I've loved NUVALI ever since I first set foot on it several years ago. The area has a relaxing vibe that makes me want to be around nature as long as possible. I am glad that this part of Laguna continues to develop with eco-sustainability in mind. Every attraction they've added only enhanced the place's charm rather than detracting from it.

Last month, my husband and I spent a night at SEDA Nuvali and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay for several reasons:

1. Gorgeous views. We got a corner room that has huge windows on one side overlooking The Lake and two small ones on another side where we could see the hotel's pool area. The expansive view stretches out towards the far horizon which made me want to just sit on the couch for a long time to simply gaze at the beautiful sceneries outside.

2. Spacious bedrooms. I love the huge and soft bed with fluffy pillows! It was so comfortable, I found it hard to get up the next day to join my husband at the hotel's gym where he used the treadmill to clock in 5km. Yes, guilty as charged for not wanting to exercise that morning! Anyhow, our room had a nice sitting area overlooking the lake, a big desk, and a large bathroom with essential toiletries.  

3. Delicious food. The meals at Misto are not only appetizing to look at, they taste great, too! We had the very filling bento for lunch then ate dinner by the pool under pretty fairy lights. Two thumbs up to Steph Turiano and her team for arranging a nice feast of barbecued dishes and desserts along with an acoustic duo that provided soothing music while we were eating.

4. Refreshing pool. As I mentioned above, I felt lazy to get up for a treadmill run but when I peeked out the window and saw my husband having the pool to himself at 7AM, I immediately changed into my swimsuit and went down to join him. The water temperature was just right for a refreshing and relaxing dip! Plus, the whole pool area has several great spots for photo ops 😉

5. Friendly staff. In my opinion, among the things that make a hotel stay unforgettable is how members of the staff treat their guests. At SEDA Nuvali, we were always greeted with a smile and a ready reply in case we have questions. We also got sweet treats in our room along with handwritten welcome notes from general manager Mr. Jeffrey Enriquez and our room attendant, Bho.

6. Nice amenities. Apart from what I've already mentioned, I love the Club Lounge where guests can hang out and have snacks while admiring the spectacular views outside the floor-length glass windows. Families with young kids (and kids-at-heart) would also appreciate the gaming area and children's play area located in separate rooms. In addition, art aficionados would appreciate the beautiful paintings and furniture made by local artists prominently displayed in various areas of the hotel. Oh, and in case you're wondering, not only do they have complimentary WiFi and Internet access, they have iMacs guests can use!

7. Proximity to various attractions. Since we arrived mid-morning in Nuvali, our group went first to Camp N. I was there last November to cover the launch of the Bike Hub but didn't get to try the various activities. This time, I was able to and even got to conquer my fear of free falling! The next morning, we also visited Republic Wakepark, fed humongous koi fishes, and went on a fun boat ride. But, more on those adventures in another post. Stay tuned! If you love to shop, SEDA is just a stone's throw away from Solenad's dining and retail outlets.  

8. Great location. As an environment advocate, I was so happy to find out that SEDA Nuvali is the first LEED Silver-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotel in the Philippines. It is an integral part of the NUVALI eco-city development within the flourishing Calabarzon industrial area where visitors and residents alike get to enjoy stunning views and marvel at structures that were built to blend with natural landscapes. 

Did you know? Seda is the Filipino word for "silk," an impeccable fabric that represents the brand's commitment to provide seamless service, exceptional value, and a remarkable hospitality experience in an exciting destination.

So, if you are looking for a place to unwind away from the hustle and bustle of city life, SEDA Nuvali is one place you should consider going to. The serenity of the environment will definitely renew your energy just like it did mine.

For inquiries, please email nuv@sedahotels.com or call (6349) 255.8888.

Time flies when you’re having fun and this is certainly true for one of my favorite dining places. It’s quite hard to believe that it has already been almost two years since Genki Sushi first opened its flagship branch in Bonifacio Stopover Global City! I can still clearly remember how impressed I was (and still am!) at the efficient and cool way dishes are served at this restaurant. You can read all about my first Genki Sushi experience, here.

This month, diners would be happy to know that the innovative Japanese dining experience is now also available at Genki Sushi’s 4th branch in SM Aura, Taguig City. My husband and I had lunch there yesterday and, as usual, I remain fascinated by the speedy and convenient service because dishes arrive at each table via the Kousoku Express Train System, which was inspired by the Shinkansen bullet train. 

