I Have a Dream

Chile has just been recently struck by an earthquake and now Hawaii is bracing for a huge tsunami. In the Philippines we're preparing ourselves for water shortage and rotational blackouts (already happening in some areas) in the coming months. We've been through 3 major storms in 2009 and the victims of the latest typhoon Ondoy haven't even gotten up on their feet yet. I'm afraid. I'm very afraid. Afraid most of all for my daughter whose future is so uncertain. I am afraid of the kind of world I'm going to leave her with.

Singapore: Trying Out Qiji

It was noon when we got to Funan IT Mall. We were hungry and looking for a place to eat. So when we saw this food place packed with office workers lining up at the counter, my husband and I thought that if their food isn't great, then it mustn't be that bad right? The pic was taken an hour after the lunch hour rush.

Look What Came in Yesterday

Package from Grand Mercure Roxy courtesy of my in-laws who just got back. If you remember, I left some of my stuff at Grand Mercure Roxy and was working to find a way to get them back without spending a hefty sum on shipping. Good thing my in-laws included Singapore in their itinerary. With just 2 days notice, I immediately sent a request to Grand Mercure Roxy to have the items waiting for them at the hotel that they were going to stay at. And as a courtesy gesture, they didn't even charge me for shipping fee. This happened thanks to technology, the efficiency of Jessie Heng and the rest of the staff at Grand Mercure Roxy, and my in-laws. I really appreciate it. This is one happy ending I'll not forget. :)

Singapore: Checking Out Chinatown

Chinese New Year has come and gone but I thought I'd show you Singapore's Chinatown 3 weeks prior.


Instead of the lovely chinese building pictured above, my husband went right up to this stall to try out their shark's fin dimsum.

Ready, Jet-Set, Go!

Have you come across this? I must be the last person to hear about the Travel and Tour Expo happening this 19-21 at SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia. I can only imagine the promos (tours, packages, air fare deals) up for grabs! This is one event I have to go to. Even without any help lugging my 6-month old in tow.


Yes, that's us. Taken yesterday when I thought I was up to the challenge of going out by myself with Euna (not included in the pic is my huge bag filled with Euna's stuff!). And I was! I am! I'd really appreciate having help though. I'm looking for a stay-out maid actually to come in 2x a week to clean, do the laundry (the delicate clothes), and the ironing. Drop me a line if you have someone to recommend. Please! I still have a lot of backposts to write!

Why I Love Singapore #1: Breastfeeding Stations!

So there we were going around Singapore with a 5-month old in tow. I was worried that I might have to breastfeed Euna in public but a quick google search informed me there was no need to worry. Lists of breastfeeding stations in Singapore can actually be found on the web. And these breastfeeding stations aren't just limited to the malls! They even have a breastfeeding station in the museum! That's why I love Singapore. And what's more to love? Check these out:

• Parkway Parade Breastfeeding Station

Breastfeeding Euna

We're turning a milestone tomorrow as my daughter is turning 6 months which means I've been breastfeeding her for that long as well! Yay to both of us! I've breastfeed Euna all over the Philippines. At least in Manila, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro. I am glad that breastfeeding is gaining momentum here in the Philippines with SM (largest mall chain in the country) offering a breastfeeding station in every SM mall or at least the SM malls I've been to which would be SM Makati, SM Davao, and SM Cagayan de Oro. Rustan's Makati too also has a breastfeeding station as well as Market! Market! in the fort. As glad as I am with what we have achieved locally, I couldn't help but compare it to Singapore. Everywhere I went to, there was a breastfeeding station! Even the Singapore Museum has one! Which leads to me write this: Why I love Singapore #1: Breastfeeding Stations!


Happy 6th month to my little girl. Mama loves you so! xoxo

Andanita Taj, Tagaytay

I am really just trying to push all of these in before V day and this is actually my last one in my 3 series of accommodations/where to head this Valentine's posts. Read previous 2 here and here. I was thinking that maybe these could help lovebirds out there frantically searching for places to bring their loved ones to this day of hearts.

Our very first road trip as a couple was to Tagaytay. We didn't know then that I was already pregnant which really explained the lethargic state that I was in at that time (and why I wasn't enjoying all the food). We went there in December of 2008 to celebrate our 2nd anniversary as a couple. It was my husband who did the planning, told me that I was in for a surprise, that the hotel had a theme going and that it was a great hotel. Of course, bold statements such as these upped my expectations.

