San Juan, Batangas, Laiya Beach and Much More...

Having a husband from San Juan Batangas has given me the privilege of exploring this beautiful town. This is one of the places we will surely return to, not only because our relatives are there but also because this location is growing and expanding as one of the new tourist spots near Manila, just two hours of land travel away. It is such a privilege to live near San Juan that we can visit from time to time.

Acuatico and Acuaverde - Laiya, San Juan Batangas

Acuatico's Swimming Pool

Acuaverde's Guest's Welcome Lounge

Blue Coral Beach Resort - Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

Kota Keluarga Parasol

Klub Keluarga and Parasol

Cafeno, San Juan, Batangas

This is a Coffee Shop located in San Juan's Poblacion Area.  Just accross a gasoline station who happens to have the same owners.  

Old San Juan Hotel and Restaurant - San Juan, Batangas

I was fascinated to be in Old San Juan and see its tremendous improvement.  This place was only a restaurant before and was also known for its spa services.  Now it's getting bigger, as they have just opened their hotel, which launched in December 2014.

Vacation at my in-law's-house

It is too tiring to be in a minister's family.  We are involved with different activities and plannings. We are collaborating with so many people not only with our church members.  I have seen that our network of people gets bigger as years comes.  There will be days that we needed to receive guests and fellowship with them.  I love having them at our house, yet on the other side - it is really tiring.  I don't regret welcoming visitors in spite of that.  Would still welcome more guests these coming days.

In a minister's life, too often we really needed a break to refresh our mind and body.

My husband craves for Halo-Halo

The whole Philippine Islands is experiencing too much heat this past few days.  Here in Batangas City, expect a higher temperature having it located in a coastal area.  Cold beverages is really refreshing during this scorching heat of the sun.  With the temperature my children would always ask me to let them turn on the air conditioning unit in our office.  I wouldn't allow them for the whole day practically because we can't afford to pay the electric bill having it turned on for longer period of hours.

Since summer has started, pakner4lyf keeps saying that he wants eat Halo-Halo in San Juan, Batangas.  It's unusual to hear men craving for food.  I don't know if you'll agree with me.  Because of his craving we went to his home town to have the San Juan's Halo-Halo experience.

Blessed Week as JC Turns 5 - Laiya Beach, Cake and a Bicycle

We've been busy last week but is surely blessed specially for JC who celebrated his 5th birthday last March 7. JC is now aware of the dates in the calendar. As soon as February has ended my son tells everyone that his birthday is so near! I attempted to ask him of what would he like to have on his birthday. He answered me straight saying "a cake car". I was stunned hearing him say that. I don't know how to design a cake car.  Then there's is one friend who makes carved cakes that came into my mind. I know ordering that cake would be so expensive. I started praying and hoping that in the coming days I would be blessed with enough money to afford it. But I still kept on thinking if I had that money should I still go and order it? Because for me it's not practical to pay a cake worth 3 thousand pesos. I asked my younger brother for an opinion. What he said was, "Ate, I am sure you can make one yourself."

Pakner4lyf informed me few days before JC's birthday that there is no extra budget.  I didn't want to break my son's heart who is expecting that cake on his birthday; and I didn't want to hurt our monthly budget too.

San Juan Batangas and Laiya Beach Experience

Batangas province is famous for beaches as our province is surrounded with waters.  For me, one of the best beach resorts are now in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.  The nearest white beach in Manila that need not an airplane nor a boat ride to reach it.  To tell you honestly, I've never known that Batangas has white beaches too until I met my husband.  My partner4lyf was born and raised in San Juan Batangas at Barangay Palahanan 2.  What I only know before, that San Juan is the place to find a variety of beautiful clay pots in its cheapest price,most specially when buying in bulk. We usually drop by in San Juan just to buy clay pots and other stuffs made out of clay.  The pots sold here in Batangas City market were from San Juan Batangas.  Some of the potters and stall owners of clay pots in San Juan are relatives of my husband. And it never came to my senses that someday I'll be marrying a native from San Juan.  Whenever we had a chance to visit my pakner4lyf's place we will surely drop by there to look for pots and plants.

Photo taken at Rowena's shop, after the Typhoon Ofel

Typhoon Ofel's visit in Batangas

Few weeks ago, the weather was hot, dry and windy.  Dust are all around the house and the construction of the water pipes in the street made it worst.  They have been digging holes for more than two months now if I am not mistaken.   I had a lot of sneezing and it so hard cleaning the house.  For that reason, I asked God to send a rain to drive away the dust.

It was Wednesday, my husband went to Pangasinan to meet a couple, Paul and Susan Tuma, from Michigan.  They were one of his good friends back there during his mission trip. I asked my younger brother Joshua to stay with me while he was away.  Joshua came that night and informed that there was a typhoon coming with a storm signal that starts in letter "O" because he forgot the name.  Rain started to fall that night and didn't bothered it because it was just rain without strong winds.

We woke up and is still raining for the whole day.  Heavy rains caused classes to be suspended.