Category: Views & Opinions

How to Make Your Home a Cooler Place this Summer

Things are heating up this dry season – literally. With PAGASA reporting heat indexes of up to 44.6°C in some parts of the country, the climate has officially become rather dangerous for humans. Heat exhaustion, cramps, and heat stroke are a very real and imminent threat, so it’s best to learn how to cool your home down while waiting for the season to pass.

How to Make Your Home a Cooler Place this Summer

Draw the blinds.

Keeping the blinds closed or covering your windows up with curtains limits the amount of sunlight that can come in, which means less heat overall. No, don’t worry about the breeze not getting in through the windows – what’s the point if the wind is hot, anyway? To preserve your health and wellness in this summer heat, keeping the air inside your house cool should be your priority, as this is the air that your fans will circulate within the rooms. On the flip side, pull the aforementioned blinds up at night when the sun has gone down and the temperature outside is much lower.

Use ice.

Want all the benefits of air-conditioning but hesitant about a high electricity bill? Use ice. Placing a bowl of ice, some bottles filled with frozen water, or ice packs in front of a fan cools the air passing through considerably. Stock your fridge so that you can just replenish the ice as necessary.

Stay low.

Hot air travels up, being less dense than cold air. This means that the upper part of your house will be considerably hotter compared to the lower levels. The solution therefore is simple – stay in the first floor as much as possible, and do your best to keep the air in the second floor cool by insulating the walls and floors.

Try blackout curtains, which block sunlight and naturally provide insulation to the rooms where they’re installed. A curtain in a neutral color with white plastic backing can reduce heat considerably – up to 33%.

Switch to cotton.

Cotton is a more breathable fabric than say satin, silk, or polyester. It stays much cooler, too, and doesn’t retain heat for very long. Swap your beddings out for fresh cotton sheets and brighten up the room at the same time. You can also invest in pillows filled with buckwheat, which stay much cooler due to the air that stays between the grains. You can also look into gel toppers for both your bed and gel inserts for your existing pillows. These keep you cool while you sleep, hopefully reducing the need to keep the air-conditioning turned on.

Position your fans strategically.

Most people make the mistake of placing a fan right up against a window in the hopes of bringing in the cool breeze outside indoors. This works, but it’s not the best fan placement. Instead, place your fan across the window so that you can be cooled from two directions at once – with the wind coming in from the windows, and the fan recirculating the air, creating a cross breeze. Want more airflow? Set up multiple fans around the room.

Stay away from the stove.

Cooking generates heat, obviously. In the summer months, try to minimize your cooking time to a few minutes at a time to keep the heat from building up inside the kitchen, and save your baking and roasts for cooler months, as the oven generates a huge amount of heat, too, even with the doors closed.

Additionally, unplug your rice cooker the minute it’s done cooking. Learn how to prepare recipes that are quick and easy, such as stir-fries, or forego the stove entirely and subsist on salads and other dishes that don’t need cooking.

How do you keep your home from heating up during these long summer months? Let me know! 🙂

May 24, 2018
Junior Bridesmaid Duties in Preparing for a Wedding
Have you ever been a junior bridesmaid in a friend or relative’s wedding? I had played the role of a bridesmaid and a flower girl before but never a junior bridesmaid’s. What are junior bridesmaids anyway? Junior bridesmaids are typically too young to be flower girls but not old enough to bear the responsibilities of a bridesmaid of age. As a younger person in the wedding party, she has certain responsibilities and duties similar to a traditional bridesmaid’s.

Being a part of the celebration is a real honor, and as the bride, it’s up to you to ask her to help with more than discovering the perfect bridesmaid dresses & bridesmaid gowns on Azazie. Let’s take a look at typical junior bridesmaid responsibilities in greater detail.

Junior Bridesmaid Duties in Preparing for a Wedding
1. Attending the Bridal Shower
Since the junior bridesmaid falls between the ages of 9 to 14, it isn’t typically expected to have her throw a bridal shower. It’s too much responsibility for a person so young. But, there’s nothing wrong with asking a young woman to attend the bridal shower.

While she’s there, you can also give her certain responsibilities to make her a bigger part of this event. She can help set up the shower, clean up after everyone goes home, help make party favors, and she can help with anything else that may seem like she’d be a good fit.

At the end of the day, this young woman will be so excited to be a part of the celebration. She’ll end up being your biggest asset at this event and she’ll work hard to make sure your bridal shower is an extraordinary event.
1. Choosing Sweet Treats for the Candy Buffet
If you plan to indulge your guests with a candy buffet, there’s no one better to help choose the candies and other sweet treats then a 9 to 14-year-old junior bridesmaid. She’ll have no trouble choosing the perfect sweet treats to make your gorgeous candy buffet exceptional. Plus, she can even help you design the display if she has a knack for artistic creativity.

Ask your junior bridesmaid to think about her favorite candies for this attractive display. One suggestion is for her to check out Sweet Services online and choose low-cost bulk options so you can get the biggest bang for your buck. Once she has picked out her favorites, she can tell you all about them! Afterwards, you can order them online and have them shipped directly to your door.

By approaching your candy buffet this way, you’ll have all of the ingredients for the perfect display and you’ll give your junior bridesmaid more responsibility that will make her feel like an even bigger part of the wedding. She’ll be grateful for the opportunity to help you with this important wedding responsibility.
1. Walking Down the Aisle & Standing at the Altar
Whether your wedding takes place in a church or the perfect catering hall, just know that your junior bridesmaid should be a part of everything that happening during the wedding. Let her walk down the aisle with you and the rest of the bridesmaids during the wedding procession. She should also stand at the altar with you and the rest of the wedding party as well.

Consider her a regular part of the wedding party, even though she may be a little too young for every responsibility. By approaching her role this way, she’ll be thrilled and feel more like an adult because you’re treating her like one. This will make your wedding really exciting and extra special for this amazing girl on the verge of womanhood.

Final Thoughts

If you’re having trouble determining the responsibilities of your junior bridesmaid, please take this advice seriously. Use this information to determine exactly how and where you can use this young woman to enhance your wedding and make her role extra special all at the same time.
May 23, 2018
Review of Fukuda FAWM70 7kg Fully Automatic Washing Machine

We moved into our new house last January 21, 2018. My husband, Louie, surprised me and gave me a tour like a tourist guide explaining the history and details of each “attraction.” It was the first time I saw the house after over a year of construction and interior design, although we chose the furniture and appliances when we purchased them in the stores.

Everything was complete except for the washing machine. Our clothes were all being washed by our househelpers, and we haven’t really had the time to research about washing machine specifications and find the best one for our use. If anything, what we had hoped to get is a fully-automatic washing machine that’s capable of providing heavy-duty washing and convenient drying experience. We came across the Fukuda FAWM70 (7kg) and so far, we’re happy with it. 🙂 In this post, I’m sharing the top reasons why.

