The Beauty Within & Beyond Words- BOHOL ISLAND

The world has its mysterious force that pulls your inner being to be strongly delighted and overwhelmed over certain things that enchantingly bewitch the eyes....Bewitched and enticed to the point of extreme perplexity whether the beauty that your eyes is seeing is something that is of "reality" or of "illusion"....

..breath-taking and beautiful creations could never be just an illusion when you have them right in front of your eyes and it couldn't be just memories that fades through time when you capture it by heart...Some people can be bedazzled with a beauty for just a while but a true eyes can be captivated over a lot of things even simple ones for a lifetime...



CHECK OUT BELOW ALL THESE AWESOME PHOTOS OF BEAUTY WHICH I TOOK HERE IN MY OWN PROVINCE OF BOHOL - "THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN SUN"....


Photos below were taken just this month at Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island (30 minutes ride from the City)...Its pristine white sand beaches and clear turquiose water plus the cozy hammocks are heavenly. Its like a bit of heaven on earth...The clouds at that time are so blue and gleeful..The sun is as wonderful as its golden glory which warmth every cold corners of ones soul...The palms trees are as firm and sturdy yet wave to every soul that pass them by, they're as respectable as the noble guards at the gates,,, The breeze and its coolness with a mixture of sunbathe kiss to the sun is something NO ONE should ever miss... I love everything in it...It's a whole package.. Our Italian guests even had their snorkeling and kayaking here and they were sooo happy and amazed, you can see it from their eyes..

Photos below are some shots at Loboc River (At Loboc Town not less that 1 hour ride from the City ) where our guests were having their exciting Stand-Up Paddle (SUP Tours) for 40 minutes. Stand Up Paddle in Loboc is a newly established water "sport" or "water adventure" activities on the cascading green and clean Loboc River. The river's lushy vegetation, peaceful environment and refreshing kiss of the forest are some of the best experience you can have with nature while paddling on the mystical river...Birds are chirping, the melting sound the small waterfalls Bosai falls is making, the kids swimming in the river, chuckling and giggling. Indeed a wonderful experience....

Below photos were taken at Pamilacan Island (1 hour boat ride from Panglao island ) just this month.
The Island of Pamilacan is a true definition of SERENITY, BEAUTY and FRIENDSHIP...The people in the Island are genuinely hospitable, warm and welcoming. You can always see them smiling and welcome you with eyes full of happiness, excitement and compassion...Most people in the Island depends on fishing as their major livelihood,, that means the sea and everything in it are their beloved treasures. Pamilacan Island is actually known for its playful dolphins and amazing sightings of whales, huge sea turtles, astonishing and beautiful corals and wonderful/fascinating sea creatures. The Island got its named from the word  "pilak" a tool used by the fisherman to hunt big fishes like sharks and even dolphins (BUT THAT WAS BEFORE) today hunting dolphins and whales are banned and punishable by law so the story goes as the hunters of dolphins/whales before,, now  became their protector and serve as guide for tourists who wants to see them (the dolphins & whales)...

Though fishing is still part of the island's major livelihood, they took tourism as one of the alternatives..That way the locals are now pretty passionate and knowledgeable for sustainable tourism most especially ----legal/sustainable fishing activities...

(They're way too far, huhu)

 (One of the three oldest fort/tower in Bohol serve as look out for people from pirates)

Pamilacan is probably one of the Islands with truly friendly and adorable animals/pets..I assure you that, when you go to the island you will be welcomed by (people of course) but aside from them, goats, dogs, chicken, cats and dolphins (hehe) are VERY AMIABLE and LOVABLE I even want to take them home...They're tamed and too sweet to be true, but yeah they are really sweet...I assure you that.. I promise...

 (That dog's name is BOGART, he will surely kiss you when you call him by name----eventhough he doesn't know you)

Another Photos below were taken at Balicasag Island last year. At Balicasag Island (1 hour boat ride from Panglao island), an Island paradise. Its grandeur and breath-taking view will surely attract more tourists and divers. An ideal place for snorkeling and scuba diving. We were in Alona early in the morning, i think about 6:00am when Mr. Bangkero (boatman) docked his boat (we already contacted him the day before). There were a lot of boats for rent though so for tourists, i can assure you that finding a boat going to Balicasag island is never a problem. 

Experience and savour the beauty of nature, the uniqueness of its culture, the fun on its extreme adventures, the gratifying and palatable delicacies, cozy and serene environment/accommodation and most of all the warm and hospitable people....

We went  snorkeling and all we can say is 'WOW'. The mystery and mystic grandeur in the depth is so something you should not dare to miss. A great discovery underwater indeed. beautiful and friendly creatures, magnificent wonders below (i can still feel the kisses of those cute school of fishes on my palms and soles. That was a great experience though, something i wouldn't miss. See for yourself! Try for yourself.

