ReigningStill

Review: Cafe 506 (Kawit, Cavite)

2025-01-29T00:12:00.006+08:00

Sharing with you our latest favorite restaurant in Kawit, Cavite - Cafe 506!

This restaurant has always got us curious because their parking space is always jam-packed. Cars parked in the street is normal especially during lunch time or dinner time.

We were able to try it one noon time as we process our car registration near the area and we have been back 4 more times since. A testament of how much my family loves it, especially the kids!

Let me share with you our favorite dishes and our verdict for each:

6- Hour Roast Beef (485 PHP) - Slow roasted beef belly with mashed potato, buttered french beans, and mushroom gravy.

I love this dish especially the gravy that comes with it and the mashed potato! It's an instant hit for the #FabSkye who just loves mushroom gravy. Though I am hoping that the beef would be more melt-in-your-mouth soft considering it was roasted for 6 hours. Hahaha! But overall a good dish and super worth it based from it's price.

Cafe 506 Fried Chicken (318 PHP) - Boneless fried chicken, rice, macaroni salad (or corn and carrots) and brown gravy.

This is major hit for all of us! And a staple on our table every time we dine in. The kids love their fried chicken. It being boneless makes this momma extra happy. And the gravy! Ugh! Just so good. Chicken is fried to perfection and it taste just like heaven. Not too salty but really tasty.

Lumpiang Shanghai (228 PHP)

This tastes like your mother's lumpia dipped in Jufran sweet chili sauce. It brings memories of childhood and fiesta galore. Hahaha! Considering it's price point, this is a really good choice for an appetizer.

Palabok 506 (168 PHP for single order)

Ugh! I love palabok! And dish did not disappoint for me. But the #ReigningTatay find this dish a bit meh. Don't know why. Although I won't rank it as the best palabok I've ever tasted. So it's probably why. We've had better and way way cheaper in a small carinderia near our house.

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce 506 (228 PHP)

This is another staple in our table since our #GabMazing LOVES spaghetti. And this spaghetti is perfect for kids. Sweet-style with lots and lots of cheese. Major hit for the kids and kid at heart. The meat sauce also has a generous amount of ground meat. Usually, one serving is more than enough for all of us. Their servings are usually big.

Beef Lasagna (228 PHP)

OMG! This is my ultimate favorite!! Generous serving of lasagna meat sauce and sooooo much cheese. I remember how good it is as I type this. This my and the #FabSkye's favorite dish in this restaurant. Grabe! Highly recommended.

Bowl of Fries (168 PHP) - Thick-cut fries and house dressing.

My kids are not huge fans of mayonnaise, but they love the house dressing in Cafe 506. Paired with the lightly salted thick fries, it is heavenly. Their fries also taste like potatoes. Unlike other fries who taste like sin and belly fats. I don't feel guilty feeding my kids this bowl of fries.

Salted Caramel Latte

As a coffee addict, this one hits the spot. Really good coffee. Not your cheap ones that tastes like instant coffee. Though I hope they could make it available in oatmilk. Your lactose-intolerant momma can't take much milk anymore. Nevertheless, this is really good!

Vietnamese Coffee

This one is also really really good. Also good coffee. Not too sweet, a little bit intense (but hey! It's Vietnamese Coffee!) and also hits the spot for a coffee addict like me. This is the #ReigningTatay's default coffee order. He loves the intensity of the coffee and the burnt taste.

Overall, this is a really good cafe. A family favorite that we always visit.

Review: Chicks ni Otit (Tagaytay, Philippines)

2024-07-20T20:01:00.000+08:00

I celebrated my birthday in Tagaytay with the fam. So after checking in at Hotel Kimberly, we went out for lunch. I was asking the elders if there's any restaurant they want to try and my mother said she wants to check out Chicks ni Otit. Apparently, it's popular among vloggers as it is a restaurant owned by comedian Wilma Doesnt.

Chicks ni Otit is located along Mahogany Avenue. Just 10 minutes away from Hotel Kimberly. It's claim to fame is - they are a 5 star carinderia. And probably they are. It's a non-airconditioned restaurant with ample seat and a really good ambiance. The decor is very Filipino. The place is breezy and comfortable and is really a place to have good, hearty meal with the family.

The place is packed when we arrived and we had to wait to be seated. Okay lang naman because the staff is really nice and efficient. We didn't wait that long.

We ordered Barkada Set 2 (1790 PHP), Family Bundle B (3010 PHP), Sinantolan ng Quezon (300 PHP) and Pancit Canton (320 PHP). Both ala-carte meals are requested by Mila.

Sinigang sa Miso Tuna Belly

Sizzling Sisig

Tokwa't Kangkong in Otits Sauce

Ensaladang Talong w/ Mangga Bagoong

Barkada Set 2 includes all dishes above plus Plain/Fried Rice and an Iced Tea Pitcher. To be honest, I think this should've been enough for our family of 8 adults and 3 kids. But I of course I still got another set meal.

All of the dishes are really good.

I love the sinigang na tuna belly. Hindi tinipid ang sahog.

I am a sisig fan and proud to say theirs did not disappoint. It is your typical oily, crispy uber-yummy sisig dish.

The tokwa't kangkong and ensaladang talong is a hit with the elders who just love veggies!

Sinigang na Hipon

Grilled Liempo

Large Deep-Fried Boneless Bangus and Tokwa't Kangkong in Otits Sauce

Whole Deep-Fried Chicken

Caldereta

Family Bundle B includes all dishes above plus Ensaladang Talong w/ Mangga Bagoong, Plain/Fried Rice and a 1.5L Softdrinks.

The Caldereta and Bangus are probably my favorite in this set meal. I did not quite like the liempo but it was okay. Sinigang na hipon is also good and considering the price, madami syang hipon. At hindi yung maliliit na hipon ah. So sulit sya talaga.

Pancit Canton

Sinantolan ng Quezon

My mother's sole request is the sinantolan. Napanood daw nya sa vlog so she wants to try. I didn't get to try it because I them serve it near my mother but considering hindi umabot sa akin yung sinantolan probably means masarap sya.

Overall experience is really good. I paid around 6,000 PHP. Alam kong hindi nakaka-carinderia ang binayaran ko pero halos kalahati nyan eh pinabalot namin at naiuwi pa. I think I got carried away with ordering too much. It is very seldom that we go on a trip as a family. And most especially, bihira makasama ang mama ko because of my baby brother kaya tinodo ko na ang pag-order.

Definitely, it is a place we'd go back to. A favorite in Tagaytay.

Check out our vlog - Kape, Kain, Gala!

When You Need Your Mother To Mother

2024-05-12T13:33:00.003+08:00

If you personally know me, or if you have been a long time reader of this space then you probably thought - "Wow! What a great mother she is."

Of course I blog about all the awesome things I do as a mother. I blog about my struggles, but of course I sound strong and put together and just plain great in all of my stories. I post about the wonderful places I visit with my kids, the nice things I buy for them, the quality time I spend with them despite having a very busy work schedule.

But I will let you in my little secret - I mother with my mother and my aunt and my sister and my cousin. I mother with all these amazing women who loves my kids as much as I love them.

Every time my officemates would ask me if I am okay with all the travels I have to do for work, and I answer with YES because I have my mother and my aunt who looks after my kids - all of them would just nod in agreement and would say I have the most perfect set-up as a working mum.

When I was a first time mum, I thought I could do it all. I thought I need to be that hands on mother who would personally bathe her kids and feed them and do bento baons. I would feel bad if I miss a recognition day or a school performance. I would kick myself up for missing a tiny aspect of my kid's life.

But then PPD hit me and anxiety got the best of me. I realized, I have my tribe. I have my amazing mother who would do everything in her power to help me mother my children. I have my aunt who loves my kids so much she is willing to do everything for them. I have a sister who despite having her own child would still find time to care for my kids. And I have a cousin who loves my son like her very own. I shared motherhood with these amazing women and my kids are thriving and their love bank are so full every single day. Despite me being busy. Despite me being away sometimes.

And what I have learned is that, it is okay. I am not any less of a mother for asking help. And while I grew up in a household where my mother is there for me 24/7, that is not my life. I am a working mother. I happen to love my job. And while I have a deep sense of accomplishment for being a mother, my career gives me a different kind of fulfillment. Something my kids, won't be able to provide to me.

So while my kids are my everything, I am my own being and that means I value my work and BTS and myself as much as I love my kids.

So this mother's day is not just about me celebrating my motherhood. This mother's day is about me celebrating my amazing mother who has thought me that motherhood knows no bounds. That motherhood means sacrificing yourself for your kids and your grand kids. My mother is the epitome of what a great mother is. Sacrificial, selfless. But she is the first one who told me, to never let motherhood consume me. To allow myself to rest, to have fun, to travel.

This mother's day is about my aunt who showed me that you can be a mother to somebody else's kid and that it is amazing. This mother's day is about my sister who showed me that you can be a solo parent but would still have room to love 2 more kids. And my cousin who taught me that motherhood can be for single women also. That kids could be born from the heart.

What an amazing tribe I have. What a blessed mother I am.

Review: Cafe Batavia (Jakarta, Indonesia)

2024-05-05T13:41:00.002+08:00

Cafe Batavia is located at the very heart of Old Town Jakarta. It's an old cafe that is very popular among tourists. All the Jakarta blogs and vlogs that we've read and watched all says this restaurant is a must-try. And as your resident foodie, I know I need to drop by.

Cafe Batavia is a two-story 19th century type of building. According to google, the building they are in is one of the oldest in the place. First level is the smoking area while th 2nd level is the non-smoking area.

When we arrived, the non-smoking area is full so we had to wait for about 30 minutes before we were seated. I left my contact number on the reception and we were told they'd just give us a call when a table frees up. We decided to just wait outside the restaurant instead of wandering around which is a good call because we didn't have to wait for long.

Luwak Gayo (160,000 IDR) | Flores Bajawa (65,000 IDR) | Sparkling Water (40,000 IDR)

Since I'm in Indonesia, I know I have to try Coffee Lusaka so despite being on the pricier side, I know I had to order one. My cousin opted for Flores Bajawa which comes highly recommended by our server.

Cafe Batavia only serves iced coffee. I was actually shocked that my coffee arrived iced coz I prefer hot coffee. But a glass of iced coffee turned out perfect for that hot afternoon.

The coffee luwak is PERFECT! My cousin says it is on the strong side which I actually prefer. Her Flores Bajawa is on the lighter side - fruity, a bit nutty with a hint of caramel. I also loved the Flores Bajawa.

Another thing to note is they don't have service water, so we had to get sparkling water. They also serve still water though.

Soto Betawi Beef (108,000 IDR) | Nasi Putih (10,000 IDR)

I wanted something to warm up my tummy so I opted for another recommendation - Soto Betawi. I asked for non-spicy options and this is one of the highly recommended.

The soup has a hint of coconut milk with thinly sliced beef. The meal came with a bowl of white rice but since my cousin and I plan to share, we just asked for an extra rice.

This dish is worth a try! I have no Filipino dish to compare it with as it is very unique for me. But it was really, really good.

Crispy Calamari (72,000 IDR)

There are loads of other dishes I want to try but I think a crispy dish would be perfect for my soup dish so we opted for the calamari. Which turned out to be a great choice! The squid is fresh and batter is crispy. When paired with the soup and rice, it was a heaven!

Pannenkoek Dutch King (88,000 IDR)

It was Dutch King day when we visited so they have a promo for some desert dish. The Pannenkoek sounds delish and unique so ordered one. It's like a crepe with filling of sliced banana and chocolates Topped with almonds, strawberries and blue berries. It's soooo good!

Every corner of the cafe is instagram friendly. The walls are filled with framed photographs. It has this old-school vibes and very museum-like. My Namjooning heart was very happy.

Even the restroom is very very beautiful. The mirrors, the walls adorned with framed photographs, the sink, the lights! All so pretty!

My view as I pee.

Overall, the experience is superb. It is a bit on the pricey side but for me, the experience is totally worth it. Definitely a must-try when visiting Jakarta. Next time, I'd try their other dishes.

Review: Kan Sushi (Robertson Quay, Singapore)

2024-04-29T15:06:00.003+08:00

So one of us craved for some sushi, and when we checked Mr. Google for the best sushi in Singapore he instructed us to go to Robertson Quay and look for Kan Sushi!

It is located inside Robertson Quay complex. A bit difficult to find coz you need to get inside the area but definitely worth the effort.

We all got the set meal and everything just tastes delish.

The 1st course is a jellyfish salad. It is my first time to try this kind of dish and it was surprisingly good.

Miso soup is also part of the Lunch set meal, and oh my! This is definitely the yummiest miso soup I have ever tried. As in EVER.

Salad is also super good. To be honest I was not able to save the details of the food we ate but can you just trust me when I say that they offer really authentic Japanese food and while they are expensive, it is totally worth it?

Probably the only food that is least favorite is their dessert of the day which is Matcha Ice Cream. None of us are matcha lovers. I am also not a fan of matcha but I like tea and leafy taste in general so it was okay for me.

Overall experience is superb. A perfect way to cap off our busy Singapore business trip.

Review: Song Fa bak kut teh (Singapore)

2024-04-22T08:53:00.002+08:00

When in Singapore, you need to pay Song Fa bak kut teh a visit!

It is normal to find people lining up in front of the store.

It's not my first time in Singapore, but on my 3rd visit - I was finally able to try their world famous, Michelin Star restaurant Song Fa that offers the best bak kut teh in all of Singapore (or probably the world).

Lining up to wait for our turn while the smells of yummy bak kut teh just made us more hungry.

The plan is to have dinner here. So from our hotel, we took the train to New Bridge Road. It went a little early coz we know there'll be more people for dinner so we were shocked that a long line is already waiting for us.

Line is efficient though. We waited for probably a a good 30 minutes or so. While lined up, we were issued with this stub so were able to punch in our orders while waiting for a table to free up for us. They have mastered the process which is great.

We had a hard time choosing from their menu. All of us wants to try a little bit of everything. I dined in with 3 guys so it was worth ordering a lot.

Pork Ribs Soup (10.27 SGD)

First on our list of course is their Pork Ribs Bak Kut Teh. Generous serving of melt in your mouth pork ribs in uber yummy clear and peppery soup. Just the smell is enough to make us go hungry!

Premium Loin Rib Soup (14.10 SGD)

Of course, we tried the more premium pork parts. The Premium Loin Rib Soup is as yummy as the regular pork ribs. If you prefer pork loin meat over ribs, then this would definitely hit the right spot. I love both. So both are great for me.

Claypot Pork Tenderloin (9.90 SGD)

We also made sure to try their braised dish. This Claypot Pork Tenderloin is just perfect with a bowl of steamed rice. The meat are all tender and the dish itself is cooked with perfection. This is also one of their more popular dish as I saw several tables ordering this as well.

Seafood Pancake (8.45 SGD)

Totally forgot if this is really the Homemade Seafood Pancake but this dish definitely has some shrimp in it. This is another really good dish that made us all go loco. It comes with a special dip and I must say that this really worth trying.

Ngoh Hiang (11 SGD)

Crowd favorite though is the Homemade Ngoh Hiang. We loved it so much we had to order another one. Don't really know how to describe it but it's like embutido, chicken roll, super elevated extra delicious kakiam. Hahahaha!

Everything we had is so good no wonder it is famous. This is really a must-try restaurant in Singapore. They have several branches across the country already but we visited their first restaurant style branch.

Song Fa started as small food cart that sells bak kut teh. It is a family business using a family recipe. They have grown so much since they started in the 1960s but it is probably because while they adopt to the new trends (having multiple branches across the country), they stayed true to their root. And that is to serve the best bak kut teh.

Would definitely pay them another visit when I find myself in Singapore again.

Review: Sabangan Beach Resort (Laiya, Batangas)

2024-04-20T19:40:00.004+08:00

The #PamilyaBalina went to Laiya, Batangas for our company summer outing. We we're checked in at the Sabangan Beach Resort Narra Room and since I am pretty sure that a lot of you mumsh out there are looking for a place to bring your family for a summer escapade, let me share with you our family's experience.

Sabangan Beach Resort's Narra Room that could accommodate up to 4 Pax

The Narra Room is a single detached room with a little balcony and its own toilet and bath. It can comfortably accommodate up to 4 pax. I love the set-up of it being a detached room because it gives more privacy to the occupants.

The balcony has a seating area perfect for your morning coffee or evening wine bonding with your family and friends. There's a little sink as well so you can rinse your sandy clothes before putting it on the mini clothes rack that is also provided. These little things surely made our stay more comfortable. If you are a mom with little kids, these are the things you would appreciate the most.

There are 2 queen beds perfect for our little family. The two kids share one bed while the #ReigningTatay and I share the other. The beds are comfortable and really soft. Our family prefer soft beds over firm ones, so please take that into consideration.

One thing to note is the lack of comforters. There are flat sheets but that's not enough especially at night when the AC are on full blast. Plus, I LOVE comforters. So it's a small luxury I missed during my stay.

A TV is also provided and a mini ref. Lacking is a wardrobe cabinet but there's a luggage stand on the corner we were able to use. But since we have loads of things (since I have kids), we find the lack of cabinets a minor issue. Organization is non-existent. But I guess for an overnight stay that's okay.

The toilet and bath is spacious. Again, perfect for my little family coz we have enough room to move about.

I have some issues though with the toilet. First, there's a stinky smell that's always coming out from the drains. Second, the bidet's water pressure is extremely strong! No way to adjust. We were shocked when we first used it. Third, I don't know why but every time we use the faucets, parang laging may pasabog. As in all faucets are like that. Hahahahaha! You'll get used to it but it's funny and noisy.

The entire resort though is well-kept. It is clean. There are several hammocks in the area and I had fun just lying on the hammock while the kids are playing in the mini playground.

There's also a small pool with kiddie section and adult section. It was right at the back of our room so we just used the back door to access it.

The pavilion is just in front of our room as well. Very accessible since all our meals are served at the pavilion.

The food in Sabangan are okay. We loved the breakfast buffet the most and I especially love their coffee. The staff could probably be trained some more to smile but they are polite anyway.

Sabangan is right in front of the beach so the kids also had fun playing on the sand and swimming. Overall, we had a fun and relaxing experience. Highly recommended to families who are looking for a place to stay in Laiya, Batangas. Plus points because the resort is pet-friendly! I would love to go back with our fur babies next time.

For inquiries and room packages, please visit their website - https://www.sabangan.com/.

Review: Elago Apple Watch Metal Band

2024-03-02T18:35:00.003+08:00

My Apple Watch SE 2 is a piece of technology that has served me well. And I have been wearing mine every single day since I got it. It has really embedded itself in my little ecosystem of technology.

So I love to dress it up a little when needed.

Elago Metal Watch Band (2,055PHP)

Definitely my favorite apple watch accessory is my Elago Metal Watch Band (2,055PHP but got it at 1,765PHP after discounts from the orange app.

This is the band I use when I want to elevate my look or when I am on dressier outfits. Definitely my go to band when I am wearing corporate or business attire. I am a gold accessory girly so this is really perfect for me.

I have been using mine for a year now and it is still in pristine condition. Looks new. No tarnish whatsoever. It is also adjustable and all you need to adjust it is included on the box. Instructions on how to adjust the band is also provided.

While this is on the pricier side compared to all other watch band available on shopping apps, I can assure you that this one is worth it. It looks expensive and feels expensive. I don’t need any other band at all. I just have this, the original band I got and another elago transparent one and I am all set. I didn’t end up spending so much on 10 thousand bands that I’d end up wearing once or twice. This one is really sulit.

Vista Land Elevates Condominium Living for Filipinos Nationwide through Vista Manors

2024-02-19T21:44:00.001+08:00

Can’t really deny the fact that condominium living is really getting more and more appealing especially if you live by the city. And with the exponential increase of residential towers rising along the skyline, it can be said that the market for condominium properties has become highly competitive. So it’s now common to see all types of condominiums with all sorts of facilities to entice residents to invest in their properties.

Aside for it having more accessible payment terms and views from a higher vantage point, they are also safe and sensible. Properties provide features like round-the-clock security, well-attended reception areas, fire and sprinkler systems, and a property management group. Condominium units require little maintenance and have built-in provisions for utilities, cable, and internet which residents can opt to connect to.

But really, for me personally it’s the convenience that makes condominium living really worth it. Imagine living in close proximity to places of work, transport hubs, schools, hospitals, recreation centers, or within central business districts. Condominiums also allow more residences to converge in one location, providing accessibility where spaces would have been restricted.

Condominiums used to be a ‘young couples’ or single independent corporate junkie’s first choice of home. But now we see small families, and even retirees looking for conveniences, entertainments, and security of living in fully- administered mid-rise towers. These customers have presence all over the country. Thus, Vista Manors is set to develop condominium communities across the islands, as far as the demand will carry them.

As one of the trusted real estate brands in the Philippines, Vista Manors ups the ante in condominium demand with its resort-themed, mid-rise vertical villages in key cities nationwide. After an excellent track record in house and lot developments, Vista Land is making a name in the sector with its back-to-back launches in cities such as Imus, Roxas, Butuan, Davao, Ozamiz, and provinces including Laguna, Palawan, Bohol, and Leyte. In 10 locations—and counting--buyers and investors only need to choose the condominium property that fits their lifestyle to experience serene, pine-tree covered properties that make everyday living a vacation.

Beyond being stunning Mid-Rise Homes, the Vista Manors are Sound Investments.

Apart from making condominiums a dwelling, a huge number of those who purchase do so as a long-term investment. Vista Manors has created real estate investment options not only for established investors but also to those who are making a start in their portfolio. Putting special focus on Filipinos overseas who would like to make smart moves on their finances, Vista

Manors extends their property value by teaching them the advantages and possibilities real estate investing has to offer. With Vista Manors’ 10 condominium developments to date, one invests in a forever home for one’s self or one’s family, while owning a valuable long-term asset that appreciates over time.

Helmed by Vista Land, the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines, Vista Manors has the experience, expertise, and support of their holding company. With an already acquired and carefully studied knowledge of the Filipino buyer, as well as the global property investor market, Vista Manors has structured its building designs and services based on what the market needs at present. This affords the group ability to predict how those same markets will grow through time: suitably evolving the company, its towers, and services. Through the improvement of its designs, creation of its additional services, bolstering of modern conveniences, finding accessible locations, and jumping on global hot buttons especially green architecture, Vista Manors educates its markets what to ask for, while realizing that everything it does must also be directed towards meeting their residents’ dreams and making them real.

Visit https://www.vistamanors.com.ph/ to learn more about Vista Manors and follow @vistamanorsofficial on Facebook.

Review: Soriano's Cafe and Restaurant (Silang, Cavite)

2023-10-31T16:58:00.000+08:00

Before heading home from our Hotel Kimberly staycation, the #ReigningTatay decided to take detour and visit Soriano's Cafe and Restaurant in Silang, Cavite.

He said he has been reading good feedbacks about this restaurant and he wanted to know what's the buzz it all about.

The restaurant is definitely instagram-worthy. Or is it TikTok worthy nowadays?

The Team Kahoy vibes make it feel homey and just over all nice.

The interior designer of the place is really good! She made sure that every nook and cranny of the place is worth posting. When you enter, you won't stop making IG stories or reels or TikTok posts coz it's just pretty all over.

Fish Chips and Vinegar appetizer

We were immediately offered this fish chips the minute we settled down on our table. They are crispy and nice that the kids can't stop munching on them. I have to remind them not to eat a lot coz we ordered loads of food for us to try.

Baked Salmon

Let me start with their Baked Salmon - it is to die for! I love the fresh salmon with generous servings of cheese on top baked to perfection.

I don't remember the prices of the food we got but definitely this one is on the pricier side. I remembered contemplating if this is worth to try coz I have had the best salmons in the US and usually the ones I would get from here are bland for my taste.

Glad that we all ended up liking this dish.

Bagnet Kare-Kare

The Crispy Bagnet Kare-Kare is also another dish worth trying especially if you love Kare-kare like our little family. The bagnet is crispy, the peanut sauce is not too overpowering and the bagoong is really good.

Though the serving is too small. We love smothering our rice with kare-kare sauce so bitin talaga for us.

Fried Chicken

The #GabMazing used to be a picky eater (not anymore!) so a fried chicken is a must! Their chicken is also really good. The batter is just right and the chicken are crispy and juicy. But the best part if the gravy. Ugh! Really good.

I know we also ordered a soup dish but I don't have a photo of it. I can't remember the soup dish so it seems like it's just so-so.

Spanish Latte

Spanish Latte is my go to iced coffee of choice. It is the safest for me as a big coffee snob. (Yep! Vietnam has really elevated my coffee taste buds.) My Spanish Latte is REALLY good - creamy, not too sweet and the espresso is just right. I was actually amazed at how good it is. You could really tell that they use good beans.

I don't remember what Tatay got but it must be a Vanilla Coffee or something. After our Vietnam trip, the Tatay has started loving coffee and he said his is also good.

Hand-dripped Coffee

When the owner of the restaurant approached us to ask how's the food and the drinks, I complimented their barista because I really loved their coffee. The owner called the barista so I could say my compliments to him in person and we started talking coffee. It feels great to talk to people who is as passionate to coffee as I am.

During our conversation, he mentioned this special beans that just arrived and offered that he could make me a drip coffee if I want to try the beans. Of course, I said YES!

And oh my goodness. The coffee is just my cup of tea (or coffee?). I love fruity notes on my coffee and this is just perfection! I would have loved to get another pot but I'm afraid I'd start palpitating already.

I just wish they would start selling their beans because deym! It's so good. And they said it is locally sourced so yey!

Overall dining experience is really good! Looking at these photos made me want to pay them another visit. When we went there, they were on soft-opening only and the owner promised us that more options would come once they start settling in.

I am also thinking that they'd be a great events place. The interiors are good and they have good food!

For an intimate wedding or birthday party, this place would be perfect.

You may check out more about their place via their Facebook Page.

Review: Hidden Charm Cafe and Tree House Mansion Restaurant (Silang, Cavite)

2023-04-23T01:24:00.003+08:00

Living in the south has it’s perks - we are now less than an hour away from Tagaytay and Silang! And so it is easier to visit every time we’d have a random craving for a hot bowl of Bulalo.

One of our favorite place to visit is Hidden Charm Cafe and Tree House Mansion Restaurant. It’s a very beautiful restaurant at the heart of Silang. Easily “waze-able”even though it’s really on a more hidden area. True to it’s name, it really is a hidden restaurant oozing with charm and beauty.

We we’re able to visit the place twice already. And both experiences are wonderful!

Our first visit is around October 2022. The #ReigningTatay found it on facebook and wants to try it because it is “Instagrammable”. And it did not disappoint! The place is really instagrammable that you can’t help but take loads of pictures.

Second visit is around February 2023, in time for my kid’s birthday celebration. February is a month-long celebration for my family coz both my kids are born that month. And I really make it a point to make their birth month extra special. This trip is with our immediate family. A very intimate dinner with the people who matters most in my kid’s life. It was also extra fun because when we visited, there’s a live performer singing for all the guests. And she graciously allowed the #FabSkye to sing as well. It was fun watching my child perform in front of a small audience with gusto.

Both visits are really good. The staffs are extra attentive and nice. They were on soft-opening during our first visit so they only accept cash (which we don’t have) but they still allowed me to pay via G-cash thru one of their staff. On our second visit they already accept Paymaya and G-cash. Not sure if they accept cards already. I think they did. Which is great.

All the food we tried are muy delicioso. There are two restaurants in the area but you can dine on either side and order on both. The bigger restaurant - Tree House Mansion is where you’d find traditional Filipino dishes and really good selection of cakes. While Hidden Charm Cafe offers coffee, milk tea, and western dishes like pizza, pasta, sandwiches, etc. We always sit on Tree House Mansion Restaurant because it is more convenient especially if you are having a full meal with family.

We always order coffee on their cafe and on both occasions, the coffee did not disappoint. But my favorite is probably their Pizza Magherita. Both of my kids (specially the #GabMazing) are pizza addicts so it’s a must to order one if it’s available. Their pizza is really really good! My son only likes cheese pizza and doesn’t complicated flavours - this one is perfect from crust to the pizza sauce to the cheese toppings. Probably one of the best pizzas in Silang.

Pizza Margherita (290php)

Of course, no visit in Tagaytay/Silang area is complete without a bowl of Bulalo. Their serving is huge and the bowl is served with the little flame underneath the stainless the bowl to keep it hot. The bulalo is just perfect. The beef is soft, not too salty nor bland, and the serving is generous. Really a must have if you ever drop by.

Tree House Bulalo (750php)

Another favorite is their Pork Sisig. We got these on both visits and it’s just so perfect to pair with Bulalo. I think you can never go wrong with a sizzling plate of sisig in a Filipino restaurant.

Pork Sisig (350php)

A surprise favorite is their Dinakdakan. For me, this is one of the hardest dish to pull because the mayo could make it too nakakaumay, and the pork needs to be grilled just the right way or else you’d end up with chewy meat. Their version is sooo good. It instantly became a crow favorite.

Dinakdakan (390php)

We also tried their Grilled Pork Barbeque. While the dish is good, I must say it’s nothing special. But it’s also something worth getting especially if you love grilled pork belly.

Grilled Pork Barbeque (320php)

As for the rice, we tried their Mansion Fried Rice because Bagnet seems like a good idea. Well, it was because the rice is really good but I guess we should’ve been more conscious on the amount of fat we ordered. But oh well!

Mansion Fried Rice (290php)

And the kids can’t say no to a slice of Tiramisu so we gave in. Which is a good call because my picky eater son loved it!

Tiramisu

Overall, the experience is really good. The food is superb. And the ambience is just perfect. Definitely coming back real soon.

Review: CuTs 4 ToTs Hair Salon

2022-11-07T07:08:00.002+08:00

Gab is a handful. Unlike Skye who’s more easy to handle, this little boy is really giving me a run for my money. He doesn’t like many things. And he’s always throwing tantrums. So I really make sure that his experience with hair cuts is always good. I don’t want him not liking the experience because for sure, I’d end up braiding his hair until he’s big enough to realize he doesn’t like having long hair.

So for the longest time, we’ve been going to CuTs 4 ToTs for the #GabMazing’s hair cutting needs. And so far, all visit has been exemplary good. The #GabMazing never had an issue with them.

They always made sure that the child is on a good mood before, during and after the session. The staff would go out of their way to entertain the child - giving them toys, making them watch cartoons, singing with them, counting with them. The works! I am amazed at how well they handle kids.

When the #GabMazing would start showing signs of discomfort or boredom they would stop and make him feel at ease again. They never rush things. Making sure that the well-being of the child is their top-priority.

The salon is also clean and they make sure to sanitize the area after every session. So I am not worried about Gab touching the toys they provide.

The tools used is really kid-friendly. I noticed that the razor they are using doesn’t have that loud noise when used.

And of course the result is ah-mey-ziing! Just show them your peg and they’d deliver. They gave Gab a one-side undercut last time and my son is soooo pogi!!! The barber is really experienced and made sure that the kids would go out of the salon looking dapper. I’m just so glad our experience is just wonderful!

Review: ZAGG Pro Keys Detachable Keyboard and Case for iPad

2022-11-04T17:48:00.001+08:00

I was initially using the ESR Slim Flip Cover Case for my iPad Air 5th generation. I figured I needed the slim case for portability and aesthetics. It was good actually and I love it until my iPad suffered an accidental fall. It fell from my bedside table and got a mini bump and a few scratches. Ouch! That’s when I knew I had to check my priorities. Aesthetics vs security vs portability vs ease of use? Or I probably need them all!

It took me months and months of searching and reviewing until I found The One.

ZAGG Pro Keys Detachable Keyboard and Case ticked all of the items on my list for what I need and want for an iPad case.

1. It’s a 2-in-1 case. Being detachable, I can use it without the keyboard/flip cover if I need it to be just a plain tablet. Or attach it to the keyboard/flip cover when I need to protect my iPad’s screen. My old ESR flip cover case is magnetic as well so I can easily remove my iPad if the cover bothers me but that means holding my iPad bare which I don’t like. With this one, my iPad is still protected even without the flip cover because it comes with a case.

2. It’s has a built in keyboard. This one I’ve been going back and forth really. I have my Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard which I absolutely love. But portability-wise, it just doesn’t cut it. It’s inconvenient to bring it when going out more-so when traveling. I usually just lug around my iPad when I need to get out of the house but still “work” or attend calls since it’s easier compared to bringing my laptop with me. I find it inconvenient to also bring my external keyboard all the time even if it is teeny tiny. Though I would always always find myself wishing I have a keyboard when I’m using my iPad for work or when outside killing time. I could’ve just used that time to blog or vlog instead of watching stuff from Netflix.

3. It has a dedicated Apple Pencil slot. Since I’m not using any apple pencil protection, I noticed that my pencil and iPad has started to show some scratches and dark marks. I hate it! But I can’t use an apple pencil protector because it makes the pencil fat and I find it uncomfortable to write. But this case has a dedicated slot for the pencil without affecting the magnet. The pencil still connects 100% to the iPad even with that protection. I love it sooo much.

5. The backlit keyboards. I am used to working at night, so this feature made a huge difference.

6. The price. Okay. Let me set this straight, it’s not cheap. It’s around 100USD so it’s not cheap at all. But if you compare it with the other available brands with the same features as I listed above, this is actually way way cheaper. The Apple Magic Keyboard would have been the straight choice but it’s super pricey. Plus I don’t like the fact that my iPad still felt naked. Logitech is also another popular brand but they waaaay more expensive than this one. I really think ZAGG is the sweet spot.

I am actually writing this blog post using this keyboard case and so far, I am loving the experience. I’ll update this post if I ever found something worth mentioning. But so far, I LOVE IT!

Bonjour, Nice!

2022-10-16T23:26:00.007+08:00

Bonjour! Your girl checking-in to let you y'all know that I am in Nice, France right now!

To say that I am excited for this trip is an understatement. Just like my US travels, this one is another work-related trip followed by a fun side hustle. I am way beyond excited not only because it's my first time in Europe but also because this trip means a lot to me career-wise. Y'all know how much I love my corporate job and seeing my team grow is just so exciting.

Motherhood and my new role has taken over my entire life. I was able to slowly get out of my dark days but I am crazy busy that I can't even squeeze in a little blogging on the side. Or any other hobby actually. I am trying to get back to reading but sometimes even that I can't even do because I'm just so tired.

But after meeting with an old blog "fan" (seryoso, the way she talked to me parang celebrity talaga si mumshie!) I realized that I miss this. I miss blogging. I miss sharing my life with you in detail. More than just snippets. More than quick stories. It's nice to sit down and type away my thoughts. Hopefully this time, I'll be able to really go back to it. I have a lot of stories to tell! My Malaysia trip, my recent food trips, and really being able to get back to pre-pandemic days.

Here in Nice, France face mask is no longer mandatory. It's sooo good to see the faces of the people around me. It's sooo good to feel back to normal. Probably why I was even more inspired to get back to blogging. Seeing life around me. Travelling. Meeting people. It feels great! It was awesome!

It feels so good to finally post something today. :)

Review: Dreame H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner

2022-07-10T23:05:00.001+08:00

Posted about this investment (yes, investment talaga to kasi di sya mura mga mumshies) a couple of months ago and now I could finally do a full review!

My overall rating? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I contemplated on getting this vacuum cleaner because heck! It’s way expensive for me! I was just supposed to get another Deerma Spray Mop on Shopee but ended up falling in love with Dreame H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner!

I did my research and watched several videos. And I went for it since Shopee had a huge sale and I got it at a discounted price. Then when I posted it, apparently one of my bestfriend actually have the same unit, well they got the H11 Max version which is more powerful and has some extra bells and whistles. But I went for the cheaper version because honestly, it’s all I need!

This is probably one of my best purchase this year and I am so glad I got it! I honestly can’t live without it now. Here’s why:

I have 2 kids. And you know what it means. Kalat everywhere. While I have an old dry vacuum they are only good for dust or my bread crumbs. But on times when the kids would spill water, milk, or juice pahirapan talaga. I used to have a spray mop but I need to clean it off first before spray mopping the floor. Hassle! With this, diretso na! Mop the mess whether it’s wet or dry and it’ll vacuum it off and mop the floor at the same time!
I recently got a puppy and I swear it is a life AND sanity saver! It allows me to clean the mess really fast and easy.
Self cleaning! One of the things that I find really hard with using my spray mop is the fact that I have to wash the cleaning cloth all the freakin’ time. I mean, I know it’s easy to do so but if you are a single working mum with 2 kids, 1 puppy and a truckload of work tasks - heaven talaga yung after mo maglinis, isang pindot lang ang paglilinis nung vacuum mo! After that, itsa sa toilet and flush!
Really convenient. The charging/cleaning dock is very useful. After using, balik lang sa dock and auto charge na sya. You know na laging full-batt sya everytime gagamitin mo.
At first, I find the vacuum too wet. Since I have kids, importante sken that mabilis matuyo ang sahig because the kids are always running around the house. But I was able to easily solve that issue by removing the clean water tank while using it. So when I need to an extra wet mop, I’d install the clean water tank and if hindi naman then I’d remove it lang. Easy peasy.
The customer service is really awesome! I messaged their IG and Shopee account about my issue nga of it being too wet for my liking. The CS are too nice and really explained to me how it works. They sent videos pa on how it really works. Ang bilis din mag respond. Super okay.

I spent a couple of months with this vacuum before posting my review to ensure na talagang gamit na gamit ko muna sya before I’d recommend it. Di kasi sya mura diba? But honestly, for me it’s soooo worth it!!

I’d probably post a separate blog to share how I use this on a daily basis and how it makes my life easy. Probably some more hacks as well to keep your vacuum clean and well-maintained.

Also, posted this on YouTube, show me some love - Like and Subscribe!

How to Easily Process You Birth Certificate via PSAHelpline.ph

2022-06-14T20:54:00.003+08:00

Getting and processing government documents has always been a headache. And really, the pandemic has changed my views on a lot of things. I now value my time and convenience even more. If I can do things online, then I'd definitely do it online.

So for me PSAHelpline.ph is really a gem!

You can now secure a copy of your government certificates such as - Birth, Marriage, CENOMAR and Death; online and without hassle!

Just a few clicks and you'd be able to get your hands on your docs within 3 days! It's that easy.

Since we need to process Gab's passport soon, I secured a copy online of my and my kid’s birth certificates via PSAHelpline. It's really so easy! Just follow the steps below:

1. Just go to PSAHelpline.ph and click on Order Now.

2. Choose the Certificate Type, tick on the I accept the terms and conditions and press continue.

3. It will ask you if you are getting your own Birth Certificate or if it is for someone related to you.

4. Then provide all of the personal information needed to process your request.

5. You will then be asked for how many copies you are requesting. The total price would be shown on the screen as well so you won't be surprised at how much it costs.

6. Press “I Confirm” and Continue.

7. Then it will list down all the payment options available so they can continue processing your request. What I like about them is that they have a wide payment option. It is really very convenient.

8. Just wait for 3 days and you will get your government certificates at your door steps!

It is really very easy and convenient. What I also like about them is that they give updates of the status of your request/order via email. So you would know if they are processing it already or if you can expect it to be delivered that day. The courier even called me ahead of time to ensure that I am at home to receive my parcel.

My parcels arrived safe and sound. There are receipts attached to it as well. And most of all, I don’t have to go out and wait in line just to process them.

These days, there is no price for convenience and safety. And I’m really thankful we have sites like PSAHelpline.ph.

Avon Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month Through BOOBwatch

2020-11-11T20:42:00.001+08:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! And Avon’s line up of activities for 2020 was a huge success!

Utilizing the power of technology and the internet - Avon’s campaign BOOBwatch was all done online allowing them to reach to more people and generate awareness at a much grander scale. This year’s events were all for the benefit of the Philippine Cancer Society.

BOOB Talk launched the campaign with an educational talk together with Dr. Gia Sison and Dr. Rachel Rosario of the Philippine Cancer Society. It was viewed by more than 6,200 people!

Of course, a fun and entertaining concert was also on the line up. Shaped for More with Morrisette: The BOOBwatch Fundraising Concert was streamed via Facebook with 5,700 people joining the fun.

Last but not the least, #JoinTheBoobment Manoeuvres Fitness Dance-a-thon was also streamed. Aside from all the popular dance routines of this famous group, they also managed to teach the viewers a quick Tiktok dance tutorial that shows how easy and fast it is to do a breast check by yourself! See? Fun and educational!

Of course, aside from joining these events, we could also help with this cause by purchasing Avon’s special collection - Empower Bra (Avon’s first-ever mastectomy bra), the Breast Cancer Promise Umbrella and Tote Bag Set, and the Evita Watch. For every sale of those items, 50Php would be donated to the Philippine Cancer Society.

Review: MPOW HC5 Bluetooth Headset for Online School

2020-11-08T00:20:00.006+08:00

Several months into distance learning and I think we are finally getting the hang of it.

Of course, it was not always easy and everyday I still find myself trying to find ways to make sure that my daughter, who is a first grader, is comfortable studying at home. That she finds online learning fun and easy.

Since I also work from home, and living in a small studio-type condominium - making sure that her classes and my work doesn’t clash is one important thing.

So for me, getting the MPOW HC5 Bluetooth Headset is definitely a good decision.

Using a headset was actually recommended by their school. And we all know that having a good audio equipment is important for the kids to be able to participate well on their classes.

While looking for a headset, I have the following requirements:

1. It should have noise cancelling or noise reduction feature as I don’t want her teachers to hear everything that is happening on our tiny home.

2. It should be comfortable. I used to let the #FabSkye wear my Samsung Galaxy Earbuds and she’s getting ear fatigue after 1-2hours. My daughter usually have a minimum of 3 hours online classes so a comfortable device is a must.

3. It should be affordable. I have already spent way too much money trying to make sure she is online class ready. From her desk to all her electronics - I really tried to get her everything she needs and got the best I could afford. So if I could get my hands on a cheaper device, I’m all in!

It took me several weeks of researching and checking our Shopee and Lazada. I watched several YouTube videos and really read all the comments and reviews.

After doing all the research, I finally settled with MPOW HC5 Bluetooth Headset and I couldn’t be happier!

MPOW ticked all my requirements and more!

Why we love it?

1. It can be connected via bluetooth. Initially, having bluetooth capability is just a nice-to-have for me because I know it is expensive. But now, I am so glad we got a bluetooth headset because my daughter could move freely while on class. She could dance, jump, write on her whiteboard and even play her piano without worrying about the wires. It’s just so so convenient!

2. It can also be connected via a 3.5mm jack. Alright, while connecting via bluetooth is still our favorite, I gotta admit that it always doesn’t work. I managed to forget to charge her headset waaaay too long one time so bluetooth doesn’t work but the 3.5mm jack connection saved us. So it’s really nice feature.

3. Noise reduction really works! Like not super Plantronics level of noise cancelling ah. But it really works in reducing the background noise.

4. It fits my daughter’s head like a glove. Since the headset is adjustable, it fits her tiny head perfectly.

5. It is so comfortable. The headband is padded so it doesn’t hurt her head. The earphones are also well-padded and breathable. My daughter could use it for 3 hours straight without feeling uncomfy.

6. It is chargeable. Not having to worry about constant battery replacement is a huge factor for me. I mean, it is so easy to charge it via micro-usb and we are good to go.

7. It take forever to go low-batt. MPOW promised a 22 hour talk time and boy! They are so real. Told you about that time I forgot to charge it? I think I didn’t charge it for a week before it finally died on me. My daughter also use it when she’s playing games or watching movies and I swear the battery life is just superb!

8. It is easy to connect. Just press and hold and voila! I have connected it my daughter’s laptop and her Tab and it easy to switch from one device to the other. No problem connecting at all.

9. Connection is so good. No delay in audio. I also tried to use it just to make sure it is actually okay. I tried to connect it to my phone and watched YouTube videos and I never had once experience audio delay.

10. Most of all, it is affordable. With all it’s features, it only cost a little over a thousand pesos. Promise! I tried to search and search for several weeks and this one is the most bang for the buck!

So far, this device is looking great. My daughter has been using it everyday for almost 4 months now and the device still looks good as new. The leather parts are still in pristine condition and we never had a problem with it.

We did an unboxing and initial impression video.

Work From Home Life Updates

2020-10-18T02:27:00.007+08:00

Grabe! 2020 really changed our lives.

I even read an article online about how 2020 would be the death of working mumshies. Which is so so so true! I know I kept on saying that I am tired and all. Being a mum, having a full-time job, being a blogger, and all the crazy hats I have to wear everyday. But boy! This work from home thingy, it's not easy! Add the distance learning setup to the mix, and it's just too much.

I have close to zero sleep, I have way too much things on my to do list, and I am super stressed every single day. Every. Single. Damn. Day.

I used to love going to the office because I find it as my escape. Sue me! But it's true. I mean, at work I could sip my coffee in peace. Have long lunch with my friends. Or be the girl boss I wish to be.

Yep, my job could be busy and demanding. But at least I have an excuse to dress up and wear my make up.

