Home sweet Philippines

<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally, after 3 long years, we again went home to the Philippines. I can't believe how much I missed it! And being the holiday season, it made our visit all the more special and happy.</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are a lot of things I missed about the Philippines. But here, I have summarized the things I love about our beloved country especially during Christmas holiday.</span></i><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1) Parol (Lanterns)</span></b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tPas-GsQUlSGa-7bDk3c09b4_XuXfPRWBxSpgJQ-LtIZ8c9BO2VZaTOSovPtx5Bm-5wWucb3POnRyCO4x3kJ0AOMwsyVDKfUmuF7155rEb68RtbtkUzQvjQ0Yq7dE2hDfiEPhkDk4Rxz/s1600/Parols_For_Sale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tPas-GsQUlSGa-7bDk3c09b4_XuXfPRWBxSpgJQ-LtIZ8c9BO2VZaTOSovPtx5Bm-5wWucb3POnRyCO4x3kJ0AOMwsyVDKfUmuF7155rEb68RtbtkUzQvjQ0Yq7dE2hDfiEPhkDk4Rxz/s400/Parols_For_Sale.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Wikimedia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TtZVm2_nPQ7wgWq333c7YHNICrK7EhEwTIXYvRTLgXjuJ1e5KWOaedsScRtGhrUhsaHGHvCa3Iy76Sw6f137rtpBICrnvih1sr0Btjh2RsQxlsQJWpyl5gmE6bqTVg4rPpukjdz99v2C/s1600/christmas-in-the-philippines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TtZVm2_nPQ7wgWq333c7YHNICrK7EhEwTIXYvRTLgXjuJ1e5KWOaedsScRtGhrUhsaHGHvCa3Iy76Sw6f137rtpBICrnvih1sr0Btjh2RsQxlsQJWpyl5gmE6bqTVg4rPpukjdz99v2C/s400/christmas-in-the-philippines.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://leeloveshottrends.com/christmas-celebration-in-the-philippines/</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Nothing speaks more of Christmas in the Philippines than these lovely parols. Although I am not sure if they are unique to our country, it sure is a dominant decor!<br /><br />From houses to street lights, everyone's got them. Made from Japanese paper to Capiz shells, to all sort of any other material you can think of, these stars are the <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">TRUE STARS of Christmas. </span></u><br /><br />From the airport, you see all these pop-up vendors lined-up with these beautiful lanterns. In fact, I love them so much, I bought 6!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">2) Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v_zmUS1BtBn13y1B7SyANT6OxdIlHssHB3-IQ4AFpBdRhmauZ1cwQmAK7KdgM4w0__VxqPoLOqEhIndyo5V1bbbAjq-7ffdZdgy0eQ4L2PTquCvmiLk0Or_Cw3-kMYuFuXtDBv5yZV1W/s1600/philippines-christmas-2008-12-16-0-33-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v_zmUS1BtBn13y1B7SyANT6OxdIlHssHB3-IQ4AFpBdRhmauZ1cwQmAK7KdgM4w0__VxqPoLOqEhIndyo5V1bbbAjq-7ffdZdgy0eQ4L2PTquCvmiLk0Or_Cw3-kMYuFuXtDBv5yZV1W/s400/philippines-christmas-2008-12-16-0-33-50.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://newshopper.sulekha.com/philippines-christmas_photo_594037.htm</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz095jUdPGR1PqfBKpLzBsj-duejXL8JBs60_7M3lPNbZSz4tMWkaGkthFweJhQT2OnZBU20x2IngObVx8BsbU7JjzgH4JsD4SCeSuj8jHCtTGsXN0D9rdj2pzBMi1eKPr1483QuuT0usv/s1600/cns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz095jUdPGR1PqfBKpLzBsj-duejXL8JBs60_7M3lPNbZSz4tMWkaGkthFweJhQT2OnZBU20x2IngObVx8BsbU7JjzgH4JsD4SCeSuj8jHCtTGsXN0D9rdj2pzBMi1eKPr1483QuuT0usv/s400/cns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 19px;">Filipinos attend Mass outside St. Joseph Church in Las Pinas City of Manila's metropolitan region Dec. 16. It was the first in a series of daily midnight Masses celebrated prior to Christmas in the Philippines. (CNS photo/Roi Azure, Reuters)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Another Christmas "Staple" in our country are the dawn masses or Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. This starts at the 16th of December all the way to the 24th. The actual mass, depending on where you are, can start as early as 3 am (Talk about sacrifice)!!! The thinking is, if you get to complete all 10 masses, whatever is is your praying for or wishing for,  will come true!</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to mass 2x only, but boy, despite the endless Christmas parties around, the church is packed! It is such a wonderful feeling -  dawn being a little nippy back home,  and with all this people, fresh from their beds, trying to keep their eyes open during mass ( usually a funny site too). You just have to experience it to know what I'm talking about!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMn-zHQNK6i8GlDgIYqR7DFbfALpgJaqpWraz1TuniGwCDeRdTukmedhQTOmDaZw7cvNQ8zkw9xv0jIbn5J7fXjRUDKMhimq3lZAlf5UjPtOpviBr7tafTL7UTw4qMcLKitL7B4NfbrWZL/s1600/bibingka-and-puto-bumbong-stall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMn-zHQNK6i8GlDgIYqR7DFbfALpgJaqpWraz1TuniGwCDeRdTukmedhQTOmDaZw7cvNQ8zkw9xv0jIbn5J7fXjRUDKMhimq3lZAlf5UjPtOpviBr7tafTL7UTw4qMcLKitL7B4NfbrWZL/s640/bibingka-and-puto-bumbong-stall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bibingka at Puto-Bumbong!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This is another reason why you go to Simbang Gabi - <b><i>THE FOOD</i></b>!!!!!<br />Yup, vendors pop up like Kabute (mushrooms) all around and during the mass, the whiff of these delicacies perk you up in a good way!<br /><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Bibingka </span></i></b>( made up of rice flour and coconut milk) and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i>Puto Bumbong </i></b></span>(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Traditionally made from a special variety of heirloom sticky or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutinous_rice" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Glutinous rice">glutinous rice</a> called <i>Pirurutong</i> which has a distinctly purple color, soaked in salted water and dried overnight and then poured into <i>bumbong</i> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Bamboo">bamboo</a> tubes and then steamed until done or steam rises out of the bamboo tubes. It is served topped with butter or margarine and shredded coconut mixed with sugar- Wikepedia) </span>are synonymous to Simbang gabi, and with these two made fresh, hot and oh-so-yummy, it is really something to look forward to after you get your blessing from mass.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>3) Mass in Baclaran Church</b></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw881OGqIeCtzhtR6yHjgmYavvrqT6WznwisWqC_XRFfh_A9-A7bI0qwjP7-eB0XtN_ycxhchVSEZeFpM9TUYPMfgTVYZJpvEP9GF0MP4QaoVnwqMUnGENUCHGRLQcwg4F8vfA0-Sd7gBw/s1600/bacalaran-church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw881OGqIeCtzhtR6yHjgmYavvrqT6WznwisWqC_XRFfh_A9-A7bI0qwjP7-eB0XtN_ycxhchVSEZeFpM9TUYPMfgTVYZJpvEP9GF0MP4QaoVnwqMUnGENUCHGRLQcwg4F8vfA0-Sd7gBw/s400/bacalaran-church.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://rojan88.wordpress.com/tag/baclaran-church/</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvmSEqUv1_O_K2OFHtSfeuGcz6Z2hMArNqbIs-0DwHj_84mEnDSSJYJtRMQYz_W-HHgMLDLDvkeOSLxQZ-gq5gdq7yK9GYazAZlpwEgGGgIm9HnlGYTlyxd9EUy1fST8DntmYSb6ErJMw/s1600/3918545660_9e4dac89e0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvmSEqUv1_O_K2OFHtSfeuGcz6Z2hMArNqbIs-0DwHj_84mEnDSSJYJtRMQYz_W-HHgMLDLDvkeOSLxQZ-gq5gdq7yK9GYazAZlpwEgGGgIm9HnlGYTlyxd9EUy1fST8DntmYSb6ErJMw/s400/3918545660_9e4dac89e0_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://tantumdicverbo.blogspot.com/2009/09/baclaran-wednesday.html</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Ok, mass again?! "And in Baclaran?! With all that crowd?!" you say.<br /><br />Yup, mass again - that is because, as a catholic who's been to hundreds of masses in her lifetime, I have never ever had the feeling I get when I go to mass in Baclaran. Why again you say?<br /><br />Well, take a look at the picture - hundreds to thousands go to mass on Wednesdays at this church to offer their petitions and prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help <i><b>ALL THE TIME.</b></i><br /><br />Whenever I go to mass here, I always get that feeling that all is not hopeless in the world, that people brave the crowd just because they see <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">HOPE in PRAYING </span></b></i>and that  they <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">BELIEVE that GOD WILL HELP THEM.</span></i></b> It is such a wonderful feeling and my heart just swells with happiness knowing that God is happy seeing all these people at the same time, praying to Him. Some people even "walk" kneeling down all the way to the altar as a sacrifice!<br /><br />After mass, my mom and I usually have breakfast at Mcdo (McDonald's - more on that later), then do a little shopping, since Baclaran is known for a lot of cheap goods!