Wednesday, January 27, 2010

where to take loved ones for valentine's day 2010?

some ideas for a romantic V day. :)

1. Clark, Pampanga will host the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 from 11 to 14 February 2010.


*image from ivan henares

see fiesta schedule here:
http://www.philballoonfest.net/attractions/event-schedule.html

2. Bayview Park Hotel, Manila Valentine's Day Promo on February 14, 2010 (Sunday).



http://www.bayviewparkhotel.com/

3. Romance in the Spring at Discovery Suites / Love in Full Bloom at Discovery Country Suites





http://www.discoverysuites.com

4. Hotel H2O, Manila Ocean Park

Enjoy a garden- + aquarium-themed 5 course dinner at Agos, 20 seats (10 couples) only, strictly for reservations.



http://www.hotelh2o.com/index.php

5. The Peninsula Manila + Hermès Valentine's Day Treat

The Peninsula Manila has teamed up with renowned French fashion house Hermès to offer a seductive Valentines Day treat. The Peninsula Orange Valentine package has been designed to introduce guests to some of the highlights of Manila and the luxurious Peninsula lifestyle, including a private viewing and Peninsula Continental breakfast at the new Hermès boutique.

From the moment guests enter their room at The Peninsula Manila, they will be enveloped in the fabulous world of Hermès -orange. They can nibble on chocolate-dipped mangoes, apricots, oranges and nectarines while sipping on Peninsula Champagne before choosing from an array of Hermès bath and body products to use during their stay.

The following morning, a short drive in a Mercedes-Benz limousine to the newly-opened Hermès boutique in Greenbelt 3 for private viewing and shopping for designer fashions, fine leather, china and fragrances is next on the pampering agenda, and guests will enjoy a Peninsula Continental breakfast served by a butler on-site at the Hermès boutique. A swim in the outdoor pool and a supervised workout with a personal trainer at The Peninsula Spa are just a few of the other memorable experiences that await guests.

This special package is available until 28 February 2010 and room rates start from PHP17,000* per night for two in a Premier Suite.

* Prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes

For reservations, please call The Peninsula Manila at (632) 887-2888, extension 6630 (Room Reservations), e-mail reservationpmn@peninsula.com or visit http://www.peninsula.com/Peninsula_Hotels/en/default.aspx#/Manila/en/

6. Romance at The Peak, Lancaster Hotel Manila

A Romantic dinner at the 41st level of the hotel, with a live band to fill your night with music and love.

The Peak
February 14, 2010

7:00 pm

CONTACT: Mr. Jerry Burog, F&B Manager, #09228576407
Ms. Sharon Salandanan, F&B Supervisor, #09285040442
Direct Line #5345745
Trunkline #5321818 loc. 7072

Avail of a 40% Discount on Room Accommodations at Lancaster Hotel Manila

Ticket cost for only P1,600 - dinner good for 2 (two) pax.

Promo is valid from February 14 to 17, 2010 only.



http://www.lancasterhotelsph.com/manila/

7. Watch RENT the musical



Feb 13, 2010 (Saturday)
8PM/ C.P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza
Get Your Tickets Now! (Check out the Seat Plan)
Call/ Text: 09178114977 (Jason), 09276577086 (Francis) and 09178480043 (Eileen)
Email: Rent.On.Feb@gmail.com

Feb 14, 2010 (Sunday)
RENT Musical in Manila on V-Day!
4:30PM/ C.P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza
Get Your Tickets Now! (Check out the Seat Plan)
Call/ Text: +63917-5577367 (Chad Manapat)
Email: chad@manapat.org
RSVP Facebook Event Page
Visit rentvalentines.co.cc

Feb 14, 2010 (Sunday)
RENT Musical on Valentines Night
8:00PM/ C.P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza
Get Your Tickets Now! (Check out the Seat Plan)
Call/ Text: Contact Onay (0918-536-2116)
Email: rentfeb14@yahoo.com
Visit www.rentfeb14.blogspot.com

see OAP's Manila's Essential Guide to Rent The Musical
http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2010/01/essential-guide-to-rent-the-musical.html
*image and info from Anton Diaz http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com

