Wait no more for the much long awaited flight is now on! Cebu Pacific is now flying direct from Manila-Siem Reap beginning April 2012. Travelers from Philippines will now enjoy the beauty of Angkor Wat in very affordable prices, and this means Filipinos will have the opportunity to fly nth times easier and faster anytime of the year. Woohoo!

This is absolutely exciting for us (Filipinos) who work here in Cambodia, because we now have more options to choose from whenever flying back to our homeland. My only wish is for CebPac to have a direct Manila-Phnom Penh flight for I am based here. Adding to the fact that more Filipinos are situated in Phnom Penh than Siem Reap, so let us cross our fingers for this to become a reality soon.

For now, let’s grab this chance and book in advance. Fly now and visit us in Cambodia!

How time flies so fast is just one of life’s wonders and once again another year had passed beautifully. There may be some glitches along the way, yet we’re still here making the most of what we can do to make L-I-F-E full of joy and love.

Looking back, I’d say I had a beautiful and peaceful 2011. My children are doing fine in their studies and I have a very good relationship with my husband, family, and colleagues. These things above money and others are more important to me than anything else in the world. As long as we have food on the table, clothes to wear, good health – we’re already contented. Extra stuff may come as a reward.

I am also thankful to all the opportunities that were given to me. Surely they have made me stronger, wiser, and more focused either in my career as a teacher or as a doting mother and wife. So, for this coming 2012, I am looking forward to somehow maintain or be a lot better than I used to this 2011. It only means there will be no more lazy days for me and I’ll keep my promise to lose weight, for I cannot take it anymore when everyone I see comments on how much fat I have put on. I am not really mad, but it makes me feel somewhat conscious of how I look, so to end it, I’d better be serious on my diet and exercise plan. Yeah, I think I really need it. Or maybe I should stop cooking! Nah, it’s impossible for me to quit cooking or else I will die, die, die, die! It’s my stress reliever and my only hobby aside from eating, hahaha!

Kidding aside, I really love 2011 despite of some sad moments that happened. I am positive that 2012 will be brighter for all of us. Keep the spirit guys and let us spread the love. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The good news just keeps on getting better and better, and just before the year end, a proper press release has been published regarding new direct flights between Philippines and Cambodia. In simple words, we don’t need to travel via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Ho Chi Minh City anymore just to fly to Philippines, hooray!

At long last, the rumors are finally getting real since we’ve been hearing this said flights for the past two years. OFWs like us have nothing to do but wait till the agreement between Philippines and Cambodia has been finalized. So now that it’s just a flight away, we’re all excited and getting ready to book our first direct flight going home.

Cebu Pacific will have five flights for the Manila-Cambodia route, while ZestAir got two frequencies.

Airphil Express, the budget carrier of Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia Philippines Inc. each received seven frequencies for the Clark-Cambodia route. One frequency is equivalent to a once-a-week flight.

Ang sarap umuwi lagi kahit maiksi lang ang bakasyon kapag natuloy na ang direct flight. Kaya  ngayon pa lang mag ipon na at mag ayos ng schedule para makabili ng advance tickets para mas mura.

For the official press release, click here.

So, enough of being emo and let’s look on the brighter side. This year marks Christmas extra special too, because we’re graced by my cousin Taj’s presence She is one of the most exciting people I’ve ever met and it make “us” (the whole family)  get to know her more since she’ll be here till New Year. Adding the fact that the kids supah dupah love her. Iba talaga ang karisma mo Taj!

Furthermore, it’s Pasko ng mga Superstar Season 3 this year and as the tradition goes, girls were in red while boys wear green. Hosted by the Dionco’s, we had a blast in their villa. Galante si Santa ngayong Pasko kaya ang mga tao madaming natanggap na regalo, apir!

Also, Christmas will never be the same anymore as my Lola Ichie passed away last 17th of December. This may be our saddest Christmas to celebrate without her, but deep in our hearts we know that she’s already happy in heaven. There will be no more sufferings and pain, because He will comfort my Lola at times. We will surely miss you. Till we meet again, Nanay.

To all our family and friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Let us hope that 2012 will bring prosperity and good tidings to each and everyone of us.

It’s nearly Christmas and typhoon Sendong have devastated many towns and families in south of the Philippines, especially Iligan and CDO area. The catastrophe left many families homeless and the number of casualties is continually rising, nearly 700 at toll. What a sad feeling to see the aftermath of the storm, and yet there is nothing we can do to stop Mother Nature’s cruelty. However, we can still do something to help our kababayans through giving donation, be it big or small.

Below are the organizations and numbers you can contact in the Philippines. Remember, a small act of kindness can create a chain of love. Be strong Philippines!

SMS
Text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

or go to: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
for more info and options

For overseas Filipinos, you can donate thru the Philippine National Red Cross’ website: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

It’s been a while since I have watched something scary in the cinema and tonight’s exceptional. Colin Farrell’s Fright Night literally gave me a fright, and I honestly thought of going out the movie house in the middle of the story, but hey I survived! I hated him so much in the movie were he portrayed an evil vampire, killing and sucking everyone’s blood to be alive. He’s so much different from his movie Alexander in 2004, which I really like most.

Anyway, prior to watching it actually just before entering the hall I’ve asked my husband what kind of movie we’re about to watch, I was too busy these past days that I wasn’t able to do a little research about it and so I expected my smart ass Nestle to give me a brilliant answer. And as expected, I was fooled by him when he replied that it’s a funny movie. How could it be funny, when I felt like I’m going to have a heart attack while watching it! Or maybe it’s just me? Maybe I was too blown by the scenes, putting myself in the shoes of the vampire’s victims – a reason why I am damn affected so much!

Summing up my night, I enjoyed the movie and I’ll recommend it to all my friends, students, and relatives who love suspense and thriller, not for the faint hearted though. So for those of you who wants to experience the thrill, book your tickets now at Legend Cinema - City Mall and be prepared to be frightened.

Growing up with my mom while my dear father is out of the country to work, home manicure became a mother-daughter bonding, where she will always make our hand and feet pretty. I love it especially when she applies nail polish to my nails, which is like a cherry on top of an ice cream.

Now that I’m a mother, I’m doing the same thing to my kids, but the twist is we do it in a salon. Blame work for not having time to clean them myself, boohoo. So this Saturday, I’m planning to give them a very nice and pampering foot and nail spa, yippee!

Earlier this evening, I bought this cute and cheap orange manicure set at Pencil Supermarket which I believe will excite my kids when we start our little bonding.

As I am writing this post, I suddenly realized something and I just want to say that in life, we need not to make things so complicated to be happy. Sometimes we just have to be simple and with this we become more appreciative in everything we have. Oh, let this pampering begin soon and let me tickle some feet tomorrow

Since decent movie cinemas started to operate in Phnom Penh, Wednesday nights has become a popcorn time for my family. Yes, I call it popcorn night because that’s what we nibble while watching the latest movie in the city

Juggling work, family, and social life is sometimes strenuous and I will admit time is never enough to do everything at once. So, simple as we are in the family, movie-night-Wednesday is always worth looking forward to. You can tell exactly from my children’s face that it’s their most favorite day of the week, so spoil it not.

By the way, Real Steel by Hugh Jackman is epic! The story is fantastic and my kids loved it, we all did actually. The boxing robot is like a reality to every kids’ fantasy, especially for those who are addicted to arcade games. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t waste your time, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it

Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs died at 56, announced Wednesday. Jobs who had suffered a rare pancreatic cancer finally lost in the battle. Many hearts will surely be sad after hearing his death for I am sure in some way or another, Steve Jobs have touched their lives through his innovations like iPod and iPhone. Let us admit it, the world became better because of him.

Apple not only lost a mentor but a good friend to those who have had the chance to work and know him. For us, we have lost a great innovator. So long Steve.

So what are the best things you can do when bed weather strikes? Here are some things that came in my mind:

> Line up your fave movies/DVDs and get ready for a movie-marathon with your love ones.

> Make easy to cook foods like popcorn, pasta, sandwiches, or dumplings. These will save you time in preparing them, but won’t jeopardize the nutrients your body need.

> Sleep as long as you want. The weather is good and nothing beats a 10-hour sleep with your pillows beside you and full blast AC on.

> Read your book when boredom kicks in.

> Play with your kids at home and be a kid at heart once again.

> Listen to soothing music to uplift your lazy feeling. I know and I am sure that playing songs around the house can make a difference in your mood.

Ooohh, I’m sleepy once again, I think I’d better hit my bed while this weather lasts and when I wake up, I’ll bake a cake for my hubby and kids