Mandarin Spa Boracay
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 12, 2011
If you’ve been to Boracay a couple of times, you’ll notice several masseuses offering their services in the open area of the beach. I’ve tried those during my previous visits.
During my weekend Boracay getaway two weeks ago, I was lucky enough that part of our itinerary was to try out the famous Mandarin Spa in Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel. I knew then that, this time around, I’d be super pampered. Since I was not feeling well and I still pushed through with the trip, I knew that it might help ease my condition.
I was excited to try out one of Mandarin Spa’s signature treatments. I was torn between choosing these three as I knew they were the most popular ones in Mandarin Spa:
- Traditional Filipino Massage “Hilot” (Php 1,800++)
- Mandarin Aroma Hot Stone Therapy (Php 2,500++)
- Mango Butter Body Scrub (Php 2,000++)
Once you’ve chosen your spa treatment, you’ll be asked to choose your massage oil: Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Lemongrass or Chamomile. I was still undecided so the staff escorted me inside giving me more time to make up my mind 😛
I was escorted into a room where lockers are available for guests to put their things. There’s also the sauna and shower for guests to freshen up before the treatment. It was there that I felt I was just not up for a massage. I really wasn’t feeling well. That made me very sad as Mandarin Spa had good ambiance, excellent service and I knew that each guest will get their money’s worth considering the therapists received full training in the art of spa treatments.
Unfortunately, I was really, really sick and I looked so weak that the friendly Mandarin Spa staff recommended that I get a Mandarin Tropical Fruit Facial (Php 1,500++) instead. I knew it was the right thing to do.
We went upstairs where they did the facial treatments…
I was greeted with an area equipped with leather loungers, soothing music and most of all, an AWESOME view of Boracay! How cool was that? It’s funny though that since I was gonna have a facial, I wouldn’t be able to appreciate the view while the treatment was ongoing. This is also the same area where foot spas are being done.
Mandarin Tropical Fruit Facial (Php 1,500++)
Indulge the luxury and rich freshness of our very own unique signature facial treatment as it uses nature’s gentle properties to work in the delicate area of your face, through gentle and careful stroke, it cleanses and nourishes your skin and helps rejuvenate your face and regain its radiant and youthful glow. You will definitely enjoy the favors of your choice. 1 hour.
I might not get the whole body massage I was hoping for but I was sure I’d be getting my much-needed pampering for my face. The therapist’s hands were so gentle, I enjoyed the facial..
I let Mandarin Spa do their work and I let myself go and slept….
The Mandarin Spa therapist also massaged my hands at the end of the session. After they took the facial off, I felt very refreshed. I went into the treatment feeling awful, since I was sick, remember? But at the end of it, with my face feeling so clean and pure, I felt much improved. Can you imagine how much better I would have felt if I’d gotten the full massage?
Every Mandarin Spa session in Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel ends with a cup of Salabat (ginger tea). Boy, was the tea delicious! Imagine me asking for it with every meal throughout the rest of our Boracay weekend.
A visit to the beach (especially Boracay) won’t be complete without a soothing massage. In the beautiful paradise, Boracay, Mandarin Spa is definitely one of the best places to get your spa fix. Wellness, relaxation, peace and pleasure, those 4 are something you’ll surely expect. While I wasn’t completely well when I tried it out, I was certainly impressed.
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Mandarin Spa
Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Beach Front Station 2, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines
+63 (36) 288-4999
spa@boracaymandarin.com
http://www.boracaymandarin.com/spa.php
Y for Young – A Review of the Galaxy Y Netphone
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 2, 2011
I got my hands on a demo unit of the newest Netphone handset from Smart. It’s a smartphone by Samsung called Samsung Galaxy Y. If you are familiar with the new naming scheme of Samsung, entry level phones have a letter Y in the model name. Thus, Samsung Galaxy Y is for the young-minded. Since it’s an entry level phone, we expect it to be affordable and cheap.
Here’s a quick overview of Samsung Galaxy Y’s specifications:
- Size: 104 x 58 x 11.5 mm
- Weight: 97.5g
- Display: 240×320 pixels, 3.0 QVGA TFT Display,
- CPU: 830 mHz
- Internal Storage: 150MB (expandable upto 16GB via external microSD)
- RAM: 290MB (usable)
- Battery: Li-Ion 1200 mAh
- Imaging: 2MP Camera + Video Recording
- Data Connection: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA 7.2
- Frequency Range: GSM 900/1800/1900 UMTS 2100
- Browser: WAP
- Messaging: SMS/MMS/Email
- OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- Connectivty: Wi-Fi/BT 3.0
What’s in the box?
