Ever thought of a battle between recipes? My husband contributed this idea after we watched Miss Granny starring Sarah Geronimo. We were inspired by the idea of a battle between same recipe but different spices or flavorings. The older version of Sarah G portrayed by Ms. Nova Villa was very meticulous to Sinigang recipe. She wanted to use Tunay na Sampaloc instead of the powdered Sinigang Mix. Oh well! Let’s see how it will go! Watch here how my family reacted to my 2 recipe version of Sinigang!
Watch the video for list of ingredients and direction in cooking. Enjoy! Bon appetit!
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It took me a while to leave for Japan due to some personal reasons. I got my Japan Visa in June 2019 but I was able to travel in September 2019 (almost the end of visa validity). However, it was God’s grace that this trip came into a reality.
Please read here on How to Apply for a Japan Tourist Visa. I do not mean to discourage the visa applicants, yet it was not true that it was easy. As I mentioned on the post about visa application, while waiting for my turn, 2 applicants were denied of Japan Visa. They were told to apply after 6 months if they wish to. It is imperative to be very careful with the requirements and specifics such as the A4 size paper, the info on the forms should be consistent, the itinerary and others. When you follow the guidelines appropriately, it will be easy to acquire your dream visa to Japan.
Let us move on! I realized, when you travel, it is important that you know what is your purpose on that specific trip. For example, personally, I want to take a rest from the house chores, and all that there is in being a Stay at Home Wife for years. Can you relate? Comment down if you do. Tell us more about it. Who understands me on this sentiment? Having said so, I did not intend to go to Disneyland or the like. I want to be there with my kids. I was more on, having peace; walk in the park; experience eating authentic Ramen, Sushi and Yakiniku; experience the transportation system in Japan, shop chocolates, buy at least 1 branded bag and whatever I could think of. I wanted to see Sakura but it was not the season anymore of Sakura or Cherry Blossoms since it blooms in March, I traveled in September. So, I need to go back!
I was and is still very thankful to my friend Eloi and his husband Bong for accommodating me in their humble abode. I had a nice time with the kids too. I was able to stay in a house which is not just Japan-inspired but a Japanese house in reality. I had culture immersion on how it is to live in Japan. And how it is to live in a residential area with Japanese neighbors. How quiet it can be. That was indeed one of the great experiences on my first travel to Japan!
Their transport system is very organized. You can travel with ease. Why did I say that? Everything is ON TIME. You know when the train and the bus will arrive and leave. No pushing, everyone is calm while entering and alighting the train and bus. Japan has different reloadable cards where you can use at the bus and train ride and even 7/11, Family mart and Lawson stores to purchase food and other you might need along the way.
There was just a slight challenge because only few people speaks English. What I can advice is to download Google Translate and make use of Google maps on your mobile phone. These 2 mobile applications can be very useful in your travels not just in Japan. You can travel Japan with ease. And do not forget to book wifi device on Klook as it will be very useful as you travel all over Japan. Choose the one that offers unlimited data.
Want to know another reason why I said that you can travel with ease in Japan? My friend for some unexpected reason was not able to pick me up at the airport on my arrival date. Something came up from her work. I have nothing against my friend. In fact, it was an exciting one. I arrived at Chubu Centrair International Airport a bit earlier than expected, around 8:20PM. It was also a good one that airports in Japan have strong internet connection. We were able to call each other on Facebook Messenger from the moment I queue at the immigration, which way to the exit, where to buy train tickets, which train to ride, which station to go, until she arrived on that train station.
The pocket wifi I ordered, was late for delivery at their house, reason why I did not have it yet with me. And the counter at the airport closes at 6PM, my arrival was supposed to be almost 9PM, so I ought to have it delivered at their house. The Japanese Telco immediately reply and refund for 2 days (days late) is in process going back to my Klook account. Thank you!
Intro is over! What did I do in Japan? Where did I go? What food did I try?
Gusto Cafe in Higashiura, Obu, Aichi Prefecture
I left our house in the Philippines with my husband; Third at around 8AM. We had brunch in Cubao while waiting for the P2P bus going to NAIA. My last meal was 10AM. I only had crackers while on the plane. It was almost midnight in Japan, guess what? I was so hungry then. Eloi brought me to Gusto Cafe. I was so amazed with everything there. My ignorance hit me. But I like it. I want to learn and discover new things, specially in Japan; a first world country. I let Eloi order for me. Then, she added the Drink Bar where you can have unlimited or bottomless flavored coffee, flavored juice, flavored tea, flavored soda and chocolate drink with added flavor. Your choice if you want it hot or cold, amazing isn’t it? Since, I liked it a lot there. I went there again, alone and planned to compose a blog post or anything that I can write. It was cozy there and serene. It was there that I film my review of Japan Trip 2019 and how to order without knowing Nihonggo.
