Our Cebu Trip: Mactan- Swimming at Tambuli East

Since I prepared our things to bring to Mactan, we just lingered at our room for 20 minutes and then proceed downstairs.

I knew that arranging a cab to Mactan is quite tricky as drivers don't want to be metered there. We did have difficulties finding one until we settle for a cab asking for P400 to drop us at Tambuli Beach Resort. I know it's a lot since it's only P250 for some but having Kat on tow made us decide to just grab the next taxi.

It was already around 10 am and traffic was hell. It was traffic near SM and near Mandaue. We took pictures of the bridge and ourselves whilst in taxi to kill time.

We finally reached Tambuli at around 11am and we paid P1000 for the day tour (P500, each. P100 for the entrance and P400 for food and drinks consumable at their restaurants in either Tambuli East/West/Cebu beach Club). We decided to go to Tambuli East first (You can also visit West or Cebu Beach Club since there owners are just the same).

I changed to my swimming attire and lather lotion on Kat. We swam for an hour and took pictures. The sand is not so white and it's full of shell pieces. Luckily, not one stabbed my foot. Hehe...

 

 

Then we proceed to Tambuli East's restaurant. Chris ordered "Sugbang Kitong" or  Smoked Tiger fish and Coke, while I order Spaghetti and Sprite. I know I should try their delicacies but there's nothing there that fancied me. Chris fish was fine, but my Spaghetti was yuck! The sauce was to sour and I then later realized that it's ketchup they'd use on the sauce. I'm a sucker for spaghetti but this time I didn't finish my plate. Again, yuck!

Our bill is P650. We have worth of P800 consumable for food so instead of having it all taken from our food stub, we gave one P400 food stub and paid for P250 since we plan to use the other P400 stub at the other resort. So after eating, we went to the nearby resort...

To be continued...


More photos here.

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Our Cebu Trip: Taboan Market

It's September 8 and it's Chris' birthday. :D

We woke up the next day around 7am and went to Taboan Market for our pasalubong shopping. P45 for the cab fare.

We went stall by stall and I've noticed that the prices for dried mangoes, peanut kisses etc are much cheaper in Shamrock store. But since the 50 gram dried mangoes are out of stock in Shamrock, we decided to just buy there. We bought  30 pcs of Dried mangoes, 50 grams (forgot the brand), at P25 each and 30 pcs of Peanut Kisses at P11 each for a total of P980.

We also bought dried fish, pusit, fish tocino, and fish tapa at a total of P575. I forgot the breakdown of each.

We then went to Larsian BBQ again at Fuente for breakfast since I know they're open 24hours. We really did enjoy our experience the other night so we decided to eat there again. Cab fare is P55.

Even though Larsian is open for P24 hours, it's only a number of stalls open there. We practically order the same food last night, Puso, Coke and Barbeque.

We dine and took photos again. Hehe. We managed to take a picture before we actually eat. Total bill was P198. Still not bad.

We went back to our hotel again. P50 fare.

More photos here..
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Our Cebu Trip: Larsian BBQ at Fuente Osmena

We fell asleep upon arriving at our hotel room. I set my phone's alarm at around 3:30pm to be able to tour downtown Cebu for visiting Magellan's Cross, Basilica, etc.

I was awoken by Kat and I was surprised that it's already 6pm. Sadly, I didn't wake up on time. Probably because of fatigue and lack of sleep. I woke up Chris and didn't succeeded until 7:30 pm. We went to Larsian BBQ at Fuente Osmena.

Taxi Ride to Robinson's is P40. We were supposed to checked the mall but it's already closed. We went to Mercury Drugstore to buy bottle nipples and walk around the circle til we reached Shamrock House. We went in the store and checked the prices for pasalubong. P36 for Otap, P11 for Peanut Kisses and P20 for 50grams of Dried Mango. We didn't buy yet as we thought it's too much to carry.

After a few walk, we reached Larsian BBQ. It's famous for it's delicious barbeque. I didn't remember the name of the stall we ate, sadly but the food was great. We ordered chicken breast, chicken intestines and chicken skin. We were served a basket of Puso and 1 liter of coke. We ate enthusiastically with Kat on my lap. It's a custom to eat with your hands wrapped in plastic, dunno why since it's easier without the plastic.

We finished eating, with some constant disturbance from kids selling some stuff. Later on, a group of Barangay Tanod came and chase all those kids. I'm not sure why but we guessed that it's either curfew or they're not allowed to loiter and sell there.

Total bill is only P150! :D A bargain, I must add.

I could really say I enjoyed eating at Larsian compared to CNT. But it's just me.

