With the incredible growth of the Philippine economy, more and more Filipino families have taken to giving themselves a pat on the back and a well-deserved lifestyle upgrade. When three years ago, a staycation meant getting takeout at Andoks, buying a big tub of Selecta ice cream at the nearest 7-11, and sitting down to a Harry Potter movie marathon with the kids for the rest of the afternoon, today it means checking into a nice hotel, sleeping in while the kids amuse themselves by the pool, and piling your plate with more bacon than you can actually eat during the breakfast buffet before checking out.
Saying that I was ecstatic after getting invited to stay at
F1 Manila Hotel for the weekend is an understatement. I was over the blippin' moon! Jericho and I were at the hotel bright and early on a Saturday morning the hotel is located along 32nd street at Bonifacio Global City, a walk away from St. Luke's Medical Center. It can be a bit bothersome to find by car - you need to be constantly looking up as the hotel's signage isn't that visible on the street. I like to think of it as a hideaway from the city, in the city.
I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before (I think I was just way too excited for the weekend staycation) that I sorely needed a strong cup of coffee while waiting for the others at F1's premium lounge. This weekend was going to be a celebration of sorts - a celebration of having celebrity chef, Sau del Rosario, come in as F1's new Executive Chef, a celebration of Filipino flavors with the month-long Luzviminda buffet happening at F All Day Dining, and our dear
Hefy Foodie's birthday celebration!
