Meet my Quarantine Buddies!

Tomorrow, most of the Filipino employees will be back to work. A lot of cities and provinces will be under General Community Quarantine.

How did you cope up during the two months?

I seriously had trouble sleeping like I was experiencing sleep deprivation.

Yet, I stayed optimistic that everything will be alright. To make myself sane, I downloaded Netflix, finally after seeing it for years! I was a Netflix virgin last March.

I listed below the movies and series that I watched! If you are still unable to go out of your house and cannot go to your workplace, hopefully, you can check them out.

*WolfBlood*

Photo from Dailymotion

The first series that I saw on Netflix. I was hooked with the mysterious Rhydian and a bit rebellious Maddy. These two are teenagers who can transform into a werewolf. I only have seen Season 1 because Season 2 still is unavailable on Netflix. 

*Whisper of the Heart*

Photo from soranews24.com

Another teenager leading character but this time it is a Japanese anime film. Sheiji and Shizuku both love books and are still looking for the thing that they wanted to achieve for their future. You'll be happy to hear a very classic song for the OST of this movie.

*Angry Birds 2*

Photo from uhdpaper.com

Red and his cute gang are back but this time they need to join forces with their greatest enemy, the Pig to save their islands. My friends and I actually watched the first one in the cinema house and this latest installment, surely made me laugh too. Your kids and you, young at heart will definitely enjoy this!

*Go Go Squid*

girlstyle.com

I honestly felt that I graduated from watching Korean series. Sorry fan of K-drama! So, I switched to the Chinese Drama series and I swear I was beyond in love with the characters! Meet the very strict Boss aka Gun God, Han Shangyan, and the bubbly and very smart Tong Nian. They have a big age gap, different upbringings, and personalities but how their love story developed was something. I was giddy on each episode! Yet this series is more than making you believe in love, it tackles about achieving one dream, moving on from the past and forgiving yourself. I definitely recommend you to see this and the OST was so awesome. I still had difficulty moving on from Li Xian!

*Love Lasts Forever*

japan.topnews.cloud

This series ended during the announcement of the first community quarantine but I saw it a few weeks ago. The Warrior Chick Sakura Nanase didn't give up being a nurse so that she would meet again the guy who inspired her to help people and that is the Devil, Kairi Tendo. This is the first Japanese series that I watched and the first hospital-related show too because I was not a fan. Another huge age gap series that also make your heart burst in happiness! It has 10 episodes but I delayed finishing it because I could not move on also with Tendo Sensei!  I swear you should find and see it! It is not yet available on Netflix. Tip: Please watch the bonus videos in every episode because there is an important minor character that you should not miss!

Perk's New Discovery: Yay or Nay?

Have you bought something out of curiosity? 

Last year, I became active in purchasing products at BeautyMNL.

Because hello sale?!

Who could not resist the 80% off or buy one take one?

Here are a few items that I find. This might be a yay or nay to you, too.

~Miju Glow Conditioner

It was during the 11.11 sale when I saw this brand. I immediately check out their products and I bought three of their items: shampoo bar, face cream, and conditioner. 

What I like

-Smell. If you've been following my previous discoveries, I'm really particular with odor. I have a sensitive nose so as much as possible, I stay away with things that have a strong smell. 

This one has no smell which is alright for me. 

-Ingredients. Hands down to all naturals, no harmful effects. 

What I don't like

-Packaging. Yes, it is eco-friendly but somehow when it was wet, the cover used crumpled. 

-Effectivity. I felt like I didn't put anything on my hair. 

~Good Virtues Refreshing Feminine Wash

I was hesitant to purchase this because I'm very particular with smell especially for my down under. Yet, the last piece that I had was only a few drops away from being empty. 

What I like 

-Price. I bought this for 175 php which was unusual for me because I'm meticulous. Very reasonable consider the large packaging. 

-Smell. I'm not into a very floral scent yet this one makes me think of a blooming garden and it refreshes me after a humid and hot day. 

What I don't like

-Availability. I wish this can be seen in supermarkets or grocery stores so that more people will try it. 

~Bubbly Skin Aloe Serum

When I found about this at BeautyMNL, it was heaven sent! I immediately ordered one because I badly need it.

What I like

-Price. Probably the cheapest serum that I encountered. Who could not resist 130 php? 

