MACTAN, CEBU, PHILIPPINES—In light of the devastation brought about by super typhoon Yolanda last week, Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu has decided to help in the relief and rebuilding efforts by donating 100% of all room revenues generated on the weekend when Typhoon Yolanda hit (November 8-10), and pledging to donate 80% of all room revenues generated from sales between November 15-24, 2013.

From November 15-24, R&R will take on a whole new meaning: Relief + Rebuild.
Reservations made on the above dates with booking code REBUILD can be used from November 15, 2013 through May 31, 2014.
Discounted rates are being offered for this campaign.
A Deluxe Room inclusive of complimentary breakfast for two is only PHP 6,000 per night; a One-Bedroom Suite inclusive of a complimentary breakfast tor Two is PHP 8,000 per night; and a Two-Bedroom Suite inclusive of complimentary breakfast for four is at PHP 12,000 per night.

Interested parties may book thru +6332 492 7777 or click HERE.
Visit the Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu booth Mall Sale at the Ayala Center Cebu from November 22 to 24, 2013. Mention Booking Code REBUILD.
Standard conditions apply: new bookings only, subject to room availability, non-refundable and no cancellations allowed. For local residents only.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Here’s one great invention I found while searching for solar lights online.
I’ve bought one for our courtyard, hung it on a tree to charge in the daytime, and found that it works very well even when leaving it out during rain.
These are great gifts for people living in the provinces or depressed areas, where electricity isn’t readily restored, or even for us city dwellers in case of emergency.
The LuminAID solar light was designed shortly after the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
It is a renewable light that can be very useful, especially in post-natural disaster situations, like Yolanda.
LuminAID is the brainchild of Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta, who met while studying architecture and design in graduate school. They shared an interest in solar lighting technology and a common belief that design and design thinking can be used to solve problems on a global scale, including improving access to basic resources such as lighting and power.

The product is easy to ship because it packs flat and inflates to diffuse the light like a lantern.
LuminAID’s goal is to make portable lighting a part of the supplies commonly sent as part of disaster relief aid.
In addition to food, water, and shelter, light can greatly add to the well-being of victims of a natural disaster or crisis. Renewable lighting can aid those in situations where batteries are scarce and the electricity grid is disabled both immediately after a disaster and over an extended period of time.
Over the past year, LuminAID has put lights on the ground in the wake of disasters such as Hurricane Isaac in Haiti and Hurricane Sandy.

It is a great product to buy, especially for those abroad who are thinking of what to send over to Yolanda victims.
For corporate givers, the inflatable material is also printable with patterns and logos.
To know more, go to http://luminaid.gostorego.com/.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

It’s not too late to drop by Watsons to check out their sale!

Here’s what I found yesterday at Wastons, SM Aura.
All this Hello Kitty stuff makes me wish I had a girl

I love deals, don’t you? I always check out the deal bins at Watsons.

Lots of things marked down, but only up to Sunday

Plus lots of affordable gift packs and more!

It’s a good time to stock up on your favorite things and get a head start on Christmas shopping.
The sale is on at all Watsons branches in the Philippines!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

P.Diddy’s kids pack their own clothes to send to the Philippines (Source: TMZ)

Six-year-old Japanese boy Shoichi Kodoh donates contents of his piggy bank to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo

American girls turn over $200 to UNICEF from lemonade stand

Motherpackers unite for Yolanda

Anderson Cooper tells Korina Sanchez to maybe get a ride to Tacloban

UK family collects for the British Red Cross at Tesco

Scenes we’d like to see: US deploys USNS Mercy

Amazing view of the Royal Armed Forces UK’s C-17, which delivered a load of emergency specialist equipment to Cebu

A US C17—one of 68 large military cargo aircraft from 30 countries assisting in the Philippines—airlifts typhoon victims

Some lucky b*tch

Atom Araullo reporting

New York cares

Houston cares

Linda Farrow cares

Seattle Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin raises Philippine flag (upside down) to ask for continued support for victims

