading more about him and I learned that he was literally and figuratively a giant of a man with a kind and generous heart. This is tremendously clear when you read the many tributes written by his co-stars and other people with whom he has worked. Read some of them here.

I'd like to end this post on a more positive note to celebrate the life of Peter Mayhew and his amazing contributions to cinema as Chewbacca. Here is a video of Chewbacca being awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 MTV Movie Awards where he finally gets his medal. :)


video uploaded in youtube by Jollylonglog

Rest in peace, Peter Mayhew. Thanks for bringing Chewbacca to life and enriching the lives of millions through your work in Star Wars and through the Peter Mayhew Foundation. May the Force be with you.