Baby Steps in Going Green

Going green is all about saving the environment, a big part of which is reducing energy consumption and waste production. But a lot of people balk at the suggestion to go green, thinking that they are being expected to stop breathing to reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Nothing that drastic, my dears.

Taking baby steps is the key. Changing one (bad) habit of ours can already impact the world to its betterment without our being aware of it.

Take for example, not letting water run while you're brushing your teeth. Maybe, if I tell you that you can save about 20,000 gallons of water a year (that's enough to fill a pool!) if you learn to turn your faucet off while brushing would inspire you to do just that.

One other thing is to not overstock, especially without noting and tracking the expiry dates on the products you purchased. This will save you money since it will limit the number of items you'd have to throw out monthly, and save your health too as you don't risk it from eating expired food. Another reason not to feel bad about not studying those insurance quotes more judiciously, surely?

I shall post more baby green steps in the coming days!

Thrice Disappointed

I was looking forward to the weekend, expecting to have a blast at the two convention/exhibits and the halloween thingie we were going to.

I shouldn't have bothered.

First, there was the WORLD OF CHINA EXHIBIT at the World Trade Center. Not sure if it was because it was running for almost a week then but there really wasn't much to see or interest someone at the exhibit. Shopping in Divisoria is more exciting, at least you get to see Nokia knock-offs (in the form of Nokla) and binge on Chinese food.

But yes, there were Crocs shoes and sandals being sold for P350 each (or 3 for P1000) but they only had limited stocks and colors. And yes, there were several exhibit booths selling exercise machines and herbal/organic stuff that supposedly helps one to lose weight.

It was interesting to watch a tea ceremony in real life, however, and the exhibit was free and you get canvas bags. And yes, they did set up a Great Wall there for photo opps. But still, it was truly a let down.

So we rushed to the SMX Convention Center for the Consumer Electronics thingie. Apart from seeing the latest models of Mac PCs and Nokia phones, the highlight of the exhibit would be watching photographers take pictures of a model who seemed to have been paid to pose all day and getting a free canvas bag from Philcopy. One other disappointment is that i've been to a few similar (and better) exhibits at Mega Trade Hall that cost me nothing while this cost me P50.

Sigh.

And then there's the Halloween Fun Craze at Alabang Town Center spearheaded by Kidsters, Inc. In retrospect, maybe I should have given into my misgivings when I was told that pre-registration is done there and then (sorry, but i've always thought pre-registration involves filling up an internet form or e-mails or calls are made to register BEFORE the event happens). I was also told that they'd be there from 10 AM to 5 PM.

So we got there at past 2 PM, I think, looking forward to loot bags at least for the effort we invested on our costumed kids (Lilo, Snow White and Tiger... and the tiger costume wasn't made for tropical weather!). Or at least, great photo opportunities. To our dismay, the event was set up on a non-air conditioned plaza and they were already awarding the costumed kids (winners, I think, were one dressed as a KAPRE and the other is an AXED LADY). But we were told that there'd be another batch of costume contest at 4 PM. The emcee announced it several times as well, that they were going to pick four other winners (most inventive, cutest, scariest and one other criteria) at 4 PM. The emcee also said that there's no pre-registration anymore in the afternoon. So our lot decided to give our kids a wardrobe change first and eat snacks... and just get back there at quarter to four.

We did just that. Imagine our shock then when we saw all the booths being dismantled and all the tables and chairs being taken away. They were packing up! And when we tried getting the organizers to explain, no one had an answer.

What a waste of an afternoon indeed! We could have gone to Powerplant instead... or baked cookies. Tsk.

So good luck to those attending the Halloween Fun Craze in Glorietta.

Exhibit Halls: A World of Possibilities

Thinking of where to go on weekends? Looking for business ideas or ways to add to your network? Looking for the latest innovations or professionals to hook up with? What about good bargains, discounts and freebies?

Check out the nearest exhibition hall from you for their calendar of events.

For World Trade Center Manila, here are some of the remaining events that may interest you:

October 23-26 - World of China

November
3 American Women's Club Monthly Bazaar
6-9 Taiwan Show and Technology Fair
7-9* Paskong Pilipino Shopping Expo
13 Trust Family Fair
15-16 Kapamilya Negosyo Fair
21-23 The Grand International Christmas Bazaar
22 Abba Concert
25 Salon Spectacular
26-30* Christmas Shop Expo/Noel Discovery Bazaar 2008
Christmas decors, novelty items, fashion acces., RTWs & etc.

December
2 American Women's Club Monthly Bazaar
5-16 World Bazaar Festival
18-21 OFW & Overseas Fair 2008
19-21 Christmas Shop Expo/Noel Discovery Bazaar 2008
19-26* Christmas year-ender Inventory Sale
28 Charity Bingo Fiesta


For the SMX Convention Center, here are the events of interest:

Philippine Fashion Week 08 October 22, 2008 - October 26, 2008
Consumer Electronics Live Manila 2008 October 24, 2008 - October 26, 2008
2nd Asian Computer and Consumer Electronics System Show (ACCESS 08) November 6, 2008 - November 9, 2008
PHILCONSTRUCT/PSVARE November 13, 2008 - November 16, 2008
Manila Auto Salon 2008 November 20, 2008 - November 23, 2008
Asian Business Expo November 28, 2008 - November 30, 2008
COMDDAP IT Expo December 4, 2008 - December 7, 2008
Christmas Treasures Expo December 5, 2008 - December 7, 2008

Practicality of HMOs

You often hear people complaining that the doctors they get from their HMOs are no good. Some are too quick to dispense prescriptions without throughly interviewing you first, or you get shunted from doctor to doctor (whoever is available), or you literally have to threaten them before they'd issue laboratory orders.

But maybe all that can be minimized by going for HMOs that do not promise much for so little. You get what you pay for, always remember that, and you have to keep in mind that health insurance is a business. So do not expect to only pay P5k and get the royal treatment.

This is not to say that you should settle for crappy service. But before enrolling in one, review the terms, compare it with other proposals or ideal setups (like maybe, ones like what NC health insurance offers). Is it too good to be true? In home tv shopping speak, are there way too many freebies? Read the fine print. Don't be enticed by extras that you don't really need (pap smears should be standard in a package for a woman in her 30s, but colonics are not). And be willing to pay good money.

Because, at the end of the day, having a health card does save us in medical emergencies. We don't always know when we'd be involved in a car accident or would require an appendectomy. Even the fittest and healthiest can suffer from dengue in our country. A good HMO will take care of the initial, if not all, part of our consultation and hospitalization bills. A bad one will require nurses to triple check, a representative to conduct interviews and make recommendations, a committee to approve, and the injured/sick to come up with deposits or advance payments (supposedly, to be reimbursed after two months or so).

Believe me, you don't want that kind of hassle on top of a medical emergency.

Win free passes to Consumer Electronics Live!

Thinking of where to bring your gadget-freak hubby? Win free passes to Consumer Electronics Live!

The event will be held for three days (October 24-26, 2008) at the SMX Convention Center bseide Mall of Asia. Get a chance to win Nokia and Samsung cellphones as well as a BOSE Sound Dock. Get discounts from Canon (up to 40%) and My Screen (up to 70%) purchases as well as freebies.

Eat Right

Before pouring over magazines and websites for diet pill reviews, make a list first of what you normally eat and crave for.

After doing so, identify which are healthy foods (those with actual nutrients) and which are actually just junk foods (no matter how 'fortified' or 'low fat' they claim to be). Replace the junk food with healthy food. Make this the first step to eating right and actually losing weight.

Do you crave chips for their crunch? Munch on cereals instead. Or nuts. Or fresh salads.

Love french fries? Cut potatoes in fry-sizes and bake them instead!

Love iced treats? Puree fruits instead and freeze, or make sorbets of them, or add them to yogurt.

Love sweets generally? Eat a lot of fruits and eat some dark chocolate instead (they're good for the heart too).

Use fruit jams/jellies or honey to sweeten desserts.

And make batches and batches of vegetable soup to eat with your meals. You can just reheat what you need for every mealtime and add fresh veggies and some meat to it. The soup will help you feel fuller sooner (aside from giving you that warm, comforted feeling that soups usually give to our tummies).

Keep at it over time and watch yourself start to lose weight brought about by too much fats, sodium and sugar in modern day eating. Then you can start to tone and lose more through exercise.

Good luck!

Digiscrapping Notes

Because this was originally part of a post of another title in another blog of mine, I decided to edit it some and post it here where it might be more helpful.

Some friends have taken up the challenge to digiscrap. I guess if you're a beginner like me, and intimidated by Photoshop like me, here are a few pointers that could prove very useful:

1) You only need internet really to download kits, and maybe upload your pictures. And since kits are usually big files, dial-up connections would suck.

2) But when you're obssessed about getting better, learning more, or getting a kit for free, you can also join chat sessions (they usually announce the date and time in their message boards and newsletters).

