Relaxing at Pawikan - Pansol, Los Banos, Laguna

To break the monotony of staying at home during the pandemic, our family decided to relax at a private resort at Pansol, Los Banos, Laguna on 13 August 2022. We reserved Pawikan, a private pool resort with a rustic and native theme but with modern facilities. The resort actually can accommodate about 15 people but we had the place for ourselves - four of us. There are three rooms which have at least four beds. We occupied the three rooms, one for Julia, another for Geof and the third room for us, Apple and I. All rooms are airconditioned.

There are two pools - one for kids and dipping and another for adults. The water is warm and relaxing - not so hot unlike in hotsprings. It has a big separate room with a kitchen, dining room and billiards. You can actually brig your food ingredients and cook your meals there since there pots and pans and gas stove for cooking. You have to bring your plates and eating utensils, though. There is a refrigerator and free drinking water.

You can order also for food by delivery since Grab and Food Panda are readily available at the vicinity. Overall, we had a relaxing day but not a quiet overnight stay since there loud speakers of Karaoke music in the other resorts nearby. We will be back for sure to this place. 

Our Tasty Walk-in at WOK INN during the pandemic

 

For almost two years, we have been dependent on food delivery via Grab or Food Panda to be able to taste our favorite dishes from popular restaurants. But visiting our favorite restos seems to be more enjoyable and fulfilling just like when Apple and I had our unplanned walk-in and dine-in at WOK INN, a popular Chinese resto beside the Malate Church. 

By tradition, you order at Wok Inn by pointing to their display of fresh seafood, meat and veggies. Our favorite orders are alahan soup,  sipa(stuffed with minced pork) and the stuffed squid. The taste and the serving of Wok Inn remains the same- tasty and value for money. Eating our favorite dishes brings back memories when we were still not married and now going into our senior years, Wok Inn remains one of our favorites. After enjoying our dine-in, we made sure we have take-home also for the kids - stuffed squid and stuffed tofu. Our total bill for dine-in (3 dishes, 2 cups of rice and one canned soda plus the take-out dishes (with SC discount) is only P1100.00 +. What a treat!

Wok Inn Display of Fresh Seafoof, Meat and Vegge

A soup of alahan is a good way to start your food adventure

Sipa - it's stuffed with minced pork and shaped like a sipa (a kid's game)

My favorite stuffed squid with leeks and special sauce

 

Watami on Father's Day

19 June 2022 is Father's Day. A day to celebrate to thank the Lord and celebrate for the life despite the challenges specially the pandemic. I suggested Watami, a Japanese restaurant which I found to be serving good and tasty hotpot. My first Watami experience was at Shangrila Mall when Apple and UP friends, Gil, Chuck,  et al met for a reunion with Annette, my niece living in the Netherlands. 

So we had lunch at Watami at UP Town Center, QC. We ordered pork curry, tempura, chicken wings and the shabu shabu hotpot. I realized after tasting the hotpot that it was not the same hotpot that I enjoyed during my first Watami experience. The Sumu Hotpot was phased-out by the resto according to the manager at Watami when we visited the Shangrila Mall branch in one dinner. I told the manager that it's the Sumo Hot Pot which I craved for, why did they removed it from the menu. Anyway, back to the original story on Father's Day lunch. We enjoyed the Watami food except the Shabu Shabu Hot Pot. Food rating is 4/5. 

Pork Curry

Tebasaki

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot

Ebi Tempura

Nunu, the Naughty Cat

Nunu loves to watch the birds outside. This is his new tambayan.

Our family adopted a kitty from Malabon. We named the kitty as Nene since we assumed that the kitty is female. But when the cat grew we noticed some balls and finally realized that Nene is male. Hence, the change of name to "Nunu" or simply "Pusa." Nunu is a naughty and playful cat. Everyday we release him from the cage so that it can explore around the house with Oscar, the shitzu. Nunu loves to go inside a cartoon box, peek outside through the windows and go inside the bedroom.

I never like cats because of their sharp nails which cause scratches when they defend themsleves or even when they play with you. As Nunu get used to be domesticated, he has become playful and now allows us to pet and touch him with very little resistance. I didn't realize that dogs and cats can be friends. Nunu loves to play hide and seek with Oscar. Sometimes they engage in physical play. Nunu has become part of the family with five of our dogs - Oscar, Bruno, Seria, Oreo and Princess. 

Nunu loves to watch K-Drama with us! Aish!

