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13Dec 2015

Grateful for the recognition at the SINAG 2015 Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I am truly grateful for the recognition once again. Last year, I also won First runner-up, #SINAG Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards . The SINAG 2015 Financial Literacy Journalism Awards seeks to encourage Filipinos to become more financially prepared through well-written stories.

The theme this year was “How can financial literacy help people live life to the fullest?” Topics could range from savings and spending tips, to proper attitude towards finance. Basically, anything to get people thinking about how they manage their wealth. Here are the three articles I wrote about financial literacy this year:

Teaching your kids how to handle money

Retirement planning: do I want to happen in our financial future

Each of us today has a financial future

The main winner for the digital category are Lace Llanora while the other co-winner was Abraham Lee. In Lace’s blog, she writes about her experience learning about money saving tips so she can ensure a future for her boy. Abraham learned from the challenges his family encountered while growing up. There is a wealth of knowledge from their blogs.

Along with the trophy and the recognition was a cash prize and a starter fund which Lace and I immediately invested at Sun Life Financial. (Disclosure: I already invested in Sun Life Financial in 2011). If not Kendrick Chua, a good friend (center), I would have not known about the Prosperity Fund.

More than anything else, this recognition reminds me to write more about money management tips or financial literacy. If there is anything I can share, it is that preparing for a financially secure future requires taking action today:

1.Increase your cash flow;

2. Reduce or eliminate debt;

3. Take baby steps in savings and investing;

4. Review your finances periodically;

5. Communicate with your family.

07Dec 2015

You too can be a part of the Star Wars Galactic Celebration on Dec 12-13

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

One of the perks of being a blogger are the fun experiences , such as the Galactic Digital Night , powered by Globe Platinum Broadband. I didn’t have time to get dressed in a Star Wars themed attire but I was still looking forward to a night of out-of-this-world fun. Can you tell I had fun?!

There is so much Star Wars fever these days as the much awaited Star Wars : The Force Awakens will soon show on December 17. I am one of them.

I recall the first Star Wars Movie in 1977 that left me in awe at the special-effects technology to a degree unseen before, with computerized and digitally-timed special effects. Here I am at a Galactic celebration of sorts, reliving my youth when digital effects in a party were unheard of in the seventies.

I also got to experience the blazing speeds of the Globe Platinum broadband, powered by fiber-to-the-home (FFTH) technology, at the Luxe Residences. The highest speed I got was 180 mbps. I look forward to the day when this FFTH technology reaches my village. Right now I am under the 5mbps Globe broadband plan. With the new Globe Platinum Broadband plans, home broadband customers can enjoy a broadband plan with the following internets speeds up to :

1. 50 Mbps at Plan 2499
2. 100 Mbps at Plan 3499
3. 200 MBps at Plan 4499
4. 500 Mbps at Plan 7499
5. 1 Gbps at Plan 9499

All plans are bundled with free access to Spotify, NBA League Pass and HOOQ. Aside from fiber-fast connectivity, Platinum Boradband customers also get access to exclusive perks and privileges such as a dedicated Platinum Relationship Manager, dedicated Platinum Hotline and Concierge assistance. (You can apply here)

Aside from testing the Globe Platinum Broadband, the fun far was testing the speed through a Trivia game. Sadly, I failed miserably at the Trivia Night with everything about Star wars. Prizes were Star Wars gift Items. I knew I had a chance when it came to raffle prizes.

The good news is I actually won during the raffle…the Sphero BB-8 app-enabled Droid.

A Galactic Celebration

You too, can enjoy a Star Wars galactic celebration on December 12-13 . Globe will transform the Bonifacio High Street Central Amphitheater into a big Star Wars playground- from game booths, life-sized displays, to Star Wars themed fashion and retain items , up on display. The Globe Star Wars BGC Weekend is open to all Star Wars fans and onlookers alike for FREE.

Fans will also get a chance to win unique Star Wars collectibles with the Star Wars Everyday Promo. Major prizes include a Star Wars adventure in the USA, exclusive movie invites, Star Wars items and more. All you have to do is text FORCE <name/address> and send to 2363 for FREE. Customers can earn raffle entries by availing of any Globe or Tattoo promo or plan. Every 5 pesos is 1 raffle entry. Check out how to win more Star Wars premium items.