The cab fare back is P40 but this time, the driver didn't gave us change from P50 I handed in.  I know there is a thorn amongst the roses. Hehe..

The rest of the photos are here.
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Our Cebu Trip: CNT Lechon

We settle in the room for a little bit. I fixed our things, hang our clothes, clean Kat's feeding bottles etc. Around 11:00 am, we left the hotel to go to the famous CNT Lechon near SM Cebu. It was highly recommended by a lot of forum members I frequently visit.

The taxi ride went smoothly. I handed P70 (P50 and P20 bill) since our meter is P60. It took a moment for me to alight the cab and I was again surprised that the driver handed me P10 coin for the change. Kudos to Cebu cab drivers!

We went to the 2nd floor where the restaurant is located. There, we didn't know how the lines progress. Apparently, you have to get a number, specially if you're ordering Lechon and wait to be called. It's funny since the numbers are color-coded. It's number 29 red when we arrived there. I picked number 4 blue.

After 5 minutes of waiting, I was called. I told them my order which is 1/4 Lechon, dine-in. I picked 3 Puso (rice cooked in bamboo (?) leaves), Chris then said that 1/4 Lechon seems not enough for us so I ordered another 1/4 Lechon with 2 bottles of mineral water. Total bill is only P240! Amazing!

We ate and I was a little disappointed with the Lechon. It's too salty for my taste. We finished eating with still a plate full. It seems that 1/4 Lechon is enough for us. I then just asked for a plastic bag to bring the food back at the hotel.

After eating, we're kinda sleepy since we went to Cebu straight after shift so we decided to head back to our hotel. P60 cab ride.

Our Cebu Trip: Going to La Guardia Hotel

We proceeded to the taxi bay and as advised by one blogger, we didn't hire for the yellow airport cabs. Instead, we passed through them, proceed to the right-side of the airport and went up the stairs were white metered cabs are waiting. I then called our hotel to confirm that we'd arrive and if we can check in early. The receptionist confirmed that we can just proceed there.

We rode Kuya Buddy's cab (BNG, if I'm not mistaken) and I gave him the map of La Guardia Hotel. He took time to read the map and then proceed. I could say that Cebu is like Commonwealth at Mactan, Manila at Mandaue City, Lacson/Espana at Midtown Cebu, and Recto at Downtown Cebu. I say i kinda hate the traffic and the stop lights there.

Chris and I talked while traveling and Kuya Buddy sometimes interrupted our talk and kinda selling his services for a day tour. His flat fee is P1500 which is great since some charges P2500 up. We just said we'd call him up if we want his services. (Later on, we decided not to avail since our hotel is near most of the tourists spots which is just around P40-P50 taxi fare.)

It took us an hour and a half to reach La Guardia Hotel which is in downtown Cebu. Our meter is P200, so I gave Kuya Buddy P500, I was expecting him to hand me at least P250 as changed but he gave me P300. Drivers there has the courtesy to give you exact change which is really, really awesome compared to here in Manila.

La Guardia Hotel is located at the 2nd floor and I could say that it's really noisy and crowded downstairs, where electronic and appliances establishments are located. Imagine, Carriedo and Recto. I didn't mind since the room we reserved is just P600/night which is great compared to other hotels/pensions.

The ambiance is really great at the 2nd floor. The receptionist made us wait a little since she's busy with another customer checking out. I didn't mind it since she's the only one there and things like this happens. I then spoke to another receptionist who just arrived and told her about my reservation. She immediately assisted me. I told her I'd pay for our 2 night stay upfront as we'll be in and out of the hotel the next day (they have a policy were you have to pay for each night at around 12noon check out time). She then activated the key card for 2 days. I paid P1200 for 2nights and P300 for security deposit (just if in case you avail laundry, etc).

We went up to our room assisted by the bell boy. I've seen the pictures of their rooms at their website and I can say it's great, for P600 room/night.

Sorry for the clutter... hehe

I advise to those not to avail the Deluxe rooms of La Guardia as it made no difference to Standard rooms. Plus, Deluxe are located along the main street where it's very noisy even at night.

Our Cebu Trip: All about the Flight

So we're off to Cebu!

We first rode a tryke outside our barangay to hire a cab, P24. Luckily we managed to hire EFE taxi to Domestic Airport. Taxi fare is P120. Good enough.

Kat, Chris and I inside the taxi

Upon arriving at the airport, we checked-in at Zest Air counter and proceed to departure area. We paid P200 each for terminal fee and waited for 2 hours till we board the plane.

We were first to be assisted as we have an infant on tow. Our seats are from 3e-3ef (window seat) and Kat was just seating on our laps.