3) If you're just starting out and not yet an addict, get the most out of FREEBIE offerings. ShabbyPrincess.Com and Scrapbookflair.com are great sites to start downloading from as these offer complete kits with alphas (letters in .png format), elements, papers, etc. already. Go through the top Digital Freebie Sites if you have to so you can also check out TUTORIALS and actual LAYOUTS as well as register for the FORUMS. You also try ikeagoddess.blogspot.com

4) If you don't know sh!t about Photoshop, do what I did... I printed tutorials. Of course, some tutorials prefer certain PS versions. And yes, you can also use Paint Shop Pro or Corel Draw and some sites offer tutorials for them too. Make Google Search your friend.

5) When I say you're downloading big files, think HUGE. Usual paper size is more than 1 mb. That's because you want to preserve the quality of every element. Best to use pictures of the same size too (even if you're going to resize them).

6) Have them printed if you want. That was my main motivation to learn it, and i've had several printed and they're all cute. Unfortunately, there are some minor discrepancies between a digital 5x7 to a picture of the same size (5R) but it's ok, you'll learn your lesson soon enough.

7) Consider fancy fonts to embellish your layout. Think Dings but only install those you think you can really use (sooner or later, you'll be confident enough to transform the dings into PNG format and then delete the font from your font folder). Or you can also just install/load them when you need them. The same is true for brushes.

8) Installing so many fonts can be fun, but it will reduce loading time for fonts. In time, you may have to download and install a font manager. Or maybe you can just limit your font options to fonts you know you'd use time and again (I love Lainie Day, beautiful, jane austen and calvin n hobbes), and just install-delete special fonts you'd only use for a time.

9) You'd need a lot of space. Freebie kits and embellishments alone can already take up 1-2 gigs, what more your own layouts. Kits burned in CDs should still be saved in your hard drive, otherwise it will delay your PC's processing time.

10) Don't be scared of making mistakes. The good thing about Photoshop is it has this History column at your right where you can easily return to where you were before you committed the mistake. Do try the different filters. There's no other way to make you feel less intimidated. Save the .psd file before saving in jpeg format.

11) Have and take lots of pictures. But when modifying your pictures, do not save changes when you're closing the file so you perserve the original (or save modified versions as a different file).

12) Have fun. Be honest with your sentiments (journalling). Feel free to fuss and be mushy. Feel free to be wacky.

Year-end Vacation

Take advantage of the yearend Holidays and your Christmas bonus by investing on something no one can take away from you and which will revive you, and enrich your marriage or family as it allows for bonding time. I am talking, of course, of vacations and cruises you can take especially if you're a Filipino living in the Philippines. Why?

Because it would really be unwise of you not to take advantage of your leave credits and use them for the last week or so of the year. If you're lucky (or charming!), you can have around 10-12 days of vacation bliss if you time your leaves appropriately. Here's a hint: December 25 falls on a Thursday and December 26 has already been declared a non-working holiday (in exchange for December 24, I believe). December 30 is a Holiday too.

So do your research now and save for a great vacation to finish off the year. Am sure, nothing beats pondering the highlights and lowlights of the year that was while taking in the sun and sea somewhere.

Cheaper Bikes and Accessories

Sure, we'd all love to own Harleys and have the money for Harley parts when our big bikes break down. But we don't always have the money for these branded stuff. And some things about big bikes do not always have to come branded. We can settle for cheaper stuff without sacrificing our safety and level of cool.

Head to the Raon area of Quiapo. Not only are bike parts sold there (even the brand-name ones), accessories like padded jackets and helmets also are. Even gloves. Get spare helmets cheap instead of letting your partner or friend or date ride without one. A good bargain is something that you KNOW (not HOPE) will protect you. The idea is to get the necessary stuff cheaper... not dirt-cheap. After all, you also get what you pay for and one should always pay a good price for anything affecting one's safety.

Immigrate to Canada

Despite the recession happening worldwide, there is still hope for all those who are dreaming or planning a life abroad. After all, companies may still be hiring one professional for every two or three employees they have to let go. And the caregiving industry is as lucrative as ever in recruiting.

So in case you need information or help to go to Canada, visit my friend's Canada Visa Application Online Resource.

Party Giveaways: Venue for Promotional Materials

Parties where giveaways are common, say, a birthday, are a great venue for those who want to distribute promotional materials to reach target buyers.

For example, sachets of Skeeter Guard patches can be included in the loot bags (sans the leaflet, of course). The promotion wouldn't be too in-your-face and the parents are likely to use it because it was included in something given away by someone they knew and trusted.

It goes without saying, of course, that hosts should only include stuff they believe in with the loot bags, so this advertising option isn't really open for everyone. Still, this is a great gimmick to dispose of those sachets and packets your company spends on that will really reeach your intended market.

Fringe: addiction-worthy TV series

Fringe is the latest series from Fox and it's must-watch.

BUT... maybe it's only for those with inner-geeks, geeks and sci-fi freaks.

It's CSI and X-Files and Heroes (especially with those lovely place names) and Utopia combined. Or yeah, maybe also X-Men? The first two episodes feel like a movie already, and yes, there is some drag with the pacing sometimes, but overall, I can see this series succeeding. Plus, Walter Bishop beats Dr. House in eccentricity without being offensive (maybe because he's a lovely old man who suffered in an asylum for 17 years?).

Watch it, guys.

Superferry Tripid

Superferry is making more people happy again with their discounted rates. Take advantage of the reduced ferry fares that already include fuel, meal, and security fees.

Selling dates (buy period):October 13 – 24, 2008
Sailing dates (travel period):November 1 – December 10, 2008

Manila to Visayas & vice versa
(Bacolod, Cebu, Coron, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa & Tagbilaran)
Super/Mega :P599
Tour/Business:P999
Cabin:P1199
State/Suite:P2998


Manila to Mindanao & vice versa
(Butuan, Cagayan, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Gensan, Iligan, Ozamis, Surigao and Zamboanga)
Super/Mega :P899
Tour/Business:P1299
Cabin:P1499
State/Suite: P3498

Purchase your tickets here.

Halloween Costume Fill-Ins

Can't afford to rent or buy so many Halloween costumes for your baby?

Can't afford or don't want to bother with studio shots?

Want pictures of your tot in costume, however? Well, Scrappin Alikat saves the day with her Costume Face Fillins series (all free!!!). Choose among bunnies and butterflies, cat and lion and zebra and devil and monkey and lamb and many more!

Now you can even just use available pictures you have :) Enjoy!

Sony Ericsson World View Photo Contest

Sony Ericsson is holding a photo contest (World View 2008). Terms and conditions of the contest can be found here. The contest will accept only photographs taken using a MOBILE PHONE. Deadline of submissions is on 31 October 2008.

A Tips and Tricks Blog

I know of so many others who are trying to come up with a blog idea or theme which they hope to monetize someday. I always suggest that they consider a tips and tricks blog, much like this one, or Jsprik's weblog (who's keen on blogging about products and ideas). See, all of us grew up and know little bits of information that have been tried and tested that are also helpful.

I know of a site where visitors are encouraged to submit their own tips... but the traffic generated goes to that site. Might as well post what you know in your own blog, right? Who knows, you may even build on a following.

Start small. Blog about what you really know (money, real estate, weight loss, parenting) and expand on those later (with photography, advertising, etc.). Blog about your passions, or something your mother was passionate and had much to say about. You don't have to cover all the bases but you do have to be credible and cosnsitent.

Trust that if what you write are any good, readers will come.

Skeeter Guard

Skeeter Guard is a Peel-stick Patch that does not require skin contact. You can just stick it on your child's clothes or on a table and crib and it will still be one effective mosquito repellent. This way, you need not be concerned about your baby's skin reacting to the lotion or spray that most repellents come in the form of.

Skeeter Guard is also all natural and Deet Free.

Contact exclusive Philippine distributor is Corsan's Pharmacare to stock up or resell:

CORSAN'S PHARMACARE
142 Capetown St.
Pasig Greenpark Village
Manggahan, Pasig City
(632) 645-8094/682-1596
corsanspharmacare@gmail.com
Concon Cordova - 0922-8149008

A box of 10 costs P175 (surely, P17.50 is a cheap price to pay for being mosquito-free for 12 hours?). They also ship (with a P50 charge via Xend Express) orders and are exhibiting in a lot of the Christmas bazaars happening in the metropolis.

New Shelves, More Space

Got extra money to spend on your home? Consider new shelves and racks.

And no, I don't mean that you should just buy more and more and more until there is no more floor space to walk on. But as you accummulate junk and stuff, and as you throw or give away some of your possessions, and as your needs and preferences and lifestyles change, so should your organizational units.

Football trophies that once occupied TV shelf space may have to give way to new pictures, or vice versa. Or you may have to get a separate cabinet just for those. You may even start considering floor-to-ceiling shelves, not only to create height, but also to house all your books and CDs. New shelves may even be called for to accommodate modern gadgets with their less bulky designs and twice as many cables/paraphernalia.