Tourists stranded in Coron, Palawan help out instead

Best closeup of Yolanda before it made landfall in the Philippines

Haiyan is not a joke

Haiyan na! Yolanda approaches Philippines

What would happen if Yolanda had hit Northern Europe instead

An eerie resemblance

Someone’s unfortunate idea of relief goods

Anderson Cooper with the lead singer of Journey, Arnel Pineda

Baby Israel with the kind doctors at the Israeli Defense Force mobile hospital, one hour after it opened

A ray of hope appears over Tacloban seven days after Yolanda

Plus two in Eastern Samar (Photo: Abdel Elecho)

Proof of life: notes scribbled by survivors to let their families know they made it alive

Precious smiles: Filipino children receive biscuits after days of no food

Canned goods with scribbles of hope from one happy packer (Soure: Bianca Gonzalez)

Richard Gordon briefs German and Spanish Red Cross

And to all the afams who came out to help, a huge SALAMAT from all of us!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Mobile phone users from over 40 countries can now directly donate to Yolanda relief via HelpPh.
Send airtime load through BayadLoad, a mobile money service of Smart Communications, Inc., approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (the Philippine Central Bank) for this purpose.

To contribute to HelpPh, mobile phone subscribers overseas must key-in +63-999-7-000-000 (12-digits) as the beneficiary mobile number and then send their donation using the airtime top-up procedure of their specific mobile network operator.
The maximum amount per day is US$10. This fund-raising program will continue until December 31, 2013.

Smart, Sun, and Talk & Text subscribers can also donate by texting HelpPH to 5353

Through its mobile money subsidiary, SMART has partnered with four leading global mobile airtime transfer companies that include Transfer To, Tranglo, ezetop, and Aryty—which all together cover more than 250 partner mobile network operators in 90 countries.

This mobile collection drive was launched by The Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) to fund relief and reconstruction programs, in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Caritas Manila, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Gawad Kalinga, the United States Agency for International Development and the GSMA, the global association of the mobile phone industry.
PDRF was organized in 2009 following the devastation caused by Typhoon Ketsana/Ondoy and is made up of major private sector companies and leading NGOs.

To know more, go to http://help.ph/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

How high-tech is Japan? When it sends a Tagalog-speaking Japanese relief worker to Tacloban

Swept away: Watch a house disappear within seconds after a storm surge

Cadaver dogs aid in recovery of corpses in Tacloban

Awesome Dutch citizens raise more than 18 million euros (or more than 1 billion pesos) through a nationwide telethon

Jamie Oliver asks British viewers to donate to the Philippines through Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)

In Warsaw, Poland, Naderev Saño—Filipino representative to the Warsaw conference—gave a tearful speech pleading with the world to take immediate, drastic action to reduce climate change-causing carbon dioxide emissions

“They are not broken,” Anderson Cooper says in his Reporter’s Notebook

"Mabuhi Philipines, Maramay salama for all you've shown us. Maramay salama for showing us all how to live" @andersoncooper. #AC360

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) November 16, 2013

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I can’t live without iTunes credits. Unfortunately I’m down to my last $30 worth of iTunes cards.
I use iTunes to download my favorite TV shows, movies, and music.
But since I don’t travel to the US often, I’m at the mercy of friends and relatives who buy iTunes cards for me when they’re there.
My friends know iTunes cards are the only things I really ask for on birthdays and Christmas.

Luckily my Googling skills led me to two sites where I’ve successfully bought iTunes credits:
Maximus Cards and US Gift Codes.

Aside from iTunes cards, you can also purchase Playstation and XBox credits, among others.
Both sites charge a little bit more on top of the cards’ face value.
Maximus emails the code almost instantly, while US Gift Codes took an overnight for me.
US Gift Codes will email you scans of the card you’re purchasing so you know it wasn’t taken illegally.

