While traveling around the world, the family visited the Philippines and decided to combine a double birthday dinner with James. In our chat group, we discussed which restaurants we’d like to dine at, and Mom Violy has been eager to try the all-you-can-eat lobster her best friend recommended at Solaire. Carmina took charge of making the reservation through Solaire's Resort website and asked the family which seating time they preferred, choosing between two options with different time frames. Carmina registered it under Mom Violy's name and phone number. She received an email for our confirmation, and a week beforehand, a reminder was sent to Mom Violy's mobile to confirm if we were going ahead or not. Carmina replied to the SMS since Mom Violy wasn’t sure how to do it. We were told to arrive fifteen minutes before our scheduled entry time, which was 5:30 p.m. on February 12, 2026. When we arrived, we were informed we couldn’t enter the dining area until exactly 5:30 p.m...
Carmina says Bebang’s halo-halo is summer in a spoon — but is it the real deal or just pretty colors in a cup?
Since last year, Mom Violy and Carmina had been wanting to try the much-talked-about Bebang's Halo-Halo , but even when we passed by, the timing was never right. Mom Violy kept saying she’d wait until a branch opened closer to us. Then Becky told Carmina there was one along her commute route to work. The best part was that the Tomas Morato branch in Quezon City had just opened. When we arrived at CTTM Square , we found plenty of restaurants on the second floor. While checking the menu, we let the customers behind us order first. Mom Violy asked them for recommendations, and they suggested the Presidential for first timers. Unlike other places, Bebang’s Halo-Halo doesn’t have size options—everything comes in a standard size, making ordering easier. Seniors and PWDs get a discount per order, and you’re given something that lights up when your halo-halo is ready for pickup. Service was quick, so the wait wasn’t long at all. Each order comes in its own green plastic bag with a table...