Everytime our company has an event like the boss birthday party, Christmas, thanksgiving or any other gathering, we always held at the warehouse hiring singers, dancers, disco lights, sounds system, catering thats goes with the full buffet setup. But last March, on Uncle C's 50th birthday party, instead of a party, we opted for a celebration at pool - for a change!
We searched for a reasonable and affordable resort near our area, after checking other resorts, we chose Circle Island Resort for its ambiance, nice swimming pools and yes affordability.

The entrance fee for adults is Php 150.00 and kids for Php 100.00. After checking their website, there seems to be a different pricing depending on the season and since we went on March so we were charged for summer. But anyway, it is still cheaper compared to other resort as it has many valued added benefits.


These hut you can rent out depending on location and capacity. For more information, you can visit their site for a complete pricelist.

If you have a special function, perhaps a birthday party with numerous participants, this will be a very good venue as they have a big function room as shown below.



We searched for a reasonable and affordable resort near our area, after checking other resorts, we chose Circle Island Resort for its ambiance, nice swimming pools and yes affordability.

The entrance fee for adults is Php 150.00 and kids for Php 100.00. After checking their website, there seems to be a different pricing depending on the season and since we went on March so we were charged for summer. But anyway, it is still cheaper compared to other resort as it has many valued added benefits.


These hut you can rent out depending on location and capacity. For more information, you can visit their site for a complete pricelist.

If you have a special function, perhaps a birthday party with numerous participants, this will be a very good venue as they have a big function room as shown below.



When we moved to this new house, the old furnitures of the landlord were left as the other house where she wanted to place them was not available at the time of our moval. So basically, some of our furnitures cannot be moved in this house so we stored them in the warehouse. Its also better as the house now is small and we have furnitures requires a big space.
Some of the dining chairs are broken and I asked some guys from the warehouse to repair them. Now its in working condition but I need to replace the table cloth as it was like this since we arrived. Or maybe I will just wait for sale items at SM Bacoor.
Some of the dining chairs are broken and I asked some guys from the warehouse to repair them. Now its in working condition but I need to replace the table cloth as it was like this since we arrived. Or maybe I will just wait for sale items at SM Bacoor.
These photos are taken at Hotel Majapahit, one of the oldest hotel in Surabaya.
Hotel History from their website:
Originally built in 1910 by the famous Sarkies brother, Hotel Majapahit is a classic landmark hotel filled with national pride, where an impressive history blends with romance and elegance. Its graceful architecture, landscaped gardens, resort spa and gym complete hotel Majapahit’s colonial style oasis with resort spa and recreation facilities.
Located in the heart of Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city and a fabled trading port since the 15th century, the Majapahit has gone by a variety of names over its long history.
1910: built as Oranje Hotel (named after Dutch Royal family) by Lucas Martin Sarkies of the famous Armenian family whose collection of grand hotels included the Raffles in Singapore, the Strand in Rangoon and Eastern and Oriental in Penang.
1936: hotel front extended and built in the then-fashionable Art Deco style. Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard, attended the opening of a new addition to the front of the hotel. Beside forming the lobby, it also contained a cake and ice cream shop "Hoen Kwee", as well as another the Dutch stationery shop "Van Drop"
1942: In World War II, which reached Java, the Oranje is taken by Japanese, changed its name to be "Yamato Hoteru" or "Hotel Yamato" during the three and a half years of Japanese occupation
1945: On September, 19, 1945, at 6.00 am, The leader of the Mastiff Carbolic Part, organized by the Anglo Dutch Country section, together with other Dutch from the Social Contract Commission raised the Dutch’s red-white-blue flag on the main flag pole of the hotel. It was a symbol to show Dutch colonial control after the allies victory in World War II. The Indonesians considered the raising of the Dutch flag on top of the hotel as an insult to Indonesia’s proclamation of independence, which was made in Jakarta on August 17th.
By. 6.30 am, a crowd of angry Indonesians who had gathered in front promptly raised a cry of "Merdeka" (freedom), lowered the offending flag, and tore off the bottom of blue strip, thus turning it into the Indonesian flag. Confusion and tragedy ensued. A British commander was murdered in October and a full scale invasion was launched the following month, beginning on 10 November 1945. 10 November is celebrated nationally as Heroes Day and Surabaya is called "The City of Heroes" with an appropriate monument to mark the famous battle.
For the next few months, while the revolution carried on Surabaya, the hotel was known as "Hotel Merdeka" or the "Liberty Hotel".
1946: The hotel was again managed by the Sarkies Family and underwent yet another name change, called the hotel L.M.S (after its founder Lucas Martin Sarkies). It continued as such until 1969 when a new group of owners decided to call it the Majapahit, after one of ancient Indonesia’s most enduring kingdoms. This name, its fifth in nearly 60 years, was retained when the property was purchased by new owner.
1996: After a 2 year, restoration job, the hotel Majapahit re-opened as a Mandarin Oriental Hotel Majapahit, Surabaya, a 5-star Deluxe Hotel and regained its position as Surabaya’s premier hotel
2006: On September 22, after ten years with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group as the hotel’s operator, Hotel Majapahit re-establish itself as an independently-managed 5 star International deluxe hotel.

Thats me and Uncle C having a coffee break after a factory visit.

I love this coffee so much, probably the best coffee ever tasted. Its aroma thats so tempting.. I finished 2 coffee in one sitting. Thats how addicting it is.
Hotel History from their website:
Originally built in 1910 by the famous Sarkies brother, Hotel Majapahit is a classic landmark hotel filled with national pride, where an impressive history blends with romance and elegance. Its graceful architecture, landscaped gardens, resort spa and gym complete hotel Majapahit’s colonial style oasis with resort spa and recreation facilities.
Located in the heart of Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city and a fabled trading port since the 15th century, the Majapahit has gone by a variety of names over its long history.
1910: built as Oranje Hotel (named after Dutch Royal family) by Lucas Martin Sarkies of the famous Armenian family whose collection of grand hotels included the Raffles in Singapore, the Strand in Rangoon and Eastern and Oriental in Penang.
1936: hotel front extended and built in the then-fashionable Art Deco style. Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard, attended the opening of a new addition to the front of the hotel. Beside forming the lobby, it also contained a cake and ice cream shop "Hoen Kwee", as well as another the Dutch stationery shop "Van Drop"
1942: In World War II, which reached Java, the Oranje is taken by Japanese, changed its name to be "Yamato Hoteru" or "Hotel Yamato" during the three and a half years of Japanese occupation
1945: On September, 19, 1945, at 6.00 am, The leader of the Mastiff Carbolic Part, organized by the Anglo Dutch Country section, together with other Dutch from the Social Contract Commission raised the Dutch’s red-white-blue flag on the main flag pole of the hotel. It was a symbol to show Dutch colonial control after the allies victory in World War II. The Indonesians considered the raising of the Dutch flag on top of the hotel as an insult to Indonesia’s proclamation of independence, which was made in Jakarta on August 17th.
By. 6.30 am, a crowd of angry Indonesians who had gathered in front promptly raised a cry of "Merdeka" (freedom), lowered the offending flag, and tore off the bottom of blue strip, thus turning it into the Indonesian flag. Confusion and tragedy ensued. A British commander was murdered in October and a full scale invasion was launched the following month, beginning on 10 November 1945. 10 November is celebrated nationally as Heroes Day and Surabaya is called "The City of Heroes" with an appropriate monument to mark the famous battle.
For the next few months, while the revolution carried on Surabaya, the hotel was known as "Hotel Merdeka" or the "Liberty Hotel".
1946: The hotel was again managed by the Sarkies Family and underwent yet another name change, called the hotel L.M.S (after its founder Lucas Martin Sarkies). It continued as such until 1969 when a new group of owners decided to call it the Majapahit, after one of ancient Indonesia’s most enduring kingdoms. This name, its fifth in nearly 60 years, was retained when the property was purchased by new owner.
1996: After a 2 year, restoration job, the hotel Majapahit re-opened as a Mandarin Oriental Hotel Majapahit, Surabaya, a 5-star Deluxe Hotel and regained its position as Surabaya’s premier hotel
2006: On September 22, after ten years with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group as the hotel’s operator, Hotel Majapahit re-establish itself as an independently-managed 5 star International deluxe hotel.

Thats me and Uncle C having a coffee break after a factory visit.

I love this coffee so much, probably the best coffee ever tasted. Its aroma thats so tempting.. I finished 2 coffee in one sitting. Thats how addicting it is.

Do you like dried fish? We call dried fish in Tagalog "tuyo" and in Visayan "buwad" or "bulad" depending on your location either in Visayas or Mindanao.
Anyway, this photo is taken at a Korean public market. This is how their dried fish is displayed. Thats we cant help it but stop and take a photo - yes for souvenir. :)

Its always nice to travel to other country as you can see how they live and the way the eat.
Anyway, this photo is taken at a Korean public market. This is how their dried fish is displayed. Thats we cant help it but stop and take a photo - yes for souvenir. :)

Its always nice to travel to other country as you can see how they live and the way the eat.
Hubby is currently in the canteen as he was invited by a friend in their shooting club for a drink. After sending us home, he came back and so here I am in my mini-office trying to blog about our previous activities.
Chedeng is arriving and is already pouring so much rain around our area. Its cold and I am in the mood for drinking. I looked at the fridge and saw this Angus O'Neil's Ginger Beer. I was curious about this beer as it says ginger..

The taste is kind of gingery.. and a little bit sweet.. a different taste! I am sure some of my lady friends will love this as it is not bitter at all.
Angus O'neil's is made in Australia. Named after the son of Frederick O'Neil who commenced bottling table ales in North Fitzroy. Its a family business he founded in 1840.
Chedeng is arriving and is already pouring so much rain around our area. Its cold and I am in the mood for drinking. I looked at the fridge and saw this Angus O'Neil's Ginger Beer. I was curious about this beer as it says ginger..

The taste is kind of gingery.. and a little bit sweet.. a different taste! I am sure some of my lady friends will love this as it is not bitter at all.
Angus O'neil's is made in Australia. Named after the son of Frederick O'Neil who commenced bottling table ales in North Fitzroy. Its a family business he founded in 1840.
One of the mommy of PMC mentioned today that she is earning more in her travel and fashion blogs niche. After reading that, I am inspired to update my fashion blog "Viva Fashionista" and yes - this blog "Viva Trips & Tips" for my travel niche.
I have a lot of these post at my main blog "Viva Pinay" but was inspired by the mommy groups to get another niche. So here I am, in this travel blog.
I must admit I have a lot of long-overdue post about my trips in Germany, Korea, China and recently in Indonesia. I havent really made any useful post about these trips so I guess, its time for me to really sit and concentrate.
I have a lot of these post at my main blog "Viva Pinay" but was inspired by the mommy groups to get another niche. So here I am, in this travel blog.
I must admit I have a lot of long-overdue post about my trips in Germany, Korea, China and recently in Indonesia. I havent really made any useful post about these trips so I guess, its time for me to really sit and concentrate.
Kimchi is one of the delicacies of korean food. Everytime Koreans eat, one of the variand in the table is always kimchi. There seems to be many kinds of kimchi. I should know because the wife of my boss is a Korean and everytime she comes here in the Philippines or we visit her in Germany, kimchi is always present in her fridge.

For that matter, I am kind of used to eating the korean way. When we went to Korea last year, we would always eat at traditional Korean restaurant and I say - its really difficult to sit in the floor. I mean with this kind of tummy now, hey, its difficult. I cant fold it!! lol

Anyway, while we were in Seoul, after a series of meetings and factory visits, we wanted to relax on our own and just walked along the busy streetrs of Seoul. Then our feet sent us to a market.. these photos are actually taken at a public market.

For that matter, I am kind of used to eating the korean way. When we went to Korea last year, we would always eat at traditional Korean restaurant and I say - its really difficult to sit in the floor. I mean with this kind of tummy now, hey, its difficult. I cant fold it!! lol

Anyway, while we were in Seoul, after a series of meetings and factory visits, we wanted to relax on our own and just walked along the busy streetrs of Seoul. Then our feet sent us to a market.. these photos are actually taken at a public market.
My hubby went to Beijing last year to visit one of our buyer. He was invited for a dinner at a traditional chinese restaurant.

These were the foods served. He said that these are the traditional cooking of Chinese. That I cant confirm as I am not a Chinese.

The meat here looks so appetizing. Hubby said it was delicious.




These were the foods served. He said that these are the traditional cooking of Chinese. That I cant confirm as I am not a Chinese.

The meat here looks so appetizing. Hubby said it was delicious.



I was surprised one afternoon after a stressful day in the office when my kids showed me their snacks prepared in school.
These are the ingredients I bought for their Ham Sandwich:
The sandwich was manually prepared by the kids while the teacher was looking. This is according to their yaya who also get to learn as together with other yayas also watched the activity.
These are the ingredients I bought for their Ham Sandwich:
- 1/4 kl cooked ham
- 1 pc spring onion
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- Gardenia load bread
- 1 tbsp salt
- 220 ml mayonnaise
- sandwich bag
The sandwich was manually prepared by the kids while the teacher was looking. This is according to their yaya who also get to learn as together with other yayas also watched the activity.
Welcome to my new blog.. I am so blessed as I was one of the recipient of 10 free .info domains from Nita of Thomas Hosting, one of the member of PMC and a fello Bisdak Bloggers.
Sis, thanks a lot for this free domain.
I actually have another food blog "House of Maria", but since I got a free domain - this "Taste Matters" will be my foodies blog. House of Maria will be for home management and real estate.
Sis, thanks a lot for this free domain.
I actually have another food blog "House of Maria", but since I got a free domain - this "Taste Matters" will be my foodies blog. House of Maria will be for home management and real estate.
Summer is sun, sand and fun. Kids are bored at home so we as parents, tries to bring them in the countryside while people from the countryside will bring the kids in the city. Here are 8 tips from Working Mom Magazine for a smooth drive to the countryside.
1. Recharge, refuel and recondition your vehicle
Get your oil changed, check your batteries and your brake fluid and make sure your tires are in the best condition.
2. Travel with the right company
They say familiarity breeds contempt, and long hours of confinement inside a moving vehicle can test people's patience.
3. Enlist a co-driver
This way, you can also take a nap and recharge, or simply sit back and enjoy the view.
4. Prepare a special playlist
It will keep you awake during long drives and cool you down in major traffic
5. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen
You can get sunburn even in the cool confines of your car. Sunglasses will prevent eye strain and too much time on unnecessary stops.
6. Stock up on snacks
This will save you from spending too much money on convenience store meals and from wasting too much time on unnecessary stops.
7. Keep boredom at bay
Bring games that kids can play while on the road or start a game of I Spy. Make prior research on the route your taking and the thinks of interest on the way to your destination so you can amuse them with snippets of trivia and stories.
8. Bring in a positive vibe and have fun
Begin your road trip with an adventurous spirit. Keep an open mind and be ready to embrace all the little surprises and perhaps some mishaps) that you will meet along the way. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
1. Recharge, refuel and recondition your vehicle
Get your oil changed, check your batteries and your brake fluid and make sure your tires are in the best condition.
2. Travel with the right company
They say familiarity breeds contempt, and long hours of confinement inside a moving vehicle can test people's patience.
3. Enlist a co-driver
This way, you can also take a nap and recharge, or simply sit back and enjoy the view.
4. Prepare a special playlist
It will keep you awake during long drives and cool you down in major traffic
5. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen
You can get sunburn even in the cool confines of your car. Sunglasses will prevent eye strain and too much time on unnecessary stops.
6. Stock up on snacks
This will save you from spending too much money on convenience store meals and from wasting too much time on unnecessary stops.
7. Keep boredom at bay
Bring games that kids can play while on the road or start a game of I Spy. Make prior research on the route your taking and the thinks of interest on the way to your destination so you can amuse them with snippets of trivia and stories.
8. Bring in a positive vibe and have fun
Begin your road trip with an adventurous spirit. Keep an open mind and be ready to embrace all the little surprises and perhaps some mishaps) that you will meet along the way. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) wishes to inform the public that measures have been put in place to address the delay in the processing and releasing of passports which are caused by the recent unprecedented increase in passport applications and other technical concerns.
The DFA will extend up to one year the validity of the current expiring passports of applicants who have urgent travel. The extension will be free of charge while the applicants are waiting for the release of their new electronic passports (ePassports).
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and applicants who need their passports on emergency circumstances (e.g., medical concerns, death in the immediate family) are advised to go to the Passport Director’s Office, for assistance. The Passport Director’s Office is located at the ground floor of the DFA-OCA at the Aseana Business Park along Macapagal Avenue.
Also, the DFA-OCA has extended its work hours, and opened its services on Saturdays. Passport processing services is now available until 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
The DFA advises the public to file for their passport applications at least 12 weeks before their intended date of travel.
The DFA is exerting all efforts and is committed to resolve the delays at the soonest possible time, and requests the public’s patience and understanding, particularly those who applied at its Regional Consular Offices (RCOs).
For additional information, the public may call the DFA-OCA at telephone nos. (02) 737-1000 and (02) 556-0000, send an email to oca@dfa.gov.ph or visit the Department’s website at www.dfa.gov.ph.
Source: Gov Ph
The DFA will extend up to one year the validity of the current expiring passports of applicants who have urgent travel. The extension will be free of charge while the applicants are waiting for the release of their new electronic passports (ePassports).
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and applicants who need their passports on emergency circumstances (e.g., medical concerns, death in the immediate family) are advised to go to the Passport Director’s Office, for assistance. The Passport Director’s Office is located at the ground floor of the DFA-OCA at the Aseana Business Park along Macapagal Avenue.
Also, the DFA-OCA has extended its work hours, and opened its services on Saturdays. Passport processing services is now available until 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
The DFA advises the public to file for their passport applications at least 12 weeks before their intended date of travel.
The DFA is exerting all efforts and is committed to resolve the delays at the soonest possible time, and requests the public’s patience and understanding, particularly those who applied at its Regional Consular Offices (RCOs).
For additional information, the public may call the DFA-OCA at telephone nos. (02) 737-1000 and (02) 556-0000, send an email to oca@dfa.gov.ph or visit the Department’s website at www.dfa.gov.ph.
Source: Gov Ph