An Afternoon at The Legend Villas

I have never stayed in The Legend Villas but I've heard of it from friends. Those were good things, and I feel, I had to see it myself.

A few days before this actual visit, I had a charity event coverage which happened at the hotel's huge ballroom so I only had a glimpse of it. Their love for wood and everything pinoy are evident - and it's growing on me. It takes that feel of that tradition, of having pride in Filipino craftsmanship and paying homage to artisans that took their sweet time putting this all together.

Like clockwork, they named the hotel's restaurant after the owners real matriarch, hence Lola Maria. We had lunch with a few bloggers, which I guess is their way to introduce the place. The Legend Villas is part of the same chain of hotels that own Kabayan Hotel, The Legend Palawan, Legendary Tours (a tour company), PinoyPamilya Hotel and MyPlace. We had real homey Filipino food and yes, it's not too uptight and it felt like you were just visiting your Grandma's place. 

Fish of your dreams fixed Escabeche style, this huge 5 pound wonder was just the start of the feast!

A corner was dedicated to Pasta, which you can prepare with cream or Aglio Olio. They also have a boiler nearby so you can heat it up before consuming.

Mussels baked and topped with salty cheese, because they can have beer match this early

One of my favorites, Crispy Kangkong (swamp cabbage). Make sure you eat it while it's hot, tends to get less crunchy when air gets into play

The salad station, pretty good

My kind of fantasy, a solo Sisig Station to make sure your favorite kind of Sisig stays hot all the time

You can have it in Pork, Chicken, Bangus or Tofu

There are a few windows seats which I'd go for, the huge tables for groups. It seats around 60-80 people at a time.

Love the garden like centerpiece, albeit plastic, it's a pretty colorful sight

Halo Halo Station for all the lovely combinations you wanna do for dessert

Make it more special with Leche Flan

The Japanese food area had so much of these sushi rolls, they fill it up quite quickly

Now they also have different kinds of rooms that would serve pretty much business travelers or meeting/workshop goers which is mainly their market. They are opening up a bit with families and it is a treat because I've seen a lot of OFW's and foreign guests who are repeat clients, which some of the staff call them by first names. I've stayed long enough in the front desk to know that as I've eased in on their conversations. Pardon me as I love people watching. Here's some of the rooms we did take a look at.

The Family/Quad Room had 4 single beds and their own individual chairs on the long table. It's like having a remote office away from the regular ones you prolly stay in 8 hours a day. This would be handy for those who are here for work/seminars because we've seen a lot of that happen on this day. You also have individual sockets so you don't have to mess with other people's plugs when you need power. The bathrooms are decent too.

Team 6 is a room for 6 people. It's a loft type where you can entertain people downstairs and have your sleep on the second floor. Both floors also have TV's and a bathroom so you can use both of you're in a hurry. No overcrowding.

Rooms for PWD is also available. They have ample parking, access to wheelchairs and a wide entrance just in case you need it. It has been used a number of times so there is a need for it, you just wish it was available in other hotels.

This is the Villa Suite Deluxe room. Again has two floors to entertain people downstairs and two queen beds upstairs. I love their use of capiz and stained glass windows which gives this an authentic Filipino flair. The toilet and bath is nice too.

Oh and no, they didn't hold back on amenities because they're equipped with a gym, a jacuzzi and a pool. Staycations would be ideal even if you are from the same city.

They also have several function rooms which can serve as venues for birthdays, barbecues, meetings and just about anything you could think of. They've got pretty nice food choices and can be modified if you're a little picky or have allergies.

Check out is also a breeze because I even saw my friend go out of the hotel and it just took them a few minutes, no one will be late for their next flight. 

Hope this somehow gives you an idea about what to expect in The Legend Villas. For me, this would be perfect for OFW's or Balikbayans who would want to stay in something that reminds them of home. I have yet to stay here but I'm sure it will be very soon. I want to take a dip in the pool and have wine at the jacuzzi area, are they ready for me? LOL!

Go to LegendVillas.com.ph for more information about their rates, it's very affordable and I also have them on my IG stories, they're featured on my profile so check it out!

HAYU Reality Shows Now Streaming in PH!

Just attended the most posh event this year as streaming app HAYU says hello to the Philippines. For those who don’t know, their app is a little different than the usual movie and TV lineup that others have because they have curated it in a very whimsical way, by only including REALITY shows in it. Mind you, all the things I loved were all there including Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Housewives of Beverly Hills, Botched, and a few more other shows a day after they broadcast it in the US. 