8. Club Balai Isabel's Balai Sinta Valentine's Month Package

Lakeside Suites start at Php7,650.00 (includes overnight accommodation for 2, dinner, breakfast, full body massage, free use of pool and special gift)



Melinda G. Medina
Director of Sales
Club Balai Isabel
Talisay, Batangas
Tel.: (63 2) 584-4157 or (63 43) 784-5700 to 09
Fax: (63 2) 584-4157

Manila Sales & Reservations Office:
Unit M06 Isabelle Royale Hotel and Suites
4343 P. Valdez Street, Makati City
Tel. No.: (63 2) 897-0229
Fax. No.: (63 2) 897-0229
Website : www.balaiisabel.com

9. Nurture Spa, Tagaytay



http://www.nurture.com.ph/index.php

10. Celebrate Love at the Ascott, Makati



11. Sofitel’s Hot Hearts Package - Feb 12-14, 2010

Package 1
ROOM CATEGORY Rate Nett Rate
Classic 8240+++ 10121
Superior 9220+++ 11324
Package 2
ROOM CATEGORY Rate Nett Rate
Classic 7180+++ 8819
Superior 8160+++ 10023

Inclusions:
For Feb 12-14, choice between:
PACKAGE 1
· Room accommodation for 2 adults
· Breakfast for 2 persons (for Feb 12-14, choice of Spiral breakfast or breakfast in bed; preference must be confirmed upon making the reservation)
· Heart-shaped rose petals in room
· 0ne-hour massage for 2 in guest room or at the spa
· 6 pralines to be placed in room
PACKAGE 2
· Room accommodation for 2 adults
· Breakfast for 2 persons (for Feb 12-14, choice of Spiral breakfast or breakfast in bed; preference must be confirmed upon making the reservation)
· 5 pieces of chocolate dipped strawberries in room
· Champagne Marguet in room
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR PACKAGE 1 AND PACKAGE 2
· 20% discount in F&B (except Room Service and Minibar)
· 50% discount on LeSpa Signature Massage – (L’Amour rate)

Hot Hearts 2, Feb 1-11, Feb 15-28, 2010

The life and love we create is the life and love we live - Leo Buscaglia
ROOM CATEGORY Rate Nett Rate
Classic 5990+++ 7357
Superior 6970+++ 8561
Inclusions:
· Room accommodation for 2 adults, 2 children
· Breakfast for 2 persons in Spiral
· 1 Romantic Classics CD to be placed in room
· 6 Pralines to be placed in room
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS :
· 20% discount in F&B (except Room Service and Minibar)
· 50% discount on LeSpa Signature Massage – (L’Amour rate)
· 1 hour complimentary use of the Kids Club for 2 kids

Above discounts are Terms and Conditions:
Rates are valid on specified dates in February 2010
Add only 735+++ per room for a breath taking view of the Manila Bay.
The hotel shall require a Credit Card guarantee to confirm the booking.
24 hour- cancellation policy shall apply.
Not applicable in conjunction with other promos and discount programs but Accor Advantage Plus Members will enjoy additional 10% discount

12. Valentine Cruise 2010 by Realship





www.realshipcorp.com

13. The Heritage Hotel, Manila





THE HERITAGE HOTEL MANILA
Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA, Pasay City
Website: www.heritagehotelmanila.com

A MEMBER OF MILLENNIUM HOTELS AND RESORTS

You are the Centre of Our World.
Log on to
www.millenniumhotels.com/
to get your Best Rate Guarantee.

14. The Diamond Hotel, Manila





Diamond Hotel Philippines
Roxas Blvd. cor., Dr. J. Quintos St.,
Manila 1000, Philippines
Tel.:(632)528-3000
Fax:(632)305-8364
Email: tmaristela@diamondhotel.com
http://www.diamondhotel.com

15. The Malayan Plaza, Ortigas



Tha Malayan Plaza
ADB Avenue cor. Opal Road,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Tel No. +632 706-0055 Loc. 8009
Email: marielquijano@quantumsuites.com
www.quantumsuites.com

16. My Mother's Garden, Pasay

VALENTINE'S AT PABLO'S

HAVE DINNER AT THE RESIDENCE OF
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR ARCHITECTURE:
PABLO ANTONIO


for P1000 per person, couples will be treated
to a romantic buffet dinner consisting of:

mustard chicken
chorizo pasta
black olive pasta
grilled prawns
spicy clams
red and white rice
bread and butter
fruit punch
assorted desserts
coffee and tea

