Adventures In Tutuban Center

The Christmas rush and city traffic did not stopped me attending the #TCPaskongSulit hosted by Tutuban Center and Orion Hotel. From EDSA Shangri La Plaza, our friends from AMPR fetched us and together we braved the heavy traffic along Shaw Boulevard. We arrived in Tutuban Center greeted by friendly staff of Orion Hotel, Orion Cafe which is located inside the Tutuban mall.

My Christmas haul at Tutuban Night Market

#TCPaskongSulit @tutubancenter 1.5 hrs of #shopping + #food + #leisure Budget: Php500 #Gift Items bought total of Php400 3 pcs #vintage #figurine #candleHolder at 3 for Php100 #coloringbook at php35 5 pcs #toys at Php20 each: #boardgames #badminton #doll 1 pc baby dress at Php50 (not included in the photo para surprise) 1 #abaca #lampshade at P100 Carnival ride: P50 Food strip: P50 #WomanInDigital #LivingMarjorney .com #shopping #greatFinds #affordable #vscocam

A photo posted by Marjorie Uy (@livingmarjorney) on Dec 9, 2015 at 7:56am PST

The activity includes scouting for the best Christmas gift we can find at Tutuban night market. Prior to that, we spent some time in our respective hotel rooms. Hubby and I were given the standard room with queen size bed at Orion Hotel (full review up next).

It's fun #shopping at #NightMarket so I'm glad to be back in #Tutuban! This time we're staying at #OrionHotel. #TCPaskongSulit Earlier, we passed by their lovely giant #red #ChristmasTree. More stories soon... link on the bio #WomanInDigital #TutubanChallenge #coffee #coffeegram

A photo posted by Marjorie Uy (@livingmarjorney) on Dec 9, 2015 at 1:22am PST

The #TCPaskongSulit challenge started around 8pm. Ahead of us were three challenges, first was to shop for the best yet affordable Christmas gifts for our loved ones with a budget of Php 500. Second challenge was to ride the flying fiesta at the Tutuban Carnival.  Third challenge was to eat one-day-old chicken. We will be judged according to completion of tasks and best photo uploaded on Instagram (see my entries here and follow me on IG. 

It was my first time to join the Tutuban Challenge, I've heard there were several in the past. The idea of budget shopping sounds fun to me. When timer started (and we were given 1.5 hours to finish) we ran and started looking for the best Christmas present. 

Here's my 1st batch of Christmas gifts for my niece and nephews.

Next, I found this pretty, eco-friendly, abaca lampshade for only Php100.

abaca lampshade

Coloring activities on tablets and smartphones are top downloadable apps lately. I am also a fan of Colorfy on iPad and I'm glad to see coloring booklets for only Php35.

Time checked, we still have an hour to do the flying fiesta ride and street food challenge. We found out it's going to be a long walk going to the carnival. 

We immediately pay entrance fee at Php10 and Php40 for the flying fiesta. The ride operator still fill up vacant seats when we arrived. Hubby immediately grabbed my hands and brought me inside. I was nervous. Well, I thought I couldn't make it. I wanted to go down, scream to stop the ride but hubby told me to close my eyes. The ride was fast, really fast yet I heard people laughing and screaming to excitement. They seemed to enjoy the flying fiesta so I focused on the ride and forget about my fear. Atlast, it was over. I survived up and down, fast flying fiesta.

Indeed, there's so much to do when in #Tutuban. After #NightMarket #shopping, we went to the PrimeTastics, #TutubanCenter 's very own #Carnival & tried the flying fiesta. I'm always afraid to take #carnivalrides so I just closed my eyes the whole time but it was fun coz I have hubby besides me, Naks! #FaceYourFear Bring the whole family at #TCPaskongSulit @tutubancenter Php10 Entrance to the carnival, Php40/ flying fiesta ride. #happy #instagood #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines #rides #games #play #WomanInDigital #LivingMarjorney .com

A photo posted by Marjorie Uy (@livingmarjorney) on Dec 9, 2015 at 7:36am PST

After the extreme adventure, we went to look for Pinoy street food one-day-old. The kiosks were located near the Tutuban giant Christmas Tree. They sell it at Php20/stick with three pieces chicken. When I entered college and took up Nursing, I stopped eating any type of street food even if I want. Even if I find fish balls delicious.

From the very start, I told myself I would probably skip the flying fiesta and food strip challenges but hubby was with me. He's adventurous and very competitive. There's nothing too hard to do if we're together.

This is how you eat #PinoyFood #streetFood called 1-day old chicken. Who's game? Price Php20/stick #TCPaskongSulit #vscocam #vsco #shop #food #foodgram #affordableShopping #TutubanChallenge #WomanInDigital #NightMarket #Manila #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines #LivingMarjorney .com #travel

A photo posted by Marjorie Uy (@livingmarjorney) on Dec 9, 2015 at 7:23am PST

One-day-old chicken taste just like ordinary chicken. It was cooked deep fried and served with spicy vinegar sauce. It was good but will eat it just for the challenge, lol! Guess, I'm not really adventurous when it comes to food. However, I like kwek-kwek (egg coated with flour and colored orange). By 9:30 pm, we're back at the giant tree. The next thing to do is post a flatlay photo of our shopping finds.

Orion Hotel in Tutuban Center

Orion-Hotel-Review

Good Morning from Orion-Hotel-Staycation-in-Manila

Overall, it was a fun and great experience shopping, carnival rides and eating one-day-old for the first time. The most challenging part for me are the last two activities. You know me, I can only ride the carousel and bumper car, lol. The rest of the evening was spent in our hotel rooms. We watched Home Alone the movie, very timely for Christmas. Thanks to Orion hotel and Tutuban Center for hosting the Adventures in Tutuban.