I love freebies!

I just had my shopping spree at Trinoma last weekend which gave me 3 charge slips above 2k each on my Standard Chartered credit card. Immediately, I know what I will redeem. #AlamNa lol.

Espresso Jelly medium drink from Seattle's Best. Here's the promo of Standard Chartered if you prefer other  freebies.

Got this couple watch free from Timex, courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB). I was issued with a combo credit card, a Platinum and a Gold card which shares the same credit limit. It’s like SCB just gives us a choice what color of card we prefer to swipe, to flash or to use on purchases.

I used to be an SCB credit card holder but got pissed with their customer service that I decided to have it discontinued. That was 6 years ago. Now, they have improved (pwera usog!) and offers freebies on certain single-receipt purchases. What I love best is the free Seattle’s Best Coffee for a minimum purchase of P2,500.

Back to the watches, it’s good for daily use and I like the classic look. I think this pair costs around P2,500 to P3,000. Not bad for a freebie.

I am one of the lucky early birds who had a chance to avail the P88 promo of GO Hotel Bacolod.
Such a great coincidence that I have booked a flight to Bacolod on July 25-29, 2012.

What a steal! It's only P88 + 12% VAT, that's more or less 100 bucks. But there's a catch, the rates are only applicable on weekdays, weekend rates starts at P588 + 12% VAT.

Go Hotel Bacolod is located at the back of Robinsons Mall. It is not along Lacson Street contrary to what is stated at their website. Go Hotel Bacolod address

Upon arrival at Silay Airport at 10:15am via Cebu Pacific, I head off straight to GO Hotel for an early check-in.  I arrived there at around 11am.  Here's the facade:

Go Hotel facade

The customer service counter has only one staff to accommodate walk-in queries and hotel guests. I immediately handed my hotel bookings and asked if I can check-in early or just leave my luggage.  The staff instructed me to wait while pointing at the seats.  I sat and patiently waited.

After 20 minutes, I noticed that she had already entertained around 4 walk-in queries. I approached her again and she suddenly remembered me! Aha! So she has totally forgotten to get back to me. Gawd! I had to be patient, I don't want to ruin my trip. She requested me to wait for a few minutes more because their luggage counter was still not open. That explains it.

Go Hotel customer service counter

After several minutes more, the staff happily announced to me that I can now leave my luggage upon payment of P50.00.  I handed her P50.00 and had a lunch at Robinsons.

I went back at 2pm for check-in and still had to wait for about 10 minutes before the key card was handed to me.

Here are the shots I took.

the touch panel of elevator

inside the elevator, still touch panel.

No need to dip to open, all you need is to tap the key card.

Insert the key card for power.

The mini-hallway 

the shower control

Sorry, I forgot to take a shot of the sink and the mirror. There's one electric outlet where you can plug your hair drier or electric shaver. There's also a free shampoo and soap which are good for one-time use. Two towels are also provided.

the shower above!

29" Devant LCD TV with cable subscription

queen size bed with 4 pillows!

And finally, the view from my window.

Overlooking the newly constructed Robinsons City Walk.

Busily painting the walls.

 I still have some pictures to upload.

There's also a nook, with one chair, where you can write or put your laptop. I used it to put my knick-knacks and junk foods, lol.

By the way, as of this writing, the hotel has still no telephone land line (weird for a business). So, all transactions are done via email or walk-in queries.

BRB.

Recently, I had zit attacks on my chin area. Maybe due to stress and poor eating habits. I wanted to get rid of it in an instant, that's why I head off to Watson's.

I found this gel patch by Purederm, and I know I have to try this...

Purederm Spot Reducer gel patches.  It says it contains 30 patches.

Cautions written at the side of the packaging box

Back portion of the packaging box indicating the instructions and ingredients.

Inside is a foil-plastic pack that contains the gel patches.  Each packet contains 10 patches.

Here at the patches. It's kinda dark for my skin tone.

  

And here are the bad zits! Sorry, it looks gross! 

Thanks to the patches, it "hides and covers" the zits.

Price:  Php99.00
Where to buy:  Watson's
 Is it effective?  No. Based on my experience, I had almost used up the whole box before my zits dried up.
Would I buy it again? Yes, but not for the "instant zit removal." I'll just it to protect my zits from wind and dust.
Recommendation:  I hope they will come up with other shades that will match various skin tones.

It was my plan to give out these Red Swan grilled ensaymadas to my friends last Christmas, but since the store has a hard time keeping up with the reservations, I opted to give out other goodies.

I had a good and bad times claiming my Ensogo vouchers here (I bought 6).

First time (2nd week of January):  I was within the area and, I remembered I had with me the vouchers.  So, we went there with my friends to check their place at around 8pm. It was closed. We thought. "Hmmm....bakit kaya sarado? Ang aga pa, ah!"

Second time (1st week of January):  Again, we were within the area and decided to take a look at the resto.  Guess what? It was CLOSED, again!  We asked the men across the street if the resto already closed down. "Nagtataka nga rin po kami bakit lagi silang sarado." they said. My friend who also bought some vouchers said, "Baka nalugi na sila dahil sa Ensogo." We tried to call the numbers but nobody's answering.

