February 23, 2015

Glamping a.k.a Glamorous Glamping at Nurture Wellness Village

It was two years ago when I learned about the word glamping a.k.a glamorous camping. I’ve read that in Chyng’s blog, she posted about her glamping in Sumilon, Cebu and since then I included glamping in my bucket list.

 Honestly, I’ve never experienced sleeping in a tent because I did not join Girl’s Scout when I was young. I didn’t join any overnight mountain climbing activities when I was in college because my major concern is the comfort room.

Last January 5, I saw this Glamping Package at Deal Grocer and I called my husband if he’s interested. I asked him to call Nurture Wellness to check if February 18, is still available and he was informed that it is still available. So I immediately purchased the voucher and reserved the date. Good thing that Feb. 19 is a holiday (Chinese New Year) so my son will not miss any lessons in school. 

 The package includes 

 22 hours overnight stay at a naturally ventilated camping tent 
Bon Fire, BBQ diner with rice, fresh fruit platter, and lime basil cocktail
Arrozcaldo breakfast with homemade bread & Pate with kale juice 
30 minutes outdoor treatment choice of facial, foot massage, or head and shoulder massage. 
Common toilet and bath, with toilet amenities. 

 I paid $96.53 (P4500) for the voucher but the regular rate is P3,190 per person, minimum of two persons. My son who is 6 years old is still free of charge.

Fast forward to our wedding anniversary, we fetched our son in school and went straight to Marcia Adams for our 12nn reservation. After our filling lunch, off we went to Nurture Wellness Village. 

 I just gave my Deal Grocer Voucher + Confirmation Voucher + Valid Id and they gave us forms to fill up + welcome drink which is hot tea. The staff asked us what time we prefer for the bonfire then she scheduled our massage. She also informed us about the Tai Chi and Nurture Walk schedule if we are interested to join. After that, the butler ushered us to our camping site. 

I love our camping site because we have our own dining table, bonfire place, sink, and huge tent, I think the tent can accommodate 3 mattresses. Aside from the mattress, the tent has an electric fan, a small table, and a small bean bag. My son was looking for television so we allowed him to use the Ipad just for the day. 



My husband and son played in the playground and then swam in the swimming pool while waiting for our facial massage schedule. The staff even gave us towels in the pool.


 The therapist fetched us from our tent for our facial and ushered us here.


 The place was really nice and relaxing. We really enjoyed our 30 minutes facial, after that parang ang sarap na matulog. Now I know, why their massage is on the pricey side. After the massage, they gave us hot tea and ushered us back to our camping site. 

Check some spa vouchers here. 

When we arrived, the camping butler was preparing the bonfire, the foods were there and the dining table was already set up. We’re just waiting for our dinner. The grilled food was just ok but we liked the lime basil cocktail. 

After dinner, we went inside the tent to rest and sleep. I thought I couldn’t sleep soundly because it was my first time sleeping in a tent, I can hear the flapping of the leaves and I was worried na may ghost. Hehehe


 The following morning, even though it was still cold I took a bath immediately para solo ko bathroom. Thank God that a hot shower is available in the common CR.

Knowing me, I did not join the Tai Chi exercise so we had breakfast na lang. They serve the arrozcaldo, bread, and kale juice. We ordered a bacon meal for my son. The breakfast meal was just ok, I didn’t like the arrozcaldo (too bland for my taste). The only thing I liked is kale juice.

After breakfast, we joined the Nurture Walk where you can see their farm and fish pond. It is 45 minute's walk (round trip) from Nurture Wellness Village. 


 After that, we spent the remaining hours in the tent while contemplating where are we going to eat our lunch but we ended up eating at their restaurant. As I mentioned above, our dinner and breakfast were just ok so I was not expecting that we will enjoy our lunch. But I was wrong, we liked the Pork Binagoongan and Sinampalukan na Manok meal. So bumawi sila sa food dun, they even gave us complimentary bread while waiting for our lunch. We ordered additional rice for my son.

Overall, we really enjoyed our glamping experience. It was a different experience compared to our hotel staycation.  A unique way to spend our anniversary. It was simple yet fun. 

