Health: 52 weeks....Pushing through

This is me today! 

I decided last night that I'm going to start my 52 weeks challenge or equivalent to one year challenge. I've been blogging recently on my travel adventures this summer of 2013.

For one week, i'm taking notes on My Fitness Pal apps. My blog is all about me, my travel adventures, my insights on difference aspects of life.

Today, this is my first day on the weight watchers plan. I will be posting my before and after pictures.For every pounds I shed there should be a equivalent prize/s for myself. Not food, but things I want to have.

11 years ago, I was diagnosed that I have PCOS. At the young age, I did not mind this, because I want to enjoy life. But as the years goes by, I realized that everything about me (emotionally and physically) are not doing good.


Accoring to NHK.UK Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of harmless cysts that are no bigger than 8mm each. Normal ovaries have only about half this number of cysts. The cysts are under-developed follicles which contain eggs that haven't developed properly. Often in PCOS, these follicles are unable to release an egg, meaning ovulation doesn't take place. Many women have polycystic ovaries without having the syndrome (without the symptoms). Some women have the syndrome, but have normal-looking ovaries on ultrasound.

Causes of polycystic ovary syndrome

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it often runs in families.
Women who are overweight are more at risk of developing PCOS. Many women with PCOS have a family history of diabetes and high cholesterol.

It's also believed that insulin may play a role. Insulin is a hormone that controls sugar levels in the body. Many women with PCOS have too much insulin in their body, which contributes to the increased production and activity of male hormones. Being overweight increases the amount of insulin that your body produces.

Treating polycystic ovary syndrome

There's no cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be treated. Specific types of contraceptive pill may be prescribed to help regulate the menstrual cycle and improve hair growth. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, may help to control some of the symptoms.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with an increased risk of problems in later life, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

It's time to push my limits. My goal as of now is to lose 0.5 lbs per week. By Cutting down the calories that I consumed. And more activities.

Today I'm weighting 201.4 lbs. This is highly alarming on my health condition. I've been in many ways on how to loose my weight. But none of them was a success. Today I'm aiming to loose at least Five Pounds per month.

Travel: Vigan: A Haven of Cultural Heritage

Vigan is synonymous to history. When we think of Vigan, pictures of old Spanish houses, century old churches, of calesas, longganisas and bagnet comes to our mind. It magically walks you down memory lane.

Vigan, the only World Heritage City in the Philippines was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list of sites and monuments on December 2, 1999. It represents a unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning. Today, Vigan remains to be the home of proud Bigueños who welcome everyone with warm smiles to the city where traditions blend well with the present demands of the times.

On my first journey to Vigan, my friends and I experienced the Kalesa ride in touring the Vigan City.

The most famous landmark of the town is the Bantay Church and Bell Tower. Bantay Church and Bell Tower is about 15 minutes Kalesa ride from the Calle Crisologo ofVigan City.  In fact it is a walking distance from the heritage city. I never knew there are towns like these two so closest to each other. And being adjacent, Bantay is also part of the Vigan Heritage Tour where it highlights the visit to Bantay Church and Bell Tower. 

Bantay Church is also known as the St. Augustine Parish Church. Built by Augustinian Friars in 1590, it is considered as one of the oldest churches in the Province of Ilocos Sur. Bantay Church is a baroque-gothic style church. It has a separate belfry situated on top of a small hill few meters away from the church.

Burgos Museum, inside the museum, visitors will see a collection of Father Burgos memorabilia and photographs, family antiques and jewelry, Father Burgos’ quarters and a mini library containing his student Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which the teacher received as a gift. 

Baluarte, owned by Gov. Chavit Singson. Ten minutes away from downtown of the heritage city of Vigan you can find the zoo known as "BALUARTE"which means territory. Everyday there is an animal show open for public where audience can play, touch or hold some animals that are presented on the show like Bengal tiger, monkeys, parrots, pythons, and others. What's good in here, unlike other zoos, is that entering the place is free of charge, no entrance fee. It is good to know that there are places like these where some of the endangered species are being preserved.

