Skip to main content

Another Mission Accomplished: Our DFA Passport Experience

By
    Another mission checked off our family’s list this year—we finally renewed our passports! It had been over a decade since we last had them updated, and this time, it was extra special because our youngest applied for his very first passport. Back when we were just a family of three, our first (and last) trip abroad was to Hong Kong. Our eldest was just a year old then. Since that trip, life got busy, and renewing our passports kept getting pushed back—year after year. Booking a passport appointment these days isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Everything has to be done online, and every time I checked the DFA website, the slots in the satellite office near us were always fully booked. Eventually, I gave up trying—until a colleague mentioned DFA San Pablo City in Laguna. It's about an hour and a half (or two, depending on traffic) from our place. Out of curiosity, I checked their schedule and, to my surprise, found several open slots. I didn’t waste a second—I booked o...
Post a Comment

Quick Tagaytay Getaway: Food, Views, and Vibes! 🌞🌄

Image
By



Last weekend, my family decided to take a spontaneous escape to Tagaytay. You know those days when you just need a break after a crazy week of work and school tasks? We were all in need of some relaxation, and what better way to reward the kids for their hard work in school than a chill trip to Tagaytay? 🙌💯

To be honest, we didn’t get much downtime during the holidays (typical, right?), so we thought, why not do something spontaneous? We didn’t have any big plans—just a quick visit to a cozy spot, some good food, and a relaxed vibe. Here’s how it went!

The Search for the Perfect Lunch 🍴

We’ve been to a lot of restaurants in Tagaytay, but there was one place I always passed by when I used to work there. It was called Royale Parc Hotel and Restaurant (classic name, right?), but after the pandemic, it got a glow-up and turned into Dekada, serving Filipino cuisine. But guess what? When we arrived, I was totally surprised—it had been turned into Royale Palace Chinese Restaurant! 😲

I’ll admit, I was a bit bummed about the change, but hey, new places are always fun to try, right? The place had a super chill vibe—nothing too fancy or intimidating, and the staff was super welcoming. We were led to our seats by a friendly guard (talk about VIP treatment, haha). The ambiance was on point: not too crowded, not too quiet—just the right balance.

Here’s what we ordered (get ready for your mouth to water):

Feast Mode: ON 🍤🥢
  • Shrimp Siomai 🦐
  • Steamed Spareribs 🥩
  • Chicken Feet (a true adventure dish, lol) 🍗
  • Beef Brisket Noodles 🍜 (my son’s pick for that day!)
  • Sizzling Beef with Black Pepper Sauce 🍖
  • Sweet and Sour Fish 🐟
  • Yang Chow Fried Rice 🍚

The food? Chef’s kiss 😘. Everything was delicious, except for the steamed spareribs, which, honestly, didn’t taste quite right. But hey, no meal is perfect, right? At just P2,318.45 for everything, it was totally worth it considering the amount of food we devoured. The price range is pretty reasonable too, from P120 for dim sum to P685 for the mains.

I’m definitely recommending this spot to our relatives and friends!

Coffee Break at Starbucks Reserve Hiraya ☕🌟

After our satisfying lunch, we transferred to Starbucks Reserve Hiraya. It's actually just a few steps away from Royale Palace. In fairness, there was ample parking space for incoming vehicles/ customers. This place has been all over social media since it opened after its renovation, and let me tell you, there was a major hype when it first launched! People were waiting HOURS just to get in.

Last year, my family tried to brave the line, but with a senior citizen in tow, we decided to try our luck elsewhere. But this time? We were feeling lucky! We arrived at 1:07 pm and finally got in at 1:42 pm. The line wasn’t as bad as I expected—definitely less chaotic than before!

When we stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t packed. The vibe was chill, and the view of Taal Lake? Wow. Absolutely breathtaking! 😍🌅

I confirmed there are pastries here that aren’t available at regular Starbucks locations—bonus! So, we went all in with our orders:

  • Java Chip Frappe (always a classic)
  • A refreshing juice made from dragon fruit and mango (I forgot the name, but it was SO good)
  • And of course, my kids’ fave, Choco Donuts 🍩
  • We also tried the Strawberry Tart and Blueberry Cheese Pocket—delicious but not as mind-blowing as I expected. Still, great for dessert! 🍓🧀

Pro Tip: If you’re in the area, don’t miss the other Starbucks branches at Twin Lakes and Domicillo in Brgy. Maharlika East—both have amazing views of Taal Lake as well.


The Perfect End to Our Day 🌟🚗

After a fun-filled day of food, drinks, and gorgeous views, we headed home, our hearts full (and so were our stomachs). It was the kind of quick getaway that recharged us without the need for a major trip. Sometimes, the best memories are made when you least expect it.

Family time + spontaneous adventures = the perfect mix. ✨💖


#TagaytayGetaway 

#FamilyAdventures 

#FoodieFinds 

#TagaytayEats 

#CoffeeWithAView 

#QuickTripVibes 

#SpontaneousEscape 

#TravelGoals

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Scottie Shines as Ginebra Secures Game 1 Win!

By
Mga Ka-Barangay, mag-ingay!!! 🔥 The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings are on the brink of another historic feat, inching closer to their 8th semifinal appearance after a thrilling 100-92 victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 at the Araneta Coliseum. 🏀 Scottie "The Hustle Man" Thompson once again proved why he's one of the league’s top-tier players. The former MVP delivered an all-around masterclass with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals , leading Ginebra to a pivotal 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three showdown. With their sights set on a sixth straight semifinal stint , the Gin Kings are locked in and ready to dominate the postseason. During the elimination round, Thompson played the ultimate playmaker role, racking up double-digit assist games ( 13, 11, and 10 assists ). But when it mattered most, he switched gears and turned into a scoring machine ! His 23-point explosion in Game 1 was a statement—his fifth double-digit scoring game this conference—...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Starting an Airbnb Business with Your Vacation Home

By
  An unfortunate staycation experience inspired our family to acquire a condominium unit in Tagaytay as both our vacation house and a source of passive income. Initially, we planned to acquire a lot near our residence, but our plans shifted when our Aunt Elpy offered a preselling condominium unit she had learned about from a registered broker, Ms. Joy. While we were initially hesitant about the complexities of owning a condominium, issues with the prospective lot owner led us to explore this option seriously. The unit is located on Bonifacio Drive, Brgy. Silang Crossing West, Tagaytay. The developer, owned by a reputable political family, has a credible track record, assuring us the project would push through. At the time of our visit, the first tower was already constructed, with plans for a second tower underway. However, the model unit was situated in a different barangay where the developer’s sister subdivision is located. Despite its compact size (approximately 23.7 square met...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sorteo Festival of Carmona: A Celebration of Heritage and Community

By
  The Sorteo Festival is a unique triennial tradition in Carmona, Cavite, deeply rooted in the town's agricultural heritage. Established in 1861, just four years after Carmona—formerly known as Barrio Latag—became an independent municipality (formerly part of Silang, Cavite), the festival's name derives from the Spanish word " sorteo ," meaning raffle or lottery . Historically, this event served as a public lottery to allocate communal agricultural lands to deserving farmers, ensuring equitable land distribution among residents. Over the years, the Sorteo Festival has evolved to remain relevant to the community's needs. While the original practice focused on raffling agricultural lands, recent developments have expanded to include substantial cash prizes. For instance, the 2025 festival offered 450 prizes of ₱50,000 each, 50 prizes of ₱100,000 each, five prizes of ₱200,000 each, and five prizes of ₱300,000 each. This shift reflects the local government's comm...
Post a Comment
Read more