it's not all about you.

It is almost the end of 2013. It has been a roller coaster ride especially with my relationship with other people. I got hurt..and yet at the same time I think I might have hurt someone too. I know I have this tendency to become self-centered. READ: always the victim, never the one to take blame.

Coffee-break @JCO Donuts

When JCO Donuts opened at Megamall some time last year, the place is always jam-packed. Good thing that the crowd now is much lesser so I don't have to wait for long hours just to line up and order. I really like the ambiance of the place and I think this is one of the nicest place to hang out and catch up with friends. Although I am not really a fan of their doughnuts, I do loved their coffee, much more than other more well-known coffee shops in the area. 

Nescafe 3-in1 Brown 'N Creamy : my oh-soooo-cheap alternative to starbucks

I cannot call myself a coffee addict but I can still say that I am quite dependent on coffee especially at work. But there are times that I am too busy that I cannot even afford to have my coffee break so I always make sure that I stock up on this. I know certified coffee-holic would feel grossed at the idea of having a 3-in1 instant coffee but as I say, I never claimed to be a coffee guru. And I swear just the smell of this instant coffee is enough to perk up my day. =)

'BER months....it's the time of the year again

It's BER months again. Christmas Trees are now already on display in some malls. People would soon start to line up once again in the stores to buy stuff for their loved ones. And as always, resisting to indulge in food would be much harder. So that would only mean additional calories and additional number on your weighing scale. But what the heck, Christmas Season only come once a year. Instead of trying hard and (most of the time) failing miserably in sticking to your diet, just let go, enjoy, and have fun with your friends and loved ones. Besides, it could give you much more reason and determination in getting fit once again at the start of the next year. =)

Love Yoga, Love Life.

A long long time ago, believe it or not, i used to be skinny. back then, at 5ft 2 inches height, I only weigh around 90lbs, considering my ideal weight should be 115lbs. during those times, people don't put that much interest in losing weight, i think people then knows how to appreciate their body and doesn't see the need to stay slim unless you are interested in pursuing a career in fashion or showbiz. if i have that body then now, i guess many would have envied me. I can eat anything i want without gaining any weight at all. but maybe due to my aging body, the slowing down of my metabolism, change in lifestyle, or just pure luck, my problem reversed. I now gained extra pounds and have curves in some of the most unwanted parts of my body. And now are the days that people are so obsess with slimming down. Gyms, health studio, slimming pills and crash diets are some of the hot search topics in the web. i think the society nowadays dictates what is beautiful, what is sexy, what is healthy, what is fab...practically what a perfect human being should be. and since the power of the internet makes these ideas readily available to anyone, it could either help a person to aspire to be better or it could bring more frustration and depression if they fail to meet those standards. I on my part fell prey to this trend. I tried crash diets and slimming pills as a desperate attempt to bring back my old body. I did lose some weight but i think my aging body is paying for it since I am now suffering asthma attacks which I don't have before. I have gotten slim but I have never felt more sickly as I was before. Thankfully, through internet, I got interested in yoga when in one of my research on how to handle asthma for adults, I read through an article on how yoga helps in managing asthma. Plus it is also a good form of exercise which I had assumed would help me in managing my weight problem as well. That's hitting two (or more since there are other benefits of yoga as well) birds in one, right?! So searching for the nearest yoga studio I could enroll, I managed to build up a courage to attend my first yoga class. And now I've been doing yoga for more than two months already. I still have asthma attacks and my weight is still see-sawing now and then. But there are more good things and realizations that yoga has taught me. I now realized more than ever that I really need to take care of my body. Not only for myself but for those people I love. Yoga also empowered me. It made me realized that age should not be a hindrance in learning new things and embarking on new endeavors. When my life before used to revolve on my family and my career, I now consider my yoga session as my 'ME' time. It is something I can do on my own and yet the love for my family and life and my willingness to be a better person is what I have in mind and inspires me during the practice. So yeah, I still don't fit in size 0 clothes but I feel more confident in whatever body frame I am in. I love my body and myself more. And I guess if you're in that state of being, everybody could not help but love you more too.

