Michi Photostory

My mom and all of my aunts were back in the Philippines because of what happened to my grandmother last month. I can’t remember the last time that they were complete, it’s been a long time so my mom decided to have a family outing with my aunts at bihira sila makumpleto. I only have less than a week to look for a resort so I was checking the resorts that we have visited in the past.

Read: Beach Resorts in Batangas 

Then I remembered Palm Beach Resort, it was suggested by one of my readers so I checked the rates online and I told my mom about it. My brother even said “Nakapunta na ko diyan, team building ng company”. Since I need to book for 22 persons, I asked my husband to call the resort if they still have available rooms but the staff informed him, “Down ang system nila so tawag na lang daw sa Manila office pero baka wala din sumagot kasi holiday so it is better to email na lang”. So I just sent an email and I was surprised when I received a reply after few minutes.


Fortunately, they still have rooms for 22 persons so I immediately reserved it and I was advised to pay the 50% downpayment to confirm the reservation. I only have 24 hours to deposit the payment (4PM deadline). Since it was EDSA holiday, the following day na ko nakapunta ng bank, I deposited the payment and then sent the copy of the deposit slip via email. After an hour, they gave me the confirmation voucher, important reminders and resort map. I was glad that booking and reserving a room is not difficult, mabilis sila sumagot kahit sa email.

This is the 7th resort that we have tried in San Juan, Batangas and I think this is also the farthest one, lagpas pa siya nga La Luz Resort. It is an advantage because there is a sense of privacy at hindi napupuntahan ng ibang guests sa ibang resort.

Watch the video here

Upon arrival, the guard will ask for your reservation then you can go straight to the parking lot. The shuttle service was already waiting for us at the parking lot so we brought all our stuff and the driver drove us to the reception area. I gave the confirmation voucher + deposit slip and they asked me to fill out a form.


If you have a driver with you, you can avail of their Driver’s Package at P1750. P750 for packed meals and P1000 for driver’s room. I gave the Senior Citizen ID and PWD ID for discount and paid the remaining 50% balance. We paid the P20/person Environmental Fee at the booth but they did not ask for it. Welcome drinks were provided upon arrival too.


The room is not yet available so no early check-in for us. It was only past 8AM and check-in time is still 2PM so we just stayed in the cabana, just in front of the Casa Isabel. The Cabana has two sleeping beds and hindi naman mainit ang pwesto namin.



The kids started to swim while waiting for our lunch. Palm Beach Resort is huge, that is the reason why they have a shuttle service for the guests. There is a separate area for day trip guests and overnight guests.

They have an infinity pool, swimming pool with slides, playground, and beach. Both swimming pools have a kiddie pool, jacuzzi, and lifeguard. There is a function room/chapel, climbing and rappelling wall and team building area.



With regard to the beach, the beach shore is a mix of sand and rocks so it is better to bring your own aqua shoes. The resort has complimentary use of Aqua Shoes but it is subject to availability. Since it was an impromptu trip, we were not able to buy new aqua shoes for my son, good thing may kasya na sa kanya dun. We usually buy aqua shoes for my son kasi pag kids, bihira may available size but now pang adult na rin kasi shoe size niya so no more problem.


Casa Isabel

Past 1PM, the housekeeping staff informed us that the room is ready so I immediately went to the reception area to get our keys. The staff gave me the five keys + printed “Important Reminders” per room also. I appreciate the reminders, at least hindi na ko mapapagod mag-inform sa mga kasama ko, magbabasa na lang sila.


What is nice about Palm Beach Resort is they have rooms for couples, family, and big groups. We were lucky that Casa Isabel was still available a few days before our visit so we were able to reserve the full unit for P38,000. Casa Isabel is good for 20 persons and a maximum of 25 persons but additional fees will apply for an extra person.

It has 5 bedrooms, 4 Casa Isabel Royale and 1 Casa Isabel Deluxe. The Casa Isabel Royale has 2 Double Bed + 1 Day Bed and Casa Isabel De Luxe has only 2 Double Bed. Each room has its own bathroom and each level has its own common area. There is a water dispenser on the ground floor so you don’t need to go to Dining Pavillion if you want to drink. A drying rack is available too. Isabel 1 is the biggest room and Isabel 3 is the smallest room among the 5 rooms.

* Additional P800/pax shall apply beyond the standard room occupancy regardless of age plus corresponding meal charges.
** Maximum of 2 children aged 0-6 per room is free of charge on meals & accommodation

For our family of 3, we stayed at Isabel 3 so this is the smallest room located on the second floor. Though we don’t have a view from our window there is a spacious balcony outside the room. The balcony is big so you can eat here, play board games or just lounge and enjoy the beach view.


