Team Building is Fun at Tree Top Adventure Baguio!

People troop to Baguio City for fun outings or to simply enjoy the holiday break. But did you know that the City of Pines can also be a destination place for team-building activities?

Tree Top Adventure, located inside Camp John Hay may be known as an extreme adventure theme park, but it is also the only team-building facility in Baguio City.

As part of the Bloggers’ Baguio Getaway Package, select bloggers, myself included, participated in the Team Building Activity facilitated by Tree Drop Adventure last May 13.

Bloggers were divided into Green and Red Teams. Azalea Residences Baguio staff also joined us as the Blue Team.

Our team, the Green Team or Team Good Genes! (photo by Eric Tan)

Red Team or Team-Ang (photo by Jace Mendoza)

Blue Team or Team Azalea (photo by Eric Tan)

First order of the day was to create a cheer for your team. Creativity and cooperation must come into play. We won this round -- thanks to the creativity of Allan!

Our winning cheer! (photo by Eric Tan)

Next is the Plank Step. Members must travel up to the finish line using the planks provided. This is quite difficult as the planks were small and your feet must not touch the floor. All of you will be close (literally and figuratively) after this game, haha.

Green Team doing the Plank Step (photo by Jace Mendoza)

The most difficult task for our team was the Pipeline –we weren’t able to finish this actually. Each member must hold a pipe with one hand and connect it with the other pipes to transfer a ping-pong ball up to the finish line, without letting it fall off the ground. Patience and coordination will be tested here.

Green Team doing the Pipeline (photo by Jace Mendoza)

This was followed by the ABC Game. We formed two lines, back –to-back with our teammates. Each has to say one letter of the alphabet in the proper sequence. Catch is, the next to recite should not be the one beside or behind you. The ability to concentrate is needed here. I think we were the fastest for this game.

Green Team doing the ABC Game (photo by Jace Mendoza)

The easiest activity was the Helium Stick. Here, we have to lower a long, thin, lightweight rod to the ground. Communication and coordination with other team members is vital to achieve this task.

Green Team doing the Helium Stick (photo by Eric Tan)

Next was Loop Lift. We have to lift a giant loop ring to another station. The catch -- marbles on each handle and on the center of the loop must not fall off! Talk about coordination and control. I’m proud to say that our team was able to do this in a jiffy!

Green Team lifting the loop (photo by Jace Mendoza)

We proceeded with the Bar Lifter Balancer. We have to lift bars up to a certain height simultaneously at the fastest time – without the marbles of each bar falling off! Coordination skills and strategy will be tested here.

Green Team lifting and balancing the bars (photo by Jace Mendoza)

Next is Gem Drop. This was quite difficult also because you have to get a cube from the floor and drop it to its proper place by pulling and pushing ropes. Strategy and teamwork is a must here. I think we finished second for this round.

Green Team doing the Gem Drop (photo by Jace Mendoza)

The last activity was the Treasure Hunt. First, we have to form the map to determine the location of a “Buloy.” Two of our members searched for it. But it doesn’t end there -- we have to answer a riddle. Mind you, the riddles were difficult! We finished second for this activity.

completing the map & guessing the riddle (photos by Jace Mendoza)

looking for the "Buloy" (photos by Eric Tan)

And finally the announcement of the grand winner -- the Blue Team! Even though our team finished second, I felt that we have accomplished a lot by giving our best effort in every activity. At the same time, we had fun and really bonded well even if most of us just met each other for the first time! We have learned to adjust, cooperate and be a team-player.

The facilitators were knowledgeable and helpful. The activities are measurable and can really build camaraderie among groups. Thank you Tree Top Adventure for this wonderful team-building experience!

For more info, Tree Top Adventure’s official website: http://www.treetopadventureph.com/

Special shout-out to TravelBook Ph, the official media partner for this event. Check them out at: http://www.travelbook.ph/

Extreme Adventure Awaits at Tree Top Baguio

Baguio City is known for its cold weather, strawberries and various tourist spots. But for those who are looking for thrilling outdoor activities, the City of Pines is slowly becoming a destination place for extreme adventure-- thanks to Tree Top Adventure. And as part of the Bloggers’ Baguio Getaway Package, select bloggers, myself included, had a chance to experience this last May 12.

Tree Top Adventure is the only motorized zipline in the Philippines. Its vast Baguio City branch is conveniently located within Camp John Hay. So, aside from the rides, it offers breathtaking views of mountains and pine trees. If you’re not the thrill-seeker type and won’t be trying the rides, you can go just go on a trekking adventure.

Upon arrival, we had a short briefing first. Please take note that wearing of shorts, skirts or dresses for females are not allowed. Proper safety gears are also worn before you take a ride. Rates are as follows:

For the bold and courageous, try Tree Top’s most popular attraction– the Tree Drop in which you will rappel 60 ft above ground, Mission Impossible-style. I wasn’t able to experience this because it started raining and they have to close it for safety reasons. I was relieved because I was really afraid to try it. But seeing how the other bloggers enjoyed it, I’ll (try) do it next time.

photo by Eric Tan

Another favorite attraction is the Superman Ride where you will zipline Superman-style 150 ft high, 200 meters long over a ravine. What makes it different is you will also zipline backwards and it can be a tandem ride.

photo by Eric Tan

What I find interesting is the Silver Surfer. You (together with another rider) will be standing on a platform that glides up and down through the air. What make it quite scary are the sudden stops and swings.

photo by Eric Tan

The Skywalk is just an elevated walkway where you can get a good view of the whole theme park.

photo from www.treetopadventureph.com

Another attraction that I enjoyed is the Canopy. These are cable chairs elevated at 100 ft above ground that will take you to various stations within the park. It was relaxing to just be sitting there and taking in the view and fresh air.