My Yoga Must-Haves

Whenever I go to the shala, I need to have the following with me:

Tote Bag: I was able to buy a large tote bag from Mango. I particularly love this bag because I can easily put my stuff in it and yet it still look stylish since it's not the usual gym/workout bags that people usually use when they have to go to the gym or studio. I bought this on sale at P1200.

Water Bottle: I use a 700-ml Lock&Lock sports handy bottle which I bought at P125.00 only (sale). This is really handy especially when I attend Hot Yoga because it is big enough to hydrate me during the class.

Toiletries: Although Yoga+ provides toiletries in their shower room, I still prefer to bring my own. They are basically shower gel (from BodyShop), body oil (from BodyShop), shampoo (L'occitane), and an alcohol spray for disinfecting.

Hot A @Yoga+

As my journey to my 100-lbs weight goal continues, I am still struggling with my eating habits. My weight still plummets high whenever I indulge myself in eating.  So as part of my effort to lose weight, I decided to try Hot A Yoga. I tried Hot Hour Yoga before but it was only a 60-minute class. This time, it's 30minutes more so I wasn't quite sure when I started if I could be able to make it through the 90-minute session. It also happen that I am not really prepared enough for this class because I felt that I did not drink enough water throughout the day. So I was really struggling during the entire class, I feel that I would passed out anytime. Also, I got a terrible headache (migraine) after the session. Anyway, I'll give it a try again this Saturday but I'll make sure that I come in more prepared.

Jivamukti Spiritual Warrior @Yoga+

One of the yoga classes that I usually look forward to is the Jivamukti Spiritual Warrior. I loved the fact that this class is more relax compared to other yoga classes I'd attended to and the meditations and intentions set before the class starts would inspire you and help you to go through the poses no matter how difficult it is without fearing of failure. I just enjoy and savor all the asanas and helped me appreciate my achievements and accept my limitations. So after almost 1.5months (I started June 14) of attending yoga classes, I was able to do my first headstand (but with the assistance of course of our instructor..hehe!). I've been wanting to do this pose ever since day1 and achieving this is one of the things  I am looking forward to. So I was really happy that teacher Nancy assisted me in doing this pose. And although I fell (quite hard!) on the floor, it really elated me that I was able to accomplish this. But still I am hoping (and I know it would still be a long way) before I could do it on my own.

Promo: Midweek Retreat at CHI, The Spa @Edsa Shangrila

Nurture mind and body with a revitalizing Midweek Retreat at CHI, The Spa to help get you through the week’s challenges. Experience a customized body polish of your choice followed by a rejuvenating full body massage or rehydrating oxygen facial. Bring home the CHI Signature Collection Set incense and soothing music compilation CD to continue the relaxing journey at home. Terms and conditions apply. 

Php 3,300 net per person 

Php 5,900 net for couples 

Terms and conditions: 

1. Offer is available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of August to September 2013

2. Couple's rate purchase must be used on the same visit 

3. Treatment may be purchased as CHI Gift Voucher valid for 60 days from the date of purchase 

4. No extension permitted once original voucher expires 

5. This offer is not valid in conjunction with other promotions or card discount benefits 

6. Inclusions in the package may not be exchanged for other treatments or products 

7. Unused portion of the package may not be encashed or rescheduled 

8. Only one voucher per person per visit may be used  

For inquiries or reservations, please call CHI, The Spa through (632) 633 8888 extension 7777  

or email chi.edsa@shangri-la.com

Promo: Luxury within Reach @Edsa Shangri-La (50% off for Premier or Executive Room)

