Online Airfare Payments Made Easier by Bancnet

if you're that type who shuns credit cards (like moi), you can still purchase your plane tickets online via bancnet.  just make sure that your bank is a bancnet member.



but airline membership is currently limited to cebu pacific and philippine airlines.  let's hope they will expand to include other local and international airlines for an even easier online transaction.

start booking those flights! 

Total Entertainment at Eton Centris

we were on our way to sampaloc one day to check out this sta claus factory we saw advertised on tv.  then i suddenly saw these white flat disks jutting out of the sky at the intersection of quezon avenue and edsa.  it was magnificent.  what a great architecture!  it reminded me of the great frank lloyd wright's columns inside the johnson wax administration building in wisconsin, usa.

if you still haven't been to eton centris, try going one of these days.  it's a great place to unwind, entertain foreign guests, or have fun with family and friends.  a waiter at clawdaddy informed us that the disks look even better at night 'coz they light up in different colors.  i'd love to go back to see that.

we saw quite a number of restaurants already open for business.  so you surely won't go home hungry once you go for a visit.  moreover, there are a lot of attractions currently being built.  there is definitely more to look forward to on our next visit.  i think it'll compete with bonifacio high street once completed.

here are some pictures i took...

                                     

                                     

       

i am so excited for this eton project.  it will surely help boost local tourism.  let's us patronize these types of developments so that investors won't cease to invest and help create a more beautiful and entertaining philippines.

Stonehouse Gardens Resort

if you're looking for other places to visit during your stay in cam sur or naga city, i suggest you check out the stonehouse gardens resort.  it's in panicuason.  the place has a breathtaking mountain view. 

it's now open to the public.

and here's a feature about the resort in bikol travel.
have fun!

Cebu Pacific Seat Sale Alert! (Beijing and Singapore)

catch Cebu Pacific's Seat Sale from August 17 - 19, 2010
for international flights to Beijing and Singapore!

Cebu - Singapore P1,999
Travel Period:  Nov 1 - 30, 2010

Manila to Guangzhou, Shanghai or Beijing P1,999
Travel Period:  Oct 1 - Nov 30, 2010

*cebupac terms and conditions apply

Of Beans and Sonya

We were in Tagaytay recently. Upon the recommendation of an officemate, we went to Bag of Beans (or BOB) in Mendez for our early lunch. BOB is known for their coffee alamid, which comes from the droppings of civet cats. since we still don't have the stomach to feed on cat droppings, we opted to taste it some other time.

BOB offers a variety of dishes from grilled ones to pasta and main courses like chicken ala kiev or fish and chips. they also offer a mixture of hot and cold beverages. desserts to cap your meal are also offered like apple pie alamode and cheesecake.

My hubby had 'norwegian salmon steak' (P350+)..

while I had 'roast beef' (P320+).

i was extra happy when the salmon steak was served. it was way bigger than what i expected and we normally get here in manila. super value for money. it was also grilled well, just the way we wanted. Even my son liked it and had a few spoonfuls himself. the mashed potato which came w/ the salmon tasted so good. i must say it's one of the best i've tasted thus far.  my roasted beef was cooked to perfection as well. and if eaten with either the mashed potato or buttered veggies, the roasted beef came off even yummier!

after taking some souvenir shots in their garden, we hit the road for our next destination...

Sonya's Garden is a good 10mins (no traffic) away from 'bag of beans'. quite far actually. but we were quite surprised by what we saw inside their compound ('was told the entire property is around 1.5 ha.) -- their big parking lot was filled w/ cars -- on a rainy, sunday afternoon.

since it was pouring hard that day, we decided to go directly to their spa, found some distance away from the restaurant.

the interiors is very reminiscent of those old spanish - filipino colonial houses -- capiz shell sliding windows, wooden doors and staircase, carved wood furnitures.  rooms are named after plant genus.

we had foot reflex and back massage treatment (P560). we wanted our son to experience their gentle massage (P350); unfortunately, he didn't like to lie down when his turn came. sad.

my masseuse was really good. i found it too difficult not to take a nap. her combination of soft and hard presses on my feet and back were timed right. there was also variety in her kneads. even my head was given a short massage, which felt so relaxing. when they were done, we were given warm dalandan with mint juices while still imbibing our rejuvenated muscles.
 

we enjoyed the whole experience so much that my husband promised we'll be back soon. before we left, we bought some newly-baked spanish bread (P100/10pcs) which were uber soft, milky and delicious. 

here's a picture of their bakery.

and here's a fountain we found in the garden...  beautiful isn't it?

