valentine’s day – Jellybeans in the City

Power Mac Center treats music lovers to special Valentine’s Day deals

Looking for a special gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Or a little something your music-loving heart has been wanting? Head on over to Power Mac Center stores and online to find “the one” you’re looking for.

The Apple Premium Reseller is holding a special Valentine’s Day promo, including up to P1,500 off on AirPods, 30% discount on AirPods premium cases, and up to 50% off on participating premium earphones from partner brands Defunc, Marley, Sudio, and Urbanista.

“Like love, music is a universal language. This month, Power Mac Center is celebrating Filipinos’ passion for music by extending big discounts on premium audio accessories that pair perfectly with your favorite Apple devices. Upgrade or make the switch to experience the best quality of sound, so you can sing your heart out whatever mood or situation you’re in,” said Joey Alvarez, Power Mac Center Director of Product Management and Marketing.

Get the AirPods (3^rd gen) at P1,000 off when you pay via non-installment modes at any Power Mac Center or The Loop branch nationwide, or online via the Viber Store, Lazada, Shopee, and SM Malls Online app. Promo runs until February 19, 2023only. Meanwhile, you can cop the AirPods (2^nd gen) at P1,500 off in the same channels until February 28, 2023.

You can also snag 30% off on participating premium AirPods cases from Elago, Lab.C, and Laut when bought together with AirPods at any Power Mac Center, The Loop, and Mobile Care Service Centers nationwide and at <powermaccenter.com> until February 19, 2023.

Moreover, a wide selection of in-ear, wireless, and noise-cancelling earphones and earbuds in a variety of colors are slashed up to 50% off retail price. These are available via non-installment modes at all Power Mac Center, The Loop, and Mobile Care Service Centers nationwide, Web Store, and The Loop by Power Mac Center on Lazada and Shopee from February 11 to 19, 2023.

Valid non-installment payment methods include cash, straight credit card, debit card, bank transfer, check, GCash, GrabPay, WeChat, AliPay, Maya, Hello Money, UnionPay, BDO Pay, ShopeePay, QRPH, Power Mac Center eGift Certificate, Home Credit with interest, UpTrade trade-in value/voucher, BillEase, 1 Infinite Access points, and Power Mac Center Gift Certificate.

Two-for-one on training and services

Basecamp, Power Mac Center’s official training arm, is also joining the Valentine’s celebration. Customers can avail of any course at the regular price and bring a companion for FREE! That’s right, it’s two for the price of one, and you can choose from a wide range of creative and technical courses.

Select training courses are also discounted at 20% off. These include macOS Fundamentals, Technical Troubleshooting, Apple Device Support, Apple Deployment and Management, iOS/iPadOS Fundamentals and Troubleshooting, Mac and Windows Integration Basics, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, and App Development with Swift. Sessions are conducted by Apple Certified Trainers every Monday to Fridays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except for declared holidays.

These promos are available from February 11 to 19, 2023 only, but the training itself can be scheduled with a Basecamp authorized representative until March this year.

Meanwhile, Power Mac Center’s service arm, Mobile Care, is extending discounts on diagnosis and software fees if you bring with you someone who also needs a repair or software fix for their Apple device. The two devices are entitled to a discount of 14% from February 11 to 19, 2023.

Terms and conditions apply. Shop now at https://bit.ly/PMCValentinesDay2023. Find other ongoing promotions at Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.

Details provided in a recent press release.

It’s the season of love at Manila Prince Hotel

As we near the most romantic time of the year, it’s important to get ahead and prepare to wow your significant other. Check out the Valentine’s Day specials of Manila Prince Hotel and spend a much-needed quality time with your bae!

Be My Valentine Special Room Promo

Staycation, dinner and wine, anyone? Experience an intimate overnight stay in a Deluxe room and enjoy a buffet dinner date night with your loved one. To sweeten the evening, toast your love to each other with glass of red wine each. It also includes breakfast buffet for only P3,400 nett.

Two-gether at Marcelino Café

Indulge in a delightful dinner buffet at Marcelino Street Café specially crafted for the season of love. For only P950 nett per person, treat yourself and your loved one to a gastronomic feast paired with a glass of red wine that will make your hearts full.

