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As Usual, A Year-Ender (2016)

Saturday, December 31, 2016


In 2016, my dominating word was BRAVE. I don't know how this surfaced, but it aptly summarized my year. It was also the word I held on to during anxiety-driven circumstances. My favorite phrases? "Kaya ko to!", "Aja!", at dahil kinain nako ng k-drama, "Fighting!". 😂 Pretty soon I was, not necessarily winning, but winging every challenge along the way.

My Korea Travel Expenses

Wednesday, December 28, 2016


Sharing my expenses from my Seoul-Jeju trip last Autumn. In a way, this will also be my personal record that I can conveniently look back on that day that I decide to go back to Korea. I actually checked my Korea Spring Budget before this second trip so I can gauge how much money I needed to bring!

Photos from Incheon Airport while waiting for my flight back to MNL.

Passion and Precision Cooking with Rinnai, No. 1 Appliance Brand in Japan

Monday, December 26, 2016


To me, the holiday season is the best time to showcase your home-cooked meal expertise. Filipinos spend time preparing their Noche Buena and Media Noche to show their loved ones only the best that they deserve. 

Oh, Hongdae!

Saturday, December 24, 2016


When the plane landed at the Incheon International Airport, I heard gasps from a few people around me. I looked out from the window next to me and saw it ... The first snow of the year in Korea.


Christmas Parties + My New Commuting Lifesaver (aka P2P Bus)

Friday, December 23, 2016


Counting the days till Christmas day! Along with the holiday rush comes parties with family and friends, and of course, the unavoidable heavy traffic! Few weeks ago, I had to walk from Magallanes flyover to the MRT just to reach my event in Megamall before the show ends! Buti nalang may Beep Card nako. 😅

Anyway, the things we do for the things (and people!) that we love!

Commuting to Makati via P2P! No traffic, huhu what a relief! More about this experience later.

MBC World: A K-Drama Tour in Seoul

Thursday, December 22, 2016


My flight back to Seoul was rather uneventful compared to my flight to Jeju. It also felt fast, but time in Korea (or when traveling in general) is also running, I arrived in my Hongdae box room and it was past lunch already! After leaving my luggage, I ran outside to (once again!) maximize the rest of the day.

The game plan? To visit South Korea's broadcasting capital: Digital Media City.

Autumn sighting during my walk to MBC--one of Korea's largest TV network!

Driving Around Jeju

Wednesday, December 21, 2016


After Yeomiji Botanical Garden and checking out the popular museums in Jeju Island, I still had a few hours of sun before calling it a day. Sunsets were noticeably early in the island when I was there, and most of the establishments with entrance fees were already closed by 5pm. 

Going to Hello Kitty Island, I decided to hail a cab. Kuya Driver, albeit our language barrier, suggested on more things that we can go to before I head back to my dormitory. He laughed when I relayed that I don't have any plans anymore. The only reason why I hailed a cab was because I don't know where the bus stop was anymore, and Hello Kitty Island is not walking distance from Jungnum Resort. I was lucky, he became my instant tour guide AND photographer for the rest of the afternoon! 

Taken by kuya cab driver, photog skills level 100! ;p

AirAsia Bloggers Contest: Win 2 International Round Trip Tickets + Php 20,000!

Tuesday, December 20, 2016


May 2017 be a big travel year for everyone! Join AirAsia's #ThankYou blog writing contest where you get a chance to win TWO International Round Trip Tickets + Php 20,000! 

Full mechanics below.


Holiday Looks with Unarosa

Sunday, December 18, 2016


Just want to share, all three of us were wearing pieces from Unarosa last BU12! A few days before the event, I was able to drop by their updated store in Megamall to check out Unarosa's newest collection. I like that they have pieces that you can easily style for the season because they are basics but updated! Requested for photos because I don't have my camera during that store visit. 

Posted Unarosa's inspiring and well-styled lookbook below!

Museums in Jeju Island, Korea

Saturday, December 17, 2016


Here's what I realized about Jeju Island: It takes an hour or so to get to places. You have to plot your schedule well, or make your visit longer (3-5 days). Since I am still learning from experience, I had to maximize just one full day in Jeju. The night before that one full day, I researched and created a game plan. It's hard to go to all these top TridAdvisor places, so I just went to the ones that were highly recommended and near each other. Most of them are museums.


Van Gogh Inside Exhibit, Jeju Island

Friday, December 16, 2016


It was my first night in a ladies dormitory in Jeju Korea. Lights were already off except for a few bedside orange lamps, as I was scheming my next day's game plan, researching on things to do to maximize my one and only full day in the island. That was when I chanced upon the Van Gogh exhibit.


My Contadina Vegetarian Pasta Recipe + Holiday Giveaway

Thursday, December 15, 2016


CONGRATS TO THE GIVEAWAY WINNER: Lhourdes Mercadero!!! Will DM you on Facebook as to how you can claim your prize! 