So always be in the lookout for moe efficient shelves that suit your needs. And yes, do consider having old ones refurbished and revamped to serve the same purpose.

Get More in Las Vegas

Because Las Vegas, in general, is a favorite destination year-round by all (kids and adults alike, gay and bi and straight, married and not, etc.), Las Vegas hotels have made it their priority to offer more aside from the lodgings business. Some of these hotels offer shows, fountains, light shows, plays, concerts and amusement centers (or free/discount tickets to these) with their welcome drinks and complimentary breakfasts. Some even offer free transportation.

Just do your research and compare prices. Do not be easily enticed by so much freebies since they might not be ones you really need or want. If you're honeymooning, ask for honeymooners' incentives like a better suite, free champagne, or seats in a show.

Gift for the Hubs

Thinking of a gift for the husband for Christmas?

Hoping he'd also be a little more organized with his stuff?

Hit two birds with one stone and gift him with organizational tools in the form of shelves and cabinets and other storage devices. Give him a power steering rack for your garage, or floating shelves for his toy collectibles, or cabinets for all his gadgets and cables. At least you can say, you were thinking of his passion/hobby when you thought of the gift. Just find a cool CD rack or design one yourself so he wouldn't think you were suggesting his stuff was out of control. Get them in cool colors and funky designs. Get modern ones for their clean lines and to save more space. Get multi-functional ones.

And you indirectly gift yourself with extra space or less clutter.

Harry Potter Party - Moving Paintings

One of the elements from the Harry Potter book series that you can incorporate in your kid's party is the moving paintings bit. Of course, one does not always have the means to rent/pay for a digital signage at your child's party but there is another technology you can utilize.

Rent, borrow or buy your own digital photo frames. Just consolidate all the pictures (or edited images) you want to showcase and save it in an SD card and plug the digital frame for all to enjoy. Cheaper and quality versions are cropping up everywhere. Now, you also need not be bothered by finding or renting a whole screen just to play all the pictures you took of your baby (and trust me, not all guests want to be bombarded by such big pictures the entire time the party's ongoing).

Plus, these digital frames can spice up a dessert bar or buffet without being too visible as to take away from the main elements. Enjoy!

Buy A Size Bigger

Thinking of giving baby clothes as gifts, to a baptism or birthday perhaps? Make sure to buy one size bigger and always, better assume that the child is big rather than average, especially if you haven't seen the baby for awhile.

See, people often buy the tiniest of outfits especially when they know that a baby is only a few months old but parents often don't end up using these teeny clothes much because a baby usually doubles or triples its size in its first year. Plus, boys/men wear big shirts, regardless of age so even baby boys look cuter in shirts a size bigger.

Halloween Fun Craze I and II

Brought to you by Kidsters, Inc.

Start: Oct 26, '08 10:00p
Location: Alabang Town Center
The whole family will get to enter a FUN village... Lots of freebies and activities await kids 12 years old and below who will come in costume! :)

Activities:

1. Arts and Crafts Session for Kids
2. Face Painting
3. Games
4. Trick or Treat
5. Costume Contest
6. Interactive Booths (sampling/ selling/ leafleting etc.)
7. Snack demo
8. Variety Show (Song and Dance Number)
9. Magic Show
10. Mascot Showdown

...and a whole lot more!!!

This event is for FREE, but pre-registration is a MUST. So be at the ACTIVITY CENTER OF ALABANG TOWN CENTER (ATC) at exactly 10AM. :)


Start: Oct 31, '08 10:00am
Location: Activity Center of Glorietta
The whole family will get to enter a FUN village... Lots of freebies and activities await kids 12 years old and below who will come in costume! :)

Activities:

1. Arts and Crafts Session for Kids
2. Face Painting
3. Games
4. Trick or Treat
5. Costume Contest
6. Interactive Booths (sampling/ selling/ leafleting etc.)
7. Snack demo
8. Variety Show (Song and Dance Number)
9. Magic Show
10. Mascot Showdown

...and a whole lot more!!!

This event is for FREE, but pre-registration is a MUST. So be at the ACTIVITY CENTER OF GLORIETTA, MAKATI CITY at exactly 10AM. :)

Chocolate Lover has increased prices

Wednesday last week, my husband and I shopped for baking supplies at Chocolate Lover (over at P. Tuazon).

I realized we needed more supplies for what my SIL wanted to do so I returned there yesterday and I saw their clerks restacking the supplies after changing the prices. For sprinklers and such, it's between a P1-P2 increase but blocks of chocolate (say, the 1-kilo dark sweetened ones) showed at least P10-20 increase.

Yikes.

I'm not sure if this is Halloween and Christmas-driven or because of the tarnished China milk business but at least you can't say you weren't warned.

Colored Sugar

Colored sugar is a baking wonder, used to embellish cookies and cupcakes with without having the sugar burn or melt. I was, however, aghast that it was selling for around P137 at Chocolate Lover (container size is slightly taller than McCormick spices).

Good thing though that they're only selling for P30 a tub at Makro. Of course, not all Makro outlets may have them (or as many different colors to choose from).

They're particularly wonderful when they're slightly 'burnt' with the cookie dough because they taste like cotton candy.

Food Orders from Honey's Catering

If you're looking for a supplier to order food from for celebrations and special occasions, especially those from the South (specifically, the Paranaque area), do consider Honey's Catering.

Honey’s Catering
Your Value for Money Catering Service
Annex 35 Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City
8236465 (Telefax) / 7766668
Look for LADY RAMIREZ

Their bestsellers include:

Stew Beef Ribs
50 pax - Php 4,500.00
25 pax - Php 2,750.00
20 pax - Php 2,200.00
10 pax - Php 1,100.00

Spicy Chicken (grilled)
50 pax - Php 4,000.00
20 pax - Php 1,720.00

Fish Fillet with Tartar sauce
50 pax - Php 5,000.00
20 pax - Php 2,200.00

Chapchae (Korean Pancit)
Large (50 pax) - Php 2,100.00
Medium (20-25 pax) - Php 1,400.00
Small (10 pax) - Php 700.00

Kimchi Appetizer
1 kilo - Php 170.00


They do not have delivery rates yet because patrons usually get the food from their house or from their stall at Shangri-La Mall (food court). Feel free to come up with arrangements with them.

Cakes by Alex Franco

Alex Franco is popular in the wedding industry circle because he specializes in wedding cakes, with all layers edible, and cake embellishments used are real fruits and flowers.

I first tasted his cake at a wedding, and I immediately became obsessed (to think it was really only a sliver of cake that I managed to taste). But alas, his wedding cake rates were a little steep and I couldn't ask my future groom outright that i'd love to get him for our wedding. And fate also intervened by allowing us to win a cake from renowned cake artist, Judy Uson.

Anyway, other cake makers can indeed embellish and design their cakes wonderfully, adapting to a couple's motiff. But I seriously have yet to taste a cake that is more delicious than Alex Franco's (and mind you, I am not so easily pleased!). Eating a slice of one of his cakes is like snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, or seeing the sun rise at Machu Picchu, or getting a good bargain at a St. Barts villa rentals. In short, evey slice is pure heaven.

So it's really a great thing that Alex Fanco sells cakes too, for those who are not getting wed at all or anymore.

His current prices are:
9 inch cake - P600
10 inch = P900
12 inch = P1,800
16 inch = P4,000

The favorite flavor is called MIXED (not sure if it's the Black and White one referred to in wedding circles) which basically contains a layer of chocolate cake and a different-flavored other layer (go for prune walnut or walnut caramel) aside from the mango and chocolate mousse fillings.

He could be contacted via telefax (632) 533-1450 or cell (63) 0917-2769003. Order a week before you need the cake. And no, he doesn't deliver for such orders. The most is he'd meet you up at the Caltex Station at the Boni/EDSA area (beside 7-11).





Oh, his cakes are best served frozen so if you don't have enough freezer space for the leftovers, you'd have to deal with a somewhat collapsing cake once the mango and mousse have started to soften. At worst, you'd be eating a slightly gooey cake but it would still taste great. But his cakes are really meant to be eaten when the mango and mouse fillings are still frozen :)

Oh and the cake is admittedly on the expensive side, but if you take into consideration how delicious every bite of it is (and trust me, the cake IS heavy), you'd realize that there are more overpriced cakes out there (Cheesecake, etc is an example, and i've never liked their cheesecake). And the cakes are always made up of several layers of goodness and richness so it's actually worth two cakes, at least (see picture above to have an idea of how tall the cake is).

Alex Franco is worth your money. Trust me!

Fun Newsletters

Newsletters can bear more than news, they are also a great form of promotional items, where you can write different articles around your product or event, even including real or fake interviews as well as real or fake news. They can also add that extra touch of personalization to the usual greeting cards during Holidays, or at weddings and birthdays.

