EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL STAYCATION (2019)

These days, I'm really not keen on having hotel staycations. When the boys were young and they're all so wide-eyed at new surroundings, yes, that's why we also booked ourselves a weekend before everyone started doing it. As in I would really save for it!! But now that they're older, they fully appreciate just staying home or going out with their family and friends. Let's not forget too that it could get SOOOO tiring to pack and unpack (ha ha ha ha). So yes, the appeal of having staycations is now lost with us. And it's not something that we would really set out to do like before.

Of course, there are exceptions!!

The Yub told me that a supplier gave him a voucher for an overnight stay at EDSA SHANGRILA Hotel!! He said that it could be our additional MU anniv celebration. He he he!

Meh. I answered. For the many reasons stated above, I was not that enthusiastic anymore because I could be so LAAAZZZZZY. But then I realized that

    One) it's a blessing since it's free... ha ha
    Two) it would still be a fun weekend off with the boys
    and
    Three) We haven't stayed yet in EDSA SHANGRILA, one of
    the classic top hotels in Metro Manila.

Okay then. We're sold!  Kami pa? We're always game with anything.

(Yun ay kung, hindi ako tamarin. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

We're in EDSA SHANGRI-LA!!!

Wohoo!!!!

MR. SUNMOON (2019)

My brother celebrated his birthday recently.

And when it comes to birthdays in our household, you know the drill.

WE EAT!!!!!!!

MR. SUNMOON!!!!!!

MR. SUNMOON was formerly SUN MOON GARDEN and it's where my family always had birthday celebrations when the celebrant is craving for some Chinese food. 

As in bata pa kaming lahat! There was even a time when my Dad treated his sisters from the US here then when the food came, nag-agawan and naghabulan kaming magkakapatid (it was so embarrassing for him. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!).

Their restaurant used to be in Greenhills Shoppesville but then they transferred to Club Filipino Avenue. And that's where we went to that Sunday when my brother was in the mood for our usual comfort food.

GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT (2019)

The Yub and I have been long familiar with GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT way before pa because they catered our wedding (meh) when they was just starting up. From what I remember, the food was okay and it was more on the casual side. During that time their menu was limited and I had no choice but to pick from what was offered because it was requested by the future in-laws (they're friends with the owner and prices were very reasonable).

Fast forward to the present and GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT now have MANY branches across the metro and in the provinces. You could never fail with their extensive menu of Filipino specialties that are very affordable. That's why click na click!!!!

We have dined many times already at GILIGAN's but the last time we did so as a family left such a bad taste in our kiddies' mouth because well, maybe the branch was having a syesta. The Yub and I also had another experience in it on one date night that we said it would be a loooooooooooooooong time before we go back there.

But "back there" we always did. Maybe because of sentimental reasons. Good thing that in our latest meals there, service and their food improved that we would now become happy regular customers.

Syempre, when you're always eating out it's a steal to find restaurants that service delicious yet cheap food!
 

GILIGANS!

SUNDAYS AT MONGKOK

It was a lazy Sunday and we were all just craving to do NOTHING that day.

Of course, we had to eat. Now where should we go after cleansing our soul in Sunday mass?

Why not have some of our favorite comfort food????

With that, we all thought of going to MONGKOK, a surefire favorite in Powerplant Mall that always hit the spot when we're lazy and hungry at the same time.

Lazy because we don't want to think what we want anymore. Everything there is just good!!! He he he he he he he!

And as expected everyone agreed. You really can't go wrong with greasy Chinese food even if it IS a Sunday. He he he he he!

MONGKOK!!!!!

HOUSE OF WAGYU STONEGRILL (2019)

The Yub and I were celebrating our 20 years of being MAG-UN, and as expected, he forgot about it.

With that, I contemplated on how I should handle the situation...

Should I be the model wife and just understand everything? We're already married anyways and that's more of a blessing.

OR....

Should I be petty and make a big drama about how he's always forgetting special events? In that way, he'll think of a way to make up. Big time.

Syempre I chose the latter.

Tee hee... Oh wells. Before you get angry, know that I did it for women everywhere who have fallen victim to the "forgetful husband syndrome." Let's all unite and fight for our right!!!

Naaah. Kidding. I'm just hungry and craving for some steak. Ha ha ha ha ha.

Carry on!! 

Happy 20th to us!!!

BLECH.

POPEYE'S PHILIPPINES

The Yub and I have long wanted to try out POPEYE'S since it opened because we're curious how it would fare up against our other chicken favorites. I remember having it many years before in Robinson's Galleria but wanted to taste first-hand if the quality and taste are different now.

Of course, we cannot just try POPEYE's without the 2 asungots. So from the comforts of their Youtube and FB chats (grrrr) we yanked Mati and Andrei to go with us out for a family dinner.

