HOTEL REVIEW: CROSSWINDS TAGAYTAY--A TASTE OF THE SWISS LIFE

The last time we were in Tagaytay, the Taal  Volcano was still quiet and COVID-19 was barely in the news. We had a quick food trip at one of its famous Bulalo resto and visited Mahogany market for some fruits to enjoy the cool windy breeze. I remember passing by Crosswinds and we promised ourselves that we’ll definitely check it out the next time we’re in Tagaytay-- we just never thought it would take this long. 

This year, we finally got the chance for a staycation at Crosswind Luxury Resorts and explore the new properties, restaurants and future additions to the area.

Crosswinds Tagaytay is a Swiss-inspired luxury resort like no other.  Imagine yourself surrounded by the sight and scent of over 35,000 pine trees, the picturesque view of the lush terrains of Tagaytay City, and the royal feeling amidst Swiss-inspired luxury homes, situated along the very natural slopes of this breathtaking place.

More than just a tourist destination, Crosswinds Tagaytay elevates the mountainous retreat experience you expect in the City of Character that keeps Tagaytay refreshed. Besides their hotel which is great for a quick getaway, it also offers a wide array of Swiss-themed homes should you decide to get a property there. You can choose from the luxury condo units at Alpine Villas and The Grand Quartier, luxury house and lot properties at The Swiss Quadrilles, and Custom Home Sites, luxury townhomes at The Deux Pointe, and luxury lots at The Terraces of Lausanne. Given its proximity to Metro Manila, Tagaytay is an easy decision for people who are willing to invest in a slice of luxury, peace, and relaxation they can always come home to.

Crosswinds Swiss Luxury Resort is a 1 ½ hour drive away from Quezon City via the new Skyway. Thanks to WAZE and CALX we were able to get there fast and safe. Total toll fee is around P500 so be sure to load up on your AutoSweep RFIDs for less hassle. 

 

The hotel is accessible via private car, (but there’s a shuttle, in case you commute, just advise the Hotel receptionist before your check in) to fetch you from Coffee Project.  Bringing a car though is highly advisable for you to roam around the resort and at night where the view is amazing and perfect if you’re a couple or a family.

Our first stop was at NAPA, which I heard has become one of the most popular dining places in Tagaytay. It is flocked by groups because of its cabin-themed look inspired by rustic houses in Napa Valley, California with a balcony overlooking the pine trees. Lakas maka mayaman. 

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Upon entering the cafe you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to a vineyard with its wooden floors, rustic interiors, relaxing ambiance, a stunning view of the surrounding hills, and picturesque alfresco dining area. 

 

Though you are dining inside the establishment, it would seem like you are still dining alfresco because the doors and windows are all open which makes it safer than dining in a closed establishment.

We were there on a weekday but the place was full already. If you’re just dropping by to dine, prepare P500 for the parking, 400 is consumable for the food but if you’re a hotel guest, parking is free, just make sure you ask for a coupon from the reception. 

 

We ordered their house salad, burger and kombucha tea. The food was a bit pricey than your average restaurant in Tagaytay, but the ambiance and the views are nothing less than spectacular. They have a wide range of meals – from breakfast platters to lunch and/or dinner pasta, pastries, burgers, and desserts. Their hot and iced coffee, along with other non-caffeinated drinks, top the list of their must-try drinks. 

 

After lunch we had a tour of the entire Crosswinds Resorts to see all the new developments, upcoming restaurants and the ready-to-move in homes that were available for sale. But that is for another article. 

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We stayed at the Grand Quartier Tower two and got the One bedroom suite. It features a fully equipped kitchen, dining and living room area separate from the bedroom, which makes it a great choice for those who are staying for several days and want to cook their own food.  The one-bedroom suite is perfect for growing families looking for a serene and leisurely space to relax and enjoy.

Every room has a private balcony and our room faced Andersen’s the coffee shop just across the street.  Andersens Bakery serves coffee and pastries. Andersens also has a nice European interiors. They served freshly baked pastries perfect with a latte or hot brewed coffee. This is one of my favorite restos in Crosswinds because you can really smell the pine trees and calming at the same time. You’ll forget you’re in Tagaytay. It has Baguio feels minus the crowd. When we went here, the weather was cold at night and dewy in daytime. I could just sit there and sip coffee all day because it is sooo quiet.

