The kind of vacation one should be taking

" I remember one Facebook post you had, where you said you can't wait to wake up because finally, your reality is better than your dreams."Jon told me in 2009.

I remember that post. I miss that feeling, to be honest. Life happened. No need to get into details.

I do love going on a holiday, but not as often as I wish I can. I've gone to beach trips, out of town trips with friends before but I seem to always go back feeling tired and in this state of incredible resistance to go back to your real life.

I'm not much of a traveler, but I do believe that vacations are simply a state of mind. Travel is not the same as vacation. I can be walking along the cherry blossom trees of Japan having a stressful time of my life and I can be just inside my room, uninterrupted and mentally recharging. I remember taking a long weekend and just staying in the suburbs and ended up having one of the best, unexpected weekends of my life.

And just last weekend, I took advantage of the long weekend to pay my friends a visit in the city. We only had one activity (we went to a hydrotherapy water spa) and spent the entire weekend lounging in the house, watching 5 movies. We didn't have much going on, just catching up, and an entire day to be just in house clothes, taking a step away from what's bothering us, and doze off whenever we I want to. Actually, that weekend I spent majority of my time just listening, contrary to my usual talkative self, and ended up enlightened.

To make the story short, I came back grateful and looking forward to my new personal action plan. In fact, I felt inspired that I got so excited that I immediately bought a sketch pad and started sketching and finally made time for art as my long overdue creative outlet. Also, I can now squeeze in a few minutes to read my positivity books that I bought on impulse that I have on stand by for a while now. The little things that irks me are now being overlooked. I tell you, when gratitude takes over, it works like a thick shield that protects you from the littlest things that once gets the best of you.

And from that I have decided that my vacations must have an internal wellness purpose and not just to have something to post on instagram.

Consuelo de Bobo Coupons

In 2010, my professor in graduate school saw me handing out coupons to my Manila-based classmates.

Professor: What is that? 

Me: Coupons sir. 

Professor: What for? 

Me: Discounts in boutiques, coffee shops, spa, department stores. I won't be using them since I rarely frequent Manila anymore. 

Professor: Do you know that you are not actually saving money with those coupons? Those coupons are actually consuelo de bobo.

I know exactly what he meant. In US, there's this blog about the Krazy Coupon lady and a TV show about Extreme Couponing, where people are into collecting coupons and using them to save money.

Last year, I went to the Belle de Jour fair and got my self a new BDJ Planner. I went for another Viviamo planner in 2013 but I figured out, that since I am no longer in graduate school and have guiltless time to meet up friends in Manila, I might use most of them. I love BDJ because it comes with over 40,000 worth of discount coupons. I was able to enjoy mine in White hat and Ace Water Spa among the others. So I used the Revlon coupon from BDJ and went to SM Calamba and tried to use the coupon. I was declined. I was told that they've never seen it before and it's not discussed in the memo.

I figured out, maybe because SM Calamba is not as updated as SM Makati. I tried my luck the other week.

I went to SM Makati last week and was told of the same thing but with an add-on.

"We are SM Department store, these coupons are valid at Watsons."she said. 

"Aren't you Watsons too?"I asked.

"Maám Watsons store is a separate boutique aside from the one in SM Department store. We are the department store." 

"Okay. I said. Where is the nearest Watson's store?" 

"Greenbelt 1 Maám"

So all for the sake of availing this coupon, I walked. I walked for like a good 30 minutes, dragging my friend Karen with me.

When I finally reached that hidden Watsons store in Greenbelt 1, I was told:

"Maám we don't have a memo about this coupon. Another lady also tried to use this coupon but there's no memo about this. Try SM Makati."

"But I already went there!"I said. 

To make the story short, I was not able to purchase via coupon. The long walk from SM Makati to Greenbelt 1 flashed before my very eyes and remembered my Professor in 2010: Consuelo de bobo.

