Azure Urban Resort - The Paris Hilton Beach Club

YOU MUST READ THIS post first before booking an overnight stay at the most raved about urban beach club in the metro. I stayed at Azure Urban Resort (also known as the Paris Hilton Beach Club) with my friends because of an invite and an encouraging deal. Now, I felt the need to spill out an honest review, so you won't join the others who book just because the place is currently the talk-of-the-town. 

During my quick research, I found out that it was in 2014 when Paris Hilton inaugurated the Paris Beach Club, her first real estate project in the Philippines. It then became the main attraction of the Azure Urban Resort Residences. This beach-themed community houses a man-made beach with fine sand and simulated beach waves.

(source: http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/52547-paris-hilton-back-in-ph-launches-paris-beach-club)

Looking at the pictures, it is indeed a nice place. A quick getaway that won't get you broke, but still offer a first-class experience.

But how's my real Azure experience?  

I will divide this review into different sub-topics, so it will be easier for you to assess if the place is really worth it or not. Let's start!

BOOKING and RATES

It's either you know someone who owns a unit (which will make booking a breeze and cheap) or be extra diligent in searching for good offers over the internet (you can find them on Facebook). It just so happen that we know someone who can give us a good deal, so we booked right away. 

The cost of an overnight stay will depend on the number of head (per pax), the date (weekends require additional fees) and the view (beach view is more expensive than the city view). The room rates range from 2500 to 4500 per night. 

Booking is done thru agents, so the conditions may vary. Some will require you to provide an initial payment before they block your dates. You just have to be careful in dealing with strangers so you won't get scammed.

ACCESSIBILITY

It is located at SLEX West Service road Bicutan, Parañaque City. Less hassle for those with private cars of course, but they will be required to pay 200 php for the parking fee (per night of stay), unless they'll be booking with a unit owner who has a parking slot inside---that'll be for free. 

For those who will be commuting, you need to drop-off at Pasay Rotonda and ride a jeepney with the signage: SM Bicutan. It is just right across the mall. 

POLICIES and PROCEDURES

The standard check-in time is 12 nn to 10 am. Your agent will pick you up at the entrance and you need to surrender your ID at the lobby to be issued with a visitor's pass. 

The pool area is open from 7am to 7pm only. We paid 20 php (per head) for a wristband which will serve as an access pass for the entire day. The access is valid for the day only, so if you wish to swim again on the second day, you need to secure a confirmation message from your agent or the unit owner, and of course pay another twenty pesos.

AMMENITIES

A standard room has the following: air-condition unit, Queen-size bed, sofa bed, dining area, television with cable (or TV plus), internet router, cooking stove, microwave, refrigerator, kitchen and dining utensils, toilet and bathroom. You can cook, bring bottled beverages inside (no corkage fees) and use the internet (some may charge 100 php per head).

They have a White Sand Beach with playground (which is perfect for kids), Big Wave pool, Beach Volleyball court, roof decks, a bar and a restaurant.

COMMENTS:

THUMBS UP because:

• We got our rooms for a pretty good deal 
• Our agent was really accommodating
• We got a free parking slot
• We enjoyed free and unlimited wi-fi access
• Our rooms were clean and comfy

THUMBS DOWN because:

• We only enjoyed the pools for an hour or two
• The area was super crowded
• The line at the concierge was too long (it'll pissed you off)
• Those staff at the lobby, as well as the security personnel, were not accommodating (they don't even smile)
• The pools were heavily chlorinated
• The lap pool can't be accessed by guests
• The elevators were a mess
• The shower areas and wash rooms weren't enough to accommodate large number of people
• We were restricted to visit other rooms (limited to an hour only)

I guess our stay won't be great if not for each other's company. But I've got simple tips here so you can prevent a not-so-happy staycation at Azure:

1. Book on WEEKDAYS. It is less crowded and you can fully enjoy the view and the facilities. Elevators won't be clogged too!

2. Look for a GOOD AGENT. He/She will make your stay easier, more comfortable and affordable. 

3. Arrive ON TIME. Maybe a little earlier than your check-in time, because there will be some papers to be signed first before you can settle inside your room.

4. Wake up EARLY. If you wish to swim in the morning of your second day, be ready to fall in-line at least 30 minutes before 7 am, so you'll be the first to hit the waters!

5. Bring your OWN FOOD. You can prepare your meals and that'll be way cheaper than dining at the cafeteria/restaurant. 

6. Wear appropriate SWIMMING ATTIRE. They are a bit strict on this. No cotton shirts or shorts please, so you won't get kicked out of the pool!

