Sunday, January 31, 2021

3 Things You Need at Home for 2021

2020 was a crazy year but this 2021, it's time to bounce back and take control of things, even if it's just the situation of your household. In our home, there are a few things that I bought to give me a sense of control and to give me peace of mind. 

Here are 3 things you need to relax, chill, and be able to breathe once more. 

Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Since most of us still stay at home, the amount of dust is more and the need to keep the house clean becomes imperative. This vacuum cleaner is one of the cheapest but also most effective. 

UV Sterilization Cabinet 



We know that getting sick these days is a big no no. It's a little bit scary to go to the hospital so we need to make sure our things at home are always clean. I got this UV Sterilization Dish Cabinet so that after we wash all the dishes, we sterilize it. It instantly dries them and sterilizes each dish before we put it back in it's cabinet. It gives me peace of mind knowing that our plates, spoon, and fork are clean as can be. 




This is where I have the family who goes out place their reusable mask, face shield, keys, and wallets when they get home. I know that for some it may be a bit much but for me, it's better to be safe than sorry. 

This one is portable too so it can be brought on supermarket runs. It's rechargeable so you just need to charge it once a week and it's good to go. One sterilization is equal to 5 minutes each. 

For me, safety matters these days. Since I had these things at home, I breathe easier and I get to sleep better. Small things and small wins, one day at a time. 

Thursday, January 28, 2021

It's Okay to be Single

Yes, you read that right. It's okay to be single, even though it's already 2021 and you may well be past your prime. Or maybe you're just starting to get into adulthood and everyone around you is falling madly in love except you. 

It's okay. 

It's okay to be single even when everyone seems to be getting married, having babies, or celebrating anniversaries. It's okay to be single even though Valentine's is just around the corner and there will be dozens and dozens of reminders that you don't have a partner. 

It's okay. 

Being single does not mean that you are alone. 

Being single does not mean that you are a loser. 

Being single does not mean that no one loves you or wants you. 

Being single means you have time to discover who you really are. You have all the time in the world to focus on you, what makes you happy, what makes you whole, what makes you tick, and find out what your passion is. 

Being single means you can explore the world without guilt. You are accountable only to yourself and no one else. You can go visit places you've only dreamt of and just be free to roam around and discover more of the world while discovering more about your limits. 

Being single means that you can fall in love with yourself over and over again. It is about loving yourself, choosing yourself, and being with yourself without feeling alone. When you can do this, when you can spend time by yourself, with yourself, and feel happy about it, then it's time that you open yourself to falling for someone else. 

Till that happens, remember: it's okay to be single. 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Team Lakay Coach Mark Sangiao Shares Thoughts on Lito Adiwang’s Latest Performance

So glad to see Team Lakay start 2021 with a WIN! To celebrate this because I am a diehard TEAM LAKAY FAN, use code MSKATHYKENNY when you buy anything from the ONE APPAREL SHOP.

Team Lakay kicked the year off in style as rising star Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang scored a massive knockout of Japan’s Namiki Kawahara.

Adiwang stopped Kawahara at the 2:02 mark of round two of their strawweight clash at ONE: UNBREAKABLE last Friday night, 22 January in Singapore. It was a highly competitive fight until the finish, with both men having their moments.

Kawahara proved to be a worthy opponent for Adiwang. Watching from Circle-side, Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao observed what he saw from a distance, and he was overall very pleased with Adiwang’s knockout performance.

“It was a solid performance from Lito. I loved how explosive he was with his striking, and he clearly displayed why he’s such a dangerous fighter. He also had that extra bit of motivation and determination to bring the victory home for the Philippines, and to fight in honor of his mother,” said Sangiao.

“We just wanted to be comfortable there no matter where the fight went. If it was going to a striking battle, we were prepared. If it went to the ground, we would have been ready to submit him as well. We worked hard in the gym for all possible scenarios, and it paid off in the end.”

Adiwang employed his usual explosive style, as he attempted to barrel through Kawahara’s defenses early on. The latter’s wide stance from the Karate style, however, proved slightly problematic for “Thunder Kid,” as it became increasingly difficult as the bout wore on to operate from range. 

Oftentimes, Adiwang would swing for the fences, coming up short with nothing but air. According to Sangiao, this left him open for sharp counters. Clearly, Kawahara was not a fighter that Team Lakay wanted to take lightly.

Still, Sangiao remained confident his ward had enough firepower to eventually overwhelm the Japanese standout.

“Kawahara is also a great fighter, no doubt about that. He was calm and composed throughout, and he wasn’t fazed by Lito’s power at all. He had a good counter shot that just cannot be underestimated. Lito needed to be extra cautious and apply his kicking, punch accuracy and speed. We tried to attack with punches from a safe distance,” said Sangiao.

“But the thing is, if Lito touches you, you’re going down. Not many people can survive his power. And he can finish you in many different ways. After Lito touched him on the chin, it was lights out. One shot is all it takes.”

It was a fantastic turnaround for Adiwang, who late last year dealt with his first loss inside the ONE Circle last November, and the passing of his mother, Leticia. Being a guiding voice in Adiwang’s corner, Sangiao tried his best to settle his fighter’s mind before the battle ensued.

“I told him to stay calm and composed, and just focus on striking accurately from the outside, not to get too wild and careless. As always, we look for every opportunity for the takedown, if the situation will call for it. Lito is very good with his submissions. I don’t think anyone wants to go to the ground with him,” said Sangiao.

“2020 was definitely a trying year for Lito. It wasn’t easy. But I think he will be much more focused this year, and he will be more consistent with his training. He is very motivated right now, and very driven. The challenges he faced last year in and out of the Circle has made him a lot stronger as a fighter and as a person. He wants the biggest challenges he can get now.”

Saturday, January 23, 2021

All You Can Eat Weekends at Max

Eating out has become a rare thing for our family these days. However, when a place close to our house launches an eat all you can weekend, we couldn't resist. It's also good because the place has been certified as clean and sanitized. 


 Max’s Restaurant, the Filipino restaurant chain famous for its signature Sarap-To-The-Bones® Fried Chicken, has announced the return of a long-standing tradition missed by fans everywhere: Max’s All-You-Can™. Designed as a way to give thanks to loyal patrons who have supported “The House That Fried Chicken Built” throughout its 75-year history, the event was last held in 2019.

This 2021, it’s back and better than ever as Max’s All-You-Can™ Weekends, with an exciting new twist to give people even more delightful choices to load up their tastebuds and tummies: More classic Max’s favorites to choose from, all in one plate. 

Sarap-To-The-Bones® Fried Chicken—always made to order, and best enjoyed with Max’s Banana Ketchup with a dash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce

Max’s Spicy Tofu—tofu cubes with chopped onions and bell peppers, sauteed in a special sauce, and topped with chili for some delightful heat

Chicken Sisig—a crowd-pleasing medley of chopped Max’s Fried Chicken and chicken liver, topped with slivers of chili fingers, onions, and celery

Chicken Lumpiang Shanghai—ground chicken and select spices rolled in a delicate lumpia wrapper and deep-fried to bite-sized perfection.

Each plate also comes with all the steamed white rice a customer could want.

I honestly thought I would be able to eat more than 3 plates but this was so filling. I fell in love with the spicy tofu which was so, so good. I was amazed to be honest. 

Max’s All-You-Can™ Weekends is available for dine-in on January 15-17, January 22-24, and January 29-31 in all Max’s stores nationwide. Diners may feast to their heart’s content for just P499 per head.

Interested fans may visit their favorite Max’s store nationwide, or book ahead at bit.ly/ReserveMaxsAllYouCan. Patrons are encouraged to share their experiences as well on social media via the #MaxsAllYouCan hashtag.

Full mechanics are available at bit.ly/MaxsAllYouCan. For further information, visit www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant. DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-111771 Series of 2021

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Pond's Smarter Skincare Just for You

Worried about what wearing a face mask can do for your skin? Experienced maskne and want to get rid of it or maybe you just want better skin this 2021? Don't worry, Pond's has your back. 

Starting January 20 until January 22, 2021, Pond's will give 50% off on selected items on their official Shopee store.  There will also be 3 lucky winners who can take home one of the following prizes: a Panasonic Facial Steamer, a Panasonic Facial Cleanser, or ₱10,000 worth of POND’S vouchers for a minimum spend of ₱999 on January 22. Lastly, you get a free POND’S Serum Mask, LED mirror, or manual face massager with a minimum spend of ₱799. 

Pond's is also launching their Skin Advisor Live (SAL) exclusively on Shopee. SAL is an AI-powered skincare diagnostic tool built on AI-designed Conversational Bot, now augmented with human interaction. The tool is designed to study your skin type and recommend the best Pond's products to achieve the best skin for you. 

To make things easier for you, here's a step by step process on how you can use Pond's Skin Advisor Live in 3 easy steps: CHAT, SNAP, BUY!

1. Chat by clicking "Chat Now" when you open a Pond’s product on their official store on Shopee.

2. Snap a selfie! SAL will provide a skin analysis for free and share product recommendations that are more suitable for your skin. If you don't want to send in a photo, you can click on “What should I buy?” and let SAL know your skin goals instead.

3. When you see the recommended products for your skin, you can easily buy them on Shopee!

It's actually pretty easy to use. Once you upload a selfie, they analyze and then make a recommendation. Easy peasy. This is really good especially for those who may not know what their skin type is or what Pond's product is best suited for their skin. 

Make sure you take advantage of the ongoing promo and stock up on your Pond's goodies so you can look your best all year round. 

I'm getting the Pond's Micellar Water to make sure I sleep at night with a clean face because when your face is clean of dirt, there's a lesser chance of getting acne. Good thing it's currently at 50% off so I can double up on my stocks. 

Download the Shopee app via Playstore or Google Play to take advantage of this promo. 

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Review of BigRoys Sports Grill and Boodle Fight

We found a hidden gem in the South. However, at first glance, there was nothing impressive about the place. I saw huge signage stating BigRoys Sports Grill and Boodle Fight but I did not see as much sports paraphernalia as one would expect in a sports grill.  

I felt apprehensive. 

The place was simple. It was a what you see is what you get kind of place. Simple, clean, open, and located along the highway which gave it maximum exposure. 

The menu was also not that extensive which was a plus for me because it showed me that they knew what their specialty was and focused on it. 

HOWEVER, when the boodle fight trays were brought out one by one, I started having hope. After all, at first glance, everything looked truly appetizing.

The owner was also very attentive with the small details which told me that this was someone who cared about his business. One bite and I knew that this was someone who knew how to cook and who deserves to be in the kitchen. 

IT WAS FREAKING GOOD! 

The chicken, the shrimp, the fish, the squid, everything was just so darn good. I didn't even mind that we were eating with our hands or that our chairs were tiny and I had to pray that I won't fall flat on my face. 

Honestly, the food was so good and the conversations were so great that I found myself in shock because we almost finished one boodle fight all on our own and there was just three of us. 

ONE BIG BOODLE TRAY downed by 3 people. If that's not a testament to you of how good the food was, I don't know what will. 

The good news is that they are also open to franchises and if I had the money, I'd be willing to put my money on this business because the only thing missing in their boodle offering is the beach and some laidback music. 

I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy an authentic boodle fight. They offer a legit Cebuano Bisdak grill which includes liempo, sinugba chicken inasal, chorizo, and skinless longganisa. 

You may message them on their Facebook page to know more info on how to become a franchisee. 

PS. They also accept LYKA Gems.



Sunday, January 17, 2021

5 Things You Need to be more Productive at Home

It may be 2021 but the pandemic is still ongoing which means that for a lot of people, the work from home set up remains the status quo. To ensure that you remain productive this 2021 and avoid the call of the bed or living room sofa, here are 5 things that you need to have in your home office. 

The first thing you need to have is a comfy chair. Sadly, not all of us can afford those expensive ergonomic chairs available in the market. Most us just grab whatever chair we can get and then plop ourselves on it, not realizing we are damaging our back.


This Socone Seat Cushion is exactly what you need. It helps provide more cushion and comfort to your tush and lends more support to your spine, allowing you to work longer without feeling the pain afterward. 

Next is this coaster warmer


I know you're guilty of this. You set out to enjoy a hot cup of coffee but 2 hours later you forget that you had it and it is now stone cold eewwness. With this coaster warmer, you can easily keep it warm and not worry about your coffee even if you forget about it for an hour or two. 

Another thing you need to have is this desk organizer

A cluttered workspace muddles up your brain. Organize your desk so you can clear your head and work on your deliverables more efficiently. This storage box features a 9-piece pen holder, 3 storage compartments, and a drawer.




Enjoying the chilly weather? Don’t forget to use a humidifier to improve air quality in your working space. This also works as a diffuser for all your favorite relaxing scents. Its aesthetically pleasing design would spruce up your desk as well.

Last but not the least, have everything you need at hand so you won't have to keep getting off from your table and getting distracted. 

This side table is small enough not to get in the way but big enough to hold all the essentials. 



Check out more authentic products at the lowest prices on Shopee

For more deals, top up your ShopeePay wallet. Top up at least a total of P3,000 until January 31 to receive a free shipping voucher and a 20% off voucher on the 7th day of the following month. Learn more here: https://shopee.ph/m/shopeepay-topup-rewards.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Saturday, January 16, 2021

on getting married and becoming Mrs.

Sometimes, life surprises you when you least expect it. 


We didn't think we could have the wedding this January but God paved the way and we were able to get our marriage license approved last January 8. January 11, we started telling people we were getting married on the 14th. 

January 11 I still did not have anything. No venue, no dress, no shoes, no decorations, no cake, no photographer. However, God had other plans. 

My brother got me a dress and helped me secure truly comfortable but pretty shoes. 

One of my closest friend and sister from another mother Kimi made cupcakes.

A client offered her items that were perfect as a giveaway. She even wrapped it so it was ready to be given away as a thank you gift. This calming oil from A Happier Life is perfect.


The Fet Boys Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookies and Butterscotch Coffee Cookies were also a big hit, so much so that the box disappeared before the day ended. 

Initially, I thought I won't have any bouquet. Turns out I would end up with two. Thank you again to my brother Kirk and to my friend Sciarra. 

The photographer, XC Santos, is also a friend who agreed to do the shoot on such short notice. He was there from beginning to end, just a one-man team, and he did a really wonderful job. To book him, just click on his name. Mind you, these are all raw shots. 

I love that he was able to capture a lot of candid moments. 

















The next surprise that I got was from someone that I knew but wasn't close to. She decorated the place and turned into a speakeasy bar area into an actual wedding venue with rustic designs. Sciarra's Creations also did this in less than an hour. 


My sister who surprised me from Cebu City and arrived 2 hours before my wedding did my hair and makeup. This was the biggest surprise of the day. I honestly had no idea that she would come because she already told me that she can't make it. I literally screamed my head off when I saw her at my bedroom door.


I love how these turned out as well. 


The only thing that I was able to do myself was actually order cake. It was a minimalist cake with a few words on it that struck me. I got this from RylHomemade and I have absolutely no regrets. We ate every single slice and it was good.

I also love that she made the icons that of a bride and groom to fit the event. 

I dreamt of an intimate, garden wedding since I was small. I didn't know that it would actually materialize and what made it more amazing were the people who helped make it happen. 

Most of all, I am so happy with our Reverend Juanito M. Dizon. I honestly thought he was just going to go through the motions and it would be over in a snap but he made me feel like I was getting married inside a church. I felt the solemnity of the wedding rites and truth be told, I felt that should we break the sanctity of our marriage, he would set us on fire. 

He was so passionate when he imparted God's words to us and when he drilled in our heads that marriage is a marriage for life. 

For those who want their civil wedding to feel like an actual ceremony and not just a run of the mill civil wedding, I strongly recommend getting his services. You will not regret it. 

Number: 09216201042 / 09179700129 

It was also a good thing that we ended up holding the ceremony and the reception in one place. Everyone attended the wedding and stayed for the reception. Everyone had a good time and it was such a sight to see my family and friends all laughing and having a good time.



People weren't glued to their phones. They were actually talking and laughing with each other. It was such a beautiful sight and it happened on my wedding day. 

To everyone who came, contributed, and helped make this day special, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You made what was supposed to be a simple, transactional day something truly special. 

To my new family, thank you for welcoming me with open arms and open hearts. I am so honored to be part of your family and I know that my sons are lucky to have you in their lives. 

To my family especially my siblings, thank you! You made the day extra special and made me feel special. I will cherish this for the rest of my life. To my Mom, thank you for coming and being there for me regardless of what's happening between us. I appreciate you and I am thankful that you raised me to be the strong woman that I have become. 

To my friends who made the time and who overcame anxiety and what not to spend the day with me, I am beyond grateful. 

To God, thank you for finding the perfect match for me. Thank you for weaving this beautiful love story for my sons and me. I will honor and respect Mark for the rest of our lives and I will make sure that whatever he gives me, I will multiply and I will be a great wife and a strong but caring Mom. 

To Mark, I will choose you every single day, no matter what. Thank you for accepting me, loving me, respecting me, and loving my sons. I am so lucky God brought you into our life. 

They say that when you give love, you get love. Whatever you give to the Universe, the Universe will give back to you tenfold. I used to hate the world and the world hated me. Recently, around 5 years ago, something happened that made me realize I need to stop hating. 

I learned to truly love .. not just my family and friends but people around me. Mostly, I learned to love myself and I learned to be kind. 

It wasn't easy. When you grow up with a lot of longing, seeking approval that was never given, and you see pain all around, you think it's normal. 

However, I learned that being kind, forgiving, and loving is so much easier on the mind, the heart, and the soul. 

When I learned to truly love without expecting things in return, the Universe started loving me back and giving me people who loved me in return. The Universe gave me friends who wanted only what was best for me. The Universe took away people who did not have good intentions. 

So love. Be kind. Stay away from toxic and negative people and energy. Spread happiness. It will all come back to you. 

MsKathyKenny signing off. 

taken by Axl Guinto

Mrs. Kathy Ngo Balmores signing in.