Celebrate Mother's Day the Grand Way at Sofitel Manila's Spiral!

Spiral, the Philippine's best food destination is taking you up a notch this Mothers Day as they celebrate it with you on May 13th, 2014. They will showcase products made by the finest female weavers from Ilocos Norte properly called Abel Iloco. It's something that has been drawn in that region since 1572. The designs will be done by Ryan Madamba, a noted fashion and wedding gown designer who hails from Ilocos. It'll be a luxurious showcase of resort and evening wear so you better get your eyes treated to some of the Philippines best designs.

 Aside from that...

Spiral's very own Chefs and Master Chefs have prepared their heirloom recipes, some of which have been passed on from generation to generation. It doesn't go authentic than this! Just look at what they shelled out from their family pantrys!

Eric Costille (French) – Executive Chef

Braised Oxtail Parmentier- Mother’s recipe

Fresh Herbs Ricotta Agnoletti, Chicken Jus – Grandmother’s recipe

Classic Ratatouille – Great Grandmother’s recipe

Mok Chee Wah (Chinese) – Executive Chinese Chef

Double Boiled Eight Treasure Ginseng Soup - Mother’s recipe

Stuffed Chicken leg with Chinese Sausage and preserved Vegetable - Grandmother’s recipe

Homemade Tofu with Chinese Spinach and dried and fresh Scallop – Great grandmother’s recipe

Bettina Arguelles (Spanish/Filipino) – French Chef

Cuchinillo - Mother’s recipe

Beef Morcon - Grandmother’s recipe

King Prawn Gambas Al Ajillo - Grandmother’s recipe

Hiromi Yonekawa (Japanese) - Japanese Chef

Hongkong Style Rainbow Sashimi, Ceviche Jelly Sauce - Mother’s recipe

Hot Pot Style “Udon Suki” Beef with Vegetables - Grandmother’s recipe

Shishamo Karaage with Lemon Wedge – Great grandmother’s recipe

Romeo Malate (Filipino) - Thai Chef

Fried Banana (Maruya) - Mother’s recipe

Fish in Coconut Cream wrapped in Banana Leaf (Ginataang Tilapia sa Dahon ng Saging) - Grandmother’s recipe

Grilled Eggplant with Green Mango Salad (Inihaw na Talong at Ensaladang Mangga) – Great grandmother’s recipe

Edgar Butawan (Filipino)- Pastry Chef

Mango Shortcake- Mother’s recipe

Pandan Roll Cake – Grandmother’s recipe

Chocolate Red Velvet Cake – Great grandmother’s recipe

Tweet Obsequio (Filipino-Chinese) - Chocolatier

Chocolate Lipstick – Mother’s recipe

Durian Stiletto Praline – Grandmother’s recipe

Peanut Clutch Bag Praline – Great grandmother’s recipe

Caleb Han, Poolside Restaurant Manager (Korean)

Bossam' with tofu: pork meat and tofu with kimchi – Mother’s recipe

Daetongbap, cooked rice in bamboo case – Grandmother’s recipe

Jeonbokjuk, rice porridge with abalone – Great grandmother’s recipe

Tanguy Gras, Spiral Manager (French)

Rougail Saucisse

  

Each of these dishes have their own little stories behind them. Truly, this is one remarkable way of celebrating Mothers Day. Spiral has continued to be the best in food choices - and this is a testament on how important Mothers play in the lives of now Masters in the kitchen. Heartwarming to know they are so proud to share the secrets passed on to them by Moms, Grandma's and even Great Grandma's! 

While you are there, you can also win for yourselves Jewelmer and L’Oreal Paris products. Sofitel is also releasing new rates just for this day. The awesome Mother’s Fashion Show and Spiral dinner rate costs only PHP 2,550++ for adults and PHP 1,300++ for the young ones. Whilst if you bring kids that are 4 years old and below, they'll be all free! 

If you want to reserve, please proceed to Spiral Manila's Facebook Page. I even heard that they're giving away huge discounts now! :)

If you wish to stay at the hotel, they have a special Mother’s Day room package in Sofitel Manila from May 9-11, 2014. You also will be receiving a special three strand freshwater pearl bracelet if you get that. Isn't that awesome? You deserve the best for your Moms and only Sofitel Manila can get you what you truly need! Hey, I just heard they're throwing away a 40% discount on their Facebook Page! Come rush over to their channels and see for yourself :)

For more information about their restaurants:

Spiral Manila

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Visit their official website

http://www.spiralmanila.com/

Make Me Blush Nail Spa and Beauty Lounge

Feeling so down and stuck at home? Stressed from work? Feel so ugly and sticky in this kind of weather? I know, I went through all that and more. Don't worry though because I've seen this new fancy place at the 3rd Floor of the newly built Hemady Square Building right beside the Christ the King Church in E. Rodriguez, Quezon City. I got the pampering I deserve after all that work and play I did the previous week. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't normally go to nail spas because I think it's too girly. I don't want to tell you to do the same. Men need clean nails though, so having a manicure and pedicure is just as normal as a haircut these days. If you're still afraid to go to one, this one isn't going to scare you. It's upscale feel is just right. Don't be afraid of the colorful interiors because you need that like endorphins. I proceeded inside with only one thing in my mind, that was to relax and get my nails done. Simple and achievable, right?

You'll be greeted in the front counter by the owner herself, Ms. Alyssa Sy. Just like her spot, she's warm and very friendly. This goes the same with her staff which is a must in services like this. She suggested I get a full body massage when I was expecting foot pampering that afternoon. I gladly said yes and tell you about that later. They have the price list and services already listed on the counter but you can always ask for what they can do for you or suggest stuff to get pampered with. The room smelled wonderful too which I think is because they've got mini lights with peppermint aroma in one part of the room. It was calming, soothing and happy at the same time. Wouldn't get that anywhere right? :)

Seating is comfortably available on both sides of the room. It can probably sit around 10 people at the same time. This would be the ideal setting for a nail spa party. It would also be great if you want to veer away from the usual bridal shower like an alternate venue if you want a small gathering to ensue. You have one side for those who want a more sturdy royal seating, whilst the other can be good for those who want to slouch around and want it softer.

The usual zen music is there but you can always request for songs you prefer. It's an audio - video thing so I'm sure you won't miss out on TV programs if you need to watch your favorite telenovela or movie when available. If you need emergency internet connection, the place has wifi so just ask for it but really... you are here to relax so put that phone on silent and enjoy the experience being disconnected. Get back to the action when you're done!

Make Me Blush also has hair services. Alyssa is a great make up artist and hair stylist. She's also trained and certified so you know how that goes. Though you can't just walk in everyday for this, you must set an appointment where Alyssa can arrange for you. A call would do, I'll give you the phone number to call in a bit. Meanwhile, it was time for my massage ^_^

Their massage services are pretty big. They've got it arranged by 30/60/90 minutes. From Head, Back, Hand and Foot massages you can expect them concentrate on the specific area you want to get taken cared of. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Combination or Stress Buster... they've got different kinds and packages that would suit your need. My eyes lit up when the Deep Tissue Massage was mentioned and said "I'll have that, thank you Ma'am." and smiled all the way to the room in the back. Their beds were kinda velvety. You have the usual and the comfort room just beside it. After the massage, I almost dozed off. It was nice and relaxing, I immediately thought of going back again just for that. The attendant was also nice and she was explaining everything when I asked a lot of questions about the massage. Did I say I was going back there? Hehe of course!

Nail services were impeccable. Pedicure was a breeze and my feet didn't get murdered. I love how meticulous they were in taking care of the nails. Huffed and buffed in the right places. Plus, my friend Ruth had a blast with the colors they had on the shelves. It's all complete! Don't you just frown on some other nail places that show you thousands of style templates but ends that they don't have the colors? Hehe. It's not gonna happen here. Aside from that, she's also got some colorful bags sold in the shop. That would totally complete your look!

