Hawaiian Bar-B-Q Tagaytay (The Boutique experience)

I am a self-declared foodie. I like reading food reviews, watching TV shows about food, and recreating some of the recipes in my own kitchen. That’s why when I heard about Hawaiian Bar-B-Q in Tagaytay I told my husband that we MUST try it. I mean, who wouldn’t want to  taste their baby back ribs when every blog you read says it is juicy, delicious, and worth every penny, right? So, after months of slobbering, we finally booked in The Boutique and promised to try their baby back ribs. 

Staycation at The Boutique Bed and Breakfast Tagaytay

Long weekend at last!

My husband and I just wanted to go somewhere where we can relax and unwind and our idea of adventure for this trip includes slouching, eating, and watching TV so we decided to book a hotel for some staycation experience.

We had a few options in mind but the first on our list is The Boutique Bed and Breakfast in Tagaytay. We always wanted to go here ever since we read about this place. I didn't want to spend too much time on the road either so we just decided to go somewhere near Cavite and so we thought this place would be perfect for our plan.



love 'em all

Some say they’ve met their best friends during elementary days and for some it was during high school. Me, I met them when I was in college. That was sixteen years ago but I’m still excited everytime I get to see them. We never fail to talk about our college experiences, classroom booboos, college professors, the first time we met at OSH building, our taxation prof, recollections (with all the drama), REED professors, famous TV shows, class card distribution, enrollment, PE class (dance lesson, aerobics, basketball and swimming with free virus) and other college memories everytime we have a get-together.

It’s nice to have friends who knows how to have fun with simple things and who have the same interests as you, like dining out (Yes! We love to pig eat out). We seldom see each other lately but we always make an effort to stay in touch and to keep everyone updated of our whereabouts. So, before I get emotional here, let me introduce to you the people closest to my heart, my sisters and brother (It’s you Junjun) from another mother… and father, okay another set of parents. The original member of The Philippines Pictionary League (ahem).

The Smart One - he survived college with honor because I was one of his seatmate (bwuahahaha, this is MY blog so I get to say whatever I want)

 

The Beauty Queen - always soft spoken

 

The Law Implementation Officer - a public servant, future congresswoman, Atty. Ember Jan ("J") Juplo.

 

The Businesswoman - contact her in case you are interested in buying wood furniture

 

Ms. Long Legged

The Leader - super active in extra curricular activities

The Artist - she can draw, sing, play the guitar.. very talented girl.

The Proselytizer - my birthday-mate 

Ms. Organize - from Syllabus to cotton buds.. you can find all that inside her bag. :)

The GI (Good Influence) - no need to elaborate

Mr. Health Buff - Oh! You should see how he looks now.

The Spoiled Brat (peace) - BUT she's a thoughtful friend, dependable sister, loving daughter, caring mom and submissive(?!?) wife.

 

Ms. Beauty & Brain (again this is MY blog) - #nuffsaid :)

 

P.S. April, Melay and Sheryl, I don't have your grad pics but you guys are also special in my heart :)

 

BSBA Economics Batch 2003

 



A Filipino Themed Wedding

FINALLY! We had our first conversation about settling down. I was starting to think that he may not have plans of marrying me because we never talk about our “future” together unlike other couples. It was the first Saturday of 2014 and we were to have breakfast at iHOP in MOA. While waiting for our food, I showed him the website of Caleruega in Tagaytay. I wanted to go to that place on a weekend because I’ve read that it is a good place for photo op and to attend a mass (of course! J ). When he saw the picture of the church he said it’s a good place for a wedding since the place is not too small and not too big especially if you don’t plan to invite the whole clan, hehehe. Imagine the smile in my heart when I heard the word “wedding” (kasal). So, to keep my cool and to pretend that I was not excited I just told him that I was also thinking the same thing because I had an officemate before who got married in that place. After a few conversations about marriage, we started to save money and searched for economical suppliers.

We started planning for our wedding January of 2015. That’s right after he proposed to me (here’s the link for the story of his proposal). The first thing we did was to make a church reservation. We didn’t get married in Caleruega because we found a better location plus the fee is cheaper. Our wedding was held in San Antonio de Padua Church in Pooc II, Silang, Cavite. It’s the same church where Karylle and Yael Yuzon tied the knot. We would always pass by this church whenever we go to Tartaria where his brother lives. We had our venue in euf Rocina’s just right beside the church which make it very convenient for us and for our guests. The place has spacious parking lot, it has lodging area which can accommodate 15 pax, the pavilion can hold up to 100 guests, and the price is reasonable.



#fortheREZofMAYlife: DIY Wedding Cord

I decided to make our own wedding cord because first, I can design it according to my preference. Second, it is cheaper compared if I ordered it from a craft store and lastly, I have plenty of time to learn how to make one.

The first thing I did is to ask my husband (my boyfriend then) to accompany me to Quiapo. I bought my supplies in Wellmanson and DYI Beads in front of Quiapo church. I only had a couple of hours each day before going to bed and so it took me three days before I finish my "obra".



I bought red and white rice beads, pins, rings, spacers and baubles of my choice (crucifix, brooch and our initials)

The (unexpected) proposal

It was a few days before Christmas of 2014. I thought he just wanted to have breakfast so we can have our pre-Christmas celebration together since we will not be seeing each other again until after Christmas. We met at Café France in Mall of Asia. It was around 9 in the morning so we have the whole place for ourselves. After the waiter took our orders he grabbed his camera. We love taking pictures and videos so it didn’t occur to me that he had other plans that day. While “vlogging” he took something from his backpack, opened the tiny box and asked me if I will marry him. I was surprised and I couldn’t stop smiling. We were already saving for our wedding at that time so I wasn’t expecting for a proposal anymore. I was sooo kilig after he put the ring on my finger. I can’t wait to begin our lives together.

I was only able to take some pictures because I was still overwhelmed after the proposal.

Spinach and Mushroom Omelet and Croissant - this is our favorite

#fortheREZofMAYlife: Prenup and Props

That’s a wrap!

 

After almost 6 hours of non-stop smiling, we're finally done with our engagement session. It was really fun although I had a stiff neck afterwards because I had to turn my head in 180 degrees angle (at least that's how it feels like J) just to have that perfect shot, hehe. My eyes were strained because we had to look at each other's eyes while we are doing nose-to-nose. I guess that's what the artistas feels after a long day of photoshoot. J

We found a lot of places in Tagaytay that would be great for photo sessions but the fees are more than what we are willing to spend that's why it took us almost a month to find the perfect location for us. We also started making our own props while searching for the place. Everything that we used from banners, paper mache letters, and pin wheels were handcrafted by me and my fiancé. The preparations and the actual prenup session was really a fun experience.

 

So, without further ado, let me share some of the actual and behind the scene photos of our engagement session.