A Rainy-day Relaxation in Luljetta Hanging Gardens

Luljetta is a spa-resort located in Antipolo. It promises relaxation and commune to nature spa facilities . It is getting popular nowadays so we went here to celebrate my mother’s birthday since it is not too far away from Manila. Truth to be told, it is a great place. Here’s the list of what I would remember about this place.

1. The Welcome Golf-kart Ride. Actually it’s not far from the entrance to registration area. But Luljetta don’t want their guests to feel tired. So they will welcome you with a golf-car ride.

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2. The thrill of choosing our bathrobe for the day and slaying it.

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3. When we can’t stop laughing with  Dr. Fish. It was so damn ticklish! We were laughing our hearts out. It  took a long while before we were finally get used to it.DSCF8512DSCF8525

Here’s the video of our hardship to get along with Dr. Fish.

 

3. The relaxing skyline view of Antipolo. The silhoutte of Manila is also totally visible from Luljetta Cafe’

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That’s Manila Metropolis right there.

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4. The delicious food at Luljetta Cafe’. Along with the basic package, they offer “Antipolo’s Best Suman” and lemongrass tea. The suman is something you must not miss. The rice is crispy then soaked in honey and showered with bits cashew nuts. The combination was perfect and it was truly enjoyable chewing it. I already miss it while typing this.

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I love the presentation for this one but this is the food we like the least among our orders. I actually forgot what it is but I remembered it was sour. And I’m not a fan of sour foods.

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Sesame Fried Chicken. Not an ordinary-tasting chicken. I also love the sesame sauce that comes with it.

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Steamed Fish in Fish Soya Sauce. I also love this one. Totally recommended.

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5. Of course the Luljetta Cafe’ itself is unforgettable. It has colorful interior and what I love the most is their art gallery made by our local artists.

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4. The Water Spa and a sweet couple we encountered during our stay here. If you are familiar with ACE Water Spa, this is the amenity that corresponds to it. In water spa, the water do the massage. It was kind of  disappointing moment though that one of their water spa machine is not working during our visit.

Meanwhile I hereby introduce to you my bitter sister.  A big thanks to this couple who cooperated in our impromptu shoot.

Couples should be banned here! hmp!

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Yakapin ko na lang sarili ko tutal I love myself naman e.

I will hug myself because I also love myself.DSCF8558

May sarili naman akong kamay para hawakan..akala niyo kayo lang?

I have my hands to hold. You are not the only one.

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Ano ba ‘yan???? Isang tao lang dapat per slot e. 

What the f??? Only one person should be on one slot. Grrr!

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My face be like…smile lang kahit inggit na inggit na.

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As for me, I only care about slaying my bikini. haha!

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5. The cute cottages, kubo and houses. This places would be perfect for catching-up conversations with friends, taking a nap or even drinking a cup of coffee. Some rooms have available do-your-own coffee  features.

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6. The Infinity Pool. 

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Actually we were not the only people here. It suddenly rained at this moment (with thunder and lightning) and I was not brave enough to submerge myself in to the cold water.

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7. Things we have missed. Our package is only the most basic one. It was not enough to enjoy all amenities. We haven’t tried their specialty massage, sauna and jacuzzi. They also have overnight-stay inn here but we haven’t tried that as well since we have other plans.

Sauna rooms.

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Jacuzzi.

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8. The free souvenirs! When it’s time to go. You can choose either bracelet or rosary as  a remembrance. I chose the latter.

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Overall, I truly love our stay here in Luljetta Hanging Gardens. It was generally a rainy day but that did not completely spoiled the relaxation we got here. I won’t mind  going back. I’ll probably getting the more expensive package next time. Like the one with massage. However, the rooms they offer is quite expensive for me and I don’t see myself trying that in the future.

HOW TO BOOK

  1. Officially, the booking for Luljetta Hanging Gardens  is in this site https://www.bienvenidotours.com/luljettas-place.html . You would be needing a paypal account, credit card or mastervisa debit card. It is advisable to book it in 3-7 days in advance. Below are the summary of their package. This came from their official fb page in this link. I also highligted the package that we bought.

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2. Once you check-out your booking, you will be receiving an email from  Bienvenido Tours which includes your receipt.

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3. You will now be asked on the details of your arrival and contact number.

4. It is important to keep a digital copy or print-out of the receipt upon registration.

HOW TO GO.

