Travel Laguna: Rediscovering 88 spa hotspring resort

I've been seeing 88 spa for as long as I can remember and the first time I was there was December last year.  We delivered the bridal bouquet of one of my sister, wedding florist Aprille Araguas' clients and she was checked in at the Nipa Hut with best over looking Mt. Makiling view. I even instagrammed it last year:

(More photos after the jump!)

Fascinating Finds at Sonya's Garden

Much has been written/blogged about Sonya's Country Bed and Breakfast. Last weekend I tagged along with my wedding florist sister, Aprille, for an ocular visit to  her clients' reception and one of the places that we went to was at Sonya's Garden.

Sulyap Gallery and Cafe (and now Bed and Breakfast) in San Pablo City

One of the nicest thing about working in the wedding industry is you get to ocular places for reception. Yesterday, we found ourselves in Sulyap, in San Pablo City, a kind of hidden place with Antique and Art Gallery that's not accessible in the main road.

I've been seeing it when driving to San Pablo City Laguna. It is only now that I learned that they just opened Bed and Breakfast as well.

We went and parked inside the place to see this building to meet a cake designer. It gives that old school, Panahon ng hapon (old Japanese time) feel. But I see other photographer feasting on the antique display of cars, old liquor brandy barrels and scooters.

Travel Laguna: Auravel Grande Resort and Hotel in San Pablo City

Auravel Grande Resort and Hotel, (Auravel derived from their grandparents name, Aurea and Avelino) just opened last December 4, 2012. It's only 10 minutes drive from the city San Pablo City town proper.  It just so happen that by the 20th of December, our cousin Ate Iyen, had her wedding reception there.

As wedding suppliers (wedding florist), and yours truly as wedding coordinator , we immediately saw the opportunity to take a look around and see what's in store.

First, we like the pool. San Pablo City is known for its cold water, but the pool water is warm and moderated.

Quick Review: Chubby Habbi's Mediterranean Food

I actually miss the Kebab place in elbi square where my friends and I used to go. They really have this authentic kebab garlic sauce, good customer service, although uncomfortable chairs but there are many other tihngs that makes up for it. I wish we have something like Majid's kebab around UPLB area where it's yummy and affordable at the same time. 

Few weeks ago, my friend Mags mentioned "Chubby Habbi" which sells kebabs and the likes. And since we're always in search for a new place to eat, we decided to check the place out:

Pay as you order:

What it looks from the outside:

That's Frankie after ordering:

 

The menu:

Food:

Frankie ordered this with pita bread. 

I've been lusting for chelo kebab and this seems like a good substitute:

We pretty much ordered the same thing so there are no other photos of other stuff on the menu (Boo!)

Quick Review:

• Reasonably priced.
• Clean ambiance.
• Though their garlic sauce is not as good as the garlic sauce of Majid's (Davao) and Everyday Kebab (elbi square), still its not bad.
• No smoking area within the covered area but you can smoke outside.
• Pay as you order.
• Food rating: 3.5 out of 5
• Contact number:   049-576-9345

Patis Tito Garden Cafe, San Pablo City

One of the fun things about event planning as a wedding/events coordinator and having a sister as a wedding/events florist, is we get to do ocular of new places that we can suggest to clients for their pre-nup or wedding reception.  I've been noticing the sign that says PATIS TITO GARDEN CAFE when it was still KUSINA SALUD. It was along the way to Grandma's house and same road going to my nephew's house.

One Sunday, when we were picking up the kids to go to the mall, we decided to drop by Patis Tito Garden Cafe to check the place out. It just so happen that my sister, a wedding and event florist, was looking for places to recommend to her clients.

The place is really secluded, private and if you want a very private setting and it can only house a maximum of 150 guests.

The part where the Kusina Salud is located is officially closed and for the owner's use only. The guy who assisted us was very welcoming and allowed us to take a look around the place.