 Like 

 1. The place was really inviting and relaxing. It is nice to know that they live up to their name. It is clean and well-maintained.
 2. I’ve been to different places and Nurture Wellness is the third resort/place that I’ve given a perfect score when it comes to service. Yes, we love their service. From the time we check-in and check out, we really feel the welcome of the staff. Even the gardener will greet you and smile at you. They are all approachable and professional. The other two resorts that we enjoyed the service are Pearl Farm Resort and Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa. 
 3. We have a camping butler who will attend to our needs. 
4. Free wifi, yes we have wifi in the tent. 
 5. I like the serving and presentation of the food. 

Dislike 

 Not really dislike but things that they should improve. 
 1. I think the tent should be replaced because I can see small holes and cut and the zipper is not working properly. 
 2. The grilled food is just ok, I hope camping guests are allowed to bring food because I love grilled liempo or porkchop. The arrozcaldo really needs improvement. 
 3. In the form there was birthday and wedding anniversary information so I was expecting that we will have a surprise on that day but there was no surprise. Hehehe! Umasa lang ako. 

 My Body Massage Experience.

 Nurture Wellness Village 
Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II 
West Cavite, Tagaytay, 
Luzon 4120, Philippines
Mobile: +63 918 888 8772
Telephone: +63 2 710 9786
Email: info@nurture.com.ph 
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February 20, 2015

Lunch at Marcia Adams

Marcia Adams is on my bucket list for the longest time but it took me so long to try this because I’m aware that the price is not cheap. So after a few years of waiting, I finally crossed it out from my list. It was our 9th wedding anniversary so we have reason to splurge. 

My husband called the day before our trip to make reservations. We fetched our son in school and off we went to Alfonso, Cavite for our lunch. Though the restaurant has no signage, going to Marcia Adams is not difficult, just drive till you reach Residence Inn Zoo and turn right and drive till you see the famous door at the left side. 

Marcia Adams is also known as Tuscany in Tagaytay, I don’t know why because I’ve never been to Tuscany, Italy. Anyway, upon seated the staff gave us the menu, the main course price is for a 3-course meal, which includes an appetizer and dessert. The cheapest price is P700 + service charge. 


While waiting, the staff serve complimentary bread + balsamic vinegar and oil 

My order is Soup of the Day, Grilled Aromatic Pork, Pana Cotta with Lemon Sauce P700 and Homemade Lemon Lime Bitters P105.





My husband ordered Amalfi Prawns, Italian Pork Chop and Banana Split for P795. 




We liked the two appetizers the shrimp are very tender and flavorful and the soup was filling enough. For the main course, I prefer the Italian Pork Chop compared to my order, the Grilled Aromatic Pork is just okay for me. I did not finish my order to think that I shared it with my son because the serving is really huge. The desserts were just okay too, medyo bitin. Hehehe! 

 I like the place because it is not crowded and though it is a non-airconditioned room, you won’t feel hot. If we were not in a hurry, we will take our time in eating our food. The service was good too. 


 Marcia Adams 
J.P.Rizal St, Brgy Sikat 
Alfonso, Cavite 
0917 801-1456 
Cash payment only 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MarciaAdamsResto/timeline
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February 18, 2015

Pasalubong from Bacolod

The first time I went to Bacolod was in 2012, it is where we celebrated our wedding anniversary, it is our “Eat, Pray and Love” version. Bacolod is not really known for tourist spots but famous because of Masskara Festival. I'm not fond of festivals but one thing I like in Bacolod is their food. 

 Read: 31 Hours In Bacolod
Food Trip in Bacolod
The famous tourist spots in Negros Occidental are “The Ruins” in Talisay, Ancestral Houses in Silay, and 7 Falls in Mambukal Resort which is far from Bacolod. But whenever you research for Things to do in Bacolod, you will see those places but the truth is they are located outside Bacolod. 

 Whenever my husband has a business trip in Bacolod, I always asked him to buy a cake for my pasalubong. Since I was young, I dislike blueberry cheesecake but after I tasted the Calea Blueberry Cheesecake, everything changed. Now I love Cheesecake. 


