Don't like long trips? Where to have an Easter Sunday blast during Holy Week? DUSIT THANI MANILA is your answer!

Don't have the time... tired of long trips... hate long travels... don't know what to do... or whatever reason it is you have... the question basically is where to have an affordable, fun, near and fancy place to have your Easter Sunday? Dusit Thani Manila is your answer!

Every year Dusit Thani Manila (located in Ayala Center, Makati near Glorietta Mall) have Easter Sunday celebrations for all to enjoy.  Unlike other hotels which requires you to stay overnight; at Dusit Thani Manila, whether you're a guest at the hotel or not you are welcomed to join.  That's the best part of all!  No outcast so to speak! =)  You only have to pay a fee for the ticket and it's quiet affordable too, compared to other hotels.

This year on April 24, 2011 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dusit Thani Manila's Easter Sunday theme celebration is "Dusit Wonderland".  For only P550.00 a ticket, it can admit 1 child and 1 adult.  And if you still need more passes for other adults, you only need to pay P150.00 per adult.  They usually held it at the Grand ballroom of the hotel.  I don't say that every year it will be the same fee, but you can call them up at 63(2) 238-8888 for inquiries.

Dusit Wonderland lets you visit:

• Yummy Land - choices of food booths to choose from
• Discovery Land - mad science activity for kids to explore, learn & expand their horizon
• Art Land - art activity where kids showcase their artistic talent through coloring
• Wizard Land - up close magic interaction with a magician for that "awe-spiring" magic trick

Discovery Land's mad science activity that keep children coming back for more!

The SLIME souvenir

Electricity

The globe

Water typhoon (creates swirling water when turns upside down)

Discovery Land really worked its magic toward the children!  Every kid loved it!

Art Land had its own magic too, perfect for our little artists!

Other Activities includes:

• Egg hunt
• Magic show
• Acrobat show
• Interactive on stage game for kids

Egg Hunt for kids

The egg hunt activity includes kids of different ages.  If your kid is still young and can't hunt on his/her own, it's best to accompany them in case you're the smallest in the group or you might not get anything at all.  You can only try this activity once.  Once you don't get anything, you're kid might finish empty handed.  It's a matter of careful observation & planning.

Another thing to note, before going, inquire what they have in store for kids.  Because they have a costume contest for the kids, that whoever wins best costume will get a prize.  I always forgot to ask about this contest, and everytime we arrive, I always tell myself... "told you so, you forgot to ask again..."  Don't let it happen to you though. =)

Check out my other posts:

• Dusit Thani Manila
• Dusit Thani Manila - Deluxe Room Accommodation
• Dusit Thani Manila's Room Amenities - Television, Minibar, Luggage Rack, Working Desk and Mirror
• Dusit Thani Manila's Deluxe Room Accommodation - Bathroom
• Dusit Thani Manila - Recreation (Devarana Spa) 
• Dusit Thani Manila - Recreation (DFit Fitness Centre & Outdoor Swimming Pool)
• Basix - Dusit Thani's International Buffet Restaurant

Related Links:

• Christmas 2011 at Dusit Thani Manila

Liliw, Laguna Philippines blog

We had our iterinary all planned out for us.  My relative made sure of that.  Initially the iterinary only included going to Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center for our Holy Week meditation and Kamayan sa Palaisdaan for lunch.  The plan afterwards was to go back home and have our rest for the day.  But I really couldn't resist but ask one last request.  And that is to pass by Liliw, Laguna for my "tsinelas" (slippers) shopping spree.  I guess I got my request because we did, albeit the time constrains because it was very late in the afternoon already.

I had already visited Liliw once and was not very satisfied with my findings, because I was not able to fulfill the cravings of my heart for that perfect slippers that I can bring back home.  Also I did not know what to expect the first time, so you'll just guess how excited I really was when we arrived at the first stores along the road.

These are the first stores that will welcome you when you arrive at Liliw.  Browse through them, have your pick, if you really like it haggle then decide to buy or not.  Sometimes other stores have it and sometimes they don't specially the unique ones.  But you can always come back when you cann't decide.  Though you'll have the risk of coming back for it then finding out it's sold already.  Sometimes its a matter of luck really.

