Father's Day at SM By The Bay, Mall of Asia

So it's the other half of 2018 and long over due pa rin ang posts ko! hahah!

Today, I am sharing our Father's Day escapades. It was unplanned actually but we all enjoyed the time we spent with each other before the school year starts.

Our plan was to eat out and buy Jami's school shoes for this school year. His old one no longer fits. We were very lucky to inherit the shoes from kuya Third, not to mention the brand, it was barely used. I was hoping we can still use it this year dahil sobrang maayos pa pero masakit na sa paa ni Jami. =(

Anyway, Daryl raised an idea in going to SM Mall of Asia to break our routine. Lagi kasi kaming sa SM Southmall so since Father's Day din naman, I said yes. We arrived after lunch so we looked for a place to have our super late lunch. We chose Tokyo-tokyo. Mejo madami na kasing gutom si Daryl so perfect ang unlimited rice. Haha!

Okonomiyaki and Sumo Meals

After our super filling meal, Daryl treated us with rides in SM by the Bay. I found out na sobrang dami na pala talagang rides dun, naging theme park na din halos. Perfect for family weekend bonding din ang place, mejo madami nga lang ang tao madalas.

I have been wanting to try the Moa Eye ever since. Although it won't be my first time since we rode the Sky eye in Sky Ranch Tagaytay, I still want to experience the one in Moa. There were booths just below the attraction where you can buy your tickets. Each ticket costs Php150 per head. Children 3 feet and below are free of charge. Jami's around 4 feet so we paid full amount for him. The line wasn't that long when we were there so after 15 minutes of waiting, we had our ride.

I would say na mejo luma na rin, ilang taon na rin naman kasi tong nakatayo. Some parts became rusty na although I felt safe while riding naman. The view of the city and the sea was nice too. Mas perfect if we made it before the sunset. However, it was raining the past few days before the day we went there so it's kinda cloudy, hindi tuloy kita ang beautiful sunset by the bay.

We also tried some of the rides, I just forgot what they are called pero sobrang expensive. Each ride costs Php 80-150 for only 5-10 minutes! =(

We saw Bumper Car which we want to try sana kaso sobrang haba ng pila. I bet Jami would love the driving part pero not the waiting in line part. Hahah! Nag proceed na lang kami sa ibang rides.

Our last stop was the games area. Sobrang expensive din. Each game costs Php 100-200 talaga eh! Jami tried the duck game where you have to catch 2-3 ducks and you should score 5-10 points to get a bigger stuffed toy.

He got less than 5 points kaya eto lang!

He named him Mr. Chicks! =)

Overall, ang mahal talaga sa SM by the Bay. It was worth a try but definitely not going to come back for these rides/games anytime soon.=)

Just before the dark kicks in, we decided to buy the shoes. We went to the department store to look for the perfect shoes. I realized mahal na talaga ang bilihin ngayon ano?! School shoes ranges from Php400-2,500 na talaga eh! Grabeng inflation! Anyway, we looked for several shoes that fits in with our budget kaso hindi ko type because of the quality. I am so glad we found one, however we went over the budget. Looking at the difference, I bet this is worth it versus those that are within our budget. Mukhang madali kasing masira, hindi nakatahi, or yung mga tipo ng shoes na nagbabakbak. I am just hoping this would last long. Haha!

Happy mid-week everyone! =)

Daryl's 29th Birthday

I was browsing through my old blog post specially those years na sobrang bata pa ni Jami (around 2015 and 2016). This is actually the best part of blogging because I can still read old stories of mine na totally forgotten! I am so thrilled everytime I read and reminds me of how our life has changed.

Anyway, I was looking into my posts in April and didn't find one for Daryl's 29th birthday!

Since it fell on a weekday, we decided to celebrate after work. Nagkataon kasi pareho kaming morning shift in April so we could have celebration over dinner. We went home together so we could buy food na lang as we don't have time to cook. We arrived in Las Pinas around 7pm.

Robinson's Las Pinas is just walking distance from home so we opted to buy fast food there rather than going to SM Southmall. Mejo traffic kasi going to Southmall although you will have plenty of food options talaga.

We bought Jollibee Spaghetti (in party size), Bucket of chicken, Family size pizza from Greenwich, a tub of ice cream sa grocery and a cake I bought in Conti's prior to going home. It was an intimate celebration but we loved it anyway! =)

We have another visitor that night, Bojo, Jami's playmate. They both sang happy birthday! Look how happy the boys are!

Of course hindi mawawala ang family picture plus 1. Hahah!

Nanay took this photo! Hehe. :)

Again, happy birthday babe! I know this wasn't like those you had when you were young but I am sure na hinding-hindi mo na ito ipagpapalit sa kahit ano man. Kumpleto kahit may lungkot at saya, basta ang mahalaga, sama-sama. Nyaks! hahaha! I wish you good health babe! Jami and I love you soooo much!

Valentine's Dinner in Ramen Kuroda

So it's the end of February na pala! I lost track of time and didn't realize na hindi pala ako nakapag post ni isang entry sa blog for this month. Lol!

I need to learn time management. I easily get distracted so most of the time, hindi ko nagagawa yung mga dapat kong gawin. Hehe.

Anyway, what I really want to talk about was our Valentine's Dinner at Ramen Kuroda. Being a picky eater, I have very small selection of food that I like. However, as years pass by, I am more open in trying different food than those that are super familiar for me. I always hear my officemate talk about ramen and I wonder what's in it that makes them salivate for just thinking about it.

When Daryl asked me about our plan for the day, I immediately told him that we'll just eat ramen. I guess Daryl liked the idea since it will be another first for the both of us. I did some research of restaurants that we can go to along Pasay. It was our halfway point and it will be easier for us to go home. I also thought that there will be a lot of people going in malls, watching movies etc., so to avoid the crowd, we went to the newly opened Double Dragon Plaza near Blue Bay walk.

I have to choose between Ramen Kuroda and Ramen Metro which are both very near to jeepney terminals on our ride back home. I was also given by Zomato an option in Mall of Asia to try Ippudo and the rest I actually forgot.

Ramen Kuroda newly opened in Double Dragon Plaza around December or early this year along with other known fast food chains. We arrived just before 7pm which gave us ample time to settle down and find a good seat. The place was really nice and somehow gives you a Japanese feel. 

As I said, it was both our first time so looking on their menu gave us a hard time. Haha! I have no idea about ramen so I don't know which one I'll like. Good thing, I did some research so I pretty much had an idea on what to order by looking on their menu in Zomato plus asking questions to my officemates. Daryl and I ended up with their Set meal which includes rice meal, a solo ramen, seasonal fruit and hot tea. We added an iced tea for our drink to cap off everything.

Ramen Teriyaki Pork Don Set Php 320

Ramen Teriyaki Chicken Don Set Php 340

Iced tea costs Php50 pesos for one serving. By the way, you can choose which ramen to get along with your set meal. I got their Shiro Ramen while Daryl had the Aka ramen which the lady said was spicy pero it wasn't too spicy naman.

When the food arrived, we asked the waiter to take photos of us together. We were told that they have a promotion that we should post our photos on our own facebook profile with a hashtag ramenkuroda.ph and get a voucher of their 4 pcs gyoza on our next visit. We were also encouraged to post each so we could get two vouchers. It should also be done before we pay the bill. We participated because we were definitely happy with the food and surely have reasons to go back. 

I actually cannot say anything about the ramen. It was my first time and I have nothing to compare it to. I like the noodle though since it wasn't that soft or malata. The saltiness was just fine while the pork melts in your mouth. We both enjoyed the food and kept on talking about it for the next 3 days. Haha!

Our experience was satisfying for the price that we paid. It was a really heavy meal that I have to ask for a second serving of hot tea (no extra charge). I know I couldn't sleep at night being too full. Now I learned my lesson to order ramen with no rice meal na because it was really filling with just ramen alone. I wasn't able to finish my food which I felt really guilty after. =( Yung feeling na gustong-gusto mong kainin kaso suko na talaga yung tyan mo? Hahah! I would like to also note that the staff were accommodating and smiles to you when you call their attention. I just hope they would continue to be mabait not only because bago pa lang yung branch.

