Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Classy Options for Every Type of Connoisseur from the Finest Wines of Chile, Concha Y Toro

Christmas and New Year's eve are already over but the festivities ain't over yet as we are anticipating the coming of the Chinese New Year. Even though we are Filipinos we also get to celebrate Chinese New Year as we have friends or even relatives who are Chinese. And, Chinese New Year, is all about movable feasts, so why not upgrade your celebration with an exquisite food and wine pairing from the powerful wine Concha Y Toro. A Chilean origin most-admired for its consistent quality across its wide range of variety and styles. Here are some of its top-notch selections that goes perfectly with your favorite Filipino food.

1. Frontera

Laid-back, simple, and a palate-pleaser, Frontera is the ultimate drink for life’s everyday events. If partial with a fruit-forward taste with chocolatey aroma, Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon is considered as a favorite elixir, while its sweet and light counterpart Muscato is ideal for enjoyment any time of the day. Much more, it’s the perfect pick to for those who would like to venture into great wines, given its very hip and harmonious flavors. 

2. Casillero Del Diablo

If on the lookout for the finest name with value-for-money prices, Casillero del Diablo is a lip-smacking favorite. While any of its twelve varieties will be an outstanding choice, the Pinot Noir’s oaky and chocolatey taste is a consistent must-try and Merlot’s delicious contradiction for its smooth and fruity character is also worth the adventure. Deep, dark, and delicious range of wines that livens up any party with its bracingly playful varieties; Casillero Del Diablo is the perfect companion with equally adventurous friends who are all about fun and enjoyment. 

3. Marques de Casa Concha

Featuring a classic and classy case of time-honored wine process, Marques de Casa Concha is known for its traditional vineyards and its rich origin. Known for its Carmenere that possesses pronounced flavors of plums, black currants, and dark chocolate, its delicate and diverse character is fitting for a connoisseur who seeks out the best expression and taste of grapes, signed and sealed by the respected wine maker Marcelo de Papa. 

4. Don Melchor

The iconic name that boasts tremendous quality and credibility, Don Melchor continues to reap awards and recognition by wine experts – such as the 2012 Vintage garnering 96 points by jamessuckling.com, 93 points by Robert Parker’s wine advocate, and 17+ by Jancis Robinson. Much more, it’s carefully and sophisticatedly segmented vineyard creates the most-coveted balanced flavor of Cabernet Sauvignon, with red wine grapes grown and harvested at the majestic foot of the Andes Mountains. The choicest pick of the elite and discerning, every sip is guaranteed to bring out pleasure and satisfaction for epic occasions!

Concha Y Toro Wines are available in leading supermarkets, and groceries nationwide. For more updates, visit and like its official Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/WineLifePH/?fref=ts

Jump Start Your Bridal Beauty Regime

Getting proposed to by the love of your life is one of the most exciting event in a woman's life. After the proposal, the wedding day comes next so if you’re engaged, it means that it’s high time to step up your beauty regime. You want to look stunning on your big day, but there’s plenty of preparation to be done beforehand. Here’s what to do to look your best. 

Schedule Weekly Manicures

As soon as you announced you were getting engaged, everybody wanted to see your ring. All of a sudden, everybody was looking at your hands. As a result, it’s important to keep those nails and cuticles in tip-top condition. You can experiment with different colors, including mauves and pinks. And you can spend time making sure your nail bed is in good condition, and that your hands and nails balance, giving an elegant look. 


If you really want to splash out, you can now get gel manicures that use ultraviolet technology for a harder, smoother finish. They’re pricier, but totally worth it. 

Manicures work best when they are paired with beautiful rings, like Tacori wedding rings. Everyone will want to have a look on your big day. 

Have Your Teeth Whitened

You’re going to be smiling a lot on your wedding day, not only because it will be a happy day but also because of all those photographs. As a result, your teeth need to look their best. Nothing is worse than smiling for your wedding photos and then finding out that your beautiful smile has been ruined by coffee stains. 

A good first line of defense is whitening toothpaste. Most toothpastes have whitening ingredients in them, and the results usually show up after a couple of weeks. If you do not see results, the next step up is so-called whitening strips. You put these on your teeth for a faster, more intense action. 

You can also get your teeth professionally whitened, but it’s worth being careful. According to Sonia Kashuk, a dental expert, going too white can make your teeth look artificial and actually ruin photographs. She also says that too much whitening can wear down your enamel. 

