Ready for Summer 2013?

Ready for Summer 2013? I hope you didn't buy any of the 2012 apocalypse scare. It was absolutely the perfect excuse to load up on all the lechons, hams and cheese on the Noche Buena table. It's the end of the world, right? NOT! I'm sorry that excuse didn't work well with me either. Time to shed out the holiday fats and get beach-ready! I know this body is nowhere beach-worthy, but whatever skin I can't show off, I compensate by confidence, right? LOL I do miss Boracay, getting drunk with my husband and forgetting for a few short days our double-life as James Bond and the beautiful Chinese gangster Severine. :)

It's Like Magic! Crocs Chameleons Change Color in the Sun

Because we love Crocs, we take it everywhere we go! I cannot express enough how Crocs does a great job outdoors. You'll never trip nor slide in these babies. You can get them wet and not worry about safety. And I'm all for safety. The best time I've seen Crocs at work is at the beach!

 



Another brilliant beach idea from Crocs. Kids will love it!



It’s like magic! The new Crocs Chameleons™ Translucent Clog changes colors in the sun. Using exclusive breakthrough patent-pending technology, these kids’ clogs transform from one color to another almost instantly when exposed to sunlight. So kids can watch them change right before their eyes!

Color Change Details:
* Oyster (white) clog changes to pink lemonade in the sun.
* Yellow clog changes to lime green in the sun.
* Celery clog changes to sea blue in the sun.
* Light grey clog changes to navy in the sun. * Bubblegum clog changes to pink lemonade in the sun.
* Each Crocs Chameleons™ product is unique. Colors may vary from item to item based on the individual nature of each specific product and weather conditions.

Crocs Chameleons™ Translucent Clog Details:
* Innovative color-changing technology kids will love.
* Ventilation holes provide breathability and help water drain away.
* Strap swings back for a snug fit or forward for wear as a slip-on.
* Circulation nubs on the foot bed provide a massage-like feel.
* Holes on top and on strap accommodate Jibbitz™ shoe charms.
* Croslite™ material foot bed responds to body heat to create a form-to-foot fit.
* Soft, supportive translucent TPU material upper.
Lifted from Crocs

Subic Beach, Calintaan Island

There's a bigger beach on the other face of Calintaan Island. They call it Subic Dako, and it is just as beautiful, and much friendlier for children to swim in.

Juag Fish Sanctuary, Sorsogon

No summer break is complete without a trip to the beach. We are a 7,107 island nation and there is no logical excuse to say you didn't go anywhere this summer. This time, we were able to bring my side of the family to my husband's side of the family to Sorsogon.

My boys are not afraid of the water and riding a small motorboat like this

After visiting relatives, we were off right away to some adventure. First stop: Juag Island Fish Sanctuary


It is very important to note that you cannot swim with the fishes if you already have sunblock on because it only deters the fish and could possibly harm them if they ingest even a little of it.





Do you see the size of that fish? 

Can you see the head of that fish jutting out? 

A very promising career for my hubby, E

That's me in the water, I took Miguel with me to get close to the fishes, while my two other kids cry because they wanted  to swim with me, too. 

At the shallow part of the pen was the caretaker's shack on stilts. I found a starfish. Yay!

When at the beach...

Since we're going to Boracay, I am suddenly reminded of how things are now in Bora. We keep coming back for the beautiful beach, for the parties.  But the trash drives me crazy. With that many shops on such a small strip of land, the rate at how fast the trash keeps piling up drives me crazy. You can just imagine how many fruit shake cups, styrofoam disposables, plastic packaging makes it to the island's dumpsite (they have a dumpsite, in the island, no less). And the sewage problem has been a concern for so many. There is just no way a small island can keep it together for long without a well-designed sewage system.

I can still remember how Boracay used to be from my childhood. And my teens. I miss that Boracay. I have been to better beaches but I still come back to Boracay for the memories. Beach fun used to be  bringing your own food, setting up a beach mat and picnic. When at ANY beach, at any rate, buy your food at the market and cook your own, use reusable utensils or go cowboy with banana leaves as plates and your hands instead of the usual spoon and fork. You're not at a fine-dine, for chrissake. Or wake up at dawn to catch the fisherman with the day's haul. Don't bring the junk you eat when at Manila like chips, instant noodles, hotdogs and sweets. Give your sodium-laden diet a break and buy from local sellers and help the community's economy. When at the beach, take advantage of what you'll find there.

When at the beach... keep it simple. And sweet. And green! 

My La Playa Rosa

I wanna talk about my favorite beach.
Sure, I love Boracay forever.
But this is special. The sand is a rare white-pink. And it's fronting the Philippine Sea.





I hereby elect myself as Mayor of this awesome, unbelievable, lovely paradise island in Foursquare--- only there's no internet.





I will wholeheartedly adopt hermit crabs and sea cucumbers. As pets.





I can parade my tits and not worry if somebody will see me





I will gladly welcome my friends and their families.





I will not litter





I will rake the sand for free





I will overcome my fear of sea snakes for you





I will learn pagko-copra like The Coconuter





I will buy fish food for the fish at the fish sanctuary everyday











My kids love it here











I will still love all my sons even if they had leathery black skin like that kid at the back





I will hold art classes for the island kids every summer for free inclusive of materials





Marco loves collecting corals








Dawns are amazing





You can do embarrassing things and just laugh about it





I can camwhore all day





Or fish (rather unsuccessfully)





Or order this everyday without going fat or broke





Please, take me back, adopt me, my la playa rosa.





Disclaimer: Some of the photos are from Claire Raborar. Thank you, Claire.