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  • Review of Queen Ann Hotel Saigon (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)

    Review of Queen Ann Hotel Saigon (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)

    Queen Ann Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam manages to tick all the boxes a savvy traveler wants in a three-star hotel: clean rooms, decent interiors, good service, and fast and free Wi-Fi connection. We stayed in this hotel for two nights, and here’s my comprehensive review of Queen Ann Hotel.

    As part of our arrangement with Transpipol Travel and Tours, the agency driver fetched us from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at midnight and we arrived safely at the hotel in about 20 minutes without traffic. At the reception area, we submitted our passports and hotel accommodation voucher. In return, we were given the room key and breakfast vouchers, and the hotel porter helped us with our luggage. Checking in was a breeze.

    Review of Queen Ann Hotel Saigon (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    For a three-star hotel that’s five years old, the interior design was quite classy and well furnished. The lobby wasn’t much of a looker, but it’s simple, elegant, and spacious with a number of sofa sets enough to seat up to three groups of guests. There’s one elevator working but it’s fine. The location is convenient for most since it’s near the city’s tourist attractions, 10 minutes away from Ben Thanh market, department stores, and other commercial buildings.

    The Superior Double/Twin Room’s layout was just right. We had two single beds, mini fridge, TV (showing local channels), dressing area, cabinet, slippers, and good lighting system. I just hated that the pillow was too high for my neck. Good thing I brought my doll which I used as a head pillow and hugged the hotel’s pillow to feel warm and cozy instead. AC was okay and temperature and power could be controlled via the remote control.

    The bathroom featured nice amenities and modern touches. It was fitted with complete toiletries, good plumbing, and sets of towels. The shower had great water pressure and hot water was reliable during our stay. There’s also a hair blow dryer to dry hair faster, but unfortunately it didn’t work at all. Anyway, I liked that the shower area was installed with a glass enclosure to prevent water from splashing out to the toilet floor.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Hotel receptionists and frontline employees could speak in English but not the rest of the staff. We did not need much assistance from them because no problems were encountered during our short stay, thank goodness. Housekeeping was good and our room was made up each day. Servers in the restaurants were also accommodating and attentive to orders.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The restaurant was at the basement of the hotel. We had buffet for breakfast and it was great the food offerings were varied in two consecutive days. The buffet table presented both local Vietnamese food such as pho as well as the “normal food” for breakfast such as eggs, sausages, rice, bread, bacon, etc. to make ourselves feel at home. Drinks available were juices, coffee, and water.

    Queen Ann Hotel’s restaurant does not only cater breakfast but also serves a la carte items for lunch and dinner. But if you’re looking for really tasty food in Vietnam that can strike harmony especially in the heart of a picky eater, better go some place else for a more exciting and pleasing eating experience. 😉

    Black and glossy furniture with mirrors in the restaurant provided a more luxurious impression.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Since we booked through our travel agent, we might have had a better discounted price for our room. Hotel pricing from Agoda shows USD 51.90 (about PhP 2380) per night, but this of course depends on the chosen dates and season of the year. Based on this rate, I think Queen Ann Hotel Saigon has a fair price for value. It’s not considered as a “budget hotel” and certainly not a boutique hotel either. I recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Vietnam for a vacation, holiday or business trip.

    Check out the top tourist attractions we visited in Vietnam here. 😀

    [schema type=”review” name=”Queen Ann Hotel Saigon” description=”86-88 Bui Thi Xuan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +84 8 3925 9001″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-11-06″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe (Jardin de Zenaida, Quezon City)

    Review of Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe (Jardin de Zenaida, Quezon City)

    Out of fun and creativity come excellence, and the food at Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe is a case in point. The venue may be “hidden” somewhere near Livestock, ABS-CBN, and El Cangrejo in Jardin de Zenaida, but when it comes to craving for real Japanese food and playing kendama, this is the restaurant to hunt down. Go-En does not tweak their menu for Filipino tastes but serves the best Japanese flavors to match the Filipino palate.

    Now offering a lighter version of the full ramen bowl, Go-En ramen’s wow factor is down to high-class ingredients making up to a portion that’s only enough to keep you satisfied. This is following their realization that the regular-size bowl of ramen seems to be too large for one to finish. With the light version, there’s less noodles but with the same amount of soup as the regular, so one can finish a bowl without being so full that it’s hard to breathe.

    The name “Go-En” takes its roots from the five yen coin in Japan. This coin is believed to bring good luck to any business and relationships. In the same manner, Go-En the restaurant looks forward to create and maintain closer ties with patrons through their cuisine and experience.

    John Geron, Go-En Owner

    We had lunch here right before our flight to Vietnam and we had a great time. 🙂

    Review of Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe (Jardin de Zenaida, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Forming an artistic assembly near the entrance, manga, kendama, masks, and other toy displays are available for customers to get entertained. The most striking thing among all has to be the kendama, and it was interesting to learn that Go-En sells Japanese kendama and US kendama of all sorts and also distributes this unique traditional Japanese toy all over the Philippines.

