Tam-awan Village, Garden in the Sky: Baguio City, Benguet

I have been visiting Baguio City regularly but never had a chance to visit this wonderful Tam-awan Village. I usually stroll at the city proper and enjoy the scenery there. On my _th visit in the city, I made sure that I included on my itinerary a visit to this wonderful village. I just wanted to immerse myself with the village of the locals. Also to appreciate the works of local artists. 

Chilling at the lobby!

Tam-awan Village is located in Pinsao Road owned by artist Ben Cabrera along with other artists and taken care by Chanum Foundation Inc, founded in 1998. It is uniquely blends indigenous aesthetics and exquisite Cordilleran craftsmanship with an artist's concept for a village adapting to Baguio City setting.  

Jan Belocura and Edwin Macadaeg

Rice Guardian Spirit

The installation is a representative of the Cordilleran rice guardian spirit, usually placed in the fields to protect the precious crops of the mountain tribes.

The 6-feet installation piece made of steel aims to stress the co-existence of past traditions in the modern time, serving as a reminder not to forget the culture our forefathers have made.

In some parts of the region, it is believed the spirit of our peoples ancestors reside in the rice god, which is revered and taken cared of by the members of the community. 

The modern interpretation of the traditional bul-ul is intended for the protection of the Tam-awan Village and all those who will walk through these paths.  

Dukligan (Ifugao Hut)

The fertility hut is such that it is where a married couple resides after a year of inability to produce a child. The shaman performs a ritual offering to male and female bulols. The couple will then stay in the hut for a month or so. If after this period expires and still they are unable to produce a child, the man has the right to find another woman, although the marriage is still in effect. 

The cycle is repeated and then the woman may now find another man. The purpose of which is to determine who among the couple is infertile. 

The village is so relaxing. You can really immerse yourself with how the locals live. It is a great place wherein you can appreciate art. Just make sure you got those strong knees to go uphill, otherwise you will just sit there and take a rest. This place is great enough for those who love to stroll. Uphills and downhills, but no worries, the cool breeze will help you not to feel tired. Visit this place and you'll definitely love it. 

Learned new dialect! :)

Strawberry Farm: La Trinidad, Benguet

Benguet is one province that I love to visit maybe because it is where Baguio City is located. I just love this city, one of my favorite cities here in the Philippines. The cold weather, the atmosphere, the people, oh I just love it there. Strolling around the city and nearby towns is great and will never make you bored even if you visit the city regularly all year round.  

Oh no! No more strawberries this time :(

Strawberry picking at Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad is just one of the many things you will definitely love when you visit the province. It is a unique experience for every tourists who visits the place. You got to pick fresh strawberries alongside with the friendly Ibaloi farmers. Sadly, it was off season when I visited the place so instead of strawberries I was able to uproot lettuce. Not bad still a great experience for me and to my cousins. 

Sweet Strawberries from La Trinidad!

Strawberry Taho: yummy!

Located just 30 minutes from the City of Baguio. You can as well buy pasalubongs near the area. Ohhh and that strawberry taho that I tried was unforgettable. It was yummy! You just love and enjoy your time when you are in the farm without you noticing the time. You'll definitely love the place even more when the farm is covered with thick fog which can make you freeze. How's that experience?!

Such a great experience to visit the farm once you hit Baguio City. Strawberry Farm should be included on your itinerary when going up to the province of Benguet. Before we left, we bought some pasalubongs! Wine, ube jam, peanut brittle among others! Will definitely go back here soon and will make sure that it will be strawberry season. 

With my cousin's wife!

Rexona Run 2013: Run To Your Beat

Rexona Run 2013: Run To Your Beat
SM Mall of Asia
Distance: 21K
Ranked: 1397 out of 3834 runners
Gun Time: 2:38:50 Chip Time: 2:38:20

It has been a couple of months that I did not join any fun run due to busy schedule in dragon boat training and races. When I saw that Rexona Run will be having an event this year, I decided to register. Rexona Run is the only run I anticipated to join because I am busy with other sports activity. My great experience about last years' Rexona Run made me decide to run again this year. See it here! 

With Roxanne: running and paddling mate :)

Run To Your Beat was the theme of the Rexona Run for this year. It was cool! Run Rio Inc. organized last year's run and they got it again this year. New theme was great. There are already activities happening during the claiming of singlets in SM Mall of Asia few days before the event date. I got a memorable experience on that but I cannot post any pictures here because I was not able to bring my cam when I claimed my singlet. It was all fun that I won a price, it's deo! Hehe!

It's blurred... LOL

My running experience was terrible. Terrible in the sense that I was not able to beat my previous records for 21K. I went beyond my target time which is 2.5 hours. I know I did not trained hard for this run because of some other activities. I realized that training is very much needed when you plan to beat your previous records. I thought that my training in dragon boat paddling will be enough to sustain my running capabilities but I was wrong. Still a good thing that I managed to finish the run safe and sound. 

the centerstage

Post activities were great! Live band made every runner enjoy the event. Sponsors are within the vicinity and provides free services like foot massage and giving out some foods and drinks! Free photo booths were also situated in the race venue for all the runners who wanted to have a photo opt for the event. 

My BIB No

Another 21K Finisher's medal was added in my collection. How was that?! Feeling so proud of myself that through running, I was able to test my limits. I was able to prove to myself once again that everything is possible with a great determination to succeed. Another running experience which made my inner desire to conquer another 21K soon!

Love this New Medal!

Freebies will always be included after crossing the finish line. Got so many products inside my loot bag. That's possible one week supply of shampoo and conditioner and even a month of deodorant to keep me fresh 24/7. Looking forward to run again next year for this event. Thank you Rexona! I can always do more, with Rexona! 

Game On!

Freebies!!!