TRAVEL | Matabungkay in Batangas

Matabungkay in Batangas

It was a weekend, I got invited to join a day trip in Matabungkay in Batangas. Despite the sleep deprivation I was to go through for this weekend's high intensity activity, I decided to push through. It's not everyday that I can visit Philippine beaches. And I never regretted.

SPA REVIEW | Infinity Spa

In the bustling spa landscape of Manila, five major establishments—New York Spa, Amistad, Hopemed, SM Kenko, and Lasema—have long held their positions as favored retreats for relaxation and rejuvenation. However, a new contender has emerged, adding a fresh dynamic to the city's wellness scene. Infinity Spa, with its unique offerings and soothing ambiance, has swiftly captured the attention and admiration of spa enthusiasts across the metropolis.

As word spreads about Infinity Spa's distinctive features, from innovative treatments to a serene atmosphere, it has garnered a growing community of patrons seeking a novel and indulgent spa experience. The establishment's popularity suggests a shift in preferences among spa-goers, and its presence adds a vibrant dimension to Manila's diverse spa offerings.

With a reputation for providing a holistic and revitalizing escape, Infinity Spa stands out as a compelling option for those in search of a sanctuary to unwind and pamper themselves. As the spa enthusiasts of Manila increasingly explore this new entrant, it reflects the evolving tastes and demands within the ever-expanding realm of wellness and relaxation in the city.

SPORTS | Analyzing Yulo's Best Season Scores vs. Olympics Scores

Analyzing Yulo's Best Season Scores vs. Olympics Scores

With the upcoming Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020, I made an analysis based on Carlos Yulo's previous scores against the existing Olympic scores. And there are many interesting possibilities in this analysis, so better read more.

SPORTS | The Rise of the Gymnastics Superstar

The Rise of the Gymnastics Superstar

Against All Odds, Carlos Yulo Proved that Success Is Not Served On A Silver Platter

You should understand that coming from a third world country, the Philippines has struggled to produce notable athletes who have actually reached the Olympics. A quick look online reveals a few names who have actually competed in the Olympics and in recent years, the names of Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco (silver in men's light flyweight boxing) and Hidilyn Diaz (silver in women's 53 kg weightlifting) easily ring a bell. As well Christian Michael Martinez (figure ice skating, non medalist). This has been the scenario for the Philippines.

SPORTS | Carlos Yulo, Filipino Gymnast

Carlos Yulo, Filipino Gymnast

It's just amazing that I was able to witness firsthand the gymnastics competition of Carlos Yulo, and through and through - Yulo has inspired me a lot to work hard in order to achieve my goals. When you look at this guy (not even 6-footer), you are convinced that there are really no barriers to life, only opportunities.

SPORTS | 2019 UAAP Cheerdance Competition

2019 UAAP Cheerdance Competition

Season 82 | Venue : Mall of Asia

Today 13.11.2019, the UP Men's Basketball team finally bowed down to rival UST after a 68-65 buzzer beater finale of Game 2. It not only ended the repeat of Battle of Katipunan, but also sealed UP's spot behind UST without ever winning any game against UST. At the end of the day, this is sports and may the strongest always win at the championship.

SPA REVIEW | New York Spa in Timog, The 2019 Revisit

New York Spa in Timog, The 2019 Revisit

New York Spa in Timog (Tomas Morato) remains to be the best place for massage. If you are searching for a relaxing massage that truly delivers that needed pressure, then NY Spa is your choice of spa.

TRAVEL | Japan Visa Processing

Japan Visa Processing

When you search online on how to process Japan Visa from the Philippines, it's so very easy to find the requirements. But there are some small details that are not mentioned in these websites.

SPA REVIEW | Massage Shops in Calamba, Laguna

For those accustomed to spa sessions, navigating through unfamiliar spa experiences can pose quite a challenge. From personal exploration, this blogger has discovered a noteworthy distinction – Manila spas, by no means, mirror the serene ambiance of provincial counterparts, particularly those nestled in the tranquility of Calamba, Laguna.

SPA REVIEW | SM Kenko ( Pasay )

I have always thought of visiting SM Kenko (no, this is not in any way related to SM Malls; and why they called it SM Kenko is also a mystery to me), ever since I started my spa journey in the Philippines. It is only this 2019 that I was able to do so.  

