PAHIYAS 2013: a taste of Lucban's Festival of Colors

photo and text by: Ysa Lavadia

Ever since I learned about the Pahiyas Festival when I was younger, I've always wanted to go. But every year, it's been excuse after excuse, and I always end up not going.

This year, a friend brought it up, and I decided no more excuses. On the morning of May 15, I got on a bus and made it happen.

A house decorated with stalks of rice and kiping chandeliers 

Li Li Restaurant's All-You-Can-Eat DIM SUM Buffet for only 888php #HyattManila

I feel guilty every time we travel on limited budget coz the first thing that we always have to sacrifice is food. Not that we don't eat but we often end up in fast food chains. On our Macau-HK trip in 2011 for example, we failed to fully experience Chinese cuisine. How sad. We know better now that you can always find a good place to eat without necessarily hurting your pocket ---even locally.

We always regard hotel buffets as expensive.I actually get the feeling that hotel buffets in the Philippines are relatively more expensive than in Malaysia for example.Weird.

To hear that HYATT MANILA has an All-You-Can-Eat DIM SUM Buffet for only 888php nett (really????) was a surprise and at the same time ---a celebration.

It's for real. Dimsum All You Can at Li Li Hyatt Manila for ONLY 888php!!!

Steamed fresh scallops dumpling 
aty Li Li Restaurant's All-You-Can-Eat DIM SUM Buffet

Bridal Buff Package at AHAVIA LOUNGE SPA San Juan

I guess this is what they mean with "A Slice of Manila's Hidden Places".

AHAVIA SPA LOUNGE is no secret but one which is literally hidden (being located inside a residential area in the middle of San Juan rather than on a main road where most business establishments are.) Kailangan mong sadyain tong place na to coz it's not even accessible by public transport but for all the right reasons, it's all worth it!

We have tried so many good spas so I feel nervous each time we check a new one.Nervous for myself for not getting satisfied and nervous for the establishment for the possibility of being bashed out in my blog.haha

AHAVIA LOUNGE SPA San Juan

Globe Tattoo Brings MARLON STOCKINGER and Lotus F1 Team closer to fans

Okay, I didn't get to see Marlon Stockinger up close and personal coz I came from a food event at Hyatt Manila and the venue at MOA Concert Grounds was already cordoned off when I got there but at least I got to see him drive the Lotus F1 race car and it was amazing! Tindi pala ng sound ng F1 cars, very intimidating.You can feel its power with the sound of the engine alone.

Lotus F1 race car, piloted by Tattoo brand ambassador Marlon Stockinger

TATTOO, the most reliable broadband in the country, literally took to the streets last weekend to showcase speed and power as it unleashed the fastest car on the planet by flying in to Manila for the very first time an authentic, race-tested Lotus F1 car.

TATTOO Brings Marlon Stockinger closer to fans

SHELL ISLAND at Hundred Islands National Park

I am writing this entry for my blogger friends and occasional travel buddies Mil and Ed of www.pinasmuna.com as they will be going to the Hundred Islands in Alaminos on May 18-19.

Of course 100 Islands is next to my hometown so I frequent the place.It's more of a love-it-hate-it destination for me since medyo nakakasawa na.It's weird though coz despite so many visits, I am still not very familiar with the place. We frequent the usual spots like "Quezon Island, Children's Island, Governor's Island".That until 2010 when Mica of www.senyorita.net and I organized a Hundred Islands Blogger's Tour.

We coordinated with the Local Tourism Board and they were very accommodating.Thanks to Mr. Rey Livara for assisting us, I came to appreciate Hundred Islands in a different light.

Of course, bagsak parin namin on our last leg of the Island Hopping Tour was Quezon Island, but at least, we got to visit Shell Island which for me was one of the highlights of the trip.

Here are some photos of Shell Island.

SHELL ISLAND at Hundred Islands National Park

DFA PASSPORT APPLICATION/RENEWAL GUIDE:online appointment,requirements, how much, tips etc.

This has been another learning process.Ako na ang travel blogger na tanga.And I was negligent.I will be flying to Vietnam on May 24 and it was only on May 2 that I decided to renew my passport which will expire June 16.Of course Philippine Immigration will not allow me to fly out of the country unless my passport is valid for the next 6 months on the day of departure.I was so relaxed thinking that it takes only 1 week now to renew a passport especially because the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already has satellite offices in SM-Megamall, SM-Manila and Robinsons Galleria for renewals.I remember getting my passport in 2008 via travel agency and it took me only 2 weeks. Fast forward May 2, 2013.I checked appointment slots online via http://passport.com.ph/,

SM-Megamall, earliest available slot June 5, omaygad!
SM-Manila, June 7!
Robinsons Galleria June 15.
I was in panic!

DFA PASSPORT APPLICATION/RENEWAL GUIDE

PHILIPS LED PH "Promise of a Greener World" photo exhibit + photo contest winners

Last Saturday, May 4, was the launch of Philips LED PH's photo exhibit at SM-Mall of Asia Main Mall Atrium where 16 photographs by the Young Photographer's Club of the Philippines (YOPHO) where showcased among which was my picture entitled "Generation Green".Thank you very much to all the support of my friends as my photo was voted "People's Choice" and it also entered the top 8 of the competition.Unfortunately, it wasn't able to make the cut for the top 3 spots.Still, I don't feel less and I am very thankful for the support and I am very proud of my photo.

PHILIPS' Promise of a Greener World Campaign is aimed at using LED lighting solutions can help reduce the Philippines’ carbon footprint, and avert the drastic effects of global warming.

my contribution to the "Promise of a Greener World" photo exhibit 

#TheBayleafIntramuros: the SKY DECK VIEW BAR dinner date

The first three (3) years of marriage they say is the most critical stage.Ours has been one with a lot of fun and excitement. We love doing things together so we have been having a wonderful adventure especially because we don't have kids yet. I wouldn't deny though that there have been a few bumps along the way.But nothing couldn't be solved with "good communication".

I realized that there have been small issues building up lately and my wife was starting to manifest her disappointment with me. I thought about a dinner date at The Bayleaf Intramuros' SKY DECK VIEW BAR as a perfect place to reconnect and patch things up.I sure am glad the planned pushed through.

the SKY DECK VIEW BAR dinner date

breakfast buffet at 9 SPOONS The Bayleaf Intramuros

I really mean it when I said that dining is one of the strongest asset of The Bayleaf Intramuros.

Do the Math. If you have a room accommodation worth approximately 3,500php (less than $100) which includes breakfast buffet for two, you would assume that all you can be afforded would be a "simple" breakfast.Wrong.I was surprised when I saw the selection they have at 9 Spoons which is where breakfast buffet for in-house guests is served daily.

Here are the photos to give you an idea.

breakfast buffet at 9 SPOONS The Bayleaf Intramuros

The BAYLEAF INTRAMUROS: Amazing view, Unbeatable Dining Experience

What makes a hotel a cut from the rest?That is a hard question. Minsan kasi pare-pareho na. That was also the first thing I asked myself when we tried The BAYLEAF INTRAMUROS. 
Fortunately, it's easy to answer.

1.Location
No other hotel is situated inside the walled city of Intramuros, that in itself is something.

2.Amazing View
None among any of the hotels I experienced has a SKY DECK VIEW BAR with a view of Metro Manila skyline this nice.Read on.

3.Unbeatable Dining
Great food  + a perfect cityscape view (day in and day out) compliments to an unbeatable dining experience.That, without hurting your pocket.

the lobby of The Bayleaf Intramuros

April 25 marks our 3rd year as a married couple. My wife was out of town on the 25th while I was at work so we didn't get to celebrate. Our stay at The Bayleaf Intramuros therefore has a personal significance. This is where we celebrated our wedding anniversary and at the same time our 13th year and 3 months of togetherness as a couple. Cheesy :)