Michi Photostory

February 13, 2014

Everything is Awesome

My mom stayed in our home for three days last week, it was a short stay so my son did not go to school last Thursday so we could have a bonding. #badmommy. We went first to Asian Hospital for my check-up but unfortunately, the doctor was out for Convention so we went straight to Festival Mall to accompany my mother in buying her stuff. #masmurasapinas

We ate our lunch at Max’s since my mom wanted Filipino food, and as usual, my son ordered Max’s dessert sampler.

Then we watched “The Lego Movie”, kung ako lang “Bride for Rent” ang pipiliin ko but to reward my son for being behave habang namimili mom ko, sige Lego na lang. #everythingisawesome. While waiting for my husband to pick us up, we went to Kiddy’s Art Town to kill time. My mom bought these ensaymaditas at Must be Mom’s.

Then we went straight to Rose and Grace for our dinner. #filipinofoodagain

February 05, 2014

Day Trip at Sitio De Amor

As I mentioned in my previous post, my mom was back again here in the Philippines and it means a family outing. I’m always in-charge in planning our family outing so for the first weekend I suggested we visit Mind Museum since it was also my nephew’s 9^th birthday. But my mom decided to stay in my grandmother’s house in Victoria, Laguna so I checked my Viaje Del Sol list for possible bed and breakfast.

If you’ve been a regular reader of this blog, you know for sure that I’m trying my best to visit those places listed in the Viaje Del Sol map. You can click here to check the places that I’ve visited.

This time, I chose Sitio De Amor, it is less than an hour's travel from my grandmother’s house so we only had a day trip. I inquired last December about the rates and unfortunately, there’s no promo like when we went to Casa San Pablo. 50% of the total should be deposited to confirm your reservation.

Day Trip Rates

PHP1,200 – adults and 11 years old above

PHP600 – kids below 10 years old

Free – 2 years old below

The day trip is from 8AM – 5PM, inclusive of am/pm snack and buffet lunch. The room is not included; guests can stay on the patio (5) and use the restroom for the day tour guests but no hot shower. But my mom wanted a room so my sister called a few days before the trip to reserve a room and confirm if we can bring a cake.

Treehouse is the biggest room so we chose this one. The rate is half the price for day tour guests. There’s a small dining table, kitchen, and restroom on the second floor and one bedroom with toilet and bath on the third floor.

As early as 7AM we’re ready to go but the jeep that we rented did not arrive on time so we left past 8AM. (2 tumbling lang ang layo ha) #sayangoras. Upon arrival, we immediately went to the treehouse to leave our bags and take some pictures.

We went back to the pavilion for our AM snack but it wasn’t ready yet. We’re a little bit disappointed with our AM snack kasi naman tagal naming naghintay then bread lang pala. hehehe Of course, hindi siya kasya sa min (15 pax). Good thing that I bought Tous Les Jours bread the day before our trip.

The weather was not that good; actually, it was raining on our way to the resort. So we stayed in the treehouse after the AM snack. Thank God that the bathroom has a bathtub so doon na lang nagswim ang kids. Hehehe!

We went back to Pavillion for our lunch, we’re praying and hoping na ok ang aming lunch para sulit bayad. Bumawi naman sila because we enjoyed our lunch. The food was good and flavorful.

After lunch, the rain stopped already so kids tried to swim in the pool pero kasing lamig ng yelo so they tried the freshwater lagoon.

My son doesn’t want to swim here kasi may crocodile daw. Hehehe!

After several minutes they went back to the bathtub and we tried to catch some sleep at puyat. We had late PM snack para diretso na uwi.

Pros

1. The service is okay, the staffs are approachable and always smiling.

2. The place is nice and clean.

3. The buffet lunch is good.

Cons

1. It took them days or even a week to reply to my emails. So if you have a landline, it is better to call. But I always prefer email so I have a copy of the information.

2. There’s no playground for the kids so mabored talaga kung hindi makapagswim so it is better to bring some toys, board games or card games.

3. The food is not always ready on time. We always have to wait considering na kami lang guests. #asfarasiknow wala naman kami kasabayan. Pero masarap naman despite the waiting time.

All in all, in spite of the rain showers we still enjoyed our day trip in Sitio De Amor. It is really nice to have a break and spend your day doing nothing. Eat, sleep and relax lang ang peg.

How to get to Sitio De Amor

All Lucena-bound buses will pass by the farm. Alight at Uno Gas Station at Km 88.5, Maharlika Hwy, Brgy San Vicente, SPC.

