Image credits: theverge

I just read Micky-the-slanted-salerno's blog about bitLanders' Film Series to support women empowermentand since I saw Frozen in the list, I thought I should give it a shot. I had watched it a couple of times before because of my niece who was still three years old at that time and was a super fan of the movie. Not to mention of course that she had memorized the "Let It Go" song by Queen Snow, Elsa.

Without further ado, let me share my own thoughts about this movie and how I consider it as a Disney Princess Movie which doesn't really require a prince to fully reveal the moral of the story.

Frozen Movie

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Disney's princess collection had been added not just one but two at the same time when the sister princesses Anna and Elsa were introduced to the world. In 2013, Walt Disney Pictures released an American 3D computer-animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. And the Disney world of princesses was never the same.

The story was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Snow Queen". And thousands of blogs all over the internet had posted the storyline which goes like the following:

Image credits: adoptionlcsw

Elsa and Anna were best sisters when they were young until Elsa who possesses a special power of creating ice and snow, accidentally hit Anna while playing. Anna was brought to a group of trolls to heal her, she was healed but her memories of Anna's power were deleted, they were then separated, isolated from each other by their parents and eventually, a gap was created between the sisters.

Until Elsa's 21st birthday when she's about to be crowned Queen of Arendelle, the palace opened its gates to the entire world and that day was Anna's first ever time to see the outside world, she was excited and even pumped up with love when she met Prince Hans whom she fell in love with at first sight! Her eagerness to be with Prince Hans was what triggered Elsa to show her power but was accused of being a sorcerer. Because of her inability to control her power, she had placed the Kingdom of Arendelle to an eternal winter.

Image credits: scalar.usc.edu

Then Anna's adventure started when she went to rescue her sister who ran to the mountains and created her own ice castle. This was then that Anna met Olaf and Kristoff who joined her in this gigantic venture only to find Elsa freezing Anna's heart.

Kristoff brought Anna to the group of troll who advised only "an act of true love" can reverse the spell. With a broken heart, he then brought Anna to Prince Hans thinking he can reverse it because of love but the latter had instead locked up Anna to die.

Image credits: digitalspy

When Elsa learned from Prince Hans that Anna is dead because of her magic, she got depressed and had a meltdown. Prince Hans then tried to kill her but Anna was able to come to her rescue but also froze in hard rock ice. Elsa hugged her, cried out of desperation which was actually considered as "an act of true love". This returned her sister, Anna back to life and even the Kingdom of Arendelle back to its state.

Moral Lessons of the Movie

Image credits: usmagazine

What we all love about Disney animated movies are the moral stories behind each film. Frozen wasn't exempted of this and it has its own moral stories.

For this, I asked my niece's reaction and her personal take in what the moral lesson of the movie. Now that she's already ten years old, seven years after that hit if she can recall the movie which she still does, she mentioned about how to always love your sister or siblings no matter what the circumstances are just like how Anna had continued to seek after her only sister Elsa even if it will cause her pain and even death.

Image credits: fanpop

That's all she could share though. For me, it was also important to note that having friends with us who truly cares is what life is all about, to ask forgiveness and to make up for our mistakes is also a moral lesson.

Finally being real and true will possibly turn off other people around you but the ones who truly love you will stay. They are who matters at the end of the day.

Frozen Review

Image credits: europosters

In my own perspective, Frozen's focus was mainly on the kids, the teenagers most especially the girls. Although adults, grown-ups, and parents had their fair share of "aw" moments because of how the movie and its songs were just produced, it is very evident that it is just the same as the other Disney Princess movies but they aren't that very exemplary to be remembered as an iconic movie.

True enough, it has earned a lot of awards, I highly love the colors, the renditions, the animation, the songs, and musicality. It even won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ("Let It Go").

Image credits: frozenthemusical

I applaud Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the song composers for such an amazing job with the lyrics and even the animators for giving the audience songs to remember even up to this point that even in Broadway, the Frozen hits continue to be played.

Image credits: lifehack

And because it has song melodies which are incredibly good, I felt like it was missing on the parts of how we remember character lines. Like how the old Disney movies were, let me point the Lion King as an example. Lines like:

"Hakuna Matata - Timon"

“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” – Rafiki

"It’s the circle of life, and it moves us all through despair and hope, through faith and love." - Rafiki

Video credits: Walt Disney Animation Studios via YouTube

To be fair, I have my own share of a memorable line from Frozen too. The only thing that struck me though was:

"Some people are worth melting for." - Olaf

But overall, I enjoyed the movie's music, the songs, and the illustrations. The characters are also to love for most especially Anna. Yes, I am more of Anna than Elsa because Anna has her own way of being just plain happy and content, plus she has a tendency of falling in love so easily.

Image credits: uzerfriendly

How's your Frozen movie experience? Please do participate in this Querlo chats below:

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Thanks for reading!

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

I barely had slept, it was eleven in the evening when I had set up my alarm to one thirty, our flight was at four in the morning and it will take us 30 minutes or more to reach the Mactan International Airport plus preparation, James and I had to be out of the house by at least 2:30 AM. My DIY itinerary states we should be in Cagayan De Oro City's Agora Bus Terminal so we can take the double-decker bus going to Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Thank goodness our preparation was smooth. Our Grab driver arrived on time, there was zero traffic so we had reached the airport before three! It was amazing, I guess that was the fastest trip I had towards the airport. As you can see, I am blogging now regarding our newly concluded Bukidnon Trip!

Arriving at Laguindingan Airport

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I have a confession, I actually thought that Cagayan De Oro is a separate province and that it is like Cebuwhich has Cebu City as its capital city. Anyway, I was informed by my husband about it being a part of Misamis instead. I was in total shock upon realizing that though.

Back to the travel story, it was two minutes past five in the morning when we got out of the arrival area, a long display of bus liners and travel tour buses' stalls lined up facing the airport's arrival. As I read each name, I found what I was looking for, Super 5. I read they should be the fastest vehicle which can take us to the Agora Terminal. So I inquired and without asking anything, the lady and the driver pointed us towards their comfortable and spacious van. I personally told them we have to be in Agora before six because we need to take the double-decker bus of Pabama Bus Tours and of which they nodded, even securing that we'll reach there on time.

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At that time of assuring, it was still ten minutes after five, the driver went out, came back with a few passengers. Then he went out again until I realized it was already 5:30 AM! I thought we were heading already so I asked him and he confirmed he just needs one more passenger. I was a little disappointed and felt betrayed. He promised me we'll be in Agora before six and now its just twenty-five minutes before six and travel time takes 40 minutes at least. I turned to my husband who calmed me down with a soft tone to let it go. I felt really bad about him lying and fooling me, I wished I had looked for some other vehicles which might have been more honest.

Agora Terminal Commotion

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Fast forward, we reached Agora Bus Terminal at 6:30 AM. I knew already that the bus had left, I really want to experience riding that bus though.

There's an entrance fee of Php 3 per person. Upon entering the bus terminal, a personnel from Rural Bus Liner showed us towards their bus which he said was already about to go. I asked about the Pabama buses and it was as if he didn't know anything but when I went down, I found the Pabama buses at the opposite side. I inquired and found the double-decker bus was rented the entire day so there was no six-morning schedule that day. I was relieved by knowing that and decided we should instead take their 7 AM airconditioned bus which we didn't regret taking.

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To give you an overview, this was our first land trip which offers entertainment tablets for each passenger. James found a documentary movie about basketball players and he was already tuned in just a few minutes after sitting down. I, on the other hand, explored it and found it really cool that kids can even play games while traveling. The seats were nice and spacious, there are feet pedals and seats can be reclined.

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There's a crew inside who announces, offers a snack, assists passengers and even lead the prayer before leaving the terminal. I was definitely loving this bus line. However, I still want to be able to try the double-decker. I am aiming to take one on our next day trip back to Manolo, Fortich. The only issue is the schedule. Anyway, we can still try on the third day when we go back to Cagayan de Oro City.

Getting Lost on our Way to Mt. Kitanglad

Upon reaching Malaybalay City's public market where the bus stopped, I went looking for any motorcycle for hire or locally referred as "habal-habal" but one vendor recommends that we take a jeepney first to a location called Kisolon.

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For some reasons, I didn't check my itinerary and my own Google maps for that although the town has 4G connectivity, it was a mistake I regret. It took more than 20 minutes before the jeepney started its engine.

Another 20 minutes on the road and I was already wondering why we seem to be going back to the same route. I checked Google Maps and found out that we are indeed lost this time. I approached the driver, verified the address and he stopped the vehicle, advised that we have to go back to the public market and go from there.

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We hopped into another jeepney, now I asked the new driver and he had no clue where to drop us, thankfully a good Samaritan told the driver to drop us to Sumpong or the Midland. I was still unsure but we got out and indeed find "habal-habal" drivers taking visitors there.

That was the start of the bumpy ride to Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm.

Unbelievable 50-Minute Bumpy Ride

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When a "habal-habal" driver says the road is not good and it will be challenging, you must believe it. Our motorcycle trip from the main highway of Sumpong towards Imbayao was totally an unexpected surprise.

It was concrete than soil and then concrete again for a time and afterward was all soil, rock, and stones with a combination of murky muddy and maroonish types of land. There were several times that my butt got separated from the motorcycle seat as we traverse the steep rocky road of Imbayao.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

But mind you, the scenery was superb. There were several banana plantations at the sides, there were multiple times that I was in awe of the wide plantation but I could site one favorite spot, that would be the end of the bumpy ride, it was such a relief to find the farm.

Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm

It was on social media that I found out a spot in Bukidnon which has DIY hobbit houses. It stuck on my mind and even after months of learning that, I had noted it and made sure that we will visit it on our DIY trip to Bukidnon.

Benjamin Mapute Jr.has a creative mind, we met him and even exchanged stories with him about his plans and his other projects. His humble presence made us feel really special and his way of taking care of his guests is outstanding.

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The entire day, we spent taking photos of the location, we planned we should wait for the golden hour to shoot but it rained, thank goodness we already have taken a couple of shots before it poured.

When it poured, James and I were stuck inside our hobbit house, the highlight of this Bukidnon trip. The accommodation just opened this month and we were lucky and blessed to be the second renter.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

Although not yet fully finished, I can definitely see the potential of this attraction. I know that there are also other travelers out there who would like to spend a day or two inside a hobbit house. I will post a separate blog for that instead.

That's it for now for our first day in Bukidnon! Thanks a lot for reading!

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Check out this Querlo chat about Traveling:

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Ben Maputi via YouTube

Last weekend, James and I went to Northern Mindanao specifically in Malaybalay, Bukidnon to check out the newly emerging travel bucket list, the hobbit houses located at Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm which is almost an hour away from the capital city of the province.

Today, let me share with you the beauty of Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm and why it is a great spot for those nature lovers as well as fans of the novel "The Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien.

What is Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm?

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Exactly located at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad, an inactive volcano and of which is the fourth highest mountain in the country, the farm is owned by a Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Maputi Sr, and has a mission to educate the community through Agri-Ecological technologies.

The farm has not been altered to fit a tourist spot, in fact, it has been constructed to keep the farm as is and be a medium for nature lovers and wild photographers. But what makes it extra interesting is the work of the hand of the owner's son, Ben who had constructed tree houses, Hobbiton and other Bali-inspired corners which I will talk later on.

Image credits: bitLanders society via Facebook

The farm had also earned with itself some awards. To name a few, Most Outstanding Farm "Family Category" in the Philippines (Gawad Saka 2006) Most Outstanding Farm in the City, Province and Region (Family Category) Champion in Provincial Tourism Destination "Agri-Eco Category" and a lot more.

Currently, the 22-hectare farm produces the following products, Philippines Endemic Tree Seedlings, Coffee Beans, Abaca Fiber, Essential Oil, Organically Grown High-Value Crops "Cabbage, Bell Pepper, Lettuce, Tomato, Carrots, Beans and farm animals also.

What to Find at Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm?

I admit that the main reason that we came to visit Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm was that of their hobbit house. But there's more to see than just these halfling dwellings because there are still more to find and enjoy at the farm.

1. Tree Houses

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Before the hobbit houses, there were already quarters built on trees and had become temporary residences for the farm's visitors and overnight stay guests.

Currently, there are three of them, one which is the highest of the three with a view deck connected by a wooden palette towards the next tree, this room is the most comfortable of all their accommodations.

Next is their lover's guava tree house. this is shorter but is definitely a sweet spot because it has a second-floor viewing deck which is facing the East, that's a perfect place to be with during the sunrise.

Lastly, their newest addition which is grander and sturdier than the first two. With nice wooden stairs and designed balusters. Unlike the other tree houses, this one here is bigger and can accommodate four guests! All have free breakfast!

2. Bali-Inspired Corners

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

You might have seen some spots in Bali which are very Instagrammable, meaning they are so cool and cute that when posted on Instagram, it will surely bring traffic over to your page?

Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm is never behind these trends because Mr. Benjamin Maputi Jr. had also invested his time and efforts as well as resources in bringing these corners into their own farm.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Birds nest, cool native frames, magic carpet, and my favorite, their infinity swing! I had so much fun at these spots most especially the swing where I had watched the sunrise as I felt the cold morning breeze hitting my face with every swing.

Aside from that, there's a need addition of hanging bridge too! That spot is overlooking the wild forest, filled with birds and insects which are producing that really relaxing sound. A Canopy walk, Forest trail, and Bird watching are also present.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

3. Farm Animals, Plantation and Produce

More importantly being a farm, it has its own products which are either consumed within the farm or being sold outside. One of the very obvious ones was their essential oils. They extract it from Citronella plants, air dried and gone through certain processing, they are able to make tons of these products and sell to the market outside the farm vicinities. They also give citronella oils to the guests to keep the bugs away, effective actually!