Too bad, Calea is located in Bacolod but I was happy that I can taste this from time to time. This cheesecake is not overly sweet, the crust has nuts that give a different texture and taste. You can also taste some chocolate chips. Yummy! 

I told my husband to buy half cake only because we’re only three in the house. I remember last time, hirap na hirap kami ubusin yung whole cake.

Aside the cheesecake, I also love Napoleones. It is a puff pastry with cream inside and top with powdered sugar.  I bought two boxes of Napoleones when we were in Bacolod but it did not reach Manila anymore. Kinain na namin sa biyahe. 

So if ever you visit Bacolod, go to Calea and don’t forget to buy Napoleones.
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February 16, 2015

How Did You Spend Your Valentine’s Day?

Last week I was planning where are we going to celebrate our Valentine’s day because that it also our 12 years anniversary as a couple. But none of my lists materialized. I was thinking to join my husband business trip in Bacolod because we have no classes for 4 days due to “Educational Congress” but since the trip was just overnight it is not practical to spend for plane ticket. 

Day before Valentine’s day, I sew drawstring pouch again, this will serve as a treat bag or envelope where my son will put his Valentine’s card. For the last few years, we’ve been receiving cards such as Mother’s Day, Christmas card and Valentine’s card because that is part of my son’s school/summer class activity but since we have no classes, I know that we won’t be receiving any card so I told my son to make card for his daddy. 

After dinner, we painted the drawstring pouch and my son said “Mommy, faster! Daddy is coming home”. Hehehe But my husband texted me that his flight was delayed so I know we have more time to prepare. 




I printed a card with funny messages and I had a hard time choosing one. In the end, I chose this message “There's nobody I'd rather lay in bed and look at my phone with” It is funny but true, most of the time we will lie in bed side by side and our focus is on our phones. So I told my husband that we should change that.

I also printed this love quest survey and favorite questionnaire, like I said, we’re celebrating our 12 years and many things have changed so it is nice to get to know each other again. 

I waited for my husband’s pasalubong/Valentine’s gift and he came past 12AM, just in time for Valentine’s Day so we ate Calea blueberry cheesecake before going to bed. My husband knew that I don’t like flowers so he already stopped giving me flowers. 

And because napuyat ako, I was really lazy to go out on Valentine’s Day. My husband wanted to go to Nuvali for the Nightsky Cinema but I chose to stay at home and rest. 

 There’s nothing special on our Valentine’s day but one thing I like in this celebration is we “Spend less and love more”. We have simple celebration and gift but it is also nice to know more about my husband. I enjoyed reading the love quest survey. 

 Click to get the printables. 

 Funny Valentine’s Card
Valentine’s Card 
Love Quest Survey/Questionnaire 
Be my Valentine Card
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February 11, 2015

DIY Drawstring Bag and Pouch

After I finished hand sewing my felt stuffed letters, I decided to make a drawstring pouch where I can put all the letters.

I searched for different tutorials and I saw a 3 minute video on how to make a drawstring pouch which I followed. Since I’m just using a plain white cloth, I tried to put some design by placing our initials. 

First time to try applique and it is not easy to sew along the edge but still I was glad with the result. 

And because of that I watched the Bag Making Basics Class that I enrolled online and printed the step by step guide. These are the finished products.

I like this drawstring bag because it has a lining inside so it has a “clean look”. 



Lastly, I watched the free tutorial video from Brother sewing machine. This project wasn’t easy because I have to do zigzag stitch, straight stitch and button hole. So it took me a long time trying to figure out how can I do button hole. Thank God for the sewing manual. 

I’ve made six but I need to buy more ribbon or string for the remaining drawstring pouches.

Among the three, my favorite is the second drawstring bag. If you notice, I’m still using my fabric scrap from pajama. 
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February 03, 2015

DIY Felt Stuffed Letters

I’ve been meaning to make crafts out of felt cloth but the problem is I don’t know where to buy felt cloth. #boo For years, I’ve been buying fabric for my son’s costume but those stores don’t sell felt cloth. Last month, I asked a blogger friend where she buys felt cloth and she told me I could try at Market Market and Office Warehouse. So when I visited Festival Mall, I went to Office Warehouse and I found felt sheets. Waah! Dun lang pala kita makikita. 

