What to do when an unknown landline number calls you?

This is old news, but the Internet, when used properly, provides such a huge amount of relief and convenience. I'm not just talking about places, reviews, etc.

Gone are the days when you see a missed call register on your phone and you try to figure out who might have called you and why it's from a landline? I got a call different times from landline numbers from Manila. Last April 27, 2015 I got a call from 02 798 8000. Today it's 02 944 3100. 

The first one was missed, the second one, I actually picked it up. It so happened that I am waiting for an important call and when I picked up, it hung up. Normally I would be really annoyed, but thanks to the internet, no need to be bothered whose call I might have missed. I simply type the number in the google search bar and look what I found:

I clicked on one of the links and got into a page:

I scrolled down some more and it came from a telemarketer.

Now having been part of the BPO industry, I understand how annoying it is to get these kinds of telemarketing calls, but these numbers just calls to hang up! That's a different story.

The next time you get a missed call from a landline, google it first. Anyway, if they really do mean business, they wouldn't just call to hang up.

Awesome Beauty Hacks

I love lists, tips, and life hacks on the internet. As I said in a previous post, I'm sort of dealing with one of the trade offs for my vision board, and that includes fighting the urge to spend on something. I'm trying to cut back on becoming an emotional shopper by resisting and limiting my exposure to things that might get in the way of what I am saving up for. 

Today, I found this on pinterest  just as I was distracting my self from looking through make up posts, lusting after lipsticks and reading blog reviews about what summer lippies to get. This is perfect for Cheap Tips fans, like myself:

Source here.

Travel Japan: How to apply for Japanese Tourist Visa (when staying with a friend)

Our trip to our childhood and close family friend, Kuya Benz, has been long standing since early 2013. So when we chanced upon a cheap round trip ticket, we decided to give it a go!

(Actually, it was my sister Aprille who booked first. She got her tickets for just around 8k with in flight meals, insurance and round trip baggage allowance. I got inspired while she was talking about her plans to Kuya Benz who was in the Philippines during that time, so I told myself I would grab the next one if it's on sale. I found a seat sale a week later, with a little more charge and less privileges than Aprille's ticket, but still under 10k! It must be really meant for me!)

10 things worth enduring before you hit 30

I was watching my favorite series, Friends, when I chanced upon the episode where they all turn 30. One of my guy friends (and the last one in our group to) turn 30 last week and it got me thinking: 1) Shit, we're really are and supposed to be adults; 2) What lessons have we learned from graduation (assuming you graduated from college at 20 years old like me); and 3) Where did the time go?

They say your 20s are really exciting, I really believed and lived that. I was telling my 18 year old godson over the weekend not to rush about getting married and enjoy his life in his twenties before settling down to prevent the shoulds-woulda-couldas and that could creep up in his midlife. Because by the time I was 26, twenties went a lot faster than I thought it would.

A little disclaimer here, I am no life pro, but according to my memory and personal stack of first hand experiences, here are the top 10 things worth enduring by the time I turned thirty.

1. Experience a bad, crappy or so-so job.
We've all been there. Having a job where we drag our ass to work and faithfully wait for payday then payday comes and you wait for another payday. It's a cycle and a never-ending routine until you actually realize that you can't take it anymore.

Why it's worth it?
Every bad job gives you an experience that you might (and most likely will) use in the future. You will know the feeling of loving your next job that leads closer to your dream job. (Because of course you won't switch careers just to be in the same crappy job). It is always better to invest in experiences.

2. Get fired or resign from a safe job.
When I was 20, the first time I splurged on shopping, I showed up at work later only to find out that on that actual day out account was pulled out and that we're all forced to put on furlough for a while and wait for an opening. And during my first year in Graduate School, my professor in one of my favorite subjects, shared that it takes a whole lot of guts to resign from a job and that is true.

Why it's worth it?
So that you will learn not to take your job for granted and save up first before you splurge so that you have an emergency fund. And also, you will experience breaking away from your comfort zone and discover more things about you. There's something very brave about leaving a job and choosing something for yourself and not being allowed to be held back.

