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...
Last weekend, our office had its much-awaited annual team building, and this time, we escaped to the serene shores of Serenidad Beach Resort in Brgy. Malabrigo, Lobo, Batangas. What made it even more special? I brought my whole family along—and yes, they absolutely loved it!
Just last
December, we celebrated our Christmas party in Lobo too, but this time we
stayed at a different resort. At Serenidad, we got the whole Orange Villa
to ourselves for ₱23,200. The place comfortably fit 14 of us (kids aged 10 and
below stay for free—yay for budget wins!).
Here’s a quick
villa tour:
🛏️
3 double beds, 2 queen beds in the loft, and 1 queen bed in a cozy room with
its own bathroom
🍽️
Mini kitchen, dining area, and living space
🚿
2 common shower rooms and 2 toilets
🌄
A balcony with a mountain view that’s perfect for your morning coffee
They allow
guests to bring and cook their own food, which was a big plus for us—we saved a
lot that way! Inside, there’s a TV with YouTube and Netflix (though not much
other entertainment, but who needs that when nature’s right outside?). There’s
a swimming pool for both kids and adults, and the beach is just a short walk
away. The water was so clear we could see small fish swimming by! Just a tip:
Lobo is known for its pebbly shores, so bring your swimming footwear.
MCTC
Malvar-Balete Got Talent (MGT)
stole the show this year instead of the usual obstacle courses. Staff were
grouped in pairs to showcase their hidden talents, competing for a ₱2,000 cash
prize—though no one left empty-handed, as non-winners got ₱500 per pair.
Here’s how it
went down:
🎤
Ate Majo & Vince delivered a hilarious take on The Greatest Love
of All—impressive coordination even though they live in different towns!
💃
Ate Eva & Nap lit up the stage with a remix dance number.
🕺
Kuya Luis & Ate Judith, a real-life couple, surprised everyone with
a “midget dance” act complete with DIY props. They made puppets using clothes
hangers, black cloth, and a dim light. Despite a few behind-the-scenes
arguments (totally relatable!), they pulled it off and took home the top prize.
👶
The last pair Emen and VG, also a couple, couldn't perform because their baby needed
sleep—parenting always comes first!
We all enjoyed
our time in the pool, shared stories by the beach, and even went on a short
boat ride for some snorkeling around nearby islands. We passed by the vacation
homes of celebs like Amy Perez and Amy Austria! We had plans to visit the
iconic lighthouse, but the waves weren’t on our side.
For my kids,
this annual getaway is something they always look forward to—since we rarely
travel out of town, it's a big deal. My youngest even swam independently for
the first time! He was already asking about the next team building even
before we left!
Before heading
home, we had a hearty meal at Ungkot, a cozy restaurant near the town
hall. We feasted on sisig, chopsuey, fried chicken, sinigang na bangus belly,
sinigang na hipon, bulalo, and fish fillet with tartar sauce. Of course, we
ended with ice cream and coffee—fuel for the long drive back to Cavite (and
other towns like Malvar, Lipa, Tanauan, and Victoria).
It was a
weekend well spent—with laughter, bonding, talent, and unforgettable memories.
I hope everyone got the chance to relax, even just a little. And just like my
kids, I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Not a paid
ad—just sharing a slice of our happy weekend. 🌴💙
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