And it works. Here’s the proof of credit I got after purchasing from both sites.

Sharing this for the benefit of others who need their iTunes.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Singapore Airlines fliers can enjoy more shopping as the airline increases checked-in baggage allowance beginning November 15, 2013 for all SIA and SilkAir flights.
Checked-in baggage allowances will increase by 10kg for all classes of travel.
Customers will be entitled to free baggage allowances of 50kg in Suites and First Class, 40kg in Business Class and 30kg in Economy Class.

For flights to and from the United States, where a per-piece allowance applies, customers traveling in Suites, First Class and Business Class will be entitled to check in two pieces of luggage of up to 32kg each, up from 23kg previously.
“Increasing baggage allowances across all classes of travel is in response to feedback from our customers and reaffirms our commitment to constantly enhancing customer service,” said SIA Senior Vice President for Sales & Marketing, Mr. Chin Yau Seng.

KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold members will continue to enjoy an additional 20kg of baggage allowance across all travel classes, or one extra piece of checked-in baggage when traveling to or from the United States and Brazil.
Priority Passenger Service (PPS) Club members will also continue to be entitled to double the checked-in baggage allowance in their respective class of travel.
To know more about it, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Not too long ago I was in traffic somewhere on Edsa, lying down at the back of my van, tired, depressed, when a thought came upon me: Where is Anderson Cooper sleeping and what is he eating in Tack-low-bahn?
Last week after visiting Villamor Airbase, I couldn’t get myself to go straight home despite extreme tiredness in my body.
I told my friends we need to go to the Marriott and look for Anderson.
Earlier that day Anderson had interviewed Journey’s Arnel Pineda amongst this shrubbery.

And various people had their photos taken with him.

It was worth a try.
We took a chance and somehow ended up on this balcony.

It was only after a while when we realized we were at the right place, confirmed by the waitress who served us, I mean check out the white balustrade in the back.

After much prodding the waitress told us Anderson Cooper, Kristie Lu Stout and the CNN crew had stayed at the Marriott, had dinner twice at Cru and even at this balcony. That was before and after Tack-low-bahn.
Anderson recently appeared on Letterman and revealed how he got to Tacloban, where he slept during that time, and other thoughts on Yolanda and the Filipino people. (Thanks to the angel who uploaded this.)

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Long before she played Kim in Miss Saigon, the singing voice of Disney’s Princesses Jasmine and Mulan, and a well-loved judge on The Voice of the Philippines, Maria Lea Carmen Salonga was just a little girl from Manila who dared to dream big.

Dream Big Books proudly launched Princess Lea last November 17, 2013 at National Book Store Glorietta 1, where guests and friends from the media had the opportunity to got to meet Lea and have their copies signed by her.
Relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda were also accepted at the event and will be donated through #momshare of MommyMundo.com.

Princess Lea shares how Lea Salonga followed her heart to become the greatly admired and highly respected singer and actress she is today.
Written by Yvette Fernandez and illustrated by Nicole Lim, Princess Lea narrates how Lea went from a six-year-old who landed a part in a local production of The King and I to an internationally renowned performer who has starred as Kim in Miss Saigon, Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables, and Mei-Li in Flower Drum Song, among others.

L-R: Author Yvette Fernandez, Lea Salonga, and illustrator Nicole Tan

Dream Big Books is an imprint of Summit Books that inspires children to make a positive change in the world by sharing the life stories of Filipino role models.
Among the books in the series are Big John, the riches-to-rags-to-riches tale of John Gokongwei, Jr.; Nanay Coring, the success story of National Book Store owner Socorro Ramos; Ninoy, Cory, and Noynoy, which tells of love for nation of the Aquino family; and Simply Jesse, which recounts the life of former DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Lea Salonga with her mommy Ligaya and daughter Nicole

Princess Lea is available in bookstores nationwide for only Php 125.
Part of the proceeds from the sales will go to the ICanServe Foundation, which provides hope and help to women with breast cancer.

