Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulaluhan @ Gil Fernando Branch

Last night, my husband and I went to Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulaluhan at Gil Fernando Branch in Marikina. I have been hearing a good comment about them. So last, we decided to have a taste of what they offer. I ordered Dinsilog, banana con yelo and a bottle of Coke. My husband ordered Tapsilog, iced tea and a side order of Bulalo.

Bulalo is a soup made of beef shank and beef bone marrow with some vegetables.

 

Tapsilog is a Tagalog shortcut for Tapa (beef steak), Sinangag (fried rice) and itlog (egg).

 

Dinsilog is a Tagalog shortcut for dinuguan, sinangag and itlog. Dinuguan is a stew made of pork blood, and pork meat and sometimes pork intestines.

 

Well, to start with the taste, it is average. It is not something that will really linger in my taste buds. The servings is quite decent. The price is affordable. The place  is neat. The service is fast. It is not air-conditioned but has enough ventilation. The setting is like turo-turo but the crew will serve your orders.

We were there past 10 in the evening but people are still coming in to eat. I guess they already have patrons. But for me and my husband, it is just not what we expected. But in fairness, their Coke made me burped which rarely happens to me. Haha!

My rate: 2.5 start out of 5.

 

 

Cushe Footwear, misleading deals

My husband bought a deal from a-deals.com. He bought Cushe Footwear deal  worth 1794 pesos. At the voucher, it says that there is 40% off. The original price is 2990 pesos.

He made all the arrangements and reserved his shoes- the size and the color and the branch location where he would pick it up. On September 29, we went to Trinoma to redeem the voucher or get the shoes. When we got there there was a promo up to 50% off and the same shoes he got from a-deals are included in the half the price promo.

And so the sales lady gave him the reserved shoes.  The size was just right but the color he chose was not that appealing. He wanted to change to a darker color but she said that it was all reserved and there is no way to replace it.

Too bad that it is much cheaper when you buy it from the store than from a group buying site like a-deals.com.

I think Cushe Footwear and a-deals.com shouldn’t do this. If they want to market their products it should be done in a fair and decent manner and should not mislead people. My husband and I, buy vouchers from group buying sites to get a very good deal. And since we started buying, we never experienced something like this.

I mean  if the store promo has 50% discount then group buying sites promo should also offer the same discount. And besides, that’s why people buy online vouchers to get a huge slash off the price.

So guys, just be aware!

 

Army/Navy @ Eastwood City Walk

Last Thursday, my husband and I went to Army/Navy at Eastwood City Walk. He has been bragging about how good and tasty the food they are offering. So I decided to go and meet him there. I ordered Chicken Quesadillas and for husband he got the Steak Burrito.

The food was really delicious. Just the smell of it- really, really good. Even without the dipping and the salsa, you can eat it alone.  I took a bite of the burrito and it was also tasty. The garlic dipping and the salsa are all good. The fries also.

The area was clean. It was newly renovated (the place was used to be part of Chowking) and the interior design was very modern but still has the hint of being in the army. The whole place was painted white. The tables and the chairs are the one you would probably see in the barracks. The light furnishings is very bright and army-themed as well.

They use aluminum plate with wax paper as the lining, which is very economical and eco-friendly. The food they offer are all finger food so using a plastic utensil was out of sight. With the salsa, they would give a small wooden spoon for it. But with the cup they use for the drinks is still plastic. I am hoping that eventually they could get something they could use for the drinks that is nature-friendly.

Over all, I like the place and the food. I would highly recommend them.

My Rate: 4.8 out of 5

 

Bali Bliss Spa- Vista Verde Branch

I had a massage at Bali Bliss Spa. The place was small but had a very nice ambiance. It was very Thai- all the furniture, wall decors and the set-up. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The massage was good, the therapist was knowledgeable of what she was doing. I liked what she did to my back, just the right pressure, the consistency of it- the aching back was gone. And I was happy about it.

They have a promo that will last until the last day of September. It was like a buy 1 service and get 1 free service- you get to choose from their selection.

I have availed, a free foot paraffin while sipping a hot tea, which was a courtesy, of course.

They also gave me a loyalty card, in which I could get a free service if I completed 10 signatures (meaning if I availed 10 services). It doesn’t have any expiration date,  so it was great deal on my part.