 Don't stay too long on these stores, go up because there are lots more waiting as you go along.  Just look at all these bargains... shoes, slippers, sandals, thongs, flats, pumps... they come in all sorts, it's really basically a haven for women who loves to pamper their feet!  And at great prices too.  A thousand (P 1,000.00) pesos goes along way.  You can buy 2-3 pairs of fancy sandals at about P250.00 - P400.00 each; if you're lucky, even lower.  If its those buy for 3 bargains, oh ho ho, you can buy 3pairs for P100.00.  And its really a good "pasalubong" (gift) for your family and friends.

Up along, we find this huge sandal that is displayed in one of the store.  Oh the kids really loved playing with it.  I think the sandal can fit a lady giant's foot!! =)

They have these huge banners everywhere informing everybody about Liliw's Tsinelas Festival.  We didn't really go back to join this festivity but it would be a really good notation incase anyone wants to plan a short trip to Liliw next year.

This is my great find for the day. A "Monobo" soft slippers!  Oh love love love it!!!  I'm really easy to please.  Some of you might find this really shallow of me but these pair really left a soft spot inside me.  I really don't know why I kept smiling everytime I see it.

These stores is what you will expect as you go up along this street in Liliw, rustic looking.  That's why we were really amazed to find a store that's modern looking not only in name and feature, it also has airconditioning.

This is the last store we looked into, Entrada.  At first, we were a little bit skeptical about the price of the footwears.  But I bought my 3pairs for P100.00 here.  Though I weren't able to really scan through most of the shoes they offer because we were a little bit press for time, but judging at the people milling inside the store,  my guess is, the prices might be just the same. =)  And with the comforts of airconditioning too.

Unlike us, if you have the time, do visit "Arabela's" restaurant.  Famous for their scrumptious pizza, pasta and pastries.  Just walking distance, do try out this place,  the first time we went to Liliw, we had the chance to eat there and oh, we were definitely satisfied.  The place is packed and I mean packed with people queueing just to get a seat.  So go in line early!  And you'll be treated with gourmet dishes that will keep you coming back to Liliw again and again.

After a long day of fun and adventure,  we were finally on our way home.  It was quiet a fulfilling day, and a longing to come back for more in the near future. =)

Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Lucban Quezon, Philippines blog

After we have been enriched by our spiritual journey at "Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center", we now have the need to satisfy our physical hunger.  And so the journey for food quest began.  Then finally, we reached our final destination for "food enrichment" =)... at the "Kamayan sa Palaisdaan".

Kamayan sa Palaisdaan can be described as a floating restaurant because the restaurant is surrounded by water, almost like a pond all around.  You can choose your nipa hut to dine in.  And the nipa huts are connected by bamboo rafts tied to each other as your walkway.  Truthfully, I under estimated the vastness of the restaurant.  As we walk along the bamboo walkway to find our nipa hut, we were greeted by people occupying each nipa hut we entered.  Of course, we chose the best time to experience dining here, that is during the Holy Week, and hohoho... what do you think greeted us?  A queue of people, just like us, wanting to satisfy our hunger.  So the journey of finding our nipa hut began as we trek the bamboo pathways.

It seems like the bamboo pathways were never ending, for each time we reached one, it was already occupied.  I almost thought we are going to go back on the road with empty stomaches to accompany us.  But you know what, we finally found a place to have our lunch.

Our nipa hut greeted us with these decorative ceiling ornaments.  Despite the fact that it was a very hot summer day,  the nipa hut seemed to provide us with the coolness we desperately need.  And so we sat and anticipated our food.

After what quiet seemed likes hours and hours of waiting.  We finally received our most awaited food.  A typical classic Filipino recipe of "lutong bahay" or "home cooked meals".  Yummy and scrumptious.  The one you keep going back to from time to time.

Our only regret was the fact that the food took a very long time to get served.  And we had our answer when the waiter told us that they were short of staff.  And with the onset of customers that keep coming they were really overwhlemed.  Maybe this dining experience is best experienced during off season.

