My Girls Photo-Diary at Jed's Island Resort

 Tagged as Bulacan's largest resort, Jed's Island Resort just amazed us after getting there for the first time.
It was also my girls' first time to step foot to Bulacan, after tagging them along as I spoke with my clients at Tarlac and promised them  that we will bring them to a resort in Tarlac for a day swim, our afternoon was spent here instead.
I didn't expect much though, since we were almost ending daylight and the kids are disappointed of not having soaked in chlorine-water.  Nevertheless, we took heart and found this place which proved to be promising.  I'm sure with the huge tarps everywhere (specially in SLEX and NLEX) you won't miss not knowing about it, even in posters.  So, since my kids have known the resort from these tarps, might as well give it a try and we googled the place and found it to be just where we were near at.

 They have a wave pool, btw.

 My girls loved their slides, which are aplenty.

 I love how they made i like a theme park and a sort of gallery of different stone sculpture collections.

All in all, the place looked really colorful and full of fun.  You won't ran out of amenities to enjoy.  Around the pool areas are cottages and rooms for your over-night enjoyment and respite from the busy work-life.

I got this flyer of Jed's packages, so if you're interested to check them out as well.

I have a gazillion photos of this place and I don't know how I can share them with you.  So I made these Powerpoint photos to collectively store a couple in just one collage.
Enjoy our collages!

We were glad we had a great afternoon dip here.  We may be just lucky the pools were all clean, since there were a few guests on that day.  But we scouted the whole grounds and we can say the place is highly recommendable.  We even saw people coming and bringing food for what seemed liked a birthday party, so I guess they welcome all kinds of celebration here.  The staff were very agile in keeping the premises spick and span.
My kids have been bugging us since then to come back to the place, that would mean they did like the place, who wouldn't,  the place is an eye-candy and with such facilities they have I would definitely bring them back there, except on non-crowded dates perhaps, hehe.




JED'S ISLAND RESORT
Adress: McArthur Highway, Gatbuca, Calumpit , 3003 Bulacan, Philippines
Phone: (044)• 675-1652 - (02) 299-80-13 & (044) 320-0064
Email: jedsislandresort@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.jedsislandresort.com.ph

April’s Full at Century Park Hotel

Summer is already in full swing at Century Park Hotel. With their cool exclusive treats, there’s no need to travel far to enjoy the dry season.

Take shade and cool off in the only temperature-controlled pools in Manila.  From March 22 to May 25, partake from the Palm Grove’s range of dining options from quick snacks to go, refreshing drink concoctions, and sit down meals. Entrees to choose from are fun snacks like spaghetti with one piece chicken, chicken strips, fish fingers, French fries, nachos and mini pancakes. Hot snacks like hotdog on stick and pork siomai are also fun while enjoying the sun with your choice of our buy one, take one beverages: soda, iced tea, local beer and bottled water or our thirst quenchers from the fresh juice bar. At the halo-halo bar, you can customize your sweet course by choosing your own condiments. In the same way, you can spoil your sweet tooth over at the ice cream station.

The perfect venue to celebrate a joyful resurrection is at the Century Ballroom.  Experience an exciting four-hour Easter egg-venture on April 20, 2014 with our mightiest heroes and heroines.  Unleash your power with our fun-filled activities, get the chance to win raffle prizes and bring home bag of give-aways from our participating sponsors for only P 1,200 for one adult and one child and P 800 for every additional attendee.

This year's Easter event will be brought to you by generous sponsorships from the Toy Kingdom, Fun Ranch, Star City, Manila Ocean Park, Oishi, Choco Chug Chocolate Drink, Magnolia, Yakult, Enchanted Kingdom, Happee Toothpaste, Leslie's, Vita Milk, Hydro Coco, Sun Fresh Fruit Juice, Jack & Jill Candies, Jack & Jill Biscuits, HBW Enterprise, Miramar Confectionery Corporation, Giggle Photo Booth, Aficionado Perfumes, Krispy Krème, Foremost Farms and the Manila Bulletin.

Experience a wonderful meal at the Café in the Park with our Easter Sunday buffet for only

P 1,250 +. By adding P 160 net, level up the gastronomic experience with your bottomless thirst-quenching iced tea.  

 Who said fasting can’t be enjoyable? You can now savour a special Japanese set meal made just for the season of Lent.  From March 5 to April 20, Century Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant is featuring a special vegetarian and non-vegetarian bento box for only P 665+ and P 715+ per order, respectively.  Our guilt-free meals consist of wholesome appetizers, fulfilling main dish and slices of mixed fruits to end your meal the healthy way.  The meal comes with rice, soup, and pickles to get that Japanese-style Holy week satisfaction.

For families that are in look out for a nearby location to relax and loosen up, Century Park Hotel is the perfect spot.  Easter room package is offered at P 4,000/room/night and P 5,500/room/night in Superior room and Deluxe room, respectively.  The package includes breakfast buffet for two at the Café in the Park and the option to purchase four (4) tickets to our Easter EGGvengers event at a discounted price of P 750. Other amenities include free use of our temperature-controlled swimming pools, Jacuzzi, and fitness centre. Promo period is from April 7 to 21, 2014.

