by Erica Poyauan

(It feels like) Autumn in my hometown

February 26, 2013

Here’s an invigorating view from our balcony:

Notice the orange tree at the center? Isn’t it lovely? Seeing it against the green shades surrounding it simply makes me happy. I didn’t wanna miss it so I went out for a closer look…

I was correct, it’s Talisay Tree. These days it’s changing its leaves color from green to orange to red to brown…

25 degrees, cool wind breeze, orange leaves… it feels like autumn here!

Talisay tree is locally known to some countries as “Tropical Almond” or “Indian Almond” (Indian again???). Have you tried its fruit? Its fruit (seed) is edible and has an almond taste. I wasn’t able to take a picture of it but I think you can search Google about its appearance… About the taste, I think it resembles Pili Nut having that roasted pumpkin seed flavor. When I first tried to get Talisay’s kernel, I accidentally hammered my index finger LOL It’s a bit tedious. You have to break the hard shell to get the kernel inside. Next time I’ll try to share some photos 🙂 For now I need to prepare for my work. Ciao!

Author

Erica Poyauan

Erica is a former PR pro turned entrepreneur. Her greatest joys are family, blogging, music, skin care and social justice. As a Muay Thai enthusiast, Erica prides herself on working with increased focus, humility and diligence. She believes in living a fit life doing everything with a flair of creativity and love! Stalk her social channels @thegirlwiththemujihat

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Masarap Nga! Meet and Eat at Novotel Manila Araneta Center is a food event you shouldn’t miss

In Uncategorized

March 29, 2019

The next 17 days are the best days to dine at Novotel Manila because of the “MASARAP NGA! MEET AND EAT”—a food festival showcasing seventeen products from the most promising Small and Medium-sized Food and Agribusiness Enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines.

Thrown together by the country’s famous online food critic who goes by the alias “Kat Abaan Jr.” a.k.a. MasarapBa, the Masarap Nga! Meet and Eat is a reverberation of the MasarapBa online community’s clamor for a grand foodie event. Thanks to Novotel Manila Araneta Center, the outcry was (promptly) heard.

“Finally, it’s happening. We can realize this project that has been popularly in demand by both my online followers and consumers who have been yearning for food that they are comfortable with and yet offer innovative concepts and experiences,” Kat said.

Months of preparation led to this day. According to MasarapBa on an interview with ABS-CBN, the challenge was to coordinate with a number of people but satisfyingly, getting the chefs of Novotel to approve the “ingredients” from the SMEs went smoothly.

For Kat, the main goal of Masarap Nga! Meet and Eat! is to open opportunities for and empower the SMEs, so getting an institution like Novotel to agree with the collaboration is truly beneficial.

Novotel Manila Araneta Center’s General Manager, Mike Brown, strongly supports MasarapBa’s ambition for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who clearly have potential. He affirms Novotel is aligned to creatively promoting these small businesses through the property. He then expressed his gratitude towards the SMEs and MasarapBa at the official launch of the Masarap Nga! meet and Eat!

“Novotel Manila is not just a fun global brand that provides the best for its guests but it’s also a cooperative member of the community. We are grateful that Masarap Ba? chose us for this creative collaboration which also includes some of our food products. This innovative move brings out the best of both local players and our hotel’s global culinary team,” he said.

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The next ten days are among the best days to dine at @novotelmanilaaranetacenter because of “Masarap Nga! Meet and Eat”—a ten-day food fest showcasing seventeen of the most promising Small and Medium-sized Food and Agribusiness Enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines! . . . These local entrepreneurs, hand picked by @masarapba – the country’s sought after food critic, partnered with Novotel’s global culinary team to serve you mouthwatering, innovative, top staple dishes in their lunch and dinner buffet menu! . . . Enjoy a memorable culinary experience at “MASARAP NGA! MEET AND EAT” happening from March 29th to April 7th 2019 at The Food Exchange Manila located at the ground floor of Novotel Manila in Cubao, Quezon City. . . Buffet Rates: Lunch – Php1588 Dinner – Php1688 . . Featured SMEs: @benedictokitchenph @daddymikks @papabearfoodph @mishees @bethschickengalantina @chechesgourmetofficial @madmeats @lapetitefromagerie @gngbukid @eddys_ph @tamagochips @halfsaints @liascakesinseason @cakeshotsph @mangogrillmanila @buenlagokitchen @aurochocolate @lslchocolatesph . . . . #masarapba #masarapngameetandeat #masarapngameetandeat2019 #masarap #novotel #smes #novotelmanila #foodevents #foodfest #foodfestival #topstapledishes #filipinoentrepreneurs #supportlocal #supportsmes #novotelaraneta #thefoodexchangemanila #chechesgourmet #chechesgourmettuyo #papabearph #NovotelManilaxMasarapBa #masarapngasafoodexchangemanila

A post shared by Erica Poyauan (@thegirlwiththemujihat) on Mar 30, 2019 at 11:58am PDT

