Enjoy The Total Events Package at Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex

There are few party venues in the metro that serve as a one stop shop for all of a client's needs. Casa Ibarra, MOA Complex is one of these and has been providing all of their clients' needs for their different events. In fact, they have hosted several events even before their grand launch last November 21, 2017 including corporate events, debuts, weddings, anniversary celebrations and baptisms.

The main stage at the Alegria and Hermosa Function Rooms

The complex covers 2 floors for different venue requirements. We took a tour around the facilities before the grand launch at the grand ballroom on the 2nd floor.

Vegan Shopping, Food & Learning at VegFest Pilipinas 2017

I attended the recent VegFest Pilipinas 2017 at Eastwood last Saturday. The event in Eastwood lasted for 2 days and although I went there only on the first day, I must say that I am excited for this event to happen again.

The stage and the eating area with the vegan vendors on the side at VegFest Pilipinas 2017, Eastwood.

The first VegFest happened last year and I was overwhelmed will all the vegan products available but my wallet was not prepared for all the things I wanted to buy. This time around, I attended the event with specific goals in mind.

Have a Whimsical Holiday Spectacle at Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights

'Tis the season to celebrate but if you find that you are lacking in your usual holiday spirit, then head out to Nuvali to experience a bit of magic and whimsy. It's also a good excuse to escape the traffic of the city. Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights will actually light up your night in different colors with accompanying musical cheer.

Nothing inter galactic happening here. Just an award-winning light show.

Nuvali's Magical Field of Lights was launched last year. It's the first ever lights and sound show in the country that utilizes an open grass field; an actual football field which is also named The Field in the middle of Nuvali's 2,290 hectares.

SEAOIL Offers Lifetime Supply of Fuel to Lucky Motorists

SEAOIL, the country’s largest independent fuel player, has launched the first raffle promo of its kind in the Philippines that will be giving four lucky motorists their lifetime supply of SEAOIL fuels.

SEAOIL president for retail business and CFO Mark Yu with SEAOIL senior manager for marketing communications
Rey Jimenez during the media launch of SEAOIL's “Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!” promo at
The Wellington Centre 32nd & 4th, Bonifacio Global City

“We have always stood by the quality and performance of SEAOIL fuels and this is our way of thanking our loyal customers, whom we call SEAOIL Believers, for the trust they have placed in us,” said SEAOIL CEO Glenn Yu.

Vegetarian / Vegan Find: A Healthier Choice at Hap Chan Tea House

Based on experience, the challenge of sticking to a meat-free diet becomes even more difficult when you go out of familiar surroundings.

Chop Suey Guisado Rice Topping on Hap Chan's menu.

The most convenient option is to go into a restaurant and request for vegetarian and vegan options or ask them to veganize your order. Not all restaurants would fulfill this request but I was lucky that Hap Chan Tea House in Eton Centris accommodated me.

Vegetarian Find: Meatless Dishes at Kanin Club

Eating healthy in the city is sometimes a challenge because most restaurants do not offer vegan or vegetarian options on their menu. When my friends and I decided to meet up, I requested that we go to a place with meatless options so we decided to try Kanin Club at UP Ayala Technohub, Diliman.

One of my favorite dishes at Kanin Club. Thai Green Mango Salad.

Our resto of choice did not disappoint. I checked their menu online so I knew what options I had and I decided on a few that I wanted to try out. Luckily, my friends were supportive. They tried the no meat dishes as well and enjoyed them.

An Afternoon with Flowers at The Sunflower Maze, Pangasinan

Following our stopover at the Our Lady of Manaoag Church, we headed to The Sunflower Maze located at Brgy. C. Lichauco, Tayug, Pangasinan. This is quite a long way from the beach where we came from so that's why we went to the church first.

One of the most picturesque spot in the whole maze.

Even though it was a cloudy afternoon, there was still enough sunlight to take great pictures with the flowers in the maze. I actually didn't explore the whole maze as we just went to and fro hunting for good spots to take pictures. (Of course, more pictures after the jump.)

TravelBook.ph Affiliate Program Commends Bloggers on 1st Anniversary Celebration

TravelBook.ph, the leading online travel agency (OTA) in the Philippines, celebrated the first anniversary of its Affiliate Program last June 24, 2017 at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila in Ortigas Center, Pasig. In addition to celebrating an important milestone, the event was the OTA’s way of thanking its 2,700 blogger affiliates and acknowledging each of their contributions to the success of the said program since it began.

The event, entitled TravelBook.ph Affiliate Program 1st Year Cheer, highlighted and celebrated the many firsts that the Affiliate Program has achieved on its first year.