In the Mood for Love

Enjoy the pleasures of a romantic weekend getaway in our Deluxe Room for only P2,023 nett per room per night. Not only will you enjoy a delightful overnight stay but this package also includes breakfast buffet for two persons. This special rate is available from February 10 to 14 only. For inquiries and reservations, for rooms, please email reservations@manilaprince.com, for restaurants, please email fnb@manilaprince.com.

For more information on hotel’s offers and updates, please visit www.manilaprince.com or follow Manila Prince Hotel on Facebook and Instagram.

Manila Prince Hotel, a subsidiary of The Manila Hotel, is situated in the heart of Manila’s business district and has close proximity to the city’s historical tourist spots as well as the main transportation hubs. With its 300 well-appointed rooms, 6 function rooms, an elegant lobby with 24-hour reception, a business center, a swimming pool, and gym access, the Manila Prince Hotel offers value for money and stylish comfort. Along with excellent service and luxurious hospitality, the hotel has exciting dining experiences for you and your family at its all-day dining restaurant Marcelino Street Café. The hotel is also connected to the UN Square mall for convenient shopping and dining. These and more, make Manila Prince Hotel a top choice for leisure and business travelers’ choice.

Book your stay at the Manila Prince Hotel via Klook.

Lots of love from Lots’A Pizza with its new Beefy Blanca!

Being the month of love, February is full of expressions of love.

That quintessential Filipino pizza – Lots’A Pizza – brings a fresh new expression of love with its latest offering: the Beefy Blanca!

This limited-edition heart-shaped pizza is the pizza chain’s first-ever cream-based pizza, a bit of a departure from Lots’A Pizza’s winning signature sauce.

But, oh, it does offer new dimensions of flavor for Lots’A Pizza fans to enjoy!

Generously topped with roast beef slices and drizzled with delicious cheese sauce on top of a crust that’s both chewy and crispy at the same time, this is an irresistible temptation to true-blue pizza lovers.

Treat yourself to this lovely pizza for just Php250! Or even better, share it with your loved ones!

This Beefy Blanca pizza is but the latest innovation from the company that established a winning formula in pizzas, namely:

a perfectly parbaked crust made from Lots’A Pizza’s proprietary dough blend
a signature pizza sauce made from the freshest tomatoes and spices
premium pizza toppings composed of the choicest meats and cheese

Order your Beefy Blanca as soon as possible as this will be available for a limited time only.

This Lots’A Pizza branch is located along Maysilo Circle, Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm. For orders and inquiries, call +63 2 86350825.

You may also course your orders via FoodPanda, GrabFood, Booky and Pick-A-Roo.

Stay updated on Lots’A Pizza’s promos and offers by visiting its website and following it on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.

Celebrating different kinds of love with Red Ribbon’s limited-edition Valentine Black Forest Cake

Oh, yes, we’re right smack in the midst of the Month of Love. Can’t you just feel the all that love in the air?

The impending arrival of Valentine’s Day has got me in a more reflective mood. Lately, I’ve begun to realize that I have been blessed with different kinds of love that made my life all the richer.

And this year, I’m celebrating these varied expressions of the ultimate emotion with an exceptional confection from Red Ribbon Bakeshop: its limited-edition Valentine Black Forest Cake!

This lovely dessert creation makes a much-awaited comeback just in time for Valentine’s Day. And I must say: it surely is well-suited to the holiday!

It is made with moist liquor-moistened chocolate fudge cake layered with rich creamy icing in an occasion-appropriate heart-shaped design, topped with decadent chocolate shavings and cream cheese icing rosettes, then decorated with luscious Maraschino cherries.

I agree that it is truly a confection made with love in mind, and which calls to mind the different kinds of love that enhance and enrich my life.

Philia, the love of friends

Being an introvert, I acknowledge that my circle of friends is made up by a very few and select set of individuals. With all the intrigues and misunderstandings that I seem to attract in school and in my workplaces (I swear I’m not a drama queen), it’s a wonder that I’m able to make and keep close relationships with people who I consider my tribe. Needless to say, I’m always grateful for their gift of friendship.

