Residence Inn Tagaytay

During the long break, my wife and I decided to take the kids out to Tagaytay.

We were planning to go horse back riding, but the horses were limited and we have to wait from a long line to have our turn. We don't have the luxury of time, so we let the kids ride the bike instead. Afterwards, we went to Residence Inn to visit the mini-zoo. The kids enjoyed the animals that we lost track of time. It was already dark that we decided to have our dinner at the place as well. We went home around 7 PM.

Tagaytay is really great. The weather is perfect and the views are really amazing, particulary Taal Lake and Volcano. It's an almost 2 hours drive from Batangas City. And with respect to Manila, I believe travel time is almost the same. It's the summer capital of Southern Luzon, Philippines.

As regards to Residence Inn, the place is okay. It's a hotel inn and restaurant also. It has a viewdeck, garden, mini-zoo, and serpentarium that the kids will truly enjoy. For the thrill-seekers, you can have a live animal encounter and have your pictures taken with the tiger cubs, of course, for a fee.

We plan on coming back and perhaps having an overnight stay. And on our next visit, we'll make sure that the kids will experience riding a horse. As a whole, it was a very tiring and enjoying adventure.

My personal rating of Tagatay and Residense Inn: 7.5 and 7 out of 10 respectively.

Enjoy our pictures:

The Conservatory, Manila Peninsula Hotel

We just had a joint event with Finarch and Microsoft to showcase the Financial Architect Solution. Financial Architect is an application based on Microsoft technology intended for Basel II compliance of financial institutions.

It was an early morning event that spanned around 3 hours. We have a speaker from Microsoft and one from our foreign partner, Finarch, directly from Belgium. The event was successful in a way with respect to the positive turnaround of attendance by representatives of executive management of different banks. Further, we got positive responses and feedbacks, and we just hope that the Financial Architect solution would penetrate the Philippine market.

We would like to thank all our guests for sparing us some time from their busy schedule, brave the traffic due to bad weather, to take part on this event. Kudos to all of you!

As regards to the venue, We held the event at the Conservatory, Manila Peninsula Hotel located at Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. The place is ideal for functions, seminars, mini parties, etc. On a regular day, the Conservatory is a restaurant where some of the best bands in the Philippines play soul, blues, pop, retro and jazz standards. The food and the service are okay, sadly, I don't have any idea on rates.

My personal rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Please check out some photos:

White Rock Beach and Resort

We went to White Rock Beach and Resort in Bo. Matain, Subic, Zambales, Philippines for a two day workshop on a project we are working with a government agency. White Rock Resort-Hotel is a premiere Philippines beach resort with a 5.7-hectare property nestled along serene Subic Bay, just 2-hours leisurely and scenic drive from Manila. An ideal vacation haven, it boasts of complete resort amenities and ideal for water sports with a peaceful ambiance. It is bounded by beautiful mountains that also makes the bay practically Tsunami-free.

We practically spent our two-day stay with project presentations and workshops, leaving us with only a night to enjoy the facilities of the resort. The beach is great, likewise the pool. However, I never had time to swim and soak as I was busy entertaining our government agency guests. That night after dinner, we had a drinking spree over a videoke and pika-pika by the pool side, arranged exclusively for our group by the resort.

I enjoyed... We enjoyed... Everyone enjoyed the night as they take turns signing their favorite tune. We called it a day around 3 AM in the morning.

Visit their website: http://www.whiterockresorthotel.com/

My personal rating: 8 out of 10.

One thing unfortunate is that I forgot to bring my camera. I promised to get back though, so I can capture on still photos the beauty that is White Rock.

The Bellevue Hotel Manila Version 2.0

Another year passed and it’s time to review 2006 and plan for 2007. Yes, it’s our company’s kick-off meeting – Planning and Recognition time.

It was a difficult 2006. The company is looking forward to a better year by creating a theme which says “I’ll Make It Happen!”… The company can make it happen starting with each employees’ valued contribution. Yes, “We can make it happen!”

The event was likewise held at the Bellevue Hotel Manila. As usual, the food and service is good. Nothing much changed since the last year’s event.

Visit their website: http://www.thebellevue.com.ph/

My personal rating remains the same at 7.5 out of 10.

Fiesta San Miguel, Dusit Hotel Nikko Manila

A very Merry Christmas to all!

A very Merry Christmas Party to all!

We celebrated the party for 2006 at Fiesta San Miguel in Dusit Hotel Nikko, Manila Philippines. Fiesta San Miguel is an award-winning restaurant and bar that offers freshly brewed San Miguel beer served along with Filipino dishes with a twist.

As usual, there are plenty of food and drinks, lots of great prizes at stake at the raffle, and great music played by a local band.

The year’s theme is based on a local movie, First Day High, where everyone is supposed to mimic the characters of the movie as follows: 1) Wear yellow and dress like a nerd; 2) Wear red and display a sporty attire; 3) Wear violet and pretend to be a socialite; and lastly 4) Wear black and dawn a bad boy, rebellious image. Everyone was so creative which made it very fun. Oh, by the way, I won star of the night!

The evening would not be complete without the group presentations. We won 2nd place tied with another group. For next year, we have to work and prepare a little harder so that we’ll win the most coveted first place, not to mention the bragging rights of course.

We concluded the evening with non-stop drinking and dancing. Though the place is a little cramp for our entire company, we had a great time.

