Happy 4 Years, Boracay And Beyond

They say happily ever after is not a fairy tale.
It's a choice.
And it's our choice to be together.
So here's to us!
Here's to love!
Here's to all the times that we messed up!
Here's to the times that have gone too fast!
Here's to never giving up!
Here's to never breaking up!
Here's to the kisses and the hugs!
Here's to our dreams!
Here's to hope!
Here's to trials and challenges that I know will never last!
Here's to our blunders that made us stronger!
Here's to making up!
Here's to whatever's come our way!
Here's to staying this far together!
Here's to growing old together!
Here's to you and me!
Here's to forever!
Happy 4 years my love!

Happy and blessed! It was a great anniversary trip. Good weather, happy people, nice resort, good food, amazing boracay! We cannot ask for more. Thank you Papa J for keeping us safe during our trip and for making everything as beautiful as it can be! You alone can make everything perfect for us.

We celebrated our 4th anniversary at Boracay. Stayed in the same hotel but flew in a different airline. This time we booked Philippine Airlines via Caticlan because we had a very bad experience last year with Air Asia Zest. Different story but if you are interested, you can backtracked and searched it here on my blog. Anyway, we had a marvelous time this time. Sunny sunny weather, really pool-like beach, less crowd, great food. Everything went well. We enjoyed it a lot but more than that, our little yogi bear enjoyed it so much. We are just so thankful for everything!

Short review of White House Beach Resort Boracay

This is our second time to stay here at the White House Beach Resort Station 1 Boracay.
Same month this time to celebrate our anniversary but this time, we have our kid with us.
One thing I like about White House is that it's in station 1 and the beach is just a few steps away.
I love the place and the view and the courteous staff. They are always polite and happy and they greet you every time they see you.
What a welcoming staff. They have this way of making you feel safe and at ease.
And since we are returning guests, we are given 10% discount for the accommodation with breakfast.
The room is big and clean. I also like that their veranda has a rack where you can dry your clothes after soaking up in the beach.
Sweet gestures such us cookies on our 4th and last day of stay and complimentary bottled water every day.
Powerful wifi also everywhere even in front of the hotel right on the beach.
They also have a new electric multicab free for guests to ride to D'mall or any other parts of Boracay (please just ask them)
We just had a problem with the shower, it doesn't get hot but they changed it as soon as we reported it.
The food is yummy. I particularly like their tocino for breakfast. We had it twice during our stay there.
They also changed their lounge in front of the hotel and made it all white.
All in all, we had a great stay and fun in Boracay and we will definitely stay here again.
Here is their site: http://www.whitehouseboracay.com/whrates.html

Southwest Tours Boracay
I just had to commend Southwest Tours Boracay. Before, I used to book our transfer via the hotel where we will stay but this time I booked ours thru Southwest via online. I discovered it last year and found out that it's cheaper by a thousand pesos. If we booked thru the hotel, we have to pay P1,400 per pax via Caticlan. But when I booked directly with Southwest online using card, I paid only P1,890 for 3 pax, all fees included (terminal except Caticlan, environmental etc). And the transfers were smooth and hassle-free. You just need to fill out the form online and include all the pertinent information they need. Someone will pick you up at the airport with your name on it and bring you to your hotel. You have options to choose. I chose the complete one -- door to door with fees. And you don't have to worry anymore. Even going back home, they will pick you up in your hotel and bring you to your airport. We didn't have any problems and I would definitely get their service again. Here is their site for more information: http://southwesttoursboracay.com/boracay-transfer

Boracay Budget 2014

Boracay budget circa 2014. Snapshot of our boracay trip budget. I just need to share this information because I feel that Boracay has become so expensive now compared to years ago, even compared to a year ago when we went there. Of course, the beach, the view are all perfect but the price you have to pay is heftier now. You can see it below:

We were lucky we got the super sale airfare from PAL which we booked a year ago.
But other than that everything is pricier.

PAL Express via Caticlan (3 pax roundtrip) - P4,327
Discounted accommodation (for returning guests, 3 pax, 4 nights with bf) - P16,128
Southwest door-to-door transfers with fees - P1,890
Terminal fee (Caticlan 200 per pax, 3 pax) - P600
Meals on average except breakfast (P800 x 4 days, 2x a day, 2 pax) - P6,400
(Ole,Jonah's, Chicken Bacolod Inasal, Plato d' Boracay, Le Soleil Buffet
Halowich, Army Navy, De Paris Restaurant, Thai Basil)

Total - P29,345

But life is good and God is great and the most important thing on this trip is that we bonded as a family. We were stronger and better. We made good friends and we explored and discovered new places together. Here's to 4 years and beyond!

My Hair Story

I have never been fond of growing my hair long. One because for obvious reason, it's too hot in the country. I also don't have the patience to style, comb and brush it. Another thing is hair maintenance is such an expensive industry nowadays plus I just don't have the discipline to do it except my occasional hair color to hide my white hair. Oh well, I also feel that it's just not 'very me' to sport a very long mane. If I remember it right, the longest I had it was during my high school days. And believe me, it's not even that long. But I guess there's always a first time for everyone. I started my project early last year. At first I just wanted to experiment and changed my look. But then in the middle part of last year, I came across this organization of people who want to help cancer patients to somehow feel good about themselves because artificial wigs tend to be hot and at the same time look good despite struggling with the Big C and all the pain associated with it, by donating hair to be made as high quality medical wigs for women and kids with cancer who cannot afford them. And the opportunity of contributing to this worthy cause has given me the drive to maintain my long hair until the time it reached its recommended length. What started as simply aesthetics became something more meaningful. That's why after more than a year of growing it long and healthy, it's about time for me to let it go. Yes, it really feels good or or as they say, it feeds your soul to do something like this but this is also about doing right and helping someone one day at a time.
If I inspire you with my simple story, you can inspire others too by sharing what you can to them or even donating your own crowning glory. Please visit their site here http://donateyourhair.org/. Thank you and may God bless! #cutsagainstcancer #donateyourhairorg