Bump, Baby Bump, Bump

Someday, when our little sailor's no longer little, I will show him how he looked like inside my tummy, and how big the bump is I carried him.

During our wonderful staycation at Marriott Manila last Labor Day, mister and I had a mini photoshoot session to document my 35 weeks tummy. It was so random, we didn't even have a peg, but the photos came out wonderfully. 

Here are some of my favorites:

A couple of weeks to go before my pregnancy goes full term. I love you, little sailor! You will soon be welcomed happily by this beautiful world.

Love,

Mommy

The Sound Of Music at RWM

You know how much I love The Sound Of Music. I've tweeted, written and told this for a thousand times already and watching the Julie Andrews film over, and over, and over again will never make me love this musical less.

A year ago, a friend told me (hi, Erica Robles!) that Resorts World Manila held an audition for The Sound Of Music. I eagerly asked her about the said casting, not that I wanted to join, but to know if it's true. Deep in my heart, I know I wanted to be a part of it and playing Maria Ranier's role not just in school will make me the happiest girl in the world. But I cannot sing. I cannot even sing the do-re-mi in tune. So let's scratch that. Watching it played by real theater actors will make me the happiest girl in the world, and last Saturday, I was the happiest girl.

Paolo and I watched the first public screening of The Sound of Music (I skipped the exclusive 20-minute preview and special gala night because of our VIP tickets) last Saturday. I know I kind of annoyed Paolo the whole performance because I was singing along with Maria, Georg and the children and the nuns. I could not help it. I was so teary-eyed but not even my teardrops could explain how happy I was, not to mention that we were THIS close to Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales who supported their daughter Atasha in playing the role of Brigitta. Speechless. Everything's grandeur, magnificent, marvelous.

The entire cast is also superb, from Joanna Ampil (Maria Ranier), fellow TV5 Kapatid Audie Gemora (Captain Georg von Trapp), Pinky Amador (Baroness Elsa Schraeder), Pinky Marquez (Mother Superior) to the young ones Tanya Manalang (Leisl), Paolo Ocampo (Freidrich), Rebecca Coates (Louisa), Anton Posadas (Kurt), Atasha Muhlach (Brigitta), Alida Moberg (Marta) and the cutiepie Alexa Villaroel (Gretl). The production team is composed of Rebecca Lapus, Paul Soriano, Lyn Fabella and Francis Libiran among others. The entire crowd did not hesitate to give them a standing ovation during the curtain call, they ALL deserved it!

Now for the sake of those who haven't seen this yet, I will not spoil or give comments about the performance and the overall The Sound Of Music at Resorts World Manila experience. Coming from a diehard fan, I gave it a highly satisfactory rate with no reasons, explanations and second thoughts. And again, no! I'm not biased! Watching The Sound Of Music will prove you that the Filipino performance is a world-class performance. :)

Facebook caption: Because my Dad knows I'm a diehard fan of The Sound of Music, he took a picture of its billboard facing FEU and changed Maria's face into mine. :) 

It would be a miracle to play Maria's role because I CANNOT SING (WELL, hahahaha) so Dad thought of something to make a dream come true! Love you, Dad :)

And because cameras are not allowed inside, we had some photos taken before the show began. I didn't even think of taking some shots during the play because I watched it with all my heart--no disturbance, no wink of an eye, no extra movement! I focused and concentrated and just laughed and sang along with them in discreet.

I stood up in front of the crowd with this smile!

With the Georg Von Trapp of my life!

Black asymmetrical dress by Randy Ortiz | Black peeptoe shoes from Aldo | Bag from Longchamp

After the show at Marriott Hotel.

It was a long, but short, three-hour play and I see myself watching it again before it finally ends on December. If you plan to watch The Sound Of Music after reading this, inquire at Resorts World Manila or TicketWorld.

♥,

The Hub at Marriott Hotel, and its Opera Slice too.

It's my nth time to be at the Marriott Hotel and I'm proud to say that in these n times, I always go there only to eat for free! :) 

Marriott Hotel Philippines opened on the last quarter of 2009 and is located at the country's newest entertainment capital, Resorts World Manila. Although I haven't experienced an overnight stay here yet (by the way, this is A hotel), I always feel like a VIP. Special thanks to its Marketing Communications Manager, Michelle Garcia. Ate Mitch, as I fondly call this hotel executive, is my sister's good friend since high school. CLICK HERE to read a Philippine Star article featuring her.


