Photos: tuna Festival Vibe in General Santos Fish Port

Here are some photos taken on September 5, 2013 inside General Santos Fish Port Complex during the annual Tuna festival.

Inside Baras Bird Sanctuary

These photos were taken during my recent trip to Tacurong. The city's most famed tourist spot, the Baras Bird Sanctuary.

Black Crowned Night Heron

Adults are approximately 64 cm (25 in) long and weigh 800 g (28 oz). They have a black crown and back with the remainder of the body white or grey, red eyes, and short yellow legs. They have pale grey wings and white under parts. Two or three long white plumes, erected in greeting and courtship displays, extend from the back of the head. The sexes are similar in appearance although the males are slightly larger.

Photos: City Tour, Palawan

Puerto Princesa Bay

Photos below were taken during our packaged city tour covering Palawan's Baywalk, Plaza Cuartel, Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Crocodile Farm, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Mitra's Ranch, Baker's Hill and yes, pasalubong shopping :)

Palawan: Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour

hundred year old mangroves

The province of Palawan has the longest coastline with the largest remaining stand of mangrove forest (40,000 hectares approximately). It contains 43% of the total mangrove forests of the Philippines and Puerto Princesa is a city in the country where the total area of mangrove forests do not decline, but are increasing. Thanks to responsible locals and a supportive government, the Palaweños surely knows how to conserve, protect and care for the environment that relatively supports the community's livelihood back.

The Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour is a highly recommended activity when in Palawan. Aside from being an educational tour, it will help make tourists realize "why" the province cradles many of the world's most clean and beautiful beaches and other natural wonders because of the bakawan or mangroves existence in the area. Below are some pictures taken during our educational boat tour with Lady Mangrove as our tour guide :)

The Mystic Glossy Swiftlets

The Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta) is a species of swift in the Apodidae family. It is found in Australia, Brunei, Christmas Island, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Vanuatu. It is shiny black-blue above, including its rump; sometimes looks black and hooded. Chest black; belly to flanks white with fine black speckles at margins. Wing tips are rounded; underwing is black. Tail rounded with shallow notch and tiny white panels. It is similar to the White-rumped Swiftlet, that its upper- and underparts must be seen to identify it. It is 9-11.5 cm. Its voice is a soft twittering. (wiki)

The photos below were taken at Balben Family Cove in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Just For Fun: The Rocker Monkeys Belts out their Latest Single

A few days ago, my father went home for his twice a year vacation from work overseas. And just like any other overseas workers, we were all gifted with huge boxes of stuff – clothes, food, accessories and other imported essentials. Talking about fast, free shopping :)

Among the many pasalubongs Dad bought home, here's one we definitely fell in love with - two monkeys all dressed up rocker style singing "You are my Gummy bear, You are my Gummy bear..."

singing monkeys (rocker style)

We couldn’t help but laugh and get crazy after we’ve seen them perform, definitely an interesting stuff toy even adults could play once in a while. It helps get rid of stress, I tell you!

Aside from the fun song this duo performs, one couldn't ignore their funky fashion statement! I may not consider myself a fashionista, but their rockin' metallic vests, eccentric hairstyles and stylish sunglasses make me want to go shop for some chic online eyeglasses as well. These two cutie monkeys make me feel so embarrassed of my closet! I bet it’s fun to make a fashion statement with avant-garde pieces that become conversation-starters.

The style...

The music and the moves...

I think no other creature on earth could best sport that outfit except for these talented rockers, don’t you agree?

the singing duo sneaking at the sleeping Jewel

Our puppy named Jewel gets easily annoyed every time she hears these two cute rocker monkeys sing. Could they be out of tune?

Davao: Monfort Bat Cave

The Monfort Bat Colony, located in the Monfort Cave on the Samal Island on Mindanao, Philippines, is the largest colony of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bats (Rousetteus amplexicaudatus). As per an estimate from Bat Conservation International in 2006, the population in the Monfort Cave was approximately 1.8 million.

Bat Colony

Our Jewel of the House

Here are some of photos of our jewel at home, nope not those precious gem stones, but it's definitely valued 10 times more than expensive stones because this dear jewel is adding life and fun to our family. Most of us are not much into wearing fancy accessories, we, however named our half Japanese sphitz half aspin as Jewel as it was the name my dear Aunt Lily wanted. We're actually planning to give her a Japanese name, but we all agreed "Jewel" fits just right.

Jewel, our cutey half Japanese sphitz half aspin petdog

My uncle dropped her off at our house last January. And although she's probably exhausted on her first long drive, she began to run and hop around the house and made her first pee...inside! Oh yeah, her first mark of control! She came from mom's childhood friend, Tita Elreca, who have been tending some dog breeds for years and Jewel is their youngest. Realizing that our family wanted to own one, she was really kind to gift us Jewel. Surprisingly, one of the photos I have on my vision board is a cute full breed Japanese sphitz and although Jewel here may not be of full breed, I know she's an answered dream and I'm extremely happy for having her :)

The above photos were taken when she was just 3 months old. Someone said she looks like a fox slash guinea pig! But just like the tale of the ugly duckling, we notice that Jewel is looking more beautiful each day.  Here she is right now at 5 months old:

it's play time for Jewel!

Jewel at 6 months old

Jewel at 8 months

our beautiful Jewel

I just found myself recently too engrossed into taking photos of our dog that I'm thinking of making a photo blanket with her pictures on it before she grows too old. I know it's too mushy but what can I do, I love Jewel!

Vigan: Baluarte

Baluarte is a must-see attraction for first time visitors and perfect bonding time with kids.The resort complex lies in hectares of land that stretches from the rolling plain towards the hills, where former governor Chavit Singon's multi-storey house sits with a grand view of Vigan and the South China Sea. Within its private area is a landscaped garden complete with its own nature pools. However, the area open to the public has plenty more engaging attractions that visitors can busy themselves with aside from the mini zoo. There is a butterfly farm, a track for horse riding and a skeet shooting range.

Dinosaurs of Baluarte

Vigan, Ilocos Sur: A Stroll and Kalesa Tour at Heritage Village

We started off with our Vigan day tour on probably the most famous of all streets in Vigan, the Calle Crisologo at Heritage Village. A sojourn to the Ilocandia is incomplete without walking down the cobblestone streets and rows of ancestral houses in Vigan City, aptly called "Heritage Village." Built in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles, thick brick walls, tile roofs and red clay, the mansions stand side by side to each other as if frozen in time.

Calle Crisologo signage

Newborn Kittens

2 Day Old Kitten

I was fortunate to have photographed this set of photos with newborn kittens as subjects. Late last year, a mother cat gave bird to 3 wonderful kittens at the open space of our house. This mom cat was never really a house pet, just a familiar face who sneeks the house during midnight and would go over the kitchen. We sometimes wake up with a dirty messy kitchen. Yup the cat has been a consistent unwanted visitor!

More Manila Ocean Park Photos

blogpost at http://saggi-space.blogspot.com/2010/04/day-trip-at-manila-ocean-park.html