Rurouni Kenshin is my favorite anime series of all time (hubby likes it, too). So much so that we had Kenshin and Kauro action figures as caketoppers atop our wedding cake. When we learned that the live-action film will have an exclusive screening on SM Cinemas, we got excited and marked the date on the calendar.
But alas, despite our intentions to watch it on the first showing day, work got in the way and it wasn't until 3 days later, a Saturday, when our schedule permitted us.
SM got the exclusive rights to screen the Rurouni Kenshin movie but it had limited run in some SM Cinemas near us, so we decided to head to SM Mall of Asia, where it is shown in 4 cinemas. We got there at around 12:30 p.m. and learned that the 2 p.m. schedule was already full. It must be a hit, I thought.
We bough tickets for the 5 p.m. slot and spent the next 4 hours strolling inside the mall. We honestly thought we were still early when we came up at 4:30 p.m., but was surprised to find a long queue waiting outside Cinema 1, where the 5 p.m. schedule will be screened. We even had to double-check if all these people were really lining up for Rurouni Kenshin. And they were. It was a hit indeed.
Rurouni Kenshin is the fictional story of Himura Kenshin, a legendary swordsman hired by the government as an assassin during the Meiji Restoration period. After killing so many people, he decided to become a wanderer and vowed never to take another soul again. Rurouni Kenshin loosely translates to Kenshin, the Wandering Swordsman, or simply Kenshin, the Wanderer. Here in the Philippines, the anime series was called Samurai X, referring to the X scar mark on Kenshin's face. And perhaps, an allusion to Kenshin being an ex-samurai.
Obviously, the movie also revolved around that story. They chose to tell the Takeda/Opium arc, where Kenshin and his friends fought Kanryu Takeda's group to stop them from peddling opium, and the Udo Jin-e arc, where he had to deal with Jin-e, another samurai murderer from his past, who believes that they who lived by the sword can never turn their backs from killing.
These story arcs were separate from each other, but in the movie, they were combined as a single story. As such, modifications in the story and some characters were inevitable, but forgivable because I understand that they had to compress everything into a 2-hour movie.
For example, Jin-e was not part of the Takeda's band of hired bodyguards. But in the movie, he was the leader of the group, replacing Shinomori Aoishi. The Oniwabanshu (Oni) group members were also misrepresented. There's a masked man, who at first we thought was Hanya, but had the hair and cape (in black) of Hiko Seijuro. When he revealed his face, his silver spiked hair resembled that of Enishi (Tomoe's brother), had a scarred face (which I couldn't identify), but talked like Aoishi.
Another glaring deviation was the inclusion of Jajime Saito, who didn't appear originally in any of the two arcs, but later at the beginning of the Shishio/Kyoto arc. For me, his inclusion was to pander to the fans. Sure, it would be nice to highlight the long-time rivalry between Kenshin and Saito, but the movie had too much going on already, to put a proper light on this angle. As a result, the duel between Kenshin and Saito, which to me is one, if not the best fight scene in the series, wasn't given justice. It wasn't even close to the real sword fight.
But as far as fighting scene goes, everything else was superb. Kenshin fought they way he fought in the series. I read somewhere that they used minimal CGI and relied mostly on rope-technique for the fighting scenes. The stance was perfect, the speed, the agility, the sword technique - it was believable. All that's missing was Kenshin's eyes turning amber when he turns into Battousai.
Casting and character portrayals were commendable as well. Sansouke and Yahiko were hilarious, Megumi was foxy and Kauro was cute and feisty. Together with the perfect setting, it's as if you're watching a live-action of the anime series (well, it is a live-action film of the anime series). What I also love is the small, subtle details that are distinctly Rurouni Kenshin (especially Kenshin's Oro face).
It is a great movie but it's not perfect. One flaw that others usually point out is the weak character development. There were a number of characters introduced without properly 'introducing' them. As a fan, it's easy (and fun and nostalgic, too) to identify these characters and understand their roles in the story. But it can be confusing if you're not familiar with the series. Also, I find some characters were not really necessary to the movie story, but it was delightful to see them in the movie nonetheless.
Rurouni Kenshin was a great movie adaptation of an equally great anime series. It stayed as faithful as possible to the plot and characters, and Kenshin's story was told beautifully while preserving the heart and soul of the series. But more than anything, it is a wonderful fan movie, made by a fan, for the fans. It's a good example of why anime series must be made into movies by people who know them by heart.
Here's hoping to a part 2 and 3. I'd love to see the Shishio/Kyoto arc and Tomoe/Enishi/Kauro arc on the big screen.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Product: Veet Hair Removal Wax Strips
Instead of posting my review of Veet Hair Removal Wax Strips, I will give a few tips on how to do DIY underarm waxing. I've been waxing my underarm for a year now, and I kind of developed my own technique.
This can helpful to those who want to try DIY underarm waxing but haven't figured out how to do it yet.
But briefly, let me say that yes, Veet Hair Removal Wax Strips (or most wax strips) work, provided that you use them properly. Once you've perfected DIY underarm waxing, these wax strips are the best and cheapest alternative to going to salon/beauty shops to have your underarms waxed.
Why I choose wax strips:
There are two Veet Hair Removal Wax Strips sizes: the regular long one for the legs and the shorter one for the face. Both can be used for underarms and both boxes will contain 12 wax strips and 2 oil-paper wipes. The facial wax strips, I think, is cheaper by P100 than the regular wax strips.
If you use the longer one, just cut the wax strip in to 3 or 4 smaller pieces, depending on how small or big is the area covered with hair. I usually cut it into 3.
If you use the shorter one, of course you don't have to cut it anymore. But bear in mind that the facial wax strips are narrower, and won't usually cover your whole underarm area. It's also best for finer, softer hairs.
Before you start waxing:
If you have someone to help you place the strip in the proper area and pull it after, the better. If not, you can stand in front of the mirror to see where to place the strip.
Ok, let's start my DIY underarm waxing procedure:
Brush you hair with a comb or your fingers so that most of them are in one direction.
To lightly warm the wax, rub the strip between your hands for a few seconds. Or you can use the trusty hair dryer to heat the strip. But if you do, wait for the strip to cool down a little because a hot wax strip can cause wax burn. And I tell you, you don't want that. Wax burn = dark underarms.
Place the strip on your underarm, particularly in the area with most hair. Don't worry about not covering your entire underarm as you can wax these areas later.
Gently smooth out the strip with your hand, making sure that most hairs are sticking to the wax.
Then pull quickly (or have someone to pull it for you). The quicker the better, and make sure to pull against the direction of the hair growth.
Not all hair will be pulled out so you need to wax again. But instead of placing the strip in the same area, use the edge/corner of the strip to target a smaller area where the remaining hairs are. You can also use the middle part, but don't spread it out. Don't stick the whole strip on your underarm, only on the part where there are hairs.
As much as possible, don't wax the same area more than thrice because this will irritate your underarm skin and will often cause wax burn. A stinging sensation is normal, but if you skin starts to hurt, stop waxing in that area. Do the "smaller area" technique above.
Actually, you only need to wax your whole underarm once or twice, to get most of the hair. The "smaller area" technique can finish off the rest of the hair.
You can reuse the strip but if hair is not sticking to it anymore, use a new one. This is also the reason why I cut the long strips, because it's more practical. This way, I can use one box of wax strips for at least 6 sessions.
Depending on how sensitive your skin is, redness and a slight burning sensation will follow. This is normal, as long as it doesn't hurt too much.
After you've finished waxing, use the oil-paper wipes to remove the wax on your underarm. Or better yet, use Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil. It soothes the skin, eliminates redness and prevents wax burns. Plus it's natural, unlike the wipes that come with Veet that has parabens.
Don't scrub your underarms during bathtime for at least 3 days after waxing, or until the burning sensation subsides.
If you can, use the sunflower oil as a deo for a week. It really works wonders.
And that's it! My DIY underarm waxing tips. I've had lots of wax burns and dark underarm episodes before I finally got the right procedure. I hope it will work for you.
Also, you can use other wax strips, like Glam Works, Beauty Formula. They work the same way and are even cheaper. Goodluck!
This can helpful to those who want to try DIY underarm waxing but haven't figured out how to do it yet.
But briefly, let me say that yes, Veet Hair Removal Wax Strips (or most wax strips) work, provided that you use them properly. Once you've perfected DIY underarm waxing, these wax strips are the best and cheapest alternative to going to salon/beauty shops to have your underarms waxed.
Why I choose wax strips:
- I don't have to heat them. I'm afraid to use hot wax on my underarm.
- They are safer and less messy than heating wax and applying it on your skin.
- They are a lot lot cheaper than salon underarm waxing. One box of 12 strips can last up to 5 or 6 or more waxing sessions.
- An epilator is a lot easier to use and might be more efficient, but I don't have the budget to buy one yet, so I'll stick to wax strips for now. The same goes for laser hair removal.
- Waxing definitely gets rid of chicken skin, so forget about plucking or shaving.
There are two Veet Hair Removal Wax Strips sizes: the regular long one for the legs and the shorter one for the face. Both can be used for underarms and both boxes will contain 12 wax strips and 2 oil-paper wipes. The facial wax strips, I think, is cheaper by P100 than the regular wax strips.
If you use the shorter one, of course you don't have to cut it anymore. But bear in mind that the facial wax strips are narrower, and won't usually cover your whole underarm area. It's also best for finer, softer hairs.
Before you start waxing:
- Make sure to wash your underarms, but don't wax right after you take a bath. Your skin is softer and more sensitive and therefore more prone to wax burns during this time. I usually wait at least an hour.
- Don't put anything on your underarms. No deos and make sure you're not yet sweating.
