By far, I've had the best adventures/travels the previous year but the other ones really don't compare to the thrills I've had with these 3.  I know its pretty late.. but if you are still looking for a place to visit this summer, then I highly recommend that you visit one of these places as I've had the best times here. 🚗✈️👣

1.) Siem Reap, Cambodia

I knew that I would like Siem Reap, but I never expected to fall in love with the place!  Though it was so hot and it rained hard after our temple run (it was cloudy when we got to Angkor Wat)... its rich history, the people and their culture, the vibe, the inexpensive stuff you could buy there and the food made our stay worth while.  Wishing I could go back soon and I hope things will get even better. 

For your OOTDs, pick your light and airy clothes.  Also choose a comfy pair of sandals or shoes as you'll be walking most of the time.  I mean we opted to actually. hahaha  We go on walks from our accommodation at Seven Candles Guesthouse, Wat Bo Road to Pub Street/night market where we usually have our meals.  Aside from saving money from tuk tuk rides, it also provides us more time to hang out and take in the relaxing vibe of Siem Reap.  

Thanks to airlines who are now providing much cheaper fares than before, you can now enjoy your travels to international destinations!  Quick tip if you don't know this yet... Check and compare flight fares at sky scanner ph. Estimated travel time from Manila to Siem Reap is about 3hours.

2.) Dahilayan Adventure/Forest Park, Bukidnon

Fun outdoor group activities!  I'm telling you, this is the place to be.  

I'm from Davao so the travel going there is pretty tiring.  Google will tell you that it only takes about 4 hours and a half but in reality it takes more than that.  I think that if you start travelling by 3am you can make it 4-5 hrs.  Based on my experience last summer, we left at around 6 in the morning and arrived there at around 1 in the afternoon (I do not have the exact time as I was too groggy that time I just slept all the way there).  First off, you have to consider the traffic especially around Malaybalay and Valencia.  Secondly, there are a lot of road cuts and construction.  Thirdly, you have to mind that these roads are being passed by trailer trucks carrying loads all the way from Cagayan de Oro going to Davao (or vice versa).  So imagine if these trucks line up and their speed is around 10-15kph or lower.  You know what I remember when I'm thinking about that?  The smell of rubber.

My favorite activities there will definitely be the luge and ATV! Woop woop! 

http://dahilayanadventurepark.com/attractions/

3.) Surigao del Sur (Enchanted River and Brittania group of islands)

The pictures scattered online?  I thought that they were just edited to make it look even better.  But nah.  The water really is so pristine and clear.  Its beautiful and its real just as I had imagined it.

Aside from the fact that I made a collage and added the name of the places, the pictures I have in this post are raw - though a couple of the Siem Reap ones were just to make it a bit clear as it was pretty cloudy at that time.

Travel time from Davao City to Enchanted River is only about 3-4 hours given that you leave around 4 in the morning to avoid traffic and if there are no other unnecessary stopovers.  This is guaranteed.  I thought it would take more than 5 hours to get there, but it didn't.  And it takes only 1 hour and a half to go to Britannia from there.

When I get to visit place like these, I become more thankful for all the wonders in the world especially those that are left untouched.  I also felt this when my girlfriends and I traveled to Zambales and Pangasinan in 2014.  The mountains, the sea, the sun's rays, the waves kissing the shore and the wind in your hair.  It was breathtaking and I was left in awe.  It was beyond perfection.  All of this was made by the greatest architect of all.  So thank you to the big guy up there for all of this perfection!

Well.. while writing all of these, I just might do a detailed one for these destinations as these are just a snapshot on each one to avoid making a super long post.  I hope I'll get into that soon though.

'Til next time and have a blessed Holy Week, everyone! 🙏

March is (usually) the end of the school year here in the Philippines which is the start of the summer!  Though there are already some universities adapting the new school year which starts at August / September.  Its a pretty hectic and exciting time for graduating students all over the country.  Busy with all of the final requirements, exams and becoming anxious to get out in the real world.  At this time a few years ago, we were already practicing for our graduation ceremony.  Oh, the memories.

Looking for a job can be daunting and stressful.  So I thought about sharing with you these very simple tips to help you on your job hunt.

1.) Create a professional email address.  

This is especially if you're currently using dangerismy_middlename@ooemailkoto.com, sexyvixen_13@ooemailkoto.com, smugglerako@ooemailkoto.com etc.  Imagine having the last one and you're applying in the import/export industry.  You know where I'm going at this.  You're good to go with just your full name.

2.) Prepare your resume and application letter.

