All posts by Heart2Heart

Tarta Madrid by Mallorca

By | Yummy! | 3 Comments

 This is a long delayed post!

I remembered it when I had it at Tito’s place for dinner!  this cake is so yummy and is made by my the family of my friend, Rocelle Lizares who is the sister of Gene Gonzales 

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For orders, call Tel #:  373-2789

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They even have Mexican stuff! 

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Discovery Shores Boracay Voted Top Hotel Spa in Asia

By | Accomodations, Spas, Travel | One Comment

Discovery Shores Boracay Voted Top Hotel Spa in Asia in the Travel + Leisure 2012 World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey

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BORACAY Island, Philippines – July 6, 2012  DISCOVERY SHORES BORACAY, once again took the top spot as Number 1   Hotel Spa in Asia in Travel + Leisure’s (T+L) coveted 17th annual World’s Best Awards compendium of the best hotels, destinations, and travel companies in the world (Source: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-best-hotels/6). 

Travel + Leisure’s features director, Nilou Motamed, announced winners of the 2012 World’s Best Awards survey on the “Today” daily American morning television show that airs on NBC.    The resort also ranked Number 5 on the list of Top 100 Hotels in the world and Number 2 among the Top Resorts in Asia.   

Discovery Shores has been consistently in the T+L World’s Best Awards list of Top Resorts in Asia for three years now, each year ranking higher in the readers’ survey.  “This is an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to giving our guests unmatched service standards complemented by our dedicated staff and our world-class facilities,“ said Jose C Parreño, Jr., chief operating officer of The Discovery Leisure Company Inc (TDLCI) and concurrent general manager of Discovery Shores Boracay. 

For 17 years running, T+L readers have been asked to vote on the hotels, destinations and travel companies they love the most in the annual World’s Best Awards survey.  This year’s results showcase the hotels and destinations that are important now.  “Even after 17 years, the opportunity to see what travel experiences resonate with our readers still intrigues and delights me. While some passions change over time, the allure of the exotic and the new remains as strong as ever, as does the attraction to trips that provide distinctive and long-lasting memories,” Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief Nancy Novogrod said in a press statement.

Travel + Leisure’s website describes Discovery Shores: “Barefoot elegance is the prevailing vibe on this tiny island, where the 2 1/2-mile stretch known as White Beach is often singled out for having the softest sand in the world. The 88 spacious suites feature large glass walls that look towards a scenic rock garden, but chances are you’ll spend more time by the water. Take a dip in the infinity pool, or Jet Ski on the crystalline sea. For people-watching, head to the Sandbar, where they stir up delicious mojitos, infused with local flavors like lychee and mango…Room to Book: Suites #318 and #330 have outdoor Jacuzzis, loft bedrooms, and views of the entire resort. Insider Tip: Chefs at Indigo restaurant can prepare a customized, multi-course degustation menu—just make sure you give them 24-hours’ notice.” (Link: http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/boracay/hotels/discovery-shores-boracay-boracay)

Boracay Island, the pristine white sandy beach where Discovery Shores is located, known as the beach capital of the Philippines has been named as this year’s World’s Best Island Overall with a score of 93.10, taking the top spot from Santorini, last year’s World’s Best Island Overall. In January of this year, Discovery Shores was ranked among the top-rated 500 hotels in the world. It was the highest-ranking hotel in the Philippines in the T+L 500 10th Anniversary Collection.  

Each year, T+L asks readers to rate their favorite hotels, destinations, and travel companies around the globe.  The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards is a definitive guide to travel, listing the top travel experiences according to T+L readers.  The results of the 17th annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey are listed on www.TravelandLeisure.com/worldsbest and will be featured in the magazine’s August digital editions and its August print issue that will hit US newsstands on July 20. The Twitter hashtag is #tlworldsbest.  The Travel + Leisure 2012 World’s Best Spa results will be featured in the October issue of Travel + Leisure and available on  www.TravelandLeisure.com in mid-September. 

New York City – July 19, 2012  DISCOVERY SHORES BORACAY, the country’s multi-awarded luxury resort was honored at Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2012 ceremony held at the Conrad New York hotel, New York City.  Receiving the coveted award for the Top Hotel Spa in Asia is Discovery Leisure Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Jose “Jun” Parreño, flanked by Travel + Leisure vice-president and publisher, Jean-Paul Kyrillos and editor-in-chief Nancy Novogrod. Hailed as a favorite place to visit for Travel + Leisure Magazine readers, Discovery Shores continues to bring honor to the country, by representing the very best as the Philippines’ pinnacle of first class customer service, and world-class facilities.