Diners can simply choose dishes on the menu found in the tablet screen provided for each table and wait for only 5 to 10 minutes before getting their freshly made orders. As in previous visits, my very first order was my favorite Wakame, a seaweed salad with a refreshing dressing. 

Apart from all-time favorites like the famous Chirashi Don, Seared Salmon with Black Pepper, Chicken Teriyaki Don, River Eel Rice Bowl, and various sushi choices there are new menu items to try such as the tasty Kushi-Age made of five different kinds of deep fried skewered meat and vegetable in special Japanese batter; Coconut Shrimps, deep fried shrimps in panko bread crumbs rolled in coconut flakes; Deep Fried Salmon Skin; and four new selections of sumptuous sushi trios. 

If you’re having a get together or simply just want to have a filling snack at home or in the office, check out the six new Take-away Sushi Party Sets that are sure to be a hit in any group gathering. Additionally, a new batch of tasty desserts is available for those with a sweet tooth. Choose from the Caramel Mochi, the Maki Dessert, and the Vanilla and Strawberry Mille Crepes.

Other branches of Genki Sushi are located at UP Town Center in Quezon City and Ayala 30th in Ortigas Avenue. Soon, there will also be a branch in SM North EDSA. Keep updated with news and promos by liking Genki Sushi Philippines on Facebook and following @genkisushiph on Instagram.

I've been trying to make positive lifestyle changes these past few years and admit I still have some ways to go. Although I now exercise more and opt for healthy food often, I continue to struggle when it comes to totally eliminating other unhealthy habits. But, having started is already a positive step and I look forward to the day when I can finally say I am a true-blue fitness enthusiast. 

Did you know? July is National Wellness Month and Robinsons Supermarket is once more celebrating this with a Wellness Festival, the third leg of its year-long Route to Wellness journey with Filipinos. 

The festival kick-off, hosted by Robi Domingo, started yesterday and will run until tomorrow at Eastwood Central Plaza - Citywalk. The park was transformed into an activity area where guests can try various games and visit booths of Robinsons Supermarket's wellness partners. 

Also present were celebrity fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret who led event participants in a series of four-minute workouts called Metabeats to show that it only takes a few minutes to burn a lot of calories and get started on one's wellness journey. Robinsons Supermarket also took the opportunity to pledge pounds to the Fit Filipino 1 Million Pounds National Weight Loss Challenge and encouraged individuals and groups to visit selected branches on a Saturday to also sign up and have their starting weights measured.   

Experience the activities of the wellness caravan, which will also be held in Robinsons Supermarket Tagaytay from July 14 to 16 and at Robinsons Supermarket Antipolo City from July 28 to 30, if you live near these areas.

Love eating nuts? Get a Healthy You Snack Platter when you go grocery shopping for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P3,000 inclusive of P500 worth of participating products from Nestle, Johnson & Johnson, Unilab, Fonterra, Wyeth Nutrition, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, IPI, Abbott Nutrition, Getz Bros., Ecossential, Foodsphere, and Philusa. 

I regularly buy Healthy You coco sugar and trail mix. This is Robinsons Supermarket's exclusive healthy brand of nuts, juices, oats, brown rice, coffee, and many more that have been evaluated as good for the health by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). Customers will also get an extra 15 Robinsons Rewards Card points for every P500 purchase of Healthy You products. Promo Runs from July 1 to 31, 2017.

This coming July 2, Robinsons Supermarket will also be holding its annual and much anticipated 10th Fit and Fun Buddy Run at Camp Aguinaldo. Please read my past reviews here and here to see why it would be a great and fun venue to start your fitness journey with family and friends.

According to general manager Jody Gadia, "As a growing number of individuals and families lead busy and challenging lives, Robinsons Supermarket and its partners continue to uphold our commitment to lead them to the path of wellness by bringing them closer to more choices and opportunities to get fit and healthy."

Know more about RSC's year-long Route to Wellness series of promos and activities by liking facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial or visiting www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph. Likewise, stay updated on social media by looking up the hashtags #ILoveWellness and #WeLoveWellness and consider starting your own fitness journey, today! 

My sister-in-law came home for a quick vacation this month to attend to various stuff and spend some time with us. Since we planned to do some shopping and dining out in SM Mall of Asia, we booked an overnight stay at Selah Garden Hotel which is very near the mall. 