Summit owner Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng presents a special gift to Lea Salonga

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

“This holiday is all about unexpected glamour,” says Bobbi Brown, founder and CCO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.
This holiday season, Bobbi offers a beautifully edited collection of luxurious lip and eye palettes, lip glosses and brush sets for the beauty enthusiast who wants to give or receive the gift of glam.
Featuring an assortment of shimmery shades in silver, bronze and golden tones, Bobbi’s Holiday 2013 Gift Giving Collection is a must when it comes to stealing the spotlight.

Twilight pink lip and eye palette (Php 4,300)
A double-decker compact with everything you need to play up your eyes and lips all party season long.
The palette offers 10 gorgeous eye shadows from metallic to sparkle to shimmer, four pretty lip shades, plus mini lip and mini eye shadow brushes.

Eye shadow palettes (Php 2,700 each)
In a variety of nude to rich shades in cool and warm tones, these sleek compacts include a dual-ended eye shadow and eye liner brush.

Old Hollywood Travel Brush Set (Php 7,550)
A gorgeous light gold case with a black satin interior includes eight of Bobbi’s must-have brushes: Foundation Brush, Dual-Ended Concealer & Blending Brush, Retouching Brush, Touch Up Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush, Smokey Eye Liner Brush.

Old Hollywood Mini Brush Set (Php 4,200)
This compact Mini Brush Set is perfect to pop into your handbag for mid-day or mid-party touch-ups.
Includes four mini brushes: Mini Face Blender Brush, Mini Eye Sweep Brush, Dual-Ended Mini Smokey Eye Liner & Angle Eye Shadow Brush and Mini Eye Brow Brush to create the perfect pretty or sultry eye.

Old Hollywood Beauty Trunk (Php 21,600)
A sleek gold case with interior mirror and numerous compartments makes for efficient organization and show-stopping display of your Bobbi Brown makeup, skincare and brushes.

Available at Bobbi Brown counters in Rustan’s Makati (812-2507), Rustan’s Shangri-la Mall (633-4636 loc. 114), Essenses Rockwell (822-9400), Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu (+6332 231 5633), SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Together with the common flu, typhoid fever, and hepatitis, dengue is up there in the list of most dreaded diseases moms worry about. But unlike the other illnesses mentioned, dengue doesn’t have a vaccine that can provide prevention and protection.

Prevalent in tropical countries such as the Philippines, dengue affects people differently.
While some recover from flu-like symptoms such as high fever, muscle-and-joint pains, and rashes, others suffer life-threatening complications like Dengue Shock Syndrome—in which a patient’s white blood cells platelets drop to a dangerous level, leading to internal bleeding. In some of these cases, dengue becomes fatal.

While all people, regardless of age, are susceptible to dengue, statistics from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that children and adolescents from 5 to 14 years old are hardest hit.
Another alarming discovery is that dengue can now be contracted round-the-clock instead of during daytime only, as previously thought.
Experts from the Philippine Association of Entomologists have found that another dengue mosquito, the Aedes albopictus, is known to bite from from 6-8 PM and 11 PM to 1 AM, while the well-studied species Aedes aegypti, bites between 6 to 8 AM and 4 to 6 PM.

No wonder more moms are looking for ways to protect their children from exposure during day and night.
“I make sure there’s no stagnant water at the house and surroundings are not mosquito breeding grounds,” says Candice Arcangel, mother of two boys, ages 10 and 12.
To be sure, Candice uses Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect.

A single application provides up to 8 hours’ protection against day and night dengue mosquitoes.
Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect is non-greasy, smells and feels light on skin, which kids appreciate.
For older kids and adults, Green Cross recommends Active Protect, which provides up to 10 hours’ protection.

And for stay- or work-at-home moms like me, or people who mostly stay indoors, I recommend Family Protect, a reliable but more affordable lotion that protects up to four hours.

Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotions are endorsed by the Philippine Association of Entomologists, Inc.
They are available at supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

It’s been four years since we decided to adopt our youngest son. And since he is our third child, he doesn’t have so many firsts compared with his kuyas. He doesn’t have a baby book or passport (yet).
He hasn’t been on an airplane or traveled abroad, pending the finality from the court.
One thing we did recently though was to open him a bank account.

When I was in grade school, I used to get an allowance of one peso a day in four 25-centavo coins, if you remember the big ones. When I was a kid my dad gave me and my sister these cute little miniature drawers from Japan, where I would put 25 centavos a day. One day the box was full and I felt so rich! (There was probably five pesos in there.)

Saving money is something I like to teach young kids, like my sister Ana and my godchild Reggie when they were five or six years old. Since Christian is almost six years old, I took him to PSBank at The Crescent Building, Ortigas Center to open his first bank account. We chose PSBank because of its child-friendly Kiddie & Teen Savers program to encourage young people to save money.

PSBank’s Kiddie and Teen Savers account doesn’t require a minimum deposit or maintaining balance—but your child gets an insurance coverage of up to five times the average daily balance.
So if your child’s account is able to maintain an average daily balance of P1,000, he or she gets insurance coverage of P5,000. The account earns interest no matter how big or little is in the account.

Because Christian is under seven years old, I had to open the account in trust for him. I chose a savings account with a passbook and ATM card for Christian.
I brought two of my IDs, Christian’s school ID and a letter of guardianship from the court. For other kids, you may bring a birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office.
I filled out some forms and had my picture taken for their file. We were in and out in about 30 minutes. I kind of like the shape of this passbook.

Joanne said when Christian turns seven, he can have his own ATM card (not that he needs one). Of course, you may also have a joint “and/or” account with your child and he or she will still be part of the program.
It was Christian’s first trip to the bank as a depositor and as you can see from the photos, we had a smooth time.
To know more about the program, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

One of the things my friends and I noticed during the CNN coverage of Typhoon Yolanda was how well the Taclobanese speak English, some with American accent.
Reminds me of a young Lea Salonga who spoke with an American accent way before she lived abroad.
Is it cartoons or television?
I asked around on Twitter and found out Visayans would rather speak English than Tagalog. True?
Watch these CNN clips and tell me what you think.

A young girl talks about the first time they’ve “eat’n properly” in a week.

The most famous sound byte from a survivor: Magina Fernandez describes the situation as “worse than hell.”

And my favorite clip of all: a little girl chirps in the background while her big sister gets interviewed by CNN.
Adorable and fascinating, isn’t it?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

First a review.
My boys and I stayed at Kamana Santuary in Subic during the last sem break. It was recommended by an expat friend.
The boys loved it! We stayed in two casitas built on stilts on top of the sea.

Most of the people were kind during the two nights we stayed there. I encountered only a grumpy maintenance person when I noticed that our bathroom was falling apart, and you know how I feel about that.
The knobs of the shower and bath were simply falling off. (Not the Four Seasons.)
Too bad because the bathroom was spacious and had good design (except for the wood and the sinks).
Wood is simply not a good choice for bathrooms because of moisture.

So Jeroen and I requested to move to another casita.
The aircon in the kids’ room wasn’t cooling very well, and the window shade was falling apart. But they were OK with it.
They loved the chicken tenders and lechon sinigang at the restaurant, while I had the most delicious chicken barbecue fresh off the grill on our second night.
The food is either a hit or miss. You will not appreciate the fancified chicken/pork fusion adobo which they bastarized.
But what’s important is the kids loved the food. Never mind me.

The first thing that hits you upon arrival is a strong stench coming from the restrooms, which look and smell like they haven’t been renovated for years. It is unfortunate that these were placed right by the entrance.
Curiously, the reception is located inside the smelly restaurant. I’m just lucky my boys are not as prissy as me.

