Summer Getaway 2013 Part 1: Tammy's Beach Resort, Iba, Zambales

We (mom, sister-in-law, brother and nephew) went scouting for beach resorts to spend this summer. My 2 sisters, who just came a few weeks ago from their 2 month vacation in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are very excited to start the summer and hit the beaches. 

We wanted something nice, cozy and practically-priced. For our first stop this summer, we chose Zambales over Pangasinan because we feel that the sand is finer and water is clearer. From Angeles City, we drove to Subic and took the exit going to Zambales. We were able to reach Iba in 2.5 hours and found 3 accommodations. I must admit that mom is a bit frugal when it comes to spending, although, reasonable I should say. We check on accommodations that do not charge for corkage and entrance fees (since resorts do not spend for beaches not unless they have their own pool/s).

This is where we landed..... Tammy Beach Resort it is!

From Angeles City, we took Subic (SCTEX) via Clark South and exited Subic going to Iba, Zambales.

Clean and well-maintained entrance of Tammy's Resort

Me and my nephew chillin' just outside our room. Those bamboo poles standing at the back are use to hang wet clothes (improvised air dryer). kewl!

3 floors of  Tammy's were used for room accommodations; almost all have the same beds, linens and drawers. Tammy's charges P2000 per room and it is good for 4 pax. Each room can hold up to a maximum of 6 pax since there is a pull-out bed. P200 per head is charged in excess of 4 persons. So if you are getting 1 room and you are 6 in a group, total charge is P2400. However, since we occupied the whole second floor which has 5 rooms, we were spared from paying the extra P200 charge per head. Good deal! Fair enough :0)

 

While waiting for other guests to leave the rooms, we were allowed to use the billiard / karaoke hall to dine. It is a good view because it is overlooking the beach!

Almost all rooms are newly renovated and cleaned. The linens are simple and place was neat.

Mom playing candy crush with her Samsung tab; our gift to her on mother's day :)

As you walk along the hallway where rooms are seated, one would find the dining area. Good thing which makes its customers go back every year is the EXCELLENT customer service the staffs offer. They are very proactive that you don't have to ask for utensils during meals because they were trained what to do. You won't even be needing your household help along with you because they prepare the tables of the guests during meals. You can ask them to buy fresh food for you in the market and have them cooked at a very minimal charge. The guests will just have to let the staffs know the time they would like to take their meals and they will prepare the table for you. Those utensils, condiments and purified water that you see are all FREE-of-Charge! Cool, ayt?

Tammy's grilling and cooking station

There is a LED TV at the far end of the dining area so you can still watch your favorite show while eating.

Tammy's also sell wines, liquors and sodas

Beach front. My brother and nephew relaxing and enjoying the view of the beach, waves, sand and the people passing by. 

 

Torres family, a very good and long time friend of ours also came along. We played games before hitting the beach :)

 

This was my favorite spot the next early morning! :)

Before heading home, we bought squids and fishes which were freshly caught from the sea and newly harvested mangoes :)

 

Tammy's Beach Resort
Bangantaliga, Iba, Zambales
Check-in is at 2PM; Check out is 12noon
All year round rates: P2000 / room good for 4

For inquiries:

http://www.tammysresort.com/

Moving Up Treat at Century Resort Hotel and Restaurant

It was my nephew's "Moving Up moment in school" the Friday before Holy Week. Since my two  sisters are still having their 2 month vacay in Singapore and there were only 4 of us left, my brother decided to just give us a treat at Century Hotel and Restaurant here in Angeles City instead of the usual cooking-and-dining-at-home :-)

I scouted for a place and made the reservation a day before. One thing I like most about Century Hotel and Resto is you get to ask for the list of menu for a particular day through their Facebook page. This way, you don't get "too" disappointed upon reaching the place.

It was "Unlimited Steak" that night and the lady who responded to my inquiries via Facebook provided me this list for their Saturday's menu.

Roasted Chuck Roll, Beef Goulash, Baked Potato, Corn on the Cob, Roasted Root Vegetables, Jambalaya, Beer Can Chicken, Breaded Porkchop, Irish Stew, Nacho & Taco Station, Porkchop/Beef Shortribs/ Minute Steak, Pasta Station, Mongolian Station, Crepe Station, Assorted Dessert Station and Halo-Halo Station. 

