After checking out of the “colonial” resort in Bataan we were transported back to the present – physically and mentally! ! Our “borrowed” driver and his wife picked us up at the resort on time and drove us to Project 4 where we sorted our dirty clothes for washing. We also opened our stored luggage to select “fresh” clothes (though the smell is not as fresh) to take with us for the weekend. (FYI – laundry is charged by kilogram and you can receive it back washed and folded in two hours).
My sister, Dr. Linda Valdepeñas, generously offered to “pamper” us before going to Tagaytay to attend our friends’ 25th wedding anniversary. She and my nephew Albert picked us up and drove us to Dasmariñas, Cavite. As it was already noon by the time we reached SM Dasmariñas we stopped by for lunch in a Chinese-Filipino fusion cuisine restaurant. I was craving for patatim (braised pork slow-cooked in savory sauce to the point where the meat falls off the bones) so we ordered one along with other delicious dishes. It was heavenlicious! After the sumptuous lunch, we headed to Cre8 Salon a franchise owned by my niece, Dr. Ting Patriarca (Linda’s daughter).
Trivia about SM Mall – SM Supermall or just simply SM was pioneered by Henry Sy, a Chinese-Filipino businessman now one of the richest in the Philippines. SM started as a shoe store in Quiapo (a district in Manila) under the Shoemart name. In 1972, Shoemart turned into a full-line department store. Today, there are 95 SM malls (87 in the Philippines and 8 in China).
I had a foot spa with mani-pedi (manicure and pedicure). The foot treatment was so relaxing I think I dozed off a little bit. Trini had the “whole nine-yards” – hair color and a slight trim off the back and gel mani-pedi. All these Linda paid for (or maybe not since her daughter owns the place)!
Since Trini was not finished with her beauty treatment yet, I asked my brother-in-law, Robert Valdepeñas, where I can buy Filipino tobacco. He took me to Kultura (a tourist “trap” store) where they sell expensive Philippine products. I bought a box of 12 small hand rolled robusto cigars. The price is almost the price I pay for my Nicaraguan cigars! I hope they’re worth it.
Our massage appointment was at 3:00 pm and Trini was not completely done with her nails yet, so we went ahead to Nuat Thai Foot and Body Massage which was just several shops away from Cre8 Salon. Linda is part owner of Nuat Thai along with her daughter, Ting. I noticed that this entire mall level was comprised of salons catering to women – nails, hair, eyebrows, waxing, massage, teeth, etc. Who says vanity is not profitable?
I had a horrible experience many years ago in Bangkok, Thailand with Thai massage which I felt was more a technique used in interrogating prisoners by the VietCong. Hence, I opted for the less manipulative Swedish style. I would give my masseur above-average, he was skillful but I felt that he was hurried, maybe because there were customers already waiting.
Relaxed and tension gone, we all jumped into the brand new comfortable and spacious Toyota Hiace Grandia (one of Linda’s vehicles). We headed to their newly-renovated two-level home in a Dasmariñas subdivision. It was the first time to visit their house and as a welcome tradition, Robert offered a libation to the “housing gods”. He opened one of his single malt whiskey (one of many pricey liquors among his collections). Single malt is my preferred whiskey.
By the time I chugged down two shots of the Scotch it was ready for us to go.
Again, my sister paid for our two night hotel stay at the Summit Ridge. The hotel is located centrally and shops and restaurants within walking distance. Our room was very spacious and overlooking the lake (partially blocked by a structure).
That night, we had a restful sleep, thanks to Linda!
The following day, we attended the 25th wedding anniversary of our friend from Los Angeles, CA who we met while we were working at the U.S. Embassy in Manila – Manny and Fines Nieva. The venue was at Lazuli Hotel Resort in Tagaytay. It was a beautiful garden wedding overlooking the famous Taal Lake and volcano. We were honored to be one of the sponsors.
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