I take very good pictures but Kamana needs to hire more people to clean the premises. The sand and walkways were bordering on dirty. Nothing that a good cleaner can fix.
Lots of monkeys come down from the forest up there. Perhaps they can put a “Caution: Monkeys” sign somewhere.

This place must’ve been so pretty when it just opened.

Our rooms were really spacious. I’m OK with this bedroom, but there were not enough plugs near the bed. Hassle. Then again, it doesn’t matter because there is no wifi! The horror! You need to go to the smelly restaurant to use wifi!

We had this gorgeous balcony, but don’t leave the doors open—due to insects (especially at night) and monkeys!!

I was shocked to see a big monkey perched on the rail. I nearly died of shock while frantically closing the doors. It was like a nightmare. My husband has the misfortune of seeing this same money screw a female monkey near our casita.
I nearly vomited when he described it. Just so grateful I didn’t see it.
Here’s something we don’t see everyday: This was the beautiful view in the morning.

I’m blogging this in hope that the owners (who I am assuming have not visited recently) would take note and renovate all the bathrooms, clean up the premises, and tweak the menu.
Because this is one place that deserves to be kept well and we want to come back!!
That is the sad thing about the Philippine hospitality business. Not enough attention to cleanliness, detail and renovation.
Also blogging this because Grace and I are excited to watch Gabby Concepcion’s comeback + Cristine Reyes’ cheesy new movie called When The Love Is Gone, which was filmed at Kamana Sactuary!!
Watch the trailer and tell me what you think.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The opening of H&M in the Philippines is no longer a rumor as Swedish retail giant H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB has announced the signing of a contract for its first store opening in Manila, Philippines.
The flagship store will open in 2014 at SM Megamall.

Source: H&M
Read also: H&M Conscious Foundation supports typhoon “Haiyan” victims in the Philippines

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

When China threatened to impose visas on Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong, it didn’t bother me that much because the last time I went to Hong Kong in August it felt a little different. It felt tired.
My first trip out of the country, I was eight years old. We flew first class to Hong Kong and stayed at the Peninsula.
We don’t always fly first class as a family. It was just that one time. Maybe my parents wanted to make it special, and it was.
I remember buying Monchhichi dolls in Tsim Sha Tsui.

I have vivid memories of bones aching from walking so much at Ocean Centre, trailing family members looking at mainstream stores, and wishing, well, that I knew where the cool clothes were. (Now I know.)
Hong Kong is a Filipino pastime. My late grandmothers shopped there as well. I remember my lola frequenting to Shui Hing on Nathan Road. It doesn’t exist anymore.

If you’re Filipino, going to Hong Kong is such a treat because of its convenience.
“Eight hours door-to-door,” Tita Virgie Ramos once told me. “That’s what I love about Hong Kong.”
True enough, I timed it. From our doorstep in Pasig to our hotel room in Causeway Bay, it took about eight hours.

My husband and I were supposed to go on our annual honeymoon in Tokyo this November 25. But Yolanda happened, and I couldn’t get myself to book the flights and hotel, or get a visa. It all seemed so frivolous, and depressing.
Yolanda took so much energy from me. I did what I could and I’m still doing it—helping people rebuild the roofs of their houses. But then Christmas is coming and so rapidly. I need to put up my Christmas tree for the kids. I need to buy some new parols. I need this and that. I needed a break.

I convinced the hubby to take me to Hong Kong where tickets and hotels can be booked quickly online, no visa required, not yet anyway. I got ourselves free business class tickets through Asiamiles. I booked us at Park Lane in Causeway for its convenient proximity to Ikea, among other stores.
We were lucky to be upgraded to First Class on Cathay Pacific—what a treat!

I even ate the meal!

