ITALIANNI'S RESORTS WORLD MANILA (2020)

Once upon a time before the pandemic....

THE YAPPY BUNCH met up with our Bawal Panget Group in ITALIANNI'S RESORTS WORLD MANILA. We were all excited for our Italian dinner because the whole gang was complete to celebrate dear Gem's birthday. He he he he he!

As for me, I'm also VERY excited to do some serious carbo loading. ITALIANNI'S has been one of my favorite Italian restaurants here in the Philippines and it's been a while since I've been there last. So yeah... I will definitely be there!

And my tummy and chika powers are super ready!!!!!!

ITALIANNI'S!!!!

BELMONT STAYCATION (2020)

One upon a time before the pandemic....

It's the month of February and that meant Team Navarro will treat the Bawal Panget Group with a staycation in BELMONT HOTEL!! And yep, even if we've been doing so for a number of years now, WE'RE STILL EXCITED!

Because why wouldn't we?

We'll be having a getaway with our family...
We'll be meeting up with long time friends...
We'll be eating at our favorite restaurants...
Our staycation is courtesy of Team Navarro...

And best of all...

We'll be celebrating the birthday of a special and generous lady!!!

So yeah, even if we've been doing this every year, we're still VERY excited because we have new experiences, make more special memories, and we'll have a bonding weekend with the family!

Let the fun begin!!!

BELMONT STAYCATION (2019)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are once again in BELMONT HOTEL for a staycation with our BP (Bawal Panget) Family to celebrate dear Gem's birthday. Every year, Team Navarro would always treat the whole group for a hotel stay during the weekend that's why it's a birthday celebration that we always look forward to!

Of course, I know that I have already blogged about BELMONT HOTEL and our stay there with friends. Still, this weekend gave us a lot of happy family memories that we would like put on record on this silly little blog. This is after all, my online diary.

Sharing with you our simple but very fun (and wet) BELMONT HOTEL staycation with THE YAPPY BUNCH!! Hope we still have some more more mooooore!!!!!!!!

BELMONT HOTEL!!!!!!!!!

We arrived in BELMONT HOTEL past their check-in time because we came from lunch with KTG mates.

STAR CITY AGAIN (2018)

THE YAPPY BUNCH and Team Mina went to STAR CITY to fulfill one of Andrei's birthday wishes and we all had an awesome time!

I know what you (may) be thinking: How could we have fun in STAR CITY when there were other more fashionable options around???

First off, the admission tickets were very affordable (let me put that right out there) compared to Enchanted Kingdom or that Dessert Museum. Second, it had an indoor airconditioned area that served us well when it rained later in the afternoon. Third, the place was spacious but it was not ginormously big that at least we could comfortably find each other. Fourth, there were many snack kiosks around. Fifth, there were clean restrooms at many points. Sixth, we were with our best friends Team Mina.

And SEVENTH, STAR CITY was Andrei's wish. Since it's my bunsoy's loving request to go there, we are sure to have fun no matter what!!!!!

STAR CITY!!!!

We made it a point to go there very early (the time it opened) so that it won't be too crowded.

DISCOVERY PRIMEA STAYCATION (2018)

Last year, my Bawal Pangit (BP) Family was not able to have a Christmas getogether because our schedules got so hectic. When we finally agreed on a date, something came up that plans got cancelled to the disappointment of everyone.

Fast forward to 2018. Because we didn't want to have a "take two" of that fateful night, we started planning for our Christmas getogether as early as September (I think). We didn't have a venue yet but we already blocked the weekend  (just because we felt that one day wouldn't suffice). At first we were thinking of Baguio, then Tagaytay, and then Okada (notice how the venue is getting nearer??). Finally, we all decided that we didn't need to look for anywhere else because the favorite hotel of the BP Group was just nearby and waiting for us.... 

DISCOVERY PRIMEA!!!!

NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL BAGUIO

THE YAPPY BUNCH were going to BAGUIO to have a pre-birthday celebration for the bunsoy Andrei and while we were planning it, he requested to for his Lola, my Mom, to join us.

That's great!!! I thought to myself. I was really planning on treating my Mommy to join us in BAGUIO and it felt good that my own son was thinking of the same thing.

Yup! My boys love their Lola (and Lolo Pogi - rip) soooo much!!!!