TRAVEL | Shanghai & Beijing, China (2010)

Shanghai & Beijing, China (2010)

Why China? Of all places, why would I find myself in  China, you ask. Well first it was an idea of a Korean friend to meet up in China. And as far as I remember, it was a late night discussion after office hours when Jake, my Korean friend blurted out - "What if we meet in China?" And that's how it all began.

JOURNAL | Introspection, 2015

Introspection, 2015

Wow, has been ages since I wrote anything, but just love this (new) fountain pen; my very own fountain pen.

9 June 2015

The real reason behind this is that I would like to re-start my observation notes. At the mall earlier, I was in Lulu Supermarket. It was so crowded and yet some people decided to park their shopping carts in the middle of the entrance. At the store, the staff and customer decided to talk in the middle of the way. I was so pissed off that I slightly brushed his hand. I mean, come on can't you have more common sense and not block people's way? Or at least hurry up and not act like you own the entire way. This is just annoying! Pedestrians walking like turtles like it's some kind of a park. Cars driving so slowly for no rhyme or reason. Tellers taking forever to punch single items. Cars taking force exit to make a turn (what are you waiting for?)

Music in mind: Riptide / Prayer in C (Lilly & the Prick) / Stereo Love / Milky Chance (Stolen Dance)

I seriously think that photoshoots depend on the level of comfortableness of the photographer and model. It's easier to work if you know each other. (on the photoshoot of S.)  

EVENT | Search for Mr. Fitness Bods 2019 (Jurassic Fitness Studio, Lucena City)

Search for Mr. Fitness Bods 2019
(Jurassic Fitness Studio, Lucena City)

Since I am starting to get into fitness, I might as well promote the upcoming fitness events of Jurassic Fitness Studio in Lucena City. There is an ongoing search for Mr. Fitness Bods (final date of event is yet to be announced). Similar to the annual Century Tuna Superbod, the search aims to promote physical fitness and body building.

LIFESTYLE | (Defunct) Jurassic Fitness Gym in Lucena City

Jurassic Fitness Studio

2F JELDG Bldg. Maharlika Highway
Brgy. Ibabang Dupay Red-V Lucena, City

Membership Packages

Bronze, Fee @ 1,000 PhPGym and studio access for 8 sessions valid for 1 monthFitness coach 

Silver, Fee @ 1,200 PhPGym and studio access for 10 sessions valid for 1 monthFitness coach 

Gold, Fee @ 2,000Unlimited access to gym/studio valid in a monthFitness coach

BOOKS | 12 Books for 2019

12 Books for 2019

1. The Progress Principle | by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer

2. Influence | by Robert Cialdini

3. Made to Stick | by Chip and Dan Heath

4. Thinking, Fast and Slow | by Daniel Kahneman

5. Quiet | by Susan Cain

6. Orbiting the Giant Hairball | by Gordon MacKenzie

7. Creativity, Inc. | by Ed Catmull

8. Bad Blood | by John Carreyrou

9. Give and Take | by Adam Grant

10.The Fearless Organization | by Amy Edmondson

11.To Sell is Human | by Dan Pink

12.The Path Between the Seas | by historian David McCullough

JOURNAL | Think Rich

Think Rich

The past few days has been marred by few other realizations. One of them is the fact that a lot of people in my hometown do not have a sense of financial management. Come to think of it, I was once in their exact shoes; always concerned about spending. What really gets me is how some people can be too concerned about a few pesos, that it is almost becomes a deciding factor for their lives.

ARTICLE | Drug Dependence

Drug Dependence

Drug dependence, a psychological and sometimes physical state characterized by a compulsion to use a drug to experience psychological or physical effects. Drug dependence takes several forms - tolerance, habituation, and addiction.

ARTICLE | Analysis of Current Situation of Media in the Philippines

Analysis of Current Situation of Media in the Philippines

Ten years ago, what you would normally see on TV are programs which have social value like positive Filipino culture, advertisements that show the hopeful spirit of the Filipinos, and news that are not covered just to arouse curiosity. 

