My Love for traveling

By: Rod Benjamin J. Buñag

Photo by: Rod Benjamin Buñag

Photo by: Rod Benjamin Buñag

    Traveling to me is a very big deal, from the fact that it connects me with my loved ones, when my family and I are at home everyone is just too busy with their own problems and work. I am someone who loves spending time with people and traveling helps me attain that. This trip was very unusual due to that we used to go visit every year during the summer but stopped for more than 5 years ago. It was the trip where I gained 10 pounds while losing all the muscle mass I had gained, in other words very very bad things. This is from skipping out my diet, eating the food they served there, and being without any modes of exercise created this situation.

Photo by: Rod Benjamin Buñag

    My family and I just recently went on a travel last christmas break to California, Los Angeles which was a very fun and happy time for all of us. We all had no worries and just kept a smile on for the most of it. Since we're different individuals we couldn't help but fighting with each other at certain points. Though I believed it helped us create a deeper and more meaningful bond together. We spent the entire trip with another family, whom we have known for longer than 17 years even before I was in this world. Though I've been here countless times, this will be the trip that I'll never forget. That it started my year with a new and reformed bond with my family and I.

Photo by: Rod Benjamin Buñag

Photo by: Rod Benjamin Buñag

Photo by: Rod Benjamin Buñag

    Our trip took us to Carson in Los Angeles which we spent most our time in outlets, malls, sightseeing and restaurants to shop and such. We went to see a beautiful museum of art at Lacma, of a great number of people. All the art they had was breath taking. Then we went to Mountain High at one point, which is a ski resort but we came late so we didn't have any time to ski. Which got me really sad, since I wanted to experience gliding through layers of snow. On the bright side I saw snow for the first time or the first time I would remember, but it wouldn't be the last. Then off we went to the Grand Canyon, which was freezing even though I have this thick coat on the whole time. That is saying something from someones who loves the cold with passion. We then head off to the Hoover Dam the next day, which is a iconic dam that has been featured in many films my favorite one being Transformers. It was breathtaking seeing such a scene of a combination of natural formation and man made structures. This begins the nearing of the conclusion of the story I am telling you. Sin city is next on the itinerary of traveling to, where we spend our New Years. Where I create a promise to myself that this is my year and I'll make sure of it. Though I skimmed through many details of my travel my point is that you have to be the one to add your goal and to attain whether it may on a trip or life.

    We get back from America tired, fat and sweaty since we aren't used to the weather in the Philippines anymore. I believe this is if not the best, then top trips I have been in. Due to the mere fact the we came back a new family, new mindsets and more importantly we came home safe. My reason again for loving traveling with a burning passion is cause I of the memories I create with my family that usually I wouldn't be able to have.

There's Still Beauty in Manila

by: Seven Bueno

I've seen travel blogs posted about how going out of town to spend the long weekend, or how most people go out of the country to spend the vacation... Can't there be a staycation where you find the little yet amazing beauty of the metro?

Whenever I hear December, there'd be one thing in my head - Christmas arts, lights, and sounds. First place I picture would be the outline of Rockwell skyline in Makati.

aruga.com

As soon as the 'Ber-months' kick in, expect those buildings to be lit up. Every year, it has been a Rockwell Land tradition to light up all their buildings around the Philippines in commemoration of their overwhelming Christmas celebrations they have each year. Every year is really different especially as Rockwell expands into a bigger community not only in Makati, but has ventured out to Pasig, Quezon City, and even all the way to Cebu and Davao City. From Luna, Rizal, Amorsolo, and Joya buildings, they have expanded and recently built Aruga, their first service hotel, and soon rising the Proscenium, the new frontier of Rockwell.

Copyright: Seven Bueno

Another place in Metro Manila known for the weirdest finds is at Bonifacio Global City. Here, you'd find the street arts of Manila that every Filipino artist admires.

The whole BGC is basically an art museum that has no entrance fee whatsoever.

You'd find street arts in trees, walls, buildings, sidewalks, street signs, and even on the benches outside. This is a picture I took somewhere near a famous sushi restaurant on the 32nd street. It didn't come with a title, but surely the artist really knew the effects of the lighting and color while making this artwork.

Another fun site to go to in Metro Manila is just in the heart of the Central Business District of Makati. It's the Light Show at the Ayala Triangle. This light show is something to wait for every year.

ayala.com

 

This is the one of many light shows around the metro but I believe that this is one of the best I've seen. Not only is it because it is different and improving each year, but also because of the security and the safety in the venue.

There are 7,107 islands in the Philippines, and Metro Manila is one tiny bit of the country. Even if it is the center of business and trade, I really think that there is so much beauty to find in the most unlikely corners and sidestreets of the metro.

Loving Life

My Lifestyle

During my young years, video gaming is not the only thing that gives excitement to my life, but travelling , eating food, sports and friendship are the things that give meaning and purpose in my life. My Adventure starts with my family, I travel with them ever since i was a kid and enjoy these moments and I wish I can turn back time.

TRAVELLING

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

Photo by: Iza Guarina ( Mom)

San Francisco USA, was one of the first places I been through , it was windy and the theme parks were the best, specifically "LEGO LAND" for those who are planning to visit the place. It was fast food every day for me and the places were really overwhelming especially the Golden Gate Bridge. Visiting this place we encountered alot of Filipinos who gather and have a tour together.

Switzerland was one of the coldest places I've been and it has satisfied my craving to enjoy snow and play in the area. I learned how to ski and snowboard and it became like a habit for me to wake up early just blend in the activities they hold for tourists. The only problem here is its really hard to find natural water because they sell sparkling water which does not satisfy my thirst especially with the cold temperature that dry's out my throat. But overall this was the best experience for me.

Photo by Anton Guarina

France, Paris , known as the city of Love. I specifically visited the Eiffel tower . we bought tickets and went up to 2 different levels of it. It has a restaurant on the second level and a tourist shop on top. Its also cold in the area , the pasta and the Gelato were the best to eat there. We also visited the tower of Pisa the building faced sideways and the Louvre , a museum which consist of famous paintings and art work made by Michael Angelo, Da Vinci and Raffaelo Urbino.

Photo by: Anton Guarina

Photo by: Anton Guarina

FOOD

Photo by: Santy Guarina (brother)

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          Copyright: Brent Hofacker

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Eating takes away my stress and it satisfy's my craving even if I'm not hungry. I eat most of the time  when I am playing , studying watching a movie and even in doing my chores. Normally people eat 3 times a day while i eat 8 to 9 meals a day because I love food most especially Pasta, Pizza Chicken and Ice cream. I enjoy eating with my family because they introduce me into new kinds of food. These food make me happy and confident with my daily endeavors in life.

SPORTS & FRIENDSHIP

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

 Football is my favorite group sport. I get to represent my school CSA Makati and make new friends from different teams. I have been playing this sport ever since i was a kid . I also play Football with my family and travel to other countries for this purpose . The structure of the game is very addicting that the sport is actually growing in the country. The sport develops my independence and leadership. it has also taught me to be social and not be an introvert. Even until now i play this sport and hope this will be my job in the future.

Photo by: Iza Guarina (Mom)

Tennis on the other hand is my favorite individual sport. it gives me the opportunity to be confident and trust in everything i do. This is also a great game it requires consistency, speed and intelligence to play the game. I usually play singles rather than doubles so i have no one to blame when i make a mistake. This sport forms my character and gives me the attitude to never give up and not strive for mediocrity.

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)

 The outcome of the sports has resulted to new friends and the strengthening of relationships with my family. This is why i am very determined and passionate in Football and Tennis.

Photo by: Ivan Guarina (Dad)