A surprise gift wiil be given to all the ladies
for reservations, pls call, 09176008886, 8318407, 2324573 look for malu veloso

My Mother's Garden
2650 Zamora St. Pasay
Tel. No. 831-8407
Malu Antonio Veloso (+63 917 600 8886)
Letlet Antonio Veloso (+63 918 702 2125)

Driving Directions:
From Makati, drive along Edsa until you almost reach Taft Avenue. Almost near the LRT Taft Avenue Station overpass, you will see a small eskenita with Metropoint Mall at the corner. Turn right on that small street right before Taft Avenue and follow the jeepneys turning into the two-way Zamora St. Just drive along until you see 2650 Zamora St.

*info taken from anton diaz and carlos celdran's sites

16. VARIOUS OFFERS AROUND THE METRO

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila’s Xin Tian Di restaurant offers a slew of traditionally lucky dishes -- Yu Sheng Salad, tossed for abundance, prosperity and vigor, as well as the Eight Treasure Stuffed Chicken, among others -- but is really set apart by introducing the Love Letter (a.k.a. kuih kapit), wafer-thin egg rolls or triangles that according to Chinese legend were used by lovers to pass secret romantic letters (not too far-fetched given that the mooncake was used to secret missives to revolutionaries).

Chef Sam Lee’s version is laced with coconut and mildly sweet, enough to satisfy the Kitchen God Tsao Chun (his mouth is usually smeared with sugar or honey so that he may present a "sweetened" version of the family’s misdeeds to the Jade Emperor).

Then there are Chinese goodies that can be arranged in a "togetherness platter" -- pineapple tarts, peanut puffs, deep-fried beehive cookies, cashew nut cookies, steamed pumpkin cake, ang ku kueh and peach-shaped dumplings, and fish-shaped, brown and white tikoy.

The Valentine set menu starts at P1,480++ per person inclusive of a glass of sparkling wine; couples get a chance to win round-trip tickets and three days/two nights at either Jakarta, Indonesia or Busuanga, Palawan, in a promo partnership with Cebu Pacific. For details call 635-5114 or 633-7222 loc. 7223.

The Peninsula Manila’s Escolta offers a Chinese New Year Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet (P1,500 for adults, with an additional P600 if a glass of Champagne is desired, P900 for children under 12, plus 10% service charge and government taxes) from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For details call 887-2888.

Dusit Thani Manila’s BASIX does the lucky salad toss this year, with the auspicious "Yu Sheng buffet," available from Feb. 13-21, inclusive of drinks. Specialties include century egg platter, roast porkloin with Hoisin sauce and dried prunes stuffing, squash flower with shrimp mousse, braised Tofu with bamboo shoot and mushroom, braised slice abalone with sea cucumber, and sauteed prawns with orange sauce, among a host of other dishes. For inquiries, call 867-3333.

The New World Hotel’s Cantonese restaurant Jasmine offers a Chinese New Year set menu designed by chef Choi Wing Ki for lunch and dinner until Feb. 20. The six-course meal can be availed at P14,800 for a table of six persons and P28,800 for a table of 12 persons. Highlighted is the Ultimate 18 Treasures Feast in Wooden Basin composed of 18 ingredients, among them abalone, sea moss, tiger prawns and eel. Refills of Chinese ginseng wine are complimentary, and a box of Special Radish Cake will be given to a group of six and two boxes for a group of 12. For more information, call 811-6888.

Mandarin Oriental Manila will have its grand celebration on Feb. 13 (P2,688 nett for adults, P988 nett for children), with a "midnight lauriat" of 10 courses prepared by Tin Hau chef Hann Furn Chen. Several lauriat menus are also available at the Chinese restaurant for the rest of the month. Feng shui master Joseph Chau will perform his auspicious rituals at the ballroom, and guests will receive a copy of his 2010 Year of the Golden Tiger forecast (the book will be sold for P398 at the Lobby Shop and Mandarin Deli beginning Feb. 13). There will also be dance performances by the Shin Yi Dance Troupe and a fireworks display, apart from an art exhibit dubbed Emergent Energy, presented in collaboration with Galleria Duemila, featuring paintings that depict the tiger and other Chinese zodiac signs, the iconic koi, and similar Oriental themes.