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

There are also local Arabica coffee trees on the farm! These are being processed within as well. I have personally seen how a worker used the manual method of pounding and grinding the roasted beans! It smelled really good while I watched her do the process.

But what's really nice is that they brew their coffee every day for themselves as well as for the guests! Even walk-in guests and visitors can have a cup or more!

Farm animals like ducks, hogs, goats, and others are also present. The owners have their own Husky, Dalmatian and another breed which I forgot the name inside the farm too!

4. DIY Hobbit Houses

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Are you a "Lord of the Rings" fan or perhaps just a curious soul? The Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm has DIY hobbit houses which were created by Mr. Benjamin Maputi Jr. himself.

We personally had spent hours engaging in talks about the history of how he began making these structures and he mentioned it was because of a friend's vision of having such in her own land that he was encouraged to make a prototype within his farm.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Because of his own resources, woods and soil, as well as other materials, are all available in the farm, he was able to build the first one which is now established together with some two more houses beside a pond.

Then he went on creating another set of four houses, one of which is already available to stay in. And a new one which is still under construction. He dreams of creating a village of hobbit houses where guests become good neighbors just like how a community works.

How to Reach Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm?

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The road to Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm is very bumpy and challenging. We were lucky it was dry and sunny when we went there. I heard a lot of stories from our "habal-habal" drivers of guests who were not able to go because of the steep and muddy path.

But as cliche, as it is, those hard paths are the most unforgettable experiences, which I agree.

From Cagayan De Oro, one can go to the Agora Bus Terminal ride a bus going to Malaybalay Bukidnon. There are many options and buses are available every hour. Travel time 2.5 to 3 hours and the fare is only Php 120.00 for an airconditioned bus. Try Pabama Bus Tours if you want to get entertained while traveling.

Video credits: RoShan via YouTube

Since the previous Casisang road was damaged because of the rains, it is highly recommended to use the Malaybalay City diversion road instead. One can stop at the Sumpong Shell Station, "habal-habal" drivers are available in this part. You'll pass by the newly constructed rehab center and there are signs going to the Hobbit House. You'll also pass by a beautiful road with tall colorful trees too.

The drivers charge Php 150 per way per head. You can request them to wait for you or pick you up the next day, ensure to take their mobile numbers.

There's 4G signal in the farm which was cool. Although there's zero while inside the hobbit house.

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Check out this Querlo chat about Traveling:

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via YouTube

Hello, bitLanders! Today's blog is yet another continuation of a recent trip James and I had in Northern Mindanao. It's a fulfilling trip because aside from being able to explore this part of the country, I was also able to visit my relatives, maternal side.

But before I dive into those part, let me share with you the unique part of staying inside a hobbit house while in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Hobbit Houses in Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm

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To set the expectations properly, I ain't-a fan of the movie "Lord of the Rings" nor "The Hobbit" but because of the fact that there's no such place in the country that offers Hobbit House accommodations so far, at least in my own knowledge, I thought I should grab this opportunity, since we have plane tickets to Laguindingan Airport and that's a few hours travel to Bukidnon, why not go directly there, stay for a night and experience how to be inside a hobbit house?

And so, on the morning of October 5, James and I woke up very early, took an early flight and reached Malaybalay, Bukidnon at nine in the morning. If it wasn't because of us being lost on our way toMt. Kitanglad, we should have been on the farm before noontime. But all is well.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

The hobbit houses in Mt. Kitanglad Agro eco Farm were built as DIY structures by none other than the skillful Mr. Benjamin Maputi Jr., son of the 22-hectare farm owner. Ben as to how he would like to be referred to said he has a friend who dreams of having an Instagrammable spot in Cebu. He then made prototypes of these hobbit houses because they are really cool in photos and never really thought it to be a success, but it did!

So, he spent numerous days making the Hobbit Houses in Cebu as well which is now a spot being visited by thousands of Cebuanos, if you are from Cebu, you must have an idea which spot I am referring here.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

But the original Philippines' Hobbit Houses lies in Imbayao, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. It has trended online that the only thing which keeps people from really crowding it is the road towards the farm. I had mentioned how rough, bumpy and if it rains, muddy the path towards the farm. It got lots of steep areas, but the scenery is really beautiful.

Hobbit House Accommodation

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For only Php 1000, the room that was offered to me while in contact with the Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm staff was the only Hobbit House opened to accept guests. Well, let me take that back, I had to really wait for more than a week before confirming that the hobbit house was ready. It was not that "very" ready in fact but we still pursued it and stayed overnight.

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The green hobbit house was a big one, it can accommodate four people, there's a double deck bed and a single bed inside plus it also has a comfort room! Imagine how a "cave-like" room like this can fit in four people, the owner considers it as a family room.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via YouTube

Since we were only two, Ben had given us a discount through breakfast, it doesn't come with a free breakfast like the tree houses though but for our case, we were given a free breakfast meal.

Impressions on Staying in a Hobbit House

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Imbayaois an hour away from the main Malaybalay City and it is uphill so the temperature here is relatively cold. In the city proper, the temperature is good, the wind breeze is really cool compared to that in Cebu City but arriving at the mountain, although the sun was out and bright, the wind is definitely colder and that becomes extra cool when it gets darker, it even has a higher chances of raining just like what happened during our stay.

First is that the green hobbit house was not really fully ready to accept guests but because we really wanted to, the owner was very courteous enough to have it prepared for us.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

The walls were still rough, cemented and a little earth-smelling. The floor is still of soil unlike the first one next to the pond which has floor matting in it. There's no proper lighting inside except for the flashlight given by Mr. Maputi before it darkened that day.

The smell was overtaken by the Citronella oilgiven by Mr. Maputi to keep us away from the bugs which worked well. They had prepared fleece blankets too and that kept us warm throughout the night. It is good that the comfort room was inside although the waters very cold, it discouraged us to take a bath.

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There were only wooden pieces used for the table and chairs inside but there's a bigger table outside and a cool chair made out of tree branches, it was quite heavy but we managed to get it inside. We had dinner inside our room, it was delivered to us that night and breakfast were also served so we ate it outside our room while listening to the music of the birds.

I fully believe that Mr. Maputi will do more finishing touches to this room. I hope the woods used are treated if not, they'll be a great possibility of molds forming in there. And it will also be smelly plus woods retain water, our bags and some other stuff were kind of wet when we woke up, I guess it was because of the weather and the water retention on the wooden bed and chairs.

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Also, ants and other types of crawling insects had made their way inside the room. They somehow found our table fascinating, they were already all over it when we woke up. Perhaps it was because we had dinner there. Surprisingly, they didn't manage to get to our bed but that could be something that Ben can find a way out.

There's also no cellular signal inside the Hobbit House while there's connectivity at the other spots like in the tree houses and the waiting areas.

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Perhaps the best thing about staying inside the Hobbit House is the experience but it is not a very comfortable option. It was all for that and hopefully, they'll prepare it with better amenities for their future guests.

The farm has a tree house equipt with a computer table and a better bed. If we visit the farm again in the future, we will probably take the tree house next to the camping site because there's a 4G+ connection there so we can work while on a vacation.

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Check out this Querlo chat about Traveling:

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Kyle Jennermann via YouTube

Hello, bitLanders! Here I am again with a day two for my travel blog. The recent trip to Bukidnon still makes me feel like we had a very short time, I still would like to stay in a cold place, feel the breeze which touches my face, the sweet music of the birds around and drink freshly brewed local Arabica coffee free to all the farm guests and visitors.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

The stay at Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm was unforgettable, time swift super fast that I didn't realize it already ended of our day one while chilling inside our room, that's the hobbit house. Our hobbit house experience, of course, was well documented on my previous blog. Check this out:

How is it Staying in a Hobbit House?

Let me then share with you how our second day went while in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao.

• Infinity Swing at Sunrise •

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

Perhaps it was due to the cold weather, or maybe it was because James and I were both tired after not having enough sleep the previous night and even drained out due to the land travel from Cagayan De Oro to Imbayao where Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm is located, so we didn't get to wake up when our alarms started beeping.

It was only until Mr. Benjamin Maputi Jr. called out our attention from outside that it was almost sunrise. No, we don't want to miss this opportunity so we hopped out immediately and saw the skies already turning red and yellow, like that of a master painting.

It was still 5:30 AM, as per Ben, the sun rises here pretty early because it is a highland area thus, the sky is already pretty even at early dawn. James ran towards the Guava tree house where he set up his camera for timelapse. Then we went straight to the farm's infinity swing which was the perfect spot to be during this time of the day.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

Both James and Ben ordered that I swing and they'll take photos of me. The swing isn't dangerous, in fact, I had a great time while watching the rising of the sun. Its totally amazing to see its circular shape popping out of the horizon, between the beautiful mountains of Bukidnon.

• Pictorial Session •

"Take photos or it never happened."

 Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

When the sun was already up and the clouds started hovering it, James and I went ahead and took our time photographing each other, either he takes photos of me or I take a photo of him or we take a couple photo. We took all our time as we were not able to do this the first day that much due to the rain.

We started at the hobbit houses, there were few other visitors who started arriving. We made sure our own room was locked though before anybody else could get in. Then we went over to the hanging bridge which was a new addition to this photography opportunity corners. There was the magic carpet, the other swings, and tree houses.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

We didn't forget the nest too and furthermore when we were already a little hungry, we went back to our room as our breakfast was delivered to us by the workers of the farm.

• Breakfast and Coffee •

Food excites us as much as travel. Both James and I were hungry from all the walking, posing and exploring Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm. We made our way to our wooden table outside the room, said our thanks and ate our sunny side up, steamed rice and hotdogs! I didn't have a choice but eat the egg, I don't like hotdogs though.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

But the best part was the coffee! It was still cold at seven in the morning so we made sure we have coffees. The farm treats all guests with freshly brewed aromatic Arabica coffee in which the beans are grown, harvested, roasted and manually pounded by local workers of Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm. I have personally watched one of the workers pound a kilo of newly roasted coffee beans and when she delivered it to us this morning, she proudly said it was the coffee she worked yesterday that's being brewed.

Those coffee lovers out there will surely love visiting the farm because the coffees are served FREE and UNLIMITED! Tell me if that's not a good reason to visit the farm!

Check Out and Travel Back to Malaybalay Proper

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

Our check out time was at 12 noon however, we still have another place to go which was Kampo Juan. We arranged a room there a few days ago.

I was in contact with the "habal-habal" drivers who drove us to the farm the previous day, we agreed they'll come and pick us up at 11 AM and they did arrive before time. The normal charge for this trip was at Php 150 but we decided to pay them at Php 250 per way per head because of how challenging the road was. James understood how hard it is to drive in such condition.

We arrived at the Sumpong intersection just ten minutes before 12 noon and it was perfect to eat lunch again. We found ourselves on our way to Le Cafe.

• Le Cafe Snack Lunch •

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

Found Le Cafe just opposite the Rizal Park in Malaybalay City. I thought it was a simple small cafe but I was astonished to find that it has more rooms than I imagined!

From a simple eight-table room, I hopped into a separate "fashionista" type of area with cute cups, wall decor, plate collections, and candy-colored tables and walls.

Further to the counter, I was brought into another surprise as I saw yet another room which was more of a dessert type of cafe, with cakes, cupcake accessories and playful designs. I guess I was treated with a cafe in a cafe type of experience at that time.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

As soon as our orders arrived, we started eating. The pricing here was really affordable! James loved his Lasagna which costs only Php 100+ and my Spaghetti Carbonara was also very cheap but with a huge serving! It included a stick bread which reminded me of childhood days.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

To finish off, we ordered a piece of their Chocolate Cake, this one I didn't like that much, I could feel the sugar in every chew and although I try to have it melt in my mouth, I felt like I was taking in a lot of sugar so I only took a few bites.

• Cancellation of Kampo Juan Reservation in Manolo, Fortich •

It was only at 1 PM when we were able to take a bus towards Manolo, Fortich. I was in contact with my uncle and he instructed us to drop by Alae. He picked us up upon arrival, we reached their home in Damilag and it was good to be in fellowship with cousins and relatives whom I have not seen for years.

Video credits: Rialyn Sobrepeña via YouTube

However, as we were already ready to get back to Manolo, Fortich for our Kampo Juan stay, my uncle insisted we should instead stay in their house because it was raining and Kampo Juan is still very far from Damilag. As much as I would like to really go to Kampo Juan, we decided to just stay and change our plans instead.

So our day ended that way. Damilag still has a cold weather and I ended up using my jacket to warm myself. The next day, we woke up very early to go to Dahilayan Forest Park which I will talk about next time.

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Check out this Querlo chat about Traveling:

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Dogpound Films via YouTube

Bukidnon has a lot to offer, there are those which are already very well known while some spots are still trying to boost its name. Our second day in Bukidnon was supposed to be spent in Kampo Juan however, due to some of the time constraint and weather concerns, we decided to just stay instead in Damilag where my relatives are located.

Read my blog entry about our second day in Bukidnon here:

Bukidnon DIY Trip Day 2: Enjoying Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Since we were already in Damilag, we had no other place to go but to Dahilayan, what is referred to as the "little Baguio of Mindanao". Hopped in today as I narrate how our third day went. This is also our last day in the province and I also included a short story about our trip back home to Cebu.

Bukidnon DIY Trip Day 3: Whole Day at Dahilayan

What's great about staying in your relative's home while on a trip is that you'll cut off on some expenditures like accommodation and even meals! Aside from that, if the tourist spots around the area is a few kilometers away from that relative's house, then you can also just borrow their vehicle. The same happened during our stay.

