goodbye 2015, 2016, new year, gongjumonica, blogger

Goodbye 2015

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Goodbye 2015. This year had been a mixture of ups and downs for me. I had my fair share of happiness, sadness, gratitude, and disappointment. This 2015, I kept on taking my grad studies and even attended a summer school in Europe. I tried taking a challenging government examination and still waiting for the results. I discovered my real love of traveling and visited nine countries and several provinces in the Philippines. I have realized my worth and learned that I should only be with those who accept and appreciate me. I was able to realize who my real friends Read More …

world of wonder #wonderful #agodaph, gongjumonica, blogger, travel, new zealand

A #Wonderful World of Wonder through Volunteerism

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Welcome to my #Wonderful World of Wonder: Pay It Forward The overwhelming sense of completeness and satisfaction every time I do volunteer work, paying it forward, makes my life #Wonderful. I remember watching the film “Pay It Forward” in my NSTP class during my freshman year in university. My inner self was celebrating because we finally had a break from a whole-day class schedule. Never did I imagine that one simple film showing would affect my life much and change me as who I am now. The movie starred Kevin Spacey, a social studies teacher who gave a goodwill assignment to his Read More …

schengen, austrian embassy, filipinos, tourist visa application, guide, steps, travel blogger

Schengen Tourist Visa for Filipinos: Preparation and Application Process

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Visa Application Series: How to Apply for Schengen Tourist Visa in Austrian Embassy for Filipinos Part I   Have you ever dreamed of flying to Europe, breathing the European air while you casually eat Sachertorte in a traditional and world famous kaffeehaus (coffee house) in Albertinaplatz, Vienna with musical notes of Mozart playing sweetly in the background? Have you ever fancied yourself walking along the Tuileries then later climbing up the Arc du Triomphe to have the best view of Paris and Tour Eiffel at night? If yes, I am sure you have more vivid pictures in your head where you want to Read More …

reasons to travel, travel, travel blogger, gongjumonica, gongjumonicatravel, philippines

Top 8 Reasons Why I travel

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Why do you travel? I get this a lot lately, especially after everyone learns about my back-to-back jet setting locally and internationally these past months. After hearing a friend posed this question for the first time, I laughed and answered sarcastically, “Why won’t you travel?” The answer seems so obvious to me at the time, but it later made me pause and consider an accurate response. After looking back to my trips and examining myself, I have compiled a list of my top eight reasons why I travel and will keep doing it in the future. 1. I travel to escape Read More …

cebu pacific, get go, buy more fly more, #buymoreflymore, phillippines, travel, gongjumonica

Travel Tip: Fly For Free with Cebu Pacific’s Buy More, Fly More Campaign

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If you are a frequent traveler like me, why not use the opportunity to actually get more from what you are paying? There are many established and rising loyalty programs out there for various businesses and airline industry is no exception. In the Philippines, Cebu Pacific is the largest carrier in the country’s air transportation industry and I flew with them countless of times. Its loyalty program, GetGo, was launched this year and like other rewards lifestyle program, it lets clients earn points every time they fly with Cebu Pacific. Being me, I joined the program right away and had Read More …

gongjumonica, gongjumonicatravel, blogger, fashion, asian, filipino, OOTD

I’m Back to Blogging! | Website Revamped

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Hello, October! Have you missed me? I was out travelling around the country and Europe for the past months and had taken a blogging hiatus, but I am now back! Starting this month, I would be sharing a better and more improved website to all of you. Yes, Impressions of a Princess has gotten more than a face lift – it has been totally revamped! Aside from a new web design, gongjumonica.com will now be more serious in expressing personal interests of yours truly.  I would be writing less sponsored reviews and articles and more of my own thoughts and Read More …

I Miss Blogging

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With my social calendar in Europe full up to the brim, I can’t often post on my social media accounts and update my website. Still, I hope that you will continue on reading this blog for references in my past posts and future write-ups, travel guides, and photo diaries. Thank you so much for your support! 🙂  

mt pamitinan, hiking guide, mountain climbing, rizal, gongjumonica, wawa dam

Hiking Guide: Mt. Pamitinan | Itinerary + Budget Breakdown

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Booking.com After a series of my local and international travels these past few months, I was able to do something I really wanted to achieve – mountain climbing! After my first mountain, I want to share this useful hiking guide to Mt. Pamitinan to all of you. Not curious yet? You will be once you learned that this entire hike cost less than 200 pesos (US$4) and took less than two hours away from Quezon City. Have your attention now? Read on. Mt. PAMITINAN , Montalban, Rodriguez, Rizal | Major Jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Montalban, Rodriguez, Rizal | LLA (Pamitinan): 14°43′51.7′′N 121°11′29.2′′ Read More …

gourmet farms, farm girl, OOTD, fashion, gongjumonica, gongjumonicafashion

Farm Girl OOTD

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When was the last time you have visited a farm? If you are living in a busy city or in the capital like me, it isn’t common to have occasions to leave school and work just for a day or two in the countryside. More often than not, urbanites only have a chance to explore provinces and the rich fields there during travel assignments and holidays. Since this is a very rare opportunity, I collected those photos below to remember how my day tour at Gourmet Farms was like. The photos were taken at Gourmet Farms in Silang, Cavite. This Read More …

hawk bag, hawkbag, photoshoot, back to school, gongjumonicafashion

Back to School with Hawk Bag

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In a few days, most schools in the Philippines will be opening again for the start of a new academic year. With June starting today, I have seen many are doing their last-minute shopping in preparation for the upcoming semester. Aside from uniforms, shoes, and school supplies, another important thing not to be missed is a sturdy and fashionable bag.  Just in time for the school days, Filipino-owned bag company, Hawk, has recently held an open photoshoot at Splash Island. The weather was forecasted to be clear, so I decided to go for a casual and sunny look with a Read More …