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">4) The Food</span></b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF83zASRDUP8nHStoCSxuLKpAKZykyQWhfleoOmr4LZNy9au4EFZQ3jvOMMaf-gu72_MI_8qzvNuWYMVuPOgE6VstoMUxYGrKZio89RBMEMtQl9i8jiewcJa-HSQ8cqt3X5UZ6qYxMZQL/s1600/121807-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF83zASRDUP8nHStoCSxuLKpAKZykyQWhfleoOmr4LZNy9au4EFZQ3jvOMMaf-gu72_MI_8qzvNuWYMVuPOgE6VstoMUxYGrKZio89RBMEMtQl9i8jiewcJa-HSQ8cqt3X5UZ6qYxMZQL/s320/121807-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2007/12/27/marikina-dampa-place/</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zEHTwCpkywdU9JjsU43K0FnGtgTpajvhFDHJ69cVbueyKvVqQcyCD-kK8IolFv0Ft6A8j5DUPg4n2lfXlTY5HlnT1Vf8xjAMy_WTB9QGO019GM1DuTQ99zFA2A5wfogEpM67BaepK_la/s1600/lulu+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zEHTwCpkywdU9JjsU43K0FnGtgTpajvhFDHJ69cVbueyKvVqQcyCD-kK8IolFv0Ft6A8j5DUPg4n2lfXlTY5HlnT1Vf8xjAMy_WTB9QGO019GM1DuTQ99zFA2A5wfogEpM67BaepK_la/s320/lulu+034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://my3rdand7thsense.blogspot.com/2010/07/dampa-macapagal.html</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Nothing beats fresh food, cooked right there and then and eaten with a glob-full of yummy rice! Yup, there is nothing like your "<b><i>very own", Filipino Food </i></b>still tops on my list on the things I love about home.<br /><br />We went the usual rounds to our faves like<i> "Hap Chan" </i>and to new restos like "Mang Inasal" -super popular nowadays, around the city.<br /><br />From to "Mesa",  "The Red Crab" to "Dampa", everything was <b>D-elicious</b>!!!!! We especially love "Dampa" right along Macapagal Blvd. because of the fresh seafood! This section is making me hungry again... Better move on to the next :)<br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>5) The Malls</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />Aaaahhh!  Shopping - again, is one of the best things to do around the Philippines. Other than cheaper prices (most of the time), everything you want is readily available and buy-able at the terrific malls.<br /><br />Case in point, such as this magnificent mall below...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrXScIN-t5XGOMg-bmx_NaBZ3hCTXxkVT0MFeP9c8aW7vZuqNbSNEImrVvE5Hp-7RrtyccPdSY1-3c4FWwK3DhRub7pfydkF8URoSZRnMVZaInYrI1V5hyphenhyphen72eM6TMAVjQUAZQ1O7usBUc/s1600/3779827728_aecb837aa0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrXScIN-t5XGOMg-bmx_NaBZ3hCTXxkVT0MFeP9c8aW7vZuqNbSNEImrVvE5Hp-7RrtyccPdSY1-3c4FWwK3DhRub7pfydkF8URoSZRnMVZaInYrI1V5hyphenhyphen72eM6TMAVjQUAZQ1O7usBUc/s640/3779827728_aecb837aa0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping Mecca for the Brand-lover</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My husband calls this <i><b>"the most beautiful mall in the Philippines"</b></i>, and I gladly say "amen" to that. It is structurally well designed, right in the heart of bustling Makati City, with it's buildings, blending in to "nature" and the trees around, just beautiful! The right size too, not to big, not too small, just right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aside from the mall itself it also boasts World-class shopping - any high-end brand you can think of, it's there, both imported (Hermes to Burberry) and local (Aranaz to Randy Ortiz), it is THERE. The restos are also amazing, so many to choose from, very reasonably prized with great ambience. We tried "Mesa" this time around, but I have tried the other excellent restos there before, as for you,  just figure it out as you go, I'm sure it will be enjoyable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QqBoQYieuRRbX1rDC0QD1XyQLR9H0j7XxRcFq1yeK8V_2dPevhEVgy2IukPK1P__LbpQkD4xYSsthqJodHsnWXgwtWh1oQ8zUfhyphenhyphenbAXC9ohzlXssf5Ei2Tu82r0HY-vQmBc_ftEjSSaE/s1600/3549619153_5b2c830649_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QqBoQYieuRRbX1rDC0QD1XyQLR9H0j7XxRcFq1yeK8V_2dPevhEVgy2IukPK1P__LbpQkD4xYSsthqJodHsnWXgwtWh1oQ8zUfhyphenhyphenbAXC9ohzlXssf5Ei2Tu82r0HY-vQmBc_ftEjSSaE/s640/3549619153_5b2c830649_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serendra</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another mall we frequented was at THE FORT or Bonifacio Global City. This mall is like 2 strip-malls right across each other, outdoors, and very nice. Lot's of restos again to choose from (went to "Texas Roadhouse Grill" with my friends & "Italliani's" with my family). The only downside to this mall is that, you can really only enjoy this AT NIGHT, because, with not a lot of trees, this place can get steaming hot, hot, hot during the day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nmsaukT8w4o1dwmxo3uvrAAU2tn_wPHG1QwmWygcX4O5FmtnrnV2Y_cIPPmHHuw2sagdbvs0ua0zkqhR-xry0buHe5Slcooq6S2TSpJN7VF4Dv0c_rT1g5XTKzFrp88tX7bm26vB7dIt/s1600/PhMnlMallOfAsia7Z08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nmsaukT8w4o1dwmxo3uvrAAU2tn_wPHG1QwmWygcX4O5FmtnrnV2Y_cIPPmHHuw2sagdbvs0ua0zkqhR-xry0buHe5Slcooq6S2TSpJN7VF4Dv0c_rT1g5XTKzFrp88tX7bm26vB7dIt/s640/PhMnlMallOfAsia7Z08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This behemoth of a mall, stands right in the middle of the reclamation area in Manila. We frequented this mall often because of it's closeness to my Dad and Mom's office. It is nice and BIG, for sure, but I really couldn't stand the HUGE CROWDS here. Just too much stimulation if you ask me. I do adore the Huge "KULTURA" store there!!! Awesome place  for finding Philippine souvenirs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBftrSbyRKtvDsYTg0IL0gF6tPOVpl__kQlcDyj2WDC_aP8DJyUb1QB_XVrR8Be10XaIIjmtavk2eqNa4V3B8EEnM_KwZVEt-vS1edQhduXFWbEmNckv2XYspwwCV-plQe86IrsfXfNxY/s1600/ATC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBftrSbyRKtvDsYTg0IL0gF6tPOVpl__kQlcDyj2WDC_aP8DJyUb1QB_XVrR8Be10XaIIjmtavk2eqNa4V3B8EEnM_KwZVEt-vS1edQhduXFWbEmNckv2XYspwwCV-plQe86IrsfXfNxY/s640/ATC.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.manilagateway.com/entertainment/festival-supermall-and-alabang-town-center.html</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another close-to-home mall, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">ATC or Alabang Town Center </span></b>was a frequent hang-out for me and my friends way back when, and is still our favorite closest mall. It has a lot of open spaces and again, not too big to roam around in. Lots of amazing restos (we went to "Red Kimono" - best Japanese I had during this trip).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6STMLwmKVonYc92PX1dOkm0ZwnovvChLEX8vhNrHiYagEOrJrkMpTCT8ox9t0V2hPVDyAZ-__7J7BPPqJ_oouBMjWrDxi4FbT8PcETezSseQmmFrVcHFs68ulGyteZ2Kk3gpcYF7hNrzw/s1600/rwm+night+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6STMLwmKVonYc92PX1dOkm0ZwnovvChLEX8vhNrHiYagEOrJrkMpTCT8ox9t0V2hPVDyAZ-__7J7BPPqJ_oouBMjWrDxi4FbT8PcETezSseQmmFrVcHFs68ulGyteZ2Kk3gpcYF7hNrzw/s640/rwm+night+cover.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://directionsonweb.blogspot.com/2010/12/resort-world-manila-most-exciting.html</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriUqOkD1j1EzouFUIUg9ermXlAKGILHH5orftVQUv1DflSjLgWKpX18i_-Ku2JUpGu32jomvQ7h2cSWmkqDuZYD9121DMZ0nC91W8kV1cLNwwL6l5ybY1U1qpTqHpVSYxyUWtq2UoZj-R/s1600/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriUqOkD1j1EzouFUIUg9ermXlAKGILHH5orftVQUv1DflSjLgWKpX18i_-Ku2JUpGu32jomvQ7h2cSWmkqDuZYD9121DMZ0nC91W8kV1cLNwwL6l5ybY1U1qpTqHpVSYxyUWtq2UoZj-R/s400/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceiling pic</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvcBjiXd46MCUdnGYRLnYQ2LHrjnXrQ4CyhI9X8JQlSk3v8s7uZNt5G2tFZmjOP1nsI1LGr7EUaQ11GxlJsrMsSij5TTqm2hQ3X8K3WMMhA7S8iKHyHSr5weCalYwYA5OYAFt_IFjnvHo/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvcBjiXd46MCUdnGYRLnYQ2LHrjnXrQ4CyhI9X8JQlSk3v8s7uZNt5G2tFZmjOP1nsI1LGr7EUaQ11GxlJsrMsSij5TTqm2hQ3X8K3WMMhA7S8iKHyHSr5weCalYwYA5OYAFt_IFjnvHo/s400/phil+xmas+2011+B+279.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Resort's world Atrium</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The latest craze in Manila at the moment. The newly opened hotel, casino, mall <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">RESORTS WORLD</span></b>. I think this is from the same group who brought us the Resorts world in Singapore, although this one, is definitely a lot smaller. The mall is tiny, holds only high-end brands like Rolex, Cartier, etc. Hey, what do you expect? The main attraction here is the Casino! Oh, I almost forgot, the latest craze for the "IN CROWD" is the disco-bar called "Republiq". They also boast of a great cinema comeplete with recliner seats and all for a measly P1,400 each!</div><div><br /><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course I cannot talk about shopping in the Philippines without getting and delving into the heart of all Filipinos real shopping right?