Sonya's Secret Garden: Escape to "The Art of Doing Nothing"

Tagaytay is the one of the must-go-to places especially if you want to chill out or just relax and take a break from reality. It's a perfect getaway for those who don't want to travel too far.

Living inside one huge garden, filled with beautifully designed landscape with no Wifi connection, and no other modern things; Just you and your loved one/s enjoying a breathtaking view of the houses and other scenery, is Sonya's Secret Garden.

It all began when Ms. Sonya invited her friends over for lunch. They got so captivated by the beauty Sonya's garden exemplifies and they told her that it's time for her to put up a restaurant in there and share to other people her haven . And so she did.

Years later, she expanded until she got cottages (more like a small houses already), reception areas, and so much more.

If you plan to stay in for the night, you may or may not choose your desired cottage. But no matter what they give or what you choose, no matter how big the cottage is, it still has the same rate. Their cottages are named after different plants. Lavender, Thyme, Basil, and the list goes on. For only Php 3,000.00 on weekdays/ Php 3,400.00 on weekends or holidays, you and your loved one/s can enjoy a full day loaded of events and feel so rejuvenated and refreshed the next day.

Your Php 3,000.00/Php 3,400.00 already includes:

* 1 huge beautifully designed cottage complete with 1 or 2 beds, living room, bath, books to read, and more.
* Full course lunch or dinner. All of which are refillable, in case you finished everything.
* Buffet Breakfast
* Garden tour which you can do all over again and again.
* (if you go on a mating season) Firefly watching

Once you check-in, someone will guide you to your cottage. We were assigned to a cottage called the Marjoram. The Marjoram cottage was incredible and perfectly decorated. It gives you a feel that you  transported back in time where everything else is simple.

The Marjoram has 2 huge beds,

a  neatly designed restroom

a mini living room filled with books!

If you are the nature-lover type of person, you will fall in love with this place.

You also have a little space at the entrance where there are complimentary drinks, coffee, and where you can find their mini pot of water filled with flowers. You can see these mini pots all over the place. The staff told us that this is a stress buster. Some people relieve their stress by placing flowers they have picked in the garden to the mini pot.

Take a stroll at Sonya's extensive garden with a friendly tour guide. Enjoy picking flowers, and in fact, you can eat some of their flowers which are of course perfectly safe and edible. Explore, and as much as possible, maximize your stay by just enjoying the surroundings and don't be afraid to ask the guide if whether or not you can go to a certain area.

At first, we thought we weren't allowed to go around their green houses (which are extended now just in front of the entrance). But the staff are pretty much happy to assist us and let us pick some of their planted fruits, flowers, leaves, vegetables, etc.

Staying in could be a bit pricey but think of the beauty, the serenity, and the environment, Sonya's garden gives you. At the end of the day, every dime you spent will all be worth it. We promise.

Aside from the wonderful cottage that will be given to you, you will also get a full course complimentary buffet lunch and/or dinner, and breakfast.

For lunch and/or dinner, get your stomachs ready for some one of a kind meal serving. You don't get to choose your entrees for this meal. They will serve you anything you need, believe me. All their ingridients are fresh and straight from their garden.

 For appetizer, you get to have an enormous plate of salad with a lot of dressings to choose from. Their dressings and other sauces were specially made and by them. If you have finished everything, and if you still want more, you can actually ask for a refill of any of the dressings and even the salad itself. But I don't really recommend that. Because, the salad itself can make you full already. Unless, you are a heavy eater.

You also don't get to choose your drink BUT it is a MUST to try (yes, emphasis on the word 'MUST' is necessary) their incredibly refreshing Dalandan juice served with a mix of mint leaves and honey. It is just home-made goodness.

For the main course, enjoy another big serving of pasta with different homemade sauces and toppings. Again, if you want to refill any, you can always ask for it. Don't be shy.

For dessert, they went light, but there's always an option to ask for more. A slice of chocolate cake and three pieces of one of the most infamous Filipino desserts, Turon, to top off their meal set.

Some may say, that's it? That's all? Well, my friend, you have to be there to know. After, you will feel light but so full at the same time. It's a bit weird to feel but definitely a good thing. The best part is, if you loved some of their toppings or dressings, you may bring them with you to your cottage. Just ask the servant or the staff to assist you.

The next morning, take time to endulge the quietness and fresh air outside your cottage. Stroll a bit and don't forget your complimentary breakfast buffet! In the dining area, you will welcomed with such delicious sight. It's as if these food came from heaven. 

