Pong Travels: Bataan - Pawikan Festival 2017 - Help Save the Turtles! 🐢

Ola! 😍

How is everyone? In reference to my previous kilig invite from Bataan Tourism (First Invite Everrr!) two weeks ago, ito na, this is it! I am finally writing about it! 😍

So long, Dude! 

♫♪ "Pawikan sa Morong, Bataan, Morong Bataan, Morong Bataan; alagaan pagkaingatan, pagkaingatan, pagkaingatan. Halina't sumabay iwagayway ang kamay, tuklasin ang pawikan sa Morong, Bataan. ♫♪ - This is the oh so catchy Pawikan Festival Theme Song (pardon the video's quality - my bad) that made us LSS (Last Song Syndrome) until we reach Manila. 😂 

 A day before the event, we arrived in Bataan around dinner time and we headed straight to the Bataan Tourism Office to get our Pawikan Festival shirts and Media ID. Right after that, we headed to Bataan White Corals Beach Resort and Hotel to get settled for the night. At this time, I had the chance to have a chit-chat with my fellow bloggers and get to know them. Sweet. 💕 Bataan White Corals Beach Resort is such a beautiful place - I wish I had a drone to have a perfect view of the place - soon enough! 😉

The annual Pawikan Festival concluded last November 25th at the Pawikan Conservation Center in Brgy. Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan. 

So, what is the Pawikan Festival all about? It is basically raising awareness on how to save our endangered and beloved Pawikans. When baby Pawikans are released in the ocean, it will take them 25 years to go back via imprinting which I find so amazing that after a long time, they're able to come back, same place where they were born.  

getting ready to be released. 😍

Not only that, Pawikan Festival will also make you feel and love the rich Filipino Culture. I can indeed say that while am there, given that kind of opportunity, I just told myself, "ang sarap maging Pilipino, nakakaproud." Imagine, the people who used to get the eggs and eat them after Mommy Pawikan had laid them, now they are the ones protecting them. Sweet volunteers. 💕 And the Festival itself - the preparation, the people who put their thinking hats on, their time and their dedication and effort is just simply amazing.

Walk for a Cause started at 5AM

Mang Manolo, Chief of the Bantay Pawikan, delivers his speech about the Conservation Center's accomplishments as Gov. Abet and Sen. Villar looks on

.

PUP Banda Kawayan performs at The Pawikan Festival

Turtle-Inspired Body Painting

It's not only during the Pawikan Festival that we can contribute in Pawikan Conservation's Awareness. Everyday, by just simply throwing our trash in appropriate trash bins is already a big thing. Turtles are often trapped by the rubbish thrown in the ocean. We can definitely stop this, right? Easy. Just by simply being humane. This does not apply to turtles only but the entire ocean. Marine life is so beautiful and in order to maintain that, compassion and discipline are what we need. 😀

Pawikan Conservation Center has an aquarium where they keep rescued/injured turtles 

Releasing of hatchlings is done everyday (morning and by sunset time). So, if you want to witness and to learn more about it, everyone is welcome to go to Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, Bataan. 

beaches should be clean to ensure safe passage

Sunset releasing of the hatchlings. Beautiful! 

HOW TO GET THERE:
1. Take Victory Liner bound to Olongapo
2. Get off at Olongapo Bus Station then ride a baby bus or a jeepney bound to Morong.
3. Ride a tricycle going to Pawikan Conservation Center (Entrance Fee: PHP20, open from 8AM - 5PM)
         There are several beach resorts in Morong where you can stay. But you can also stay at The Pawikan Conservation Center at a minimal price (cheapest is at PHP1000).

CONTACT INFO: 
Mang Manolo of Bantay Pawikan - 09213602842
Website: http://bataan.gov.ph/tourism/ 

HOW TO HELP? 
Share this page. Blog it. Volunteer. Donate in cash or in kind (get in touch with our lovely Bataan Tourism Folks, click website above). Be humane. 


Simple take aways and hanash from this event:

1. Sarap maging Pinoy. Konting push pa, kaya nating lahat basta may disiplina. Sobrang ganda ng dagat at ng kalikasan! Yung kultura, iba, alam mo talagang may malasakit and yung bayanihan, andun talaga. 
2.  Filipinos are indeed a happy and a talented bunch! 
3.  It's good to meet people who has the same passion as yours. It was my first time meeting Milet, Allan, Claire, Celine, Dennis, Mujee, Kuya Vandolf, Miss Tina, Miss Danica, Mommy Jinkee and Daddy Ruel but I felt at home right away. Hope to see you again on the road or somewhere, guys. 💋

1 Bataan
Daddy Ruel, Milet, Claire, Me, Allan, Celine, Dennis, Mommy Jinkee, Mujee

speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙

 


 

 

Pong Thoughts: Counting the Days! 🎄

Hello! 👩🏻

So, my writing soul visited me yesterday. I feel the need to publish something but was too sleepy to do so. I have been very busy lately with all the things that's been going on. But this busy is a "good busy", I must say.


Month-ends are always busy at work. Timesheets, coachings, etc. Not to mention the endless timesheet challenges and stuff. And me going on an unpaid leave while all these are happening is really a brave move. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

My blog site is also keeping me occupied. It's been overwhelming (but my layout still sucks! Haha). Anyone, sponsor? Help, pretty please? Haha! Maayos ko din yan. 😉 Some drafts are left unpublished. Hopefully, I can publish one on Monday.

I have an event to attend to this weekend - Pawikan Festival in Bataan. Am excited, nervous. Mixed emotions. I really don't what to expect pero kaya yan! Lavern!

I hope I can squeeze everything in a day. I mean all the things that I need and I want to do. Sana ako si Super Pong! Haha. Lahat nakaplot sa calendar e. But am not complaining. Forever grateful.

But sometimes, there are things and people that we, unconsciously, due to the demands of our everyday lives, we almost forget that they exist and they are once part of our daily routine. Sad reality. 😞 But then again, it takes two brave souls for a relationship to work. Even friendship is a relationship too. Siguro it's true that no one is really that busy, we can always make time if we want to. Always make time for folks who matters the most! Love lang, bawal hate.

How Pretty, right? Taken at The Posh Podium

Merry Christmas, guys! Thanks for reading my hanash for today! Happy Thanksgiving to my friends from the US of A!



Lazada Crazy Cyber Pinoy Sale Happening tomorrow until the 27th! Click LAZADA CRAZY SALE


speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙

Pong Thoughts: First Invite Everrrr!!!!!! 🐢

Ola!!! ☺

I've been blogging or should I say started blogging again for almost a year now. Last year, I decided to write again and so far, so good. I can finally say that this is something that I really love to do. Passion it is. ♥

Guess what?! I've been invited to the Pawikan Festival! Woohoo! Won't include the content of the whole letter, just the heading and the introduction. Kilig di ba?

Next week, November 25, Pawikan Festival is happening in Morong, Bataan wherein attendees are privileged to witness the laying, hatching and the releasing of the baby turtles to the wild. Amazing, yes? 🐢🐢🐢 

Good thing is that accommodation is free when you get invited and I feel so lucky to be one of the few. Aside from the fact that I am fond of turtles, just the opportunity is indeed a blessing already. First time 'toooooooooo!!!!!!!! Jusko!!! Hahahaha!

Sea turtles' rate of survival when released is so minimal but when they're able to survive, their lives could last up to 100 years. Lots of factors - weather, human intervention, ecosystem and the marine life itself too. But I would say, as humans, let's do our part. Ironically speaking, humans are the greatest threat to our pawikans, but we are the ones who can definitely save and protect them too. Let's love our oceans more - they are beautiful and definitely, we'd love to see the future generation see how beautiful the oceans are.

If you're free, c'mon join us on the 25th and celebrate the annual Pawikan Festival in Bataan! See you there! 🐢☺

PS Feeling ko blogger na talaga ko! Haha!

My action cam, GoPro Hero 5 Black: http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHXTXP
My phone, iPhone 5: http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHXTdi



speak from the heart,
pong 🐢♥

Amazing Sardine Run 🐟 - Pescador Island, Cebu

Hello!!!!! ☺

Been browsing my action cam and transferring files as I need to free up some space to give way to new ones - naks. Hehe. I've come across this video and decided to share and upload it on my YouTube Channel. Please like, comment and subscribe if you can! 

After seeing this video the day it was taken (September 17, 2017), I was totally amazed and it was like Nat Geo comes to life feels. Ang gandaaaaa!! Am forever grateful to our Cebu tour guides and the amazing experience. Grabe lang talaga. Cannot contain my happiness and kilig. Thank you, Lord! Marine life is so so beautiful. We should love the oceans more!

For accessories and GoPro cameras: Click here
My action cam: http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHXTXP

speak from the heart,

pong 🐢💙

Pong Soundtrip: Can I Kill it with You? (I like you) ⏰

Good morning from rainy Manila! ☔



let me kill it with you ♥
photo credits: Google

I have been listening to this song, 400 Lux (by Lorde), since forever. Haha. Nakaka-adik. Yung feeling na para kang sinasapian or high ka pag naririnig mo sya. Lalo na yung intro. Hehe. Sabi nga ni Ken, "basura, labas nyo na, andyan na yung truck". Haha!

Well, anyway, this song, tingin ko, pwedeng pang roadtrip. Yung tipong pang malayuang byahe with your travel buddies, friends or your special someone. Mas maganda. Hehe.

I used to have a partner in crime, kasama ko sa lahat. E now, maybe we grew apart or what not. Not sure. Kaya, am looking for a travel buddy. Pakisend your resume saken. Hehe.

I actually thought of one person with this song, kaya lang ang dami na kasi naming napuntahan sa panaginip. Dun na nga lang din kami nagkikita. Haha. Dun tayo sa realistic, ayt? Haha!