There are many ways to go here but here’s the one we took since we were coming from Manila. For other ways, here’s the link for route suggestions.

  1. Go to LRT2 Recto Station. Select Santolan bound station.
  2.  From Santolan Station, ride a Antipolo Cathedral bound jeep but ask the driver to drop you off the Antipolo City Proper.
  3. From Antipolo City Proper, ride a tricycle going to Loreland Farm Resort. Luljetta Hanging Gardens is inside this resort too.
  4. Going back to Antipolo City Proper is also through tricycle.

 

See the part 2 of our Adventure: Witness No-Sweat Sea of Cloud in Treasure Mountain

Do you know a place that is also rainy-day friendly? Hit the comment and let me know!

 

Remember, it’s not always too late. Get the life you want!

Gurezu ❤

 

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Review: BuyBust (2018)

Capsule Movie Review: Buybust (2018)
Directed by: Erik Matti

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WHAT I LIKE:

1.Simple lang ang story. Nagkaroon ng tip ang kapulisan na nagtatago ang big time druglord na si Biggie Chen sa Barangay Gracia ni Maria. Naatasan ang squad na kinabibilingan ni Manigan (Anne Curtis) para sa BUYBUST operation na ito. Ngunit natagpuan nila ang sarili sa isang set-up at ang tanong ay kung makakalabas sila ng buhay sa mala puzzle, masikip at komplikadong lugar ng Barangay na pati mamayan ay galit sa kapulisan.

2. Shakey Camera work sa simula. Tila ba hinahanda na ang mga mata at puso mo sa gulo ng mangyayari.

3. Abangan niyo iyong 3-minute one-cut action scene. Ang UNIQUE at ASTIG ng mga FIGHTING SCENES dito!!! Never ko pang nakita sa kahit anong Filipino action movies or even Hollywood. Literal na makapagpigil-hininga ang habulan, taguan at labanan. At some point napapasigaw rin kaming mga nanonood. No holds barred din pagdating sa brutal scenes. (Hindi ko malilimutan si Cactus girl.) Realistic din iyong tipong tumatama tlaga ang mga palo at suntok. Wala ring masyadong maraming satsat (except on one scene) Bloodshed kung bloodshed.

4. Newfound respect for Anne Curtis as actress dahil naging legit na action star siya dito. Pero ang pinakapaborito ko si Brandon Vera na Mixed Martial Artist din pala sa totong buhay. Noong una akala ko hindi siya marunong mag-Tagalog at so-so lang siguro ang acting. Pero solid naman pala. Hindi lang sa action scenes kung hindi sa pag-arte. SA kaniya ko nakuha ang puso ng pelikula more than Anne. More action movies to this man please!

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5. And let’s not forget the music scoring na lalong nagpadagdag ng tensyon sa mga eksena. Ginamit rin ang Lupang Hinirang” dito with subtlety and respect. Ang naisip ko sa tagpong iyon, parang pinahihiwatig na ang gulo hindi lang sa barangay Gracia ni Maria kung hindi sa buong Plipinas. Iyon ang nadama ko. For this let’s commend the man behind the musical scores. Malek Lopez and Erwin Romulo!

6. Ito talaga ang pinaka-nakaka elibs sa lahat. The stage design of Barangay Gracia ni Maria. Ito kasi talaga ang nagpahirap sa squad ni Anne Curtis at pati na rin sa mga kontrabidia. Slum, squatter’s area na para bang maze sa sobrang gulo ng daan , kanal at mga lusutan. Magka-crash ang Waze sa lugar na ‘to. Naisip ko nga kung totoo itong lugar na ito, pwede na siyang maging tourist spot. Excting kung paano ka makakalabas. Pinanood ko tuloy iyong” the making” clips and most of it is a set design. Ang galing sobra! Napaka-realistic. First time ko napa-search kung sino ang Set designers/ Production designers ng pelikula and they are “Michael N. Español and Roma Regala”. (I hope I got the names right)

Clips showing what is the inspiration of the film and the making of production design.

7. Hindi na ako nagulat sa twist. But definitely satisfied sa ending.

8. Ang galing ni Arjo Atayde! Short appearance but it’s a bomb. HIndi ko siya kilala before. And syempre Nonie Buencamino forever. Mapa-kontrabida or bida, effective talaga siya. (See Smaller and Smaller Circles, Dagitab, Heneral Luna). Other actors and actresses may it be in the squad or the drug cartel did their acting very well. Wala akong masabi.

