A Treat at Ton Ton Thai Massage

If you're like me, you probably have your "wish list" perpetually at the back of your mind.  So, at any time that you want, you can recall all the things that you want should opportunity present itself.  It was like that on this day.

It was just an ordinary Thursday yet I felt the urge to have some pampering.  So, after having lunch with the kids,  Dana and I went out for a girls' day out :)  We first went to Hot Nails Spa, our favorite nail salon.  Dana got a ManiPedi but no nail polish on the hands because her school doesn't allow that.  I had a relaxing hand and foot spa that made me feel really great! :D  All that took about 2 hours, just enough time for Patrick to come and pick us up.

But when it looked like he's going to be leaving his office a little later, we opted to drop by the Ton Ton Thai Massage branch along Aurora Boulevard which was a short walk from Hot Nails.  Ton Ton Thai Massage has always been on my mind since I saw their promo rate of P250/hr if you have your massage between 12NN and 6PM.  Between 6PM and 2AM (which is their closing time), you'll have to pay P300.  I've also seen a lot of Ton Ton Branches around the Metro so I figured there really was a demand if they're able to sustain the business with a lot of branches.  But think about it, even if you pay the P300, it's still rather cheap compared to other spas that offer 1-hr massages that cost P500 and up.

So there we were, Dana and I happily walking to our next destination.  Personally, it's a little intimidating to approach the door because you can't really see the interior from the outside (we got there around 6PM, so it was a little dark).  Also, I assume for security purposes, they keep the doors locked and you have to wait for someone from the inside to open the doors for you.  After a bit of waiting, we got inside and it smelled good.  That was my first thought hahaha my olfactory senses are way more acute than my sight! hahaha I had a little trouble adjusting to the darkness ( my eyes are really weak!) but that was okay.  We approached the counter which of course was well-lit and was warmly welcomed by the manager (I assumed because of his demeanor).  I told him that this was the first time I'll be experiencing a Thai massage and that prompted him to explain about the services (full body, back, foot, hand, and combination massages) and he gave me ample time to decide what I wanted to try out.  No hard sell which I liked.

I decided on a full body massage which would last an hour.  I was assigned Aya, a demure waif that did heavenly wonders on my body LOL  She first led me to wear they wash your feet (part of the cleansing ritual).  Dana and I were only whispering to each other because it was so quiet you can hear a pin drop.  It was really good and it just makes the experience more memorable.  The last thing you want when you have a massage is a bunch of therapists (and clients) chatting their heads off LOL

After the feet wash, we were led to the massage rooms.  They were basically mats and beds on the floor, divided by curtains on 3 sides.  The other side was the wall where you get hangers to hang your clothes when you change into your required pajamas (top and bottom).  There's also a wall clock to let you know you're getting your money's worth :)

The massage.  It started with the feet and legs and involved stretching the muscles, kneading them and then injecting a few pressure point presses.  There was nothing hurried about the experience and you can just close your eyes and enjoy.  Dana was really keen on discovering what Aya was doing since she wanted to do it to me at home LOL  I heard my bones creak which was pretty funny hahaha From the legs, we moved on to the arms and hands, then to the back.  I knew she was practically standing on me, kneading me with her feet.  That was awesome!  She even found the parts where I knew there was some blockage (like coldness) and knots and she was able to un-knot them without leaving any trace of pain!  The other time I tried a massage, I was bruised and aching up to 2 days after the massage!  The head massage was to die for too! I can imagine having a migraine and just soothing yourself with something like that :)

After the massage, Aya ended it with a bow and a smile.  It was really great!  I will definitely go back!  The place was clean and smelled good.  The rates cheap! The service was exemplary.

Guess where we went after?  The Banana Fudge Ice Cream House that was next door! :)

A really great pampering day! :)

Torrado-Jose Nuptials, April 7th 2010

Believe it or not, we've been invited to another wedding!! hahaha Our frocks are really worth it now hahahha

This time my cousin Francis and his fiancee Macole are getting married at the Sto. Domingo Church and having their reception at the Fernwood Garden in QC.  Last Sunday, we were able to catch up with our relatives from the Paypon side because they're here to attend the wedding.  We also found out that Den will be a proxy bridesmaid to replace one who got a scheduling conflict.  To prepare for the event, Den had a dress fitting (fortunately,  the dress shop was near Dylan's school so it was easy to go to) on Monday.  We were worried that they wouldn't be able to repair the dress on time but they pulled through :)

We all went to Hot Nails Spa (our spa of choice!) for some foot pampering :)  We timed it well so that Den would know what color her dress will be to coordinate the color of her nail polish as well.  The next day, we all went to Torre Venezia where the kin were billeted.  Den needed to spend the night there in order to be bright and early the next day.  Preparations for the actual wedding will take a long time so it's better that she be there as soon as possible.  We had dinner together with Tita Letty, Josh, Mar and Alyssa at Gerry's Grill.

On the day of the wedding, we (minus Patrick who was coming from the office) went straight to Sto. Domingo.  It was a solemn but touching ceremony.  What is it about weddings that really brings people to tears?! :D The bride, Macole, looked beautiful and Francis looked excited ;)  These are the pictures taken immediately after the ceremony, outside the church.  Don't they all look n ice? :D

The drive to Fernwood Garden was short.  Patrick got caught in traffic on his way from the office so we were a little behind.

