Flying Seair

Flying SEAir is a low-cost no-frill experience.

At first, I was very hesitant to fly Seair, was imagining small aircraft with duct tapes on a wing, cliche! Didn't have the courage to book with them until I asked at least 3 people who actually used the airline with a round trip ticket. Well, after asking around, all I got were good reviews that I can attest to. My misconception of a small plane is null as Seair uses Airbus A319/320 which could carry 144-180 passengers. I think this is the only worry that I have, flying on a small plane. So, to recount, here's what happened on our maiden round trip flight with Seair:

Seair flies from Iloilo to Manila 8:45am-10:00am daily and Manila to Iloilo 6:00am-7:15am daily they're using the old domestic airport /Terminal 4.  

Last Saturday, we, I was with 2 kids 8 and 14 years old, we're at Iloilo International Airport 7:20am and check in was a breeze. There's no queue and they didn't even asked to weigh our carry ons or for any check in bags. While waiting at pre dep, I was overhearing people talking about the plane being 'big' and 'ok', I think Ilonggos, like me, was hesitant to fly the airline. At 8am we boarded the plane, and few minutes later, we we're flying. 

The flight attendants were courteous and helpful. An old woman was flying with her 2 grand kids and a flight attendant actually took time to check on them and have a small talk. Another also greeted G with a "Hi, baby.", which made G smile.

The mag-cousins are excited!

I notice that there were really small number of passengers, leaving every other row vacant. It was even announced before the landing for passengers to go back to their assigned seat. We landed 32 minutes ahead of schedule, imagine that. I guess, it was because of the small number of passengers, we boarded and settled in fast, plane doors we're closed fast, no waiting for that passenger who decides to wander or use the CR come boarding time. And I remember thinking, "Is this plane over speeding?" I thought we we're flying fast. Anyway, landing at Terminal 4 was uneventful. We landed, we piled out the plane, went straight the exit, as we only have carry ons. After 20 minutes we were knocking at my nephew's. He even commented that we were early and he was expecting us to arrive in another 30 minutes.

Returning home, we were at the airport 4:50am. We were second in line for check in. It took us 10 minutes to finish check in as the ground attendant was a little meticulous with explaining details on our flight, taking time to call us by our first name, he even explained he assigned  "baby" on a window seat. He asked about our carry ons and the no liquid more than 100ml allowed rule. He even asked the man before us to take out his declared bottle of medicine and asked to open it. 

We boarded 5:30am and again there were few passengers. There was a runway traffic, the captain explained why we were waiting and that we were second in line. We waited for about 10 minutes, and if not for the traffic we would have been 20 minutes early. This time I was not really keen on observing the going on in the plane, I was already relaxed...and very sleepy. I fell asleep and was woken up by a thud on touch down. Exit was again fast, few minutes later we were already driving fast so that G could still attend school.

Overall, our Seair experience was excellent. Aside from flying on a budget, everything was a breeze. I was also concerned that it uses the old domestic terminal because of how I picture Terminal 4 used to be. But I really find it more convenient. I mean no long walking from the plane to exit for your car/taxi ride. No long line to get a taxi. I was thinking, if I go alone next time, I could walk a little farther and just hail a passing cab. Would I fly Seair again? Definitely! Maybe first time flight was a charm, let's see if the no delay experience is consistent.

South East Asian Airlines (SEAir), Inc., operating as SEAir sells their tickets via Tiger Airways website. Their other hubs are Malay, Aklan, Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, and Clark International Airport for Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu flights.

Contact Info.:
website:
http://flyseair.com/

SEAIR CALL CENTER 
 +632 849.0100

Makati/Manila – Commercial

2nd Floor La’O Centre, Arnaiz Ave. Makati City, Philippines 1200
Commercial FAX: +63 2 849.0219

Reservation FAX: +63 2 849.0239

What's your airline experience? Share! Lovely day, lovelies.
xo

Weekly Hauls

Hi lovelies, I thought it would be fun to do haul reveals and reviews. As I am fond of reading, actually looking through hauls of other bloggers, I said to myself, why not do it!?

I will try to do it consistently on weekends.