- Make sure your underarm hair is long enough, at least an inch long. Otherwise, you'll just be in a wax mess and won't be able to pull anything out. Even if the package says it can pull hair as short as 2 cm, don't believe it.
If you have someone to help you place the strip in the proper area and pull it after, the better. If not, you can stand in front of the mirror to see where to place the strip.
Ok, let's start my DIY underarm waxing procedure:
Brush you hair with a comb or your fingers so that most of them are in one direction.
To lightly warm the wax, rub the strip between your hands for a few seconds. Or you can use the trusty hair dryer to heat the strip. But if you do, wait for the strip to cool down a little because a hot wax strip can cause wax burn. And I tell you, you don't want that. Wax burn = dark underarms.
Place the strip on your underarm, particularly in the area with most hair. Don't worry about not covering your entire underarm as you can wax these areas later.
Gently smooth out the strip with your hand, making sure that most hairs are sticking to the wax.
Then pull quickly (or have someone to pull it for you). The quicker the better, and make sure to pull against the direction of the hair growth.
Not all hair will be pulled out so you need to wax again. But instead of placing the strip in the same area, use the edge/corner of the strip to target a smaller area where the remaining hairs are. You can also use the middle part, but don't spread it out. Don't stick the whole strip on your underarm, only on the part where there are hairs.
As much as possible, don't wax the same area more than thrice because this will irritate your underarm skin and will often cause wax burn. A stinging sensation is normal, but if you skin starts to hurt, stop waxing in that area. Do the "smaller area" technique above.
Actually, you only need to wax your whole underarm once or twice, to get most of the hair. The "smaller area" technique can finish off the rest of the hair.
You can reuse the strip but if hair is not sticking to it anymore, use a new one. This is also the reason why I cut the long strips, because it's more practical. This way, I can use one box of wax strips for at least 6 sessions.
Depending on how sensitive your skin is, redness and a slight burning sensation will follow. This is normal, as long as it doesn't hurt too much.
After you've finished waxing, use the oil-paper wipes to remove the wax on your underarm. Or better yet, use Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil. It soothes the skin, eliminates redness and prevents wax burns. Plus it's natural, unlike the wipes that come with Veet that has parabens.
Don't scrub your underarms during bathtime for at least 3 days after waxing, or until the burning sensation subsides.
If you can, use the sunflower oil as a deo for a week. It really works wonders.
And that's it! My DIY underarm waxing tips. I've had lots of wax burns and dark underarm episodes before I finally got the right procedure. I hope it will work for you.
Also, you can use other wax strips, like Glam Works, Beauty Formula. They work the same way and are even cheaper. Goodluck!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Food: Melona Strawberry Iced Bar
I've been reading about Melona Iced Bar but couldn't find it in any malls near my place. Good thing, we went a little further one grocery-shopping day, and I saw Melona products in SM Supermarket in Southmall, Las Pinas City. So I took 1 box to finally taste what a lot of people have been raving about.
I don't think that Strawberry is it's most popular flavor, but I love Strawberry, so nevermind the bestseller.
The flavor is light and didn't taste too sweet or too artificial, as most strawberry flavors do. What I like most about it is it's more on the creamy side and not icy, like your regular iced popsicle. A premium ice cream on a stick? Is it even an ice cream?
Yes, it's good but maybe not something I'll develop a craving for. But I'll buy again, for sure, if only to try the other flavors. I read Banana and Honeydew are good.
I don't think that Strawberry is it's most popular flavor, but I love Strawberry, so nevermind the bestseller.
The flavor is light and didn't taste too sweet or too artificial, as most strawberry flavors do. What I like most about it is it's more on the creamy side and not icy, like your regular iced popsicle. A premium ice cream on a stick? Is it even an ice cream?
Yes, it's good but maybe not something I'll develop a craving for. But I'll buy again, for sure, if only to try the other flavors. I read Banana and Honeydew are good.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Product: Jason Shampoo and Conditioner (Long & Strong Jojoba)
Because of great results I had with Jason Thin to Thick products, I decided to buy another Jason, this time their regular shampoo and conditioner. And here is my review of Jason Shampoo and Conditioner, [Long & Strong] Jojoba variant.
Jason is known for natural products. In fact, my favorite hair oil is their Pure Jojoba oil. So when choosing a regular shampoo and conditioner after using Jason Thin to Thick (I would like to continue using this product if only it wasn't expensive, read my review here.), I still stuck to the brand.
Jason shampoo and conditioner line has a lot of variants and I remember having a hard time deciding which to get. I was choosing among Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Jojoba. In the end, Long and Strong Jojoba won me over because it promises healthy hair growth. (Yes, I was still in that "I want to grow my hair more" phase).
Right off the front label, it says No Parabens, SLS, Phthalates, which is very good for me. I think the 16 oz bottle cost around P300 more or less. It's a big bottle so I find the price reasonable (or cheap) enough.
The scent reminds me of baby powder. It's floral but not too strong like most commercial hair products. It doesn't linger much on the hair, but you still get that clean, fresh smell. The shampoo is a yellow and transparent liquid, while the conditioner is white with a thick consistency.
So, okay - on to the results:
The shampoo feels sticky on the hair especially after I rinse it off. The conditioner is okay, but I feel it barely moisturizes my hair. In fact, using both these products made my hair dry and brittle. I mean, my hair is dry and brittle to begin with, and using them didn't help at all.
At times, my scalp would itch. I think it's because I wasn't able to rinse thoroughly. It can be hard to wash the shampoo off my hair.And I'm having hairfall again, though not as bad as before. But the increased amount of strands that collect on the bathroom drain and on our bedroom floor is definitely an indication. Maybe it's because my scalp is dry and not healthy.
So overall, Jason Long & Strong Jojoba Shampoo and Conditioner are a big flop for me. I won't buy them again, either together or separately. However, I might buy another Jason hair product. After all, this shampoo and conditioner combo didn't promise to have moisturizing properties, so I really can't hold them against something they didn't claim to do.
Jason is known for natural products. In fact, my favorite hair oil is their Pure Jojoba oil. So when choosing a regular shampoo and conditioner after using Jason Thin to Thick (I would like to continue using this product if only it wasn't expensive, read my review here.), I still stuck to the brand.
Jason shampoo and conditioner line has a lot of variants and I remember having a hard time deciding which to get. I was choosing among Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Jojoba. In the end, Long and Strong Jojoba won me over because it promises healthy hair growth. (Yes, I was still in that "I want to grow my hair more" phase).
Right off the front label, it says No Parabens, SLS, Phthalates, which is very good for me. I think the 16 oz bottle cost around P300 more or less. It's a big bottle so I find the price reasonable (or cheap) enough.
The scent reminds me of baby powder. It's floral but not too strong like most commercial hair products. It doesn't linger much on the hair, but you still get that clean, fresh smell. The shampoo is a yellow and transparent liquid, while the conditioner is white with a thick consistency.
So, okay - on to the results:
The shampoo feels sticky on the hair especially after I rinse it off. The conditioner is okay, but I feel it barely moisturizes my hair. In fact, using both these products made my hair dry and brittle. I mean, my hair is dry and brittle to begin with, and using them didn't help at all.
At times, my scalp would itch. I think it's because I wasn't able to rinse thoroughly. It can be hard to wash the shampoo off my hair.And I'm having hairfall again, though not as bad as before. But the increased amount of strands that collect on the bathroom drain and on our bedroom floor is definitely an indication. Maybe it's because my scalp is dry and not healthy.
So overall, Jason Long & Strong Jojoba Shampoo and Conditioner are a big flop for me. I won't buy them again, either together or separately. However, I might buy another Jason hair product. After all, this shampoo and conditioner combo didn't promise to have moisturizing properties, so I really can't hold them against something they didn't claim to do.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Product: Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner
Back when there were very few natural/organic beauty products produced locally, I would always ogle at Burt's Bees website and wonder how I can get this: Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner (+ the Garden Tomato/Carrot Complexion Soaps as well). There are a lot of good reviews about this product on the website that I was so convinced it would help me get rid of my pimples.
After a few forum searches and inquiries, I found out that Beauty Bar carries this product line. And it was just my luck that there's a Beauty Bar branch at a mall near us. But to my dismay, this toner cost around P900 at that time. I was still a college student and despite my fervent yearning, it was simply too expensive for me.
Fast forward to a few years later, I was already employed and have even started buying smaller and cheaper Burt's Bees items (lip balms basically). And I loved them. I was sold to Burt's Bees. But I have grown hesitant to buy the Garden Tomato Toner, because even if I can afford it already, I still find it expensive.
I did end up buying the soap and the toner (while my friend gasped at the price that I was paying for the two items) and was excited to finally try them on my face. I love the packaging - the smoked vintage-y glass bottle and like that the toner didn't smell of alcohol or any harsh chemicals. It smelled a little sour though, like the sourness of fresh tomatoes.
I was so thrilled about using the product that I sort of expected that it would miraculously transform my skin into kutis-artista. Well, maybe not THAT much, but my expectations were high nonetheless. I've used other local-brand toners before and I didn't like the effects on my skin. Upon application, my face would turn red. Then super shiny. After a few days, my mom noticed that my face looked darker than the rest of my body. Because of that, I vowed never to use another facial toner again.
But Burt's Bees, I argued to myself, is different. It's natural and it has people swearing by how effective it is. And it's too expensive a toner for it not to work wonders. Unfortunately, it yielded the same disappointing results. I wanted to give it a few more days, thinking maybe my skin needed to adjust to the new product first before it reveals the promised healthy, even-tone, pimple-free, oil-free layer. But my face got darker and darker each day and I started to develop small bumps on the forehead. The shine/oil nor the pimple weren't showing any signs of retreat either. I felt like if I continue using it, things will just get worse for my skin.