I am not actually going to save money from it. In fact I was encouraged/pursued/invited/hypnotized to shell out a good Php 1500 just to avail of the discount. A few days later, I found myself back in a department store and found a cheaper version of what I was trying to purchase at Revlon.

Thirty and thankful this Thanksgiving

I am honest enough to tell you that before my birthday, I had the bluest of all birthday blues. If I have to hang on to dear 29, I would.

You see,  I have all my birthdays figured out. For the past years I've spent my birthdays in Manila, Davao and last year Boracay. I was supposed to go to Cebu-Bohol this year, but something came up. Then I had another plan and booked myself at Nurture Spa Village in Tagaytay, but Typhoon Yolanda came to our country and I decided to use the money to donate it to victims instead. On the actual day of my birthday, I was scheduled to see my spiritual adviser but the day before our appointment, the schedule got mixed up. Therefore, plans A to C went down the drain.

Then I get a BBM from my guy friends. Jimmy is almost rarely in town and was just in elbi for the graduate school registration season. So it was an instant pick me upper seeing them outside my office building waiting for me. We had an instant pre-birthday dinner with lots of interesting catch up.

Birthday Salubong with my favorite boys

The next morning I have no plans at all. I mean, it's the big three-o and no plans at all. I decided to have a "do-as-you-please" day and have the day all to myself.

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!)

That one spa in Indonesia that will never relax me

I'm a huge, huge fan of spas and getaways and I've written about it more than just a couple of times.  Yesterday I read this in Yahoo news and for the love of me, I cannot and will not be able to relax in this spa even if they pay me.

It is described as:

A customer undertakes a massage using pythons at Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa on October 27, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The snake spa offers a unique massage treatment which involves having several pythons placed on the customers body. The movement of the snakes and the adrenaline triggered by fear is said to have a positive impact on the customers metabolism. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

Did you the words that I underlined? I don't know how in the world my fear would have a positive effect on anything considering I'm already a worrywart and paranoid.

Here are the photos that I borrowed from the article. ( Retained image original URL)

Que horror!

Read all about it here. *Goosebumps*

The Grad School Diaries: Episode 21 - When you simply cannot write no matter what you do

I am surprised to find out that I do have blog readers also working on their thesis. From a previous answer post to a reader's comment, I got another one:

I'm a first time commenter, long time reader of your diaries. It's nice to know that I'm not alone with my thesis troubles. My jaw dropped when I saw your drafts. I'm nowhere even near your progress. I'd love to have a blog like yours but I simply don't have the time to do that. Ironically I still have time to comment on blogs (silly me). Any advice for someone who just can't get focused enough on thesis writing? - Amy Lounsbury

Dear Amy,

Thank you for your message Amy! Sorry it took so long for me to reply. To be honest, I started this blog to get my writing groove back on. I stopped blogging in 2009 then went back again in late 2010. I don't have problems writing in my blog but I have a hard time writing an academic paper. I used this blog to make my fingers move and get used to writing. I believe that it somehow helped, at least with the part of getting used to actual typing.

I wish I could tell you useful tips on how to be focused enough on thesis writing, but I believe we all come with our own individual manuals. I even came to the point where I lost my writing mojo and my data were just sitting on my desk for a really long time that it almost turned to waste. But, I will share some tips that I got from my friends in graduate school:

1. Make a time line with a list of task and reward yourself when the job is done. For example, until you finish writing your Chapter 4, you will not go to a spa, or any place you usually go to for leisure.

2. If number 1 don't work for you, try to write at least one to two pages per day.

3. Find a motivator. I know easier said than done, but in my case, I told my self if I keep procrastinating, I will undergo the same amount of time and energy in dealing with signing of papers, enrollment, endorsements and all the hassle of paper works for next semester.

4. Plan a really good event, like a good vacation that you cannot cancel and will always look forward to, and make it your reward for writing your thesis. So you won't have to feel guilty if you splurge on your vacay, at least your thesis is done.