By car: SLEX, continue on to SLEX continuation (Star toll), exit at Sto. Tomas. When the road Ts, turn right, when it forks at the Sto Tomas town proper take the left road. At Linai's Supermarket, turn left. After SM, San Pablo the road will fork - take the right road. Continue on this road for another 8 km. Sitio will be on your left. The private road is between Uno Gas Station and Jardin de San Vicente.

February 04, 2014

Lunch at Yabu: The House of Katsu

We’re supposed to go to Healthway-Festival Mall but on our way to my son’s check-up, I asked my husband where we are going to eat. Parang wala kami maisip na restaurant sa Festival Mall so we went straight to Alabang Town Center so we can have more choices.

For the longest time, I’ve been meaning to try Yabu: The House of Katsu restaurant. But as usual, available branches are too far so I was really happy when I’ve learned that it is available now in Alabang Town Center.

Since I’m not a frequent shopper in ATC, I have to check the map to locate the restaurant. The line was long but we didn’t mind so while waiting for our number we went to Vanilla Cupcake Bakery.

After several minutes, finally our table was ready. The server gave us menu and since it was our first time we checked each page. We ordered Chicken Salad/Edamame P195, Rosu Katsu P355, Menchi Katsu P350 and Potato Croquettes P110.

The katsu set consists of unlimited Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, cabbage and fruit. Everything is unlimited except for the katsu.

I’m very much satisfied with my order and now I know why people really crave for this katsu. The breading is really crunchy while the meat is soft and juicy. I tried the menchi katsu of my husband, “A delicious mix of minced premium beef and pork covered in crunchy panko filled with oozing creamy cheese” but I still prefer my rosu katsu, may umay factor siguro sa cheese.

My son ordered the potato croquette but did not like it, I tried it and it was good naman. Well, it is worth the wait and now I know where to go if I want katsu. The food is reasonably price and sulit talaga because we left with happy stomach. It is worth the splurge.

Read: Yabu 2015

February 03, 2014

Vanilla Cupcake Bakery

It was Chinese New Year last Friday so we can pick up my mom in the airport but before that, we went to Healthway Alabang Town Center for my son’s check-up, it was a holiday and his pedia has no clinic in Asian.

We arrived just in time for lunch so we decided to eat first before check-up. We went to Yabu “The House of Katsu” to reserve a seat and the line was too long. My son is already hungry so we went to Vanilla Cupcake Bakery so he can eat something while waiting.

I love the interior of the store, it so homey and comfy. I can stay here while reading a book or having intimate conversations.

It was our first time so we had a hard time in choosing. The lowest price of the cupcake is P60 without frosting. My son chose the choco choco chip cupcake P80 and he finished the cupcake. He loved it. Next time I will try the banofee.

Update: Cupcake the we've tried.

Lava Cupcake P90 - taste is ok

Banana Cream Cheese P100 - we love this!

Lunch at Fukuya Japanese Restaurant

Two weeks ago we were in Festival Mall for my labtest and of course inabot na kami ng lunch time. We tried the Fukuya Japanese Restaurant; it’s a small restaurant that I don’t really notice.

My husband ordered Tempura P124, Pork Tonkatsu P110 and Shoyo Ramen P145. Whenever I’m in a Japanese restaurant I always order pork tonkatsu so I was really disappointed when I tried their tonkatsu, it was dry and almost burned. Vegetables were overcooked. Good thing that the tempura and shoyo ramen was good.

January 30, 2014

Lunch at Chic-Boy

Chic-Boy (Chicken – Baboy) is not a new restaurant but it took me a long time to try their food because I’ve been reading and hearing a lot of negative reviews regarding the service and food. Last year was my first time to try their food with my mommy friends in school and I ordered the inihaw na liempo. I can’t remember the exact price but it is over P100 without drinks but you have unlimited rice.

I don’t see any problems with their food and service so I visited the restaurant again with my family. My husband and son ordered the chicken inasal and I ordered inihaw na liempo again. Next time I will try the Cebu Lechon Liempo.

January 28, 2014

Lasagna

Lasagna is my favorite pasta but unfortunately I could not make perfect lasagna at home. I still prefer the taste of Greenwich lasagna.

Last year I tried to make lasagna for the second time using this instant lasagna. It has no pre-cooking required so it made my life easier; I just have to make two sauces.