3. Work for someone who doesn't like you (or you don't like).
I've worked with brilliant bosses and at the same time extremely challenging ones. When I was younger, my motto was: I cannot work for someone I don't respect. But as you mature, (naks!) you will learn that it is not always the case.

Why it's worth it?
Because whether you admit it or not, not only you will learn to be on your toes and not to be complacent, it will also hone your character. If you resign just to avoid these kind of people, trust me, you will meet the same kind in another person and in another place. They're like back subjects in college, you can't graduate until you actually passed them (hopefully with flying colors!)

4. Experience not having a plan or a back up plan.
When I was 19, I already have a Plan A to C. I was so optimistic and idealistic and I am so excited to experience my independence. Until I experienced Quarter-life crisis and experience having a rug pulled under my feet.

Why it's worth it?
So that you will know that not having a plan just yet is not so bad after all and as the time goes by you learn to figure it out and be fine not having the answers right away.

5. Fall dangerously in love then get your heart severely broken.
This is not those cutie-patootie I-loved-him-from-a-far-but-he-doesn't-notice-me or He's-found-someone, or He's-getting-married-I-did-not-even-had-the-chance-to-tell-him-how-I-feel . I'm talking about being in an actual real relationship with the person to the point of Okay-baby-I-am-willing-to-move-from-the-city-to-the-suburbs-just-for-you-and-change-my-life/religion/career-and-dont-care-If-I-get-disowned-as-long-as-we-are-together kind.

I will tell you exactly what this feels like. It feels like you are drunk, hung over, numb and light-headed the entire time you are together and nothing else really matters because as long as you're together you can endure anything. Only to find out it's not working out and you're not really mean to be.

Why it's worth it?
Because you will learn to love genuinely, and find out for yourself how much you can take and how far you can go. You will also learn to love yourself (cliche but true). You will also learn to be compassionate and respect for people who go through similar experiences as you. And you will have depth! There's really no exact measurement for this thing but it is generally painful, but when you experienced "Going-through-hell-and-back" there's nothing more empowering than going through the fire and brushing the dust/ashes off your shoulders.

6. Live alone.
One of the bravest things I did before I hit twenty five was to decide that I would like to live alone in a 1BR apartment. That meant I am paying three times my rent share from the old condo that I used to live with other flatmates. It came with independence and freedom to be able to declare that you own your life (and the freedom to walk around your living room with only your knickers on! Haha!)

Why it's worth it?
Because independence came with a price and that meant learning to juggle your bills from electricity, water, laundry, groceries, cab fare and credit card bills. You will learn to measure your household consumption, budget and really think about your purchases (Do I really want this shoes on sale or this can go and secure my water bill instead?) and  assess the lifestyle you want to live.

7. Get in debt.
I wrote before about my financial lessons, I did not actually get into a neck deep debt because my mom trained my sister and me about saving and spending within our means, but there was a time that I got excited with all my three credit cards that I used them (not to its limit though) and enjoyed the feeling to be able to afford and feel rich (feel lang!). Until I did not like the feeling of having spent my good money in something so shallow and wondered where it went and only afford to eat bad food just to make ends meet.

Why it's worth it?
Because you will learn that your credit card bills are your responsibilities and there's no one left there to pay but you. I'm sure its a different lesson for everyone, but I am uncomfortable having something that is not fully paid. Even as little as a laptop purchase, I can breathe easier once I know I'm through with the payments, or I make sure to pay my monthly due first before I spend on another one. I did not like the feeling of walking around with my splurge hanging when I know they are not really paid yet. This will also teach you to be financially responsible and set your financial purchases and priorities straight, plus do you really want to be blacklisted by the bank? You never know you might need a good credit history in the future!

8. Lose some old friends to find out who your true friends are.
I keep my friends and love them to the moon and back so when I lose one it is very painful for me. I still hold friendships with people for more than 20 years.  But a wise woman once told me that you will know who your true friends are before you reach 30, and by the time you're 40, you'll be surprised you will still be shedding some from that same list.

Why it's worth it?
Because it is better to be with the people you are sure of and will not drag you down. Sometimes friends just fall apart because they've grown very differently and it's not really both your fault but just how life is sometimes. Also, sometimes we lose friends because they're just too emotionally heavy (read: emotional vampires sucking the life out of you) and you don't want to put up with their crap anymore. Trust me, when you do it, there will be no hard feelings and also no looking back.

9. Break up with someone just for you not because you have someone new.
Because, admit it. After being coupled for an amount of time and finding out that it's really not working out and you know deep inside you that there's really no future for the both of  you is shit scary. Sometimes we tend to stay for convenience, like you've already put up with this person for X number of years, sure you can put up with 50 something more. A family friend who went through annulment (after putting up with her horrifying husband) once told me, I will get my self out of this (really bad marriage) because who knows how many years I have left and there's no way I would spend my remaining years on Earth being miserable.

Why it's worth it?
It is worth it when you realize that you owe it to yourself and that you would rather be alone than be with someone you are not sure about or makes you feel alone. Better to have loved and lost than put up with someone who makes you miserable for the rest of your life. Plus the only person you can change in your relationship is you, you really don't have control over the other person. In the beginning you might think you have, but trust me, no amount of money, threat, bribe, guilt trip or emotional blackmail will change the person if he/she doesn't want to.

10. Travel Alone, or fly alone. 
I've never really traveled alone but it's one of my fantasies that until now I still find myself thinking about it. The closest thing I've experienced actually if flying solo to Cebu and flying to Laoag alone facing turbulence when I am actually, kind of shit scared of flying. Cebu was a breeze but Laoag is scary.The closest I've been to travelling/experiencing alone time in an entirely different place was when I visited my then boyfriend (who was on field most of the time) so I get to roam the cities, coffee shops, markets by myself.

Why it's worth it?
It will raise and heighten your level or awareness. You will discover your hidden navigation and survival skills when you are not depending on anyone. You wouldn't even know you had it in you until you're actually there.

Again I'm no life pro and sometimes just thinking about these things makes me anxious about what else do I need to painfully learn. I'm sure there are some more that needs to be included in this list, so if you are comfortable enough to share, feel free to leave some of yours by leaving a comment below.

What to do when the Church lost your Baptismal Certificate

It was only during the process of our acquisition of travel documents that we found out that the church where my sister and I were baptized was burned down. So all of the files from year 1992 and below were lost and in order for us to retrieve the information the following were required:

1. Photo of the actual Christening
(If you have a photo of the church back drop, photo with priest, and all the rest of the godparents, the better!)

2. Official/Original Receipt of the Baptism from the Church who issued it.

3. Then they will create a new certificate for you.

I know what you're thinking. What if you do not have any of those? If you do not have Christening Photos, you are required to present the following:

1. Valid Birth Certificate (In Philippines, it must be NSO'd)

2. Parents'Marriage Contract (NSO'd too!)

3. Personal appearance of your actual godmother/godfather who will be interviewed by the parish church to tell the details of the baptism. The lady in the church administration informed me that they have certain questions to determine if the godparent who was presented is lying.

Don't even think of getting a fake godparent to show up, because the lady even told me that one foreign embassy called them to check the validity of the document. It was found out that the document presented at the embassy was a fake one from Recto.

4. They will make an affidavit of the said Baptism to be showed as proof of document.

Thank Goodness my father was a photographer and my mother is a memorabilia fan that all of our childhood photos shot in film were documented and kept in photo albums to this day. With this digital age where people no longer bother with prints for their concern is uploading it on Facebook, I think I will go back to selecting shots and printing them in picture paper to be kept in a photo album.

Make up products worth your moolah (money) + Other Make up Fixes

This year, actually mid year, I have decided to buy only make ups that I will use.  

So I gave away some of my make up and even an entire very barely used make up palette to my cousin Karen. I somehow kept my current make up palette, BYS, that I blogged before because it makes blending very easy, not to mention it is long wearing.

Speaking of long wearing, here are the make up items that I bought that are indeed long wearing.

1. L'Oreal True Match Foundation in N7.

I've had this foundation since October last year (2012) and used it for my Kuya Stew's wedding. You only need little amount and it covers really great. I remember researching for a really good foundation and my friend Yeye's friend, Marie Tan, (who does Patty Laurel's hair and sometimes make up, as well other celebs) recommended this product. She made a really good recommendation because I did not regret buying this even if it costs almost 1k)

Price: P995 .

2. After the make up workshop that I attended early this year, I was on the look out for a translucent powder. I found this the most affordable on the market.  (Price: a little over Php 500.00.) The little cheapskate in me was looking for a powder within my price range (cheap) but when I saw this and have been using this for more than 6 months already, I'll say it will still last me for the rest of the year. 

The thing with translucent powders is, as the name implies, it doesn't give much coverage but it settles and mattifies the oily skin. It won't ruin your make up at all so don't buy this if you want coverage.

I needed to change the powder puff though so I got a Marionnaud powder puff for less than Php100.00. I'm glad we have Marionnaud in the local market. I thought they only sell make up brushes and some tools. 

3. Remember how I regret buying E.L.F.'s primer? I decided to come up with own. I bought Max Factor in Caramel because it was on sale, but it appeared to be a lot darker on my face, even though I always go for a darker shade of foundation on my face. 

So I mixed a Nivea moisturizer and the liquid foundation and adjusted the tint and put it in a cream jar that I bought at Watson's. It became a really good primer and make up base, it didn't feel sticky at all!

I made two shades! Containers available at Watsons. 

4. I purchased the wrong kind of foundation at Walmart last summer, when I got it it, it was 2 shades darker than my face color. So what did I do? I studied how to contour!

It worked well, but sometimes I tend to overdo it due to excitement of blending that I ended up looking tanned rather than contoured, but they say practice makes perfect! So if you see me looking tanned during this rainy season...Pardon my contour!

*Photos are from the internet ---sorry too lazy to take actual photos from my stash. :) 



Any make up tricks and make up recommendations you want to share with me?

Work your curls in 3 easy steps

Believe it or not, I learned how to work my curls from a guy. So to keep his dignity in cyberspace, let's call him SMILEY, shall we?

When I got my hair permed, he was like " I can't believe you paid for that, just to have a hair like mine!"  So he said, after seeing me trying to work my curls, " To get it working this is what you have to do..."

1. After washing your hair, do not towel dry. Make sure hair is still wet but not dripping wet.
2. Put your hair product and scrunch your way to a good curl form but not too much.
3. Let your hair down, leave it alone and do not blow dry your curls. Let it dry naturally, it may take some time in the day for it to dry but the curls will be in their full form.

Who am I to argue? He is the expert after all. See those little curly things on top of his head, that's inborn!

My guy friend told me over lunch that his mom is getting her hair permed and colored like mine after talking to me. I love it! I remember running into her and we discussed hair woes and I told her how I finally quit getting stressed about it by getting my hair permed. I've been getting messages and email asking how to deal with the permed hair. You can read all about my reviews and other hair adventures here.

So there you go folks. That's the secret.

Dear SMILEY, thanks for the tip. My curled hair is turning two years old this year and I don't even get tired of it! :)

Crimp, Reuse and Save

If you know me, you'll know lately due to some serious matters in the family, I suddenly had to play captain and take over the boat.

And because I am crimping on cash and the organized freak that I am, I currently have two notebooks for expenses and errands list, on top of my personal organizer/diary, and again on top of the monthly calendar that I asked my sister to print so I can physically visualize the deadline and watch out for the days that I/we must crimp on.

Last week, I received this email from a colleague and what I like about this is it did strike home:

(I only borrowed selected photos from the forwarded email)

 
And my personal favorite:

Now this inspired me to come up with my own DIY-to-save ideas. I actually have some crazy crimping-on-cash ideas and rules that I am still embarrassed to blog about as of this time, but hey, maybe in due time I will be able to write about it. I'm only turning two weeks on the job, it's too soon to tell. :)

How to pick a Feel Good Song

Last month, during a stop over at a gas station on our way to the Beach, my friend Joy and I heard this song on the radio and she said "This song is my feel good song!"