5. This one is crazy, but cramming gives the ultimate jolt. I work as a writer and event planner while doing my thesis in graduate school on the side. For some magical reason, I was able to discipline myself in time management if I know I have very little time in between to write. I know it may not usually work for others but it's worth a try.

I haven't got the final approval of my final draft so I am pretty much on my toes waiting for the results. Thank you and I hope I was able to be of help even just a little. Good luck to our thesis/papers!


Best,
Kea

I finally had my photo with my favorite Cosmopolitan (Phils) Magazine Editor-in-Chief

I have to tell you this story. I've been an avid Cosmopolitan Philippines Magazine fan in my early twenties and Myrza Sison, the Editor-in-Chief, is my favorite.

I'm huge fan of people who work behind the scenes and I like her editor's message. Eventually, when she moved out of Cosmo to launch a new magazine, Marie Claire Philippines, I kind of lost interest in the magazine as it became too predictable for my taste. From that moment on, I realized how huge the role/packaging of the Editor-in-Chief, even if it already has a fan base following.

But back in either 2004 or 2005, Cosmopolitan Philippines Magazine used to hold workshops for women in their 20s and I think I have attended at least 3 times of the event conveniently held at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza (my previous office building). Since I am such a fan, I often receive free invites as one of the first ones to sign up. I even attended the Cosmo Bachelor Bash twice at the NBC tent before it became a thing. I guess it's safe to say that Cosmo had been a big influence in my early twenties because it covers a lot of things like finances, reproductive health, career choices, spa awards, beauty products review, places to go to, etc.

The first time I attended a Cosmo Goes to Work workshop, I knew I just really had to have a photo with Ms. Myrza Sison. But Digital Cameras were not as popular yet and my camera phone died after taking photos, so my roommate, Dana, had to take my photo with her using her VGA camera phone. Sadly, her camera phone got stolen before she had the chance to send the photo to me.

Fast forward to years later, I learned that she finally got married.

I remembered years ago when I was reading her editor's letter, she mentioned that her mom hints about wanting her to settle down (she's at her 30s back then). I remember her not making such a big deal about being single but moved on and explored more of herself by enrolling in graduate school in UP Diliman, launched Marie Claire magazine, and now she's back as the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmo after six years.

She talked about how she transitioned from being a model to a writer

(More after the jump! )

The BDJ Fair 2013: #Make It Happen

I wrote before that I am crazy about planners. The first Belle de Jour planner that I had was in 2009. I enjoyed it for three years and moved on to other planners of another kind. Last year, I bought a new planner from the same manufacturer of Belle de Jour planners. I'm thinking of getting it again because the planner promotes positivity.

I've been getting newsletters from BDJ that I usually just read/browse through the email until one day I actually tried signing up for the BDJ Fair last October 13, 2013 at SM Mall of Asia. I was not exactly sure if I can go, so I blindly signed my sister up too for a slot to see if she can accompany me and she got in too! Which means, we really are meant to attend. 

Actually, the reason that I want to go is I want to meet, see, and hear my favorite Cosmopolitan Magazine  Editor-in-Chief, Myrza Sison, talk at the event. I'm so happy that I got a slot to listen to her presentation, but more on that on my next post. 

This is what the fair looks like on the second floor of SM Mall of Asia.

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.

Travel Kalinga: Stay at Grand Zion Resort

Last week we stayed at Grand Zion Hotel and Resort for my cousin's wedding. They have limited number of rooms because they are a fairly new hotel. We got the biggest room, the dorm type, which is only for Php2600 a night with 5 beds and a huge room. My sister used this hotel room for her wedding flower arrangement gig that I will blog about soon.

WARNING: Major photo dump ahead. Prepare to load. :)

This is what the entrance looks like:

What happened to decent business conversations?

Image source

First and foremost, this post was not supposed to be bitchy. 

