Review: What I loved about the Ford Everest Titanium 3.2L 4x2 AT

22 May 2019


We took the Ford Everest Titanium 3.2L 4x2 AT for a drive to Tagaytay and back to Manila on two separate occasions, first in April and then with this trip and I can honestly say it's one of the most comfortable trips I've had :)

Though I'm just a passenger and I can't say much about the ease of driving and the handling, I can remark about how comfortable I felt while riding in the Ford Everest Titanium.

I'll list down my favorites, so read on!

Travel: The Clubhouse @ SM Wind Residences PLUS JT"s Manukan and Bulalo Point Turo-Turo Grill

20-22 May 2019

Last April, we were in Tagaytay but weren't able to visit The Clubhouse at the SM Wind Residences because we became too exhausted from the Aqua Park at Club Balai Isabel. 

This time, we practically spent the whole day at The Clubhouse aside from going out to lunch at the nearby McDonald's and having dinner at Bulalo Point Turo-Turo Grill.

Check out our photos around the clubhouse, including the restaurants we ate at in Tagaytay. :)

Day Tour with Aqua Park at Club Balai Isabel: Exhausting but Fun!

27 April 2019

Today, we went to Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas to try out their Aqua Park, an inflatable water park.

Aside from the Aqua Park, we also tried out the swimming pool in Club Balai Isabel which was close to where the Aqua Park was. 

The Aqua Park was Exhausting but Fun and read on so you'll find out why!

Review: Our Stay at SM Wind Terraces Tagaytay through Airbnb

26 - 28 April 2019

This is our first time to book a place to stay via Airbnb and we don't regret it.  We booked a condo unit at the SM Wind Terraces in Tagaytay for our 3D/2N weekend getaway.  It was located in Tower 1, at the 16th Floor.

We only had a budget of P2K-P3K and we were pleased with our decision not just because of the location and the actual unit but also, the host, Luis, and his caretaker, Wendy, were both gracious and easy to talk with.

Check out our stay :)

Sun and Wind for Summer at the Pililla Wind Farm 2019

14 April 2019

Aah! The feel of the breeze from this vantage point was just too refreshing for a hot day!

Patrick was scheduled to do a photoshoot with the Ssangyong Musso this Sunday and we begged to go with him just to get out of the house :)  We even had to leave the house at 5AM just to beat the traffic and get to the location so that the light will be viable :)

These are our pictures at the Pililla Wind Farm while Patrick and his videographer, Engelbert, were working hard :)

The Pililla Wind Farm is located near the Manila East Road in Pililla, Rizal.

What to see at the National Museum of Natural History: Our first visit 2019

26 January 2019

At last, we were able to visit the recently-opened National Museum of Natural History in the former Department of Tourism Building in Luneta Park in Manila.

Opened in May 2018, this Museum has 6 floors, 5 of which have various displays and exhibits.

Prepare to walk a minimum of 2 hours if you want to visit all the exhibits!

Let's go!

Re-visiting the National Museum of Anthropology (2019)

26 January 2019

We've been to the Museum of Anthropology before, in 2016 (read about it here), but while there were staple exhibits, like the San Diego, Bangsamoro and Lumad exhibits, there were also a few new additions, like the Garing (Ivory Trade), Biyay (about the Negrito Community), Entwined Spheres (Baskets and Mats as containers), the Pina-Seda (Pineapple and Silk Cloth) and the San Isidro Shipwreck.

Prepare 2 hours to walk around the Museum of the Filipino People.

Review: Camp Riverside 2600 Tiny House Lofts, Baguio

28 November 2018

We went to Baguio last November 26-28 and we stayed in this little haven called Camp Riverside 2600 Tiny House Lofts located in Purok 02, Ambayao Road, Barangay Irisan.

We had an EXCELLENT experience and you'll see why when you read through this post.  I've included plenty of pictures to document our relaxing and enjoyable experience during our stay.

Props to Kuya Anjo and Kuya Arnie for making us feel so welcome!

Driving Directions from Baguio to Manila via Naguilian Road, including 2 new roads (2018)

28 November 2018

Our 3 Day trip in Baguio has come to an end and it's time to get back to Manila.  We came up using Marcos Highway but on our way back, we were advised (by Waze) to take the Naguilian Road.

We decided to try it since we didn't have to go back to the City Center and we thought it's best to try all roads leading to and from Baguio just for the experience.

It's pretty much a straightforward drive but it took us almost 4 hours just to reach the TPLEX Toll Gate in Pozorrubio.

Visiting the Tam-awan Village, Baguio

27 November 2018

Tam-awan Village was our first destination on our 2nd Day in Baguio.  We wanted to see the reconstructed Ifugao houses in a natural setting.  

