I didn't really expect to be this engrossed with the 30th SEA Games this year as my country plays host. It's the fourth time the Philippines has hosted the Southeast Asian Games which happens every other year. I've read and heard some controversy about the preparations but I just brushed it aside, knowing that people tend to make a big deal about politics in pretty much about everything. 

There were also a lot of things going on at work (I work as a Virtual Assistant!) which I think needs more time and attention.

As days drew closer to the opening of day last Nov 30, I was surprisingly getting excited! I saw a lot of adverts on SKY channels giving us a preview on what to expect about the SEA Games. It was 12-day action-packed event participated in by 11 member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam; with 530 sports events and a total of 5,630 athletes participants.

The day of the opening had wonderful reviews all over the internet. It was definitely one for the books. Indeed, it uplifted everyone spirits as Filipinos, as cliche as it may sound. And at that instant, we felt united despite many differences. The opening number was spectacular, the dances, songs, costumes, and the venue itself--- all the details were perfect.

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year since I was a kid. Now as an adult, Starbucks' holiday offers make it even more exciting. The much sought-after Starbucks Planner and travel organizer, holiday-themed food goodies, holiday collectibles such as tumblers and mugs, Christmas Starbucks Card and of course the season's featured beverages. All these make 'ber' months a little more merry and festive. Agree?

For this year, they've got exciting new Christmas merch everyone is sure to love.

First off, tumblers, mugs and reusable cups! They have a whole lot of new colorful Christmas designs to choose from. And get this, they released the limited edition Starbucks Flask which can hold your favorite beverage wherever you go!

Also, grab the Starbucks Holiday Polar Bear Snow Globe if you want your desk or table to have that winter feels.

And for the most awaited part.. the Starbucks Planner 2020. Many are making this as a yearly tradition: collecting stickers for every beverage purpose to redeem their much-coveted price: The Starbucks Planner or Travel Organizer!

For 18 stickers, you get to own a planner or travel organizer for free which comes in different colors and designs. Gray and pink for the planners, green and choco brown for the travel organizer. Each comes with its own matching case. 

As a mom, being the one in-charge of our kitchen, I am always on the lookout for things that give ultimate value for money. For sure, I am not alone in the  unwritten rule that grocery food items need to be both great-tasting and affordable to be in my grocery list! Do you agree? 

And since no Filipino table is complete without our well-loved comfort food such as adobo and pansit, moms and dads or anyone in the family who loves cooking, particularly those from the Visayas and Mindanao would be delighted to know that Luzon's favorite brand, SELECT soy sauce and suking puti is finally available in the area.

I attended the product launch here in Davao City at dusitD2 (Dusit Thani Hotel) last week and the chef prepared the above-mentioned Pinoy dishes using Select soy sauce and sukang puti. We had the chance to sample them and personally I can say that they certainly tasted good. I liked it that the adobo had the classic taste, not too sour and with a hint of sweetness in it.

To give you a background, Select is produced by Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation which is a trusted brand by Filipinos. For 44 years now, the company and the Select brand is synonymous to quality and taste, essential elements of a product that make food taste extra special.

Select is proudly Philippine-made. It is the brands mission is to provide high quality, healthy,

cooking products that are affordable to the average Filipino consumer.

“A husband and wife Chinese migrants established Essential Manufacturing in 1975 with Select

Soy Sauce and Select Vinegar as the company’s main products. With limited capital, they started

a small business with minimal production and distribution limited in Luzon,” said Joseph Charles

Cruel, the managing director of Wellmade.

“We’re a year short of turning 45 years old. We took small yet sure steps with the company’s

growth. This year will be another milestone for Wellmade when the Select products will start its

distribution in Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.

I first saw this brand of juices in malls around the city a few years ago and instantly fell in love with it.  Hands down, it's really great-tasting with just the natural fruit taste, no more, no less.  Since then, our family has become regular consumers up to this day.