When I was 20 years old, my first job was to work for Americans. I was fascinated by how straight forward, upfront and honest they were that until now, it was probably the trait that not only I picked up, but I embraced whole heartedly. Maybe I just had a really damn good American Culture Trainer, but whatever it is, my being upfront (polite upfront) saved me a lot of time, irritation and energy.

Years later, not only I was able to learn to be straight forward and save time, I also learned to ask when I don't know what is.

So when I came to elbi (where people expect that you know everything by giving you the world's greatest university jargons) my being upfront with people that I don't know this place, this protocol, this whatever, definitely saved me a lot of time  (provided that my first semester in graduate school, I lost my sense of time). The world has been a little bit, kind of, nicer. That is because, I honestly do not know and that is why I am asking.

Now simple everyday transactions irritate the hell out of me. Like bank transactions:

Me: Can I ask for my account balance right after this deposit?
Teller: Our system is updating.

I am cutting this scenario short but bottomline is, she could've told me I cannot because the system is offline. I would understand.

Like booking a hotel/accommodation in a place up north. Of course I know the hotel standards are definitely not like those in the city. This actually happened right after we paid more than half of our stay before we even checked in.

Me: Hi Ma'am, does our reserved type of room have it's own bathroom? (we have the dorm-type)
Hotel: Yes, you have your own bathroom.
Me: Do you also provide complete toiletries as well? and May I ask if your hotel has a spa or a massage service?
Hotel:  Yes, we provide toiletries.
Me: How about the spa, ma'am?
Hotel: *No Reply*

Oh I'm sorry, did the hotel attendant suddenly had a cardiac arrest in the middle of the text exchange? Three weeks later, I asked again about the spa and did not get an answer. This is in the middle of a text exchange. If they dont have it, it's okay. It's not like we're going to back down or throw in a tantrum. It's just a question of having it or not. No big deal. Nothing personal.

And last but not the least, I was in the middle of speaking to a coordinator via text when I asked something that required a forwarded number and very defined yes or no. We were in the middle of texting when, and I need to stress this, that I POLITELY ASKED A QUESTION, I did not get a reply when it is her job to reply. And yes, I waited patiently for an update/reply for 24 hours before coming to a conclusion and never got it. 

Did someone fall into a coma in the middle of a text conversation of an event coordination?

Again, my apologies for being bitchy. I do not intend to blog today because I'm so swamped but I just couldn't help my self venting out.

What happened to decent conversations, never mind that it's over text? If you're speaking to someone face-to-face, you wouldn't just walk away just to NOT REPLY, especially if it's business-related. 

Braving the crater of Mt. Pinatubo

I was looking through the folders of my sister's computer when I found pictures of my adventures with my cousins two years ago:

April 2010, we went trekking to Mt. Pinatubo with my sister and cousins. My sister booked Pinaykeypoint Organizers to assist us in this trip:

The meet up:

We took the short cut and did not trek all the way up:

We these friendly locals. I looked like a senator in this photo:

I made it to the crater of Mt. Pinatubo!!!

These are random photos of me in all my trying-hard-to-be-adventurous glory!

What it feels like to be in the crater lake:

• The air/atmosphere is so HOT!
• The water is so COLD!
• There are toilets in the main area but not on the actual side of the crater.

We rode this awesome 4x4 jeep to and from the base camp:

Video of our screamfest haha!

Tips:

• We got the package where we paid Php 2500/pax (I think. That's what I remember). Minimum of 4 persons per group.
• You get to choose your trail. We got the shortest one. 
• They provide everything. When I say everything I mean meals, ride (4x4), tent, floaties, home cooked and warm food, umbrella. 
• They even carry your hiking bag for you. In my case, I was in my most unhealthy state and lifestyle when I made this trip, so I almost made the Kuya lift me up and take me to the crater because I am so afraid to pass out while trekking.
• When we finally reached the base camp from Mt. Pinatubo, we got accommodations from the the Korean spa to take a bath and a meal was prepared for us before we went home. 