Entrance

Giant Painting of the owner on the left side. Super old house on the right

The place and some interesting details

The second floor

Souvenir for sale

More of Patis Tito

 I didn't notice I have the same photo of the orange vase twice! Oh well... let's move on with the show...

Tour around the private house

Lots of Antique (not for sale)

Peak of the garden

Tips:

• A pre-nup pictorial costs: Php 2,000.00/hour. (use of the place)
• They have a small parking space. Really. If you have 150 guests suggest a carpool.
• Business hours: 11am - 9pm, closed on Mondays.
• It also has a mini-bird zoo inside the area.
• Food prices are around 100+, 200+ but since we were not able to order food, maybe I'll blog about that next time.

We could've really stayed and ordered some food for food review but since we're running after a schedule, I guess we will have to do that next time.

But there's a scanned menu for those interested to hold their weddings, baptismal, debut, anniversary and other special events:

It was really different from the pictures/features/review from magazines. It was quite an interesting place but more like a diamond in the rough.  There are some huts outside that are being renovated for the guests. I think this place is best for privacy but the place needs to be styled for an event.


How to get there:

Source

Patis Tito Café is at 285 Barangay Sta. Cruz Putol, San Pablo, Laguna. Call 7244231 and 0906-4439092.

 Credits to guest photographer, Aprille Araguas

The Antik Thrift Shop

Who would have thought that you can find hidden treasures just by walking along Lopez Avenue on your way to the bank to pay your bills? We didn't think so.


I was on my way running an errand when my eyes accidentally laid on this shop. There's no sign, no specific landmark, but just the one that is nearby a food store. Land mark does not even have relation to what this place is all about. 


This is The Antik Thrift Shop.


I've passed by Lopez Avenue, though not on an every day basis, but I've practically know the stores upon first glance. I knew I have read this place used to have a sign somewhere but now it's gone, like the place was a secret with hidden treasures inside. And yes, it was indeed a place for treasure. Antique Treasure.


Spirit of the Past, Treasure of the Future - is what says on the probably antique glass window. My eyes were busy rummaging the place, while my friend who was with me, who hates shopping by the way, suddenly had eyes that's wide with bewilderment. I had forgotten that she's an antique collector and her family is an antique and art dealer from Casa Manila. This girl knows these things and I don't. 


We were met by the nice owner of the shop, Mr. Frank Micosa. He used to work for the DZLB station of UPLB and after more than 30 plus of service he retired to do his passion: Arts and Electronics.

Meet the owner, Mr. Francisco Micosa

When I saw  how fascinating this place is, I asked Mr. Frank if I can feature his store in my blog and he agreed, so the very next day, I dragged another friend to the shop to take photos!

I was very fascinated by the old school cameras (note: the mini tripod is not for sale)

They have old plates that goes from way back, old watches, lighters, pens, wood sculptures etc.

Brass, old clocks, mini alcohol bottles that are all collector's items

I kept thinking about the Paco Amino poster, I think I have seen this at a restaurant before then my friend says: It's the one up in Pancake house restaurants! PAK! Tama!

Brass Candle holders, old school lighters, really old portrait of someone's first communion and a painting of Jesus.

The army stuff caught my fancy: These water bottles form AFP goes all the way back in 1944, and I checked at the bottom.  Some even have initials on it and the one with the black bottle cap even has the camouflage part of the uniform.

Tea set, vintage Buddha, last supper carving and old school iron that uses charcoal

Vintage soft drinks bottles, lamps, brass goblets and more.

 This Antique store was also feature in a periodico!

Antik Thrift Shop was featured in The Philippine Daily Inquirer last December 2009. Read online Article here.

I'll let you in on a little secret: Some Antique dealers from Tiendesitas and Manila gets some of the stuff they sell here. My friend was able to get a really nice deal and that usually costs around six grand. 