Finally I can do felt crafts, I started with felt stuffed letters first since I feel that it is so easy to make. I printed pattern and trace it on felt cloth. 

Then I started sewing and stuffing. 

Well, this is not easy pala. It took me four hours just to finish five letters.

After I finished my son’s name. He was asking for his second name. Waah! But I should be happy because I know that he likes it so I cut all the letters of his name including surname. Then the following day, I finished everything and maybe because I”m used to it, madali na lang. Imagine I finished 13 letters and wala pa 4 hours. Hehehe! I sew drawstring bag too for the felt stuffed letters. 

I gave it to my son and he started using it and then he said, “mommy, where’s the letter C?” Oh no, he was asking for his middle initial. Need talaga complete, so I made letter C and I was praying hard that he won’t ask for “period”. 

 I’m planning to complete the remaining alphabet letters because this is nice way to teach him spelling. Nice gift too for toddlers.
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February 01, 2015

Book Review: 7 Things Every Wife Should Know

This year, one of my goals is to read at least one book per month and last month I went to the bookstore looking for books that I can read but I did not find any. After few days, I had this opportunity to review this ebook of “7 Things Every Wife Should Know” by Viviene Bigornia.

 Growing up in a broken home is not easy because there are times I feel that fairy tales are just fantasy, love stories are for pocketbooks, and there is no happy ending. I don’t want a failed relationship and marriage, maybe this is the reason why I didn’t really entertain suitors because I’m scared of getting hurt and I don’t want to take a risk and fail. 

 But of course, part of me still believes that the right guy will come and I just have to wait for the perfect time. I promised myself that my first boyfriend will be my husband too. I will only say “yes” to a guy if I can see this guy as my future husband. God is so good to me because I’ve met my ex-boyfriend now husband before I graduated from college then the rest is already history. 

 We’re not a newlywed, in fact, we’re going to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary two weeks from now. Our marriage is not perfect, we also have our share of dramas and struggles each year. But I can honestly say that our marriage is the best thing that ever happened to me because I now feel complete. It doesn’t mean that I’m incomplete before but it is good to know that I have someone beside me as I face the future. 

 Being a wife is not an easy role, there are times that I wish I grew up in a complete family so I have role models that I may look up to and I know how to be a good wife. I’m glad that there are more ways to be equipped like attending a seminar, observing other married couples, and reading inspirational books like “7 Things Every Wife Should Know”. 

 I love reading this book because it inspires me to be a fascinating wife, it reminds me of my role as a wife and it motivates me to believe that there is a happy ending if we do not give up.

 This book is not only for almost weds or newlyweds because even I’m hitting my 9th year wedding anniversary, I still learned a lot from this book. My favorite part of this book is “Real Lives, Real Wives” because I know it is not a fairy tale story or romantic Hollywood movie. A real story that you can relate to and apply in your life. 

 Sharing with you some of my favorites in this book. 

  “The important thing is to discover your husband’s basic needs and ways in which you can meet them. Your meeting those needs will enhance his sense of self-worth and fulfillment” 

 “Trust that he will provide and protect” 

 “The happiest wives have a sense of purpose and passion in work and cause outside of the home” 

 “Honeymoon should never end! Marital intimacy is a priority! Never ever stop dating.”

 Dating is one thing that we don’t have in our marriage, we stopped dating when we had our son. We don’t have Yaya or a helper at home and we can’t just leave him to anyone so wherever we go, he goes. I don’t even know the feeling of having a date. A real date that spends the time together and not on gadgets. 

 Anyway, I won’t enumerate the 7 things that you should know because I do recommend you to read this book especially for moms who tend to forget that they are wives too and not just mothers. Read and learn that "It is not only marrying the right partner...it is being the right partner - Wilfred Arian Peterson". 
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January 28, 2015

DIY Business Card Holder

I decided to make a business card holder before the class resumes because I know that I’ll be busy again tutoring my son. Business card holder is my second sewing project after I’ve made the pajama. I wanted to use the fabric scrap so it won’t put to waste. 

