Availing Your Healthway Privilege Card c/o Quaker Oats

Some time February 2011, I bought two packs of 400g Original Quaker Oats from Mercury Drugstore E.Rodriguez branch. I bought oatmeal in line with my 14-Days of Wellness Challenge from Nestle. I thought that since I started the Show Off Your Shape Challenge I better continue choosing healthy food to continue my diet. Well, I got more value for my money because attached to my Quaker Oats is a sticker giving me a FREE Healthway Privilege Card. I was only supposed to buy one bag but because of the promo I got two. Why two? The other privilege card is for my husband.
The freebies in the privilege card looks promising. So I checked Healthway's website and I saw this post. How did I come about this post. I typed Quaker Oats in the "search" and that's how I found out. If you are looking for it in the promos page, you won't readily find it so its faster if you just search for it.

I still had questions in mind so I called the hotline, found in the basic information page of Healthway's Facebook's page.

Basic Information

Location	SM The Block, Shangri-la Mall, Market Market, Alabang Town Center, Festival Super Mall, Robinsons Place Manila
Hours	Mon - Sun: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
About	The OFFICIAL FAN PAGE of Healthway Medical Philippines

Phone	751-HWAY(4929) / 0920-WOW-HWAY
Website	http://www.healthway.com.ph http://www.twitter.com/Healthway http://www.healthwaymedical.multiply.com

I was greeted by a female customer support who answered my questions:

1. What sort of check-ups is for free?

Only those who require general practitioners and internal medicine check-ups are considered for free. Other specialists will have a P400 consultation fee.

2. Do you offer x-ray? and will it be discounted.

Yes and you can have 15% discount for that.

3. Where can I claim my privilege card?

You can claim your privilege card in any Healthway branch.

Mechanics for the FREE Healthway Privilege Card from Quaker Oats

Buy any specially marked Quaker Oats pack from January 1, 2011 – February 28, 2011 and get a FREE Healthway Privilege Card Sampler! See mechanics for more details.

MECHANICS:

• Buy One (1) of any specially marked (promo stickers) Quaker Instant Oats 400g, Quaker Quick Cooking Oats 400g, Quaker Instant Oats 800g, Quick Cooking Oats 800g, Quaker Flavored Instant Oats 400g or Quaker Rolled Oats 1.2kg from any participating store and get 1 FREE Privilege Card sampler and (1) wellness visa of a colon cancer consultation (Colon Check) from Healthway.
• Empty Quaker Pack with promo sticker will be surrendered at Healthway to avail of the Privilege Card sampler and wellness visa.
• One (1) Privilege Card sampler and wellness visa, for every stickered pack, for every person. Maximum of one (1) Privilege Card sampler sticker coupon per transaction.
• Privilege card sampler and wellness visa of (1) FREE Colon check is valid 3 months upon issuance.
• Upon purchase of Quaker Cheers to a Healthy Life Promo Pack, customer can avail of free Privilege Card sampler and wellness visa from Healthway until April 30, 2011, subject to the terms, conditions and concessions of a regular patient.
• Promo is valid in all Healthway Clinics.
• This promo could not be used in conjunction with other promotions & health card discounts.
• Promo Coverage: Promo shall run from January 1, 2011 – February 28, 2011, but can be redeemed until April 30, 2011.

Well according to Healthway's website, this privilege card from Quaker Oats entitles the holder to a free colon check. Hence, my next blog will be my experience upon claiming my card and how it went.

Cebu Chronicles: Day 1 - Arriving at Cebu

Day 1 at Cebu

We arrived at Cebu as scheduled and we went straight to our hotel. We settled in and decided to go out for lunch. We asked the hotel staff how to get to the main city.

After two jeepney rides (P8 from hotel to Highway and P9 from Highway to Cathedral) we visited two of the six oldest churches in Cebu. The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Sto. Nino Basilica Church.

The Sto. Nino Basilica Church is the oldest church in Cebu built in the 1500’s. Inside the Sto. Nino Basilica Church is a small museum holding artifacts of different kinds of Sto. Nino's and other relics such as donations to the Sto. Nino, Sto. Nino idols, old money (from different currencies around the world), church items and many more.

The entrance fee to the museum is P10 only while kids' fee is P5. Very young kids can enter for free. What drew my attention inside the museum is an 18^th century bench. Imagine, this bench has survived two centuries of history. I maybe just few of those weird people who will get sentimental over a bench but just the thought of how many people have passed this bench who may or may not be alive anymore amazes me. This antique bench is still present in this world for not just one but two centuries now.

We entered the two churches: Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Sto. Nino Basilica Church and each one is maintained in pristine state. There were more people inside the Sto. Nino Basilica Church being the most popular church in Cebu. There was also a line at the Sto. Nino Basilica Church leading to the patron saint Sto. Nino. Falling in line gives you a chance to see the miraculous Sto. Nino to touch him or to pray to him. However, the line was too long so my companions and I decided not to see him anymore.

