I've recently moved out of my parents' house to live a life of full independence and I now live with two of my friends in a place that is closer to work. Two months into the somewhat grown-upish life, the roomies and I got to scratch off the first of the many places we plan to visit, the Art In Island Museum in Cubao, QC.

Php500 for adults. Php400 for students

It was a very long commute from Cavite  to Cubao. The traffic was heavy in Guadalupe and it didn't help that we left home an hour before lunchtime. We arrived around 4:30 at the museum. I did not expect the place to be packed with people.


We deposited our shoes and readied our cameras to begin the fun. Our baby girl began to run all over the place out of excitement. She even tried swimming on the floors.

The 3D art is far too convincing

There are markers on the floor so that you'd get the perfect angle but we didn't figure that out until later.

This small sticker right here is a lifesaver. Perfect photos, all the way!

There's also a guide of how to take a picture of the art in each area.

For when you couldn't really figure things out

It was a challenge to get the right angle especially when you're trying to compete with what feels like a bajillion other people. I always ran for it when a group left the space.

Out of the way, people. Awesome jump shot, coming through

The place was surprisingly huge! The last 3D art museum I've been to was Seriland in Ocean Park and that place is really tiny compared to Art In Island.

Did I mention the place was huge?

They have this cute cafe inside the museum. Thank goodness because we were exhausted and dehydrated.




We were able to roam the whole place in about three hours. We noticed that there was only a handful of people left by 7 pm. If you want the place all to yourself and you have your own vehicle, I think some time around 6 pm onward would be the best time.

On our way to the exit

We left the museum with a camera fat with photos of us, us, and more us. The next day, our Facebook profile and cover photos were updated. :)

Update (5/26/2017) : No problems so far. I no longer remember what's it like to depend on a pair of glasses everyday. Still enjoying the benefits of my Lasik procedure two years ago :)

Update (4/7/2016) : It's been a year since my Lasik surgery! Happy anniversary, perfect eyesight! I am happy to report that my vision is still crystal clear with no complications whatsoever. I've been hiking, swimming, running, reading, and writing and have not experienced anything noteworthy. Getting this surgery is definitely one of the best decisions I've made.  

Update (8/1/2015) : It has been 3 months after the surgery and my eyes are doing great! I've been to El Nido, Palawan recently and I was able to swim in it's beautiful coral reefs.  I am one happy customer. :)

I have been wearing glasses since I was seven. When I was in grade school, the kids teased me. When I was in high school/ college, it was a hassle because I was in the swim team. Now, I found it to be even more unbearable because I got into running and I travel a lot. I hate wearing contacts. So when I found out about BDO's 50% off promo on Shinagawa's Lasik services, not even a hint of hesitation passed my mind. I was determined to get my eyes fixed.



I called the clinic and asked what were the things to do if I were interested in the procedure. After asking my age, they told me that I should go through a screening first. I scheduled my screening on a Saturday.

Man, that is one fancy clinic

The screening took around 4-5 hours. I would strongly suggest that you do not set any other appointments on the day of your screening. I'm glad I didn't. There was a quite a lot of people, which is normal on the weekends according to them. They gave me a questionnaire that asked  about personal information and a survey of how you've heard of them. They also gave me a copy of the list of tests during the screening and how it would be done. When I submitted the questionnaire, I waited for a bit then I was called. Time to put those eyes to the test!

There are so many machines. These are just the half of them

After numerous tests and a lot of waiting, the results were in. I am a qualified candidate for Shinagawa's Lasik procedure. Huzzah! Apparently, not everyone passes this screening. Some due to age, some due to very high eye grade, and there are some who, because of wearing contact lens a lot, scarred their eye too deep, the procedure was not possible.

After discussing with the doctor and the consultant, I was surprised to learn that I had to let them know right away if I wanted to avail the Lasik procedure. My plan was to find out if I pass the screening then figure out some things financially then decide. I had little choice but to decide that day. After much deliberation... lol jk, I didn't do much deliberation. I just panicked a bit then told them I'll go for the most expensive Lasik procedure because they were scaring the daylights out of me with all the less expensive ones. I gave the down payment (because I couldn't afford to pay everything right away) and left the building with a smile on my face, not sure if excited or nervous. It was finally happening.

I scheduled the procedure on the first week of April. I asked my parents to take me. I prepared my payment. I waited.

On the day of the procedure, I waited a few more hours. When they finally called me, I found myself grouped with four other people who were scheduled for the procedure as well. They gave us a pack containing eye medicine and a pair of glasses.
After a quick orientation, we waited again. The reason we had to wait this time is because the machine had to be warmed up. This is also the reason why the procedure is done in batches. 

Do you remember the scenes on TV dramas where doctors are working on their patients and the patient on the table sees the lights and the surgeons? It sort of felt like that. Only, there were no surgeons. Just a big machine over your face. I could feel my heart pounding but I did my best to obey what the doctor told me to do, like look up or look down. The procedure itself was really quick. It took 8 minutes per eye.

When it was done, we all went back to the room where we were oriented and waited for everyone to finish. Our eyes were beginning to hurt. The personnel took some anesthesia drops and applied it to our eyes for some quick relief. The doctor came in and checked our eyes. There were no problems with mine. I was good to go.

