At the Summer Capital of PH

I've been travelling around the country and one place that i really wanted to visit was Baguio. Lagi nauunsyami everytime nagpaplano akong mag Baguio. And everytime im travelling for vacation, I want my parents to come with me. I want them to have a break from working so hard.

I am so happy that finally i got to see and experience Baguio city and what's more exciting, im with my mom and a friend of mine. Before heading to Baguio, we had our dinner first in MOA since both of my travel buddies were first-timer ng MOA. hahaha It was around 8:30pm when we went to the Bus station. Unfortunately, the only available trip going to Baguio was 11:30pm so we waited for more than 2 hrs .We arrived in Baguio around 6am and we went straight to the Hotel to leave our things and start touring around Baguio.

 

First halt, Burnham Park. It was not so cold actually when we arrived at Burnham Park so we enjoyed eating some dirty ice cream .

An Adventure Worth Remembering

Madami satin madalas gusto ng mga exciting adventures, yung extreme and challenging kasi mas naaalala natin. Well, kahit ako gustong gusto ang mga iyon. But i always wanted na hindi lang challenging but also fulfilling. Last May 24, 2014 i had my first ever mountain experience. You all know that im in wheelchair & kung iisipin mahirap talaga sya. Of course hindi ko na dinala ang wheelchair, what i did was sumakay sa isang motorcycle na tawag ay "habal-habal".

Finally Found An Accessible Resort in Metro Davao

This past few months, i have been looking for an accessible resort basically that has swimming pool & ramps & is nearby my place. Fortunate that i found Brokenshire Resort & Convention Center.  As you all know I am in wheelchair so i really make sure that the place is wheelchair-friendly. So, take a look at my pictures below featuring some facilities of the said resort.

The Swimming Complex opens at 6:00 AM up to 10:00 PM. The Mini-Olympic Pool measures 25 meters length by 15 meters width. It is four (4) feet deep on both ends and five (5) feet at the center. The kidney-shaped kiddie pool is about 2 feet deep. Appropriate swimming attire is required. There are Lifeguards trained in water safety and basic life support. Swimming lessons (basic and advance) are offered through an outsourced company. Floaters are available for competitions.

Naprey the Strong-wheeled Back to Schooler

The Good Story Competition  in Singapore is a celebration of creative and compelling video storytelling of everyday people in Asia doing good to improve the lives of others.

It also provides these inspiring people the opportunity to have their stories told by passionate and talented filmmakers, and shared through Our Better World’s distribution channels and partners to encourage others to help them in their cause.

One of Davao city's digital video storyteller, Glorypearl Dy of Switotwins Digital Storytelling Philippines submitted an entry to the competition that features Behind the Rolling Chair and his advocacy project, the Back to School Gift Giving Project. The video made it to the top 20 & goes to the final judging & there will be audience voting from April 21 to May 4. To vote follow the easy steps below.

Bucket Shrimps Davao as to Accessibility

Bucket Shrimps Davao is the newest restaurant in Metrolifestyle Complex, located at F. Torres St. Davao city. It is a Filipino seafood restaurant that serves crabs, that can be cook in different styles, scallops, and the signature Bucket Shrimps.

A Mind-Blowing Experience

It was August 17-18, 2008 when I joined the Youth Leadership Training for Person's With Disability held at Hope Mountain, Ulas Davao city. It was a 2 days seminar funded by the Liliane Fonds Philippines in cooperation of the Maharlika Charity Foundation. Attended by 15 differently-abled persons and it aimed to boast the self-esteem and the leadership of each PWD in their own communities. The 15 PWDs comes from the different regions in the country.

It was actually my first seminar together with my fellow PWDs.  Way back high school days, I am not really at ease and comfortable to be with this group of people (as if i'm not one of them).  Yes, that's true. I didn't even want to be of friends of them 'coz I feel pity for myself and I feel so insignificant. Seeing their situations also really makes me feel sorry and it really breaks my heart. And I realized that it was just part of the pride inside in me that it was just part of the denial phase of any person struggling. In short, di ko pa tanggap ang sitwasyon na merun ako (at that time). I believed it's really in us (PWDs). I mean, we really encounter this stage of ours and its tough.

