A Fun Stay at Villa Socorro Farm ~ Back to Basic

I wanted the boys to experience something different than the usual hotel staycation.  I wanted lots of under the sun activities... 

The adventurist mama in me, brought me to Villa Socorro

~ an Agri-Eco Village and Farm Resort.

Villa Socorro promises a commune with nature experience ~ some real country living. 

There are so many things to do at Villa Socorro and we loved the "ruralness" of it all. The boys seemed to have forgotten about their gadgets for the time being we were there. 

We stayed at the "Mustasa" room. It was designed as a junk shop from the outside, but decent inside. 

We were welcomed with Villa Socorro sabanana chips produced ~ which were really very good. I bought a box of 60 packets as "pasalubong".

The room is air-conditioned, with three (3) double beds that sleeps six (6) comfortably and a television (showing only local channels, but it was okay, since we were outside most of the time, we hardly opened it). The bath room was a bit too rustic for my liking, but it was okay, water pressure was very good with hot and cold water.

The room is clean, beds and pillows were comfortable and the bed sheets and linen soft and well laundry.  They also provided shampoo, soap and tissue.

A billiard area is attached to our room ~ which my boys enjoyed a lot.

So what do we love about Villa Socorro?

• Tree planting, fruit and vegetable picking activities.

 

• The trip to Balanac River for some real "ilog" type swimming via the resort's carabao "Kara"

• Running after native chickens and hunting frogs at night.

• Waking up to the chirping of the birds and falling asleep to the sounds of "tuko" and "kuliglig".

• The bonfire night underneath the clear starry night skies ~  perfect for some scary ghost stories. 

• The resort's chapel (where they celebrate anticipated mass, Saturday  at 4pm)

• The delicious food ~ freshly prepared using ingredients from their farm (we had "pinakbet" but I forgot to take a photo"... I guess I was too busy eating).

(Meals are served inside the Lipton Dining Hall)

• The "buko" which were also harvested from their own coconut trees. We had a "buko feast".

• Villa Socorro's huge space to run around and just experience nature.

 

• And of course the welcoming and very accommodating personnel of Villa Socorro. Kudos to Ryan for making sure our stay is really an experience worth remembering.

For more information about Villa Socorro Farm, visit their webpage www.villasocorro.com.ph or their facebook page www.facebook.com/villasocorrofarm

Villa Socorro Farm is located in

Agawin Road, Barangay Dingin, Pagsanjan Laguna

0917-5229038 or 0929-1216672

villasocorrofarm@gmail.com

 

Take a Peak ~ Altro Mondo Arte

 

Located at the 4th floor of Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences in Altro Mondro Arte.

 

Altro Mondo Arte at the Picasso is a small art gallery show casing work art of young and upcoming artists.  

 

 

Exhibits are changed every 2-3 months.

 

During the time of our visit they were running an exhibit titled "Album" showcasing the works of young art geniuses  Isko Andrade, Marko Bello, Jerome Choco, Micko Macariola and Bryan Teves.

 

In "Album" the artists gave viewers a glimpsed to their sub-conscious as they re-constructed pieces from classic photos from personal albums.

 

 

 

 

 

My youngest showing some art appreciation!

 

 

 

Altro Mondo · Arte Contemporanea 

Locations:

 

4th floor of Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences.

 

Main gallery is located at the
   3rd Level, Greenbelt 5,
Ayala Center, Makati City.
 

For inquiries, please visit their website

www.altromondo.ph 

 

 

Check out also our stay at Picasso Boutique Hotel here: Sylish Abode in the Heart of Makati

Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences ~ Stylish Abode in the Heart of Makati

I was on a hunt for an affordable place to stay in Makati on a Christmas time weekend that is walking distance to Ayala Triangle, as we planned to view Ayala's Festival of Lights Show. 

I found the perfect place in a group buying site ~ Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences for a little over P4000 inclusive of breakfast.

Theming drew inspiration from Pablo Picasso.  The rooms are named after places in Pablo Picasso's life.  Paintings and art adorns the hotel lobby and rooms ~ you would begin to wonder whether you are in a hotel or just stepped into an art gallery.

We booked a Malaga Studio Room. 

Our room theming is inspired by an abstract deep yellow painting.   

  

L-R/T-B: (1) There is a balcony that opens to the road down below; (2) The inspiration painting for our room; (3) A full study area with free wifi; (4) Decent sized and really comfortable beds

L-R (1) Complimentary coffee and tea; (2) a good selection of cable channels; (3) Safety deposit box.  

Clean and spacious rain shower bathroom.

My son loved that the place is located just a minute away from the Salcedo Park.  

(Note: The park turns into a fair/market Saturdays from 7am to 2pm.  We have been to the Salcedo Market and there are real wonderful finds for foodies)   

VERDICT:

• Picasso is a chic accommodation in the heart of Makati.  The place is perfect for business travelers who need to be at the Makati Central Business District in a jiffy. 
• The place is impeccably clean and stylishly designed.
• Location is about 15-20 minutes walk to the closest shopping center. But has numerous dining places close by. 
• Service is excellent.  Check-in and check-out fast and efficient.
• Breakfast at Pablo's came free with our accommodation.   Breakfast is filling and comes with refillable coffee and open bread, salad bar.  But with limited options and a bit expensive if not included in your room package
• Unfortunately there is no pool. But it does have a spa, a gym and an art gallery. Picasso has a small art gallery ~ Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea, which was a refreshing stop for me and the boys. 