Featured Small and Medium-sized Food and Agribusiness Enterprises:

1. Benedicto Kitchen

2. Daddy Mikks

3. Papa Bear

4. Mishees

5. Beth’s Chicken Galantina

6. Che-che’s Gourmet

7. Mad Meats

8. La Petite Fromagerie

9. Gng. Bukid

10. Eddy’s

11. Tamagochips

12. Halfsaints

13. Lia’s Cake in Season

14. Cake Shots

15. Mango Grill Manila

16. BuenLago Kitchen

17. Auro Chocolate

18. LSL Chocolates

The products are Mad Meat’s homemade bacon, Beth’s classic chicken gallantina, roast beef and baked salmon by Benedicto Kitchen, Binagoongan and Chicken flakes by Mishee’s, Gourmet Tuyo by Che-che’s Gourmet, Cream Cheese by La Petite Fromagerie, Zero-sugar Peanut Butter by Gng. Bukid, Papa Bear’s chili oil, Tamago Chips, Eddy’s old style chicharrones, Mango Grill Manila’s Cheesy Cassava, the 64% Dark Chocolate Tart by Halfsaints, Auro Chocolate Cacao from Davao, Daddy Mikk’s Chilli and Garlic Crunch, Buenlago Kitchen’s Indie Sauce, cupcakes by Cake Shots and Le Sucre Club’s dream cake.

Some of my favorites:

Cassava Cake of Mango Grill

Dark Chocolate Tart by Half Saints

Choco Dream Cake of Le Sucre Lab

Pizza Bianco featuring Mad Meats’ smoked crispy pancetta

Daddy Mikk’s Garlic and Chili Crunch is featured in this Aglio Olio pasta dish

Just me enjoying the buffet

Parting Words

SMEs teamed up with Novotel Manila’s global culinary team to create mouthwatering, innovative, top staple dishes for you to enjoy at a buffet lunch (Php1,588nett) or dinner (Php1,688nett) from March 29 to April 14, 2019 at the FOOD EXCHANGE MANILA located at the ground floor of Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. If you want to satisfy your inner foodie while supporting local entrepreneurs and advocacy to help stray animals, don’t miss this 17-day event!

Have you tried any of these SMEs products? What do you like to try in this buffet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Aqua Play Parks in Kamia Bay Resort Puerto Princesa, Palawan

In Airports, Uncategorized

May 10, 2018

With Fellow bloggers here at Aqua Play Parks in Kamia Bay Resort

Aqua Play Parks in Kamia Bay Resort may be new in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, but, as a creation of AquaPlayParks.com, this inflatable water park is no rookie at providing adrenaline rush to guests seeking for it.

Sitting just in front of the Binunsalian shores, the appropriately named Aqua Play Parks is roughly a 4000-sqm stretch of floating obstacle course. With the area it occupies, it is dubbed as the largest inflatable waterpark in Asia. Its obstacles include rock peaks for climbing, symmetric beams to test your balance, double seesaws, trampolines, wrecking balls, dolphin slides, water walkers, floating volleyball court, to name a few. These inflatable obstacles, plus two stand-alone giant slides towering either sides of the course, are sure to challenge your fitness as well as keep the level of your endorphins high!

Me trying out the rock peak and the 3in1 climber slide

Kamia Bay Resort guests can swim over or use paddle boards to get to the water park. Trained, skilled, and congenial waterpark lifeguards interact with guests from orientation to aqua play, directing them to conquer each part of the obstacle course or slide down the giant water slides. In any case of emergency, lifeguards respond accordingly and immediately.

As pointed out earlier, endless agenda of adrenaline-rush activities at the aqua play park will definitely keep players busy and pumped up, yet at the same time, Kamia Bay Resort affords its guests every opportunity to sneak away for some Instagram-worthy photo sessions. Look at this photograph below taken at an area we visited during the ecotour:

This part of the Kamia Bay Resort is a favored site for photography enthusiasts. You can pose with, sit or climb on these rock formations during the eco tour. #aquaplayparkspalawan #aquaplayparksphilippines #bikini #bikinilife #rockformations #paawan #likesforlikes #likes4likes #bikinishot #gltlove #solotravelers

A post shared by The Girl with The Muji Hat (@thegirlwiththemujihat) on Apr 27, 2018 at 8:56pm PDT

With the property’s tropical beauty and reserves of trees and rock formations, Kamia Bay Resort is well suited for de-stressing. There are lots of activities too that you can do on your own or with assistance from a resort staff. On the water, you can try jet skiing or speed boating to Puting Buhangin Beach. On land, you can enjoy an ecotour adventure by walking or using a bicycle. The cycling trail weaves through stands of trees.

When it’s time to take a break from the interactive play on the inflatable aqua park or from the ecotour adventure, guests can enjoy hearty meals at the resort’s beachfront restaurant. Buffet lunch, snacks, and drinks are prepared delectably and served courteously by hospitable resort staff.

