This year’s school calendar has shifted back to a June start, and with the rainy season peeking in, we knew we had to squeeze in one last summer celebration. Kaya naman humabol kami! We threw an early celebration for Twinkle’s 10th birthday—and yes, it was another swimming party. But this time, with a twist! 🦈
Twinkle has recently become fascinated with sharks. She watches shark documentaries, reads shark books, and even draws them—so it was no surprise that she wanted a Shark-Themed Birthday Party. Siyempre, we happily made it happen!
Shark Shirts, Sweet Treats, and Smiles
We all wore matching Baby Shark shirts, which made the celebration even more fun and Instagram-worthy. The food table was filled with sweet treats that Twinkle loves, and of course, her one special request: grilled hotdogs with marshmallows on a stick! Simple, nostalgic, and absolutely a party must-have for kids.
Along with the hotdog-mallows, we had:
- A box of assorted gummies for the kids (and us adults too!)
- A custom shark-themed birthday cake 🦈🎂
- cinnamon rolls
- Cheesy cupcakes that tasted just like yema macaroons
WATCH OUR HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIDEO HERE
A New Venue: The Royal Branch, Pulilan
For the past three years, we’ve always celebrated at Vista Al Sol, which we love—but this year, thanks to Ykaie’s effort in searching and reserving, we found a new venue: The Royal Branch in Juan Espino Street, Lumbac, Pulilan, Bulacan.
- Twinkle’s 9th Birthday at Vista Al Sol
- Twinkle’s 8th Birthday at Vista Al Sol
- Vista Al Sol Swimming 2022
It’s actually an events place, but they also rent out their private pool and cabin for intimate gatherings like ours. We booked the day tour (10am onwards) for ₱7,500 good for 15 pax.
What made it even better was the air-conditioned cabin! Compared to Vista Al Sol’s cottages, having a cozy space with 4 queen beds and a loft mattress was a game changer. It gave everyone a chance to rest, nap, or cool down after swimming.
The Pool
The pool is beach-type and cemented, with a depth of up to 4ft — safe for kids, but not exactly what you’d call “cool and fresh” water. Still, the kids had a blast splashing around, and the shallow depth made it stress-free for us parents.
Still, we enjoyed swimming and relaxing in the pool.
What We Ate
It wouldn’t be a Filipino birthday party without lots of delicious food! Here’s what we packed and prepared:
- Grilled Bangus
- Chicken Adobo
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Salted Egg with Tomatoes
- Minatamis na Kamoteng Kahoy
- Lengua in White Sauce (which I cooked myself!)
- Plain Grilled Liempo
- Grilled Liempo Barbecue
- Grilled Chicken Barbecue
We also took advantage of the venue’s grill and stove—very useful for reheating and grilling fresh on-site.
Final Thoughts
What We Loved About The Royal Branch:
✔️ Spacious enough for a big group
✔️ Air-conditioned cabin for comfort
✔️ Grill and stove available
✔️ Free distilled water and tube ice!
What Could Be Better:
✖️ The beach-type pool is cemented and not that refreshing
✖️ Limited tables, so bring extras if you need more space
All in all, Twinkle had an amazing 10th birthday! From her shark-themed sweets to the happy chaos of swimming, laughter, and family bonding—it was definitely a celebration to remember. Here’s to more memorable birthdays and finding new places to make them happen!
💙🦈 Happy 10th Birthday, Twinkle! We love you so much!
