Marquez' Travels

Every once in a while, amid your busy days, you should not forget to treat yourself.  This way, you won't feel burdened in everything that you are doing.  Yes, I also believe in the delayed gratification.  However, too much delay might cause stress, so there, just my 2 cents. When I was still in my younger years, early 20s, I love pampering myself.  But now that I have my own family, it comes last to my priorities.  I know we have different prerogatives, but for me, my needs wants comes the least. Anyhoo, last January 2018, my daughter and I pampered ourselves at Nail Files the Hand and Foot Spa at SM Center Pulilan .  Originally, we were supposed to have our foot spa at Nails dot Glow ; unfortunately, they won't accept us as it is an hour or so before closing.  Uhm, yes, I got a bit irritated by that rejection as they don't have any cut off time posted.  I just felt that they just don't want to accept any more clients as they were already getting ready to close. 

Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant is our favorite restaurant way back before we decided to tie the knot and build our own family.  We had dined on a number of their branches: Gateway Mall - our very first taste of Burgoo right after my hubby's Japan trip The Block, SM North EDSA Timog Avenue SM Mall of Asia It just shows one thing - it is really our favorite. Burgoo has an American casual dining concept.  The history of this first stew originated in Kentucky, USA. During the 17th century, Burgoo was prepared mixing different meat that includes goat, squirrel, deer or any other game caught during the day and different vegetables, herbs and spices. At that time, Burgoo took all of 20-30 hours to prepare and cook. Their version is somewhat similar except now it cooks faster than the original using top choice of beef, pork and poultry. They guarantee you to the top quality of this extra ordinary dish. Ambiance .  If you want to eat and have a good rest at the same time, th

To celebrate my brother's birthday last December 2017, we dine in at Buffet 101 at Robinsons Magnolia.  At the same time, we check-in at Summit Hotel Magnolia to spend the night there. At Buffet 101 As the third hotel property under the Summit Hotels collection, Summit Hotel Magnolia is a unique boutique hotel that showcase functional design starting from its elegant lobby, common areas to its stylish rooms and themed suites. It is conveniently located within the Robinsons Magnolia mall complex. Each of the 82 rooms are wonderfully spacious, designed to be relaxing and outfitted with stylish interiors, luxe furniture and vibrant artworks. Rooms feature upscale amenities like a 42-inch flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi access, premium bath products and high-quality linens.  Location .  Its location is really a big plus for us.  It is at the center of among our top suppliers of our online business .  I remember we were able to even book a lalamove delivery from Cavite to Summi

One of the perks of owning a small business is, you get to expand your network and discover new places.  Being one of our clients, we were able to know about the newly opened resort nearby, the Hacienda Galea Resort and Events Place last March 2018 - where we celebrate my daughter's birthday. Hacienda Galea Resort and Events is a small nice family owned and family operated resort located in Brgy Pinagbarilan Baliuag Bulacan. It is located 1 km away from SM City Baliuag. St. Augustine Parish & Baliuag Town Proper are also within 3km. Hacienda Galea Resort is complimented by a fully air-conditioned Function Hall that can accommodate up to a large group of 200 persons perfect for any parties and events. Our Hotel also has the capacity of 17 rooms from Superior Suite to Family Rooms. To complete your experience, three spectacular swimming pools sit in our gorgeously landscaped gardens with pristine waters are ready to be disturbed to sweep away your stress and to bring comfor

When SM Center Pulilan opened last December 2017, we were so glad as it is very close to our place - a15-minute ride without the traffic.  Knowing that SM Center also has National Bookstore is an added pleasure as it is one of our main source of raw materials for our online business .  On top of that, a new children's indoor playground is now available - the Ambika Kid'z Fun Box. While it - the Ambika - is still fresh, we took the chance to explore it. Rates .  Unfortunately, I am unable to recall the rates - and I can't find it anywhere in the internet too.  I can't even find their website; and, their Facebook Fan Page is not updated.  But I know that it is worth it.  They have the unlimited rate where you can play all day.  The shortest I believe is 30 minutes.  I bet it ain't enough as children are only starting to have fun after this time.  For us, one to two hours is already sufficient. Requirements .  Unlike other indoor playground, a companion is r

