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Review of Golden Phoenix Hotel

Golden Phoenix Hotel is our choice for our accommodation during the GOT7 Keep Spinning in MNL concert held last 26 October 2019.

The hotel is conveniently located near SM Mall of Asia and also near the airport. If you have to attend within the area, this is a good place for you for your accommodation.

Check out my vlog to see our rating for Golden Phoenix Hotel.

2 Days in Osaka : Where to Go?

Inasmuch as you would like to visit all prefectures in Osaka in just one visit, chances are, it is really not possible.

Given only 2 days in Osaka, here are my recommendations.

Tips and Tricks For Your Next Halloween Party

I don't know how I will start this, but I just want to share my thoughts since maraming nagtataka at nagtatanong sakin sa Chat. Paano nga ba kami nakakapunta sa mga ganitong event? Di naman tayo VIP at wala tayong kilala na may alam sa mga ganitong event, Hindi natin anticipated na may ganito pala? 

So for us to be aware of incoming events let me share some tips and guide on how to join a Halloween Party.

Mommy Chrissa and Baby Xia

1. Set your Calendar

End of September to 1st-2nd week ng October, start na yan ng promotion ng ibat-ibang play grounds, malls at hotels. Pero para makita mo yung sample list ng mga Halloween Party sa Manila, check mo muna dito sa site na to, Mommypracticality.com.  Every year, nagpopost sya saan ka pwede mag join both Easter and Halloween Party. Updated sya.

2. Plan

Plan your budget, venue and what costume to dress your kid.

3. Save

Honestly hindi talaga practical ito kaya we need to save for this para hindi magalaw ang budget. Syempre wala namang free sa panahon ngayon pero meron din namang free.  

But expect na mas maraming mag-jojoin na kids kaya limited lang din ang makukuha mo. Kasi kung mag aavail ka ng ticket that will also includes snacks or buffet for adult at maraming loots na pwedeng itake-home si baby mas sulit.

4.Choose your Venue Hotel/Mall/Play Ground

Depende kasi kung anong prefer mong place.  If it's nearby or within metro manila also kung ano ang theme or kung gusto mo ba snacks or buffet ang food? Pwede rin, yan kasi madalas kong kino-consider since may kasama akong food is life, basta may food sasama sya.

5. Inquire

Minsan kahit may poster na at promotions kailangan pa rin natin mag inquire para sa other discount at hidden promotion like kapag 3 yrs old below ay free.

6. Avail your Ticket

Ito na, kapag check ka na sa lima, avail na agad ng ticket. 

Dapat maagap ka kung gusto mong makatipid ,check na agad sa MetroDeal at bili na agad for early bird discount, kasi super bilis din maubos ng ticket specially hotels. Minsan na akong naubusan ng ticket kaya ngayon lagi na ako nagpprepare para makabili agad ng ticket.

7. Choose your Child's costume

Ayan, kapag may ticket ka na costume naman ang iisipin mo. Tips para may chance ka manalo? Lagi mo itutugma yung Costume ng baby mo sa Theme. 

Dito sa party na sinalihan namin sobrang dami nag suot ng same costume ni Xia pero sya lang kasi yung pasok na pasok ang costume. I think yung magnifying glass ang nagdala. Kasi sya lang yung meron props. Hahaha!!! Which is sobrang hirap na hanapin ngayon. Luckily nabili ko sya sa isang antique store. oh diba effort? Tapos yung top nya Ukay-ukay at yung skirt sa tiangian ko lang binili since isang beses lang naman gagamitin, ginupit gupit ko na lang para magkasya sa kanya  Sabi nga nila effortan mo na kasi once a year lang naman.

8. Supportive Family

Believe me, isa to sa mga kailangan mo, moral at financial support. 

Like supportive partner at family na sasamahan ka para ganahan ka sa mga trip mo. Minsan kasi nakaka-boost din ng confidence kapag gusto rin nila yung ginagawa mo both for your family and for your children. Kaya I salute sa mga Lolo/Lola at Tita's/Tito's of Manila na sila pa bumibili ng costume ng mga bagets.

