Something I'm Looking Forward To

I just read this at the Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday:

Kitchen Rescue
Japanese choco store opens in Rockwell 

By Reggie Aspiras
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:19:00 10/08/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Royce is opening a store at Rockwell in November.

The Manila flagship store will carry more than 20 types of Royce’s chocolates. Aside from their namas, they will be selling the complete Royce line from Potato Chip Chocolate, Black Sugar Chocolate, Batons and their cookies. Their cakes are only sold in Japan.

Advance corporate orders or bulk orders for Christmas will be accepted starting Oct. 10. E-mail roycemanila@gmail.com for inquiries.

Congratulations to Cecile Ang not only for the Royce store but also for the opening of Astralis Restaurant by Diamond Hotel.

For the holiday season, they will take orders for delivery, including my favorite gravlax served with apple compote! If you haven’t tried this, you must! They cater, too! Hassle-free entertaining! (Power Plant Mall, Lopez Drive, 7032622)

I just looooove Royce and its melt-in-your-mouth almost liquid texture and all its divine chocolate glory!  Friends, that's what I want for Christmas! hahaha kidding =p

See the entire article here.

Krispy Kreme Donut Party

I just got this today:

Too bad I wouldn't be able to go... :(  I'd love to sink my teeth into those free donuts! =p

Happy Kadayawan!

This year's Kadayawan Festival will be celebrated from August 18-24, 2008.  I was kinda excited to join the celebration because I haven't been here for it for the past 6 years.  I don't think I'll be watcing the parades and stuff.  Wala lang I'm just excited for the event. =p Here's the official kadayawan website. :)

Mga Namimiss Ko Sa IG

Mag iisang taon at apat na buwan na mula ng nag-resign ako sa IG, ngunit nariyan parin ang napakaraming ala-alang sadyang nakakamiss:

* 915AM more or less- darating na ko ng opisina.  Ang tao lang sa floor si Rica R (at admin).  Minsan nandyan na rin si Pam lalo na kung naghahabol sha ng Ops.

* Malapit na mag ten, tapos na mag timpla ng kape si Rica o si Ting. Yung huling cup laging para kay Pia Tan pero minsan nakakalimutan niya kunin sa pantry hanggang pwede na pang iced coffee yung kape niya.

* Mga 11AM mag yym na si Wayne ng tipong "kararating ko lang" o di kaya "di ako nagising".  Minsan may kasama pang "patay ako kay Trisha."

* Pag Martes, araw ng Lechon Kawali.  Andaming kumakain sa pantry na kawali yung ulam.

* Pag Martes kawali ang pagkain ko.  Tsaka si Wayne kaso nagka high blood na sha.

* Pag Lunes andaming pagkain sa pantry.

* Yung blackcurrant na fox's tinatago ko kasi yun yung paborito ni oscar.  Binibigay ko sa kanya pag nagyoyosi na sha.

* Yung piattos na roadhouse bbq paborito rin ni oscar nagtatago ako nun sa pedestal ko.

* Yung desk ko nakaharap sa pantry (haha)

* Seatmate ko si Louie tapos nung minsan, nagpustahan kami at nagtago sa mesa namin pag dating ni Dobbin.  Nung tinanong ako ni Dobbin sabi ko "my ballpen fell."

* Si Cholo may nakabitin na Spiderman toy sa office niya.

* Pag Thursday socials na... tapos panalo nanaman yung Globe. Kasi shempre ayoko malamangan.

* Pag sale na sa Mango sarado muna ang tindahan, taralets bagets.

* One week bago mag sale inaaraw araw na ni Rica pag tawag sa Mango para siguradong una niyang malalaman ang sale.

* Andami dami dami kong trabaho.  3PM na ko nakakapag tanghalian.

* Every two weeks, akin yung feedback.  Babasahin ko nanaman ang mga pagmumumura ng mga subs.

* 6 9 12 3 6 9 12 -- yan ang mga oras na darating yung phone stats.

* mga bandang 3PM mgyoyosi na si wayne tapos magyym kami:

     a. oscar: likod?

     eden: sige.

     a. oscar: banyo lang ko tas baba na.

     eden: sige.

* Biyernes na 5PM tapos wala pa yung content ko, tapos kukulitin ko si Anton.

* Si Saichi na yung katabi ko tapos lagi na akong may episodes. O Kay sarap ng buhay. haha

* Si Cholo at si Glenn nagpupustahan sa weight loss nila.

* Minsan may email si Rica "lunch out tomorrow. Don't bring baon."

* Yung baon ni Rica sobrang liit.  

* Minsan may baon na snack si Rica tapos nagsheshare sha sakin.

* Pag ubos na baon ni Rica saka hihingi si Pia, tapos sasabihin niya selfish si Rica. hahaha

* Si Lio tinuruan kaming kumain ng Pancit Canton with Cheez Wiz.  Masarap talaga, try niyo.

* Si Anton minsan nagluto ng French Toast. Free breakfast yey.

* Pag Biyernes uwi akong Katipunan.

* Minsan sumasabay ako kay Roch papuntang Katipunan -- thanks Roch =)

* Pag pasko, holy week, etc.... Network Freeze.

* Pag may promo, may DTI, may Draw.

* Pag Lunes, andaming Stats.

* Pag American Idol, tigil muna ang trabaho.

* Pag game ng La Salle, may meeting si Cholo sa Cubao.

* Pag Huwebes (huwebes nga ba to?) may meeting kasama si Dobbin at Stan.

* Tuwing Miyerkules upload day.

* Pag may bulk upload sa WAP, hating gabi na nasa opisina parin ako.

* Minsan, dadaan muna ng Cena.

* Si Chris ang bilis mamula sa Cena.

* Yung mga teammates ko nagpapakasal na. =) [note: Kelan kaya si Louie at Pam?]

* Si Pam pinagkakaisahan namin at inaapi. (bwahahaha evil laughter)

* Si Dindo inaapi rin ni Pia Tan. hahaha

* Si Rica kasama ko mag milo at mag Mr. Donut.

* Tanghali na mag yym si wayne ng "lunch?"

* Yung snacks ng team naka ipon sa gitna ni Rica, Pia, Roch at Sharon.

* Kung may galing ng Greenbelt, nagpapabili lahat ng Jamaican Pattie.

* Kung may galing ng Enterprise, nagpapabili lahat ng Holy Kettle Corn.

* Rica habang kumakain ng Holy Kettle Corn "I think may drugs to.. kasi ang sarap."

* Cholo habang kumakain ng Holy Kettle Corn "Kileg!"

* Pag may tuna gagawa kami ni rica ng... ano pa nga ba eh di Tuna Sandwich.

* Andami kong tiny toys sa CPU ko.

* Malaki yung gym bag ko.  Nakatago yun sa ilalim ng desk ko.

* Minsan nagkakagulo na pala yung team sa pinag uusapan nila tas di ko namalayan kasi naka earphones ako.  At nakatalikod ako sa kanila.

* Minsan si pam ganun din.  Tapos tinatapunan sha ni Pia Tan ng toys para magulat.

* Minsan sabado pero kailangan ko pumasok kasi hindi ako natapos nung Biyernes.

* End of the month na, titingnan na namin kung abot kami sa targets.

* Marso, Hunyo, Setyembre, Disyembre = Ang mga mahahalagang buwan kung san titingnan namin kung abot kami sa quarter bonus.

* Nag Go-Kart kami nung ma promote si Chris at Roch.

* Kumanta ako sa IG n naka costume at naka big hair (pero ntalo ako ni P***) tapos panalo ako. haha

* Nag Circles kami nung ma MVP si Chris.

* Minsan galing ng Malaysia si Cholo, VNC yung pasalubong namin 3 pares kada isa huwaw san ka pa?