Where to Stay in Mindanao

The Marco Polo Davao -- (082)221.0888
Apo View Hotel Davao -- (082)221.6431
Butuan Luxury Hotel -- (085)341.6384
D'Counter Executive Davao -- (082)226.2045
Davao Fortune Inn -- (082)221.0819
Grand Men Seng Hotel Davao -- (082)221.9040
Executive Hotel Ozamis -- (088)521.0360
Executive Pension Cagayan de Oro -- (088)856.4360
Hotel Elena Davao -- (082)233.1941
Hillsview Inn & Inland Resort Agusan del sur -- (085)225.2909
Microtel Inn & Suites Davao -- (082)233.2333
My Hotel Davao -- (082)300.4040
Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort Samal Island Davao -- (082)233.0251
Pearl Farm Beach Resort -- (082)221.9970
Sequoia Inn Davao -- (082)300.3636
Southern Tourist Inn Davao -- (082)221.7431
TCC Condo Hostel Davao -- (082)291.3800
Pearlmont Inn Cagayan de Oro -- (088)856.2653
Mallberry Suites Business Hotel Cagayan de Oro -- (088)855.7999
Victoria Suites Hotel Cayagan de Oro -- (088)857.4447


 
*just email me if you want to be included in our list

Where to Stay in the Visayas and Boracay

Badian Island Beach Resort Cebu -- (032)475.1103
The Golden Peak Hotel & Suites Cebu -- (032)233.8111
Alegre Beach Resort Sogod Cebu -- (032)254.9800
Alta Cebu Village Resort Cordova Cebu -- (032)496.7399
Amarela Resort Bohol -- (038)502.9497
Ananyana Beach Resort Panglao Bohol -- (038)502.8101
Bellavista Hotel Mactan -- (032)340.7821
Bohol Beach Club -- (038)411.5222
Bohol La Roca Hotel Tagbilaran -- (038)411.3798
Bohol Tropics Resort Tagbilaran -- (038)411.3510
Casa Escano Cebu -- (032)253.5564
Castle Peak Hotel Cebu -- (032)233.1811
Cebu White Sands at Maribago Beach Mactan -- (032)495.2226
Centennial Plaza Hotel Iloilo -- (033)337.2277
Citi Park Hotel Cebu -- (032)422.8833
City Corporate Inn Iloilo -- (032)335.0166
Coastal Inn Dumaguete -- (035)225.9501
Dumaluan Beach Resort Panglao Bohol -- (038)502.9092
Harbor Town Hotel Iloilo -- (033)337.2384
Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa -- (032)492.7777
Hotel Asia Cebu -- (032)255.8536
Hotel Cesario Mactan -- (032)340.0211
Hotel de Mercedes Cebu -- (032)253.1105
Hotel Nicanor Dumaguete -- (035)422.5114
La Fiesta Hotel Iloilo -- (033)338.0044
Mango Park Hotel Cebu -- (032)233.5695
Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort Mactan -- (032)492.0100
O Hotel Bacolod -- (034)433.7401
Obdulia's Business Inn Dumaguete -- (035)226.3291
Plantation Bay Mactan -- (032)340.5900
Plaza Maria Luisa Suites Inn Dumaguete -- (035)225.3267
Portofino Resort Mactan -- (032)495.7881
Rajah Park Hotel Cebu -- (032)412.3337
Shangri-la mactan Resort & Spa -- (032)231.0288
The Orchard Cebu Hotel -- (032)344.1322
The Sugarland Hotel Bacolod -- (034)435.2690
Water Front Cebu Hotel & Casino -- (032)232.6888


Boracay (area code 036):
7 Stones Boracay Suites -- 288.1601
Alta Vista de Boracay -- 403.2672
Boracay Garden Resort -- 288.6633
Boracay Regency Beach Resort & Convention Center -- 288.6111
Boracay Hills -- 288.3315
Boracay Peninsula -- 288.3145
Boracay Tropics -- 887.0581
Casa Pilar Beach Resort -- 288.3202
Cohiba Villas -- 288.4792
Hotel Isla Boracay -- 288.4402
Le Soleil de Boracay Resort -- 288.6209
Red Coconut Beach Resort -- 288.3507
The Boracay Beach Resort -- 288.3208
Willy's Beach Club Hotel -- 288.3794
Regency Lagoon Resort -- 288.2828
Tonglen Beach Resort -- 288.3457
One MGM Boracay Resort & Convention Center -- 288.3728


