Could have been another adventure for life!

I  was  invited to be a guest reviewer  of a pop TV show but declined the offer during  the last minute.  I  was PMS-ing on the day before the shoot and the episode was an adventure but does not require  a guest to be  a professional in this  field,  swimming  or  wake boarding.   The opportunity  just  came in  not-so-perfect timing.  It was supposed  to be my  first TV exposure and   the thought of  being  in the scene with celebrity host and guest  was  overwhelming.   Whew!    It  would have been an amazing experience to  be an equestrian  for a  moment as part of  the outfit  in horse back riding episode.  I knew I could make it in other activities but not   wake boarding.  I doubt  if I could balance my weight in this  sport.   I surely  would  lose  the grip in tow rope and  fall in the water.  I watched the show last night and  it  was  extremely  fun.   I could  just imagine if   I said yes,   it surely would be an adventure to remember  for  life.  

Rimless Glasses －The Most Lightweight and Comfortable

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(The above model photos are all derived from Firmoo+.)

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Max Touches My Heart

Having  pets is like having a friend  and a  new member of   the family.  Losing  them  is  just  as difficult   as  losing a friend.   I  knew how it felt  like  and  letting  go of  our  pet   who has been with us for  about  four years  and we went through a period of grieving.   He was my little guy.  I gave him my time,  love and  affection.  It  was hard  for  me  to  provide  him  a new  home and coping up  was difficult.  There's something inside me  that  tells  not to  give him up but  it only caused much pain to myself  too.   I want to think  I'm   that  bad  letting him go  but   keeping him longer means  risking my older daughter's  health condition more.   The doctor advised us  to get rid of  pet  and  that made me decide to finally  have someone to adopt him.  If you're going to ask me how I feel now?   It's been many months ago  and yes,  I  still  miss him.

Okay.  That was my story and my pet.    The story  I would be pressing  now  is also about the  two fur babies  that  welcomed us at  Dive and Trek  last  summer.  Probably, you were thinking who they  were and how they've become a part of our life just for a day.   We just met them at the resort.   They're not actually babies anymore.  Bogart, the white furry dog,   is almost in his senior years and could hardly walk.  He's a little overweight  and  his aging years  prevent  him to move fast.

The black furry one  is  Max.   Both dogs kept us company the whole day and became our tour guide,  security  force  that team  up together and  instant  friends  at the resort.


My older daughter is not really a lover of   petite  dog.   She never ever once cuddle our pet  but  she  never  hates  our pet shih-tzu.  She doesn't like a  toy breed kind of pet.  She would always tell me that she wants to adopt  a sporting  dog  to  be her  jogging buddy.   During our stay at the resort,  we  felt at home and comfortable with these two doggies.   She   had  this  instant connection with them and  wished  we could  take these two doggies  home.

The whole day at the resort  was made fun  with both  Bogart and Max.   Bogart  even swam himself and joined with us  to the raft.

Max  was sweeter and would always impressed us by rolling himself  over the sand and doing some tricks. 

We  knew  that these two doggies felt  that  they're loved.  The Mendiolables however are dog lovers.   They own a dog named Dengue.

This is my daughter with Max up close.  

Bidding goodbye was such a hard thing to do.  In our whole day trip, we felt like we knew him  for life. What could this doggy telling my daughter a   few moments before we left  the resort?   Sometimes the dogs try  to speak for themselves and figure out how to express their feelings  by growling, barking or rolling on the ground.

We bid goodbye to all the staff at the resort.  We  looked into Max's eyes and said goodbye too.   He was  deeply  sad.  We probably couldn't  hear him say a word but  we  knew what he exactly wanted  to say.

Off  we  went  on the boat one by one.  When  we're all  boarded and   the boatman started to sail  the boat away,  we we're surprised because   Max   jumped off the water and  swam himself  heading  to our   vessel.    

The  boatman  instructed him to swim back the shore  because we were  already  moving  away and getting deeper in the sea. We we're touched by his gesture and  left the resort  with our  heart badly broken.   As I zoomed-in my camera,  I  saw   Max's eyes  in tears.

Oh,.. Max,  you just don't know I  feel .. 

