Monday, January 31, 2011

The Lighthouse Marina Resort

We've been to Subic many times before but our stay in Lighthouse Marina Resort - Subic, proved to be an amazing one! The Lighthouse Marina Resort is located in Subic Bay, Moonbay Marina Complex, Waterfront Road, CBD , Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, Philippines


There are many things to like about Lighthouse Marina Resort: First of, service is exceptional! All the staff were super friendly and courteous.


Very clean facilities and the bathroom is spacious! I can still watch television while inside the bath tub. They have complimentary cocktails from 4:00 pm to 6:00pm at the Sands Bar. Complimentary nightcap from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. Hot chocolate (fantastic!), coffee or tea and brownies upon your request will be delivered to your room


Ligthouse provide activities for kids, twice daily, 10:30am and 3:30pm. On top of that they gave stuffed toys and sweet treats to all the kids who attended the arts and crafts session.

I'd recommend Lighthouse for any couple who wishes to have a beach wedding. The view is wonderful! Why fly to a far away and crowded beach when you can have a very romantic beach wedding just hours drive from Manila.



We went sailing the next day. The Captain and the Co-Captain were very accommodating and nice. No dull moments with them as they told stories from the many journey/sail they had here and abroad. They even let my husband sail the boat



I must say, that not only in Subic but all over Philippines, Lighthouse Marina Resort surpassed my expectation of great service.


The Lighthouse Marina Resort is a three-floor, 34-room boutique hotel capped by a lighthouse. The hotel is sleek and ultra-modern in its Palafox-designed architecture. Done in almost austere Italianate architectonics with its elegantly simplistic hotel facade, the hotel main building provided a perfect compliment to the 20 meter light tower done in surprising detail very faithful to naval architecture specifications. It's exclusive location hidden in the midst of the busy Waterfront Road makes it the ultimate haven of retreat. The Lighthouse was established about two years ago to provide transient residence to executives of business locators of the Subic free port zone; and for tourists who frequent the port more for its sailing and eco-tourism than its business

Contact Nos.:Trunk Line (Tel/Fax): (6347) 252-5000 or (6347) 252-7545
Toll Free Manila Number: (632)711-0019
Manila Sales Office:(632) 892-3534 Fax: (632)815-8296


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Viva Vigan

History of Vigan

Juan de Salcedo, grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, settled in Vigan in 1572 and renamed the area Villa Fernandina after his King’s son. He built Vigan patterned after his grandfather’s construction of Intramuros. In 1755, the seat of Nueva Segovia, the diocese of northern Luzon that was first established in Cagayan, was moved to Vigan. The cathedral was built in 1790 and 1800 and stood out among Vigan’s beautiful sights. Since then, the city was developed by the Chinese merchants and artisans who inherited the next aristocracy.
Things to do in Vigan:

Watch the ruins..


...and the still good structures.

Picture-picture with family...

...girlfriends, Zeny and Amy...(our names ends in 'Y')


...and the kids, too...


...not to forget, the MEN in our lives, who drove 10 hours to reach Vigan.

Ride the Kalesa

Shop for pasalubong...

Shop...

Shop still...

Shop, till you drop...

Popsicle eating, the Vigan way, is a refreshing treat for the little one especially
on a hot summer days
What not to do in Vigan: Urinate outside the restroom
(Nah, my man is just pretending, he likes making 'kulit' or funny pose)
You wouldn't miss Manila for Max's is just around the corner...

...and McDo...

Remember to laugh...

...and pray.


Chapel on the Hill

Chapel on the Hill is a Retreat House and a very nice Wedding Chapel or Venue which I had an opportunity to visit for the very first time last December 17, 2010 in preparation for an On The Day (OTD) Wedding Coordination project for Mendoza-Bermoy Wedding.




The Chapel on the Hill has a unique and a calming ambiance. It has a 360-degree view of the surroundings through its glass walls and windows. The view is so lovely and the place is so solemn. The chapel has a circular pattern on the floor which is called the Labyrinth. As explained in the entrance of the chapel, “the labyrinth is a sacred circle with a single path that leads to its center. Walking the path lends itself to prayer and meditation. This kinesthetic style of prayer is especially valuable during those times when words cannot express the depths of heights of our experience”.
Bong Mendoza, The Priest In-Charge and Lhen Bermoy-Mendoza



Having your wedding here will be a memorable one for you will feel all the love your guests will show just by being here,considering the distance from Manila.



Overlooking view where newly weds can do photo shoots right after the wedding




Before leaving Chapel on the Hill, caught this lovely scene from a newly wed's photo shoot



Feel free to email me if you wish to hire a Wedding Coordinator at joydamendiola@yahoo.com

Visit my Events Planning and Hosting site at Facebook: Occasions of Joy


How to Get There:



From Tagaytay, take the way going to Nasugbu, Batangas. Turn left at the entrance of the Evercrest Hotel and Resort (after Petron Station). You won’t miss this hotel as it has a huge entrance gate. Chapel on the Hill is located about a kilometer from the entrance. Just ask the guards for directions but it is located on the left side. It shares the same main gate entrance with Calaruega Church, the hotel and Don Bosco.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Chapel on the Hill
Address: Don Bosco, Batulao, Batangas
Contact Person : Ms. Lory
Tel. No.: +63 2 7435614 (Manila)