Pong Runs: Beat the Heat Summer Run 🏃🎽

Hello! 😅

Yesterday, May 7, marked a lot of firsts for me:

1st Fun Run in Cavite (The District Mall) 
1st 3K Run (Clocked in around 30 minutes or a few minutes more than that)
1st Run in 6 years
1st Catching-up Activity w a not so long lost friend, Jong 😜


I've been trying to be active for the past couple of months - jogging to help my legs keep up with mountain climbing and fun runs (it really helped! 😊), Saturday badminton sessions and some diet on the side to lose weight, to be healthier and to be fit. Hopefully, I will not lose my determination and focus to achieve my goals. 

Earlier today, I checked my fun run certificates and my last 10K run was done around 1:40:00. Not bad, my first was 2:06:00. I should try 10K again, yes? Haha! We'll see. It feels good to have an amazing and supportive (when I say supportive, I really mean it) running buddy. So thanks Jong for being one. I couldn't ask for a better buddy. Happy to have done these firsts with you, Master Runner! This should not be the last, okay? Let's add swimming and hiking next time! 

To my fellow Caviteños, fun runs already invaded our province - yay! And yes, I joined the fad late. But better late than never! 😃 I'll post some snaps of our run. 🏃🎽

And also, there are two upcoming running events in Cavite, details and snaps below. Should I join the 24th? 5K? 10K? Hmmm. 😎 


Always remember to speak from the 💙 and finish the run strong. 🏃
- pong 🐢


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post run - taken by me, jong's phone

post run - credits to jong

post run - credits to jong

edited. 1st one had too much filter - not so us. lol

May 21st

June 24th

Pong Thoughts: Resilient P 💪🏼💃🏻

Hi! 😉

Resilient is a word that was often used by a former colleague to describe me or let's just say, he wants me to be. Back in the day, when everything else seems to be so vague and broken, to be resilient is the only choice and it's true.

It took a lot of 9AM coffee breaks (well, hot chocolate for me), shanghai lunches at Ate Cora's (God, I miss that), 3PM pantry times and never ending conversations just to keep up. Whatever that experience was, truly, it made me the strong person I am now.

But I guess, sometimes, no matter how resilient you think you are, there will be moments that you just want to sit down and look back why things happen and why things happened. Maybe, you already knew that it's bound to happen, you just shrug it off because you're blinded by the temporary happiness it brings.

Resilient people often falls short too. They cry because they're human. They get hurt because they're human. And as a grown up, I would say, it's okay. Choices we make - as long as we're happy and not hurting anyone in the process, it's okay. But also, resilient folks know when it's time to let go..

You got this, Pong. 🐢

PS It just took me a few minutes to finish this. Remember, it's always easy if you speak from the heart. Good night. 💙

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there's God's promise - rainbow after the rain

Pong Eats: Itlog ni Kuya 🐔

Hello! 😉

This store really caught my attention. Marketing strategy worked, yeah? Made me buy and have a taste of Kuya's eggs! 😋

Just recently, I've been craving for a delish salted egg and while on my way home, I saw this stall across Megamall (Julia Vargas entrance) and is just outside St. Francis Square.

Tried their salted egg and woot, rapsa! So delish - saltiness level is just perfect and the yolks are oily enough to make you drool. These eggs are priced at a reasonable market price of PHP13. 

They also have other products. I'll show some snaps along with the prices. They are worth the try!

For more info, please check their website: http://itlognikuya.com/

- pong 🐢


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Store - Front

Store - Side

Price list

Salted Egg

Itlog ni Kuya Customers

Pong Travels: Cool Martin Family Resort and Hotel 🏊🌴

Hello! 😎

Haven't gone anywhere far recently. But I just wanna share this cool place near our crib. It's like 10 minutes away. So to my fellow Caviteños, this place is worth the try. I have been seeing this resort's signage for a long time, but never tried until one of my officemates who is a Mandaluyong Resident (Thanks, Mark!) told me about it since he knew it's near my place. The place is very cozy, a home away from home and the owner was very nice. He even showed me around the hotel and even the interiors of the other rooms too.

