The Bracelet-Lovin' and Bracelet-Makin' Gal That I Am

Arm candy..arm party..arm swag..To me, they are all bracelets! =)

I have been fond, a few years back, of making my own simple accessories like dangling earrings, long necklaces and of course, bracelets. If I am inspired, I can go on and on without a care much for the time. But it ended as soon as it started then I had a 4-year hiatus with all my accessory-making tools and did not face them until  a few months ago. 

And now, I am back to this hobby of mine! And I am ever so glad to be doing it again! Let me share some of the pieces that I have done so far. Indulge me, pretty please.. =)

One of my match-making moments. All white and gold ensemble. 

Some of the pieces that I sell..and sold too. I love doing them so I maximize this hobby and try to make a one-woman business out of it. 

I love working with beads and more in all colors! They're so fun to look at! 

Stacking it is KEY. 

Neutrals and fun colors are my bestsellers!

Colors! Colors! 

Buddha and crystal love

My own design which I can certainly partner with almost all colors. 

So this is my 2-day old online shop http://instagram.com/thrifty_nifty_trinkets/ and I hope to share my creations to all interested out there. Follow me please. =)

So if you love doing something, go for it. Its good for the soul as well as your pocket..at times! Haha!

This is the main reason why I'm busy on weekdays. Wish me luck in this endeavor. =)

Crazy Survey to Self: How Many SM Malls Have I Been To Already?

I have done this crazy survey a few years back but a lot has changed so I am doing it again now. What am I talking about? I'm talking about knowing how many SM Malls I have been to! Crazy like what I've said. Whether small and old ones or the Supermalls.

Image from www.pagesflipper.com

Growing up for me meant a lot of trips to the mall, particularly SM North since we used to live in Teacher's Village in Quezon City. After that, I remember SM Cubao, SM Makati and then, my second favorite spot, Megamall. I remember, after Sunday mass, that the car wold make a right turn going to the mall and looking crestfallen when the car makes a left turn. Ah, memories of yesteryears. =)

So, here are the the SM malls that I have been to:

METRO MANILA
Been to:                                                                Not yet:
1. SM North Edsa                                                1. SM Taytay
2. SM Sta. Mesa                                                  2. SM Center Las Pinas
3. SM Megamall                                                  3. SM Novaliches
4. SM Southmall                                                  4. SM Aura Premier
5. SM Fairview
6. SM Manila
7. SM Sucat'
8. SM Bicutan
9. SM San Lazaro
10. SM Center Valenzuela
11. SM MOA
12. SM Center PAsig
13. SM Center Muntinlupa
14. SM Marikina
15. SM Masinag
16. SM Cubao
17. SM Makati
18. SM Quiapo (very very old)

LUZON

Been to:                                                                Not yet:                                              
1. SM Bacoor                                                       1. SM Molino                         
2. SM Pampanga                                                  2. SM Baliwag
3. SM Lucena                                                       3. SM Tarlac
4. SM Baguio                                                       4. SM Olongapo
5. SM Marilao                                                      5.SM San Fernando
6. SM Dasmarinas
7. SM Batangas
8. SM Sta. Rosa
9. SM Clark
10. SM lipa
11. SM Rosales
12. SM Naga
13. SM Rosario
14. SM San Pablo
15. SM Calamba

VISAYAS

Been to:                                                                 Not yet:  
1. SM Cebu                                                           1. SM Consolacion
2. SM Iloilo
3. SM Bacolod

MINDANAO

Been to:                                                                 Not yet:  
1. SM Davao                                                         1. SM CDO
                                                                               2. SM General Santos
                                                                               3. SM Lanang Premier

Summary:
MM - Been in 18 malls, not yet in 4 malls
Luzon - Been in 15 malls, not yet in 5 malls
Visayas - Been in 3 malls, not yet in 1 mall
Mindanao - Been in 1 mall, not yet in 3 malls
TOTAL: Been in 37 malls out of 50 malls (Wow! Haha! Mallrat!)

I say to myself, if you've seen one SM mall, you've seen them all. Pretty true but still, something else might make them different from each other, maybe, with regard to location, service or general ambiance of the mall. Most of these malls I have been to because of work, it was not all leisure.