Chef Laudico Guevarra's Grand Opening

Chef  Laudico Guevarra's  formally held its grand opening yesterday,  July  16, 2013.   The event started by  ribbon cutting  led by   San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez  together with  Vice Mayor Francis Zamora and  Senator  JV Ejercito Estrada.  Chef Laudico Guevarra's  is a  complete buffet service restaurant that   serves traditional and modern  Filipino dishes.

My  first step inside the gate of  Guevarra's was like  stepping back in time and I was amazed how  the place was preserved and transformed into a beautiful place, old  style yet with a modern twist.  No wonder since its soft opening last March,  Guevara's has  been  visited by  guests and wouldn't mind  getting a bit lost in the suburb area of San Juan.    The city  must be very proud to have Guevarra's.  And  I am talking  only about  the place.. and the food..  YES  it's  a different story  altogether!
 

From food, to architecture, to fine art – Guevarra's does its part in preserving and promoting Filipino culture and history by paying homage to Filipino genius through culinary artistry and visual arts.

An exhibit was done that coincides  at the  grand opening of Guevarra's. Vincent Padilla's work at Guevarra's.   The artist, Padilla,  finished the master piece on the spot,  a portrait of  Chef Jackie and Chef  Roland Laudico  and was sold to highest bidder to be donated  for a cause.

Just to give you a little background,  Vincent Padilla  was born there on September 27, 1976.  However, his talent and artistic voice was truly honed during his family's time in Antipolo where he met and spent time with artists from the acclaimed Grupong Saling Pusa such as Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani and Manny Garibay. 

The exhibit  which will run for a month is entitled    “Time Taken by Brushstrokes” and features more than a dozen oil paintings done by the artist. The specific technique used in creating still images of a particular moment in time, forever frozen on canvas, is called Transparent Oil Painting.

 
Mark Mabasa, X-Factor Finalist   performed  two songs during the event. I honestly was impressed of his rendition. He is currently working on his new album, which is soon to be released and so I'm gonna watch out for this.

Folk Dance Troupe as they performed Filipino folk dance

And the talented daughter of Artist Vincent Padilla as she played the piano

After  the short program,  ribbon cutting  at Buffet Table  was done  immediately  where guests then  feasted  the  food at the long buffet.

Tempting, salivating, mouth-watering food.   I will post  more of the  photos separately.  The  food photos deserve a separate post.  And ooh..   the sweets at Dessert Station..  Tsokolate, Brigaderos, Cupcakes, Suman, Bicho-bicho, Chocolate Fountain. and more..  and  my favorite dessert,   Kalabasa Pastillas.    Now are you ready for  more of  mouth salivating  food?

Traditional Kare-Kare!  Yes, Angus Beef Kare-Kare

Chili Crab.. And these are just some of the few dishes at the buffet..

Spotted celebrities at the event..

and  the Beauty Queens  who  considered that day as cheat day.    I  happened to be in the same line at the buffet table   and  I discovered that everyday is a cheat day for me.  Who would  want to miss  to taste the  sinful desserts at  dessert station.  Oh,  they're  just so yummy!

And my plate. A bit of everything  and this was just my first round..  Now I regret because I did not taste a bit of   Fried Adobo because my tummy was full at the second round.  And from online review,   this  Adobo with a twist  was  unexpected  that  just  blew them away.

Now, are you ready to experience  a  full-blown Filipino buffet too?  You have to call ahead  for reservation. Yes!  They're that in-demand.

The place is perfect for wedding, small meeting, debut, birthday party or any other kind of event that  involves a lot of  food and a lot of people.     In this or world insta,  there is a place where you can have  both in full...   your tummy and  your  photo memories with a beautiful backdrop!

Guevarra's is open for lunch from 11:00am-2:00pm.
They also offer a dinner buffet if you prefer to eat like a king in the evening.

Here are the prices and schedules:

Weekday Lunch  (Monday to Friday) - P399 + 10% Service Charge
Weekday Dinner (Monday to Thursday) - P499 + 10% Service Charge
Weekend Lunch and Dinner (Friday Dinner to Sunday Dinner) - P599 + 10% Service Charge

Lunch is from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM while dinner is from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

And for those interested in the in-between time, they do serve merienda on special occasions (events of 50 pax and above) at P399 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

For inquiries and reservations, dial 705 1811, 705 1874
0917 311 2222

 Facebook.com/ChefLaudicoGuevarras

Guevarra’s by  Chef Laudico
387 P. Guevarra St. cor. Argonne St.,
Addition Hills, San Juan

Occasions of Joy on GMA NewsTV's Pop Talk!

source:  occasionsofjoy.com

Joy  of  OccasionsofJoy.com   will  be one of  the guest reviewers  of   Pop Talk  on  July  23,  Tuesday, @10pm  on   GMA News TV.      Pop Talk  will be at  university belt  for  restaurant  review.   Would  it  be  pop or  flop?   Please  watch  and  find   out    the best restaurants that  would be given  the highest  points   from  Pop  reviewers,   Joy Mendiola,    Bettina Carlos  and  Louie Benoza  with  host  Tonipet.

