Moderno Food Park in Angeles Pampanga

Last December 4 2016, we decided to try a new place to dine. It's right after we attended the mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (Dolores San Fernando City pampanga) I just love to attend the mass here because this church is fully air-conditioned :) . My husband's niece suggest the Moderno Food Park located in Angeles Pampanga. At first I thought it's a restaurant, yun pala it's a food park. Food park is a growing business nowadays wherein there are many food stalls inside one area or roof. I think Moderno has  roughly 15 food stalls. Food we tried? I had dinakdakan bagnet meal and nachos, my husband's nieces had steak, Jay had tempura and ramen, JD had fries, and Kiehl - mama's milk :D
Here are the photos we had during our visit there.

   

Prices are affordable. Go visit it now :) Direction? JGI (Just Google It) 

 Till then,

 

This Blog's New Look

It's been more than a year since I last posted here :) Sayang, PR1 pa naman. Okay... since nagkaroon naman ako ng time na mag update ng blog ko, ito napusuan kong iedit ang itsura nitong Mind Speaks. Tada! Pinky, bluish and neat para sa akin. Hindi ko na papahirapan sarili ko na mag edit ng stylesheet, okay na tong ready made ng blogspot, cool din naman eh.

At dahil libre naman ang pagsusulat dito sa blogspot, imaintain ko pa din ito. Sayang nga lang at hindi na kumikita, nawala na yung payperpost eh, dun lang kasi to nakakakuha ng sponsoredpost.

May naisip ako, gawin ko tong tagalog blog hehe. Para naman maging unique at hindi maging katulad ng content ng I Just Opine di ba? Magandang ideya ito... Sana lumago pa ang mga mambabasa ko kung meron man.

For now, ienjoy nyo ang bagong bihis kong blog. Palitan ko na lang din ng title - gawin nating tagalog. Mind Speaks, "Nagsasalitang Utak" ang pangit haha. Ah - "Sa Aking Palagay"

hmp - hayaan ko na nga lang, para kapag may dumating na oportunidad sa paid post eh hindi maging problema  ang title :)

JD's Courage

Last Saturday, February 6 - we went to Marquee Mall in Angeles Pampanga to have a dinner with my husband's relatives. That was right aftet we visited my mother-in-law in cemetery. Nakakatuwa lang din on my husband's side, their eldest sibling na nakakaangat never hesitates to share their blessings by treating the family. So at Marquee Mall, pagdating namin we headed to Savory. While on our way, JD wanted to walk with her ate (cousin) na nauuna sa amin. Until sa mauna na sila sa venue and nahuli kami and we went to bathroom (me and Jay). All along, we know that JD was with her cousins. So after namin mag bathroom ni Jay, we looked around for a while then we heard JD calling us from afar! "Mama! Daddy!Meron pong panda dun!" She was excited to show us where this panda is. And my husband and I was very surprised and puzzled how she got there na in fact kasama sya ng mga pinsan nya. ???? We asked her sino kasama nya and she told us "ako lang po" that confidence in her answer. We really couldn't believe this happen to us. What if nakuha sya ng iba. Naglakad sya ng mag isa she managed to enter in an automatic door close to it are escalators. We discussed her what might happen to her had we not found her or kung di nya kami nakita. Sabi namin wag na nya ulitin yun, baka kunin sya ng bad guys. And may escalator dun buti di sya nag attempt dumaan which she really enjoys, sabi naman nya. "Hindi naman po ako pumunta." Hay JD, she was innocently courageous. We asked her cousins pano nawalay si JD sa kanila. Sabi nila kinuha daw ng tito Jay nila. Grabe, we can't imagine ourselves kung nawala si JD. I believe nanay (my mother-in-law) guided her to see us. And thank you really for saving and guiding in her journey. Never to trust our daughter with anyone talaga. Lesson learned. 

