Java Jazz, Tagaytay

I was doing my usual web surfing, searching for hidden secret places to visit. I chanced upon this place called Java Jazz in Tagaytay. I was truly taken by the good reviews about the place, that I made Java Jazz, Coffee Shop, a must for our next Tagaytay itinerary.

You got to keep your eyes open or else miss the signage!

The Coffee Shop is also an Art Gallery. The paintings were displayed on the floor. Something unique about this Coffee house, is the floor seating. Although, I honestly couldn't make much sense out of it. It was difficult and uncomfortable seating on the floor after awhile and I got to the raise the question of "is the mat clean?"

I got a bit excited ordering, I really thought this place is special (again based on the reviews I have read). We ordered chocolate, coffee (which as I was told the house specialty), club house sandwich, veggie lasagna and ice cream cake (it was just plain ice cream).

However, when our food arrived, I was honestly not satisfied.

I don't understand the hype I have read from praises and comments I have seen on the net.

My son did not even finished drinking his chocolate!

(the kids enjoyed the exhibit though)

I don't think I will be back anytime soon. For some coffee indulgement time, I would suggest you go to the tested Bag of Beans!

Java Jazz is located at 442 Tagaytay, Calamba Road, Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Tel. No. (046)8602699

Sanrok sa Kamalig, Morong Rizal

A friend of my husband told him about this place in faraway Morong Rizal called "Sanrok sa Ringring (Sandok sa Dingding) restaurant.

The restaurant specializes in yummy Filipino dishes with Asian cuisine techniques like its own versions of Bulalo (cow’s bone marrow soup with vegetables), Bicol Express (pork in spicy coconut milk).

My husband loves roadtrips and FOOD, so when we finally had the time off from work, we took the kids along and headed East.

We travelled quite a distance, but thankfully only got lost twice or thrice. Good that my husband doesn't mind stopping and asking for directions.

Finally got to the place past 12nn. We were hungry and tired and were just so happy we got there.

Signage says "Sanrok sa Kamalig" the attendant said "Sanrok sa Ringring" is the old name.

The place is reminiscence of an old salon pub/bar you see in the old Filipino western movies. I actually felt like, some outlaws will enter the place any minute.

The entrance to Sanrok!

Food was not extra ordinary. It was just okay for me, except for the "Halo-halo Sinigang" (a mix of 2-3 kinds of fish). My husband and my cousin kept on saying that the "chopsuey" was great!!!

We were all so full when we left the place and paid only P1500 for a a complete group meal (we ordered halo-halo sinigang, pancit, barbeque, steamed lapu-lapu, chopsuey, rice with drinks) for 8pax (n0t bad)!

If by chance you are headed in the far East, Sanrok sa Kamalig is worth a stop.

Sanrok sa Kamalig Restaurant and Function House is located along Morong Rizal Highway, contact number 691- 5647.

Canyon Woods Resort Tagaytay Weekend

If you are looking for full proof family bonding time, I suggest you seek out Canyon Woods Resort in Tagaytay.

Minutes from entering the resorts, my boys were already out exploring the vast grounds of Canyon Woods. 

A short stroll from our lodging is the activity center.   A play ground, mini-golf, an outdoor pool, billiards, gym, bowling alley, duck feeding, boating and a fishing area  surrounds the resort's Pavilion where we had our breakfast. 

The kids wont leave the resort's play ground. 

 

 

My eldest enjoyed the mini golf... he won by 2 points (**wink**wink**)!

 

 

The pool water is cold, but that is not stopping my kids from dipping (bbbrrr!!!).

 

 

 

Now the duckies :D 

My youngest wants to take all of them home!

 

Dinner is at the Canyon Wood's Main Club House.

 

Unfortunately it was already late and it was too dark to appreciate the view.

 

 

   



Before heading to our room, we decided to give the billiards and bowling alley a visit.

Long day today, the kids had fun and enjoyed every minute of our stay at Canyon Woods.


Canyon Woods Resorts Club is located at Diokno Highway, Bgy. San Gregorio Laurel, Batangas. Contact Number 521-7878.

Calaruega Church Tagaytay

For the longest time, I have been wanting to go to Calaruega Church in Tagaytay. 

 I have heard so much of it's picturesque garden and chapel. The opportunity came last November when my family decided to go to Tagaytay for my weekend birthday. 

 We stayed at Canyon Woods Resort and as it turned out Calaruega is just a few more kilometers down South (or is it a few mountains and hills up South...?).

The view was simply breath taking. I was shooting pictures like a maniac... (really!)

 

Unfortunately, my husband said it was not as all good on his part, since he had to carry my youngest on his shoulder, going up the flight of stairs to reach the main chapel!

(my husband, preparing for the climb up)

 

 

It was amazingly beautiful... (close to God and close to nature).

Calaruega Church - Caleruega, The Transfiguration Chapel

Address: Brgy. Kaylaway, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas

Mail: caleruega_philippines@yahoo.com

Contact Numbers: 0921-830-4226 0921-270-9890

Ming's Garden Tagaytay

(My boys at Ming's Garden Coffee Shop entrance)

 

It was a perfect day to start my 35th birthday! We are off to spend a weekend at The Canyon Woods Resort in Tagaytay.