Take a photo of every moment, coz life always gives you something new..You might say "i've already done this, I've seen that, I've been to that" but everything is NEVER EVER the same....our lives everyday are always fresh, GOD never wants our life to be plain, dull and boring, He always makes everyday worthwhile, valuable, special, interesting, beautiful and name them all...GOD created beauty not only to be seen with the naked eye but to be appreciated, loved, respected and cherished....



Bohol is also known for its breathtaking rolling hills, terrains, mountains and beautiful landscapes. With these, many high-stimulants and adrenaline rush activities were being established. A number of towns in Bohol have adventure parks, which means you have  a lot to choose from...We've been to Loboc Adventure Park where they have their zipline and cable car on the air-ride...There is also an adventure park in Danao, the EAT Danao, Catigbian, the Catigbian Adventure Park and Carmen, CHAP Carmen Adventure Park (as far as I know)......Then speaking of breath taking hills, we have the Chocolate Hills with 1776 cone-shaped hills, 210 ft to the viewing deck with 214 steps,, located at Buenos Aires Carmen Bohol...Chocolate Hills actually is the Province' Icon...

(Loboc Adventure Park)

(The Chocolate Hills--rainy day-misty--mystical)

Our beautiful nature is one of God's ways of telling us that He has made everything beautiful in His time...

-Julie

Simply Amazing Books (Book Reviews and Recommendations)

If you are a true die-hard and certified bookworm, you will definitely understand how it feels like to be in the depth of despair once you finished a good book and you will feel like the world (that imaginative and fictional world, that full of wisdom and inspirational world and that mysterious world) is about to shatter and end...

Because I sooo LOVE books... I want to share to you these awesome, world shattering and also world-mending, intricate, and SIMPLY AMAZING BOOKS that really turned my life up-side-down...

Here are some of my favorite books with their REVIEWS... (some reviews were taken from my favorite book reviewers on goodreads)..

Just sharing.....


THE PERSONAL PATH TO VIRTUE by CAROLYN RAGODOS

MY BOOK RATING: 5 STARS IN www.goodreads.com

MY BOOK REVIEW:

I never fell in love with a book my whole life, until this book came and my entire universe was blown away. This is a book inspired by the Bible entry found in Proverbs 31.What it is to be that virtuous woman of GOD?

The Personal Path to Virtue,” Ragodos says, presents an opportunity to open the deep places of the heart the reader has yet to find, which can lead to healing, restoration, balance, true love, inner value and more. Ragodos offers her knowledge and experience as a missionary, coupled with her understanding of Bible passages, to inspire female readers to reach new levels of self-worth and faith.

This is one of the best Christian books that really inspired me in my Christian walk. This motivates me a lot and encourages me to be still and stay faithful to the One who knows the deepest desires of our hearts and the greatest mourning of it. This book is a BIBLE inspired book, that made this book interesting and it feels like while you're reading it, you can God everywhere and in everything. I soooo love this book that every woman should read this, also men too.

I love it when Mrs. Ragodos say "“With so many difficult and oftentimes devastating events in and around us, this study offers the hope of something more pure and stronger than the poverty of character which prowls our days and nights,”

A VERY INSPIRING BOOK. PROMISE! !

(THE BOOK AUTHOR and ME during the WRITING SEMINAR @ UB...Mrs. Carolyn as guest speaker)


THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, ANNE FRANK

MY BOOK RATING: 5 STARS IN www.goodreads.com

MY BOOK REVIEW:

Telling everything to her imaginary friend (diary) named “Kitty” her deepest thoughts, desires, wishes and a lot of things about her experiences, struggles, persecutions from the Germans and even her first love. For two years of  hiding in the secret annex, Anne Frank became more mature and even found her greatest solace in the written word. She even wrote her experience of first love in the midst of war.  

Until a German police officer stormed the secret annex and found the Jews hiding there. They arrested them and they were transferred to the Auschwitz death camp in Poland on September 3, 1944. When they arrived at Auschwitz the men and women were separated. And again the two sisters were separated from their mother that caused her illness and death (Edith Frank). Anne and her sister Margot were transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where the food was scarce and diseases were very rampant. The sisters both died of Typhus, Anne frank was 15 when she died. Only their father survived. After the world war and the camps were being liberated. 

Otto, their father went back to Amsterdam hoping that he could be with his family again but then he was welcomed by that tragic news of his wife and daughters’ death. He then found Anne’s Diary that was kept and saved by Miep Gies. He read the diary and he was mesmerized by the deepness of his daughter’s thoughts and feelings, emotions, wisdom and knowledge.Otto then decided to published his daughter's diary as a book, and The Secret Annex: Diary Letters from June 14, 1942 to August 1, 1944 was published on June 25, 1947 . 

