The Fangirl Musings

2020-08-10T14:41:00.004+08:00

Whoa! How I missed this blog!

How are you coping up with the recent events? We are now in the third quarter of the year and we've been through a hella lot of catastrophes. I do hope that you are all doing safe and fine despite of the pandemic we are battling right now.

I haven't posted anything here (I actually have pending posts here that I can't seem to finish) because for the past months, we were busy renovating the house and I gave birth to a cute daughter. I'm also having difficulty multi-tasking from being a work-from-home mom slash blogger slash artist. In addition to that, my laptop started to act weird. Luckily, I was able to purchase a refurbished laptop which I'm using now.

To be honest, it's really tough living day by day in this trying times. Embracing the normal is not easy.

I've been living in fear since the lock-down that I or a family member might catch the virus. I've been trying to cope up with stress and anxieties by watching series and movies, doing art illustrations, online shopping, and many more. These, to keep me sane.

Anyway, I do hope I'll be able to complete my long overdue posts. So for now, I'll be sharing this quote to lift up our spirits.

May this be a reminder that in this trying times, there is always HOPE.

And with GOD, we can all get through this!

I Scream for Ice Cream: Maxi Mango at Home

2019-05-05T12:53:00.002+08:00

I know I'm not the only one feeling the heat out there. With this kind of temperature it is normal to crave for refreshing coolers such as shakes, the traditional halo-halo, the super popular milk teas and the forever favorite ice creams. If you are familiar with Maxi Mango, this one is a hit among the variations of ice cream we have here in our country today.

And because I don't want to visit the mall and fall in line to get one, I tried to make my version at home. With just five ingredients, you can have your own mango ice cream treats anytime you want.

Ingredients: crushed grahams, tapioca, ripe mangoes, kremdensada and ice cream

Want to hack this treat? Here are the steps and ingredients.

Ingredients:

Crushed graham crackers

Tapioca or pearls (optional)

Sliced ripe mangoes

Kremdensada

Ice Cream

Procedure:

1. Start by adding a layer of crushed graham crackers at the bottom of your glasses.

2. Pour the Kremdensada. I prefer to use this one because I don't have to buy a can of condensed milk and all-purpose cream to create a mixture. It saves money and time.

3. Place the tapioca/pearls on the next layer. This is optional by the way.

4. Add the flavored ice cream. I used Ube flavor on this version.

5. Then top with the sliced ripe mangoes. Again, SWEET RIPE mangoes.

6. Repeat the process until your glass is full.

8. Makes sure the top layer will be a sprinkle of crushed graham and mangoes on top.

The secret of this dessert is the ice cream. In our case, we prefer a less popular brand of gelato from Dan Erick's. This has been our favorite ever since.

Cheesy Bacon Potatoes

2019-02-22T16:48:00.000+08:00

My cousin gave me a kilo of baby potatoes last week when she visited the Mountain Province. I was so happy because after a year, I will be able to cook baby potatoes snacks again.

And being a fan of potatoes and cheese,I decided to make Cheesy Bacon Potatoes.

Here's an easy step by step recipe:

Ingredients
3 slices thick-cut bacon diced
1/4 kilo baby potatoes, cut into halves and bolied
1/2 cup milk
1 pack Cheese Whiz savers pack

Instructions
1. First, heat a pan on medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until crisp then transfer to another plate.

2. On the same pan, pour the milk and stir until bubbles appear around the pan.

3. Reduce the heat to medium and dump the Cheese Whiz saver's pack. Stir well until the cheese is within your desired consistency.

4. Add half of the crispy bacon and mix well. Next are the potatoes. Stir for a few few minutes to evenly cook.

5. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and sprinkle the remaining bacon.

6. Mix together, and serve immediately.

The dish was a hit. My mom requested to cook another batch the following day. And with just less than five ingredients, you can create a yummy snack and side dish.

Try it now and let me know how it turned out :)

REVIEW: Big Skinny Wallet

2019-02-02T15:18:00.000+08:00

Not all women even men are into thick purses. Most of the people I know prefer having thin wallets that would not bulge on pockets or make our bags heavier. But where can we find such product? Worry no more because Big Skinny Philippines is offering the world's thinnest wallet!

I purchased their executive wallet in purple (already sold out) two years ago. Guess what, I'm still using it and it is as good as new. I just wash it and scrub it gently with soap to clean it. I remember ordering it online and I received the item the following day. That's really fast, right?!

This skinny wallet works like magic. It can fit more than 20 credit / debit cards including paper bills. But it still looks empty. It is because the Big Skinny Team uses an advanced version of the stylish nylon micro-fiber material (5 to 7 times thinner than leather) along with the special design, resulting in a slim wallet.

Executive wallet in purple. This has been my companion for the last two years.

What's inside my Big Skinny wallet?

Still lookin' slim. But believe me, it already had 16 cards, passport and wallet sized photos, receipts and paper bills.

It's minimalistic design and capabilities are truly commendable. I can't wait to get another one!

Those who would like to purchase this amazing wallet, you may visit their website via link below:

Big Skinny Philippines

https://bigskinny.ph

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bigskinnyphilippines/

Exploring South Korea: Bye For Now Korea!

2019-01-12T14:18:00.000+08:00

Some good things are never meant last. As much a we want to stay here in South Korea, we need to bid goodbye and return to Manila. So here's the final post from my South Korea adventure last Autumn of 2016.

We woke up early to catch the bus heading to Incheon International Airport. We don't want to be late and get offloaded so it is always better to be early on our flight. But before that, we bid farewell to our guesthouse.

Our home for the past three days, K-Guesthouse Insadong was awesome. It was a bit small but I love the ambiance and its location is perfect. I would definitely book this place again when I visit South Korea in the future.

Last photo session on our guesthouse's rooftop

Do more of what makes you happy.

K-guesthouse Insadong
Address: 30-9 Insadong-gil, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 2-732-4731

Majority of the people I know chose to ride the subway going to or from the airport. I know it's cheaper. But we want to feel comfortable, thus we preferred to ride the bus.

We arrived at the airport two hours earlier than our flight. We still have some time, so my friend allowed me to roam around the airport while she wait at the terminal.

To kill time, I roamed around the airport and window shopped at Duty Free ( I was supposed to buy some more "pasalubongs" but the items are pricey). I also dropped by at Incheon's airport's Korea Traditional Culture Center, where I experienced jewelry making for free. Yes, it's free of charge.

Cultural artifacts of Korea

These beautiful dolls are wearing the different designs of a traditional Korean clothing.

Exploring South Korea was such an experience. Too bad that I had to go back to reality. I'm very lucky that I got to visit one of the countries from my bucket list. How I wish I have a multiple visa and tons of money so I can visit this country anytime I want to.

Kamsahamnida Hanguk! Until next time :)

MinMin is Coming Back! Park Hyung Sik's 2019 Bench Funmeet

2019-01-09T18:15:00.000+08:00

Photo credits: Bench

Are you one of the fans that missed Park Hyung Sik's 2017 funmeet? You're not alone. My heart shattered when I was not able to attend the event last November 2017 as we were bound to Taiwan that time. But worry no more as Bench granted our wish and he will be back this February 16 for another event with his loyal subjects.

The 27-year South Korean singer (ZE:A member) and drama actor starred on The Heirs, High Society, Hwarang and Suits naming the few. He got his biggest break after portraying the role of a gaming application developer CEO Ahn Min Hyuk aka Min-Min alongside Park Bo Young on the hit series Strong Woman Do Bong Soon.

Park Hyung Sik live at MOA Arena invites prices are below.

P2500 VIP

P1800 Patron

P950 Lower Box

P500 Upper Box

Invites will be available starting January 10 until January 25 on selected branches and by purchasing a Bench product which corresponds the seats for the event.

So what are you waiting for? Proceed to the nearest branch and get your invites before its too late.

Exploring South Korea: Day 4 Final Seoul Adventure

2018-02-03T16:37:00.003+08:00

We still have one more day to explore Seoul. Therefore, we need to endure our aching feet for a few more hours. So here's another lengthy post from our last day in the beautiful country of South Korea. Be ready for the photo dump though :)

We had the perfect weather for this day's itinerary. We are returning to Manila the next day so this is our only chance to explore the remaining landmarks of Seoul that we haven't set foot on.

Bukchon Hanok Village was our first stop.

Crossing this road from Insadong to Bukchon.

Bukchon Hanok village, surrounded by Seoul's famous landmarks, shelters hundreds of traditional Korean houses called "hanok" which are either residential homes, guesthouses, restaurants, tea houses or shops. If you have watched Lee Min Ho and Seon Ye Jin's Korean drama series Personal Taste, this village was also one of their filming location. Too bad, we weren't able to stroll around the actual site as we got giddy when we saw a YG shop at Samcheongdong.

A good background for 'models'

Anybody here?

Hanok everywhere

Not sure if this is still Bukchon or these are houses and establishments from Samcheongdong.

Are these plum blossoms? Seriously, in autumn? Nah! This is just a fake tree.

Appa gom, eomma gom, aegi gom. Adorable bear figurines from a jewelry store.

I actually thought that the YG shop we saw at Bukchon's 'observatory, is still part of the village I only realized that we are already in Samcheongdong, home to distinctive cafés, shops, and galleries, when I saw a beauty vlogger Youtube video about her tour in South Korea.

Got tired from the 'hiking' and walking downhill

Annyeong oppa! Kekekekeke

Feeding my coffee addiction.

It was a long walk from Bukchon to Samcheongdong but we enjoyed the scenic views of different cafes and artsy shops along the way.

Finally, we arrived in Moonshot. I got giddy as usual over their products because these are endorsed by YG royalties. I did not buy any cosmetics, though, because it was too pricey. But my friend bought some after their friendly staff did a makeover on her.

BLACKPINK in your area

Smellin' like GDragon

The lower ground of the shop are for cosmetics. While the second level serves as a merchandise shop for YG artists. Concert goods from BigBang, 2NE1, Winner, IKon etc were all over.

I personally like this BIGBANG Krunk set.

After taking photos and selfies at the shop, we headed to K-Style hub in Cheonggyecheon. The five-floored building of K-Style Hub is consist of different halls. These halls has the information to meet all tourists' needs, from a tourist information center to a Hallyu experience, Hansik exhibition and experience hall, medical tourism information and more. Aside from these, K-Style Hub also aims to provide various chances to learn about Korean culture and food, as well as easily participate in traditional experiences

We also had our lunch at their canteen. Their menu are 'healthy'. So if you are a vegetarian, you will surely enjoy these food.

Healthy bibimbap. Instead of gochujang, the sauce included was I think a mix of tofu and doenjang.

We instantly became vegetarian for an hour. Hahahahaha

We were told that these snacks were originally served for the royalties. I just forgot what this is called.

Before our trip to Korea, I saw a post that K-Style hub is offering free Hanbok use for an hour on tourists visiting their office for a period of time. This is the reason why we dropped by their office. And we never thought that we would end up enjoying the whole K-Style experience.

Ticked off my bucketlist because I finally got to wear a hanbok!

They have traditional Korean dresses for kids, women and men as well.

We were allowed to wear only one dress for the span of an hour but I changed twice. We were also allowed to go outside and do some photo shoot but we opted to stay in the building because it was humid outside.

Other than the hanbok experience, you can also interact with KPop stars through their holograms. I'm glad my ultimate bias, Big Bang is one of the features and I got to take tons of photos with them non-stop.

Big Bang standees for unlimited photoshoot.

Aside from these, we also got the chance to design our own flower frames. The K-Style management also conducted a free workshop so we did not miss it as well.

Let's get it on!

The famous Cheonggyecheon stream is also just across the street. Hence, we had a quick stroll before going to our next location.

This stream is very relaxing and the sound of the running water is calming as well.. I can definitely stay here all day and just dip my feet and feel the cold water. I wish we had this kind of spot here in the Philippines.

Our last stop would have been Namsan tower. But the lines for the cable car was out of this world. Even the comfort rooms are queuing. We had the option to just hike up. However, our aching muscles and nerves can no longer hold it. Instead we just stayed for some sight-seeing at the park then head to Myeongdong afterwards.

Another bowl of bibimbap for early dinner. Not as appetizing as the vegetarian bibimbap we had at K-Style Hub, though.

A restaurant at the foot of Namsan Tower.

Where to next? Nah! I'll just stay here.

As much as I want to hike up to the tower, I can't. Ugh!

Selfeet :)

We went down to Myeongdong for our last minute shopping. The first time we went there, it was raining. But this time, it's humid and since it was a holiday in Korea, the streets were filled by locals, tourists and carts. It was like I'm in Divisoria!

Aside from that, I finally got to see the delicacies that were featured in other blogs. Unfortunately, I only got to taste the tteokgalbi because my tummy is still stuffed.

The usual scene in Myeongdong.

I'll be hunting down this cart when I return to Korea. Rating: 10 out of 10

Just a cup of rice and this will be perfect!

Should have tried this cabbage omelette.

Sausages!

At around 7 o'clock, my friend was already dragging me to go back to our hostel. I pleaded to try Sulbing's bingsu first. Luckily, she loved the idea.

Full-packed Sulbing Myeondong branch

We only had one order of small-sized red bingsu and yet, we can't still finish it. Giving it a rating of 10 out of 10.

We returned to our hostel a bit earlier than expected. So, we just dumped are bags on our bed and went out again to savor our last night in Insadong.

Vendo machine noodles

Just when we thought that we had enough food stuffed in our stomachs, we found our selves again ordering food. This time, we had noodles. It was good but nothing is special about it. Afterwards, we did some last minute shopping of souvenirs for our family, friends and officemates.

FOURTH DAY IMPRESSIONS

We thought everything was well planned for our South Korea itinerary. But we forgot to check their holiday schedules. Be mindful that during holidays, classes and some offices are closed. So expect that tourists and even locals are visiting famous landmarks as well. Hence, we were not able to visit Namsan tower. So the next time we plan a trip to Korea, we'll surely check if it's a holiday or not.

I should have brought salonpas with me. Kekekeke

I would have hoarded all those cosmetic products given away by staffs of various boutiques in Myeongdong. But I was too shy to just get them without purchasing anything from their shop.

If you are planning to try all those drool-worthy streetfoods in Myeongdong, make sure that your tummy is empty. Because one serving is already enough for two people.

Exploring South Korea: Day 3 Fangirl Itinerary

2017-10-16T00:30:00.003+08:00

Our third day in Seoul was gloomy and exhausting. It's been raining all day. But that did not stop us from enjoying our third day.

It was a Sunday and my first schedule was to go to our local church at Huamro. I tried to drag my boss to join me but she refused as she wanted me to experience travelling alone to explore other cities of South Korea. I was hesitant because my phone's navigation feature was unreliable. It was already drizzling as well that day and I'm wearing a dress. But I had no choice. So I commuted via bus from Angguk to Seoul Station.

Travelling by bus alone, CHECK!

Here at Seoul Station.

I landed safely at Seoul Station. And the next mission was to get across this station and finally get to church. I only relied on my old phone's GPS and the free wifi connection around the area. Hence, I have an 80% chance of getting lost. My prediction happened. I even asked some locals for the direction. However, most of them informed me that the address I showed them is from a different area. After almost a year, I realized that it was indeed from a different city. In the end, I was not able to attend the Sunday church service. I headed to Myeongdong instead to meet my boss.

Strolling at Seoul Station after I got 'lost' and before heading to Myeongdong.

The travel time from Seoul Station to Myeondong only took me 7 minutes. That was really fast! If you are in the Philippines, I guess it will take you forever (this is me exaggerating kekekeke).

Rainy Myeongdong

It was my first time in Myeongdong. The street was not as crowded that day because of the rain. Aside from my inaccurate GPS and poor direction skills, the drizzle is making this trip a bit agonizing. It's funny though, that I was mistaken as a local again when a group of Vietnamese travelers asked for directions. By the way, my boss and I needed to meet up at Dunkin Donut. It took me 20 minutes to realize that I was already standing in front of it while 'stealing' some free wifi connections at Zara.

Iced Americano and Corn-flavored donut while waiting for my travel mate

When my boss arrived, we window shopped at Zara for a bit. We noticed that the price of garments here are cheaper than what is offered here in Manila. We did not purchased a thing though.

We are in Myeongdong so I asked my boss if we can check out YG Republique. She happily showed me the way to the YG Entertainment restaurant.

Annyeong Choi Seung Hyun!

Hmmm... What should I get?

Don't Touch!

The resto's menu was out of our budget. We just purchased some YG goodies (keyrings and phone holders) instead. Luckily, we were able to get free Big Bang A to Z Exhibition tickets because the shop was having a promo for foreign buyers. Yay! That saved our 12000 KRW (540 Php). Also take note that you cab only purchase this ticket online via auction website, for international fans. Ergo, we were really lucky ^_^

Free Big Bang A to Z exhibition tickets and the ever famous dakgalbi of Yoogane

Before we head to Big Bang's Exhibit, we needed to fill our tummy. My boss suggested to have lunch at Yoogane, a famous restaurant that serves tasty and spicy chicken galbi. It was still raining and we kinda got lost our way to the restaurant.

We are not fond of spicy dishes, so we requested for one serving of 'mild' marinated chicken galbi. But in the end, it was still too spicy for us. It was very delicious though and we still enjoyed it.

Kyeopta! Queuing at Line Friends Shop

After our lunch, we rushed to Big Bang's Exhibit at SeongSu. We did not even have enough time to stroll around Myeongdong because of the weather as well. As expected, we got lost again on our way to the venue. We had to visit the Korean Tourism office to assist us. It turned out that we went the other way.

Can you name them all?

The ever gorgeous Jeon Ji Hyun

Met Ji Yong on our way to their exhibit ;p

Finally, we arrived at the venue. It was raining cats and dogs and the exhibit warehouse looked as if it was already closed.

Battled the rain and traveled to SeongSu just to see this exhibit. This is for the love of Big Bang :)

BigBang10 The Exhibition A to Z showcases the K-Pop Royalty, Bigbang's 10 years of journey in the music industry. And as a VIP (BigBang fandom name), attending this event is such an experience.

A glimpse of what's inside the exhibition

Royalties in abstract

Fans and visitors can experience virtual reality, watch their concert and documentary videos, or listen to music selected by none other than BIGBANG members themselves for this exhibit. You can also drop by at the cafe with Big Bang menus and shop some goods at the pop-up shop before leaving.

For a normal citizen, this event may seem a waste of time. But for us, we enjoyed every 'destination' of the exhibit.

Dongdaemun at Night

It's getting dark so we left the exhibit and headed to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Indeed, this place is instagrammable. I love it's futuristic vibe. And what excites me the most was the field of led roses. Too bad they only lit up a small portion of the garden because of the downpour.

My camera can't give justice to these beautiful blooms

I SEOUL U *finger heart

To cap off the night, we headed to Gwangjang market for our late dinner. Our body was starting to give up so we did not have enough energy to stroll around the market. We just chose a stall which offers haemul pajeon (seafood pancake).

A bit disappointed with this pajeon. Not tasty at all.

GwangJang market

We were not satisfied on the seafood pancake we had. So we looked for another stall to appease our cravings. We got two servings of kimbap and eomuk guk (fish cakes soup) which completed our exhausting day.

THIRD DAY IMPRESSIONS

There is no doubt that South Koreans are really friendly, especially those elders who could not even speak in English. I somehow got lost when I was searching for our church and most of the citizens I asked at Seoul station responded to my query. Aside from that, a beautiful stall owner at GwangJang market tried her best to show us the direction we asked her, even though she's having a hard time understanding and translating in English.

I could not believe that Seoul station was full of homeless people. I always thought that I can only see them under bridges or subway paths, like what I always see in dramas and movies.

Kimbap and fish cake soup will always save the day.

Their weather forecast is accurate. Unlike here in the Philippines. We should have prepared our raincoat when the weather app showed us that it is going to rain pretty bad that day. I ended up with wet shoes and tired feet.

Myeongdong is such a haven. If only it was not raining, we would have stayed their longer. And why are the products at their Zara branch way cheaper than what we have here in Manila? Hmf

I think I will never understand their complicated subway system. It was a good thing I was with my boss who's really good with directions.

Exploring South Korea: Day 2 Roaming Around Jongno

2017-08-16T09:26:00.000+08:00

Yosh! Finally, I'm able to continue writing about my Korean adventure. I was supposed to finish these series of entries before August. However, due to an unfortunate event in our company (we were cyber-attacked), I've been too busy with work to finish our backlogs. Restoring our system took us a lot of time and we had to do everything manually. Ugh! Anyway, here's another lengthy post of my second day in Kimchi Land.

The second day of our Korean adventure was scheduled for the palaces and landmarks which are just around the Jongno area. We planned to visit the five royal palaces in Seoul namely - Gyeongbokgung, Chandeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo Shrine.

Peanut butter, cereals and a cup of coffee for breakfast

No milk left for me :(

We went up early to have breakfast on the rooftop of our hostel. We had unlimited servings of cereals and breads; and coffee or juices. Afterwards, we head to our first stop for the day, the Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Gyeongbokgung is the largest Joseon dynasty temple in Korea and considered as the most beautiful among the five palaces. If you're an avid Korean drama fan, you know that this palace is a popular filming location. Some of the dramas filmed in this majestic palace are Goblin, Rooftop Prince, Moon Embracing the Sun, Queen In-Hyun's Man, Chicago Typewriter and many more.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is just a couple of minutes walk from our hostel.

Gwanghwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace.If you have watched the Korean drama hit 'Goblin' and 'Chicago Typewriter', you have probably seen this gate as well

Instead of purchasing one ticket per palace, we opted for the palace pass which already include five royal palaces tickets.

The Changing of Guards Ceremony. Ticked off another box in my South Korea bucket list. Yey!

Heungnyemun Gate is the second gate into Gyeongbokgung.

Geunjeongjeon Hall, the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace
Because it was a Saturday, the palace grounds was a 'bit' crowded.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

I remember painting Hyangwonjeong Pavilion two years ago, with hopes that I can visit South Korea one day. And I did after a year!

The National Folk and National Palace museums are located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung as well. We chose not to visit these museums as we got too tired walking around the vicinity. The weather became too humid when the clock struck 12 noon, so we decided to return in Insadong to have our lunch and buy souvenirs.

Traditional Korean dresses for kids displayed in a shop across Gyeongbokgung.
Just a tip, wear hanbok if you want free access to palaces.

Binge! Lunch time in Insadong

Quaint restaurants are found in the alleyways of Insadong. Most of it offers the same food and the only difference are the prices. After strolling for half an hour, we found a resto near a souvenir shop. To be honest, we went there because we saw good-looking officers/soldiers near the area. HAHAHAHAHA.

We ordered one set of meal. Yes. Just one set is more than enough to fill our hungry tummy. I love how the food tasted. My only problem was that the fish stew was too spicy for me. Other than that, everything on the table was awesome.

After our lunch, we walked around the area and bought our souvenirs. I don't have a photo of it but what we got were shirts, scarves, lipstick pouches, and refrigerator magnets. Our hostel is just a few walks so we went back to rest afterwards.

We still have four more palaces to visit so we went out again and head to Changdeokgung Palace.

Saw these girls heading to Changdeokgung as well.

I've really wanted to wear hanbok while visiting the palaces. But the temperature was too hot and I may not be able to contain the heat.

Donhwamun, the main entrance of Changdeokgung, is the oldest remaining palace entrance in Korea today

Chandeokgung Palace was constructed in 1405 as a secondary palace of the Joseon Dynasty. This palace is the most well-preserved among the five remaining Joseon palaces. It is known to be loved more than any royal residences by the kings because of its spacious and beautiful garden. It is also part of the nine UNESCO world heritage cultural sites.

Changdeokgung Injeongmun Gate

Injeongjeon Hall, the main palace for the King

Passes for the Secret Garden

Within the palace grounds of Changdeokgung, also lies the Secret Garden. A separate fee will be collected if you opted to go on a tour on the said garden. We purchased the royal passes so we already have a ticket for the tour.

The Secret Garden was intended as place for kings and royal family members to relax. It was also a venue for various outdoor activities.

This pavilion is situated around the Buyongji Pond and Juhamnu Pavilion

While I joined the free Secret Garden tour, my boss stayed in this pavilion. Good for her as the tour requires long walks and endless inclined roads. My feet and legs got too tired after completing the tour route.

Buyongji Pond and Juhamnu Pavilion

Aeryonji Pond

Foliage! We were too early for autumn though.

I left the Secret Garden tour halfway through and decided to complete the path on my own, as we still have three more palaces to visit. Luckily, Changgyeonggung Palace is just a few walks from the Forbidden Garden.

Overlooking Changgyeonggung Palace. This spot is relaxing.

Changgyeonggung Palace is far overlooked by visitors and locals. I certainly disagree as this palace has it's own beauty as well. I've noticed that after roaming around its grounds, it features a lot of green space including fields and trees, various flowers, and even cherry blossoms (in spring, which I hope I can see soon). Photographers, nature lovers and even ordinary families will certainly love spending time in this residence.

As it was starting to get dark, we hurriedly left the palace to got to our next destination- Gwanghwamun Square.

Did you know that there's a museum hidden beneath this statue of King Sejong?

Gwanghwamun Square is located at the center of Sejong-ro which connects Gwanghwamun Gate and Cheonggye Square. The main division of the plaza features the golden statue of King Sejong the Great, the much-respected fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty reigned from 1418 to 1450.

Upon arrival at the square, we saw booths offering free calligraphy. Across the plaza, a mini-concert was being held as well. We were surprised when a battalion of soldiers suddenly came rushing to the venue. It turned out that it was the Armed Forces day.

Yellow flowers around Admiral Yi Sunshin's statue.

As we approached Admiral Yi's statue in Gwanghwamun, we were welcomed by protesters of the Sewol ferry tragedy. I've followed the news about the tragedy and seeing the actual photos of the victims was heartbreaking. The atmosphere on that side of the plaza was a complete opposite. It was depressing.

Philippines has National Bookstore. While Korea has Kyobo

It was a good thing that Kyobo bookstore is just nearby. We needed something to lift our spirit from the dreary sight we had.

Cheonggyecheon Stream at night

The final leg of our second day was a quick stroll at Cheonggyecheon Stream. This stream used to be a neglected waterway hidden by an overpass. Now, it has been transformed into a haven and a landmark for the visitors and locals.

Cheonggyecheon stream is also a favorite filming location. Korean dramas like Chicago Typewriter and 49 Days was shot here.

This is probably the best fried chicken I've ever tasted!

We capped off our exhausting day with a serving of chicken from Madfry. I haven't tasted other Korean chicken brands while in Korea but I consider this as the tastiest I've ever tried. I wouldn't mind eating this whole chicken all by myself. It would have been better if we ordered 'chimaek' (chicken and beer - maekju) but me and my boss don't drink beer.

SECOND DAY IMPRESSIONS

Korea has a rich culture. It's amazing how they preserved the palaces and how they are spending time and money for these landmarks. How I wish Philippines can do it as well.
I should have tried on that gatekeeper's uniform when we were in Gyeongbokgung. I've wanted to try hanbok that I forgot that wearing that traditional gatekeeper's costume was part of my Seoul bucket list. Ugh!
One of K-Guesthouse's staff was really nice. He doesn't know how to speak English but he tried his best to understand us. His hospitality is excellent! I hope we can meet him again when we visit Korea again.

VonZel2016: Wedding Supplier Review

2017-08-01T21:21:00.001+08:00

Our love story is more than a decade in the making. Thirteen years to be exact. We’ve been through hell together and we’ve fought the entire monsters along the way. Looking at it, we are always being tested. It’s never an easy path. But we are grateful that after a year of tirelessly planning our wedding, we have succeeded. It was not the perfect wedding that we’ve dreamed of, but we are glad that we are finally in each other’s arms. Thank you dear God!

As I have mentioned on my previous entries, we were on a limited budget. So I have scoured the web just to get deals from wedding suppliers. Unfortunately, not all of them are worth the price. It was too disheartening. But what can we do? The damage has been done. And so, after almost a year of being married, finally, I’ll be sharing our wedding suppliers’ reviews.

SUPPLIERS

Ratings will be given. Five stars will be highest and one is the lowest.

CATERER: Dories Catering ⋆⋆

We thought everything went well. Not until we came home and heard all the complaints from our relatives.

PROS

Colorful stage decorations. By the way, the letters R and V and the heart design is my work of art.

The food was great! It was delicious. I would have eaten two rounds if I was only a guest.

Our backdrop looked amazing! It was beautifully created and was really colorful in photos. We really loved it!

Our bridal car chauffeur was nice. I even had a chat with him while waiting for my cue to come out from the car. He even congratulated us. And for that, we gave him a tip. Thanks Kuya Driver :)

Thumbs up for the delicious food ^_^

CONS

Their semi-full wedding package includes free chocolate fountain, bubble machine and tarpaulin. But only the chocolate fountain was provided among these. We even bought candies and biscuits for the cocktails. However, it turned out that the candy buffet station was barely touched as it was hidden in the corner of the venue.

We brought our own lechon. To be specific, two lechons. My aunt and grandmother went out to look for the comfort room during the cocktails. But to their surprise, they saw the staff already chomping on it. They confronted the crew and they stopped immediately while smirking. How f$%@*^ rude!!!

As what I previously mentioned, their servers were ill-mannered. We paid for 160 guests and yet, they did not served the food to the guests who asked for more. In addition to that, during the slideshow and SDE presentation, my father saw the head waitress packing some of the dishes in a plastic bag. Everyone was enjoying the video and so this lady took the chance to fill her container with food! What the?!!!

The sound system was part of the package. I have no complains with their service except that some of the songs on the list I gave them was not played.

Menu cards on the table were incorrectly labelled; no registration corner and the guests’ tables were plain-looking.

I requested to make a donut cake tower for our wedding. I gave them a reference to copy as I want it to look whimsical. However, it turned out looking like a birthday cake. Aside from that, the donuts were only about 20 pieces. My request was to place three dozens of donuts on the tower.

It doesn't look like a wedding cake :(

BOOK THEM AGAIN? John and JL were really nice to talk with. But their new crew was out of hand. So my decision is NO! NEVER AGAIN. Once is already enough as they’ve given us too much disappointment. We don’t want to experience another nightmare with them. By the way, we have raised these concerns and they informed us that they'll investigate the incident. Unfortunately, I still did not receive a response from them until now.

RECEPTION VENUE: Don Jose Heights Club House ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

I’m giving this supplier a high-five for being one of the nicest and easiest supplier to communicate with. There were no hassles at all. Although their rate is a bit over our budget for the reception venue, we still opted to hold the after-wedding rites shiz in this clubhouse because of its vicinity.

BOOK THEM AGAIN? Definitely Yes! Maybe on our future kids’ birthday I guess.

ON-THE-DAY COORDINATOR (Emcee included): 7Ten5 Events ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

I'm telling you. This team can do magic.

Our wedding will not be as fun and memorable without the 7ten5 Events team's amazing coordination. And I thank my fellow Iglesia ni Cristo bride for recommending this impressive team.

PROS

We met Ka Lowell (the emcee and main coordinator) once. And we only saw him again on our wedding day. We only communicated through Facebook messenger and yet everything went well. I just had to fill up the document he sent me and told me that he'll do the rest.

Their rate for their On-the-day coordination including the hosting was a steal. They exceeded our expectation thus we gave them an additional tip for the job well done.

During the wedding day, they were early. As soon as they arrived, they started to do their magic. Ka Anjo, organized the DIY crafts I made. My bride assistant, Ms. Sheena was attentive and helped me from the hotel until the end of the program. Ka Lowell, was supervising the others as well. It was one hell of a busy day, but they looked calm and everything was well coordinated.

While the guests are waiting for us at the reception hall, Ka Lowell serenaded the crowd by singing a song. The games were also entertaining that me and my husband were already wondering why our guests were laughing out loud.

There was no dull moment during the reception. I can see everyone with smiles on their faces. One of our sponsors had no sleep and planned to leave the reception after eating. But thanks to Ka Lowell for the exceptional hosting that everyone stayed until the end.

CONS

They don't have a registration table. Hoping that for their next event, they would set-up their own registration area.

BOOK THEM AGAIN? 100 % yes! The overwhelming feedback from our guests is enough to convince us that this team is extraordinary. They made our wedding memorable and I can't wait to book them again for my future kids' birthday party.

HOTEL: SEAMEO Innotech ⋆⋆⋆⋆

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel and not particular with the interiors within Quezon City, I will definitely recommend SEAMEO Innotech!

PROS

The receptionist and guards are nice and accommodating. We were welcomed by genuine smiles and greetings.

The bridal room was spacious and can accommodate around 8 people at a time.

Their lobby looked traditional but I love its simplicity.

They are not strict with food deliveries or additional guests. Just inform them ahead of time of names of the other parties coming in and your good to go.

Rates are cheap and within the budget. However, do not expect more on the overall look of the hotel.

CONS

As it is a budget hotel, the halls and the view outside are a bit eerie and creepy. It was the ghost month and rainy season as well, hence adding the scary mood in the hotel. Booooo~

I did not know that a drone will be used for our SDE and we're surprised that they took a top view video of the hotel. And it did not looked good as the roofs’ paints are starting to peel off. Yikes!

BOOK THEM AGAIN? Why not! But for a wedding, I think I’ll look for another alternative.

GOWNS AND SUITS: Lydia Nonato Bridal Boutique ⋆⋆⋆

I have a dream wedding gown. But if I wanted to get an exact replica of it, it will be too expensive. Thus I settled with my second plan – get a cheaper gown that will just hide my scars and unwanted fats (‘coz I know, diet will not make me slimmer again).

As my fiancé was getting grumpy that day from the long walks we had at Divisoria, in the heat of that summer afternoon, I impulsively choose this small boutique situated in the alleys of Ilaya.

My lovely wedding gown.

PROS

The owner, Ate Lydia was nice and accommodating. I also love how she shares her ideas regarding the design I want.