Samsung Galaxy Y unit, battery, stereo headset, micro-USB charger, USB sync cable, quick guide and micro-SD adapter.
Netphone works because of SmartNet
Teenagers would love this because of the extremely social applications built into SmartNet. Its features (Smart Center, Netphone Messenger, FX Messaging, Social Stream, Global Directory, Safe Internet Browsing) are all available on the Galaxy Y Netphone. Although user experience varies among the different Netphone handsets, for its pricepoint, it looks great!
Samsung Galaxy Y is a great entry-level Smartphone
I love the look and feel of Samsung Galaxy Y! It doesn’t look like a Php 5,990 phone at all. Considering that it’s an Android-powered smartphone and is faster than its bigger brother, the mid-range Galaxy Ace, you will really feel that you are getting your money’s worth, and maybe more!
However, while I enjoy the physical attributes of Samsung Galaxy Y, the display screen just doesn’t cut it. I guess this is the payoff for the low price. The camera is good when lighting conditions are great. However, don’t bother using your phone’s camera when it is dark.
Performance, on the other hand, is decent. With a 830mHz processor, tasks that we normally use on our phones work pretty well. However, if you are a heavy multi-tasker or if you use pretty intensive applications, then you might need to think twice if you want an entry-level smartphone for your needs.
If you’ve been longing for a smartphone and you are on a tight budget, then Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone is for you! It removes some of the higher-end features but it’s one of the best among the entry-level smartphones in the market. As an added bonus, you even have access to SmartNet for free till the end of this year.
Do you want it?
You can get your own Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone for free starting at the All-In Plan 800 and the Data Lite Plan 500. Or, you can check out their other exclusive plans. Whatever plan you choose, you can be assured that you’ll have a blast staying connected with all your social network friends!
But wait! I just learned that Smart is offering the Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone edition for free on Plan 349! Yes, you read that right, it’s free on Plan 349 with UnliTEXT & UnliSOCIAL!!!
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This is the initial draft of my article. Final version can be found in Manila Bulletin’s November 21 issue. Also posted in MB’s website.
BPI Express Mobile App for Smartphones Launched
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 20, 2011
I’ve been very impressed with BPI lately. Just a couple of weeks ago, I learned that BPI partnered with Globe Telecom to launch a commemorative Tattoo broadband stick that allows access to BPI Express Online and other BPI sites even without any prepaid load.
Last friday, I got to experience BPI’s slip-less service. I was totally blown away that we don’t need to fill up deposit/withdrawal slips anymore. We just need to go to the machine, enter the transaction and details by simply touching the screen, take the service number, go to the designated seats and wait for the service number to come up and proceed to the teller assigned. Everything was fast, convenient and efficient. I kept raving about it on my social media accounts.
Never did I realize that the Breaking Dawn Part 1 block-off screening I attended that same friday night was to publicly launch another new service of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). BPI just keeps thinking of ways to make our banking easier. I’m a very proud customer! 🙂
The newest service that unfolded was something mobile and it’s a BPI Express Mobile application for Apple iPhones and Android Smartphones! Whee! Finally, an application that is made specifically for our phones. Now, I don’t need to go to my phone’s browser just to go to BPI Express Online.
There’s an app for everyone. You see there are two types of online accounts on BPI Express Online: Personal and Business.
BPI has launched BPI ExpressLink Mobile for Business users while BPI Express Mobile was made for Personal users. I’ll be showing you BPI Express Mobile for iOS as I have a personal account and an iPhone. I was excited as I downloaded the application…
Contrary to what we are used to, the BPI Express Mobile application has a special way of installation. It’s not as easy as downloading from the appstore and logging in with our BPI Express Online username and password.
I’m not sure why BPI created it that way. I’m thinking that maybe they were trying to make it secure as finances are sensitive stuff.
In order to make the BPI Express Mobile application work, you need to log in to your BPI Express Online account using your PC and go to Other Services –> Express Mobile Registration –> Mobile Banking.
You will then receive a text message with the download link. Once done, all you need to do is enter the same User ID and password that you use for BPI Express Online.