According to Google Maps, Dahilayan Adventure Park is just 28 minutes away from Damilag. That's not very far, at least for me and I know there isn't any traffic or whatever in the area so delays caused by such won't also happen. Plus, the road towards the adventure park is just straight, like we won't get lost at all while on our way there.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

So, we hopped into the Honda XRM motorcycle owned by my uncle, made sure it has enough gas and traversed the straight concrete road of Damilag to Camp Philips to Dahilayan at 5:30 AM. It was already bright at that time which means the sun has already risen that early.

Camp Philips is very interesting, it is a privately owned area but it is available for the public. This is where Del Monte products especially the pineapples are being produced. So as we pass by it, we found arrays of housings bearing the same designs but of different colors. I like how they were separated and given their own lawns and parking spots too! Their houses are quite spacious, I personally love that they can make their own garden in their front or backyard.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

There's also a pineapple landmark right before entering Camp Philips, its guarded too because again, it is a private entity.

The road was spacious, two lanes but it felt like we were the only ones driving along, there are some vehicles passing by every now and then, we flew the drone to give us a view of the above because the pineapples are grown here in such huge land and they got forms too which were interesting.

Dahilayan Pinegrove Mountain Lodge

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Since we were up very early, we didn't have the time to have breakfast at my uncle's house. James suggested we eat at the park's hotel restaurant instead which I agreed. We came to Dahilayan Pinegrove Mountain Lodge which is next to the Dahilayan Forest Park and of which some of their adventure rides are located such as the Dropzone, Python Roller Zipride and it also has a beautiful area full of pine trees.

The lodge's breakfast starts at seven in the morning until ten. We arrived 30 minutes before so we pre-ordered while I roam around the area, taking photographs of the ambiance outside and inside their restaurant. It was modern with a touch of a woody feel, it really looked like I was in Baguio especially that there were pine trees around the vicinity plus the weather was very cold.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

The options were very limited, most are meat like pork and beef, no chicken on the menu but eggs so I had no option but to order scrambled eggs, coffee, and my garlic rice. James ordered his corned beef which he loved because it didn't come from those canned corned beef. For some reasons, the coffee was very good I had to order a second round!

Roaming Around Dahilayan Adventure Park

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

There are reasons why we didn't include Dahilayan Adventure Park as part of our original itinerary and that was because James dislikes these extreme rides. It is not his type and I am also okay with not trying out any of these rides. I somehow enjoy watching those who are taking the rides.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

So, what did we come here? Just the pine trees. We realized we like to be where the weather is cold and that has a great ambiance. We both agreed, Dahilayan has better pine trees than that of Baguio, their pine trees somehow looked like they were planted that way, they got great arrangements and it is perfect for a photoshoot! Don't get us wrong, perhaps we were not able to fully roam around Baguio City during our first visit.

Anyway, we had the entire morning enjoying the view, the pine trees, we took our time taking a lot of portrait shots of ourselves. While we also watched those who were taking the Python ride and those guys who tried the Drop Zone.

Lunch at Dahilayan Forest Park

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Dahilayan Adventure Park is composed of two resorts, an adventure park, and a pine trees forest, at least that's how I understood it. After our time at Dahilayan Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, we went to Dahilayan Forest Park where all the main attractions are located. There's a literal park in it, there were playgrounds, different rides for kids and adults and there's a spot where there are tables surrounded by tall and huge as well as old pine trees.

But aside from that, they also have a restaurant inside and that's where we had our lunch because we were already starving. Our time limit was only until 1 or 2 in the afternoon and we have to get back so we can still catch up to Laguindingan Airport.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Surprisingly, the food options here are average, we only spent Php 490 for our food, it included a Chicken Tinola which was good for 3-4 persons, a Ceasar Salad without bacon bits, and a can of soda. James and I agreed that their salad was a bomb! The lettuce served were fresh and yummy! The dip that came with it was also delicious! We were able to eat them all!

Damilag to Cagayan De Oro City to Laguindingan Airport to Cebu

Travel time is really what kills and consumes all our time during this trip. I have researched a lot about the distance between this location so I already have an idea that we got to be ready to go before four in the afternoon on Sunday.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

So after our lunch and our picture taking at Dahilayan Adventure Park, we went back to Damilag, our travel time back seemed shorter compared to when we were on our way to the park. Then we had a bit of snack at the Camp Philips Cooperative where my cousin works.

As soon as we arrived at my uncle's house, we immediately prepared and bid our goodbyes. It may take some more time before we will see each other again.

Video credits: MACKaliweteng Kamay via YouTube

There were vans for hire at Camp Philips, from there, it took 40 minutes for us to reach Cagayan De Oro City. The van dropped us at Lim Kit Kai Mall and we took the Magnum Express for Laguindingan. While our schedule was at eight in the evening, the flight was delayed so we had no option but to be patient and wait for the announcement. It was only until ten in the evening that we were able to board the plane. Unfortunately, it was already very late and we still have to travel from Mactan Airport to our condo.

Nonetheless, it was fulfilling that although there were plans which were not followed, we had fun and learned a lot of things about Bukidnon and we will surely go back, next time will be longer. 

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Check out this Querlo chat about Traveling:

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Travel is like knowledge. The more you see, the more you know you haven't seen.

- Mark Hertsgaard

Video credits: Dhamielyn Sarno via YouTube

I truly agree on the quote above, it is only when you go see for yourself what this place looks like and not merely depend on the multimedia presented online then you will be able to truly understand the beauty of such location.

Dahilayan Adventure Park didn't make it to our itinerary, we considered it but due to the little time that we have, given that there are so many land travels to get to another location, discouraged us to include it. But well, the circumstances were in its favor, instead of going to Kampo Juan, we had no choice but to go instead to Dahilayan. I had blogged about our third day, how it went from morning to evening on my previous blog.

Read our Day 3 in Bukidnon: Bukidnon DIY Trip Day 3: Whole Day at Dahilayan

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Today's blog focuses on the things to do and find while in Dahilayan, what are the activities they offer, where to find it and the prices that go with each ride plus some photography tips while in Dahilayan Adventure Park! Read further to know more about these matters!

▬ All About Dahilayan Adventure Park ▬

"Mindanao's Favorite Extreme Playground"

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

That's Dahilayan Adventure Park's tagline. Nowhere in Northern Mindanao can you find any other location which offers extreme adventure rather than this park. But I heard some guests who tried their dropzone activity and asked themselves if that was extreme enough? I have no idea but I believe they shouted their hearts out while they hang in there in mid-air. I guess that's already extreme. What do you think?

Anyway, going back, Dahilayan Adventure Park is nestled at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad 4700 feet above sea level which means this here has nice, cold and chilly weather.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

There are several ways to get here which I will state at the end of this blog. As for James and I, we borrowed my uncle's motorcycle and drove our way from Damilag to Camp Philips to Dahilayan which only took 30 minutes minus our stopovers because we flew our drone for the pineapple plantation.

▬ Activities Offered in Dahilayan Adventure Park ▬

Dahilayan Adventure Park offers different activities and amenities for their guests. There will be no dull moments when you are inside, the park is even child-friendly and there are amenities which won't cost you any penny!

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

For the thrill seekers, the list below is what you should try:

320MT plus 150MT Zipline
Asia′s 1st Longest Dual Zipline
Dropzone 120 Ft. Freefall Ride
Flying Lizard Canopy Glider
Python Roller Zipride
Ropes Course
ATV and Buggy Car
Zorbit
Luge
Wall climbing
Bumper Boat
Monkey Tree Challenge

For those who are not into extreme rides just like James and me, although I am okay with the riding, of course, I don't want to be in there while he watches, there are also cool amenities for you:

Chill at Pinetree Forest
Photoshoot Opportunity with Pinetrees
Observe Koi Fishes
Dine at Forest Park Cafe
Take Selfies at the Forest Park Lawn
Watch Extreme Adventure Riders' Screams
Trampoline
Horse-back Riding
Play with Dogs
Barrel Train for Kids
Treetop Adventure for Kids
Forest Putt Mini Golf
Hanging Bridge

Obviously, it isn't bad to stay in the shade while in Dahilayan Adventure Park. It is also not bad to keep your cool while at the pine tree forest together with a loved one. It's all about personal choices actually. As a matter of fact, it is the most wallet-friendly option!

Also, they got packages for those visitors coming in, it is better to book in advance too so you may take advantage of their weekend shuttle bus! Check out their rates:

Image credits: Dahilayan Adventure Park via Facebook

Moreover, there are other spots to check on while inside the adventure park. You may check these when you are done with the prioritized rides and activities:

Forest Park Cafe
Function Areas
Grizzly Bar
Jacuzzi
Picnic Grounds
Forest Animals and Playground
Ponds and Lagoons
Souvenir Shop

▬ Stay Overnight? No Problem! ▬

The Dahilayan Adventure Park is a huge place, it caters a wide land area and if you are that person who wants to try everything they offer, it is best to stay for a whole day or rather two days and a night to fully experience the cold weather.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

There are two hotels inside the park, there's Dahilayan Pinegrove Mountain Lodge and Dahilayan Forest Park Resort. Both accommodations are just located next to each other but are of separate areas. Their structures are made in such a way that it fits well in a cold area like this.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Both also have an in-house restaurant. We had breakfast at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge but they have a very limited menu option for breakfast which runs only from seven to ten in the morning. While only checked in guests are allowed to dine in at the Dahilayan Forest Park Resort.

Rates are as follows:

Pinegrove Mountain Lodge:

Suite Room good for two at Php 3500
Deluxe Room good for two at Php 3200
Standard Room good for two at Php 2800
Family Loft Room good for four at Php 4500
Family Room good for seven at Php 6000
Dormitory Room good for eight at Php 6000

Dahilayan Forest Park Resort:

Standard room good for 3 persons = Php 2640
Family room good for 4 persons = Php 3200
Big Family room good for six persons = Php 4400
Barkada 18 and 20 rooms good for 12 persons = Php 7200

Standard, family and big family rooms have free breakfast for the first two guests.

▬ How to Get to Dahilayan Adventure Park? ▬

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Renting or taking your own vehicle is certainly the best option to get to Dahilayan, this is applicable if you are also from Bukidnon or Cagayan De Oro or perhaps the other neighboring provinces. But this is not the same case for other travelers or tourists who are from the other islands.

So commuting is the alternative. The following are the two options guests can go with when planning out their trip to Dahilayan Adventure Park.

Option 1. Take the Zipzone Shuttle.

The adventure park has their Zipzone Shuttle from Cagayan de Oro directly to the Park every Saturday, from 8:00-8:30 AM, at Coffeworks in Divisoria.

The fare is rated at Php 350.00 per person. Travel time is about one-and-a-half hour. The airconditioned mini-bus leaves Dahilayan for Cagayan de Oro on the same day at around 3 to 4 PM. For details and reservations, contact 0917 323 5667 or 0922 880 1319.

Option 2. Take a Public Vehicle to Camp Philips

Video credits: GMA Public Affairs via YouTube

From Cagayan De Oro's Agora Bus Terminal, ask for either vans or jeepneys which routes to Barangay Camp Philips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

From Camp Philips, there are several "habal-habal" drivers who can take you to Dahilayan Adventure Park. A one-way trip is around Php 150-200 per person, take your haggling skills with you! Don't worry as the road is concrete and it is very safe! You'll also enjoy the view of the pineapple plantation!

P.S. Photography Tips!

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Find the Koi fish pond area next to the pine tree forest within Forest Park and you'll find a very good spot for an Instagram post! Or go to the forest and take a wide shot or down to Pinegrove Mountain Lodge where the pine trees are also really cool, take a shot from below and you'll get another Instagram worthy spot!

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Remember, do not look directly at the camera for a more mysterious look!

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Check out this Querlo chat about Traveling:

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Image credits: disney.wikia

After much thinking, I decided to write another movie review for The bitLanders Film Series to support women empowerment. The first one I wrote was about Frozen, it is a movie which I had watched several times with my niece, neighbors, cousins, and friends.

Whilst the previous movie was very familiar to me and which encouraged me to write, this new film I am going to review isn't. As a matter of fact, I opened a Netflix account just so I can watch it. I am sharing my own insights specifically to the events surrounding the main woman protagonist. Let's dig in!

• Walt Disney's Enchanted 2007 •

Image credits: disney.wikia

I admit I am not a cinemaphile or that someone who is passionate about movies cinemas but I am all out for exploring new things, especially that of which is out of my comfort zone. Hopefully, I could deliver my own point of views on this matter.

Enchanted was a film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and was categorized under musical fantasy romantic comedy with Kevin Lima as the director. Knowing it to be a Walt Disney film is already setting the bar high for its picture quality and animation.

• The Enchanted Movie Trailer •

Video credits: Kevin_Lima via bitlanders

Because I never have seen the film, I decided to watch its trailer first. From bitLanders, I hit the play button, Disney's classic fairy tale movies started rolling on screen, Lion King, Tarzan, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and of course who would forget Snow White?

That scene where Princess Giselle was pushed by the evil witch brought me my childhood memories, I had watched Snow White and Cinderella out of a VHS tape! My goodness, I couldn't count how many times I replayed and pushed that replay roll on our VHS player! So the 2D graphics were very nostalgic!

Image credits: rabat2013

Anyway, I was certainly entertained by the sequence of funny scenes most especially those of musical interludes like that in the world of Disney princesses movies.

I found myself laughing already watching the trailer so I didn't wait any further, I grabbed my tea and started watching the movie. Read on to know more.

• Enchanted Story Line •

Image credits: tallwriter

Giselle who lived in a tree trunk was overheard by Prince Edward who was hunting trolls but was attracted by Giselle's voice, found her and decided to get married the next day!