The patron saint of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is St. Visalis. If I were to choose where I would go and spend some solemn time in I would probably choose the Cebu Metropolitan Museum because there were less people, the wind is just perfect to cool you off in a hot sunny afternoon and the vibes I get from the place (I don’t know I can’t well explain it) makes me feel closer to God. Suddenly, it gives me the urge to pray.

We ended the day buying some Cebu delicacies in front of the Sto. Nino Basilica Church. We got tsokolate morcon for P20 for 3 pieces; sweet fried noodles for P15 and rice crispies for P20 for 6 pieces.

I bought my own breakfast which consists of one can of chicken Vienna sausage, 1 bag of Ruffles, two cans of dole sliced pineapples, 6 liters of water, 1 pack of yakult, 1 pack of 6 hotdog buns, 1 pack of skyflakes (6 pieces), 6 milo sachets which cost me a total of P550. For the entire trip, I was able to to consume most of the items I bought (which is about 4 breakfasts and snacks). The only thing I was not able to finish was my Milo and about 1 liter of water.

My friend’s hotel room also has provision for cooking so we decided to cook our own meal for our first night. For one whole chicken, isda na may sampalok and rice I contributed about P50.

Total expenditures for the day: P699

Breakdown

Transportation - P34.00 (round trip hotel to Cathedral and back or about 4 jeepney rides)

Entrance Fee to Museum - P10.00

Cebu Delicacies - P55.00

Breakfast for entire week - P550.00

Dinner - P50.00

Thought at the end of the day: Happy to have taken this trip but I've got to avoid doodads.

Cebu Chronicles: Deciding to Go to Cebu or Not?

Can I really afford to go on a vacation espcially now that I am a freelancer? Who am I kidding? That's the point of being a freelancer, right? So sometimes, you just have to leap. When the opportunity arises and you have the chance to grab it, what do you do?

I had two options...
Do you say yes because you know it will be good for you? Well you assume that an opportunity is good for you. Or is it really an opportunity or a mistake?

Or do you say no because you still have to analyze the situation and think whether if it will be good for you or not. Or will you regret not doing it and missing a chance of a lifetime?

Crowne Regency Mactan Poolside Where I Swim in the Morn'

So when a good friend of mine asked me to go with her to Cebu to spend a week, the usual things came to my head like “what’s my schedule”; “do I have a budget for this?”. “What am I going to do in Cebu”. Yeah those things entered my mind but it did not persist. The call of what I might discover, what new things will I see see, new people I will meet; something new to take me away from the mundane everyday things of my life. That call was stronger than just staying in my comfort zone.

This chronicle of blogs is the product of that decision. With three thousand pesos in my pocket, I want to know how long will I survive in this little adventure of mine.

Below the historical Casa Gorordo Azotea

Till the next blog post...

Getting Discounted Hair Pampering at Benefits Style Salon thanks to Ensogo

One of the online deals I got was from Ensogo (http://www.ensogo.com.ph/manila/invitation/?s=cf0b27651e979f9a958d597ec0cc1543). I bought this online deal for myself in preparation for my date on Valentine's Day.

I got two deals to complete my hair pampering treatment.

Only P249 for Hair Keratin Treatment at the Benefits Style Salon (valued at P1000)

Only P168 for Professional Hair Cut at the Benefits Style Salon (valued at P450)


Thus, instead of paying P1450 for the two services, I only paid P417 or only 28.75% (approximately 30%) of the total price. That is a saving of a little more than 70% or about P1033. Imagine a thousand peso saving! This is one of the reasons why I love getting on-line deals.


To claim the online deals I bought, I first made an appointment with Benefits Style Salon to make an appointment of the date and time I will redeem my online deals.

Before Picture

Upon arriving at Benefits Style Salon, I showed them my printed coupon. One of the staff of Benefits Style Salon confirmed it and then I was asked to wait as they prepare for the services I bought.



My companion and I were first ushered to the shampoo area. I can say that this is the first time I truly enjoyed shampooing my hair because it did not hurt my nape lying down on an awkward position. Benefits Style Salon uses L'oreal products for their services.


After shampooing my hair, my hairstylist for the day, Jereme Reyes, proceeded to cut my hair as per my request. I chose a hairdo with bangs for an avant garde look. The last time I had bangs was when I was in elementary.


After my haircut, I was passed to another Benefits Style staff who applied the keratin treatment. Finally, my hair was blow-dried and final trims were made by the hairstylist.

Over the phone I was told the process will take about an hour. In actual, it took as a little more than two hours which included the waiting until I was finally finished.

I enjoyed the ambiance, the music, the temperature, the staff and the location of the salon. If Eastwood was just near my place, I think I can find myself going back to Benefits Style Salon as my personal salon. However, right now it took me also about two hours just to go to the salon (traveling, asking directions, traffic etc).


To book your appointments at Benefit Style Salon, you may contact them at:
Till the next blog post...

Diving at Manila Ocean Park via Aquanaut Voyage: A Review

My husband has been inviting me for the longest time to try out the Aquanaut Voyage at Manila Ocean Park and actually I've been stalling it. Not that I am scared to do it since I am an advanced open water diver already, it's just that I've been stalling it. No other particular reason. Maybe I think there's still nothing comparable to a "real" dive.

