Michi Photostory

Last year, my mom and aunt were back in the Philippines, so we had a family get-together at Jim Homes Private Pool. My aunt suggested this resort. The resort looks new, clean, and it is also big compared to other resorts that we’ve tried in Valenzuela.

The weekend day rate is PHP15,000 for 20 people and additional PHP200 in excess. The room is not yet included, so we paid an additional PHP2,000 for an air-conditioned room with a toilet and bath. To confirm the reservation, a 50% down payment is required. 

• 3 Shower area near the pool

• 3 Toilet area near the pool 

• Gazebo with free use of Videoke

• BBQ Griller (Charcoal not included)

• Free access to Wifi 

• Free access to Netflix 

• Microwave 

• Rice Cooker 

• Kitchen equipped with basic pots, pans, cooking utensils, a knife and a chopping board

• Water Dispenser (Free 10 Gallons and Additional 30pesos/5 Gallons) 

• 2 Burner Gas Stove (Additional 500) 

• Adult Swimming Pool (3 ft- 5 ft) 

• Kiddie Pool (3ft) 

• 24/7 surveillance cameras 

• Parking max of 30 cars. 

Don’t forget to bring your own utensils, toiletries, and towels. My sister-in-law ordered food from Angel’s Wings and Heartwarming Meals; we had chicken wings, menudo, beef kaldereta, lumpiang shanghai, kare-kare, and spaghetti. 

This resort is ideal for bigger groups, but since our family is not that big, mas makakamura kami sa mas maliit na resort. This year, they were supposed to stay at Pooltrip Private Resort pero not available so napunta sila sa mas maliit na resort which is Pooltrip 2 Private Resort. We were not able to attend the family reunion because we were in Taiwan, but I blogged about the Pooltrip Private Resort two years ago. 

Time passes very quickly and after several days, it was time to say goodbye to Sydney, Australia. Our last day was our flight to Manila, Philippines so we woke early to prepare for our afternoon flight. 

Since it was our last day, I cooked our leftover ham and hotdog and we need to eat and drink all the complimentary breakfast like the bread, fruits, milk and juice, para walang sayang. 

We check out at Hyde Park Inn around 8:30AM and we arrived at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport three hours before our flight. Unfortunately, all check in counters were still closed, as in we didn’t know where to fall in line, nagkahalo-halo na yung pila ng mga airlines to Manila. Our flight was 12NN and past 10AM na kami nakapagcheck-in and because of that, sobrang nagmamadali kami. 

Immigration is via Smartgates so you just need to scan your passport + facial recognition and that’s it. My son and I were able to pass through Smartgates but my husband needs to go to Manual Passport Control Counter because for some reason, hindi nareread passport niya doon sa Smartgates. After that, we went straight to our boarding gate just to make sure kung malapit ba or malayo and if we still have time to eat. 

My husband went to “The House”, this is the complimentary lounge of Philippine Airlines at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. He just ate here and we will meet na lang ulit sa boarding gate. 

My son and I just ordered the boxed meal at KFC, the meal includes Original Tenders, Popcorn Chicken, Fries, Mashed Potato and Drink + additional drink. Food is around 22AUD. PHP800+ na yang isang meal. 

After eating, we went to Think Sydney and Pharmacy to buy some souvenirs before going to the boarding gate. Nagmamadali pa kami pero delayed naman pala flight namin. Tapos, boarding took a long time pa because we need to ride bus. 

After 8 hours, we were back to Manila. End of vacation and back to reality. 

It was out first visit at Alabang West Parade and madami pala pwede kainan. My son likes Japanese cuisine so when we saw Ippon Yari, dito na niya gusto kumain. Unfortunately, 11AM pa daw opening nila so I asked my son kung sa iba na lang kami kakain or maghintay kami? Surprsingly, willing to wait daw siya. Hehehe! But I knew he was already hungry so we dropped by Starbucks and we ordered bread and drinks while waiting for the restaurant. 