    Staffs can assist and teach you if you want to know some kendama tricks, but there’s also a looped video playing on the LCD TV that makes most passersby be drawn in by curiosity. This part of the dining room makes the ambiance feel more casual and animated. It’s also nice to try something a little different than just dining in a restaurant.

    Go-En can seat 40 people at a time. Everything looked clean and neat, and the Japanese-themed paintings on the walls were a sight to behold. Polished floors and wooden fixtures complete a relaxing and intimate classical setting overall. The open kitchen at the back was also set up to attract an admiring crowd. Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant, but guests are encouraged to enjoy their stay while eating, playing with the toys, or reading manga.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The people here make you feel welcome. John, the owner, and the rest of the staff was very accommodating and friendly. He shared so many stories of his life experiences together with his partner for twenty years, the co-owner of Go-En, Marilyn. His love for his craft obviously showed and made us more intrigued about the things he’s passionate about. Orders came out fast as they should.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    First things first: the ramen noodles (imported from Japan) were awesome. But that’s no big surprise. Go-En cooks the ramen upon order and serves them with no delay so they come out perfectly springy with just the right amount of chew. We had a consistent type of thick and curly noodles on all four bases, and it’s worthy to note that they’re markedly better than any dehydrated ramen on the market.

    Kogashi Shoyu Ramen Delight is a soy-sauce based ramen with dark smoky flavor, thanks to the black peppercorn that gave it a more comforting roasted taste. The pepper gave it mostly a nice kick and compote for a delicate, warm spiciness. The aroma was remarkable as well, but there’s no substitute for the fragrance of freshly ground pepper.

    Wonton Tomato Ramen Delight was not as exciting but edible nonetheless. Its broth was tasty and not too “nakakaumay,” but I’m just not a fan of tomato taste when it comes to ramen. It felt less OMG and more just merely like OK.

    Cheese on ramen? Yes, please. The great thing about the Cheese Ramen is that the cheese strings were not stretchy and once melted as part of the broth, they assemble the flavors in your mouth. Bam! 😛 With corn and a mound of minced pork, and moyashi, the miso-based soup is soul-warming, definitely a hit for first-timers in Go-En.

    The Tantanmen Ramen was made with local pork and organic eggs. It had an exquisite richness of sesame I expected from a really good bowl of tantanmen. With a little bit of spiciness, this ramen will knock your socks off.

    If you’re a fan of plenty of heat, Mabo Ramen must be right up your alley. This is the flavor to grab when the weather takes a dip. When red pepper on mabo dried up, the soup got redder and looked scarier. I could never slurp it fast enough because it was extremely hot for me. For a few minutes, I thought my mouth was on fire! :O

    At Go-En, you have the liberty to adjust or increase the heat as needed with these condiments on the table.

    Japanese-style Karaage (boneless chicken), the perfect snack to eat with sake or beer, was super crispy, juicy, and just crazy delicious even without the dip. Eat it with or without rice, and you can’t go wrong.

    For the meat-shy, Go-En Ramen also offers a number of pleasing alternatives. One of which we tried was the Sakana Donburi, which is simply fried fish fillet and rice. It’s a decent choice but not something that I could have more than a couple bites.


    For the desserts, we had the Matcha Mochi whose center was made up of vanilla ice cream and the homemade Matcha ice cream (by the scoop). Both were sweet, dense, and creamy, with a subtle green tea taste. These were very refreshing and ideal treats to complete an awesome meal at Go-En. Thumbs up! 🙂


    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Go-En is not your ordinary Japanese restaurant. The setting is done up with an old charm and there’s a sense of gameplay in the air. Go-En can be heaven for ramen lovers, as it presents really good bowls of ramen that can almost make you cry tears of joy. This is one of those notable Japanese restaurants in Quezon City where you’ll have a memorable experience from the moment you sit down and not faint when the bill arrives. It’s not upscale and price aren’t too expensive but just fair. 😉 Budget is PhP 200-300 per head.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/goenramen/” name=”Go-En, The Japanese Ramen Shoppe” description=”Jardin de Zenaida, Unit B1, 34 Sgt. Esguerra Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 441 4636″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-11-05″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]
  • Top 10 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

    Top 10 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

    We had planned our Vietnam-Cambodia trip for a year and got a great tour package deal from Transpipol Travel and Tours. For the second time, this travel agency did not fail to arrange a packed itinerary that touched all the right bases. Our two-day visit in Vietnam provided the rich opportunity for us to expand our historical and cultural knowledge of the country.

    with our English-speaking Vietnamese tour guide, Ben

    We faced up to the past, tried local Vietnamese food, haggled for bargains in the markets, and traveled further afield. In this post, let me share with you the top 10 tourist attractions we visited in Ho Chi Minh, a city that’s always full of action. 🙂

