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  • Top 5 Things You Need to Know When Visiting Splash Mountain Resort (Los Baños, Laguna)

    Top 5 Things You Need to Know When Visiting Splash Mountain Resort (Los Baños, Laguna)

    Last Sunday, we had an outing to Splash Mountain Resort in Los Baños, Laguna—about two hours away from Manila. Venturing in this resort is best for those who are looking for a kind of adventure that’s friendly for everyone in the family. Activities done here will surely make your vacation memorable and meaningful. 🙂 Read on for a host of things you need to know when planning for a visit.

    Top 5 Things You Need to Know When Visiting Splash Mountain Resort (Los Baños, Laguna)

    1. Room Rates and Reservation

    Splash Mountain Resort boasts a variety of excellent lodging options, all housed in its tastefully developed outbuildings. Guests can choose to stay in for the night or just book a room for the day. Room reservations can be done via email or phone call. The room rate is the same for both day and night. This means that even if you are not staying overnight, you’re still charged the same amount. Check-in time is 2pm and check-out time is 12nn the next day.

    For more info about the room rates, visit their website.

    2. Food

    Splash Mountain Resort has a restaurant that serves American, Filipino and Chinese food and it’s open from 6AM to 10PM. If you don’t prefer eating food from the inside restaurant/cafe, you are free to bring your own. Selected items such as alcoholic drinks and softdrinks incur some corkage fee though. You may also grill seafood, meat and vegetables, as charcoal grills are available for rent. Moreover, they can accommodate kitchen service.

    Note: They offer complimentary breakfast for occupants of the Suites and Oasis hotels. No need to worry about breakfast. Whew! 🙂

    3. Swimming Pool

    For me, the main attraction in this resort are the swimming pools—19 of them, in various sizes catered to all ages! This is a great place to experience natural hot springs from Mount Makiling and the relaxing breeze of the countryside.

    There are activity pools with waterslides designed for both children and adults. Also, the giant waterslide will be opened in the summer of 2015, so watch out!

    With regard to swimming attire, the resort management is not strict. Any clean and decent shorts (not briefs for men) and shirts can be worn while swimming. That said, you don’t need to feel shy about wearing tight swimsuits (two-piece or a maillot) and short trunks. 😛

    4. Other Facilities

    Aside from swimming pools, Splash Mountain Resort has a gym, a basketball court, a tennis court, and venues for team-building activities and events such as weddings, debut parties, and seminars that accommodate up to 400 guests. (The Splash resort phase I has a capacity of 1,000 to 3,000 guests.) Plus, they are open for an exclusive day tour package for the whole resort to include lodging, swimming and food.

    5. Entertainment

    Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you have to completely unplug from the world. Wireless free internet (wi-fi) is available in the lobbies of Splash, Suites, Oasis and City of Springs hotels. Surf the net all you want. 🙂

    For those who want to sing, the good news is that they have a coin-operated videoke in the resort area. If you’re staying in a function room, you can choose to also rent a mobile videoke setup at the convention building in front of the giant waterslides.

    A convenience store slash souvenir shop is nearby, where you can buy gifts for your loved ones back at home.

    Wrap Up

    Dreaming of sun-kissed days on a resort? You’re in luck. Splash Mountain Resort is open all the days of the year. Whether you already live in a steamy locale (like we do) or are just looking forward to a sunnier climate, you’re likely going to both beat the heat by swimming into the colder pools or relax with warmer pools here. Hate the sun? Stop by in the late afternoon or early evening. Their gates are also open for night swimming.

    Another good thing is that this resort is easy accessible. For directions on how to go to Splash Mountain Resort, read this.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Splash-Mountain-Resort/284786418202419″ name=”Splash Mountain Resort” description=”Km. 58 National Hwy, Los Baños, Laguna” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 750 1501″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-16″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Aion Plas Chamois Super Absorbent Towel (Made in Japan)

    Review of Aion Plas Chamois Super Absorbent Towel (Made in Japan)

    We have always referred to it as “the yellow cloth.” 🙂 Aion Plas Chamois (known before as Kanebo Plas Chamois) is a synthetic, super absorbent microfiber towel that leaves almost zero water after a wipe and lasts for years. Trust me, our Chamois has been in use for the last three years and it’s still usable to date. For the purpose of this review, I just bought a new one and because sharing is caring, this is how the package looks like:

    Through the years, we have observed that there’s a great number of fake Aion Plas Chamois and “copy cats” which have entered the market. They are advertised to also work as a great absorbent towel. The consistent power of sales talk by staff in Ace Hardware, Blade, Handyman, etc. had prompted me to go ahead and buy one each of the three major competitors’ product.

    I asked my dad to test and compare the performance of the towels because he’s the one who’s mostly responsible for washing our cars and doing house work. 😀 Among all, he declares hands-down that the Aion Plas Chamois Super Absorbent Towel as the champion. No wonder this brand of microfiber towel is the number 1 chamois brand in Japan! Here are four ways we use the Aion Plas Chamois:

    4 Ways We Use the Aion Plas Chamois (and 4 Ways It is Proven Effective)

    1. Drying the Car

    Aion Plas Chamois features unparalleled water-absorbing performance. It is made with material that absorbs more water than regular towels to dry the car without scratching the surface. It’s fast and easy to use, ideal for auto detailing as well. The size is large enough so you can also try it with cleaning your motorcycle and boat.

    2. Wiping the Bathroom Floor

    Although we have a sliding door inside the bathroom that separates the shower area and the rest of the toilet and have a drain in the middle, water running out of the shower area can’t be helped. Thus, to clean out the mess, after bathing, we maximize the use of Aion Plas Chamois for its absorbing action by wiping the bathroom floor and wringing the cloth to remove excess water onto the sink directly.