Last week, I was invited to be part of the Fresh Day 2019 event for bloggers and from there, I got to know the story behind Natureal Juice.

THE LITTLE STORY behind Natureal Juice

Did you know that the creators of Natureal Juice are avid fans of calamansi juice?

They realized there’s something about real fresh, homemade calamansi juice that wasn’t present in any of the calamansi juice options available in stores or groceries today. They just don’t taste the same. The creators of Natureal Juice saw this as an opportunity to develop something they know the local market wants but do not have convenient access to just yet. And that’s how Natureal Juice Calamansi came to be —real and fresh calamansi juice with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Natureal Juice released two more flavors: Mango Fusion and Passion Fruit, both with calamansi juice infused into the formulations as well. The Natureal Juice first made its debut in SM Lanang Premier's Weekend Bazaar last October 2015.

In 2016, Natureal Juice launched its first permanent kiosk in SM Lanang Premier. Since then, it has opened several more outlets around Mindanao. Natureal Juice has also launched seasonal flavor, Green Mango.

 

the long term solution would be to utilize renewable sources of energy

Jolly Claro Palm Oil gathered bloggers from Davao City last week for an informative discussion about PALM OIL. 

Palm oil, among the different kinds of cooking oil in the market, is the widely used cooking oil in most Filipino homes and in Southeast Asia. As the name implies, palm oil is extracted from the flesh of the palm fruit. 

Aside from being affordable, it also has a high smoke point suitable for high heat cooking. 

Kimchi

Bibimbap

Chef Edwin doing a Samgyupsal demo

After a hard day's work, we all want to take a breather, let the afternoon traffic pass and just chill before going home.  Of course, we deserve it after the grueling hours we spent at the office/workplace. Mugshots Wine and Cafe owner, Beau Ma had this in mind when he conceptualized this wine and coffee place 2years ago. He wanted this to be a meeting place of people--old and new friends alike,  who'd like to enjoy a good cup of coffee, beer or wine and great food.

A quick glance at their industrial-style interior and store facade, you would think it is a bar that purely serves wines and beer. But no. They also serve your favorite cup of coffee, tea, smoothie and milk. 

With the growing number of Japanese restaurants in the city (or in the country as a whole), it is safe to say that Filipinos in general love Japanese food so much. And why not? We have welcomed Japanese cuisine with great enthusiasm because they are well-balanced and flavorful.  Plus, they are not far from the taste we are accustomed to.

The same reason goes true with the owners of Kitsune-Japanese Casual Dining, who put up their restaurant because they have always been fascinated with the Japanese culture: their colorful traditions, unique clothes, interesting folklores, amazing work ethics and of course their food.

For the 2nd stop of the Davao Food Crawl, Davao Digital Influencers (DDI) bloggers and vloggers were all excited to visit Kitsune. It is located at the south side of Davao City, along Juna Subdivision in Matina fronting Values School. 

Back in the day, when restaurants in Davao City weren't as diverse and plentiful as they are now, I  would easily quip shawarma if asked about Mediterranean/Persian dishes.  As years went by,  food scene in Davao got bigger giving us more choices to satisfy our palates. So yes, there's more to Persian food than just shawarma. Don't get me wrong, I love shawarma coz of its satisfying taste that fills me whenever I'm hungry but not in the mood for a rice meal.

Hummus Trio (P245) This is their signature Hummus that is served in 3 different ways: Classic, Baba Ganoush and Roasted Beet Hummus. Comes with pita bread

Like most girls, I am always on the lookout for breakthrough products on beauty and skincare like soaps, creams or lotions. And since soaps are the most affordable ones to try, I easily get fascinated when new ones are introduced either through product demos or launchings.

Just recently, I attended a Korean beauty and skincare brand launch at a downtown hotel here in Davao City. They are called NLIHome. They carry a wide range of products like Cellin (premium cosmetic/skincare),  Honey Soap, toothpaste, hair care treatment and many more.

For this post, I am going to focus on the Honey Soap since I was able to try it for several days now already.