December leaves, and anticipating 2014 holidays

It's December 16 and a lot of people are still asking, "Is December 24 a holiday?"

Well then, if you don't know it yet or can't believe it is, here is an infographic of the holidays for 2013 as declared under Presidential Proclamation No. 2012-459:

As you can see, December 24th, which falls on a Tuesday, is a holiday. 

That being said, I think a lot of us will be extending their holidays starting December 21 which is a Saturday. Those who still have leaves to spare may take December 23 (Monday), 26 and 27 (Thursday and Friday, respectively), off, all the way to January 1st since December 30 and 31 are also holidays. That's a total of 12 days off, unless some extend it up to January 5, 2014 -- making it a total of 16 -- yes, sixteen!!! -- days. Lucky for those who have a lot of vacation leaves stored up (like us in the government, where our leaves just add up).

Here's a calendar of December 2013 so you can easily see what I'm talking about:

Thinking ahead, here now is a list of the official holidays for 2014, as declared under Presidential Proclamation No. 2013-655. Sorry, as of now they don't have an infographic of it yet and I'm tamad to do one myself, but here's a screen grab from that page :-)

January 31st, which is the Chinese New Year, will usher in a three-day weekend. The next official long weekend is on Holy Week-end (April 17-19). Other than these, I can see a lot of people absent on Fridays when holidays fall on at least three Thursdays: May 1 (Labor Day), June 12 (Independence Day), and August 21 (Ninoy Aquino Day), which is followed by another holiday on August 25. 

As for the Islamic celebrations Eid'l Fitr and Eidul Adha in 2014, they will fall on July 28 (Monday, hooray!) and October 4 (Saturday, awww...), respectively. By the way, those dates are based on Philippine time zones, of course. 

(Segue: I think I will always remember Eidul Adha because in 2013, it was celebrated on October 15, a Tuesday. It was the day a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northern Bohol, my province. The holiday spared more people from getting hurt or killed in public places such as schools, because many were home at 8 a.m.)

Funnily, I find myself focusing on those last five holidays in the end, WHICH IS A YEAR AWAY! Ha. ha. ha. The government has declared both December 24 (Wednesday) and 26 (Friday) as additional holidays, but not the 29th (Monday). What? Yep! That day is as much as sandwiched between holidays as the 26th, but they "forgot" to declare it. :-) If they did declare it, then people would have an official, extra-long nine-day weekend beginning from the 24th to January 1st. Unofficially, people taking the time off from December 20th all the way to January 4, 2014 would have another sixteen-day hiatus. 

To get what I'm saying, here's a calendar showing December 2014 :

So... I guess I'll be earning my vacation leaves next year and take that option at the end of 2014. I would have deserved it by then, don't you think so?

Belle De Jour Power Planners - a must-have for Bellas out there

I've been using a Belle de Jour Power Planner from Viviamo for about 4 years now, if I remember right. I find it very useful, the sections are so fitting in managing one's lifestyle. I easily put my work accomplishments and schedule my appointments there in a fun layout that's easy on the eyes but remains organized as organized can be. I used to use the Starbucks Planner but when I tried the one from BDJ, there was no looking back!

The BDJ Power Planner is replete with special pages, like the wardrobe checklist that allows you to keep track of your fashion pieces; a gift list that helps you plan your gifts for your loved ones; and a bills and cash flow tracker page that helps you keep track of your monthly bills. Really handy! I especially find the menstrual tracker page very useful. I'm able to note my periods and track the lengths between them - very useful info when going to the OB. And how about that vacation planner page, where you list down your plans for that upcoming trip for a stress-free vacay? 