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Boracay Island took home the top spot as this year’s World’s Best Island award.  The full results of the 17th annual “Travel + Leisure” World’s Best Awards survey are listed on www.TravelandLeisure.com.

To all those who continue to believe and support the Discovery Shores Team that strives to deliver their service mantra “Service That’s All Heart,” Mr Parreño offers his heartfelt gratitude on behalf of Discovery Shores, “Madamu gid nga salamat!”

Experience Discovery Shores’s renowned service with the Pure Beach Bliss Package, a three-day, two-night getaway for only P14, 555 nett per person in a Junior Suite, (minimum of two persons required).  For inquiries and reservations, contact Discovery Shores Boracay at (+63 2) 720.8888 / (63 36) 288.4500 or visit discoveryshoresboracay.com or slh.com/discoveryshores.

 

DISCOVERY SHORES BORACAY, once again took the top spot as Number 1   Hotel Spa in Asia in Travel + Leisure’s (T+L) coveted 17th annual World’s Best Awards 

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Dinner Hosted by Tito Villanueva

By | Foodie | 2 Comments

A lovely evening with our new found friends!  Thank you Tito for hosting a wonderful dinner.  Looking forward to the next 🙂 

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I was so happy to meet Nikki Benitez who is the Mom of the friend of my son!  Beautiful First lady of Congressman of Bacolod,  Alfredo Benitez 

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Beautiful Cecile Lopez who I knew when I started working in Rustan’s department store.  She was the manager for children’s toys and a friend of my Tita Tess 

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Beautiful Betchay Trinidad, good friend and neighbor of Tito in the building :-), She also has a dental clinic in the building, Parch Chateau Condominium,  Ortigas Dental Center and owner of Jay-J Chicken Inasal

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Beautiful Candy Torres Rivera who is the first lady of Marie France!  Candy shuttles back and forth from London to the Philippines

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Handsome 🙂  Spanky Enriquez, a foodie and organizes food trips and eating adventures! 

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Beautiful Dedet dela Fuente – owner of the famous Pepita’s lechon!  

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Cheese platter before dinner

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Beautiful Dining Table by Tito Villanueva

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Our dinner spread!  YUM! 

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Spanky attacking the food! 🙂 

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Fresh Green salad with Honey Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette  

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Dishes cooked by Tito himself!  Baked Cod Fish with Pesto and 3 cheeses on a bed of potato   

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Baked Chicken Thigh Fillet on Queso de bola and lemon rind

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Betchay’s Trio pasta!  Interesting! 

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And of course the yummy Pepita’s Lechon

Previous entry:  Pepitas Lechon March 11, 2012 

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 with Laing rice! YUM! 

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Tarta de Madrid 

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Belgian chocolates?  Nope, it’s Goya chocolates made in the Philippines! 😉 

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 We had an interesting conversation about ghosts and flashlights! I closed my ears during the ghost stories but kept an eye on the flashlight!  Hmm..and that is censored! haha!! Hoping to spend more time with all of you!  

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Antique and Art Collection by Tito Villanueva

By | Arts and Culture, Hobbies, Homes and Interiors | No Comments

I had to separate Tito’s collection from his home because there were just too many to post.  In this very cozy condo, there were so many beautiful art pieces!!  Tito has been collecting for so long already and each one has a story to tell!  I need to make more kwento with him! 🙂 Just taking photos took already a lot of time.  

Just this wall alone had many important and beautiful artworks.

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Marcel

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This is the smallest painting I have ever seen – artist unknown but love it!

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Love this!

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In Tito’s bedroom

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I like how he framed this vintage watch

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Love this cute Amorsolo!!

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Nudes by an American artist!  Tito’s master bedroom is full of nudes 🙂

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 Inside his walk in closet 🙂

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 All by the same artist

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Master Bathroom- more nudes

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In his den

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Love these copper sculptures

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beside an HR Ocampo! 🙂

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 Tito just bought this from a garage sale!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

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Tito told me his Mom got this during the war in China from a Chinese lady who just gave it to her as they were turning communist- It’s beautiful!!!!

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Nena Ocampo Villanueva, Tito’s Mom.  Sketched by Tito himself!