    What’s even commendable is that it while mops and ordinary rags normally leave a bunch of hairy clumps (even after multiple washes), the Aion Plas Chamois does not. It neither accumulates hair nor form mold or mildew.

    3. Cleaning the Kitchen

    My mom stands as the official cook at home, and she cannot stand seeing water spilling from the kitchen counter to the floor when she’s preparing the ingredients. Mopping the floor and removing liquids on the counter proved to be taxing especially when done over and over again. In the same vein, replacing a non-absorbing 100% cotton tea towel one after the other adds on the chore. There’s really nothing worse than a crap dishtowel.

    One day, we tried the Aion Plas Chamois and found that it also worked like a reliable old friend in the kitchen. The more we wash it, the softer and more absorbent it becomes.

    4. Drying Sweat

    Haha. I guess drying sweat is one of the more creative ways we have used the Aion Plas Chamois. Have you ever thought that the Aion Plas Chamois can be used as a hand towel? It’s a compact cloth that you can store in your gym bag and you don’t have to carry a bulky one. It’s a good traveling companion, as it occupies just a small space in your suitcase and it serves multipurpose.

    As a synthetic sponge made of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), it can absorb up to 12 times its dry weight in water. This makes it also as an excellent option if you decide to go trekking, camping or playing sports that will make you perspire big-time. Try it and learn how smooth and soft it goes on the skin. In fact, I know someone who uses it as a bath towel. :mrgreen:

    Wrap Up

    The Aion Plas Chamois has been existing for over 40 years now globally, and it comes with no surprise that many customers from around the world have also recognized the same benefits. At PhP 379 in retail stores in the Philippines, it’s notable that it is costlier than cheaper-quality alternatives and generic brands, but the price for value is high.

    Ordinary rags as well as the product of other brands can only do much, moving around the water without absorbing anymore water when it becomes “full and heavy.” The winning factor must be that the Aion Plas Chamois features a three-layer construction that makes it sustain its usability and durability so it absorbs more and lasts longer. Hence, consider it as a safe investment piece in your home. 😉

    For more information, visit the website of Aion Plas Chamois Philippines at www.aionabsorb.com or their Facebook page. You can also watch the video here:

  • Eyebrow Threading at Hey Sugar! Waxing Salon (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Eyebrow Threading at Hey Sugar! Waxing Salon (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    Last month, luck stroke me as I’ve won a Hey Sugar! gift certificate for eyebrow threading worth PhP 130 from Genzel’s giveaway. Yay! 🙂 I had been wanting to try this salon’s service since I first saw their branch in Lucky Chinatown Mall. But since my brows are still groomed fine by Browhaus recently, I thought it was more proper to have my sister, who had “virgin eyebrows,” make use of the GC instead. Moreover, I thought it would be nice for her to go for it last Friday—a day just before her graduation rites at PICC’s plenary hall. The outcome? Her face looked brighter and updated in no more than 15 minutes.

    Eyebrow Threading at Hey Sugar! Waxing Salon (Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo)

    I presented the gift certificate to the receptionist upon walking in. She examined it, asked where I got it from, noted the details and called the staff to prepare for the threading service. Before entering the room, we appreciated the cute and elegant-looking atmosphere and took photos. I loved the candy colors everywhere from sunny yellows, mint, sugar pastels and touches of baby pink. The displays provided an atmosphere of girly glam, making the ambiance even more adorable.

    My sister was quite nervous and in full anticipation of what she would feel during the procedure. We just kept on encouraging her, saying it won’t be an unbearable torture for sure. If I could handle the pain, then she can, too. The beautician was easy-going and fun to talk to, helping her ease her worries down.


    We observed that the beautician first applied baby powder to absorb oil around the hair follicles that may cause the hairs to slip from the thread as it will be pulled. No other chemical was added so there’s no conflict or reaction to the skin. Then, she gently twisted the piece of cotton thread back and forth along the skin, creating beautifully groomed left and right brows with enhanced definition and fabulous shape.

    The procedure was done very quickly. There was still the inevitable tingling sensation kind of pain that was felt in the threading session but it was okay. To minimize skin irritation, the beautician advised to not get the eyebrows in touch with water for the next six hours and not to put on beauty products in the next 24 hours. The redness caused by threading was gone after 20-30 minutes.


    And now the young girl has transitioned to become a woman! The results are neat, symmetrical eyebrows. It’s great that her eyebrows didn’t look way too thin because my sister has naturally thick brows like that. We liked the straight shape/no much dramatic arch that was made (trend inspiration from Koreans).

    Wrap Up

    Having groomed brows definitely gave my sister more confidence to sashay across the graduation stage the next day with her head held high. 😛

    Eyebrow threading at Hey Sugar! Waxing Salon went well. The thread used was sanitary and it was thrown away after use. What’s also good is that Hey Sugar! prices are generally more affordable than competitors’ prices. See below:

    Fully Filipino-owned, Hey Sugar! Waxing Salon is a sister company of Vivere Salon and Nailaholics Nail Salon and Spa. It now has several branches in the Philippines: The District in Imus, Festival Mall, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Clark, and here in Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo, Manila. Until October 31, 2014, you may surrender your shaver/razor or most recent waxing receipt from a competitor and get 20% discount on any hot wax service.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/heysugarwaxingph/” name=”Hey Sugar! Waxing Salon” description=”3/F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente St. cor. Dela Reina St., Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila ” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-13″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

     

  • Review of F All Day Dining (F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of F All Day Dining (F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City)

    Trouble deciding where to eat in BGC? There are many restaurants and cafés for your selection, and one good option is F All Day Dining (F Café). F All Day Dining serves both ala carte and buffet all-day for breakfast, lunch and dinner expertly prepared by the chefs. I see this place as a hidden gem, since we can’t see it from the street. Neither is it directly accessible and open like restaurants residing in a mall. Rather, it sits at the third floor of F1 Hotel Manila, my new-found place and recommended spot for a nice business lunch or celebratory dinner with the family.

