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Around Gapyeong City: Nami Island + Petite France + The Garden of Morning Calm

Friday, October 27, 2017


One of my must-see places for South Korea first timers is Namiseom Island

Also known as Nami, this half moon-shaped island is located outside Seoul in Chuncheon and is popular for its beautiful nature sceneries and Kdrama spots (Winter Sonata). Nearby attractions from Nami include Petite France and The Garden of Morning Calm. Because it's a bit far from Seoul, tourists usually plan a day tour including these three spots already. Make sure to leave your hotel early and manage your time wisely so you can appreciate every location! 😊

You Are Okay!

Tuesday, October 24, 2017


In my theater club when I was still in school, I was part of the set design committee where we spend sleepless nights creating dioramas, then turning these model units into reality. There was a play where I had to revise the diorama gazillion times because our set design head was never satisfied. 

So I focus on my work in a corner and fix everything, go back to my head to ask if everything's okay after revising details from his nasty comments. I didn't know I had a breaking point till that day, I was usually extra patient. But on my nth revision, I started crying in front of my head when I did everything and he still didn't like my work again. Then he softened and hugged me and said "Inaantay ko lang to.." I don't know how you can test a person by being mean to him/her, really, coz what's the point? All along my work is already okay, but my leader wasn't "satisfied" till I shed tears... to make it memorable? To learn a lesson? Hay!

Yesterday's OOTD: Track pants and sweater from Penshoppe with the words "Follow No Crowd":



What Lee Jong Suk and Suzy Bae touch turns into gold!

At the latest episode of 2017 Kdrama While You Were Sleeping (Episode 8, available via Viu), Hong Joo (Suzy) and Jae-Chan (LJS) went to Miniso to shop for their police friend Woo-Tak (Jung Hae-In). This cute and light shopping scene that is obviously soft advertising by Miniso just added new stuff to my shopping list! I immediately entered Miniso in Glorietta yesterday when I went to Makati to check if we have some of the featured products Lee Jong Suk and Suzy Bae played around with! So good job Miniso, that was really effective! Haha!

Where to Shop for your Spicy Noodle Challenge? + WIN a GO PRO HERO 5

Monday, October 23, 2017


I'm addicted to Youtube for the past weeks or so, and one of the funny challenges I've watched is the Spicy Noodles Challenge! Nag crave ako bigla ng spicy Korean ramyeun with cheese, huhuhu.



Flavored Coconut Juice?

Thursday, October 19, 2017


I am a sucker for coconut juice!! They taste so good AND so healthy! I drink it every chance I get because I know of its health benefits from antioxidant to vitamin C, calcium, iron, and so much more!

Got so excited when I found out that Locally Merci Buco now has two new flavors aside from their original coco water. Something new to try this weekend!


Usually enjoyed by Filipinos as desserts, Merci Buco is now available in exciting and very Pinoy flavors Buco Pandan and Buco Lychee. Both are delicious, refreshing, and naturally flavorful.



The best part is that Locally Merci Buco is made from pure and organic coconut water sourced and organically grown from local farms in Bicol and Quezon. Consumers are assured not only of 100% freshness from the best-tasting natural coco water, but also of its numerous health benefits!



These drink also has low calorie content of 40 calories per serving, no sugar added (for plain coco water), no fat and cholesterol, gluten-free, not from concentrate, and non-GMO so drinking them is good for you.

Locally’s Merci Buco is available at Rustan’s and select PureGold and Robinsons supermarkets in 330 ML and 1 liter eco-friendly recyclable tetra pack.



For information about Locally products, visit Locally on Facebook (@LocallyPhilippines) and Instagram (@Locally PH).

Hit List #002


Ahhh.. I can feel the holiday rush as early as now! Events here and there, plus some blogger mails I recently received..... Sharing to you my new list of stuff to try from food to beauty to music to fashion! Let me know your faves!!