IT STINGED. During the ride home, my eyes were killing me. The anesthesia wore off and I couldn't do a thing. My eyes wanted to give up. I kept it close until we got home and I went straight to bed hoping it would wear off the next day. And it did. 

The next day, I found that my vision wasn't a 100% perfect. Everything was clear, yes, but I was seeing double. It was mild and only obvious with edges but it frustrated me anyway because I wasn't used to it and I paid good money for good vision right away. Since I couldn't do anything about it, I patiently waited for it to go away. I applied all my eye medicine on time like I was told to. I wore the tinted glasses during the day. I wore the eye shields at night.

Eye shields are given for free. Cat not included

After more or less a week, the double vision was gone. EVERYTHING WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR.

On my first post Lasik check-up, they checked my eye grade and I was informed that I had 20/10 vision. How great is that?! After almost 20 years of hiding behind a pair of glasses, my eyes are finally free!  Sure, it cost me what my kidney would be worth if I sold it but I have no regrets. Once my financial woes eases down a bit, I'd be able to go swimming, running, hiking and travelling again without the trouble of having to wear spectacles. 

Check it! Check it! Now people can see my cute baggy eyes!

I thought of sharing some details (costs, etc.) like I always do with my posts but it would be better if you call the clinic instead.  I wouldn't want to be the cause of misinformation. They respond right away to calls and are very accommodating. Don't hesitate to call them if you have inquiries.

Four years ago, a friend of ours organized a hike in Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas. Being the sure-why-not person I am, I said "Sure. Why not?". I got ready for the hike and went.

It was horrible.

We weren't even at the jump off yet and I was already exhausted. Every ascent to a peak is a nightmare. The rocks, rain, and mud, even more so. At the summit, the weather did not even have the decency to reward me with a view. Everything was obstructed with thick fog. I was cold and wet, not sure if from the rain or from my own tears and sweat.

Four years and eight hikes later, I've finally decided to return. This time, it was entirely a different story. I loved it.
The three of us met at Evercrest around 8 in the morning. After a quick bathroom break, we begin the adventure that would hopefully change our bad memories of Batulao.

We all had bad first time experiences at Batulao. I guess we were really that weak back then

We walked all the way to the jump-off. You can opt to ride a tricycle though or if you have a car, you can drive until the nearby parking lots.

It would  be nice if someone would give us a car

Along the way, you'll find the locals selling walking poles made out of bamboo. You can get yourself one for php20.

This kid is just one of many who were selling these

We arrive at the jump-off at around 9:00 am. The official hike begins.
The first two peaks sort of jump started our system. We took a couple of minutes after an ascent to catch our breath. But after that, our body was 100% ready to take on the mountain. No more dizzy, hingal kabayo moments.
The best thing about Batulao is that there is no shortage of beautiful views wherever you are. Taking breaks is even more revitalizing when you are surrounded by such beauty,

And the fact that you were there a couple of  minutes ago boosts motivation

Taking a much deserved break

A few peaks later, we arrived at the camp site. We paid the php30 registration.

Allaine registering our names

Took a break while waiting for the sun to hide behind the clouds

This was the rock where a crazy companion of ours took a jump shot at our first hike here. Rem says it's not that rock though.

The first time I was here, it was raining so we had to deal with mud. This time, it was dry and the weather is good so there was no mud to battle with. What we had to deal with, though, is very, very loose soil. Even Rem who's gone there his second time (this is his third) don't remember the soil being that loose.

The dirt is swallowing my feet

There was a moment when I couldn't get a good foot hold and I slid down the dirt on all fours. I tried to crawl up but when I found that the situation was hopeless for me, I shouted for help from my giggling companions. Lucky for me, no one else had a camera to take a photo of it so have a photo of Allaine looking at the distance like a boss instead.
There are a lot of stands along the trail so you shouldn't worry if you're low on hydration. You should worry though if you're low on funds because the refreshments are quite pricey.

You can have fresh coconut water

After much dirt-crawling, we finally reach the summit. And only 11:15 in the morning!

Awyiss!! No fog in sight!

The view that I was denied of during my first climb here

We found a good spot to enjoy the scene

We took out our lunch boxes and had our meal.

The best seats in the house

When our stomachs are filled and we've chatted all that we could chat and when Rem returned from wherever the hell we went, we got ready for the descent.

Time to go down

We began the descent at 12:20 pm but we had a hold up by the rappel.

We waited for the people to get down

Finally. We were about to run out of topics to talk about

The descent continues when we all got down the wall of rocks.

The two chatting while I do obligatory photo shoots

The old trail seemed more "friendly" to me than the new trail. Maybe it's because of all the campsites. 

Souvenir shop

T-shirts

AGAIN? How many times are we suppose to register? And what are we registering for anyway? If it's for maintenance, can't we just call it maintenance fee?

Why do we have to keep logging our names? It's not like you're going to validate it for anything anyway. Except for maybe computing the fees you've collected for day that will be used for god knows what.

I remember when this was just all mud

WE HAVE CONQUERED BATULAO. We are no longer weaklings.

There is a new cheaper bath nearby but we chose to go here anyway

Steaming hot bulalo. YUMS

Crispy shrimp

In your face, Batulao!

How we got there:

• To Evercrest

• From Evercrest to Jump off point

How we got back:

• From Jump off point to Evercrest

• From Evercrest to Mahogany Market