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My Post Pandemic Plans + Why We Should First Travel Local

Thursday, May 28, 2020


In March of 2020, the whole world was suddenly on a standstill.

reddoorz budget hostel

Tips for a healthy body and stronger immune system

Wednesday, May 20, 2020




Many people have refocused their priorities on their families and their health during this time that we have been forced to stay home. In our new normal, we prioritize our health and wellbeing. As we now turn our attention toward making good health a new way of life, you can count on Watsons to be with you every step of the way. 

Here are a few recommendations from Watsons on what you can do at home to help keep your immunity strong and your family healthy. 


BE ACTIVE

Exercise makes you feel better and healthier. Regular exercise has long-term benefits for immunity. It also makes you feel good. You can spend 30 minutes everyday to stretch and do some cardio and simple exercises. If you're not used to exercising regularly, make sure to do some stretching first so as not to strain your muscles. Household chores such as cleaning the house and doing the laundry are also forms of physical activity.

EAT RIGHT

Our diet determines the state of our health. Eating healthy benefits us in the long term by strengthening the immune system and helping the body fight illnesses. Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods such as citrus fruits, red bell peppers, garlic, ginger, leeks, squash, carrots, eggplants and camote into your diet. One thing I make sure to drink every day is Nutrabliss by Watsons Tea because tea is also an antioxidant.  

GET QUALITY SLEEP

A good night's sleep is underrated. Sleep plays an important role in our overall wellbeing. It helps improve our mood and also strengthens the immune system. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule will greatly impact the quality of our lives. Make your bedroom or place of sleep a restful environment at night with dimmer lights. Avoid caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or early evening. Reduce the time you spend scrolling through your gadgets.

TAKE VITAMINS REGULARLY

Your body needs a completely balanced diet for it to get all the vitamins and minerals that it needs to function everyday and defend it against illnesses. Vitamins serve as a bridge so that your body gets the nutrients that it needs. Vitamin C, for instance, is believed to increase the production of white blood cells, which are important in fighting infections. Pro tip: Stock up on your supply with Watsons Generics Ascorbic Acid.

Vitamin C isn’t the only vitamin that can keep you healthy. Enervon Activ Soft Gel helps boost immunity and promotes healthy hair and skin. Myra E 400IU, on the other hand, is also rich with Vitamin E to help fight cell damage. For the kids, let’s help support their growth not just in height but in strength with Growee Syrup or Cherifer PGM with Zinc capsules.


TOP UP WITH SUPPLEMENTS

Like vitamins, supplements are a great way to give your health an extra boost. They also have antioxidants that can do a lot of good for your mind and body. They can include supplements like MET Tathione, NU Essence Collagen and Organique Acai Juice. You can also keep your defenses up with supplements that harness the power of natural ingredients such as MX3 capsules and Watsons Generics Malunggay + Mangosteen.

BE PREPARED

Preparedness is key to protection, so make sure you have your health essentials to help your home stay ready for any health emergency. These include Lola Remedios, Strepsils, and Prosource Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, know that you can count on these items being available at Watsons.


Watsons is here to continue providing your family's health essentials in any of its stores nationwide. You can also order online at watsons.com.ph or call on select branches to have your orders delivered. For contact details of branches near you, you can check out this list: https://bit.ly/2YMTCT1.

When you shop, use your Watsons Card to earn points and get a chance to win a UV Care Deluxe Germ Terminator, Super Power UV Vacuum or Smart Robot UV Vacuum with a minimum purchase of Php500 on select health items. Promo runs until June 24, 2020.

For more updates, you can also follow us on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram at @watsonsph. 

Stay safe and healthy!  

Cute Coffee Shop In Seoul: Cafe El Cielo

Friday, May 15, 2020


The first cafe I went to during my winter in Korea was Cafe El Cielo. It is just in Garosugil, a hip area in Seoul that is just across the guesthouse I stayed in. 

When I searched for its literal meaning, Cafe El Cielo according to Google means "Coffee Heaven". True enough, the highlight of this coffeeshop is its interiors: pastel clouds hanging from its ceiling, which light up nicely at night.


Cebu Pacific Prepares for the New Normal in Traveling

Wednesday, May 13, 2020


Things To Do in COEX Mall, Seoul | Is the COEX Pass Worth It?

Monday, May 11, 2020


For my last full day in Seoul, I decided to visit the COEX mall again. The last time I was there, I felt dizzy and just left after checking out the library and eating in E-Mart. For this trip, I was ready to see more of COEX!!


Café Kitsuné, Seoul

Wednesday, May 06, 2020


My quarantine daydream is a lazy afternoon in Garosugil.

I would walk along its streets, and enter random shops that doesn't have that intimidating vibe. And on a good day, a friend will invite me to a cafe I have been meaning to try but was shy to enter alone. 😅

Connect, BTS: A BTS Exhibit in Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul

Tuesday, May 05, 2020


Just got lucky!

I remembered the giddy feeling I got when I chanced upon a Titanic exhibit at the Art Science Museum in Singapore, and the Frida Kahlo exhibit while I was in Budapest. Both were running for limited time only, so what are the chances that I was in the city during those dates!

