Segue 3: Philippine vacation 2024 — A different dynamics at the Laiya, Batangas resort

April 30, 2024May 1, 2024 Linda P. JacobLeave a comment

By LPJ

The Laiya, Batangas beach resort experience during my recent vacation in the Philippines was somehow different. Though the surroundings and ocean view were just as alluring as the previous beach R&R’s, and the enjoyment just as much, the company was unusual. This time, many millennials joined us, tennis buddies of my niece Nikki and her husband Gab Arellano. The conversations were hip; the teasing interrogations were lighthearted but at times serious; playfulness dominated; laughter competed with the ocean breeze, and there was music. This Lola felt young again, like I was in my 20’s or 30’s.

The lovely setting was La Luz Beach Resort in San Juan, Batangas, around 3-4 hours drive from Manila. The rambling property features a line of cabanas on the beach, several cabins behind the cabanas, an oversized pool between the cabins and the shore. The large, comfortable restaurant offers a wide choice of continental, Philippine and other Asian cuisine. Outside the restaurant is a sizeable spa and massage center. At the end of the property on the beach is a hill rich with vegetation and with a path for easy hiking. Remarkable about La Luz is the preservation of tall, shady trees around which buildings and landscaping were purposely designed. The charm of the resort is the unique blend of beach and mountain ambience.

My brother Tzetzu and sister-in-law Rorie show off the scenery outside the pool by the beach at La Luz (photo by Rorie Pandes)

Little Eli sifts sand through her tiny fingers as she watches her brother Zi (right) and cousin Tian-Tian (left) build a sand castle (photo by Rorie Pandes)

The millenials before the boodle fight (photo by May Gordoncillo)

Relaxing with my sister Chichi and brother Tzetzu stretched on our cabin’s balcony ledge (photo by Rorie Pandes)

‘Consumed’ as an adjective – is it good or bad?

April 23, 2024April 23, 2024 Linda P. JacobLeave a comment

By LPJ

Consumed. A word that stuck with me from a prayer said during a women’s bible study/fellowship I recently attended. It was a heartfelt prayer by the women’s pastor, Rolana Smith of the Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, before a quiet reflection that followed a teaching on Psalms’ lament. But I wanted to understand that word more, so I asked during our small group meeting.

I pondered over this word as an adjective. Collins Dictionary says that one who is “consumed with a feeling or idea is affected very strongly” (Collins’ sentence example: “He was consumed with jealousy.”). Dictionary.Com states that the verb consume means to deplete, engross, expend by use, spend wastefully, devour, destroy.

For me, consumed means being taken over, or allowing oneself to be overwhelmed.

Segue 2, Philippine vacation 2024: Bicol — progressive and rich in nature’s charms

April 9, 2024April 10, 2024 Linda P. JacobLeave a comment

By LPJ

Bicol is a progressive region composed of three provinces in the southern tip of the big island of Luzon in the Philippines: Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon. In all my vacation travels to Bicol, I found new spectacular places to see, new buildings and structures that showcase attractive art and architecture, and new tourist resorts that seem to sprout everywhere. And of course, I have relatives there; likely, that claims a big part of why I’m drawn to Bicol every time I visit the Philippines.

During my Bicol trip In February-March of this year, I enjoyed a “surrogate” home base, my Auntie Rosie Manuel Cruz’s place that always offers comfort and ease, due much to Auntie’s warmth, loving generosity and hospitality. The travel agenda was packed with fun field trips joined by several cousins, nieces and nephews; the core group being my regular travel companions (my brother Tzetzu and sister-in-law Rorie) and myself. Auntie Rosie, an amazing lady in her eighties, was of course, up for adventure and joined our travels. We all were up for adventure.

(Photos by Monette C. Valencia)

Vitton Beach Resort in Donsol, Sorsogon — early morning before the boats went out to sea.