The Groupon Bug Hit Me

I am a sucker for discounts and I definitely shop more when the items I've been drooling over are finally on sale. So when the groupon announcements came flooding my email, I could not help but buy the really tempting ones that offer huge discounts on pampering services.

First, there was the "90-minute tri-hilot combi therapy full of indulgence worth Php1150" on sale at Php350. Outside, the spa place looked stylish and relaxing, what with the uber-prime location just outside Greenbelt 5. Inside, the entire place is no bigger than the average apartment. The reception area is also the place where the guests' feet are soaked in salted water prior to the massage. Naturally, those waiting for their turn or merely inquiring would look at you and your soaking feet.

The "deal" promised 3 kinds of massages - ventosa, dagay-dagay, and traditional hilot. I have a friend who once told me that ventosa therapy makes her feel good always because the glass-enclosed heat of the candles sucks all her bad energies away. True, but when done properly. My therapist was a clumsy one who dared ask me if I walked on the way there because I was perspiring.

Dagay-dagay uses a certain wooden stick to tease the soles of the feet to take away the tiredness. Whatever. It didn't really make a difference. I cannot even recall if the traditional hilot was good in itself. Why? Because the computer keyboard in the office beside my cubicle was being heavily used, the guest across me was snoring like there was no tomorrow and Noy's therapist kept on sniffling.

I cannot believe the entire crap costs more than a thousand bucks. They should definitely learn from Lotus Spa, which makes up for its lack of shower facilities by great service and truly relaxing ambience.

Not to be disheartened, I purchased another coupon from another groupon company. This time, it was "50% off on Prima Donna foot spa pedicure (hot stone, foot and leg massage and foot scrub)". The actual value was Php 680, and considering this was coming from a new and pretty-looking nail care place, I gave it a go and treated myself and Noy.

I was impressed by the interiors - plush furniture, comfortable pillows, colorful quirky walls ergonomically designed stations. I jut think the lighting could go a little more dimmer for a truly relaxing atmosphere. There already are lamps that should suffice for the therapists' use.

I have to give it to them for the technical qualities of the foot scrub and massage; they felt really clean and relaxing. After the scrub, my legs and feet were wrapped with plastic with the mint lotion on "for better infusion". They were rinsed, followed by the pedicure. More lotion was applied then they were wrapped again, this time with hot pink, warm electric booties. They were so cute; too bad I was too lazy to have pictures taken. The massage followed. After a brief rest, a hot stone bag was kneaded on my legs & feet.

My problem was that my therapist wasn't really happy to serve me. Her hands were heavy, literally and figuratively. At times it almost felt like she was nagdadabog. My toenails are heavily rounded and difficult to clean, and I think it almost tested her patience. Either I'm too tired to complain or I just didn't care, but I felt sorry for her because she's not happy with the job that she's been given.

I think the foot spa service wasn't a bad deal at all. But just in case Noy asks that we come back, I'll make sure that it's the middle of the day when the therapists won't be very tired and have had lunch, when they won't be clamoring to head home and catch up with their favorite telenovelas.

Here's to better deals,

Photo credit:
http://everythinginbudget.blogspot.com/2011/02/nail-spa-lounge-50-off-prima-donna-spa.html

Krazy Garlik

We never really wanted to eat there. Sure, at around the time of its grand opening we were intrigued because Noy is such a garlic lover. The menu, however, was a great turn-off. Sure, we love good food, but we hate okay food that demands a lot from the wallet just because of its location.

It's in one of the poshest places comfortably accessible to the middle class - Greenbelt 5. As one steps inside though, the feel is one of those rather sleazy restobars. I am not an interior design expert but I do know what's appealing and not. It was just dark and cramped. So we decided to proceed to the balcony and dine al fresco. It was a lot better, but they should have provided cooling fans. Yes, we dined. Just because we love the friend who wanted to see us on a whim that day. Anyway. The waiters are good-looking, had good manners, and provided good service.

We just had late lunch so we suggested that we share a pizza and let the friend order a pasta for himself. We had Four Cheeses (Php 495) which in all honesty was good. The cheeses taste strong and full in the mouth, the garlic imminent in the background. The crust was not that crispy but I didn't really mind.

The friend had Penne Arrabiatta (Php 325) - a creamy concoction of spicy tomato, basil and parmesan which tastes overly spicy I didn't feel the garlic at all. I got full from all the water I needed to drown the scary red sauce down.

That was all we had, for which we were charged Php1k++. I know, it's a Bistro Group restaurant known for their expensive taste and good service. I appreciate the effort of putting up a place where garlic lovers can worship their favorite ingredient, but it just feels insufficient as far as creativity is concerned. The name is cute and believable, so we expected the menu items to be spectacularly garlicky different.

I may not have all the right in the world to be blogging about the restaurant after trying only two dishes. I may have to give it a go again sometime to try the other dishes but with the price, I don't think so.

My Weekends of March

My weekends this month had just been a lot of fun. I had my first taste of a couple of places, but I also went to those I'm quite familiar with. There wasn't much money spent, but the experience was all so worth it. Best of all, I'm with some of the people I really care about.

It's summer already, so Noy and I went swimming with his family at their favorite place, the Parkridge Clubhouse at Valley Golf. It's so near the house where Noy grew up so it's become a part of his childhood. What I like about it is the fact that there's not many people around; in fact there were days that all three pools were ours to devour, like this particular Sunday.

The following weekend, we headed to Bulacan for an errand. My parents bought a house in San Jose del Monte that we are now leasing to a family who also once lived near us in Tondo. Of course the house has changed a lot on the outside, but that's inevitable. It's nice to know that Mama's mango trees are producing much fruit; we had so much fun eating them when we were kids and went home on weekends.

We stopped at the nearby National Shrine of the Divine Mercy for a visit. It's a popular place to devotees who are looking for solemnity and solace. It's a big church with a vast backyard containing a Rosary Park, Stations of the Cross with life-size statues, and many others. I have great memories of Christmas Eve masses in this open area behind the church - the cold wind, the starry sky, the beautiful singing of Silent Night - I remember being speechless with tears in my eyes.

I had to put my memories aside just like that because we were all hungry, and by some twist of fate we were led to the old Ma Mon Luk in Quezon Avenue. I know it's been there all along, but it really was my first time in a Ma Mon Luk.

I really have nothing to say except "Why haven't we been here before?". I felt sad knowing what I had been missing all along, but then I cannot blame my parents for not bringing us there thinking it might be expensive. I swear this is where I'm taking them to lunch the very next time they're in town. The food is just so good I bet Papa will have a lot of his own memories to tell us over lunch then.

If it's your first time in Ma Mon Luk too then by all means order the mami and siopao. You'll never go wrong.

Of course, the Ma Mon Luk Chicken and Fried Rice are also to die for. Did I mention it's not expensive? If you're not too picky with surroundings (not that it's dirty, but we have to admit the place is old and not air conditioned) then you'll get the best value for your money here.

The service is very efficient, too. Thank you, Manong.

Plus, the place itself is a story. There's a little old something for every one, even old photos of then-celebrities who ate there, like this ancient telephone that took much of our notice. So cool.

Finally, we spent one rainy evening in Tagaytay yesterday. It was SO cold! It definitely brought me back to those Sydney evenings when it was so cold my hipbone hurt with contact on the wall. We'd usually dine al fresco anywhere in Tagaytay, but I couldn't bear the chilly wind this time.

It was pizza and pasta night at Carlo's!

It was our first time at Carlo's so we tried the bestsellers - Pizza Capriccioso and Pesto Cream Penne (I hope I got those names right). The pizza is loaded with familiar goodness and has a homemade vibe to it - i.e., not too commercial. It tastes just right, without the sodium guilt. The pasta had the slightest hint of pesto in it. It's creamy, but not the choking kind. It's delicious and surprisingly light, so I could not ask for more. Another serving perhaps? But I was too full from the pizza. Gotta try their other delights when I come back.

I wish my brother were with us because I'm guessing he hasn't been to Tagaytay for the longest time. But it's great to see Noy and Sat, who took some of the great photos here so happy together. Sat is the reason why we went to Tagaytay yesterday. Here they are outside the Splendido clubhouse after the wedding reception Sat emceed.

Wish I have more weekends just like these.

I know it's just Monday but I'm wishing a great weekend already,

Gerard is Two!

Our dear little Gerard, or Pong, is two years old today. I talk like I'm the mother, but really, it brings tears to my eyes to realize that he's growing up wonderfully.

Since he turned a year old, I've gathered a few of our most favorite pictures of him. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we do -

Snacking atop a Sofitel bed. Looking very comfy.

Playing with the curtain at a Sofitel balcony. Everybody loves this picture.


Posing with his Mama and Tata at a Megamall Christmas tree.
He always cranes his neck this way when he knows his picture is being taken.

Very curious at the Symphony of Parols show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.


Dinner at the Landmark foodcourt. Pong loves soup ("baw").

Enjoying his first toy car ride. We were surprised at how he knew how the thing works.
It was a delight to watch him drive around in delight.

A tender moment with his Tata on a rainy January morning.

This photo is so endearing I wanna hug them both every time I see this.
(photo by Saturn Labanda)

Loving the sands of Jawili Beach.


At the beach eager to help us pick up firewood.
He looks so macho carrying these two coconut tree stalks that are larger than him.
(photo by Saturn Labanda)

Posing before a Nativity scene at the Sampaguita Gardens. So cute with that smile.
(photo by Saturn Labanda)