So when we were plotting our itinerary and planning our BAGUIO trip, we looked for hotels that would comfortably accommodate my family. We already stayed in  somebody's house, GRAND SIERRA PINES, and CHALET HOTEL, so we wanted to try something else.

When I was deciding where to go, my bunsoy whispered if it was okay to get his own bed. He said since it was his (pre) birthday celebration, maybe he doesn't have to share with his Kuya even just this once. Okay I said. I thought since my Mom will be joining us, it would be better to get a separate room for her anyways.

When asking around, my Mareng Gail recommended that I check out NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL. She stayed there before and loved the spacious rooms, queen-sized beds, the heated pool, and the buffet breakfast! The best part too was that it was super affordable.

SOLD! He he he he he!

I checked out NEWTOWN PLAZA HOTEL online and saw that yes, booking two rooms for two nights was still within my budget. I was glad too that even if it was a long weekend, there were still rooms available for us.

So YAYY! We're booked and ready to go!

Another great thing was that I discovered our good friends THE FOOD ALPHABET family also made reservations in the same hotel that weekend.

See? Everything was meant to be.

(Ang OA... he he he).

:P 

We're here in NEWTOWN!!!!

Haaaaay! FINALLY after 11 hours!!!

Yup! I won't stop ranting about it.

ITALIANNI'S BGC WITH OUR DOGGIES

We promised the bunsoy baby Andrei that when he was super behaved and when the time was right, we will take out his little doggies. He has been begging us to have a doggie outing for sooooooo long but were not able to do so because our weekends are usually full with other family plans. The only probable day for us was on a Sunday but we always put it off because there's school and work the next day.

Finally, the Yub and I decided to have a spontaneous outing with our boys and doggies. Of course, being the model parents that we are (he he he he he), we made Andrei "suffer" first -- we made him eat a lot of veggies (which he really hated. ha ha ha!), we made him take a long nap (he would rather play drums but he followed), and he became our mini-"servant" ("Andrei, get us water, with ice, now na!" KIDDING!!!). He he he he he!!!

That Sunday night, we finally went out with our doggies, Cable and Penny, to Bonifacio High Street. Truth be told, I was a little excited because it was Cable's first time out.

And like before, gimik with the doggies was very fun. Of course, it was a bit tiring (when we arrived Cable threw up while Penny pooped and I cleaned all of it!!), but the laughs coming from Andrei and seeing our cutie doggies all happy just made it all worth it.

And syempre, we ended our night pa with a delicious meal at ITALIANNI'S!

Yehessss!!!

Our night out with Cable and Penny!!!!!!

Just so you now:

1) I'm not preggers. I'm just FAT.

2) The paper bag I'm carrying have our doggie essentials. So useful when Cable threw up and Penny made poopy.

3) When I cleaned up their mess, the Yub was parking while Andrei held on to their leash. I'm sure if he was there, he'd help. BUT nanandya our doggies when it's just me!!!! 

3) Kuya Mati didn't join us because he'd rather go to Greenhills with his Tito Jon.

4) The doggies were so raring to run around when this picture was taken.

SAVOY HOTEL 2018 (PART TWO)

THE YAPPY BUNCH received a free staycation from a secret angel, aka my favorite frenemy, from my office.

If you've been reading my silly little blog, you would know who she is. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Anyway, we were super excited for this insta-weekend because SAVOY HOTEL just opened (so it was fairly new) and we got 2 rooms all to ourselves. You know us, we love anything that comes with a pool but in SAVOY HOTEL, we enjoyed their pool plus their other cool family friendly facilities!

But would you believe that for our last day, we only used the pool and stayed in our rooms yet we still had a blast?? Ay it's SOOOO true!

Check out part two of our SAVOY HOTEL staycation where we discovered once again the extreme happiness of lazy Sundays to the fullest.

SAVOY HOTEL YEAAAAAAH!!!!

SAVOY HOTEL 2018 ( PART ONE)

We weren't really planning to do anything special that weekend (especially that we have programmed ourselves to just be lazy all the way). But then we got a gift from a VERY generous officemate who gave us a free staycation in the hotel she had a unit in.

She wants to remain anonymous but if you want to take a guess (I'll give a small prize if you get it right), she is my favorite "frenemy" in my place of work.

