With The Right Gadgets, Fun Times Are Anytime!

The 21st Century is bringing an over-reliance on gadgets. That can be a good thing, or a bad thing.

Earlier we wrote about some of the reasons our kids are not getting enough sleep, the first reason? There’s too much going on! Take a look:

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"It’s so easy to fill your kid’s rooms with items. After all, you feel they need items like a TV and a computer to keep them entertained. But if there are lots of things in your kid’s room, you are going to find they will struggle to get to sleep at night. After all, they are going to want to get up and play with their items. And it can make their brain alert if there are lots of things in the room. Therefore, keep the number of items in the room to a minimum to ensure your child gets enough sleep at night. Devices should stay downstairs to ensure your child isn’t tempted to play with them during the night!"

Computers, iPods, tablets and phones are scattered around the modern household - not to mention the presence of music and media. It’s always going on.

That being said, there are plenty of benefits to these gadgets and now that we have looked a negative side of them, we can focus on the positive. As with anything in the world, moderation is key! Gadgets offer a great way to entertain kids at any time!

If your children love gaming, there are so many options on the market! A new Nintendo console is coming out in the Spring, so you may want to bide your time - but right now you can get the Playstation 4, an Xbox One, the PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS. It depends on what is right for your children - if they are always out and about, a Vita or 3DS might be the best option. If they enjoy staying in, the PS4 or Xbox One could be the answer. Kids really are spoilt for choice when it comes to gaming.

Tablet computers can offer a world of entertainment to our kids - so be sure to take advantage of what they can offer! They can be a great way of listening to music, watching movies, or enjoying a book! If you want to listen to music - turn to Spotify or Deezer for curated playlists and any song you can think of! If you enjoy movies, ShowBox offers a fantastic range of movies for you and the family to enjoy at any time, so visit GetShowBoxApp.com to make the most of it. If you want to read, there are plenty of interactive books you can share with your children to inspire and educate. The options are endless!

Of course, you’re going to be using a lot of energy having so much fun with the family, so make sure the devices are charged up and ready to go at all times! Gadgets these days run out of battery faster than ever, so keep the cables close and the batteries full to ensure all these new gadgets are giving your family the fun times, all the time! Remember that moderation is important here - keep the gadgets on, but only when needed.

Smart Organizing With TrackR atlas

Everyone of us dreams of keeping out homes and belongings organized. We work at installing wall hooks to hang our keys on; we invest in safe storage boxes; we purchase file folders for our documents. However, there are times when we just simply forget where we placed our things.

It is frustrating to lose precious time looking for something that you need immediately. Stuff like your cellphone, car keys, house keys, your card holder, or important documents like passports, check books and bank books. I have to look for my cellphone almost everyday! We all go through this ordeal at some point in time, don't we?

Well, here's a bit of good news. Today, we no longer have to go through the hassle of finding the stuff we need when we need it. Thanks to a new technology called TrackR atlas.

This works by simply plugging a TrackR atlas device into a wall socket in each room in the house, and attaching a Bluetooth tracking device to each your favorite items. Using your cellphone, download the TrackR app. When you need to find something, use the app and say, "Where is my ________?" The app will tell you exactly where to find it. Cool! No more hassle! No more stress!

The TrackR atlas will detect any belonging that has a Bluetooth tracker attached to it. It can also monitor and send alerts to your cellphone when your things move around the house or even leave the house. Now, we can even track where our dog or cat is!

Go ahead and make your life a little easier. Let TrackR atlas help you create a smart home. Above anything else, it is the peace of mind and security that is the best benefit we can get from this amazing device. 

What Does Thailand Have to Offer First-Time Visitors?

Thailand is an incredible country, and the wealth of things on offer for visitors can overwhelm you. If you’re heading there for the first time, you’ll have to accept that you’re not going to see everything. There is simply too much. But you can see some of the best things the country has to offer. Then, if you enjoy your time in Thailand, you can come back again and see some other sides to the country. Here’s an overview of some of the most interesting things you can do there.

Explore the Floating Markets

The floating markets are famous in Thailand, and the name explains it all. The markets sell all kinds of food items. You can eat things that are being cooked or buy ingredients to take with you and make something with later. But the real attraction here is the water-based nature of the market. They are all on boats, and to get around and buy from these markets, you have to use a boat too. It’s a shopping experience like no other, and one that you probably won’t have experienced ever before. It’s something that you should definitely do when you have a spare afternoon.

