April 2011 Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Dance to the Beat of Boracay, Drink to the Heat of Boracay Rum

May 16, 2011 by Janey

It’s Holy Week and the coming of age tradition for the young and young-at-heart is to fly to Boracay and spend the season there. There is no other place that brings party fever against a beautiful beach panorama than Boracay. I know this because I was there only 2 weekends ago for the Ultimate Frisbee Boracay Open and I had a blast. There are really memories that only a Boracay vacation can create. That perfect relaxed summer feeling.

Summer feeling that makes you want to dance all day under the Boracay sun… or all night. The party scene in Boracay never dies whatever time of the day it is… especially when you’re with the right company. And I was with the right company laughing and having absolute fun.

Hannah and I, with Joanna and Karen, and a few other people we met along the way, got ourselves lost in the music. Friday night saw us girls at the Jam 88.3 beach party 2011 at Guilly’s with DJ Mike at the hosting helm. The following Saturday, after hitting the Boracay Open party at 1MGM, we trooped to Epic for some late-night dance music, cocktails coupled with chill back moments.

The island off Aklan does have that unexplained and mystifying energy that can get even the shyest person shaking and bopping –drowning in the music and sometimes beats of the heart.

My friend Maddie flies to Boracay this week and I’m staying behind in Manila. Compared to 2009 where I spent Holy Week in Angkor Wat, Cambodia and last year, where I spent it in a Laguna-Quezon trip, I’m doing a stay-cation this time around.

Since I returned from Boracay, there has been a longing feeling of going back. I did, however, discover a drink that made a semblance to a summer party sensation. And it’s all enclosed in a bottle called Boracay Rum.

Two Boracay Rum bottles somehow found its way to my wine cabinet. Two, each one bearing a flavor of its own. Differentiating taste but eliciting same spring break mood. Boracay Rum Cappuccino and Boracay Rum Coconut.

Behind that wonderful oaky smell and cappuccino flavor, the Boracay Rum packs a strong punch. I’d be debating with Bubba whether to take it straight up or on the rocks. I love the cool temp in my mouth under this Philippine heat so I’d probably opt for the latter and walk towards the chiller. I will let Bubba pour the Boracay Rum Cappuccino into a short glass full of ice rocks and sit back and watch while the smooth liquid hits the cubes luminously. Taking a sip and letting that creamy Italian coffee flavor linger. Slowly and steadily, the soft murmur creeps in and starts relaxing the nerves.

I will kick the flavor up a notch by mixing it into a cocktail. That’s exactly what my adventurous palate would do -mixing 2 parts Boracay Rum Cappuccino, 3 parts Milo, 1-teaspoon condensed milk and some ice. The delightful blend of chocolate and coffee essence that’s like a marriage in heaven makes me enjoy this spiked Coco Overload.

Dear readers, you can take bartending in your hands and go full swing like I did. Spark the tropic chill with a Pina Colada drink Boracay Rum Coconut-inspired. Blend 2 parts Boracay Coconut Rum, 4 parts pineapple juice and crushed ice and you have yourself a delicious slushy cocktail of the Hawaiian tropical drink Pina Colada but ala Boracay-style.

I could taste the rich coconut flavor from the Boracay Rum Coconut and the light rum perfectly grooved into the drink. If you’re a Mojito-type of lady, like I was (it was all I was chugging down in Boracay because I love the light buzz it creates and summery minty taste) then a Cojito drink in Manila would be perfect to bring that Boracay vibe.

Happy Smile = Happy Vibe!

This is the lowdown on the mix –let 2 parts of your favorite white soda flow into a cold glass, introduce 2 parts Boracay Rum Coconut into the scene, ½ teaspoon Island Lime, ½ teaspoon Calamansi concentrate and garnish with 5 peppermint leaves. I’ll go rapping the “drop it like it’s hot” tune and drop the ice cubes into the glass.

The cold citrusy Cojito on my hand can instantly spring me into a sunbathing mood by the garden. I’d probably pop in some music, click some digits and call my good friends, and lay out tall glasses of drinks. I wonder what Hannah, Joanna and Karen are doing at the moment.

After our Boracay escapade, we ALL deserve a good buzz and a chance to dance.

No doubt, Boracay Rum makes me dance like I’m under the Boracay sun.

Fill your summer soul with the warmth of the familiar feeling of Boracay and CAPTURE the Island Experience with Boracay Rum!

Better yet, why not join the Boracay Rum contest over at the Nuffnang site and get a chance to WIN a trip to Boracay for 3D/2N? All you have to do is answer this question, “Where will you take your Boracay Rum?” Be creative as you can get, attach photos or videos, when you blog about your answer. Who knows –the Boracay vacation might just be YOURS for the taking!

Head over to the link below:

Boracay Rum Contest at Nuffnang PH

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McDonald’s Drive-Thru, My Ever Reliable Friend

May 7, 2011 by Janey

Bubba and I spent Holy Week mostly at home. I was really into cleaning (even scrubbing the floor) and organizing my room and other parts of the house. This is evidenced by my embattled fingers that currently have a lot of nicks and damaged manicure but I seriously don’t mind. I love my sparkling clean and fresh-smelling room and I can stay in it the whole day.

But admittedly, a free and adventurous spirit like me cannot be bottled up inside the bedroom like a hermit. Case in point, 2 years ago, Bubba and I spent one whole week in a Vietnam-Cambodia vacation trip.

We initially landed in Ho Chi Minh City and searched for French influences in the architectural structures in the area. Then we traveled to Siem Reap in Cambodia to finally see the lost mega-structure city of Angkor Wat with its temple reefs and gigantic roots that embraces the temple complex.

Last year, Bubba and I spent the week before Holy Week in a Singapore-Bali trip with some friends. Bubba and I weren’t new to Singapore but it was our first time in Bali, Indonesia.

Bali is one of the more memorable and spectacular Asian travels that made a mark in my memory bin. We had the best BBQ ribs on this side of the world along a roadside shack in Ubud Village, saw great artwork, sunset in Tanah Lot Temple, beautiful sunset beachside dinner and learned how to surf.

That fun-filled hectic week was the reason we weren’t able to plan anymore where to go for 2010 Holy Week. However, Bubba had something up his sleeve and we just couldn’t let the Easter Holidays pass without traveling to a local destination.

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Laguna-Quezon was our point of destination. That was the time I discovered the laidback rustic charm of Ugu Bigyan in Tiaong, Quezon and the simple tranquility in Lake Pandin in San Pablo, Laguna. There are just too many beautiful spots to uncover and relish in our country and my Filipino pride yearns to encounter more of the Philippines.

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This year, after all the cleaning for 2 days, Bubba invited to check out Tagaytay and spend lunch or afternoon there on Black Saturday. We’ve been meaning to visit Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen for quite some time now and were only able to do so last Saturday.

I braced myself for horrible traffic along SLEX since I read that morning on Twitter about folks complaining about heavy traffic in the area. Bubba and I weren’t able to grab any breakfast at home and decided to make our regular pit stop.

This has been our customary pause every time we take long drives by the “countryside.” Even if we are part of a big group of friends who are taking a trip outside of Manila and meets at 6am somewhere first, it’s never a forgotten rule to pass by McDonald’s Drive Thru.

Even if it is as early as 6am or even at the crack of dawn, with the selected 24-hour stores McDonald’s has nationwide, it sets worry aside that we won’t have any food fuel for the long haul. The cars convoying will have that familiar hot and freshly-made scent of McDo’s French Fries and wonderful breakfast options.

Who doesn’t love McDonald’s? When I was still in college in DLSU, my favorite breakfast would always be Mickey Dee’s. Either I order the Big Breakfast, crunchy hash browns, tasty Longganisa with Rice Meal with lots of vinegar, or Sausage McMuffin with Egg which used to be in blue wrapper. And of course, McDo’s Hot Chocolate that can spring anyone to action and up the good vibes!

Since this was a spontaneous last minute plan, we weren’t able to call and reserve at Bawai’s for lunch. Bubba wanted to take the chance and call when we get to Tagaytay. I didn’t want to take the chance of being extremely hungry and yet get turned down at the Vietnamese restaurant. As soon as I saw that yellow big letter M along South Luzon Expressway gas station, I pointed excitedly. The STANDARD pitstop!

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The car veered towards the McDo Drive Thru sign. I ordered my favorite chicken McNuggets while Bubba had the double cheeseburger and large French fries. I also piped in an order of their caramel sundae which I sometimes dip the French Fries in… yea, adventurous palate too.