 

On the way to the resort we stopped at the Ming's Garden, owned by former president Fidel V. Ramos' wife Ming Ramos.

 

(Inside the coffee shop, while waiting for our delicious suman.

The souvenier shop as background)

We go to Tagaytay quite often, but never had the chance to check out this place, until now.  The place is serene and gives a feel of a laid back country-garden atmosphere. The garden is well kept, restrooms are clean, and staff are friendly.  

 

The garden houses a coffee and "pasalubong" shop. We weren't really hungry, but the menu card picture of a yummy "suman" so grabbed my husband's eyes.

We ordered "sumang yapos" in coco syrup, siomai (my kids are addicted to siomai so this is a default order), club sandwich, "halo-halo", tea and kapeng barako (to go with my husband's suman). The "halo-halo", "suman" and "kapeng barako" did not disappoint us!

 

My kids had a blast running around the garden and spent a good deal of their time watching the Koi fishes, in a man made pond beside the coffee shop.

Before leaving I got a couple of hanging plants for our gazebo for only P50 a piece, truly a steal.

I am certain this will a regular stop over whenever we go to Tagaytay. We will be back!

Alona Golden Palm Resort: Our Home in Bohol

I took a chance on this small 7 room, boutique resort house for our family vacation in Bohol to celebrate my husband's 21st birthday (lol!!!).  And I am happy I did. My husband who was initially pessimistic, was obviously delighted I choosed to book there!

 

The garden was very well kept. The room and bath that we stayed in was equally clean. The pool was surprisingly heated to luke warm, perfect for kiddos...

The resort is located about 2 minutes walk from the beach, which makes it a perfect place to relax away from the busy and noisy Alona beach front.

It was much safer inside the resort too as it was gated, well lighted and guarded. It was okay to just leave the kids wandering and running about, while I sip into my delicious fresh mango shake.

We got a superior deluxe room at the ground floor, which was perfect since it was right in front of the pool.

(we had 2 queen size beds, a mini bar, free daily coffee and tea and very powerful 2hp air-conditioning unit - freezing!!!)

(the front of our room)

(my family swimming, this is also actually a jacuzzi)

(pacquioa sleeping)

The resort owns 3 well trained dogs and my youngest grew a fonding of Pacquioa, the black pit bull. He literally begged to take it back home to Manila with us.

The staff were nice and accommodating. They readily attended to my request of cake and arranged for special in-room massage for my husband.  

They gave him cake while singing a happy birthday. Sweet!!!

(well trimmed garden)

(my son lounging)

(picture perfect back ground, every time)

(the pool bar has everything, prices also better than the other restos by the Alona beach front)

(the 2 minute walk to the beach includes a stairs)

Alona Golden Palm Beach resort is our home in Bohol!!!

Alona Golden Palm Beach Resort is located in Alona Beach, Panglao Island Bohol.  Check out their website - http://www.alonagoldenpalm.com for additional information.

Oh Boy Its a Boy Baby Shower!

I am such a party planner freak! For me, the planning and preparation is quite therapeutic. So when a preggy cousin turned 8months, I can't help but give her a baby shower party...

proud mama and proud papa to be

We had her shower party May 1 - Labor Day (my cousin afterall will be doing her own laboring a few weeks from now)! I find it funny really, although my cousin wasn't laughing.

For decorations, I bought blue and white, baby shower designed balloons, attached curly ribbons and taped a couple on to the dining room ceiling. I was really careful! My husband warned me that if I damanged his newly painted ceiling, I will be paying for the cost of repair!

I cut out the baby's name into different colored papers and taped these as well on to the living room wall. It reads, "Czar Lukas is here!!!" Oh, I was very careful with the walls as well!

(Creative juices flowing... an apron for my preggy cousin to wear. yup, it reads...

"HOT MOM 2B".)


For give-aways, I got blue and lavender cellphone charms (cellphone not included). My cousin bought these real cute and funny coffee-tea stirrer.

For the games we had:

(1) Smell my nappies - I got cheap diapers and 4 types of ordinary chocolates. Melted the chocolates and placed them inside the diapers. The look was authentic. This was such a big hit among the guests. Everyone took turn smelling (eww!).

(I can't seem to look at chocolates the same way again...lol!)

(2) Tummy ni Mommy - with a piece of yarn, guests were asked to guess how big my cousin's tummy is. As it turned out, my preggy cousin's belly is as big as my husband's. Really funny!!!

For prizes, I got these cute pens from Blue Magic!

(3) Guess the nursery rhyme - we had a blast when my sister started singing baa-baa-black sheep to the tune of "three blind mice". I almost fell off my chair...

After a couple of games, i brought out the cake and had a semi tea party (What? We got inspired watching Prince William and Princess Kate's wedding...duh!)

(My second son, posing beside the cake.. and uhm ofcourse wanting a piece of it :))

The highlight of it all, is the gifts openning (I think she got most of whats left of her shopping list)!


My cousin, had a blast openning her gifts, but ended crying when I brought out my surprise gift. I gattered from family and friend (abroad) who weren't able to come to her party! I printed the letters in colored papers and placed them in a safekeep box...

Party is over, my preggy cousin... going through her letters (feet up)!