What can you say with my Gangnam Halo-Halo? A new look and taste of refreshing Halo-halo is now available in my new found Korean Café near Makati Medical Center. It is what they call “Gangnam Halo-halo”. They are serving this Korean style halo-halo in a star-shaped big bowl with small pitcher-like milk. This comes with Ice at the bottom part, black mongo, corn flakes, cornic, green peas , watermelon cubes, sliced apple and corn topped with ice cream (which is not available when I dined here, so you can’t see ice cream in this photo).

I also ordered chicken sandwich. The lettuce seems to be blanched and the cucumber is fresh. The chicken spread is meaty and it satisfies my standard when it comes to sandwiches.

 Cafelo also offers authentic Korean food since the owner is Korean. I personally saw the owner who is hands on with his business preparing kimbap.

Kimbap is like any other sushi. The difference is that, they are using rice with bigger grains than the usual.

Hungry? Try this big bowl of rice meal topped with beef, carrots, egg, fish roll, spinach and spicy sauce. It comes with free Korean iced tea and kimchi. Just like in Kimbap, the rice grains are bigger which makes a person so full after.



Beef Bibimbap





Tuna Bibimbap





Kimchi





Korean Iced Tea



How about a big bowl of Spicy Ramen? Oh so spicy! Best for cold weather.  



Spicy Ramen



They also have Soy Garlic Chicken.



Soy Garlic Chicken



Here is their freedom wall. Cool!

Cafelo Place

G/F Kings Court II, 2129 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City  All I want is to share, to inspire, to be sassy, to be zealous.        

As early as November, I was able to get my first ever Belle de Jour Power Planner! And yes! I was so much excited as I already have things wrote down in my baby planner! I really took time to think first before writing down the final notes because I don't want my BDJ to be messy. I already listed my goals for the year 2014, my plans and things to conquer. The tools are very detailed and specific. I love the financial page where I can write down my target savings and expenses. 

Me and my Miel used to list things we want to try just for fun. To my surprise, BDJ has it! Oh! It will be easier for me to think of the things we want to do for some time. You will see it in 2014 BDJ Checklist. Here are some of those: Compose a song for your love one, Perfect a 5 minutes hula hoping, Sleep under the tree. See, sometimes doing simple things such as these is fun! Sometime, It is very hard for us specially for busy person to think of the things we want. If you’re a kind of person who lacks in time to meditate and to assess self-desire, maybe this BDJ is also best for you because it provides ideas you may need such as to set a goal like this “ Save P 40,000 in a year” or “Set a 3 day vacation for your parent”.

You wouldn’t miss any event through this tracker!

It has also vacation planner. I am a kind of person who usually goes out of town once or twice a month. At first, I said, why BDJ has only 2 sets of space for vacation? And then I realized, it only implies that I should minimize my vacations to achieve financial goal. Okay then!

Overall, BDJ makes me extremely enthusiastic even January 2014 hasn’t come yet. Meaning, it makes me excited for the upcoming year. Putting list on my every day, weekly or monthly journal makes my upcoming days so special and interesting and I am blissful to look forward to it. Start your goal setting and be so much excited like me bellas!

Just like what BDJ says, Live lige to the fullest!

All I want is to share, to inspire, to be SASSY, to be ZEALOUS. God bless everyone!

Assuming you already read my review of Ace Water Spa Experience: A new approach of relaxation through hydrotherapy, I am sure you are very much excited to know more about Ace Water Spa. First thing first, since I cannot provide you photos inside, I’ll just give you a more detailed description of every sections inside.

 FACILITIES:

 In Soft Massage section, there are: 

Bubble Bed where you can lay down comfortably on the designed bubble bed to fully feel the air and bubbles emitted on the surface through small holes as it slightly beats down your back, buttocks and feet. 

Bubble Pool which effectively massages the temporal pressure points specifically on the back portion of the legs and hip area. 

Bubble Massage which has an effect of "feel good all over" after bathing as air combined with warm water comes out on holes at the floor surface that massages the body. 

Hydro-Acupuncture Bed which produces the effects of acupuncture that allows a person to enjoy the pricking sensation through the use of high pressure warm water with air coming from the tiny holes within the bed surface. 

In moderate massage section, there are:

Rainfall Acupuncture best enjoyed when lying face down wherein million raindrops with various intensities gently massage every part of the body. 

Eight Nozzle Shower which is designed as an alternative way of cooling down after using the hot herbal pools, steam and sauna if you do not want to use the cold pool. 

Hydro-Buoyancy Massage which uses a jet driven water from the bottom that creates suppleness to build a floating sensation especially when combined with breathing exercises. 

Buttocks Massage – In which water pressure gushes out on the surface which hits and rubs down the buttocks while sitting comfortably. 