Ramen Kuroda
Ground Floor, Double Dragon Plaza
DD Meridian Park cor Macapagal Ave,
EDSA Extension, Pasay

The Inns Hotel, Bacolod

During our Bacolod stay, my sister chose to book The Inns Hotel which was 10-15 minutes away from the port and walking distance from city proper. It was really convenient actually since my sister and I managed to go out at night to buy mineral water and toiletries in a nearby mercury drug store. We used our walking time for chismisan.

photo grabbed from Agoda.com

Anyway, we booked through Agoda.com. I took the Standard room for only Php 800/night.

We arrived in the hotel around 10pm as we took the latest schedule trip of fastcat coming from Ilo-ilo. I noticed na walang parking lot? I wasn't 100% sure on that but as far as I can remember, nai park lang ang car sa tapat ng hotel.

The lobby looks nice! It's clean and spacious. Upon entrance, you'll see their restaurant on your left while the stairs and elevators are on the right side. We took the keys and went upstairs immediately so we can rest. We were so tired from Guimaras tour that same day.

Our room was located at 4th floor. The standard room is just like what they have advertised on Agoda.com. Although the room has no view, it was completely fine. It was what I expected it to be although I wasn't satisfied with the AC being noisy and the room seemed dark. I mean hindi maaliwalas yung main lights, parang madilim.The bathroom was big enough with hot and cold shower. A television with selected channel which Jami used to kill some time. We had a double sized bed which somehow fit Nanay, Jami and I. There was a big closet too for our things plus a table and chairs on the side.

photo grabbed from Agoda.com

Meanwhile, my sister booked their Superior deluxe. Their room has a city view and a bath tub. It can also has an adjoining room for big families.

Our stay includes a buffet breakfast too. Although it has a very limited selection, it wasn't bad after all. We had a constrained time in the hotel due to our hectic schedule so I actually missed the opportunity to even take photos. Lol! Nakakapagod kasi talaga yung DIY itinerary ni ate but I liked it that way.

As I search for the hotel, I found out that it is now named The Bell Hotel in Agoda.com. I am not sure if they re-named the hotel.

Over all, staying at The Inns Hotel/ The Bell Hotel was a nice option specially if your budget conscious without compromising quality.

The Bell Hotel
18 San Juan Street, Barangay 13, Bacolod, Philippines

Campuestohan Highland Resort

The last part of our tour in Visayas was the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Bacolod. As mentioned previously, it should be done on our third day but due to our very tiring and hectic schedule the day before, we have decided to tour the place on our very last day.

We checked out of The Inns Bacolod in the morning right after breakfast and headed to The Ruins, spent some time and went straight to Campuestohan Highland Resort. It was almost an hour drive from city proper so we arrived around 9am-10am. It was Monday morning but there were quite a number of people in the area. I guess weekends or holidays can be a lot more than that but then the place is really big and could accommodate huge number of guests.

As soon as we paid for entrance fee of Php 300 for adult and Php 150 for kids (2 years old and below are free), we headed to parking slot and occupied one of the cabanas near the restaurant. There was also a pool walking distance away, and boy! Don't mention the views! Since it was located in the mountains, sobrang cool ng weather with a breathe taking views. I like the place actually! Ang sarap siguro mag overnight there.

We were unsure on how we should pay the cabanas so we asked one personnel and was told that an in-charge will go there. So basically, sila pala ang kusang lalapit sa cabanas para mag ask ng payment. Mejo convenient because you only have to get settled and wait for them to bill you. Hehe! No long lines in paying.

Cottages

More cottages

There was this bridge above our cottage which we went to immediately. All I could say was.. SOBRANG GANDA NG VIEW!!Plus free pa ang use ng bridge. We have also tried the Zip line biking if that what's it's called for Php100. Scary sya sa first time na matutong mag bike! hahahah!

Playground for kids

More parking space

Parking spaces

Oh my! the view! It was a lot better in person.