"How can you say that it's your feel good song?" I asked.

She said that with no reason she just feels really good and it perks her up whenever she hears that song. Now that got me into thinking: "What is my feel good song?"

Source

You see, there is a big difference between a feel good song, vs your favorite song vs the current "IN" song.  A feel good song is timeless.  It is not a "current favorite", "not the happenin'" nor the "trendy".

Here's how I was able to determine mine:

1. It makes your heart skip a beat. For no reason at all and sometimes without you knowing it.
2. It literally makes you aware of the breath that you take.( Without you knowing it)
3. It warms your heart/chest. Like you had a good cup of coffee.
4. For some reason it makes you pause (whether short/long pause, it makes you take really good notice.
5. It transforms you in an instant and makes you feel good , for some inexplicable reasons.

So one time, when I had the chance to browse my iPod , out of 3027 songs ( I didn't listen to them one by one ha!) I managed to get my top feel good songs and from my target to come up with at least 10, I filtered them and came up with 7. ( I had quite a challenge of distinguishing between a favorite song vs a feel good song)

Here's my Feel Good Songs Playlist:

1. Don't Worry Baby - The Beach Boys
This song inspired me to come up with this post. I was at the office one day and this song came up like 3 times in that day and it made me really stop what I am doing and just listen to it. I wasn't even into The Beach Boys.

2. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani fet. Akon
I was partying in Cebu when I first heard this song. It was during my first night and I was out with my girlfriends and their friends and the moment that I heard the "Whoohooo" of Akon in the song, I had to ask my friend what's the name of this song. My favorite line is " If I could escape and recreate a place as my own world, and I could be your favorite girl, forever, perfecly together, tell me boy now wouldn't that be sweet... If I could be sweet, I know I've been a real bad girl..." This song always reminds me of how really good I felt and how much fun I had in Cebu.

3. Unwritten - Natasha Beddingfield
I took a break in the middle of being stressed at work and during my 15minute break, I played this song at it instantly perked me up and recharged me.

4. You Stole My Heart Away - Big Mountain
I was with friend's car when  I heard this song and I asked her beau to turn it up. I felt really giddy upon hearing and felt like as if I am in love when I was not seeing anyone at that time. This song will make you fall in love with the idea of falling in love.

5. Sukob Na - 17:28 (Filipino/Tagalo Song)
I'm a sucker when it comes to rain and I heard this song years ago during a television station ID and it's all about having fun in the rain, cuddling, getting cozy, enjoying warm cup of coffee/hot chocolate, those things along those lines. This songs just makes me feel like staying in, sitting in the couch and just reading a good book while enjoying a hot chocolate while it rains outside.

6. Binibini - Brownman Revival (Filipino/Tagalo Song)
I was walking on my way to work when I first heard this song and I was running late. I did not have enough time to put make up on or fix my hair but when I heard this song, it made me feel like a muse. (Lakas lang maka-muse nito mga teh!)

7. Underneath it All - No Doubt
I heard it first when I watched 50 first dates song but a beach trip isn't complete without me hearing this song.


And the most important tip in picking a feel good song:
It should not make you relate to a person you are dating/in a relationship with because the "feel good vibe" will only be just because of that person. Again a feel good song is timeless and is brought upon by something inexplicable and must be really felt.

Now to put it to test, if you get yourself in a bad situation, put on your headphones and play it. If it makes you feel good despite of the negativity immersion, you will know that your playlist works!

Mine does. :)


P.S. 
My prayers were answered. My iPod is recuperating well and it's healing itself. )  Related story here 

Vacation is a state of mind

My cousin told me that one should always take on a “holiday” because other wise one will get sick (read: burn out).

I’m crimping on everything nowadays. I wanted to travel but my work and studies (naks) hinder me from doing so. I want to go to new places this year, but I have to keep up with my timeline. I don’t have the paid leaves that I used to have with my previous job but my work allows me to have flexible time that makes me never late, have option to work from home and still attend school mid-week. Not the slightest complaint will be heard from me. Time-wise.