Little World Museum of Man in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture
My experience with my friend Eloi in Little World was fun and unforgettable. The moment I arrived in Japan, I kept saying, “I’m in Japan”. I could not believe it. Eloi, would just stare at me and smile. She understood that I was happy to be with her in Japan. I read on some blogs that you can have a passport to go around the world inside the Little World and have it stamped by yourself in every country then, you can have a gift as well on your last stamp at the reception before you exit the premise. Walking around the Little World was tiring yet exciting. We got motivated by the stamps that we had to complete and the gift after the trip. I swear, you need motivation! If not, you might give up after visiting only few countries. You can try different national costume of each country destination for a price of 500 Yen. There is a coaster as a transport to use to roam around but, we did not try it. We enjoyed walking though it was a sunny afternoon. It was still Summer time when I arrived in Japan. Fall was approaching when I left Japan. Check out our YT video representing different countries below:
Daiso Japan in Arimatsu, Aichi Prefecture
I know we have Daiso also in the Philippines but I happened to reach this big Daiso outlet store in Arimatsu inside the Aeon Mall. Most of the items there were worth 100 Yen or if we convert to our money is PhP 47 – 50 (depends on the prevailing rate) plus 8% sales tax. I bought some goos and slime for our kids, also some make up items. There are lots of items to choose from. Other items will have price tags which are worth above 100 yen. Watch my video and see what you can find below:
BIC Camera in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Bic Camera is one of the go to shop in Japan if you want to have variety of options at a lower cost compared to the other shops when it comes to gadgets, appliances and other electronic items. We found a good price for 1TB Hardrive which my friend bought. There is also a voucher for discounts where you can get online at their website, on Klook, and at the nearest tourist reception center of the area where you are in Japan.
Shiromaru-Base (Authentic Ramen) in Kanayama, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Diz iz it! Ramen is becoming famous in the Philippines next to Samguypsal chains. As we all know, Samgyupsal originated in Korean with grilled food where you can choose marinated beef and pork on variety of flavors while Ramen originated in Japan with noodles and flavors to choose from. We noticed that there were men more than women who looked like they came from work/office. I was so excited because I have not tasted Ramen even in the Philippines, I wanted it as authentic as it can be. My Japan visit is just perfect! Now, I understand the cravings! Watch my first encounter of Ramen on my video of Mukbang Ramen, Japan edition here:
Aeon Mall – Food Court in Obu, Aichi Prefecture
I dined in here and found those displays right near the entrance of each restaurant chain. They are very inviting and looked so real to me. Check it out here! What will you order?
Don Quijote in Sakae, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
This is the place to be if you want to shop pasalubong to take back home for your family and friends. The branch that my friend and I went into was in Sakae near the Nagoya TV Tower and Oasis 21. Just in front of Sunshine Sakae. You won’t miss it since there are a lot of lights and posters that says TAX FREE or TAX REFUND. This store location has 4 floors. 1st floor has food, chocolates, drinks and groceries. 2nd floor has make-up and medicine, 3rd floor has toys, gadgets and accessories and 4th floor has perfumes, shoes, watches, luxury items such as bags of different brands. See for yourself here:
Sunshine Sakae in Sakae, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
It is a mall at the center of Sakae. It has a ferris wheel in front of its building. It is operational and it could be a nice experience to ride.
Nagoya TV Tower and Oasis 21 in Sakae, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Nagoya TV Tower and Oasis 21 are two of the most visited spots in Sakae. The Nagoya TV tower was said to look like Eiffel tower in the evening because of its lights and structure. Unfortunately, there were no lights on that night. While the Oasis 21 is like a huge spaceship that shifts colors from time to time. When we were there, we went live on Facebook. You can ride an elevator to reach the top level where you can walk around the transparent water filled roof which changes its flooring color. On the 2nd level is a garden set up where tourists can relax and chat with their company. The ground floor has shopping and dining options.
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Conveyor Belt Sushi at Oasis 21 in Sakae, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
It was a dream come true to finally dine in authentic conveyor belt restaurant. It was bit pricey from where we dine in at Nigiri No Tokube located in Oasis 21 compared to other local sushi restaurants in another area where there is 100 yen per plate. The price per plates was discussed in our YT video.
Nagashima Resort in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture
The Nagashima Resort features a hotel, onsen spa, an amusement park, and shopping at Mitsui Outlet Park. It is said to be Japan’s largest amusement park and natural outdoor bath in one. Both adults and kids can enjoy and have fun here. I only have few photos and video since my phone battery died. Overall, it was fun and relaxing. Not to mention, my friends Eloi, Lez and I bought a bag with same design which I called our FRIENDSHIP BAG from Coach. We had fun at Chanel outlet store too. We found those jaw-dropping prices and another jaw-dropping reaction after we saw how the prices dropped making it SUPER SALE! I will surely come back. Can you read my mind?
McDonalds in Japan
We all know what McDonalds is. But it is still different when its there. I had to do it. And besides if you are on a budget, you will have that moment when you will tell yourself, it might be a little different here. 🙂 Oh well, their meals start at 500 yen If I remember it right. The easiest way to convert it into Philippine Pesos is to divide it into 2. The exchange rate of 1 yen to PhP ranges from .47 to .49 depends on the current rate. My order is worth around 250 pesos.
Yakiniku King in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture
What can I say? Speechless with the taste and the chunky serving of the meat here. Plus the bonding time with my friends. It closes at 12mn. Our friend Lez brought Eloi and I to the most unforgettable Yakiniku (for sure) I can ever experience. Thank you Lez.
Nabana No Sato in Mie Prefecture
It was an enchanting experience to see thousands of flowers, real ones and not paper roses. The Begonia Garden caught my attention. There was also Onsen inside, but we did not bother. Watch what I have seen. My pleasure to share with you all.
Toilet in Japan (Ignorance strikes)
I was so ignorant and amazed how toilet looks like in Japan. I do not know if we have it in the Philippines. I know a bidet from the toilet but that’s just it. Not with all thise sound effects of flush, flowing water, hot or cold, etc. Do we? Please comment down where? Watch how ignorant I was in my YT video here:
Overall experience, my first trip to Japan was a blast! Experiences of eating authentic Japanese cuisine was a remarkable experience one can have. I enjoyed the feeling of ignorance in a country I have never been before. I was also surprised to know that there were not much trash can in Japan. You can only find them beside vending machines. They segregate their trash and only bring it outside on scheduled pick up dates. Watch here:
My goal of “me time” was achieved! Stay at home moms need sometime for themselves. I will surely go back. I will plan my next itinerary based on my goal as what I did.
Thank you to my husband for the funds and support.
Share your plans and experiences in Japan. Let us know what you have in mind. Like my Facebook page.
The long wait was over. Finally, our reserved date at Breakout Philippines arrived. Our friend; Eloisa got back from Japan. We wanted to try out something new in our 30 years of friendship. Breakout came first in mind. As, Titas from GenerationX, this should be a very exciting experience. It is an escape room interactive type of game. Feel the mood, feel the vibe, feel the suspense as if it is real. Immerse yourself. Exciting huh? You know I have always wanted to be a detective. This is the game for us Sherlock Holmes wanna be. 😜
As their official website says, “We’re pretty sure it’s not every day that you get chased by zombies, hunted down by psychotic serial killers, sucked in a video game world, or get trapped in a catacomb…. The goal is to ESCAPE THE ROOM IN 45 MINUTES. Players must PLAN as a team, SOLVE puzzles collaboratively in order to ESCAPE before time expires.”
The price is affordable. Even the students can afford it. This game is for all ages. A perfect bonding among family, friends, and colleagues. Children 13 years and below should be accompanied by adults. It means, Junior High Schools can immerse themselves in a escape room here at Breakout. Maximum capacity in a room is 6 persons. Minimum of 1 person (your choice, if you want to be alone), but it is best played in group of at least 2.
How did we prepare? First, I called in to ask for reservation details. Then, payment was made through online banking. Email was sent to confirm the payment and details of reservation such as the venue, room of choice, time and date. Show the said email on the day of your adventure either printed or a screenshot on your mobile phone. Our chosen room was DEAD END as inspired by the movie ESCAPE ROOM (2019). Its difficulty level is 5 out of 5. It may not be recommended for first timers, but it is worth the fun and excitement.
How was the experience? I cannot be into detail, I do not want to spoil the fun and suspense for the next players. There is a designated locker for your personal stuff. Phones and cameras are not allowed. Again, let the other players experience the thrill and fun as well. You only have 45 minutes to finish your chosen theme room. As far as I know you can ask for time extension, ask the front desk personnel about this. Kim was the lady who assisted us (Maggie, Grace, Eloisa and me). She exhibited excellent customer service from the moment I arrived, during the game and until end of the game where the picture taking part was. Not to mention she is beautiful too. 🙂
What happened was, we had to be blindfolded as we entered the room. We already felt the thrill of the game. The room had flickering lights and suspense sound effects. We happened to immersed ourselves (mind and body), that was why, we felt the adrenaline rush. Trial and error was the phrase of the day as we encountered it more than 50 times during the game. We forgot some pointers given on the briefing, which made our journey unsuccessful. We ran out of time. Overall experience was 5/5. The location, the staff, and the game itself. We wanted to go back again to hopefully finish the game. Oh yeah, we are going back!
Sharing our pictures taken at Breakout in North EDSA:
Tips:
Get yourself ready to do some Math and analytical thinking.
There were clues available. Read word for word, if you get it correctly, that is what you will do exactly.
Numbers are relevant in this room type; DEAD END.
Scatter yourselves within the room. It is like have someone to analyze intensely, do the locks, perform the clues, and look for additional clues and others.
Understand the orientation well. Bear the pointers in mind as you enter the room.
The room is air-conditioned, but a hanky will be helpful too.
Work as a TEAM.
For my next visit, I plan to go with my family (husband and our 3 kids). I think the ZOMBIE CABIN is perfect. Imagine being chased by zombies? I wonder what their reactions would be, how loud their scream be? Or should I say, how loud MY reaction will be. We will see… Then, I would like to go back to the DEAD END with my husband to finish the game. I know this time, we will be successful.
Interested? Check below the details of pricing, how to book, branches and rooms, and mechanics of the game:
PRICING
FRIDAY – SUNDAY & HOLIDAY RATES
1 – 2 players – P600 per person
3 – 4 players – P500 per person
5 – 6 players – P400 per person
MONDAY – THURSDAY RATES
1 – 6 players – P300 per person
HOW TO JOIN?
OPTION 1:
ONLINE RESERVATION AND PAYMENT
This is the quickest and easiest way to guarantee your preferred room, date and time slot for you and your friends. Simply click the BOOK ONLINE button below the posters and follow the easy instructions. (Visit the site).In this method, you may use your credit cards or PayPal account to register and reserve your slots!
OPTION 2:
BANK DEPOSIT
Still a bit wary of online transactions? That’s ok. We can do it the old fashioned bank deposit way. Click the BOOK VIA BANK DEPOSIT button below the posters. (Visit the site). You will be asked to indicate HOW MANY you are in the group, and BASIC INFORMATION of the contact person. Expect us to get back to you within 24 hours for your room reservation confirmation and bank deposit details. We will need a scanned copy of the bank deposit within 24 hours. Failure to do so will cancel your reservation.
OPTION 3:
WALK IN
If you choose to live dangerously, you can opt to simply drop by DURING game days and take your chances for an availability in the rooms.And just so you can’t say we didn’t warn you, we’d just like to let you know that we do NOT recommend this option. The last thing we’d want to do is to break the hearts of excited walk-ins just because all slots are filled. (Other content from Breakout Official Website)
Announcement
Every first Sunday of the month, the Cactus and Succulents Society of the Philippines Inc. hold its monthly meeting with the members and officials. Free lecture/workshop, free food, CnS bazaar, support on care/tips about your plant and new acquaintances are what the cactus enthusiasts can expect from the CSSPI. Last August 2018 meeting, Mr. Lino Rom; CSSPI President and Mr. Boyet Ganigan; owner of Arid ‘n Aroids Nursery announced the venue of September meeting with what to expect on such event; Grabe Agave. It was jaw-dropping wow! See below the raffle prizes. It only seems like simple plants but they are not!
Teaser
The members and officials of the Cactus and Succulents Society of the Philippines Inc. were exhilarated about the Grabe Agave event. It was hosted by the September group. I had sleepless nights when the event was fast approaching. Can you relate? September 9, 2018, was like an early Christmas for CSSPI. A month long reminder and adverts made the CnS enthusiasts more thrilled. I met a mother and daughter who lives in Tagaytay but it was their first time to visit Arid ‘n Aroids because of what they saw and read on the Facebook page. Who would not want to take home the 6 digit worth of cactus and succulents which you can win on the Grabe Agave event?! To add, the 2 FREE TRIPs to Bangkok, Thailand were open to be raffled among members and non-members. Who else would sponsor such grand prizes other than the man behind Arid ‘n Aroids; Mr. Boyet Ganigan.
Preparation
Last September 8 (before the big day), the September group prepared with all the effort they can for the grand event. Hand in hand were The Hawo Boys (Tim, Marc, Wilson & Von – in spirit) of The Haworthia Guys, Ms. Jen dela Cruz, and the hosts Mr. Boyet Ganigan with his brother Mr. Mike Ganigan and other staff made sure that it would be a very unforgettable CSSPI meeting of the year.
Grabe Agave Event
This is the day! I am a self-confessed cactus addict. I must say, Arid ‘n Aroids Nursery is my happy place. Grabe Agave attendees were asked to register their names as member or non-members then a loot bag was given with surprise cactus and/or succulent inside. Ours were Astrophytum Asterias babies and a succulent which I do not know the ID (as seen on the image). Registration was necessary for the much anticipated raffle draw at a later time. I arrived at around 9 am with my supportive husband; Third and noticed hundreds of guests/members who were already in. I was #65 as an Official member and my husband was #387 as a non-member. More people kept coming every few minutes interval. Mr. Marlon Valdellon was the first to welcome me and showed the most wanted raffle prizes such as the expensive Agave Pinky, 6 Aloe Hybrids, offset of Gymnocalycium Aurora (mother plant costs 250,000 Baht), 3 Rare Tillandsia, 2 Rare Haworthias, 4 Variegated Sansevierias and he mentioned the 2 Trips to Bangkok, Thailand. I was in awe and had to pause for a bit and stared at each one of them. A minimum purchase of P300 would qualify the attendees whether member or non-member for the raffle draw. It was fair amount to spend knowing the worth of the raffle prizes. You think so?
Mr. Boyet Ganigan; the host of the Grabe Agave event, coordinated with the Baranggay Tartaria officials to avoid any hassle for the safety and convenience of the cactus enthusiasts.
After the registration, I was able to chat with Sir Boyet and Sir Ronald Panelo. Sir Boyet told me personally, “Akala ko alas kwatro ang unang guest na darating, yun pala alas tres. Galing pa sa Bulacan.” He happily imparted. We all found it really impressive. We have “katiniks” na hindi magpapahuli. Hahamakin ang lahat wag ka lang maunahan. I forgot to ask who they were. (Please comment below, so I can mention your names). It was ‘A’ for effort. On another Facebook post, some flew all the way from Cebu just to witness the event. Some checked-in at nearby hotels, a day before the event to arrive early at the location. Whew! Beat that! Kids, young adults, yuppies, adults and those young at heart were seen all over the 1.8 hectares of land full of cactus, succulents and ornamental plants. It has always been a drooling experience in Arid ‘n Aroids.
I spotted some All Stars and took the chance to have pictures with them. I also saw a celebrity couple; Mr. Alwyn Uytingco and his wife Ms. Jennica Garcia-Uytingco. Ms. Jennica is an official member of CSSPI. They were in the Open House of Arid ‘n Aroids with their cute little boy. I also noticed Sir Lino Rom from afar but no chance to take a picture.
I must say, the weather cooperated well. The sun was up all day long. Mainit ang panahon pero okay lang, masaya naman. Third and I were able to walk around and shoot pictures of most part of Arid ‘n Aroids collection. Loud and up beat music, laughters, chat among the guests can be heard even whispers like, “Magkano kaya to?”, “Mahal kaya to?”, “Baka di na ako makauwe.”, “Baka magalit ang asawa ko.”, “Kulang yata ang laman ng wallet ko.” and others can be heard. Can you share some thoughts you had when you were there or if you happened to be there? Posting these photos taken:
Mr. Buchi Romero; ‘Mr. Agave Prince’ was there to lecture the guests about Agave. The topic was, Basic Care and Beautification of Agave. He personally shared with me that Agave is not difficult to grow. It only needs full sun, and fast drying soil. Rain or shine they will continue to grow. He used to be the sole collector of Agave. And he is glad that many people have started to be interested in Agave. He mentioned he has a giant Agave, which he wishes to stay that way because he is running out of space. He has wide collection of Agave. I got inspired and would like to try as well.
The Oath taking of the new members took place before lunch as Official members of CSSPI. They all looked very happy and excited as they posed on their first photo as official members.
The food and drinks were available to everyone such as unlimited snacks from early morning. I spotted Pancit and Banana Q. While, the lunch was served from 11am onwards. Nag-enjoy ka na, nabusog ka pa.
The queue at the payment section was indeed long. Imagine lots of guests were in line waiting for their turn. Onset it was Sir Mike who was in-charge with the help of some CSSPI official members (Ms. Angel, Sir Marlon, Hawo boys, Ms, Jen, etc). I commend Sir Mike because he was very pleasant in entertaining the price inquiries while accommodating the guests in purchasing their chosen CnS. Later that day, Sir Boyet also assisted in the payment area which made it quicker to finish the process. The cactus enthusiasts were patient while on queue. They used their waiting time to exchange ideas about CnS and any plant related topics. I heard some Visayan, Ilocano and other languages that I cannot identify (apologies). If I am not mistaken there were about a thousand or more people who attended the event. Below were the pictures of the queue from morning until around 2:30pm.
Raffle
The much awaited part of the event finally happened. My bad, I was still on queue to pay my 2nd batch of purchase when the raffle was on-going. I missed the names of the winners and their respective prizes. (Also, not sure they would approve to post their names and pictures here). I remember some new official members bagged one of the Trip to Bangkok (Mr. Darryl) and another one was the Gymnocalycium Aurora offset. Also, I heard Ms. Aireen Bernal, bagged one of the grand raffle prizes if I remember it correctly. I will update this post once I have the list and granted the permission from them. Congratulations to the winners!
Here are the pictures of the lucky winners. Thanks again to sir Marlon for letting me share these unforgettable moment.
The September group may have gotten exhausted yet they pulled it off. Job well done! With your group effort, it made a lot of people happy in ways you do not know. And to Sir Boyet, September will never be the same if not with Grabe Agave!
Over-all the day was filled with smiles, hopes, laughter, and love. I may have missed the chance to bring home any of the raffle prizes (with bitterness😁) but I was able to meet new people, make new friends, give some tips on plant care and lastly, keep the memories which will last a lifetime. #GrabeAgave
Please comment any thoughts you might have. No haters please, positive lang. 😊🌵🌸 Please like my Facebook page if not too much to ask.
(Credit to the owners of the photos. Thanks for the given permission to post them.)
But wait, there’s more! Caption the pictures. Credit to Sir Marlon Valdellon of Succulents and Spikes for these wonderful photos. #RealLife #RealExpressions #HappyLangWagSad
We booked this trip early, like 6 months ahead. My close friend; Beni suggested this resort in Batangas. It was supposed to be our hotel room for my cousin’s wedding last June 2016 (Eynna & Benedick) yet we were not able to attend. It is the Canyon Cove Hotel and Spa Resort located in Nasugbu, Batangas. We left home at 5am. We travelled for over 4 hours from Bulacan thru Cavitex-Ternate Highway (long and winding road with cliff on our right). Kinda scary yet exciting. No heavy traffic, just a smooth journey.
