Precious Moments in Kalibo

I've been to Kalibo several times, most of the time as a passageway to Boracay and once for work. I never did have time to look around since I was usually rushing about. A few weeks ago I actually stayed a night at Kalibo, still for work, but it was such a pleasant surprise to find out that I was going to stay at Sampaguita Gardens Resort. Sampaguita Gardens Resort was built by Sam Butcher, the founder of Precious Moments, so you can imagine my delight when I saw Jojo's Christmas Cottage.


I was grumbling on the flight from Manila to Kalibo since the jampacked Domestic Airport made me grumpy, but when I realized I was going to stay at an interesting place I couldn't help but ask questions from the resort's driver who picked me up at the airport. It was drizzling when I arrived but this did not stop me from exploring the place. The resort has a lot of stuff to see and there are educational tour packages (costs between PhP56 to 246 with food) and you can go swimming as well for a small fee.


Here's what I saw:

convention center - that's where I did my talk

a 43-foot aquarium - quite a number of fish, I don't know though what kind

Oriental Flavors - fine dining restaurant (will blog about what I ate there soon)

the SJB Mansion - the presidential suite overlooks the ocean and the mansion is filled up with furniture and houseware from all over the world (including a 300-year old bed)


The Spa - I had a body scrub treatment in the evening and it was truly relaxing, most especially since I had the place to myself.

Jojo's Christmas Cottage - I spent quite a lot of time there chatting with the employees and asking about the dolls. I ended up buying 2 sets. I'll blog about that soon.

Precious Moments Meditation Chapel - the chapel from the outside looked gorgeous, it was unfortunately closed.


Sammy's Circus Rides - I tell you, seeing the ferris wheel and boat made me feel like a kid again.

I unfortunately missed going to the Precious Moments Gallery since my time was limited and I had to catch a plane. Well, check out the photos below.



If you find yourself on your way to Boracay or Iloilo I strongly suggest spending a night at Sampaguita Gardens Resort or set your meetings/seminars/conventions, their packages are quite affordable. Room rates range from PhP1,000 to PhP3,000. You may call them for reservations at +(6336) 264-6556 or 264-3422.

Backpacking to Boracay

Would you be able to resist your unico hijo's pleading brown eyes? That's precisely what pushed me to backpack with Miguel to Boracay. I had given up finding an available flight out to Bora, but of course the internet has vast resources and I found available seats ten hours before the scheduled flight. I just had to bring Miguel to Boracay. So off we went and here are some photos from our trip:



And here's a glimpse of Boracay:



And how much it cost:

Plane ticket Manila to Caticlan (Asian Spirit) - PhP2,600 each
Plane ticket Kalibo to Manila (Cebu Pacific) - PhP2,500 each
Domestic Airport Terminal Fee - PhP200 each
Kalibo Airport Terminal Fee - PhP40 each
(But if you go Cebu Pacific both way's it's just PhP4,000)

Tricycle to Jettyport - PhP40
Terminal Fee - PhP20
Ferry - PhP19.50
Environmental Fee - PhP50
Tricycle to Station 2 - PhP25 each (for a group of 4)

Accommodation (Roque's Place) - PhP1,000 to 1,200 during off-season

Food - PhP200/meal (better eat at Andok's coz you'll get a good deal and you can share)
Trinkets for Pasalubong - PhP1o to 30 each
T-shirts - Buy 1 Take 1 for PhP150 only

Van to Kalibo - PhP85.00
Tricycle to Kalibo airport - PhP70