HOME for the Holidays

For Filipinos, noche buena (christmas eve) and media noche (new year's eve) dinner are BIGTIME family feasting and dining events! And if eating is involved, shopping for the feast is done a day or two before. And in the Philippines, its the worst day to go supermarket shopping as the stores will be jampacked with people and the cashier check-out qeue will be the longest for the year!

This year, my fam had catered lunch party at home in Cebu so we dont have to kill ourselves cooking and doing supermarket shopping. A word of advise, one has to book a month before with the catering service to ensure availability. For our annual Bandillo Fam get-together we got our usual caterer Maria Lina and booked for 50 pax last Dec 24. Our party had the usual kiddie and adult games and ended with gift-giving!

Since my husband and I were leaving Cebu to spend New Year in Iloilo, we needed to be smart once again ... we did media noche shopping 2 days before at our local Gaisano Fiesta Mall in Tabunok, Talisay City Cebu. Yup, we were there at 930am to escape the crowd but lo and behold ... a qeue was already starting at all the check-out counters! We were late! But never the less, we came prepared with our grocery list. So far, the store had a very good assortment and NO out-of-stock situation on major media noche items. Hurrah! We were out after an hour. Media noche for the Lapus Fam is ready for cooking!

As I left Cebu for Iloilo to spend New Year with the Baluya's, we needed to be smart once again! We brought in Cebu lechon (roasted pig) from our suki Mang Boy to Iloilo -- and did our supermarket shopping Dec 30 at IS Mandurriao.

Since I'm in Iloilo for the next few days, allow me to write several posts about this beautiful city in the Visayas.

Mrs Jane B.

My Cebu : Eating & Dining Out Part 2 (AA BBQ)

What better way to end my month-long stay in Cebu than to visit the famous "D Original AA BBQ" place in Lahug! It was a pre-Halloween dinner and a post bday dinner for my bro in-law. If you visit Cebu and miss out eating in any of its famous BBQ places, you haven't been to CEBU at all! Of course, you can visit the Larsian BBQ near Chong Hua Hospital or visit the famous AA BBQ place (they have several branches in the Metro) and they have parking.

So off we went to Lahug and I made sure we were enroute by 6pm because parking may be a problem if we come in later. When we arrived there were only 4-5 cars parked and the place was decorated with halloween stuff already. We placed our orders and each one got a fruit shake!

When eating in Cebu, there is no such thing as sinigang, and paksiw is not limited to day-old lechon but also to fish which we call "inun-unan". Soupy dishes are pochero, "nilat-an" or "nilaga", tinola or "utan bisaya" with malunggay leaves. And "subga" or "ihaw" is the name of the game! That's the reason why there are a lot of BBQ and Su-Tu-Kil (Sugba-Tula-Kilaw) places in the metro. To complement the BBQ and sugba, Cebuanos love to eat a variety of seaweeds soaked in a concoction of vinegar and other spices or version of local salad.

So the four of us had full dinner of squid, pochero, liempo, ribs and etc and just had a great time! I guess we Filipinos really enjoy our food more with family around.

Am looking forward to my next visit this November and eat more ... and yes bring to Manila our local Cebuano chorizo!

Mrs Jane B.

Driving Along Cebu's SRP Road -- Photos

Taken near the midtown cebu intersection

Max speed 60kph?

The SRP near midtown Cebu

Driving Along Cebu’s SRP Road

This has been my longest stay in Cebu after 10 years of living in Manila. It’s been quite an experience for me, re-discovering my home island and appreciating its beauty now that I’m older (ehem) and wiser. We’ve lived in Talisay City since 1985. It wasn’t a city back then and I remembered my friends in high school not wanting to visit me at home because it was too far! As Cebu province and Cebu City progressed, the traffic congestion from Cebu City to Talisay could sometimes take more than an hour. Mind you, in Cebu where anywhere is 30 mins away, that’s totally far! And if you drive, good-luck! Because, its not just the volume of traffic you have to deal with but buses, motorcycles, v-hires, everything goes along N. Bacalso Ave, the only road that leads to the south of Cebu.

Now with the SRP (South Reclamation Project) Road, from the Carmen node (Talisay City portion of the SRP), my parents place is only a good 15min away from Cebu City! Amazing and you can run at more than 80kph! It’s really fast and it has changed the way we in Talisay City live. We can easily go home, have lunch and siesta, and be ready to “gimik”. That’s the beauty of Cebu, island lifestyle in a highly urban city.

In my early morning drive, I really love seeing the sun rising above the serene waters and birds flying about ... the Spanish looking building (relic) at Kawit Island really reminds you of Cebu’s rich history. And as you reach the midtown (mid-section of Cebu City), the City Gov’t has constructed a sort of viewing area with benches that one can drive through from the South going into Cebu City. My husband and I stopped by one lazy Sunday afternoon and just sat there mesmerized by the sea and the calm surrounding. Truly priceless considering its free!

And as the sun sets or in Cebuano we call it “kilum-kilum”, your drive will be transformed to that of seeing a city coming to life with lights lining up the city mountain slopes --- these are the lights coming from the private subdivisions and residential areas being developed by local and Manila-based real estate companies. Truly Cebu has attracted a lot of people coming from it’s neighbouring islands to settle in its sunny and bustling metropolis.