Here's one way I used the newsletter format. I made my own Daily Prophet issues featuring my son and embellishing on the 'articles' while channeling Harry Potter. I first intended to make twelve different ones, to cover milestones and stories for each month of his life, but my superpowers couldn't hack it. Still, those who have seen the paper all found it 'cool' and 'inspired'.



Thinking of a unique Save-The-Date? Make one in newsletter format! It's also a great way to recap/summarize the highlights of your year and can easily be distributed via e-mail (saved in .pdf format, of course) to friends and family.

Klasrum Adarna: Science Lecture Series

got this in my e-mail...

=====================================

KLASRUM ADARNA: SCIENCE LECTURE SERIES
Date and Time: November 8, 2008 – 9am to 4pm
UP Balay Internasyonal, Guerrero corner Dagohoy Sts, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City

Scheduled Lectures:
Play Science: Toys, Experiments, Field Trips - 9:00am – 10:30am
Science should be fun and interesting! Encourage your students to learn through different activities that will make them look forward to your next Science class. Learn about toys you can use to teach facts, how to do amazing experiments, and where to go for enjoyable field trips which your students will love.

Storytelling and Science - 10:30am – 12:00nn
Spark your students’ interest in Science through wonderful stories! Help students better understand difficult concepts. Be surprised at how they can easily recall information shared to them through children’s literature. Learn about books you can use from Grades 1 to 6 to teach Science through storytelling.

Teach and Advocate - 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Encourage students to be environmentally aware through classroom activities and school events. Find out how to plan and execute an environmental initiative. Learn how to get students to actively participate. Develop fresh ideas for school environmental campaigns and discuss with fellow science teachers how these can be implemented in school.

Be Involved! - 3:00 – 4:00pm
Get to know Greenpeace, an environmental NGO active in various campaigns to protect the environment. Learn more about how some schools have supported them in some of their initiatives. Be inspired by how passion and volunteerism has shaped Greenpeace as an organization.

These lectures shall be facilitated by topnotch educators from prestigious learning institutions in the Philippines: UP National Institute of Geological Sciences and Institute of Environmental Sciences, UP Integrated School, and The Raya School. Greenpeace South East Asia will be present to cap the lecture series.

The lecture will be held at UP Balay Internasyonal, located at Guerrero corner Dagohoy Streets, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. The registration process is as follows:
- Fee: Php 750 (Regular) / Php 650 (Early Registration or Group)
- Registration Guidelines:
1. Send us the name, e-mail address, landline, and mobile number of the participant through vanessa@adarna.com.ph, or by calling 3723548 local 110.
2. The early registration fee would apply to those who register and pay on or before October 27, 2008. This lower rate will also apply to group registrations (with 3 or more participants).
3. Participants may deposit their payments to the company bank account (BPI Kamuning Branch, Acount Name: Adarna House Inc., Account Number 3141-0715-39)
4. Bank deposit slips should be labeled with participant’s name and faxed to 372-35-48 loc 115.
5. An official receipt will be issued to the participant during the workshop.
6. Only a maximum of 40 participants will be accommodated.
The workshop fee is inclusive of meals, snacks, books, and materials to be used for the whole day.
If you have questions or further inquiries, you may reach us through 372-35-48 loc 110 or through vanessa@adarna.com.ph.


Visit www.adarna.com.ph for regular updates.

Pudding Chillers

Recipe from "Jell-O Brand Collection", one of the many Amazon books I own.

Image from Amazon

Ingredients:
2 cups cold milk
1 package (4-serving size) Jell-O Instant Pudding and Pie Filling, any flavor
6 (5-ounce) paper cups


POUR milk into medium bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk for 2 minutes. Spoon into cups. Insert wooden popsicle stick into each to serve as handle.

FREEZE five hours or overnight until firm. To remove pop from cup, place bottom of cup under warm running water for 15 seconds. Press firmly on bottom of cup to release pop. Do not twist or pull pop stick.

Makes six pops.


Rocky Road variation
Use Jell-O Chocolate flavored pudding and pie filling and add 1/2 cup mini marshmallows and 1/4 cup EACH semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped peanuts.

Toffee Crunch variation
Use Jell-O Vanila Flavored pudding and pie filling and stir in 1/2 cup chocolate-covered toffee bars.

Cookies and Cream variation
Use Jell-O Vanila Flavored pudding and pie filling and stir in 1/2 cup chopped chocolate sandwich cookies.

Mocha variation
Use Jell-O Vanila Flavored pudding and pie filling and stir in 1/2 cup mocha-flavored chocolate chips.


* Jell-O Instant Pudding and Pie Fillings can be bought in major groceries (just look closely at the Jell-O boxes and pay attention that you don't end up buying gelatin mixes)
** Mocha-flavored chocolate chips can be bought at Chocolate Lover or other baking supplies shop

Lose Weight with Metformin

Lose weight with Metformin? What, is Metformin a diet pill?

Actually, no. Metformin is a drug that actually helps diabetics with their blood sugar. However, people do not always know that they are diabetics already, and some could be exercising and dieting without ever achieving positive results because of the chemical imbalance that is diabetes.

This is where Metformin comes in. If it turns out that the person is diabetic, or in the case of women, if they have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a regular dose of Metformin may help them lose weight. How so? Basically, by correcting the chemical imbalance brought about by blood sugar problems, your body can now respond accordingly (that is, burn more calories and adjust caloric requirement) to the dieting and exercising you're doing.

Rehabs and Kids

It seems like the norm now for young celebrities. Everyone is checking in a drug rehab and it has become so common, one would think it's similar to a trip to the dentist.

And where celebrities go, our teeners are wont to follow. So how do we help them escape the clutches of an alcohol rehab?

It may sound old but the following tips have been tried and tested, despite whatever cultural and technological changes we have gone through:

1) Eat family dinners with them. Such dinners allow parents to keep their kids posted as to what happened to them that day and vice versa. The conversations may sound mundane and trivial but it allows children to practice communicating with their parents. Plus, its a family ritual that cannot help but give kids a sense of belongingness, even in those times that he may hate his family or circumstance.

2) Give them responsibilities. Give them chores. Let them know that their tuition and hobbies take away from the family budget. Demand that they watch for their brother's/sister's back and that its their duty to preserve and protect the family honor. The chores will keep them busy and the other things will teach them about consideration. They have to know that what they do and don't do affects the family. Of course, it goes without saying not to overdo things. You want to teach them that they're part of the family and must contribute to it, and not to grow up without having a sense of self.

3) Limit guests. There's play time and then there are other times. And guests can mean actual people who may take your kids away from doing their chores or pouring over their assignments but guests can also mean whatever form of media, sports or hobby they're into. Sure, your kids can pursue their hobbies as much as they want, but never at the expense of family time and traditions, and certainly never at the expense of their health (proper diet and rest). Besides, too much media for the very young (think TV and computer games and the internet, especially if unsupervised) is inviting commercialism and superficialism into your home.

4) Take trips with them. Trips can mean a trip to the grocery, where you can teach them about budgeting money and buying quality products without shoving it down their throats. Or a trip to the zoo for some environmental and cause-effect talk. Or out-of-town to bond over traffic and cramped quarters. Or abroad to immerse yourselves in a different culture. Travel brings out the best and worst in someone, and doing it together can be stressful... but it's the good kind of stress.

5) Say NO and delay their gratification. Kids, especially nowadays, have things more easily, literally. But this has just resulted in them getting bored all the more easily too. Make them work for privileges. Make them earn their desserts. Not only will they savor those more (be it an Ipod or an extended curfew), but you'd also be providing one more opportunity for them to actually take control of things they can control.

6) Be an example. You can't teach your kids not to smoke if they see you doing it. You can't teach them about bravery and self-respect and earning your keep and living a life of integrity if you don't live it yourself. Be the person you hope they'd want to become.

7) LAMBILOS. In Filipino, its an acronym for three things: lambing (sweetness, gentleness and thoughtfulness), biro (humor) and haplos (touch and/or connect). Supposedly, it not only expedites recovery from medical illnesses, it also facilitates other forms of healing (say, emotionally). Basically, be gentle and considerate, laugh at anything and everything where appropriate and always touch/connect with your child (in the form of actual hugs and kisses, as well as pats on the back or written notes or everyday text messages)... and the chances of him/them being led astray will be pretty slim.

Another Digiscrapping Program

Let's face it, Photoshop isn't exactly that easy to learn and use. But yes, once you get the hang of it, it's really the most versatile program I can think of when you want to design things.

But what if you want to digiscrap your own layouts but don't really have the time or patience to learn Photoshop? Well, maybe you should invest and use Scrapbook Factory instead. It is very easy to use, more like a drag and drop thingie actually and it already provides templates and elements (pictures) to use for embellishment in your layouts.

Cartooning for Kids Workshop

Robo Monkey Pixel Fighters has teamed up with Euphony Music Studio and St. Vincent Tutorial Center, both located in Makati City, to offer workshops for kids who are into Arts.

Click here for schedules and workshop pricing inquiries.

