MAGINDARA RESORT - Best Place to Picnic in Buhi Camarines Sur

Photo: Angkulet via Flickr

I can't really take credit for finding this place. My fiancé Arlene is from Buhi and told me about the Magindara Resort, so we took my parents out for the day, and what we found was some breathtaking views, natural surroundings, and serenity. It's the perfect place for a family picnic or just to ponder and think about all the things you are grateful for.

Once we arrived, there was someone at the desk that looked like a volunteer with his headphones on, typical for the Philippines, just a very relaxed atmosphere. It was 7 pesos per person to enter the public resort, which is about $0.13 cents USD.

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Just walking in the place looked like it has been there for awhile. Although maintained, there seemed to be some remnants of older structures that I assume were pavilions for rent. Before you even enter the resort area, the sign above the gate says "Magindara Resort", which leads me to believe that maybe this was a resort with overnight accommodations at one point, but all is left is a great place to picnic, lounge and enjoy the views. The main pavilion once you walk in seems to be big enough for special events and community affairs.

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Atop the hill overlooking Lake Buhi, you will find the Sinirapan Landmark. Buhi is known as the place where the "World's Smallest Fish" is from, the Sinarapan. At any rate, the landmark is a great place to snap some shots and read about the Sinarapan.

Check out Itbog Falls in Buhi Camarines Sur

We spent a little over an hour at the Magindara Resort, or Buhi Magindara. It was definitely worth the visit. Here is a quick video from our trip to the Magindara Resort, make sure to visit this place if you are ever in Buhi Camarines Sur.

Magindara Resort (Buhi Magindara)

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ITBOG FALLS // Buhi Camarines Sur, Philippines

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A HIDDEN GEM in Buhi, Camarines Sur, Bicol Philippines. Itbog Falls is a place you must see! Away from tourists and off the beaten path, this is the type of places that I like to see! And if you are like me, read on!

Just like my video from the Pongol Pool in Buhi, this is another place that you must see if you ever visit the Buhi area in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST, how do you get to Itbog Falls? 

From wherever you are coming from in the Philippines, you can simply "google" Buhi Municipal Hall. Once you get there, it's just a short walk behind the BMH to Lake Buhi and the Buhi Market. 

***The nearest airport to Buhi is in Naga City, so if you are flying in, you can fly direct to Naga and then take public transport to Buhi. I recommend taking the UV Express (or FX) Van Service direct from Naga to the Buhi Bus Terminal (about 105-120 php or $2-2.50 USD). From the Buhi Bus Terminal, you can take a tricycle to Buhi Centro where the BMH and Buhi Market is located. (about 10 php or $.20-25 cents)

Right behind the Buhi Market you will see Lake Buhi, and a number of long boats docked and ready to take passengers to various areas around the lake.  To make it easier for you, here is the contact details of the guy who took us across the lake to Itbog Falls:

Contact

Name: Jonard

Cell: 0948-750-6463

When we took the boat across the lake to Itbog Falls, it costs us 400php ($8 USD) for 4 people, which is like 100php ($2 USD) per person round trip. The boat ride takes about 10-12 minutes. Once the boat is docked, it's another 2 kilometer easy hike (mostly concrete path with steps closer to the falls).

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WHAT TO BRING: 

This all depends on you, how long you plan to stay etc. I would recommend mosquito spray, sun lotion, water, snacks, comfortable shoes/sandals, extra clothes and a towel if you plan to get wet around the falls, a dry bag for your phone, camera, money etc. 

If you need any of this stuff, you can most likely find it at the Buhi Market right before you go on the boat. Not sure if they have the dry bags, so just make sure that you get one beforehand. The weather in and around Buhi is unpredictable, it can rain anytime no matter how beautiful it looks, so be prepared. 

WHERE TO STAY:

At the time of this post, there is only one hotel near Buhi Centro, and that is the Villa Florencia. This is where my family and I stayed. We paid $40 USD per night for a family room which included 2 queen beds, fridge, A/C, shower with hot water, TV, and free gated parking. There is NO WIFI at this hotel, so bring your pocket wifi to stay connected. There are other rooms available with budget friendly rates, and the lady who runs it is super nice! 

WHAT TO EAT:

There are no big franchise eateries in Buhi. It's all local. A place that we really enjoyed was Dwinox Bar. It is located near the the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Buhi Centro. There are other places around the area, so you can walk around from there. There is also a small LCC Supermarket (like 7-Eleven) just down the street from the church. 

