Siem Reap, Cambodia--affordable yet awesome place to visit

Siem Reap is simply charming. It is easy to fall in love with the place--very tourist-friendly (almost everything is affordable and everyone is approachable) and has interesting history and architecture. We stayed there for five days--a bit tight if you want to explore all the temples and ruins, but just enough to see all the main attractions. 

Our trip was scheduled first week of July. It was really hot then. I suggest loose- fitting tops and bottoms. Note that you can't wear shorts, tank tops and slippers in some temples, so just be prepared and bring cover ups, closed shoes and long pants. 

For airfare, we only paid P6,091.40 for one round trip ticket. Cebu Pacific Air has good airfare deals every now and then--always keep an eye out for those. 

For accommodation, I used Booking.com to research and reserve the best hotel given our budget. I opted for Somadevi Angkor Hotel & Spa since based on the reviews--and we actually experienced these--it had a good location (near the night market), international breakfast buffet, free wifi, nice swimming pool and friendly and helpful staff. Rate per night for a double deluxe room was $50 and that already included two daily breakfast buffets and airport transfers. We really enjoyed our stay in Somadevi Angkor Hotel & Spa--highly recommended!

Below were our activities in Siem Reap. Given the length of our stay, I think we spent our time wisely and were able to visit all the must-see places. 

Visited temples 
Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bantaey Srei, Chau Say Tevoda, Phnom Bakheng, Phnom Krom, Pre Rup, Preah Khan, Ta Prohm

We hired a tour guide for our first day of temple exploration. It was a good idea since it served as our introduction and briefing about the many temples in Siem Reap. Hiring a guide is easy because there are lots of them-- the hotel people have a list and travel agencies are all over the place.

Our first stop was Angkor Wat. It is really big-- enough to get you templed out in 30 minutes. 

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

A corridor inside Angkor Wat temple

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

More photos from our guided tour. 

Continuous restoration of the temples

The majestic tree  in Ta Prohm

Baphuon

The person in front of me is Khemra, our tour guide.

We also went up Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset. The sunset we saw was not great, unfortunately. 

Tourists waiting for the sunset at Phnom Bakheng

Sunset from Phnom Bakheng

Visited Cambodia Landmine Museum

We hired a tuktuk for half a day to go see the museum and some more temples. I definitely recommend tourists to go to the Cambodia Landmind Museum. It is very educational and featured the landmine situation in Cambodia. 

Pre Rup-- one of my favorites--is not as crowded as the other temples. 

Pre Rup

Banteay Srei--love the details of this one

Inside Banteay Srei

Rode the bike

On our third to fifth day, we already felt like we really belong in Siem Reap. We rented bikes to visit even more temples. It was more fun to go around Siem Reap on the bike because we managed our own time--it was more leisurely. Plus, biking is cheap-- a dollar or two to rent a bike for the whole day. 

That is Angkor Wat behind us.

To the temples!

Discovered more temples that are not usually visited by tourists

We also biked to the floating village, but decided not to go see the actual village.  Tourists we met on the way there said it is no good. 

On the way to the floating village

Waiting while my husband put air in his bike tires

Dined, shopped, and hung out in the pub street and night market

Pub Street at night

Walked around the Pub Street alleys

Tried the popular Cambodia pizza

Yummy pizza

Chicken Rice--simple yet very delish and filling

Here is the summary of our daily activities:

Day 0: 

Arrival to Siem Reap, night time

Day 1: 

Rested for half a day

Booked tour guide 

Explored pub street and night market

Day 2: 

Whole day temple tour c/o a tour guide, with sunset viewing

Day 3: 

Hired a tuktuk to visit more temples and the Cambodia Landmine Museum

Biked around Siem Reap 

Day 4: 

Biked around Siem Reap and to the floating market
Visited more temples

Swam in the hotel pool

Day 5: 

Biked to explore more temples 

Went back to the Philippines, night time

I suggest visiting 2 to 4 temples (depending on size) in a day. Or else, there is a higher chance of failing to appreciate the history and details of the temples. During our last days, when we explored on our bikes, we were lucky enough to feel the calming energy from some of the temples. 

I hope everyone will enjoy Siem Reap as much as my husband and I did. Before we even left the place, we know already that we will be going back soon.

10 Baguio Ukay-ukay Shopping Tips

I don't usually plan to shop for new clothes because I think I have more than enough already. I control myself from buying new pieces, but whenever I go up to Baguio--which on the average happens once a month because my husband is a Baguio local--then it's a different story. 

I love Baguio's ukay-ukay because it is where I find funky, fashionable, and affordable pieces that I can't easily buy from malls and bazaars. 

Here are 10 simple tips to make ukay-ukay shopping easy and worthwhile. 

1. Schedule your shopping to start in the morning. That way, you are still fresh and have the energy to scan the whole ukay-ukay strip and bargain with the many not-so-friendly manangs manning the stalls.

2. Don't shop on an empty stomach. I notice that whenever I shop while hungry I tend to be an impulsive buyer. There are studies that confirm this, too. Being excited while shopping is simply a no-no because it will affect your judgement.

3. Wear body-fitting clothes. This way, you can easily fit what's available by just slipping it over your attire. Yes, do try on the secondhand clothes but always wear something between your body and the used garment. Wear leggings, body-hugging tank tops, and easy to remove footwear--like slippers or flats.

4. Expect that ukay-ukay shopping is not glamorous. Ukay-ukay is a second hand shop. Bawal ang maarte. 

5. Start at the top floor or inner-most levels. Prices, and sometimes selections, are better. At the same time, the manangs are usually more friendly.  

6. Bring a big bag to easily carry purchases.

7. Be patient and active. Scan through the racks diligently. Your next epic ukay-ukay find may just be hiding among the thick display of tops, pants, skirts, dresses and coats. 

8. Don't look for something in particular. Although there are lots of choices in Baguio's ukay-ukay, looking for something in particular is not recommended. It will limit you from getting that epic buy as you might be busy looking for a specific dress, and not notice the perfect pair of pants right in front of you. 

9. Make sure to check garments before buying. Look for holes, tears, loose threads and stains. Don't buy when you spot a defect. But if you really like the piece, use that defect as a bargaining chip. 

10. Bargain. Bargain. Bargain. Manangs now are very stern and seldom smile. Be insistent and prepare your poker face. Immediately cut their asking price in half and work from there.

Have fun and good luck in your next ukay-ukay adventure! 

Outfit: Smart Black, White and Yellow

This was my outfit during the town hall meeting of the company I am working for. I opted to wear the classic black and white combo to have a professional vibe. Though to make the whole outfit stand out, I wore a bright yellow pair of pumps and big black bead necklace. 

Total cost of this outfit is Php2,469 (USD56.43).
(Dollar conversions based on US Dollar = Ph Peso Exchange Rate of USD1=Php43.77 dated August 20, 2012.)

Breakdown of costs: 

• Bead Necklace - bought from a bazaar, Php250
• Bangles - bought from a bazaar, Php100
• Watch - a gift (Seiko 5)
• Chiffon Blouse - bought from The Ramp, Php799
• Pants - bought from an ukay-ukay (thrift shop), Php70
• Pumps - bought from Payless ShoeSource, Php1,250

Yup,  I wear braces now. 

Photos by my colleague Mafel Hebulan.

Our Tagalog Wedding Invitation

I think our wedding invitation rocked. First, the artwork was done by my husband Paulo Subido; second, the content was in Filipino/ Tagalog; and third, it was simple—and this time simple was classy. 

Our invitation:

Front page:

Wedding invitation in Filipino/ Tagalog.
Artwork by Paulo Subido 

Content: 
Pag-iisang-dibdib 
Paulo at Esay
Ika-12 ng Enero, ika apat ng hapon 
sa L'Orchard Garden Venue, Antipolo City.
Agad susundan ng salu salo. 

The words in our invitation were edited by a lot of people. One of those who helped us was my friend Joel Jacob. He just launched his first collaborative book of Filipino poems entitled Gamlay and is now available in National Bookstore.

Entourage page: 

Wedding entourage page in Filipino/ Tagalog

Content (with translation in English): 
Punong Tagapangasiwa - Officiating Priest
Aming mga Magulang - Our Parents
Mga Gabay sa aming Buhay - Godparents 
Mga Piling Binibini at Ginoo - Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
Munting Binibini - Flower Girl
Munting Ginoo - Ring Bearer or Bible Bearer 

For choosing our godparents, we asked those people who we look up to and consider as our inspiration. We even asked my aunt who is a nun to be one of our godparents. 