Prince Edward's stepmother Nerissa, however, don't want to be replaced as Andalasia's queen thus plotted a way to get rid of Giselle. She sent her to the city of New York, one which she refers as a place where there's no happy ending.

But her plans never came to materialized when Prince Edward himself went over to find Giselle too. The adventure of moving around the busy streets of New York in a Prince Charming suit was a little uncomfortable but for the sake of getting Giselle back, he went through the different turn of events in the big city.

Image credits: Entertainment Pictures

Giselle, on the other hand, was found by Robert and Morgan, his daughter. Robert was on the verge of proposing to Nancy, his girlfriend, however, everything changed when he met Giselle, that one lady who has all the positivism, kindness and gentleness of which can possibly be found only on fairytales. Weird and very unlikely, he let her stay with them in their home, even if they were often surprised by her weird and innocent demeanor.

Until Robert started to look at Giselle a different way most especially when she was at the ball. Then Queen Nerissa, showing off her powers and turning into the same evil witch. She convinced Giselle to eat the poisonous apple putting Giselle into a deep sleep. Prince Edward tried kissing her but she didn't wake up until Robert's kiss. However, Queen Nerissa turned into an actually pretty purple dragon. Killing her was easy, it was Pip the chipmunk who did the job!

Image credits: tippett

While Robert and Giselle found each others' arms, Prince Edward and Nancy also got together, even bringing Nancy to Andalasia instead!

• Enchanted Review •

The film was superb at that year because it won three Saturn Awards, including Best Fantasy Film and Best Actress. Enchanted also received two nominations at the 65th Golden Globe Awards and three Best Original Song nominations at the 80th Academy Awards, information from Wikipedia.org

Image credits: cosplay

Amy Adams playing the role of Princess Giselle totally nailed how Disney princesses walk and talk. Her eyes and facial expressions are all way out for this movie. Although I understand it is because she's an actress, I truly believe in my heart that the role she's playing is such an enjoyable one as every girl dreams to be a Disney princess!

I am easy to please and so I had no issue about the movie, I enjoyed it, laughed a lot of the hilarious scenes, it was playful, child-friendly and entertaining. Also to note that because the movie was released on 2007, the movie has obvious animation concerns, not much of an issue though but because the technology wasn't the same as what we have right at this day.

• Movie Points Noted •

Here below are some points within the movie that I have taken note of because either they were remarkable for me or they were scenes that bring out women empowerment.

Before that, please do check the followign Querlo chat. Do you support women's empowerment?

1. That scene where Robert gave his daughter a book entitled "Important Women of Our Time" by Nora Kasarda featuring Rosa Parks and Marie Curie.

2. Palm Treo device used by Robert. This is remarkable for me because I worked before for Palm. They were first in manufacturing those smartphones, however, their new operating system was not very much of a success.

3. Cleaning can be fun with flying cockroach, dirty rats fly from some rubbish! While that might not be much of a realistic scene, it was quite funny to find those rats and cockroaches swiping off the dirt! Unfortunately, one pigeon ate the cockroach.

Image credits: disney.wikia

4. The truth about the presence of pain on this side of the world. That's why she prefers to be in the fantasy land of Andalasia than in this land, however, she also showed certain promises of love and happily ever after.

5. Everybody has problems, everybody has bad times, do we sacrifice all the good times because of them? Quote from Phoebe, Robert's client.

6. Giselle talking about stepmothers. "There are so many wonderful stepmothers". I truly believe that even though stepmothers are mostly displayed as the antagonist and evil ones, in reality, there are indeed a lot of good stepmoms out there.

Image credits: community.wikia

7. Everyone has a chance of a happy ending. At the latter part of the movie, I liked that it showed each character's good ending except for Nerissa. Like how Prince Edward and Nancy ended up getting married in Andalasia and Nathaniel becoming a writer as well as Pip and finally for Robert and Giselle together with Morgan as a family.

Image credits: viewerscommentary

The musical interlude was cute, it resembled scenes from Disney Land, especially the parts where they were walking across the park with all those commoners singing and dancing together with Princess Giselle. That somehow makes me think of Disneyland's parade of stars.

Video credits: kidsliveshows via YouTube

Although the story went the same way as how other Disney Princess movies do, it was nice to see a twist of the story with how Prince Edward and Nancy ended together. There were a lot of hilarious sequences and James joined me smiling all throughout the movie! And finally, I like the pop-up scenes at the end!

What kind of movies do you like?

Thanks a lot for readng!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

I could have just ended my Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm or the Imbayao Hobbit House travel blog with the previous blog entries but I realized I should mention more information most especially to those who need help with how to get to the farm as well as setting up the right expectations.

So today, I am off again with another set of travel guides and tips when visiting Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm. I am going to cover the following:

1. How to get to Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm
2. Fees and rates when traveling to Malaybalay, Bukidnon
3. Food at farm
4. What activities can be enjoyed while at the farm?
5. Reminders when visiting Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm is a nature preserve farm in Sitio Sinaburan Brgy. Imbayao, Malaybalay Bukidnon. The owner, Mr. Benjamin Maputi Sr. and his family had promised to keep this range free from any negative mountain activities such as illegal logging. They own 22 hectares of this land and his wife is also the Barangay Captain in their area thus they are setting good examples to their comrades!

Apart from it being an Agro Eco Farm, they also have developed Instagram-worthy corners which were done with the help of his son, Mr. Benjamin Maputi Jr. who had created eight DIY hobbit houses as of this writing!

How to get to Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Wherever you come from, may it be from Cagayan De Oro or Davao, the stop point should be at the intersection in Sumpong, there's a Shell gasoline station in front of the intersection so it is easier to locate.

If you are from Cagayan De Oro just like us, there are a lot of buses going to Malaybalay, there's Rural Bus Lines or Pabama Bus Tours which also has their double-decker buses traveling every 6 AM, 12 NN and 6 PM from Agora Bus Terminal. Ticket fare is at Php 130, take the air-conditioned bus because the trip can be long and tiring. For more comfortable and entertaining trip, take one of the Pabama buses which have entertainment system on each seat.

Travel time takes more or less three hours. Upon reaching Sumpong, motorcycle drivers are available for hire at Php 150 one way. The road going to Imbayao is rough but manageable. It will take another 45 minutes drive, don't miss the array of Rainbow Eucalyptus and take a selfie!

Also, if staying overnight, take the phone number of the driver so he can fetch you the next day, mobile signal coverage is good at the farm in some areas like in the tree house.

Fees and rates at Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Visiting as walk-in guests or overnight stay, the farm asks for Php 50 entrance fee. This covers unlimited photoshoot opportunities at any corner of the farm. There's also free and unlimited always freshly brewed local coffee at the receiving area. Those who are coffee lovers can take any cups as they want. And if lucky, the farm owners give free fruits too! They got so many guava harvests when we were there, I ate around six or more pieces!

If staying overnight, here are the available accommodations:

Tree Houses - Php 750 good for 2-3 persons with free breakfast
Large Glamping Tent - Php 700 good for six persons, this is complete with beddings
Small Tent - Php 100 good for 2-3 persons
Hobbit House - Php 1000 good for six persons
Bonfire - Php 50 per night

Food at the Farm

Food meals can be ordered too in advance for those who are staying overnight. Their "Lutong-Bahay" meals are good for Php 100 with two viands and a heaping scoop of rice! Service water can also be asked and they also sell bottled water good for Php 15.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

Tip: Order their Tinolang Bisayang Manok for dinner because the weather gets cold in the evening and it would help you warm yourself!

What activities can be enjoyed while at the farm?

There are unlimited things that can be done while at the farm. In fact, you'll run out time and before you knew it, you realize you have never really explored everything! At least that was my own realization.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

The list below are the specific activities the farm offers:

Birding Trail
Forest Trek
Eco walk
Nature Trekking
Hobbit Homes
Tree Houses
Infinity Swing
Bird's Nest
Magic Carpet
Hot pool
Sunrise watching
Hanging Bridge

And if there are interested individuals for their seminar on the production of essential oils such as the Eucalyptus and Citronella!

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

Most of the visitors lately are coming over for their Instagram-worthy corners and the same was the case for me and my husband. The DIY hobbit homes which were featured on several online sites had interested me a lot that we decided to check this farm.

One of the things that shouldn't be missed is the sunrise. The rising of the sun was totally awesome right in this part of the province and you'll have a better experience if you watch it while swinging in their infinity swing. Should get someone to take a photo of you if you are backpacking solo, ask someone from the farm or bring a tripod so you can set it to record in the right orientation.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

For reservation, you may get in touch with them on Facebook: Mt.KitangladAgroEcoFarm
Or you may contact them directly at 09552875279.

Reminders when visiting Mt. Kitanglad Agro Eco Farm

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

There are specific things to take note of when visiting the farm and this is applicable for those who are coming as just walk in guests as well as those staying overnight.

1. Be friendly to all workers! Most staffs here are not properly trained for customer service and if they miss out something, be considerate and ask them politely.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

2. Wear a proper outfit. Because of the location is in a highland area, there's a huge tendency of rain. Bring your rain cover, your shoes or hiking sandals as well as your jackets!

3. Bring a reusable water bottle! I highly recommend this most especially if you are staying overnight. The receiving area where the water is located is at the base of the farm while the accommodations are still five to ten minutes walk from there. So get it filled up or ask for a water jug that you can use during the entire stay.

4. Insect repellants are your best friend. Insects can't be avoided so don't forget your repellants. If you miss it, you can buy it from there instead since they produce and sell their own Citronella oils.

Image credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

5. Don't expect too much! One of the guests whom we have spoken with during our stay said the farm looked different from the photos. While I understand she might have been victimized by the expectation versus reality syndrome, I totally believe that it is worth visiting! And more will be put up here soon too!

6. Be honest and do not steal anything! While speaking with the owner's son, Mr. Benjamin Maputi Jr., who built the DIY hobbit houses as well as the other corners of the farm, he had noticed some guests bringing home some small parts of their hobbit house interior designs. Personally, it is a mortal sin to really steal these items!

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

And if you are indeed visiting, note to only take nothing but pictures and leave only nothing but footprints!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Image credits: paulwakebaker

Have you ever judged a movie because of its poster? I did, like lots of times okay, I take that back, like all the time! So looking at the poster by Micky-the-Slanted-Salerno's blog for "The bitLanders Film Series" to Support Women Empowerment, I had thought this movie was about a mother and daughter true story. Laugh me about it but I am just being honest.

There I was, looking for a blog inspiration and I decided to give it a try and watch it, without any expectation of becoming entertained or whatever. Good thing dear Netflix got the movie and I am still with their free trial, the third day today to be exact.

Right after I watched it, I grabbed my keyboard as I write on a separate comfortable keyboard and began my typing work about telling you my own review on this interesting story, interesting in a way because this is not just a story out of the mind but because it is based on two true accounts! And I definitely love movies out of true stories. Let's start with the story and the main characters who played the roles then I'll be spilling a few points which I believe are really relatable to me and to other women around the globe.

Julie and Julia Movie

Video credits: Nora Ephron via bitLanders 

Julie and Julia are two women who had their lives changed because of the love of cooking. Though their names sound alike, they are not related to each other except that Julie Powell was greatly influenced by Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", a book which Julie had spent years of compiling her recipes from when she stayed in Paris, France with her husband, Paul Child (Stanley Tucci).

Julia Child (Meryl Streep)

Image credits: aceshowbiz

American who moved to Paris, France when her husband Paul was relocated for work. She found herself in different setting trying out new things to do while in Paris, this includes hat making, but eventually, she found herself inside Le Cordon Bleu, a cooking school dominated by men. Although she received some harsh words from the director who said:

"It's for professional which you will never be, for sure. All mine, All GI and expensive." - Madam Brassart

She proceeds with the cooking school and even though she planked her examinations, she somehow found herself some friends in the presence of Louisette Berthole and Simone Beck who started teaching how to cook and eventually decided to write a book with the initial aim to provide a guide to American wives to French cooking.

With several things going on and a couple of turn backs from publishing companies, they finally found one which had offered the service but the book name as to be changed.

Julia's story in the movie ended with her receiving a copy of her hardbound book entitled "Mastering the Art of French Cooking".

Julie Powell (Amy Adams)

Image credits: aceshowbiz

Working in a boring secretarial job, Julie Powell gained a brilliant idea of spicing up her life with a challenge inspired by her friend who started a blog. With the constant push coming from her husband, Eric, she opened up a blog with a name: The Julie/Julia Project, Nobody here but us servantless American cooks. This project then will make her post constantly within 365 days and cook her way the entire 536 recipes from Julia Child's classic book within the four corners of her small kitchen in Queens.

Blogging and earning fans, Julie found herself developing a sense of "me, me" attitude and eventually caused conflict with her husband. This, fortunately, was resolved when she realized her fault and humbled herself to call him and return home. After recovering from all the meltdowns and discouragements, she was found by New York Times and this opened up to a lot of opportunities, including writing a book.

Julie and Julia Movie Review

Image credits: imdb

Realistic, relatable and inspirational, this is how I like the movie, the director, Nora Ephron brought Meryl Streep's natural gleeful acting and the repulsive, sometimes a little under mature plays of Amy Adams. Remarkably, this was Ephron's last directed movie before her death.

Sometimes, I found some scenes were not really needed for the movie's but I believe they did so to lengthen the storyline, there were certainly supposed to be funny scenes too which were not very much fun for me like that of the lobster cooking part. Anyway, they may perhaps be corny but that's probably just how the director wants it to be.

Image credits: movieweb

Also, I somehow find that the ending part where Julie thought Julia hates her was never given a clarification. I don't know if Julie really means that, I hope that was cleared during the movie.

Women empowerment has been regarded highly in the movie especially on getting done what the protagonists had set for themselves while bringing out the best of versions of themselves from the process. 

