22 days to go!

I fetched two of my bearers last Wednesday so they could try out their barongs at the ever trustworthy local neighborhood tailor.  As both were excited and upbeat (which is a nice way of putting it!), they bombarded me during the whole ride with questions like "Tito Ken, am I the ring bearer?", "Will I stand for one hour holding the bible?", "Is there another one? Who's Uno, Tito Kenneth?", "What? There's three of us?", "What does a coin bearer do?"

Man, there's probably nothing like two little cute juveniles ganging up on you.  Endearing and at the same time irritating.  Imagine if all three bearers were there, major major headache!  Sometimes you wish you had a remote control that can pause and fast forward time like in Click.

Yet you start to grin, remembering when you were a youngster performing the same shenanigans on your elders.  You then realize they didn't do it to annoy but merely to satisfy their curiosity.  Suddenly, your temper fades despite the scorching heat and you find yourself playing along with their eagerness just like the kid you "were".

Here's a pic of those two lovable pranksters.. whaddup Enzo and Kolai, proud of you gentlemen! :)

26 days to go!

Happy Easter folks!

I know, I know. We didn't blog anything yesterday in spite of the quadruple posts we virtually promised. Our bad, we'll make it up to you come our big day :)

In the meantime, continue visiting us here for updates, tidbits and trivia which may prove to be useful in the near future...

Salamat po!

31 days to go!

Whazzup peeps!

The rollout of our formal invites will happen sometime next week :)

Again, a reminder to our esteemed guests who haven't confirmed their attendance or sent their regrets, kindly do so on or before April 25.  That's Easter Monday. Thank you so much to those who have!

Now in light of the Easter Triduum, there will be no posts starting tomorrow to give way to this significant, fruitful and blessed period. We will resume on Easter Sunday with a quadruple post :)

Observe and participate!

Respect, one love... We out, peace!

32 days to go!

It's Holy Tuesday today, and in keeping with this very special week of our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection, allow me to share with you a miracle-laden church which you may also want to visit while in Batangas during our wedding weekend.

It's called the Carmel Church in Lipa where the miracle of the petals happened beginning in 1948 and where Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, appeared to a postulant named Teresing Castillo, a native of Tanauan and a cherished daughter of a former Batangas governor who decided to offer her life to the Lord in the cloisters of the monastery.

Many healings have taken place in this blessed sanctuary - physical, emotional and spiritual. When you enter the Church grounds, you will feel God's peace and will be thankful that you have been led here to rest, recharge and pray.

Just late last year, the Carmelite nuns also opened a viewing deck at the 2nd flr of the building beside the church so the faithful can view the apparition site where Mama Mary appeared by the vine to Teresing.

The side altar inside the church where her image is housed was also refurbished and it now looks so beautiful with its white and gold columns flanking Mama Mary at the middle, and St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.

 I lovingly invite you to visit Carmel and find peace :)

  

33 days to go!

For those who haven't yet seen the save the date e-vite that we posted in FB, here it is :)

Our deepest thanks goes to my good friend Lester for creating the video (and who's also helping me organize everything, thanks sooooooo much Lester!!!!); Sir Sonny and his Capture Image team for the prenup photography; Mama Beya and her team for the make-up, styling and direction :), and Kuya Joseph and Ate Lud for allowing us to hold it in their adorable events place called Sa Manggahan, 5 minutes away from home :)

For the attire, my special request is for the girls to wear cocktail dresses in happy colors only (translation: ANYTHING BUT black). The men may wear formal barong (Ken insists there's another category of barong, which is office barong, so I have to distinguish by saying it's formal hehe :)

Thank you very much for granting our request :)

34 days to go!

We're back! :)

We're doing a double post today as we were out over the weekend for a family outing in a leisurely place with spotty internet wi-fi. So here goes part 2 of our food trip segment....

Lemme share with you my fave dish in the whole wide world which is humbly called lomi :) No, not the lomi that you can order from Chowking or any Manila-based resto. This one's a lot yummier - hot, a lot stickier because of an overload of eggwhites, noodles, and a variety of toppings such as liver (which I ask to be excluded because I don't eat it), kikiam, wanton, chicharon and garlic. Mmmm-hmmm :) and because Batangas is lomi country, particularly the stretch from Malvar to Lipa, you can actually make a stop in any of the carinderias there and get the real deal. You have a choice between 2 carinderias before Lima Ecozone or Lomiking, the king of lomis just across De La Salle Lipa. You gotta try it to believe it! :)

For Italian fare, a new discovery we recently tried  is called Casa Marikit in Mataas na Kahoy, Lipa City. It's quaint and charming and has delicious dishes that you'd want to come back to try all of them. It's run by the L'Opera group so the quality is practically the same. To get there, turn left at the National Highway after getting off Star Tollway Lipa exit. Turn right to Mataas na Kahoy after Fernando Air Base, Casa Marikit is approximately 500 meters from the highway.

