A peek on Cherry Mobile new Quad Core Tablet (CM Fusion Bolt)

Fusion Bolt is fitted with a VGA front camera for shooting and a Super HD screen.

When talking about the latest gadgets, I feel that I might be the most antiquated blogger in town. Apparently, because all I have is a cellphone which is only capable of transmitting and receiving text and call and a notebook which I do use for blogging. Lately. I've been seeing a lot of people carrying a tablet with them while playing their favorite games, while being at the bus or when I am with my friends in a coffee shop. Honestly speaking I'm kinda jealous and envious. How come that they can have such cool gadgets, but not me? With that I've been thinking recently of purchasing one for myself. After searching and  browsing few pages in the web I've come across to this Cherry Mobile's Quad Core Tablet. When I saw it, my eyes got bigger in awe, because it is sold at P3,999.00 only! How come such a cool gadget can be priced at such low? I can't believe it! A year or so these cool gadgets are so expensive. This might be the reason why nowadays more people are carrying such. Hmmm...So, I made a deeper inquires and here's what I found out.

Cherry Mobile's Quad Core Tablet (Fusion Bolt), is the newly introduced seven-inch tablet which is an additional to its range of affordable Android devices. It is a slim and lightweight WiFi enable device which features an ultra-responsive seven-inch HD IPS capacitive touch panel. The tablets diameter is large enough for a blogger like me to take photos of my travels and post it while on the go, reads e-books, watches videos, and small enough to carry with me anywhere I go when I am on travel. Interestingly, Fusion Bolt runs on a 1GHz quad-core A9 processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory which is expandable to 32GB using a microSD card.

Back View of the Fusion Bolt Tablet:
You can see the company logo and  a 2 MP rear camera.

Right Side View:
You can see the polarity, headset, the HDMI,
USB  connector socket, Micro SD slot and the microphone.

Left Side View:
You can see the Power button, Volume (+,-), and the Lock Screen.

With the features and technology packed in this tablet, I feel that this is really made for me. With Fusion Bolt, I could easily capture every spectacular views and be able to share it on the internet anytime I want, while I'm on travel. I could get some entertainment when I got bored. With its affordability, I'll start saving some pesos for it right now. Soon when I have one I will definitely share more stories  about it. How bout you? Why not check out Lazada Philippines website for you to have one also. I can't wait to have one.

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Rent.ph invades Made in Iligan Trade Fair in Iligan City

Photos by : Maricel Malazarte

In all honesty, lately has been so challenging for me. The reason why I haven't post a single article here in my blogsite, because I was caught up with a lot of worries, anxieties about my health. Yes, for years now I've been suffering from an illness which caused me to drop out from my studies and cut off myself from the outside world. Basically, because lately I've been staying at home and not in my regular where-about. 

However, that unplanned hibernation officially ended as I came out yesterday and serve as one of the representative of Rent.ph the fastest growing property rental website in the country. Rent.ph joined with numerous local businesses of Iligan in its monthly Trade Fair showcasing the locally produced products of Iligan. As the fastest growing property rental website its participation is another one step towards  stretching its presence in the northern part of Mindanao after it made a debut in Cagayan de Oro which just celebrated its first year anniversary on the second day of the month of May 2013. This move also is imbued to open more opportunities for local businesses to boost their sales when partnering with Rent.ph in promoting their products and services online and offline.

Rent.ph is a website where you can find various listings of properties for rent such as condominiums, house and lot, commercial buildings and warehouses for your businesses which are managed by people called "Rent Mangers." 

Rent Managers are the ones taking care of your properties's:

1. Advertising and promotion. 
2. Assist and screen potential tenants.
3. Assess and evaluate rental rates to current prices. 
4. Handle property-management issues, such as repair and maintenance.
5. Reduce your administrative and operational tasks.

Owned and operated by Philippine Real Estate Management Solutions, Inc. (PREMSI), Rent.ph offers a great deal of myriad and distinct advantages. 