(Note, though, that some of these special pages may not be present every year - some may be there in 2013, and may be gone for 2014. I think the planner's makers listen to inputs from the users! :-) )

Plus, each month is separated by pages that contain articles on just about anything and everything. At a loss on how to spring clean your closet? Then go to the August 2013 page. Want to be a master online shopper? Then flip back to the March 2013 page. I find these pages entertaining and informative to read and review them sometimes, especially when I'm waiting for someone.

some of the special pages in the 2014 BDJ Power Planner

The BDJ Power Panner also comes with a lot of coupons (more than 80!) entitling the owner to thousands of pesos worth of discounts or freebies in selected establishments. The choices are so diverse and may vary from year to year. For 2013, you could use coupons at Ace Water Spa and their Hotel and Suites, TGI Fridays, Red Box, The Spa, Michelis jewelers, Barre3, The Beauty Bar, SM (Parisian - for bags and shoes - and Ladies Wear and GTW for clothes), Bauhaus, the Ramp Crossings, Otterbox (for your mobile case), John Robert Powers, Bulgogi Brothers, even Pet Express, to name a few (?!) Some of the coupons, I give away to my friends. :-) I miss the one from White Hat, though, because I usually give it as a treat for my nephews.

Being a coffee lover, I really like the ones from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and I use them year in and out. Free coffee or beverage, size upgrades, even a discount on their coffee maker - which, admittedly, I haven't tried because it's too expensive. But I do like their salads! 

Using up the coupons could also entitle you to huge discounts on your next BDJ Power Planner. Use up 30 coupons for a 10% discount, and 35 for 20% discount. Use up 40 and you get one FREE planner, and 50 to get two - yes, TWO - free planners. From time to time too, you could receive an email where a prompt reply could also entitle you to those discounts. 

That's no laughing matter, since the planner costs almost P600, and you have a choice of leather, smythsewn or spiral-bound. I'm pretty excited to use my 2014 planner because for the first time, they offered a personalized planner with your name printed on the front cover, and I've had mine delivered already! Hooray!

my 2013 and (personalized) 2014 planners plus Lifestyle Card

As you can see from the picture above, the Power Planner also comes with a Lifestyle Card that offers discounts in several partner establishments, with no additional purchases required. This is particularly handy if you've run through your coupons for a particular establishment. For example, for 2013, flashing your card at CBTK will entitle you to a free upgrade on your drink. Flash it at Robinsons Department Stores and get 10% off Sassa activewear items -- useful for me, who likes buying Sassa running attire because of its comfort and affordability. How about getting that coveted pair of flipflops at Flipsters? Yes, the card offers a P200 discount there. The card is automatically activated for those who ordered the planner online, while those who bought the planner in bookstores or elsewhere need to register their cards online.



While you're at it, subscribe to newsletters from Viviamo, Inc! via e-mail and stay tuned to the latest promos for bellas. Recently, there was an email inviting me to answer a survey, which I promptly did, and I was rewarded with a set of Pantene products - a daily intensive conditioner and their miracle water which is perfect for keeping my hair frizz-free during humid days. The items were delivered to my home for free!






And finally, let me say that I came across this post across their FB page where you can win goodies from BDJ. Just share this link and complete the sentence "This 2014, I promise to be a better me by ___. #choosetoshine". As for me, I promised to be better by using my time more wisely between personal and work time. It's quite a delicate balance, that's for sure!

Want to try out a BDJ Power Planner? You can order your planners thru their website. You can also preview Viviamo's other products here and through Cosmo's website here.  

Disclaimer: This is not an ad for the planner or for Viviamo. I really just love using it, with or without the coupons! I also like their To-Do List/Cash Tracker back-to-back notepads, which I received for free just by answering a survey emailed to me.

Easy styling with the InStyler

I subscribe to numerous online shopping sites, and most of my new email come from them, but I normally just scan through and delete the email. The sale of the InStyler rotating iron, though, caught my eye.

I first saw the InStyler rotating iron on Home Shopping Network. Every time I saw that feature, I would say, “wow that looks so easy!” The thing could curl or straighten your hair, too. But of course nothing on that show is cheap, with the InStyler costing a couple of thousand pesos, so I just brushed it off as “nice to watch, but not practical for me.” See how it works by clicking on this link.

I saw the ad on Ensogo (now LivingSocial), and after much hemming and hawing, and because my brother's girlfriend asked me to buy something for her on the same site, I snapped up the deal too. And so far, I have not regretted it.

When I got home tired from work one evening, I saw the package waiting for me. I picked it up and headed to our room, where I quickly dressed up and opened the box. I was thinking, “Hey, the box is written in Spanish! Maybe that’s why it’s cheap!” and dreaded that the manual would also be in Spanish. Well, it was in English, thank goodness. :-)

The box contained the iron, a wide-toothed comb, a manual, a quick user guide, and a black nylon pouch. Well, at least this would be easy to slip into my luggage when I'm traveling.

The manual lists basic features/parts and instructions...

... while the user guide gives a few tricks to using the InStyler:

It’s auto-volt (can be plugged into 110 or 220 volts), and since I was too lazy to look for an adapter, I plugged the round ends to our 110 outlet and set the InStyler to work:

making pa-cute for the cam while
working with the InStyler

Tired as I was for the day, using this instantly buoyed my spirits. I was thinking, “Wow, it really is easy!” and was smiling while I tried out the different styles in the manual (curl, flip-out, flip-in, straight). The iron gave my hair instant volume, and I only had to use the wide-toothed comb to section my hair and comb it in place. And even though the weather was a bit warm, I put off tying my hair up so I could see how long the curl would last. Well – it lasted until my bath more than three hours later :-). Still, I was looking forward to using it the next day.

I wasn’t disappointed. I commuted to work, and the wind outside the jeepney blew my hair about my face and neck, but I easily put it back into place by simply combing through with my fingers. Except for a few (much fewer than had I just dried my hair with the electric fan) tuchang, my hair did not look buhaghag at all. Looks promising!

my hair "volumized"

All through the day, I kept checking myself in the mirror. Take note, though, that I loathe doing that even though I, too, have a little vanity in my five-foot body. I'm just not too comfortable being with other people who seem to have nothing better to do than preen in front of any reflective surface they come across with. But -- I couldn’t stop myself that day because I wanted to see if my hair was already all tikwas or not (yeah, right).

The good thing is, until I reached home, it was still in practically the same shape I had styled it to that morning. Thank goodness. So I can safely say that this one works for me. My hair looks softer and, though not as straight as rebonded hair, has that nice volume I like. I know, I know, it doesn't look like much, but trust me when I say this looks much better and softer than my usual hair (even without a "before" picture).

The downside

Let me tell you, though, that I still find it a bit difficult to tame the flipping ends of my hair at the back of my head. I really, really regret that I had it layered at a salon other than Jesi, who has taken such good care for my hair (so sulit for the expense). This other salon cut the shortest layers too short to my liking. Anyway, that’s another story, but as soon as I grow the layers out to a more reasonable length, I’ll have my hair at the back cut to just one length so that styling would be more uniform, especially for a non-expert like me.

Before I purchased the InStyler, I searched for reviews on the web. Of course there were mixed reviews. There were even reports of scams. Some also said that the cheaper ones are made in China. Heck, what isn't made in China? Well, I figured, this is just less than a thousand bucks so even if I get what I paid for, I would have enjoyed it for all its worth, without hurting my pockets too much.

There were also reviews about getting burned, and to tell the truth, you could get burned if you’re not careful because the backs of the brush and the rotating iron itself get hot. But hey, common sense, this is a heating device so of course you’d have to be careful – not only in touching it, but on whatever surface you put it on. Also, allow the device to cool a bit before putting it in the nylon pouch (again, that’s common sense). To be safe, always start at lowest temp, especially for fine hair like mine. This also makes it easier for the InStyler to cool down more easily.

You also have to take a little bit care with your hair getting caught in the barrel. The manual expressly states that you have to section your hair, and each section should not be wider than the barrel. Use the comb to set off the section you’re going to iron and make sure that your hair is at the center of the barrel. Getting some strands stuck at the ends of the barrel can become irritating, or painful, or discomfiting, depending on how much hair gets stuck, and it’s not easy extracting those strands – unless you want to cut them off and end up with unevenly layered hair in the process.

Subjecting your hair to heat a lot will also require you to condition and treat your hair often.

Online availability

This blog is not really an ad, but if any of you are interested, I saw at least five sites to date selling this at different prices:

P898 on Ensogo/LivingSocial (previously P3,000)

P745 on Deal Amigos (previously P1,300)

P780 on Deal Spot (previously P1,600)

P999 on Groupon (coming soon, previously P4,200)

P999 on MetroDeal (previously P2999)

As you can see, the most expensive “promo” is with MetroDeal. It's interesting to note, too, that they have different original prices - MetroDeal and Ensogo said the original price was at P3,000, Groupon says it's P4,200, while the other sites have their original prices pegged at less than half! Hmm...

Apparently, I had not done my research well (prior to purchasing) because I bought mine at Ensogo and the other sites were cheaper and had free delivery. With Ensogo, my delivery cost P65. Then when the package arrived, I saw on the courier’s receipt that the delivery charge was just P55. Imagine that, pinagkakitaan pa ng Ensogo yung delivery charge?! It just so happened that I trust Ensogo na because I’ve bought a lot of times from them before, and the quality is usually good, but I’ve found that changes in their delivery for policies suck. But that’s another story (again).

-------------------------------------------------

The InStyler may not work for others – different strokes for different folks. But for now, I will have to say I will use the InStyler for what it’s worth. That is, probably until my next rebonding session. :-)

Civil (Ob)Servant

I remember two of my blogs (in fact I think they’re still posted online)… One was something I wrote around Christmas time, and it was inspired (what else was it) by my disgust with some of the “shenanigans” going on. It was like, “OMG. How utterly shameless of them! Kapalmuks!”

The other one, on the other hand, was inspired by a feeling of… I don’t actually know, but if I remember right, I was feeling somewhere at a “crossroads” of my life, and I was also getting fed up with questions on why I’m working in the Philippines, land of my birth, when others think I could actually be earning more slaving for foreign masters.

This time, I would like to share what I have learned so far, being a civil servant. For that matter, many of these, I’m sure people also learn in their own workplace.

1. I learned to be careful of speaking out on the subject of religion. Even in a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines, there are so many other “religions” or at the very least, religious beliefs out there, so it’s not far-fetched that you may offend someone else. In fact, it’s getting kind of tricky refusing those who are pestering you to shift or adapt to their beliefs. I, for one, have always believed that one needs to respect other beliefs, therefore, I do not impose my own on them.

2. Now this is a sad fact when it comes to working for our government: the big bosses always have the right to utilize funds according to their own caprices. This is what they call, “discretionary.” This is soooooo frustrating especially when you’re expecting the office to disburse funds for some activities and they say that there’s no money, but there’s always some money for the big bosses’ activities, no matter how insignificant or irrelevant or unplanned they are.

3.  Still, when you’re one of the bosses (though not as big as those in # 2), it is your right and your duty to use funds judiciously. Don’t let the system eat you! Don’t become one of those “big bosses” no matter how tempting it may be.

4. Sometimes someone you don’t like eventually ends up as your boss no matter how incompetent or unqualified that person seems to be (to you or to other people). Is this “what goes around, comes around?” In our government, bosses are always reshuffled, so it’s definitely a very big possibility that you’ll be ending up rubbing elbows with him/her soon.

5. When you are given the opportunity to become a boss (even if it’s not as big as those in # 2), enjoy the perks of being a boss, but never at the expense of others. Always remember that some good things never last, and you were put there for a reason. Treat your subordinates as you would like to be treated by your boss. You may even treat them as friends, but have the skill to discern who among them know better than to cross the supervisor-subordinate relationship (read: healthy respect, even if it’s just for the position). 

6. If you’re a supervisor, lead by example! Learn the ropes; learn what your subordinates are doing so that you do not become totally dependent on them. Remember: you may not be a boss forever.

7. Have a private life, something that your staff isn’t privy to. This prevents you from becoming the subject of office gossip. And believe me, there’s plenty of that.

8. Even with “flexitime,” coming in early for work has its advantages. You avoid traffic. You have time to relax before everyone else. You may even have time to put on your makeup or curl your hair before the first clients come. Plus, you have the option to quit early once you've clocked the required number of hours, or extend your time a bit and get more done.

9. If you do come early, don’t look like you’re just watching the clock! Hide your packed up things, and don’t make a mad dash for the door once you see the clock hit your 8^th hour of work. Put in a few minutes more, appearing to be busy, and walk leisurely out when you finally think it’s okay to leave.

10. Some of the best and brightest minds work for the government. It's just a sad fact that our government employees are branded as corrupt, inefficient, lazy, et cetera. But workin inside gives you a chance to know that there are so many who have really studied and worked their way to the top, and you will marvel at those who have the credentials to get a job overseas that earns a lot more, but they opt to stay here to serve the people.

Have YOU ever worked for our government? What have you learned so far?

Trekking to see the Rafflesia in Barbaza, Antique

It promised to be sunny when we arrived at the Iloilo airport in March 2012. My team (from the Central Office) of two photographers Kuya Jun and Sir Joe, and Marjun our videographer were on official duty to document a certain Rafflesia species reportedly blooming in the Panay mountains. This "Queen of Parasites" blooms in full for only a few days and time was thus of essence. So the four of us squeezed into the main cab of the pickup truck that fetched us, while our information officers Artem and David sat it out at the (covered) rear, and off we sped to Barbaza town in Antique, about four hours away.

I love going to Iloilo because I love the food. I wasn't disappointed when we stopped over at a seaside eatery to have our fill of seafood, especially fresh talaba (oysters). We also stopped at a fruit stand along the way to buy some bananas and watermelons.

yummy watermelons!

fresh seafood - and kuya jun and marjun are both obviously full

Finally, after acquiring an additional pickup truck, driving through alternating rain and sun, and paying a courtesy call at one of the field offices, our truck pulled into the parking lot of the compound owned by the family of Barbaza Mayor Faith Francisco. (We were to be accommodated in their home for the two nights that we would be staying in Barbaza.) The mayor, along with her municipal environmental and natural resources officer (MENRO) Emerson Ogatis, welcomed us and oriented us on what lay ahead. 

Mayor Faith (in blue blouse and black shorts) and MENRO Emerson
welcoming and orienting us

That night, I packed my bag, complete with filled bladder (or hydration pack), and prayed really hard for good weather the next day. MENRO Emerson had warned of a five-hour trek, but assured us that the slope would be "gentle". 

Being the only female in the group had its advantages, as I had a small guest room to myself with a bathroom right outside it, and so I was quick to get up early the next morning for my final preparations. Unfortunately, some hitches caused a few delays but finally we were on the road to that barangay further inland where we would literally take off on foot. About a 15-minute hike away, we came across Camp Eupre, a small mountain resort where snacks were served to our party. 

By this time, we had been joined by personnel from our Culasi field office, media crew from the local GMA-7, mountaineer-biologists from Haribon,  Dr. Renee Galang of the Philippine Spotted Deer Foundation, and Mayor Francisco herself. Galang was the discoverer of another Rafflesia species in another portion of the Panay mountain range. (See his site here.)

Does this look like a "gentle slope"?

After partaking of the snacks and making use of the pit stop, we (minus the Mayor) continued on our way. At first, I was one of those going fast on the trail, keeping up with the mountaineers. But soon I realized I was somewhere between getting left behind by the younger men and leaving some of my teammates behind (older, hehehe), so I slowed down to join the latter.

After about three hours of trekking almost consistently uphill, with the morning sun shining brightly over our heads.... boy, was I huffing and puffing! Breathless, sweating... Not to mention that I'd drunk almost all the contents of the bladder in my bag, and I had just been sipping it. Some of the trails were narrow and the loose soil made several areas slippery, but my trusty Tribu sandals never let me down. Actually, I preferred the dryness and heat rather than rain which would make it even more slippery... Or worse, bring out those limatiks (leeches). Shudder!

About an hour later, some locals chanced upon us. One of them, a lady, offered to carry my bag and jacket so I would feel lighter. Apparently, they were from the barangay which had jurisdiction over the rafflesia site and were headed home, so they were used to the trails. 

Local folks assisting us. Manang has my backpack.

We walked again for another hour, stopping several times to catch our breath before reaching the top. The locals who were accompanying us were probably either inwardly laughing or being exasperated at how slow we were. We caught up with some of the other men from the other teams at one stop. They were joking about how even if they had the loveliest and sexiest wife waiting for them, newly bathed, at the end of the trail and they had to walk the trail each day just to get home, it would be useless as they would be bone-tired. Also, how they were going to sooooo suggest to the Mayor to have a zipline installed so everyone could have an easier time going back.

I gazed 360 degrees when we reached the top, or about 750 meters above sea level according to the Haribon guys.  We were surrounded by a view of mountain ridges of the Panay mountain range, and beyond, the sea, while the cool mountain breeze whipped my hair across my face. Kuya Jun said he didn't like looking at mountains that looked barren or logged, but I said I appreciated seeing the ridges and the jagged slopes that were bared to my eyes.

Kuya Jun gazing at the panoramic view of Panay mountain range

But we were not done! We were now to go down -- at last, downhill! For about another hour, we trudged past the cogon grass slashing at our clothes, down to a more forested area, our local companions assisting us along the way.  We let the excited voices of those who had arrived ahead lead us to the site.

There! We could spot a few reddish blooms of the Rafflesia speciosa on the sloping ground across the damp forest floor, with the teams milled about documenting the blooms and surrounding environment. Dr. Galang was busy observing a rotting bloom, and we listened and asked questions about this particular species and how it differed from the others.

Dr. Galang measuring a rotting Rafflesia flower (pic by Kuya Jun)

Mike of Haribon taking a pic of a Rafflesia in early blooming stage

He showed us other buds on the forest floor. They looked so inconspicuous, like plain forest litter, that you wouldn't probably notice them with your untrained eye and possibly just step on them. This was probably one of the reasons this flower is endangered. 

The Rafflesia bud is inconspicuous on the forest floor

The rafflesia is an awesome flower. We let the biologists point out the other flowers, in varying stages of bloom. Personally I didn't think the full-bloom flower stank, as commonly believed. Rather, it was the one past blooming stage, or getting into decomposition stage, that smelled like carrion (that's why it's also called "the corpse flower") because the large hollow center could easily store stagnant water as well as trap some animals to death. This is one of its ways to reproduce -- the stink would actually attract some animals that would spread its pollen to other areas.

Two Rafflesia speciosa - the red one in almost full bloom (within 24 hours),
the other a few days past its full bloom stage (pic by Kuya Jun)

We couldn't leave without having our pictures taken with the large flower, so we each gingerly made our way down the slope, clinging to some vines, to pose beside the nearest blooming one - the one with almost all of its large petals open.

that's me trying to get near the (almost) full bloom

I'm not going into the other features and characteristics of this flower. That's easily available on the net, anyway. (You can start by clicking on this link on Philippine rafflesia.)

Dr. Galang measuring the blooming Rafflesia speciosa
with a caliper (pic by Kuya Jun)

<groan> we still have to go up there
and that guy was just RUNNING!

We felt like our grueling trek was rewarded when we saw this flower. We realized, after all, that we were some of a few individuals on earth who had actually seen a live specimen of the world's largest flower. (The environmental conditions they live in are so far hard to replicate in artificial surroundings, thus they cannot be easily bred.) Sure, there are many from those living in hinterlands or forested areas who can say that they're familiar with it, but the problem is, they take it for granted and do not appreciate the fact that these are an endangered species. All they know is that the flower stinks and they keep away from it.

Pretty soon, we were urged to go back. I felt like I was not alone in inwardly groaning when I realized that this time, what was previously downhill would mean uphill, and vice-versa. Short though the now-uphill trek would be, our legs were aching and we felt that we couldn't take one more step, but bravely we trekked on. We had no choice anyway or we'd be stuck there, miles from civilization! At the top, we gladly - albeit wearily - plunked down on the ground, snacked on some kakanin and gladly gulped water that the locals had brought for us. 

time to rest and snack before heading back down

At this time, I kept on ribbing MENRO Emerson,  feigning indignation at his promise of "a gentle slope." In fairness, though, the steepest was probably about 60 degrees. He invited us to stay at the local barangay so we could see the Rafflesia fully open the next day. But we had to decline because we had to document Bugang River in Pandan and the mangroves of Kalibo the following day. After that we had to head to Boracay Island to view the flight of the fruit bats, too. So we said our goodbyes to him, Dr. Galang, and the rest of the teams who were going to be left behind.

(Note: Good thing we didn't stay. The next morning, it was raining so hard that we would have been stranded up there and all our schedule would have been a-kilter.)

If it was a difficult trek to the site, then it was equally difficult going back down. By this time our limbs and joints were literally stiff, and anyone who has gone mountain trekking knows that the trek downhill is really bad on the knees as you would have to constantly "brake" with your feet to prevent a continuous slide down. Still, we were able to finish the return trip in almost three hours. Ugh!

Sir Joe and Marjun leading the way back down

We feasted on ice-cold water when we reached one of the communities back down, and when we reached Camp Eupre, we gladly drank the buko juice that the owner offered us.

I could have cried later upon seeing the pickup truck where we had left it parked further down in the more populated barangay. I wanted to shout "hooray!", but all I could do was climb wearily into the cab as we headed back to the Mayor's house. There, we ate an early dinner, and I took a refreshing bath before heading off to a deep sleep.

I knew that the next day, we would feel the punishing after-effects on our bodies, but that night, I thanked God that I was able to pay homage to a queen, parasitic though it may be.

P.S. The next day, we headed to Pandan, Antique to take pics of Bugang River, one of the country's cleanest rivers. (Picture this: it was raining so hard, but the waters remained green instead of turning into muddy brown.) Then we headed to Kalibo to document one of the mangrove ecotourism sites there with century-old mangrove trees. The following day, we hopped onto a ferry in Caticlan going to Boracay to try to catch a glimpse of the flying foxes (fruit bats) - but with the windy weather, we were disappointed. Still, we were able to squeeze in some time for R & R at the beach... as you can see from this pic:

enjoying my taho on Boracay beach

Buffet 101: Where food and drinks are really unli!

Nerly and Ethel, my college buddies from UP, and I met up recently at the Buffet101 in MOA. Though a bit inconvenient for Ethel and me who had to brave and suffer the Friday afternoon jam on the MRT and LRT, MOA was convenient for Nerly who had to travel from Cavite and rush to the airport after our meet-up, to head back for France where she's settled now. 

Despite the perceived hassle of the trip, I actually looked forward to the meet-up for two reasons: (1) the three of us hadn't been together for more than two decades; and (2) I had been hearing and reading good things about Buffet101 (including on TV's Ang Pinaka). Plus, as it turned out, it was Nerly's treat. That had to be the BEST reason, haha!

Buffet101 MOA is located along Seaside Boulevard at the back of SMX. It's next to that swinging boat ride that resembles Enchanted Kingdom's Anchors Away, and beyond the MOA Eye if you're coming from the music hall/IMAX area.

We hadn't made prior reservations, so being the one to arrive there first, I took the liberty of reserving a table for us. Then for future reference, I took this pic of the resto's rates, posted at the entrance.

still empty!

The waiting time allowed me the chance to freshen up, especially after that grueling LRT trip from Central Station to EDSA, where I was practically squished against the door the entire time. So I headed to the restroom, passing the still-empty places where the service crew were busy setting the tables, both dining and buffet. The evening buffet, by the way, starts at 5:30pm.

Finally, Ethel arrived and whiled away her time taking pictures of the scene behind the resto. Nerly herself arrived soon after, and after waiting patiently for her name to be called, we were led to our table that was just beside the buffet area. Yipee!

So off we went to get what we wanted, eating while we traded stories in between courses to catch up on each other's lives. By this time, the place was filling up with a good-sized crowd.

