At Home With MrsC

Raising a family, making a home.

Travelogue

Legazpi weekend getaway

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Fact: I love to travel, and I especially love it when I get to visit a new place.

Family fun is far from over for us, as my mother-in-law is now in town. If you’ll remember, we had my FIL come home over the summer, and now it’s Mamabear’s turn. Their schedules weren’t quite in sync, hence the separate visits. But that’s all good because it only means extended happy days for us.

mrspcuyugan
Mama Ayee’s first weekend back in Manila

 

This past Independence Day weekend was the first long weekend of the school year. We decided to make the most out of it by heading out to see the Mayon Volcano. This trip was something to look forward to because I’ve never been to Albay, and also because visiting local provinces helps me tutor Little MrC in social studies. See? It pays to see the sights in your own country!

 

As luck would have it, the kiddo and I found ourselves sick with a nasty stomach bug a couple of days before the vacation. We nearly didn’t make it, but in the end the boys and I thought it would be such a shame to miss out. So we decided to go, and to just make sure to watch what we eat on the trip. Quite unfortunate, as Legazpi has great food! But still, better than not being there.

 

  Oh no, we are sick. 😣😣😣   A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

 

I’m excited to share the little details of our Legazpi weekend escape with you guys soon in a series of posts. Promise you’ll get to read about:

  • Our 7-hour trip to Albay by plane (I kid you not!) and how I really feel about The Orient Hotel
  • The Legazpi City Tour experience
  • Gata, gata and more gata, featuring Jasmine Restaurant, Small Talk Cafe and Rayben’s Resto Bar and Grill

But first, here are some highlights of our vacation, as seen on Instagram. These, incidentally, are also a few of my favorite things about Legazpi and our trip.

Apparently, wherever you go in Legazpi, you still get to see the beautiful Mayon Volcano. This view was the savior of day 1!

 

We did the Legazpi City Tour on the morning of day 2. Our guide, MJ, was really nice and had a lot of fun bits of trivia to share. I especially liked that he started us off at the Legazpi marker. It’s the perfect place for photo ops!

 

What a fun family weekend! 😃 #legazpicity #WhenInBicol #byahilo2015 #NoFilter #weekendescapade #travel #morefuninthephilippines A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

 

The little guy and I enjoyed our visit to the Cagsawa Ruins. It was really hot when we went though, as it was close to noon. One look at his face will tell you just how sunny it was out there. Lol!

 

I really don’t think it’s possible to beat the heat with a spicy drink, but MrC went ahead and tried the sili shake anyway. Yes, it was spicy, as you can see.

 

Sa palagay ko maanghang yung sili shake ni MrC. Feeling ko lang ha. #WhenInBicol #byahilo2015 #legazpicity A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

 

My idea of the perfect pasalubong from Albay is honey glazed pili. I particularly like this brand, which is what my brother’s girlfriend (who is from Naga) buys for us when she goes home.

 

Honey glazed pili is one of my favorite snacks. Sooooo yummy! #WhenInBicol #byahilo2015

A photo posted by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan (@mrspcuyugan) on

 

So there’s our trip in a nutshell. Can’t wait to share the whole story with you guys. Now tell me,  have you been to Legazpi? What was your favorite thing to eat, see or do there?

Travelogue: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

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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!

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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. 🙂

Las Casas 2013 Trip
Las Casas 2014 Trip

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

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Photography Practice at Baban+Cy’s Prenup Shoot

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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 1-3
Filipiniana
Las Casas 1-5
Demure
Las Casas 1-4
Ladies
Las Casas 1-27
This one’s my fave!
Las Casas 1-22
Behind the Scenes
Las Casas 1-19
Dance
Las Casas 1-15
Retouch
Las Casas 1-8
Harana
Las Casas 1-13
Behind the Scenes
Las Casas 1-11
Behind the Scenes
Las Casas 1-10
Behind the Scenes
Las Casas 1-9
Instant tourist attraction
Las Casas 1-48
Modern
Las Casas 1-53
Holding Hands
Las Casas 1-56
Love

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?

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Real Coffee Boracay’s Famous Calamansi Muffins

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One of my friends told me not to leave Boracay without trying Real Coffee’s calamansi muffin. So on our last day on the island, Mr C and I went in search of the coffee shop after an early morning mass in Bisaya. It took us a while, but we finally found the quaint little place in one of the alleys off the beach area.

We’re here!

The first thing I noticed when we entered was how wonderful the whole place smelled. The aroma of all the goodies baking in their ovens made my tummy grumble and my mouth water! Mr C, of course, was more interested in the coffee than the pastries.

The menu. I knew right away what I wanted. That’s a first!
I actually had time for a selfie haha!
Meanwhile, Mr C took his time ordering.

While waiting for our orders to arrive, I took a quick look around the place. It has a very homey, provincial feel to it, with photos and sayings on each of the tables. The area where they prepare and pack their backed goods can be seen from the dining area, and the people who work there are really nice, and smile at customers as they come in or leave.

We shared our table with Anne Curtis…
… and Marc Nelson!
Words of wisdom scribbled on paper and displayed at our table.
That’s where the yummy smells were coming from.
I just had to get up at take a closer look. Here are some oatmeal cookies and calamansi muffins waiting for their turn to bake.
Boxes of baked muffins.
These make great pasalubongs!

I have a super sweet tooth, and so I was initially disappointed when I saw that the servings were kinda small. But after having a few bites of the pastries, I realized that they were so rich, and the servings were just right! I had an Iced Coffee because it was so hot and humid that morning, while Mr C decided to try the Real Coffee.

Real Coffee (PHP 100.00)
Brewed coffee plus a shot of espresso
Iced coffee (PHP 80.00)
Brewed coffee over ice
Calamansi Muffin (PHP 45.00)
Brownies for Sweet Lovers (PHP 80.00)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies

Our visit to Real Coffee was a good way to start our last day in Boracay. The next time we’re in the area, I’d like to try their breakfast meals and other pastries. Can’t wait to bring the little guy there too. I’m sure he would love it. In the meantime, I’m curious to try Pepper.ph’s Calamansi Muffin Food Hack. If it’s as good as the real thing, then it’s a definite win!

One for the road!
REAL COFFEE AND TEA CAFE
Station 2 (Above Sea World)
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
(+63 36) 288-5340
PS Don’t you think my holiday watermarks on these photos are so cute? Haha! Just sayin’!

Much love and happiness,

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How Much of the Philippines Have You Visited?

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I was randomly browsing the net when I stumbled upon this website called Lakbayan. It’s a really cool site where you can map out the places you’ve visited in the Philippines. I’ve been to quite a few places around the country, but apparently my travels are only enough to give me a grade of C. The knowledge that there are so many places I’ve yet to visit just fueled my wanderlust even more. Gotta travel soon!

 
 
 
 
My Lakbayan grade is C!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.