Enjoy 50% savings for weekend stays in a Premier or Executive room and delight in the captivating view of the sterling cityscape. Take advantage of exquisite comfort, spacious interiors and a host of privileges and benefits.
Take a refreshing dip at the hotel’s lagoon-shaped swimming pool, burn some calories at the Health Club, de-stress at CHI, The Spa or have a leisurely stroll and shop at the nearby shopping malls.
Terms and conditions
1.  Rate is valid for weekend stays from July 26 to September 30, 2013
2.  The 50% savings is extended on a “room only” basis
3.  Rooms are subject to availability, prior reservation is required
4.  Rates are valid for single/ twin occupancy
5.  50% savings is also extended to the third person charge. Discounted rate is at Php 750++ room only
6.  This offer may not be used in conjunction with other discounts or promotions
7.  Offer is valid for local residents only. Proof of residency is required upon check-in
 
For inquiries or reservations, please contact our Customer Sales team through (63 2) 633 8888 or email reservations.esl@shangri-la.com 


*** Rate of the Tower Wing Premier Room is PHP 4, 350.00++ or PHP 5,343.00 net per night.

 

My Shangri-La Golden Circle Card

Comparison: Yoga+ BGC vs Ortigas

I started yoga less than 2 months ago and I am already beginning to notice its benefits. I only attend at most 3x a week (usually MWF at lunch time) due to my limited schedule. Though I did not lose much pound, I noticed that my tummy got a bit smaller and I can now wear again most of the clothes that I no longer wear before. So yesterday, even though I prefer staying at home on weekends,  I decided to try the BGC (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig) Studio of Yoga+ since they are much nearer to my home and it is much more convenient to go there on weekends. Since it was my first time to go there, I can't help but compare their BGC studio against the Strata 100 Bldg. (Ortigas) branch.

Reception Area: I'm not sure if it's just because it's a Sunday when I tried the BGC studio but I felt that the reception area in Ortigas is much warmer and cozier compared to theirs. Or maybe because the receptionists in Ortigas are more approachable and accomodating (but then again, maybe it's a Sunday and as we all know, nobody really wants to work on a weekend especially on a Sunday). I also love that in Ortigas, they have a nice lounge where you can sit on while waiting for your class or where you can hang out to pass the time.

Locker:  In Ortigas, upon checking-in, they would issue a key to your locker where you can safely place your personal things during yoga classes. In BGC, they do have locker rooms but I am not aware that you have to bring your own padlocks (so sorry for my ignorance). Good thing I don't usually bring my wallet whenever I go to gyms/studios. I only bring my spare clothes plus around P200 pocket money so I won't have to worry of my stuff getting stolen.

Towel: While they both offer free towels for you to use during the class, in Ortigas, they issue 2 towels while in BGC, they only provide 1 so if you want to have an extra towel, they would ask for a P100 deposit that you can refund upon returning the towel. I also noticed that some of the towels they issue in BGC are quite old and worn.

Yoga Room: The one in BGC is much bigger so they can accomodate more students as compared to their Ortigas branch. They also have a nicer view.

Dressing/Shower Room: I think BGC has a bigger dressing and shower room since they have more stalls compared to Ortigas but the one in Ortigas looks more spacious maybe because it is more well-lighted.

Schedule of Classes: BGC offers more classes compared to Ortigas (ie, they have lunch break schedules everyday compared to MWF only in Ortigas, also they have 630-8am classes everyday which is more convenient for those who prefer to do yoga before going to work).

reception area @yoga+ bgc (photo courtesy of yogaplus.ph)

locker room @yoga+ bgc (photo courtesy of yogaplus.ph)

this is where i left my stuff (no locks but good thing they have security cameras installed)

Hot Hour at Yoga Plus Ortigas

I attended my first Hot-Hour Yoga class last Wednesday (1230 to 130pm) at Yoga Plus Ortigas Branch. To prepare myself for the 1-hour class, I followed the top 1 advice I got from what I had researched from the web which is to 'Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!'. I think that helped me a lot to get through with the hot hour and made me enjoy the class without minding the heat and the sweat. Surprisingly, I did not feel exhausted during the class though I did sweat a lot. However, I had a hard time following the poses maybe because I (**stupidly) positioned myself in the front row (hahaha!).

