The Pearl Hotel - Manila

The Pearl Manila Hotel is one of the more affordable hotels in the heart of Manila that is perfect for accommodations if you're getting married at Paco Park. If your limo is late, you can just walk to the venue.

It's not a grand hotel but we loved the room we got in 2005. I believe it was a Junior Suite, with the master's bedroom featuring a king-sized bed. I can't remember if it had stone sinks but it didn't have a bath tub. It had another bedroom with a double bed and there was another bathroom. There was also a kitchenette where you can heat food, store food, etc. and a living area.

They have a pool for events as well and halls for parties. It was where my sister-in-law celebrated her debut. Food was so-so to good. I guess a lot will depend on the budget.

But the rooms are really nice for the price. We had enough room to move about during my wedding preparation.

New Divisoria Mall

The New Divisoria Mall in Divisoria (flanked by streets Ylaya, Sto. Cristo, etc.) is not new anymore. But it is still a favorite haunt for Divi shoppers. Around the streets near it, one can buy cheap candies, wedding/christening souvenirs, baby/kid clothes, uniforms, textiles, beads as well as fruits and vegetables.

It may not be the best place to having your mac memory expanded but inside the Mall, one can buy a lot of non-branded electronics: from personal DVD players to cell phones. You can also buy branded bag immitations, accessories, pirated DVDs and every possible thing you'd need for your child's party loot bags. Other party supplies are sold at the 2nd level.

The reason I go here though is the food court at the 3rd level. I go to this stall and order their misua soup. If you're lucky, there will be some pieces of halaan-like shells in the soup. But anyway, it's delicious at only P60. And I don't normally eat misua anything.





Other stalls offer great fare as well, Chinese ones mostly. And then there's Chansel, a beloved cheapy pizza.

Adarna: Looking for Storytellers and Having a Sale

Adarna House is looking for storytellers!!! They prefer those who can work during the week since they mostly go to schools. They will provide all the training necessary to become a good one.

For more info or to send your resume, e-mail grace@adarna.com.ph :)

Adarna House is also holding a Back-to-School Sale on May 3-31, 2010. Enjoy big, BIG Discounts of up to 70% on selected items! Don't miss this last opportunity to get their storybooks for only 50 pesos as there will be a price increase come June 1 (P73).

Proceed to the Adarna Showroom:
08:00 - 5:00 PM
2/F FSS Bldg. 20 Sct. Tuason cor. Sct. Castor Sts., Brgy. Laging Handa
Quezon City, Philippines

Aloe Vera: Natural Cure for Hair Loss

Aloe Vera is a natural cure for hair loss. What's more, it is safe to use even on children and by pregnant or lactating Moms. It doesn't have side effects and is also very affordable. One just has to have a plant and really go natural, or use hair products that used Aloe Vera as active ingredient.

One just needs to apply the gel-like substance of one Aloe leaf directly on the scalp. Just massage it there and leave on for awhile then just rinse.

Some people also spoon this gel up and just eat it, or mix it with a drink as it easily dissolves. This gel stimulates the production of white blood cells that may help fight viruses and infections. It's also a great colon cleanser.

So before resorting to drastic measures for thinning hair, go natural first.

36th Pedia Talk Live Focuses on Mommies

May is Mothers' Month and the Mommy Academy has cooked up a great program for mothers as a treat. All one has to do is pre-register. Details of the event are:

36th Pedia Talk Live
Ready,Get Set, Grow!
May 15, 2010 (Saturday)
8:00 am -12:00 nn
Grand Ballroom, Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City
*Admission is free, but preregistration is a must! REGISTER NOW!

Topics include encouraging healthy eating and finding the energy to care for one's family. Mothers are also encouraged to bring along their hubbies and kids as a play area will be set up for the kids.

Kid Adventures
May 15, 2010
Dusit Thani Manila
8:00 am -12:00 nn
Open to kids from 2-10 years old. Admission is free, but preregistration is a must. REGISTER NOW.

This is a great family bonding opportunity so don't miss it!

The Sun and Age Spots

One good thing going for us Filipino is our tanned skin which doesn't burn as easily as fair skin. But a lot of us continue being exposed to the sun which may result in age spots, or liver spots. Those people who have freckles are more prone to developing these brown, or dark brown, spots on the face, neck, forearms and hands. If you also have age spots, you may have a higher risk of also getting skin cancer.

