An Open Letter to my Dad

Dear 'de,

Remember when I was a kid, you always rub my back each morning to wake me up? I am doing that now to my little girl plus I added a little "stretching" to the routine ; ) I find that my daughter is happier throughout the day when I do that.

 Happy Father's Day!

How can I forget the times when I patiently waited for you to come home from work at night because I know that you have Japanese take out boxes as "pasalubong" for me and my siblings. Thus, I feel guilty whenever I don't bring home a little something for my own daughter ; (

For the rest of the letter, read after the break...

Colorful Bonding Moment with Crayola

June 8, 2013

Gymboree Play & Music
Shangri-la Mall
EDSA corner Shaw Blvd.,
9107529

My baby girl attended her first ever event last Saturday... yipee! We were invited by AMSPEC (Amalgamated Specialties Corporation), makers of T-Pencil and Crayola products, to join in an afternoon of Arts and Crafts.

 activity #2: DIY hand puppet

We arrived at the venue an hour late, parents and their kids were already doing activity number 2 ; p Kids/activities were segregated by age group. I think my little girl was the youngest of them all ; )

AMSPEC and Gymboree provided all the materials needed for the DIY hand puppet. All we needed to do was follow the instructions of the teacher.

Read more after the break...

Kaya Express Opens In Glorietta 2

April 21, 2013

Kaya Korean Restaurant
2nd floor, Glorietta 2
Ayala Center, Makati City
6253718

My parents and I bonded over Korean BBQ right after watching ASAP 18 LIVE! in ABS-CBN. It is located in the newly renovated Glorietta 2. I love the vibe of this new wing- bright and spacious!

 Kalbi Gui PhP 230

Marinated US beef short ribs

Before the Korean BBQ trend hit Manila, there's already Kaya. Every so often we miss eating Kalbi Gui so we make it a point to visit it once in a while.

The beef is tender and already marinated. It's juicy, perfect with a bowl of white rice!

For our other orders, read after the break...

Club Millesime in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

I celebrated my birthday weekend in Sofitel Philippine Plaza, the finest luxury hotel in Manila. I booked it over a month ago. Upon arriving, we were quite surprised when the Sofitel Guest Services Team announced that we were selected to be the "Guest of the Day".

 birthday cake from Sofitel Manila

Instead of just an overnight stay in a Superior Room, we were upgraded to Sofitel Philippine Plaza's Luxury Room Club Millesime... yey!

Club Millesime Lounge is open from 6:00am to 10pm. Complimentary food and beverage services are good for 2 adults and 1 child below 12 years old.

Schedule:

• A la Carte Breakfast - 6:00 am - 10:00 am
• Afternoon Snack - 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
• Cocktails and Scheduled Wine Tasting - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• All Day Refreshments - 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Other privileges/benefits as a Club Millesime guest can be found after the break....

Breeze Detergent with ActivBleach #SigeSaMantsa Giveaway!

You should have seen Breeze with ActivBleach commercial by now. If you haven't, where have you been? ; p Anyway, over a month ago, I got a package from Unilever filled with what else but the newest powder detergent in the market- Breeze Detergent with ActivBleach in all available sizes!

Breeze with ActivBleach 64g for only PhP 10

One of my pet peeves is when I see my baby's clothes with hard-to-remove stains. No matter how many hours of babad I do, the stains are still there. Well, here's the good news, there is an all-new laundry detergent called Breeze with ActivBleach.

Breeze uses a 4-enzyme technology that removes more stains, and a patented whitening agent that brings perceivable whiteness right after the first wash. This fast-actig ingredient works right on target, feeing moms from worrying about stains and dirt. A unique AD system was also added for better bulla, while special melamine ensure better fragrance delivery and keep laundry smelling fresh and clean.

With Breeze powder detergent, I am now a Sige Mom! I joined the countless mothers in their battle cry: Sige Sa Mantsa! 

Together with Breeze, mom need not worry about removing tough stains. I say sige to my child's learning of the world around her. 

For giveaway mechanics, read after the break...