Storge, the love of parents for children

Motherhood has been and continues to be one of the most defining roles that I play. I never would have thought that I would be able to love not just one, but two (!) individuals who I helped bring into the world. A poet once said that “Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.” While I try to balance my role in their lives as both parent and co-traveler in their life’s journey, I’m grateful for the love and joy they bring to my existence.

Eros, the passionate love

No doubt Hubby will find this section of my post dedicated to him extremely cheesy but, to him I can say “tough luck!” After all, he did vow to accept me “for better or worse,” hehe! After more than twenty years together, our relationship continues to grow and evolve, and I’m thankful that we find things to discover about each other.

Agape, the love of mankind

This kind of love may be the most difficult of all. After all, it is kind of love that requires so much understanding and forgiveness that often goes unrequited. For me, it is the kind of love that allows me to go through life sans the bitterness from past hurts and offenses. It is also the kind of love that when given by others, allows me to redeem myself and learn from mistakes.

Who would have thought that Valentine’s Day celebrations would bring about such profound thoughts, eh?

Well, thanks to Red Ribbon’s Valentine Black Forest Cake, I have something sweet and delicious to commemorate this occasion in honor of all the loves in my life.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your loved ones, foodies! Be sure to spread the sweetness with this sweet confection from Red Ribbon Bakeshop!

It’s available only from February 13-15, so it’s best to order now via the Red Ribbon app, the Red Ribbon delivery website, Red Ribbon on Facebook Messenger, or by calling the #87777 hotline. You may also place your order via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Check out my previous posts about Red Ribbon Bakeshop:

Sweet Christmas celebrations with Red Ribbon’s Holiday Cakes

Red Ribbon cakes for your everyday cravings

Red Ribbon brings a taste of the divine with its new Chocolate Heaven Cake

Sweet dads deserve sweet chocolatey treats from Red Ribbon this Father’s Day

#SweetDelight: Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake is back!

Sweet snacktimes with Red Ribbon Bakeshop

Whip up a Valentine feast in a jiffy with ready-to-cook dishes from the Max’s Group restos

Want to treat the people you love to something special for Valentine’s Day but don’t want to join the mad rush during this busy holiday?

Not to worry because the Max’s Group’s got your back with its new product line – MGI Kitchen – which consists of well-loved offerings from the Max’s Group restaurants, now ready to cook in your very own kitchen!

That’s right: no tedious preparations necessary and very minimal effort required for you to produce a show-stopping meal for the people you love most during this season of hearts.

These include:

Yellow Cab’s Oven Toaster Pizza Box.

My little boy’s favorite Pepperoni Pizza, already pre-made and placed in a box. All we needed to do is pop it into the oven for three to five minutes and it’s ready in all its cheesy and pepperoni goodness for my little pizza monster to enjoy!

Max’s Fried Chicken Box.

Who would have thought that my fam and I can feast on my well-loved Max’s classic sarap to the bones fried chicken just by heating these pieces up in the oven for ten minutes? Paired with steamed rice and a bit of banana ketchup on the side, it’s absolutely delish!

Pancake House’ Spaghetti Sauce.

That party fave just got a whole lot easier to make with Pancake House’ signature spaghetti sauce already prepared and packed. All we needed to do is to heat it up in the microwave for three minutes, ladle on to our noodles, add lots of cheese, and then serve!

Teriyaki Boy’s Teriyaki Chicken

Chicken teriyaki is the fusion of so many flavors: the savory, the sweet and the bit of gingery spice all come together to create a dish that appeals to so many people, especially to my fam! The best thing is, I can easily whip up this dish by pan-grilling Teriyaki Boy’s packed Chicken Teriyaki for ten minutes while basting it with its teriyaki sauce, then serving it garnished with chopped green onions.

