June 2022 – Page 3 – Jellybeans in the City

Merienda meetup at Bench Cafe, BGC

Merienda – or minindal – is a time-honored tradition in this country. A light meal or snack in the afternoon often figures as highlights in our childhood, and carries on to our adulthood in the form of coffee breaks.

During a recent meetup with my OFW friend, Tina, I revisited this childhood experience with classic merienda fare at Bench Cafe in BGC.

Bench Cafe is an offshoot of the top Filipino clothing brand Bench in partnership with restaurant developer Foodee Global Concepts. This restaurant brand centers around its concept of combining traditional and modern takes on Filipino food.

Its flagship store in BGC also provides a posh yet comfortable background in which diners can fully enjoy its Pinoy dishes. Tables and chairs are amply spaced in a spacious floor space brightly lit with both natural light and pendant lighting and tastefully highlighted with wall art.

This well-appointed eatery served as our venue for a long-awaited get-together. Due to quarantine restrictions, Tina was unable to come home to the Philippines for two years so I jumped at the chance to check out Bench Cafe’s OG branch for our meetup.

Our merienda included:

Pancit Guisado (Php259 good for two | Php420 good for four).

A hearty dish of stir-fried noodles mixed with meat, shrimp and vegetables, and topped with pork rind, this dish is usually a highlight for many of my afternoon snack times at home.

Flan B (Php219).

Bench Cafe’s version of the Pinoy classic custard and caramel dessert topped with macapuno, always a sweet and creamy indulgence!

Classic Turon ala Mode (Php55).

A crispy fritter made with banana encased in lumpia wrapper with caramelized sugar topped with ube ice cream, another merienda staple.

Ube Halo Halo (Php99/12oz | Php145/16oz).

A thirst quenching dessert and icy beverage made with coconut shaved ice with garbanzos, caramelized banana, leche flan and nata de coco topped with ube ice cream and rice krispies.

These Pinoy favorites on the table and my dear friend to catch up with made my merienda experience at Bench Cafe so special.

Check it out! Drop by this branch at the second floor of Bench’s flagship store at 9th Avenue corner Lane O Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global Citt, Taguig, open daily from 10am to 7pm.

Other branches are located at:

Level 2, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Ground Floor, Padre Faura Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila

You may also order for delivery via GrabFood.

Stay updated on Bench Cafe’s offers and promos by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Don’t Skip Dad’s Day: 3 gift ideas for Father’s Day

Buying gifts for mom can be a bit tricky, but we’re sure you’ll agree that picking gifts for dad is an unmatched kind of difficulty. Father’s Day is just around the corner and we are sure you are still struggling with what to get him. We know this, he basically claims to want nothing when asked.

Power Mac Center’s Don’t Skip Dad’s Day campaign offers the most exciting deals specially made for our loving fathers. We have rounded up the best tech gifts that he will surely use. Side note, all of these practical finds come with a discount!

So whether you’re looking for a gift for your all-around dad, your hardworking father who deserves a break, or your dad on the go who loves adventures, we have just the right gift idea for you!

For the all-around dad

All-around dads deserve all-around gifts! Present and active in all respects of work, house, and fatherly duties, surely your multifaceted dad is an incredibly dependable person. On his special day, what he needs is an equally reliable device that he can count on whenever he performs his tasks.

Get your hands on these Apple products with up to a big discount! Power Mac Center offers up to P12,000 off on iPhone 13 and up to P8,490 off on iPad Pro M1. These exciting gifts that reflect how much you support all his ventures will definitely surprise him on Father’s Day.

Wait, there’s more! You can also enjoy up to P3,000 off on AirPods Pro and up to P1,500 discount on select Apple Watch series.

These promos are available in Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, Web Store, Viber Store, and The Loop by Power Mac Center official stores on Lazada and Shopee.

For the hardworking dad

Dads are like superheroes we can always count on to protect the family. On his special day, why not return the favor even with just a simple gesture? Give him the essential accessories so his day-to-day devices are protected, too. With a strong focus on his work, a perfectly functioning charging cord and an undamaged iPhone case are not at the top of his priority list. Nothing screams thoughtfulness more than recognizing the little things and understanding his needs.