Do you support women's empowerment?

Relateable Parts of the Movie

Cooking

The movie though focuses on the beauty of cooking, it has also given the viewers the notion that although most of the cooking industry has been dominated by men, women are also capable of creating their own name in the line of cooking.

Image credits: media.spokesman

It is also a reminder for those who are like me, those individuals who don't really know how to cook that the subject can be learned.

Penpals

Image credits: francesdinkelspiel

Throughout Julie's storyline, the name Avis has been repeated for several times. Eventually, she was the key to Julie's fame. Avis was her penpal, someone she never met her life until she decided to create a book.

It was pretty nostalgic how I also receive letters from my good penpal friends. It was always nice to receive stamped envelopes with handwritten or typed stories by a friend who is some miles away.

Blogging

Image credits: vaguevisages

While there are already several blogs being turned into films, the story of Julie and Julie was the first major motion picture based on a blog.

Being a blogger, I can totally relate to Julie's feelings every single time she gets a comment. Most especially when she gained a good following and she's starting to receive gifts from her fans.

Photography

Image credits: newstalk990

Paul, Julia's husband was a photographer, he even had an exhibit during the first parts of the movie and his black and white photographs were on a display on those scenes of the movie.

It makes me want to relate that to my husband who also loves photography. I guess it is really important for a couple to have other hobbies apart from our full-time work. It is critical in the work-life balance.

Support System Matters

Image credits: aceshowbiz

Although the movie is all about the women's strengths, it is evident that the main characters won't be able to do whatever they ought to do without the constant inspiration, uplift and push coming from their partners who were their support systems.

Both Julie and Julia had husbands who continuously gave them encouraging and confirming words that they can do whatever they want to do and that everything will be alright.

Remarkable Lines

Video credits: Movieclips via YouTube

"You are the butter to my bread and breath to my life." - Paul Child

"Is there anything better than butter? You can never have too much butter." - Julie Powell

Julie: Do you really think am a bitch?
Friend: Well, yeah... but who isn't?
Julie: Julia!

Home is wherever we are! - Paul Child

I was drowning and she pulled me out of the ocean. - Julie Powell

Thanks a lot for reading! What kind of movies do you like?

----------------------------

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Gary_Ross via bitlanders

Image credits: moviemeter

Watching the trailer for The Hunger Games movie again, the very first of the The Hunger Games series is like rekindling an old love, it brought chills to my spine, all my body hairs reaching out of me and I can't help but want to watch the film one more time to be able to write this movie review.

I have been a fan of this movie series and I know I have not really taken the last two movies seriously because I have read, seen and heard several negative things about its main cast but I must admit, this is one of the movie series which really made me want to become like Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). That girl on fire with one side braided hair who's very good at archery!

Image credits: beataboutthebook

The beauty of movies is that it somehow leads the life of the characters into our being. We feel like we are those who played the role and when something totally opposite to the character played by the actress gets into the news, all that was established within start to crumble, they are like the walls of Jericho, they stumbled and fell.

But anyway, because of bitLanders Content Review: The bitLanders Film Series to Support Women Empowerment, I want to make a review of the movie most specifically the part of Miss Kandiss Everdeen played by Jennifer Lawrence. How she had evolved from being a common teenage of District 12 to become a strong fighter, ending up as one of the survivors of the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games

Image credits: tvguide

According to wikipedia:

The Hunger Games is a trilogy of young adult dystopian novels written by American novelistSuzanne Collins. The series is set in The Hunger Games universe and follows young characters Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.

The novels in the trilogy are titled The Hunger Games (2008), Catching Fire (2009), and Mockingjay (2010). The novels have all been developed into films starring Jennifer Lawrence.

Did you know that the story of the Hunger Games was conceptualized by the book writer Suzanne Collins when she was flipping through channels on television and saw these different reality shows and a news report of the Iraq war? It's really a little disturbing how the book was written from that perspective but, I guess the movie went successfully although it was based on real blood, true lives, actual people taken down in the war happening in the Middle East.

The Hunger Games Movie Story

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.

Video credits: Moveiclips via YouTube

Katniss Everdeen volunteered in behalf of her sister Prim to be a district 12's tribute to the 74th Hunger Games.

In the what was depicted as the ruins of North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games, it was the 74th year and Katniss had no choice but to present herself instead during the reaping on behalf of picking her younger sister.

Together with Peeta, the selected male tribute who had a crush on Katniss long before, the two marched their way to the capitol, being presented and showcased in a stage which pretty much resembled that of reality shows. The young kids will have to undergo certain transformation and also training for survival. Then finally will be placed in a certain arena where they have to fight against each other, only one will end up as the victor.

Image credits: thedailybeast

Katniss was District 12's first ever volunteer for the Hunger Games. While they were served with richness at the Capitol, her district was suffering from all poverty, starvation and all distress. This was one of the few things Katniss and Peeta had discovered while within the games.

Hunger Games Review

May the odds be always in your favor.

Image credits: theglobeandmail

While I was not very happy not finding it on Netflix, I did find it on YouTube which cost me Php 200 or 4$ to watch. I guess it is not really important if I had to pay for it, what matters to me was the sheer want of watching it anew so I hit that watch button right on YouTube and played the two hours and almost thirty minutes movie by Lionsgate.

The truth is, I am really grateful this is just a movie. You know, its such a heartbreaking scene if this was befalling in the real world, imagine a parent suffering from losing his or her child because of this competition? I believe it is inhumane and against the terms of the heavens.

Image credits: lightscameraallie

And think about how these audiences were cheering for the individual tributes? I don't know if they have a single idea what these tributes were up to once they walk into that arena. Goodness! They are going to abolish each other's lives just to win this foreign game.

But because this is just a product of the mind, I am all for the great imagination of the author. Most especially for making the protagonist a woman, not just empowering her as a strong, smart and resilient individual within the game but also as someone who is not willing to change her character only to please the audience. She showed the real human, someone who has the guilt, fear, and sadness.

Do you support women's empowerment?

Movie Cinematography

Image credits: leonardpierce

Throughout the movie, the film's color grading was grayish with a tint of blue, this signifies terror, fear. It was at the few minutes that the entire District was in fear for the selection of the tributes who are going to play at the Hunger Games and the movements of each scene depicted rush of events. The music was surely persuasive of the emotions especially that time when Primrose was walking towards the stage, only her footsteps were audible and that brings this sole notion of the character's act of muting everything around her because of the strong sentiments going on within that part, I believe that was an awesome part.

Should I also say that throughout the movie, I feel the nerve wrecking sentiments going about the protagonist? I could smell it from the way her blue eyes stare at Cinna the moment she was about to go out of that tube. I won't also miss how the music was on point as well to bring the audience into the scenes.

Image credits: architectureandeverythingelse

Watching it was like being in a room where players were in a battle game amidst human controllers, navigating through the computer system, changing the game rules, modifying the maps and making the players engage with each other. Moreover, they were intentionally causing every instance for the tributes to kill or else it would be a boring match.

But their amusement caught them especially President Snow. It was love all along that had brought Katniss and Peeta to their victory. But it will also be love that put them into a much-complicated game, both with life and love.

Fashion

Image credits: reddit

Obviously, this movie got a lot of fashion to talk about. The wigs, the colorful headdresses, the newfangled and weird makeups and how they present themselves, how they talk, how they laugh, it's as if they belong to another world, another universe, perhaps, an alienated Earth filled with random neon colors, thick and long eyelashes, and strange hairdos.

This kind of fashion I only see in magazines. Well, it's an assurance that the movie is not happening in real life in fact because there's no such normal person who's willing to make an effort to be in those suit for a common day.

The Hand Signals

Image credits: scifi.stackexchange

Did you also find District 12's hand signal where they kiss their three middle fingers and point it to Katniss when she was at the stage during the reaping?

I was totally curious what it meant so I searched for its meaning and found that on the book, it means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

However, when Rue died and Katniss did the same hand signal, the gesture completely changes and it becomes a symbol of the revolution - effectively, a way for the citizens of the Districts to say goodbye to the overbearing force and power of the Capitol.

The Hunger Games Movie Quotes

Freedom has a cost. - President Snow

You really want to know how to stay alive? You get people to like you. - Haymitch

The victor bathed with riches would serve as a reminder of our generosity and forgiveness. - President Snow

Arrogance can be a big problem. - Haymitch

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained. - Snow

What kind of movies do you like?

Thanks a lot for reading!

----------------------------

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

 Video credits: YouTube Movies via YouTube 

Do you know that YouTube isn't just about watching free videos? And when I say free that means you don't have to shell our any pocket cash for it, yes there are ads and that's how the site is able to live. Well, I bet you know but for the benefit of those who don't, YouTube ventured into the film rental service too! Yes, you can pay YouTube a few bucks to view certain movies and films, talk about business ideas but video-on-demand services isn't a new thing, it has been available for decades!

Image edited via Canva credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook 

So when we think that YouTube can only have video clips, TV show clips, music videos, short and documentary films, audio recordings, movie trailers, live streams, video blogging, short original videos, and educational videos, think again because it can offer more than the list stated earlier. You may also look into YouTube Music Library and the Movie Rental Service which I am going to tackle today together with my own experience with how to rent a movie and all the details about it. Not to also forget to state my own review on how my first ever movie rental went.

YouTube Movie Rental Service

Image credits: gadgets.ndtv

Apparently, YouTube is the second most popular sites according to Alexa as of May 2018, the first is, of course, Google, our best friends, and the third place goes to Facebook, our frienemy, just kidding! Being the second most viewed site in the entire world means a huge opportunity to earn dollars from views most especially that the world now is going "ga-ga" over video blogs or vlogs from different areas of life, may it be videos for kids, for teenagers, for those who want to do DIYs, for those new housewives who want to learn how to cook, to the new moms who need help with their babies and so on, it even has vlogs for those who just want to listen to songs! The list is endless, mind you!

So, it is evident that YouTube also opens its doors to providing movie titles, including new releases and classics. There are already sites who are giving us monthly subscriptions in order to view videos and series but still, YouTube ventured on this type of service, why?

Image credits: collider

On 2011, YouTube announced their video-on-demand service or the Movie Rental service with the main aim of providing a complete movie experience for their hundreds of millions of viewers. They then partnered with different studios such as Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, NBCUniversal, Lionsgate Films, and many others.

Navigating to www.YouTube.com/Movies will open a page with an almost 69 million subscribers and a site which has a list of thousands of full movies waiting for the user to purchase or rent. For the pricing, most of their new releases start at $3.99 and the library start at $2.99.

Image credits: macintoshhowto

Once a user decided to rent a certain movie, he or she has to pay for it via PayPal or Credit Card payments as options and has 24 hours to finish watching the movie. Then the rental is good for 30 days, so the user can definitely share it with the rest of the family and friends.

How to Rent or Purchase a Movie

Video credits: Internet Services and Social Networks Tutorials from HowTech via YouTube

Renting is quite very straightforward to do and the YouTube interface is also simple and easy to navigate with. Here below are the steps that I had personally done when I rented the movie The Hunger Games.

That's quite an old movie but I had to do so before I could write a review about it for bitLanders Film Series to Support Women Empowerment.

If you want to read my own movie reviews, pick one of the following:

The Hunger Games : A Game You Don't Want to Play!

The Julie Slash Julia Project : A Year of Cooking and Blogging Challenge

Enchanted: A Disney Princess Movie with a Twist!

Do you support women's empowerment?

So for the steps, please refer to this step by step guide:

1. Pick a Movie.

Image credits: androidblog.it

Choose your preferred movie to watch from the list of films at www.YouTube.com/movies. They have it categorized as Recommended for you, New Releases, Top Selling, Hot Deals of the Week, New to Rent, Most Popular, Top Rated and according to movie genres like Animated Movies, Action and Adventure, documentaries and etc.

Image edited via Canva credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

2. Press Price to Rent.

Click on the price listing. The price is already visible underneath the movie title so the decision comes fast and easy when selecting the film that might interest you. Again, their new releases start at $3.99 and the library start at $2.99.

Image edited via Canva credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

3. Select PayPal or Credit Card.

It is required to log in to PayPal or enter credit card details if that's the choice you want to go with. As for me, I had to opt for PayPal. Note that you can use any credit card for this as long as you are a legit owner and not a fraudulent one.

4. Payment Confirmed!

As soon as the payment is confirmed, the movie is ready! You can play it right away or just keep it pending.

How Was My First Video Rental Service?

As I stated earlier in this blog, I didn't find The Hunger Games Movie on Netflix. Good thing it was listed on YouTube Movies so I went ahead and rented it. I used PayPal because I still got a few funds available enough to purchase the rental fee of Php 200.

Image edited via Canva credits: Jean Beltran via Facebook

After the successful purchase, I got rerouted to the main movie where the video has a confirmation message if I would like to start the rental. This means when I start the period, it will start counting the 30 day period and more importantly, that I should watch it within 48 hours. What will happen if I don't watch the entire film in that timeframe? I don't have a clue, I'll find the answer and update you on that.

As for the movie, I pressed the Start Rental Period button and started watching it. I plan on sharing it to my friends and family members in Bohol so they could also watch the movie from there. It's like treating them to a movie theater for just Php 200 or 4$ for the entire family! I ordered the HD option for Php 200 there's 720 and 1020, subtitles are also available for Arabic and English.

Image credits: hollywoodreporter

Based on my first experience, payment wise, everything went well however, I only had one issue, I selected the 1020 HD and it had this weird staggering motion. I thought it was just the film effects but it happened even in the middle of those solemn scenes, I had to switch it back to 720p and it went well.