Manila Diamond Hotel

I know! I know! I still haven't finished my series of Singapore posts and here I am writing about Manila Diamond Hotel. Well, I just thought that with the day of hearts coming up, I should just help out those out there who haven't decided yet where to spend it with their other halves. I know where I'm spending mine - at home babysitting! Haha! Anyway, here's a peek of Manila Diamond Hotel to give you an idea if you're intending to head there this Valentine's day.

These Seat Sales are Taunting Me!

Just received in the mail Cebu Pacific's Love is in the fare seat sale promo where one could go (from Manila) to Taipei and Jakarta for as low as PhP 999.00! For PhP 1,499.00, you can already reach Saigon! I just checked roundtrip fares for Saigon in June and it was less than PhP 4,000.00 including taxes and fees! All I could say is "Aaaaaaaargh!". Man! My what-ifs are (re)surfacing! Better to turn off these notifications for now.



I'm not so much a fan of Cebu Pacific but these fares are irresistible! What are you waiting for? Go, fly!

Treats at Bengawan Solo

It was while I was researching on what to buy from Singapore as pasalubong that I've come across Bengawan Solo. Someone recommended the Pandan Cake and I was intending to buy a whole layer. It so happened that we came across the shop while exploring Parkway Parade. I thought the shop just sold Pandan Cake but they actually sold a variety of food stuff, I didn't even know where to begin. So I thought to just buy in small quantities first to get a taste of what they're selling. I figured the mall is just across the hotel so I could easily come back anytime.

The Most Expensive Mangoes

...Yet! At SGD 4.00 each, definitely the most expensive by far that I've encountered. This would already get me a kilo during lean months and 2-3 when in season (usually get 3 pcs of mangoes to a kilo) here in Manila!

Eats at Banquet Food Court, Parkway Parade

Ok, the truth is, we didn't eat much while in Singapore. It must be because there was just too much to see and do, eating wasn't on the top of our list. And we were unprepared. Though I did a bit of research on where to eat, I wasn't able to jot them down and the internet at the hotel was just so darn expensive (but my husband, who can't live without going online, later found out a way to connect to the public wifi)! So most of the time, we just followed where the locals (office workers and the like) are: hawker centers or food courts. One of which is Banquet food court in Parkway Parade just across the hotel we were staying at.

Lost in Changi Airport, Lost in Translation

We arrived at the Changi Budget Terminal at past five in the afternoon. After going through immigration, getting our luggage, having our money changed to the local currency (I suggest bringing in USD over PHP), and locating where the free airport shuttle to Terminal 2 is, we headed out and turned right, just in time to board an incoming airport shuttle. Unlike in the Philippines, it was still bright outside and the sun didn't look like it was intending to set anytime soon.


You won't miss it. There's a sign.

Huneeesh standing with our luggage. He/we didn't know that he/we could leave it at the luggage compartment under the bus.


We were headed for Belt 37 at Terminal 2 where, opposite this, we would be picked up by Grand Mercure Roxy's complimentary airport shuttle. Call us stingy for not wanting to spend on the taxi but riding a taxi in Singapore is expensive.

We got off at the drop-off point at Terminal 2, went inside the terminal to ask for directions, asked a lady officer (she was in uniform) how to get to Belt 37, and she pointed us right back to where we got off. We retraced our steps (I was carrying Euna all this time) and looked for Belt 37, waited for 5 minutes or so, and finally deciding that this is not Belt 37, went back into the terminal. We were going to look for Belt 37 ourselves. We took the elevators up but when we saw the sign leading to the Skytrain, we had to give it a try. So goodbye Belt 37, we got on the Skytrain to get to Terminal 3 where Grand Mercure Roxy also had a pickup point right beside the information counter. We thought that should be easier to locate than Belt 37! In retrospect, I think the lady officer misheard me and thought I was looking for Bus instead of Belt 37!


Skytrain connects all 3 terminals at Singapore Changi Airport.

Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay

The day of hearts is fast approaching once again and while I am itching to write more about Singapore, the sheer number of photos I have to go through just overwhelms me. So I thought I'd just write something about where you lovebirds can go and spend your Valentine's this year.


Can you imagine sitting outdoors under this?