AirAsia Zest flies from Manila "Right way to Fly"

Finally, the long wait is over. One of the most prestigious airline is now easily available for all travel lovers right here in the metro. AirAsia, which has now partnered with Zest, may now take you to your desired destination at affordable prices. AirAsia Zest, has taken flights to heights that we cannot imagine.

Here are the destinations that you can choose from when you plan your vacation with AirAsia Zest:

Domestic/Local:
Cebu
Davao
Kalibo (Boracay)
Puerto Princesa
Tagbilaran
Cagayan De Oro

International:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Shanghai, China
Incheon, South Korea

As for me, here are the 3 destinations that I've always dreamt of going:

1. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia- since I was young, I've always seen pictures of the beaches in this place. Although, I know that we also have nice beaches here, the ambience and culture will be very much different from ours so I would love to go here with my family.

2. Incheon, South Korea- the color and the upbeat culture of South Korea never fails to amuse and amaze me. We've seen a lot of modern things that's are coming from this place. And that is the reason why I'd love to go here.

3. Puerto Princesa, Palawan- I've been to a lot of local destinations but not Puerto Princesa. I have heard a lot of good things about the place so why not go here and spend some time with my loved ones while roaming around this beautiful city. And besides, who wouldn't want to see the Underground River, eh?

Indeed, AirAsia Zest is the right way to fly.

So, what are you waiting for? Travel in the Philippines or travel in Asia with AirAsia.

Black Canyon Coffee: Not your ordinary coffee shop

A new coffee shop was introduced last Saturday. They already have a branch open in Sm Southmall, but still, this brand is just new to my ears. But since I am a coffee lover, I went there so I can try it out.

The owner and bosses of this new coffee shop in McKinley Hill in Taguig were present during the launch. They were very welcoming and were courteous enough to answer all the questions coming from the people present during the event.

Black Canyon Coffee is slowly moving up to be known by a lot of not just coffee lovers but Thai food lovers as well. They serve iced and frappe Thai coffee's that I enjoyed. Some of their coffee's have ice creams at the top which is definitely new and is a must-try! They also serve Pad Thai which is a very well-known Thai cuisine. I am not a Thai food lover but I really enjoyed this one!

For people who are already getting bored with coffee shops that serve coffee and pastries, you SHOULD definitely go to Black Canyon Coffee and try the Thai food choices in their menu.

Pastry Rific: My Cupcake of Choice

I have always had a sweet tooth, sweeter than everyone else that I know and cupcakes are on the top of my list and that is the reason why I always roam around to find the best cupcake that I can have.

Until, I tasted a home-made cupcake baked by a simple girl with big dreams and she named her creations as Pastry Rific.

Think about a variety of perfectly-blended icing flavors on top of either chocolate, vanilla, carrot or marbled cupcakes. You will definitely feel the need to have more bite once you dig into it.

Chocolate, Mint, Spicy Chocolate, Peach, Lemon, Ube and Cream Cheese are the icing flavors to choose from. My personal favorite is the Carrot Cupcake with Cream Cheese icing. And I tell you, I can finish 10 of these delicious cupcakes in an instant!

If you are thinking about the price of these cupcakes, well, they are cheaper than the ones in the market. Take it from me, you will definitely not go wrong with these cupcakes. Unlike other cupcakes, Patry Rific's cupcakes are more dense and full. It is chewy and the taste is just right that makes it perfect for kids and kids at heart. :)

So to my fellow foodies, please try their cupcakes and I bet you that you will surely crave for more.

Perfect for give-aways and for special occassions..

Here are some of the details if you want to order from them:

Minimum 6pcs.

Bulk order is 25pcs and up.

We give discount on orders 6pcs and up! as long as you will place your order 1 week in advace for non-bulk (24 pcs below) and 2 weeks in advance for bulk orders (25 and above)

Free delivery within Makati area (Greenbelt, Landmark, Glorietta, SM Makati, Makati Ave, Ayala Ave.)

Free use of cupcake holders for bulk orders for all occassion.

