Binondo, Manila

Deciding to go to the city of Binondo Manila was a last minute, spur of the moment - but more like a last choice for our family's photography adventure that day. But just when we thought that our holy week thursday for the year 2009 was going to be a boring one, little did we know that manila's china town was going to be so busy with local religious activities and traditions and full of culinary and friendly surprises! From witnessing the "Visita Iglesia" ; a holy week tradition for filipino catholics at the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church to bumping into the famous Ivan Mandy during his regular Old Manila Walks tour, our day turned out to be a very memorable one and could not have been better without the spectacular sunset at Roxas boulevard.
for a more detailed blog of our culinary discoveries and family photography adventures that day, visit Asunta Rufino's on-line travel journal

San Fernando, Pampanga

Pampanga in a Plate full! The Ultimate Pampanga Food Tour! (photo by Oskie Ravanera)
The highlight of our culinary tour... the 5 hour lunch at Claude Tayag's Bale Dutung in Angeles City. His restaurant is located at Villa Gloria Subdivision. This is a gated community but his place stands out from all the other houses in that area.... It is very rustic & "rice mill" inspired. Claude, in case you haven't heard of him is considered one of the " MUST SEE and TRY when you are in Pampanga "... SEE his artworks and TRY his cuisine.... but a word of advise... IF you plan to try his cuisine.... be prepared for a long leasurely lunch (5hrs for the 5 way lechon!!!) and come with an empty stomach. Claude prepares all his dishes ... he never delegates this task to anyone.

for more details on our heritage & culinary tour, visit my mom's blog
for details about Ultimate Philippines Tour schedules, visit: http://ultimatephilippines.com/
Here is the video teaser our team; Cinematic Concepts produced for OAP TV:


video shot and produced by: Rommel Diaz and Iggy Bilbao
www.cinematiconcepts.com

Ultimate Pampanga Hot Air Balloon Valentines

It's another ULTIMATE experience as we romance up for Valentine's day and prepare to be amazed by the high and mighty in Pampanga! Gawk at the giant hot air balloon of the 13th annual Philippine Balloon Festival! Savor the delights of an authentic Italian breakfast at the best cafe this side of Clark.

Finally, we'll while away the afternoon in a soothing retreat while stuffing ourselves silly with a sumptuous Kapampangan feast in a rustic farm setting! A great treat for the body, mind and soul!

read more about our great Family destination discoveries here!
for more updates and upcoming tours: http://ultimatephilippines.com/

Candaba swamps, Pampanga

(Photos by: Cris Sevilla)
Our last stop.... Birdwatching at the Candaba Swamps.. We were accompanied by my friend and birdwatcher, Ixi Mapua. Her motto is " Just watch don't catch".. We went to the bird sanctuary in Candaba, Pampanga of Mayor Gerry Pelayo. This was his resthouse cum bird sanctuary for all birdwatchers and wannabes...Birdwatching or " BIRDING " as Ixi calls it ... " is observing wild birds in their natural habitat "....Ixi handed out binoculars and even taught us how to use them.. We had to take a jeepney ( it was a fiera that can take 20 passengers ) and ride through a bumpy, dusty road for 40mins into the swamps.. but it was worth it....
read more from my mom's blog!