Calle Crisologo is one of the highlights tourist spot in Vigan City. The street itself is made up of cobblestone then lined with the heritage houses of the former Filipino-Chinese traders.  Majority of the houses have thick walls made of cement, brown and red bricks; the doors are wide made up of shiny and solid woods; the sliding windows are perfectly made from capiz shells designed with iron grills and wood.  The ceilings are created higher, maybe this is for ventilation purposes.

Today, some of the century-old houses were converted into commercial shops, museums, restaurants, cafe and hotels.  Each shops are selling antiques, woven products, bags, basi, chicharon, jewelry, woodcraft and many more.  In night time, the gorgeous light in different colors in each shops added an additional effects that registers in the camera.

Crisologo Museum; The museum is actually Crisologo's own home, a traditional bahay-na-bato.  We were greeted by an eager guide who ushered us into the first room with a brief introduction on Crisologo. 

Another home-turned-museum is the Syquia Mansion.  A very knowledgeable guide welcomed us into the mansion, leading us from room to room. The Syquia's are an affluent family and this affluence is very much evident in their home -- from the house itself to the littlest of details.    

Travel: Rediscovering the City of Pines; Baguio City

Baguio City, it is widely recognized as the summer capital of the Philippines. Many tourists visit the place during February because it is the month in which the famous and luring Panagbenga Festival.

It takes about six hours to travel the approximately 250 km distance between Manila and Baguio City by way of Kennon Road. It is about fifteen to thirty minutes longer through the Aspiras-Palispis Highway, and could take three more hours if going up from Manila via Naguilian Road—which is the usual route for travelers from the Northern areas of Luzon such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and northern La Union province.

For those who will visit Baguio, it is not difficult to look for a transport. The most popular bus transportation to Baguio is Victory Liner. Its cost is around P455. It has terminals in Pasay, Cubao, and Sampaloc, Manila. The buses leave for every hour. 

But if you prefer the deluxe coach it will cost around P715.00, but I would prefer the night trip, so that you could still sleep in your journey, and it would take around 6-7 hours trip to reach Baguio.

　

When we arrived in Baguio, I felt the cold breeze of the place. For me it was relaxing, since we came from a 32 degrees place; Manila. I really thought that there are air conditioned in the terminal, but I was wrong. When we reached the terminal there are men in who will offer accommodation and transport group. However, we already had reserved an accommodation. We availed the transient house, since we stick to our budget.

We reach our accommodation in Scout Barrio via taxi. As you are going to observe most taxis there are SUV/AUV type, because it would be difficult for a sedan type to go to higher places in Benguet province. The flag rate of a taxi is 35 pesos. I admire the taxi drivers in Baguio, because they are honest. One contributing factor is they will give you an exact amount of your change.

Mines View Park is a  ridge located at the extreme northeast side of the city. It also offers a spectacular view of Benguet’s gold and copper mines and the Cordillera mountains. The main attraction in Mines View Park nowadays would be the commercial activities such as the souvenir shops and food  stalls by the park.

One of the charming denizens of Mines View Park is a popular and friendly Saint Bernard named “Douglas” who is available, for about Php50.00, for picture-taking with tourists. The horses of course with dyed hair on its manes and tails.

The Lourdes Grotto is a Catholic shrine and place of meditation located on Mirador Hill in the western part of Baguio. Inside the grotto is the image of Our Lady of Lourdes. As it is in many other similar shrines, the grotto was constructed to commemorate the numerous visions of the Virgin Mary by a 14-year old French girl named Bernadette Soubirous. 

Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is one of our itinerary to visit in Baguio. Located at the Fort Gregorio Del Pilar on Loakan Road. Upon entering the vicinity, I noticed that the PMAers there were saluting the vehicles that are passing by. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, the PMA museum and walk around its manicured grounds to see vintage tanks and other historical military weapons. I was on my excitement when having a picture taking with the PMAers. In their uniforms they look "gwapo"

Upon entering the Camp John Hay has its charm and elegance. According to Wandering Wanderer  it is also known as John Hay Air Station was established on October 25, 1903 by the United States Armed Forces just a year after the Philippine-American War. It was used as an R&R (Rest and Relaxation) for United States Department of Defense employees and their dependents.

The Mansion is one of the grandest vacation house in the Philippines and one of the popular tourist spot in Baguio city.  This is the official summer residence of Philippine presidents starting from Manuel Quezon. It used to be a summer vacation palace of U.S. Governor-Generals from 1908-1935. The public is clearly not allowed to book rooms in this palace but everyone is free to visit it. Getting a glance of its magnificent palace and wide lush green garden gives you that simple fun but sweet experience.

On the opposite side of the Mansion where Wright Park is located. It feature the so-called "Pool of Pines" which is a rectangular shape body of water that stretches from the entrance up to the park circle at the other end. There are fishes, Koi's in particular as an added attraction. After the circle, a stairs going down to were the rented horses are.You can rent them including the guide for a price ranging from Php700-1500 depending on the tour package.

Strawberry Farm located in La Trinidad, Benguet. A small stretch of land where probably the only local strawberries in the country come from. We couldn’t wait to get our hands on them so off we went to try our balancing skills on the field. We can only take pictures because taking strawberries doth come with a price tag. We were able to taste the Strawberry Taho and Strawberry ice cream. It's delicious and healthy.

Tam-awan Village, it’s a cultural hub where history and art bleed into one. It also showcases Kalinga and Cordillera huts, to their way of life. This village is the sanctuary for many local artists; their art on the walls of the small coffee shop is a testament to that. Tam-Awan Village also blends the famous Benguet coffee.

Travel: Discovering Princess of Port

It was my first time to visit Puerto Princessa, Palawan. I heard lot of beautiful stories and experiences about Palawan. So, it is time to experience it. We had an early book for a flight bound to Palawan. It was early July 2010 when we booked our flight bound to Puerto Princessa, Palawan. It was a seat sale when we bought our ticket.

After we booked and paid our air fare ticket, I looked for an accommodation in Palawan. To be honest, I do not have any idea when we are going to stay there. So, I asked my officemate, where did they stay in Palawan? She recommended to me Ysabelle Mansion.

According to the receptionist, it was a big house. And the owner, decided to convert into an inn. The said inn has a different tour packages. We choose a 4 days and 3 night’s tour package. However, we re-booked our flight and do some necessary amendments in our tour package. Instead a 4d and 3n tour, we re-booked it to 3d and 2n, definitely we did not experienced an island hopping in Honda bay and Snake Island. It is supposed to be my first time to experience island hopping. But I’m hoping that I will return to Palawan.

It was a sunny morning when we departed NAIA terminal 3 bound to Puerto Princessa, Palawan via Airphil Express. We were 8 in the group. Some of our companions were there first time to ride in plane. It was also my first time to travel in plane by day. Most of my flights were night. Though I appreciate the day flight, but it causes me a headache.

Our flight was not delayed; we arrived in PPR at approximate 01:30pm. Our van was waiting outside the airport.

We did not  take our lunch, so we were starving, but then, we have to push through our city tour as according to Schedule.

Using a Toyota Grandia our group started the city tour. A short visit to the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk is part of our city tour itinerary. The development of the area may be still incomplete but it is a lovely place to stroll around. Our guide told us that the peacock is the symbol of Puerto Princesa City which is a part of the city’s official seal. The symbol was probably chosen because of the Palawan Peacock Pheasant which is an endangered specimen and is endemic to Palawan.

 Our next stop is Plaza Cuartel. It was once a fortress used in World War II. In this place around 150 American were burned alive by the Japanese. Some were escaped by jumping to the sea, and some were died. Today, the plaza was turned as one of the tourist spot in PPR. A memorial marker in the middle that bore the names of its survivors who swam to Iwahig. The other side of the plaza, is the Immaculate Church, we had a short reflection inside it.

We had short souvenir shopping in PPR, it was the free time for us to buy some stuff there, and the price is very affordable.