Below are some tips I could give for those who want to try Hot Yoga:
1. Eat a healthy breakfast.
    **I usually eat oatmeal during breakfast but since I am attending the 1230pm class, I decided to have rice instead since Im not supposed to have lunch before the class.I had 1/2 cup of rice, 1/2 boneless bangus, 1 boiled egg, and 2 glasses of calamansi juice with honey.

2. Hydrate.
    **Before I left for work in the morning I already drank 2 glasses of water at home. While in the office, I think I had consumed around 3-700ml water before I left for the studio. And I think I had also consumed another bottle of water while waiting for the instructor.

3. Come on an empty stomach.
        **Make sure that you don't eat at least 2-3 hours before the class. Since the one I am attending is at lunch time, I decided to have a fruit shake (mango-banana) at around 11am as my snack so that at least I would not get hungry while doing the yoga.

4. Arrive early.
    **For every yoga class that I attended, I made sure that I arrive early so that I could pick a good spot where I can comfortably see and hear the instructor and where I would not feel too conscious of my fellow yoga students' presence. It also gives me enough time to relax and medidate before the class starts.

5. Take a quick shower before the class.
    **This also helps you to relax before the class and at least you wont have to worry that you're going to smell bad.

6. Bring a towel and water for drinking.
    **You are allowed to have occassional sip during the class especially during pauses to rehydrate.

7. Dress as comfy as possible.
    **For Hot Yoga, they usually wear skimpy clothes since it is expected that you will sweat a lot. As for me, I wore a sports bra, tanktop, and knee-length tights.

Latest Buy: Straight Cut Jeans from Mango (SM Megamall [sale up to 70% off])

It's been a long while since I bought a pair of jeans because most of the jeans today are slim fit (which I'm not really fond of, given that I don't look good on it) and it's seldom nowadays to find a nice straight cut jeans. So I was really ecstatic when I saw the large red SALE sign when I passed by Mango at SM Megamall earlier at lunch today hoping I could grab a nice pair since I love that their jeans are fashionable yet comfy. Almost all of their items are on sale. There are lots of nice blouse and office dresses that are half of its original price. Most of the jeans that are on sale are (as usual) slim fit but there are few pieces of straight cut ones. Luckily I found one that fits my size.

Yoga+ Ortigas

Since one of my resolution for this year is to focus more on my health, aside from being watchful on my diet, I also decided to enroll in a yoga class. I know that this could also help a lot in my asthma and scoliosis problem. Scouting for a studio nearest to my office is not much of a challenge since there are lots of gym/studio existing in Ortigas area. However, one of my concern is the schedule of classes/sessions because I need to factor in my time at work and the time that I need to be home especially that my son's school already started. So that's why I chose Yoga+ Studio (Ortigas) because aside from its proximity to my office (roughly around 8-min walk), they have several classes throughout the day that I can conveniently choose if my schedule permits me.

If you're a beginner (just like me who is totally zero experience in yoga), they offer 1-week unlimited trial class worth P1000 or an unlimited 1-month for P3000. Fee includes unlimited yoga classes (you may check their website for their weekly class schedule), free use of yoga mats, free water (just bring your own bottle), and they also offer free use of towels. They also have a really nice and well-maintained shower area (toiletries included). They also have a branch in BGC, Taguig City and next month they'll be opening another branch in Makati. 

