Of Toys and Willy Wonka (Part 1)

Like most working couples, you can only schedule a trip for toy hunting, bargains and sales when you have received part of all of your Christmas bonus and your salary and hope to God that there are sales scheduled when you do.  We were fortunate enough that during the weekend that we got some windfall of sorts, there were great bargains that we took part in.

On Saturday, December 3, Patrick and I headed to the Toy Warehouse Sale in Sct. Torillo, Quezon City.  It is actually the warehouse for the Mattel brand of toys and they're selling off their excess inventory at prices up to 80% off!  So, it's really a great deal considering you're getting branded toys for less than what you would pay in the malls :)  I didn't really know what to expect since this was the first time I was headed there so I was keeping an open mind.

The place wasn't really huge, around 1000 square meters but it's air conditioned so it's pretty comfortable.  There were toys for infants, toys for the big kids, some baby stuff like sterilizers and bottles, some MyScene and Ollie shoes for the bigger kids, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Pokemon shoes for the smaller kids, bikes Disney toys (both stock and new arrivals) and a whole lot more.

We were able to pick out great finds during our first day and Patrick went ga-ga over the Lightning McQueen series of die cast toys and was able to purchase 4 of them - Lightning McQueen, Franco Bernoulli, Holly Shiftwell and Mater!  I went crazy over the shoes that were selling for P100/pair!! and some school shoes, they were selling for 3 for P100!! I was stupefied to say the least! LOL  We really had to stop at some point when we reached our quota for the kids' Christmas gifts hahahaha

We then went to the Mall of Asia to see if we can check out great finds at the Mega Shoes and Bags sale at the SMX Convention hall.  OMG! That's all I can say hahaha

I was already super excited even before we entered but when I got in woohoo! Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!! It was like an Imelda Marcos moment hahaha If I had that feeling, make that a hundred times more for Patrick who was crazier for shoes than I.

It wasn't difficult to go around even though it was jam-packed with crowds.  The shoes were sorted according to brand and then by size so you can immediately go to your favorite brands and see what models they have that are available in your size.  It saves on having to ask the sales clerks repeatedly for your size.  The sad thing is if you've got an average shoe size, there's a high possibility that the style that you want may be out of stock especially if you haven't gotten there at the earliest opportunity.  But since there were so many shoe styles to look at, I'm sure there will be at least one pair that you'll end up with.  Here, Patrick and I were able to buy much needed shoes for ourselves.  When you have kids, you usually have to sacrifice your own wants to provide for your kids first.  So, this opportunity was heaven sent.  I got a pair of Keds (my fave!) and Patrick was able to buy his Asics rubber shoes.  :)

At the same venue, just next door was the Toy Kingdom Christmas sale.  We couldn't resist so we took a peek.  Fortunately (for us) the lines were too long which served as a deterrent for us to purchase any more stuff LOL

We ended our day with dinner at Mexicali :>)  We purposely went home late so we can sneak the gifts in and store them where the kids can't find them hehehe

Chevy Motorama and Pyromusical Competition at the MOA

February 19, 2011


After Dana's Family School day that morning, we just bought take-out from Wendy's for lunch and headed home to rest.  Patrick mentioned that we still had one event to go to and that was to be in Mall of Asia.  I didn't really know what the event was except that there's a robot that looks like a Transformer which Patrick said Dylan will be amazed to see.  Ok, so that was enough for me. :)

Upon arriving in MOA, we headed straight to the Music Hall where the event was taking place.  By this time, I found out that the event we're attending was the Chevy Motorama where Chevrolet Philippines will be launching their all-new city car, called the Spark.  In the center of the venue was this tall Spark robot next to its car form :) Naturally, the kids wanted to have their picture taken and we, as indulgent parents, couldn't say no hehehehe

Other Chevrolet cars were also on display and very helpful sales associates were on hand to answer customer queries about the cars.  If you want to know more about the All-New Spark, you can read more about it from  Patrick's article on Top Gear.

While Patrick was going about his business for Top Gear Philippines, the kids and I spent time ogling Bumbleebee (Transformers) and the Camaro :) Another photo op! :)  The kids weren't too fussy because soon after the program started with a smashing performance from Mr. Beatbox (OMG, I forgot his real name!) and Karylle who entertained the audience with a number of songs.  Ryan Agoncillo, the celebrity endorser for Chevrolet was of course, present too.

After the program, we all trooped to the 2nd floor and partook of the special buffet hosted by Abe restaurant for the event.  This was also a good time for the media attendees and the organizers to simply catch up, network and share a few laughs :)  We were all excited to watch the Fireworks display from the Pyromusical Competition of which Chevrolet was also a major sponsor.  That night, we were amazed by entries from Portugal and the UK.

The night wouldn't be complete without our visit to our favorite bookstores and leaving with some great titles :)

Our thanks to Chevrolet Philippines, Sir Albert and Ma'am Lyn for inviting us and treating us so well! :)

A Hectic Pre-Christmas Weekend

20 December 2008

It looks like we've been very busy for the past few weeks but it's really only during the weekend that we have time go out. It's also the only time to shop for Christmas dinner without having to face the hordes of people in the supermarket when it gets near Christmas eve.