Sweet Valentine
Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, in partnership with fashion designer Kate Torralba, launches the Valentine Couture Cake, an intricate pile of pink ombre sugar rose petals which form a three-dimensional rose in full bloom. The sugar rose sits on a layer of vanilla sponge cake and white Swiss Felchlin chocolate mousse infused with assorted berries and white chocolate bits, and finished with a velvety chocolate coating. The cake is available at the Hyatt’s Pastry Boutique at P300 for "personal" cake and P1,800 for the regular size cake. For orders and inquiries, call 245-1234.

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila’s Love Letters, wafer-thin egg rolls or triangles that according to Chinese legend were used by lovers to pass secret romantic letters

The Peninsula Manila dishes out the romance with giveaways such as a long-stemmed red rose and Peninsula chocolates or a bouquet of red roses and chocolates (in select restaurants), for ladies who dine at the hotel on Valentine’s Day.

Escolta has a dinner buffet (P990 for children under 12, P2,000 for adults, P2,600 inclusive of a glass of champagne for adults), as does The Lobby (P990 for children under 12, P1,900 for adults, P2,500 inclusive of a glass of champagne for adults). Old Manila offers a five-course set dinner with a limited a la carte menu on Feb. 13 (P3,500 for adults, P4,500 inclusive of a glass of champagne), and again on Feb. 14, a five-course set dinner (P4,000 for adults, P4,500 inclusive of a glass of champagne). Mi Piace on Feb. 13 has a four-course set dinner with a limited a la carte menu also available (P1,150 for children under 12, P1,700 for adults, P2,300 inclusive of a glass of champagne for adults), and on Feb. 14 has a four-course set dinner with a limited a la carte menu also available (P1,200 for children under 12, P2,100 for adults, and P2,700 inclusive of a glass of champagne for adults). Finally, Spices offers it’s a la carte menu.

However, couples staying at the hotel may opt for room service -- a three-course set dinner with a limited a la carte menu (P3,250 per person, P6,500 inclusive of a half-bottle of Peninsula Champagne for two adults). For inquiries, call 887-2888 ext. 6694.

New World Hotel is raffling off a necklace from Jul B. Dizon Jewelers to those who avail of its Saccharine Suite Package and diners at M2M or Bocarinos until Feb.21. There will also be a "Valentine’s fete" on Feb. 13 and 14, with the Cherish Dining Package at those establishments, inclusive of a welcome cocktail at the outdoor patio and a complimentary photo memento taken prior to dinner. M2M’s Valentine’s buffet spread (P3,850 per couple) includes a glass of bubbly, red or white wine. Bocarinos offers a five-course continental meal with a complimentary glass of red, white or sparkling wine (P4,850 per couple). For an additional P1,000, one may enjoy free-flowing wine and dance to live music at Cinnabar. Special arrangements can be made with F&B assistant director Javier Berenguer-Testa at 0917-882-8529. For reservations, call 811-6888.

Holiday Inn Galleria Manila’s Fab Restaurant lays out a dinner buffet (P1,300++ inclusive of a glass of sparkling wine) with fresh oysters on ice as appetizer and a choice of main courses -- beef tournado wrapped in bacon with mushroom sauce, grilled blackened pork with Cajun, and pan-fried pampano with herbs, roast tenderloin with wild berries sauce, or beef tenderloin in puff pastry with Madeira sauce. Meanwhile, the hotel’s Bar One presents Love Duet, a cocktail platter for two (P800++), available on Feb. 13 and 14. Diners at Fab and Bar get a chance to win roundtrip tickets and three days/two nights accommodations for two to either Jakarta, Indonesia or Busuanga, Palawan, in a promo partnership with Cebu Pacific. For inquiries, call 633-722 or 395-2690.

Dusit Thani Manila has several options for Valentine’s on Feb. 13 and 14. At UMU, Japanese chef Kiyoshi Ogawa primes a six-course set menu dinner with a glass of Moet et Chandon champagne (P2,600 net per person), the main course being Chilean seabass fillet teppanyaki, beef saikoro steak, and mixed vegetables, and the meal capped by a trio of desserts -- cheese mousse, Japanese style pudding and green tea flavored mochi ice cream.