Do Some Volunteer Work

If you’re a conscientious traveler and you want to give something back to the country, why not do a bit of volunteering while you’re in Thailand? There are many ways to do this. There are nature and wildlife reserves you can lend a hand to. Or you could volunteer with the charities that offer help to children who live on the streets. Many people from the West teach English to Thai children when they’re in the country. If you find that you love the country and want to help out, volunteer in Thailand and make a real difference to the lives of the country’s people.

See the Elephant Population

The elephant is one of the national symbols of Thailand. They hold a very special place in the hearts of Thai people, and that’s why so much work is done to look after the local elephant population. Many of them have been rescued and are now kept in sanctuaries where they are safe. The benefit of this is that you can go and visit them when you go to Thailand. There are all chances to ride elephants if you want to get even closer. Whatever you do, you can’t really go to Thailand without seeing the elephants that mean so much to the country.

Visit the Smaller Islands

There are many small islands that are off the coast of the Thai mainland. You should do some island hopping if you want to explore these. They all offer something different to what you will find in the rural and city locations of the mainland. The coasts are often stunning and tranquil. You can get a guided tour of some of the islands if you want to get the most out of your trip. It offers you the chance to see a less known side of the country.

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Common Reasons Why Your Child Isn't Getting Enough Sleep (And What To Do About It!)

It’s so important that your child gets enough sleep at night. For one thing, it is so vital for their health. After all, without enough sleep, your child is more at risk of catching a bug. And not only this but they will lose concentration easier at school. Without proper rest, they might end up making silly errors too. And that’s without the mood swings that can occur if your child is feeling tired. Therefore, you need to try and ensure they get enough sleep at night. If you find your child can’t drift off, here are some common reasons why your kid isn’t getting enough sleep and what to do about it.

There is too much going on in the room

It’s so easy to fill your kid’s rooms with items. After all, you feel they need items like a TV and a computer to keep them entertained. But if there are lots of things in your kid’s room, you are going to find they will struggle to get to sleep at night. After all, they are going to want to get up and play with their items. And it can make their brain alert if there are lots of things in the room. Therefore, keep the number of items in the room to a minimum to ensure your child gets enough sleep at night. Devices should stay downstairs to ensure your child isn’t tempted to play with them during the night!

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They aren’t in a comfortable bed 

Your child might also not be getting much sleep as they aren’t comfortable in bed. It could be causing them to move around in the night. Therefore, work out what about the bed is causing them to feel uncomfortable. It might be that the mattress needs to be replaced. After all, if it’s not supporting your child properly, they could end up waking up in the night. Or it might be the actual bed frame which is not providing them much comfort when they are trying to sleep. If you need to get them a new bed, you can find kids beds from Cuckooland and other brands online that might be suitable. And remember to check their duvet and pillows to ensure they are providing them with comfort in the night. That way, you can ensure their bed doesn’t cause them to have a lack of sleep!

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There is too much light in the room

You might not realize that the light in the room can make our brain think it’s morning. And then we struggle to get back to sleep once our brain is alert. Therefore, to stop this happening to your kid, you need to make sure the bedroom is dark enough at night. Invest in good curtains which will stop light getting into your child’s room. And if they can’t sleep without any light, you should just get a night light which you can put in the corner of the room. Therefore, it will give your child some reassurance without there being too much light in the room.

And remember to make sure your little one isn’t eating and drinking much before going to bed. Otherwise, your child will struggle to get any shut eye, and you will have a grumpy kid the next day!

Pixabay

My Word For The Year: BE

This is the first time I have tried having a Word for the Year. I have seen a lot of people doing it and after spending several days pondering on the most appropriate word for me, I found the perfect word.

BE.

A word of only two letters. It is a verb, an action word, defined in many ways, such as, "exist," "occur," "to have a state, quality, identity, nature or role."

Powerful, raw, intriguing.

This is how my year will start and end.

I will BE.

A Worthy Investment: Akai's Professional Electronic Interface Expander

Here's another great device for sound engineers and musicians who are thinking of staying on top of their game - the akai eie pro at Guitar Center.

