Subic Grand Seas Resort: A beach like no other

It was my daughter’s 7^th birthday and I want to do something special since our trip to Boracay was cancelled because my daughter does not want to be absent in school.

I need to change the itinerary to a short weekend trip to somewhere near. I love the beach, but I've been to almost all the beaches in the SOUTH.  So, closest beach to the north will be the perfect answer to my dilemma. 

I choose Subic.  2 things, proximity and attractions.  My daughter always wanted to watch a dolphin and sea lion show so the Ocean Adventure is just perfect!  The Zoobic Safari is a BONUS!  Now my problem is the accommodation.  Going around Subic (especially the Freeport area) is no joke.  One way taxi cost Php 400.  At first, I thought of having a hotel inside the Freeport zone, however, the option is either an ordinary hotel with a pool or a hotel with a beach.  I’ve heard that the beach in Camayan Beach Resort is NO GOOD.  But I do not want to have a pool only.  Finally, an answer to my prayer (or so I thought).  I saw the Subic Grand Seas Resort.

Just by looking at their web site (http://www.subicgrandseas.com), you will think that this is it!  Reading at the information on their web site and telling you that “At Subic Grand Seas Resort, we invite you to let loose and feel the sand between your toes.”

Looking at the video and the pictures on the web site, you will think that this is a perfect place to relax with your family. 

All the pictures from the room and its amenities,

to the lobby,

the pool and sundeck area, 

EXCEPT FOR THE BEACH!!!

This is the real beach,  I do not know how they made the picture of the beach on their web site so clean and alluring.  If I was a TOTAL BITCH, I would have asked for a REFUND.  However, since the staff are so friendly and hospitable.  I just let it be. A blog like this will help travelers like me know the truth.  I do not have anything against the property.  If I want a pool, I can come back to their place, but if you want a beach, look elsewhere.

I Am A Mother

There are countless things or reason why you can be called a mother.  I will just tell you 1 reason why I am a mother.
One day when I got home from work, my daughter excitedly welcome me and said, “Ma, I have a surprise for you.”  She ran upstairs to get her surprise.

When she came back, she is holding this small box.   “I’m worried that it will not fit you but I hope it will.”

She then excitedly opens the box.  Inside was a handmade ring. 

The ring is made of an old plastic flower (from her old and worn out hair accessories), a wire and a tape.

From the looks of it, you can clearly see how the paint from the flower is already wearing off.

“Ma, try it!” she said. “Is that your new favorite ring now Mom?” she asked. 

The ring can only fit my pinky finger.

“I made it for you Ma. Is it beautiful?  I made sure that the tape will not fall off.”  She said with a smile.

How can you tell a little angel that you can never wear a ring like that in public places?  How can you tell her that it is not as beautiful as she thinks it is?

The answer is “NO!”  As a mom, you cannot tell that to your child.  As a mom, you do not want to break her heart.  BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER.  AND TO A MOTHER, HER CHILD AND HER CHILD’S WORK WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST FOR HER!

From Duck to Swan

As early as 2 ½ yo, I entered my daughter to pre-school.  I thought that in this way, she will learn how to socialize and mingle with people while learning at an early age as well.  She did display intellectual skills.  You can see that she can easily absorb all the lessons in school.  She also speaks straight English (if not fluent).  She can also express herself well.  However, in spite of all this, she is very and I mean VERY shy to people she do not know very well.  Sometimes even to us she gets shy at times. 

This is my problem.  I even went to the point of bribing her just to perform with her classmates on stage in one of the school programs in her school. Imagine, with all the costumes and lots of practices before the said dates.  Just to see my daughter STAND STILL on stage!!!  Heavens!

Last December 2012, a woman in the mall approached us.  She asked me if I am interested to audition my daughter to a commercial.  I said, I will think about it.  However, during days of thinking, I finally dropped by their office.  After she was VTR, the girl told me they will contact me.  Few days passed, I received a phone call.  The girl on the other line told me that my daughter is pretty but shy.  She can hardly talk in front of a camera. She needs to build her confidence which I did not argue because it is true.  She suggested that it will be best if my daughter will undergo a workshop. 

My husband is against it.  He thinks that it is just their way of making money.  He has a point but it is also A FACT THAT MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP.  I was able to persuade my husband to enroll my daughter to a workshop.  The workshop is NOT CHEAP.  During the first day, my daughter can hardly enter the classroom.  After reassuring her that I will not leave, she finally agrees to enter.

The workshop includes singing, dancing, acting and modeling.   This is a once a week  (2.5 hrs per session) that lasted for 3 months.  In between those 3 months period, I also encourage my daughter to do some VTRs for other modeling agencies and some modeling contest.  The process was tedious not to mention expensive.

Within the 3 months period, I can see BIG IMPROVEMENTS in her!  She now talks to other kids without hesitation.  Can now act, sing and dance in front of so many people.  It’s been 1 month now since she graduated from her workshop but the LESSONS she learned during the process is PRICELESS.

From a shy little girl, my daughter is now a CONFIDENT KID.

The Magician in the House

My daughter loves reading books. However, instead of going to the library, we normally bring her to the bookstore to read. One day, while I was with her inside the bookstore, I saw this one book entitled “Chenelyn, Chenelyn”.

I can relate to the story so much. My parents are not rich. They belong to the middle class society. When we were still little we help our parents in doing the household chores before going to school. Then, my parents became busier, here comes the magician. Now I am used of having one beside me. I cannot live without one, I guess.

Having one is such a big convenience. When I wake up in the morning, I will just say “Fix my breakfast.” Just that and when I go down, the table is set with my favorite breakfast for the day. Since my husband and I also works and we are both out of the house, I will just say “Take care of my daughter.” Just that, rest assured my daughter will have her food ready, her bath ready and she will be able to go to school and back. Not to mention that she already took her power nap.

If I cannot find something in the house or just lazy to look for it, I will just say what I want and magically it will appear. Yes, I used to have a magician in the house and a WONDERFUL AND RELIABLE magician she is. I missed her soooo much. Now she is gone because of personal reasons but she will always be THE BEST, I EVER HAD!

We Filipinos are used to having maid/s in the house. I do. Just like TRUE LOVE, when you find one that is truly reliable, HOLD ON TO IT. Treat them like a member of the family for THEY ARE LIKE A RARE GEM THAT IS VERY HARD TO FIND. I hope I can find one again.

Longest 45 minutes of my life

I took a plane going home to Manila.  Cebu Pacific flight from Puerto Princesa.  As usual, I allowed my husband to have the window seat since he really like looking at the view from the window.   I, on the other hand, settle for the middle seat.  Beside me on the aisle seat was a lady, mid 30's.  Got no problem with that, but I guess it was her first time to fly and does not want to be seated away from her travel companions.  After the plane took off, she exchanged seat with a man. 

As you can see from the picture, my problem started.  The 45 minutes short trip became the longest 45 minutes of my life.  From the moment this guy sat there, I started smelling things.  At first, I smelled something like a fart or i thought somebody must be eating boiled egg inside the f***ing plane!  After few minutes, the air was okay again.  Or so I thought.  Darn!!!  Is that smelly feet I am smelling?  I looked at my seatmate, he was wearing slippers.  Darn! Darn! Darn!  How much longer is the flight?! Then, from the smelly feet came the foul fart like smell again.  F***ing torture!  Good thing I was used my ever reliable SUNSILK Shampoo!!!  Good thing my hair was long to cover my nose!!! If I can only spray perfume to this guy!  I swear, this is the worst flight I've ever been.

Puerto Princesa...The Last Frontier - Day III

Last day in Puerto Princesa!!! City tour! Again, I contacted the reliable tricycle tour guide, Mang Ding.

You can contact him at 09186620495 or you can also contact his friend who is equally reliable Mang Rey 09063235777.

Here are  some of the places we visited during the city tour:

The crocodile farm.  There are areas for picture takings like the crocodile for Php 30 pesos per person (3 poses).  You can also buy crocodile stuffs.

Next is Mitra's Ranch.

The famous Baker's Hill.

Their Kare-kare.  A must try!!!

The Cathedral.

My 3 days trip is over but I promise to be back in this beautiful place  I hope every city in the Philippines will be as clean as Palawan. 

Puerto Princesa...The Last Frontier - Day II

Day two, is my most awaited day.  This is the day I will visit the reason for this trip.  The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP).  I always wanted to see this beautiful wonder of nature.  (Go to http://www.puerto-undergroundriver.com/ to know more about this place).

For this tour, I cannot help but grab the offer of Php 1200 per person  (inclusive of van transfer, boat transfer and the buffet lunch). 

Words are not enough to describe how beautiful this trip was.  From the 2 hrs trip from Puerto Princesa to Sabang, you will not be bored because of the great sceneries and of course KUDOS to the tour guide who really gave his BEST in entertaining his guests. 

This is Ernie, the tour guide.  No dull moments with him.

There were few stop overs to and from the Underground river.

First stop is the famous Taratitat store.  This is where every tour bus or vans stops (pee stop).

Second and last stop is the Sabang Port or Beach.  Here, one will take the boat going to the Underground River.  This is also the place where we had our buffet lunch.

Here are some of the things that you will find in the Underground River.

Docking area.

The entrance.

The GEARS.

Some formations.

Some views to and from the area.

Another stop over.

Beach in the Sabang area has a strong current, not really suitable for children and those not really good swimmers.

Ugong Rock...another promising tourist attraction. 

Day two of my trip was far from tiring, it was very exciting!!!