On our way there, had to stop over and enjoy the view. Sam YG was there also. We grabbed the opportunity to have a picture taken with him and the kids. Behind them was Sam YG’s Ducati. 🏝
We got there at 9am. Even though the check-in time is at 2pm, they were nice to give us an accommodation that early. Thanks so much Canyon Cove! And so, I am referring Canyon Cove Hotel and Spa with Excellent customer service. Having to wait until 2pm with 3 kids was unimaginable. Good job! 👌 In case early check-in happens with you, expect the key card not to work after 12nn. It is automatic because check-out time is at 12nn. Just tell the lobby receptionist or any staff that you need to reset your key card with your assigned room number.
The resort has a “NO FOOD POLICY”. We celebrated Fifth’s 2nd birthday while the kids went on swimming. But you can bring in a cake if celebrating something. Canyon Cove is located near anything like food stalls, food chains, convenient stores, church, municipal hall etc. Just drive for 3-5 minutes and you are there. We actually bought a cake at Red Ribbon for Fifth’s birthday. We brought it in. 🎂
Sharing our pictures below. ❤🌴🍹🌊
The Birthday Boy
I cannot believe he was turning 2! It was December 01, 2014 when we first saw his face. And he got his dimples from his daddy. Heaven sent! And now, a very active baby who is full of energy to go up and down our stairs. Whew! Kids these days, they are growing up fast. Soooo fast!
The Hotel Room
This room is good for 2 adults and 2 kids (accdg to the hotel’s standard). But looking at it, more than 2 adults can accommodate the room since it has 3 beds. It has a veranda, perfect for coffee or may be a smoking area.🏝
The Beach
Oh the beach! I love it! Who doesn’t?
Kids really enjoyed playing on the shore with their sand building toys. And enjoyed more in the water.
Trivia for this blog: First time I tried to to soak again underwater after I had phobia from my drowning experience when I was a child. I went snorkeling! 🌊
Underwater experience
The Resort
Aside from the hotel rooms, there is a pool for kids, playground, activity area, function hall, and the beach!
Water activities are available such as snorkeling, banana boat, kayak, jetski, and others. They have this, can’t remember what it’s called, the Iron Man effect on water where you can fly a bit high using this hydraulic propulsion system. I found out it is a Jetovator. Bandwagon is another water sport activity available. (Updated April 28, 2017)
Food was expensive though at their restaurant. So, we ought to try something else outside the hotel resort.
The Pool
Pool for kids and pool for adults are huge enough to enjoy! My kids were unquestionably brave to swim in the adult pool. Our 5 year old Kuya Fourth has safety floater on his arm. I was just glad they enjoyed every minute of our stay at Canyon Cove. Worth it!
Underwater experience
Lunch at Kainan sa Dalampasigan
We had lunch at Kainan sa Dalampasigan. It was few minutes away from Canyon Cove Hotel and Spa. The place was wonderful and cozy. It has a forest vibe. The food was good. We had Sinigang na Sugpo and Lumpiang Shanghai.
Kumpares
The next day, lunch was busolved! Imagine a very affordable meal with unlimited fried rice and soup. That was already a meal! They offer variants of Silog (Sinangag + Itlog), BBQ, and Pares along with drinks plus choices of dessert. It is located just across Nasugbo Parish Church. So, while waiting for our order, I dropped by the church with my family. We reserved our table to be sure. It was lunch time then, so people started to come.
Raztapahan
On our way back to Manila, we planned to visit this new RazTapahan that has started to proliferate in the south area. As the term suggests, “Raz ta”, which the theme is. Who comes in mind? Bob Marley, yeah? Yellow, Green and Red all over the place with friendly staff. I heard the owners are good-looking couple with a very cute son named Raz. It is a family business of brothers and relatives. Kung food trip ang hanap nyo, sa Raztapahan na! Best tapa I tasted so far. At sabaw pa lang ulam na. Check out their page fb.com/Raztapahan. It is located at Luna St. Corner Avenida, Rizal in Imus, Cavite.
Photo credit: Raztapahan FB account
Our overall experience at Canyon Cove was great. Excellent customer service!
My Rating:
Hotel room 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Service 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Pool facility 🍎🍎🍎🍎
Beach 🍎🍎🍎🍎
Please leave comments and like my Facebook page. Ciao!
Tagalog ang blog post na ito para damang-dama 😉. Parang kailan lang. Naka pony tail pa ako na pumapasok sa Our Lady of Lourdes College na dati ay Our Lady of Lourdes Learning Center sa Valenzuela. Grade 3 na ako nag umpisa dahil galing pa ako sa kapitbahay na school. Kung natatandaan ko pa, eto ang mga sections ko Grade 3 Faith, Grade 4 Prudence, Grade 5 Patience, Grade 6 Wisdom, First yr Humility, Second yr Modesty, Third yr Sincerity at Fourth yr Reverence. Whew! Kaya pa kahit may memory gap. Sa bawat taon ay apat (4) na section at nagkaroon din yata ng limang (5) section sa ibang pagkakataon.
