Solsticeipis

Brand New Blog. Old Name though.

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Geeking Out at the NSTW 2018!

Geeking Out at the NSTW 2018!

Geeking Out at the NSTW 2018!

This is the event that the science community and enthusiasts alike have been waiting for!

It was my first time to attend this event so I was giddy when I saw the exhibits. I didn’t know there is such an event until I was invited.

The National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) 2018was held this year on July 17 to 21 at the World Trade Center Manila. This year’s theme…

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Manila Wings - Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Manila Wings – Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Rating: ★★★★☆

We tried out one of the Top 10 Best Wings in Metro Manila to see if they really are worthy to be in the top 10. We must say, for us, theirs is one of the best we have tasted.

We ordered 12 pieces of wings with 3 classic flavors:

– Manila Wings (signature flavor): has this Pinoy barbecue-ish flavor with a mild, spicy kick. Not overpowering.

– Sili Wings (their take on the buffalo…

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Main Street - Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Main Street – Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Rating: ★★★★☆

Plain and simple – the food, the ambiance, and the staff are wonderful, despite the cold, rainy evening.

We ordered 3 dishes: Traditional Poutine, Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup, and Prawn and Mussels Pasta.

Since I there is some food I can’t eat, I asked our server to put it on the side. So if you noticed, the poutine is plain. According to Reynel, the dark beef gravy is…

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Visita Iglesia 2018: Quezon City Churches

Visita Iglesia 2018: Quezon City Churches

As you may know, we are doing the “Visita Iglesia” every Holy week as a means of repentance. For the past 2 years, we’ve so far covered the historical Manila churches and San Juan and Mandaluyong churches. So this year, we decided to visit the former Philippine capital, Quezon City.

Quezon city is not just rich in history and culture. It is also rich in religion as it houses the majority of…

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Destileria Limtuaco Museum

Filling up with the spirit of the times.

The famed walls of historic Intramuros just added another history. This time, the pioneers of liquor and wine in the Philippines: Destileria Limtuaco. As the oldest distillery in the country at 166 years, it is very fitting to have a museum that shows the legacy and the generations of winemaking business. As they say, wine tastes better as they age.

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Philippine Aerospace Museum

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Many kids would definitely answer, “Pilot”

So, in order for us to help those kids with that high ambition, we visited the ONLY Aerospace museum in the Philippines, the Philippine Aerospace Museum located in the compound of the Philippine Airforce Headquarters in the City of Pasay.

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Philippine Aerospace Museum

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Many kids would definitely answer, “Pilot”

So, in order for us to help those kids with that high ambition, we visited the ONLY Aerospace museum in the Philippines, the Philippine Aerospace Museum located in the compound of the Philippine Airforce Headquarters in the City of Pasay.

(more…)

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Museo Orlina

People have always thought of Tagaytay as the closest holiday destination with a cool climate. Families and groups have always visited the popular spots like the Picnic Grove, People’s Park in the Sky, and now the Skyranch.

If you are looking for something unique, and if you are quite artistic, Museo Orlina is the place for you to go. (more…)

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Museums for the Mind and Spirit

A good art collection is emblematic of the people collecting it. David Furnish

Our interest defines it and we unconsciously collect it either physically or in our minds. We invest in things that we love and have the passion for. It gives a sense of satisfaction to its owners or collectors whenever they come across a thing that they love. Hence, three museums in Marikina were established and it…

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Every year, people attend all sorts of Christmas parties. There is this costume party that requires you to, of course, go in a costume depending on the theme, such as “Paskong Pinoy” or the Filipino-themed party, Back to the 60’s, 70’s, etc. There is also this simple dinner party and the concert party.

This year, I attended a different kind of party – a Korean-themed party! This was organized by our eonnies (Korean for older sisters) from Korea in Manila, namely Ana Gonzales, Ava Te-Zabat, and Ashley Dy. They are a group of bloggers who are big fans of Korean dramas and the Korean culture.

Group photo grabbed from Ate Ana

They announced the event via Instagram. They selected a few lucky readers who responded to the question on their post who won loot bags and a bingsu treat. Luckily, I got selected by Ate Ava! I am unlucky when it comes to raffles or contests like that so I wasn’t really expecting I’d win, but I did! Yay!!!

Our K-Christmas party was held last December 16 at Cafe Seol Hwa Bingsu in Bonifacio Global City. It was an intimate party, but definitely super fun!Since that is a bingsu restaurant, each one had a mango bingsu, which, by the way, is super delish! The ice was shaved so finely that it mixed so perfectly with the milk. The mango toppings were mostly sweet and carefully placed. We also ate donuts and injeolmi toast (my new favorite!).

We had a game, a raffle, and a kris kringle! It is everything you can see in a usual party, only that our buffet is not food, but an “oppa buffet”! Hahaha! Ate Ana brought a box full of pictures of Korean actors and idols and had everyone choose a pack of 5 of whoever they like. Everyone also got a loot bag from Ilahui Philippines.

(Top to bottom: Goodies from Ilahui Philippines; Bingsu and Korean products from Ate Ava; What I got from the Kris Kringle from Ate Ana)

I won a Kim So Hyun calendar in the raffle and our team also won in the K-Drama quiz bee! Weehee!!

Just when everyone’s about to go home, we took a group photo and individual photos with our ates, as well as some chit-chat. I personally asked Ate Ava how I can develop our blog and make it a much better space for me to express myself and also share interesting and/or helpful stuff with other people. Her encouragement meant so much and I will do my best to apply what she told me.

Group photo grabbed from Ate Ana

Finger hearts with Korea in Manila ladies

with Ate Ana

with Ate Ashley

with Ate Ava

Overall, I enjoyed the party so much. I met new friends and learned about them and how crazy they are with K-Drama (and also K-Pop) just like me. As an introvert, I felt like this is an achievement for me. I hope that I’ll get to have this kind of courage to deal with my anxiety.

I am so grateful to Ate Ana, Ate Ava, and Ate Ashley for organizing this party. This is one of the highlights of my year. Until next time!! 🙂

    Korea in Manila K-Christmas Party!

Every year, people attend all sorts of Christmas parties. There is this costume party that requires you to, of course, go in a costume depending on the theme, such as “Paskong Pinoy” or the Filipino-themed party, Back to the 60’s, 70’s, etc.

Korea in Manila K-Christmas Party! Every year, people attend all sorts of Christmas parties. There is this costume party that requires you to, of course, go in a costume depending on the theme, such as "Paskong Pinoy" or the Filipino-themed party, Back to the 60's, 70's, etc.

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October is Museums and Galleries Month

October is Museums and Galleries Month

Under the Proclamation 798, signed by President Corazon Aquino in 1991, the month of October of every year is declared as Museums and Galleries Month.

Photo Credit: NCCA

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#vitaminsea #vacation #beachlife — these are just some of the hashtags that we want to check out, but most especially put in our SNS posts. Because there is nothing more relaxing than a day (or more) at the beach, right?

We didn’t have our beach vacation last summer so I decided to arrange a beach party for my family members who are July babies and especially my mom’s 50th and my lolo’s 80th in April. I didn’t know where the best place to go is so I had to ask for recommendations. Good thing, my boyfie recommended his college friend and my acquaintance who lives in San Juan, Batangas.

After all the recos, she suggested Playa Laiya Beach Club. I checked it out and was quite hesitant because of the price. The good thing is she is a lot owner there and they give a huge discount for the friends and family members of lot owners.

After two weeks of confirming everyone’s availability and preparation came the day.

We rented a van and two family members and relatives have their own cars so we just used Waze and a two-way radio plus our mobile phones to communicate. We also used the directions posted on the beach club’s website. If you are commuting, try calling their Manila so they could guide you further or just use the directions on the website as your guide if you’re quite adventurous.

We met our friend, Emma, the lot owner, in San Juan, Batangas since she offered to accompany us to the beach club for a much cheaper rate. (Woohoo!) We arrived there at around past 8 AM. We traveled for about 30 to 45 minutes more before we got to the place. If we didn’t have stopovers, we could have reached the place in just around 3 hours since we left San Juan/Mandaluyong at past 4 AM, but 9 AM is not bad at all.

cof

cof

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The resort doesn’t really have that much amenities, but it has pools and a beach that isn’t as crowded compared to the nearby resorts that time. It also has a cafe and classy cabanas and cottages and water activities which can make your stay more relaxing and fun.

The resort’s cafe

We rented the big cabana that is good for 25 people since our head count is 23, including the driver of the van. We also rented the griller for a fixed rate of Php 300. By the way, you can bring your own food and drinks with no corkage fee. They only charge for alcoholic beverages, I think, but I don’t know how much since we didn’t bring some.

We didn’t get to try the water activities since none of us wanted to so we just played dodgeball, swam, ate, and took pictures.

Goofballs on a vacation

bdr

dav

  My brother, my cousin, my nephew, and his uncle had their henna tattoos. The price depends on how complicated the design is, but it goes around Php 100 to 200.

The water in the pool is good because the chlorine isn’t strong. It’s safe even for little children. The water in the sea is not really clear, but they say that is usual in Batangas. It is also muddy and rocky so one needs to be careful. Also, the waves can get big and the currents can take you farther from the shore especially during rainy days so it is not advisable for people who are not confident in the water to go too far.

    There are two bath houses available and some open air showers if you want to wash off or take a bath completely before checking out.

The day trip starts at 9 AM and ends at 5 PM, but they give until before 6 PM for the guests to check out. Basically, if you just want a quick beach trip or a break from the usual malling thing, a 9-5 day trip isn’t that bad, most especially if you are in good company. (Pro tip: try asking among your circle of friends or officemates if they have a membership in beach clubs. Ask if it’s okay for them to endorse you so you’ll get a much cheaper rate than the published rates for non-members. You’re welcome.)

Driving back can be a bit tricky in because there is a particular area there that will take you to a village-like area instead of the main road to Manila so be alert, ask for directions, or leave the resort before dark. That area is about thirty minutes to an hour away from the resort, depending on the traffic situation.

The trip was really fun in general and I am so happy I got to spend the whole day with my family who also gave good feedbacks about the trip and the resort as well.

Mi Familia

Time to go! Where is GrabBoat when you need it? LOL

Many thanks to our friend, Emma, for making this trip possible. If ever you are interested in coming to Playa Laiya Beach Club, you can contact their Manila sales office for the rates and for reservations through the following details below.

  Playa Laiya Beach Club Beach Club, San Juan, Laiya Road, Batangas, Philippines [phone] http://www.playalaiyabeachclub.com/

  Photos by me and Reynel Domingo.

Summer Outing at Playa Laiya Beach Club

#vitaminsea #vacation #beachlife — these are just some of the hashtags that we want to check out, but most especially put in our SNS posts.

Summer Outing at Playa Laiya Beach Club #vitaminsea #vacation #beachlife -- these are just some of the hashtags that we want to check out, but most especially put in our SNS posts.

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Call for Donations for the Moms and Kids in Marawi City

Call for Donations for the Moms and Kids in Marawi City

Moms of Manila, in cooperation with Museo Pambata and Modern Nanays of Mindanao is calling for donations for our displaced fellowmen in Marawi City due to the attacks and the ongoing crisis which started on May 23rd.

  Moms of Manila sorting and packing the donated clothes and other items at Museo Pambata last Sunday, July 9, 2017.

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Our First Attempt in Online Selling

Our First Attempt in Online Selling

Online shopping can be addicting. From the old Multiply or Sulit.com (now OLX) to Facebook, Instagram, and through sites like Zalora, Shopee, Lazada and many others.

In 2015, we made an Instagram account called Big Box Boutique. It was empty until we decided to push through with it this year.

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Every once in a while, you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle in the big city and find a relaxing place to rest for a while.

That’s what we did last weekend.

Lap Pool

Adult Pool

We didn’t have a beach trip this year yet, even in summer, so we decided to just have a quick trip to a nearby resort. Despite the few reviews with average to low ratings, we still went on with it and gave it the benefit of the doubt.

Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park is located in San Mateo, Rizal, just less than an hour from Cubao, Quezon City. The room that we booked is the Molave VIP, priced at Php 2,500 for the overnight stay.

