Stay Sun Protected

Ola from the isla!

This extremely weird face is brought to you by the excitement of summer 2013! I've been here in Boracay for the past 3 months but still, this giddy summer feeling haven't really disappeared at all. So how's everyone spending their summer so far?

Mine's just getting more exciting every single day. While my weekends are more productive than ever (thank you very much dear Lord for all the opportunities to shoot places), I'm also starting to adopt the island lifestyle. I'm think I'm becoming a lot healthier here - I eat root crops and veggies, fresh seafood and all things fresh that can be found here in the island, I walk and swim regularly to exercise, AND breathing fresh sea air is just one of the perks of working in Boracay. What I'm trying to work on recently is getting my original skin color back, I am seriously missing my fair complexion. A tan is ok but with my every working day catching Mr. Sunshine at 1:00pm even for a couple of minutes, I don't think I can get that skin color back.

Just before boarding the ship to Boracay, I got myself a couple of suncreen with SPF 60 from the city. All the while I thought I'm already sun protected until I met Sun Play SPF 130.

I was surprised when I saw the label SPF 130. I was like: "IS THERE SUCH THING AS SPF 130?!" Apparently, this product from Japan does exist and can be found at Watsons and SM Department Stores or when in Boracay, Budget Mart (D'Mall Mainroad).

A few things that I recently discovered about protecting your skin against the harmful UV Rays of Mr. Sunshine which I'd like to share to everyone:

•  An umbrella alone is not enough to provide total sun protection. About 34% can still penetrate the umbrella's shade. Apply high SPF sunblock every time you go out to make sure you're 100% protected.

• Water reflects about 25% of UV rays. That's why it's very important to put sunblock with high spf before hitting the pool or the beach!

• UV levels increase by 4 percent each 1000 ft in altitude. Put the highest SPF to keep you protected when you're high on the ground.

• Up to 90% of UV Rays penetrate to clouds making sun protection a must even on cloudy days.

• 60% of UV Rays occur between 10am to 2pm. Try to stay indoors or under a shade at this time and apply a sunblock with the highest protection against UVA and UVB.

• Children and babies need greater protection against the sun. Use non-greasy, non-sticky sunblock that is hypoallergenic and won't clog the pores. 

• Light colored, loose-fittine clothing may help keep you cool but the average t-shirt blocks only 50% of UV radiation. Stay sun protected by putting sunblock with high SPF.

• Prolonged UVA exposure can cause skin darkening and premature ageing. Make sure your sunblock has high Protection Grade Factor. Sunplay with PA+++ provides 8 times protection against skin darkening.

• Over exposure to UVB rays can cause sun burn and may lead to skin cancer. To ensure you are protected, use a sunblock with high Sun Protection Factor so you can enjoy the outdoors.

Sunplay with Watery Liquid Technology lets you enjoy the sun without the sticky or greasy feel.

Small amount can cover a lot of areas.

Spread unto your skin.

Invisible sunblock! Leaves no white marks, even after sweating. Lightest texture with the highest sun protection indeed!

My Boracay Must Haves: A pair of kick-ass sunnies, Nivea Med Protection Lipbalm with SPF 15, and Sunplay SPF 30

Don't forget to apply and reapply on face and body whenever you go for a swim or start to sweat. ;p Stay sun protected and enjoy the rest of the summer everyone!

xOxO,

Joy with a C.
From the beautiful island of B.

Afternoon Delight

I will now be working on a different schedule which means I'll have more time posting things on my blog. I just hope my laptop won't give up on me. See, I told you previously things are getting pretty exciting around here.

A story about the photos on this post: I recently moved in with a roommate who happened to be fond of taking photos as well. Just like I am, she loves dressing up and some afternoons we play with what we have in our closet. And in lieu of the summer season, we came up with this.

I think my roommate will make a good photographer someday, don't you think?

xOxO,

Joy with a C.
From the island of B

First Quarter Of My Island Life

Hello everyone!

A few more days and I'm just about to celebrate my 3rd month living here on the island (hooray!). I've been trying my best to keep up with my blogging duties but it seems that my laptop doesn't want to cooperate. Argh. I really need to get a new one - the kind that can handle the latest version of Photoshop (a CS6 or CS5 maybe) and will allow me to do more artworks for my "supposedly" side job. *sigh* Laptop fail.

