Michi Photostory

July 07, 2014

My Son’s First Dental Check-up

I’m fully aware that it is recommended to visit the dentist by the age of 1 yr old or as soon as the first tooth of your child comes out but it didn’t happen to my son. We have a dental card that we can use but every time that we will schedule an appointment they always decline my son because they don’t have Pediatric Dentist. We’ve been to different clinics but still, the answer is the same or “pwede ma’m kung makikipagcooperate”. How can you expect my son to cooperate agad di ba.

When my son was three years old, naku mas mahirap na because he is already aware and he doesn’t want to visit the dentist, only mommy, and daddy lang daw. I don’t want to force him at baka magwala lang sa loob ng clinic at may masira pa. So every six months na pacleaning namin ni hubby, I try to persuade him and finally yesterday he experienced his first dental check-up. After 5 years nagamit din ang dental card.

He is pointing to the "Brush" thing. Brush lang daw teeth niya.

This is not the first time that my son will be checked by a dentist because for the last two years they have an annual dental check-up in school. It is just a simple check-up where the dentist will write her observations if cleaning or filling is needed. But this was the first time that he will sit in a dental chair and I felt that he was really nervous. It took us time to convince him to lie down and open his mouth.

The dentist checked if there was a cavity or tooth decay, fortunately, no cavity and tooth decay so she just cleaned my son’s teeth. We will be back in six months. I was happy that my son conquered his fear. I believe that every person deserves a great looking and healthy smile. Click here!

July 06, 2014

Day Trip in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Update: June 2023

After almost a decade, we went back to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar but this time, we had an overnight stay. You can check the links below for my updated review and rates.

Read: Birthday Staycation at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Food Trip at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Watch the video

Heritage Day Tour Rate

PHP2,500 (Monday to Friday)

PHP2,900 (Weekends, Holidays and Peak Dates)

Inclusions:

Entrance Fee and Use of Beach Area

30 mins to 1 Hour Walking Guided Tour; Kalesa Ride

Hotel de Oriente Viewing, Balsa River Cruise

Set lunch at HDO Binondo Hall, all taxes and fees

Walking Heritage Tour Schedule: 8:30AM, 10:30AM, 2:30PM and 4:30PM

*Allowed time to stay inside the resort is from 8AM to 6PM only

***

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is in my bucket list but because I live in South Luzon, it is not on my priority list. My friend invited us to attend his son’s 7th Birthday in Bataan since it is too far from Cavite, I suggested to my husband that we stay in Las Casas para di pagod.

I emailed Las Casas but they replied, “please call to reserve” so my husband called, and unfortunately, no more Studio De Luxe rooms are available. We don’t want to book other rooms because PHP4,050 room rate is already steep for us and the next lowest available room is P5,850.

We decided to have a day trip instead, we left Cavite around 4AM so we still have enough time na mamasyal before attending the birthday party at 3PM. I posted here our sidetrip “Bataan Road Trip” before going to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Resort.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a heritage park or heritage resort in Bagac, Bataan. It is owned by Jose Rizalino “Jerry” Acuzar who is an art collector and architect. Jerry aimed to showcase cultural heritage through the restoration of the houses.

At the gate, the guard gave us an entry pass to be given in the reception area. I was thankful that my son is still free.

Day Trip Entrance Fee of Las Casa Filipinas de Acuzar

Day Trip Rate

Package 1 (set meal) P1,200 nett per person
Package 2 (buffet meal) P1,500 nett per person
A guaranteed minimum of 30 persons is required to avail of the buffet arrangement.

Inclusions:

Welcome Drinks
30-minute to 1-hour Guided Tour of Heritage Houses
Entrance Fee and Use of Beach Area
1 Lunch, Afternoon Snack, 2 Tetra Pack Juices, 2 Bottles of Mineral Water
Vicinity Map
All Taxes and Service Charge

Other Options:

Option 1: Entrance Fee with Snacks

P850 - adult
P425 - kids

Option 2: Entrance Fee Only

P685 - adult and 5 years old and above
FREE - toddlers

Upon entering the Heritage Park, you will feel that you’ve been transported in the past. It is really nice to see how big and beautiful the old houses compared to the trend now.

We were a few minutes late for the Heritage Tour but we don’t want to waste our time waiting for the next schedule so we asked them if pwede pa humabol and they gladly assisted us to locate the tour guide.

Schedule of Heritage Tour

8:30 AM
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
11:30AM

1:30 PM
2:30 PM
3:30 PM
4:30 PM

The Heritage Tour is a guided walking tour around the Heritage Park showcasing the cultural and historical background of every single heritage house. After seeing the before and after photos, I was really amazed at how they were able to restore the houses. Check the photos.