-Absorption. It doesn't take long for my face to absorb it and I enjoyed the freshness. 

What I don't like

-Watery. I was worried that the content might not be a real aloe vera and my skin would react on it. It was a good alternative however, I hope the texture is thicker. 

Judge, Ako? (My thoughts plus Giveaway)

When my good author friend Jahric Lago asked me if I can be a preliminary judge for the next Jahric Lago Present's anthology called Misty Moon, I was excited and nervous.

It was my first time to be invited as a judge.

I accepted the position because my writing career started at JLP. My first self-published book was printed under TBC Publications. I felt like it was time to give back and at the same time, as an alumna of the anthology, I hoped to help fellow and upcoming writers too.

There were 52 short stories that I need to finish reading and give feedback before May 10. I was pressured because I know how slow sometimes I read and I was worried that I might not be able to submit on the said deadline.

What did I do?

-I read four stories a day. I usually started by late afternoon and tried my best to end before 12 midnight.

-Research. There were unfamiliar words that I encountered like higera, sipres, brumosa, baiser dela mort and tako kichi to name a few. There were things that I also need to check out.

-Be like a sponge. While reading and critiquing the stories, I absorbed whatever I can learn from each one of the entries.

-Put myself in their shoes. When I sent my first JLP story: I Love You Goodbye, I was scared. I knew how it feels to joined with self-doubt. As much as possible, I took the time to be fair to my comments and feedback to the submitters.

-Enjoy. There were nights that I read almost the same characters like mermaids and it drained me yet, I would always look forward to the next manuscript.

I savored the experience that's why I'm sharing it will all of you. Because you might be a judge or be invited to be part of a decision making that can change the lives of people.

I'm grateful to Jahric Lago and TBC Publications for considering me as one of the judges of the upcoming anthology. It was a privilege to read the stories first and helping out to improve fellow writers with their crafts. Thank you for your trust in picking the top 20 semifinalists.

I'm extending my gratitude to my preliminary judge partner, Master Istoker aka Garb for correcting me of some stories that I did not understand and for exchanging thoughts. Thanks for clearing my clouded mind and pointing out important details that I missed.

And to boost the confidence of the contestants vying to be part of the top 10, let's support them by reading the excerpts, vote, and even giving out comments!

To make this more exciting, I'm having a giveaway that runs today until May 31, 2020.

Check out my FB post with this blog post to know how but I'm listing down the links where you need to visit:

Vote and leave your comments here for Misty Moon entries: https://www.wattpad.com/story/224656566

Vote and leave your comments here for Rainbow entries:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/224658595

Extra special Mother’s Day at home with The Manila Hotel

Mother’s Day is a yearly reminder to cherish our relationship with our moms. Given this year’s unique circumstances, many of us will be celebrating this special day at home or even away from the special women in our lives—mom, grandmas, and aunts. Still, even when fancy dinners are impossible, Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be canceled. With some creativity and preparation, you can still give the most special woman in your life the Mother’s Day she deserves.

I remembered the first time that I've seen Manila Hotel from afar with my Mama. I told myself, someday I'm going to treat her there during Mother's Day.

Though we cannot go this Sunday, I'm very happy that Manila Hotel is having this surprise treat for the dearest woman in our lives!

The Manila Hotel pulls all the stops for you to still be able to give her a memorable Mother’s Day. This home celebration will have a five-star hotel feel and The Manila Hotel will make sure it gets close to a real feast. 

The Manila Hotel’s Mother’s Day Surprise gives you discounts when you choose to order the food-and-cake bundle and pay online on or before May 8, 2020 (Friday). You may choose items from the A La Carte Menu or Home Buffet sets (Filipino, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese favotires, as well as Certified Halal items) and get a 20% discount on your food bill, and a 10% discount on the cake of your choice.

Clockwise from bottom: Mango Cheesecake, Ohaina Chocolate Gateau, Opera Cake, Trio of Chocolate Mousse

Because mothers deserve the only the best, you can choose from our awesome selection: our decadent Opera Cake; Ohaina Chocolate Gateau, a Lifestyle Inquirer Best Dessert Winner; the mouthwatering Trio of Chocolate Mousse, and our amazing Mango Cheesecake. 

To order or for more information, please call 8527 0011 or message 0998-9501912.