Having our online business, PrintHaus by Naomi ; and considering the heavy traffic in Metro Manila, we always resort at having our raw materials and finished products delivered via Lalamove.  It is unfortunate that our town is not covered by the Lalamove service, we still have to travel to Meycauayan, which is six (6) towns away from us just to book their service.  On the brighter side, doing this is convenient enough rather than having to travel all the way to Quezon City. Travel time from Quezon City to Meycauayan would take less than two (2) hours - sometimes even longer.  It is a bit long if we will just stay in our car and wait for the rider.  What we usually do then, is stay at Amii TEA , order our favorite Wintermelon Tea, and wait for the rider to come. Amii TEA is located at Balikatan Brgy. Pandayan, Meycauayan, Bulacan.  It is situated at the ground floor of Jenmark Building. Parking. They only have 2-3 slots for cars.  Nevertheless, most of the customers are hav

Part of the itinerary of my daughter's educational tour last November 24, 2017 was Dinosaurs Island .  Dinosaurs Island is an animatronic theme park and museum that is designed to offer visitors a unique interactive learning experience of the dinosaurs ere with life size creatures.  It is situated in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and offers attractions where guests will experience a one of a kind educational entertainment. Attractions included in the park are: Wonders of the World Jurassic Jungle Safari Unearth Museum - was unable to remember if this is already existing last 2017 Dino World of Fun The park is open Mondays-Sundays, at 8:00AM to 6:00PM.  Ideally, it would be better to go there on weekdays to avoid the crowd; and be there with a full stomach.  Since it is an educational tour, we had our packed lunch and eat it at the tour bus. I believe there are not many options in their food court. Published Rates are (as of April 2020): PhP 350-Adult PhP 300-K

August of 2019, we were blessed to be able to have a quick staycation at Acacia Hotel Manila located at 5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City 1781.  It was just a short trip with my family and a family friend (who sponsored our stay as they have a free gift certificate).  They (our family friend) head on the hotel first while we dropped by near the area first (Yes, you guess it right, we delivered some orders nearby from our business ) and head on there a little bit late at night already. Acacia Hotel Manila is a Filipino five-star luxury hotel that is a stone's throw away from commercial and business centers. The hotel's 262 guestrooms, including 45 suites, are tastefully designed to suit guest's needs. Its wide aray of dining and entertainment options include a coffee shop, lobby lounge, a specialty restaurant and a bar located on the topmost floor. Event and meetings facilities includes an elegant Grand Ballroo

Indeed, milk tea shops has been popular in our country.  Despite the news about milk tea poisoning last 2015 , it is now in the rise again. One of the firsts milk tea that I had tasted was Winter Melon of Cha Time , and I can say that it is still my favorite one. Here in Pulilan, a number of milk tea shops has been opening here and there.  But of all the shops available, I Love Milk Tea is our brand of choice. Every now and then, they had been updating their wall display here.  It makes the shop goers to not get tired at always seeing the same thing. Our queuing number.  We did not wait for too long. Their ambiance is relaxing.  This is also the go-to of students. We have tried different flavors before, but it was only Winter Melon tea that we love the most.

When my wife and I decided to leave the corporate world and focus on our business and raising our children, we also see to it that we would not deprive ourselves, once in a while, leisure time and simply enjoy life. Good thing is, with our business, we also somewhat have the flexibility to schedule this leisure time on off-peak days so we can surely enjoy without traffic and crowd problems. It was end of May 2019 that we take time to have a short staycation at Privato Hotel Ortigas . Privato Hotel Ortigas, is located at 706 Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City.  It is a 23-storey Italian-inspired business and lifestyle hotel in the Ortigas, Pasig block that features 177 rooms, 3 ballrooms, 2 conference rooms, a Rooftop Pool & Gym, and a Roof Deck Lounge.  It is strategically located right across the developing Capitol Commons and the Ortigas Central Business District.  It is in close proximity to main roads as well as major shopping malls and neighborhood restaurants. It also opened