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Oh my gosh! I have never seen a Botero as a personal collection!!!!! This is in Tito’s bedroom!

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 Oh my gosh!! Another one!!!!LOVE IT!!!

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Borlongan!!

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Arturo Luz!

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Malang!!!! I love these works of his

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Water Bottle Cover

By | Great Inventions, Household Tips, Jaric Marketing Inc, Shopping | No Comments

 This is Heart2Heart’s  latest favorite thing!!!!! It’s a beautiful hand embroidered bottled water cover!!!  These are hand sewn by ladies from Bulacan!  It’s a nice touch in your home and also a nice gift that will be really useful and very much appreciated.  There are several designs to choose from- just come and visit the store

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You can turn the bottle around so the Agua Vida label will not show – but you can leave it also since it is free advertisement for us haha!! 🙂 

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Store hours:  Tuesday to Sunday 12 noon to 10pm

Pls do not come on Mondays, the store is closed

Tel #:  854-7055

By Tito Villanueva

By | Homes and Interiors | No Comments

Thank you Tito for inviting us to your beautiful home!!!

As soon as I entered the lobby of your building, I knew that you had something to do with it!! 🙂  I asked the guard and he confirmed!   I’m sure the tenants appreciate you lending your things to beautify their lobby!

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Scenic glass elevator and I am sure you put that artwork there 🙂  Every detail counts!

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What a unique building!  You hardly see new buildings like these anymore since real estate is expensive 🙂  Sorry it is dark, had a hard time taking this photo

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When everything nowadays is modern, I love seeing vintage buildings

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You have the most unique entrance in the whole building!  I won’t miss this next time 🙂

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Look up and you will see a chandelier made out of plastic bottled water containers!! How creative and thanks for recycling them!

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Tito combined two units 

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Den/Office 

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Tito’s office 🙂 

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Master Bedroom 

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Dining room where we had dinner 

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Dining table legs are made out of an old banister 

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Beautiful works of art and antiques come with the home ( Await next feature ) 

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Since Tito is alone in his condo, one room he made into an office 

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Collection of Architectural Digest magazines dating from long long ago!!!! WOW!!!!

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Tito’s Mom, Nena Ocampo Villanueva who is one of the pioneers in interior design in our country 

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The other kitchen in his second unit which is “dirty kitchen” yet it’s so nice and neat! 

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Tito has been an interior designer for 25 years and has much experience in interior design.  I like him because he is very practical and thinks of how you will live and he will adapt your living space to your needs!  I love listening to the details he puts into designing living space

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Click below to go to his website

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Surprise Cheer For Michelle

By | Celebrations, Great Achievements | 6 Comments

I received a text from my angel friend, Isa as she was organizing a party for Michelle.  Michelle was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and Isa wanted to cheer her up, so she invited the Belenismo gang to surprise her 

Our hosts – Inseparable Mother- daughter team who we all love! 

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Yvonne prepared all the headgear!  We just chose which one to use 

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The gang while waiting for everyone to arrive before we surprise Michele 

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And here she is! SURPRISE!!! 

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I have always known Michele to be so alive, always happy and always eating!! 🙂 

She is hilarious! She posed for us on top of her coffeetable! This girl does not need any cheering up!  She is more cheerful and alive than any of us!!! 

It’s amazing how Michele has remained positive and in high spirits and never did she ever feel bitter or sad.  She in fact has been thankful and grateful to God for all the blessings He has showered in her life.  And that I believe is why she has managed to go through all this and  is completely healed!!  Michele told us that it was her birthday gift knowing that she was healed! Heart2Heart admires this very strong and courageous lady!

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And of course she has full support from all her sisters, her family, her friends!!

Apparently they have been having chemo parties in the hospital every time before every session. Yvonne showing me a photo from her phone of one of the chemo parties!  She told me that they are very strict in the hospital but now because they saw how happy it makes the patient, they are now allowing parties   

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Tita Isabel and Isa brought all the food!!!  And we also added some dishes! michelle-party-3.jpgfor-michelle-013.jpg

Michelle enjoying!! This girl never stops talking about food and eating – yet she is so sexy and slim eversince!  We enjoyed all her funny stories in the dining table and we learned one lesson – never to eat with the Dayrit sisters or else you will end up paying for the bill!! haha!!!  You will have to ask Michele to tell you their stories to understand that 🙂 

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The Belenismo gang!  Watch out for the upcoming Belenismo in Tarlac this coming November! 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELE! 

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