Review of Fukuda FAWM70 7kg Fully Automatic Washing Machine

1. It’s a time-saving and effective appliance for handling our laundry needs.

The Fukuda FAWM70 is a 7kg fully-automatic washing machine that functions for both washing and drying clothes. It has a reliable and efficient wash motor to make sure clothes are clean all the time. It saves us time since it offers a fuss-free option without any manual intervention. The “FUZZY logic function” is an intelligent program; it can perceive the washing capacity and then set the best procedure.

It adjusts water, energy, and so on accordingly. The spin cycle function is also particularly useful as it spins out excess water and partially dries laundry so the drying time on clothes line is cut down as well. Thankfully, it washes both synthetics and cotton superbly, and its rinse and spin modes are extremely thorough.

2. The modestly-sized 7kg load capacity suits us just fine.

We tend to wash clothes about once or twice a week so this drum size is sufficient. The space-saving top loader’s drum is large enough for easy access.

3. It’s energy-efficient.

The Fukuda FAWM70 doesn’t cost the earth to run. Its wash and dry program allows us to finish the job of washing and drying clothes straight through in under an hour with one push of a button. Its energy-saving mode adjusts the cycle time based on the weight of your laundry, reducing the amount of water and electricity used. Plus, it’s equipped with the 24-hour preset, meaning you can choose to soak your laundry first then set the machine to automatically run the wash cycle after a preset time. When not in use, it powers off automatically, saving energy even more.

4. It’s easy to use.

This washing machine features a digital panel with ergonomic button design for convenient operation. It’s designed with a tempered glass lid with damper for safe and slow closing of the lid. The intuitive, user-friendly controls are a major bonus for those who rarely read instruction manuals. If you’re like me who don’t like complexity when it comes to appliances, then give this one a whirl.

Other particulars:

Voltage/Frequency : 220V / 60Hz
Input Power : 340W
Net Weight : 27kg • Gross Weight : 31kg
Dimension : 565 x 580 x 910mm

Is the worth it?

With so many models on the market, it’s hard to pick what’s right, especially with the pressure of a limited discounts window.

The Fukuda FAWM70 Fully Automatic Washing Machine ticks a lot of boxes. It can carry large loads of up to 7kg and has a quick wash time of less than an hour, making speedy washing an easy option for families or couples on the go. Given its reasonable price and great feature set, you might wonder where the catch is. But there’s no nasty surprises: it is energy-efficient, performs exceptionally well in most areas and isn’t too noisy in the process.

With a digital panel showing how much longer your washing will take and a handy program which auto-doses according to what each load needs, it’s a fully automatic washing machine to look out for. The Fukuda FAWM70 is decently priced at ₱8,990.00. Hopefully, it will last us at least 10 years. 🙂

For more information about this item and other Fukuda consumer electrical products, visit Fukuda Asia’s website at https://fukuda-asia.com/.

How to Choose the Best Washing Machine for Your Household

After months of shopping for appliances and hearing advice of different people, we’ve learned not to be tempted to choose a washing machine based on price alone. This is often a false economy and may actually end up being more expensive in the long term. A cheap machine might well use more water and electricity, take longer to wash clothes and not give the same cleaning or stain-removing performance of pricier models.

If you’re not exactly sure which features are right for you, get help from the local manufacturer, store representatives, or local support center of different brands. Energy consumption, spin speed, drum size, wash modes, special features, and ease of use are factors to consider. Ask for a buying guide and they’ll take you through absolutely everything you need to know about buying a washing machine, so that you can make a confident decision and be happy with your choice.

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March 13, 2018
GuavaPass Manila: My Experience PLUS Review of 5 Studio Partners
This is my second month on GuavaPass, and so far, the experience has been great. In case you haven’t heard about it yet, GuavaPass is the largest social community of premium fitness studios and healthy-living experts in Asia. The monthly membership gives access to search, book, and enjoy fitness classes at the top studio and healthy living perks across Asia. Yes, not only in the Philippines!

My Experience with GuavaPass

It was in November when I first subscribed to GuavaPass lite (P499 for four classes). I just wanted to try the fitness program and get to know more about how it works. I like the concept of not having to pay for gym and fitness center memberships. The financial burden and pressure of going to class to maximize the annual or semi-annual cost can easily add up to stress.

GuavaPass gives users the ability to “hop” from one studio to another with ease and without the requirement of purchasing multiple packages from each. Don’t like a class or a studio? Drop it and book another class next time, easy peasy. There’s no need to commit to one studio!

Signing Up and Booking Classes

To register, you need to create a GuavaPass account and choose your class package to subscribe to. A Class Package allows users to take a certain number of classes across different studios. All classes must be used within their designated timeframe or they will expire.

Once the classes are all used up before the expiration dates, you can buy an additional class package to keep on sweating! The number of times you may visit a studio varies depending on the Class Package and will be noted on the billing page before you purchase. Booking multiple classes in advance is accepted, which is great to get you motivated for the week ahead.

It took me only a couple of minutes to complete the sign-up and booking process and settle into the groove. I paid using my credit card online, viewed the studio partners, the activities available in the neighborhood, and booked my first classes.

GuavaPass Variety of Classes

There are so many classes to choose from, and the large variety can be overwhelming. I usually filter them based on schedule (time is after work hours during weekdays and in the morning on weekends) and location (always Quezon City since my home and office are both in QC). Booking of classes can be done through the website or via the GuavaPass mobile app. Both interfaces and navigation are intuitive and user-friendly.

Activities covered in the membership include cycling, circuit training, CrossFit, personal training, parkour, martial arts, pole dancing, Zumba, gymnastics, barre, yoga, Pilates and meditation, along with classes for soon-to-be or new mothers. Once you know your favorite classes, it’s a matter of building up a routine that you’re comfortable with.

Cross-Country Use

If you’re a frequent traveler and one who’s into workout and fitness, GuavaPass is best for you. Once you’re subscribed to GuavaPass, you have access to all the fitness partners where GuavaPass is available. Their current locations outside of Manila are: Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Phuket, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei. You can’t “pause” your membership so it’s better to take advantage of your subscription whenever and wherever you can.

GuavaPass Manila’s Studio Partners

GuavaPass is definitely for someone who like switching gyms after two weeks and try diverse classes. You’re guaranteed to find a handful of activities and studio partners you’ll love.

Currently, GuavaPass Manila has partnered with 65 studios. These include: 360 Fitness Club Manila (Circuit Training / HIIT, Core, Dance, Martial Arts, Yoga), Archery 1O1 (Sports), Beast House Pole And Aerial Dance Studio (Dance, Pole / Aerial, Zumba), Beyond Yoga (Anlene, Circuit Training / HIIT, Dance, Pole / Aerial, Yoga, Zumba), Stardance Elite Pole, Dance & Aerial Arts Studio (Dance, Pilates, Pole / Aerial) and many more.