They serve food in the resort - Silog meals (fried rice served with egg and a choice of a processed meat), American breakfast and Burgers and Sandwiches too. If you opt to have something different, they allow food delivery too. They even allow you to bring your own food and grill hotdogs, barbeque etc - super friendly resort, right? 🆗👌

Their rooms are equipped with toiletries (towel, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste), mini fridge, cups, saucers, plates, spoons and forks. Very clean too. Great, yeah? 🆗👌 

They have Sauna, Jacuzzi, Videoke, Giant Projector for guests to watch games (located in the restaurant area) - these are open 24/7 or upon request just as long as we keep the tone low as the place is a residential area. They granted our request last time to sing and swim until we can't anymore. LOL. Amazing it is! 🆗👌

I have some snaps to share, but you can also check their website ↓ for pictures and rates (very affordable!)


Name: Cool Martin Family Resort and Hotel
Location: 185 Remedios St., San Martin de Porres Village Phase 3, Bacoor, Cavite
Contact Info: +63 46 4178387; +63 920 523 0497; +63 939 905 4822
Email: alan@coolmartinresort.com
Website: http://www.coolmartinresort.ph/index.php


HOW TO GET THERE:
- Ride a bus from Pasay or Coastal Terminal with Dasmariñas signage (PHP25)
- Drop off SM Bacoor (Village is right across the mall - Emilio Aguinaldo Hway entrance)
- you can walk or you can ride a Pedicab/Sidecar and tell the driver, Cool Martin Resort (will search for the fare, sorry)


- pong 🐢

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My fave shot 

Nipa Hut - Our Room

Roof Top

Videoke Room

Jacuzzi + Pool Area

my cutey inaanak, X

Pong Travels: Mt. Batulao Day Hike

Hello! 😉

Finally, after 28 months, was able to climb this beauty again. It's my 5th time in Mt. Batulao and until now, am still in awe of its charm. 

Mt. Batulao is situated in Nasugbu, Batangas. It's elevation stands at 811+ masl.

Jump-off point: KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club (formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

Considered as a Minor Climb with a difficulty level of 4/9.

March 26, 2017 - the Day hike happened with my long lost kumare - Lovely Joy. Hehe. The goal was to be active again and yes, lose weight. Trim these unwanted fats. LOL. Call time is 5:30am - yes am late, I arrived roughly 7AM. The endless kwentuhans with LJ and the reunion with the mountain are the highlights of this trip. Labyu, Mare! 💋

Our planned itinerary which you guys could follow for a day hike:

3:00AM Depart from Pasay via Nasubgu Bus

5:00AM ETA KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club ((formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

5:30AM Start Trek

8:00AM Arrival at Camp 1, old trail

10:00AM Summit, photo-op

10:30AM Descent to Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM ETA Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM - 3:30PM Cook lunch, socials

4:00PM Descent to Jump-off

5:00PM ETA Jump-off, clean-up (PHP10 - CR fee)

6:00PM Bye, Batulao

9:00PM ETA Manila

Notes: Batulao has two trails - old and new. The new trail is pretty much an open spot; old offers some shady spots. If you're climbing during the summer, old trail is recommended. Batulao could be VERY muddy when it's rainy. Sari-sari stores could be found along the trail. There's a loo in Camp 1 - PHP10 for half a pail of water. 

Before: Only 1 registration (PHP20), Campsites

Now: 3 Registration spots will come your way while trekking via the old trail (PHP20, PHP30, PHP20) and two more if you'll descend via the new trail.  

FARE: Pasay to Nasubgu - PHP106

           Tricycle to Jump-off - PHP100 (walking is an option)

WHAT TO BRING:

Trail food (Jellyace, Chocolates, Energy Bars)

Water (2-3L)

Sun protector (shades, umbrella, fan, arm protector, sun block etc)

Mosquito repellant 

Extra clothes

Medicine

Speakers (for soundtrippin' - optional)

Cookset (+butane, cooking oil, etc)

Toiletries (kikay kit)
Good vibes and sense of humor Ü

Estimated Budget: PHP600-PHP650

Sidetrip to Tagaytay is always an option. 👌

Some snaps of our day hike! Remember, packlight! 👍

And - always remember, take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time. 👌 

- pong 🐢

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that's Camp 1, old trail



the outdoors - picnic lol



thanks for the photo, mare



the split

Chill under the tree

Negrita. Ang dumiii. LOL

Pong Travels: What's in my Bucketlist? 📓👣

Hello! 😉

Finally, am kind of over the Moffatts fever and was able to write again - LOL.

