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

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!)

PickMeUppers: Mani-Pedi

Earlier today I had a little nega vibe hangin around in me. I blame it on the PMS. So it's a good thing, my cousin paid me a visit and we decided to hit the spa.

One of my cousin and I's favorite bonding activity is going to the spa for either a massage or a mani-pedi.


A quote from Cosmo Phils Magazine, November 2010 Issue:

So we did. (But that's not us below)

Today I decided to have my toes french tip-ed:

My nails got a different color:

I like how my manicurist, Mylene, paints my nails. She makes sure the brush reaches the sides of my nails, and the stroke of the nail color brush is consistent.


My cousin decided to get a paraffin wax:


Paraffin Wax treatments are defined as:

"Paraffin wax treatments are luxurious spa treatments that are intended to moisturize and soften the skin. Paraffin wax treatments are most often applied to the hands and feet as components of manicures and pedicures respectively. Paraffin wax is unlike more common spa wax that is used for hair removal on the face and body. That type of wax is much more viscous and bonds to the skin." (Source: WiseGeek )

I like how therapists really take care of you:

My Cousin also had her hands waxed:

Her hand was all sweaty when the wax was peeled off

A guy beside me was getting his Pick-Me-Upper as well.

And while waiting for my nails to dry, I usually go through all the colors of the nail color that they have and discovered almost similar shade and name of the nail color, manufactured by different brands. 

Meet Violet Velvet (Brand:Chic) and Blue Velvet (Caronia)

After  2 hours in the spa just for mani-pedi,( well my cousin had several stuff lined up for her) we decided it's time to go.

Note: I do not recommend putting on a "quick-dry" solution. It'll only make the surface dry, but the deeper part, like the middle part of the painted nail is nt yet done. I read somewhere that if you want to make sure that your nails are now ready, make sure to do the ff:

• Double coat is the max, do not exceed with the color/ nail color application. 
• Listen to 3 songs consecutively while basically doing noting. (Just waiting for your nails to dry.)
• Dip your fingertips into a cold water for 10 seconds and pull it up. Then Air Dry.

I tried it and it worked! 

Spa and Catch Up

I'm sticking to my promise to post things this month about the things that I love. And this post goes to... spa and catch up!


For as long as I can remember, my cousin Jihan and I has been doing this usual catch up by going to the spa or salon together. Either to get a massage, a mani-padi then head out to the nearest cafe or resto to eat. Funny, we both lived in the city but we hardly have time to really see each other there. 


So when I retired from the BPO world and moved back to elbi, I always look forward to her coming home at least once a month. I feel like she's my connection to my old world. Plus, she's just super fun to talk to that's why I'm super glad she's my cousin.


Today, she filed for a VL (Vacation Leave) just for her to attend UP fair and at the same time get mani-pedi at our regular spa destination. I remember the last time I went with her to have our mani-pedi session. She wanted to try the "paraffin package" where they apply/dip your feet to a melted candle-like substance (wax) that's super hot and she went nuts! Her feet has thinner skin so her tolerance for the substance is quite low.


Paraffin wax, according to wisegeek, are treatments are luxurious spa treatments that are intended to moisturize and soften the skin. Paraffin wax treatments are most often applied to the hands and feet as components of manicures and pedicures respectively.


But this time, she can tolerate the wax more compared before, that's why I just to have it documented. :)

My cousin's hand paraffin wax

The orange liquid is the melted wax

I don't recommend getting a "kwik dry" after getting your toe nails painted

 The "Quick Dry" polish makes your pedi dry faster; but it just leaves the surface dry but still wet on the inside of the coat. 

Poor Over-walked feet

It's best to have a pedi every two weeks

 Then we went to Cafe Antonio in elbi square to grab something to eat before Jihan goes to Feb fair to meet her college friends. She said that she wanted to try their coffee because she heard that its good. 


Cafe Antonio in elbi is one of the pretty good coffee shops in elbi.  You can check their site here. 

Panini

Tuna on top of a biscuit

Tuna Panini

Trying the cam upclose

The spaghetti is good

Can you believe that this costs P290.00 all in?

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

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*

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

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. 

Sanctuario de San Pablo

I keep getting inquiries from friends in Manila about where to go in Laguna other than the forever Pansol Swimming Pools and Private Resorts... then I remembered... Sanctuario de San Pablo!


Last year, just around this time of the year, I went straight from work, took a bus and headed to Sanctuario de San Pablo. I met up with my cousins there because my cousin Stewart and his Mom discovered the place because it's en route to our grandma's house.


WARNING: Photos are not intentionally for blogging purposes so I just chose the decent ones that can be acceptable to blogging standards. 

For updated second entry, click HERE and Accommodations section HERE

The entrance

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

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.

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.

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)

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*

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