Focus On Your Lips


Mally Roncal is a makeup artist. She says that it’s a good idea to rub a thick coat of lip balm or Vaseline on your lips at right. Then, she says, run a washcloth over them in a circular motion. This, she says, will exfoliate and soften them at the same time. On your wedding day, a matte lipstick will look classic, but there’s a risk that it might not hold and will crack. Mally suggests that women put a gloss over their lipstick to iron out imperfections. 

If you really want to go all out, you can go to a salon that offers special lip treatments. These treatments focus on exfoliation and moisturizing. 

Get Your Brows Shaped


If you’re used to tweezing at home, you know that looking after your brows can be difficult. Going to a salon can be good because they’ll usually provide you with information about the best brow shape for your face. Some women choose to wax, while others choose to thread for a more precise finish. According to The Knot, women should start appointments six months out from the big day. 

Monday, January 16, 2017

Exciting Beach Escapade at Aquaria Waterpark, Calatagan Batangas

So it's the new year, and after all those holiday festivities one of the many things most people look forward to is, Summer! As early as now, I'm sure most people are already getting ready for it, while others may already have everything planned out. And, what better way to celebrate summer than by soaking up the sun, with tan lines and sand in between our toes, cool dip at the sea and just lounge along the beach! Philippines is blessed with beautiful beaches and living in a tropical country, we can actually enjoy it all year round, not just during summer. That's just exactly what we did last December 10, 2016 as Jaear and I joined our fellow bloggers, tour Aquaria Water Park in Calatagan Batangas. 


It was around 5 in the morning of December 10, 2016 when Jaear and I left our place and head on to Makati where we met our fellow bloggers. Then we all left Makati around 7 in the morning and after about 3 hours drive via a private vehicle, we've arrived at our destination. And as a prelude to an exciting tropical escapade, a huge "Aquaria" signage greeted us upon our arrival.

Aquaria Water Park

Located within the Playa Calatagan Residences in Calatagan, Batangas, Aquaria Water Park is managed by Fuego Hotels and Properties and was developed by Landco Pacific Corporation. It boasts of 525-meter of fine beach and a water park especially designed for families, friends, beach-lovin’ travelers and for just about anyone who wants to have both adventure and relaxation. 


Note that Aquaria Water Park offers day tour only as of the moment, which means there's no overnight stay. But according to the management a condotel will rise soon on 2018. Nonetheless, Aquaria Water Park offers a pleasant and exciting experience especially if you are looking for a tropical destination to satisfy your vitamin sea cravings, which of course, isn't that far away from the Metro.

Tip: You can bring your own tent and go camping, with a minimal fee of Php 100 only. 
Note: Swimming in the pool or beach areas are prohibited after 6:00 pm during overnight camping.

Here's a short video of our Aquaria Water Park Experience:


Now let me visually tour you, as I share with you our experience, and give you a glimpse of what to expect and things to do when in Aquaria Water Park. Read on.

Welcome Center



Aquaria has a spacious and open-air Welcome Center, here, we were warmly welcomed by the staffs with a refreshing complementary drink. Since it was December when we visited, the centerpiece at the Welcome Center was an improvised Christmas Tree. There's also a small boutique available here where you can buy swimming gears, bath towel etc. After freshening up, we had a quick tour around the place to familiarize ourselves with it.


Kiddie Pool


Right after the Welcome Center, the Kiddie Pool is the first pool you'll see. It's a 3-feet swimming area which is designed for the kids to play around and have fun in the water safely. It also features, splash pads, water guns and animal rockers for kids to enjoy.

Note: Lifeguard could be sighted around the area but it's always best to watch over your kids to ensure their safety.

Resort Pool


View from all the way up  the 3-storey giant slide.
Aquaria Water Park has several pool areas where one can park themselves and swim to his heart’s content. They have Cove Pools, Sunken Pool Bar and the Landing Pool of the three-story giant slide. More pool options to choose from and most importantly it can accommodate more guests at once. It was December when we visited and there were groups of people who were celebrating their Company Christmas outing there but the pool didn't seem to be crowded at all.

Along the poolside are yellow lounge chairs under a yellow umbrella. As you can see at the photo above, there are also poolside Cabanas.