Toys for Babies

Wondering what toys to buy for your babies?

Maybe a Fisher Price catalogue can help.

Just ask for one when you're at Toy Kingdom or Toys R Us. You don't even have to strictly buy Fisher Price toys, especially if your budget doesn't allow it, but the catalogue contains helpful milestone information that can guide parents (and prospective gift-givers) on what toys will be appreciated by a baby at a certain stage.

The catalogue is free. And there are other brands which can offer the same stimulation/operate on the same developmental needs as the Fisher Price products.

Dazo Hall - Map

Dazo Hall inside Philam Village has just recently gotten a facelift through new paint.

Anyway, for those holding their events their (wedding or birthday party) but don't know how to direct guests there, hope these helps :)

WRITTEN DIRECTIONS

BY CAR FROM ROXAS BOULEVARD – COASTAL ROAD
1) Take Las Pinas Exit
2) Turn right at the road immediately after Fernando’s (which is now part of Starmall). This will take you into Philam Village.
3) Another landmark for the road leading to Philam Village is the 2nd overpass (which is located between Caltex and Petron)

BY CAR FROM ALABANG
1) From South Expressway take Northgate /Filinvest Temporary Exit or Alabang Exit. If you took the temporary exit, going straight should take you to Alabang-Zapote Road. If you exit through Alabang Tollgate, turn on the first right to bring you to Alabang-Zapote Road.
2) From Alabang Zapote Road, take an estimated 25 – 35 minute drive towards the direction of Zapote. You’d be passing Alabang Town Center, SM SouthMall, Casimiro Village, Uniwide Las Pinas, and Las Pinas City Hall.
3) Turn left at the road immediately before Fernando’s (part of Starmall now) to take you to Philam Village
4) Another landmark for the road leading to Philam Village is the 5th overpass (which is located between Caltex and Petron)

BY CAR FROM PHILAM VILLAGE GATE
1) Show your car pass/surrender an ID at the Guard House
2) Ask for directions going to the Philam Clubhouse
3) Dazo Hall/The clubhouse is located in Philam Village Park and can be found opposite Our Lady of Fatima Parish

COMMUTING FROM TAFT AVE / BACLARAN
1) Take a Bus with the sign board Moonwalk / BF Pilar.
2) Tell the Conductor that you would be getting off at “Fernando’s” (FYI: Fernando’s Supermarket is now part of Starmall)
3) Get off at Starmall (where you can also find an overpass, for added landmark)
4) Look for the Tricycle station at the back of the former Fernando’ Supermart (For reference the Tricycle station is opposite Mercury Drug).
5) Take a Tricycle and ask the driver to bring you to Philam Clubhouse.

COMMUTING FROM EDSA / ALABANG
1) From EDSA take a Bus with an Alabang signboard. (Buses going to Pacita or Calamba may be used if they will exit in Alabang).
2) In Alabang, ask for the Jeepney Terminal going to Zapote.
3) Ride a jeep with the Zapote or Baclaran Signboard and ask the driver to drop you off “Fernando’s” (FYI: Fernando’s Supermarket is now part of Starmall).
4) Note that the Jeepney ride would take around 35 – 45 minutes to your destination, so an alternative is to go down Pilar and ride an Aircon bus from there going to Fernando’s.
5) Get off at Starmall (where you can also find an overpass, for added landmark)
6) Look for the Tricycle station at the back of the former Fernando’ Supermart (For reference the Tricycle station is opposite Mercury Drug).
7) Take a Tricycle and ask the driver to bring you to Philam Clubhouse.

MAP

Paradiso Terrestre

I don't know why but nothing about Paradiso Terrestre amazed me when we attended a wedding reception there (at Casa Nenita). For being out-of-town, I expected sprawling grounds perfect for photo opps, at least.

The ballroom was grand enough, with the air-conditioning working really well. I believe it can accommodate up to 300 pax. Unfortunately for us, the wedding was that same Monday night that really rained so hard. We had the luck of being seated outside, where it flooded, and guests had to either wade through water or walk on chairs.

So, if holding an event there on rainy months, and using part of the outdoor area, at least you know it floods there. But the attendants of Paradiso are nothing but attentive. They were handy with umbrellas. And there is more than ample parking.

Am not sure if they have accredited caterers but I don't think so, since the wedding we attended was catered by a not so popular one (La Comida, and their food was just splendid!).

Their website isn't that helpful either. Hehe. And yes, the lack of pics is because of what I said earlier, I found nothing about the place worth taking pictures of.

Manila Ocean Park - venue for Photo Opps

Couples intending to wed are now paying prime pesos for pre-nuptial pictures, travelling to fancy locations like Sonya's Garden, or morbid ones (like a cemetery), or out-of-town (like Nayong Filipino) just to have those beautifully-shot pictures to put on AVPs and guest sheets.

It's also becoming a trend that couples get the services of a photographer to act as paparazzi to their dates. Even families have these, aside from photo opps of adorable kids.

Well, that's another thing Manila Ocean Park is good for. From the steps into the complex, the nearby Manila Bay, the multitude of restos in the area, as well as some choice areas in the Oceanarium itself (maybe even at the play area), all are good spots for Kodak moments. I'm guessing you just have to pay for the photographer's way as well... and yes, he'd have to mind the use of flash (but a really good one would know how to make use of available light).

Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park is Philippines' first Oceanarium. The complex where its at is littered with so many restaurants already (North Park, Mrs. Fields, Ozeano, Starbucks, etc) that it's also a great area to go to for dining. For those who do not want to spend as much, you can always just buy from food stalls outside (waffles, popcorn, etc). No entrance fee required up to that point too.

Operating hours is 10 am-9 pm every weekday and 9 am-9 pm every weekend. I've heard it can get pretty crowded there but am not sure if that was only when it was newly-opened. We went into the Oceanarium after 5 pm though so that could also be a factor to the manageable crowd we were with.

At P400 per person (P350 for kids, free for kids 2 feet and below), with Manila-residents allowed a 10% discount (but you have to present an ID for each one to be discounted), it is steep for even the middle-class. But at that rate and considering everything you will get to see inside, it is actually worth it.

The tent outside the Oceanarium (where the restos are) is air-conditioned and most of the Oceanarium is too. Just be careful to hold onto your tykes for the dark parts of the park, where you can easily lose them, or they might get into accidents.

Flash isn't allowed in picture taking (but yes, some still don't follow... poor fishes). Basically, that affects animals and may affect their mating rituals, among other things.


the tent outside the Oceanarium as viewed from North Park resto


the crocodiles receiving a lot of coins thrown by wish-makers (tsk, tsk)


choco chip starfish that you're allowed to touch
but not remove from the water


touch screen instructional for those who want
more information on corals and fishes


seahorses!


giant spider crab, which requires very cold water so its window
gets misted/frosted


hello Nemo (clown fish)


fugly stone fish


rays that you can eat


creepy eels 'standing'


one of the bigger aquariums


they always seem to be smiling, don't they :)


while this shark ray reminds you of ghosts


the walkway where people choose to stay for eons of time
because of the great picture opportunities


science/activity area


the tanks at the upper level, where you can also
hang out for some sea breeze


or foot spa (at P120 per 20 minutes, the fish 'biting'
at you supposedly is therapeutic)


CR is nice, with super sensors for flushing that
may surprise you (as it did me) when you're not yet finished

Ozeano restaurant offers buffet at P600. Riding in glass-bottomed boats is also offered at the upper level for P150/pax. Stencil art can be enjoyed by your kids for P20 ea.

Of course, there is a gift shop too for overpriced souvenirs. You can also get a 3D something-something of you and a chosen background for P400.

Am just not sure if some of the areas which they used for a Bridal Expo (see below) can also be rented for parties aside from the sanctum behind the sharks, which can easily accommodate between 60-80 guests comfortably. Exclusive catering by The Manila Catering Services, however.





Like what I said, for the ticket price, it is actually worth it. But maybe you might want to bring kids who will really appreciate the aquariums. Then again, babies (less than a year old) enter free anyway and the ticket prices are sure to increase after they've added to the complex.

Wanted: Junior Sales Associate

Adarna House, Inc. is in immediate need of a Junior Sales Associate. Applicants must be male, aged no more than 35, have graduated college, and with good communication and interpersonal skills. Interested parties are asked to e-mail their résumé to Richard Pescador, HR Coordinator, at richard@adarna.com.ph.

Casinos at Christmas

Online slots, anyone?

Let's face it, the Holidays is the time when people are rolling in money. Or at least, are most willing to spend on anything and everything. It's the time for bonuses and incentives and year-end perks and money gifts.

One of the many ways people can get entertained is immersing themselves in the cheery world of slot machines in casinos. I remember, food is always good in casinos and they usually have performing bands to entertain the hangers-on. At least, that's the way it is at Casino Filipino at the Hyatt Hotel.

But if you don't want to dress up and bother yourself going out, but have enough disposable cash from unexpected bonuses, then you can just do online slots from the comforts of your own home. or you can purchase your own slot machine and play with the whole family or your friends, again, right at your own home.