I promised myself I would take time to document the SRP as I see it now and share it with people who have been to Cebu, or are planning to visit or are like me, who have left the Queen City and re-discovering its beauty and charm. I will post my pics, and even if there might be other blogs who have published their stories about the SRP, mine is from the eyes of someone who has left and seen it with new eyes! Will post it before I fly back to Manila. Hope it will inspire people to come and visit Cebu.

Mrs Jane B.

Hanging Out in Cebu at the Prana Medi Spa, Club Ultima

I’ve written about my spa experience in Manila, and after being in Cebu for a time, I wanted to check out the spa scene in the Queen City of the South. Of course, there are a lot of spa’s in the city (you can have a 30 min foot massage for P50 at Thewi – near Dunkin Donuts at Fuente O), but I wanted to go to destination spas, pampering spas. I remembered my friend a couple of months ago showing me PRANA at the Club Ultima. The spa boasts of its wide array of spa services from foot, to body wraps, to facial treatments and even to its non-invasive slimming treatments! You have to check out their service menu as they have quite a lot to offer.

Being a Cebuano at heart, I wanted to try what Cebu can offer and with the booming spa business all over the country that is not only attracting the locals but foreign visitors as well – I’ve nothing to lose. So, off we went. I really suggest that one calls in first for appointment to make sure you have a ready therapist and have the courtesy to call as well if you’re running late. PRANA has high weekend traffic so if you’re late by 15min, you may have to re-sked within the day.

The spa is located at the 16th floor of the Crown Regency Hotel near Robinsons Cebu Fuente O. Upon entering the reception, you will be greeted by fushia clad women who will facilitate preparing you for the treatment. The receptionist gave us our locker and service no. The reception wasn’t that efficient and was a bit noisy for a spa – too many greeters, I think. My sis and I went to the locker rooms and prepared to go to the steam room prior to our full body massage treatment. A lady assisted us right away and ushered us into the steam room, which was huge and could possibly accommodate 25 ladies. Thing was since no one was using it, the room wasn’t heated up as desired ... so we decided to leave and switch to the dry sauna instead. And boy, the sauna was great! Well, very hot but relaxing! We had customary cold drinks and cold towels inside the sauna room.

Then we were ready for our Swedish massage! The strokes used by the therapist were really relaxing though more kneading-to-rolling strokes would have made the whole massage more fluid and would lull you to deeper sleep! He he he! After an hour, I felt refreshed and ready to go to Ayala Mall to meet up with my high school gal pals! I’ve always written how happy I am with the Suriya Spa – massage service and all, but from a scale of 1-10, Prana is a 7 at the right price! The spa could have improved their ambience with more aromatherapy within the spa lounge area and more relaxing music.

I still have 3 more weeks to go before going back to Manila, I’d probably have to try their SPA JET and Oxyjet facial treatments soon. Or I can hunt again for other spas in the Metro, too bad my hubby and his friends closed down their own medi spa in Cebu -- seems the spa scene is truly booming here!

Mrs Jane B.

My Cebu : Home Appliance Shopping (SM Appliance)

I stayed for another 10 days in Cebu recently and was tasked by my family to purchase a simple washer. My mom didn’t want to burden the house-help so much and wanted her to have an easier life. We agreed to just buy a small washer (5kg or so) minus the spin dryer. We have a very reliable clothesline area at home. Brian (my hubby) who was my partner in this task asked me if there were appliance centers alongside the Cebu South Road. I told Bri there are lots of appliance centers in Cebu, big ones are Citi Appliance, Gillamacs ... but I’ve never bought in any of these places.

So past experience in setting up our place in Mandaluyong told me the best place to go was SM Appliance Center. So off we went and was at SM City Cebu by 10am. We browsed through the displays and an SM attendant answered our questions. Unfortunately, for our top 2 choices, they didn’t have stocks and only have items on display – NO I’m not buying display items unless its discounted. But SM as they are, they couldn’t give me that discount which other smaller appliances in the city would have given. So we bought option 3, a Sharp washer. The SM attendant told us that delivery to our place is P520, just as I thought, pay P520 delivery for a 3k product! We told her we have an SUV and we can just bring it home. She replied saying, that the people working at the warehouse were not available yet and we should come back at 11am. So to make things faster, we paid in advance and browse around looking for refrigerators.

Time passed and by 11am we gave our receipt to the claim counter. The lady told us, item is not available yet and they don’t know how many minutes more it’ll take for the item to be brought in the store from the warehouse. To really show more incompetence, this lady called up another attendant and asked what time ... she was answered maybe 15 or 30 mins more while cutting paper in front of us. There you GO! INCOMPETENCE at the core. In instances like this, I look for the manager to get what I want. Well, the manager was able to have the item brought in, in 15 min. Boy, I sure was mad as hell by this time, we were already in the store for more than an hour and purchased a freaking 3k washer! My bag is more expensive than this! Grrrr ...!

Lesson learned, never buy in impersonal stores like SM Appliance Center in a place like CEBU. In impersonal Manila, maybe it works best but in Cebu, stick with the locals! I should have went to the downtown area and went to the many appliances stores there, they would have been more attentive and fast! Ah the problem of the big retailers, loyalty maybe low because service is just terrible ... no wonder my dad never bought any of our appliances at SM Appliance Center! Dad knows best!

Mrs Jane B.