According to them “All the shows come in after their broadcast in the US and it’s not going to make you wait anymore because Hayu has been launched around the world. It’s time to upgrade your reality.” 

Then we got to watch the latest episode for Keeping Up with the Kardashians which had me on the edge of my seat, and squirm (because of something that happened) I just couldn’t tell you now but it involves something in the fam, and one of their businesses, plus a few cute sequences. 

Booze was available that evening

How posh was it? There was Froze! Frozen Rosé wine :)

Heavenly desserts!

The No Guilt Cupcake :))

We watched the latest episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, but we wouldn't want to spoil it for you!

The gripping lives of rich kids in Beverly Hills

She trends on Twitter still, Life of Kylie!

She's in jail and bankrupt but this was the thing that made her famous on reality tv

Loved the Flip It Like Disick episodes, the controversial designer contractor relationship

You need to watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

My fave Botched too! Who wants a B*** job hahah

Keeping it up with the Kardashians

Anyway there are more reality shows available on the app and if you’re the type who digests this for breakfast, prepare your eyes because there will be more! I’m enjoying every bit of it now because I’m a huge fan of these reality themed entertainment. Download it now on Google Play or the App Store! 

Maxicare MAXIFEST Run on December 15

After getting around 3.1K participants last year Maxicare is doing it again with the goal of helping Kythe Foundation, an institution that helps cancer and chronic illness patients - and hopefully break a Guinness Book of World Records of hugging a soft toy. This is a big event and this year they will bring MAXIFEST to a whole new level. Life has beginning and end but for them, they feel the most important part is how you live your life. So go to runrio.com/race now to register!

They call every Maxicare plan holder a Maxicare champion. They want to see you live your life, acheive your goals, and with this run you would be able to help someone while taking part in a historical Guinness World Record attempt which only a few has been able to tick off their bucket list. This will be in December 15, with three different activities at the 5ECom Harbor Drive MOA in Pasay City. Registration will start on October 18. Maxicare will also have a Veggiefest with over 50 vendors so you can have plant based food in your picnics, have Zumba activities, games and fun with your friends and loved ones. All 4000 runners will also do the simultaneous hugging of plush toys, specifically the MaxiBear which they have as mascot in different events.

Aside from the 3K, 5K and 10K event, they will have a 2K for seniors. Everyone will get a finishers medal, and the cute little cuddly bear which you will use in the activity area for the Hugging World Record Attempt. Guinness World Record representatives will be there to take notes if you will beat the previous record from the US. Runrio will also be organizing the run, so everything will be smooth on December 15 when the run happens.

Experience Stress Free Life with GCASH

I have always wondered why a lot of people still don't delve into using online transactions. It's actually very convenient and if you ask me, we've got a lot of options now that banks and even corporations started to come out with apps that could do the job what normal bank visits would do. I mean, I've been to my home bank and spent a little more than 2 hours just to deposit money, imagine the things I could have done with that amount of time, which is why I tell my friends the same thing.

In exemplar, my friend has an online business selling mens accessories, watches and shirts. It was a small business back then but they did start getting more than the usual activities when they got word of mouth joining several bazaars and they had to hire people so they could cope up with the demand. After several years of doing this, she didn't have time anymore to go out, have fun, or enjoy the fruits of her labor because she had to do all the accounting work even if it wasn't something she finished college for. She had to endure the same things as I did including lining up to pay for SSS, Pagibig Fund for her employees and include a lot of bills and taking money in and out of the bank. It was a mouthful to say but just imagine how stressed she was because she didn't know several apps could do it, which is why I suggested she lived a little and give GCASH a try. The next month, she didn't have to pay her Meralco, Water or PLDT bill in three different locations anymore, she tied up her BPI account and got money she sees the need to. Then when it came to her employer obligations, she didn't have to lineup anymore because SSS and Pagibig was accessible. She even swears payments were coming in smoothly since it's now possible to transfer funds using the app.

We even had more time to hang out and do a small party for her kid. She thanked me in the sidelines but reminded me that I have to pay half the bill, and GCASH even had that hahaha! She could have gotten me a treat but no, I had to pay in the end LOL! Oh yeah, she is that kind of a friend! Haha!

She thanked me for GCASH though, and that was enough. She paid for my coffee later in the evening, I was thankful at least, she got her life back. No more lines, no more stress, I guess that counts.