3-Storey Giant Slide



Aquaria's main attraction is the 3-Storey Giant Slide with a 6-feet deep landing pool. Don't know how to swim? Not a problem, because to be able to slide, inflatable floaters are required. Don't dare miss this, because I assure you that it's so much fun!


This is the inflatable floater used for the slide which can accommodate up to 2 people. The catch is you have to carry this floater all the way up to the top.


The kid in us can't contain our happiness, we got to slide several times. We definitely loved it!

Tip: Proper swimming attire such as bathing suits for women, rash guards, board shorts or trunks for men, is strictly observed. 

Cabanas



For a dose of comfort and convenience and a quick break from the water, Aquaria offers open-air Beach and Pool Cabanas.
  • Cove Pool Cabanas (may accommodate 8-10 pax)
      • Rental fee: P1,700
  • Resort Pool Cabanas (may accommodate 12-15 pax)
    • Rental fee: P2,000
  • Beach Front Cabanas (may accommodate 6-8 pax)
    • Rental fee: P1,200
Note: Rental fee is inclusive of tables and chairs already and is a first come first serve basis so make sure to arrive at the resort early. 

The Beach 

If you are looking for a white sand beach, this is not it, but Aquaria boasts of 525-meter of fine beach which allows you to enjoy all the beach activities just the same.


A walk along the beach with your loved ones, building sand castles, photo shoots or just lounging around, you name it. You can do it all here. As for me, I took this opportunity to have my own kind of photo shoot, thanks to my ever reliable personal photographer slash husband. Lol! 



Visit at the Sandbar

30 minutes boat ride away from Aquaria is a Sandbar which is another attraction recently discovered. Luckily it was low tide when we went there so we were able to enjoy the view and sea creatures such as the starfish. Most probably all you can do here is just sight seeing or if you want a moment of peace as the place is very serene.

More photos at the Sandbar

What's a beach trip without a jump shot? lol (Photo credits to Sir Ted Claudio)

Sorry I just have to post this because I look tall in this photo. Haha!
Note. Boat rental to the sandbar costs  Php3000 and each boat can accommodate up to 15 people. 

Water Activities

Aside from beach bumming, experience outdoor fun by trying out Aquaria's various water activities with your friends and loved ones. You can enjoy beach sports such as beach volleyball and beach soccer. 


Jaear and I together with our fellow bloggers Lloyd and Me-an of Yogo and Cream tried the banana boat. It was our first time and it sure was a thrilling experience. Can't wait to get to try this again. Haha.

We were able to take selfie before the ride went fast and crazy.
The Banan Boat Ride costs Php 1,500 for 15 minutes and can accommodate a maximum of 5 people. 

Here are the other water activities you can try:

  • Jet ski: Php 3,500 for 1 hour and Php 2,000 for 30 minutes
  • Pedal Boat: Php 1,000 for 1 hour
  • Kayak: Php 400 for 1 hour
We only got to try the Banana Boat, though we already tried Kayaking before. On our next visit I would love to try the other activities as well.

Dining at The Sands


Aquaria's in house restaurant is called The Sands, where they offer local specialties and seafood dishes, and not to mention it's overlooking the beach. Cool aye!

AM Snack



During our visit, the management made sure that our tummies were full. Upon our arrival, right after the familiarization tour, we were served with our AM Snack which consists of; lasagna, buttered bread sticks and a refreshing glass of iced tea.

Lunch


When we got back from the Sandbar, our lunch buffet was already waiting for us. We were served with an array of sumptuous food, from appetizer, main dish and desserts. There were 4 choices of viands and rice. There's also a DIY Salad and fruits section. Bread and different type of cheeses and a pasta section. But what I enjoyed the most was the shrimp skewer, I swear it was so yummy!
Shrimp and Chicken Skewers and Pork Chop

Our plate for lunch paired with refreshing blue lemonade
PM Snack


Before heading back to Manila, they served us our PM snack which was Carbonara, chicken lollipops and black gulaman for our drinks. Burp!

The Sands also offer Family Style- The Bilao Feast and The Bilao Overload, for groups of people

Bilao Feast- Php 1,100 and good for 5 people.
  • Rellenong Pusit
    • Choice of 
      • Liempo
      • Lechon Kawali
      • Chicken Pork Adobo
      • Daing na Bangus
      • Fried Tilapia
Bilao Overload- Php 2,500 and good for up to 10 people.
  • Liempo and Lechon Kawali
  • Tilapia and Daing na Bangus
  • Rellenong Pusit and Hilabos na Hipon
  • Fried Chicken
Each Family Style meal is served with rice, salted egg, egg plant, tomato, onion, bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) and a pitcher of iced tea.