Anyway, to give you a summary of my 3 month stay:

• I arrived last January to finally get an apartment. I was able to stop by the famous Puka Beach.

 The Boracay Puka Beach is about 15-25 mins. from D'Mall riding a tricycle (roughly Php 150.00 for one way ride). You shouldn't miss going here when in Boracay. Clear and CLEAN waters, enough said.

The locals placed a donation box to help maintain the beauty of Puka Beach.

I saw this little girl walking around and I can't help but to take her photo. She's so cute with her twig!

That's Tito Mon and Michael and their attempt to do a jump shot. ;p

• For months I've been going around and every time I go to Bulabog Beach, I always take photos of the Kite Surfers.

• I've celebrated my fake birthday and to my surprise, Shakey's Boracay gave me a free scoop of ice cream with a song and dance number. I'll never fake my birthday again.

• The search for anything yummy is still on going!

I missed including Red Pirates on my favorite places here in Boracay. They seriously have the best tasting Pina Colada here in the island.

Island Life And Some of My Favorite Places

Hello there! 

I'm really really sorry for inserting this photo because you know, I get this semi-ventricular contractions whenever I get near my crush and suddenly he's here and I'm so excited to a take a photo beside him and I died in one corner palpitating forever~ WHY SOOO HOT DEREK RAMSAY?!

For the past month/s I've been here, I've been going places by myself trying to find my personal spot. I'm quite lucky I get my Saturdays and Sundays off this month. As usual, I bring Cancan along to play with me - we always go on a photo date. Although my unit can't get as much as amazing photos as other DSLRs can (gigantic lenses excuse me please), I still love it and I am always taking care of it just like a real baby. Much as possible, I won't let anyone hold my little baby. Cancan is mine and mine alone.

A few places that have become my favorite recently.


The Spider House - edge of Diniwid Beach, near West Cove

It takes more than courage to have this photo taken. Thank you Russians, the island will surely remember you.

My dear friend Alyssa first took me here last December, one of the coziest places in Boracay.

The water is so clear you can see little fishes swimming back and forth. How I wish I got myself a pair of snorkeling gear just before I went here so I can go snorkeling around the raft. Water is just about 8 to 12 feet deep you can dive from the edge of a small cliff.

I went here a few weeks back and was able to explore the whole resort. Amazingly, I found a few interesting rooms that depicts the island way of living.

No wonder a lot of tourists stay here for weeks - even months! Owner said they are always fully booked on peak and high seasons.

And the food! MMM is the best way to describe their Prawns Massala, delicious is an understatement. I will forever thank Allan and ate Heidi for letting me try this! Thanks guys, you're the sweetest!


 Coffee Bloom - Station Three

I was introduced to this place by Vicky. Most Koreans and Chinese hangout here, while I take advantage of the free wi-fi <inserts evil grin here>.

This place reminds me a bit of Subspace.

I've tried frozen iced tea here in the island thrice but by far, Coffee Bloom has the best - not too sweet and not too fruity. I forgot to add: BRAIN FREEZE!!!


Tiki Bar - Station Three, before Dive Gurus

While in Boracay, I never really went on a night out and ever got myself drunk (not just yet). This will be the place I'd rather stay than over rated clubs or bars. I'm on an island after all, I guess I'm supposed to just chill by the beach and watch the sunset. Cocktail drink is at buy 1 get 1 on a Happy Hour. Hang out with me here please, I love their strawberry mojito. Perhaps we can eat isaw here together. ;p


Congas Bar- Station Three, Angol (but just about to move to a different place, super sad)

The first time I went here, I was welcomed with good good pure island music. From then on, I kept on coming back. Not only that Congas is super near our apartment (3 cartwheels and a split away -kidding!) but there's something about the environment here that I really really love.

People from different places all over the world gather here just before sunset and they play music altogether. They create a harmonic sound without them realizing, love would probably be their religion. It's just sad that Congas will be moving to a new place but I am hoping not too soon.

More of my island adventures in the next few days, I'd still be going places to find my own spot. Hopefully, somewhere permanent.See you around!

xOxO,

Joy with a C