Spectacular Speculoos Spread

Well, that seems to be the sentiment of our 11-year old daughter when she first had a taste of it. I just heard this spread from my sister in the U.S. a few months ago. She said that she bought one and she is spreading it to bread, cookies and even bananas. She promised to send me a bottle the next time she sends a package to Manila, which arrived late last month. The long wait was finally over.

I am not allowed to eat this kind of sweet things but I made the ultimate sacrifice just to be able to share what it tastes like. Well, it spreads like peanut butter but the texture is kinda grainy due to the crushed biscuits mixed in it. It sweeter than peanut butter but not as sweet as nutella.

St. Jude Thaddeus, the Patron Saint of the Hopeless

The National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus is just beside the office where I work right now but I only get to visit the place on Thursday not to pray the novena but to buy food which are sold beside it especially on novena days. I would often see a lot of students and other devotees who are probably going to take their board examination and go there on Thursdays to ask the intercession of St. Jude for help.

St. Jude Thaddeus was one of the 12 apostles and was named as such to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. "Thaddeus" is a Greek name, which means "great hearted one." Today, St. Jude is considered as the Patron Saint of the Hopeless or Impossible.

I never thought that one day, I will need his intercession after I was diagnosed with a kidney disease earlier this year. I now pray the novena in the office because I am too weak to bear the heat and mix with the throng of devotees who go there on Thursdays. My daughter, Angel, comes with me on Thursdays this summer vacation and meets her aunt and cousin and together they go for the novena.

I've researched a novena prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus on the internet and want to share it to Catholic believers. 

A Graduation Celebration at the Legend Seafood Restaurant

We were invited to a dinner last Friday to celebrated my niece's graduation from college with a degree in Information Technology. I was told that the venue was the Legend. 

All along, I thought that we will be having dinner at Legend Villas in Mandaluyong. I was a bit apprehensive to come since it is a Friday night as well a we'll have to pass along EDSA during rush hour. It was all cleared that it would be held in Legend Seafood Restaurant, which is just across World Trade Center and besides Wensha Spa along Gil Puyat Ave. Ext. in Pasay

My wife and I were picked up by my sister and other nieces and nephews at the Marriott Hotel where my wife worked and I parked my car. They arrived at a little past 7 and due to the traffic, we reached the restaurant at past 8. We thought that we were already late but apparently, my niece's graduation was delayed to late in the afternoon as the heat was unbearable that the school decided to move the time.

When we got to the restaurant, we asked for the tables reserved by my brother. We were led to a private room with 2 round tables, each good for 12 persons.

Kirin: a time for celebration

The night before our mother was laid to rest, a mass was held and the priest's homily that a death is not a time to be sad but to celebrate because the dead had already joined her Creator and that in our mother's case, all her pain had finally ceased. He may be right but still, it is sometimes hard losing a loved one.

Today, we finally brought her to her final resting place right beside our father who died a few years earlier. After the burial, we went to the Bonifacio High Street to have our lunch, where my sister-in-law had reserved a private room for us. 

Together with the immediate family, we had some close relatives and household help who had in one way or another helped our mother ease the pain she suffered.

Unfortunately, as I am have a kidney problem and undergoing dialysis, I had to refrain from eating all the food that was served. Just seeing my family in one room is enough for me although I must admit that I had cheated by tasting each dish a spoonful each.

A small private room had been reserved where there were three tables each good for 10.

Batangala no more?

2013 doesn't seem to be my year. I had been hospitalized twice since the start of the new year.

The first time was due to acute pancreatitis where I was confined for more than a week starting January 2. Even with a health insurance, we still had to shell out quite a substantial amount as the Philhealth gave only a measly P11T and the health insurance covered less than half of the total bill.

My diet had been limited to boiled, steamed or grilled fish and vegetables. No oil nor dairy products for me. I was devastated since one of my few vices is food.

On February 15, I had to go back to the emergency room as I was not really feeling well, bloated and shortness of breath. I was diagnosed with a kidney problem as my creatinine level was very high and i was unable to urinate. A dialysis catheter was inserted in my neck a few days after my confinement as it was recommended that I undergo hemodialysis (HD). Of my nine days in confinement, I had to undergo HD five times.

Christmas Lunch at Johnny Rockets

Last Christmas, we planned to watch a movie.  But since it was not being shown at the Resorts World Manila and we didn't like the idea of watching at SM Bicutan, we decided to go to the Alabang Town Center (ATC) for a change. It's been a long time since we went there. In fact, I think this is the first time our daughter will be going there.

Also, I missed the spaghetti being served at the Makati Supermarket. Unfortunately, the grocery was closed for the holiday.

We found out later that most of the people were at the theaters lining up to buy tickets. The movie we were supposed to watch is already full and it hasn't started yet. We didn't want to wait for the next screening since the following day is a work day and we didn't want to stay out late. We strolled around and looked for a place to have late lunch instead.