The prices are easy on the pocket. For my 1-hour massage I paid 270 pesos and with their promo I get the free foot paraffin. I got a good deal, right?

They have many services to offer, not just the massage but also pedicure, manicure, foot spa, cold wax, ear candling, threading, foot reflex, spa package and many more. The price starts from 95 pesos and it differs from the services but still appropriately priced.

My rate is 4 out of 5 stars.

 

Camote Tops Salad

I never realized that camote and its tops have many benefits. According to what I have read from various sites, camote tops can cure dengue. As we know of dengue, it causes the platelets to drop and having camote tops will help to stabilize the platelets or increase it maybe. I have not found any scientific evidences about this but found some testimonials from people who had effectively proven (to themselves) that it works. The camote tops can used as a tea (by boiling the leaves ) or can be eaten as what I did. And also the camote or sweet potato has nutrients:

Besides simple starches, sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, beta carotene (a vitamin A equivalent nutrient), vitamin C, and vitamin B₆. Pink, yellow and green varieties are high in carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. -Wikipedia

Last night, I made a salad for dinner. It consists of camote tops, tomatoes and onion. I blanched the tops (doing this would retain the nutrients), sliced some tomatoes and onions and poured about 1 tablespoon of vinegar (it was a vinegar extracted from sap of nipa, mixed with chili, garlic, pepper and onion). Mix them all together to even out the vinegar. I partnered it with deep-fried  fish and of course, rice.

Aside from the nutrients I got from the camote tops, I also had a fulfilling meal.

My smoked fish pasta

These past days I have been craving for pasta. This afternoon I decided to cook for myself. I made my version of Aglio olio -instead of anchovies I used smoked fish.

 

I was satisfied with the taste, just the way I like it. Just the way I wanted it.

It was easy to do.

I  sauteed the garlic and the shredded smoked fish in olive oil. Then I added  the cooked pasta. If I only have parsley or basil, it would have been tastier. I forgot to buy it yesterday when I was at the supermarket. But it was alright, I was still satisfied with the result of my pasta even without the herbs.

Satisfied. That is exactly what I was looking for when I try to cook something for my family and for myself.

And with this- I am. Totally!

 

Lay Bare

Lay Bare at Robinson’s MetroEast branch.

I got my very first underarm waxing experience from them. After giving birth with my kids, I noticed that my underarms did not returned to its normal complexion. It is not dark but I ain’t happy with it. I tried the whitening procedures from a treatment center, but it only looks good on the day it was done.

I also tried plucking, but it was worst. I was aching the whole time because the thread keep picking on my skin. It made my underarm swollen. I guess the technician wasn’t an expert or at least an experienced one. So I did not dare to do it the second time.

Then my sister told me to try waxing instead. Waxing is alright with me. I can tolerate the pain while doing it. I am used to plucking and it was like it. But the only draw back I have is waiting for the next month’s session. I have to wait for the hair to grow. And it wasn’t easy- I hate having hair in my armpits. But maybe when I get used to this routine, it will all be easy for me.

Lay Bare has a friendly and accommodating technicians. The cubicle was clean and spacious. The pay was cheap compared to other spa centers that offer waxing services. The technician seemed to know what she was doing.

This branch is highly recommended.

Chateau Royale

My family had a 1-night stay at Chateau Royale in Nasugbu, Batangas on September 1. We got the deal from Ensogo.com.ph for only 3200 pesos good for 4 person, kids under 6 years old are free.

We stayed at cabin #2017 which was very far from the lobby. We have to walk for about 10-15 minutes to get to the main place where you can find the amenities like the swimming pool, billiards hall, restaurant, souvenir shop and the clubhouse. They have the shuttle service but was just used by us during the heavy rains on Saturday night and Sunday morning to take us to the fishing area which was located at the far end of the vicinity.

The cabin was clean. But the phone isn’t working. The LCD is working but only had an Asian channels. Good thing my husband have a background with television and did something on the cable and we got the GMA channel. They provided clean bedsheets and an extra mattress (we have an one extra guest but paid an additional 1000 pesos,  inclusive of meals) and have a clean bathroom. It just that the bathroom didn’t have a floor towel, the toilet tank didn’t have enough water to flush when you use it, the water coming from shower head was very scarce that it would take my bath longer than the usual. But they do have a water heater which was nice because of the weather.

The amenities was alright. There was a free services from the deal we got like the free fishing (poles are provided) and a free foot massage. My husband and my kids went fishing on Sunday morning. The free massage was impossible for us to redeem because there was only one massage therapist available and some other guests are all lined up to get it. And waiting would be a waste of time, I’d rather spent it roaming around and enjoying the green scenery of the place. My kids enjoyed the kiddie pool. Too bad they did not play that much at the playground- it was raining, and playing would be very messy.

The food was served at the grand hall in a catering style. The serving was sufficient enough to fill my tummy but for my husband it wasn’t.  The tastes pass my criteria and I like the Sweet and Sour Fish and the scrambled egg. The surroundings were okay except I saw a fly that landed on a glass of water. But other kind of bugs was out of sight. One fly is okay, but more than that was a big no-no!

    

The service was above average. When I got to the reception to check-in I just stood there for just 5 minutes. It was very fast making transaction with the reception clerk. The crew greeted us all the time. The cabin crew was very helpful. The guards were all friendly. They accommodated us and gave us some consideration when needed. Especially, when my husband left the car key and the cabin key inside the vehicle and we waited for my brother-in-law to bring the extra car alarm remote coming from Cainta which took him 4 hours travel and came 2 p.m.  And we checked-out past the time. They did not charged us anything.

The lobby was elegant. I like the big couches. The place was all Asian themed. I wasn’t sure if it’s Vietnamese or Thai. It was nice. It was nature for me- the trees, the greenhouses, man-made lake, turtles, fishes, goats, cows, horses, orchids and the forest.

But the whole place needs some maintenance. I noticed it needs a renovations. It has a potential.

Over all, it was a nice stay. My kids had a blast. I don’t really mind with simple flaws of the resort as long as my kids had so much fun. It was a different ambiance for us and a new place for the kids to explore.

If I were to rate, I will give 3.5 stars out of 5.

Keep in Touch Spa

My sister and I went to Keep In Touch Spa at Village East Cainta for some pampering. I made the reservation last Friday night because we will be using our Metrodeal voucher. They gave us the 2:30 pm time for us.

We were there at 2 pm because we don’t want to be late or else it will be deducted from our 1-hour massage. We got there and we have received a not so welcoming approach from the people there. They did not let us in until 2:30pm. The lady said come back at 2:30 because they are not open yet (but the voucher stated they are open at 1:30 to 7:00), so we just waited outside.
Massage time. Well, I could say the area is not very relaxing. As I walked into the massage area, I saw towels hanging at the corner (probably being air dried) and bathroom door wide open. They use a plain mattress which is very unpleasant,  every time the massage therapist puts pressure on my back it feels like my ribs are breaking. I heard someone brushing her teeth. The receptionist talking out loud. And when get done, they did not even asked how the service was. They did not say goodbye, come again. They just have the poor service. All  I can say something good about them is that they use scented oil without extra charge.

The massage therapist did alright with her job. But she needs more training especially with stretching. I noticed that she didn’t properly put everything in position before stretching.

So instead of getting all revved up again after the massage, I got the feeling of exhaustion when I got home.

Too bad!!!

 

Holistic Circle

I went to Holistic Circle in Megamall to get a beautifying treatment this afternoon. It was my first time with them and wasn’t a happy experience. I called to get an appointment and the receptionist wasn’t that very entertaining. And when I came, the lady wasn’t friendly and even the other two. Well, they work for a wellness center and service is one aspect that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Service will start right as you enter the facility, be greeted with a smile and a vibrant attitude. Do you agree?

No matter how appealing the settings are, when service is very poor there
is no way I would be coming back. I would really like to be entertained properly, and be provided with an exceptional service from them. The reason why women go to a place like that is to get pampered and be treated like a queen.

Treatment was okay. Very fast that it only took less than 30 minutes and I am done.

When I left the cubicle, the attendant gave me a small envelope for the tip. I don’t think it is proper to do. Most establishment don’t do that but instead it is included in the pricing or clients generously give it to them. Tipping is not required in the Philippines. It is a charitable act.

I do give gratuity especially when service and treatment were really, really good.

Those two situations (attendant and the tipping envelope) are what made me very reluctant to go back. Unfortunately, I have to. I do still have one voucher to use. Will see what will happen on my next visit.

First Impression Lasts. True! In many instances, it really is. But there is always a second chance.