Pong Travels: Mt. Talamitam and Dudong Cove

Hello! Bundok hits muna tayo after magpalamig sa Estados Unidos. Mt. Talamitam! 🐢

[March 31-April 1, 2018]

It was my first summit of 2018! I've been to Mt. Talamitam roughly 10 years ago and the beauty of the mountain still has not changed. This is considered a minor climb and recommended for beginners, too. Difficulty Level: 3/9.☺

PissDrunx, Mt. Talamitam Summit

First climb after my US stint and I tell you, it was really tough. Haha. When I climbed this mountain 10 years ago, I have my bag with me 'til we reached the summit. And now, I didn't have anything w me - just myself, yet twas a struggle. Lack of exercise and lots of fats - yeah. Thankfully, I have very supportive friends who kept pushing me - almost literally, too. Haha. 

Mt. Talamitam - 10 years later with Yo, we didn't have a copy of the photo 10 years back - sayang!

The climb was also a celebration of Ornap's birthday. He works overseas, so it was a bit of a reunion of our barkada which we call PissDrunx. As always, it was fun, chill and w tears, too? (Bakit tayo may tears, Jong? Hehe. Ton kasi e. ♥) After the climb, we headed to the beach (it didn't have a name, so we just called it the Dudong Cove). Originally, we plan to settle at the Papaya Cove but it was so crowded. It was my first time to get drunk after so many years. But I guess it's fine as am with the right set of people. It was my first time to ride a boat as in a little boat under just the moonlight with no life vest! Crazy. Lots of things happened that weekend. Haha. Lasheng e. And am literally smiling while am typing. The kwentuhan leveled up a bit - maybe because now we're older. Oh well. Fun times. Lasheng times. PD times.

happy lunch photo

Good times - well, not so. (Sorry, Dude! Di ko kayang galit ka saken, confirmed.)

Mt. Talamitam - Topher, me and the Dude I was referring to

Some snaps below. Full album (pics + videos) here. 

Mt. Talamitam - mga pogi sila - yo, jorge, topher and birthday boy, ornap

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Topher

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Pong

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Jorge

Tagaytay Brekky

Mt. Talamitam pababa na Saudi Pose

Mt. Talamitam - the "baby, are you okay?" pose - haha

picture muna before leaving Dasma

Super touched with this keychain! Thanks, Dude! #simplethings #bigjoys

How to go to Mt. Talamitam:

Public Transpo: Ride a bus bound to Nasugbu. Drop off point should be Sitio Bayabasan. Fare is about PHP120.


Nasugbu Bus Terminals:

1. DLTB Bus Terminal in Buendia
2.  San Agustin Bus Terminal in Pasay

Private Transpo: Take the South Super Highway then exit to Sta. Rosa then go straight to Tagaytay. Do a right turn and go straight until you reach the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway. Go straight until you reacj Km 83, Sitio Bayabasan which is Mt. Talamitam's jump-off. 

• Is a guide required? - They are requiring it now, but we managed not to. We were there March 31 for a dayhike. Minimum is PHP300-PHP500, it depends.
• How much is the registration fee? PHP40 
• Shower Fee: PHP20 

Remember: Talamitam is an open mountain so it can be very hot during summer. Make sure you have everything you need to protect yourself from the sun. It'll be worth it. 

 
"Leave nothing but foot prints,take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time." Enjoy! ☺


speak from the heart, 
pong 🐢💙

Pong Travels: Neenah, Wisconsin ✈

Hello everyone! 💋

Oh my goodness! It's been forever and I don't have much content anymore! It's been pretty busy since I came home (almost 4 months na!).

My US Trip was a blast and I (think) it helped me mature as an individual and as a professional. Well, I hope I really did. 👩 The trip was my first out of the country trip and my first one alone. It was scary and liberating at the same time. Taught me a lot of things. And this trip contributed a big chunk of what I have become. Naks.

So, this is my 5-week US Trip written in one blog post. Happy hanash reading! 😍


Dreams do come true. Who would have thought, right? That I will be in the land of the free and the home of the brave for 5 weeks. And there's snow! Am extremely happy to see and experience my very first snow fall! ❄ Actually, I am the only one excited to see the snow when I was there. They were like, tired of it. Haha. But I know that they are excited for me. Once the snow fell, everyone looked for me to make sure I won't miss it. 

Snowing - just outside my hotel

My very first snow fall ❆

Shattuck Park - just across my hotel

I've been to different places in Wisconsin - New London, Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay to name a few. Have experienced St. Patty's Day in New London. Gangsta feels. Had a great time with Nicole and Deana - thanks for taking me! Booze all over and cheese curds being thrown to people during the parade was just amazing. lol. 

Limited Edition Bud Light for St. Paddy's Day - took the bottle home

Gangsta Mood slash Jeje feels - you can wear anything in the US 💃

The Gang!

Miss you, Deana!

Drinking alone was very liberating, got to talk to strangers and yeah that really felt good. Sooo good! 

Old Fashioned became my instant favorite. Cheers, self! 🍷 (taken at the LevelOne Restaurant and Lounge)

Ace of Spades (Annual awarding ceremony of Alta Resources) - I was supposed to attend my very first Ace of Spades Awards in Manila at The Shang but I was overseas. Thank God Adrienne let me attend the US Ceremony. We had it in EAA Aviation. It was the first time that I had a taste of Old Fashioned Cocktail - so good. The girls introduced it to me 'cause I always say I wanna try anything Wisconsin. We prepared at my Hotel Room before heading to the venue. It was truly an experience for me - I had the chance to meet and talk to a lot of people and the big bosses, too. Couldn't be more grateful. I have learned a lot! 

No edit. This is me with the ladies before heading to the EAA in my messy hotel room.
(Kathryn, Nicci, Lisa, Adrienne, Angie, Pong)

My dry lips dont care look

At the venue with my Old Fashioned Cocktail

with Kathryn

Wisconsin is also the home of Fava Tea! Since I am a certified tea-lover, Trish took me to this place. Heaven! I also tried my usual Starbucks fix at SB - Appleton - same taste. Good job, SB! Hehe. And since SB is far from where am staying, I tried Timshel Cafe and voila! Love their Earl Grey Tea! 

Fava Tea

Iced Earl Grey Tea from Timshel Cafe

Sabino's - I am missing Sabino's so bad. I have fell in love with this restaurant and I can eat all their food everyday. If only they are near, I would love to take family there. Check my post about them. ♥
http://www.joanepong.com/2018/04/pong-eats-sabinos-latin-and-asian-bistro.html

Stage Plays - Lucky to have watched 2 - Seussical The Musical and Les Miserables. Always love watching amazing talents on stage! Emily Bautista is a Pinay talent and played Eponine in Les Mis. Galing! 

w Nicholas George (Horton the Elephant of Seussical The Musical)

My buddy Brady and The Cat in the Hat

Adrienne and Me

Roller Skating - Oh my Goodness! It was the first time I did this. And I swear, I died. It was so hard! 

Poser shot

Louise making it look so easy

The good convo. He was a surprise to me. We hardly talk in Manila. But who would have thought, right? I guess, having no choice makes a good conversation. Haha. Definitely one of my favorite convos in my existence - lupet o! Kinailangan pa natin pumunta ng Amerika para mag-usap. Haha. More than the food and all the panlalait, thanks for spoiling me kahit hindi naman talaga. Totally appreciate it! Salamat, Amerika! lol. 

ang pinakakuripot in the entire universe, John Albert Clave

I will prolly post all the pictures in my Facebook account. Just have a few take aways from this trip: 

• Japan - I fell in love with your heated toilet seats. I had to take a picture inside. Hehe. 
• Talking to strangers is not bad at all. I have met several folks - Donna (Atlanta), she reminded me of Mama, I felt at home taking to her. Given the chance, I will definitely look for her to say hi; a guy, also in Atlanta, he's bound to Appleton, too. Too bad, I did not get his name but it was a short but sweet convo. Thanks for saying hello!
• Atlanta and Chicago Airport - you both amazed me. 
• Being independent is a good thing. You get to learn a lot of things.  
• Being alone in a foreign country for 5 weeks is definitely a life changing phase. 
• My parents missed me so bad. Especially my mom. Haha. Tibzi is as always, supportive. Gotta love the #fabfour. 
• Korea - I love that bear in Incheon Airport. I met a fellow Pinay in Korea. Very inspiring. And SB - Korea has Earl Grey Jelly!!!! 
• Work Ethics - it's always a good feeling to have an amazing support group while you learn new things everyday.
• Life is simple, let's not complicate things. If you want it, you want it. If you don't, you don't. 
• Learn to negotiate. Saying no is okay.
• Subjective vs Objective - google it. LOL
• Letting go is not a bad thing at all. It can result to greater things, more amazing people, etc.
• US - your food servings are so huge. I can eat each serving for 2 days. lol
• Red Door Mercantile, TJ Maxx and The World Market are my favorite shops. 
• Opportunities can happen anytime - thanks, Alta!
• Time - so precious. Adrienne, Kathryn, Nicci, Lisa, Angie, Louise, Kris, Nicole, Trish, Tracy and Juli  - appreciate the time taking me places. 
• Smiling faces and the warmth - couldn't thank everyone enough for being so welcoming. The food, all the offer to take me places, for entertaining all my questions, etc. 
• Liz - if you happen to read this, we don't have pictures? Really? At all? Thanks for taking me to Mass with your fam! Miss you guys! 
• Hockey - sooo physical!! Wrestling on ice!
• Popeye's - I miss you! And Qdoba, too!
• I have yet to try that Guacamole recipe from Tina! That Venison sausage is delish!
• Laundry - yeah, I learned.
• Taco Tuesdays and Fish Fry Fridays!
• Sausages from the street are the yummiest! Haha!
• Spotted Cow - WI beer
• Potato Chips Day - this exists! 
• DoubleTree Cookies - my favorite cookie in the universe!
• DT experience - fire alarm alarmed falsely, shower floor flooded, no hot water during winter.  Amber - she's the best manager!
• Black Panther - I saw this film in WI. Good experience.
• Ate Leonie and Ate Minnie - thanks for checking on me and Ate Minnie - love the TP jersey!
• Walking and jogging around the snow and braving the Snow Storm just to document my stay is something that I will forever cherish.
• Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to say hello. Toinks! 
• Discipline, change and happiness starts from within. 
• And yeah, it is unlonely being alone. Sarap din!

Now, where to next? Melaka? Hmmm.


speak from the heart, 
pong 🐢💙

Defining Moment | Depression | Handling Compliments 🙌

Hey hey hey! ☺


So, this is yet another "insertion" post on top of my pending drafts. This is just a quick one.
Last June 2, Saturday, was considered a defining moment day for me.


So what is a defining moment exactly?


According to Forbes.com:


"A defining moment is a point in your life when you're urged to make a pivotal decision, or when you experience something that fundamentally changes you. Not only do these moments define us, but they have a transformative effect on our perceptions and behaviors."

Why did I say that June 2 was one? Because June 2 was a super filled day for me. It was a realization day that no matter how kind, how sweet and how generous you are towards a person, they will never reciprocate the gesture simply because they can't. Sad reality, right? So never expect as expectations will always lead to disappointments. Kudos to me (I had to, sorry lol) as I was able to handle it with grace. I've been so down and low for the past month. May has been truly a pain and a struggle. Depression hit me, I can say. This, by far, is the lowest point in my life. Found myself just in our room, so lazy and doing nothing. I do not want to speak with anybody because I do not see the point. I think I do not have friends anymore. Nobody will understand. I want to be productive, but I just can't. Now, I understand why suicide happens. But do not worry, suicide will never be an option for me. I love life. It's just that, this phase has to happen. This, will definitely help me shape my personality. Depression is real, guys. It's serious.


Compliment - this is included here as I need to learn how to appreciate compliments and things given to me by other people. When people give me compliments, I always think otherwise, instead of just saying thank you. If somebody gives me something, I always think na bayaran ko na lang. You do not need to do that for me, ganon. Maybe I am used to not asking people for anything, pa-strong nga kasi. I was raised this way, not to ask people's help hangga't kaya, kaya feeling ko minsan ung iba walang pake kasi people always think that I can. Kahit ano pa 'yan.  I am a work in progress. Please bear with me. Na-appreciate ko lahat, totoo yan. And am thankful to each one of you. The warrior is a child, guys. Always and forever will be grateful to those people who always check on me.






You know who you are.♥







speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙

Pong Thoughts: Re-evaluating Goals 🏆

Hello! ❤

Mt. Maculot, December 2007 - just me and my RH sa Summit. Hehe. 

So, what's up mga pipol? Finally, I have found the time to write again. I have 7 drafts waiting to be published and this is one of them. This is going to be in Taglish (Tagalog-English). 😀

Re-evaluating goals. 2018, so far, has been a very much filled year for me - both personally and professionally. I am truly grateful. Parang I couldn't ask for more feels, ganon. January pa lang, I know 2018 is going to be different. Mindset lang talaga and change has to come from within. I can say that somehow, I've grown (dapat lang di ba? ang tanda ko na! Haha), I've matured (konti lang naman, hehe). But what prompted me to start re-evaluating my goals? Ano nga ba? 

Since I came back from the US, and from all the stuff that I learned from being by myself for 5 weeks, things have changed. For the better naman, I guess. Natuto ko how to be thrifty, eat leftovers, maglaba, to let go, to be more adventurous and to love myself more. Cheret! Alam mo un, I moisturize, drink Vitamins, drink Lemon Water, use lemon and baking soda for beauty regimen. Simple things.      

I also knew what my goal is - to finish my Green Belt Training, pass the examination and finish my project by December - two down, one more to go. Sana matapos ko, on time. Or namin, should I say. I have core team members. 😂 

But it was a different situation (+ a different me) when I came back. Work is still the same (not so, actually), may dagdag lang because of the project which I am totally fine with. There was a change that let me realize things. Things that I was reminded beforehand. Totoo pala. I really need to experience it myself para ma-gets ko. Just lost perspective in the sense that First Quarter of 2016 came back. Walang wala ako ngayong May. As in. This is very unusual na saken, maybe because back then I have a friend (hi, Jorgeena Dude) to vent out with. And he knows the real situation.  