Through the BPI Express Mobile application, you can enjoy the convenience of conducting banking transactions from your mobile phone. Features include:
- getting real-time deposit and loan balances
- transferring funds from your enrolled accounts to any BPI account
- paying bills to more than 300 partner merchants
- reloading prepaid phones and broadband sticks
- ordering for a checkbook
- email confirmation sent to your registered email address for every financial transaction done
- Verisign security certificate which enables SSL for end-to-end encryption
With services like these, I surely am relieved to have chosen Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) as my bank. They are truly serious when they say, “Let’s Make it Easy.”. Bravo, BPI! 🙂
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Movie Review
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 20, 2011
Last friday, I got to watch one of the most awaited movies this 2011, Breaking Dawn Part 1 (from the Twilight Saga). I read the book so I was more of interested how the story from the book will be portrayed in the big screen.
I’m not sure I was impressed but I wasn’t disappointed either. I guess the movie didn’t wow me that much.
Of all the Twilight movies so far, I’ve been looking forward to Breaking Dawn the most. Because this is where we’ll see Edward Cullen and Bella Swan marry, Bella transformed into a vampire and their hybrid baby coming out.
The wedding was awesome! I actually couldn’t stop checking out Bella’s dress, it was adorable! She was wearing a backless dress, I wonder who made her dress. I heard that it was made by designer Carolina Herrera. So beautiful, really.
While I liked the wedding ceremony and the bride’s dress, I somehow didn’t like the gory dream that Bella had before the wedding. It was kinda weird. Red petals, blood, blood, blood and full of human corpses, uhmmm.. I don’t know, I felt they could have made it much better. Instead of being scared by that scene, I ended up feeling “really?”.
Jacob Black’s heartbreaking scenes were a bit overacted. Still, I guess in real life, we do tend to overreact too, especially when we feel strongly about someone. Unrequited love is super painful. I feel for Jacob. Can I have him instead? 🙂
The honeymoon scenes, on the other hand, were well-made. Wow! I never thought they could make honeymoon scenes so kid-friendly! Well, we don’t expect the usual intimate scenes as it was between a human and a vampire. I won’t expound any further as I’d like to let you see it for yourself.
The most exciting part of Twilight: Breaking Dawn for me was the whole pregnancy story. How Bella fought for her unborn baby, the way Jacob protected her and the Cullen family, the way Edward tried to save his wife and child, how Bella transformed from being a human into a vampire and how the Cullen family proved what the word, “family” really meant.
Overall, I liked the first part of the final chapter of the Twilight Saga. Breaking Dawn has shown the story clearly. However, it was a bit too cheesy. There was a scene that I cannot get out of my head. It was too funny. Bella said when they were talking about baby names, “Let’s name our baby EJ if it’s a boy (EJ = Edward Jacob)”. OMG, I laughed so hard that I forgot I was inside a movie house full of strangers :))
My Rating for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Crumpler The Carrot
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 20, 2011
If you know me, you’ll notice how huge the bag is that I carry everyday. You see, I have tons of things. This always makes it a struggle for me to find anything inside my bag. So I was really glad when I got my hands on The Carrot, an accessory created by one of my favorite brands, Crumpler.
Finally, I found a perfect bag to put the ‘lil stuff. If I need to find my lipstick/s, I’ll just reach over to get the Crumpler Carrot and there, I’ll find the small beauty accessories that I can no longer live without.
Since Carrot is made my Crumpler, you can rest-assured that it’s made of high quality materials. Due to this, you’ll notice the tag price (Php 950) which I think a lot of people may find expensive. For me though, sometimes we have to invest more for well-made products. In the end, we will be saving more as the product will last for several years (or maybe forever) compared to several months for cheaper, lower quality products.
Here’s what Crumpler says about the Carrot:
BRASS REINFORCED EYELETS
Let your Carrot free-bag, or attach it to a key ring or even the accessory loop on another Crumpler.
WATER RESISTANT
The Carrot outer shell and interior lining are both made from water resistant materials.
GUARANTEED FOR LIFE
We construct the Carrot with a single piece of ultra durable material and reinforce the joining and/or stitching on all stress points. That’s why it carries Crumpler’s famous lifetime guarantee.
We can use the Carrot as a case by itself, but we can also attach it to bags using the brass reinforced eyelet.
With awesome color combinations available (black/red, dark purple/pink & yellow/black), you will surely love Crumpler the Carrot. I definitely love my black/red carrot and I have been carrying it everyday since I got it!
The Carrot is available in Crumpler Bonifacio High Street, SM Megamall and Trinoma branches.