Bataan

Fun Family Activities You Can Do at Las Casas

February 10, 2014 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 29 Comments

I mentioned in my previous Las Casas vacation post that there are a lot of things that you can do when you visit Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Whether you want to do something on your own, as a couple or as a big group, this place does not disappoint. Here are 12 ideas for you, in case you decide go on a trip to this beautiful Bataan resort.

Go for a swim

Swimming time! The photo on the top right belongs to dad.

Based on experience, it can get really hot in Bataan. The best way to cool off at Las Casas is to take a quick dip in their lagoon-style swimming pool. What I like about this pool is that it’s only 4ft at the deepest portion, so I can let my son swim away without worrying about him floating to areas where he can no longer reach the floor. I’m also not very tall, so I don’t mind the shallowness of the water. My brother, though, who is close to 6ft tall was squatting most of the time. Still, we enjoyed our swim, specially since we had our underwater camera with us. [Read more…] about Fun Family Activities You Can Do at Las Casas

Travelogue: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

February 5, 2014 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 21 Comments

I don’t remember if it was in late December or early January that I asked my dad if he would be interested in a CNY long weekend family vacation. Now that MrC is working again, I want to really be able to make the most out of long weekends, hence the proposal. It actually works for everyone else, too, because we’re all older and working now. It’s usually my dad who has to adjust his schedule, since his rotation at the hospital varies. Luckily, he agreed, and was able to switch his shifts around. And so, last Friday, we were off on a trip up north to Bataan!

Like I said before, the boys and I visited Las Casas last year for my sis-in-law’s prenup photo shoot, but I never got to blog about our stay. I’m making up for that now.

The long road to Bataan [Read more…] about Travelogue: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Back in Las Casas, and This Time I’m Blogging About It!

February 2, 2014 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 12 Comments

I first visited Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar last summer, when my sister-in-law invited us to join them for a quick stay on the weekend of their prenup photo shoot. Me being me, I never got around to blogging about our actual stay. I’ve been trying to figure out how and when I can write about that trip, since it was too long ago to actually be relevant. Luckily, my dad treated our whole family to an amazing 3-day stay at Las Casas for the Chinese New Year weekend (THANK YOU, DADDY!!!), and yes I plan on blogging about it this time! Yay! The best part about it is I get to use photos from both trips. Double yay!

Here’s a sneak peek, while I get my new batch of photos together. 🙂

What did you guys do over Chinese New Year weekend? 🙂

Photography Practice at Baban+Cy’s Prenup Shoot

May 29, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 5 Comments

I know that I am better at expressing myself with words than with images. But I also know that I am capable of taking a pretty photograph if I want to. It just takes a little more effort and a little bit of post-processing. I did study photography as part of my course in college after all, and I passed too! I wasn’t the best in class, but I don’t think I was the worst either. Practice makes perfect, and I’m pretty sure I lack practice. I do have a DSLR, but I often am too lazy to take it with me because it’s heavy and bulky. Besides, our waterproof camera is a lot more fun to bring along, and it’s easy to see why.

Thank God it's waterproof! — Thank God it’s waterproof!

This year, though, one of my blogging goals is to take better photos, and that means that it’s time to reunite with my trusty D3000. Now, let me make one thing clear. I believe that a beautiful picture is dependent on actual talent and not on one’s gadgets. I just had to say that because a lot of people think they are photographers, and good ones at that, just because they own a DSLR. Hang on for a moment while I roll my eyes.

Anyway, common sense will tell you that a better camera will give you better photo quality overall. That’s how it is with digital. And you really can do so much more with an SLR than with a point and shoot cam, given that you actually know how to work the camera. So I’ve decided that I want to challenge myself, my knowledge of my camera and my retention of the things I learned years ago in college by taking photos using my DSLR as often as I can.

I started last weekend during our trip to Las Casas for my sister-in-law, Baban’s prenup shoot with her fiancee, Cy. I figured that they would all be so busy posing that no one would really be able to focus on taking behind the scenes pictures, and so that’s what I assigned myself to do that day. Like I always say, I’m a behind the scenes person, and I know that I’m more effective shooting photos than posing for them, even though I am certainly not an expert photographer.

My goal was to capture moments, and of course, provide the couple with some behind the scenes shots that they can keep to remember the day by. I’d like to think I did a pretty good job of it. But that’s just me. One thing’s for sure, the bride to be looks happy and in love. That’s good enough, right?

Opinions are super welcome, okay? Brace yourself now because a minor photo dump is coming up in 3… 2… 1…

Las Casas 1-9 — Instant tourist attraction

It was a really fun day, and the bride and groom were really happy with the photos that their supplier, FilterPan took. Can’t wait to see the official photos. Meanwhile, what do you think of these behind the scenes shots?