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Showing posts from January 11, 2020

When the longing for authentic Pinoy dishes strikes in the U.S., Isla Grand stands ready to transport your taste buds back to the Philippines.

Carmina is traveling to the United States to spend time with her family. My dad planned a family gathering for Mother's Day at their favorite Pinoy restaurant . Since reservations aren’t possible, we arrived an hour early to ensure we could get a table for twelve before everyone else showed up. As my dad approached Isla Grand , the branch we visited in Pleasant Hills, California , the host at the door said they could prepare a table for twelve at five o'clock. Later, the server called my dad's name and guided us to our table. The place was bustling with people enjoying meals and celebrating Mother's Day. On our first visit to Isla Grand, I was captivated by the décor, noticing many native items that gave the place a fancy yet authentic Filipino feel. They usually have a live band, but unfortunately, there was no entertainment the night we went. My family had spoken highly of Isla Grand and encouraged us to try the Filipino dishes we’ve been missing from back home. Lech...

Bad Experience Flying

I am not sure if I am the only one has encountered a bad experience when flying out from Manila or any other country. I have several stories to share with you that have happened in the past. Story # 1 : During this time, we're riding Business Class from Philippine Airlines heading to San Francisco. Our plane had problems with the engine and was told it would be repaired enough time for us to fly. It ended up waiting so long our flight was postponed during the next day. There we're other passengers complaining because they had to attend a meeting and other couldn't control them being impatient. Philippine Airlines was offering us a hotel accommodation, but I figure I would rather get picked up by the driver and return back the next day. I had emailed my sister to inform her that our flight was postponed. Story # 2 : Mom Violy and I were leaving for Amsterdam. Mom Violy was already having a bad day. I remembered mom Violy had already converted our...

Blackout Curtains

So often living in a tropical climate we need a curtain to block off the sun from our eyes as we enter our bedroom. Even though you have curtains it still gets hot in our rooms when we are still using air conditioner.  How do you keep your bedroom from absorbing heat from your window? Blackout curtains that absorbs the heat out from your room Where can you purchase it in the Philippines ? Available in Tutuban in the second floor for the home How much does it cost ? It all depends on the size of your window Tip : It is best to measure your window and give allowance from the top and the bottom of your floor. Measure the width of your window for the window rod to hold on to your curtain and most rods are extendable. Most curtain rods come in variety of color from white, black gold and silver. There are varieties of colors to choose on your blackout curtains. I've seen in the internet they also offer this is the States and can also be ...

Lazada Online Shopping

Lazada is also a online shopping that is popular here in the Philippines. I also shop here and compare the price difference from Shopee. Sometimes you can find better items that Shopee doesn't have and other times you can find more imported goods in Lazada the only difference they don't provide free shipping. The shipping cost varies starting from PHP 50.00 ($1.00) and up. Lazada is also an application you can download in your playstore.  Sign up by giving your full name, address, email and contact number. The membership is free. In the search located on the top you can type what item you are looking for Click Search Scroll down on the screen and look which item you are interested in all the details will explain what your item is all about. There is a chat box on the lower bottom of your screen if you have any question regarding the item you would like to purchase It is always best to look on the review on other people who have already bought the item. ...

Shopee Online Shopping

Shopee was launch in Singapore and was expanded in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. That is why when you shop here you mostly see items in these four countries.  By, now you are probably wondering what is Shopee that I keep talking about in my blog? Shopee has been the popular application I have been using from my phone over two years. My friend Yann was the one who had introduced me to online shopping that gets delivered to your home from cash on delivery or you pay ahead. I prefer COD short cut from cash on delivery. Sometimes we are afraid to pay ahead because you are not certain if the seller will really send the item to you right away. The reason why I love shopping at Shopee because when gasoline is expensive you don't need to worry going outside your home to go out and run to the store. There are sometimes the item you are looking for is not there and you find it easier to just purchase it online. I've bought so many things online ...

Filipino Tradition

There goes a saying that the Filipino people love giving pasalubong (gifts) when they are traveling or returning back from their country. No matter what there is always something people expect from you even if you have only been away for a short time. It is a custom where we always seem to buy something memorable from our trip. I have relatives that come from the States and they always have a pasalubong to give me no matter if I am also from there. To us it is way to show is gratitude to each other. I have a close friend from the States she always ask me why I always give her a gift even if it is not her birthday. I just said, just because I want too. It is not like she is obligated to give me a gift in return. We have different means to express ourselves not by words but to give them something we feel they would like coming from our home town. Just like when I travel to another country I always have something for my employees it just shows something to them they took...