MANILA FAMILY TRIP IN PREPARATION FOR CEBU-SURIGAO CITY-DINAGAT ISLAND TRIP

 This is a part of my 10-day family trip (November 16-25, 2024) consisting of Metro Manila, Cebu City, Surigao City and Dinagat Island.  A 4 province trip consisting of Metro Manila, Cebu, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Island

One Palm Tree Villas 1 in Newport City, Pasay City

I have been a resident of Mandaluyong City since 2008, but on January 31, 2024, our family has transferred residence to Albay due to job promotion.   With this family trip, my wife, son and eldest sister were with me.

Bus stop somewhere in Camarines Sur

Our trip started boarding an airconditioned bus heading to Manila for 14 hours.  For November 16 - 18, 2024, we stayed in an AirBnb accommodation at Flairs Towers in Mandaluyong City.

My 4-year old son during our stay at Flairs Towers

What we like with Airbnb accommodation is that we can our own food and it is much cheaper than to eat at the restaurant.  Besides, it is equipped with a refrigerator where we can store our food supplies and the kitchen utensils, kitchen wares, cooking stove, plates and cutleries are also provided.  We even washed our clothes since there is a washing machine available.

The pool at Flairs Towers

Despite our effort to have a swim at the pool, we were not able to do that since our whole days are spent outside for the transactions that we want to accomplish while in Manila.

Captured from our Flairs Towers at 14th Floor

The pool of Flairs Towers at night

Usually, we arrived at the accommodation late in the evening already spending our time for some outside appointments and activities.

My wife and son at the lobby

SM Lightmall is just walking distance from our accommodation

Honestly, being based in Albay, really made us miss the city life as in our new provincial residence life is so simple and there is not even a single shopping mall and everything is almost not accessible like health care since my Amanphil health card can't be used in Legazpi City as no hospital is accredited to the health card provider.

Matthew played alone at Flairs Towers Children's playground

When we arrived in our Airbnb accommodation late at night, we usually allow my son to play first in the children's playground.

I even missed this scenario at Boni MRT Station where we usually pass

I missed this place since almost every week, I passed through this area when I go home to our Mandaluyong residence.  This is just adjacent to SM Light Mall.

We even missed this part of Mandaluyong where we usually jog

While at Dambana ng Ala-ala in Mandaluyong

Burger treat for my sister-in-law, Gimberly and husband Artem in this part of Mandaliyong

SM Megal Mall, one of favorite destinations

My son wanted to stay here to play

With my son still at SM Mega Mall

Kenny Rogers Roasters as our family's choice of fastfood at SM Mega Mall

At Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque

Part of our trip was to visit my mother's remains at Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque on November 18, 2023.  Even when we were still in Mandaluyong, we only go there once a year.  My eldest sister was with us during the visit.

Still at Manila Memorial Park

We arrived at the place around 3:30 P.M. and left the place at 7:20 P.M.  When we were still living in Mandaluyong, we usually stay there for one whole day.