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9. Erik Matti’s is the best director at this time. To the point inaabangan ko na mga pelikula niya since OTJ.

10. The film is clearly insinuating about the current anti-drug war in our country. It is entertaining but super relevant. Mapapaisip ka na lang kung tama pa ba ang nangyayari sa bansa.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

1. May mga action scenes si Anne na pwede naman siya sugurin ng sabay-sabay ng mga nakapaligid sa kaniya pero isa-isa pa rin silang sumusugod.

2. Hindi pwede sa mahihiluhin. May mga action scenes na hindi malinaw at nadaan lang sa shakey camera work. Sa umpisa lang naman.

3. May isang eksena rito na napasobra ata ng satsat. “Ano ba barilin mo na kasi!!!” moment. Ganun.

4. At some point hindi ko na maintindihan iyong ibang ordinary citizens dito. HIndi ko masyadong naintindihan kung ano iyong hugot nila kung bakit sobrang mithiin sa pagsugod sa squad. Parang wala rin naman silang strong bond sa drug cartel. Maiintindihan ko iyong mga nagtatago sa bahay-bahay para di na madamay. May part pa na sila na nag-aaway at sila na lang talaga magulo haha. In short, may ordinary citizens na panggulo lang. Gusto lang ata ng away.

FINAL VERDICT: 9.5 out of 10 stars. Superb and super relevant pero para sa mahihiluhin, uminom ka muna ng Bonamine.

Support Local Films!

Gurezu


Disclaimer: Not photos are mine. CTTO.

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How to Levitate

Well….. in photography!

I don’t really know how to do that in real life. Ask David Blaine maybe? But in photography, I could definitely share you some secrets . And this is surprisingly easy.

First Technique: Photoshop

What you will need: Camera, Tripod, a flexible model and stool or blocks for support.

1.Capture a photo of the background without the subject.

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2. And then capture the photo with the subject. Take in mind that the camera was not moved and the lighting are the same with the background alone. For better stability, I strong advice to use tripod. This would make the editing easier and realistic.

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3. Now, it’s time to open Photoshop to merge the two photos together and delete the objects that supports the subject by “Masking” tool. In that case, follow my recommended YouTube tutorial below. I assure you, this masking tool in Photoshop is MAGIC!

Levitation Photography by Photon Collective

FINAL OUTPUT:

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These are the other output.

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As you have noticed, the color grading of the photos have also changed in the final output. It’s because I also polished it via Lightroom desktop app. I used Rufosque preset created by Anthony Rufo. I got this preset from Lightroom Classrom PH community in Facebook. If you’re interested with Lightroom presets, I talked about it more here.

2. Second Technique: Jump Shots

If you are not interested with Photoshop, you can still achieve levitation photos by simply jumping and setting the camera in LOW SHUTTER SPEED.

The following photos are captured by my friend angelisantina and was taken way back 2013! This is me 5 years ago. I’m not much into photography back then but I’m into modeling …well to my photographer friends.

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This is largely inspired by yowayowacamera.com, a Japanese photographer whose daily levitation photos became a worldwide hit! These are just some photos from her series that I really liked.

Now the question is, how would you make an ordinary jump shot into levitation photo? As a model for levitation photos myself, the key is always the facial expression. As much as possible, make your face look relax. It also helps that you look upwards as if you are heading to that direction even if you are about to fall down. Leg muscle should look relaxed too. In that matter, it would be easier to wear long dresses and leggings to hide the tension in the leg muscles for higher jumps. No doubt why in most yowayowa’s photos, she is wearing long dresses.

Although here, I bravely wore jumper shorts haha! These photos were taken at Quiapo church, a popular landmark church in the Philippines.

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There are disadvantages of this technique though:

  • This is tiring as you need to repeatedly jump to be able to have good shots.
  • You will look like a fool for passerbys.
  • Prone to accident
  • Not ok at night time since low shutter speed will make your photos really dark.

We also had a shoot in UP Diliman!

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Shot location at Little Tokyo

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Special thanks to the following!

  • To my mentor G2Photography for teaching me how to edit in Photoshop and all things I know about Photography.
  • To my friend angelisantina.wordpress.com for taking those great photos of me from the past.

How about you? Would you be interested in Levitation Photography? Are you going for photoshop or jumpshot? Let me know!

Remember, Sharing is Twice the Learning,

Gurezu 😉

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