1. Accredited Rent Managers seeking for properties to rent for a client and actively marketing properties for client.
2. Robust and unparalleled site features.
3. Availability in web and mobile platforms such as Android and Apple.
4. Rent.ph is partnered with Sunstar.com.ph, whose site has a guaranteed more or less 12,000,000 unique visitors a month which means that partner companies of Rent.ph will also be exposed to these huge traffic for those who signed up for Rent.ph Free Advertising Program. 

Free Advertising Program is a unique offering of Rent.ph that lets you promote your hotel in rich media such as videos and photos at no cost to you. All you need to sign up Rent.ph Free Advertising Program which entitles you to enjoy the following:

1. Free listing of partner hotel in www.Rent.ph
2. 25% discount on banner advertising at Rent.ph
3. 50% discount on premium/sponsored listing
4. priority invitation in Rent.ph events and activities
5. Grant an "Official Rent Partner" certificate for display for marketing purposes 
6. inclusion of partner hotel in link exchange/cross promotions
7. inclusion of partner hotel logo as "Official Rent Partner in Rent.ph website
8. Assignment of Rent Manager to receive booking inquiries in behalf of the partner hotel and;
9. Rent.ph  Rent Managers will assist in booking of clients from Rent.ph to partner hotel.

By signing up to this Free Advertising Program, Rent.ph would like to ask in return, a discount of your published rate as a commission for every client referred to your hotel.

With the positive outlook towards Philippines growing real estate investments. With Rent.ph's coming to Iligan City it opens various and great opportunities for local investors such as catering the local investors needs to manage their properties for rent by integrating Rent.ph in their business's marketing mix. 

with Rent.ph Social Media Rockstar and Outgoing President of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., Xy-za O. Yape 

More importantly, Rent.ph is open for franchise. If you want Rent.ph to be near you, why not franchise it for P300,000.

The one day Trade Fair is joined by local businesses such as Piaya de Iligan, Jacko's Kan-anan which I am going to write soon as they have new offerings worth writing for and other local businesses worth promoting to the public. Present at the said event is the President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. who opens the event, Ms. Emily Pascua, Rent.ph Social Media Rockstar Xy-za Yape, and Rent.ph Cagayan de Oro Branch Manager John Rey Reyes Demetrio.

Want to sign up for a Free Advertising Program? or interested to franchise Rent.ph in your area? Contact me by sending me an email at singcol.inquisitor@gmail.com or call me at +639053117925 for more details. You may visit Rent.ph website for a detailed information.

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How to Understand the Career Clusters for a Bright Future?

Education means empowerment. To help students become empowered, the United States education department has come up with sixteen career clusters to help students understand various fields, research in motion, employable market and choose their subjects for a bright future.

These career clusters comprises of groups which the undergraduate students are told about to aid them make the most informed choices. The schools then integrate the learning process with the skills required to fit into chosen career clusters. Not only students, even if someone is looking for career change, knowing the career clusters will be beneficial.

To understand this, we give the sixteen career clusters. Choose yours wisely.

1.      Architecture and Construction –

Individuals who have knowledge on construction, designing, repairing, restoring and maintenance fall under this education cluster. It includes builders, architects, construction workers, electricians and plumbers.

2.      Arts, Communication and AV Technologies –

Anything to do with mass media, audio-visual technologies and mass communication is included in this category. Journalism, performance, design, production are its main facets.

3.      Food, Natural Resources and Agriculture –

This involves the processing of plants and animals into food products. It takes into consideration the agricultural business and natural environmental systems, including infrastructure setup, manufacturing, and management, advertising and selling.

4.      Education and Training –

This involves teaching students, corporate training and teaching institutions. Teachers, professors, trainers and mentors are some career options here.

5.      Public Administration and Governance –

Activities necessary to maintain smooth functioning of the government falls under this category. These activities will include public service officials, adhering to regulations, taxation, defense measures, general administration, smooth external affairs and others.

6.      Finance –

Both the personal and business finance come into this category. The career clusters involved here would be investments, mutual funds, securities, bank accounts, insurance and others.