Here's a quick video from our trip to Itbog Falls. If you would like to ask me anything about the area, feel free to message me! Have fun =) 

Itbog Falls - Buhi, Camarines Sur

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Halloween in the Philippines

A few days before Halloween, I was asking my fiancé Arlene if they participate in trick or treating here in the Philippines, and if it was done on the same day, October 31st? She looked kind of puzzled and couldn't really give me a straight answer. This baffled me as I am from the USA, and this is something that I grew up with.

I opened up my matchbook and decided to google "Halloween in the Philippines", and come to find out, this particular holiday, although still a national holiday here just like the western countries, it is celebrated in a different fashion.

Photo: Filipino Australian Journal

For me, once I learned how Halloween was celebrated here in the Philippines, I understood it better and it seemed a lot more meaningful. Growing up in the USA, I was always brought up to think that Halloween was about eating candy and getting rid of bad spirits, and of course there is nothing wrong with that, but the idea of praying and celebrating the dead, and the life that they had while they were here with us just seemed like a better way to celebrate the holiday.

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I made this quick video about Halloween in the Philippines, feel free to watch it, and tell me what you think. And if you are from a different country other than the USA and the Philippines, please let me know how you celebrate Halloween, or if this is even a holiday in your country. 

Halloween in the Philippines

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BTW, as some of you know, my parents are here visiting me in the Philippines, and we have some great adventures planned, here are some upcoming videos to look out for, and of course I will be posting them on here, as well as our family youtube channel =) Thanks again for visiting my blog! 

Upcoming Trips:

- Bicol Region

- Caramoan Island

- Siargao Island

- Banaue and Sagada

- Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna

Have an amazing day!!! =)

Parents Arrived in the Philippines!

My parents have been here for almost two weeks now, and I couldn't be even more happier!

I am finishing up on some projects at the moment and preparing for some adventures with them. Some of the places we plan on going are:

THE BIRTH OF MY BABY PENELOPE

- Bicol Region (Buhi, Irina City, Naga, Legazpi etc) to visit Arlene's family.

Road to Bicol

Photo: ABS-CBN News

- Caramoan Island, to explore some limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and nice sandy beaches

Caramoan Island

Photo: Journey Era

- Siargao Island, check out Cloud 9 and other natural and most beautiful sites in the Philippines

Siargao Island

Photo: Metro

- Banaue and Sagada, famous rices terraces, northern sites and hanging coffins

Sagada - Hanging Coffins

Photo: Pinoy Adventurista Philippines

- Corregidor Island, and island on the Manila Bay that use to be a coastal artillery fort to defend the entrance of Manila Bay.

Corregidor Island 

Photo: Wikipedia

So that's about it. My parents are visiting here until mid January 2020, so these are just some of the things that we have planned for in between my video and work projects. Stay tuned here and my youtube channel as I will be posting as much as I can about our family adventures.

I also do plan to start a little workout routine with my Dad while he is here, so I will be posting our workouts as well. Feel free to join us, it's simple, just ask to be added to one of our free online accountability groups, and I'll throw in a Free Online Fitness Assessment for you!

HOW I WORKUT WHEN I TRAVEL

Thanks for visiting, and hope to see ya soon!!

My Parents Are Here!!!

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Celebrating Baby Penelope's First Birthday!

I can't believe that my Baby Penelope (Pippa) is already ONE YEARS OLD!

It seems like it was just yesterday that Arlene and I were at the Birthing Home in Buhi, Bicol Philippines where Pippa was born. Fast forward one year later and we are having her very first birthday in Cavite Philippines with about 60 people including my parents who arrived a few days ago from the USA.

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The whole day went so fast just like the year prior, but I just wanted to share a quick video of our Baby Penelope's Birthday from Kinder City. The staff at Kinder City were so accommodating and we had such a great experience. The kids has so much fun!

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Enjoy the video, and thanks to all who came and celebrated our Baby Pippa's First Birthday, we are so blessed!

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Thanks for visiting my blog, and if you are ever in the Philippines, feel free to message me if you want to get together for some coffee or lunch. Have an amazing day!!

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How I Get My Shakeology in the Philippines

I finally got my shipment of Shakeology and other Beachbody products here in the Philippines!

Most of you know that I've been based in the Philippines since January 2019, and so it can be a challenge getting my Beachbody Products over here since the company is not officially opened to the asian market at this time. Currently the company Beachbody, my affiliate business partner is only in the following markets: USA, US Trust Territories, UK, and Canada.