Back to our room. Our room had a refrigerator, kettle with 3-in-one coffee, tea sachets, cookwares in case you want to cook, with plates and utensils. The toilet and bath is complete with hot and cold shower and bidet. There did provide a complete set of toiletries in small bottles including shampoo, hair conditioner , toothbrush and mini toothpaste pack. Although I do suggest you bring your own if you are quite particular about your toiletries, especially soap.

Here’s what I liked about our room:

 

It was big and very spacious.

Complete kitchen and facilities

Sofa

Entire room smells clean

Comfy bed and pillows

 

At around 7pm we headed out for dinner at Yama Japanese Restaurant where we preferred to walk and discover what’s in for us that night. It was just a five minute walk but the uphill terrain really worked up our appetite. I ordered a ramen while Ed chose tempura with chicken. Again YAMA is one of those most photographed dining spots in Tagaytay, I remember a friend telling me it even went viral on Tiktok and there used to be long lines during the weekend.

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The food was a bit pricey which was expected and to give you an idea an order of ramen was about P600, but it was good (though I had to request for it to be reheated as it was served a bit cold) But just like NAPA you’ll never see a view like this especially if you choose to dine out and do some stargazing under the perfect night sky. 

If you prefer American food like hamburger, spaghetti with meatballs, bacon,  pastas. There’s a Windmill Restaurant right across Yama. Just like Yama and its other restos, Windmill at Lausanne, is a European-themed restaurant that captures the quaint beauty of the European countryside. 

In the morning we had breakfast at the Crosswinds Resort Suites 2nd floor banquet hall located at the 2nd floor of Andersens.

They serve plated Breakfast: 7:00am – 10:00am

Breakfast Menu

Rice Meal: Fried Chicken

Rice Meal: Beef Tapa

Rice Meal: Daing na Bangus

Rice Meal Inclusions: Rice, Enselada, Scrambled Egg/ Sunny Side up Fresh Fruits

Tea/ Hot Coffee/ Juice

 

Continental Breakfast: Pancake

Continental Breakfast: Waffle

Continental Inclusions: Sausage,  Hash brown, Bread, Scrambled Egg/ Sunny Side u, Fresh Fruits

Cereal (Koko Crunch), Tea/ Hot Coffee/ Juice

 

Rooms for direct booking has 2 Complimentary Breakfast for every room type. Additional breakfast is 400 pesos per head.

 

Now if you are planning to book a room at Crosswinds they currently have the  FURCATION PACKAGE

For fur mom and dad;

 

; Booked a room and add 1,000 pesos on top for pet companion

 

; Inclusive of pet treats eg. Dog food, dog tag, bone toy, and others

CELEBRATIONS AT CROSSWINDS

 

Studio Room for 9,500 inclusive of room set-up depending on occasion.

  

Balloons

 

Wine

 

Banner

 

Breakfast for Two (2)

 

Dining Voucher for Two (2)

 

MOVIE NIGHT

 

8,500 NET RATE

  

With Movie Night 5:00 pm registration

 

With Popcorn, Nachos and 1 round of Juice

 

Two (2) Complimentary Breakfast

 

Two (2) Dining Vouchers

 

Fruit Platter upon Check-in

For inquiries and reservations: 

Crosswinds Resort Suites

Crosswinds Subdivision, Tagaytay-Calamba Road

Bgy. Iruhin Central, Tagaytay City 4120

reservations@crosswindsresortsuites.com

 

 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now reported to be the Highest Grossing Film in the Philippines in 2022

A fortnight after the local theatrical release of Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the film is now reported to be the Highest Grossing Film in the Philippines in 2022. Fans of the Marvel franchise expressed their warm reception of the movie as it created new records in the Philippines: the 9th highest opening film of all time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 10th in the highest opening of all time for a Disney film, and placed 13th in terms of the highest opening weekend of all time in the local box office.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premiered in the Philippines on May 4, 2022. It is a sequel to its first installation, Doctor Strange (2016). The movie follows the narrative of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), who connives with both old and new mystical allies – Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), and Wong (Benedict Wong), among others – to unlock the secrets of the Multiverse and push its boundaries further than ever before. The film is a work of award-winning filmmaker Sam Raimi, and produced by Kevin Feige.

(L-R): Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange and Benedict Wong as Wong in Marvel Studios' DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

 

Viewers can catch Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness by checking the showtimes on https://movies.disney.ph/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness. Will Strange defeat emerging threats coming his and his allies’ ways? Join the conversations online by using the hashtag #DoctorStrangePH.

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in Marvel Studios' DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios' DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved. 

In Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. 

The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll, Scott Derrickson and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is now showing in cinemas.

 

Cignal Entertainment’s Big Night! and Resbak (Payback) bagged major awards at the 19th Asian Film Festival

 

Philippine cinema takes the spotlight on the international stage following the remarkable victory of Cignal Entertainment’s Big Night! and Resbak (Payback), bagged major awards at the 19th Asian Film Festival which  held from April 7 to 13, 2022 at the Farnese Arthouse in Rome, Italy. Deemed as one of the most significant exhibitions of Asia films in the world, the festival featured 30 films from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

 

Out of all the nominees from the eight participating countries, director Brillante Mendoza (Resbak) was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Roma Lazio Film Commission, while Christian Bables (Big Night!) and Vince Rillon (Resbak [Payback]) won Best Actor. Both Resbak (Payback) and Big Night! are produced by Cignal Entertainment and will also be available on streaming platforms soon.

Christian Bables (Big Night!) 

Vince Rillon (Resbak [Payback]) 

Directed by Mendoza, Resbak (Payback) follows the story of Isaac (played by Vince Rillon), a motorbike thief who gets rebuffed after asking his boss for help when he gets chased by the police. Isaac then plans vengeance against his boss. The film, carrying the international name “Payback,” is set to be released in the Philippines soon. 

 

Meanwhile, Big Night!, directed by Jun Robles Lana, is situated in present-day Philippines and tackles the country’s controversial war on drugs through the experiences of Dharna (Christian Bables), a gay beautician who was mistakenly placed on the current watchlist of drug users. Big Night! was the most-awarded film at the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival, scoring big by winning the Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Score, and the Best Picture and Gender Sensitivity awards.

 

Cignal Entertainment continues to support and showcase fresh, relevant, and internationally appealing films that represent uniquely Filipino stories. “Being recognized on the international stage by a prestigious institution further ignites our desire to continuously evolve and produce top-caliber movies. We thank the 19th Asian Film Festival for bestowing us such great honor and recognition. We also congratulate Director Brillante Mendoza, Christian Bables, Vince Rillon, and everyone who gave their utmost dedication into bringing Resbak (Payback) and Big Night! to life,” shared Cignal and TV5 CEO and President Robert P. Galang.

 

For more information on the winners of the 19th Asian Film Festival, visit www.asianfilmfestival.info/. 

 

MR.DIY is thrilled to share its gardening essentials to all plantitas and plantitos

MR.DIY, your one-stop shop for home improvement, welcomes all plant enthusiasts—our Plantitos and Plantitas—who are looking to continue their gardening journey.

With recent reinforcements on how we can make our environment a healthier place to live in, it is important to emphasize that taking care of our plants is an important step to achieve this and everyone can easily start it in their own spaces and backyards. Gardening does not only reap great benefits for the environment, but it can also be a fun and therapeutic activity for you and the entire family.

If you’re looking for items to help you start your “Gardening 101” journey, MR.DIY is thrilled to share its gardening essentials that are easy to use and promise great value for money.

Metal Hanging Basket 

Don’t know where to store your pots, this Metal Hanging Basket is a useful tool to make your plants stand out without occupying much space. This hanging basket from MR.DIY is made of high-quality material and is perfect if you want to decorate your balcony or living area with your plants.

