Silventure: ELYUnNaNga

La Union is located in the Ilocos Region in the island of Luzon. It is known waves that are great for surfing. No, I did not surf. This is a blog is about things you can do if you are not going to surf. The first thing you need to do is to book a ticket to ElYu. We got ours from https://biyaheroes.com.

We stayed at Charlie's Hangar Surf Hostel, We stayed in a 4-dorm room. As this is a hostel, please noted that the bathrooms are shared with the other guests on your floor. Best to plan ahead when reserving for a hostel. Since we have no plans to surf it was nice to be there when Charlie's had an event called Sunset Series.

Let's go to the things most people love... Food! Since Charlie's is main for lodging, you will need to find a place to get food.  There are a lot of options in the area. I'm sure you have seen other recommendations. There are the ones I got to try, El Union Coffee, Amare La Cucina, Saboroso Elyu, and NakNak. The price range is pretty okay too.

sausage, pepperoni, mushroom pizza from Amare La Cucina

Chicken Skewer with Orzo

Saboroso's Pecho w/ Rice

If you want to take photos and timelapse videos best to do it in the morning. When other people are still asleep. You will have a view to yourself.

It was a fun weekend! I will try to do this again in the future, I do still want to try the chicken from Sabong Fried Chicken and surf as well. 

Review: Hop Inn, Alabang

Hop Inn is located in Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa. I booked a room for one night so that Sherome and I can just crash on the bed after Color Run Blacklight Run. It was a lot cheaper than staying at Azumi Boutique Hotel even if there were the partner hotel of the organizer.

View from the window of our room

I have requested a corner room that's on a higher floor and far from the elevator. All were given to me. The room itself is what you see on their site. It is pretty simple and clean. I do love the color scheme they have, it is cool to the eyes. The room cost is 1,260 Php or roughly 25 USD.

Their staff is nice and very welcoming. It did not take long to check-in. The lobby was gorgeous and spacious as well. There is a 7/11 on the ground floor so if you're planning to just sleep and relax in the room, you can buy your snack from there.

The bed was okay it did have the leathery feel to it. I was able to sleep well and that is enough for me. I'm not sure if the walls are thin but I did hear some noise from maybe another room while trying to sleep... What the sound was I will leave it for you to guess.

I would admit though there was nothing to do at Hop Inn. They did not have a pool or gym. They do not have free breakfast. However, if you just want to explore Alabang and have a place to sleep after all the fun you had in other places in the area then, Hop Inn is a good place to stay!

Silventure: Color Manila Blacklight Run

So last July 20 Color Manila had the Blacklight run in Laguna! In that light, I would like to talk about my Blacklight experience las May 25 ni Alabang. Yes, I think that was a back segway.

JBL freebie

Ever since I have heard of this fun run, I wanted to try it even just once. Good thing Sherome is game to go this. We have tried fun runs before but with zombies and we had to stay "alive". This one was a lot more simple we just have blacklight headlamps and we get to play with colored powder.

Reason for joining to see my hair glow in blackligh

It was fun as it was done at night you don't have to wake up early. You get to finish it on your own phase as the event was not timed. It was weird to see some people really trying to finish it quickly and that was not even interested in the colored powder.

This is the run for you if you do not like the sun and waking up early. The event opened at 5pm and the assembly time was supposed to be at 8pm. Although the crowd started building up at around 9pm so yes the Gun Start for the people taking the 10K route was late.

We have done the runners pledge. Plus there were warm-ups from different sponsors like Anytime Fitness and Pinoy Fitness (not too sure about this one). When it was our time (5K runners) to start, I thought it will just be one surge of runners. They let people run in batches, I guess to make sure that there are enough time and space for everyone.

Our batch started to run around 9:45pm. Sherome and I got back around 11pm. Yap that was long, we were just brisk walking. We took our time with the color stations. Overall it was fun. I wish we had more friends with us though.