When we arrived at Park Lane, the room wasn’t what I expected, so we got a “free” upgrade to a large, although dated, suite.
This is the last time we’re staying at the Park Lane, hubby and I agreed.
We were there from Thursday to Sunday.
On Thursday I passed by all the shops on Causeway Bay—from Ikea, to aesop, Zucca, I.T, Vivienne Westwood, Liger, Droog, Frapbois, a.p.c.
On Friday I hit City Super, Lane Crawford, COS, and had a wonderful date at a hip Spanish eatery called Boqueria in Lan Kwai Fong. (Thank you James Acuña and Apple Mandy for arranging!)

On Saturday I had no more energy.
I feel old, I told the hubby. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t shop till I drop. I feel like a lola.
Hong Kong has lost its luster on me. I have been there 100 times. So if Hong Kong wants to impose a visa, I’m OK with it.

Despite all of that, we checked in six pieces of luggage on Sunday, when I thought that I didn’t shop enough. Luckily, Cathay didn’t charge us for overweight. Plus were upgraded to First Class—again!
My husband and I were seated at 1A and 1K, right by the nose of the plane.

We’re were smiling all the way.

Strangely enough I felt no fear. I prayed my chaplet quietly and read until we landed.

More than anything, however, my body was tired. I had developed a bad cold in Hong Kong and I intend to take it slow this week.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

When China threatened to impose visas on Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong, it didn’t bother me that much because the last time I went to Hong Kong in August it felt a little different. It felt tired.
My first trip out of the country, I was eight years old. We flew first class to Hong Kong and stayed at the Peninsula.
We don’t always fly first class as a family. It was just that one time. Maybe my parents wanted to make it special, and it was.
I remember buying Monchhichi dolls in Tsim Sha Tsui.

I have vivid memories of bones aching from walking so much at Ocean Centre, trailing family members looking at mainstream stores, and wishing, well, that I knew where the cool clothes were. (Now I know.)
Hong Kong is a Filipino pastime. My late grandmothers shopped there as well. I remember my lola frequenting to Shui Hing on Nathan Road. It doesn’t exist anymore.

If you’re Filipino, going to Hong Kong is such a treat because of its convenience.
“Five hours door-to-door,” Tita Virgie Ramos once told me. “That’s what I love about Hong Kong.”
Well, five hours for Tita Virgie, eight hours for me. I timed it. From our doorstep in Pasig to our hotel room in Causeway Bay, it took about eight hours.

My husband and I were supposed to go on our annual honeymoon in Tokyo this November 25. But Yolanda happened, and I couldn’t get myself to book the flights and hotel, or get a visa. It all seemed so frivolous, and depressing.
Yolanda took so much energy from me. I did what I could and I’m still doing it—helping people rebuild the roofs of their houses. But then Christmas is coming and so rapidly. I need to put up my Christmas tree for the kids. I need to buy some new parols. I need this and that. I needed a break.

I convinced the hubby to take me to Hong Kong where tickets and hotels can be booked quickly online, no visa required, not yet anyway. I got ourselves free business class tickets through Asiamiles. I booked us at Park Lane in Causeway for its convenient proximity to Ikea, among other stores.
We were lucky to be upgraded to First Class on Cathay Pacific—what a treat!

I even ate the meal!

When we arrived at Park Lane, the room wasn’t what I expected, so we got a “free” upgrade to a large, although dated, suite. (You half expect to see Tony Ferrer come out of the wood work).
This is the last time we’re staying at the Park Lane, hubby and I agreed.
We were there from Thursday to Sunday.
On Thursday I passed by all the shops on Causeway Bay—from Ikea, to aesop, Zucca, I.T, Vivienne Westwood, Liger, Droog, Frapbois, a.p.c.
On Friday I hit City Super, Lane Crawford, COS, and had a wonderful date at a hip Spanish eatery called Boqueria in Lan Kwai Fong. (Thank you James Acuña and Apple Mandy for arranging!)

On Saturday I had no more energy.
I feel old, I told the hubby. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t shop till I drop. I feel like a lola.
Hong Kong has lost its luster on me. I have been there 100 times. So if Hong Kong wants to impose a visa, I’m OK with it.