Davao Birthday Weekend: [Day Two] My Birthday at Pearl Farm Resort

For our second day in Davao, we spent practically the whole day of my Birthday in Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

Since we were on a tight schedule and going to Pearl Farm is A MUST, we decided to get the Day Tour Package instead of the overnight package since we have to meet our Davao-based relatives for Dinner on the same day.

Day Tour Package (php2,500.00 / pax) includes:

• ·       1 Lunch
• ·       Round trip boat transfers
• ·       Use of resorts selected facilities (swimming pool, beach area, tennis court, basketball court and game room)

Boat Transfer Schedule:

Wharf In: 8:00 AM

Wharf Out: 4:00 PM

Davao Marina to Pearl Farm: 8AM/1:30PM/4PM/6PM

Pearl Farm to Davao Marina: 6:45AM/10AM/1PM/4PM

Special Boat Transfer Rate: Php7,000.00 – one way

WARNING: A photo loaded entry. I would've posted more pics for proof but there are just so many. So I just took the ones in my point-and -shoot camera. Sorry for some not-so-nice photos. It's hard to take blog-worthy pics while I'm enjoying the place while I can! 

Pearl Farm Marina Wharf. This is the place for checking in while waiting for our ferry to take us to Samal Island, where Pearl Farm is located.

They gave us an orientation and overview of what are the things and activities that we can do during our Day Tour on the Island. There is another separate Island owned by Pearl Farm and we can go there for FREE! We just need to schedule it.

On our way to Pearl Farm. I took a nap during the 45 minutes ferry ride. They provided us cutesy water drinks and when we're near the Resort Drop off, there were two jet ski riders providing us entertainment. Someone told me that it's Pearl Farm's strategy to make the guests look at the Jet Ski Riders because it takes some time for the ferry to position it self to the dock.

View of the Landmark and the Samal Houses of Pearl Farm. We were welcomed with the nice staff who gave us welcome drinks the moment we arrived.

Hello Pearl Farm! Finally we meet! 

There are really nice huts that's located by the pool that were strategically located. Can you see how clear the water is? I'm not even using a DSLR when I took this photo. I love their infinity pool as well, but the water is cold. I guess I'm just used to hot springs. 

Other side of the resort

We roamed around the place and a golf car took us to the other side of the beach. I took a photo of some of the Samal Houses for rent.

One of my favorite part - The Ylang Ylang Spa. The moment we arrived, my cousins and I immediately booked a body massage appointment.

Day Tour Package includes Lunch Buffet. I took the photo of my Kuya's Platter! Haha! They have the most delicious Buffet I've had in years and the desserts are just scrumptious!  

Happy Birthday to Me! We stayed at Mandaya 14 for FREE! The Manager of Pearl Farm is so nice and accommodating, when he learned that we were a large group of 14pax and ran out of by-the-pool huts, he arranged a free room for us during the day!

We were really lucky that we get to meet really nice people in Pearl Farm (regular customers) and gave us some of their spare cottages and tips on how we can request for extra accommodation.

Pearl Farm Notes:

• I would say: WE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE OVERNIGHT PACKAGE!
• Free use of their beach towels.
• Ferry rides are by schedule.
• There are designated smoking areas.
• A ferry ride is free, we had to arrange it the moment we arrive because other guests would like to go to the separate Island as well.
• The cheapest whole body massage is Php 800. But since my cousins and I were running late due to whatever activities we had, we just had a back massage for Phpo 200.00! They're sooo nice!
• The Mandaya house that we stayed do not have a door for the rest room. I don't know why?
• They only have one golf car to take us around, but the short cut way to the Mandaya houses is beside the Spa.
• They offer other tour packages like the hill top package which my mom and aunts availed while we kids roamed around the place, ala-survivor Philippines! LOL! 
• Pearl Farm offers package for honeymooners and the likes, it's best to take advantage of the package.
• The jetskis are for rent and we took home some sand samples from the separate Island. My sister and I have been collecting sand from every beach we went to ( EL Nido, Palawan, Boracay, Pagudpud - name it!) The guy in charge of the jetski took us for a nice ride in his jetski for free! 

