Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Potipot Zambales


This will have to be one of the best summer outings we've had to date. We're composed of 4 vans, and almost 50 people, all from the process engineering department. They're technically my second family, as my first 5 years as a professional really evolved with these people. In spite of my resignation a couple of months ago, these people remain close to my heart.  There's been a lot of new engineers, but what's really cool is how a lot of engineers brought their families and special someone's to this outing. It's not everyday that you can organize a whole department trip to Potipot, Zambales anyway! Hat's off to Sir Francis for that!

It was a full day of chatting, catching up, swimming, and simply exploring the island. The beach was a bit rocky, but what made Potipot special was the fact that you're swimming in a sea surrounded by the mountainous terrains of Zambales. We spent the whole afternoon bathing ourselves in the sun (and sun block lol) while of course, cam whoring. I loved seeing the new engineers really bonding and having a good time with the Korean bosses who actively participated in the games with us.  

And then something special  happened :) We'll share that with you on the our next blog, for the meantime, this video really did a great job in showing the beauty of Potipot island, so enough of the talk! Hit the play button!! :D


2014 Amkor PE Summer Escapade | Potipot Island, Zambales from Pheltheray Segismar Mayol on Vimeo.

Level up ang Mayolcreations! hehe! Everything was taken using our friend Papa Leo's GoPro3+ Black :D :D

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Oh Java Jazz!

It's been quite a while since I last blogged. Been up to a lot of things the past few weeks. But I sure won't like to let this one pass without sharing with you. This is one of my newest favorite stops in Tagaytay. It's been a while since we visited this place but I never got to blog about it because a lot of *other* priorities got in the way. But hah! I won't let this one go!

It's easy to miss it, but have you been to the Java Jazz café? It's located at #442, Sungay West Calamba Road Tagaytay City. It's a small cafe that doesn't really stand out because of it's brown paint and bungalow style, save for the small signage saying that it's actually a coffee shop. Oh but it looks really pretty in the evening. The red lights and the very laidback-in-a-hipster-kind-of-way atmosphere reminds me of stores at Cubao X.



Friday, April 11, 2014

Taal Church and Kaybiang Tunnel, Batangas

We took a whole round trip to Batangas today, me and my parents. We wanted to check out the new tunnel that connects Ternate, Cavite to Nasugbu, Batangas. It's called the Kaybiang Tunnel. What makes it cool is that they had to drill a hole under a mountain to create it. I hope the damage done wasn't too serious though. We thought it was a long stretch but it appears the tunnel was only about 500 meters long. Still pretty cool though.

kaybiang tunnel
The parents :)

On our way to Batangas City, we were able to pass by the Taal Church and dear God, I mean dear Holy Lord that church is BEAUTIFUL! Now I understand why people love church-hopping (visiting various churches, like visita iglesia, etc), it's because these old churches are simply too awe-inspiring for words. I was amazed at how majestic this church was (or maybe I'm seeing things from a different set of eyes now?)

taal church basilica st martin de tours


Saturday, April 5, 2014

400 Lux - I Want That Orange Juice!

Let me just quickly say this - I officially love Lorde. This kid is something!

And this song:


This has to be the next single and I hope they make a good video for it this time.
I love how this song is romantic in a very urban-real way.

I love these roads where the houses don't change (and I like you)
Where we can talk like there's something to say (and I like you)
I'm glad that we stopped kissing the tar on the highway (and I like you)
We move in the tree streets
I'd like it if you stayed


She deals with youth in a very in-your-face-kind-of-way. I mean seriously, who gets to have their first kiss on top of a hill beneath a mistletoe anyway? It's a stark contrast from your usual sugar pop that idealizes falling in love too much. I love how she is able to paint the usual mundane things about life yet make it sound really wonderful.

Now we're wearing long sleeves and the heating comes on
(You buy me orange juice)
We're getting good at this


Orange juice!! How cool could it get?
And I love how she's a teenager who doesn't talk about boys all the time. Yes young ladies, there's more to life than boys!


I wanna know how far this young lady could go :)

The Caleruega Church Enchantment - Nasugbu Batangas

The Caleruega Church is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Batangas because of its famed church and  nature park. Both being nature lovers, we definitely had to pay this one a visit. I frankly didn't have very high expectations but what I found was so beautiful and enchanting that I couldn't help but smile. No wonder its always among the top lists of churches to get married in!

It's pretty near Tagaytay, just a 40 minute bus ride from Rotonda. We rode the Nasugbu bus and dropped at Evercrest, Batulao. From there, there are already tricycles that will take you to Caleruega for php40. The tricycle driver's cellphone number is written inside you could text them to pick you up when you're ready to leave. This will cost you php50 on the trip back, well at least you get an additional textmate hehe!

The Transfiguration Chapel is not really as big as photos make it look like but  it makes it precisely more intimate and solemn. 


The stairs leading up to the church make for a perfect wedding procession (click photos for a better view)

Freelance Writing And Thoughts About Having So Much Time

I dedicated this week to doing freelance writing full time. I knew it wouldn't be easy, which is why I really took advantage of the waiting time I have for some of my materials for the thesis. I wanted to 'get the groove', you know. Hehe.

So far, I've been able to write 12 articles varying between 500 and 650 words each, and 1 E-book. Yes an e-book! Huwaw! Is legit! Hahah.  I didn't realize it could be soooo hard.

When you're in the industry, the company, your bosses, define your targets. In our case, there were so many external stimulants that keep pushing you to work and drag yourself forward, and you get to push yourself to heights that you never thought was possible. That's how you re-discover yourself. And that's because, well, you HAVE to. You can try to slack off but someone is bound to push you once again.

It's a different story altogether when you have time in your hands. Don't get me wrong, I am given a golden, GOLDEN opportunity to finally learn everything I've ever dreamed of. And to tell the truth? I am having the most interesting time of my life!