4 Reasons Why I enjoyed Ensogo's Late Night Buffet at Diamond Hotel

Online buying sites have altered the "face" of Marketing and Sales, worldwide.  Even the Philippines was not spared from the proliferation of local online buying sites.  The convenient payment schemes and special rates of the "deals" that online buying sites offer may bring out the shopaholic in you, but then again, that would depend upon the person's purchasing power and buying habits.  For most parts, I think that online buying sites still promote a "win-win" scenario for both the merchants and the consumers.  The merchants earn from collective purchase and consumers enjoy services and products at very discounted rates, and online buying sites, being a third party to these transactions also earn and are able to provide jobs. 

Gladly, I'm not really a hard-core shopaholic.  The first service I bought from an online buying site was from Tipidto.com.  I availed of the Ageless Treatment and Rejuvenating Spa from Celtrex, which I shared in my previous blog.  This time around, I was able to avail of Ensogo Philippines' Late Night Buffet at Corniche in Diamond Hotel.  It was actually my friend Claire who purchased the vouchers (she's an Ensogo fanatic!).  She purchased six of these vouchers and my husband and I availed of the 2 vouchers.  I'm just kind of glad that we purchased the vouchers, because we enjoyed the experience.  Here are the 4 topmost reasons why: 

• Huge Discount.  The original price of the buffet would have been PHP688 per pax, but we were able to enjoy the buffet for only PHP 344 per pax.  But then, Ensogo was able to sell 3,683 of these vouchers, so I guess, everybody's happy (Corniche, Ensogo and the consumers)! 

• Good food.  There was a variety of food choices to satisfy one's gastronomical taste--ranging from hors d'oeuvres, dimsums, pastas, pizzas, salad and desserts.  Claire and I  think that it's really "sulit" for PHP 344 per pax. 

Dimsums

Desserts

Pizza

http://www.ensogo.com.ph/manila/diamond-hotel-late-buffet.htm

• Nice ambiance, elegantly designed interiors of Corniche. Need I say more? 

http://www.diamondhotel.com/corniche.html

• Impeccable service and courteous Corniche staff.  When we got to Diamond Hotel, there were already a number of people waiting outside Corniche (lol!).  Although we waited for sometime, we were ushered to our table and seats right away, as soon as the buffet was set.  The waiters were alert and need not be prompted to refill water and bus-out plates.

It was not just the discount, really.  I guess, it was more of the fusion of the discount and the good food and service that made the experience worthwhile.  Even if we got it at a discounted rate, but if the service and food had been bad, I would have been singing a different tune in this blog.  

I would have wanted to purchase Deal Grocer's Deal at Illustrado--"Leonor: The Love of Jose Rizal", theater dinner and cocktails at a promo prize of PHP 750 from an original price of PHP1,200, but sadly, none of my friends are available to join me.  Oh well, perhaps, next time. 

Vacation in Thailand

It was our first time to have a  vacation in Thailand.   I stepped foot in Bangkok with my husband Voltaire, my friend Claire and her mom, Tita Crising.  Claire booked this vacation in Thailand last Christmas season as a sort of get-away for us, after mounting a series of successful events last year. 

 

This vacation in Thailand was interesting and enjoyable.   We flew to Bangkok via Cebu Pacific.  When we got off the plane, I realized that it's just like "home."  As Thai Ground Stewards welcome us, we immediately noticed the semblance of Thai features and physique with Filipinos.  I might have made a mistake calling them "kabayan" had they not been speaking a different language.  Suvarnabhumi International Airport seemed bigger compared to our NAIA Terminal 3.  I was thankful that the airport's walkalator was functioning; lest, it would have been a long walk for us.  (Can I just mention that our walkalator was not working when we boarded the plane and even when we got back from Bangkok?). Any rate, upon entering the arrival area, our eyes set-upon the huge photos of 2 elephants, which reminded me of my husband's ultimate plan to ride on one when we get to Thailand. (He got his wish and it was a thrill- but that's another story).

Vacation in Thailand- Volts and I at NAIA Terminal 3

Vacation in Thailand- With Claire at NAIA Terminal 3

Riding the Walkalator at Suvarnabhumi Airport with Volts and Tita Crising

Vacation in Thailand- Elephant Portrait at Suvarnabhumi International Airport 

We were fetched by our guide, named Chocolate.  He reminds us of the local comedian-actor Chocolate, because they have a resemblance.  He's courteous and friendly . He mentioned that he already visited Manila and stayed in a friend's house in Green Meadows.  He relayed his experiences when he toured Intramuros last year and expressed his intent to visit Boracay next year.  

The weather was hot, similar to that of Manila’s summer days. We rode the comfortable tourist bus and while traversing the roads, Carriedo, Recto and Sta. Cruz came to mind (although there are also big buildings, in other areas).  Traffic was heavy--bumper to bumper, as we call it, but then again, we are used to that, are we not?

