Category Archives: Travel

Alpo Little Friends League Super Bonding Session

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…continuation

Day 2.

So it begins. Day 2 of the Alpo Little Friends League Super Bonding Session. 7:30 a.m., Venice’s butler fetched her at the hotel for a grooming session at Better Dog Canine Facility. The idea here was for the pet parents to relax for today and go to the spa while their pets are also getting one. Around 8 am, breakfast was served at Cravings Restaurant at the hotel. Such a sumptuous meal they had there. Plus the overlooking view was excellent. Right after breakfast, they sent us off for a “me time” session at Toccare Spa at Antel Suites located along A.Venue at Makati Avenue.

As a spa goer, I had to avail of the Hilot Massage, a traditional Filipino massage wherein they would put oil on your back then top it off with banana leaf to know where the pressure points are that needs attention. True enough, it did! I can honestly say that it was one of the best massages that I have had. Tocarre Spa had definitely complete facilities like the shower, jacuzzi, locker rooms, sauna and waiting area- with wifi! I definitely had fun here especially that it gave the pet parents to bond as well. 🙂

After a very refreshing and relaxing spa session, we had to go back to the hotel to pack our things right before heading out to lunch and photo session at Fort Bonifacio Global City. We met at Italianni’s at the Fort High Street along with the organizers of the event. After a hearty lunch, we went off for a photo session together with our furbabies around the area. It was quite an experience even though having to go through under the scorching heat. It was all worth it. Around 4 pm, it was time to say our goodbyes to our new friends and pet friends. It really is one unforgettable experience for us and for our beloved pets. It’s something that we both would remember for a lifetime.

I am taking this opportunity on behalf of the other winners of the Alpo Little Friends Super Bonding League to thank Alpo Philippines for the very wonderful experience you have given us for us and our little fur balls. It really is worth it to bite into the good life!

Alpo Little Friends League Super Bonding Session

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I was in the middle hosting of a very busy and important event (National Architecture Week 2013 for FEATI University College of Architecture) when I received this text message:

E-mail notification on Venice being one of the 10 lucky winners of the Alpo Little Friends Super Bonding Session

E-mail notification on Venice being one of the 10 lucky winners of the Alpo Little Friends Super Bonding Session

At first, I was a bit hesitant on the legitimacy of this e-mail since I’ve had heard so much stories of scammers online. But when someone called me up over the phone, I found out, it was legit afterall. And then I tried to recall if I’ve joined such contest.

Venice, my 7- year old Shih Tzu has always been an Alpo chomper. I’ve tried several doggie foods for her but it’s only Alpo that she would really eat on. Since then, I’ve always given her Alpo. Then one time, I saw this new variant from Alpo for “Little Friends”, just the right size for my little baby and she would finish one bowl in just one sitting.

Going back to the contest, I received a text from Dust and a call from Maclyn informing me some additional details prior to the mechanics of claiming the prize.Just a recap of what they’ve told me, they said each of the 10 winners get to have the following prizes:

– 2 – day stay at Fraser Place Manila                                                                                       – Dog training session at BetterDog Canine Facility                                                                – Spa Session at Toccare Spa at Antel Suites Makati                                                              – iPad Mini

Now the Alpo Little Friends League Super Bonding Session begins.

Day 1.

At exactly 9:45, the service transportation was already at the lobby of where I live to pick up Venice and Me, 15 minutes earlier than the arranged schedule. So there we met Venice’s butler, Mr. Elmer Santos, to take care of whatever it is that needs assistance on anything that Venice would need during the event. It took us 15 minutes from my home to reach the venue at Fraser Place Manila. Upon arrival at the hotel, Elmer took us to the 31st floor to meet up with the other winners and there we met some of the winners like Parker, a Labrador Retriever who came all the way from Benguet and Chichay, a mixed breed of chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier. We waited for a few more minutes for the others to arrive. The event was formally opened by Ms. Rolyne Opinion, the Alpo Brand Activation Specialist and Ms. Ana J. Jimenez, the brand manager of Alpo Philippines. What way could someone else start off the day perfectly other than giving us, the pet parents, a new iPad mini so we can capture the moments we’ll be having with our furbabies during the 2-day ALPO Little Friends League Super Bonding Session. After giving away all the iPads, we ate our heart out with a very hearty meal. Afterwhich, we immediately proceeded to BetterDog Canine Behavior Center at Pasong Tamo, Makati City. At the Better Dog Training Center, we met Mr. Brad Feliciano, our dogs’ trainor for the day together with his dog, Alab, a black nose Filipino dog. Brad taught us the basics of how to handle our dogs as it shows how our pets develops their trust in us as pet parents. He also stressed out that communication is indeed a very important factor in a dog-owner relationship. An hour and a half has passed, we finally went back to the hotel and freshen up for dinner, fashion show, and photo session.

What was waiting for us at the hotel really surprised me and Venice. Apart from staying overnight at the very very large room, say around a 150-ish square meter- suite, we were also surprised by the treats that Alpo prepared for us upon entering our respective room. And we were really awed upon seeing what was waiting inside for us!

After two hours, we went up at the 31st floor to have dinner and then headed on for the fashion show. It was quite a treat for us to mingle with other dog lovers out there. We also had a special guest that really melted our hearts- Toffee, the dog ambassador of Alpo to show us some cute tricks with her owner, Mr. Chardy Ang. Each and every dog received an award that night. There was Chit Chat Pup Award (Most Friendly), Teeny Tiny Pooch Award, Boom Boom Pao Award (Most Energetic), The Sniffety Sniffer Award, and more. My Venice got the chance to win the Pup Star Award (Rising Star and Crowd Pleaser Award). I was one proud pet parent that night.