Maybe, doing a weekly haul reveal would not only help girls out there with a fair review  but it will also be a record of how I've been doing my shopping. As I am really trying hard to shop responsibly. 

So, for this week, I got a few essentials.

All from Watsons. 

I like getting my essentials from Watsons since they carry most of the brands that we use. Last friday, got loofah, face scrub, facial mask, lotion and G's shampoo. I like using loofah compared to other sponges in exfoliating the skin. Loofah or luffa also helps in blood circulation on areas that you scrub. I use mine with a generous amount of shower gel or liquid soap. Be sure to air dry your loofah after use as it is susceptible to decay when kept wet and it can harbor bacteria in its tiny holes. Also, replace your loofah frequently.

St. Ive's Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub

I'm all about exfoliating this week. I've been using a different exfoliating facial wash but as of last week, I find myself crawling back to this product, or to the St. Ive's range for that matter. This exfoliating scrub is not subtle at all. It has beads that will surely scrub those dead skin cells, and it is inexpensive! Don't overuse it though, 2-3 times a week is fine by me.

Beauty Buffet CO Q10 & Yogurt Facial Mask

I got a free facial mask from Etude House a couple of weeks and I liked how my skin felt after I used it. So, I got this Q10 & yogurt facial mask for a try. It was very cheap, 2 for php59 only. I actually used up these 2 as of this writing, I really like how my skin felt after each use, more elastic and with a glow. A bonus is it is thinner than other masks that I've tried with the right amount of essence that in the recommended 15-20 minutes of use, I can walk around and do other things without fearing for the mask sliding down my face.

Vaseline Healthy White

I think this is one lotion I've subconsciously been using consistently for the past few months. I guess it's the SPF 24, I don't like using sticky sunblocks (which I really must learn to love!). Although this one is sticky, the trick is to really rub it in to your skin, which is good since your skin is getting the added bonus of circulation with all the rubbing. I am not really keen with the triple lightening factor, and it is a bonus too, I am more concerned with the higher UVA and UVB protection to help the skin from sun damage and keep it stay young. Even using this, it is advisable to keep from staying for too long under the sun.

Suave Kids Dora Shampoo Smoothers

I asked G to choose her shampoo and she got this! Since this is our first purchase for this brand, I wanted to get a smaller size but it is available for 355ml only. Well, no regrets. It smells good on her hair and G love Dora! Kids are easy to please anyway :). I even ask G how she like her new shampoo and here's what she said: "It smells like strawberry! It has Dora the explorer on the cute pink bottle and I don't need to use conditioner. I don't have tangles when I use my Dora shampoo." There you have it, folks.

And, for the not so essential:

new kicks! People Are People

 I can't resist not buy this pair. I could wear it with reds, blacks, golds and animal print ensembles!

5-inch high, will make me stand 5'10"!

I love shoes like this, they make you really tall, seem like you got legs which could go on like forever and if you carry it well, a good, confident posture.

Sorry for the white dots, standing in front of the mirror, I took this photo. 

I got this mirror in our closet which actually make you look slimmer. I guess it is like those we find in mall fitting rooms. A friend and my sister noted on how they look thinner in my 'magic mirror'. So, don't be fooled, I ain't got that thinner appendage! 

Love my new kicks and essential buys. What do you think?

Crocs Supersale 70% off

Last Friday  I had my every 3 months hair color appointment. I left home early, 9:30 am, so I can finish early to get G for her dance class. I arrived at Plazuela a little before 10 am and I got a little puzzled with the full parking lot. As in, FULL! and it usually don't get full even on busy Saturday nights. I spot a parking space near La Tolda, and if you visit Plazuela, it is awfully far from the main building. Then I saw this sign along with I think near to a hundred people lining up to get inside La Tolda. It was the first day of the sale!