Though I didn't get to taste all the foods served to us during lunch, I really got nothing bad to say with the food they served. Some were a hit to us while some are just okay. 

Corkage Fee

Dining at The Sands is not a requirement, but sure is an experience that will save you from the hassle of preparing and bringing your food. But if you opt to bring your own food there is a corkage fee of Php 100 per head only.

Bath House


Adjacent to the Kiddie Pool is the Bath House which is so nice and well maintained. The shower room is separate from the comfort room, there's also a vanity area equipped with sink and mirror. Staffs are also on standby ready to assist you and mops off drips of water on the floor. I wasn't able to take photos inside since there were other people with us, but I swear it's so clean and huge!

Locker Room

If you brought a long valuable things that you don't want to leave at the cabana, you can opt to rent one of the lockers at the locker room for only Php 150 for the whole day. Each lockers has a built in lock already. Note that you have to present at least 1 valid ID to avail this. 

Massage by the Beach

After an action packed day, what better way to end the day than by getting a nice body massage by the beach. This is by request and it costs Php 500 for  full body massage.

Sunset

Sunset at the beach is always a beautiful sight. As the sun sets, it's time for us to say goodbye to this tropical haven. 

Jump shot before heading to Manila
It's time to plan your day tour!

Resort Schedule:
Aquaria Water Park is open daily, (except Tuesdays during lean season) from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

Entrance Fee 

PEAK SEASON (January - June):
  • Weekdays (with free use of swimming facilities)
    • P600/ADULT
    • P300/CHILD
  • Weekends, Holidays & Long Weekends (with free use of swimming facilities)
    • P800/ADULT
    • P400/CHILD
LEAN SEASON (July - December):
  • Weekdays (with free use of swimming facilities)
    • P400/ADULT
    • P200/CHILD
  • Weekends, Holidays & Long Weekends (with free use of swimming facilities)
    • P600/ADULT
    • P300/CHILD
Child Policy:
- Child rate will apply to 4ft and below
- For 1 year old and below, free of charge. 

How to get to Aquaria Water Park
  • Via Private vehicle:
    • Coming from Metro Manila, travel through the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and take either the Southwoods Exit or the Sta. Rosa Exit. 
    • Head straight going Tagaytay Rotunda and drive along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway.
    • At Palico intersection, turn left to Balayan-Calatagan passing by Lago De Oro and the Calatagan Municipal Hall
    •  A little after the Municipal Hall, turn left to M. Apacible.
  • Via Public Transportation:
    • From MRT Taft Station. Board the BSC Bus with the sign board Tagaytay- Lian. Ask to be dropped off in front of 7-Eleven in Lian. Bus fare is Php 152.
    • Ride an ordinary bus going to Calatagan Public Market. Travel time is 30-45 minutes. Bus fare is Php 30.
    • Lastly, ride a tricycle going to the resort. Travel time is 15-20 minutes. Tricycle fare is between Php 150-200.
Conclusion:

Aquaria Water Park lived up to our expectations. Our one day visit was surely worthwhile, it was an exciting and relaxing experience for us. Indeed we need not to go far to experience a tropical haven because Aquaria is just 3 hours drive away from the Metro. It's an ideal destination for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city living.

I actually find the price of the water activities a bit pricey, but if you have the extra money and would like to experience it for the first time, I suggest you go for it. Nothing beats experience, besides you can always earn your money back. But then again, if budget doesn't permit, there are a lot of things to do and enjoy there like the pools and the 3-storey giant slide. It's also the time to reconnect with nature and just enjoy the serene and picturesque ambiance.

I look forward to visiting this place again soon, hopefully with our family and friends especially our kids, I'm sure they'll love it there. I also can't wait for the rise of the condotel, it will surely be another reason to love Aquaria Water Park as it can then cater to those who wants to stay longer.

Make sure to include Aquaria Water Park to your must visit resort!

