If someone had told me that there was a place along Alabang Zapote road that sells crab dishes for less than 1000 and it tasted good, I wouldn't believe them.

Luckily, I was able to actually try out this place called Southside Grill.


The buttered chicken is just right. It's not the best buttered chicken but it definitely hits the Top 10.


The street food platter is presented really well and it tastes clean. I don't know about you guys but I'm really picky when it comes to choosing my street food. I'm glad that they have this option available for those who want to eat street food but are iffy if it literally comes from the streets.


The salmon was fresh and good.


The sisig was okay but not as good as I hoped it would be. I felt like it lacked something but that's just me. 


Now off to the best part, the seafood.

They offer unlimited crab for less than Php800 on Fridays and Saturday but this is just steamed crab. They also have ala carte which is my favorite.

The Chili Crab is really good but it was the one they called HEART ATTACK that stole my palette. Dang but this is delicious crab.

The shrimp was my favorite simply because it was fat and fresh. It was really juicy and I could definitely have eaten at least 20 pieces of it.

 The place may not be as fancy as what some people are used to but if you just wanna chill, enjoy great seafood with a live band, and not break the bank, Southside Grill is the place for you. To know more about this place and see a very candid and cute interview with the chef, watch the clip below.

If someone had told me that there was a place along Alabang Zapote road that sells crab dishes for less than 1000 and it tasted good, I w...

Last Friday night found me lounging in purple chairs inside Get Polished located along Aguirre Avenue, BF Paranaque.


Bandi was treating us to some pampering and a manicure was exactly what I needed. They were launching their newest line and it looked really colorful.

Bandi is committed to the environment with a safe eco-friendly formula and vivid color offering. The BANDI color line is high gloss, long-lasting, and quick dry. The formula is toulene/DBP free and is not tested on animals. Safe for use even for pregnant or expecting mothers. 


The colors that got my attention was N5, N7, and N3. The one I truly wanted to try though was the millennium pink one though. However, I promised myself that I would don on the one that would be requested so I ended up with N5 because that's what the model wore.


It's a match right?


For the full review, make sure to watch the video below.

Last Friday night found me lounging in purple chairs inside Get Polished located along Aguirre Avenue, BF Paranaque. Bandi was treat...

A new restaurant popped up inside our village and it got my attention. Affordable Gourmet sounds like an oxymoron since gourmet normally means expensive. I was curious if they lived up to their name, that being affordable and if the dishes are actually gourmet.


I like the exterior of the place. It has a good branding. A lot of restaurants that are new forget to brand their place which is really a big mistake.



The inside is very cozy and gives a high end vibe. I loved that even though it' a 24 seater area, it didn't feel too cramped.


We had the mozarella croquette and I have to say that the melted cheese inside paired with the crunchiness of the fried part and then dipped on parmesan cheese and salsa was just right.


The Genovese or pesto pasta was REALLY creamy and cooked just right. It was so good that we actually took home another order for B and he finished it in 5 minutes flat.


The herb roasted chicken was perfect for me but may have too much herb for some people. I like the thyme and the rosemary bit and the smell is really, really fragrant.


The smoked ribs for me had too much sauce. I think it would be better if they put the sauce on the side for people like me who may not fancy sauce that much. For M, he loved it.


VERDICT: I'd recommend this place. It's not that cheap but it's definitely not out of this world expensive. The price is just right and the serving is good enough for two people who have average appetite.

The service was also really impressive. The staff, pretty knowledgeable about the menu.

Affordable Gourmet is located along Capitoline Hills inside BFRV, Las Pinas.

No Facebook Page yet for this one though.

A new restaurant popped up inside our village and it got my attention. Affordable Gourmet sounds like an oxymoron since gourmet normally mea...

So it seems that McDonald's is joining the bandwagon and has come out with their own version of milk tea.

They have the classic and the wintermelon version. This is the good part.


I got the small one in wintermelon because that has always been my baseline for milk tea.


Verdict: Blehhhh.

It feels like cheap milk tea. I don't like it. I don't see myself ordering it again. 

So it seems that McDonald's is joining the bandwagon and has come out with their own version of milk tea. They have the classic and th...

If you are like me, you have definitely wondered how Koreans are able to achieve their tuktuk skin. You know what I'm talking about.

Korean's have this glass like look on their faces that makes you wonder how they seem poreless and smooth while glowing at the same time. Everyone wants that. I mean, who wouldn't?

The funny thing is, the technology to achieve this has been in our backyard for quite some time now but our Korean friends have been keeping it a secret which is quite understandable. After all, once word is out, people will end up flocking to the skin care clinic and they might lose their slot.

Finally though, the secret is out and O2 Skin Lab has opened a new spot in BGC.


I love the color motiff because it is so relaxing. It reminds you of the beach and for most people, the beach is a very relaxing place.


I also like that they have their own set of cleansing materials and for those that they don't have under their branding, they use Korean skin care brands. It adds to the authenticity.



They also offer a room for friends which is perfect for a spa party.


A solo room if you feel that you just want to have some much needed me time.


Even a couples area if you want to pamper with your significant other.


O2 offers a wide array of services geared towards building a consistent and tailored beauty practice. Their services include facial care packages, minimally-invasive procedures, contouring services, and laser treatments, all of which aim to elevate the Filipino beauty experience and give access to those who want the true Korean beauty philosophy within their practice.

“Koreans have a saying ‘A beautiful rice cake is a delicious rice cake,’ which means that a visually appealing aesthetic entails work that not only polishes the surface, but also ensures that it has been nurtured from within,” notes co-founder and CEO of O2 Skin Lab Phillip Cho.

“Everyone in Korea has a beauty regimen because we believe in investing in self-care so we can present our best face forward in our every interaction. It shows we respect that person because we want to present our best to them,” he adds

The new space located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, reflects the same experience it aims to offer its clients: clean, refreshing, subdued yet elegant. It also reflects the qualities of an inssa, a Korean term that means “insider” who knows the coveted secrets of Korean beauty.

With O2 Skin Lab, clients can expect to become inssas—or beauty insiders—when it comes to the best, authentic Korean treatments to give them the best beauty experience.

O2 Skin Lab’s new space is located at Unit 1218, High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 1, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

If you are like me, you have definitely wondered how Koreans are able to achieve their tuktuk skin. You know what I'm talking about. K...

83% of kids are not drinking enough. This is alarming because as a kid, they should be drinking at least 7 - 11 glasses of water a day.

But why does it matter?

Water helps keep your temperature normal. Besides being an important part of the fluids in your body, water is needed by each cell to work. Your body doesn't get water only from drinking water. Any fluid you drink will contain water, but water and milk are the best choices because water in it's purest state is the healthiest while milk contains calcium which aids in bone health.

What if your kid still doesn't consume 7-11 glasses of water a day?

Different kids have different ways of drinking their fill. As parents, we need to find more ways to get our children to drink the necessary number of glasses of water to ensure they stay hydrated.

My son needs to be constantly reminded about water intake but when reminded, he can drink 3 glasses in one sitting. However, when I don't remind him, he forgets and ends up drinking half a glass only per meal.



So though water is a great source, some kids just can't drink enough of it and this is where Tang comes into play. Tang makes drinking more enjoyable and fun for kids. With over 18 choices available, Tang provides a valuable add on to ensure that your kid stays hydrated and fill the hydration gap.

IMPT NOTE: Tang juice drink is simply an add on to help kids reach 7-11, glasses a day of water. Water still needs to be the main source of hydration.

The #UHAWareYou campaign was launched to encourage parents to check on their kids' state ofhydration and take measures to make sure their child intakes the right amount of fluids available through various ways.




You see, there are kids who will voluntarily dehydrate themselves because they don't want to be bothered while playing. Sometimes, they are just not interested in drinking water. The best solution is to make drinking fluids more fun for them.


A few suggestions I gathered from my readers are:

1. Drink with them. Kids mimic what adults do so when you drink fluids with them, they will be more inclined to do the same.
2. Get your kids to choose their water bottle. Sometimes, a cute water bottle can do the trick.
3. Get them glass or metal straws if they prefer to drink with a straw.
4. Give the juice once a day. A glass of TANG juice drink a day is not a bad way to add fluids to their fluid intake.




So, Uhaw are you today?

83% of kids are not drinking enough. This is alarming because as a kid, they should be drinking at least 7 - 11 glasses of water a day. But...

Yes you read that right! Tim Hortons now has milk tea on their menu and I couldn't be any happier. After all, they have the Double Double and the best Bavarian Cream and now, mill tea!

The Tim Hortons Milk Tea is made from Tim's signature brewed black tea and is sweetened with vanilla base and sugar poured over a bed of coffee jelly.


Sorry, no pearl guys.

You can add a flavor of caramel or hazelnut and if you're feeling a bit indulgent, add both for Php20 each shot.

Tim Hortons Milk Tea is NOT available in all stores though so make sure you visit only the following branches for your Tim Hortons Milk Tea craving.

Net Quad, SM San Lazaro, CEU, UN Square Mall, SLC Building, L'Ermitage, Uptown Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center, Pearl Plaza, and San Lorenzo Place.


Now it's time for my impression on the Tim Hortons Milk Tea. For me, I LOVE it because it's sweet, tastes like legit milk tea, and comes with coffee jelly. Absolutely no complaints on my end but for those who don't like things being too sweet, you can have them lower the sweetness level and even add a shot of espresso.


You can also pair it with muffin, grilled cheese, or bagel which is my personal favorite.

Tim Hortons Milk Tea costs Php110 for small, Php125 for medium, and Php135 for large.

Yes you read that right! Tim Hortons now has milk tea on their menu and I couldn't be any happier. After all, they have the Double Doubl...

Yes, the Blackberry is BACK!

When I was just starting out with social media and the like, one of the things I coveted most was a Blackberry. I thought it would make me look more professional and like a boss. I finally did get it and I did feel like a boss.

When I had to transition to Android, I freaked out. Now that I have the chance to go back to a BB and it's also Android, I am ECSTATIC.

INTRO to the new Blackberry

Touch it. Feel it. Experience the rebirth of an icon Black is back with the launch of BlackBerry KEY2 and KEY2 LE. During the recent press launch called “The Art of Particularity,” guests found out why the new BlackBerry is for the discerning few.

An Android-powered smartphone that combines the best of BlackBerry with its premium design, the smartphone boasts innovative new features and an unparalleled level of privacy. Now this is the part that really got my attention. SECURITY and PRIVACY.

Here's a first look.


This is the Blackberry Key 2 LE.


I love that it comes with a Type C port simply because my current phone and power bank comes with a type C port. It also comes in two colors, slate (black) and atomic (red.)


This is the SIM card slot.


This here is the power button and volume.


I also love that the earphone slot s above since I sometimes put my phone in my pocket. It's a small thing but it matters to me. Now we had to try the camera but since it was at an event and we only used a live demo, I took photos of my photo on the Blackberry Key 2.


The camera impressed M who is a photojournalist.




The one thing I can say is that this camera will show you all your pores. It magnifies that much.

SPECS

Sleek and super modern, the KEY2 and KEY2 LE feature a diamond pattern, non-slip textured back, a 4.5- inch impact-resistant gorilla glass display, durable aluminum alloy frame, and the most intelligent BlackBerry keyboard ever.

Redesigned with 20% larger keys and perfectly sculpted for more comfortable typing with the all-new speed key with 52 custom shortcuts, speeding you into action. Instead of just launching the clock, you can go straight to timer; instead of just opening your text messaging app you can go directly to composing a text message.

The QWERTY keyboard is all about tactility and accuracy, not to mention that there’s just something uniquely satisfying when your fingertips glide over and hit those keys—unlike a glass keyboard which is prone to typographical errors, not to mention how difficult it is if not impossible to type without looking.

Take stunning photos with the BlackBerry’s dual rear camera with more control and better image quality, truly an impressive 12MP photo experience.

Now let's talk security!

The BlackBerry’s locker is a private app you can access only through your fingerprint or password. You can store anything here and these will stay invisible to outside apps. Locker can also block screenshots and screen recorders.

Putting your sensitive documents and apps like your banking app in the locker give them an added layer of security. Within locker is Firefox Focus for private browsing that blocks unwanted ads and automatically deletes your browsing history when you exit.

A quick three-finger swipe on the screen gives you the privacy shade, a “peep-hole” feature you can use to read sensitive documents in public without worrying that your neighbors may see. You can even use your thumbprint to snap and save photos directly to locker where all your other secret stuff is.

This fingerprint sensor is found right on the space bar, which is a smart way of maximizing space. With such advanced security and privacy features, and regular updates that protect it from the latest threats, no wonder the new BlackBerry has been touted as the most secure phone for 2019 by gadgethacks.com




“The Art of Particularity” press launch introduced two young and driven Filipinos to represent the BlackBerry KEY2 LE—the icon for all, which has become the preferred smartphone for the new generation and young leaders of tomorrow but we will focus on my good friend, Mela.

Mela Sison Laxamana, Group Marketing Manager for Raintree Restaurants and Raintree Hospitality Group, currently handles 12 restaurants, five food parks, one hotel, and one household. This girl boss and icon for all is also known as a shoe-loving, cookie-eating lipstick junkie superstar.

How does she manage to stay organized and productive? Mela shares, “With the help of my BlackBerry KEY2 LE, I’m able to get the job done.” She shares, “I specifically like the QWERTY feature because this makes me feel like I’m responding to my emails like I’m working on my laptop, and I get to respond in real time.

This makes my work easier even when I’m out of the office.” Mela adds, “With my BlackBerry KEY2 LE, better workdays are at my fingertips!”

Yes, the Blackberry is BACK! When I was just starting out with social media and the like, one of the things I coveted most was a Blackberr...

It's almost the weekend so here are a few things you can look forward to.

ePLDT vs HACKERS 

The local travel industry has grown more competitive in securing bookings with the continuous rise in the number of tourist arrivals in the country. Last year, the Department of Tourism posted a record-breaking 7.1 million international tourist arrivals, surpassing the 6.6 million arrivals in 2017 by 7.68 percent despite the six-month closure of Boracay. An influx of this magnitude and the amount of personal information it comes with call for industry players to strengthen cybersecurity measures even more.

The Philippines is an attractive destination not only for tourists but also for hackers. In fact, cybersecurity experts predict that the Philippines will be among this year’s most targeted countries in the ASEAN region for malware designed to avoid detection and possibly be a launch pad for other cyberattacks. ePLDT is thereby urging airlines, cruise lines, car rentals, hotels, and tour operators to be extra cautious when handling their customers’ information.

Make sure to be careful of rogue hotspots. If you're not sure of the place, don't connect.

PowerMac creaTECH Kids Workshop

This summer, nurture your kids’ innate creaTECH talent and discover their potential in art, animation, programming, vlogging, and video production. From May 6 to July 27, premier Apple partner Power Mac Center is holding summer workshops for kids and teens aged 7 to 16 years old. With a variety of courses to choose from, PMC Summer Workshop 2019 is offering a series of digital and non-digital workshops suited to your kids’ passion.

There will be Arts and Crafts, Digital Arts and Animation, Swift Programming, and Technology in Performing Arts.

The workshop rate is at P5,900 per student per course module, inclusive of the use of Apple devices with installed applications, as well as other learning materials required per course. Courses run for two hours each, with morning and afternoon schedules held at TriNoma and Greenbelt 3. At the end of the workshop, participants will be given a course kit with a certificate of participation and a flash drive containing the individual projects they created.

Ben & Ben 

This year, the band is ready to take their journey to the next level with the release of their debut album, Limasawa Street. Derived from "Masawa" which is a Butuanon word for light, the 13-track opus embraces the beauty of finding luminescence in darkness. "We wanted the album to represent a place of light by singing about hopeful perspectives in troubled situations," lead singer and guitarist Paolo Guico shares. It's also the name of a street that holds a special place in one of the members' heart, grounded with a deeply personal story that offers the comforts of life and home.



The album will be available starting May 17, 2019. Get a copy of Limasawa Street on their upcoming tour dates: May 17 at Marquee Mall, May 19 at Harbor Point, June 9 at Centrio Mall, June 15 at Ayala Malls Capitol Central, June 22 at Ayala Malls Legazpi, June 23 at The District Imus, June 29 at Ayala Center Cebu, July 13 at Alabang Town Center, June 20 at Ayala Malls Circuit, June 27 at Ayala Malls Solenad, August 9 at TriNoma and August 17 at Abreeza. Albums will also be available at booths near the concierge from May 10 to 12 at the following Ayala Malls: Abreeza, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Malls Legaspi, MarQuee Mall, Solenad, and Trinoma.



Jollibee YumBurger 

In a market filled with a thousand of burger products, the Yumburger stands out with its langhap-sarap goodness. More than just an iconic product tagline, langhap-sarap alludes to the inimitable experience of unwrapping the Yumburger and being treated to its unique aroma­—a preview of the delicious dining experience ahead.

The full-bodied, mouthwatering aroma that the Yumburger is known for the world over comes from its 100% pure beef patty—seasoned to suit the Pinoy palate and deliver a meaty, savory flavor with every bite. To complement the rich beefiness of the patty, Jollibee added in a special burger dressing that’s equally tangy, sweet, and creamy. Soft burger buns that yield easily with every bite sandwich the patty and the dressing for the complete experience.

Indulge in the only langhap-sarap burger experience from Jollibee! The Yumburger (P35.00*, Solo) is available in all Jollibee stores nationwide for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru transactions.

National Museum Day via ikotMNL 

International Museum Day is coming up on May 18, and what better way to spend the day than to make a visit to all the different museums Manila has to offer using the LRT.

Art and design lovers can start by visiting the Yuchengco Museum in the beating heart of the business district in Makati, one jeep ride away from the Gil Puyat LRT station. The museum hosts some of the finest contemporary and historical artwork and design exhibitions that enthusiasts will definitely appreciate.

From there, you can get down from the next station at Vito Cruz and visit a few more museums in the area. Drop by the Metropolitan Museum of Art Manila for more Filipino art, then head to the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design Manila in De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s School of Design and Arts to take a look at the latest and cutting-edge in avant-garde and new media. You can also walk through the country’s history in cash at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s Money Museum nearby, then take a wild trip to the nearby Upside Down Museum for a fun time.


Venture further up the LRT-1 line and get off at United Nations Avenue station, where the National Museum Complex is nestled. Marvel at the very best of Filipino art at the National Museum of Fine Arts, where the famous Spoliarium is exhibited among other legendary works by Luna, Rizal, Amorsolo, and other masters. After that, visit the National Museum of Anthropology and Natural History as well as the renovated National Planetarium, then cross over to Intramuros for the newly opened Museo de Intramuros!

The National Museum Complex is also accessible as part of ikotMNL’s eight-hour “Grand Manila Special Day Tour”, which includes cultural trips to Binondo and Malate, and the six-hour “Manila, My Manila!” Tour, which also takes you to historical spots in Intramuros, Binondo, and Quiapo.

It's almost the weekend so here are a few things you can look forward to. ePLDT vs HACKERS  The local travel industry has grown m...

This has been a question asked of me so many times: how can I get people to stay on my site?

You wrote what you think is an awesome post, did your research, and placed a few cute photos but when you check your bounce rate, it's faster than a Pokemon trying to escape being captured.

So, what can you do?


First you need to know why people immediately leave.  Most of the time, it could be something that annoyed them, found hard to comprehend, or it's just too complicated.

At times, it could be lack of things to read or information to gather. Whatever the reason may be, here are 5 tips that you can do to help you get people to stay on your site for a longer time.

1. Teens can READ 

You need to make sure that you site can be read by a teenager. When people go to a website or blog that has hard to understand words, most of the time, it's a turn off. They want to get their information the fastest way possible so you need to make sure that you information is bite sized and easy to digest.

You can check how your site is when it comes to readability here.

For my site, here are the results.




2. No to POP UPS, Yes to CTA

Pops Ups are the bane of websites. Nothing can turn off people faster than a site that has a lot of pop ups or one that has small ones but you need to click so many of them close before you can even read one sentence. I personally just exit the site because I can't be bothered.

Use a CTA or CALL TO ACTION instead. When people are able to see your CTA  immediately (think 3 seconds) there's a bigger chance that they will do what you asked. Do you want partnerships? Collabs? Comments?

Tell people what you want. Ask for it. People won't know unless you tell them.

3. Fresh Content 

Content is still king. People go back to websites or blogs that have new content every single day. Now if you can't do daily, give your readers a schedule so they know when to expect something new.


When you put in new and fresh content, Google ranks your site better. When you create original articles, Google crawls your site and puts you in the forefront. When Google crawls and sees that your site has nothing but press releases that other sites have, it will penalize your site and people will not be able to see it regardless how much you syndicate your site.

Those who do, will simply leave because your content can be found somewhere else. Give your readers something to read. Give them something to relate to you. Give them something to feel like they are getting something unique.

4. Interlinking 

If you've read up to here, you would have noticed that there has been two links placed in this article and those are all previous articles that I have written on this site. This is what interlinking is all about.

You link back a previous post you made to the most recent one that you are doing. You just need to make sure that they are relevant and related. For example, here are 8 Blogging Tips that you use to help you Last a Decade which also helps you retain readers.

See what I did there?

5. Right Keywords

There are two types of keywords. Commercial and Informational. Regardless of what you are writing about, it will always fall under the two categories.

If you are posting to create awareness, then that will be informational and if you are posting to create the need to buy or desire to acquire, then that falls under commercial.

Look things up at the Google Adwords Key Planner to see if your niche is something that people read about or has a small but strong following. When you use the keyword planner, you get to improve traffic, increase engagement, and increase domain authority as well.

When you pile together all these tips, you can definitely increase the time that people spend on your site. After all, when content is interesting, when things are easy to spot, and when the person behind the scenes engage and and make sure that things are in place, people have more reason to stay.


Full video below.

This has been a question asked of me so many times: how can I get people to stay on my site? You wrote what you think is an awesome post, ...