 Till then,
 

Exploring Quezon's 3 Islands: Puting Buhangin, Borawan and Dampalitan Islands

***Flashback on June 2015*** Hooray for the event organizers for a successful 2 days and a night bonding at Padre Burgos Quezon Province! It's about time to discover my own province and explore some of the towns I have never been through yet. The farthest I have been with was Sampaloc Quezon, now it's another check on my list, I've been to Padre Burgos Quezon, not only for a day but two. Did island hopping on June 13 to 14, fun and enjoyable dhi's adventure! Because of the many strong typhoons that visited the country, especially the Quezon province which is prone to typhoon, many islands were discovered, most of them are white beaches. That is now making Quezon popular and a very nice tourism spot. Prior to our main event my colleagues did a lot of preparation on this. We also had a meeting to discuss the do's and don't s and the iterinary. The main person behind this was Froi! He is the one who contacted our agent. Thanks to him we had a cheap travel experience! Cheap as in Php1,700 all in! (Except for fare). Yes you read it right, that amount for 2 days inclusive of foods - lunch, dinner and breakfast, entrance fee for 3 islands, environmental fee, boat fee, shower fee and cottage/tent. No more worries, gaganap ka na lang ika nga ni Froi. On the first day, since most of them were from Manila, they met at 1am of June 13 to get on the bus' first trip at 2am - Jac Liner (LRT/Buendia terminal). I wasn’t on a bus travel with them I was with my husband who went home to Tiaong on the night of June 12 so we can leave the next day not so early as 1am. And on June 13, from our Tiaong home we left at 4am. Froi told me that they already were at Tiaong then. So fast! Per our text messages, they were already at Lucena 5am, an hour earlier than expected. They only traveled for 3 hours while we had it 1 hour (by car). I am not a car traveler so we used the GPS and because both I and my husband are not familiar with Lucena, we went through residential area haha. Nevertheless, we still was able to get out and trace the Padre Burgos crossing. As Froi mentioned, they will ride a mini bus with Unisan sign board and will rode off at Crossing Padre Burgos. So we used that one in GPS. It was a bit hard as there was no landmark provided. We passed by Pagbilao first and according to GPS Padre Burgos crossing will be right after Pagbilao. Long long road and we can't find the Crossing. Until we saw a Brgy. Campo signboard at right way of the road, but we didn't go through yet, we reached a place where there is a green painted establishment called Padre Burgos Tourism, that signaled we were there. Because we were still confused where Crossing is, we called Darold - our agent, for help, and he mentioned that we were already there, we need to go back to Brgy. Campo, trace the road to reach their house. In no less than 2 minutes, we reached their place. We arrived earlier than my colleagues, because of that, I and my husband decided to fetch them in crossing so they would not be confused on where to go. And after our 1 or 2 minute walk, they arrived! Yey!

This is the Padre Burgos Crossing Landmark

Darold oriented us about the tour, the do's and don'ts, and all the important things to keep in mind, this took in less than an hour. Afterwhich, we had our cups of coffee for free!!!! Then we prepared and dressed up for the island hopping, putting on much sunblock for skin protection. And at 830, we began our travel. No worries for those who have cars, it can be left and parked at the Brgy. Campo port, you only need to pay Php50.00 parking fee, and it's safe to leave there. We hired 2 boats, 6 and 7 passengers respectively, because according to Darold, we are big enough to accommodate by only one haha. So here are the pictures to tell the whole story. Enjoy! 

  Photos were taken by my GE X5 

Brgy. Campo Port Area in the morning (where we also parked our car) Parking Area at Brgy. Campo port The other boat loading 6 colleagues, bound to Puting Buhangin The guy in pink is Darold - our agent Passing by the Mag asawang Bato Power Plant - on going construction Kwebang Lagpas at Puting Buhangin The tourists! Just arrived and ready to get tanned! Art Ralph Ayeh and Kate enjoy the clear water

My ugly feet soaked in clear sea water Clear water near the Kwebang Lagpas at Puting Buhangin Island Ron enjoys it the shore and white sand I took them jump shot - achieved Passing by these creatures as we traveled to Dampalitan Island Overlooking Dampalitan Island - Panorama shot (GE X5)[/caption] Time to leave Puting Buhangin, at 1030am, after enjoying the clear water under the heat of the sun, it's time to go to Dampalitan Island, our 2nd island and the place where we will have our lunch and spend our night at. It took us 30 minutes of travel to Dampalitan. Our shelter for 2 days and a night tent as also as sleeping area

 Below is our picture having and enjoying the lunch, part of the Php1,700 we paid. Lunch were steamed crab, fried fish, adobong sitaw and pork kaldereta. I did enjoy the kaldereta much.  