So I stopped using it after only two weeks of trial. Being natural doesn't mean that it's effective and just because it's effective for a hundred people doesn't guarantee that it will have the same effect on you (assuming that all those reviews and testimonials on the website are real).
I didn't throw it away, though. I fell in love with the bottle so I kept it inside my closet, along with my other not-so-good purchases . Then one day, while in a hurry to go to work and looking for something to clean my shoes with, I took a handful of cotton, and wet it with the toner and used it to clean my shoes. You know, it's a good leather shoe cleaner and that's how I've been using it since then. Too bad that it just ended up as an expensive shoe cleaner. But at least I found good use for it.
After a few forum searches and inquiries, I found out that Beauty Bar carries this product line. And it was just my luck that there's a Beauty Bar branch at a mall near us. But to my dismay, this toner cost around P900 at that time. I was still a college student and despite my fervent yearning, it was simply too expensive for me.
Fast forward to a few years later, I was already employed and have even started buying smaller and cheaper Burt's Bees items (lip balms basically). And I loved them. I was sold to Burt's Bees. But I have grown hesitant to buy the Garden Tomato Toner, because even if I can afford it already, I still find it expensive.
I did end up buying the soap and the toner (while my friend gasped at the price that I was paying for the two items) and was excited to finally try them on my face. I love the packaging - the smoked vintage-y glass bottle and like that the toner didn't smell of alcohol or any harsh chemicals. It smelled a little sour though, like the sourness of fresh tomatoes.
I was so thrilled about using the product that I sort of expected that it would miraculously transform my skin into kutis-artista. Well, maybe not THAT much, but my expectations were high nonetheless. I've used other local-brand toners before and I didn't like the effects on my skin. Upon application, my face would turn red. Then super shiny. After a few days, my mom noticed that my face looked darker than the rest of my body. Because of that, I vowed never to use another facial toner again.
But Burt's Bees, I argued to myself, is different. It's natural and it has people swearing by how effective it is. And it's too expensive a toner for it not to work wonders. Unfortunately, it yielded the same disappointing results. I wanted to give it a few more days, thinking maybe my skin needed to adjust to the new product first before it reveals the promised healthy, even-tone, pimple-free, oil-free layer. But my face got darker and darker each day and I started to develop small bumps on the forehead. The shine/oil nor the pimple weren't showing any signs of retreat either. I felt like if I continue using it, things will just get worse for my skin.
So I stopped using it after only two weeks of trial. Being natural doesn't mean that it's effective and just because it's effective for a hundred people doesn't guarantee that it will have the same effect on you (assuming that all those reviews and testimonials on the website are real).
I didn't throw it away, though. I fell in love with the bottle so I kept it inside my closet, along with my other not-so-good purchases . Then one day, while in a hurry to go to work and looking for something to clean my shoes with, I took a handful of cotton, and wet it with the toner and used it to clean my shoes. You know, it's a good leather shoe cleaner and that's how I've been using it since then. Too bad that it just ended up as an expensive shoe cleaner. But at least I found good use for it.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
DQ = Diarrhea Queen?
Hubby used to to buy DQ (Dairy Queen) often. Every trip to the mall meant a tall serving of DQ Blizzard in Double Dutch for him. Sometimes, we would share. Sometimes, I would get my own small cup in anything Strawberry.
But this was before I realized that after I ate DQ, I would get LBM. Often, too soon that after an hour or two of consuming a small cup, I'd be raring to go home because my stomach would start acting up and I don't know how long it can hold off. It happened quite a few times for it to be a coincidence. And with different branches, too.
So I made a quick search on Google and it turns out that other people have experienced the same. Try entering "diarrhea after dairy queen" and you'll see what I'm talking about. Looks like DQ has some ingredients that irritate the stomach or are not suited for those with lactose intolerance. I'm not lactose intolerant, by the way, but I do have a sensitive stomach.
Hubby still buys it but I've stayed away from it since. Sure, I'd eat one again if we're at home or on our way home. But nothing my husband can do can make me eat it again when we're out and away from the comfort and privacy of our CR.
How about you, do you have the same experience with any of the Dairy Queen products?
But this was before I realized that after I ate DQ, I would get LBM. Often, too soon that after an hour or two of consuming a small cup, I'd be raring to go home because my stomach would start acting up and I don't know how long it can hold off. It happened quite a few times for it to be a coincidence. And with different branches, too.
So I made a quick search on Google and it turns out that other people have experienced the same. Try entering "diarrhea after dairy queen" and you'll see what I'm talking about. Looks like DQ has some ingredients that irritate the stomach or are not suited for those with lactose intolerance. I'm not lactose intolerant, by the way, but I do have a sensitive stomach.
Hubby still buys it but I've stayed away from it since. Sure, I'd eat one again if we're at home or on our way home. But nothing my husband can do can make me eat it again when we're out and away from the comfort and privacy of our CR.
How about you, do you have the same experience with any of the Dairy Queen products?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Product: Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil
Before you read my review of Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil, you might want to check the other half of this post here.
I am no stranger to beauty oils having used a few before. There's the oil I squeezed out from Myra-E's Vitamin E gel capsules, Jason's Jojoba Oil, and Derma E's Vitamin A with E Anti-Wrinkle Oil. But having a very oily face then, my oil-slathering rituals didn't last very long. I got tired of puncturing Vit. E gel capsules and messing pillows at night. I found out Jojoba oil suits my hair better. And after a few years, I finally decided to throw away the bottle of the anti-wrinkle oil, 90% filled, because it was already rancid.
But things have changed and I thought my face would now be more receptive to oils. So the next time I saw Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil in a nearby Shopwise branch, I decided to grab a bottle.
It comes in two sizes, 50ml and 100ml, and boasts of containing 100% high-grade Sunflower oil - nothing else. It's also quite cheap, at P129 and P249 for 50ml and 100ml sizes respectively.
The oil is odorless, light (but not as light as Jojoba oil) and is quickly absorbed by the skin, depending on how much is used. Of course, if you use too much, you'll have grease all over. The pump bottle is very convenient to use. Just one squirt is enough for my whole face.
But it is all good?
Using the same pang-tamad na tao regimen, I can say it is, as far as moisturizing is concerned. No break outs. My face didn't get oilier. Instead, I get that natural healthy glow and my skin feels softer.
From the other reviews that I read before, they say that aside from moisturizing, sunflower oil also has skin-lightening properties, which makes this product good for lightening pimple marks. But I didn't notice that effect on me. Maybe because I only let it linger on my skin during bathtime as oppose to others who keep it on overnight.
I also use it to tame my frizzy hair and just recently, I use it on my underarm after waxing DIY-style, to get rid of all the sticky mess that the strips leave behind. It's very good in soothing wax burns (I get that everytime I wax). As far as lightening underarms, I haven't used it long enough on that part to say if it's effective or not.
Overall, Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil live up to most of its claims. I can say it's a very good all-around beauty oil, which you can use on every part of the body that needs moisturizing.
UPDATE (12/05/2012)
I've used Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil on my underarms for a considerably long time and I can say, it does whiten the skin. And if you do DIY underarm waxing, it's the best wax removal! My underarms always seem to get dark after DIY waxing. But that's not the case anymore since I started using the sunflower oil. It quickly relieves the redness and stinging sensation, which you usually get after underarm waxing. And it keeps the skin from getting dark.
Because I'm not sure of it's deodorizing properties, I'm only using Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil on my underarm when I'm staying at home (which is mostly everyday). But it doesn't make my underarms smell nor does it feel icky (despite being an oil). I just can't say if it's an anti-perspirant as well, because I don't sweat a lot. I didn't note any difference in the amount of my perspiration either (as if I can measure that, but what I mean is I don't perspire more or less when I'm using the sunflower oil).
I also use it on my face, but it's hard to tell if it's Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil or Shulammite Carrot Soap that's keeping my face whiter and brighter. Maybe both. They're the best combo for the face.
When I ran out of Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer, and going to their farm in Silang, Cavite or ordering online wasn't immediately possible, I tried another natural alternative: Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil.
I am no stranger to beauty oils having used a few before. There's the oil I squeezed out from Myra-E's Vitamin E gel capsules, Jason's Jojoba Oil, and Derma E's Vitamin A with E Anti-Wrinkle Oil. But having a very oily face then, my oil-slathering rituals didn't last very long. I got tired of puncturing Vit. E gel capsules and messing pillows at night. I found out Jojoba oil suits my hair better. And after a few years, I finally decided to throw away the bottle of the anti-wrinkle oil, 90% filled, because it was already rancid.
But things have changed and I thought my face would now be more receptive to oils. So the next time I saw Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil in a nearby Shopwise branch, I decided to grab a bottle.
It comes in two sizes, 50ml and 100ml, and boasts of containing 100% high-grade Sunflower oil - nothing else. It's also quite cheap, at P129 and P249 for 50ml and 100ml sizes respectively.
The oil is odorless, light (but not as light as Jojoba oil) and is quickly absorbed by the skin, depending on how much is used. Of course, if you use too much, you'll have grease all over. The pump bottle is very convenient to use. Just one squirt is enough for my whole face.
But it is all good?
Using the same pang-tamad na tao regimen, I can say it is, as far as moisturizing is concerned. No break outs. My face didn't get oilier. Instead, I get that natural healthy glow and my skin feels softer.
From the other reviews that I read before, they say that aside from moisturizing, sunflower oil also has skin-lightening properties, which makes this product good for lightening pimple marks. But I didn't notice that effect on me. Maybe because I only let it linger on my skin during bathtime as oppose to others who keep it on overnight.