If you're a regular reader of my silly little blog (oh poor you), you should know. Just guess via Facebook messenger. He he he he he he he!

Anyway moving on, my favorite frenemy gifted us with a staycation for not one but two rooms and we cannot be more excited!! Although we're not really sure how SAVOY HOTEL would fare up compared to the other hotels we have stayed in (because it was fairly new), I was still super looking forward to have a mini-vacation with my favorite guys in the world.

And how was that weekend? Oh you'll see. YOU'LL ALL SEE!!!

He he he he he he!

:P 

And we're here at SAVOY HOTEL!!!!

HEROES HOTEL PART TWO

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having a family staycation somewhere that was so far from the ordinary....

HEROES HOTEL!

This humble establishment is simple in size but overflowing in purpose and inspiration. And yep! Don't forget the FUN!!!

To be honest, I really did not expect to have one of the most unforgettable staycations ever. This just goes on to show that a hotel doesn't need to be grand or sosy wosy for guests to have a great time -- sometimes having a place that was constructed with lots of love and dedication then run by happy and inspired people is more than enough.

Check out part TWO of our memorable family staycation in a place that you should DEFINITELY check out soon...

HEROES HOTEL!

Da da dan danan.... Danananan!!!!!

Were you able to tell that's from the Superman theme? Tee hee!!!

HEROES HOTEL PART ONE

It was supposed to be the "usual" weekend for us: wake up to a late breakfast, Kali for Master Mati in the afternoon, then dinner and movie night for our Saturdate. However, we were invited by HEROES HOTEL for a weekend hotel staycation, so that meant our schedule for that particular Saturday and Sunday would be a wee different. But since we know how our usual staycations go, it's still going to be a fun "routine" for us. With that, I immediately made a mental checklist to pack our swimsuits, our midnight snacks, gameboards, movies, etc. etc.

But guess what? We didn't use ANY of them.

Saying that we had a different kind of weekend in HEROES HOTEL would be an understatement. It may not be the 5-star, flashy, and grand hotel that is popular in the metro but still, the family and I all had a unique and unforgettable stay.

And seriously I'm sure you will agree because HEROES HOTEL is indeed "the little hotel that could" in so many fun yet honorable ways!

Where else could you find a hotel that will make heroes out of you?

Read on and find out!

Yohoo! We're in HEROES HOTEL!!!!!

HALLOWEEN - TRICK OR TREATIN AT 2018

HALLOWEEN has got to be one of the most exciting seasons for people like me who are quite fond of all things ghostly and macabre: I love the decors, I love the scary TV specials and movie marathons, I love hearing the "Monster Mash", I love the Jack O' Lanterns and hearing the legend about Ichabod Crane, etc., etc., Basta just in case it's not clear enough, I love everything Halloween!!!!!

I think Halloween is only time where the Marvel Superheroes take a break to give way to pareng Freddie Krueger, pareng Michael Myers, pareng Jason, mareng Sadako, Mahal (he he he), and the new kid on the block, mareng Bent-Necked Lady.

Yep! Halloween is the holiday where we could be our scary selves and not be ashamed of it (he he he he he). Not to mention the delicious candies and treats that come with that will energize us throughout the whole horror season.

Here's how we celebrated Halloween for this year. It may not be what we usually do but we still had a scream-worthy great time!!!!  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FUN AT ENCHANTED KINGDOM (2018)

It's been awhile since THE YAPPY BUNCH went to ENCHANTED KINGDOM (I think the last time we went there was when my nephew Chuckie had a vacation here). That's why when thinking of what to do one weekend, we thought of going to "the happiest place on the Philippines" located in Laguna. We actually planned to go first thing in the morning para "sulit" but since we had brunch in Flavors, Holiday Inn Manila, we were able to drive out after lunch.

Yup! In the peak of the afternoon! Ack!

But did that stop us from having loads of fun?

Hell, NO!

We're back in ENCHANTED KINGDOM!!!!!

Yup! We're with Team Virrey!!!

It was REALLY, REALLY hot! (Yup! To the point that I wore a jacket so that my pristine skin won't get burned... He he he he). But still when we got there, our eyes were all agog with what we should do first. 