After the tour, we ate our lunch at “Casa Unisan” and ordered the set meal at PHP432. It includes soup, a main course, dessert, and drinks. The taste is good.

Like

1. I like the idea of a Heritage Tour because you will learn a lot. There are more information that you will know that is not written in History school books.

2. I’ve been to Calle Crisologo in Vigan but I think this is much better because you can visit more heritage houses. It is like a one-stop shop that showcases different houses around the Philippines.

3. Service is good.

Dislike

1. I emailed them to reserve a room but they replied “Please call to reserve”. What is the use of this email reserve@lascasasfilipinas.com if you can’t reserve via email?

2. I paid PHP685 for the tour, welcome drinks, and beach use only. There is a swimming pool but only check-in guests can use it. If you want to ride a calesa or golf cart there’s a fee for that.

3. My son is free of charge so no welcome drinks also but in Villa Escudero even if the guest is FOC, he/she has a welcome drink and buffet lunch.

4. We wanted to take a bath before attending the birthday party but after seeing the bathroom, wag na lang. I'm not picky but the bathroom has no lock (broken) so how can I take a bath with an open door and I don’t know where to put my bag. I hope they will have a decent bathroom for day-trip guests.

Bathroom

Note: We went there in April 2014 so it was really hot. There’s not enough shade so it is better to bring an umbrella, cap, drinks and extra clothes.

Every time you enter a heritage house, you have to remove your slippers or shoes so better wear footwear na madali alisin at isuot.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Bo. Pagasa, Bagac, Bataan
+63 2 332 5338 +63 2 332 5286
E-mail: reserve@lascasasfilipinas.com
http://lascasasfilipinas.com Klook.com

July 04, 2014

DIY Baby Shower

Baby Shower is a way to celebrate the approaching birth of a child where the expectant mother is showered with gifts. It is traditionally given to the first child of the family but nowadays parents experience more than one baby shower. Sadly to say, I’m not one of those parents because I did not experience any baby shower, I don’t have friends. Hehehe!

When I was pregnant, I was planning for my own baby shower because I know that my friends will not plan something for me. I did not have bridal shower nga so baby shower pa. Lol But it did not happen because I had Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy aka PUPPP but that’s another story.

Moving on, when my son started going to school. I met moms who are also full time mothers like me and we became friends. One of our mommy friend got pregnant so we decided to throw a baby shower.

I asked my pregnant friend for her available schedule so we set the date, time and place. Like I said, I did not experience any baby shower so I have to research and research. It is like planning for my own baby shower. We’re only 8 moms in our group so I have to plan and prepare everything para naman may “element of surprise” pa. I sent a digital photo invitation and informed them that the event is potluck.

One of my friend made this diaper stroller

Sharing to you the things that I’ve prepared

1. Invitation

2. Guest Page - I used the extra page from the banner

3. Banner

4. Games - I prepared Guess the Baby Picture, Baby Trivia, Bingo Game and Bottle Chugging.

I asked my friends for their baby pictures so I can print it but unfortunately not all have their own baby picture.

5.Wishes for the baby

6. Giveaways

I was thankful that there are free baby shower printables so planning and preparing for a baby shower was not difficult. My pregnant friend offered to buy prizes for games.

For my potluck, I brought Amira’s Buco Tart.

Baby Shower Printable Sources:

Baby Shower Printable Set
Baby Trivia
Baby Bingo

July 02, 2014

Munchpunch VIP Membership

Our family loves to eat and if we want to try something new, I always search online for reviews and recommendations. I read different food blogs and food websites. One of the websites that I like to check is Munchpunch, I do check the menu, price and location of restaurant but little did I know that Munchpunch offers VIP membership.

I had an offer to try Munchpunch VIP membership last May. I signed up and immediately browse the VIP menu. VIP members can get freebies and perks at over 150 locations. You can simplify your search by using the tab buttons, I always use the location tab because I live in Cavite and my nearest location is Muntinlupa.

How it Works?

1. Browse the VIP menu and pick an item.

2. Click Get Code and wait for the text message.

3. Show the text message code to staff upon ordering the VIP item at the restaurant.

I’ve been getting code from different restaurant but because we're so busy as a bee, we were not able to redeem it. We’re supposed to try this Buy 1 Take 1 promo of Cafe Eight at Crimson’s Hotel but there was sudden change of plan.

Birthday Celebration sana

Anyway, if you want to be a VIP member of Munchpunch you can register for free. The free trial is good for 15 days only but if you want to extend the membership, you can renew it for P299 for 60 days. You can pay via paypal, credit card or cash at any 7-11 store.