 But the one that stood out the most in the buffet was the dessert. It was enticingly beautiful that's very pleasing to our stomachs. They even placed some of their edible flowers on it. 

Now, if you want to meet Ms. Sonya, this is your time! She eats her breakfast in the same dining area where all the guest eats. But you have to be there early! She is scheduled to have her breakfast at around 7:00am - 9:00am. She's open to anyone who would like to take a picture with her or to those who would like to have her book(which you can purchase at the reception/front desk) signed. Too bad we didn't catch her but the staff said that it was a daily thing for her.  

Aside from the amazing food and the garden tour, what you can also do in Sonya's Garden is to take a peaceful and relaxing massage. As soon as you enter their place, it's as if you were brought to a hidden place in China with a mellow background music. They have a list of massages they can offer.

 No matter what you choose, you will feel de-stressed and recharged after because of their accommodating and nicely trained masseuses. Sonya even has a specialized massage that we would like to recommend, The Sonya's Signature Massage which is AMAZING. 

After the massage, you will be given a cup of hot Taragon tea mixed with honey. If you haven't tried it, you better! One of the best there is. If you can't finish the tea, you can also bring it to your cottage. 

The thing about Sonya's Garden is their keen eye to detail and extremely amiable and helpful staff. As you stroll around the garden, get ready to be amazed with the beauty of the place. From the bright and romantic walkways to the the little directional signs, name of the cottages, and warning signs, you will surely fall in love with this place.

On another note, their staff is really one-of-a-kind. It is like they just know what to do to make you feel home and as if you're like a queen/king or a prince/princess (whichever) that they need to take care of 24/7. They treat everyone with respect no matter how old you are with all smiles on their faces all the time. They will definitely lift your mood. 

THE VERDICT:

If you are looking for a place to stay wherein you can unwind or have an intimate/romantic getaway with your loved one/s, Sonya's Garden is the perfect place for you. Every bit of this place can offer, will surely give you the most relaxing stay ever. There's a euphoric feel after and you will experience separation anxiety already before you leave because it gives you nothing but extreme regeneration. 

We give this a 5 out of a 5 stars :)

If you want to know more about Sonya's Secret Garden, visit their website: www.sonyasgarden.com

Green Frog Hybrid Bus: New, Best and Safer way to travel

There is now a new, cleaner, spacier way to go around the met

Just last January, a Korean bus called the Green Frog Hybrid Bus was made available for commuters to use to go around Makati. This bus is said to be the 1st ever hybrid bus here in the Philippines.

Just when we thought those cool and clean buses we see in Singapore, Korea, Japan, New York, etc were only available in their respective countries, then ladies and gents, we are wrong. The Green Frog Bus is built with Hybrid technology where fuel consumption runs the vehicle and at the same time, charges the stored battery. After achieving 100% power, the engine will use the power of the battery to keep it moving. With this in mind, the buses emits 80% less than those normal buses that goes around the metro.


Aside from its environmental friendly feature, this vehicle will make sure you are safe and comfortable.  Here's why:

1. They have at least 2 CCTV cameras installed per bus in all their buses! You won't have to worry about pickpockets or those sneaky snatchers anymore.

2. Enjoy your space. The buses were designed to make you relax with your own space when you travel.

3. They have color coded seats for the elderly, pregnant and people with disabilities.

4. Their conditioning unit is at 22 degrees centigrade, perfect for the hot weather.

5.  In all of their buses, they have installed a GPS tracker to monitor the speed of the bus to guarantee that the drivers don't overspeed when travelling.

6. Commuters won't have to deal with drivers or conductors staying at one place for too long, waiting for passengers to fill up their bus. The drivers and conductors for this bus line have a fix salary, unlike some, if not all, bus companies here in the Philippines.

7. If you are lost and you can't find their bus, they have this "SAAN PO KAYO?" hotline. All you have to do is contact: 0917 640 3143 or 0917 640 3148 and tell them your location.


Another thing to take note of this bus company is that they have a very different take in their drivers and conductors. Unlike any other bus companies here in the Philippines, most of the drivers and conductors of this bus line are women. So hopefully, we are saying a slow goodbye to the mentality that conductors and bus drivers are only for men. The conductors also have a special seat, only for them.

oh and look! they have 2 mini baskets for you to place your bags/ other  items

What is nice with their staff is that they are very friendly, and always have a smile on their faces when they talk to you. Now that is not what you see in your ordinary bus trips here in Manila.