We stayed at the Four Seasons International House, a nice and cozy hotel at Petchburi Road, Thailand.  The owner of this boutique hotel happens to be a Filipina, Tita Zeny, a long-time friend of Tita Crising. It’s smacked right in the middle of Pratunam Garment Center,  that’s why we also met a number of Filipino entrepreneurs who engage in garment trading (or who we colloquially refer to as “biyaheras”).  Four Seasons International House has all the amenities that one would need in a hotel—wifi, buffet breakfast, sauna and massage and 2 free bottled waters, replenished everyday. It’s also a good alternative to luxury hotels, because it’s very affordable.  We got our room for $65 per person for 4D/ 3N, inclusive of breakfast. It's near the shopping area, a 7-11 and our favorite NESCAFÉ Cart.

Vacation in Thailand- We stayed at Four Seasons Hotel

Vacation in Thailand- Room at Four Seasons International House

Vacation in Thailand, 7-11 near Four Seasons International

Vacation in Thailand- Bangkok NESCAFÉ Cart

Any rate, the very first “adventure” we had during our vacation in Thailand was eating street food.  We just had a little difficulty talking to the vendors, so sign language was the most effective means of communication.  We pointed at the food that we wanted to eat--this technique, we call "turo-turo" in Filipino.  We ate fish, pork, chicken, steamed vegetables and of course, a very spicy salad. Locals said that it's a must to try the street food, so we went, we ate and were full.  It was a hefty, but affordable meal.  We spent something like 500 THB or about 735PHP, not bad for a party of four. The exchange rate during the time of our visit was 1PHP=.68 THB (Oh yes,  sadly , our PHP has a lower exchange rate during the time of our visit to Thailand). 

Vacation in Thailand- Wide array of food cooked along the streets 

Yummy and spicy!

Food trip--our first adventure during our vacation in Thailand

“100 Days to Heaven”: A Refreshing TV Series

I seldom watch teleseryes; most often than not, my schedule does not permit me to watch primetime TV.  

I chanced upon “100 Days to Heaven” last week. It was a Sunday, if I am not mistaken.  I believe that it was a replay of the pilot episode shown last May 9. I instantaneously recognized it as the series being plugged by ABS-CBN which I’ve seen a couple of times.  Seeing Coney Reyes as one of the main casts made me sit and watch it (I don’t watch primetime TV, but I watch Coney Reyes and company’s CBN Asia almost every night).  I have not been aware of Coney Reyes doing TV series recently, so I told myself that this must be a good project for her to be in it.  So I watched and I was not disappointed.  

http://www.internetphilippines.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/100-Days-to-Heaven-Teleserye.jpg

What impressed me most about “100 Days to Heaven” is its storyline and dialogues. I won't go into describing the plot anymore, since I am sure that many are aware of the character of Anna Manalastas, which is being played by Coney Reyes as the adult Anna and Xyriel Manabat as the little Anna. For me, what is noteworthy about "100 Days to Heaven's" storyline and treatment is that the viewer can readily comprehend the "motivation" behind the character of Anna Manalastas.  Compared to other teleseryes where the audience cannot fully understand the character's "motivation" for doing what they do, "100 Days to Heaven" has fully established Anna Manalastas' character through flashback scenes and dialogues.  The audience was given a "sneak peek" on Anna's life--her family background, what she went through as a young girl and as a young lady--factors that molded her character as an adult. Another notable aspect in the story is that even the rationale behind her father's character, played by Mark Gil was revealed in a scene prior his character's demise. The characters of the support casts were also high established.  This, I think, gives the series an upper hand vis-a-vis other tv primetime series, because it elicits the viewer's empathy for the characters, emanating from the former's understanding of the character's personalities and background, particularly that of Anna Manalastas. In a way, the viewers are made to see where the characters "are coming from."  

Acting-wise, I didn't have to think twice about Coney Reyes.  She is definitely, in my opinion, one of the country's most reputable actresses, but the Little Anna awed me.  Honestly, since I don't watch much TV, I didn't even know her name, until I made some research.  For me, Xyriel's acting talent is astonishing, considering her age.  The support casts, being bankable actors and actresses is also another plus factor.

I was not a bit surprised to learn that "100 Days to Heaven" had trended worldwide in Twitter during its pilot telecast.  It also   grabbed the first spot in the top 20 most watched programs last May 9, according to Kantar Media. This series is really worth watching. 
http://100days.abs-cbn.com/updates.html#


For me, "100 Days to Heaven" is a refreshing TV series.  With a strong storyline and treatment plus a popular and meaningful soundtrack "Mahiwaga" by Fatima Soriano, it is potent vehicle to impart values that young people may emulate.  In the middle of technological advancement and global village where young people are presented varying views and values, there is a need for more TV programs like "100 Days to Heaven" to make the young and old rethink the values that may have often been taken for granted.

It may be a dog-eat-dog world out there, but there's "100 Days to Heaven" that will remind us that amidst all the difficulties of life, there is hope, faith, friendship, forgiveness and second chances---"Kuha Nyo?"