Upon arriving, we took pictures, of course! :D


We got to our seats and we waiting for the bridal entourage's entrance.  It was really cool and cheery :)  We just took the time to take pictures of most everyone we know :)

Family (L) and Philip and Den (R)

Ate Mel and Dylan (L), Daddy and Dana (R)






Tita Cora and Tito Angel (L), Tita Letty and Josh (R)

Tito Ping and Tita Beth (L) and Tita Ofel (R)










This time, we were able to take a picture of the huge swans and koi in the ponds.  Dylan kept calling out, "Farmville" hahahaha

After the ceremony, more pictures taken with the family.

Pampering at Hot Nails Spa

March 11, 2010

I've always been on the lookout for a good hand and foot salon.  I'm used to doing it by myself (the cheapskate in me) but I figured I think I would want to experience being waited on hand and foot (literally) by someone else for a change :)

So, I looked around and compared services and prices.  There were many salons and spas in the malls but I figured they'd be too tired and they'd probably speed up the service because there were too many patrons.  I also don't like it when the attendants all chatter and gossip while they're working on you.  It ruins the atmosphere.  Call me picky but pampering to me should be a relaxing and quiet experience LOL

Anyway, the Internet is a lovely way to research.  I found Hot Nails Spa through the Net but I also saw their sign while passing Hemady Street in Quezon City on our way home.  So, that got me thinking.  "What's a nail and foot salon doing way out here?"  That piqued my curiosity.  So I emailed first and asked about their services.  And surprisingly, I got a reply from Ellen Edwards which I considered plus points for their salon because sometimes, people advertise their services but they don't take the time to answer their emails.



The first time I visited their salon, I went with Dana because we wanted some pampering just in time for Rej and Oneal's wedding (which I posted about earlier).  We both loved the way we were treated so we really wanted to come back.  So, for Dana's graduation, for which we all needed to look good again, Den, Dana and I went back to Hot Nails. :) Dana got treated to their Little Princess service, which was a basic ManiPedi for kids.  It also involved some bubble scrubbing perfect for Dana's pretty feet! :D  Here she is with her Attendant Eunice :)

Den got treated to their Global Chic ManiPedi Package (cleaning and nail polish).  It was her first time to be here and I believe she loved it as well :)

I opted for their Diva Scentsations Package, their Aromatherapy Hand and Foot Spa.  Oh and you also get a free drink of your choice - green tea, iced tea, soda, coffee or water :)

I have to say I look content and sleepy because the massage that was part of the service was sooo good! :) especially on my hands which are often tired because of being on the computer the whole day.  I now understand why people really spend a ton of money on their ManiPedi routines hahahaha  It looks like I'm hooked too hahahaha

So, if you guys want to feel pampered, head on over to Hot Nails Spa, #9 Hemady Ave., New Manila, QC.  They're open Mondays-Saturdays 11AM - 9PM and Sundays 10:300AM - 8:30PM.  Calling for reservations is encouraged and will be appreciated.

Rosero and Layug Nuptials: A Star Wars Wedding

February 20, 2010
Among the many events that we so looked forward to attending, Rej and Oneal's wedding is one of them.  They are our good friends from Star Wars Philippines and Patrick and I are fortunate to be part of their romance from the moment they met at one of our Star Wars events.  Their wedding was highly anticipated because, naturally, it will be Star Wars inspired! :D  Guests were encouraged to wear their costumes to the wedding and to the reception!!

Patrick and I considered getting costumes for the kids but we thought they might be too uncomfortable and end up being fussy throughout the night.  So, we just scoured the malls for our formal wear.  Patrick ended up buying another barong shirt and since Dana, Dylan and I had no formal wear (we don't usually go to formal events LOL) we really had to invest in these clothes.  

Dana and I also went to Hot Nails Spa along Hemady Street in Quezon City where we splurged on foot spa services hahaha  Dana enjoyed being pampered so much that she wanted to return immediately and she couldn't stop talking about it :) 

Dana had her hair in two separate braids but you can't really see it here :P  Dylan kept playing with his tie, I think he felt suffocated hahaha

All in all, I think we cleaned up good!

I have to say, their choice to hold both the ceremony and the venue at Fernwood Gardens was a good one. The St. Francis Chapel was small and intimate which made the ceremony more solemn and meaningful.  It also helped that the priest was a bit upbeat so it didn't seem too tight and boring for everyone else hehe I also adored the Star Wars-inspired attire of all the participants in the wedding ceremony :) The way they fused the Star Wars design into the traditional barong was genius!!  Here are some pictures taken at the wedding procession.  Admire and be awed!

Left: Oneal with his parents
Right:  The Bride, Rej
Bottom Left: Dante (his barong has an imprint of R2D2)

Bottom Right:  Paul (look closely at his shirt and it's got the imprint of C3PO)

Other pictures can be found here.

While waiting for the actual start of the reception program, here we are waiting at our table.  When the kids got bored, we walked around the venue and found some parrots and we couldn't resist taking pictures :)

That's when we spotted the Battalion of Stormtroopers lining up for the Wedding March :)Here they are! Dylan loved seeing them but didn't really want to stay near them, even for a picture haha It's a bit hard to take a photo of Darth Vader because he's black!! So forgive the blurry effect hehehe


Until now, I still don't know who is the Stormtrooper with Dana :) But thanks for the Photo Op ! :)

So, we were also lucky that Rej and Oneal were waiting for their turn and we got a chance to take a picture with the lovely bride :)

Aids and Macy were also gracious enough to pose with the kids :)



It was unfortunate though that Dana got locked in the bathroom (it was the first time she went by herself).  She also ended up throwing up as the night wore on.  It was probably from fatigue and heat because her "Family Day" was held during that same day.  We didn't finish the program but at least we were there for the wedding ceremony :)

To our friends, Rej and Oneal.  Congratulations! and May the Force be with you, Always! :D