Jet Chair which water pressure gushes out directly towards the meridian points of the body to eliminate stress and at the same time loosens up tight muscles in a sitting position. 

Jet Chair with Foot Massage which water pressure gushes out directly towards the meridian points of the body while simultaneously receiving foot massage in a sitting position. 

In hard massage section, there are: 

Head & Shoulder Massage -The water coming from the equipment strongly hits the upper portion of the body. 

Water Falls - The surging water from the falls strikes in all parts of the body largely on the upper portion. 

Multi-point Massage - The surrounding wall towers with water nozzles injects variety of water pressure that massages different parts of the body. 

Chest Jet Massage which is best relished in a squatting position to fully feel the water presure that strikes directly towards your chest. 

Waist Jet Massage is system that uses high and low water jet nozzles that produces strong water pressure. Upper 

Body Jet Massage - Rigid water pours down from the elevated jets rubbing down the upper parts of the body. 

This Massage system is NOT RECOMMENDED for those with osteoporosis. 

High Pressure Massage - This system uses high and low water jet nozzles that produces strong water pressure. 

Hot Herbal Jacuzzi: 

Mint Jacuzzi - With a temperature of 36 ‘C 

Jasmine Jacuzzi – With a temperature of 38 ‘C 

Lavender Jacuzzi – With a temperature of 40 ’C 

Sauna and Steam Room: 

The Steam and Sauna will remove excess water and fats from the body. As you step outside in this area, the cool and misty natural fog that is sprayed in the area will surely complete this heavenly ambiance.

 Other Sections are: Cold Pool This is the fastest way to cool down after using the hot herbal pools, steam or sauna. Contrast Therapy Plunge is a special hydrotherapy experience wherein an alternate plunging into the hot herbal pools and cool pool takes place. Lapping Pool Approximately 25m 4-lane swimming pool is ideal for swimmers and soon-to-be swimmers to practice their "winning" strokes. 

Kids Section - With mushroom falls, Floor fountain, Bucket Splash and Lazy River. 

 The view from couch area:

Best to try their Hot bowl of Asian Beef Congee in Ace Coffee Lounge

Now that you already have an idea on what to expect inside, you may want to ask how much would it cost us to get inside. 

ENTRANCE FEE: (Inclusion of 4 hours use of amenities, a locker and a head cap)

P550.00 - Adult 

P250.00 - Kid (4 ft. & below) 

Proper Attire: 

Only tight bathing suit for ladies and trunks or cycling shorts for male are allowed. Branded swimming board shorts or beach shorts will not be allowed since these have the tendency to inflate because of the strong water and air pressure generated during hydrotherapy. Wearing of undergarments or shirts on top of our swimwear is also prohibited. However, you may opt to rent or purchase quality swimwear at very reasonable prices at Ace Swim Shop. (As per Ace Water Spa rules and regulations). Don’t forget to bring your own towel. 

You must take a shower first before proceeding to the spa area of your choice. 

Enjoy and relax! 

                            - BE SASSY – BE ZEALOUS -

Tired? Exhausted? Stressed? Well, you should try what I’ve tried, a new approach of spa experience in ACE WATER SPA.

 I have a Canadian friend who I haven’t seen for four years. We met in a tour in Palawan year 2009. Luckily, she will be staying in Manila for six months and so we decided to go out for a bonding. I was thinking what activities or place she hasn’t tried. What things will excite her and where is the best place I can bring her to? A place where we can freely catch up with each other, a relaxing place where we can cool down from fatigue and a place which will be a very remarkable place for her with me. Considering these things, ACE WATER SPA came into my mind. PERFECT!

 Why? Here are the reasons… 

I believe that having a traditional body massage is something that we can always try anywhere especially for her, who have been in different countries to discover new things. In Ace water spa, the massage method is through hydrotherapy which involves the use of heated water and Ultrasonic Jet System to relieve body pain, relax and soothe tired and aching muscles. 

Ace Water Spa facilities are divided into different sections for a purpose. Each has one-push button equipment which you can do it yourself and decide which you want to try first. 

There is Soft massage Section (Bubble Bed, Bubble Pool, Bubble Massage and Hydro-Acupuncture Bed), Moderate massage section (Rainfall Acupuncture, Eight Nozzle Shower, Hydro-Buoyancy Massage, Buttocks Massage, Jet Chair and Jet Chair with foot massage) and hard massage section (Head & Shoulder Massage, Water Falls, Multi-point Massage, Chest Jet Massage, Waist Jet Massage, Upper Body Jet Massage, High Pressure Massage). They also have Sauna and steam room, herbal pool/Jacuzzi, cold pool and kiddie area. You may want to know more about their facilities, their purposes and to know more on how to fully enjoy Ace Water Spa, find it out in this post: ACE WATER SPA FACILITIES AND THINGS TO KNOW TO FULLY ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE. 

