Parenting Archive

My thoughts on parenthood, and what it's like to be a mom in the Philippines.

Resorts in Zambales (Anniversary Getaway Part 1)

We’re supposed to spend the weekend in La Union but due to oil spill, we need to change venue. It was heartbreaking.. when we think of a beach resort, only La Union comes in mind. It’s like a second home to us.. and the fact that we can do a lot of things in that province, it’s very sad that we have to change venue. After a week of frustrations and disappointments, I finally found us a place. Zambales it is!

Now, finding a resort in Zambales that will cater to our needs (cooking facilities, swimming pool with kiddie pool and affordable accommodation is quite challenging. Zambales, I learned, has a long stretch of beach.. from end to end, almost.

Subic is the first town coming from Manila, though there is so much we can do at Subic, judging from the map, the beach, I guess is not a good one.

San Antonio and Pundaquit, both are nice beaches but is not ideal for family outing (I think). And though it is the jump off point to Capones Island and Anawangin Cove is a good camping site, we’re looking for a more family friendly “adventure”.

San Narcisco and San Felipe, based on my research, are Zamables’ surfing sites. It’s ideal for surfers but not for kids.

The next beach resorts are located in Botolan then Iba, Palauig (home of Mt. Tapulao), Masinloc (coral reefs) then Candilaria (Potipot Island) and last is Sta Cruz.

We decided to try the beach at Botolan.. Botolan Zambales resorts Google search, gave me a few resort to choose from:

Rama Internatiol Beach Resort has swimming pool (with kiddie pool), accommodation with cooking facilities (fan room) and air condition rooms for 2 persons up to 9 persons. Rate ranges from 899+ to 3000+ (with charge for ectra persons). Contact numbers: 0918 910 1280 or 0917 523 7262. This is where we stayed, the resort is very old 🙁 will post more about the resort and why you should not choose this resort.

Bali-Hay Private Beach Resort is inside Botolan Point Beach. There is not much details on their website or on their facebook page but judging from the photos, it has a nice swimming pool but no kiddie poll. It was not also indicated if they have cooking facilities or accommodations with kitchen. The resort looks very nice and with a very landscaping (from their FB page). Contact details: 3473881 email: balihayresort@yahoo.com

Ambay Botolan, no swimming pool but very cheap accommodation (800- 200) Contact number: 0920-455-1303

Haven Beach Resort, no pool with Bahay Kubos for accommodations. Contact details: e-mail address (haven@dimanche.phReservations) 0919 – 642 8611

Botolona Point Beach, no pool but the resort is really nice. Contact number: 09189399344

West Coast Beach Resort, with swimming pool and kiddies pool. Their accommodation is 1500-1800 air con room good for 4 persons. There is no room with kitchen but there are grilling areas. The resort has volleyball court. Contact number: 09177320716.

Of all the resorts in Botolan, West Coast Beach Resort is the best resort that can cater to our needs. A few reviews from the internet said that the beach front of the resort is not good.. that you need walk down the stairs to access the beach, it is actually not true as when we visited the place, the beach front is quite nice. Even the whole resort is way better than Rama’s. It is cheaper than Rama’s too and the rooms are waay better. Not to mention that the pool looks better too. Poor judgement hahaha well there’s always the next time.

When The Universe Conspires..

Proning ako today.. OK that’s my coined word for Pronoia.. the opposite of paranoia.. that’s a state of mind where in, you feel like the universe conspires in your behalf (The Alchemist).. that’s exactly how I feel today.. ayayay! Happy thoughts on Monday!

A few weeks ago, I was planning a Bataan getaway.. and in the middle of my frustration over hotels and resorts in Bataan, hubby said we move the getaway to a more fitting date and a better location.. OK fine! After all my frustrations! grrrrrr And yes he was right, just around the corner is our 10th year of being mr&mrs.. perfect excuse to spend a weekend in the beach! And as if that is enough.. our anniversary falls on Friday!

Then we learned that my two boys are candidates for honor and that the exam for the candidates falls a few days before our planned getaway..talk about PERFECT TIMING! and another reason to celebrate (hahah confident talaga ako na kasama sila sa honor no).. It will be a busy week for me.. reviewing them and planning the getaway.. busy but very fulfilling week.

See you soon La Union!

Sunrise.. Sunset.. Full Moon..

This is the best Baguio getaway we had.. for one, biglaan ito.. walang plano-plano.. nung mabalitaan namin na nag 9 Degrees daw sa Baguio, may I sugod agad ang drama namin!

The last time we were in Baguio was 2009.. too many reasons why we never attempted Baguio for 3 years..one of the main reason is, we’re not comfortable using the car after Ondoy…ngayon na lang ulit kame nagkalakas loob na iakyat ng Baguio ang kotse.. of course that’s after a few Tagaytay trips (testing muna hehe). Three years is loooong.. atat na atat na ang kids sa Baguio and the little girl has never been to Baguio.

The timing was perfect, week after the exam, pede pang umabsent ang mga bagets..

As early as 4 AM we were already on the road (caught the sunrise along NLEX).. a few stop overs (travelling is more fun because of stop overs di ba?) and we’re in Baguio before lunch. We stayed at Robol88 Apartelle, a very cheap apartelle located at Camp Allen. A few steps (OK not few, more like a hundred + steps) away from Baguio market. It’s the perfect place to stay, pede ka magluto at anjan lang ang palengke to buy your food. Mura din to stay (units ranges from 1500 to 3000, depends on the number of rooms). And the best part is, you’ll have a view of Baguio, 36o! Makes me want to spend New Year there (taralets mga bagets?).

We went to Wright Park after lunch… 2 horses for 300 per hour each.. not bad, considering the boys and the princess and even the big boy had so much fun horse back riding. Ako naman, I had fun taking photos.. we even took turns posing with Igorot costumes (10 Pesos per head unlimited shots).

Burnham Park after that.. kaya lang pagdating namin doon, ang boating, sarado! jusme binenta pa naman namin ng bongga kay Keng ang boating, nun pala di naman nya ma experience un! Turns out, the lagoon is currently in rehabilitation. They drained out the water and scrape all the mud and dirt accumulated in the lagoon over the years. It’s more than a decade yata since this was done.. so imagine how much mud and dirt was there.. the time we were there, tapos na ang cleaning, nilalagyan na lang ng water ang lagoon and some said hopefully by Sunday it will be operational again…others said it would take until February 1.. in time for the opening of Panagbenga. Ay naku you can almost feel the festivity in Burnham.. everyone is busy preparing for the festival..Buti na lang talaga we went there this early, though Panagbenga is a must see festival, I wouldn’t dare go there with 4 kids in tow.

The kids went biking na lang then bumper car.. they were supposed to try roller skating kaso sarado na pagdating namin.. bukas na lang ulit! And after the kids had dinner, hubby and I went around looking for 50s Diner (must eat daw eh).. kaso naligaw ligaw kame and since Camp Allen is very strict on it curfew (10 PM sarado na ang gate), bagsak kame ng Session Road. We’re supposed to try Sizzling Plate but end up in another resto (in front of Sizzling Plate).. sizzling din and the food was good.. just can’t remember the name of the resto.. had our dessert at Starbucks 🙂 date kahit nasa Baguio!

Our second day was spent at Strawberry Farm, picking time! We’re excited kase nga first time ni Sati, first time din ni Chico since the last we went there, hang putik at baby pa si Chico noon.. Strawberry picking is 400 per kilo.. Mahalia Jackson! Hindi per head ang bayad, per kilo ha, so kahit sampu kayo kung bet nyo pumitas ng pumitas, gow lang! Good luck na lang sa dami ng mapipitas nyo kung hindi kayo mamulubi.. so just imagine how my mind was, WALO kame lahat! ilang kilo kaya ang mapipitas namin?!? After 30 minutes yata naka dalawang kilo na kame.. good luck talaga ang wallet ko! And as I paid for 2 kilos of freshly picked and not to mention super big and super sweet strawberries, walang barya si kuya sa 1k! eh di umiral ang pagiging barat and offered him na 3 kilos for 1k na lang.. pumayag naman si kuya.. ayun nasakto ang saya ng bagets, hindi bitin ang picking nila 🙂 150 PhP ang kilo ng strawberries fyi

Of course we had the famous Strawberry taho and strawberry ice cream.. and according to manong taho: Strawberry Taho for Instagram.. o sya pagbigyan!

After strawberry picking, went back to apartelle for lunch and the much needed nap! Went back to Burnham after our nap.. ay before that pala, we had the best lunch! Sinigang na baboy + tapang baka + pakwan.. ay superb ang sabaw na mainit sa malamig na panahon and the saltiness of the tapa balanced the sourness of sinigang… napapa O syet sarap ako while sipping the soup (ang sagwa lang.. binawal nga ako ng jowa ko.. pang R18 ang tunog haha)

At Burnham, the kids stayed mostly at the play ground then at roller skating rink.. where they went crazy with bumper cars.. kame din naman mag- asawa nag enjoy sa bumper car.. and yes they tried roller skating, na nauwi sa walang humpak na tawanan, saldak dito, saldak doon eh.

Sunday and it’s time go home.. but before hitting Marcos Highway, we went back to Strawberry Farm to buy veggies and some pasalubongs (mas mura doon kesa sa palengke) then back to Apartelle to ready our things then to Burnham Park for first born’s picnic request.. we had Jollibee foods lang.. and a few jump shots.. and to our delight, boating is back in business! Yipeeeeeeeee

Scary at first but it was fun! Thankful that the kids were able to experience Baguio as it is.. low temp.. less people.. horse back riding, strawberry picking (and eating while doing so) picnic and of course boating at Burnham..

That’s what makes our trip the best Baguio getaway ever.. it has been my dream to visit Baguio during this time.. the time that it is coldest and so thankful husband fulfilled that dream.. early birthday present! The best part of our trip is: hindi ako na short sa budget! in fact may natira pa sa akin na kaunti! ang saya lang di ba?

At ang dalaga ko, gusto bukas bukas bumalik na kame sa Baguio!

Now I want to give myself a pat in the back for a trip well done 🙂 on our way home.. we passed by Villasis Bagsakan and bought mangoes (isang kaing mga teh! mangga kung mangga!) and shrimp paste…and we were lucky to witness these: sunset and full moon! coolness!