Michi Photostory

We are budget travelers so we always book an economy class but during our trip to Cebu last week. We had a chance to experience both Economy Class and Business Class.


We wanted to use our Mabuhay Miles to save money but the problem is, there is an additional $34 fee each to book a ticket (Manila to Cebu) and we can only book premium economy and business class. So my husband bought Manila to Cebu Economy Class Ticket and chose Business Class for our Cebu to Manila flight using Mabuhay Miles.

Read: How to Redeem Flight Rewards with Mabuhay Miles 

Manila to Cebu

Park ‘N Fly 


We parked the car at Park ‘N Fly, we used to park the car at the airport because it was only P50 per night but they already increased the rate so my husband chose Park “N Fly.

Read: Advantages and Disadvantages of Parking at Park N Fly 

NAIA 2 

Then we rode the shuttle and off we went to NAIA Terminal 2, it’s been two years since our (my son and I) last travel via plane so I was a little bit worried because of the “Laglag Bala” scam. I even put a binder clip in my bag just to make sure that they cannot put a bullet.


We asked if there is an earlier flight pero nakaalis na daw. If we did not eat lunch, nahabol siguro namin, lol!. So we waited for our 4PM flight, there was a little bit delay in our boarding time but at last, makakalabas na rin ng Luzon.

Economy Class 

My son loves to ride an airplane and he loves sitting in the window seat so I already accepted the fact that I will always sit in the middle seat.


In the Philippines, Philippine Airlines is the only airline that offers free meals but there is nothing special about their free meals so I was surprised when they served the meals. Wow! Hindi na biscuit, level up na sila. If I remember it right, during our Manila to Cagayan de Oro flight,Dewberry cookies, nuts and coffee lang. Sobrang nakakabusog para sa breakfast flight. Lol Anyway, we enjoyed the Chicken Franks Bunwich Sky Treats.


Finally, we landed at Mactan Cebu International Airport. We just took a taxi to reach the hotel.

Cebu to Manila

After few days, we have to say goodbye to Cebu, we took a cab from Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa to Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Business Class 

There is a different line for Economy Class and Business Class tickets so waiting time is not a problem. The staff offered me an earlier flight pero wala daw food, so I declined. Sayang Business Class ko kung wala food. Lol.

Cebu Mabuhay Lounge 

After that we went to Mabuhay Lounge, it was our first time tapos ang nabasa ko agad “No Wifi” today. There is free wifi in the lounge, malas lang wala siya that day. So after getting to our table, we immediately check the free food and drinks available.






My son was asking me, where is daddy? I have to explain to him that his dad has an economy ticket so he is not allowed in the lounge. My husband doesn’t want to upgrade his ticket at sayang daw ang miles.




After few hours of waiting, the staff approached us asking for our boarding passes. Madelay daw kasi flight namin and she will check kung mamove kami sa earlier flight. I gave our ticket but after few minutes kinuha ko ulit, naisip ko baka kami lang mamove ang flight. I informed the staff that I have a companion sa economy flight so maghintay na lang kami.

After few minutes, she approached me again and asked me kung ilan kasama ko sa economy. I said, isa lang. Then she asked for the name and boarding pass. Fortunately, we were able to get a new flight. She gave me our boarding passes and even my husband’s economy ticket.

The staff informed us that we can already board the plane. I was looking for my husband at the boarding gate, I thought nauna na siya. So we were all surprised nung pagpasok niya ng plane. Nandun na kami at iniwan daw namin siya. Lol

We were on the first row 1A and 1C and at that time kami lang sakay ng business class. There are newspapers and blankets on top of our chairs and the flight attendant served welcome drinks, I chose orange juice while my son water. She informed me about the menu (Grilled Tanigue or Pork Belly) and I chose Pork Belly.



So this is Business Class, spell SPACE. We have big front seats and more space. The most exciting part is the food because this time we have hot meals. But since my son doesn’t like to eat the food and busog na siya sa lounge, I asked the flight attendant if she can deliver it to my husband. I gave her the seat number. Thanks!



After eating, the flight attendant gave us hot towels. Then the pilot announced that we were going to descend na. I did not notice the time, kakakain. Lol

NAIA 2 

Upon arrival, we have a different carousel for Business Class and Premium Economy. There is a priority tag in our baggage so we were able to get our baggage ahead of time. My husband called Park ‘N Fly to pick us up. When we were about to leave I saw familiar faces, mga nakasabay namin sa Cebu to Manila flight, kararating lang. There is really an advantage in having a priority tag in your baggage.