Meanwhile, at Tosca, the Italian four-course meal (P1,710 net per person) offers a choice of main dishes in either lapu-lapu fillet and prawns on yellow bell pepper sauce, green asparagus tempura and orange couscous, or beef tenderloin in red wine sauce, zucchini-pumpkin ragout and William potato. The dessert is a strawberry-lemon variation that consists of a strawberry yoghurt mousse, lemon apple tart and lemon ice cream with vanilla foam.

Finally, Royal Thai restaurant Benjarong has a five-course set menu with a glass of Moet et Chandon champagne prepared by chef Phacharapon Noinak (P1,600 net per person), with a choice of main dish in Pla Sapparod (deep-fried lapu-lapu fillet with pineapple gravy), See Krong Mie Noi (stir-fried pork spareribs with chili sauce) or Phad Phak Ruam Gung (stir-fried three-kinds vegetables with prawns). Desserts are Lod Chong Namkati Taeng Tai (Thai cendol musk melon in sweetened coconut milk) and Kha Nom Chan (steamed rice flour with coconut and sugar). For reservations, call 867-3333.

InterContinental Manila’s Prince Albert Rotisserie offers a carving buffet for lunch (P1,500 net per person) on Feb. 12 and a Valentine four-course set menu (P3,300 net per person) for dinner from Feb. 12-14. At Gambrinus Bar, enjoy an open bar and pica-pica buffet treat (P800++ per person) from 5 to 10 p.m., while listening to love songs on Feb. 12-14. Café Jeepney, meanwhile, serves a buffet spread for lunch (P1,380 net per person) and dinner (P1,650 net) on Feb. 13 and also for dinner on Feb. 14. A roving trio of musicians will serenade guests. On the eve of Feb. 13, guests can opt to dine buffet-style at the poolside garden and be entertained by the Acoustic Jive band (P2,000 per person inclusive of one iced tea). Finally, on Feb. 14, guests can go on a gastronomic adventure with I-HOP (P1,600 per head), and dine in all the hotel’s restaurants -- Prince Albert Rotisserie, café Jeepney, Gambrinus Bar and Sol y Sombra. A special raffle of hotel gift certificates and wines will be held at all restaurants from Feb. 12 to 14, and ladies partaking of any of these Valentine offerings will receive a gift from Clinique, Suriya Spa and Culinary exchange. For more information, call 793-7000.

Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center has set up a five-course menu on Feb. 12 to 14 at Oakroom which includes a lobster cocktail, truffle and cauliflower veloute with escargot pillow, and grilled fillet mignon and roast seabass for the main course (P1,888+++ per person). The Oakroom Bar is offering special Valentine drinks until Feb. 14, including vodka-based Sparkling Romance, tequila-based Passion Rose, and rhum-based Love Potion. For reservations, call 637-7888 or 910-888 ext. 8604.

Discovery Suites provides an international dinner buffet (P850+ per person) at Restaurant 5, and showcases a hearty dinner buffet at 22 Prime, with the steak restaurant’s US prime rib as its main feature, (P1,400 per person). Meanwhile, the Columbus Function Room will be dressed up as a romantic garden in the middle of spring, where couples will have their own table set for a gourmet five-course dinner (P1,500* per person), inclusive of a glass of sparkling wine and giveaways from L’Oreal Paris, Bloombiz Flowers and Crabtree & Evelyn. For details call 719-8888, 719-5931 or 719-6821.

Diamond Hotel’s pre-Valentine offerings on Feb. 12 and 13 include a Barbeque Dinner Buffet at the poolside (P1,500 net per person), including red wine and roses for the ladies. At the Sky Lounge Music Bar, there will be a post-dinner Valentine party (P688 net per person), with a glass of rosé wine and musical entertain-ment. For other offerings starting Feb. 12 and extending until Feb. 14, Restaurant Le Bellevue has set menus for lunch and dinner (P2,500++ per person). At the Palm Court Café, a couple could partake of the lunch buffet spread (P1,500 net per person) or a feast of seafood dishes at the Valentine dinner buffet (P1,988++ per person). Diamond’s Astralis, located at the Rockwell Powerplant Mall in Makati, has set lunch and dinner menus (P1,988++ per person). For the latter three restaurants, a glass of rosé wine comes with the package, plus ladies will receive a box of pralines and roses.