For inquiries and reservations:
Phone:
(632) 553-8888
Fax
(632) 750-1894
Email:
reservations.aquaria@fuegohotels.com

Makati Office:
15F 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines
Resort Address:
Barangay Sta. Ana, Calatagan, Batangas
Office Hours:
8:00am to 6pm , Mondays to Fridays (Except Holidays)

For more details and updates:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquariawaterpark
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aquariaph
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquariawaterpark/
website: http://aquaria.com.ph/discover.php

Win P50,000 with Ever Bilena’s BIG Beauty Challenge

Big cash prizes await make-up lovers, budding artists and video bloggers like Week 3 winner Christine Gem Anicas (shown) at Ever Bilena’s BIG Beauty Challenge!
Ever Bilena, the leading local cosmetics brand, that carries Ever Bilena Advance, a full range of make-up essentials for young professionals; Ever Bilena Naturals for skin care; Careline cosmetics for teens; Blackwater for fragrance and other personal care products; dares you to unleash your inner artist and win big cash prizes. Experiment with different looks through The BIG Beauty Challenge – a weekly make-up tutorial video contest following different themes.
Open to video bloggers, aspiring and professional make-up artists residing in the Philippines, the contest requires participants to create a tutorial video on how to do a complete make-up look, following a specific theme, using only Ever Bilena products.

The contest, which began on the first week of December and will end on the last week of February, will test the creativity of the participants as they create their versions of Ever Bilena’s weekly theme which will be announced every Monday on Ever Bilena’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics. One winner will be announced every week and will take home P10,000 cash.

Weekly winners will qualify for the grand finals where the grand prize winner will take home P50,000 along with three winners who will win P10,000 for Special Award; P15,000 for 2 nd runner-up; and P30,000 for the 1 st runner up.

Entries must be public and uploaded on Facebook with hashtags #EBBigBeautyChallenge and #EverBilena and tag Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc.

Participants will be judged based on the following criteria: 40% most number of Ever Bilena products used in the video; 30% creativity; 20% make-up executions and skills; and 10% most number of views and shares.

Show off your inner artist and join the biggest and most beautiful challenge this season!

To know more about Ever Bilena and The BIG Beauty Challenge, visit Ever Bilena’s website, www.everbilena.com.ph and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Splash Your Cash: How And How Not To Treat Your Kids

Just like any other mom in the world, my kids are the most important people in my life and that we only want what's best for them, right? So if you have a little spare money, maybe from an inheritance or a bonus or some other kind of windfall, then it makes sense that you’d want to treat your kids. and of course you want to ensure that they always have the best of everything so that they have the best chance of growing up into well-developed rounded human beings. At the same time, you don’t want to let them grow up spoilt. Here are some suggestions about how – and how not – to treat your kids.

DON’T: Toys. With young kids especially, their tastes will change very rapidly over the years. If your older kids want a certain games console or you’d like to treat them to new cell phones – fine. But there’s no point in blowing a huge amount of cash on a Barbie playhouse that your youngest daughter will grow out of very quickly. Make sure you think about longevity and the future


DO: Activities. If you’ve always been a little low on funds, now is the time to send your kids to ballet or art or soccer classes so that they can learn a new skill, make some friends, and have a great time. This will help contribute towards your kids’ future as well as giving them a chance to learn and enjoy something in the present.

DON’T: Craft supplies. Although craft supplies are almost always a great creative gift for kids, there isn’t any point in spending a huge amount of money on them, simply because it’s very easy to get good deals that will ensure you won’t go broke buying paints, crayons and paper. If one of your kids is a fine arts student then go crazy and buy them oil paints and an easel – but if you’re just spending hundreds on stacks of paper and coloured pencils for your little kids to use in the future, your money would be best spent elsewhere.


DO: Clothes. Admittedly, clothes are sometimes more of a gift for you than for your kids – but we all know that it’s great and that it fills us with pride to see them looking smart. If you want to spend a little money, look for good quality brands like baby Versace for clothes that will last a long time – just make sure you buy them a size up so your kids don’t grow out of them too quickly.

DON’T: Whatever they choose. One of the best ways to spoil your kids is by giving them absolutely everything they want without them having to work for it. Appreciating the value of hard work is one of the best gifts that you’ll ever be able to give your offspring.


DO: Vacations. In the long run, people value experiences far more than any material goods. Using your windfall to take your family on vacation will provide invaluable memories in the future and photographs that you’ll love looking back on when your kids are adults and far too cool to go on vacation with you.