Adventure Time Candy Kingdom Christmas at SM BF

So glad we caught this Christmas display at the Main Atrium of SM City BF before it ended (I believe today is the last day). Last year's display was "How To Train Your Dragon" and this year it's Adventure Time! Check out all our cute pics :)

Renewing my kids' passports

I just realized that my kids' passports were expiring next year when hubby and I were planning a vacation for this summer. I went online to schedule an appointment and the earliest date I got was January 27, 2016.

Good thing we asked at DFA Alabang and found out that kids 7 years old and below don't need an appointment anymore and can just walk in anytime. So off we went last December 28 and we were allowed to enter at once.

However, we couldn't line up at the priority lane since that was only for minors below 1 year old. There weren't that much people in the waiting section of the Processing Area, but this is where it took the longest at more than an hour. There were a lot of windows (I believe 8) but only 4 were manned and at times it would take so long for one person since there were still questions about their documents.

Anyway, for minors, requirements for first time minor applicants are still needed. Here's what we brought:

- Printed Application Form (on long bond paper)
- The kids' current passport and photocopy of the data page (page 2) and back pages
- Original Birth Certificate of minor in Security Paper issued by PSA (plus photocopy)
- Their school ID (plus photocopy)
- Marriage Certificate of minor’s parents duly authenticated by PSA (plus photocopy)
- Original and photocopy (page 2) of valid passport of parents

We arrived at 11:30am and finished by 1:10pm. I can't wait to see their new passport photos! Look at how cute they were when they were still babies. How time flies!

Oh, and if you noticed in the requirements stated in their website, it says the birth and marriage certificates should be issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). I got confused since the copies I had were from the NSO or National Statistics Office.

I emailed info@passport.com.ph asking about this and got this very quick response:

Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) is the new name of National Statistic Office (NSO).
You need to secure new birth certificate if the birth certificate you mention is more than 3 years in your custody.

Well, the ones I had were from 2011 pa so I really had to get new ones. Good thing you can get your NSO documents in SM malls too! I got ours in SM BF at the ground floor of the department store. :)



You can also read about how I applied for my baby Skyler's passport for the 1st time HERE.

DFA Alabang Consular Office
http://alabang.passport.com.ph
4th Floor, Metro Alabang Town Center,
Alabang - Zapote Road 1700,
Muntinlupa City, Philippines

The DFA Appointment System is also available via the hotline (02) 737-1000.
Call anytime from 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

Our Asian-themed Christmas Party!

Hubby's side of the family always has a theme for Christmas. Last year was "Ugly Sweater" and I don't know about you, but I think we started the trend haha! I swear, I couldn't find any ugly sweaters last year and now they sell them everywhere like in H&M! ;p Anyway, the most awaited theme this year was Asian and we got the announcement when we were on our vacation in Tokyo. So naturally, we went Japanese!

The Tides Hotel, Boracay

For our trip to Boracay last month, I originally wanted to book at Discovery Shores since we were going to be with the kids (plus I haven't stayed there pa lol). But after checking the rates, I had to reconsider since I was sure there were other good hotels that were more affordable. We checked Agoda and we chanced upon a flash sale for The Tides Hotel.

Beach bums in Boracay

The family went to Boracay last month and everyone was so excited because it was going to be the kids' first time there. Plus, it was also Skyler's first airplane ride! We already booked this trip months in advance and luckily, we picked the date November 21 to leave. That's because if you recall, the APEC summit was held a few days earlier and so many flights got cancelled from November 15-20! We were already getting worried that the trip might not push through just in case there were more problems from all the cancelled flights. But thank God everything went as originally planned. :)

My first AIRBNB experience (Tokyo, Japan)

I think the first time I ever came across Airbnb was in Instagram. I remember seeing this gorgeous house from someone's vacation with the hashtag #airbnb or something. I did my research and checked the website and to be honest, I wasn't completely sold. Staying at a stranger's place just seemed scary for me. I would imagine crazy scenarios where the owner would go inside the place (I mean they have the key right?) and kill me or something (yes I have an active imagination). But still, staying in a hotel just seemed safer for me. And more convenient with the all the services like housekeeping, concierge, breakfast, etc.

Lazada's 3-day Grand Christmas Sale

Lazada Philippines, the country’s leading one-stop online shopping and selling destination will culminate its Online Revolution sale in a 3-day Grand Christmas Sale finale on December 10-12. Lazada broke its online sales records during the kick-off of the month-long sale event last November 11, generating 2.4 million visits and over 120,000 items purchased on its website and mobile app in a single day. The e-commerce giant expects to surpass these numbers before the year ends as it reveals further markdowns on its holiday bestsellers during the upcoming sale on December 10-12.

Deep discounts and Shocking holiday deals

Discounts during the Lazada Grand Christmas Sale will be up to 95% off and will feature new Shocking Deals, P12 Deals, and P99 Deals. Shocking Deals will feature popular branded items at half price including an Apple iPad Mini 2 Retina (16GB); other products include a Hoverboard and a MyView 40’’ Full HD LED TV with limited quantities as chosen by our customers on social media. The links to the 12 Peso Deal items will with be announced on Lazada’s social media accounts. Items that will be available for P99 include bestsellers like the Push Up Pro fitness gear and the popular Hands-free Toothpaste Dispenser.

Partnerships with Cebu Pacific, Hyundai, and BDO Cards

Lazada online shoppers are in for more exciting promos during the month of December. Purchases made during the sale period may qualify for raffle draws to win Cebu Pacific airline tickets to international destinations as well as a brand new Hyundai Eon in the grand draw. BDO cardholders are also entitled to additional discounts on December 10-12.

For more information, please visit www.lazada.com.ph. For updates on Lazada’s latest innovations, as well as activities, contests and promotions, connect with them via their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines).

Back from vacation!

The last few weeks have been so fun since we've been exploring and eating and enjoying... haaaay can we just be on vacation forever? ;p The whole family went to Boracay and it was the kids’ first time there. They super loved it especially the “sugary sand” and clear waters. We stayed for 4 days but it didn’t seem enough! The island life can definitely get addicting.

Right after we got back, hubby and I just had a day to rest then we were off to Japan! We’ve been planning this trip for so long and I’m so glad it finally pushed through. The change in weather was so extreme though, from being in sunny Boracay to the autumn cold! I’m super lamigin pa naman so even though I was wearing thermals and layers, parang kulang pa din! We just stayed in Tokyo for a whole week and there’s still so much left to see and do! We fell in love with Japan and we can’t wait to be back to explore Osaka and Kyoto.

But traveling is also super tiring and I'm still recovering from all the walking and lack of sleep. I haven’t even had time to blog for the past couple of days since right after we got back, we had other events to attend like my daughter’s dance competition!

I’m so proud of her for being one of the students chosen to represent her preschool. They danced to the song “We Could Be Heroes” and they were amazing! I’m still in awe of their performance (mana talaga sa mommy lol). Although they didn’t place, we’re all still so proud of them for doing their best and dancing their butts off!

We also attended the wedding of my good friend in Tagaytay just this Saturday. It was such a blast because it was like a reunion of the advertising agency I used to work for. Some of these people I hadn’t seen since I resigned years ago! And it was also super cold and foggy in Tagaytay already, buti na lang sanay pa ako sa Japan weather haha! ;p

Well, it’s back to regular programming now. But still so much to do like get started on wrapping Christmas presents! Plus I’m getting so confused with the schedules of all the December events and parties already lol. And I still have a ton of posts to write on our travels. Wish me luck!

DIY Christmas dinner decor ideas

Christmas is just around the corner and for sure most of us will be hosting parties and reunions in our homes. So I've rounded up 10 easy DIY projects that will definitely add some sparkle to your houses and dinner tables this holiday season.