The website: http://manila.dusit.com/z845/restaurants_03.html

My personal rating of Fiesta San Miguel: 7 out of 10.

The Bellevue Hotel Manila

It is January 2006… Our company’s kick-off meeting month. Based on previous, group plans and budget were discussed. Awards were given and open-forum was conducted.

This year’s event was very meaningful for me as I was selected as the Presidential Awardee or the Employee of the Year. I was really thankful because all my efforts were rewarded and recognize. This even inspired me to provide my best for the years to come with the company. On top of the honor and prestige, I was given a trophy plus a classy Longines watch that amounts to almost 30,000 Philippine Pesos.

The event was held in Bellevue Hotel Manila located at North Bridgeway, Northgate Cyberzone Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa Metro Manila, 1781 Philippines.

Coined from the French word belle-vue, which means “beautiful view”. The Bellevue Manila opened in January 2003. It is the first and only full service hotel in the south of Metro Manila.

Located within a thriving business and commercial district, The Bellevue Manila provides convenient access to key business areas, shopping malls, golf courses and country clubs, theme parks, dive spots and a host of restaurant and bars. The international and domestic airports and the bustling business center of Makati are but a leisurely drive away.

As accredited by the Department of Tourism, the Bellevue is classified as a Deluxe hotel based on Philippine standards.

Visit their website: http://www.thebellevue.com.ph/

My personal rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Check out some photos:

Conway's Makati Shangri-La Hotel

It’s almost Christmas. And of course, the season will not be complete without celebrating our Company’s Christmas party. For 2005, we had it at Conway’s located at level 2 of Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Manila, Philippines. With live entertainment, an inviting dance floor, al fresco dining venue, signature drinks and unbeatable bar fare, Conway’s is the place to be in the evening.

Check their website:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/manila/makatishangrila/dining/restaurant/conways

The year’s Christmas Party Theme is “Fashionista.” Here, everyone is enjoined to wear the latest trend in fashion. Or as an option, visit one’s closet to mix-and-match existing wardrobe to come up with a signature look, expressing fashion on a unique way.

We started the evening with a sumptuous dinner. Then we had our group presentations wherein each group is required to present based on the year’s theme. For our group, we had a musical number depicting the distinct fashion of the 60’s, 70’s, the present, and the future as we foresee it. We had a great presentation although we just won 3rd place.

We had raffle as well. Whilst, we hired a local band. The evening was completed with dancing and drinking galore.

Merry Christmas people!

By the way, if you’re looking for a cozy and relaxing place, try Conway’s.

My personal rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Pictures to follow soon.

Shangri-La Hotel and Resort Mactan Cebu

My colleague Cristy and I attended a two-day Oracle bootcamp in Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, Philippines last June of 2005.

Shangri-La is really world class. The rooms are great, likewise the food, moreso the service.

We spent the first whole day attending seminars, then had our dinner by the beach. We partied later that evening where every group were asked to have a presentation number, including us, of course. Since Cristy and I don't have something prepared, I just sang to them a couple of tunes, and fortunately, I was chosen as the best male performer. Talking about unprepared... Hehehe. :) I called it a night around 2 PM because we have to wake up early for the next day's activities.

If the first day was intended to stimulate our minds, the next day's morning activities were targeted at our physical conditioning. We were divided into four groups and played a total for 4 strength and water games. The games were rough, nevertheless, our team finished first.

After lunch, we were given free time to enjoy the beach, pool, the entire facility, and even shop for souvenirs and pasalubong at nearby malls. We left for Manila later that afternoon.

I definitely enjoyed my stay. I wish to come back someday and enjoy Shangri-La at its best together with my family.

My personal rating: 8.5 out of 10.

Pictures to follow. I'm still tyring to dig in my files.

AIM Conference Center Manila

Every year, the company is having its kick-off meeting to discuss each groups plan, goals, and budget for the year. It is also in this event that the company is giving awards to its employees for their valued contribution to the success of the company. Awards included are citation awards, outstanding employee awards, and presidential award or employee of the year award. Perfect attendance awards are given as well. Mind you, I was awarded as one of the Outstanding Employee of the Year for 2005.

It was a very promising year as I listen attentively to the powerpoint presentation of every group. But to meet the goals, it is necessary that all employees provide their fare share of hard work.

Towards the end of the event, an open forum is conducted presided by no less than the President and CEO of our company. Suggestions, recommendations, clarifications, and complaints were tackled. This is a much awaited session as this aims to provide enlightenment and explanation to all employee-related issues in the company.

The kick-off meeting was held at AIM Conference Center Manila. It is located in the city center of Makati five minutes walking distance from Greenbelt and Ayala Avenue. The exact address as follows:

Benavidez corner Trasierra Streets
Legaspi Village, Makati City
1260 Philippines

Meet, Dine, and Sleep at AIM Conference Center. Meet – the center offers executive function rooms for corporate gatherings and meetings which are internet ready and equipped with video conferencing facility. Dine – catering services are provided to satisfy your sense of taste. Sleep – room accommodations for stay-in guests which are equipped with IDD/NCC, internet access, mini bar, in-room safe, cable TV, computerized door lock, coffee and tea-making facility, and bell service.

You can check their website at: http://www.accm.aim.edu.ph/

My personal rating: 7 out of 10.

Some photos as follows: