A traveler's sentiment

 

(Photo credits to Travel Daily)

As a traveler, I can say that the tourism industry was greatly affected by the Pandemic that started from 2019, and up until now (2022), the tourism industry has yet fully restored the operation to go back from before. Many says that, it will no longer back to the previous normal but to the new normal wherein the operation will continue, but with the implementation of health protocols.

It really saddens me, or to say it extravagantly, it broke me and it also became a horror for me when the news about airlines, food establishments, and tourist spots aired, saying that they were forced to stop their operation. Just having to mention these, aren't they all part of tourism industry itself? It was heartbreaking to see it, and up until now, the tourism industry is still struggling to get back from the loss and damages that the pandemic has done. 

Many people became jobless. The force closure of many establishments had affected hundreds of people, and even greater to those who works in tourism industry. As a traveler, I can say that the work in tourism industry is really astounding. They bring joy from the establishments to the services itself. People smiles at you to make you feel at home even if you're in a far away destination. Tourism industry brings excitement, joy, and pleasure, but everything of these was ruined when the Pandemic breaks in.  

In the hope of maintaining the safety protocols. Almost all the establishments sorted out in carrying the new normal. Social distancing is one of those. Imagining it just really breaks my heart. I used to meet a lot of people, talk to them, and laugh with them even if they were strangers whom I met at the places I visit, but because of the new normal now. It looks like as if people will try their best to avoid each other. 

The thing that I consider a 'magic' is now gone. But hopefully, it will go back to the way it was before, though it will surely take a lot of years to completely fade away the trauma and effects that the pandemic brought to us. 

One thing that scares me but many considers a good thing is the touchless technology that they're trying so hard to make possible. Imagine a world with touchless technology, it doesn't only involve simple or small machines that you need to use but can be operated without touching it, but also those things such as using man power. For me, the tourism industry will not be the same as before if the manpower will cease to take over.  

Cafe, Milktea Shops, and Bites. My list of Favorites Shops in our town.

 

Ten out of Ten Teas

Ten out of Ten Teas is a Bubble Tea and Bite Shop. It is located on Porac Proper Town, and with an extended branch in our community. I love this shop starting from their Milkteas to their Bites. My most favorite is their Strawberry Latte with Cream cheese, and their Chicken Buffalo Wings. Even my family loves to order from this shop from time to time.

Tastes from the Greens

Tastes from the Greens is widely known in Angeles City and other part of Pampanga or even on other provinces. I can still remember that I started drinking Milktea becasue of TFTG. I just love their Creampuff so much, and I think many others too. 

I used to visit in Angeles solely for this Milktea, it will take an hour to reach Angeles City from out town, but I still used to go in A.C because of TFTG's Milktea. That's why when I heard that there will be a new branch in our town, I was so happy. 

D’teacakes

D’Tea Cakes is a new Milk Tea and Cake shop located also in Porac, Pampanga, but its original branch was established first in our community. On its first 2 years, it became well-known for its good service and delicious milk teas and foods, so the owner decided to build it’s first ever extended branch in Porac Proper Town. My most favorite in this shop is their Yema add ons. Their cakes are also infamous for their unique styles and its signature taste, though they’re a bit pricy.

They also offer, pizza's, coffees, and a lot more if you're not a fan of Milk Tea's.

Milktealicious

Milktealicious is also one of my favorite Milktea shop, specially their Chocolate Milktea. I rarely order chocolate drinks, but in this shop, their chocolate Milktea is worth trying. It’s not sugary and the chocolate taste is just enough to enjoy. It is also located in Porac Proper Town.

(Extra)

Also, in the Porac Branch, Milktealicious has a partnership with one of my other favorite food, Shawarma Stall, named TGIS. It is one of the reason why I considered Milktealicious as one of my favorite shops of Milktea. Their Shawarms wrap, and Salads are the best to partner with Milktealicious's drinks. 

My visit in Mt. Samat Shrine, Bataan

Mt. Samat Shrine, Bataan

Photo Credits to tieza.gov.ph

Mt. Samat Shrine or known as 'Dambana ng Kagitingan' has became popular for its historical purpose. It is located on Pilar, Bataan Philippines. 

I went to Mt. Samat Shrine when I was still in Senior High for an Academic Trip. It was early in the morning when we were still on our way. From the name itself 'Mt. Samat', the Shrine is located on a high place. The road leading to Mt. Samat isn't that easy to pass. Our ride experience was a bit scary yet thrilling. You need to have an expert driver if you're riding a huge vehicle because the road keeps getting higher, but fortunately, the road is good and smooth to drive with. 