Will I go back there? Maybe not. But it's good to experience the place tho, especially if you are a busy person who can only afford a quick overnight getaway. More so, this place is perfect for those who would love to relax and enjoy fine white sand for a really cheap price. 

By the way, if you are planning to book at Azure, you may contact me and I'll refer you to our very accommodating agent :) 

I'll be happy to answer your questions, just leave them on the comment section below. Thanks for reading!


It is SUMMER TIME indeed!

Trendsetter's Bazaar - Summer Series [March 3-5]

MADE IT ON THE LAST DAY of the Trendsetter's Bazaar last Sunday! It was the first wave of their Summer Series, which is expected to have a second blow on April and the third on May. The event is simply a gathering of the most sought-after and well-loved brands on Instagram, which all set the hottest trends today!

Catching the first deal of the series wasn't really part of my plan, however, I was so fortunate to be given a free day last March 5, so I grabbed the opportunity to strut my stuff at the World Trade Center right away! *big smiles* Oh wait, I'm not planning to hoard a lot and spend too much, I just really want to experience the event and share the good things I may find here on my blog.  

GETTING READY

We arrived at the WTC tent at around 1:30 PM, it was already full with people (a stressful sight at first), going in and out, chatting, eating and lining up. I went straight to the ticket booth and bought two, which costs 100 pesos each. The ticket comes with a raffle coupon which you need fill-up and drop inside a box before entering the hall. At the entrance, you just need to present your ticket and get stamped. 

TICKETS. There's an entrance fee of 100 php, which also entitles you with one raffle ticket.

Now you're ready to explore!

LET'S START SHOPPING! Looking forward to find a lot of unique items inside the tent.

You can explore at your own pace, no need to rush. It started at 11 AM and I still have 7 1/2 hours before it closes at 9 PM. There are a lot of stalls inside selling trendy items and some stuff that are really hard to find in malls.

LET'S GO SHOPPING!

Below are the booths which caught my attention:

Cute rompers are available at Shortcuts

Shop Basicph are loaded with affordable gym outfits, but that string halter blouse captivated me. 

Everything fancy at the That Chic Shop

For jersey lovers, TMTRAXX is the shop for you...they also have native delicacies!

Forgot the name of the shop, but they sell super cute phone cases

Tomboy-Chic look is achievable with their cool items

It was my first time to see playful sun hats like these :)

Cosmic Concept Manila offers cool tees that are made on-the-spot!

Cool and affordable specs at Wear Vintage

Hello Glamorous got tons of lippies!

Interested with makeups as usual... :)

Hoarded face masks! 4 for 100 php only! (My bangs are down here...why?)

Stylish and very affordable flats at Monique

I want the angry bird!!!

This stall sells super affordable items, the usual "uso" fashion pieces

Shoppers can't get their hands off the clothes!

Tired shopper here -_-

Some of the shops that I follow on Instagram were here as well:

I didn't bought a lot, I just snatched those that are plainly good deal. If you missed the first wave, don't worry because you can still catch the second before holy week starts. But before that, let me give you some quick tips so you can have an even delightful visit next month.

1. Wear comfortable clothes. This is so basic, because you can't roam around wearing high-heeled shoes or inside a tight-fitting dress. You can still look fashionable yet comfortable. But keep in mind that this is not an ordinary bazaar, almost all of the shoppers that you'll bump into (even the sellers) wear nice and trendy clothes---'coz after all, it's TRENDSETTER!

2. Bring a shopping bag. I forgot to bring one, good thing I bought a pair of gladiator sandals at Erin and it comes with a pretty pink paper bag. If you'll be hoarding fashion items, bring a large one please. 

3. Either visit early or late. Early bird catches the worm right? You'll definitely be the first to secure a lot of awesome treats on the first day, or if you'll come early. But, if you want some great deals (super discounted items), visit on the last day just like me (Got a bomber jacket for only 150 php, which was originally sold at 350 php...how's that sound?)

4. Bring your own water and light snack. If you're like me who is super matipid (thrift), I'll spend my 200 bucks on a blouse rather than buy an overpriced bottled water and a sandwich. There are a lot of food stalls outside the tent, but most of them sells pricey products. 

5. Don't be an impulsive buyer. You saw a cute blouse? but don't buy it yet, take several rounds in the area and maybe you'll see something similar but more affordable or more fashionable than the first one. You'll see a lot of cool, beautiful and trendy items, but you should also be wise in buying because you'll surely end-up broke and regretful. Don't just think twice, think a hundred times!

Filled a paper bag! My fave was the gladiator sandals from Erin by Etsy :)

Will come back again for sure :)

It was a nice experience, and I'm sure that you'll also enjoy shopping for trendy items too. I just hope that the next wave will be better, I'm expecting more unique pieces and more stalls please Trendsetter Team! :)

DON'T MISS the second and third wave of the series!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Follow them on Instagram <@trendsetterteam> for more details, freebies and free tickets! I also regram a lot of their #TrendsetterGiveaway post so make sure to follow me on IG as well <@missg_diaries> :)

'Til next time lovelies! 

Slay it with grace,

How to pursue your PASSION while in a 9-5 job

WE ALL HAVE THAT single hobby or interest that we always want to spend our entire time doing, but always end up sticking with the regular entries on our everyday list. Well I don’t think this fact even bother most of us, but personally, the thought of not being able to do the things that interests me could be definitely shattering. 

This has been a great, great, dilemma ever since I started this blog (which is now 1 year and 9 months old! Hooray!). I must say, I never (and can never, hopefully not) commit my time fully in writing because of work---that definitely sucks. I often become a bit covetous with some of my fellow bloggers because they always have time to post photos in Instagram, update their blog with their recent escapades, and post a lot on their Facebook page and even Twitter. While me, on the other (very unfortunate) hand, would post stories twice or thrice a month and update my social media accounts occasionally---that sucks even more. Let me tell you this, I even reached the point that I want to stop working and just focus on my blog, simply because this is the kind of stuff that I want to do and I’m happy doing it. 

But of course I cannot do that...not yet, I guess. 

Well my passion doesn’t consist of this blogging-thing alone, I also love baking, I love selling stuff online, I love experimenting with makeup, I love reading books, and a whole lot more. And with all of these things that I love doing, my time won’t be enough for sure. I guess you’re already nodding your head with agreement. Regardless of the difference of my life to your life and to other lives may be, we all face this problem that indeed needs to be addressed head-on. My apologies for the long back story and lengthy introduction though, but let me help you with these simple tips on how you can continue pursuing your passion, while staying in that 9-5 job of yours. Enjoy reading!

#1 Set the goal. 

Follow your plan

This is very simple: You should know what you want. Do you love reading novels? Find time every day to read one chapter of the current book you’re digging in, or perhaps assign one of your rest days as “the bibliophile’s day”. Do you love to draw or paint? Spend your weekends with a canvass and a brush, or bring your sketchpad at work and draw a few sketches during your break or while inside the cab. Do you love taking pictures? You can always bring a handy camera and relax after work by taking beautiful pictures of the sunset or even of the people just passing-by. See? You can make it happen; you just have to exert some extra effort. Set a goal and follow your plan to achieve that goal.

#2: Know how to prioritize things. 

Manage your time wisely

“Work lets you live, but your passion gives you a life”, this is so true! We work because obviously we need money to sustain our daily expenses, but pursuing our interests will give us unparalleled satisfaction. Blessed are those who are earning while doing the things they are passionate about, I want to be like that someday. We cannot take our work for granted, we must also invest our full efforts on it---to make it grow and prosper. However, don’t bury your nose on that job 24/7! Try to accomplish your tasks within the working hours, and as you got home (and during rest days), forget about your work and do other things---give your interests their own “time”. 

#3 Build a support-system. 

Look for cheerleaders

Sometimes, all we need is someone who will push us a little further. Try to stick with those people who share the same interests as you. Share your passion with your family, friends and partner; you’ll get surprised on how much support you could actually get from them. Believe me, it will not be easy encouraging yourself alone, but if you have a buddy who will constantly check on your progress, you’ll surely stay on the track and hit the finish line! I personally benefit from this tip, for I have friends who constantly ask me for updates on my blog, for makeup tutorials (which I haven’t started just yet) and new products on my online sweet shop. They all make me feel that all of these are worth pursuing. Without them, I would have quitted months ago. 

#4 Take some risks. 

Track your progress

Don’t be contented with the usual stuff; try to explore other avenues that your passion may lead you to. When you discover something new each time, you’ll never have a hard time encouraging yourself to continue doing better every day. You may succeed or fail while taking some risks, but you’ll definitely enjoy and you’ll surely learn a lot from the experience. A failure will not tell you to stop, but instead, it will direct you to another opportunity. You may fail in cooking hot dishes, but you may also learn that your forte is on baking pastries and desserts. Once you hit the right note, track your progress regularly. This will give you a feeling of fulfillment and will push you to continue in moving ahead. 

#5 Ask for His guidance. 

Glorify Him thru your interests

This may be the last tip, but it shouldn’t be the least. In everything that you’ll do, let Him guide you. Your job may be so stressful and difficult, but if you’ll ask for His help, He will surely respond with the best possible solution. If you will take some time glorifying Him through your works, He will let you prosper. You can follow the above steps and still fail, but with God, you can never miss the mark. Who knows, He may turn your passion into something that will both sustain your life and at the same time give you a happy and contented life. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this post *wink* Always remember this: Don’t set your passion aside, keep the flames burning by fanning it every day! 

Pursue your passion no matter what!

***CURRENTLY, I'm enjoying being a contributor for our newsletter (called "Gaming Ops Bulletin") and organizing small office events + hosting...not much, but at least I'm doing the things that I'm good at, even while working. Blogging is still my priority during rest days! By the way, I love how "raw" my shot is (above picture), thanks to @japsalazar as always :)

Vampires do exist

MY HAIRS ARE NOW RAISING A BIT because I’m currently writing this post on my bed, lights are off and it’s already past 2 am. The title is so perfect for this, and I can’t change it just because I’m scared! *cold sweat* Alright, to give you an overview, it simply goes like this: “Haters gonna hate”. Intriguing huh? Continue reading and you’ll find out why.

Note: This is not a hate post, but rather an eye-opener piece, which will make you realize that it is indeed a cruel world, made even crueler by difficult people. What to do when you encounter them? You’ll learn it here :)

Disclaimer: The “vampire” concept was inspired by the title of a book written by Brother Bo Sanchez. Any similarities of this write-up with the ideas of the author are not intended because I haven’t fully read the book.

IT STARTED LONG AGO

Since I was in high school, I’ve been dealing with vampires, I just don’t know then that they are indeed such cold-blooded monsters. These creatures looked like normal people and they don’t suck blood, but instead, they suck hope and happiness. Before, I really don’t mind seeing them around because they don’t affect me directly. Yes they bother me almost every time, but they only give me bruises which healed easily. But as I got older, I started noticing that they also evolved in time, they are now causing me scratches---minor scrapes that leave tiny marks which took time to heal completely.  The offensive words can be annoying, you’ll carry them for a while, but they’ll surely be forgotten after some time. A lot has been said to me because I look intimidating. But after all the mockeries, I just licked my tiny wounds and moved on. 

THEY FOLLOWED ME

I survived with some leeches for several years, and then graduated in college. I thought life would be different when you are already older, professional and mature. But when I stepped into the new chapter of my life, I met the most petrifying creatures---the real vampires. I never thought that there would be such kind of beings who’d walk and talk without a soul. I can’t believe that the most difficult person I’ve met before is nothing compared to these heartless bodies. At first, they will look like us, but as the disguise starts to disappear, the face of a monster will begin to take its form. 

I never wished to fell on their trap, but years ago, these monsters caused me deep wounds. I still have the scars until today, but they don’t remind me of the pain anymore, but instead, they made me stronger. They may still continue in their pursuit of ruining my life, but they can never suck all the happiness, because I have plenty---it won’t run out. What I have now for them is pity, because instead of destroying me, they are destroying themselves. But what is it with me that they want? I think I don’t have something so worthy of their time, yet they keep on spending great amount energy just to tell the world that I am a catastrophe.  

Envy, pride and selfishness are the key traits that will turn a person into a vampire. I’ve seen someone turned into one and he is recently spreading his venom, using me to lift his sinking ego. Thanks to him though, I started seeing the true colors of the people around me. I was affected at first, I cannot deny that, but now I’ve learned to contain myself and fight with my best companion, God. If before I always make sure to explain my side and condemn the person who taunted me, now I would rather remain calm and sort things out first. Now I’ve grasped that you don’t need to play their game, let them lose the battle not against you, but against themselves. There is no way you would be defeated if God is with you---stay still, everything will be fine.

YOU CAN NEVER BE HURT

As the cliché goes “You can never please everyone”, so try pleasing God and loving your family and friends instead. I guess I’ll continue to live with these vampires around me, waiting for the right moment to attack and draw the life out of me. But too sad for them, because I’ll remain positive amidst their negative presence. They can proclaim that I’m a piece of trash, but in the hearts of those people who knows me well, I’m a polished gem. 


These monsters are hurting inside, that's why they try to hurt other people too. You can never win against them head-on, but if you'll offer them forgiveness, they may soon learn to forgive themselves and heal eventually. I personally would want to slay the vampires of my life, not literally, but through words, until they break into pieces. But I'm thankful for realizing that there is more to life than hate. We exist because of love, and with love, we can heal the souls of these lonely creatures.



I hope you enjoyed this post :) I played with words and mixed fantasy with reality...but I do hope you captured the message. Once again, spread love not hate!


Have a beautiful heart,

Gunpla Expo 2017 + Dong Won + Pyromusical Competition

IT WAS A BUSY Saturday for me because I’ve been to the first-ever Gunpla Expo in the country, dined at Dong Won Korean BBQ house and watched the 8th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition---all of these in just one day! Whew! Tiring, but all worth-it *huge smile*

I’ll be sharing the whole experience below, so please continue reading. 

GUNPLA EXPO

Attending the week-long Gunpla Exposition at Mall of Asia was already planned. Mr. J is a certified builder and collector and he would certainly never miss the opportunity to secure some rare kits, which are expected to be sold at the venue. When we arrived at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon, I felt so discouraged to go inside because of the huge crowd, and even felt hopeless when I saw the long line at the cashier, which already reached the other end of the hall. But still, we tried to fit ourselves in the narrow spaces between the shelves. As I looked at the kits, I felt the urge to buy and try to build one for myself *wink* But the thought easily slip off (I still have a lot on my plate, maybe some other time though) and I just went on and observe the builders/collectors as they scrutinize each kits. 

Even if you’re not a gunpla builder, you’ll absolutely enjoy the expo because there are a lot of gundam exhibited at every corner of the hall. You’ll learn about the history and evolution of gunpla, take a closer look at the different “grades” (classification of gunpla) and have some photo op with life-size gundams; I can’t help but take pictures of these perfectly-assembled models! There must really be a great satisfaction when one finishes a model and even greater when it has been personalized or modified. I fully understood how strong the “poison” that these kits secrete, which makes the builders go crazy! (the term  “poisoned” is part of their jargon, which means “went mad over gunpla kits”). 

GRAY & BLACK. Comfy in shirt + skirt + sneakers + backpack

HAPPY KID. Supporting his "pagka-lason" in building and collecting gunpla.

During our first visit, Mr. J got himself three kits. After a few hours, when his older brother arrived, he snatched two more kits! (poisoned indeed). Two were super rare in the country while the other three are just good deal because they were on discounted prices. After a few shots, we left with a grumbling stomach. 

GOING KOREAN and FIREWORKS

Our cravings for Korean food lead us to Dong Won Korean BBQ House. The supposedly casual dinner became extraordinary because it was the second leg of the Pyromusical competition. The restaurants situated at the veranda of Mall of Asia (facing the bay) were all exclusive for reservations, or walk-in guests, at that time, so as to prevent bystanders in watching the show for free. The rates of food on the menu are a bit higher than usual because of the privilege to watch the firework show; grilling has been ceased as well as part of the mall’s security protocol for the said event. At first, I thought it was not a good idea, but when the food was served and the show started, I realized that it was a worthy deal. 

SHOW YOUR BANDS. China did pretty well on their 15-minute firework display. 

DOUBLE-DATE. Continuously burping over bibimbap, samgyupsal and beef stew.

The food at Dong Won weren’t super exceptional to be honest, so if you’re craving for yummy authentic Korean food, I don’t recommend the place; unless you are just up for the “grilling” thing and Korean experience, then the place can be a good start (just don’t visit during the Pyro event, no grilling remember?). But of course, since the food was consumed over a lovely conversation and under the glowing sky (because of the firework display), it became really special. 

JUST SOME USEFUL TIPS

If you’re planning to visit the Gunpla expo, make sure you do it ASAP because it'll only run from February 25 - March 5, 2017. Moreover, I suggest you wear comfortable clothes so you can move around easily and won’t be soaked in sweat. Now if you’re a builder who’s on a tight budget, you must know what you want first and bring just enough money at the venue. You’ll get “poisoned” for sure and spend way beyond your budget, especially if you don’t have strong self-control. But what is the most important is that you have your camera ready because there are a lot to be captured! 

SEA OF GUNPLA ENTHUSIASTS!

On the other hand, it was my first-time to watch the Pyromusical show while eating dinner and it was a nice and super “sulit” experience! You may want to try it as well, with your family and friends perhaps. Just keep in mind that there are special rules applied. If you’ll be dining at one the restaurants located at the veranda, the entrance is at the right side of Coffee Bean; a reservation will also be helpful, but not really necessary.

No plans for Saturday yet? Use this post a guide! It’ll be a wonderful experience for sure :)