9. Patience

Dapat marami kang baon na pasensya, specially for toddlers.

Like kay Xia na may stage fright at ayaw nya sa maraming tao. Kaya ayun ang ending karga at iyak ang ginawa. Kaya super explain at pang-uuto ang ginawa namin para marelax sya at mag enjoy sa party

10. Join the Games

Experience din natin mga Mommy and Daddy yung mga games. Mas ma-boboost ang confidence ng mga bata kapag nakikita nila na game na game din ang parents nila also remind them if they want a price they need to join the game and win. Parang sa buhay kapag may gusto ka kailangan mo munang pag hirapan 

Ayan po yung 10 tips ko para sa mga may plano or gusto mag-join sa mga event next year. Specially first time mommies! Hindi naman kasi natin naexperience to nung mga bata pa tayo kaya let the children experience this fun occasion. 

That's why I highly suggest to consider this 10 tips from me. This can be a highlight sa childhood experience ng ating mga bagets.  Siguro di pa nila talaga maiintindihan bakit kailangan mag costume, pero I think happy naman sila with the toys and candies na nauuwi nila galing sa party.

_______________________________________

Words by : Chrissa Rance 

A young mother to 2 year-old Xia, Chrissa juggles motherhood and her career as an IT practitioner.  Despite her busy schedule, Mommy Chrissa still finds time to attend to her online store to augment her income.

45 and Fabulous : How I Celebrated My Birthday At the Office

24 October 2019

I turned 45 today and proud of it.

There were a lot of realizations and lessons during the past 5 years of my life. Some lessons were learned the hard way, while some were you can easily say "Alam ko na yan!"

l learned to accept the fact that we don't live in a perfect world and sometimes life can be unfair. So I choose my battles wisely.

I also learned that Happiness is a choice and I choose to celebrate life than anything else.

WOƦK HAƦD. GꞮVE MOƦE. PLAY HAƦDEƦ. This is still my mantra up to now.

=============

At kahit kasabay man sa "national issue" about the Baretto sisters ang birthday ko, sobrang feel na feel ko pa rin naman ang birthday ko ngayong araw.

Salamat sa mga bumati, nag text, nag message, nag chat. Sa dami dami ng nag greet dito sa FB wall ko. Sa mga nagbigay ng gifts :-)

Salamat din sa mga pa-andar ng mga officemates ko.

At heto na nga ang kanilang pa-surprise. Sharing with you my vlog about how I celebrated my birthday today at the office.

Many Thanks!

A Day in Hiroshima : The Sacred Torii Gate of Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Bombing

Our Hiroshima trip last December 2018 is one for the books. It's not included in our itinerary but we decided to visit Hiroshima and use our Wild Card Day. 

In every travel, I make it a point that I have this "Wild Card Day". 

Ito ay isang araw na hindi planado. It is a day devoted para sa mga biglaan yayaan. Pwedeng magpahinga, o pwedeng balikan ang mga lugar na sa palagay namin na hindi namin masyadong na-explore ng mga nakaraang araw.

Because we are a JR pass card holder, ninais na naming sulitin ito at sumugod kami sa Hiroshima.  My husband really wanted to visit it and he would like to know more about the atomic bombing which we can only read in our history books.

Miyajima Island

Miyajima Island is one of the most scenic spots in Japan and has long been regarded as an island of Gods. It is a romantic and historical island also known for its red torii gate.  The torii gate is built over water, and it looks floating in the water specially during high tide.

The island is also known for its deers that you can easily pet. Hindi man kami nakapunta sa, Nara, natuwa ako na marami rin palang mga usa rito.  Sa dami nila, parnag ordinaryong turista nalang din sila kapag makakasalubong mo.

There are also a lot of restaurants offering various local dishes. Dahil kilala ang Hiroshima for their big and succelent oysters, even though its pricey, hindi namin pinalagpas masubukan ito.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park / Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

The United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively.

