One morning in September 2007, I was in the office when boredom got the better of me. And like many bored members of the working class, I logged onto YouTube and looked for the music video of Rihanna’s Umbrella. The search made me stumble upon a band’s acoustic cover of the song. I was blown away. I even loved it better than the original. The band was composed by three brothers — Daniel, Fabian, and Alejandro Manzano. The band’s name was Boyce Avenue.

I became a fan instantaneously. That particularly video had only around 40 views. None of my friends knew them. Somehow I was glad. I thought, “This budding group is going to be my little secret.” I anticipated more “cover videos.” And they never failed to amaze me each time they post a new one. YouTube became my little world and Boyce Avenue was the only thing in it.

It was only a matter of time when those 60 views became hundreds, then thousands, then millions. They became an internet phenomenon with over 75 million total views on YouTube, 143,000 subscribers, and ranked as one of the top musician channels of all-time on YouTube. My little secret became the world’s. My little secret became everything but. And for these men, I’m more than happy.

I blogged about them and their first time in Manila (a mall tour). And now, I’m glad I’m blogging about them again because they’re returning to the Philippines for a major concert. And he’s not alone.

Jabbawockeez arrived in Manila last week and I’m delighted to hear they will be a regular on ASAP XV for a month. I’m not really a dance fan but it doesn’t take a dance diploma to know that they ARE great. Especially after the technical boo-boo on ASAP last Sunday. They were just the most creative-slash-professional group ever. They’re amazing.

Kris Allen will be performing at MusicFest, too. Allow me to die for a moment. (OK, I just died there.) I remember last year when every one of my friends was rooting for that Adam Lambert guy, I think I was the only one in my circle that was jumping out of my seat. Doesn’t matter, though. He’s won. He’s here. And I’m going to see him.

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If you don’t understand why everyone is going ga-ga over that certain planner a certain coffeehouse is selling or giving away after you’ve turned fat, broke or insomniac, welcome to the club.

Well, there’s nothing wrong with it actually. If you always buy coffee, then it makes perfect sense to avail of the planner in question. In fact, I admire the passion and determination of others to the point of skipping lunch or dinner or both just to grab their copy of that planner every year. (I even know a couple of kids who ask money from their parents and claim it’s for a project for their Social Studies class. Social, alright.)

It’s a cool planner I must admit. If I were that into overpriced coffee, I’d probably get myself one, too. But I’m happy with my Kapeng Barako so, thanks, but no thanks.

Anyway, just as that coffeehouse everyone is ga-ga over releases their planner that everyone is ga-ga over, a couple of friends came up with a brilliant idea of producing their own planner that could give that “coffeehouse planner everyone is ga-ga over” a run for its overpriced life. It’s more like my friends’ personal project but they printed 498 more, so you might want to buy a copy. LOL.

So what is this ingenious planner that threatens the order of the society?

Well, it’s called the “I-was-supposed-to-get-that-coffeehouse-planner-but-I-got-fat-and-broke-on-the-10th-frappe planner.” Sorry for its quite lengthy name, but there’s no other name more suitable.

This mocking planner talks to you in Tagalog and treats you as a real friend, the kind you always suspect of being gay or schizophrenic. It does not give you boring inspirational quotes every page. Heck, it might even insult you, like a real friend. And on top of it all, like a real friend, it’s the one you’d like to use as much as you can.

It has art, it has wit, and you don’t have to buy 30 frakkin’ cups of coffee just to get it. You just have to shell out P320. See? Like a real friend, it’s cheap.

The picture above is the cover. Now, take a look at the inside pages:

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NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

Experience Anawangin, Capones and Camara Island, Zambales Tour Package for only Php 1,600.00/person

Inclusions:

* Roundtrip Van Transfer (Manila-Zambales-Manila)
* Overnight Accommodation at Villa Kiana Inn

* Breakfast
* Gasoline and Toll Gate Fees
* Taxes and Surcharges

Optional Activities:

* Php 300/person min of 4 pax (Island hopping to Anawangin; Camara and Capones Island )
* Php 200/person min of 4 pax (Trekking to Anawangin Summit)

Publish package rate is good for 4 persons and above. For 3 persons and below package rate will be Php 1,800/person.

