SUMMER GET-AWAY @ AMADEO, CAVITE

For this year, the venue for our family summer get-together was someplace new. We already visited Tagaytay during the Holy week and so this time for our kitakits (with my balikbayan brother), we shall be visiting another farm (like Lopez farms also in Cavite). The clan left on Saturday and our take-off point was at Papa’s condo in Makati at around 10:30 a.m. After a bit of taking a few wrong turns here and there, we finally reached the place at around 1 p.m. Expectedly, everyone was ravenously hungry and so after putting down our bags we ate lunch of kare-kare and binagoongan which tasted surprisingly good as it came from Sofitel. After we had our fill, we decided to look around and check out the place.

The place was quite huge and had so many plants. We learned later that the farm’s owners were in the business of landscaping. However, as expected with many plants, there would also be many insects and creatures that would proliferate…eeeww! My brother (a photography buff) decided to take pictures of the different creatures he encountered when he and his kids explored the place. When he returned, he told us that there was a murky looking pool at the bottom of the stone steps but further beyond the farm, the caretaker showed him a short path that would lead to a small waterfall with a cool lake underneath - just awesome! This all got us interested to go down and explore, too, and of course take a dip in the water, after all this would be my first time to see an actual true-blue waterfall!

Going to the falls was quite a bit tricky, one had to be careful as the wet soil and grass made the path quite slippery. So I guess my dad would not be able to go down here, huh. After a few moments, one would get to see a view of the falls, it was a bit small but still quite spectacular. I guess I am a true fan of waterfalls, they just never cease to amaze me which is why something even as small as this one has made me excited already. One thing for sure though the water underneath the falls was quite clear and very cold! But we had fun and played with my brother’s underwater camera so we made many fascinating shots!

The hubby, my son and Ating took turns jumping off a small cliff and into the cool water. It seemed quite fun as we pretty much had the place to ourselves, except for a few remaining locals. It was around 6 when we decided to go back up to the resthouse as it was time to cook dinner of inihaw pork and chicken. We took turns taking our bath then after a while we ate amidst the insects that we already saw earlier but this time around there were more and they were quite noisy too but it was a soothing kind of noise, one that is usually associated with country/provincial areas like this. After eating, the kids played cards and marveled at the different insects/creatures that abound while the adults settled in the common sala/sitting area to chat and surf the net.

The next day everyone was up early at around 7, the kids had breakfast and after playing around a bit in the gardens, they decided to take a dip in the waterfalls once again. But it was a good thing that I decided not to take a swim today because when we went down, there were so many people that they all looked like ducks swimming in a small pond. What made matters worse was that it rained last night and so the water looked dirty because of the mud that the waterfall brought down. But hey, the kids still enjoyed and that’s OK! I went back upstairs by 11 to take a bath in the CR and just relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of the place. My brother was with the kids anyway and so I am at ease knowing that he would watch over them well.

Before lunch, Auntie Chu and fam (daughter X and Tins) arrived and soon after the kids came up from swimming and were raring to eat another hearty lunch. This time, we decided to eat in another area of the resort because it had a longer table and could seat/accommodate all of us. The resort really is a pretty place and had many areas that did not have airconditioning (in fact, only the two bedrooms had aircon) so we all slept on the floors in Papa’s bedroom while Jon and Rachel took the other smaller bedroom. But the common living area and the eating area we had been using since yesterday was quite fresh and airy, there was a cool breeze wafting over us that it was quite OK even if we did not have aircon, just a ceiling fan to circulate the air was enough. Last night, the hubby (who slept outside in the hammock with my son and brother) said it grew quite cold and since he did not have a blanket, he slept inside the vehicle until morning.

In all, it was quite an enjoyable experience that we all had here at Amadeo, Cavite. The place was pretty cool and had a pool and waterfall. By the way, my brother said that the pool downstairs was not really so murky and ‘malumot’ as we thought all along. It was only like that because the floor tiles were made of green-colored stone but the water itself was flowing from a cold water spring and so it was clean. Also, the place was relaxing with its many nooks and crannies where one can just get lost in a quiet corner and sleep, pretty much like Lopez farms because they both did not have electricity and was just a place to unwind and forget the trappings of the modern world, even the internet. It was worthwhile to shut down on social media for the entire weekend, though I am not sure my kids agree with me here. I guess its main drawback was the proliferation of insects but those creatures notwithstanding it was one place where we could just relax, be ourselves and spend some time just talking, eating and bonding with the family.

CMS OUTING AT LAGUNA

This year, our unit had our outing at Pansol, Laguna since we opted to have it someplace near. It was just too bad though that two of our officemates were not able to join us – one had to stay home since they had just recently established an eatery and therefore could not take a day off! The other one had a wife and family who weren't so keen to swim at Pansol, Laguna.

