Singapore Trip 2019 Part 2: Places We Visited and Things We Did

Posted on December 5, 2019

Because it was already night time when we arrived at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre (our hotel) last July, we decided to just have dinner outside and just rest and relax at our hotel room. Exploring the city would have to wait the next day.

Our destination on our 2nd day in Singapore was Sentosa Island. There are many things to see and experience here like the Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, and The Maritime Experiential Museum, just to name a few.

2nd Day in Singapore

S.E.A. Aquarium

If you’re looking for an exciting underwater sea experience, then you should visit the S.E.A. Aquarium. It is Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium that features more than 100, 000 marine animals. We bought a combo ticket for S.E.A. Aquarium and The Maritime Experiential Museum, but I forgot the price; it wasn’t indicated in our admission tickets, too.

The Maritime Experiential Museum

The Maritime Experiential Museum allows guests to travel back in time and join seafarers in their conquest of the seas. A tour of the museum will make one better understand the Maritime Silk Route, give a glimpse of the trading ships used during this period in history, teach navigation skills, and allow visitors to escape from the pirates, albeit virtually.

Sentosa Merlion

Sentosa Merlion at Sentosa Island is the biggest Merlion statue in Singapore towering at 37 meters. The merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, is considered a guardian of prosperity and a national symbol in Singapore. We didn’t pay to get to the top of the Sentosa Merlion. We were content just having a picture of us with it.

3rd Day in Singapore

Singapore Zoo

On our 3rd day, we hailed a cab going to Mandai Lake Road to get to Singapore Zoo. We bought combo tickets for Singapore Zoo and River Safari that cost 60 SGD per person. Warning! The Singapore Zoo is huge! It took us several hours before we could finish navigating through all 11 zones of the zoo. A 26-hectare wildlife park, Singapore Zoo, formerly known as Singapore Zoological Gardens, is home to more than 300 species of animals. Here, you can see animals roaming freely in their natural habitats.

River Safari

River Safari is the first and only river-themed wildlife park in Asia. It has the world’s largest freshwater aquarium, and it offers boat rides, too. The highlight of our visit here was when we got to see one of the two giant pandas.

Flower Dome (Gardens by the Bay)

The Flower Dome is one of the air-conditioned conservatories at Gardens by the Bay. It’s a huge glass greenhouse with themed gardens filled with many exotic plants from all around the world. Gardens by the Bay is located on Marina Gardens Drive.

Cloud Forest (Gardens by the Bay)

Surrounded in mist, Cloud Forest offers an awesome mountain view with lush vegetation and floral wonders. The tall waterfall seems to be the most popular attraction inside the Cloud Forest as most of the tourists have their photos taken at this spot.

Supertree Grove (Gardens by the Bay)

The Supertree Grove is a delight to watch at night because of the colorful lights surrounding it. Matching the blinking lights with loud, upbeat music makes for an even more festive treat for all the tourists and spectators at Gardens by the Bay.

4th Day in Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore

We actually didn’t go inside Universal Studios Singapore because of our son. He said it might just be similar to Hong Kong Disneyland that we (my son and I) had already visited, so we skipped it. Looking back, I should have never listened to him. Haha. We made sure, though, that we have this obligatory photo with the Universal Globe. This picture was taken on our 4th day in Singapore. We had a similar photo taken on our 2nd day in Singapore, but it was blurry, so yes, we went back to have a take two.

Skyride and Skyline Luge Sentosa

The Skyride gives a birds eye view of Sentosa Island, Singapore city skyline, and South China Sea. After the Skyride, you can ride the Luge and choose from four exciting tracks (Jungle Trail, Dragon Trail, Kupu Kupu Trail, and Expedition Trail) that twist and turn through the mythical forest. Our son had both, but hubby and I only settled for the Skyride. Luge + Skyride cost 24 SGD, while the 2-way Skyride costs 9 SGD per person.

Earlier in the day, we got to visit Bugis Street to eat. Afterwards, father and son window-shopped at the flea market just across the street. This was our last day of exploring Singapore because we were going home the next day. We actually didn’t want our short vacation to end, but as Barbara Streisand’s song goes, “Some good things never last.” But hey, we can still visit again, right?

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Posted in Cloud Forest, Family Trip, Family Vacation, Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, River Safari, S.E.A. Aquarium, Sentosa Merlion, Singapore, Singapore Trip 2019, Singapore Zoo, Skyline Luge Sentosa, Skyride, Supertree Grove, The Maritime Experiential Museum, Universal Studios Singapore | Leave a comment

Dermcare Celebrates 30th Anniversary and Launches Exciting New Product

Posted on November 11, 2019

Nothing beats a luxurious pampering treat, more so for a hands-on mom like me whose responsibilities are manifold and never-ending. Whenever time permits, I go pamper myself with nail services, a back massage, or facials to have that much needed and well-deserved me-time. It was perfect timing that I got invited last Saturday to see the Dermcare Luxe Wellness and Spa branch located at SM City North Towers, another blissful sanctuary for this tired and busy momma.