Korea Itinerary (Bucket List For Seoul First Timers)

Tuesday, October 17, 2017


Last summer, my whole family traveled to Korea for vacation. It's my parents' and Cea's first time in Seoul, so I served as their tour guide and came up with a day-to-day game plan--which was a bit of a challenge! Our itinerary is a good mix of the extremely different tastes and interests from all five of us. It was a short trip, but I think we were able to cover most of the must-visits for Seoul first-timers. 

If you're planning an autumn or winter trip to Seoul soon, here are some places that you might not want to miss.

Life Upgrades Para Lalong #GumagandaAngAraw

Sunday, October 15, 2017


They say that changing the littlest things will make a good day become even more better. In short, life calls for a little upgrade from time to time.

A post shared by Ana Gonzales (@anagon) on


Upgrading is taking what already exists, maximize and improve them to make everyday life even more remarkable. Here are some of these smell steps I took to improve my lifestyle for the past months:

1) Ordinary Bus to P2P

I usually just take the ordinary bus whenever I commute from my home here in the south going to my events and meetings. I did not notice this before, but riding ordinary buses made me so anxious because of the space constraints, bad air conditioning, and heavy traffic from its routes. 

Now that I take the P2P, I don't have to worry about these things. P2P buses leave on schedule regardless if the transportation is filled up or not. They also use tap-card payment scheme, I don't have to wait for the bus conductor to give my payment (and wait even more for my change dahil walang barya). P2P buses are also new, spacious, and well-maintained. Definitely a life upgrade for me as a commuter! 


2) Instant Coffee to Brewed Coffee

I didn't realized this before, but my daily instant coffee habit was not healthy at all. A pack of instant coffee is usually filled with sugar, so imagine consuming that everyday! A life upgrade is converting my usual instant coffee to a mug of brewed coffee. It tastes better, it is healthier for me, and smells so, so good!

3) Fujifilm XA2 to Fujifilm XT10

I finally decided to let go of my old mirrorless camera and go for a Fujifilm XT10, one of the most recommended cameras by my fellow bloggers. Shutter is even faster, photo quality more crisp, this gadget upgrade inspired me again to take better pictures for my blog.

4) Normal Beddings to White Comforter and Duvet

One instant life upgrade is replacing my normal beddings to white comforter and duvet. I always have a hard time sleeping, so doing this makes bedtime feel extra comfortable as if I'm in a hotel staycation.

A post shared by Ana Gonzales (@anagon) on


5) And then there's bath oil

I finally tried BeachBorn's new Frankincense Bath Oil, which helps moisturize my hair and skin with just a few drops on my bath water. It doesn't add time to my daily preparation, plus it also feels extra luxurious to use!


6) 3G to LTE

Last but not the least, I am so happy when I learned that Sun Cellular rises back brighter by launching high-speed internet with a more improved and wider LTE coverage! Sobrang nakakaganda ng araw!

I've been using Sun since 2014, and I must say this network upgrade will make surfing, downloading, gaming, streaming music, and of course watching my Kdramas easier and speedier. Best part is, using Sun is still very affordable!

 Headlining the campaign are the newest Sun endorsers, Vic Sotto, Maja Salvador, and Matteo Guidicelli:


If you are also a fellow Sun subscriber, join the upgrade by having your old 3G SIM replaced in Sun Shops with LTE-ready SIM for FREE! If you're not using Sun yet, Sun LTE-ready SIM is now available for only Php 35 (available in regular, micro, and nano SIM sizes). For more information, follow Sun Postpaid on Facebook.

Share to me how you make your life a little bit better! Comment below or Tweet me @anagon for your tips. ❤


Packing for Japan (Autumn)


Less than a month till my most awaited trip back in Japan, and this time's it's for autumn! I am so anxious to leave already! I've been to Japan during spring last 2015, and it has been my dream to see this beautiful country accented by reds and browns!

