BREAKFREE

Meiji Amino Collagen and Otsuka Collagen Jelly C (Product Review)

2016-05-29T04:21:00.004-07:00

I wasn't paid in doing this review. I just have the privilege of having a co-parent at my children's school who uses and sells authentic Japan beauty goodies and I managed to personally try some. I have heard so much of these Japan whitening, skin-firming, collagen, placenta and a lot more few years back but wasn't convinced. So when I met this seller who is now a friend (because I now became a fan, hehe), I asked her so many questions and (honestly) asked for recommendations since she's been taking beauty supplements from Japan for many years now. I even searched on the internet for reviews and articles that tell and sort out details about these Japan-raved skin and beauty goodies. I had a hard time looking for reliable resources because what I want to read was a review coming from a user of a product and not just because they were paid to do it or they were recently given samples to test and try to support a ''positive review''. I want a review coming from an actual user of a certain product I'm looking for and maybe a long time user's testimonial would be much much better.

Allow me first to give an introduction about my skin condition. I have a very sensitive skin prone to blackheads and whiteheads and pimples. I got large facial pores which I got from my father's side though my fair complexion was said to be from my mother's. Pimples started to appear on my face at the age of 13 when I had my first menstrual period and continued until my first pregnancy and giving birth to my twin boys year 2005; but recurred after conceiving my daughter. Since then my adventure in looking for a great product to ease my skin problems began. I don't use make-up. I only have pressed powder and a lip gloss or lip balm including a mirror and comb in my (kikay) kit plus alcohol, hand soap, mint rub for insect bites and a liniment oil (talk about being a Mama).

I really don't care if my face looks pale and without colors, what's important to me is a clean face! For more than five years (my daughter's now aged 7) my skin condition had been my dilemma. External products: cleanser, toners and creams didn't and maybe really won't work for me at all! What made it more complicated, we transferred from Davao City after living there for more than two years as a family (my husband had lived there longer for more than five years since he studied at Ateneo de Davao University College of Law) to Polomolok, South Cotabato and lived there for more than three years then later on moved to its nearby city General Santos. Thus, causing so much plight on my skin - a change in weather and water adding the pollution and humidity of the surrounding. Those years were really a nightmare to my face - hands up I'd say!

Now, here comes my review. Enter now the dragon. My ''beauty counsel'' recommended the very famous Meiji Amino Collagen. She said if it will work for me then the rest of its kind will follow. I noticed on the first three days after mixing a scoop of the collagen powder to my drinks (coffee, Milo) and even yogurt anytime of the day (at least once a day) the skin on my face near my nose got firm and lifted. My facial pores got smaller and the blemishes becoming lighter. Blackheads and whiteheads - GONE! The skin on my arms, hands and legs got tighter and firmer too. It didn't make me whiter but it did make my skin toned, supple and smooth. I also noticed my hair don't have split ends anymore in a week's time! When my menstruation arrived, my back and abdomen cramps lessened. My teeth that were slightly yellowish became lighter in shade. The powder is tasteless but has a fishy smell but when mixed into Milo, yogurt our soup the smell can't be traced. Meiji Amino Collagen is my collagen supplement until now and it's working well for me. The downside is that my face looks full or should I say I now have chubby cheeks. I might try another collagen that would do the wonders of Meiji yet won't as if add a kilogram to my facial flesh. (*sigh*) No, it won't make you fat, maybe because of the toning and lifting effect of the collagen that's why my face enjoyed it's back to youthful glow as promised by Meiji. (*another sigh*)

Enter the second dragon. I wanted my husband to take collagen too. His skin condition is much worse than mine (more pimples on his back, neck, shoulder and arms) but he disliked the thought of mixing the collagen powder in his coffee and surprisingly his nose could smell the fishy-fishy thing so I sought for help from my counsel and there she was to the rescue with the Otsuka Collagen Jelly C in a box (31 single strips in sachets good for 31 days). With prayers, I let my husband tried one and to my joy he gave an approval. Like Meiji, it tightens the pores on his face and gives him a glow, his complexion is becoming even too. It doesn't make him chubby but it knocks him to sleep after minutes of ingestion which I dislike. But if we are travelling, I replace my Meiji with Otsuka since its single-packed jellies are easy to carry everywhere (minus the can and the scoop) and convenient to consume (without making any drink). My father, brothers and my aunt are also eating Otsuka Collagen because of my recommendation and it is working well for them for two months now.

There are other collagen brands too like Orihiro, BB, Lotte, Shiseido, Asahi and more but I'm sticking to Meiji and Otsuka for the meantime. I have Orihiro collagen in stock, I might be trying it after my Meiji packs run out.

For authentic Japan beauty loots and finds visit Kanna Japan Beauty Shoppe in Facebook (Ms. Tin). You can also find the legit shop in Lazada Philippines. Ms. Tin sources her items for sale directly from Japan, she goes to Japan almost every month just to get ''beauty produce'' fresh!

My Salad Dressing

2016-01-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Squeeze out the juice of a medium lemon into a bowl. Add three tablespoons of honey (depends on your taste). If honey is not available, white sugar will do. Add a dash of black ground pepper and 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. Mix well.

The honey I use at home for cooking and other dishes or just to sweeten pancakes and breads is guaranteed pure harvested from a beehive found in a forest in the province of Sarangani.

The singakamas I bought from Barangay Saravia in Koronadal, South Cotabato at 80 Php per bundle of string (had 12 pieces medium sized) and the iceberg lettuce I bought from the vegetable stalls in Bukidnon at 30Php per kilo became a good combo. This was my breakfast then this morning. My husband and kids ate with me too.

Apareja's Buko Halo-Halo in South Cotabato

2016-01-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

It's one of our favorite stops whenever we wind down along the road. Located at Barangay Saravia, Koronadal (Marbel), South Cotabato; 5-10 minute drive from the city proper of Koronadal or 45 minutes to one hour from General Santos City (plus the traffic and speed limit) is where this very famous buko halo-halo of Apareja can be found.

They just cut a portion of the top of a young buko to make a bowl good enough to hold a serving, the young coconut meat intact and spoonfulls of minatamis na saging (boiled banana in sugar/glucose syrup), candied chewy jackfruit meat, dices of boiled sweet potatoes, a scoop of ice cream topped with leche flan, some nata de coco and kaong sprinkled with corn flakes and garnished with additional grated young coconut meat - ah is love love love love! There's not too much ice. I think they only place half a cup of crushed ice. So what you will be eating isn't the ice but the goodness treat inside the green coconut! Now this is the true halo-halo and not just ice!

Last year, per serving costed 65 Php but as of today or I don't know when did they start hiking its price, it's now 80 Php per serving.

I'm talking about real halo-halo here. Again, not ice! This I highly recommend a must try! Only in South Cotabato! Only in Mindanao! ^*,

Aside from this buko halo-halo, Barangay Saravia has more to offer. On the sides of its road you can find stores selling singkamas, suka pinakurat, suka tuba, snacks, sweet potatoes, bananas and other farm produce.

It's always fun in South Cotabato!

Kouziena 9505 (kitchen & drinks) REVIEW

2016-01-08T22:22:00.003-08:00

My husband requested me to accompany him to Koronadal, South Cotabato to meet his partner in their office. I was supposed to stay at home to arrange our things. Three bags are still unpacked from our December travels. The kids volunteered to just stay at home and our stay-out househelp said she can extend her stay until our return in the aftrenoon so off we went.. I made sure before leaving them at home that my children's mobile phone is just within their reach so they can message or call me anytime and vice versa..

Along the road from General Santos, my husband was craving for the buko halo-halo at Apareja at Barangay Saravia, Korondal but when we entered the town of Tupi driving at 40kph speed limit, Rex suddenly turned right to an establishment and declared,"Ga, let's eat. I'm hungry." I was about to say, "We just had breakfast at home an hour before we left!" but he abruptly seconded, "Masarap dito!" Let the husband lead the way then!

The tarp hanging on the outside says Kouziena 9505 Kitchen & Drinks. According to my husband, he already ate here last October 2015 with his colleagues. I also learned they opened last year's September. I ordered boneless garlic chicken for me and fish balls sweet and sour for Rex. Also ordered green apple drinks and creamy mustard baby potato for the both of us. We were served first with their cream of mushroom soup for free and when the rice meals arrived, they came with fried baby potatoes. Anything with potatoes or has potatoes as long as there's potato Rex my husband finds it with great gusto. The dishes are good. It made me like potatoes more. On a scale of 1 to 10 ranking 10 as the yummiest I'd rate Kouziena 9505 an 8.5. And that's a meal for 380 Php for the two of us.

The ambiance of the place is not that appealing much to one's sight. Simple acacia tables and plastic black chairs. Just plain. Enough to give you a sense of comfort while enjoying your budget meal. Good place for roadtrippers, backpackers and students who like to eat cheap but hearty and could fill a tummy.

Will come back once more and try their other rice meals and to eat again their baby potatoes - a must-eat!

CopyRight: The Power of a Praying Wife (Stormie Omartian)

2014-04-13T17:55:00.002-07:00

I've had this book for almost two years now but didn't get ample time to read the whole thing. I was a Bible student the time I had it and was engrossed in Bible references. This year, as I was rearranging my hoarded books, I felt the urge to put on top of my long table - Stormie Omartian's books: The Power of a Praying Parent, The Power of a Praying Husband and the Power of a Praying Wife. I had Omartian's The Power of Praying Through The Bible but I remember handing it over to a brother in Christ who just flew to Papua New Guinea for work. My better half started reading the Power of a Praying Husband last year and for the record he's already halfway through it.

Now got my chance to read The Power of a Praying Wife, let me type/write and share in here the most profound points (I strongly believe) Stormie had said in this book. All she had written made sense to which I can relate to so well as a wife in this God-given life. I need not to give out my opinions in every areas of what she had written, explained and elaborated to even her own life's examples to her point of view for they are already equivalent to a complete menu. No need for ad-ons. So, for those who cannot find a copy in prints of this book, you may refer to this compilation I'll be posting here on my blog.

When I Became A Mom

2014-03-07T21:02:00.001-08:00

I strongly believe that one of my life's greatest assignments here on earth is to be a mother. I never understood my mom well enough until I became one. My mom had to give up her teaching career the day she learned she's pregnant after more than a year of being married to my father. I am their first offspring and I've witnessed how my mom dotingly took care of me and my younger siblings. She's a hands-on-mom (up to now). She has symptoms of an OCD. Hehe. Got 50% of that 'disorder'. Haha.

Now that I am raising my own kids, I preferred to stay at home most of the time except during the days my dear husband requests my presence to be with him when he's having out of town trips exceeding more than two days. (He can't sleep well the whole night without sniffing and touching his wife according to him.) I have a househelp at home who does the laundry, cooking and cleaning and I am the one who takes care of the necessary needs of my household. I always check their food, clothes, school calendar and so on. Reese, our 5-year old darling sometimes would tell me that she loves me more than his Dad because Dad doesn't like to buy her toys and Mommy buys her Play Doh sets every month to which I would always reply, "It's Daddy's money Mommy's using to buy you Play Doh." (wink)

It's been 8 years now since I became a mom and the task, the obligation, the responsibility and all that motherhood entails will never become too easy. When I was on my initial period, I almost gave up but by the help of God and through His grace I was able to survive those tiring and very doubting years. It was a havoc and a chaotic life for me since I was one of those teenage moms almost a decade ago. It was a battle because I was having a hard time balancing my own emotions, desires and self-ego adding to my little life these babies (they're twins) for me to feed and grow. It was a "whattalife" for me back then. But, really, God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. Those trying times, I learned how to trust His plans and His heart for me. I never went on empty.

It was when I became a mother that I appreciated life better. It was when I became a mother that I learned how to value life and all existence. It was when I became a mother - I have felt the kind of love which is almost unconditional and so heart-melting. The kind of love which would withstood even the greatest failures one can do, always forgiving and always gentle. Let me show how I feel through a song I dedicate to my children. I have three as of now, and we are expecting two more (if they will be twins) this year or maybe next year if God permits.

"Every Day I Love You"

Boyzone

I don't know, but I believe
That some things are meant to be
And that you'll make a better me
Everyday I love you
I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do
You know that I learn something new
Everyday I love you

'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.

It's a touch when I feel bad
It's a smile when I get mad
All the little things I am
Everyday I love you

Everyday I love you more
Everyday I love you

'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul

If I asked would you say yes?
Together we're the very best
I know that I am truly blessed
Everyday I love you
And I'll give you my best
Everyday I love you.

Mashfa's Top 10 Favorite Christian Songs

2014-03-06T17:38:00.002-08:00

I was raised inside the portals of a church. I and my younger brothers were taught how to listen and to sing Christian songs. I on the vocals and acoustic guitar while my brothers can play the guitars, drums and piano, they could sing too. From English praise and worship songs to the Ilocano ones to Visayan - we've learned them all. When I was eight or nine years old I started to love Don Moen's songs up to this day. In fact, when he had a performance last November 2013 in General Santos City, I was able to sit, watch and even sang songs with him at the VIP rows. I also love the music of Darlene Zscech, Michael W. Smith, Steve Curtis Chapman, Kari Jobe, Mandissa, Ron Kenoly and a few more.

Here are my personal choices:

1. Say Goodbye, Mandissa

2. Steady My Heart, kari Jobe

3. When God Ran

4. God Will Make A Way, Don Moen

5. God is Able, Ron Kenoly

6. Kiss of Heaven, Darlene Zscech

7. I Will Be Here For You, Michael W. Smith

8. Search and Know, Garry Valenciano

9. Duyana Ako, Jerome Suson

10. Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow (my father's life song)

Facebook Stores I Love

2014-03-03T01:12:00.004-08:00

After writing my reasons why I prefer buying online, I would also make a post of my trusted stores and sellers on Facebook. I personally give my rate of 9.5 out 10 for these stores because of their quality customer service and of course their products as well. I'd be listing them in random. No favorites because I equally love the people behind them. Heeheeee.

1. Thrifty Picks. She sells so pretty, vibrant, colorful, chiffon, printed, cotton, plain, quality and adorable vintage dresses. Her page uploads tons of them at least twice a week and it's always a race for her fans. I already met the seller of this precious Facebook store several times already and she's one of the prettiest ladies I know. She's soft-spoken and we shared some personal things in life through our meet-ups and online conversations. She even invited me on her wedding day (made me so flattered), sadly I wasn't able to see her in her wedding dress. She's blessed, indeed. She because Thrifty Picks of Davao City is no other than Ms. Anne.

2. Blusa Ni Juana. Plaids and plains? It's like opening your grandma's wooden chest and discovering that we too in this generation can still pull-off their sense of fashion decades ago. Long skirts and as the store's name bears it - blusa or blouse; blouses and tops that are hard to find nowadays not just because of the style but moreover because of its quality. No other than, Ms. Maricarr of Marikina. A seller I've known to be so bubbly during our conversations through chat. Haha. A seller who know's how to fight back - hehe. Straightforward but considerate.

3. Thrifty Pinay. Pre-loved branded clothing up for grabs from this shop. Selling dresses and bottoms, tops and cardigans. Based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Ms. Anna caters fashion wants with brands at affordable prices fit for working ladies even moms. She was pregnant the first time I bought dresses from her. Now we're even because she's already a mom like me! Hehe. One of my constant 'likers' of my Facebook updates/posts. Hehe. A seller who listens to her customers and makes reminders gently. Hehe.

4. Cute Chesca's Closet. Named after her daughter, Ms. Lou of Cainta Rizal is selling delicious items like Taste N See's toasted pastillas, cookies n cream pastillas and caramel pastillas, red velvet crinkles with cream cheese filling, choco crinkles with choco ganache filling, silvanas, blondies and revel bars, Iloco's longganisa, sansrival and wait there's more - character Uratex beds and mom & daughter dresses/tops/bottoms. She has so many to offer and I love buying her sweets most especially the red velvet crinkles and toasted pastillas. One of the best sellers I know because she communicates well with her clients. A devoted mother to her cute Chesca.

5. Charle's Goodies. Ms. Lori of Ontario, Canada is selling lots of stuff from the place where she is now. She's a Filipino and has a boutique in Bangkal, Davao City managed by her smiling Mom. Her shop offers all kinds of children's wear - tops to bottoms to undies to footwear. She has some for adults too. She carries branded ones namely Osh Kosh, Place, Gap, Aeropostale and many more. I got from her my boxes of Corelle - at very low prices! Much lower than the sale prices we have in malls nationwide! Believe me you! Hehe. So so affordable. Plus, this seller is so considerate. Hehe. Her boutique in Davao City where I visited once serves as one of my inspirations in putting up my own, one day.

Online Buying/Shopping

2014-03-02T21:00:00.001-08:00

I started selling online a few months after giving birth to my third child year 2009. I used Facebook and Sulit. By the following year I initiated buying simple stuff like clothing and shoes for myself. Months went by and I was already hooked! Selling, buying, selling, buying, buying, buying.. Hahaha! I usually buy my personal paraphernalia online, at least 60-70% of my clothes, shoes and bags. I even purchase some of our small kitchen appliances from an online shopping mall. Let me write in here three reasons why I kinda go for this shopping method instead of going to a physical store:

1. Convenience. I don't have to go outside the house, less the hours spent in taking a bath, dressing up and all which I sometimes dislike. There'd be days I'd jump into the car hair uncombed. And there'd also be unlucky days when I can't locate my one and only pink Springmaid comb making our driver run to a nearest store to buy an alternative brush for my pitiful hair. So much for that hair, because I stay most of the time at home, in my husband's office and on the road, I do not have the luxury of staying inside a shopping center particularly if it'll be my personal things I'll be selecting. When online, when I see an item, I'll check, I'll ask for details from the seller or read the given info, if I like, then confirm. That's it.

Okay. Wait. As many as the sellers and buyers flocking the world wide web today, I am fully aware that there are fakes, bogus and scams. I only transact with sellers whom I know and trust. I am a 'repeating' customer. I do not hop from one seller/shop to another. This also applies when I shop in a physical store. I am one of those who always carry a shoppers' loyalty card or whatever they call it. Hehe.

2. Spending Less. When I shop online I do not have to bring a wallet or cash. And when I say I only have 1,000 php for today for buying a pair of sandals, a pair of trousers and a shirt, then I have to stick with it. It's because, I am the kind of woman who brings all of my belongings when I go out. Meaning, I have with me our ATM cards and my one-month's allowance plus the amount intended for food and house necessities. Honestly, I can't resist buying when I'm surrounded with so good things. I only think about an item twice. Ending, I'd be paying for unnecessary finds. I guess I should be thinking more than thrice - to a hundred. I do not have that kind of extended patience when shopping because the day would soon be over so what I see, I get. Unlike when I face my computer, browsing a thing to a thing, stuff to a different stuff to more, I'd have the time to compare and think, now this, more than twenty times.

3. I Make Friends. True. Because I am a 'repeating' customer, the sellers become my virtual friends. I get to know them. Not only them but even their families, their spouses, kids, love life. Because when I transact with people, one of my interests is to make a connection, not just in terms of money or business but to make a bridge more on personal. Mostly, that makes me come back to that shop, to the seller, because of the person.

Well, my online shopping mantra only applies when I buy things for myself as what I've written above. When it comes to my husband and our kiddos, I don't have a choice but to spend a day inside my favorite shopping mall, will make another post for it though.

Sumosam in General Santos City

2014-02-12T18:08:00.002-08:00

I was famished after tagging myself along with my husband in his all day meetings and appointments with his clients. It went past 7 o'clock in the evening already and he's still talking to some heads inside Starbucks. Finally, after a few minutes they stood up from their seats and I saw him looking for his wife's face outside the cafe. I went out an hour before they finished and roamed around the SM Mall of GenSan City by the way. I immediately told him when he got near me that I'm terribly hungry and I needed something hot - a bowl of soup. There are several fine restaurants beside Starbucks and inside the mall, I headed to Sumosam and ordered two vegetable ramen (one for Rex and Kuya Sunny our family driver) at 298 Php each and one seafood ramen at 378 Php all in shoyu soup base. Theirs were filled with lots of greens and mongo sprouts while mine got luscious portions of squid, roasted seaweeds, shrimps, fish balls and tempura. I think the servings just compensated the prices. Hehe.

Seafood Ramen

Vegetable Ramen

My PhilHealth Membership's Up-to-Date

2014-01-27T18:50:00.000-08:00

The first month of the first quarter of 2014 is nearly at its end. I flipped over my notepad last night and was reminded of my Philhealth contribution for this year. Before, when I was employed, my employer(s) would automatically deduct 50% of my Philhealth's premium contribution from my gross salary every pay day and the other 50% would come from their end. The last BPO company I worked for was paying me 8,000 Php every 15 days amounting to 16,000 Php in a month that required me to pay 375 Php monthly by Philhealth as my contribution. Now that I am no longer working, I still continue paying for my membership voluntarily categorized under the Individually Paying Program. Year 2012, it was amended that the 100 Php paid monthly by individually paying members will be doubled and would start by the following year and counting; but Philhealth also offered a payment scheme privilege that if an individually paying member could pay on or before August 2012 his/her whole 2013's contribution in one payment only then he/she will only pay 1,200 Php instead of 2,400 Php to which I availed. Come 2014, I have to pay 200 Php monthly for my contribution.

Paid 200 Php x 6 months for the first two quarters of 2014

I keep on paying for my Philhealth contribution because I can see that my membership benefits are essential not only for myself but for my household as well. Our youngest child was admitted last year due to UTI and because I am a meticulous mom when it comes to my kids' wellness and hospitalizations, I will always opt for a private hospital, an exclusive room, the best pediatrician in the city and branded medicines to be applied to my children. My husband and I would not take any risks at all when it comes to our little ones. We do not mind about the amount we have to shell out when health and recovery is a must. Our hospital bill for three days at General Santos Doctor's Hospital amounted to 16, 000 Php + 7, 500 Php for the Doctor's Professional Fee. We only paid 4, 000 Php out of the whole bill. Aside from my Philhealth membership, my husband had his paid for by the school where he is teaching but we requested to have it cut-off. Philhealth does not allow double membership since my husband is already one of my beneficiaries. What he is focusing to is his SunLife insurance and his SSS contributions.

For more of Philhealth's programs and details, you may visit them online at http://www.philhealth.gov.ph.

Good thing here is, the bank where we have our deposits is accepting Philhealth payments. I need not to wait for long hours inside the PhilHealth office in General Santos City which is always bursting with people.

Korea's Best Foods in Davao

2014-01-27T00:46:00.000-08:00

The only remembrance I had in my thoughts from Korean people is their kimchi. We used to have batches of these tiny-eyed and porcelain-skinned visitors when I was in my grade school years. My father is a minister and we have different kinds of foreigners for mission field trips arriving in the church, those times we were living in a pastoral house (parsonage) so we got numbers of them all throughout. Particularly with our Korean visitors, when they're in the house, we always had kimchi on the table. I wasn't able to eat it when I was kid but when I married Rex, and I started to roam the supermarkets all by myself, I got a hold of a jar of kimchi. It then started my gusto for these chinese pechay soaked in chili powder. I also have an elder friend who makes kimchi that's too yummy for me - it means her kimchi is not overrated with spiciness. Tamang-tama lang ang anghang. Pang pinoy ang level ng anghang.

I've heard Davao City hosts a lot of Asian restaurants. I've already tried Chinese and Japanese cuisine but they're not for me, not for my low-class taste buds. I'm not a foodie but there'd be times I need justice for what I pay. (laugh) Kelangan kong mabusog. Last December, my sister-in-law and his husband brought us to Gomone, a Korean restaurant owned and managed by an authentic Korean (as I say so). I liked their samgyeopsal and most of all their ice-cold coffee! I even asked for a second round. Sure it's a 100% Korean food experience but the dishes were all super-maanghang! I needed to drink a lot of water and stuff more rice inside my mouth to contain my self from firing from the inside! (laugh) The servings were superb though. I also liked the dish that has rice noodles. I wasn't into knowing the names of what they were serving on our table because I was too busy soothing my tongue. Hehe. Maybe I'll give myself another try anytime this year to see if I can fight a good fight of spice.(wink again)

Last weekend, we ate at Manna Korean Restaurant. And here, I'd say I have eaten a lot. Still, I'm in love with their samgyeopsal, they have red lettuce and first time I tried bibimpab. We also had mandoo and kimbap. What I also like about these Korean restaurants we've been to is that their side dishes or appetizers can already feed one - and they are for free!

Side dishes at Manna

samgyeopsal

Here's a few trivia I got while waiting for my dinner at Manna:

Tea in Starbucks is Love!

2014-01-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

I was with my husband in SM Lanang Premiere a couple of days ago before his flight to Manila. Since it was too early to go to the airport, I suggested we go to Krispy Kreme to have some donuts and coffee. We only have J.Co in General Santos City by the way. Hehe. Only Americano & Brewed coffee were available at the counter when I ordered and my stomach couldn't tolerate those kinds. After ordering coffee and pull apart muffins for Rex and Kuya Sunny (our driver), I headed upstairs planning to buy latte or cappuccino from Starbucks which is located at the mall's second level . And hey, I saw their new menu of tea drinks! I think it's been three months already since I visited Starbucks in SM Gensan that's why I was misinformed. Hehe. I asked the attendant if what's their best tea drink. She said its their Chamomile Latte. I ordered the venti size and asked for some sweetener to which she gave me two tiny foils of honey. Believe me you, Starbucks Chamomile Tea Latte is one of the finest tea I've ever had in my whole life! (exaggeration applied) My husband and I are tea drinkers and we adore chamomile so much because of its soothing and calming effects in every part of our body. The serving is too generous because the bar girl placed two large bags of their Starbucks Chamomile Tea (exclusive huh) inside my tall cup for take out.

Our 2014's PRAYERLIST

2014-01-19T05:49:00.002-08:00

I just posted a few moments ago my super duper late 2013 Christmas wishlist. Hehe. I just can't help it after reading a few rants of the mommy-blogs I am following so I felt the urge to at least write mine even if it's awkwardly way tooooooo late! Anyway, last year brought a whole lot of baggage on me and my husband particularly in some areas of our lives (sssssshhhhhhh) but were overcome by blessings and provision unexpected - another area in life that conquers the trails of sacrifices. I will be forever grateful to God for He remained faithful in my marriage with Rex and He's making us both to grow steadfast and strong and loyal to each other. I hundred percent believe in the song, "Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by.." Hehe. We have lots of things and plans unaccomplished last year for our family and as an individual too. Some because of procrastination, some just didn't push through, others due to lack of well-planning and funds intended were diverted to emergencies and an aftermath calamity support and maybe because those plans were not really meant for us. We do not have regrets though because we believe God has greater plans for my family and we are excited to see what He has in store for us this 2014! Whew! This will be another year of hard work, perseverance, thorough planning, teamwork, saving, investing and trusting and having a firm faith to the Most High!

The prayers uttered in our family devotions for this year's list started last week of December 2013. Our list is so specific as of this time. Let me share to you my readers the desires of each member of our family and some details too. Heehe.

1. A BRAND NEW HOUSE

We acquired our home lot of 404 square meters two years ago and planned to start our house construction year 2013 but as of now we were only able to do some fencing around the area (not yet finished), planted trees and some herbs and placed a tiny Bahay Kubo (nipa hut) that serves as our abode upon visit. Well, we planned to start the construction but we didn't say we are aiming to have it finished same year. (laugh) So for this year 2014, we are praying to have our own house in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

This is the Cullen's House in Twilight Saga. The structure will serve as one of our inspirations as we go over our house plans. I like the concept of wood and glass and touch of concrete. We will have an open-house (literally), open as walls will be limited so air can move in and out freely. And another element I'd like to imitate from the Cullen's house is that they don't have beds. (wink) We will have rolled mats and sleeping foams/cushions for everybody then! The floor planning and design is ongoing with friends, one who's an engineer and the other just got his license as an architect - we praise God for this blessing of friendship and of people, who are willing to give us huge discounts!

2. FORD 2.2L RANGER XL 4x4 MT

Actually, one of Rex's desire (since he took oath as a Philippine lawyer) was to buy a Toyota Hilux 4x4. It all changed when a client handed to him a one-year old Trooper (Isuzu) as payment after election. Due to his profession, he travels almost daily around Sarangani, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao City to Davao Oriental. After a few months of using the vehicle, we calculated how much we've shelled out for its fuel and what we came up with was not desirable in our pockets. The Isuzu Trooper is 3L 4x4 AT and Rex was doling out a minimum of 1,000 Php a day for its fuel only, driver's fee excluded, only for their errands Polomolok-Gensan-Polomolok. A no-no. So after almost five months, we decided to let go of it and go back to public vehicles for transport. Toyota Hilux pick-up trucks have the same engines with Isuzu Trooper. So that was a good sign for Rex to look for another truck which is "reasonable".

Then came December last year a car unexpectedly arrived just two days before Christmas. It was a favor from God and a Christian client. We later learned that Honda Fit is 1.3L 4V which made me more happy. So tipid sa gasoline! Polomolok to Davao City costs us 500 Php only! We then used the car to bring my parents-in-law to Davao City when they visited us here in South Cotabato and when we spent our New Year with my parents in Bukidnon. Husband said I can have the car all by myself when his Ford Ranger arrives, anytime soon! Yeheeeeeeee! Here's what we're praying for.

3. KIDS' TOYS & GADGETS

As our children are growing up, I don't remember us buying them any gifts and toys amounting to 1,000 Php or more. First reason is that, we can't afford to splurge that amount just for toys or gadgets they whine about as what they see in TV and in YouTube. When we go shopping for toys in malls, I needed to tell them their specific budget and show them the price figure of the toys they are allowed to pull out from the shelves. But last December, each one said a special request during one of our devotions.

The twins Maki & Kiah wanted similar items:

PSP (PlayStation Portable) - one each.

The youngest Reese requested for:

A pink desktop computer where she can play girly online games like baking cookies and doing some make overs over a digital barbie, also so she can watch YouTube videos of Barbie movies, Korean kids making demos on how to make jellies and erasers, and videos of play dough procedures.

She said she is also praying for a pink bike with a carrier. Not just the typical plastic bike but the one that is made of soft metals with silver wheels.

Just the three. We are giving much priority the first two as 2014 started its roll. We are entrusting everything to God. For all things are possible in His name! A fruitful and bountiful 2014 to everyone!

My Super Ever Late Christmas Wishlist

2014-01-19T01:53:00.004-08:00

Tadaaaah! It's already 2014 and I'm still jotting down my 2013 Christmas list! (LAUGHING OUT LOUD!) Well, I'm not that busy as what you might be thinking. I'm not a full-time working mom either. I only have a few contracts for my write-ups and articles last year. It's just that I'm hands-on at home and is doing a sideline of travelling with my husband to attend his out of town court hearings and meetings. I sometimes assist him in his office and do the works of the secretary when papers are in tons. At home, I do not entrust to anyone the grocery shopping and the local farmers' market trips which I do once a week, the sorting and preparing of my husband's and kids' clothes and lots of personal things for my family I believe I'm the one doing and for personal touches of course.

Anyway, my list will be a 100% material thingy. Here it is:

1. Nikon Coolpix S3600

20.1 Effective Mega Pixels, 8x Optican Zoom and 16x* Dynamic Fine Zoom

4-Axis Hybrid VR for Movie Recording, with High Performance Nikkor Lenses, EXPEED C2 image-Processing System, Macro-shooting for as close as 2cm., One-touch HD 720p Movie Recording

Oh well, I still have my three-year-old Nikon Coolpix S3100 with 14.0 MP, 5x Zoom and my ever reliable Samsung Galaxy 3 from Globe that I use for capturing scenes and faces of my kids and a lot of 'selfies' (self-shots) too! (laugh) I admire DSLR cameras but I think they are not for me since I don't like bulky gadgets and I'm not a pro in photography. I remember one of my instructors in Bible College who happens to be one of General Santos' professional photographers telling us during one of our classroom chitchats, "If you are making photography as a living or as a source of income (main or sideline) then you ought to buy a DSLR camera. But if it's just for leisure like you want to have your face printed with views from places like your comfort rooms, then a point-and-shoot one will do." Elite bloggers earning thousands of bucks have been using DSLR cameras since it invaded the film market. I find cameras a must for bloggers most especially if one's theme is about travel, places, food, fashion and topics that need elaboration using photos - I mean almost-true photos. I'd settle with compact cameras for now. My old camera is getting a little fuzzy with it's lens' cover and LCD.

2. Wooden Computer Table

Minus the CPU part since my all-in-1 PC doesn't have one, I'll have another set of drawers then.

My Samsung DP700A3D All-in-1 Desktop for almost a year now is contently nestling on top of a mono block table. I asked my husband if he can have our church mate who has a furniture shop to do the job for my precious tool. Rex already gave a go signal last year but I withheld the excitement since we had just paid for our 8-seat-dining table made from santol wood last quarter of 2013. So maybe I'd have a sturdy table this summer.

I guess, that's it. Just two and I guess, yes, I guess, my 2013's Christmas wishlist will be granted this new year - anytime this year! Hahaha! I'm not in a hurry besides these are not that necessary. That's why it's called wishlist. (laugh) Hooray for my new camera-to-be and my working table-to-be!

I Heart Lotus Cookie Butter!

2014-01-13T19:27:00.000-08:00

It's been almost a year since I started hoarding jars of these oh so creamy yummy delectable cookie or biscuit spread or butter and yet I'm still oh so into them! In fact, I discovered more pallets for other spreads like Nocilla, Nutella, Cadbury and a whole lot of arrays! Because of my constant intake of these mouth-treats (threat!) I gained almost six kilograms by the last quarter of 2013!

They are made to be spread on bread but I prefer to have them directly in my mouth using a spoon. (laugh) I just love how the taste of cinnamon (one of its ingredients) linger inside my mouth and how it could do wonders that would help me forget my anxieties and worries of the day and think about how would I get these cookie jars in boxes and carts (now that's the problem! haha!). I bought my 2013 batch of jars in bulk online, I gave out some as Christmas gifts, a few jars sold to friends and the 'many' to my fridge! Haha! I just found a London-based-supplier selling cookie butter and other European goodies in wholesale at very low prices but I have to shoulder the freight of my treasures of course. This will be for my coming 2014 store's soft opening.

Meanwhile, I just found out that SM General Santos City has Lotus Caramelised Biscuit Spreads Creamy at 347 Php and Crunchy at 349 Php, they could be found inside their Supermakket, spreads section. I bought one each recently, Hehe. Forgive me, this is one of my happiness. Healthy Options' shops nationwide also carry Lotus Biscoff Spreads Creamy & Crunchy at 349 Php and Lotus Biscoff Biscuits at 245 Php per pack.

FYI. Lotus Speculoos, Caramelised and Biscoff are all the same - same brand yet they differ in taste just a little (based on my taste buds since I have those three in a row). Speculoos and Caramelised almost taste the same (99.99%) while Biscoff has this distinct taste maybe because the cinnamon is much stronger than the other two. These three are manufactured in Europe. Speculoos is what they are fond of in Belgium, while Caramelised in UK and Biscoff is preferred by the Americans and being exclusively distributed by one of their Lotus Bakeries branch in California. But you can find them everywhere actually, some Europeans prefer Biscoff and some Americans like Speculoos. Here in the Philippines - I prefer Speculoos and Caramelised. Hehe.

Just a note, drink a lot of water after eating, swallowing, licking a lot of these sweet stuff. They can give you unwanted facial breakouts, tonsillitis and fattening bellies. Haha! Splurge and enjoy!

Submission & Faith

2014-01-05T18:09:00.001-08:00

I was on the verge of reopening, rereading ang reviewing my daily devotional books and notes for the past three years when I came to this part, a page in Elizabeth George's A Woman After God's Own Heart Daily Devotional - which made me evaluate my self as a wife for the previous year 2013.

Submit. Submission. Submissive wife. Allow me to go into the details of my marriage with Rex.

Fortunately, the heavens blessed me, good Lord, I married a man who has the same faith like mine and we are both Pastor's kids - reasons why we came to know each other. After we tied the knot, it was when we discovered we have a lot of things in common. We are both homebuddies and we can sustain long hours to days staying inside the house just lurking in bed and in the sofa, watching movies and drinking tea. We hoard books because we always find time to read and we love dogs. We like mountains, rivers and trees and we at most consume farm produce and fish. We always eat but we do not eat to be full. We are hooked with sleeping. I mean, we sleep a lot particularly on days where there's no work and the children's school declares a holiday or no class at all then we sleep and sleep and sleep. We love reading the Bible and we prefer quite times - apart! We do family devotions with the kids but we pray separately in bed. He prays for me and I too lay my hands on him head to feet.

Our roots came from the same places: Ilocos, Mountain Province and Benguet. That's why we didn't find it hard to get along with each other's families and relatives. We have almost similar home, culture and church upbringing and trainings when we were young and single that helped us big time dealing with our starting years in our God-and-man-blessed-matrimonial. But still, it wasn't that easy.

Of all the many things we have in common, we too have numerous differences. I married a 100% choleric while I am only 50% out of it, 25% of me is sanguine and the other 25% is phlegmatic. So I have to deal with this one-word-man and he has to face 24/7 this woman hormoned by three personalities. When he talks, he talks a lot. But when he prefers to keep mum then he can do that all day. We discuss on things but he seldom talks so much about his opinions, ideas, plans and even his feelings - his emotions! There are times he'd do this, do that without my knowledge. I love details (yeah, right) and he is so generic! He is into furnitures and I dream of appliances! He gets dogs from his clients with or without breed and brings them at home and I ended up feeding them, giving them a weekly bath to cleaning their mess! I tend to keep things at home in place and in order - clothes only, socks only, books only, mobile chargers only, keys only - but there's this one man who keeps on mixing all things and I can't just get rid of him because he owns the 50% of my house and my things and he's my husband! I married a man who's my almost 60% opposite! We're staying under one roof for more than five years now and somehow we managed to live peacefully (laugh). We wake up in the morning as a wife and a husband, as parents, as workers and we retire for the night in bed as lovers (wink). We do not sleep with heavy hearts, we talk and we pray.

Going back to the word submission. I may not be in the same situation where Sue is in (please see photo above), her partner is not a Christian and she sees it difficult to ask for his opinion about her life's direction because of that. But what did Elizabeth George told Sue? As long as her husband isn't telling her to go against the Word of God, then Sue has to submit to him because Sue is his husband's wife. And should I do it too? Of course! Not because my husband is a Christian. Not just because I am obliged and I needed to. But because it is written in the Bible and I am responsible for what will be the outcome if I will go hardheaded towards my husband.

Fortunately again, heavens blessed me again, oh You really are a good Lord, Rex is a kind of husband who would ask me for a yes or a no when it comes to decision making that involves me, the kids and our family. I can only count using my fingers the major decisions he made without consulting me (let's even out from the major items the minor ones like bringing dogs without my consent and putting bats and snakes' meat inside my fridge!). If I tell Rex a 'no' he'd take it and that'll be a forever no to him even if I already changed my mind! No more backwards. Overall, when Rex says he can do it, he'd mean it and he would and I strongly believe he can right from the start. I am practicing the FAITH. The faith which comes from my Father to Abraham and to Moses, to David, to Jesus Christ, to my biological father and now the faith I have in God that whatever comes in our marriage, that the faith I have in my husband will be justified by the faith I anchored to my Saviour.

Let me suggest wives to get daily devotional booklets/books from our local publishers like OMF Lit. Inc. I always purchase a lot of them every mid year for December gift-givings.

2D/2N ILOILO & GUIMARAS

2013-11-02T18:31:00.001-07:00

This is our first out of town travel together as a family. Bringing with us our three kids and my younger brother. We were six then, three adults and three children. We booked our tickets in April months before October our scheduled flight with Cebupacific Air. The airline has only one direct flight from Davao City's Francisco Bangoy International Airport to Iloilo City's International Airport and vice versa.

At the Iloilo airport, they have metered taxis available that bring passengers to the city proper but during the time we arrived the kids were already exhausted because we woke them up at 4:30 A.M. to check in two hours earlier before our Davao-Iloilo flight at 7:20 A.M, so we hired a taxi at 400 Php which brought us to Riverside Inn where we checked in.

Riverside Inn stands in between Iloilo's river and one of the city's busiest roads and a skyway. All of their rooms are airconditioned and rates start at 800 Php to 1,950 Php. We got two matrimonial rooms at 980 Php each. The inn is at the right side part of Time Square building. Near its entrance they have food carts like Siomai King and the one I forgot where we ate our last breakfast consisting of meatsilog (meatloaf, fried rice & sunny side up egg), basilog (bacon strips, fried rice & sunny side up egg) and hot chocolate drinks. They also have some establishments situated on its side spaces and the one that got my husband's attention was the Kang Byeon, a Korean restaurant that offers the tastiest Bamboo Sam Gyup Sal at 250 Php, thin beef slices in squares steamed in bamboo poles then stir fried with seasonings and served with fresh chinese pechay, lettuce and super yummy bagoong. Before they served our orders, they let us taste their side dishes or appetizers for free. Sauteed kangkong leaves with sesame, stir fried vegies of three kinds, scrambled eggs and of course the kimchi! Then we have two servings of sushi at 150 Php each, kimchi soup at 220 Php, miso soup with tofu at 220 Php. Bit pricey but the servings are huge good for two persons already. And just with the free side dishes alone one can get full! Hehe. That was our last dinner then in Iloilo so we kinda splurged. Haha!

Just near the Riverside Inn you can find seafood retstaurants, snack centers (where we had halo-halo and palabok), a laundry shop, BDO, Metrobank and bakeries. We had our first lunch in Iloilo at Ted's Lapaz Batchoy near SM. We were a bit famished so we had big bowls of batchoy, longsilog and sodas for brunch to ease our jetlag. We went back to our rooms past 12 noon and napped until 3:00 P.M. Then we half filled our tummies a bit, did some bank transactions and off we went to see Museo Iloilo where replicas of Iloilo's history, cultures and remains are displayed. Iloilo's Capitol is just at the back of the museum and the time we visited they were having a trade fair. I bought a few kilos of Iloilo's famous danggit, dried fish tocino formed into circles and bagoong while my husband got a farmer's bolo. Adjacent to the Capitol building is the Original Biscocho Haus where I hoarded packs of piaya, merengue, butterscotch, pinasugbo and boxes of the famous biscocho. Believe me they are all cheap that's why in a blink of an eye I have piles of them on the counter. Haha! You can request to box all your goodies so it won't be a hassle on your part when travelling your bring home finds and to keep them intact as well.

Big servings of Lapaz Batchoy at 80 Php/bowl.

Museo Iloilo, Jaro, Iloilo City

Inside Iloilo Capitol Building

After our afternoon buys, we flagged down a taxi to Breakthrough. Actually, what I had in mind was to dine in Tatoy's Manokan but our kind and well spoken taxi driver suggested we try Breakthrough. He gestured in his delicate Ilonggo accent/dialect that if we want native chicken, Tatoy's is the best resto in town for it but when it comes to seafood like huge crabs (which my husband always looks forward to) to Breakthrough we should go. It was my task to decide on our food during our travel so I chose two large crabs. They call it Krusan. I had the first one at 398 grams cooked in butter and garlic and the 598 grams plainly steamed, ordered squid weighing 400 grams filled with spices and two servings of not so big shrimps, buko juice and sodas. Our dinner bill was at 1, 900 Php. Not bad for three full grown ups and three bustling kids.

Tip: Iloilo has two main means of transportation around the city. One is thru jeepneys or improvised L300 vans and thru taxi cabs. I chose taxi cabs because we were already six in the group and the kids were somewhat hyper and at times felt drowsy while on the road. Metered taxi cabs in Iloilo has flag down rate of 40 Php. The drivers we had during our stay are well mannered and soft spoken. I regretted not taking pictures of this famous saying most of us memorize, buildings in Iloilo even stores may it be private or in public walls and sideboards have this "Be honest even if others are not, even if others do not, even if others will not." Hehe.

The following morning, after taking our simple breakfast, at 8:00 A.M. we rode a taxi from Riverside Inn to Ortiz Wharf, purchased a 14 Php ticket per head for the motorboat ride to Guimaras Island. It was known that Guimaras was part of Iloilo province many years ago but now the island claimed its own and got independent from its neighboring city. It was a 10-15 minute ride and the boat anchored at Rizal, Jordan. We were led by a person to the Jordan Guest Assistance Center and let us log in our names in their Guest notebook, gave us short tips, hints about Guimaras and let us chose between a multicab or tricycle as our means of hitting the road around the island. Multicabs at 450 Php one way with a capacity of 7-12 persons while tricycles at 250 Php for 3-6 passengers. I opted for the tricycle and we were endorsed to Manong Joebert Gamudapan. He was called to the table, his driver's license number and tricycle's plate number was recorded along with our names on the Guest & Driver Form. Before we left I asked for a map.

On our way to Guimaras Island

Trappist Abbey, Jordan, Guimaras

The tricycle that brought us around in Guimaras.

Raymen Beach Resort

Medium sized boat for island hopping

The giant Groper fish

Getting ready to feed big milk fishes

There! Right on my palm!

Seafdec Islets

Where they house their scientists

Turtle Island

Natago Beach Resort

Camp Alfredo

Overlooking the Mango Plantation

From Rizal wharf, we went pass by San Miguel where the capitol building and center of government offices are situated and their pasalubong center too where you can buy cashew nuts and Guimaras delicacies. From Jordan to Nueva Valencia it took us almost 40 minutes with stop overs at the Mango Plantation (we were not able to get to its innermost area due to limited time but we took pictures overlooking the mango trees and at the Trappist Abbey (a monastery, we are not Catholics that's why we only spent our time inside their Trappist Gift shop (where I bought additional pasalubongs like their Mango Empanaditas, coffee & choco drink powder mixes, instant Ginger Brew and the cheapest cashew nuts I have ever seen) and posed at their tall gmelina trees outgrowing the place. Guimaras is a province I can be proud of as a Pinoy. The provincial roads are cemented from the point where we came from. According to Manong Joebert, all roads are cemented if not asphalted all over around his province to give their people like him an easy life since one of their main sources of income is to accommodate tourists and visitors thru land transportation. The island receives thousands of international and local guests everyday and boosts more during summer and sembreak vacations but yet the land is luscious with plants, greens and trees around 80% are mangoes. Manong Joebert said, before they can cut down a tree even the smallest ones, they need to ask first a permit from the DENR.

We reached Raymen's Beach Resort in Alubijod, Nueva Valencia and paid 50 Php per head as entrance fee. The resort also offers rooms for overnight stay, cottages at 400 Php, shower rooms with corresponding rates, a canteen and clear bluish sea water to be enjoyed. My kids jumped in eagerly and in 30 minutes already burned their skin. Hehe. Another treat we indulged in is the island hopping at 500 Php for the first hour for six persons and 100 Php per succeeding hour. Motorboats smaller than the one we rode in from Iloilo to Guimaras are being used in these trips over water. Our first stop was in Seafdec where we were able to feed 9-10kgs. milk fish (bangus) right from our own hands, we witnessed fishes in all sizes being fed and the two big Groper known to be carnivores swallow large sums of their lunch. We trekked on their bamboo/wood aisles over the sea and took pictures of course. Next we went to Turtle Island. We only saw one pawikan. The caretaker said the DENR just released some of the turtles back to the ocean a few days ago before we came in. Next is the Baras Beach Resort, some private resorts and just passed by Natago Resort owned by a private couple. Natago (hidden) because it was a bit hidden from the open sea. From afar you can only see a small concrete house built on top of a sea cliff. The resort has it's own church or chapel. We were not able to step on its shore due to big waves and high tide was on its way so we sailed back to Raymen to spend more time swimming and also to eat our very late lunch at 3:00 P.M. of grilled chicken, sinigang na Lapulapu and adobong string beans.

We were on the road quarter to 4:00 P.M. back to Rizal Wharf. The last boat trip will be at 5:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. so we were already in a hurry but still managed to pass by Camp Alfredo to see their manmade nature adventures. Along the way, Manong Joebert picked up his wife who's carrying their youngest child. The wife is from Zamboanga and with Manong Joebert they visit her home land once a year by water travel. I paid the round trip of the tricycle to Manong Joebert and gave him an extra 300 Php. We were back in Riverside Inn at 6:00 P.M. and had our dinner at Kang Byeon which I mentioned earlier and afterwards retired for the rest of night inside our rooms with cold and hot showers and cable televisions.

The taxi that brought us to Breakthrough also picked us up after our breakfast at Riverside Inn for 400 Php to the airport. After checking in, I bought more pasalubong from Merci found on the second floor near the escalator/stairs. The Iloilo airport is clean and neat. You need to pass by tight security sections before you can get to the departure area. Tiring though because my kids were weary and already tired. Hehe.

Overall, Iloilo has good food and good people. Cheap food but in its excellent taste. My husband Rex said he'd like to come back soon - just me and him without the kids. Haha! He's starting to like Guimaras. We had fun and it was such a wonderful experience travelling together. Supposedly my youngest brother should've been with us but their school shuffled their final exam schedules that's why only one were able to join us. Now, I'm making plans to travel again with my husband and kids next year - to Kalibo, Aklan & Caticlan Boracay - these two known tourist places are just two hours apart via bus! We will be invading Visayas for the next years! To God be the glory!

Tea Time is One of My Best Times

2013-09-12T18:19:00.003-07:00

It's been five months already since we adapted drinking tea inside our home. My husband started the whole thing by picking leaves from our landlady's tea tree in the backyard. He took so much effort, air drying the leaves, washing/rinsing, cutting and crushing them to bits, storing them in air tight containers to looking for more plants, leaves and even flowers to do the whole process - pick, wash, dry, cut, crush, store and ways he can think of and to finally mix/blend them all inside a tea pot, pour in hot water, let it seep for three to four minutes and tadaaaaah! Home made tea from fresh leaves!

Will be posting more about this tea saga next week with photos.

How To Cook Imbao Soup

2013-03-23T00:18:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

Imbao Shells - 1/2 Kilo
Tanglad or Baraniw - 2-3 stems
Ripe Tomatoes (sliced lengthwise) - 2 pieces medium sized
Ginger - medium
Onion Leaves - 4 stems
Raddish (peeled and sliced crosswise around 1 inch thick) - 1 piece medium
Green Pechay - 2-3 leaves with stalk (cut in halves)
Saluyot tops - 4-6 pieces
Salt to taste

How to make:

*Thoroughly wash the shells until rinsing water is clear and run water over it for a finish. (Tip: When in the market, test the shells in fresh water in a basin. Bad ones float, good shells sink.)

*Prepare all the vegetables.

*Half fill a medium sized pot with water and bring to a boil. Put in tanglad leaves, tomatoes and ginger and simmer.

*Add the imbao shells and bring to a boil until shells open.

*Add raddish and season to taste with salt. (I do not use vetsin or MSG. I use Magic Sarap but seldom.)

*Add green pechay and saluyot and cook for 3-five minutes. Serve with rice.

Twins at Seven

2012-12-20T00:40:00.005-08:00

They turned seven last October 24, 2012. Big boys really. My little Chinese-like kiddos are now in their adolescent years. Whew! Time flies so quickly.

The Twins: Maki & Kiah

The Twins with their younger sister Reese

Just a small celebration

I so love the pig lechon (roasted whole pig)

The Choco Moist Cupcakes

The Chocolate Cake

Oh well, it's because they're twins so two cakes! ^^,

Daddy Rex holding the balloons while the kids attending the small celebration shook hands with the twins before the can have a balloon and some loot bags filled with yummies and sweets.

cutesies

After Pose

I Now Cook! (^^,)

2012-12-07T05:45:00.000-08:00

We don't have a house helper for more than a month and am now getting used to it. Though I seldom wake up as early as five in the morning, I see to it I get to finish my basic house chores before 10 a.m. like scrubbing and sweeping the floor, washing the dishes, arranging or rearranging my hoarded books for the nth time, checking my counters and containers for refills and maybe requiring me to do a run to the cheapest grocery store in town, wiping the window blades with wet cloths and segregating the laundry for my two-times-a-week washing schedule. Breakfasts are done in fast modes: almost fried - eggplant, eggs, potatoes, ripe bananas, ham, hotdogs, longganisa, chorizo, embutido, corned beef, chayote, simple hotcakes and so many more. Lunch sometimes sees my effort in cooking but the dinner or supper usually gets my supreme act of the kitchen. Hehe. I graduated my "Ms." name with just the knowledge of frying, sauteing, making dishes with sauces like fish escabeche and some vegetables, fish paksiw, simple chicken and pork adobo and to cook tinolang fish and chicken, sinigang pork and bulalo. Plainly basic. I don't even know how the shrimps, seashells, seafood and all other kinds of pork, beef, chicken and fish dishes which seemed to be so complicated in my eyes are to be made by my own hands. And now, I'm looking forward to learning so much of these complicated dishes as I've called. Some of them are not anymore that hard, hehe. I know now how to cook pork kare-kare, chicken afritada, sinigang na hipon sa miso, ginataang hipon, ginataang gulay (vegetables), rellenong pusit, sauteed oysters, clams and other kinds of seashells, binagoongang karne ng baboy, chicken cordon bleu, I even make my own version of sushi and maki rolls and a lot more recipes I scout online, in magazines and on tv.

Here are just a few of my cooked dishes at home. I'm not a camera pro and I just used a cellphone to take the shots.

My first ever pork kare-kare [pork (leg part) cooked in peanut butter sauce with pechay leaves] paired by no other than alamang!

My husband enjoying his late lunch. He even posted these two-above photos on his Facebook wall.

Sinigang na Hipon

Sauteed Tahong

More photos to follow!

Decaf or Not?

2012-12-06T23:16:00.001-08:00

This will be my second post about coffee. Just for today I gulped three cups of three kinds of coffee: 3-in-1 (coffee, creamer & sugar), 5-in-1 (coffee, sugar, ginseng, mushroom & creamer) and the usual black one with sugar to taste. Weather's pretty cold, skies are dark since morning and the rain already made its own clock which is to shower or just to pour whenever it wants all day long. It's almost three o'clock in the afternoon and I'm still planning to gulp in some more coffee not just in cups but in mugs. I actually purchased mugs for the sake of my coffee-taste-buds and loving it. Hehe.

Now for the question I raised, decaf or not? I'd say, I'll have both. There'll be times I'd want coffee without its caffeine just to warm my freezing tummy during rainy season or my stomach gathered gas from traveling and outdoor activities or after my laundry session so I may need something warm - a coffee without its usual known strength. But what's coffee without caffeine they say? People who get bloated and experience nausea after drinking coffee might want to try the decaffeinated before saying "coffee is not for me" or before hating coffee. Coffee is known to be rich in antioxidants and is anti-aging as well. I take the strong coffee when I feel so drowsy and sleep is not yet permitted. I worked in several call centers before and coffee is this work's prime commodity.

But there was a time when I stopped drinking coffee (temporarily though) and that was during my second pregnancy. That started from my first trimester up to the time I gave birth. But overall, I love coffee! :)

Globe, the #1 in Postpaid PLUS GADGETS!!!

2012-12-05T22:48:00.001-08:00

Oh yes! It's been almost three months now since our first postpaid phones at home plus our postpaid wireless internet connection powered by the no other than - GLOBE! My husband and I are Smart Telecom & Sun Cellular prepaid subscribers for more than half a decade. There's no place for a Touch Mobile or Globe in our minds until the opening of SM in General Santos City. It was already a month since the mall's grand opening when my husband and I made rounds and happened to drop by at Globe located on its third floor. The sales agents are approachable so we did not hesitate asking questions. My eyes were caught by the Samsung gadgets arrayed on the center aisle so I asked my husband if we can apply for a plan just to have the gadget I'm so much interested with - for him, not for me, ok?. Hehehe. The sales agent gave us the list of requirements we need to comply and had me fill up the application form. The following day I submitted the papers they asked for and was told after an hour later that our application already has an approval. It was under my husband's name by the way. Based on his financial statements and the calls Globe made to the bank where my husband owns a savings and deposit accounts, he was given an 8,000 php credit line consumable. That was more than the plan I was aiming at for the gadget I wanted him to have.

My husband is always at mobile so carrying his Samsung Netbook plus charger at around 2-3 kilograms is not a good idea after all. I can't stand seeing him with so much luggage during transportation. So just like a handy cellphone he can flip, turn and move wherever and whichever he wants with his Samsung Galaxy SIII. He can open his email, watch videos most especially his fave Naruto series online, read the latest news, see the weather forecast, download files and do things over the world wide web with it using his Unlisurf 2,499 php postpaid plan. The plan has its freebies like calls and textx to other networks, to Globe and TM as well and is programmed to my Globe number too for unlimited calls and texts.

At home, I now have an internet connection which I use to blog and to sell anything I can think of online plus my Blackberry Curve - er, am not a fan of this BB but happy to say it's working so so so fab and fine for me. The wifi service connection and my new phone is in an ultimate bundle plan - and I find it reasonable for the price of 999 php. How we consume our cellphone load plans is like how we eat rice at home - use and save cause tomorrow we aren't sure if we still can afford to buy rice at the same price.

We're still conscious of our spending that's why the remaining balance of our consumable credit line will be up for plans LATER. Hehehe. It's December. Holidays are here and I just can't prepare a saucy-cellphone-cordon bleu on the table for Christmas Eve or a creamy Samsung Tablet before 2012 year ends. @_@

South Cotabato's Durian

2012-09-16T21:47:00.005-07:00

Say Durian. Say Davao. It’s like they are one and yes, true. But having been into the different parts of my beloved country Philippines, almost all farmers now from the north to the south are growing trees of durian! I’ve learned to eat durian at the age of six and it became my staple when I got pregnant to my third child (actually my second since the eldest are twins). Blessed me, we were residing in the heart of Davao City that time and to indulge whenever craving comes were just steps away. Getting the information from the internet and from the store itself where my husband bought me ‘my fruit’ that a seed of flesh coated durian (let’s expound to a cob variety) is equivalent to two glasses of milk made me dunk in for more and more of it from frozen plastic containers and even from the harshy-thorny thistle outer cover.

My father in Bukidnon grows durian trees in his farm; as well as with my father in-law in Apayao. Which all of those trees bore fruits already and were enjoyed by grandchildren and those whom they don’t even know. He he he. Here in South Cotabato, the land is rich and luscious and durian is still abundant in heaps. Now I know why they call durian as the king of all fruits. Even if these trees are cultivated and are grown in different places, the taste of the fruits’ flesh sing out just one name – I AM A DURIAN.