Nozzle Set 

Have a problem in getting water supply to your gardening area? This flexible Nozzle Set from MR.DIY can help you connect water hoses to your hard-to-reach plants. It is also easy to use and can be installed on your faucet within seconds. 

Telescopic Pipe 

A great companion to your Nozzle Set is a Telescopic Pipe, which also serves as a useful tool for your plant’s watering needs. This is the perfect alternative to your hoses that can only reach certain areas and MR.DIY's Telescopic Pipes can go for up to 15 meters.

Garden Twist Tie 

Garden Twist Ties are ideal for tying your plants and vines to make your garden more organized. This garden tool from MR.DIY is a must-have if you are eyeing to maintain your plant’s shape when it grows eventually. It is also available in different colors and is conveniently packaged in a roll holder with an attached cutter. 

Sprayer 

For your orchids or indoor plants, MR.DIY’s Sprayer is an essential item that easily gets the job done for your spraying needs. It is durable and is a must if you’re looking for on-the-go spraying on various parts of your home.

Garden Tools Set

If you’re new to gardening, the things you’ll need are high-quality garden tools. MR.DIY offers Garden Tools as a set (comprised of handy shovel, garden fork, and rake) without breaking your wallet. This is required for any gardener and can help you in your day-to-day gardening needs. 

These items for your gardening journey, among many others, are now available at MR.DIY’s stores nationwide!

To learn more about MR.DIY and its products, visit www.mrdiy.com/ph. You may also follow /mrdiyPH on Facebook, and @mrdiy.philippines on Instagram and Tiktok for updates and upcoming promos.

Stream The Boss Baby: Family Business (L) and A Quiet Place Part II on HBO GO!

Go on a new (mis)adventure with brothers Tim and Ted Templeton in The Boss Baby: Family Business and hold your breath in tightly wound suspense as the Abbotts battle the odds to survive in A Quiet Place Part II. Premiering on consecutive Saturdays, stream The Boss Baby: Family Business on May 21 and A Quiet Place Part II on May 28on HBO GO.

In The Boss Baby: Family Business, the sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s Oscar®-nominated blockbuster comedy, the Templeton brothers – Tim (James Marsden, HBO’s Westworld) and his Boss Baby little brother Ted (Alec Baldwin, Saturday Night Live) – have become adults and drifted away from each other. Tim is now a married stay-at-home dad, while Ted is a hedge fund CEO. But a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach and a can-do attitude is about to bring them together again… and inspire a new family business.

 

Tim and his wife, Carol (Eva Longoria, Dora and the Lost City of Gold), the breadwinner of the family, live in the suburbs with their super-smart 7-year-old daughter Tabitha (Ariana Greenblatt, Avengers: Infinity War), and adorable new infant Tina (Amy Sedaris, BoJack Horseman). Tabitha, who’s at the top her class at the prestigious Acorn Center for Advanced Childhood, idolizes her Uncle Ted and wants to become like him, but Tim, still in touch with his overactive youthful imagination, worries that she is working too hard and missing out on a normal childhood.

 

When baby Tina reveals that she is a top secret agent for Baby Corp. on a mission to uncover the dark secrets behind Tabitha’s school and its mysterious founder, Dr Erwin Armstrong (Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic World franchise), it will reunite the Templeton brothers in unexpected ways, lead them to re-evaluate the meaning of family and discover what truly matters.

 

Lisa Kudrow (Friends) and Jimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel Live!) reprise their roles as Ted and Tim’s parents, as does James McGrath as Tim’s befuddled alarm clock, Wizzie.

 

The Boss Baby: Family Business is directed by returning filmmaker Tom McGrath (Madagascar series, Megamind) and is produced by Jeff Hermann, p.g.a. (Kung Fu Panda 3). Based on the books by Marla Frazee, the film’s screenplay is by Michael McCullers (Austin Powers series, Baby Mama, The Boss Baby), from a story by McGrath and McCullers. The music is by Academy Award® winner Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, The Boss Baby) and Steve Mazarro (The Boss Baby, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run).

