Basta Igat, Sikat! by MyMaria

Sweet & Fresh Beauty: A Peachy Pink with Purple Daily Look

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:14:00 +0000

I'm still getting the hang of playing with colors so pardon me for any boo-boos. You know I've recently just gotten myself into this whole makeup craze but I'm learning quite a lot. I hope to create looks that enhance a person's features and not drastically change the way she looks. So far I've gotten compliments from friends and family saying how "pretty", "beautiful", or "blooming" I look. Char! Bukad akong atay! Lisngag akong ilong! LOL!

Anyway, today's look that I created is something I think would be great for running errands and looking fresh while walking up and down the supermarket aisle. I know I did with this look. I'm not sure what to call this though... my imagination isn't really working now. But I can tell you this! It's not PHOTOSHOPPED! Except, of course, for the cropping/watermarks/texts/collage.

I love my lashes using my new HG mascara, Benefit's They're Real. My eyes look so awake!!!

So here are the products used to create this look. Most of them can be bought locally though some can be ordered online.

Sweet & Fresh Beauty: A Peachy Pink with Purple Daily Look

I used ELF mineral primer for my eyelids before putting on eyeshadow from L'Oreal Wear Infinite 508 Summer Dusk palette.
Lined my eyes using Victoria's Secret shadow/liner duo. I only used the black liner, not the shadow.
Also used Mary Kay concealer in Ivory and set with Ben Nye Banana powder.
Curled my lashes and applied Benefit They're Real mascara.
Did my brows and set with Etude House Color My Brows #2 Light Brown.

And excuse the duck face. I just love MAC's Freckletone. It's my favorite nude lipstick. EVER.

MAC Freckletone, Lustre finish.

The blush and foundation I used for this look is from Human Heart Nature's mineral makeup line. I'm sticking with mineral makeup for now because it's still so humid and my face gets super oily. :( I can't afford anymore breakouts especially now that my acne is not flaring up as much. I think I'll do a post about my foundation routine as well as my skincare when I have the time or get around to actually doing it.

So what do you think? Don't I look like I'm 16 or what? HAHAHA! JUST KIDDING!

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
FACEBOOK ★ http://facebook.com/bastaigatsikat
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

BDJBox 2013: June unboxing!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:59:00 +0000

If rainy days and Mondays get me down just like Karen Carpenter, well, today was different. I woke up to the sound of pouring rain but there was a box waiting for me! I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Check out the awesome goodies inside my BDJ June box!

June 2013 BDJ Box

I saw a couple of tweets and photos posted online from people who already received their boxes a few days ago and I was worried I might get something that I could not possibly use. But BDJ really paid attention and sent me the Kinerase items that was meant for oily skin. Yay! Can't wait to try them out! Though I was really hoping to get a bigger sample size. I think the ones I got in the box won't last me a week! :(

Click for a larger photo.

Also since I already got a pixie cut, the L'Oreal products would be perfect as I grow my hair out. I can't help but recall the comments I got at Bridges Salon when 3 people asked me the same question about hair fall. The senior stylist asked if I had some serious hair fall going on, the assistant asked if I had a hair fall problem after giving birth, and the other guy who put the hair clay and styled my hair also commented on how "fine" and "thin" my hair is. Of course, I just nodded and told them that it seems to be a problem for me ever since which is why I needed to cut my damaged hair and hopefully grow healthier hair after. So that's 3 people implying the same thing. Well, I guess it's pretty obvious. I need some serious hair fall repair! Noodle Boy also tells me the same thing and says I should brush my hair outside our room because my hair is all over the place. That was when it was super long but now that remains to be seen since it's all cropped and I hardly need to brush it.

I'm excited to create different bold looks using the Avon lipstick and Revlon eyeliner/brightener. I'll be posting those at Instagram. I will also be using the Physiogel cream for my heels and feet since they're so dry that I feel they're beginning to crack! Eeeek!

Proper reviews on the products will be posted in the coming weeks. Watch out for those! Right now, my hair, face, and skin are all looking forward all these goodies! Thank you BDJ Box.

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
FACEBOOK ★ http://facebook.com/bastaigatsikat
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

The Pixie & The Man of Steel

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:11:00 +0000

Good morning! 안녕하세요! Ohayou Goizaimasu! 早上好 Zao Shang Hao!

Yesterday I took some time off work and traveled to The Queen City of the South, my birthplace, my beloved Cebu City. Would you believe it has been OVER A YEAR since I've been back? WHOA. As if it's not only 2 hours away!

Anyways, Noodle Boy with his undying love and unending support accompanied me to get a hair cut. I know what you're thinking. Yes, I went all the way out to the other island just for a cut. But it's not just any hair cut! It's for my awesome PIXIE cut!

So from Rapunzel to Tinker Bell. Should I get my hair bleached? *esep*esep*

I love getting my hair blow dried. I feel like a puppy. LOLz!

Move over Charice Pempengco. Tee hee!

There's only one person in the world who I trust can do it for me and do it right the first time. The very same person who chopped off my hair in the summer of '05 and gave me a cool new look some 8 years ago already -- Francis, the Singaporean owner of Bridges Salon and L’Oreal hairstyling ambassador.

With Francis Lee, the brilliant senior hairstylist and owner of Bridges Salon.

I actually booked my appointment a month ago and I had to come earlier than I intended because Francis had to get another surgery and will be away for a few weeks. Bridges Salon used to be at JY Square (where I went before) but now they are at The Gallery in Mabolo, Cebu City. You can call them at (032)233-0023. I paid Php450 for my haircut which I think is very reasonable. You definitely get what you pay for and when it comes to haircuts, I am not the one to scrimp. IMHO, Bridges Salon is really the best place to get a haircut when you are in Cebu City.

PixieMeiXi is back!

Inspired by Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) from Once Upon a Time

With my #1 fan, Cariño Mio.

Next on the itinerary was SUPERMAN!!! And we watched it at no other than the IMAX Theatre. **Don't worry I'm not posting any spoilers!**

From the beginning to the end, it was action packed. You better not down lots of liquid because you'll risk peeing in your pants (literally). You wouldn't want to get up in the middle of the movie just to relieve yourself. I tell you, THIS IS THE BEST SUPERMAN *EVER*! Though I really wonder what gel he used because his hair stayed in the place the whole time he was getting punched and slammed. And I do wish Henry Cavill to play Christian Grey should Hollywood pursue the Fifty Shades of Grey film adaptation. He is just adorable and so hot!!! Tee hee.

I got emotional in some parts of the movie since they really showed Superman's "human" side and I do know what it's like to be a mom now. So yeah. Parents. You should definitely watch this film in an IMAX Theatre [we got center seats at J15 & J16] to have the best experience because there's nothing quite like it really. The movie is so good that I still get goosebumps when I think about it. I'm so going to get a Blu-Ray copy, that's for sure. And don't forget to pee first before you watch it! It's 2.5 hours of awesomeness!!! Your bladder will thank you. :)

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
FACEBOOK ★ http://facebook.com/bastaigatsikat
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Beauty On A Budget: Glam Look for less!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:48:00 +0000

Before I started buying high-end make-up products and tools, I've already experimented with lots of local brands and some of them have been my favorites for over a decade. Until now I do prefer most of them over imported ones, mainly due to availability in my side of the archipelago and especially for use on a day-to-day basis. I mean, I work at home so I don't really have to put on make-up during most days except for my favorite eyebrow pencil/powder/gel and mascara after my skin care routine and face powder to control my super oily skin.

During the weekends, I do enjoy playing with colors and trying out different kinds of looks to see if I can pull anything besides a natural face and neutral eye make-up. It's a good thing that one of my favorite beauty bloggers, Donnarence (www.MyLucidIntervals.com), is holding a contest and challenging beauty geeks to "look fab even on a budget". See here: http://www.mylucidintervals.com/2013/05/my-lucid-intervals-anniversary-makeup.html

So here I am doing my "GLAMOROUS" look on a rainy Monday night (because it's my night off, Noodle Boy is out shooting hoops, and the Little NoodleLito is busy playing with his newly downloaded Fisher-Price apps!). Photos are unedited and with no filters, although I've put watermarks on the photos as I already had enough with posers and impostors.

BEFORE & AFTER

Here are the products I used for this GLAM look:

Beauty on a budget!

AIDO Classic Makeup Kit with F21 Lip Gloss - PhP 100.00
Human Heart Nature Mineral Foundation in Caramel (Refill) - PhP 295.00 (Promo price! SRP is PhP 325.00)
Human Heart Nature Mineral Pressed Powder in Island Shell- PhP 325.00 (For setting the foundation. I have oily skin so this is a must for me.)
Human Heart Nature Mineral Blush in Tropical Rose - PhP 195.00
Ever Bilena Advance HD Clear Mascara - PhP 100.00 (I used this as a primer since my lashes are almost non-existent! You can skip this if you have better lashes than me.)
Ever Bilena Superlash Mascara in Black - PhP 110.00
E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer - SRP $3 or PhP 179.95 (Bought online! You can skip this if you don't have oily lids.)
E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit in Medium - SRP 249.50 but bought for only PhP 220.00
Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Love That Red - PhP 155.00
Ever Bilena Eye Pencil in Black - PhP 50.00

The eyeshadow colors I used are as follows:

Aido A-785-2 palette

Now excuse me for more selfies... Photos were taken with the iPad's camera and cropped for Instagram format (1:1).

And here's a composite BEFORE & AFTER photo using an app called PicFrame.

Zits and acne marks from Aunt Flow's monthly visit and no thanks to the hot and humid summer season.

I apologize for not doing my hair to complete this glam look. I guess big curly waves (think Dita Von Teese!) would surely complement this glammed up look. Also I know I should have taken pictures with better lighting. I don't think the incandescent and fluorescent lights in my room are giving this any justice. Tee hee. Maybe next time I'll invest in a ring light or a lamp.

So that's all, folks! I hope you like my Beauty On A Budget look. I think the smokey eyes are perfect for any evening party and you know, one can never go wrong with bold red lips. I'm still tanned from all the beach escapades but this look is great with tan to medium and light to fair skin tones. Also before I forget, visit www.mylucidintervals.com for a chance to win an amazing beauty loot from her anniversary giveaway. Click the link below to join her HUUUUGE giveaway!

http://www.mylucidintervals.com/2013/05/my-lucid-intervals-huge-anniversary.html

I'll be posting more looks soon... so stay tuned!

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
FACEBOOK ★ http://facebook.com/bastaigatsikat
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

La Belle Boutiquaire: Lipstick Love Raffle Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 03:18:00 +0000

As you can plainly see in my Instagram feed, I've recently turned into a beauty junkie or a make-up geek. While it's true that going to a therapy for this will be so much cheaper, I can't help but follow my heart. CHAR! It seems that playing with make-up is ingrained in each little girl as we grow up and watch our moms and aunts put on lipstick and paint their faces. Which is probably why, sub-consciously, I've always been drawn to make-ups even since and now I am extremely happy that I have just completed my first personal make-up workshop!

Wearing Charmed I'm Sure from MAC's Marilyn Monroe collection. (PhP 950)

Trends in beauty and looks change over the years. Those thin eyebrows from the roaring 20's are now outdated and the Ulzzang look is in. But wearing a bold red lipstick will never go out of style and now imitating Barbie's pink pout is a dream come true. That's why I bought my first ever pink lipstick from La Belle Boutiquaire.

Wearing Candy Yum Yum I bought from La Belle Boutiquaire. They sell their MAC lippies for just PhP 880!!!
That's way cheaper than buying from Rustan's and most online stores!

La Belle Boutiquaire is an online store based in Ormoc City that also do meet-ups in Cebu and they sell authentic US cosmetics and beauty tools from Sephora, Macy, Nordstrom, MAC, Ulta, and many other stores. They also have products from Urban Decay, Benefit, NARS, Ben Nye, Chanel, YSL, NYX, EOS, Maybelline, Obsessive Compulsive, Real Techniques, Clinique, Beauty Blender and they can even accommodate requests for orders from various other brands. Check out their Instagram for their drool-worthy posts and unbeatable prices!

My recent haul from La Belle. I got a fragrance freebie from them, too!

