Travel: Coron, Palawan - Nov 2008

I KNOW this almost a year overdue!!!!!! But better late than never! =)

We had a fun-filled vacation at Coron, Palawan Nov 23-27!! :) Here’s some sharing for those planning to visit Coron (Northern Palawan).

DAY 1:
- Flew over to Busuanga Island via PAL express. Total flight time is ~30-45 mins and had another ~60mins to get to Darayonan Lodge in Coron town proper.
- Didn’t do much except rest and loiter around Coron town =)
- Climbed Mt Tapyas (700-720 steps) to see this:

- Definitely worth the sore leg muscles after. =)

DAY 2:
- Day 1 of Coron Island Hopping
- Started the day off by climbing this:

to get to see this:

Probably, one of the most photographed spot in Coron

And this:

Photos of Kayangan Lake – one of the world’s cleanest lake; I just noticed the lake has an eerie glow in pictures.

- Afterwards, we visited Twin Lagoon where cold and warm water mixes.

- Only picture we got since we don’t have any waterproof camera. You have to swim under a tunnel/cave-like passage to get to the 2nd lagoon. Good thing it was low-tide when we got there so you don’t have to swim under water. All you have to do is float and try to be careful so as not to bump your head on the cave ceiling.

- Then, had lunch at Sunset Beach

.

- The sand was SOOOO powdery white. I think can be compared to Boracay’s athough, I haven’t been to Boracay so I’m not too sure.

- And then, ended the day of by dipping in Maquinit Hot Springs (40 deg Celcius). The 2 pools above are even hotter.

DAY 3:
- Day 2 of Coron Island Hopping
- Again, another climb to get to the Barracuda Lake:

- This lake is a diving site too. I haven’t seen any barracudas though.

- We spent around 3 hrs in the lake. We had the lake for ourselves only. =)

- After snorkeling in the lake, off we went to have lunch at Banol Beach.

Banol Beach – another place where you can laze around

- After resting at Banol Beach, off we went to do some snorkeling at one of the Japanese WWII shipwrecks, the Skeleton Wreck.

- And snorkeling again at Siete Pecados, Marine Sanctuary Park and Kalachuchi Coral Garden.

DAY 4:

- We had Calumbayan Island all to ourselves again. =)

This island is full of marble stones. We had a fun time collecting some of them.

- Another round of snorkeling at the Gunboat Wreck.

- We were able to get to Coral Garden and Lusong Wreck also but forgot to take pictures =(. However, we weren’t able to do snorkeling coz of the strong underwater current.

DAY 5:
- Went home via PAL express again tanned, relaxed and happy. =)

HOW TO GET THERE:
- VIA AIR: PAL express, SEAIR, ZEST AIR (previously known as Asian Spirit), CEBU pacific
o Travel Time: 30-45 mins
- VIA SEA: Negros Navigation, Super Ferry
o Travel Time: 12 hours

THINGS TO DO:
- Major activities are snorkeling and diving. Coron is famous for its WWII Japanese shipwrecks and coral gardens.
- You can also bum and laze around in their beaches (Banol Beach, Sunset Beach and Banana Island).
- Climb Mt Tapyas
- Rent a motorcycle and explore Coron town and nearby Busuanga Island.
- Go visit Calauit island for an African adventure.

PLACES TO STAY:
- from Class A resorts (in a secluded island) to tourists’ inns and lodges in Coron town. Search the internet for details.

fitness update..

after starting with my weight loss program last April (eherm.. with some rest in between... =) ), here's my current stat:

Starting Weight: 140 lbs
Current Weight: 120.6 lbs
***My doctor's target weight for me is 105lbs =( .
***140lbs was my weight for the past 2+ years...

Starting Body Fat %: 36% (Overweight)
Current Body Fat %: 30% (Average)
***Our next target is to decrease to 25% and on to, hopefully (am keeping my fingers crossed), 19% (Lean Category).

Starting BMI: 27.3 (Overweight)
Current BMI: 23.6 (Normal)

I plan to join in fun runs =) now that I have my old buddy, Marge, to join me. Currently, I enjoy doing cardio exercises so much that I can do a 6.8km/hr-jog for 20 straight mins (no walking in-between)!!! =) I know you guys are better than me BUT I consider this as my accomplishment! Before, my only cardio exercise was to walk in the mall while shopping and mind you, i tire easily =( .

I will be giving updates in the next few weeks. I wish we'll see the nos continuously go down by then =) .

random things about me..

1. I love reading... =) to-date, i have 2 magazine subscriptions, Reader's Digest and National Geographic. I have tons of books both at my parent's house and our house. Books ranges from children's books to Oprah's Book Club to NY Times' Bestseller books.

2. I can stay in front of the computer from morning 'till night.

3. I am extremely afraid of the open water. I do get panic attacks if I don't see the sea/ocean bottom.

4. I like collecting perfumes, soaps and body wash.

5. 3 things I collect when I travel: keychain, postcard, t-shirts

6. I love photography. =)

7. I am starting to build up my DVD collection of classic movies.

8. I am a big fan of wooden furniture products.

9. Websites i visit when I come online: time.com, cnn.com, femalenetwork.com, rdasia.com.ph, inquirer.net, nationalgeographic.com

10. I was on the honor (first/star) section from Grade 1 'till 4th year high school.

11. I studied in an all-female exclusive school from Kindergarten to High School. During College, I studied in a male-dominated engineering school.

12. I love dogs! =)

13. I am the only daughter in my family and my husband is the only son in his family. We're both the eldest among siblings. =)

14. I like watching Japanese Anime. I would rather watch it with English subtitles. Somehow, it loses originality when I watch an english-dubbed anime series.

15. I easily get bored. To kill boredom, I shop. =)

#$*&^$#(&*%!!!!!

SOMEONE is stealing from ME!!!! And I AM fuming mad about it!!! Grrr!!!

I checked online my credit card transactions this morning and LO and BEHOLD! A transaction from CEBU PACIFIC PASIG amounting to 1,163.00 pesos has been charged into my account! It happened last July 10. How could that be when I was working in Cavite during that time AND BESIDES, where will i be going?!!! #*$&)!

I already called BPI about it and am gonna file my dispute letter tomorrow! SOMEONE IS REALLY PISSING ME OFF! The amount is not huge BUT STILL, knowing that someone is stealing from your hard earned money is NO JOKE!

I WANT JUSTICEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sniff! Sniff! =(

it's confirmed...

I went to my OB last Saturday; however, she was out of the country but her reliever doctor ( a good one too! ) was able to see me instead. I also got the my TVU results last February.

It's confirmed in paper. I am officially diagnosed with bilateral polycystic ovaries (PCO). I got some of the accompanying symptoms/syndromes too, so, that's why it's called PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome.

For the benefit of those reading this, I have below a general description of what PCOS is. I want you, my dear readers, to understand what I am going through.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: Abbreviated PCOS. Polcystic ovary syndrome is a condition in women characterized by irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. PCOS is a disorder of chronically abnormal ovarian function and hyperandrogenism (abnormally elevated androgen levels). It affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is also called the Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

Women with PCOS do not ovulate -- they do not release an egg every month -- and they are at significantly higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Much of this risk can be reversed by exercise and weight loss.

Medication is generally prescribed to induce regular periods, thereby reducing the risk of uterine cancer. For acne and excess hair growth, the diuretic spironolactone (Aldactazide) can help. And for women who desire pregnancy, clomiphene (Clomid) can be used to induce ovulation.

Studies have indicated that diabetic medications that are designed to improve the action of the hormone insulin may benefit women with PCOS. Long-term trials of these insulin-sensitizing drugs -- such as Avandia (rosiglitazone), Actos (pioglitazone), and Glucophage (metformin) -- for PCOS are underway. The results appear promising. A type of surgery called a "wedge resection" in which a piece of the ovary is removed also helps some women with PCOS.

The cause of PCOS is unknown. However, the ovaries of women with the disease characteristically contain a large number of small cysts. Hence, the name polycystic ovary.

Other common names are polycystic ovary disease, polycystic ovarian disease, and POD.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein–Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and uterine cancer. Treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman's stage of life and the symptoms of PCOS.

Source: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4981

I am now under metformin, the medicine I detested from the start due to the side effects it inflicted on my body (dizzying spells and vomiting) but now, I NEED to take it for me to be able to manage my PCO and also to avoid the long term effects too (diabetes, heart dieasese, etc.). I switched drug manufacturers; hopefully, I'll not experience the dizzying spells and vomiting now. I can still remember how harrowing the experience was before =( .

Again, lifestyle change. This has been pointed out to me again and again. I hear you. My life took a 360 degree turn last February. That's why, I enrolled in a gym (you read it right, I am now a local gym-rat =) ), which reminds me, I have an appointment with my trainer this afternoon =) .

I also modified my eating habits. I'm not eating anything white, no white rice, white bread, white sugar. I also try to avoid eating processed food. I make sure I complete my 3 meals a-day, having breakfast as my heaviest meal. Any deviation from this will wreck havoc in my hormones and metabolism.

Ahhhhh!!! the things I will do to make things alright.. I know, and, am POSITIVE, that things will turn out for the better. Don't lose the faith, as they say =) .

just checking in...

hello guys!!! it's been almost a month since i posted.. i've got a lot of updates sana pero things began picking up with our project last month kaya here I am.. I AM busy.. as in B-U-S-Y!!!

i'll check back again later on. Our 3x/wk work from home was allowed kaya I'll hopefully have more personal time now.

Take care you guys! God bless! :)