How To Keep Your Child Busy, Entertained, and Preoccupied During An Out-of-Town Trip (Pack An “Art Kit, Books, A Stuffed Toy, and CDs!”")

It’s no secret that I love traveling with my husband and daughter.  Even though I already have (at least) a vague idea of what we’re going to do once we get to our desired destination (it takes a lot of research on our part—checking out good places to eat, family-friendly places to stay, activities we could do as a family at the place), I still believe in packing a well-stocked “art kit” for moments when my child would just...

Vivere Azure, Batangas: A Well-Kept “Secret” Getaway

We were able to discover and try yet another interesting and relaxing summer destination not too far from Manila.  In Anilao, Batangas (just a 2-3 hour drive from our metro) is a 13-suite boutique resort hotel called Vivere Azure, run by the very same management and team behind the lovely Vivere hotel in Alabang. We only stayed a night but we vow to return with family and friends since it was such a refreshing and invigorating experience for us.It was...

Summer Destination #1: The very family-friendly Plantation Bay in Cebu

A few days ago, my husband and I celebrated our 6th year as a couple.  We decided to soak up some sun, leave our cares behind, take a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of city life and spend another memorable weekend as a family…this time, with my newly-wed brother and dear sis-in-law.  Our destination: Plantation Bay in Cebu!I’ve been to this place before but never stayed for the weekend, so everything was still a surprise and a...

Our Clark & Subic Family Weekend: Of Hot Air Balloons, Tigers, Pizzas, Family Bonding, and Friends

Last February 12 to 13, 2011, my little family and I went on a road trip to Clark and Subic in Pampanga…It was our first time to go there as a family, armed with a simple but fun agenda:to check out the 16th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark Freeport Zone to bond with dear family friends Meryll and Lance to sample the fare and famous Armando’s Pizza, ang “Pambansang Pizza” in the Historic Camalig Restaurant in Angeles,...

Things I Rediscovered and Appreciate About HongKong (Food, Shopping, Ocean Park, The Peak, Madame Tussaud’s, HongKong Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel)

Just a few days ago, we arrived from an amazing four days and three nights in HongKong.  For my husband and daughter, it was their first time to see the place, and while I’ve been blessed to have gone there a few times, I enjoyed everything with fresh eyes.  I write this from the perspective of a wife who is getting absolutely gung-ho about planning and going on trips with family, and as a Mama who is starting to get the hang of traveling with an...