ARISTOCRAT WITH THE BP GROUP

When my friends and I recently had a MANILA DAY with our families, we decided to go all the way and have Filipino food for lunch.

And that's how THE YAPPY BUNCH came again to ARISTOCRAT.

ARISTOCRAT RESTAURANT since 1936!!!

THE YAPPY BUNCH had our INDEPENDENCE DAY lunch in this ARISTOCRAT branch 2 years ago and it was great to be back with our friends in celebration of the holiday.

ARISTOCRAT in Malate was packed that day but it was a good thing that they opened their function rooms for us hungry customers!

TOKYU STAY NIHOMBASHI (TOKYO, JAPAN TRIP 2015)

While we were in Japan last summer vacation, my family went to a number of cities to explore the various tourist spots and historical sites that the country had to offer. Along with the city hopping though, we faced the solid truth that we also needed to book different hotels per city. Wow! Such work for lazy sloths like us (and yes, I became redundant there). Woah! I could just imagine how fun it would be to pack and unpack each time we go someplace new. Nevertheless, THE YAPPY BUNCH still got excited. It was not everyday that we get to stay at multiple hotels in only a matter of days.

And perhaps the one that stood out as the best for us is our second stop.... 

HOTEL TOKYU STAY NIHOMBASHI!

We arrived in Tokyo late at night after our whole day in Kyoto.  After walking u a marathon, we are so looking forward to tuck ourselves in a soft and comfy bed.

EKIBEN - JAPANESE TRAIN STATION BENTOS (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

When you go to Japan, it's normal that you'll be saving tummy and fat space for authentic Sushi, Sashimi, Ramen, Kobe beef, etc. etc. But if I may make a recommendation, make room for Japan's famous EKIBEN or BENTO BOXES. These delicious Japanese grub on the go is neither expensive nor fancy. But it DOES pack a wallop on the convenience and enjoyment factor.

EKIBEN in JAPAN!!!!!

In our 3rd day in Japan, we were in KYOTO STATION to wait for our Shinkansen (or bullet train) going to Tokyo.

While waiting, my brother suggested that we get some EKIBEN for our long trip going to Tokyo. I really didn't know about this but we were all willing to try it. 

KIYOMIZU TEMPLE (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

When THE YAPPY BUNCH joined my siblings in our last Japan trip, we let my brother Kuya Jon plan for our whole itinerary. We were grateful that he scheduled many sites that had a lot of historical or cultural meaning into it that the little lords learned something instead of just going walking around.

One of which is our visit to KIYOMIZU TEMPLE in KYOTO!

KIYOMIZU TEMPLE!!!!

RIZAL MUSEUM IN FORT SANTIAGO

In our recent trip to FORT SANTIAGO with the BP GROUP to celebrate the INDEPENDENCE DAY 2015, the kiddies had so much fun exploring around while us oldies reminisced till our big heads hurt.

FORT SANTIAGO with the BP GROUP!

While going around, we discovered that FORT SANTIAGO recently renovated the museum of Dr. Jose Rizal.

FORT SANTIAGO (2015)

As parents, we would always like to give what is best for our children. Unfortunately, some folks think that "best" would always coincide with the word "expensive".  This would usually happen for some families where they spoil their kids with high-priced gadgets or during weekends they would give them a "buy-all-you-can" blow-out in the popular malls. This would be great as a reward or for special occasions, but to do it always? I'm not a fan of it. Personally, I find that there are other more practical options that would still give the most priceless memories and at the same time, learn from it.

One great example of that is the historic site of FORT SANTIAGO.

This popular tourist spot always had a special place in my heart because my parents would regularly take us there on family day Sundays. Even during my school years, I always had the best time when we had our field trips or special projects in FORT SANTIAGO. There's something about surrounding myself with structures that are rich in Philippine history that have been there when our country was so young that gets me all sentimental and dreamy. I never get tired of going there and I'm thankful that the Chinese Adonis feels the same and is enthusiastic about it as well.

So it's no question that during the Independence Day Holiday we included FORT SANTIAGO for our yearly tradition with the little lords. Yes we could always check-in for a hotel staycation or go to the latest kiddie playworld but sometimes the simplest of activities are more meaningful and relevant.

So go the extra mile (literally) and take your kiddies to FORT SANTIAGO on your next weekend. Trust me, not only are you immersing your children to our Philippine history and teaching them about our culture, but you are also showing them the strong values of simplicity and effort.

Now THAT, may be one of your BEST ideas yet!

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in FORT SANTIAGO!!!!!

MUSEUM CAFE (SUNDAY BOUTIQUE BRUNCH)

The Chinese Adonis and I promised ourselves that we could do all that we want for the whole week but come Sunday, THE YAPPY BUNCH should ALWAYS be together. Of course, we are in each others company already for 7 days but we will stress on it more on Sundays with mass, breakfast, and lunch.  You could say the reason why we are doing this is to program the little lords that Sunday is their day with Mommy and Daddy. So that when they grow up and get all cool to be the "folks", they would still go with us on family day Sundays.

I don't care if they got home late the previous night...
I don't care if they have a hot date that morning...
I don't care if they have a barkada getaway....

Sunday is OUR day. So they better get used to it.

With that, I'm so glad that there are restaurants like MUSEUM CAFE that is perfect for our after-mass meal. The place is chic and located nearby in Greenbelt. Plus, they are serving brunch that is fitting for our special family day Sunday. We all enjoyed our time there!

Moments like these make me cherish every second with my little lords. I know time goes by so fast (like EAT BULAGA hammering SHOWTIME with #ALDUB (HA!)) that before we know it, they'll be out with their girls or their friends more than us. That's why hopefully, the neverending time we spend with them will make a strong mark so that they'll keep our Family Sundays sacred. 

Of course, given the choice, we'd still like to be with them every single day.

But should the time comes where they could only spare one day for us, we know that it would always be on Sundays.

And yes it would DEFINITELY still be more than enough for us! :)

MUSEUM CAFE!

MUSEUM CAFE is located right across AYALA MUSEUM. 

Isn't that the perfect place to go after pigging yourselves out with delicious food?

ALQUERIA (TAPAS, PAELLAS Y BISTECAS)

One supposed to be busy Tuesday, ERICJAZ FOODIES were invited to try out the hottest Spanish dishes in the metro in ALQUERIA (TAPAS, PAELLAS Y BISTECAS). I was psyched because I've been seeing the mouth-watering dishes of ALQUERIA in the net and I was so raring to sink my teeth on all those rich food.

Never mind that I was dieting....
Never mind that I MIGHT be coming out late from work...
Never mind that traffic was horrendous...
Never mind that it was the little lords' exam week...

(What the...????)

But yes, we are going to have dinner at ALQUERIA that night! There's no looking back.

And yes, I even wore my latest slimming corset to get ready for it!

HA!

 

ALQUERIA (TAPAS, PAELLAS Y BISTECAS)!

 

ALQUERIA is located at the SM  Mega Fashion Hall where some of the hottest restaurants are settling in.

 

Come in and get ready to indulge in scrumptious Spanish cuisine here in Metro Manila!