    Travel Guide: Top 10 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

    1. Cu Chi Tunnels

    Admittedly, I was clueless about the US-Vietnam war prior to our trip. Maybe I was one of those students in History class who didn’t pay close attention to the topic. Hihihi. 😛 Anyway, visiting the Cu Chi tunnels was an eye-opener for me as the actual site gave a clear picture on the strength and hardships of the Vietnamese people against their foreign enemies in the last century.

    how Vietnamese soldiers hid underground (in camouflage)

    The 200-km long Cu Chi Tunnels feature meeting rooms, living quarters, kitchens, clinics, and hiding grounds which were used by Viet Cong-era soldiers and their families. Glorifying the guerilla warfare, the connecting tunnels were built only with simple tools like shovel, mattock, etc. in over two decades. Nasty and lethal boot traps were also assembled and strategically placed everywhere in camouflaged “spider hole” dugouts.

    nail spike traps as primitive weapons

    Now a point of interest and landmark for tourists, the Cu Chi Tunnels are presented basically as a huge war museum offering visitors a sneak peak at the dark past of Vietnam. This is a living tribute to the human will and Vietnamese peasants’ wartime ingenuity.

    The tunnels were dug so deep so that American tanks would pass overhead without causing any damage. Several levels were designed to have effective air filtration systems (e.g. ventilation holes disguised as termite mounds) to help people breathe underground. Oil lamps were used as light.

    We were game to do the tunnel crawl but could not get beyond 40 meters when sweat kept pouring down our faces. My 6′-tall boyfriend struggled with the “duck walk.” His knees almost got bruised while I managed to crawl out without stress. It’s one of those times when I’m grateful for being petite. Haha! It was a wonderful experience nevertheless. We almost felt the real vibe of being in war, hearing simultaneous gun shots in the background. Apparently, there’s a shooting range available for tourists to try out a number of guns.

    2. Vietnam Handicapped Handicrafts

    One of our quick stopovers included a site called Vietnam Handicapped Handicrafts. It’s a shop featuring the creativity and the fine art of lacquer painting. What’s surprising was that those assembling the pieces were mostly victims of the war who did not have the capacity to work anymore in corporate offices but were given the chance to still earn a living the decent way.

    We learned that lacquer painting is practiced as an ancient Vietnamese art whereby a resinous substance from trees is utilized as varnish or glossy coating on the painting. The artists make the paintings for days and even months, depending on the materials used (usually egg shells and mother of pearls) and the size of the canvas. Finished products such as personal and home accessories are brought and displayed in the selling area. Unfortunately, taking of pictures inside is not allowed.

    Address: Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Phuong 17, Q. Binh Thanh, Tp.HCMC, Vietnam

    3. Reunification Palace

    After lunch at Ngon 138 (food review on a separate post), we had a walking city tour which started from the Reunification Palace (also called the Independence Palace). Preserved almost exactly as it was in 1966, this government building is well developed with grandiose interior design and fixtures with text explanations in every room. It’s the former home of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. We spent about half an hour viewing the rooms and lounges that are fit for royalty.

    Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia | District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    Open hours: 7:30 am – 11 am and 1 pm – 4 pm daily
    Entrance fee: 30,000 VND per person

    4. War Remnants Museum

    Just walking distance away from the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum welcomes visitors to rediscover the atrocities of the war with research materials, photos, artifacts on the evidences and consequences that the invasion force had caused Vietnam.

    Many people feel emotional and disturbed upon seeing the cruelty of foreign soldiers and horrific torture techniques that show the severity of the war. I was one of them, and there were times when I felt almost about to cry. The reality was harrowing indeed. The War Remnants Museum exhibits are very insightful and I recommend them to everyone who does not mind a bit of gore and saddening experience.

    Address: 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    Open hours: 7:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm daily
    Entrance fee: 60,000 VND per person

    5. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

    This cathedral is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Vietnam. We didn’t step inside but were pretty satisfied seeing the French exterior design from the opposite street. It was interesting to learn that this Catholic structure was built piece by piece from France as it was meant to be an exact replica of Notre Dame in Paris. The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral serves as a good reminder of religious servitude in a communist country.

    Address: Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    6. Central Post Office

    A few steps from the cathedral, the Central Post Office also counts with Gothic, Renaissance, and French influences. A three-minute stay outside to take photographs was enough for us. This is the place to go if you want to send letters and parcels, change or withdraw money from international ATMs, buy souvenirs like stamps and books, and view a range of collector coins and stamp sets. Also, if yellow buildings float your boat, the Central Post Office is a must-see! 😛

    7. Opera House (Nha Hat Lon)

    We spent some time in Vincom Shopping Mall and by the time we came out, it was already as dark as night but time was only around 5:40PM. We wandered around the area, found fancy shops and cafes and the Hanoi Opera House, which was built with magnificent neoclassical French-style architectural design. The Opera House is a hosting place where important meetings and conferences are being held for both national and international performing art groups. Lots of people were going in wearing formal attire to catch the scheduled shows in the theater. One could not get inside unless attending an opera or show.