Isdaan sa Calauan

Everytime we go home to Pangil, Laguna, we always see this big floating restaurant along the highway in Calauan, Laguna, just between the towns of Bay (pronounced Ba-ee) and Victoria. In fact, we witnessed how it slowly grew while the big concrete statues of the restaurant were being constructed. We wondered then if this will click among patrons. We realized later that their open parking lot seemed to be always full when we pass by it.

We asked ourselves when will be able to eat there. The opportunity came last Saturday, 22 December 2012, on our way to Pangil, Laguna. It was already past 1 pm and so we decided to try it out.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 6 (Last Day of Our Trip)

December 4, 2012 (Tuesday)

On our last day, my wife and daughter didn't want to get up early. In fact, they finished a movie showing on TV before they finally got up and took their shower. I guess because this will be the last time they will be able to relax as we will have to check out since we plan to leave our things in the hotel and go back for it in the evening before we go to Melaka Sentral to catch a bus going to the KLIA Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT).

We had one last photo in the hotel lobby before we went out for a whole day of sightseeing and shopping(?).

We found out that the free bus service, the GO KL bus stops in front of the KLCC Suria Mall, so we walked towards the Petronas Twin Towers to catch the bus.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 5 (Finally, Kuala Lumpur)

December 2, 2012 (Sunday)

We were supposed to leave early for KL since we wanted to maximize our time  there, but the two girls didn't want to get up early. Since, this was a vacation, we decided to get up a little bit late. Besides, 6 AM in Malaysia is still dark, unlike in Manila.

After taking our shower and getting dressed, we brought our luggage downstairs and left it there while we had breakfast somewhere.

About a block or two away, we found an open restaurant and decided to have our breakfast there.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 4 (Overnight in Melaka)

December 2, 2012 (Sunday)

Since Melaka was along the way to KL from SG  and it has been on my bucket list,  we decided to include it in our itinerary. I had earlier booked our seats online for the trip to Melaka.

We got up early and checked out of our hotel at past 6 AM to catch our bus going to Melaka which was scheduled to leave at 7:30 AM. The bus is located at the Golden Mile Complex (taxi fare: about S$ 11). It was good that we arrived early because we were not sure where the office of the bus was and we were supposed to get our tickets there. The bus was located in another area. Although it was just walking distance, if you are not familiar with the place and you happen to arrive at the last minute, you might not be able to board on time.

There were only about 10 passengers on the bus which included us and there are only 3 seats in a row with a super wide leg space that you can recline your seat that you are almost lying down since there are no passengers behind you.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 3 (Around Singapore)

December 1, 2012 (Saturday)

Today, we woke up late since we've been waking up early the last 2 days. Since we were going to Chinatown, we decided to have breakfast there. Walking along Orchard Road, we took a bus at a stop near the Orchard Hotel. As we didn't know the fare, we had to ask the driver and fumble with our coin purse to have the exact change as the drivers do not give change.

We got off at a bus stop which is one more stop farther from Chinatown. As we walked towards Pagoda Street, we passed by a Bakkwa store and decided to buy some as gifts when we get home.

Further on, we passed by a Chinese pharmacy and again we went inside to buy some medicine which were requested by my wife's office mates.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 2 (Universal Studios and Orchard Hotel)

November 30, 2012 (Friday)

We had to wake up a little early because we were to transfer to another hotel a few blocks from Marriott. 

We decided to check-in early at the Orchard Hotel because the complimentary shuttle bus going to Universal Studio Singapore (USS) stops there to pick up foreign tourists. Take note that you should have your passport as well as embarcation card ready to show the bus driver or you he won't let you in. Also, since this is the last stop along the route, it's almost full when it gets there so be early. The first trip is at 9:35 and every 30 minutes thereafter.

We got to bus station in Sentosa Island, where we were to take the escalator going up to the USS. We had a photo taken first at the revolving  globe infront of USS.

When we got to the entrance, I realized that I did not bring my pre-printed voucher. I was advised by the attendant to go to the guest relations office. There I just presented my credit card, which I used to purchase my vouchers, and they printed our tickets which we then presented at the entrance.

The theme park was not that big. In fact, where it not for the long lines, where you have to wait between 15 to 45 minutes, it would not take the whole day to finish all the rides in the park. I will just let the pictures talk about the park.

Dining at Domino's

After a long while, we finally had another taste of Domino's. I actually found out that they're back in the Philippines late last year when I saw one of their stores in Alabang. The opportunity came when we were on our way to Laguna. Since the road from Marriott to SLEX via Villamor Air Base was slow moving, we decided to take the Sucat road via NAIA 1. It's on the way to SLEX that we found that a new branch of Domino's has just opened in the new SM Hypermarket in Sucat.

What I like about Domino's is that their pizzas are less greasy and their chewy crust. They come if four sizes: 7", 10", 12" and 14" and with a promo of buy 1-take 1.