I followed the recipe at the back of the box. I don’t have the copy anymore since I’m not satisfied with the taste. In fairness, the taste is ok and it is edible. Lol!

January 27, 2014

Tous les Jours

Since last year, I always see Tous les Jours whenever I’m in Festival Mall. It is a French-Asian Bakery that I can’t even pronounce the name and because of that I feel that they are selling expensive cakes and breads. But last Saturday, there were few customers so we check the store.

It was our first visit so we had a hard time in choosing and to make our life easier, we chose the available best seller such as sweet black rice bread with black sesame cream cheese, milk bread and roll (pack). I can’t remember the exact price but it is less than P50 each.

We love the bread so for sure we will go back again. I have to search Tous les Jours in google and listen to the audio, Tous les Jours is too-le-joo-r meaning “everyday”. It means they serve only freshly baked bread every day and that is why they have on-site production system in their store.

Care to share your favorite.

Online Shopping

Shopping online is very popular now a day because it saves time, money and effort. A lot of stores are now creating their own website to reach more customers just like reid supplies, it is an online store that sells tools, accessories, maintenance supplies, shop supplies and many more. It has an online catalog where you can view the products.

January 22, 2014

Red Ribbon Dedication Cake

They say that the birthday is not complete without a cake so that is why we always have a cake even for simple birthday celebration. In addition, it is also a nice gift to give if you have no time to shop for one. Last year I’ve tried the Red Ribbon Dedication Cake, I bought the chocolate dedication cake last November 10 for my grandmother and Mocha dedication cake for my mother-in-law last November 30.

Looking at the design, I prefer the chocolate one but we prefer the mocha when it comes to taste. I tried to use my happy plus card to avail the P100 coupon discount but too bad their terminal is always offline. #sayang

My Kikay Kit

People who know me for so long know that I don’t wear make-up because I don’t know how to apply make-up and I’m not comfortable with it. I still remember last 2012 I posted “What’s in Mom’s Bag” and readers were asking where my make-up kit is.

Honestly, I don’t have make-up kit and not even lipstick so when I have to attend wedding last month, I told my husband that I need to buy lipstick para naman may kulay ang mukha ko di ba. I bought Maybelline lipstick and mascara.

For years, I’m satisfied with lip and cheek tint, face powder and lip gloss. I’m a full time mom so I feel that I don’t need to wear make-up every time I go to school to accompany my son.

But I’m aware that make-up has expiration so now, I’m using the mascara and lipstick every time I go out. Sayang naman if one time use lang. hehehe!

Sharing the Make-up Expiration Guidelines from seventeen.com

Mascara – 2-3 months

Liquid Foundation Concealer – 6-12 months

Lipstick – 2 years

Lip Gloss – 1 year

Nail Polish – 1-2 years

Powder, Eye Shadow and Blush – 2 years

Fragrances – 8- 10 years

Lotion – 2 years

A repost from my old blog Michi's Home sweet Home

January 20, 2014

MMRV Vaccine

When my son reached 3 years old we’re having a hard time going to the doctor for his vaccination. For him pedia=injection so it was really difficult to convince him to go to the hospital. When he got sick, we went to different pedia because nagwawala na siya palabas pa lang kami elevator so sa iba na lang.

But we went back last January 10 to his original pedia for the MMRV vaccine; it took me days to convince him. He was fine hanggang sa pagpasok namin sa room but when he saw the doctor preparing the injection, natakot na. I’m thankful na natapos na rin ang booster shot ng MMR and Varicella so at least I’m at peace na hindi na siya vulnerable sa measles outbreak.

I don’t want him to get sick especially now that my mom is going home and we have a family outing. #bawalmagkasakit So prevention is better than cure. I’m really scared because we almost missed the field trip because my son had a hand, foot, and mouth disease, days before the field trip. He missed his exam because he got sick too so now, I don’t want to take risks anymore.

As a treat, we bought ice cream. Good luck sa flu vaccine naming sa summer.

FYI: Childhood Immunization Schedule

January 17, 2014

Lunch at Abe

Two weeks ago we went to Alabang Town Center to finish some errands. We rarely visit this mall so whenever we visit we take our chance to try the new restaurant which is not available in our place.

Abe is not new to my husband because they always have dinner meetings in this restaurant. Looking at the exterior and interior of the restaurant, you may think that the price is very expensive but it isn’t. The food is reasonably priced; we ordered Pork Lengua Asado P295, Tidtad (Dinuguan) P225, and Unlimited Jasmine Steam Rice P65 per person.