Savor real fun this hot season at the Century Park Hotel and experience a perfect summer getaway.

For inquiries, please call 528-8888, restaurant reservation at 5285907 or email information@centurypark.com.ph.

The Century Park Hotel is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation.

Another Buffet Experience at Flavors Restaurant at P 1

 I was once caught up on a conversation  about how taste differs from flavor.  I never really paused that much and gave a hard thinking.  Taste, as we all know from grade-school, is a part of the five senses, were the tongue is the major player.  Sweet, salty, sour, bitter another one, which you might not know-umami.  As I paused on that very moment, the same  person who popped the question gave me a briefer.  As told by Earl Palma, the gourmand who owns Sauceria, "flavor is technically defines as the  combined sensations of taste (from taste buds), odor, and texture." The experience span from the time you see your food, until the odor signals something to your brain, till the food reaches your sense of taste up to the point of masticating and feeling something right after you've swallowed it.  Yes, that's flavor alright.

In a nutshell, flavor is all about the experience of the food, minding the food as a whole, it's color, texture, the aroma, the whole censorial feel and probably some memories attached to it making the food a flavorful dish.

Just in time for a flavorful meal, set amidst the hustle and bustle of Makati shopping arena,  Bhogs and I were able to check out Flavors Rsstaurant, at Holiday Inn & Suites Makati.  Let see how we can truly define flavor against taste here.

It was so fitting that I saw Animetrics' blog about her gastronomic experience at Flavors and I was glad I read it, that's what really prompted me to visit the restaurant finally, I have been putting the plan of trying  it out since I'm loyal to my favorite hotel buffet, which is in close proximity to Holiday Inn - Spectrum Restaurant.  I knew they just turned one year since they opened their doors  last April 1 and they have been celebrating since then.
I have a secret!  There had been a promo that's going on till April 30 which coincides with their 1 year anniversary celebration.  After finding out about this, we went straight to Holiday Inn at Glorietta, Makati to verify the deal and it was confirmed.  Will tell you about it at the end of this post.  In the mean while  just indulge in the photos I have collated during our buffet session.

We were so blessed to have come early, we were the first diner to come for yesterday's buffet dinner actually.  We came a few minutes after 6 pm, though they open at 6:30 pm.

Aside from being seated near the buffet area, this has been my view for the rest of the dinner time.  I love the simplicity yet intricacy of this artwork, however I didn't go further to study the piece for I was more eager to see their offerings.  So let me now give you a food tour at Flavor's buffet area.

 First stop is the one closest to the dessert station, good thing I was not tempted to start there.
Starting with the salad station.  
On a bed of crushed ice are bowls of pre-prepared salad mixes and some other mix-ins on the other side, and all over the table, while on the middle is a bunch of fresh lettuce.

 On the other side are the different types of vinaigrette with a bottle of olive oil to drizzle over your salad if you don't like fatty dressings.

The Bag O' Shrimps Experience

How can you go wrong with eating with your hands on an easy Sunday afternoon, much more having shrimps and other seafood?

It has become a habit for my husband to buy shrimps during Sunday morning and cook it for lunch.  So why on Sunday only, you might ask.  Our dishes for lunch and dinner has to be cooked for many. Whatever we have for meals, our staff (for the Water Refilling business) and house-help also have.   However, as much as we would want to prepare seafood for them, it's gonna be expensive and it will definitely kill the budget.
So, Sunday is the only time we could eat a lot of shrimp done the way our kids like it, stir-fried in chili garlic sauce with an ample serving of butter.

That's how he loves us, however, there are Sundays that we miss having such, due to occasional events we need to attend to.  So my kids end up eating pizza deliveries or cooking "Spam" and "Maling" and I'd often hear them complaining and saying "there's nothing compared to Daddy's shrimps."

Glad I was able to discover a new restaurant just near my parents' future home and a place where I can bring my brothers and sisters when they come visit us from Milan.  Every time we need to go out, we won't even miss eating our favorite shrimps, oysters, crabs and other seafood.  Since we always pass by Tuscany at McKinley Hill, Bag O' Shrimps is now the place for our usual seafood fix.

That Concludes Yet Another Challenging School Year

It's finally summer vacation!  No more waking up early (despite going to bed late), no more rushing in preparing breakfast and lunch, and ahh, yes, no more assignments and projects to finish, but only for the mere two months time.

So with that we have concluded the hardest school year ever (that's according to my daughter Danielle). Hhmmm, wait till we see the coming school season.  But for now, let me just savor the moment of enjoying how we spent celebrating my daughter's HS graduation, my other two daughters' recognition awards and birthdays.

March was and has always been the busiest month for the family, second will be December, with three birthdays, school activities to attend to, and other concerns, I thought I wouldn't be able to survive it.  It's one big reason why we need to have a break, even for a Saturday, when my husband's side of the family all come together to celebrate all mentioned.

We decided to bring them to Island Cove, after seeing how it have developed so much and seeing all the new amenities of the resort.  I just had to let them experience how fun a day can be at the leisure park.

After touring the whole island we had the most deserving lunch fill our angry tummies at The Fishing Village.

