My family (husband & 2 teenage sons) and I were driving around Bonifacio Global City in search of a place to eat last Saturday. We were coming from Anticipated Mass at Sanctuario de San Antonio and a short stop at the Citibank Gold/Platinum Exclusive Sale of Store Specialists brands in Blue Leaf Pavilion. The kids had grown tired of our usual dining spots in Serendra (Fu, Conti's, Abe) and Fort Strip (Mini Shabu-shabu, Friday's, Brother's Burger), so we decided to hover 'round the Bonifacio Stopover (the first district of eats on the right as you descend from the Buendia Flyover). Lo' and behold, in a short cylindrical structure alongside that of Pancake House (right behind Shell gasoline station) stood Dayrit's Burger & Roastbeef House! Yep, 'tis the same old place known for delectable sandwiches, burgers, and Chorizo Macao.
AVERTING YAYA FROM HELL
It was a day after we terminated the services of Mico’s yaya, on grounds of stealing, that our young niece disclosed to me an even more appalling fact: the sorry-excuse-for-a-human-being I had entrusted my second-born preschooler’s welfare with had been filching him of his leftover daily allowance to fund her ‘tong-its habit’! On nights my in-laws (with whom my husband and I would leave our 2 sons while we went off to work) were expected late, Mico’s Ate Tini would come home from school to find him slumped crying in one corner of her bedroom after his vile nanny had forcibly snatched his money to gamble with the other household help. He told his cousin that his yaya would even threaten him bodily harm should he resist or, much worse, ‘squeal’ on her.
Sunlife Sales Executive and mom Joselyn Tiu also thought she hit the jackpot when she chanced upon a nanny who could also cook delectable Chinese dishes. Later would she realize that, after also terminating the woman’s service, her then-grade school daughter and son, were suffering verbal abuse and threats courtesy of their assigned custodian if they failed to finish all the food she prepared for them.
Our Hongkong Disneyland Experience
My husband, 2 teenage boys and I recently flew to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific's "Buy 3 Get 1 Free" promo. For 3 adult roundtrip tickets purchased, an additional adult flies free. With the package comes an overnight stay in a room in any of two Disney Hotels, 4 stay-and-play Disney park tickets and Disney FASTPASS for 4 and late check-out from the hotel.
Before departing, we figured it would be best to already hit the duty free confectionery to buy chocolates and candied pasalubongs (my Lindt chocolates, Malteser buckets and 1-lb. Super Bubble bubble gums were a huge hit with the 'recipents'). It all came with a 7% discount on the Travel Light scheme, where you make the purchases, leave the stuff under DFS safekeeping and just pick up the 'contraband' up as soon as you fly back.
FRIDAYS BORACAY
QUIETLY POSH FRIDAYS BORACAY
Our pleasurable holiday began as we arrived at the resort. They accommodated us for early check-in. We stayed in an 80sqm hilltop premiere suite (the topmost unit…..84 steps up! I didn’t gain weight over the long weekend). But, man, the suite is so F-I-N-E! It had
· its own spacious verandah with a fabulous view of the ocean (the 84-step ascent is worth it…..so great waking up to every single mawnin’, I tell ya!)
· a queen-sized bed for mommy and daddy
· 2 single beds for my boys
· a delightful bathroom as big as the bedroom (with jacuzzi, toilet bidet and the other usual toiletries you get from good hotels)
· mini-bar
· in-room safe
Boracay By My Eye
THE HOLY WEEK THRONG
Knowledge of it being Maundy Thursday did little to keep my jaw from dropping as I saw the snake-dancing line of travelers to the entrance of the pre-departure area of the Philippine domestic airport.
As my two teenage sons and I queued up, I shot my dear husband a wry “did-you-have-to-choose-this-time-of-year-to-go-on-holiday?” look, to which he flashed back a “smile-my-love-this-too-shall-pass!” grin. Sigh! I wish I had the man’s patience. We were flying to Caticlan via SeaAir and the sight of the Bora-bound “travel mob” came to a head as we entered the pre-departure area. There were long lines to various food kiosks, the magazine stand and (que horror!) the ladies’ room (line of which went spanned the 3 corners of the waiting area of pre-departure). “Holy Mother of God!” was all I could muster. And it didn’t end there. Flights were delayed throughout the morning as arrivals came in late. Our 10:30am suffered just a half hour but other skeds were pushed back as much as one and a half. We were also fortunate that our transfer from Caticlan to the island of Boracay went smoothly, as we were booked at classy Friday’s Resort.
Cathay Pacific promo
- airfare
- Disney hotel accommodation
- park ticket
- early check-in and late check-out at either of the two Hong Kong Disneyland themed hotels
- 4 "Stay and Play" two-day Hong Kong Disneyland park tickets
- 1 Disney's FASTPASS® per person, pre-issued at your hotel (less time queuing)
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