SWIMMING AND EATING ON A HOLIDAY

It was a holiday, and you know us: there is no rest for the wicked. That's why we thought of going out and taking a splash since it's getting kinda hot in the Metro!

We went to VALLE VERDE COUNTRY CLUB!

KRACIE EDIBLE JAPANESE TOYS - ICE CREAM CONE

My brother recently went to Japan and you know what that means....

He'll be taking home some KRACIE JAPANESE EDIBLE TOYS!!!!

My excited Andrei!!!

We decided to do this outside for a different setting. He he he he!

And this time, he gave Andrei the Ice Cream Kit!

(Check out the price! Egad! Sellers here really make a LOT of profit!)

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in Manila to check out the different museums in celebration of our Independence Day. Even if the little lords were objecting at the start (because we deprived them the opportunity of being lazy the whole day), they later appreciated the different treasures that showcased our history and culture.

So yayyy! Our gimmick was a success!!!

After the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE FINE ARTS, we decided to go to the newly renovated NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY!

OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION (2018)

It's June 12, 2018, and like what we do every year, THE YAPPY BUNCH are out to celebrate our Independence Day Holiday!

But where should we go?

We've been to the historic sites like Fort Santiago and Luneta just recently that we decided to try something different. That's when we remembered that Manila museums are free of charge this holiday.

YIPEE SKIP! MUSEUMS!!! I'm sure the little lords will REALLY have a good time now!!!

He he he he he! Yeah right.

Well, as much as we want to be considerate of the little lords' "kiddie desires" (which would most likely be consisted of playing their gadgets all day long), we wanted them to have different kind of experiences that they wouldn't have on ordinary days. And since it IS our INDEPENDENCE DAY, we thought of taking our boys to see how special Filipino talent and culture are without outside foreign influences.

Thus, the museums!!!!

And after their initial groans and whines, in the end, they admitted that they all had fun!!!

"Just not everyday Mommy" Andrei clarified.

Okay fine. As long as you two enjoyed our gimik in this yearly family tradition, the Yub and I are already happy. Here's hoping that you'll remember the great time we had today so that next year, you'll forget all the whining and groaning you did, kungdi KUKUTUSIN KO NA KAYO!!!

Ah eh... Kidding. Love you boys... Hi hi hi hi....

(Belated) HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY everyone!!!!

Wohoo!

It may be bed weather but we're out early for INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!

MANILA HOTEL STAYCATION (PART TWO)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in Manila Hotel to celebrate Andrei's win of Best Talent in Mr. BOSCONIAN and we are all having a blast. Many may think this is unlikely because public perception is that MANILA HOTEL is old and stuffy. But really, it was as majestic and historic as we dreamed it would be.

THE YAPPY BUNCH invades THE MANILA HOTEL!

When asked why he chose this classic Manila institution, he answered that it's the hotel where his idol, the BEATLES stayed in when they were in the Philippines.

Awwwww.... The little Ringo talaga!!

I was actually very proud of that reason and kept on mentioning it to everyone who'll listen (kulang na lang mangalabit ako ha ha ha ha ha).

A HOTEL HOP IN LUCENA CITY

If you have been reading our blog regularly (ay nakakaawa ka hija), you would see that one of our most valued traditions is Hotel Hopping during the holiday season. We usually do that in Manila and I think it's really a fun activity for the whole family.

When we went to Yub's hometown in Quezon Province, we thought of doing something different besides our usual kain, bowling, kwentuhan, tulog routine at night; we thought, why not do kain, HOTEL HOPPING, kwentuhan, drinking, kwentuhan, then tulog?

With that, we decided to check out Lucena's hotel circuit. And, even though it's very different from what we usually see in the hotels in Manila, our little family still had loads of fun and had an unforgettable time!  

HOTEL HOPPING in Lucena City!!!!

IMPOSSIBLE MAGIC SHOW

On December 25, besides being the Lord's day, THE YAPPY BUNCH also marked it as the official end of our bunsoy Andrei's birthday celebrations.

We usually ask our bunsoy what he liked but this year, the Yub and I saw something that the boys would have a lot of fun in....

IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMPOSSIBLE is a magic show from London that currently is currently on its world tour.

They feature magicians who specialized in death defying acts, illusions, and technological trickery.