Meantime…The moment I got home, I played with my new toy or rather my cats played with my new toy.

Watch this video:

04Dec 2015

Digital technology keeps the modern family connected

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

The invite said

“Mrs. Tessa Prieto-Valdes
invites you to a wonderful afternoon
at her home with Globe Platinum!”

The first thought that entered my mind was I’d get to see her Christmas decors that I have been seeing in magazine spreads the past years. The sight of festive Pinoy lanterns greeted me at the entrance. It’s our very own Pinoy pop Christmas theme. Beautiful! Her Pinoy theme decors show native lanterns which she sourced from Eastern Samar . It is her own way to help out the livelihood of women who lost their homes when Typhoon Yolanda struck their homes and livelihood.

I have seen Tessa around in other blogger events as a host but this time, she was the toast of the hour. Tessa is described as an interior designer, a triathelete, philanthropist, wife to business executive Dennis Valdes and mother to Bryan, Tyrone, Annika and Athena.

Tessa is the new face of Globe Telecom premium postpaid brand Globe Platinum. She draws inspiration from her family, career, and socio-civic endeavors.

Like Tessa, digital technology keeps me connected to her family. With everyone’s packed schedules- pursuing diverse interests whether in the country or out of it (Her son Bryon lives on his own now while Tyrone is currently studying abroad), the advent of technology and the smartphone has proven to be a boon for the Valdes Family.

My two girls don’t live with me and digital technology keeps me connected with them through Facebook messenger or iMessage. Much as I want to be with the the good old-fashioned way of spending time together, I recognize that this can get difficult at times. We continue to stay close to each other through technology. Tessa maximize the use of messaging apps like Viber or Whatsapp and social media channels like Instagram and Snapchat. She has weekly chats with Tyrone and Bryan. Thank God for digital connections, right?

Other than connecting with family, she is grateful for these advancements in terms of her work. Aside from working on various interior design projects, she writes a regular column for a daily broadsheet, connects with readers through her own blog www.tessaprietovaldes.com and hosts Philippine Realty TV and online show Battle of the Pans at tv4me. I am sure many moms can relate to this digital lifestyle. She also has charity events like the Red Charity Ball with Kaye Tinga.

You can read more of her inspiring Platinum lifestyle at the latest December issue of Lifestyle Asia. She is on the cover.

Globe Platinum Lifestyle Plans

Tessa says Globe Platinum is a key partner in enabling her to accomplsh what she sets out to do on a daily basis. For instance , the Platinum Lifestyle plan provides her with everything to stay connected to her passions and the things that inspire her to enjoy the life that she worked hard for. The Platinum lifestyle plan includes the following:

Access to the newest devices
Unlimited all network calls and texts (A first in the market)
Rich mobile data allocation
Built-in roaming services that can automatically subscribe customers to unlimited data roaming services or
The option to enjoy a consumable roaming allocation wherever they travel,
Complimentary access to a choice of NBA, HOOQ, Spotify Premium and more of the best applications as they are launched in the market

A huge plus is the Platinum Relationship Managers (see photo below) who take the time to really get to know customers, delivering seamless, delightful and personalized service that go beyond what you need and include what you actually love.

I am not on the Globe Platinum lifestyle plan though I am a Globe mobile subscriber since 1998 and a DSL subscriber since 2007. I plan to get the Platinum broadband plan as soon as the fiber-fast connectivity reaches my village. There are Platinum Broadband plans with speeds of up to 50 Mbps for P2499 per month all the way to 1 Gbps for P9499 per month available in over 80 sites.

The good news in yesterday’s Globe Platinum launch of their new ambassador are two tickets to Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour. It’s my lucky day.

The one thing we have in common is that we both use the Globe network to connect with our families.

Thanks to Tessa for preparing this bag of goodies that she personally chose for the media gathered at the launch. The bag is made from Eastern Samar . She is helping them out by buying their woven bags, just like the lanterns that adorn her Pinoy Pop Christmas themed home.