So, thanks to my past jobs for giving me the simple opportunity of circling these malls. Haha!

How about you, are you curious to know how many you have been to? COUNT AWAY! =)



Disclaimer:
This is not sponsored or something like that, this is to indulge my eager curiosity. :)

Naga City's Beautiful Plazas

Plazas, or town plazas, are melting pots for the community. Anything can happen: gatherings, tete-a-tetes, playground for children and many more. Since plazas originated from our Spanish culture, up to this day, we are preserving these places and has no intention of developing them into something more modern or simply, evaporate them from our lives.

Take Naga City for instance, they have at least 5 plazas that I have researched about. Before going to a certain province, I make sure that I research something about the place especially tourist spots and visit at least a couple of them. So, aside from their famous churches and the fabulous food finds, I have seen that they have very beautiful plazas where one can just sit down and drink in the surroundings and enjoy the moment. I know, that's what I did..even for just a few minutes.

So here are they (definitions I got from http://naga.gov.ph):

1. PLAZA RIZAL
"This monument-cum-park ideally located at downtown Naga was built in honor of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. This is known locally as the center for public debates and discussions, family picnic gatherings and public recreation and relaxation spot."

The biggest plaza out of all 4 that I have visited. A very busy place with people passing by in a hurry. Dynamic is the word that best describes this place. 

2. PLAZA QUINCE MARTIRES
"Located in the center of downtown Naga, it is home to a monument that honors the 15 Martyrs of Bicol. It was on January 4, 1897 or barely 5 days after the National Hero –Dr. Jose P. Rizal – was executed when the 11 prisoners from Bicol were also executed on the same field in Bagumabayan (now Luneta). The four others had either died in prison as a result of torture or while in exile in the island of Fernando Poo (or Fernando Pó), off the coast of Africa. The monument was built on November 29, 1926 during the American occupancy."

My favorite out of all 4 that I have visited! Why? This is centrally located. In front of the San Francisco Church and near a commercial area and the location was pefect--the big trees provided shade for the people and one can really relax here. And not so busy unlike the Plaza Rizal.  

3. PLAZA BARLIN
"Located at Barlin and Arana Streets fronting the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, the plaza and the monument was constructed in honor of Msgr. Jorge Barlin, the first Filipino and Bicolano Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.  Barlin, a native of Baao, Camarines Sur, is also one of the fifteen martyrs who bravely stand for and died for the sake of the Filipinos."

A rather small plaza compared to the others and located in a residential area. Cute! That' was my initial reaction. 

4. PLAZA DE NUEVA CACERES
"This newly build monument and plaza was for the celebration of the 62th founding anniversary of the City of Naga in 2010.  Plaza de Nueva Caceres commerates the history of Naga City (formerly called Ciudad de Nueva Caceres) starting from its  pre-colonial roots up to the Spanish rule when it became one of the four oldest cities and sits of powers of the Spaniards.  The monument’s inviting surroundings and relaxing plaza, meanwhile, shows how Naga flourishes and becomes one of the modern cities in the country and in the Philippines."

So what if this plaza is in the middle of the busy streets and near the marketplace?! They don't know me! Haha! So I took a painstaking selfie. =)

The 5th plaza was the Plaza Quezon which I looked for and asked some locals about but unknowingly, I have passed by and seen it already. The plaza has a stage and I think a basketball court so I did not notice its historical significance, if there was any. So I guess, I have completed them all! 

To summarize, in half a day, I have been to 3 churches, an eco park, and 4 plazas! Wow! And I just paid the kind taxi driver P500 for it, and I bought him some snacks too. That was a winner especially if you are a lone traveller. Two thumbs-up for that! =)

Other NAGA CITY posts:

Food Trip - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2013/07/NagaCity-Foodtrip.html

Visita Iglesia, etc. - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-churches-of-naga-city.html

The Churches of Naga City

I love going to old churches! That's a fact! If I can make a checklist out of all the Philippine churches from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, I would love to have that. All the rich history of the town or province is ensconced there, drawing a vivid picture in your mind.

Another popular city from an equally famous province is ticked off from my list -- Naga City of Camarines Sur. In a span of half a day, I was able to see four churches. With some other places of interest in the sideline, of course.

