Happy Curious

It's Christmas Time in the City

2020-10-13T08:38:00.003+08:00

After all the quarantine hoops we had to go through, some of us are already thinking that Christmas season is going to be cancelled. Usually, once the "ber" months start, people get excited about the holidays and malls also start putting up decorations.

Christmas trees and decor abound in the mall.

I checked out one of the biggest malls and checked to see for signs of the Christmas spirit. I'm happy to report that the holiday spirit is still alive and well.

Many people are wishing that this year be over but I still look forward to the holiday season. There is a hopeful and positive atmosphere during the holidays. It's the kind of atmosphere that we need right now in these trying times.

I know big businesses commercialize the holidays. What I'm counting on however is the true spirit of the season which is giving, sharing, and rekindling hopes and blessings for the coming new year.

Red, blue, gold, silver and green are the holiday colors.

Also, I think we do need to revitalize our economy so malls still being able to operate as usual is good news. That means people are getting back their jobs and earning and will be able to contribute back to the economy when they spend.

With the holiday season, the rainy season also turns up. It's the right weather to go around in warm clothing and check out the Christmas decorations. The streets should be lined up with bright lights already so traveling is a scenic experience.

At home, it's good to curl up with a warm cup of hot chocolate and plan how to go about decorating your house for the holidays as Christmas songs are playing in the background.

Vegan Baked Goods from Vegan Bakes for the Animals and the Planet

2020-10-07T16:56:00.013+08:00

Eating plant-based can be a bit of a challenge if your someone like me, who enjoys their breads, donuts and muffins. I have tried baking my own muffins and it was a satisfactory experience. However, baking bread is another story. I don't really have the patience to do all the kneading and waiting. Luckily, I found a tasty solution to my problem.

Vegan Asado Bun and Vegan Ube Pandesal with Cashew and Soy Filling

I found Vegan Bakes for the Animals and the Planet and ordered some of their baked goods right away. They don't make and sell just breads, they have muffins, crinkles and donuts too.

Since I've been craving for pandesal, I had to order their Vegan Pandesal with Malunggay (Php85 per dozen). You can also get the plain ones if you prefer. But they're priced the same so I got the one with malunggay for added nutrition.

Vegan Pandesal with Malunggay

These turned out very delicious on their own and quite filling. Unlike most pandesals, they don't deflate when you press them in between your fingers while eating. So you can just imagine how filling each one is when you have some peanut butter or your favorite spread in the middle of the bun.

They also had other bread products so I decided to try their pan de coco and ube pandesal with cashew and soy filling.

Vegan Pan de Coco and Vegan Ube Pandesal with Cashew and Soy Filling

How could I not order the classic Pan de Coco? Also, ube and cream cheese filling is a unique combination. There has been a fad of ube-flavored baked goods or cream cheese-filled breads but not a combination of the two (unless not that I know of). So I had to order these as well. Their variation is Ube Pandesal with Cashew and Soy filling. I ordered 6 pieces of both flavors (Php150 per dozen). You can also choose to have it with ube and sweet potato filling.

We usually eat asado as a viand with rice or as a filling in siopao. So having it as a filling in bread really heightened my curiosity.

Vegan Asado Buns

This one I ate with gusto. I usually just warmed one Vegan Asado Bun (Php160 per dozen) and that was my late night meal or afternoon snack. The good thing is that this is a protein snack or meal so you can lessen your sugar intake and still get the energy you need.

But of course, I had to have a taste of their vegan muffins too. So I choose 2 flavors and ordered a dozen of each.

Vegan Banana Muffins

Vegan Choco Peanut Muffins

I tried their Vegan Banana Muffins and Vegan Choco Peanut Muffins (Php116 per dozen) and they did not disappoint. Just like their pandesals, there were dense and very filling. They were very delicious too! These are a great way to eat breakfast on the go or if you just want to enjoy a sweet treat.

It was funny when all my orders arrived because even the delivery guy commented that it was a lot. I was surprised too! Each dozen order came in their individual box and all the breads were quite big in proportion to your usual bakery goods. I had to walk back to my apartment carrying all the boxes which were still quite warm. The whole thing was quite hefty so getting it inside the house was a short exercise and a mild weight lifting routine.

Needless to say, I was satisfied with all the baked goods I ordered. They were all delicious, dairy-free, egg-free and quite affordable. I ordered different items another time but I was't able to take pictures. All their baked goods are quite big in proportion individually so I suggest that you consider the size of your refrigerator if you are not going to eat everything on the day it arrives.

You need to place your orders and pay for them a day before so they are freshly prepared the next day. That's why my orders arrived still warm!

Vegan Bakes for the Animals and the Planet

Message them on Facebook

Location: South Caloocan

Contact Person: Manasis Relox

Contact Number: 0905.073.1845

The Spirit Conference International 2020

2020-10-02T07:49:00.004+08:00

If you've been feeling down lately, you are not alone. While some of us are okay with coffee as a pick-me-upper, others feel an even deeper feeling of something lacking not just in their systems, but in their lives. During this time where we are all unable to make physical connections; it is time to enhance our inner sense of connection instead.

Source: Spirit Conference International Website

The Spirit Conference was first held in 2017. This year, the theme of the conference is "Remembering the Spirit". It is a timely and much-needed educational event to help us re-establish our sense of connection to our inner selves and to the greater community, that is humanity, and each being on this planet.

The Spirit Conference 2020 will be held on October 30-31. It is a 2-day event with various speakers from around the world talking about different aspects of spirituality including Earth Spirits, Ascended Masters, the Spirit of Sound and Angelic Spirits.

Source: Spirit Conference International Website

Not only are you going to learn about the greater and deeper connection that we all have; you are also helping raise funds for 3 advocacies.

Proceeds of this event will benefit 3 non-government organizations.

FRONTLINER CARE PACKAGE CAMPAIGN

A self-organized advocacy of The Spirit Conference organizing team. It will provide essentials like masks, face shields, thermometers, gloves, supplements, grocery vouchers, etc. to identified government medical staff, policemen, security guards and delivery men.

NEXT GEN IT

A non-government organization providing electronic gadgets (new or used) for the online learning of underprivileged students in the Philippines

PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF INTUITIVES (PAInt)

Will provide scholarship grants for gifted but underprivileged individuals.

Go to the website to register. Visit the Facebook page to get event updates and join other activities and learn more information about the speakers and their topics.

The Spirit Conference International

Updates on Facebook
Register on the Website

Handy-Dandy Notebooks

2020-09-25T08:51:00.002+08:00

I always have notebooks at home. I like collecting different kinds of notebooks; different sizes, different paper, different texture, dotted pages, grid pages, blank pages, regular lined pages. Stationeries were what I collected when I was younger; but now, notebooks fascinate me.

Same notebook, different covers.

They fascinate me but I'm not obsessed with them. I don't always carry them in my bag ,for example. For a while, I had them stashed away, unused. I use a keyboard to write for work most of the time and there are many applications online that you can use to save your notes.

However, this isolation period has compelled many of us to clean house and rediscover old mementos and even old hobbies. Writing and doodling on notebooks were one of mine. And so when I uncovered my collection of notebooks again, I was inspired to make use of them.

Bullet journaling has always been useful to me when handling several projects at the same time. A good-looking notebook makes the process easier. It inspires me to be more organize when I write. I need to organize my thoughts before writing and I become better at organizing my life in the process.

Writing always requires you to organize your thoughts but with a notebook; you tend to become more cautious of making a mistake. You are fully aware that there is no going back when you make a mistake, especially if you don't want to blemish a beautiful page. So you don't write as haphazardly as you would on a document on your computer. I know there are different kinds of erasers to correct a written mistake on paper, but I don't really like using them.

Now, I also keep a notebook just to write down my thoughts for the day. The writing helps me slow down as I review my day and get ready for sleep. Once I put my thoughts on paper, it's like emptying my mind of the day's clutter, including tomorrow's concerns. That way, my mind and body can truly rest for the night.

If you've got a stash of old notebooks just waiting to be used, try using them as a diary. Write down your thoughts about the day; write a story you suddenly came up with; write down a quote; write down the things you are grateful for.

Then try using it as a bullet journal. Once you try this, you may end up like me. I make my own bullet journal rather than buy one. It encourages you to be creative in laying out your bullet journal so you can indulge your artsy side. But it also helps you become organized as you plan out each day.

And so, I have made it a habit to carry a pen and a notebook with me when I go out for a meeting. I notice that sometimes I would rather take out my notebook than my laptop to take notes. My penmanship has worsened because I use the keyboard most of the time. So writing on my notebook helps me improve my handwriting too.

Healthy Veggie Bowls from 24/7 Super Healthy

2020-08-31T14:39:00.009+08:00

Most people have been leveling up their cooking skills this quarantine period. I have been trying to cook new dishes too. However, there are some days when I've been too exhausted to even think of what to cook. Thankfully, there are online stores where I can order some healthy grub without ruining my budget. 24/7 Super Healthy is one such discovery.

Veggie Nuggets Bowl from 24/7 Super Healthy.