A Quiet Place Part II continues the gripping family tale in this second chapter, heading to new places as events hurtle past the fragile sanctuary of the sand path the Abbotts (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) left, created to prevail in a reality where even a single footstep could be deadly – and into a world of infinite peril beyond. Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path. 

 

From the opening moments of the film, the family is on the run, beyond any semblance of security and searching for refuge in a town gone mad with fear. In a time when empathy and connection have nearly vanished from the world, the Abbotts strive not only to protect each other from the threat of sound but to find hope in the terrifying hush around them.  

 

In 2018, John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place turned silence into the building blocks of fright and forged from the horror-thriller genre a modern fable of family love, communication and survival. With its mix of relentless tension and layered storytelling about a tightknit clan fending off an immensely destructive, sound-attuned alien force, the film became a startling hit and cultural phenomenon.   

 

Paramount Pictures presents in association with Michael Bay, a Platinum Dunes Production / Sunday Night Production of A Quiet Place Part II, directed, written and produced by John Krasinski and starring Golden Globe® and Screen Actors Guild® Award-winner Emily Blunt (Mary Poppins Returns, Edge of Tomorrow), Cillian Murphy (Dunkirk, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises), Millicent Simmonds (Wonderstruck, A Quiet Place), Noah Jupe (HBO’s The Undoing, Honey Boy), Oscar® nominee Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, In America), and John Krasinski (The Hollars, The Office). The producers are Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller and John Krasinski. The executive producers are Allyson Seeger, JoAnn Perritano, and Aaron Janus.  

 

Stream or download The Boss Baby: Family Business on May 21 and A Quiet Place Part II on May 28 on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store on your device for as low as ₱99.70/month. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.

HUAWEI introduces their newest additions to the HUAWEI Watch Family

HUAWEI introduces their newest additions to the HUAWEI Watch Family as they welcome the new GT3 Pro 46mm and 43mm, and WATCH Fit 2 this May 2022.   

       

The search for reliable and accurate tech to help reach one’s fitness goals are over. As more people shift towards a health-conscious lifestyle, HUAWEI has decided to answer the demand for longer-lasting smartwatches to provide an accurate picture of one’s health and exercise data through the GT Series.  

Expect an all-new look and feel for these new watches, rumored to be available in both Titanium and Ceramic Editions. If they’re anything like other watches in the series, they’re sure to be as luxurious to look at as they are to use with its new upgrades. We would expect the Titanium model to feature a similar AMOLED high-definition color display to the HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro, and perhaps this new display will offer even more clarity to highlight its newest freediving and golf range feature. The display will likely be made of nanocrystalline ceramic and high-tech material, sapphire glass, after the previous model was lauded for its use of premium materials and high quality craftsmanship.

 

HUAWEI notes that female users are a very important consumer group and a significant force that cannot be ignored. It is said that the Ceramic Edition is specifically designed for female users, using special materials and craftsmanship, and providing a full range of female health features.

                         

For consumers looking for a colorful and playful design, HUAWEI is set to release the brand-new HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2, continuing the square design of the HUAWEI WATCH FIT Series, adding a rope skipping mode, and a more youthful colourway. Its stylish metal frame comes with a matching silicone strap, making it fashionable and versatile for a variety of scenarios. Whether it is Pomelo Red or Isle Blue, it represents the user’s fashion choice. The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 is a smartwatch that integrates lightweight and fashionable design and professional fitness guidance features such as Health Living Shamrock and all-day health management. In addition to this, users can also look forward to Bluetooth calling support and WhatsApp quick chat reply. 

 

The HUAWEI WATCH FIT Series has been widely praised for its lightweight and stylish appearance and excellent performance. The animated fitness coach and 96 workout modes can be activated by simply raising the wrist, bringing users a comfortable and logical way of fitness.

 

These new additions to the HUAWEI WATCH Family definitely bring more than comfort and style to the table! Consumers should be on the look-out for the official release of these newest smartwatch additions perfectly made to fit anyone’s lifestyle.             

 

Stay tuned and find out more by visiting HUAWEI Philippines’ official pages on Facebook, Twitter, andInstagram.