The kids immediately changed into swimming attires and enjoyed the pool. Not long after, I saw Jami without his clothes on. Naghubad! Later on saw commotion, yun pala nadulas!! He was running on and off the pool. He slipped and bumped his head (backpart) in a concrete! Napatakbo na lang talaga ako and carried him. He was crying really hard! Buti na lang, there were life guards in every pool area so one accompanied us to the clinic to have him checked. Na-stress ako ng very light because the hospital can be a little far if the case is worst. The nurse checked Jami and good thing, mejo nagkaron ng redness lang yung part na nauntog. I was guessing it was his elbow who took all his weight after he slipped because he had scratches there. Jami was able to limit the head bump kasi yung pwet and elbow nya ang unang nag impact.

Thank God!!

I was really worried. I was asked to put ice and monitor him if he gets dizzy or nausea. He wasn't sleepy din so it was a good sign.

Just so I could take all the worries away, I took the chance to roam around the place and found out na super laki pala talaga! They had a lot of attractions with different themes. Ang galing lang din ng staging and the statues were huge! as in!  It was a theme park plus swimming pools! I took Jami to a stroll for some picture taking. =)

Nako! I swear the photos don't give justice to the place since sobrang ganda and well thought off. For a whole day, hindi ka mauubusan ng gagawin. Almost every part were instagram worthy! Then if you're tired of picture-taking, pwede kang mag swimming. Sulit na sulit ang entrance fee. No wonder ang daming tao even on a Monday. Pang family talaga ang place and it offers a great bonding experience. The weather was nice sobrang cool ng air, yun nga lang mainit din kapag katirikan ng araw. We also had lunch in their restaurant. The food taste okay, parang normal Filipino food. Maybe next time we could try their accommodation. =)

Sorry if under dress si Jami ha. He just got out of swimming pool after the incident so wala na akong time na bihisan sya sa sobrang stress ko. Hahaha!

"Sana anak, wag kang magalit sakin sa mga photos mo when you're old enough. I swear bata ka pa jan at wala ka talagang pakialam eh. Hahaha! Love you!" =D

Since my sister and family have to leave the place earlier (for their Cebu trip), and our flight back to Manila is around 6pm pa, I have decided to be left behind.

When the family left, Jami and I took a shower near our cottage. I must say na sobrang lamig ng tubig talaga. It's as if you took a bath with icey water!! Around 4pm, I have decided to leave Campuestohan para hindi kami abutan ng dilim sa daan.  Take note that Campuestohan is quite far from the city proper.

Mejo mahirap din pala carrying a luggage, a back pack and more than 1kg of sweet mango from Guimaras along with your 4year old kid. Nanay was so worried dahil kami nga lang ni Jami. It was a good thing that I grew up hearing Nanay's dialect (Ilongga/Hiligaynon) which is being used in Bacolod so it wasn't that hard to communicate with them. I can understand the dialect somehow but I can't speak straight so I usually answer in tagalog. Karamihan din naman sa kanila could speak tagalog so it wasn't an issue at all.

 I asked the guard to take a photo of us as a souvenir.

I rented a tricycle to bring us straight to the airport which originally costs Php800. I managed to bargain and make it to Php650. Yun nga lang, along the way, the driver said that he'll drop us off where the van would take us to the airport since tricycles are not allowed along the main highway. I just have to pay him Php500.

Seriously, ang daya ni manong. He offered to take us to the airport tapos biglang bawal daw sila sa highway? The guard from Campuestohan told us that it costs only Php100-Php150 to the van terminal. Nag inquire kasi ako before hiring a tricycle but since the tricycle driver offered to bring us straight to airport, pumayag na ako sa Php650 tapos i ka cutting trip nya ako. But I don't have time to argue, Jami was so tired he fell asleep while we were on the tricycle, plus all the baggage, hinayaan ko na lang.

We arrived in the van terminal that could bring us to the airport (I forgot the name of the building but it was on an intersection with Mcdo and Jollibee). Fare costs 150 per head (kids are free) which will leave based on schedule. Since we arrived earlier, Jami and I ate at a Mcdonald across the street and went back to secure our seats 15 minutes before the scheduled departure from the terminal.

