Planner season has arrived and if you're like me, you've started looking for a new one right now. Good thing there are a lot of options out there, from cheap, no-name brands to those expensive ones you have to pay shipping for.

If you're still thinking of options, consider the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Giving Journal.


More than getting your delicious coffee and planner fix, you're also helping send kids to school. It's a great advocacy to support, especially in this season we call the 'Season of Giving'.

This resonates so deeply with me as I really believe that education is the the key to getting out of poverty, and in turn to a better Philippines. And if I can help, even if only a little, I wouldn't hesitate.

Going to the event with my friend and fellow blogger made it more fun.

With a series of launch events throughout the country, CBTL hopes to promote their new planner designs and share their vision on the meaning of giving.

It's my first time to attend their event, and it's very well organized. Also, there was no dull moment as the event was entertaining and interactive.


It was an intimate event with less than 50 invited guests. There were a lot of activities, too, so the launch was not all about promotion but also a way for the guests to enjoy and maybe meet some new people.

Posting on social media, some question and answer portion, and an arts and craft time was all in the program.



In between, CBTL's Marketing team spoke about the new journal and their partnership with Real LIFE Foundation to send kids through college.


The 2018 Giving Journals are available 3 solid colors of green, grey, and blue, with debossed designs that reflect CBTL's coffees and teas. Inside, the pages are filled with quotes and statements to inspire you throughout the year.

With one of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's marketing team, Ms. Mel

As this is also the 10th year of the Giving Journal, CBTL also created a customizable cover.

You can redeem your own 2018 Giving Journal by collecting ONLY 12 stamps at any The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf store nationwide beginning October 21, 2017.

I won in one of their social media contests. Wee!

Taking cue from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's central theme of Leave a Legacy, I would like to believe that from today, I will choose to look at life more positively and be more grateful for the things I have.

This is a late post. But as they say, better late than never!

For the second time this year, I was lucky enough to get invited to the Blogapalooza. I have been going to the event since  2013, or was it 2014? Anyway, I was excited when I got the invite for so many reasons.

First, I will be forced to write a new blog post, which will keep my blog active. Nothing like being duty-bound to have new content on your site, eh?

Second, I will get to spend some time with my fellow blogger and friend, Hits and Mrs. Ever since she changed careers and left me at our old jobs, I haven't seen her. It will be nice to catch up with some gossip and political stuff (God knows I have so little to share in the department, but I'm willing to listen to other people).

Third, I'm not going to be a hypocrite and deny that I'm looking forward to the freebies I will be getting. It doesn't really matter if it's a pen or notepad, I just like to hoard freebies and give them away to friends and family.




Fourth, I feel like it's a tradition now. I've been going every year since 2013 or 2014 and I'd be sad to miss one.

Last, it's a great chance to meet other bloggers, although, I'm really too shy to just exchange information with some other bloggers. I probably should try, though.

So, how did the event go?

Well, to start with, the venue--Novotel in Araneta Center, Cubao--is convenient for me since I live in Quezon City. I was expecting it to be in one of the function rooms like previous events. But I was surprised that it was an outdoor setting, beside the hotel's swimming pool.




Don't get me wrong it was a nice place, but it was too hot for an outdoor event. I didn't even linger in some sponsor booths because the sun was simply scalding! I was there from about 11 am to 1 pm. I could've stayed longer if it wasn't so hot!

There was an air-conditioned tent though, which was reserved for talks from the sponsors. It was a welcome reprieve to be in there from time to time, but it's really bad for my migraine. It's one of my triggers. So, I had to remember to keep it to a minimum.




One of the things I noticed is that the number of sponsors are dwindling. I think it was an improvement from the earlier Blogapalooza event, the one in Centris. But comparing to previous years, it certainly has dwindled.






There were the usual sponsors like Victoria Court, Chemworld Fragrance Factory, Skin Station, Tag, and even Krispy Kreme came back! But there were new players as well, including ShapeCloud, Pangalan.com, GoMoto, MyCure, and My Marianas PH.








Going to this stint alone without my blogger-in-crime, Dompy, was a bit daunting. But I put on my go-get-'em attitude and played the many games the sponsors offered. Some I won prizes, some I lost, but I had fun all the same. And despite the heat.

I didn't take a picture of the loot I've gotten during the event, but I thank all the sponsors. I hope to see a bigger, more exciting, and COOLER Blogapalooza next year!