Aside from that, everything was okay and I guess that will be the start of me renting movies instead of looking for free ways online which of course is not a good habit most especially that the movie producers had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce such great movie. Although I had done such horrible things before of watching from illegally downloaded films, I am now switching over to become a supporter for film and is now willing to pay for every single film that I want to watch.

Shall I Rent A Movie Again with YouTube Movies?

Image credits: independent.co.uk

Of course! There's no doubt about it, in fact, I am hundred percent sure that in the next few days, I will be renting the second part of the Hunger Games: Catching Fire for the next movie review!

What kind of movies do you like?

Thanks a lot for reading!

----------------------------

About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

The video above is just a sample engagement session. Video credits: Francis Abellanosa via YouTube

Disclaimer: This blog is a journal type of entry, stating about how my first E-session went.

My first engagement photo shoot session happened last weekend and I can't wait to tell you how fun and time restricted we were at our location, I will share with you below how I started with photography, the humble gears we used and the story about the couple whom we photographed with.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

Photography as a Hobby

Ever since I was small, I always love taking photos. I was in third grade I guess when I was introduced to a film point and shoot camera, owned by my cousin who's based in Cebu. From that time on, I can't help but ask my parents to buy me one. Of course, it was still very expensive at that time that we can't afford it so we borrowed one from my cousin. I remember it to be black and it was Fuji.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

I recall saving a huge part of my allowance just so I can buy the 36 shots film roll from this photoshop in Jagna, a town of thirty minutes away from home, yes I was willing to travel from home just so I can buy that film. My photos before includes a lot of candid shots of my friends and classmates, my parents and family members, even when we are about to sleep, I would take photos of all those moments and even dare to develop them!

As soon as digitalphotography was introduced to me, I didn't let it slip. My brother bought me a Canon point and shoot digital camera, and finally, when I graduated from college, I got a hand of my first ever Canon DSLR, the 1000D with its kit lens.

Photography for Travel

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

In this saturated world of photography where everywhere you go, each turn, you'll get to see a lot of very talented photographers, you'll fill very noob and beginner, that's totally how I felt whenever I get to see my photographs. I was not learning how my camera works. I was not paying attention to the specifics of the gear until my husband had encouraged me to understand and learn how to really use it with the right settings.

But still, the insecurity of not being able to really produce good photos discouraged me a lot that I thought I am off with just using the camera with our travel and for blogging only. I was limiting myself with such a way that I am totally not confident with my photographs.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

I have all my images shared on my blog posts on bitLanders, on some other sites and even on social media. The good thing about it was that my husband and I didn't stop, in fact, it was him who didn't stop learning. He had already understood the technicalities of our camera features while he always relays that information to me.

Accidental E-Session

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

It was this year that James and I decided to start putting up our own website which will both showcase our travel stories, photos, and blog entries. But more importantly, it was also a medium for us to level up our photography skills even more and share these images through social media too because it is where the market is.

Early this month, one of our family friends approached my mother whom they asked if we could take their wedding photos. Of course, I said yes right away, there were several proposals before that we had refused because we feel that we were not ready, however, this time I thought it is just the chance for us to get experience in taking wedding photos.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

Now when I advised the bride to be about it, she didn't want to have a prenuptial shoot but I insisted and so she agreed afterward. Because the groom to be is a seafarer, he seldom comes home so we set up a time when they are both available, it was last weekend that that became a reality.

Rainy Photoshoot

On the day of the planned engagement photo shoot session, James and I arrived in Ubay Port almost drenched after getting out of the ship while the rain was harsh outside. We forced it because it was already five in the morning.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

But surprisingly, in my hometown, Guindulman, it was not rainy, it was totally sunny and so I was confident that we will get the golden hour for the photoshoot.

We met with the couple at two in the afternoon, the bride to be, Juliet was still taking time with her makeup and while she was almost done, we noticed the skies getting dark. It was a problem we thought would only pass but on our way to the location which was just 20 minutes away from our place, it poured really hard!

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

Eventually, it took a lot of prayers before the rain eventually stopped. It was already four in the afternoon when the skies cleared a bit. We immediately started shooting and happy that we were able to take quite enough shots. Our couple had two dresses so we had to also give them time to prepare for the second costume however, it was already dark and started to rain again so we only had a few shots on the second part.

I was using a Nikon D600 with a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

How Was My First Engagement Session?

The video above is just a sample engagement session. Video credits: Svitlana Vronska via YouTube

After the limited time of the photo shoot, I realized as I was editing the images that I enjoyed the session! A few weeks before that day, I was really anxious if I can do it but after the session, I liked it very much!

Then comes the editing, I think I really still have a long way to learn about photo editing most especially the skin retouching. But I don't worry that much because there are so many tutorials online that can help me improve with my photography.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

The truth is that my love for photography has a lot of potentials. As my husband encouraged me, he also advised me to work on improving it more. He shared with me a digital book which helps with improving skills entitled The First 20 Hours Secrets of Rapid Skill Acquisition by Josh Kaufman. It was a very nice book that I learned a lot, I also realized I have to be selective in terms of the things that I do like I should spend the time to those things that would improve my skills and sacrifice those things that are not in line with it.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

So, I have decided to go and follow the author on his advises, I am quite serious with photography now that I want to enhance this skill because I am pretty sure there will be more creative opportunities in the future.

That's it for today's blog, I hope this also encourages you if you are into photography.

Thanks a lot for reading! Do you like photography?

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: セブ島留学 セブイングリッシュ Cebu English via YouTube

Image credits: ties

Working in a corporate environment, solving problems, facing a monitor, typing on the keyboard, answering email and supporting customers, it may become monotonous, so much that most if not all employees tend to become bored of the same type of issues, problems, and situations happening within the office.

It is indeed the job of the recreational department to get their employees to do something out of the blue, activities which will somehow break the frozen nerves and clogged brain cells. Part of these activities is involving the entire company community to a scary, exciting and fun Halloween treat!

How do Cebu-based corporate companies join the fun Halloween fun?

In Cebu or throughout the Philippines in general, Halloween is also being exercised, it may not be the same as that in the United States where kids would surely go out with their cute costumes and knock on neighbors doors for candies, there are already different areas where the same is practiced.

Corporates, on the other hand, make it a point to also allow their employees to feel this event. I can vouch that having these activities exercised in the corporate world takes that serious work-mode away and exchange it with a relaxed and chill place to stay.

There are several things that can be done inside the office and the list below are just a few of them:

Best Decorated Station Contest

Image credits: glassdoor

The office has to have that vibe of the season. The cobwebs, those hanging skeletons, skulls on the floor, lit up pumpkins on the station desks, perhaps some dark and filthy witch brooms or graveyard photos, whatever it is, perhaps one of the most common activities which the admin office would request the employees to join is the Best Decorated Station Contest.

It brings out creativity among the comrades, the wild imagination and perhaps copycat talents to really mimic an image find on Google search, as long as the station is being decorated, that will do it.

Image credits: denver.cbslocal

Others like my previous BPO company would give the task in groups, like per isle which will enable more hands to work on their designated section because admit it or not, there are really individuals who are either just lazy or that do not have a creative side to this challenge.

Best in Halloween Costume Competition

Of course, who will forget the Halloween costume competition? It can also pass as a Cosplaysort of event because of course, you have to become what the character you are portraying on that specific day.

Image credits: everythingcebu

There are so many costumes to work on, there are those which are just simple like being a fairy with nice makeups while there are also others who go the extra mile with all the stains, bloody dresses, props, and other gimmicks.

This reminded me of a time when my husband's company had the same competition and they had someone portraying a nun with a very white scary face!

Halloween Party

Video credits: Arcanys via YouTube

There's a good reason to set up a party on Halloween, it brings about team cohesion and camaraderie. We do want to chill and just be crazy at one time so this type of party is definitely one to consider.

Party can include food and merrymaking. Getting together and building up a friendship between co-employees and perhaps employee to employer relationships too! There are dancing and eating and drinking but for sure the company won't allow getting drunk so if there would be any drinking, it will involve only with sodas and sweet cocktails.

Image credits: thesmartlocal

Scary Movie Sessions

While it is fun to have parties and competitions, there are some businesses like let's say start-up companies which can not afford to shell out money to really set up parties and there are employees who are like me, don't want to stress themselves with preparing for costumes, we all know the hassle of looking for a costume right?

Image credits: belltimemagazine

So one good idea to still feel Halloween is for the entire team to watch scary movies! I definitely believe there will be scary movies at the theater on Halloween Day so it is a time for the ladies to scream their lungs out and the guys out there to perhaps cover their faces as they feel the chills on their spine and such.

Popcorns and drinks will surely get all over the theater place in such case! So be ready and just keep calm as the horror story begins!

Office Trick or Treat

Image credits: nrf.com

Alright, we will never forget the traditional trick or treat but with a twist, because this is an office set up so each employee will have to prepare candies and treats for their officemates' kids to come by!

The employees are exempted of all the costume thingy as well as decorating their stations. All they got to do is to buy out packs of sweets and yummy treats because the children of their colleagues and perhaps their own too will be knocking on their station boards for their baskets to be full on that day, at least that's their ultimate agenda.

Image credits: blog.dreamscapenetworks

Trick or treating is always fun when it involves kids so you got to forget about being greedy with those candies because the kids will surely hunt you down until the last piece gets into their collection!

Then it will be your decision if you go pranking on your kids that you ate all their candies the next day! But just a reminder, don't go overboard with that, just laugh and tell them that you are just kidding!

Spooky Photobooth

Image credits: thepartyevent

Finally, for your Instagram or other social media updates! You don't want to let that day pass by without an update on what you did on Halloween Day.

For sure you want to get involved in this scary but fun day so setting up a spooky photo booth is totally possible. There are so many photobooth services nowadays which you can customize and get your photos printed right away! Plus, the digital copies are also imported into an online page like in Facebook so each employee has the chance to get a photo updated into their social media accounts.

Are you joining any Halloweenevent this year? Are you an employee? What are your company activities for Halloween? As for me, we are having our first Scariest Halloween Costume Office Day! It's quite exciting and I will surely blog about what my costume as well as my colleagues' next week!

Image credits: Victoria Sih 

Thanks a lot for reading!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

There's a new place to chill and dine in the heart of Cebu City. It's very similar to Sugbo Mercado, a weekend food hub in the center of the city. But unlike Sugbo Mercado, this food hub is actually open all week long!

Out of the blue, James asked me if I would like to go, it was a surprise because most of the time, or shall I say 99% of the time, it is yours truly who'd look for a new place for us to go or would even drag him to dine at a certain spot.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

And because it was his suggestion, I had to go. It was Friday evening when we went there, just in time for their company's Halloween Event at their office. So right before having dinner, we were first thrilled with their Harry Potter-inspired Halloween event! It was awesome to see their office in such setup. Let me show you a sneak peek:

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Alright, enough for that. Let's now get to Yello Cube Cebu and find what's fun to do there most especially when you are with your friends and loved ones.

1. Have an Affordable Date

With a city saturated with so many high and middle ranged restaurants, it is quite a challenge to find a place where you can take your partner with you and spend only a few bucks for food. Of course for males, you don't want to be bringing your girlfriend and would tell her that the bill will be paid between the two of you. That's a major no-no most especially if you are the one who invited her.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

That's the first fun thing to do in Yello Cube Cebu, you can bring your partner, have a date and pay only a few bucks for some good food but affordable ones!

There are stalls to find delicious and mouthwatering viands, kinds of seafood and meat such as Buldak station which offers cheesy chicken, ribs and more. There's Catalianos for your pasta and pizza cravings. Newfound Burger of course for those burger lovers out there! Don't forget to order it with extra cheese because I heard it tastes so good!

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

We won't also miss Seabu which has grilled cheese scallops but you can also select from their butter option! Not to forget that they also offer a boodle fight! That's some unique dating experience, perhaps great to those who are in a group date, what do you think?

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Above all, they got Kusina Guadalupe in the house too which offers Tuna Panga or the jaw part of huge Tuna fishes for an affordable price!

Bjornfire, on the other hand, is quite interesting because of their open kitchen style while Southern Grind Bistro offers ribs rice meals, sandwich and rolls, Mac and Cheese and Quesadillas!

2. Fill Up your Tummy With Delights

Perhaps you came around to Yello Cube Cebu because you are just curious about it like how I see most of the other guests inside, like the mother and daughter date at the table next to us which I really found cute.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Don't worry as Yello Cube Cebu has sweet options too! There's Sol's Halo-halo and Desserts which is a Tisa original. Slurp the last few bits of goodness in style with your Sol's Halo-halo in a labeled cup!

Who would not want to have halo-halo? Perhaps those who are in a strict diet, zero sugar and no sweets at all but if you are not in a diet, then surely you can have a cup or two. Sol's Halo-halo is actually one of the best in Cebu City!

3. Di-hy-Drate

But maybe you are not coming to Yello Cube Cebu for a romantic night out but instead with friends and colleagues! Don't worry, there are also drinks available here to be shared with the gang!

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Di-hy-Drate has a unique name and reading its name made my throat dry, like literally. This portion got all the common liquor drinks available. But aside from that, they got some sweet soda and colas, and water too!

So while its name states being dehydrated, you won't go dehydrated at all because they got you covered with your liquid needs!

4. It's Fun to CLAYGO

After all the eating and drinking and just right before leaving, there's a strict policy inside Yello Cube Cebu which requires young, adults and even old folks to be mindful about their trash. The plates are disposable ones and their spoon and forks too which although I dislike, I had no choice so the best of things that I can do is to follow their "Clean As You Go" policy.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

All sections within Yello Cube Cebu has this sign displayed. There's one next to the tables, there are signs hang, some pasted on walls and even in the trash bag too! So there's no way one can miss it unless he or she can't read signs!