I was telling my friends when I came back that Davao did not struck me as hard as Cebu, but I would definitely go back to Davao for PEARL FARM RESORT reasons!

This place is PERFECT for honeymooners. I think I want to tag along with my Kuya when he goes back haha! Hello third wheel!  But I am eyeing Bellarocca next for my destination. 

Upcoming post:

• Davao Birthday Weekend [Day Three] Eden Park and Some Last Minute Shopping

Happy Birth-month Blog!

I just recently came back from a vacation only to find my self needing a vacation from my vacation. Since I no longer have time to book a trip, I went ahead and booked my self  the most sure way to transport my self from all the stress in my "reality".

The spa that I go to has this "Close to Heaven" package  I told my self before that I will only get that package only when I feel that the time is right. Because I can't take pictures while getting things done, I just borrowed photos from the internet.

The Package includes:

A Foot Spa

Source

A Body Scrub

Source

A body bleaching session ( This is what it looks like, all white but only on the body and not on the face). Couldn't find a similar one on the internet.

Source

And a full body hard massage

Source

And yesterday, I bid November 2011 goodbye by spending literally half of the day just getting scrubbed off my old self (read: skin). I was so happy to know that my favorite therapist is finally back after 3 months of out of town vacation and I had my self my much needed hard massage that I've been lusting for, for quite sometime now.

And because I spent almost the entire day at the spa, they gave me a freebie treat to have hair hot oil treatment. My Kuya waited for me in the spa for more than four hours! ( I love having an older brother! Haha!) But hey he got some fancy treat at the spa as well.

Still trying to rummage through the several pictures from my birthday vacay but will try to find time before the year ends.

Yes,before the year ends.

It's December now! Can you believe it? This blog is officially a year old! I only remembered that it has been year just as I was typing "before the year ends".

Happy Birthday month Blog! I can't believe you have more than 21,200 page views in one year!

Thank you and Good Vibes everyone!

Cheers! <3

Hello Ventosa, We meet again

I was so stressed out last week from "almost-marrying-my-laptop" that I needed to have two massage in a week. I had a back massage and a pedicure on a Thursday, then I went back to the Spa last Sunday to have Ventosa done.

The first time I tried Ventosa or Cupping Therapy was back in... 2006 (I think). The Spa that I go to just recently offered Ventosa Back Massage back then and I decided to give it a go. Ventosa, according to Ezine Article is:

 is performed by placing glass on specific accupoints on your back. A technique is used to create a vacuum inside the glass placed on your back which lifts the skin. The practitioner then moves the cup toward the outside parts of the body sucking the air away.

The first time I tried it, I had my sister tag along with me to take pictures. Since my back looked like Philippine's Chocolate Hills in the pictures taken while on it, I just decided to just grab decent ones from the internet.

This is what it looks like:

This photo is from this blog

Experience Self-Dating

My cousin Chimayne gave me strict instructions to take her mum (together with my mom, aunt and uncle) to Ace Water Spa (where we went to) because they'll enjoy it. So yesterday, the day before the Buy One Take One promo ends, I accompanied them to the city to have their urban R&R. Translation: My Time Off on the sides as well! 

So while waiting for them to finish ( Ace Water Spa's Hyrdrotherapy is for 4 hours) I decided to kill time at Edsa Shangri-La Mall and watch... *drum roll please*

Ace Water Spa (Ortigas Branch)

Ace Water Spa's first branch is in Banawe, Quezon City and I first went there with my friend Mina. We went there on a weekday so that there'll be no one we know that we can bump into.