When asked how she feels about being an inspiration and role model to people, Tessa points out, “Here’s the thing, we live in such exciting times right now , and inspiration can be found everywhere. It’s mainly what you do with it that matters. It’s the spark that lights creativity and innovation, where great things begin. But it’s on yu to follow that through.”

30Nov 2015

My sofa is my home

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I moved to a more compact and cozy home in 2007 because I anticipated my kids would leave our home one day. Our bedrooms are not as spacious as our old home so I purchased a sofa bed for one of the rooms. It is functional since it serves as a daybed for family members who want to lounge around downstairs instead of their bedroom. Now, if you are in the lookout for sofa beds with comfort, color and style, check out “Innovation” at the Design Pod at SM Megamall. I recently got a tour of the various designs and I marvel at the functionality and design.

Innovation is a Danish furniture company built on top of the proud Danish tradition of furniture design. The company believes that form and function must go hand in hand to create innovative durable designs for everyday use. I took a long at some of their sofa beds. This is my favorite. It has a vintage look. Imagine your sofa as a day bed and bed. As a day bed, you relax, recharge and rejuvenate.

As a bed, you can stretch out, sleep and slumber. That is why Innovation describes it as “my sofa is my home”. Imagine if you own a condominium or town house, you can surely maximize the space with a sofa bed.

There is a mattress that fits your needs. Innovation offers a wide range of mattresses with different preferences such as the kind of mattress and even colors. The Spring Mattress (6-12 cm) is a fusion mattress with 6-12 cm pocket spring surrounded by two layers of breathable, carted cotton on top and one layer of carted cotton underneath a high resilient luxury mattress of high quality and longevity. The other Spring Mattress (13-16 cm_ is a fusion mattress with 13-16 cm pocket spring, which make it an extra soft and comfortable mattress. Then there is the Latex which is a fusion mattress with a 12cm high-resilient latex core surrounded by a layer of breathable, carted cotton. A supple natural mattress of high quality and longevity that adjust to your body.

There are swatches of colors to choose from just so it matches the theme of your home.

There are four mechanisms that suits your lifestyle : click, lift , slide and lift. The sofa bed above uses the click mechanism. It is good to know that the sofabed mechanims are covered with a lifetime warranty. Here are a few more sofa bed styles.

The Curvature Double Sofa Bed is contemporary in style. The Modular version is perfect for your living room or media room, where you need a little extra space to lounge around.

It has a very easy to use mechanism, full steel frame, timber legs, upholstered arm rests and a pocket sprung seat.

This sofa bed can also be ordered as a stand alone 3 seat sofa bed. It can easily sleep three persons.

This is the Tjaze double sofa bed which is compact and easy to use . It is perfect for small spaces.

It converts from a sofa to a bed easily and in only seconds.

Voila a bed!

There are lots of sofas and sofa beds to choose from.

The Puzzle wood is a stylish Nordic inspired sofa bed. The back rest is adjustable between three positions; upright, relaxed and flat.

Innovation Sofabeds has a Holiday Promo. If you purchase an Innovation Premium Sectional Sofa, you will get a FREE 16gb IPAD Mini . A purchase from their Premium Sofa line will get you a a FREE Sony 32? 32R302C LED TV!

You can check out Innovation and their sofa beds, at www.LivingSpace.com.ph .

Contact Information:

Telephone numbers: (+632) 416-0948
Email: info@livingspace.com.ph.
Facebook: facebook.com/InnovationHomePH
Instagram: instagram.com/innovationhomeph.

Other showrooms and branches in Metro Manila:

DESIGN POD:

4/F SM Megamall Building A, Mandaluyong City
Tel No: 998-8349/ 0917-5638984
Email Address: designpod@livingspace.com.ph
INNOVATION Showroom:
G/F SM North Edsa, Interior Zone, North Avenue corner EDSA, QC
Living Space: 2/F LRI Design Plaza, Nicanor Garcia St., Bel Air II, Makati City
Tel. No: 403.1345 / 0917-5638985:

26Nov 2015

Gift idea: This Journal Will Actually Change Someone’s Life

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 1 Comment

I found the perfect planner for my needs. If you are in the lookout for a 2016 planner, I highly recommend “This Journal Will Actually Change Someone’s Life 2016!” It will not only change someone’s life but yours as well.