    It’s rare to find a restaurant inside a hotel with PhP 1k+ and not over the range of over PhP 2k+ for a meal, and that’s exactly what we discovered in F1’s “F”. Their food is not made up of overpriced garbage that appeal only to those wearing a suit and fancy four-star diners.

    Review of F All Day Dining (F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Seating arrangements spot a relaxed setting, and the ambiance was elegant enough to host business and holiday meals. Contributing to the cheery feel of the place were the combination of lively and muted colors and ample lighting.

    The dining tables were appropriately separated from the next, making it comfortable for guests to move around and get another plate of sumptuous food from the buffet tables (which happen to be set up appropriately according to food type: salads and appetizers, mains and desserts).

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service rendered by a bunch of dedicated staffs at F All Day Dining restaurant was great. They took special efforts to speak to diners between service to make sure that they get all requests done without the long wait. The satisfying customer service here (well, aside from the food) is no coincidence that most patrons left contented.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Eating all these food would probably require four extra miles on the treadmill the next day. Let me share the best things we’ve tried here.

    BREAKFAST BUFFET

    The Mini Burger Patties were like Jollibee’s burger steak with mushroom sauce. I liked that the burger steak wasn’t dry and the sauce made it even juicier. I did mix it with mashed potatoes, which was simple yet a really good compliment as it balanced out the saltiness of the burger patties.

    The cheesy Broccoli Gratin had blown me away. The creaminess blended well with the crunchiness of the broccoli. A thing of warming beauty, this is a true comfort food. Yummy!

    I had three short servings of the light and moist Scrambled Eggs. I wanted to get more but had to reserve space in my tummy for other food. Scrambled eggs are, after all, the king of the breakfast table! 🙂 I thought these eggs were cooked using the low and slow cook method, and the healthy knob of butter was key to make them soft and perfect.

    Presented as amazing little bites, the Fresh Cold Ham were some nicely sized pieces best paired with Pan De Sal at the bread counter.

    The Fish Fillet in lemon butter sauce was particularly good with garlic rice. It was tad tangy and inviting. I see sunshine. 🙂 If presentation was not enough to wow, the flavor and texture were spot on.

    Perfectly seasoned, the popular breakfast dish in the Philippines—Chicken Tocino—wasn’t too salty and was just sweet enough. It tasted homemade and all-natural, also good to pair with rice.

    Sorry, man. Bacon wasn’t available every time I visited the buffet table. It was so sold out that I haven’t taken a picture of the ridiculously good-tasting crispy bacon. I didn’t realize it was that serious until I checked the photos in my camera. I know these tiny leftovers aren’t enough to do justice, nevertheless… :mrgreen:

    “CHRISTMAS” LUNCH BUFFET (available on December 24, 25, 30, 31 and January 1)

    Make little bites of the different variants of cheese and be happy. In this coming holiday season, it would seem only fair to give everything a shot. 😉

    The Glazed Ham has always been a yuletide essential. But F All Day Dining took the next level and infused pineapples and cherries in the recipe. You really need to taste this glorious thing. Looking and tasting as fantastic, another festive dish we tried was the Chicken Galantina. It was made with plump by the savory stuffed chicken inside. I’ve learned that it’s a French dish adapted by the Filipinos. The Beef Morcon consisted of marinated ground beef filled with sausages rolled up to form a marvelous slice. Sound good? It is.

    A classic entree during Christmas, turkey is popular and on the radar. The turkey at F All Day Dining tasted good but it could have been a little more moist. In any case, I bet you won’t have second thoughts to give it a try.

    If you dig Tempura, absolutely get their lightly deep fried shrimp and vegetable tempura dish. The tempura had an incredible crispy outside layer and a firm but delicate interior. Season with soy sauce for the ultimate salty and sweet finish. Moving on, the Eggplant Lasagna was truly solid. They’re the best eggplant lasagna we’ve had in a long time. Another winner was the Roasted Salmon With Orange And Rosemary Beurre Blanc. You know, I’m crazy about salmon and this one’s highly tasty! The sauce made it SO much more palatable.

    Lamb Caldereta—I’m not a big meat eater and I have a hard time eating this stuff without feeling like I’ve somehow given up. But the lamb caldereta they made here was commendable for it didn’t have that strong aftertaste that’s typical when eating lamb. The sauce’s flavor was bold and intense. Therefore, I conclude that this is a must-try, even if you’re not a fan of lamb.

    The Spicy Crabs were cooked well and they’re so spicy that I think they’ve been marinated in fire. It’s the spiciest item we had at “F” actually, and you definitely should not mess with this if you can’t handle some heat.

    Lapu-lapu—You want at least two servings on your table. Good lord! The fish was so fresh and there was not one bit of fish bone.

    Sashimi and sushi? Always a crowd-pleaser.

    The Bulalo Soup was the kind of rich and flavorful “authentic Filipino” soup that makes life worth living. It’s a dish that tasted far superior than what it looked.

    Can you ever end a hearty meal without some sweet treats? Not for us as we were pampered with a variety of fruity type desserts and a whole section of cakes, halo-halo, leche flan and other pastries. These calories-laden desserts are surely not for the diabetics and for the faint-hearted.

    The best for my taste was the red velvet cake which was velvety and delicious by virtue of its divine combination with chocolate. Loved it!

    BARBECUE DINNER

    We were supposed to be having the barbecue dinner at the Canary Lounge at the poolside of F1 Hotel Manila, but since it rained in the afternoon, dinner was served at the “F” restaurant and we were lucky to avoid the rain.

    The BBQ dinner consisted of a medley of grilled meat and seafood with corn kernels and buttered vegetables. While I wasn’t pleased biting into the rubbery grilled pork belly and chewy beef, the flavors were definitely there—bold to say the least. On a separate note, the Hungarian sausage was good and shined on its own accord.

    I had mixed feelings with the meaty finds, but the grilled seafood entrees were a blast, a joy to savor. The plate came with the mackerel, shrimps and squid tasting great and flavorsome. It wasn’t hard to sense the natural sweetness in the seafood that’s owed to the freshness of the ingredients.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Nothing was inconspicuous about the honest cooking of the chefs behind the scenes. Lunch/dinner buffet rate (as of date) is at PhP 1399 pax, and the barbecue meal set is about PhP 2200+ (good for 5-7 people to share). Given that, I still don’t suggest dining in at F All Day Dining if you don’t have to mainly because of the price. But for times when you need an up-to-standard option in BGC, Taguig for any celebration or special occasion, this restaurant at F1 Hotel Manila is your jam.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.f1hotelmanila.com” name=”F All Day Dining (F Café)” description=”32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 9289888 and 908.7888 or email inquiry@f1hotelsandresorts.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-08″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Top 7 Staycation Activities to Do in F1 Hotel Manila (Bonifacio Global City, Philippines)

    Top 7 Staycation Activities to Do in F1 Hotel Manila (Bonifacio Global City, Philippines)

    Gloomy weather, flight cancellation, a big travel extravaganza that put a hurt on the wallet—who cares about these when we can opt for a staycation? First, what is a staycation? Glad you asked! 🙂 It’s a fancy term for “stay-at-home vacation” or by definition, a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad.

    Now let’s admit it, most of us have spent more time going to places outside the country than we have sites to travel to on our own town or area. We tend to dismiss exploring the local regions because of the assumption that going there is easier as we wish. But by having stuck with this same thought every time, we’re missing out on wonderful places around us that showcase great explorations.

    Case in point: F1 HOTEL MANILA in 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. 😀

    I’ve read reviews on F1 Hotel Manila and I’ve also seen the pictures online. Thanks to “Daddy” Richie‘s recommendation and Boss Spanky’s invitation, my mom, sister and I had the most awesome time at this hotel last weekend. 😀

    Warm Reception

    After parking at a secured car park slot at Basement 3 of F1 Hotel Manila without any hassle, we set foot at the fifth floor where we were greeted by the friendly hotel staff and met another early bird, Jeng of www.foodinthebag.com with his companion. We felt so welcomed, as we were offered treats at the Premier Lounge.

    For this coming Halloween, F1 Hotel Manila is featuring the Marvel theme, and this explains why the cookies have the Hulk and Green Lantern’s symbol on them. Good-looking and delicious pastries have the magic, always and forever, to draw us in and put smiles on our faces. 🙂

    Our two-day staycation itinerary was delivered via this cute piece of rolled paper tied to a Christmas ball. From there, I knew—F1 Hotel Manila would be making us experience how it is to stay in a “Home of Happy Experiences.”

    Top 7 Staycation Activities to Do in F1 Hotel Manila (Bonifacio Global City, Philippines)

    1. Indulge with Food

    We had the Christmas lunch buffet, an awesome barbecue dinner and the buffet breakfast at the F Café. Chef Sau Del Rosario is no longer their executive chef and for now the kitchen team is being handled by Sous Chef Pierre Tan. Anyway, food was still great. F Café presents a wide array of dishes for an enjoyable meal, we pretty much loved everything that came out of their kitchen. Here is the Review of F Café / F All Day Dining (F1 Hotel Manila, Bonifacio Global City).

    2. Surf Online

    We appreciated the free, fast and reliable Internet connection everywhere in the hotel. The availability of free Wi-Fi is an important factor for choosing where to stay. As for any purpose of the travel, people nowadays want to be connected online.

    Since residents of F1 Hotel Manila, as we observed, are mostly holidaymakers and business travelers, it’s good that the hotel’s Internet connection wasn’t at all disheartening. Laptop users can also make use of the LAN cable in the room to work and maintain constant contact with clients and the office.

    3. Relax and Have a Massage (Spa & Wellness Center)

    F1 Hotel Manila offers a nice massage for hotel guests. My mom and sister received a relaxing Swedish massage from the masseuse who went to our room.

    The massage therapist was pleasant, professional and obviously experienced. She spent more time than what’s expected and offered kind advice to Mom who’s suffering from some leg pains. She paid careful attention to problem areas and used an appropriate amount of pressure, quickly adjusting her technique based on response. These prompted us to give a service tip she deserved.

    We also visited the Spa & Wellness Center at the 3M floor, where hotel guests can have the massage service as well. I just wondered why the beds are arranged side by side in one room with a bath tub at the side with no curtains or any walls in between. What about privacy issues of people who don’t know each other? I guess the room will be booked exclusive to a family or a group of friends who are comfortable to be in the setup.

    Furthermore, the Spa & Wellness Center has a sauna room for those who just want to steam and like to stay hot.

    4. Go Out

    Staycation activities are not limited inside the building. There are lots of exciting places to go around at Bonifacio Global City, and a number of them (e.g. SM Aura, Market! Market!, Serendra, etc.) are just a walking distance away from F1 Hotel Manila. Mom was thrilled to go to S&R Membership Shopping for some retail therapy immediately after seeing it nearby. Upon hearing this, Jane of www.sugargospice.com was really sweet to offer us to use her membership card. Yay! Thank you so much, Jane! 😀

    5. Sleep and Stay Sound

    F1 Hotel Manila has these room types with the respective published rates:

    • Deluxe Room (PhP 9,500 per night)
    • City Suite (PhP 10,700 per night)
    • Fort Suite (PhP 13,100 per night)

    Each is good for 2 adults and 2 kids. The rate is inclusive of breakfast, applicable taxes and service charge.

