I know I didn’t make any blog post about this 2012’s goals but I did put them down into writing on my personal journal, and one of my goals for this year is to travel. Probably not quite as much as last year, but I do already have plans to travel with my daughter plus some friends anytime soon locally. There are a lot of deals online and I’m seriously tempted to grab the opportunities, however, as early as now, I’m already saving up for my daughter’s tuition fee, so I’m sort of putting off the travel to most likely during summer vacation.

It’s going to be difficult for me to travel with my daughter being a single mom, and I’m sure everyone knows how hard it is to fully enjoy a travel if your eyes are always stuck looking after  a 4 year old kid and chasing her around alone, but I’m after the bonding moments so I’m sure it will be all worth it. Or I might take the nanny with me, although that will be an additional cost on my part. *decisions, decisions…*

But maybe for the next few years, the next travel destinations would be to other countries. I’m hoping to go to places around the Asia first because it’s nearer, plus the fare is cheaper than those on the other side of the map. But of course, this entails a lot of money, so again, I might also put this off, until I get myself a lot of money to spend for this kind of trips.

Out of curiosity, I was doing some researches on where to go to and places to stay, and I came across iBilik, which is basically a Malaysian travel website where you can find affordable places to stay during the travel period. The website is actually very user-friendly where you can choose the place you’re going to stay, and it will show you a list of available rooms for rent (both long term and short term). It even has the option for you to choose based on your heritage. The website is actually very easy to use and for those who wants to travel to Malaysia should use it to get a place to stay.

I’d most likely do my bookings from this website someday when I’m finally prepared to travel overseas financially.

A Manileña girl born in Zamboanga. This year, I’ll be 25, and it’s been 13 years since I last visited Zamboanga for my cousin’s wedding. I was chosen to be part of the entourage, and at the same time my dad allowed me to lived in my aunt’s house and spend a month-long vacation there as well. I was still a kid back then so I wasn’t really able to take a tour around the city. All I did was to play with my other cousins, nieces and nephews, and being an only child (my brother was not born yet), I was happy to meet other kids in the family and didn’t really care much about the city’s wonders itself.

Now that I’ve grown up and have a kid of my own, I honestly want to visit Zamboanga again not only to catch up with the rest of the family, but also get a chance to witness the ever so popular Fiesta Pilar or also known as Hermosa Festival. This happens every October (which is my birth month) and is held in honor of the miraculous image of the city’s patroness Our Lady of the Pilar (Nuestra Señora del Pilar).

In memorial of the feast, different events would be held from October 1 – 12 such as a nine-night procession, ethnic parades, the coronation of Miss Zamboanga, street dance competitions from different schools, Wow Zamboanga that features different dishes from different barangays, and the most awaited and the most watched Regatta de Zamboanga, which is a colorful race amongst different Vintas (see picture on the right) made by the Zamboangeños themselves vying for the title. And of course, what is a festival without fireworks display.

So why do I want to experience and join this festival? Simple. Zamboanga, a melting pot of cultures, is my birth place but have never been able to catch a glimpse of this wonderful annual festival, and it would be a great birthday gift for me to go and see it person.

Experience MassKara Festival, Hermosa Festival and Lanzones Festival this October. Airphil Express flies daily to BACOLOD, ZAMBOANGA and CAGAYAN DE ORO from Cebu and Manila. Visit www.airphilexpress.com to book!

Yesterday, I went to Intramuros to chill. It’s my second time to go to the place and I must say the place never cease to amaze me. I’m an avid fan of outdoor relaxation. Sitting in an open area while the cool breeze fills the air. *sigh*It’s just that I lack the time and had to go home early or my dad will kill me (yes, I’m already a 24 going 25 mom but still has a curfew?! – such a loser.)

Here are some pictures taken:

With this, I sure am going to save up for a digicam. I just used an LG KP500 phone here. Image quality isn’t much good compared to my old Sony Ericsson K800i phone with Cybershot (which was destroyed after a fight).