Dencio’s Krispy Sisig

The sisig has long been a mainstay in many a Pinoy’s hapagkainan and my family’s is no exception. We prefer ours with ultra-crispy finely chopped bits of pork jowl liberally flavored with minced onions but with a hint of creaminess that makes it perfect when paired with lots and lots of rice, just like how Dencio’s does its Krispy Sisig. To bring this homegrown favorite to my family’s table, all I had to do was saute the contents of the pack on a pan together with its sauce until it attains the crispiness we prefer, then serve it topped with a sunny side up egg.

With these ready-to-cook packs from MGI Kitchen, serving up my love to the fam in the form of good food is super easy!

You can buy these at selected outlets of SM Supermarket/Hypermarket/Savemore, Robinsons Supermarkets, Waltermart, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Puregold, AllDay, Gaisano Market and at Max’s Restaurants, with prices starting at Php350.

Stock up on these ready-to-cook products so you too can just as easily whip up a feast for your fam to enjoy this Valentine’s Day, or any occasion!

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

Valentine’s Day celebrations at the New World Makati Hotel

New World Makati Hotel beckons couples for a romantically indulgent all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner at Café 1228 on 14 February, as well as a decadent array of swoon-worthy sweet treats at The Shop, ideal as gifts for that special someone.

Romantic Indulgence at Café 1228

Couples are in for a delightfully decadent dining experience as Café 1228 offers an extensive all-you-can-eat a la carte selection on 14 February for lunch or dinner. The restaurant’s signature slow roast prime ribeye, Rosemary lamb chops, Pork cassoulet, Braised leg of lamb in red wine, and Seared salmon with parmesan crisp and dill cream sauce are just some of the enticing items guests can enjoy along with a complimentary glass of red, white or sparkling wine.

Salads and light bites to start off the gustatory experience are Parma ham with brie and grape chutney, Cambozola with roasted cherry tomatoes on pesto crostini and Salami Milano with cocktail onions, beet cured salmon, horseradish, dill and cornichons, to name a few.

Seafood served hot-off-the-grill include shrimps, blue crabs, clams and mussels prepped with an array of sauces – garlic butter, salt and pepper, garlic and cheese, white wine, and sweet chili. These would go nicely with the Italian selection of pasta and pizza such as Pesto cream, Puttanesca, Marinara, and Carbonara sauces, as well as Frutti di mare, Margherita, Parma ham arugula, and Mediterranean vegetable, respectively.

For desserts, there is Truffle cake, Strawberry shortcake, Bread and butter pudding, Mandarin crème brulee, Mango sago pudding, White chocolate sable, Chocolate bonbons, and more.

Delectable Chinese, Japanese, regional, and local dishes complete the indulgent spread.

Valentine’s Day lunch is priced at PHP1,188 nett, while dinner is PHP2,500 nett.

Swoon-worthy Sweet Treats at The Shop

Sweets special someone are available at The Shop. Decadent treats such as a box of six dark chocolate and lemon-flavored Madeleines (PHP350), a box of ten Lavender-infused cocoa truffles (PHP1,000), a box of four large Mandola cookies (PHP450) and a one-pound or petite-sized Strawberry Rose Cake (PHP1,600) and (PHP450) are sure ways to make hearts and tastebuds flutter with delight. All prices are nett.

For information and reservations, guests may call New World Makati Hotel at +63 2 88116888 ext. 3679, send a Viber message at +63 9178884194, or send an email.

Those interested can stay updated and follow New World Makati Hotel’s social media accounts, on Facebook and on Instagram.

About New World Hotel Makati

New World Makati Hotel is a world-class deluxe hotel located in the heart of Makati. With a thoroughly modern vibe and hints of Oriental influence, the hotel features 580 guestrooms and suites with Residence Club executive floor accommodation, a business center, sophisticated dining options, a well-equipped fitness center with sauna and spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and 1,800 square meters of dynamic function space for meetings and conferences.

The hotel is located directly across Greenbelt, the country’s premier lifestyle shopping center. It is also nine kilometers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and within steps of many embassies, as well as Manila’s top business addresses and upscale shopping venues.

Details as well as photos for header and The Shop were provided in a recent press release.

Get “Berry Much in Love” with these newly relaunched strawberry drinks from Moonleaf Tea Shop

Who can resist strawberries?