This time, I found myself browsing the website of Dongdaemun Design Plaza to check their ongoing exhibits, when I saw that they have one related to BTS. I went to DDP immediately the next day.

Sharing the sights and sensory experiences of going to Connect, BTS in Seoul.



Yoojung Sikdang: Rookie BTS Go-To Restaurant in Seoul

Saturday, May 02, 2020


When I joined the BTS locations tour, one of our stops is a lunch in Yoojung Sikdang.

Yoojung Sikdang is popular amongst BTS fans as this restaurant used to be the go-to place for the boys during their rookie years. In fact, during our BTS tour, we just walked from the resto going to the old Big Hit building! I was imagining OT7 walking the very same streets before.

Sadly, Yoojung Sikdang was closed when I first visited with the tour group because of the Seollal holiday.



Babies! Pictures of the boys eating in Yoojung Sikdang:

After the holiday, I had out of city trips so I forgot about going back to the restaurant. I think it was on the night of my first day back in Seoul when I searched for Yoojung Sikdang's location on my Google Maps coz the street sounded familiar.

Yoojung Sikdang turned out to be walking distance from my guesthouse!

It's a bit of a walk, around 10-15 minutes, but doable:

Around my guesthouse are music schools and small agency buildings:


I just walked straight till I reach this street with Yoojung Sikdang's signage, which has the 2 black pigs and green strike background:


First visit, Yoojung Sikdang was closed but since I was with a tour group, I was able to get a decent solo picture, thanks to my new ARMY friends!



Anya, my ARMY tour friend from Indonesia! 

Went on my own during my second visit, just to check if it is really walkable from my place. It was still closed, I think it was the Monday after Seollal.

Third visit and I finally got lucky!

Btw, I always go a little before lunch, which is usually the time I go out of the guesthouse. Fortunately, I never had problems with long lines and cues!



Super happy that I was able to enter Yoojung Sikdang, finally! The restaurant is filled with all things BTS from floor to ceiling, I just love the vibe right away! I think fans from all-over the world contribute to the resto's interiors. There are two girls who approached Yoojung Sikdang's ajumma owner after eating to hand her a TATA plushie keychain. ❤

Here's a sneak peek of how Yoojung Sikdang looks like from the inside:




On the other side are more cup sleeves, fan arts, posters, dolls, stickers, and other official and unofficial BTS merch. Sayang I can't take a picture of the full wall because there were other diners, but I guess that's something to check out when you visit this place too! 😊







Now, let's eat! The best part is that they have a lot of vegetarian offerings on their menu!


Yoojung Sikdang's English Menu:


Rice Wrapped in Greens - KRW 9000
Ripened Kimchi Steamed Dish - KRW 9000
Black Pork and Kimchi Hot Pot - KRW 9000
Black Pork and Stone Pot Bibimbap - KRW 9000
Bibimbap with Wild Vegetables in a Hot Stone Pot - KRW 9000
Wild Herbs and Vegetables Bibimbap - KRW 9000
Cheonggukjang - KRW 9000
Sausage Stew - KRW 9000
Soft Tofu - KRW 9000
Grilled Black Pork Belly - KRW 16,000
Grilled Black Pork Belly Red Chili Paste - KRW 17,000
Grilled Black Pork Belly Stir Fried Spicy Pork - KRW 16,000
Tofu with Stir Fried Kimchi - KRW 10,000
Chicken Soup with Ginseng - KRW 14,000


What The Boys Order:
BTS’ usual order in Yoojung Sikdang are the ssambap (Rice Wrapped in Greens) and heukdoeji dolsot bibimbap (Black Pork and Stone Pot Bibimbap).



What I Ordered:

Third Visit
Bibimbap with Wild Vegetables in a Hot Stone Pot. It comes with a lot of side dishes and a bowl of tofu soup so it is worth the price!






Fourth Visit
Tofu with Stir Fried Kimchi. Did not expect this huge serving size for its price, I wasn't able to finish everything! It's so good though, just like my first order. I wish I dined here daily during my long trip so I can try the other dishes, but this was already my flight day!

Yoojung Sikdang is not only a feast on the eyes, but the tummy as well!



The best part is, on both visits I got Taehyung cup sleeves from ajumma! You don't have to ask for it, she just goes around handing cup sleeves to her diners!

Ajumma can't speak English well, but she tried conversing with me on both times I was there, one was while I was checking out the wall of merch that she's trying to arrange. With my little Korean, I picked up the word chuahae / joahae which I learned from watching Kdramas to mean "to like" hahaha, so I just said "V!"

 She also showed me fan art stickers and I think she was asking if I can recognize the fan drawings, haha! Even though we were struggling to communicate, it's a cute and happy moment to converse about BTS in Yoojung Sikdang.




How to Go to Yoojung Sikdang:
Hakdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 7), Exit 7. Walk for 10-15 minutes
or Sinsa Station, Exit 1. Walk for 10-15 minutes
14 Dosan-daero 28-gil, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open from Monday to Friday 8:30am - 9:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 8:30am - 7pm