Lastly, the travelling expense. The Green Frog Hybrid bus is very affordable. The normal fair  is Php 15.00 but if you have their card, no matter how far the distance, they will only charge you Php 12.00 for the trip which is cheaper than the usual fair. The card is readily available and you can just ask it from the conductor. Hey, for what you will get for your trip, paying only 15/12 bucks is definitely worth it.

The sad part in all of these is that they have only 2 buses as of the moment, but by September, according to the conductor, they will be bringing in at least 6 more buses ready to travel around the metro.


Finally, a bus line that we have all been waiting for is here. Hopefully, most of the buses here in the Philippines will turn into this. Not only safe and convenient, but also environment friendly. This is definitely a must try bus if you are going around the Makati area.


For those who are curious, here are their routes:

Visit their Facebook page for more information and updates about their buses: https://www.facebook.com/GFZET

TWG: A tea fanatic's dream restaurant

TWG, short for The Wellness Group is a famous Tea company that was established in Singapore that has been in the business for more than 300 years now.

A few years back, Twinings landed in the Philippines to let Filipinos experience their lovely teas. Just 3 months ago, they found a new home here in the Philippines at Resorts World Manila.

The facade of the boutique gives a very classic look and calm environment. You will be welcomed by a variety of teas and its quality sets. We were bewildered with such  delightful sight and Twinings never fails to present itself as elegant as possible.

Due to curiosity, we wanted to try some of their teas which we don't normally see on other restaurants' menus. And little did we know, they also cater quality main courses down to exquisite desserts.
Most of their food are tea infused and we were excited to try it! First we had to order of course, what they are known for, their tea. Since we wanted something different, we went for their Chocolate Mint Tea.

Of course, Twinings, as usual has this signature taste in their tea which I will never be able to put to words (definitely a good thing) and the Chocolate Mint tea  did not disappoint. It has that sweet and minty taste that lingers and leaves you so relaxed. As much as we want to try every tea they have (which I would love to do soon), our stomachs were already speaking to us. And so we ordered their best selling dishes.

The Beef Tenderloin was cooked to perfection. You can see from the mouth-watering presentation, the beef is so tender and juicy. The sauce complements well as it gives a sweet touch on the meat which was tea infused. And our favorite would be the fries on the side . It was crunchy outside and soft on the inside. It has this unique mixed sour cream and salty taste that is not overpowering. It is just right. I think it would be best to eat it as it is. No need for dips.

On the other hand, we had Chicken Brochette that is also infused with i think, Vanilla Bourbon Tea. The presentation was ravishing. I love the sauce on it and the chicken was so delicious! The rice has this taste which reminds me of the classic fried rice but theirs is definitely a bit upscale when it comes to the flavour.
The food was yummy and the tea was amazing. And last but not the least, we had one of their best selling dessert. The Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Bourbon Tea.

This has to be one of our favorite desserts we had by far. The classic chocolate fondant partnered with a tea infused ice cream definitely goes well together. I must say, Twinings has really been consistent with their food. From their dishes to their desserts, they were able to incorporate what they are known for.
I would definitely go back here and try their other food and teas.  You can always check their boutique at Resorts World Manila and if you want to buy some of their gorgeous tea sets as well. It is a perfect place for everything; may it be just a place for reading, a client meeting, a date with a loved one, or just a simple eat-out with your family.




THE VERDICT: You can never go wrong with Twinings.

Skyline: An Ian Rondilla Song Release

Releasing his 4th single, Ian Rondilla is at it again. Setting to be released this November, this singer/ songwriter  has plans on impressing his followers once again.

His single, called Skyline, is about our life here on Earth and what we feel after death. A song that we know you all should look forward to this coming November! So don't miss his online release on November 27,2013!

It might be a long wait, but it will be worth the wait and the time for you to hear it!

Like his page for more updates on his online release: https://www.facebook.com/IanRondilla?fref=ts


Don't forget to check out his other awesome tracks by clicking THIS! 

The First Ever HASSLE FREE Cajon drum Workshop in the Philippines

Have you ever wished you could learn how to play an instrument?

How about attending a workshop that is sure that will be worth your money? 

Well, here is the perfect thing for you!

Cube Percussions is not satisfied with just an online launch but instead, they want to give a workshop launch to jump start their regular workshop that they will conduct!

Not only are they giving a cajon workshop, they will also be releasing 2 of their new cajon models there which will give their attendees the privilege to try and see first hand their new cajons. Also, they will also have a special offer to those who will attend!

got you interested? here are more of the details:

ENTRANCE FEE:

FREE - if you have already bought a cajon from them. 