Mr. Peter Appleton, AquaPlayParks.com CEO leads our grace before meal

Ms. Bette, our blogger team manager, and the food that we ate for lunch

Kamia Bay Package tours and rates

Visitors have the option to avail any of the resort’s tour packages:

AQUA PLAY – PHP788/Person (1 HR in Aqua Park, Eco Tour, Buffet Lunch)
AQUA PLAY UNLI – PHP1488/Person (Unlimited use of Aqua Park, Eco Tour, Buffet lunch)
AQUA ADVENTURE – PHP1188/Person (1 HR in qua park, Eco Tour, Buffet lunch, Roundtrip transfer)
AQUA ADVENTURE UNLIMITED – PHP1788/Person (Unlimited use of Aqua Park, Eco Tour, Buffet lunch, Roundtrip Transfer)
ENTRANCE FEE – Php 200
BUFFET LUNCH – Php 488 for adults and Php 299 for kids
AQUA PLAY PARK 1 HR USE – Php 300
BIKE RENTAL 1HR – Php 300 (Php 50 / additional hour)
CYCLING WITH YOUR OWN BIKE – Php 200 (bike all you can)

Jet-skiing and island-hopping are also available for additional fees.

My happy time with Wilma Doesnt at Puting Buhangin Beach. You can take a side trip to this lovely place.

How to get to Kamia Bay Resort

Kamia Bay Resort is approximately 37 kilometers from Puerto Princesa International Airport. Visitors can arrange transportation with Amika Travels. You can email them at amikatravels@yahoo.com or message them at 0917 543 5770. You may also like their Facebook page for promos and updates: Kamia Bay Resort

For directions on how to get to the resort, click here. FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THE RESORT, CLICK HERE.

Travel tips

Here are some tips to help you prepare for and fully enjoy a day trip to Aqua Play Parks in Kamia Bay Resort:

1. Arrive at the resort early. The resort is open from 9 AM to 4 PM. You don’t wanna miss a minute of the fun that awaits you in the waterpark!

Hello Kamia Bay Resort

2. Wear proper swimming attire. Use sunscreen. It is okay to wear two-pice bikini as long as the articles are non flimsy and let you move comfortably.

I’m just feeling the cool breeze before I start an action-filled day on the inflatable waterpark in front of me

3. Do a warm up with the rest of your group. Playing in the waterpark is like exercising. You need to get your heart ready for increased oxygen intake when you jump, run, splash, swim, or do other shifting moves. This way, you’re not only improving your muscle performance by letting blood flow through, you also reduce muscle injury. Also, remember to cool down.

fun before more fun hehe

4. Follow the safety guidelines at all times. It is important to listen to the lifeguards especially when they tell you to wear life jackets all the time. It doesn’t matter if you are a trained swimmer or a superhero. You must follow the guidelines. Also, do not go underneath the inflatables.

Mr. Saldi orients us about the Aqua play parks safety guidelines

5. Do not skip on any inflatable obstacle on the water park. Try everything, if possible more than once. I highly recommend the Slidezillas and the human launcher. Also, take advantage of the resort’s activities, just like what I did with the Jet Ski!

I’ve always known what vehicle to buy (when I have the funds) 😂 (or perhaps an ATV) 😛 So now I got this 😂😂😂 just for the day LOL THANK you @aquaplayparksph for letting me enjoy jetskiing around Kamia Bay Resort! 📸@annesheyday . . . . . . . . . #kamiamazing #jetski #bikini #bikinigirls #solotravelers #bloggers #yellowjetski #palawan #puertoprincesa #thegirlwiththemujihat #kamiabay #kamibayresort #swimwear #jetskiing #islandlife #islandgirl #gltlove #likesforlikes #likes4likes #aquaplayparksphilippines #aquaplayparksph #aquaplayparkspalawan #followforfollow #watersports #active #watersport

A post shared by The Girl with The Muji Hat (@thegirlwiththemujihat) on Apr 29, 2018 at 4:08am PDT

6. Keep yourself hydrated. Like I said, just like exercising, your body needs water every now and then.

Hearty meal for lunch

7. Bring extra plastic bag for soaked swimming clothes. Bring toiletries. You can also bring your own towels in case there’s long waiting time for towel rentals.

United Bloggers Philippines with AquaPlayParks.com CEO Mr. Peter Appleton, Kamia Bay Resort Trainer Mr. Saldi Benito, celebrities Wilma Doesnt and Mark Casiano

Parting words

Kamia Bay Resort has the strong edge that will appeal to families, couples, or group travelers of all ages. Endless activities on the floating Aqua Play Park, ecotours for de-stressing or pursuit of exquisite photography, delectable food, friendly lifeguards, all smiles staff, very clean facilities – all contribute a great deal to any guest’s wonderful experience. Like most resorts in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the day tour rates of Kamia Bay Resort are reasonable. But if you are an ultimate thrill-seeker like me, you might be willing to pay more!