In San Jose, the town after Lipa, you'll come across Casa Rap, a "shabby chic" version of  Sonya's Garden. It's been featured in Sunday Inquirer Mag for its sustainable/environmental practices. They also have witty concoctions such as the halo-halo with lambanog which shouldn't be missed (the shaved ice they use is frozen buko juice). They also have native accessories and fruits/veggies just harvested from their farm.

We hope we've whetted your appetite enough to try out these interesting restaurants with really delectable dishes. So buon appetito and as my friend J would say, albeeerrrrgo (which I think is hotel in Italian) harhar :)

35 days to go!

This beautiful morning, rays of sunshine came through my window in the form of my 4 flowergirls! :)

They arrived bright and early to fit their yellow gowns and they were such a sight to behold :)

Audrey

Audrey first arrived like a little fashionista, donning her shades and summer dress, with her mom Bonique and yaya Bing in tow. She was shy at first and kept trying to hide her smile when she saw herself in the mirror wearing her gown.

Ivana and Julia next arrived with their Tito Kenneth (my groom :) and their mom Cecil and yaya Virgie. They were like little ladies, wearing matching summer dresses as well.

Ivana

Ivana's olive skin was a perfect foil to the yellow gown. She looked so beautiful even if she was still waiting for her two permanent front teeth to make their appearance :)

Julia

Julia, on the other hand, was such a little miss, knowing how to pose in front of the camera when Tito Kenneth took her picture.

Alexa

Alexa was a bit cranky at first but when she got her morning snacks plus some jellyace as bonus, she eventually warmed up and enjoyed her fitting too.

I still have three little ladies (Sam, Sehana and Becca) in line who will eventually fit their gowns and I'm sure they'll enjoy it as much as their fellow flower girls did. 

*Watch out for part 2 of the food trip write-up tomorrow. I had to squeeze in this blog first because I so wanted to show you how cute and charming my flowergirls looked this morning. To keep the suspense, we posted their pics (but not yet wearing the yellow dresses :)

36 days to go!

Our wedding is on a Saturday morning so you still have the rest of the weekend to explore beautiful Batangas! :) You can go on a food trip, visit historical and miracle-laden churches, or simply go swimming in any of the fun resorts in Lipa and in nearby towns.

This will be part 1 of our "places to visit" segment of this evolving blog and it will aptly be called food trip!

Batangas is known for many delicious delicacies such as bulalo, tawilis and maliputo for your main fare; macapuno, panutsa, rimas for dessert; and my ultimate fave, lomi! Yumyum ;)

For bulalo, nothing still beats Rose & Grace. You may have eaten a lot of times in their Tagaytay branch but the original restaurant is found in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, before you reach the public market. If you take STAR tollway, just take the Sto. Tomas exit and you'll find it on your right, a few meters from Jollibee.

In Tanauan city, which comes right after Sto. Tomas, you'll find a new restaurant called Casa Mabini in Tanauan Event Center. The food is delicious pinoy fusion and is so interesting that I promised to come back until I've tried out all of them! Notable dishes are the adobo pasta, tapa spaghetti, bagnet & pomelo salad and other witty combinations that truly bring pleasure to your palate. I won't describe how the place looks like so you'll be pleasantly surprised when you get there for the wedding reception. Suffice it to say that I fell in love with the place the first time I laid my eyes on it (taken from a song I heard somewhere... mmmm). It's rustic, charming, refreshing and simply beautiful. Tanauan Event Center is a hidden gem behind the Tanauan church, La Consolacion College and Tanauan gym. From STAR tollway, take the Tanauan exit, turn left to city proper. Just go straight way past the public market, Jollibee and KFC until you see the church. Turn right and follow the road till you reach Collantes St. Tanauan Event Center is on your left.

Tapa Spaghetti

In Malvar, just before the Lipa City arch is the Lima (for LIpa-MAlvar) ecozone on your left. Hidden here is Lima Park Hotel whose in-house chef is Paul Poblador, son-in-law of Patis Tesoro and well-known for his pinoy fusion dishes in Cafe Salud in San Pablo, Laguna (part of Viaje del Sol) and another not-to-miss resto in Baguio. He also whips up delicious dishes that will bring a satisfied smile on your face at the end of a hearty meal. This was what happened to us when we partook of the crab festival offerings. :)

Watch out for part 2 and photos tomorrow!

37 days to go!

Part Deux

More hotels where you can check-in:

Anfa Royale:

This is arguably the nearest hotel to Lipa Cathedral (5 minutes away). Its located in Bgy. San Carlos, Lipa City. After taking the Lipa (Tambo) STAR Toll exit southbound, make a right and follow the PUVs. After several meters, you'll see La Salle Lipa on your left. Go straight ahead. Once you reach Shakey's and Starbucks (also to your left), take the street in between. Its on your right, you won't miss it.

The hotel's also a stone's throw away from Robinson's Lipa, so in case you forget your undies you wouldn't have a hard time buying new ones. If you wanna try barako coffee, Cafe de Lipa is right beside the hotel. Caveat: do not drink barako the night before our wedding day unless you wanna have massive eye bags when waking up. :)

Class A	12 hour	24 hour
Superior Suite	1800	2500
Premier (4 persons)	2100	2800
De Luxe Suite	2700	3500
Family Room	4000	5000

* Extra Person: 500 pesos

*All prices are net of tax

*12 hour: no breakfast

For reservations, please dial (043) 7575070 or visit their website, http://www.anfaroyalehotel.com/Home.html

Map: http://wikimapia.org/2830538/Anfa-Royal-Hotel

Superior Suite

Superior Suite, different angle

Family Room with Rona's mom near the connecting door :)

Family Room

Bathroom of Family Room

Bathtub of De Luxe Suite

De Luxe Suite

Premiere

Blue Sapphire

Located at Purok 5, Brgy. Sico, Lipa City in front of Fernando Air Base, this hotel is only 10-15 minutes away from the church. Southbound from STAR toll Lipa exit, make a left. Its only a few meters away on the left side of the highway. They have their own coffee shop (Jeaca's) and bar & restaurant (Club Stratosphere).

Rates (might've changed, kindly verify with Blue Sapphire):

De Luxe (twin)	1000
Premiere (queen size for 2)	1000
Executive (queen size for 2 plus ref and coffee table)	2000
Family Room (good for 6 with ref)	2500

*Rates net of tax

For reservations, please call (043) 4041568, 7841764 or check out their website, http://www.bluesapphirecorp.blogspot.com/

De Luxe

Toilet & Bath of Family Room

Family Room

Premier

Executive (Hi Tiya!)

To be continued...

38 days to go!

(Part 1)

Here are some hotels you can stay at before our big day:

Monti's Place: 

Room Rates	Overnight (12 hours)	Daily
Single/Deluxe	700	1200
Twin (2 persons)	1100	1800
Standard/Double (2 persons)	1000	1800
Suite Room (2 persons)	1400	2200
*Additional (Per Hour)	150

  *Overnight: no free breakfast

Monti's Place is located at #492 United Homes Subd., Lipa City, Batangas. Entrance is along Ayala Highway, beside Metrobank and near SM Lipa (you'll have to enter a small street in between Metrobank and South Super Market 1). They call it a hotel, but its more of an inn. There are only 7 rooms (2 single, 2 twin, 2 standard/double and 1 suite), so we suggest you reserve asap. Its 5-10 minutes away from Lipa cathedral.



Note that all rooms have toilet and bath but no closet.

Map: https://foursquare.com/venue/12502332

For reservations, please call: (043) 3124832, 09267003222, 09228102070, 09333888133.

Suite Room

Suite Room from another angle

Bath & Toilet of Suite Room

Standard/Double Room

Single/Deluxe

Mount Malarayat:

Club Hotel
Deluxe Premier	P 8750
Deluxe Loft	7750
Deluxe Room	5250
Narra Suites
Standard Suite	4350
Deluxe Suite	5250
Junior Executive Suite	8350
Presidential Suite	17750
Tanguile Suites
Standard Suite	4350
Executive Suite	5900
Kaimito Suites
Standard Room	3000
Superior Room	3900
Premier Room	5250
Family Unit	11250
Extra Person In Excess of 2 (child below 10 years old is free)	800

Compared to Monti's Place, this is quite upscale. For use of facilities/amenities, just ask the front desk. Its around 15-25 minutes away from the church.

Note that the Family Unit can house up to 11 persons.

Map: http://www.ngaponline.net/Malarayat.html

For further info and reservations, you could check out their website: http://www.malarayat.com/thesuites.htm


Here are some shots we took at Mt. Malarayat:

Deluxe Loft at Club Hotel, First Floor

Spiral Staircase leading to Second Floor, Deluxe Loft

First Floor Bedroom of Family Unit, Kaimito Suites

One of the Second Floor Bedrooms, Family Unit, Kaimito Suites

Shower, Family Unit, Kaimito Suites

One of the toilets (separate from the shower), Family Unit, Kaimito Suites

Facade of the Family Unit (2 are available), Kaimito Suites

Bedroom, Junior Executive Suite, Narra Suites

Living Room, Junior Executive Suite, Narra Suites

Kitchenette, Junior Executive Suite, Narra Suites

Bathroom, Junior Executive Suite, Narra Suites

View from the lobby at Mt. Malarayat Clubhouse with my junior groomsman, John Henri (whassup!)

39 days to go!

For those planning on staying in Batangas before the wedding, we'll be posting information on hotels near the church and their corresponding rates, etc. Stay tuned! :)

40 days to go!

As May 21 draws near, the delight, thrill and excitement is becoming more and more unbearable for us. We can't wait to be with you and see you on our very special day :)

We reckon that most of you have received our e-invites via email and Facebook.  If you can confirm using said platforms, please do so.  We'd appreciate it.  

Our apologies if we haven't been able to distribute our formal invitations.  It will be released soon...