Naga City Market

My trip to Camarines Sur also gave me the chance to see and take a picture of the Naga City Market. Nothing unique from the other markets in the Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines - except for the rooftop parking that this market has. ;)

Plaza de Nueva Caceres - Naga, Camarines Sur

I was able to go downtown Naga City Market and have a view of Plaza de Nueva Caceres. This is a set of brown statues that I have noticed to be composed of some Spaniard soldiers, priests and children. Based on my research this is a newly built monument in commemoration to Naga City's 62nd founding anniversary. It is also known as the "Oragon Monument".

This set of statues symbolizes the Spanish Era when Naga City, known before as Ciudad de Nueva Caceres (meaning City of the New Caceres - a province in Spain), was under the Spanish Colonlial rule and has become one of the four oldest cities where that Spaniards have taken rule of here in the Philippines.

Kois, Kois and more Kois

I took a picture of my cousin's place's koi pond. It was an assortment of Kois in different colors and sizes. I loved the white ones specifically for they shine so bright under water as if they colors turned to bright white silver. This is a home pond and not a commercial one. So I was amazed that these fish can live and grow even at your own backyard - that is if you can have a huge pond for them to live. :)

Back to Back Chocolatey Days = Heaven

I've been to Heavenly Chocolates numerous times already. May it be for a simple dessert, a get-together, a craving or a gift shopping. However, it was the first time that I've brought my high school girl friends to the yummiest chocolate shop in the Metro. And since we are for a simple chit chat and some catching up, we decided to order the chocolate fondue platter with apple, mallows, chips and brownies.

 We also ordered some moist and yummy chocolate cakes made exclusively by the chocolate shop. 

I ended up the night in a chocolate bliss. With girl chit chats and chocolates beside you, it was one of the better ways to have the best of both worlds, friends & chocolates. :)

Did I say the title was back to back? Oh yeah. My chocolate bliss wasn't through yet. By the next day we ended up with the chocolate shop again for some merienda desserts this time with some Balikbayans, whom we cannot let pass the time that they don't come over this place before they go back to the US. 

For the main course we have ordered the very unique and extremely tasty Arriba Chocolate Pizza. It was a pizza dough with creamy chocolate, some nuts and some bacon served hot. It maybe a little bit weird but it do taste really great.

Of course I need some refreshments so I ordered this Ice-Blended drink.

Even though we had a lot of chocolates already, who said there isn't anymore room for dessert? So we ordered the Suman, Mangga and Tsokolate.

 It doesn't end there yet. We still had a cup of hot chocolate drink to end our Chocolate Back-to-Back Weekend. :)

Don't hesitate to treat yourself to a chocolate weekend, here's the menu for your reference to plan your next Heavenly Chocolate Weekend! 

On the side, they are also selling some other Chocolate best sellers like the Sachi Nama, Truffles and many more. I have took a picture of their two display showcases.

The Sweetest Proposal

February 14, 2011 marks our relationship’s 11^th Anniversary. Pardon the incomprehensiveness of my writing today, for I am still floating with clouds of the heavens even after days have passed.

 

Yes, it was Valentine’s Day. How cheesy it may seems, I said I love you to him 11 years ago during Valentine’s Day inside the St. Frances room of Flos Carmeli Institution of Quezon City when we were both in 3^rd year high school. It felt to me that it was the right moment to start a relationship with this funny, ever mapang-asar, not-so-serious looking guy and tall basketball varsitarian.

 

We’ve been through a lot, believe me. Through high school, being a teenager and with our raging hormones and pimply faces it is impossible to have not gotten through a lot. Through college, we have shared the same thoughts on our career but of course it was not always easy. Through our career days, we braved the industry with our skills and experience and stayed together as we met challenges on each of our career paths.

Then back to the present. Through out the Valentine weekend I was sick with flu, colds and cough making it unnecessary for me to enjoy the week. I just thought of going to work on Monday and all will went well with Valentines and my Meds beside. On my way to work, Momon pinch my tagiliran with a tickle and I suddenly felt some sprains on my back, thinking maybe it was because of my flu but blaming him all the way na it was his fault, “naipitan tuloy ako ng ugat, ikaw kasi eh”. At the office, I remember even putting my YM status to “may labnat @_@”. A very in season shout out about love and what I have right now, a flu. That same day, I remember jokingly sending a message to Momon via Skype “nu ba yan lubi, tagal ng delivery mo sakin ah” – pertaining to some flowers usually delivered to the office. Me being so unaware of what comes ahead.

 

I went out of the office as early as 5PM since I was half expecting a fine dinner that Momon have arranged for our Anniversary. On my way to our Pioneer meeting place, where he usually picks me up going home, I came across a bake shop at Robinson's. I bought some Heart cakes for Momon and Mama, and some cookies for Nica too. I honestly haven’t prepared any for Momon since I was really not feeling well. I am expecting to have him shop at DataBlitz na lang for his wanted PS3 games. When he came by at Pioneer, I went inside the car (on the move) and gave my greetings, hugs and kisses together with the heart cakes. He, ofcourse was again joking about the heart cakes being it like coming from Mister Donut lang daw. Hahaha! “Excuse me, hindi noh!”. Then he have me closed my eyes and not to peek. Then voila! 

