Michi Photostory

November 18, 2014

Revisited Zoobic Safari

It is very unusual to me that I will revisit one place or attraction within a year because I always wanted to visit new places and discover new things. But this year, I visited two places, twice in a year. Last February 2014, we had a family trip in Zoobic Safari and Ocean Adventure, then last month my son had field trip in Ocean Adventure and at the same time I also won Zoobic Safari Package in one contest. Sayang lang, kasi after field trip ko na nakuha prize.

Klook.com

We’re supposed to use the gift certificate last sembreak but my husband was busy as a bee and could not take a vacation leave so it was only last weekend we were able to use the voucher. We left at 5AM and made a quick stop at Petron Lakeshore for our breakfast. My husband suggested “Fiesta Keni!” (Mangan Tanan), it is an eat all you can breakfast at P149.

He always eats here if he has business trip up North. The price is worth it kung malakas kumain but for somone like me and my son, lugi. My son only ate one fried egg and rice for P75.

Tuyo, longganisa, tocino, fried egg, salted egg, rice and coffee. I only ate salted egg, longganisa and rice.

Then off we went to Zoobic Safari, I just gave my gift certificate and paid P20 per person for Environment Fee. Again, there’s no tour guide available, second time na so feeling ko wala talaga tour guide, para sa mga nagfield trip lang. Lol

We started our tour again in Bird Walk and went inside the Bird Thrill. Last February, this was closed so we were happy to experience this on our second visit. We had our first bird feeding experience in Residence Inn Zoo, pero mas maganda dito kasi standing position naman. Hehehe! P10 for the bird feeds.

Next stop is the Zoobic Cave and Forbidden Cave, we skipped the forbidden cave and went straight to Tiger Safari, crowded kasi at may kasabayan na nagfield trip.

Last time, solo namin yung jeep but last weekend we have to share it with other groups. The chicken is P200/3 so I paid P70 for my share. Since we did not avail the package, we only had tiger safari and no more lion safari.

Then we moved to Close Encounter, Savannah, Animal MuZooeum, Aeta’s Trail, Hip-Hop-Bay-a-Walk and Croco Loco. During our last visit, masipag yung staff, she was giving us information on every site, trivia about the animals and other information so I was disappointed last weekend, nag sight seeing lang kami till we reach the Croco Loco.

Hubby and son tried the crocodile feeding again for P50.

We missed the Amazing Bird Show and my son did not want to leave the place until he watch the show but he has no choice because we did not want to wait til 1:30 or 3PM.

We went to Zoobic Lodge to check if we could check in early but unfortunately 2PM pa daw. We ate lunch at Aristocrat near Harbor Point Mall, they have good service here.

Then we went back to Zoobic Safari to watch the last show which is Animal Parade at 3PM. We waited for almost an hour, we were happy because it was a different show and it was nice to meet the Zoo mascot. I did not know na may mascot pala each zoo.

Click here for our Zoobic Safari last February

Zoobic Safari
Group I Ilanin Forest
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines
Telefax: (+6347) 252-2272; (+63) 929-7072222

November 13, 2014

Save Money Using Citi Cashback Card

We’ve been loyal to our credit card company for the last several years because they are offering different promos like free Starbucks coffee, gas rebate and I can even convert my points to miles. They even waived our annual fee for the first few years but after that, they only waived half of the annual fee.

Last year my husband decided to apply to Citibank so we’re now using the Citi Cashback Card. So far, we’re still happy with the card because we can get a cash rebate. You can have up to 6% cash rebate on your supermarket expense, 2% on Meralco rebate, and 0.20% rebate on all other purchases charged to your card, e.g., gas, cellphone bills, travel expenses, online and boutique shopping, dining bills, department store purchases, tuition fees, gadgets, and appliances.

Last May 2014, we redeemed our cash rebate. You need to call to use your cash rebate and it will be deducted from the amount due. At that time, per 500 points ang pwede iredeem, we redeemed 2500 points. Last September 2014, we redeemed our cash rebate again and this time, we can use all our points, 2193 points.

In less than a year, we were able to redeem PHP4693, not bad di ba. Big savings pa rin. I hope they will also waive our annual fee. According to them “Just spend at least P15,000 a month or P180,000 a year and your PHP2,800 principal card annual fee will be automatically waived”

Update: May 2018

If you want to redeem your Cash Rebates, you need to do it online because if you call, there is a charge of 500 points so it is better to do it online. Just log on to your account and click REDEEM REWARDS, choose Cash and Voucher. You can choose from P50, P100, P200, P500, P1000, P1500, P2000, P2500 or P5000. It will take 7 days before it will be deducted from your bill.