At ngayon, dalawampung (20) taon na pala. Meron na kami kanya-kanyang mga naka pony tail na rin na mga anak o mas malaki pa. May single pa rin naman. Ehemm Joan. May mga nakatira na sa ibang lugar, sa ibang bansa o baka meron sa ibang planeta (paki inform na lang po ako 😆)
Saan, kanino at kelan nga ba nag umpisa magka ayaan ng Reunion? Si Joan at Irah ang kausap ko. Gumawa ako ng group chat sa Facebook at nag request na idagdag ang mga classmates na may konek pa. Sa isang iglap, mabilis lumaganap ang balita. May mga natuwa, meron din naman na busy yata. Kanya kanyang pag gunita sa nakaraan. Lumabas ang mga larawang kupas. Nakita ko na naman ang bangs ko noon. Ang payat pa nila. Ahahaha.. sori naman, ako ang nagsusulat. Sabi nga ni Eloy, “hawak ko ang mic.” 😆 Isa-isa na nabuo ang plano. Venue, petsa, oras, mga committee sa design, invitation, food and drinks, at tshirt na magsisilbing souvenir hanggang sa ilang panahon. Binigay ni Eloisa ang design. At ginawa ko sa tshirt. Only from Fb.com/CTeesPrints (ang aking printing business) Maraming nag sponsor lalo na yung nasa abroad o sinuwerteng nagbabakasyon sa Pilipinas (Jeyrold yoohoo salamat sa lechon!)😉 Nabanggit na rin naman pangalanan na naten sila. Jeyrold sa lechon; Secret sa photobooth; Mary Ann sa pondo ng miscellaneous expenses at alak (tarp etc.); Mau sa utensils; Hannah sa napakagara at napaka bongga na umiilaw pa na design ng venue at stage; Nikki at Jason sa cake; Jason ulit sa Yellow Cab Pizza; Abie sa JCo donuts; Lhenor sa palabok; Eloy sa pichi; Joan sa maja at sandamakmak na effort; Irah sa venue, chairs and tables at sandamakmak na effort din; Natz at Topher sa 3 case ng red horse; Ria at Joyce sa chips/Alfonso/softdrinks/juice; Lordel sa ibang drinks; Leiah sa Menudo; Analisa sa raffle items from Smart (White shirt, water bottles at umbrella); Anthony sa Organizer at calendar; Michelle sa powerpoint presentation ng mga larawang kupas; at ako sa maangahang na Sisig na may chicharon bits. Ang mga tent sa Baranggay Gen.T. deLeon na nagsilbing bubong namen sa gabi ng selebrasyon. Salamat Rina za coordination. Ayos na ayos! Busolved!
Ginamit ang social media para mapalaganap ang impormasyon, mga pictures at ang napapanahon na Facebook Live Video! Kanya kanyang kwentuhan, tawanan, hampasan, asaran at panlalait. Ang saya saya! Bitin pa nga! Dapat yata yung susunod over night na!
Share ko ang ilang pics sa gabing yun! Feel free to comment!
The Set-up
The Early Birds
The Hosts/Organizers
Credit to owner (Joan)
The Photobooth (behind the scene)
The Photobooth (With layout) 😊
The Party
The Teacher (Mr. Narida, thanks for coming. )😉
Holding our tokens; golf umbrella and commemorative mug
The Raffle Winners (some of them)
The Favorite Part
The Commemorative Shirt
We pulled it off! Nakaraos ang reunion sa tulong-tulong ng bawat isa. Sa uulitin! May hang over pa kami. May sumusulpot pang mga pictures nung gabi na yun. Bigay nyo po saken kung may pics kayo na gusto i-post dito. More kita kits saten! ❤💜💛💚💙😉💋
I have been looking at Chef Laudico Guevarra’s Restaurant for years but did not really have the chance to go. Until my hubby’s cluster at work decided to have their lunch there. As we all know, Chef Lau is one of the celebrity chef in the Philippines. He is also one of the judges of the cooking show in one of the big TV network.
The restaurant is an old mansion serving only FILIPINO FOOD. You will feel the Filipino vibe the moment you get there. I felt nostalgic because I remembered my Lolo (Tatay Osong) and Lola (Nanay Bina). The house I grew up at was an old Hispanic house with variety of fruit-bearing trees outside and wide space to play around. There is ample parking space there. No hassle if you decide to come in group with your family or colleagues.
Chef Laudico Guevarra’s is open from Mondays thru Sundays. Lunch is open from 11am until 2pm while, dinner is from 7:30pm until 10pm. They also have Maagang Salu-Salo Promo from 5pm-630pm in which offered on a cheaper rate than the dinner time rate. See their over-all updated rates below:
My hubby’s cluster plus me came in 23 pax. Reservation with 50% DOWN PAYMENT has to be done prior to the lunch date. Other buffet restaurants do not require reservation though. We occupied a small room named Abad Santos with a wash room inside. It is shared, people from other area can also use the wash room. There was a dedicated server who assisted us with all our requests during our whole stay. He got a tip from us for his excellent customer service. Thank you Kuya Jun. We told him our group was celebrating for work’s peak season. He handed us a cake with a “Congratulations! Goodluck Phone Leaders” message. Galingan nyo pa guys! Maaga ang Congratulations ni Kuya. 😊 By the way, ang cake na ito ay pinabalot at binigay namen sa batang namamalimos sa kalye.