Most online food places offer meat dishes so I was glad to find one that has plant-based options on their menu. I ordered 3 of their veggie bowls to maximize my delivery fee and just reheated them when I was ready to eat.

The Veggie Nuggets Bowl was quite tasty and had a delicious sweet and sour sauce. The nuggets were big and quite packed. It also had veggies on the side and brown rice. It was a filling lunch for me.

Veggie Kofta Bowl from 24/7 Super Healthy.

Next was their Veggie Kofta Bowl which was a treat for me. If you've been craving for Mediterranean food, then this one's for you. Although this is meatless, the flavors and textures would make you think otherwise. Coupled with brown rice and roasted veggies on the side; this is another filling meal.

Mexican Bowl from 24/7 Super Healthy.

My third order is my favorite. Their Mexican Bowl has a fried egg included in their regular order but I had mine without. Instead of beef or chicken, they used jackfruit for the meaty part. This was really delicious and is on my list of food to reorder when I'm too lazy, tired or too hungry to cook anything.

With food vendors like these online, plant-based eaters won't go hungry even while in quarantine. Hopefully, more healthy options like these are available in other restaurant menus.

24/7 Super Healthy
24.7 Super Healthy
Available on: Grab Food | Foodpanda | Lala Food

Vegan Spam Musubi and Milk Tea from MaxTeaPH

2020-08-24T08:38:00.006+08:00

I'm not counting the days in quarantine anymore but I am counting the many times I have had to suffer from not being able to satisfy my food cravings. Luckily, online vendors are available to rescue us from our food craving woes. You just have to be diligent in searching for them online.

Vegan Spam Musubi with Black Rice from MaxTeaPH.

Vegan spam musubi is one such craving that is rather hard to find even in restaurants. But an online search yielded MaxTeaPH offering this delicacy as well as milk tea with non-dairy milk options.

For my order, I opted to go with black rice for a healthier version. Each order comes in 4 pieces which are quite filling so you can have this for lunch or dinner. It comes with a thick, flavorful sauce or dip to complement the spam musubi.

Very filling vegan spam musubi with black rice.

The vegan spam musubi gives you the saltiness of meat-based spam and the savory part comes from the sauce/dip. The black rice won't taste as flavorful as white rice if you're not used to it but it is healthier. So if you're new to eating plant-based, you may want to choose white rice for your order. They also have tofu options.

Wintermelon Milk Tea in Almond Milk from MaxTeaPH.

Their vegan milk tea doesn't disappoint. It has just the right sweetness. You can choose from almond and soy milk. I find soy milk too sweet most of the time so I prefer almond milk.

Who knew spam musubi and milk tea can be a great combination? I have been craving these 2 items separately but now I can enjoy both of them in one order thru MaxTeaPH. These 2 cravings of mind are now solved!

MaxTea Food Hub
MaxTeaPH
0917.680.3056

All Natural Beauty Finds at Thea Botanicals PH

2020-08-17T09:53:00.013+08:00

One of the things I miss when going out is checking out the bazaars in malls and parks. Bazaars are usually alive in malls during weekends and on special occasions. That's where I find natural and organic beauty products too. Thea Botanicals PH is one bazaar find that really delighted me with their wide array of beauty products. They come in cute packaging too!

Lip & Cheek Tint from Thea Botanicals PH.

Beauty products in cute packages can sometimes bring out the girly side of me. More so if they have natural ingredients. Luckily, this local brand offers just that.

I'm just reminiscing some of the beauty finds that this brand has to offer. I'm sure I didn't get pictures of all their items but here are snapshots of the variety of beauty treats you can choose from.

Natural beauty soaps from Thea Botanicals PH.

Their soaps come in pretty colors too! They look like they can be eaten and depending on the ingredients, they smell delicious enough to be mistaken for food. I couldn't smell all of them but those I did all had pleasant, addicting fragrances. You'd definitely want to use them every day.

Shampoo Bars and Conditioner Bars from Thea Botanicals PH.

They also have products for your hair. They are just as pretty looking and pleasant smelling as the body bars. I have always wanted to try out shampoo bars and conditioner bars. I will definitely try out some of these in the future.

More beautiful-looking soaps from Thea Botanicals PH.

It's almost the "ber" months and by this time, bazaars are usually popping out in many places. Bazaars are a great way to find unique gifts for loved ones during the holidays. Fortunately, we can still order these items online. However, there is still something missing from the experience.

We can't deny that there is something especially enjoyable and satisfying in the act of shopping physically. It feels more satisfying to be able to physically inspect and appreciate a product. Hopefully, we will be able to do so again in the near future.

In the meantime, I look forward to trying out some of these items and sharing my experience here.

Thea Botanicals PH
TBotanicals
0918.913.7600

Vegan Froyo from Mahalo Acai

2020-08-07T19:47:00.016+08:00

Being stuck indoors has given me a lot of time to reorganize my home and even my files. This unearthed a lot of files, especially pictures, that bring back memories. One such memory is my trip to Mahalo Acai with a friend.

Facade of Mahalo Acai

We took a walk and visited the place to get a taste of their vegan froyo. Our little exercise made enjoying their treats even more worthwhile - it felt like a reward!

The walk to the cafe is a visual treat itself as the area is one of the busiest night places in Makati. The quaint store facade of Mahalo Acai is also refreshing to the eyes. At first look, it gives off a warm, cozy vibe which is just the mood you want in a cafe. But then you go inside and you will find the place quite cool and so are their products. Of course, their products are cool since they offer froyos but they are cool for another reason - they contain the superfood acai.

Our froyos topped with strawberry and mango with some nuts and chocolate drizzle.

Their froyo is made from almond milk infused with acai berries which gives it a pretty, pale pink color. Acai berries are packed with antioxidants which help boost the immune system and can protect the body against diabetes, heart disease and cancer cells. It also has fiber and fatty acids that help enhance metabolism, burn fat efficiently and even minimize cravings. This cold and sweet dessert won't ruin your health goals!

You can choose from a range of toppings which include fresh fruits, cereals and even crushed cookies. They also have a range of drizzles to choose from to complement your toppings. The servings are quite big too for Php220 each. Here's another view of these treats.

Vegan Froyo with Acai Berry

I would love to go back to their cafe and try out other toppings and sauce combinations. They are closed at the moment due to the quarantine but I hope this is just temporary. I hope the same goes for the other restos in the area.

This is one of the delicious memories that I discovered during my decluttering. I will be sharing other stuff that I am sure I will discover as this quarantine goes on. Hopefully, we can enjoy more treats like this when this is all over. In the meantime, I will be checking up on Mahalo Acai once it's ok to dine out with friends again.

Mahalo Acai
Mahalo Acai PH
5663 Don Pedro St., Poblacion, Makati City, 1209
0915.769.5269

Longing for The Outdoors

2020-08-04T14:42:00.009+08:00

It's been 4 months since I last went out to work in the office or to eat at a restaurant with friends. Many of us are longing to spend time outdoors again. Travel is not an option at the moment and meeting up with friends is not viable either.

Nostalgic View

Virtual meetings are a blessing but there is something missing in these meetings since participants are unable to actually interact physically. As that is not possible now, all we can do is reminisce memories of scenes outside that we usually take for granted.

I'm sure we can fill our social media feeds and even our devices with more than one album of things we miss in the great outdoors but we can't possibly share them all. Here are some of my favorite scenes from when I traveled to and from the office and nearby areas.

Sunset by the river bank.

Airy heights on the 6th floor on a sunny day.

A bigger expanse of sky to see more clouds.

The race track looks fun already.

One of the best parties I enjoyed was on this race track.

Japanese inspired decor outside the resto after lunch with friends.

The opposite view made me feel like walking on a catwalk.

These are just some of the outdoor places I miss. Perhaps locking us in our homes is a way for the planet to remind us that we should take care of our environment and not take nature for granted. Mother Earth now has time to breathe and renew itself without being disrupted by us humans.

This isolation period has made us realize what is most important to us -- the essentials that we can't live without. For some of us, it became a chance to go back to our long-dormant passions and to rekindle childhood dreams. For others, it has become an opportunity for self-exploration and rediscovery; a time to make full use of their potentials.

The pandemic has changed our reality and has given us a chance to change our selves. When we can go out and enjoy the outdoors again, may we carry with us a better understanding of how to interact with each other, how to care for ourselves and our loved ones, and how to enjoy the wonders of nature while taking better care of it. This is our next challenge after we get through this current situation.

H-Art Space: Art Therapy for Inner Healing

2020-07-20T15:01:00.016+08:00

A lot has happened this year and while I'm stuck at home, let me recall some memorable events from the past 6 months. One of them is the Love @ HArt Opening Party for the HArt Space Center organized by the Philippine Academy of Intuitives (PAInt).

Tiger - one of Maya's latest art work. | Source: Maya

The party itself was quite festive but the highlight of the event was the art therapy session conducted by Maya Banawa who owns H-Art Space. Maya provides art therapy sessions for kids and adults alike. You can book a session with her individually or as a group too. You don't need to be good at drawing or painting and she provides all the art materials for each session. You only need to bring yourself, open your mind and heart, be in the moment and let Maya guide you through the process.

Before I share my experience, here's a showcase of some of Maya's latest paintings. (All photos from her.)

A couple of us participated in the art therapy session during the event. Here are some images of our results.

The result of our art therapy session.

The foremost painting was done by me. I was just choosing the colors randomly, drawing without a plan and came up with this as a result. The one in the middle was what I started with. However, a little kid suddenly sat down on my lap, took the brush from my hand and started doodling on my painting. I wasn't really bothered by it so I just helped him steady his hand as he picked colors and started drawing.

The third painting looked much prettier to me and made more sense. It was done by another young participant who obviously had better painting skills than me. 😉

Anyway, if you looked at how these 3 are laid out; it would seem as though mine was the germination of the idea, the middle one is the Universe making things happen. Of course, it's abstract since we don't know exactly how it goes about creating things. The third one is of course the idea already manifested in reality. I just saw the relationship of these 3 as I'm writing this, actually.

Seriously though, Maya helped us to understand how our paintings related to us individually. Now, this will depend on each person's circumstances and life experiences so I'd rather you experience that for yourself.

Group picture with Maya after we finished our paintings. | Source: Maya

I have always wanted to express my creative side and this session helped me indulged that. More importantly, this was not only therapeutic. I not only revisited my childhood dreams of playing with colors and shapes on paper; it also shed light on some of the lessons I needed to learn from my experiences as a child. With these lessons, I had more clarity towards my intentions in my life going forward.

This art therapy session is not only focused on expressing yourself through art. It also encourages you to know more about yourself and express yourself more openly -- without judgment from other people. It was quite a fun and liberating experience.

At the end of the session, Maya lead us through a meditation of gratitude and affirmations of our new and renewed intentions.

We end the art therapy session with a brief meditation. | Source: Maya

I had a one-on-one art therapy session with Maya after this. Since we were on quarantine, we did it online. I didn't have art materials at hand but pen and paper worked just as well. Maya guided me through the process and I gained new insights about myself and my experiences once more.

That's me and my drawings on the poster. 😊

H-Art Space: Home in Arts | Source: Maya

Aside from conducting art therapy, Maya also creates customized paintings for individuals based on their spirit animals - just like the tiger painting above.

To book a session with Maya or for inquiries, get in touch with her through the details below.

H-Art Space

Maya Divine Art & Affirmations

ayamayasongbird@gmail.com

0917.590.0138

Confusing the Signs: What's Really My Zodiac Sign?

2020-07-18T21:13:00.007+08:00

Hello blogosphere! Hello once again that is. A couple of years have passed by since my last post here. More than a couple of things have happened which changed my life drastically. That really kept me busy and unable to update this poor blog of mine. But this quarantine period has given me plenty of time to reflect on many things; one of which is to start writing here again.

I post anew with a very (not really) controversial issue that recently came to light (in my eyes at least).

Source: CNN

This pandemic has forced everyone to reevaluate their lives. While we are in the middle of trying to adapt to the planet-wide changes in our daily routines and trying to figure out how to make do and eventually rebuild, our health care and economic systems (to name just the most critical ones at the moment); a cosmological event had occurred which has been ignored for so long.

News or rumor of the 12 zodiacs now being 13 has long circulated on the web. I didn't really take notice of it until a friend of mine posted an article about it on my newsfeed just today.

Now that I have the time to think about it; is changing my zodiac sign another cause for a major, and drastic change in my life? Will it invalidate all my previous excuses for my personality being so because of my zodiac sign now that it turns out I misidentified my sign? Did I actually misidentify my sign?

Source: Lifestyle

My friend had the same concerns and seemed really bothered that they had to change their zodiac sign. I was quite hesitant to identify with my new zodiac sign too because I was quite fond of my original one.

I can understand the hesitation, concern and even alarm. After all, asking people to change their zodiac sign is like asking them to switch to a different personality; which is tantamount to asking someone to be another person, really.

After some thought, I think I won't have to, and don't really want to worry about which zodiac sign is really true to me and my personality for the following reasons:

If you're old enough, your personality is pretty much set. I don't think a sudden change in your zodiac sign will affect you that much.
I think most people are mildly schizophrenic. (Don't we talk to ourselves sometimes? Please tell me it's not just me.) If so, then my conclusion is that we actually swing from one zodiac sign to another, just as we can swing from one emotion to another or jump from one thought to another. What I mean by this, is that if you are a Cancer, then you can sometimes act like a Gemini or a Leo (your wing signs).
At this point in time, everyone is going through a major life change. I think accepting a change in zodiac sign isn't too much compared to having to adapt to the new normal.

So what's your new zodiac sign? Are you ok with it or does it upset you at all? I would like to know your thoughts.

P.S. This of course is just something to fill your time and distract you briefly from whatever is giving you negative vibes at the moment. Worked for me. Hope it works for you. (I'm not even sure that someone will stumble on this post, any time soon.)

Zoomanity Group Supports the Polytechnic University of the Philippines

2018-02-27T12:39:00.003+08:00

For this February 2018 to March 2018, different activities will be held at Bulwagang Balagtas inside Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila which are organised by the different departments.

Zoomanity Group supports PUP.

Zoomanity Group will join and support these activities starts on February 26, 2018 to March 2018 as Co- Presenters or Major sponsor. This is to show support to these students who are the future since they believe that education is still the key to succeed.

Zoomanity Group is composed of different theme parks and Restaurants in the Philippines like Zoobic Safari, Zoocobia, Zoocolate Thrills, Paradizoo, Residence Inn, UnliCity, Jinsei, Nanten, Midori and Yakitori Daitokyo. Right now, the company ventured also to Korean restaurants with 3 branches under the Samgyupsalamat brand.

Zoomanity group is the leading company in theme park industry under the Yupangco Group of Companies. Envisioning world class, innovative and enjoyable facilities from Northern to Southern Philippines by providing the best tourist destination and nature educational experiences with the facilities that is uniquely design to provide enjoyment to visitors of all ages.

For more information: www.zoomanity.com.ph and www.tagmedia.asia / 02 9170213 (Tag Media & Public Relations Office), 09778978877.

Press release as provided.

A Week's Worth (or More) of Vegan Bento Creations

2018-02-23T22:07:00.004+08:00

Japan's bento culture has always fascinated me. I love the creativity put into it but I know it will take a lot of effort especially if you're a beginner. I have experimented a lot with making my own bento before but deciding what food items to prepare and put on my bento still boggles my brain. But practice makes perfect so here is a glimpse at some of my attempts.

When staying at home, I use different sized bowls for my food items.

Take note that I veganized my food items and also bought some ready-to-cook vegan meat alternatives to go with my veggie food items. So these are all vegan bento creations. I did not create them all in one week but I picked my favorites to share with you.

I am also fascinated by bento boxes. Almost any food container can be used as a bento but I have my own collection which I switch around so my lunch box looks interesting.

Although I admire all the kawaii designs of bento I see online, I don't really have the tools or the patience and skills to copy them. My basic rule for choosing the kind of food I put in my bento is that they should have different colors. They should also have carbohydrates, protein, veggies and fruits, if available. I am much more inspired to eat my meal if it looks interesting to my eyes. I just need to make sure it's also edible and taste good.

The main protein in this bento is VegMomPH's Tapa.

VegMomPH has other products that I like ordering as well. Check out VegMomPH's The Good Choices for my quick meals featuring their products. I am not paid to promote them but I always order their meat-free products when I am craving for the taste of dishes which usually uses meat.

Another bento with vegan tapa.

Bento with seaweed (nori) and mung bean sprouts as main protein source.

My bento almost always has rice which is often a combination of brown rice, red rice and black rice or just plain brown rice if the other 2 variants are not available. I find that using these colored rice varieties helps me feel fuller with just a small amount of the rice. I also don't get hungry enough for snacks when I eat colored rice for lunch.

Bento with apples, squash boiled in soy sauce topped with sesame seeds and vegan lumpiang shanghai.

Vegan sisig and garlic fried rice are the main treats in this lunch.

A closer look at the Vegchon which added crispiness to this bento.

Lunch in a round bento.

That's a week worth of bento creations. When I can't get hold of the products that I usually use as my main protein (e.g., VegChon or Veg Tapa, etc.), I use tofu instead.

You may also notice that I often use the same veggies and cook almost the same dishes. Of course, I don't always eat the same dishes for each day of the week. When meal prepping, I usually prepare for 2 main dishes which are veggie dishes and 2 types of protein and at least 2 side dishes and if possible a salad. I can eat the same salad all week so I prepare only one. This is my way of ensuring that I get balanced nutrition for every meal. Food combining is still a trial and error process for me and I experiment as I go along.

I just switch between the different food items throughout the week depending on my mood or what I'm craving for that day. I try to have fruits too but if I can't put them in my bento, I usually have bananas on hand. I don't cut up the bananas as they turn brown quite easily. If I have soup, I bring it in a separate container with an airtight lid to avoid spillage.

You can check out some tips on making your own bento which I wrote previously.

Hopefully, these can inspire you to start experimenting with your own bento. I will be posting more of my bento experiments and tips to help you with your own creations.