(Facsimile of the diary of Anne Frank on display at the Anne Frank Zentrum in Berlin, Germany.)

THE CITY OF EMBER by JEANNE DUPRAU 

MY BOOK RATING: 4 STARS IN www.goodreads.com

 MY BOOK REVIEW:

 A very interesting, compelling and exciting sci-fi book about an underground city which is called "the City of Ember" designed by unidentified architects referred to as "builders". The city was built with supplies provided for the inhabitants good for 220 years for them to survive living underground while the surface at that time was dangerous because of devastating nuclear wars.

There's is that one locked box that is faithfully passed down from one mayor to the next until the seventh mayor who failed to keep the box but instead tried to open it, died even before  putting the box to it's rightful place and he wasn't able to inform the inhabitants about the importance of the box. "That the box contains the instructions on how the inhabitants  can get out from the underground...

241 years later (exceeding 220 years), the underground city is slowly running out of power and supplies due to its aging infrastructure. The inhabitants still unaware about the box until two young people Lina Mayflee (assigned as Piperworks Laborer) and Doon Harrow (assigned as Messenger) decided to switch jobs because they're both unhappy with their assignments, discovered something that will change their lives forever.

Lina and Doon with few others tried to decipher the letters written in an old piece of paper that Lina's grandma found in a box and figured out that the letters were the instructions written by the "builders" for the inhabitants to find their way out. That lead them to the  greatest adventure in their lives. 

LAST BREATH by MARIAH STEWART

MY BOOK RATING: 4 STARS IN www.goodreads.com

MY BOOK REVIEW:

First of all, i think that the title and the cover of this book doesn't seem to relate to the story,(hehehe) but i still liked it. It's a real page turner and absolutely interesting! A quick easy read and thrilling plot. If you love history and archeology, well this BOOK is a good pick! !

First character is Daria McGowan, a professor of archeology/archeologist (his great grandfather is Alistair McGowan a well-known archeologist who discovered a lost civilization, the Shandihar)....(Shandihar is an ancient city somewhere in Saudi Arabia who believes and worship to a goddess they call Erishkegal..)Other character is Connor Shields, an FBI Agent who helped Daria to solve the mysteries of the lost and stolen priceless artifacts her great-grandfather unearthed a century earlier in the Middle East..

Upon searching and trying to retrieve those lost artifacts, Daria and Connor discover a trail of bodies–collectors who have met brutal, bizarre ends at the hands of a mysterious killer (s) whose murderous methods are based on the rituals of an ancient civilization, the cutting of tongue and hands to those who have pissed and trespassed to the sisters and priestess of Ereshkigal...

A good read indeed!You'll enjoy it..


THE BOOK THIEF BY MARKUS ZUZAK

MY BOOK RATING: 5 STARS IN www.goodreads.com

MY BOOK REVIEW:

The Book Thief is a novel by Australian author Markus Zuzak. First published in 2005, the book has won numerous awards and was listed on The New York Times Bestseller for over 230 weeks. (Wikipedia)

This is a story of a girl named Liesel Meminger, a nine year-old girl from Germany living during the World War 2. The story is actually narrated by DEATH. It is indeed a very interesting narration that stirs everything including one's perspective, thoughts, ideas, and philosophical sentiments and beliefs. 

Liesel was set into a new home with her new mama and papa who took good care of her and educate her. Liesel found her great solace in words, in BOOKS perhaps. Even in the start of World War 2 (Nazi Germany) her love for ideas and written and spoken words never ceases. She learned how to read with her first ever book The Gravedigger's Handbook left on the snow by her brother's own grave-----the first encounter of Liesel and Death actually...

Her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Herbermann are poor German given a small allowance to take her in. She then met Rudy, which became her bestfriend. One night a Jew named Max turns up in their home. Liesel's family received and hid him in the basement, feed him and saved him from the Germans who hate Jews though they know the risk their family is taking.

This book is full of struggles, sorrows, loneliness and heart-wrenching moments that your heart may be unable to cope up. Hehe, well at least for me. The author really made me cry and made me realize at the same time that it is really wrong to generalize and to firmly believe that "nothing good comes out from a country who hates you" because as what the book narrated I mean DEATH narrated, both nations (Germans and Jews and everybody involved) are all struggling in different ways and  if we say life-risk, persecutions, bondage, blindness because of yielding to the majority, and deprivations both parties are called victims of the war...

Inspite of it, the book is also full of passion and dreams (intellectually) and hopes, compassion, unconditional love, and inspirations. A well-written and moving, heart-touching form of literature that is amazingly crafted by the hands of a genius writer who aims to target not only the deepest part of the heart and soul but also the inmost part of one's intellectual treasure box...

Indeed a super great read. Brilliant and world shattering...