Despite all of that, we checked in six pieces of luggage on Sunday, when I thought that I didn’t shop enough. Luckily, Cathay didn’t charge us for overweight. Plus were upgraded to First Class—again!
My husband and I were seated at 1A and 1K, right by the nose of the plane.

Someone is happy…

Strangely enough I felt no fear. I prayed my chaplet quietly and read until we landed.

More than anything, however, my body was tired. I had developed a bad cold in Hong Kong and I intend to take it slow this week.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Don’t stop helping yet! Buy music and help #YolandaPH.
The global music community has released a compilation from the biggest names in music to raise money for those affected by supertyphoon Haiyan in The Philippines.
Songs for the Philippines, a collection of 39 chart-topping hits and classic tracks, is now available worldwide on iTunes.

The artists, record companies and music publishers who are collaborating on this project together with iTunes have all agreed to donate proceeds from Songs For The Philippines to the relief efforts of the Philippine Red Cross.
Check out the titles in the track listing:

1. The Beatles – “Across The Universe”
2. Bob Dylan – “Shelter From The Storm”
3. Michael Bublé – “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You”
4. U2 – “In A Little While”
5. Bruno Mars – “Count On Me”
6. Beyoncé – “I Was Here”
7. Eminem – “Stan” (Live from BBC Radio 1)
8. Cher – “Sirens”
9. Adele – “Make You Feel My Love”
10. Katy Perry – “Unconditionally” (Johnson Somerset Remix)
11. One Direction – “Best Song Ever”
12. Fun. – “Carry On”
13. Lady Gaga – “Born This Way” (The Country Road version)
14. Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
15. Justin Bieber – “I Would”
16. Alicia Keys – “New Day”
17. Imagine Dragons – “30 Lives”
18. Madonna – “Like A Prayer”
19. P!nk – “Sober”
20. Kylie Minogue – “I Believe In You”
21. Enrique Iglesias – “Hero”
22. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Factory Of Faith”
23. Linkin Park – “Roads Untraveled”
24. Kings Of Leon – “Use Somebody”
25. Muse – “Explorers”
26. Lorde – “The Love Club”
27. Josh Groban – “Brave”
28. Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger”
29. Paolo Nutini – “Simple Things”
30. Ellie Goulding – “I Know You Care”
31. James Blunt – “Carry You Home”
32. Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera – “Feel This Moment”
33. Earth, Wind & Fire – “Sign On”
34. Apl.De.App – “Going Out” feat Damian Leroy
35. Sara Bareilles – “Brave”
36. Jessica Sanchez – “Lead Me Home”
37. Lily Allen – “Smile”
38. The Fray – “Love Don’t Die”
39. The Beatles – “Let It Be”

To know more, go to http://www.songsforphilippines.com

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I received my first official Christmas gift from Royce’ Chocolate this week!
It’s a four-storey showcase of their Christmas offerings which I personally love to give and receive.

The smallest package holds the Christmas Cookies—thick cookies half coated with mild milk chocolate. (Php 690)

The blue package—Christmas Pure Chocolate—is something I like to give kids who love chocolate—I mean who doesn’t? I love the festive gift wrapper. (Php 720)

Inside are two kinds of individually wrapped chocolate—in Mild Milk and Creamy White chocolate.

This one is for me! The Happy Collection makes me feel like a kid, with the Royce’ Kids series and other Royce’ favorites. (Php 1,700)

The biggest box—called Royce’ Christmas Selection—is great for giving families you love. Filled with Christmas Cookies, Royce’ Kids Pure Chocolate and other popular items. Comes in two sizes: Small (Php 2,370) and Large (Php 3,460).

Find them in Royce’ stores at Greenbelt 5, Eastwood Mall, Trinoma, Power Plant, Podium, and the Cake Club at Bonifacio High Street.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.