I watched You Tube videos for tutorial and it looks so easy. It is a five minute project but of course it took me forever to finish mine. Hehehe! My first try wasn’t successful because my calling card doesn’t fit. I tried it again and I did it. 

But I wasn’t satisfied yet so I searched for another tutorial and I found this site. I checked the step by step and I practice more. 

I finished four business card holder and I gave it to my friends. I’m now using the card holder for my calling card. I will make more if I have new fabric.



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January 21, 2015

Lunch at Carlos Pizza

Our initial plan after checking out in Canyon Cove is to eat in fastfood in Nasugbu, Batangas but since we’re not really hungry, we decided to eat in Tagaytay area. I have a friend who always eat at Carlos Pizza whenever she goes to Tagaytay and she always tells me that she really likes the food there.

 So after two years, I finally tried the restaurant. We decided to eat here before going home. We ordered Mozzarella Sticks, Crispy Fried Chicken meal and Pizza Capriccioso, toppings are pepperoni, salami, ham, bacon, Italian sausage, mushrooms, black olives, green peppers and onions. 

 They first served the mozzarella sticks, it was my first time to try this starter and it was just ok for me. 

I tried the chicken of my son and it was just ok too but my husband enjoyed the fresh salad.

It took them so long to serve the pizza and after one bite, nagkatinginan na kami ni hubby. We didn’t like the taste of pizza, it is not really bad but it is not something that we love. Maybe we are expecting more because it is a pizza restaurant so they should serve good pizza. And because we didn’t like it, we just took it home. 

There were only three customers but it took them so long to settle our bill and even the glass of water that were asking was not serve. Two follow ups are enough so we just left the restaurant. 

Our experience was not good so I know for sure that it may be the last visit or it will take some time before we revisit. The only consolation of this restaurant is the great view of Taal Volcano. 

 The following day, my husband brought the pizza in his office and surprisingly, he told me that he was able to finish the pizza. The pizza taste good. Good thing that the taste changed. 

 Carlos Pizza
One Destination, Silang West 
Aguinaldo Hi-way, Tagaytay City
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January 19, 2015

How to Replace Lost SSS ID

SSS ID is one ID that I’m afraid to lose because that is one of my three valid ID’s and I know that it is not easy to replace. I still remember my experience when I need to replace my ID after I got married. I can’t eat lunch because I was still waiting for my name to be called and there’s no number at that time. From 9AM, I was inside the SSS office waiting for my turn and it was past 2PM when I finished. It took me months to receive my ID and I even went to the Post Office just to get it. 

So when my husband can’t find his SSS ID, I know that he would have a hard time to replace it. My sister waited for almost two years before she got her SSS ID. 

 Anyway, because of the Papal Visit, all employees in Metro Manila has no work so he took advantage the holiday to replace his SSS ID. I checked the requirements for lost SSS ID.

 REQUIREMENTS FOR LOST SSS ID

 Affidavit of Loss
SSS Form E-6 form
2 Valid ID’s (I photocopy his Driver’s License and Passport)
SSS Form R-6 form
P300

 My husband left the house past 8AM and I was surprised that he went home at 11AM. He went first to Attorney’s Office to get his affidavit of loss, he paid P150 for the document and went to SSS office. Since the SSS branch does not accept payments, he still went to the accredited bank to pay the P300.

 Now, we have to wait for 2-3months for his UMID (Universal Multipurpose ID). I’m glad that the process is not complicated anymore, no more long lines that I’ve experienced before.

 Update:

 Last month, I told my husband to follow up his SSS ID because it is beyond 90 days already. I suggested to email or call the SSS branch.

 Email your complete name, SSS number, date of birth and date of application to sss_id@sss.gov.ph.

 But he was too preoccupied that he was not able to do anything. Today, I received the SSS ID. I checked the postage stamp.

 May 7, 2015 - Quezon City
May 11, 2015 - Cavite
May 12, 2015 - Delivered to our house.

 Note: I'm not connected with SSS so if you have more concerns or questions that are not included in this post, please call SSS branch near you. So they could give you the correct information. 

 Read: How to Apply for SSS Salary Loan via Online
A Guide for SSS Members in the Philippines
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