Most online sellers I stalk on IG and the blogosphere are priced much higher and that's excluding the shipping free I need to shell out additionally because you know how geographically-challenge I am. Oh, my poor wallet. And before I forget, La Belle Boutiquaire also has fashion items for sale and I even managed to score this gorgeous pair of H&M sunnies for only PhP 600! Isn't that a steal?

All the way from H&M Vienna!

4PIX1WORD. SHADES.
#Throwback! See? I've always been a huge fan of sunnies.

Without further ado, let me bring out the amazing news because that's probably why you're here in the first place. I'm not really trying to convince (or require) any of you to buy anything but if you want to reward yourself, then why not with a beauty haul from a trusted seller like La Belle Boutiquaire and get it for a hundred bucks cheaper than from any other online store!? Trust me, I've searched high and low and scoured the interwebs.

Now wait for the RAFFLECOPTER to load and join the giveaway with just a few mouse clicks! (Note: Get more entries with your Twitter and Instagram accounts in addition to Facebook!) Stand a chance to win MAC and NYX lippies and a lipstick holder! This contest will end as soon as La Belle Boutiquaire Page reaches 2,000 followers (even before 12/31/2013). You must have a valid PHILIPPINE address to join the contest so we can ship your prize if you are unable to pick it up.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, bellas!

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
FACEBOOK ★ http://facebook.com/bastaigatsikat
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Stroke of Art: My First Ever Personal Make-Up Workshop with Ms. Jessa Horca

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 06:48:00 +0000

I am no make-up guru but my good friend/schoolmate/relative, Ms. Jessa Horca, is a professional make-up artist who is currently based in Cebu City and she agreed to come home to teach us eager kids the wonderful ways to make ourselves beautiful and how to primp and prettify! At first I was just chatting with her online sometime during the Holy Week while browsing some of the photos she posted after a gig and I asked if she could teach me a thing or two about make-up since, as you can clearly see in my Instagram feed, I am becoming quite a make-up junkie myself. Then I pitched in about how she ought to hold a workshop instead because I got a number of friends who are interested as well. We planned this for like 3 months until we settled on a June 1st date.

The girls and I had a fun time learning about our skin, the products to use, the tools we need, and basically just ingesting everything that was being taught at the workshop. We had manuals as cheat sheets, too. Tee hee. It is VERY IMPORTANT (at least for me!) to know what products we should be buying since I'm so oily and buying the wrong things could just aggravate my acne-prone skin! Anyways, now I have a crazy skincare routine trying to get rid of the acne scars as a painful remembrance of the summer that has just gone by. I break out a lot during the humid and hot season. :( I know this happens every year! *sigh* Next year, I'm going to double up on skincare to avoid this. I'll tell you all about my skincare in my upcoming blog posts as I've got a lot to tell you about it.

This is the Make-up Buffet table where we could sample all the make-up we want and of course, they were all sanitized and we didn't contaminate them since we used spatulas for the creams, etc.

That's us (the not so early birds since others came in late also) and the Make-Up Bar where we could buy imported cosmetics.

Okay, I truly apologize that I don't have a lot of photos to show you guys because I was too busy learning at the workshop that documenting the whole thing was really the last thing on my mind. There was so much to learn and we only had a day for it! But no worries, we will be having another 3-day intensive make-up workshop soon (to be scheduled) and I think I'll hire somebody to document that for sure since I know I will be so attentive and absorbing everything. Tee hee. Honestly, this is the only workshop in my life where I didn't doze off or played with my phone wishing it would be over soon... I wanted it to last forever! HAHAHA. The only other workshop I enjoyed and really paid attention to was the one about Proper Health Nutrition and Breastfeeding. ^_^

Day make-up achieved.

Here we are keeping it neutral and light.

So moving on, we did the evening makeup transformation from our day make-up and in spite of all my eyeshadow blending efforts, I think I did a good job even though it took me almost an hour to finish. LOLOLOL! I really need to practice/master this. All in due time.

TA-DAH! Me. With evening make-up! HAHAHAHA! JUST KIDDING.
This is my super pretty sister-in-law, who really doesn't need make-up to begin with. Weh.

With the equally adorable offspring, Kiki-Choo, who is so much more into make-up than the mother.

Compared to those two fair maidens, I look pretty exotic! LELZ! Thank you summer!
I've never felt so Pinay in my life and really loving my current skintone and sunkissed hair.
I think look a bit ashy here, I dunno must be the lighting or my eyes are playing tricks on me.

Guys, I'm telling you this, if there's a make-up workshop happening in your town, do yourselves a favor and join one! Even if you're no make-up freak, knowing how to take care of your skin is so going to help you as you grow older. No one's getting younger and maintaining your youthful look can be quite a challenge without proper skincare. This is a hard lesson that my mom learned herself so I'm not making the same mistake. I don't care if you say I'm so maarte, but hey, when I'm 50, let's see who gets the wrinkles and who gets the last laugh. #BASTAIGATSIKAT

Okay, time for a group picture with my lovely ladies!

I thank God that I have Noodle Boy who is extremely supportive of my current make-up addiction (kaysa mag drugs?) and letting me attend the workshop even though I should be home taking care of him who's knocked down by the flu. Anyway, I also got lucky and won 3rd prize during the raffle and got these E.L.F. goodies plus some more Aido/F21 make-up giveaway.

Can't wait to experiment with these!

You can check the lovely and talented Jessa Horca's Facebook page HERE or visit http://www.facebook.com/SOAbyJessaHorca and LIKE it if you wish to be updated with upcoming workshops.

Our personal make-up workshop in Ormoc City was a major success! Thank you, Jess!

Watch out for a barrage of makeup reviews and beauty tips here at www.bastaigatsikat.com in the coming weeks! Stay pretty always, everyone! :)

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
FACEBOOK ★ http://facebook.com/bastaigatsikat
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Cuatro Islas: A Summer Ender feat. Digyo Island & Mahaba Island Marine Sactuary

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 04:18:00 +0000

One of the perks of living here in the province is the inexpensive access to nearby island paradises. I repeat, PARADISES. Plural. I have yet to visit the many neighboring islands of Leyte. There's still a lot out there near Biliran which I'll definitely feature in future blog posts. Again, I cannot stress this enough, how much I love living life out here! I am so not fit to live in some urban and concrete jungle. I count myself blessed at being able to explore and escape anytime I want to and arrive at a dream destination in an hour or so and not just during the summer season when it's crowded. It's like summer all year-round.

Speaking of summer, it is in fact almost over and so together with my high school friends, the Jurassics '99, we hopped on a 45-minute pumpboat ride out to Cuatro Islas specifically to Digyo Island then to Mahaba Island jumping off from Inopacan, Leyte. It's the town before the Hindang Caves & wild monkeys we visited and the 600-meter zip line we conquered last year.

A lot of my friends have been to Digyo Island but I haven't really had the chance to. Thank God for Memorial Day (Holiday for me!) I was able to spend a day off work and soak up the sun at Digyo. It was actually drizzling on our way there but then the sun came out and the weather was once again perfect.

Digyo - the little island with pristine white sand and a healthy marine ecosystem. Check out the mini sand bar.

We went there on a Tuesday so we basically had the island to ourselves, save for a quick trip by a group of DENR people. The pumpboat ride back and forth costs PHP3,500 plus PhP20 entrance per pax to Digyo. We also paid Php200 for the small cottage to give us shade. An overnight stay would cost PhP350 according to the person in charge of the collection fees. I think it'd be great to spend overnight during a full moon then watch the glorious sunrise the next morning.

I'm glad people are really taking care of the island to maintain its cleanliness. In my years of endless summers, I've been to islands that were initially so beautiful but ultimately ruined by people who don't care about the environment. Tsk tsk tsk. I was pretty touched by a foreigner that came with the DENR team who was surveying the island and she picked up bits and pieces of trash and plastic that she found on the beach. As tourists and visitors, I think we all should do little acts like that and do our part to preserve the environment. If you love summer, then you should love the environment as well. Else there won't be beautiful places to spend your memorable summers!

"I-Dawn Zulueta mo ako!!!"

Love isn't always hugs & kisses. It's knowing that you can fight and argue, try Vader's force choke or Dragon Ball's kamehameha, but sooner or later, say I LOVE YOU and forgive each other. ♥ -Ramen Girl & Noodle Boy

Our next stop was Mahaba Island which serves as a marine sanctuary and there we got a chance to frolic at a secret cove. It was like a scene from the Blue Lagoon, but better because there's network service and you could Instagram your location for the whole world to see!

Fun in the sun at Mahaba Island Marine Sanctuary.

We also went ahead and explored the interior of the island where we sought a unique crustacean specie, the elusive red shrimp! Live ones! Shrimps are only red when they're cooked but the ones we saw were fire red and swimming about like it was nobody's business.

A means of livelihood - copras from coconuts (where coconut oil comes from) - and the way to the hidden lagoon in the island where we discovered a new kind of shrimp species.

I don't know what these are called (locally or scientifically) and we weren't informed by our guide. :( All we know is that they won't come out unless you ask for "their" permission. The way it was said, I was assuming, the "others" that guard the lagoon and the spirits that dwell in that part of the island.

Okay, I admit it was kinda creepy out there and I felt shivers down my spine recalling the many suspense movies I've watched where a group gets killed off one by one during an expedition. (I know you guys have seen some of them typically-themed flicks, too!) Plus climbing those sharp rocks (corals?) really made my knees all wobbly and weak. Perhaps if I had worn Native Shoes, it would have been more comfortable and I wouldn't feel so freaked out. You know, keep it lite!

These Native shoes worn by Kryz Uy are so perfect for island getaways!
Photo from http://www.kryzuy.com

Which reminds me...

Anyways, since it was getting late and we had to drive for home, we skipped Himokilan Island and Apid Island. We ought to have stopped over for a bit and bought their infamous yummy dried fish that people say is better than Cebu's danggit. Well, maybe next time. I just know I'm going back soon because it's now definitely one of my favorite cheap and affordable island getaways in the Philippines. And it's more than awesome that it's not so far from home.

Hipstamatic shot taken by my Noodle Boy

So where's your favorite island getaway during the summer? Any suggestions where we should head off to next?

My Summer Essentials: Don't scorch that skin!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:54:00 +0000

Over the years that I have basked under the sun during the sweltering heat of the summer season and only finding out later on and regretting having not taken any skin protection measures, I have learned quite an important lesson. It comes as no surprise that for the remainder of the year, it becomes my ultimate goal to get that healthy, glowing skin for a perfect holiday shade before the year ends.

I'm going to review two new and wonderful whitening products I've come across that you just might need for yourself especially now that the summer season is coming to a halt. Say hello to GLUTA-C Intense Whitening body lotion and body scrub. There's also a face and body soap product but I was only able to grab these two items from Sample Room.

Gluta-C Intense Whitening body lotion and body scrub

I've been using these for a week now and let me just say that it's unlike any other whitening product out there. Since I was 15, I've been on a quest to obtain a lighter shade, not that I was particularly dark or anything. But since I practically live on a coastal area, the sea breeze and my frequent beach trips leave a lot to be desired. Armed with 15 years of experience when it comes to finding the best whitening product available to date, I can see clearly now ~~the rain has gone~~ what I need to do to protect my precious skin and save some glow for old age.

Awww.. that's some serious skin damage going on there, Donatella Versace. (Photo from Google)

Everything I tried before left me either sticky or icky, which makes Gluta-C the "most light weight" skin whitening product for me. It simply means the consistency is thick but it blends into, well, almost nothing. It doesn't even feel like I'm wearing lotion at all, but my skin is not left dry which possibly means the product is being absorbed into my skin. The countless other "EXTRA" or "SUPER" whitening products I've tried in the past were always so hard to blend on my skin and felt so heavy that I reckon it's like wearing a ton of body paint on my skin!

Now you see it, now you don't!

I've been using it for a week now but I won't say I'm turning into Snow White. But as far as I can tell, I'm slowly getting back my NC25 skin tone. The best part of the Gluta-C body lotion really is that I am comfortable using this lotion even though the climate is truly exasperating this time of the year and no amount of A/C really makes one forget how humid it gets in the summertime here in the tropics.

To hasten the skin whitening, I paired this lotion with the Gluta-C body scrub. It reminds me of the sugar body scrubs I've been using before I decided to try this product. It has a nice smell to it that makes your bathroom smell like it's spring time. I like it!

3 is definitely better than 1!

I think perhaps its the papaya scent that makes it smell so good that I get the urge to taste it. But no, of course, I didn't. It says it's safe to use daily but since I don't have the luxury to spend that much time in the bathroom everyday, I've been using it every other day. I like the fact that the scrub doesn't hurt my skin and doesn't disappear or dissolve in just a matter of seconds like my sugar scrubs. The granules are there until you want to wash it off. So if you feel like you haven't scrubbed enough, then you can scrub yourself all you want! Tee hee. I've only used it about 4 x and used about 25%. Apparently, there's still so much product inside the 120-gram jar that will last a month if you use it every other day. Best of all, it retails for just PHP99.75. Using this body scrub is making the body lotion glide smoother on my skin. I am convinced this is truly helping the lotion get absorbed easily on my skin, thus making the intense whitening process work really well.

Now here's my TOP 5 SUMMER PRODUCTS to stay beautiful and fresh. As I've mentioned, years of experience took place to make me come up with this list. Your body will surely be grateful if you pack up these babies inside your beach bag.

1. Sunblock. I go with SPF 70! The ozone layer isn't what it used to be. Mother Earth is is growing old. Do yourself a favor. Just don't scorch that skin.
2. Lip balm. Because no one wants windburned lips. Hard lesson learned there.
3. After sun cooling gel. People like me burn so fast and I don't look forward to sticking to my sheets at night.
4. Whitening lotion. Of course, tans fade. But why not speed up the process? And while you're at it, nourish your skin with antioxidants like Vitamin C. Fortunately, you'll get just that from Gluta-C!
5. Body scrub. Who wants dead skin cells anyway!? My current HG body scrub is no other than Gluta-C.

There you have it! I may come off sounding so vain talking about skin and all, but trust me. You don't want skin damage or worse, skin cancer. *knock on wood* Simbako! My grandfather lived by the motto and always told us that "prevention is better than cure" which is why I think it really is better to be safe than sorry. Your skin is the biggest organ in your body. *Ahem* And it's probably the first thing that people you meet notice and certainly, you don't want to give the wrong impression.

My favorite photo from our recent Kalanggaman Island escapade.
(Before I transformed into a ~~Nancy~~ nognog.)

So before I go, let me ask you a simple question. If you can't take care of your skin, what does that say about you? :)

Find out more about Gluta-C on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Review: Celeteque Dermoscience™ Acne Solutions product line

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:57:00 +0000

Towards the end of February this year, I started using the complete line of the Celeteque Dermoscience™ Acne Solutions except the product for back acne because I'm not experiencing that anymore. I was beginning to think I'm having another go at puberty because my skin was breaking out bad. Perhaps it was because the summer season is upon us and my super oily skin really does not enjoy the humidity. My honest review of the products is as follows.

Celeteque Dermoscience™ Acne Solutions + the Advanced Anti-Aging cleansing oil I'm currently using as a makeup remover

ACNE CLEANSING GEL - Since I use this after I wipe makeup off my face with the cleansing oil, for a gel it works great at getting rid of the oil as well as whatever make-up and dirt are left on my face. It has no particular scent to it and I think even though it doesn't create foam as much as regular facial washes, in my book I really love how it cleanses my face without leaving it dry. Rating: ★★★★

ACNE CLEARING FACIAL MOISTURIZER GEL - Since it is a gel moisturizer, I'm not really sure if it moisturizes my face the way I expect it to. But I love that it doesn't make my face oily at all and leaves it matte-like. I don't have any trouble applying my BB cream after using this moisturizer. No annoying scent, too. Rating: ★★★★

OIL CONTROL TONER - The toner stings my face especially if I just popped a pimple. For its cleaning and pore-closing properties, I don't think it does the perfect job. Actually, I don't get what a toner really does besides cleaning whatever makeup or dirt is left on the face after washing it. Some say you don't need a toner but I think if you have time for skin care at all, then I really need to use a toner, too. Rating: ★★★

ACNE SPOT CORRECTOR GEL - This got rid of cystic acne in 4 days to a week. Not as fast as I hoped it would compared to other spot correctors I've used in the past. Then again, this may not be as strong as the others which is good. But if you want a zit gone immediately, maybe you should look further. The smell reminds me of Garnier's Pure Blemish Pen. Rating: ★★★

OVERALL RATING:

I think this product is wonderful if you want to keep your pimples at bay. However, my skin is extremely oily now that the sun is really screaming summer all over the place. And after sun exposure, I broke out so bad that I think I need a stronger treatment so my acne will disappear for good. This could be hormonal also so perhaps I may need to see a dermatologist again.

Okay, time to move on...

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Mission Accomplished: How To Grow Back Overplucked Eyebrows

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:35:00 +0000

For 5 awfully long years, I've been trying to grow back my overplucked eyebrows. I don't know who started all this Kilay 2000 craze, but that got to me. By the time I graduated college, I had a thin line for eyebrows. It was so 1990s, I know. Remember Drew Barrymore? Pamela Anderson? Don't get me wrong because they were my idols in high school!

And ever since then, I've developed some kind of plucking disorder and I would actually berate someone when I see them with ungroomed eyebrows. I can't count the number of people (including guys!) whose eyebrows I've practically shaped and arched right so it would look more, umm, presentable. Yeah, that's just my thing. It's quite a pet peeve really. I ought to open a BrowHaus branch in my area.

If there's such a thing as a bad hair day, well, I get really bad eyebrow days! It's really annoying because these eyebrows are the reason why I'm ~~almost always~~ late for my appointments. So many times I've considered getting a tattoo but I couldn't go through it. What if I don't want my current eyebrow style anymore? What if my face sags and my eyebrows will end up on my forehead when I'm 60? Arggghhh! Maybe I'll do eyebrow embroidery... maybe not. We'll see.

But for now, for the purpose of this blog post, I'll show you how I managed to get my almost non-existent eyebrows to grow back in just 2 months time. I'm positive that if I keep up with this, I may never need to draw my eyebrows again and I'll have no excuse to be late anymore. Tee hee.

How to grow back overplucked eyebrows by MyMaria

Okay, let's travel back in time! Are you ready to see some comparisons? You better! Because I spent hours looking for my old photos so I can show you guys my eyebrow evolution. :)

Eyebrows can make or break your look and for 13 years, I have mastered drawing eyebrows every single friggin' day.

In March when I started treating my eyebrows, in April when I finally see some growth, and in May when I can really see more hair on my brows! WOW!

In case you're wondering, I also lost a total of 16 lbs now since I did the juice fast back in March so my face is kind of slimmer. (You can read all about it HERE if you're interested.) And since I've been living a healthier lifestyle, perhaps it could be one of the reasons why my eyebrows grew back. LOL! Anyway, now it's time for the big revelation. For less than PHP 1,000.00, I was able to grow my eyebrows in 2 months with the help of... *drumroll please* ... no other than -- REGROE (minoxidil) and BIOTIN!

Yup, that's right. Most of you already know that minoxidil (generic) is used to treat hair loss and Biotin 5mg (or 5000 mcg) is also known as Vitamin H for hair and nails. When combined, results are faster. I did my research, and you should too before starting any experiments.

Still it is a case to case basis, but it's worth a shot if you ask me. I applied the minoxidil 2 x a day, in the morning/afternoon and at night using an eyebrow brush or a Q-tip (cotton bud). Yes, I have that kind of perseverance (thank you very much). Tip: Wait at least 2 hours before you zonk out at night so the minoxodil dries up or gets absorbed and it does not go anywhere you don't want it to. You don't want to grow a beard now also, do you?

Anyway, I only used Biotin for a month since I was already seeing results in April. I continued using Regroe since I still have a lot in the bottle. I'm going to keep at it til I run out of the solution. I'm thinking perhaps in 4 months' time I won't even have to fill in my sparse eyebrows and have naturally thicker ones. Think Natalie Portman or better yet, Audrey Hepburn. One can only dream. Hey, libre mangarap man kuno!

Thicker eyebrows can make your eyes look younger.

Next up. My lashes. See that photo above? Those are what little lashes I have + a bit of mascara that really doesn't do much for them. I'm thinking of buying this serum that's been hyped for lash growth lately but I'm reading mixed reviews. I'll do some more research. We'll see. If that works for me, I'll be sure to share my experience here in my blog.

Thicker eyebrows are so much better! Goodbye Kilay 2000!

So til then! Good luck growing your eyebrows. For the mean time, look at how thicker lashes with mascara makes eyes look better? Do follow me on Instagram if you're interested on updates regarding my eyebrow/lash project.

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Cure Natural Aqua Gel Review: Hands down best skin exfoliator EVER!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:51:00 +0000

ヾ(＾∇＾) Ohayou gozaimasu. おはようございます。(Time to brush up on my Japanese/anime lingo!)

Guys, you know for a fact that I am an insanely huge fan of everything Japanese -- geography, food, culture, tech, anime, fashion, music, and most of all, beauty products!!! Ever since I started investing on skincare as well as food supplements, I always ended up buying Japanese products more than anything else. I could not, for the life of me, read the labels but that's okay. Thank goodness for the Internet, you can basically Google everything. Just a few keystrokes and *POOF* instant translation. It may not be 100% accurate but there are online reviews and forum sites that you can visit to find out about something. Also it's good to keep in mind, upon checking the 13-digit or 8-digit bar codes, that items from Japan start with either 49 or 45.

Alright, moving on to this review. Let's check out the Cure Natural Aqua Gel samples that I got from Sample Room last week.

Visit http://www.sampleroom.ph to get your samples!

It contained 5 trial packs that should be good enough for 2-1/2 weeks of use, since you're only supposed to exfoliate twice a week. I used to exfoliate up to 3 x a week before using different kinds of scrubs but come summertime when I get loads of sunburns, the scrubs are a big no-no! It would be like using sandpaper on my skin... so again, no, thank you. ~(>_<。)＼

FACEBOOK ¤ TWITTER ¤ INSTAGRAM

So when I found Cure Natural Aqua Gel on Facebook, I got curious. The product claims to be 91% made up of water and natural plant extracts of aloe vera, gingko, and rosemary. Hmmm. Interesting. It probably won't get the title of being Japan's No. 1 exfoliator for no reason. I just had to check it out for myself.

Yes, I do apply sunblock generously when I hit the beach. But that's just me. My skin burns bad. Boo!

I dare not use any peeling creams during the hot summer months so this Cure Natural Aqua Gel is the perfect solution to all my skin problems. You see, I love summer and well, I love it so much that nothing stops me from soaking up the sun, complete with SPF 50 or 70 sunblock. In spite of this, I still get vicious sunburns and uneven skin color. For the rest of the year, my goal would be getting rid of my tanned skin and going back to its normal color. And so the journey to the world of exfoliation begins.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel is very gentle on the skin. In fact, it uses a protective solution that is applied by ophthalmologists for eye surgery. There is no need to apply pressure to your skin when applying Cure. It only works on the skin and not on other surfaces such as glass or ceramic dishes. And, dead skin cells will no longer come off if you use it twice on the same skin area. It gently removes unwanted dead skin cells unlike chemical peels which use strong acids to dissolve protein. (http://www.toyojapan.net)

It's unlike any other skin exfoliator I've tried in the past. As soon as I put some gel on my face it magically turned liquid-y of sorts. I wanted to let my skin soak it up at first, you know, just to get the product really in there, but I figured I don't want to be dripping all over the place so I massaged it gently and in ~~less than~~ a second, I could feel tiny balls of dead skin forming under my fingertips! And the whiteheads on my nose and chin? Gone in just a blink of an eye! WHOA! That was fast! I mean, I've tried scrubs before and I really am not sure if those really exfoliated any skin at all because all I could feel then were the slowly dissolving grains of whatever the scrub was made of. But with Cure Natural Aqua Gel, there's no doubt about those dead skin cells coming off! Even when the product all ~~evaporated or~~ disappeared, the white balls (rolls?) remained as seen in the photos.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel gently removes the dried surface of rough skin. It is a very simple product as approximately 91% of Cure Natural Aqua Gel is water. It is fragrance free. Has no artificial colors or preservatives. (http://www.toyojapan.net)

I still had much product left in one sample sachet after doing my face, so I went ahead and exfoliated the heels of my feet and some scars I have from erythema nodosum. As expected, stubborn dead cells came off so easily. I didn't even have to scrub like a madwoman to get some results! It really is amaaaaaaazeballs!