And it was another fun night for THE YAPPY BUNCH where not only we ate enjoyable food but we also saw how helpful our little guys are when needed.

The Yub and I are really thankful for these kind of family nights (yep... even if it's in the very busy restaurant of POPEYE'S). 

WOHOOO!

OF MAD MARK'S AND DOWNTON ABBEY

Ever since I saw the trailer DOWNTON ABBEY, I got so excited to watch it. I told Mommy, Ate Jit, and BGP Mariane that we'll all see the movie together since we're fans of the show. The series only had 5 seasons and even though my heart was broken with the death of Matthew (SPOILER!!! Well, if you haven't seen this wonderful series, then it's your fault), I still saw through it till the end.

Yun lang I was concerned if DOWNTON ABBEY was a movie worth seeing in the theatre or just in download because the last time I checked, it didn't have the action packed scenes and effects of Marvel movies. It's okay. I'm sure it'll be a great ladies' night out for us anyway.

HOW-EVER, my Mom and ate Jit watched ahead without me!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! I have work on Fridays (while my sister didn't have clinic) so it was when they decided to go for it. At first they were like, "Oh, we'll not watch without you...." then later on they still went ahead knowing I'll get it out late.

HMP. That was on purpose for sure.

I was hoping to watch it with the BGP but she got sick and was advised by her doctor not to stay in enclosed spaces (aka theatres). Kaya haaaaay... Now who does that leave me?

THE YUB. GRRRRRRRR.....

Okay before I get judged, understand that my husband is my favorite movie date of all. BUT, he has this big habit of falling asleep easily. As in, kahit naguusap kami, he'll snooze. Now imagine what he'll do when instead of his favorite action movies, we're going to watch a period piece (something that has loads of dialogue at that).

Not a good picture right? Of the Yub I mean.

Oh well.... As much as I wanted to watch it on download, I cannot wait anymore so I DEMANDED the Yub that we'll watch DOWNTON MOVIE on date night.

Good thing he agreed. And since Im sure he's already thinking about wasting about bucks because he'll just sleep through it, I decided to look for movie houses that charged less for tickets. And that's how we ended up in BGC for our movie. I think at only P300.00 per pax (compared to the others that charged about P400.00), this is a good price.

And then where to eat?

We don't really go to BGC often so we're not familiar with the restaurants at that part in the metro. Good thing that after buying our tickets, I saw MAD MARK'S!

We have long wanted to try out MAD MARK'S because we saw how the food was good and the prices very affordable. So at least yay -- that would be the Yub's consolation from "wasting" his money in the theatre by sleeping.

Hmmmm... If MAD MARK'S dishes will give us a bang for our buck, that means we could order more and get bondat!!!! Yun lang, that would mean the Yub would get so full and get all sleepy again afterwards.

Oh well, NOTHING will stop that from happening. So might as well enjoy meself na lang.

He he he he he.... 

    

MAD MARK'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAMMA MIA (UPTOWN MALL BGC)

The Yub and I usually make it a date night for Saturdays but since every night became date night for us when he picks me up from work, we decided that weekends should also involve the little guys as well.

YUN AY KUNG SASAMA SILA!

So for that particular Saturday, the Yub and I were in the mood to be good parents (tee hee) and asked the guys if they want to go out with us.

Mati gave us a firm "No way..." because he already made plans to go out with his lola and tito Jon. The traitor.

As for sweet, innocent, little Andrei, he gave us an eager yes. Oftentimes he loved going with me and the Yub without his Kuya because it made him feel special. At the same time, the night is assured to be "quarrel-free".

So the bunsoy is our date for the night and his "reward" for keeping 2 geezers like us for company is that he'll choose our restaurant for the night.

And my bunsoy's choice?

MAMMA MIA!!!!!

WITCHES BREW

One weekend, ERICJAZ FOODIES along with the Virreys traveled to the South to attend the debut of my kumare's daughter.

DEBUT??????? Yes. Our kiddies are turning adults na din. We're officially becoming gurangs. He he he he he he!

Anyway, the debutante didn't fancy cotillons or formal dances. What she only wanted was a getogether in a restaurant with her close friends.

Too bad for her, kasama din kaming mga gurangs! Ha ha ha ha ha!

THE WITCHES BREW!!!

HARU SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT

My old friend from High School, Wendy, was in the country visiting from the US and we planned a getogether to catch up.

We asked her what she was craving for that night. And when she said she was in the mood for some Japanese food, we had the place just for her...

HARU SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT!

OF PANCAKES AND DOGGIES

One weekend, our little doggie Cable was unusually sad. She was not as hyper as she used to be. 

Wawa baby....