I'm not really a Croc girl, don't own one pair, be it original or fake haha! But I got a little tempted to join the line...only if I didn't have an appointment. So, I turned towards the opposite direction and went to the salon. Got the works done, and from time to time, the salon people would gasp at the sight of shoppers carrying 2 to 4 bags of Crocs footwear. Dang! I really should have checked La tolda out! But I'm not that remorseful. After a while, my sis texted  to meet me up. Actually, I texted her about the sale, and thus, she wanted to meet up, I guess. To make the long story short, after the salon and filling lunch at Steps of Rome, I was so famished at 2pm, I wasn't able to take pics of the yummy foods we ordered, we joined in the throng of people waiting to get inside the tent a little before 3pm. Told my sis though, I don't think I'll be buying anything, maybe just for G. And I'm just curious how it looks like inside the tent.

We are in the middle of the line, so imagine 30-40 people lining behind us. I only have my phone with me to
take the pictures, so I wasn't able to give the whole line justice.

After 30 minutes or so, we saw the entrance fee sign. I was actually giddy, so was the girls near us. I can feel their energy hahaha! We got in and it was chaos. We were handed striped plastic bag (which we decline). The section was divided into kids, male and female area displays, of course with the female area dominating almost half of the place. There were 6 cash registers, I guess. I was busy rummaging through all the footwear, that I forgot to snap pictures I only got this one, so you can imagine how it's like, and I was a little shy to take snaps with my phone haha!

In the end, we only stayed for about an hour since we have to hurry home to get G for her ballet class. It was a little too crowded for us and we got a little overwhelmed with the selections too, plus I'm saving for some serious shopping next week. You see, my heart was not really there. But I tell you, the prices were rock bottom for some footwear. See what my sis got: 

original price php1,850 SALE! price php555

sis got this for  G: original price php2,155 SALE! price php 299

G loved what tita gave her that she wore it to class that afternoon. I happen to pass by the area again earlier, the line isn't that long anymore. I'm having thoughts of maybe checking the sale out again. Maybe get more for G hmmmm... 

If you wanna score Crocs at sale prices, you can still catch it tomorrow, their last day at La Tolda, Plazuela de Iloilo, 10am-7pm.

A Secret Affair

Infidelity movies, a Philippine trend? 

Watching this trailer while my 2 inches damaged hair is snipped. Three hair stylist watched over my shoulder and the older cashier lady even mistaken the clip from No Other Woman. One stylist commented, this is the kind of movies he wanted to watch. I retorted: I guess, you can relate. The salon people laughed. He said : "I'm gay. I'm always the mistress, the other woman, the number 2." Awww a random heart spill. But of course, being with the 'darnas', there isn't a dull moment. The other stylist laughed so hard and proudly said, not in his case, he is his fafa's (lover's) one and only. Hayyyy another day with the fun gay people!

DIY Old Shoes, New Look

Lately, G have been wearing lots of Sunday's best dress to school or whenever we go out. This week, for teacher's day celebration, she is required to wear one. G would be happy to wear an old dress but mom refuse. So we bought one and I wanted a matching shoes, but I think our little one is more sensible than I am, she actually asked me to stop wasting money. hahaha! I am not kidding. In a very grown up tone she told me: Mom, you should stop wasting money. We went home but I still want a matching shoes for her dress. So, I think of a simple DIY to make a new look for an old shoe which will cost me zero moolah. 

rummaged through G's shoe closet and found this candidate

have these floral piece on stock and about to be thrown hair tie

I am a hoarder and I keep things that I think will come handy for crafts and DIY. We have tons of beads, floral pieces, fabrics and ribbons saved.  True enough, whenever we wanted to kill time, we would make a little project and find those hoarded stuffs handy.

for this DIY, last thing I needed is my trusted glue gun

beads from the hair tie attached to the flower using the glue gun

Attached the flower to the shoes with the use of glue gun and voila! After less than ten long minutes, here's how G's sort of new shoes look like. Spent absolutely nothing. I'm sure she won't be seeing someone wearing same shoes as her. It took sooo little time to do it too!

So, you think it goes well with the dots dress?

Teachers Day Celebration

Teachers have an important role. They impart knowledge and values which stays for a lifetime with our children. They mold our future nation builders. In the Philippines, we consider teachers as our children's second parents. After all, most time of the day, five times a week, our kids are with them. Teachers have a great impact on our little ones lives. And it is just fitting that we acknowledge this with a celebration.