Php 200 

- inclusive of:

* FREEBIES

* FOOD and DRINKS

* FREE SHUTTLE RIDE TO THE WORKSHOP IN A CERTAIN MEETING POINT: WALTER MART MAKATI (if you are not familiar with the place)

* FREE USE OF CAJON if you don't have a cajon yet or if you don't want to bring your own.

Now are you interested? Seems like a win win workshop for everybody!

All you have to do is

1.  Register by clicking the REGISTRATION FORM

2. wait for an email/ text notification!

here is the map of the event!

Directions if you will drive to the studio:

FROM SOUTH SUPERHIGHWAY(OSMENA HWY.)

Parallel to Buendia Ave. (Gil Puyat Ave.), enter on Dela Rosa St. alongside Cityland 8/ Cityland 9 condominium. Enter Taylo St. (2nd right) and proceed two blocks, studio is on the left side. 

SEE YOU THERE! :)

for more information, visit their website:  www.cubepercussions.weebly.com  

Ian Rondilla: Making his way to the OPM Music Scene

Starting up his musical career in 2009, Ian Rondilla has been doing a lot of writing, creating music and producing music. In 2011, his song Flashback bagged him a couple of awards.

Now, he is up again with a couple of new tracks that he is releasing. Just recently, together with Steve Badiola (from Typecast), Noodle Perez (from Nyctinasty), and Avie Maria (from Bad Hair Day), they made and online release of a tribute song to Karl Roy called Missed.

Having a talent in writing, and producing, we won't be surprised if this up and coming local artist will shine after a few more years. So better check him out and his awesome tracks that will definitely swoop you from your feet.

Like his page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/IanRondilla

And here is where you can find his awesome tracks:
https://www.facebook.com/IanRondilla/app_178091127385

Hotel Review: Parque Espana Residence Hotel

A home in a hotel. That's how you will feel when you check in at Parque Espana Residence Hotel located in Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang.

from parque espana website

If you want to feel like you are at home but at the same time in a hotel, this is the perfect place. From the very friendly hotel staff, to the spacious and organized rooms, you will have an experience like no other.

The receptionists in this hotel are nice and attentive, and will give everything you need. The prices of the rooms are not that bad as well. Let's just say it was worth it!

Here's A HUGE TIP: check in from their website. I discovered that when you book online, not only is it cheaper, but they give special promos like free massages that are only available IF you book online.

On the other hand, we got booked at their one bedroom executive which is Php 5,000 only; and I am emphasizing on the ONLY. Here's why:

1. You get to have this huge room all by yourself or with a partner. The room comes with a bedroom with super comfortable bed, a TV (well ours didn't work, there was a problem with the antenna), AirCon, closets, and a dresser.

The room also has living area which is big enough where you can enjoy a satellite TV, AirCon, and a mini balcony. They also have a dining area, complete with plates, utensils and cups.

The bathroom's toiletries are complete already. This kind of blew us away since it's the first time that we saw a complete set of bathroom needs. From towels to shampoos, to toothbrushes, to cotton buds, to lotions, to your shaving needs and even a sewing kit! Definitely feels like home. Everything is served to you already.

Plus, you get a kitchen, just in case you wanted to cook dinner or something; Which is really awesome by the way if you're the type of person who doesn't want to go out and spend much money on food.

2. Free use of their hotel facilities. You can get access to their board room, fitness center, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

3. When you wake up, you don't need to think about where to have breakfast because they will automatically give you (upon check in) complimentary tickets to an eat-all-you-can buffet breakfast in their resto, Bistro Del Cielo.

Their buffet breakfast was amazing. They have everything you need for a breakfast. From light meals to heavy, they have it there.

4. Also, you get to have room service till 11 pm, 1 complimentary parking and daily house keeping.

5. This is my most favorite: Free shuttle service to the closest malls. It is my most favorite because you don't normally see hotels offering this kind of service. Their shuttle is not the big ones you usually see on the road. Their shuttle service is actually the private one. Small car, with your own personal driver who is kinda nice as well.

One of the downfalls so far during the stay was that you have to pay for the internet or wifi. Yes, you get to have your own router and wifi access so expect it to be fast but you have to pay Php 100 which is good for 24 hours. Not bad, but we were expecting that there will be a free wifi.

THE VERDICT: If you want to enjoy your stay in Alabang or if you are in a vacation mode and just want to escape reality for a little while but you don't want to feel far from home, this is just the right place for you. The service, and the crew will even make your stay so much better. Although you might bring some more cash for some of their facilities and if you're the type that can't live without the internet.