On a related note, in case your job is procuring slot machines for your company, know that the internet can help you where to get the best deals that is suited to your specific needs. Pachislo slot machines are supposedly cheaper (as they're from Japan), boasts of LCD-type screens, and are more compact.

One Helpful Blog to Another

Practical Tips and More is celebrating its 100th post with a raffle that's open to Philippine bloggers only.

I think it has a similar format to this one, where tips, tricks, recommendations and suggestions are blogged about that hopefully, others will find helpful and practical. Anyway, if you have the time, do check it out and join!

Dinosaur Exhibition at Robinson's Place Manila

Great for picture moments with your curious kids and the young (or geek) at heart. It's at the Pedro Gil/Midtown Wing (near Starbucks). They charge P25/person and will be thee till September 28.

Credit Card Help

New to the ways of doing business or paying using your credit card? Thinking of applying for your first, or another one? Already have one but it leaves much to be desired? Thinking of dropping your other cards and maintaining just one or two?

Well, there's help for you in the form of a new credit card blog at Smartcreditchoices.com. Now you have a one-stop site to check that will guide you to making the most out of your credit cards, managing them, establishing good credit, maybe even bailing you out of bad credit. Check whatever credit card comparisons the site has (especially on charges and hidden fees).

Maximize your credit cards without getting maxed out! :)

Body Shop's Cocoa Body Butter

I'm not sure if this is true of all body butters, or of all of Body Shop's body butters, or all cocoa body butter regardless of brand... but Body Shop's Cocoa Body Butter really moisturizes and softens skin.

I first used it when I was pregnant and loved its scent and the feel of my skin. I still had stretch marks (which no lotion can really prevent) but I had smooth, soft skin overall.

I stopped using it after giving birth... but had enough money to take advantage of a recent Body Shop Sale. I tell you, in as little as seven days, you would feel the difference! It's a little expensive but absolutely worth the price for its efficacy.

And I did say something about how wonderful its scent is right? t's very spreadable too... which other body butters aren't.

What of Sagging Tummies?

Sagging tummies are the bane of a mother's life post-partum. And if you had a CS delivery, you are hampered medically from doing the crunches that are the surest, non-surgical way of dealing with them.

But the truth is, breastfeeding, diet and exercise all help women get back to their pre-pregnancy weight. Going back to pre-pregnancy figures is a totally different thing. Some Moms who developed hips and tummies and breasts may never lose these anymore, but they don't have to look dumpy/frumpy at all either. If the three mentioned fail to make a Mom feeling good about her figure, then there are supplements and surgeries that she might want to consider.

Of course, those who are considering the use of fat burners are advised to go read whatever Lipovox review they can find first before taking them. Moms should mind any supplement they take, especially if they're still breastfeeding, as this might get passed onto their milk, or affect their supply.

Christmas Gift to Yourself

Maybe, like the rest os us mere mortals, you're checking out the latest bags, shoes and gadgets and wondering what to give yourself as a Christmas treat this coming December (and bonus time).

May I make an unusual suggestion?

How about giving yourself a term life insurance instead? Or a pension plan? Or a retirement plan? Or to appeal to the morbid, how about funeral/funeral services plan?

Granted that AIG must have brought worries to your door and insurance plans are the last thing you're really considering on using your money for, but these types of pre-need plans are still good investments, so long as you invest on reputable companies. And they're really good long-term investments for yourself, are sure to give you a more wonderful feeling than the latest cellphone model that's out in the market, and will also afford you some peace of mind.

Just read the fine print and do your research... invest on yourself!

Keep Rashes Away

The only thing you need to really do to keep rashes away from your baby's diaper area is to wash his bum every nappy change and dry it well before putting a fresh nappy on. No powder necessary, it will save you on costs for wipes, and isn't really the hassle you think it might be. Oh just water will do so no need for soap (I only ever used soap wen he pooped).

Take advantage of sinks in bathrooms, regardless of whether you're at home or at the mall. I actually think it's much harder to wipe a wriggling baby clean than to wash him.

Another tip would be to have a set of cloth diapers or towel to dry your baby's bum with, so these wouldn't be used to wash/bathe him or to wipe his spit ups with.

This worked for my baby and works for other Moms I know who do the same!

Chocolate Truffles

3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 pkg (8 oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese
12 oz Semi-Sweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp. coffee-flavored liqueur
1 tbsp. range-flavored liqueur
1 tbsp. almond-flavored liqueur
ground nuts, powdered suga, unsweetened cocoa


ADD 3 cups powdered sugargadually to cream cheese, beating with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add melted chocolate. Mix well.

DIVIDE mixture into thirds. Add different flavor liqueur to each third; mix well. Refrigerate seveal hours.

SHAPE mixture into 1-inch balls. oll in nuts, sugar or cocoa. Refrigerate.

Makes about 5 dozen.

* use 1 tsp. very strong coffee in place of coffee liqueur
* 3-4 drops of almond/orange extracts may be susbstitued for the liqueur

Cartimar

Just between Buendia and Vito Cruz is a major road that is Cartimar. They might have changed the street name already, I don't know, but am sure it is still the pet haven it's always been.

Every pet your child might want can be found there. Every food and supplement pets need are also sold there, from dog vitamins to horse supplements. They even sell these in the largest sacks and the biggest of containers.

Want to cheer someone up? Gold fish in a bowl is always a nice gift. Want to endear yourself more to your beloved? A cute, pure-bred puppy ought to do the trick.

But what if you're allergic to pets, can Cartimar still interest you?

The answer is YES, if you're a fan of sporting stuff and shoes, both original and imitations. I once considered buying Merell trek shoes from there... but I was annoyed that the salesladies couldn't tell me if the shoe I liked had Vibram soles. But I digress.

Of course, if you really own horses, you might also want to utilize your network of friends in the racing circuit/breeding circle on how best to take care of your steeds.

Beauty Preparation for the Big Day

At least six months before your intended wedding day, you should already start with your beauty treatments and preparation.

Want better pictures? Attend to your pores through microdermabrasion. Start getting acne treatments so you'd have peeled and healed already by the time your make-up artist has to air-brush makeup on you. Get facials regularly. Start using those whitening products. But if you're hoping to lighten your skin using glutathione supplements, you should start much earlier because they say you only really begin to lighten after six months of continued use. Still, others say oral glutathione also helps rid of minor blemishes and acne.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. If you have the money, invest on body butter for deep moisturizing. If you have the vigilance, exfoliate by using salt scrubs weekly. Or get a body scrub at least once a month.

Avoid the sun and drink plenty of water (not sugared beverages). And get enough rest and sleep. Of course, the right diet facilitates a rosy glow, so make sure you eat more fruits and vegetables and less junk and fast food. And yes, exercise always helps.

One other thing... smile! Frowning a lot takes away from a pretty face any day.

Christmas Shopping in Divi

Christmas Shopping in Divisoria can not only be done already, given that curtain and tablecloth fabrics with Christmas trees are even being sold in the steets and every Christmas trimming and hanging and lighting abound, but it's also best done asap.

As in this September, before the Christmas rush makes the streets and aisles unmanageable and hard to navigate, and prices have already soared.

Gadget-freaks need not fret that there might not be anything for them, because stalls for cellphones and ipods and imitation-gadgets can be found in the middle of all those clothes and gift items and decor.

And if you're still not in on it, Wednesday is the best time to go there because it's least cluttered by shoppers on this day, some being at Baclaran instead.

Quick Sweet-Chili Shrimps

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo of medium-sized shrimps (the ones that, when cooked, are around 1 1/2 inch in size)
chopped onions
half bottle of Del Monte Sweet Chili sauce

*optional: water, chili powder

Directions:
Heat oil and saute chopped onions. Add the shrimps and cook until the shrimps have all turned to red. Add the sweet-chili sauce and cook in low fire.

If you don't want a thick sauce, add some water.

If you want it more spicy, add a dash or two of chili powder. Mix well.

Dress Up Your Kids' Textbooks

Take a leaf from Mommy Laya and dress up your kids' textbooks using your printer at home.

All you need is your printer (which you probably already use to print pictures anyway), some paper, and some Photoshop skills. You can even personalize the book covers of books you're giving away as gifts!

I remember before, the vogue thing was to use perfume ads in magazines to cover up textbooks. Now at least your kids can have their own digiscrapped pictures covering theirs, which wouldn't appear tacky at all :)

Casa Linda - Puerto Princesa

Palawan, in general, is a haven of affordable inns and hotels, one of which is Casa Linda Inn.

It is conveniently located in the city, close to the port and airport, the Puerto Princesa cathedral, the market, and two of Pto. Princesa's famous restaurants. It is actually walking distance from Kinabuch's (where you can order tamilok, the mangrove worm delicacy) and Kahlui's but is tucked in a quiet street so you literally get transported to a quiet, garden and bamboo place.