Welcome to Camarines Sur! 

So, here they are:

1. Peñafrancia Basilica Minore

Per Wikipedia, it was established in 1985, it is the new home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia where the       Traslacion starts when her image is led into procession around the city streets then brought to the                 cathedral.

2. Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine
Per Wikipedia, this was the original home of Our Lady of Peñafrancia for two centuries. It was                     established in 1750.

This structure is kept in great condition. You can hardly believe that it was built in the 1700s. 

The ceiling art are very nice to look at. The ambiance of the church is very welcoming. Not dark and a bit creepy. 

SIDETRIP!

If you have more time, visit this place. Take a walking tour in this 4-hectare lot. I would love to do that, however, I did not have the luxury of time so I just dropped by for a quick visit. 

They sure have lots to offer. It's good for families or for couples who are on a budget but would like to have a great time. 

I was kind of disappointed with this eco-walk maze because I was expecting more lush greeneries. The ones that they have here are standing on thin ground, haha, but I understood why. This is owned by the government and of course, budget is always an issue. If I remember correctly, entrance fee was for only P20.00 or less, which is not much to sustain the attractions here. But I hope they do. 

3. Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Per Wikipedia,  is the oldest cathedral established in the whole southern Luzon. It was built in 1573, and was inaugurated in 1575. It is also the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caceres.

Looks so very ancient. I loved it! It was a good thing that I was able to slip inside for a few minutes before they closed it to the public for some time that day. I dropped by here on a Monday. 

Rustic, right? 

This is the structure that caught my fancy! The rotunda! Look at that dome! So bland, so dull..

But look at its interior! Vibrant colors with very vivid details. Beautiful! Surprise surprise! 

One of my many attempts to have my photo taken with the colorful dome at the back. It's hard! It was a one-woman show. 

The Porta Mariae. Per Wikipedia, it is Neoclassic in architecture and is a triumphal arch that commemorating the tercentenary of the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.The arch, 18 metres (59 ft) wide, 4 metres (13 ft) deep and 11 metres (36 ft) high, is surmounted by a 10 feet (3 m) tall brass image ofOur Lady of Peñafrancia and two angels on each side

The back view, right in front of the rotunda and the cathedral. 

The Holy Rosary Minor Seminary. I did not know that this was it. My taxi driver cum tour guide failed to point it out in the first place. I just knew about it around the time that we were kilometers away already. Good thing he was a nice man. =)

4. San Francisco Church
Per Wikipedia, established in 1578, it is the first church in the region built by the Franciscan Friars. The surrender of the Spanish forces to the Bikol revolutionaries Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo took place here on September 18, 1896. The church was reduced to rubble by the heavy bombing of Naga in World War II, and the church remained in ruins until the present new edifice was constructed.

Located near a famous plaza and busy streets. You will not have a hard time looking for this landmark.

The church's old bell tower, in ruins. In a state of disrepair that one would pity. I hope they do something about it soon. 

The simple interiors. 

I was told that the church's history was silently narrated through the stained glass art surrounding the upper walls of the church. Subtle but meaningful. 

Naga has so many to offer and I am so glad for the opportunity this time. I would very much love to return! And I will mention it again, the food is awesome! 

Going to Naga is very easy. There are two ways:

1. By bus - It will take you around 8-10hrs depending on the traffic. I took the bus and left the metro around 8pm and arrived at the city center around 430am. There are many choices for seats such as the regular ones, Lazy Boy seats (more spacious) and the one that I really wanted to try which is the Sleeper bus! Too bad it was fully booked so I settled for a lazyboy instead, if I remember correctly, P1,000. A bit uncomfy for me, I would have wanted the regular seats should I have known. Not to mention the coughing seatmate who does not cover his mouth while he barks, haha! Its a good thing I could sleep through anything! =)

2. By plane - Around an hour or less, you are there already. The most convenient mode to travel, so that you can have more hours to explore Naga. 

Other NAGA CITY posts:

Food Trip - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2013/07/NagaCity-Foodtrip.html

4-Plaza tour - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2013/09/naga-citys-beautiful-plazas.html