7.      Information Technology –

This is a new addition to the career cluster list. This involves professionals who are into hardware and software, inclusive of networking, technology development, planning, digital evolution and others.

8.      Security, Corrections, Law and Public Safety –

Any kind of activity undertaken to improve civilian protection, security, correction facilities and overall decorum in society comes under this cluster. Lawyers, magistrates, judges, deputy magistrate and other law upholders fall under this category.

9.      Health Sciences –

This involves the development and management of public health services, health policies, execution measures and strategic development. Some activities undertaken in this are health treatment, research on new health diseases and diagnosis. Doctors and nurses come under this category.

10.  Tourism and Hospitality –

It involves development of resorts, amusement parks, recreational facilities, restaurant, lodges, managing hotels, travel and tourism. Hoteliers, waiters, cooks, travel agencies and others come under this cluster.

11.  Human Services –

All kind of activities related to the taking care of family and community, in terms of its physical, mental and collective consciousness comes under human services.

12.  Logistics, Transportation and Distribution –

Activities related to moving things from one place to another come under this segment. Typical activities would include warehousing, maintenance, sales, distribution, logistics, planning and executing transportation.

13.  Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Technology –

This education cluster involves scientific research and development, planning and execution of scientific projects. Fields like mathematician, biologist, marine researcher and oceanographer are included, among others.

14.  Marketing –

This involves marketing products into a targeted market. Some of the activities involved here are transportation, packaging, distribution, sales and purchase, e-marketing and others.

15.  Manufacturing –

Those professional which help to manufacture commodities for public consumption are included here. This involves merchandise production, maintenance, engineering and others.

16.  Business Management and Administration –

It is a specialized field that involves professions responsible for planning, building, implementation, managing and administration to seamlessly run a business venture.

Each of these career clusters is accompanied with specific Education stream. You should make your career choice keeping in mind your interests and career potential in the next 20-25 years. The decisions you take now will have lifetime repercussions, so think and choose wisely. http://www.picstopin.com/

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Top 10 Civil Engineering Board Exam 2012

Congratulations to the MSU'ns Jan Paulo Calubag Lisondra as the 8th placer and to all the top performers of the 2012 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination and for the list of passers please visit Professional Regulation Commission page. Thank you!

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Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte: The second day Extra Challenge, featuring Cathedral Falls and Santa Cruz Falls

Photo by Daryl Tolero: Coffee or me? or Coffee with me?

"Coffee or me?" or "Coffee with me?" the famous line that woke me up that very cold morning. This has been the killer line which I've heard the moment I open my eyes which signals that the night is over and another challenge is waiting for me and the rest of the group. Now, question...Will you say, yes and accept the invitation considering that its a cold morning and coffee is the best to at least cope it with? If yes, which is which? Yes for the first offer or yes for the second offer? Well, if you are curious of who said that, by looking at the photo above I am pretty sure its obvious and by looking at the photo below its obvious with whom that killer line is for. I thought the fun and noise last night is over, but I was wrong. Maybe I did slept at around 2 or 3 o'clock dawn but then its time to prepare for the next challenge. 

I've heard that the first group which I referred to as Team A was not able to explore the cave which Team B first explored the other day, because there was heavy rains. Likewise, the MSU Marawi team arrived late the other day, therefore these two groups plans to set an exploration after breakfast. Nonetheless, the group decided not to pursue the plan as there are inevitable circumstances which did  not permit them to do so. After some time it was decided that the group shall go down and proceed with the next activity as planned and that is visiting two of the wondrous display of alluring waterfalls around Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte---the Cathedral Falls located at Brgy. Waterfalls, Kapatagan Lanao del Norte and Sta. Cruz Falls seemingly located at Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. When everyone are done with our meals, we started packing and we set to downward. 

Kapatagan's Cathedral Falls

Cathedral Falls is located in Brgy. Cathedral and Brgy. Waterfalls in the province of Lanao del Norte - "Land of Beauty and Bounty." It is considered as a site to behold, because of its rock formations which resemble cathedral posts where it got its name. I was here first in 2009 with a classmate and friend Kim who resides in Maranding and Diana, but was not able to save photos when friendster got closed. Actually, I considered the invitation to participate the Malinas challenge as an answered prayer. Going to Cathedral Falls is easy as it can be accessed by vehicles of any type. Some locals said that the water is not safe to dip yourself for a swim with, but I saw a lot of people enjoying their swim in the mid-day.

Kapatagan's Santa Cruz Falls

After a short fun-thrilled visit and picture taking at Cathedral Falls we dropped by at Kapatagan Town Center and deposited our bags and other belongings at Iligan Computer Institute's office, before proceeding to our next destination---the Santa Cruz Falls. The night before we set to climbed Malinas peak, Daryl showed me a photo of the falls which made me very much excited and vow to visit the place and should be able take photos of myself and I am proud to say that I did that. Thank you Daryl for granting my request! My first time experienced with Santa Cruz Falls was totally extra-ordinary because of the group I am with.

Going to Santa Cruz Falls was a surprise for me, you may asks why? I don't want to sound complaining, because I don't complain, but I really thought it was just a short walk. Maybe, I was too tired that I almost feeling like flying while walking. My legs don't hurt but it feels so heavy. Daryl said that going to the falls will require a 20 to 30 minutes hike and it did, except that it feels like I was walking for about more than an hour already and every time I gaze on my watch it really feels like time moves so slow. Despite that it was all worth it! Why? Well, look at my photo? Needless to say it was really worth it! I asked an old man who was hiking with us, if its safe to swim and he said, it is and when I was in front of the falls, I felt that it was useless to resist the inviting water waiting for me. So, I removed my clothes and joined the others who were already swimming delightfully.

When you are in Kapatagan Town Center, hire a local motorcycle driver or tricycle driver and spend P10.00 going to the dropped off crossing going to the falls. Then, prepare yourself for a 30 to 40 minutes walk depending on speed.Visiting the Santa Cruz Falls requires you to wear slippers, because it is expected that you will definitely get wet along the way. The walkway to the falls is not paved and you'll need extra effort and patience crossing with the river as the trail to the falls is by following with the stream, which makes visiting it unsafe, during rainy seasons or every time there is heavy rains, because normally when there is rain the river's water level will definitely rise.

I want to extend my warmest and heartfelt gratitude to the Local Government Units (LGU) of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, through Daryl Tolero who invited me. I would say I am looking forward for future activities with you guys. I've heard and read that local food is worth the taste specially the seafood's :) I missed that during the travel. The ICI mountaineering group, though, I was too tired to mingle with you guys---it was all fun listening all your funny conversations. Looking forward to see you and join you in your next climb wherever it maybe.

Do you want to join us in our next adventures?

Drop me a comments or email me at singcol.inquisitor@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook!

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Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte: The wonder inside Malinas Caves

Photo by Wilson Ybañez: Team B.

Caving for me is one of the amazing and best recreational activity or sport that offers a closer look of some of our natures most interesting wonders and natural geographical formations. However, spelunking (cave exploring) can be dangerous for people like me who do not know exactly on how to explore caves in a safe way. Therefore, it is precautionary measure that before doing or engaging such activity one should really be informed and get oriented with by people who have first hand experience. Further, this orientation should also serve as  a  special effort to educate the people who will engage spelunking - the fragile nature of the cave environment . More importantly, before embarking into a cave exploration make sure to prepare the following:

Spelunking Malinas Caves Must Haves

1. Food and Water. Make sure you have eaten, before going inside the cave and bring something like a piece of chocolate or biscuits.
2. First Aid Kit. Band-aids, alcohol, cotton, for bruises dressing. Being at Malinas Caves you wont get hurt, but its always better when you are prepared.
3. Helmet. To protect you from bumping your head on the ceiling or if a rock might fall on you.
4. Headlamp or Flashlight. Make sure to bring a flashlight with a life longer than two hours. Make sure it does not break or die when dropped. Its always important to get your purpose and that is to see the beauty inside.
5. Batteries. Bring extra batteries for preparedness purposes.
6. Footwear. Wear a sturdy shoes that will provide hold in slippery walk ways of which you are comfortable with.
7. Gloves. To keep your hands free from bruises. A leather or something that will surely protect your hand from rappelling ropes downward. 
8. Knee and Elbow Pads. As I said prepare for a duck-walk, climb and crawl so knee and elbow pads are a must.
9. Cave Pack. Something where you can put all your extras like battery, food, first aid kit and etc.
10. Camera. Capture the moments when you are in an extra ordinary place and you can't do that without a camera.

The trek to the summit of Malinas took about 4 hours. At exactly 2 o'clock we have erected our respective tents already, then the group was divided again into two to explore two different caves separately situated nearby our camp site. The first group should take the northern path that is visiting the big cave which they coined with the term "simbahan," because the cave ceilings features a numerous display of chandelier-like stalactites formation - a mineralized water formation that dangles at the ceiling of caves; the second group would explore the other smaller cave of which group I was part of.

Photo by Wilson Ybañez: Showing  a small cave passage which allows only one to pass "tight-pass." 

Over-crowding is the main concern why the group decided to split. Altogether, the 57 explorers inside one cave could endanger our lives for we might struggle with oxygen and get suffocated. Likewise, by regrouping, we could buy enough time as going inside each cave requires us considerable time for there are caves which are not easy to pass. According to the locals (trail guides), altogether there are eight (8) caves within the vicinity, but we are able to explore and visit two (2) only, because of some circumstances such as problem with accessibility, lack of right equipment and some of these caves are not yet explored before, unlike others which are regularly visited by the locals.

Photo by Wilson Ybañez

Yes, inside the cave prepare for a climb, a crawl and a "duck-walk," I mean literally walking like a duck, where you should really walk while sitting and move forward slowly or even for a fall. Oh yes, I really did fall in one of the difficult passages where I need to take a step up and the pathway was too slippery and too small to pass through. The only thing that console my pride from that fall is that I was not the only one who fell on that adventure---many did and the fall was all worth it. Nobody said that exploring a cave is like a helicopter ride ^.^

Claustrophobia or the fear of being locked or in an enclosed place or space - a phobia that I developed back in 2010, when I had difficulty in breathing and was rushed to the hospital. Since then, I have the fear of being inside a closed place alone.  I believe I overcome it already! Believe me the thought of being inside the cave made me struggle for breath, but I fought with it. The fun inside made me forget about that fear, specially when I fell on the ground :) There was so much to see inside the cave that made me forgot my fears.

Photo by Wilson Ybañez: Showing the 
opening of a second cave at Malinas
 referred to as "Simbahan"

Going down from that opening to where we are seated was a super extra challenge which took us almost 45 minutes (total time spent for 20+ people). It might take lesser time for some, but for inexperienced first time explorer of the cave it would be very difficult. With no ropes and no stairs you have to pass and slowly go down by just holding and sticking yourself on the stone walls and it was so dangerous, one mistake and you'll pick up yourself 5 meters on the ground with broken limbs. Trail guides said that there should be a bamboo stairs in this cave, but for unknown reason during our visit its nowhere to be found. The exploration inside the cave took us almost an hour after visiting different rooms with dead-ends which really require us to go back and then find another way. This cave has a lot of unexplored avenues of which you can only get yourself contented with peeping on its small holes which allows you to view that inside there is a wide space. It is important to note that at the end of this cave, it has a very small exit which requires you to climb and can only accommodate one person at a time.

Anyone entering a cave should be careful as bats are everywhere and will get disturbed when someone enters the cave with a light and a number of them will really try to fly towards you. Is it dangerous? Yes, of course, as these bats bites and will scratch you, if they can have contact with you. Likewise, there's danger being in contact with bats urine like leptospirosis and salmonella from bat's feces.

As a person who visited these caves and for safety reasons, I recommend that you should explore these caves with the trail guides, because these caves are not easy to find. They are not properly marked and the environment is deeply covered with trees and grasses. Locals are the only person who are familiar with the trail and the ones who knew which passage are for the exit and which are for avenues with dead-ends. Another, if you wish to explore the cave proper coordination with the authority is strictly required for safety purposes. Dropped me a comment or an email at singcol.inquisitor@gmail.com if you want to explore the cave and lets arrange it with my local contacts. 

After getting wet with the rain and the long journey of exploration everyone were excited to go back at our camp site! We heard a message that our tent got blown away by the strong wind! 

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Malinas Climb and Cave Exploration: The first day Extra Challenge

The challenge was to climb the highest peak of Brgy. Malinas, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and explore the hidden treasures it keeps in hide for centuries- the Malinas Caves. 

The adventure is set to begin at 6:30 in the morning on Nov. 3, 2012. We are to gather outside Iligan Computer Institute (ICI) - Kapatagan Branch office where we are to join with other climbers. It was then, that I knew and met other climbers coming from ICI Cagayan de Oro, ICI Iligan and ICI Kapatagan students and staff of which approximately, we are 57 climbers in total. 

The group was divided in two, because the jeep can't accommodate everyone in one load to the jumped off location at Brgy. Butadon, that took us an estimated 12 to 15 minutes travel from Kapatagan Town Center our assembly area. During the interval, we waited another 20 minutes in approximate for the second group to catch up with us, then the adventure had begun.

Extra Challenge No. 1 Crossing the swinging hanging bridge: Everyone are excited
and walked like there's a pot of gold or trophy on top of our destination. It looks like it was a race and I can't afford to lose :) so I walked like I don't get tired.

In between catching my breath I gaze upon my goal, that peak of the mountain where all mountaineers dreamed-of to set foot to. Then, there is this first obstacle, surely crossing a hanging bridge with missing floor parts to step into is a dilemma, but it was a no sweat for me. In two minutes or less I was on the other side of the hanging bridge with a big smile. A few walks away from the bridge I saw fallen souls sweating like they have fallen from the dilapidated bridge that we have just crossed. When everyone had crossed, it signals for the resumption of what I considered the most challenging---walking and trekking with heavy loads on our back. I was feeling like to regret that I didn't jumped off from that hanging bridge I just crossed, to ease the hell feeling out of me while walking under the heat of the sun sweating.

Extra Challenge No.2 : Crossing the swinging bamboo bridge without fail. One trekker slipped his tent
and it fell into the water, but he went down under the bridge and picked it up with a smile

A moment of pause and were on track again for our goal which is to be at Malinas peak before lunch. Aside from being soaked with sweat, pain starting to crawl from my toes to my thighs and in between glances of the distance of how far I have been through  and how many steps should I need to take, before I can set foot on the highest peak, I surrender and offered myself a rest in a shady mango tree as I have noticed few trees are left standing still in this green untilled fields. 

Whenever I think something negative, like its not likely that I will reached the peak, I always remember and read in my mind the quote, "Whenever it feels like an uphill climb, just think of the view when you are at the top," and it helps a lot for me. It motivates me to go on and take more steps forward.

Alas! my doubts ruled over me. I decided to give up. My mind commanded me to take a few more steps and move forward, but my body refused to obey. The heavy load upon my back plays like the devil that pulls me back every time I attempt to take another step forward. "This is the end!" this thought thundering my sorrowful soul as I felt helpless and was ready to fall down on my knees right at the foot of the mountain as a gesture of my pitiful surrender and defeat. Then, there was this trail guide wearing a blue jacket whom was observing me. I was unconscious of his presence until he offered to carry my bag.  In a split-second my face brighten up and I looked behind with a mixed emotions coupled with the sweetest smile I can possibly make, while saying "sure you can, and thank you so much," then, he had my bag in his shoulders and I was left behind so thankful for the help just in time when I needed it.

While approaching at the peak after being wet by the rain who passed by to level up the challenge, I noticed few only are following me and was trekking along with me. I guessed some had took rest and some are already at the peak. True enough, at least eight have arrived when I step at the peak and glorify the glorious view up there. I was not wrong when I've been rehearsing in my mind so many times the quote "when it feels like an uphill climb, just think about the view at the top." though the quote for me means something else figuratively, but literally it helped me every time I felt that I am about to give up.

Soaked with sweat I opened my eyes and let it explore around and for awhile it marvel towards the scenic beauty being displayed before me. Malinas peak did not disappoint me! Dropping my self into the green meadows of the peak, I offered a prayer thanking the One above for the gift of good health that made myself wander into a journey that I didn't imagine I can embark into. The Malinas summit allows me to gaze of what appears to be my next goal - Mt. Malindang, a mountain worth of beholding by just gazing at its inviting charm. Facing Mt.Malindang, at my left is Celebes Sea and Pagadian City, while looking below at my right side is the vast expanse of Kapatagan Valley with its blooming rice fields, while at a distance is the Pangil Bay and Ozamiz and behind me is Mt. Ragang and the exotically landscaped mountain ranges of Lanao del Sur.

I've traveled many times by plane and a helicopter ride last December and had a feeling of being up there, but being at the peak of a mountain where you have suffered and endured challenging obstacles just to get there is another story. Now, I truly understand why Rose in the movie Titanic shouted, "I am the queen of the world." A strange feeling of mixed emotions, something like I take pride of my self as I made it through the rain, the swinging bamboo bridge and the uphill climb, because Malinas peak I think its a place where the brave dare not go, because mountaineering and mountain climbing itself is not a question for people of who are the brave or who are the cowards, but rather its a question of who dares to conquer and follow their dreams. 

When everyone arrived, the main concern is to take our respective "baon" for lunch and erect ourselves our own sanctuary for the night---a tent or anything where we can take cover for rain might come during the night nor the wind so cold might bring harm. Thank you to Daryl for adopting me by providing me a clean and cozy place to repose for the night.

In my next article, the Malinas Cave Exploration!

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Knowing Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte: The Challenge Prelude

First and foremost I admit, I am not a mountaineer nor an athletic kind of person. However, I live in a not so plain (patag) location - that is in Mary Hill, Tomas Cabili, Iligan City, and I am an adventurous one, which serves as my edge when being challenged. More importantly, I do love travelling and travelling serves as my medicine, when I feel so low and broken. If you are my avid reader, then my journey to the plains and the mountains of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte would no longer be a surprise. 

Eighty (80) kilometers going south from my city of origin - Iligan is the 2rd class municipality of Kapatagan, one of the twenty-two (22) municipalities in the province of Lanao del Norte of which Iligan City is it's former capital city, now Tubod. People in this side of the Philippines rely on farming and fishing as their source of income. Rice serves as their primary produce as the place is literally plain "patag" true from its name "Kapatagan" where rice paddy fields are ideally created to grow rice. In honor of their patron saint, they celebrate Kahumayan Festival in the months of December one of the features of their fiesta celebration which I am looking forward to witness next month.

The challenge was to climb the highest peak of Brgy. Malinas, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte and explore the hidden treasures it keeps in hide for centuries- the Malinas Caves. Who would say that I will say "no" to this? To be honest, I doubted myself, if I can really survive the challenge, mainly because I just came home from a recent travel of which I will promise to blog about it soon. Another, because in my recent climb at the highest peak of Iligan -Mt. Agad-agad with Lisa Mirasol, I almost fell on the ground and fainted far halfway during our climbed. Lack of exercise and underestimating Mt. Agad-agad posed to be the main reason why it happened. Underestimate, because I climbed this mountain many times during college with my friends.

Despite the odds, I have this positive thought inside me that I can make it, so, I decided to take the challenge. Four o'clock in the afternoon of Nov. 2, 2012 my mother and younger sister arrived in my elder sister's house with a big (?) question mark in their faces. "Are you going to travel again?" that line echoed when I open the door while getting ready to embark into another journey. With a smile, I replied "yes" and i believe that smile helped me a lot, because a few chats and explanation I was escorted by them to the city where I bought things on the list given to me by my Daryl Tolero who invited me to take part in this exciting journey. At five o'clock I am already conveniently sitting in a Rural Transit bus bound to Kapatagan. 

At around past seven, I arrived at their terminal, the newly built Kapatagan Town Center and I was ecstatic. Their new Town Center does not speak of how they are classified as 2rd class municipality. It has a gazebo in front, WiFi hot spot and its FREE, air conditioned  checked in area with cable television at P4.00, most especially clean comfort rooms for P5.00. It was too far more better than a lot of bus terminals in Mindanao. My friend Daryl who works as the local tourism photographer and serves as one of the organizer of the climb met me there and we had dinner together at one of the "carenderia" and after that, he treated me for a cooler at Betty Beans just within Kapatagan Town Center, then later he toured me to their beautiful municipal hall where he got his stuff for the climb. A few chats and then we head to Tem's Digital Studio Daryl's family owned photography studio to spend a night there and wait a few friends from Iligan joining the climb in the next morning.

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Miss Iligan 2012 Winners

Ana Crisca D. Decena, candidate no. 9 of the Miss Iligan 2012 snatched the most coveted crown during the coronation night on September 27, 2012, held at the MSU-IIT Gymnasium. Of the twelve (12) equally lovely and charming candidates, Decena, a BS Tourism student of Iligan Medical Center College emerged victorious, inheriting the crown from Miss Iligan 2011, Elyza Jade Clerigo Dalongenes.

Earlier, she was also adjudged as the best in cocktail dress and during the staging of the beauty contest Decena, started to receive numerous minor awards which made her the crowds favorite. The pageant coronation night was hosted by the Kapuso artist Michael Daez and with special appearance of former Sexbomb dancer turned Kapuso artist Rochelle Pangilinan.

Among the Top 5 winners are First Runner -Up candidate no. 5 Miss Meriam Amy Lou, Second Runner-Up candidate no. 3 Miss Lavenie B. Escalante, Third Runner-Up candidate no. 8 Miss Lera Joy Rebuyon

and Fourth Runner-Up candidate no. 10 Miss Jayn B. Quidlat.

Here are the complete twelve official candidates of the Miss Iligan 2012. 

Congratulations to the winners and a job well done to the clappers. Wishing for a more extravagant Miss Iligan 2013!!!

Lastly, here is Miss Iligan 2011, Elyza Jade Clerigo Dalongenes farewell walk photo by Ronald Sy.

More Photos? click and like MissIligan Chairperson on Facebook

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Join me in my Adventures

My real friends knew that I am really an adventurous person. Adventurous in the sense that its easy for me to wander around places, get lost, and then found my way home along the way. I first set myself into a serious journey when I was so young. Traveled as far as my birth place Malim, Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur, at the age of seven (7), to my present place which I called home - Iligan City. 

From then on, I had a chance of travelling the neighboring places such as Cagayan de Oro City, Butu-an, Marawi, Ozamiz, Initao, Kapatagan, Maigo, Pagadian, Dapitan, Dipolog, Domaguete, Siquijor, Bacolod, Ilo-Ilo, Cebu, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Davao, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos, Manila, Cavite, Quezon City, Makati, Tagaytay, and outside the country, Singapore and etc. 

In my entire life, I would say 90% of my travels are not documented. Since, I discovered blogging in the year 2011, I started documenting as much as possible every travel that I embark into. So, join me as I paddled  through the waterways, as I walk through the streets around the Philippines, while traversing the trails of my home town, Iligan and as I meet people along the way, as I stumble and fall and got up from that fall, as I fall in love and out of love, in my crying moments, in my laughter, and in my quest for greeter good. Join me in my attempts to break some rules, in finding my freedom and in living this puzzle called, life at my personal and travel blog bagdokadventuress.wordpress.com

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