Serenity at Afga
Humans have sarcasm built within their system. When a long lost friend asks "How's life?" usually we reply "Its GREAT!!!". But we must admit that sometimes life can also be a B*TCH. We may not know it yet but our lives can be compared to the BMW M5. Its a very nice car at first glance, it gives you the executive type impression. But underneath it is another story. Press the M button (M*therf*ker button as a motoring journalist would refer) on the console and behold, it becomes Mr. Hyde. It transforms into this loud-mouthed, ill-temped tempered monster. Just like at certain moments in our lives, when cranky bosses, mind-bending deadlines, a computer that crashes when you need it the most and the unrelenting gas prices cause us to just loose it because everything is sooo fast and we dont have any degree of control on ourselves anymore. This creates an itch deep inside the annals of our minds that we need to slllooowww ttthhhiiinnngggsss dddooowwwnnn with meditation, yoga, guided imagery and what-not. But how?? Its impossible to do at the office, you aint got no money to spare for another session. Ah, you might think "My HOUSE!"... GREAT, but hold that thought.
Lets do some guided imagery first. Imagine yourself thinking of a place inside your fortress where you can be alone, no distractions and the place is completely silent. Lets start with the bedroom. Nope, the husband's there watching again and again, a replay of the UAAP championship game. Ok, to the living room then! Uh-oh. The mother-in-law is there watching her favorite soap opera and glued to the tube with her are the pesky yayas(maids). Ah, the attic seems perfect. You close your eyes, select your favorite position and breathe... and then "You! are! just! a! TOY!" Woody's voice suddenly rings through your head because the kids are watching their favorite movie on the new flat screen LCD TV complete with surround sound you won for being employee of the month for a record of 10 years! Arrrgghhh, there's the M button again. You hate life and you turn into Mr. Hyde.
But AHA! There's a secret formula. Its located on Tangalan, Aklan. Its a unique environmental phenomenon produced by wave action on a rocky shore. It is a detrital type of sedimentary rock stratified in the colors yellow, gray, black, and reddish-brown. It goes by the name of Afga Point and Afga Wave Rock Formations.
Why go to Afga you say? Because it can offer certain things like...
nice views of the surroundings...
an assortment of flora and fauna...
and the thing that you'll really love it its state of nothingness... There are no sirens wailing, alarm clocks ringing, beepers beeping, phones ringing or mother-in-laws that never stop yapping.
Its where you can endlessly listen to nature communicating to you with the smashing of the waves on the rocks, or the melodies sung by our colorful feathered friends.
Best of all, you can set your mind free, explore your inner thoughts or do somthing quite poetic.
So when I feel my life's a drag, I see myself doing some wishful thinking on the Afga Wave Rock Formations. And I think you should too.
How to get there
Afga is located before Jawili. So just read my instruction on how to get to Jawili Falls on another post. And if you see this sign:
Just turn right and follow the road. Some parts are paved but most parts are not. But when you want to go to the light house, its better if you just hike up the hill because its a no-car-zone. To get to the rocks, go downhill again and look fo a standpost (hand operated water pump) along the road. Then turn right and just follow the road. It will lead you to the rock formations below. Enjoy!^^
Mr. Vince's Holiday on Guisi Beach
After a devastating virus attack on the PC that I was saving my files on, all of my shots for a year were gone in a snap. I was very desperate to take pictures to lessen my depression. And luckily, my friends, Marcos and Tox (a very pretty lady), invited us (I was with my GF ^^) to go to Guisi beach. And so, a few days later, our journey started.
We rode a pumpboat from Ortiz port in Iloilo City to Guimaras, the fare at the time was just Php 11 (maybe due to oil price hikes, the fare might have increased) and landed on a wharf in Jordan (its pronounced as Hordan). There is a tourist assistance post there, so you can ask them around for some of the details like directions and fare costs.
We took a Nueva Valencia jeepney ride to Guisi and after an hour, we were there. We hiked down to the beach and the view was just spectacular.
a view fron the far-side of the beach
rock formations can be seen all overThen we decided to climb to the lighthouse. The hill is not very steep but still managed to make us sweat. The view fron atop was very nice.
