Shangri-La Boracay is the BOMB!

Ben & I went to Boracay 1st week of June. It's been 3years since our last trip there and I remember that Shangrila was still under construction during that time. We spent 3nights in Boracay Mandarin and another 2nights in Shangri-La Boracay.
We arrived in Shangri-la around 12pm and whoa it was simply amazing! From the staff who fetched us from Boracay Mandarin and to the concierge who assists us with our bookings, all of them were outstanding even their gardener, housekeeping attendant and waiters. After we check in our luggage to their deluxe room, we went to Cielo Bar(one of their resto with the scenic view of the infinity pool/ lagoon pool) to take our lunch. Ben ordered oven-baked pizza while I requested a customized seafood pasta(since it's not available in their menu list). For me, food isn't the best i ever tasted but having the view of the pool and the shores makes it worth!
We have our dinner and breakfast buffet in Vintana and I never expected that their food is equally awesome compare with Circles & Heat. I never had a chance to visit their Italian restaurant(RIMA) but in my next stay, I will make sure I will pay a dinner visit here. Before checking out, we dined in the Lobby Lounge, the waiter was so cool that he even make himself available as our photographer! :)

I super love this resort and this is truly a world-class of its kind! I enjoyed the comfort of the bed, the breath taking sunset view in Solana Bar and lagoon-infinity pool. It's really hard to move out 'coz I know it wil take more than a year to go back in this island.. But I know I will be back here, whenever it is, I hope it will be soon...

My First and Definitely the LAST (transaction with EMS Philippines)

I bought an item from China worth US$15 and the sender told me that it is free shipping to Philippines via EMS. I paid it last July 6 and they sent it 2 days after my payment. Since it has an online tracking, according to the site, the parcel was handed to Philippine customs on July 13, 2010.

July 15 - I've called EMS office to check where my parcel is and the lady told me to pick it up in their Pasay office near Park N Fly (http://parknfly.com.ph/). She even told me to bring at least two valid ID's and the tracking number.

July 16 - Around 1pm, I arrived in Customs, patiently waited for my parcel to be out. After an hour of waiting, an old cross-eyed lady called my name and without asking my permission they open my box. She asked me how come it only costs that much and where am I going to use it. I really bought it at US$15 from a direct supplier in China and I ordered it since there is no available items here in Phils, I'm going to use it in a party. She asked me to go with her inside the cashier office and she busied herself computing for the tax and duties I need to pay. I really don't understand how it goes as much as Php1200 or around US$25, I tried to question her about how she computed it and I even negotiate the price but she refused to answer and negotiate. I'm really disappointed about this matter.

Altho, I learned new experience, definitely I won't buy any items from a country where there is no Johnny Air or PO Box. I don't want to experience again the hassle in dealing with the Philippine Customs and the hassle of driving all the way from New manila to Pasay.

Lastly, Philippine Customs SUCKS as well as our government.

Quest for the Unique Wedding Venue

Ben & I started scouting for the picturesque & extraordinary venue last January. We initially wanted Boracay as our wedding venue but most of my relatives & friends can't come so we decided to check venues around the metro.

The search has not been easy. We have to keep in mind some keys in choosing the venue.

1.) LOCATION- the venue had to be accessible for both sides of our family.

2.) LOOK- the venue needed to have the feel and ambiance that I looked for. It needed to feel intimate yet rich with creativity and wonderful lighting.

So without further ado…the list of venues we considered:

1. The Glass Garden - situated in Brgy Santolan, Pasig City, their garden venues were too HUGE for my 110 guests and I didn't feel the WOW factor. Venue rental starts at 60000pesos.


2. The Loft (Rockwell) - Ben wanted its reception area and what's nice about this place is the magnificent view of Makati..It can accommodates up to 300 guests and rental cost is 80000-100000pesos. The L-shaped area gave this place a negative factor to us(positioning of guests will be very difficult) and lack of parking space.


3. Oasis (Aurora Blvd) - I love their pavillion but too big for my guests. The Gallery venue is more suitable for us but I don't like it. Their package rate starts at 115000pesos up.


4. The Blue Leaf (The Fort) - We also consider this venue but I find their rates too pricey, I'll rather go for the Glass Garden or The Oasis as my wedding venue. Most of my guests are not from Metro Manila so it will give them a hard time to locate this place. It needs alot of enhancement since the function rooms were boring. Their package rate starts at Php280000 up.


5. Manila Ocean Park - When I saw their ads in this site: http://ph.88db.com/ , I discuss it with Ben and we made an ocular visit the day after our discussion. FINALLY, we both find this place the best venue that we both dream of.. We consider this place for 3 things:
1. The hotel(Hotel H2O Manila)- no more hassle to where are we going to have my wedding preppy and no need to rent for a bridal car since ceremony, reception and hotel accomodation is in one place.
2. Guests can have their oceanarium journey while waiting for the reception to start or they can walk around the mall
3. Very accessible

We almost give up when Ms. Rose Bulaong of Hotel H2O gave me their initial quotation but all things can be done in good negotiation. When we finally agree on the price, another problem came up, this time it's Manila Ocean Park's management which made a new regulation that will affect my wedding ceremony. It's more than a month before we booked MOP, to the hassle we've been through, we never gave up bcoz we feel this is the PLACE! How much it costs us? CLUE: Pricier than The Blue Leaf. ;)