New Find: RHEA 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Scented and with Moisturizer

A few nights ago, DH brought home a bottle of RHEA rubbing alcohol. He was suffering from cough and cold and he wants to disinfect his hands after every trip to the bathroom. Looks like he bought this bottle in Mercury Drug Store along with cough syrup ; p

 Rhea 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Scented and with Moisturizer 500ml PhP 69.75

Anyway, I was not even aware that he bought a bottle until one night, coming out of our bathroom, I smelled it. I think I asked him on two occasions, "What's that I am smelling?".

It has a floral scent, nothing like Family Rubbing Alcohol which I also like along with Green Cross.

Read more after the break...

Father-Daughter Bonding at Masuki SM Megamall

January 11, 2013

Masuki
Lower Ground Floor
Bldg. B, SM Megamall
EDSA
9945735

Once in awhile, my dad and I go out on a father-daughter bonding session. One of the things we love doing together is eating. We were in SM Megamall the other week when we chanced upon his favorite restaurant when he was a kid- Masuki.

 Original Mami Special PhP 120

He wanted to try it out not just to reminisce the old days but to let me experience what he ate when he was younger.

Original Mami Special has chicken and pork topping. Unlike in the photo on the menu, the chicken and pork can't be easily distinguished in our bowl of Original Mami Special.

Find out what else we ordered after the break...

Family Bonding in Bag of Beans Tagaytay

My visit: October 31, 2011

Bag of Beans
General Emilio Aguinaldo Highway
Mendez Crossing
West, Tagaytay City
046- 4134356

I have been to Bag of Beans on numerous occasions. Clearly, it seems that whenever my family goes to Tagaytay, a trip to this quaint coffee shop & bakery is a must. Last October 31 is no different, my family and relatives all met up there for an afternoon snack after visiting the grave of my grandparents.

Blueberry pancake PhP195

I only took photos of the food and drinks that we have ordered. Shown above was a blueberry pancake ordered by DH. He loves blueberries. It comes with 2 slices of orange. See the melted butter on top? It's hot, hot, hot!

Congratulations to my sister for topping the 5th PSE- ATENEO CCE CSSC

Last October 14, my parents and I trooped to Makati to witness the graduation of my sister. My mom was really excited because my sister, Mica, is the valedictorian of her class. We are all so proud of her!

 my sister, valedictorian in her class

The Philippine Stock Exchange Certified Securities Specialists Course (PSE Securities Course) is comprised of 12 subject areas focused on equities market and capital market industry.  It provides you with the theories, tools, and functions of investing and trading in the stock market.

You will receive two (2) additional courses as a review for professionals and an introduction for those who want to invest in the future.

This course will also prepare you for the PSE Certified Securities Specialist Course Certification Exam. Those who successfully complete the full-course program in AGSB-CCE can earn a six-unit elective in the MBA program of Ateneo.


Price: PhP69, 000


Source: PSE 

Ode to my mother-in-law, Susana Martinez

At 4:30 a.m., my mother- in- law breathe her last breath last October 18, 2011 (September 22-lunar calendar). It is just one day short before my husband's birthday. She succumbed to lung cancer. I dedicate this post in loving memory of her. 

Susana Martinez celebrating life

I will tremendously miss driving for her to get a hair cut or do some grocery shopping and oh, cutting her toe nails, yes, I do cut her nails ; p

I can't forget the time when we stayed in Shanghai for a month. I spent most of the afternoons listening to her stories about life abroad and in the province. In other times, we spent the day watching Chinese soap operas where I cried buckets of tears. How can I forget the time when we went to Beijing to see The Great Wall of China where she gamely posed for the camera along side DH and I.

Bonding with cousin in Recipes by Cafe Metro

My visit: September 23, 2011

Recipes by Cafe Metro

Shangri-la Plaza Mall

6374050

This is a long overdue meeting with my cousin, Helen. Ever since she got back from her working stint in Singapore, I have not seen her nor her little boy! Am I glad to see her again ; )

General's Chicken PhP215

I suggested that we have our rendezvous in Recipes by Cafe Metro since I was pretty much satisfied with the food that was served there, if my memory serves me well lol

The photo above is of General's Chicken. It kinda reminded me of this dish that I am really fond of ordering when I was in Taipei. This version has eggplant instead of nuts that is found in the Taiwanese version. This dish's sauce closely resembles sweet & sour with only a slight hint of the sourness ; p It is not overly sweet so I give this a thumbs up!