Oh, and one more thing, there's one delicacy you should really try.  It's the cassava pilipit or "squash pilipit".  It looks like a sticky golden doughnut.  And it's not part of the restaurant's menu but there's a "manong" as we call him (vendor), who wanders around each hut selling this delicacy.  If by any chance you see him, buy some and I'm sure it will satisfy any sweet tooth cravings you have.  So deliciously good!  You cannot find it anywhere in any city only here!  And its best eaten on the spot.  It hardens overnight.

Enjoy! enjoy!

Related links:

-   Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center blog
-   Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center photos

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center Photos in Lucban Quezon, Philippines

Entrance to "Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center" in Lucban Quezon

The Healing Church

The rock

The rock reads:

Upon this rock was built a dwelling place of love from the generosity of all those who have shared them blessings.

Worhthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will, they came to be and were created.

The entrance to this "Grotto" is through the Garden of Eden

Noah's Ark behind the children's playground in the Garden of Eden

Sculpture of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

The long line on the way to the entrance to the "Way of the Cross"

Still the line goes up...

Station I     Last Supper

Station II     Agony in the Garden

 Station III     Jesus is Condemned to Death

Station IV     Crowning of Thorns

V     Carrying of the Cross

VI     Jesus Falls

VII     Simon of Cyrene

A sculpture of Mary after Station VII

VIII     Women of Jerusalem

IX     Jesus Nailed on the Cross

X     The Forgiven Thief

 XI     Mary and John

XII     Jesus Died on the Cross

XIII     Jesus Laid in the Tomb

XIV     Resurrection

Finally, at the top...   Jesus is Risen

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center schedule and information

Related link:   Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center blog

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center in Lucban Quezon, Philippines blog

Last April 2011, during the Holy Week, a relative took us to a spiritual journey through one of the popular destinations in Lucban Quezon.  That is the "Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center" which means "In the Hands of Jesus Healing Center".  To those who are familiar with the place, everybody knows how it was known to be one.  But to those who don't, it is said that it is a sacred and miraculous place founded by Fr. Joey Faller known as the healing priest.  He has healing sessions every Wednesdays and Fridays.  By the looks of the people milling around, that's how massive the devotees are.

Though we weren't able to have the chance to see Fr. Joey Faller,  we were able to have time for praying and meditation by the "Way of the Cross" or "Stations of the Cross" by going up its slopes.  A Catholic by birth until the present,  I will not be a hypocrite and say that I'm a very deep and ardent Catholic devotee, because I'm not.  But I am familiar with some of the ways of how we, as Catholics celebrate and commorate Jesus in our lives.

Seeing the picture, one might be intimidated at the height of the slopes.  Don't be.  Having been to Camiguin Island and prayed by Way of the Cross through its hill there, this is a far cry compared to that.  Believe me, this is only a short distance and a short pilgrimage at that.  But to those who really are not into this kind of exertion, you can be consoled by only one consolation.  That is experiencing the feeling of peace and traguility and the contentment of fulfulling the short journey to the top.  I think it's a worth it experience, don't you think?

There are 14 stations which are:

•   I              Last Supper
•   II            Agony in the Garden
•   III          Jesus is Condemned to Death
•   IV          Crowning of Thorns
•   V            Carrying of the Cross
•   VI          Jesus Falls
•   VII        Simon of Cyrene
•   VIII      Women of Jerusalem
•   IX          Jesus Nailed on the Cross
•   X           The Forgiven Thief
•   XI          Mary and John
•   XII        Jesus Died on the Cross
•   XIII      Jesus Laid in the Tomb
•   XIV       Resurrection

The stone sculptures are really works of art.  This is one way of letting us remember how Jesus sacrifices Himself just for us so that we will all be redeemed and saved.  If you have nothing else to do during the Holy Week; and questions like "Where shall we go?" and "What better to do?" keeps coming up; this is one way to do it.  But this is not only during the Holy Week, this center is open whole year round to whomever wants to give a part of our time to Him up there.

So where is this place?  Truthfully, we were driven by our relative to this special place so I haven't really have the chance to study its location.  But maybe this information below might help you.

I will post detailed Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center photos on my next blog.  Hope this blog will inspire you in more ways than one.  Because one way or another,  we do need God's healing hands and guidance in our everyday lives.