This Journal Will Actually Change Someone’s Life 2016 is filled with witty facts, unusual holidays and interesting blurbs, awesome pages with mood charts, quarterly check-ups and tips for self-empowerment. This extraordinary planner also helps change lives all over the world as all proceeds are aimed to fund Lifeline Foundation, an organization whose projects helped many people in need. Take a sneak peek.

Freespeech publication, the publisher of this awesome planner, noticed how yearly planners affect the lives of people. This is one reason they decided to publish an extraordinary journal that would further change people’s lives. They have been doing so for the past nine years.

This year’s theme is: HAPPINESS REVOLUTION! Look at the inside. The first thing that struck me is what I am thankful for. To be thankful is to be happy. It is great that a planner reminds us to be full of gratitude. That is a nice start to a new year.

There are a lot of features that will help you plan your life such as witty facts, unusual holidays. interesting action blurbs.mood charts.quarterly check-ups, self empowerment tips, expense chart, life changing coupons, bucket list and a lot more to tell! Here is a sample of the expense chart.

You can assess your highs and lows for the week. High and lows are noteworthy- remembering HIGHS to keep spirits up and remembering LOWs to take note of life lessons from those situations. I win BOTH ways. Think about it. Life is like a roller coaster as I experience these high moments and low moments, moments when I feel like I am on top of the world and when I am down. The choice is always mine, whether I want to be frustrated or to enjoy the thrill of the ride.

There are Action blurbs that will move you to get out there and start moving away from your computer or gadgets.

Here is what a whole page looks like.

You can check your mood for the day and the amount of water drank. It is best to take eight glasses a day.

There are fun coupons that allow you to be a home chef for the night or simply do nothing.

Proceeds from this planner go to Lifeline Foundation Support Team, Inc whose initiatives include helping scholars get an excellent education, organizing medical missions, funding surgeries for different patients and a lot more. No wonder this planner is called “This Journal Will Actually Change Someone’s Life 2016”. You have the power to change someone’s life for the better including your own.

You can purchase the planner at Free Speech Publications, Fully Booked branches, PowerBooks , National Bookstore for 775 pesos only. You can choose between the navy blue and rainbow version. I chose the navy blue while I gave my daughter the rainbow version. I am really excited to start planning for 2016.

30Oct 2015

Feeling like a Wonder Woman in this Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Wonder Woman sneaker

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Latest sneaker release: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star DC Comics pack

Converse is such an iconic canvas-rubber shoes’ brand that I associate with my teen years. I love this vintage style with a white canvas based upper and classic white rubber sole.

Even one of my daughters owned a Chuck Taylor All-Stars in the late nineties. There are more fashionable styles these days like The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star DC Comics pack.

The limited-edition collection features Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Justice League characters illustrated by renowned DC Comics artists Jim Lee, Jock (Mark Simpson), Andy Kubertand Kenneth Rocafort. This DC Comics collection marks Converse’s eighth collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, which first launched Fall 2010. Even if you are not a fan of DC Comics, these are a must-have sneakers to your footwear needs.

Let me show you these four styles:

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Wonder Woman

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Wonder Woman sneaker features amazing artwork from the Co-Publisher of DC Entertainment, Jim Lee. Two different images of Wonder Woman are included on both sides of the sneaker, Wonder woman logo is printed on the tongue and on the laces. It is so pretty. You know, Wonder Woman was a hit TV show during the seventies when I was still in college. Wonderful memories of Wonder Woman , as a well-loved heroine, makes this sneaker so attractive . I tried on a pair and yes, it will look good with my denims and a white top.

Suggested Retail Price: Php 3,510 Sizing: 5-8 Ladies

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Batman sneaker

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Batman sneaker showcases the intriguing artwork designed by British comic artist Jock. Featuring two bold illustrations of Batman on either side, the iconic Batman logo is printed on the tongue of the sneaker, along the inner lining and on the laces. The yellow shoe laces are quite striking . Men can wear this with just plain shirt and jeans.