Appreciating Nature and Visiting Our Lady of Manaoag Church

After an overnight beach escapade, it was time to head back home. This time, we were able to better appreciate the natural scenery unfolding before us as we traversed the dusty path back to the city.

A piece of the beach reminds us of our previous day's adventures.

So what scenic spots did we see along the way? We took pictures to remember them although these are not enough to show how vast and pretty they are in real life.

Theme Parks in the Philippines: Tree Top Adventure Baguio

There are so many destinations in Baguio such as Mines View, Strawberry Fields, Ben Cab Museum to name a few but there's only one theme park inside the popular Camp John Hay and that's Tree Top Adventure which is just walking distance from Manor Hotel and Le Monet Hotel and just 10 minutes away from Azalea Residences.

Tree Top Adventure Nature Park
Source: Tree Top Adventure Facebook page

Tree Top Adventure is the only theme park in the Philippines with motorized activities plus different kinds of Zip line adventure in the heart of nature; Superman, Canopy, Tree Drop, Silver Surfer, Free Fall, Funicular, Trekking, Skywalk and many more to be added.

Exploring the "Death Pool" at Cabongaoan, Burgos, Pangasinan

Aside from enjoying all that the beach had to offer at Amayaj Bora Beach Resort, we were also open to exploring other places along the shore. We were told that there was a very deep part of the ocean near the shore that was named the "Death Pool". The grim name gave us doubts if we should go but we wanted adventure so we decided to visit the spot.

Sunset was the start of another adventure for us.

We had noticed that there were boats coming and going from the shore so we asked one of them if they knew about the place. We learned that they had been taking people to and from the spot. So for a fee of Php50 each, we made a deal with one of the boat owners. It was supposed to be better to go there at around 5pm when there were fewer visitors. So we enjoyed the beach as much as we could as we waited for the boat to get us.

Fun Under the Sun at Amayaj Bora Beach Resort, Cabongaoan, Burgos, Pangasinan

Our summer would not be complete without a beach adventure so we looked for a new destination to explore. This time around, Kala and Karin found a beach spot in Pangasinan. We also found Amayaj Bora Beach Resort which had great reviews from those who have tried their amenities already.

Posing at the signage in front of the beach.

We just wanted a decent place which provided the basic amenities for comfort and convenience. So we booked our stay and were on our way to see if the long travel time was worth it. Our travel started very early in the morning and we were treated to some awesome views along the way. Upon arriving in Burgos, Pangasinan, a different kind of landscape greeted us as well.

Kala and Karin Soak in The Sunshine on A Roadtrip

Kala and Karin have been on many road trips; some short, some quite long and even boring. Through all these trips, we have learned that the journey itself has its own rewards and attractions. 

Is that a meteorite speeding across the sky? Is that a volcano erupting in the distance?

On this particular journey, our destination was quite far away and so we needed to start our trip very early in the morning, at 3AM. This meant that we were sleepy or asleep as soon as we got on the van. A few hours later, we were witness to the spectacle of the sunrise. It happens every day but we seldom appreciate its beauty. Since we had the scene unfolding right before our eyes, we could not help but click away.

My DIY Kawaii Bento!

Many a chef would tell you that people eat with their eyes first so food has to be plated to look appetizing. For home cooks who live a busy lifestyle however, that may not always be the case. But it is undeniable that visual appeal do influence us to try out something new. So I experimented with making my food pretty by arranging it like a bento.

If I can make this bento cuteness for lunch, you can too!

The Japanese lunch box or bento is one way of preparing and arranging food on your container so it still looks appealing. Japanese moms have been making these for their kids at school to encourage them to eat a variety of foods to ensure that they get their much-needed nutrition. They make them look so cute and pretty that even adults love them, me included! So I made one for myself with a few, simple items.

Vegetarian Japanese Food is Not Just Kawaii at Wabi Sabi, Tomas Morato

Aside from anime and bento, Japanese culture has been a fascination of mine. I have also eaten at Japanese restos around the city but I wish they had healthier options. I kept hearing about Wabi Sabi and I had to check it out. Fortunately, they have a branch near our area.

Mushroom Shumai and Chahan with Chili Oil on the side.

The place was small but homey and orders were delivered fast too! The wooden interiors and furniture gave it that Japanese-y ambiance you see in historical period films and anime. It made eating here a really unique experience and the food made it very satisfying too.

DIY Potato + Tofu Croquettes and My Misua Cravings Satisfied

It's the middle of summer weather but there are some days when the nights are cold. On one of those nights, I had this intense craving for misua soup but I didn't know where to get myself a bowl of one. So I decided to make my own version.

My meat-free misua soup with tofu+potato croquettes.

Misua is one of those types of food that remind me of my childhood. My grandmother used to cook misua with patola and although I wasn't a fan of the patola, I still savored slurping the thin noodles with the flavorful soup. My version doesn't have any meat on it and I made the soup quite thick so I didn't even need rice to eat this with. Am sure most of us know how to cook misua. This post is about the meat alternative that I used to go together with my soup.

It's Game On at High Grounds Cafe, Tomas Morato

Online gamers now have a convenient place to go to without hogging their family's computer or getting frustrated from slow internet connection. If you live in Quezon City, then you now have a place to get your game on at High Grounds Cafe.

High Grounds Cafe beverage bar just beside the entrance.

The cafe is the country's first and only fully branded gaming cafe operated by the country's top gaming cafe brand TheNet.com (TNC). The cafe is fully equipped with top-of-the-line and powerful Predator gaming PCs in a gaming environment designed to cater to both gaming enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Vegetarian Fare to Satisfy Your Tastebuds and Wallet at The Green Wok Vegetarian Bistro

My friends know that I am always on the lookout for healthier food options and of course, healthier restaurant places to go to. By healthier, I mean plant-based food options on the menu and restaurants that offer those kinds of dishes. Discovering these places in my area is always exciting for me. I have discovered another one in Green Wok Vegetarian Bistro.

An instagram pic I posted showing the delicious dishes you can enjoy at Green Wok.

I had visited this bistro a year ago and had been back recently to enjoy their updated menu. Their dishes are still delicious; the portions are satisfying and their prices are still wallet-friendly.

More Than the Beach at Laiya White Cove Beach Resort, Batangas - Day 2

The second day of our early summer vacation, we woke up later than usual and took our time going around the resort in the morning. It was fairly quiet and if you sat on one of the wooden benches just listening to the sounds of the waves; it was easy to feel drowsy and fall asleep again.

View of the covered area near the beach.

Cool breeze, quiet atmosphere and beautiful surroundings definitely made me want to just doze off again as the sound of the waves lapping the shore was a calming lullaby. But it was time to wake up the rest of the gang for some breakfast.

Early Beach Escapade at Laiya White Cove Beach Resort, Batangas - Day 1

Kala and Karin planned an early summer trip for some friends who wanted to enjoy a weekend at the beach. We looked around for an ideal location close to Manila so an overnight stay would be convenient and we chanced upon Laiya White Cove Beach Resort in Batangas.

Sand, sea, sky and mountain surround the resort.

Going to a beach before the summer season starts was a good idea because we had the whole beach to ourselves. It also gave us the opportunity to appreciate the facilities even more because the place was not crowded. Check out our little escapade with lots of pictures of course!

The Veg Mom PH's The Good Choices Are Indeed Good!

Going healthy and standing by your choices can be hard when you're a vegetarian or vegan going thru the grocery isles. There will be meat-free options available but the number one complaint of people trying to eat healthy is that most meat-free options can be pricey.

The Veg Mom PH's The Good Tapa is the star of my bento lunch box.

Luckily, local businesses have come up with healthier and more affordable meat-free products. One local business is The Veg Mom PH offering meat-free alternatives to some of our popular Filipino dishes. Their first offering is dubbed The Good Choices which include The Good Tocino, The Good Longganisa and The Good Tapa.

Friends Visit the PMA Museum in Baguio with Kala and Karin

Our Baguio trip was going quite well with the weather cooperating. It was cool but not raining since our visit to Mine's View Park and The Mansion where our friends enjoyed a private jeepney joy ride.

A couple of our friends posing by the entrance to the academy.

The last spot on our list was the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Museum inside Fort Del Pilar as well as the vintage war paraphernalia displayed on its grounds. There's the customary vehicle check at the entrance. No slippers or sleeveless shirts allowed inside so better dress appropriately when you visit.

Friends Pose at The Mansion and Ride a Jeepney in Baguio with Kala and Karin

Our Baguio experience was off to a good start with our early morning visit to Mine's View Park. Our friends also wanted to visit as much of the popular tourist sites as they can all in one day. But they also wanted to experience riding in our local jeepney.

Gate of The Mansion

It was still early in the morning when we arrived at Wright Park where The Mansion was located. The gates were closed so we thought it was closed for the day. We were informed that they were in the middle of the flag ceremony so we also stood in attention as we waited.

