Starbucks Philippines’ 14th Anniv Treat!

My fiance can have his planner

Finally!

I finally got my grades and certficates!

Course #1:

 

Course #2:

 

 

Not bad, eh?

Thanksgiving Sale

one day sale --- I just don't know the participating branches (maybe all SM malls nationwide?)

Exclusive for SM Advantage card and BDO Rewards card holders

SM Pre-Holiday Sale!

Pre-Holiday Sale

CSB – SPaCE

If there’s one thing I’ve done that I’m proud of, it would be being able to further my education and pay for my own post graduate course.

I’m a pre-med graduate, but due to financial constraints because my dad got sick, my parents were not able to send me to med school. (No regrets though). I started working as soon as I graduated. And now that I’m in the corporate work, I felt the need to study so I would not “stagnate” — not study Medicine though, but pursue a different career.

De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde in Manila offers post graduate courses for those who are working.  For those who are interested to take short courses for additional knowledge, check out DLS – CSB SPaCE.

I’m currently taking my second course under a diploma program in CSB. Here’s my class picture for my 1st short course:

SPaCE class pic

I also feel privileged to be able to go to good Catholic private schools (Dominican College San Juan for kindergarten, Don Bosco Manila from prep to high school, UST for my tertiary education, and now CSB for my post graduate studies).

Happy Happy Joy Joy = Happy Lemon

I just got home from Eastwood. Here’s a pic of the long queue at Happy Lemon:

long queue

And I also thought of getting a Happy Lemon brochure:

Happy Lemon brochure

The drinks are affordable, don’t you think?

Tags: happy lemon brochure, happy lemon drink price, Happy Lemon drinks, happy lemon menu, happy lemon price, Happy Lemon rates

I’m Engaged! ♥

My boyfriend of 5 years just proposed to me last 5 August 2011, his birthday!

My new bling! ♥

I love how simple and classic my e-ring is!

round cut solitaire diamond with VS1 clarity and I color

14K white gold --- good for everyday use

It was the birthday boy who surprised me! Hehehe…

I wanna wear the ring everyday! If only I could. But I can’t. I take the public transpo when going to work and I don’t want to risk losing my ring. And I know that this was from my fiance’s hard-earned money. [Love you, honey hon hon! Thanks for the ring! ]

 

P.S. Thank you, macro mode, for the beautiful shots of my ring. But you made my hand look old and wrinkly!

Tags: e-ring, engagement, engagement ring, proposal

Happy Lemon

My boyfriend and I are not tea drinkers. So when I heard that Happy Lemon is now in Manila, I kinda had second thoughts of asking my boyfriend to try it out. However, when a good friend of mine posted a pic of a chocolate drink from Happy Lemon on her Facebook wall, I was convinced to head to Eastwood to have a taste of it.

I just tried out Happy Lemon’s Cocoa with rock salt and cheese (regular = Php90 large=Php100). I know it sounds weird to add salt and cheese to chocolate drinks, but Happy Lemon’s Cocoa with rock salt and cheese is just so delicious. It’s love! ♥♥♥

When drinking Cocoa with rock salt & cheese, make sure not to use a straw so you’ll enjoy your order.

sorry for the bad photo

My boyfriend tried out Happy Lemon’s Mango and Orange Yogurt Mousse Spin (regular = Php90 large=Php100). According to him, it’s really good, too.

 

Happy Lemon branches:

G/F Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan
4/F Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City

Soon to Open:
2/F Archaeology Wing, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati

Tags: Cocoa with rock salt and cheese, Happy Lemon, Happy Lemon Philippines

Going Krung-Krung Over Krung Thai Restaurant

Okay, the word krung-krung was “invented” by Sandara Park, a Korean who was once an actress in the Philippines and now a member of a K-Pop group, 2NE1. Anyway, krung-krung is synonymous to crazy/mad/insane/nuts,  according to her. But what I’m going to write about is not something Korean, but a Thai restaurant in Marikina.

I’ve always heard good feedback regarding Krung Thai Restaurant, one of Marikina’s best kept secrets.

Last June 11, when a good friend of mine celebrated her birthday at her place, 3-5 whole fried chickens from Krung Thai were one of the food served (her Marikeño boyfriend bought them). I really loved the taste of the chicken. It was sssooo good! So when my friend asked me to take home the untouched chicken, I gladly brought home half of the whole jumbo chicken so my family could try it. And as expected, my family loved Krung Thai’s chicken, too.

Finally, after hearing Mass at the Immaculate Concepcion Marikina last Sunday, my boyfriend and I went to Krung Thai to have lunch. And here are the food that we ordered:

Krung Thai

Simple Fried Rice - Php49

7 pieces (fat and juicy) shrimp - Php189

(Huge) Egg Omelette with Ground Pork - Php89

Krung Thai Jumbo Fried Chicken (half) - Php219

We definitely loved, not only the chicken, but all of the stuff we ordered! We were so full and we ended up taking home the untouched servings of our order (My parents loved them, too. Hahaha!).

We recommend trying out Krung Thai. The servings are big enough and the price is affordable. Although I must admit, we did not try out their Thai dishes (Pad Thai, Catfish salad, etc.) so I could not say if their Thai dishes taste good. But according to my boyfriend, the owner is Thai, so I’m thinking their food taste authetic Thai cuisine.

HOW TO GET TO KRUNG THAI:

Take the LRT (purple line) and get off at Katipunan station. Take a jeep with Calumpang (Kalumpang) sign board. After the Marikina bridge (Marikina river), the jeep would turn right at Pizza’s Smile. On the right side of the road, you will see Union Bank and Wow Legs Restaurant (before getting to Our Lady of the Abandoned). Get off at Union Bank/Wow Legs. Cross the street and go to the market building, there you would see Johnny’s sign board (this is another resto you have to try out when in Marikina). Krung Thai is just beside Johnny’s.

Take note that Krung Thai is open Mondays to Sundays from 9am to 9pm.

Tags: Krung Thai, Krung Thai Marikina, Marikina, Thai restaurant in Marikina, Thai resto in Marikina

Hindi BALI nalang, no!

My friend Chyng and her friend were harrassed by the Immigration officers of Denpasar Airport in Bali, Indonesia MAINLY because they’re Filipinos! Read their horrible experience:

http://www.chyngreyes.com/2011/06/my-traumatic-experience-as-alleged-drug.html

My Traumatic Experience as an Alleged DRUG TRAFFICKER in Bali Indonesia

For first time readers..
My name is Chyng Reyes. I graduated with a degree of Electronics and Communications Engineering in a state university in Intramuros. I work in a BPO company in MoA complex as part of Systems Development team. Im a blogger who frequently travels. And Im an individual who has never taken prohibited drugs.

      mga BINTANG-ero kayo!

My friend Dyanie and I planned an SG-Bali trip for our birthdays. We took Airphil’s Manila-SG flight last May 26, 2011.

Dyanie was held in the Immigration simply because she cant present her company ID. She was suspected na mag-paiwan sa SG to work, and never return to Pinas. This experience alone was heart pounding- though it’s only a matter of being approved and being declined to fly to SG. So what more if it’s a matter of life and death…

Last May 28, we flew from SG to Bali via Airasia.
Airasia’s airbus was full of different nationalities. But Dyanie and I were the only Filipinos on board. We landed in Denpasar airport at almost 11:40pm. We lined up in the Xray machines for our luggage to be scanned.

The moment the officer saw my passport – he carried my luggage. He asked me “is this yours?” I said yes. What could be wrong with my luggage.. The officer scanned our hands too. We don’t have any idea what’s that for so we asked him. He answered “secret”.

After he scanned our hands with that stick, he looked at me and said “come and follow me.” He looked to Dyan and said “you also.”

omg. what’s wrong?!

So in front of all passengers of Airasia that night (na malalaki ang katawan, at yung iba may tattoo, at sila pa yung mukhang harmful kesa samin), kami pa ni Dyan ang mukhang may drugs! We followed the officer because we dont have a choice. We obeyed him, as if we already did something wrong. All other passengers were staring at us..

syet.. anong meron sa bag ko. at anong marks ang nakita nya sa kamay namin? kinabahan ako. this isnt just the usual immigration thing. this is something serious!

We entered the holding room. There were 3 officers inside. 2 males and a lady officer. “Meet my Filipina friend. She was caught hiding packs of heroins in her luggage” said the officer. Sabay turo sa picture frames sa wall nila. It seemed like a gallery of drug traffickers from all over the world. He reminded me that DEATH is the PENALTY of those drug traffickers.

Paksyet. It’s matter of life and death in the hands of these Indonesian Police Officers..

They offered something to drink but we refused.
Yoko nga, baka dahil jan sa drinks na yan magkaron pa ng drugs substance sa katawan namin..

“Do you know her?” asked the officer as he was pointing to the girl in the picture frame. – I answered no.
“Did you take drugs?” – Of course not!
“Did you have drugs hidden in your body?” – What?! Never!

nagpanting yung tenga ko. galit na galit ako. at the same time nalungkot. bakit ganun, tagged na ang pinoys as drug traffickers dahil sa kasalanan ng iilan..

“Let’s check your bag”.
The officer searched my things thoroughly. I was just looking at him. He checked every compartment of my luggage too.

Ang lakas ng kaba ng dibdib ko. I knew he could frame me up. At wala na kong laban if that happens. Nasa teritoryo nila kami.
Ansama sama ng loob ko. Dahil lang Pinoy kami, instant suspect na agad kami.

After he messed with all my things and found nothing, I asked the officer what could be wrong and why was he checking us. He just answered “because the 2 of you are beautiful girls.”

putangina mo, nakikipag-cooperate kami sa inyo. naabala at napahiya na kami kanina pa. kaya sana sumagot ka ng maayos kung may tinatanong kami.

For the 3rd time, we went outside the holding room to scan my luggage. I was really very nervous (and irritated). I could imagine him almost saying that he found something in my bag. Remember, he was holding my bag all the time. I never had the chance to touch it again..

you dont trust us. and we dont trust you either. the feeling is mutual. ang advantage lang, nasa Indonesia tayo. at kayo ang may authority.

Now they looked to Dyan. The lady officer asked her if she was hiding drugs in her belly. Of course she answered no. The other officer ordered a body check on her.

as narrated by Dyan:
Gusto ko man magsabi ng ayoko ng body check, wala akong nagawa. Bansa nila yan. So sunod lang ako sa gusto nila. Pumasok kami sa Body Check Room. Inikot ko yung mata ko to check if there are surveillance cameras. Tapos ni-lock ko yung pinto. Tinanong ko si lady officer kung bakit namin to ginagawa. May 3 pinay daw na nahulihan ng drugs sa loob ng tyan nila. Sympre di ko alam kung totoo nga yun. Pinahubad nya ko ng damit. As in HUBAD lahat. The only body part na hinawakan nya ay ang tyan ko. Pero nakaka-harassed pa din. Wala naman siyang nakitang kakaiba.

no offense pero meron ba silang extensive training na by just touching a body part malalaman na kung may drugs dun? ang hirap maniwala. they cant even speak straight english to start with. mayabang lang sila. pero wala silang masyadong alam.

Now back in the holding room, and I was with the other 2 male officers. They started bragging that they captured all of the drug traffickers in the picture frame. Im still not sure what will happen next as they never told us anything.

What now!? gusto nyo lang may mapatunayan kayo at may madagdag kayong picture jan sa wall nyo?!

Im so proud of Dyan. She went back in the room and still didnt breakdown. I knew I will start crying too if I see her terrified.
pero sa totoong buhay daw, sobrang takot na nya na masesetup kami.
Dyan said I dont look scared at all too. I just look very irritated.
pero sa totoo lang, nafi-feel kong anytime sasabihin ng officers na may nakita sila sa bag namin.. at di na kami makakauwi ng Pinas. =(

After 1.5 hours, they finally let us go. Wala silang nakita. They thanked us for being cooperative pero di ko pinansin yung hand shake offer nila. Galit na galit ako. Pero alam ko bawal ako magsalita. Hindi rin sila nagsorry sa abala na ginawa nila. Para san pa, wala na kaming gana na pumasok ng Bali. Sirang sira yung bakasyon namin dahil sa ganitong pagwelcome nila sa Pinoy.
Sabagay their sorry wont be enough. Kulang yan sa kahihiyan, sobrang takot, trauma, at paranoia na inabot namin dahil sa kanila. Ang sama sama ng loob ko. Putangina nyo!

We met the hotel driver who’s been waiting for us since 11:40PM. We finally went out of the airport at 1:30AM. I thanked the driver for waiting for us. He wasn’t surprised that we were the last to go out. Sabi nya, kapag Pinoy chinecheck daw muna.

Ah ganun..
Dahil lang may mga Pinoy na drug trafficker, lahat ng Pinoy drug traffickers na agad?!

So it’s also fair to call all Indonesian Policemen RAPISTS?!

Indonesian Policemen RAPISTS!

           Indonesian Policeman CHILD RAPIST!

 

How about call all Policemen DRUG DEALERS because of this?

Indonesian Officers DRUG DEALERS

 

Or can I tag all Indonesian ADDICTS sabagay 51 thousand locals nila ay junkies?

                                       51 Thousand Drug Addict Indonesians

 

Fair enough?

I hope if an Indonesian visits Pinas, ma-tag din sila as RAPISTS, DRUG DEALERS, and ADDICTS instantly! Maramdaman nila sana yung treatment nila samin.. Yan ang rules nila di ba?

Sa sobrang takot ni Dyanie, she cried to sleep that night. Tulala. Di nagsasalita. Sa sobrang galit ko, di ako nakatulog. I started vomiting. Hinika din ako sa sama ng loob. Wala pa kaming 2 oras sa Bali pero gustong gusto na namin umuwi ng Pinas. Sirang sira ang bakasyon namin.

Putangina nyo! Naging praning na kami everytime may police kaming makikita. Or everytime dadaan kaming xray, paulit ulit muna naming pinapagpag ang bawat damit namin – oras oras – just to check na walang naisingit na drugs sa gamit namin. We’re so traumatized that we wont be planning to go out of the country anytime soon.

                                                                                                                                                                 DEATH for DRUG TRAFFICKERS

and it wont matter if the DRUGS found is really yours
ako na ang praning

We swore not to go back to Indonesia again. We already suffered a lot. We regret the day we entered this country. And if you are planning to go to Bali too, well good luck. The next suspect could be you.

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