Anyway, so we all left on Thursday, at around ten am because our boss had a bit of work to do before leaving. Our first destination was Pook ni Maria Makiling where we can have our lunch. We got there at around twelve (after a two-hour drive) and thankfully the place was dotted with trees and quite cool enough for us to eat on their provided concrete tables.

But what the kids truly enjoyed was their Olympic sized swimming pool that charged only PhP25.00 for entrance fees! Quite cheap huh! Just too bad that the hubby isn’t here, otherwise, he would have enjoyed the huge pool. He was feverish since last night and had difficulty swallowing and so this morning, he just took us and the van to the office and left promptly to go home and rest. The kids all had fun swimming and even I myself wanted to take a dip but then I wasn’t feeling well either and just took some meds to stave off my fever since I couldn’t be absent after all I was the one who prepared everything for this outing with Nel.

While the kids swam and since we still could not go to our rented house that we reserved from 6pm to 6am the next day, we decided to head off to UP Los Banos to buy some kesong puti and their other milk products. This is another thing that Los Banos is famous for and another reason to head off South to Laguna (aside from buko pies, of course). I bought fresh carabao’s milk, cow’s milk (they have choco flavor now!), kesong puti, pastillas and a new discovery yogurt! It all tasted yummy and my kids loved it! I just wish Los Banos is just nearby so we could buy all this good stuff whenever we just feel like it!

At around five, we left Pook ni Maria Makiling already and made a quick detour at SM Los Banos to buy a few more things we need before going to our rented place – The Bellissima resorts. Upon our arrival, they were already filling up the pool, so at least we know that the water is new huh? Of course, even if the kids just came from a pool and while the water is still knee-high they immediately dipped in the water and we just let them while we fixed our things / food to be cooked in the kitchen and the ref. In a short while, after cooking rice, grilling the marinated meat and hotdogs, cutting up fruits, and cooking the sinigang fish, we had a hearty dinner.

After eating, the kids still continued swimming while I decided to sleep in early to rest my feverish body, I just awoke after an hour to check on the kids and encourage them to get out of the water already after all they still have tomorrow to swim anyway?

The next day, I was up and about early to see if I could help them cook breakfast but it was already underway by the time I got down courtesy of Ping and Nel (with help from Crispin and Eric) So I just had them buy some bread for those who prefer to just have bread for their breakfast. Besides, the kids already ate up all the bread yesterday in between bouts of swimming so we need to buy more for their snacks later on. Ping also bought some additional fish to grill for our lunch later.

I would’ve wanted to take a swim in the morning but still I felt feverish and the fever would only go away whenever I would drink paracetamol and so I’d rather not dip in cold water lest my fever gets to be full blown. The kids, as expected, took to the water as soon as they awoke and only stopped to eat breakfast, lunch and then some sandwiches for snacks. We decided to leave early at around three because we will be passing by The Original Buko Pie to buy their ever-famous buko pie. We were quite surprised to see that there was a long line waiting to buy, I guess there were more excursionistas during the weekend unlike our last ocular trip here that was a weekday. But still we persisted and stayed in line to buy what we intended.

Just our luck that we got caught in the traffic at SLEX and EDSA so that it was almost six when we got to the office, thankfully we rode with Chito and family who will be taking the van home (since he would be the one to take over hubby’s task to pick up Ate Ne’s sisters and mom at Garay for April’s wedding). It seems that the hubby was still sick and could not perform his assigned task. So despite the fact that we (the kids particularly) had fun during our office outing, I couldn’t truly be happy because at the back of my mind I was worrying if he is OK, maybe tomorrow I’ll take him to see the doctor.

FAS outing @ Bataan

For this year, the hubby’s unit decided to visit the beach resort in Bataan that our unit went to last year. This was OK since we liked that beach in Bataan and the kids especially liked spending time at the cave where they could go cliff diving. The group made an early start at 4:30 am since they wanted to head to the cove at once (unlike our group last year that went to the cove the next day, early morning). We arrived at Balanga market by 6:30am and they bought some more seafood supplies before we finally reached the Bagac Bay resort at around 8. We waited a bit for the others, unpacked our belongings and just brought the food supplies for our lunch at the cove.

We boarded about 5 bancas and reached the cove by 9. But it was a different one that the boatmen brought us to and when I asked one of the boatmen, he says the island/cove that I was referring to had been sold already to a foreigner and they’re currently developing and would soon command a steep price for entrance fees. But as it turns out the freaking guy was lying – it seems they have a cut for each visitor they bring to the island and seeing that there were so many of us he brought us here to this place which is not as pretty as the one we went to the last time the CMS was here.

We realized too late because later on in the afternoon our boatman took us there –before we went back to the resort…too bad! There were some biting insects in the water of the cove that they brought us to, oh I just hate those boatmen! How dare they decide what was best for us! They should have brought us to the other one since even if the price there was higher, the beach was prettier! Well, the kids still enjoyed swimming even for awhile. The oldies just ate the delicious lunch that was prepared, they also liked the ensaladang gulay that Ditse made.

After eating, the group left to swim in the cove. This is where they had so much fun because the water was cool and there was less sun so those not wanting to have burnt skin took a dip there. But of course, the boys especially liked the cliff-diving thing where they jump from the top of a huge rock into the deep ocean below. Well, I have always been afraid of heights and though I know a bit how to swim, I can’t venture into deep waters without donning a life vest. But still watching them leap over gives me the creeps and more so when it was my son who took the plunge. He was a bit hesitant about it and dilly-dallied for quite a time on top of the rock that his father had to go up and threaten to push him over before he found the courage to jump by himself. I too breathed a sigh of relief watching him surface the deep water not because I was afraid he may not know how to swim but because compared to the others who were jumping –who were all lithe-bodied - he was a bit on the heavy side and so I was fearful that his weight may make him plunge deeper into the rocks but thank God that he didn’t. I do not know how deep the water actually is but it may have been deep enough to keep all those jumpers happy.

After awhile, we left the cove and returned to the resort to bathe, get dressed and retreat to the cool confines of our bedrooms to rest the afternoon off. We got down from the bedroom a bit later to help out in dinner preparations. Then, of course, the boys started their fave pastime the minute we returned to the resort - drinking and singing their hearts out. The girls, meantime, engaged in chikahan and more swimming on the shores near our rented boathouse. The kids even went night swimming. I guess they just couldn’t get enough of the water huh?

Then, after dinner there were games for the kids which Helen and Yeng facilitated. I didn’t watch anymore and instead just stayed upstairs in the room, alternately sleeping and reading on my tab. My kids participated in the games a bit then after awhile, they went up to get some sleep.

The next day, we went to Mt. Samat cross to get a nice and high view of the province of Bataan. Well, we had been there before during the kids’ fieldtrip but it was just ten or twenty pesos and kinda fun going up there again. After everyone was able to go up and visit the cross, we left Bataan and had our lunch/picnic at Clark playground before doing some duty-free shopping and then heading home.

COOLING OFF IN THE HOUSE POOL

It’s the middle of summer and the heat is just unbearable - and what better way to beat the heat than wallowing in our very own swimming pool! Nope! We did not win the lotto and just bought a new house with its own pool (I just wish!) Instead, the kids made do with the next best thing there is - an inflatable pool set up at the back of the house! (so they won’t get directly hit by the sun) Here are some pics of their fun frolicking. The pool itself isn’t exactly new, I think we bought it some two or three years ago. It wasn’t too small as to fit just kids (in fact even adults and I myself have once taken a dip in it) and neither is it too big as to require a bigger space (which we don’t have!). It was on sale then – at only Php 1200(I think) and for the many years that we have been able to use it, I guess it truly is one very economical way to beat the heat of summer!

CMS OUTING AT BAGAC, BATAAN

My first time to go on an outing with a new unit – the CMS and the group decided to go to Bagac, Bataan – a place they have been to already a few years back but they say the place was really good and indeed it was! We arrived in Bataan early and after an hour’s stopover at the market to buy some fish, pusit, chicken and fruits, we finally reached the resort! Upon arrival, we got busy preparing lunch. The kids, of course headed to the beach at once and we just let them go their way. Anyway, the resort had a lifeguard and there were some teens with them naman (like the boss's daughters).













My son stayed with us to help in the cooking, I just sliced tomatoes and onions while Grace sliced mangoes for the ensalada. It was the hubby who fried the tilapia (with Kit’s help) while Nel and Zandra cooked the sinigang na liempo. The others started the ‘drinking session’ early because it seems Glenn (who arrived without his family) would be leaving /returning home later. We had our lunch at 1pm then after some chatting, we retired to the bedroom to nap a bit till 4 pm.














Upon waking, I went out to the beach to swim with the kids and take some pictures…particularly of the sunset. But bad luck suddenly befell Kit because he lost his slippers and got stung by a jellyfish in the arm so we had to return to the house at once to put some vinegar on it. Learned from the kids that a chopper fell down near the shore but on another cove, not the one where they swam in but it was just nearby. We just heard from the news a bit later that it was a training chopper flown by a nephew of Candaba’s ex-mayor Gatus.



























After a while, Kaye and I took our baths so I could go down to help in dinner preparations. Dinner was inihaw na liempo and inihaw na bangus but we didn’t cook everything because there were still so many food leftover from our lunch which we reheated and also served. Nel also cooked tokwa for their pulutan tonight. Zandra, meanwhile prepared the chocolate fountain for the kids to enjoy some dessert later on.
