♫🎶♪ We're never done with killing time
Can I kill it with you?
'Til the veins run red and blue
We come around here all the time
Got a lot to not do, let me kill it with you ♫🎶♪

♫🎶♪ I love these roads where the houses don't change (and I like you)
Where we can talk like there's something to say (and I like you)
I'm glad that we stopped kissing the tar on the highway (and I like you)
We move in the tree streets
I'd like it if you stayed ♫🎶♪

Yun lang, just random thoughts. ☺


speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙

Pong Thoughts: The October that Was! 🐢👩🎉

Hooray! It's October! Month #10! 😘

It's my birth month once again and each day, I would like to share what happened, the things that made my day, who made my day, who ruined my day or if it's just a sapat day for me. By this time, it's October 31st. This post has been sitting in my drafts and now it's November 2. Hehe.

October 1 - super busog day.
💦 Spent this day with my PD (pissdrunx) brothers and sisters. We've known each other since 2002, College Days. Now, we're all grown up and most of us have families and kids of their own. Just happy to see them - just like the old days. It's Doxseey's daughter, Sab's Christening.
💦 Attended the 1st birthday of my godson, Arsen, from a grade school friend and a neighbor, Lany. Was with Tibzi.
October 2
💦 Rosary Month and Mama Mary dropped by our crib and we prayed one Joyful Mystery. #blessed.
October 3
💦 Wrote Last Night Movie Review and as of this writing, it has gained 659 views already. THANK YOU! ❤
October 4
💦 John Clave gave me 7 chocolates in exchange to my Nike Cortez. Haha! Well, thank you, Sir. 😍

October 5
💦Trying to lose weight again and Mama had me take sweet potatoes at work. Sarap! 😋 Sunset shot at home.

October 6
💦 It's my birthday!!! Celebrated it in the office as I had to work. Turned out quite well as my folks had my surfer caricature and their sweet messages. Appreciate the time and the effort, guys! 😍
💦 My family and friends showed me love via Social Media and SMS. Thanks, everyone!
💦 Thank God - 33! ❤

October 7
💦  Had my hair rebonded and colored in Dark Mahogany sh*t. Hehe. Turned out fab. Haha! Will have this hair treated in 2-3 months time again. 👱 
💦 My fave 4A's birthday - Nong Turkey. 

October 8
💦  Tibzi and I tried Kuya J Restaurant in Talaba (lost the pictures). Sarap ng sisig nila! Panalo! Had a chit-chat at Starbucks and bought an Electronic Kettle for Pops. Had my profile picture changed too. 
October 9
💦 My website www.joanepong.com is up! Woohoo!!
October 10
💦 Diving Specials chanced upon my whaleshark photo in Instagram and it qualified for their online photo contest! Love it! Thanks, Diving Specials! 
October 11
💦 PH Collaboration and we had Orchid's spaghetti with meat balls for my birthday. 🍝
October 12
💦 I almost forgot what happened, just checked and recalled whatever I could and just had some random chat with Aldous and he sent a photo of him and his ex-girlfriend. Haha. 😅
October 13
💦 Friday the 13th - Michael Pangilinan's cover of Young, Dumb and Broke is just wow. Mahusay! On the other hand, Coachee sent me the amount of commission he got from work and his It is What It Is Cover. 
October 14
💦 Busy shot with Joven, Topher, Nad and Inson. 
💦 Tibzi and Jeth shared my whaleshark photo. 
October 15
💦 That new product from Colgate did the damage. Haha!

First time to use this. Toothpaste for travel only. 

October 16
💦 For some reason, panic buying mga peeps sa SM - Bac. Super haba ng pila sa Supermarket. 
October 17
💦 "May spark!" Haha! Kulet! - ReyBri
💦  Emergency Meeting because we had to and we can. 

October 18
💦 My photo edit with Yumi and A

💦 Happy birthday, Coachee. Nabuset ako ng very light coz I edited a picture and he wants to screen it before I post. Haha. 
October 19
💦 8 years of FB Friendship, Ton! I miss you big time! ❤❤❤
October 20
💦 Metrobank and Citi Card Application - freebies galore!! Haha! 
October 21
💦 Vikings with DMC Gang! Cyrus Baguio in the house too. Hehe. 

October 22
💦 Nuvali with my Mareng Teng! Stress sa Koi. Haha! 🐠

Stampede!!! 

October 23
💦 I won the Whaleshark photocontest - kilig!!! and that dream of Coachee! Hahaha! 

October 24
💦 My phone almost gave up on me and I almost posted the "10 years" post. 🚲👧
October 25
💦 That Mango Chocolate combination is to die for! 
💦 Dyj's born day. 
October 26
💦 PD swim photos uploaded and Martina Hingis' retirement. 

October 27
💦 My Friday: 1. Productive day at work.
2. Chat with Charleston. Bigay ko na spoon mo. Haha. Salamat, Beh! 3. My almost lost phone. Kailangan na talaga palitan.
4. Seafood overload w Bob and Jayson. Busog! #violeyt...
5. Friday Traffic.
6. Am home. Game 7. Sana manalo Shell. CHAR. Ginebra won. Haha.
October 28
💦 Elou's despedida

PD

October 29
💦 Smartphone gone. Huhu. 📵
October 30
💦 Adsense for my own account - approved! Woohoo!
October 31
💦Kitty's gift is just sweet. Haha! Thanks, gurl! ❤


"Happy birthday Jo1" 💖💕💓

speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