This island is so quiet that time, lesser tourists were there. And it's not also as good as Puting Buhangin. The water isn't as enjoyable to swim with compare to Puting Buhangin. We even did not swim there. We had our lunch and took some respite. at Dampalitan Island

At 2pm, we left the island again to hop in Borawan. These 3 kids below served as our belongings' safe keeper, fee was part of the Php1,700. These 3 kids are residents of this island. the 3 kids who safeguarded our belongings

Time for Borawan, in approximately 15 minutes of boat travel, we were there. Borawan is a somehow developed island compared to Dampalitan and Puting Buhangin. There's unlimited water supply, restrooms and stores. What nice with this island is the awesome rock formation. It also is a white island, but, not so clear water. Nevertheless, we still swam. Borawan Island

we're having fun

Looks like a croc 

At 5pm, and after we had our shower, we went back to Dampalitan. We'd be spending our night there, not in Borawan as according to Darold it's not safe anymore, high tide might happen and at the same time, rock formation isn't that safe. To make our travel worthy, my colleagues played cards, I didn't join them as I don't how to. While they were playing, the other 2 industrious guys were grilling the chicken bbq I brought. Preparing to play cards Ceasar and Art preparing the fire[/caption] Sabi nila, sunset will be witnessed in Dampalitan, I was waiting for it, but we didn't see it. Sa sun bar dapat nag stay? Yes, there is a nice sun bar in Dampalitan, it protrudes only at 4pm. I didn't have a picture of it though. dapit-hapon sky in Dampalitan - the netted area is the area where we can swim, there's a net ro avoid jelly fish Grilling until dark[/caption] Dinner is ready! Part also of the Php1,700, contained grilled squid (medyo makunat) fish, grilled liempo and ripe mango. Chicken BBQ is from me. We ate like a family! Dinner is ready[/caption] There was also a bonfire - oh I mean you can do a bonfire to add spice on your bonding moment. The woods are also part of the Php1,700. Bonfire 

Night passed. Medyo mahirap because of the noisy neighbors who didn't sleep and didn't mind people who were already sleeping. It was hot too that we cannot endure sleeping in the tent, but we had too. Mosquitoes are everywhere, nagpe pyesta sila sa pagkagat sa amin :( I didn't have insect repellent eh. So the epitome - I had not enough sleep. Buti na lang hindi namin isinama si JD, otherwise, wawa sya at kami.   Picture below is the other side of Dampalitan Island - taken the next morning. And behind this rock formation are the mangroves. 

Dampalitan Island the following morning mangroves behind the rock formation taken above[/caption] Behind me in the picture below is the hiding sun bar (high tide). It will show up at 4pm. nice blue sky

IT was my second time in an island, first was in Hundred Islands in Alaminos Pangasinan, but I didn't enjoy it well because of my UTI. In Quezon, I enjoyed it that much seems like my first time. This place is highly recommended, especially the agent who assisted us here. Very affordable service. You may contact Darold (he's also from Parde Burgos) at 0916-576-4069 / 0949 -636-2087. Enjoy! and Experience the true wonders of nature in province of Quezon! 

Jhaydii Turns Four

*** Originally posted on March 21, 2016**

Officially Jhaydii is four now. And that proves how time really wanes. From a 6.1 lbs to 14kgs and from a sleepy to a loquacious smart little girl. I now have a little one who corrects me when I made a mistake, mistake caused by dotage haha ?

We didn't have much. We surprised her by her favorite balloons and gifts. On night of March 20th we wanted her to sleep early so we can set up the surprise, but she slept at past 10pm. And on 12mn, my husband and I woke up to blow the balloons. When we're done, I brought the balloons inside the room, but surprisingly, one balloon got unattach from the stick and it flew, so I chased it and attached back to the stick. Behind me was the electric fan, and the stick got inside created a noise that made JD woke up haha... "Mama? Ano po yun?" Haha I lied beside her so she couldn't notice the balloons. It took her so long before she went back to sleep. She peed too, I need to cover her when entering the room so she could not see the surprise. And when the sun was up and it's 730am, I forced her to wake up. She right away see our surprise for her. ? "That's my gift?" "Yes" i replied. I saw happiness on her face. She hastily went to bed where the balloons and gift were placed. And opened the gifts with excitement.

   

 Then her daddy came, with him was a cake while he's singing happy birthday. We can see that she's very happy with our simple way of surprising her.

   

She kept on asking me the whole day "mama birthday ko pa din po ngayon?" Innocent really... I love her that way. 

   

And her happiness was completed when we brought her to Pampanga Skyranch. She just had a carousel ride. And dahil preggy ako and bawal daw to ride, no choice si daddy kundi samahan si JD. We also did play shooting ball na kapag naka shoot sa blue yellow or red ay may prize na stuff toy. We paid 200 for 15 balls ata un and daddy jay shoot only blue haha. So JD had a puppy. Despite this simple, she kept on saying "I'm happy". Nakakatuwa talaga mga bata, simple things make them really really happy, sana tayong mga adult din ? Now that you are four, we wish you to grow up a very well child. We pray that God will always protect you, keep you safe and healthy. And that we may provide you a good future. We love you so so much baby Jhaydii!