As you continue to return to specific studios, the trainers will begin to recognize you and will actually cater to your specific fitness needs, which makes for an incredibly challenging and fun workout.

Review of 5 Studio Partners

1. Studio: Yoga Tree Manila (Unit A312, 3F Eastwood Mall, 116 Eastwood Avenue, Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City)

Class: Bikram Yoga

Date: Thu, Nov 16

Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Yoga Tree Manila is very convenient. It’s walking distance away from our office. It was my first time to attend a class using my GuavaPass membership. I mentioned my name and “GuavaPass” to the counter and they immediately acknowledged me to join the class. I brought my own yoga mat (rental fee is P50) and towel (rental fee is P50). Amenities of the studio include: showers, changing area, bottled water (for sale), bathroom.

The yoga instructor started with a briefing and she told me the background and description of Bikram Yoga. It’s a set program of yoga popularized in the 1970s by Bikram Choudhury. The class runs for 90 minutes and consists of the same series of 26 postures, including two breathing exercises. The room is always heated to 40 °C (104 °F) with a humidity of 40%.

Bikram yoga is a dialogue-lead class. The instructor, unlike other dance classes I attended, didn’t actively do the poses in front for us to copy. Instead, she just verbally told us what to do next and reminded us to keep breathing through the nose. As a beginner, I looked at the other people in the room beside me to check if I was doing alright.

Overall, Bikram yoga is painful but satisfying. It involves a lot of stretches and the health benefits are that it detoxifies the body (open pores to let toxins out), thins the blood to clear the circulatory system, increases heart rate for better cardiovascular workout, improves strength by putting muscle tissue in optimal state for reorganization, and reorganizes the lipids (fat) in the muscular structure. In an ideal class, everyone moves together and the energy becomes cumulative hence stronger practice.

2. Studio: yoga+ Ortigas (Level 4 The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong)

Class: Yin Yoga

Date: Sun, Nov 19

Time: 10:00am – 11:00am

yoga+ in Ortigas is a “healthy” space that’s very much suitable for yoga practice. They have special flooring in the yoga room to provide traction during classes. This provides practitioners with the right amount of support for the feet but at the same time, give enough cushion to prevent bruised knees and elbows. It’s also environmental friendly since it’s made from recycled materials that is non-toxic even in a heated environment.

Compared to Bikram Yoga, Yin Yoga was more challenging for me mentally and physically. It’s a slow-paced style of yoga with postures, or asanas, that are held for longer periods of time (from 45 seconds to two minutes, to five minutes or more). A regular Yin Yoga practice can calm and balance the mind and body, reduce stress and anxiety, increase circulation, improves flexibility, release fascia, improve joint mobility, and improve the flow of chi or prana through meridian stimulation.

Yin Yoga is certainly the opposite of dynamic yoga I’m accustomed to. Emotions, thoughts, and feeling have to be kept in the shadows. The principle is to stress the tissue so the body will respond by strengthening it. We started with a quiet meditation and breathing exercises. We were seated most of the time, and the poses targeted mostly the knees, pelvis, sacrum, and spine. My feet and my back hurt a lot, and I was silently hoping for the class to be finished sooner! 🙂

Yin Yoga was a struggle for me, and I wouldn’t want to try it again next time. Haha! Despite this, I love the ambiance and amenities at yoga+ Ortigas. This gym focuses on journey and self-improvement and the beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows is the perfect environment to begin your Yoga journey.

Bringing of your own yoga mat is not necessary; there’s no need to rent. This studio has high quality Manduka mats which are made from recycled, non-toxic materials. The use of yoga and bath towels and shower toiletries are also included in the package. An alkaline water dispenser is available for everyone’s use. I came with a water bottle and in yoga clothes. Everything was all set!

3. Studio: Beyond Yoga Greenhills (333 P. Guevarra Corner N Averilla Street, San Juan)

Class: Zumba & Anti-Gravity Yoga

Date: Fri, Dec 08 & Thu, Dec 28

Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Beyond is the biggest full-service yoga studio chain in the Philippines. Beyond Yoga in Greenhills has a spacious interior, offering a variety of classes which aim to teach people the basics and foundation of yoga. It combines traditional yoga practice with soothing music and dynamic movements.

Beyond Yoga Greenhills is a good studio for beginners and experts alike. There were mirrors on the front and back so we could see everyone’s movements. The room was cleaned before the class started and afterwards. Changing area and bathroom were also tidy and neat.

I tried to Zumba, a Latin-inspired dance fitness program, which incorporates hip-hop, samba, salsa, merengue, cumbia, mambo, reggaeton, soca, flamenco, chachacha, tango and some belly dancing and bhangra. It’s more like aerobics with a contagious blend of Latin and international rhythms. We had a great session. I had fun and perspired a bit after the one-hour dance. The Zumba instructor was approachable, well experienced, and energetic. My classmates were all regulars and members of Beyond Yoga who have become friends.

On another day, I tried anti-gravity yoga and fell completely in love with it. Thank goodness, I was alone in the class and the instructor was super helpful in showing me how to do the inverted poses. Anti-gravity yoga basically makes use of the huge silk hammock to help with the stretches and do various poses. I managed to do four inverted aerial yoga poses. My face was flush red while hanging upside down but I was fine. The feeling was glorious! This type of yoga should be skipped though if you’re pregnant, have heart failure, defined spinal problems, or glaucoma.

4. Studio: PlanaFORMA (3rd Floor, Il Terrazzo, Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

Activity: Barre

Class: Upgraded! Forma CORE+

Date: Sun, Dec 10

Time: 9:00am – 10:00am

Plana FORMA is a barre technique that is an exciting synergy of dance, pilates and yoga. This studio, named after the workout, features barre classes that are ever-challenging. It charges P30 for locker rental and P20 for towel rental. Non-slip socks are required to take the class. I didn’t have non-slip socks so I bought a pair at the studio at P350.

Upgraded! Forma CORE+ is a high-impact workout that pushes yourself to your limit. It targets and tones those hard to reach areas such as the arms, abs, seat and thighs using ones own bodyweight as the point of resistance. The pace was moderate to fast, high-intensity all throughout with recovery stretches at the end.

The techniques were dynamic and highly rewarding. I could feel my muscles burning every minute as we lifted weights, did serious stretches, and performed basic but repeated exercises like jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, calf raises, crunches, squats, etc. Completing the class really felt like winning a battle. I was so happy when it was through!

5. Studio: Beyond Yoga Quezon City (3rd Floor, Il Terrazzo, Tomas Morato, Quezon City)

Activity: Yoga

Class: Vinyasa 1

Date: Wed, Dec 27

Time: 7:30pm – 8:45pm
Beyond Yoga QC is on the same floor as PlanaFORMA in Il Terrazo so I decided to visit it another day. Out of all yoga routines, Vinyasa yoga is the most familiar to me since I had practiced it several times before when I was active in Fitness First.

In Vinyasa yoga classes, students coordinate movement with breath to flow from one pose to the next. The poses are fast-paced and are linked to an inhale and an exhale. The instructor kept the flow of movements smooth and continuous, which helped us stay present during the session.

Like in Beyond Yoga Greenhills, the changing area in Beyond Yoga QC looked clean. Lockers, yoga mats, and shower areas are available without additional cost. This studio is accessible to residents of QC since it’s located at the heart of Tomas Morato. Despite being a full class, there was a silence rule as soon as you entered the room which everyone observed and lead to a very calming experience. The instructor gave clear instructions and paid extra-attention to newbies. After the class, the lights stayed off; practicing yoga here is a brilliant way to de-stress after a long day of work.

Wrap Up: GuavaPass Pros and Cons

Pros:

Vast selection of activities – This ranges from martial arts and yoga to crossfit, indoor cycling, and running. Whatever you choose, make sure it helps you to focus on achieving your fitness goals in the most fun, efficient, and safest way possible!

Easy to navigate – The site is one of the easiest to work around and to keep track on your progress.

Convenience factor – GuavaPass memebership includes classes in all studio partners in the Philippines and any of the affiliated countries, as mentioned above. This allows you to continue your fitness journey even when travelling.

Informative class details – Each class is explained before you sign up, so you can select something suited to your personal preference. The worst thing is walking in and realizing you’ve signed up to something you hate. Finding classes is also easy. Once you book the class, the address details are clear and linked to GoogleMaps.

Give as gift – Give your friends and family the ultimate gift of a healthy lifestyle. Two gift packages are available: GuavaPass 4 Class Package Gift (P1099) and GuavaPass 1 month Unlimited Gift (P1949).

Engage and socialize – You can take classes rather than working out alone. If you can find a fitness training buddy, the experience is made even more enjoyable. You won’t feel as self-conscious and you will be more encouraged to work out.

Professional guidance – It’s like subscribing to a gym membership but without commitment. Whether you’re new to exercise or looking to kick it up a notch, GuavaPass studio partners give you access to professional guidance.

Cons:

No renewal warning – If you only want to sign up for a certain period, be sure to cancel in advance as direct debit payment comes out without warning before your month is over.

Limited credit per studio per month – I could only book one studio once a month in the package I’m subscribed to. This means that I could not attend a class in any same participating studio in the same month.

Unused classes don’t roll over – If you only take three of your four classes in a month, you don’t get the one credit carried over to the next month.

With all things considered, I would recommend GuavaPass to anyone who’s looking to get fit or get back into shape, those wanting more choice and versatility in their fitness regimen, and those looking for good value for money. Want an exclusive discount on your first month of membership? Click here to use my referral code!

Do you use GuavaPass? Let me know what your experience is in the comments below! I would love to hear how the service is treating you. 😉
December 28, 2017

Review and Ratings of Our Wedding Suppliers (Manila, Philippines)

Choosing your wedding suppliers can be tricky. Discerning the excellent ones from the mediocre can be frustrating, but once done right, it’s another step closer to a memorable wedding day. With proper planning, research, and a solid plan, getting the right supplier or vendor can be a fun and exciting experience. We’ve done our research well and interacted with them enough by phone, email, and personal meetups to make sure we would be comfortable working with them and know their style months leading up to the big day.

Here are their names, contact information, and what we have to say about their services. If you’re planning a wedding, these might serve as a good reference.

Review and Ratings of Our Wedding Suppliers

1. Church

Vendor Name	San Agustin Church
Contact Name	Ms. Belen / Ms. Nora
Contact Number	(02) 527 2746
Address	General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila
Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/pg/Church.SanAgustin/about/?ref=page_internal
Description	San Agustin Church is the Philippine’s oldest church, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. It was built in 1571 and was destroyed by a fire twice (in 1574 and 1583). In 1993, San Agustin Church was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
Review and Remarks	San Agustin Church is our first and best option since it’s near our reception venue and hotel and it’s one of the most beautiful churches in Manila. Fortunately, the slot was available for our auspicious wedding date and time. Transactions and guidelines were smooth and efficient. The wedding package at San Agustin Church is one of the most expensive in Manila but it offers a good value for money. It included the wedding mass and marriage ceremony, flower decorations, royal red carpet, organist and singer, usher and usherettes, altar servers, industrial fans, parking lot for 40 cars, documentation and registration of marriage contract, and stipend for the priest officiating the ceremony. In addition, we also availed of the opening of the doors. The priest in our wedding ceremony had a clear voice and the homily was not boring. However, he could not pronounce my name right the many names he attempted. It was one of the things that injected some humor during the event. It was just sad that the church office staff told us prior that rental of Iwata coolers from external suppliers was allowed. On the wedding day, the fans were delivered but were prohibited to be used without a generator which wasn’t mentioned to us before. We already spent thousands for six units and those were only put to waste. The church coordinators are strict with the photo taking and also strict with time allotted. If you think you need more time for the ceremonial mass and photo-ops, try booking for two slots (two hours) instead but that would entail paying twice the cost. There were too many tourists outside and people going in and out of the church can’t be controlled. We visited yesterday to attend the wedding of our friend and they already have a large sign stating that tourists could not enter while a wedding is ongoing.
Rating	4/5

2. Reception Venue and Food

Vendor Name	Century Park Hotel & Century Seafood Restaurant
Contact Person	Reagan See / Ervin See
Contact Number	Reagan – 09178081010, Ervin – 0917-8918773
Email Address	seereagan@gmail.com, ervin_see@yahoo.com
Website/Facebook Page	http://www.centuryseafood.com/index.php/welcome/contact https://www.facebook.com/centuryparkhotelmanila.officialpage/
Description	Century Seafood Restaurant has been operating for more than 30 years now alongside with their loyal employees and Hong Kong chefs.
Review and Remarks	There’s no doubt about it. Century Seafood Restaurant is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Manila. We did not have food tasting; we’re sure that they’d provide authentic high quality Chinese-Cantonese food. Our guests were happy and satisfied with the food selection and tastes. We selected a pre-made set menu for their events and occasions and suggested to change only one of the items. We requested for the food to be served at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom where the reception was held, at no additional charge. Everything turned out fine and without hassle. The venue layout was sent to us early so communication with our event stylist and on-the-day wedding coordinator was also clear.
Rating	5/5

3. Hotel

Contact Person	Century Park Hotel
Contact Number	(02) 528-8888
Email Address	reservation@centurypark.com.ph
Website/Facebook Page	http://www.centurypark.com/rooms/
Review and Remarks	We booked two rooms in Century Park Hotel for two nights. One room is a suite where my family and I stayed the night before the wedding. It was also where the hair and makeup and pictorial sessions were held in the morning, and the place where some of our relatives and some friends were staged while they’re waiting for the reception to commence. The suite was equipped with the essentials we needed for a flawless stay. The area was spacious to accommodate more than 30 people to sit and chat around. The other room was where the groom stayed the night before the wedding. It was designed with a touch of simplicity with practical amenities and modern furnishing as well. It’s convenient for us to stay in the same hotel as the reception venue, so we would not have to travel far and drive long after the celebration.
Rating	5/5

4. Photographer

Vendor Name	East Digital Studio
Contact Person	Anthony Magana
Contact Number	0977 821 5301
Email Address	eastdigital@gmail.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/eastdigitalstudio/ http://eastdigitalstudio.org/wedding/index.html
Address	Unit 178F NDH Energy Gas/7-11, Sandoval Ave., Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City
Review and Remarks	Everything agreed in the contract was followed and we were constantly in contact with East Digital Studio team from our prenup photoshoot in Bali, Indonesia to the actual wedding day. We had vital pre-wedding warm-up sessions to practice our poses and facial expressions, and we appreciated that our main photographer’s friendly disposition, seemingly infinite supply of energy and undeniable sense of fun allowed us to relax in his company and be our true selves in front of the lens. Anthony Magana’s effort in photo editing is tremendous especially for printed photo formats. However, turnaround time may be longer. I thought the quality of photos was okay but lacked the real “wow” factor that we expected. What’s commendable was that their team arrived early on the day and was really careful about giving us all the space without missing any important moments.
Rating	4/5

5. Videographer

Vendor Name	Photogenics
Contact Person	Tony Lee
Contact Number	0917 868 0506, 0925 888 7848
Email Address	tony_lee4478@yahoo.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/PhotogenicsStudios http://www.photogenicsstudios.com/
Review and Remarks	Photogenics was able to capture the true essence and feeling of our wedding day, and we could not rate them any higher. From the pre-wedding teaser, full prenup video, and same-day edit (SDE) video, the quality of their output was outstanding. I love their journalism style plus special effects. Their team also has great enthusiasm and passion to shine. They’re a pleasure to work with.
Rating	5/5

6. Wedding Coordinator

Vendor Name	SMA Weddings and Beyond
Contact Person	Sheena Lopez
Contact Number	0915 772 7590
Email Address	director_smaweddings@yahoo.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/smaweddingsandbeyond/ https://smaweddingsandbeyond.com/
Review and Remarks	We’re very happy with how SMA Weddings and Beyond showcased their professionalism. Sheena and her staff were all friendly, approachable, and helpful. They covered the entire wedding without any big hiccups. We had over 700 guests and we were not at all stressed out about anything. Sheena is a top-notch coordinator and we’re incredibly lucky to have had her. She made us feel like everything was 100% under control. She also respected our inputs and provided advice based on experience. She managed to collect all the wedding passes for our suppliers and coordinated with them before and after the wedding proper for the disbursement of our final payment as well. Can’t recommend her enough! There was one helper each assigned to be with the groom and bride in case we needed them to attend to anything. One of the staff helped iron my wedding dress and made some last-minute improvisation to the dress (sewed up the long-back tail) for me to be able to dance well. My eyes were getting dried up because I was wearing contact lenses longer than usual, and he immediately came to the rescue and gave me soft contact lens drops. He’s like godsend.
Rating	5/5

7. Host/Emcee

Vendor Name	Sherine Ann Koa
Contact Person	Sherine Ann Koa
Contact Number	0917 949 9096
Email Address	e.sherinekoa@gmail.com
Review and Remarks	Sherine did an awesome job hosting our wedding reception. We’re confident we made the right choice! She kept the party flowing and followed the sequence as planned. She has great communication skills as she was able to host in English, Chinese-Mandarin, and Chinese-Fookien naturally. She’s also a good singer and sang three Chinese songs as we requested. We met her only twice before the wedding to discuss and finalize the order of activities. We strung together a timeline and she contributed good ideas for the games.
Rating	5/5

8. Florist and Styling

Vendor Name	Dangwa Florist
Contact Person	Arleen Manlangit
Contact Number	(02) 7089318, (02) 9846480, 0920 606 5775
Email Address	dangwaflorist@yahoo.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/Dangwaflorist/ http://www.dangwaflorist.com/
Review and Remarks	From the moment we met Arleen in the wedding expo, she was a like a breath of fresh air buzzing with energy and fantastic ideas about styling and flowers. She gave us a really good rate for the package and their team delivered more than what we expected. We just chose pegs from pictures of their past events, and the colors and output perfectly matched our ideas. The flowers were freshly delivered to our hotel in the morning and were properly labelled (for the church, for the entourage, the bridal car, the bridal bouquet, etc.). The team began to set up in the reception venue just in time (60 round tables, long presidential table, partial ceiling draping, stage table, stage backdrop, cake table, arch in the entrance, reception table). Dangwa Florist’s expertise and experience in handling big events is exceptional. Money well spent! Tip: Remind them of their deliverables as they have the tendency to forget some details prior the actual day. They’re quite responsive to calls and they make the necessary adjustments quickly.
Rating	4.5/5

9. Music and Entertainment

Vendor Name	Velvet Mood
Contact Person	Edwin Silangcruz
Contact Number	09179218062 / 09266204633 / 09179201620
Email Address	velvetmusicale@yahoo.com, velvetmusicale@gmail.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/edwin.silangcruz
Review and Remarks	Louie found Velvet Mood in forums as it received praises from other wedding couples as well. We were provided with links of their performances on YouTube videos and we liked them. Their jazz sextet was great. The vocalists received a lot of compliments from guests. This shortly explains how they managed to create the perfect mood with tunes people recognize and enjoy. The best thing was that we did not have to worry about the number of songs and song choices. They performed unlimited songs throughout the party and we just gave them a short list of songs we preferred. Velvet Mood also participated during a “Singing Bee” contest which we held as games during the reception.
Rating	5/5

10. Lights and Sounds

Vendor Name	JL Sound System
Contact Person	James and Melvin Lim
Contact Number	0917 897 8684, 0917 537 4600, 0922 896 8988
Email Address	msylim88@yahoo.com.ph
Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/JL-Mobile-SOUND-lights-and-audio-rentals-767780473337313/
Review and Remarks	When it comes to Chinese weddings, JL Lights & Sounds is one the most prominent lights & sounds supplier. It’s the dad’s of Michael Lim (fashionpulis). They’re considered the expert in the service and they’re able to give out reasonable packages to clients. James and Melvin are easy to talk to but they’re quite hard to reach through mobile phone (maybe because they’re too busy). I didn’t have working knowledge on the specifications of a sound and light system that’s required in events. We just trusted that the rented units (plus laptops and LED walls) would suffice and we would be assisted as necessary. We didn’t encounter any booboos with JL, and the price we paid already included the hotel electricity fee.
Rating	5/5

11. Hair and Makeup

Vendor Name	JAD Makeup Atelier
Contact Person	Joy Antillon Dayag
Contact Number	0927 715 6643
Email Address	joyantillon30@yahoo.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/jadmakeupatelier/
Review and Remarks	We got their promo package which included airbrush makeup for the bride and moms, grooming for the groom, traditional makeup for four people and one flower girl. They also styled our hair (free hair accessory for the bride) and did unlimited makeup retouch plus a second look for hair and makeup on the reception. My mom was very particular with the kind of hairstyle they’d do for me and they were able to execute well according to the peg provided. I liked the simple and natural look of bridal makeup. The products used were of good quality and my skin did not break out afterwards. However, the eyeliner wasn’t budge-proof. My eyes were blackened even before the wedding ceremony started. Joy’s assistant helped to get rid of the smudges but it took a while to enhance the look and bring it back to perfection. The mascara and false eyelashes smeared and flaked off after the wedding. Since they weren’t the most reliable, I opted to remove them before the reception. Else, it was difficult to see things clearly with something that was like blocking my vision. JAD Makeup Atelier was responsive and worked on comments and suggestions from the other members of my entourage who had their makeup on.
Rating	4/5

12. Dance Choreographers

Contact Person	John and Aimee Sicat
Contact Number	0927 313 3398
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/Di.johnsicat/
Review and Remarks	My mom found John Sicat through OLX and chose him because he’s staying Binondo just near our home. John is an experienced professional dancer and he’s also teaching dance choreography in a TV network. He teaches jazz, hiphop, modern, retro, contemporary, Zumba, swing, tango, ballroom, cotillion, and first dance in weddings. We met for three practice sessions and completed a four-minute dance. They also did the song remix for the father and daughter dance and the bride and groom’s first dance. They chose the songs for our approval and edited some parts of the music to fit the choreography as well. Total is four songs. The husband-and-wife team of John Sicat was great. They’re friendly and nice, and they showed a strong sense of professionalism. They’re creative with variations of dance moves which would be suitable for us.
Rating	5/5

13. Wedding Bands

Vendor Name	Diamond with Love
Contact Person	Ali Eclipse
Contact Number	(02) 404 5348 / 0939 926 7345 / 0908 812 1099
Address	UG49 Cityland Dela Rosa Condominium, Dela Rosa St., Brgy. Pio Del Pilar, Makati City
Email Address	diamondwithlove@yahoo.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/DiamondWithLove/
Review and Remarks	Diamond with Love Jewelry Shop is a dream project of husband and wife Ali and Joan Eclipse. They customize engagement rings, wedding rings, and jewelry with diamond setting. They have a lot of design options and also suggested ones that fit us. Our wedding rings were made with premium look and simple but elegant design. Diamond with Love Jewelry Shop offers lifetime cleaning service with convenience. They also provided us with diamond certificate and lifetime warranty with one free ring resize to ensure quality ring for life with care.
Rating	5/5

14. Invitation Cards

Vendor Name	Global Invitations
Contact Person	Che
Contact Number	(02) 353-9757, (02) 666-5883, 0932 728 3597, 0918 403 3939, 0939 920 4299
Email Address	global_ventures@ymail.com
Address	9 Kaliraya Street, Quezon City, Philippines
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/globalinvitations/
Review and Remarks	Our wedding invitation has several pages for English and Chinese. I gave out all the details and also typed the Chinese characters for them to copy. The layout came out nice and simple as we wanted. There were a few mistakes on the draft but overall, they did a good job. We sent over 500 wedding invitation cards and all were produced and delivered in time. The quality of paper and envelopes used was also crisp, thick, and presentable.
Rating	5/5

15. Garments

Suits

Vendor Name	King’s Albert
Review and Remarks	We arranged two days for King’s Albert to take note of the body measurements and sizes of the groom, groomsmen and secondary sponsors. After less than two weeks, the suits and pants were done and they fitted perfectly.
Rating	5/5

Gowns

Vendor Name	Kryzet Bridal Collection in 168 Mall
Contact Person	Agnes
Contact Number	0926 553 6166
Review and Remarks	There are several bridal gown stalls in 168 Mall but what made me choose Kryzet Bridal Collection was that Agnes, the attendant/consultant, explained to us on how they produce tailor-made couture-style gowns from boning to hems and bustles. The owner used to work for popular Filipino wedding gown designer Francis Libiran, so we could expect almost the same quality and nice design without having to break the bank. I printed pages of design pegs from online sites and was impressed with their craftsmanship. There were a few alterations with the size since I gained a few pounds three months after the time they noted my body measurements. My wedding dress arrived cleanly packaged with the accessories and double petticoats for a fuller effect. The stitching was very clean. The interior had great boning and the corset and crinoline were well done. For my bridesmaids, maid of honor, and secondary sponsors, I was also happy that their dresses were custom-fitted. The designs were based on Yesstyle.com. The custom elements including hand-stitched lacework, straps, and sequins used to complete the dresses were all pretty good.
Rating	4.5/5

16. Bridal Car

Vendor Name	Royal Carriages
Contact Person	Michael De Castro
Contact Number	(02) 890-3252
Email Address	royalcarriagesph@gmail.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCarriagesPH/ http://royalcarriagesph.com
Review and Remarks	Royal Carriages Auto Restoration was founded in the 1980s as one of the three companies owned by the late Architect CC de Castro. It’s a vintage car service provider for weddings, commercials, movies and photoshoots. We rented a vintage white car with a driver for six hours. We exceeded the time (because of traffic going to reception), and they did not charge us extra fees.
Rating	5/5

17. Photo Booth

Vendor Name	Photoman
Contact Person	Geronimo
Contact Number	(02) 355 2739
Email Address	support@photoman.ph
Website/Facebook Page	http://photoman.ph/ https://www.facebook.com/photomanph/
Review and Remarks	Instead of the usual photo booth, we acquired the service of roving photo men to capture best moments during the wedding reception. We had over 700 guests, and it would be a waste of time for them to queue up to get their photos taken. The photo men went table to table and also took pictures of us on the stage and on the dance floor. The PhotoMan is a photographer with two printers mounted on his back. We had two photo men who instantly printed the photos and gave them to the guests. We then could physically see and hold the memories in our hands and also view them on Facebook a few days later. What’s also very unique with their offering was that they allowed unlimited printing of pictures just as we requested for them even after the event—for free. The design of the photo pages was customized for us in line with the theme of the event. They produced a combination of real time captures layered with artwork which set the mood which was distinctively ours. Excellent service! Our guests were very satisfied.
Rating	5/5

Here’s the link to the photo album on Facebook.

18. Cake

Vendor Name	Hearts and Bells
Contact Person	Donna Caleja
Contact Number	(02) 938-4046, (02) 242-0599, 0917 537 9388, 0922 866 9777
Email Address	inquiry.heartsnbells@gmail.com
Website/Facebook Page	https://www.facebook.com/heartsnbells/ http://www.heartsnbells.com/
Review and Remarks	Hearts and Bells specializes in custom-made wedding and birthday cakes that have been received with much delight by discriminating couples and celebrants. Since they’re located in Binondo (near our home), it’s easy to communicate with them and reach their showroom and store. We chose the design based on a booklet of the cakes they designed. Our wedding cake was made with red velvet and chocolate chiffon that was delicious. Other flavor choices available were banana, carrot, and vanilla. The cake tasted the same as we first tried it, without being too sugary or oily. It turned out moist, fluffy, and an absolute delight. We definitely recommend!
Rating	5/5

Wrap Up

Choosing the best wedding supplier requires time. Don’t feel pressured and just book the first supplier you stumble upon that you like the look of. Do check out as many websites as possible and ask friends who are already married for recommendations and referrals. Make a shortlist of all the suppliers that really stand out and meet potential ones face to face. Check out samples of their work and when there’s time, get a trial run of hair and makeup, cake, printouts of invitation, etc. It’s your special day! You want the best suppliers that will go the extra mile.

If you have questions on the supplier information and budgetary costs, comment down below and let me know. 🙂

October 16, 2017

3 Lessons Learned While Wedding Planning

I’m not one of those brides who almost hold an honorary degree in hot mess while planning their wedding. In contrast, I was just calm about the whole process and we managed to knock out the entire wedding plan to the last detail in just a few months. Being a complete perfectionist is a recipe for insanity, so we didn’t completely go that route but had fun deciding priorities and working them out.

In this post, I’ll be sharing the things I learned while we were planning our wedding as a reference to brides and grooms-to-be and as a way of documenting my reflection. Today marks 1 year 6 months and 18 days since we got started with our DIY wedding planning. I look back on our wedding day with amazing memories. There were a few misses, but these were heavily outweighed by the good and were nothing in comparison to the overall success of our celebration with friends and family.

3 Lessons Learned While Wedding Planning

1. Know what you want and get your plans executed right.

Planning a wedding is not as easy as pie, but it’s doable even if you’re still working full-time in your respective day jobs or businesses, if you have a plan and keep at it. Both Louie and I are wired with an achiever mentality and a desire for efficiency. Even while planning our wedding, this was very apparent.

On our first two months of preparation, we went to at least three bridal fairs to book services at a discount and met with our suppliers during the weekends. All the major details were done and decided for on the third month, so we had the time to slow down and take off our “superman/superwoman” cape in all the days remaining before our wedding day.

The key is to have a solid plan, a checklist of items, thoroughly agree on the specifications of requirements with suppliers, and exchange approval signatures in the contract to secure deals. Giving constant reminders and follow-ups are also important.

2. Get support from family and friends when needed.

Balancing wedding preparations with work and my personal life did not tire us out. This was not only because of our fast head-start and diligence in taking notes down, but also because we had a great support system. Doing it on my own would have been nearly impossible.

I can’t express enough how thankful I was to have my mom step in and help me address the gowns for the entourage and garments for the primary sponsors. She had to go to the stall in 168 where we had the dresses made several times to check up on progress and accommodate the fitting of the entourage. She also managed to do the paperwork (documents needed for marriage) and guided us through the steps and actions we needed to take.

3. Simplify wherever you can.

I love working on details, especially those that demand attention. However, right from the start, I also learned from others not to get lost too much in the details and lose sight of the spirit you want to create. Hence, in every idea, ask if there’s any way it can be made simpler.

Napkins on the reception table, wedding favors and souvenirs, cake decorations, types of flowers, menu cards, and guestbook designs—are some examples of things that won’t be remembered too long after the event. Let these things fall to the wayside and just focus on those that have greater value. What guests will care about for the most part would be the food, ambiance, entertainment, the ways you make them feel welcome and the very spirit of the wedding day. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

In our case, we spent the most time choosing the best wedding vendors who would make all our plans come to life and bring our dream wedding to reality. And they did. 🙂 The second part of this post covers my review and rating of the suppliers we worked with. Click here.

I hope you’ve found this post helpful! If you have any questions, please do let us know in the comments. Have you got any more advice or tips when planning a wedding or choosing or working with wedding vendors? I’d also love to hear from you.

October 16, 2017
Our Experience at Bangkok Float Center (Thailand’s Largest & Most Advanced Float Center)
My husband Louie has been mentioning about floating for several months now. He was very psyched when he discovered that there’s a float center in Manila. Unfortunately, after contacting them, we learned that it’s temporarily closed as it will be moving to another location from Makati. Since we were going to Bangkok to attend a friend’s wedding, we looked for available float centers online and actually found Bangkok Float Center in Show DC Mall.

We booked via Gowabi and were lucky to even had scored a good discount. Bangkok Float Center is in the heart of Bangkok at SHOW DC Entertainment Mall. Bangkok’s first retail and entertainment mega-complex. In this post, I’ll talk about what floating is, the benefits of floating, what to expect, some tips, and all about our unique experience. So, what is it really like to float in a sensory-deprivation tank?

Our Experience at Bangkok Float Center (Thailand’s Largest & Most Advanced Float Center)

We went to Bangkok Float Center on our first day in Thailand. The experience was smooth and we had a good interaction with the friendly and eloquent staff. With a serene spa-like reception, the ambiance of the float center was really nice and zen-like. Its facilities were easily accessible and convenient for use throughout our stay. Outside the treatment rooms, there’s a nice sitting area with water and tea for refreshments and hydration.

What is floating?

The way I see it, floating is the perfect opportunity to disconnect from devices, detach from both the physical and digital worlds, and just connect with yourself. It is a water therapy product originating from Dr. John Lilly from the USA in the 1950’s that’s designed to aid total relaxation of body and mind by taking the effort out of floating on water. I think you’ll get a similar experience by floating in the sea, as salt water is denser than freshwater. However, floating mindlessly in the sea carries the risk of being taken away from shore by an outgoing tide. Whoops! As float is designed to be used in a swimming pool, it’s likely to be a safer alternative.

Floating weightlessly is such a cool experience because it lets the mind drift into the deepest state of relaxation possible. The ultra-deep relaxation of floating “resets” the body’s hormonal and metabolic balance, strengthening resistance to and accelerating recovery from the effects of stress, illness, injury or strenuous exercise. It allows you to be free from all sensation of gravity, temperature, touch, sight and sound.