Now, what can one do to treat age spots? Treatment options can run the gamut of skin peeling, laser treatments, light therapies and bleaching creams. But the best treatment for age spots is still prevention.

So, even if you're still young with healthy skin, avoid too much sun exposure. Use sunscreen judiciously, especially in our country where the sun shines bright most of the year. Keep hydrating and take Vitamin E supplements as well as lather on Vitamin E-enriched potions. Cover up by wearing arm guards and hats if you have to be out. All these precautions will ensure that your skin remains healthy and spot-free all your life.

Purchasing Wedding Rings

Those planning their big day this year would also do well to know that now is the perfect time to shop for wedding jewelry like diamond engagement rings, wedding rings, eternity rings and other accessories one might need for their wedding. Gold is cheapest per gram around this time because people are not likely buying jewelry left and right. A lot are even pawning or selling their stuff.

Why?

Because it's tuition fee time come late May and early June. Most families are therefore holding onto their money more and letting go of their nice things to finance college tuitions instead.

Don't believe me? Ask your favorite jeweller about it.

Just So Scrappy QPs for Newborn Brag Books

Unfortunately, it's a little more fitting for newborns. But fortunately enough, it is not yet too late to grab the Quickpages from Just So Scrappy and use them for your Brag Books. They come in Baby Boy and Baby Girl colors/layouts. Just make sure to download them all using the archive links at the sidebar because just clicking on "Older Posts" might not make you land on each layout.

Here's just some of the brag book pages:







Now, aren't they cute? And there are ten brag book layouts in all for each gender. Don't forget to leave some love and start scrapping those pictures!!!

And yes, do keep coming back because Just So Scrappy always has lovely brag book freebies :)

Papaya for Acne

One of the things I found out when writing my medicinal plants article is that papaya is great, not just for whitening but also for treating acne. Eating ripe papaya helps clear acne internally but mashing some of the fleshy side of a green papaya and using it as mask will do it externally.

Some, on the other hand, juice the flesh and some of the seeds of a green papaya and put some on cotton balls and use like an astringent. It makes blemishes caused by previous acne light and less visible as well.

If you don't want the trouble though of having to prepare anything yourself, just use toners and soaps made with green papaya enzymes. Local products like YSA, Human Heart Nature, and All Organics all have organic papaya soaps. But still, do eat lots of ripe papaya as well.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

It is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the Philippine Online Chronicles will tackle the more common forms of childhood cancer as well as other health topics to help keep cancer away. Don't be surprised if mesothelioma survival rate is also discussed, however lightly.

I also did an article on local fruits, vegetables and plants with medicinal properties. Most of them have cleansing abilities, great for diabetics or those with digestive problems. So do visit the site and be informed. We do put a lot of work on our articles to bring you critical information needed to make all those informed decisions.

Pork Binagoongan at Mangan

I love Mangan. It's got a great ambience for really affordable Filipino fare. recently though, I am a fan of their pork binagoongan. It's really just three pieces of pork served on top of an eggplant but it is just perfectly made all the time. The shrimp paste used is not that salty, the tomatoes are bordering on crunchy, the pork is tender. I don't eat eggplant but my husband loves how it's perfectly cooked all the time.


So the next time you're eating there, don't miss the Pork Binagoongan. Have it with lots of rice and sago't gulaman, and I tell you, you'll be a satisfied customer!

Move for Health

In the recent issue of Readers Digest Asia, a man shared his story of suffering from a spinal injury resulting from a habit of sitting in uncomfortable positions for long hours as part of his work as a writer.

I think it is in the same issue (or the previous one) that people are advised to set their timers every 30 minutes to remind them to look away from whatever it is they're doing (working on the computer, watching a movie on their LCD TV, drafting, etc.) so that the eyes can get a reprieve and be better able to focus.

And movement also begets movement, bowel movement that is. Even the healthiest of food is all about getting our heart pumping, our bladders emptying, our stomachs digesting.

So safeguarding one's health is really a matter of movement. Activity. Make sure you have enough in your life lest you damage your body in ways that are irreparable.