A very long and exciting day has passed, and it was already time to hit the sack. After doing my nightly routine before heading off to bed, I saw this tiny pooch going to doggie dreamland in a peaceful slumber saying “I had a great time today, mum! I love you and Alpo!” 🙂

Venice enjoying the very comfy bed and off to dog dream land. I can hear her say, "Thank you, Alpo!"

Venice enjoying the very comfy bed and off to dog dream land. I can hear her say, “Thank you, Alpo!”

To be continued….

Casa San Pablo Educational Field Trip 2013

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Every year, the College of Architecture of FEATI University makes it a point to go out on a field trip as part of their Great FEATI Experience or The Great COA Experience to make the study of architecture more experiential in nature and is a tool for the enhancement of creativity of the students. This year, the College of of Architecture decided to conduct an educational field trip down south of Metro Manila- Nuvali, Sta. Rosa Laguna and Casa San Pablo, Laguna.

Living up to the thrust of the College of Architecture which is achieving sustainable and green architecture, the college went to Nuvali located in Sta. Rosa Laguna which one of the pioneers of sustainable planning development of the country. Some of the features of the place are as follows:

– Largest sustainable community in the country.
– The planning of the place promotes healthy and active lifestyle.
– The workspaces are integrated in the environment.
– It transforms the work landscape optimizing productivity and efficiency.
– Social, Environmental and Economic stability wherein facilities are creatively designed tort the needs of business while nourishing harmony, balance and interconnection between individual and communities, human interface and natural landscape.

The second destination was at Casa San Pablo. It is a bed and breakfast country inn situated in a corner of San Pablo Laguna family compounds. It is owned by a couple, avid art collector and hobby enthusiast Boots Alcantara and his wife, An Alcantara, a writer and a magazine editor.

Casa San Pablo is designed in a very eclectic manner as majority if the furniture and elements are made or collected by the couple themselves which they gathered from the places they have travelled to. It is said that the aim of Casa San Pablo is for people to appreciate the small things and make you feel at home. Since the couple are frequent travellers and is a fan of bed and breakfast lodging, they had the idea that they wanted people to go their place and make the guests feel at home and that they experience the kind of hospitality they had from the places they’ve been to. On almost every corner of the Casa, there is a story behind it that makes it much more interesting.

What makes Casa San Pablo special is that it is a place where people from the city can regain their connection with nature and develop more sense of creativity. It is one of these places wherein you just want to let your inner creativity let loose. Art, sculpture (pottery making), poetry making, photography and music are just some of the things that you can do in the Casa that can boost your creativity.

Creativity is one of the important ingredients in taking up architecture that is why the students of the College of Architecture enjoyed the trip at Casa San Pablo for they felt that they have renewed they passion for the arts and of course, architecture for they had the opportunity to visit some of the rooms, each with different design approach, concepts and themes.

The field trip that took place this day helped develop their critical thinking and observation as well for some of them were asking the faculty and the tour guide many questions regarding the design i.e. Their take on eclecticism versus modern minimalist concept, details versus urban scale appreciation, simple landscaping versus massive urban scape, intimate versus social scale and the likes.

In conclusion, having field trips as such helps the students in developing their design skills and critical thinking because they are able to visually and physically experience the place itself. Immersing themselves in new places and new experience aids in the discovery and appreciation of what architecture really is.

visit their website for more info:

www.casasanpablo.com and www.nuvali.ph

Las Islas Filipinas de Acuzar 2013

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The FEATI University College of Architecture conducts field trips twice a year. This year, the college conducted a field trip at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac Bataan and Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

First stop was at Mt. Samat, Pilar Bataan. The students got the chance to visit one of the historical sites of the Philippines which is the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) and got to know its role in the history of the country. They also got to see and the Memorial Cross which was is a sign of courage and heroism of the Filipino soldiers during the WW2. Because of this, the COA students were able to grasp the idea of how to design a massive monument that portrays solemnity, honor and valor.

(Click to enlarge image)

The second stop was at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar at Bagac Bataan. The aim of the said tour was to educate the students of COA about architectural heritage conservation and appreciation of Philippine Architecture during the 18th century up to the early 20th Century.

It is a hands-on experience for the COA students as well as the faculty to be able to immerse themselves in an old town Philippine setting wherein they are able to meticulously study the architectural components of the several old houses that were showcased in the heritage resort.

During the trip, a tour guide was provided to be able to appreciate more of what the resort has to offer. It was explained to the college about the history of each and every house in the area. After the guided tour, the students were again convened by the faculty to discuss thoroughly on the missing aspects that the tour guide was not able to tackle, in terms of architectural aspects. It was explained to them on the old construction methods, material and the planning methods used in during the Spanish colonial era.

Tip: Try to look for Dexter the tour guide.

What was interesting about the tour was the students was able to develop critical thinking, because all of the houses were transferred from one province to the said resort, therefore, the students could not help but think if this is a good move, as the house loses its authenticity upon dismantling it and then reassembling it at the site.

All in all, this was a very good opportunity for the students and faculty to be able to learn more about pre-colonial houses and most importantly, about Filipino architecture.