For other query you can reach us through:

0917-629-3119

0921-965-3011

pastry_rific@yahoo.com

My Priceless Princess

Last April 2, 2013, I was scheduled to go to my Ob-Gyne at The Medical City for my weekly check-up since I am expected to give birth on the 3rd week of April. But as I expected, they told me that I need to be admitted immediately and have my operation done right away (this was the exact same thing that happened to me when I gave birth to Teo). Good thing that I have prepared everything that I need as early as March just in case I give birth at an earlier date.

We arrived at the hospital at around 9:30am. I was closely monitored at the Pre-labor room for about 30 minutes and then they told me that my OB will be coming soon for my delivery. Good thing that my baby is already in full-term so there won't be any complications. I called my dad so I can tell them the good news and so that they can bring my things to the hospital. Inside the delivery suite, I was so anxious and nervous that I wanted to go home and remove the cords that were attached to me. I tried not to cry but I wasn't able to control my emotions. The doctors inside the delivery room were so accommodating that they helped me ease my worries away. They assured me that everything will be fine. I was awake the whole time and was eagerly waiting to hear my daughter's voice once she comes out. Margarita Merced was already out at exactly 11:24am via Cesarian Section (that is how fast everything went that day). She was 7.2lbs in weight and 49cm in length. She has fair complexion, black hair and a pair of perfect eyes. Those were the things that I noticed first when they showed her to me. All my worries went away the moment that I saw her.

I was transferred to the Recovery Room after the operation. Still, I cannot sleep the whole time that I was there. After an hour, I was so surprised that they brought Marga to me for breastfeeding. I was so happy that I saw her and that I was able to touch and hug her. After a few hours in the recovery room, I was then transferred to my room where my husband, Marlon, was waiting for me. He told me that he already saw our baby and that he is very happy. My things were there already but my dad and siblings already went home because my dad has to go to work. My mom came a little later to help us and to see her "apo". Before night time, Marga was already sent to our room.

This pregnancy really gave me a hard time. I was advised to file for a leave from work as early as September so my OB can monitor my weight and my baby's progress. I was confined and sent to the hospital a number of times because of some minor complications. My grandmother passed away which gave me a lot of stress and heartbreak. But,after seeing my princess, it was all worth it.

My family is now complete. I have a loving husband and 2 beautiful children. I already underwent ligation so Marga will be our last child. We now have a lot of time to save for their future, OUR future. Our journey as a family begins now and I hope that all the people that are important to us will be a part of it :).

My journey before Baby Margarita greets us here in the outside world :)

This is it! After 9 months of waiting, only a few weeks left and I will be seeing our baby girl.

Although, this will be my third time to give birth, technically, I still feel nervous and anxious on what's gonna happen to me and my baby. But I know that in God's grace and love everything will be alright.

The whole 9 months that I am pregnant have been happy and sad at the same time. When I found out that I am expecting a baby again, I kept it as a secret first, even to Marlon until I was able to confirm it. I actually told my mother and grandmother about it before he knew it (because I was with them at the hospital when I had my check-up). When we got home I told him immediately about the news and it made him very happy. He wanted another baby boy but I want a baby girl this time. I already had a name for my baby girl even before I got pregnant :).

I had a hard time with my current pregnancy. I got hospitalized a few times for re-hydration and because of UTI. My OB-GYNE recommended that I stay at home and file for a leave of absence from work, and so I did. It was a very hard decision to make because I know that we need to save a lot of my money for my delivery. I give birth via CS section and I will be giving birth at The Medical City so we really need to have a lot of money in our pockets before I give birth. I cried almost every night thinking if I made the right decision. But I had no choice.

During my 2nd trimester, my grandmother died due to cancer that made me so sad and stressed.  I thought that I won't be able to get through it. I also found out that my grandma told some people that she is sad that she will be leaving us most especially because she won't see my baby anymore. I cried day and night and it gave me a hard time to focus on my pregnancy. I just realized that Inay wouldn't want me to feel sad and I know that she wants me to have a healthy baby so that served as my inspiration to keep going.

I am excited, we are all excited. I am hoping and praying that everything goes well. I'll be posting a lot of pictures of my baby Rita once she comes out. I love her so much. Please pray for me and baby so we can get through this safely. :)

The Croods

This computer-animated film released by Dreamworks is all about family. So, since I have a very close-tied relationship with my own family, I really enjoyed watching it. All struggles and problems will be worth fighting for most especially if you have them with you to fight and solve it. The father in this movie really epitomizes what a real father should be (and I am very lucky that mine is like him). He protects, provides and loves each and every member of his family. The mother, on the other hand, is the one to nurture and take care of the children.