The next day, we got up bright and early to cook an early breakfast and go island hopping! Well, not literally on another island but rather on a different cove of the same island that we’re currently in - and boy was it so beautiful!In fact, it can even rival the beauty of Boracay and Puerto Galera!But definitely not Palawan or Bohol because despite its clear waters and calm waves, there was nothing much to be seen underneath – sure there were a few fishes but not as varied and colorful as the fishes and corals of Coron or Pamilacan. Still it was a nice place to visit and we even got to see a cave and swim in deep waters using our life vests. In all, I guess this is one good place to go to for a fun beach vacation that is not so heavy on the budget!

HOLY WEEK AT TAAL, BATANGAS

Last week was Holy Week and this year I didn’t want to get bored like the last time (when we all spent it just at home at BP doing nothing!) So this year, the hubby and I decided to compromise and spend the Holy Week partly at his hometown (the first two days, evening actually of Wednesday and the whole day Thursday) and the remaining days (Friday to Sunday) with my family vacationing at Taal, Batangas.

Anyway, I wasn’t truly bored during the first day at BP since I had an assignment – to bring atsara and puto for the ‘oldies’ at Taal, so I spent the day helping out in grating the papaya, cutting onions, bawang, siling pula and carrots. Then, Inang mixed it and adjusted the seasonings, before we transferred them to plastic containers, ready for shipment the next day.

On Good Friday, we finally left for Taal at around 11am. Good thing that Papa called asking us to bring an extension cord otherwise, we would have left after lunch. We arrived at Taal without much of a hitch since there was no traffic. We did get lost a bit because I failed to see the small street we had to look for but it was just a minor glitch and we finally reached Taal Imperial Resorts – the one owned by Mother Lily and indeed the place was very refreshing!





The place had many trees and three villas which we all rented so, in a way, we had the entire resort exclusively to ourselves. The first villa was rented by my two aunts and their families (each villa had two bedrooms). Papa and the maids occupied the middle villa while my family occupied the third villa with my stepsister and her family. Each villa was tastefully designed and their website said the furnishings were handpicked by Mother Lily herself. Indeed you would not feel any of the cold ambiance of hotels but rather it feels warm and welcoming, just like a home away from home.











The resort had three pools but the two were small and shallow ones (for kids) So, we only made use of the big pool near the entrance. I wasn’t so sure if the pools were clean so I just dipped for a short time when I felt too hot and I just let the kids enjoy swimming for most of the three days we were there. Anyway, the villas had centralized air conditioning so we stayed mostly inside the bedrooms to escape the summer heat. But I was surprised to see my dad and stepmom swimming one morning so I guess they weren’t too bothered over the fact that the pool’s water was already quite translucent, maybe the overpowering chlorine had already cleansed away most of the germs of the resorts previous occupants??? But still, I shudder at the thought, which is why I’d much rather swim in the sea than in artificial waters like pools.











But I guess more than the resort’s amenities, what we enjoyed truly was the camaraderie and companionship that we shared with our relatives since we normally don’t get to be together all that often especially for out of town activities. And of course, most of these ‘bonding’ moments happen during…of course, mealtimes! Our family’s favorite pastime! There were lots of delicious foods, more than enough for everyone. Ace regaled us with his concoctions like pasta Alfredo and Visayan humba but still there was something lacking – the lechon, of course! But I guess because of the expensive resort, we’d have to make some budget cuts especially with the food. They had to pay 20K for each villa for the entire three-day stay and that’s more than the usual expense allotted for the accommodations.



























Anyway, we were all satiated with the food naman and that’s what matters. We even had the grand dame herself – Mother Lily as a guest for Good Friday dinner and she enjoyed eating with us. In fact, she even liked the puto/bibingka I brought from Pampanga! Furthermore, we weren’t always cloistered inside the resort, we had much time to visit scenic and historic Taal, particularly the oldest Basilica in Asia and the heritage houses that littered the town. We also visited another mountain resort in the area (Noni Resort) which was also quite full despite Philvolcs warnings on the possibility of a Taal eruption so I guess we weren’t the only ones who were hardheaded eh?















The final day was the highlight of our vacation – the Easter egg hunt! But this time Kit was not able to find much because the kids (Kaye and Alex) had a five-minute leeway time to search in advance so all those he was able to see earlier were seen by the kids…oh no! Alex turned out as the biggest winner and Kaye came in second while Kit only got one but at least all the others had a difficult time also searching for the eggs. Well, maybe next year he’d do better but I guess not here again because this may be the last time we would be visiting here. Not because we didn’t like the place but rather due to the hotel currently being constructed behind the villas, so that means we would not be able to ‘own’ the place like we did today. Still, everyone had a fun time vacationing here at Taal and it is one good place we would surely recommend to everyone!