Here’s what we liked about it:

– It’s not crowded. – The room is spacious and almost complete with the basic necessities such as LED TV, aircon, shower, water heater, and towels. It also has a hair dryer, a large table and a couple of chairs, a dresser, and two small soaps and two sachets of shampoo. – The bed is comfy and spacious for two people. The comforter and the pillows are clean and soft. – The staff is friendly and accommodating. – There is a small play place for kids inside the cafe with TV where kids can watch a film. – They have two kiddie pools and three adult pools, including a lap pool. – They have a sari-sari store where you can buy some snacks, shampoo, and some swimming essentials. – They have amenities like basketball court, billiards table, videoke machine, wall climbing, bungee fun, and fish spa.

Kiddie Pool

Adult Pool

Adult Pool

Kiddie Pool

But we hope they could do something about the following:

– Restaurant/Cafe. They have a kitchen, but they only cook silog (fried rice and egg plus an easy-to-cook viand). The cafe has a lot on the menu but only has like three cakes displayed on the shelf. – Chlorine in the pool. They should consider making the chlorine content of the water lower since there are also children swimming and too much of it when swallowed, is dangerous. – I wish there are hangers and/or more hooks for the wet towels and swimsuits. – I think the shower head should be replaced already since it just ‘sprays’ water out of it. – Make sure that all of the cottages or tables have a mosquito net so flies and mosquitoes flying around. – There are no lifeguards on duty so make sure that you keep an eye on your kids.

Here are some tips, just in case you are going there:

– Bring your own food, packed or to be grilled. They have grillers that you can use. Plus, they don’t charge a corkage fee for it, only for beers and liquors. – Make sure to bring mosquito repellent. – The room or the cottage fee is not inclusive of the entrance fee. – There are some stores, small restaurants, and bakeries in the main road before Patiis. There is a Puregold Jr. and a 7-Eleven nearby also. – Proper swimming attire is required, but you girls and women can also wear a white shirt. – A key deposit of Php 300.00 is required. It will be refunded upon check out. – In case you forgot to bring food, you can call for delivery from Jollibee, Shakeys, and McDonalds.

Overall, the place is good enough for what we paid for, except for the fact that they do not have a go-to restaurant within their resort. We wish the management could maximize the space more and offer something better for their guests.

  How to get there: – From Gateway, Cubao (Aurora Blvd. side), get on a UV Express to San Mateo or Montalban then alight at SeaOil gas station in Patiis Road. The fare is Php 40 per head. – From there, you will see mostly white tricycles with the sign PATODA. They will take you directly there for Php 70 one way. Be ready for a bumpy tricycle ride because the Patiis Road is not yet fully cemented and is currently under road reblocking.

  Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park Upper Patiis, Brgy. Guinayang, San Mateo, Rizal

For the rates and other inquiries, you may reach them through these channels: [phone] / 584-8830 / 736-5260 https://greennature.ph http://www.facebook.com/ilovegreennature

Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park (San Mateo, Rizal)

Every once in a while, you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle in the big city and find a relaxing place to rest for a while.

Green Nature Resort and Leisure Park (San Mateo, Rizal) Every once in a while, you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle in the big city and find a relaxing place to rest for a while.

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International Museum Day 2017

International Museum Day 2017

It’s that time of the year again! Today is International Museum Day. Sadly, we cannot visit any museums today because of our work schedules.

This year’s theme is “Museums and contested histories: Saying the unspeakable in museums”.

The official poster of the IMD 2017. The poster “reflects the challenge of addressing contested histories and taboos and saying the unspeakable in museums.”

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Visita Iglesia 2017: San Juan and Mandaluyong Churches

Visita Iglesia 2017: San Juan and Mandaluyong Churches

It is our devotion as Catholics to do Visita Iglesia every year, during the Holy Week.

Last year, we visited 7 Historical Churches in Manila. This year, we braved the scorching summer heat to reflect, pray, and visit 7 magnificent churches in San Juan and Mandaluyong and one in Quezon City since it’s on the way.

The details are going to be short, but it can serve as your guide if you haven’t…

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