But I have to rant as well that although this was already visible in every area, there were still visitors who had missed to follow the policy. Hopefully, the future guests would be mindful enough about it and be responsible.

5. Play with Lights

Yello Cube Cebu has this unique container van concept. And surprisingly, they gotInstagram-worthy corners too! One of which is their lighted entrance, the yellow cube!

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

I believe its name was derived from that section of the food hub. Each customer would like to have their photos taken in that section because it gives this illuminated light effect to the skin!

Aside from that, there are also hanging lights which make the area in a festive mode! I would like to state as well that there's a second-floor dining place too which gives a wider view of the hub.

6. Chill and Listen to Acoustic songs

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

What's more fun in Yello Cube Cebu is that the customers can surely enjoy their food while listening to this acoustic guy, strumming his guitar and singing wonderful songs. He played Rico Blanco's Balisong which is a favorite of mine and he sounded really nice. Listen to it in the video below:

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

I had fun listening to more of his songs and he got a really nice voice! He played a lot of Original Filipino Songs that night. James and I had fun!

Note that Yello Cube Cebu is open from 5 PM to 2 AM, Mondays to Sundays. If you are interested in visiting, do be aware that this requires patience from waiting for your food order and remember the CLAYGO policy. If you want to become a merchant, below are their contact details:

Contact number: 0917 849 4927
Email address: sales@gothongsp.com
Social: Facebook Page 
Exact location: 2Wilson Place, Wilson Street, Lahug, Cebu City – near JY Square, across St. Therese Church (behind Shell Gas Station in Lahug).

Thanks a lot for reading! Enjoy this Querlo chat about dining:

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Famous Pinoy via YouTube

Every corner of the world, there are beliefs and traditional stories about creatures which are unlike us, unknown, not normal human beings, perhaps ghost and vampires can be classified as such which are the most common ones we all are afraid of.

While they were there to scare us most of us are well aware that they might just be some creatures made out of the wandering imaginations of our old folks. In our country, most of these creatures were made up to frighten kid so they won't go out at night. Some were just written ups to cover certain accidents and murders while the majority of them were just authored and made popular that after several years of reiterating them to generation to generation, they somehow become almost true.

Image credits: phspirits

But the thought of them being authentically real is somewhat hair-raising. That same feeling when we walk into a dark street, no one's around and your only companion is the flickering lamp post at the distance.

Speaking about such creatures made me inspired to introduce to everyone some of the Cebuano Mythical Creatures. There might be certain similarities of these creatures from your own region so feel free to let me know if you find one interesting or familiar.

Ungo "ú.ngû"

Image credits: sunstar

This is the most common mythical creature being used by parents or elders to scare their kids. Ungo is portrayed as a giant hairy creature or spirit, it originated from the Warays of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran, which together comprise the Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines.

Cebuanos have already adopted this term and it goes together with the term Abat which we will talk afterward.

Elders say they are scary because they love to walk around humans and they only do so at night and their favorite playmates are the little kids.

Abat "á.bat"

Image credits: exemplore

Some may say Abat and Ungo are the same but they are actually different imaginary creatures. Abat is somehow closer to bats, so they are thought to be creatures which fly around.

The Abat can fly around at night and while their name sounds scary, they don't harm humans but only would come to scare.

Aswang "æ·swang"

Video credits: GMA Public Affairs via YouTube

Probably the most feared creature in the Philippine folklore because of the hundreds of movies inspired by it. From the time I was little, the movies had been hunting me so I dislike watching horror movies most especially those that include Aswang.

These mythical creatures are really scary because the stories and movies state they are humans dwelling like normal persons during the day but at night, they can cut themselves in half, leaving the waist down behind at their homes while the other upper half can fly to hunt for food.

Image credits: artstation

Their favorite is pregnant women, they suck the unborn babies out of the mother's womb with their long Proboscis or tongue thus killing both the mother and the child. They usually stay at the rooftop and their weaknesses are salt and garlic.

Image credits: nextshark

Some stories state that they can also change their form from being a shy human being to a bat, a boar, a bird and a lot more, they can even change their faces and they don't age!

Agta "ag.tâ."

Image credits: kobeveneracion

The folklore states these are the usual huge black creatures living in huge and old trees like Balete Trees. They are also signified by someone who has a cigar at hand while dwelling in the tree.

While they may seem scary to imagine, there were movies and stories involving Agta to be good creatures, those who help humans and would not hurt anyone.

Banwaanon

Image credits: thinkingpilipinas

From its root word "Banwa" which means vegetation. These mythical creatures are those who live in forest and woods. This is a Cebuano term for Engkanto.

Most of them are depicted as good ones who would help those who also help them. However, Banwaanon has tendencies of liking human beings and they would lure them into joining their kingdom.

When a certain individual is liked by a Banwaanon, he or she will be taken into their world, they will offer food and if he or she eats it, he becomes part of the Banwaanon Kingdom and there's no turning back!

Duwende

Image credits: deviantart

A Filipino equivalent of the elf or gnome. They mischievous and some of them holds magical powers. They are believed to live under the earth where they bury their treasure, mostly are gold and diamonds and guard them.

Duwende can be a friend or foe of human beings. They can help their human friends or they can curse them with different sickness.

In our town, those ant mounds are usually thought to be the Duwende houses and most of the elders would prevent children from playing near it. In fact, they believe that if a person steps on the mound, the Duwendes might inflict an untreatable disease which can only be cured as soon as forgiveness is given.

Kataw "ka.tá.wu"

Image credits: edizine

These mythical creatures are basically mermaids, half human, half fish! In the Visayas region, they believe that these are mermaids and sea gods who rule over the ocean. They take fishermen by singing beautiful songs while they are sailing or fishing.

Because of their beautiful voices, most fishermen are lured into going to where the voice comes from. It is like being hallucinated into going into deeper parts of the ocean before they realized that they are already lost in the vast sea.

There were several stories of fishermen who were not able to go back to the shore after sailing the night before and the families would think of only one reason, the fisherman was victimized by the Kataw.

Image credits: soulveda

Obviously, there are several more other folklore creatures, mysterious and scary which often comes into being when Halloween is coming. I am pretty sure some of the above lists are familiar to you.

And after learning about the Cebuano Mythical Creatures, would you consider that they might be real monsters or they are simply one that was a mind-generated idea? Are you afraid of them? How do you feel upon seeing them in pictures? How would you respond if they appear to you tonight?

No, I am not scaring you at all, these are simply my thoughts shouting out loud from my head.

Thanks a lot for reading!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

My love for hand lettering and calligraphy started way back in my elementary years. I had always been fascinated with letters and how they are presented. I would often look into labels, tags and tarpaulin designs since I was little. When my father gave me a lettering book, I was super obsessed with it that I would copy those lettering which interests me.

Back in high school, I was actively involved in the design team for our school's activity stage. Every time that we have events, I was part of the group who does all the work of designing, creating and putting up all of those stage ideas, making them all realized. I had cut hundreds of letters before out from Cartolina rolls, pasted different layers of colors and pinned them into our stage wall! It was not an easy task but I definitely enjoyed all parts of the process.

Video credits: OpenInkStand Art & Calligraphy via YouTube

The most memorable for me was graduation day because just an hour away before the ceremony starts, I was still at school on my jeans and shirt, still putting up the letters, it was a hustle I won't forget. I learned a lot about working hard and hustling that morning. I was thankful that I was able to arrive home to eat lunch and prepare for my graduation.

Anyway, why am I stating this? Well, because it is somewhat in connection to what I had joined last weekend. For months, I had been dreaming of joining certain classes so I would learn a skill specifically in Dip Pen Calligraphy. Let me share with you how that class went and the things I have learned.

What is Dip Pen Calligraphy?

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Also known as Pointed Pen Calligraphy, this is a branch of calligraphy which makes use of a nib pen or pointed pen. Dip Pen is more of a description of the pen as the nib has to be dipped into the bottle of ink for writing, the nib doesn't have an ink reservoir thus it has to be constantly dipped to be able to write.

The use of Dip-Pen started in the 19th century. It was derived from how the ancient men write with the use of quill pen. If you are a Filipino who knows Dr. Jose Riza, the national hero of the country, most illustrations of him show himself writing with a quill pen, that pen made out of a molted flight feather of a large bird, similar to a chicken feature.

With the mechanical age, the use of quill pen was eventually changed into wooden or metallic dip pens.

Basic Pointed Pen Calligraphy Workshop

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Miss Coy of Coyligraphy had been showing up on my social media feed since last year and I had been eyeing to join but due to the time schedule as well as with the pricing, I found it hard to really get myself up there in her class until this week.

Prior to this week, I already have created a daily time schedule for myself. I set up a time on which I must enhance a skill. At nine in the morning, I have set it for Photography, editing and familiarizing the Adobe Creative software such as Lightroom and Photoshop.

Then I still have an hour extra which I don't get to do anything so I decided I should fill it up with something worthwhile. My love for hand lettering and calligraphy, of course, came in mind and the rest was history.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

I signed up for Miss Coy's early bird promo for the Basic Pointed Pen Calligraphy Workshop which was held at the Civet Coffee Roasters in IT Park, Lahug, Cebu. I ordered something sweet so I can have energy throughout the workshop. However, I ended up eating it after the class because I was caught very into the writing and lessons.

Above photo shows my blueberry muffin and Caramel Frappe.

The Learning: Introduction to Dip Pen Calligraphy

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

For beginners, there are things to be aware of this type of calligraphy. Although I don't consider myself as a beginner, I still went through this workshop because I believe that in order for me to learn each corner of this topic, I should start from scratch.

Materials

Here below are the basic tools for Dip Pen Calligraphy:

Nib
Pen Holder
Ink
Paper
Cleaning Materials

Priming the Nib

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The nib is the main tool for this type of calligraphy. In this point in time, the nibs are all mass produced and they are made of metals so they are being coated with oil to prevent them from rusting while still being stored. Thus, the oil coating has to be removed for the nib to hold ink. Without it being prepared, the ink will just slide off the metal nib.

There are certain ways to prime the nib, in our case, we used the Nikko G type which is the most recommended type of nib for beginners. It is also important to know that there are hundreds of types of nibs, each of them has characteristics, time will only tell which one suits one well.

Flame Method
Hand soap
Toothpaste
Alcohol
Potato
Saliva

The above is to be used for priming, the most recommended one is alcohol because it is easy, clean and safe.

Attaching the Nib to the Pen Holder

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Straight or Oblique. These are the two types of pen holder for Dip Pen Calligraphy. Once should select which of the two suits him or her well depending on if you are right or left handed.

Since both I and my classmate were right-handed, Miss Coy prepared the Oblique pen holder which has a flange. This will allow almost all nibs to be compatible with the pen holder because of how the flange is designed.

I learned how to attach a the nib to the flange and then the flange to the holder. Together with that, our teacher also introduced the anatomy of the nib and the mechanism. There are only two principles with calligraphy which is thin stroke up and thick stroke down.

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

Also, the guidelines were explained such as the ascender composing of the upper line and the waistline, the x-height which is the waistline and baseline, and descender which is the baseline and lower line. This reminded me of my grade school papers with its red and blue lines.

Personally, I want to learn more about Modern Calligraphy rather than the traditional one but, of course, again, I have to learn the basics before I could switch to another type.

Practice Calligraphy Strokes

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

After all the introduction and explanation of the nibs, the pen holder, stories about master penman and integrating calligraphy with digital art and photos, we headed to the application of our theories.

The worksheets contained guided and blank pages where we have to practice and get familiar with holding, writing and moving around the paper.

Video credits: Calligraphy Masters via YouTube

Time was fast that we didn't realize it was almost time to go home. Pointed Pen Calligraphy is very tricky but it is also one way of realigning your mind to focus and just be present at this moment in time. It is therapeutic because you will not hear anything but your breathing and the sound of the nib working into the paper.

Parting Time

Image credits: bitLanders Society via Facebook

The Basic Pointed Pen Calligraphy Workshop ended at four in the afternoon. Both I and my classmate received a certificate of completion but I am already aiming to join her advanced calligraphy class which will happen next month. I believe I will learn a lot too in that class but for now, I will have to work and hustle on practicing and honing the traditional calligraphy.

So much learning on that day that I can't help but share the experience on my social media accounts. It was a nice feeling to finally tick that section of my bucket list!

Thanks a lot for reading!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Video credits: Migz L . Haber via YouTube

Being a part of a start-up company has pros and cons, well, I believe that in every aspect of our lives, there will always be negative and positive sides of it all. In the case of working in a start-up company, having extracurricular activities may become a little inactive but, this year, Gemango had risen up to the challenge of involving their company employees in certain events including Halloween.

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

This is in line with how Cebu based companies join the Halloween fun, a costumeoffice day was held for the first time and it was more fun than scary. I will be summarizing how that day went in this blog story.

A Halloween Costume Office Day!

Video credits: Jomie Hospital via YouTube

In lieu of the All Saints and Souls day occurring in the next few days, Gemango announced a new activity which never had happened in the past years of business. The event state that there's a Best in Costume!

The criteria for this event was whoever wears the most unique and scariest will win. This can only be declared through votes and thus everyone at the office will drop their top three. The prizes were:

3rd Place winner receives Php 500
2nd Place winner receives Php 1000
1st Place winner receives Php 2000

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

The prizes sound very encouraging thus most of the colleagues were enticed to join most especially that this was the first of all time that Gemango's hosting such.

A week before, most were already preparing for their costumes, it should be unique and scary at the same time.

October 30, Judgement Day

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

The doors open at 11 AM, states the announcement board thus one by one, the employees start arriving at the office. Still in their normal get up but most already have their own costumes hidden out in their respective bags. There were others who decided not to join and conceded with those who had declared they will join the fun.