Suggested Retail Price: Php 3,510.00 Sizing : 7-11 Mens

Converse Chuck Taylor All Justice League

Featuring illustrations created by Andy Kubert, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Justice League sneaker illustrates the team of DC Comics Super Heroes on both sides of the sneaker. Compelling imagery is printed on the sneaker with the Justice League logo screened on the tongue and comes with both white and black laces that allow for customization.

Suggested Retail Price:Php 3,510.00 Sizing : 7-11 Mens

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Superman

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Superman sneaker features artwork by Kenneth Rockfort that highlights two different images of Superman on both sides of the sneakers . The iconic red and yellow S-Shield is printed on the tongue of the sneaker and includes a red lining with an allover printed logo.

Suggested Retail Price: Php 3,510 Sizing : 7-11 Mens

I just love how the design have two different images of Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman while the Justice League sneakers contain a team of DC Comics Super Heroes on both sides. Watch out as these designs will soon become iconic in a couple of years.

26Oct 2015

Moms need a good night’s sleep

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t want a good night’s sleep? Sleep is the key for renewing and rebalancing the body and mind. Sleeping never seemed a problem to me. Even when my son died, I always slept well as soon as my head hit my pillow. Pretty soon the fifties came and I discovered it got harder to fall asleep.This wakeful moment in my life arrived at about the time I moved in to my new home, the year I turned 50 years old. Adjustment in my routine needed to be made through the years.

My bedroom is pretty much a sleep haven. I love my canopy bed There is something soothing with a canopy on the bed. It feels like being protected in a cocoon. My canopy bed is a peaceful retreat from the outside world. I chose to have a canopy on my old antique bed to add a touch of beauty to the four poster bed. I was able to get an artistic bed designer who charged reasonable rates for everything including the pillows. The canopy bed certainly added softness , drama and beauty in my bedroom.

Using the scent of lavender helps. Just before I sleep, I use Lavender linen spray and mist my pillows and blanket. I moisturize my arms and legs with Lavender body butter. I take in the scent of lavender and feel joyful. Lavender is believed to possess a sedative that calms the psyche. It soothes and relaxes my body and mind. A lot of rituals just to make sure I get a sound sleep at night.

But…it is time to change our mattress since it is almost 20 years old . Not only that I feel the spring is already broken in one part of my bed which makes sleeping uncomfortable. It’s great that I got introduced to Dunlopillo brand because it has all the features I need in a mattress. As one of the world’s most beloved bedding brands in over 70 countries worldwide, Dunlopillo understand good sleep. This year, Dunlopillo launches a new line of mattresses for modern moms to get the rest that they deserve, giving them more time for bedroom moments.

The NormaBlock is Dunlopillo’s most superior innerspring system and claims to be the most technologically advanced mattress spring support system in the market. Fully engineered in Europe, it is durable, supportive and at the same time flexible to contour the body’s spinal shape to provide unsurpassed comfort. The great news for moms is that its unique total tempered spring system guarantees proper elasticity, total resilience and high durability.

Yes, this is the spring system I need to provide me the right comfort and greater body support for a good night’s rest.

The NormaBlock comes in three designs the Catleya, Decora and Lucia- differing in height, levels of support and the added technology in each mattress.

Dunlopillo’s latest NormaBlock collection is available at Dunlopillo showrooms at 16 Acropolis Commercial Area, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Libis, Quezon City and MC Home Depot Fort branch.

28Sep 2015

The ALDUB : the kilig factor and timeout experience

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Two factors strike me on why ALDUB, this “Kilig Pa More” KalyeSerye is a hit : the kilig factor, of course and the timeout experience. If you read Our love story: 30 years married. 37 years with my college sweetheart, I wrote about how my husband and I nearly separated . There is no “happily ever after” . My husband and I tried to make it work and we did. In my blog post, I added that “the secret in the renewal of our marriage was actually reliving that first time we fell madly in love with each other.”