"Don't cut up your credit cards, the problem is not the cards, it's the lack of financial literacy of the person holding the cards and always make the best out of a bad situation" Robert Kiyosaki

Update 2023: We decided to cancel this card because they no longer waive the annual fee. PHP4500 is not cheap.

November 07, 2014

List of my Favorite Leche Desserts

Leche is the Spanish word for "milk" and I have so many favorite foods that inludes leche, the first thing on my list is Leche Flan. I like leche flan and I feel so happy whenever I see this in any occasion. Cooking leche flan is not difficult but I seldom cook this dessert because nanghihinayang ko sa egg white. You can check the baked leche flan recipe here.

I have a friend who knew that I love Leche Flan so she always gives me one whenever her cousin cook Leche Flan. This leche flan was gone in 60 seconds because my family loves it too.

And because I love Leche Flan, when I saw the Leche Flan Roll in Red Ribbon way back 2011, I immediately tried and it was love at first taste.

Aside from that, I also love the Dulce de Leche Cake of Red Ribbon, these two cakes are really my favorite in their store. I still remember that I always buy this when we’re still celebrating my son’s monthsary and even birthdays.

Next is Dulce de Leche, I tried so many times to make my own homemade dulce de leche, I tried cooking on stove and oven but it was an epic fail so I was really happy when I saw the Dulce de Leche bottle in S&R and I made Dulce de Leche French Toast.

And last but not the least is the Leche Puto, this is my new discovery. I bought it at Noel Discovery Bazaar at Filinvest. This puto is from Quezon and I bought it at P220. It is a combination of Puto and Leche Flan. We all love it because it is not sweet.

Read: Leche Flan Puto Recipe

How about you, what is your favorite leche?

November 04, 2014

Learn to DIY and Save Money

One of the disadvantages of a full-time mom is not having a salary and it is really hard to budget single income so we have to think ways and means to meet our needs and maybe wants. But this disadvantage could also be our advantage because we can learn new things, enhance new skills and discover gifts that we didn’t know that we have.

D.I.Y. or Do It Yourself can help you save money because you don’t have to buy stuff from the market, mall or restaurants. You will be amazed that there are things that we can do using our own resources at home.

When I became a stay at home mom, Google became my friend because I always search and search if I need to know something. I’m so thankful that I don’t have to buy books or go to the library if I need information.

I’ll be sharing with you our DIY stuff.

1. Homemade Play Dough

My son loves clay and we are aware that Play-Doh is not that cheap and I was really thankful when I’ve learned that I can do playdough at home. My son knows that I can make play dough so whenever he runs out of clay he immediately informs me “Mommy, cook clay please”.

Read: DIY Homemade Play Dough

2. Homemade Food and Pastries

We seldom eat at the restaurant, as much as possible we eat home-cooked meals and even desserts. I try to look for some recipes and try it at home and this is one of the best ways to save money. You know that fast food and restaurants are very expensive and I guess P500 is not enough for 2-3 people.

3. Homemade ingredients

Some ingredients are not easy to find and some are not affordable but don’t be sad because you can DIY some ingredients and you can also substitute some ingredients.

4. Party Giveaways – if you have spare time, make your own party giveaways.

5. Sewing

This is one skill that I really want to learn but I know some basics so if I need to fix buttons, hooks or anything that require basic stitches, I can do it. I hope I can buy a mini sewing machine so that I can enhance this skill especially now that we are spending money for my son’s costume in his school activities like Linggong Wika, United Nation, and Halloween Party.

Update: I have my own sewing machine now, read more here.

6. Gifts and Cards

If you are into art and craft, you can save money by making your own gifts and cards. Make your own paper bag, envelope, cards and wrap your own gifts. There are so many free printables in Pinterest.

7. Home Repairs or Installations

If we need home repairs we don’t always hire repairman, my husband always check if he can fix it. If we need to install something at home, my husband will do it. I’m very fortunate that he can do almost everything.

8. Home Renovation

I remember when we live in a small apartment, we painted our own apartment and my husband put all the vinyl tiles. We painted our own house too.

9. D.I.Y Travel

Traveling is one of our favorite bonding and to save money we don’t avail travel packages. I always look for seat sale and make my own itinerary. Click here to learn how to plan an itinerary.

10. Homemade Gifts

This will you save you time in buying gifts in the mall. If you have the skills and talent you can do your own gifts. It adds more personal touch.

Read: DIY Homemade Gifts

That’s it for now and feel free to share your DIY stuff.