Dermcare Luxe Wellness and Spa

Dermcare Luxe is the bigger and more glamorized version of Dermcare Professional Skin, Hair & Spa, a beauty, health and wellness center that offers world class skin facials, body treatments, as well as hair rebonding and treatments at, believe it or not, prices that even students can afford. Yes, you heard that right! Dermcare offers quality products and services at prices that won’t hurt your wallet. They give discounts to seniors and PWDs, too, as well as to Pag-IBIG Fund Loyalty Cardholders. It was my first time to visit, and I was really impressed! The place is so inviting and relaxing I actually didn’t want to leave!

I wouldn’t mind waiting at this cozy and chic reception area.

Ms. Jazz, the Marketing Manager of Dermcare, gave us a tour of Dermcare Luxe and briefed us on how Dermcare started. Dermcare actually started as a pharmacy and skin clinic. The first Dermcare branch located along Taft Avenue was opened in the 80s. Under the able leadership of its President and CEO Ms. Zenaida E. Palisoc, Dermcare pioneered the whitening business in the Philippines, offering top-of-the-line beauty products at affordable prices. It eventually evolved into a one-stop shop that provides skin, body, and hair treatments in a place that’s both invigorating and rejuvenating.

Lightening, anti-aging, and pimple control treatments are done in the Facial Area.

If I remember right, they have three VIP rooms like these in their SM City North Towers branch.

The Spa and Massage Room is perfect for friends or couples who wish to have a relaxing time after a hectic day. There’s even a bathtub at client’s disposal in this room.

You can also have rebonding and hair treatments at the Rebonding Area.

Kwentong Pilipina

Just recently, a digital platform called Kwentong Pilipina was launched by Wellness Innovators Corporation, in partnership with local organizations and individuals, that aims to empower Filipina women. The platform shares inspiring stories of Filipinas who overcame adversities in life and the lessons they’ve gained from their experiences. Viewers also have access to exclusive content about health, career, women’s rights, beauty, lifestyle, etc. Kwentong Pilipina can be accessed through its website, www.kwentongpilipina.com.

Crystal White AO+

Crystal White AO+ is Dermcare’s newest product that uses advanced whitening and antioxidant technology. It’s a skin supplement from Japan made from all-natural ingredients (Vitamin C, grape seed extract, resveratrol, Solomon’s seal, and strawberry saxifrage) that does the following:
• Lightens skin
• Reduces uneven skin tone
• Moisturizes skin
• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
• Promotes healthy skin
• Protects skin from the sun
• Nourishes the skin
• Improves bodily functions.

So many beautiful things are happening now at Dermcare, so don’t be left behind. Experience full bliss and be treated like royalty at any Dermcare branch nationwide.

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Posted in 30th Anniversary, Crystal White AO+, Dermcare, Dermcare Luxe, Dermcare Luxe Wellness and Spa, Dermcare Philippines, Hair & Spa, Kwentong Pilipina, SM City North Towers | Leave a comment

The Growth of Foodpanda in Malaysia: Facts!

Posted on November 2, 2019

A lot of apps and websites these days offer food delivery service or a food delivery marketplace, but do you know which one among them is the best? In Malaysia, the most successful and popular food delivery service is provided by Foodpanda, a German company that operates in more than 30 countries worldwide. Foodpanda has a very active presence in six major cities in Malaysia. The company quickly sensed that the demand for food delivery will increase due to changing socio-economic conditions. To address this need, Foodpanda started an aggressive expansion policy and extended their operations to Malacca, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Ipoh, Miri, and Seremban.

Sayantan Das, the Managing Director of Foodpanda Malaysia, said in an interview that this expansion was the need of the hour. Today, more and more Malaysians are demanding high-quality food at their workplaces and their homes. They have become more conscious of what they eat and the nutrition they get from the food they are consuming. This awareness has led them to make informed choices about their favorite restaurants and the food they want to order. It is true that many good restaurants serve healthy food, but most of them lack a delivery infrastructure. Foodpanda is here to bridge that gap between the customer and the restaurant. With Foodpanda, you don’t have to worry about getting food from a restaurant that’s on the other side of town. Foodpanda will take care of the food delivery while you focus on other important things. Foodpanda’s vision is simple and clear, to bring premium quality and nutritious food to Malaysian people at affordable prices and to tap the food delivery Malaysia market.

The success of Foodpanda is also evident in the balance sheet of Delivery Hero. For those not in the know, Foodpanda was acquired by Delivery Hero in 2016, although the company is still headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Delivery Hero made sure that the Malaysian business of Foodpanda is given free rein to its investments. They also expanded the leadership in Foodpanda to accommodate more creative individuals that can take the company to a higher level. You will be surprised to know that the revenue generated by Foodpanda this year is more than 93 percent of the revenue generated last year. Such success is rarely enjoyed by a company, but Foodpanda has achieved that. Today, Foodpanda has delivery to more than 125 countries around the world.