The rate she quoted for the bridal gown, entourage and kids’ gowns and the suits were a real-deal.

She promised to deliver the finished item within two months. And she did.

One of the kids’ dresses was too small because of the incorrect measurements we gave her. We had to return it and she gladly fixed the dress.

My husband's suit was elegant. I gave her the peg I want and she altered it based on my husband's built. He looked dashing on that suit.

CONS

We got the order on the promised date. However, we had to wait for more than three hours to get the entourage gowns.

The output of the gowns was as expected. But when I carefully looked at it, I saw some ripped parts. Hence, I had to fix it myself.

I requested to have a laced hem for my wedding gown. She refused as the skirt is too soft. But upon checking a gown from another shop, my request is workable. Ugh!

BOOK THEM AGAIN? Hmmm. I’m not so sure. Maybe Yes or No.

HAIR and MAKE-UP: Elsie Libunao Make-up Artistry ⋆⋆⋆⋆

I've already mentioned on my previous post how amazing my grooming team was (check out my post from my pre-wedding shoot on this link: https://thefangirlmusings.blogspot.com/2016/06/onk-pre-wedding-photo-session.html). I was not expecting much on my wedding but I think, they did a good job on my big day too.

PROS

Among the list of hair and make-up suppliers I've listed, Ms. Elsie offers the best package and a 'more natural' transformation.

They arrived the earliest at the hotel and they immediately set up their 'magic' tools to start the session. Polite as usual.

I specifically told her to make my wedding day look more natural. Which she did :)

Noona neomu yeppeo

My mom and maid-of-honor also liked their transformation. Mom was boasting it for days. Hahaha

CONS

I love my wedding ceremony look. However, my reception hairstyle was not the one I've requested. I think I still look good though.

BOOK THEM AGAIN? A hundred percent yes!

PHOTO AND VIDEO: Cupcake Cinema ⋆⋆⋆

While I gave them praises on my previous post for our engagement shoot, this time it will be different. I've only realized their flaws after the wedding. I'm a frustrated photographer hence, I'm too particular with photos. And because it's my wedding, I want to make those snaps from my big day be beautiful and memorable. But reality hits me when I received the raw photos. I'm not happy with the output. Yes, I'm disappointed. Anyway, lesson learned :(

PROS

I got a very affordable rate for the photo and video package. I was lucky to lock in the price and reserve it for over a year.

The crew are really nice and easy to talk with.

They have exceeded our expectation for our SDE. It was beautiful! They even used a drone which is not part of the package with purchased. I can't have Jason Magbanua for my big day. But atleast, I have Cupcake Cinema :)

I love that they used the background music I suggested for our SDE. And it perfectly suits the wedding video.

CONS

They arrived late. I'm almost done with my make up when they came. I asked them why they are late and told me that they thought the wedding was at 4PM. But a day before the event, my coordinator called them to remind of the wedding timeline.

The photographer assigned to me has a good portfolio. But when they sent me the photos, I was devastated. I don't have a decent solo shot wearing my gown. Not even a good photo with my entourage, unlike with my husband. I'm too disappointed that I'm annoyed just by looking at the raw photos.

I only received the photo album after 10 months. Why? Because they were too busy with other schedules and activities and I had to request them to revise the layouts and colors of the photos.

The DVD copies are not yet done. I think I had to wait for more weeks to get it.

BOOK THEM AGAIN? Hmmm Yes? But please not that photographer again.

SOUVENIRS (for VIPs): Dreality Souvenirs ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Dreality Bath Set includes 100ml lotion, shower gel, cologne and body scrub. By the way, we had these on D & G Light Blue scent.

While looking for a gift for our principal sponsors, I stumbled upon a blog promoting Dreality Souvenirs. As I really want something useful and can be enjoyed by our sponsors, I've decided to book them.

PROS

The only supplier that I did not meet personally were the owners of Dreality Souvenirs. All our transaction are done via Facebook Messenger. Their effort to communicate with the client is truly remarkable. Not all suppliers can do that. Thus, I will definitely recommend Dreality Souvenirs to my family and friends. With their products uniqueness and affordability, I'm pretty sure, it will be a hit as well.

Giving them a 5-star review will not be enough for all the effort they have exerted to cater our wedding needs. Carlo was very accommodating and responsive to all my queries. I even thought that I was talking to her wife as he was really nice. His wife, Andrea (the owner), on the other hand was able to design the cover/labels of the items as I envisioned. Thumbs up!

BOOK THEM AGAIN? Oh absolutely YES! We even ordered another dozen after our wedding.

FLORIST: Ysabela Florists ⋆⋆⋆

I booked this florist, (aside from the fact that they are a fellow brethren) because I've been reading good reviews regarding their services. However I did not foresee that I'll be disappointed in communicating with the owner.

PROS

We got an affordable rate for the wedding package.
Although it was not the floral arrangement that I want, my husband was happy with the outcome.

CONS

A month before the wedding, I was unable to contact the owner. I was trying to make an appointment with her as she had instructed during the wedding expo. But I did not received a single response. I had to request my husband to talk to her instead because I might lose my cool. Surprisingly, she responded to my husband.

I gave them a peg (which is a photo from their previous customer) and they agreed to have it for the same rate. But come my wedding day, I was surprised that they did not follow the design that I want.

The peg that I want...

... and the floral arrangement that they made for my wedding.

BOOK THEM AGAIN? Never again. Period.

PHOTOBOOTH : Shutter Monster Photo Booth ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Photo booth services has been growing like mushrooms. It's evident that in every occasion, to make it unforgettable, a photo booth can be spotted as an offering for the guests. I had a handful of these services to choose from during the wedding planning. I'm glad that a highschool friend recommended Shutter Monster for our big day.

PROS

Their rate is very affordable. I've checked their page again and they still offer the same rate we had last year.

Nariese and her partner (owners) was nice and accommodating. Dealing with them was as easy as 1,2,3. And during the session, they were very gentle with the guests. Unlike from what we had experience on a previous wedding, where the operator was rude with the guests.

You can request for the design you want.

All of my guests enjoyed the unlimited photo session. They emptied the film prints and inks. Hahahaha

WEDDING BAND: Zoey ⋆⋆⋆⋆

My review on our wedding bands can be found here:
https://thefangirlmusings.blogspot.com/2015/10/onk-wedding-suppliers-update.html

BOOK THEM AGAIN? Hmmmm. Not at the moment

CHURCH: Iglesia ni Cristo – Locale of Pilot ⋆⋆⋆

There are things better left unsaid. So here's a bit of my review on this locale.

PROS

It's not as big as the locale of Capitol and the interior is not as grand as well. But considering its location, the church is perfect for our wedding.

The deacon and deaconess and the choir members were all nice that we have our photos with them as well.

BOOK THEM AGAIN? If you are just within the vicinity, why not! It might not be as grand as the locale of Capitol but it can be a nice alternative.

WEDDING CRAFTS: Zeru Paints ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Wedding DIY made by yours truly

Last but not the least, are my wedding crafts. It took me half a year to finish everything. From the layout of the invitations and designing the logos; and cutting and twirling of the felt cloth for the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, I made it all by myself!

My hardwork paid off after looking at the output. I'm really happy with the result. Should I start doing this as a business?

******

We've allotted more than a year for wedding preparations, but there are instances that it's still not enough to complete everything. So, ask help if you're in need. I'm pretty sure, a helping hand is just around the corner.

Always research. I would also suggest to join wedding groups as all the posts and ratings will help you a lot!

Do not expect too much. I trusted my photo team to deliver the best during that day.

But it's disappointing that I'm starting to hate looking at wedding photos because of what they have done. Lesson learned.

If you've booked your wedding on the month of June onwards, expect rain and be ready for it. There was an impending storm on our wedding day and it's been raining all night. Luckily, everything still went well.

Nevertheless, we are still grateful with all of these suppliers. They exerted their best to provide a first rate services. And with that, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Thank you for reading this long and overdue post!

Happy preps!

RESTO AND FOOD REVIEW: Bean Box Cafe Commonwealth

2017-07-23T20:10:00.003+08:00

I was browsing my timeline when I saw a post that a new cafe is making waves near our area. The coffee shop's name is Bean Box Cafe. I searched it's location and it is perfectly located in an area where students are more likely to visit. Thus, I dragged my husband to have some a taste of their treats.

Bean Box Cafe Commonwealth is the newly opened coffee-slash-hangout nook along Tandang Sora avenue. They have also have branches in Recto and Pasig. The cafe's name was coined from the word 'Bean' for coffee bean and 'Box' as some of the seating areas are box-like.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and I tugged my husband to try out Bean Box and have bingsu (Korean shaved ice). It was less crowded when we arrived but most of the 'boxes' were already occupied. The ambiance is quite calming and I think it's a nice spot to be alone or hangout with friends.

Rainy Sunday at Bean Box Cafe

I can stay here for hours

I went to the counter and browsed their menu which is a bit pricey for me. Ramyeon (not in photos) costs Php 150 per bowl (FYI, it's just Korean instant noodles cooked by their crew). I would pay for that price or more than that, if it is a legit Korean ramyun. Another thing is that I was surprised that they don't offer bingsu. (Korean shaved ice). I asked their staff and they informed me that it was only available at their Recto branch. So I chose their freeze instead. I wanted to try their Honey Butter bread as well. However, they told me that they ran out of almonds for the bread. HEOL! What's wrong with this cafe? I bought their red velvet cake as a replacement.

Our order: Red Velvet cake, Coffee Jelly and Chocolate Cookie

The red velvet cake was average. I don't know if it's just a regular cake drenched in red food color topped with icing. Their freeze were unsatisfying. The coffee jelly and chocolate cookie freeze both tasted the same. WHAT?! (did they used the same blender and did not washed it?). A nameless stall near our local market offers the same flavors for a cheaper price, is a lot better than what they have.

Coffee Jelly for me.

Chocolate Cookie freeze for jagiya.

Nothing special on their red velvet cake.

My husband was so upset that he wanted to finish our order and leave the place. I guess we just had too high expectations on this cafe. We have tried too many Korean cafe dishes, thus our taste palate are a bit different.

Any way, I still commend their crew for being nice and accommodating. They even tried to incorporate the food they offer with the past and present Korean dramas. It's just that it did not work for me. Kekekeke.

And before I forgot, they you can wear their traditional Korean costumes for free. Just make sure to order first.

My first time experience at Bean Box cafe was a bit displeasing. But I know there is still room for improvement. I'm hoping that by the time we visit the cafe again, their menu will be improved. And please, offer some bingsu.

Bean Box Cafe
L04 Berkeley Square
Commonwealth Avenue, Matandang Balara
Quezon City
FB page: Bean Box Cafe

[ UPDATE: 7-31-2017 ] Moment of Truth: GDragon's M.O.T.T.E. in Manila Leg

2017-06-18T00:54:00.003+08:00

Big Bang front man and leader, Kwon Ji Yong, aka GDragon is returning here in Manila for his first ever solo concert in the country, the G-Dragon 2017 Concert: Act III, M.O.T.T.E, (an acronym for “Moment of Truth The End) on September 1 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, presented by IME Ph,YG Entertainment and Live Nation.

source: http://manilaconcertscene.blogspot.com/2017/06/gdragon2017.html

Event: G-DRAGON 2017 WORLD TOUR <ACT III, M.O.T.T.E> IN MANILA
Event Date/Time: Sep 1 2017, 8PM
Venue: SMART ARANETA COLISEUM
Ticket Categories:

VIP (Standing/Seated) PHP13,000
CAT 1 (Standing/Seated) PHP10,000
CAT 2 (Seated) PHP8,500
CAT 3 (Seated) PHP6,500
CAT 4 (GA) PHP3,500.

