Michi Photostory

Cebu is one of our most visited provinces in Visayas and so far we already tried several hotels and resorts in Cebu. Whenever my husband goes to Cebu for a business trip, he usually stays at Cebu Parklane International Hotel or Cebu City Marriott Hotel. Last January 2018, Cebu City Marriott was closed for renovation so he stayed at Parklane International Hotel. He was back in Cebu last week and the old Cebu City Marriott Hotel is now Seda Ayala Center Cebu Hotel.

Read: Where to Stay in Cebu
Seda Abreeza Davao Hotel 


Seda Cebu Hotel is newly-refurbished so there are few changes in the design and interiors of the hotel facade and rooms. Upon check-in, you need to pay your reservation plus P1,000 incidental deposit per night.

The room has a simple and modern design, no more carpet, the closet is now open and no more bathtub. Buti pa yung old Cebu City Marriott Hotel may bathtub kahit sa Deluxe room lang.


My husband loves the comfortable bed and pillows but he was disappointed because of the clogged toilet bowl. He has to call the room service to have it fixed.

Update November 2018: My husband went back to Cebu and stayed at Seda Hotel again but this time, the bed is no longer comfortable, mukha na daw luma.





Read: Cebu City Marriott Hotel

Misto 

The room package includes a buffet breakfast at Misto, which used to be Marriott Garden Cafe. There are few changes in the design of the restaurant too and according to my husband, he likes the buffet spread of Misto compared to the old Marriott Garden Cafe.

Read: Buffet Breakfast at Marriott Garden Cafe








What is nice about Seda Ayala Center Cebu is the location, it is more or less 45 minutes away from the Mactan International Airport and walking distance to Ayala Center Cebu Shopping Mall so you have no reason to be hungry because you can eat lunch or dinner at the nearby mall. You can also shop or buy pasalubong at the mall.

Update: March 2025

Fall is a beautiful season when family members can spend time together and involve themselves in activities that help them bond. The colorful presentation of the season makes it fun to for most families. You can either choose indoor or outdoor activities, although either will provide you with the best moments.

During fall, there are lots of activities to try out that will cost you less as you enjoy the crisp, cool air. In case you decide to go for outdoor outings, here are 3 fun family outings that you should try out during this festive season.


Get Involved in Outdoor Games 

Make up a list of outdoor games that your family can participate in. Try flying kites as you breathe in the fresh fall air throughout the fields. In case you don’t have a large field you can fly kites in a local park.

A great game that most kids love is playing with leaves during fall. Rake a pile of colorful leaves and let your kids jump into a pile of freshly raked autumn leaves. This boosts their energy levels and makes it more fun.

Plan and join runs and short family races for charities that are available in your local area. Running is a great exercise for your body during this festive season and also allows you to spend time with other people.

You might also decide to make up your own game and apply some creativity as you enjoy. Ask your kids which games they would love to try out.

Go for an Outdoor Adventure 

You can either visit an apple orchard, sunflower or pumpkin farm or all depending on your availability. Take your kids to an orchard within your region where they will enjoy running around picking apples. You might also prefer taking them to sunflower farms to see the beautiful flowers as they bloom.

Some pumpkin farms have open autumn activities scheduled during fall. You can visit a local farm where you get to pick your pumpkins. These can also be stocked up on gourds and squash for crafts and cooking.

Attend the local pumpkin patch and spend time engaging in activities such as corn rides among others. You can also take pumpkins that you will carry back home for Halloween preparations. Locate a pumpkin patch in Escondido and have a fabulous time with your family.

Enjoy Camping 

If you are a lover of camping, you can enjoy family camping moments under the beautiful fall weather.  If you have kids that are too young to go camping, find a getaway to a cabin where you will enjoy fresh air and sweet sounds of nature. Light up a bonfire with the kids and enjoy roasting marshmallows on a cool day. You can also get involved in nature walks or drive around catching a glimpse of the beautiful fall colors all around you.