This electronic interface expander is designed for plug and play convenience. It has 4 audio outputs and 4 audio inputs plus 3 USB ports allowing the user to record at 24 bit audio resolution into any recording or performance software.

Guaranteed to deliver all features as promised and comes with a good price. Definitely worth the investment.

Do the "S.S.S." This Holiday Season with Groupon

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% mine.

The holidays are fast approaching and I am sure most of you have started shopping for gifts. As we all know, it is difficult to keep within budget, and even more difficult to find deals on the items you wish to purchase. Thankfully, Groupon Coupons provides us amazing deals for most of our needs, and from well known retailers. 

There is always someone in the family who will be thrilled to get a smartphone or a tablet, or maybe you need a new one yourself. Did you know that Groupon Coupons can help you to cover that need? Check out their deals on Verizon Wireless for deals on new devices. You will be amazed at how much you can save! 

If getting a new device is not exactly in your shopping list this year, that's okay. You can still avail of great discounts on their service plans. Calling friends and relatives on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's can rack up your minutes, right? This is an offer that would be hard to refuse!

Not a Verizon Wireless customer? No problem. Check out Groupon Coupons' Exclusive deals for new customers! 

Some of us may be doing a lot of traveling over the holidays. Air fare and hotel accommodations are heavy on the budget, and we all know that. OneTravel can help us find best rates for flights, hotels, transfers and vacation destinations. In addition to OneTravel's very competitive offers, you may also apply Groupon Coupons for additional discounts! Traveling and going on vacation need not burn a hole in your pocket! So go ahead, book that flight, and reserve that hotel room. Everyone deserves a vacation and that includes you! 

Make things a little different this holiday season. 

Do the "S.S.S." - Search, Shop, Save. 

It is that easy with Groupon! 

To snoop or not to snoop: Should parents spy on their kids’ chats and emails?

With the extensive application of mobile technologies, every parent’s mind is overwhelmed with the question: Whether to snoop or not to snoop their kids’ online activities. While countries like UK have advisors like who are urging parents to monitor their children’s emails, U.S. on the other hand is yet to get over the Edward Snowden crisis. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t much that we see government doing about kids’ online safety, and that’s why parents have to ask themselves whether it’s all right to monitor their kids’ online world.

The breach of trust, which is a possibility with spying on our kids, is in fact contingent upon how we define ‘spying in the first place”.

People have dramatically varying views about what’s the appropriate behavior for monitoring kids’ online behavior. Monitoring kids’ mobile-phone-related activities is pertinent nowadays to keep them safe against online predators, harassers, bullies, and unsolicited access to pornographic content. And sadly, the risks are uncountable, but the solutions are very limited. 

Natasha Furijanic, who has an eight-year-old son, says that monitoring may sound like intruding with our kids’ privacy, but it’s actually equivalent of saving their lives.On the contrary, mothers like Angelica, who is an educational psychologist believes that she would never spy on her daughter, because “that’s a violation of trust and an invasion of privacy”.

There are both easy and hard ways to find what’s there on your children’s computers, cell phones and tablets, but most parents who do spy on their kids’ online activity use tools like email spying software, because it’s an easy and convenient way of doing that. 

“I use xnspy email spying software to monitor my kids’ emails from his cell phone. The app is really convenient and easy to use, because all I had to do was to download it onto my son’s smartphone to start monitoring”, says Monica, mother of three. 

Day, who is the author of “Her Next Chapter” believes that spying on kids is an easy way of sabotaging the parent-child relationship. Her book talks about the mother-daughter bonding and reflects on the beliefs of openness and trust that parents and kids should have with each other.

While there are numerous ways to monitor our kids’ emails and online activity, the most convenient way for parents is to use an email spying software. These apps can be easily installed onto a cell phone; all parents have to do is to download the app onto the device they wish to monitor.

“It’s usually presumed that kids would retaliate to the idea of being monitored, but what really bugs them is the intrusion and constant questioning. I am using an app to monitor my kids and they are perfectly fine with it; they like the idea that I can check on their GPS location, contacts or multimedia without having to ask them for their device or calling them. It’s simple if you know how to bargain with your kids. They need to know that why digital safety matters, and when parents are able to do that, using a monitoring app on their phones is not a big deal then”, added Monica. 