First time *EVER* to post my bare face! LOL! Absolutely zero makeup; nothing applied. not even a toner.

Four days later since the first time I used Cure Natural Aqua Gel, I went ahead and opened a second sachet and braced myself to be amazed once again. However, this time I didn't get as much dead skin cells off. I guess I should do a week's interval in between skin exfoliation as it seems like I don't need to exfoliate 2 x a week. Perhaps my skin cells don't die so fast after all. (ñ_ñ) Tee hee. (∩_∩)

And since I'm loving the product so much, I just had to let Noodle Boy try it! I'm guessing that it works for the male species, too! It's not just for women I believe. Beauty products like these tend to be tried and reviewed more by females. But what the hey, right? It didn't say anything like guys can't use it, did it?

*BEST* husband in the world! Letting me do what I want with him. Mwahhh.

As advertised, 1 bottle is sold every 12 seconds in Japan! I think it's really cool that we don't need to buy this online because we can do away with international shipping now. Why? Because Cure Natural Aqua Gel is now available at Beauty Bars! I will surely buy a bottle when I run out of these samples. It is absofrigginlutely now my HG skin exfoliator!!! I have oily/combination skin and also acne-prone and sensitive. Now I can't stop touching my face (when I really shouldn't be!) because it is so soft just like a baby's bum! Kyaaaaaaa! Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ\

Also I noticed that it is so much easier to apply BB creams (or foundations) now that my face is all smooth! It is feels easier to blend it for even coverage so what's not to love about it?! My face has never felt this squeaky, but not dry at all, clean before! OMGWTFBBQ! You really have to try it for yourself so you'll know I'm not making things up! Try the samples!!! Don't buy the whole bottle first because I think it's a bit expensive at PHP1,500.00 for 250 mL. It comes with a pump and dispenses just 1 mL each time; therefore, a bottle should last you a good 3-4 months depending on use. Then again, trust me, you'll get your money's worth!

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT CURE NATURAL AQUA GEL:
1. It just works! Best. skin. exfoliator. EVER.
2. They give out samples/trial sachets you can test out.
3. It's Japanese. ( ^_^)／
4. The "peeling" part does not hurt one bit! Perfect even for the most sensitive skin!
5. You only need a small amount to get a lot of dead skin cells off.
6. No weird smell.
7. No sticky-icky sensation.
8. Face feels a whole lot cleaner and so so so smoooooth!
9. Applying make-up especially BB creams seems easier. Products like foundation and powder feels like they glide smoothly on my face.
10. It's available here in the Philippines at Beauty Bars.

WHAT I DISLIKE ABOUT CURE NATURAL AQUA GEL:
1. It's a bit pricey but it's a high-end product. What do you expect?
2. Comes in only one-sized variant (250 mL). Maybe if they had like a 100 mL bottle, that'd be more affordable for me. LOL.

Guys, it is an amazing product and I'm not exaggerating! FYI: I'm not paid to do this review. I requested these samples because I've read the reviews of others. So many have tried and so many can attest to its effectiveness. I wanted to find it out for myself and I can't believe I just found out about it! So if you're reading this review because you're also curious about Cure Natural Aqua Gel, then what are you waiting for?

☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ Ganbatte! がんばって！

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Barks & Co. Summer 2013: Kalanggaman Island

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:06:00 +0000

If you have been following this blog for the past decade, you would know that my friends and I go on summer vacations and spend Christmases together. I only missed the getaway in the summer of 2011 because I was pregnant at that time and in 2012, all of us were still busy becoming parents. But now, all our kids are all growing up so fast that we managed to go out on an escapade for the day and spend summer like we used to.

This year's destination is no other than Kalanggaman Island. I've known about this quiet little islet for a long time but since it wasn't developed and I have issues with Mother Nature calling that it never occurred to me to go and visit. Friends of mine have been there when there were no cottages nor toilets in existence. However, since Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez supported and helped get a grant for the eco-tourism of Palompon (in the northern part of Leyte, a good hour and a half away from Ormoc City), Kalanggaman Island has become quite the popular summer/tourist destination.

The sandbar is really beautiful and the water is so inviting. No worries about getting stung by jellyfishes or stepping on sea urchins. I did find one starfish while we were swimming. You can also rent kayaks and a water bicycle and go snorkelling or scuba diving. As for me, I was content to just go off mommy mode for a while and frolic with my good friends.

I recommend that you bring lots of ice. Our 2 bags of ice were gone by 2PM because it was scorching hot (and maybe because the boys already finished 3 cases of beer). You can spend a night in the island provided you have a tent with you or you can just sleep in one of the cottages not forgetting to slather enough mosquito repellent. There's a solar-powered charging station in the canteen if you need juice for your batteries.

Because we do have babies and kids to go home to, we got off the island by 4 in the afternoon but the day was enough to get some minor sunburns in spite of the generous application of SPF 50 sunblock lotion! Although, you know me, I'm never the one to hide from the sun. Let the tanning begin!

Noodle Boy's skin is so unfair. He just got red and never darkened. Ugh.

The Palompon Eco-Tourism Office can be reached at (053) 555-9010, (053) 338-2094 or (0917)303-7267 if you are ready to pay the entrance fee (per person), hop on a 15-seater pumpboat or a speedboat (whatever floats your boat!) for a 45-minute ride, and be on your way to soak up the sun at Kalanggaman Island.

Kalanggaman Island tour rates

Paradise awaits... It really is more fun in the Philippines! So how's your summer coming along?

P.S. Don't forget to join my BIRTHDAY/SUMMER GIVEAWAY at http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2013/04/bastaigatsikat-birthday-summer-giveaway-2013.html.

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Remember Summer: BastaIgatSikat Birthday/Summer Giveaway 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:16:00 +0000

Summer is officially here! But apparently, most people had already gone to spend their summer vacations during the Holy Week. As for the rest of us, we are still yet to embark on our tanning escapades, water fights, party nights, and grab our favorite flip-flops to make a run for the nearest beach.

Looking back, I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to visit some of the best beaches in the country with my friends and family. The earliest beach escapade I can remember was back in 1992 when we went to Boracay. There were just a few resorts back then and it wasn't as crowded. I was only 9 years old so there's not much partying for me but just a whole lot of swimming. LOL!

Neon yellow wayfarers were definitely already the thing some 20 years ago!!!

Malapascua (Logon) Island is what we fondly call a mini-Boracay and it was exactly like how Boracay looked the first time I went there. It's probably more developed now but when I was in college, the place felt like our own private white beach.

Santiago Bay Garden and Resort in Camotes Island is one of the places I've been to before a lot of people from all over the country discovered it. It's like one of those setting you read in romance novels and for me it's one of the perfect getaways for couples who don't like overcrowded beaches. I'm sorry I could not provide any photos because during this time I learned a very valuable lesson -- always make back-ups of your hard drive (or at least the My Pictures folder). Damn Sality virus infected my PC and screwed up the entire system. All my files from 2002 were a goner. Boo! :(

The one good thing about living here in the province is that we are near so many beautiful beaches and we don't have to book flights just to get to one! Just like Canigao Island that's just 10 minutes away via pump boat from Macrohon, Leyte.

Because I lived in Cebu for a few years back, going to Moalboal was a given. Then it was off to Kawasan Falls.

Mactan's Plantation Bay Resort & Spa is one of my TOP favorite places to be. Need I say why? Well, you can read all about it HERE.

Panglao Island in Bohol is also another popular destination during the summer. It's the one place to be if you want a white beach getaway and at the same time want to immerse in some history + sightseeing all over Bohol (think Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, old Baclayon church, etc.).

Tangkaan Point in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte is another one of those hidden gems in the island. Only a few hours away and you don't have to spend thousands to enjoy the beautiful location. You can also do a side trip and check out Gunhuban Falls near Bato, Leyte.

Island hopping is one of the best things to do during the summer and you can even do it in a single day! This is true if you want to explore the islands near Mactan and Cebu. I've been to Gilutongan, Caohagan, and Sulpa Islands. And yet, there's still Pandanon, Talima, Nalusuan, and so many more to explore!!!

Bantayan Island is another place I keep coming back to. If I were to pick one island where I could live the rest of my life in, that would be the place I'd rather be. I don't care if it's at a secluded part of the island (like Maia's Beach Resort) or at the most happening place in town (we stayed at Tristan's). I don't really know why but it just feels like home to me.

And then of course, there's our recent summer escapade at Crimson Resort & Spa which is definitely world-class! For more pictures, you can check it out HERE.

I have yet to go to Kalanggaman Island, which is making big waves in tourism-related news, and I hope to visit there this summer.

And now it's time for my summer raffle... But first let me ask you, are you set for summer? If not, then here's your chance to win some prizes -- a summer loot you can take with you on your next beach getaway! I'll be adding more prizes as the summer sun blazes on before the end of the month. One lucky winner (*must be a resident of the Philippines or one who has an address serviceable by JRS or LBC so I can ship your prize even if you're out of the country!*) will win all these awesome goodies! Contest ends on the 1st of May at 12 AM. I will be announcing the winner on May 2, 2013. All you need to do is the following:

JOIN THE GIVEAWAY VIA RAFFLECOPTER BELOW!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enjoy Summer 2013! And don't forget your sunscreens! ;)

UPDATE 5/6/2013: Our lucky winner has received her prizes/summer loot bag!

Until my next giveaway... Stay tuned!

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Jump Start Juicing! A 7-day Weight Loss Program That Worked For Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:31:00 +0000

My mom got a juicer (a second one!) back in 2009 and it came with a hard cover book by Brendan McCarthy about a 7-day weight loss program with juicing. I never got around to trying it until now. For one, I didn't have to. I was a 99-lb single woman back then after all. But I got married in 2011 and gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, then my weight plateaued at 120 lbs (54.5 kg). I'm still unhappy with my size because most of my favorite old clothes don't fit me (for over a year I got stuck at size 6 or on better days, a 4). I refused to go on crazy diets that aren't safe for breastfeeding as well as I don't have the means to go through any noninvasive procedures for body toning and fat burning again. Most people know that juicing is good because of all the fruits and vegetables you'll be consuming together with the essential nutrients and vitamins. Question is... is juicing for you? Is it for me?

There's only one way to find out! You know I've gone through all sorts of diet programs in my life and still I really wanted to give this a go. The pros will definitely outweigh the cons, I figured. A little sacrifice will surely go a long way. So here's my story.

Day 1: I thought I was going to die. No, seriously. Even though I've been fasting (well, sorta!) and eating no meat for the past month, since Ash Wednesday (Feb. 13) to be exact, I felt like not being able to chew anything really gave me hell. Take note, I don't eat carrots, pears, nor apples. Honest! I'm just you know, the pakwan-langka-makopa-guyabano-bayabas-mais-kamote-eating Pinay. It's crazy because the hunger pangs made me want to pull my hair out. It made me want to give up already. Doing this cleanse really was extra challenging for yours truly. But you know what they say... NO PAIN, NO GAIN. Note: Make sure there's an available toilet near, because I had to go quite a number of times.

For detox purposes.

How can I possibly not drink this when my son actually LOVES it!? Natandog akong garbo ha!

