Start of something new

Sharing of interests, stories of where I've been and what I did. Insights, thoughts, learning that may be applicable and helpful to anybody in this world!

Saturday 31 May 2014

Value Education



This afternoon while we were waiting for Ciolo (he was being groomed) we were able to watch Eat Bulaga. 

Personally, I am not a fan of Eat Bulaga (yes, ka Pamilya ako) but I was specifically touched with the segment that we watched.  EBest - They were Eat Bulaga's Scholars.

These scholars were closely screened by Eat Bulaga from all over the country and they chose the best from the best and those that really deserved the scholarship.  There were 30 of them and when one of the scholars gave his message to Eat Bulaga and his parents, I got teary eyed!

I felt his eagerness to finish his studies and since his parents really cannot afford his University - he was managed at the onset that he can only finish High School.  He saw the vast opportunities if he can finish his studies so he really studied very hard and earned his way up to this scholarship!  It was really a dream come true for him and his family! 

I had my same old realization again: that there are many students wishing to finish their studies but are just unfortunate to do so mainly because of monetary concerns but there are a lot of students who are able to study but just took it for granted (by failing school).  They have their own reasons for not doing well at school but for me the reason is simple -- they just don't value education that much!

My appeal to students: please value what your parents are giving you! The quote of our parents "Edukasyon lang ang maipapamana ko sayo" is really true!  If you are educated you will definitely go places and can give back to your parents, to your family and to yourself!

Xoxo

Friday 30 May 2014

Happy Friday: Love is love even if the brain forgets

My husband and I just celebrated our 4th anniversary as a married couple and I am looking forward for more happiness together!

I can tell that falling in love (the same way you fell in love on your first day of being together) is really hard work.  The feeling is not always the same everytime you wake up and it's a constant reminder to choose to be in love.

I may not have the perfect love story in the world but I know my love story is the best -- I think having this mindset is key in keeping the fire burning!

There are a lot of factors that may affect the way we love our partners.
There are external factors like other people, finances and sometimes health.

Let me share with you one story that proved one thing: 



"Love will always be love in ones HEART, even if the BRAIN forgets"

Thanks Sweets for sharing -- such an inspiring story and a reminder that no matter what obstacle we undertake -- love will always speak for itself!

I am always happy to be in love, not only to my husband and to my family but most especially to myself!

Xoxo

 

Sunday 25 May 2014

Puzzle Mansion: Guinness Book of Records holder


 
Our second day in Tagaytay started with our Journey at the Puzzle Mansion.  The Puzzle Mansion is a Guinness World Record holder, it is the largest collection of jigsaw puzzles and it was achieved by Georgina Gil-Lacuna.  According to the people at the mansion, Madam Gina started to make puzzles some 28 years ago and it's really just a hobby.

Madam Gina and her family started from small beginnings and made their way up in the garments industry because of their perseverance and patience.  Looking at it now, it all paved the way to success and it's just simply inspiring.

I appreciate art in a form of drawings that has figures, people and things.   The first puzzle that I saw from this wide range collection was a Coca Cola puzzle and it was really like looking at a poster but when you take a closer look, it was indeed a puzzle!
 
 
What made each puzzle interesting was that each puzzle was tagged and it mentioned how many pieces were there in the puzzle and how long it took Madam Gina to complete one.  It was just mind blowing  -- starting a puzzle is something exciting to do but when you are at the middle part, where all the puzzle pieces have the same color, for me it's like dragging and I want to stop.



This puzzle is MONALISA, we all know that it was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.
This puzzle has 1,500 pieces and it was completed within 14 hours.

Amazing right! :)

Now on to one of the next painting este puzzle in this mansion.
It's called RETABLO DE SANTA COLUMBA by R. Van Den Weyden.
It has 18,000 pieces and it was completed within 1095 hours! Fascinating right!



It's really like a painting and I was just blown away with the patience given in completing this puzzle.

Madam Gina did not just rest for an ordinary puzzle, she made a lot more puzzle variety ranging from the very basic one.
 






 

There is a 3D puzzle, round, pyramid, crystal, can, plastic and a lot more.

 






It was just fascinating, that something that started as a hobby will turn out to be part of the Guinness World Book of Records and I am very proud to be a Filipino.