Advantages of Business Class Tickets 

1. A special lane for check-in
2. Priority check-in, boarding, and luggage handling
3. Access to Mabuhay Miles Lounge
4. Welcome Drinks
5. Hot Meals
6. Priority Airport Standby

Those are the differences between economy flight and business class. We enjoyed our business class experience and thanks to Mabuhay Miles.

Read: Economy Class vs Business Class of Philippine Airlines: International Flight 
NAIA 2 Mabuhay Lounge 
5 Ways to Get into Airport Lounges

For the last two weeks, my son has been bugging me to bake chocolate cupcake but I was so lazy to bake because of the summer heat and I told him that we have so many food in the fridge, ubusin muna.



After our trip in Cebu, we finally baked chocolate cupcake using Duncan Hines Devil’s Food mix P169.95. I’ve tried this instant mix three years ago and if I remember it right, the cupcake was not sweet so when I saw the ready made Classic Chocolate frosting of Duncan Hines P139.95, I bought it too. 



You need 1 cup water, 3 large eggs, 1/3 vegetable oil and instant mix. Just mix the ingredients and pour batter in baking pan. Bake for 18 to 21 minutes at 350F. 



The cupcake is soft and fluffy but as I mentioned before, it is not sweet so it really needs frosting. The classic chocolate frosting is so easy to spread and not overly sweet. My son enjoyed our chocolate cupcakes.



Read: Red Velvet 
          California Walnut Brownies  
          Devil’s Food

When I started traveling, I always buy fridge magnet, keychain or t-shirt with I love (name of the place) print for pasalubong or as a souvenir but after few years, I stopped buying those stuff because I realized, I don’t need a lot of magnet and keychain. Honestly, nakatambak lang sila.

Now, I’m more into foods, foods that are not usually available in our place. We were in Cebu last week and we did not leave without buying the famous pasalubong in Cebu like dried mango, dried fish and lechon.

You can buy pasalubong in souvenir shops, supermarket, market or even at the airport. Of course, price may vary. If we have time, we will go to Taboan Market just to buy pasalubong, mas mura kasi and mas marami choices. My husband frequently visits Cebu but he is always busy so he usually buys pasalubong at Metro or Airport.

Metro Supermarket 

To save money, I went to the grocery to buy drinks and snacks, then I saw dried mango in the supermarket. I know that you can see dried mango in any supermarket in Metro Manila but I still I bought few pieces at P75 each, I’m not sure if it is already cheap, I will compare it kapag nagawi sa supermarket.


My husband buys dried fish, dried mango and Shamrock Otap at Metro Supermarket too. He usually stays at Cebu City Marriott Hotel now Seda Ayala Center Cebu so it is walking distance to shopping mall. You can also buy sylvannas at La Marea Pastry Shop.




Read: Cebu City Marriott Hotel 
Seda Ayala Center Cebu Hotel 

Taboan Market  

Before leaving Cebu City, we went to Taboan Market to buy danggit (2 days before our departure). We visited the market during our last visit (2011). From Magallanes Cross, we rode jeep 06A (P7 fare each) then walk towards to the market.


I bought danggit at P500 per kilo at Nino and Kristy Store, you can ask them to repack your dried fish into 1/2kl, 1/4kl and 100 grams which I did so I have no problem in distributing my pasalubong. They will put your stuff in a box so no need to worry sa luggage space, pwede na icheck-in.

If you are thinking if it is worth the trip to Taboan market, yes, if you will buy a lot but if not, just buy pasalubong at the airport. 1/4kl of danggit is P300 and 1/4 kl of dried pusit is P350 at the airport.

Tip: Make sure that Taboan Market is your last stop because after going there, you need to take a bath. Amoy danggit ka na, good thing di naman kami pinababa ng taxi driver kahit amot danggit kami. Hehehe! P100+ taxi fare from Taboan Market to Cebu Parklane International Hotel.

Mactan International Airport 

On our way to the airport, my sister in law asked me to buy dried pusit so I bought 1/4kl P350 at the airport then I saw this dried mango at P300. I did not see this in the Taboan market o di ko lang napansin. Sayang, for sure mas mura dun.


Of course, we will not leave Cebu without buying lechon. Zubuchon are available at the airport. 1kl is P650. Update 2018: Price is P830 for 1kl My husband buys lechon at CnT, Cebu Ayer’s or Zubuchon, it varies depending on his flight schedule and budget.


Read: Cebu’s Lechon   

Other Pasalubong 

Aside from Cebu’s delicacies and products, we also buy some favorite delicacies like Vjandep pastel (Camiguin) and peanut kisses (Bohol). Peanut Kisses is famous pasalubong in Bohol but it is also available in Taboan so I bought few boxes of it, P80 and P50 per box. For Vjandep pastel, it is P200 - P250 for a box of 6 pieces at Mactan International Airport.



How about you, what is your favorite pasalubong in Cebu?

One of my favorite chocolates is Ritter Sport, it is not common and popular here in the Philippines and I don’t usually see this in the grocery or supermarket. If it is available, the flavors are very limited. One bar is not cheap too, the last time I bought Ritter Sport, it is P100+. 



I’m not sure what is the exact price now in the market so when my husband asked me if I want Ritter Sport, I was thinking twice if papabili ba ko. I said yes since it’s been awhile since the last time I asked for chocolate pasalubong. 

My husband bought this Ritter Sport chocolate last month at KLIA, Malaysia. The promo is buy 10 and get 2 for free RM99. It is a bundle pack so you cannot choose the flavor but the good thing is I can taste other variants which are not available in the Philippines. 



Among the 11 flavors, I’ve tried before the Raisins Hazelnuts, Whole Almonds, Whole Hazelnuts and White Whole Hazelnuts so I’m curious to try the remaining flavors.



I ate the Fine Extra Dark Chocolate and Dark Whole Hazelnuts and the taste is just ok for me since I’m not a dark chocolate lover. I prefer white or milk chocolate flavor so I was a little bit sad because the bundle doesn’t have Alpine Milk Chocolate or Extra Fine Milk Chocolate. 



My husband ate the Strawberry Yogurt and he said the taste was just ok, lasang strawberry. Malamang, strawberry ang lasa. Hehehe! My son likes the Butter Biscuit. We tried the Marzipan and we did not like it, there is an after taste that I cannot explain. The remaining two flavors that we haven’t tried are the Cornflakes and Dark Chocolate. 



I also like the snap-open packaging of the Ritter Sport, it so easy to open and close. In addition, I love the square size compared to other chocolate. If money is not an issue, I would love to visit the Colourful Chocoworld of Ritter Sport in Berlin. 

How about you, what is your favorite flavor?

My husband went to Cebu; we joined his trip because it is still summer vacation and my son has no summer classes or activities so we are totally free. In order to save money, I told my husband to use our Mabuhay Miles for our ticket so I gave him my Mabuhay Miles number. 

1. Call 

He called the hotline but he was advised that there will be a $34 fee each for rush processing. The processing of award tickets is free if you are booking 10 days prior to the flight departure. 8 days before departure kami nagbook. 

My husband informed me about the fee and I told him that we will just purchase the Manila to Cebu flight, sayang naman yung miles + $34 + P565 (taxes and terminal fee). So he just reserved a ticket for our Cebu to Manila flight. Click the link for the award redemption chart of

Domestic
International

For Cebu 

Economy 4500 
Premium Economy 7500 
Business Class 8500

Unfortunately, there is no available economy so it is either premium economy or business class, so my husband chose the business class for us para maexperience namin. Hehehe! Ubusan ng miles. 

Read: Economy Class vs Business Class Experience: Domestic Flight

2. Collect 

After calling the hotline, you have 3 days to collect your award ticket at any Philippine Airlines office. 

3. Go to PAL office

Fill out the form, show your ID and pay the necessary fee for domestic or international. In our case, we paid P565 each (domestic). 

This was our second time redeeming flight rewards and the process is still the same. Redeeming miles is so easy but it takes time to earn miles especially since we are not frequent travelers. Hehehe! Most of our miles are from Non-Flight (credit card rewards).

The Original AA BBQ is one of the go-to restaurants of my husband if he has a business trip in Cebu so during our last visit we had dinner here. The nearest branch from Marriott Hotel is on Salinas Drive, Lahug. We passed the Golden Cowrie on our way to AA BBQ. 


We went there before 6PM so the place was not crowded yet but I asked my husband if we are still in the Philippines. He just laughed because he also noticed na kami lang Pinoy dun. (except sa staff). There were a lot of foreigners there, as in group of 6-10 pax per table. 

I always watch Kris TV so that is where I learned about Rico’s Lechon. So every time my hubby will go to Cebu, I always tell him to buy Rico’s Lechon but he always buys different lechon kung ano yung nasa airport because of limited time. 

So when we went to Cebu that was my chance to try Rico’s Lechon. I faced my fear and took a cab just to go to the restaurant. It was an achievement for me because that was our first time to ride taxi na kaming 2 lang ng anak ko. 


Prior to our trip, I searched for the nearest Rico’s Lechon from Marriott Hotel and there is one near Ayala but the taxi dropped me here. It is not the branch that I’ve seen on the internet but it was fine with me, at least nakarating kami.

Ethan: Mommy, lechon na naman.
Me: Ikaw nga puro pork bbq sa dinner. :)


It was past 11AM so the restaurant was not crowded yet, I browsed the menu and I ordered 1/4 regular lechon P190, rice is P30 each and bottomless iced tea is P65. I was planning to buy dinuguan for my puto (yes dinala ko yung puto ko sa Cebu, lol) but I told myself na tikman ko muna food. 

Read: Puto with Cheese


At the table, you can see the plates and utensils. The server just gave us sili and calamansi for sawsawan but we did not use it because that is the reason why I love Cebu’s lechon, no need for sauces. 


They serve the rice, ang cute noh! One cup of rice is inside the small kaldero. I posted in IG kung makakailan kaldero kaya kami? Yun pala, hindi na. hehehe!

I don’t know why it took them so long to serve the lechon, e non-stop naman sa paghiwa yung staff. When I saw the skin of the lechon, I have the feeling na hindi siya crispy. True enough, makunat siya and my son who loves lechon skin said, ayaw mommy, chewy yan. 


I was so disappointed because the skin was not crispy and it is salty. The meat was dry, tough and walang lasa. So nasa skin lang ang alat? You cannot choose the lechon part and ayaw ko pa naman nitong part na ito. Malamig na rin yung lechon, tira na lang yata naabutan ko na pinagsama-sama para maging 1/4. (di maintindihan na hiwa) 


I just finished our meal because the price is not cheap. Napaisip lang ako kasi super puri si Kris sa lechon but there is nothing special about it. It is not bad but if I will consider the price, dapat mas ok siya sa iba. Mas ok pa rin yung experience ko sa CnT Lechon. And because of that, I did not order dinuguan anymore.

But in fairness, the service of the staff is good naman. Yun lang, I did not appreciate the lechon.

Read: Cebu’s Lechon
           CnT Lechon

Cebu’s Best Rico’s Lechon 
F. Cabahug St, Cebu City, Cebu

If you remember my previous post, during our first night in Cebu we were supposed to eat in CnT Lechon but it was already closed so I told hubby sa Hukad na lang but the restaurant was packed and we were told na pang-6 kami sa waiting list. Waah! 

We don’t want to wait anymore so we went back to food court to eat our dinner. The following day, we went back to Hukad by Golden Cowrie to have our dinner. My husband always eats at Golden Cowrie in Lahug, I don’t know if the two restaurants are sister companies.

Thank God, pang-1 lang kami sa waiting list and waiting time was not that long. I noticed that most of the diners were families and friends, as in parang kaming tatlo lang pinakakonti sa table. Hehehe! 

Hukad by Golden Cowrie serves Filipino foods. We ordered tinolang lapu-lapu, baked scallops, calamares, and pork bbq for my son. I can’t remember the exact price of each meal but the bill is P900+, mura na because we have 4 viands, 3 unlimited rice, and 3 drinks. 


The staff informed us about the buttons, “just say hukad some more for extra rice”. But I did not ask for extra rice anymore, sa laki ng sandok nila parang 2 cups of rice na yata yun. Hehehe! 


The plate is different too. 


The taste of the food is good except for the calamares, ang alat niya. When we asked for the bill, the staff asked us “kung pwede daw ba niya malaman kung bakit di naubos yung calamares”. We said, maalat! Itake-out sana namin kung di maalat. (sayang)


The service is good and fast, the staff will ask you if you need anything or how’s the food. If I live in Cebu, this will be my go-to Filipino restaurant, I just hope napaalat lang talaga calamares that time. Hehehe! 

Hukad by Golden Cowrie 
The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu

Cebu is known as the Lechon Capital of the world so every time I visit Cebu, I always eat lechon. If my husband has a business trip in Cebu, he never fails to buy lechon for my pasalubong. After 5 years, I revisited Cebu so after dropping our bag at the hotel, off we went to Ayala Mall to eat our dinner. Unfortunately, CnT Lechon is already closed, waah! No more lechon. 


So the following day, my son and I went back to Ayala Center Cebu to have an early lunch. Pag naubusan pa naman ako niyan. Hehehe! I ordered 1/4 lechon P152.50 and puso P8 each (rice).


Ethan: Mommy, ayaw niyang yellow. 
Me: Rice yung loob niyan. Hehehe! 


I don’t know why it is called puso, maybe because of the shape. As always, I'm happy with our lechon, the skin was crispy and the meat was tender and flavorful. No need for sauce. 

Read: Cebu's Lechon

Few days ago, my son and I went to Bonifacio High Street to kill time. We’re going to Cebu but my husband needs to attend his business meeting first. At first, I was thinking to spend our time in Kidzania but since the rate is not cheap, sayang naman if we will just stay for few hours since we need to leave at lunchtime to catch our afternoon flight. 



So we just stroll and checked what’s new in BHS. We saw the replica of the Louvre Pyramid. According to Wikipedia, the Louvre Pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre) is a large glass and metal pyramid designed by Chinese American architect I.M. Pei. It is surrounded by three smaller pyramids, in the main courtyard (Cour Napoléon) of the Louvre Palace (Palais du Louvre). It was completed in 1989 and has become a landmark of the city of Paris. 



The Leaning Tower of Pisa was also there. The Leaning Tower of Pisa or Tower of Pisa (Torre di Pisa) is the campanile or freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is known worldwide for its unintended tilt. Oh di ba parang nagtravel na rin kami. 

We did not see the Merlion, san ba banda yun? 



Then we had breakfast again at Starbucks, “wednesdate”. I ordered white chocolate mocha, french toast and chocolate dipped donut. We did not finish the food, too sweet for my taste. My son practices cursive writing to keep him busy.



After 1 hr and 30minutes we left Starbucks to check the different stores and Timezone, only to find out na late pala sila magbukas. Waah! Ang init tumambay sa labas, nakakahiya naman pumasok sa Krispy Kreme or Starbucks ng di bibili.

Finally, my husband called and we will go airport na. Yey! Finally, makakalabas na rin ng Luzon, it’s been two years. Lol

I’ve been cooking puto with cheese using pancake mix for the longest time. It is an easy recipe that I can prepare for our merienda. But for a change, I bought this White King Puto Mix P36 to check kung mas ok ba siya. I was surprised because there is no egg in this recipe. 



200g White King Puto Mix 
1 cup water 
1/2 cup sugar 
5 tbsp of cooking oil 
Cheese 

1. Boil water in a steamer. 
2. Combine the mix and water until well blended. Add sugar and mix for 30 seconds. Gradually add cooking oil and continue mixing until smooth. Pour into puto molders about 3/4 full. 
3. Steam for 15-20 minutes. Puto is cooked when the surface is shiny and bounces back when pressed.



Honestly, I can’t taste the difference between my puto using pancake mix and this White King puto mix. I already ate 4 pieces of puto, trying to find out kung ano pagkakaiba, lol. I was expecting na lasa siyang malagkit but no. So for me, you can use pancake mix or this puto mix and you will have yummy puto in several minutes. 

Read: Puto with Cheese using Maya Pancake Mix 

My son doesn’t like to enroll in any summer class or activity so we’re just spending our summer vacation at home. Napakaproductive ng summer namin, lol!

April 11 

My friend told me about their swimming plans and asked me if I wanted to join. Of course, I said yes, parang wala pa nangyayari sa summer namin. Nagsabi agad ko na daanan nila bago nagpaalam. Hehehe! I know my husband will say yes too ng makalabas naman kami. I messaged my husband about the swimming plans and he said yes. 

April 14

We woke up early and I asked my husband to drop us at my friend’s house then off we went to my friend’s condo for our outing. When my friend told me about the P200 fee (visitor), I said ang mahal naman parang resort na. Lol. But I realized, the price is worth it na rin because we don’t have to pay for the cottage or corkage fee. 


In addition, the place was not crowded, maybe because it was a weekday and the residents are busy working or sawa na sa pool nila. So if you have a tight budget this summer, makiswimming in your friend’s condo or clubhouse. :) We let the kids swim for a few hours.