But not every child thinks like that of Monica’s; there are parents who do think that monitoring kids’ email or smartphone is a breach of their privacy, and if there is something they should be doing, it’s to ask them about it. 

“I think parents should rather just focus on providing their kids the digital education they need. I don’t want an app to snoop into my phone; I want my privacy. There are things that aren’t risky but embarrassing and that’s why parents don’t need to know them. If we know the risks, we could be careful”, says Joe, a high school student. 

Apps like https://xnspy.com/ have been in the limelight for their pros and cons. Where kids find it intrusive, parents find this IM chat spying app highly convenient to keep check on the digital safety of their kids. 

What do you think about the use of mobile spying software on your kids’ electronic devices? Let me know in the comments.

Rise Up Tacloban with Hack the Climate Cleantech-Loban Event

In the commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, Hack the Climate will stage its first ever Clean Technology Hackathon and Training happening in Palo, Leyte and Tacloban City. It is part of the 8th NICP ICT Summit 2016, in partnership with the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), DOST Region 8, Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus, Seed4com, Move.ph, Millenia Suites, ThinkLab and Unionbank of the Philippines. 

Hack the Climate is a climate change themed Hackathon that is formed out of the desire of a two Princeton University College Students, named Michael Lanchanski and Jacob Scheer to help the Philippines in their battle for climate change through Technology and Innovation.  With the help of their Filipino counterparts, Elaine Cedillo, Diego Jose Ramos and Rizzel Jill Dy, Hack the Climate was born in June 2013.

“Hack the Climate in Leyte is our 5th since we started and we hope that we can bring this project across the country” said Elaine Cedillo, the lead project coordinator for this leg.  “Hack the Climate is more than just a hackathon, it is our advocacy. Educating the students and young professionals about the adverse effects of climate change while challenging the developers to create a solution for climate change adaptation or mitigation, and through that, the participants are empowered to do something to help our environment,” she added 

THE CLEAN TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS AND THE HACKATHON 

This year’s Hackathon is dubbed as “Hack the Climate Cleantech-Loban” and it will be a three-part event. They will be launching their first solar e-Learning facility for Alternative Learning System and a Solar Night Lamp assembly livelihood training program for the out-of-the school youth and partner NGO’s, plus a conference – hackathon about Climate Change Mitigation and CleanTech.

Philippine Toy Library located at Palo District 1, Barugo, Leyte with more than 100 learners and at Pambujan, Samar with more than 90 learners will be the beneficiaries of an e-Learning set-up consisting of laptops from Huawei Philippines powered by solar panels which will be donated by Unionbank of the Philippines through their Go Beyond CSR.  The Solar Night Lamp that will be produced during the training will be donated to a fishing community in and around Tacloban. 

The hackathon, a coding marathon, happening on November 9-10, 2016 at Philippine Science High School in Palo, Leyte, involves a specific theme where participants will be creating web or mobile applications, or hardware solutions.The conference happening simultaneously with the hackathon features speakers to educate and enlighten the audience to what is happening with our environment and how it affects each and every one of us, and different technologies which can be used to help in creating solutions.

Clean Techloban is supported by the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, Inc. and the OML Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc. and organized by Redwizard Events Management. 

For more information you may log on to :  

http://hacktheclimate.com/ 

or like their Facebook page : 

https://www.facebook.com/HackTheClimate

Achieve a Professional Look With Real Techniques Make Up Brushes from Sephora

I have always considered myself a strong woman, ready to take on any challenge. However, when it comes to using make up, I have to admit that I still have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to choosing the right kind of brush to apply make up. I thought all brushes were one and the same. This mindset was proven wrong when I was given the chance to try Real Techniques make up brushes from Sephora.  

Sephora is a company focused on making women worldwide feel and look beautiful. Operating 1,900 physical stores in 29 countries and currently expanding their reach in the Asia Pacific Region with 200 stores spread across Australia, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia & India, and is now serving customers from the Philippines through their online store!

I ordered a set of Real Techniques brushes from Sephora. Before I go on to discuss my experience with the product, I would like to mention the ease of transaction online. Their website is user friendly and easy to use. I was able to choose the products I needed and within a few minutes, I was checking out and finalizing my order. However, it does not end there. Their post sale service was great! An email confirming my order was in my inbox almost immediately after I placed my order. A link to track my order was included in the email too. Their customer service hotline was easy to reach, with little to no wait time. The representative that attended to my query was courteous and very efficient. Customer service at its best!

Now, to proceed with my review. I am terrible with applying foundation and eye shadow. It is either I look too polished or "cake-y" or like I never applied anything at all. For this reason, I ordered the Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection Set, Concealer brush, and the Foundation brush. I chose these products because its bristles are made from Taklon, a synthetic fiber free from any protein component and allergens. Therefore, it is 100% hypoallergenic, and animal cruelty free. In addition to that, since the bristles are made of synthetic fiber, it is easy to clean. 

I can be a klutz when applying make up so to make sure I do not make a mess out of myself, I asked my son's girlfriend, Marga, to do a demo for me for the photoshoot.

1. Real Techniques Foundation Brush

I am amazed at how well this brush helped in applying foundation. The brush design is great because the bristles are tapered and set at an angle making it easier to apply foundation evenly especially around the area of the bridge and sides of the nose. This brush allowed to build coverage on my foundation based on my liking without creating any streaking.

2. Real Techniques Concealer Brush

I never thought using a brush to apply concealer would be possible. I always thought a beauty sponge was the best way to do that. However, the Real Techniques Concealer Brush gave me a different experience. The brush had just the right density which provided an even coverage for those nasty dark under-eye circles. I love that the bristles were soft enough to use for this sensitive area of my face. 

3. Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Collection

This brush set consists of three different brushes, namely, the Duo-Fiber Face Brush, Duo-Fiber Contour Brush, and the Duo-Fiber Eye Brush.  These brushes helps create soft layers and texture because it is less dense than the other brushes. The Duo-Fiber Contour Brush can be used for defining the shape of your face. It can also be used to apply blush and highlights.  The Duo-Fiber Eye Brush was another "first." I always thought you needed those little applicators that comes with the palette when applying eye shadow. This brush helped me to achieve a smokey effect without having to look overly made-up. It made me itch at bit, but I guess that just comes with the fact that this was the first time I used a brush to apply eye shadow. Lastly, the Duo-Fiber Face Brush was the perfect brush to finish off the look. Perfect for applying loose powder and for a quick retouch. I love the "no-make up" make up look and these brushes will make anyone achieve a professional finish.

The other great features I discovered using Real Techniques brushes are:

• Grip of brush is good
• Brushes have a flat base to allow it stand upright (except the duo fiber brushes)
• Affordable quality brushes which can compare to name brands
• Bristles are super soft
• Base brushes are dense so application is very easy, make up build is easy too
• Brushes are multi purpose

In conclusion, I would recommend Real Techniques brushes. They are really worth the price. Furthermore, since you can only get these from Sephora, you can be sure that you are getting the authentic item!

Now that Sephora is available online for its customers in the Philippines, you can get all your beauty and luxury products from the industry leader. Free shipping is offered for orders Php 1,300.00 and up. Head on over to Sephora.ph now!

I am a satisfied customer! I am planning to get lip brushes next time. So happy that Sephora is finally here! I guess Marga is happy too. :)

Disclosure: Product/s mentioned above were sent to me by Sephora for evaluation purposes. No monetary compensation was received to write the review. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. However, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Shop Globally with Uskoop

The holidays are fast approaching and I am close to panic mode trying to figure out what to get for my loved ones. I don't have much to spend, but I do want to get them something useful that they will love.

Two years ago, I got my husband a Kindle Fire HD from a merchant who purchases stuff from the United States. I did not have to wait a long time to get my Kindle Fire HD because they had it in stock. However, it was a different story when I tried to order a Graco Pack N' Play Playard for my grandson. I was quoted for an outrageous price and a 7-week wait time. I tried to find other ways to purchase the Graco Playard from Amazon and have it shipped here. Oh my goodness. The shipping fee was almost 4 times the actual cost of the item. No way, Jose! The only reason I wanted to get it from Amazon is because I wanted to be sure that it was an authentic Graco, and not an imitation product. The safety of my grandson was my utmost priority. Left with no other choice, I found myself purchasing it locally in a department store.

