Discovering the Philippines: Four Reasons Why You Should Include Pampanga in Your Itinerary

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett

The Philippines is such a vibrant and diverse country that if you ever have the fortune of visiting it, you should never miss going to its many different cities and provinces. You will be pleasantly surprised as to how one place can significantly differ from another and considering that the country is a melting pot of many cultures, there would always be something unique about every place you visit. One particular and notable Philippine province you should visit is Pampanga.

 Nationally considered as the country’s gastronomic capital, Pampanga has a lot more to offer than simply its epicurean delights—although that is part of the allure.  Apart from the many activities you and your family can enjoy, such as the adventure activities in Alviera, the province is also known to be culturally diverse.
So, if you ever thought of visiting the Philippines, here is why you should include Pampanga in your itinerary:

1.)    Hot air balloons and various aerial exhibitions 

If you have a penchant for watching aerial activities, you would definitely enjoy the hot air balloon exhibit in Pampanga. Once every year, the sky gets painted with a multitude of colors as various hot air balloons coming in different shapes take off to the sky. If you wish to see this event, be sure to include Pampanga on your list of places to go around February as the event is held during that time of the year.

2.)    Get a taste of the traditional Filipino dessert Halo-halo

While you can get Halo-halo virtually anywhere in the Philippines—from high-end restaurants to street food carts, none of them can rival the sweet taste of Kabigtig’s Halo-halo which can be found only in Pampanga. The dessert is said to match Razon’s rendition of the famous sweet and cold dessert, and for that reason alone, it is worth a try. Kabigting’s version teases your taste buds with a myriad of unexpected flavors, and you get a bit of a surprise too as not all Halo-halo desserts come with yema, a sticky toffee-like ingredient.

3.)    To visit Alviera 

If you have ever thought of booking a family vacation and are unsure of where to go, worry no more as Pampanga is the ideal spot for you and your family. Apart from the array of restaurants and food stalls for you to sample, Pampanga hosts a wide range of adventure parks, and one of them is Alviera which is located in Porac. Kids and kids at heart will love this adventure park as there are a lot of activities to choose from—those that test not only your physical strength but endurance as well. Be sure to bring extra shirts with you though as spending majority of the day in this adventure park is bound to get you sweaty.

4.)    To get a slice of history and culture 

Filipinos are known to be devout Catholics and seeing as religion plays an integral role in most Filipinos lives, it would be easy to see it so heavily ingrained in their culture and history. Pampanga’s annual practice during the Lenten season, in fact, is a testament to that. Apart from the string of old and gothic churches you can find in the province, religious rituals are still being practiced until today. One noteworthy ritual is when a local man would have himself crucified on a Good Friday as penance for his sins or as an offering to God. Either through morbid curiosity or genuine fascination, this has been the cause why tourists visit the province.

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Basic Pool Etiquette

As the summer season scorches on, more and more people would find ways to cool off and relax as the heat bears down on us. For this reason, more and more people would flock to either the nearest beach to them or cool themselves off in the country club pool.  As this is the hottest season of the year, there would be a lot more people hanging around in the pool’s and beaches more than usual and considering there is an eclectic mix of personalities in close proximity to each other, conflicts are not entirely impossible and may even be inevitable.

For this reason, you should know how to conduct yourself to make sure you are not getting on anyone’s nerves while you are there. For everyone’s optimum enjoyment of their summer frolic in the pool or on the beach, here are some simple rules you can follow.

1.)    Keep your music down 

You may be under the impression that you have impeccable taste in music and that may be true, but that in no way means you could be so cavalier in the regulation of its volume. While you are the beach, there may be a lot of background noise to drown it out and blaring it at unreasonable levels would just be effectively contributing to the noise while keeping the volume high in country club pool where it is more low-key is the height of discourtesy to other guests who are just trying to enjoy a relaxing afternoon dip. Your music may be disruptive to other pool patrons, so be considerate and keep the volume at a reasonable level.

