Prewedding Shoot

I don't want to sound defensive, but I want to explain why we ended up having this type of photo shoot just because I know that to some people, it's a bit "grand".

To start off, we didn't pay much for this shoot. Had we rented a condo unit (which I had intended when I thought renting out a yacht would be too expensive), or a public place, we would probably end up paying the same. We had a pretty good deal from a friend so we decided to push through with it! Lucky, I know! 

Years ago when we just started dating, Rab said, "when we get married someday, I'd like to have our prenuptial shoot at a yacht because it's somehow aligned to my line of work, and I also dream of having one someday. If ever I don't get to own one, I'd have those photos to look at when I'm old." It was nice to hear that from him at that stage because at least I knew I wouldn't be wasting time and emotions for him; and he was thinking about marrying me. Anyway, months before I actually had the courage to ask my friend, I was looking at different yachts for rent and they were all too expensive. I already told Rab that I think we had to go to plan b which is to rent a condo unit. As mentioned above, well, we went with the original plan.

We're not really morning people therefore we really hate waking up early. It wasn't necessarily hard to pick a date, but it wasn't easy either. I had to make sure everyone would be available: the makeup artist (a good friend), hairstylist, photo & video team, the yacht, stylist (a best friend), my dad or our driver (to drive the PV team), and of course, the groom to be. We woke up really early that day since we had to travel from Manila to Subic and start at 12NN to get good shots.

When we started, both me and Rab were very awkward because we're not really used to being subjects for a shoot! Especially me! I'm used to being the one behind the camera. But the Digital Elements team was so good we somehow didn't get lost doing poses. BIG THANKS to our HMUA as well for making us feel confident about ourselves and of course our stylist for making us look fab! Another big big big thanks to my dad who drove the team. 

I didn't think it would be that tiring but oh my gosh. There was a part of the shoot where we had to lie down and close our eyes as the PV team was doing the drone shots. I fell asleep! Lol! At the end of the day, I knew that it was a success and I WILL NOT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. I love that we didn't go for plan b, and I love that we have these fab photos to look at for the rest of our lives.

Special thanks to:

Digital Elements

Makeup by Iya Gueco

Hair by Renzo Lusterio

Styling by Nikki Sapo

Here are some of the great photos:

Of course I had to include my dad!

Bohol, 2016 Pt. II

I'm probably a very annoying companion when you're traveling with me and there'd be a tourist guide saying boring things about history. Okay, so I'm not into history that much. What surprised me is that my boyfriend was listening intently and was actually enjoying the "lecture". I should have listened and made a pop quiz just to test him. Lol!

Food: Eat More Shrimp!

We were supposed to go to Dreamplay last Friday but since I wasn't able to wake up on time, we missed our chance. Since we only had the chance to go there because of Carol, and we didn't make it, my mom got worried she might feel bad about it so she decided to invite her to watch a movie yesterday.

Since she worked in Pasay, we decided to once again go to Greenbelt, hear mass, have dinner, and watch Cinderella. After hearing mass, we decided to eat at one of my childhood favorites: Bubba Gump. If you have watched the movie Forrest Gump, you would have the idea that the restaurant's specialty is shrimp. I'm allergic to shrimp. But I remember my dad telling me to keep on eating shrimp so my body would get used to it. So I did.

My brother and I ordered Shrimp Rigatoni, but requested for linguini pasta since we're both not crazy about rigatoni. It was good, and the fact that there were like a dozen or more shrimps in the pasta made it even better. I was getting nervous about eating this since I am allergic to shrimp, but I still tried my best to enjoy my food since I could take medicine anytime.

Shrimp Rigatoni

Tender sauteed Shrimp, Rigatoni, and fresh Spinach are tossed in a creamy Sundried Tomato Pesto Cream Sauce, and topped with fresh Parmesan Cheese.

The BBQ Cheeseburger was Rab's order. I had the chance to taste the fries and onion rings and all I can say is that it was really good and worth its price.

BBQ Cheeseburger

Their classic burger with sweet tangy BBQ Sauce, Cheddar Cheese, and Frizzled Onions

My brother also ordered the Shrimp Platter which they call:

Run Across America Sampler

The platter consists of Bubba's Far Out Dip and Chips, Chilly Shrimp, Spicy Chicken Strips, Hush Pups, and Mama Blue's Fried Shrimp.