Extra Special Valentine's Day

With the kids of hope, enjoying the face painting

Love is an act of your will, the will to spread happiness. Once a year, we have this so called Valentine's Day where in everything is filled with heart shaped objects, chocolates, and of course flowers. 

Whatever status you have like married, in a relationship, or even if you are single, there are many reasons to celebrate Love day. And if you think, love day is for couples only then you are wrong. Here is my way of celebrating Valentine's Day with good friends and little cute angels that heaven sent. 

First in 2014: Rain or Shine Street Feeding and Tutorial

Last year (2013), it was such a big blessing for all of us volunteers of Mission Partners of Mary for we were able to successfully made a street feeding and tutorial for the street kids of Davao city. This year, we're excited to see and meet again the kids. It's been 3 weeks since we had not conducted a feeding and tutorial with them.

Last January 11, a rainy Saturday evening we had our first street feeding and tutorial for the year 2014. Only few kids attended because they have no idea that we're coming and rain was hardly pouring.

The Kids and some of the volunteers

Your 100 Pesos and 100 Kids in One Project

Aside from celebrating the birth of Jesus, we all know that Christmas is the season of sharing and giving gifts. It is the time, where children are very excited to receive and open gifts. But how about those who are abandoned and street children? 


This year, we, together with the Mission Partners of Mary started the street tutorial and feeding. As Christmas day is fast approaching, we ask the children what are their wishes. Some of them said, to eat and play at Mcdonalds. And yes, wish granted!

On the first week of December, through the help of social media we asked some friends and relatives to help us in donating 100pesos per kid to eat and play in Mcdonalds. We aim to gather at least a hundred of street chidren and orphans. And by Dec. 14, we were able to gather them all in one fun and memorable christmas party held at Mcdonalds, Bajada Davao city branch. 

Accessibility Observation in Singapore

It has always been my dream to visit Singapore because of its accessibility. Last Oct 25 2013 finally got the chance to experience Singapore through an advocacy campaign, to check and experience by myself how accessible the country is. From the public toilet to the shopping malls, trains, and even the high way, its all accessible.

Street Feeding and Tutorial

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  ― Mother Teresa

Instead of partying, together with some friends we go out and have some street feeding and tutorial to our children in the street. With simple food and some tutoring materials, we go around the city at night like in Torres St. and San Pedro St. where we can find numbers of street kids. 

We also invite volunteers to help us in this advocacy. As of now the schedule is every tuesday and saturday, 6pm at San Pedro Church. We also welcome donors esp. for the food. 

Children's Day

Following a successful Back to School Gift Giving Project last May 2013, we are pumped as we have another advocacy project for the orphans, the “Children's Day”.

Fun Day highlights three different orphanages in the city namely Balay Pasilungan (located at Bankerohan, Davao City), Padre Pio’s Home for Children, and Providence Home of St. Joseph (both located at Tugbok, Davao City). These three orphanages provide the orphans their basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, health care and quality education that prepares them to have productive and self-sufficient lives.

Together with Behind the Rolling Chair Volunteers are other partners who willingly accept the invitation to take part in this noble act. This is an event that showcase and enhance the talents of our orphans, let them have fun, and as well as for them to socialize with other children. We prepare different activities for the kids and invited performers/artists to inspire and let kids realize their own talents.

Gift Giving at St. Joseph Home of Providence

Here's another batch of beneficiaries for the 3rd Back to School Gift Giving Project. This time, its the children of St. Joseph Home of Providence (SJHP). This is run by SMAC sisters and they have 46 children inside the orphanage. The children receives school supplies such as notebook, school bags, glue, pencils, coloring materials, and other school supplies.



This is actually the first time that SJHP is part of the Back to School Gift Giving Project. Though this is not the first time that i/we visited this orphanage because we had our medical mission already a year ago. Fortunate enough that were able to collect more school supplies that's why the said orphanage is now part of the beneficiaries. Here are some captured moments during the gift giving which happens last May 19, 2013.

