Posted by Sander in Family Moments, Travel | 0 Comments
Dao Diamond Hotel – Sights
We have decided to make the Dao Diamond Hotel our base of operations during our week long vacation at Bohol. And we are grateful for that decision because Dao Diamond Hotel turned out to be a very great place to stay at. The online pictures that we’ve seen simply does not do it justice. I took a picture of the beautiful lobby that greeted us, bearing a uniquely modernized Polynesian theme. Its a great place to read books and to use your laptop or tablet. As soon as we got settled the lobby was soon filled with tourists from all races doing their regular things, reading the newspaper, checking rv insurance quote, or simply sitting there idly while waiting for their day’s iterinary. The hotel has a number of fountains and mini pools where in fishes, turtles and other sea creatures abound. There is also a mini pool with fishes that feed on dead skin – great for feet cleaning. All in all, the 3 star hotel exceeded my expectations in terms of how everything was designed and looked.
Posted by Sander in Events and Holidays, Family Moments, Travel | 0 Comments
2012
Compared to 2010, 2011 was a bit uneventful in terms of my music projects – which was mostly my fault due to being busy with so many things. What dominated 2011 is first our new baby who is now 1 year old, church ministry work, my new work at home job and a bunch of new gadgets and gears. I didn’t even have much time to play games!
This 2012, we have laid out our plans and it looks like I’ll try to shift my energy and focus back to music and hopefully finish the project that has been years in the making. Health is also a primary concern for my family as well, adding more physical activity to our daily routine.
I am sure this year will be much more blessed, and a few weeks from now, we are planning to have our family vacation at Bohol. We are praying that the weather will warm up and cooperate so we won’t have to wear heated clothing at the beach. And hopefully our health and our kids health will stay up throughout our stay there.
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Revisit Chateau Royale Batangas
Since we enjoyed our last visit at Chateau Royale Batangas, we are hoping to go there again this coming summer.
It’s a nice place for meetings and for family gatherings. My son had fond memories of it, including the mini zoo, the lunch area that was on top of a pond, the pool, the playground and the nice country side breeze that envelopes the place.
I saw a number of rooms and “mini houses” there which I believe are available for rent for those that want to enjoy a quiet family time. So if you are within the area of Batangas, or you want to go out of Manila and enjoy a peaceful and serene retreat, this would be a nice place to look at.
Chateau Royale Batangas
Posted by Sander in Zachary | 0 Comments
Our Precious Gift Last Christmas
It’s the middle of November. During this time of the year people are already thinking of gift ideas for their loved ones. I’m sure my wife is also racking her brain for some christmas gift ideas for dad. I’ll make it easier for her and will give her some hints on what I want this year. It’s a phone that starts with an i and ends with a 4. 
Kidding aside, I remember last year we got a gift that is so precious. It’s no other than our youngest son, Zack, who is the family’s apple of the eye. We have waited six long years for him to come into our lives. Had we known that he would be such a pleasure to be with we wouldn’t have had delayed his coming that long.
I took this picture one night while I was watching him sleeping.
Thank you for coming into our life little one. You made me, your mom, and your kuya so much happier just by coming along. We love you.
Read MorePosted by Sander in Daddy Essentials, Health | 1 Comment
Bonding with Erpat and Utol – Massage
When my dad, my brother and I go out, it would almost always be going to a sauna / massage venue. We do this every month, relaxing and getting our backs straightened out by the masseurs.
It used to be that we play sports like ping-pong or basketball when we go out, but now we don’t have access to a decent basketball court or table tennis that is nearby, so we make do with a relaxing massage. The venue we normally go to is called Trimline Spa, the place is well taken cared of and has a lot of ammenities – hot pool, sauna bath, steam bath, body scrub and ofcourse a great massage. The attendants are also nice so we have been quite a patron there for a while now. I highly recommend it, although it would be better if we could hire our own Recreational Therapist Jobs who can service at home, but that would be too lazy.
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Giving My Kids the Best
Being a dad of two young kids means I always love splurging them with gifts. My wife said I live my childhood fantasy through them but I say she’s just jealous! LOL!
My bonding time with the kids consist of going to the toy store and picking the best toy. My eldest loves trucks and cars so our house are now filled with all kinds – Peterbilt, Mustang, Audi, Bugatti Veyron – you name it, we got it. When we already bought too many toy cars I bought him cartoon figures, beyblades, train sets, and Legos instead.
Meanwhile, my wife wants to buy a doll house but can’t because we don’t have a baby girl yet. She says I have all the fun and she’s right.
The truth is I love giving them toys more than anything. Growing up I never had a lot of toys and I don’t want my kids to grow up feeling the same way I did. I may overdo it sometimes but pretty soon when they’re all grown up I won’t be able to give them these things anymore. Time flies fast and the last thing I want is to regret is making them feel loved and cherished when they needed it most.
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Travel Kit Preparations
We are heading to Bohol for a week long vacation early next year. It will surely be a fun adventure for my family.
This out of town trip will also be where we will celebrate My son’s birthday. We picked Bohol because we have heard a lot of great things about the place. We want to be able to get to a beach and yet do other things as well.
To ensure that we have a great time, I will see to it that all preparations are done well ahead of time, and that everything is in order. We are still finalizing the venue and itinerary so there could still be a lot of adjustments. But that should not be an excuse for procrastinating, I know too well that it pays to be prepared.
When we go out to our relatives – it is quite common for us to leave important items like, change of clothes, cell phone, shave and other small but important items. And I want to make sure that in this long vacation we have everything we need. To be safe, I’ll be the one to double check on our Travel Kit, I will ensure important personal effects are present and neatly arranged.
This will be an exciting week long vacation and I don’t want to ruin it just because we left out important items like my shave. I wouldn’t want to be unable to shave and look like a hermit there. So better safe than sorry.
I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog about Travel Kits and was compensated. Still, the views, opinions and content are all my own.
Read MorePosted by Sander in Events and Holidays, Family Moments | 0 Comments
Christmas season
The Philippines have a very long Christmas season. It starts with the first month that ends with “ber”, and that is no other than September. Having grown up in Manila, I get surprised and flooded by a mix of emotions and memories whenever a Christmas tune suddenly plays at a mall or on the radio on September 1st. September is still quite a hot month, although it is rainy. Christmas chill will kick in around late November, and that is the time when people start turnign on their infrared heater for warmth. But the most soothing Christmas warmth of all comes from the love that is given from God and from our families.
This Christmas will be quite different because of the new addition to our family. He will be one years old on Christmas and will already be able to appreciate the season with all the love, colors, songs and gifts that it brings. I hope that my sons will not only remember the season, but instead remember the REASON for the Christmas season. Jesus Christ 