Day 2: This must be what they call caffeine withdrawal. It's killing me! I'm a very migraine-prone person and last night I had a splitting headache that lasted the whole time even when I woke up to pee around dawn. Thankfully, the headache went away by the time I woke up which was around 10:30 am already. So tired and so weak. I felt like my energy was completely drained. Now I know what a battery or my phone feels like when it's out of juice. Another gripe I have with juicing is cleaning the juicer. What a pain in the arse! I used two juicers. because one broke down during my 7-day program. One is a really old Imarflex juicer and one is a newer (also a couple years old) Jumpstart Juicer Pro. Guess which one gave up? Hehe. Maybe I'll invest in a more expensive juicer when I really get the hang of this and continue juicing for life. Maybe this Christmas, Santa might send me a Breville BJS600XL Fountain Crush Masticating Slow Juicer or an Omega VRT350 Heavy Duty Dual-Stage Vertical Single Auger Low Speed Juicer . Tee hee. But really, remind me again why I'm doing this? Oh, that's right! Because I need to lose weight, detox my body, and feel healthier overall. That's right. I just have to keep telling myself that. You know, it's also difficult to look for certain fruits and veggies in this small town. I had to improvise and substitute fruits for others. I know this program is doomed from the start because I'm not following it to the letter. But let's just wait and see. *crossing my fingers*

Warm lemon water. No coffee and tea for me. When I get thirsty, I drink this.

Snack time! Mango, Apple, and Oranges freshly juiced!
This wasn't part of the program but my taste buds were killing me!

It tastes insanely weird for me who does not eat anything green! OMG celery, what in the world???

Day 3: Ahhhh! 3 days down, 3 lbs off. Now with better tasting juices! FINALLY! I am so sick of carrots, honestly. And I am like pooping beta-carotene, TMI. But I still had to drink carrot juice today, although with fruits/veggies other than just apples and pears now. So, hurray!!! I didn't really believe I'd make it this far. I've kept my headaches at bay using the Indian breathing technique my mom imparted and with a little bit of research, I found some other natural headache remedies I could use. I'm wearing my computer glasses as well so as not to trigger my migraine and my light sensitivity. Also, I am still breastfeeding my son randomly throughout the day and at night and I believe NoodleLito is also reaping all sorts of benefits - nutrients and vitamins - from what I've been drinking. He also drinks a bit of the juices I make since it is without a doubt good for him, too!

Very easy to swallow! My taste buds are extremely happy!

I really don't think I can handle any more carrots. XD Ugh.

Day 4: Halfway there! So happy I have a husband that is extremely supportive. We went to a party today and I brought my juices. He takes pride in my willpower and tells me if I were a fantasy character, I'd be a mage. LOL! I never once got tempted to eat the savory roast duck during lunch or the gallons of ice cream. My taste buds must be having colds or something. Hehe. No headaches today and in fact, even though I had to wake up early because NoodleLito wet the bed and woke up around 4am, I don't feel tired at all. The first few days/night I was so lethargic but now I feel renewed and back to my naturally "hyper" self. We didn't even have a maid (helper) with us to watch over our super active toddler at the pool with the kiddos but I managed through the whole day (and night!).

Breakfast was not so great but the lunch concoction was really yum!

Meh.

My dinner was absolutely ~~disgusting~~ ~~horrible~~ weird. My gag reflex started to act up on me! Yikes!

Day 5: Today starts the fat burning process and I can't wait to see further results. I have a feeling the concoctions will be more veggies than fruits, but you know me, the ever rule-breaker so I tend to have 1:1 or more fruits. LOL. But that's just me. Like I said, I'm not really following the program strictly, primarily because some fruits and vegetables aren't available here in this island at this side of the world. So I'll have to make do with what I can get. Noodle Boy says I'm losing the love handles *wink*wink* and my size 27 jeans can be pulled down so easily I need to wear a belt! So yes, I'm probably back to a size 26 (perhaps maybe even a 25 at the end of the program?). I must go look for my old jeans and see if they fit me once more.

This woke me up better than coffee! I should make this a morning habit!

CAPPisce & Peachy Keen, my 2 favorite drinks with this program.

I'm not quite sure about my cholesterol levels but this drink is for flushing out the bad ones.

This wasn't as bad as I expected. I found this one quite tolerable.

Day 6: ZOMG! I can't believe it! I'm almost done with the program. Can't wait to see if the fat burning recipes will really take away all the fat in my abdomen and face. Staying positive!

How they looked before they were juiced.

Now it's all juiced and ready for slurping!

Best tasting juices.

I made the extra mango and oranges for my "dessert". LOL.

Day 7: And just like that I'll soon be done with the 7-day weight loss program with juicing! The support I'm getting from friends and family is crazy! I love it... They are all responsible for this feat. I mean, I can motivate myself but with them cheering me on is just amazing! Thank you so much everyone for rooting for me. I couldn't have done it without you. I mean it, really. It definitely helped me stay on track and at the same time want to accomplish this so I can show you the wonderful results.

To cleanse the liver, kidneys, and digestive system and gives energy while the body is still flushing toxins.

Perfect way to end the program with this calming blend and to help regain a healthy body by lowering blood pressure and releasing toxins.

In summary, here's what the 7 days of juicing did to my body:

DAY 1 - Prepare the body for quick and natural weight loss
DAY 2 - Eliminate air and gas as well as removes the primary stage of bloating and any indigestion
DAY 3 - Focus on the second stage of bloating. Also for water retention as it balances H2O in the body & flushes the toxins
DAY 4 - Flush more toxins and increases energy levels
DAY 5 - Prepare the body for the remaining 3 days of systematic release of fat
DAY 6 - Flush the unwanted fat, cholesterol, and most of all the stubborn fats at the waist line
DAY 7 - Remove the thin layer of subQ fat, facial puffiness, & hidden fat to reveal the muscle tone. Also improves skin appearance making it look healthy!

In other words and to put it bluntly, AYAW MO'G JUICE UG PATAKA! So that you will get the best results. Hehehe! A program like this has been designed so that people like me can get the most out of juicing.

SO NOW... JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES!

BEFORE AND AFTER 7 days of the Jump Start Juicing program:

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: 8 lbs!

Whoop-de-doo! Can you see the difference??? Better have your eyes checked if you haven't. I wanted to get rid of my bloated abdomen because I looked pregnant and so irked at people asking me that question. LOL! Glad to say the juicing worked! It may not be the same drastic results as the others who seriously followed the weight loss program with juicing (especially the ones featured in the book) but I am one happy camper! Can't complain...

One of my pre-prgnancy shirts fit me! Meaning I can wear my old clothes again!!!

A much happier 112-lb me!!!

THE 3 C's!!! TIPS TO SUCCEED IN JUICING by MyMaria:

1. Clear your schedule. It is important not to be tempted to attend parties and other events where drinks and amazing food will be served. Holy Week would be the perfect time to do this. Jesus fasted for 40 days, so why not do it for 7?!
2. Conserve energy. Since it's fasting, you shouldn't do anything strenuous. If you must exercise, just do some stretching or Yoga. As for me, carrying my big baby boy and chasing him around all day is more than enough. Tee hee. Noodle Boy even advised me to stop talking so much so I can save my strength. (Referring to how animated I talk. LOL!)
3. Chill out. Take 7 days off if you can! Stay away from Instagram or Facebook. With the amount of food porn in social networks, it'll only make you hungry (and grumpy!) especially during the first few days. And speaking of chilling out, I drink my juices with so much ice. So my juices aren't just chilled, but they are ice cold. Whatever floats your boat, right? :)

And above all, NEVER GIVE UP! Noodle Boy kept me motivated as if he were a boxing coach. Always keep an optimistic view because it's all in the mind. Even if your mind says you must eat food, remember that what you're drinking contains more vitamins and nutrients than that box of pizza or whatever it is you're craving for.

All you need.. PLUS A LOT OF DETERMINATION!!!

Frequently Asked Questions by friends and family:

1. Did you feel hungry? Yes, but not like sooooo-hungry-I-can-eat-a-whole-cow-help-me-I'm-dying kind of hunger . I drink the juices or water whenever I get a borborygmus. :)

2. How's the taste? Sometimes I would hold my breath as I drink the juices. I'm not fond of eating vegetables at all and the smell and taste just turns me off. As far as the taste, the first sip is always weird but you get used to it immediately. I especially loved the ones with fruits. So tasty and refreshing!

3. How much juice do you drink per meal? I drank about 16oz or 500 mL.

4. So absolutely no solids? Yes. Pure juicing, no solids. Not even the fruits and veggies. I even strained them before drinking just to get some of the little solid chunks out. I also drank a lot of water or lemon water.

5. How long did you store your juices? I made juices twice a day. Once in the morning for my breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Then in the afternoon for snacks and dinner. You're not supposed to store them for long and must drink them as soon as they're juiced to get all the important nutrients. Though I probably put some juices in the freezer for 4-6 hours during the program.

6. Did you feel tired? The first two days I was lethargic and crabby but by the third day I was totally renewed. No issues with declining strength, mental acuity, or irritability. I suggest the first two days you lock yourself in your room because depending on the amount being cleansed/detoxed from your body, your symptoms could be worse than what I went through with my caffeine withdrawal.

7. What about your cravings? To tell you the truth, I was PMSing. But then I got my period on the 5th day of juicing, I was okay. ;) I didn't even get dysmenorrhea which I often do. I was super tempted to eat during the first two days but with amazing sheer willpower *pats myself on back* I did not for once cheat. Cheating on... yourself??? Seriously. That's just crazy.

8. What's the program called and where can I get the recipes? I can share with you my recipes which I based on the book but I really suggest you get a copy of Brendan McCarthy's 7-day Jump Start Juicing Weight Loss Program. It's available in digital format (ebook) if you can't find the hard cover book like mine. I really hope you get a copy and read all the important stuff you need to know BEFORE juicing and what to do AFTER. There are so many good things you can pick up from the book. The information in there is priceless! Plus it comes with so many more healthy recipes you can try along with what the juices are for, i.e. good for the skin, flushes out cholesterol, weight loss, for the liver and kidneys, etc. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have existing medical conditions, have issues with your blood pressure, or experience some sort of hypoglycemia, please consult your doctor first before doing this program!

9. Did you get paid to do this? No. I did this for myself so I can lose weight and get back to proper eating. Bought ingredients with Noodle Boy and extremely thankful for my mom to be ever supportive as well as buying me all these expensive fruits (because pears are expensive here, you know!). The juicers I used were hers so I didn't have to buy one. I love my mom! Ain't she something? Also I would like to thank my Yaya Mila who was the one who went to the market to look for those fresh vegetables and carried those 8 kilos of carrots and helped me clean the juicers (which is a total pain!) every night.

10. What if the vegetables/fruits aren't available for a certain recipe? I did what I had to do. SUBSTITUTE and IMPROVISE. Like I said, I wasn't able to follow the program to the letter, but I still managed to get great results. If you do it correctly, you're supposed to lose 10 lbs or more after 7 days. I got 8 lbs off and that's fine with me. I can always keep juicing to lose a few more inches and pounds off.

If you have any suggestions, violent reactions, or just want to share your thoughts with me, feel free to do so in the comment section below. Thanks for reading this post and good luck with juicing for losing weight and for a healthier lifestyle!!!

UPDATE 5/23/2013:

2 months later. I didn't gain back a single pound.
In fact, I continued to lose weight slowly but surely with healthy eating.

HEADS UP!

YOU CAN BUY A DIGITAL COPY OF THE BOOK AT AMAZON!

And for only $16.95!!!

DIY Ombre Hair with HBC/Hortaleza

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:51:00 +0000

Living out here in the province has its ups and downs, and one particular disappointment is the unavailability of certain "wants". Okay, I said wants because frankly speaking, I have everything I need here and wishes not to move into some urban jungle anytime soon. But thanks to the Internet, somehow the world has become smaller, people are much closer, and well, everything you can possible want can be bought online.

For this post, I'm going to show you how I "ombre'd" my dull lifeless hair. I'm not sure we have salons (parlors) that specialize in this and honestly, I didn't want to spend a fortune on something I feel I can do on my own. Ahem, with the help of the girls at home though. We're talking about bleaching here, so I can really use all the help I can get.

Thanks to blogs and tutorials I found online, I accomplished this little experiment for only like 1/8 of what I'd pay for had I chosen to have it done professionally. Ah well. I've my guts to thank too and HBC/Hortaleza for having everything I need to do this. Here are the things you'll need if you want to do-it-yourself:

1. Powdered bleach (DO NOT *under any circumstances* SNIFF THIS! LOL!)
2. Oxidizing lotion or developer 6% and/or 9% (or 12% if you will)
3. 7.0 Medium Blonde hair coloring cream
4. 7.5 Light Chestnut Brown hair coloring cream
5. Hair spa treatment (a must if you want to breathe in life to your dead hair)
6. Gloves (because the bleach will burn the hell out of your hands!)
7. Plastic bowl and comb/dye applicator

Alright, so first things first. Sectioning your hair to get that gradient effect. Bleach the tips of your hair first then cut the rubber bands and proceed to bleaching the next section up. Make sure to check on your hair (obsessively-compulsively) to reach the desired color. It took just a couple of minutes for my hair to go super light. Maybe because my hair was light to begin with. If you have dark hair, I suggest you leave it on for a while.