Power Mac Center gives you up to 95% discount on accessories like cases, charging cables, connectors, storage, audio, and car accessories. And if you’re feeling a little extra, get the rest of the family too to purchase gifts for dad to get free shipping when you purchase a minimum of P2,500 worth of accessories on Power Mac Center online stores from June 15 to June 19, 2022.

These offers are available at Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, Web Store, and The Loop by Power Mac Center official stores on Lazada and Shopee.

For the dad-on-the-go

Still confused about what to get your gym buff dad? If he doesn’t skip leg day, then you definitely shouldn’t skip dad’s day. You can allow him to try new Saddle Row classes for a change. It can be the next fun activity he can enjoy with you or your mom. Plus, with its health and fitness benefits, it will be well worth it, too!

In collaboration with Saddle Row, Power Mac Center gives you the exclusive opportunity to try out the best fitness classes, like indoor cycling and indoor rowing. Purchase a minimum of P30,000 worth of items at Power Mac Center and The Loop stores to be one of the five lucky winners of a whopping P10,000 gift certificate from Saddle Row, where your dad can engage in a holistic level of fitness that will benefit his health and mental well-being.

Launched in 2015, Saddle Row is a boutique fitness concept creating tailor-fit indoor workouts for cycling and rowing. If you’re looking for a safe and smart fitness experience in the shortest possible time for your dad, let him try Saddle Row’s indoor workout programs.

Take advantage of the week-long promos of generous discounts from June 14, 2022 (Tuesday) to June 19, 2022 (Sunday). Sale activities are available at all Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, web store, Viber store, and Power Mac Center official Lazada and Shopee stores.

For more information on the amazing deals, click here and follow Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Subscribe to the PMC Viber community for any inquiries or to learn the updates about the latest Apple offerings.

Photo credits:

header photo by Julian O’hayon on Unsplash
in-article photos by Jeremy Bezanger and Daniel Romero on Unsplash

Grupo Meal at Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Capitol Commons

One thing most of us have been looking forward to – after two years of lockdown – is the freedom to come together with friends to catch up on each other’s goings-on since the pandemic.

Thankfully, with the easing of quarantine restrictions, larger groups of people can now gather in restaurants for meetings and celebrations.

That’s what happened recently when my division’s head at work got all of my workmates and myself together and treated us to dinner.

And the venue for this heretofore unprecedented gathering among officemates who have all been working from home for the past two years is Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken in Capitol Commons.

Thanks to a relatively balmy late afternoon weather, we were able to opt for the larger tables outside which could be positioned to accommodate our large group as opposed to the booth tables inside the restaurant which can only accommodate six people per table.

The resulting al fresco dining arrangement allowed our group to all sit together and share a delicious meal while enjoying boisterous banters and teasing.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken is a fast-casual full-service restaurant known for its signature dish: the Peri-Peri Chicken.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken brings about this famous dish by marinating a whole chicken overnight in a special mixture of peri-peri (bird’s eye) chili, herbs and spices, then charcoal-grilling it to a gloriously golden hue.

This flavorful and juicy grilled chicken dish is best enjoyed with one or a combination of the restaurant’s eight signature sauces representing various gastronomic destinations, ranging from mildly sweet (Cajun Remoulade, Hoisin Sesame and Sweet Soy), medium spiciness (Garlic Brew, Spiced Vinegar and Mesquite BBQ) and hot (Chili Peppa and Harissa Exotica).

My workmates and I enjoyed this dish and more during our get-together:

Appetizers

Loaded Pica Sampler (Php320). Assorted pica-pica good for sharing consisting of Salted Egg Crispy Chicken Skin, Salted Egg Potato Chips and Peri-Peri Dynamite.

Peri Nacho Bake (Php395). Peri-Peri’s twist on the trendy sushi bake wherein crisp nachos are dipped into a savory cheesy baked dip.

Fish Sticks (Php310). Battered fish fingers deep-fried to a beautiful golden btown.

Mains

Chorizo Bolognese Platter (Php560). Spaghetti topped with tomato sauce and homemade chicken chorizo.

Carbonara Platter (Php560). Spaghetti tossed in creamy white mushroom alfredo sauce and bacon.