The next day, we called up their resto.  They said that they closed early for the week.  I told them that they should have posted it on their Facebook page.  Anyway, we reserved for 4 boxes of ensaymadas for pick-up.

Pick-up date:  No hassle this time. The resto is open but no other customers. It was just us -- solong solo, lol!

We also had a dinner there and ordered okoy, pesto pasta, and slow-cooked baby back ribs.

crunchy okoy!

pesto pasta that's "malabsa"

And here's the 6 pcs. ensaymadas that we claimed.  Hmmmm, did you also noticed that it's kinda small if you will get these for a regular price? (Regular price for this pack is P314).

6 pcs Red Swan ensaymada via Ensogo

yummy!

I think this is not really a deal since the price is just right for the size. As for the taste, it's just okay. A typical ensaymada for me with added toppings.

Will I buy again? Maybe, if I will pass by the area. 

Will I recommend it? If you want to try ensaymada with creamy Toblerone chocolate toppings then this is for you.

Everytime I pass by Watson's, I can't help not to check what's on their Buy 1, Take 1 promo. And when I saw that Labworks Oil Control Film is on sale, I know I have to stock up.  

I got it for 149.00. Whoa! That's a 50% increase from their previous price of P99.00. 

Labworks Oil Control Film is comparable to J&J's Clean and Clear Oil Control Film and Gatsby Oil Control Film. (These are all made in Japan, anyway). Each pack contains 60 pcs. of 5.5 x 8.5 cm film. It has a dispenser that's similar to post-it. Sticky enough to pick a piece.

Like:

- Price 

- Always on promo - buy 1, take 1 at Watson's

- Quality - as I've mentioned, it's comparable to J&J's Clean and Clear Oil Control Film and Gatsby Oil Control Film.

Dislike:

NONE.  

Though it is only available at Watson's, I am always near one, lol. That's not a problem to me. 

I’m a coffee addict, can’t live without drinking cups and mugs of it. But lately I am controlling my addiction due to health reasons. I am just taking two cups per day – one in the morning, the other one in the afternoon. 

If I am in the mood, I would brew at home or buy “expensive” coffees (read: Starbucks, etc.). But on my lazy days, 3-in-1 will suffice.  I am a Nescafe fanatic then, but I got so familiar with the taste that I decided to try other instant coffees. There’s the San Mig coffee variants and Kopiko. I love San Mig coffee though everytime I take a cup of it, I have to remind myself that it is not coffee beer, lol! On Kopiko, I love its strong coffee taste but I find it lately boring. So, when I found Great Taste White Coffee at the SM grocery today, this made me smile and decided to buy a pack (10 pcs.) for P51.50.

front packaging -- white for white coffee!

back packaging

Hmmm.. so I gave it a try this afternoon and here’s the verdict. 

It’s creamy and soft in taste, though not comparable enough with the Malaysian white coffees (Ipoh coffee). It is not too sweet either, which I love. The aroma is sweet, more like a chocolate drink because it actually looks one, though much lighter in color. 

fine powder and so creammmmy! 

light coffee, almost chocolatey!

Packaging wise, the color white contrasts the usual color of the coffee packaging – brown and black, making it stand out on the shelves. It is also easy to open! This is a big plus for me because I hate those sachets that are not easy to open.

Overall, it’s worth the money. An affordable price for a white coffee.  

New Year. New calendars.

TNT gave me a desk calendar which I find so cute. Well, it's not extraordinary but I like the last few flaps because it is helpful.

See, it is like a status / notice of my whereabouts. Instead of writing on a post-it note and pasting it on my monitor, I'll just choose where am I.
The caricatures are cute.

I love ice cream and sweets but I hate its calories. In our office, I have been wondering why our cafeteria does not carry ice creams nor bubble teas, when they serve almost all kinds of dishes. Until one day, my wish is granted. We now have a yogurt stand inside our cafeteria! Wooot! Much better than ice cream -- YOGORINO

It's not frozen yogurt but YOGORINO, that's all. That's their famous tagline. It is an Italian company that campaigns healthy living through probiotics.

Here in the Philippines, they have opened in Cebu (Yogorino-Phils.) and in our cafeteria (stand only); though I still don't know who is the franchisee in our cafeteria.

Anyway, it's affordable. A small cup costs P45.00 and the large one costs P75.00. Toppings costs P15.00 each -- fresh fruits or chocolates, puffed rice, mini Smarties and chocolate curls. They also sell soft ice cream in cup or belgian cones at P15.00.

small yogurt with blackberry toppings -- P60.00

I'll post more pics whenever I will try another toppings. Oftentimes, ubos na kaya no more shot taken, lol.

My friends went to Korea last week and got me these for pasalubong! Weeeeeee! What else but BB creams!

Tony Moly Premium Snail BB cream and Nature's Republic Snail Therapy BB cream. Yes, its SNAIL creams -- suso / kuhol thingy lol.

They bought the Tony Moly pair/set for KRW50,000 (approx. P1,900) with free 3 facial masks, while the Nature's Republic is approximately P900. 

I'll do a separate review on these beauty products.  For now, I have to finish eating the korean chocolates first! *chomp* 

I saw this new food card at MRT-Ortigas Station.  Quite intriguing but obvious that it sells chicken foodies!  Price ranges from P15-P50. Affordable and can be pamatid-gutom for those who are on the go.

Above picture was taken last 5 January 2012, talo si Siomai dahil nasa kabilang side siya. Most flock their hunger to Tik-Tilaok.

Guess what? After a few days, I saw a direct competition between Tik-Tilaok and Siomai House. Siomai House moved beside Tik-tilaok!

I still have to try Tik-Tilaok, maybe one day kapag hindi ako late at tumatakbo papasok ng office, lol.

Finally!  Na-avail ko na ang Ensogo voucher ko -- unlimited warts removal sa D’ Spa and Skin Center.  Bought it for P499.00 and valid daw yun per area, meaning I can choose from face, neck, chest or abdomen.  I chose to have it done on my face and then, nag-add ako ng P500 para include na rin ang neck.

Sa main office/ branch nila sa Project 8 ako nagpa-reserve, below is their address and contact numbers.

D’ Spa and Skin Center 

48 Short Horn Street, Barangay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City

Phone Nos.  (02) 453-0739 or 0918-2780495

How to get there:

From Muñoz Market (Roosevelt-EDSA), sakay ka ng jeep na may signboard na Project 8.  Dadaan yun sa Shorthorn St., since dun talaga ang ruta nila.  Right side siya and kahilera ng Mightee Mart. Hindi ka makakarating ng Road 20. Where’s Road 20? Kapag nakita mo yung McDonald’s, Road 20 na yun at ibig sabihin lagpas ka na! Kailangan mo na maglakad or sumakay pabalik.

The Experience:

I arrived there 15 minutes late kasi lumagpas ako!  Umuulan and hindi kasi naka-on yung signage nila kaya hindi ko napansin na lumagpas na pala ako. Ngayon, alam niyo na kung bakit nilagyan ko ng direction on how to get there, lol. 

Since, I did a reservation the day before, naisalang naman ako agad.  Just waited mga 5 minutes para iprepare yung room. And voila! Start na ng session. 

Maliit lang yun room, mga 6sqm, and with 2 beds inside.  Merong isang girl na for facial kaya meron akong kasama sa mini room nila.  Okay lang ang ambience, napansin ko amoy kulob yung clinic.  Hindi siya yung usual na amoy aromatic scents. 

The Procedure:

1. Inapplyan ni beauty attendant ang face ko ng topical cream anesthesia, then tinatakpan niya yun ng adhesive plastic tape (read:  scotch tape) na nakalagay pa sa tape dispenser, lol.  Oo, yung scotch tape mismo kaya puro plastic ang fez ko nun.

 2. Kelangan daw ma-absorb yung anesthesia kaya I have to wait for 30-45 minutes.  Iniwan muna ako ni beauty attendant. Nabato at todo bored ako promise. Walang wifi sa room, no reading materials. Wala ako sa mood to take a nap kaya naglinis na lang ako ng incoming messages sa cp ko. At sa kabatuhan ko, napagbalingan ko ng pansin yung girl na iniwan with facial mask. Natuwa ako kasi parang may tunaw na ice cream sa mukha niya.

mudpack beauty! hindi maayos pagkakalagay ng facial mask, tsk!
parang tunaw na ice cream hehehe...

3. After 45 minutes, sa wakas, bumalik si beauty attendant! Inalis niya isa-isa yung tape sa face ko then gently wipes the anesthesia cream with a cotton. By area ang punas niya then cauterize. Hindi siya ganun kasakit pero ramdam minsan na parang kinakagat ka ng langgam na malalaki, lol! Tapos amoy sunog. I asked the beauty attendant if ano ang voltage ng ina-apply niya sa face ko, hindi daw niya alam.

sunog dito, sunog dun!

4. It took about 20 minutes bago matapos ang pagcauterize sa mga salbaheng warts na nasa face and neck ko. Then, she applied post ECT cream which she calls anti-inflammatory.

5. Punta ko sa counter to pay the additional P500 fee for the neck and bought the Post ECT cream which I have to apply until mawala ang mga tigidig sa face ko. It costs P200.

The verdict:

Mukha na akong may bulutong. Hopefully, walang maiwang scars ito.  *cross fingers*

Score: 5.0 highest; 1.0 lowest

Service - 3.5 / 5 (okay lang, passing grade na)

Location - 4/5 (accessible to public transport - jeep and taxi)

Treatment done - to be determined pa, if hindi ako magkakapeklat.  *grin*

Value for money - 4/5 (I saw lower deals compared to this one).

Will I go back?  Maybe, if this treatment is successful.