M.O.T.T.E Seat plan

Ticket On-Sale Date: 5 August 2017, 12PM
Ticketing Website: www.ticketnet.com.ph

VIP PACKAGE
All VIP Ticket Holders will be entitled to the VIP Package which includes:
- Sound Check Pass (Details of the Sound Check will be announced at a later date.)
- An exclusive Lanyard with ID Tag
- 1 item of Merchandise (Item will be disclosed at a later date)
- Official Tour Poster

ALL CAT 1 and CAT 2 ticket holders will also be entitled to an Official Tour Poster.

This is something every Filipino Kwon Ji Yong and Big Bang fans has been waiting for. So VIPs, mark your calendars and save up as this might be his last concert before he enlist for the military.

Find out more about the concert via this link: http://ygfamily.com/artist/Concert_G-DRAGON.asp?LANGDIV=K&ATYPE=2&ARTIDX=10

Enter Virtuality, Reset Reality: Fabricated City Block Screening

2017-06-18T00:19:00.004+08:00

What goes around, comes around, Get ready for payback!

Viva International Films in cooperation with Robinsons Movie World brought the action-packed Korean film Fabricated City in the Philippines, which stars one of the hottest and sought-after actor in the Hallyu universe, Ji Chang Wook.

source: https://downloadfilm69.com/2017/04/24/download-film-korea-fabricated-city-2017/

Ji Chang Wook fans swarmed at Robinson's Galleria last June 10 for the block screening of his latest and last movie before his military enlistment. This event was hosted by the unofficial fanclub of Wookie in the country, JCW Philippines.

For those who still doesn't know who Ji Chang Wook is, he's a Korean drama actor well-known for roles in the action dramas The Healer and The K2.

Wookie fans queueing before the block screening starts

For 350php, fans were able to secure a slot for the block screening. That already includes the movie ticket (260php), snacks and Ji Chang Wook freebies. Not bad at all.

To be honest, I've already seen the movie months before. However, I was tagged along by an officemate (who's currently going gaga over Korean dramas as of the moment) to watch it again. No regrets! The movie was really blasts. There were flaws but I don't mind because we were really impressed with Ji Chang Wook's performance.

After the movie ended, a short program was held. A fanboy serenaded us with his version of I'll Protect You. Then, the admins gave away 20 mugs, 2 signed poster and 30 photocards. I was lucky enough to get a mug (which by the way, I gave to my officemate as a welcome gift to the Kpop world, LoL). A table was set up outside the cinema as well for those who wanted to purchase other Wookie goodies. And fans who wanted to take photos with our beloved Wookie, freely used the Instagram frame provided by the fan club.

The mug I won and some freebies

*finger heart

Saranghamnida Ji Chang Wook. From your Filipino fans with love. (source: https://www.facebook.com/JCWPhilippines/)

All in all, although there were mishaps, the event was a success. We just hoped that on Wookie's future movie, it will be shown in other cinemas as well.

For more Ji Chang Wook updates, you may check out and follow JCW Philippines on below links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCWPhilippines/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JCWPhilippines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcwphilippines/

DIY Watercolor Phone Case Design

2017-06-11T23:18:00.001+08:00

We always have that moment whenever we find that 'perfect' phone case design. However, we all know that we will only adore the designs for a period of time and we need to scour all over again to get another one. But have you considered creating your own instead of purchasing a new phone case?

I did, for my recently purchased phone. Instead of buying different phone cases, I opted painting the designs using some of my existing art tools and materials at home.

Here's how I did it:

Materials:

The process:

First, I measured the jelly case's dimensions.
Then, cut along the traced outline.
Insert the paper in the clear case and trace the camera holes.
Once the paper is ready, you may now start creating your design.

Sakura design for my phone.

Afterwards, trace the marks for the holes using a cutter or a tracer.
Insert the cover on your jelly case and it's done!

Finished product! And yes, I'm a Studio Ghibli fan.

Indeed, creativity goes a long way. Try this one out and let your imagination flow :)

Exploring South Korea: Day 1 First Timer in SoKor

2017-05-06T23:32:00.002+08:00

The Land of the Morning Calm, South Korea is a haven for Korean pop culture enthusiasts and cosmetics hoarders. Travelling on this foreign land to meet your ‘oppa’ and ‘noona’ or just taste their spicy yet delicious and healthy dishes is truly a dream come true. Last September 2016, I was lucky enough to explore Seoul (although my husband was denied of visa) and tour around the city.

Let me share with you my travel adventure as a first-timer in South Korea.

Day 1

View from the plane using my crappy and old smart phone

Our flight to Incheon was at 7 in the morning via Air Asia. My husband, who got denied of a South Korean visa, accompanied me to the airport to meet with my former leader.

As I was a first-timer, the immigration officer was a bit strict during the interrogation. He only calmed down when I showed him my company identification card.

After a 4-hour flight, we are finally in South Korea. My boss, who travels frequently in this country, seems like a local and confidently walks around Incheon International airport like she knows every corner of the place. On the contrary, I look like a kid excited to receive a box full of candies and chocolates. I was giddy and ecstatic ^_^

Hallyu goal #1: Visit South Korea!!!!

It is a known fact that Incheon International Airport is considered as one of the best in the world. And yes. I couldn’t agree more. I’m really amazed with the structure and how big the airport is.

My manager, who acted as my personal tour guide, chose the limousine bus over riding the subway. Riding the subway is cheaper but she doesn’t want to tire ourselves from transferring on one station to another. It was a good choice though. The ride was comfortable and I got to see the beauty of Incheon.

While waiting for our limousine bus.

Banana Milk is love. And this was my lunch.

Saw these girls in Hanbok and rubber shoes as we head to our guesthouse.

We got K-Guesthouse in Insadong as our guesthouse. We chose this hostel as the landmarks are within the vicinity.

K-Guesthouse's tiny reception area

As we have booked the hotel in a rush, we only got the shared room. We shared the room with a Japanese fashion design student and an ahjumma. It’s a bit small but it is better than none. After the hostel caretaker showed us our room, we just left our luggage and headed to our first itinerary – Ehwa Women’s University.

We got to stroll a bit in Insadong on our way to the subway station. I've finally got to taste authentic street delicacies I've only seen in films and dramas.

Finally! Some legit Korean streetfood!!! Tteokbokki and gimbap filled our tummy.

Gyeran ppang or muffin bread topped with egg.

EHWA WOMENS UNIVERSITY

Tourists taking photo of this mural at Ehwa University

If you are looking for a place where you can buy cheaper clothes and footwear, visit Ehwa.

We first strolled around the shopping alleys before visiting the university. Indeed, the items are more affordable than the other shops in Myeongdong and other subway underground markets. I was really tempted to buy but since I only bought a small amount of money, I tried not to spend too much (I ended up buying cosmetic products though).

Can anybody explain to me what this statue symbolizes? Kamsahamnida!

Sailor moon, Pokemon, My Neighbor Totoro, Doraemon, Minions, some Disney character socks and many more

Just like in a Korean drama or film.

I was in awe upon entering the university. The campus is picturesque.

Ehwa Womens University is a private women’s university in Seoul and considered as one of the best known schools in the country.

Yeoja wae?

Picturesque!

Not sure if this is a cathedral or just a university building. I don't even bothered asking because I still can't believe I'm finally in Korea.

Amazing architecture!

We came from a long walk so we stayed for a bit at their university canteen and bought iced coffee. By the way, I think they offer the cheapest coffee around the city.

YG ENTERTAINMENT OFFICE

Hearts all over

I’m in Korea, so why miss visiting the agency that brought Big Bang and disbanded girl group 2NE1 to stardom?! Hell no! Just so you know, my Kpop addiction started after hearing their songs. And the rest was history. They are the main reason why I’m dying to visit South Korea.

YG Entertainment Agency headquarter is located at 397-5 Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Considered as one of Korea’s major entertainment companies, it’s the home of top performers and celebrities like BigBang, Psy, WINNER, iKon, BLACKPINK, Epik High, Choi Ji Woo, Kang Dong-won, Nam Joo Hyuk, Lee Seung Kyung and Lee Jong-suk.

Oppa! I'm coming!!!

Where royalties are made

If only I can be a little closer...

It was almost night time when we arrived at the office. There were few fans (or should I say stalkers? Hehehe waiting at the convenience store in front o the building. Like them, we are hoping as well to take a glimpse of some of the artists. So we waited for an hour. Unfortunately, we did not saw any celebrities, expect for Jjangme (2ne1’s former manager) and a tinted van which kept coming back and forth. Hmmmm…

HONGDAE AND HONGKIK

There 'non-spicy' menu is still too hot for me. But I still had two cups of fish cakes.

Dinner time! After stalking our idols, we headed to the hippest district in Seoul – Hongdae!

My former boss visits South Korea twice a year. With that, I let her decide on where we will have our dinner. I was glad that she suggested eating at Meat-ing (pardon for the rhyme kekeke). Oh by the way, we did not have a proper lunch because the food during our flight was ‘so-so’. Hence, a buffeting at night is not a bad idea at all.

MEAT plus EATING equates to MEAT-ING ;P

Meat-ing is a buffet stop that offers one of our favorite Korean dishes, samgyupsal. For 13,000 won, you will be able to dig in to different varieties of meat. As expected, we had a mouthful of beef and grilled pork. The meat was superb! We were too full that we did not get the chance to try the other street foods at Hongdae

The calm before the storm.

After our dinner, we continue strolling around the area. It was a Friday night. And for a home buddy slash semi-introvert person like me, I was a bit shocked to see the swarm of Korean youth at night in Metro Seoul. Majority of these night-lifers are college students and yuppies. But some are in still their highschool years and even wearing their school uniforms!

Night Life

Thank GOD it's FRIDAY!

Annyeong Big Boss and Beauty! Descendants of the Sun smartphone case.

My boss then dragged me at Two-Some café, near Hongkik University. This café is owned by YG rapper and songwriter Teddy Park. Unfortunately, we had to leave the store (because Teddy was not around) because the venue was too hot and we were sweating.

Hoping that teddy is just around the area...

I’ve been seeing lots of amazing performances from Korean street performers on the web. I was lucky that I was able to watch one. Check out the short clip of one of the acts I took.

MY FIRST DAY IMPRESSIONS

Almost all the ladies are identical. They all looked the same. And you can really spot those with natural beauty from the artificial ones. You know what I mean right?
Cosmetics and garments are way cheaper in Korea (specially in Ehwa). I would have hoarded a lot if only I've allotted a higher budget for the trip.
Indeed, you can really rely on street foods when you are hungry. It's more affordable than eating in a fast food or restaurant.
Most of the Koreans gets intimidated if you are speaking in a foreign language. But there will be 2 out of 10 locals that will help you on the best way they can.
Their subway system is still too complicated for me to understand. Thanks to my boss, I was able to go around Seoul with her navigation expertise.
Insadong I think is the best place to look for hotel. If you plan to look for a place to stay in which is not as noisy and busy as Myeongdong and just near the landmarks, I'll recommend Insadong. Try to scour AirBnb or Booking.com for hotels/guesthouse that will suit your taste.

Why is everyone on their phone?! Oh! Anyeonghasseyo oppa :p

It’s just the first day of our Korean adventure in Kimchi land but I’m already exhausted from all of the long walks we had. But I definitely had fun and enjoyed every moment of it.

