Jakie and the Beadstalk

I was so blessed to have won accommodation for two (2) to Boracay courtesy of  Glad Kitchen !  We stayed at  Alta Vista  for three days and two nights. Despite the 8 hour delay in flight, we managed to find a van to Caticlan and get on a chartered boat to Boracay Island at 3:30 in the morning. Pero siyempre, I am a practical mom. I don't believe in spending more when you don't get the full value of things. So here's a post (more to follow) about the normal expenses we had to shell out for our trip so you would have an idea when you plan for your Boracay Trip. Van to Caticlan - P250 per head (May night differential rate siguro kasi madaling -araw na).  (Pwede ikandong ang bata, walang bayad) Van to Kalibo - P175 per head (Hapon kami bumalik ng Kalibo) Terminal Fee - P100 per head (Free for child 5 years old and below) Environmental Fee - P75 per head (Free for child 5 years old and below) Boat to Boracay Island - P2500 for the chartered trip. ...

Christmas: A time to spend with Loved Ones  (sorry hubby, you're not in the pic) First question: What's my favorite dish?  Chicharon.  I think I detailed it my favorite chicharon brands   here .   from my other blog, www.jcajote.blogspot.com My second most favorite dish is Pork Barbecue.  I know, I know, pork again.  But what can I do, that's what my taste buds love! Second question: What's the perfect drink to go with my Chicharon and Pork Barbecue? San Miguel's Cerveza Negra. Third question: How does the Cerveza Negra amplify my favorite "pulutan(s)"? Wait.   Here's a little history.  I am a late bloomer.  In my teen years, when that stage should have been the opportune to drink and be merry, I shied away from it.  My best friend even tried to buy a bottle of vodka, but we only consumed about half a glass of it, and half of the half of that glass was barfed up. It tasted nasty. When I reached...

I remember a  post  I made in my other  blog  many years ago about a very unfortunate evening.  It also opened my eyes to the death of chivalry in the Philippines.  In that  post , endangered pa lang ang chivalry in my eyes. Ngayon, parang nasa ICU na. Since I'm a regular commuter, and a frequent rider of LRT and MRT (all the lines, take note), I have seen several men who gave up their seats for ladies and senior citizens.  Even some ladies give up their seats for pregnant women, women with a child/children and senior citizens. Pero mas marami ang hindi na nagpapaupo ngayon. Take this one instance.  I was given a seat by another girl because I think at that time, I looked pale and was nauseous. She probably saw me and offered her seat. When she stood up, another girl from who-knows-where appeared and took the seat.  Ang nakakainis, she was younger and much slimmer than me.  (Neng, pagod ka din ba?)  We all stared...

(Photos courtesy of Bless C. and Thesa I.) I've shared with you before that I have cool bosses and cool workmates who love dressing up during our costume parties. Our theme for this year's Christmas celebration is Safari.  Each wing competed against each other for the best in decoration award. Though we placed only second, I can say with confidence that our wing was the most sophisticated, classy and most creative. (Love your own diba? Tsaka blog ko ito, kaya walang kokontra!) Here's a picture of  our CEO in our wing, with my boss and our and ex-housemate (peace James!) That's a giraffe and an elephant on the background One had to admire the effort and character he places on his costumes  Again, our CEO, the day before, dressed as an explorer complete with a "latigo" (whip) where he won Best in Costume during the KSA Party The pussycat dolls Amazing faces painted safari-style Tribesmen, An Ma Be's Sister and Explorer ...

Photo Credit:  www.shutterstock.com New year, new hope, new possibilities. I wish everyone a great year!