I have no problems when we checked the room except that there is no double-lock. When it is time to take a bath, that’s the only time that we noticed that there is NO HOT SHOWER. Waah! According to the website, there is a hot shower but when we went there, no hot shower. We did not bother to call customer service to fix it because we don’t want to waste our time on maintenance.




In addition, we reserved the full unit that is good for 20 persons but the toiletries are good for two persons only. There are two soaps and two dental kits, for shampoo there is a shampoo dispenser na konti ang laman. How I wish, they provide the exact number of toiletries per person and sana at least half-full naman yung shampoo dispenser nila. No need to request na sana. Good thing, we had our own toiletries.

With regard to my brother’s room which is Isabel 4, the aircon is not working fine, hindi lumalamig. They did not bother to call the customer service din kasi feeling nila baka mainit lang weather, baka sa gabi malamig na. But it did not happen, good thing there is an electric fan in their room so tiniis na lang nila kahit hindi gaano malamig.

With Isabel 5 and Isabel 1, the TV is not working but since they have kids who like to watch TV, they called customer service to fix it. Among the 5 rooms, yung sa mother ko lang yata ang wala problem. Casa Isabel rooms are good naman but there are some minor concerns that they need to check para naman happy ang guests because the room rate is not cheap so I just hope they will maintain the rooms.

Food at Palm Beach Resort 

For overnight guests, we are required to avail of the Full-Board Meals because cooking and bringing of food is not allowed. The regular meal rate is P1800 which includes the pm snack, dinner, breakfast, lunch and unlimited water, and Batangas brewed coffee. P36,000 for 20 persons, 3 yrs old and 5 yrs old are FREE OF CHARGE.

Breakfast: 7AM - 9AM 
PM Snack: 3:30PM - 4:30PM 
Lunch: 12NN - 2PM 
Dinner: 7PM - 9PM 

For our group of 22 persons, there is no reserved table so kanya-kanyang hanap ng pwesto pala sa Palm Beach Resort. When we learned that, ang aga na namin pumunta sa Dining Pavillion so we can sit together and I can take photos din ng food na hindi ko nagawa nung lunch kasi late kami ng dating.


We just go to the Dining Pavilion every mealtime and we do not have food stubs except for the packed meals for drivers. For additional meals, this is the rate.

Breakfast: P440.00 
PM Snack: P200.00 
Lunch: P610.00 
Dinner: P610.00 

Actually, I was surprised when I saw their full-board meals rate of P1800 and I was shookt when I learned that 7 years above is also P1800. Wala man lang half-rate for kids so sa anak ko pa lang lugi na ako at ang hina kumain. And because of their rate, I was thinking na baka naman okay ang buffet spread nila but I was wrong, ang konti pala ng food options. Here is our menu.

Lunch: Meatball Soup, Green Bean Salad, Mixed Seafood Fried Noodles, Beef Caldereta, Steamed Fish in Light Soy, Fried Chicken, Pichi-Pichi and Seasonal Fruit.
PM Snack: Baked Ziti, Palmbeach Sliders, Sweet Potato Fries, Sago’t Gulaman and Brewed Coffee.
Dinner: Chicken Asparagus Soup, Buttered Vegetables, Pasta Station, Fish in Coco Cream, Spicy Pulled Pork, Roast Chicken with Lemon Grass, Butter Scotch Bar, Buko Pandan and Dalandan Juice.
Breakfast: Bread with Butter or Jam, French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Boiled Egg, Sardines in Tomato, Sauteed Hotdog, Beef Tapa, Champorado with Dilis, Fried/Plain Rice, Seasonal Fruit, Orange Juice and Brewed Coffee.

I was hoping na each meal, may pork, beef, chicken, vegetable, and seafood dish na option. Hindi yung pork or beef lang so I was really disappointed kasi nagkapork dish nga nung dinner, spicy naman. My son only ate one chicken + rice during lunch and fish fillet (without the coco cream) + rice during dinner, e P610 ang rate ng lunch and dinner. Waah!

If I will not think about the food price, the buffet spread is good naman, it is enough to make you full. Yun nga lang, I can’t help but compare it to other resorts in San Juan Batangas that we have tried na mas mura at mas marami choices. Among the dishes that we ate, our personal favorites are beef caldereta, meatball soup, pichi-pichi, sweet potato fries, and champorado.

Palm Beach Resort Activities 

When I saw the beach of Palm Beach Resort, I felt happy because the waves are not that strong but I remembered na NO FREE WATER ACTIVITIES included in our package nga pala. Sayang! In Acuatico Beach Resort and Acuaverde Beach Resort kasi may FREE Kayak kaso naman maalon nung visit namin, dito okay sana kaso may bayad naman. Good thing my husband brought this small boat, so gamit na gamit siya pool or beach.

Paid Water Activities 

There are water activities that you can avail like Jet Ski, Fly Board, Fly Fish, Band Wagon, Twin Banana Boat, Single Banana Boat, Disco Boat, and Speed Boat. Last time, we tried the Dragon Boat in Laiya Coco Grove but during our trip to Palm Beach Resort, the kids tried the Disco Boat. P1500 for 2- 5 persons and P300 additional person (15 minutes). My son enjoyed this activity kahit puro sigaw daw sila.

Saturday Mass 

If you are a Catholic, there is an anticipated mass every Saturday at 5:00 pm at the Function Room.

Massage 

You can schedule a 1-Hour massage at P300 subject to availability (the latest schedule is 10PM).

Board Games 

You can borrow board games like a chessboard, scrabble, games of general, and UNO cards for FREE. Maximum of 4 hours from 7:30AM and subject to availability.


Check-out time is 12NN, we left before 12NN so we can eat our lunch outside. They will check first the room before they will give you the gate pass.

Palm Beach Resort is on the pricey side but if you have extra money, then book this resort. The resort and room are clean and spacious, it offers a beach and swimming pool, and the service is good. Inquiring and reserving a room is easy, hindi nakakastress. From the time that we arrived and left, everything was organized. Someone even called to remind us about the PM snack and they even gave a complimentary cake for my mom’s advanced birthday celebration. Despite some minor concerns, our family still enjoyed our early summer getaway. Thanks to my mom for the treat.

I was searching for Courtyard by Marriott in Dallas and I was surprised when I saw the long list of the hotel and I asked my husband the name of his hotel and he said Fort Worth and when I searched for it, Google is giving me 10 Courtyard Fort Worth hotels. Waah! There are so many Marriott hotels in Dallas.

Two years ago my husband went to Austin, Texas and stayed at Marriott Residence Inn but this year since he is already working with a new company and he stayed at Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive.

Read: Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake

It was supposed to be a one-week business trip only in the USA but few weeks before my husband’s trip, his boss advised him to attend one-day training in Dallas, Texas. And because of this, he was not able to attend their company anniversary in Singapore and he was not home during our wedding anniversary.

It was last minute changed so he was not able to get a direct flight from Greensboro, North Carolina to Dallas, Texas.

Greensboro to Charlotte via American Airlines
Charlotte to Dallas/Fort Worth via American Airlines


For their transportation, they just rented a car at the airport “Avis”. Two years ago my husband applied for an International Driving License but this year, he was able to drive in the USA even without the International Driving License. As far as I can remember, as long as English yung details nung driving license mo at naiintindihan nila, okay na yun.

Read: How to Apply for International Driving License  
Glimpse of Austin Texas


Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive is a 3-star hotel under Marriott Hotel. According to my husband, the hotel is beautiful, well-designed and looks new. This hotel is near Fort Worth Zoo, Texas Christian University, Amon G. Carter Stadium, and Will Rogers Memorial Center.



This is the room, although the room is smaller compared to Austin Texas hotel, it is clean and comfortable. The water from the faucet is potable too and you can get a free water bottle at the reception area.







There are only few hotel staff in the hotel but the service is good. You have the option to eat your breakfast at the hotel for additional USD10 or you can eat outside. Fortunately, there are nearby restaurants where you can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.


The hotel offers a fitness area and an outdoor swimming pool but it was so cold so my husband did not check the swimming pool.


If you want to wash clothes, there is a laundry room too and the machines are coin-operated. You need quarter coins to buy detergent soap, fabric conditioner, dryer sheet and of course to wash and dry your clothes.


The only thing I liked for my husband extended business trip is “Outlet time”. Yey! He has two days two visit Outlet Stores and buys stuff at a discounted price. I will upload a video on my YouTube channel so you will get an idea kung Gaano ba talaga Kamura sa Outlet Store.



Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive by Marriott 
3150 Riverfront Drive,
Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA

Last year, my husband informed me that he will go to the USA in February and because of that, wala kami wedding anniversary celebration. I don’t understand kung anong meron sa February at lagi na lang sa month na ito pinapupunta si hubby sa USA. It happened two years ago but I was fortunate that he arrived the day before our wedding anniversary. But this year, no celebration talaga, walang pre or post-wedding anniversary celebration.

Moving on, hubby went to North Carolina, USA and there is no direct flight from Manila so he took two plane rides.

Manila to New York (15hrs and 15 mins) via Philippine Airlines
New York to Charlotte (2hrs and 4 mins) via American Airlines


He stayed at Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons also known as Koury Convention Center. The hotel is big and it can accommodate big groups. Actually, their company reserved the whole hotel for their one-week event so most of the time, they just stayed inside the hotel. The hotel is adjacent to a shopping mall, my husband was able to visit the mall since it is just walking distance or you can take the complimentary shuttle.



The hotel has a casual restaurant, 2 cafes and 2 bars. It offers a gym, business center, hot tub, and indoor and outdoor pool. But because of the busy schedule, my husband was not able to visit these facilities.


If you are staying in Sheraton hotels, expect for a good room and comfortable bed. The room offers free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and desks with ergonomic chairs, minifridges, and coffeemakers.


For food, taste is just okay. According to my husband, most of the foods taste bland so you need to add salt and pepper. Overall, my husband was satisfied with the service and hotel rooms.





Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons 
3121 W Gate City Blvd,
Greensboro, NC 27407, USA

Yesterday was the last day of my husband’s Bereavement Leave so we took advantage of it and went to the shopping mall to buy some stuff that we need for our upcoming summer vacation. It was lunchtime but the restaurants were not crowded, maybe because it was a weekday.

My husband suggested Banapple Pies & Cheesecakes. It’s been years since the last time that we ate here. Wala naman nagbago, maliit pa rin table nila at masikip pa rin restaurant. Last year, my husband ate at Banapple and he told me, “Masarap pala lasagna dun”. Natawa na lang ko kasi that was our order before and as far as I remember, yung bread ang nagustuhan niya.


Anyway, we ordered Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk Mushroom Gravy P275, Lasagna Roll-Ups P280 and Banoffee Pie P135. I was reading my old post, and I noticed na ang laki na ng price increase. Well, price inflation after 6 years. Banoffee Pie from P95 to P135 and Lasagna Roll-ups from P180 to P280.


My son and I shared on Bacon Fried Chicken Steaks with Milk Mushroom Gravy meal. The meal has crisp chicken fillets topped with creamy milk and mushroom gravy and bacon pieces. It has corn too for side dish. I thought bacon pieces na malalaki, bacon bits lang pala kasi halos hindi ko nga napansin. Taste is just okay for me.


I tried the Lasagna Roll-Ups; a herbed cream and parmesan cheese fill al dente lasagna strips, rolled up and smothered in classic tomato meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. The pasta is indeed good and of course, we won’t leave without eating the Banoffee Pie. My son said, he won’t eat that pie but after tasting it nakalimutan na niya na share kami. Hehehe!


Update September 2019

After our passport renewal at DFA NCR South (Metro) we ate at Banapple for our early dinner. We know that they have big serving so my son and I always share food and we were not able to finish our order. For a change, we ordered Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs at P345, Trio of Sausages Pasta P325, and Banoffee Pie P160. As expected, we finished the pie in few minutes. The ribs and pasta are just okay so we won't order this again.




It’s been more than two years already since the last time we ate at Banapple. It is one of our go-to restaurants if ever we are in Alabang Town Center. But because of the COVID19 restrictions, we cannot just go to the mall whenever we want. We just celebrated my son’s 13th birthday so we had reason to buy a cake so my husband bought 1 whole banoffee pie for PHP1,225.

I went to Healthway Clinic last week for my 2 ultrasound but the staff informed me that I need fasting for the second ultrasound so I have no choice but to go back. I scheduled the ultrasound after four days because I need to attend my lola’s wake and internment. The staff gave me instructions.

1. Light fat-free evening meal the night before examination.
2. Nothing by mouth after midnight (food, drinks or even candy). No smoking. Avoid eating for 8-12 hours before the test.
3. Omit breakfast. If there is one thing that I dislike in laboratory test is fasting, I can’t eat and I can’t drink tapos yung waiting time pa sa clinic, nakakahina.

We were there past 7AM and since I’m not the only patient, I have to wait for my turn. It was almost 9AM when they advised me that I can eat and drink na. I need to go back pag naiihi na daw ako.


It was only 9AM so majority of the restaurants were still closed. We went to Starbucks but choices were very limited so my husband suggested Seattle’s Best. I’m not fond of coffee shops so it was my first time there. My husband ordered Latte P135, Hot Choco P140 and Big Breakfast 2 P250.



Finally, after fasting, it is time to feast. The Big Breakfast plate includes egg, cocktail sausages, bacon strips, pancakes and wheat bread. I enjoyed my hot choco and breakfast plate, the serving is huge so I asked my husband to finish my leftover pancake. Hehehe!