We rented a hut in stilts over the sea coast of Manila Bay.  We were given no. 16, being one of the biggest "bahay-kubo."  The fee is P3000 but consumable, in other words you can have the hut for free as long as your order will not be lower than the cost of the rental.

The best part of the stay at the Fishing Village is none the less than fishing.

We rented three bamboo fishing poles and one automatic rod.  The rental for the bamboo poles are only P100 each while the automatic is P 250.  The rental costs also covers a cup each of flour-based bait.  The use is unlimited.

That's my son who chose to use the automatic rod on the forefront and my nephew with him.  It was one of those rare moments that the 7 cousins all come together in an event.

 The kids all trying their best to catch one, at least a small Tilapia.  Catching fish here can be difficult but fun, there are actually schools of fish in different species swarming the coastal area.  But we were told that the best time to come and catch some biggies is in the morning.  We were there at 11:30 am so fishes come aplenty but they tend to hide away from the sunny part.

The trophy goes to Jaeda, an eight-year old, who caught the first fish in our area.  It took them more than an hour to get one.

My son was so happy that in his first time to fish he was able to get two fish.  Like what they did to the first fish, they let it back in the water, because they are still too small for grilling. 

The rental was so "sulit," my sister-in-law caught one also, and it sure looked like it was also a first time.  I never knew sports -fishing can be this exciting, perhaps for newbies like us, noh.

Lunch was served next, only we chose the set package A (which costs P 3000).  I wasn't able to take some photos so I'll be sharing the lunch prepared for us bloggers ,compliment of the owner, Gilbert Remulla.

We got started with loads of appetizer served on a wooden sungka.  Called Sungkaan, munch up with these while waiting for your dishes.  Cute idea noh!

We also loved every bite of the Pork Bacon Barbecue.  I remembered eating Bacon Slab from Poco Deli with these, it may be seasoned the same  or marinated the same way, but sliced thinly and served on bbq stick.  

Steam up the moment some more with a bowl of Deconstructed Sinigang na Lapu-Lapu sa Miso.  The soup base isn't as sour as you may think, right after the hot bowl was served to me, the staff put on the top a dollop of miso paste (or grind) which should amplify the the sourness of the soup.  Though it was piping hot, you will alos notice the veggies are not soggy, I like a little crisp on my veggies making sure they are fresh to the bite and the nutrients still intact.

So I found this plate of Ensalada Espesyal adorable with fresh  green mango slices and veggies intermixed with crispy steamed okra and kangkong, grilled eggplant  topped with smoked fish floss served with their homemade bagoong.

Another one they boast on the menu is the Pritong Hito, it's butterflied and deep-fried catfish served with the buro.  It was fried perfectly that I was able to savor not the fishy aftertaste or the odor but the meaty goodness of say a good and expensive fish.

Now this brought me to seafood haven.  It's Seafood Kinilaw, a mix of slightly cooked seafood bites in vinegar made more appetizing with cucumber, tomatoes, garlic, onion, ginger and sili labuyo.

Another top pick from the diners is the Bagnet Pinakbet.  Stir-fried Philippine veggies flavored with shrimp paste amped up with Ilocos inspired pork nibs- Bagnet.

If you asked me if I tried all that were dished out, I'll say yes, as always.  But, of course a taste of here and there just so I can tell what you  can order best.  And I'm now having a hard time telling you which viands are best, cause I think all of what's in the menu were carefully thought of to please every diners.  Like in the case of their Kare-Kare.  I'm so particular with the distinctiveness of this dish  so I'm one hard client to please when it comes to Kare-kare.  I like mine thick in broth but not sweet as in the issue of using peanut butter as oppose to using pureed peanut from scratch.  The meat should be tender to the bite, with less fat of course, veggies should not be overcooked and no bits of them shown swimming in the broth.  Finally, the dish should be complemented by a good serving of home-made bagoong.  And I'm happy that their take on my favorite dish was pleasing enough and have passed my standard.

The best-selling item on their menu is the Lechon sa Buho.  It's pork belly wrapped in bamboo and cooked like the way a Crispy Pata is done, except secret spices were added making it a favorite take-out and home-order even on holidays.  It is served sliced the one shown on the photo above when ordered together with a package but highlighted this way...

Before I could have loosened my belt for all the bounty, I marveled at these beautifully arranged seafood platter as if it was telling me, "Come and enjoy us."  

Yaiks!

My favorite were the Chili Crabs and Grilled Leek-stuffed Pusit. 

Before you can say and order plain rice, try to consider Adobo Rice, Garlic Rice or Bagoong Rice as well.  We had the Adobo Rice and surprisingly it was not that oily as I have initially guessed.

Drink up with fresh fruit juice offerings to complete that summer-perfect lunch or dinner.  That's Watermelon Shake on the left and Buko Juice on the left.

Make sure to end a well-deserved meal with fresh fruit platter.

You can also have Turon de Leche for dessert or snack, best for the scorching heat of the season.  Mini-turon with langka bits served with home-made ube ice cream and drizzled with choco syrup.

The Fishing Village can be found inside Island Cove, along Covelandia Rd, Kawit, Cavite.