What is the Best Pasalubong from Bacolod? No, It's not Piaya.

Bacolod has always been my favorite summer destination. We loved the city so much that we decided to move here for good. 

The first time I was able to visit this beautiful city was around 20 years ago and I have very significant memories that made me come back here often. One is the old "pala-pala" or market along San Juan St. corner North Capitol Road. It is like "Dampa" in Metro Manila and they serve the best garlic and butter shrimps I have ever tasted. Second is the flat piaya that has been a popular sweet treat from the city of smiles. 

For years, I have always thought that Piaya which was either in original flavor or ube is the "best" pasalubong that you can bring from Bacolod. However, after moving here in 2015, I was surprised to discover that there is another delicacy which is really good and is actually the BEST PASALUBONG THAT YOU SHOULD BRING FROM BACOLOD CITY. 

It is called NAPOLEONES. It is a layered puff pastry filled with custard cream and glazed with white sugar on top. There are several pasalubong centers making this thus, we decided to conduct the ultimate test to find out which one is the best. After comparing the 5 different napoleones we tasted, we can say that MERZCI makes the Best Napoleones here in the city of smiles. 

Box of 16 - Php 135

Thus, if you are visiting Bacolod especially this Masskara Festival, you might want to bring this piece of Bacolod with you as pasalubong to your family and friends. MERZCI has a total of 50 branches in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Panay. They also have branches at the Bacolod - Silay Airport and Bredco Port in case you don't have the time to buy. 

Aside from Napoleones, we also recommend these MERZCI pasalubong treats. I can guarantee #TananManamit. (Everything is delicious.) 

About Merzci

It is a family business that started in 1995 and a market brand of CM & Sons Food Products, Inc. It began as a small bakery supplying bread to single stores in Libertad Market in Bacolod City and soon evolved to produce pasalubong products, water, and fast food serving delicious and affordable food. 

You may visit their website for more details. 

---------------------------------------

Now, here is the best part! Since I want you to try these delicious treats from Bacolod City, we're running a giveaway where you can get the chance to win goodies from MERCZI. The mechanics are very simple and it's open to anyone who has a Philippine address.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Will announce the winner on October 21st in time for the celebration of the Masskara Festival here. Goodluck! 

Congratulations, Bernard! Kindly message us on Facebook with your name, shipping address and contact number. 

Simple and Reliable US Online Shopping Service Now Available in the Philippines

With Christmas lurking around the corner, it is never too early to start shopping or looking for Christmas presents. I started window shopping early this month and as usual finding a perfect Christmas gift for Val is the hardest that I have turned to the internet for help. 

Indeed, looking for ideas and finding the perfect gift online is the fast and easy. However, buying online much more placing an international order is another story. Well, this time I found really good deals on Amazon but I am not sure how to order it and have it shipped here in the Philippines.

As I was checking for options on how to go about my Amazon order, I found a personal shopping service named GMET Trading, a team of personal shoppers based in the Philippines dedicated to giving personalized service where they can order on your behalf any item from any US shopping website. This includes Amazon, eBay, BestBuy, Macy's. Walmart, Target and a whole lot more. 

How does this work?

The process is very easy. No need for credit cards. 

1. Choose the item/s you want to order from any US website. 
2. Contact GMET Trading via email - gmet.trading@gmail.com or using the contact form the website. Send your name, address, contact number and the URL of the items you want to order. Please don't forget to specify size, color, and other needed information.
3. Wait for quotation from your personal shopper. They will also be giving you tips or recommendations on where to find the best deals or other options. 
4. Once all details are finalized, confirm your order by paying the deposit/ downpayment through bank deposit. 
5. Wait for your order. Pay for the balance once your items arrive in the Philippines. 
6. You can pick up your order in any of their pick-up outlets or have been shipped through a local courier like LBC, Xend, and JRS. Pick-up Outlets are located in Makati, Mandaluyong and Pasay City. 