THE MEMOIRS OF GEISHA BY ARTHUR GOLDEN

MY BOOK RATING: 5 STARS IN www.goodreads.com

"KIRKUS" BOOK REVIEW:

Cherry-blossom delicate, with images as carefully sculpted as bonsai, this tale of the life of a renowned geisha, one of the last flowers of a kind all but eliminated by WW II, marks an auspicious, unusual debut. Japan is already changing, becoming industrialized and imperialistic, when in 1929 young Chiyo's fisherman father sells her to a house in Kyoto's famous Gion district.

 The girl's gray-eyed beauty is startling even in childhood, so much so that her training is impeded by the jealousy of her house's primary geisha, the popular, petty Hatsumomo. Caught trying to run away, Chiyo loses her trainee status until taken under the wing of Mameha, a bitter rival of Hatsumomo.  

Chiyo flourishes with Mameha as her guide, soon receiving her geisha name, Sayuri, and having her mentor skillfully arrange the two main events vital to a geisha's success: the sale of Sayuri's virginity (for a record price), and the finding of a sugar-daddy to pay her way. 

Seeing the implications of Japan's militarism, Mameha pairs Sayuri with the general in charge of army provisions, so that as WW II drags on she and her house have things no one else in Gion can obtain. After the war, with her general dead and others vying for her attention, Sayuri pines anew for the only man she ever loved—an electrical-corporation chairman whose kindness to a crying Chiyo years before altered the course of her future.

Though incomparable in its view of a geisha's life behind the scenes, the story loses immediacy as it goes along. When modern times eclipse Gion's sheltered world, the latter part of Sayuri's life—compared to the incandescent clarity of its first decades—seems increasingly flat. Kirkus Reviews

Will add more later....

Batang Pinoy 1 (TIRE RACING)

Because KIDS always find creative ways to have FUN! 

By: Ma. Julie Bee A. Unlayao

(June 20, 2015) Dauis, Bohol Philippines

"TIRE RACING" ! !..

This is one of my favorite games back when I was a kid hehe and it was indeed a super FUN and MEMORABLE childhood experience...We did a lot of rural games before (I wish I had a camera to capture all those moments hahaha but maybe if I had one, I'd miss the fun playing)..

(Edmel Grace---so busy with her tire-toy)

(The Habitat Kids, chilling and hanging out)

. I used to do this exciting rural game, all you have to do is to roll and control the tire with the stick as you race....

ALL YOU NEED are the following:

A clean bicycle or motorcycle TIRE, a stick about 1 foot long, an open space, and cheerers (wohooooo).....Just avoid rolling these stuffs on SOMEONE'S GARDEN...hehehe...

‪#‎BatangPinoy‬

GO BATANG PINOY! !

-Julie Bee

Chasing College Dreams (My Graduation Ball Speech Sample)

CONGRATULATIONs CHMTN graduating students for making it this far!

I can’t imagine how years passed by soooo quickly and we’ll be all graduating in two days time. We’ll be wearing our graduation robes and graduates caps and student life is about to end, but it doesn’t mean that we’ll stop learning.

After graduation a lot of memorable school stuffs are going to be left behind but kept remembered. Stuffs like doing whims of reaction/case study papers, environmental scanning, group reportings, memorization of the 196 countries capital cities and currencies in the world, world map lage imong bestfriend the whole sem, unja tour guiding challenge, SP nga almost 300 pages unja hand-written tanan, individually pa jud, plus ang EVENTS management class nga pampaniwang sa mga estudyante, ang gusto maniwang kuha mog EVENTS class hehe....and dghan pah..

.....And who could ever forget those experiences and memories we had that ONLY STUDENTS will understand. Those times when when your 1 pad yellow paper became a conjugal property of the whole class everytime there are quizzes, how about DEALING WITH those demanding minor subjects nga mas ma stress pa ka kaysa sa major, and those times nga ting exam unja malipay ta magtan-aw sa ato testpaper kay one page or 2pages ra pero puro enumeration tanan. And those sleepless nights when your studying so hard for a quiz unja inagka exam 1-10 TRUE or FALSE ra man diay. And kinsa ba guy dili mingawon sa 4 sems nga japanese class with mam joy, nga when she asked “wakarimasu ka?”, then mu answer dayon tag “hai, wakaramisu, “ bisan sunggo desu diay to. Dghan pa kog gusto isulti pero sunod napud.

As what Mam dean says, the ending is just the beginning of a new adventure. Indeed it is. We may be uncertain of where we are going after graduation, some might be confused on what to do, always remember that we might never know what the future holds, but we know who holds our FUTURE right. Trust in Him..

(I actually had it during the candle lighting but I haven't delivered it as it is becoz I was soo teary and emotional I wasn't able to follow this quick speech that I wrote..hehehe)..


-Julie