Dahil gusto rin naming mas malaman pa ang istorya sa likod ng mga nababasa lang natin sa historby books, minabuti naming bumisita sa Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

The Peace Memorial Park was created to symbolize the need for everlasting peace.  It commemorates the many victims of the world's first nuclear attack in August 1945.

Located at the epicenter of the blast in what was once a bustling part of the city, the park includes a variety of important monuments, memorials, and museums relating to the events of that fateful day and its aftermath.

Our Hiroshima trip is truly memorable dahil first time naming maka-experience ng snow. Napa-isip tuloy ako, sa susunod kaya, winter wonderland naman in Japan.

12 Hours in Kyoto : Where to Go? What To Do?

You can reach Kyoto from Osaka for only 15 minutes via Shinkansen. But if you only have 12 hours to visit Kyoto, prepare a realistic itinerary.  I recommend that you just choose your Top 3 tourist spots to visit in Kyoto.

Here are my Top 3 list :

1. Fushimi Inari

2. The Golden Pavilion

3. Gion District

We fell in love with Kyoto, and yes, we will be back soon1

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Vlogging For The First Time : 10 Things I learned So Far

Is blogging a dying industry? I hope not. It is now the era of vlogging and video marketing, and so I am joining the bandwagon.

My very first time Vlogging using this phone camera set-up. Also, my first time to use Filmora as editing apps.

What have I learned so far?

1. Use a custom intro

2. Use lower thirds

3. Use full screen graphics

4. Use transition

5. End with screen background

6. Use storyboard

7. Practice to achieve that confidence in front of the camera

8. Prepare your script

9. For video branding and marketing, use logo and repeat

10. Call to Action

I will try my best to do better next time. Does it mean more travel vlogs? I hope so.

Thank you Youtube University! I have learned a lot in just 2 hours. 

Things You Need To Know About 10,000 Roses Cafe in Cebu

Taking selfies at 10,000 roses located in Cordova, Cebu is indeed a challenge at night.  I guess the best time to visit is at  6pm, kung saan nag aagaw ang liwanag at dilim.

Although the place is really romantic, do not expect much. I am expecting a huge field of led roses, but it is not as I was expecting.

The 10,000 roses cafe is actually a coffee shop, but you are not required to buy from the cafe. All you have to do is pay for the 20 pesos entrance fee for the access in their 10,000 roses field.

I suggest spend 30 minutes to get that selfie that you wanted and head over to Lantaw Seafood restaurant just beside it for a sumptuous dinner.

I will be sharing with you this video and see for yourself the challenges we've been through. 

Address : Day-as Barangay Road, beside Lantaw Floating Restaurant, Cordova, Cebu

Schedule : 10:30 am to 11:00 pm

Entrance fee : 20 pesos

Temple of Leah : Cebu's very own Taj Mahal

Let us talk about love this time.

20 to 30 minutes from Sirao Garden, you can visit Temple of Leah before catching that flight back to Manila. 

The temple was constructed in 2012 as a symbol of undying love and devotion of Teodorico Soriano Adarna to his wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.  Dubbed as the Taj Mahal of Cebu, the owner adopted an architectural and structural design that can withstand time and still be appreciated for a millennium where future generations of the Adarna clan can trace their roots and heritage.

If the surname sounds familiar, it is because Leah is the grandmother of actress, Ellen Adarna.  Leah's lifetime collections are showcased in the 24 chambers of this Temple principally for the members of her family who will cherish her memory.

The chandelier had been hung in pride since July 2018 in the grandiose hallway. This sparkling jewel complements the massive pillars and the high vaulted ceiling.  

You can also find bronze statues everywhere that accentuate the patters on the floors and walls.

This line of enormous pillars is a great background for that mala-goddess photo you have been wanting.  Aminin! 

I have been wanting to visit Europe, but reality bites,  I am not really ready for it. This is the closest I can get to have this kind of shots na mala Europe feels. Pwede na!

Entrance fee 

Php 75  

Address 

Graje Roosebelt Rd., Mandaue City, Cebu

Contact Number

0933-113-1755

Email Address

templeofleahcebucity@gmail.com

FB Page

https://www.facebook.com/TempleOfLeah/

Sirao Flower Garden : A Pictorial Garden with Amsterdam-ish Feel

Google “ New Attractions in Cebu City” and you will be blown away by the long list of tourist spots in Cebu.

If you have six hours to spare before heading back to  Manila, you may opt to visit Sirao Flower Garden and Temple of Leah to get your next  IG photo or most probably your next FB profile photo or cover photo.

Visiting Sirao Farm and Temple of Leah also proves to me once again the influence of social media in our society.  I’ve seen a lot of great photos taken in these places and I was really amazed and told myself I should have one too.

Sirao Flower Garden

A lush garden on top of the hill? How can I resist that view? 

Dubbed as the Little Amsterdam of Cebu City, Sirao Garden is located in Brgy. Sirao in the upland Busay area is showcasing the abundance of their red and yellow "burlas" flowers.  There is also this windmill for that "Amsterdam-ish" feel.

Be prepared with the right OOTD. I recommend for a flowy dress or a maxi dress for that mala-dyosa or mala-diwata feel in the garden.

Check out my IG worthy photos below :

"Dyosa"
Takot sila, but not me :-)

"Sari-manok"

"Ang itlog, bow!"

"Diwata"

"Mga lakwatserang frogs!" peace!

How to get there?  

It is suggested to take a private vehicle to avoid the hassle of transferring from one vehicle to another. 

By private car : use waze and search for "Sirao Flower Garden, Little Amsterdam"
By MotorBike : Take habal habal from JY Square Mall to take you directly to Sirao
By Van : Take a V-Hire going to Sirao either from SM Cebu or Ayala Cebu PUV Terminal, whichever is nearer to your hotel

Entrance fee : P60 pesos
Operating Hours : 6am to 630 pm for all visitors / 630pm to 630am for campers
Contact Details : 0946-937-7891

Skywheel : Conquer your Fear at Eden Nature Resort and Park Davao

Davao's  Eden Nature Park and Resort has a new attraction that will trigger the adrenaline junkie in you.

Recently, I gathered all the courage I have to try the Skywheel. I actually enjoyed that thrill of balancing in a metal wheel, just like a hamster wheel for 200 meters each way and 60 feet up in the air.

Somewhere in the middle, there is a tendency that the wheel will move a lot, so you need to actually lean forward and do your catwalk like a mowdel :-). Don't worry, all you have to do is take bigger steps so you won't stop in the middle.

Launched in May 2019, this newest offering from Eden Nature Park and Resort is one for the books. Make sure to bring with you a lot of energy, strength and stamina because it is also very tiring.

The Skywheel is open from 1 pm to 5 pm (Monday to Thursday), and 8 am to 5 pm (Friday to Sunday) for only 200 pesos per head.

Picturing Marawi at SM Supermalls

Revisit the tragic backstory of the Maranaos at SM's Picturing Marawi Photo Exhibit featuring the heart-tugging photos of the Marawi siege aftermath immortalized by former journalist Mylah Reyes Roque from June 3 to August 31 in select SM Malls.

 Ms. Mylah Reyes Roque

"The exhibit memorializes the tragedy in Marawi with the aim to engage mallgoers and help them have a greater understanding of the conflict," said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing.

Picturing Marawi narrates the aftermath of human conflict through images of buildings, homes, and mosques that are deserted by the war but nevertheless speak of the community that used to make it alive. These are stories of  a siege fought in close  quarters.

Catch the photo exhibit in the following SM malls : Megamall (June 4 to June 11), Southmall (June 24 to 29), Sucat (July 22 to 28), Rosario (August 5 to 11), and Telabastagan (August 25 to 31). This endeavour is in partnership with National Museum.

The Marawi siege was an armed conflict that took place in Marawi, Lanao del Sur - a city filled with pulsating energy that was silenced by war. The battle started on the 23rd of May 2017 and lasted for five months - leaving the city in ruins and ending the lives of many Filipinos.

For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com