[UPDATE] BETWEEN - US: 2017 CNBLUE ASIA TOUR

2017-04-22T00:19:00.001+08:00

Korean pop rock quartet CNBlue finally announced their 2017 Asia tour - Between- Us; which will kick off on the 1st of July until the 30th of September. Below are the concert details:

[UPDATE as of June 25, 2017]

July 1 – Singapore
Venue Zepp @Big Box, Singapore
Tickets: http://www.apactix.com/events/detail/cnblue-2017

TBA – Manila (Concert schedule was moved to a later date.)
Venue TBA
Tickets: TBA

July 15 – Jakarta
Venue: Ice Halls 5 and 6
Tickets: VIP IDR 2,800,000 / GOLD IDR 2,200,000 / SILVER IDR 1,500,000

Aug 13 – Bangkok
Venue: IMPACT ARENA, MUANGTHONG THANI
Tickets: THB 6,000/ THB 5,000/ THB 4,300/ THB 3,300/ THB 2,000

Aug 19 and 20 – Hong Kong
Venue Asia World Arena Expo
Tickets: HKD 1480(좌석,스탠딩)/ HKD 1180/ HKD 880/ HKD 580/ HKD 380

Sep 30 – Taipei
Venue TBA
Tickets: TBA

** more details will be added soon

source: https://www.facebook.com/CNBLUEOfficial/photos

This will be Jung Yong Hwa, Lee Jung Shin, Kang Min Hyuk, Lee Jong Hyun's 4th time here in Manila. Their recent visit was last March 2, as part of the One K Global campaign.

Definitely, this event will not be only between us. But for every Boice around Asia!

I Support Korea! The 2017 One K Global Peace Concert

2017-04-17T00:17:00.001+08:00

Last March 2, 2017, the first leg of the One K Global Peace Concert global tour was held in Manila. As we all know, Korea is the only country which is still divided. The conflict between South and North Korea seems endless. And this 3-hour concert which showcased popular K-pop artists, in a display of global commitment, aims for the peaceful reunification of the Korean people and global peace.

Definitely, it was not your typical concert. As mentioned earlier, the event's objective is to unite not only the Koreans but also every nationality.

Korean Pop music enthusiast as they enter the arena.

Jung Shin baby!

Just before the show starts, music videos and campaigns were played.

One Dream. One Korea. One World

Co-produced by One K Media group, KBS Media Network, 9Ent and All Access Production, the show started with a formal event hosted by Ms. Sam Oh. Global Peace Foundation founder Hyun Jin Moon shared a short speech/introduction about the campaign and its endeavors. A 'balloon-flying' activity was held as well which was led by the founder and VIP representatives on stage. These VIPs chanted "One Dream! One Korea! One World!" along with the crowd as well.

Afterwards, it was followed by performances from seven popular KPop celebrities namely: BAP, B1A4, AOA, BTOB, CNBlue, Shinee and PSY.

From L to R: Choi Min Ho of Shinee and Kim Seol Hyun of AOA, BAP, B1A4, Ace of Angels (AOA), Born to Beat (BTOB), CNBlue, Shinee and PSY

Choi Min Ho of Shinee and Kim Seol Hyun of AOA were the host for the second half of the event. Their spiels were in full Korean. So to understand what they are saying, translations pop up at the led screens.

BAP wowed the arena with their powerful performance by showcasing three of their hits - Skydive, One Shot and No Mercy. Their leader Yongguk, unfortunately did not make it on the concert.

The beautiful and playful lads of B1A4 went up next and sang Beautiful Target, Baby Goodnight and What's Happening. How I wish they sang A Lie as well.

Just before AOA's part, a special stage was prepared for the Korean drama fans. AOA’s Choa serenaded everyone with her version of You Are My Everything from the drama Descendants of the Sun, B1A4’s Sandeul sang Swallowing My Heart from Love in the Moonlight, and BAP’s Daehyun and Youngjae performed Almost Paradise from the hit drama Boys Over Flowers.

I guess you already know from what the drama this is.

Next are the gorgeous ladies of Ace of Angels or more commonly known as AOA. They performed Excuse Me, Mini Skirt and Heart Attack.

Born to Beat aka BToB thrilled the Melodies and other fans with their latest hit Pray (I'll Be Your Man) following Beep Beep and Wow.

CNblue's stage is rocking as usual with their performances of Can't Stop, Cinderella and You're So Fine.

CNBlue Stage

Just before the last stage, AOA's Yuna serenaded My Sassy Girl's hit I Believe. The crowd, at the same time, sang with her but with Tagalog lyrics. DAEBAK! There is also a special stage with BToB members EunKwang and Hyunsik and Cesar Montano on guitars, where they sang their rendition of Freddie Aguilar's hit Anak.

Finally, Shinee! Pinoy Shawols had been waiting for this day to come. Singing for of their hits namely - View, An Encore, 1 of 1, and Everybody.

Last but not the least, Psy. Yes. He performed Napalbaji, Gentleman, Daddy and Gangnam Style. Another song entitled Father (which is a bit mellow) was shown as well.

One K Impressions

YongHwa still holds the best fan service award. Him doing that 'flying kiss' thingy during their You're So Fine number definitely melted our hearts. I was seated at the Boice PH blocked seats and everyone was screaming.

I guess SungJae of BToB gained more popularity after being part of Goblin (he played DeokHwa). The fans went crazy during their talk part and they got wilder after he surprised everyone with the Visayan phrase “Magkita ta ugma!”, which meant “Let’s see each other tomorrow.” I died as well @_@

I want to commend EunKwang and Hyunsik for their Anak rendition. Their pronunciation was not perfect but if I will rate it, I'll give them an 8. Not to mention their vocals as well. Two thumbs up!

Choi Min Ho is really handsome! I will never forget how warm his smile is. Bless those fans at the VIP section.

MinHo~yahhhh

While waiting for the show to start, music videos of the artists are being played. It would've have better if they also showed the variety of videos from these artist and not only limiting it to 1 or two MVs. In addition, they should've played the global campaign as well
I'm not a Shawol but I'm really happy to see their concert missions being accomplished. The fan chants were awesome and I must say they are the loudest among the fandoms.

The show ended with a final number from all of the artist gathered in stage (except for BToB who left earlier than expected due to an urgent commitment).

It's good to see different fandoms unite together for peace and unity of Korea and the whole world. I'm really grateful to be a part of this advocacy. And I hope that soon, we'll be able to see the light.

For more information about this global campaign, you may visit One Korea's website below: Website: https://www.globalpeace.org

Gamja Jorim ala Zeru

2017-03-25T17:29:00.001+08:00

The last time I posted a potato dish was three years ago. I tried making my version of gamja (Korean glazed potato) but it turned out differently because I only used the ingredients readily available in our kitchen. This time, finally, I was able to achieve the genuine taste of gamja jorim I've been longing for. How I did it? Scroll down for the instruction.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 kilos of baby potatoes

3 tablespoon of honey (or sugar)

3 tablespoon of soy sauce

2 tablespoon of sesame oil (or any cooking oil available in your kitchen)

Sesame seeds (optional)

minced garlic

HOW TO COOK

1. First, make sure to wash and clean the baby potatoes to remove the dirt. You have an option to peel off the skin or not. I chose not to.

2. Boil the potatoes for 15 minutes or until it becomes a bit softer. Once done, set aside the baby potatoes.

3. Saute the minced garlic with sesame oil then add the potatoes, over medium heat.

4. Add the soy sauce and honey and keep stirring until the sauce is reduced.
5. Remove from the skillet and transfer it to a bowl.
6. Serve it with sprinkled sesame seeds over the top.

There you go! I finally know how to cook gamja.

Seoul on a Budget

2016-12-31T17:22:00.003+08:00

Annyeong!

It's been a while since I last updated this blog. I've been too occupied with a new hobby (journaling) while trying to squeeze in my watercolor practice sessions, watching Korean dramas and being a wife. And before the new year embrace us, I'm sharing a breakdown on how I survived my SEOUL trip last October with just less that 20K PHP on hand.

a glimpse of my expenses from my Korea trip.

The whole trip costs me Php 18,820 including airfare, hotel, food, landmark entrance fees, souvenirs and other miscellaneous. Well, the amount is a bit higher than those other blog posts I've read. But I think, the breakdown they shared does not include other charges. And considering the landmarks we visited and foods we have tasted, I think the amount I've spent was worth it.

To be honest, the amount would have totaled to 15k if only I did not forgot to bring a power bank. I bought two during the trip @_@ 바보!! Anyway, thanks to my former boss for the unlimited snack treats. I saved almost a thousand :p Kekekekeke

DAY 1
Arrival at Incheon International Airport
Insadong
Ewha University
YG Entertainment Office
Dinner at Meat-ing
Hongdae / Hongkik University

DAY 2
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Secret Garden
Gwanghwamun Square
Kyobo Bookstore
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Dinner at Mad Fry Chicken

DAY 3
Myeongdong
Lunch at Yeogane
YG Republique / Samgeori Butchers stop over
K-Style Hub
Big Bang 10 Exhibition
Dongdaemun Plaza
Gwangja Market

DAY 4
Bukchon Hanok Village
Samcheongdong
K-Style Hub
Cheonggyecheon Stream (again)
Namsan Park
Myeongdong (again)
Snack time at Sulbing
Insadong

DAY 5
Departure
Korean Tourism Hub at Incheon International Airport

You can find the complete breakdown of the expenses on the link below for your reference.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lUzNqGtXCik35MN_qWn_w3GpoOSdy1xjjanqDcRE1_8/edit?usp=sharing

When in Seoul

2016-10-15T23:10:00.000+08:00

I have always been fascinated with Asian countries. And part of it is the land of BB creams, kimchis and Hallyu wave ~ South Korea. Blame it on their Korean Pop music, their girl and boybands/groups, the Korean dramas and films etc. From then on, South Korea became one of my dream destinations.

And that dream came true when I finally visited the Land of the Morning Calm last two weeks ago. Weeeeeee!

The famous Gyeongbokgung Palace

Now I understand why most of the fangirls I know kept returning in Korea. And I will definitely come back again on this beautiful country. Hoping that this time, I’ll be with my husband.

PS: I'll be blogging more about my recent trip soon. I'll just have to fix all the snaps I have.

Korean Visa, Denied!

2016-08-19T14:38:00.002+08:00

We still don't know what happened. I've been up all night thinking what went wrong with my fiance's documents, that he was denied of getting a South Korean visa. I really don't know.

For a Hallyu fan like me, visiting the Land of the Morning Calm aka KPop Nation, is a dream come true. Everyone knows how I've been dying to set foot in Korea. My boss even persuaded me to book a ticket because she knows that I'm not getting any younger and I need to experience the world (FYI, she visits Korea every year). I was hesitant because they require a visa. I was afraid that I will get denied and the ticket will just go to waste. So what if that happens? I will be devastated and I might stop fangirling.

Well, I and my now-husband, still purchased two tickets last year when AirAsia had their 1-peso sale. And yes we took the risk. It was a good deal because we were able to get a fare for just 7,900Php round-trip for two.