We’re very satisfied with the food and service.

After eating our lunch, we went back to this place because my son wanted to play Lego. Thank God because there’s an available slot for him, wala kasi siya space nung dumaan kami.

Note: Don’t forget to clean or sanitize your child’s hands after playing because I saw one kid who’s biting the lego pieces to separate them. I hope I can bring him to Legoland Malaysia.

Read: Abe's Farm
Abe's Museum

February 5, 2015: Lunch at Abe

I was deleting some pictures on my phone and I saw some food photos from Abe. We have revisited this restaurant before the year ends.

We browse the menu and ordered Sigarillas sa Gata at Hipon, Liempo Hamonado, and Leche Flan. Sorry, I can’t remember the exact price.

While waiting, they served this complimentary appetizer which my son enjoyed.

I always cook pork hamonado at home but I haven’t tried using pork belly so next time I will try that and I will imitate the pineapple slices in their Liempo Hamonado.

I don’t cook Sigarillas sa Gata at Hipon at home so this is the dish that I really enjoyed.

My son who loves dessert finished this Leche Flan, I had a bite and it is not overly sweet. I hope my next visit would be on Pampanga branch.

After our lunch, we bought scooter + helmet + arm/knee protector for my son. This is his grandmother’s gift last Christmas.

Read: Abe's Farm
Abe's Museum

November 3, 2015: Lunch at Abe

Last October 25 we attended Blogapalooza and we left early because it was lunch time but we decided to eat in Alabang Town Center para malapit lapit na ang biyahe pauwi.

We had a hard time looking for a restaurant, lagi kami nasa waiting list. While waiting in Chilis, my husband checked Abe restaurant and he called me na next na daw kami so off we went to Abe.

While waiting, the staff gave us the menu so we can already order while waiting for our table. My husband ordered Abe's Morcon P325 and Sigarillas sa Gata at Hipon P265.

They served our food a few minutes after we were seated. I was surprised to see the morcon because I was expecting beef with fillings inside. But my husband said, yan talaga yun, embotido. I tasted it but I did not like it.

My husband and son ate that Abe's morcon but I’m happy with my sigarillas sa gata and hipon. This is my favorite order here in Abe because I don’t usually cook food with gata at home and I haven’t bought sigarillas in the market.

Abe is one of our favorite restaurants that serve Filipino dishes. The price is reasonable, the foods are delicious and the service is good.

January 16, 2014

Lunch at LZM Restaurant

Whenever we go to Tagaytay, we always pass LZM restaurant and the parking is always full. It only shows that the food must be really good. But it was only last January 1 that we’ve tried it. After our trip in Sonyas Garden, we dropped here to have our lunch. Good thing we secured a parking slot. The place looks like a canteen having simple dining table, chairs and interiors.

The staff gave us the menu and we ordered bulalo P400, rice P100 and drinks P90.

LZM did not fail my expectation because we enjoyed the bulalo, it has big serving, the meat is tender and there’s bone marrow. A better bulalo experience compared to Mahogany Market.

The only thing that I dislike is the slow service; asking and paying bills took almost forever. So my husband went to the staff just to inform her that she forgot to include our drinks in the bill, paid the bill and we left. Sana puyat lang sila kaya mabagal kumilos.

January 15, 2014

Remote Camera

Every time we travel, one of our dilemmas is a family picture. It is hard to have a family picture because no one will take our picture. So when we went to Hongkong and Macau, we bought tripod but unfortunately, it did not last. It was broken before our trip ends. Lol.

I was searching for a tripod and remote camera online, checking for style and price if we can afford. Then I found out that remote camera or trail camera is mostly used by photographers if space is limited, if they are not allowed to take a photo because of limited access like sports and wildlife photography. Well, if you’re interested you can find a review for a trail camera online.

Anyway, I’m looking for an affordable tripod for our next trip, any suggestions?

Duncan Hines: Red Velvet Cupcake

I remember that last November I baked Devil’s Food Cupcake from Duncan Hines and last Sunday I tried their red velvet mix. While mixing the batter my son keep on saying “Wow, ganda ng color”.

After baking, we tasted it and my husband said “Bakit pula ito?” I said, hello! Red velvet nga e.

Anyway, the cupcake is moist, fluffy and taste ok. I wanted to make cream cheese frosting but as usual, tinamad na ko. Hehehe!

Read: California Walnut Brownies
Devil's Food Cupcake