That vibrant red color, the rich plumpness of the fruit, the heady beckoning fragrance and the burst of fruity sweetness as you bite into it with just a bit of tanginess to make it all the more intriguing to the palate. Any encounter with this fruit is a sensual delight.

It’s hardly surprising, then, that this fruit becomes so prevalent around Valentine’s Day.

Moonleaf Tea Shop brings strawberry lovers fresh ways to enjoy their favorite fruit with the relaunch of its strawberry line of drinks under its Berry Much in Love category.

These drinks pair the fruity sweetness of strawberry with Moonleaf’s house-brewed black or green tea, creamy milk, and chewy coconut nata. This line includes:

Strawberry Milk Tea with Nata (Php120).

Strawberry Black Tea with Nata (Php100).

Strawberry Yakult with Nata (Php120).

Strawberry Milk Slush with Nata (Php160).

Since these drinks are best enjoyed when shared with our special someone, Moonleaf makes this drinks available on special deals which give great savings:

2 Strawberry Milk Tea with Nata for Php199 (save Php41)
2 Strawberry Black Tea with Nata for Php179 (save Php21)
2 Strawberry Yakult with Nata for Php189 (save Php51)
2 Strawberry Milk Slush with Nata for Php249 (save Php71)

Enjoy these deals until March 31, 2021.

Can’t wait to get “Berry Much in Love” with these drinks? Grab yours now by dropping by your nearest Moonleaf Tea Shop branch or ordering from GrabFood, FoodPanda, Shopee and Lazada.

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

Photo credit: Massimiliano Martini on Unsplash for the strawberry photo

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Raintree #ValentineFoodCrawl: Pizza and Pasta Rendezvous at Stella Wood-fired Pizza, BGC

With Valentine’s Day just a scant few days away, the metro’s gallants and ladies fair are anticipating the time when they can meet, share a meal and have a lovely time together: their romantic rendezvous.

Bonifacio Global City is abuzz with romance as Raintree Restaurants welcomes lovers of all ages to celebrate love with special promos during the month of love.

Stella Wood-fired Pizza in Boni High Street is no exception.

The last time I was here with friends was in early 2015, when it was more of a bistro which shared a space with Rocket Room.

Back then, it served an array of pastas and pizzas, as well as other dishes of the West Coast, Mediterranean and South American variety, which incorporated natural wood in the cooking of its dishes, giving them that unique wood-fire oven cooked flavor and quality.

It closed for a while in 2017 but has recently re-emerged inside Friends & Family, the Filipino restaurant that took its previous space in BHS Central Square.

It still offers its memorable wood-fired dishes, some of which take center-stage in its Pizza & Pasta Rendezvous promo. This Valentine deals allows lovers to enjoy a delicious yet affordable meal.

For example, they can enjoy an intimate meal for two with a Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Pasta and an Aloha Pizza (with Double-Smoked Bacon and Grilled Pineapple) for just Php699.

They may also opt for a decadent Melted Garlic Cream Pasta with an Everything on It Pizza (everything includes Double-Smoked Bacon, Pepperoni, Sausage, Bell Peppers, Onions, Roasted Tomatoes, Olives and Mushrooms) for just Php799.

With these tasty and hearty offerings, sweethearts will flutter and make their way to Stella.

If you’re planning a romantic meal for you and your special someone, you better book your table soon as these Pizza & Pasta Rendezvous offers are only available within February.

Stella Wood-Fired Pizza is located inside Friends & Family, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open daily from 12nn to 9pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery via GrabFood and FoodPanda. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8917053.

Check out my blog posts on other Raintree restaurants:

Chef Jessie says it with Cakes this Valentine

Express your love this Valentine’s Day with gloriously delicious and amazingly beautiful cakes by Chef Jessie Sincioco.

Chef Jessie’s creations come infused with dark rich chocolate, stuffed with fresh, sweet mangoes, pressed with chopped pistachios, topped with bright berries, filled with strawberry cream or iced with ube halaya.

On top of the list is the Award Winning My Tita’s Special Treat, a delicate and moist cake sponge with puree of ripe Philippine mangoes filled with buttercream and mango slices, iced with cream cheese frosting and decorated with Chef Jessie’s signature mango rose.

