Virtual Reality Coasters

After my morning run from Pagsanjan to Caliraya Lake and back, I've decided to have lunch at Sun Star Mall. I looked around inside the place and to my amazement, I was so curious to try out the VR Coaster which is only 80pesos per ride. The ride can accommodate up to 8 people, but even with just 1 rider like me who goes solo, the coaster ride still proceeds.

VR Coasters is a kind of ride attraction which consists of a roller coaster facility and riders are provided with virtual reality headsets to wear while on the ride. The headsets are portable which displays a synchronized video to the riders who experience the same motions of the ride where the person experiences the same twist and turns in different angles combined with the alternate reality provided through the headsets. 

It may not have the exact hair-raising experience of a gravity-defying roller coaster but still, it offers the same thrill and offers one of a kind experience which is worth it for your 80 pesos.  

Photo credits: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/itfffmlRgJY/maxresdefault.jpg

A virtual reality coaster is the best way to enjoy a roller coaster ride most especially for someone who is acrophobic like me. 

1954 Diner's Project

The name sounds synonymous with the famed 50's Diner of Baguio City, and just like it's counterpart they will let you experience old-fashion dining with a modern twist as if you are going back in time and being nostalgic about in that era.

I personally consider 1954 Diner's Project as one of the best restos in Los Banos where they offer the classic favorites which include: burgers, milkshakes, chicken, grill & many more. When it comes to food serving, they serve American standard size which only means a hefty amount of serving that can be shared by 2 people. They cater any time of the day for snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They will surely fill your appetite with mouth-watering food items on their menu. And hey, the price is really affordable and worth it for every bite.

Address: Centro Mall, Lopez Avenue, Barangay Batong Malake, Los Banos, Laguna 4030

Mt Daguldol

Located in San Juan, Batangas, Mt. Daguldol is one of those mountains which is considered as a total package because of side trips to falls (Naambon Falls) and a beach (Hugom Beach). It was Team Una's first organized event for "Summit to Sea" series because of it's relatively short and beginner friendly trail ideal to those who are being introduced to hiking. Mt Daguldol has a total elevation of 2198 ft and a surprising 1850 ft elevation gain from the jump off until reaching the summit.

The trail is mostly ascent with minimal flat terrain that passes through a established trail which is lined up with several huge boulders, coconut trees, and forested portions until reaching Sitio Catmon which marks more than half of the trail and a total elevation gain of 1000ft. From there on the trail becomes steeper that passes a much steeper terrain which ranges from muddy to loose soil and some rocky portions. There are several stores along the trail which sells softdrinks, Buko Juice and Halo-Halo for the refreshing feeling.

After several hours of hiking, we reached the summit which is characterized by a huge grassland ideal for grazing cows. It offers a picturesque view of the surrounding area including the neighboring Mt. Lobo and Naguiling where we took some pictures, played around and just enjoyed the soothing breeze of the summit.

Team Una: Michael, JC & Emer

***Mt Daguldol is actually part of  Team Una's Summit to Sea event which also includes Naambon Falls and  swimming in Hugom Beach.

How to Get There:

I.). In Cubao/LRT Taft there are buses (ALPS) that has direct route to San Juan (Batangas).

     Once in San Juan town proper, ride a jeepney bound for Laiya.

II.) Another option is to ride a bus bound to Lucena, then alight in Candelaria town proper.

     Ride a jeepney bound to San Juan, and once in San Juan ride another jeep bound to Laiya.

Singkil

I was able to watch a Singkíl performance during our visit to Villa Escudero which is a part of their cultural presentations held during weekends. 

Singkil (or Sayaw sa Kasingkil) is a folk dance of the Maranao people in Lake Lanao based on the epic legend Darangen which is an adaptation of Ramayana, it was then popularised by the Bayanihan Philippine Folk Dance Company.

It portrays an Indian epic Ramayana which involves the rescue of Princess Gandingan who were abducted by the diwatas led by the legendary Prince Bantugan. It is a popular dance performed during celebrations and other festive entertainment. The dance takes its name from the heavy rings which were worn on the ankles of a Muslim princess. A "kulintang" and an "agung" ensemble always accompanies the dance.

The female lead dancer plays the role of Princess Gandingan of the Darangen epic while wearing heavy rings around her ankles to keep time while she dances. In an episode of the Maranao epic, the princess is caught in the middle of the forest during an earthquake caused by the diwatas (or the guardian spirits) of the Kingdom of Bumbaran. The diwatas abducted the princess and entrapped her into a forest to teach the philandering Prince Bantugan a lesson. The falling trees during the earthquake (which the princess gracefully avoids) are represented by the bamboo poles arranged in a criss-crossed fashion and clacked together in a unique, syncopated rhythm. During the performance, the female lead dancer graciously steps in and out of the bamboo poles as she manipulates two elaborately designed fans called apir which represent the winds that proves to be auspicious. The entrance of the male dancer symbolizes the arrival of Prince Bantugan who is determined to rescue the princess from the diwatas.  The clacking bamboo poles represent the forces which the two characters had to overcome. The dance ends with the princess going home with the prince.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singkil