</span></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Behold - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">QUIAPO ILALIM</span></b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_bGcRUfnymjEjFEp319-zTGbPHGUzz5hyphenhyphenUUan6WOs85D2wmyJ4P8B0echB0J7yldYTWepyLlEX8nsgLLFztR9rjXs51oB_WA6Y60kCp1SR00nNb98g-HETPzhbEaqsgYwaLjrwcfiq1U/s1600/quiapo_ilalim-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_bGcRUfnymjEjFEp319-zTGbPHGUzz5hyphenhyphenUUan6WOs85D2wmyJ4P8B0echB0J7yldYTWepyLlEX8nsgLLFztR9rjXs51oB_WA6Y60kCp1SR00nNb98g-HETPzhbEaqsgYwaLjrwcfiq1U/s640/quiapo_ilalim-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.lightbulbcreatives.com/finals/quiapo.html</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is definitely the <b><i>true go-to-place for Philippine handicrafts</i></b>. Sure, you can go to "Tesoro's" or "Balikbayan Handicrafts" but, all of those stuff can be found here as well for a fraction of the price! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went here with my mom, and I was in <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><b>"Handicraft heaven"!</b></span></i> I love, love, love, it! I bought so much stuff, that we hardly could carry everything and had to go back to get the other stuff I bought! Ha! Talk about being atat (too eager)! LOL! You'll see in my upcoming posts on some of the stuff I brought from this place but for sure, come Christmas time, they will all shine. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">DIVISORIA</span></b>!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQLVD1Uu1NH48VpVH5E36S9BN_RJ3A6hxIWGu7eBVVc9BP5PDpYCs8vEINbFGJ2l_BoUXg3t2cSfAkxBZWiuheOHxm9wv9dSgA6VHlmX9AEoFiuSYahggXB0yRTpmv4cXJtdNWZHyRdYP/s1600/divisoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQLVD1Uu1NH48VpVH5E36S9BN_RJ3A6hxIWGu7eBVVc9BP5PDpYCs8vEINbFGJ2l_BoUXg3t2cSfAkxBZWiuheOHxm9wv9dSgA6VHlmX9AEoFiuSYahggXB0yRTpmv4cXJtdNWZHyRdYP/s640/divisoria.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost everything you can find at the mall, you can find it here, or probably originated from here. This place is literally a jungle! A jungle full of people, sidewalk vendors, jeepneys, etc! But again, if your ready to sweat and are willing to haggle for a good price, this is the place for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again, I went here with my mom to buy stuff for Aidan's 7th birthday party (you'll get to see the stuff eventually too), and boy, the amount I spent really made me giddy all over!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">6) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Jollibee</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> McDo</span></span></span></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><b>Jollibee </b></span>is the Philippine equivalent of Mcdonald's in the U.S. It is a fast-food restaurant with the most number of branches in the Philippines. It is almost synonymous to being Filipino if you love this place (like we do).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmRz7QsC6xT1kEf2a7CymXDmSvEKimufK3vTCTMQoPU6-uNeOhveu3rfbjKjsZ4uGBsVGxqnHA9fD3_9G3TvoE-ChKr7pxMYUvfNo87FByhooic1N43wj4oYa3yNxiHo-RfmQCs29545t/s1600/Jollibee+Greenhills-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmRz7QsC6xT1kEf2a7CymXDmSvEKimufK3vTCTMQoPU6-uNeOhveu3rfbjKjsZ4uGBsVGxqnHA9fD3_9G3TvoE-ChKr7pxMYUvfNo87FByhooic1N43wj4oYa3yNxiHo-RfmQCs29545t/s320/Jollibee+Greenhills-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.shootfirsteatlater.com/2009/08/jollibee-chicken-barbecue.html</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeeePhyJlkjadY5g9sjWt53Iavoc0g8e0MkSH1lrx8al-3oSxkEk7KfhLEdzexqYvucxdF7XmRwnB4QtU8dmmia-JzljX5enXn2VSqofwUQRJ5Pp1GGDep0eY6Z4lv8lopJ9F_VlJ2y8F/s1600/DSCN4056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeeePhyJlkjadY5g9sjWt53Iavoc0g8e0MkSH1lrx8al-3oSxkEk7KfhLEdzexqYvucxdF7XmRwnB4QtU8dmmia-JzljX5enXn2VSqofwUQRJ5Pp1GGDep0eY6Z4lv8lopJ9F_VlJ2y8F/s400/DSCN4056.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://en.petitchef.com/recipes/a-jollibee-in-n-out-fid-592457<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>YUMMY Chicken Joy and Palabok!!</b></span>!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">McDo = McDonald's in the Philippines</span>. We Filipinos like giving nicknames to not only our kids but also to our restaurants including this also much loved fast-food chain.<br /><br />But what makes <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">McDo</span> unique? Check this out..<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRulWAH1WPkdpKAHvZ7btqVsagUcVwaJBdKj3pfGwU5eobmn7Ac7LtfmCHEbTrCKQSss850N_tHi7PaNBUmpHMycfwUCjvDPfBtflLe1UzbQT0u3nqPDn4yqNRnhSEsqbhJntVk6uzKZLS/s1600/5693190411_5805e8ca32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRulWAH1WPkdpKAHvZ7btqVsagUcVwaJBdKj3pfGwU5eobmn7Ac7LtfmCHEbTrCKQSss850N_tHi7PaNBUmpHMycfwUCjvDPfBtflLe1UzbQT0u3nqPDn4yqNRnhSEsqbhJntVk6uzKZLS/s640/5693190411_5805e8ca32.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.frannywanny.com/2011/05/witnessing-break-of-dawn-at-mcdonalds.html</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Yes, you read it right, longganisa is a type of sausage (I think spanish in origin) that we eat with rice (just like everything else, including spaghetti!) for breakfast, and yes, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">McDo</span> has it in Pinas.<br /><br />This is what my mom and I eat after we hear mass in Baclaran, it's sort of our tradition in someways. I really love this especially dipped in suka (vinegar)!!!!! Yum!<br /><br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhWij73pNih94UiUp-RqVLZncl3CKr8AtExaZ7NoMR443D6Xdr2qqLZHpP27e7d4HFSUdDGCruQ8x8GDBjBmojMyg1t4wRFW1MnxciLNNF_ZlrEpYnMSqg-K36BOjqDQVickNw4un_4GJ/s1600/Mcdonalds+Longganisa+with+rice+and+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhWij73pNih94UiUp-RqVLZncl3CKr8AtExaZ7NoMR443D6Xdr2qqLZHpP27e7d4HFSUdDGCruQ8x8GDBjBmojMyg1t4wRFW1MnxciLNNF_ZlrEpYnMSqg-K36BOjqDQVickNw4un_4GJ/s400/Mcdonalds+Longganisa+with+rice+and+egg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://klchin.blogspot.com/2010/02/manila-and-quezon-city-unplugged.html<br />What it looks like inside - not too enticing to look at, but trust me, it's pretty good!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Another thing that McDo has that McDonalds doesn't have is this....</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsmE4Dc_eEDVE8aYdFPfDgEUkGxBIbgb7tI5liKvgRuvTgv041AXPdFwnLz2Kb3VfaGVuAj4wGK8Jnc4Nfce9Dy5Eh9yIlaIviI3-lQnbx_M5p7GMkxL6SjOJtZJ-2DJwigwZFW7SEiSB/s1600/5384259701_4af08a63aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsmE4Dc_eEDVE8aYdFPfDgEUkGxBIbgb7tI5liKvgRuvTgv041AXPdFwnLz2Kb3VfaGVuAj4wGK8Jnc4Nfce9Dy5Eh9yIlaIviI3-lQnbx_M5p7GMkxL6SjOJtZJ-2DJwigwZFW7SEiSB/s640/5384259701_4af08a63aa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3FTIRAFl33Lp3eiwu7E_d0gLs0I9nMoI6txeHhvTPjzku05JqFRpY5BLy1PSUMzSOTmvIaD16TYBnLk1mbicxy7zrZRySe_-OT0mw6h84bZrnn11V0oqimVqSCVojCCr1zb9LCIdo_50/s1600/McDo-one-piece-chicken-meal-McDo-delivery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3FTIRAFl33Lp3eiwu7E_d0gLs0I9nMoI6txeHhvTPjzku05JqFRpY5BLy1PSUMzSOTmvIaD16TYBnLk1mbicxy7zrZRySe_-OT0mw6h84bZrnn11V0oqimVqSCVojCCr1zb9LCIdo_50/s400/McDo-one-piece-chicken-meal-McDo-delivery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy Chicken</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yup, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">FRIED CHICKEN - With RICE</span>!!!!! Super yum especially with gravy! Mwah! This became my kids "staple? while we were back home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And last but not the least, my hubby's fave, and mine too..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIY0qdvSlgKUfHTJaAXjRhwx7616lNX_ABrIwKMR_SQGHY4ouqbR6nH_W55FWI610B4Ne1MylBTBJ8gddnO6rbOwWKO9BkUj1Dox1wN1te-EGZv56RUsL9RPP8eBfatQWChzitdnJslnm/s1600/2507965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIY0qdvSlgKUfHTJaAXjRhwx7616lNX_ABrIwKMR_SQGHY4ouqbR6nH_W55FWI610B4Ne1MylBTBJ8gddnO6rbOwWKO9BkUj1Dox1wN1te-EGZv56RUsL9RPP8eBfatQWChzitdnJslnm/s640/2507965.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8f8_wtroNWL7h8Q1s5eU2qHww6D1m5yGf6I3XvRnWCq5LUz2XHYT9DbjjbZaPxAY9cU9NMtI_bK-esFmUD9Yx7R0XciPTefi6C9uPAfY7P_AZFPQnCKmIMfFTZFSGAOIiNzHguSieWlA/s1600/McSpaghetti1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8f8_wtroNWL7h8Q1s5eU2qHww6D1m5yGf6I3XvRnWCq5LUz2XHYT9DbjjbZaPxAY9cU9NMtI_bK-esFmUD9Yx7R0XciPTefi6C9uPAfY7P_AZFPQnCKmIMfFTZFSGAOIiNzHguSieWlA/s400/McSpaghetti1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://1057crushfm.com/eight-failed-mcdonalds-menu-items/</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">McSpaghetti</span>!!!!! Only in the Philippines my friends... :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>7) Paputok (The firecracker)</b></span><br /><br />Although I am pretty sure when it comes to fireworks, other countries fare far better in terms of the <b>BANG</b>, <b>BOOM </b>and <b>artistry, </b>what makes the Philippine fire crackers unique is that it can definitely compare with or even beat imported fire crackers when it comes to the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">LOUDNESS</span></b>!