You can contact them for room reservations and tour packages at casalind @ mozcom.com or call (048) 433 - 2606. They can also arrange massage services for you, just inquire at the desk. The staff is unbelievably friendly and accommodating and their tour affiliates are professionals.

Spicy Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients:
1 kilo chicken breast fillet, sliced into bite-size pieces
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp. cumin powder
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1-2 cubes chicken bouillon cube

Sour Cream & Garlic Dipping Sauce
1 container of Sour Cream
1 1/2 tbsp of Garlic Powder
1 tsp. salt

(feel free to add more chili if you want it more spicy, or reduce other spices, or remove chili powder and just double the cumin powder)

Directions:
Crush and rub the chicken bouillon cube onto the chicken pieces. Mix all the dry ingredients and rub onto the chicken pieces. Let marinate for about an hour or 2.

Heat up a pan with oil for deep frying. Dip the chicken pieces into
the beaten eggs, and then roll the chicken pieces in graham crackers
until they're covered entirely, then fry until deep brown.

For the dip, Mix everything and refrigerate.

Chocolate Chip Cookies (ala Mrs. Fields)

Category: Baking
Servings: 3.5 dozen


Description:
loved this in Bataan... so long as you pre-heat the oven before preparing the ingredients, baking time is reduced to around 10 minutes (check the cookies if they look dry in a good way already)

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
½ cup white sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F
In medium bowl , combine flour, soda and salt. Mix well with wire whisk. Set aside.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer blend sugars at medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the flour mixture and chocolate chips, and blend at low speed until just mixed. Do not overmix.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet (grease with some butter and sprinkle with flour), 2 inches apart. Bake around 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer cookies immediately to a cool surface with a spatula.

Cathedral Windows

Description:
- got this recipe from Ate Ene, who has already passed away, and I think, after her, am the only one who can give the recipe justice... and this tastes better than the one sold at Goldilock's

Ingredients:
* 1 box Alsa unflavored gelatin (red)
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups Sprite

** 1 box Alsa unflavored gelatin (green)
1/4 cup sugar
3-5 pcs. Pandan leaves
2 cups water (to boil the leaves in, and about 1 1/2 cup to mold the gelatin in)

*** 1 box Alsa unflavored gelatin (orange)
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice

Creamy gelatin:
4 packets of Knox unflavored gelatin
2 cans Nestle Cream (383 gms/can) or 6 Tetra Packs of Nestle Cream
1 can Condensed Milk (the 1-cup size)
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)


(feel free to just use flavored gelatins, but fruit/tangy flavored ones work best with the creamy/milky gelatin; colorful gelatin fillings also look nicer... I have also fallen into the habit of not adding sugar to the Alsa anymore since the creamy part is sweet anyway)

Directions:
* Dissolve sugar and unflavored gelatin in Sprite on a pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Mold. Cut into cubes later.

** Boil the pandan leaves in water until flavor has set in. Remove leaves and add the sugar and unflavored gelatin, stirring constantly. Bring to a
boil and mold. Cube later.

*** Dissolve gelatin and sugar in pineapple juice. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Mold and cube later.

Combine Nestle Cream and Condensed Milk in a bowl. Add vanilla. Mix really well.

In a cup, pour the contents of the Knox envelopes. Add SOME boiling water, ENOUGH to dissolve the gelatin. When everything's dissolved, pour the Knox gelatin into the milk-and-cream batter. Mix well. Add in the cubed flavored gelatin. Mix again and then mold for 8 hours in the fridge.

Workshops at the Manila Book Fair

September 13-15
SMX Function Rooms
The PBBY offers the following workshops at SMX during the Manila International Book Fair:

· A Thumbnail History of Children's Literature in the Philippines
A lecture to be delivered by Prof. Lina Diaz de Rivera
9-12 noon, September 13, Meeting Room 8, SMX


· 25 Ways to Entice Children with Stories
A workshop on storytelling; Facilitator: Manolo Silayan
1-4 pm, September 13, Meeting Room 8, SMX


· Library Magic
- 25 Steps to Building a Mobile Library
- 25 Ways to Survive and Thrive: Managing Change in Libraries
- Setting Up Children's Libraries
Facilitators: Nina-Lim Yuson, Zarah Gagatiga, PLAI
9-5 pm, September 13, Meeting Room 9, SMX


· Tong Tong Tong: Tinig, Tunog, at Talino ng Tulang Pambata
Facilitators: Michael Coroza & Nanoy Rafael of LIRA
9-12 noon, September 14, Meeting Room 9, SMX


· Creative Effective Visuals for Children's Books
Facilitator: Totet de Jesus
1-4 pm, September 14, Meeting Room 9, SMX


· Reading, Responding and Reviewing
A workshop on reviewing children's literature;
Facilitator: Neni Sta.Romana-Cruz
1-4 pm, September 15, Meeting Room 9, SMX

Each workshop has a fee of six hundred pesos (Php 600.00), except for Library Magic which costs one thousand pesos (Php 1000.00). For inquiries or registration, please send an e-mail to pbby.ncbd@gmail.com or call 3723548 local 122. Also visit www.pbby.org.ph.

More on Applying for Passports

I have already blogged about getting a passport in Manila. However, I feel I should also expound on my experience when it was released.

The good news is that it wouldn't require lining up also, but it can give the impression of chaotic when you get to the releasing area. There are many windows there labelled with letters (supposedly for your surnames). I didn't see any posted notice anywhere about dropping my receipt at a box by the windows, except on the box by the windows (and I swear you can easily miss it). Anyway, that's what you have to do, drop your receipt in a box (windows A-D share the same box) and a clerk will just get the receipt from there and start looking for your passport.

Oh, and nowhere in their site nor the receipt they issue can you find an advisory that you need an authorization letter to get passports for somebody else. I know that's sort of standard procedure but since I can apply for my husband and kid's birth certificates, I assumed that their passports will be released to me too without needing an ID and authorization letter.

See, in a small sign by the windows, they say that no authorization letter and ID, no release... plus, only the parent who signed for the passport of a minor can get that minor's passport (unless he authorizes someone else too). Something that should have been clearly stated in their application forms as well, I think.

Anyway, good for me though, my husband's and son's passports were released to me even without an authorization letter. The clerk just used the passports as reference to verify the legitimacy of my person (it helped that I was also getting my passport).

Oh and the letters per window didn't help much. A clerk from Window C released ours, when our surname starts with A.

*~*

Others are raving about using Teleserv but people should note that they get their passports later with Teleserv or an agency than if they apply for one/renew theirs personally. Plus, they still have to go to DFA anyway and that would take around 30 minutes still when on a good day, you can have yours processed at just only a little longer than that at a cheaper price.

Car Insurance and Maintenance Fund

Cars are luxury items. They're a necessity now and really go a long way in making things convenient for us, but the fact that their value starts dropping after you buy them while also requiring much in terms of gas, registration, insurance and maintenance.

But you really have to allot funds for these. You may get better deals if you conduct some sort of car insurance comparison first before getting one, but always make sure to read the fine print. Do not just be attracted by cheaper rates nor a lot of freebies (which you may not even need).

And make sure you tuck away a monthly allowance for the maintenance and insurance fees. Doing this monthly is actually easier on the pocket than having to come up with cash at the last minute. Monitor oil and brake fuel change schedules and tire replacements. Don't make the mistake of trying to scrimp on maintenance because it just might make your vehicle into a death trap. Driving around with ragged tires and problematic clutches not just endanger you or anyone in your family driving the car, you also endanger other innocent people on the road with you.

Working at the Port Area

If you're working at the port area, or frequenting it, chances are, you've had your share of truck hassles and near-misses, maybe even accidents.

It's part of the port scenario, trucks going to and fro, loading and unloading cargo from ships and barges. In Manila, trucks are only allowed to haunt our roads at certain times because they can create such traffic the whole day if allowed to be on the roadwhenever they please. And we shouldn't really let their presence stress us so, after all, they deliver the goods and facilitate trade which fuels the economy.

Still, it would do you good to know the hours when they're around so you can plan your schedule and avoid them. Or at least, consider their presence on the road when setting up back to back appointments in and out of your office.

If you're working in the port area, or any area where you have to deal with cargo trucks, you also might want to check what your company offers in terms of insuance benfits for any truck-related accidents and injuries. Are they paying some truck accident lawyer a retainer's fee just for these instances? If not, convince colleagues or your union to push for measures to cover such possibilities. In the South Harbor alone, I know of three different circumstances wherein a container fell off a truck, and that's three major accidents too many.

And really, don't mess with truck drivers. Don't drive too close to them and be on the alert when you're driving alongside one.

Wooden Toys as Gifts and Giveaways

Already shopping for Christmas gifts for your nieces and nephews? Looking for educational toys as prizes or giveaways for your child's birthday party?

Then consider giving away wooden toys that are educational and proven safe to play with. Samples include the following (forgive the poor cropping, I just lifted them from the pdf file):





feel free to e-mail irene_abara@yahoo.com or contact Irene for orders at 0917-2455976.