Princess Carmen is Chef Jessie’s version of sans rival with layers of luscious pistachio meringue and French butter cream filling topped with vanilla cream Chantilly and chopped pistachios.

Strawberry Shortcake is a towering moist vanilla sponge cake filled and iced with light strawberry cream, top glazed with homemade strawberry gelee and adorned with fresh strawberries.

Chef Jessie’s Baked Cheesecake comes with a hint of vanilla and fresh lemon with cornflake crust topped with your choice of cherry, blueberry, mango or a combination of your favorite fruit topping.

You cannot get more chocolate than Chocolate Gateau “A La Teddy Keng” with layers of dark chocolate sponge cake filled with dulce de leche chocolate ganache, covered with a rich chocolate icing and decorated with soutache and dark chocolate flower.

Another creation is Chocolate Fudge Cake, a sponge cake with chocolate ganache and light vanilla cream covered with dark chocolate icing and topped with fresh fruits.

Something light and chocolaty is “All Occasion” Chocolate Mousse Cake. A light chocolate sponge cake filled with equally light chocolate mousse iced with vanilla cream Chantilly and decorated with fresh fruits in season. Sugar Free “M” Cake is for those looking for a healthy yet still delectable option. This elegantly simple cake is sugar free and gluten free, topped with a thick layer of sugar free dark chocolate mousse and laced with toasted almond flakes.

A nod to local flavors is Ube Macapuno Cake which is ube chiffon cake filled and iced with homemade halaya mousse and generously topped with tender macapuno strips.

For Valentine, Chef Jessie can personalize your cake of choice with your own sweet sentiments.

Place your order 2 days in advance for pick up or delivery. Text or call 0917-896-7880, 0917-833-0797 and 0977-0976-649 or email chefjessiesplace@chefjessie.com. Pick up is at Chef Jessie’s Place located at 1997 Pililia St. corner Obrero and Tanay Streets, Makati and is open everyday for pick up and delivery from 9am to 6pm.

Ten Shopee Valentine’s Day Sale gift ideas you need to add-to-cart now!

Surprise your loved ones with gifts from Shopee’s Valentine’s Day Sale

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love. It’s also a time to recognize other equally important relationships—those we share with our family and friends.

Whether you’re celebrating the occasion with a significant other or not, remember to show your appreciation to other loved ones as well. Let them know that they’re on your mind this special day. The world could always do with a little more love to go around!

On February 14, surprise them with the thoughtful gifts below. You can get up to 90% off on these gifts and more at Shopee’s Valentine’s Day Sale.

Cowin Wireless Sweatproof Earphones

Has your brother ruined several earphones while working out? Get him the Cowin Wireless Sweatproof Earphones. It touts water-resistant earbuds, superior sound quality, and up to six hours of playtime.

Xiaomi Mi Band 5

Encourage your dad to get started on his fitness journey with the Xiaomi Mi Band 5. This smartwatch tracks steps, distance, and calories burned. It also monitors the heart rate and sleep cycle. The battery can last up to 20 days on standby.

Pineng Powerbank

Is your sibling’s phone constantly running out of juice? Get them the Pineng Powerbank, which has built-in battery protection to prevent overcharging and short-circuiting. It runs on a capacity of 3.7V/20 000mAh 74Wh and can charge two devices at a time.

Sesame Street Sleepwear

Treat your pamangkin to cute new jammies. Each pajama set is made of cotton spandex, so it’s breathable and comfortable to wear. This also comes in adult sizes perfect for kids at heart.

Bling Light 3D Night Light

Know someone who’s obsessed with all things hallyu? Buy her this adorable finger heart-shaped Bling Light 3D Night Light! This compact lamp comes with three light color options: yellow, white, and warm white.

Vice Cosmetics Kavouge Everyday Palette

For your makeup junkie pal, the Vice Cosmetics Kavogue Everyday Palette features 12 multi-purpose powders for filling in the brows, adding color to the cheeks, and creating flawless eye looks. This product also comes with a handy makeup mirror.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

If you’re tired of your sister constantly rummaging through your skincare stash, it’s time to help her build her own regimen. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser is non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and fragrance-free. It effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup while retaining moisture.