Nunu explores the food pantry 😁

Nomiya Izakaya

 A rare opportunity to eat out during the pandemic with the family. A small Japanese resto. along Scout Santiago, QC is Nomiya, Izakaya. I was looking forward to grilled dishes like yakitori but there were none. We were not disappointed though. The maki, ebi tempura, agedashi tofu and seafood with vegetables were great. Looking forward to our next visit. Kampai!

Spicy Salmon Maki

Califronia Maki

Ebi Tempura

Seafood Tepan

Agedashi Tofu

Selfie infront of the Izakaya

Visita Iglesia - Holy Week 2022

Infront of the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish

On Holy Week 2022, specifically Maundy Thursday, our family ventured on Visita Iglesia where we visited 7 churches in our vicinity. This was also an opportunity to go out after almost two years of staying at home due to the pandemic. So what churches did we visited? 

1. Parish of Mary Imaculate Concepcion - Carmel 1, QC
2. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Church, Project 6, QC
3. Our Lady of Hope, Bagong Pag-asa, QC
4. Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Village, QC
5. Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila, QC
6. Church of the Holy Sacrifice, UP Diliman, QC
7. Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Mira Nila, Tandang Sora, QC

Parish of Mary Imaculate Concepcion - Carmel 1, QC

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Church, Project 6, QC

Our Lady of Hope, Bagong Pag-asa, QC

Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Philam Village, QC

Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, New Manila, QC

Church of the Holy Sacrifice, UP Diliman, QC

Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Mira Nila, Tandang Sora, QC

Our Family - PINK Fighting!

 They say the greatest gift parents can give to their children is to be good examples. 

Our 1st Pink rally for Leni-Kiko at Quezon City Memorial Circle

Since they were young, Andy and I have always shared our social and political views with our children.  During meals, we talk about society and politics, and occasionally would ask our kids for their views, too.  But being naturally quiet, Geof and Julia most of the time simply listened.

I get to know about their political views on issues when they ask me to edit their essays for school.  When I read their compositions, I truly marvel not just at the writing skills of both these kids, but also at the firmness of their beliefs and convictions. 

 We bring them with us in rallies – mostly EDSA anniversary celebrations and (Presidential) campaign rallies. From the time they were small until today, when they are already young adults.  

We took part in a Holy Mass  at ADMU House of Jesu for the Sumilao Farmers

This 2022 election season, Andy and I were very much involved in the campaign, supporting Leni, Kiko, and the Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TROPA).  So when Leni and Kiko had their mass mobilization at the Quezon Memorial Circle last February, the mass for the Sumilao Farmer in Ateneo de Manila University chapel, and the Meeting de Avance (MdA) in Makati in May, we went together as family.  Since both kids are now grown up, we checked first with them if they are joining us because they feel compelled because we are their parents (Julia even had to skip her class party to join us in the MdA); but they assured us that they are doing it because they also want to join, and believe in what the mobilizations stand for.  That made my heart skipped a bit.

We stayed overnight at a nearby hotel so that we can be part of the miting-de-avance for TROPA!

Perhaps this is what the elders always remind us of when we were young – that the greatest gift our children can give us is to become good and responsible human beings. We are indeed proud parents for having children who understands the value of fighting for what is right, noble, and true.

Samgy Garden Unli Grilled and Shabu Shabu

 

If you are looking for a Korean Barbecue Grill Garden with a good view of Manila Bay especially during sunset, Samgy Garden at Seascpae Village near Sofitel Hotel is the restaurant that you should visit. Samgy Garden serves unlimitted grill meat and seafood and shabu shabu. Your order is accompanied  by unlimited rice, side dishes like veggie, appetizers, cheese & sauces. The staff are very warm and assist the costumers in the grilling of the meat and seafood. They even serve the grilled meat to your plate. We were not heavy eaters so we may not have fully maximized the unli offers but we were satisifed with the food. If you are a heavy eater and would like value for money, try Samgy Garden.

Welcome to Samgy Garden, Sea Scape Village, Pasay City.

https://www.facebook.com/samgygarden/

U N L I M I T E D Samgyeopsal & Healthy Shabu- shabu with the view of Manila Bay’s Sunset

Come M E A T & G R I L L with us!

Prices are as follows:

UNLIMITED PORK SET: P599.00

UNLIMITED ALL MEAT & SEAFOOD: P699.00

UNLIMITED ALL MEAT & SEAFOOD & WAGYU CUBES: P849.00

UNLIMITED SHABU SHABU: P699.00

UNLIMITED SHABU SHABU + UNLI SHABU SHABU BALLS: P 799.00

Every set comes with UNLIMITED: Rice, Side Dishes, Cheese & Sauces and Different kinds of Meat