    Address: 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi, Vietnam

    8. Cho Ben Thanh Market

    We had dinner at Saigon Steak 123 and proceeded right away to the night market about 20 minutes away from our hotel. Cho Ben Thanh Market was filled of cheap finds and most of them were copy materials or fake designer goods. From clothing, bags, paintings/art works, and souvenirs to food, you can’t go wrong with this place if you love to shop, but be prepared to meet pushy vendors. When something catches your attention, don’t forget to bargain hard. Start as low as 50% of the price offered and haggle until the vendor agrees on the lowest possible price. 😉

    Address: Intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    9. The Laughing Buddha Temple (Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda)

    On the second day of our Vietnam tour, we reached Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda near the fruit and vegetables market early in the morning. Now a major provincial destination for tourists and pilgrims, Vinh Trang Pagoda was built in 1849, but it did not look quite so old since it had been restored several times. The main highlight here must be the huge laughing Buddha. It was my first time to see a large seated Buddha with a happy face. 🙂 Gardens packed with flowers and shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs of the monks at the sides also looked well-arranged.

    Address: 123 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 6, District 3

    10. Mỹ Tho (Mekong Delta)

    Ben led us to travel along the Mekong River, the world’s 12th longest river through Asia, for sight-seeing. We rode a motor boat and saw locals fishing with nets and small shacks with big fishing boats. This trip to Mỹ Tho enlightened us as well on how the villagers in Vietnam lived their daily lives in the Mekong Delta. Ben said that most of these rural people were left as orphans of parents who died during the war.

    The Tortoise Island (Unicorn Island) was where we tasted different kinds of seasonal fruits, listened to a live Southern traditional music, and learned how coconut candies were was made from fresh coconuts in a local coconut candy farm. Next, we went to Thoi Son Island which is a bee farm where honey is abundant. We got to taste fresh honey from the bees, honey tea, royal jelly, sweet snacks, and some nuts.

    On the other side of Thoi Son, long-tail boats on Tan Thach natural canal in Bến Tre transported us through the shadows of water coconut trees. An elderly man and his wife steered the boat with paddles gliding almost silently through the chocolate-brown water. In Bung Tat Village, we spent a wonderful lunch with fellow travelers in Vietnam who came from Singapore, Yvonne and her son, Justin. We enjoyed the assortment of Vietnamese food served. 🙂

    Wrap Up

    Before traveling to Vietnam, I was worried about not liking the places we would be visiting because I didn’t know anything about them unlike the more familiar Asian countries to me like China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. It was a country that shrouded an air of mystery and danger. In addition, only a small population of Vietnamese know how to speak in English. Language barrier, I assumed, would be a problem.

    However, all my worries were gone as soon as we started exploring the city. Visiting Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam was like a time travel back to the old world. It surely made us more aware about its tumultuous history, colonial charm, and inspiring scenery. 🙂

    We departed to Phnom Penh via a bus at 6AM on the third day. Watch out for my next blog entries for hotel reviews, restaurant reviews, and more travel experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia. 🙂

  • Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    It was my last day in SM Retail. For my despedida, my manager treated our team to lunch at a restaurant of my choice. As I had been to almost every restaurant in SM Mall of Asia considering my tenure in SM, I wanted to go somewhere not too far away from our office but still worth going for. My sister recommended Mitsuyado Sei-Men in Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay City the night before. Seeing its stunning interior design on pictures already made me feel so excited, so you can just imagine how happy I was when everyone in the team voted yes. We mutually decided to take on a feast at Mitsuyado Sei-Men, the House of Tsukemen. 😛

    Sitting beside Yamato Bakery, Mitsuyado Sei-Men is a franchise from Japan and is a sister company of UCC Coffee locally. The Philippine store is the first outside of Japan. It also has a branch in Jupiter Street, Makati.

    Review of Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal, Pasay)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Mitsuyado Sei-Men in Blue Bay Walk might seem unassuming from the outside, but inside this cozy venue, an amazing interior awaits. The elaborate decors including vintage Japanese posters, lanterns, street food carts, bicycle, and buildings made us feel like we were transported to Japan. The accents were in no way lacking that wow factor. With the stunning layout, this Japanese restaurant fully deserves its reputation as a hot spot, which makes eating here as exciting as ever. So cool! Its flair is unforgettable.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Young and knowledgeable staff contributed further to our good experience. They were trained to explain the dishes well and they showed willingness to help us out with any questions. Quick service matters a lot especially for customers like us who were just out for lunch break.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    The menu offers a good array of well-executed Japanese classics. I tried one of the best recommended items: the Cheese Curry Tsukumen (PhP 340, regular) which was unlike any ramen I’ve had. The al dente noodles were chunkier, thicker and wider than regular noodles in ramen, and they can be served either cold or hot as preferred. First timers are advised to consider going for the cold preparation, following tradition.

    The chewiness of the tsukemen noodles was also something to appreciate and enjoy. The thick and rich curry broth provided a symphony of tasty noodle slurping once mixed. And of course, the cheese on a separate bowl should be poured over to complete an aggressive blast of creaminess.

    For dessert, each of us ordered the Sumiyaki Coffee Jelly with Ice Cream (PhP 100). Soft coffee jelly paired with vanilla ice cream is always a simple but refreshing combination that’s obviously withstood the test of time. Taken together and savored, the flavors turned out great. I liked that the coffee layer wasn’t too strong or bitter to overpower the sweetness of the ice cream. Both were represented in every bite. 😀

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Metro Manila is blessed with a bounty of good ramen restaurants, but when in the search of a little more unique Japanese restaurant specializing in tsukemen, you can’t go wrong with Mitsuyado Sei-men. Tons of ramen varieties can be found in this joint. Prices are okay for generous servings and dishes that guarantee a great kaleidoscope of Japanese flavors. Surely, it’s a convenient and reliable place to get your hands on high quality food. We left in a state of bliss. Super busog! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Mitsuyado.seimen” name=”Mitsuyado Sei-Men” description=”Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue Corner EDSA, Libertad, Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +632 8434329″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-10-27″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Petra & Pepita Encarnacion Group of Salon – Brazilian Blowout (Binondo)

    Review of Petra & Pepita Encarnacion Group of Salon – Brazilian Blowout (Binondo)

    Brazilian Blowout is a very popular treatment in Korean salons here in Metro Manila nowadays. Unlike regular rebonding, this hair straightening system helps to improve the condition of the hair by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft and smoothing the cuticle. Also unlike rebonding, the result should be not too flat but smooth and sleek without the frizz. That’s exactly why I wanted to go for it.

    As I mentioned in my previous “beauty” blog post, because my work location has moved farther from home, my prep routine time is cut to half. Given this, I need to fix my makeup, my outfit, and my hair twice as fast. Combing and blow drying my thick and long hair has quite become a tedious process, so I thought that the Brazilian blowout must be the perfect solution for efficiency and convenience.

    Forums and blogs from various websites made me aware that the end result of the Brazilian blowout will only last for about three to four months. A concern that’s repeatedly raised is that Brazilian-style smoothing treatments contain formalin (methylene glycol), and this can possibly make sensitive individuals experience short-term symptoms such as irritated eyes or skin, headaches, or difficulty in breathing.

    After reading some more comments and reviews of salons, I decided to say yes to the process nonetheless. But what convinced me even more was that my mom had experience the treatment, and she did not feel any pain. Neither did she mention anything bad out of it. To end my curiosity and take comfort in knowing that my frizzy hair will be properly treated in style without breaking the bank, I went to Petra & Pepita (Encarnacion Group of Salon) one Saturday to give it a try.

    Note: Typically, salons charge PhP 5,000-10,000 for the Brazilian blowout depending on the hair length, thickness, weight and also the formula they use. So, I was just surprised that Petra & Pepita (Encarnacion Group of Salon) offers the treatment for only PhP 1,500 (normal price regardless the hair length). What a pretty good deal! Can’t miss it.

    Brazilian Blowout - Before and After Shots

    Review of Petra & Pepita Encarnacion Group of Salon – Brazilian Blowout (Binondo)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    I have been to Petra & Pepita’s branch in 999 Mall and pretty much, the interior design is consistent. Decors are not really impressive, but minimalism completes a casual vibe with a mix of purple, black, and white filling in as the common theme. This spacious salon offers a wide range of beauty treatments to suit any occasion, with sections for manicure and pedicure, hair fixes, and shampoo or blowdry. A mounted television and a pile of magazines provide enough entertainment for customers.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was okay and there’s nothing to complain about. Staffs were accommodating and efficient. I like that they take time in doing their job as necessary and not in a rush to make customers feel like they’re being pushed out of the door.

    The Brazillian blowout procedure was done in two hours and there was no down time. The minute I entered the salon, my hair was washed with a clarifying shampoo and towel-dried to remove excess moisture. Next, the stylist applied the salon’s solution (no brand) through my hair from roots to ends.

    After 45 minutes, he used a blow-dryer to dry my hair, as the heat from the blow-dryer helps to activate the solution and increase its effectiveness. Once my hair was entirely dry, the stylist sealed the solution into the cuticles with a flat iron. Like hair rebonding, it was during this step that the effects of the Brazilian blowout started to be more apparent. With each stroke of the flat iron, my hair has become increasingly smooth. He told me not to wash my hair in the next three days.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    Affordability is undeniably a huge plus factor when choosing salons where you want to feel like a woman and not another head of hair. Based on the service and the result, I’d say that Petra & Pepita’s Brazilian blowout is tagged at a very reasonable price. PhP 1500 is considerably cheap as compared to rates of most of the salons in Manila.

