Adventures in Northern Mindanao

The best place to start an adventure in Northern Mindanao is to arrive in Cagayan de Oro which is known as the Gateway of Northern Mindanao. Get close with nature and get your heart pumping in their white river rafting.

Discover virgin white sand beaches in nearby Camiguin Island. Wake up early in the morning to go to the famous White Island.

While you're in Camiguin Island, try renting a jeepney and tour around the island for the day.
See the Church Ruins (Gui-ob Church)

Visit its falls

And drop by at the Sunken Cemetery

And lots of other sights that I don't recall =( but are as breath-taking.

If you love waterfalls, don't miss going to Iligan City. Be sure to have your cameras ready for these majestic waterfalls: Tinago Falls, Mimbalot Falls, and the grand Maria Cristina Falls.

Tinago Falls

Maria Cristina Falls

As a side trip, you can visit Macapagal - Macareg's ancestral house while you're in Iligan.

And if you still have a day to spare, you can go to the Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon for another doze of adrenaline rush. The park boast of its 840M long dual zipline which is the longest in Asia. Lots of other activities can be done here like the Luge and Mini Golf.

Northern Mindanao is filled with exciting adventures and eye-candy sights so make sure to plan ahead to be able to make the most of your trip.

Enjoy your summer everyone!

Diet Meals Delivery

It's summer time and everyone wants to get fit. And for the unfortunate few like me, I have a hard time following an exercise regimen or any food diet. I tried cooking meals for myself but I sometimes find it hard to wake up early in the morning to cook. I still have not figured out a way to balance my work and life up until now.

Luckily, sometime last year I discovered that there were actually companies delivering complete diet meals straight to your doorsteps! It was an amazing experience, I believe I lost at least 2 lbs on my first week taking Lunch Box Diet meals. Unfortunately, I had to stop because I now find it difficult to meet with their scheduled delivery time.

And now, I am back to the weight I started and I have to lose them all over again so I am now reconsidering on buying diet meals again.

For those who are looking for the same, here's a list of diet meal delivery companies that I know. Feel free to comment if you know of one not on the list. Good luck to us!

1. Lunch Box Diet

https://www.facebook.com/lunchboxdietph
Contact Number: 0917-809-3196

Price: Php 1,700 for 5 days
Delivery Fee: Free
Delivery Schedule: Varies depending on location usually early morning
What's Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks amounting to 1,200 calories per day
Deliverable Areas: Quezon City, San Juan, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, BGC/McKinley Hill (Not all areas are covered, contact them directly to confirm if your area is covered)
Payment Methods: BDO and BPI Bank Deposits

2. Diet Diva

https://www.facebook.com/dietdivaph
Contact Number: 0917-703-3482

Price: Php 1,800 for 5 days
Delivery Fee: P20 QUEZON CITY*, SAN JUAN*, ORTIGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG & MAKATI. (*Selected Locations)
P40 Commonwealth, Marcos Highway, Bonifacio Global City
Delivery Schedule: 5AM to 8AM Mondays to Fridays
What's Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks amounting to 1,200 calories per day
Payment Methods: BDO and BPI Bank Deposits

3. The Yummy Diet

https://www.facebook.com/yummydietph
Contact Number: 0917-889-8660

Price: Php 1,799 for 5 days
Delivery Fee: Free
Delivery Areas: Eastwood, Ortigas, San Juan, Mandaluyong*, Pasig*, Cainta* (* Selected Locations only, contact them directly to confirm if your area is covered)
Delivery Schedule: 2PM to 5PM Sundays to Thursdays
What's Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and 1-2 Snacks amounting to 1,200 calories per day. Also includes coffee & tea with boost of Chia seeds.
Payment Methods: BDO and BPI Bank Deposits

4. The Good Box

http://thegoodboxph.com/
Contact Number: 0917-711-1732
Email Address: thegoodboxph@gmail.com
Price:

• Php 2,750 for 1200 Calorie Menu
• Php 3,000 for 1500 Calorie Menu
• Php 3,250 for 1800 Calorie Menu
• Php 3,500 for 2100 Calorie Menu
• Php 3,750 for 2400 Calorie Menu
• Php 4,000 for 2700 Calorie Menu
• Php 3,000 for South Beach Diet

Delivery Fee: Php 60
Delivery Areas: Not mentioned on site, contact them directly to confirm
Delivery Schedule: 6AM to 10AM Mondays to Fridays or 5PM to 9PM Sundays to Thursdays
What's Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and 1-2 Snacks amounting to counted calories per day depending on your needs.
Payment Methods: Bank Deposits and Cash on Delivery

5. The Sexy Chef

http://www.thesexychef.ph/
Contact Number: 721-8881 / 721-7399 / 0917-799-2433
Email Address: info@thesexychef.ph

Price for Complete Meals: 

• Php 975/day for South Beach Diet
• Php 1,000/day for Pounds Away Diet Program
• Php 1,100/day for Fat Fighting Diet Plan

Price for Lunch & Dinner Meal Only: 

• Php 2,150 for 5 days of Dine Lite Meals
• Php 1,500 for 5 days of Vegetarian package

Delivery Fee: Varies (starts at Php 50)
Payment Methods: Online Payments via Credit Card, Bank Deposits


[UPDATE: June 6, 2014]: I am adding some affordable juicing delivery options on the list. I plan to try one someday.

6. Juice Hut

https://www.facebook.com/JuiceHut.Manila
Contact Number: 0917-5725855
Email Address: juicehut_manila@yahoo.com

Price:

• 1 250ml Bottle - Php 120
• 1 Day Reboot Program (6 x 250ml bottles) - Php 720
• 2 Days Reboot Program (12 x 250ml bottles) - Php 1,440
• 3 Days Reboot Program (18 x 250ml bottles) - Php 2,160
• 5 Days Reboot Program (30 x 250ml bottles) - Php 3,600

7. Nourish Juice

https://www.facebook.com/NourishJuicePH
Contact Number: 0917-5725855
Email Address: juicehut_manila@yahoo.com

Price:

• 1 250ml Bottle - Php 125
• 1 350ml Bottle - Php 195
• 1 Day Package* (6 x 250ml bottles) - Php 1,175
• 2 Days Package* (12 x 250ml bottles) - Php 1,975
• 3 Days Package* (18 x 250ml bottles) - Php 2,775

* Packages includes 2 organic teas per day + thermal bag + one-time delivery

Delivery Fee: Varies (starts at Php 100)
Payment Methods: BDO and BPI Bank Deposits

8. Juice Ko Jo

https://www.facebook.com/juicekojo
Contact Number: 0922-8634968

Price:

• 1 Day Package (5 x 350ml bottles) - Php 1,200
• 3 Days Package (15 x 350ml bottles) - Php 3,000

* Packages includes 2 Yogi organic teas per day

9. The Daily Jusa

http://www.thedailyjusa.com/
Contact Number: 0917-8110769

Price:

• 1 250ml Bottle - Php 150
• 1 Day Package (8 x 250ml bottles) - Php 1,350
• 3 Days Package (24 x 250ml bottles) - Php 3,500
• 5 Days Package (40 x 250ml bottles) - Php 5,500

* Each day cleanse includes 2 bags of tea and each package includes a thermal bag

10. Juice Jab

http://www.juicejab.com/
Contact Number: +63917-838-7355 | info@juicejab.ph

Price:

• Jolts (6 x 250ml bottles) - Php 900* / Php 1,100
• Mild Jabs (6 x 500ml bottles) - Php 1,500* / Php 1,700
• Moderate Jabs (12 x 500ml bottles) - Php 3,000* / Php 3,200
• Strong Jabs (18 x 500ml bottles) - Php 4,500* / Php 4,700

* without insulated bag

How to apply for a UMID (Unified Multi-purpore ID) Card

UMID (Unified Multi-purpose ID) Card is the all-in-one card for SSS, GSIS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig members.