After crossing the finish line we got our colored powder and medal as well as the free water. We did not stay for the after-party or the group photo where you can throw the powder in the air for a great photo op. Once we had our freebies, we changed clothes and went back to the hotel.

Yap I still have the powder at home

anTRIPolo: Pinto Art Museum

This is not a normal house facade

This place is so awesome! It is quiet and vast. You can definitely spend a day in this place! I suggest that you go there with people the likes taking photos.

It will take you to another world!

The artwork they have are both contemporary and vintage. They also have artworks from the three main islands of the country.

This is a great place to take photos and relax. It will be best to visit during the weekday at around 3pm until closing. There are so many IG worthy spots.

If you look closer there are areas in the museum that may not be on the map but it has a story to tell. Based on previous photos the displayed art in this museum has changed from time to time.

I like this piece not sure why

Be ready for a lot of walking and IG worthy photos. Best to have your power bank fully charged and wear comfortable shoes. Ps, you need to leave your bag the guard house.

I would love to have something like this in my future house

If you do get hungry from all the walking and awesome artwork plus talking great photos, you can eat at the restaurant inside the museum called Cafe Rizal. We did really try it out as we were still full from the cake of Starbucks.

I like watching him walk around

I will definitely go back here! This is just a great place to think and relax. There is so many unique and fun stuff to do here too.

Me when someone says I'm cute

Silventure: Taytay Falls, Majayjay, Laguna

Photo from Boss Justine

Located in Majayjay, Laguna, Taytay falls is also known as Imelda Falls. You need to pay the 20 pesos environmental fee then proceed to the parking lot. There is a parking lot fee of 50 pesos.

It was easy to get to the falls as there is a paved walkway. I was told that there was a hanging bridge but you don't need to cross it to get to the falls, it was just added attraction.

Taytay Falls

This was a part of your team's summer camp.
The water is cold as heck. As I always say don't visit during the weekend, it's too crowded and noisy.

Silventure: SMD Summer Camp in Laguna

at Taytay Falls; Photo By Kier!

Summer is about out of town trips! If you have the time and budget that is. I was lucky enough to be part this awesome team at work. Yearly, they do a summer camp for the team I have missed the once they did in the previous years.

This year, the team when to Magdalena, Laguna with a side trip to Majayjay, Laguna. Thanks to Cha and his family for accommodating us. I love the fact that they live near the church, school, park and the municipal hall. The area is so quiet.

The food was awesome. I honestly felt I was going to have a food coma. The view in the area is lovely too!

at some point, I lost it. too tired from the night shift to the summer camp location

but it was fun

It was like we just decided to leave everything behind and just we a tropa during the weekend! It was fun feeling like I belonged. Then, the social meter when over and I had to hide, yehey for the unfinished rooftop at Cha's place!

It has been awhile since I have seen stars like this

Back Ride Diaries: Montemaria, Batangas

Montemaria, Batangas is a pilgrimage center said to be dedicated to Mary, Mother of All Asia. The main feature of this place is the huge Mary statue. This ride was organized by the awesome people of MRO.

We left for Batangas around 7 a.m. We got to Montemaria around 11 a.m. It took longer than I expected as there were newbie riders. It was their first time to join a long ride. My partner, who was the spearhead, said that he can't go faster as they have the tendency to overshoot on curves.

This is me

What to see, when you get there. You will enter through the Gate of the Archangels then walk uphill to the Sto. Niño Chapel. After visiting the chapel, you can go up to the Mother of All Asia - Tower of Peace. If you do get hungry, there is a restaurant within the compound as well.

At the Gate of the Archangels

Inside the St. Niño Chapel

The Mother of All Asia - Tower of Peace

 You also have a great view of the sea and the surrounding island. Inside the tower is an altar as well.

Inside the Tower of Peace

Yes, here is me again

We had lunch a store near the place. Support local! We stopped a few times to wait for some rides that seemed to have gotten lost, while on our way home. Since the sun was still up we got a chance to take photos of Fantasy World. The unfinished theme park in Lemery, Batangas. 

lunch time

waiting for the other