<br /><br />Yup, our fireworks are simple, they explode with one of the loudest explosion from the smallest of fire crackers. From the simple <i>"5 Star"</i> to the new <i>"Goodbye Philippines" (creative names huh?!)</i>, these little dynamites are <b><i>anything But </i></b>quiet (and very dangerous too!)!<br /><br />The Filipino thinking is that, the loud noise wards off evil spirits and bad luck, hence, the louder the firecracker, the better. And can you imagine thousands of households lighting up these noisemakers almost all at the same time? Along with all the cars honking and children blowing their horns?!!! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Chaotically FUN</b></span>!!!!!! This is what makes New Year in the Philippines pretty unique, festive and colorful (Did I mention dangerous?!).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi129hkxLuYYff2siXTK6vlF3t7qG1Qfv-DZIqt3byl7_w8IVp8pbqBpaIZN2603W8NR4scG6CD8bA9BY5-qmUaw_ghF9Gah0k9TnLwOyB53FnwVcPi_8nwUNgO8HKq3SgYnlTpRPrRV8jX/s1600/torototedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi129hkxLuYYff2siXTK6vlF3t7qG1Qfv-DZIqt3byl7_w8IVp8pbqBpaIZN2603W8NR4scG6CD8bA9BY5-qmUaw_ghF9Gah0k9TnLwOyB53FnwVcPi_8nwUNgO8HKq3SgYnlTpRPrRV8jX/s320/torototedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://blog.mangotours.com/2010/12/mango-picks-having-blast-with.html<br />Trumpet Vendors all around</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBs2cH33KxRa8drOWYEifSgUIkz0SiHXtEhdEwkw-HqLgqdCvJG2zOtv4DOKdkmz7ivhUlFfgVAqUhbtWYYhLHAkKlnv5-EyFV1HscywVo3lSIkw5uIwM_fbXuZ3GXeFyLBI48GG7D4XT/s1600/philippines-new-year-2008-12-26-1-36-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBs2cH33KxRa8drOWYEifSgUIkz0SiHXtEhdEwkw-HqLgqdCvJG2zOtv4DOKdkmz7ivhUlFfgVAqUhbtWYYhLHAkKlnv5-EyFV1HscywVo3lSIkw5uIwM_fbXuZ3GXeFyLBI48GG7D4XT/s320/philippines-new-year-2008-12-26-1-36-41.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://newshopper.sulekha.com/philippines-new-year_photo_606187.htm</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW9WChvBptGShnmXNYIIdHEs3uFG6M2sHrW3kJrjT2gMygHNqvzkyBPBo-62yAv_bpAHapleKbMCeLSMntSBaMYV-0DkK_yGNGXzxI3mz5_TTaXHkK9Y85cXlL2pHgC8iZ6h1CtLmX0BF/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW9WChvBptGShnmXNYIIdHEs3uFG6M2sHrW3kJrjT2gMygHNqvzkyBPBo-62yAv_bpAHapleKbMCeLSMntSBaMYV-0DkK_yGNGXzxI3mz5_TTaXHkK9Y85cXlL2pHgC8iZ6h1CtLmX0BF/s640/DSC_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nio watches on</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>8) Noche Buena and Media Noche</b></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXog_lbyixgTD1K0__e6vSmwJSHKogjEd2HUnUqYiP21hkW_MF1FfHTV3-EXjFPt8vcj-_ZYEEU3GrdWUuprQH33wCB_MELlKXeRiD5lvpQGvOb3CiDaHIplZneWOhHRV-DXBef0Z4YCBH/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXog_lbyixgTD1K0__e6vSmwJSHKogjEd2HUnUqYiP21hkW_MF1FfHTV3-EXjFPt8vcj-_ZYEEU3GrdWUuprQH33wCB_MELlKXeRiD5lvpQGvOb3CiDaHIplZneWOhHRV-DXBef0Z4YCBH/s640/phil+xmas+2011+B+188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noche Buena with Family</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3W6g3i23OkML8h-oiD8Y2Bg9PjzoehmUiXID9OcOvhS-z_YNTi2ZVR0DoVGh6zP9pI5G5qRnj2Le037k3zT0oJ5ha_rzAOBv_aRi9X0LP2aNKYlk0PWBZxjMaA6m5BbCD9hMmzYgRJMX/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3W6g3i23OkML8h-oiD8Y2Bg9PjzoehmUiXID9OcOvhS-z_YNTi2ZVR0DoVGh6zP9pI5G5qRnj2Le037k3zT0oJ5ha_rzAOBv_aRi9X0LP2aNKYlk0PWBZxjMaA6m5BbCD9hMmzYgRJMX/s400/phil+xmas+2011+B+177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening gifts on Christmas Eve</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesjOMpIVgBDLNHsTZKDZL3XgBRt_yAM7FTQMBOEu042GWhgDy_eO1VyqqALFwyoR2JH7-XvnIt7HJDpC4cuPc_RfjFloFCQXr0FevCAiAi4mCGQEBiTUpEfLojVlbH2aCXC6j4ZcCuBag/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesjOMpIVgBDLNHsTZKDZL3XgBRt_yAM7FTQMBOEu042GWhgDy_eO1VyqqALFwyoR2JH7-XvnIt7HJDpC4cuPc_RfjFloFCQXr0FevCAiAi4mCGQEBiTUpEfLojVlbH2aCXC6j4ZcCuBag/s400/phil+xmas+2011+B+164.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud of his stash</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuFcDgPRL-17OI0c7JGvauFR92HLm5tOjZ6RLadUfF-mjzFOaDfWNbBQ4C3vHT7_pcA-jXeU93g66QC-UbVIQEaunMnSAocUIRFWyxdiWGOL5SyYfzsA3utJbhUBPQVFZEXVH77iwF-fI/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuFcDgPRL-17OI0c7JGvauFR92HLm5tOjZ6RLadUfF-mjzFOaDfWNbBQ4C3vHT7_pcA-jXeU93g66QC-UbVIQEaunMnSAocUIRFWyxdiWGOL5SyYfzsA3utJbhUBPQVFZEXVH77iwF-fI/s640/DSC_0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Years Eve</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Need I say more? After going to Evening mass at around 9 or 10 in the evening, the family waits for midnight and celebrate already! We welcome Christmas and New Year, <b><i>together</i></b>, our stomachs full and our hearts happy! :-)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>9) Mother Nature</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAF6mrgJso5mpiLFlILz9OoQmIrA86L-aVvYsOuRXrheaFyfdq4YGcOoyybtpyYDaQBtBd1RfCh91w_EaoU2ZKcXVfzgVj2-D3nu0M3fHw2yzx-xWSbgq_x8dETP_N3442g1QFWxjadid/s1600/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAF6mrgJso5mpiLFlILz9OoQmIrA86L-aVvYsOuRXrheaFyfdq4YGcOoyybtpyYDaQBtBd1RfCh91w_EaoU2ZKcXVfzgVj2-D3nu0M3fHw2yzx-xWSbgq_x8dETP_N3442g1QFWxjadid/s640/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taal Volcano Crater - The smallest active Volcano in the world</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XbqCyiSeWJt-FIO8TJx_51vEKNjSzMbZKpk9USmySMikgi4ghDuTlW4LOhVjvlBnKanNUM_OG_u85pglwvzWP0lkZJLvycGl3Cwnrxqf8R8_lUnDJK8k5fZvGVhVajVHAfbgdiIboAl7/s1600/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XbqCyiSeWJt-FIO8TJx_51vEKNjSzMbZKpk9USmySMikgi4ghDuTlW4LOhVjvlBnKanNUM_OG_u85pglwvzWP0lkZJLvycGl3Cwnrxqf8R8_lUnDJK8k5fZvGVhVajVHAfbgdiIboAl7/s640/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Craters of Taal</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuhen2Pvb74y2WOlMPQK9coyOGyZ3Yvjd_k1GNH_OWBHqC6Qpy9-cStWsfwrn7ek2zjhAfIMYXOnreGcOIHozhUSn44JmMPCiUxX2J1ZxWF4Wn8fQwxLWAKtEJNNgXiV_q5QzB9F9bX3x/s1600/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuhen2Pvb74y2WOlMPQK9coyOGyZ3Yvjd_k1GNH_OWBHqC6Qpy9-cStWsfwrn7ek2zjhAfIMYXOnreGcOIHozhUSn44JmMPCiUxX2J1ZxWF4Wn8fQwxLWAKtEJNNgXiV_q5QzB9F9bX3x/s640/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakeside in Batangas</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk8fGzOwe8PP_zZs0GniVpO5WJNQJ6uOWqKy8ZRHKs8k0g89eOZ3kwSjRcm5J3wznZltlT6OP-zHp3OawmUaWIEmhpasH3oMQ5lTwuohRIBRxOJm2mkRLcJXwAE0UsYmFjqsuBMWTzdey/s1600/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk8fGzOwe8PP_zZs0GniVpO5WJNQJ6uOWqKy8ZRHKs8k0g89eOZ3kwSjRcm5J3wznZltlT6OP-zHp3OawmUaWIEmhpasH3oMQ5lTwuohRIBRxOJm2mkRLcJXwAE0UsYmFjqsuBMWTzdey/s640/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talisay, Batangas overlooking Taal Volcano</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrwFzzyxwK-Mi6163WnwC4B_sEBgOsMS4_eswr64OruS4bYLss9FY5rmlRmh5yYgqlROSKMSsfYfr7kOAMH6LsurBLuDp5dDzDwvWIX1hKZ2iFQT7fOR1WfsXPEx1NoK1AVtHUVCallot/s1600/enhanced-buzz-16279-1325936615-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrwFzzyxwK-Mi6163WnwC4B_sEBgOsMS4_eswr64OruS4bYLss9FY5rmlRmh5yYgqlROSKMSsfYfr7kOAMH6LsurBLuDp5dDzDwvWIX1hKZ2iFQT7fOR1WfsXPEx1NoK1AVtHUVCallot/s400/enhanced-buzz-16279-1325936615-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Another reason to go home is to enjoy mother nature. This is the no. 1 reason actually for tourists to come. We have excellent beaches and resorts and all sorts of natural parks and sites that will satisfy your hearts content. On this trip though, we only went to Batangas, Tagaytay and Mindoro. But hopefully next time I'd like to go to the place pictured above, in El Nido, Palawan.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">10) Home - Our Friends and Family</span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The most important reason for us really....</span></i></b><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k6WIelCM6JrBm0VJWh28PLeDqyp1Qm9vS5AWALcd2Z46Q4BjkNYYdUAA43Ef9YeNnwH0PM8ZveK-j6PrQ-LwJ2G0FVHo4MNLWM5ppeeJWQJJNqI2KFEufS0x2VTRyuGaIk6DS_tiBRZ1/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k6WIelCM6JrBm0VJWh28PLeDqyp1Qm9vS5AWALcd2Z46Q4BjkNYYdUAA43Ef9YeNnwH0PM8ZveK-j6PrQ-LwJ2G0FVHo4MNLWM5ppeeJWQJJNqI2KFEufS0x2VTRyuGaIk6DS_tiBRZ1/s640/phil+xmas+2011+B+378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby's HS Batch mates...