The last two top sections of my hair I did not have to bleach because I want them darker so I used the MEDIUM BLONDE and LIGHT CHESTNUT BROWN colors. This is so I can have that fade effect. I know it's not perfect, but hey I'm no professional. I can live with the uneven colors. ;)

Ombre hair by MyMaria

So this is how my hair looks like and how I managed to get it to look like that. It's not really that bad in real life. I actually did the hair spa treatment for 3 days in a row just to make sure I didn't actually [double] kill whatever fine hair I have left. Also my hair was layered to begin with so getting the colors right was really challenging enough. But I'm very happy really. I mean, for less than P500 give or take (since I used leftover hair dye so I can't really say how much I spent) I think we did a terrific job attempting ombre hair.

Filtered and posted at Instagram. Follow me @mrsnoodleboy!

My hair unbrushed and unwashed. It got curly because I twisted it into a ponytail bun the night before.

Anyway, if you can have a professional do it for you and you can afford it, by all means, why not? But if you are up for a challenge, then go for it!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

Tweet/Instagram/Tag me in your photos should you decide to do the ombre hair yourself! Good luck!

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Bento, Skincare, and Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:40:00 +0000

Been a while since I've posted, huh!? I know I really need get back to blogging, but balancing between being a real good mom to a toddler boy and a dear loving wife to Noodle Boy, plus earning a living and running a business, I'm so sorry I just couldn't find time to write. Booooo! Though I really, really want to update my blog because after all, this is my memoir and my passion. So now since I got some free time, I'd like to share with you what I've been up to. Let me enumerate:

1. Bento business. I know it's too soon but I can't wait til he goes to school and I get to prepare his food. LOL! Honestly, I've always wanted to do this. Also making my own Japanese dishes at home now. No need to go out to get sushi!

tamagoyaki, sausages, onigiri (omusubi)

paella and tuna onigiri

Makizushi and sashimi

crab & mango maki

2. Serious with skincare. Yes, I have zits. Again. I dunno, I thought I was done with puberty. Seems like my hormones are not done with me! However, I'm now following a new skincare regimen (morning and night) to make sure my skin gets cleaned and treated well. I'm going to post different entries regarding my unbiased product reviews for the following as soon as I can.

Celeteque for my acne-prone skin!

Can't go wrong with Cetaphil!

3. Be beautiful. I'll be entering my 3rd decade in life pretty soon and I don't intend to look a day over 20! That is, if I can maintain a youthful glow. Married life is really taking a toll on my looks but with awesome skincare I think I can handle the inevitable aging process. And I don't mean improving my Photoshop skills. I'm talking about make-up and what not. Enter the magic of BB creams. (Reviews on products to follow as well when I'm done testing them out.)

Korean BB creams are just uh-mazing!!!

And speaking of Koreans, I just finished watching a KDrama and I can't help but notice the dewy faces of simply gorgeous actors and actresses. Even without makeup (though I'm quite aware they put some on, however, minimal) they just seem to be glowing! Case in point:

For sure, this one's edited. But still...
And oh yes, I finished the ROOFTOP PRINCE before the local network finished airing it. :)

And looking at these pretty Korean stars makes me feel like I should do something with my eyebrows. Do you notice what these women have in common?

Damn right! It's those blasted straight eyebrows. Ugh. Moreover, my arched brows are so '90s! Definitely a remnant of Beverly Hills 90210 and Friends. Reminiscent of Drew Barrymore or during bad eyebrow days, Pamela Anderson.

Ancient arched eyebrows?

I have really thin eyebrows (which I'll reveal in my upcoming beauty posts) and I'm dying to grow them. Hence, I have undertaken an eyebrow experiment (which I'll also blog about in the very near future, hopefully the project works! *crossing fingers*). Well, what do you know!!? It seems I'll be blogging quite a lot in the coming weeks. Yay!!! Anyway, so here's a video I found online which is really helpful for those of you who also want to get that Ulzzang 얼짱 thing going on. I know I do because obviously, I AM NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER! Argh.

Isn't @MissWen gorgeous? So innocent, so sweet... Uwaaaahhh! I'm definitely trying this look as soon as I get my brow hairs back! So let's wait & see!

I guess that wraps up my first quarter of 2013. There's more but I'm running out of time again. Grr. So yeah, thanks for droppin' by! Until my next blog update... Hopefully, it should be in just a couple of days. ;)

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

My entire mobile phone history. So what's yours?

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 08:17:00 +0000

Today is a lazy Sunday and so after visiting my favorite tech blog, Yugatech, I figured why not post a note here so I can find out what my friends have been using all this time, too. It took me a while to enumerate everything and got totally amazed at how many phones I've had in the past.

So here goes...

1997-1998 Nokia 2010 (ISLACOM) - dead battery

1999 Nokia 5110 (OPENLINE) - passed down

2000 Nokia 3210 (OPENLINE) - stolen and got another one

2001 Nokia 8250 (OPENLINE) - passed down

2002 Nokia 6310 (OPENLINE) - sold

2003 Nokia 3350 (OPENLINE)/Nokia 6610 (OPENLINE)/HTC Tanager (SMART) - sold

2004 Nokia 6510 (OPENLINE)/Nokia 3530 (T-MOBILE)/HTC Voyager (SMART) - sold

2005 Samsung E300 (OPENLINE)/Nokia N70 (OPENLINE) - sold

2006 Nokia E61i (OPENLINE)/Nokia 6100 (OPENLINE) - sold

2007 Nokia N73 (OPENLINE)/Samsung X160 (SMART) - sold

2008 Motorola V6 Maxx Ferrari (OPENLINE)/Nokia 3120 (SMART)/Nokia 6120 (SMART) - stolen V6 and got another one & sold others

2009 Motorola Razr2 V9 (OPENLINE)/Acer F900 (OPENLINE)/MyPhone B23 Duo (SUN)/Nokia E51(OPENLINE)/Nokia E63 (OPENLINE)/Nokia Prism 7900 (OPENLINE) - sold

2010 iPhone 3Gs (GLOBE)/Cherry Mobile P1 (OPENLINE)/ MyPhone Q21 (SUN)/Nokia N95(OPENLINE)/Nokia 6233 (SMART)/Nokia C3 (SMART) - sold & passed down

2011 iPhone 4 (GLOBE)/Nokia E5 (SMART)/MyPhone QT7 (SUN) - sold & passed down

2012 iPhone 4s (FACTORY UNLOCKED) - currently using

2013 To be determined!!! Hahaha!

I guess this paints a clear picture of where all my allowances and salaries went all these years! Hehe! But mind you, most of these phones were either from telcos (postpaid plans) or won as prizes. I think just a few were given as gifts (woot!) while the others were bought from my savings. :P (Trying to justify pa noh!?) Apparently, I've never owned a Blackberry, too. Oh, the things you find out after taking a trip down memory lane!

How about you? How much do you think have you spent chasing after all sorts of mobile phones for over a decade now? Do you feel like you should have invested in other more important things in life? Tee hee.

Recap: The Holidays Are Over! Is it a Dawn of a New Era?

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 02:39:00 +0000

With all the fun and flurry over the 2012 Holidays, added with the frenzy over the alleged end of the world event and random crazy earthquakes, alas, it is time to move on. It's over and we are entering a new era. They say it is the Age of Awakening. For me, I think 2013 is going to be a big year to get another opportunity to be better - live better, eat better, work better, you know, just DO BETTER.

Here's a quick look back at the hustle and bustle of the season of love and giving:

Obviously, that's what I've been busy with. Family. Comes. First. But I was also helping the Alumni Association get ready for our 3rd E.V.E.R. Paulinian Homecoming Party on top of the transcription work that had been piling up due to the crazy holiday schedules.

Paulinian Alumni ExeComm

The Jurassics | Paulinians '99

Ramen Girl x Noodle Boy, Classmates from '86 to '99

Oh, and yes, the annual BARKS CHRISTMAS PARTY with the Soldiers VS Terrorist Theme.

Can you find me? :P

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS.

I really need to add "blog some more" to my new year's resolution. But since I've been busy with actually making a living, I guess I'll have to take a look at my planner again and make room for writing/posting online. I need to save up for a new laptop though so I can be more productive. I've been stuck using a desktop for the past year so that's a factor why I haven't been blogging much. My apologies, dear readers. But hey, it's another year! Another chance to make everything alright again. The world didn't end, so here's looking to a brighter 2013!

Basta Igat, Sikat!

Another hair dare! From Liese Prettia Platinum Beige to Chiffon Beige!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 06:16:00 +0000

I really thought I had posted this entry already but obviously, I haven't. Work is really taking up so much of my time plus the Dimsum Factory we just opened outside SALA Lounge + Café is also, thank goodness, picking up fast! The inventory is a nightmare for someone not so great at Math. Ahem!

Alright, moving on. The process is, again, pretty simple. It's just like shampooing the dye into your hair as I did previously when I dyed my hair Platinum Beige. This time around, I opted for a lighter shade, the Chiffon Beige.

Too bright? Nawww... not really.

I just love this dye. It's my new favorite because it doesn't smell ammonia-ish!

You get all these goodies inside the box.

Perfect fit and I can apply the dye evenly.

Hey, it's called a BUBBLE HAIR DYE for a reason. And this is why!

Let the games begin! Errmmm, or the dyeing process commence...

It seems the longer that my son's hair is growing, it's become quite a blast of sunshine on his head. As you can see here, he just woke up. I don't really know what specific shade of color is his hair but look, it is amazeballs!

So I was aiming to get something just like that... and 2 hours later!!! Yes, 2 hours because I was so busy in the kitchen (notice the apron?) that I lost track of time...

Almost the same color??? Hmmm.

Filtered photo from Instagram.

Still so happy how it turned out. Overcooked, maybe. But still...

So now, it's time for the BEFORE and AFTER photos! Platinum beige with roots showing to Chiffon Beige.

My hair is dry. Ugh. Need to get some treatment.

Bye, bye dark roots!

There you have it!
This is MyMaria - MrsNoodleBoy in Prettia Chiffon Beige.

In other news, you know, I have been blogging officially for 9 years now. Whoa! Has it really been that long? Am I that old? Well, as you can see, I'm striving to be responsible and financially capable; also I am married with a wonderful husband and an adorable baby boy, and my weight has drastically changed from the previous years apparently. This blog really is my memoir. The links to some old pictures may be missing, but the texts, oh the verbal diarrhea, they are there! I sometimes surprise myself backreading to a certain point in time and wonder if I really thought and felt like what I had written. Anyway, if I could create a timeline of what I had been doing for the past decade, I can imagine how it would look like, thanks to the entries in here that chronicles my post-adolescence and journey to early adulthood life. By next year, I'll be entering a new decade in life. It's the big 3-0!!! To say that I am thrilled does not even begin to describe my excitement. I'm going to rock my thirties and you know I will! :)

Note to self: I must do a HUGE 10-year blog anniversary giveaway for 2013 as well as a birthday treat to all my readers and friends! So guys watch out for that! It's gonna be MAJOOOOR!

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

The MyPhone concept store in Ormoc City!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 09:10:00 +0000

I bet you guys know the scene whenever people line up to get first dibs on newly released iPhones... but you ain't seen nothing yet. The crowd was wicked and wild when MyPhone opened their concept store here earlier this week.

I posted this photo below on Instagram and on Facebook.

That morning, they had to relocate the venue because the turnout was totally unexpected. Photos posted by the owner, Mr. Warren Chu, below:

That's really amazing, isn't it? It makes me wonder if the Church would only offer promos, maybe there would be more people going to confession. You think?

Look here, this was definitely the driving force why people came in such numbers.