So I finally tried it for a contest I joined (unfortunately I did not win). Anyway, preparing for my Aquanaut Voyage is faster since I am already a diver. As part of Manila Ocean Park's Aquanaut safety protocol, my Aquanaut dive master briefed me about the hand signals we will be using underwater so that we can communicate.

When I was inside the tank, the first thought that entered my mind was why did I stall doing this in the first place. I could have been the first few people who could have tried and raved about Aquanaut Voyage. Oh well, finally doing the Aquanaut Voyage late was better than never.

My aquanaut experience was exhilarating. The moment I stepped away from the ladder I was greeted by a stingray going in my direction. It was a nice surprise. My only experience with stingrays in the wild is when we were pretty deep and I managed to see its back as it was swimming away from me. However, inside the main Manila Ocean Park tank this humongous stingray was just inches away from me. I had this surreal moment. Stingray!!!


After the stingray passed by, we took the pictures I needed for the contest and I played a little inside the tank which included waving to the little kids passing by and taking pictures with strangers as if I am one of the attractions of Manila Ocean Park.


I guess when you're comfortable underwater it can be relatively easy to goof around. However, if your a newbie in diving a person's primary concern will be how to breath under that suit and to stay calm. Still for adventure seekers, this is really a must-try-adventure when you are in Manila

I am thinking this is also a great way to introduce diving for those who are interested to be real divers. When I was learning how to dive I remember the cold deep pool and I thought what the heck was I doing to myself. However, once I was underwater in the deep ocean all those qualms about diving dissipated and that thrill... that first breath you take from your tank... that first signal to go down... I can't really find the words to describe it but I remember the blood gushing in my head and my heart pounding so loud ("oh my this is it!") and finally you're free. You are a water creature. And you develop this desire to make sure that you can go back to this sanctuary any time you want so that others would be able marvel on it as well.


There were so many thoughts running through my head while I was doing my Aquanaut Voyage. One thing is for sure... "It a one-of-a-kind attraction at Manila Ocean Park one shouldn't miss" when you're in town.

Till the next post. :)

Things I Love About Dezaato Pan: A Review

I only have good things to say about Dezaato Pan. Hence the title "Things I Love About Dezaato Pan". I have only been to one Dezaato Pan and that is the one located along Banawe corner Alcaraz Street, Quezon City. There's another one in Tomas Morato corner Roces but I only see it when I pass by. I've never been inside that store.


Anyway, there are several reasons why I love this particular branch of Dezaato Pan. Here are my top 10 reasons.


1. 20% Discount on breads after 7pm
2. Free Wi-fi

3. Yummy pasta dishes

4. Delicious gelato ice cream which you can taste for free

5. Quiet ambiance which makes it a perfect work recluse
6. Spacious restaurant


7. varied selection of cakes, coffee and tea


8. its just a minute away walk for me

9. It's open very early (8:00 am) and it closes really late (10:00 pm) and sometimes even later as long as there are guests

10. the staff are really friendly and nice

As a consumer, I can say that I get more value for my money when I come here. First, I can hang around with my laptop and spend the day browsing the internet while drinking one of the signature drinks of Dezaato Pan and ordering one of the sumptuous breads of Dezaato Pan. I can spend less than P200 and not get pressured to leave your spot because there are just too many people glaring at you because they need your space to plug their computers. You don't have to worry about that because there's a lot of space for other people to do that. Also, you are not short-handed about your order because the serving is adequate and fair for its price. I actually stayed at Dezaato Pan for five hours one time just to pass time and paid P250 for a meal which I wasn't able to finish because the pasta I ordered was too rich and creamy I felt full after eating half of it.

So as long as Dezaato Pan stays to be this homey, quiet and spacious place for me, it will remain as my favorite hang-out spot.

Voice Coaching Seminar By Vocal Coach Rona: Review and Updates

Last December 2010, I attended a Vocal Coaching Seminar by Vocal Coach Rona Culata-De Leon. My goal for attending this seminar is to be able to sing at least one song without embarrassing myself.


From the seminar I learned different things about the element of voice. In a nutshell, here are the significant points I learned:
a. where is voice coming from
b. how can we create the voice we want
c. proper breathing
d. improper breathing
e. effects of over-working your vocal cords and how can you avoid it

Vocal coach Rona was very pleasant and supportive to her student's needs. If she could she would listen to each of us perform every activity but as you well know that will take a lot of time time and with quite a number of participants in the seminar that would have taken hours. The next best thing was to call on volunteers who would like to perform in front of us.


Overall, I learned a lot how not to overwork my voice to avoid what we call in Filipino "piyok".


To end the seminar, Vocal Coach Rona showcased her talent by singing one song to us.

Vocal Coach Rona will have another vocal coaching seminar in Davao. The vocal coaching seminar will be held on March 12-13, 1-5pm at Lispher Inn, at University Avenue, Juna, Davao City. Workshop fee for 2 days is Php 1,500.00. Contact Person is Rochelle Venuti 0922-8575267.