On top of the hill, there's the ruins of a Spanish outpost and an 18'th century lighthouse. Actually, there's 3 of them, two are old and one is new.
After a while, we decided that we had to go back to the beach and explore some more. I went to the left side where there are these teeth-like rock formations which were cool.
this made me remember an episode of SpongeBob where Mr. Krabbs molted his shell offAnd later on the afternoon, we decided to go boating since it was fairly cheap. But our boat was just powered by a paddle and we also had to help the man to paddle. It was fun though, and if you want to hire motorized boats, its going to cost you.
one of a number of caves that meets the sea
inside the cave are colorful rock-formations
Grand Canyon look-alike on Guisi
there are also other islets the you can visitAfter a while of paddling, I was very tired but the view of the sunset rejuvenated my senses. And after taking some shots, we paddled back to the beach.
the sunset on the beach is a spectacle to behold
the silouhette of the mountains of Panay seemingly invited us to go back home
The magic of Guisi grabbed us all and coincedentally on our way home, I saw a cloud forming a magic lamp over us. And indeed, just like magic, it helped me throough my depression. Guisi rocks, and I'm deinitely going back there for some more of that magic. ^^Saint Gabriel Hospital Aims High
the new facade of St. Gabriel Hospital
Inside are ancillary and emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, operating and recovery rooms, isolation rooms, a chapel, dental care unit, intensive care unit, medical specialty clinics, two elevators, centralized air-conditioning system and solar water heating system to help not only the people of Aklan but also our environment.
modern automated sliding doors for the entranceSaint Gabriel Hospital aims to become a premier health care in Aklan by 2010 and in the region by 2015.
The hospital forged its services on September 9, 1970 as a 100-bed general training and teaching hospital and is now the base hospital for nursing students of the Saint Gabriel College of Nursing.
Tigayon's Mystic Hill
The road that leads to the Hill
There's a mini-park below the hill where the kids can play around
It’s a small hill that’s located near the
Tigayon Hill when viewed from the side
Legend has it that its the western tower that guards a fairy land. Elders say that during the full moon, a carriage pulled by a golden cow full of palace guards appears on the hill.The also say that it served as a refuge for local Katipunero's during the revolt against Spain.
Some of the Caves on the Hill
It has several shallow caves and nice rock formations.It has an altar of the Virgin Mary on the bottom and at the top is a small chapel and several benches where you can take a rest and enjoy the view of the mountains and the Aklan River flowing to Kalibo.
The Chapel on top of the Hill 
A nice view of the River that flows towards Kalibo
Midway rest stop for those who forgot their pain relievers for arthrits
Birds flying around the hillThe best thing about going to this hill is that there are no entrance fees to pay for. And so, whether you like a unique view of the Aklan River or the mountains, or just looking around town for some peace and quiet that only an Adoration Chapel can offer, then its time for you to take a short trip to the mystic Hill of Tigayon.
Escape to Lumpiga
I suggest you make a visit on Lumpiga, formerly known as the Tree House in Iloilo. Just drop by 12 General Luna St., beside Assumption School and across SPED school. The ambiance is really relaxing. The lighting is just perfect and there are several paintings on display. Some of them are actually for sale. There are no seats, just really big pillows and the house can be packed in a flash. Shoes and slippers must be removed upon entering and the quite attending staff takes care of the rest.
Lumpiga also offers a variety of music and it depends on what night you come. The famous local band named Dual Vibe plays Bossa Nova music every Teusday and they really play good soothing music.Lumpiga also offers really savory but affordable food. Let me start with their sisig. Most purists would often want their sisig to be so hot that it should be able to burn their tongue. And, boy, their sisig really leaves a mark. No eggs and mayo here folks, their sisig is in its purest form. No more worries about the fat guy needing to order "extra rice" because it just has a sole purpose, to be the ultimate beer-mate that Lumpiga has to offer.
Devilishly hot Sissig 
Mixed Seafood 
Succulent Baby Back Ribs 
The colorful Rhasta ManWhether you just want to satisfy your palate, drink till you drop, or have a romantic dinner date, Lumpiga will surely satisfy your cravings and make you want some more.
For more details on Lumpiga, just check out http://www.exploreiloilo.com/lumpiga-bar-and-restaurant.html