I also use it to tame my frizzy hair and just recently, I use it on my underarm after waxing DIY-style, to get rid of all the sticky mess that the strips leave behind. It's very good in soothing wax burns (I get that everytime I wax). As far as lightening underarms, I haven't used it long enough on that part to say if it's effective or not.
Overall, Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil live up to most of its claims. I can say it's a very good all-around beauty oil, which you can use on every part of the body that needs moisturizing.
UPDATE (12/05/2012)
I've used Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil on my underarms for a considerably long time and I can say, it does whiten the skin. And if you do DIY underarm waxing, it's the best wax removal! My underarms always seem to get dark after DIY waxing. But that's not the case anymore since I started using the sunflower oil. It quickly relieves the redness and stinging sensation, which you usually get after underarm waxing. And it keeps the skin from getting dark.
Because I'm not sure of it's deodorizing properties, I'm only using Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil on my underarm when I'm staying at home (which is mostly everyday). But it doesn't make my underarms smell nor does it feel icky (despite being an oil). I just can't say if it's an anti-perspirant as well, because I don't sweat a lot. I didn't note any difference in the amount of my perspiration either (as if I can measure that, but what I mean is I don't perspire more or less when I'm using the sunflower oil).
I also use it on my face, but it's hard to tell if it's Human Heart Nature Sunflower Oil or Shulammite Carrot Soap that's keeping my face whiter and brighter. Maybe both. They're the best combo for the face.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Product: Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer
In need of a simple, natural moisturizer? Read my review of Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer.
Experience - or fear - tells us that if you have an oily face, the last thing you need is something that will make it oilier. Like moisturizers, especially the ones in heavy cream or oil-based form. But dermatologist, aestheticians, and even ordinary individuals started saying that moisturizer is actually good for oily face. Why? Because a desperate person with an oily face tends to do everything to keep it dry, like washing often or applying all sorts of drying solutions. A dry skin tricks oil glands into believing that they need to secrete more oils to relieve the dryness. Hence, the face becomes more oily. And the person who owns the face becomes more depressed.
I used to be like that person. But as I grow older, my skin becomes more forgiving and less frustrating. My oil glands went easy on the grease, my breakouts lost interest on my face and the world is a happier place. But I noticed that my skin starts to dry out. And for the first time in my life, I felt the need for a moisturizer.
But like before, I want nothing of the heavy stuff. I still believe grease begets grease. And I'm someone who gets tired of regimen, whether it is for morning or evening. I just want something that I can put on while I'm taking a bath.
I have a bottle of Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer sitting on a bathroom shelf. The ginger-scent is so strong that I can't use it as a moiturizer, not even at night because hubby complains of the smell. I can use it as a cleanser but I prefer Shulammite Carrot soap.
Not wanting to waste it, I decided to use it as a before-cleanser, if there's such a product. During a bath, I would wash my face with Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer first, let it stay on my face for a few minutes, while I tend to the rest of my body. Then rinse it off with Shulammite Carrot soap and water. This way, I can get the benefits of both products.
But I realized that doing it this way will just strip off the moisturizer from my face. So I thought why not reverse the order? Wash my face with soap first, then put on the moisturizer, leave it on and rinse with water. Sometimes, it leaves an oily trace on my face, but I can easily wipe it off with a towel or a tissue. And rinsing it with water gets rid of the smell, but not of the natural oils.
It didn't take long for me to notice that it's working. My face doesn't look dry anymore, but rather healthier. I got what I wanted, a moisturizer to keep my face from drying out and something that won't force me to develop a skin regimen (that I'll get tired of after a while anyway).
It being a natural, chemical-free product is a nice bonus, too. Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer is made from royal jelly, honey, beeswax, propolis, natural flower, herb and seed oils. It doesn't even have emulsifiers so you have to shake the bottle before using in order to mix all the ingredients together.
However, for people with sensitive skin, you might feel a stinging sensation as you let the cleanser/moisturizer linger on your face. I think this is caused by royal jelly. I once bought a small jar of fresh royal jelly from Ilog Maria. I was intending to use it as an alternative medicine/supplement for my thyroid problem. But it tastes bad. I mean really bad that I couldn't bear taking it so I thought I could use it as a facial cream. Big mistake. Because it stings a lot. It made my face so red and itchy.
While applying pure royal jelly directly on the skin may not be a good idea, I think Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer has the right amount of royal jelly plus it's mix with natural ingredients, so it's mild enough. to put on your face.
One other downside is that it's not widely available. You can order online from Ilog Maria, or from some online store selling Ilog Maria products, which often means paying for shipping fee. Or hunt a very few physical stores that carry Ilog Maria products or just go to Silang, Cavite and buy directly from Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm.
It costs P88.00 on the Ilog Maria website (cheaper when you buy from the farm), a reasonable price I think for a good, effective and natural moisturizer that will last at least a month.
I really love Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer. Everytime I go to Tagaytay, I never fail to visit Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm to replenish my stock.
to be continued...
Experience - or fear - tells us that if you have an oily face, the last thing you need is something that will make it oilier. Like moisturizers, especially the ones in heavy cream or oil-based form. But dermatologist, aestheticians, and even ordinary individuals started saying that moisturizer is actually good for oily face. Why? Because a desperate person with an oily face tends to do everything to keep it dry, like washing often or applying all sorts of drying solutions. A dry skin tricks oil glands into believing that they need to secrete more oils to relieve the dryness. Hence, the face becomes more oily. And the person who owns the face becomes more depressed.
I used to be like that person. But as I grow older, my skin becomes more forgiving and less frustrating. My oil glands went easy on the grease, my breakouts lost interest on my face and the world is a happier place. But I noticed that my skin starts to dry out. And for the first time in my life, I felt the need for a moisturizer.
But like before, I want nothing of the heavy stuff. I still believe grease begets grease. And I'm someone who gets tired of regimen, whether it is for morning or evening. I just want something that I can put on while I'm taking a bath.
I have a bottle of Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer sitting on a bathroom shelf. The ginger-scent is so strong that I can't use it as a moiturizer, not even at night because hubby complains of the smell. I can use it as a cleanser but I prefer Shulammite Carrot soap.
Not wanting to waste it, I decided to use it as a before-cleanser, if there's such a product. During a bath, I would wash my face with Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer first, let it stay on my face for a few minutes, while I tend to the rest of my body. Then rinse it off with Shulammite Carrot soap and water. This way, I can get the benefits of both products.
But I realized that doing it this way will just strip off the moisturizer from my face. So I thought why not reverse the order? Wash my face with soap first, then put on the moisturizer, leave it on and rinse with water. Sometimes, it leaves an oily trace on my face, but I can easily wipe it off with a towel or a tissue. And rinsing it with water gets rid of the smell, but not of the natural oils.
It didn't take long for me to notice that it's working. My face doesn't look dry anymore, but rather healthier. I got what I wanted, a moisturizer to keep my face from drying out and something that won't force me to develop a skin regimen (that I'll get tired of after a while anyway).
It being a natural, chemical-free product is a nice bonus, too. Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer is made from royal jelly, honey, beeswax, propolis, natural flower, herb and seed oils. It doesn't even have emulsifiers so you have to shake the bottle before using in order to mix all the ingredients together.
However, for people with sensitive skin, you might feel a stinging sensation as you let the cleanser/moisturizer linger on your face. I think this is caused by royal jelly. I once bought a small jar of fresh royal jelly from Ilog Maria. I was intending to use it as an alternative medicine/supplement for my thyroid problem. But it tastes bad. I mean really bad that I couldn't bear taking it so I thought I could use it as a facial cream. Big mistake. Because it stings a lot. It made my face so red and itchy.
While applying pure royal jelly directly on the skin may not be a good idea, I think Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer has the right amount of royal jelly plus it's mix with natural ingredients, so it's mild enough. to put on your face.
One other downside is that it's not widely available. You can order online from Ilog Maria, or from some online store selling Ilog Maria products, which often means paying for shipping fee. Or hunt a very few physical stores that carry Ilog Maria products or just go to Silang, Cavite and buy directly from Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm.
It costs P88.00 on the Ilog Maria website (cheaper when you buy from the farm), a reasonable price I think for a good, effective and natural moisturizer that will last at least a month.
I really love Ilog Maria Honeymilk Cleanser and Moisturizer. Everytime I go to Tagaytay, I never fail to visit Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm to replenish my stock.
to be continued...
Friday, October 19, 2012
Food: Bag of Beans Cheesecake
It's during one of those impromptu trips to Tagaytay when I tried Bag of Beans cheesecake. Now, because I've been in blogging hiatus (again, for the 2nd time, or was it 3rd?) and it was months ago, I already forgot which cheesecake is this:
And forgetting what cheesecake I had is only half of the problem because I also forgot how it tasted. Well, I do remember that the topping - that luxurious chunky thick syrup dripping on the cake - was very good. But that's it, no recollection of what the cake itself taste like. I wish these photos could make my tastebuds remember.
Blueberry or Strawberry? Blueberry should be, well, blue and this is not (or should I just blame my camera phone for not getting the right color?) So I thought Strawberry. But knowing me, if there's Blueberry Cheesecake on the menu, that would be the first thing that I'll order. So maybe they didn't have Blueberry Cheesecake that day?
And forgetting what cheesecake I had is only half of the problem because I also forgot how it tasted. Well, I do remember that the topping - that luxurious chunky thick syrup dripping on the cake - was very good. But that's it, no recollection of what the cake itself taste like. I wish these photos could make my tastebuds remember.
So another trip to Bag of Beans is needed. Until then, this review is on hold.
UPDATED (03/10/2013)
Finally the mystery was solved.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Place: Tonglen Beach Resort, Boracay, Aklan
And this is a belated post, because we went there last June, and it is only now, four months later, that I'm posting a review of Tonglen Beach Resort, the place where we stayed. But I remember when I was researching about the hotel and I couldn't find a more in-depth review of the place, except bits and pieces from Agoda. So this is for those who will be researching about Tonglen Beach Resort in the future.