G's teachers' day celebration will be a week from now. Two weeks ago, the parents have already met and made contribution to celebrate that one day especially for our children's mentors. G wanted to gift her adviser something which can be used at school. We received this letter though.

This is another thing that I like about G's school. They encourage simplicity and seem to have an understanding of how we can celebrate without all the hoopla and spending spree. Even at school presentations and programs, spending is strongly discouraged, also with school projects. I think this only brings out the creativity of students (and parents) in completing minimal or no cost projects. This also teach kids the value of money.

So for the special day for her teachers, we opted to make quote cards, as suggested by G. She told me it's better than to buy flowers which will wither, hmmm..good thinking.

we made this out of existing school materials and stock, no cost!

The steps, 12 seems a lot but it's really easy!

The steps: 

1.  Gather all materials: special paper (thick ones), puncher,scissors, cutter, cutting mat (if you prefer), pencil, colored writing materials, glue, ribbon, beads (again, if you prefer) and a thicker paper pictured above, we used a carton.

2.  Made this quotes and printed it out.

3.  Cut the quotes. I prefer using a cutter and mat when cutting. You can use the scissors if you like.

4.  Traced each quote to the carton.

5.  Cut the traced sizes.

6.  I punched holes to the special paper and marked the carton of the holes since the carton is thicker, I used scissors to put a hole in it.

7.  Glue the quotes to the carton.

8. Cut and insert 4 ribbons at each quote (cut ribbon at desired length, make sure it is long enough so you can tie it into something like in the picture) 

9.  Time to put beads! 

10. While G is decorating with beads, I cut 4 special papers she can write her greetings on.

11. After G wrote her cards, we glued it at the back of the carton.

12. The final outcome!
Make sure to supervise your kids when using cutting materials

Since we found the hanging quote easy, we decided to make simple cards too so she can thank all her teachers.

we also made this!

The cards were so easy to make. Get a thick special paper, cut it cardlike, have your kids write on it. On our part, I got a free a printable bloom and grow note like this:

printed it out, glued it to the card and added a floral piece we  have in stock.

Simple DIY your kids will like, so easy, so cute!

The Phantom of the Opera in Manila Extended

"If you see only one show make sure it is this one!"-The Daily Mirror, UK  

And I am making sure that I see this show! The Phantom of the Opera.

I'm a sucker for musical movies, and the ones that I really like are Broadway shows turn into movies. Of course, The Phantom, Chicago, Rent, Nine, Annie, My Fair Lady even Evita. Moulin Rouge is my all time fave though, maybe a movie turn into a Broadway for this one? Heck, I even love 8 Mile, hey there's some singing there errr rapping, does that count?

Anyway, when I learned that The Phantom will be staged in the Philippines, I couldn't contain myself. I have to watch it! DH think otherwise though, he wouldn't allow me. (I think, he wanted us to see it together, too bad he's out of the country.) I remember we would watch the movie, Gerard Butler as the Phantom, DH would sing 'Love me, MJ, that's all I ask of you.' hahaha isn't it sweet? So, I heed and yes, being a good wife (at that time), I won't be going. You see, the show will be in CCP and us being in the province, it takes some planning and I can only go on weekends. However, I have sleepless nights of thinking, how could I allow to miss this one show...I would go to Ticketworld, where you can order your ticket online, and choose a seat even though I'm not going that time, and the show is closing soon. 

One day, checking at Ticketworld, The Phantom got extended (again!). I think, it's a sign that I should really go, it's like they're waiting for me haha! So, I booked a flight and ordered 2 tickets for the show. I figure I should bring G, what better way to introduce her to mom's passion. Having G with me, her school activities needs to be considered, so we wouldn't be going until 2 weeks from now. The tickets are selling fast and the good seats are almost all gone hence, the 2 weeks advance purchase. I got ours delivered today, I'm so excited!

You can order your tickets online at Ticketworld, they deliver orders via LBC.

As to this writing, the show got extended twice due to the overwhelming response of the Philippine audience.  Imagine: a nightly standing ovations. Originally, it is scheduled August 25-September 15. Then it got extended to September 30, 16 more shows are added until October 14.

The Phantom of the Opera
Ticket Price: