2017 is MY YEAR

Though sometimes or most of the times we have this "Ningas Kugon" attitude towards fulfilling our New Year's Resolution, it's still a good habit to write down things you want to do, stop doing, and accomplish on forth coming year.

Here's my top list of things to lessen and thing to do more for 2017.

Less Glutony. More Exercise.
Guilty indeed for being too lazy about my favorite fitness mantra "Exercise more so you can eat more". I will still do food posting of several dishes I've tried in either a new restaurant, cuisine, or food offered in some hole-in-the-wall since this is some kind of a thing to me but I promise to eat just right and give my best to burn it. Just eat enough of what I can take, after all anything in excess is not good.

Less Critisims. More Appreciation
We all live in a world full of hatred, forgetting that this world was made out of Love. More often than not to we are being eaten up by our insecurities that we tend to pull others down by critisizing them. Next year, let's all do conscious effort to uplift one another. Appreciate potential and stop blame pointing.

Less Spendings. More Investments.
I've noticed that no matter how high our income will be there will always be times that we still need more. It's human nature that as the income goes up the spending follows which should never be the case. The right thing to do is as the income goes up savings follows and lifestyle should be maintained.

Less Judgement. More Potential.
To contribute to someone else's growth will always be part of my yearly bucketlist. When you see others give their best and you know you're somehow part of it, it's so fulfilling.

Less Failure. More Learning
Success is how you define it, same goes with failure. It's not bad to fail, cause that's the reality of life but as they said, fail many, fail tiny and fail quickly. It is the learning from the failures that molds your success as you look back.

Less Selfishness. More Giving.
Give your 100% in everything you do. In love, in your job, to charity and even for the cause of nothing, give it all. One day, life will find its way to repay you.

Less Worry. More Faith.
Declaring victory for 2017 in God's blessings!

2017 is MY YEAR!

Have a blessed year ahead!
Mark My Name

Book Your Upcoming Holidays with TravelBook.ph

In 2012, TravelBook.ph, under the management of Summit Media, started as an online catalog catering to more than 4,000 hotels and resorts in the Philippines. The company was established by Recruit Holdings Company, one of the biggest media conglomerates in Japan, and specializes in classified advertisements, publications, and human resources.
To date, TravelBook.ph is the fastest growing Online Travel Agency (OTA) in the Philippines and boasts more than 2,700 hotel listings all over the country. Over the past three years, the company has achieved a record-breaking 200% growth rate and an average of 3,900 paid bookings per month.

With various offline and online marketing efforts, TravelBook.ph has gained exposure through media partners such as TV stations GMA NewsTV through programs like PopTalk and Biyahe ni Drew, CinemaOne, and radio stations Love Radio, Monster Radio, and Barangay LS.

TravelBook.ph also boasts increasing 1.6 million monthly page views, with 455,000 monthly unique visits, 52,000 registered members, and 299,000 newsletter subscribers.

Its social media presence also continues to grow: it has more than 540,000 likes in Facebook, while its Twitter and Instagram accounts have about 2,900 and 10,300 followers respectively.

Why Book with TravelBook.ph?

TravelBook.ph aims to cater to the needs of the ever-growing market, which is why it continuously develops and expands its strengths through various customer-driven initiatives.

1. Convenient Booking

TravelBook.ph focuses on improving its offline bookings through 24/7 Customer Care that offers competitive room rates, promo plans, rewards points, membership promos, and GetGo promos.

TravelBook.ph also has a user-friendly mobile app that offers double rewards for bookings to make the service available for the growing number of smartphone users in the Philippines.

2. Multiple Payment Options

Since only about 5% of the whole Philippine population are credit card holders, TravelBook.ph has made sure that it has various online and offline payment methods to make booking hotels for every customer convenient.

Aside from using their credit cards, customers can pay via online and offline bank deposits or over-the-counter payments. They can also pay at 7-Eleven branches, Robinsons Department Store and SM Department Store branches, Bitcoin, and the newly launched Pay At Hotel, which allows the customer to pay upon check-in.

3. Corporate Partnerships and Alliances

TravelBook.ph has also partnered with top brands and companies in the Philippines, including Cebu Pacific, Robinsons Bank, Sun Cellular, Toys R Us, JG Summit, Robinsons Land, Robinsons Department Store, and Universal Robina to strengthen its presence in the business through various campaigns.

The company also has special partnerships with GetGo, BDO, Union Bank, Eastwest Bank, and Security Bank.

4. Tours

TravelBook.ph will soon launch its 359 Tour Package Plans to cater to the travel needs of its customers.

5. Affiliate Program

The recently launched Affiliate Program now has over 600 partner bloggers. Through this program, both seasoned and new bloggers are able earn income from the hotel bookings made in their websites.

6. Promotion of Philippine Tourism

More than just being an e-commerce company, TravelBook.ph aims to Philippine tourism by encouraging everyone to travel more in the country. The company believes that traveling should become a lifestyle as it promotes education, quality time, and bonding with families and friends.
TravelBook.ph also comes up with various creative campaigns to promote local tourism such as the recently concluded #Juanderlust, an international competition where travelers all over the world participated to be the lucky “Chosen Juan” who will embark on an 80-day adventure to 80 places in the Philippines. The winner, Mr. Dave Agbayani, traveled around the country to explore and experience the best things that the country has to offer.


-Press release from Travelbook.ph

TravelBook.ph Blogger Affiliate Program's First Blogger Getaway in Caramoan

TravelBook.ph is a top online hotel booking site in the Philippines. With over 2000 hotel partners, it ensures that travelers have the best options for accommodations no matter where their destination is.
TravelBook Philippines latest endeavor is the Blogger Affiliate Program which aims to help bloggers earn more while giving them the opportuniy to travel, relax, and learn from various campaigns such as Blogger Getaways, staycations, trainings, and seminars. As an Affiliate, you can earn as much as 65% commission for every successful bookings by referring your readers to TravelBook.ph with the use of their various marketing tools like banners, widgets, and hotel ad links.

Recently, TravelBook Philippines hosted a 3 days and 2 nights Blogger Getaway in one of the most majestic places in Bicol - Caramoan, Camarines Sur. The 15 lucky blog winners were treated to an all-inclusive vacation. With two days island hopping, free accommodation, transportation, and full board meals, we’re that TravelBook.ph’s blogger affiliates experienced fun and adventure, all-in-one!
Here are some words from our Caramoan Blogger Affiliate Winners!

• Big heaps of thanks to @travelbookph for this wonderful Caramoan vacay! – Allan Bobis of thefilipinorambler.com
• Long weekend well spent. It’s a wrap! Thank you TravelBook.ph and TravelBook Blogger Affiliate Program for the awesome trip! – Charm Gamboa of myscatteredthoughts.com
• We’re now heading home from the Caramoan getaway. A million thanks to the TravelBookPH team for their care!  - Christian Lizardo Aligo of capturingweekends.com
• I am surrounded with the best and the nicest people ever. The rest of the bloggers are so nice. I am having such a good time here. Thank you TravelBookPH. Hooray to new found friends and to more adventure! – Izza Glino of Savingspinay.com.ph

If you want to experience how it is to be one of TravelBook.ph's Blogger Affiliates, sign up now and be part of our program.

Register at http://affiliate.travelbook.ph or email us at travelbookph.affiliate@gmail.com.

Take Me To KL -- Central Market

Shopping should always be part of your trip's itinerary. Either you buy simple pasalubong for your family and friends or just simple rove around the streets, Central Market of Kuala Lumpur is a great place to have a Truly Asia experience.

Here you can find good deal souvenirs, local products and counterfeit products (If you are looking for one. hehehe).  One good thing about this place it, almost every other stalls they have a Filipino sellers, so it's not so intimidating to check items or speak your vernacular.

The "binatog" KL version pumps my curiosity but the taste is almost the same as the one being sold in the streets of Manila. So nothing to excite about (except the sanitation, I think is better hehehe)

Bicho bicho, deep fried donuts, fresh buko and Durian which is a very popular fruit there are being sold on the streets... Very Pinas, right?

