Alma Mater Matters..

Few months back, I went to visit my alma mater. First time since I graduated from college decades ago. It's a shame that I'm admitting I haven't looked back ever since  Haven't attended a single class reunion or any alumni homecoming. I was so totally cut off. I blame it to the stage of life called "adulthood', haha. I was consumed and still is, by the challenges thereof _ careers, marriage, children and infinite whatnots. Some of my classmates, I got reconnected only through Facebook, just lately.






I entered the familiar gate of my youth and walked the same corridors my black school shoe used to walk on a daily basis decades ago. I saw nuns and uniformed girls who mobbed me with  flashed back memories.

drama. cut!!!

I reached my destination. The registrar. I just had to get some school documents that would support my present venture. Done in a minute.



By the way, I went with my girls. None of them go to this school, just so you know.We made a little tour. I thought this would give them a little glimpse of their mother's student life.

It used to be an exclusive for girls school during my time. Today, it's now an open gender school and already a university.



Before I bid goodbye to my alma mater once more, I dropped by the prayer room with my girls, the same one I frequented when I was a student here.. many many years ago.

Microtel, MOA

The other night, I attended an event at Sofitel in Roxas Blvd.  I was with 3 girlfriends and 2 of them live far from this area. It was 2am and all of us were too wasted to go home. After thoughtful yes-es (over phone calls) from our husbands we decided to check -in _ to Sofitel? nah!, no way that we could afford this luxurious hotel that night,haha.

We ended up in a standard room of the nearest and most affordable one among the hotels in the Roxas Bldv. area (which are mostly 5 stars ). It was in Microtel, MOA.

Microtel was not new to me. I had experienced some of it in Batangas, Baguio and Boracay. It has always been a safe choice whenever I was caught in "a dilemma of walk-ins". You know, like those unplanned trips without prior hotel bookings and  night outs like this night and time was restricted to acquire options. In such situations, I don't mind the safety of Microtel and its humdrum consistency. .



as long as they are consistent with the following : the beds are comfy, the room is neat and smells fresh with equally clean bathroom. And so far, so good.



I actually  found this particular branch ( Microtel, MOA) the next best ( to Boracay ). Although, I've only been to 3 branches so far, but personally I think _already I got some comparisons in my list. The best thing about this particular Microtel is ofcourse the location. It's in MAll of Asia.period.

The night (almost nearing dawn,haha) when we checked-in  our eyes were all half closed and didn't bother to look around. We all went straight up to the room and hit the bed in less than a minute.

Those photos above I took them when I woke up in the morning and found myself already by myself cos those thoughtful gfs had already eloped back to their homes, haha. Yes I was left alone to check-out. Good grace, the room was fully paid the night we checked-in,haha.

So while waiting for my  husband to fetch me, I made useful of my less than one bar battery until my camera died on me.

We were on the 4rth floor and looking out the windows_ this was the little view I had.

And this_ what's that ferry_ Metrostar?



Then my tummy started to make funny sounds. .which reminded me to take my complimentary buffet breakfast. My friends didn't claim theirs.. they went out too early for bf.

The buffet was serving at Millie's Restaurant, located at the lobby of the hotel. The spread had satisfying variants of bf dishes from breads and  jams, salads, bacon etc,etc, eggs, rice, fruits _ well it was fair enough.



The reception lobby got an interesting set of furniture.
Until husband arrived and I had to pull him up yet to the roof deck cos I want to see the pool before we check-out.

Going up, I noticed the hi-tech elevator, nice!



Up on the 12th floor where the roof deck was. The whole night was rainy which explained why all chairs were not set-up right.
There's a small swimming pool, elevated above this area, up by 7 to 10 steps of stairs, I think.But before I could take a photo of it, the cam died. If the pool was made bigger, it could pass as infinity pool and I think that would be a lot awesome.

And THIS? the only photo I have in the place, a reminiscent of a wasted me of the previous night. Then the cam died, haha.

Wensha Spa

Wensha Spa has been there for a loong time. I'm not a spa enthusiast thu', and not so updated about in-spas in the metro.



Wensha Spa came to my mind cos ( it was a day before our anniv this year) I wanted to give husband a relaxing day. He is a sucker of massage treatments. The place is relatively practical cos packages include 6 hour stay with flowing ( foods on the table the whole stay) buffet, drinks and shabu-shabu.

It's a must to tag along a girl bff or in my case my best cuz' , even thu' it's a day with hubby. Female and male have separated stations and the only place to meet your man is in the dining area. It would be boring hours in jacuzzi/steam/sauna/massage areas if you got no one to chat with. Hey, be sure to come with the one closest to you. Someone you could watch a movie on a big screen while sitting in a jacuzzi pool totally naked. Yes totally. No undies allowed.




my gangstah husband in kimono :))

Lockers, kimonos and towels were generously provided.

We were  happy with the buffet and shabu-shabu unlimited servings, although the menu was limited in kind.












So we frequented the dining area to eat . On that 6 hours, we approximately spent 75% of our stay enjoying shabu-shabu on our own table. The buffet had changed courses twice on the duration of our stay. 

smoking dining area

non-smoking dining  area

Two cozy dining halls share the adequate buffet table and the shabu-shabu bar. One for smokers and for the non-smokers.

I'm sorry couldn't share with you the jacuzzi hall, it's nakedly off limits ofcourse ! But I got some photos of the massage rooms before we had our one hour full body massage.








Each room has twin beds and dimly lit. Husband was off limit and I bet snoring at this time on the male massage room. Foot spa, facial and other treatments are being done in a separate area.




I'm no expert in this massage business so whatever done to me I was satisfied. It was expert cuzin' and hubby who confirmed that massage was great here.

Yet we saw something which disappointed us. Sanitary and maintenance of facilities. I wouldn't elaborate on those cos you can see them for yourselves when you get there.
We like the place and could be happy frequenting it, if only they could address cleanliness as it should be the priority of a spa cos it deals with wellness. It's sad that we only found out the place now that it looks already old and abused, not sooner when it was newly opened. I'm sure then it was at its best condition.




Well, overall_ it was a happy, relaxing experience.

Turista, Kalesa at Buco sa Binondo

I saw a tourist couple enjoying a ride on a horse drawn carriage while sipping fresh buco (young coconut) juice.

Sounds perfect . . . . .

. . . . . except for the fact that they were in the middle of almost immobile traffic of Binondo. To ease boredom, I looked around for something interesting and chanced upon this carriage beside our car.

The only vehicle on the road with smiling faces.. how refreshing !!! :D


ps: I intentionally hid blurred the faces of the tourists for discretion.