SG-Melaka-KL Trip Day 1 (Bound for SG)

November 29, 2012 (Thursday)

Our trip to Singapore and Malaysia had finally ended as quicky as it had started. What took about a year to plan was through after a 6 day tour of Singapore, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur. Our first day started with us waking up early even though our flight was still at around 12 noon. Since it was our first time to use the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Pampanga, we decided to leave Manila early.

We took a bus at the Victory Liner bus terminal in Pasay and was told to take the Dagupan bound bus as this will pass by the Dau Terminal. From there, one has to walk out of the terminal and turn left. There is a queue of air-conditioned jeepneys waiting for passengers bound for the airport. I think it costs P100 each for 25 minute trip.

Upon arrival at the airport and x-ray of the luggages, we went to a counter and paid for our travel tax. It's P1,620 per adults and slightly lower for kids. Since the check-in counter was still closed, we get copies of the immigration cards and filled it up while waiting. 

Upon checking-in, we proceeded to the gate and paid for the terminal fee and then queued to have our passport and immigration card checked by the immigration officer. If you are a government employee, make sure you have a travel authority to avoid the hassle of explaining to the officer. Upon stamping of the passport, we were at last free to go inside and wait for our boarding call.

Angel's 11th Birthday

Weeks before Angel's planned skating party to celebrate her 11th birthday, we had already bought some vouchers and informed her classmates, cousin and a friend's daughter about the event. We decided to do it yesterday, since we will be going to Singapore on her actual birthday on the 29th of November.

Unfortunately, when we got there, there was a figure skating competition and so the rink was closed to the public. When I asked what time the competition would finish, I was informed that the skating rink will be open to the public at 4PM. We immediately informed Angel's friends about the problem but they still agreed to go and celebrate Angel's birthday just the same.

Since most of them arrived at about past 11 AM, we decided to have lunch first so that we can plan what activity they can do for the day. We went to Pizza Hut Bistro and ordered a meal for 12 persons. However, Angel's cousin called that they can't make it for lunch so there were lots of food left for us to take home.

Joey Pepperoni's Pizza

This is not the first time we ate at Joey Pepperoni and always it's at the SM MOA. But this time was kinda urgent. The voucher we bought a few months back was about to expire last Friday. Coupled with that, our daughter had a school activity the same night: reading camp.

It was a good thing my wife checked the expiry a few days before because you have to get a reservation a few days before you avail of the voucher.

Right after the school activity at about past 8 PM, we headed directly to SM MOA as the restaurant closes at 10 PM. I dropped my wife and daughter infront of the SM Department Store so that they can order ahead while I find a parking space.

Bound for Bondi Beach

July 5, 2005

After catching some sleep in the train from Melbourne, we finally arrived back in Sydney. Since we still have a day to spend here, we decided to use the last voucher that came with the train pass we bought: a return bus fare to Bondi Beach, the world famous beach.

Arriving in Sydney Central Station

For breakfast, we bought some burgers at a nearby McDonald's and soda in a 7-11 Store

Since it's winter time, the beach was deserted except for some brave few souls surfing the waves

Finally, Melbourne

June 27 - July 4, 2005

Finally, 5 days after leaving Brisbane, we were on our way to Melbourne. After taking a bus in Canberra we were dropped off at Cootamundra where we were to catch a train bound for Melbourne.

It was already dark when we got to the city where my wife's sister picked us up and drove us to their place in a suburb about 1 hour away from the city. We were to stay there for about a week.

Since my sister-in-law and her husband had to work, we were left to ourselves to explore the place. We spent most of the time going to the mall and around the neighborhood in the suburb. Every now and then, we go to the city via train. Since the bus going to the train station is not that often, we usually hitch a ride in my sister-in-law's car who also goes to the city to work.

Federation Square

Flinders Street Train Station

NSO Birth Certificate, Anyone?

A copy of an NSO birth certificate is vital to anyone applying for a passport, getting married or other official documents which may
require an NSO copy of this important document.

There are two ways of getting an NSO birth certificate (marriage certificate, certificate of no marriage [CENOMAR] or death certificate for that matter. One is going to an NSO Serbilis Center or applying online at e-census.

Go to an NSO Serbilis Center if you want your document within 1 to 2 working days. For online application, you get it between 3 to 9 working days after payment, depending on whether you live in Metro Manila or in the provinces.

How to Save When Buying a Universal Studios Singapore Pass

Since we are planning to visit the Universal Studios Singapore (USS) when we visit Singapore next month, I was trying to look for a way to get a discounted ticket. That's when I found in the Resorts World Singapore website that I can get a discount if I use my MasterCard/ The regular one-day peak pass costs S$74 and $54 for adult and kids, respectively. By using the MasterCard, you can buy the same pass at S60 and $45 each.

The USS one-day Pass comes with a free entrance to the Maritime Experiential Museum. I don't know how much the entrance fee to the Museum is but just the USS pass, you easily get about 20% discount.