I gotta say, getting the QT7 back in 2010 was a great choice. Why? Because until now, I'm still using it! Read my review: http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2010/10/still-rocking-myphone.html

And now people all around are using the same phone, I'll say it's going to last them a looooooong time because now I have tested the quality of MyPhone and it is incredible. My phone fell countless times and it still works. Try that with an iPhone and it will probably break he glass on the screen and your heart or wallet at the same time.

Anyway, I look forward to more events like these in Ormoc City as I do enjoy watching throngs of people gather around. What can I say, I enjoy mobs. And that story about an 11-year-old girl who was supposedly "namatay" due to the stampede during the MyPhone opening day in Ormoc, that's not true. The girl was "hinimatay" (fainted!). There's a difference, people. Get your facts straight.

Happy with their purchase! Awesome deal is awesome!

Go, MyPhone! Congratulations and more power!

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:18:00 +0000

Last Halloween (10/31/2012), Noodle Boy was game enough to go on a fun photoshoot with me and the costume I decided to don for our Trick or Treat that night with the kids from our neighborhood/district (Hey, I'm making up for all the lost Halloweens in my childhood!).

It's really not very unique but considering the pieces of clothing I gathered from my old closet (which amazingly fit me once more!), I say it was a real success in pulling off a Red Riding Hood costume.And I didn't have to spend a single centavo for it!

The hood is actually a vest with a hood in it which I wore over a white tunic and I got my old Mango black corset and wore it over both. I borrowed a plaid skirt worn over my old black leggings and chose my white 1914 Doc Martens to complete my look. Got my mom's basket of poinsettias and an old checkered tablecloth for props.

I was afraid the flowers would look too Christmas-y but heck, I couldn't find any French bread in my town!

Take one lucky guess where we had this photoshoot! This was at the Ormoc City Cemetery. Yup, if you look closer, you'll see a couple of tombstones in mausoleums. Anyway, I didn't get the chance to blog this because I got caught up with work and I had this annoying eye infection (which the oldies said was due to the photoshoot in A CEMETERY! Pfft!) so sorry about the delay. This would have been a really cool Halloween post. Better late than never, yeah?

Halloween Special from RameNoodles (RamenGirl NoodleBoy) ...

Photographed by Michael Vincent Lladoc Franco. ♥
Styled and edited by Yours Truly.
Special thanks to Melinda Pepito, Liny Bornias Pepito, and Mary Anne Pepito :)

Hafa Adai, Guam! (Days 1 & 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:01:00 +0000

This post is overdue, I know. But that does not stop me from sharing with you the awesome experience we had in Guam over a week ago. Pictures paint a thousand words but let me tell you that this short vacation we just had was completely beyond our expectations. I had assumed that Guam would be paradise but what I didn't expect was for it to be exactly where I dreamed I SHOULD be living while I am alive and here on Earth! Tee hee. *takes mental note to look for job opportunities in Guam*

It really is the best of both worlds. Being an island girl, I cannot stress it enough to say I would die if I were to relocate to a non-coastal area. Having quick access to the beach to smell the ocean breeze as well as hear the sound of the waves is very, very therapeutic for me. Even if it's the Marianas Trench right out there, it certainly does not burst my bubble. I mentioned it's the best of both worlds, right? Well, it is a US territory and you can live the American dream. I could not ask for more. Hawaii is too far from home so Guam is just perfect.

Okay, now let me show you our travel photos so you will see why it is very good to visit Guam (if not move there already!), how you can get there, and what to do there. I'm going to have to split this Guam blog post into two because there are just so many things to write about.

Alright, are you ready for the first part? This is Day 1 and 2 of our trip to Guam.

United Airlines fly out of NAIA Terminal 1. The check-in was fast especially since we had no check-in luggage. Can you believe we actually packed light? Well, it's a holiday vacation on a tropical island. What do you expect? We are actually allowed at least 50 lbs (or 23 kg and up to 62.0 linear inches or 157 cm L + W + H) per bag for each passenger but we'll see after we go shopping. *wink* On the other hand, the number of times I went abroad were always through Terminal 2, so this was my first time to be in Terminal 1. I should say this place needs some work because it looks old and certainly is not the best airport terminal I've ever been to.

Since United and Continental Airlines have been integrated, now we've got daily flights to Guam through United Airlines with very convenient flight schedules. Our flight out was for 10:55 am, but we actually checked-in very early because we arrived from Tacloban just past 7 in the morning and of course, even though the check-in is available starting 24 hours before the scheduled departure via web-check-in or through the free smartphone app, there really isn't anywhere else to go as we wait for our flight. Ideally, you'll need to be at the terminal 2-3 hours before your flight.

We arrived in Guam at 4:55 pm (Standard Time: UTC/GMT +10 hours or +2 hours Manila time) so this flight is actually very ideal for travelers who will be staying at hotels. Check-in times usually start at 2 PM. However, if you'd rather take an evening/red-eye flight, UA offers them, too. If I remember correctly, there are 2 flights from MNL to GUM everyday. In addition, passengers can either get promo fares through their favorite travel agent or their website at www.united.com. By the way, our return trip was scheduled to depart at 6:55 pm, thus giving enough time to explore more of Guam even during our last day!

One good thing about Guam is that there are roughly 40% Filipinos in the island. It came as no surprise when the driver of OceanView Hotels and Residence in Tumon who came to pick-us up was actually a Filipino. Furthermore, the majority of the employees at the hotel were Filipinos and practically 90% of the restaurant crew were Filipinos. Heck, the radio is always on KTKB Megamixx 101.9 FM, Guam's one and only OPM station.

Honestly, you'll never be homesick while in Guam. It's just like being in Mactan Island, if you ask me... only you spend dollar$ and have a much better choice when it comes to shopping. Food is basically the same. Island food = Filipino food.

The only caveat is that beer is not cheap in Guam (umm, it's a US territory afterall!) and the ones that most people drink (because they're affordable maybe?) don't seem as strong as what we usually drink. They do have San Miguel and Red Horse beer but they're expen$$$ive. Plus, they take DUI charges seriously.

When it comes to shopping, Guam cannot be beat. Does the words TAX-FREE and DUTY FREE mean anything to you? I bet it does... to anyone who loves to shop! So whether you're into the designer goods or just want really good bargain, well, you should surely be in for a major treat! Now that 50 lbs baggage allowance does sound sweet after all, if not kind of insufficient.

Big thanks to Heinz Philippines for sending us to a one of a kind and unforgettable Guam vacation!

There are so many sights to see in Guam. We dropped by the Visitor's Bureau to get more information. I was afraid that our short stay was not enough to check out all the awesome spots. It really was, to my dismay. But hey, it gives us another reason to come back, right? Still need to explore more of Guam island! And oh, the SlingShot awaits!!!

Our first tourist spot was Tumon Bay. Okay, so we weren't exactly dressed to go swimming that day because it was drizzling. It actually was raining most of the time during our trip but still we were given a few hours of sunshine. Thank you, Lord! We had enough sunlight to take some cool shots of Guam so we can share with you a glimpse of paradise.

And then we checked out some of Guam's history... take note there's a lot, and when I say a lot you will see plenty of cannons (usually by 3's) at the various forts we visited all over Guam. It really does remind you of what Guam had been through.

In case you're wondering, those kids are my niece and nephew. I have a cousin who lives in Guam and he has been truly awesome for being our host and offering to show us around, GUAM-nam style(!) with full Filipino hospitality. Thanks, Manoy, for taking time off work to be with us!

Also met with a good friend from Ormoc, Bianca Serafica. She's currently doing her apprenticeship at the Pacific Islands Club resort as a pastry chef.

Also we were very privileged to be able to enter the US Naval Base and Air Force Base in Guam after being cleared with a background check. Unfortunately, you can't take photos inside federal property so yeah. I have mental photos in my head though. This is all I got while we had lunch at the Navy Exchange.

Well, this post has been long enough I think, but hey that's it FOR NOW. I've still got so many photos to sort out. You have no idea!!! There are still 2 days worth of tourist spot hopping and discovering Guam's history.

Stay tuned for Days 3 & 4 coming up in my next blog post. Hafa Adai!!!

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

The Summer That Lasted Forever

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:09:00 +0000

If you think about college, what is it that you remember most? For me, I think it was the endless summers and beach bumming, when I wore size 23 jeans and had skin so tanned like I lived on a beach. I posted pictures and even a blog entry about Plantation Bay Resort and Spa back during the days of Friendster. It was, after all, the most popular social sharing site in 2003-2004 (pre-Facebook era). More popular than MySpace here in the Philippines, in my opinion. But sadly, the site shut down and along with it disappeared the fond memories of a timeless place I just had to visit not just once but twice during my carefree college days.

But that's not the end of this story, because 9 years later, I found a treasure trove. No coins or any precious metals like gold or silver in it but I found what is more precious to me than any of those even in crates. I FOUND MY MEMORIES... in several compact discs. Some pictures were scanned from prints and others were taken by low megapixel camera phones and digital cameras. Please excuse the quality. :)

My husband Noodle Boy and I were just discussing about going to Plantation Bay for our next summer vacation and incidentally, I found a folder in one of my files containing all my old photos from days spent at the resort. Check out all these "vintage" photos of yours truly and see if you can recognize me.

When we arrived at Plantation Bay, the first thing I noticed back then was the NO TIPPING policy. It's a perfectly clear sign you won't fail to notice when you ride the service/golf carts. It was the first time I've encountered such policy and the staff were extremely courteous and pleasant that you can't help but want to tip them; of course, they'd just flat out refuse so I'd just thank them profusely for doing any service. The servers are also nice because you can actually engage them in chitchat. Not a lot of waiters and waitresses do that but the one assigned to us during a meal was articulate. I really liked that!

Nevertheless, that was back in 2003 when I went there with a dear friend of the family, Melanie, together with her mom and friends. She was visiting the islands for the summer and what better opportunity to cool off than go swimming at Plantation Bay. As you can see, we were all laughter and cheers then. I believe it was like a girls day out as we sipped cocktails at Savannah Pool and relaxed at Mogambo Springs. We tried the warm water pools, cool freshwater pools, and the saltwater pools!

Thanks Mel and Mommy Ging for the getaway!

Breakfast at Kilimanjaro Kafe is absolutely amazing. It's got everything my Filipino palate wanted to eat and then some. I went there pre-high-tech-digital-camera/smartphone era so forgive me if I don't have Instagram photos of food to make you salivate. Also there's a variety of international dishes there and supposedly a different culinary theme each day. Here's a little F&B insider tip: I heard that there was a tremendous amount of effort made to pick just the right kind of bacon to serve. More than 10 kinds of bacon were tried/tested. Wow! For someone who loves bacon like I love the feel of summer breeze on my skin, that's just really awesome!

Apparently, my first time at Plantation Bay definitely blew me away. I just had to come back and this time it was with my family. It was right after my mom and I arrived from our US trip in 2004. My dad who we miss so much already didn't wait for us at home but met us in Cebu. So then we stayed overnight at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Mactan because I insisted. Tee hee! I mean, come on, the place is marvelous! All 11.4 hectares of the place is a sight to behold. We biked around the resort and it was a fun way to break a sweat. Can you believe this place is actually man-made!?!?! WOW! By the way, I gotta hand it to the architect, Joy Onozawa, for the great job with the environmental designs!

Anyway, my mom and dad were very impressed with the place, too, as I hoped. They particularly gave remarks to the water's edge and the lagoon side rooms. It's only in this resort where one can feel absolutely loved and cherished because of the basket of Philippine delicacies (gotta love those dried mangoes and yes, it was the first time I tried the mango-tamarind treats which until now we regularly buy from the grocery whenever we have the chance to!) that you'll find in the room upon check-in and the 1L of mineral water that they replenish daily. It's also amazing how Plantation Bay makes their guests feel like they have their own beach houses. My dad is really a beach bum (I must have gotten that from him!) and he still actually goes to our ~~dilapidated~~ beach house every weekend. There are times he would go there up to thrice a week! I think it reminds him of the times he had growing up after he lost his parents and he had to fish for food just to be able to eat lunch. But, yeah, that's a different story. He loves the water and enjoys swimming.

This is my dad. My source of strength, the greatest provider, and the most understanding man I know.