Another Tree Top Adventure attraction is the Funicular Ride. It only takes about 5-10 minutes where you will just be seated on a ride that will just go up and down.

photo by Eric Tan

Tourist sites visits, horse-back riding, strawberry-picking or ukay-ukay shopping are not the only “things to do” when in Baguio City. Experiencing extreme adventure at Tree Top Adventure is definitely one good reason to visit the City of Pines.

For more info, Tree Top Adventure’s official website: http://www.treetopadventureph.com/

Special shout-out to TravelBook Ph, the official media partner for this event.  Check them out at: http://www.travelbook.ph/

Azalea Residences Baguio: A Fun Holiday Getaway

With the sweltering Manila weather, a cool Baguio escapade is something that I wouldn’t certainly miss. So on May 12, I joined 17 other bloggers for a 3D/2N Group Getaway sponsored by Azalea Hotels and Residences in the City of Pines.

Azalea Residences is the first 4-star serviced apartment hotel in Baguio City, meaning it has the conveniences of a hotel and the full services and amenities of a serviced-apartment. It is located on an enclave along Leonard Wood, near Teacher’s Camp.  It is quite hidden from the main road, so be alert in looking for the Azalea signage.

Lani, Leomy, Arianne, Richelle, Rejj and I were assigned to a 2-bedroom apartment suite. It has a master’s bedroom (with own bathroom), a guest bedroom and a convertible sofa bed in the living room with a bathroom (with towels and toiletries). 

Azalea also has deluxe hotel rooms, one bedroom apartment suites, and 3-bedroom apartment suites, perfect for family or groups.

The rooms are new, clean and spacious. These three things are what I look for in an accommodation. Plus the bed mattresses are comfy and the pillows, soft. 

Each room also has a flatscreen TV with DVD player and WI-FI access. It also has a dining area and kitchenette with electric cooktops and kitchen and dinnerware set for those who opt to cook and dine in the comfort of their rooms.

But of course, a trip Baguio wouldn’t be complete without visiting its famous tourist spots. And as part of the Getaway, Azalea came up with an itinerary for the must-visit sites, which are all within reach from the hotel. 

For Day 2, we went to the Mountain Maid Training Center which is popular for its ube jam, the breathtaking view Mines View Park, the good old Wright Park, the iconic Mansion, and the haunted Laperal House, yay!  Some of us checked out the Night Market along Harrison Road.

For Day 3, we went strawberry picking and pasalubong shopping at Strawberry Farm and appreciated art at BenCab Museum (one off my bucket list!).

And all throughout our stay, we were treated to a sumptuous feast at Tradisyon Coffee Shop, Azalea’s in-house restaurant. The selection features traditional local and international comfort food staples. My favorites are kare-kare, roasted chicken and of course, their famous hot chocolate.

I’ve been to Baguio a couple of times since I was kid and have visited most of the sites already, but this time, it is quite “refreshing”, so to speak. Thank you Azalea Residences for making our Baguio stay truly a fun holiday getaway!

For room rates and other info, visit Azalea Residences’ (Baguio) official website: http://www.azaleabaguio.com/

Special shout-out to TravelBook Ph, the official media partner for this event.  Check them out at: http://www.travelbook.ph/

Zoomanity Group’s Robert Yupangco to share his wisdom at the Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2016

Robert Laurel Yupangco, a charming bachelor with successful businesses in tourism and finance, will be one of the speakers this May 27, 2016 at Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2016. Mr. Yupangco will be a panel speaker and round table discussion lead for the topic “The Digital Tourism.” He will also be one of the incubators at the “Start-Up Pitching Session.” The multi-awarded Yupangco is a favorite conference speaker because of his wit, humor, experience and wisdom.

According to Mr. Yupangco:

“Timing is important! Let me re-quote the English proverb: The early bird catches the worm but, the early worm was eaten by the bird. We may act promptly but without strategy we may not get our desired results."

"Having a good and well-planned strategy is one key to cope up in the digital era that we are now facing. Technology change and consumer adapting to technology are drawing marketing innovators to a fast face media platforms. Hospitality and tourism is one of the industries that is most affected by digital development. Technology enables consumer make better travel alternatives causing higher expectations."

"In order to perform well and gain competitive advantages, players in the travel industry, like us in Zoomanity Group are always looking for the newest and better ways to reach our customers. We are focusing on “real experience” through a real and live interaction with animals and nature. Zoomanity Group parks: Zoobic Safari in Subic, Residence Inn Tagaytay, Zoocobia in Clark, Pampanga, Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, Zoocolate Thrills in Loboc Bohol, are now expanding internationally through our projects in Nagano, Japan called Zootopia, a Ski and Summer resort park, and animal breeding center in Shepparton City inVictoria, Australia. To give our customers a better and easy way to visit our parks we’ve launched an online ticketing system called www.zoomanitypayment.com.ph."

"Change has been a vital part in our growing tourism industry especially in digital aspect. The rising customer expectations gives companies like us to have better opportunities to expand our market by giving a more quality and unique experience."

"With this, I want to share you this message: think out of the box. You will never grow if you stay inside the limited corners of an idea. Business is a world of infinite possibilities. You will not succeed if you are afraid to tap the only permanent thing in this world, change.”

TAG Media and Public Relations is the marketing & branding arm of Zoomanity Group. For more info: 09166299381