My Cebu : Fresh with a new look -- Robinsons Smkt Fuente O

Before the days of Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu, the uptown area was the “in” place in the City. People and teenagers would flock the Rustan’s area where the first National Bookstore branch is also near and Robinsons Mall Cebu was the mall to be seen in. Of course this was in the early 1990’s. In those years Robinsons was more known for its dept store more than the supermarket (and the snake that lives in the spiral complex!). They had a wide array of clothes, shoes, accessories and even baby items. With the rise of the malls and the mini-malls, boutiques and specialty shops have challenged the existence of the dept store format and probably (I don’t have insider info) but the Robinsons Mall Cebu changed with the times and downsized its dept store to give way to space for boutique stores.

But my recent visit yesterday showed a newly renovated supermarket area. Mind you, despite the downsizing of the dept store, Robinsons has not reduced the size of its supermarket. This is really because this is the only supermarket in the Fuente O area that caters to communities around the capitol, Jones, Ramos areas. The nearest one would be Foodarama in the Mango Ave side, SM’s supermarket at the Elizabeth Mall which is quite far already and caters more the shoppers going south.

The newly renovated store reminds me of our very own Robinsons Otis near our Unilever Office at UN Ave. It’s small yet very complete with fresh food items, packaged food, personal care and home care products. The colors and the layout have made the store looked cleaner, more spacious than before where one can hardly push a cart inside the aisles. I’ve noticed that the personal care and the snacks area had more shoppers milling about and the fresh section. The wine and the fresh fruit section were pretty dead areas – note that just outside the mall there are fruit vendors everywhere selling mangoes, apples, now lansones, so I guess buying at the smkt isn’t so appealing. But it pretty much looks like any big supermarket.

Ah but the crux of it all, is parking. I find the mall parking inconvenient specially if all you want to do is do grocery shopping. One has to drive up into the spiral ramp and go down into the basement where the smkt is located. The mall compensated though via having a taxi lane and the jeepney stop pretty much near the smkt entrance/exit but for those shoppers w/ cars, this may prove to be a hassle. Dont know this can be solved though.

But Cebu residents rejoice, for Robinsons is building next to Chong Hua hospital its Cebu Cybergate Mall which I believe would have another smkt and would probably be really like the Otis Mall where there are offices in the complex. Forgot when the project completion is though but if they can build fast, Christmas 2008 might be the target.

Cebu is indeed changing to the times, yet still keeping its island charm ...

Mrs Jane B.

My Cebu : Eating & Dining Out

Ah, years ago when I was 8 or so, I remembered that eating out was truly a treat not just because we were kids that time but even for my parents. I remembered going to the same Chinese resto year-on-year. In fact, my dad, used to come home during lunchtime to eat and have siesta. Even my mom (who worked full time too) would come home for lunch and she would tell us stories before we have our afternoon nap. Life was simplier then, not sure how many parents now get to come home for lunch and see their kids.

Now, if you visit Cebu, with the advent of malls, a lot of families, groups and two-somes now meet up in a resto not just to eat but really to socialize. You know, the Cebuanos are the hardest market to crack in the Phils. We believe in quality products and services but we want the best bargain/price for it. Sorry, a P60 shake won't really sell in Cebu years ago. A P100 meal is too expensive, what with Larsian BBQ place at Fuente O and ngohiong at P10/pc and hanging rice, "puso" -- one can eat at P50 w/ drinks! When SM City opened, Wendy's was one of the fastfood chains that opened but had to close down because the offering wasn't as competitive. Racks even closed down -- with ribs that expensive, nobody would buy it in Cebu. That's how picky we are.

I think, with more non-Cebuanos in Cebu, the resto and fastfood business are making money. With the advent as well of the call centers (the major ones have operations in Cebu), eating and dining out is really "IN". So, if your non Cebuano, check out places like Chika-an, Golden Cowrie, CNT Lechon place (we have the best lechon in the Phils), or check out SU-TU-KIL restos that abound in the metro that specialize in "sugba" - grilled/bbq, "tula" - fish clear broth soup, "kilaw" - raw food usually fish our version of sashimi.

For more modern, metro eating places, visit the BTC area, the IT Park (near Waterfront Lahug) has buildings with eating places at the 1st floor and the newly revived "THE Walk" -- the "in place" right now. Check out my pics with HS friends in our latest meet up at THE Walk 2 wks ago.

So when you're in Cebu, remember, its where you can eat great food at great affordable prices!

Mrs Jane B

My Cebu : Shopping Destination

Cebuanos are one of the luckiest people in the Philippines. Even as early as in the 80’s, we were already exposed to the what we call modern retailing. Growing up we were already into the supermarket and department store set-up. Well-known in the 80’s were GAW, White Gold, Gaisano Main, Gazini Plaza, Fairmart, Rustan’s and Rosita’s to name a few. We already had those computer-generated instant win promos in Gaisano during the Christmas season that drove my dad crazy – he would buy and buy just so he can play the game! Colon St. (oldest street in Cebu and possibly in the Philippines), housed most of the dept stores and big supermarkets in the city. If one wanted the local market type, we had Carbon Public Market and next to it is Freedom Park where one can buy flowers and plants. My lola used to have a stall there selling flowers and angel wings during Flores de Mayo. For the dried fish and seafood that Cebu is known for (danggit, pusit, bolinao), we have the Tabo-an Market.

In the mid 1990’s SM and Ayala came into Cebu to set up their malls. SM City structure was box-type and attracted quite a wide-spectrum of people. On the other hand, the Ayala mall with its circular set-up and more Mediterranean architecture, attracted the more affluent groups in Cebu. The set-up of these malls changed the way Cebuanos shop. We were used to the one-stop shopping concept already brought about by the smkt w/ dept store set-up but the mall concept where different stores where housed in one air-conditioned structure was new and allowed people to meet up and get-together! The mall allowed for Manila stores to be introduced into the local retailing scene and allowed the local ones to set-up shop as well.