Chicken & Rib Grupo (Php2,414). One whole Peri-Peri Chicken and One Whole Slab BBQ Pork Ribs served with 6 java rice, 6 regular sides and drink.

Like I always say, good food and good company lead to great moments!

So why don’t you take advantage of the loosening quarantine restrictions and bring your friends and work pals to Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken for a great time!

This Peri-Peri branch is located inside Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 1am and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 2am.

Other outlets are located in the following areas:

Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Marikina: SM City Marikina
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Pasay: Resorts World Manila
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
Quezon City: Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

To know more about Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, browse through its website , or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East — Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, SM City East Ortigas

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Tomas Morato

MAX Original film Father of the Bride premieres Jun 16 exclusively on HBO GO

Wedding bells are ringing! Max Original film Father of the Bride, starring Andy Garcia, Gloria Estefan, Adria Arjona, Isabela Merced, Diego Boneta and Chloe Fineman, premieres same day as the U.S. on Thursday, June 16 only on HBO GO.

Father of the Bride invites viewers to the love, food, music and fun of this modern rom-com reimagined from the timeless classic. The sparkling story of a family and its unbreakable bonds illustrates the surprising and funny ways the heart can adapt in the name of love.

Long-marrieds Billy (Andy Garcia) and Ingrid (Gloria Estefan) are surprised when their eldest daughter Sofia (Adria Arjona) comes home to Miami for a visit. But the surprises just keep coming when she announces a new boyfriend, Adan (Diego Boneta) – who is now her fiancé – and their plans for a quick-turnaround wedding and new life together.

Sofia’s quickfire revelations keep Billy and Ingrid from making their own disclosure – that they’re calling quits on their marriage – but both agree to delay the news and play the loving couple for the benefit of the family.

Old-fashioned Billy is at first opposed to the wedding, but he is eventually swayed – as long as his opinions as father of the bride carry the most weight in all things matrimonial. A prominent architect and family man, Billy feels his hard-fought success and dedication to his heritage earn him the right to call the shots. After all his achievements, why is he suddenly seen as the bad guy?

The same could also be said for Adan’s equally headstrong father, Hernan (Pedro Damián), who soon arrives with his own traditions and family pride in tow. With both iron-willed fathers vying to take charge of the festivities, it becomes a prideful game of one-upmanship, as cultures clash, generations take sides and competing traditions collide. Family relationships are tested, along with the couple at the centre of it all, as the roller coaster ride of wedding planning races toward the altar.

Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max Present A Plan B Entertainment Production, Father of the Bride, directed by Gaz Alazraki (Nosotros Los Nobles, Club de Cuervos) and produced by Plan B Entertainment’s Oscar winners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (Minari, Moonlight, 12 Years a Slave, Eat Pray Love) and Paul Michael Perez (No manches Frida, Spare Parts). The screenplay is by Matt Lopez (Promised Land, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), based on the novel by Edward Streeter. The executive producers are Brad Pitt, Andy Garcia, Ted Gidlow and Jesse Ehrman.

Alazraki’s behind-the-camera team includes director of photography Igor Jadue-Lillo (Everything, Everything, The Kids Are All Right), production designer Kim Jennings (Joker, Ocean’s Eight), editor Jon Poll (Bombshell, The Greatest Showman), composer Terence Blanchard (One Night in Miami…, BlacKkKlansman) and costume designer Caroline Eselin-Schaefer (If Beale Street Could Talk, Moonlight).

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

Not yet on SKYcable? Fill up this form to apply.

Apply NOW

The Manila Hotel’s Red Jade Restaurant re-opens

The Manila Hotel’s stunning Red Jade restaurant, which specializes in authentic Chinese dishes, reopened on Friday, June 10, 2022. After a hiatus, Red Jade once again welcomes diners with not just crowd pleasers and best-selling dishes, but an expanded menu selection.

Diners can expect to explore a menu of traditional Chinese dishes prepared with a modern flair along with nods to other regional cuisines of China. The historic Manila Hotel’s local and foreign clientele who have either dined in its main hall or booked its function rooms for private gatherings know that Red Jade is famed for food prepared with time-honored cooking techniques, premium ingredients, and uncompromising quality.

Diners have long celebrated the famed Red Jade’s Imperial Peking Duck, which takes hours to prepare and is expertly carved for patrons. Dim sum lovers can enjoy a wide selection of items, among them the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling “Har Gao,” Crispy-Fried Shrimp Stuffed with Cheese, and Pan-Fried Radish Cake “Bi Feng Tang” style. Other menu highlights include the Scallop and Duck Liver with Foie Gras Sauce appetizer, Honey-Roasted Pork Barbecue, Roasted Suckling Pig, Crispy Pork Belly (Lechon Macau), Stuffed Chicken with Eight Treasures in Lotus Leaf, Fresh Garoupa served steamed or braised, as well as male mud crabs and green lobsters, and many others. It’s even got its line-up of desserts like the Red Jade Signature Chilled Mango Pudding, Chocolate Sesame Ball, and Chilled Almond Beancurd with Lychee, to name a few.

One of its most popular offerings, however, has been the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” special. Available beginning Monday, June 13 along with Red Jade’s comeback, guests can enjoy delightful dim sums that are meticulously hand-crafted by our chefs to bring out amazing flavors and textures. Guests can order them to their heart’s content for only P1,288 nett per head. Soon, Red Jade will also launch the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” discounted vouchers for a limited time this June. Be sure to catch the promo! The “Dim Sum All-You-Can” offer is available at lunch time from Monday to Friday only.

Red Jade is known to its loyal guests as one of the most beautifully decorated Chinese restaurants in the country. Guests who enter Red Jade feel like they have been transported to a different world, a place that evokes a sense of majesty. The restaurant is highlighted by the stunning décor of wall relief murals in jade. A luxurious ambience permeates the space, drawn out by the dramatic lighting that creates a lovely contrast with the stylish wallpapers, detailed ceilings, and red tones all around—an elegant tribute to Chinese traditions and flavors right in the heart of Manila.

With its name and ambiance calling to mind luck and prosperity, Red Jade will surely be a venue for joyous celebrations among family, friends, colleagues, and associates over expertly prepared food, flawless service, and a refined atmosphere. Experience all of it again, starting this Friday, by booking a table now!

Red Jade, located at the ground floor of the historic Manila Hotel, is open daily from 11am to 3pm for lunch, and 6pm to 10pm for dinner. Reservations can be made by calling (632) 8527 0011, (632) 531 0011 or emailing restaurantsrsvn@themanilahotel.com.

#FoundingFarmers brings healthy snacks good to share!

Hey there momshies!

Want to make the move towards a healthier lifestyle but getting bogged down by the lack of options for healthy yet delicious snacks?

Want to encourage the kiddos to go for more nutritious food but they can’t seem to let go of their favorite chips?

Well, worry no more, momshies! We’ve got an ally right here: Founding Farmers!

Founding Farmers produces and distributes snacks made from 100% real vegetables, prepared through healthy and sustainable processes (cooked at low temperatures with no trans fats!) to retain their intrinsic nutrients while bringing out new dimensions of flavors and texture that will make these veggie snacks appealing to young and old alike!

These munchables are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, good sources of dietary fiber, as well as cholesterol-free.

To enjoy your Founding Farmers vegetable snacks, simply Open, Eat, Enjoy and Repeat!

I’m sure you wouldn’t want to keep these yummies all to yourself, right? The good news is that pretty soon, Founding Farmers snacks will be available in #SharePacks!

At just Php199, these packs are, well, jam-packed with yummy and healthy goodies such as Founding Farmers’ classic flavors.

Okra Crisps. Who would have thought that the slimy okra can turn into a crunchy and tasty treat?

Shiitake Crisps. Go for the ‘shrooms such as this pack of premium shiitaki mushrooms vacuum-fried to retain its natural earthy and umami flavor and its distinctive shape.

Veggie Crisps. Mixed veggies are fun, wouldn’t you say? Mix and match your faves among six veggie variants inside this pack: okra, sweet potato, string bean, carrot, purple sweet potato and pumpkin.

Carrot Crisps. The natural sweetness of carrots takes centerstage with this crunchy snack.

Roasted Shelled Edamame. Your favorite appetizer at Japanese restaurants now comes shelled and roasted, packed in a resealable container so you can enjoy anytime you want.

Munch on these veggie crisps as you indulge in your family movie marathon or take them with you on your next family outing.

Stock up on these goodies so that the next time you tell your kiddos to eat their veggies, they’ll be excited to do so!

Say Hay to a better and healthier way to snack! Know more about Founding Farmers, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Founding Farmers vegetable snacks are available at leading retail outlets such as The Marketplace, Landers, Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, NCCC Supermarket, AllDay, Gaisano Countrymall, Unimart, Makati Supermart and Cash & Carry; specialty shops such as the Vegan Grocer, The Blue Kitchen, Echo Store and The Diabetes Store, as well as e-commerce sites such as BeautyMNL, LazMall, ShopeeMall, GrabMart, Pick*A*Roo, FoodPanda and Boozy.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Will debt consolidation ease your money worries?

Like it or not, the state of your finances can and will affect your physical and mental well-being.

If you are experiencing chronic financial anxiety – the near-constant state of worry, stress or emotional disturbance over the state of your financial affairs – you might also be prone to disorders and behaviors that can negatively affect your body and mind.

Sufferers of financial anxiety are also likely exhibiting sleep disorders, weight fluctuations and disruptions from normal eating habits, unexplained aches and pains, as well as physical health concerns such as headaches, heart and blood pressure problems, and stomach issues.

Financial anxiety can also affect mental health. Feeling burdened by money worries could lead to the waning of self-confidence or sense of competence, as well as exacerbating the feeling of isolation.

With such worrying effects arising from financial anxiety, it is clearly a condition that needs to be avoided or immediately addressed if one is a afflicted by it.

A recent CNBC article cites the aside from job loss, the continually rising cost of living and the lack of knowledge regarding personal finance, financial anxiety is also commonly caused by money missteps.

One such misstep is getting into quite a lot of debt. Whether this situation came about due to abusing your credit card, falling back on your payments to previous financial obligations, or other actions or lack thereof to put yourself in a better financial state, knowing that you owe a big sum of money can feel quite stressful.

If you find yourself in this situation, experts advise not to beat yourself up about it. The best recourse is to clear your mind and make a sound plan of action.

A step that you can take is to consider debt consolidation. As discussed in this 2021 Forbes.com article, combining multiple debts into one with a single monthly payment and usually with a lower interest rate through a personal loan or a balance transfer credit card helps to streamline your finances and speed up paying off your obligations, thereby getting you closer to being debt-free.

With that said, you would still need to think carefully on whether debt consolidation is the best option for you. The same article posits that debt consolidation may come with added costs – such as origination fees, balance transfer fees, closing costs and annual fees – and does not resolve underlying financial issues such as lousy spending habits which may lead you to getting into more debt.

Debt consolidation may be your best bet if your total debt amount is high enough to justify the additional fees and efforts involved in getting a new loan, if you are set on working to improve your finances through positive changes in your money habits and if your current cash flow is sufficient cover the new monthly payments. Having a credit score high enough to qualify for a lower interest rate will also go a long way towards making debt consolidation work for you.

At the heart of this issue is the need to have a thorough understanding of yourself and your financial habits, your current financial standing and your future financial prospects to be able to gauge whether debt consolidation is the right course of action for you.

It also helps to read more about debt consolidation so you can take the first important steps towards your financial freedom and, hopefully, to a better physical and mental state.

Photo credits:

Header photo by presfoto on Freepik
In-article photos by Liza Summer, Pixabay and Daniel Reche on Pexels

Feeling at home at BOTEJYU, SM City East Ortigas

My fam and I do enjoy being so near what we consider to be our neighborhood mall, SM City East Ortigas.

As it is the site of quite a number of great restaurants, a delicious meal for the family is just a short drive away.

Imagine our excitement when we got word that BOTEJYU is opening a branch here.

This chain traces its roots back to Osaka, Japan where it was established in 1946 as an okonomiyaki restaurant.

Okomiyaki is a dish that emerged in postwar Japan during a food shortage. As American provisions were unloaded at Osaka and Kobe ports, the locals discovered American flour mixed with water results in a pancake that can serve as an alternative staple food.

BOTEJYU’s founder Eikichi Nishino discovered another culinary delight which also makes use of an American provision – mayonnaise – this time, as a topping for okonomiyaki.

The dish is central to the restaurant’s concept that its name was coined after the sounds heard when cooking its signature dish: “BOTE” from the sound made when flipping the okonomiyaki and “JYU” from the sizzling sound it makes as it cooks on the teppan grill.

Being a family of Japanese food lovers, we lost no time in dropping by this newest BOTEJYU branch in SM City East Ortigas to try out delicious selections from its extensive menu, such as:

Edamame (Php121). Lightly salted boiled green beans.

Fresh Salmon Sashimi (Php395).

Seattle Roll (Php315). Sushi roll made with salmon, cream cheese, avocado and mayonnaise.

Spicy Maguro Tuna Roll (Php315). Sushi roll made with spicy tuna, cucumber and lettuce.

Diced Beef Garlic Steak (Php490). Tender beef cubes sauteed with Botejyu’s signature Chaliapin sauce.

Premium Mix Moonlight-Egg Oko (Php495). Okomiyaki made with Botejyu’s original batter, cabbage, beef, pork belly, shrimp, squid and fried egg cooked on the teppan grill and topped with Botejyu’s original tomato sauce, special sauce and white mayonnaise.

We also took advantage of one of BOTEJYU’s Kazukp Tumori (Family Bundles), deliciously curated meal sets meant for sharing that also offer great discounts. Our order of Family Bundle F (Php1,995) already included four sets of rice, miso soup, kimchi and iced tea, as well as:

3pcs Original Mayo Takoyaki. Made from flour-based batter with bits of octopus and spices topped with takoyaki sauce, Japanese mayo and katsuoboshi.

Pork Tonkotsu Ramen. Ramen noodles in tonkotsu broth with char siu pork.

California Roll. Sushi roll made with crab meat, avocado, cucumber, ebiko and mayonnaise.

3pcs Tempura. Crispy prawns fried in special batter and served with tempura dipping sauce.

Grilled Pork Rib Hokkaido Style. Tender pork steak grilled then glazed in umami-flavored sauce.

Teppan Grilled Pork Gyoza. Japanese potstickers served with aromatic soy sauce.

Original Chicken Karaage. Japanese-style crispy fried chicken infused with garlic flavor.

With such a sumptuous array of Japanese dishes so readily available to us, it sure looks like we’ll be spending more time in our neighborhood mall!

This BOTEJYU branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 10.15am to 7.45pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8524657.

Other BOTEJYU branches in Metro Manila are located in:

Alabang: Festival Mall Expansion Wing
Caloocan: SM City Grand Central
Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala Greenbelt 3, Ayala North Exchange
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall The Atrium
Manila: SM City Manila
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City Bicutan, SM City Sucat, SM Southmall
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia Galileo Wing
Pasig: Ayala Malls Feliz, Estancia Mall Capitol Commons
Quezon City: Ayala Vertis North Mall, Fisher Mall, Robinsons Place Magnolia, SM City Fairview, SM City North EDSA, Trinoma Mall Garden Area
San Juan: O Square 2 Greenhills Shopping Center
Taguig: One Bonifacio High Street Mall

BOTEJYU also accepts orders for delivery through its website and via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

To know more about its latest offers and promos, follow BOTEJYU on Facebook and Instagram.

You car purchase does not have to bust your budget

With many of the lockdown restrictions easing up, I was happy to realize that I now have greater mobility around the metro and even beyond. I now have more options on the places I can visit and even farther destinations that I can travel to. So now, I can start acting on my previous plans to wander around, see new sights and embrace new experiences.

A huge factor in these plans, of course, is transportation. Despite the waning number of cases, it is still a COVID-19 world and the risks posed by the pandemic is still very real. I have found that using my private vehicle, especially for out-of-town staycations, is still the safest, most convenient, most cost effective and most comfortable way to travel as opposed to doing so by public transportation or car rental.

