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Monday, January 6, 2020

Everybody Loves Munchers Cafe

Many café shops have been sprouting like mushrooms in my local community. In our main street alone, you can see around 7 small spots naming themselves as a café. Because of this trend, some small restaurants or "turo-turo" style of ordering food (pre-cooked food for sale displayed in a transparent cabinet, wherein a customer needs to point the dish or viand he/she wishes to order) or even small stores selling delicacies and food have the word "café" attached to their names. 



But what really is a café or café shop? According to Wikipedia, café is a type of restaurant that typically serves coffee and tea as well as light refreshments such as baked goods or snacks. It is a place where you can find people reading newspapers or magazines, studying or chatting with others about current events. 






With the rise of social media, mobile phones, and lifestyle changes, a café is also now used as a venue for small meetings and gatherings or just a place to chill out to stay online. By this definition, we can only count a handful number of "legitimate" cafes in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.



Munchers Café is one of the few café shops that fit the definition to a "T". Aside from hot coffee, it also serves cold drinks such as milkshake and milk tea. They also offer our all-time favorite comfort food such as nachos, fries, sandwiches and rice meals. 


Since it started its operation last November 15, 2019, this neighborhood café has slowly gained popularity among its local clientele. Most of them are students from Notre Dame Talisay, Technological University of the Philippines and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College and the residents and professionals living within the vicinity of Carmela Valley Homes. 

And here are some the things that they love about Munchers Café: 

Airconditioned Interior 

Everybody loves to eat comfortably in an airconditioned room. The café shop has 2HP aircon and a sleek electric fan that can make the area cool, especially during lunchtime, which understandably, is jampacked with students. 

Though it's certainly jampacked during lunchtime. Regular customers can definitely enjoy a visit during non-peak hours and on Saturdays, one can leisurely sip his/her freshly-brewed coffee or munch their best-seller nacho fries served with special garlic dip. 

Instagrammable Walls 

When you enter the place, you are greeted with minimal decorations and basic and neutral color palettes, making it more relaxing and cooler to the eyes. It also gives an illusion of space making the area look a lot bigger. 

No wonder a lot of customers enjoy taking a selfie or a groupie with the wall decorations as a backdrop. They also installed a life-sized mirror where you can fix yourself before snapping a photo. 

Budget-Friendly Meals 

We are all budget-hunters. It is always our practice to haggle for a bargain whenever we buy something. Luckily, no special skills or charm is needed at Munchers Café just to get a good deal. The rates as adjusted in such a way that it is reasonable and affordable for the average "Juan". Can you imagine getting a Grilled Sandwich for P30.00? or a Nacho-Fries Combo, overflowing with Garlic Sauce for a measly price of P60.00? 

See menu for complete product offering and prices: 


Strategic Location 

This cozy place is located in front of Notre Dame, so that when you have kids studying there, you may drop by this place, order some snacks while waiting for your child's dismissal. If you are the religious type, you may pass by the Carmela Valley Chapel, situated at the adjacent part of the school to say a prayer or spend some quiet time with God. 

Going to the Talisay Public Market is not a problem. Probably, after finishing your Pork Belly Sisig Meal, just call a tricycle in front of the store. They are on call and the tricycle man will take you there within a few minutes. 

Hangout/Meet-up 

Looking for a place to chill out after a hectic day in school? Or you may want to meet-up with a friend? Munchers Café allows students to bond more or maybe do their assignments or projects over milk teas or milkshakes. Moreover, since the place is strategically located just before going inside the residential area of Carmela Valley Homes, it is an ideal place for a meet-up. 

Small Parties/Events 

If you are a small group of 15 to 25 persons and need a small space for your party or meeting, then you might want to consider Munchers Café.  Get to enjoy reasonably-priced food and exclusive use of the café for you and your guests. For inquiries, you may contact 0933-2117689.

Aice Ice Cream 

You may want to try this newest craze – the cheaper alternative to the bigger and established ice cream brands.  It really tastes good and super affordable. My favorite is the Chocolate Crispy sold at Php 20 though other flavors are available for as low as Php 10 only. 

Other exciting things are coming for Munchers Cafe in 2020. You visit them at Door No. 3, B Building, Cor. Capt. Sabi Santa Monica St Carmela Valley Homes, Talisay City. Make sure to follow them on FB at https://www.facebook.com/Muncherscafe for updates and upcoming events. :) 

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Reasons Why You Should Start Wearing Decent Sleepwear

Sleepwear is one of the most "neglected" and taken for granted piece of clothing nowadays. We usually do not give much thought to it as long as we slip on something loose and comfortable. In most cases, it's an old unflattering shirt or shorts that may not even be in its best condition. Some may not even care if it's tattered or has a loose garter at all. 


However, the recent events made me realize how important they are and here are some reasons why you should include wearing decent sleepwear as part of your new year's resolution: 

1. Improves Sleeping Condition - The clothes we wear plays a huge factor in getting a good night's sleep. Find one that helps regulate the body temperature. Make sure that you won't feel so warm while sleeping. Doctors say that when you feel so warm or hot while sleeping, your body does not produce enough melatonin or "sleep hormone" which is important in making you sleep better. 

2. Boost Self-Esteem - Wearing something nice and soft makes you feel pretty and sexy. This allows you to feel more confident and therefore helps boost your self-esteem. If you're married, I am pretty sure your husband would appreciate seeing you looking more presentable in bed. 

3. Emergencies - Earthquakes, fires, and other emergencies will definitely not give you the time to change for "more presentable" clothes. Can you imagine yourself running outside your house or apartment in your bathrobe only? I guess it's self-explanatory but yes, we can never be too ready. :) 

But the more important question is --- how do you find the right sleepwear? 

First, Select the Right Fabric. Alex's Secret, my favorite place to order pajamas offers different types of sleepwear. The most popular choices are silk and cotton sleepwear. 


If you are wondering what's the difference, silk is considered a hypoallergic material and less prone to dust and dirt as it has the tendency to just slide down. It provides a smooth sensation that many prefer. Personally, I find it cooler to skin too. 



Cotton, on the other hand, is softer and can readily absorb moisture. Some consider it to be more comfortable and easier to maintain. It is less delicate compared to silk. 



Now, once you have decided on the type of fabric, Check the Cut and Silhouette of your Sleepwear.  Make sure that you get sleepwear that's loose and isn't constricting as this will help you stay comfortable for a good night's sleep. It is recommended that you opt for one size bigger than your usual size. You can also decide if you want it to be paired with shorts or pants depending on your preference. 

Lastly, have fun and Choose your Design, Alex's Secret offers a lot of different designs, patterns, and colors. You'll definitely find something that you'll love and rest assured that it's worth every penny. :) 

To check their complete collection, just visit their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/alexssecret/ By the way, they ship nationwide so, you can simply order online. 

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Bacolod's Best Food Secrets

Whenever you visit Bacolod, you are expected to enjoy its famous Chicken Inasal, Calea's Cheesecake, Lord Byron's Baby Back Ribs, Cansi (not really a fan) and fresh seafood from Pala-Pala. However, after living here for more than 4 years. We're happy to discover some of the best food secrets that the City of Smiles has to offer. Some of which may be your first time to hear but rest assured that they are really good. 

So, if you are planning to visit Bacolod soon, take time to experience more than the usual cuisines that you hear and read about and get a chance to enjoy Bacolod's Best Food Secrets. 


Here the top 6 on our list: 

1. Bar 21's Mashed Potato -- For only Php30, you can have the best Mashed Potato in town. You can pair with their fried chicken or tenderloin steak. The serving is also generous that's it is good enough for sharing. Just don't forget to ask for some extra mushroom gravy.


Bar 21/ 21 Restaurant is located at 21st Lacson Street, Bacolod City. You may also check other food recommendations, here

2. Ann Puen's Ube Cake - If you are craving for "real" ube cake and not just coloring, then Ann Puen's Ube Cake will definitely satisfy your cravings. Instead of the usual icing, the cake is coated with ube halaya jam that will definitely make all ube lovers satisfied. 



By the way, these cakes are not commercialized and must be pre-ordered. You may contact Ann through her facebook page or call 0922 850 0746 to order.

3. Kyle's Eatery Palabok - Cheap and delicious palabok? Yes, we have one here in Bacolod and it's available at a steal price of only Php 25 per order. No wonder we see a lot of customers driving all the way to Olympia Village in Alijis to enjoy the perfect Filipino snack. 

Here's a photo that I grabbed from their FB page to let you know what I mean. 


4. Bakerite's Pork Barbeque - If you studied in La Consolacion College or LCC, then I am pretty sure you are familiar with this establishment along Galo Street. We just love their barbeque because it's juicy and has an adequate amount of pork fat. Not to mention it's only Php 16 per stick. (Super budget-friendly!) 



FOODIE TIP: For late-night cravings or if you are near the East/ NGC area in Bacolod, you can get these delicious Pork Barbeque at the Parrillador Grill located at Hi Strip 1 along Circumferential Road. 

5. Bacolod House of Cashews' Fresh Lumpia - The secret to a great fresh lumpia is the preparation and we just found the one that we really loved. This all-time Filipino favorite is freshly cooked in olive oil egg wrapper embedded with the deliciously mixed ubod ng niyog, sweet basic and spices served with fresh lettuce and honey sauce with garlic and cashews. 

Yup, you read that right. Instead of the usual peanut sauce, they use high-quality cashews that surely made a difference. 


Bacolod House of Cashews is located along Lacson Street, infront of Starbucks. They'll be opening soon a full-service restaurant and a glamping site soon. So, stay tuned for more details. 

6. Mushu's Baked Scallops - I super love scallops and this one is just on top of the list. It has the perfect blend of saltiness, creaminess and a hint of Garlic. Chef JP Anglo has definitely done a good job with this one. 



Source: https://www.facebook.com/mushu.bacolod.3/

Another must-try too is their sizzling cansi. You'll love this new take on the usual local favorite as you enjoy very tender meat and mouthwatering bone marrow served with a special batwan sauce. 


Bacolod is indeed a perfect place to have a food trip. The adventure to discover the best delicacies and dishes is non-stop that you'll keep coming back to this beautiful city or better you'll decide to stay for good like us. 


Do you any other food suggestions from Bacolod? Feel free to comment below. :)

Friday, January 3, 2020

TRUE STORY: Working in a Call Center Will Help You Become Successful

Working in the BPO Industry as an agent has both its advantages and disadvantages. Though some may say it is a dead-end job, I believe that my experience as a call center agent had greatly helped me become a successful freelancer. Currently, I am a Marketing Manager for a publishing and consultancy firm and my background in sales and customer service as a call center agent has equipped me with the necessary skills that made the job easier. 




In this article, we interviewed former BPO employees who are now gainfully employed in a different industry. We asked if they find their experience/ training as a call center agent relevant or helpful to their current occupation and here are some interesting answers we got.

Name:  Renee Barian
BPO Experience: More than 5 years
Current Occupation:  Offshore Consultant / Operations Manager

The BIG YES will have to go to "experience." Though the Call Center Training does a lot to improve your conversational and interpersonal skills, the best lessons and the best tool that was added to my arsenal came from the 1st hand on the job experience itself. 

Having been able to handle multiple accounts/campaigns in different BPO companies pave the way for me.  It gave me a better understanding on every objective I am setting my eyes on to land a job.  The more you are familiar with what is in front of you, the more convenient it is to come up with a plan to hit whatever you're aiming for.  This is what your Call center experience will give you.

At work, you'll learn how to handle stress in any given situation, come up with a marketing strategy of your own, and eventually add more knowledge about new and exciting things in the background. Because of this, it was just easy for me to be confident and use whatever I have gotten from my experiences to meet the desired qualifications of a job or a position that I want to get.

Name:  Andrew
BPO Experience: 1 year
Current Occupation:  Transport Service Provider based in Qatar

Yes, my experience in the BPO industry had taught me about system navigation and multi-tasking which is helpful in my current job. 

Name: Maria Jelica
BPO Experience: 3 years
Current Occupation: Virtual Assistant and Ecommerce Specialist 

Yes. There are a lot of skills I've acquired from working at a call center that I am able to use in my current job. Like customer service, multi-tasking with the tools, email and chat support and a lot more.


Name:  Abigail 
BPO Experience: More than 5 years
Current Occupation:  SunLife Financial Advisor

I believe that my advantage is that I was able to handle different types of accounts and held different positions in the call center industry. This helped me really excel in my current job. I am trained to handle difficult customers. I learned how to adjust to different types of people where my patience and critical thinking ability are tested in resolving issues and coming up with different plans on how to grow the business. These are skills that I am able to apply to my current job as financial advisor. I am persistent and trained on how to handle rejection.


Name:  Leslie
BPO Experience:  3 years
Current Occupation:  Nurse

I am now a staff nurse here in Germany and my call center experience really helped me have the necessary skills or say practice to communicate effectively with other people especially with foreigners. 


Name:  Al 
BPO Experience: 1 year
Current Occupation:  Software Engineer

Yes. I'm currently assigned in a support role where interacting with developers is a daily task. It helped because it's easier for me communicate with them to solve whatever issue they have.
______________________________

As you can see, working in a call center is not a dead-end job. Instead, you can use this as a stepping stone towards your dream job. The experiences that you get can equip you with the necessary skills that you may need in the future. 

For fresh graduates, don't be discouraged to apply in a call center. It's a practical option given the compensation and benefits. Just make sure that you continue to grow professionally.  Robert Kiyosaki, one of my favorite authors once mentioned in his book, Rich Dad Poor Dad "Instead of simply working for money and security, which are important, take a job that will teach you a skill."