Before double cheeseburger, I’d be more inclined to get Big Mac, which is McDo’s double layer of sear-sizzled 100% pure beef that’s mingled with the sauce and cheese that melts on top of it. Let’s not forget the spunky onion and the tarty pickle that give a textural crunch. Pure joy in a bun, with no added preservatives and additives!

I love McDo’s McNuggets whether traveling or even just staying put. While in Bubba’s passenger seat, it’s so easy to pop a nugget in my mouth or take a dainty bite while holding the fries or burger for him while he drives.

While other people flock the convenience store in the gas station, most stay in their car and conveniently drive through a McDonald’s Drive Thru. Bubba and I take the easier and convenient route and it has everything to do with a McDonald’s happy face. It’s nice to have a “FRIEND” you can go to anytime and anywhere when you need comfort.

Before embarking on your journey or setting out for a long drive, feed the unmistakable hunger like we did and avoid starving yourself during a ROAD TRIP. ENJOY McDonald’s anytime, anywhere via drive-thru, 24-hour stores, delivery (8-2363/8-MCDO number) or online delivery at www.mcdelivery.com.ph!

How about you, which 24hr or drive-thru McDonald’s do you frequent?

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Be Hygienic Anywhere with Hygienix

April 18, 2011 by Janey

If it had not been made obvious by the content on this website, I am a person on the go who loves to eat and explore. Eating, for most of us, is a continuous event, even for those who say they are on a DIET. When it comes to restaurants, access to the loo provides us a chance to wash our hands before every meal. But how about when we ragingly rip open our favorite bag of chips in the car? Do we immediately snag handful of chips from inside the foiled bag?

At your desk in the office, when you find the need to eat, cough or sneeze, and can’t make a beeline to the washroom, would you make an effort to wipe your hand first or find a sanitizer somewhere inside your drawer?

For most of us who are more aware of the repercussions of bacteria, germs and virus, yes by awareness, I mean the constant trips to the loo due to LBM or vomiting, or scratching due to skin rashes, or sending out an SMS to your boss because you have the flu, we’re more careful about our health. I would think twice before touching anything, especially food, and stuffing it in my mouth or letting it touch any part of my body. Call it finicky but at this day and age, where there are different strains of bacteria and viruses mutating, where pollution is at its highest recorded level, it wouldn’t hurt to practice a little bit of hygienic diligence.

I think that’s one of the reasons why I received tons of those little Bath and Body hand sanitizers last Christmas, from a friend from abroad and friends in Manila. A few came with that rubberized body string you can attach to your bag (mostly Long Champ Le Pliage line) and now you see people lugging it around like a bag accessory.

While I don’t have anything against people who display their hand sanitizers, at least I can easily inspect who to ask for some hee-hee, I took a classic route of just storing my hand sanitizer or alcohol inside my bag or purse. I’m not a caveman but I really still use alcohol sometimes. I alternately use the gel form or alcohol although I really prefer alcohol-based.

I got familiar with the brand Hygienix, being one of the major sponsors for the Boracay Open 2011 Ultimate Frisbee.

The Hygienix Booth with their “push” models

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Derek sightings

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Intense frisbee game

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Hygienix is the newest anti-bacterial player in the market that offers a roster of skin care hygiene products from the Splash Corporation team. I received a package with several Hygienix products for trial and product review. Hygienix offers three (3) products: anti-bacterial hand gel, anti-bacterial hand spray and ethyl alcohol. These three products keep your hands clean and fight germs anytime or anywhere –proven to kill 99.9% of germs.

Hand sanitizers like Hygienix make cleaning your hands or any part of your skin convenient wherever you and at any given time it necessitates. My favorite has to be the Hygienix anti-bacterial hand spray. It’s slender, easy on the grip making it a handy on-the-spot cleanser. Compared to alcohol, Hygienix hand spray has a non-drying formula that retains your hand’s natural moisture. The scent is not too strong and has a clean fresh scent that makes you think of SUMMER.

And when you think of SUMMER, there’s more excuse to share the rest of the Boracay photos (from Karen Sanggalang’s LX5 camera):

What an EPIC night! 😉

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Island Kebab – a must-try in Boracay!

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Trondz of Island Nook and Janey

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Joanna and Trondz

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FUN night with dee ladies

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Francis Caampued

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Starting the night late with the HAPPY LADIES!