* Di kami aabot sa targets kaya mag dodouble push kami. hahahaha loko lang to. =p

* Tinitingnan namin sa friendster yung mga itsura ng BMAP na kausap namin.

* Nikki, Sarah, at ang pinakamagaling na si Jay... yan ang mga kausap namin.

* Nag Bora kami ang saya. =)

...

andami pa... hanggang sa susunod na kabanata.

edit: para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang apelido ni art-oscar ay yaptinchay. hahaha *peace* -nicole.

Should I?

I've been thinking of cutting my hair short.  Should I?  I'm kinda bored with my long hair... 

I was thinking katie holme's short do -- the one prior to her current bob.  =p  But I'm super bakla and I'm scared to do it.  Last time I had a haircut (other than the occasional trims) was last December 2006 and I completely regretted that cut. haha =p

let me know, will you?

Sarap mag Spa!

I'm not a big spaholic, but my favorite spa here in Davao would have to be Touch N Heal at Damosa Gateway.  It's super far from where I live (I'm at the opposite end of the city), but it's well worth the drive.  =) Actually, I've only been to that spa thrice -- and one of those three times was because I booked a surprise spa appointment for Jett.

I first came to Touch N Heal when my mom was feeling sick, and she wanted a hot stone massage to soothe her.  She mentioned that she heard about a nice spa in Damosa.  Since she wasn't feeling well, I was the designated driver for the night, ergo I drove her to Damosa so she could avail of the special hot stone massage.

What makes Touch N Heal sulit for me was that their massage was fairly priced – the Touch N Heal Combination which we availed cost P392 for an hour and 15 minutes. Also, the place was really clean – and that’s number one priority.  Third, they gave me water or tea before and after my massage and I’m such a sucker for freebies, although that one technically isn’t a freebie haha.  Fourth, the very accommodating receptionist (Cris) was very nice especially when I asked her to assist me in my plans of surprising Jett.  And she remembered me on my next visit! =)  Lastly, I enjoyed the massage and I liked how they also placed tiny stones on my face =)  The only thing I did not enjoy was how far I had to drive home after the session. 

I highly recommend their Touch N Heal Combination massage.  I heard their stone massages are their specialties, but I think it cost P600 or something.  Mas sulit ata yung combination. =p  It uses the hot stone and may hot pack din sa likod -- nice. hehe =)  Maybe next time I'll try out their other types of massage.  Jett got to try their foot spa but he commented that it wasn't as good as the TNH Combination massage.  Maybe next time I'll try that one. =)  Looking forward to my next visit!

Check out their website here. =)

SAMAL! (Part 2 of 2)

Isla Reta 2

I've heard of Isla Reta but I didn't know there was an Isla Reta 2. =p  I only found out about this beach when my classmates in training and I decided to go Island Hopping one fine Saturday last February.  We rented 2 bangkas and went to Samal.  Since most of my classmates were not from Davao, Mr. Bangkero (is that what we call the driver of the bangka? haha) gave them a quick Samal Tour on Samal's popular beaches like Paradise and Pearl Farm.  The original plan was to stop over at Isla Reta, have lunch, then continue on to the next beach.  However, admission to Isla Reta was P50 per person i think and they were also going to charge us for the cottage.  My classmates thought that was too much since we were only planning to stay for like 30 minutes.  So we hopped back into our bangkas, looking for another beach to eat at.  I'm not sure if we came to Isla Reta 2 by chance, but I'm glad we stopped over here.  It's a secluded beach farther than Isla Reta 1 (i think it's on another island), and it's less populated (actually when we went there were just three groups of people in the beach (we're number 3).  I love untouched/undeveloped beaches (like Canibad) so i definitely enjoyed Isla Reta 2.  There was even a small cave, we had our pictures taken in there too.  The only downside to this beach (not only Isla Reta 2, but the whole stretch of that side of the island) is the sea urchins!  Miss Lucy (our trainer) even got stung (she had about 10 stings *ouch*) and my classmates had to take turns pissing on her toes wehehehe.  I also got stung by twice, but I think it was a baby. hahaha coz the black part that got left inside was super small, I just let it bleed out and then i removed the splinter. It was a super fun trip though.  Although I don't think I'd travel that far again.  Canibad is better for me, and walang sea urchins dun. =p

Bali Bali Resort

I discovered Bali Bali thru Joy Lao's multiply site and I super wanted to go there.  When I asked my mum if she k

nows about that resort, she mentioned that she'd been there before.  Sakto, Holyweek was coming up and our family didn't have plans yet.  So we decided to book an overnight stay at Bali Bali Resort.  Bali Bali is a quiet and serene beach and I'm raving about it because:

(1) It's a small resort.  There are only 6 cottages in the resort (and each cottage has it's own theme -- cute!).  Our group already occupied 4 cottages, so we pretty much felt like we had the resort all to ourselves. =)

(2) It has an infinity pool.  I was quite disappointed though, the beach wasn't beautiful, or at least the beach in the resort.  While swimming i even saw a Mr. Donut Box (Anu buzz =p) party burried in the sand.  There were also a lot of plants in the shallow part of the beach.  The father we went, the better the beach became. =)  At the super deep part (past where the resort's bangka parked), me, Jett, and a couple of my cousins went snorkeling (soft of) and there were so many beautiful fishies.  Gio even collected giant starfishes to bring back home. 

(3) We don't have a view of the city (and Marco Polo) from the beach.  It's located at the side of Samal Island so it's not facing Davao anymore.  Like I said earlier, i favor beaches that doesn't have the view of Marco Polo.

(4) There was Videoke -- I think this is the only time I've sang so much.  Agawan kami ni Jett sa mic hahaha!

and (5) Our package included unlimited food -- which wasn't very unlimited in our case.  I'm not sure if their cook was sanay to cook for 20+ guests with big appetites hahaha.

I was only a bit disappointed because I think they lacked manpower.  The receptionist was there the whole day that by the time it was midnight, she told me they would be closing the "main hall" of the place and if we wanted to sit around and talk, we could do it outside.  There were tables though.  Wala lang, sayang naman na andun na kami.  

It's not as if we get to stay up (and in my case, use magic sing =p) all the time. hahaha  We understand though, that she was already working since 6am so she needed her rest.  Coz she would also need to get up at 6am the following day. =p   Nonetheless, I enjoyed my stay in Bali Bali.  And I got to bring home tons of pictures. haha (Forgot to take a picture of the infinity pool though -- shtoopid me =p)

Chema's by the Sea

I've heard so much about Chema's but I've never been there.  I think everyone I know had been to Chema's (except for Jett haha).  So I was super excited when we made plans to visit last Mother's Day.  Chema's is beautiful, but for me it is very much commercialized and there are too many people here.  It's quite big although I did not get to ask how many cottages are there.  When we were there the resort was quite crowed, but that's completely understandable because we were there on mother's day.  Chema's for me is similar to Paradise Island, but caters to upper class guests.  I believe it's smaller too and they have a limit to the number of guests they admit.  

I think the thing I love the most in Chemas would be the infinity pool which is just by the shore.  =)  It has shade too -- which is just perfect because Jett doesn't want me tanning

. haha 

Overall, my stay in Chema's was just okay.  I suppose it's a resort I would go back to (I know I have a lot of friends who love C

hemas), but I don't really see something super special with it.  It also didn't help that whoever I was speaking with on the phone (for reservations) was suplado and nonchalant and that the owner or manager (i'm not sure) of the resort had a loud argument with the people beside our huts during our visit. x(

Interested in these beaches/resorts?  Check out these links:

Paradise Island

Bali Bali Beach  Resort

Chema's By The Sea

Canibad