Pages

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Make up experience 2012 - Bella Dolce by Fiametta

I was never a fan of make up. It was only recently when I started reading about them, make up artists' blogs and youtube instructional videos on how to apply make up have helped me a lot on learning how to apply make up for my everyday wear.

I visited Fiametta (click to see site) shop in Alabang at the invitation my good friend Toots Tagle, Fiametta Sales and Operations Manager. I get to see their products which includes Baby Care, Skin care, body care, scents, and cosmetics.

See some of their cosmetics.






 I was treated to a make up session by their make-up artist Bona.  I had a blast in Fiametta and I like how their make up feel on my skin.  I easily get irritated with make up and face powder and so I really appreciate how mild and gentle their make-up line is on my skin.  I am planning to get more Fiametta products soon and will be trying out their scents and facial care line. Best of all, they have this starter pack which people could buy in order to try out their products in small amounts first to test them. I had a great time in Fiametta, I can't leave without having a picture taken.







For Manila-zens who would like to check out Fiametta, schedule a visit at Fiametta Alabang and look for Toots Tagle. Tell him I refer you to him and expect great experience at the Fiametta Shop.

I love their Bella Dolce cosmetic line. See Facebook click here

Beauty is more fun with Bella Dolce co

Sunday, March 4, 2012

First Summer Getaway 2012 - The Sierra Madre Hotel & Resort

I first saw a photo of a friend and her fiance in the Sierra Madre Hotel & Resort via facebook (Check out the resort in Facebook here)  late 2011 and ever since I planned to be there, if not for an overnight camping, at least a day tour.

I was able to make the trip yesterday (March 4, 2012) with my brother, his gf, and my bestfriend.  From our home in the Manila University Belt district (check out University Belt condominium projects we have, check out MAP) we took the LRT Purple line from Legarda Station to Santolan Station (fare: 15 pesos, Estimated travel time: 35mins)

From Santolan Station, we took a jeep bound for Cogeo. We paid 17 pesos each for the trip and asked to be dropped at the Cogeo Market (estimated travel time: 30mins).  From the Cogeo Market, we walked towards the Sampaloc-Tanay Jeep terminal (thank you Street vendors and Mr Traffic Enforcer for showing us the way).  Fare: 28 pesos each regardless of distance. Now I am not so sure why the rate is like this. The resort is at Km 56 along the Sampaloc-Tanay Highway.  Estimated travel time: 45 minutes.  We waited for the jeep to be full before going, so adding our 45 minutes waiting time, we finally get to the location almost an hour late.

Total travel time: 2 hours and 58 minutes.
We enjoyed the view going there. There are lots of bikers in the area enjoying the cool and fresh air. We were having second thoughts on swimming on this cool summer air.

Entrance to the Resort is 100 pesos. Just add 50 to use the pool.  Total entrance fee: 150 pesos per person
(Check out the Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort rate at their facebook page click here)

We first stayed at the deck to check out the sights.



We saw the awesome and majestic view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges while the cool March wind blows (note: It is March already. It is summer. It is cool up there)

Here is how the mountains look like.



We looked down below the deck and saw one of the 2 pools in the area.



Aside from that pool, there is a Spring Valley Pool 300 meters below. We tried hiking down but there are more people there than on this round pool. The reason: it is much warmer in the lower pool and there is a kiddie pool there. This pool at the picture is deep (maybe from 8-10ft). There are shallow parts on the side near the stairs. Not advisable for non-swimmers like me. I stayed most of the time on the shallow parts.



Me checking out the sights before taking a plunge.

After we checked out the Spring Valley pool and get tired hiking up to the round pool, we changed into our swimwear and took a plunge.



While enjoying the pool, I noticed their hanging bridge which was shown in their webpage.  I urged the group to explore the area - in our swimming attire - much to the surprise of the bikers and other people who are sightseeing.  No cares. We enjoyed taking photos of the area and exploring the resort in our swimwear.





This is a garden near the gazebo. It is not a part of the pool, it is upland.











At the hanging bridge






At the back you can see the rooms.



There is a viewing deck which is covered by trees.  Lovers could stay there and enjoy the summer breeze (love the rhyme)



At the viewing deck. Speaking of lovers, we saw a pair enjoying the exclusivity of this place too.

The resort has this Greek Garden where we took pictures.



The Venuses. =D

After exploring, we went back to the pool and enjoyed the cold water. and the cold breeze too.



After showering and preparing to leave, we took pictures of us with the awesome Sierra Madre view as our background.



It was an awesome stay at the Sierra Madre resort. Time is slow in this place. We were able to enjoy the place in a short while but it seems as if we've been here a long time.

Tips:

When going here via commute follow the route I mentioned above.
Jeepneys going back to Cogeo is up to 6pm only so get out of here early. Jeepneys have 30 minutes interval between trips so it is better to get on the jeep as soon as you get one.

If via private vehicle, just follow Marcos Highway from Katipunan, go straigh ahead passing by the Masinag Crossing. There is an overpass at the Cogeo Market, pass through it, go straigh ahead. You will be passing by Antipolo, Paenaan, Baras, and then you get to enjoy the sights of Tanay.  There are signages of the Sierra Madre Resort along the way.

It is cold up there.  It is already summer and it is still cold there. If you are looking for warmer pools, go to Laguna for their hot springs.

They don't have hot shower for the shower rooms near the pool. So bear with it. =D I read in their brochures that there is hot shower in the rooms, but not the shower room near the pool.


We were able to ride a jeep just when we got out of the resort. My brother needed to ride "sabit" at the door of the jeep while we waited for other passengers to get off.  Along the way there are people waiting for a ride. We're blessed to be able to get a ride as soon as we got out of the resort. Fare from the resort to Cogeo Market 53 pesos per person (see, i am still puzzled up to now why the fare is like that.  But I think this is the proper fare given the distance. The fare from Sampaloc-Tanay to Cogeo is 61 pesos per person) .  Travel time: 20 minutes

From Cogeo Market, we took a jeep bound for Cubao and asked to be dropped off at LRT-Katipunan Station ; Fare: 20 pesos per person. Travel time: 15 minutes

From Katipunan Station, we took the train bound for Legarda Station: fare: 14 pesos each. Travel time: 15 minutes

We were home before sundown. We were able to attend the 6 pm mass we intended for the repose of my father's soul.

So there, we had a blast at the Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort.  Next time I plan to visit Boso-Boso Resort in Antipolo City.

Total cost for 4 persons:

Legarda to Santolan via LRT Purple Line : 15 x 4 = 60
Santolan to Cogeo via Jeep: 17 x 4 = 68
Cogeo to The resort via jeep: 28 x 4 = 112
Resort entrance and pool use: 150 x4 = 600
Resort to Cogeo via jeep: 53 x 4 = 212
Cogeo to Katipunan LRT Station via jeep: 20 x 4 = 80
Katipunan LRT station to Legarda Station: 14 x 4 = 56

TOTAL for the group: 1,188
Per person: 297

(Food, drinks and ice cream we bought in the area not included)

Excited for more affordable yet awesome trips near Metro Manila.  It's more fun in Tanay this year.