Elmer and Mang Rey

I get to meet Elmer of Rejektcrew 2 weeks ago. He explain to me a lot of differences between par lights. He told me he can upgrade the par38 to par56 with out extra cost. he's very magalang and very nice, patiently explains to me all my queries. We were supposed to meet this week for our ocular visit at Palacio de Maynila but we're both on a very tight sched so we opt to meet on June 1.
Last week I met Rey Casedo of Analie's Embroidery, he's a man of few words. Me not knowing anything about barongs think all his designs are the same. my h2b wants a simpler design, i want something different not only the tela but also the design so we will choose the pina with some embroidery at the back. he really charges a lot cheaper than other. Mang Rey only charges 1200 for pina jusi, 600 for kids and 5300 for pina with much more detailed design. I saw his finished work and I think he did a great job.

Manila Pavilion

It took me weeks to decide where to held our preps. I really really love Sofitel Philippine Plaza. It was my one and only choice then. I beg Emer to please allot at least 30k for it. but when I saw manila pavilion's amabassador suit last May 5 (my friend had her wedding at the manila pav) i was in love with their rooms. I went to Sofitel for an ocular, sad to say I am not impressed with their 1bedroom suite, Manila pav's suite was way way better. anyway, I was confused for weeks until i decided to just held my preps at pavilion. yes, i won't have pictorial at their beautiful and lovely poolside. I won't have the ambiance of Sofitel but i just realize that the money we will be saving can go a long way, the money we will be saving means more pocket money and more pocket money means more shopping. We avail Manila Pavilion Gold, using the vouchers I computed that we will be saving around 2-3K. good deal ain't it?

for Manila Pavilion Gold you can call Lyn Hernandez at 5219174

Playback

When I saw their Works at Playback Site I know they are the one I am looking for, they may be a rookie in the industry but you can already see their potentials, good editors with good videographer. I am happy to have found them at a bridal fair sometime last year and also happy to read good reviews at w@w groups.
The first time I saw their website, I thought they are already been in the industry for a very long time, I thought their services are quite pricey. I inquire and text Bim, I was stunned to know that their price are way way way lower than other videographers.
Here's the package that we got in time for their price increase last April. 2 videographers using 3cc cams, 2 final dvd copies of a 30-45 mins mtv style video. 1 dvd copy of raw videos and an onsite mtv style presentation.

Call them up at 09228339942 and look for Bim

Kix Tavora

I've been wanting to meet kix before pa kasi we're more than 70% sure na we will be getting his service. gusto ko lang finalize our venues bago ako makipagset ng appointment. April 27, we finally met kix. he's really really nice, and he really knows what he's doing. talagang it's his passion. yes,he's still a newbie in the industry but i saw a lot of potentials in him and i know someday magiging big name din itong si kix. well... hindi siya kasi magaling sa marketing since medyo feeling ko e mahiyain din siya. marami siyang pinakitang samples sa amin, all pictures are just lovely. ang dami ko sobrang tanong pinaexplain ko nga sa kanya kung ano ano ba talaga ang mga different shots. he answered and explained it to me in a way na maiintindihan ko. h2b studied photography way back so he's picky when it comes to photo. well i have to admit dino lara is our best choice but we just can't afford, or we just dont want to spend a lot for it. i also wanted paul vincent but h2b really like the works of kix sabi niya more on candid more on creative works and plus factor that he's really good sa mga lightings! anyway, he's really nice and i got a very very good bargain! we talk for almost 3 hrs nahiya nga ako eh! medyo need improvement lang siya when it comes to layout. almost all his pictures are unedited which we find really impressive, sabi ko nga eh magedit naman siya! thumbs up talaga with regards to his works and his attitude. cympre plus plus factor na un very affordable rate! kaya ayun pay na agad ng dp!
We got Package 2
with upgrades and freebies: 11x14 album or 12x12
2 Photographer and Kix as Main Man
Unlimited Shots
120-150 photos In a 40 pages Digital Coffee Table Book
PreNup Onsite Shoot
10pages Guest Book
1 tarpauline 2x6
20x24blowup or 1 parent album
free AVP of pre-nup pics