Since a single entry visa only has a validity of 60 days, we applied just last week. Let me share you our profile first before listing down the requirements:

Me Employed and currently working in a leading-shipping company (7 years of working experience) First-time traveler ADB - 5,xxx

Him Employed and currently working in an electronics company (6 years of working experience) First-time traveler ADB - 50,xxx

Now, here are the requirements for employees when applying for the visa based on Korean embassy's website:

COMPLETE BASIC REQUIREMENTS: PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

1. Visa application form Application form MUST be duly filled in and signed. The form can be obtained from the Embassy or you may downloaded here. Make sure not to leave any blanks and just write N/A for questions not applicable.

2. Passport Original passport (should be valid for more than 6 months and should be submitted without cover) Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2) Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries (except Korea) for the past 5 years, if applicable. If you haven’t been to any of the OECD countries in the past 5 years, then that’s fine.

3. Photo One passport-sized colored picture. The size was indicated on the left part of the application form.

OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Since we are both employed, we'll only mention the requirements based on our status. For other criteria, kindly follow the details on this link.

For Employees

1. Employment Certificate (original) The date on the COE must be within the month of your visa application. Inform your HR that this is for your Korean tourist visa application. Details of the COE should include the following: Your position Date hired Compensation Office Address HR landline number – mobile number is not allowed HR email address

2. Personal Bank Statement (original for last 3 months) Original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months *Both BPI and BDO require a PHP100 for the first 3-pages, additional pages will incur beyond that.

3. Personal Bank Certificate (original; 6 months average balance) The certificate must include the following: Account type Current balance Account opening date ADB or Average Daily Balance I used my payroll account while my fiance used our joint account. Also note that a bank certificate is not required for applicants with a valid visa or who have been to any OECD member countries within the last 5 years.

4. ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy ITR should readily be available from your HR department. Otherwise, you can request through Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Address: BIR National Office Bldg., BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Telephone no:+632-981-8888 Trunkline:+632-981-7000 Email: contact_us@cctr.bir.gov.ph

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 1. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only) 2. If personally invited to Korea, an original invitation letter and passport copy of the Korean invitor is needed. If invited by a company in Korea, an original invitation letter and photocopy of the Korean Company Business Permit.
I've been researching and scouring every blogs on tips how to get approved in getting a South Korean visa. We followed every single instruction. I believe we did not miss a single information or document they needed. Thus, there's no reason to reject our application.
While I worried a lot that my application will be rejected, fiance on the contrary, was just calm and relaxed. I only have a very small ADB, and I thought, that the consul might consider it as one of the factors in disapproving my visa application.
-----
We arrived at the embassy before lunchtime. There were lots of applicants and travel agents at the embassy. I glanced on some requirements and noticed that most of it incorrectly followed the instructions (e.g picture were not on the required size, missing documents etc etc). We passed on the first screening. After 10 minutes, we were called on the next window. The lady on the second window browsed through our documents then gave us a claim stub. The application only took us less than 30 minutes. Traveling to McKinley was a bit longer as it took us almost two hours to get to the place.

Three days before claiming our visa, fiance told me that a Korean embassy representative called their office and verified some info. They only asked basic questions per the info on the documents he submitted.

The day came. I asked my fiance to claim the visa for me as I was not able to file a vacation from work. Then, at around 4 in the afternoon, I received a text from him, informing that his visa was denied and I'm the only one who got an approval. At first, I thought that he was just joking. But as we exchanged messages, I realized that he really got a disapproval from the consul :(

The reason for his approval: "You failed to qualify to the visa category you applied for". What the heck was that?!! He tried asking the Korean lady and she informed that his documents are not enough for the approval. Ugh!

DENIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH!!

We were both disappointed. I should be happy (right,?) because I finally got a single entry visa to one of the places I'm dying to visit. But I can't travel to Korea this September without my fiance. That would be lonely :( Should I just cancel the this trip too? AHHHHHH, Eotteokhe! What should I do now?

I don't know if I'll try my luck again in booking a flight to Korea. If one of us will be rejected again, it will be pointless.

OnK Pre-Wedding Photo Session

2016-06-07T08:44:00.000+08:00

Yosha! After months of planning our attires, scouting venues, DIY-ing props and researching pre-wedding pegs and poses, our engagement session is finally done! *throws confetti. We never thought that a camera-shy couple like us was able to pull-off such pictorial. It was tiresome and yet, we enjoyed it and had fun! Thanks to my amazing hair stylist, make-up artist and photographers.
Venue: Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife / The Garden of Praise - MakeUp Room
Entrance at the park is just PHP8 per pax Make-up Room: The Garden of Praise PHP600 - 4hrs Inclusions: Makeup Room with the following amenities: Airconditioned room Electricity Mirror Lights Locker With Dressing Area With Hanger Rack for Clothes With Props Rental with Ample parking space Right inside the park with good pictorial sites with Food and beverage amenities
Our engagement shoot at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife was scheduled last May 30. I could still remember how hesitant we are choosing Wildlife as our pre-nuptial venue. But we had to stick to our budget, so I dumped the idea of renting out a private space which will cost us more. Although, it's not that well maintained, there are still sweet spots for a nice pictorial. Aside from that, an airconditioned make-up room - The Garden of Praise is now readily available in the park for rent, where you can have your preparations. I'm glad that they found the need for a makeup room in the park as it was not easy to just get dressed in a comfort room in that park.

The Garden of Praise Make-Up room can be availed for a very affordable rate and with complete amenities.
Source: Photo grabbed from their FB page

It's already the rainy season and we are worried as hell that we will be drenched in the rain on the day of our shoot. It rained cats and dogs the day before. Luckily, the next day, Kamisama granted us a beautiful weather. Prayer really works!
By the way, we were the only client that day and we had no one to share the room with. I guess I picked I good day for the photo session. And oh, the assistant / care taker was really nice as well. Just make sure you follow the rules, though.

HMUA: Elsie Libunao Hair and MakeUp Artistry AIRBRUSH & TRADITIONAL +63 917 503 1350 / 0939 933 5668

My brilliant makeup artist and hairstylist that day are Ms Elsie Libunao and Bimby of Elsie Libunao Hair and Make Up Artistry. I availed their prenuptial makeup service aside from the wedding package. I originally planned to just ask a friend to doll me up. But I realized that this pictorial does not happen every time so why not get her e-session service as well. And for a lady who's always been tagged as 'Manang' and 'one-of-the-boys', it will be such an experience. In addition to that, I really want to see how I look like when 'overhauled'.
Together with my future mother-in-law and fiance's cousin, we headed to Wildlife for the shoot. Our call time with my HMUA was at 8 in the morning (My photographers' schedule was at 10am). We had to be early as the make-up and styling session is about two-hours long. Yes. Two-hours. But it was not tiring at all. Maybe, I was too amazed on how Ms. Elsie do her magic.
After 2 hours, here's the result. Lo and behold... (I don't like posting my photos on public websites, but for this blog's sake, I will share a snap from my MUA kekekeke)

Our hairstylist Bimby, Namjachingu, Me and Ms. Elsie, the make-up artist
Source: Photo from Ms. Elsie

When I showed these photos to my relatives, they couldn't believe that it's me. They thought that it was just a peg for makeup and just some random Asian girl. Hahaha.
Now that's what you call a total make-over. I became a fine young lass even for a day. It's all because of my HMUA's amazing skills. Kamsahamnida!

PHOTOGRAPHERS Er Llamelo of Cupcake Cinema Phone: +63 905 531 0038 Jeff Angeles of Jef Angeles Photography Phone: +63 905 324 4722 Email: jeff_rakista@yahoo.com
As soon as my talented photographers and fellow brethren arrive, Er Llamelo of Cupcake Cinema and Jeff Angeles of Jef Angeles Photography, our e-session started. The first theme was the formal part. It only took us less than an hour to finish the first part of the pictorial.

Teaser! Photo credits to our fellow brethren Jeff Angeles

Afterwards, my favorite motif was next - highschool! I'm not sure how long we had to shoot this segment (until past noon I think?). But one thing is for sure. We had fun reminiscing our senior year. We are not yet a couple back then. However, this era had too many memories and we consider it as one of the best part of our teen life. Ugh! Time machine please!

Do we look like we are in our 30's?
Photo credits to our fellow brethren Jeff Angeles

Hi-skool Luv On <3
Photo credits to our fellow brethren Jeff Angeles

The last set was more laid back. We just had a matching checkered long-sleeve top and the pictorial lasted for almost 30 minutes. And it's over!
For a couple who's a first timer in photo shoot, this kind of pictorial will be unpleasant. But working with these two prodigious shutterbugs made it easy. We're more relaxed. They even assisted us with all the poses. It's as if we are just playing around. I just wish I'm as good as them when it comes to taking photos.

Thoughts and Tips
It's an amusing photo session. We did not feel any discomfort. But there's one thing I regret from that shoot. To bring food. I thought that the shoot will be over in three hours. We're all starving (specially me) because the pre-wedding photo session ended at 3 in the afternoon. I did not ate my breakfast that day because I took my meds early in the morning. I only had a bottle of water during the shoot. Thankfully, I was able to last within that span because right after we had our breakfast-lunch-merienda at Friuli, my hands started shaking again.
We did not brought any food for my suppliers on that day (and I realized afterwards, that we should've). I thought of just buying some snacks around the area but we were too occupied that I failed to remember. Good thing that I was able to provide an allowance. Not sure though if it is enough for them but I'm hoping that it is @_@. ~~Embarrassing.~~ Anyway, I promised to share some tokens to them for a job well done. Bawi na lang ako next time :(
For couples who will be also having their engagement session in the future, here are some basic tips:

Research. Research. Research. You don't need an expensive venue to pull-off a breathtaking pre-wedding photo, or a top photographer/makeup artist as your team. There are lots of exceptionally skilled individuals out there that you can hire in a less expensive rate and venues that is within the budget. The key is research.
Look for pegs. While most of the couples do not have themes for the photo shoot, it is still a nice plan to have a reference for your session. In that way, your photographer will know how to direct the session.
Direct and be directed. Trust and listen to your photographer because they're the expert. Believe me, they know what they are doing (that is if you hire a good one! so better research).
Listen to suggestions and learn to say no at the same time. These suppliers are just sharing something they thought might be good for you and the event. If you disagree with their idea, politely decline.
Do not forget to bring water and snacks. I repeat. Do not forget to bring water and snacks. Even if you'll be providing allowances to your suppliers, you still need to give them snacks and water to lessen their hunger.
Enjoy the moment. I'm sure there will be butterflies in your tummies. But as soon as you get the hang of it, both of you will definitely have fun with your photo session. Just relax and be yourself.

This pictorial was a learning experience for us. We were lucky that, as first timers, our photographers and HMUA were more than willing to assist us. I was not expecting anything from my team. But they gave us an outstanding job. Even my future mother-in-law was in awe after the session. Now I recalled what my coordinator mentioned during our first meeting as he was impressed that we have booked the finest supplier within our allotted budget.
We were blessed to team up with these exceptionally skilled suppliers. We could not ask for more. So for future brides and grooms out there, check these amazing individuals.
Happy Preps Minna!

100 Days Before the Big Day

2016-05-08T14:02:00.000+08:00

Hey! It's been a while! Too many things happened for the past months that I did not have time to blog. I was too lazy to make a post here as there were lot of things I needed to accomplish.
Anyway, I'm back again to blog about my upcoming wedding. Yes. We only have a 100 days before tying the knot. And we never thought that it will be this stressful, despite the early preparation we had. I should feel excitement, but as days passed by, exhaustion is killing me. Most of the suppliers I've been eyeing were changed to cater our budget. We had no choice.
Here's the latest update from each of them:
Church (from Iglesia ni Cristo Locale of Capitol to Pilot)
I have too many things to say on why we had to give up reserving a slot on this locale. But I think it will be better left unsaid than spitting it out. One things for sure, we were too disappointed with our fellow brethren. We never thought that we can here those harsh words from such being :(
Caterer (from Madel's Cuisine to Dories Catering)
I don't know if I did the right choice of changing my caterer. But the last time I've tried contacting Madel's, none was responding. So I shifted to their fellow supplier, Dories Catering.
Dories Catering served as my highschool friend's caterer on her wedding last January 2015. The food was okay and affordable. The taste is not as grand as other caterers but I like the homey feeling whenever you taste their dishes. And the fact that we we'll only have a budget wedding, we prefer something that is not too expensive.
I've already met with John Garcia last February and also paid him 5k for the reservation. He's nice and I love his ideas and suggestions for the reception. However, until now, we haven't received any mails or texts. Although their staff confirmed that our date is already reserved, I still can't sleep well because we only have less than four months left. Yet our caterer is not coordinating with us.
This is really frustrating.
Bridal and Entourage Gowns (from Outfit to Divi gowns)
I had to give way. I know that every woman want to wear their dream wedding gown. But there are things you have to give up to meet your needs or goals.
We commenced plan B and scoured Divisoria for a cheaper wedding gown. Luckily, we found one that quoted us half of the price of the design I want. Not only that, Ate Lydia, the owner was nice and really accommodating. We'll be back on her shop this May for the groom and groomsmen's suit and for my first fitting as well.
Prenup Location (from Blue Gardens to Wildlife)
I remember my fiance telling me that he doesn't want us to have our pre-wedding shoot at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife. So I looked for a place that is more secluded and within Quezon City. I thought Blue Gardens is a perfect place for our engagement session. The venue looks very serene and perfect for shoots. However, we need to pay 8K to rent the place. Cheaper than other locations but we ditched the idea because again, we have to stick to our budget.
We ended up choosing Wildlife. It's way affordable as you will only pay the entrance fee. Then you are free to roam around the park.
Hotel (from Microtel to SEAMEO International House)
I thought that we'll get Microtel for a cheaper rate if we'll booked it in Agoda. But no. It is still pricey. Thanks to one of the Girltalk brides for the heads up. She suggested to check out SEAMEO International House, which is just behind Microtel.
We were surprised that for a 2-night stay, we were only quoted 9k. That's for two rooms already. What I also love about the hotel is that they don't have any wedding fees to pay and no limit on guests per room.
I haven't seen the hotel personally as the last time we visited, their was a staff meeting. We are planning to book the hotel by the end of this month, as soon as all our church requirements are processed. For our other suppliers you may refer below.

BOOKED: Reception Venue: Don Jose Clubhouse Rings: Zoey Entourage Dresses: Cruella n' Co OTD and emcee: 7ten5 events and Ka Lowell Photobooth: Shutter Monster Guest Souvenirs: Chrixien's Scents Projector and additional lights: Audiotrixx Florist: Ysabelaflorist Photo and Video: Cupcake Cinema Hair and Makeup Artist: Elsie Libunao Artistry Invitations, Bouquets and Candy Souvenirs: Zeru Paints
TO BE BOOKED: Sponsors Souvenirs: Dreality Bridal Car: None yet Crew Meals: None yet
Hoping that everything will be okay soon because this whole wedding planning is giving me so much headache that I might end up in the hospital before the big day :(

The ONE OK ROCK 35XXXV ASIA Tour in Manila 2016

2016-01-26T23:59:00.000+08:00

It's been a week. But the hangover is still there...

For a country dominated by Korean pop culture, inviting a huge Japanese band was never easy. I remember a conversation from a fellow JPop fangirl, that some agencies are not that convinced with our market to hold a concert or fan event in the Philippines. Hence, it will be too risky for them to have such investment.

But who would have thought that after numerous attempts and countless petitions of fans and supporters, our dream will finally come true.

ONE OK ROCK, a Japanese rock band consist of by vocalist / frontman Takahiro "Taka" Moriuchi, drummer Tomoya Kanki, guitarist Toru Yamashita and bassist Ryota Kohama, at long last held their first ever concert here in Manila last Janury 19, as part of their 35xxxv Asia Tour.

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Patience - that's what all we have. Kamisama knows how badly we wished that the 4-member group hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun, to visit the country. We tried to be contented in watching videos of ONE OK ROCK's concerts via Youtube and other video streaming sites. But it was not enough. We want to see them perform live. And with the petition along the way, the waiting game started.

A major announcement from Amuse Asia Inc last August 31, 2015 granted our wish as Philippines were included in their 35xxxv Asia Tour. YOSHA!!! I immediately filed a leave even when the concert is still months away. I was also surprised that the ticket prices were not as pricey as I expected when it was posted by Pulp Live World. But I decided on getting the cheapest seat. If I'm not to wed this year, I would have purchased a royalty ticket for the meet and greet chance. Anyway, what's important is that I will see and hear them perform live.

I'll risk everything if it's for you!

Fast-forward to January 19, D-day came. I can feel all the excitement from the Filipino OOR fans and other Japanese music enthusiasts. I was too early in the venue because I’m watching the concert alone. As I killed time in Starbucks, I saw familiar faces that I often see in JPop conventions or anime/otaku events. Nice! I feel glad that not only ‘rakista’ are out to see the gigs but also JPop fangirls/fanboys and otakus.

I'm ready!!!

View from my seat. Not bad, ne?

It's already past six in the evening. Compared to the previous Korean concerts I've attended, this tour had lesser attendees. Well at least, fans are not as wild as the other fandoms. As always, I did not go in queue as I presented my medical records to the guard so they let me in.

The concert attendees started to double as 8PM approaches. The mosh pit has also piled up that a VIP ticket holder was rushed outside by medics. I guess it was suffocation. I just hope that kid was able to still watch the concert.

LIGHTS OFF!

Eight o’clock came but the shadows of the quartet were yet to be seen. We are all excited. But when the lights faded, the crowd started roaring. As Taka, Tomoya, Toru and Ryota went on stage, the fans could not stop screaming.

Everyone was so hyped and thrilled with every guitar strums from the guitarists, drum hits from Tomoya and the exceptional and powerful vocals of Taka. It was crazy! I can't even stop myself from head-banging and shouting the lyrics to every song.

That moment when dreams turn into reality.

So close and yet so far.

Closer with Toru, Taka and Ryota. Ugh! Lucky VIP fans!

From time to time, I took videos of photos from the event. Sumimasen. I just broke the rule. But I promised not to post my HD videos in ANY site. It will just be a keep-sake for a lady whose memory is deteriorating. And besides, with all the screaming and head banging, I hardly took any stable video.

(By the way, a guy at my back kept ranting on those fans who are taking videos. If I remember it right, he kept complaining until half of the setlist. Was he able to enjoy the concert? I guess not! Hahahaha)

I love the effects from the concert. It kept me blinded for a couple of times that I had to look down to be free from the light. Hahaha. It would have been better as well if there were huge LED television, in order for those seated at the farthest section, to have a glimpse o the boys’ faces.

Awesome light effects. One of my favorite shot from my point and shoot camera.

35XXXV TOUR IMPRESSIONS

To be candid, I’m not a hardcore One OK Rock fan. I’m just a loyal follower of Japanese music. But I consider 35xxxv tour as the best gig I’ve been to. Even better than my KPop bias’ concert last 2012. I could not contain all my feels as soon as Taka held his microphone and Tomoya, Ryota and Toru grabbed their instruments. I can't help but scream, jump, and smile and get teary-eyed at the same time. I was also head-banging while singing along with the crowd. They played for two hours but we still want more. Their act was utterly amazing. Not to mention Taka’s incredible voice hitting every note flawlessly and Tomoya, Toru and Ryota’s blazing guitars and drum skills.

Here are the gig highlights from last Tuesday’s show:

Taka is a genius. His voice is infectious even his screamo sounds sweet to my ears. Every note is perfect. It’s as if I’m listening to a studio recording. If I’m his parents, I will be very proud of him.

Taka Bae!

Toru is an absolute eye candy. But he looks more appealing when he ‘makes love’ with his guitar.

Topless Ryota is as cool as ever. How was he able to play that bass guitar while having fun?

And lastly, Tomoya. He poured his heart out with every beat on his drum set. Although I’m seated at the lowerbox section, I can see all his emotions.

Ryota and Tomoya casually playing with their 'thing'.

I’ve expected that the crowd will sing along with Taka to every piece of their hits. Be it in English or Nihongo, we can sing it perfectly. What staggered me was, as I was listening to the audience, I felt touched and proud. This is something I haven’t felt from the previous concerts I’ve attended. It was really heart-felt.

Goosebumps moments:

1. During Clock Strikes’ bridge (that Woahhh oahh oahh oahh part) and as the audience sang the line “Believe that time is always forever”. *cries

2. That part when everyone yelled ‘Shout it out now! Shout it out now!’ for Cry Out.

3. I always loved this line from Decision (We’ll never be as young as we are now). So when the crowd sang in sync, I got teary-eyed.

4. When Taka let us sang a part of Wherever You Are was also one of the highlights. He even clenched his fist on his chest while we are wholeheartedly chanting the song. Aww!

Fans suddenly turned on their flashlights on their phone during Heartache. (was this part of a mission or what?)

Failed Wall of Death request from Taka. Hardcore fans were struck with the disappointment after the frontman asked the fans to do WOD. I guess Pinoy fans are not yet ready with this. But I guess when OOR comes back, we'll be more than ready.

"Push back! Push back! Taka yelled. But mainstream fans kept taking photos and video.

TAKA: You guys are beautiful! / TOMOYA: Mahal Kita! *and we died

I saw the setlist beforehand, and I know that they’re coming back for an encore. However, the crowd started to chant “We want more!” while stomping their feet until the boys return to the stage.

The quartet took a photo with the audience including the banner where messages to the boys are written.

Messages written with so much love and adoration from the Pinoy OOR fans.

Julen (their official photographer) taking a snap with the band and the whole crowd.

Finally, when Taka promised they will be back!!!

Although some fans were disappointed with all the photo and video rule-breaking tradition of Pinoys and the failed ‘wall of death’ request from Taka, I can still conclude that the event is a massive success. A dream came true for us loyal fans and supporters.

35xxxv setlist

Thank you Amuse Asia for hearing our pleas, to Pulp Live World for supporting us all the way, and to One OK Rock for making that day a memorable one. And please, hurry back in Manila!

One OK Rock 35XXV Post-Concert Entry

2016-01-22T09:39:00.003+08:00

Are you still okay? I've been planning to write a decent fan account / blog post about One OK Rock's awesome concert. But how can I start if I can't move on? I tried writing a draft but I can't think of anything. It's been three freaking' days!
Anyway, here's a short entry from the event. I'll be posting the write-up as soon as my sanity is back LOL
====
This is by far, the best concert I've attended.

As soon as Taka held his microphone and Tomoya, Ryota and Toru started playing, I can't help but scream, jump, smile and get teary-eyed at the same time. Two-hours of hard core rock performance from this amazing band will never be enough! It was crazy!

We can't wait to see them again. Maybe next year? For a JRock fan / supporter, having the quartet finally perform live in the Philippine shore is a dream come true.
Thanks again One Ok Rock for granting our wish! P.O.O.R fans will forever treasure this day.
どうもありがとうございます!
(PS. Photos were taken for blogging purposes. No copyright infringement intended.)