Visiting this place and seeing foreigners drinking on the side streets of Central market, makes me think, why can't we have this kind of clean and safe night market experience in Divisoria. 

Indeed, this place is a nice spot to do shopping but honestly, I would still prefer Greenhills or Divisoria, primarily because of the wide range of shopping selections (beyond "We've Got It All" line) and the experience of heavy numbers of shoppers and the tawaran (asking for discount)you do  in almost half the price.

Happy Travel!

Central Market

Jalan Hang Kasturi, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia 

Here's a quick review about my Central Market experience.

Selections: JJLLL

Ambience: JJJLL

Service: JJJLL

Value for Money: JJJJL

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Good Mornings at Early Bird Breakfast Club

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not only it gives you an energy for the whole day, but sometimes its also an avenue to just sit, talk and wait 'til noon, probably after partying whole late night the last day. Some just want to take breakfast to converse and have quality time with their love ones, specially on weekends.

Early Bird Breakfast Club is one breakfast hub serving ultimate breakfast choices all time of the day. Apart from their lovely interior that is very homey, cute and relaxing, this restaurant would really give you a 5-star breakfast serving experience. On the side, the interior could be very girly :P

We visited their branch in Century City Mall, Makati for a meeting, Christmas season last year... Yes guys, this was taken last Christmas (actually 2 years ago). Was browsing my drafts and saw this post I haven't published.

Since this so long ago, I have forgotten how the names of the dish. I was trying to browse their website and can't find this extinct delicious menu. To better describe it, its a pork meatball with egg inside. Perfect medium cooked egg inside with a pair of bacon and grilled tomato.

Sausage skewers. Another dish I cannot find in their menu. but the pesto and jams dripped on the plate is blending deliciously. The bacon wrapped of tender bite size sausage makes you want to stay for breakfast longer.

S'mores in a Jar (P275.00) Perfect dessert served hot. Need not to explain further as the moist cake and the roasted marshmallows on top is a must to wipe the savory taste of the meal.

Puto Bumbong Pancake. A Limited Time Offer dish during Christmas. Very creative  with coconut cream on the side. Truly yuletide feel in every bite.

In a way I would like to send this post as a tribute to the late RND head of my previous company Ms. Roselle, the girl wearing white polo. May you rest in peace, ma'am. Too little time we spend working together but so much fun and learning we shared.

If  you had a great breakfast then the good day will follow. If you are thinking of some place to meet old friends and have some quality time, try doing it on breakfast rather than dinner. this restaurant is a perfect place to go.

Here's a quick review about Early Bird Breakfast Club:

Taste: JJJJL

Ambience: JJJJJ

Service: JJJLL

Value for Money: JJJLL

Early Bird Breakfast Club
Century City Mall
G/F Century City Mall , Kalayaan Ave
Poblacion, Makati
(02 )403-1897

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Take Me To KL -- Gurney Delights

No fancy foodie trip at Gurney Delight. One simple restaurant we visited in Malaysia. In a look, and you would easily see it's like you typical "pansitan" (noodle house) in the Philippines. This restaurant is known for their Authentic Penang Street Foods, from the Char Kuey Teow to, soup based mami, rice meals and even Penang's signature drinks.

I have never been to Penang that's why I can hardly describe the dishes there, but comparing the experience in this restaurant versus other diners we have tried in KL would actually speak a lot. And of course, what I love about this restaurant is the very straight forward menu and ambiance. It is commonly visited by the working class during lunch and snacks time which for me defines that their menu and offerings is highly authentic and acceptable.


Below is a snap of their menu.

One inspiring story the Chef told me is to keep inspite of growing business they never compromise the quality of their dishes, instead keep on improving them by using higher quality ingredients. The sauces use for their menu is being prepared in the house of the owner daily to ensure the quality and consistency of the taste.

We got the chance to try their best seller Penang Hokkian Char.
Full bodied sauce and lots of pork and seafood garnish makes this noodle dish extra special. Also, they play of texture of mixing thin and thick noodles cooked just right to make it chewy is something that would make you ask for another bowl.

Penang Rojak is very creative dessert, mixing fruits an coating it sweet- salty sauce and garnish with ground nuts. Rojak, in other words, is a fruit salad usually served with thick, dark shrimp paste and topped with chopped or crushed peanuts

The blend of sour raw mango with the sauce is always something to look forward on your next bite.

Finally, something refreshing, Milo. Yes! They offer this here... Guess you already know how it taste. :) I tried the milk tea and coffe which is quite nice but too bad didn't got the chance to snap a pic.

Here's a quick review about Gurney Delight:

Taste: JJJLL

Ambience: JJJLL

Service: JJLLL

Value for Money: JJJJL

Gurney Delight

Address: 15G, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla U 31/U, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Phone:+60 3-5879 5112

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121 Grille is A Big Grill Master

Lee Kum Kee, a global brand of sauces and condiments is partnering with 121 Grille to offer limited time only grilled dishes with an Asian twist. 121 Grille and Bar has always been known to cater for some weekend night out, that's why those 2 new dishes are perfect!

 Sizzling Kung Fu Wings would surely give a firey experience as this mouthwatering dish marinated with Lee Kum Kee Char Siu Sauce will be served blowing with fire...

Another cool dish is this Pulled pork sandwich, but instead of using the regular bun they used pandesal and made the pork filling extra special with tasty with Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce.

Good news for those who will try those limited time only dishes, Lee Kum Kee is giving a special treat. Here's simple ways to join.

• Visit any 121 Grille Branch. See Below.
• Try any of the Lee Kum Kee Big Grill Masters dishes - Sizzling Kung Fu Wings and /or Pulled Pork Sliders.
• Take a photo of it and post it on your social media accounts-- instagram, twitter and facebook.
• Use the following hashtags - #LeeKumKeeX121Grille #BigGrillMasters
• Lee Kum Kee will pick winners to receive P1,000 worth of Gift Certificate of 121Grille and Lee Kum Kee Gift Packs.

Here's a quick review about 121 Grille:

Taste: JJJLL

Ambience: JJLLL

Service: JJJLL

Value for Money: JJLLL

Mark My Name

Take Me To KL -- NZ

How crazy it is when you arrived in the airport at 10:00 o'clock in the evening hungry and you're not even familiar or you have no idea where to eat except airport food court.

Tech savvy indeed and very cost- saving as you have to key in your orders by yourself and a beep card will be updated then you have to pay it on the next counter... what a experience on my first land in the country...

Then you have to bring OR to the chefs so they can prepare the meals. All are freshly prepared. Language barrier is a bit challenging as I was trying to ask if they can lessen the spice for my orders but I think we can't understand each other.

Maggi Goreng. Basically, Mee Goreng but using maggi noodles. Stir fry it and use the seasoning but still adding  the usual spices of a Mee Goreng. What I like about it is the texture of the noodles, since its stir fried in a wok it still maintain a chewy texture not saggy. 

Nasi Goreng. I don't like it. It's too moist and too much spices on it. Maybe because we ordered noodles that is full of flavors that's why I am expecting to partner it with rice (The Filipino way). But because the Nasi goreng is almost the same flavor as the noodles, It's not a good match.

Mee Goreng. Well this one is just to try, but I'm  not really a fan of it. I like the Maggi Goreng more. The texture is far different . Also, how the spices blend to the tofu and noodles is not good. Maybe I'm not just accustomed to it.

The milk tea is something refreshing to finish the meal. Not so sweet but creamy and you can still taste the tea.
I remember how they pack take-out drinks in Singapore, so when I saw it in KL, I immediately ordered one. hehehe It's so cute.

So I ordered my boss, as well.

Though airport food court will not give you the best dinning experience, It will give you a glimpse of somehow what it acceptable in that country. 

Happy Travel!

Here's a quick review of NZ:

Taste: JJLLL

Ambience: JJLLL

Service: JJJLL

Value for Money: JJJJL

Mark My Name