Inside the tank, there’s 600 kilograms of Epsom salt added to 1000 liters of water, creating a 30-cm deep solution heated to 35.5 degrees Celsius. The skin-temperature liquid is just good enough for the body to be “in peace” with the water. This means that once you’re settled inside, it will be virtually impossible to distinguish between parts of the body that are in contact with the water and those that aren’t.

What are the physical benefits of floating?

Since we’re first timers, we had a guided orientation about floating. All our questions were answered before we entered our private Dreampod rooms. The staff of Bangkok Float Center explained the floating process and mentioned that there are several good health benefits of floating primarily because of the magnesium content from the Epsom salt that’s absorbed by the skin. Magnesium is a mineral that helps relieve constipation, relax muscle tension, and promote calmness and peaceful relaxation in the body.

Unlike lying on a mattress, lying in water allows blood to flow freely all throughout the body. There’s no need to readjust your position to get comfortable. Floating also helps improve circulation, increase distribution of oxygen and nutrients, reduce blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and oxygen consumption, and many more. If you have a difficulty falling into deep sleep, this may be the answer to your problem.

What feeling to expect?

In the first 10-15 minutes, it’s normal to feel uncomfortable and have a hard time finding a good position for the body and head. It’s also normal to feel strain in the neck. The key is to relax your head and let the water support it, focus on breathing, forget you’re in a float pod, let go of control, and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness. Many floaters report a feeling of total relaxation comparable to an intense yoga or meditation session. Some people fall into sleep, and it’s totally safe.

Contained in a totally private room for maximum comfort, the Dreampod can be left open for those who are claustrophobic, and the lights can stay on for those who are afraid or feel uneasy in the dark. There are buttons inside to adjust the light and sound/music. I preferred complete darkness (even when eyes were opened) so I turned the lights off and closed the tank. There was no visual input and no audible input. I heard nothing inside but my own stomach growling a few times and my heartbeat. I thought my brain slowed down and took a break. Time meant nothing; the hour didn’t feel too long or short. For a moment, there’s nothing to worry about.

The water in the tank felt slippery, but after a while, it couldn’t be felt at all. We floated for an hour and a half gravity-free. After emerging from the tank, my back felt lighter and more pain-free than it had in months. I also felt clear-headed and somehow tired, as if I had just swam tens of laps in a pool. We took a shower to wash off the salt, and our skin felt soft like silk.

Wrap Up

Floating at Bangkok Float Center is one of the most surreal yet relaxing experiences I’ve ever had. The sensation of being completely weightless was hard to grapple at first. I tried about three times to forcefully touch the bottom of the tank but I kept bobbing back up. It took me less than five minutes to find my most comfortable position and lie motionless.

Floating gives an overall feeling of freedom and it eliminates toxins and stress. It’s soothing and we came out feeling refreshed and content. I recommend this to anyone looking to put health and well-being on the forefront. It’s definitely worth a try! 😉 Price for four of us for 90 minutes is 7,704 baht.

Things to bring:
- Guests do not need to bring anything. Swim wear is NOT necessary; we were advised to be naked so we would feel free and in tune with the body and mind.
- Towels, shampoo, soap, earplugs, and other toiletries (and even foundation, powder, and makeup remover) are all provided. Each of us had our own personal spa suite with Dreampod, private shower, and dressing area. We also had full access to a chill out lounge directly outside the float room.
Things to avoid:
- Avoid floating after a big meal or when you haven’t eaten at all.
- Avoid drinking anything for at least two hours before floating. You don’t want a full bladder ripping you away from “the zone,” so make sure to go in empty.
- Avoid shaving prior to floating. When you have cuts, you may use Vaseline or waterproof bandaids to cover.
- Avoid drifting in the tank. Drifting will cause you to ping off the walls and in some cases will give you a sense of spinning. Simply touch the sides of the tank with your hands and feet until your body is centered. This can take up to a minute or two depending on how much you disturbed the water.
- Avoid putting your hands on your eyes when in the tank because it’s saltwater. It will sting a lot.
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August 12, 2017
Painting Session at Sip & Gogh Paint and Sip Studio (Ayala Heights, Quezon City)

Sip & Gogh is the first-of-its-kind paint and sip studio in the country. It’s one of the top 10 recommended things and activities to try in the Philippines on TripAdvisor.com. We had our first canvas painting session at Sip & Gogh Ayala Heights branch last month and totally enjoyed our experience. 🙂 It’s a great place to relax, socialize and paint together while sipping wine or some cool beverages with family and friends. If you’re looking for something a little different to do rather than food-tripping, shopping, or mall-hopping in Metro Manila, this is definitely it!

Painting Session at Sip & Gogh Paint and Sip Studio (Ayala Heights, Quezon City)

The rundown: You go online, select a branch, look at the monthly calendar, choose a schedule that’s free and available, and pay to register and reserve for the time slot. The price (PhP 1,000) includes the apron rental, paint, canvas on easel, painting materials, cup with water, food and drinks.

We’re all amateurs when in comes to canvas painting. The last time I used a paint brush was back in high school during our Chinese drawing (圖畫) and Chinese calligraphy classes (毛筆). Or do those even count? 😉 Anyway, I’m glad that everything went smoothly. I recommend to be let loose and not be afraid to brush away. There’s no need to draw perfect lines here. 🙂

Painting at Sip & Gogh provided us a unique experience that broke the mold of our regular routine. When we walked in, we were presented with so many options of paintings to draw that it took a while before we finally grabbed one each to our seats.

In the beginning, the studio assistants instructed us on the basic techniques of color blending to form a new color (e.g. to make violet, mix red and blue) and to make the shades darker or lighter. They also helped us draw light “imaginary” sketch lines for the right proportion and placement of images on the canvas. We still called their attention every now and then for advice on how to proceed. They were willing to come and answer our questions.

Two hours went by pretty quickly. I’m happy we did not feel rushed or pressured. As style comes from diversity, we drew with our own hand movements without having to forcefully copy the original painting exactly. Anyway, when all is said and done, it feels so awesome to have a piece of art that you created hanging on your wall. Yup, we’re proud of our work and we’re psyched to return to Sip & Gogh for another great time. 🙂

[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.sipandgogh.com/” name=”Sip & Gogh” description=”Sip & Gogh is the first-of-its-kind paint and sip studio in the country. A perfect place to be with family and friends to relax, socialize and enjoy time painting together while sipping your favorite beverage.” rev_name=”Call +63 2 961 12 48 or +63 999 887 61 90″ rev_body=”#1 Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara 1119 Quezon City, Philippines” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2017-03-09″ ]

March 9, 2017