 
*just email me if you want to be included in the list

Where to Stay in Luzon

Macagang Business Center Hotel & Resort, Nabua, CamSur (054)288.3091

Baden Powell Inn Baguio City -- (074)442.8177
Casablanca Hotel Legaspi City -- (052)480.8334
CBD Plaza Hotel Naga City -- (054)472.0318
CWC Villa Del Rey Hotel Pili, CamSur -- (054)475.4897
EGI Albergo Hotel Baguio City -- (074)424.2620
Filipiniana Hotel Or. Mindoro -- (043)286.2624
Golden Sunset Resort Calatagan Batangas -- (032)782.9038
Hotel Gregorio Batangas -- (043)757.3178
Hotel La Corona De Lipa Batangas -- (043)756.1223
Hotel Supreme Baguio City -- (074)443.2016
Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay City -- (046)483.8888
Hotel Lorita Tuguegarao -- (078)846.3453
Hotel Veniz Baguio City -- (074)446.0700
Inn Rocio Baguio City -- (074)442.4028
Iriga Plaza Hotel CamSur -- (054)299.9999
Java Hotel Laoag City -- (077)770.5996
Kartini Hotel Centennial Rd Kawit Cavite -- (046)489.8581
La Maja Rica Hotel & Resto Ligtasan Tarlac -- (045)611.2053
Laoag Renzo Hotel -- (077)770.4898
Mountain Lodge Hotel & Resto Baguio City -- (074)442.4544
Nick Hotel Tarlac -- (045)608.0565
Platinum Hotel San Pablo City -- (049)561.2810
Subic Grand Seas Resort Olongapo -- (047)222.8541
Summer Place Hotel Baguio City -- (02)783.8355
Star Plaza Hotel Dagupan City -- (075)523.4888
Starview Hotel Naga City -- (054)472.6892
Skyrise Hotel Apartelle & Resto Baguio City -- (074)445.6834
Villa Caceres Hotel Naga City -- (054)473.6530
Abra Valley Grand Hotel Bangued Abra -- (074)752.8933
The Sulo Riviera Lucena City -- (042)660.5400
The Lake Hotel Tagaytay -- (046)413.4680
Tagaytay Country Hotel Tagaytay -- (046)888.5784
Subic Bay Free Port Zone (area code 047):
Bayfront Hotel Zambales -- 252.1948
Camayan Beach Resort & Hotel Subic Bay -- 252.8000
Moonbay Marina Villas Zambales -- 252.1663
RK Hotel Subic Bay Gateway Park -- 252.9998
Subic Bay Travellers Hotel Zambales -- 252.1688
Subic Bay Hotel Venezia Zambales -- 252.1888
Subic International Hotel Zambales -- 252.2222
The Lighthouse Marina Resort Moonbay Marina Complex -- 252.5000
Vista Marina Hotel & Resort Zambales -- 252.3373
Clark Special Economic Zone (area code 045):
Holiday Inn Resort Clark Pampanga -- 599.8000
Hotel Stotsenberg Pampanga -- 499.0777
Oxford Hotel Pampanga -- 599.7888
Fontana Hot Springs Leisure Parks Pampanga -- 524.9340


 
*just email me if you want to be included in our list

Where to Stay in Metro Manila

(area code 02)



5-Star Hotels:
Manila Hotel -- 527.0011
Century Park Hotel -- 528.8888
Crowne Plaza Galleria -- 633.7222
Dusit Thani Manila -- 867.3333
Edsa Shangri-La -- 633.8888
Holiday Inn Galleria Manila -- 633.7111
Mandarin Oriental Manila -- 750.8888
Makati Shangri-la -- 813.8888
Marriott Hotel Manila -- 988.9999
New World Hotel Makati -- 811.6888
Pan Pacific Manila -- 536.0788
Sofitel Philippine Plaza -- 551.5555
The Bellevue Manila -- 771.8181
The Heritage Hotel Manila -- 854.8888
Vivere Suites -- 771.7777
Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center -- 637.7888

4-Star Hotels:
Bayview Park Hotel -- 526.1555
Discovery Suites -- 683.8222
Great Eastern Hotel -- 400.0088
The Pearl Manila Hotel -- 400.0088
The Richmonde Hotel Ortigas -- 638.7777
Traders Hotel -- 523.7011
Water Front Manila Pavilion -- 526.1212


3-Stars Hotels:
Aloha Hotel -- 526.8088
Astor Hotel -- 750.7500
Best Western Hotel La Corona -- 524.2631
Cherry Blossoms Hotel -- 523.7631
City Garden Hotel Makati -- 899.1111
City Garden Suites -- 536.1451
Citystate Tower Hotel -- 400.7351
Copacabana Apartment Hotel -- 851.8888
Fersal Place Hotel Quezon City -- 426.7308
Garden Plaza Hotel -- 522.4835
Great Eastern Hotel Makati -- 898.2888
Greenhills Elan Hotel -- 744.7979
Makati Palace Hotel -- 899.0344
Hotel Rembrant -- 373.333
Hotel Kimberly Manila -- 521.1888
Imperial Palace Suites -- 927.8001
Lancaster Hotels -- 532.1818
Las Palmas Hotel -- 521.1000
Lotus Garden Hotel -- 522.1515
Manila Manor Hotel -- 525.9065
Millennium Plaza Hotel -- 899.4718
Oxford Suites Makati -- 899.7888
Park Oasis Hotel -- 521.2371
Royal Bellagio Hotel -- 899.5555
Sir William's Hotel -- 371.4333
Stone House Bed & Breakfast -- 724.7551
The Sulo Riviera -- 924.5051
The Copa Businessman's Hotel -- 844.8811
Tri-place Hotel & Appartelle -- 415.5324