Tonglen Beach Resort is a non-beachfront and budget-friendly resort located in Boracay Station 3. They boast of a swimming pool, cozy rooms, and relaxing, scenic garden walkways.
At that time, I was looking for something closer to P1,000-P1,500/night because we were on a budget, and one other requirement - that it has a swimming pool - because we're travelling with my 3-year-old nephew and I thought the pool would be safer than the beach (if ever my nephew would refuse to get out of the water).
Tonglen Beach Resort's standard room rate for 2 is P1,800/night. But Agoda was offering a free night if I booked two nights, lowering the price down to P1,2000/night. And they're one of the very few budget-friendly hotels in Boracay that has a swimming pool.
The only thing that's holding me back is the Station 3 location. When I looked it up on Google Map, I saw that it's near La Carmela de Boracay Resort. So I thought maybe it's really not that far, considering it's on the boundary of Station 2 and Station 3.
After weighing the pros and cons, I decided that the P1,200/night price with a swimming pool can't be beat and proceeded to book two rooms for three nights. As mentioned earlier, I tried to search for more reviews, but I was always led back to Agoda, where they have a handful of positive feedback.
The Resort
We arrived at Boracay on a windy, rainy Tuesday afternoon. Boat porters welcomed us with the news of forecasted storm. It was getting dark and we were pretty tired and the news of a coming storm was the last thing we needed to perk up our spirits.
It was a good thing that getting to the hotel from jetty port was easy. I just told the tricycle driver to take us to Tonglen Beach Resort and he dropped us off inside back gate (the side facing the main street, the opposite side of the beachfront). As we unload ourselves and our bags, we were greeted by a refreshing and clear blue swimming pool amid the green lawn and lots of plants. It was an impressive sight.
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| Our room was on the second floor of the apartment on the right. |
One of the hotel's personnel approached and welcomed us. Then he helped carry our bags and led us to the reception area. As we walked from the back gate to the front gate, I got excited with the things that I was seeing. The whole compound is nestled in a green luxury of grass, plants, and trees providing a good contrast to the red-white, cogon-grass-roofed apartments, and dotted by small hut cottages. It's a far cry from Tan's Guesthouse cramped compound, where we stayed before. The whole resort has a relaxing countryside feel to it. It was truly beautiful.
Booking through Agoda
It was the first time that I used Agoda vouchers, and it was pretty straightforward and hassle-free. In fact, the receptionist was already expecting us, so all I needed to do was present my printed copies. She informed us of the available standard rooms and asked which do we prefer. I would have wanted rooms on the ground floor, but only one was available, so I chose the two adjacent rooms on the second floor instead.
Our Rooms
When we were ushered to our rooms, which are located near the swimming pool, I was delighted by what I saw. The rooms were very clean and well-maintained. Actually, they looked new (and maybe they are). In each were two single beds, which the staff rearranged so that they are side by side, making a double bed. The sheets smelled good and pillows, fluffy enough. There was a flat LCD-TV, a personal refrigerator, a big closet, a dresser table, mirror, chair and this beautiful, rustic lighting centerpiece on the ceiling.
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| I want something like this. |
I went to check the bathroom and saw that like the bedroom, everything was spic and span. There's water on the faucet, toilet was clean, water heater was working - absolutely no issue with the bathroom. At first, there was a just a trickle of water coming from the shower. But a few twists on the showerhead and the water flowed out nicely.
They also provided clean towels, the Canadian brand. They weren't the softest and fluffiest, but they were clean and the brand is a good-quality one. You could tell from the towel itself. (I always buy Canadian bed linens even if they're a little expensive because the fabric is a lot better than the cheaper brands.)
Back to the bedroom, we found out that the TV remote wasn't working, which was an inconvenient because we had to get up to switch channels, and the light flickered when it's turned off so we had to keep the lights on even when we're sleeping. But aside from those, everything was working fine. And I thought our rooms were lovely.
And did I say that they've got Wi-Fi? Not inside the rooms though, but it's okay because they have seats outside every room where you can take advantage of the free internet connection.
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| The view from our rooms on the second floor. |
Other Amenities
Outside our rooms, the most notable amenity was the swimming pool. I was really glad that I chose a hotel with a swimming pool because it allowed us, my nephew especially, to frolic in the water despite the windy, rainy weather. It's dangerous to do that on the beach because of the big waves, and the ocean water was too chilly.
The pool water was clean and they replace it everyday. It was also heated, something that we really enjoyed against the cold Boracay breeze at that time. The side of the pool was accentuated with loungers and hut cottages, a making it wonderful place to relax, read or eat.
Then, who could miss the well-kept lawn and garden? It's everywhere. It didn't feel like we were in the bustling, tourist-jam-packed Boracay, because it was very quiet and relaxing inside the premises of the resort.
The Location
Going out to have dinner on our first night exposed the disadvantage of the hotel's location. While the back gate was easily accessible from the main street, the front gate leading to the beachfront was not as conveniently situated. On Google Map, the resort seemed near La Carmela de Boracay, which is a beach front hotel, but in reality, it's not because there's no straight path from Tonglen to La Carmela. We had to passed through alleys and turned on corners in order to get to the beach front. And that's just getting to the beach front.
Going from La Carmela to D'Mall and Station 1 was a good 15- to 20-minute walk. And it didn't help that we have a toddler in tow and that it rained often, especially during the evening when we've already showered and weren't exactly looking to get wet.
But why go to D'Mall and Station 1?
Even if the shores of Stations 2 and 3 were lined up with restaurants, we still prefer to eat at D'Mall (most of the budget-friendly restaurants are there). And Station 1 offers the finest sand, the widest and cleanest shore, Willy's rock, among others. Among the three stations, it obviously occupies the best part of White Beach. And I would've wanted to book an accommodation on Station 1 but wasn't able to find one that's within budget.
The Service
The staff were very friendly and courteous. On our second day, someone knocked on our door and asked if she can do housekeeping. We weren't really ready to go out of the room so I told her to return tomorrow. And true enough, when we got back from having breakfast the following day, the rooms and bathrooms were tidied up. They didn't change the bed sheets and towels though but it's okay because they're still clean.
The Verdict
If only the resort was located at least somewhere in mid-Station 2, it would've been perfect. And I could easily recommend it to anyone. I didn't mind that it's not beachfront, but being in Station 3, it simply felt too far from everything else. Especially if you're someone who frequents D'Mall, or if like me, who prefers the shores at Station 1.
But if you don't care about the location, Tongle Beach Resort is the probably the best that you can get for P1,200/night (even for P1,800/night). It offers tranquil surroundings, wonderful comfy rooms, warm and accommodating staff and a nice swimming pool. Truly a great choice to stay and enjoy Boracay (again, if the location is not important to you.)
Tonglen Beach Resort
Web: http://www.boracaytonglen.com/
Phone: +63 (036) 288 3457 or 5190
Monday, October 15, 2012
Product: Jason Thin to Thick Hair Products
Rewind to a few blog posts ago, when I was ranting about this. And then fast forward to now, when I will review Jason Thin to Thick hair products.
It was a time when I was almost crying as I was combing my hair, because it's clearly thinning out and I was afraid I'm going bald. Although more often than not, I struggle with a frizzy, it-has-a-life-of-its-own mane, I don't want to lose a single strand of it - and certainly not all of it. I'd choose frizzy over nothing any time.
And as sick and lifeless and hopeless as my hair was then, I just knew that subjecting it to chemical-laden hair products will do more harm than good. So if I didn't want to try out the commercial miracle hair growers and none of the local natural shampoos and conditioners will do the job, I thought maybe I should check out the "imported" natural ones. And Healthy Options is the best place to find just that.
Jason Thin to Thick easily caught my eye because in a shelf full of organic hair products, it's packaging looked the least "organic" of all. I saw a small ad where it is lauded as an effective hair-thickening product by a men's magazine, so I figured the target market for these products are the balding male species. And being natural, they boast of not having parabens, SLS or phthalates. Sounds good enough.
There are three products - extra volume shampoo and conditioner, and energizing scalp elizir and it is recommended to use all three for best results. But you can buy each separately for P475. All three would set you back by almost P1,500.
According to the label of the shampoo and conditioner, they contain biotins, panthenol and natural proteins that help strengthen and volumize fine hair, while the scalp elixir has biotins, folic acid and lactic acid that revitalize the scalp for healthy growth.
All products are mentholated and I thought my head was on fire when I used the shampoo and conditioner for the first time. It felt good actually. Both the shampoo and conditioner have thick white consistency, with the conditioner almost like whipped cream. The scent was manly, but okay. My only gripe was the bottles, probably because they're suitable for men's strong grip, were hard to squeeze.
The scalp elixir is even more minty. The instruction on the bottle says to apply on the scalp at night and let it stay overnight. But since I'm just at home most of the time, I applied it as soon as I stepped out from the shower. I squeezed lines of elixir on areas where I have thin hair and massaged it on the scalp for a few minutes. Then I wash it off when I take a bath the following day.
It's a little sticky and leaves white flakes on the scalp when it dries, but it's not itchy. It smells "medicated", others may find it off, but it's not bothersome at all for me.
So, it is effective? I used this trio for more than a month. The shampoo lasted longer than the conditioner, which lasted a little longer than the elixir. Due to the degree of my falling hair, I really splurged on the elixir.
First thing I noticed after the first week of use: my falling hair was reduced by almost 80%. Honest. I measured it by the amount of hair that collects on the bathroom drain after every bath, and the amount of hair on our bedroom floor and the amount of hair on my hand when I ran my fingers through my hair. There's definitely a visible and significant decrease.
Second thing I noticed, and why I didn't go easy on the elixir: my hair was growing back. I'll let the photos below show proof.
I took a photo of my hair on the first day that I used Jason Thin to Thick. These were taken March 23.
Then I took photos again after I used up the products (by this time, I'm on my second bottle of the scalp elixir). These were taken April 28, a little more than a month later.
It was a time when I was almost crying as I was combing my hair, because it's clearly thinning out and I was afraid I'm going bald. Although more often than not, I struggle with a frizzy, it-has-a-life-of-its-own mane, I don't want to lose a single strand of it - and certainly not all of it. I'd choose frizzy over nothing any time.
And as sick and lifeless and hopeless as my hair was then, I just knew that subjecting it to chemical-laden hair products will do more harm than good. So if I didn't want to try out the commercial miracle hair growers and none of the local natural shampoos and conditioners will do the job, I thought maybe I should check out the "imported" natural ones. And Healthy Options is the best place to find just that.
Jason Thin to Thick easily caught my eye because in a shelf full of organic hair products, it's packaging looked the least "organic" of all. I saw a small ad where it is lauded as an effective hair-thickening product by a men's magazine, so I figured the target market for these products are the balding male species. And being natural, they boast of not having parabens, SLS or phthalates. Sounds good enough.
According to the label of the shampoo and conditioner, they contain biotins, panthenol and natural proteins that help strengthen and volumize fine hair, while the scalp elixir has biotins, folic acid and lactic acid that revitalize the scalp for healthy growth.
All products are mentholated and I thought my head was on fire when I used the shampoo and conditioner for the first time. It felt good actually. Both the shampoo and conditioner have thick white consistency, with the conditioner almost like whipped cream. The scent was manly, but okay. My only gripe was the bottles, probably because they're suitable for men's strong grip, were hard to squeeze.
The scalp elixir is even more minty. The instruction on the bottle says to apply on the scalp at night and let it stay overnight. But since I'm just at home most of the time, I applied it as soon as I stepped out from the shower. I squeezed lines of elixir on areas where I have thin hair and massaged it on the scalp for a few minutes. Then I wash it off when I take a bath the following day.
It's a little sticky and leaves white flakes on the scalp when it dries, but it's not itchy. It smells "medicated", others may find it off, but it's not bothersome at all for me.
So, it is effective? I used this trio for more than a month. The shampoo lasted longer than the conditioner, which lasted a little longer than the elixir. Due to the degree of my falling hair, I really splurged on the elixir.
First thing I noticed after the first week of use: my falling hair was reduced by almost 80%. Honest. I measured it by the amount of hair that collects on the bathroom drain after every bath, and the amount of hair on our bedroom floor and the amount of hair on my hand when I ran my fingers through my hair. There's definitely a visible and significant decrease.
Second thing I noticed, and why I didn't go easy on the elixir: my hair was growing back. I'll let the photos below show proof.
I took a photo of my hair on the first day that I used Jason Thin to Thick. These were taken March 23.
Then I took photos again after I used up the products (by this time, I'm on my second bottle of the scalp elixir). These were taken April 28, a little more than a month later.
I used one bottle of shampoo and two of the conditioner and scalp elixir. They lasted for about a month and a half. I stopped using them after that because they're so expensive and because I feel they've done well already. I don't have problems with falling hair anymore and the new growths are now thicker and longer.
But here's a disclaimer. The extremeness of my falling hair was due to thyroiditis and it's possible that as my thyroid gland got better (my function test results are all normal now), the falling hair got fewer. But I still believe that the Jason Thin to Thick shampoo and conditioner helped in reducing the falling strands. I also believe, and with more conviction, that the scalp elixir was largely responsible for all the newly grown hair.
So if you want to try, go to the nearast Healthy Options branch. I'm not sure if you can buy it elsewhere.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Movie: Sinister
Okay, this is a first. Not that it's the first movie that I've ever watched, just the first movie that I'll be reviewing.
Sinister:
Hubby has been telling me about this new horror flick, which he said looks promising. We are somewhat horror-movie fanatics, with me favoring the ghost-ridden ones and him, the bloody gory varieties (Well, not always. He just really like the Saw franchise. A lot).
But more often than not, we are disappointed with how most horror movies turned out. Let's just say, we didn't get scared or "entertained" by most of them. Some felt like a rehashed of other movies even if the stories were different and others, if they didn't suffer from predictable plots or bad plots to begin with, were more of a comedy than a horror movie. Honestly, there were quite a few movies where instead of trembling with fear and being scared shit out of our brains, we were laughing our hearts out.
So. I finally saw the trailer of Sinister when we watched Taken 2. The movie looked solid and prompted me to checked its rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I thought it was good enough. I didn't checked on IMDB because I didn't want run into spoilers.
I went to see the movie armed with the knowledge that the main character, played by Ethan Hawke, is a writer and that they moved to a house where a family was murdered before. The trailer seemed to suggest that it's the house that's haunted and it's the daughter that's possessed, or at least she will play a key role in the haunting/possession/whatever it is that will take place in the house.
The movie opened to a good appetizer of a scene, setting a mood with intrigue and an impending horror. But as it unraveled, it became fairly predictable quicker than I expected. Which was a bad thing for me, because I love figuring out horror movies. More than the jumpy scenes and scare tactics, a good horror movie for me is where I am caught unaware of the plot twists and how it got there. Halfway through the movie, I knew I was bored.
And I kept asking hubby why in most horror movies, they won't turn the lights on. Would be a lot creepier if Ethan's character turned the light on and the ghost appeared an inch away from his face DESPITE the light. They should learn to do ghost makeup that looks good in the light.
If there's one thing that I liked about Sinister, it's the musical score. It's, well, very sinister and lent the necessary eerie background to some of the supposedly scary scenes (with that, I think there were just two). The ending was not happy but something that you knew would happen.
I really want to discuss more points about the movie but I couldn't find a way to do so without giving spoilers. So. Overall, it's okay I guess. Certainly not something that will keep me awake at night or spawn nightmares inside my head. Not something that will rank high up on my top horror movies list and not something that I will recommend to someone who wants more than the usual hair-raising movie experience. But I still think it's a decent horror movie.
Sinister:
Hubby has been telling me about this new horror flick, which he said looks promising. We are somewhat horror-movie fanatics, with me favoring the ghost-ridden ones and him, the bloody gory varieties (Well, not always. He just really like the Saw franchise. A lot).
But more often than not, we are disappointed with how most horror movies turned out. Let's just say, we didn't get scared or "entertained" by most of them. Some felt like a rehashed of other movies even if the stories were different and others, if they didn't suffer from predictable plots or bad plots to begin with, were more of a comedy than a horror movie. Honestly, there were quite a few movies where instead of trembling with fear and being scared shit out of our brains, we were laughing our hearts out.
So. I finally saw the trailer of Sinister when we watched Taken 2. The movie looked solid and prompted me to checked its rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I thought it was good enough. I didn't checked on IMDB because I didn't want run into spoilers.
I went to see the movie armed with the knowledge that the main character, played by Ethan Hawke, is a writer and that they moved to a house where a family was murdered before. The trailer seemed to suggest that it's the house that's haunted and it's the daughter that's possessed, or at least she will play a key role in the haunting/possession/whatever it is that will take place in the house.
The movie opened to a good appetizer of a scene, setting a mood with intrigue and an impending horror. But as it unraveled, it became fairly predictable quicker than I expected. Which was a bad thing for me, because I love figuring out horror movies. More than the jumpy scenes and scare tactics, a good horror movie for me is where I am caught unaware of the plot twists and how it got there. Halfway through the movie, I knew I was bored.
And I kept asking hubby why in most horror movies, they won't turn the lights on. Would be a lot creepier if Ethan's character turned the light on and the ghost appeared an inch away from his face DESPITE the light. They should learn to do ghost makeup that looks good in the light.
If there's one thing that I liked about Sinister, it's the musical score. It's, well, very sinister and lent the necessary eerie background to some of the supposedly scary scenes (with that, I think there were just two). The ending was not happy but something that you knew would happen.
I really want to discuss more points about the movie but I couldn't find a way to do so without giving spoilers. So. Overall, it's okay I guess. Certainly not something that will keep me awake at night or spawn nightmares inside my head. Not something that will rank high up on my top horror movies list and not something that I will recommend to someone who wants more than the usual hair-raising movie experience. But I still think it's a decent horror movie.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Food: Don Henrico's Ristorante at Festival Mall, Alabang
I haven't eaten at Don Henrico's for years. So when I saw a 50% off deal at Ensogo (P500 voucher for only P250), I immediately bought 2 vouchers and planned to dine at their Festival Mall branch in Alabang. I was able to after the Holy week, together with my husband and my parents.
Upon entering the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was that it looked old and dull and tired. It was mid-afternoon and there were only a few diners inside. I asked for a table for four and we were led to one with 2 two-seater couches facing each other. There were large tears on the couches and everything just seemed to have this worn out vibe. Obviously, the interiors was kept un-updated for a long time.
So not having any interesting piece to focus on, I set my eyes on the menu. First, I informed the waiter that I'll be using two Ensogo vouchers. I inquired through phone beforehand and was told that to be able to use two vouchers per table, it will be a one item per voucher transaction. To maximize the use of the vouchers, they suggested that each item must be at least P500. Hence, we ordered 5 pieces of Buffalo Wings (P560) and a family-size Supreme Pizza (P540). We also added a regular size Seafood Pesto Linguine (P280) and 4 glasses of different flavored drinks.