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Since I am a vegetarian and I work at home almost everyday, as much as possible I try to prepare my own lunch. My mom is very supportive of this lifestyle choice, but she also cooks different dishes for me and my family. To make life easier for her, I prefer to do things on my own from time to time.

When I am pressed with time, like this busy season, my go-to meal is fried egg and rice (haha). But if wanted to go a bit fancy, I cook no-fail pasta:



Shop for Christmas at Our Home

Wednesday, December 14, 2016


Although travel still tops my wish list for 2017, I also want my own pad or office. It's a far-fetched, goal, but as they say, you have to believe it to achieve it!

Yesterday, I was in Mall of Asia and saw the Our Home store inviting me to look around. What I like about this experience is that I felt no pressures in purchasing something while inside the store. I can go around freely (even took photos!) just to canvass for my "feed goals" pad.

Feel the Spirit of Gratitude with AirAsia!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016


Christmas is definitely my favorite season, I think even more so than my birthday! It brings about so much positive feelings from people, personally, it fills my heart with gratitude for the year that was. If anything, I'd like to spend these next days leading to Christmas only with my dearest loved ones.

True to the holiday vibe, AirAsia, the world's best low-cost airline, just released their Christmas video featuring people expressing their genuine care and appreciation.



Feel Christmas with Favori

Monday, December 12, 2016


The past days had been very busy and difficult for me, I can't help but catch myself tensed. One thing that I do to relax is lighting up scented candles, incense, or my Favori diffuser. 

Scent can a be very powerful emotional trigger. To me, just add a peppermint scent and all will be well again!


#IAmUrbanBrave

Sunday, December 11, 2016


If anything, I am grateful that my parents built me in becoming street smart

I was confined for years in an all-girls school, taking the school bus before and after my classes. "Commute" to me that time means taking the cab. When I stepped into college, my mom and dad allowed me to really commute. I can still remember the first days where my mom will join me as I ride the tricycle, jeepney, bus, and then another jeep for 2 hours just to reach university.  A few days later, she will just let me go on my own.

The rush excites me, the feeling of not knowing what will happen next made me nervous. But all the wins and boo-boos that came from all those commutes prepared me for what lies ahead.

From being a long-haul commuter, I am now an Urban Jetsetter!

Yeomiji Botanical Garden, Jeju Island

Monday, December 05, 2016


Since my main agenda for this trip was to catch any signs of what's left from Autumn, I decided to go to a garden first thing in the morning during my first (and only) full day in Jeju Island. 


Fun Gift Ideas For Football Fans

Sunday, December 04, 2016

We all know that one person who is almost too obsessed with football to function. When it comes to people like this, you can never go wrong with a football-themed gift. Whether it's their birthday or the holidays, they'll always smile when they unwrap a gift that has something to do with their favorite sport. To help you shop for that football fanatic in your life, here are some fun gift ideas for football fans.

I Left My Heart In JejuAir

Saturday, December 03, 2016


Post-traveling leaves too much stories in my heart. 

And although life lately consists of events and Bloggers United duties (sadly, setting aside my @simpleMNL business for the meantime, huhuhu), it's so hard to just let go of these stories. Time is crucial.

Anyway, during my day 2 in Korea, I felt that I wasted - well - a lot of time. I feel that I made poor decisions, booking a flight to Jeju Island in the afternoon, leaving me again with a day spent more inside a transportation or the airport, and less time to go about "exploring". Again, time is crucial.

FLYTPACK: Affordable and Reliable Travel Pocket Internet

Friday, December 02, 2016


During my solo travel, I realized one thing: You have to be fully equipped because generally you can only rely on yourself. Before leaving Manila, I already have coats, thick socks, gloves, and even masks and ear muffs ready in case the temperature in Korea is too cold to bear.

Aside from these, I have my passport, and all my tickets and itinerary printed and stashed in a water resistant envelope (with 2 pens, to be sure!). I have set my budget, exchanged my Peso into Won 2 days before departure.

And of course, I decided to rent out a pocket internet that I can use for this travel. I've seen this in almost all my traveling blog friends, and now after experiencing it first hand, I must say, THANK GOD FOR FLYTPACK!


One Night in Seoul

Thursday, December 01, 2016


I'd say, this Korean Autumn Trip will remain very memorable to me for a long, long time. I got my plane tickets from winning as the blogger partner during the AirAsia Travel Photographer contest. I'd like to think that I used my prize wisely.

Last year in October, I was dreaming and hoping to experience autumn in Korea. I even created a Pinterest album with photos of Korea during fall just to "attract" this. Long story short, I was back in the land of kimchi and K-Dramas to experience Korea during the season I've been dreaming of for over a year.