As far as being able to purchase Beachbody Workouts, I believe that the company can ship to foreign markets, but cannot currently ship any supplements such as Shakeology.

SO HOW DO I GET MY SHAKEOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES?

It's simple! When I go back and forth from the USA, I take some of my products along with me. I normally take about 2 months worth of Shakeology as well as some protein bars and recovery drinks. I actually do not use a lot of supplements, so my main one that I've been using since 2011 is Shakeology.

To receive quotes or to request international orders where Beachbody is not official, email your requests to: international@beachbody.com - As a reminder, only workout programs are available for shipping to international markets, supplements are not available until BB is official in your market.

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(USA, UK, Canada) - Click here!

Before you contact International Relations, feel free to contact me first, I may have some old Beachbody DVD's laying around the house =)

When I do run out of my supply while still in Asia, I will contact some of my friends or family who plan to come to the Philippines, and get my order sent to them in the USA so that they can bring my shipment when they arrive here in the Philippines. Of course I give them some samples as well just to thank them for helping me out. Another way for Beachbody to send out to international borders is through military mail. So if you are in the military and have a military address (APO and FPO addresses), the company Beachbody will accommodate.

My transformer that I use so that my US based blender can 

work in the Philippines. Shakeology is best when it is blended! 

BEACHBODY ON DEMAND IN THE PHILIPPINES AND INTERNATIONAL:

I've been getting a lot of questions about Beachbody on Demand being available internationally, especially in the Philippines. Beachbody on Demand is currently only available in the USA, US Trust Territories, UK, and Canada, BUT HERE IS HOW YOU CAN GET IT:

If you know anyone, friends or relatives in the USA, Canada, or the UK, they can easily create an account for you so that you can use the BOD digital product in your country. Once they create the account for you using their resident information, they can simply then send you the login details so that you can then use the digital workout platform. The next step is now you have to send them the payment ha ha! Most countries have remittance services, so sending money online from person to person anywhere around the world is so easy. Paypal, Venmo, Cash App, Crypto, Facebook, and Western Union are all ways that you can send online payments fast and easy.

How much does Beachbody on Demand Digital cost? 

Firstly, for those of you who don't know what BOD is all about, it's a digital workout platform that includes thousands of online streaming workouts from the top Beachbody Trainers around the world. You will be able to stream the workouts on any device including your smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and even stream to your home TV.

There are many payment options, from quarterly to annually. If you are international where Beachbody is not currently available, I highly recommend the annual plan which is less then a month or two gym membership, $99 USD or in philippines pesos, about 5,000 php.

IF I AM FROM THE PHILIPPINES OR INTERNATIONAL, HOW DO I GET BEACHBODY ON DEMAND NOW?

Simply send this link to any of your family or friends in the following countries: USA, Canada, US Trust Territories, and the UK: CLICK HERE! <------- Send This Link! (This link will also automatically link me as your Online Beachbody Coach for more advice, accountability, and bonus material)

Once they create an account, they can then send you the login details for you to use in your country. Just don't forget to send them payment =). Again, I recommend the annual plan of $99 USD per year, it's just easier to pay once every year.

Compare BOD with a Gym Membership!

It doesn't matter which country you are in, if you are looking for some good savings, getting a Beachbody on Demand Membership and working out from home will be your best bet. I actually was thinking about getting an Anytime Fitness Membership here in the Philippines and found out that it was actually a lot more than it costs in the USA, ridiculous. 

Now you can join a lot of other local gyms that do not quite have all the facilities that come with a Anytime Fitness Membership like A/C, and safe/quality/up-to-date equipment, but it's really up to you. I've been to gyms in some of the local barangay's in the Philippines and they worked fine, but also ask yourself: "do you actually know what you are doing?, do you have a program especially f you are new to working out?, and do you have a support system and people who will keep you motivated?" All of these factors come to play depending on how serious you are in reaching your goals. 

New Workouts Added to BOD monthly! Never get bored!

For me, Beachbody on Demand, the workouts, Shakeology, and the support system has been the key element in my overall fitness and success. But don't take it from me, try it out for yourself, there is really no loss on your part because of the Free Trial, and you can cancel anytime, it's really a no brainer! 

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Looking forward to helping you with your goals =)

Hope this post has helped some of you wondering about international shipping for Shakeology and global access to Beachbody on Demand. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me on facebook: http://www.fb.com/arnelbanawa or email me here: arnel.beachbody@gmail.com =)