Ever since getting married, the only ID I have bearing my new surname was just my company ID. And after a year, I have finally managed to take the time to get an official government ID to have my married name on it.

Did you know that SSS agencies are now open on Saturdays? Yes, it is true! Now isn't that convenient! Two thumbs up to whoever thought of the idea. (",) SSS agencies are open from 7AM to 5PM on Mondays to Fridays with no lunch breaks and are open from 8AM to 5PM on Saturdays but with lunch breaks.

SSS also has satellite offices in malls too which are open 10 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday to Saturday. Click on the image for a larger picture.

Before going to SSS to apply for your UMID, make sure you bring at least one (1) of these primary IDs:

• Passport
• Driver's License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) card
• Seaman's Book

Or two (2) secondary IDs/documents which has your photo and signature.

And if you have just recently got married and you have no other ID bearing your new name, make sure to bring a copy of your NSO Certified Marriage Contract.

First step to apply for a UMID card is to get a UMID application form found in Step A. You may also download the form and fill it up before hand but you still have to go to Step A to get a number. Form can be downloaded here.

After filling up the form, proceed to Verification and wait for your number to be called. The UMID card is free if this is your initial card application but if you have an existing SSS ID card you will have to pay Php 300 as the card replacement fee. You will be provided an R-6 Payment Form which you will be filling up then proceed to cashier to make your payment.

After making the payment, go back to the Verification booth and present your validated R-6 form. You will be asked to surrender your existing SSS card then you will proceed to the queue for Data Capture.

You will have to wait a long time because queue in Data Capture lane will be long since there's only one personnel doing this on Saturdays. I had to come back after lunch to have mine. In Data Capture, they will be typing in your information in your database, getting your fingerprints and signature and taking your picture. Before saving your information to the system, you will be asked to confirm all the data they have inputted and you will be requested to affix your fingerprint to affirm that you have agreed to what you see.

Note: Do not wear contact lenses when applying for your UMID card. Data Capture will request them to be removed. Any forms of jewelry like earrings and necklaces will also be asked to be removed.

Finally, you will be given a claiming stub. The UMID card will be delivered to your mailing address after one month. But in case card did not arrive after a month, you can go to the SSS agency where you have applied for the card and ask Verification to check for the status of your card then claim it. That's it! I'm done! Can't wait to see my ID soon.

Will update this blog once I receive my ID. (",)

[UPDATE: 6/10/2014]
Got my new ID around 3rd week of May.

Resto Review: Jasz Bar and Restaurant, Panglao Island

We stayed in a hotel along Alona Beach on our last night for us to experience its night life. Alona Beach was dubbed as the Boracay of Bohol but for some reason I don't feel like it should be praised as that. Yes, the sand in Alona Beach is almost same as Boracay but its night life is not at par at all. Or maybe there was not much tourist around to make it much of a party place.

There are lots of bar and restaurants along the beach but most of them offer live singing performances and not the usual disco bars you can see in Boracay. Although there was one that had its grand opening on that night we were strolling just beside the Bee Farm branch. Unfortunately, it was not yet open to the public that night. So we settled to eat and drink at Jasz Bar and Restaurant because there was a performer singing our type of music there.

We availed of their Buy 1 Take 1 Cocktail Promo. I ordered their Mabuhay Alona and hubby ordered the Melon Fizz - both for Php 200. The Mabuhay Alona is a mix of rhum, mango liquor, pineapple and orange while the Melon Fizz is a mix of vodka, melon and sprite. Both were quite strong on the alcohol side, their supposedly fruity sides were unnoticeable.

After having a shot at their cocktails, we just opted to buy a bucket of Lemon Flavored San Miguel beers. Bucket of 6 beers are sold at Php300-350.