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jYq4ZnCX4Wlg4UlGlJvwJxe-nL-u66ka5dyFDGuMlQwb-FntHzl5L8kyCKOhnSbeiwoGkxNW7U4hI4BlrAXBVQyOF_AC25PHixyAr1ZTuhAcnBYIbnBn-YJ3AgINPc_QD2dRrD-7bBEt/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jYq4ZnCX4Wlg4UlGlJvwJxe-nL-u66ka5dyFDGuMlQwb-FntHzl5L8kyCKOhnSbeiwoGkxNW7U4hI4BlrAXBVQyOF_AC25PHixyAr1ZTuhAcnBYIbnBn-YJ3AgINPc_QD2dRrD-7bBEt/s640/phil+xmas+2011+B+071.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Residency Friends...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_Lq6iyVFd9h7jahHcVEoq57VZBBzjalVBvQs8Uwbfq-hbd79cFsQpmMjV4an6aCOPYcy1Ki7fOyMi7kN5qdiDLOQc5HuKCV4fsWS03JYGFuHoK9sZ7sZABDfTXgBdU64HihgiTGD74BX/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_Lq6iyVFd9h7jahHcVEoq57VZBBzjalVBvQs8Uwbfq-hbd79cFsQpmMjV4an6aCOPYcy1Ki7fOyMi7kN5qdiDLOQc5HuKCV4fsWS03JYGFuHoK9sZ7sZABDfTXgBdU64HihgiTGD74BX/s640/phil+xmas+2011+B+085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Med school friends...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpymJAbkZFyUDG57zqIMlW2YEThUjNarJcocy71KURzL85EcNAmRJpHIWayPY9iFOGnTw36Y_aNybZ3t6iPio6CHXcWAgN739bHAvZ9EziVBgAp3sKHZQ63XgDoj9B739b3Mc69JKpq1S/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpymJAbkZFyUDG57zqIMlW2YEThUjNarJcocy71KURzL85EcNAmRJpHIWayPY9iFOGnTw36Y_aNybZ3t6iPio6CHXcWAgN739bHAvZ9EziVBgAp3sKHZQ63XgDoj9B739b3Mc69JKpq1S/s640/phil+xmas+2011+B+087.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends you grow up with...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDVaKJ7qweSIWvh2oeQpcdLi2P9fap-flCD8DG385m8m9dLFl4HMrk9jRXH4Z6SV7dun4GHaIT_JDdbcVC-M5-YQv3MhDI90fQzvxdPQ4srHHLjpn4BbZ7VQ5s5WDKgPE35jftX3yzHBe/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDVaKJ7qweSIWvh2oeQpcdLi2P9fap-flCD8DG385m8m9dLFl4HMrk9jRXH4Z6SV7dun4GHaIT_JDdbcVC-M5-YQv3MhDI90fQzvxdPQ4srHHLjpn4BbZ7VQ5s5WDKgPE35jftX3yzHBe/s640/phil+xmas+2011+B+325.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">College and Highschool friends...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-h2NqA3dRg5vLTy6J7eRJuuzPfgou5KdMF0KGqJuGPqsyjgihPGYSF75yNs5mhV_1GP8W4DHzV-F7yiuZHwILu6JbRjG0INgVvbKuulbMP9Mm3JDwhahOizMf0OwF0-zrphySimZjYNw/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+iphone+222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-h2NqA3dRg5vLTy6J7eRJuuzPfgou5KdMF0KGqJuGPqsyjgihPGYSF75yNs5mhV_1GP8W4DHzV-F7yiuZHwILu6JbRjG0INgVvbKuulbMP9Mm3JDwhahOizMf0OwF0-zrphySimZjYNw/s640/phil+xmas+2011+iphone+222.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "Senior" buddies...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhhADzvdqzWLfgE4WPe7A1eDkm4IAc1Wlsk9jqmU6NhzF_BXtGKIRujgWqebrutNxve-Y7ZB8ydj44GqZC_ndxA-n_DRbyNGZhUyZVk_mKH-5E1pY-Pvx1uA-hha7yTVHb-p4volcvIjD/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+iphone+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhhADzvdqzWLfgE4WPe7A1eDkm4IAc1Wlsk9jqmU6NhzF_BXtGKIRujgWqebrutNxve-Y7ZB8ydj44GqZC_ndxA-n_DRbyNGZhUyZVk_mKH-5E1pY-Pvx1uA-hha7yTVHb-p4volcvIjD/s640/phil+xmas+2011+iphone+233.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Wise buddies....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rmb-3BQEXtn4VrxsB_Q2GQBJ2BSjT1Qm7NPP55QAQbVk85E2CTzZmezhMuB67-aDXYdKXrEJ5wRB35Gwz_CJ7sYwIluRj_NmX1CTA98n5GHO91zOFabiIHgk7WhIg5b3aLDxWAWHFwyN/s1600/phil+xmas+2011+B+410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rmb-3BQEXtn4VrxsB_Q2GQBJ2BSjT1Qm7NPP55QAQbVk85E2CTzZmezhMuB67-aDXYdKXrEJ5wRB35Gwz_CJ7sYwIluRj_NmX1CTA98n5GHO91zOFabiIHgk7WhIg5b3aLDxWAWHFwyN/s640/phil+xmas+2011+B+410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Criste Clan</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHSqPGXM8hTyqSkIDcpuiyxI7kk8krvSG1989Hce5ceB3NixoYQgxWcU2eehyXXFszcbzdK3oczPSQhllAk_cUacpoumkfP_IiTClv34bK2nc0CumwosLven5isIJmoyzU9_CFnqb8diZ/s1600/Baricuatro%252C+Celeste+c_MG_5941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHSqPGXM8hTyqSkIDcpuiyxI7kk8krvSG1989Hce5ceB3NixoYQgxWcU2eehyXXFszcbzdK3oczPSQhllAk_cUacpoumkfP_IiTClv34bK2nc0CumwosLven5isIJmoyzU9_CFnqb8diZ/s640/Baricuatro%252C+Celeste+c_MG_5941.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baricuatro Clan</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Overall, these people were the <b>main reasons</b> why we wanted to go home. <i>To be able to celebrate one of the most important holidays for us with the people we love is <span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">PRICELESS</span></span>. </i><br /><br />And with that, FOR SURE, we will <i>keep on going back... coming back... Home.</i><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Hope you all had a great Holiday season!!!!!!!</span></div></div>

Home sweet Philippines

Finally, after 3 long years, we again went home to the Philippines. I can't believe how much I missed it! And being the holiday season, ...

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Green thumb?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of you who know me, know that I am <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>NO GARDENER</b></span>. This is one field I may never get into since I feel terrible for the plants I try to take care of! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meaning, I kill them off unintentionally with the best care I can possibly give. Meaning, I know I don't have that coveted <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>GREEN THUMB</b></span> a lot of people are blessed with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyhow, I was "forced" to try planting when I tried to do a good deed and help out a colleague out with her daughter's fund-raising. So I bought these Paper Whites and "planted" them a few weeks before we left for our Philippine vacation...</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2yrt9kbWz6k3Ip0Ce1q8HfVRZ3yHhEa1yjulL6n5U9usBxJlXZKTis_KO5cUT5_ib37veD6zLR6J47T3bPRVujoKa8062eLbXBojRkwaBs1eYVHnWCcXU6PhquCY-x_fwWMqfe19SDBW/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2yrt9kbWz6k3Ip0Ce1q8HfVRZ3yHhEa1yjulL6n5U9usBxJlXZKTis_KO5cUT5_ib37veD6zLR6J47T3bPRVujoKa8062eLbXBojRkwaBs1eYVHnWCcXU6PhquCY-x_fwWMqfe19SDBW/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still baby bulbs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFeBmWIZ01I/TwY91uvXPKI/AAAAAAAAAxU/CPlWg7T8m-w/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFeBmWIZ01I/TwY91uvXPKI/AAAAAAAAAxU/CPlWg7T8m-w/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing some hope..</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV9od29_sWc6HqFJkaMzEji-pVxC3YfLFgmCjoGTzraUUX8-qTYX376GhXI7NXQ4O0U_NxeauREnHNfd6Rtj8-bg10bMoww2hcnHjLlznghciuJrr82JtwJBQdjApsei0VWN0XFMw6hQ/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV9od29_sWc6HqFJkaMzEji-pVxC3YfLFgmCjoGTzraUUX8-qTYX376GhXI7NXQ4O0U_NxeauREnHNfd6Rtj8-bg10bMoww2hcnHjLlznghciuJrr82JtwJBQdjApsei0VWN0XFMw6hQ/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buds showing...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY7r2ED2trgQ68f9gKt7arXsix27v_LM6-vVU1xwy-TarrnH4l7qDB-ysTqgCo-5D5rzZpQ5NyM4Yue95F8hbk-6lwdEizJncmd_0TxiUTenR-d4Kzx3nMsnlRsCd51wTCAk80VmCY1k/s1600/vcm_s_kf_repr_588x882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY7r2ED2trgQ68f9gKt7arXsix27v_LM6-vVU1xwy-TarrnH4l7qDB-ysTqgCo-5D5rzZpQ5NyM4Yue95F8hbk-6lwdEizJncmd_0TxiUTenR-d4Kzx3nMsnlRsCd51wTCAk80VmCY1k/s640/vcm_s_kf_repr_588x882.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tada!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgnpSLW_M2d-OPVqwuHL5LwEq6xLJSTBO4VdLwZxiVg43e5iSk15_fgucHecW4GgFqovyntfboyhFUcPio49kz4cBlyz__Z7CCEc02qReAeSnhacPxJ2F09_iogl8f2hwgmm9cT7nqsE/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgnpSLW_M2d-OPVqwuHL5LwEq6xLJSTBO4VdLwZxiVg43e5iSk15_fgucHecW4GgFqovyntfboyhFUcPio49kz4cBlyz__Z7CCEc02qReAeSnhacPxJ2F09_iogl8f2hwgmm9cT7nqsE/s640/phils+xmas+2011+002.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful blooms</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>So, in conclusion, there is always a "first" for anybody, including someone who's never gardened or grew anything in her life - I AM proof of that! LOL!</div><div><br /></div><div>These paperwhites are on our breakfast table and it really does brighten and cheer up our space each and every morning! And Lo and behold, with the help of my friends who watered these babies while we were gone, it is still here when we got back!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am definitely trying AGAIN THIS YEAR! Hmmm.. a rose garden perhaps?! Ha! Too ambitious, I'll just stick to these Bulb-kinda plants. :-)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY GARDENING EVERYONE!!!</span><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><span id="goog_893877886"></span><span id="goog_893877887"></span><br /><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div>

Green thumb?

All of you who know me, know that I am NO GARDENER . This is one field I may never get into since I feel terrible for the plants I try to ta...

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Singapore Sojourn

When we went home to the Philippines last month, we made a side trip to Singapore to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. It was a very memorable and happy trip because all of my family on MY side tagged along, and being in a country we've never been to before, it made the adventure and bonding all the more fun!<br /><br /><br />Singapore is a very, very small country.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">FACT:</span> you can go from north to south in. Span of 45 minutes!<br />Population is 3 million and 80,000++ of them are millionaires. It is a very clean and organized city, they have kept most of their historical sites and parts intact, partly because Tourism is their no. 1 industry ( followed by shipping their no. 2).<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are some of the spots we went to...</span></i><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">1) Merlion</i></b></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5myPXoTWk6s/TwZAzDTvPMI/AAAAAAAAAx0/eBhUtz0Zo2s/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5myPXoTWk6s/TwZAzDTvPMI/AAAAAAAAAx0/eBhUtz0Zo2s/s640/phils+xmas+2011+152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovey-dovey in Singapore</td></tr></tbody></table><div>This spot by the Singapore river and Marina Bay is one of the most famous spots in Singapore. This is because of this "mascot" of Singapore called the Merlion (a hybrid of a lion and a fish). Accdg to Wikepedia :</div><div><br /></div><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The symbol was designed by Fraser Brunner, a member of the Souvenir Committee and curator of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Kleef_Aquarium" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Van Kleef Aquarium">Van Kleef Aquarium</a>, for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Logo">logo</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Tourism_Board" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Singapore Tourism Board">Singapore Tourism Board</a> (STB) in use from 26 March 1964 to 1997</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-M8AU8iDQI/TwZCRLNcAzI/AAAAAAAAAyA/APDEpDVezXM/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-M8AU8iDQI/TwZCRLNcAzI/AAAAAAAAAyA/APDEpDVezXM/s640/phils+xmas+2011+146.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Family<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span></b> Easily accessible - all tours stop by here; It's free!<br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>CONS:</b></span> You just go here for picture nothing else, unless you took also the river tour, then you can embark from here, I think...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>2) The Night Safari</i></span></b><br /><br />This is one of the unique attractions in Singapore. Nocturnal animals which hardly get noticed in regular zoos are showcased in this place in what seems to be unenclosed cages/dwellings. Meaning, you ride a tram and just think the animals are just a few breaths away from you!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWTvO5Ivf2E/TwZFrfBK-xI/AAAAAAAAAy8/qME0rNVMq3A/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSp2DuBnD84/TwZD1UbU89I/AAAAAAAAAyk/G_ZR0Q708oM/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSp2DuBnD84/TwZD1UbU89I/AAAAAAAAAyk/G_ZR0Q708oM/s400/phils+xmas+2011+081.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the inhabitants of this zoo</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyCxEXTY67IQ-CuWaITCU5Z8Otyk7Bcx2eQGQt2d8qHH9iPzs8T2HIPdkRAoQXEb9JR8d86wLd8kfdNP-OQboB9SWWSyx3OZOSQy86DzysKtqo21RWGlojoSkjJn36O6iT3sfF83k0GMk/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyCxEXTY67IQ-CuWaITCU5Z8Otyk7Bcx2eQGQt2d8qHH9iPzs8T2HIPdkRAoQXEb9JR8d86wLd8kfdNP-OQboB9SWWSyx3OZOSQy86DzysKtqo21RWGlojoSkjJn36O6iT3sfF83k0GMk/s400/phils+xmas+2011+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Show</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nowuvAo9hcc/TwZC_PsJ3DI/AAAAAAAAAyM/H3czRYLamLs/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nowuvAo9hcc/TwZC_PsJ3DI/AAAAAAAAAyM/H3czRYLamLs/s640/phils+xmas+2011+106.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy but still ready to pos</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nowuvAo9hcc/TwZC_PsJ3DI/AAAAAAAAAyM/H3czRYLamLs/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />We capped the night off with my kids relaxing in some "natural" form of spa....<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TYw2jeuV1Y/TwZFS134-kI/AAAAAAAAAyw/P_0EPBzz3kA/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TYw2jeuV1Y/TwZFS134-kI/AAAAAAAAAyw/P_0EPBzz3kA/s320/phils+xmas+2011+098.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tickle spa or..</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWTvO5Ivf2E/TwZFrfBK-xI/AAAAAAAAAy8/qME0rNVMq3A/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWTvO5Ivf2E/TwZFrfBK-xI/AAAAAAAAAy8/qME0rNVMq3A/s320/phils+xmas+2011+086.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FISH SPA</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS: </span></b>Unique zoo animals and set-up lets you see animals in their very natural state and habitat, very clean and not a really long trip especially if you have kids in tow, the tram makes it a breeze to get around</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>CONS:</b></span> Pricey entrance fee, I think it was around S$40+ per person, the food is pretty pricey as well and not that great (burgers and fries are better of served by the experts like McDonalds), unless your also a nocturnal creature like the animals here, you better have slept early on or you'd be dozing off during the tram ride.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>3) Mount Faber</i></span></b><br /><br />I think the tour guide said this was the 2nd highest point in Singapore. We went here to see the views of the city, and it s truly beautiful. You can take a cable car from here going to Sentosa Bay (another tourist hot spot).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUvFJBoZfeE_ER1uUijeWJRcHRzQBOiYUWqeU-4yr6GqIFHT8z8gBpwMeh2cZLhw6FaWRdRDNRk_KkyfJYgMMm4Ea4lEXbIvwUBY0WPooT3SoveRPY4qXC-q28o1VPtcrA0VfdWkqwL8m/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUvFJBoZfeE_ER1uUijeWJRcHRzQBOiYUWqeU-4yr6GqIFHT8z8gBpwMeh2cZLhw6FaWRdRDNRk_KkyfJYgMMm4Ea4lEXbIvwUBY0WPooT3SoveRPY4qXC-q28o1VPtcrA0VfdWkqwL8m/s400/phils+xmas+2011+215.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concrete Jungle of Singapore</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLPlO5OZCGzEH7LXlXc8_tOUdTCgTlHm-arYUydVT6L_46gjpJ23Yeme4OvMxn1B86f65QYpWPp1A1TCkpguOfpQdvWEdyqZ2vtoJs7KX3rz0DaSuJhnQXtJcaUz51BbjUUd23UwtcqkP/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLPlO5OZCGzEH7LXlXc8_tOUdTCgTlHm-arYUydVT6L_46gjpJ23Yeme4OvMxn1B86f65QYpWPp1A1TCkpguOfpQdvWEdyqZ2vtoJs7KX3rz0DaSuJhnQXtJcaUz51BbjUUd23UwtcqkP/s320/phils+xmas+2011+208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exotic flowers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw4rQKIcE4O364aKLRnDaVmJo0Qp0ai2_qOwlJeigJi5qULWFvS2w-c-K1P3sXsIyHFRKuOYdnA_WDayRQmhTrKUbnduUp-jDpcTW-ZAHk7dMMEPg4fR_fU_x0WTpX2POSOea4-_SkIcf/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw4rQKIcE4O364aKLRnDaVmJo0Qp0ai2_qOwlJeigJi5qULWFvS2w-c-K1P3sXsIyHFRKuOYdnA_WDayRQmhTrKUbnduUp-jDpcTW-ZAHk7dMMEPg4fR_fU_x0WTpX2POSOea4-_SkIcf/s400/phils+xmas+2011+209.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys at the peak</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span></b> Easy accessibility, it's FREE</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">CONS:</span></b> A little bit of a climb for people with knee problems, there are restos and you can take the cable car from here, but other than the view, you can skip this one if your going eventually to the Flyer or Skypark<br /><div><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">4) Singapore Universal Studios</span></i></b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SLW8onYJF-o/TwZJtAwcsfI/AAAAAAAAAzo/ZGA8T6CwFCo/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SLW8onYJF-o/TwZJtAwcsfI/AAAAAAAAAzo/ZGA8T6CwFCo/s400/phils+xmas+2011+285.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kid Fun at Universal</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBNSn6iWHbU/TwZK467RIXI/AAAAAAAAAz0/t3_HOnvdWI4/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBNSn6iWHbU/TwZK467RIXI/AAAAAAAAAz0/t3_HOnvdWI4/s400/phils+xmas+2011+274.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far far away castle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTNXtOqyCA/TwZOTlXDIAI/AAAAAAAAA0A/mi6GGVzqn5E/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTNXtOqyCA/TwZOTlXDIAI/AAAAAAAAA0A/mi6GGVzqn5E/s320/phils+xmas+2011+250.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9kxxh4QT2U/TwZO2W0uZrI/AAAAAAAAA0M/shPJ4jz_zY8/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9kxxh4QT2U/TwZO2W0uZrI/AAAAAAAAA0M/shPJ4jz_zY8/s320/phils+xmas+2011+252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Costner is that you?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y37sDxfLfFA/TwZPUSx3lzI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/xRCTAA6RUgU/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y37sDxfLfFA/TwZPUSx3lzI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/xRCTAA6RUgU/s320/phils+xmas+2011+272.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brendan Fraser is that you?!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Yes, you read it right and like what you see in the pics, it is the smaller version of the Universal Studios in California (including a small strip mall outside with "Chili's", "Garretts Popcorn and other American brand franchises!). </div><div><br /></div><div>Definitely, a go-to-place for those travellers with kids, like us. The lines for the ride was looong, as expected and we only got to ride the Kiddie rides (which suits our scaredy-cat family to a tee). We pretty much indulged ourselves with the different shows and sites! :)<br /><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS: </span></b>Easy Access, huge underground parking, if you miss America, this is the place for you! Great for  families with older kids.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>CONS: </b></span>Just like in any theme park - long lines for any ride, everything inside is pricey and very crowded. Unlike the Universal in the U.S., there weren't a lot of characters around to have pictures with! Aidan was disappointed not to meet <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;"><b><i>SHREK</i></b></span> at least.. :(<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">5) The Singapore flyer</span></i></b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJnCB9u3R7R5jI9MLpJ-gZqT3HusydfXfjbtM5t0hCvqrIdTclgXtz91GmT5Iw6nZtIbUgYqbVrj018m5qG6cZDc4OGHYuMaFhqRgObkFVadFf4XFupvtaDdaGTLOUm_OZDqQVmFPA5yu/s1600/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJnCB9u3R7R5jI9MLpJ-gZqT3HusydfXfjbtM5t0hCvqrIdTclgXtz91GmT5Iw6nZtIbUgYqbVrj018m5qG6cZDc4OGHYuMaFhqRgObkFVadFf4XFupvtaDdaGTLOUm_OZDqQVmFPA5yu/s400/vcm_s_kf_repr_882x588.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A worm's eye view of the flyer</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>This is the tallest & largest ferris wheel in the world!</div><div><br /></div><div>The view is spectacular, the ride - easy-peasy, I mean, you literally ride this thing inside a room with a view!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggln5cqwo-hN39EhwN3TVU1tJbX57iZaRgCcraet5rMR5_Grf1dY0x8z-lkuDVlqhvYt21NZrXK1VAtpx2p-Fir0gfWERcC93xx859hsB7Zt9K502jTERgV2QuGDEvYN9P3eR75gu6q3fy/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggln5cqwo-hN39EhwN3TVU1tJbX57iZaRgCcraet5rMR5_Grf1dY0x8z-lkuDVlqhvYt21NZrXK1VAtpx2p-Fir0gfWERcC93xx859hsB7Zt9K502jTERgV2QuGDEvYN9P3eR75gu6q3fy/s320/phils+xmas+2011+336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See what I mean about the room thing?!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>The ride takes about 30 minutes to complete and none of the queezy feeling you get in your stomach. It goes very slow and since the room is big, you can have birthday parties, small weddings etc. sky-high!</div><div><br /></div><div>And Oh my, what a view!!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGlwSTctSNacmiHbg1mheBzrEl5cekzeNs_vJsZ8b4TiFdD4YHz5-_Q4Bslgvib3J-M7wNY-CtOu-ZRus86v04aMfdE4zjQWuSVxjbcsTUecTQzXVq79YPPmmHJ4m2kp9ETqdw1q0EghI/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGlwSTctSNacmiHbg1mheBzrEl5cekzeNs_vJsZ8b4TiFdD4YHz5-_Q4Bslgvib3J-M7wNY-CtOu-ZRus86v04aMfdE4zjQWuSVxjbcsTUecTQzXVq79YPPmmHJ4m2kp9ETqdw1q0EghI/s400/phils+xmas+2011+337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd_xt1Klc74mDVMP35dJeZnZe186qBzfo3uxNIOmRdiZwIzNd0hKlzENE6fDOqq87es_Qo4_qaxcq2zu_QiUavV3sKCZ-ui8VnwJsNTItx0dEwxAK_GgB2fdbBfTKrjn3N_kFTFHrnJ3y/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd_xt1Klc74mDVMP35dJeZnZe186qBzfo3uxNIOmRdiZwIzNd0hKlzENE6fDOqq87es_Qo4_qaxcq2zu_QiUavV3sKCZ-ui8VnwJsNTItx0dEwxAK_GgB2fdbBfTKrjn3N_kFTFHrnJ3y/s400/phils+xmas+2011+339.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLREWq9RWTZsQBEIRdA8FYS-TOvrE47eI0czIo5p1X5XMcebAznts268b4ywUOaAYAeUWP6n_6QB-F207tHUOisGEHFO2NPcfg9L64zU7STBspYa_9-u8w9DQcOCQWAbNXfqvm3-Lr2nq0/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLREWq9RWTZsQBEIRdA8FYS-TOvrE47eI0czIo5p1X5XMcebAznts268b4ywUOaAYAeUWP6n_6QB-F207tHUOisGEHFO2NPcfg9L64zU7STBspYa_9-u8w9DQcOCQWAbNXfqvm3-Lr2nq0/s400/phils+xmas+2011+340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span></b> Great, great views with a twist! The mall is ok too with yummy Chili Crabs to boost! Not scary at all even for the faint-hearted when it comes to ferris wheels.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">CONS: </span></b>A little pricey (we got our tickets in advance so we got a huge discount plus a lot of freebies for the kids). If you end up in a flyer with another group more noisy than you, you might not enjoy the ride as much.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>6) Sentosa bay</i></b></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw6w_qG4vpf6X0St3y_yZtM-fOJakRnCCQxr_t7-QdydvsNPBXGi49T7r5wp7b3AIwCy-PoFLW27Oi57T4RjA5HqjkaV3bP5D3tuekI53opZidFieJOsWCfoRDeWX03TdHFUTXco0iWew/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw6w_qG4vpf6X0St3y_yZtM-fOJakRnCCQxr_t7-QdydvsNPBXGi49T7r5wp7b3AIwCy-PoFLW27Oi57T4RjA5HqjkaV3bP5D3tuekI53opZidFieJOsWCfoRDeWX03TdHFUTXco0iWew/s400/phils+xmas+2011+448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting the show...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Sentosa</b>, which translates to <i>peace and tranquility</i> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_language" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Malay language">Malay</a> (derived from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santosha" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Santosha">Santosha</a></i> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Sanskrit">Sanskrit</a>), is a popular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Island">island</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resort" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Resort">resort</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Singapore">Singapore</a>, visited by some five million people a year. (from Wikipedia)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">We went here for the cable car ride and other attractions and didn't have the time to enjoy the beach and the resorts. It looks like Shang-ri-la Mactan (if you've been there). We were all tired by the end of the day that we just waited for the famous "Song of the Sea" water and light show..</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-TRzlwFH1y6ClOq74mRL3cLq5fvyokGhb6pfkWTDNSZ4aM6GMT_Dwy8d3DpPiRxP4Pxm23ejwh-htR4gyYhryFkoLap0UiLTE0R-zrnIpGvmNglhWVzY1as-wZBdI4ZoINkX5toIkQxW/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-TRzlwFH1y6ClOq74mRL3cLq5fvyokGhb6pfkWTDNSZ4aM6GMT_Dwy8d3DpPiRxP4Pxm23ejwh-htR4gyYhryFkoLap0UiLTE0R-zrnIpGvmNglhWVzY1as-wZBdI4ZoINkX5toIkQxW/s400/phils+xmas+2011+459.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2an6ZYXWmeYLAhY-RQRT-_omLYr1q-d7B6nP34kpnsZfVr61mv88nw1G-NJYTvMKJyb_nsD9WVUFN4FqO7Ykwl9QqLw2Sy670OETOFGwqaSJoxrx0iFIF8fJxUU6Ywi2uea7iysxtC7n/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2an6ZYXWmeYLAhY-RQRT-_omLYr1q-d7B6nP34kpnsZfVr61mv88nw1G-NJYTvMKJyb_nsD9WVUFN4FqO7Ykwl9QqLw2Sy670OETOFGwqaSJoxrx0iFIF8fJxUU6Ywi2uea7iysxtC7n/s400/phils+xmas+2011+461.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJWCRBdOdt65Ptkh19KPeY18UD3FXjd8XCW0nZxhngFSiMVH4QNV_0LDdBiW3oYXr-GsKPWRblDlSp-fK9LnJy9J6cH8lu_UTEAQx5RmAqOHa57dxRrKePhV__KQDU2jq6Nggv90IsBmC/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJWCRBdOdt65Ptkh19KPeY18UD3FXjd8XCW0nZxhngFSiMVH4QNV_0LDdBiW3oYXr-GsKPWRblDlSp-fK9LnJy9J6cH8lu_UTEAQx5RmAqOHa57dxRrKePhV__KQDU2jq6Nggv90IsBmC/s400/phils+xmas+2011+462.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span></b> Beautiful island, easy access from Universal, great light and water show, lots of things to do - cable car ride, aqauariums, etc.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>CONS: </b></span>If you're not staying in any of their resorts, you cannot enjoy the beaches. The attractions are not "spectacular", so you can just go and watch the light show and skip the rest<br /><br /><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">7) Double Helix Bridge</span></i></b><br /><br />After going riding the Singapore Flyer, you can walk all the way to Marina bay Sands and one of the ways to get there is to pass thru this awesome bridge!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4EbdPvtK5Rx8o6-K0kXk1DLTdvhBFZXm3WW7GPf2_ShVd3mdgYyOKmcTqWIcgkpVj1KZa9h992oKVu44_dzSsDUw2dByL8N64gB0VjsSV9o778hjSgTnk-XmZa_4Fl9tx1AqpDLzURxS/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4EbdPvtK5Rx8o6-K0kXk1DLTdvhBFZXm3WW7GPf2_ShVd3mdgYyOKmcTqWIcgkpVj1KZa9h992oKVu44_dzSsDUw2dByL8N64gB0VjsSV9o778hjSgTnk-XmZa_4Fl9tx1AqpDLzURxS/s400/phils+xmas+2011+594.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Double Helis Bridge as viewed from Above</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>There is a poem about this bridge that speaks very well of what it is...</div><div><br /></div><div>     "So walk this Double Helix, point to point. </div><div>      Recall its Science but see its Art articulate life</div><div>       Surrounding life, as waters lap either side,</div><div>      As skies unfold our destiny, inscribe benedictions</div><div>                  For us, for all." - Edwin Thumboo</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVFKnRnsQLTixbJmJxnEGFLCIlLi7VtjJuNhgbVXtXsZGPSy4TT3erGHzxc3n1gAKEg7TPydgX0fhW02yVTFG1bMsK2QL2plRpNk5lqpwL_PLi4ksmsI-K3o2GQXEArIGFiUQnL6Iznlb/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVFKnRnsQLTixbJmJxnEGFLCIlLi7VtjJuNhgbVXtXsZGPSy4TT3erGHzxc3n1gAKEg7TPydgX0fhW02yVTFG1bMsK2QL2plRpNk5lqpwL_PLi4ksmsI-K3o2GQXEArIGFiUQnL6Iznlb/s400/phils+xmas+2011+377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intricately beautiful</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnBvKwuu0JA7MIv6qDLLH6HsKRFZCgk1gQHZdwQOS4wNB9t1KEw-lr6jgVC8XHix8ZHleIVdsf7eE84VL5biEODN6UlDU3nkxze1i1fPkzysvIfvtzA0JmUF_vg7xQY6Wwc3fZa8Go8QM/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnBvKwuu0JA7MIv6qDLLH6HsKRFZCgk1gQHZdwQOS4wNB9t1KEw-lr6jgVC8XHix8ZHleIVdsf7eE84VL5biEODN6UlDU3nkxze1i1fPkzysvIfvtzA0JmUF_vg7xQY6Wwc3fZa8Go8QM/s400/phils+xmas+2011+379.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made even more beautiful to me</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span></b>Definitely easy access, beautiful to behold, it's FREE</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">CONS:</span> </b>If your not up for a stroll, this long walk from the flyer to the mall is quite far!<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: blue;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></span><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">8) LV store</span></i></b><br /><br />Ok, I know, this is not a tourist destination. But hey, your talkin' to a fashion/brand lover here, so to me, this is a site to behold! LOL!<br /><br />Aside from the fact that it's an LV store, it is the BIGGEST LV store in Asia (with a small museum inside), it sits in the middle of the water and it carries some of the most awesome girlie stuff inside! What's not to like?! :-)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji_1JcCn0v55dWuclvr_NAmFNRzOrBCKHmkQh_zlba8KZRwbKkza9InHyQOU-wik1R65mArYnG1Qe0w_iNZ0dQjE8CkJCmkEePflokOaYc_7MA7dtrGlp3InX-qytouehyphenhyphenID4Sl8Xf1eh/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji_1JcCn0v55dWuclvr_NAmFNRzOrBCKHmkQh_zlba8KZRwbKkza9InHyQOU-wik1R65mArYnG1Qe0w_iNZ0dQjE8CkJCmkEePflokOaYc_7MA7dtrGlp3InX-qytouehyphenhyphenID4Sl8Xf1eh/s400/phils+xmas+2011+393.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giddy girls!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrVZwXglESVidvfgSnMMVGfvXxPBQoCUw1LtSWuYslXFqtslt-qr6zdNrI_ClY5XMoffkJim639pHbVpECjxvl7NFSWIF5mgg-4FLxEAL0vqrcfy8xRW4TkKHr51iaN4Sz-xtHe4mTdkp/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrVZwXglESVidvfgSnMMVGfvXxPBQoCUw1LtSWuYslXFqtslt-qr6zdNrI_ClY5XMoffkJim639pHbVpECjxvl7NFSWIF5mgg-4FLxEAL0vqrcfy8xRW4TkKHr51iaN4Sz-xtHe4mTdkp/s400/phils+xmas+2011+589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like jewelry, the box is just as important as its content :)</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span></b> Nice store with nice goods. Eve if you don't buy anything, the staff are pretty friendly. The prices are reasonable considering its LV, plus you don't pay any taxes since you're a tourist!</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: red;">CONS: </b>Of course, everything inside is pricey, pricey.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>9) Marina Bay Sands Resort Hotel, Mall & Skypark</i></b></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNwkTZ-rGrEJZRQLfoJmLjqDO0OYmgX6G2QYzjw8lPdRoMuRe9nB73Op7e-aedmEsqrnhtArtfqOdn7FA2yOwV6JZ1Ypq-R9ZYYLAIu9b0LOLp5HRIwypzzO7ZzEXzeo4DlnBHqqDwDKP/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNwkTZ-rGrEJZRQLfoJmLjqDO0OYmgX6G2QYzjw8lPdRoMuRe9nB73Op7e-aedmEsqrnhtArtfqOdn7FA2yOwV6JZ1Ypq-R9ZYYLAIu9b0LOLp5HRIwypzzO7ZzEXzeo4DlnBHqqDwDKP/s400/phils+xmas+2011+385.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry I had to ruin the view :)</td></tr></tbody></table>This hotel houses the highest swimming pool in the world. Of course it has a huge casino and is adjacent to a super luxurious mall!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraPYwqNP88MFMkhYNO2yunbiwU2hMa0EXRlUbbYoJTt_q2dBQlwHR-q2tx2LEG1Qfo5aP8l4Qi2UYEB_RgEDYLzk22he-ZZlhacMqG7JFn6uwpO1o9TiD42ZatV1wVUFRCmLAFRvKC12f/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraPYwqNP88MFMkhYNO2yunbiwU2hMa0EXRlUbbYoJTt_q2dBQlwHR-q2tx2LEG1Qfo5aP8l4Qi2UYEB_RgEDYLzk22he-ZZlhacMqG7JFn6uwpO1o9TiD42ZatV1wVUFRCmLAFRvKC12f/s400/phils+xmas+2011+406.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the hotel lobby</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZVpKTJNI_U7G3TGIqa5OQ_T8teGzn8dR5n_6JiZ_xdltf0O6AZn_VM2zdv0_HZCAXlv35jyJ27I4PVQnJjDzOBzMAPznvegi_aJ3kl7Bb_mP8VShWZ48YLlsb_4asHJqiAHQ6txDH9XP/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZVpKTJNI_U7G3TGIqa5OQ_T8teGzn8dR5n_6JiZ_xdltf0O6AZn_VM2zdv0_HZCAXlv35jyJ27I4PVQnJjDzOBzMAPznvegi_aJ3kl7Bb_mP8VShWZ48YLlsb_4asHJqiAHQ6txDH9XP/s400/phils+xmas+2011+387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mall, structurally looks amazing - easy to shop in all day!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>At the very top of this hotel/hotels, is the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">SKYPARK</span></b>. Other than the flyer, this is the other best way to see the whole city/country! Check it out!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArKiq7kA0P2-oWH-HzZhTDebE__5nmVW9E3YV_0i1EURFlvoW8sGrFRi4q4KFB0dG6p59sKZ5O0zhwXU6JqPrJuhizse9MLK7zcgaaAJlrlzuYM5X46qT9jRGC6MYhK5VvMF7zcPBkuVa/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArKiq7kA0P2-oWH-HzZhTDebE__5nmVW9E3YV_0i1EURFlvoW8sGrFRi4q4KFB0dG6p59sKZ5O0zhwXU6JqPrJuhizse9MLK7zcgaaAJlrlzuYM5X46qT9jRGC6MYhK5VvMF7zcPBkuVa/s400/phils+xmas+2011+581.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapores Museum of Science</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNkL6HkMbFYas0gx1MA1y3cYNivGJnN3gSNAGMDsrm6_eRWmQWiuk1Ee4ll6zHLTa3-X2vW76xjsUEDifvsxBwF9OX5yjVRYOpuNVV2WI-EodzzuRfU14NpJ69m-HkOmSF8vmRx4POKMj/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNkL6HkMbFYas0gx1MA1y3cYNivGJnN3gSNAGMDsrm6_eRWmQWiuk1Ee4ll6zHLTa3-X2vW76xjsUEDifvsxBwF9OX5yjVRYOpuNVV2WI-EodzzuRfU14NpJ69m-HkOmSF8vmRx4POKMj/s400/phils+xmas+2011+582.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Flyer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzhRb05G1OvX0CkmsyIwyng4othqoVIHiN89xXzvpXeGsyFMffBCWZjmnxmHcya2GyMBeJ6Fe4RGccMG-ItOIH5XFYbvdAIj0kWMo2ppHOTwKFlHe7-L7IwlkOrjLavzWwDvpEzzKnhrQ/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzhRb05G1OvX0CkmsyIwyng4othqoVIHiN89xXzvpXeGsyFMffBCWZjmnxmHcya2GyMBeJ6Fe4RGccMG-ItOIH5XFYbvdAIj0kWMo2ppHOTwKFlHe7-L7IwlkOrjLavzWwDvpEzzKnhrQ/s400/phils+xmas+2011+583.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Convention Centers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxLV5c0fAfvz-zHRsgMttemFVejxIIbyFuyL0omZ0kEFUVDTU58BMVFWo1rtWVaRzmStXnidJlxsax4Ihr88zBdmm57L17QDOhPC9rm2bSmcT1qNp_ocdzGuBDPN2bFBY8EAo_t5_Kh_A/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxLV5c0fAfvz-zHRsgMttemFVejxIIbyFuyL0omZ0kEFUVDTU58BMVFWo1rtWVaRzmStXnidJlxsax4Ihr88zBdmm57L17QDOhPC9rm2bSmcT1qNp_ocdzGuBDPN2bFBY8EAo_t5_Kh_A/s400/phils+xmas+2011+585.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that pool! You'd literally be swimming on top of the world!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6onpZQEKAvALoFvMuUWMv5WVmo6azZkHqqd9F2AfmkxgRs9UBKg-Pi0yYOkOlrTF12UUx6SI1fyMBvHkIrP85FPl9QeIgRL62ffOMX3ppyFks3sKbIzPg2aeEu5Z2LfSf1bElWMLt_8Yz/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6onpZQEKAvALoFvMuUWMv5WVmo6azZkHqqd9F2AfmkxgRs9UBKg-Pi0yYOkOlrTF12UUx6SI1fyMBvHkIrP85FPl9QeIgRL62ffOMX3ppyFks3sKbIzPg2aeEu5Z2LfSf1bElWMLt_8Yz/s400/phils+xmas+2011+586.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span></b> Easily accessible, multi-function place for the whole family, excellent food court with food from all over Asia (including Gerri's Grill - liempo anyone?!), great shopping for luxury brands (LV, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Hermes, Bvlgari, name it, they've got it!)</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: red;">CONS: </b>Skypark entrance is pretty steep ($25 each, kids discounted a little, I think it was $16 or 17) and the guided-tour is scheduled on a 1st come 1st serve basis of up to 50, so you really have to plan on this if you want to do it: pool area cannot be accessed by non-guests, luxury brands mean Expensive stuff, so not the best place to buy your Singapore keychains and magnets.<br /><br /></div><div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>10) Singapore Zoo</i></b></span><br /><br />My Husband, Sister and our kids were the only ones who headed to this zoo ( I was with mom at the Mall - of course! LOL!). They all thought it was amazing, and like the night safari, not a lot of fences to separate humans from animals (maybe a "yikes" to some!).<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TxUOB8n7ybzYWbSThBexo2tsJI9m0Z0ppZBSyGOD7zcZcSPJefG7r-lgPmX8LdXn4gZM-hPZ7xcK25wQTQ7bQfV57w8Ri9r7BUtY91JALa5WUNz4ce_TDiYIAMXlCtw0bN2Dx6MNvllz/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TxUOB8n7ybzYWbSThBexo2tsJI9m0Z0ppZBSyGOD7zcZcSPJefG7r-lgPmX8LdXn4gZM-hPZ7xcK25wQTQ7bQfV57w8Ri9r7BUtY91JALa5WUNz4ce_TDiYIAMXlCtw0bN2Dx6MNvllz/s400/phils+xmas+2011+487.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhin-rompin'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhmvSapSQ96Ov1GrelIoeCfZxEMcZdPAkKhZ3LO5cTWva07oPuvcbmb8FxiNKM0Uh70oLVbPrPJepvmKqUWOCGJE3V8PR44ZLBL1-L6KyQwjjjyqK9VqGTPGW1S6N0Kpa8yDybYb7XXdk/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhmvSapSQ96Ov1GrelIoeCfZxEMcZdPAkKhZ3LO5cTWva07oPuvcbmb8FxiNKM0Uh70oLVbPrPJepvmKqUWOCGJE3V8PR44ZLBL1-L6KyQwjjjyqK9VqGTPGW1S6N0Kpa8yDybYb7XXdk/s400/phils+xmas+2011+551.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnHVhu9aB3SkaZV7wsc2taJNYISV2N5cXVHDXDb5151nWTB1lsJyUX0dxDU4nivDoiBW7BrD_ntebYpceiQuPjRJ3XrVvpx8i2MEvUi_bWjmYoPHNYdhYdGkrQn_59i8NvNHbTMOLQj6W/s1600/phils+xmas+2011+485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnHVhu9aB3SkaZV7wsc2taJNYISV2N5cXVHDXDb5151nWTB1lsJyUX0dxDU4nivDoiBW7BrD_ntebYpceiQuPjRJ3XrVvpx8i2MEvUi_bWjmYoPHNYdhYdGkrQn_59i8NvNHbTMOLQj6W/s400/phils+xmas+2011+485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close encounters with the orangutan-kind</td></tr></tbody></table><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PROS:</span></b> Very enjoyable for the kids, with free shows and encounters. Unique set-up, very natural and makes you feel "in-touch" with the animals.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">CONS:</span></b> It's a little pricey and a little smaller if your used to the big zoos in the U.S.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, there you have it folks, Singapore, <u>TO ME</u>, in a nutshell! Feel free to comment, post any violent or non-violent reactions as to what must and must not be included in this list of mine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, wether or not we were in Singapore, being with my family, was the tops! Being there though was just icing on the cake of a very long overdue reunion!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: purple;"><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">HAPPY TRAVELLING!!!!</span></span><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: purple;"><br /></i></span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: purple;"><br /></i></span></b><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Singapore Sojourn

When we went home to the Philippines last month, we made a side trip to Singapore to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. It was a very ...

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Recyle Please

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!! </b></span><br /><br />I have been crazy busy lately, just got back from a 2-day flight (Yes, you read it right, 2 days of airports and airplanes!!!!), and unpacking like crazy and trying to re-start with my real job (rounding in a bit), still having a jet lag, but still, have a little time to do this short post. And since it's the new year and all, I really want to share with you one of the ways we try to help our Mother Earth - Recycling...<br /><br /><br />I have tried to instill in my kids the importance of recycling and with that, I have to come up with a system that is easy for my 6 year old to understand. As they say " pictures speak louder than words"...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheATE75LmV0zhOIJe8vVykee5URrOxu6LbZt4Joiiohnobpy-dwKqQtWvdKkxZYM8ZucSu9Twz-RcxK2-b4y0qAKxxqF9RdN_yPBvTUhWblDXvcRH3YCNVqy9_9sG4NAwrAXDuA3LUkwM4/s1600/SL278687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheATE75LmV0zhOIJe8vVykee5URrOxu6LbZt4Joiiohnobpy-dwKqQtWvdKkxZYM8ZucSu9Twz-RcxK2-b4y0qAKxxqF9RdN_yPBvTUhWblDXvcRH3YCNVqy9_9sG4NAwrAXDuA3LUkwM4/s400/SL278687.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symbols just downloaded from the internet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpPvr-4rGZGf0V8caXDWHlkPBtDrk28j5fAbf7ntDkOjgoPmqG_yTQ1ZFtl8SgxC3KNr2bRT8OqKhfccU0NmG3KB66st8BfEByOb6bV_VMOqy6ZoZ8IDhobRZmSatWUIUME9r-v9S1MOQ/s1600/SL278688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpPvr-4rGZGf0V8caXDWHlkPBtDrk28j5fAbf7ntDkOjgoPmqG_yTQ1ZFtl8SgxC3KNr2bRT8OqKhfccU0NmG3KB66st8BfEByOb6bV_VMOqy6ZoZ8IDhobRZmSatWUIUME9r-v9S1MOQ/s640/SL278688.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bins are from Ikea </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div>

Recyle Please

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!  I have been crazy busy lately, just got back from a 2-day flight (Yes, you read it right, 2 days of airports a...

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