Cebu Bound!

Ok this is a super late post this happened last February (summer started early for me!) but I think I won't be able to post other summer outing activities before I share this one.  

I had the amazing chance to spend a couple of days at Cebu!  It was better because we were able to go there together with the rest of my hubby's side of the family.  It was my first time there and I have to say squeezing in a wedding, a baptism and a house blessing in 36 hours left us little time to take in the full Cebu experience.  Here's quick run through of that trip.

We stayed at Quest Hotel which is literally across Ayala Center Cebu.  Luckily we got a corner room which got us floor to ceiling windows!  This gave us a great view of metro Cebu.

 

We got to attend a wedding the very next day at a lovely air conditioned chapel.  8:30AM was the start of the wedding so everyone got dolled up pretty early. :) A small wedding with paper flowers and a brooch bouquet! :)

 Then we proceeded to the wedding brunch at a restaurant with a roofdeck view like this...

After lunch we went to a baptism that was held at this chapel.  It was a very quiet ceremony with no more than 20 people. :)

By the time afternoon rolled around we headed over to Mactan Island to attend the wedding reception.  We got stuffed silly at the food stations (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, roast beef, shakes, crepes, lumpia) and we still had to save room for the actual buffet (which had lechon cebu), the dessert buffet and free flowing beer.

The wedding has a "Who has the best 'stache?" contest so of course we had to represent!

 To kill time kids played with fire...

Next morning we went around for our city tour.  Our first stop is the Chinese Temple.

 

You gotta have time to take home OTAP and Dried Mangoes.  (see the giant Otap on the ceiling and the graffiti at the mango store!)

 Someone is starting to get bored...

 And everywhere you went there was a chapel or a church.

Of course we had to visit Magellan's Cross.  With a 'stache of course!

 Famous Ceiling Shot!

We had a late lunch at The Ching Palace (because we are the Chin Family haha)

When I get the chance to go back to Cebu I will definitely:

• Fall in line to pay respects to the Sto. Nino de Cebu
• Hit the beach!
• Try out the local restaurants at Ayala Center!

Any other activities that you might suggest?

Now Showing: The Show Cabinet!

One thing that I've noticed with Filipino households is that we only get to change the decor in the house when it's Christmas. So basically a house would have two "looks". Once I started reading foreign blogs they mentioned having a "fall mantle" or a "Christmas mantle" or "Valentine Entryway". And it got me to thinking, yeah why don't we rotate the decor around the house? Put away those that you won't use for now so that you can showcase a few interesting pieces at a time. :)

So now I show you what I've been doing to our show cabinet!

It looked like this when we moved in and during the house blessing. :)

photo from my sister's cam

Top left: bunny bride and groom was a gift for our wedding, M and T letters came from an invitation place at Alabang Town Center
Top right: silver vases and black vase from Uniwide, tall clear crystal jar from SM and small crystal candy jar from Metro Alabang. Fresh flowers from palengke (market)
Lower right: brooch bouquet by yours truly, silver candle sticks from Uniwide, frame and pictures were from waaay back. All shots take by good friends Iking and Alvin (represent!), clear candy jar from Metro Market Market, silver plate from Uniwide with assorted knick knacks
Bottom letft: black and whote frame gift from the wedding, silver candle sticks from Uniwide, vintage bag was also a gift but it can also be bought at Simple joys and clear candy jar also from Metro

Now it looks like this! A little bit more color and a touch of Valentines. :)

Top left: Same bunny groom, letter M and vintage bag, set of aqua vases gift from mother in law from the US

Top right: same bunny bride and letter T, green jar, pink flower, beige basket, white tumbler with aqua zebra lining from Uniwide, white candle holder house warming gift, green flowers from Landmark

Bottom left: same silver candle sticks and bouquet, rustic jar from Uniwide, heart candy can from Gourdos and ornate mirror from.... Wait for it.... NOVO!!!!! Just Php 79.00!!!!

Bottom right: same silver vases, aqua books from my collection, white diffuser was part of a set which was a Christmas gift for us, striped can from Hubby (I think it was used to package tea sets), tiffany blue bowl and khaki flower from Uniwide, purple flowers from Landmark and clear cup cake stands iwth dome covers from Gourdos

This is the first thing I see when I enter the house so yes, it makes me happy in soooo many different ways. :)

Keeping the flowers blooming!

Husband dear gave me stargazer lilies for our post Valentines date. And one week after we were able to get his money's worth by getting four of the flowers to bloom! We still have one more to go and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I hope we can still get the last flower to bloom. So far here they are!

This is what I did to make sure that they stay in tip top shape. :)

- change the water daily
- cut off about an inch or two from the stem every day
- put enough water to cover only about 2-3 inches the stem
- remove the leaves at the bottom of the stem once you see them start to wilt
- remove a bloom if you notice that the petals are falling off

Thanks babe! February may be winding down but it doesn't have to be Valentines Day for a guy to pop over at the shop and get his woman flowers ( or chocolates or jewelry hehehe)

Splendid Vacation Goal: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

photo from www.lascasasfilipinas.com

I am going to visit Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar before the year ends. Mark my words. :)

I am going to walk in the cobble stoned streets, take a dip in the batis, listen to Kundiman, sleep in a four poster bed, take a lot of ceiling shots (because murals look soooo much better when they are up on the ceiling) and will try my hardest to recall my elementary history lessons .

I have always been fascinated by old things and old houses.  My favorite channel right now is the History Channel (which costs an additional fee because it is not covered by our basic cable plan) and I religiously try to watch episodes of The Pickers and Pawn Stars.  I am intrigued with the idea that each item that they encounter has a story to tell and it always came from someone, somewhere, else.   

So imagine a resort, a town even, where everything and everywhere you look came from somewhere else and was owned by someone else?  Imagine all the stories they will tell.  And the chismosa in me will definitely listen very well to what they all have to say.  Even though hubby and I are on a "no fly" budget this year, it does not mean we will not get to experience a unique vacation all together. :)

So I will surely stock up on silly mustache packs from Andings to ensure that we look like respected hacienderos.   I will pack up a dress or skirt that falls to my ankles for maximum effect while walking at the Plaza (maybe even wear a straw hat while I'm at it).  I will brush up on my matapobre lines so I will be ready to address the indios and aliping saguiguilid because living in opulent old houses just puts you in the right mood to role play as the aristocratic senyorita hahaha. 

Who wants to go with me on a road trip to history?  

http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/
Bo Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan
Manila Sales Office:Mezzanine Floor Victoria Towers
Timog Avenue, Quezon City, PhilippinesLas Casas Sales & Reservations Office:
Telephone Nos.: (+63 2) 332.5338, (+632) 355.3032
Fax No.: (+63 2) 332.5286

Splendid Spend: I can Ikat!

I've been a big fan of Bungalow 300 on the internet for quite some time now.  I especially loved their Ikat Pillows Collection last year.  Not sure if they are still available at Dimensione if not then you would have to score them their Muntinglupa showroom.  I posted a few of my favorites from their site here but the whole collection can be viewed from this link.

 

 

At Php795.00 each, I had to hold back for a while before grabbing any of these babies.  So when an opportunity came to add a pop of Ikat at home for Php25 per item, I jumped at the chance. So now, spot the Ikat! :)

Foot rugs!!!! Php 100 for 4 pieces!!! From Divilandia Sta. Elena St. vendors.  

Here's a closer shot. :)

Super love! Splendid way to spend Php100. :) Really mababaw post but bear with me.  Standing on these ikat bits gives me a bit of a happy boost when I have to cook, wash the dishes or refill the pitchers with water.