I'm writing this post for other families who might be looking for a good place to unwind in the Pasay City area and I'd recommend checking out Selah Garden Hotel for the following reasons:

1. The hotel is PWD-friendly. I booked one of the family rooms and thought we'd be staying in one of those I've seen during the hotel launch last February (read that post, here). My husband and I were prepared to adjust accommodations for our wheelchair-bound son in case we get a room with stairs and beds on a loft. 

Selah's spacious TLC Room

So I was surprised when we checked in to find out they've assigned us to the TLC (Tender Loving Care) Room that one of the staff members said is spacious enough for a wheelchair. I think we weren't able to see this during our tour last time because it was occupied. So imagine our gratitude to get a room on the ground floor where it so easy for us to wheel James around! The bathroom is likewise big and accessible for a Person with Disability.

2. The beds are big enough with the TLC room having two queen beds and a sofa bed. They fit all of us comfortably. Our request for additional bedding for the sofa bed was also accommodated graciously. Across the two big beds is a flat screen TV mounted on the wall so James was still able to watch his favorite kiddie channel to keep him entertained.

3. The food items we ordered via room service were tasty. The night we stayed at Selah also happened to be the night of Britney Spears' concert in MOA Arena. To avoid the expected traffic going to the mall, we opted to eat dinner at the hotel. Having a dining table and chairs inside the TLC room was a big bonus for us because we got to enjoy our meal over lively conversation without having to drive anywhere and possibly get hungry while being stuck on the road longer than usual.

The various Filipino dishes we ordered have the lutong-bahay taste. I particularly loved the Binagoongan because I haven't tasted a really good one for a long time. Of course, our boys readily consumed many of the fried chicken! :) We also got to ask for a small bucket of ice cubes, for our drinking water, that they provided for free.

4. There's a pool, a spa, and installations that encourage physical activities. Whether you'd prefer a swim or a massage to relax, Selah is a good place to be. If you're into sports, try their wall climbing and cable traverse facilities that come with safety gear. With a lot of available rooms, this hotel is also being marketed as a great team building venue. Consider booking there in case you want some company bonding time or simply unwind with friends.

5. There are so many beautiful corners for photo ops! Any netizen who loves posting different kinds of pictures on social media would enjoy discovering Selah's Instagrammable spots. My favorite? The huge swing that could fit three to four people. Plus, they have free WiFi access for guests so being connected to the internet was not a problem.

For inquiries, rates, and more details about their other services and offerings, just visit www.selahgarden.com.

I love FAVORI scents! They are so varied and allow me to "create my favorite feeling" depending on my mood using our leaf aerator at home. But, I have to admit that with more than 30 scents to choose from, selecting specific aromas can sometimes be a bit overwhelming :) 

So I am glad that FAVORI grouped the scents into four collections to simplify the search for the perfect aroma using feelings we can easily relate to: Refreshing, Relaxing, Upbeat, and Sexy. By doing so, the brand has definitely made it easier for everyone to "Create Your Favorite Feeling."

Model/host/actress Angel Aquino shares her thoughts on each new grouping:

Refreshing Collection - "Sometimes a packed taping schedule drains all my energy," admits Angel. "The cooling scent of the Winter Mint Aroma Oil in my Aerator Device is just what I need to recharge and feel refreshed, so I can spend some after-work quality time with my daughters." Like her, you can freshen up with the cheerful citrus aromas and crisp herbal notes of this group of scents that includes: Lemon, Lemon Grass, Pink Grapefruit, Rain Dance, The Vert (Green Tea), Verveine Fleur (Verbena), and Winter Mint. 

Relaxing Collection - According to Angel, lavender is her all-time favorite Relaxing scent. "I use FAVORI's Lavender Aroma Oil on my Aerator and their Sleep and Relaxation Salve on my temples to melt away all the day's stress and prep for a restful sleep." You, too, can find a unique scent that can help you feel less stressed, unwind, and relax any time of the day. Choose from Citronella, Jasmine, Lavender, Magnolia Bloom, Olive Branch, Peppermint, Sea Breeze, Vanilla, and Coco Vanilla.

Upbeat Collection - Need an extra spring in your step? Among FAVORI's Upbeat Collection of scents, Angel says, "The Cinnamon Spice Aroma Oil never fails to brighten up my mood." So, for a quick pick-me-up, check out any of these invigorating, happy aromas: Apple Verde, Cinnamon Spice, Coffee Caramel, Eucalyptus, Fresh Cut Grass, Merry Berry, Sunkissed Citrus, Tropical Blast, and Mango Mandarin.

