Michi Photostory

School Year 2024-2025 is already over, and I’m proud to say that my son finished this school year with a bang. My son won 2nd place in the General Knowledge Contest and 1st place in Aghamatika Contest. He also received the Leadership Award because he was part of their Student Council. And during the Moving Up Ceremony, he received four medals. 

This is a big achievement compared to his previous years, so I am proud of him because he really improves every year. So when I was making his Junior High School Memories video, I chose the “This Is My Now” song of Jordin Sparks as the background song. I like the message of this song.

There was a time I packed my dreams away 

Living in a shell, hiding from myself 

There was a time when I was so afraid 

I thought I’d reached the end 

Baby that was then 

But I am made of more than my yesterdays 

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment 

As I look around I can’t believe the love I see 

My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts 

That was then, this is my now. 

Had to decide was I gonna play it safe 

Or look somewhere deep inside and try to turn the tide

Find the strength to take that step of faith 

And I have the courage like never before, yeah 

I’ve settled for less but ready for more 

Ready for more 

This is my now 

I just hope na hind maburn out sa kakaaral and he will have the same passion sa pag-aaral until he finishes college. 

After the Moving Up, we went to Italliani’s for a quick celebration. We ordered Spaghetti Vongole, Margherita and Garlic and Cheese Zeppole.

The following day, we were supposed to eat in a hotel because I found a 50% off buffet promo, but it was already fully booked when my husband called to reserve. Grabe lang ito, fully booked agad kahit 5 days before kami nagpareserve. So I suggested to my husband, sa NIU by Vikings na lang ulit so he called the restaurant to reserve. 

My mom was not able to attend my son’s Moving Up because natapat na flight nila from Boracay to Manila yung event so delayed Moving Up celebration na lang with the Senior Club. Hehehe! Good thing we made a reservation kasi punuan and marami din kumakain because of Recognition, Moving Up and Graduation. 

Fortunately, there was an ongoing Graduation Promo when we dined. We did not know about this promo, good thing na kagagaling lang namin sa school to get the School Report Card and Moving Up Photos, so we were able to avail of this promo. In our case, aside from the Moving Up Photos, they still asked for my son’s school ID bago naapproved yung FREE BUFFET. Sayang nga kasi we are only seven people, so dalawa sana yung free kung walo lang sana kami. 

Anyway, I already blogged about our “Lunch Buffet at NIU by Vikings” last January and halos same naman food and marami rin tao so hindi na ko nagtake ng marami pictures. 

1. Promo duration: March 5, 2025 to July 31, 2025 

2. All graduates of the Class of 2025, including Kindergarten, Elementary, High School, College, and Post Graduate students, are eligible to avail of a FREE Buffet when dining in with 3 Full-paying adults.

3. Applicable Graduates: Only graduates and moving up students of the class 2025 (Kindergarten, Grade 10 Completers, Elementary, High School, College, and Post Graduate) can enjoy this exclusive offer. 

4. Required Proof of Graduation: 

Diploma 

Completion Certificate (Moving Up) 

Graduation Photo 

Graduation Program with the Graduate’s Name/Graduation Invitation 

School Registration Form supported by a Valid ID 

Bring 1 full-paying adult on the day of your birthday. Bring 4 full-paying adults on any day within your birthday month.  

Discounts will depend on the day and the number of guests. Available Weekday Lunch only. Not valid on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or holidays.  

PHP1,138 - Adult  

PHP438 - Kids 3-4ft/4-7 years old  

PHP748 - Kids 4’1 - 4’6 ft/ 8-10 years old  

PHP1658 - Adult  

PHP538 - Kids 3-4ft/4-7 years old 

PHP848 - Kids 4’1 - 4’6 ft/ 8-10 years old 

6/F SM Aura Premier, 

26th Street corner McKinley Parkway,  

Bonifacio Global City 

Contact: 478-3888, 0917-586-6888, 0919-999-6888  

Open Daily  

11AM to 2:30PM  

5:30PM to 10:30PM 

Of course, a celebration without cake is not complete. Here is the congrats cake topper and the congrats gift tag that I made.

And because of the buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner na kinain namin nung third day, feeling busog pa rin kami paggising namin ng Day 4. So we had late breakfast, brunch na rin para tipid. Since late na, hindi na ko nagtake pictures ng buffet spread kasi konti na lang ang laman. 