Eco Natural Bamboo Toothbrush

Help a friend through their sustainability journey with gifts that won’t end up in landfills. The Eco Natural Bamboo Toothbrush is made of a durable bamboo handle and petroleum-based plastic bristles that will biodegrade within months.

Gun Massager

Your super mom works hard to take care of the whole family, so treat her to a well-deserved massage. This Gun Massager alleviates muscle stiffness and enhances blood circulation. It also features four massage heads and six variable speeds.

Anti-Aging Eye Patches

Everyone has that one busy tita. She’ll love using these Anti-Aging Eye Patches during her downtime. These soothing, moisturizing collagen patches are great at reducing puffy eyebags and dark circles.

Don’t miss out on the chance to score big discounts on these gifts and more at the Shopee Valentine’s Day Sale. Enjoy up to 90% off until February 14.

For more deals, don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay! Until February 28, enjoy 10% cashback on all cashback shops when you use ShopeePay.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Images and details provided in a recent press release.

The Jelly List: Thoughtful Gifts for Valentine’s Day

The day of hearts is fast approaching. Despite the pandemic, Valentine’s Day remains one of the most anticipated holidays of the year.

The question is: how can sweethearts in the metro celebrate the day of romance if they can’t go out to wine and dine?

Through thoughtful gift-giving, of course!

Nothing says “I love you” like a well-considered present, one that gave thought to one’s sweetheart’s interests and passions.

Check out this list and let me know which suggestion suits your beloved best:

For the hopeless romantic: Preserved Flower Arrangement from Stories & Blossoms

Flowers are almost synonymous with Valentine’s Day. A bouquet of fresh-cut blooms would set a romantic heart racing, but nowadays, preserved flowers may be the way to go. They last longer than fresh flowers and are pretty low maintenance. (Somewhat like the ideal partner, eh?)

Tell your love story with a tasteful preserved flower arrangement from Stories & Blossoms. Through the creative combinations of colors, shapes and textures of various preserved blooms, you can express quite a lot to your loved one and evoke romantic memories. You can even have a unique arrangement inspired by your loved one favorite book, movie or TV series, just like the store’s Sex & the City Collection.

Stories & Blossoms’ preserved flower arrangements start at Php299 with more ornate signature creations starting at Php2,500. You can also have an arrangement custom-made according to your preferred colors and flowers as well as your budget. Shop online at Stories & Blossoms’ website or call +63 967 5099050.

The Jelly List: Top Metro Manila Restaurants for your Valentine’s Day Date

What? It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow you haven’t decided on where to take your beloved yet?!?

Oh, honey…

Let your Tita Jellybeans share with you my top picks among the metro’s restaurants to serve as the romantic setting for your intimate get-together for two.

How did I come by this list? Well, to narrow down the choices, here are the criteria I used:

The resto should be away from the madding crowd so it can sustain an intimate and romantic mood. I recommend establishments situated away from the crowded malls frenetic with the Valentine’s Day (and payday) rush.
The resto should have well-appointed interiors, because special moments deserve special settings.
Most importantly, the resto should offer great food. I’m sure you know that food is oftentimes used as the language of love (it is one of mine!). Nourishing our beloveds with something that pleases their senses makes for a memorable time together. (And if the resto has a special Valentine’s Day offer, all the better.

Valentine’s Day is the time to go all-out on romance and spoil that special someone with good food and a good time. Check out the restos that made it to this month’s Jelly List for your date on Valentine’s Day.

Bistro Manuel, Poblacion

Bistro Manuel was opened in 2016 by Chefs Ariel and Mia Manuel of Lolo Dad’s. It is a quiet establishment, almost hidden being situated away from Poblacion’s more casual (and noisier) bars and restaurants.

Here, diners can look forward to a fine-dining experience featuring award-winning culinary masterpieces.

A real treat to the taste buds is the Lolo Dad’s Baked Oysters in which each oyster is accompanied by delicate angel hair pasta under a layer of melted cheese, and accompanied with a cube of foie gras.