I am sure that every kid and kid-at-heat will love this movie. It is really worth watching. :)

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia is a 2007 fantasy-drama movie wherein 2 kids created a world of their own with monsters, ogres, giants and trolls where they rule as the king and queen. At first I thought that this movie will be enjoyed by kids only but I was soooo wrong. Disney made this movie very believable and touching. I ended up crying even after the movie ended.

Friendship is the main lesson of the story. It started out that Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutherson) was upset because new comer Leslie Burke (Anna Sophia Robb) outrun him in a race at school until eventually that they became friends because of Leslie's persistence. They found a secluded forest near their house and decided that it will be their new kingdom and they called in Terabithia.

One day, Jesse went out on a museum with his teacher without telling Leslie. When he got home, he found out that Leslie died while trying to go to their said kingdom. The drama of the story started after this incident. I would definitely recommend this movie to my friends. Even my 3-yr old son enjoyed watching it with me. I hope that you guys will also enjoy it. :)

Boracay's famous Calamansi Muffin

Boracay, one of the most beautiful places here in the Philippines to go to. I have had the opportunity to visit this island a few years ago with my husband for a vacation. The pristine beach and sand-like white sand will definitely make you want to stay longer if you are there.

This past few days, I have been seeing posts in Instagram regarding a very delicious muffin that can be found in this paradise-like island. It is the Calamansi muffin sold at the Real Coffee Tea and Cafe.

Good thing that a very good friend of mine, Rachelle, went there for vacation. Since, I won't be able to go there for the meantime because I am due to give birth a few weeks from now, I asked her to buy me some so I can finally taste it. And just because she really has a good heart, she bought me a box of this famous muffin (P285/box of 6). She also had it delivered to me a day after her arrival (I am a spoiled pregnant friend!).

I immediately had a bite of the very fluffy muffin and I fell in love with it the moment I tasted it. It is really one of a kind. It is fluffy and very tasty. The calamansi taste is just perfect. I hope that  will be able to have a taste of it again soon. So to whoever is going to Boracay, please let me know :)!

In-n-Out Burger in the Philippines!

According to the In-n-Out Burger petition page on Facebook, yes, the ever so famous burger and fries chain is now in the Philippines, but not for good.

Yes, the rumors are true. 
IN N OUT Burgers is at Bonifacio High Street today. 
They will serve from 11am to 3pm until supplies last at B6, Bonifacio High Street.

Clawdaddy was the chosen restaurant to be their pop-up store for this day.

Picture courtesy of ABS-CBN news

Picture courtesy of ABS-CBN news

So to those who are just around or near BHS, you may line up now and get yourself a chance to taste this famous burger. I just hope that you will be able to get one before supplies last. :)

iHop Restaurant

I have been curious about this iHop pancake house in The Fort. It has been very popular in Instagram. So, after bringing my son, Teo, to Active Fun today we decided to try it out.

iHop is located in Bonifacio High Street accross Agave restaurant and on the right side lane of The Spa. We have tried several times to dine there but it has always been full-packed, as in long waiting line from inside to the outside of the restaurant. Good thing, today was not that bad. We were seated after only 5 mins.

Since we only wanted to try it for now and we've already eaten lunch, we only got an order of their Split Decision breakfast (eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 pork sausage links, 2 French toast triangles and 2 pcs of regular buttermilk pancakes) (P325). I also got a large glass of their Chocolate Milk (P95). Our order took almost 30 minutes before it was served :(.

You also have choices of pancake syrups right at your table side. They have strawberry, blueberry, old-fashioned and butter pecan. I liked the old-fashioned pancake syrup.

I love pancake and French Toast, but I think that iHop is just over-rated or maybe I just didn't taste their best-seller. It s also a bit pricey for me. But nonetheless, I was still happy because Teo liked it. My son is a picky eater but he was able to eat a pancake all by himself (or maybe he was just hungry and tired because he just came from playing at Active Fun for 2 and a half hours).

It is still a good thing that I tried it. I will still come back and will try to taste the other food on their menu. :)