Wearing maroon tights and sporting red hair during my first autumn in LA:

Outfit Repeater

Friday, October 13, 2017


I am notorious for repeating my clothes. I feel that whenever I get to use a piece of clothing more often, the money I spent on that garment is worth it.


Here are some evidences from my Instagram account (@anagon / #anagonOOTD):

First time to wear my Plains&Prints army green dress was during my Malaysia trip. I wore it as-is, and paired it with yellow wide-strap sandals:
A post shared by Ana Gonzales (@anagon) on


How To Apply For Japan Visa (Without ITR)

Thursday, October 12, 2017


I did it!!! I finally got my Japan Visa with Multiple Entry!!! 

After visiting the land of the rising sun twice, I felt hopeless that I am not meant for a multiple visa (huhu). I thought that I just have to settle on getting one every single time I visit. Usually people are granted multiple visa during their second time in Japan, but that did not happened to me. Maybe it's because I applied with a GUARANTOR (or sponsor aka my sister) all the time? I've always been a freelancer (blogger) so I was afraid my papers were not enough. 

Snacks Shopping Online!


With the traffic so bad and our erratic weather the past days (rainy today, super hot tomorrow), I thank God for online shopping. I try as much as possible to just work from home which lead me to discovering lots of stuff online. I love buying my clothes in apps and online shops, unique trinkets on Instagram, and even secondhand fashion items on Facebook groups!

Imagine my eyes (😍) when I discovered an e-commerce website for FOOD!



Meeting Dara Park and Mario Maurer

Wednesday, October 11, 2017


During the press launch, Mario Maurer took our phones to take our selfies!! 😫

Back in Baler + Coastal Cleanup with Reef Philippines

Monday, October 09, 2017


When I received an invite to go to Baler for Reef Philippines' annual coastal clean-up, I cannot say no. I cleared my schedule to go to one of my favorite places in the country. I also realized that it has been a year since I went to the beach! After my constant La Union trips last 2016 (I even joined Reef's first Free The Sea coastal clean-up), I think I had beach-fatigue.

But just 360 days passed by and my heart is already yearning for sand, sun, and sea. I am not really a beach person because I would rather be in negative zero climate than under the sun, but I love water sports. I am not the best at it, but it gives me a sense of focus and balance in life that I will eventually look for that thrill from time to time.

Anyway, so thank you very much Reef Philippines and Comco SEA for having me again in this wonderful travel! There's nothing like enjoying and at the same time contributing positively while you travel. Here's what happened during that 3D2N immersion.



#KayoRinPo, Kuya UBER!

Thursday, October 05, 2017





Day 5-6: Yangon + Back in Novotel Yangon Max

Wednesday, October 04, 2017


Technically our last full day, we are back in Yangon via a night bus just in time for breakfast. Our flight is still on the next day, but it is scheduled early in the morning so we can't do anything anymore and have to go straight to the airport. Good thing our hotel, Novotel Yangon Max, is barely 30 minutes away from the international airport so that's a one thing less to worry about.



Health Talk: Good Fats For Your Body (Even for Vegetarians)

Tuesday, October 03, 2017


Last month after yearsss, I decided to diet. And it's not because I am not happy with my body, I think I am too comfortable in it already that I don't seem to care anymore if I gain weight (compared to my younger years!). I also got inspired by the before and afters from Noom. My deciding factor though was my best friend's wedding, where I had to wear a gown. You will never see me in gown, haha! But since this is a special occasion, I prepared myself for it by working out daily and being a bit more watchful with what I take in.

Throughout the short process, I talked to my fitness friends and learned about the new fad diet called Ketogenic, or the low carb high fat diet. It's the only weight-loss scheme where you are allowed to eat BACON and CHICHARON! I know I cannot fully follow Keto because I am a vegetarian, but I learned a bit from it--that fat is not always bad!



World Vision's New Vision: To Sponsor 2000 Children in 1000 Hours

Monday, October 02, 2017


There's a sense of urgency in World Vision's new campaign. They aim to have 2000 children sponsored in 1000 hours.