My take-aways:

1. I felt that paying P599 was not "sulit" as compared to other restos offering buffets.
2. I wasn't able to see a Halo-halo station. 
3. Pasta "station" offers only 1 type of noodle which is spaghetti.
4. There were no Shortribs although the Minute Steak was able to compensate for its loss. lol.
5. I was excited to see a R-E-A-L Beer Can Chicken but was disappointed to spot "tinadtad na turbong manok".
6.  You can count the shrimpS and saltwalter musselS in the Jambalaya.
7. The only viand I truly enjoyed is the Irish Stew :X
8. The service of the food attendants were SUPERB!

Having said that, I would have to think twice if I should go back to Century Hotel.  Below are some of the photos I got....as you can see, not too much foodies :(
 

  With my only nephew, Jose Miguel, who enjoyed the chocolate and milk balls at the Dessert station.

 My mom, brother and sister-in-law, whom I'm not sure if they too had the same sentiments with mine. LOL!

Until April 30th, Century runs a "4 + 1 New Grads Eat Free" promo. For every 4 paying persons in a group, 5th member gets to eat FREE! :-) Just make sure to bring a proof of the newly grad (Diploma, certificate or recognition). Rates during Sundays to Thursdays is P399/pax while P599 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Century Resort Hotel and Restaurant
Location: Century Complex, Balibago, 2009 Angeles City

Contact Nos: + 63 (45) 322.4888 / 888.1666 / 892.4888  / 09175283392

You can also contact them via their Facebook Account

Jackie's Summer Giveaway Part 2

I just thought of having another summer giveaway for those who won't win my first giveaway. I've checked some summer goodies in different malls during weekends and I've noticed that prices are higher compared to last year.

I hope that these stuff would save you few cents and you will be able to add that money, maybe (just maybe), to buy your love ones something special this summer (you don't need a special occasion to show them your love).

So without further ado, here are the prizes for my Second Summer Giveaway. Below is the Rafflecopter...... you know the drill :)

Urban Decay Loose Pigment and Lovely Me-Ex BB Cream from The Face Shop

Etude Mositfull 5 pcs Skin Care Kit

The Box contains: Moistfull Collagen First Essence, Moistfull Collagen Facial Freshener, Moistfull Collagen Emulsion, Moistfull Collagen Enriched Cream and Moistfull Collagen Firming Eye Cream

Nature Republic's Green Tea Mask Sheet and my ever favorite, A Bonne Spa Milk Salt

By the way, the giveaways are placed in a rectangular Fossil Tin Can. I myself use these to store some of my toiletries, make-ups and my kikay stuff. Should you wish to avail these tin cans (I only have 50 pcs remaining, you can check my Sulit site by clicking at the right uppermost corner of my blog's sidebar).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kuya Max RestoGrill, Dagupan

After visiting The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, we drove towards Dagupan. My youngest sister have been wanting to dine at Kuya Max Restogrill again just to have a taste of their Dinakdakan (grilled pig's parts [e.g. ear, tongue, liver] blended with pig's brain or mayonnaise). Since she has been addicted to dieting and craved very seldom, we gave in to her request. Kuya Max is about 35 to 40 minute drive from Manaoag. 

 

We reached Kuya Max around 2PM so we were a bit hungry. Good thing that it was already past lunch hours so we were the only people in the resto. I liked loved all the viands that we've ordered. It was the first time again to see my little sister eat THAT much! We asked for 2 orders of Dinakdakan because she was somewhat "bitin" with just one. Hahaha! 

We had unlimited Iced Tea for drinks. Their definition of unlimited is "di tinipid". Our glasses were still half-filled whenever the food attendant would pour iced tea in them. "One to sawa" (sky is the limit) is their motto. Lols!

While waiting for the food to be served (which did not take long), my nephew wanted to have his pictures taken with these cute fishes. Few minutes after, the orders were laid on the table and the feast began!

Kuya Max Grill and Restaurant is located at De Venecia Road, Lucao District, Dagupan City.
For other menus, you can check their FB page HERE.

 

 

 

The Rehabilitated Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag

Last Sunday, we decided to attend mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag. For almost 15 years now, it has been customary in our family to go here especially when we have special petitions / intentions; few of which is whenever one of us would be taking our Board Examinations, which all of us were able to pass.