Location: Ortigas Wellness Alliance, 22nd Floor, Strata 100 Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Avenue, Ortigas Center, Philippines

my membership card

studio (photo courtesy of yogaplus.ph website)

changing/shower area (photo courtesy of yogaplus.ph website)

Valentino Resort and Spa, San Jose Batangas

My husband and I went to Valentino Resort and Spa for our wedding anniversary celebration. It is a quick 2hr drive from Manila so it is really accessible. The staff are nice and courteous. They have their own golf cart that the guests can ride on to get to the rooms. We got the 1 bedroom villa which cost less than 5k pesos. They also have cheaper rooms that are also nice and is more accessible to the pool area but it can only accomodate 2 pax. The villas can accomodate more guests but it is much more distant to the pool though it offers more privacy plus you can park your car right in front of the villa which is more convenient if you got lots of stuff to unload. The villa is simple and it has a really nice view of the mountain (I think it's Mount Maculot). The only thing I could complain is that the beds are small (2 single bed which is not ideal if you are on a honeymoon) and the bathroom is really basic (the hot water shower is hard to figure out how to use) plus the drainage is not that good that water tends to stuck when you're taking a shower. Anyway, the pools are nice especially the jacuzzi. They also have cabanas near the pool where you can relax. They also have a restaurant where you can dine. The meals are relatively cheap though the taste is not that exceptional. You may also order the food and have them deliver in your room. The place is very relaxing especially at night where you can only hear the sound of crickets. The staff are always smiling and I appreciate that they value your privacy but at the same time attentive to your needs. We did not have the chance to try their spa because they are already fully booked when we inquired but the ambiance is nice. The breakfast which is included in the package are just the usual filipino breakfast meal.

Bday 2013 @Casa Astillero, Calatagan Batangas

Since we enjoyed our first stay at Casa Astillero, we decided to return and spend my birthday for this year there. The area is no longer that crowded maybe because summer is almost over and most schools had already started their classes. In fact, only us and another set of campers spent the night at the beach. The weather still feels like summer however it went bad during late afternoon and the wind was blowing incessantly in the evening but that did not dampened our enjoyment. Fortunately, the sun is in heat again the following morning so we were still able to enjoy swimming and catching the waves before we got home.

my birthday cake from Sugarhouse

Latest Buy: Melissa Shoes via Zalora

I seldom buy online items and I am a notorious cheapskate especially when I became a mom. But when I received a P400 discount voucher from Zalora (PH), I immediately grabbed the chance to buy the Melissa Shoe that I am eyeing for the longest time. I am so happy with this purchase because aside from the discounted price, this flats is super cute, feminine, comfy and goes well with almost any outfit.

Original Price: P1999.00 (discounted price: P1599.00)

Summer 2013 Staycation: Edsa Shangrila

This is our second time to stay in this hotel. As always, checking-in is a breeze and we get to have a nice room with pool view without us requesting for it. They also offer free wifi connection. It is also nice that they are located near shopping malls (Shangrila Mall and Megamall). The only problem we  got is getting a parking slot but that's because they are currently having renovations so some of the slots were occupied by their construction suppliers/contractors. The staff are friendly and helpful and they are always mindful to your needs. What we noticed however is that their breakfast buffet had lesser menu choices as compared to our previous stay (that was 2 years ago, btw) and the complimentary fruit basket in the room is now limited to 2 pieces of oranges only. I also appreciate that the lifeguards in their pool area is now more visible and attentive so it's additional peace of mind especially if you have your kids with you. I also love their frozen margarita, too bad I didn't get to take a picture but I swear it's one of the best margarita I tasted.  =)

Additional Info:
·    Complimentary Buffet breakfast for two (2) at the Heat. Children 7 to 12 years old are entitled to 50% off, while children 6 years old and below are free of charge. Breakfast Buffet rate  is PHP 1,464 nett per person.
·    In-room wired internet access and Wi-Fi access.
·    Daily local newspaper in the guest room.
·    Free shoe shine service.
·    Free access and use of the Health Club facilities such as the gymnasium, sauna, steam bath, Jacuzzi and swimming pool.
·    Complimentary use of the coffee and tea making facility where coffee and tea sachets are provided and replenished daily.
·    Complimentary bottles (2) of mineral water in the guestrooms, replenished daily.
·    Complimentary parking. 

the bathroom

the toiletries

the view from our room

Weekday Lunch at Gilligans MegaStrip, Ortigas

When my officemates and I wants to have an affordable lunchout, we usually opt to go to Gilligans. Aside from the fact that it is not that crowded during lunch hours unlike other restaurants in Ortigas area, they also offer affordable group meals that you and your colleagues can enjoy. They offer the usual grilled and pinoy dishes. They are famous for their crispy pork sisig.

typical weekday lunch hour

For our lunch today, we ordered their F5 meal which consists of sinigang na bangus belly, fried chicken, inihaw na liempo, a bowl of rice, and 4 glasses of iced tea. This is good for 4 pax and costs only P481. If you are on tight budget, they also have P99 meal (just add P21 for a glass of iced tea).

F5 Meal for only P481

iced tea

 

3 for P120

Casa Astillero (Caisip Compound), Calatagan Batangas

the view from our tent

My 1st summer outing for the year 2013...uhmm..make it my 1st ever out-of-town trip for this year so I was really excited on this one. Checking their website and reviews from other netizens, I somehow already have an idea on what to expect from this trip. Anyway, I had reserved a Kabana with veranda which is good for 5-7 persons worth P1500. Although we really intend to sleep on a tent, I still opted to reserved a kabana since we are bringing our kids with us and I thought this would be a good shelter for them in case the summer heat might get unbearable. Since we will be bring our own tent, they only charged us P200/tent for the tent fitching (NOTE: Guests may also opt to rent a tent for P500). Finding the place is quite a challenge because unlike other beach resort that posts directions/markers along the way, this one doesn't have any so we just have to rely on the map and instructions that they provide to us thru their email. When we reached the place, it is almost crowded because there is a company teambuilding reserved on that day. Mang Romy, the caretaker, accomodated us easily. Though I am a bit disappointed with the location of the cabana because it is quite far from the beach, it did not spoiled our trip because we were able to get a nice spot for our tents. We got a nice view of the sea and it is quite secluded from the crowd. In short, we were not able to use the cabana (there goes our P1500..hehe..). Do note also that the cabana does not have its own toilet/bathroom so you would have to use the common t&b (2 shower room, 2 toilet only). I wish they would add more shower rooms & toilet because it is not enough especially during peak season.

The beach is nice and ideal if you have kids with you because the water is calm so it would not post much danger to your kids. They would surely love exploring the beach area and playing in the sand. You'll be disappointed however if you love swimming and snorkeling because you wouldn't get to do this here because the water is too shallow. Also, make sure to bring enough food and drinks because there is no restaurant or store in the resort.

CONTACT DETAILS

CASA ASTILLERO BEACH RESORT

Pamela C. Astillero - Buenaventura
Reservations Officer
http://www.casaastillero.com

Tel Fax: 632.776-3145

Tel No: 632.986-4487

Mobile: 63.9155777160

YM: pamastillero
Skype: Pamela_b97

DETAILED DIRECTIONS 

From Tagaytay go straight going to nasugbu. When u see caltex, turn right at the instersection going to nasugbu/lian. Turn left at shell, going to Lian. Go straight. Go pass Matabungkay, Balibago, Quilitisan, Blitok, Baluarte Estate You wil see the arch of calatagan. Keep going straight until you find the church of Calatagan (Sto Domingo Church). Turn right at the church. Turn left the intersection after Chooks to go, going to Playa Calatagan. Go pass Barangay Sta Ana Arch  and Playa calatagan. Aftr 2km, turn right at Caisip compound. 

How I Spent the 1st Quarter of 2013.

It's almost end of April and I realized that I haven't had any travel for this year. I've been too busy with work that I even have to render weekend OTs. Plus the fact that our maid left us so I have to do the laundry myself on weekends and thinking that packing for a trip would mean additional task and additional laundry load on my part. So most weekends of the 1st quarter of 2013 was spent in the office with my big reliable mug keeping me company. I am so looking forward to this weekend because I will be beach camping with my family somewhere in Batangas. =)

I want to travel

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring


“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky