Republic Wake Park: Wakeboarding in Nuvali, Laguna

Finally! I got to see and experienced wakeboarding at Republic Wake Park in Nuvali. It's been two months since I first heard this thrilling sport is happening in Nuvali and since then I've been wanting to try it myself. Good thing that my rest day from work was matched with my friends' rest days also. So there's no stopping for this trip to happen.

How to get there?
Nuvali is just a 2-hour drive from Manila. You can take South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and turn right as you reach Sta. Rosa Exit. Turn right again after the toll gate and just follow the main road.You'll know your're in the right direction if you passed by Paseo de Sta. Rosa (found in the left side of the road). Just a few kilometers away, you'll see a big sign of Nuvali and Solenad. This is the time you'll turn left (from the traffic light). Just go straight ahead until you see a guardhouse which is half kilometers away from Solenad. Just tell the guard that you are going to the Wake Park and they'll give you an instruction on how to get there. It's easy but you have to listen carefully. Tada! Welcome to Republic Wake Park!

Be attentive on this sign... we almost missed it (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

By the way, food and drinks of your own are not allowed to bring-in at the Wake Park. So don't plan on packing your own food. They serve food inside. An open view restaurant is available so you don't have to worry in case you're hungry. Going back... as you reach the Wake Park, go directly to the information area to have your registration. You'll need to fill up a sheet with your information and in the same sheet you'll also see the rates:

Cable Rate 
1 hour pass – P250
2 hour pass – P475
4 hour pass – P595
8 hour pass – P995
Day & Night pass – P1,500
Night riding pass – P595
Private cable rent – P800/hour
VIP pass – FREE!

Unlimited riding package
1 week unlimited – P5,000
1 month unlimited – P15,000
3 months unlimited – P24,000
6 months unlimited – P35, 000
1 year unlimited (cash) – P55,000
1 year unlimited (monthly) – P60,000

Aside from the ratings above, we have also deposited 800 pesos each (Wristband – P200 plus Life vest & helmet – P600). This deposit is refundable. It was returned to us after we had brought back the gears at the counter (beside the registration area) at the end of our play. This deposit will become a fee in case the user damage or didn't return the gears.

feel free to choose your board (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

After gearing up, we proceed in the activity. The activity area has two parts, one is for the Pro wakeboarders (the course has ramps and obstacles) and the other one is for beginners (a plain course). Of course, we belong in the beginners area. There is also a deck near the activity area where people can put their belongings as you play.

I dream myself, wakeboarding here... The Pro area (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

Area for beginners (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

Viewing deck in the activity area (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

I suggest to arrive in the area as early as you could to maximize your time unlike us who came late in the vicinity. We only got to try gliding twice due to the long wait since there were so many people who wanted to experience this sport as well.

Photo op while waiting for our turn (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

We're almost there... still waiting (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

Before you do your turn, there is an instructor to teach you the basic and also the right positioning on riding the board. Listen to him because he knows what he is saying (which i didn't do). For non swimmers, you should also inform the instructor that you cannot swim so they will be more attentive once you get in to the water (which Aizel didn't do).

Byron listens and I don't... I have my own world. Naaaa! (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

The park opens at 8:30am and closes at 9:00pm, Monday to Sunday. However, beginners area is only open until 5:30pm. Tip: If you're going in big group, Wake park offers a private cable rental. This is a full exclusive use of the wakeboard area which costs 8,000 pesos and can accommodate a maximum of 30 people.

Aizel in her full wakeboarding gear (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

Baron, author of Baron the Explorer (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

and of course, me :] (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

In the end, I didn't made a stand in the board which makes me a loser. Hahaha. It was tougher than surfing and I didn't anticipate that one. Nevertheless, it was a fun adventure and a good alternative destination. A must try for thrill seekers and adventurous type of person. That was definitely not my last time. I'll visit the place time after time until I start wakeboarding at the Pro area. Now, that's a promise!

Contact Information:
Republ1c Wakepark - West Diversity Boulevard, Nuvali, 4027 Calamba, Laguna
Email: info@republ1cwakepark.com

A shop for wakeboarding apparels is also available in Republic Wake Park (Photo from Baron Cantonjos)

Corregidor Island via Sun Cruises

Corregidor Islandfalls under the territory of Cavite and lies at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island played an important role during World War II  where Philippines fights the Japanese forces from its invasion. Corregidor was vigorously attacked in the latter part of the war where it serves as a grave to many Americans, Japanese and Filipinos who fought during that time. Today, Corregidor Island is a popular tourist destination where people can visit and still see the remnants (e.g cannons, tunnel, etc...) of the said war. So for those who are fond of Philippine history, I suggest you visit Corregidor.

How to get there?
It's super easy. I recommend you get the service of Sun Cruises -- just like what I did. Sun Cruises provides ferry transfer and tour(optional) to Corregidor Island. I had no hard time contacting and reserving tickets from them for this Corregidor trip. Their reservations office is located at the CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City or you can reach them through e-mail (suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph) and landline (917 513-2625 or 922 337-0068 ) for ticket reservations. For more info and packages that they offer, just visit their website: http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/.

My Corregidor trip with my girlfriend starts when we arrived at the port of Sun Cruises near CCP Complex. It is a well known establishment there so just ask the people around if you are in doubt of directions. We boarded and checked in at exactly 7:30am and departed from Manila at 8:00am just like what they mentioned on their itinerary. It was hassle free and very convenient. It was also well organized and the ferry going to the island is fully air-conditioned for which I didn't expect.

At the Corregidor Port (Photo from Faye Nuestro)

After one hour and fifteen minutes of sailing, we finally reached Corregidor Island. And the place is amaaaazing! We also noticed that most of our co-passengers were foreigners. So local guy like me should be prepared in case they ask you something. Haha. I also hope more Filipinos visit the island and see how beautiful this place is. This is a good option for those people who wants to escape the city noise even just for a while.

Stunning!

I didn't get Sun Cruises tour since I am not a super fan of history. I am more to an adventurous type of traveler. And I've heard that Corregidor has a lot to offer that will suit my personality. So even if you are not into the history thing like me, you can still enjoy this trip. Aside from that, the view of this island is worth travelling for...

Islands near Corregidor gives photos a nice backdrop

What to do:
Lights and Sound Show at Malinta Tunnel - Php200.00/person
The Rocket (Zipline) - Php100.00/person
Outdoor Activities (Sunset and Sunrise viewing, Tunnel Lateral Tour) - Php250.00/person
Kayaking - Php500.00/hr.
ATVs (All-terrain vehicle) - Php500.00/hr.

Lights and sound show at Malinta Tunnel

Here's what you can inside the cave

After all those activities stated above, you can go swimming which is also found at the activity area of the island. The sand may not be white unlike the other beaches in the Philippines but the water here is clear and people really take good care of it. Me and my girlfriend really enjoy the water even we started splashing on it in the afternoon. It was refreshing.

Look how clear the water is... (Photo from Faye Nuestro)

Relaxing under the shade of a tree

Regarding the food, there's a hotel where you can buy food at the island but I suggest to bring your own since it is allowed and it will be much cheaper.

This trip is a must try. It drained our energy in a positive way (huh? hehe). We arrived back to Manila at around 4pm which ends this trip. I hope I can go back here again and try other activities and visit the other parts of the island. Maybe someday.

Swensen's : where Happiness Never Melts

Are you looking for something refreshing this summer? I suggest to try out these frozen desserts of Swensen's in the Mall of Asia (MOA), Pasay City.

My girlfriend and I were just walking and looking for something to eat  under the scorching hot afternoon in MOA last weekend when we came across Swensen's. The moment I saw the ice cream display and photos from the outside, I immediately ask my girlfriend if we can try it out and thank God she said yes (Yikes, I forgot again to bring my camera... smartphone mode again).

As we went inside Swensen's, we were approached by smiling and friendly staffs and directed us to our seats (a good start). I also noticed that the place was almost full in which I can tell that this store really serves good stuff and a hit to us, Filipinos. Having that in mind makes me thrill to order and try it myself.

Cute cup of Swenven's

As the waitress hands us down their menu, my eyes went wild with all the good looking (and I mean by the ice cream presentations) frozen desserts that Swenven's offers to their customers. They all look great and I had a hard time picking on what to eat from the list on their menu. Words are not enough to describe what I mean so just simply look at the photos below:

I wanted to try Swensen's Chocolate Earthquake (just google it.) Unfortunately, my girlfriend was still full that time and I thought to myself that I might not finish the whole thing alone. So we ordered Oreo Brownie and Iced Choc-O-Latte (still no regret!).  It is simply the perfect treat this summer and really a must try.

Choc-O-Latte (125 pesos)

Oreo Brownie (265 pesos)

Aside from the frozen desserts and alike, Swensen's possess a relaxing and cozy ambiance. It is ideal for chatting with friends and loveones. I had fun sitting and enjoying my cold food with my girlfriend. We will definitely visit again this place for sure.

Happy customers =]

Swensen's MOA is located at the ground floor, South Wing of the mall and near SM department store. They also have a branch in Quezon City situated in Eastwood Mall. So come and visit them!

Ratings based on my experience [0-5, 5 is the highest] :

Taste: 5 -  Perfect for the summer heat!

Environment: 4 - clean and homey type ambiance

Service: 5 - smilling crew and very accomodating

Price: 3 - a bit pricey