The Manila Bay Cruise Experience

We have a Picture Perfect Contest at Datacom this love month. So couples can send their sweetest picture and it will be posted on the wall besides the reception area for the employees to see and then vote for their own pick. The prizes are Manila Bay Cruise dinner with live band for two for the Grand Prize, 1000 worth of Gift Certificate from North Park for the runner up, and 500 worth of Starbucks Gift Certificate for the third prize. My hubby and I never imagine that we will join this contest because it was really not our "thing".  We don't usually show too much affection in public, much more in pictures..that's why if ever I'll get married again (in church) and have the pre-nuptial shoot, I don't think I can do it without laughing too much!

the picture..it isn't even sweet!

So anyway, the day of posting of pictures came and hubby and I were shocked to see our pictures displayed. I thought someone was playing with us, until my becky friend Kim chatted me and informed me that she did submitted our pictures without our consent! (she can eh! hehe!) At first, I really don't know what to do..I felt shy to the people who would see it (although the picture doesn't really show my face..haha!). Hubby was annoyed and told Kim to cancel it, but unfortunately it's too late. So the announcement to take a vote came, the  minimum voting price is 1 peso..and since we're already there I wanted people to vote for us but not because I wanted to win, but I just don't want to be at the bottom of the list. I asked my colleagues here at MSLP to vote for us, para lang di kami kulelat. Luckily, I have really nice colleagues here and they actually voted for us (thank you guys! so sweet of you!). Even my boss e-mailed me and asked which picture to vote (aawwww!!). The voting took about 3 or 5 days (I think) and we are consistent to be on the top three. I honestly just want the third prize because I think this is what I will enjoy but I didn't know that Kim was also persistent in telling her team (and the rest of the Netgear peeps in Eastwood site) to vote for us so that we can win the grand prize! It was unbelievable and we don't really expect that we will actually won! It was crazy and funny at the same time! I just want to thank everyone who voted for us, pilit man or hindi (hahaha!), I really appreciate it! =)

the announcement

the stubs

And so...we scheduled our "date" last February 24, Friday at 6:15-7:30pm. Luckily, I didn't have much effort to dress and make up because when we get there, it doesn't feel like it's for lovers. It was actually more of a family thing. We were able to get there at around 5pm, and since it was too early we waited at Starbucks Harbour Square until 5:30pm and then walk from there to the Sun Cruise dock area. The view was really nice, I actually regret not bringing a camera. Our phone cameras doesn't have flash, so taking pictures after the sunset was not really a good idea. We took a few shots though, pictures are from my mobile phone. My ratings for Sun Cruise? Well, okay I'll try to be specific..

the yacht/boat/ship whatever!

view from the top

1. the yacht/boat (whatever) - it was perfectly fine. Not like those boats that will make you dizzy or scared to continue. The ticket costs Php550 each, these includes the dinner and "live band". It wasn't really a band, there's just 2 people: 1 singer and 1 guitarist but I guess it's okay since the yacht wasn't really that big. The tickets that we have entitled us to be at the top of the yacht..I don't know what's the difference with the prize but those people who don't have the "sticker" can't be at the top and they are just allowed to be at the main floor/lobby (? I don't really know how you should call it! haha!). It was a good thing because I think we would not be able to appreciate the view if we were not at the top. My rating from 1-5 is 4.

the food

2. the food - eerrr..okay..for Php550 I expected something better. The food serve was pork asado, fish fillet with white sauce, rice, coffee jelly for dessert and a glass of water. Yes, the drink is not for free. The drink was too expensive but I don't really like drinking water so I've ordered an iced tea. I was disappointed because they only give me a Nestea iced tea in a bottle! Yung mga nabibili sa 711 na worth 25 pesos lang! My gosh! I totally, totally regretted it! The food wasn't even that good, this is I think the disappointing part of the cruise. If I have to pay Php550 for this kind of food, I think I'll just choose having dinner at my favorite restaurant. I hope they can change this, para naman people will go back there because everything was almost perfect. Not yung madidisappoint sila sa isang bagay. My rating is 2 (1 point is for the effort of the nice service we get from the waiters).

the drink menu..so expensive!

3. the waiters/crew of the yacht - in fairness, they were really nice and accommodating. They were also courteous and those guys who were assisting guests from the yacht were extending their hands for all the girls para alalayan sila.  For me, it was a big thing to see guys like that because you can hardly see it in your everyday life. Di na uso gentleman ngayon! So when you see one, it will make you smile because it will make you think, "ahh, meron pa pala kahit papaano". Although they do it because it was their job, still it was a good thing that the management has this kind of way of assisting their customer. My rating is 5.

I super love this view!

you can see MOA from not so far

Overall, I think it was only the food that disappoints me. I am speaking for myself though, but hubby said that if this is not for free, he wouldn't spent 550 bucks for this cruise. Maybe, they can lessen the price so that it will be worth it. We wouldn't expect too much naman if it only costs like 300 bucks. So anyway, overall rating is 3. Sakto lang, not that good but not that bad. Would I recommend it? umm...why not? hehe! I mean the cruising is the highlight and that part is actually very good. Just don't expect too much on the food and for sure you'll like it. Got some other pictures to share below.

the sunset view at the top

before the cruise

at the yacht before sunset

sunset

Get Together Part 2 and 3

Been really in a lot of get together lately. First is last January 28 with my West peeps Luanne and Dada. I was supposed to meet them last month (I think..) because Racquel visited here in the Philippines (she's working in Singapore) but for some money reasons I wasn't able to. So Luanne and I decided to meet because I need to get her gift for Hayley. Good thing that Dada was okay with it too so we planned to meet at around 2pm at Trinoma. Hubby and I were late because he came home late from his "bike activity" with my cousins! They were already finished eating lunch and dessert when we came so we don't have a choice but to find a place to hang out. We were able to find the place near Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to sit down and talk a little. It's nice to catch up with friends that I rarely see. I would love to spend more time with them if only I have a lot of free time.

with dada and luanne

This is a memorable picture for us. This day was like a telenobela because..well..there's a lot of revelations for Dada at that time. I wouldn't get into details because I'm sure neither of us wanted to reminisce that time. That picture was taken at Old Spaghetti House in Market Market. Dada is still pregnant with Blythe (she's now 2 years old), I was still single that time (and thinner!), and Luanne isn't together with Ryan yet. Changes are inevitable but the closeness is still there.

Anyway, after catching up with each other, Dada, Barry, and Blythe went home earlier than Lu and Rye because Dada's shift the day after is 3am. The rest of us stayed at Gong Cha SM North until 5pm before we all decided to go home. It was a short time but I had a lot of fun. Sa uulitin guys! =)

The next get together happened last Saturday (February 4). This time, it was from the second batch of my PS Peeps. Belle and Jerome who also worked from Singapore just had their vacation here in the Philippines since January 28. Belle planned a mini get together with the rest of our barkada at Giligans Trinoma. Funny thing is, those who I wasn't expected that will come actually came that day.

UL-UR: JV, Belle, France - LL-LR: Me, Aileen, Maisie

So it was me, Butchoy, Belle, Jerome, France, Aileen, Maisie, and Ned. Hayley and my mom were there too, wala nga lang sa picture. Aileen was so thin already! Kainggit! Although syempre the reason why she lose weight is not good, I still envy her! Haha! She was in the "hot seat" because we were talking about her and the rumored boyfriend for the whole time. I am hoping that there will be wedding bells soon! =) Looking forward to attend a friend's wedding! =)

So...after having an early dinner and chikahan at Giligans, I convince them to walk from Trinoma to Sky Garden SM North and try my latest addiction

the "after" version..lol

Gong Cha instead of Starbucks. Of course, nothing beats Starbucks when it comes to coffee but hey, been drinking it for the last 7 years of my life..so I guess trying out something new (and healthier) like milk tea is good. Good thing that they like it so I'm sure that its not gonna be hard for me to convince them again next time. We stayed there for an hour and a half (I think) before we decided to go home. Belle was really happy because Hayley wasn't masungit na when we were in Gong Cha so she was able to play with her and do all the "tricks" that she knew. I was also glad that she was able to bond with her godparents because these precious peeps never forget to give her gifts even without me asking them. Hayley was really lucky to have these godparents! =)

And so..just to end this entry (since I've been composing this for more than a week now..lol), I was glad to know that after all these years, I still have these true friends who I knew that will always be there for me..or for us (and vice versa) even if we don't see each other everyday. Hoping for more get together soon from my wave mates from West and NCO soon! =)