The more you get close to the Shrine, the colder you feel the breeze. Especially, it was early in the morning and the sun was still rising up. The soft light that the sun brings, and the cold breeze of air, it's just so relaxing and soothing to the mind.

When you finally reaches the shrine. For sure, the first thing that will captivate your eyes is the Altar or the 'Dambana ng Kagitingan'. On the walls there are wide writings where in you can read the history of the place. The Shrine wasn't that grand, and the design was simple yet you can feel the lingering feeling of the history itself. 

Photo Credits to pinasmuna.com

On the basement, there is a small museum. There are guns, pictures, and other things that is related to the history of the Shrine, but what caught my attention is a picture of a woman who is tortured and her breasts' nipples were removed, and even though my last visit was already many years ago, that picture's still vivid in my mind. It was also the reason why I chose Mt. Samat to feature in this blog. I want to write my experience about a simple yet memorable place that I visited, and also, a historical one. 

Photo credits to https://bluedreamer27.com/

Now, let's move on to the Mount Samat Cross. It's a gargantuan cross on the top of the shrine, and it is what most visitors wants to reach. Upon reaching the cross, you can stand on a certain spot where in you can see the beautiful view of the Bataan. Although, you can go to the shrine on any time of the day, but in my own experience, it's best to visit at early in the morning when the sun's still rising up.

Photo credits to lakadpinas.com

In addition,  Mt. Samat Shrine is accessible for everyone. Even before the pandemic strikes, it is famous as a tourist spot. My friends, and relatives, and even my brother's friends went there for fun. They were just having a road trip and found themselves reaching the Mt. Samat Shrine with just riding a tricycle and motorcycle. 

It was a historical place, but at the same time tourists visits the Mt. Samat for the beautiful view, not to mention the underground museum. 

 

Soar far, soar high! It's a Soaring Page!

Hi. This is your author! My name is Armina Balilu, but you can call me ‘Mina’. This blog is all about travel blogs, and you can look forward on every content I’ll create within the best of my ability. But, let me start first about myself. I’m currently studying at Systems Plus College foundation, taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. I’m 19 years old, and was born in the year 2002. I’m a full-time novel writer at Stary Writing Company. In every words that I write, I always think that it must be something that the readers will look forward on reading the following one, and it excites and thrills me more than anything. Writing this blog about travelling is a bit challenging for me, but doing something that is new and came from both of my career—travelling and writing, is something that makes me more excited.

Travelling can be a hobby, a passion, a job, and it can also be happiness. It’s quite risky, but it’s all fun. Travelling can make you feel more connected with the world. Especially when learning about various cultures and traditions and meet a lot of people with different languages.

I was never fond of travelling when I was a kid, but whenever I read about interesting places from different parts of the world. It makes me want to go to that certain place. The feeling of wanting to see it within my very own eyes is what made me want to travel around the world. This is also the reason why I chose this field, I want to explore, I want to travel, I want to go to different places, I want to experience all the weather, and I want to meet a lot of people with different traditions, beliefs, and cultures. I want to experience and write everything about it. I want to write in here, in my paper, in my notes, in my sites, but most importantly in my heart.

Honestly, I never expect for myself to choose this field in tourism. I grew up wanting to be in a medical field, but later on, I found myself in the field of writing, and I was supposed to take up Journalism, but then I believe it is something that wasn’t for me, and so here I chose Tourism management. Why? Actually, I don’t really know why, but I’m enjoying it, and the more I learn about it— the more I want to finish and look forward to it. I believe with the saying, “You wouldn’t continue nor pursue what you don’t really want. Because, you— are the writer of your dreams.”

I can see myself in this field. I can picture myself wearing a uniform with a smile on my face, travelling around the world, and meeting a lot of people. I never regretted this choice, and so here I am, continuing with the progress of building myself, and preparing myself for the future that I want to live. So, this is not where we’ll end it, but this is we’re we’ll start it. Let’s all look forward to the new learning, experiences and adventures. The world is beautiful enough to make our life meaningful by exploring it. The world is waiting for you, for me, and for us to explore it!

Let's soar far, and soar high! This blog/page can also be a tool to start your adventures. So, feel free to be inspired, to learn, and to look forward about travelling through every page of this blog.

Soaring Page was built by Armina Balilu who intends to inform and to share her personal life experiences. The title Soaring Page was inspired by the author who is a real-life writer. She believes that every single page of a book is powerful enough to move one's soul, it's a soaring page. A definition of soaring is to rise, increase, and to fly. 

"Every page of a book is powerful enough to soar high, it's a soaring page."