June 29, 2014

Dinner at La Fiesta: A Taste of Filipino

Philippines is known for Fiesta, we do celebrate Fiesta in different provinces and cities. There are provinces who are really famous in their festivals like Cebu, Quezon, Bacolod and many more. Filipinos love Fiesta and even I’m not a Catholic I love fiesta because Fiesta = Tons of food. I always look forward attending Fiesta because I could taste a lot of dishes for free. Oh yes, an eat all you can event.

Update 2018: Lunch at La Fiesta

Who doesn’t love eat all you can or buffet? I personally love buffet, it is something I look forward every time we have hotel staycation. Buffet restaurant is also my choice if we have a celebration and get together. You can see here and here the hotel and restaurant buffet that we have tried.

Buffet = No Leftover and No Diet

Do you know that there’s new buffet restaurant in SM by the Bay Mall of Asia? La Fiesta Restaurant is the "Largest Filipino Buffet" with over 200 dishes and as of this writing, they are now open on its second week. From its name, expect that they serve Filipino dishes originated from different Fiestas all over the country.

I received an invitation to try La Fiesta last week. If you’ve been reading this blog for quite some time now, you know that I don’t usually attend blog events because of my location and most events fall on weekdays but when I’ve read that I can visit on my preferred date and time, I gladly accepted it.

Yesterday, we drove all the way to Mall of Asia. You won’t get lost because the La Fiesta restaurant is just beside the MOA Eye. We were there past 5PM and I asked the staff if my son is still free or not, we went inside the restaurant to check my son’s height and I was glad because he is still free. The children rate is based on height.

At 5:30 they opened the restaurant and started calling the name on the reservation list. The place is huge measures 1200sqm with 150 tables and 500 seats so they can really accommodate a good number of guests.

We did not waste time anymore and we started checking the food station, I guess they have 7 to 8 stations of food. They served grilled seafood, street foods, noodles, pizza, various types of barbeque, sisig, soup, fruits, desserts and many more Filipino dishes.

Let the photos do the talking.

Our favorites are lechon de leche and papaitan.

Funny story. I was falling in line for ice cream, nung turn ko na I asked the server if there is mocca and he said “wala po ma’m” I pointed the white ice cream and asked kung vanilla yun and he said yes. I went to the table and started eating my ice cream and waah! It is not vanilla ice cream, it is durian ice cream. Nalito na yata ang server and why I was looking for vanilla and mocca ice cream, Filipino and Fiesta nga ang theme. Anyway, my husband enjoyed the durian ice cream. Hahaha!

Likes

1. Waiting area is spacious enough, you can stay in bahay kubo or in these comfortable sofas.

2. I love the interiors. The place doesn’t look crowded even guests started to arrive because there is enough room for you to move.

3. I like the idea of serving different Filipino dishes especially those foods that you don’t normally cook or eat at home like Papaitan, Sisig and Dinuguan.

4. Plus points because the buffet rate includes unlimited drinks, I guess over 20 types of drinks such as soda, juice and even beer is unlimited.

5. The service is good from waiting area up to your table. There are staffs everywhere who gladly assist you with all your needs. You can see the smile on their faces, you can hear welcoming remarks and you can really feel their energy. I hope this kind of service will remain.

6. They offer acoustic bands, local folk dances and harana while eating every day. There is a live cultural show every Friday, Saturday (dinner) and Sunday (lunch and dinner) but we missed it because we left early.

7. I could say that the buffet rate is worth it because of the all you can eat food + unlimited drinks.

Dislikes

1. One thing that I dislike in the buffet restaurant is the children rate. I was happy because they did not charge my son yet. Imagine if I will pay P380 and my son only ate one cone of dirty ice cream and 1 pc of yema. #lugi.

2. The children rate is based on height so lugi rin if your children are tall.

3. I was looking for shrimps because that’s my favorite but I did not see it their grilled station. #nagkataonlangba

La Fiesta Buffet Rate

Mon-Sat Lunch P550
Mon-Sat Dinner P750
Sunday and Holiday P750

Children Rate
Height 3.5" ft below (FREE)
4.5" ft below (P380)
4.5: ft above (Adult rate)

Lunch Time - 11:00 - 2:00pm
Dinner Time - 5:30 - onwards

Leftover price P950

Overall, I do recommend La Fiesta if you are into a buffet and if you want a place for get-together, reunions or celebrations. You can bring your friends or families who are balikbayans and foreigners so they can experience our traditional foods.

La Fiesta “Largest Filipino Buffet”
Bldg 1 SM by the Bay, Seaside Blvd
Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
5561111/5561222/5561333