for pricing Call Kix Tavora at 0922-8TAVORA
Visit His Works at Kix Tavora

Robert Camba

We never really searched for a caterer, when I saw Robert Camba at a bridal fair, I check them out and gave them my contact number. 4 days after, they called us up and see if we are available for food tasting, Emer and I tag along my mom and dad because I really think I should get their approval first. I am willing to pay for their share but Miss Connie told me that I can bring them along for with no expense. Anyway, my dad gave me a go signal since he really find their food delicious, in fact the 4 of us agreed that their Roast beef in mushroom sauce is one of the best dish we had. We paid RF, got a good bargain and very happy with the first supplier we booked. After few days and after some packages i received from the other caterer, i felt a little doubt because compared to other caterers, RC's food are not that fancy, no dessert station, simple servings. So we had food tasting with Hizon's, but Emer nd I aren't impress at their marketing techniques, in fact, both of us vowed not to get them. But after several visits to other caterers, we decide that RC's really the one for us, no one beats their sumptuous dish. And because their foods are simple, we decide to just hire another dessert supplier for an add ons.

Call Miss Connie at 09228276804 for more info about Robert Camba's Catering.
Check out their Website
Robert Camba's Catering Located at 12th RestHaven St. Baler Q.C.]

Palacio De Maynila

Back in January 2007, on our first venue hunting (with my family) we came across Palacio De Maynila. I remember that time we are going to visit Le Pavilion and Pan Pac's China Place. My Bro G told me that he once pass by a new venue/hall he thinks open for wedding along Roxas Blvd. and since we are near the area we check it out. It's a new venue, they opened last year November, the place looks new and I love it, I remember i said "this is it". we called their office the following day only to find out that the venue cost 100k for a day of event. So, I started to look for other venue, I came across with 1Esplanade but because it is located very near Manila Bay, there is a strong smell of "Malansa", We check out Clamshell but my dad strongly disagree since he really think the venue is not good, no parking and according to him "Pangit". We also check out Fernwoods and Gazebo Royale, I could've settle for Gazebo but we find the place not accessible to most of our guest, We don't like Fernwoods. I try to insist to have our reception at Clamshell because i really think that they got a real good bargain, 48k for the whole venue for the whole day is more than but being a good daughter I just opt to look for another venue. I called Palacio again to confirm my date and the price, an AE, Joy Calimag told us that we can rent the venue for 4 hrs at 60K. We knew that time that this is it!
So, last May 1, we went to Palacio de Maynila and paid dp. Miss Joy allowed me to bring in an add on dessert supplier at no extra charge(no corkage fee), and waive my 5th hour stay. We are very happy coz finally we have our so called "the venue".

For More Info regarding Palacio De Maynila you may call Miss Joy Calimag at 5273239

Quick Dinner at El Polo Locco

Before when malls are not yet everywhere, we frequently visit Mega Mall. And we always dine at El Polo Locco but as time passes and there's Robinson's Place, SM Lazaro and SM Centerpoint near our place our family day at Mega lessens.
Our family and relatives planned a get together at Kim Siong (It is a private resort located at Silang Cavite, that's solely for the association and their friends). Many of us planned to reach Cavite around 9pm, most of us have work on Saturdays. We are running late since the 4 of us, my sis C,ar bro Gar, Emer and I are still at MOA around 8pm so we decided to have dinner at El Polo Locco. As I remember their chickens are not really to die for and after all this years it was only last Saturday at Mall of Asia that i get to check them out again. Well... same as always, i was never fascinated by their chickens, but since i am a fan of salsa, i had a nice meal. I don't find the chicken something to look forward to or something special, it's just an ordinary meal and i'd rather eat at Kenny Roger's.
I was glad that they serve food really fast so we had a quick dinner at off we go to Kim Siong.

places I want to go

hay!!! every time i get to surf the net about our beautiful beaches, i just can't help but say "sana mayaman na lang ako para at least mapuntahan kong lahat yan, now!" well... it will take a lot of earning and a lot of sacrifices for me so i can tour the whole country. next time na siguro ang ibang bansa. my mom always tells me that why would i want to go to beaches here when almost everyone wants to visit other countries. ang sagot ko lang lagi is hindi ako mahilig mag tour, i don't want to spend my whole day visiting temples or churches, hindi rin ako fan ng shopping galore sa mga markets, and most i love waters, if i will go to the other country i wanted to go to their beach. I still remember when we went to Thailand and all we did was visit different temples. yech!
of course, everyone wants to go to Caribbean siguro for me next time na kasi nga aside from not having enough money marami pa akong ibang gustong puntahan. Kakahiya mang sabihin, I haven't been to Boracay still. These are the beaches I wanted to go dito sa Pinas:

Boracay - syempre!
Cebu:

• Malapascua - sabi nila this is what they call little Boracay

• Bantayan Island - can't help but fall in love with the Islands picture esp the sandbar

• Mactan Island - Anywhere dun pero sympre dream ko Plantation Bay

• Nalusuan Island - kasi according to locals and reviews i read super ganda. and syempre nun napanood ko sa living asia napa-wow na lang ako!
  

Bohol:

• Panglao Island - dahil sa snorkeling spot, hindi dahil sa tarsier at chocolate hills a!

Palawan:

• Puerto Princessa - dahil sa mga scenic spots

• El Nido - dahil sa rock formation at beach.

Ang dami pang nasa listahan ko, I dunno how long before I can visit all of them but one thing for sure, I will visit one of the place listed above before i get married this coming February.
But do you know where I really wanted to go? ung as in my world will stop pag nakapunta ako? Hindi sa Hawaii, sympre pupuntahan ko rin yan, tulad ng mga beach sa Malaysia at Thailand, hoping din na puntahan ko pero the place I really wanted to go was none other than Maldives. Mala TomKat, ngek! i've done a lot of research about this country and I know it's not your ordinary backpackers travel, we will really spend a lot sabi nga nila, kaya we really need to earn and save alot, hays! ang dami kong gustong puntahan, ang dami kong gustong gawin. I just hope as i grew old and when the time comes for me to leave this world, i hope i have already been to places where i wanted to go to. and i'm sure by that time fulfilled na ako. ang drama! woosh!

spiderman 3

I'm not really excited to watch the movie, i don't find the trailer impressive. But when i get to watch it, i was stunned because it is indeed the best among the series. I love the flow of the story, i love the effects, and i just love mary jane! I wish I watched it at IMAx, anyway, there's not much left to say but awesome!

Anilao Adventure

Imagine we could've reach Anilao in 2 and half hour if we went there straight but since our plan to stay at San Juan turn disaster, our short time travel turns to 10 hour trip. road trip? nah! i can't call this a road trip. Anyway, enough of the ranting, We finally found our place to stay. The moment we step on the lobby of Outrigger we knew this is it. a little expensive than the other resort but i really think that the price is worth the stay. water activities such as kayaks, canoe, pedal boats and snorkeling gears are free, where else can you have that offer. we paid 2050 each for room, buffet breakfast and buffet dinner. 2600 each if we will have 4 buffet meals. The foods are awesome, i love their creamy veggie, can't get over their tocino and oh so love their mix fruits. coffee and tea are complimentary and you can drink all you want, hehe. oh they also got swimming pool, billiard tables (P100/hr), KTV room (P100/hr), banana boat ( i forgot how much is the rental fee) and wind surfing. Yes i know i said i wanted to go to a beach, walk at the shore and lay on the sand under the sun and moon, but i never regret going to Anilao it was an adventure to remember. I've been wanting to try snorkeling for years now, but sadly, i was never given a chance. We think of San Juan because of it's white sand beach and because i read a lot about Marulas coral reef, they say it is a beautiful snorkeling spot that's only around 10ft deep, so you can clearly see corals and fish. We woke up early and head for a good start. we had yummy breakfast, take 30mins rest and change our attires. we're all ready to jump at the more than 10feet deep and excited to see what's under the water. We went to the information to borrow snorkeling, we thought of submerging the mouth piece to a hot water, but BUT, we are out of snorkeling gears, all gears are already rented and they doubt if we can borrow a gear for the next 8hours. so being excited and all that, Gar (my brother) and I decided to buy a new pair of snorkeling gear. Emer already owned one. We bought Mares snorkeling gear for 2050 each. yech! expensive eh? but we thought that our adventure will not be worth all the suffering if we won't go snorkeling. Soon the three of us are all set to another experience of our life, well that was at least what i felt, since i am the only one who haven't tried snorkeling.
I swim and swim and glide and glide, I never see beautiful fishes in my entire beach life but I was kinda disappointed because i expected a lot for corals. well according to locals, Anilao is best for divers not really best for snorkeling. or if we wanted we have to go to an island, Sombrero island. We wanted to rent a banca but it cost 2500 rountrip, good for 8-10pax, since we were only 3, we also have to pay same amount. too expensive for us, the boat trip will take us to Sepoc Island, a beautiful white sand beach owned by Eagle's point Resort and not only that we also don't have enough time. We will definitely go there next time and we will already tag along more companions. Back to corals, I really expected a lot since i do a lot of research and i saw more beautiful pics of it. Emer said that we have to go to a spot where sands are white so we can have clearer view. We tried kayaking for few minutes, it was already 1130am and the sun was up and HoT! swim few minutes at their small pool and one by one started to take shower.
We leave Outrigger past 2pm. we check out Eagle's Point. the place is really really breathtaking but expensive too. It will cost a person 2900 for overnight, inclusive of plated breakfast, lunch and dinner. all water sports activities are to be rented. well at least except for the swimming pool. they got a man made salt water pool that has a baby shark in it, cool right? their pools are bigger than Outrigger and most, their rooms are excellent. The only downside i think about the place was their house reef are more for divers and not for snorkeling.
It was already 4pm when we decide to leave Anilao. A place where i will definitely go back. I've been to a lot of places in Batangas, Nasugbu, Calatagan, Lian and Lemery, a Glimpse of San Juan but i never thought i will love Anilao best. Funny because looking back i never really wanted to go to Anilao, all the while i thought it was only for divers but going there made ma change a lot, I realize there are more beautiful places to go and more adventures to explore. And now I know that our next adventure trip will be to a place where we can really find something new.
here are few shots we took:
Outrigger Resort, Anilao