Travel dates:
August 15 – 16 & 29 – 30,
September 5 – 6 & 18 – 20,
October 3 – 4 & 17 – 18,
November 7 – 8, 14 – 15 & 28 – 29.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:
Rhia Capili – del Rosario
Philippines101 Travel and Tours
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Contact numbers:

Landline: (044) 7688182

Cellphone: 09275116493 / 09162285617

NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

Ilocos Getaway Package Tour Php 3,330.00/person

Inclusions:

* Roundtrip Van Transfer (Manila-Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte-Manila)
* Overnight Accommodation at Java Hotel Laoag, and Polaris Beach Resort, Pagudpud

* Day Tour in Laoag, Pagudpud and Vigan
* Toll Gate Fee, Gasoline, Driver’s Meal and Accommodation
* Taxes and Surcharges
* Entrance Fee / Tour Guide Fee
* Day Tour at the following sites:

— Ancestral Houses, Vigan, Heritage Village, National Museum – The Padre Burgos House, Crisologo Museum

— Winding Patapat Bridge, Bangui, Windmills, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Kabigan Falls

* Use of resort amenities such as:

— pool, beach, etc.

Publish package rate is good for 4 persons and above. For 3 persons and below package rate will be Php 3,650/person.

Travel dates: August 14 – 16, September 4 – 6 & 18 – 20, October 16 – 18, November 6 – 8 & 20 – 22, 2009.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Rhia Capili – del Rosario
Philippines101 Travel and Tours
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Contact numbers:
Rhia – (044) 7688182 / 09275116493
Ali – 09162285617

Manila Office:
Tonsuya, Malabon City, Metro Manila
Cherry Cabrera – (02) 5102815 / 09234884600

NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

Bolinao- Hundred Island Quest Php 2,850.00/person

Packages Inclusions:
* Roundtrip Van Transfer (Manila-Bolinao-Alaminos-Manila)
* Accommodation (in Bing’s Beach Resort, Bolinao and Villa Antolin, Alaminos)
* Day Tour at Cape Bolinao lighthouse, Bolinao Church , Enchanted Cave and Bolinao falls 1 and 2
* Boat Rental for the Hundred Islands Tour * Permits and Entrance Fees
* Driver’s Meal and Accommodation
* Taxes and Surcharges

Publish package rate is good for 4 persons and above. For 3 persons and below package rate will be Php 3,350/person.

Travel dates: September 4 – 6 & 18 – 20, October 16 – 18, November 6 – 8 & 20 – 22, 2009.

FOR MORE DETAILS, CONTACT:
Rhia Capili – del Rosario
Philippines101 Travel and Tours
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Contact numbers:
Rhia – (044) 7688182 / 09275116493
Ali – 09162285617

Manila Office:
Tonsuya, Malabon City, Metro Manila
Cherry Cabrera – (02) 5102815 / 09234884600

NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

Sagada Caravan Tour for only 2,750.00/person

Inclusions:

* Roundtrip Air conditioned Van Transfer (Manila-Sagada-Manila)
* 3days/2nights accommodation
* Service of a Tour Guide (except at Sumaguing Cave and/or Burial Cave)
* Entrance Fee
* Gasoline, Toll Gate/Parking Fee
* Day Tour at the following sites:

— Echo Valley, Kiltepan Rice Terraces, Sagada Weaving House, Sumaguing Cave and/or Burial Cave, Bomod-ok Falls or Mount Ampacao and Lake Danum,St Mary’s Church.

Publish package rate is good for 4 persons and above. For 3 persons and below package rate will be Php 3,000/person.

Travel dates: August 14 – 16, September 4 – 6 & 18 – 20, October 2 – 4 & 16 – 18, November 6 – 8 & 20 – 22, 2009.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Rhia Capili – del Rosario
Philippines101 Travel and Tours
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Contact numbers:

Cellphone: 09275116493 / 09162285617

*image courtesy of www.travelblog.org and megalinktravel of olx.com

NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

LifeStyle Int’l Travel & Tours

Unit 4,Ranillo Bldg., Gen. Malvar St.,

Dipolog City, 7100, Philippines

Email: lifestyle.travelandtours@yahoo.com

Contact No. (065) 2124062/09209061833

*image courtesy of dashalvin of skyscrapercity

NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

Who said you can’t try scuba diving without a license? Well, if you’re interested but are not yet sure if you want to make the investment, why not go for an intro dive?