The plane left at around 8:20 am, exactly on time. Standard demonstration was presented by the flight attendants and it's free time.

I know it's bad to use your camera inside the plane since it might cause interference on the plane's electronics but we're hard-headed. We still took pictures during flight.

 3 of us during flight

 

 Kat and me

Metro Cebu

some island i don't know

Kat looking at the pictures on the flight manual

 Chris and Kat

Our flight arrived early. It was supposed to arrive at around 9:35am but we're there at 9:10am which is great since it's our first time flying with Zest Air.  I give them 4.5 out of 5. :D


The rest of the photos are here and here.
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Vice Ganda is in the cover of Reader's Digest Asia

Check this out

Vice Ganda in Reader's Digest Asia

Also Vice Ganda in her first starring role: Petrang Kabayo



She really did go a long, long way.

New Glee Season Promo with Charice

So Proud of you girl!

~Ber Months...

So it's already September 1 today. It's the beginning of the so-called "~Ber" Months. You know, the months that end with -ber (September, October, November and December.

Days passed quickly. You wouldn't notice that people are already counting down days til Christmas or New Year.

It's the start of the month. Time to hit new targets. Time to be more productive and stick to schedules.

My DFA e-Passport Application Experience

I just want to share to everyone about my experience getting a Passport at DFA. For a new applicant like me, stories like these helped me prepare for the 'real-deal'. Hehe




Prior going to DFA today, I had our appointments scheduled a month ago via DFA's Passport Appointment System online. August 25 isn't the earliest on the schedule then, but it's the only schedule left which could accommodate me, Chris and Kat together. Just fill out the form, print it out, and have all requirements ready for the big day.


Thinking that the whole process would take half day, Chris and I filed for Vacation leave for this day. (Only to find out that it's really not needed)


I finished Tuesday shift and went home to rest while I'm waiting for Chris to return. He finished his shift at 5am and went home at 6am.


We left our house around 6:40 am since our schedules is at 7:00am. We took a cab and we're there at around 7:05am.


Upon entering the DFA grounds, I've noticed there are a lot of people already in line so I was worried whether the half day rumors are true. (My office mate Meann had her passport renewed last Monday and it took her around 5hrs to complete everything! She has different scenario, though.. Her passport was flooded during typhoon Ondoy)


The guard at the gate inspected my bag as SOP then he pointed us to go the nearby desk. There, an employee scanned the bar codes from my e-Passport application form which I printed out prior. The bar codes show our name and schedule on the computer. Then the guy highlighted our schedule on the sheet. He then mentioned to proceed to the next door at the right. Chris whispered, 'Yeah right, as if there is a door at the left'.. I chuckled... (the building is on your right side and it's the waiting area at the left)


At the door, the lady stopped us immediately as she said we can just proceed to the courtesy lane on the 2nd floor. I remember reading from a blogger about her experience that she wasn't accommodated on the 2nd floor even if she's with her 1yr plus daughter as they only accommodate infants less than 1 year, senior citizens and pregnant women. I read it caused her a lot of unwanted delay. I told the lady at the door, 'I thought it's only infants less than a year that is allowed there?' She smiled and politely told me, 'No, Ma'am. You can just proceed there.' I still doubt what she's telling me and I was about to protest when Chris told me, 'Just let it go. If that's what they told us, it's not our problem anymore' And I let it go.


We went to the 2nd floor where we have to sit and wait for the attendants at the podium to arrive. (Maybe they're late or whatever). While waiting, Kat saw a kid and a baby playing. She went to approach them and made friends. They were eating biscuits and imagine my horror when Kat took the biscuit at the toddler's hand! Such a brat she is! I apologize to the toddler's mom who's beside me. If it's not enough to just take the kid's food, Kat then hit the child very lightly at the head. Again, I was embarrassed at the girl's mom. I held Kat and made her sit at my lap all throughout our wait.


Finally, the attendants where there. Yahoo! We fall in line with the others in the courtesy lane. Our forms weren't completely filled out yet as I stick to follow the note to only fill it out in front of an authorize DFA employee. So instead of giving us a number immediately, the guy made me sign the forms while Chris and Kat wait inside the courtesy lane. He gave me a number after then I proceed to meet my family. It was around 7:30am that time.


We wait till our numbers were called. Chris noticed the signs saying it's P1,200 for the express passport processing and a P200 charge for something he can't read. (We were quite at the back). I panicked as I only prepared P900 (regular processing) for each of us, and P120 for delivery. I remember the other blogger said that she was also being asked to pay express (P1,200) during her mishap at DFA. I thought we have no choice but to pay for P1,400 each. I counted how much cash I have. I didn't bring extra as I don't want to overspend which is a tendency for me when I have a lot of extra cash. Trying to relax, I asked Chris if we can move closer to the counter for me to see what are those charges are. Luckily, the guy before me said out loud if he can just have his passport process regular. The guy at the counter okay-ed. Relief flooded me. I then saw that the P200 charge under the sign is for Lost Passport charge.

It was around 10 minutes then before our number was called. I submitted all our forms with the requirements needed. Just a little glitch happened when the guy didn't accepted Chris' TIN ID photocopy as it's not valid for unknown reasons to me. Good thing I came prepared by photocopying Chris' company ID. Counter guy accepted it asking Chris to sign the sheet as he can't see Chris's signature. The guy asked what type of processing would our passports be, and I said with conviction 'Regular!'. Hehe.


One thing that caused us delay, which something that we would've avoided, is having my e-Passport application form photocopied. The counter guy said I have to photocopy it and attached it to Kat's form as it's also one of her requirements. I've read this on the website and I completely forgotten it! So we went downstairs near the gate to have my form photocopied. The line is quite long and the Photocopier I must say is charging much! P3 for one page?! He clearly is taking advantage of the need of photocopying there. LOL! Need I say more?


We went back upstairs then and paid our fees at the Cashier near the Courtesy lane. Good thing there's no queue compared to the Cashier at regular passport applicants. That's what's great having a baby with you while applying for a passport. It's indeed a short cut.


After paying, we proceed at Enrollment area to get a number. This is where details are encoded and pictures are taken. We still have around 100 numbers ahead of ours so I decided to put some powder in while Chris and Kat relax at the seats. One thing I can commend at the floor is that it's fully air-conditioned. We were literally chilling in. 


The numbers passed quickly since there are at least 70+ stations for data capture. Something really commendable since SSS has only 3 data capture stations when I apply for an ID before. It took me a whole day there. Hehehe


An employee is roaming around asking if applicants would like to avail courier services if you don't want to go back and pick your passport once it's released. We planned to avail this even before so I called the lady. She saw that ours was process at the courtesy lane so she said we need to go back to the courtesy lane again to have ours arranged there. There were still around 30 numbers before ours so I brought Kat with me to the courtesy lane to arranged courier services, which is a really, really a bad move. 

There Kat don't want to be held and she keeps on running and playing with everything she can touch. I need to sign our delivery details on a sheet which I was having difficulties doing as I have Kat on my one hand as well. I was writing but Kat keeps on disarranging things at the lady's table there so I held her in my arms instead. I was trying to juggle Kat and my wallet at my right hand and writing at my left hand. I tried to put her at the table but she almost kicked the poor lady's laptop. OMG. Good thing, her assistant came and filled out the other 2 sheets I was supposed to fill out. I paid P360 for the three of us. (I still don't get it why we need to pay individually when all three of our passports can fit in 1 envelope). Anyway, I signed the receipt and left as it's only 1 number left before ours.


I rushed at station number 67 where a very nice lady is waiting for us. She scanned Kat's document first then asked Kat to posed for the camera. I keep on asking Kat to smile which she's shy to do at first. She took several shots of Kat but the one we chose is the one which Kat's not smiling. Hahaha. I checked and signed Kat's form after.


It was my turn next and while the lady is scanning my form I ask her if I need to remove my contact lenses. (I was warned by Meann that she was asked to removed her contacts last Monday. She was horrified since she didn't bring any case or solution with her then.) She said it's not needed if I use a clear contacts. I was not in the mood to protest so I just let her. I fixed my hair so it would fall on my cheeks but she said I must show my ears. Oh no! I wanted to hide my cheeks but who am I to protest? I signed my signature on a digital tablet after and have my left and right thumb mark scanned. While I was seated there, Kat keeps on climbing at my seat and smile in front of the camera. Hehe. The little child had fun doing poses from earlier.


Then Chris came next. He just did what we did as well. It was only then I remember to take pictures. LOL. I bring my camera out of my bag and took pictures. We thanked the lady after Chris is done and left. 

Yes, we're finally done! Time Check: 8:30 am.


It took us at least 1 and a half hour to finish. Great, as I never expected I would finish that early especially since it's a government office. (Okay, I know, they're trying to improve the system). We would've finish earlier if we didn't need to photocopy my form downstairs.


All in all, it was an experience and I give it an 8.5 out of a 10!

Some of the photos I took while at DFA:

Kat posing for the camera

 

 Kat and Chris

Tantrums...

Chris checking his form

A kid Kat made friends with at the Data Capture stations

Passport delivery service (Air21, LBC, DHL..)

On our way out... 

Done!