Cheaper Musical Instruments

Where does one buy cheaper musical instruments here in Manila? What if you need stainless steel drums or a really classy clarinet?

There are actually shops in malls like Harisson Plaza where one can buy such instruments at already affordable prices. But if one really wants to buy a higher-end instrument at a lower cost, Raon in Quiapo is the place to go.

If coming from Rizal Avenue, one would have to go through all the shops selling videoke machines first (going in the direction of the Church) and shops selling glasses and contact lenses. Feel free to ask people for directions. Be ready, however, to be pointed to where it is via their pursed lips or vague waves of the hand. Still, you aren't likely to miss it.

Dough Joe

If you're looking for an alternative to Bread Talk, and maybe slightly cheaper breads that can compete with theirs, check out the mall nearest you if there's a Dough Joe branch there.

One just opened at Robinson's Place and they were selling bread at half-price as a grand opening treat. Their cheese floss is just as great (plus, it had cheese inside the bread). Their tuna floss had cheese and floss on top and tuna flakes inside the bread.

Skip their coffee bun though if you love Kopi Roti's because it has this coffee custard something inside and minus the lovable crust of Kopi Roti's Kopi Bun.

Diet Pills and Summer Heat May Not Mix

Most diet pills have ingredients that are diueretic to supposedly help flush toxins out of the body. There is nothing wrong with that expecially if the brand you use has been clinically tested to be safe and you follow the dosage.

Unfortunately, diuretics in this summer heat may cost you more than your body's toxins. It may actually cost you your health.

Normally, you'd need at least twice the recommended amount of water when it's really, really hot because your body burns and you perspire.

You also need about that amount of water if you're on diet pills, to make up for all the water you will flush out.

But who drinks thrice the amount of recommended water intake anyway? And if you don't, you may be compromising your body by becoming more at risk of heat stroke, at least.

So do consult your physician and nutritionist before continuing to pop those pills. You may need extra vitamins as well. Remember, keeping healthy is not just about losing weight.

A Full Cup's Shopping Lists

I was messaged by a Mom who was the moderator of AFullCup.com. She and other moms have set up a shopping list of all the sale items and the coupons in most groceries. This is perfect for budget-savvy parents and families dealing with an expansion, addition or the recession.

People in America, do check the site out and grab those free coupons.

Manila Hotel Weddings

I finally got to attend a wedding at the Manila Hotel last March 20. The wedding was held near the poolside, which would have been really nice if not for half-naked people going about enjoying the pool. But the pool is a little gated. Still, hotel guests are still free to roam about and sometimes create noise in a photographer's shot.

Manila Hotel's lobby was as impressive as usual, with possibly Murray Feiss lighting and its marble floors. The event halls are just as impressive as well. Grand, classy and all kinds of luxe.













And the food was just amazing. You're sure not to get embarassed with your guests. The waitstaff were also very prompt and accommodating.



Certainly, a part of me regretted that we didn't have our wedding reception there, not that PICC and Barbara's disappointed us. But the Manila Hotel continues to be a grand hotel, and possibly more affordable now what with hotels like Sofitel being really pricey.

Plus, it is rich in history that adds to its character, something other hotels will never have.

Residence Inn Mountain Resort - Tagaytay

If you're in need of a break from going over home insurance quotes and other such serious stuff, take a breather by taking a road trip to Residence Inn Mountain Resort in Tagaytay. Tickets cost P249, which includes a trip to the Paradizoo Theme Farm in Mendez, Cavite.

We got there at 5 PM already so we were only charged P199/adult because there weren't trips to Paradizoo anymore.

There were still alot of animals there. The white lions were beautiful, there were at least five tigers and there was a small area for fishes and reptiles. There was also a play area for kids, although I really wish they'd clean the play area. At least wipe the slides and tables, you know.





the dining area


the rooms


the play area


the big gorilla icon is still there


the steps to where the eagles and peacocks are


the grounds


the view of Taal Volcano


white lion


you're near the ladies room when you see her




an area for magic shows


one bored python

It's a great destination for a road trip. You can just go out and eat somewhere else if you don't like what they offer and come back again to just enjoy the view and hang out. It was also a great reprieve from the summer heat to be there.