A Day of Pampering at The Med Spa

I was one lucky gal to have experienced The Med Spa. It's part of the Wellness Complex at the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center in Las Pinas City which opened only in November of 2011.

So what's nice about The Med Spa? 

For one, it offers both aesthetic/dermatological treatments and spa services, all in one roof. Second, you get the same exact quality service that is already offered by the Hospital. What do you say about aestheticians (who by the way are RNs, too!) who were trained under popular medical spa The Zen Institute? And third, it offers the best rates, if not the lowest, compared to its competitors.

This is the Reception/Lobby that has a very relaxing ambience.

This is the treatment room. Oh yes, you get to enjoy the quiet and privacy. Mawen here is my assigned aesthetic nurse. She has such very careful and light hands. For the first time, I did not dread the part of having my b/w heads removed, that's a guarantee at Med Spa -- less pain and no tears! As mentioned, the center offers the best rates for their treatments and services. In fact, the price for a facial treatment (Php300) already includes a mask (either collagen or seaweed). For those who got used to having their treatments at the other competitor, I'm sure you will agree with me that Med Spa offers a better option especially for someone who's on a budget. As a bonus, I also got to enjoy a session of diamond peel, capped off with Mesorejuvenation -- that's a dose of vitamin C right onto my face! With vitamin C, expect that youthful glow after 24 hours. (At the time of writing, I got the results I wanted!)

This is one of the Couple's Rooms where I had my massage after the facial spa (to qualify that, I wasn't with someone at that time. It was just the room available). Adeline was the assigned masseuse and definitely her expert hands made my whole body feel alive again. I was stress-free! Availing the Swedish massage will only cost you P200!

           

This is another Couple's Room with Sauna and Steam Bath.

Aside from body massage, facial spa, diamond peel and mesorejuvenation, other offerings at The Med Spa include body scrub, botox treatment, Dermapoint treatment, Dermaroller, face and body whitening, gluthathione/Vit C / Placenta IV, IL treatment, laser hair removal and laser skin rejuvenation.

Offered also are Mesotherapy, Mesotherapy for hair, Resolift treatment, Resonax treatment, TCA 15%, UL treatment, Ultralipo treatment, underarm whitening and warts/moles/syringoma removal.

After 6 months in operation, The Med Spa will come out with a revised list of prices and promos effective May 1, 2012. However, the increase in rates will not, in any way, affect the quality of services & treatments it renders to already satisfied clients. For inquiries and appointments, please contact The Med Spa at 874-8515 loc 724 and look for Manager Marge.

Overall, I will recommend a visit to The Med Spa. With protocol-based services and a professional aesthetic team, you'll surely be a satisfied customer like me!

Stay beautiful! XOXO

Yummy in Bicol...

[Late post]

I am a sucker for spicy foods! Being in Bicol for five days in March gave me that chance to finally have a taste of what is authentic Bicol-spicy.

I am so grateful to my boss' friends in Naga City for the ultimate food experience.

Check out why my stomach was in limbo during my stay in Bicolandia...

Batang-Batang Pusit

(Baby Squid in Olive Oil and Spices)

The best ever! This is their best seller and you wouldn't wanna miss this if you are in Naga.

Pinangat

One of my favorites...I failed to try this one during my previous trips in Bicol. Since it's really gooooood, it should be on your menu as well on your next trip.

Bicol Paella

I find this very innovative. The laing is already mixed into the rice. I have to try to make this at home.

Laing Embutido

Bicol Express

I got used used to the Manila version that's why I was so surprised it was 'alamang' as the main ingredient. It was a little salty for me.

A yummy day to all! :-)

All food items are c/o:

Chef Doy's Gourmet Restaurant

Cereza, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City

My KANIN CLUB Experience

I have been hearing about Kanin Club for like forever! I just live near Alabang but I don't really get that chance to experience what it offers. But today, thanks to my high school friends, we chose KC as the venue of our get-together this year.

KC gets packed during lunch and dinner time. True enough, we waited for an hour and a half to be seated at their Westgate Alabang branch. We almost gave up but I thank God we didn't! The servers were friendly and they do serve fast. Every dish is meant for sharing so don't go there alone. It's always nice to enjoy good food in the company of good friends and family. Here are just some of the good food I am talking about. I guarantee you won't regret dining here.

Crispy Dinuguan

Kanin Club's signature dish. Promise, it's soooo good!

Binukadkad na Tilapia

Aligue rice

Tinapa Rice

Rice pa lang ulam na :)

This turned out to be my favorite!

Other KC branches:

UP Technohub

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Paseo de Santa Rosa

Ni hao, Taiwan! [Part 2]

Day 2 - Taipei 101, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Maokong Gondola

My second day in Taipei is a really busy one. I was so excited to finally see the world-famous Taipei 101. It has been a long time that it was on my dream-destinations list. That day I will finally have it crossed out! Yahoo!

The Taipei 101 is located in the Xinyi District. It is accessible via the Taipei City Hall MRT station (Blue Line - Nangang). I chose to walk from the exit to 101. You can also rent a bike to go around the area.

I had lunch at the Grand Market, located at the basement of 101, which is equivalent to a food court here in Pinas. I could compare it to a floor at Podium or a portion of Serendra-Fort. The whole place was so clean.

Sergeant Chicken Rice meal combo

This was was highly recommended by a friend who visited Taiwan last year. Their hainanese chicken rice is so good. My lunch only cost me NTD$150 (P220).

This is part of the Liberty Square.

My next stop is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall which is located in the Zhongzheng District. Exit 5 of the CKS MRT Station is right beside the hall! The place was huge, enough to say that the former Chinese president is very much revered.

This is the hall that houses an enormous statue of President CKS. One of the attractions here is the hourly changing-of-the-guards ceremony.

Make sure you bring a bottle of water while touring CKS to keep you hydrated. Should you forget, there are several beverage vendos at the entrance of the square. An umbrella is also a must to protect you from the scorching heat of the sun.

My final stop is the Maokong Gondola.

This gondola mode of transportation runs between Taipei Zoo and Maokong. It has four stations: Taipei Zoo, Taipei Zoo South, Zhinan Temple and Maokong.

This marks the end of the gondola trip -- Maokong. I was surprised that in a remote area like this, people (local or tourist) come here to eat. You can find a row of restaurants and tea houses in Maokong.

As you exit the Maokong Gondola Station, these boards list all the teahouses along the road.

On my way back, I just had to take the Eyes of Maokong Gondola. This crystal cabin has a glass bottom which lets you see what's below -- not for the faint-hearted. :-)

The Maokong Gondola has been closed and reopened a few times due to safety, ventilation and environmental concerns. But all the issues have been addressed and it has been operational since April 2010.

Ni hao, Taiwan!

My trip to Taiwan is my first time to travel ALONE and this time in a different country. I have had hesitations to go explore destinations by myself merely because I was scared. But after Taiwan, I realized that once in your life you should have travelled alone.

There are benefits to solitary travel:

1. You go at your own pace. You don't need to wait on anyone. No consideration whatsoever with what people think of the room, the food, etc.
2. You go where you want to go. If you enjoy nature and hate museums, then go where you feel you will enjoy more. Take time taking photographs.
3. You learn so many things about yourself. During the trip I figured I am really good at reading maps and following directions :-)
4. It's fun to get lost! One time I missed my bus stop and decided to just get off the bus in a place I have no information about. It turned out to be an adventure as I found out it was a district full of cosmetic clinics.

The only disadvantage of travelling all by yourself is that no one is there to take your photos. But it's alright. Taiwan is not about me, anyway. :-)

Going around Taipei will be very easy for travelers as the Metro Taipe (MRT) is there to bring you to anywhere in the city. Most tourist destinations are just walking distance from the station. Don't worry, names and directions have English translations in ALL MRT stations.

TIP: Avail the pre-loaded EasyCard which you can use in the MRT, bus and the Maokong Gondola. I had mine loaded with $500, surprisingly that's more than enough for a 3-day tour of Taipei. I was even refunded the remaining balance before I left for the airport on my last day of stay.

DAY 1 - Sun Yat-Sen Memorial, Longshan Temple, National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

There's a dedicated station for this destination.

Longshan Temple

This is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan. It'll take you about a minute to reach the temple gates from the MRT station. Worshipppers offer food and prayers to Buddha. At the back of the temple sits a huge Golden Buddha.

By MRT: Longshan Temple MRT Station

By Bus : 11 . 201. 205 . 229 . 231 . 233 . 234 . 242 . 310 . 38 . 49 . 527 . 62 . 624 . 628 . 701 . 702 . 703 . 705 . 28

National Palace Museum

This probably houses the biggest collection of Asian and Chinese artifacts. Entrance fee is NTD$160. There is a 50% discount for students/youth.

The Shilin Night Market

This is a haven for food lovers like me. Accessible via the Jiantan MRT Station.

The very famous STINKY TOFU which I loved so much! I even had a second serving :)