Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Jade Hotel and Suites: A Special Valentine's Day Family Staycation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I thought my Valentine's Day would be the typical dinner and movie date with the wife but luck seems to be always on my way recently. Valentine's Day for me and my wife, as well as my three children, was made even more special after we got an opportunity to have a family staycation at one of the hotels located in Makati.

I've been itching to try an overnight stay at the Jade Hotel and Suites since a few months ago after I learned the owner was a friend but it was only this February that I finally got to talk with the hotel manager. I was sort of so busy with my weekends since its the travel season and they would normally schedule the sponsored trips during weekends to accommodate those who are working during weekdays.

What made the opportunity more amazing was that the hotel was just a few steps away from the Media Resource Plaza building where the Radyo Inquirer DZIQ 990 AM radio station was located. It is where I would sometimes join in on the broadcast whenever I'm free. Unfortunately, the out-of-town travel, events and hotel reviews made me miss the Vigattin radio show which was scheduled every Saturday from 10 to 11 am. That Saturday was very convenient since I get to drop off my family at the hotel before showing up at the radio station, then easily walking back to the hotel to join my family for lunch.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Roberto "Rob" Bonifacio recently concluded his first solo exhibition at the Renaissance Art Gallery of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong last February 13 until the19th. The exhibit was the illustrative execution of his written thesis entitled "A Person with Autism's Expression of His Perception of Emotions: A Penomenological Study."

Rob is a graduating student of Fine Arts at Kalayaan College with art influences from Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso. Supported by his family, relatives, teachers, classmates and close friends, he considers himself as a surrealist and impressionist that uses pastels, watercolor, acrylic and oil in his artworks.

Seeing his works at the exhibit, you can sense that his favorite subjects are mostly his family. There were artworks representing his grandparents, father and other members of his family, including a portrait of his teacher who obviously made an impact on him.

The artworks, when displayed side-by-side together, form a very vibrant and colorful representation of his thinking. We can see a glimpse of how he sees the world through his paintings.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The new year is the start of the travel season once again. I'm betting most of us are all planning our very own travel itinerary for this year. Thus the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) Travel and Tour Expo held last February 13 to 15 was a superb effort to help out those travel enthusiasts or vacationers to book their trip as early as February this year.

Lots of savings via discounted flight and packages from many airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tour providers were offered to the further convenience of our travellers. The long queues at every booth was an indication that the event was very successful and shows how eager people are on traveling especially the Filipinos.

Surprisingly, I've seen more people flocking the local or domestic destinations rather than the foreign countries. But that was only during the morning of the first day. I'm sure the foreign destinations had their equal share of patrons who lined up for travel towards countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Guam, Japan, Taiwan and even as far as Europe and Britain.

With over 844 booths composed of 327 exhibitors spread across 16,230 square meters exhibition floors of the SMX Convention Center, it is the biggest travel event ever. The Expo also holds merchandisers, food concessionaires and other travel-related companies.