So, what are you waiting for? Finally, we can now shop in any US website hassle-free and without using our own credit card. For more details, visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. You can also contact them at (02) 624 0342, 09178565455 and 09209145455

Sports Barbers SM Mall of Asia: A Stylish Destination for the Male Grooming Generation

Men and women greatly differ in their choice of pampering sessions. Val was contented with his favorite barber inside our village while I would go out of my way to visit my favorite salon and spa even if it's 30 kilometers away. Val believes that a haircut is just a haircut and there is really no big difference not until he was able to try Sports Barbers Barbershop. 

With pompadours on the rise, man-buns making its way on the street, perfectly trimmed beards and facial hair making an appearance, it’s safe to say that male grooming is finally getting the attention it deserves. 

Val has always been specific on how he wants his haircut is done which prompts him to demand the simplicity and straightforwardness of his traditional barbershop.

However, do you think it would be ideal to get this simplicity and straightforwardness of the usual barbershops but not at the expense of style? This is what Sports Barbers Barbershop is all about.

It delivers the kind of service that one can expect; something that essentially gives a modern take on an old classic. Its ambiance and service, strongly anchored on its team’s ability to provide everything from on-trend cuts to classic styles, is a compelling reminder of inherent masculine values—adventure, straightforwardness, humor and at the end of the day, natural good looks.

With this, there is no doubt that Val has found a new favorite barbershop in town. According to Arvin Amaro, Marketing Head of Sports Barbers Barbershop, “The idea is to create a go-to destination for men where they can expect the reliable, time-honoured techniques of traditional barbering and yet know they are in the hands of people who will be able to tell the difference between a short sides with brush top versus buzz crop or a pompadour versus a slick back,”

Sports Barbers has 13 branches all over the country, a recreation of the traditional concept of your go-to neighborhood barbershop and offers a destination that is modern and stylish yet stays true to what men have been used to. You can find them at UP Town Center, Ayala Fairview Terraces, SM Clark, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, SM Bicutan, SM Cebu, SM Bacolod and its newest brand SM Mall of Asia.

To get updates and promotions, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For appointments, you may call 0915-5067655.

All about Love, Sugar and Waxing

If you have been following me, you might have read about my newest love. When I say love, I refer to something painful but worth it. Well, it's not about relationships but rather I am talking about my waxing sessions. It is painful but worth it. No matter how much I get hurt, I still keep on coming back. 

I usually wear a dress when I go out or when I have speaking engagements thus, the need to maintain skin that’s smooth no matter what season. This can certainly be sorted out by an appointment to my reliable waxing salon.

Hey Sugar Waxing Salon makes all-natural and 100% Sugar grooming options accessible to clients of all shapes and sizes. They use 100% naturally hypoallergenic sugar wax that minimizes side effects such as allergic reactions and chemical irritations caused by traditional wax—a gentler but no less effective way to keep your skin smooth and hair-free. 

Here are 3 things I love about Hey Sugar:

1. Great Ambiance and Interiors - Hey Sugar's interiors are renowned for being warm, inviting and discreet. Clients can walk in and expect a clean and sterilized environment ideal for the sensitive beauty routines that they are about to undergo, while still feel like they are about to get pampered and taken care of.

2. Expert and Friendly Aestheticians - I get the peace of mind that I under the care of expert aestheticians who were trained to deliver only the best results. For newbies, this means you can easily ask your aesthetician any question about the process and advantages of sugar waxing and get a clear answer; for veterans, you know you will walk out of your appointment knowing there’s no other destination that can give you the same results using all-organic hair-removal methods.

3. Accessible - Hey Sugar has very convenient locations all over the country. With a total of 25 locations nationwide, you can find them at UP Town Center, Festival Supermall, SM Bicutan, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Bacolod, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Calamba, Unimart Greenhills and their newest branch Hey Sugar SM Marikina.

Their commitment to bringing reliable and fast services while connecting with their customer is the main reason why Hey Sugar is the top waxing destination. Expect quality service, superior treatments, and affordable prices but not at the expense of a warm and comfortable environment.

At the end of the day, everyone deserves some sugar…and there’s no better place to get it than by heading to the nearest Hey Sugar branch near you. For readers from East Manila, visit their newest branch at SM Marikina.

To know more about Hey Sugar, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. facebook.com/HeySugarWaxingPh, Twitter.com/HeySugarPhils. For bookings, you my contact 0956-8462352.