Since most of you might not have any previous work experiences, you can include the business plans and strategic plans that you made as a final requirement aside from the on-the-job training that you had (which I didn't).  I commend working students who exert extra hard effort, you will go far - so don't forget to include the jobs that you have had as well.   Include extra curricular activities or the organizations and positions you've held in them during college.  Someone told me back in college that during her interview she found out that the HR associate and head of their department were in the same organization that she was in.  So I think that kind of helped as they found a common ground with the applicant.  Though these activities and orgs may not be as important to others, but it will help the employers know more about you.  

Take notes from your professor as well as there are some who will lend a hand in preparing your resumes.  Also, you should establish good relationships with some professors as you can use them as your reference.  Some companies do not check these references, but you wouldn't know who would and who wouldn't.  So its best that you put people who know that you are a responsible person.

3.) Be proactive.

Send out applications right now even if you're still waiting for the graduation day!  Whats good nowadays is that you can opt to submit your applications online and signup to websites such as JobStreet, jobsDB, indeed, etc.  

Aside from the online and onsite applications, you should join job fairs too!  There are schools and malls here in Davao City that hold 2-3 days of jobs fairs during these times of the year.  So make sure you make use of those opportunities and be in your business attire.

4.) Prepare and practice interviews with friends.

Most interview questions are just the same - tell me about yourself, where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now, etc.  These questions seem easy but sometimes you just get stuck and can't even describe yourself.tsk  So prepare and practice beforehand. 

I remembered being so nervous at this interview (it was at the company/industry that I really wanted to be in) I was so cold but my hands were sweating and I felt like my tummy was about to give in!  So for the first time in a lot of interviews I've had,  I sold myself.  And eventually after a few weeks, I landed the job!  Its not easy selling yourself especially if you don't have any experiences yet.  So know your strengths and weaknesses, use them to your advantage and be creative with your answers.

There are a lot of sample answers scattered all over the internet for various interview questions.  Try watching this video so you'll have an idea.  

5.) Research about the company your applying.

If you really like a particular company/industry, take the time to learn about what these guys do.  Most companies already have their own website so take advantage of that as some would ask - how did you know about us, why do you want this job or why should we hire you?  Learning about the company prior to the interview lets the employers know that you are interested in them and that you took the time in knowing what is it that they do.

And oh, have you watched the movie Post Grad?  You might want to watch it.

I think thats about it!  Hope that my tips helped even just a tiny bit. 

Just be patient and keep the faith.

Congratulations to all the graduates of 2016 and best of luck to all of you!

Grad pictures grabbed from friends and classmates Kah, Nina and Jil :)

Skinny Living!!! And I'm not talking about diet or exercise 😁

While working one afternoon I had JacksGap's Shed Sessions - Jeremy Loops playing on the background, got the autoplay function on Youtube, when I heard Skinny Living play for the very first time.  They played The Journey and when they got to the chorus part I just had to take a look at what I was listening to.  The band just felt perfection in my ears.  I couldn't help but listen to their other songs and covers as well!  I never really got into into Maroon 5's Sugar, I usually skip it when the autoplay randomly chooses it 😜 but I really like Skinny Living's cover!  

Skinny Living is a 4 man British band - Ryan Johnston on vocals, Rhys Anderton on percussion, Will Booth and Danny Hepworth on guitar and vocals.  People need to hear more from this band because they make good covers and their originals are great (lyrics and melody)!  Listen to their Youtube uploads and visit their website for more info on these guys - http://www.skinnylivinguk.com/  You won't be disappointed.

I am so excited for the future of this band, pretty sure its going to be awesome and bright.  Can't wait for the day to hear them live up front.

I absolutely love The Journey!  That's why I'm including the complete lyrics and video of this song.  The message is so good and I think that we all get in to that point in our lives that we can all relate to this.  Other current favorites are Let Me In and Loving That You're With Me - I'm not 100% sure on the lines below, its just as far as my ears can go.  Aside from Sugar, I also like their cover of Iron Sky by Paolo Nutini as well.  

"The Journey" 

You're born with the world in your hands

And a gift that's individual 

So be careful with your plans

When you're getting closer to seeing your dreams through

Be wise of those new around you

If it was easy there was no need to try

We could get a dream in one day but would that be a life? 

Its all about the journey

Its hard knowing what to do sometimes

Not always so simple 

Trying to read between the lines

What is their intention?

Why are they trying to be so kind?

What is it they offer you?

"Let Me In" 

He left scars 

I'm here to heal for you

And I know where you are

Because I've been there before

Open up your heart and let me in

Break free from these shackles and let me begin

"Loving That You're With Me" 

Late night phone calls, butterflies are tenfolds ❤️

Waking up with the sun, I'll see your face again

I'm soaring on heartfelt emotions higher than the eye can see ❤️

I'm flying you've caused a commotion I'm loving that you're with me 

http://www.skinnylivinguk.com/photos.html

http://www.skinnylivinguk.com/photos.html