Thumbs Up for Picasso Boutique Residence!

For inquiries and booking, you may visit

Picasso Boutique Residences website:

www.picassomakati.com

Location: 

119 L.P. Leviste St.

Salcedo Village, Makati City

Philippines 1227

T: +63 2 828.4774

F: +63 2 828.9141

E: reservations@picassomakati.com

  

Are you artsy and want to learn more about the life and art works of Pablo Picasso?

 Follow this link and read about his bio and view over 800 of his works here:  www.artsy.net/artist/pablo-picasso 

Check also our festival of lights experience here:  Ayala Festival of Lights

To view paintings from the Art Gallery, please follow this link: Altro Mondo Arte

A Festival of Lights at the Ayala Triangle, Makati

Ayala Center's Festival of Lights is an annual spectacle of lights moving and dancing to the tune of selected well-known and celebrated Christmas songs.

 

This years, Festival opened last November 9 and will be entertaining visitors until  January 4, 2016.  The

Festival of Lights runs every 30 minutes nightly, starting 6pm to 10pm.  Entrance is Free. 

 

 

This year's show was directed by award winning directors Voltaire de Jesus and Luther Gumia, musical scoring is by acclaimed musicians and composers Jazz Nicholas and Mikey Amistoso of Watusi Manila (a multi-awarded creative production company).

 

 

 

 

The park sparkles with hundreds of colorful laser lights, and LED string lights.  It was a sight to behold.  Kids and kids at heart were all amazed at the glorious light display.

 

Watch the video below to see for yourself.

 

 

 

MamaSpeaks recommends a visit to the Festival of Lights ~ Check it out and be ready to be awed.

 

 

 

A Grand Welcome to Casa Santa: Review

 Jardin de Miramar is a well known party and event venue in Antipolo City. It is a 3 hectare garden complex that also houses "Casa Santa Museum".

Casa Santa is home to more than 3700 collections of Christmas and Santa Clause items.

I have never seen so many Santa Clauses in my entire life.  I was so engrossed in the tour I must have taken a couple dozens of photos.

Casa Santa

A life size Santa seats on the sofa (begging for photos, I guess)

I so love this cutie Santa, just 2 inches in size.

Working Santa, preparing his list of "naughty and good". I hope I made the good list :P

So many cute figurines, I can't decide on a favorite.  

The Christmas theme carries on Casa Santa's dining area.

Santa Clauses from around the world, line up the stairs heading to the mezzanine.

My husband's favorite part of Casa Santa is the Christmas Village.   

I just found my most favorite ~these charming Santas, just made me want to start my own collection :P

There are also Belen and Nativity scene displays.

This child's bedroom abound in Christmas items.

A sleeping Santa

I enjoyed touring Casa Santa.  It was truly worth going there. 

If you are planning a visit to Antipolo, I suggest you include this in your itinerary.  Entrance is P180/adult.

Other activities offered at Jardin includes:

• Arts and Crafts ~ such a painting animation characters in ceramics, Art 101 in canvas, and Pinoy games.
• Kids would love Jardin's open play ground, "Galera" AND 30-foot Noah’s Ark.
• See Santa live for picture taking (though he wasn't there when we visited, please call in first to confirm Santa's schedule before bringing your kids along).
• View art works by awarded artists such as Ed Castrillo, Michael Cacnio, Tony Leano, Ral Arrogante, Earth Artists of Rizal, Reg Yuson, Daniel dela Cruz, mosaic artist Hannah Liongoren, and muralist Alfred Galvez.
• Buy souvenirs ~ such as a huggable “SANTA-ko” rag doll, t-shirts, keychains, refrigerator magnets, that make for appropriate mementos of Casa Santa.

Casa Santa is located at Jardin de Miramar

276 San Jose Ext., San Isidro Antipolo City
Telephone No.: 584-3199
Cellphone No.: 09178912208
Email: info@jardindemiramar.com

Legoland Hotel Malayia for the 2nd Time Around

 

 I cannot stress enough, how much my boys love LEGOLAND Malaysia.  We were there just last December and were recently back for more Legoland adventures.  

 

 

 

My boys will never grow tired of Lego bricks ~ you can turn into almost anything.  Your imagination is the limit. 

 

Compared to our previous stay at LLM Hotel, I could honestly say that service has greatly improved.

 

Check in was swift and fast (though check-in time remains to be at 4pm ~ real late if you ask me, but it was okay since we only deposited our bags, claimed our reserved tickets before heading off to the park).

 

We stayed at the Pirates Themed Room this time.  I liked our previous room better, the "Adventure Themed Room", but  my boys liked the Pirates Room better.  The room

 

 

 This room has the same configuration as the Adverture Themed Room.  Rooms at LLM Hotel are huge, with a separate sleeping area  for the kiddos.

There are 2 televisions, 1 in the adult room and another at the kid's sleeping area, with a good selection of kiddie and adult channels to choose from.

Food options has likewise improved.  There are now more Western food options to choose from.  Staff has also become more attentive to guest/visitors requests.  Good work here. 

 

 

 

 

My son clowning around.

 

For Legoland Hotel bookings and inquiries, please visit their webpage: LEGOLAND MALAYSIA

 

 

Please check also our previous LLM Stay, by clicking below links:

 

LEGOLAND HOTEL

LEGOLAND DRY PARK

LEGOLAND WATERPARK