Our weekend getaway

Our 10^th wedding anniversary was coming up and I wanted to do something for Mike after the surprise he gave me for my birthday…

Both of us being employees in a very fast-paced business world, I decided for us to go to a spa to relax… 

After browsing the net for nice weekend getaways, I chanced upon Valentino Resort and Spa in San Jose Batangas. Nestled in the lush greenery beside Mt. Makulot in Cuenca, it is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the corporate life.  

At first I looked for nice couple spas within Metro Manila, there were a few. Most are pretty expensive and for the same price, I could go overnight out of town.  So that was it…

Valentino Resort

So, the preparations begin. I booked for an overnight stay in their De Luxe room for October 2 and told Mike not to have plans for that weekend.

On the weekend itself, we started the day with a breakfast that was supposed to be served on bed. But Mike woke up before I prepared it inside the room and just opted to have it outside (pampasira ng surprise.. :P). We started to prepare to leave at around 8AM, but as always the case with Mike, he is always late. It seems as though if he is not late, he gets sick or something… so instead of leaving at 8AM, we left the house around 10AM, bought some water and chips. Then brought Ethan to my sister’s place in Merville, where he will stay until we get back.

Bigg's Diner

Until now, Mike does not know where we are going. He knows we are going on an overnight in a spa resort somewhere. It is hard to keep secrets from him. For one thing, I do not know how to drive. So the idea of kidnapping him will not work. Second, I don’t know a thing about cars. All I know is that you have to have them checked before travelling far and according to some information I had from people, the resort is about 3 hours away from Manila. Next, my control-freak husband (he will kill me if he sees me defining him as a control freak, hahahah…) is not used to changing his routine. If it is disrupted, you’ll pay dearly for it. So it was hard to plan a surprise without letting him in on some details. At least I was able to pull it off, a bit. So, back to the story, we are now on our way to the resort which he has absolutely no idea where, I gave him instructions one at a time, just like a treasure hunt.

We arrived at the resort around 3pm after some stopover at SM Lipa for lunch. By the way, we went to this place, Bigg’s Diner. We don’t have this in Manila. The food was not expensive. I tried their baby back with Java rice for only P198.00. And Mike had the chicken and kebab for P120+. We also had large ice teas for P53 each. It was not a bad meal considering the price.

So when we arrived at the resort, I was quite happy that Mike liked it. You know how he is, he has an opinion on everything. And everything that his attention catches will always be criticized. Hahahaha…. So I was not only happy but thrilled that he liked it. It was very “sosyal” for the price we paid. The venue was very serene and sophisticated. 

We decided to roam the grounds first and do some crazy pictures that depict a “Dodong and Inday” day off.

 

It was around 5 pm when we returned to the room and we decided to go for a swim at the pool and jacuzzi,

Infinity pool

which we had to ourselves. Hehehehe… Mike went to get his slippers which he left in the car. While he was gone, I fixed the Asti and the cibo spinach dip and crostini and flowers to surprise him. Then, tada! Happy Anniversary, honey! Hehehe… Unfortunately, part of the gift was some red light special.. hahaha… I was so ready for it as I was just back from Brazil (if you know what I mean…) but, the red flag was up so… back up plan instead… we headed for the jacuzzi and pool and just had a great time. At 6:30pm we had our appointment with the spa for a couple massage… After that, we ordered some late night dinner and planned to watch “Life is Beautiful” on the laptop to end the beautiful day we have spent together. A few minutes after………zzzzzzzzzzz…zzzzzzzz…… 

At the Bigg's Diner for lunch

Waiting for our order

Ice tea at Bigg's Diner

Chicken Cajun and Kebab with Java Rice at Bigg's

Baby Back Ribs with Java Rice and Buttered Veggies at Bigg's

Outside our room

At the hanging bridge

inside a villa

inside a villa

outside a villa

inside a standard room

outside the standard room

the restaurant

the spa

the outside of the spa

the pavillion

inside a pavillion

inside the restaurant

at the reception of the restaurant

inside the spa

view of Mt. Makulot

View of Mt. Makulot

The pool

My surprise

Grilled Chicken

Chopsuey

Sinigang na baboy

Filipino Breakfast with Tapang Taal

Continental Breakfast with Ham

The road back home

Footprints in my heart

A friend of mine told me that a good friend may not always be with you 24/7, but will always be there during the milestones of your life.

I have believed this and taken this to heart. So, even if I do not see my friends so often, I try to be present in their lives as much as possible.

Back in the day, I have friends whom I have spent every waking hour with. We go to the same school, had the same classes, ate lunch together and even spend after school hours together... If we do not share the same classes, we would always write notes to each other and exchange notes during breaks. It was as if we cannot live apart from each other. As years go by, the letters become less and less. Then the time to enter college came, and then we had our own busy lives to attend to. Then eventually, we became strangers. For years, we were not even talking to each other. We did not know what is happening to the life of the other. It seemed far-fetched that for years you spent your life together and then just for a short while, you become mere acquaintances.

 But, as all good friends are, you find yourself back together again. All it took was one night, then it’s like back when we were in school writing letters to each other..

I cannot say that we are back to knowing each and everything that happened to the other person’s lives, but at least the communication is now open. And we try to be together in each and every person’s milestone in life.

To my dearest friends, you have all left your footprints in my heart. And I will never ever forget each and everyone of you. I may not be there every time, but you can count on me when you need me..

The Manila International Book Fair September 2010

Last Saturday, my family and I decided to check out the 31st Manila International Book Fair which was held for 5 days from September 15 to 19, 2010 at the Exhibit Halls of SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

view from the top

 The Manila International Book Fair is one, if not the biggest assembly of publishers and bookstores. Some of the exhibitors were Abiva Publishing House, Rex Bookstore, Adarna House, Alexan Commercial,  Catholic Book Center, Shepherd House Publishers, Shepherd’s Voice Publications,  St. Pauls, Summit Media,  Vibal Publishing, National Bookstore and Goodwill Bookstore, Anvil Publishing,Sinag-Tala Publishers, University of Sto. Tomas Publishing House, Ateneo de Manila University Press, University of the Philippines Press.

The tickets were sold for P20.00 per person and P15.00 for students and faculty members. You may buy these upon registration.

By the registration

Here are some photos of the booths:

Si kuya na um-extra.. may kagat-labi pa

On the booth of PSICOM, they were selling stuff at 50% off. Plus, the author of the comic "Chopsticks" was there to for a comic book signing and he will even draw a caricature of you.

The author of Chopsticks

There were lots of activities for the young and old readers.. There was a story telling that was hosted by Lampara Books.

Story telling

Me, Ethan and Mr. Rex. As usual, I can't help but take a picture with a mascot..

Hay, too bad we didn't bring that much money. I will make sure to bring money next year... Even though, we had a great time. Kaso, Ethan was already complaining towards the end because he wanted so bad to buy his beyblade. For my son, toys still win against books. Hay, kanino kaya nagmana yun... I wonder...