The Richmonde Hotel offers the four-course Valentine’s Dinner Duet, with main dish choices of beef tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce, and prawn of the Orient in lemon butter sauce, complemented by a tasty appetizer, flavorful soup, with a glass of featured red or white wine that comes with a box of chocolate heart pralines. The dinner at The Richmonde Grill is priced at P1,960 for two persons. For inquiries and reservations, contact 638-7777 or 689-8419.

Pan Pacific Manila’s The Pacific Lounge offers an eight-course Valentine dinner for couples on Feb. 13 and 14 (P1,500 net per person, inclusive of one round of drinks). For inquiries, call 536-0788.

The Bellevue is offering a romantic date on Feb. 14 at Cafe d’Asie, with a buffet that includes Spanish paella, boneless chicken Provencale, and grilled beef tenderloin medallion. At the poolside will be served a Valentine’s dinner buffet of gravlax salmon with capers and lemon, and seafood kebab among others. The hotel is also offering heart-shaped pastries, chocolates and various sweet treats from the Pastry Corner including ensaymadas (in chocolate, ube, dulce de leche, Malolos or plain variants) and heart-shaped cookies (oatmeal, pistachio, white chunkie, choco chips spotties and double choco). For reservations, call 771-8181.

On Feb. 12-14, the Timog Ave., QC, restaurant Rocksalt will serve a three-course set menu for Valentine’s. There will be a choice of entrees -- US beef belly on roasted garlic mashed potato and brandy glazed carrots or pan seared cream dory with sauteed prawns and chorizo on a bed of sauteed spinach in a smoked tomato cream sauce. The menu is priced at P825 per person. For reservations, call 332-6751 from 2 p.m.-11 p.m.

Café Häagen Dazs is giving away free movie tickets for two with a purchase of the Valentine Fondue Creation (P888), or the Mi Amore Ice Cream Cake (P888) at any Häagen Dazs Scooping Station. Promo is available in Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Cineplex and Alabang Town Center until Feb. 28.

*taken from ADB Avenue

Monday, January 25, 2010

cebu dancing inmates - nag-level up na!!! :)

F-I-E-R-C-E!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

TGIF!

last friday was particularly good.

my swiss boss gave me cheese.



it joins the parmigiano our italian boss gave us last week (he says this is the rolls royce of parmigiano haha!).



and my french boss gave me this from his trip to paris. so cute!



check out perigot: http://www.perigot.fr/en/BIO-TECHNO-1/GREEN-BAG-74/BEAR-BAG-SHOPPER-LARGE-CUSP025.htm

now that's what i call a bon weekend. :)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

we were...

here...



there...




everywhere!



life is bliss. :)

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

what was she thinking!?

it's one thing that she let him hide in the house.

but him there WITH guns and ammo is a completely different story.

what a death wish.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

enough about her

"yun nga, parang i said nga na, basta, ay nako, lets just move on, its 2010, im so sawa na." - krista ranillo

i had a small voice telling me na baka nga publicity lang sa movie yung chismis. but when this girl is asked pointblank and and then sobrang labo ng mga sagot rather than denying the accusations altogether, nakakainit ng ulo te. kung ayaw nyang pag-usapan, fine. wag na natin syang pag-usapan. let's move on. please.

kakairita. grrrr.

i'm so team jinkee. :)

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel
- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila
- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Villasis-Alba Supplier Ratings Part 2

part 2 of my supplier ratings.

THE SENTIMENTAL GROOVE
Satisfactory

we signed up for a church and reception package with 4 singers. Ian had me pick which singers I wanted (we attended their some of their listening sessions) and promised to give them to me. he also promised to be there on the event itself.

he was there, indeed. but with a completely different set of singers (his wife in red). what happened, i don't know. have sent him an email and no reply has been received yet.

the band played well at both venues (i had guests complimenting them). my only main concern was that they played ALL the mass songs, when the church only allows a few. i emailed them naman the final song list (and they acknowledged receipt). since the church charges 300/min for overtime, we are sure we will be charged. before our church exit, the sacristan had us sign a form which indicated the time we started and ended. afraid!

also, they were not dressed well enough (in my opinion). maybe I should have clarified this beforehand. but you see, the 4 singers i have chosen dressed really well so i expected the same. sigh.