Now, am asking myself, is the stress worth it, kasi sayang e. And since this is public, my friends would prolly know what am talking about, ung iba, they will just jump into conclusions w their not so smart assumptions. So enjoy! Haha. 

Siguro to answer my question, I know that, what I really need and want is learning. Ang sarap kaya matuto everyday. And a good stress. 😉    

We always have a choice, you know! 
          

speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙

Pong Eats: Sabino's Latin and Asian Bistro 😋

Hola! 😍

How is everyone? It's been ages, a lot has happened and my writing soul has a lot of things to share - LOL. Am starting with the easy and short one first - food. 

I have eaten a lot and gained a lot of weight during my stint in Neenah. I was there for 5 weeks and God, I wanted to try everything! But for this post, I am featuring Sabino's. It's interior is a combination of Latin and Asian inspired theme. Music, too. I find it very relaxing and the feels that you are in a foreign place is there, too. 

Sabino's Latin and Asian Bistro - the first time I saw this restaurant, I got excited. I knew I wanted to go. I fell in love with the place and the food. I mean, I can eat there everyday! I tried their Lomo Saltado and wow, it was soooo delish! Gone in a snap. Too bad, I didn't have a picture of it. That was the first thing I tried. Next, was their curry. They have 3 kinds - Sweet, Red and Green. The color denotes the level of spiciness. Green being the spiciest among the three. Not in the menu though is called the Fusion - this is the "in between" (spicy and not so spicy). So this is the one that I tried. It's still spicy (for me) but it's so yummy at the same time.  

Pork Fusion Curry. Chips are free (+salsa dip)

Every Tuesday is a Taco Tuesday, so you can eat Tacos for as long as you could. 😋   

Tried one of their desserts, too. I forgot what it's called. But it's like a fried ice cream - sinful, but delish. Thanks to Amanda for asking me to try! 😋 

Fried Ice Cream (the cherry fell, lol)

I have some snaps to share. So, if you are in Neenah, make sure to drop by Sabino's. I highly recommend it. 😋

Find me! lol

The Bar

Dining Area

Punch Card

Their Menu - almost the same for lunch and dinner. Dinner has a different pricing as it has larger portions. 😋

Lunch

Dinner

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SabinosLAB/
Location: 208 W Wisconsin Ave., Neenah, Wisconsin 54956
Phone Number: +1 920 969 9549
Store Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11AM - 2PM; 4PM-9PM
                   Friday, 11AM - 2PM; 4PM - 10PM
                   Saturday, 4PM - 10PM


speak from the heart, 
pong 🐢💙

First Time sa Snow ni Pong! ❄️��

Hello everyone! 💋

Oh my goodness! It's been forever and I don't have much content anymore! It's been pretty busy the past weeks with all these "adulting" things that's been happening! Currently, I am in the land of the free and the home of the brave - hopefully I got that right. Who would have thought? Dreams really do come true. I was like, hey snow! ❄😍

This is all I've got for now. I have been so preoccupied that I don't have time to post anymore. But I've got a short clip for today. Too bad, GP failed me today. But tomorrow should be better. I've got a lot of stories to tell. Tagilid! Haha! Sorry!

speak from the heart,
pong ����

Pong Thoughts: Changing Partners Movie Review 👫

Hello! First blog for February! 💕

The first time I saw the trailer of this movie, I knew I had to watch it. And it didn't disappoint. Apparently, it was originally a stage play/musical then the people behind it decided to have the movie version of it. 

Will make this review short and sweet. The actors were amazing. They gave justice to their roles. Hands up! 👐

photo from SineHub's Facebook Page

At first, I thought the movie is all about changing partners, literally. Same sex relationship then to the usual boy-girl relationship and vice versa. No, it was not. I was a bit frustrated in the middle of watching and I badly wanted to find out what's the ending of the movie for me to understand who were the real partners.

Well, then, I realized that the movie is a simple representation of the relationship types that our society has. It also tells us that in love, all is fair. That in love, age is just a number, and falling in love with the same sex happens and that there is really love there. However, in all relationships, problems occur. Why? One, it's not all about having a good time, having someone to cook for you, to buy you the good stuff and have sex. It's also understanding each other, constant communication, same wavelength would help, compromise, maybe. Relationship is like a plant, both parties need to water it, nurture it and the couple involved needs to work hard for the relationship to work. Now, if the relationship is just one way street, or one party feels like it, then that's where the trouble begins. No matter how long you guys have been together, in just a snap, a relationship can end. And in any ending, there will always be the bitter one. 😂 Nah, nagmahal lang. 😊

Choosing a partner (when I say partner, I really meant the meaning of the word) is never easy. It takes guts, will power and a lot of adjustment. And it requires two brave souls willing to work hard for the relationship to last. Have you found yours?

speak from the heart,
pong 🐢💙