Enjoying Spirits

Want to sample different wines and spirits but not sure how to go about it? Maybe you can check for local listings of wine clubs in your area. Not only do these wine clubs offer opportunities for hanging out (be it for sports, wine tasting or even dating) for fellow wine lovers, but there muct also be a wine of the month club which you can systematically follow and use as guide on which wines to try, where you can get them, etc.

In fact, they may already send you the wine monthly and you can just try it at home, then meet up with fellow members to rant or rave about the wine of the month.

Just remember not to drink and drive though. And that too much champagne can make you do silly things (think of Lily Allen and her hosting boo-boos).

Maximize your Laptop Memory

Most yuppies now own laptops. But we don't always have the money to buy more memory or invest in external hard drives. But what can you do to maximize your laptop memory?

Well, you can try doing any of the following:

1) Defrag. It reorganizes the contents of your hard disk so that pieces of each file can be stored close together and contiguously, creating larger regions of free space for future files.

2) Back-up old, no longer used or relevant files into CDs, zip disks or other hard drives.

3) Clean up your files. Once in a while, check your files for things you can already relegate to the recycle bin, such as downloaded movies and videos from forwarded e-mails. You've had your fun with them anyway so let your memory breathe.

4) Configure your virtual memory to have a larger value than the default so you can also use some of your hard disk aside from your RAM. Allows for faster computing.

Natural Light Is More Flattering

When it comes to great pictures, the use of natural light is the most flattering of all. Indoor lighting sometimes affects the skin tone of subjects. So, couples getting married who wish to maximize the amount they paid for their photographers through pre-nuptial shots or before/after ceremony pics should be well advised to consider photo opps using natural light when it's most flattering, which is between 6-9 AM and 4-6 PM.

Natural light can also heighten the drama inside the church as late afternoon rays cast their reddish spell on the stained glass windows.

Even photo outings with your family and of your kids would benefit from natural light. Haven't you wondered why sunset pictures are such beauties?

Corn and Potato Soup

Ingredients:
Corn Kernels
Potatoes (grated)
Onions (lots)
Some butter
Evap Milk
Pepper and salt to taste

* carrots optional

Directions:
Basically, you sautee onions and GRATED potatoes (use the big-holed graters, you wouldn't want it to be as fine as grated cheese, but this is way better than diced potatoes, i swear) on butter. When they're half-cooked, you just pour in evap milk, corn kernels (if from a can, use the water they were in too), add more water, season with some pepper and salt to taste, simmer... and there you go..

It's creamy, it's healthy, it's filling. And it's best when piping hot...

Malunggay Magic

Malunggay (Moringa) has long been established as truly helpful in increasing milk supply for breastfeeding Moms. I have already posted a blog entry on Natalac vs. Prolacta before and I found another seller: Sun Angel, which also sells moringa in tea form (which confuses me as teas are diuretic and discouraged for breastfeeding Moms), powder form and capsule form.

Do check out the recipes posted in their multiply site. Apparently, they are finding more innovative ways to incorporate it in our daily diet.

I actually used it as my daily vitamin for a time (haven't replenished my supply yet) for all its vitamins and minerals. Plus, there's this weight loss and body cleansing thing that's going on that starts you flushing your toxins out by taking lots of moringa supplements. So I guess, i've made some headway already, eh?

*~*

related link: Moringa oleifera: cure for 300 ailments

No-Bake Cheesecake

Ingredients:
CRUST
1 pack of crushed graham (honey flavored or chocolate)
half-bar butter, melted
honey (optional)
confectioner's sugar (optional)
shaved white chocolate (optional)
crushed nuts (walnuts, cashew, almonds, etc... optional)

CHEESECAKE
2 bars of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1/2 cup of milk (evap or fresh)
1 tetra pack Nestle Cream
1/2 cup sugar
a teaspoon of vanilla
1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatine
shaved white chocolate (optional)

Directions:
Combine crushed graham, butter and honey (and nuts) to make the pie crust. Line a pan/bowl with the crust, pat well and even. . Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until crust has set. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and chocolate shavings.

On a blender, combine cream cheese, sugar, milk, whipped cream and vanilla. Blend until frothy.

Pour Knox gelatin in a cup and stir a little hot water in to completely dissolve the gelatin. Mix into the cream cheese mix. Blend well.

Pour mixture onto the pie crust. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Top with blueberry/strawberry filling (Compton's) or preferred jam.

* feel free to add more butter to crushed grahams if you like
* feel free to use more or less Knox depending on how firm you want your cheesecake to be

Gising-Gising

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. cooking oil
1 tbsp. chopped garlic
1/4 cup chopped onions
100g ground pork (or more if you want it chunkier)
2 cups chopped baguio beans (chop smaller than green pea-size)
1 8g.Maggi Magic sarap
1 tbsp. patis or to taste
1 142ml. carnation coco evap
1 chili (the green one you use for sinigang, finely chopped)
shrimps (optional)

Directions:
1. Heat oil, saute garlic and onions until limp. Add ground pork and cook for 1 minute or until pork turns white in color.
2. Stir in baguio beans. Season with Maggi Magic sarap and patis.
3. Pour in Carnation Coco evap and add chili. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and serve hot.

* You can replace baguio beans with kangkong stalks and leaves, about 4 cups (but kangkong gets all limp after a while so separate stalks from leaves and add the leaves last)

Asian Geo - Photography Contest

Asian Geographic Magazine Online is holding a contest. The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers alike who have taken amazing shots that depict Asia's land, culture and its people.

Categories include The Land, Humanity, Wild Places and Man's Imprint. Prizes include Canon EOS 5D, tripod, jacket and hydration packs. Deadline of entries is September 30, 2008 and top photographs will be exhibited in December 2008.

Egg Sandwich Spread

Ingredients:
6 hard-boiled eggs
around 1-2 cups mayo (depending on how much mayo you like, and whether you'll be adding extras to it; I prefer Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip for a perfectly creamy, tangy taste)
salt and pepper to taste
finely-chopped ham (optional)
grated cheese (optional)


Directions:
With a fork, mash hardboiled eggs. Add the mayo and other ingredients, season according to your preference.

Depending on how much you spread, this recipe can almost provide for an entire loaf of bread.

Some also add some grated/chopped onion to it for some zing.

Beddings For Your Crib

Some people might think a crib bedding is just another way to depict a nursery's theme. Well, before it had any aesthetic value, it actually had a practical value. Crib beddings help protect your baby while inside the crib.

Infants, of course, will not be rolling around much yet. But when they do start rolling (some as early as four months), beddings around the crib will prevent them from banging heads and shins on the hard crib wood.

Yes, you can use pillows... but they pose a suffocation hazard for babies. Crib beddings, which you tie and secure to your crib, won't be accidentally smothering your child as he sleeps.

So when buying a crib, consider investing on crib beddings too. Choose those with washable, cleanable, allergen-free properties.

Mind Your Titles

Hoping a blog entry to generate more traffic for your blog? Just one word can spell a difference of thousands in search engines when you title your entries. So if it's a prime post you're typing up, take the trouble to check your intended title and its various variations first in your search engine of choice. Which generates less competition? Less competition would mean your entry is more likely to come up at the top, you know.

Same wonderful principle if you want to capture niche searches. You can search Google Trends too for inputs as to which topics are regularly searched but are not generating enough material in the web.

And always remember, few ever really search for complete sentences and using correct grammar. Usually, we just type phrases first. So, although you need not title your posts using phrases, you still might want to keep it simple.

Wedding Expo in Manila: Venue for Research

If you are engaged in the following businesses:
~ catering
~ jewelry
~ couture
~ desserts, cakes, baked goodies
~ events planning
~ flowers
~ stationery, printing
~ entertaiment, band, music
~ banking, credit, finance, insurance
~ real estate
~ travel & hospitality
~ photography/videography

Then you should really consider going, or sending representation/researcher, to the Wedding Expo happening this September 6-7 at the PICC Forum, CCP Complex. This is wear I saw an album where the bride wore UGG boots so it's really a great venue to see the trends in what people like, dig or spend on. Knowing that will help you expand your business, add more personal touch to it, come up with new gimmicks to attract more buyers or even strike up new partnerships.

Plus, the entrepreneur in you may come up with a more creative and efficient way to provide the same services, at a cheaper price too!

So pre-register now and see you there!

More on Nayong Filipino

I have to correct my initial post on Nayong Filipino in Clark, Pampanga.

They do allow receptions there but the chapels are not authorized yet for the Blessed Sacaraments (so maybe you can have a non-denomintaional one, or a Christian one and just use the chapels as backdrops for photo opps).

*~*

And it seems there is going to be a Nayong Filipino - Manila again... signs have already sprouted past the Blue Wave Mall/MOA area (that strip going to Uniwide Coastal). But I think it's still a good five years before anyone can hope to hold weddings there.