ABBEY: When Regine Velasquez announces a concert, there’s only one thing to do: buy those tickets! We recently attended her “The Best of Times” performance, and it was nothing short of spectacular. While I’m not big on meet-and-greets, sitting just a few rows from the stage was perfect for enjoying the show up close.
Some might say Regine is past her prime, but this performance proved otherwise. She showcased incredible versatility, seamlessly moving between her beloved classics and powerful new renditions. Regine knows exactly how to keep her audience engaged, belting out hit after hit with those legendary high notes. Favorites like Dadalhin, Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka, Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka, and Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw filled the venue, reminding everyone of her iconic range and emotion.
One special highlight was her heartfelt Elvis Presley medley, including Love Me Tender and Can’t Help Falling in Love. It was a beautiful way for her to share pieces of her journey through the songs that defined her career. And as a fitting finale, she brought the house down with renditions of Huling El Bimbo and Huwag Mo Nang Itanong.
Regine Velasquez truly is in a masterclass of her own.
High Notes and Heartfelt Memories A Night with Asia’s Songbird
WILL: Lately, I’ve been more of a "please, let me stay home and rekindle my love affair with sleep" kind of person. So when I first saw the Facebook ad for Regine Velasquez’s concert, I didn’t feel the usual excitement. It just didn’t fit into my cozy weekend plans. But Abbey, who’s been wanting to see a Filipino artist live, bought us tickets anyway—even though my answer to “Nood tayo?” was just a casual “Ok lang.”
Then, the night of the concert arrived, and from the moment Regine stepped on stage, old memories started to come alive. I was taken back to my high school days when she was my fashion inspiration. I remembered copying her hairstyles, wearing clogs, layering chokers, and even putting a little sparkle on my forehead just like she did. Regine wasn’t just a singer to me back then—she was a style icon.
And then she sang. Regine’s voice was powerful, clear, and rich, and she hit those high notes with such ease—it was like no time had passed at all. I was amazed! She reminded everyone why she’s known as Asia’s Songbird, her voice soaring over the crowd, touching each heart. Song after song, I felt like I was on a journey through my own past. Her music brought back memories and moments that had been part of my life.
Thank you, Abbey, for this special experience. And thank you, Regine, for coming to Singapore. Your songs are forever part of my story.
ABBEY: If you’re a fan of Alex Calleja’s hilarious content on YouTube, then you’ll understand why we couldn’t pass up the chance to see him live in Singapore. His relatable humor always hits the mark, so we were eager to catch his show, hoping for fresh material.
Alex didn’t disappoint! He brought along the Comedy Crew, who did a fantastic job warming up the audience. Their sets covered everything from reggae vibes to the ups and downs of married life, and even sibling dynamics – all delivered with perfect comedic timing. By the time Alex took the stage for the finale, the crowd was already in high spirits, and the laughter just kept coming.
While he did sprinkle in a few classic jokes, most of the material was brand new, and the energy in the room was infectious. Alex has a knack for making everyone feel included, even taking the time to explain his jokes if they didn’t land right away – which, trust me, only made the punchlines funnier!
Laughing Out Loud with Alex Calleja in Singapore
WILL: My husband is a huge fan of stand-up comedy, spending countless hours watching his favorite comedians on YouTube. Often, I’ll catch him sitting on the couch, laughing uncontrollably, with tears in his eyes. So, when we found out Alex was coming to Singapore for a one-night-only show, Abbey immediately bought us tickets without a second thought. I’ll admit, though, I was a bit skeptical – would it be worth it, or would he just be rehashing jokes we’ve already heard?
The night of the show arrived, and the energy in the venue was amazing. A couple of opening acts took the stage first, warming up the audience with their own humor, which helped everyone loosen up and set the tone for the night. Laughter filled the air, and by the time Alex Calleja finally came on stage, the crowd was ready for him.
And let me tell you, Alex did not disappoint. Even if I’d heard some of his jokes before, his delivery and timing had me laughing just as hard as the first time. Seeing him live was a completely different experience than watching him on a screen. The energy he brought, combined with the laughter and reactions from the crowd, made every joke hit differently. It wasn’t just funny – it was an experience. I could feel the positive vibes spreading through the room, and it was impossible not to laugh along. It was exactly the kind of break we needed – a chance to laugh freely and recharge.
By the end of the night, Abbey and I left with big smiles, grateful we had gone. If you’re a fan of Alex Calleja, his YouTube channel is definitely worth watching, but seeing him live is an absolute must! The experience, the laughter, and the energy are on another level – one we’ll remember and laugh about for a long time.
We all understand the excitement that comes with traveling—it's a thrilling aspect of life. Whether it's watching your plane soar through clouds or cruising over waves in a boat, there's a sense of exhilaration, signaling the start of another adventure. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that vacations can also bring about moments of anxiety, even for couples like us. Yet, here we are, finding humor in our mishaps.
Traveling has the power to strengthen your marital bond. Here's how:
1. Leverage Each Other's Strengths
In our case, my wife excels in planning and capturing moments through photos, while I navigate directions and capture videos.
2. Understanding Travel Styles
Discover your partner's true attitude by understanding their travel style. Fortunately, both of us share a laid-back approach, prioritizing rest, connection with nature, and culinary exploration.
3. Active Listening and Communication
Effective communication, coupled with active listening, plays a pivotal role in travel planning and handling unexpected situations. Remember, we have two ears and one mouth—listen more than you talk.
4. Shift the Focus
Remind yourselves that it's not just about taking photos and videos but about creating meaningful experiences together and broadening your perspectives. Explore how the locals perceive life, understand their cultures, and incorporate these lessons into your own lives.
5.Appreciation and Deepening Love
Always value the time spent with your spouse. Be selfless, stay in love, and let appreciation be a constant companion.
Traveling provides an opportunity to forge a deeper connection with your spouse. Use these moments to truly know and understand each other.
Happy Journeys with your better half! Remember… your spouse will be your forever travel buddy! Isn’t fantastic?! ❤️
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At last we set our feet to the Land of the Rising Sun. It is not without its navigation challenges as you explore but fret not. The technology, through internet and apps, will help you towards an enjoyable vacation.
We had Google Maps and Japan Travel Apps installed in our phone and we also got the pocket wifi for the duration of our trip. The apps are helpful specially with the train timings. They even show the platform where you supposed to wait for your train.
Our Japan Rail Pass is with the Green Car but you still have to book a seat reservation.
We opted to book the either ends of the coach to place our luggages and still have extra legroom.
Always check if reservation is required in trains else you take the local train which takes more travel time.
We ask hotel staff for directions to confirm where we’re going.
Signs in Japan are written in their language along with English, and sometimes Korean and Chinese.
Favorite Food
Hard to say which one is my favorite but their pork bone broth ramen, omakase and rice balls stood out.
This is the first time I got a coffee in can which served hot. Perfect for cold weather.
Favorite Accommodation
Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is the place I liked the most. It was an onsen alongside a river and mountains. Hot and cold in one place. Our accommodation includes breakfast and dinner as well as shuttle to and from the train station. Worry free and total relaxation.
Favorite Train Ride
All our train rides are unique but what I enjoyed the most are the ones in Shinkansen (bullet train). We booked for the Green Car and it was awesome; fast, spacious, clean, and quiet. And best thing is you can eat inside the train.
Best Experience
Overall the Japan stay is best experience. We got to know a little bit more about the country; their infrastructure, culture, and food.
Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Laregst Onsen in Japan Itinerary
Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Tallest Gundam in Japan Itinerary
WILL:
How to Enter Japan without Missing Connecting Flight
We had a connecting flight from Tokyo to Hakata and we missed our flight. Our flight ETA in Narita Japan is 2:35, and our more than 3 hours layover is not enough to transfer from Narita to Haneda. Why? There’s a long wait in the immigration that time and a heaby traffic everywhere. The 1 hour bus travel to became more than 2. Luckily ANA re-booked our ticket to yhe next flight without questions asked. Literally no questions. Haha. From there, I fell in love with ANA. So what is the lesson? Since Narita and Haneda is pretty far from each other you need to alot a 2 hours travel time by bus/train, 2 hours to clear immigration and 1hour for the automated check-in. More ore less 6 hours is pretty safe for a transfer.
Favorite Accommodation
Who beats to our Takaragawa Onsen Stay? We experienced the old and traditional side of Japan. But I know not everyone do not like ro stay in suburbs so my next suggestion is look for Montan Hostel. We stayed at montan Hakata. The staffs are lively and helpful, the room is huge, clean and most specially it is affordable! Indeed a value for your money! You won’t regret staying in this hostel. Wink-wink.
Favorite Food
Although we had a fun experience dining in Takaragawa’s dishes, omakase at Sushi Tokyo Ten and the most expensive coffee we had in LV Cafe what I really enjoyed is eating food from the groceries. Haha! It feels so local. The unforgettable rice balls, bentos, chips and LOVE chocolate. The best part is, it is veryyy cheap! I love the food and booze in Tokyo Bay Cruise Symphony. If they say booze it is indeed booze. Undilutedand unoverwhelmed with ice! A MUST when you visit the capital of Japan. Ohh, before I forgot, the Hojicha Tea of Starbucks Japan is a thing not to forget in your travel.
Favourite Train Ride
Do you know that our train ride total cost is JPY240,044 and we bought the Japan Rail Pass for only SGD791.30(Klook). We saved SGD1,476.27! We really do maximised our Japan Rain Pass. Haha! My favourite train ride is from Hakata to Osaka, Sakura 550. The views outside is majestic and you’ll wonder how Japan sticks to its culture and agriculture while being one of the advanced and developed countries in Asia. This idea truly baffling and amazed me at the same time.
Best Experience
Everything!!! We had a great time! We enjoyed the food, the tranquility, bullet train ride is unforgettable experience. One tip I will give to you! STAY AWAY on tourist flooded sites. If you can’t and want to experience what you’ve seen in your feeds, go there early as 6AM. Japan is the Rising Sun of the east so expect that 5AM the sun is already grazing its rays. Enjoy your Japan Planning. Hope this blog will help you in your itinerary!