    I didn’t wash my hair after three days as advised, and I feel that my hair now is more manageable and shinier with bounce. For busy and working women like me, Brazillian blowout is worth a try as it’s a good way to condition the hair while sealing the cuticle as well for enhanced color and reduced frizz.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petra-Pepita-Salon/242716682444790″ name=”Petra & Pepita (Encarnacion Group of Salon)” description=”G/F Regina Garden II Building, Reina Regente Street, City of Manila, Metro Manila” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-10-26″ user_review=”0″ min_review=”14″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Help Fight Against Malnutrition with Knorr’s “Lutong Nanay” Nutrition Program

    Help Fight Against Malnutrition with Knorr’s “Lutong Nanay” Nutrition Program

    Malnutrition is a growing problem with children worldwide. It occurs when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. What’s quite alarming is that it begins not when the baby is born but from the time when a child is growing in the mother’s womb. Apparently, more women who are anemic are prone to having kids that are malnourished and are more likely to get sick.

    In the Philippines, the National Statistics Office reports that the population of the “0-14 years old” age group in the country is now over 30 million, while the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the DOST states that at least 5 million children are malnourished. By quick calculation, 17% is a staggering number that shows the issue is closer to home than we think.

    Hearing the bad news, many groups and foundations in the Philippines are encouraged to partner up and help one another to fulfill a common goal—and that is to not only supply food for families but also provide them with the right knowledge on how to prepare meals and nutritious dishes that promote good healthy. Sustenance is key to solid living. Everyone should learn and be empowered to appreciate the importance of having a balanced diet.

    Knorr’s “Lutong Nanay” Nutrition Program Battles Malnutrition

    To form part of the solution, Knorr teamed up with Kabisig ng Kalahi for Metro Manila’s leg of the initiative to build a sustainable nutrition program that goes beyond simply distributing food. With simple, easy to follow healthy meals, moms got to learn to provide their kids with delicious and nutritious dishes.

    Knorr recently visited two barangays in Smokey Mountain, Barangay 101 and Barangay 128, with its ambassadors. Dimples Romana, Danica Sotto-Pingris and Sari Jorge joined forces to help educate moms and children the importance of a healthy diet for the family. Over a meal of afritada, they also shared their personal experiences, cooking secrets and how they entice their kids to eat a healthy, balanced meal with the help of Knorr.

    “It was a beautiful experience na makasama ang katulad kong Knorr Lutong Nanay moms together with our children in sending out a message to all the other Filipino moms like us to join in our fight against malnutrition,” said Dimples Romana.

    Meanwhile, ambassadors Carmina Villaroel and Chesca Kramer joined Knorr at the Cardinal Sin Village. Mothers and children collectively learned the importance of a vigorous diet for the family. The program was a good exchange of insights, experience and learnings not only from the ambassador, but from resident mothers as well.

    “Feeding our families nutritious food doesn’t have to be expensive. What’s important is that we give them a well-balanced meal every day,” says Carmina Villaroel.

    As the theme of sharing experiences and learnings continued, one mother shared, “Ngayon, kaya ko nang magluto ng pagkain na hindi lang masarap, masustansya pa.” Another participant shared how she realized the importance of preparing healthier meals for her family by incorporating vegetables in their meal plan unlike before, where they usually prepare meals with minimal consideration to nutritional value.

    Wrap Up

    With the help of Knorr’s Lutong Nanay nutrition program, more and more moms are inspired, motivated and informed about how important it is to serve healthy meals for their family. It’s a long way to go but Knorr’s ongoing program is a big step towards fighting malnutrition in Filipino children.

    Knorr continues to empower Filipinos to cook flavorful, nutritious and affordable meals everyday. It emphasizes that moms are the pillars to help alleviate malnutrition. Together, Knorr’s Lutong Nanay dishes and moms can diminish this issue that affects so many Filipinos, one mom-cooked meal at a time.

    Lutong Nanay Nutrition Program Food Fair

    To take an active role in alleviating malnutrition, join Knorr and its partners for the first Lutong Nanay Nutrition Program Food Fair:

    Knorr Lutong Nanay Food Fair
    Saturday, 24 October 2015 at 4:30 PM
    Mercato Centrale, 7th Ave cor. 25th St.
    Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

    Proceeds will go to the Knorr Lutong Nanay Nutrition Program and its partners, World Food Program and Kabisig.

    To know more about this cause and join us in helping alleviate malnutrition in the Philippines, visit www.knorr.com.ph and follow Knorr Philippines on social media:

    https://instagram.com/knorrph/
    https://twitter.com/knorrph
    https://www.facebook.com/KnorrPhilippines

  • Review of Sultan Mediterranean Grill (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    Review of Sultan Mediterranean Grill (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    On the “keeper” list in Makati, Sultan Mediterranean Grill features delightful Mediterranean plates that are set down in tasty digs accompanied with drinks. This restaurant was established back in January 2010 but closed down after a while. With its reopening last January 2015, renovation and redesign were done, making its interior pass the eye test with flying colors. Bustling crowds are expected especially during weekdays when people from corporate offices nearby come for lunch.