2.)    Do not bother the lifeguard 

Lifeguards have a very important role in pools and beaches: surveying the water and potentially saving lives. So, bothering them with your petty requests which you can attend to yourself or fussy questions may distract them from their only duty. If your concern needs attending to, do not bother the lifeguard on duty and instead find an attendant of off-duty lifeguard instead.

3.)    Take responsibility for your kids

The pool and the beach have employed lifeguards, not babysitters. Consider that these places are not daycare centers so parents should be extra vigilant as regards the safety of their children by not letting them loiter around the beach aimlessly and run wild. Additionally, parents should assume responsibility for their child’s swimming skill level. A lifeguard may be on duty but remember that the lifeguard has the whole beach to keep an eye on.

4.)    Wear appropriate swimwear 

Baggy and weighty clothes will tend to weight you down once it gets wet while you are swimming, so it is best if you wore a swimming attire with the appropriate material. As regards courtesy, it is best to consider the kind of company you are in when you are deciding what swimwear to wear. If you are heading to a summer party by the pool hosted by your friends then feel free to break out your new bikini, but if your hosts and surroundings are more conservative, consider ditching the slinky bikini for something that will cover more of your skin.

5.)    Take your trash with you 

Be a courteous beach visitor and pool patron by minding your own trash and taking it with you as you make your exit from the general vicinity. Parties and hangouts done at the beach or at the pool would generate trash, and if you leave them around, it would attract pests and birds. And if you are drinking liquor by the beach, the chances of leaving broken glass in the sand are higher which would endanger other beach goers. Keep the beaches pristine and clean, so start taking better care of the beach you love by throwing out the trash you bring.

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10 Fun Things to Do While Camping

Summer is in the air! I'm sure you feel it too! But what's not to love? This is the time where we can enjoy the season and of course, the weather. (Just make sure to bring your stylish hats to prevent heat strokes.) Aside from going to beach or resorts, you can definitely enjoy your summer vacation through camping. Yes, camping as in tents and bonfires. Cool isn't it? But sad to say, not all of us here want to go on a camping. Perhaps, they can't think of some other ways to enjoy the camp, other than installing their tents.

However, if you are one of those people who want to try new things, camping is recommendable for your summer activity. Camping doesn't let you enjoy and have fun, but this is also one of the many where you can have a great and memorable moments with your family and friends. Well, if you are planning to go camping in Pampanga Philippines, then you might want to consider doing these things for you to more fun.

1. Start a campfire

This is one of the common things to do for most campers. Of course, you will be amazed by the beauty of a campfire. Well, you can do something such as truth or dare, music jam or even cook your favorite dinner while having a camp fire. I'm sure, you will love the sight of it. Just make sure to observe safety at all times.

2. Practice yoga

If you think that you can't do yoga in an open space, then you better think again. In fact, there are more benefits you can get when you do yoga while on your camping. For some reasons, you can definitely reconnect with Mother Nature. Of course, not just nature, but you will also enjoy how peaceful and satisfying it is to do yoga.

3. Tell scary stories around the fire

Some of you here might not be convinced on this since they think that telling scary stories are so last year. But don't you know that it is also one of the things most campers love to do? Well, you can share old scary stories with them and see how they react to it. isn't it exciting to see their reactions? (haha)

4. Go for a bike ride

There's nothing beats a ride when you do it in a place where you can find serenity. Of course, you got to feel Mother Nature while on your ride. Moreover, you don't need to worry about the pollution since all you can think of is the cool summer breeze. Who would not like to experience it, right?

5. Go on a photo walk

This is also one of the many ways you can practice your photography skills. Of course, since the scenery is breath-taking, you would not want to miss taking a picture of the place. I'm sure you'd definitely love to stroll around and find some nice spot for picture taking sessions.

6. Take a nap in the middle of the day

I'm sure you definitely love to do this thing. Considering the fact that most of us here are stressed from work or from school, all we want to do is to unwind in a relaxing and beautiful place – away from work, noise, and other pollution. You can even set up a hammock and take a nap.