    We stayed at the Fort Suite. Checking in was seamless. The staff gave us the access key cards to tap on the elevator and on our room door, and they promised to bring us our luggage thereafter.

    We got into the room easily and were super awed by its coziness and beautiful design. An abstract painting on the wall welcomed our view, providing a visual link in the background. A few steps brought us to the “living room” area which obviously has all of requirements. It’s very clean and spacious, equipped with an air conditioning unit, a sofa bed, telephone and television on a work/study table, stand lamp, cabinets, kitchen counter and a mini refrigerator.

    The big windows with the view of the neighborhood made the ambiance shimmer in the mid-day light. There were plenty of outlets (to charge our gadgets), and the TV had plenty of channels. We were also happy that there’s a full-length mirror that’s perfect for checking out our outfit, ensuring there’s nothing stuck in our teeth or other things I’m sure you can imagine. 🙂

    It didn’t take five more minutes before we heard the door bell ring. It was the hotel staff carrying our bags and another staff carrying the folding bed (pull-out bed) that he placed beside the sofa bed nicely. My mom and sister jumped in right away to test the comfort of the bed. As you can see in the picture, it passed! The pillow was fluffy yet adequately firm.

    Moving on, there’s a door separating the living room and the bedroom, assuring that privacy never feels intruded. As in the living room, the bedroom has thick blackout curtains that prevent sunlight from waking you up from a good night’s dream. The bed was plush and the bedding, including the sheets and comforter, was high quality, so make sure to set an alarm clock if you have to wake up earlier than your body clock is set for. It felt like sleeping on top of the cloud. Weeeee! 😛

    There’s also an LCD TV mounted on the wall and a cabinet which has an existing closet light.

    Inside the closet were a full-size ironing board, an iron, hangers, a mini vault, hotel slippers, bathrobes and weighing scale. We got plenty of space to put our stuff.

    Attached to the bedroom, the bathroom looked lovely and elegant with minimalistic interior. It had one of those modern waterfall shower heads installed with the right water pressure. The hot water made showering feeling good after going through the rainy weather. Temperature was easy to control.

    The glass door doesn’t have a latch but it’s great that it has seals that stop puddles of water from leaking out of the shower area. Toiletries available were nicely scented shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, tissue paper, shower cap, razor/shaver, and body lotion. The face towels, hand towels and bath towels provided were wonderfully clean and soft.

    6. Work Out at the Gym (F1 Hotel Manila’s Fitness Center)

    F1 Hotel Manila’s gym at the 3M floor is quite small for more than 10 people to be accommodated. But the good thing is that it’s open for hotel guests 24/7. There are three treadmills (my cardio favorite), two stationary bikes, one stepper (also a great way to elevate the heart rate), weights, a yoga ball and other machines at the back.

    7. Swim – Infinity Lap Pool, Kiddie Pool and Family Pool

    We planned to go swimming but then it rained on a Saturday afternoon. I hoped that the swimming pool area could be covered with a roof that can protect us against the sun rays and rain and that can slide open to the sky on balmy days. Anyway, it was fun watching the kids splash around in the kiddie pool the next day.

    The family pool was great for a refreshing dip as the water’s not too deep as the infnity pool so both kids and adults can play and waddle in the water.

    The infinity pool looked most inviting and mesmerizing against a spectacular view of the city. I’d have to say it’s one of the main attractions and highlights in this hotel. Shame that I could not try to even swim a lap because I had some signs of a common cold last Sunday and the water was just soooo cold. For sure, I won’t pass up the chance to swim in the infinity pool the next time we book for a stay at F1 Hotel Manila! 🙂

    Wrap Up

    Recently, I was again realizing that life is too short not to spend time with people you love and do things together that you love. If you want a short break and are looking for a great place to stay for a vacation and a perfect bonding time, know that F1 Hotel Manila in BGC for a staycation should not be skipped, especially in this coming holiday season. It’s a top notch hotel in Metro Manila where you can take refuge and a nice dose of luxury at a reasonable price. There’s so much more to rave about, but do yourself a favor and come visit F1 yourself. You will not regret it. 😉

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.f1hotelmanila.com” name=”F1 Hotel Manila” description=”32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 9289888 and 908.7888 or email inquiry@f1hotelsandresorts.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-07″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Mr. Jones (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Review of Mr. Jones (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Mr. Jones by Raintree Restaurants at Greenbelt 5 is moving to Bonifacio High Street in BGC soon. We came by last Saturday to admire its cooking and ambiance—three days before “D-day” or their move-out day. Mr. Jones is an up-market and contemporary restaurant serving a full array of authentic American cuisine. The menu features real blue plates, gourmet diner pies, burgers, old-fashioned milkshakes n’ egg creams, fountain drinks, boutique gourmet beer and all-day breakfast among others.

    Review of Mr. Jones (Greenbelt 5, Makati City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    Nicely decorated, Mr. Jones in Greenbelt 5 was a lovely rectangular room and not cramped. Theme was pleasing to the eye as it consisted of pastels accented with bold primary colors. Details on furniture were quite adequate and consistent. I liked it how natural bright lighting strikes all over the room, and I hope that this remains the same in their new branch in Bonifacio Global City. There’s also an al-fresco area that had a warm and relaxing ambiance. Being situated outside the mall and nearer the greenery was a big plus. It was absolutely charming! 🙂

    Service: ★★★★☆

    Service was professional, non-intrusive and accommodating majority of the time we were there. Orders came quickly and there was no pressure to leave right away once we had finished the meal.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Mr. Jones’ Crab Carbonara Linguine (PhP 450) tasted fine and fresh but just lacked excitement. Made with crab meat, black caviar, bacon, egg yolk, linguine, fresh lemon and dill, the pasta didn’t look much when it arrived. I was saddened because it did not have that strong, luscious flavor of crab in white sauce I had anticipated. I also wished that the garnish and toppings were more abundant and more vibrant. Overall, this dish deserved a mediocre salute. Next, please.

    We chose Rosemary Grilled Chicken and Turkey Melt (PhP 450) from the list of superstar sandwiches because its description on the menu was long hence it looked interesting: emmental and gruyere cheese, pesto, mixed greens, tomatoes and onions, topped with sweet cranberry compote on toasted rye served with fries, coleslaw and a pickle. After 10 minutes, my curiosity was quelled finally upon my first bite. It was a good-quality sandwich. Everything was put together well and resulted to something satisfying. The sides couldn’t go unnoticed. They were as good as sides complementing a sandwich could get.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    The food was okay but not PhP 900++ okay. I expected a lot more. With the high prices, they should have inspired a deeper pang of hunger or a craving. That said, a reduction in prices would be nice and probably would reflect the taste of food better. At least this was what I thought out of the two items we ordered. I could pass a different judgment when we try more of Mr. Jones’ food next time. 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/raintreemrjones” name=”Mr. Jones ” description=”Greenbelt 5, Makati (moving to Bonifacio High Street)” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-10-01″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • World Dream Day Held in the Philippines for the First Time #Dreambook

    World Dream Day Held in the Philippines for the First Time #Dreambook

    Attending in World Dream Day’s activity in Powerbooks, Greenbelt, Makati City has been a respite from the modern chaos, a time for diversion, for recharging my drive to accomplish what’s next in my list of dreams. Thanks to Dreambook as well, I am getting more charged up and excited about life every single day. For those who haven’t heard about World Dream Day Philippines or the Dreambook Project, I hope that you take the time to read this first. 🙂

    Now assuming that we’re all on the same page, let me take you through the highlights of the event last Saturday. It was the first time that the Philippines has celebrated and joined the many other dreamers share their dream on World Dream Day. I thought that this was a great moment for people to take the time to focus on their dream and turn it into reality.

    The theme for this year was: Dream Different. It’s to establish and write a dream that will make a difference in the world. Founder of World Dream Day, Ozioma Egwuonwu, explained in a video that people who have dreams are people who contribute to a better world. While watching her, I found myself nodding lightly and agreeing to the said statements. Dreams empower global progress. As we start to identify what we want to do and build on the idea, we become more excited and we tend to encourage the realization that’s being conversed to the world.

    The goal was for World Dream Day Philippines to help participants specify, clarify and celebrate their dreams or goals, and plan on how to reach these dreams, with the help of a few pages from the Dreambook.

    Life Coach Claude M. Sta. Clara was the speaker and facilitator. He has been very effective in clearly and succinctly communicated and guided us in writing our dream and unleash our potential. He has been facilitating training, consulting and coaching for the past 24 years.

    He specializes in coaching using neuro-semantics, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), timeline therapy, hypnotherapy and self-actualization psychology. Coach Claude is currently a consultant at coaching companies Mind Pool, Organizational Change Consultants International, and Fullness of Life Foundation.

    4 Steps to Make a Dream Come True – by World Dream Day and Dreambook

    There are four steps on how to make a dream and make it come true, Life Coach Claude M. Sta. Clara said:

    1. Rate: Rate three areas in our life, specifically in health, family and career/studies, from 1 to 10 (1-farthest; 10-closest). Encircle the lowest number and know that it corresponds to the area that you should improve on the most and dream about achieving.

    Not to give the answer of others, I’d just share what I had in mind here.

    Health: I dream to have a leaner, more toned body. (9)

    I actually don’t have a lot of excess fats around my arms, tummy and legs. You would probably think that I eat sinful food all the time because I’m a food blogger. Haha! But that’s not true. In most days of the week (5/7 or 6/7), I eat really clean and healthy food cooked by my mom at home and pack food for lunch in the office.

    I practice exercise regimens such as pushups, situps, crunches, stationary jogs, stretching, jumping jacks and squats non-stop for at least 20 minutes in a day usually an hour or 1.5 hours after dinner. I think it’s a good training routine to keep, targeting fat burning to the maximum. To move further though, I can dial in a more advanced fitness program. I’ve tried the Insanity Workout before and I think I can do it again. 😛

    Family: I dream to spend more quality time with family discovering new places and learning life lessons together. (9)

    I am very close with my family—my parents and sister. We see each other every day and discuss what happened during the day when we’re all back at home. We have dinner together and eat at the same time around the same table at least five times a week (weekdays). We even sleep in one room! 🙂

    I just dream that we get to travel to more destinations next time since my sister will be graduating from college very soon. There’s no more deadlines and homework she has to attend to (well, those are usually what hinders us to have free times in the weekend).

    Career: I dream to open up a business without having to compromise my day-job. (7)

    I am still in the process of making this dream happen. With ashitabaplant.com, I am able to educate people about the wonders of ashitaba plant and the chalcones (such as lower blood sugar and fight diabetes, lower high blood pressure and treat metabolic syndrome, lower high cholesterol, etc.) and sell ashitaba products from Japan.

    Operating this online business is relatively easy and does not interfere with my day-job. Apart from that, I’m a practitioner of online marketing and content development for search engine optimization (SEO), and I do this as part of another online venture. As a workaholic, I thought I have not yet maximized my time and pushed myself to the limit. Hence, still not giving up the security of a regular salary, I’ve just newly opened a door for an “online extravaganza.”

    In my case, having the lowest rating of 7, career must be the area I should work on in my dream.

    2. Write: Write your dream in the following format: My name is __________. My dream is _________ on or before __________. This is important because _______.

    Everyone was asked to stand in front and share his/her dream. Some were at first shy about it because they’re probably not really used to speaking in front of a crowd but through the support and encouragement given by the others, they became more comfortable in the end. I was the last to share mine, and it was this:

    My name is Rochkirstin Santos. My dream is to launch expoPinoy.com, an e-commerce site which is envisioned to promote and export the best of Pinoy products online worldwide, on or before December 2014. This is important because I feel challenged to imagine the dream I have in my heart and that’s to become successful both in business and in career. I intend to serve as an inspiration to others as well. This is also to prove to myself that being young doesn’t mean being unprepared, inexperienced or weak. And hopefully, I can do just that, with the help of others and God. 🙂

    3. Plan: Planning steps on how to make your dream come true will make you become more guided realistically.

    Planning based on whims and fantasies does not form the backbone of a strong plan. As in the case of IT project management, I have been most exposed to planning firm schedules with the right budget, people and resources through tactical execution of strategic vision. It wouldn’t be as hard to go through the same exercise with the online business development.

    If you’re doing a plan for the first time, I suggest sitting down with a piece of paper. This can be in a journal, spiral notebook, or a blank document on your computer—whatever works best for you. Jot down what you need to get accomplished and create a timetable. Set priorities and monitor your timetable regularly. Review what you’ve finished and stick to the plan. When possible, list out also the risks and create a risk management plan and strategy to keep issues from developing into emergencies. Assess the risks and plan on how to address them.

    4. Act: Act according to the plan.

    People are full of dreams but realizing those dreams is another thing, and dreams would be useless without work or action. There are many ways to achieve our dreams, and one of the most essential things is having the confidence and motivation that will make us do everything to get to the dreams that we have.

    I believe that God has already lined up the right people and the right opportunities and He wouldn’t have given us the dream if He wouldn’t allow to bring it to come to pass. The Bible tells us that God “by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” (Ephesians 3:20 LB). Dream a dream so big only God can fulfill it. 😀

    Snack Break and Dreambook Raffle

    Before the session ended, we enjoyed some food and drinks and also congratulated those who won the raffle draws. Prizes were three copies of the Dreambook. Those who bought the Dreambook that day were also winners as they were able to avail of the special 10% discount.

    Wrap Up

    World Dream Day is an international movement that makes us specify, clarify and celebrate our dreams, plan on how to reach the dreams, and begin a community of dreamers supporting each other. In collaboration with Dreambook, it has communicated that dreams are continuing visions of what we want our life to be at its highest level of fulfillment. Through sharing the four simple steps, I hope that you, my readers, can also think about your dream—what you want to do, how you want to do it, what kind of person you want to become in the process.

    What’s your dream story? Share it below. Please follow the format: My name is __________. My dream is _________ on or before __________. This is important because _______. Thanks! 😀

  • Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    It has been a while since I last hit up Banawe Avenue in Quezon City (now dubbed as the “second Chinatown”) for a meal. Why? I live in Binondo, at the heart of the first and original Chinatown in Metro Manila, Philippines. Delicious, authentic and solid Chinese food to us is just within an arm’s reach. In rare occasions though, we also try and venture out to discover snazzy Chinese restaurants outside our perimeter and see if the trip would or won’t be worth the trip.

    Yesterday was one of those times. We recently heard that King Chef has opened a new branch in Banawe called King Chef Dimsum Kitchen following the success of its flagship branch. What else could we have had at this restaurant? Dim sum (点心), of course! 😛

    As a culinary adventure, eating dim sum is a casual affair that’s better enjoyed with a large bunch of people. Especially since King Chef serves over a hundred different kinds of dim sum, you would want to try more—without having to spend more individually and take more than your body can absorb at a time. It also feels fun and rewarding to anticipate and converse about the dim sum with friends/family once the bamboo steamer is lifted and the food is revealed.

    King Chef Dimsum Kitchen offers price discounts on its dim sum during these hours: Morning Tea Time (8AM-10AM), Afternoon Tea Time (2PM-5PM) and Late Night Tea Time (9PM-12MN) daily. If this sounds good to you, take advantage of their promotion and plan for a dining schedule now. 🙂 Here’s a sneak peek and review of the food according to my taste buds.

    Review of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Apparently, King Chef Dimsum Kitchen is where community feeding sessions can be held in mass. This is a restaurant meant for big groups, with square tables that can be easily merged together. If you need a venue for birthday parties and any other celebrations, this Chinese banquet hall has got you covered. The interior design is aesthetically pleasing without much frills. I’m contented with the cleanliness of the space, bright lighting and decent furniture. The place can get a little noisy when it’s filled with more customers but that’s fine with me as I’m already used to the certain festive bustle or the 热闹 (re-nao) ambiance in most Chinese restaurants.

    Food: ★★★★★

    King Chef Dimsum Kitchen’s menu is organized into categories: Congee, Steamed Dim Sum, Fried Dim Sum, Noodles and Soups, Rice Toppings, Breakfast Sets, Lunch Sets, Rice Rolls, Drinks and Desserts. Everything is characterized by the food’s distinctive taste and the great care taken in its preparation. If you’re a dim sum novice, the key to ordering properly—a lesson not better learned the hard way—is to order at least one from each category.