Watch this video to learn more about the story of Madam Gina and how she came about this wonderful hobby.
 


This is the video that was done by Sweets.. to give all of you a view of how it looked like :)
 

 
For me, puzzles are very symbolic when it comes to defining our lives.

Our entire journey is like a whole puzzle, each situation, each part of our lives are the bits and pieces of our entire being.

There will be times where we cannot match things up, but if we become patient and understand how situations relate to each other, we will see the big picture and realize that every situation matter. ^_^

Xoxo

Aroma Tagaytay Hotel






When we were planning for our trip to Tagaytay, we looked at several sites, reviews and blogs to choose the best deal that will be comfortable for us as well as with our pockets.

After a few discussions, we both agreed that we will go with Aroma Tagaytay Hotel.

It was just along the highway, you can never miss it [admittedly,  we did :(].

If you will be coming from Sta Rosa you will see Tagaytay Econo Inn, then you need to turn right, then on your left just watch out for Starbucks Coffee, then you will see Iglesia ni Cristo.  Just wait a few seconds and you will see (in the left side) Aroma Tagaytay Hotel.
 
We were welcomed by their very accommodating staff and even guided us to our room.  We chose one of the rooms at the 3rd level, which are the VIP Rooms.  The very instance I step foot in that place, I felt like it was an old house (ancestral house), simply because it was not your typical hotel rooms, floorings, corridors and stairs, it felt like home. 
 



Then when we had a quick chat with the Officer in Charge (Ate Mina), she mentioned that this hotel was indeed an old house turned into a hotel.  This is a Filipino owned business, no wonder that the staff are very accommodating and hospitable.

 
Now on to our room:
 
It was a very spacious room, with a queen sized bed with antique side tables with flowers, Cable TV, Fridge, Closets and a nice comfort room with hot and cold shower.
 



In the morning (say around 5-6 am) you can open the windows to let the sunlight in and feel the cool breeze coming from the lake. 

We have our own terrace and it's over looking Taal Volcano.
You will notice some contruction going on because they are always up for continuous improvement -- which is a plus of course!
 
 
Just outside our room, we can share a common dining table and sala set.. It was really homey with a fireplace (it's just a design though).
 
This was the sala set overlooking the Taal Volcano.
 



Then here are the terrace, dining table, china wares, antique chairs and tables and fireplace.
 
 
 
 
 
They have a pool. You can have a dip anytime you want but of course not during when it's being cleaned up.  They have a huge area by the pool and sometimes it's used for birthday celebrations and wedding receptions.
 
They have free Wi-fi but it's just at the reception area.

Well, if you are in a vacation, you don't need to have a Wi-Fi in your room because it loses the essence of "Me Time" or "Us Time".  It loses the intent for connection and bonding.. I saw this one post before that says "Be with the friends / family that you are right now" and not focus on Social Media -- which for me is absolutely right!

They have free breakfast - simple Si-Log dishes but it will surely kick start your day.
 
 
They also have quick menus for lunch and dinner if you do not wish to dine out.

I will surely come back to this place when we need to stay overnight at Tagaytay.  The lovely weather, accommodating and hospitable staff and the homey environment are just the perfect combination for an ultimate vacation.

If you are used to hotel settings with white beddings and towel and a corridor like walkway and elevators, then this place is not for you.  However, if you want to feel like home while in Tagaytay, then this is the place to be!

If you wish to stay here, you can inquire by texting or calling their Office in Charge - Ate Mina at 0949 784 2462.  You will definitely have a fast transaction.

Xoxo


Friday 16 May 2014

Happy Friday: What makes us rule and rock!!

Sweets and I have been together for 7 years and we receive some questions regarding lasting relationships.

My simple answer would be: 

Be each others stepping stone to stardom!  
Be the inspiration to reach greater heights.
Be the encouragement to move forward from frustration and defeat.
Be the friend who gives that "pat on the back" for situations that needs praise.
Be the critic to highlight points for improvements.
Be the ear to listen then understand and not the mouth to nag.
No one is superior over the other, you are both the boss.
Be willing to talk and air your side, communication is key!
 