And that is how I believe the “kilig factor” helped jumpstart our marriage. The thing going for me is I wrote a diary that detailed those early years with my ex-boyfriend…I wrote about the giddiness and romantic moments and why we fell in love, in the first place. I remember those early days. No wonder ALDUB is such a hit for the young and young at heart .

Image via gmanetwork.com. Some rights reserved.

It is not only the kilig factor that couples can benefit. A priest even said that couples in trouble can learn perseverance and sacrifice from the Aldub segment.

“When [husbands and wives] encounter the hardships of married life, their tendency is to turn their backs or separate,” added Mamaril, parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Calendola Village, San Pedro City for the past two years.

Watch the first time Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza met each other. You can see Yaya Dub’s eyes light up as she spotted Alden on the split screen.

While this is a fictional love team, Yaya Dub did have a crush on Alden. Direk Mike Tuviera said that “it was born from the moment that the staff found out that in real life, Yaya Dub had a crush on Alden. No one knew that.”

There are so many reason why many Filipinos love #AlDub but the one that strikes me as the number one reason is the “kilig” factor . Lyza R. Sabornido explains:

It has kilig factor. Every time Alden and Yaya Dub exchange dubsmash, pabebe wave, and pinky promise, the crowd goes wild with kilig. Same also happens when Alden flashes those cute smiles showing his dimples. Another kilig factor in this “Kilig Pa More” KalyeSerye is that Alden is doing all sorts of challenges that Lola Nidora had been throwing at him just to see Yaya Dub.

Next to the kilig factor is the timeout experience. I am sure each one of us have our own guilty pleasure. I turn to coloring books to destress. Others play online games or watch a movie marathon. Then, ALDUB came to the lives of the Filipino viewers and netizens. I never paid attention to the ALDUB phenomena until the day before their first date. That Friday evening, I watched the first and current series with my husband. We had a good laugh about it. I told my husband “kilig eh”. Not only kilig , but it was my moment to zone out at the end of a long day.

ALDUB is a timeout experience..to just be and relax, and laugh.

What is a timeout experience?

Image via Medill on Media Engagement; Abe Peck and Edward C. Malthouse; Hampton Press November 2010

It’s a quiet time.

It’s my reward for doing other things.

It’s an escape.

It’s takes my mind off other things that are going on.

I feel less stress…

I like going to this site when I am eating or taking a break.

Each one of us has a timeout experience. Most homemakers relate to this and turn to noontime shows to take a break. What is important is to put a balance in our lives: time to zone out and a time to work. What I really hope is that the love of the #ALDUB kalyeserye, overflows to rekindling of relationships. Yes, even love of country by using that feel-good hashtag for social change. I read an ALDUB fan tweet both #juanvote and #ALDUB hashtag.

The Millenials will play a very big role COME 2016. We should educate them. This is for their future. #juanvote #ALDUB

— Dottie Libiran (@dlibiran) September 27, 2015

I have hope.

Yes, enjoy the show and laugh out loud.

26Sep 2015

Seasons, Manila Pavilion Hotel’s new menu offerings

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

As students in the late seventies, my ex-boyfriend and I went as far as Luneta Park because we were broke. All we did was gaze at the sunset or walk by the romantic Manila bay. Old Manila and its splendor reminds me of those good old days. Now that my ex-boyfriend is my husband and earning a living, we revisit Manila for those rare dates. Next on my list is Seasons, Manila Pavilion Hotel’s premier lifestyle restaurant especially since I sampled a few of their new menu offerings.

While waiting for the press launch to start , I toured some of the rooms in the hotel including the Romulo Suite. This was where I took a snapshot of the beautiful sunset. And how I love the color theme in each corner of the suite.

Italian culinary master Giovanni Sias is Manila Pavilion Hotel new executive chef who prepared the new menu offering. I am glad that these were just samplers that I could savor and enjoy. The new festive selection of international ala carte dishes starts at Php280 nett. The ala carte dishes are better for me because I don’t want to eat too much. There are buffet breakfast selections for those that want to eat more, and are priced at Php600 nett.

Chef Giovanni adds that “Meat lovers and seafood fanatics can please their palates with a variety of feisty treats from parma ham, tuna, salmon, prawns, red snapper, beef tender or rack of lamb, and have it cooked just the way they want it.”