Others:
Hostel 1632 -- 522.8888
Hotel 878 Libis -- 709.0154
The Ambassador Manila -- 303.8806
The Studiio 87 Residences -- 927.4204
The Contemporary Hotel -- 716.8266



*just email me if you want to be included in our list

Misibis Resorts, Estates and Spa

your retirement home in albay..

this development is a world-class residential resort deveopment found at the southeasternmost tip of Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay.

Misibis is the only leisure development in the country that has been declared as a special tourism economic zone through Presidential Proclamation 998 signed last February 14, 2006 by no other than, former President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo.

the owners of said development are also responsible for the premier hotel in Legaspi City -- Hotel Venezia.

Misibis Resorts, Estates and Spa

Unit 1109 Tektite West Tower

PSE Center, Ortigas, Pasig City

02.637.4959 / 02.632.7812

http://misibis.com/

info@misibis.com

*photos courtesy of misibis/hotel venezia

Discover Hongkong! Here's how...

are you thinking of bringing your family or friends to hongkong but are clueless on how to plan your trip? we were in that same situation a month ago. but since we're resourceful, we scoured the web for all the information we needed.

we're thankful we were successful. our trip was tiring -- but so much fun and exciting! there were many stories to tell, many happy moments to treasure. i hope the same goes to you. just check these links and you'll have all the information you'll need about hongkong.

bon voyage!

http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=428807
--> i suggest you start here. if you just read this thread from start to finish(very long actually), you'll know everything you need to know about hongkong (well, almost)

http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm
--> this is the site to go to if you want to know the 7-day Weather Forecast for hongkong. check this site a few days before you leave, and preferably before packing, so you're sure you'll have the right clothes for your trip.

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/index.html
--> important things to check are the terminal maps, airline informations, early check-in time, security requirements, among others.

http://www.mtr.com.hk/engtxt/homepage/cust_txt_index.html
--> this site is very important as it'll teach you how to best commute within hongkong -- by train, bus, or taxi. hongkong means lots of commuting and walking. so better study the maps and tourist guide so you don't get lost.

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/seasia/
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/map.html
--> if you want to DIY your trip, use this site to create a sample itinerary.


here are the different websites of hongkong's major attractions:
http://www.madame-tussauds.com.hk/
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/
http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/home.asp
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/front/index.asp

Puerto Princesa: Bakers Hill

When you're in Puerto Princesa, don't forget to drop by Bakers Hill. It's a 20-minute tricycle ride from downtown.  It'll cost you P25/pax one-way. Better if you go in small groups. Like in our case, there were three of us so we paid only P150 for the entire trip. You can request the tricycle driver to wait for you while you go around the compound as it's quite far from the city; and so, tricycles are hard to come by.

A few meters from Bakers Hill is Mitra Farm. We didn't drop by as there was limited time left. We were in Palawan only for a day and our return flight to Manila was at 5:50pm. We'll reserve Mitra Farm on another business trip.

Mitra Road is known for big residential estates. You'll see a couple of big houses while going up the road to Bakers Hill. One property owner was even bold enough to write his name and former occupation outside his gate, in big capital letters. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture. Maybe next time.  But here are some pictures of the houses inside Bakers Hill.

The decors you'll find within Bakers Hill are a feast for the eyes. They try to make every crook and cranny a photo opp spot. If you're the kind who likes having your pictures taken, this is a good place to visit.

Locals say their specialty is hopia. But when I tasted the newly baked hopia ube (P37/10pcs a box) I bought...hmm...Eng Bee Tin's tasted better. I also bought a small pack of, may I mention, very expensive kasuy (P100). Sad to say, the kasuy I bought at the market on my first trip to Puerto Princesa tasted better and cost way less than theirs. But hey, Bakers Hill is a tourist destination so I guess they have a right to bill higher.

Weather on the Hill is a bit cold. So bring a light jacket if you plan to stay til nightfall.  By the way, they have a mini resto within the compound so you need not worry about lunch or dinner.

Have fun!


Bakers Hill Bakeshoppe
Mitra Road, Bgy Sta Monica,
Puerto Princesa City
(044) 433-3414