This year, I discovered Uskoop. This company serves as your gateway to purchase items from US stores and delivers them right to your doorstep. I am loving this Uskoop thing! They take care of everything for you and price quotes are instant! The process is simple, straightforward, and fast. Wait time is only 10-15 business days! Awesome. One more thing I like about Uskoop is that you don't have to pay any membership fee to avail of their service. In other words, it is FREE. Wonderful.

Why should we choose Uskoop over others? Uskoop does not only provide competitive pricing, you also get a lot of benefits from using their service.

Having been convinced and loving everything I read on their website, I have chosen 5 items that I wish to purchase from US merchants through Uskoop's service. Of course, I have chosen one for each member of the family. Here's my wishlist video:




I also checked on the price for one item from my list from a local online shopping site. Guess what? I am going to save Php 1,807.00 when I order from Uskoop! Totally awesome.

Here's proof:

We all love getting the best deal for our purchases, right? However, for others who are still unsure of whether shopping online is a good idea, Uskoop will provide their customers security and peace of mind that their items will be handled with care and delivered in a timely manner!

This is the best thing that has happened to online shopping. We can now get authentic items from big name merchants in the United States at very reasonable prices. Payment for your purchases is hassle-free, because they offer several payment options, namely, Citbank's C2P, Mastercard, Visa, and Dragon Pay. Go ahead and pick your dream item from any of these US merchants!

Don't just take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Click HERE to start shopping with Uskoop. Follow them on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/uskoopph/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/USkoopPhilippines/) to get updates on new merchants.

Wait, I'm not done yet! Here's something for you...

Get a 10% discount off your shipping and handling fee by using the code USKOOPTEN% at checkout.

Uskoop?

YES. 

DEFINITELY.

Get All the Pampering You Want At A Price You Can Afford With Groupon

This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.

Being a busy mom is not an excuse to let pampering take a back seat in your life. Of course, everyone grows old and as nature takes its course, so would our bodies. What is the best we can do about growing old? It is to stay healthy and grow old gracefully. 

I try my best to attend to my responsibilities at home as a wife and mother, meet pressing deadlines at work, and occasionally babysit for my 10 month old grandson. When the weekend comes around, I am so exhausted that all I need is a good relaxing soak in the tub! 

Some days I feel like going out to the salon for a mani-pedi. This is the only vanity I have, not by choice, but because I do not have the skill to paint my nails myself. Going to the salon is not cheap, we all know that. However, I feel like this is the only reward I get after all the work I've been doing. I recently got my nails done, and of course, I chose my favorite color, cocoa. I feel so beautiful when my nails are perfectly manicured!

You may be wondering how a mother sending a child through college can afford having salon pampering. Well, the answer is easy. I take advantage of the Health, Beauty & Wellness Groupons!  

Groupon is a great resource to find deals for almost everything you need! You can find coupons to use for family activities, hotel accommodations, events, memberships, goods, etc. My favorite search on the Groupon site is for deals on health and wellness, and of course, beauty! Here I find deals for spa treatments, facial care, massages and reflexology treatments. I avail of these services as a gift for myself. It is my "me" time treat.

My daughter is a big fan of Groupon too and she was able to save a lot when she went shopping for her newborn son. Now she and her husband use Groupon to search for spa treatment deals in their area too. Raising a child is hard work!

If you haven't signed up for Groupon yet, now is the time to do so! Signing up is free, so that lets you in on a gazillion deals right in the palm of your hand. 

Its the last quarter of the year and you know there will be a lot of family gatherings and parties to attend. Get that hairstyle you've always wanted, get a spa treatment and have your nails done. Groupon's got your budget covered! 

Check out their awesome deals today!

Got a Guitar Player in the Family? Check out these amps!

The guitar guru is back again. Today, I am letting you guitar enthusiasts know that the best guitar amp you can get is a tube combo guitar amplifier. Get yours only from the most credible outlets where you can choose the perfect amp for your needs. 

You may purchase according to your preference of brand, or from the array of best sellers and top rated amps. Other models offer rebates and extra points for members. 

Don't forget to include this in your Christmas wish list!