ARTICLE | Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research

Why are we encouraged to be part to the scene? As we know, qualitative research is more interested to provide depth rather than scope. And what better way to get deeper understanding of a particular concept under study than knowing how it really feels to be there. 

ARTICLE | Philippines, Korea In Contrast

Philippines, Korea In Contrast

I don't know what is happening but for the past few days, I've been feeling so distraught and hopeless. Perhaps this is just an effect of my phone's zero balance state, perhaps not. There is really no telling but things have not been according to my plan.

FILM | Behind the Silver Screen

Behind the Silver Screen

Making a short film I learned is not a one man show. A person can be so creative and yet this creativeness does not translate into creating a short film worth seeing. The creation of a short film requiring so much attention to various details at various stages can only be possible if there is teamwork.

TRAVEL | Holy Week Destinations

Holy Week Destinations

Since today is Easter Sunday, I am making a piece on travel destinations which I have already visited because, well - why not? 

TRAVEL | Trekking in Wadi Tiwi (Oman)

Trekking in Wadi Tiwi (Oman)

It was around April 2018, when a colleague invited me for a Friday hike. Being the lazy person that I am, I declined the offer initially but was later convinced to come. It was a hike in Wadi Tiwi, a wadi in Al Sharqiyah region, adjacent to the very popular Wadi Shab with numerous farms and plantations dotting the wadi, and a stunning pool deep inside towards Mibam village.

Highlights: 

• Assembly at Oman Oil Station (near Lulu Supermarket)
• Drive towards Tiwi via Al Amirat Road
• Drive up to Village in Tiwi
• Important: Trek requires a 4WD

ARTICLE | Tourism in the Philippines: An Overview

Tourism in the Philippines: An Overview

The Philippines is one of the world’s most exotic countries, one shrouded in a little mystery by its rather isolated position on the Eastern side of Asia. The country as an island nation, consists of sprawling tropical archipelago, boarded by the Pacific Ocean to the East and the West Philippine Sea to the West. It is claimed to consist of 7,107 islands, though most of these are too tiny to be inhabited or even have an official name.

ARTICLE | May Hikaw Na Ako

May Hikaw Na Ako

Napigtal na ang tanikalang gumagapos sa mga kamay ng makabagong kabataan;kaya't ubod lakas nitong iginupo ang pader na nagsisilbing pagitan kay Eba at Adan. Anuman ang gawin ni babae ay siya na ring layaw ni lalaki, kung kaya't dumating na ang puntong pati sa paghubog ng makabagong estilo ay wala na ring pinagkaiba ang dalawang nilalang ng Diyos.

JOURNAL | Letting Go

Letting Go

How does one become a prolific writer? More importantly, how does one live off with writing when there is not much to write about nor earn from it?

Just some of the questions that baffles me after checking out the many job opportunities advertised from Upwork.com; the funny thing is, there are actually a lot of requirements but most of these jobs require high level of writing skills or at least some experience to write about them.

I have come to terms that I am not a travel blogger since I do not travel a lot (and believe me, I would rather stay home if I can); nor am I a relationship specialist. Definitely not anything that concerns scientific, book publications, cooking, etc.

Now that I think about these things and when I look at how this blog has been - going on for years without a clear focus as to what it wants to achieve; well, it's just sad. I did not intend the blog to zero in on too specific subjects, and in the process made it too ambivalent for any reader to follow.

ARTICLE | Yeast In A Dough

Yeast In A Dough

I am writing a piece on job satisfaction and how it influences work productivity and eventually growth for the company. Being in the corporate world for about ten years, I must say that one of the key factors in the success of any enterprise rests on the kind of workforce it has. In this short article, we find that job satisfaction or the lack of it can make or break any company's growth. And while job satisfaction is taken positively, it does not necessarily mean high performance on the part of the employee.

JOURNAL | Post Valentines Side Notes

Post Valentines Side Notes

At 32, I no longer have the energy to be so dramatic over Valentines and everything that it washes ashore. Don't get me wrong, I am truly happy seeing people celebrating this day; what I am not amused at is the fact that as individuals, we are compelled to follow a certain behavioral pattern on these occasions- buy flowers, chocolates and what not.