Our Davao Vacation- Pearl Farm

Hey Folks, I'm again back in the hot and humid country of Qatar after spending 17 days back home in the Philippines. One of the places Yeng and I visited during my vacation was Davao. If you'e not yet been here before, now is the best time to go, since Philippine tourism really needs a lift after that tragic incident in Manila.

Our first destination was Pearl Farm where we planned to spend 3 days and 2 nights in one of the Balay Hill-Top rooms. The Pearl Farm is located in the southern part of the Philippines in the Samal group of Islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a land area of 28,000 hectares. According to their website this fourteen (14) hectare spread was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls.

The resort was designed by Bobby Manosa who is famous for his bahay kubo inspired designs. And indeed the Pearl Farm is a place where the humble bahay kubo is transformed into modern, beautiful and functional structures that dot the face of the resort.

We took the first PAL flight out of Manila and landed in Davao city at around 6am. From the airport, it was a 20min cab ride to the Davao Marina where Pearl Farm has a receiving area/hotel where guests were asked to check in and where the boat transfer from the main land to the Pearl Farm was taken.

Here is the how the break water/boat dock of the marina looked like as Yeng gets ready to board the boat to Pearl Farm.


After about 40min on the boat, Pearl Farm came to view. The Samal Suites came to view first and of course the iconic Pearl Farm gazebo, the Parola Bar, was where the guests were first received (with fresh pineapple juice!). The other view of the Parola Bar was taken from our Hill Top Room.



Since we arrived a couple of hours too early to check in, we lounged beside the infinite pool and also walked around taking pictures of the other room types. Below you see the Samal Houses which were built over the water.


We checked in at 2pm after having lunch at the Maranao restaurant. After a quick cat nap, we hit the infinite pool which was just beside the Parola bar. The pool has a children's area, and an adults area, which wasn't deep enough. Nonetheless, the pool was quite refreshing as it was a freshwater pool. We also had some drinks at around 4pm, since all the drinks were 50% off between 4-6pm. I had a mojito with calamansi instead of lime - as the barman claimed that they have already ran out of it.

As the sun began to set, I took out my camera again as this was my favorite time to shoot. Here's Yeng modelling for me again hehe.



The following day, before having breakfast, we headed to the main beach to sun bathe a little and also for us to get some pictures while on the beach. The beach had a very gentle slope and was only waist deep even after some significant distance from the shore. Here is a now you see us, now you don't shots of the beach and Parola Bar.



After having breakfast, we headed off to the other Pearl Farm owned island, the Malipano Island. We first stayed on the beach facing the main Pearl Farm island, but at around 12nn, we headed off to the other side where the Malipano Island Villas were located. Unfortunately by this time, my SLR battery ran out on me and I had to rely on my P&S. Here are some pictures of the Malipano Island Villa and Yeng resting on one of the hammocks along the beach.

 

The breakwater was also a nice feature of the beach and though it was not allowed, we could not resist jumping off the end of the structure into the deep blue clear sea.



At around 2pm we headed back to the main island, sun burned hungry and thirsty. After getting some snacks and some drinks, I lounged on the poolside while Yeng made for the pool again. Just before the sunset we made for our room for a quick shower and change of clothes and we headed back outside where I again started snapping the sunset at Pearl Farm. Here by far is my favorite picture of the Parola.

The Samal Suites were quite difficult to shoot at night because of the strong lighting they had underneath them.


The next day, we just walked to the other parts of the resort that we haven't yet visited. We checked out at 12noon, had lunch and at 1pm took the boat to the city where the adventure continued as it was the start of the Kadayawan Festival in Davao.

Pearl Farm is a place that's very relaxing and where everything is within reach and prepared fpr you. It's definitely not the place if you want the diversity of islands that El Nido or a Bohol offers, or if you're looking for the nightlife of Boracay. But if you just want the solitude of a nice beach and great accommodations, and don't want the stress of planning where you will go to next or where you will eat next, then the Pearl Farm is the perfect resort for you.

Here are some other pictures mostly of me and Yeng, mostly Yeng in front of the camera and me, behind it.



Hope you enjoyed looking!

Tick Tock

As Dale mentioned in his previous post, we've kind of stopped preparing for the wedding. Sometimes I feel there isn't much to do anymore. But as I looked at our list, only a few items are finalized. To add to that, Dale is only in Manila for 2 weeks so it is more challenging to get things done that needs the both of us - seminar required for marriage license, church requirements, finalize food for reception and dinner, finalize set-up for reception and dinner, etc..

As of writing this post, we only have 5 months and 5 days before our wedding day. Realizing how time flies makes me a bit worried if we can handle this especially that Dale is out of the country most of the time.

Yes, my HMUA backed out when I was just about to sign the contract with her. Now I'm having a difficult time looking for one that fits the budget I've allotted. I've been stressed out looking for a replacement who is as good but fits our budget. I'm too stubborn to go for someone that has higher rate even if Dale has given me the go signal. This is my biggest worry right now. So if you have suggestions, please please leave a comment. :)

On a happy note, I'm scheduled to meet my designer next Saturday to finalize the design of my gown. Dale still refuses to go with me to the meeting because he doesn't want to see even the design of the gown until the day itself. The first measurement will probably be taken on that same day too. Which reminds me, I seriously need to start going to the gym!! The clock is ticking and before I know it, it's our wedding day already.

--Ahh, our wedding day... saying that still gives me goosebumps :p

OT: Stay Here in Qatar

This is not a wedding post, but I'll write about it anyway.

I've been in Qatar for almost 3 weeks now and to my surprise, I probably don't look like a Filipino!