Anyway, we went back to Mall of Asia (looks to me like it's our favorite mall hahaha) but really it's only because it's big and even with a lot of people around, there's still space to freely walk around.

We bought gifts for the kids again :) They're really spoiled this Christmas! :) and gifts for Den too. Funny enough there was a sale on wedding rings but we only looked around because they were still too expensive even though they're already on sale hahahaha It was just like a hint to us to really go through with it LOL


As a treat to ourselves (well more for Patrick and I), we ate at TGI Friday's. I can't believe how expensive they've become but the food we ordered was absolutely delicious! hahaha we were told that the servings were good for 3 people. We each finished our orders by ourselves - no sharing!! what does that say about our appetites hahahahah but really, it was really good.. more so than the food at Hooters hahahaha

I had the Jack Daniel's Chicken and Shrimp while Patrick had the Jack Daniel's Porkchops. Dana had the Fried Macaroni and Cheese and a Strawberry Milkshake. The food came with corn, mashed potatoes or rice pilaf and bottomless drinks. Dylan loved the corn! By the time we were finished, we needed to be rolled out with a wagon because we were so full! :)

After that we met Den near the Fireworks area. She was coming from a jaunt at the Star City with her friends.

Dinos Alive In Manila

December 6, 2008 - We went to see Dinos Alive World Tour 2008 at the SM Mall of Asia. Patrick just got his Christmas bonus and we decided to take the kids seeing as how they're big fans of Jurassic Park :) and it's better to go earlier than later when more people will crowd the place. Fortunately, the crowd was minimal and it was a relaxing experience :)

The kids though got scared of the big dinosaurs, Dana in particular, which made me think that they should illuminate the dinosaurs more rather than creating such a dark and scary theme. Kids who are older may like that ambience though but for kids my children's age, it really scares them so it takes away the fun.

However, Dana brightened up when she went "digging" for fossils ! She also took part in the Alaska games zone and we watched a film showing at the Dino Theater from the QTV show, "Prehistoric Park". Coming out into the open air, the kids played at the giant inflatable slides after which we ate at KFC. Oh, we also got 5 sticks of Purefoods hotdogs! yummy!!

We got our very own souvenir photo from the Kodak stall (for P300+) and bought some toys from the merchandise store next door :) lots of cool toys on sale!! great bargains!!

We finished the day with dinner at Sbarro after going around appliance stores looking for good deals on DVD players!

We got home way, way late!! We were all exhausted but it was good fun!!

(edit) Click here to see the pictures we took.

Out of the house at last!

Yesterday, Saturday, we were finally able to get out of the house for a trip to the mall.. It's been while since we went out for fun because we've been out of funds hahahaha and going to the mall is not part of the budget LOL

Well, the kids and I were so excited even though we're just going window shopping but at least it gets us out of the house hehehehe

So we went to SM Mall of Asia!! We had lunch at a Japanese restaurant.. we hadn't eatern there before so that was an adventure.. but they cooked the food real well!! Yummy! Oishi!!! and the California Maki was so fresh!! we loved it!!


We also bought a mouse for the PC and hope that this one lasts.. the last one we bought, it didn't even last a week! and to think it was a bit expensive and branded

We also went to the Promenade along the Manila Bay...there was a small playground for kids and a water fountain and that's where the fireworks show happens every Friday and Saturday.. It was a blast!

We also did some grocery shopping and went home at around 8:30PM haha boy, were we all tired out.. my feet were aching from all that walking.. hahahah I'm getting old!!!

Dana's 4th Birthday - Day 1

What does a girl of 4 usually want for her birthday? Well, our Dana just wants a trip to the zoo and the mall :) We didn't make it to the zoo unfortunately, but we made it to the mall with more time to spare...

We went to SM Mall of Asia, last March 1st to celebrate Dana's 4th Birthday. We (Patrick, Dana, Dylan and Ate Den) ate a hearty lunch at the Mongolian Barbecue restaurant. It was an eat-all-you can feast which we really took advantage of :) Then, we spent the rest of the day looking for bathing suits ! It's summer so what the heck.. Our aunts from the States will be vacationing here in April and there's a definite trip to the beach in the works woohoo!! Dana had so much fun trying on different styles - a real trooper!! Since Ate Den's graduation was scheduled on March 28, we also decided to look for graduation shoes for her.. unfortunately, we were all too tired to really go around.. so we re-set that for another trip...

We had some digital pictures printed out, Dana was going around in her own car, while Dylan was in his stroller.. Dana and Daddy Patrick spent some quality time together playing in the arcades. Apparently, if it's your birth month you get a ton of credits to spend :) So that was also a great treat!

Dinner was spent at Don Henrico's where we had a huge plateful of pasta to share and pizza and bottomless drinks.. You can sort of deduce we love food! hahaha

We got home around 10pm and the kids still had too much energy! Their poor Ate Den was complaining of tired feet and promptly feel asleep when we got home

All in all it was a great day!