Exploring Mines View Park at Baguio with Kala and Karin

The day after visiting The Strawberry Farm, we were off to an early start to visit Mine's View Park. It had been rainy the day before so we were hoping that the fog would lift up so we could see a clear view and take good pictures. Fortunately, there was only a slight drizzle when we traveled from the hotel.

Our friends Ms. Jane and Mr. Sing posing at the Mine's View Park entrance.

We got there before 8AM and we thought that we would have to wait until after 8AM to get inside the park but we were told that we could already go inside. This made us quite happy as we could explore the place without any other visitors around.

The Strawberry Farm in Baguio with Kala and Karin

Baguio is famous for its cool weather and fresh produce. From Vigan, we travelled to the Strawberry Farm in Baguio where some of the produce you see in the city's market come from.

Trekking our way thru the abundant produce at the farm.

Although it is called the Strawberry Farm, other vegetables and even flowers are grown here. When we came to visit, there were also a lot of other visitors snapping pictures at every turn.

Cape Bojeador and Paoay Church with Kala and Karin

The last location on our Ilocos trip was Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. This historic site provided a beautiful view of the landscape and the shore but the structure itself was worth the visit.

The Cape Bojeador Lighthouse also known as the Burgos Lighthouse.

We took a tricycle to reach the lighthouse from the site's designated parking lot. Upon arriving, we were looking at the many steps to climb to reach the actual lighthouse building. We readied our legs for the stair-climbing session.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation with Kala and Karin

Next on our itinerary after the Bangui Windmills visit is the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. There are many pictures of this famous rock formation but we learned that there was more to it than the single rock you often see in pictures.

The famous rock formation of Kapurpurawan in Ilocos Norte.

Luckily, the slight drizzle had stopped and the sun shone through the clouds. It was the perfect weather to explore our next destination and to take pictures, lots of pictures.

Bangui Windmills with Kala and Karin

The long trip to Vigan thru La Union tired all of us but we all woke up early to grab some breakfast and head on another long drive (but shorter than the day before) to Laoag and Pagudpud for some sight seeing and picture-taking. Our first stop was at the famous Bangui Windmills.

Bangui Windmills on a cloudy day.

As we came nearer the area, it was slightly raining and there was a fog which made us really thankful to be in our jackets and shawls. Thus, most of our pictures look dark and even our photographer friends said that if there was more sunlight, the windmills would be an even more beautiful sight to behold.

Road Trip Thru La Union to Vigan, Ilocos Sur with Kala and Karin

The last post about the Corregidor Tour had a lot of photos and so did the Ilocos trip the next day. So this time around, we will go by each site that we visited instead of posting all of the Ilocos trip in just one post.

This view of a mountain wrapped in some clouds was one of the sites we enjoyed as we rode thru La Union.

As usual, our trip starts early in the morning. Since the ride through La Union didn't offer much food options, our friends contented themselves with the fruit stands that they saw along the way as we tried to spot some places for lunch.

Corregidor Tour with Kala and Karin

After a full day of trips around Manila and Tagaytay, the next day was a day of learning some more of Philippine history by visiting Corregidor Island.

Sir Jon and Ms. Alice posing at one of the canons in Corregidor.

Our friends started out with a very early breakfast at the Aristocrat Restaurant, one of the oldest restaurants in Metro Manila that is also open 24 hours. Although the staff seemed a bit sleepy at the time but they were accommodating nonetheless. More pictures after the jump.

Manila Tour and Tagaytay Trip with Kala and Karin

Last December, Kala and Karin went on a road trip with 6 friends from abroad. We took them on a mini-tour of Manila then the next day, our first out-of-Manila destination was Tagaytay. It was cold and foggy but we were rewarded with enough sunlight to take decent pictures with our friends.

View of Taal Lake and Volcano from Leslie's Restaurant.

A refreshing site from the hustle and bustle of the city, our friends had fun picture-taking and enjoyed lunch in the area too. We went to Las Pinas afterwards and to Fort Santiago as well before calling it a night off. Warning: This is going to be full of pictures so if you like that, then click the link for more.

Starting the New Year Healthy at The Vegetarian Kitchen

It's a new year and it's a time for resetting and restarting. After all the unhealthy eating I indulged in last year, I wanted to start the new year right by eating some healthy food. The Vegetarian Kitchen had a whole new menu of healthy and delicious treats so we couldn't wait to try some of them.

As you can see, we had already started on some of the side dishes.

We arrived early at the resto and at first we thought it was still closed but the door was opened for us. They had just started prepping for their first opening day in the new year so we had some leisure going through the new menu. There were so many to choose from!