How to give your mom the royal treatment

Mother's Day is the perfect occasion to thank your mom for taking care of you all these years. Make sure it's a day your mom won't forget. Here are a few suggestions on how to pamper your mom.

 

1. Just relax

 

If your mom is too tired and doesn't feel like going out, that doesn't mean you can't give her the royal treatment. Cook for her, treat her to a home service massage, and make sure you don't let her do any of the household work.  

If you do go out, make it as stress-free as possible. A couple of hours at the spa could be just the thing. At Neo Day Spa, they offer pampering packages for the whole month, like the 120-minute Strawberries and Champagne Foot Pampering with Pedicure and Classic Manicure for P1,380.

 

For a luxurious staycation, Mandarin Oriental Manila has a room package for all weekends of May. The P6,800-package includes an overnight weekend stay in a Superior Room, international buffet breakfast at Paseo Uno, a complimentary second room or second night, a P500-voucher to be used at The Spa, as well as a 10 percent discount at all restaurants. 

 

At The Spa, moms can enjoy the Oriental Bliss spa treatment—the perfect session for busy women. A gentle Walnut Exfoliation Scrub is followed by a 50-minute stretching massage. The treatment ends with a half hour Revitalizing Eye Treatment. The Oriental Bliss treatment is priced at P5,888.

 

For more information, or to make a reservation, call Mandarin Oriental, Manila on (02) 750-8888 or email momnl-reservations@mohg.com.   

 

2. Get active

 

If your mom has never done yoga with Bikram Yoga Manila, you can avail of their First Timer One Week Unlimited at P800. They're also offering a 30 percent discount on their 10 Class Card, and One Month Unlimited Packages. The offers are only available on May 12 and 13, 2012.

 

If she likes running, sign up for OneA Run, which will be held at 5 a.m. in Antipolo City. The run, which aims to raise awareness for road safety, is in memory of University of the Philippines professor Chit Simbulan who was killed in a bus-taxi collision on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City last year.  

3. Treat her with sweets

 

If there's one day to cheat on a diet, this is it for your mom. Satisfy her sweet tooth cravings with a cute and quirky cupcake, like the ones from the Cupcake Boutique. 

 

Or turn to a classic favorite at The Aristocrat Bakeshop with their Torta delos Reyes—six layers of wafers, nutty butter cream and chocolate ganache. The Bakeshop also offers their ultimate chocolate cake Choco Supreme, Tea Ensaimada, Malolos Ensaimada and Cheese Roll. 

 

For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 524-7671 to 80 or email info@aristocratbakeshop.com.

 

4. Take her on a night out

 

Bring your mom back to the 80s and see former The Smiths frontman Morrissey as he performs live at the World Trade Center at 8 p.m. For tickets, call 0917-8334223 or visit TicketWorld. 

 

Or, laugh until it hurts and catch “Forbidden Broadway” at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati City.

 

For more information, contact Upstart Productions at 0917-5285678 or upstarttickets@gmail.com 

 

You could also visit the Mumz & Kidz (Dads Too!) Mother's Day exhibit at the Galerie Joaquin Podium Gallery at the Lower Ground Level of The Podium. A special exhibition by Galerie Joaquin and Galerie Francesca, it features works from Angelito Antonio, Jovan Benito, Michael Cacnio, Jomar Delluba, Carlo Magno, Hamzah Marbella, Roel Obemio, Aljo Pingol, Dominic Rubio, Lydia Velasco and Migs Villanueva.  

5. Eat well

 

Whatever you plan for the day, make sure to include a special meal. You won't run out of options, whether you want a cozy family dinner, or a buffet splurge.

 

Many hotels offer special spreads for Mother's Day. At Makati Shangri-la, the celebrations begin with a pre-Mother's Day dinner buffet at the Lobby Lounge for P1,900 per person, with a performance by singer Arnee Hidalgo. 

 

On Mother's Day itself, you can enjoy a Sunday brunch buffet for P1,750 or a dinner buffet for P1,950. For a delightful afternoon, take your mom to Mother's Day High Tea for P680, where you can enjoy lush garden views and peaceful music of a 14-piece orchestra. The offer is available from May 3 to 14, 2012.

 

At Circles Event Cafe, Sinfully Circles has Mother's Day hamper packages, and specially designed Mother's Day emoti-cakes.

For restaurant inquiries and reservations, call the Restaurant Reservations and Information Center at (02) 840-0884 or e-mail rric.slm@shangri-la.com.

 

At Mandarin Oriental Manila, moms who dine in Paseo Uno, Tin Hau, or the Tivoli with a prior booking on any weekend in May receive a complimentary Strawberry Dome with Mint Shortbread and Macaroons cake by Executive Pastry Chef Roberto Molleman. There is also a special raffle on May 13, with 10 winners of a mother-daughter overnight getaway on May 26.

 

Mother's Day Lunch at the Tivoli features a contemporary three-course European spread by Chef Remi Vercelli, which includes an appetizer buffet, a choice from five main courses, and a dessert selection for P1,835. Set menus are available for P1,188 at Tin Hau, where Oriental fare is prepared by Executive Chinese Chef Hann Furn Chen.

 

At Paseo Uno, the Mother's Day buffet is at P1,950 for an all-day dining buffet of gourmet delicacies, including duck foie gras, homemade pasta, risotto and paella, Asian cuisine and carving and grill stations. 

 

Many restaurants also have their Mother's Day promos, from buffet spreads to special gifts. 

 

At, Chateau's Cafe 1771, you can start the day with the "hole in one" corned beef hash. Mothers get a special gift on May 13. 

 

For reservations, call (02) 631-7339.

 

At Nomnomnom Happy Food, celebrate with their Feast for Four and fill your stomachs with Asian Salad, Malinomnom Pizza, Pita Chips with Salsa, Wild Mushroom Pasta, Chicken Cacciatore and a pitcher of Flavored Tea with a Free Lava Cake for P1,700. 

 

At Stacy's in Quezon City, moms who dine in get a special treat on May 13. –KG/HS, GMA News