Love and Fortune at SM Lanang Premier with the Crooner - Richard Poon

The Crooner - Richard Poon sings all for Love and Fortune at SM Lanang Premier, Davao city. Last Feb 2, 2013, SM Lanang Premier had a great 3 day sale and as part of it, they invited the country's one and only crooner - Richard Poon. This Filipino-Chinese singer is part of Sessionista with other acoustic singers like Aiza, Sitti, Juris, and Princess. They performed evey sunday at today's number one musical variety show - ASAP on ABS-CBN. 

Mr Poon was a former member of U Turn band, and he started his singer career in a restobar. When he entered showbiz, he was known as the Michael Bubble of the Philippines. Most of his songs are Bubble style or should i name it as Jazz. "I'll take care of you", "Kumot at Unan", and his cover of "Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok ko" were just among his famous hits. 

He admitted that most of his fans are mommies, daddies, and lolas. But during this mini concert in SM Lanang Atrium, it was from all ages and all walks of life. It was his first time to perform in SM Lanang and he said during the presscon that hes excited and honor to sing for dabawenyos. He sang one of his favorite song You and I which happens to be a memorable song for him and his girlfriend Maricar Reyes. Reyes was the girl of this music video and it was their first meet up then eventually became a couple.

Richard Poon will soon be releasing a new album and this time he will try some pop songs like songs of Michael Jackson and even Madonna songs. He's excited and would love to sing all these songs again in SM Lanang Premier. Watch out for his series of Valentine show here and abroad.

Gang-nam Style ala Bulgogi Brothers

Annyeonghaseyo Davao! Im sure when you hear the word "Gang-Nam", what comes to your mind is the widely popular beat and dance craze by South Korean rapper named Psy. Well this time, its different. Gang-nam ala Bulgogi Brothers. Here's another add on to the list of new restau in the city. It is a korean barbeque restaurant that originates in South Korea and has its first international branch in Manila. With over 38 stores, now another add on is its new branch which is first and one and only in Mindanao and that can be found in SM Lanang Premier Davao city. Just this month, Bulgogi Brothers invades Davao city and fortunately we are able to be the 1st to try its menu.

The authentic dining experience begins with a complimentary side dishes such as pickled vegetables, corn, and kimchi. Also, a pot of tea includes the complimentary menu.

The serving also includes prime cuts of beef marinated in a number of ingredients that enhance the meats flavor and tenderness. Bulgogi Brothers has not only found the secret recipe to the perfect Bulgogi but also offers many ways to enjoy it -- the Unyang (the classic patties), GwangYang (seasoned beef with sweet sauce). seoul (sliced beef with vegetables, fruits , onions and soy sauce). These are cooked and served right atyour table, on the spot.

Check this out folks. These are only some of the best dishes that ive tried in Bulgogi Brothers.

Well, unfortunately i was not able to try their bbq but i look forward on eating such soon. Bulgogi brothers has proven that it is more than just good food because guest will enjoy the exceptional, authentic Korean food, cozy and charming ambience as well the special quality of service. Visit Bulgogi Brothers now only at SM Lanang Premier Davao city.

Other branches are located in Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, MOA, Harbor Point and soon in CDO.

Kadayawan Experience: Pamulak [Floral Float Parade]

Kadayawan Experience: Indak-Indak sa Dalan [Street Dancing]

Celebrations At Padre Pio's Home for Children

"Birthday celebrations would usually mean cutting cakes, hosting a private party, going on long ride with friends or treating and many more. But for me, the best way to celebrate birthday, is with the orphans."

The Story Behind the Rolling Chair

This is my story... This is my life... This is my experience...

As I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital bed already. There were nurses around me and a dextrose bottle hanging on my side. My family was around me, their eyes silent but anxious of how I would react to the impending news. In the center of the room stood one man, stethoscope hanging on his neck & he is intently looking at me.“Your son has polio & his lower extremities are now paralyzed.” The doctor delivered it straight to my parents without any form of embellishments. The news took time to register into my brain, then I suddenly stared back, expressionless since I’ve heard what doctor said. Finally, the message sunk into my mind, I instinctively cast a glance on my feet.