Last year, was not able to do as much traveling because of certain reasons. Mom had a Total Knee Surgery and of course, it's always Family First. Funds are a bit short so I took a break from my adventurous lifestyle for a while. Got sick as well so I really need to get well in order for me to do the things I love.

The only outing I had last year was the Company Outing in Laguna (June), Zambales last November and Batangas in December. I guess I had 3 staycation/s in Ortigas (where I work too, lol). Still thankful. And December last year, I also chose to be back to writing. 👊

A lot of stuff are still in my bucket list and the list keeps on growing. One by one, I hope to check 'em all - if God allows. 😏

Hopefully, this year, I'll be able to write more about the places I go to, the food trips and the thoughts that I'd like to share.

This year, I hope to take my sister to Enchanted Kingdom and Manila Ocean Park; I've been in these places but my sister has not yet; and to a place that's in my bucket list as well: Corregidor. Please feel free to leave comments if you have suggestions! Thanks in advance! 😉😉😉

Sagada, La Union and Boracay are my happy places to date. Wishing to be back this year as well. ❤

Am back to jogging as am trying to keep myself healthy and fit. Hopefully, I'll visit the mountains soon enough too. Sana mapanindigan ko. Haha!   

Well, here are some of the things that are in my list which I have not done yet which you can try too.

Watch a Movie Alone

Travel Alone

Sky Dive

Ride the PNR

Learn another language

Swim in the Pacific Ocean

Canyoneering

Swim with the Whale Sharks

Bunjee Jumping

Go to Siargao, Camiguin, CDO, Coron, Batanes, Maldives, HK Disneyland, Warner Bros. Studios, Calaguas, Camp Netanya, Dumaguete, Apo Island, Cagbalate, Pagbilao, Bahamas

Random places and to do list. I have downloaded the WeWander PH App to mark the places I've been in. I still have a long way to go. I also have my manual map and I use colored pencils to shade the places I've been in. Lovin' life! 

- pong 🐢

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We Wander App Screen Cap



my bucket list notebook saying Hard Work

      

Pong the Fan: The Moffatts Part II

Hello! 😉

Am soundtrippin' while doing this one. Today is quite a productive day and a happy day! Remember, happiness is a choice! 😉 Okay, cool, too much of my blah-blahs. Let's get started with this one.

So roughly 2 weeks after the Smart Araneta concert, I found myself headed to the beautiful Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas. The moment I was informed that they will be back in Manila for a music video shoot, a friend and I searched and find ways how to get near them. Well, not really me, it's my friend. Haha. So just like a stalker, March 1st was booked and I filed for two half-days at work. Thank God, it was approved. 😉

March 1 came, headed to EDSA Shrine to attend the Ash Wednesday Mass and drop by our house coz I forgot my effing wallet - so wrong. (Thanks, Gibby!) After 2 hours, we arrived at Punta Fuego, such a beautiful place and of course, I love the sunset so I took a shot of it, some selfies on the side, and we lined up for the buffet. God, food was so good. (Thanks, Chef!) 😋

Show started at 8PM with a front act. Front act had 3 songs. Such a talented young girl. 😊 It was a fun show! And this time, I felt that we are really connected and reunited after 16 long years (Yes, I am such a fan! Haha!) Seems like we're literally just enjoying the moment by the pool and by the beach. 3 weeks of travelling is really tiring so their voices have been struggling already but it was still good. It was a short and sweet show. They sang 8 songs, if I reckon that right. I cannot get over from the experience yet and I don't think I would. I just love 'em to bits! Scott's been doing a lot of ad-libs which were way too cute! Have some snaps and videos to share. Enjoy! 💕


PS: I just had to - the girl host was beyond annoying. Punta Fuego is such a beautiful place. They could've invested with a good host. Maybe next time - ☮✌

- pong 🐢

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Videos could be found in my YouTube Page: Joane Pong
(Disclaimer: still learning the ropes of video editing, peace y'all)

Buffet with fellow Moffattians

Punta Fuego Sunset