For our dinner, we ordered the Eat Jasz Special Pizza (Php 495). The pizza was based in carbonara sauce and was overloaded with lots of toppings. It had mushroom, olives, ground pork, ground beef, ham, pepperoni, bacon, bell peppers, hotdog and boiled eggs sprinkled with cheese. And it was a mouthful. I got really full in the stomach just having a slice. But what we didn't like about their pizza was that the dough was not properly cooked, making the pizza quite soggy. It didn't looked like it was cooked in an oven.

We had take-outs after our meal here. It was one quiet and fulfilling night just hanging around with just my husband. I'm not sure if we're ever to come back in Panglao Island in the future, but when we do I hope their mode of transportation to and from the city be improved. Till next time (",)

This is part of our 5D4N Cebu-Bohol Summer Adventure. Read more about our itinerary in below links:

• 5D4N Cebu-Bohol Itinerary and Budget 2014
• A Day in Cebu
• The Bohol Country Side
• A Walk in Tagbilaran City
• Bohol Sea Tour (Dolphin Watching & Island Hopping)
• Bohol Pasalubongs

Read about our accommodations and food trips in Cebu here:

• Sampaguita Suites, Plaza Garcia
• Zubuchon
• Larsian BBQ

Read about our accommodation and food trips in Bohol here:

• Buen Bella Pension House, Tagbilaran City
• Accommodations in Panglao Island
• Gerarda's Restaurant, Tagbilaran City
• Golden Cowrie Filipino Restaurant, Tagbilaran City
• L'Elephant Bleu Restaurant, Panglao Island
• Payag Restaurant, Panglao Island

Resto Review: Manam at Fairview Terraces

Me and my husband got a chance to visit a new mall in Quezon City, The Fairview Terraces. It looks similar to Trinoma but lots of stores are still closed since it's relatively new.

We met with my husband's high school friends at one of the restaurants that seems new to us - Manam, Comfort Filipino. The restaurant was well-lighted and had colorful comfortable furnishings. Their menu features both classic Filipino and Filipino with a Twist food items. You also decide the portion of each food you order: Small (good for 1), Medium (good for 3) and Large (good for 6). The choices are endless, just reading through the menu made my mouth water.

For my drink, I ordered the Ube + Sago shake (Php 95) and it was delightful. The shake's consistency was almost like an ice cream milk shake.

For our appetizer, we ordered the Crunchy Salt & Pepper Squid Rings with Sweet Chili Sauce (Medium Size Php 250). Whew! that was one long menu item hehehe but it was worth the long name because it sure was crunchy and tasty.

For our vegetable, we ordered their Laing (Medium Size Php 195). This one was quite disappointing. There was not enough gata, the garlic toppings were not crackling and it was not spicy.

For our soup, we ordered the Bone Marrow Kansi & Sweet Corn (Large Size Php 755) which had just the right bitter sweet taste for a Kansi soup. And they offer free soup refill too! But I must say the meat was not that tender to my liking.

As for our main course, we ordered two of their best sellers (paboritos): Corned Beef Sisig (Medium Size Php 265) and Overloaded Garlicky Chicken & Pork Belly Adobo (Medium Size Php 345).

The Corned Beef Sisig was another disappointment for me. It was just plain corn beef topped with fried egg.

But on the bright side of everything, the adobo was amazing. It surely lives up to its really long name, that it was overloaded garlicky! This dish is not advisable to those who hates garlic. Their adobo is the dry type but you can definitely taste its delicious sauce coating the meat. Yummy!

I love how friendly and accommodating their staffs are. They even gave us complimentary Gata Leche Flan (Medium Size Php 145) to celebrate my husband's birthday. And it was heavenly. Their leche flan was smooth and creamy and tasted of gata and also bucayo.

What a way to end our dining experience! We will definitely come back to try out their other interesting food items.