PANCAKE HOUSE (ROBINSON'S GALLERIA)

Even if I promise so many times that I will buy the boys' school supplies a month before school starts, I often fail. It's just procrastination at its best!

That's what happened for schoolyear 2019-2020. It was the last week of July and AAAAAACK... we haven't bought anything for the boys!!!! So one Saturday, by hook or by crook we decided to head on to Robinson's Galleria to buy what the boys needed for school (uniforms, sandos, socks, brips... he he he etc). And after a full day of shopping, I was ravenous.

HELLOOOOOO! NAGIMBALA NA NGA HIGA KO SA KAMA E GUGUTUMIN PA AKO, AY SUS!!!

Tee heee!!!

The Yub and I decided to go for PANCAKE HOUSE since it's been a long time that we've been there last. Though I always get to eat PANCAKE HOUSE goodies (from our office meetings) syempre, it's still different to eat at the actual restaurant.

So even if Master Mati was asking for Ramen Nagi (neknek mo, I'm the boss of you now) we went to PANCAKE HOUSE for some good ol' comfort food.

Yay! And all was well again. 

PANCAKE HOUSE!!!!!

NIPA HUT

One night, I had a sudden craving for some good old sizzling sisig that when I told my ugly husband, he was like "Sige... Dun tayo sa (ganito) and (ganito)." (Yup. Sisig is already a regular part of our dietary menu.)

MEH. I thought aloud. Why not try something new???

But where? We could try this restaurant and that restaurant but it just didn't appeal to me. Finally, while we were driving home, we passed by an old favorite which had been sitting atop the "mountains of Pasig for many years....

NIPA HUT!!!!!!

RICO'S LECHON

The Yub and I along with my sister, her hub, and Mommy, checked out something and made it a family day trip at the same time.

Syempre afterwards, we needed to some sustenance. We were supposed to go home to have our lunch but then, we finished late so we all just decided to go somewhere for some serious grubbing...

RICO'S!!!!!!!!!!!

BUTAMARU (2019)

THE YAPPY BUNCH went to Tagaytay for the weekend where we stayed in awesome ANYA RESORT. We had a heavy buffet breakfast that morning that we still didn't feel like having lunch while we were in there.

When we got to Manila however, our tummies all grumbled at the same time. With that, we thought of having a bite at our favorite stopover when we're coming from the South....

BUTAMARU!!!!

BUTAMARU was perfect that day because it was raining!

MARUGAME UDON

ERICJAZ FOODIES have a new favorite these days...

MARUGAME UDON!!!

Could you blame us? The place serves delicious Japanese food at affordable prices. At the same time, they have this efficient system ensuring fast service and seating. So yeah, it's pretty understandable why this would be our current favorite.

And when I say current favorite it means we'll be eating here as much as we can!

Tee to the HEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MARUGAME UDON!!!

BREAKFAST AT ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY

THE YAPPY BUNCH are having an awesome weekend staycation in ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY, and we're glad that for the price we paid to book our room, breakfast was included!

Up and early for brekky!!!!!

BULALO POINT (TAGAYTAY CITY)

THE YAPPY BUNCH have been to TAGAYTAY many times already but I just realized that we would eat many things EXCEPT for Yub's favorite -- BULALO.

It's not really because we have this hidden hatred for him (tee hee...) but more because when we eat out we're always on a budget and a big bowl of bulalo is usually priced at about P500.00. Add to that, our little boys don't like bulalo so much and would always get Pizza or Carbonara.

KAYA SORRY KA NA LANG YUB. BWA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Fast forward to 2019 where the little boys are older with bigger appetites. We went to TAGAYTAY for a family weekend in ANYA and when deciding where to eat, the Yub put his foot down and said that we'll be eating BULALO.

We were all like, "Chill grandpa... ", and agreed. He he he. Truth be told, Mati and I were actually very curious to try out this restaurant recently raved about by our favorite vlogger Strictly Dumpling, that BULALO was actually on the itinerary that weekend.

So yeah, dreams finally came true (especially for one panget) and we're happy that our first experience with BULALO as a family was a success.

Would love to go back to BULALO POINT again!!!!!!!

Tapos hindi kasama si Yub...

BWA HA HA HA HA! Kiddingsssss! 

BULALO POINT!!!!!

BALAY DAKO (TAGAYTAY)

THE YAPPY BUNCH went to Tagaytay recently and while planning our itinerary, the Yub insisted that we try this restaurant...

BALAY DAKO!!!

I agreed quietly with him and aired my concerns about how the restaurant was ALWAYS full. In truth, I was SO eager to try BALAY DAKO but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of being the one who made the right choice.

Teee Hee! Yes I'm evil I know.

ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY (PART TWO)

THE YAPPY BUNCH is having a "family only" getaway in Tagaytay and the "unfortunate" hotel (he he he he) to experience our ruckus that weekend was ANYA RESORT.

ANYA went to infinity and beyond with regards to our expectations mostly because of the cool facilities, and the room (because it was larger than the usual De Luxe suite).

The hotel service too was NUMERO UNO -- it's like they cannot say no to any of our requests and our weirdness with the pictures. Come to think of it, I'm sure ANYA RESORT wouldn't mind so much if we'd be our usual crazy selves because everyone's just so nice and welcoming. We really felt like we were home (or VIP members of a clubhouse for that matter).

Yep. The reviews are real, and here's another rave to add to it. We really had an awesome weekend at ANYA RESORT and would love to return once budget permits. This would be another resort I wouldn't mind saving for again.

Sharing with you all part TWO of our ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY weekend.

ENJOYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! 

After a relaxing and blissful Saturday, we all set out for dinner.

ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY (PART ONE)

Summer was about to end and I thought that it's high time for THE YAPPY BUNCH to have our own family getaway.

Don't get me wrong, going on trips with our family and close friends are fun, but it's a different kind of bonding when it's just the 4 of us. The Yub and I agreed that with our very busy times these days, it's something that we should really do with the kids on a regular basis.

Now where to go????

The Yub and I have been hearing rave reviews about ANYA RESORT in Tagaytay from my sister and a friend. I checked it out and yep, it really did look nice. However, everytime I looked at their weekend rates, inangkupush... P14,000.00 for one night? I'm all for indulging once in a while but I somehow can't stomach P14,000.000 (ha ha ha especially that I'll be paying for the hotel while the Yub will take care of the restos). Sorry, I'm just being honest. Ha ha ha ha ha! Ang dami ko nang magagawa for P14,000.00 (like get hair implants on my big noo).

Then one night, lo and behold I saw that for one weekend, the rate for their Junior Suite Twin was only about P9,000.00! Yipeee! How meant to be for us! We immediately booked and made our plans on where to go to Tagaytay.

And how was our weekend?

It was SUPER fun. I think it's our best weekend for the summer!!!! Of course, all getaways with the family are the best, but for that trip, ANYA RESORT made a very big contribution!

:P

We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship.....

TO THE SOUTH!

Uy ang fresh ko pa!

ROMANTIC BABOY (SAN JUAN)

It was a very hectic day for me and the Yub but we're thankful that it ended on a delicious (and "romantic") note.... He he he he he!

First, we got our passports renewed in the VIP department... Ahem ahem...

BANANA LEAF CURRY AGAIN (ESTANCIA MALL)

One night, my kumareng Gail was in dire need of the Jazzle Dazzle that when she asked if we could meet, I said yes (you know me, I would always like to help out even if it's not obvious... he he he).

Meet up was in Estancia mall because it's also where her gym is. When deciding on a place, my only condition was that it shouldn't be expensive (hellooo.... hindi naman niya ako ililibre and I'm on tipid mode these days... ha ha ha ha ha).

So we decided once more to go for our trusty BANANA LEAF CURRY -- the food was always good and very affordable.  Sulit na sulit for our kuripot selves.

In the end, it was another fulfilling night: I was able to accomplish my duties as a kumare by being there for a good friend, AND I was able to enjoy  the always satisfying grub from BANANA LEAF CURRY!!!!

It was a great night that I didn't miss the Yub at all!!!

BELAT. He he he he...

Magkumares in BANANA LEAF CURRY!

Uuuuy si mare bagong ligo... Fresh! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

OF SPIDERMAN AND BONCHON

One of Master Mati's close friends, Johans, is sleeping over for the weekend and we told them that they could do anything EXCEPT play PS3!

HUWAAAAAAAAT??? Suddenly they wanted to cancel. Ha ha ha ha!

Kidding! They know that I cannot resist them and their cuteness.

Truth be told, they really didn't mind TOO much that they were not allowed to play PS3 because they bought new Gundam sets which they agreed to assemble at our house.

After about 2 or 3 hours of working, look what they finished! Yay!

A DABARKADS 40TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

EAT BULAGA is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year and we are all excited.

Well for one, I bet you don't see ANY show here celebrating its 40th year on the air. YEP. We're not the longest running noontime show for NOTHING. He he he he he he! The competition all ate our dust! Har de har har!

Wohoo!!!! EAT BULAGA is 40 baby!!!!!

Hala! The show is older than me pala... He he he he he he!

Could you find me? :) 

GANSO SHABUWAY FOR DAD AND THE FAMILY

It's the second year since my Daddyowzers went to heaven, and even it was a very sad day for us, the family got together to honor a very great man and offer our prayers for him.

Hello Daddy! We miss you!!!!