After scanning the buffet counters, this was what I decided to eat. My first course was the Japanese cuisine, where I feasted on different kinds of maki, some fresh sashimi, and of course, healthful miso soup. 

For my second course, I took two slices of US ribs (i'm more into beef than pork, except for sisig), some mushrooms, and seafood chowder. As I was scouting the next counter, the crew was replenishing the baked oysters. I picked up three, then went to get a mango shake to wash everything down.

The ribs were okay, not really exceptional. As for the oysters, I wondered aloud (as a joke) if there was no red tide, or if the oysters weren't from Cavite which was affected by a recent oil spill. Ha! Who cares? I ate them all, anyway. ;-)

I wasn't quite sure I could eat more...  I noticed, though, that in spite of the no leftovers policy, you can easily set aside plates with unfinished and unwanted food to the side of the table where the crew can promptly pick them up. Believe me, they're quick to retrieve those plates and glasses. I guess with that kind of crowd, you'd really need to restock those clean plates FAST. They just leave the utensils behind.

Then I decided to indulge my sweet tooth and headed over to the dessert station. Here's a collage of pics from that area:

I tell you, there were too many sweets to choose from, I think I became diabetic just looking at them!

I got creme brulee, brazo de mercedes, chocolate mousse, cream puff, and another thing with a cherry on top. I didn't even touch the pannacottas, the choco fondue section or ice cream! :-)

Well, the mousse looked like a small pot of soil with leaves growing out of it... I agreed with Ethel that we didn't like it that much. The cream puff was not puffy at all; it tasted like pudding to me. (Tinapayan's cream puff is sooo much better!) I made short work of the creme brulee, the brazo, and that cherry-topped thing, and with great self-control, stopped myself from getting second helpings from the overstocked dessert station. Really.

While Ethel and Nerly talked, I stood up to take some pics of the sections. Here's a hodgepodge of some of the areas. I couldn't take a pic of the other sections, there were too many people preventing me from taking decent enough shots.

main meal areas - i didn't get a taste of that sisig pizza, dang!

seafood and japanese sections

I decided to get a slice of sweet melon, plucked some cherries off the mixed fruit, helped myself to another mango shake, and headed back to our table.

After eating, I had a funny feeling in my tummy. Really, it felt so full and HARD to the touch! I think that's the first time I've felt that way in recent memory. Not the kind where you would want to run to the toilet, but the one where you feel so full and afraid to move. Nothing that a good burp and a walk couldn't cure, though. Or maybe I should have taken some tea instead. 

Then, all too soon it seemed, Nerly, Ethel and I said our goodbyes before we parted ways for God-knows-how-many-years-before-we-see-each-other-again.

In truth, even though I like going on food trips, I usually don't like eat-all-you-can buffets because I think lugi ako especially with the no leftover policy. I mean, for the same price, I could dine a la carte and take home any leftover. I think eat-all-you-cans is best if you have someone really matakaw with you. :-)

What I like about Buffet101 is you get to pay for unlimited food and drinks. Even if I don't frequent eat-all-you-cans that much (especially on my own), I know that a lot of them offer only one round of drinks, and with a very limited choice (usually iced tea or softdrinks), if any. Here, you can choose from soda, fruit shakes, coffee, even wine and beer.

The ambience is also worth it. It feels like you're dining in a posh hotel, what with the lighting from those chandeliers and the interior decor. But unlike in a hotel resto, you can hear some of the crew singing "Happy Birthday" to some lucky - or unlucky - patrons.

By the way, I found this sign on the table, too, about discounts offered for those who like frequenting these buffets:

I haven't been to Vikings or Yakimix (Buffet101's sister company, from what I gather), but I've heard good things about them. I hope to verify for myself soon, hopefully.

For now, Buffet101 has another branch at Robinsons Magnolia. Since that's just one LRT-2 ride away from our place, I think I'd prefer going there next time. I wonder when that would be? :-)

You can click their FB account here: Buffet101 on Facebook.

Happy eating!