Onset, we (hubby and I) hurried to the buffet area after we made sure we got our table and seats. Some leaders arrived earlier to secure the reservation; TLs MJean, Roe, Wilma, Krisna and Vince. Others arrived after a few minutes; TLs JLo, Tina, Earl, Jhigz, Doms, Jona, Rona, Gimo, Abby, June, Jason J, Jason O, Zee, Alex, and STL Jean.
There are paintings on every wall. It only shows that Chef Lau and wife Chef Jackie are also art enthusiasts. The white plates have dedication from the people/celebrities who visited the buffet restaurant. I asked one of the servers if the group can also sign a plate, he replied only celebrities do that. But looking at other blogs, even the non-celebs were able to sign. Maybe that feature of the restaurant already ended.
Guevarra’s Restaurant also offer Hot Tea and Coffee, not inclusive in the buffet rate. Any additional order will be on top of the bill. A great way to relax a bit after the Man vs Food session.
Food Stations with respective food are as follow:
Appetizer
Breads, Salads (Radish Cucumber, Macaroni Salad, Steamed Vegetables), Dips/Pastes/Dressings (Bagoong Balayan, Bagoong Vinaigrette, Guava Glaze, Peanut Sauce, Cesar Dressing, and Salted Eggs), Fresh Lumpiang Ubod, Tokwa’t Baboy, Cheese Platter, Spicy Sardines, Tuna Kilawin and Squid Law
Carving Station
Lechon, Spicy Balamban, Roast Beef, Pork Bagnet, Roast Chicken and Tomato Salsa (This section is a sinful one; crispy & rich in cholesterol yet sumptious. Ang lutong nila!)
Main Dishes
Beef Kare-Kare, Chili Garlic Crab, Callos, Party Spaghetti, Pansit Bihon, Fried Chicken, Chicken Pastel, Seafood Ala Pobre, Pinakbet Bagnet, Dinuguan with Puto, Fish Fillet, Ribs, Paella Guevarras, and White Rice (pardon if I miss some viands)
Soft Ice Cream with colorful sprinkles, Kalabasa Pastillas, Fruits (apple and orange), Chocolate and Red Velvet Cupcakes, Maja Blanca, Suman Panna Cotta, Leche Flan, Sapin-Sapin, Bannofie Pie, Choco Banana Fudge, Buko Pandan, Pitsi-Pitsi, Fruit Salad Matamis na Saging, Champorado and Halo-Halo (I am sure I missed some, there are lots of them)
Beverages
Pepsi products, Lipton Iced Tea, Milk Tea (your choice if you want to add pearls), Sago’t Gulaman (your choice if you want to add sago) and Buko Pandan (your choice if you want to add green gulaman)
My rating:
Food 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Ambiance 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Service 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Over-all I gave it 5 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎! Tama lahat ng lasa. Hindi tinipid. Try it yourself. A wonderful place to celebrate your special days. Share your experience with us. 😊
I crave for Pork Lechon most often than not. Curiosity arises, so I had to give it a try. Check this out!
Preparation Time: 12 hours
Cooking Time: 3 hours
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
2 kilos whole pork belly slab, remove the bones if any
For the marinade-brine:
1 stalk of lemon grass, chopped
1 stalk leeks, chopped
2 pieces of laurel (bay leaves)
1 Tbsp. ground black peppercorn
5 cloves garlic, crushed
¼ cup sugar
½ cup rock salt
5 cups of water
For the stuffing:
1 stalk of lemon grass
1 stalk on leeks
1 pc onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Green and red chili pepper (I personally add this because I want it spicy)
Lemon juice (squeezed on the pork belly, my addition)
For the milk wash:
3 Tbsp. evaporated milk
1 Tbsp. water
Instructions
Wash and clean the pork belly slab in running water. Drain.
In a medium size pot, prepare the brine by combining the water, lemon grass, leeks, bay leaves, pepper corns, garlic, sugar and salt.
Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes to release the aroma and flavor of the herbs and spices. Turn off heat and let it cool.
Put the pork belly slab and submerge in the flavored brine and place in a refrigerator. Let it soak overnight for best result. I sliced the pork skin but you may skip this.
After brining, wash the pork belly in running water and pat dry. You can use a small towel to pat dry the pork belly.
Place the pork belly in a flat surface and place in the center the stuffings: lemon grass, leeks, garlic and onion. How I did mine was I pour the ingredients all-over. I don’t know why. 😛
Roll the pork belly like a jelly roll and tie it with twine until it is secured and will not open up and spill the stuffing. I do not have twine. I used sewing thread rolled repeatedly all over the pork belly.
Place the pork belly in a roasting pan with a rack and brush it with milk/water mixture. Cover with aluminum foil. I added butter, brushed over the pork skin.
Place in a preheated oven 375°F and roast for 2 hours. Then after 2 hours, remove the foil, brush again with milk/water mixture and continue roasting for another hour until the skin is crispy. Serve hot.
Feel free to comment your cooking experience and please do not forget to like my Facebook page.
Those texts in Blue font color are my additions. For best results, you can also place in a freezer before cooking. Thanks for dropping by.
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