I was really glad that we made it safe! Daryl picked us up from the arrival area in Naia terminal 3 na. It was such a relief because I can no longer carry everything with Jami being so sleepy. hahah! Although I am glad that I was able to experience riding the airplane just the two of us, I am sure hindi ko yan uulitin for quite sometime. =D

Campuestohan Highland Resort
Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

The Ruins, Bacolod

Part of our Bacolod trip in June was to visit 'The Ruins'.

The original plan was to go there in the late afternoon but due to some adjustments, like not realizing na close pala ang museums and heritage houses every Monday, we went to SM and completely forgot our itinerary. Lol! Naalala lang namin when we were having dinner and it was already past 6pm and The Ruins closes at 7pm. Toink!

We have decided to go there early morning the next day before our Campuestohan Highland Resort tour. As I have mentioned previously, transportation was not an issue on this trip because my sister brought along their car. It was a really good plan and money saver since you don't have to hire private cars/vans or group tours which can become really expensive especially if you have kids in tow.

This day was me and Jami's last day before we go back to Manila while my sister and family's travel to Cebu so we have to check out from The Inns Bacolod and bring our things with us.

It was around 30 minutes drive to reach the place. Entrance fee was Php120 for adults and Php20 for kids.

The place was well maintained, huge and perfect for big events like wedding. Sobrang ganda siguro ng place na to if it was not burnt down.

Inside The Ruins

Not allowed to go up

Short informative video of the historical place.

I also captured this shuttle's schedule pick up and drop off if you wish to go to the Ruins without private cars or not to hire a tricycle which could be a little pricey dahil malayo-layo sya from the city proper.

Over all, it was a nice experience to visit this historical place. The story of The Ruins was very touching and saddening of course. I just wish we were able to visit around 5pm when the lights are on plus no rain showers. Nevertheless, if you are planning to visit Bacolod, don't forget to include The Ruins on your list. =)

Bacolod - Silay Heritage Houses Tour

Right after our day tour in Guimaras, we headed to the port to catch the 8pm fastcat to Bacolod.We arrived early so we waited until cars and buses are allowed to alight the ship (wow maka ship??) hahaha! We bought the business class for Php 350 for adults and Php150 for kids.

Haggard na yung bangs! Hahah.

Anyhow, we were kinda tired so we only took the time to take a rest. We didn't even have the time to eat dinner before boarding. Since my sister have a lot of snacks with her, we contented ourselves with it. Yun nga lang sobrang mahal ng cup noodles so mejo sad lang.

It took less than two hours when we reached Bacolod. Our hotel is around 10-15 minutes away via car so it wasn't a hassle at all. Transportation is what I love about this trip. We don't have to hire vans or cars or pay an expensive all-expense-tour to each city we go to. At some point nakatipid din because my sister didn't ask me to pay for gas hahaha! #perksofhavingasister

We stayed in The Inns Bacolod (click on the link to see photos from Agoda) which is just along the highway and a walking distance away from city proper. I actually took the cheapest room since it was just me and Jami plus Nanay. Although I didn't expect the bed to be too small, the ac kinda too noisy and the room isn't well lighted, and a very small blanket, I get what I paid for. The lobby was nice though and the breakfast is included in our stay. What would you ask for paying Php800/night? A television is available which is somehow important for me since it will make our stay a little less stressful dahil may pagkakaabalahan si Jami.

Since we had a late check-in, our first night was only to take a rest and get ready for the next day. Our original plan is to go to Campuestohan Resort for a whole day of swimming and fun and have a city tour on our last day before Jami and I head back to Manila, while my sister and family go to Cebu. Unfortunately, we were very tired the next day due to our very hectic schedule the day before so we opted to take our breakfast and leave around 10am for our city tour.

We passed by El Ideal Bakery to have our lunch and buy some take home food - supposedly pero money is tight hahaha and what I am looking to bring home is the Napoleones which is a known delicacy in Bacolod. I would say that I enjoyed the Sizzling Bangus meal that I ordered! Ang sarap eh. =)

Inside El Ideal Bakery

We took photos outside El Ideal which by the way along the highway so my brother-in-law has to take the photo from the other side of the highway pa and wait for the cars to clear out before mag take ng picture! Haha! It was really funny I remembered our buwis buhay shot in Sinking Bell Tower in Ilocos. =D

When we reached Silay, our first stop was the Bernardino Jalandoni House Museum. Unfortunately, it's closed every Monday! How could we not check the schedule?!

So we have no choice but to head on to the next house, Balay Negrense.

At that point we realized that we went on the day where these houses are closed! So please bear in mind not to go every Mondays! Lol!.

Although Balay Negrense was closed, we were able to take pictures outside and roam a little bit. It was really funny because Jami was freaking out when we headed to the left side of the house where the huge balete tree is located. When we were walking towards the side door to ask the caretaker if we can go in, Jami started to panic and said "Mommy! Let's get out of here!" with a very scared and worried look. Syempre kinabahan naman ako ng bongga diba? He might be seeing something I can't see so I carried him and asked what's wrong? I didn't get mad because I know that he was telling the truth and not making a scene lang.

We were told they are closed so we don't have a choice but to leave early. =( We passed by the Cinco de Noviembre and had a quick photo op too.

It was quite hard to take photos of the whole place because it's located on an intersection of a busy street. We only spent couple of minutes here since there's nothing much to do but a photo op.

We assumed that most heritage houses are closed every Mondays so we have no choice but to go back to Bacolod. I was really scared with Jami's little tantrum dun sa Balay Negrense baka kako na insidious na! Hahaha! He was whispering to his unan which by the way, he can't live without. Pinakikinggan ko kung anong sinasabi baka kung ano na. Hahahah! #paranoidlevel9999

We passed by a Calea store where my sister bought two slices of cakes (different flavors) we could try. I have heard this dessert shop is very known to be selling heavenly tasting cakes. Even before I went here in Bacolod, it is highly suggested to go there and try their cakes. Being a self proclaimed baker that I am, haha! syempre gorabels tayo jan. The verdict? I wasn't that impressed actually. As far as I can remember hindi masyadong sweet, which is fine, hindi nakakaumay. But I don't think this is the best cake shop of them all. Lols! We've also tried Felicia's which is inside SM, hindi sila nagkakalayo ng cakes ni Calea. I am not sure if we picked the wrong flavors but I think they may deserve a second try next time I visit Bacolod. We also passed by the Negros Occidental Capitol on our way to SM Bacolod which was also a nice and clean spot despite the fact that it's in the heart of the city. We were looking to take better photos but it rained a little and it's off limits to people. =(

For our dinner, my sister being the in-charge of this whole trip suggested we should try the Manokan Country. Eh saan ba galing ang inasal chickens diba? Why not try yung mga legit. Si Mang Inasal lang kasi ang na try ko dito sa Manila. Haha! Good thing, the place is located beside SM lang. It was a long karinderya-style place and you can choose which local store you should try. We went inside one (forgot the name) and ordered chicken inasal.

My sister noticed that the restaurant we went into had a branch in Makati. I just can't remember the name of the resto, I'm so sorry! Momnesia attack! =D

We actually just planned to go straight to The Ruins after before sunset since it's the perfect time to visit the place however, nagkalimutan na because of loads of chikahan after. We decided to go there tomorrow morning then Campuestohan Highland Resort after. We went back to the hotel after.

When we were settled down, we realized walang water so my sister and I walked around 5 minutes and we were in the center of the city. A lot of establishments and the streets were still kinda busy.

All in all, Bacolod City offered a lot of places to go to. It was a nice and clean city. I was hoping we had more time to go to Lakawon or even re-visit the museums and houses. Well, there's always a next time right? =) I now I lack so much pictures during this part of the travel. I guess I don't have much energy minding the little one and getting all the poise together no? Hirap din pala. Hahah! Di bale, I'll do better next time. I should blog about our last day in Bacolod soon to finally finish the posts that are looong over due! =D