Ippon Yari is not a new restaurant because it started operating in 1996 in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. However, the owner decided to expand their business in provincial industrial parks where most of the Japanese resided. The Makati branch is already closed but you can visit their branches in Dasmariňas Cavite, Sta. Rosa and Calamba Laguna, Lipa Batangas and lastly Alabang. Ippon Yari - Alabang branch started its operation in year 2022, so bago-bago pa. 

Anyway, we went back to the restaurant at 11AM and ang dami na rin naghihintay na customers. The restaurant has different types of tables, meron for solo diners, family, and big groups. But these tables caught my attention, parang kakaiba. You have to remove your shoes if you want to sit here.

When the staff gave us the menu, we opened it a little bit and nag-order na kami agad. Hehehe! We already checked their menu online while waiting for the opening time. We chose from the 10 Ipponyari favorites so we ordered Chashumen PHP440, Katsudon PHP400, and Nirareba Itame Goza Teishoku PHP440. 

After two minutes, the staff arrived and gave us wet towels, water, and complimentary salad. My two boys enjoyed the salad, yung anak ko na hindi mahilig kumain ng gulay sa bahay, nagustuhan ito, pati yung salad ko, siya na rin kumain. 

In less than fifteen minutes, they served our meals and we were surprised because the servings were big, hindi tinipid, considering mas mahal pa yung ibang nakainan namin. My Katsudon order has a side dish and miso soup too. 

I also read that we can get a free Yuzu or Kyoho Soda if we answer a feedback form which my husband did. 

After eating, my husband got the bill and the staff asked us if we wanted hot coffee or iced coffee, complimentary daw. Wow, ang dami nila complimentary dito, normally may hot tea lang sa mga Japanese restaurant but here we got salad, juice, tea, and coffee. 

The taste of the food is good and also, the service is fast and good. There is no doubt na ang dami kumakain dito and I’m pretty sure na babalik din kami. 

We were supposed to eat in a buffet restaurant to celebrate Valentine’s Day with our son, but it was already fully booked, so we just ate at Ippon Yari after grocery. We were early, so we waited for 30 minutes before the opening time. 

Again, we already checked their menu while waiting para makaorder agad. We ordered Gyoza PHP200, Tonkatsu PHP300 + PHP100 for Rice and Miso Soup, Sauce Katsudon PHP360, Natto Teishoku PHP350, and Coke in Can PHP90. 

Same as before, they served hot towels and a complimentary salad while waiting. I knew they had a big serving but I was still surprised when I saw my Tonkatsu. I didn’t expect na malaki yung pork chop, hindi nga kasya sa tray. Nahirapan ako ubusin yan so next time, hindi na ko magrice and miso soup. Hehehe! 

My husband only ordered the egg kasi hindi daw siya gutom. We had iced coffee and hot coffee while waiting for our bill.

Over two months ago, we dined at Ippon Yari. This has now become our go-to restaurant whenever we crave Japanese food because the prices are reasonable, the food tastes good, and it’s conveniently near Landers, where we usually do our groceries. 

We ordered Tokantsu Set PHP400, Katsu Curry PHP430, and Yakinikudon PHP400. I am a creature of habit so I always order Tonkatsu so yung mag-ama ko lang ang lagi nagbabago ng order. 

Their service is usually fast, but during our last visit, we had to make several follow-ups for the Katsu Curry; it seemed like they forgot our order. My husband and I were almost done eating, and I noticed they were already serving food to other tables that had arrived after us. 

Good thing the servings were generous, so my son and I just shared the Tonkatsu. I almost canceled the order because of the delay. My son was not able to finish this meal, ito pa naman yung mahal. 

By the time they finally served our last order, we decided to request the bill right away, worried it might also take a while. While waiting for the bill, they served complimentary coffee, which was a nice gesture.

2F Alabang West Parade, 

Brgy Alamanza Dos, Las Piñas City