November 03, 2014

Halloween Activity

Halloween is not a big thing in our family so I don’t really prepare any activity for my son. It was three years ago when my I printed a worksheet for my son, “Jack O Lantern” a christian pumpkin.

This year, I saw the 13 Halloween activities in education.com so I decided to print some worksheets. Sharing to you the different activities that we did last month since we just stayed at home during our sem break. Yes, we did not have any getaway because my husband could not take a vacation leave. #boo

Cut and Paste Activity

Reading Comprehension

Source

My son saw the cover of the construction paper so he told me to make a pumpkin. He just helped me to paste the leaves.

Cutting Practice

Reading Sight Words, Addition and Subtraction and Coloring

Source

My son doesn't like coloring activity, obvious naman di ba sa pagcolor. hehehe! But he needs to practice to improve his coloring skills.

How about you, how did you spend your sem break?

October 31, 2014

Cutting Practice

A couple of weeks ago, I was cutting stickers and tags and my son asked me

Ethan: What are you doing mommy?
Me: I’m cutting paper, do you want to help?
Ethan: No, puputol yan e, sisira.
Me: Do you want to cut paper?
Ethan: Yes.

So I gave him the cutting practice activity that I printed before and it seems that he enjoyed it.

I realized that maybe this is the best time to practice his cutting skills. I admit that I don’t allow him to use scissors because I don’t want him to cut anything or to hurt himself. I posted two years ago that my son cut our bed sheet and I don’t want that to happen again. See my post here.

All his assignments or projects that need cutting, I do it for him. He can do the pasting but not the cutting. But I know that he needs to learn to cut because next year, he will be in Grade 1 so he needs to be independent.

Little did I know that scissor cutting is very essential in preschool activities and it is considered pre-handwriting skills. Kaya pala ang ganda ganda ng sulat ng anak ko. lol I wish I knew this before so wala ng comment ang teacher na “practice writing”.

I've read that 2 years old can start cutting paper. According to ot-mom-learning-activities.com “Scissor cutting, with a proper scissor grasp, will give these fingers (the thumb, forefinger and middle finger) lots of practice in working together, and will strengthen your child’s hand muscles. This will help to improve fine motor skills and to develop the correct pencil grasp for good handwriting”

Naubusan ng yellow ink, iba na kulay ng pumpkin. lol

I search for more cutting practice worksheets and printed it so he has something to do this sembreak. So far, he can cut straight lines, zigzag and curved lines. From now on, we will cut more papers.

Note: I always used scratch paper to print worksheets. I also gave him plastic so he can clean his mess.

Click here to check the free cutting practice worksheets.

October 30, 2014

Lunch at Buffalo’s Wings N Things

I mentioned in one of my posts that I received eGift Card from Munchpunch but I wasn’t able to use it because when we went to Buffalo’s Wings N Things Solenad branch, my eGC wasn’t honored.

And because of that incident, I printed the giftaway and listed all the branches where I can use the eGC, para sure. Four months had passed and finally I was able to use it, after attending the World Psoriasis Day in San Andres, Manila we went to Glorietta to eat our brunch at Buffalo’s Wings N Things.

It took us time to find the restaurant and I noticed that the restaurant is small. Solenad branch is much bigger. I ordered Garlic Parmesan + Fries P149 + 29 again since I don't like spicy food, my husband ordered Triple Mini Burgers P179 and my son ordered NY Cheese Cake Ice Cream (I forgot the price), we ordered drinks too so we can consume the P500. :)

We’re satisfied with our meal again, I shared the chicken with my son. He only likes the skin of the chicken so ending sa kin na yung wala lasa. Lol My son did not like the dessert because he saw the blueberry sauce on top of the cream. But my husband was so happy with the NY Cheese Cake Ice Cream and muntikan ko ng di matikman. Lol #masarapnamankasi Next time we visit this restaurant, I will order the ice cream again.

Buffalo's Wings N' Things
2/F Glorietta 5, Office Dr
San Lorenzo, Makati

October 29, 2014

Building a Better World for Filipinos with Psoriasis

I was in my fourth-year college when I was diagnosed that I have psoriasis and sad to say that it has no cure yet. At that time, I had a mild case of psoriasis so I can say that I have still a normal life because people cannot see my psoriasis yet. I can do anything and I can wear any clothes, but things change after I gave birth to my son.

I have psoriasis all over my body and I can’t even count them. I experienced severe psoriasis last year, see the story here. Having this skin condition really changed my life and I always wish that someday I would have normal skin again. So I can do anything and I can wear anything I want.

I’m grateful that my family and friends accept and support my skin condition. I’m also a member of Asian PsorClub and PsorPhil group so I know that I’m not alone in this battle.

Every year, PsorPhil celebrates World Psoriasis Day and I really try my best to be part of this event. So far I’ve attended three funwalk since 2010. I attended the funwalk in 2010 and 2012 and last Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014.

Just to give you an idea “World Psoriasis Day is a yearly event dedicated to people with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis. This is a global event wherein people around the world perform activities to give an international voice to the 125 million people with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis.

IFPA ( International Federation of Psoriasis Associations) would like to raise awareness about psoriasis so people won’t be discriminated. It aims to improve access to treatments, increase understanding about the skin condition and unite different psoriasis groups so people with psoriasis will get the attention and consideration they deserve.”

In the Philippines, since 2011 we have National Psoriasis Awareness Week (23-29 October) via Presidential Proclamation. Last October 26, 2014, we celebrated World Psoriasis Day at San Andres Complex. People with psoriasis, families, doctors, and other supporters were there.

Aside from the funwalk, PSorPhil group offered

1. FREE Consultations c/o Philippine Dermatological Society Doctors with Free medicines (as supply lasts)
2. FREE consultations with RHEUMATOLOGISTS c/o PRA (for PsA)
3. FREE BP measurement, Sugar BMI Cholesterol Urinalysis, and consultation with same-day results c/o Pfizer
4. FREE Chair massage service

There were also cheering competitions by different psoriasis clubs, raffles and Zumba party.

It was a fun event and I hope we can really build a better world for Filipinos with Psoriasis because we want a normal life. Psoriasis is not contagious.

October 28, 2014

Dinner at Tonkatsu by Terazawa

Update: No more Tonkantsu by Terazawa in Solenad 1

There are so many new restaurants that are popping everywhere and now I’ve been seeing a lot of Japanese restaurants serving tonkatsu. I’m not really into Japanese food because I don’t eat raw food but since they also serve other dishes, I have reason to try Japanese restaurants. My usual order is tonkatsu or ebi tempura.

We always visit Nuvali and I always see Tonkatsu by Terazawa, I know that it is a new restaurant in Nuvali because if I remember it right, Pig Out restaurant yung pinalitan nila.

Two weeks ago, after we visited my grandmother in Laguna, we dropped by at Nuvali to buy tiramisu then we checked the Tonkatsu restaurant. We saw the P295 + SC katsu promo but it was only 3PM, it was too early for dinner so we just went home and I promise myself that we will go back.

So after a week, we went back to Nuvali, it was Friday night so I was expecting a full packed restaurant but we were the first customer at past 6PM.

Upon seated, they gave us the menu and tea, there are only two choices for the unlimited promo so we order both, Rosu Katsu (Deep Fried Pork Loin) and Hire Katsu (Deep Fried Pork Fillet) at P295. The meal includes unlimited miso soup, rice and cabbage. My son who was not in the mood to eat so he just ordered French fries P125.

I like the interior of the restaurant, mukha siya maaliwalas. They have TV and free wifi so you won’t get bored while waiting for your order.

Rosu Katsu

Hire Katsu

The katsu is good, there is a crunch in every bite but I find it dry and thin. Maybe because this is not the premium cut of pork. It is just ok for us and we still prefer the katsu of Yabu. But if you are craving for tonkatsu and you live in Laguna, I can still suggest this restaurant.

Tonkatsu by Terazawa
Solenad, Nuvali, Nuvali Blvd
Santa Rosa, Laguna

October 27, 2014

Lunch at Tummy Tons

Since we always go out every weekend, we have no choice but to eat outside. We don’t want to splurge on food always so from time to time we eat in fastfood or affordable restaurant.

A couple of weeks ago, after my check-up, we went to Tummy Tons to eat our lunch because we don’t have food at home. My husband ate here before so he suggested this so I can try the mais con yelo na parang Razon’s din yung ice.

If you live in Binan, Laguna, you will notice this restaurant because it is along the hi-way before you reach the Carmona/Binan Exit. It took me time to browse the menu and we ended up buying set meals.

My son ordered the budget meal lumpia shanghai P65 and my husband and I ordered the P99 meal BBQ and Grilled Liempo (unlimited rice + iced tea). That’s what we thought but when we received the bill, P120 pala yung with iced tea. Waah! I should ordered the budget meal na lang because di naman ko malakas sa rice.

We also ordered saging con yelo P55 and mais con yelo P45, I agree with my husband that the shaved ice can be compared to Razon’s but I still prefer Razon’s.