This week, diners can enjoy a special five-course Valentine’s menu featuring the resto’s signature takes on European cuisine for just Php1,980 per person (+10% service charge).

Bistro Manuel is located at Second Floor, Six Axis Center, 4347 B. Valdez Street, Poblacion, Makati City, open daily from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 88718566, +63 926 7341067 or +63 998 3423566.

Get the romance burnin’ this February at 390 Degrees, Entertainment City

At last January is over and done with. Now, let’s get ourselves in gear for the month of hearts – February!

And what better way to celebrate this month than to spend time with our Significant Other in a special place, one that can provide not only a venue for a romantic outing but also good food that can make the experience truly memorable?

Well, venture into the still seemingly uncharted Aseana City Business Park in Paranaque and there you will find the newly opened 390 Degrees.

Operated by the same team that brought about Ombu Kusina in Quezon City, 390 Degrees brings the same hearty servings and imaginative takes on comfort food in an elegantly well-appointed setting that Ombu Kusina does.

Here, though, the restaurant’s concept centers around its charcoal brick oven which influences all of its dishes. In fact, the resto’s name 390 Degrees refers to the temperature that restaurant’s oven must maintain to produce its delectable dishes.

In a special foodie meetup hosted by 390 Degrees’ head chef Mark Griffin Oraiz and marketing head Tammy Lim, my fellow food bloggers and I were treated to a sneak peek into the resto’s exciting Valentine’s offering.

Curious yet? Imagine dining with your special someone on a special meal for two which consist of:

Tomato Soup with Ravioli. Thick soup of pureed tomatoes topped with spinach-cheese ravioli to warm your tummies and your hearts.

Chicken Ceasar Salad. Get your taste buds ready with this hearty salad made with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and sliced hard-boiled egg tossed in a creamy Ceasar salad dressing topped with a dash of paprika and topped with sliced charcoal-grilled chicken.

Pepper Crusted Steak. Juicy steak with peppery seasoning charcoal grilled to a medium doneness. You can choose two side dishes to go with this dish (and the chef recommends Sweet Potato Mash and Cauliflower and Cheese.

Two Mini Salted Caramel Cream Puffs. Finish off the meal with these cute and not-too-sweet pastries.

Two Glasses of Shiraz Red Wine. All the better to drink to more wonderful times ahead!

This special Valentine’s meal is available from February 3 to 29 for only Php2000! So what are you waiting for? Book your Valentine’s date today!

The tasty eats don’t stop at Valentine’s, though. Check out the other yummy viands you can enjoy with your family and friends:

Vegetable Chowder (Php200). A cream-based soup with mixed vegetables served inside a charcoal-baked bread bowl.

Seafood Marinara (Php270). Mixed seafood tossed with fusili pasta in a savory tomato sauce.

Margherita Pizza (Php290). Tomato, basil and mozarella top a hand-stretched charcoal-baked pizza.

The Black Burger (Php530). A hefty and juicy charcoal-grilled burger patty sandwiched in charcoal activated burger bun with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions and cheese.

Blackened Salmon (Php880). A charcoal-baked salmon fillet with creamy dill sauce which go so well with Rice Pilaf as a side dish. I usually look for a cream cheese topping for baked salmon but this dish has no need for it.

Tiramisu. 390 Degrees’ take on the coffee-based Italian dessert.

All those good food will work up quite a thirst. Fortunately, 390 Degrees has a bevy of refreshing drinks to quench your thirst:

390 Signature Iced Tea (Php120). House-brewed black tea given some zest by the addition of lemon and pineapple.

Tropical Lagoon Soda (Php120). A fun and citrusy fizzy drink made with blue curacao, orange juice and soda water.

Mountain Mojito (Php130). A herb-flavored drink made with lime, mint leaves and soda water.

With such delish dishes and drinks, 390 Degrees is slated to be one of the hottest foodie destinations this side of the metro!

Many thanks to Tammy, Chef Griffin and the staff of 390 Degrees for the warm and fun welcome and the delightful food and to Kaycee of Date For Two for extending the invitation!