Back to Basics with Zero Basics

2018-02-22T10:41:00.002+08:00

In my quest to transition to a healthier lifestyle I continue to be on the lookout for products that are organic, less toxic to my body as well as to the environment and affordable as well. That’s why I made it a point to attend the VegFest Pilipinas 2017 event to get vegan products and eat vegan food too.

My newest personal care basics from Zero Basics.

One of the vendors that I had my eye on was Zero Basics and I particularly wanted to try out their deodorant and their toothpaste and tooth powder. I am glad that I did because I am loving them! I have tried out other products and I was disappointed but these exceeded expectations.

Zero Basics Deodorant
I was most excited to try this because I had tried other products from other brands and I was not really satisfied with their performance but this one performed amazingly well.

Here’s the product description:

All-natural Deodorant from Zero Basics.

The picture might be blurry so here's the description:

“The natural deodorant that works! Special blend of 100% pure and therapeutic-grade essential oils that naturally give 24-hour protection from sweat and odor.”

The product description alone had me falling in love with the potential of this product and now I am completely head over heels. Not only did I not stink the whole day, application was convenient too! Just shake the bottle, spray 4-6 times on your arm pits and let dry.

It might take a bit of time to let the product dry on your under arms but in the meantime, you can indulge in the clean smell and look forward to a stink-free armpits day.

Zero Basics Deodorant 250ml (Php250) is an effective product that I will definitely have on my personal care kit from now on.

Zero Basics Black Toothpaste
From my experience, organic and all-natural toothpaste can be very expensive and not all of them are truly all-natural. Zero Basics Black Toothpaste 190g (Php180) is all-natural and although it is black, it whitens teeth on the first application.

Zero Basics Black Toothpaste and Tooth Powder in jars.

How natural is it? Here’s the ingredient list and product description:

“Advanced charcoal powder + baking soda to naturally whiten teeth and keep mouth cleaner for longer.”

So it’s colored black but it whitens teeth and it does so effectively. With other organic toothpastes, my teeth do whiten but it doesn’t remove stubborn stains. I have tried using baking soda before but I felt it too abrasive and I didn’t really like the taste. This one diluted the taste of baking soda and the graininess felt much smaller than regular baking soda.

The whole paste had an oily texture which I actually appreciated because this saved me time from oil pulling when I’m in a hurry. It might not taste great for first-time users who are used to the minty flavor and feel of commercial toothpastes but the effects are worth it.

Since this came in a jar, I transferred some of it to a smaller container with a wide mouth for better access.

Zero Basics Remineralizing Tooth Powder
I have had to see the dentist for tooth cavities so I wanted a product that would help me maintain healthier teeth. I didn’t know what to look for actually so when I found this product online, I knew I had to try it.

Add these or replace your old toothpaste with these products.

Here’s the ingredient list and product description:

“Mineral-rich ingredients to restore the strength of the enamel and maintain healthy teeth and gums.”

Zero Basics Remineralizing Tooth Powder 110g (Php180) is just the product I was looking for! I knew it from the product description and I feel that it does work.

I was thinking that I would need to go to the dentist again because I had a tooth that was sensitive to cold and heat. After using this product, the sensitivity subsided and after a few days of continued use, it completely disappeared. I can now eat and drink without feeling any sudden pain.

Just like the toothpaste I have also transferred some of this to a container that I can easily access for everyday use or bring with me while traveling.

Take note that I alternate using the toothpaste in the morning and the tooth powder in the evening. This may seem overkill but I am very satisfied with this combination. These two will be my cavity-fighting and teeth-whitening duo from now on.

Zero Waste
With Zero Basics products, you do go back to basics because all their products are contained in glass bottles or jars which you can recycle. There are plastic parts like in the case of the spray bottle but these can also be recycled.

Since all their ingredients are natural and cruelty-free, not only are you helping the environment but the animals too. Most importantly, you are helping your body reduce or remove toxins that are usually in commercial personal care products.

Last but not the least, they are affordable and they are a local brand so we are also giving back to our country’s economy in the long run. That looks like a triple win to me!

More from Zero Basics
Zero Basics have other personal care products that are also all-natural and promise to bring effective results. Check out their Facebook page to see what new products they’ve come up with. I will be checking out these products myself and sharing with you my personal favorites and my review.

Here are their products and prices for 2018 published on their Facebook page.

Zero Basics Product Price List

To get a first-hand experience of the products themselves you can visit their booth at the Good Food Sundays Market at Mandala Park, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City every Sunday, 9AM to 4PM.

I Went Vegan for a Month and Here's What Happened

2018-02-05T21:21:00.002+08:00

Wanting to start the year right is always part of our goals when January turns around. Having positive thoughts and maintaining a positive outlook is also one of my goals for this new year. This is why I am sharing here a positive experience I had a few years back. I decided to switch to eating vegan and I did it cold turkey.

I started a vegan diet cold turkey and I'm still loving it.

I had started researching about healthy eating when my grandmother started getting sick. I particularly looked for articles which offered information on how to reverse diseases and this is how I came to know more about vegetarian and vegan eating.

Because of my desire to get my grandmother healthy again, I learned simple vegetarian and vegan recipes. My grandmother understood my intention and was very open to whatever food I cooked for her. I also requested that she cook my favorite foods without meat and use tofu instead which she obliged willingly.

My grandmother succumbed to her illness and passed away but I believe our change in diet helped prolong her life a bit more. Combined with her strong willpower, she was able to say goodbye to all of her children and close relatives before she was whisked away from us.

After her funeral, I did not want to stay around the house. I know I would just drown myself in sorrow. Instead, the very next day, I went to an out-of-town trip for work. I stayed there for 3 weeks and each day was full of work matters so I did not have time to drown in my sorrows. This also meant that there was limited time to look for places to eat.

The nearest place to eat was a mall where me and my companion had no choice but to pick which fast food place to eat from. I had begun feeling sluggish and definitely unhealthy by the third week of our stay. I was fearing a heart attack any moment. It was then that I decided that I would go on a vegan diet when I get back home.

The first thing I did when I got home was to shop for my groceries and meal prep. I decided that I had to detox all of the junk food I ate for 3 weeks out of my system. I was feeling bloated and sluggish and so aside from going full vegan I also removed rice and sugar from my diet.

What I Ate Each Week on A Vegan Diet
I started the morning with a green smoothie. I blended together bananas and other fruits, leafy greens (e.g. spinach, camote tops, etc.), some water and peanut butter to add sweetness. I also added in some superfoods like moringa, maca powder as well as cinnamon, cayenne pepper and turmeric. This kept me full all morning. Sometimes I added in rolled oats for more fiber.

Sometimes, I made banana pancakes. This was just mashed ripe bananas with some water and rolled oats which I fried in coconut oil. Or I made overnight oats and just took it out of the fridge for breakfast.

For lunch, I usually had a big salad, usually raw or I ate cooked vegetable dishes with some pita bread or baked potato wedges when I’m craving rice. I just varied the veggies and the dressings for the salads so I don’t get bored.

For dinner, I usually had vegetable soup with baked potato wedges or I just eat the same thing I had for lunch. If I wanted something warm to drink, I drank hot chocolate with muscovado sugar. This wasn’t too sweet so I had gotten used to the bitter taste of chocolate.

Note that I worked from home all this time so I was able to maintain this diet on my own. I only went out once or twice a week to the grocery store for my produce. I also aimed to drink at least 8 glasses of water during this time. I had to pee more than usual the first week but that lessened afterwards.

So how did I change with this vegan diet? I experienced a lot of benefits.

Benefits of My Vegan Diet
Regular Bowel Movements
We take this for granted but this is such a relief each morning. No more spending so much time trying to get into the zone. This happened quickly with no straining of muscles involved.

All Day Energy & Productivity
Yes, I had energy all day! I was able to work on projects more productively because I had better concentration. I found that because I finished work earlier, I had more time to do things I had been putting off or things I wanted to do. I didn’t experience “siesta” moments; that slump one usually feels in the middle of the day after eating lunch. I was still pretty energetic and alert after lunch and all through the rest of the day.

Better Sleep & Waking Up Alert
It was easier to go to sleep. Once I hit the pillow, I was on my way to dreamland. When I woke up, I did not feel groggy. I felt energetic and alert because I actually had a good night’s sleep. Thus, I was able to start working on my day’s To Do list quite early and so I finished tasks earlier. Which meant, I was able to go to bed earlier as well.

Natural Weight Loss
For the first time after high school, I could fit into my skinny jeans again and even needed to use a belt. I did not feel bloated anymore and I actually had a flat tummy so I was able to wear the body-hugging clothes that had been hiding in my closet for who knows when.

Well-Toned Skin
Whenever I saw people for a meeting, I got compliments that my skin was glowing. The dry patches of skin that I had around my hairline went away and my lips never felt flakey. I also noticed that the crow's feet around my eyes became less noticeable. My lips were also a healthier color and my complexion overall was not pale anymore.

No Body Odor
I also noticed that my arm pits didn’t smell bad when I sweated. It smelled of sweat but it didn’t smell bad so I didn’t even use deodorant. That saved me some money to buy more vegetables with.