hayop sa trip!

We (my brother Garry, Emer and I) have been planning to go out of town for months now and our plan push through last May 12. where exactly did we go? for the whole week we are very sure we will go to Puerto Galera. but last friday our plan got mixed up due to bagyong Amang. We left Manila around 6am not really knowing where to go. are we gonna push through with Galera or just look for another place to go? we're afraid that if we go to Galera we might get stranded. We had breakfast at Shell Gas Station at South Expressway and from there we decided to just go to San Juan Batangas. It will be our first time to visit the place, so we really don't have any idea what's in store for us. We arrive San Juan around 10am. Dang! the place is already crowded. We started to look for a private resort, Kabayan, Sabangan, Virgin, Taramindu, Palm Beach, Laiya Coco Grove and Balai Laiya but it was already fully booked, our trip starts to feel like hell, imagine checking out one resort at a time under the heat of the sun? i felt so terrible, i wanted to cry and i felt helpless. We also check out some public beach but sadly we dont like the rooms, either it looks a lot like nevermind or the place just full of people who don't have anything to do but sing their hearts out, over crowded and really really noisy. 1130 we already felt that it's time to leave. off to where? we really dont know all we knew was we should already find another beach to stay. Oh btw, let me give applause to laiya coco grove's attendant even though they are fully booked they assist us and allow us to look at their place. On our search for a resort to stay we check out Dona Nena, it is not located at laiya aplaya anymore, it's on aplya ibabao, there's a Mangrove which makes the beach murky. It was already fully booked at that time and the owners are nice and friendly. So, We had lunch at Jollibee Rosario, not knowing where to go we ask a waiter where is the nearest beach area. according to him aside from San Juan, the nearest was Lemery. so off to our next stop, starting to feel hopeless, my brother suggest to just stay at a resort, but because i set an eye of spending my weekend at the beach we pursue the Lemery travel. on an intersection, not knowing where to go (no sign!!!!!) we ask a local guy, when i ask where can he suggest to go, he said we might wanna try Anilao, since according to him the Lemery beach is already dirty and not really impressive) we are 10mins aways from Lemery then and an hour away from Anilao. my brother who visited Anilao 10 years ago said that we might as well check out Anilao. And so our tavel goes on. we reach Anilao pier at around 5pm, oh gosh! we're all wasted and tired. we started to look for resort where we can finally settle in. We visited Aguila resort because it was the closest, they got a beach area where we can swim but the sands are really mabato. the rooms are ok but we are looking for a room where we can really rest and have comfy beds, so we decide to look for another resort. we went to Vista Mar, but the place is too crowded, there are people singing with ktv here and there. we check out the room but i think the price is not worth the stay. So off we go again. We finally found a good place to stay at Outrigger Resort, took our bags and go to our room for a quick rest before dinner. it was already 630 that time.
All i wanted was to enjoy and relax but i think our Saturday trip turns disaster so we can appreciate our new found haven. So what can you say? hayop sa trip diba?
a glimpse of san juan, laiya and aplaya ibabao