How We Prepare Our Toddler (JD) with the Coming of Our 2nd Baby

**original posting date: March 17, 2016**

My former officemate told me before that we should have our second baby na daw, that was when JD is still 2 years old. She said that because according to her, jealousy might happen if the eldest baby reaches the age of 3 or 4. Now that I am pregnant with our 2nd baby and JD is 4 by the time I delivered, I vex on how this will be accepted by her. Will she be jealous because the attention that we are giving her will be divided and that we will not be cuddling not only her but her new sibling as well? Might be ? Because she shows it, her jealousy is obvious everytime I or her daddy carries someone else's baby. We don't want it to happen with her new baby brother/sister. And to prepare her for this, I explained to her that she will be having a new baby whom she can share toys or clothes with. She accepted it, but of course she is young and can't stick to that, who knows right? Besides to that, we always go together when I have my monthly OB check up and let her listen to the heartbeat of baby tummy. She even joins me inside the room where I lied to listen to the heartbeat, she's beside me listening as well. I see smiles on her face as she hears the fast heartbeat inside me. And by the time baby tummy started to move and kick inside me, I let her feel it. I placed her palm on my tummy where she feels the kick, ans she shouts with joy upon feeling it. She also is always kissing my tummy uttering "I love you baby tummy" There's so much more we should do in order for JD to not be jealous of baby tummy. We should fully prepare her for it. Anyway, she prefers a sister. Her reason behind is that, she can't share her toy if it's a boy haha. But we explained to her that she can still share if it's a boy like what her kuya's (cousins) are doing. I am on my 25th week now and haven't have my gender check yet. I haven't have my ultrasound yet as I want to do it in 3D/4D. The Pampanga Women Ultrasound accepts by the time the tummy is on it's 28th week. 3 more weeks for me, I'm being patient ? anyway.

   

To end, if you have a toddler and worry about the coming of another baby, well, I can relate to you and hopefully our strategy will help us achieve our goal....

Happy 35th To Me at The Singing Cooks and Waiters

And my birthday celebration hasn't ended yet ;-) First and foremost, thank you very much to my ITO friends for a night of fun and celebration of my birthday at The Singing Cooks and Waiters. Although I kept my birthday a secret (and as you said walang lihim na hindi nabubunyag) you still made my special day a memorable one. I feel so blessed guys! From the bottom of my kind heart, thank you thank you very much!!!

Okay... so my birthday was on 3rd of March, I kept it from my friends in the office, only a very close/bestfriend of mine remembered it (she's my friend since we were in college). My facebook is very private, I didn't disclose my birthday and I also limit the audience of the tags to only family. Wala lang feel ko lang, I do it pa since last year. I don't want to be greeted kasi only because facebook reminded them. I want to be greeted kasi they really know it's my day hehe drama lang and arte ko lang. So before 4th of March ended my ITO friends greeted me, they knew na it was my birthday on the 3rd. On that same day, I've received an invite D Day! Gave me a hint that it's for my birthday. And here we go, I was happy for the effort they gave to celebrate my day at The Singing Cooks and Waiters.

 

First surprise was when Bing arrived, ang galing ng drama. We were talking on the phone and sabi daya ko daw di ko sya sinabihan. I told her sunod sya kasi it's in Buendia lang. We kept on talking and she was asking me if mapupuntahan daw ba nya ang TSCW. I told her yeap kasi malapit lang and the line was breaking I can hardly heard her because of the loud singing of TSCW matches with instruments and cables. I kept calling Bing Bing.. Hello Bing! Bing! DI can't hear you.. And then there she is, in front of me na :D Kaloka na surprise naman ako, thanks Laiza! Bing is one nice person na everyone will like, very kind and friendly. 

Thank you friends for the wonderful celebration!

The cooks and waiters nga pala were singing na when we arrived. One hour and half siguro sila non-stop  nagsi sing... papalit palit and in fairness magagaling sila. Coconut, Flashlight , Delilah and many more songs were sang. They made the night even more fun, never had dull moments. Here are some of the photos I captured. 

Singing and Dancing crews

Bing was picked to join them in dancing with the coconut The Singing Chef The singing and dancing guard

 And our finale pictures  

In totality, we all enjoyed the night, not a dull one. I suggest you visit the place at 6PM to 8PM, then 9PM to 11PM as they perform non-stop (only had a 30 minute rest). 

Dhynnes