Some Things to Consider
Based on these results, I highly recommend eating the vegan way. However, I understand that each person’s body is different and there may be side effects when you change your diet drastically like I did. So I strongly urge seeing a doctor first or having a checkup before embarking on any change that will affect your health.

As for me, the major and rather alarming side effect that I experienced when I started going vegan was a change in my monthly period — I had it for 3 weeks and it was heavy. I thought of going to the doctor but I didn’t feel faint or dizzy so I thought it was the effect of my change in diet. My complexion also didn’t look pale like it should.

I had been eating a lot of iron-rich leafy greens, particularly camote tops in my morning smoothie. I was previously anemic and had painful periods but although my period lasted for 3 weeks, it wasn’t painful and the next month it wen’t back to it’s regular schedule and duration and without the pain.

Today, I still continue to eat vegan at home. I still cook my own meals. Although I do keep items that I consider emergency food for times when I am too exhausted from work or get to home too late to cook anything.

When I need to go eat out, I usually look for places where I can get vegan options and suggest to friends that we go there instead. Or I go for vegetarian options if there aren’t any vegan items on the menu.

It is quite difficult to eat vegan outside of my home but I try to take it day by day. I am happy to note that more and more establishments are offering vegan options and there are new places offering vegan food items in my area. I hope reading my experience leads you to making healthier food choices. Here's to more vegan food options and a healthier lifestyle this new year!

Enjoy The Total Events Package at Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex

2017-12-01T12:00:00.002+08:00

There are few party venues in the metro that serve as a one stop shop for all of a client's needs. Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex is one of these and has been providing all of their clients' needs for their different events. In fact, they have hosted several events even before their grand launch last November 21, 2017 including corporate events, debuts, weddings, anniversary celebrations and baptisms.

The main stage at the Alegria and Hermosa Function Rooms

The complex covers 2 floors for different venue requirements. We took a tour around the facilities before the grand launch at the grand ballroom on the 2nd floor.

Before going into the different event venues, we lingered for a while over a large piece of artwork that spanned a whole wall. This was a specially commissioned work titled Homage to Monet created by French-Filipino artist Olivia d'Aboville. It was inspired by Monet's famous Water Lily series.

Homage to Monet by French-Filipino artist Olivia d/Aboville.

The centerpiece makes one feel serene and calm and perfectly reflects what Casa Ibarra offers it's clients. The artwork measures 11x3.5 meters consisting of 8 panels and used 365 meters of Philippine silk textile handwoven in Palawan and Aklan for over 3 months. It was then custom-dyed in the Shibori technique which is one of Olivia's signature textile techiques. This is also one of Olivia's largest art work to date.

Similarly, Casa Ibarra has incorporated painstaking care in the design and concept of its different event venues with help from the highly popular KM+ professional interior designers. They wanted the venues to exude a modern Filipino home with clean lines and local materials such as wood and raffia weave for warmth and balance with the light-colored walls for a bright interior.

Chandeliers and other decor on the ceiling made with capiz.

They also used capiz and beautiful T'nalak weave, a traditional handwoven cloth found in Mindanao. All these touches make Casa Ibarra a showcase of Filipino talent and culture in a modern setting.

Ibarra's has over 17 years of experience in the party venue and catering business. It now has 5 locations and each has distinctive design and architecture. The newest one is Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex.

Function Rooms
Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex has 2 floors. The ground floor offers the Alegria and Hermosa Function Rooms which can be combined to accommodate up to 280 persons or 140 persons per room. Both rooms feature a grand staircase where celebrants can walk down from for their grand entrance. Each room also features a private room for the main celebrant to prepare their makeup and attire before their introduction to guests.

A view of the Alegria and Hermosa function rooms combined.

All the function rooms can be customized to a client's preferred theme or concept. Here are some of them.

Autumn Theme table setting.

Winter Theme table setting.

Great Gatsby themed table setting.

The decorated staircase for the celebrant to make their grand entrance.

For those who want an outdoor venue, Casa Ibarra offers the porte-cochere on the 2nd floor which can accommodate a wedding ceremony with 80 persons. We took the shots of the location at night but it would have a great view of the MOA complex including the bay during the day.

A wedding outdoors is also possible at Casa Ibarra.

Another view of the wedding venue.

Finally, the biggest room in Casa Ibarra is the Sala de Amor, a 600sqm space that can accommodate 350 persons. It has a grand staircase with steps that light up as the celebrant walks down. The room also features gorgeous capiz chandeliers made up of 20,000 capiz shells as well as majestic lighted onyx pillars. This grand event venue took 200 workers and a year and half to complete.

Salon de Amor and its stage.

More tables and the gorgeous capiz chandeliers.

The grand staircase with steps that light up as you walk down.

View of the venue from grand staircase.

On one side of the grand staircase, a prep room is available complete with amenities for the celebrants family and friends who may want to drop by before the event begins. It also features a separate entrance for the celebrant to reach the grand staircase.

View of the grand staircase from the center table.

Very elaborate table setting.

Detail of the table setting in front of the stage.

On the left of the main stage, there is a place for a live band. The main stage wall can also be used as a screen for any videos or presentations that will be used for the event.

Casa Ibarra's Sala de Amor also has a buffet with a selection of dishes from appetizers, main courses, desserts, soups and other delicacies.

Some of the appetizers during the event.

There was so much food but we forgot to take pictures of them all. However, at the end of the event, we were treated to the March of the Waiters where the waiters all came out to serve us the chef's special dessert. They marched so methodically and so beautifully it looked like a dance.

The chef's beautiful creation; too beautiful to eat!

Once the dessert was on our tables, we were asked to break the apple. I did so hesitantly because I did not think I would be able to finish off a whole apple or break a whole apple, even though it was just a small apple but it looked to pretty to eat. But it had a surprise inside.

The broken apple with a delicate and delicious mousse inside.

Firstly, I was surprised that the apple was not an actual apple but it was made of blown sugar which I know is a very complicated procedure. How did they make all the apples? Second, the delicate mousse is not to sweet and complimented the sweetness of the apple very well. The chocolates on the side had different fillings and not all were sweet. This dessert was a grand ending to a grand event indeed.

Packages
All Casa Ibarra packages includes banquet service and event venues. On the day, their experienced staff also helps clients with basic coordination for food and beverage, from start to end. A typical packages starts at around Php133,000 all-in. This already includes numerous amenities but very much customizable to the client's preferences.

More Features
Aside from their beautiful event rooms, Casa Ibarra also offers other services and amenities to make event planning more convenient.

Parking - They have 11 parking slots in front of the building for couples and their guests. There is also a parking area beside Casa Ibarra for guests.
Catering - Casa Ibarra has a wide selection of Western, Mediterranean, Oriental, Spanish and Filipino cuisines.
Specialty - Their specialty include Ibarra's Hickory pork spare ribs, braised beef shank and seafood paella.
Meeting Room - A place for clients and Casa Ibarra sales associate to discuss plans and even do food tastings.
Experienced Sales Associates - They are knowledgeable in the fine details like church schedules or the duration of a ceremony. They assist clients from preparation all the way to the completion of an event.

Locations
Aside from Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex, there are also other venues for clients to choose from.

Ibarra's Garden in Manila is a classic home from the 1920's with a garden inspired by American Art Deco architecture.
Plaza Ibarra along Timog Ave., Quezon City is a Mediterranean-themed garden with elegant ballrooms and a lighted, grand staircase.
Bella Ibarra in Quezon Avenue was built around a timeless and elegant theme suited for both small and large gatherings.
Villa Ibarra in Tagaytay is a small hotel offering stunning views of Taal Lake and is often booked for weddings.

The name Ibarra has been associated with the best events and memories for generations of Filipinos. Clients range all across the metro and provinces and even international clients avail of Ibarra for great food and service.

So if you're planning a baptism, a kiddie party, a debut, a birthday celebration, a product launch, a graduation or your next company party, consider Casa Ibarra as your new partner in making your event a great memory to remember.

Casa Ibarra

Party Venue & Catering

Lot 17 Coral Way CBPI, MOA Complex, Pasay City

Tel.: 522-9999 / 413-0706

Mobile: 0908-892-5379 / 0916-586-8879

Email: bqt_casaibarra@ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph

Website: www.ibarraspartyvenues.com.ph

Facebook: Casa Ibarra

Photos taken by me. Information from press kit provided.

Vegan Shopping, Food & Learning at VegFest Pilipinas 2017

2017-11-22T15:17:00.002+08:00

I attended the recent VegFest Pilipinas 2017 at Eastwood last Saturday. The event in Eastwood lasted for 2 days and although I went there only on the first day, I must say that I am excited for this event to happen again.

The stage and the eating area with the vegan vendors on the side at VegFest Pilipinas 2017, Eastwood.

The first VegFest happened last year and I was overwhelmed will all the vegan products available but my wallet was not prepared for all the things I wanted to buy. This time around, I attended the event with specific goals in mind.

There were many vendors as usual and even some new ones but I had done my research and knew what products I wanted to try from which vendors.

View from the stage.