7. Take a bath in the lake

Aside from the beach, you can also go swimming in the lake. It's way more fun since you can definitely enjoy how nature would really bring us satisfaction and contentment in life. Agree? Take time to explore the lake, I'm sure you will also love to splurge yourself in.

8. Stare up the stars and try to point out the constellations

This might sound cheezy and boring for some, but this is also one of the things most campers love to do. Just for a night, try appreciating simple things such as starring up the stars. With that, you will definitely appreciate how wonderful our Creator is.

9. Try to make a fire by rubbing two sticks together

I'm sure not everybody knows how to make a fire by rubbing two stick. I'm guilty of this too. But when you go for camping, this is also one of the perfect times to learn and experience camping routines. I know, it's definitely fun and exciting.

10. Learn to play a game

Whether you realize it or not, there are actually thousands of games you don't know yet. This is the time where you can have an extra time for it. Of course, you are on your vacay and I'm sure you have the time to learn some of the fun games during your childhood days.


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Dress Code 101: Pool Party Fashion Etiquette

In the midst of a scorching summer heat, many of us would want to take an afternoon dip in a country club’s pool. This would also be the perfect opportunity for some of us to show off what we have been working on all summer, our newly flattened stomachs and our toned abs. Unfortunately, though an afternoon spent frolicking in the pool seems like an ideal way to beat the summer heat, there are some of us who make unwise sartorial decisions that would turn an otherwise fun afternoon pool party into an embarrassing affair caused by a potential wardrobe malfunction. As this is something we would not want to happen, it would be best if we followed the basic poolside etiquette as in this way you would be effectively avoiding unwanted stares from other guests.

Seeing as this is something most of us want to avoid (especially for those of us who love slinky swimwear that cling to our bodies), this article has collected a number of clothing items that you should never wear while swimming or taking a dip in the pool. So that whether you are hosting a summer pool party, going to one or are simply lounging at your favorite poolside place, you would not be leaving other guests with the wrong impression.

1.)    SWIM BRIEFS 

This is something that has gone incredibly tacky over the years and should only be worn by individuals who are swimmers or athletes in that aspect or Olympians as this would most certainly not look out of place on them. In any case, you should never wear swim briefs to the pool. Opt for swimming trunks that closely resemble shorts instead or board shorts. They come in varied styles, cuts and colors that finding one suitable for you should not be all too hard.

2.)    OVERSIZED TEES 

Oversized tees may cover everything you would want to conceal. However, you should also bear in mind that cotton (which tees are predominantly made of) becomes rather heavy when soaked and drenched in water. And when this happens, it can restrict a lot of movement when you are swimming. So as a rule, tees that fall down to your knees or generally oversized tees should never ever be worn to go swimming. Dive in using your favorite bathing suit or at least one that suits you. Do not forget to apply the sunscreen before and after hitting the water if you are looking to avoid sunburn.

3.)    EXCESSIVE PERFUME 

Not only is it largely impractical, but should you overdo it and you will be attracting a horde of mosquitoes once the sun starts setting. Instead, use your fragrance sparingly and enjoy a dip in the pool being itch-free or lounging on the pool without these bloodthirsty pests biting on you every chance they get.

4.)    THONGS

You may want to flaunt your newly toned backside or rear, but this is an effective way to draw attention and not in a good way. Unless it is a private event where only you and a significant other are the attendees, it is best to keep your thongs in the closet where they belong. Opt for swimwear that would flatter your body but would not draw any unnecessary attention from the guests and would not have you as the party’s main topic for gossip.

5.)    STILETTOS 

As much as you may want to look stylish and fashion forward at all times and even when you are about to take a dip in a pool, it is incredibly unsafe to be sporting this kind of footwear not only in the pool but by the poolside as well. Wearing a pair of stilettos by itself is already a risk but add a slippery pavement to that and you will be making the scenario all the more precarious. Keep your sexy shoes away from the water and save them for a Saturday night out in town. Instead, opt for practical waterproof sandals that would make it easier for you to tread on the slippery ground.

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