After our buffet breakfast at Table 88, we went back to our room to rest for a while before we swam. I was so thankful because, after a few days, the weather cooperated. At least we had a few hours to enjoy the swimming pool. The beach was off limits because of the rough waves so nagkayak na lang sa pool. The kayak is not free but I can’t remember the rate. 

Here is the list of Sheraton Grand Da Nang Resort Daily Activities. These may be subject to cancellation due to weather and sea conditions. 

8:00 -9:00 - Double Kayak | Front Beach 

9:00 - 10:00 - Stand Up Paddle | Front Beach 

10AM - 11AM - Sailing Boat - Hobie Wave | Front Beach 

16:00 -16:30 - Body Board | Front Beach 

15:00 - 16:00 - Swimming Lesson | Lap Pool 

6:30 - 7:00 - Morning Exercise | Front Beach 

7:00 - 7:45 - Meditation | Fitness Center 

8:00 - 9:00 - Basic Yoga Lesson | Fitness Center 

15:00 - 15:30 - Stretching Class | Fitness Center 

16:00 - 17:00 - Abs Class | Fitness Center 

Then we went back to our room, our initial plan was to visit Lotte Mart so we could visit the 4th biggest shopping center in Vietnam and the biggest shopping center in Da Nang but it started to rain again so we canceled our plan. 

We just ordered pizza for our late lunch. For dinner, we ordered calamari and rice. Actually, I just wanted to order rice kaso nakakahiya naman kung rice lang tapos room service pa so I added calamari na lang. The truth is, I brought some breads and Goldilocks Pinoy Deli Pouch kasi so ayaw ko na siya iuwi pa sa Pinas kaya yun ang dinner namin. Hehehe! 

We slept early because we had an early flight the following day.

So last month, my husband and I searched for different restaurants that we wanted to try, some restaurants were fully booked, some restaurants naman na may promo, may days lang pwede maavail yung discounts, and some restaurants naman, namamahalan ako. Hehehe! 

I was torn between buffet lunch and course set menu; the buffet lunch is much cheaper because of the 50% credit card promo but in the end, I chose the course set menu. My husband was the one who suggested this restaurant kaso nga lang namamahalan ako but I changed my mind after reading good reviews. 

Also, my husband took a vacation leave for our wedding anniversary so sayang naman ang VL kung nasa bahay lang kami. So day before our wedding anniversary, I messaged my husband na magpareserve na sa Samira by Chele Gonzalez. 

Samira by Chele Gonzalez is Anya Resort's in-house restaurant located in Tagaytay City. It is considered a dining destination led by Gallery by Chele’s Spanish Chef Jose Luis Gonzalez. My husband already tried Gallery by Chele so I had high hopes that we would have a special meal to be remembered. 

Samira by Chele was launched in year 2022 with the goal of “We want our guests to have a journey, and experience colorful flavors inspired by many traditions around the world. Grill and fire in a modern contemporary dining experience.” 

On the day of our wedding anniversary, from our home, we traveled to the wellness sanctuary in less than an hour. We were the first diners but we chose the al fresco table para may view. 

Samira by Chele Gonzalez offers an a la carte menu, a Grill Experience Set Menu, and 6- Course Set Menu. We chose the Grill Experience Set Menu for PHP2,995+ per person. But we were informed that there were four viands that were not available, naubos daw kasi yung stock nila nung Valentine’s Day. Waah! Gusto ko pa naman itry yung Grilled Iberico Pork Satay Skewer. 

Anyway, this was our menu during our visit. They printed and changed the menu on our table. 

Spanish Chorizo Takoyaki 

Chorizo Pintxos 

Bacalao Bunuelos 

Grilled Tiger Prawns 

Baked Brie with Pancetta Tesa 

Pan Seared Citrus Salmon or Churrasco 

Grilled Chicken Paella Valenciana 

Cheese Ice Cream, Grilled Strawberries 

We stayed in the restaurant for about two hours and we enjoyed good food, experience and meaningful conversations. I don’t regret choosing Samira by Chele Gonzalez for our wedding celebration because it is worth the splurge, time, and drive. I appreciate the pleasure of slowly eating the food. And they also gave us a complimentary anniversary cake. 

I brought my own cake topper too. The font I used is Billion Dreams

Read: A Toast to Love at Tiger Leaf Asian Cuisine 

 

G/F Anya Resort, Buenavista Hills Road, 

Barangay Mag-Asawang Ilat, 

Tagaytay City, Cavite 

Contact: 0998-955-3630