Tagaytay: Summit Ridge Hotel provides great views of Taal Volcano!

If you're looking for a hotel in Tagaytay City with great views of Taal Volcano, Summit Ridge Hotel is one of them. After our sumptuous food binge in the restaurants of Veranda Robinsons Galleria, our group of bloggers proceeded all the way to Tagaytay City for an overnight stay in Summit Ridge.



We got to tour the facilities including its events and convention venues. We were particularly impressed with the Summit Learning Center which is said to have been patterned after a Harvard classroom. Summit Ridge also has several recreational facilities including a wooden basketball court that doubles as badminton courts. The hotel also arranges tours.



For dinner, the group got a preview of the Summer BBQ Nights by Annie's, which will run every Saturday, 6 p.m. until May 28, 2011 (Php599/head). I suggest you rush to Summit Ridge this summer before this sumptuous barbecue buffet ends. The buffet included Spicy Pork BBQ, Chicken Skewers, Sausage Kebab, Fish Fillet with Remoulade, as well as rice, soup, salad, pasta and dessert.


Before we called it a night, we also got a preview of the hotel's newly-opened SeriAsia Spa. In the morning, breakfast was at the restaurant of Annie's and C2 Classic Cuisine.

Summit Ridge Hotel
Km 58, Maharlika West
Tagaytay City
(632) 2406888 / (0922) 8526800

June 20, 2011 declared a non-working holiday for Rizal's 150th birth anniversary

On June 19, 2011, the Philippines will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. As requested by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Malacanang declared June 20, 2011 a non-working holiday, "to give all Filipinos the opportunity to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices for the country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies." Here is a copy of Proclamation No. 154.

Don't forget to like the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal page on Facebook and follow @Rizal150 and use #Rizal150 on Twitter.

Hong Kong: Bus trip to Stanley Market

Before my recent trip to Hong Kong, the farthest I've gone to the south side of Hong Kong Island was Repulse Bay as part of a Hong Kong city tour in 1991, when tour packages were very much worth it, not like the rubbish and scams many HK tour companies churn out today. I've long heard about Stanley Market further down the road, and despite several visits to Hong Kong, I always miss going there.


So for this Hong Kong Disneyland trip, right after enjoying the park, we made our way to Stanley Market. From Disneyland, we took the MTR to Central. And then hopped on bus 6 (6A, 6X or 260 are also possible), for the long ride to the south of Hong Kong Island. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from Central.


The views were actually picturesque and you'd be surprised there are still places like these in Hong Kong. There are quite a number of beaches on the south side of Hong Kong Island.




Stanley Market is one shopping place worth visiting. Aside from the usual stuff you buy in the usual market areas around Hong Kong, I noticed they had a lot of cultural and traditional souvenirs. It's the kind of market where you buy your "this is definitely from Hong Kong" type of souvenirs which you can give out to your friends at home.




But more than the market, Stanley Village is actually good place to hang out especially during sunset, with its waterfront al fresco dining restaurants and bars. I should visit this place more often when I'm in Hong Kong.