I've been saying this for a couple of years now, I want to start working from home ASAP. So, I can spend more time with my son, Joaquin, and watch over his progress in school. And it's only in April-May that I started to do something about it. Applying for full-time work-from-home jobs (I still have to interview for one that pays decently. Not asking for a lot, but some are just too low!), getting more freelance work from Upwork, and then just last week, attending the Work-at-Home Expo.


The event was held at the Bayanihan Events Center in Pasig. Dompy of Hits and Mrs, a friend and fellow mom, and I attended the expo as a general audience. We paid 100 pesos for that and decided we would forgo the specialized talks due to budget constraints. Even though we only attended the general talks, I learned a few things from the speakers.

First, take the leap. If you are like me, a member of the 8-to-5 workforce for years, leaving the safety of steady work and regular monthly paycheck is scary. Maybe even a little nightmarish. Add to that the responsibility of bringing up a child in this hard, hard world. One of the benefits that keep me from taking the leap is the security of being covered by an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), which I've extended to my son.

Good thing, though, there are companies that provide health coverage and insurance for freelancers. One of them is Horsepower, among the more affordable options out there with plans starting for as low as PHP999 per year. There's also BlueCross for something more comprehensive, albeit more costly. Up to you how much you are willing to spend for healthcare.

Some of the exhibitors during the Workshop, including Horsepower

Second thing I learned, do some prep work and then hard work. Though no amount of prep work can ever guarantee your success on a WAH set up. You have to do the hard work. Don't wait for opportunity to knock on your door, go out and look for it.

Some of the hardworking WAHMs

Third, and the one that stuck to me the most, was said by Anna Meloto-Wilk of Human Heart Nature (I say "Heart", but she only says Human Nature): Find a need and fill it. This is what inspired her to create and grow one of the best organic/natural product brands that is affordable and proudly made in the Philippines.

Even now as I think about this, I go back to all the times I've said, "Wish we had this in the Philippines." Or, "Wish I could buy a cheaper version of this." Would I have been able to create something from that and make it big? I wouldn't know if I don't try, right?

Anna Meloto-Wilk of Human Heart Nature

Fourth, find balance in your work (at home) and in your life. Because you are all at once, a child of God, a wife (or daughter), and a parent. You are juggling all these personas with different responsibilities and needs. You don't want to spread yourself too thin, but you also don't want to just focus a lot of your time and energy on just one thing.

Marilen Montenegro--blogger, interior designer, and model--gave tips on how to better manage your home life. Planning the day ahead and developing a system ensures that you will get things done on schedule, and you won't miss out on anything. Then, use the resources you have. Delegate tasks if you can't accommodate all that needs to be done, and use mobile technology so you can work wherever you are if needed.

Marilen Montenegro talks about balancing work, home, and heart

Last, money is the least of your problems. What?! No way! Yes way. Why? Because there are tons of options and help out there. There are investors who can help fund your business ideas. One such person is Joe Maristela, an Angel Investor and founder of Katalyst.ph. He actually started his business in their garage/living room at home, so you can bet he understands the hardships and challenges of putting up a new business.

Joe Maristela speaks about how he started a business from his house

My key take away from his talk: sound professional. Even if you are running a business in your garage or home office/kitchen/den, talk as if you are working in an office. It makes you more credible, thus gain you new clients.

Yada, yada, yada. Let's get to the fun part of the WAH Expo: the freebies! Yep. I did get a lot of free stuff from the booth exhibitors. I even won 2 bottles of Cycles baby products. Weee! Sadly, I wasn't able to take pictures of the things I got from the expo. Suffice it to say, I ended up with a sore shoulder from carrying the bag of stuff home.

I did buy a few items like back issues of Travel magazine, an infinity scarf, and yummy orange cheesecake cookies from Isabel Bakes. That cookie is yum! I devoured the pack of cookies in like 10 minutes. No kidding.

It was a great day all in all. And I got to take home some valuable information from the talks.

It was a good day for a scrumptious lunch. And I had the best one yet, thanks to the Let's Meat Up event held at Kitchen 1B in Makati. I was able to fill my stomach with top-notch beef and lamb from Australia through dishes prepared by US-based food blogger and Asian food proponent Malou Perez-Nievera (SkiptoMalou).

The luncheon table made up of guest bloggers, MLA, and Kitchen 1B peeps

Showcasing different meat cuts in 5 easy-to-prepare dishes (even busy moms can do it), Ms. Malou churned out one luscious delight after another.

In the kitchen, demoing how to cook Aussie beef and giving tips

While demonstrating how easy it is to cook top-grade beef from Australia, Ms. Malou was also dishing out tips and tricks, such as substituting lemongrass with calamansi rind. She said that we don't need to be a stickler to using every ingredient on the recipe, especially when you're already cooking with great meat.

It wasn't long before food is coming out of the kitchen. And here is the first dish: Australian Beef Sirloin with Hoisin and Fish Sauce Reduction.


The beef was a perfect medium rare, cooked 5 and 4 (5 minutes on one side and 4 minutes on the other). It was topped with the reduction sauce and peanuts. Yes, peanuts. With a side dish of steamed veggies. It was easy to slice and the taste was excellent, if a little on the salty side. It was great with the veggies, though. It was just the right size, too.

Next, another delicious steak recipe. An upgraded version of sisig, if you will, but a super chunky one. Mango Tango Australian Beef Tenderloin.

The sosyal version of sisig, a fave Filipino dish

This one I really, really loved. The combination of taste--sweet from the ripe mango, tangy from the sauce and tomato, and salty from the tenderloin--was just PERFECT. The tenderloin was cut in bite-size pieces, so you can fill a spoon up with all the ingredients in. Now, if they served this first I would've devoured it in minutes (and would have left no more space for the other 3 dishes. Sad.). And because I like this a lot, I'm going to share the recipe at the end of this review.

Just a few minutes after the Mango Tango dish was served, the next one was being brought out. This time it's Sesame Meat Balls with Sweet and Sour Sauce.


It was a regular meat ball dish but was made tastier by using premium Australian ground beef. And take note, the meat balls were not fried, they were baked! Which is probably why it didn't lose any of its taste. Plus, it's healthier. The sauce, too, made the dish stand out, contrasting with the savoriness of the meat. It was your typical meat ball made extraordinary by the cooking method and the premium meat used.

After this round, I was so full I could only drink water. So, it took me a while to taste the next meal that came out: Australian Beef Wrapped Shrimp on Chili Gravy.


This combination of meat and shrimp is perfect for cocktails. In fact, you can serve it in a glass like the image above. Again, the meat was tender and the whole dish was seasoned well. The addition of the chili gravy was just what it needed to add a little something to the food.

The last meal was something I've never eaten before. It was Grilled Lamb Chops, made with Australian lamb in red wine and truffle sauce. And it was superb! I mean, it was tender and juicy. To me, it tasted like pork, only 10,000 times better. I could've eaten more of this but was too full to take more than 2 bites. But at least I was able to savor it. They serve this at Kitchen 1B for almost PHP 2,000.

Lamb chops, yummmmm!

The other dish Ms. Malou Nievera cooked was the Breakfast Tapa Burrito, perfect for those leftover steaks from last night. Sadly, I wasn't able to taste this as there wasn't any more space in my tummy.

Kitchen 1B also served Goat Cheese Salad, organic popcorn, vegetable spring roll, onion rings, and a couple of desserts (Blueberry Cheesecake, and I think choco pie).

Organic popcorn, salted just right

Veggie spring rolls with apricot sauce

BIIIIG onion rings

Goat cheese salad,beets, and peppery arugula

Mouthwatering viands aside, with this intimate luncheon, MLA hopes to promote high-quality beef and lamb meats from Australia and its health benefits. With Malou Nievera's easy recipes, busy working moms or even stay-at-home moms can serve their kids and husbands with great tasting meals any time. It sure made me want to try the Mango Tango, the recipe of which I'm now going to share with you.

Mango Tango Australian Beef Tenderloin

Ingredients:
1 to 1.5 kilos Australian beef tenderloin
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
salt and pepper
2 tbsp oilve oil

Mango Tango:
1 pc medium mango, cubed
1 pc medium tomato, cubed
1/4 tsp freshly grated ginger
onions sliced

Sauce:
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/3 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
Thai bird's eye chili

Procedure:
1. Preheat grill to medium high. Season meat generously with salt and pepper. Lather with olive oil. Sear the sides of beef until it's nice and brown.
2. Lower heat and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, depending of the thickness of the meat.
3. Remove meat from grill and brush with butter.
4. Mix the sauce.
5. Toss the mango tango and sliced beef tenderloin in the sauce.

They say the best things in life are free. But not everything is free, right? You can get closer though, with ZAP, a rewards card that gives you up to 20% cashback points for every purchase you make at a partner merchant.

You don't even need a card to earn your rewards with ZAP because all you have to do is enter your registered mobile number at a ZAP terminal inside the merchant store. And registration couldn't have been made easier and simpler. Just go to ZAP's website www.zap.com.ph and sign up for an account. Then, download the free mobile app so you can have a list of accredited establishments right at your fingertips. Easy, no?

The ZAPtag you can stick on your phone and ZAP terminal

How does it work? Simple. When you buy or eat or use the services of a ZAP partner merchant and enter your mobile at the ZAP terminal you get the cashback reward for the amount you spent. Say, for example, you spent PHP 1,000 at Burgoo, which gives 5% cashback points, you earn 50 points or PHP 50 back. You can accumulate points or cash and use it to pay for your next purchase at a partner store.

There are over 450 establishments where you can use ZAP. These include Converse, Happy Lemon, Jipan, Red Mango, Kichitora, Banana Leaf, Beyond the Box, Shang Cineplex, Sugarhouse, Pepper Lunch, and Elorde Boxing Gym to name a few.

Want to watch a movie? Just enter the promo code GHCINEMA when you dowload the app from the Play Store or the App Store and get 50% cashback at the Greenhills Cinema. Kaching, kaching!

Thanks to Blogapalooza 2014 I discovered ZAP and was able to register at their booth. Now, I can start earning points and use it to pay for my next massage session.

Reinventing the buffet concept in the country to match those in the international scene is NIU by Vikings. The stylish, elegant restaurant is located on the 6th floor of SM Aura Premiere and offers an upscale dining experience fit for the rich and famous.

Thanks to the Blogapalooza 2014 I was able to experience, a little, of what it feels like to dine here. NIU offered a tour of the restaurant between services (lunch and dinner) for bloggers who signed up at their booth at the event.

Marketing Director Charles Stewart Lee at the NIU booth at Blogapalooza

A glimpse of what you can eat at NIU

NIU, the Viking word for nine, delights with an array of meals from grilled seafood, roasted meats, Japanese and Chinese cuisines, and pastries.

Sushi and maki at the Japanese station

More Japanese goodness

I love the chalkboard sign

Seafood grill station. Yuh-uh-mmy!

For dessert (my favorite), they have soft-serve ice cream, gelato, milk and white chocolate fountains, mini-cakes, and fruits.

Milk and white chocolate fountain with the fun stuff you can dip in it

Bluberry cheesecake with strawberry on top

Mango pastry with a delicious fruit pastille on top

For drinks, they serve cocktails, sub-zero draft beer, several juices, soda, and wine. Yes. Wine. In unlimited supply.

Below zero draft beer

Recipe for disaster (hangover)

The bar with cocktail recipes and a selection of wine

 
Being a coffee lover, I remember noticing that they have 2 espresso machines that automatically grinds fresh beans and makes you espresso. They also have a variety of Twinings tea.

Espresso machine 1

An array of Twinings tea

Espresso machine 2

The tour NIU prepared for bloggers lasted just a few minutes, and at the end, we were given a chance to taste a few of their appetizers and desserts. Woohoo! I wasn't expecting it though, I just thought we'd go through a tour--which was a little bit disorganized--and that's it.

Plush chairs and elegant decor all around

Table setting for 4

I want to bring this home :(

It's all in the details, y'all

The piano at the heart of the restaurant

Here's my plate. First, the ones of the black serving dishes (counter clockwise order): Gindara Teriyaki (fish) on a slice of carrot; Lechon Macau with mustard and cucumber (a surprising and delicious mix of flavor I want to try with a regular lechon); Stromboli with some sweet cheese and ham (i think) on a creamy sauce; and super yummy Sushi.


There's the Mango pastry whose green tea bottom keeps getting left behind and wouldn't stick with the rest of the cake. It was ok. Nothing to rave about. Then the Blueberry Cheesecake, whose texture I didn't like, also tasted blah. IMHO, Sara Lee's tasted better.


The Sisig on top on the mini-baguette slice (middle of the plate) was also yummy. I should've gotten more of this, but was too shy because this is just free. Then, IMO, the star of this plate, the Roast Beef with the sauce on top of a mini-baguette slice. Wow! I tasted chewy, soft roast beef with an aftertaste of wasabi. Something I've never tasted before. The sauce just completes the whole thing. It was meaty heaven. I wanted more of this. Next time, when I'm paying for my meal.

For my drink, I was debating on lemongrass and the peppermint lemon lime, but I chose peppermint, which tasted like toothpaste dissolved in water. LOL. Here's the weird part...I liked it. It was a great palate cleanser.

I wouldn't have known about NIU if wasn't for Blogapalooza because SM Aura is a little far from where I live. But I wouldn't hesitate traveling all the way here to dine at NIU with family. My sister is already intrigued and wants to try it soon.

Rates are above a thousand pesos for lunch buffet and a bit more expensive for the dinner service where they add new dishes to the menu.