DIY Project: Personalizing Christmas Stockings from an P88-Store

My father always tells people that I was one child that never believed in Santa Claus. He also said that I used to watch wresting on TV and kept telling my brother that I was so sure they were all acting. But that didn’t mean I never enjoyed such fictional characters, Hulk Hogan included.

I remember looking forward to getting my candies from our Christmas stocking the next day when I hear my dad come home late at night because I knew he had sneaked them. Now married, my husband is a strong believer of the Santa Claus tradition. I don’t think I’m supposed to reveal this but he actually believed the good ole jolly man existed until he was ten years old! Isn’t he precious?

Anyway, that makes me totally on board with passing on the tradition to our little one, who’s turning three years old two days before Christmas! And right now he’s at the age of really appreciating presents, from unwrapping boxes to pulling out the item to saying “thank you.” It’s now his turn to get quite excited to wake up every morning. Everyone in the house takes turn in secretly putting simple gifts inside his stocking and you know it’s the grandparents’ turn when Santa is giving more than one item!

But since all my siblings (a Christmas miracle to have them all in one city!) are coming home for the holidays with their families, mom and I decided to put up more socks for the other little tots. I knew I was going to personalize them but I did not expect to get them at a really low price. Apparently, all stockings are out of stock by this time of the year in the big shops. So I ended up—and thankfully—at Daiso, a Japanese store of thingamabobs, where I scored not just 1 but 4 stockings for only PHP 176.00!

Buy 1 take 1 for only PHP 88.00.

Since the stockings are already in glittering shade, I decided to simply add the kids’ names and that would be it. The only things you need are:

• twine
• glue
• hardbound book/heaving object
• and the ability to finish it despite having a toddler who keeps interrupting

Simply stick the twine using a glue to the fabric, spelling out the names or any design you want to do. Before it

Spontaneous Tagaytay Getaway: The Charm of The Carmelence Lodge, A Toddler’s Sky Ranch Experience

It really was an unplanned trip.

Well, the trip to Manila was totally planned as I needed to report to the company headquarters for my orientation and training for my new role. But the weekend getaway to Tagaytay was spontaneous. It was our last weekend in Manila and since the past days were more of business (as it should), we wanted to go somewhere special for our toddler in tow.

Initially we considered the zoo or the ocean park but since we were all late sleepers and therefore woke up at noon, it was impractical to go to those places for only half the day. So, my sister suggested that we go to Tagaytay! I have to be honest, I was really hoping she’d suggest it but I didn’t want to bring it up because of the bad weather. It was so sweet of her to offer to drive us there even if she did not intend to stay overnight with us.

So before she changed her mind, I instantly went online to book. I ended up booking a quaint cottage-designed inn, The Carmelence Lodge. To save my sister from driving long hours back and forth, my husband volunteered to be behind the wheel instead. He was already enjoying the drive in a new environment anyway.

Because it was already late in the afternoon when we decided to take the trip, we arrived at our destination past dinner time. The lodge did not disappoint. Beneath the dark sky, it still stole my heart. I felt like whoever designed this place had me in mind.

We headed to grab dinner, which was easy since the lodge was located in the town proper.

My rule when in another city is to only eat at places that are not found at home. Hap Chan offered good comfort food amid the windy evening.

Despite the evening’s light rain, the morning that followed was lovely! Blue skies were hovering the now vivid purple structure. Breakfast was served at the patio. The food itself was nothing extraordinary, but the ambiance was perfect. It was extra lovely, thanks to the fact that

Vlog: Road Trip and Food Trip in Southern Cebu

Every year, the family goes on a road trip down south to pay a visit to our dearly departed. The cemetery we go to in Argao, being privately owned by the clan elders, has always been a serene place to spend the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holidays. It’s refreshing to be away from the city and the crowd for a few hours, and surrounded by loved ones—living and dead at that.

This time was a bit different. I went with a mission to see how many food I could try along the way.

I was asked if I could do a vlog for a page which is  almost my namesake. It was something I’ve never done before so I was naturally hesitant. After a lot of encouragement from a few best friends, I took the plunge and was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Documenting a journey and editing it to come up with a story brings a certain kind excitement, much like writing but different.

So here it is, the foods you can try on a road trip down south for kalag-kalag. Enjoy and check out The Queen City of the South, Cebu City page for more Cebu features!  ♥

Abandoned Post

Through life we tread unknowingly

Chasing earthly treasures relentlessly

Yet one day we shall leave our post

And it’s not riches that will matter most

– Q

This is an abandoned watch house in the neighborhood. I always admire how quaint and mysterious it looks amid the often neglected wild bushes. It’s especially quiet today as the city celebrates with the world the Day of the Dead on November 2. And thus the melodramatic simple poem. ♥