EVENTS MEMOIRS
Satisfactory

i got them during their 50% off promo. mia was my head coordinator, and we met twice prior to the wedding. we turned over everything to them except the seat plan (which we finished the night before the wedding heehee). overall, OK naman. they called to follow up my suppliers on the day, coordinated the crew meals at the hotel and reception, turned over the church accessories and food from reception, coordinated the seating plan, etc. the major thing they did extremely well was to get me a HMUA on the day of the wedding as the one i hired came late. they gave me time to contact my HMUA (they also tried calling/texting her) and in between scouted for an available one. they called the eddie bruan team and fortunately they were available.

they also made small decisions for me so di nako na-hassle at all. our wedding went very smoothly. i know bago pa lang sila sa events coordination but do give them a chance. they are all proactive and enthusiastic enough. and they were the first to team to arrive at the hotel, and the very last to leave the reception. that's dedication for you. :)



IMPRESSPRINTS by CALLIOPE for the invitations
Highly Satisfactory

dealing with jen of calliope is a breeze. and online at that! i had an inspiration invite and we woked on what her designer can do. we chose the 6x6 invites package (premium cardstock [Bevania], main card, entourage card, RSVP card, envelope [silver], mailing sticker, midnight blue ribbon, and a free poster [which we haven't picked up yet, btw]. towards september 09, she called to tell me walang size yung envelopes na gusto ko and offered to upgrade our package to 5.5"x 7.25" kasi yun lang meron. i said yes. :)

i am the type of bride who knew what she wanted to splurge on, and invites were not one of them. but the invites turned out simple but elegant. my only issue was they printed their multiply site address at the back of EVERY main card (i only found this out after we brought home the printed invites). i told jen about this and she said sorry naman, kasi nga i would have preferred to be aware of these things (the mock up invites didn't have it e). she said: "we usually don't print on the mock-up kasi. we were told by several clients that we should put our name on the back, so we started doing that." oh well. no biggie.



GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY (Bulacan)
Highly Satisfactory

k got my engangement ring from there as well. very well crafted jewelry at reasonable prices.





FRENCH KISS PASTRIES for minicakes (ninang giveaways)
Highly Satisfactory

i love desserts! we ordered 5inch minicakes in chocolate and mocha pound. yum-o! hassle-free transaction. i will definitely order from them again.

BESTWORLD BEVERAGE BRANDS, INC. for the Ramon Bilbao Crianza Limited Edition red wines (ninong giveaways)
Highly Satisfactory

i love good wine! these spanish wines were particularly good (na-test drive ko na ilang beses haha!).

Villasis-Alba Supplier Ratings Part 1

for my w@wie sisses. :)

Rating:
Highly Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Partially Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory

MARY THE QUEEN PARISH, GREENHILLS
Highly Satisfactory

Ate Noemi is our main contact person at MTQ. Very helpful and accommodating, we love her! She even got us the parish priest, Fr. Cesar Marin, SJ to celebrate the wedding (we did tell her and Fr. Cesar that he is a friend of one of my ninang's husband).

The fee includes a red carpet, basic flower arrangements, priest's stipend, host and holy water for offertory. The church itself was beautiful, perfect for a breezy afternoon wedding. The aisle was not too long nor too short. I loved my walk. :)

During the wedding, we started way too early. The ceremony is at 3:30 pm, the invite says 3:00 pm (of course!). Ate Noemi said they line up the entourage starting at 3pm if everyone's there. Well, my OTD (Events Memoirs) was able to line up the entourage and start the procession at 3:10 pm. I could see Ate Noemi from the bridal car, waving at me and saying that Fr. Cesar is still upstairs. Turns out that Fr. Cesar had a meeting going on, and had to cut it short due to the prodding of the coordinators (they knew that the wedding schedule was really 3:30 pm, I don't know the reason for the rush! I have yet to talk to Mia, the head coordinator). In short, minadali nila si Father. And they also had to make hagilap a sacristan. The result: One of my flower girls and grromsman didn't get to walk the aisle. At napagalitan kami ng pari when we got to the altar heehee but he was right, dapat sumunod ang OTD sa kanila and not the other way around. But despite this, Father was pleasant all throughout the ceremony, and we loved his personalized homily. You see, we met him months before the wedding and he took notes. So nice of him.