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Stylish and Funny Karen

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Firestarter

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My lovely Hannah

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Book, Friends and Sunset in Boracay, what could be better?

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Hannah Villasis, Between Bites, Saab Magalona

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Sumptuous lunch at EPIC restaurant

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**buzzed**

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Jam 88.3 party

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Karen, Joanna, Saab, Hannah, Janey

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DJ Mike and Joanna King

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THE SCENE

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With different diseases that come up during summer, pink eyes among others, it’s best to always keep our hands germ-free. For the modern men and women that lead an active lifestyle like I do, not to mention clumsy as a gawky giant, hand sanitizers are the easiest way to maintain personal hygiene.

And with the simple yet tasteful see-through design of Hygienix, the male species would not hesitate to carry this anti-bacterial spray in their pockets or in their car’s glove compartment. Go ahead Chaps! Do so. Clean and germ-free touchable hands separate the man from the boys.

Related Post:

Ultimate Frisbee Boracay Open 2011

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1 Comment Filed Under: Style Files: A Bite of Fashion, Beauty and Wellness Tagged With: 2011, Aklan, angelica panganiban, April 1, April 1-3, April 2011, April Fool's Party, barbecue, bars in Boracay, BBQ, best actress, Boracay, Boracay Dragons, Boracay Open, Boracay Open 2011, Boracay Open Ultimate Frisbee, Boracay party, break up, Casa Pilar resort, championship, Chori-burger, Derek Ramsay, Derek Ramsay team, DJ Mike, Epic bar, Epic restaurant, flaircandy, Fool's PAradise Party, Frisbee clinic, frisbee discs, Guilly's Island, Hannah, Hey Jude, Hygienix, Hygienix brand, Hygienix product review, Hygienix sponsors Boracay Open, Hygienix team, Interview, isaw, Island Kebab, Island Nook, Jam 88.3, Joanna King, Jonah's, Kalibo, Karen Sanggalang, leader, leads, location, Metro Manila, Pharmaton, Pharmaton team, Philippines, PUA, Saab Magalona, Splash Corporation, sponsors, Summer Place Boracay, team leader, The Real Coffee boracay, Ultimate Frisbee teams, what happened, where is, winners, winning team, Xavier Frisbee team

Ultimate Frisbee Boracay Open 2011

April 6, 2011 by Janey

Hannah and I just met each other at the domestic airport that Friday morning. This was the first time ever that I came this close | | to missing my flight (and it wasn’t even my fault). The Cebu Pac check-in counter balked “last call!” and I immediately sprinted to get my boarding ticket. I was rushing so bad that I almost forgot to leave my check-in baggage. Whew! What a close call.

As you can see, above my throne says DIET is NOT an OPTION! 😉

On board the plane, I kept gripping the arm handle. Whenever my body shifted uncomfortably on my seat, Hannah gave me a bright comforting smile and told me, “It’s gonna be okay. We’re almost there.” It is one of the smallest planes I ever rode and the turbulence didn’t help ease my anxiety about the flight. I’m so glad Hannah was there. She was more than terrific.

Janey and Hannah of www.flaircandy.com

We finally reached the shores of Boracay and the first thing on both our minds was FOOD. We were starving so as soon as we checked in our room at Casa Pilar Resort, we moved out to hunt for some tummy-fillers. Hannah suggested I Love Backyard BBQ restaurant in D’Mall and that’s where we had our lunch of sizzling bulalo steak and grilled liempo.

Sizzzzzling Bulalo!

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Grilled Liempo, the first of 3!

After lunch, we headed back to our rooms to get changed for the afternoon Frisbee clinic near the Hygienix booth. Hygienix is a new anti-bacterial brand that offers a complete roster of effective skin care. They are one of the major sponsors of the Boracay Open Ultimate Frisbee where different participating teams duel for the Boracay Open 2011 title.

FrIXbee Clinic

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Worry Free Zone

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Hygienix Booth

After filling out the registration form, we were introduced to our Frisbee instructor, X and W. Yes, they introduced themselves that way so Hannah said to just remember us as H and J –which was really quite funny. X took the helm and taught us the basics. He showed us first how to do a backhand pass of the disc, where you have to take a side step and throw the disc with your hand facing you.

Hannah’s Forehand

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MY Catch

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Frisbee Time

The key is in the flick of the wrist. This is where power and direction of the throw comes from. After practicing a few backhand throws with Hannah, X taught us how to do a forehand pass. Forehand pass usually involves a lunge towards your right side and with the same powerful yet controlled flip of the wrist, but this time, the palm is facing the other way.

Hannah and I continued to practice our backhand and forehand pass as well as catching the disc. I’ve played Frisbee a few times before with some friends but nothing “formal.” Learning the basics was really fun and it added a certain level of accuracy and “skill” into playing Frisbee the right way.

Thanks Hannah for this photo! 😉

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Guess who?

When the clinic ended, Hannah and I watched the various teams play friendly pre-tournament games. We spotted Derek Ramsay in the mix with the other Pharmaton team members.

Hannah, Derek, Janey

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Earlier games

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Hannah and I took a walk to Station 2 and Station 1 to scour what’s new on the island.

The walk

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Almost sunset

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Sunset and Sexy Hannah

We stopped over Jonah’s for some refreshments of fruit shakes. We also did a pit stop at a BBQ stall for Hannah’s chori burger and my favorite ISAW (pork innards)!!!

Jonah’s beachfront

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BBQ at the beach is made of awesome \m/

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TWO ISAWS! and my chubby tummy!

We took a turn at a corner where a hidden coffee gem can be found. The Real Coffee of Boracay supposedly serves the best coffee on the island. Its bittersweet taste is perfect with their other bestseller, Calamansi Muffin, which Hannah was supposed to get for Vince as pasalubong (including his favorite Chori Burger) but we lacked time on the last day.

At Real Coffee

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The afternoon stroll took a toll on our legs and the Hygienix booth had the perfect quick fix for it. FREE foot massage!!! My feet begged for some kneading.

Weeeeee! 😉

And of course, the unforgettable beautiful Boracay sunset!

Sipping on some Choco Peanut Banana Shake

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Awe

During the evening, there was an opening party staged at the beachfront of 1MGM Paradise Hotel where the different Ultimate Frisbee teams gathered together for a night of fun before the temperature heats up the next day.

Karen and Hannah Hamming it Up! 🙂

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Me, Hannah and DJ Mike of Jam 88.3 who hosted that night’s party

There was a huge dinner buffet spread and KTV singing earlier in the evening. Latter part of the night sees the folks shaking and grooving to the dance music blasting from the speakers.

Friends and teams took their photos at the Hygienix photo booth, which made it accessible for memories to be captured. What happens in Boracay stays in Boracay? Not with the memorable photos that are developed into personalized bag tags.

Hannah, MOI and Saab

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Derek and Between Bites

DAY 2 – APRIL 2

It was 37 degrees and rising on Day 2 in Boracay as teams face off against their opponents for the round robin events of the tournament.

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FOCUS!

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Round Robin Round-up

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The Sexual Harrassment Panda Experience

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Hannah and I enjoying the INTENSE game!!

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Things heat up as Pharmaton team battled versus Boracay Dragons for the ever-changing lead in their match. These two teams were neck to neck as they catch and defend against goals. A big crowd cheered for their local team, Boracay Dragons.

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They led by 2 points at one point but in the end, Boracay Dragons lost to Derek-led Pharmaton team who kept their momentum and focus to seize the final victory.

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Another beautiful sunset in Boracay.

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Me and Karen

A Saturday night wouldn’t be right without a Boracay party. The FOOL’s PARADISE Party was held at Summer Place and it was teeming with Ultimate Frisbee players all enjoined that night laughing and partying to celebrate the success of the event.

Spotted Noelle at Summer Place! 😉

I surely can’t wait to be back to Boracay… and watch more Frisbee action. And prolly some other actions happening on that party island. XOXO

Boracay Open Ultimate Frisbee Album

Photo Courtesy:

Some photos were from Hannah of www.flaircandy.com

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Legend of Villas 7-Day Summer Sale

April 4, 2011 by Janey

The Legend Villas latest promo kicks off SUMMER the right way! Enjoy a 50% discount off a 7-day Summer Sale on all room categories. Selling period for this promo runs from March 30, 2011 up to April 6, 2011. Validity of stay period is from April 1, 2011 up to May 31, 2011. Promo is not valid for Corporate and Group Bookings.