Now, Cebu boasts of not just the big malls of SM City and Ayala, but mini-malls as well set-up by the locals like the BTC Mall in Banilad, the JY Square Mall in Lahug (its now expanded, a far cry from the mall we used to go to when we were in High School at UP), the Elizabeth Mall near UC Main downtown area, the Robinsons Place Cebu Mall at the Fuente Osmena has been rehabilitated as well, the Gaisano Festival Mall in Tabunok to name a few that mainly cater to the immediate neighbourhoods’ malling and shopping needs. With the rise of malling in Cebu, it brought with it as well a new change in Cebu, its dining and eating out. Check my next write-up on this changing habit.

BTW, check out my older posts to read about SM North Wing Shopping in Cebu, this is truly an example of how “malling” has become a habit of the pure-bred Cebuano!

Mrs. Jane B.

Jane's CEBU

There are only a few who can call themselves, pure-bred Cebuanos now-a-days. A lot of the people living in Cebu now actually come from neighbouring islands like Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Negros and Mindanao. I’m pure-bred with my dad side (Quijada) hailing from Guadalupe Cebu City (known for mangoes & CNT Lechon) and my mom side (Bandillo/Villagonzalo) hailing from Alcantara/Ronda towns southwest side of Cebu province. With Cebu rising as the 2nd most important city in the Philippines, local and foreign companies have set head offices and branch offices in the Queen City of the South! This has also spurred a lot of migration of people even from Luzon and “imperial Manila” as a Cebuano would put it.

Being from Cebu and studying in Manila, I got the usual, “ah so you’re from the province” statement from classmates in university. These people sure don’t know their history and haven’t travelled within the Philippines to know where and what Cebu stands for. Cebu was the 1st to defy the Spanish conquistadores, with local Mactan chieftain Lapu-Lapu slaying the Spaniard Magellan in 1521. The battle of Mactan is re-enacted every year during the city fiesta and getting local celebrities to play the lead roles. Ah, those ignorant even in their own country!

I’ve lived away from Cebu to be in Manila for quite sometime now, that I sometimes feel lost when in Cebu on new places to visit and hang-out. For the past two years though, with lower airfare rates, thanks to Cebu Pacific Airlines, my husband and I visit Cebu on long weekends and on special family occasions vs the usual summer and Christmas visits.

My CEBU is a series of write-ups I intend to publish here in my blogsite before I leave for South Africa to talk about the changes I’ve observed in my recent trips back home.

Mrs. Jane B

Nail Spa in the Metro

When I was 24 or so, I remembered having my nails done every week and planning my wardrobe so that my nail polish matches my clothes. And, yeah, for those who can remember I match my make-up too! After a year or so of this nail-fashion lifesytle, my nails suffered from "polish fatigue" as I might call it. Besides, there was this "manicurista" I frequented in one of the neighborhood salons near San Miguel Village in Makati, but when she left I just couldn't find the perfect "manicurista". I started seeing blood everytime I had my nails done ... so I stopped. So even in my wedding, I didnt have my nails polished ... I was just too scared! I get foot spa's but no more of those "nippers" into my flesh!

It was only last year when I re-discovered the love for nail polish after our Mumbai, India trip with Mutya Laxa. We had to go there to understand how we could learn from our sister co's face care rural penetration program. Fortunately for us, the India skin team were going to a nail spa as part of their consumer emersion program. So they slotted us and we went for an afternoon of pampering. Mutya and I were so impressed and surprised because the attendants there were male and they were quite gentle and adept with the "nippers" -- it was sooo relaxing. Mutya and I even started talking about putting up a similar nail spa in Manila. Yah, maybe just maybe ...

And when I got back to Manila, I immediately checked the nail spa in the metro. So far, I've been to 3 : The Nail Spa at the Shangrila Mall, Dashing Diva at Beauty Bar Glorietta 3 (before the bomblast) and at California Nail Spa at the Robinsons Galleria.

The Nail Spa also has a small spa inside Essences in Glorietta and I've been there as well. The place is really very "spa-like" with massage chairs for each customer. You can actually fall asleep there (specially in their Shangrila Malla). The attendants are very careful and they dont chit-chat. So if you want peace and quiet and have our nails done at the same time, go for this spa. The Shang branch is frequented by local movie & TV personalities, its a pretty busy branch so you have to call them ahead of time.

Dashing Diva on the other hand is quite the opposite of The Nail Spa. Here its all colorful, its usually inside the Beauty Bar (now I go to the Rockwell branch) and the attendants love to chit-chat. They offer spa parties for min of 10 or so and you can purchase your own mani/pedi set and you can leave it in the branch so you can just use it the next time to come for a service. They have a loyalty card where they give freebies or drinks after certain no. of services paid for.

California Nail Spa is almost like Dashing Diva but their services are priced lower and they offer a wider range of spa services. They have more nail art available, the attendants are very skilled as well but they dont have the comfy chairs that the two spas above have.

My personal fave though is the Dashing Diva, the place uplifts me and my toes are happy after every visit! I love their shades and the polish lasts a good 2 weeks which is good enough for me. I don't do weekly nails anymore, my skin have gotten pretty thin. A monthly visit does it for me!

I hope I can find a Dashing Diva-like spa when I stay in Durban. It would be so tragic if I don't get to have my nails done again in 12 months!

Mrs. Jane B.

Robinsons Place Midtown Wing, All New Shopping in Ermita

My friend from my USC MBA days, Rizalyn, who's based in Cagayan de Oro, is here for a whole 3 wks for training with PhilHealth. Wanted to meet up with her and catch up on life in general ... she is staying at the Bayview in UN and so I thought why not do a shopping trek as well at the new Robinsons Place Midtown Wing! I had lunch there 3 wks ago at the Recipes with 20+ Customer Marketing Peeps on a workday ... might be good to visit on a weekend. Unfortunately for us, Recipes was closed yesterday. Weird but yes, the resto was closed. So off we went to look for a place that had pasta, and light salad --- oh yes! I saw Italiannis! Yehey! We got in at 130pm and saw the lunch buffet (which BTW is now down to P395/person from the P595/person a week or so back!) but they were closing the buffet by 2pm. Nope, 30 min not enough to enjoy buffet so we opted for the regular menu instead. After a lunch-full of tsismis and update, we were ready to go shopping.

As we re-entered the mall, I was then strucked by how different this wing is from the rest of the Robinsons Place Mall! It truly is more upscale, lightings are warm, more spacious, modern lounge sofa designs, and the shops, are more "masstige" already. All the known coffee shops are there, Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and I think I saw Figaro. The Beauty Bar with my favorite "Dashing Diva" section is present and all-in-all the whole wing just gives you this airy more "classy" feel than the other wings swarming with "tiangge-type" stalls selling everything from herbal medicines to fake bags to underwear -- you would have thought this was Market!Market! or Greenhills.

I guess the Robinsons Place Ermita felt the need to expand and provide a more "upscale shopping experience" for its shoppers. Come to think of it the closest mall is SM Manila and my gosh that place is just crowded with people. Not a very nice place to do leisurely shopping (very typical of an SM mall except for MOA). Considering as well the Manila area, and the Fil-Chinese community in Binondo, I think the new wing has hit a jackpot in terms of providing this different shopping experience. Of course, the students and the medical community in the PGH (Phil Gen Hospital) are benefitting from this as well.

We left the Midtown Wing after having coffee at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, which if it wasn't just for the rain, we would have preferred to seat ourselves in the veranda area which would have given us a view of Ermita area. Truly, a leisurely place to stay awhile and meet up with friends and family!

Of course, I didn't miss visiting the newly renovated Robinsons Dept Store and checked out our displays of Ponds, Dove and Vaseline Lotion. Ah, but my observations and comments ... I will defer in another write-up as am trying to piece together as well how the Galleria store looks like.

So off we went to UP Dil after spending 4 hrs at the new Robinsons Place Midtown Wing. I don't know about you but the new space looks a lot lot better than the old Midtown Hotel way back! Indeed another new place to shop at the heart of Manila!

Mrs Jane B.

On Massages and Facials at the Suriya Spa

I was diagnosed with texter’s thumb last Thu by an orthopaedic doctor at the Manila Doctor’s and was advised to give back my Treo to the office and stop texting for awhile. It seems my texting is causing my right thumb to be painful that extends down to the wrist making it really hard for me to grip things. Doctor’s advise was to go for a massage. Well, what a perfect excuse to have a facial as well. Off we went to visit our favourite Suriya Spa. We’ve been members for more than 3 yrs now. The Glorietta 3 spa has been moved to The Ascott.

Their trademark “mind & body massage” puts you to sleep with just 10 mins into the massage routine. The slow kneading motion and the soothing music, makes you forget where you are ... when the therapist reached my back I was dreaming. There’s something about the mixture of oil, pepperminty lavender scent that just knocks you off. I was awakened after and hour or so by Doris telling me that my facial therapist will be with me soon. Facial, yup, I chose the “collagen” one this time. After my 34th bday almost two weeks back, I deserve some anti-aging treatment. This collagen facial is suppose to moisturize my face and reduce the fine lines. Of course, its something our Ponds Age Miracle line can do (and more!) but I really needed some TLC and not do the facial myself. Will share soon home facial you can do every weekend in case you have no time to go to the spa (watch out for this!).

After almost 3 hrs in inside Suriya at The Ascott, I felt like a brand new person ready to face the world! Yeah, feeling a bit younger that usual ... he, he, he – all for under 2k! Suriya Spa has other branches and are mostly in hotels (like in The Ascott, Intercon and etc) and as the spa partner of Golds Gym. The receptionist advised us though that their Fronterra Verde branch is the best ...

Mrs Jane B.

The Joy of Buying a Gucci Bag

Been wanting to buy a GUCCI bag these past few weeks but got into trouble with my husband. He already got me my LV Speedy for mother’s day (even if I’m not a mom yet) because I’ve been asking him for one and he just found the occasion to give it to me. Unfortunately my usual visit to the GUCCI website made me want a bag more!

I had this ultra favourite the GUCCI Joliceur medium tote in gold. Unfortunately, limited stocks were available and all the stocks are gone. I’ve surfed the internet for other sources of this bag type but alas ... there’s none to be found that’s brand new. Then a good 2-3 wks ago my friend Emily told me there’s a Gucci sale and maybe, just maybe I can get my alternative bag (from my GUCCI bag list) on sale. I visited the Greenbelt 4 store and truly my alternative abbey bag was on sale but not the right color. So I went around the store and found my new LOVE, its the JOY Tote in dark brown color medium size. Just perfect for those casual moments! Check out my photo ...

If you’re a first time shopper in the Greenbelt store, note the different sections of the store. This is just based on my observation of course and not confirmed by any store personnel but could be useful.

The What’s NEW, What’s HOT Counter greets every shopper as you enter. The latest designs are displayed here and from my observation as of last week the display matches the latest design line in the official GUCCI website. You can navigate around the store using this section.

From this counter you can turn right to check out what I would like to call “The CLASSIC Line Counter”. In this counter you will find the basic bags that you see in the website. The store attendants are very responsive and will offer you the latest catalogue if you want something that may not be on display.

To the left of the NEW/HOT counter is a corner that highlights two things : the bags that used to be on the NEW/HOT counter and the items on special sale. So pay attention to this corner if they have special sale which usually just lasts for 2 wks (based on observation not confirmed by store personnel ... I do have my disclaimer).

At the back of the NEW/HOT counter are sections for shoes (which by the way are truly bea-u-ti-ful, but I can’t afford it yet, the handbag gives more ROI). Clothes are also being hung but since I’m really more interested in the bags ... I don’t usually venture into this part of the store but there are shoppers who really go in that section and try on the clothes.

So there you are, a glimpse of the Gucci store in Greenbelt. Me, am so happy with my new GUCCI bag! And super thanks to my good and classy friend Emily Boaquina-Besavilla for helping me pick the best color! Of course a former beauty queen would know!

And what’s the latest? Heard that Gucci will be bring in a new line soon that will allow more beauties like us to buy a GUCCI bag. So watch out for it ...

And before I say “bye” ‘till my next write up, super thank you to my hubby Brian for letting me buy my new GUCCI! I know you tried to convince me not to buy one ‘coz I have my LV na, but who can say NO to a GUCCI bag? Not me!

Mrs Jane B.

Great find at LRI Design Plaza!

When I got married, our first place was located in the Santiago Villlage/Bel Air area where my hubby and I used to enjoy short walks as we go to Sunday Mass at St Andrew Parish Church. Its one of those very residential yet you-know-its Makati part of Makati. Its where Kalayaan Ave and Reposo now known as Nicanor Garcia St crosses over.

Its this side of Makati where we found our favorite relaxation cum "together time" at Foot Options Sole and Soul Spa at the LRI Design Plaza. Now the LRI bldg is a place known for its home & office furniture, furnishings and fixture. It houses showrooms of really beautiful modern, indigenous furnitures, art galleries and some design studios. LRI Design Plaza calls itself "Your one-stop lifestyle center".

Indeed for its in this place where we chanced upon Foot Options. This spa specializes on Xiamen style foot massages. Unlike the usual Thai foot massage where the therapist would use a stick to massage your foot and toes, Xiamen is like swedish massage, there is pressure yet its more kneeding and rolling. I totally love it. When I was working on a big project for the past 6 months, I frequented this spa more than my usual Suriya (where I have membership). I've brought my friends over as treat, even my work teams I've brought them here to relax after special Saturday work rendered.

What I love about Foot Options, is really the massage and the ambience. Its a small place, it has six (6) massage chairs and has a single room for body massages. Upon entering you right away feel relax as you are enveloped by a minty eucalyptus scent. The treatment area is dim and light relaxing music is played. The therapists are very polite, discreet (not noisy) and hygienic. Their foot massage routine starts with the usual foot soak bath for 15 mins. While your feet are being soaked, the therapist massages your head, neck, back and hands. Now, Ive been to foot massages and they do the same routine but at Foot Options, they even do pepermint oil rub that will leave you very relaxed and sleepy. By the time the therapist starts working on your first foot, you would have fallen asleep already.

Yup, its pure heaven! The foot massage lasts for 60 min. And after the massage, the therapist would use hot towels to wipe off excess massage oil. Really relaxing for only P350! Not bad if you're all worn and stressed out. No wonder I read more than a yr ago, then new P&G chairman hired the Foot Options to service them during their weekly management meetings! Of course, I read the article because P&G happens to be our "best friends" in the industry being our major competitor.

And because I love having my foot massages there, I took my sis who's home from Canada there last Sunday to cap our lazy weekend. She enjoyed! Wished she had more time to spend with me in Manila because we could have tried the Foot Options other services like their mint facials and their hair & scalp treatment. All very good value. In fact was told that they offer P50 off on weekdays (except Fri). I love the place so much that I really recommend it to anyone who needs to relax. You may call them at 899 9645 for appointment. They have GCs too, in fact I think I gave Pia Sangel some for her birthday 2 yrs ago.

Well, I had a great weekend and here's a pic of me and my sis having a lazy Sunday am reading . . . guess who's who?

Mrs Jane B.

SM City Cebu NORTH WING -- New Space in Cebu Shopping!

Visited Cebu last weekend to be with my family as my sis is home from Canada. My family has been talking about the new North Wing of SM and despite the fact I had been there last month (June) didnt have time to notice the space.

Now I decided to check it out with shopper eyes.

Coming from Talisay City using the SRP (South Reclamation Project) road, SM City is a good 30 min. away. You enter into the SM City complex and the first thing a shopper driving a car would notice would be the weird criss-crossing of the lanes going to the north wing parking. One has to watch out and I did because it was my first time to drive my family's new '08 KIA Sportage. Same as SM MOA (mall of asia) parking was a pay as you exit type which is different from the other SM malls here in Manila where its a pay as you enter type like in Megamall, Manila, Sta Mesa & etc.

The new North Wing parking is much like any other SM Mall shopping (close to MOA set-up) but the beautiful thing about it is that its the open multi-level type which is a 1st in Cebu (I think ...)! It actually gives you a very scenic view of the Cebu harbour and the blue ocean . . . makes you really realize that Cebu is indeed a small tropical island. A pleasant surprise I guess for the locals.

Once parked, we made our way to the new wing and I realize that it shows a very different SM. It indeed looks more classy with the high-end shops (mass premium is the technical term as the shops still don't rival those of Rockwell or Greenbelt 4 & 5) located there (a lot are still under "construction") . What stands out is the spacious and clean atrium that welcomes you to the new north wing. Totally different from the crowded entrances in the mall, which honestly makes me hate going to SM at times. Its just too crowded.

The wing had a touch of Cebu with the Chika-an Restaurant branch being very prominent at the 2nd floor. And it had new store brands as well like Crumpler which only recently opened in Manila this year as well.
Truly, the new north wing has changed shopping in Cebu and has afforded Cebu's AB crowd another place to hang out besides Ayala Center Mall and show off their branded stuff which honestly in CEBU doesnt hold much because the locals really don't mind about imported brands because the City enjoys a lot of good quality locally made items! I will be visiting Cebu again soon and I will write about the shops more . . . but suffice it to say, its a HIT!

'Till my next write-up!

Mrs Jane B.
July 11, 2008

Shopping Robinsons Galleria Style

With typhoon frank raging in Manila, my hubby and I decided to do our grocery shopping in one of our fave supermarket in Mandaluyong. Of course am partial with Robinsons Galleria for a lot of reasons . . .

Reason 1 : Parking never a problem
Although sale days maybe a challenge. The Galleria Mall always has parking. If you know the layout of the parking area, you do know there are nooks and crannies that have parking. The parking near the smkt alone has these special places.

Reason 2 : Fresh Produce is fresh
For a two-person fam like mine, and because I work for Unilever where I get free laundry, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and skin care products for free . . . what else do I buy in the smkt? Fresh food. Hubby works for Nestle Ice Cream, so milk, yogurt, juices are easily bought in the office . . . fresh food it is. Their variety of fruits and ready-to-eat fruits (those peeled and ready for chow) are superb though nothing exotic yet. Meats are fresh and they have a decent selection of fish (dead and alive -- in the aquarium). If I want a delicious "lapu-lapu sinigang", my hubby would go to Robinsons w/o hesitation. And yes, for those looking for fresh salmon, its the place to go too!

Reason 3 : No fuzz shopping
The store is well lit. Aisles are wide though there are areas that are a bit dead like the household section (I dont go there anyway because of my freebies!). The aisles are properly labelled and are updated so you wont get lost. Geez, years back I did the store layout of this store so I pretty much memorized the whole set-up.
Also, the store isnt crowded. I really hate it when I need to navigate with my cart trying hard not to bump someone else's. I'd like to be able to browse and do my shopping in peace. As I've said grocery shopping is therapeutic for me . . . I can get lost in a store and just wander around . . .

Reason 4 : Lines are manageble
Counters are always open and the stores seem to be able to manage the cashier line. We never get to wait too long. And that's a plus for couples like us who want to enjoy more time to do personal stuff on weekends!
As a whole for the Baluya's, Robinsons Galleria smkt is our fuzz-free and fresh supermarket! It also helps that its a good 10 min drive from our condo.

Well, our weekend shopping went ok despite the typhoon . . . so if you're in the Mandaluyong area, maybe you can check out this smkt and see if we're right.

More weekend shopping stories next week.

Mrs Jane B.
June 22, 2008

GARAGE Sale Anyone?

Been planning to do a garage sale a couple of months back. So I took the courage and started shipping since Dec stuff I havent used for the past 3 months and tag them for my sale. A lot of the stuff are clothes and bags, and yes towels and shoes . . . and this weekend I finally got to do it! My parents helped by preparing the place where I was going to sell and even set-up streamers for my sale. So this weekend I went home to Cebu to celebrate my mom's 60th bday and run my garage sale.

I tagged, listed and priced my items the night before and had a pre-sale viewing for my relatives which proved to be a lot of fun as my cousins and aunt tried on stuff. Of course I made money that night already . . . he he he. Proceeds of my sale is going to our home renovation fund.

The garage sale itself lasted only 7 hrs, the Cebu heat was on but despite that people still enjoyed digging into the clothes, trying on the belts and shoes, and haggling with me on the flat iron with steamer I got as corp give-away (unused complete w/ manual). I got rid of years of corp bag give-aways which the shoppers wanted to use as school bag for their kids. Very good deal since I was selling the bags from P25-50. One guy bought 5 bags!
It was pretty good that we have single pricing strat implemented. Yeah, a garage sale with pricing strat! What I meant was, to simplify, we had one price for every item, like pants/skirts/shorts all at P100, the used bath towels which were our bestsellers were selling at P10 each. It worked for us. Easy to remember and account for.

Second, proper visibility of items. We hung the mens poloshirts and dresses to call attention but what sold out were the cheap collarless shirts. The colorful laundry baskets we used allowed the shoppers to dig in and really get lost in all the merchandise. The pricing of the products were visible so shoppers knew exactly how much the items cost. This did not however stop them from haggling.

Lastly was the music! We had our old karaoke playing loud music to announce something was happening in our area. Ha ha ha, it was really loud but it created the festive mood that allowed the shoppers to concentrate on the find and not on the extreme heat of the day. I was so tempted to sell our karaoke too, but I need this for my next sale.
Truly it was a fun experience for everyone! We couldnt believe we could sell off the items. Because of this Im going for round two soon . . . And so the saying goes, "someone's trash can become someone else's treasure . . ." Did I get this right?

'Till my next shopping write-up.

Mrs Jane B
June 15, 2008

Shopping Time Out : SPA TIME

My good friend Alex who's based in HK came home just for the long weekend and of course, the girls wanted a quick get-together with some relaxation time! So off we went to an early lunch at Fridays Bonifacio High Street with the kids and the husbands in tow. After more than an hour of our catch-up chat and planning a possible HK trip in July -- HK sale season. The girls got ready to go to THE SPA. My friend Donna said the place is beautiful . . . its going to be my first time as I haven't gone to THE SPA. Bri and I have special membership at THE SURIYA SPA where we have a pre-paid service that we just debit from. We've been members for more than 3 yrs already. So, we'll see what THE SPA at the High Street can offer.

Donna wasn't kidding, the entrance, the stairs, the water falling . . . THE SPA at the High Street is beautiful with a zen feel to it. I signed up for the swedish deluxe massage for P820. Almost the same price at Suriya. We got in and was given our locker keys. The locker area was pretty clean, dim lights and the receptionist gave us our slippers, robe and towel. Donna and I decided to go to the jacuzzi, while Alex wanted to have the massage right away and Emily wanted to have her footsies pampered instead of a full body massage. The jacuzzi was great! It was big enough to accommodate more than 10 girls. Suriya at Glorietta doesnt have a jacuzzi but they have steam and sauna. We stayed for a good 15mins and prepared for more bodily pampering.

The waiting area had the usual magazines and Donna saw the tea station and got me what might have been one of the best ginger tea I've tasted! Wohoo! I loved it! I glossed over the Preview May issue and before I finished the whole magazine, we were called upon already for our massages.

Well, THE SPA's deluxe massages were done in common rooms. Hmmm something I haven't been into for awhile since the Suriya Spa has individual massage rooms. The therapist started her routine, asked about how the pressure was . . . probably because of the common room, and the therapist's not so gentle hands. I rated the massage as ok or a 6 from a scale of 1-10. I usually get a more flowing swedish touch from Suriya. Could really be just the massage training. Despite this, I got out of THE SPA feeling relax and ready to do shopping. The P820 + tip was still worth my afternoon! Em and the girls were talking about having a spa party here as they do offer such events. We will see . . .

Feeling relax and enjoying the girls company, we trekked down to check out shoes . . . bag . . . food and just enjoying our Monday holiday. Really wouldn't it be nice if we had 3-day weekends all the time!

Will give more shopping stories next weekend.

Mrs Jane B
June 9, 2008

Gateway Shopping

My Saturdays usually allow me to sleep in late and wake up at 10am. This Sat, my hubby and I needed to go to their clinic to have our flu shots. Clinic means going to Aurora Blvd where Brian's (hubby) office is. This also means . . . Gateway is the nearest mall!

So off we went to Gateway after a weird heavy feeling on my left arm where the flu vac shot was injected. He he he, kahit masakit, shopping pa rin! Gateway trek meant visiting Rustans supermarket. There used to be a piano-like playing area here where the Selecta freezer is. Now its been transformed into a mini playground with a kiddie slide and benches for mommy, yaya and lola to sit down and relax as the kids shout and shriek in glee as they slide away! The neighboring Bon Appetit cafe was also full of people sipping coffee eating some pastries and doing business. You'll notice they have paper docs on their tables and really discussing. Mhen! How times have changed! Now people do business in coffee shops and make money . . . thank God for Starbucks! Which if you've been to Rustan's Gateway you very well know there's one beside it, was also jampacked with the weekend crowd!

I did my usual rounds to check on my product category which is SKIN CARE (I work for Unilever Phils., Inc) -- my comments will be seen in my office email by Tue. Rustans Gateway has always struck me as a modern and functional smkt for commuters and those who want to do their grocery shopping fast. The two entrances of the smkt opens up to the MRT and the Gateway mall. Its product ranges are complete. The major brands are available and specialised beauty products like our masstige Ponds line of Age Miracle and Flawless White and if you check out the beverage and the milk ranges -- quite complete despite the size of this smkt. They also have frozen meat and deli for those quick meals that need to be prepared, and fresh flowers -- to brighten up a loved-one's day!

Also, in case you dont know, the Rustans chain have extra services on top of the usual gift wrapping and courtesy booth, you can actually get mass cards in their customer service counters. Not so sure yet if all branches have it but I've gone to Rockwell just for this on several occasions. Let me check on this and report back to you.
My trip in Rustans just took me 15 mins, after that I was off to the mall to check out the shops. Lots of the shops were on sale, the Lacoste shoe shop had a "pila" system outside their entrance . . . he he he, I got my last Lacoste shoes there on SALE!

We stayed in Gateway for two hours, left for Megamall because the crowd in Araneta were wild as it was the Pinoy Big Brother Final Night. Had to go and watch NARNIA somewhere else. But wait, Jane went to Gateway and didnt visit Watsons and Shopwise? Well, I did, but will reserve my write up 'till next time . . .

ENJOY SHOPPING!

Mrs Jane B
June 7, 2008