Life In LiwLiwa(San Felipe, Zambales): Unforgettable Team Outing After Typhoon Ompong

Happy New Year, Super Folks! How are you again and how's your 2019 going? Let me guess, perhaps you're busy writing your new year's resolutions. Am I right? Oh, come on! That's totally old school and sadly, not effective for me. I'm kinda fed up with this tradition, can we just binge-watch Netflix original series? Sorry if I'm being frank but you know what? If this is helping you a lot to be a better you, well there's nothing wrong to discontinue. I'll support you all the way. Okay?

Though it's new year, honestly, pretty much like you or many of us, I'm also having a hard time to move forward. Not because time badly flies so fast and as we all know it will never wait but really because last year was one of the best years of my life. Well yeah, there were downs and little whirlwinds but as a whole, 2018 was great and favorable to me. Thank you God!

I can't close your door 2018, yet, so I guess I need to write a note to myself like this. "Hi SuperMarkyMacky or Marky! Please be reminded that turning over a new leaf is just a normal process. It's a human nature! If it's slow-paced, it's all right. What's important is you're continuously dreaming and walking. Keep calm, you got this!"

I guess along with the note, I should also sing Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next as my daily reminder. Whatcha think? "One taught me love, one taught me patience and one taught me pain. Now, I'm so amazing." Oh my, that's my favorite part!

Thank you 2018, Next 2019! This is a powerful daily mantra. I mean, like it or not I have to wholeheartedly embrace this new year. Slowly but surely remove the negativities from last year, retain only the positive energy and ready my book with blank pages for new colorful stories. In addition, work very hard to be physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and spiritually healthy. Yeah, across the board, that I must not forget.

Memorable travel stories and fun road trips, these are the things I would like to experience again this 2019. Hopefully to visit other beautiful countries and other provinces in the Philippines. I can't wait! I can't also wait to save more money. 

For sure funding these travel goals are not an easy task but you know what? I'm so ready for it! Hashtag challenge accepted. Meanwhile, let me do a throwback. Has anybody here been to LiwLiwa, Zambales? If you're planning to visit this place in the Philippines, let's say this coming summer and still doing some research about it. Please Super Folks, don't go anywhere because this new blog post will share useful ideas, from write-up to splendid photos.

Without further ado, here is the popular surfers' haven, LiwLiwa. September of last year when me and my office teammates went there to formally celebrate our "farewell party", I don't know if it's the right term but it was planned because most of us were transferred to another team and I was one of them. At first, I was sad and in denial. Eventually, after a month, I felt like everything was normal.

Long story short, it was merely our last hurrah and we didn't go there for another team building, I mean we're done with that. I'd say, it's better to call it like a "team outing" where everyone would love to relax, hear the sea waves, see the sunset, have fun and enjoy life. It was my first time in LiwLiwa as well as in the province of Zambales. I really didn't have enough information about it when we were there but that's okay, firsthand experience is always the best, I guess.

Anyhow, what's the point of Wikipedia and Google, if we're not going to use them? So, just in case you're still wondering, what and where is this destination? According to my friend Wiki, Barrio LiwLiwa is a prime surfing spot in San Felipe, a municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. Its capital is the Municipality of Iba, borders Pangasinan to the north and northeast. Tarlac to the east, Pampanga to the southeast, Bataan to the south and the West Philippine Sea to the west. The province is noted for its mangoes, which are abundant from January to April. Sad to say, we didn't get a chance to taste it when we were there, maybe next time.

LiwLiwa is roughly five hours away from Manila but with all those layovers we had, it took us more than that. There was also rainfall along the way, good thing it wasn't heavy and roadworks. It was already more than a week after Typhoon Mangkhut aka Ompong and although it's considerably one of the strongest tropical storms in the country last year, somehow we didn't see the deadly aftermath of it when we were there. But for sure there were scenes of devastation and destruction in many parts of Zambales. Pretty much we're just fortunate that the place where we stayed, wasn't badly damaged.

Home Along The Liwa, is the place to be! I mean, if you're looking for an affordable accommodation and has easy access to the beach, you can't go wrong here. We stayed there for two days and one night. Paid only Php 3,500(roughly USD 68), good for 12 persons. I say, it was an unforgettable experience sleeping inside a huge Bahay Kubo, a traditional Filipino house and living like a true islander.

Everyone will surely love the vibe in LiwLiwa, it's simplicity at its best. No worries at all. Things like, starting your morning with a cup of coffee, appreciating the beautiful beach, learning how to surf, befriending the locals, watching them how to catch fish and videoing the "flaming sunrise". Omg! That sunrise I saw there was really the highlight, the most picturesque so far. Sampaguita Beach in Bauan, Batangas, Cabongaoan Beach in Burgos, Pangasinan, Colibra Island in Dasol, Pangasinan and finally, LiwLiwa in San Felipe, Zambales. Yes, you heard it right, it's the 4th and last of my "Mission 101: Find Awe-Inspiring Beaches You Can Explore As Boracay Alternatives". This place will also help you find pockets of peace and freedom. Well, Boracay is already open, so I have to end this mission. Yeah, I was busy beach hopping last year and for 2019? I'm still planning for my next project. So, stay tuned and that's all for today, Super Folks! Super thanks again for reading my blog. Hopefully, you can also visit my YouTube channel and please hit the subscribe button. See you on my next blog post!