We left Angeles City around 10:30 in the morning. Because the curved road going to Manaoag is currently under construction, the signage going to the Church was removed. So I suggest that church-goers and devotees to be keen once you’ve approached Pangasinan.

Inside Manaoag, guards and staffs have become more vigilant especially to vendors who would collect “some” fees from people who opted to use the kiosks and parking lots. There are many tarps and signage reminding people that these spaces are for Free. I have also noticed this time that most of the vendors were not allowed to enter the walled area of Manaoag. This may have been conceptualized during the renovation of Manaoag perhaps to avoid overcrowding and at least somehow maintain the solemnity of the mass.  

This time, I prayed fervently which is why I did not take pictures inside the church. Although you can check some of them in this blogpost.

(Pics captions are listed clockwise)  

1. The rehabilitated entrance of Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

2. For those who brought packed lunch with them, there are kiosks that can be used free-of-charge.

3. Spacious, safer and much organized parking spaces.

4. Clean and newly renovated comfort rooms.

(Captions are listed clockwise)

1. New Candle gallery. The old one did not have a concrete roof which is why people would lit their candles at the other side of the church rather than here to avoid the heat of the sun especially during summer. Candles are sold beside this Candle Gallery at different prices.

2. This is the located just beside the Museum. The stairs going up at the end leads to another Candle gallery.

3. The pictures at the bottom were taken just outside the Shrine of Manaoag while mom and my sister-in-law are buying puto, chichacorn and tupig. There are also numerous stores selling soft brooms, baskets as well as souvenirs like rosaries, novena booklets and sculptured images of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

As I’ve mentioned, we’ve been here so many times but it was only last Sunday that I was able to take a short tour at Manaoag’s Museum. There is no entrance fee in the Museum, just few reminders for onlookers to abide.

My nephew enjoyed watching the floating candles at the Gallery.

You may check this website http://www.manaoagshrine.org/ for more info.
Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines
Contact No. (075) 529-0132; Fax (075) 529-0508
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Contact No. (075) 529-0249

Early Summer Giveaway Part 1

I know summer is fast approaching and maybe, just maybe, some of you are already busy buying beauty stuffs or scouting for places to spend this time of the year. I've cooked a giveaway for you and prizes at stake can be used during one of your summer getaways!

A Bonne Spa Milk Salt - this is a skin whitening product with milk formula and natural spa salt benefits.I personally use this along with liquid soap. You'll immediately feel the smoothness of your skin and the milky-like scent after bathing.  

Skin 79 Mini BB Cream Gold and a Set of Bangles.

Pevonia Botanica Phyto-Aromatic Mist - can be use as a replenishing aromatic mist on your face any time during or after-sun exposure for immediate hydration. A delightful blend of Chamomile, Calendula, and French Rose, balance and restore your skin's natural moisture. Full size of this retails for $35.50  (credit from http://www.pevonia.com)

Nature Republic By Flower Oil Control Mist - I have been using this for quite some time now and I love the fact that I don't have to retouch my make-up often within the day because of its oil control property (formulated with green tea and corn flower). This can be used on faces; with or without make-up.

Skin Food hair patch, Urban Decay Loose Pigment and Dermal Gold Collagen Essence Mask

In addition to those mentioned above, you also get to have a box of Aroma soft bath sponge with liquid soap and body lotion :)

So what are you waiting for? Fill in the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win all of these!

- This is open to Philippine Residents only since I will be shipping the prize.
- Winner will be given 3 days to respond, otherwise, a new winner will be chosen.
- Winner will be announced within 1 week after the giveaway ends.
- He/She will be contacted via email / twitter / facebook.
- My decision is final.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This contest is "Boy-Kuripot Certified"

Hello, 2013! Giveaway by Mich

Mich of micheatsandshops.com is holding another giveaway. Mechanics are as simple as 1-2-3 because she is using Rafflecopter. Prizes at stake are Snoe Beauty Products! I am personally joining this because aside from being a fan of her blog, I uber love Snoe Products!

See photo below for the prizes (taken from micheatsandshops blog)

 

So what are you waiting for? Join now by clicking HERE.