Among all, my favorite is the Herbal Jacuzzi Area. From the very first glance, I knew that it will be a great experience for my exhausted body and mind. When you first look at it, four herbal Jacuzzi is near the sauna and steam room. Jasmine Jacuzzi has a very dramatic look which will pull you to plunge into it. It has yellow orange lighted water that portrays a very warm feeling which is very appropriate to its temperature (which is 38 degree Celsius). The jasmine scent is very fascinating added with the effect of the candle at each corner. When I went home, I felt like the smell stays in my skin. I felt invigorated. The recommended time to stay here is 2-3 minutes but we stayed here for about an hour! There is a steal barrel at each sides of the Jacuzzi where you can hold on while plunging into the heated water. The unique fact is that, this barrel has a colding technology that cools down your body and longer your tolerance while immersing in the hot water. Cool! Beside the Jasmine Jacuzzi is black colored water (I’m not sure if it’s black or dark blue, because there is no light effect under the water). This is the Lavender Jacuzzi with the temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. This is good for diabetic, insomniac and anyone who would like to be energized. The lavender scent keeps the skin soft and smooth which I noticed. Sadly, when we went there, Mint Jacuzzi was unavailable. It was under construction. Even though! The experience was still priceless! 

Another thing that completes this spa is the Steam and Sauna room. Sauna and steam is one way to detoxify our body. It removes excess water and fats from the body. Our skin cleanses as our pores open and release trapped dirt and oil. In between the mint Jacuzzi and lavender and Jasmine Jacuzzi, there is a mini pool where water is cold. This is the fastest way to cool down after using the hot herbal pools, steam or sauna. Contrast Therapy Plunge is a special hydrotherapy experience wherein an alternate plunging into the hot herbal pools and cool pool takes place. Great! Totally relaxing! Rejuvenating! 

Afterwards, we decided to get floating foam and lay down on it while allowing ourselves to go with the water flow around the pool with Lazy River. We fell asleep for about half an hour. It was actually a perfect timing for us because there was no crowd and we had a very peaceful stay in ACE. 

For more information, entrance fee, must wear and tips, you may read: ACE WATER SPA FACILITIES AND THINGS TO KNOW TO FULLY ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE. 

                                   - BE SASSY – BE ZEALOUS - 

The first time I tried Banapple, I was extremely surprised with the price of the meals and its serving content.   We were four in a group. We drove to Ayala Triangle and challenged ourselves to mazimize the 1000 pesos prize we got from a contest in our office.

Here are what we ordered:

2 Gallabergher for the two gentleman 

( P180 each)

Chicken Pie + Potato Salad   

(P150)

Baked Creamy Cheese Pasta (P200)

Peanut Butter Smooties (P 115)

Iced Mocha (P105) -No Photo

Dark Choco  (P115) - No photo

All of these were served in an overwhelming size (As per experience,Just like in Italianis) We were very happy that for the specified amount we had, we got this kind of food tasting experience. We just added 230 pesos to complete our dining with different

taste of smoothies. Delectable dishes for hungry tummy! The food we ordered were extremely satisfying considering the cost we paid for.

We still have take out! :)

With my folks and our happy tummy! We are planning to go back here to try deserts next time!

Contact Number: (02) 756-2675

Website: http://www.banapplekitchen.com

1.      We didn’t maximize our time there on our first day. We were expecting that upon arrival to the hotel, there will be travel agencies that would offer tours just like in Palawan. Unfortunately, there was none. So we decided to go on our own via cab.

 

2.      We spent much time in deciding where to go first and how. On the spot researching was hassle.

3.      There was the possibility of exceeding to allotted budget. Since, we didn’t have a prepared itinerary. Our system here was “go with the flow”. Anywhere we think we can go without the awareness of how much we would spend. Another thing was the transportation budget would double. Like what happened to us. We arrived at 8am in the morning in Mactan then rode a cab going to the hotel in Cebu City. Our taxi bill costs P 260 plus, so we gave P 350. Then later on, we went back to Lahug for Food Trip searching.

Anyway, that was just a sort of learning, the most important is, overall, we really did enjoy the whole trip!

Duty Free Shopping

Arrival to Crown Regency

Food Trip at The walk, Asia Town I.T Park Lahug, Cebu City

Malling

Swimming at Crown Regency

Sky walk Experience

Beach hopping

Mactan and Cebu City Tour

Day 3

Departure from Mactan, Cebu

Having a Resorts World membership card entitled us with a 10% discount on our bill J.

For inquiries/reservations, you can call them up at (+632) 908 8875.