For my bridesmaids, I had to include one of my friend Joel. He marched on my side because he is someone dear to me. Since it was our wedding, then we set our own rules. 


Map page:

Wedding map and RSVP page in Filipino/ Tagalog.

Content (with translation in English): 

Naglaan kami ng ___ upuan para sa iyo. - We allotted ___ seats for you.
Kasuotan - Attire
Lalaki - Men
Babae - Women
Baro - Dress
Inaasahan namin ang inyong tugon bago ang ika-16 ng Disyembre, 2012 - Please confirm attendance by the 16th of December, 2012.

Actual photo of our invitation

Simple, Practical and Sweet Wedding

My husband and I wanted a garden wedding but we ended up doing it in a covered pavilion in a garden instead. Why? You may ask. Simply because it rained--the kind of rain that you can easily take a bath in. It still turned out really wonderful and sweet, though. All our loved ones were there to celebrate with us and that is the main point of a wedding anyway. And you know what they say about rain during weddings? It is a blessing.



Whenever I look back at how we handled our wedding--the preparations, last minute changes and the day itself--I can't help but smile. We did it! And here are a few pointers for those who are planning to get married. 

1. Focus on the love. Don't get caught up with the whole wedding shebang. Simple is most of the time more elegant. 
2. Cookie-cutter weddings are out. Express yourselves. Your wedding should be a reflection of your personalities. 
3. Spend on food, drinks and booze. Other than that, try to limit expenses. 
4. Be considerate to your guests in terms of time, location and even the the required attires. 

As for our wedding-- it was last January 12, 2013. We chose a Saturday because we didn't want our guests to skip work whatsoever. 

Preparations started 9 o'clock in the morning. I requested my talented friend and make-up artist Liz Barrientos-Magpantay to do a no-make-up make up. 

I still wanted the classic bride look-- pure white dress, veil and light make up.

Liz Barrientos-Magpantay's take on my request of no-make-up make up.  I really loved it

My dress and shoes were both very comfortable. I did not want to suffer for more than four hours wearing a dress I can hardly breathe in and a pair of shoes that would end up giving me blisters. 

Comfort is key when choosing your wedding outfit

The bridal car was really a wow. It was a silver 2012 Jaguar XJ.

The venue of the wedding ceremony and after-party was L'Orchard Garden; while CVJ Food Catering did a wonderful job 0f transforming the place into a dreamy site by scattering lots of bright and colorful flowers. 

CVJ Food Catering is not just a food caterer, they also put add-ons to make your life easier--
like set up the venue and provide the flowers

The food that CVJ Food Catering served was just awesome--tasty, flavorful and fresh. I highly recommend their services--professional, lived up to our expectations and priced just right.

Nice set-up of the buffet area by CVJ Food Catering

The entourage. I so loved it that my girls were not wearing matching dresses. I applied what I called the BYOD (Buy Your Own Dress) scheme. Same as what I wanted for myself, I wanted them to feel comfortable with their outfits and be able to choose the style of dresses they wanted. 

It worked. My bridesmaids looked so classy

My two nieces and bestfriends were part of my entourage. One of them is my gay friend Joel. 

Paulo's entourage donned barong Tagalogs. 

The ring bearer was so adorable. I wanted him to look like a little haciendero.

The bridal march music was Panalangin by Apo Hiking Society. It was performed live by our friends Ray and Steph. Ray played the guitar while Steph sang. Panalangin is one of my favorite songs and the words exactly describe how I feel about Paulo. 

Lovely and talented couple Raynand Olarte and Steph Esguerra

The ceremony was officiated by Father Igmales who is a priest in Paulo's alma matter.

The hosts of the after-party were dear friends of mine--Abi Lomboy and Grace Colet. 

The reception was short and sweet. The program consisted of the father-and-daughter and mother-and-son dances; a few speeches for us as newlyweds; our first dance; and lots of eating and drinking! 

My dad-- who rarely smiles! 

and then we really partied...

Celebrate! My brother Marc Querubin who sponsored wines and spirits. 

We made sure that the alcohol level will not go down to zero.
We stashed way too much alcohol that up until now we still have bottles of wine, vodka, gin and brandy.

Paulo and I with the TopGear Philippines team.

DJ Badkiss and SunDownMuse played during the after-party; and so did Paulo.
DJ Badkiss was Paulo's surprise wedding gift to me. 

Our wedding video