I cannot disclose the price but it was more than a steal. :)




For inquiries:

Francisco "Frank" Micosa
Contact Numbers: 0910-582-2833 / 049-827-2942

Davao Birthday Weekend: [Day One] The City Tour

I spent my birthday weekend in Davao together with my cousins and my mom’s relatives as well. We were such a big group that we had to be divided into two: The Juniors (us!) and the Seniors (our mom and aunts).  We were originally going after Pearl Farm resort but it’s expensive to stay for 2 nights there. So we just decided to explore Davao City during Day 1 and spend my actual birthday in Pearl Farm for the second day and go to the remaining tourist spots of Davao on our last day.

I was texting my friends who live and those who’s been in Davao for any tips on where to go.  We had a van rented to take us around the place and luckily we were able to tour the city, hassle-free.

Note: The photos chosen in this post is to capture what it is like to be there. I hope it did serve its purpose, so no, there's no HD pictures and tourist-catalogue-type shots.

We were able to go to the recommended places such as:

1. Malagos

A Nature Park where you can find the Philippine Eagle.

My sister’s glad that we went to this place because you cannot just find this super huge eagle in Manila Zoo.

Tip: Entrance Fee is Php 55.00

2. Outland Adventure

Those who will try zipline will only get to pay. I’ve already tried zipline in Tagaytay with my friends and my sister already tried the zipline in Bohol so we just watched our cousin and aunt try the zipline, so we passed up on this one.

Tip: Price of zipline is Php 500.00 ( I think, I’m not sure about the price. You don’t have an option to go just one way because there’s no other way to go back than through the cables again.)

3. Crocodile Farm

By it’s name, you can tell it houses a lot of crocodile from the small ones to the really big ones before the biggest crocodile, Lolong, was found.

I don’t really like reptiles (even the small turtles make me icky). They had crocodile show and some animal show to entertain the kids. My cousins and I were just really busy walking around the park looking at crocodiles.

On the other side of the crocodile farm, there’s firedance show and some native muslim stuff that they sell as souvenirs.

Tip: Entrance Fee is Php 150.00

4. Jack's Ridge

I keep on getting  recommendations saying – you have to go Jack’s Ridge.

Jack’s Ridge is an overlooking area of Davao City where you can see almost everything. Restaurants are strategically located in the area. I don’t know if this is the highest peak of Davao but the planes that passes by are really low, I feel like we’re in Paranaque City. Haha!

Tip: No entrance fee.

I never really thought that Davao is really so big that majority of our time was spent on the road.  We spent the entire day in Pearl Farm the next day, which will be my next post because I believe it deserves an entire entry of it's own.

Upcoming post:

• Davao Birthday Weekend [Day Two] My Birthday at Pearl Farm Resort
• Davao Birthday Weekend [Day Three] Eden Park and Some Last MinuteShopping

Museo Pambata

When I found out that my next project location would be in Museo Pambata for a pre-nup photo shoot, I immediately grabbed the opportunity even though it means getting up early and going home late on a Sunday.

I've never been to Museo Pambata, not even on a field trip. When I first found out that the couple that we'll be shooting wanted to have their pre nup pictorial taken at the museo pambata musuem, I wondered what the place will look like.

But more to that pre-nup in the coming days...

Anyway, since it's something new, so I asked my sister to take snap shots of the place as well.

Senate Office of the Philippines (Part1)

My Policy and Public Administration class decided to go on a weekday trip to visit either the Senate or Congress. I'm glad we chose Senate because I've been to Congress before.

What the Philippine Senate looks like, first, we were greeted by an exhibit:

(more after the jump)

Adventure Kamp (Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Centre)

And just when I thought I have seen enough of Grand Villa...

It turned out that we have not been to the real site of  Grand Villa's Adventure Kamp! In addition to the stuff that I've shown you in my last Grand Villa post, there's more! This is good news because as a wedding/events coordinator, I may recommend this to future clients looking for more than just resort accommodation.

We were not able to see the entire thing, due to the rain plus the fact that we wanted to swim after our self-tour, we didn't get to see that:

A) There are four tree houses in Grand Villa.