I forgot that Don Henrico's Buffalo Chicken Wings are BIG (almost as big as other restaurants' quarter chicken). But the taste was as good as I remember it. The sauce that coated each piece provided a strong, sharp BBQ flavor on the outside of the chicken, which others might find overwhelming. I did so I scraped off the sauce first before I take a bite. But the inside was a juicy, tasty soft meat, reminding me why the wing is my part favorite in a chicken.The best way to eat this is to dip or dab a few drops of the ranch dressing onto the chicken for a balanced smoky-sweet-salty-sour flavor. We didn't have rice, but I imagine this would go perfectly with it.
The pizza was delightful as well, as I could note the freshness of the toppings used. Although I wish we had asked for more cheese. The crust tasted fresh, too and I thought it nicely offset the flavors of the pizza sauce and the toppings. But my Dad, who is fond of thin-crust pizzas, found it too thick.
We liked the Seafood Pesto Linguine the most. The blend of creamy-white and Pesto sauce, perfectly-cooked seafood slices and al dente Linguine noodles lent a rich, full-bodied flavor to this pasta dish. The combination of Pesto and white sauce offered a refreshingly new and wonderful treat to our taste buds. Despite the creaminess of the sauce, it didn't have that umay factor.
Overall, we enjoyed the food and was overwhelmed with the large servings.We only had 3 dishes but it was more than enough for all 4 of us. We brought home half of the pizza and 3 pieces of Buffalo wings. The wait staff were also very friendly and helpful and using my Ensogo vouchers was hassle-free.
Our total bill amounted to P1,700+, which means that I had to shell out an additional P700++ cash. If only they didn't have the 1 item/voucher rule (when using more than 1 voucher per table), we could have ordered the smaller serving size of the pizza and the Buffalo wings, and added another dish for more variety. But yeah, rules are rules and I think the P500 worth of savings is good enough.
Upon entering the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was that it looked old and dull and tired. It was mid-afternoon and there were only a few diners inside. I asked for a table for four and we were led to one with 2 two-seater couches facing each other. There were large tears on the couches and everything just seemed to have this worn out vibe. Obviously, the interiors was kept un-updated for a long time.
So not having any interesting piece to focus on, I set my eyes on the menu. First, I informed the waiter that I'll be using two Ensogo vouchers. I inquired through phone beforehand and was told that to be able to use two vouchers per table, it will be a one item per voucher transaction. To maximize the use of the vouchers, they suggested that each item must be at least P500. Hence, we ordered 5 pieces of Buffalo Wings (P560) and a family-size Supreme Pizza (P540). We also added a regular size Seafood Pesto Linguine (P280) and 4 glasses of different flavored drinks.
We liked the Seafood Pesto Linguine the most. The blend of creamy-white and Pesto sauce, perfectly-cooked seafood slices and al dente Linguine noodles lent a rich, full-bodied flavor to this pasta dish. The combination of Pesto and white sauce offered a refreshingly new and wonderful treat to our taste buds. Despite the creaminess of the sauce, it didn't have that umay factor.
Overall, we enjoyed the food and was overwhelmed with the large servings.We only had 3 dishes but it was more than enough for all 4 of us. We brought home half of the pizza and 3 pieces of Buffalo wings. The wait staff were also very friendly and helpful and using my Ensogo vouchers was hassle-free.
Our total bill amounted to P1,700+, which means that I had to shell out an additional P700++ cash. If only they didn't have the 1 item/voucher rule (when using more than 1 voucher per table), we could have ordered the smaller serving size of the pizza and the Buffalo wings, and added another dish for more variety. But yeah, rules are rules and I think the P500 worth of savings is good enough.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Service: Maternity Benefit of an SSS Voluntary Member
Being an SSS member doesn't automatically qualifiy you to certain SSS benefits such as sickness and maternity. You have to pass their eligibility requirements.
I've been an inactive member for almost 4 years and I wouldn't have updated my SSS contributions if I hadn't been pregnant. Thankfully, I was able to update in time and paid the required number of months to be eligible for maternity benefits. According to the website, a female member, employed, self-employed or paying voluntarily, is entitled to the maternity benefits if:
- She has paid at least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of her childbirth or miscarriage.
- She has given the required notification of her pregnancy through her employer if employed, or to the SSS if separated, voluntary or self-employed member.
How to know if you have the required monthly contributions?
If you are updating your contributions regularly (and have not skipped a payment), then you most likely have paid the required number of monthly contributions to qualify. To determine this, take your estimated month of delivery and know which semester it falls under.
By semester it means:
Two consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of contingency, where a quarter refers to three consecutive months ending March, June, September or December.
For example, if your expected month of delivery is November 2012. November falls under the 4th quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec). Then include the quarter preceding that, which is the 3rd quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep). From July, count 12 months backward:
- Jun 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
This means that from July 2011 to June 2012, you must have paid at least 3 monthly contributions in order to qualify for maternity benefit. Otherwise, your maternity benefit application will be rejected.
How to file for notification of pregnancy?
Voluntary members must go to the nearest SSS branch, fill out the MAT-1 (Maternity Notification Form) and submit together with a proof of pregnancy (a pregnancy test from the hospital or an ultrasound result). I don't think home pregnancy kit results are accepted because they cannot show when the test was done.Filing of the MAT-1 form must be at least 60 days from the date of conception but not later than the date of delivery. I asked the personnel from our local branch if there's a deadline for filing, and he said that as long as the female member hasn't given birth yet, she can still submit the MAT-1 form. However, voluntary members are encouraged to file a notification earlier for faster processing of benefits.
After submitting the MAT-1 and proof of pregnancy, now what?
You will be given a MAT-2 (Maternity Reimbursement Form), which you will need to submit together with the registered copy of the child's birth certificate, after you have given birth. Registered copy means that it was already registered at the city/municipality where you gave birth. Hospitals are the ones who will submit the birth documents to the city registrar. You'll just have to wait for a few days to a few weeks to get a registered copy. You can get this either from the hospital or directly from the city/municipal hall. But this is only for normal spontaneous delivery. For C-section delivery, you will also need a certified true copy of operating room record/surgical memorandum from the hospital where you gave birth.
When I submitted these documents, I was also given an Obstetrical History Sheet and they asked me to have it signed by ANY OB-Gyne. I even asked this twice, and the personnel who received my MAT-2 said that ANY OB-Gyne, even if he/she was not the one who attended to me, can sign the form. But when I went to the nearest OB-Gyne, she refused to sign the form and said that they're not allowed to fill out that form unless they are the one who facilitated the delivery. So to be sure, just go to your OB-Gyne and have it signed.
After you've accomplished this, wait for at least 2 weeks for the check to be delivered to your address. You can also check the status of your maternity benefit claim if you have an SSS online account. Mine was processed in a week (after I submitted all the required documents) and was delivered to my home address less than 2 weeks later.
NOTE: Please note that there's a lot of unanswered questions in the comments section below. I am in no way affiliated with SSS so I am not qualified to answer all queries pertaining to your account. The information I shared in this post is based on my experience and knowledge as a voluntary paying member of SSS. If you need more information or if you have a particular question that wasn't discussed in the post, the best way is to contact SSS directly. You can go to your nearest SSS branch, or leave a message on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sssonlineinquirysystem, or you can also shoot them an email at SSS Member Relations <member_relations@sss.gov.ph> (yes, they do reply to emails but it might take a while).
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Service: SSS: Changing from Employed to Self-Employed/Voluntary Members
If you're regularly employed -- that is, you are employed by a company, an organization or an institution -- paying your monthly SSS contributions is the least of your worries because they are automatically deducted from your salary. But if you're no longer employed but are still earning an income, you can continue your SSS membership, update your contributions and enjoy the benefits by being either a self-employed or a voluntary SSS member.
Formerly employed members are often confused which type of membership to change to. So let me try to differentiate the two. By SSS definition, a self-employed member is:
It seems that anybody who is earning can fit into the criteria. However, when I asked a local SSS branch, they said that if not a self-employed professional (like the ones mentioned above), a member must at least have a small business as source of their income in order to qualify as a self-employed SSS member. And when I asked which type of membership should I be if I'm no longer employed, not a professional, don't have a business but still wants to continue my contributions, they replied voluntary membership.
In order to become a voluntary SSS member, all you need to do is to pay your contributions using the SSS Form RS-5. No need to update your membership status as it will be automatically changed to voluntary once your payment is reflected.
If you prefer to be a self-employed SSS member, you have to change your membership status by accomplishing the SSS Form RS-1 and submitting the required documents (any of the following: authenticated birth certificate, driver's license, passport, click here for the complete list).
Another difference: as self-employed member, your monthly contribution will be determined by the monthly income declared during your change of membership status while as a voluntary member, you can choose your monthly contributions based on the amount that you're comfortable paying.
Once you've decided which membership to update to, there are still a few things that you need to take note of to make the transition from employed to self-employed/voluntary member easier.
First, register for an online account on the SSS website. This is really helpful in keeping track of your contributions and other notifications regarding your membership (loan eligibility and status, benefit eligibility and claim status, etc). Actually, all members can benefit from having an online SSS account.
Second, know the deadline of payment for your SSS contribution. Because you will be updating your contributions manually -- meaning, you will have to pay directly to a local SSS branch or to any accredited payment centers, you have to know the deadline for paying your contributions to ensure that you pay on time. SSS penalizes late payments and does not allow retroactive contributions.
SSS has released a new payment deadline schedule based on the last digit of member's SSS number. For SSS number ending in:
Likewise, you have an option to pay your contributions on a quarterly basis. Quarterly payments refer to contributions for three consecutive months ending in March, June, September and December.
Again, using myself as an example, if I'm going to pay my contributions for the 2nd quarter (April, May and June) and my SSS number ends in 4, my deadline is on July 15.