As part of my urban backpacking trip with my cousins, we went to Ace Water Spa's new branch which is in Ortigas (which is a good thing because it's nearer to the hotel where we're staying in for the weekend).

We got really lucky with Ace Water Spa! We were able to get their grand opening Buy 1-Take 1 promo of the 4 hours hydrotherapy massage for only Php275 each. (Php550 regular price)

Ace Water Spa Ortigas Branch

Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Centre

It's my second time to be in Grand Villa Resort. The first time I was with my cousins again and have no intention of posting pictures but this time I am armed with my camera for blogging purposes.


WARNING: Prepare yourself for lots of pictures of the resort. Rates and other details at the end of the post.


Resort Feature and Services:

• Butterfly Garden
• Spa
• Chapel
• Souvenir Shop
• Gym/Game Room
• Restaurant/ Sunken Bar
• Videoke/Mobile Sound System
• Karaoke Rooms
• Driver's Quarters/Lounge

Function Areas:

• Mini-Con - 40 pax capacity (Fully air conditioned) 
• Mariposa Hall - 80 pax capacity (Fully air conditioned)
• Forest Hall - 600 pax capacity (Fully air conditioned)
• Function A - 180 pax capacity (Open Air)
• Grand Pavilion (Open Air Gazebo) (Open Air)
• Pool side Area with elevated stage (Open Air)

Sanctuario de San Pablo (Round Two!)

For the second time around, we went to Sanctuario de San Pablo with my cousins. This time I got more pictures for this blog compared to my previous entry. As wedding suppliers (me as a wedding/event coordinator while my sister is a wedding/events florist), we are always eager to find something new in familiar places.

EARLY WARNING: A photo loaded entry.

Sanctuario de San Pablo's Operating Hours:
10am - 8pm daily
Rates: Php 550 for adults; Php350 for kids (4ft and below)
For massage packages, you will have to check availability of therapists because they only have 4 therapists in the house.

We decided to avail of the weekday rate. Php550.00 will get you:

• 5 hours of swimming/stay.
• 1 meal from the Buffet Menu
• Free use of the Cabanas

Additional information:

• On weekends, they have buffet for meals.
• No foods and drinks allowed in the resort.
• No pets allowed.
• Rate is inclusive of 5% Service Charge and 12% Vat. 
• It's better to call in advance because some companies reserve the whole place for a private function.
• Responsible smoking rule is implemented.

For Reservations and other offered packages as well as updated contact information, please scroll down til the end of the post.

Entrance going to the Pavillon aka official entrance

IC's soon-to-be-launched cocktail drinks

One lazy Saturday afternoon, after getting pampered at a nearby salon/spa, my friend Faye and I went out for a gabfest and drink. We decided to go to the oldest local pub called "IC's" and we forgot that they open at 6pm we arrived there at I think earlier than 5:30 but they let us in!

We just had a few drinks but ended up with five new cocktails for free because they wanted us to taste it first.   My best-heard-line for the night:

Faye: When I get free drinks usually they want my number, now they want FEEDBACK!

WARNING: Not good picture quality, because I did not think of bringing a camera so I took these photos using my camera phone.

We had five FREE soon-to-be-launched brand new IC's drinks

Our Ratings:

1 - lowest

5 - highest

Something something with HAVANA in the name

1 out of 5. It has coconut something in it. 

Japanese Slippers (Yep, as in Tsinelas)

Rating: 3 out 5 

It tastes like Cosmopolitan, only with a different color and cherry in it. 

Home made Irish Cream

Rating: 4 out of 5

Faye: This is good, try serving it warm... (and she went on with the Managers and I got lost somewhere!)

Choco mint cocktail drink and Espresso Martini

Choco Mint Rating: 5 out of 5

I'm biased when it comes to chocolate

Espresso Martini Rating: 5 out of 5

Faye: This is my kind of drink!

What are the new cocktails you've had lately?