For one thing, with only myself and my immediate family as passengers, we are able avoid contact with other people during the trip. Secondly, we don’t have to produce documents like antigen test results and vaccination cards just to board our car. Also, we don’t have to pay for luggage and other miscellaneous expenses usually encountered during commercial travel. Another plus point is that, since we are all relatively healthy and we are traveling inside our own vehicle, we don’t have to wear protective gear like facemasks, gloves or similar items that would hamper our comfort, and we have the freedom to make ourselves as comfortable as we see fit.

Clearly, owning a car opens up a world of fun possibilities when it comes to domestic travel.

If you are in the market for a new car, however, you should know that buying a car is one of the biggest purchase decisions you can make, and it is not one to take lightly. As shared by author Kathleen Elkins in this CNBC article, there are myriad pressing financial items to consider other than your vehicle’s purchase price. These include your car registration fees, automobile insurance, fuel consumption (especially with today’s soaring gas prices!), maintenance and parking fees. Really, all these could add up to quite a lot!

Even the car’s actual price can actually balloon up once you factor in sales taxes and loan interest rates, plus, of course, your dealer’s commissions.

What you don’t need is to have that nagging worry that your car purchase would eventually run your monthly budget to the ground.

What you do need is a tool that helps add up the costs of your car payments so you can plan your budget accordingly.

CarPaymentCalculator.net, for instance, is a site that helps you compute your car payments. It crunches the numbers for you, whether for your loan application or based on how much of your monthly budget you can allot to your car payments. It factors in items such as rebates or trade-in obligations, giving you a more complete picture of what your car purchase will actually cost you.

You can also compute for operating costs such as your gas budget or your car’s fuel efficiency, taking out a lot of the guess work when it comes to your car-related expenses.

This allows you to more accurately forecast your monthly expenses, enabling you to budget more effectively for your family’s basic needs, as well as for small luxuries, such as traveling to exciting destinations!

There should be more to your life than just worrying about your car payments. You should make room for the fun stuff, like enjoying the joys that owning a car brings you just like I did!

With a clearer picture of your car budget in mind, you can now take your initial steps towards your car purchase decision!

Let me know how it goes!

P.S. If your kiddos are like mine who get antsy during long trips, CarPaymentCalculator.net can also keep them entertained with its arcade of fun driving games like Cars Lightning Speed and Nick Racing Stars. Be sure to check these out!

Photo credits:

Header photo by proostoleh on Freepik
In-article photos by JESHOOTS.com, ANTONI SHKRABA and Oleksandr Pidvalnyi on Pexels.com

Going on a Journey to the Unlimited with Yassi Pressman and OPPO

Earlier this month, lucky few were able to experience the ultimate journey courtesy of OPPO, the global smart device brand – an all-expense paid trip to one of the most beautiful locations in the world, El Nido. Accompanied by the Reno7 Series ambassador Yassi Pressman, the raffle winners spent three days and two nights in the breathtaking island destination, capturing their adventures in portrait with The Portrait Expert, the OPPO Reno7.

Flown in via airline partner AirSWIFT Airlines Philippines, the guests were welcomed to the trip with a kit containing all the summer essentials needed to make the most of their unlimited journey, including a bucket hat, waterproof pouch and a beach mat.

Throughout their stay, Yassi and the winners explored the beauty of El Nido as they went island hopping, swimming, and snorkeling in Kingkong Island, Cadlao Lagoon and Hayag. Yassi even shared how she was able to swim beside turtles and thousands of fish under the sea, through an Instagram post. The group capped off each full day with a four-course meal and some R & R at the luxurious Lihim Resorts in El Nido.

The journey to the unlimited would not have been complete without the OPPO Reno7, the Portrait Expert that beautifully captures and records all your greatest moments from any unforgettable trip. Its 64MP HD triple rear camera setup and 16MP front camera with AI-powered camera features like Portrait Mode, Bokeh Flare Portrait and AI Highlight, allow you to snap professional-level photos and videos. The group did not need to worry about suddenly running out of battery in the middle of their island hopping, as the OPPO Reno7 comes with a 4500 mAh battery.

Go on your own journey to the unlimited with the OPPO Reno7 and express your #UnlimitedMeInPortrait.

To know more about OPPO’s latest Reno7 5G, visit the OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines. You can also check OPPO’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 5 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Center in London. More than 40,000 of OPPO’s employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

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