Zero Waste Vegan
I had a limited budget to work with so I needed to prioritize my purchases. Luckily, vendors were selling at discounted prices just for the VegFest plus you get an additional discount if you bring your own ecobag or food containers. This is inline with the theme of living a vegan, zero waste lifestyle.

In terms of food alone, there were so many options but I wanted to try non-food products too. So here are my choices.

Zero Basics

Zero Basics makes personal care products using only natural ingredients. I appreciate the chemical-free products and really wanted to try some of them. I browsed their product list and came out with my top 3 items to try: deodorant, tooth powder and toothpaste.

Zero Basics products at discounted prices.

Go Zero

Their reusable, metal straws are receiving rave reviews online so I really wanted to get them for my own personal use. The good thing about their straws is that each one comes with a cleaning brush suitable to the straw's length and size. Cleaning straws is definitely a headache so this concept is much appreciated by fans of their products.

Go Zero's regular-sized straw, regular-sized straw with bent head, straw for your milk tea and toothbrush.

The Real Happy Cow

I wasn't planning on buying their mayo. I wanted to buy their cheese but when I tasted their mayonnaise, I was addicted. I didn't just buy the original variant I also bought the chipotle flavored one. They're both mayo but they taste so different from each other. They're sure to taste great as dip for your fries or as sandwich fillings.

Delicious products from The Real Happy Cow.

Little Noms

I have been craving hotdogs for a while and I found Little Noms selling vegan hotdogs online. I got myself a package of their vegan hotdogs as soon as I found their booth. They also sell vegan snacks which I would have wanted to buy as well but my budget was limited. I will list them for next time.

Little Noms frozen products and snacks.

Astig Vegan's Cooking Demo

One of the parts of the day's program I was looking forward to was the cooking demonstration by Astig Vegan. She came all the way from San Francisco to show us how easy it is to cook without meat using local ingredients.

The cooking demo begins.

Although she lives in San Francisco, she recreates Filipino food using vegan ingredients available in her area. She has so many fans of her YouTube channel and I'm one of them.

She really is Astig and cute!

Her dish for the demo is Kaldereta without the meat. Instead she used tofu, tempeh and ripe jackfruit or langka. I have heard of using jackfruit in vegan versions of dishes like pulled pork or philly cheesesteaks but I never thought of using it for Kaldereta.

AstigVegan's Vegan Kaldereta Recipe

After the demo, we had a taste of the Kaldereta and it was really delicious. The langka gave it a rich texture as well. You will not miss the absence of meat. It was so delicious I forgot to take a picture after the first bite. Hopefully, I will be able to recreate this for Christmas dinner.

Got a pic with my vegan, cooking idol AstigVegan.

After the cooking demo, we had to fall in line for a picture with her. I seldom ask for a picture with person's I admire but I overcame my shyness and got one with her. This was a memorable experience for me and the taste of that Kaldereta is unforgettable.

I will be reviewing the things I bought and will post my results on the blog soon.

If you want to get your vegan products, the VegFest will be held at The Lucky Chinatown Mall on November 25-26. Aside from the vegan vendors, there will also be a program where resource persons will give their insights and knowledge on different aspects of living a healthy, vegan lifestyle.

Have a Whimsical Holiday Spectacle at Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights

2017-11-16T18:59:00.002+08:00

'Tis the season to celebrate but if you find that you are lacking in your usual holiday spirit, then head out to Nuvali to experience a bit of magic and whimsy. It's also a good excuse to escape the traffic of the city. Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights will actually light up your night in different colors with accompanying musical cheer.

Nothing inter galactic happening here. Just an award-winning light show.

Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights was launched last year. It's the first ever lights and sound show in the country that utilizes an open grass field; an actual football field which is also named The Field in the middle of Nuvali's 2,290 hectares.

The field of lights uses over 5,000 LED bulbs that move like enchanted tulips according to the music and light effects. This was made possible by talented engineers and designers who worked on the light and sound technology. Last year's maiden show won a Silver Stevie Award for best exhibit display for being the first of its kind.

The Field where the magic happens.

Tulips aglow in the dark changing colors to the tune of the music too.

The show is FREE and can be viewed from November 11, 2017 until January 7, 2018 at The Fields right beside Ayala Malls Solenad. The spectacle starts at 6PM to 10PM with 30 minutes interval in between each show. The show features 3 new medleys of popular songs: Kumukutikutitap, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit and Joy to The World so you and the whole gang can even sing along.

This year, visitors can also immerse themselves amidst the lights used for the show. The lights are clustered together so that visitors can get closer to them. Colorful light spheres are scattered all over the field as well.

Magical balls of light will surely fascinates the kids.

Aside from the light show, visitors will also enjoy taking pics and exploring the light installations around the field. One of the major feature is the 25-meter long Light Tunnel which is a huge crowd favorite. There are also LED Christmas trees and dandelion light installations in festive colors to take pictures with, for that magical feel.

The Light Tunnel

Be patient with the crowd and you'll surely get your turn to take a pic inside the Light Tunnel.

Fancy making a wish on this magical crystal?

View from the front of The Field.

I keep saying magical and it is! Here are some snapshots of the fun we had during this dreamy experience.

How festive does this make you feel? We wanted to adopt a Christmas tree and just sit there all night.

Christmas trees in different colors makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Us girls are on fire. Well, at least brightened up by LED lights! :-)

So this wasn't a concert but that's how energetic everything felt that night.

Of course there's more to the whole place than just the light show. They're adding new things you will love and bringing back last year's crowd favorites as well. The Magical Field of Lights will definitely encourage the whole family to enjoy the outdoors this holiday season.

More Things to Enjoy
When not watching the show, families can also visit the shops at Solenad where the Christmas fair features artisanal goods that showcase traditional Filipino Christmas culinary treats. There are also Christmas bazaars set up.

Families can also stay at the 150-room Seda Hotel Nuvali to maximize their time and get to enjoy all the amenities.

During the day, visitors can enjoy Nuvali's outdoor adventure playground and team-building facility Camp N. Try out the roller-coaster zipline, Asia's tallest Free Fall, wall climbing, obstacles courses and bike tracks for beginners, enthusiasts and even serious cyclists.

Nuvali is also bringing back another crowd favorite: the Nightsky Cinema which offers movie-watching under the stars. Watch out for the following dates to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience:

November 25 - "Cinema Flicks" in partnership with Skycable

December 2 & 3 - "A Holiday Weekend" in partnership with Fox Movies

December 16 - "OpenAir Cinema" with Cinema One

This year, Nuvali expects to exceed last year's recorded number of visitors of more than 900,000 from Metro Manila as well as from Laguna, Cavite and Batangas.

There's more to see and enjoy this year so be sure to set a date for your visit to enjoy a magical night of light and music or to experience everything that Nuvali has to offer.

NOTE: Information and images are from the press kit provided. Pictures with me and my friend are taken by me.

SEAOIL Offers Lifetime Supply of Fuel to Lucky Motorists

2017-08-09T09:38:00.001+08:00

SEAOIL, the country’s largest independent fuel player, has launched the first raffle promo of its kind in the Philippines that will be giving four lucky motorists their lifetime supply of SEAOIL fuels.

SEAOIL president for retail business and CFO Mark Yu with SEAOIL senior manager for marketing communications
Rey Jimenez during the media launch of SEAOIL's “Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!” promo at
The Wellington Centre 32nd & 4th, Bonifacio Global City

“We have always stood by the quality and performance of SEAOIL fuels and this is our way of thanking our loyal customers, whom we call SEAOIL Believers, for the trust they have placed in us,” said SEAOIL CEO Glenn Yu.

Winners of the “Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!” promo, which will run from August 14 to November 14, 2017 will be announced during three monthly raffle draws on September 15, October 16, and November 28. They will get P5,000 worth of SEAOIL gift certificates per month during their actual lifespan.

Aside from the four main prizes of lifetime SEAOIL fuels, there will be a total of 30 winners of P10,000 pesos worth of SEAOIL gift cards, as well as over 30,000 instant prizes including P10, P20, P100, and P500 discounts on SEAOIL fuels and P100 on SEAOIL Lubricants through “peel-off” cards.

To get a raffle entry which includes an instant prize card, a customer must submit receipts totaling P500 worth of Extreme 97, Extreme 95, Extreme U, Extreme Diesel fuels and/or SEAOIL Lubricants to any SEAOIL station nationwide.

SEAOIL senior manager for marketing communications Rey Jimenez (4th from left) and SEAOIL president for retail business and CFO Mark Yu (5th from left) with SEAOIL brand ambassadors and racers (L-R) Ralph Tan, Jeff Borja,
Diane Borja, Gabe Tayao, and Atoy Llave at the media launch of SEAOIL's “Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!” promo at The Wellington Centre 32nd & 4th, Bonifacio Global City

“Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!” promo follows through on the company’s recent product quality campaign which highlights SEAOIL fuel’s top three qualities. Firstly, SEAOIL’s base fuels are imported from advanced refineries in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, ensuring world-class quality. Secondly, SEAOIL fuels are monitored and tested at least three times daily at the retail stations for consistency. Thirdly, SEAOIL fuels are the only ones in the Philippines that are powered with STP additives, known for superior engine clean-up and keep-clean properties resulting in improved performance.