Palawan: Our Very Own Slice of Paradise

I have always wanted to travel to other places in the Philippines, however, several factors such as family responsibilities, work schedules, and financial constraints played a big factor and limited my travel escapades to nearby provinces in Luzon.

After a decade of working in the BPO industry, I was able to get a much deserved weekend in one of the world’s best islands – Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The beautiful island of Puerto Princesa, is located 591 kilometers (367 miles) from Manila. Flight time is approximately 75-90 minutes. Getting there by plane is faster than traveling from Quezon City to Makati by car! 

Planning for this trip was done months before, and we were fortunate enough to avail of discounted air fare. We chose a reasonably priced hotel in Palawan, close to the airport and made reservations too. Can you imagine the thrill we had as we counted the days to this memorable vacation? I just can’t describe how giddy with excitement we were when that day finally came.

We planned on maximizing our three day vacation. All of us agreed to go island hopping in Honda Bay. Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island were on our list. We also planned on visiting popular restaurants to sample the local cuisine. Of course, a trip to Palawan won’t be complete without a visit to the Palawan Subterranean River National Park . That was on our itinerary too! 

Day 1

First leg of the trip was the moment we boarded the Cebu Pacific plane at NAIA Terminal 3 to the time we landed at the Puerto Princesa Airport. It took us an hour and 15 minutes. A short walk took us to the hotel where we unloaded our bags, showered and checked out the hotel amenities.

We asked the concierge if they could recommend some tour packages for our Honda Bay island hopping adventure, and they did provide us with a good deal. We paid for the tour package and secured our trip for the next day. Since we arrived mid-afternoon in Puerto Princesa, we decided to take a walk around the city and check out the restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. We came across this nice, cozy place called Kinabuch Grill and Bar. We checked out the menu and found lots of options to satisfy hungry tourists for a reasonable price. We had our dinner here. We got back to the hotel stuffed to our throats with delicious seafood, grilled pork and tuna belly!

Day 2

We are not really morning persons  but this day was different. We were all up early, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Amazing what a trip to Palawan can do! We met up with our tour guide in the hotel lobby. We boarded their van, together with other tourists. The drive from the hotel to the boat station in Honda Bay  took around an hour or so. The tour guides were very courteous. We were briefed about safety measures and before we boarded the boat, they checked if our life vests were properly secured. 

The tour took us to Cowrie Island first. This island has huts with thatched roofs for tourists to rest or to shield themselves from the bright sun. There are “bars” too where you can get refreshments. Of course, my children were not interested in those things. They dove into the clear water and had a great time swimming! 

Next stop was Starfish Island. How can I describe it? One word. Beautiful. I’ve never seen so many starfish before! My children had a great time. The waters were unbelievably clear and the beach was pristine! I enjoyed taking photos of the kids! We had our lunch here and we were served a buffet of grilled fish, seafood and pork belly. I loved the eggplant, mango and tomato salad, although I was not courageous enough to try the “Tamilok” or wood worm. My sons did, and they said it was a little gritty and tasted just like wood. 

The last island we visited was Luli Island. The name of the island, according to locals, is short for “Lulubog-Lilitaw,” (Sink and Rise). Visible only during low tide, this island is actually composed of sandbars. Huts have been built on these sandbars where tourists can take a rest and enjoy the view which is nothing else but stunning!

Weary from swimming, diving, and snorkeling, we boarded our boat at the end of the day to take us station. Our tour van was waiting for us there to take us back to the hotel. What an awesome experience we had!

Day 3

Our last full day in this beautiful Palawan. This was the day my children took a trip to the Palawan Subterranean National Park. I wanted to go to, but I have slight agoraphobia. Being in a dark, underground river, no matter how beautiful it may be is something I would rather leave to the more adventurous soul. Thank goodness my children are so brave. They came back with lots of photos and loads of stories to tell. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping in souvenir shops, taking pictures, and of course, eating! We just can’t get enough of the fresh seafood! 

That evening, we started packing our bags for our early 9am flight back to Manila.

This has been the best vacation I’ve had in a long time and I am happy that it was worth every penny.
Here's our vacation video:



If I had the chance to travel to any destination in the Philippines, I’d choose Palawan again!

Hope to see you again, Palawan. You are our very own little slice of paradise.