Let me take this space to  greet   the very joyful mom,   Joy  Mendiola of Occasionsofjoy.com,  celebrating  40th  birthday today,    HAPPY  HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

Watch Wolverine and Help Cancer Patients

Cancer is now one of the leading death-causing diseases in our country that has sadly inflicted many indigent members of our society. It is a known fact that cancer treatments are not cheap, but can never be beyond reach if we can all do our share in helping. 

Help the cancer support group of St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, CORRIDOR OF HOPE, INC. buy buying WOLVERINE 2, featuring Hugh Jackman, tickets. The Block screening is on July 26, 2013 (Friday) at 8:00pm at SM Cinema 5, Mega Mall.

Email joydamendiola@yahoo.com for more details on how to buy the tickets.

source: OccasionsofJoy.com

New Eyeglasses from Firmoo

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The above model photos are all derived from Firmoo+.

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Falls of Bolinao

This is another long overdue post as part of  our  Pangasinan Tour - Bolinao series.   It  just sitted on my mind  and my draft page for more than a month  now.   If you're lost with the topic,  hover your mouse to the  right side bar  and check the label,  Bolinao.  Oh sorry  if I am saying this,    I was just assuming  that this post  has  been stored  and  long preserved   due to  my over crushing. 

So here's our trip to the falls of Bolinao.

Tara Falls

We've lost our way  and entered the wrong unpaved road  twice.    Because we ended up a dead end,  we asked the farmer  that we met   which way to take  to reach  the Tara Falls.  We went back to high way again   and asked   some locals  that pointed  us to another direction.  The road  was narrow and  rough and it was already starting to get dark.   We were rushing because we still need  to go to  another falls, that is  Bolinao Falls by which the owner of  Bing's Resort  told us to be early because it was an off road and there were no electricity  along the way.

This is the  stiff curve and rough  road going to Tara Falls. 

Look at the photo above.   How did we get  there? :)     There were no people around except us.    We all thought we were lost again.  We just followed the sound of  the  water and there we reached  Tara Falls.

We couldn't do anything here. The water  was  not ideal to swim.  We  just  came here for  photo ops and to  see what the place can offer.   There were some picnic tables nearby and  we saw some disposable utensils around.  We  just took some photos and quickly left the place.

Bolinao Falls

Our next destination, Bolinao Falls was another rough road trip.  We  just  asked some locals and gave us a direction to get there.  We couldn't see any  sign.  We  were already near the falls  when we saw  this, see photo below.  You wouldn't notice it unless  you're eyes are good in it .

And a few more meters away,  we saw  another signs again.   There, we knew we're on the right track and  near the place,   at last!

And a few more trekking to reach the falls, about 250 meters away.
 

And finally..  Hurray  Bolinao Falls!

There were some people swimming at the falls.  It was nearing dusk so we just took some photos and did not explore much of the place.

The clear water  and the sound of  water  at the falls  were just so refreshing.

The natural pool..

We struggled  hopping from one rock to another.  The water was clear, however,   the rocks were  slippery and  we  needed  to walk carefully and slowly  for  accidents may happen  when we step on  mossy and slippery rocks.  I say,  the place is not ideal for little kids or even adults  if clumsy  like  me. 

After a few minutes of   trekking, we were like running out of breath and took some cold refreshment as soon we reached  the uphill side of the falls ..

Our  Bolinao adventures ended here and rushed to go back to highway.   Joy's son's craving's  was infectious that  spread  to us  and we're all   like little kids craving  for simple joy,  dining-in  Chicken Joy  at  Jollibee.

I will post a separate entry  of  the places to visit when  you're in  Bolinao and  my recommendation where to stay  in Pangasinan.  I  just  hope I'd be able to post  it  before Christmas. :)