Sexy Collection - "Scent is a big part of feeling sexy. FAVORI's Premium Reed Diffuser in Cranberry Wine, in its elegant bottle and full, fruity fragrance helps set that sensual mood, even when I'm just lounging at home." So, yes, sexy is a feeling and you can discover alluring scents with FAVORI's sweet yet sensual aromas that come in Cherry Blossom, Cranberry Wine, Ginger Flower, Berry Kiss, Choco Almond, and the new Bouquet Floral.

FAVORI is a handcrafted home fragrances brand that dreams to provide the local market with quality and long-lasting ambient scents for the soul suited for various living spaces at affordable prices. It offers topnotch aromatic products designed to uplift the ambience and improve people's moods. 

Enjoy FAVORI at home, at work, or at any living space. Aside from the soothing Aroma Oils, Reed Diffusers, Soy Aroma Candles, and Aroma Pouches, make sure to also discover FAVORI's Wellness line that offers Air Sprays, Salves, and Massage Oils that are geared to improve a person's mindset and create a positive feeling towards wellbeing. 

Purchase FAVORI items at their stores in Robinson's Place Manila, SM Megamall, SM City Marikina, SM Southmall, and Market! Market!

  

Filipinos have loved Chinese cuisine for a long time and yet, new gastronomic experiences continue to surprise us as more players in the restaurant industry arrive on our shores, offering the latest unique and delightful dishes that are truly crave-worthy!

I had the pleasure of dining recently at the newly-opened Paradise Dynasty in S Maison at Conrad Manila. There, I got to appreciate the finer points of Chinese culture from the establishment's rich array of culinary delights. 

Paradise Dynasty, a concept that originated from Singapore, offers a gourmet menu that allows diners to savor exquisite flavors and experience first hand their refreshing take on Chinese delicacies. For instance, it is the ONLY place in the world where you can find the Signature Dynasty Xiao Long Bao, a set of 8 colorful xiao long bao each infused with a distinct flavor. 

When you order a set, ensure that you'll get to enjoy everything and get optimum taste by starting with the 1) original flavor then going through the following in sequence: 2) ginseng (green), 3) foie grass (light brown), 4) truffle (black), 5) cheese (yellow), 6) crab roe (orange), 7) garlic (gray), and Szechuan (red). Worry not, the colors are made using natural pigments extracted from plants.

Apart from the flavorful xiao long bao, I tried other dishes and EVERYTHING tasted good! If you're dropping by for a light snack, make sure you order the Radish Pastry. I actually didn't know what to expect since radish is a vegetable, right? But, surprisingly, what they did to make it complement the flaky pastry is very impressive. I loved it and will be coming back for more next time! 

Another interesting appetizer (or light dessert) is the Steamed Glutinous Rice Stuffed in Red Dates. It's sweet but not overpoweringly so. I think those with a sweet tooth would like this for its unique flavors. It's like the Filipino bilo-bilo without the creamy soup and with a different fruity flavor instead of langka.

Moving on the heavier dishes, I found the Steamed Egg White with Fish and Conpoy (dried scallops) quite satisfying. Don't mistake it for a rice meal though because it's not. It's protein rather than carbo-packed and is already good to be eaten on its own.

If you prefer something else that would go well with rice, order the Spicy Szechuan Crispy Chicken (don't worry, the chicken is only mildly hot as long as you don't pick the chilies surrounding them) and the Stir Fried Beef with Kai Lan or Scallion. Both meat dishes would definitely appeal to the Filipino palate.

Of course, what's a Chinese meal without the noodles? With Paradise Dynasty, eating noodles has been elevated to a yummier level with their Stir-fried La Mian with Shredded Pork and Black Fungus. I ate more than I intended to because this is really delicious!

For dessert, we had Glutinous Rice Ball topped with Grated Nuts. It's like buchi but way better! 

As to beverages, do away with the sodas and juices for now. Go for Paradise Dynasty's Water Chestnut Drink. It is said to be helpful in reducing internal heat as well as good for detox purposes. I loved the taste and would most likely have it again when I return.

We were at Paradise Dynasty for lunch and were told to schedule a second visit during dinner time because the view of Manila Bay and the Mall of Asia grounds outside the wide glass windows is lovely. I might just do that in the coming days and tag my family along.

Paradise Dynasty is located at the 2nd floor of S Maison in Conrad Manila. For updates on new offerings and promos, please like Paradise Dynasty Philippines on Facebook.