Prosciutto (Parma Ham) rolled with goat cheese mousse, truffle scent apple mustard marmalade

If you are like me, I want it light on the stomach but heavy on flavor. That is what the salad and appetizer selections is all about. Seasons also cater to the vegetarians and vegans. The all-time favorites like tuna carpaccio, eggplant napoleon, and prosciutto, or the freshest greens complemented with scrumptious hors d’ oeuvres and antipasti are part of their healthy fare.

Home made potato gnocchi in cheese sauce and fried proscuitto

Tuna Carpaccio with Zuccini salad, lemon and olive oil

Must-try signature dishes to whet diners’ palates are the Waterfront Caesar Salad, Waterfront beef burger, sautéed red snapper and prosciutto rolled with goat cheese mousse among others.

Sauteed Red Snapper with tomatoes and capers over buttered spaghetti

The dessert menu features panna cotta, tiramisu, fresh fruit platter, chocolate cake with vanilla chantilly, pistachio mousse berries campote and other traditional Filipino sweets and delicacies . The Panna Cotta with strawberry consomme was delightful with just the right amount of sweetness.

Panna Cotta with strawberry consomme

My favorite ala carte dishes are the Home made potato gnocchi in cheese sauce and fried proscuitto and the Prosciutto (Parma Ham) rolled with goat cheese mousse, truffle scent apple mustard marmalade. Can you tell that we love cheese? My husband and I will order these separately on our next date.

Seasons is located at the lobby of the Manila Pavilion Hotel and is open from 6:00 am to 10:30 am for breakfast, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm for lunch and serves dinner from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily.

For inquiries and reservations, please call Manila Pavilion Hotel at (02) 526 1212 extension 2345 or log on to www.waterfronthotels.com.ph and follow us through social media @WaterfrontMNL.

22Sep 2015

A weekend getaway : Lotus Pod at Bay, Laguna

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I am taking time out from attending events because of the traffic in Metro Manila. But how can I refuse a visit to Lotus Pod even if it will take one and a half hours to get there? You know , I would rather get stuck driving through the countryside than the concrete jungle.

Lotus Pod is breath of fresh air. I went there expecting to be surrounded by greenery, Lotus flowers , chilling with media friends and just being there for the moment. And I was not disappointed with my picture-perfect day. Before my visit, I just saw photos of Lotus Pod but did not read up on the website . I wanted to be surprised. Lotus Pod is an organic farm in Bay, Laguna that grows fruits, vegetables and herbs. Their farmers grow veggies with care, making sure not to use any artificial fertilizer – making every Lotus Pod bite, a taste of nature.

Screencap from lotuspodph.com

Cheche Lazaro (the owner of the Lotus Pod) told us that they never had any concrete plans for Lotus Pod. It took seven years to develop the farm. Lotus Pod farm grows “vegetables like ampalaya, calamansi, lime, eggplant, green papaya, leeks, malunggay, okra, red and green lettuce, arugula, swiss chard, patola, saging na saba, tomato, kangkong, and talbos ng kamote and lemongrass. They also also grow “herbs like basil, mint, oregano, tarragon, coriander, sawtooth and ashitaba. The farm also produces its own fresh oyster mushrooms as well as chemical-free vinegar from our coconut trees. Add to that list, our own fresh juices from the veggies we grow.”

Lotus Pod does not have overnight facilities at the moment. There is a lovely room near the pond that gives this peaceful view of the Lotus flowers.

It felt good to be able to chat with my idol, Cheche Lazaro. She had interviewed me twice (one on my grief recovery and the other on social media engagement with the President) . Never in my wildest dream did I ever imagine talking about social media with her.

Photo via Jane Uymatiao

Aside from the open green spaces, lush greenery, one can also hold events like weddings. Imagine the Banahaw mountain range as backdrop and the cool, fresh air only a provincial destination can provide. Check out the events : camping (coming soon), meetings and seminars; farm to table workshop; catering services, detox getaway package. The Lotus Pod also offers gift packages, and agritours.