“This is definitely an exciting time for us as we gear and pump up all of our 400 stations for this,” said Yu. “SEAOIL Believers all over the country will have a chance to be part of this nationwide celebration.”

Earlier in the year, the company launched its biggest station to date, the two-hectare SEAOIL-CityMall SCTEX mega station, a P600-million collaboration between SEAOIL and CityMall Commercial Centers Inc. Located near the Concepcion Exit in Tarlac, the SEAOIL mega station is midway between Baguio and Manila, making it the perfect stopover for travelers from northern Luzon provinces.

Throughout the years, SEAOIL has pioneered innovative products such as alternative fuels like bioethanol gasoline and biodiesel as well as services and programs including its award-winning franchise package as part of its commitment to excellence and service to the Filipino people.

NOTE: Images and information from press kit provided.

Vegetarian / Vegan Find: A Healthier Choice at Hap Chan Tea House

2017-07-28T10:00:00.004+08:00

Based on experience, the challenge of sticking to a meat-free diet becomes even more difficult when you go out of familiar surroundings.

Chop Suey Guisado Rice Topping on Hap Chan's menu.

The most convenient option is to go into a restaurant and request for vegetarian and vegan options or ask them to veganize your order. Not all restaurants would fulfill this request but I was lucky that Hap Chan Tea House in Eton Centris accommodated me.

Aside from the fast food chains with red as their dominant color, there was Hap Chan Tea House which stood out to me with their green signage. I hoped that they had meat-free options on their menu but it seems there were none. I resorted to my last option and I am so glad I had the courage to do so.

The only affordable veggie option on their menu was their Chop Suey Guisado Rice Topping (Php130). I asked if it had meat in the ingredients and I was told that it had ground pork. I asked if they could take out the meat and he said yes. I also asked if they could put less salt and also said yes. The sauce for this dish is vegetarian oyster sauce so that's why I opted to order this in the first place.

My healthier lunch order.

This already made me feel satisfied but he asked me if I wanted to order some drinks or smoothies. I checked the menu and I immediately ordered the Mango Shake (Php75). I asked again if they put milk and syrup on their shakes and he replied yes. So I requested that they not put any milk or syrup for my order and he confirmed my order.

A few minutes later, my orders arrived.

Veggies and Rice with lots of garlic bits instead of meat.

When my chop suey arrived I noticed that there were a lot of garlic bits which resembled ground meat. The chef or cook must have still wanted it to look like their regular order of chop suey and added lots of garlic bits to make up for the absence of meat. I didn't mind at all because it made the sweetness and crunch of the veggies even more pronounced.

The mushrooms were also meaty enough without the need for meat. The absence of meat also made this dish less oily. This dish really filled me up. If it was possible to enjoy this with no oil, I would definitely opt for that.

The mango shake without the syrup and milk had lots of crushed ice which diluted the natural sweetness and tartness of the mangoes so I had no complaints.

This simple and healthier lunch filled me up and didn't give me the groggy feeling that one gets after a heavy and sugary meal. I had the energy to complete my errands for the day.

I'm not sure if my orders were customized because there weren't a lot of people at the time but I am grateful that my preferences were respected.

"Ask and you shall receive", is the lesson that I learned based on this experience. You may not always get what you ask for but I think it's worth trying. I am sometimes embarrassed to ask waiters to customize my order to my liking because I know it is an inconvenience but if a lot of us ask and keep asking, more restaurants may start providing meat-free options for its customers.

Vegetarian Find: Meatless Dishes at Kanin Club

2017-07-26T10:18:00.001+08:00

Eating healthy in the city is sometimes a challenge because most restaurants do not offer vegan or vegetarian options on their menu. When my friends and I decided to meet up, I requested that we go to a place with meatless options so we decided to try Kanin Club at UP Ayala Technohub, Diliman.

One of my favorite dishes at Kanin Club. Thai Green Mango Salad.

Our resto of choice did not disappoint. I checked their menu online so I knew what options I had and I decided on a few that I wanted to try out. Luckily, my friends were supportive. They tried the no meat dishes as well and enjoyed them.

The first thing we ordered was their Thai Green Mango Salad (Php190) which was described in their menu as follows: "slivered green mangoes, onion, cilantro & peanuts, sprinkled with a sweet-salty mix. A salivating experience."

Indeed, it was a salivating experience and I couldn't get enough of it. The green mangoes and the peanuts were an interesting combo. Together with the crunch of the fresh onions; it made me want to eat some more. This is definitely one of my favorite dishes in the menu.

Kanin Club's Vegetarian Delight

Our next dish was Kanin Club's Vegetarian Delight (Php290) which the menu describes as consisting of: "banana blossoms, 3 kinds of mushrooms, and tofu, sauteed in vegetarian oyster sauce. It might just convince you to turn vegetarian."

I certainly didn't need convincing and my friends found this satisfying too. This would be a good dish to start your lunch or dinner if you are not into salads as it fills you up so you don't binge out on the next course. It's a hearty dish to warm the tummy with that umami taste we all crave for. This was especially satisfying for me as it had 2 of my favorite ingredients: mushrooms and tofu.

A surprising item on the menu was their Lumpiang Sariwa (Php110) which consisted of: "spring rolls filled with slivers of carrots, tofu, bean sprouts & roasted peanuts with a sweet soy, peanut garlic sauce."

Lumpiang Sariwa on Kanin Club's menu.

This is a popular dish so we have tasted this dish in other restos as well with Max's Restaurant coming into mind. Kanin Club's version was less sweet and more peanut-y with the hint of garlic still present in the sauce. We also loved that the slivers of ingredients were small enough to scoop properly with a spoon along with the sauce when we divided the lumpia.

With other versions, the slivers of carrots and other ingredients are usually too long to divide properly and they end up falling to your plate when you scoop them with a spoon. They are also too thin to handle with a fork. We remember this to be the case with Max's version and their sauce was sweeter too. So we actually enjoyed Kanin Club's version more.

All three dishes were good for sharing between 2-3 persons and they are really filling so you might not even need to order rice or additional dishes. From these 3 items, I highly recommend trying out the Thai Green Mango Salad and their Lumpiang Sariwa which I will be coming back for soon.

An Afternoon with Flowers at The Sunflower Maze, Pangasinan

2017-07-19T09:00:00.001+08:00

Following our stopover at the Our Lady of Manaoag Church, we headed to The Sunflower Maze located at Brgy. C. Lichauco, Tayug, Pangasinan. This is quite a long way from the beach where we came from so that's why we went to the church first.

One of the most picturesque spot in the whole maze.

Even though it was a cloudy afternoon, there was still enough sunlight to take great pictures with the flowers in the maze. I actually didn't explore the whole maze as we just went to and fro hunting for good spots to take pictures. (Of course, more pictures after the jump.)

There was a slight drizzle when we arrived at the parking lot and the ground was not cemented so it was a bit muddy. We waited for the drizzle to stop before venturing out. We trooped to the path where the entrance was but were redirected to where ticket stubs were sold. We got our stubs, got stamped on our wrist at the entrance and proceeded to be amazed.

A map of the whole maze and someone hiding amongst the blooms?

I can imagine a bride walking thru this path to the altar at a wedding.

A closer look at these yellow blooms.

Looks like our flower delivery duo has just arrived.

Nice use of an old car.

I love how it looks like it's spilling flowers from the back.

I saw several spots that would be great for group pictures so I rounded up the guys and had them pose at these spots. Sorry guys but I do need to practice my picture-taking skills.

These guys look like they're about to drop an album.

A groupfie in the garden.

Another album cover perhaps?

There is a section of the garden with flowers in my two favorite colors: purple and pink. So I had to have a selfie.

Blooms in my fave colors.

A bloomin' selfie.

At the time we went there, the entrance fee was Php100 per person so it's quite cheap to be able to enjoy such a pretty sight. Of course, you are not supposed to pick the flowers but you can buy them; you just need to inform the attendants first.

If you get hungry after exploring the maze, there are food stands selling turon, banana cue, chips and beverages just outside the entrance. Unfortunately for us, we had to cut our exploration short because it started to rain again. Also, the sunflowers were not in full bloom anymore as it was already noon but the rest of the flowers were still displayed in all their prettiness.

This was the last stop in our Pangasinan weekend getaway and it was a great way to end our trip. If you are going to visit this maze, I recommend going there earlier in the morning up to lunch time when the sunflowers are in full bloom. Just bring a hat or an umbrella and a fan to lessen the effect of the midday heat.

TravelBook.ph Affiliate Program Commends Bloggers on 1st Anniversary Celebration

2017-07-14T11:43:00.003+08:00

TravelBook.ph, the leading online travel agency (OTA) in the Philippines, celebrated the first anniversary of its Affiliate Program last June 24, 2017 at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila in Ortigas Center, Pasig. In addition to celebrating an important milestone, the event was the OTA’s way of thanking its 2,700 blogger affiliates and acknowledging each of their contributions to the success of the said program since it began.