Aaso, we ran late. there was no wedding before us naman, but the mass ran too long (that's part 2 of the supplier ratings) and we had to cut short the photo session. may Sunday mass kasi ng 6pm, and we finished mga 4:40 pm na. we just continued the photo taking outside the church.







THE PERFECT GOWN by MALOU CASTILLEJOS
Highly Satisfactory

malou was very easy to work with, she listens to you and gently gives suggestions on the gown. i knew what i wanted (see inspiration gown), and she executed it very nicely. i love my gown! so feminine, and simple yet elegant. our guests said the same thing, and i'm so happy to hear it hehe

i lost 25 lbs for the wedding so malou had to adjust the gown each and every time we had a fitting haha! she was very patient naman and asked me not to lose more weight after our third fitting heehee







EDDIE BRUAN TEAM (GEMMA was my HMUA)
Highly Satisfactory

they were not my first choice, but they were excellent. buti na lang available sila after we realized that the HMUA team i hired was running too late. what can i say? i love love love gemma! she works like magic! i loved my hair and make up, and felt every inch a beautiful bride.









ENTOURAGE GOWNS - MANANG LINDA
Satisfactory

except for her measurements that was kinda off (either too big or too small, but she adjusted them naman), her gowns were wonderfully executed. the workmanship was perfect, ang ganda ng tahi. although medyo mahirap kausap kasi malayo bahay nya sa condo namin, we took it all in stride. she executed the gowns based on the designs i gave her. she also made me my prep dress (the other dress i used during our prenup at BHS). overall, happy kami with manang linda.











ELOQUENTE CATERING - FOOD and SET UP, MOBILE BAR
Highly Satisfactory

tina, our AE, was fun! bubbly kasi sya, ang gaan at madali kausap. she took in all my suggestions and executed them well during the reception. yung centerpiece nga lang ng buffet spread was not the one we agreed on, so will check with tina na lang what happened.

we took the stargazer package which included:
Elegant Tiffany Set-up for all the Guests
Three (3) Layer Fondant Cake – bottom edible or 100 pcs Cupcakes (w/ box and thank you card) and 6” round cake
Professional Emcee - Marj Dizon
Complete Sound System
Bridal Car
Elegant Set-Up of Gazebo for the Couple
Upgrade to 4-Layer Fondant Cake (All edible)
Chocolate fountain for 200 pax

according to the guests, the food was great. we booked for 250 pax, but only about 220pax arrived. we were still able to bring home a lot after the reception, including one whole lechon (we had 3). the set up was really nice, and yummy ang cake! and the mobile bar was a hit. :)

teh only thing that bugged me was that the waiters were setting up the VIP food at the back of the VIP table. parang ang gulo tuloy, puro trays ng food yung nasa likod.



























AMARANTHUS FLORIST - REN TUTOP
Highly Satisfactory

amaranthus is the in-house florist of eloquente. ren was very accommodating and helpful during the time that i kept changing my mind about the kind of flowers i want. i love my bridal bouquet, and the ento flowers too. you can also see the flower set up at the reception in the eloquente part of this rating.

we also got ren to do the partial drapings at the reception venue. it turned out so nice, given that the set up time was limited (they could only start at 3pm as there was a children's party before our event).







MANG REY CASEDO'S BARONGS AND PANTS
Highly Satisfactory

when we booked mang rey, we had a few months to go so K asked him to make him gusot mayaman barongs and black pants. sa dami ng kinuha ng asawa ko, na-master na ni mang rey ang sukat nya hehe we ordered a pair of pina raya barongs with pants, and they fit my husband well. we also got 3 more pina brong material for 2 dads and 1 brother (my dad-in-law's barong was masikip though [he told us this a few days before!] and he never got to wear it to the wedding).

it was a breeze dealing with mang rey. oh, and he gave me a free pina hanky and fan for free.:)





this is it for now. part 2 in the making. stay tuned! :)