I Am PINOYPETERPAN

Whenever I told someone that I am currently watching Gundam, the usual response was “meron pa ba nun?”or “di na uso yan ah”. Maybe it is not as popular as before, but the most recent release of the Gundam Franchise “Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans” was not at all what I expected to see. For those who are not that familiar with it, it is a 2015 anime television series created by Sunrise. The first season aired in Japan from October 04, 2015 to March 27, 2016, simulcasted by Gundam.info through its official site and YouTube channel. A second season debuted on October 02, 2016 and was recently concluded on April 02, 2017. With a total of 50 episodes, this action-packed, tear jerker, full of real life stories, politically driven and socially conscious animated series should not be missed.

BACKGROUND OF THE STORY

The stand alone, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans, happened more than 300 years after the great conflict known as “Calamity War”. The Martian city of Chryse is still under the control of the economic blocs from Earth. Kudelia Aina Bernstein, the maiden of revolution, hires a group of young & expandable underdogs from the Third Army Division within Chryse Guard Security (CGS) that would bring her to Earth to spearhead the independence of Chryse City.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE ANIME SERIES

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Most of the characters here are underdogs. They are treated like slaves (some of them are referred to in the anime series as “human debris”) and because most of them are kids they would do whatever it is that they’re told. It somehow has that GoT (Game of Thrones) feels in a way that you would root for that character and in a blink of an eye, that character dies. Instead of losing interest, it would make you want to watch the series more. All deaths are justified (in my humble opinion) and often it would make the story more worth watching.

ACTION SEQUENCES DURING BATLES. All that clashes and fight scenes of the mechas would make any geeks drool, kick and shout. One fight scene (and I’m not gonna tell which one 😉) makes me say “that’s just serves you right” and another fight scene almost (emphasis on the almost, the reason why it is bold 😊) made me cry. The writer made every fight scenes justified and unavoidable, although it is a bit brutal and bloody.

IT COULD GET WAY TOO REAL SOMETIMES. Yes, I know that this is just an anime, but the issues of the story are way to real life sometimes. Many documentaries nowadays delve into slavery, child labor, war, and child soldiers. It shows you the ugly side of humanity and all of that are incorporated into the story of Iron Blooded Orphans. The anime would make you question if for what age brackets of viewers they are aiming for. Those issues are scary and for some it is also real. Maybe not for kids, but still those stories are needed to be told.

THE ENDING. I would not explain further as to why I like the ending because it would only spoil those that have not yet watched it but under those circumstances they’re in on the latter part of the series, the writer could have not done a better job than this one. I’m glad that I’ve watched it from the first episode until its conclusion. 😊

I like the series. From the fight scenes to the story itself was just right. The sensitivity of the issues was downplayed for the younger viewers and was told in a way that would slightly pinch your heart the right way. This series just makes me more excited as to what the next installment of the Gundam franchise would be. So, till next time!😉

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If you wanted a trip that would quench your adrenaline rush and satisfy the nature lover in you, try Cagayan de Oro – Bukidnon – Camiguin getaway. Cagayan de Oro boasts the thrill of riding a river rapids, Dahilayan would dare you to conquer your fears and Camiguin would astonish you with breath-taking sceneries. Our trip was so awesome that I decided to share our DIY itinerary for those who wanted to try it too.

It all started with a promo fare from Cebu Pacific a year earlier (yeah, imagine the anticipation):

Before the trip, we (me, Rechelle, Joyce, and Cris) did a badly needed brainstorming with regards to our expenses, itinerary and everything under the sun about our trip. A very useful tip for anyone who wanted to take a #lakwatsagoals with friends, it’s important that everything is planned and settled before the trip. Less hassle, no argument and all that’s left is to enjoy. 🙂

Our DIY itinerary:

DAY 1: A van was booked in advance for our airport to hotel transfer (for other ways to get to the city proper, click this link. This site will give you helpful transfer options). Our plan for our first day is to just check in at our hotel and eat dinner. After the drop off, we proceeded checking in at GC Suites Hotel. Upon arrival, we are greeted with sweet smiles and a refreshing welcome drink which I think is all we need after that toxic traffic from Laguindingan airport to Cagayan de Oro City proper. Going back to our pleasant check in at GC Suites Hotel, we came up with reasons why we would recommend it to those who would be travelling to Cagayan de Oro: (1) Hotel staffs are very approachable and helpful, (1) their themed rooms are comfortable, (2) spacious, (3) with free Wi-Fi, and (4) room rates are reasonable. We ate our dinner at Barkadahan Grill and watched a fire dance being performed at Bonifacio Park along Divisoria.

DAY 2: We woke up early for the planned activities ahead of us. Kuya Jun picked us up and we ate our breakfast inside the Tamarraw FX because we needed to be at Great White Rafting HQ around 8:00 AM. Inside the Tamarraw FX, there are people already waiting for us. We are the two groups (them & us) that would conquer the rapids of Cagayan de Oro River. When we arrived at the Great White Rafting HQ, big bags are waiting there for our things that we didn’t want to get wet. We changed to our wet suits and went to Cagayan de Oro river for our orientation. We prayed for our safety before going into our boats and on we go for one heck of an adrenaline-packed ride! I think pictures and videos would best describe it but the bottom line is — CDO white water rafting was such a blast!

About 1:30 PM, we are done with our lunch (also included in our package) and ready to go to Dahilayan Adventure Park. We went there via van, we passed by Cagayan de Oro’s Malunggay Pastel Bread to try their Ostrich Burger (sorry, no actual picture of the burger) and also to buy some pasalubong. Upon arrival at Dahilayan Adventure Park, we decided to avail of the rope course just because it sounds fun and exciting 🙂 . True to its name, we go through one adventure to another. Their ziplines are amazing and like a kid, you might shout — Again! Again! Again! For the bravehearts, they do have just the ride for you (drum roll please)… Dropzone! So, if ever you happened to be in Bukidnon and you like adventure, be sure to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park because you will not regret it. 🙂

DAY 3: For us to enjoy our whole day Camiguin Tour, we opted on boarding the first scheduled ferry going to Benoni Port, Camiguin. To do that, we booked a van that would pick us up as early as 02:00 AM to go to Balingoan Port. Around 5:30 in the morning, we reached Benoni Port and our multicab for the Camiguin Tour is already there waiting for us. Thanks to Kuya Tata for driving us all day for our Camiguin Tour. Sulit! 🙂

Itinerary provided by Kuya Teddy (click here for other Camiguin Tour packages):

Katibawasan Falls