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Majayjay, Laguna: Don't Go Chasing Taytay Falls! (My First Waterfall Experience And The Happy Side Trip To Liliw)

Hey, what's up Super Folks! How are you doing today? Did you get a good sleep last night? Me? Praise God, I had a good sleep because it was my rest day. This morning, I'm just watching random YouTube videos, like the vlogs of Bretman Rock, Alex Gonzaga, Lost LeBlanc and my new fave is the channel of Heart Evangelista. Have you seen her video with Sen. Chiz Escudero about adulting? Oh my, you should watch it. They were sensible and articulate. Generally, this is what I do on my free time. I feel like, as we grow older, we really need to watch hilarious and self-help videos because they give good vibes. I'll tell you, it's very important nowadays.

Yeah, we don't wanna hear fake news and politics. We wanna grow old gracefully. In addition, I often watch Jollibee Mukbang videos, oh my I love chickenjoy and 90's Music videos. I don't know but honestly, I'm starting to admire the songs of Backstreet Boys, Westlife, A1 and Hanson again. Furthermore, the Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney, All You Wanted by Michelle Branch, Don't Say You Love Me by M2M and Too Little, Too Late by JoJo. LOL! I keep hitting the replay button on those songs. It's unstoppable happiness! In my defense, you most likely do it too, especially if you're a 90's baby. Right? As they say, it's like taking a walk down memory lane or a wistful feeling. Thank you music, I'm really enjoying it.

Speaking of, let me start this new blog post with great 90's R&B song. Listen to this!

"Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to. I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all. But I think you're moving too fast."

Do you remember it? For sure you do know it, Super Folks. It's a very cool 90's song. That's a chorus of Waterfalls by TLC. Yes! This is our topic for today. Have you ever seen a stunning waterfall? Like the Yosemite Falls and Angel Falls.

How about a cute one? Like the picture above. Nah, not my friend, I mean the waterfall. Please say hello to Taytay Falls, a popular tourist spot of Majayjay, Laguna.

My story goes like this. I never thought I would end up swimming in the very cold natural pool right underneath the Taytay Falls last wet season. It's my first waterfall experience. Thanks to my kind friends who invited me to join their team building. Honestly, I was uncertain at first to join even if it's okay because I had this assumption that their other teammates would not welcome me but good thing I didn't feel it. Well, perhaps it's because I was also nice and friendly to them. Hello newfound friends! If you're reading this now, I miss you all!

That team building was a sign! It came as no surprise but I was very happy when I got transferred to my friends' team after our shift bidding in the office(almost one month after the team building). Yes, I had to bid because of them and somehow that team building helped me know my new teammates more. They were the best and I felt like family. I thought it was the right decision. I thought it was fate. 

TEAM BUILDING 101. Moving forward, organizing a fun and effective team building is not an easy task, but it's well worth it. Just make sure it's a team effort. Although I was an outsider, I didn't excuse myself from helping them. I'm proud to say that there were times when I washed the dishes and helped my friends with cooking. My pleasure!

2 Days & 1 Night in Majayjay. Like the usual team building, they had to rent a huge van and find an affordable house. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Manila to Majayjay, but sadly it took us more than 4 hours because we had stopovers in Liliw and a local market where we bought fresh produce. We stayed at Marbhel-Room For Rent and paid only 100 Pesos each per night(roughly $1.85). I can say, it's well-priced and good quality accommodation. Cooking your own meals and renting a Karaoke are allowed. For inquiries and reservations, please call or text 09192302303(Smart) and 09956646360(Globe).

About Majayjay & Taytay Falls. What a cool rhyme! Circa 2016, I remember my travel blogger friend told me to blog Taytay Falls because it's a budget destination and could increase traffic but my bad, I didn't take it seriously. Good thing, team building was the second chance. Legends say that it was the difficult journey to Majayjay which gave the town its name. Tired travelers sighed, "Hay!" after scaling a cliff, "Hay!" after ascending a hill, and "Hay!" after crossing a raging river. Thus, guests referred to the place "Mahayhay", meaning, many sighs. Spaniards spelled it "Majayjay". In addition, Taytay Falls is also called Majayjay Falls or Imelda Falls because ex-First Lady Imelda Marcos financed the promotion of tourism in this place. Great info! Thanks Wikipedia, next?

St. John the Baptist Parish Church, aka Liliw Church

These 10-15 meters high waterfalls is located along the Dalitiwan River in Brgy. Taytay, Majayjay, Laguna. It has clear and cool water that falls in 1,000 sq m river channel area. Its surrounding is vegetated with various wild plants and trees. A natural falls with irrigation on its 2 km pathway and cliff on the right portion. Cold spring water flows freely from Mt. Banahaw. The site, which is about 8 km away from the Majayjay town proper, could be reached via motor vehicles and through hiking about a few hundred meters by way of a nature trail. -www.laguna.gov.ph

Taytay Falls is quite far from where we stayed, we had to walk roughly 10 minutes. It's pleasant though, we even went back the next morning because of its very cool and natural stress reducer water. Thought it was good for our body, we enjoyed it so much. Frankly, not all of us can appreciate the very cold water of this falls, especially if you're afraid of hypothermia(the condition of having an abnormally low body temperature) or you're not used to it. Just a friendly reminder, no matter what, have fun and appreciate the place. After team building, we went back to Liliw and stayed for almost 2 hours. We strolled through a few souvenir shops, had our lunch, visited the Insta-worthy Liliw Church and bought quality slipper, which the municipality is famous for. It's world-class and affordable. End of story.

That's a wrap! Thank you so much again for reading my blog. Well, it's not the best but I hope you learned something new today. Before you leave, please like, follow and subscribe on my.

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