    Over 30+ dim sum were served to us, but I have carefully selected only those that appealed to me the most:

    Crispy Duck Wantons (PhP 120 regular/PhP 68 promo) featured the concept of fried pork wanton balls, except that the fillings are changed to duck meat. Pan-fried to a light crisp, this was quite a contentment as the duck meat was perfectly minced inside. Get this as an appetizer or an entrée. However you choose to go about it, make sure it’s on the table. It’s nothing short of amazing!

    The Shanghai-style Xiao Long Bao (PhP 150, 6 pieces) was good but not as delightful as the others that I’ve had. I thought it’s a litlte dry and lacked on the soup, but that’s maybe because we didn’t eat it at once. For that matter, a return visit and reorder would make a justification.

    The Beancurd Roll (PhP 105 regular/PhP 62 promo) was dense and so good that I didn’t bother to know what’s stuffed inside (ground pork? shrimp? mushroom? veggeis?). That rarely happens. I just managed to swallow the half portion entirely and nodded my head in the affirmative: yes, it’s delicious! 🙂

    Looking cute and awesome, the Carrot Rolls (PhP 90 regular/PhP 62 promo) are not actually carrots but rolls which are only made to look like carrots. Don’t get fooled. 😆 Points are definitely added for creativity. These are filled with lin yong (lotus seed paste)—the same primary ingredient in traditional mooncakes. I would have preferred it to have a stronger dose of carrot flavor to match expectation somehow.

    Another aromatic dim sum dish was the Pumpkin Balls (PhP 90 regular/PhP 62 promo) which stood out for me also because I would never have expected that it’s also stuffed with linyong inside. The texture was fine and smooth like butter and the taste was not too sweet, so there isn’t anything bad to say about it. I bet kids would love it. It’s perfect for Halloween!

    When meat meets vegetables to form a dumpling, good things happen. This is exactly the case with the Chiu Chow Style Kuchay Dumplings (PhP 95 regular/PhP 62 promo). I enjoyed a plump piece of it and appreciated the mix of flavors and textures in one bite. Wrapped in soft rice paper wrapper, the dumpling wasn’t far too heavy-handed on the kuchay, so for those who are members of the “anti Chinese chives and coriander community,” please don’t say no to this right away. Give it a try!

    Doused in sweet soy sauce, the Vegetarian Rice Rolls (PhP 95) were thick, chewy, and not too sticky. They’re made with vegetables including my favorite enoki mushrooms (Japanese golden mushrooms)! 😀 I really miss eating enoki mushrooms because they’re hard to find here in local groceries and markets. This is one of my favorites.

    Having that squidgy slightly sweet inner wall, the Ham Soy Kok/ Ham Sui Gok 咸水角 (PhP 95 regular/PhP 62 promo) or fried pork dumplings were wonderful. Some people describe it as tikoy (glutinous rice cake) with gorgeous savory pork filling inside. Everyone of us liked it, thanks to the savory crisp and chewy mochi-like skin.

    The Hakaw (PhP 110 regular/PhP 68 promo) or shrimp dumpling is one of my staple orders at every dimsum restaurant I go to. This version hasn’t disappointed at all. The prawns used inside were clean and fresh with a natural sweetness that’s hard to resist. The dumpling skin was thin enough to keep the fillings wrapped and not fall apart upon the first bite.

    If you want something similar to hakaw but then something more unique, take the Bird’s Eye Dumplings (PhP 110 regular/PhP 68 promo). It’s made with bouncy prawn, asparagus, carrot and fish wrapped in translucent skin resulting to a savory taste. I think of it as the old school hakaw with differing textures and a hidden bonus.

    An explosion of sweet and slightly salty flavors, the taro used in the Taro Puff (PhP 120) was fresh and refined. Drizzling a piece with the sweet sauce enhanced the natural taste of taro. I like adding chili sauce for a complete knockout as spicy food often wake up my senses and increase my appetite. The taro puff is a timeless classic that has been nicely done. Overall, it’s complete and well-balanced with the almost bland-tasting outer crust layer (nest).

    By the look of it, the Beef Wanton Noodles (PhP 190) was just another bowl of standard Chinese noodles, except that this noodle and soup dish dominated in a head-to-head battle against being soggy, over-salty version some of us are used to getting. With a bit of spicy kick on the broth, these are great noodles with solid bites of protein and vegetables along the way.

    The Bola Bola Congee (PhP 130) tasted rich and velvety. It was very fragrant, cooked Cantonese-style that’s boiled until it’s mashy and rather soupy. Coming from a Cantonese family, I have always liked this type of congee since I was younger and shall love it most probably for the rest of my life. It’s warm, soothing and memorable.

    For desserts, the Mango Balls (PhP 85 regular/PhP 62 promo) brought that subtle sweetness that lingers in the mouth. They’re basically a doughy treat of mango mochi filled with a small mango piece inside and sprinkled with coconut flakes. The presentation was mediocre but these mango balls are a great way to end a fulfilling meal.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    With “dum sum” forming part of its name, we’re pretty much guaranteed to have a good meal at King Chef Dimsum Kitchen. Price range is around PhP 80-PhP 150 for most items, and this is actually not bad given the high quality of ingredients used and creative presentations of food. If you’re hunting high and low for the best dim sum restaurant in the metro, note that King Chef must be included in the list.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/kingchefph” name=”King Chef Dimsum Kitchen” description=”238 Banawe corner Pagataan St. Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 361-0571 and 361-1332″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-09-25″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

    Operating hours:
    Mon: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
    Tue: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
    Wed – Sat: 7:00 am – 12:00 am
    Sun: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm

    Other branches: King Chef Seafood Restaurant

    • 987-989 Banawe St, Quezon City 3527534 | Call 4136619, 4414177, 6977781 or delivery hotline 4104919
    • 2F Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo, Manila | Call 7208594, 466 5765 (read my review here)