Stop and Stare

Unplanned trip to Don Salvador Benedicto
Negros Occidental, Philippines

Thursday morning our team decided to go to Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. It was a gloomy morning, a safe trip to the mountains. I've passed by in this side of town during a long trip from Cebu but have not appreciated the place. It's a cliche but most of the time we never notice some things around or even things right beside us. I realized that sometimes we need to just stop and stare to appreciate things which are within our reach.

Don Salvador Benedicto Rice fields

So for those who are always on the go make a stop, stare and start to be conscious of things near you; more so, be grateful of what you have rather than complaining of what you do not have. Count your blessings!!!

Phivolcs: Intensity Alert Levels

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck between the islands of Negros and Cebu before noon Monday, February 6, 2012, killing at least 7 people and prompting government volcanologists to raise a tsunami alert.

Intensity

Phivolcs said the following intensities were felt in the following areas:

• Intensity VII - Dumaguete City; Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental

• Intensity VI - La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Argao, Cebu

• Intensity V - Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan, Capiz; Iloilo City; Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Kanlaon City; Lapu-lapu City; Guimaras; Cebu City; San Carlos City; Bacolod City; Sagay City; Tagbilaran City; Candoni, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental

• Intensity IV - San Jose de Buenavista, Pandan, Anini-y, Patnungon, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; Dipolog City; Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Ormoc City

• Intensity III - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Tacloban City; Catbalogan; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Masbate, Masbate; Cagayan de Oro City

• Intensity II - Cabid-an, Sorsogon; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin

• Intensity I - Pagadian City

Quake in Negros Prompted Tsunami Warning

The earthquake also prompted a tsunami warning from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), alerting residents near the coastal areas of Negros and Cebu to watch for unusual waves. But, according to Phivolcs, not requiring any evacuation just yet.


The tsunami alert was canceled after no further reports of unusual sea level changes were received after the two-hour extended observation period.

But more aftershocks could be expected in the next few weeks in areas near the epicenter, according to Ishmael Narag, officer in charge of the Phivolcs’ seismology division. As of 1 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2012, Phivolcs had recorded 16 aftershocks.

The quake triggered another landslide in the mountain village of Solongon in La Libertad town, also in Negros Oriental. An unknown number of people were trapped, said Inspector Eric Arrol Besario, the town police chief.


The earthquake sent shoppers scrambling under tables and workers and students rushing out of their buildings in cities of Negros and Cebu.

Classes in all public and private schools in Negros Oriental were suspended, while businesses in Dumaguete City were closed due to reported aftershocks. Intensity V was experienced in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Shots Taken At Kota Beach Resort In Bantayan Islands

Shots could have been better if taken using DSLR cameras. Oh well, let's be contented with these..

Shots taken using Sony Ericsson W700 with 2.0 mega pixel.
Location: Kota Beach Resort, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Islands.

Kota Beach Beach at Sunrise.

Looking For A Perfect Summer Getaway

Plans. Plans. Plans.

The scorching heat of the sun calls for a new summer getaway. It's time to make plans and more plans. Been to a lot of summer hot spots around Negros and Guimaras Island and now it's time for Cebu Island. 

Bantayan Island here we come!

Bantayan Island is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. The island can be reached by ferry from Hagnaya Wharf in San Remigio, Cebu, or from Cebu City, or from Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.

Bantayan is one of Cebu's best-kept secrets. The island has three municipalities, namely: Santa Fe, Bantayan proper, and Madridejos. They say, it is in Santa Fe town where you can find most of the beautiful beaches in the island. Just like the famous Boracay beach resorts, Bantayan boasts its beach main attraction is it's white sands. I must say a perfect summer getaway.

We'll get a ton of load of it when we get there. So, see you around.