Now, here at home there's just too much. In between meetings I have to attend to my daughter and be a tech support for her online classes. My lunch breaks are hurried because I have to prep our food and assist my daughter on her worksheets. I also have to take breastfeeding breaks for my bunso.

Crazy life talaga!

So simple things that makes my life easy, I grab it! I got myself a vacuum cleaner, an air fryer, and lots of little trinkets for my desk and work area.

I also always wear something comfy. I actually have a uniform now! My favorite Soft Camisole from Wacoal. Like, promise! I wear them every single day.

Perfect because this one has support and pads already. So this is all I need everyday.

Did you know that not wearing bras all the time could actually affect the shape of your boobies? Well, I learned that when I attended the virtual talk of the fashionista sisters V <3 V last month for Wacoal.

I make sure to wear something that supports my boobies because I breastfeed. Not wearing one would usually mean leaky boobs and just plain ouchy boobsies. But after learning that not being bra-free all the time means saggy boobs as well, I shopped for more uniforms!

I had a grand time shopping for camisoles! And the comfort fit line is just perfect! I swear! I am in my wacoals all day every day.

I mean, one less thing to worry and one more thing to get excited about, right? These crazy times, those little things really matter. And while we are all cooped up inside our homes, I wanna stay comfy and fashionable and pretty. Agree?

My daughter’s 1st day of distance learning class...

2020-10-07T14:54:00.005+08:00

On the last week of August, my daughter - a grade one student started her distance learning class. Their school implemented a blended approach in learning this year where they have a combination of synchronous and asynchronous classes.

Synchronous classes are virtual classes via Google Meet. They usually have 3 synchronous classes per day which is equivalent to around 3 hours of virtual class. The rest are asynchronous classes where they have modules, powerpoint presentations and videos uploaded on their online class platform. The asynchronous class schedules is also when they get to answer the worksheets provided by their teachers.

Here, I vlogged about our 1st day (and a little bit of the 2nd day) of my daughter’s distance learning class. And I must say, it is NOT EASY! Mind you!

Probably on my next b/vlogs, I’ll share my struggles and probably share some tips as well!!

But for now, enjoy watching our video! And while you are at it, please subscribe to our channel!!!

A Grade-schooler's Desk Tour

2020-09-19T23:32:00.005+08:00

Hey! How are you mumshies?

It has been such a tiring 3 weeks for me. The #FabSkye started with school last month and oh boy! To say that it has been crazy is an understatement. Like, really!

Thing is, they are practicing a combination of synchronous (virtual classes) and asynchronous approach in schooling. And to be honest, maloka loka ako. Her school is from 7:30AM-2:00PM and I am working from home. Thank God I am working from home because honestly, I don't trust anybody else to do help her navigate to this new world of "laptop school". If it is crazy difficult for me, I know it is ten times more difficult for my 6-year old. We are both struggling, but I'm glad that we are doing it together.

I posted some tips on how to prepare your kids for distance learning and while I am glad we did all these preparations, I have to admit that it is still so difficult.

Buti nalang maganda ang study area ng #FabSkye so studying is atleast a little bit better.

So here we are with a desk tour!!

I hope you had fun with our video and we hope may napulot kayo kahit papaano! To my fellow mumshies, kaya natin to!!

Our Kid’s Dental Health in Times of COVID

2020-08-24T10:08:00.003+08:00

My kid’s dental health is something I really take seriously. The #FabSkye regularly visits her pedia dentist for cleaning and flouride since she’s 1. She has a really good relationship with her dentist actually. But because of COVID, my kid’s wasn’t able to visit our beloved pedia.

The #FabSkye was due for a visit months ago but we weren’t able to. My son, the #GabMazing is 1 year 6 months old already but still no experience of pedia dentist visit. I really want to but because of the crazy COVID cases we are currently having, I don’t think I could take the risk.

So what’s a mumma to do? Of course, as I patiently wait for this crazy to end I need to make sure that we do our part to my kid’s teeth and gums healthy.

And I’m here to share with you some tips on how to care for our kid’s dental health in times of COVID.

1. Regularly brush their teeth. Of course! Our dental health should always start with as simple as brushing. But if you think it’s easy, think again! The #FabSkye is at her age where she doesn’t like taking a bath, let alone brush her teeth. And my toddler would fight tooth and nails if you try to put something inside his mouth. So here are my tried and tested tips on how to make brushing fun.

1.a. Set a schedule for your gradeschooler. And make sure that brushing is part of her schedule. Creating a schedule is something our pedia recommended when this whole ECQ started. She said that making a schedule and sticking to it put some form of normalcy to their everyday lives. For us it works! And of course, I make sure that our schedule includes morning brush time and evening brush time so she could be reminded of this activity.

1.b. Use a soft and fun toothbrush. For the #FabSkye, we use a Colgate Wonder Woman toothbrush because Wonder Woman is her favorite. And for the #GabMazing, we use this cute butterfly toothrbush/teether from Colgate as well. Both toothbrushes are perfectly designed for their age and is soft and gentle on their baby teeth.

1.c. Use yummy and age appropriate toothpaste. For toddlers, it is best to use a flouride-free flavoured toothpaste coz our toddlers doesn’t know how to spit yet and ingesting flouride is not good for our kids. And for my gradeschooler, we use age-appropriate toothpaste with flouride. We use Colgate as well.

2. Floss regularly. I try to floss my toddler’s teeth every week. He still refuses to do it but we try to make it fun for him and is patiently waiting until he is 100% okay with it. As for the #FabSkye, since she is eating much more, we floss everyday. Usually in the evening. I also try to make sure that the younger one sees his Ate enjoying floss time so he would thing it is also okay. We are not yet there but getting better everyday.

3. Drink lots of water. My kids are encouraged to drink water in the morning, before going to bed, and after every meal or snacks. This is to ensure that their mouth are washed regularly.

4. Eat healthy. As much as possible, I feed my kids healthy food like veggies and fruits and less sweets. Sugary treats are not totally banned in my house but they are eaten in moderation and should always be washed off by drinking lots of water.

As far as I know, 97% of Filipino kids have cavities, I am proud that my kids belong to the 3% and I plan to keep it that way. While we can’t visit our pedia dentist, there are a lot of ways I could keep their teeth and gums healthy here at home.

Bio-Oil® Dry Skin Gel: A New Way To Care For Your Dry Skin

2020-07-17T16:45:00.006+08:00

I have a new love...

Bio-Oil® Dry Skin Gel!!!

I'll let you in on my little secret...

Eversince ECQ, I've been doing all housework. Since I have a sensitive skin, washing the dishes mean having super dry, almost flaky skin. I tried changing our dishwashing soap to more light, organic ones but still, my hands would suffer. This picture is actually better. My hands used to super dry that it is already painful. Sometimes, my skin would break because of dryness.

And being an IT professional means I use my fingers all the time. I am in my computer almost 60% of the time. Tulog lang ata pahinga ko at gawaing bahay. So if my hands are dry and painful, super hirap talaga. Parusang tunay!

So when I discovered Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel, I fell in love right away!!

Since Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel is made of 87% oil, butter, and waxes and 10% humectants - it is very moisturizing! A little really goes a long way. Just get a pea-sized gel for each area and they are enough. This product is really perfect for DRY SKIN coz it's very hydrating. You could instantly notice the difference right after application.

Above photo is taken right after applying Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel on my fingers. That's an unedited photo and you could immediately see the major difference.

The skin is hydrated and not flaky. It's extra smooth and so much better. It is indeed a new way to care for your dry skin!

Now I always keep a tub at arms reach. I would usually apply a little every time my hand would feel cracky and super dry. I also tried to use it on the #FabSkye's super dry knees. She's starting to have scabby knees because she would scratch on her dry knees untill it bleeds! Now, I would apply a little amount of Bio-Oil on her dry patches right after taking bath and I could see a major difference!

And since this is in gel-form, very convenient for travel. So you could always bring a tub with you everywhere. No more dryness forevs. Yey!

Bio-Oil® Dry Skin Gel comes in three sizes, 200ml (795Php), 100ml (495Php), and 50ml (290Php) and is now available at Mercury Drug, Watsons, and BeautyMNL.

Visit bio-oil.com for more info or like Bio-Oil® on Facebook @biooilPH and on Instagram @biooilphilippines.

Preparing for Distance Learning

2020-07-16T23:04:00.000+08:00

As mentioned on my previous post, we are doing Distance Learning this year. A combination of synchronous (virtual classes) and asynchronous (modular) approach.

The #FabSkye’s school, AIS, has a good distance learning program. Nawala ng slight ang anxiety ko.

But we still enrolled on their summer academic camp which is a 1 month virtual class program. My main goal here is to:

1. Keep her busy for a month.

2. See how well she adapts to virtual classes.

3. See what tools we need to prepare in order for her to effectively do distance learning.

Honestly, mahirap sya. I have a lot of issues because maliit talaga ang bahay ko. Hindi condusive to learning. Plus I also work from home. My own WFH setup is not even okay. Binabalakang na ko sa pwesto ko sa gilid ng sofa namin. And she has to do this from August until December (then the school will assess if it is safe to transition to face to face). That’s 5 months, or probably longer.

(Update: I already have my own workspace and we have a little #FabSkye's corner at home now. Check out our grade-schooler's desk tour vlog!)

Also, since I WFH, I must make sure that our schedules sync. She’d probably do her thing while I’m on a meeting. We have to try it and see how we’ll do.

And I’m so glad we did the trial! Now, I have ample time to really prepare our house for her Distance Learning.

And because I love you all, I’m sharing with you the things I think you need to prepare before our kids do distance learning. I hope may mapulot kayo.

Have a designated place for learning.

We live in a 30sqm studio-type condominium. We see and hear each other all the time. No room. Very limited space. So when she started with her virtual classes, I would prop her laptop and tablet in our dining table (which is always messy) and make her sit on our dining chair.

Problem there is, kitang kita talaga nina Teacher lahat ng ginagawa namin sa bahay. It is also easy for the #FabSkye to get distracted because she would see us walking on her background or she would get distracted from the food on the table. She would also have a hard time going down the chair during their “dance” or exercise or when reaching out for things.

So I decided to fix one corner of our house and turn it into her study corner. It is on the far side of the house. If you follow me on social media, it used to be the spot where we put our Christmas Tree.

I propped her tiny study table and chair. I setup her laptop. Got her a tablet stand and kept all her writing and drawing materials at arms reach. She loves it!

If I fix the tablet properly on her side, I could minimize the view of the rest of the house.

Since she is using a kiddie chair, it is easier for her to move around. Dance around. And get the stuff she needs to show to teacher or use.

She is also facing a wall and is beside our cabinets so the level of distraction was minimized. I noticed that she was more focused now and she could actually listen to Teacher well.

My advice is, find a tiny corner for your kids. Try to keep the distractions as far away as possible. Make sure that they are comfortable. The place should be well-lit and well-ventilated. They should also be able to freely move.

What are the tools needed for Distance Learning?

The #FabSkye use a Galaxy Tab A w/ S-pen. I did a comprehensive review of that Tab and why we ended up using it as my daughter’s primary tool for learning.

But she also use our old laptop during virtual class. So our setup is, we join the zoom meeting on 2 devices but only join audio and video on the tablet. We do this because I noticed that she would get distracted when she won’t see her classmates or her teacher especially when there is something being projected on the screen. Basically, the laptop is used so she could see Teacher and her other classmates.

(Update: She is now using a big laptop 15.6 inches of screen as her main device and use the Tab for answering her modules since it has an s-pen.)

I made her use a wired headset during the 1st day of her class and she hates it. She can’t freely move. So I made her use my bluetooth headset. When she was on our dining area, she can’t properly hear teacher and her teachers can’t hear her properly. But when we moved to her little corner, she could now make do without a headset. Though sometimes mahina masyado ang boses. I am now thinking if we should buy a mic for her. Hahaha! The Tab’s speaker is loud enough that even I could hear her teachers. But a cheap bluetooth headphones is also another option. My earbuds is not for kids so she sometimes get ear fatigue from long use. I think we might go the extended mic option but we’ll see. Anyway, a mic would also be useful for our vlogging so if we ever got one, it won’t be a waste.

(Update: She has her own bluetooth headphones now.)

We have a printer here but we don’t use it for her worksheets because she could do her worksheets on her Tab. The printer is primarily used for supplemental worksheets or for her art stuff. I would print out things that she could paint on or cut out so we could still practice her motor skills. I don’t want her to forget writing on an actual paper.

Oh! I also got her a tablet stand so her tab is securely in place during lessons. I used to prop her tab on whatever jar I could find but since we moved to a little space, the tablet stand come in handy. The stand is cheap, I ordered it from Lazada but it does the job. I could even extend it so it’ll be a bit high so she won’t have to show her nostrils to Teacher. Hehehe!

Conditioning your child for distance learning.

Distance Learning is technically a new concept especially for our children. I tried to keep an open communication with my children so the #FabSkye has always been aware of what’s happening around her. She understands why she is not allowed to go out of the house and why she has to do virtual classes.

But I still try to remind her our current status. I make sure that she understand that it is still school and that her performance matters. That if she wants to really learn she has to participate on the activities and listen to her teacher.

I make sure that her study area is conducive to learning and that she eat before going online. I have a bottle of water ready for when she gets thirsty and a handful of tissue paper for her allergic rhinitis.

I remind her everyday that learning is important. And that it is her decision to keep on schooling this year when I talked to her about the possibility of taking a gap year. She said she wants to continue with school so I always tell her that it is she who decides on it and that she should keep her part and participate on the virtual class.

Distance Learning is not easy. It requires a lot of preparation for both the kids and us, parents. But in our new normal, we have to make sure that we also adjust, and that we help our kids adjust as well.

Paano ba maglaba?

2020-07-03T17:01:00.000+08:00

When we moved to our rented place, one of the major changes we did was how we wash our clothes. We used to send them over to the laundry shop but we realized that it’s no longer convenient plus it’s hella expensive!

So my husband gifted me with a washing machine.

I had difficulty using it at first kasi mabaho ang laba ko! Like kadiri levels. Hahahaha! But I was able to find the right settings and proper way to wash our clothes which I shared on my vlog.

In summary here are my tips in using your automatic washing machine para sa labang labadami at labango!

1. Segregate your labada. Not whites and colours but according to fabric type and gaano kadumi ang damit. All cottons should be together. All towels should be together. Wash your husband’s basketball clothes separately!! Ganun dapat! Wag halo halong kalamay mga beshie!

2. Only put half capacity on your washing machine. Wag mo punuin beshie! Di to paramihan. Make sure that you only put half amount of clothes on it so the washing machine would be able to wash them properly.

3. I use Ariel liquid detergent. For me, this is the best one for washing machine. Try to use detergents made specifically for automatic washing machine.

4. Rinse your clothes before washing.

5. Pre-wash and rinse.

6. Wash with enough soap and bleach and then rinse 3 times before drying.

7. If it’s possible, paarawan ang mga damit. Kung di keri (gaya ko), just make sure that you hang it properly on a space when it could be air-dried.

8. Try different settings, different soap, different combination of wash and rinse! Kaya mo yan baksh!

There you go! I hope I was able to help you. If you haven’t yet, please SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL and like our videos! Promise we would upload more content. See you there!