With so many fall activities available, you cannot miss more than five that will make your fall memorable. From the above-mentioned activities, you can also have crafts using fallen leaves such as leaf sewing craft; make a fall wreath that you can hang on your front door among others.

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila last February and we had a pleasant staycation. We like the room, facilities, amenities, food, and of course the service so I know that sometime in the future, we will revisit this hotel. But I did not expect that we will go back within the year.

Read: Anniversary Staycation at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Sofitel Staycation Video


My son wanted to celebrate his 10th birthday in his favorite hotel which is Sofitel. My son enjoyed their wet play area, they have three slides for toddlers, kids, and adults so I guess that is one of the reasons why he likes this hotel. So I immediately inquired about their room packages, the rates, and room packages are still the same. Since we just went here last February I suggested to my husband that we try the Luxury Club Room for a change. I reserved everything via email within 3 days.

The rate is a little bit expensive but if you are Accor Plus Member, they give you an additional 10% discount. If you book Luxury Club Room or Sofitel Suite, you have Club Room Access so you can visit Club Millesime for complimentary food and beverage. It is good for 2 adults and 1 child (below 12yrs old) which is perfect for our family of three.

Club Millésime is open from 0600am – 1000pm. 

Complimentary food and beverage services can only be taken from Club Millésime good for 2 adults and 1 child below (12) years old.

A la Carte Breakfast 06:00AM – 10:00AM 
Afternoon Snack 2:30PM – 4:30PM
Cocktails and Scheduled Wine Tasting 5:00PM – 7:00PM
All Day Refreshments 10:00AM – 10:00PM   

Other privileges/benefits as a Club Millésime guest:   

Complimentary daily international newspaper
Complimentary use of the conference room for 8 persons for 1 hour per stay. The excess will be charged Php 1,200.00 per hour. Bookings a day prior to use are highly recommended.
Complimentary 24-hour internet access in the room and at the Lounge
Complimentary use of DVDs, CDs, books, newspapers, and magazines.
Complimentary pressing of one (1) suit (jacket and trousers/skirt) or dress upon arrival and 20% discount on laundry
Complimentary access to So Fit
Complimentary shoe shine service daily
Complimentary local landline calls
Late check-out until 4:00pm with no additional charge depending on room availability

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

Fast forward to our staycation, we had lunch first before going to the hotel because we all know that the standard check-in time is 2PM. At the reception, I gave my ID and the staff told me that we need to go to 10th flr, the staff ushered us to Club Millesime Lounge so we could check in. Yes, there is a separate room for Luxury Club Room and Sofitel Suite guests, so hindi ka na nakatayo habang nag-check-in and you can already enjoy the food and beverage at the lounge while waiting.


It was quarter to 12NN and I was informed that there is already an available room but no bay view but I can wait at the lounge if I want to have a room with bay view. Knowing me, I hate waiting so I settled for a room with no bay view, should I say konting bay view.

One of the benefits of Club Millesime guests is late check-out and the staff informed me that we can check out at 4PM para mas maenjoy daw ng anak ko. I did not ask for it but she took the initiative, Yey! We have more time to enjoy our staycation. I paid my reservation in full + P3000 for the incidental deposit. But if you can wait, mas maganda talaga yung in front of Manila Bay.

Luxury Club Room 

Here is the room. I’m not fond of green colors so I prefer the interiors of the Luxury Room. But Luxury Club Room is more spacious, especially the bathroom, it has a separate shower area and bathtub. It has additional complimentary toiletries, more complimentary coffee, and Althaus teas too.




We did not waste time, my two boys changed their clothes and we dropped by Club Millesime for some refreshments. Then off we went to the swimming pool. As I’ve said before, my son likes the wet play area so we were a little bit disappointed when we learned that the two slides are under maintenance. Waah! Ito nga yung pinuntahan namin e, huhuhu! The only working slide is the toddler which is too small na for my son.


Club Millesime 

And because the slides were under maintenance, we did not stay long in the pool. Good thing that I booked a Luxury Club Room so at least may pwede kami tambayan. We just enjoyed our complimentary food and beverage at Club Millesime. The foods and drinks are limited if you will compare it to the Spiral buffet but it is enough to satisfy your stomach. There are nuts, breads, soup, crackers, fruits, dessert, cheese, sandwiches, burger and different kinds of hot and cold beverages. You can compare it to the airport lounges where you can eat and drink while waiting for your flight.




We enjoy our time here because it is not crowded and the service is very good, they will serve you with a smile. We also had a chance to try foods and drinks that we don’t normally eat or drink at home. I quenched my thirst with Evian Water and Ginger Ale and take pleasure in eating nuts, cheeses, and cold cuts.



At 5PM, there is a Cocktail and Scheduled Wine Tasting but 8 years old and below are not allowed so we’re happy that my son can enter the lounge but we stayed on the balcony. I don’t really drink alcohol but from time to time, I drink wine like nung nakapagBusiness Class kami when we went to Bangkok. Try lang but I don’t really enjoy it, mapait kasi. For cocktails, I never tried any so this was my first time trying a cocktail drink. The barista prepared Mojito and Margarita and he said, konti lang daw nilagay niya na alcohol. We just tried one cocktail and one wine, quota na kami. Lol But if you love cocktails and wine tasting, you will enjoy this benefit kasi drink all you can from 5PM to 7PM.


And because we’ve been eating and drinking from 2:30PM, hindi na kami nagdinner. Initial plan is we will eat pizza and pasta (room service) pero nabusog na kami sa lounge so nakatipid pa kami.

Sofitel Indulgent Bath 

While checking the room, I saw a flyer for “Experience Indulgent Bath” and I was surprised that we can avail of this for FREE. You can choose from Soothing Bath and Bubble Bath. We don’t have a bathtub at home so my son really likes a hotel with a bathtub so we took note of this. After our Cocktail and Wine Tasting, my husband called to avail the Soothing Bath for our birthday boy.

Whenever my husband goes to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, he always stays at Saujana Hotel and Resort because this is near his office. But last week, he stayed at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel because he transferred to a new company. This is the 4th Sheraton Hotel that my husband tried.

Read: Sheraton Hanoi Hotel in Vietnam
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel in Thailand
Sheraton Towers in Singapore 


If Saujana Hotel and Resort is far from the city center, Sheraton Imperial Hotel has a good location. It is known as one of the recognizable landmarks in Jalan Sultan Ismail. It is near MRT, shopping malls, business hubs, eateries, art galleries, and heritage row.

It was his first time in Sheraton Imperial Hotel so he was surprised when the hotel staff informed him that he was upgraded to Sheraton Club Room. My husband immediately asked if he has Club Lounge Access too but the staff said “Room Only”. Toinks! But at least, he was upgraded to a better room and better view.

Room and Bathroom 

The room is 42sqm so it is quite big compared to other Sheraton Hotel rooms that he stayed at. He likes his room especially the comfortable bed and pillows. If you remember, natitigasan siya sa pillow sa Saujana Hotel and Resort.




There are a separate shower area and bathtub. I noticed that most of the hotels now have a glass divider na sa bathroom. Just press a button if you want to close the bathroom window.



He got complimentary chocolate too waiting at his room.


Feast; A World of Flavors

The room package includes complimentary buffet breakfast at the Feast. Indeed, it was a feast to begin your day. Just don't expect a pork dish, but they have beef and chicken sausage and beef bacon.








Breakfast Rate
Buffet breakfast: 84.00 MYR
Continental breakfast: 84.00 MYR
Full American breakfast: 58.00 MYR

This hotel has a fitness area, swimming pool, and spa.


Read: 6 Days in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel 
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
Kuala Lumpur50250 Malaysia

Among the ASEAN countries, Brunei is not so popular tourist destination, maybe because of the limited flights from the Philippines and Brunei Dollar is a strong currency so everything seems expensive. We were supposed to visit Brunei when we went to Kota Kinabalu Malaysia but because of the limited time, we did to push it anymore.

Read: 3 Days in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia

I haven’t been to Brunei but my husband is a frequent traveler and whenever he visits Brunei, he usually stayed at Radisson Blu Hotel or Badi’ah Hotel. My husband had a business trip last week in Brunei and he reserved a room at Badi’ah Hotel. If you are looking for a budget hotel in Brunei, you can check this one. It is just 10 minutes away from Brunei International Airport and also near to some tourist spots in Bandar Seri Begawan. And the best thing about this hotel is the FREE Airport Shuttle so don’t forget to inform them that you want to avail this service.


This is the room and bathroom.




Badi’ah Hotel has 2 restaurants which serve local and international cuisines, Badi’ah Hotel Restaurant and Bristodeli Cafe. My husband ate his complimentary breakfast at Badi’ah Hotel Restaurant, he prefers the buffet spread here compared to Radisson Blu because they have more options and according to him, masarap food.




They also have a swimming pool but he hasn’t tried it yet.

Read: Royal Brunei Yacht Club
Pasalubong from Brunei

Badi’ah Hotel
Badi'ah Complex Mile 1 1/4,
Jalan Tutong, Jalan Laksamana Abdul Razak,
Bandar Seri Begawan BA1712, Brunei

Weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight is no easy task. It can be a real struggle mainly because weight loss does not follow any specific principles. What many people do not understand is that there is no “one size fits all” weight loss plan. There are so many things to take into account and it is very easy to get things wrong. Many misconceptions surround weight loss, and therefore, it becomes important to properly understand what it truly entails.

It is safe to say that alongside other elements, weight loss is mainly founded on the calories that you ingest through food, and the calories you lose through exercise. However, it involves more than this. It is also significantly influenced by factors such as age, environment, fitness, genetics, and underlying health issues. Having a proper grasp of this will enable you to select a weight loss plan that you can stick to, and one that will give you the best results based on your personal needs and objectives. With all the information and advice available online concerning weight loss, you should be selective on what you choose to follow. Below are some of the things you may have missed about weight loss:


1. Your Lifestyle Matters

For any changes you make, it is important for you to make corresponding changes to your lifestyle. This is because it helps you understand what improvements or reductions you can accommodate. For example, creating a diet or regular meal plan will not be very effective if you indulge in alcohol and substance abuse. The reason is that alcohol and weight loss do not go well together. Therefore, you should consider your lifestyle and any changes possible before adopting a weight loss plan.

2. Comparison Is Dangerous 

One of your biggest downfalls will be comparing yourself to others. Constantly checking your progress against the achievement of others will downgrade your efforts. The best thing to do is to gauge your own progress by checking how close you are in achieving your weight loss objectives. Focus on yourself and what you do and you will find yourself slowly gaining momentum.

3. Weight Loss Plateaus 

The weight loss journey is full of ups and downs, as well as points of stagnation. It is important to note that physiologically, your body will shield you more from weight loss than form weight gain. This means that there will be periods of varied weight loss. It would not be possible to lose the same amount of weight every week because no two weeks are ever the same. Keenly evaluating these differences, you will be more prepared for the coming weeks.

4. Sleeping Habits 

You might be working hard trying to stick to your diet and regularly exercising, but still, struggle with weight loss. Not getting enough sleep creates hormonal changes within your body, causing increased appetite and higher stress levels. Therefore, try as much as possible to get more sleep. Improve your sleep patterns and create time in your busy schedule for yourself. It will help lower your stress levels and contribute to the fulfillment of your weight loss goals.

5. Not Always About The Scales 

When working on your weight loss goals, it is important to understand that this is not the only benefit. Improving your dieting and workout habits will also create benefits such as better sleep, more energy, less stress, and better general wellbeing. Although the numbers you see on the scales may frustrate you, you should remember that losing a lot of weight is not the only sign that you are making progress.

6. It Does Not Happen Immediately 

The weight that you are trying to lose was accumulated over a period of time. Therefore, expecting immediate results will dishearten you. This is a long-term undertaking to maintain a healthy weight and to improve your overall health. Therefore, working at it with this understanding will help keep off the weight for good.