Third, locate the SSS branch or accredited payment centers most accessible to your house or office or place of work. Remember that SSS is open during weekdays only and like most government agencies, usually have long queues so make sure that you can spare at least half a day (a weekday, that is) each month or quarter to update your contributions.
Thankfully, you can now pay your SSS contributions at selected SM Malls. I did this just last week and this is so hassle-free because there are no queues and you can pay during the weekends.
Fourth, keep tabs of all SSS contact information such as email, hotlines, Facebook account. Why? Because chances are, you will have inquiries regarding your membership at some point. Self-employed and voluntary members don't have the benefit of having HR officers, who can answer questions and usually take care of anything SSS related, unlike employed members. So keeping these contact info will come in handy when you need them.
NOTE: Please note that there's a lot of unanswered questions in the comments section below. I am in no way affiliated with SSS so I am not qualified to answer all queries pertaining to your account. The information I shared in this post is based on my experience and knowledge as a voluntary paying member of SSS. If you need more information or if you have a particular question that wasn't discussed in the post, the best way is to contact SSS directly. You can go to your nearest SSS branch, or leave a message on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sssonlineinquirysystem, or you can also shoot them an email at SSS Member Relations <member_relations@sss.gov.ph> (yes, they do reply to emails but it might take a while).
Formerly employed members are often confused which type of membership to change to. So let me try to differentiate the two. By SSS definition, a self-employed member is:
A self-employed person, regardless of trade, business or occupation, with an income of at least P1,000 a month and not over 60 years old... Included, but not limited to are the following self-employed persons.
a. self-employed professionals;
b. business partners, single proprietors and board directors;
c. actors, actresses, directors, scriptwriters and news reporters who are not under an employer-employee relationship;
d. professional athletes, coaches, trainers and jockeys;
e. farmers and fisherfolks; and
f. workers in the informal sector such as cigarette vendors, watch-your-car boys, hospitality girls, among others.
It seems that anybody who is earning can fit into the criteria. However, when I asked a local SSS branch, they said that if not a self-employed professional (like the ones mentioned above), a member must at least have a small business as source of their income in order to qualify as a self-employed SSS member. And when I asked which type of membership should I be if I'm no longer employed, not a professional, don't have a business but still wants to continue my contributions, they replied voluntary membership.
In order to become a voluntary SSS member, all you need to do is to pay your contributions using the SSS Form RS-5. No need to update your membership status as it will be automatically changed to voluntary once your payment is reflected.
If you prefer to be a self-employed SSS member, you have to change your membership status by accomplishing the SSS Form RS-1 and submitting the required documents (any of the following: authenticated birth certificate, driver's license, passport, click here for the complete list).
Another difference: as self-employed member, your monthly contribution will be determined by the monthly income declared during your change of membership status while as a voluntary member, you can choose your monthly contributions based on the amount that you're comfortable paying.
Once you've decided which membership to update to, there are still a few things that you need to take note of to make the transition from employed to self-employed/voluntary member easier.
First, register for an online account on the SSS website. This is really helpful in keeping track of your contributions and other notifications regarding your membership (loan eligibility and status, benefit eligibility and claim status, etc). Actually, all members can benefit from having an online SSS account.
Second, know the deadline of payment for your SSS contribution. Because you will be updating your contributions manually -- meaning, you will have to pay directly to a local SSS branch or to any accredited payment centers, you have to know the deadline for paying your contributions to ensure that you pay on time. SSS penalizes late payments and does not allow retroactive contributions.
SSS has released a new payment deadline schedule based on the last digit of member's SSS number. For SSS number ending in:
- 1 and 2 - every 10th day following the applicable month or the month you're paying for
- 3 and 4 - every 15th day
- 5 and 6 - every 20th day
- 7 and 8 - every 25th day
- 9 and 0 - every last day
Likewise, you have an option to pay your contributions on a quarterly basis. Quarterly payments refer to contributions for three consecutive months ending in March, June, September and December.
Again, using myself as an example, if I'm going to pay my contributions for the 2nd quarter (April, May and June) and my SSS number ends in 4, my deadline is on July 15.
Third, locate the SSS branch or accredited payment centers most accessible to your house or office or place of work. Remember that SSS is open during weekdays only and like most government agencies, usually have long queues so make sure that you can spare at least half a day (a weekday, that is) each month or quarter to update your contributions.
Thankfully, you can now pay your SSS contributions at selected SM Malls. I did this just last week and this is so hassle-free because there are no queues and you can pay during the weekends.
Fourth, keep tabs of all SSS contact information such as email, hotlines, Facebook account. Why? Because chances are, you will have inquiries regarding your membership at some point. Self-employed and voluntary members don't have the benefit of having HR officers, who can answer questions and usually take care of anything SSS related, unlike employed members. So keeping these contact info will come in handy when you need them.
NOTE: Please note that there's a lot of unanswered questions in the comments section below. I am in no way affiliated with SSS so I am not qualified to answer all queries pertaining to your account. The information I shared in this post is based on my experience and knowledge as a voluntary paying member of SSS. If you need more information or if you have a particular question that wasn't discussed in the post, the best way is to contact SSS directly. You can go to your nearest SSS branch, or leave a message on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sssonlineinquirysystem, or you can also shoot them an email at SSS Member Relations <member_relations@sss.gov.ph> (yes, they do reply to emails but it might take a while).
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Food: Giligan's Restaurant at Festival Mall, Alabang
Giligan's Restaurant at Festival Mall in Alabang is a go-to place for after-office dinners, gatherings and light drinking sessions. I can't recall how many celebrations were held here when I was still employed in my old company. Just that there were too many -- birthdays, promotions, girls' night-outs, bosses' dinner treats, get-togethers, informal meetings. Thinking about those makes me kind of nostalgic now.
The best thing about this restaurant is the cheap but great food and the laid-back easy ambiance. It's a grilled-sizzling type of restaurant as most of their menu fares are cooked that way. It's not too noisy and they don't play blaring music so you can still hear each other clearly. But it's not quiet either that you'd be shy to make loud noises because the restaurant is bustling with sounds of other people having fun.
I remember that we would often go here in big groups (more than 20 people), talk loud, laugh our hearts out (sometimes while pounding our hands on the table) and just have a great bonding time with everyone and not be concerned about disturbing the tables around us. Because chances are, they are having a good time themselves and usually don't care.
I still go here, after I resigned from work, sometimes with my husband, sometimes with my family but mostly during lunch hours when it's more quite. The food is always good, the serving sizes are big enough and the prices are affordable. We even held our pamamanhikan in one of their closed rooms for a more private gathering (not really pamamanhikan, but the getting to know of our families before we got married).
Just recently, we ate here to sort of celebrate my dad's birthday. It wasn't a planned dinner, they just went to buy some groceries and my husband and I were actually somewhere else. Then they asked us to come to Festival mall for dinner. And the celebrant wanted to eat at Giligan's.
We had the following:
The best thing about this restaurant is the cheap but great food and the laid-back easy ambiance. It's a grilled-sizzling type of restaurant as most of their menu fares are cooked that way. It's not too noisy and they don't play blaring music so you can still hear each other clearly. But it's not quiet either that you'd be shy to make loud noises because the restaurant is bustling with sounds of other people having fun.
I remember that we would often go here in big groups (more than 20 people), talk loud, laugh our hearts out (sometimes while pounding our hands on the table) and just have a great bonding time with everyone and not be concerned about disturbing the tables around us. Because chances are, they are having a good time themselves and usually don't care.
I still go here, after I resigned from work, sometimes with my husband, sometimes with my family but mostly during lunch hours when it's more quite. The food is always good, the serving sizes are big enough and the prices are affordable. We even held our pamamanhikan in one of their closed rooms for a more private gathering (not really pamamanhikan, but the getting to know of our families before we got married).
Just recently, we ate here to sort of celebrate my dad's birthday. It wasn't a planned dinner, they just went to buy some groceries and my husband and I were actually somewhere else. Then they asked us to come to Festival mall for dinner. And the celebrant wanted to eat at Giligan's.
We had the following:
Chicken Lollipop
I've had this numerous times before and was a little surprised that it was flat-out tasteless. Obviously, the chickens and the breading weren't flavored.
Fish Fillet with Fries
It's still good. It has the right crunch outside and the right softness and juiciness inside and the mayo-tartar dip that came with the dish was a good complement to the dish. Although I noticed that the serving size was reduced.
Grilled Salmon Belly
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to taste this one so I can't comment on it.
Sizzling Mixed Seafood
This one I was looking forward to as it was the first time we ordered it. But I was disappointed when it was served. It didn't look appetizing and the taste was just mediocre. I didn't like the black sauce, obviously had squid ink, that the seafoods were swimming in. And by seafoods, I mean few slices of squid, fewer mussels still attached to half the shell and much fewer pieces of shrimps. The only redeemable thing about this dish is how soft the squids were, which only meant that they were cooked right.
Kare-Kareng Gulay
I love Kare-Kare and this wasn't the best Kare-Kare that I've had but it was good enough considering it had nothing but vegetables. The peanut butter sauce was very flavorful albeit a little sweet than I preferred. I think this was intentional so it would counteract the saltiness of the bagoong (shrimp paste). But I think it would do well on its own.
Prior to this dinner, my husband and I went here quite a few times and had the other "usuals" like Sizzling Pork Sisig and Pork Barbeque.
Overall, I could say that the taste of the dishes (including the ones I featured here) had retrogressed although somehow they managed to keep the prices, only slightly higher, if not almost the same as they were years ago. In trying to stay affordable, they sacrifice a little of the quality of the food, which I guess is inevitable.
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