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Again we are spotted in a pool! I guess we just can't get enough of it. So, "Welcome to El Dorado".

We've been here a couple of times now, though we don't like the waters here but it's the architecture that got the better of us.

And in case you're wondering, no we don't own the place and there were people around, it just seemed like it's all us because we scared them off with a little rawr. Yes, the poses are deadly.

And as a family tradition, the kids do their "air shots" which are cooler than cool.

So 1, 2, 3...JUMP!

It's an all-girl swim day for us. And the water never runs dry with us around.

And one great feature about the place is the slide. The kids love it and we all tried it out -- well, except for my sister. It would have been cool if the water doesn't get caught in my nose as soon as I reach the landing though.

And here's the mushroom shot. Tried to go candid then decided to stick with the usual.

MO2 - El Dorado

Smallville Complex, Iloilo City

One innate thing about our family is that, would love a good excuse to swim. So when someone blurts out the words: "Would you guys want to swim today?" Everybody would be cram-mering to work their schedule and clear it out. I guess it's not only food that brings our family together.

We love the water, we could probably be the lost sons and daughters of Poseidon. And as proof that we could also breathe in the water, we took the liberty to capture our underwater life.

My brother gave us water creature names. I thought he'd give me those cute names, but instead he made mine as a piranha -- don't ask why, or you'll drop dead before the last syllable comes out of your mouth.

And then the water battle begins! I'm not sure how my daughter ever managed to win when she's not all that tough, but what I know about her is, loosing would never be an option to her.

Here's a family of swimmers.

Started with my dad, who at his age could beat me in an endurance swim. All my siblings are swimmers as well, they definitely love the sport but don't want to play the game. And I'm a self-proclaimed retired professional swimmer with the hopes that my daughter would make a good following.

I flew back to Manila just in time for my brother's birthday. Initially I just wanted to visit my little girl since it's been two weeks since I last saw her. Two for the price of one huh?

It was a Saturday so everybody was busy doing their own thing. My brother didn't impose that we should be there but we all tried to. I love family gatherings, and it's quiet notable that food always brings us together. We were so ready to get our tummies loaded!

Our uncle was also in town for a wedding, so it makes him a willing substitute for my dad.

And of course there's my brother's friends who are ever present to support him at any time. I'm guessing they flew in too for his birthday.

Food is served! We had one of almost every kind just so we could taste a little bit of everything. It was divine, we loved it all.

And of course, don't forget the cake courtesy of Sheila. And my brother giggled while blowing his 23rd cake. We love you bro!

Marciano's

Second Floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati

As an evidence on how my family loves the water, we went on an hour drive out of town in mid-December. We took advantage that the sun is not as hot as it is during summer.

We love that the place is still unknown to most, it makes us feel like it's our own private island.

This was really the perfect place for some R&R.

And apparently for some photo op too.

We were all in a survivor-mode, we cooked our own food and we took turns because everyone was really having fun cooking survivor-mode style.

My dad was the top chef for the day, while the little ones were taking on his orders.

This is a perfect pig-out scene, after the heavy meal, everyone tried to find their places to doze off.

After a short nap, everyone got up to hit the beach.

The kids were having fun with the underwater camera, they don't mind looking funny.

The highlight that day was when Kiara transformed into a "Sand Spa" owner.

Kiara: Welcome everyone to our Sand Spa. It's renowned around the world for it's great exfoliating wonders.

Daddy: Wow! Let me try your wonder Spa.

Kiara: Sure sir!

We were all laughing all so hard, Kiara was something else that day. Here's when my brother tried mocking my jolly daughter.

Jerard: World renowned?

Kiara: Yes sir, even Vicky Belo recommended it to her celebrity clients.

Jerard: Funny, I've never heard of your spa services before.

Kiara: We only cater to rich clients sir. So would you want to avail of our sand spa services sir?

Jerard: Do you have free trial?

Kiara: For you sir it's just free.

I swear I regret that I wasn't able to record the whole thing on video. It would have been something I would treasure, seeing my daughter's marketing skills at work.

My water baby. It must be the water that transformed her into something other than her usual self.

She got my genes for sure! Blood and water run through our veins.

It's a great family bonding time.

Everyone had a blast. We'll definitely be back.

Now on our last stop, Miag-ao Church.

I'm not sure if it's really the time of the year when churches do their renovation, or is it just us in such a bad time. Anyways, this has been hailed by UNESCO unfortunately, each brick is also a memory of our ancestors hard or forced labor.

We had a blast appreciating the detail of this wonderful church, at the same time, we paid homage to those who helped build this church.

Now we're in Guimbal Church. We loved that right across it was their nice plaza where we got to hang out in.

It was a rather small church compared to the others we've been  in. And I've just noticed that I have no pictures of the interior of the church.

This was a rather short stop, I guess we're all looking forward to head to the next.

We were supposed to stop by Molo Church, but there was a wedding so we headed straight to Tigbauan Church.

This has been quite a surprise for me, I've never seen a church with this much mosaic in one particular church as theirs. I was really stunned with the images, it's just a proof of Filipino's talent and ingenuity even back in the days.

Besides the mosaic, the interior was just as expected from any other church. I just can't stop talking about the mosaics, it really sets it apart from all other churches I've been in.

We had a photo op on this door, which we have no idea where it leads to, seems like a door to a secret garden or something.

We went around the place, I'm glad that they had a mini garden.

OK, off to the next.

Whenever we're in Iloilo, we're either just in the shop, at home or hanging out with friends. What's more to do in Iloilo? My siblings and I decided to do a "Church Tour". First stop, Jaro Cathedral.

The time we arrived, it seemed to be doing some minor restoration in the church. But nonetheless, we had the chance to go around.

I love history, but I can't explain to my daughter why the bell tower of Jaro Cathedral is a few meters away from the church itself. There was no one to ask around, so we just left the question unanswered.

Now off to the next.

I can't believe it's almost been 2 months! I feel life it's just been a couple of weeks.

If not for family, I'm not sure if I'll find myself home at any time. Every little moment spent with family is always an endearing memory.

It has been 9 years since mom left, but every holidays it always seems like she was just in a tour somewhere and that she'll be back soon. I give my dad credit for doing his best to raise our family. Thank you dad for giving us all the love that you can, eventhough sometimes there's nothing more to give.

The best thing about having kids around is their love for crazy ideas. I would like to think that the kids got the better of us. They made us jump around with these things, just for them to beat us in their own game.

Love, love, love from my family to yours.

Geez, I'm so backlogged. As proof, I'm just posting now pictures from two months ago! Anyway, Everytime I look into the pictures I can't help but miss my hometown. Sometimes it's not really so much of the place you're in, it's the people you're with. We were in the city that day and we saw the infamous Mel Carreon, which at every election hopes to be the next mayor of the city. We took a picture with him for the heck of it, when we were done, he got back to his chair, I was still staring at him and I swear for a minute I saw him talk to himself!

I don't know if I've mentioned how much I love walking around. When I'm in the city, it's easier to get around, so I usually do that and I don't mind if I'm alone. This time though, we agreed to walk around and dropped by Deco's to get some of the city's popular batchoy.

I've been trying so hard to eat healthy, but I find this rare occasion as a lame excuse to put my health at risk.

I walked out so full, I've never been that full for so long. But after 30 minutes, I was so thirsty, I finished one liter of water in one sitting. Probably the effects of too much MSG.