Every year (I think), SM Cinema is having a promo where kids below 4ft in height can watch a movie for free (with one accompanying adult).  We failed to get the chance to watch last 2018, but this year (2019), we finally had the chance. Last day of the "Kids Watch for Free" promo, and last full show of the promo at the Directors Club Cinema, The Podium, we were able to reserve a seat to watch Frozen 2.  We paid less than PhP 1,000 inclusive of 2 bottled waters and 2 unlimited pop corns. My wife and I plus 2 kids for free. Yes, we almost rented the whole cinema for ourselves :D It was his first time to watch in a movie house It was the first time for my youngest to watch in a movie house, and he is a little bit scared every time the movie house will be dark or has loud sounds - though he enjoyed the songs.  Was glad the he was able to have this experience - for FREE. I hope there will be another promo of this kind this year - will definitely grab the c

Before year 2019 ends, we try out the unlimited pasta and chicken wings at The River, Pulilan, Bulacan. We were not able to take a photo of our table that time.  But I have to say, the price is worth it for what we have eaten.  Price is 249/head (adult).  If my memory serves me right, my daughter is half the price while my son is free of charge. Inclusions of the price are: unlimited chicken (9 different flavors) unlimited pasta (spaghetti or carbonara) unlimited iced tea I cannot remember how many servings we had back then, but we do enjoy the food. We would probably be back there, after the Enhanced Community Quarantine.  Let us all pray that this COVID-19 pandemic already meet its end.   God bless the world!

In preparation of the upcoming opening of classes (after the Christmas break), my children had their haircut at Cuts 4 Tots Hair Salon at SM The Block, North EDSA.  This is actually the first time of my son to have his haircut.  And as expected, we struggle in getting his haircut done. Yes, he has a curly hair. You wouldn't know the story behind before we get this haircut. What we also like from the said salon was that the children can play before and after their haircut, so the payment is good enough.

Every once in a while, whenever we have to ship orders via LBC at SM Pulilan, we allow our children to have a short arcade time at Quantum.  Here they are last February 11, 2020 having fun. Would appreciate if you can subscribe to our YouTube channel too. Thank you for watching!

Last February 13, 2020, we have a meet-up transaction at SNR Pampanga for one of our clients (wedding invitation).  We are the one who suggested the place as it has been long since we last visited the place. While waiting for the renewal of our membership card Their push cart is really spacious and two kids can fit in We limited our budget, as we really do not want to purchase a lot.  But when it comes to food, we are a little lax about it. We just want to compare this with that of our cousin's product Comparing those that we had bought here from those we had bought from Landers , we personally recommend those that we bought here at SNR. Before heading home, we opted at buying their pizza (who wouldn't right?).  However, there is a long line, and the dining area is also full.  What we did is just bought the pizza for take out and have them eaten at the parking lot :)  So yeah, dining-wise, we prefer it at Landers.  Not sure for other stores though as we h

Way back 2016, we are already a member of Landers Superstore.  However, we failed to renew our membership due to several reasons. Last February 27, 2020, we finally had the chance to be back at the said store, Balintawak branch.  We renewed our membership card for around PhP 700 (if my memory serves me right).  We just roam around as we really do not intend to buy anything - we really just want their pizza :) We really prefer the SNR push cart for it fits both my daughter and son. Anyhow, the cart is spaceious enough. Honestly, we just squeeze in a little fun in our daily lives to be here at Landers.  We use the fact that we need to Lalamove at most 3 orders on the same day - so have a little fun while booking the service. While waiting for the pizza We don't really take as much photos as before, because, we are savoring the moment with our eyes.  Hence, no photo of the pizza, sadly. Personal opinion, we prefer the items of SNR instead of Landers.  On the other han

After nine (9) years, I was finally able to visit Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, again. We left home, together with our cousin, Mark - who generously been our driver (using his own car :D) at around 12 midnight of November 18, 2019. We arrived at Baguio City at around 5:00 in the morning or earlier. We headed straight to the hotel (Burnham Hill by RLA) to drop our things and start the tour.  First stop - The Mansion and Wright Park. The Mansion Wright Park Since it was very early in the morning, there are also Zumba activity at the Wright Park. Also, we took advantage of the weather to roam around. What else can you ask for walking in the Baguio weather at this early? It is very relaxing.  Nearby is the Mines View Park. It is really a good idea to head on to these places early. No need to squeeze in yourself to fellow travelers. And the view - magnificent as ever. Thank you Lord for this gift of nature. Mines View Park My kids