Korean Village Restaurant Nakpil, Malate

My visit: August 7, 2011

Korean Village Restaurant

566 J. Nakpil St.,

Malate, Manila

5221902

Eating in Korean Village Restaurant brings back childhood memories. Having lived in Manila, we used to eat here often when my sibling and I were much younger. Since my family moved farther north, we have less and less chance of eating at this inexpensive but authentic Korean restaurant. 

 grilling plate at the center of our table

Before Yakimix, there is already Korean Village Restaurant that offers DIY grilling of meat at the center of the table. 

The exhaust system couldn't handle all the smoke so once you eat here, your clothes go straight to the laundry bin.

Celebrating My Parents' Anniversary at Heat EDSA Shangri-la!

Last Wednesday, July 20, my parents celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary at Heat, a restaurant inside EDSA Shangri-la Manila Hotel. I was the designated driver for the day so I get to eat for free hahaha

surprise wedding anniversary cake from EDSA Shang-ri la

I asked one of the staff if she can write the words "Happy Anniversary" on a plate with a slice of cake for my parents. I was informed that the kitchen will just give them a round cake which is way better!

Enchanted Kingdom on Black Saturday

My visit: April 23, 2011

Enchanted Kingdom

San Lorenzo South City

Sta. Rosa, Laguna

5843535   5844326   8303535   8302112

I am alternating my posts between how I spent my Holy Week and my birthday.  I still have so much to share. It didn't help that blogger has gone bonkers yesterday. 

On Black Saturday, we travelled to south of Manila to Enchanted Kingdom where the magic stays with you hehe My sister is a fast driver. With no traffic, we reached the destination in less than an hour. 

my parents

I have been there several times so has my mom and my sister but it's my dad's first time. We wanted him to see the place. We are all scaredy cats so we opted to pay just the entrance fee or what they call the carousel ticket. Each ticket costs PhP150. Senior discount is applicable. Our tickets allowed us to roam around the park grounds and have unlimited access to Grand Carousel, Bumnling Boulders and Boulderville Express. Unfortunately, we were not able to ride Bumbling Boulders because it opens at 3pm. We were already on our way back to Manila then.

One fine day in Tagaytay

Two weeks ago, my DS drove us all the way to Tagaytay for some fresh air. Masipag pa siya because it's her first time to drive on a highway!

I could and would not drive on a highway.

Here are some pictures taken in Sonya's Garden and some in Cliff House.

my parents in Sonya's Garden 

CenterStage Family KTV & Resto Bar

My visit: August 29, 2010

Centro Circle Cafe

2/F CTTM Square 

Timog cor Tomas Morato, QC

9207754   9268365   9266440   2390071

DH has been bugging me to go back to Mey Lin Pot & Noodle House. The night before my Kimpura won over Mey Lin. We spend our regular Saturday date night eating black Angus beef tee hee 

I want karaoke night, DH wants Mey Lin. CenterStage is the only way to go! Located in Timog, it has ample parking space at the ground floor and basement. 

What got me excited was that we can eat inside a private karaoke room with no minimum consumable amount per room or per person. The usage of the karaoke room was free. I can't believe what I was hearing that I probably asked the personnel twice haha He told me that it's their promotion until the end of August hehe

fried salted spareribs PhP210

Eeeer, I was busy singing plus my camera battery died on me. I know, excuses, right? All pictures were shot using DS new Canon Ixus 105 camera!

My ahma's 95th birthday party!

July 2, 2010

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila

Ortigas Ave. cor. 

Asian Development Bank Ave.

Quezon City

6337222

 Happy 95th birthday ah-ma!

My ahma's still rocking it!

I visited my 95 year old grandmother yesterday and noticed that she still has well manicured nails. I also learned that she still manages to get her pedicure done! She is one rocking grandma!

Of Romulo Cafe and Peking Garden

My DSIL, who is based abroad, stayed with us for her 3 week vacation. I kept on bugging DH to take her out to some fancy restaurant. That's why we ended up eating in Romulo Cafe. 

DSIL and MIL

In my own words, Romulo Cafe is a Filipino restaurant with outrageous menu price. Well, you are paying for the ambiance.

Happy Father's Day!

me and my dad

Happy Father's Day Dad!