A Spruce bouquet in Sinamay wraps and tangled by wide red ribbons of the biggest Red Holland Roses I have ever seen are in front of me. I was surprised!! Believe me. And partly ashamed of what I just had for him, some yummy chocolate cakes.

 

Then we are off to somewhere I have no idea where. We are just driving along EDSA and passing by Megamall (I’m supposed to buy you a gift here), Dads, and lot of restaurants. I’m getting curious now. Where am I headed to? Momon then told me that we should head to the Enso Spa first and have some massage due to my back pain. I then said Okay. Enso Spa has been one of our Friday relaxation get away in the city for so long now. I even insist on bringing my bunch of roses at the Spa. I was thinking, sayang naman kung hindi makikita ng ibang tao ang ganda nya. But Momon, is very reluctant of the idea. Okay fine. Hindi ko na iaakyat.

 

Routinely we went inside the Couple’s Room and I took a shower then headed for the Sauna Room. Normal . Everything seems normal. Until…

 

When I went inside the Sauna Room, there was a bouquet of 3 dozen red roses from Spruce again. As in ang dami! 

I was shocked! And he said “Surprise!” I remember saying pa na, “Naku kunin na natin ung flowers baka masunog sa loob ng Sauna", I went inside to get the flowers, and noticed. Grrr… Hindi naman naka-open yung Sauna Heater. You got me there! It seems he’s been coordinating with someone from the Spa. It was the greatest Valentine’s day and Anniversary to date na at that moment. I heard him call the Spa Attendants to arrange the aromatherapy incense na kasi mag start na yung massage while I was inside the Sauna.

 

While in the Sauna, Momon told me “ Tara gabi na, mag dinner pa tayo with Daddy.” So we’re indeed having dinner pa pala with his family later. So, Okay. I went out of the Sauna and went to the massage room na. You know massage beds right that has a hole for the head to peek when the therapists are working on your back? Those are present in the massage room. So I prepared myself. Momon said, “Oh ready ka na?” – Assuming at that time he was asking if I’m ready na for the massage to start so he can call on the therapist na. So, sabi ko, Oo. 

Then I plunge to dive into the bed face down. And then STOP! Everything freezed. Midway when my head was about to fit into the hole, I was shocked – to the highest level it is. For what I saw, put my guards off me. There is a paper scripting with lighted candle, surrounded by red petals of roses.

And in the middle, yes in the middle, there was a red box with something sparkling with the reflected light from the candle. 

It was a diamond ring, and the scripted paper says “Will you marry me?”. Everything went blurry, and I cried with shock, happiness and love. I burst into tears and hugged him so badly. 

I was crying non-stop. When I heard him say, “Anu na?”. Hahaha! I was like so baliw na at that time, that I laugh and cry and smile and say, “Yes!” He then give me a note that is supposed to be in the 3 dozens of roses, saying “Thank you for saying Yes!!!”

 

  

The entire night was a blast. For me it was unexpected. I excitedly told the story to my Mom and siblings. It seems the day wouldn't end and before I retire to bed that night, I took a picture of what transpired that day. It was a blast and I wasn't able to sleep well all night due to excitement. =)

 

Best day ever… That is now.

Hearts and Arrows All Around

February, the month of Romance and Hearts. The month were men would flock to buy bouquets, chocolates, stuff toys and jewelry. It is the moment where people seems to have more guts to approach someone they like and tell them how they feel. It was different for me though. This year marks our 11th. Not month but year Anniversary. Who would've thought that we would stay together this long. While people start romancing around, we might look like we are just going with the Valentine's Day flow, but no, we are celebrating our strong, happy, contented and exciting 11th. ;)

Road Trip to Camarines Sur

For the New Year, I went to CamSur to celebrate my last vacation for 2010. It was a long 12 hour drive from Quezon City. We left Quezon City at 330am and we've reached Naga City by 2pm. Then it may took you another 30mins to reach CWC where we intend to stay. It was a long drive especially when all the places seems to be part of Quezon all the time. There are no exciting views and side trips along the way which makes the travel quite boring for sightseeing. 

However I was thrilled when we drove through "bitukang manok" road which is a very steep and zigzaggy road in Quezon. I thought Zigzags are in Baguio only. I was then proven wrong, this road is more dangerous and steep. 

Approaching Alaminos, you may already see some bodies of water (part of the sea), but they seems to be dirty and not properly taken care of. It was a some sort of industrialized port where trash, oil and dirt come to one place. 

Going to CamSur is also tricky for us first time travellers. There are so many alternate routes yet so little road signs. We did end up re-routing a couple of times. Adventure wise the 12 hour trip is worth it! Below is the map going to CamSur.

Agave Dinner Nights

We stopped by Agave at Bonifacio High Street, The Fort to have some Mexican Dinner. Not too long ago that we went to another of its branches, in Eastwood, and didn't find the food tasty enough. So here, we gave it another shot this time at a different branch.

We ordered the Amigos sized Plato Supremo with mexican favorites like cheese quesadillas, empanaditas, Chile rellenos, nachos, filete de pescado, corn chips, lime cilantro, mexican red rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and salsa.

Plato Supremo - Amigo Sized

With all those food it was really a supremo! You will be full in no time while indulging from mexican cuisines. I also have noticed that they offer unlimited margaritas for only 300+. So if you and your girlfriends are in for a dinner/night out Agave is the right place. 4 stars for food and ambiance.