Another reason for the success of Foodpanda is their tie-ups with restaurants, big or small alike. Before foodpanda entered the picture, the business was mostly fragmented. Most of the people preferred to eat somewhere near their homes. It was even worse for those who worked in offices; they did not have any choice. But everything has completely changed. Today, you can order from almost any restaurants in your city. Foodpanda has also helped these restaurants grow their businessess by enabling them to reach a larger customer base. Most of these restaurants have reported a growth of over 200% with Foodpanda.

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Posted in Expansion, Food Delivery, Food Delivery Service, Foodpanda, Malaysia, Revenue Growth | Leave a comment

Awesome Christmas Gift Ideas at The Luxe Series by BPI

Posted on October 16, 2019

Still undecided on what gifts to give your family and friends this Christmas? You might want to check out the upcoming The Luxe Series by BPI, which will be held on select weekends starting October 11 until November 24 at The Preferred Center, BPI Shangri-La Shaw branch, Level 1 Main Wing, Shangri-La Plaza. Level up your Christmas shopping and score some luxurious iconic brands for your squad and loved ones at one of the biggest Christmas sales ever.

Organized by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), exclusive access will be given to BPI Preferred Cardholders on Fridays from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and for all BPI Cardholders from Saturdays to Sundays from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Enjoy as much as 50% off and Real 0% installment up to 24 months on premium brands of watches, jewelry, fashion items, and gadgets as well as travel deals. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic, generous, or just being a plain practical gift-giver this Christmas, BPI and its partner merchants got you covered.

Here’s what awaits BPI cardholders during the exclusive weekend events:

1. Watches – Indulge yourself or your loved ones with luxury watches this Christmas season. From October 11 to 14, BPI cardholders get special discounts and Real 0% installment up to 24 months on Breitling, Longines, Pandora and more.

2. Jewelry – Pamper your loved ones with classic pieces from Jewelmer and Sunjewel. All unique and exquisite selections will be showcased from October 25 to 27.

3. Fashion – Whether you’re gifting someone who’s a trendy, preppy, classy, or chic fashionista, take your loved one’s ensemble to a whole new level with one-of-a-kind fashion finds from top luxury brands when you shop from November 15 to 17.d

4. Travel – We all have that one friend or family member who can’t resist going out of town or country every now and then. Surprise him or her with the gift of luxury stays and travel essentials made more affordable only from November 22 to 24 with BPI cards.

BPI Sales and Service Channels Division Head for Northern Metro Manila Jose Raul Jereza said the bank’s goal is to provide clients better access to relevant financial solutions and make an impact via the best deals for some of the most luxurious iconic brands, made more affordable to cardholders this holiday season.

“We continue to organize activities and programs that aim to optimize our clients’ buying capacity and responsibly improve their lives. The Luxe Series by BPI is an excellent opportunity for early Christmas shopping, which is the smart thing to do to avoid the Christmas rush. We have entered into partnerships with select merchants and negotiated on behalf of our clients to get the best deals,” Jereza explained.

He added non-cardholders may also join by applying for a BPI or BPI Family Savings credit card during the event.

Like BPI on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bpi/, to get first dibs on their promos and updates.

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Posted in BPI, BPI Cardholders, BPI Preferred Cardholders, Christmas, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Sale, Christmas Shopping, Exclusive Shopping Experience, Press Release, The Luxe Series by BPI | Leave a comment

Support & Save a Life, Love Heals Fundraising Campaign

Posted on October 8, 2019

Mommy Ging Pardito-Ibo of 8-Jasmin is a good friend of mine. Our sons became friends in Grade 7. Emerald babies we call them. Before school started last August, Ging was diagnosed to have breast cancer and was advised to undergo four cycles of chemotherapy before and after surgery. The purpose of chemotherapy before surgery is to reduce the size of the mass in her left breast to minimize the scar from her operation scheduled this December.

Mommy Ging with Daddy Jay

We, Ging’s friends from Emerald, are helping her raise funds for her breast cancer treatment. Support & Save a Life, Love Heals was officially launched last October 4.

We are selling T-shirts and mugs bearing the design of Ging’s artist son Gian. Through this campaign, we hope to help Ging raise money for her operation.


You can also help us save a life by purchasing the items we sell. If you want to help, please leave a comment on this blog post or leave me a message in Messenger; my Messenger handle is Maria Teresa Gregorio-Figuerres). You can also order through this FB link. Thank you and God bless your generous hearts!

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Posted in Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness, Breast Cancer Treatment, Fundraising Campaign, Ging Pardito, Love Heals | Leave a comment