These itchy feet that I have is itching to go to places to perhaps recharge. I like learning things from people and I love travelling with friends. But since I am on financial discipline, here are the things that I’ve learned where I can get a vacation without the cost of my arms and two legs:

Source

1)      DVD night with chips – you will never realize how much time flies until you have comfortably popped a DVD and flopped on your bed/couch/bean bag with chips and drinks within reach. I prefer the series. I used to watch Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives marathon and friends but now I am more into How I met your mother, Keeping up with the Kardashians and 2 Broke Girls.

Source

2)      Read a book in one sitting, undisturbed – my chick lit books have served a purpose and they have served me well. I find it personal when one plucks a book out of my shelf, it’s like getting my underwear and thinking of trying it on. And yet I like to look a people’s choice of books to see what books they are into. I love my chick lit books because they take me in situations that I will not be in. Call me silly but I feel like I can transport my self to the character’s life.

Source

3)      Totally disconnect from your phone, internet and various forms of social media – this is actually a huge factor. I actually found bliss in not knowing. I’ve been an online junkie and have been addicted to the net since I discovered how far the whole clicking can take me, but I’ve started to get sick of it since last year.

I’ve had long weekends where I did not really go out of town but just spent it with a special someone and felt super recharged when I came back to work. It felt like I flew myself elsewhere, time stopped and the rest did not matter. We just had coffee, played poker, had a few drinks and told stories. It was nothing extra ordinary but I felt I was out of this world.

But then again, I had another long weekend where I flew 750 miles by plane and immersed my self in a whole new cultural level only  to find myself itching to go back home.

So yes, I believe vacays are just a state of mind. 

Davao Birthday Weekend: [Day One] The City Tour

I spent my birthday weekend in Davao together with my cousins and my mom’s relatives as well. We were such a big group that we had to be divided into two: The Juniors (us!) and the Seniors (our mom and aunts).  We were originally going after Pearl Farm resort but it’s expensive to stay for 2 nights there. So we just decided to explore Davao City during Day 1 and spend my actual birthday in Pearl Farm for the second day and go to the remaining tourist spots of Davao on our last day.

I was texting my friends who live and those who’s been in Davao for any tips on where to go.  We had a van rented to take us around the place and luckily we were able to tour the city, hassle-free.

Note: The photos chosen in this post is to capture what it is like to be there. I hope it did serve its purpose, so no, there's no HD pictures and tourist-catalogue-type shots.

We were able to go to the recommended places such as:

1. Malagos

A Nature Park where you can find the Philippine Eagle.

My sister’s glad that we went to this place because you cannot just find this super huge eagle in Manila Zoo.

Tip: Entrance Fee is Php 55.00

2. Outland Adventure

Those who will try zipline will only get to pay. I’ve already tried zipline in Tagaytay with my friends and my sister already tried the zipline in Bohol so we just watched our cousin and aunt try the zipline, so we passed up on this one.

Tip: Price of zipline is Php 500.00 ( I think, I’m not sure about the price. You don’t have an option to go just one way because there’s no other way to go back than through the cables again.)

3. Crocodile Farm

By it’s name, you can tell it houses a lot of crocodile from the small ones to the really big ones before the biggest crocodile, Lolong, was found.

I don’t really like reptiles (even the small turtles make me icky). They had crocodile show and some animal show to entertain the kids. My cousins and I were just really busy walking around the park looking at crocodiles.

On the other side of the crocodile farm, there’s firedance show and some native muslim stuff that they sell as souvenirs.

Tip: Entrance Fee is Php 150.00

4. Jack's Ridge

I keep on getting  recommendations saying – you have to go Jack’s Ridge.

Jack’s Ridge is an overlooking area of Davao City where you can see almost everything. Restaurants are strategically located in the area. I don’t know if this is the highest peak of Davao but the planes that passes by are really low, I feel like we’re in Paranaque City. Haha!

Tip: No entrance fee.

