All About Family...: February 2010

Feb 22, 2010

Chowking Merienda

To beat the hot weather, we call Chowking delivery and we ordered Halo-Halo, Siopao and Siomai for our merienda..

We ordered 4 Halo-Halo, 4 Siopao and Siomai...

Ahh...sarap...

Chowking Delivery 9-8888

Pyromusical Competition at Mall of Asia

Sorry for the late post because i was busy during the past few days. Last Valentines day, hubby and I decided to have dinner at MOA together with our in-laws and also to watch the first Philippine Pyromusical competition. We all leave the house at around 5pm and thinking of an early arrival so we can get a good place for the dinner overlooking the bay and for the Pyro.

All our planned vanished because of the heavy traffic starting from Coastal road to the Mall of Asia. Its like all the people and cars are going to the mall for the Pyromusical competition. Would you believe we arrived at the mall at past 7pm? We thought that we missed the fireworks for the 7pm show but they move the sked to 7.30pm and we decided to watch the fireworks first before the dinner. We parked near the IMAX theather...

The Philippines will host this pyromusical competition and starting feb 14 and every Sunday ending March 14, 2010, two countries will show their exhibition performance. When we were there, we witness the exhibition of the Philippines and Australia. Other countries that will show their performances on the next Sundays are United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and USA. It will be held at the back of Mall of Asia during 7pm and 8pm. There are also tickets to be purchased but you don't need to buy one because you can watch the show when youre within the vicinity.

The view from our place..

This is the only photos that i took during that day. I noticed that our cam was already lowbat. Hubby told me that Tami used the cam prior the day of the event. Sayang nman but we really enjoyed watching the fireworks above and my daughter was really scary that night.

If you haven't watch the Pyromusical competition, you still have the chance to witness it till March 14. But be prepared for the traffic, go there as early as you can..

MEGA Shoes & Bags Sale

If youre a fan of shoes and bags, head on to SM Megatrade Hall 1 & 2 for an exclusive sale to BDO Rewards and SM Advantage cardholders... Also, enjoy the 10x reward points when you present your card...

What are you waiting for?

BDO's Holiday Treat freebies

I am lucky that i benefited a lot from BDO's promo. Last holiday season, BDO has a promo named as BDO's Holiday Treat. Shop anywhere using your BDO credit card and get the following freebies:

Minimum Spend Requirement Freebies

P 3,000 12/pack Pre-assorted Brownies

P 4,500 One Whole Rotisserie Chicken from SM

P 8,000 One Full Cake Roll from Red Ribbon

P12,000 P500 Gift Voucher from Toy Kingdom

P 25,000 P1,000 of fuel from Caltex

The promo started last Nov. 20, 2009 and i thought that its only until December. Since i was busy during the holiday season, i already forgot about this treat until yesterday when i was at home surfing the net and i came across the BDO site and i found out that the promo will run until today Feb 15, 2010. Redemption is until April 15, 2010.

I remember that i used my card last holiday season and in Dumaguete and Cebu during my trip, i started looking for the receipts on my box and decided to redeem the freebies last friday after going to Rustan's at Alabang town center because i bought gift to my hubby for the Valentine's day. (see on my next post). After all my bank errands and after buying gift, i dropped by at SM to redeem my freebies and here it is:

Brownies for charging P3,000 using BDO card..

Rotisserie Chicken from SM after charging P 4,500.00

Thanks BDO for all the freebies...Come weekend, im going to redeem another brownies and Chicken :)

My Valentine Gift for Hubby

Last friday, i was on leave to do bank errands (so happy that our bonus was credited to our account) like deposit, pay bills etc... I went to Rustan's at Alabang Town Center to look for possible gift to my hubby for Valentine's day, i also went at every boutique for shirts. After roaming around, i decided to give him the safest gift for every guy - perfume.

Thinking of what perfume to give, i recall all the perfume that he had and what he like. His choices among his perfume are Tommy Hilfiger, CK, Paco Rabanne and he still has the Giorgio Armani i bought last October. I know hubby will like perfume as a gift. I smell some perfume at Rustan's and i like the smell of Kenzo, CK's euphoria and Bvlgari Aqva. I chose and bought the bvlgari because the smell is very manly and a little sweet to me.

Here's my gift to hubby - Bvlgari Perfume

When i arrived at home, i just gave it to hubby without wrapping it because he know that i will give him something so no need to surprise him...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S EVERYONE!!!

Edge Coaster Experience at Crown Regency Hotel

When we went at Crown Regency Hotel, they have an on-going promo or P750.00 for the 2 rides (Skywalk and Edge Coaster) inclusive of buffet dinner. We availed that to experience both. After the skywalk, we went on the 38th flr where the Edge Coaster is located..

This time there's no harness that will use on you unlike with the Skywalk, its like the roller coaster with 2-seater feature but with this, the difference is youre on top of the building and the coaster will run on the edge of the floor.. It is a 3-minute ride and what really scares me is when the coaster automatically tilts up to 55 degrees. After that, its up for you to tilt the coaster on what angle you like..

Of the two rides (skywalk and edge coaster), Edge Coaster is really scary especially when you tilt the coaster, its like youre falling on top of the building... So if you're in Cebu, never forget to try this 2 new attraction, tagged as the World's First, you can enjoy it at daytime and night time found at the Crown Regency Hotel in Fuente Osmeña Avenue.

Edge Coaster Experience

Located at 38th flr Crown Regency Hotel

Price: P650.00 per ride inclusive of buffet

Picture Package: same price with the Skywalk

Skywalk Experience at Crown Regency Hotel

It is one of my itinerary with my trip to Cebu. Skywalk is located at the 37th flr of Crown Regency Hotel which is the tallest building in Cebu as of now. Despite having the fear of heights, i still tried this amazing adventure.

What to do:

1. Pay the tickets, entrance fees

2. You have to sign the waiver.

3. You will be given locker and you will asked to remove all your jewelries, accessories and the like.

4. You have to fit the clothes (the orange one) and you have to listen to your guide about the safety rules.

With my skywalker buddies after putting the harness. At first, i was sweating, my anticipation rose when we started to go outside the building..But its not really that scary because the glass walkway is wide and you have harness so theres nothing to be afraid of.

We started to walk over a see-through glass and some are shouting just to release tension and nervousness. But all the nervous and tension vanished when we saw the breathtaking view... its really awesome! With all the lights from buildings, houses, coastline...everything!

in our wacky pose

FYI, cameras are not allowed, they have an official photographers assigned for each group and you'll going to buy that in package.

It is more fun when you walk with your friends and with your loved-ones...

Skywalk adventurers with our certificates

After the walk, you will be given a certificate that you survived the Skywalk extreme!

Skywalk - Crown Regency Hotel

located along Osmeña Blvd.

Price: P650.00 inclusive of Adult Buffet

Picture Package: P2,550.00

Last part of our Cebu City Tour

The last part of our Cebu City tour is the Fort San Pedro, Cebu Business Park, Cebu Cathedral, Basilica Sto. Niño and the Magellan's Cross, Drop-off point with our Van Service is in Crown Regency Hotel where we are going to experience Skywalk and Edge Coaster. But before i post that entry, here are some details of the last part of our city tour.

Fort San Pedro is one of the oldest fort in the Philippines and found in Cebu City. It is our fourth stop. You have to pay a small amount for the entrance fee. It is now a museum park to tourist and even local residents of Cebu.

What i notice here is that some teenagers were dating at this park and some are just enjoying the place. We also stayed there and took some photos. But the place is really interesting because you've got the chance to feel the old Fort San Pedro :)

Cebu Cathedral...

The church is so beautiful inside...i wanna get married again and this time in Cebu Cathedral..haha

Magellan's Cross...

Basilica de Sto. Niño

When we were here last year, this part is under construction and look at it now, they call it the Mini Basilica...It is surrounded with bleachers so everyone can hear the mass outside.

Last is the Cebu Business Park, everytime im in Cebu i never miss to stay in this park, This Business Park were owned by the Ayala's and all call center offices are here. The Ayala Center Cebu is also located here. We went there and look for our company's new business office. Yes, you heard it right! we have branch there in Cebu...

After staying here in Business Park, we decided to leave and went to Crown Regency hotel...

Cebu Heritage

It was my first time to visit the Cebu Heritage and we thought that its a museum but its not. It is located on the old street of Cebu City named Colon St and near the Pari-an Fire Station. The Sculptural Tableu was designed by the natioanl artist Eduardo Castrillo. Here are some photos of the monument:

Very nice, right?

Taoist Temple in Cebu

Our next stop is the Taoist temple. In order for you to get the temple, you have to have a private vehicle or a taxi because its too far from the city. Prepare yourself because you have to climb 99 steps to reach the top. What i like in this trip is you will learned how to pray the taoist way, we read and watched the others on how to do it, here are some steps that i remember: First, you have to light the incense then you have to kneel and pray. Second is you have to think of your question or wish and youre going to throw the 2 small wood on the floor and the wood will show you the yes or no answer to your question. Its very interesting but we never tried it.

According to Wikipedia:

Built in 1972, the Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City. The temple was built by Cebu's substantial Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level,the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

Unlike the neighboring Phu Sian Temple, the Taoist temple is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike. A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant one's wish. The ritual includes washing of hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the blocks of wood are both face up then one could make a wish. If not then it is not yet the time for one's wish to be granted and one has to come to the temple some other time.

The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.

Some guide books and travel agencies offer trips to the temple or as a side-trip in a tour around Cebu City. But it is more popular with grade school students. No student who grew up in Cebu City or the neighboring Mandaue City has not gone to the temple in any one of their field trips.

There is nothing much to do in the temple. One could enjoy moving around the temple in an hour. The entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well. The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu. Also noteworthy is the giant dragon statue.

i loving taking picture here...

Behind us is the wishing well, syempre all of us think of our wish before tossing a coin.

If you were a tourist in Cebu, never miss to drop-by in this temple. You will also enjoyed the view of the Mactan island.

Lapu-Lapu Shrine at Cebu

One of the itinerary on our Cebu City tour is the historical shrines in our country, the Lapu-Lapu shrine located in Mactan. Here are some pictures taken in the shrine..

me at Lapu-lapu shrine..

Cinnamon at Cinnabon

I always loved Cinnabon because i love the smell of Cinnamon and i love how they made their Classic Cinnamon. And when i saw it inside the Airport and since im not having breakfast then, i decided to have a cappucino and the Classic Cinnabon bread as my breakfast..

My cappucino and Cinnabon *yummy*

My Cinnamon roll

If you have a sweet tooth, then definitely you will enjoy this mouth-watering cinnamon roll! Just remember to consume this right after it was served because when it gets cold, who would want to eat a hard, sugar-coated and chewy bubblegum-like bread. haha. And while im writing this blog, I am craving to Cinnamon..sayang Cinnabon closed its shop at Alabang Town Center few years ago :(

Cinnabon is just so good :)

Cebu trip 2010

I joined some of my officemates on their trip to Cebu. My first time to book and ride with Cebu Pacific and got me dissapointed with their booking online facility. Anyway, my reason to join them is i want to try the famous Skywalk and Edge Coaster on Crown Regency hotel and its my first time to travel with my friends and non-relative. We rent a Van Service for our Cebu City tour, its my second time in Cebu and still excited with the tour. We stayed in Mandaue (My officemate's tita offered us a home for free).

Would you believe that this is my only picture taken inside the airport? Because we were too busy chatting with each other..BTW, only Donna has lots of picture in airport because she said its her first-time so we give her the chance to have lots of pictures from the airport.. haha

And this is my officemates..

Check out my other posts to see what we do in Cebu...

Looking forward to...

After our trip to Dumaguete and Cebu, im also excited with our upcoming trip..

Panagbenga Festival in Baguio scheduled in February 26-28 and we got the chance to join my cousins (mother-side) on their trip to Baguio. Grabe, halos every year napunta kami ng Baguio but this is my first time to witness the said festival kaya im looking forward to this trip. We're using my cousin's brand new Urvan and im excited about it. All expenses on this trip will be divided to all of us so its not free. Wala na ngang libre ngaun..hehe..Sana payagan si Badz ng Sup nya so he can be with us...

Boracay on summer. Finally matutuloy na din ang team building nmen this coming summer and this time in Boracay. Yay! excited :) Need to lose weight so i can wear may swimsuits.. haha...kapal!

Hongkong. Still on process.. hehe

By the way, i don't have time now to blog our Cebu trip, ill post it soon :)

Samsung's 29" LCD

When i was in Dumaguete, hubby and tami supposed to be attending my cousin's 7th birthday in Kids Universe in MOA but tami got fever that time so they wasn't able to go. Instead, hubby is busy scouting for a new LCD tv at SM.

When we went to MOA, he took me to SM appliance center for the LCD tv. He is salivating over Samsung's LCD haha. Its a good buy and for sure its energy efficient compared of what we have right now.
He keeps on bugging me to buy that Samsung LCD, it has the sale price of P27,000+++. He even asked the salesman if its available for installment using credit card.

When we arrived at home, he told Papa about his plan of buying another tv. He wants to replace our tv to a new and bigger one. He wants it to be wall-mounted to add some space to our room because i told him I want to buy a study table and computer table in one like what i saw in SM Center few weeks ago. Come June, our daughter will be going to school and i want to have a study table for us.

photo credits to: http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Home-LCD/p/bg/1017501380.htm

As for the Samsung tv, i am having second thoughts about it because it is not practical to buy a new one. Were not that rich to buy all what we want and i don't want to get that amount from our savings either. I just told hubby that after enrolling tami, we will see if we can shell that amount from my salary to have a new tv.

If you may ask why that amount will be from my salary, its because all our everyday expenses like sa expenses sa house (wala ng libre ngaun..hehe.. we give P6,000 monthly to my in-laws for the utilities expenses), tami's milk and diaper, our allowance till next cut-off, groceries for the house and some other things, we get all that to hubby's salary. From my salary naman, we make sure that half of it will go to our savings and the remaining half is for our luho or extra expenses like travel, dining-out in restaurants, clothes, etc...I make it a point to budget all our expenses because i want to save more for our future (i want to retire early!) and at the same time enjoy what we have now and what we can do while we were young :)

Let's just wait for the Samsung tv...*cross-finger*

off ni inday...

Im off today and will be back on tuesday. I'll blog our Cebu trip with my officemates when i get back. See yah!

Marine Sanctuary in Dumaguete

After our Apo Island tour, we went to the Marine Sanctuary to see and experience their sanctuary.

In order for you to get there, you have to walk for at least 10 to 15 mins and you will pass by the Apo Island community...

Marine Sanctuary is connected to the open sea. It is so wide that you need a guide when you start snorkeling. All of us has a guide and i love what i saw there. Fishes and corals are really beautiful. You have to experience it and appreciate the beauty of this island.

Apo Island of Dumaguete

Our group of 5 availed the Harold Mansion's tour package at Apo Island for P5,000 inclusive of van transfer, boat rental and the snorkling gears. After having breakfast, we prepare ourselves for our island hopping tour, it is not my first time to do this but i was afraid then because some locals said that the waves that time are strong because of the monsoon. It is supposed to be in Manjuyod Sandbar but the coastguard did not allow us because Bais City is the center of the monsoon :(

Waiting for some gears...

Its me on the new van service of Harolds mansion going to Dauin, and its only us on the van.. solong-solo..

Just arrived in Apo Island...

Apo Island

Entrance fee is P100.00, you can stay at the island for overnight because there are some rooms for rent maintained by the Apo Island community...

Apo Island Beach Resort

On the other side is the Apo Island Beach Resort, you can go and stay there. They also have restaurant that caters different cuisine.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner...a little expensive though..

Picture! Picture!

(L-R) Ayen, Ron, Matthew, Val and me

Apo Island souvenir shop

Baywalk of Dumaguete: Rizal Boulevard

Rizal Boulevard is one of the famous local attraction in Dumaguete. It is called the baywalk of Dumaguete. It is also visible when you had your city tour because the town of Dumaguete is small and you can go into it in minutes. the boulevard is located in the back of Silliman University and most restaurants are across Rizal Boulevard.

here with me is Ayen.

We stayed a couple of minutes in Rizal Boulevard to feel the cool breeze coming from the sea.

The seven nuns representing the St. Paul univ. found along the Rizal Boulevard

Rizal Boulevard at night...

As the night approaches, the boulevard becomes crowded because a lot of people enjoys there to relax, eat and talk with their friends.

All About Family...