On getting Married

Time flies surely fast. I remember 6 years ago all of my friends are just starting to look for a job, starts dating now they started to get married. sis Pame is the first one to get married in our circle of friends. I remember when she announce their plans of getting married i was a bit pressured, I felt that I already have to get married. Emer and I are already 6 years and i felt we are a little bit overdue. Alam ko pressured lang ako pero I really think it is best for us to settle down na rin, we're not getting any younger na. anyway, last sunday her time comes and shine like she never did before, all of us were excited and emotional, the wedding filled with laughter and happy tears. exactly 10 years ago last April, isang decada na ang kanilang pagkakaibigan, I met them 6 years ago. I loved each and everyone in the group, i felt the sense of belonging. they became important to me, they became my best friends. as Pame kiss goodbye to her single life, i know i will still be her friend even if she won't have more time spending with us, of course, her priority will be her hubby and their soon to be family. I'm so happy for her coz she finally said i do to the man she love. Months from now our friends Shine and Deo will tie the knot. and on Feb 24, 2008 it's my turn to finally settle with the man i wanted to spend my lifetime with. I'm so excited, thrilled and happy as each one of us starts another journey of our lives.

Lucena-Pagbilao Grande Island

We went to South Waters Marina Club in Lucena last holy week. It is our Uncle Peter who organized the trip, we were a group of 28, it's a family get together which we usually set every holy week. I don't really find the resort superb, instead it was just so-so. They only got few rooms available which is good because the place won't be overcrowded. They have many amenities like billiards, pool, tennis, horseback riding, then you can also tour the whole island driving a golf cart. Guest are not allowed to bring food and drinks (even chips and water), that's ok with us.
The rooms need more improvement, there's only 1 DIM light bulb. the cabinets are all dirty, we have to clean em up so we can use them. anyway, we spend the first day doing nothing just relaxing. one really good thing about the resort is it really got a lot of trees, and i oh so love the smell of fresh air uhumm...
They only got 1 resto, affordable food and yummy. the only thing i really hate was they have the guts to tell us we cannot bring in chips when they can't sell us any and the fact that they closed 9pm. how the hell are we gonna have snacks if we got hungry???
the next day, we went to Pagbilao Grande Island, it's a 1 hr boat ride. The ride to Pagbilao was a little bit scary( it was my first longest boat ride ever), we cross pacific ocean just riding a not so big banca. We saw the famous Pagbilao sandbar but sadly we didn't get to step foot in it since the water was a little bit high. there was a portion where in the middle of nowhere the water was just as deep as our bilbils (hehe), the water was so clear and we can see fish swimming. when we arrive at Pagbilao I felt haven. powdery white sands, beautiful rock formation, it was like a mini elnido and boracay. I never knew there's still beautiful beach in luzon. Yes, Bolinao's white sand are beautiful and according to my dad, Paguspod sands are fine ans white (I can't seem to remember a lot about it since I've been there 14 years ago) but Pagbilao, Quezon has the best sand I set foot on. If i will be given a chance to visit the place again, i will never think twice. It is a vacation to remember.
Back to South Waters where we spend the rest of our vacation, we rode golf cart and tour the whole island. We ate a lot of their turons for our snack and i love their pancit lucban.
On our way home, we stop by my favorite, Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Tayabas, only 15mins(with the traffic) from South Waters. As usual their food are so so so yummy. too bad my favorite dish ginataan na sugpo with paco leaves was not available. anyway, their liempo are very delicious, we ordered sugpo with pechay, although not as yummy as sugpo with paco leaves, the dish was still to die for. There's a manglalako (vendor) selling pinipit we brought some and it's really really sinfully delicious.
Picturan na!!!