I've always taken pride in my kayumanggi color, and have accepted my height, which is within the average Filipino male height (I know I'm probably near the floor of the normal range, but at least I'm taller than most Filipinas and I'm seldom the shortest guy in a group). My nose, though not pango, is not pointy and my eyes are not too rounded but not too chinky as well. Over all, I always though of myself as very Filipino.

But after three weeks here, I've received the following questions/comments:

• Sir, what is your nationality? - Filipino rigger who eventually found out he didn't have to speak english to me
• You don't look like any of the other Filipinos I've met in the camp - Indian acquaintance inside the camp
• Ay, nag english pa ako kasi akala ko Indonesian ka - Filipina Grand Hyatt Hotel staff
• Hinde kita malapitan kanina kasi akala ko Malaysian ka - Filipino Shell operator
• No, you're not a Filipino! - wide-eyed Nepalese catering crew member

Here's the most off-tangent:

• I thought you were British - Venezuelan Shell guy

Here is one scared me:

Ay Pilipino ka pala, naku pag ganyan ka na maputi at makinis dito ka na lang sa Qatar hwag ka mag Saudi! - Filipino who I was in line with at the Doha Medical Commission.

And I'm not even maputi or makinis! HAHAHA. Anyway sorry for the OT post. Next time tungkol na uli sa wedding.

We're Back! And I'm In Qatar!

As most of my friends know by now, I've left for Qatar last July 2nd for a 1 year assignment.

So where does that leave our wedding preparations? Well, the truth is we haven't been doing much the past couple of weeks, months almost. It's not that we've hit some sort of wall, but I guess there just comes a time when there really ain't a lot of things to do.

To prove that we weren't THAT irresponsible the last couple of months, here's a run down of what's happened since my last post.

1. We went to Acuatico to take measurements of the beach front. Talked Kuya Lon into designing/building the trusses for us.
2. We went to a couple of designers for the female entourage. One in Pasig that I cannot remember the name, the other one being Salsa Trends in Makati. We chose Salsa Trends (Ive been waiting for Yeng to write something about this).
3. Yeng's HMUA just cancelled on us. Still looking for a replacement. ALso waiting on Yeng to write something about this hehe.
4. Went to Pampanga to watch Chiro perform live. They will be providing entertainement during the reception.
5. We moved to a new condo in Taguig.
6. I've gotten a haircut.
7. And most importantly, Ive already lost 2kg. Yahoo!

-----

What this Qatar means though, is when I take my two week vacation this August, we've got to grab this preparation thing by its balls and make sure it moves. Forward.

Let me leave you with a quick snap of a sunset here in Qatar.

Tela Hunting at Divisoria

Last weekend, Yeng and I went to Divisoria to canvass for fabric that we will be using for the suits of our male entourage. We parked by J. Luna St. (PhP50 for first 3 hours) and even if we didn't know how to get to Divisoria via public transport we boarded a Divisoria San Nicolas jeep. After getting stuck in traffic, we just decided to get down the jeep and asked around how to get to Ilaya.

We eventually found ourselves in Tabora St. which is famous for souvenirs and abaca crafts. We looked at some shops and canvassed for some materials we thought might look good on the invite and as added accents for the wedding reception.

We walked farther along and upon reaching CM Recto we turned right and right again to Ilaya St. This street is famous for fabrics. We looked around and asked for the prices of some fabrics we liked. We saw one that we liked but it was over our budget. We then went to a stall referred by our friend and though the prices of the fabrics were very good, we did not find any fabric that we liked.

Now hungry and tired, we walked back to J Luna. On the way we bought a couple of huge seedless oranges (4 for PhP100) from a swidewalk vendor. We also dropped by Mcdo to grab lunch.

After lunch, we headed to the Tutuban mall and we looked for this store famous for papers. We were greatly disappointed at the stocks that we saw at Papermart, and I personally think that Nat'l Bookstore had more variety.

We headed to the next building were we saw some fabrics. We found one fabric that was exactly the same as the expensive fabric we saw at Ilaya but was only 60% of the price. After a little bit more haggling we got to a price point that we were comfortable with and we bought 45 yards of the fabric. We also bought a darker shade of fabric to be used by our respective fathers.

If you are looking to save money and have the time, patience and grit to walk the streets of Divisoria, I would recommend that you do so. It will save you a couple of thousand pesos. You'll also get some cheap but delicious juicy oranges too.

RedSheep's the Best!

Here's another post about Redsheep's Gujel Tungpalan. Apart from fixing his rate to last year's rate (we booked just when he was increasing his fees). he also waived our OOT fee (Ok na daw since friends naman).

On top of all these Gujel gave us another good deal by giving us an additional discount when we paid in full 9 months in advance!


Nakakhiya na, pero bawal tanggihan ang grasya. Thanks Redsheep, you guys are the best!

One More Off My List!

One of the suggestions our coordinator gave us during our first meeting was to ask our photographer for recommendations on who to get as hair and makeup artist. He said that it would be great if the photographer has worked with the artist. The photographer then knows if the makeup will register well in the camera. Good point -- even if we invested in a good photographer, if my makeup was bad, no Photoshop can help me look nice on our wedding photos.

The first few names of HMUA she gave us though were way to expensive -- by that I meant, 50k fee just for a basic package of bride + 2. That's just crazy. The others had fairly priced packages, but I also had to consider the fee for additional heads. Since our wedding will be in Batangas, no salon is available around the vicinity, so my female entourage would probably have their hair and makeup done by the makeup artist I will be hiring.

During one of the bridal fair, our photographer recommended another HMUA who is a friend of hers. They've worked together for a magazine shoot and I was pretty impressed with her work. After a few exchange of emails, a little bit of tweaking on her rates, I've decided to get her as my hair and makeup artist.