An intro dive is an opportunity for non-divers to experience diving and see for themselves what’s actually down there. And you do it with a dive master who takes you around for about 30 minutes. All you do is relax and enjoy the view and the dive master will push you around the coral reefs. And if you like what you see, then you take the next step and get yourself a license!

Intro-Dive at Dive and Trek
• September 12 – 13, 2009 (Saturday – Sunday)

Licensed Scuba Diver:

2D/1N Scuba Diving Package Php 4,550.00/person

Inclusions:
Roundtrip Van Transfers (Manila-Anilao-Manila)
Roundtrip Boat Transfers
Room Accommodation (Quadruple sharing)
Complete Meals (1 Breakfast, 2 Lunch, 1 Dinner)
Unlimited use of Scuba Tanks

Day Trip Scuba Diving Package Php 2,400.00/person (September 12)

Inclusions:
Roundtrip Van Transfers (Manila-Anilao-Manila)
Roundtrip Boat Transfers
Lunch Meal
Unlimited use of Scuba Tanks

Non-Licensed Diver:

2D/1N Intro-Dive Package Php 4,550.00/person (September 12 – 13)

Inclusions:
Roundtrip Van Transfers (Manila-Anilao-Manila)
Roundtrip Boat Transfers
Room Accommodation (Quadruple sharing)
Complete Meals (1 Breakfast, 2 Lunch, 1 Dinner)

Optional Activity:
Intro-Dive Php 2,500.00/persons inclusive of Dive Master and Diving Equipments

Day trip Intro-Dive Package Php 2,150.00/person (September 12)

Inclusions:
Roundtrip Van Transfers (Manila-Anilao-Manila)
Roundtrip Boat Transfers
Lunch Meal

Optional Activity:
Intro-Dive Php 2,500.00/persons inclusive of Dive Master and Diving Equipments

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Rhia Capili – del Rosario
Philippines101 Travel and Tours
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Contact numbers:
Rhia – (044) 7688182 / 09275116493
Ali – 09162285617

Manila Office:
Tonsuya, Malabon City, Metro Manila
Cherry Cabrera – (02) 5102815 / 09234884600

NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

Discover CARAMOAN, CAMSUR for only P3,800.00/person

Inclusions:

* Roundtrip Air conditioned Bus Transfer (Manila-Cam Sur-Manila)
* Jeepney and Tricicyle ride (vice-versa)

* Boat Rental (Vice-versa)
* 3days/2nights accommodation in Rex Tourist Inn
* Service of a Local Tour Guide
* Entrance Fees, Boat Fees (Island Hopping, 6 islands or more namely: Lahuy, Cotivas, Guinahuan, Luksuhin, Malibagon and Masag)
* Gasoline, Toll Gate/Parking Fee

Optional Activities (exclusive from the publish package rate):

Wakeboarding in CWC or in Lago Del Rey (http://www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com/rates_prices)

FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT:

Rhia Capili – del Rosario
Philippines101 Travel and Tours
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Contact numbers:

Cellphone: 09275116493 / 09162285617

NOTE: This is an advertisement. If you have questions about this travel package, please contact the travel agent whose contact details are indicated at the end of this post. Thank you.

Batangas Escapade

12 – 15 persons   – Php 2,000.00/person

9 – 11 persons     – Php 2,250.00/person

6 – 8 persons        – Php 2,450.00/person

Travel dates: Every Fridays up to Sundays of August to November 2009

Package Inclusions:

* Roundtrip Van Transfer (Manila-Batangas-Manila)

* Overnight Accommodation (Sabangan Beach Resort, Laiya, Batangas)

* Entrance Fee

* Driver’s Meal and Accommodation

Optional Activities:

Boating and/or Island Hopping

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Rhia Capili – del Rosario
Philippines101 Travel and Tours
Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Contact numbers:

Cellphone: 09275116493 / 09162285617

*image courtesy of ferdzdecena of flickr and allbestofphilippines.blogspot.com and sabangan.com and someone from 4321.co.il