Makeup kits were also present already at the office for all those who want to get their face painted out.

Coincidentally, two of the employees planned to celebrate their birthdays together with this event thus allowing us to also have food after the presentation.

Introducing Gemango Employees

Twelve individuals came to the office prepared. But only three will win the said competition. Below are the participants of the first-ever Gemango Halloween Costume Office Day!

The Joker

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

Wearing a purple long sleeve shirt, he arrived at the office plain and simple. He mentioned he will only use his face for the said competition and even asked someone else to do the makeup. Jann did the honor of putting up the white water-based paint into his face, filling up the entire face and then adding up dark circles in the eyes as well as the red but also looking like purple lips.

Although it didn't really look very close to being a Joker, it was pretty good enough for the role. The photos showed the effort and he waited until dinner before taking out the paint which by the way was really itchy but he endured it the entire time.

Unfortunately, the Joker didn't win the battle of the best incostume contest but he sure did have a great time.

Broken Wrist Zombie

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

A few days before the day, someone had bragged about his idea but without spilling the beans of what he will become. Over the weekend, he was able to prepare the things he needed, an old white jacket, fitting shorts, some aesthetic hand and a little creativity with a red paint.

Since there was make up available at the office, he asked a colleague to do his make up so he could look really like a zombie but since we don't have a makeup artist among us, his make up looked somewhat funny.

He had the pale skin tone, a few dark nerves popping out of his wrinkled forehead and red lipstick to act as fake blood. The best thing came when he changed clothes and into acting like a zombie.

I suppose the broken wrist was what made his presentation interesting but the photos also show that he was also able to present himself well.

The Nun-cy

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

Ever had that very supportive friend? The Nun, Valak was able to put up a show at the office because of how supportive his good friend was. He prepared the nun costume with some black and white cloth then at the office, another colleague friend did his white face looked pretty much like a matured and stressed panda at first.

Valak was able to scare a few other neighboring employees too while he stood still outside the Male comfort room! He also stood outside the elevator and shook a lot of other people inside the building!

At the end of the day, the majority of the votes were given to Valak and he won the first prize for the said contest.

Scary Preggy

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

If there was a good supportive friend, there's also a more supportive husband who would do everything for the wife. She's really pregnant but her costume scared most of us because it involved a doll with broken limbs and arms and was about to get out of the belly!

Broken with red blood on its face and body parts, we don't want to look at the doll because we felt like it was really her baby! She's pregnant and will soon be delivering her baby girl on December!

But all the husband's effort was paid off because the scary preggy won the second prize!

The Butcher

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

For our third place, the butcher stood out among the others with her acting skills and very efficient accessories. The mask, the apron, and its fake wound stitches were all on a roll when she was presenting herself during the proper performance.

Her great portrayal I believe won the hearts of the colleagues who were truly entertained the entire time that she was on the floor. She ended up also winning which made all of these things worth it.

MCC Witches

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

While the rest of the team were very busy with their own costumes, the girls from our team had nothing but simple black shirts on and wore some witch hats.

They were then called as the MCC witches! MCC is our client and they were there to represent our team together with Valak, the nun, and the zombie.

The Nurse from Hell, the Mummy, and the Bitch Wife

Image credits: Gemango via Facebook

Our company isn't a hospital but we have a lot of nurses and they participated well during the first Halloween Costume Office Day with one wearing a nurse dress, one was also the mummy with a golden face and the wife which was wearing black and bitchy.

The entire night was full of laughter although what we all have been scary faces and costumes. But the food was also there, we partake in a sumptuous dinner with cakes and noodles, fried chicken, sweet and sour pork and a lot more.

Thanks a lot for reading!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

The long weekend just ended. Currently, I am onboard the Oceanjet vessel to Cebufrom Tagbilaran City Bohol and I was thinking of the next blog to talk about, however, I thought I should instead talk about what commenced during the recently concluded long weekend.

A long weekend means one or more days in addition to the normal Saturday and Sunday. This long weekend was due to the All Saints' and Soul's Day which fell on a Thursday and Friday respectively.

Let me share with you below how busy I was that weekend. Sharing here a weekend full of photography and photo manipulation.

Sunrise View at Cadapdapan Rice Terraces

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

My original plan was to stay at home and have a rest, a full eight to ten hours of sleep could have been a good amount of sleep to regain my energy but then, when we arrived at the Ubay Port at two in the morning, we decided we want to take sunrise shots at the Cadapdapan Rice Terraces in Candijay.

Arriving in Candijay, James and I were fetched by my brothers and we went our way to the rice terraces. We have been there before but since we were with family, most of our photographs were with everyone, this time, what we're after was sunrise while in the rice fields.

Sunrise started at 5:30 am but we arrived prior and were already positioned in a way that we were facing East. There's a mini island in the midst of the terraces, I asked my brothers to stay there while I take photos of them.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

It took us an hour of the photo shoot. I took lots of them to ensure that I have a good and sharp copy then stitched the photos into one through Adobe Lightroom to make it like a panorama photo. It was awesome watching the sunrise from there. It's amazing seeing the rays stroke through the foggy morning and we only heard nothing but our own aws and ohs as a sign of appreciation.

Cabagnow Cave Pool

After Candijay, I learned that my cousins from Cebu were in the house visiting and they wanted to go out to check some spots within the town. We brought them to Anda.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

First, we dropped by Cabagnow Cave Pool for lunch. We grilled fish and pork while the kids swim. The fun thing in this spot is, of course, the cave pool. This is all made by nature. An opening enough for jumping opens itself to the earth. It is a combination of salt water and the common tasteless water so the combo was great for swimming the 13 feet water pool.

There's a huge space inside underneath the land where we were having lunch. It's quite amazing how this formed into one. It was not a long time ago when I first came here, now there are improvements such as the stairs going up is already better and sturdier. There are floats in the pool too and the entire place is guarded and covered with some interlink walls.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

Jumping off to the water is still the best activity here although they also have set up tables and chairs for those who want to stay longer and eat. The management can also sell freshly picked Buko fruits for only Php 30!

Quinale Public Beach Resort

There's a very popular public beach in Anda, Bohol and there are hundreds if not thousands of people visiting every single day! After getting over the Cabagnow Cave Pool, we went straight to the town's public beach which was just around five minutes drive.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

This public beach is located just right in front of the school and church. There are tables and chairs for rent if you needed one while others prefer to just lay down in the sand underneath the bamboo made Teepee.

We had kids so they all enjoyed running around, playing with the waters and swimming. Unfortunately, it was low tide upon arrival but it didn't stop the kids to still enjoy the place.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues via Facebook

I, on the other hand, had also taken lots of photographs of my cousins and other relatives most especially teenagers.

Cake Smash Photoshoot

On the 2nd of November, our day was booked for a baby photo shoot! It's baby Amara who's turning one on December's time and her parents would really want to keep memories of her before she turns one.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

With a Cake Smash theme at a public beach along our town, we started shooting at four when the sun was not too harsh anymore. The cake was a simple chiffon but with icing. I enjoyed the shoot, I didn't expect that editing it over on Adobe Lightroom was very enjoyable!

Baby Amara cried when she was dressed in this tutu but later on smiled and laughed while smashing the cakes! It was such as a cute moment of course for the parents too!

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

We had family portraits and I made a collage too of their many many photographs which I don't want to keep with me anymore, as much as possible, I wanted their photos to be given to the family because it will serve as their remembrance. Additionally, James and I will also take her dedication shots which will happen by December, on her first birthday too!

Portraits with Gecell

By Saturday, the next appointment was another photo shoot for my sister in law. We had been planning this for two weeks now and finally, we had it realized.

Image credits: Jean Beltran uploaded via bitLanders

The theme was a pictorial with Wiggy, their car. The car was red so I asked her to wear something light like white so she did and we drove to the neighboring town where there were huge Acacia trees with branches and leaves covering the road for good lighting.

It was quite challenging for a pictorial next to the road because there are cars and buses going here and there but my brother, Gecell's husband was very supportive of it that he made sure that we were safe while the pictorial was ongoing.

That was just a fun shoot which we always do whenever we are back in Bohol. For sure in the next few weeks and months, we will be doing another fun shoot but of different concept.

Seth's Dedication

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

And yet another photo shoot on Sunday for my nephew's dedication. It was a tight one because it was held inside our local church which has a very limited space so taking photographs was very challenging because of not enough lighting.

But what I did was enhance the lighting in the post-processing part. Also, I had created a tarpaulin design for the Dedication event. It was a photo with Seth on the beach and I edited it in Adobe Photoshop. The tarpaulin design was made in just a few hours, perhaps two hours. The good thing is that there's already a tarpaulin printing company nearby so printing it on Saturday was easy and fast.

Image credits: Jean Beltran Figues uploaded via bitLanders

The entire weekend was really full pack, I guess I had spent numerous hours in front of the computer editing photos and doing some Adobe Photoshop works rather than blogging or interacting with other social media.

Still, it was worth it. I believe it helped me enhance my skills as a photographer as well as the editing process. I have to improve more to make it more efficient most especially in the editing part on Lightroom.

Thanks a lot for reading!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

Photography session opportunities are always just some corners away. Everyone at some point wants to have their portraits taken, most especially for those who are having special events like birthdays, weddings, holiday events, and the list goes on. Even on those normal days, photography can be done but it is totally different if your photograph is taken professionally with a good camera and nice post-processed.

It is given that everyone would like their faces photographed as a remembrance of those certain good times in life. While it is easy to take portraits of adults, those who are getting married and those who are modeling for personal reason, it is quite a totally different case when it comes to baby photography. Let me tell you why.

Baby Photography

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Babies who are under 12 months, although not fully aware of their environment can be at times picky with the things around them. They have unpredictable mood swings and full of emotions. It may change in just a few seconds and so it requires tender care.

Baby Photography is definitely cute and every parent would want their children's baby photograph taken as a remembrance of their happiness when they were still that small.

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Note that I am not referring to New Born Photography, here is for those babies who are almost turning one. Those of who can already recognize faces and can be entertained with any toy or can be disappointed with just the texture of their dress.

What Are the Challenges of Baby Photography?

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There's definitely nothing wrong with documenting your child's very first, his or her first step, first hard food, first straight walk, first word and first birthday. It would be wonderful if all parents, most especially first-time parents to really keep a book of all photographs of their child but that isn't the case at all. Only a few can do it on their own, the rest will need help from a photographer.

So last weekend, my husband and I went on for aBaby Photography with Amara as our model. She's turning one by December 8 and her parents want to keep a digital and tangible copy of her before turning one-year-old photos.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

Our theme was the very cute and sweet cake smash. The rule was just to let Amara smash, eat, push, kick and whatever she wants to do with the cake, it will all be hers and I will only be documenting her the entire time but before doing so, we have to take family portraits and also some solo shots of her at the beach shore.

Video credits: Jean Beltran via bitLanders

Now comes my expectation versus reality moments. I pictured it out that Amara's going to be all smiles and laughter but it didn't end up that way so I have to adjust. It was challenging but after the photo shoot, I guess I was okay.

Here is my own personal take on the challenges of Baby Photography:

Babies Can't Be Instructed

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I had taken portraits before, engagement sessions with couples and family photographs with grown-up kids, there was no issue with giving them instructions on what to do, where to put their hands and how to position themselves while I am shooting.

However, when it comes to babies, this is not applicable. I can't tell Amara to turn this way or point her hands that way. All I can do was tell her parents to call her and make her laugh. But then again, babies have their own way of doing things. When they feel unsecured and alone, they cry and that's what happened during our attempt to take her portraits.

Obviously, she was not happy being alone in that shore while all of us were just in front with those big cameras pointing at her. She might have become scared of the camera too, what was in her thoughts, we all don't have an idea!

Babies' Moods Can Be Unpredictable

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

Even parents can't predict their babies' emotions and moods so as much as possible, we must give in to all of their wants and likes during this shoot to make it a success.

During the photo shoot, Amara was not so happy with her portraits taken. In fact, we only had one or two shots with her normal cute face, the rest, she was already crying with tears around her cheeks and eyes were sore and we don't want that to be in the photographs.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

To make use of our time, I asked her mother, Jessa, to carry her and make her feel secure. She was already holding Amara, she stopped crying for a while but then started crying again in just a minute.

To keep her entertained, we gave all stuff that we have available to make her laugh, we asked her grandmother, the other kids to call her name and make her smile but it was a failure. We just have to wait for her to stop and I guess that was one of the really great challenges during these sessions.

Eventually, her father calmed her when they were just walking around the beach and so the photo session continued.

Surrounding Can Make or Break It

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When photographingbabies, it is important to bring her favorite things, toys most especially but during our shoot, I guess we missed to bring them into the scene.

But because it was a cake smash, bringing out the cake in front of her changed everything. Her mood changed, her facial expressions uplifted and all she could do was just play with the colorful cake!

That was the great part of the shoot, when she was already having fun with the messing up the cake and killing it with her bare hands, the photographs turned out pretty good.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

Since she was already having a good time, we thought it was a great opportunity for their family portraits taken too. They walked in the waters too and some sunset drama was also documented.

Overall, I can say that the Baby Photography Session with Amara was 75% a success. There were several other items in hand that was not used like the colorful beach balls, her other costumes, and her headbands because she dislikes them.

Image credits: StillsandMotion via Facebook

But then after working on her photos while post-processing the Raw images, I figured it was enough and that I had pretty decent shots of the family.

Truly, there were several lessons learned points that I have taken with that shoot. I am surely able to bring them home and be able to make use of them in the future as well.

Thanks a lot for reading!

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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast. 
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.