The event, entitled TravelBook.ph Affiliate Program 1st Year Cheer, highlighted and celebrated the many firsts that the Affiliate Program has achieved on its first year.

Anniversary celebratory toast led by TravelBook.ph's General Manager Takumi Nakazawa,
Business Development Manager Pinky Librada, and Business Development Officers Pia Bernaldo and Toni Reyes.

Present during the event is Affiliate 001 Awardee David Bernabe, owner of Crowd Travel and the very first affiliate to sign up for TravelBook.ph’s Affiliate Program. DIY Travel and Tours was also awarded for being the first affiliate to incur a completed booking through their website. The awards and tokens of appreciation for the affiliates were presented by Ms. Pia Bernaldo and Ms. Toni Reyes of the Affiliate Team, along with Mr. Takumi Nakazawa, General Manager of TravelBook.ph.

(L) Event host Allan Bobis of the Filipino Rambler and Mon Villaverde of Terrific Traveller,
the first guest to unlock the surprise point giveaway given to affiliates.

TravelBook.ph also prepared an audio-visual presentation of their first blogger getaway, where 15 lucky bloggers won an all-expenses-paid trip to the lovely island of Caramoan in Camarines Sur. Two of the bloggers who attended the Caramoan getaway, Me-An Clemente of Yogo and Cream and event host Allan Bobis of The Filipino Rambler, received tokens of appreciation from TravelBook.ph and gift certificates from Trampoline Park.

The attendees also looked back on their first affiliate training, which took place last year. Dianne Rosqueta of Curly Dianne was invited on stage to share her experience and how much the affiliate trainings helped her in optimizing the content of her blog. Afterwards, Ms. Pia Bernaldo of the Affiliate Team expressed her gratitude to the attendees and discussed the future plans of the program for the affiliate bloggers.

Also present in the event is Charmaine Belza of The Project Maine and the first affiliate to withdraw commission earned through the program. She was also given a certificate and token of appreciation from GetGo PH and Novellino Wines.

Lucky affiliates who won prizes from Novellino Wines, GetGo PH, Jam Liner, Inc., Fast Cat,
Philtranco, Hideo Wakamatsu, Trampoline Park and Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila.

During the event, Ms. Pinky Librada, Business Development Manager of TravelBook.ph, discussed the Affiliate Program’s new commission structure, wherein the affiliates can score up to 65% commission rates once accommodations have been booked through their websites.

TravelBook.ph Affiliate Team with Team Timan, blogger affiliates who won Trampoline Park gift certificates and
roundtrip tickets from Jam Liner.

All attendees received PHP 2,000 worth of TravelBook points as well as loot bags with freebies from PhotoBook Wordwide, Hideo Wakamatsu, Celeteque, Vivo Lumio, and Bo’s Coffee.

Wines from Novellino Wines, backpack and trolley from Hideo Wakamatsu, Trampoline Park gift certificates, roundtrip tickets from Philtranco and Jam Liner Inc., roundtrip business class tickets from FastCat, and an overnight stay with breakfast for two at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg were among the raffle prizes given away to the blogger attendees.

Affiliates proudly wore their certified affiliate shirts as they celebrate
the 1st year of TravelBook.ph Blogger Affiliate Program

TravelBook.ph Affiliate Program’s 1st Year Cheer, which was attended by members of the media as well as top travel and lifestyle bloggers, is TravelBook.ph’s last hurrah for the said program’s week-long anniversary celebration.

If you want to be part of TravelBook.ph’s growing community of bloggers and page owners, register as an Affiliate at affiliate.travelbook.ph.

Images and information from press kit provided.

Appreciating Nature and Visiting Our Lady of Manaoag Church

2017-07-12T09:35:00.004+08:00

After an overnight beach escapade, it was time to head back home. This time, we were able to better appreciate the natural scenery unfolding before us as we traversed the dusty path back to the city.

A piece of the beach reminds us of our previous day's adventures.

So what scenic spots did we see along the way? We took pictures to remember them although these are not enough to show how vast and pretty they are in real life.

Since we were saying goodbye to the beach resort, we took one last snapchat of the big tire and the small nipa hut which served as the registration booth. These 2 were the landmarks telling travelers that they had arrived at the resort.

The 2 signs to look out for to reach the beach resort.

After this, I was busy taking snapshots of the tranquil scenery. I even asked the driver to stop at certain spots so I can take clearer pictures.

We took a different path on our way out of the beach resort as we had learned that there was actually a shorter route to exit from. However, the longer route we took the day before is the more convenient one for travelers coming from the same location as we did.

Green trees in the distance and drying grass under the summer sun.

More trees and a field of brown grass.

A pretty spot where the land and the sea are clear on the horizon.

I could stare at this scene for several hours.

This was one spot where we had to stop to take pictures.

There were many farm animals along the way. Some cows and horses were resting under the trees by themselves or as a group. Some were grazing in the fields, especially goats. There was even a family of black goats with white patches who were resting along the road side and we had to slow down to make sure that we didn't harm any of them as we passed by.

Can you count how many goats there are in this picture?

It was lunch time when we reached the highway so we looked for a carinderia along the way and enjoyed our lunch there. Then it was time to visit Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Poblacion, Pangasinan.

The wide and long walkway to the church.

The weather was very warm when we arrived and so it was easy to take a picture of the church and its gates without visitors. I just had to look like a fool standing alone in front of it, in the middle of the walkway, under the heat of the midday sun.

After taking this picture, we all went inside and wandered inside the church and on the grounds individually. I found an area inside the church where there was a statue of the Virgin Mary and not many people around. There was also a bench to sit on. So I rested there for a while as I was feeling out of breath and weak from walking under the midday sun and I was also nursing an upset stomach.

I just enjoyed the silence and greeted the church goers who came. They all smiled at me so I just smiled back. I had a colorful dress on and a brightly colored scarf so I must have made quite an unusual figure compared to the muted church walls. However, when I looked up the church ceiling also had bright colors so I guess I wasn't out of place.

The church's colorful and lavish ceiling.

After resting and meditating for a while it was time to explore the grounds. We didn't have much time to attend a whole mass so we just decided to light a candle at the shrine. It is believed that when you light a candle and say a prayer to The Lady of Manaoag, your prayers will be granted.

Floating candles at the back of the figure.

Floating candles at the front of the figure.

A closer look at all the floating candles.

There were so many people that it was hard to take pictures and most young ones were taking selfies in front of the figure so I couldn't take a proper picture. I just gave up and instead bought some candles, lighted them and said my prayers.

A place for lighting candles surrounded the statue of the Virgin Mary. This is a large area so we just found a spot there to place our candles as did many people.

We all met up in this area and when our prayers were done, we went back to our van. We rested a bit because the walk back to the van was a sweaty routine. When we were ready, we settled ourselves in anticipation of our next destination.

Theme Parks in the Philippines: Tree Top Adventure Baguio

2017-07-05T09:00:00.001+08:00

There are so many destinations in Baguio such as Mines View, Strawberry Fields, Ben Cab Museum to name a few but there's only one theme park inside the popular Camp John Hay and that's Tree Top Adventure which is just walking distance from Manor Hotel and Le Monet Hotel and just 10 minutes away from Azalea Residences.

Tree Top Adventure Nature Park
Source: Tree Top Adventure Facebook page

Tree Top Adventure is the only theme park in the Philippines with motorized activities plus different kinds of Zip line adventure in the heart of nature; Superman, Canopy, Tree Drop, Silver Surfer, Free Fall, Funicular, Trekking, Skywalk and many more to be added.

The vision came from the expertise of the owner of Tree TopAdventure who are Engineers and advocates of conservation of environment and healthy living thus Tree Top Adventure in Subic inside SBMA and Baguio inside Camp John Hay are making sure that customers will enjoy safely all the activities.

Unlike Tree Top Adventure Subic, The Baguio counterpart is charging only Php 100.00 for entrance which will also deduct from you in purchasing any activity rides. So if you're getting the Superman ride for Php 350, you'll just have to pay 250.

One of the popular activities at Tree Top Adventure Baguio is the Team Building activity. For the "Team Building" activities, there are facilitators to lead the program and events. Unlike other facility, at Tree Top Adventure, everything can be measured and the output and success will be coming from the effort of the whole group who are working simultaneously to achieve the goal. Cost per head for the Team Building has two choices; Php 800.00 and Php 1000.00 but can be tailored depending on the needs of the company.

"We invite you to experience nature tripping from a breathtaking view – from 100 feet above the ground! With jungle trails comprised of platforms nestled on branches, suspension bridges, and the world’s first motorized canopy tour, what we offer is more than just the peak of excitement.

Learn new things; with fresh eyes, we encourage you to explore. Find inner peace as you go through a natural sanctuary hidden by foliage. Or at the very least, conquer your fear of heights.

Tree Top Adventure offers each one a personal journey, with unforgettable memories as dense as the forest that you won’t help but feel closer to the ones you take this most marvelous trip with."

For more information about bookings and entrance, please contact Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas of Tag Media and Public Relations at 09166299381 or send email to grace@tagmedia.asia.

Photo taken from their Facebook page.
Content provided by authorized representative.