    Sultan Grill will be opening a new branch in Wilson Street on November 15, 2015. So far, its well-conceived menu full of scrumptious specialties and the growing number of patrons in the neighborhood are enough to justify expansions.

    Review of Sultan Mediterranean Grill (Salcedo Village, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    With clean and crisp interior, Sultan Grill fits into a rectangular space with many large tables across the dining room. Black sofas beautifully offset the colorful accents and decors which likewise provide a stately elegance to the blue and white adjacent walls. Lights give in ample brightness over the tables and help make a lighthearted atmosphere, but chandeliers with distinctive industrial appearance can further create a modern and interesting appeal.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Engaging staffers served us with glorious cuisine and explained the ingredients of each dish when asked. A restuarant’s service team is one of the crucial elements in its operations, and I’m happy to report that Sultan Grill’s staffs well-trained, well-versed on the menu, and friendly. I mostly appreciate their warm welcome and modesty.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Falafel is one of the signature starters of Mediterranean cuisine—and with good reason. Sultan Grill’s version of Falafel on top of Hummus (PhP 250) did not disappoint. It’s an obvious choice for vegetarians. Made and processed with very finely chopped chickpeas, falafel is a great substitute for meatballs or sausage. Texture was coherent, and the crust was pleasantly crisp and not a bit greasy. Hummus added another dimension to the taste and it’s definitely worth a try.

    The Vitamin Boost Salad (PhP 250) had a citrus kick, thanks to the orange-cranberry dressing. This plus the heartiness of nuts and greens, this baby can give enough sustenance to get you through a whole day. If you’re on a detox or diet plan, this is good dish you can even share with a buddy over any meal.

    If you’re not a fan of starters, feel free to go directly to the main course. Braised Lamb Shanks (PhP 550) is something you don’t screw around with. Sure, it’s easily one of the most expensive items on the menu, but with the juiciness of the lamb shanks and the multitude of flavors from the Mediterannean, it’s a must order for domestic bliss. Served with rice, the lamb shanks were braised for three hours and what resulted were deeply substantive and savory taste and texture.

    Consisting of well-seasoned hunks of lamb, beef, chicken, and seafood, the Kebab Platter (PhP 580) is a good pick if you want to try just about every kebab available in Sultan Grill. This platter can comfortable feed four or more people. While variety is a plus, I did not think that the beef and lamb were tender enough. Rather, the meats veered toward dry without the spicy richness it could have offered for extra satisfaction.


    The Lobia Rice (PhP 95) was made with rice, string beans, and chicken with a twist of Mediterranean taste. It’s one of those food where you can let your eyes be your best guide. The orange color alone hinted that it’s appetizing. 🙂 This bowl of rice went truly well with the Kebab Platter.

    Moussaka (PhP 250) – A uniquely Greek traditional dish of layered minced beef, eggplant and cheeses, baked like Italian Lasagna. Each bite was completed with rich taste of the ground beef and the sauce. Texture was far from being too chewy, mushy, and crappy.

    The Chicken Curry (PhP 210) was another one that good amount of depth and character. It reminded me most of the Indian curry because of the smell. The curry was cooked with a combination of herbs and spices and coconut milk that provided a nice thick sauce. What slightly turned me off though was that the potatoes were still too hard to cut through.

    Banana Yogurt Shake (PhP 100) was the perfect drink to sip in between bites. I love that the banana flavor was evident, and the yogurt shake was  thick, rich, and yummy.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    Mediterranean food can still be intimidating since there are not a lot of restaurants in the metro that widely serves this cuisine unlike Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American, and of course, Filipino local bites. I like that Sultan Mediterranean Grill in Makati keeps the mood light and casual and their staffs recommend the best dishes to try. Prices are average and has good value considering the portions served and the quality of food served.

     [schema type=”review” url=”http://sultanph.com/” name=”Sultan Mediterranean Grill” description=”G 9, Valero Plaza Condiminium, San Augustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 8945909″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-10-15″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: 11:00AM – 10:00PM Daily

  • Basic Day to Night Makeup Workshop by SpeedyCourse Philippines

    Basic Day to Night Makeup Workshop by SpeedyCourse Philippines

    I have just moved to another retail company last week, and my new work location is much farther from home than the former. This means that my daily prep time in the morning should be cut into half, otherwise I would be late for work. This includes doing my makeup routine quicker with techniques that will yield the best possible result in so little time. 🙂 Luckily, SpeedyCourse.com invited me to attend the “Basic Day to Night Makeup Workshop,” which promised to guide and offer us some simple pointers to make sure we’re using everything from foundation, bronzer, blush, to eyeliner, mascara and lipstick right.