While we were enjoying shrimp dishes, my mom ordered salad since she's on her lenten routine, fasting and abstinence. She then ordered the Yin Yang Shrimp Salad

Yin Yang Shrimp Salad

Tender shrimp, fresh Greens, tropical Mango, Peanuts, tangy Asian Wasabi Dressing, and crispy Wanton Strips

Kuya Kenneth and Carol both ordered their pork chops.

Simply Grilled Pork Chops

Two pieces of Grilled Pork Chops served over Jasmine Rice and Succotash

    

I'm very sorry for not having photos of the other orders. Nevertheless, I've gathered the description from Bubba Gump Manila's website to give you a better description of what we had yesterday.

Travel: Baguio, 2015

Cembrano + Medina | © Kenneth Guevara, iPhone 6

If you are to ask the reason why we went to Baguio, the answer is simple. My brother and his friends went to Baguio last week; and my mom got jealous. She then planned a trip to Baguio. We would normally stay at Baguio Country Club, but it was full. Well, given the news that the weather was nice, it's really hard to book anywhere else.

UPPER HOUSE VILLAGE

I found it unusual that my mom searched Agoda for a place to stay at since she's not really into the web. We were supposed to stay at this Azalea place, but then my mom found UHV. It was a house with 5 bedrooms and was relatively cheaper than the 2-bedroom suite she had reserved at Azalea. At first, we were already settled and joked around that each of us will have our own room until I asked my mom if we could invite the Medina family to join the fun. Long story short, there were 8 of us and there was still enough room for at least 5 more people.

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

It literally is a village and it reminded me of San Francisco. The weather during the time of our stay added up to its San Francisco vibe. I believe they have a coffee shop but I wasn't able to try it. Their reception area sold cigarettes so that's really a plus for me.

UHV is not a hotel therefore you shouldn't expect a breakfast buffet. My brother and I look forward to buffet breakfasts, but we always hated waking up early to catch them. There, we brought canned goods, eggs, etc so we could cook & have breakfast. Okay, so they could have breakfast. Since there is no breakfast buffet, I slept my way through breakfast and woke up in time for lunch. Hihi.

So anyway, they have a kitchen with complete stuff - stove, utensils, casseroles, refrigerator, etc. As for my ever ready mother, we brought oil, onions, garlic, soy sauce, etc. The dining table in the house that we got was good for six people.

Dining table | iPhone 6

The kitchen with my momma | iPhone 6

Oh yes, you don't need to bring your own rice cooker

View from the Master's Bedroom | © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

Me and my brother shared this room | © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

This was our bathroom

Master's Bedroom - where my parents stayed | Hi, me.

Wasn't able to take a photo of the whole bathroom but this had a walk-in closet

Ground floor bedroom

Ground floor bathroom

Ground floor bedroom dresser

Basement bedroom

Basement bathroom

Basement bathroom

Third floor/Attic bedroom | Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of the bathroom

 

Basically, there are 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Seriously not bad for its price. I literally couldn't complain. They also offer daily housekeeping services although I remember having a conversation with their housekeeping that they change the sheets every 3 days. Regardless, she changed the sheets when I requested for it with no hesitation.

My favorite, favorite parts of the house are the following:

1. The Veranda

 © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

You can smoke in any part of the house (if you're a non-smoker family/bunch, you should inform them beforehand while making your reservation), although you don't want that so we all smoked here. It was a really nice place to chill at. With the weather last weekend, I can say that we were literally chilling outside. 

2. The Attic / Family Playroom

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

Yeah, me, my brother and my cousin did smoke cigarettes here. But we only did because the oldies pretty much had a hard time coming up the third floor. We bonded here during the first night. The boys were playing games and I was singing alone with our karaoke (we brought our own; not sure if they have one for rent). Don't ask me why there's a tent - I cannot answer you. Nope, no one slept on the tent but it was really funny to see there was one. Pretty much like Xander on Forevermore. Lol! But if you ask me, I'm pretty sure that a group of friends could think of something to do with the tent.

MORE PHOTOS OF THE HOUSE & INSIDE THE HOUSE

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

Just found this really cute | © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

© Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

Photo of the house from outside | © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

Other view | © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

Other view | © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

The garage | © Tina Cembrano | iPhone 6

Aside from the weather, why else would you go to Baguio? Easy. STRAWBERRIES.

We made strawberry shake. Damn them strawberries.

In case you're wondering, nope we didn't roam around Baguio this time. We attended mass and ate out, but not really go sight-seeing. I agree that we're all past the phase of "touring" Baguio. We were all after the weather, the togetherness, and of course, the pretty house.

My personal rating for Upper House Village, Baguio: ★★★★★