Our summer escapade at Plantation Bay gave us a chance to bond as a family. I'm an only kid, you see, and as an adolescent I was sort of rebellious and didn't communicate well with my folks. I wrote them A LOT of letters though. My mom has kept each one of them in her drawer. But that was before because now my relationship with my parents is pure delight, and they're both wonderful grandparents to my son. Before I got married, summer outings and vacations were ways for my parents and I to be able to sit down and talk and just enjoy being a family. Plantation Bay provided quite the peaceful and tranquil setting for that.

With the advent of technology and the rise of the social networks, getting in touch with Plantation Bay now is so easy. Recently, I was able to contact them through Facebook and got a reply promptly.

I've been wanting to go back to Plantation Bay for so long but this time I want to take my own family, Noodle Boy and the little Noodle Lito, and then create new memories. It's such a family-friendly resort and I'm excited to try the fun and exciting things to do at the resort with my husband and my little one. I remember the last time we were there it was possible to get some henna tattoo done in one of the kiosks. Also there are so many children's activities and rides to get involved with. I just found out that you can go fishing for real live garoupa, fish-feeding, boat-racing, sand-castle building, face and t-shirt painting, and there's a game room full of entertainment at your disposal as well as you can participate in outdoor activities like rock climbing and archery! My oh my! Furthermore, it's very nice to know that they have a nurse on duty 24/7 as well as a doctor on call. Obviously, there are still so much to see and experience at Plantation Bay that I just can't wait to go back!

So until then... I'll just reminisce with my memories of a summer that lasted forever.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines
http://plantationbay.com

TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/mymaria
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/mrsnoodleboy
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
BLOGS ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com ★ http://www.mrsnoodleboy.com

Eat More, Exercise Less. Sexy Solutions To The Rescue.

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 07:24:00 +0000

My quest to getting back the body of my dreams, not a perfect one but like my pre-pregnancy build or perhaps one that's even sexier, is just beginning. You already know my struggle to lose weight if you've been reading and stalking my blog. Thankfully, I've been gifted a secret weapon during this quest. I was given the opportunity as a prize to have treatments at Sexy Solutions by Belo. Three treatments: Lipo cavitation, Multi-Firm, and Body Sculpt were done on my abdomen to trim it down.

SIGNATURE TREATMENTS

1 - BURST THE FAT with LIPO CAVITATION

Lipo Cavitation breaks down stubborn fat cells in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, upper and lower back by delivering sound waves using low frequency ultrasound causing the fat cells to burst and the fat to seep out, making it easier to flush out.

2 – MELT THE FAT & TIGHTEN THE SKIN with MULTI FIRM

Multi-Firm uses radiofrequency heat to destroy the fat cells. When the fats are finally melted, they are removed out of the body through the lymphatic system. As a result, the body becomes reshaped, tightened, and the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks are greatly improved.

3 – TONE THE MUSCLE with BODY SCULPT

TriLipo sends energy pulses to the muscles that promote contractions similar to exercise, causing a “squeezing” effect that is necessary for the acceleration of liquid fat drainage, toning and shaping the body. It also improves blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and fat metabolism. This treatment is highly recommended once the skin starts to loosen after the Lipo Cavitation treatment.

This whole experience was a major motivation for me to lose more weight, well, fats to be exact and look my best. I think I'm going to be a fitness and health nut soon enough.

The journey begins.

Sexy Solutions by Belo offers the non-invasive treatments, so it's pretty safe. My mom started freaking out at the mere mention of "Belo" telling me that I shouldn't get surgeries and stuff, so I had to explain to her that I'm not getting ripped open! Sexy Solutions actually was established by Cristalle Belo Henares, the daughter of Vicky Belo. They have several clinics now. I went to the one in Fort Bonifacio. Celebrities that promote Sexy Solutions include Raymond Gutierrez and Georgina Wilson among many others, as well as their latest endorser, Andi Eigenmann. Accordingly, "Sexy Solutions is a holistic fat reduction clinic that specializes in breaking the plateau, by helping you lose those last few inches that never seems to come off no matter what diet or exercise you do. Sexy Solutions aims to promote a lifestyle that will guide you in achieving and maintaining your desired body through a combination of treatments, diet and exercise."

Getting excited for the treatments and feeling weird sensations during in my belly. It's like getting an ultrasound. Hehe.

Photo op before we begin. Meet Smylle, my smiling therapist.

Alright, time for a revelation. DON'T JUDGE ME!!! I know I'm far from my goal still but for the sake of this blog post, here let me show you my before and after photos of the treatments at Sexy Solutions.

See that? I lost a total of 3.4 inches during this session, in just 2 hours! WOW! I was blown away! I should go back for more treatments, but geography won't let me. Perhaps if they open up a branch in Cebu City then it will be more accessible for a probinsiyana like moi. Then I can get my arms done or something. ;)

This is Crissy, the ever accommodating and cheerful consultant, who emailed me promptly the photos and results of my session.

My body still needs A LOT of work until I get my desired physique, so I'm doing the exercises given to me by Edward Mendez, the fitness expert and author of Your Dream Body Come True.

@edwardmen23

Because Sexy Solutions care about helping you achieve a sexy body, my exercises were tailored specifically to my needs. I currently do a 20-minute Burn & Sculpt and Lipo Training System. It's not quite different from the exercises I used to do at the gym but now exercising less and getting optimum results. Plus I can work out right at home with my son cheering me on! Tee hee.

Some of the exercises of my workout regimen to get rid of that belly bulge!

It's amazing! I've been doing it for a couple of days and already I feel re-energized and strengthened. I even feel like going out now. Though I have yet to follow the diet plan that was recommended to me, it's pretty crafty considering the available ingredients and very easy to follow recipes. I might do it soon but as of now, honestly, I'm too lazy to prepare food for my own good. I still watch what I eat though and careful not to exceed the calories I need to be consuming. The key is to eat 4-5 x a day! My grandma used to say to us when we were kids, "Pagkabalingagon sining mga jatiz, unya di raba gajud mu tambok. Ging bitok na siguro ini." (Rough translation: "You kids are always eating and yet do not get fat. Maybe you got tapeworms now.") I guess there's that logic behind eating small meals to avoid overeating, huh!

So anyway, Sexy Solutions has got a lot of promos and discounts over their regular rates and you should contact them or pay them a visit if you would like to get that sexy body you've always wanted. I realize that it's not entirely losing weight that I should be focusing on but instead, I must lose my fats, too. And in case you're wondering, the fats go to your lymphatic system so you can pee, poop, or sweat out the bad stuff! Pretty cool, huh!

CURRENT RATES AND DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!!!

You can follow @sexysolutions and @truedreambody on Twitter to get more sexy diet tips.

My totally honest to goodness Gran Prix Hotel & Suites (Ermita) Manila review

noreply@blogger.com (Maria Velasquez-Franco) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 15:39:00 +0000

The main reason why I picked Gran Prix Hotel & Suites Manila out of the countless hotels near the US Embassy was because of their super affordable rates plus its convenient location. Booking with them was a no-brainer with Agoda.com. Checking in was also pretty easy even though I wasn't able to bring a printout of our hotel voucher. They simply asked me to forward them a copy of the booking confirmation email I received from Agoda. Easy breezy.

Trying to be practical, we didn't want to splurge on some fancy accommodation when we just wanted a place to stay for the night before our US Visa renewal interview and also a safe place to store our belongings because the USEM won't allow any electronic devices (cellphones, game consoles, tablets, etc.) inside their premises. Gran Prix Hotel & Suites Manila was the perfect place that addressed our needs. Our reservation even included breakfast all for only PHP1,455.00 ($34.36). By far, the cheapest rate for a hotel that is walking distance to the USEM.

As a provincial girl, going to the capital scares the hell out of me. I'm not kidding. Though I love Cebu City, (I was born there and lived there for a few years on my own after graduation) it's still not as urbanized as Metro Manila. Honestly, big cities scare me. Although I felt at home when I visited New York City, but that's an entirely different story, or country if you know what I mean. I called the hotel around lunch time informing them we would be arriving in the evening and asked about airport transfers. They called me back informing me that it will cost PHP750 to send someone to meet us and drive us to the hotel. So I told them we'll just take the airport taxi (which cost just PHP530 to Ermita).

Anyway, I researched and printed a map just to make sure we don't get lost and the taxi driver won't take advantage of us. Google Maps to the rescue!

Google Maps gave us the WRONG address! PAK!

It turns out, WE GOT LOST no thanks to Google! Grrr... We even turned on the GPS on the iPad so we can see the blue dot move as we drive towards the hotel but alas, the address that the map gave us is not right! We had to walk 3 blocks until we finally found the hotel. The security guards around the area (the ones at BDO and from 7 Eleven) don't even know where the heck Gran Prix Hotel is located! WTF. I should have trusted Agoda's map because they were spot on. I really thought Google knows everything. Oh well.

Correct address provided by Agoda.

Gran Prix Hotel after all is just 3 blocks away from the US Embassy! Our interview was scheduled for 7:30 AM so leaving the hotel at 6:30 AM gave us ample time to get there and the lines outside weren't so crazy yet.

Now onto my hotel review proper. Sorry, I just had to narrate the whole experience. :)

The reviews you'll find in Agoda are horrible! And I mean, when you read them, you'll think twice about booking with Gran Prix Hotel & Suites. But the daredevil in me told me I must find it out for myself and add my honest unbiased review. So I'm going to give it some justice. I read that the rooms are actually located on the 5th and 6th floors on Tesoro Bldg. The room they gave us was on the 3rd floor. Getting a magnetic card key to room 301 was a surprise. Our room was pleasantly very near the elevator, too. Some people said the walls are really thin so you can hear noises outside your room and true enough, I could hear the housekeeping roll their service trays or guests with their trolleys as they pass our room, but I couldn't hear any of our neighbors' kalandrakas.

Added bonus!

I really didn't expect to get any shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, or soap but hey, they're there! Though we didn't use them, these were beyond my expectations. And then there were two (double sized) beds! We slept in one.

The foam mattress I think had some kind of leatherette cover on them beneath the thin bed sheets. They sort of reminded me of tourist/cabin beds on a big boat. The pillows were also old I guess. They smelled funny, like pillows from my childhood that were made out of doldol, which I think is some kind of silk/cotton in English. The blankets were pretty thin so we had to turn off the split-type Samsung a/c around 4 AM because it was too cold even at 24°. We had a flat screen TV in the room that came with a lot of channels (more than I'm used to here in the province anyway!). Not that I watch TV really, because I just don't.

They provided slippers, again I didn't expect this, as well as hangers inside the small cabinet. So this was pretty cool for Noodle Boy who is used to hanging all his clothes. The outlets were also very conveniently placed between the beds, on the bedside table, so with charging our gadgets we had no problem.

The bathroom was huge!!! I read this in one of the reviews so I was anticipating for it. The heater actually worked so it was very good to have but the cover of the drain in the bathroom was broken and I had to put it away or else I might cut my feet on its rusty edges. Noodle Boy didn't have any complaints, except the fact that the mirrors were placed so low that he said he understands why many foreigners commented negatively and felt the room is mostly designed for Filipinos/Asians. The mirrors for me were perfect. Tee hee.

Oh, the best part of the our room is the FREE WIFI access! I know, I know. I feel lost when I'm offline. LOL. So this was really nice and if you ask me, I think the speed is pretty decent. No complaints there.

You'll find the restaurant at the topmost (7th) floor with a roof deck outside. Breakfast was much anticipated for me because I know they would be serving silogs, and I do enjoy a good Filipino breakfast especially if there's Pampagueño tocino!

I love tocino!!!

Overall, I would recommend staying at this hotel if you're in town for a US VISA interview. It may not be the best one there is out there, but now I can say, as per my own experience, that it's clean, very affordable, and super close to the US Embassy. Padre Faura Street is straight to the entrance of USEM. We only needed a place to crash for a couple of hours for our US visa interview. So what more could we possibly need?

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

Gran Prix Hotel & Suites Manila
Tesoro Building
1325 Mabini Street
Ermita, Manila, Philippines

Phone: 3533323
Mobile Number: 09322216206
Email Address: gpsalesandmarketing@gmail.com