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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, PangasinanColibra 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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