Next stop, we headed for the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm which is about 30 minutes drive from the city center. Iwahig is a very unique maximum security prison. Our guide told us that the prisoners there are color coded as orange, brown, and blue. Life in Iwahig is like any other prisons where inmates are counted every day, have no contact to their families. But the difference there, each prisoner is tasked to lean the rice fields, do handicrafts, or take care of the farms.

Not very far from Iwahig Prison is our next destination Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, formerly the Crocodile Farm and Nature Park. When we arrived, there were a number of tourist vans on site and with about 40 or 50 tourists a park guide led us around the vicinity. We took pictures with the crocodile, after a couple of minutes we are next to take a tour inside. The main attraction of the park is of course the crocodiles and the tour started with present the skeleton and skin of the largest salt water crocodile that was captured. We were also brought to the hatchery where hundreds of baby crocodiles of different sizes are housed in basins. Then we walked over a crocodile pen, we saw Valentino, a large crocodile that was captured in Bataraza, Palawan. He is huge, and I was able to lay myself in the pen and took a picture. We did not saw Valentina, because this girl crocodile is in stressed and she is very harmful to the tourists.

Then we drove to one of famous landmark in the city, which is Mitra’s Ranch. The Mitra Family is one of the oldest family of PPR. Mitra’s ranch is nestled at the top of the hill in which you could see the view of Honda Bay Island. We enjoyed taking our jump shots there.

And then nearby we made a stop Baker's Hill. Baker's Hill started as a shop of breads and later the owners have built a park within its premises and now it has become a local destination. Included in our city tour package is a snack. Our guide bought variance of flavors of Hopia there. And the taste is so delicious and very affordable.

We requested our driver to drop us in a restaurant so that we could have our dinner. We had our dinner in Bilao at Palayok. The place has very good ambiance and we love the food, sea foods were really fresh and tasty.

Travel:  Subterranean adventure @ Underground River

Travel: The Blue Side of Bohol

Our second day in Bohol is for the island hopping activity. Charm and I woke up early, because our boatman was about to meet us. So we had a quick breakfast. 

Panoramic view of Panglao Island in Bohol

We were hesitate which boat we were assigned. Until, kuya came to us and ask us if we were the guests of Incon Bohol Tours. 

It was my first time to had a dolphin watching. I never had any experience to go nearer to them. But it was an opportunity for us to take a closer to them.

There are lot of tourist whether local or foreign who were enjoying the dolphin watching. Most of us that our cameras were standby, so that we could take a great capture. 


It was about a 40 minutes travel before we arrived at the dolphin spots. there were other boats also waiting for the dolphins to show. it was hard to see them up close, because when boats come near them, they hide. but it was really nice to see them swim synchronously. i wonder how they do that. really cute!

It was really a fun experienced when chasing those sea creatures. I set my mind to just take at least two decent shots of the dolphins and devote the rest of the hour of the boat ride to appreciate the playfulness of these friendly creatures. Yes, the dolphin shows are also entertaining, but they are boxed there and movements were calculated. Seeing them at their natural habitat and interacting with them, without anyone commanding them where they should show up and what they should do, is far more fascinating.

Our next stop was the Balicasag Island. It was said that it is one of the best 3 dive sites in the world. Poor thing, we're not trained divers, so we just have to settle with snorkeling, which for me is the best experience of the trip.

Charm had so much fun in the snorkeling area. Good thing, that our boatman in the island is a cousin of the little girl who  was featured in the movie Muroami. 

After the very fun snorkeling trip at Balicasag Island, we immediately headed to an island famous for its sandbar, the Virgin Island, Bohol. 

This island has a beautiful and long white sandbar. A few vendors were present in the island. They sell pearls, shells and sea urchins. 

Charm and I had a chance to take our snack there. I enjoyed eating there. I was deeply in love with the islands that we visited. For me, its a natural treasure that we have to nourish.

We went back to the hotel in Panglao Island nurtured with more than enough good memories of the day’s trip. And we’ve just begun exploring. Much has been told and blogged about Bohol, but it’s really more fascinating when you get to experience it first hand. 

END