I never really thought that Davao is really so big that majority of our time was spent on the road.  We spent the entire day in Pearl Farm the next day, which will be my next post because I believe it deserves an entire entry of it's own.

Upcoming post:

• Davao Birthday Weekend [Day Two] My Birthday at Pearl Farm Resort
• Davao Birthday Weekend [Day Three] Eden Park and Some Last MinuteShopping

Isdaan Resto-Fun Park (in Calauan Laguna) Halloweekend

I’ve been seeing the construction of “Isdaan” for the past year and have always wondered what’s taking it so long. So when my mom dined with her friends there and said she’s going to take the family there, I knew it’s something that I couldn’t miss.

We arrived at nearly six in the evening and were lucky enough to have a parking space as soon as we arrived. We thought we’re not going to be accommodated because it’s the long weekend after all. It’s a good thing that we came early for dinner that we got a table, more like our own floating hut  and was able to roam around the enjoy the place.

Warning: A photo loaded entry. I actually took 325 pictures but chose the ones best for uploading for my readers wanting to check out the place.

Please be informed that if you want to have dinner at Isdaan, make sure you are not super hungry and you’re not in a hurry because it will take time for you to get settled in your floating huts.

And also take note that it is best to find a table/floating hut first before roaming around the place.

I love how Isdaan resto thought about practically everything that they provided life vest for kids the moment we arrived because it can be inevitable that these kids might fall off the floating huts or something.

Isdaan also have amenities for little children and kids

Other Attractions for the night:

Isdaan Halloween Monsters

Isdaan prepared for Halloween that made sure that there are some roaming white lady, chained monsters in mask, ready for guests photo op. I was actually scared of the “dead lady” because she looked really dead, I waited from a short distance for her to open her eyes and take a peak before I asked for her photo. I don’t want to get surprised with her opening eyes because I might fall off board and soak the DSLR I’m using.

Tacsiyapo, means “Nakakainis”– you buy a plate/glass/mugs( with prices like Php 15, 18, 60, 240) and even a working TV set (Php 1,800) so you can throw it against the wall to release your anger).

Caution: Cursing or using Vulgar words are not allowed that’s why you need to shout “Tacsiyapo”.

My friends in Grad School and I have been planning long before that we wanted to go to Tarlac for the “smashing of the plates” but when I found out that Isdaan in Calauan Laguna has it, it’s going to be the venue of our usual get together and sem-starters.

They provided life vest for the guests and there are at least 3 boats around. The boatmen are very nice and if you’re wondering how deep the water is, it’s only 3 feet! But still you wouldn’t want to fall into the water.

Statue of the late president Corazon Aquino, former President Joseph Estrada are available for Photo Ops. We also had our pictures taken with US President Barrack Obama and other amusing photos like the guards and waiters.

Last but definitely not the least, The Singing Cooks and Waiters!

Some interesting info:

• Isdaan Restaurant and Fun Park is 3 hectares in size located at National Highway in Calauan, Laguna. They have their original branch at Gerona, Tarlac and a new up and coming branch in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. 
• It officially opened last October 8, 2011 but there are still some other under construction portions like additional huts and temples at the side and back area but you can hardly notice it.
• It is owned and operated by The Barrio Fiesta Singing Cooks and Watiers atbp., Bento Box, Barrio Grill, World Topps, Kilo-kilo grill atbp., Bakahan at Manukan Chain of popular Filipino restaurants.
• Since it is operated by several group of restaurant food chain companies, their menu varies and has a little bit of the regular best sellers from each of the mentioned restaurants.
• Their operating hours are daily from 10am to 11pm and the price ranges from Php18.00 (for Mineral water) and Php 4,950.00 (for whole lechon) Dishes ranges from 100+ to 700+ depending on the food choice and kilo.
• They accept CASH BASIS PAYMENTS ONLY and are not affiliated with any credit card company so make sure you are armed with cash.
• Contact Numbers: +63.49.566.0880 to 81 and  +63.922.844.4392 to 93

November is coming up! I hope you had a great Halloweekend! Cheers! <3