She invited me for a lunch some time last year at The Marriott Cafe. For me, it's Marriott's version of Sofitel's Spiral--world cuisines and buffet. It was my first time there and I promised her a blog entry about its food because I was TOTALLY IN LOVE with the cafe's Tres leches. The Marriott Cafe's Tres leches is beyond Upper East's because I once thought it was the best. I failed to update my Tumblog though. It's not only Tres leches that I'm raving about.. JAPANESE BUFFET IS TO DIE FOR AS WELL!

And when TV5 Manila held its 1st Creative Summit last December 2010, I got a chance to go back to Marriott Hotel again. It's a whole day event according to my colleagues so I expected breakfast, buffet lunch and  afternoon snacks. Bundled with my expectation was my dearest Tres leches. Yeheeeeey! And yeheeeeey not! There's no Tres leches in the desserts area. Quite disappointed but to my surprise, I discovered my newest addiction--the Opera slice. ♥

Clockwise from left: New York cheesecake, THE OPERA SLICE, Cappuccino chocolate mousse and Chocolate tiramisu.

Excuse my food photography incompetency, the food might not look very yummy! Plus, I just used my iPhone 4's camera. Hehe.


OPERA SLICE is the best dessert ever created by a pastry chef for a sweet-tooth like me! But don't expect it to be super sweet like it's gonna hurt your throat. Its taste is nothing but perfect, an A+, 5-star. I can't explain well how it tastes like, your tastebuds must be the judge! I can eat this forever. I can eat 4 slices in a minute. I can trade this with any dessert in the world (even Bizu's French macaroons)!!! That's how great THE Opera slice is!!


And to also fulfill the vow I made during the first summit.. (let me refresh your memory cards with this:)

And I guess it's also time to fulfill my promise to Ate Mitch and to convince you, my ever dearest and loving readers, to have a taste of Marriott Hotel's finest cuisines.. here's what I ate yesterday during the 2nd TV5 Creative Summit:

SOUP: Tuscan vegetable soup with sage.

APPETIZER & SALADS: Tomato and mozzarella with pesto, Grilled mushroom with lemon dressing, Malaysian gado-gado with Parmesan cheese and Chinese barbecue combination platter.

HOT: Fried rice Thai style, Beef lasagna in Provencal sauce, Cajun spiced chicken breast with pumpkin and cherry tomatoes and Pan-fried snapper fillet with wok fried spinach and black bean sauce.

I'm really wishing I have a buddy who's got talent in food photography. I really look up to Anton Diaz and Lori Baltazar because they can turn the pictures into almost-real food. But anyway, it won't stop me from whatever I'm doing. :)


Dinner last night, I had Fennel and citrus salad with grilled scallops, Thai sliced beef salad, Smoked salmon with pickle onions, Roasted beef tenderloin on mushroom ragout and sauteed bell peppers, Roasted chicken Spanish style and Baked lamb leg garlic and rosemary. I was kind of tempted to try the soup--Tom yum goong (spicy lemon grass soup with shrimp) but I know it's spicy. Sayang naman. And then for dessert: Yoghurt Panna cotta, Pecan maple syrup tart and of course, Opera slice again. 


For drinks, I had a glass of cold house tea during lunch and an apple juice at night. I also ordered a cup of chamomile tea because of Opera slice overdose. I didn't realize it's going to be a long night, we ended up drinking red wine, champagne and beer with TV5 EVP and COO, Mr. Bobby Barreiro, Head of Broadcast Operations (aka my TV5 big daddy and immediate superior) Atty. Dan De Padua, Unitel President Mr. Tony Gloria and my fellow ladies Ate Badeth, Mommy Rissa, Trina, Lisa and Tina. :) 


I no longer took pictures last night because I'm shy to bring out my camera in front of our bosses but the dinner is super delicious, most especially the Baked lamb leg. I riri, riri rike it!


Visit Marriott Hotel today! No need to stay overnight, just eat! Velocity Bar is also an option on where to drink the night away (plus good music) because The Hub closes at 9:00 PM. Call 988-9999 or visit their website for more details.

RATING: ★★★★★