    Hosted by makeup artist Ms. Gail Sarion, the workshop was held at The Bunny Baker Cafe and Cake Studio in Hemady Square, Doña Hemady St, New Manila, Quezon City. I had been wanting to visit this café since the first time I saw their cute pastries and coffee art designs on Instagram. It was so timely that I finally had the perfect opportunity to kill two birds in one stone: hit The Bunny Baker and learn some pro tips from SpeedyCourse’s workshop. 🙂

    In this post, I’m sharing 20 makeup tips that every woman should know. But first, food! 😛

    Basic Day to Night Makeup Workshop by SpeedyCourse (Bunny Baker Cafe)

    Me-Ann, the model for this workshop, was selected from a group of attendees. We watched how her makeup was transformed from “day” to “night” while Gail explained how to use these products and how to achieve a natural makeup look that lets every woman’s beauty shine through.

    FACE

    Foundation – Hiding discolorations and imperfections is key to look more polished. Your best bet for a fabulous makeup base is to use a damp beauty blender in applying foundation. There are many types of foundation but Gail regards the cream foundation as her holy grail. While more expensive, investing in the original beauty blender will be more worthwhile instead of buying the cheap version which will last only for a few months. Fingertips are okay as well but not a good choice if you’re concerned about hygiene. Sponge absorbs more product while brushes might show streaks on the face. To achieve just the right amount of coverage with the right color, mixing different tones or shades of foundation can be done.

    Powder – It’s always best to apply loose powder as a finishing touch after foundation for makeup to stay put for longer hours. This also keeps the face look fresh and oil-free without having to touch up many times in a day. Focus on the greasier or shinier parts (usually the T-zone) and then move on to the rest with light dusting.

    Bronzer – I’ve never realized before how bronzers can make or change a face as it can highlight and accentuate features that you want to be noticed the most. Contouring works by defining underneath your cheekbones and jaw line, reducing the double chin, minimizing the width of the nose or increasing the nose bridge, and lifting the eyes. If you are to choose only between the bronzer and the blush, the bronzer is most likely the better one to go for. This is especially important for photos, as the light of the camera renders shadows and highlights better than the naked eye. The color of the bronzer and the eye shadow must be the same for a natural or a no makeup look.

    Blush – When applying blush, smiling is known as common practice so you can pinpoint where the apple of your cheek is. However, Gail emphasized that this is not actually the right thing to do. A steady face should be your basis to know where the best part to put on blush since there are more times in a day that you keep a steady face than a smiling one. It was the first time I heard this tip and I thought it made sense.

    Eyes

    Eyeshadow – A glittery eyeshadow or one that’s full of shimmer is just good if you’re attending events, parties, and social events. In normal occasions such as going to work or attending an interview, keeping it simple with a matte eyeshadow is advised. Use one that’s slightly darker than your skin tone and make sure that it’s applied only up to eye socket area and not all the way up to the lid below the eyebrows. For best results, use the same eyeshadow color as your bronzer. On the model, Gail used Espresso.

    Eyeliner – Just like the eyeshadow, the eyeliner should be matte if you’re sporting a professional look. Get as close to the line of the eye as possible (where the lash starts to grow). Look down or look straight at the mirror when you apply the eyeliner to the gold on the outside of your eye.

    Mascara – Gail said that all mascaras are the same and the difference is with the wand. A volumizing mascara wand is best to make sure that the lashes are properly coated, with zigzag or up-and-down motions. Most women apply two to three coats of mascara, but Gail said it would be best to apply as many as you want.

    Eye Highlights – Just above the eyeshadow, eye highlights should not be ignored since these also help to define the eyes. Light colors such as white, creams, and pearls will look best for a natural eye makeup look.

    Eyebrows – Eyebrows frame the face and the thickness and length of the brows can do wonders in making one look more beautiful. To determine the right eyebrow shape, following your natural growth of the hair is suggested. If you want to get a more expert advice, go to Browhaus and seek professional service in taming, trimming, and shaping (and even coloring) the brows to complement your facial features.

    Lips

    Lipstick – Bold lip colors are a no no in most workplaces. Gail advised to stick with your natural lip color when choosing lipsticks. Pink and not red looks more natural. Lining the lips is a must if you want a more defined look. Otherwise, you may look like a clown when you have mistakenly applied just outside your natural lip line. To create a matte effect that lasts much longer, hold a tissue over your lips and apply powder over the tissue.

    Day

    Night

    Wrap Up

    Made possible by SpeedyCourse.com, this basic day to night makeup workshop was great and not boring at all. Surely, reading from a blog or watching makeup tutorials on YouTube helps a lot, but it’s still different from seeing the tips applied live on the spot.

    SpeedyCourse.com makes it easy to find training courses online. As an online course finder, it brings together training course providers who specialize in different fields and makes it easy for users to send inquiries directly to training providers with an online messaging feature on its site. It’s not only accessible in the Philippines but also in 15 other places such as Singapore, Australia, South Africa, US, UK, etc. Courses available can be filtered according to location (city or zip code), delivery method (classroom/person-led or online) or category. Soon, uses will be able to as well filter by date and price to know which training courses fit their schedule and budget.

    The next makeup workshop will be held on November 14, 2015 at The CBTL Showroom in BGC. To know more about the upcoming event, visit their Facebook page here.