 
There are a lot more ways to build a lasting relationship, it really depends on the couple on how they handle things.  If you are in a relationship right now whether it's just starting or it's long standing, think of the reasons that both of you click, both of you are happy.  List it down and make it the foundation of your relationship.
 
It's so happy to be inlove so let's all be inlove!
 
Xoxo 
 


Monday 12 May 2014

Arabela: Mother's Day Celebration

Of course my family will not let Mother's Day pass without celebrating it together! Though I am here in Angono and Gboy in Cavite, i knew that their Mother's day celebration was a blast. 

Mama and Papa celebrated Mother's day with the Diaz' third generation (Mama and Papa was the 1st, then me and Gboy was the 2nd).  Cool isn't! 

They chose a very cozy place to celebrate, in Liliw Laguna - Arabela.  

       Photo credit: Arabela's FB

Liliw Laguna is where the Tsinelas Festival is held every April and is the Marikina of Laguna.  Liliw is an hour ride ride from San Pablo and is also the home for the famous uraro (i call it cookies for the oldies).

Arabela came from the names of the owner's daughters, Ara and Bela.  They started of with cakes and pastries and now they have Pizza, Pasta and a lot more, Italian inspired. 

       Photo credit: Arabela's FB

Now on to the foodies:



It looked like they were starving when they got there! Haha! 

They also had the chance to visit Liliw's Church - St John the Baptist Parish Church. 



Again to Mama Inday! Happy Happy Mother's day! You are the bestest of them all! We love you!!


Xoxo

Sunday 11 May 2014

Little Quiapo: Mother's day celebration!


It's Mother's Day and a good place to celebrate this day is at Little Quiapo.  It's our first time there so we were very excited to visit this place even if it's an hour away from Angono. 

Little Quiapo obviously has been there since 1949 and they have been giving filipinos the taste of an authentic Filipino Cuisine since then.  When we first got there, we were welcomed by their unique door knobs. 


The place is not big, they have an area for smokers and inside it can only fit 60 people. Parking space is also limited. 


If you want to indulge with their cuisine and special halo halo, you need to come over a little early.  We anticipated that it's Mother's Day, that many families will come over to Little Quiapo, so we arrived at around 11am.  I thought we were early, we still waited for 10 minutes until we were seated.  

Before we ordered, I breezed through the place first and found some unique items with a twist of Filipino and vintage inspired designs.

Like their his and her washrooms. 


Their mirror.


Their side design that has their award and write up about their best halo halo. 


They captured my wandering eyes with their stacks of nuts, pastillas, breads, tamarind, polvoron and lot more kutkutin.


They even had Pan De Atis (according to our tita) and a variety of suman, one of which was Mama's favorite - Tamalis.  It's like a gift for Mother's Day to finally find Tamalis in the Metro. It's usually sold in Pampanga. 


They had a pretty wide range of choices from their menu and it's like I want them all! 



After browsing it through, we finally decided on what to eat. 

Bihon-Canton guisado
It was a winner!  We were seated just across the cashier and from the time that we were seated up to the time we were leaving, a lot of people were ordering pansit in different sizes of bilao.  That's a testament that it's really a winner! 


Pochero
They have a different twist on this dish.  Instead of having just one kind of meat, they have three - beef, pork and chicken.  The veggies were crunchy and the sauce was sweet.  I enjoyed it!


Lechong Kawali
Another favorite! The pork was soft and tender. My pet peeve about meat is if it's like rubber or hard, so if one dish has a tender and soft meat, that's an automatic winner for me. 


Tokwa't Baboy
Sweets really loved this combo and it was also a winner! There were a lot of pork! 


Palabok
This is another winner! The sauce was so creamy and there were a lot of toppings! It was really a good choice to try this one!


Ofcourse we will not leave Little Quiapo without trying their best dessert - Halo Halo!  

Two thumbs up for their special Halo Halo! The ice cream made it creamy and it did have the ingredients for a Halo Halo.  Banana, Beans, Camote, Nata, Macapuno, Langka, Pinipig, Monggo.


We also tried Mais Con Yelo!
My eyes widened when I saw the amount of cream of corn! It was topped with Leche Flan.


Overall, it's good value for your money!  We will definitely visit this restaurant again! 

Xoxo