For people who live nearby, please come and visit. For those who are from other cities, they have parking available so it'll be worth the trip. I had a great massage, got my nails done... and it doesn't take a genius to tell that it was damn good. Clean, simple, relaxing and very affordable. Call them for appointments, thank me later!

Make Me Blush Nail Spa and Beauty Lounge
Hemady Square Unit 303 86 Dona Hemady Street Corner E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City, Philippines
Please always ask for an Appointment Phone Number (02) 2349529
Business Hours 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

For more information about their services:

Make Me Blush

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Make Me Blush

Free Access on BPI Express Mobile App for Globe Subscribers

An afternoon of good news was up at the Holiday Inn Suites in Makati as Bank of the Philippine Islands and Globe announced a spectacular deal that would make your smart phones a tad better. Whether you are postpaid or prepaid subscribers of this network, you now have access to the BPI Express Mobile App anywhere in the Philippines and Globe won't charge you a single cent for it. This means that you can have banking transactions right on your smart phone and make inquiries, bank transfers, payments and other services as easy as a flick of a button. Ms. Nabbie Alejo, the Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Segments and Channels Group for BPI says this partnership only has everything to gain and will make it easier for their bankers to access their bank accounts, transfer money, pay for bills and reload mobile phones when you need it and where you need it. It's the aggressive stance of BPI that makes it all worthwhile to be with them as they continue to make the banking experience as easy as 123.

I always use this app to monitor my investments and check my balance if I need to. They've also updated the app recently so it goes with the iOS7 design, look and feel. It also is responsive, fast and efficient if I wanted to bank wherever I am in the country. Now, it'll be more accessible to the public because it's totally free! I have to tell you though that just don't use the location services on the app so you don't get charged for that (the ATM locator) because as I've been informed that isn't included. Everything else is fair game!

Daniel Horan, Globe's Senior Advisor for Consumer Business says that this partnership with Bank of the Philippine Islands enforces their customers digital lifestyles. Today, mobile phones are not just about calls and texts, but people use it for financial services as well. Globe is steadfastly growing smartphone consumer base and they will definitely benefit from this wonderful service.

BPI's Senior Vice President and Electronic Channels Group Head Manuel Tagaza says that BPI has always been at the forefront of introducing new channels for their clients. It is a must for them to access their accounts conveniently. The BPI Express Mobile app is the number one finance related app on the App Store and it is doing quite well. They are now just extending their portfolio and always trying to make sure that the technology available in banking would be available for all their clients. They put effort in making collaborations like these because it makes everything easier. A feat not available in other banks in the country.

Congratulations BPI and Globe on this wonderful partnership! Together, you are making the Filipinos live their lives better!

For more information about their services:

BPI

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.bpiexpressonline.com

PLDT Home Bro ULTERA: Ultra-Fast LTE Connection For Your Home

Been struggling with your slow connection for so long?! Well PLDT Home Bro's got you covered with the latest addition to their family. They just recently launched PLDT Home Bro ULTERA a few days ago at an event in SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. It was graced by current CEO/Cairman Manny Pangilinan and PLDT Assistant Vice President Ava Española. 

We even saw it in action that evening.

PLDT Home Bro ULTERA is the perfect thing to have with digitally connected families. Now, there's no more excuse to stay in slow connections whether wired or wireless. If you have your Mom and Dad on Facebook, younger siblings on Twitter or Youtube, you don't have to suffer when somebody uses streaming or downloading at the comforts of your own home.

Jasmine Curtis, Bea Binene and their friends trying the connection too on their phones.

PLDT Executives, Tim Yap, Anton Del Rosario, Raymond Gutierrez and Alvin Teng was there to show support to PLDT Home.

It's available in three modes. The ULTERA Basic can get you speeds up to 3 Mbps, ULTERA Max which can get you 5 Mbps and ULTERA Pro that can push speeds up to 10 Mbps. Aside from the ultra fast connection, PLDT Home Bro ULTERA can hook you up with add ons and perks such as Clickplay, MyPinoyTV, Spinnr, EA Games and News5 Everywhere. If you also haven't got a Smart TV at home, you can also opt for PLDT HOME TVolution and get you hooked up on Internet TV.