There were also a lot of art pieces made by local artists.  A cafe and art gallery are also in the premises.

It is located at 367 Long Long Benguet Rd, Baguio.  Entrance Fees are P60 for Adults and P40 for Students.

Travel: Baguio Trip 2018

26 November 2018

So after two years, we're back in Baguio again.  This was kind of a spur-of-the-moment trip so we didn't really have any concrete plans about where to go or what to do.

What was definite was our lodging during our trip and we booked at Camp Riverside 2600.

We just went to the usual spots and stopped at the Lion's Head and Tam-awan Village since we haven't been there before.

Driving Directions to Baguio from Manila via TPLEX and Marcos Highway (2018)

26  November 2018

Last September 2016, we traveled to Baguio via the TPLEX and Kennon Road and this post was supposed to be an update to it.  However, we had to take Marcos Highway because Kennon Road was closed to traffic due to falling rocks.

Regardless, I hope it still helps since, now, we exited at the Pozorrubio Gate instead of Binalonan, which was the last open exit at the TPLEX at that time.

Toll fees are also included in this post.

Review: L Square Hotel in Tarlac City

04 November 2018

The L Square Hotel in Tarlac was our home for 3 days and 2 nights, from November 02 to November 04 due to a death in the family that brought us back to this city.

We had a pleasant enough stay and this post will highlight what we loved about the place and will also include some bits of it that could be improved.

L Square Hotel is located at KM 120, MacArthur Highway, Barangay San Rafael, Tarlac City.

Returning to Tarlac due to a death in the family

02-04 November 2018

On November 02, we all headed to Gerona, Tarlac to pay our last respects to our Uncle Bebot who passed away last October 30.  He was 70.

It's sad to think that we only really make time to see our distant family and relatives when there's a death in the family.   As I write this post, I realized that the last time we visited was in 2015!  Time flew so fast. 

Uncle Bebot, we are glad to have met you and spent time with you even if it was a short while. 

2018 Calayan Adventure, Day 07 - Traveling back to Manila (Calayan-Claveria-Laoag-Manila)

06 April 2018

Goodbye Calayan Island!  Today is our last day on the island.  As early as 5AM, we were awake and having breakfast because our boat leaves at 7AM for Claveria Port.

From Claveria, we headed to Laoag where we waited for our scheduled bus ride home. 

We booked the 8PM bus so that we'll all just sleep on the way home.

After around 11 hours on the bus, we arrived in Manila, safe but pretty tired. :)

2018 Calayan Adventure - Day 06 - Sagpat Family Farms and Despedida Dinner

05 April 2018

Today was dedicated to visiting our family's respective farms and properties.  For my Dad who hasn't been to the island in 20 years, this was like an eye-opener.  He was able to see how much the island has changed, even with just the little part that he'd seen.  I guess now he isn't going to wait 20 more years for him to return :D

Then, despedida dinner... a poignant time...

2018 Calayan Adventure - Day 05 - Ventura-Gaduang Nuptials, Night Swimming and a Bonfire

04 April 2018

Today was the much-awaited day for my niece Keith Joy and her long-time boyfriend Kelvin.  It's their Wedding Day and we were so honored to be part of their celebration!  Congratulations!!

Even after the reception ended in the afternoon, the party continued on with a bonfire at the beach in the evening :)

2018 Calayan Adventure - Day 04 - A Birthday/Family Reunion Celebration and a Sunset Tour in Punta Magsidel

03 April 2018

Traveling to my Dad's hometown is actually pretty insane considering the distance, modes of transport and time required to reach it.  But we made the journey out of love, out of familial responsibility and of gratitude for the people we consider our own.

One of the reasons for this trip happened today - a celebration of birthdays for Uncle Angel, Auntie Biyang and my Dad...

2018 Calayan Adventure - Day 03 - Hiking to Sibang Cove

02 April 2018

Aaah!  Sibang Cove - pristine white sand, blue-green waters, relative isolation... you're worth the 40 minute, grueling hike....

This was where we decided to have our family pictorial to commemorate the reunion of the Paypon siblings. 

Food for the picnic was brought over by lampitaw, including relatives who weren't able to make the trek.

Happy to share our pictures with you! :)

2018 Calayan Adventure - Day 02 - Traveling to Calayan Island (Claveria to Calayan)

01 April 2018

Happy Easter everyone!  Today is the day we board the boat on our way to Calayan Island, my dad's hometown.  It's exciting because it's been 10 years since we were last there and the kids don't probably remember much about that trip, so this is like a new experience for them...

This post shows you our journey from Claveria to Calayan... Look out for more of the rest of the journey in the succeeding posts... :)