Since I am scheduled to take my NCLEX on April 23, 2025, it is now about time for me to go to Manila the day before. But a week before my exam, I already made an online booking for my accommodation on Victory Liner's Royal Class Bus and an overnight accommodation in Makati near my exam center.
Online Booking
I discovered it is more convenient to book online rather than personally queuing at the bus terminal.
I just took a screenshot of my booking confirmation at the counter and then received my ticket. The price is a little over Php 1,500.
Bus Impression
A. Exterior
The bus used for Royal Class trips has a different design. It has a different color with a combination of red and black, labelled on its exterior. The bulk is much bigger than other air-conditioned buses.
B. Interior
Upon entering the bus, you will notice it has a three-row, double-decked sleeper set-up. Each cubicle has a reclining chair that you can adjust to a 30-degree angle that promotes a suitable position to sleep while on your way to your point of destination.
Perks and give-aways
When you book a Royal Bus Trip at Victory Liner, you will avail of and enjoy the following:
- Free Blanket
- Free 300ml water bottle
- A snack
- Free wifi
- A charging port
- Built-in Comfort Room inside the bus
Trip Journey
The duration of my trip was between 7:40 am to 11:40 am. It was a four-hour trip from Baguio to Pasay via TPLEX and NLEX. So it was an express with no stopover.
Overall, the trip was worth it. I really needed to have a relaxing, non-irritating, and uninterrupted trip to Manila. The best part is, I passed the NCLEX exam, which is truly a memorable experience.
If you are looking for a Mexican dish to satisfy your palate, Silantro is one of the Restaurants that I can recommend when you are in Baguio City. The name of the Restaurant is "Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina", which I discovered has multiple branches across NCR, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon, Philippines. The location is on the Ground Floor of Summer Pines Residences, along Marcos Highway, Baguio City.
The place is smartly located in a spot where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Mount Santo Tomas Volcano if you choose to sit on the veranda area. However, when the weather is rainy, you have no choice but to take your seat inside for your health and safety.
In this blog, I will be making a food blog rating based on what I experienced firsthand during my visit to the place as a first-time patron. My rating will be based on the ambiance of the place, the service of the staff, the quality of the food, and the price.
The rating is almost perfect. The remainder is due to the weather factor. You will be the luckiest person if you happen to visit the area when the weather is fair and sunny. This will be the best opportunity for you to enjoy the relaxing view of Marcos Highway, the southern portion of Baguio City. You can enjoy Al-Fresco dining with your loved ones if you opt to have a breath of fresh air.
The Service: 9.5/10
What I love about is the fast service. The average serving time is 5 minutes and it is considered super fast. I also noticed that the staff were all welcoming upon entrance until exit with their warm smile. All staff are approachable and always initiate all your needs while making sure you will get comfortable and relaxed.
The Price: 9/10
Most of the prices are reasonable and affordable if you compare them on the menu. There are foods that anyone can avail of without worrying about their pockets. Some specialties are worth the price, given the trademark of the restaurant's high-quality Filipino-Mexican dishes. We should thank the chef for their unwavering talent for keeping our palate satisfied with these unique flavors.
The Food: 9.5/10
I must say, I can't get enough of the 5-course meals that we availed during the visit. The chicken burritos are so good that I can eat more than I can chew. My favorite Silantro Paella Fajita never failed to amaze my palate. Good thing we ordered a high-fiber Lucha Nacho Completos. I also can't stop eating Beef tacos, which are undeniably indeed their best-selling food. But I am surprised by the cheesy Quesadilla as the underrated course.
Verdict
Overall, I am satisfied with my visit to Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina, Baguio City Branch. The staff made us all feel comfortable during our stay and made sure all our needs were met. We felt safe while enjoying the sumptuous food available in the place and enjoyed each flavor. The staff always initiates if we need something, which is an impressive way to entertain guests.
I definitely will recommend this place as I never felt any signs of uneasiness. Upon my return, I will try other menus that I have yet to devour and satisfy my stomach in the future. I am grateful to have restaurants in our area serving dishes from other cultures for the locals to try.
This is a glimpse of BeachCamp Resort by LOC in Elyu (La Union), a resort that offers a calm getaway for both local and international travelers or tourists. It gives a calming ambiance to those who want to escape from a stressful environment. For tourists, taking a dose of Vitamin Sea eliminates stress and negativity from work, home, and toxic friends.
BeachCamp by LOC is one of the newest beach resorts in Caba, La Union. The place is specifically located at Barangay Santiago Sur, Caba, La Union, Philippines. It will take at least 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Baguio, 2-4 hrs drive from the North in Ilocandia while it will take you at least 4-6 hours from Manila.
Note: The Google map and Waze show that you have reached your destination when reaching a swampy area and it will seem the Google Map made an incorrect arrival spot. The next thing you have to do is to follow the unpaved road on the right side.
Check-in time is 2pm while Check-out time is 12noon the next day
accommodations
Open Kubo (Php 1000 for 8 pax day rate)
This is a spacious area for family or friends who wants to spend their day relaxing and unwinding.
A -Type Kubo (Php 1700 for 4 pax overnight)
A unique type of accommodation that makes you feel like camping along the beach.
Aircon Room with Toilet (Php 2400 for 4 pax overnight)
Best for a family who wants to spend overnight in the resort.
The scenic view
Grabbed from my drone, the place is pristine with grey sand that looks similarly white during the day. The area is not that populated as compared to other resorts in San Fernando and San Juan in La Union. What I love is the absence of rocky landscapes across the shorelines. Even if you go far like a distance of 20 meters, the water level is still below your waistline.
Mysterious Sea Fireflies
The owner forgot to inform me about the presence of "sea fireflies". These are the bioluminescent planktons that react to any movement along the shorelines, giving a luminous glow during the night. This is best observed during the Full Moon.
The Beach
The whole stretch of coastline is not rocky at all. the area has smooth grey sand. You can walk along the beach while enjoying its warm breeze. It is not mossy, it is not murky, and you can build sand castles. There are no sharks, no snakes, or crocodiles.
My Ratings
1. Service (10/10): The staff provides an approachable ambiance, making you feel at home during your stay at the resort. They are jolly, easy to mingle with, and you can even share different stories under a cup of coffee or any juice drink.
2. Ambiance (10/10): This is the best part. The place is still virgin with little or no resorts nearby. There is an obvious observation of a lesser crowd than other resorts in the area. You can relax without having concerns with other guests.
3. Facilities (8/10): The place is still under construction. Soon, there will be new amenities such as swimming pools and function halls. Perhaps more rooms for additional guests in the area.
4. Expenses (10/10): The place is really cheap. The room rates, food, and other expenses are considerably affordable. Since we availed of the Aircon room, 5 bottles of juice, and 4 breakfast, I only paid a total of Php 3,785. If you compare it with the expenses of other resorts, it will really cost you more than Php 5,000 or more.
5. Safety (9/10): I forgot to mention this in my vlog. I would say 9/10. You cannot really say it is 100% safe due to the different personalities and psychological capacity of other guests and other locals within the area. Guarding your belongings is still the best thing to prevent any untoward incidents.
Recommendations?
Definitely worth recommending this resort. I will probably return again if given the chance to unwind with friends, family, or a lifetime partner.
For more information, visit their Facebook Page: BeachCamp by LOC
Vitamin C is one of the best nutrients in boosting our immune system from pathogenic microorganisms. The mechanism of action of Vitamin C is to help regenerate smooth muscle fibers of our cell and to improve the perfusion of white blood cells against infectious agents. The best way to have it is to eat fruits that taste sour, indicating a high content of vitamin c nutrients.
However, not all people are compatible with the Ascorbic Acid supplement as it contains irritants affecting the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Ascorbic Acid is known to cause irritations in the gastric mucosa. Signs and Symptoms include abdominal pain or sometimes, bleeding. Sodium Ascorbate is another form of a Vitamin C variant that helps to prevent gastric mucosa irritation while aiming to boost the immune system.
Here are the Top 5 Best Sodium Ascorbate Capsules for the Year 2021
1. Ultima-C: This is a product that is well-known for individuals who are members of UNO MLM Company. Ultima-C is the most promising product of UNO company because it helps to improve the immune system without causing harm to the stomach. Discount is higher if you are a member of the UNO MLM company to avail yourself of a cheaper price of Php 10 per capsule.
2. 24-Alkaline-C: One of the fast-growing Sodium Ascorbate brand in the market. It's popularity hurdles the local market due to the onslaught of the pandemic. The brand has an average of at least Php 8 per capsule as well. This brand is available to all drugstores in the Philippines.
3. Fern-C: This is still one of the most popular products in the market. A decade ago, I already observed the presence of this brand in various drugstores. The main campaign is its non-acidic nature for people who wants to improve their immune system. The price of this product ranges between Php 7 to 12 per capsule.
4. Radiance Vitamin C-Plus: The most interesting Sodium Ascorbate variant. It contains not only Vitamin C but other essential nutrients for wellness. These are collagen, sodium carbonate, Quercetin, and NAC that are essential antioxidants in the body. Price ranges from Php 10 and above, depending on the seller.
5. Bewell-C: Another product that is regaining its popularity in the market. You can observe its presence in Watsons, which is heavily promoted by the sales personnel in every customer at the counter. There are promos that the brand offer, making it the cheapest sodium ascorbate than any other brands at Php 6 per capsule.
There is one savior for me whenever I am having a set of pimple outbreaks. Collagen Toner by Watsons with Penta Lucent system is the best facial toner that I am optimistic about my face. This toner has the best instant effect on my face, indicating the compatibility on my skin. One thing more, I can feel the freshness upon using this facial toner every after use. There is a feeling of firmness that I believe it can really minimize fine lines around my face and even on my skin.
Collagen Toner by Watsons with Penta Lucent system has five different collagen compounds that are essential to improve the skin's collagen and elastin components. One effect is to firm the face by means of rejuvenating collagen and elastin. The Penta Lucent system aims to eliminate stressed cells responsible for making the face look pale and look darker.
3 Best Tips to eliminate Acne or Pimples and Scars:
1. Wash your face with either your favorite soap or facial cleanser: For best results, it is always essential to use the Collagen Toner with a clean face. Wash your face using any soap or facial cleanser helps to eliminate excess oil, dirt, dead cells, and impurities in your skin. One thing more, washing your face removes harmful bacteria and viruses, responsible for causing infection.
2. Use a base moisturizer right after washing your face: It is important to maintain the moisture of the face after washing with soap. The rationale is to prevent the face and neck from severe dryness that can lead to irritation and discomfort. Base moisturizer restores moisture to the epidermis, which nourishes the cells after washing away all impurities.
3. Apply the toner in a circular motion: After the washing and moisturizing routine took place, it is now time to apply the toner. Use a small amount of cotton to absorb the toner and then begin the circular motion to the face. Start from the frontal area of the face in a circular motion and then around the face. Include the neck and the nape when applying the toner for the best overall results.
Note: You can apply the toner to your face at least twice a day. For me, I apply once a day before bedtime. My face routine usually takes place before I sleep at night.
Acne breakout is the worst thing that can happen to your face. Pimple outbreak makes it even worse due to the appearance of papules all around your face. Whenever there is either a pimple or acne breakouts in your face, it affects your mood. The concentration on your daily routine will have a lesser focus due to the appearance of red marks on the face or neck. After having a breakout, the next concern is the appearance of dark scars.
I bought Pond's BB cream, thinking that it can really hide visible acne and pimple breakouts. That is my main purpose why I buy bb cream and foundation to use it whenever going out during the daytime. Good thing Watson's offer this product that seeks to help individuals gain their confidence back even if they are having pimple outbreaks. I decided to choose Pond's age miracle BB+ Anti Aging BB cream. This cream seems better than the regular bb cream.
Back Story: One month ago before purchasing Pond's anti-aging BB cream, I went to Watsons and purchased their latest rejuvenating set. The price is worth Php 800 and my money got short to purchase this product. So I have to leave behind Pond's age miracle anti-aging BB cream to purchase on the next month, which I already have it now and made a review.
Upon applying the cream, it gives an instant coverage on your face, hiding pimples and scars. One thing more is the cream's ability to hide fine lines such as wrinkles. The ingredients help to restore your skin's youthful balance due to the presence of zinc oxide, niacinamide, and linoleic acid.
The Box contents:
Makeup brush: One good thing about purchasing this product is the free brush. This brush is ideal for applying face powder on top of the bb cream in your face and neck. The brush has fine strokes when you apply additional dry powder.
Bb cream: The main product. It contains an anti-aging ingredient that is suitable to make you look younger than your age. Upon applying the cream on my face, it can really make a difference between before and after photos on the thumbnail.
Price: At Watsons Store, you can avail of the product for just Php 499 or roughly 500. If you prefer purchasing online, you should expect a higher value due to the courier fee and another fee for the delivery.
If there is one coffee we should try, this would be Mx3 Coffee Mix. Why? it contains some of the most essential nutrients that help to boost our immunity. This is an instant coffee mix that contains a mixture of coffee, sugar, and non-acidic milk powder or creamer. One good thing is the taste, which is not so sweet and does not have a single sign of bitterness in your mouth upon each sip of the coffee. This is a coffee mix that is perfect for your everyday routine during meals or snacks.
Mx3 is one of the most promising drinks everyone should try. It contains potent nutrients that aim to strengthen the immune system. Coffee lovers will have another reason to enjoy this drink because it helps to relieve stress while sipping each drop. The good thing about this product is its ability to prevent acute and chronic ailments that hampers the physiological and mental integrity of a person.
Beneficial ingredients of Mx3:
1. Garcinia Mangostana: This is the most potent ingredient of the drink. As an effective antioxidant, it helps to neutralize free radicals, responsible for causing neoplasms in the body. The anti-oxidant effects of mangosteen reduce the risk of developing cancer in the body. The detoxifying effects of this ingredient help to lower cholesterol, responsible for preventing heart diseases, stroke, and cardiovascular ailments.
2. Vitamin C: In the form of ascorbic acid, this is the most important nutrient in our body for defending against pathogens. The presence of virus, bacteria, fungi, and parasites are responsible for causing diseases in our body. One of the most dangerous viruses that are causing a total lockdown in all parts of the world is the Sars-Cov2 responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic in the world. Vitamin C prevents our body to become vulnerable to contracting pathogens.
3. Calcium: Another interesting component of this drink is the presence of calcium molecules. Calcium is responsible for helping the body on strengthening the bone cells. Having a regular intake of essential calcium in the body strengthens the bone and teeth. Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases that change the posture of the body when walking or standing upright.
Mx3 instant coffee mix is available at your nearest drugstores, pharmacies, or local botika. There are online sellers offering similar products in various online selling stores. The price per sachet ranges from Php 15 to 20 and per box is between Php 170 and above, depending on the seller.
Skin Reborn Rejuvenating Set is one of the newest rejuvenating sets you can find in the market. This product is locally made in the Philippines, highlighting the genes of Filipino skin from local dermatologists and chemists. One interesting thing is the use of Kojic Acid as a powerful ingredient that is suitable for making the skin looking more radiant. Here are the components of Skin Reborn Rejuvenating Set:
Each Set Contains the Following:
Kojic Acid Papaya Soap: Best to remove dirt in your face and body while the kojic acid and other ingredients provide a brighter effect on the skin.
Cleansing Toner: The perfect solution to clear out hidden oil and dirt in the face and neck.
Rejuvenating Cream: Contains essential nutrients that soothe the first and second layers of the skin while moisturizing and repairing collagen and elastin compounds.
Sunblock: It has SPF 30 protection against the harmful UVA and UVB from the Sun.
Steps:
1. Wash your face using lukewarm water. Make sure to wash your face, neck, at the back of the neck, nape, and the upper chest area. Using a circular motion, use the Kojic soap around your face, neck, ears, nape, and in the upper chest. The reason is to prevent uneven skin tone when using the product for more than one week. Rinse with water after one to two minutes.
2. Optional: Apply moisturizer immediately after use, which is my routine. You may or may not use moisturizer as an optional choice before applying the toner. The reason for this optional choice is to prevent any irritation from the face due to the strong impact of the kojic acid soap and the toner.
3. The next step is to apply the cleansing toner for the face. Note that it is important not to apply too much toner as it can cause irritation to the face after using the kojic acid soap. Same with the Kojic Acid Soap application, brush the neck, nape, and back of the ears with the toner.
4. Apply creams. The first is the rejuvenating cream, which is my favorite part of using the rejuvenating set. This cream is very important as it helps your dermis and epidermis regenerate. Then apply sunscreen to protect your face and neck from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB from the sun when applying it during the daytime.
Note: You may apply the rejuvenating cream either during daytime or night time, depending on your free time to pamper your face. Skin Reborn does not restrict any gender. This product is universal, regardless of your gender or sexual orientation.
One of the main reasons to stay healthy is to ensure our body becomes more resistant to infection. However, our body needs to take additional supplements, especially when there is a medical emergency in our community. The threat of novel coronavirus that is popularly known as Covid-19 is the recent case responsible for causing a worldwide medical pandemic in our community. The coronavirus has a significant high infection rate, which can easily transmit the pathogen to an individual.
With the persistence of the Covid-19 pandemic, we need Enervon-C, one of the most trusted over the counter food supplements in our community. As we all know, the coronavirus quickly spread worldwide in just a matter of less than a month. At first, most governments around the world ignored the health threat until it slowly infected their communities. Today, the Covid-19 is responsible for shutting down most countries around the world to prevent the spread of the disease.
Vitamin B-Complex
Improve the electric response of nerves while sending signals to other nerve cells throughout the body.
B-Complex is known to energize the body to support muscle movements.
Alleviates signs and symptoms of a hangover or alcoholic intoxication.
Improves memory performance and the logical functioning of the brain.
Prevents the risk of experiencing muscle fatigue.
Vitamin C
Known either as ascorbic acid (Acidic variant) or sodium ascorbate (alkaline variant)
Strengthens the immune system as it improves the resistance of infection.
Supports collagen and elastin formation of the skin and smooth muscles.
It improves bone and teeth density in the body.
Increases the production of white blood cells in the body.
Price
Enervon multivitamins have a suggested retail price of Php 8.00. Buying a bottle is cheaper because the cost per bottle is Php 195. The content per bottle has 30 tablets you can take it once a day. This product is available in any open pharmacy or drugstores near you. Examples are Watsons, Mercury Drugstore, St. Joseph Pharmacy, and The Generics Pharmacy.
Fight against Covid-19
The novel coronavirus responsible for the Covid-19 Pandemic is mainly targetting the respiratory system. Taking one tablet a day of Enervon can increase the production of white blood cells to fight germs inside the lungs. When taking this food supplement, it can increase your resistance to other infectious agents.
Recently, I just received a scam e-mail, and as a familiar experience, I did what I have to with this type of activity. At first, I became scared because they are now targeting me to pose as a company in order to manipulate and get my confidential information to steal my YouTube and social media accounts. To ignore it. This is my nth time receiving such emails, attempting to acquire my login information and then all confidential files to lure me into their trap. Phishing emails such as this recent activity on my email service provider reminds me of something to be more careful with the things that I always see in the digital world.
Scam emails are risky scenarios that can trick a certain victim to hand out their confidential information. Hackers use manipulating messages and images as a way to further become more successful in their criminal intents online. Phishing emails pose as a replica of some email or social media service providers to make it look real whenever they want to persuade their victims of clicking links to their websites. Once the victim clicks the link, the hacker can now inject their adware and spyware to collect personal information. 4 Tips How to Prevent Phishing Scam in Emails
1. Ignore or delete the message: To answer the question, it is simply by ignoring the message and then delete it forever. Deleting things that give a stressful meaning in your life can prevent future problems that can give you emotional and mental stress in the future. Deleting it and then emptying your trash bin in your email will make you feel more relaxed.
2. Check the source of the Email: When you receive an email and demands something, make sure to consider it as suspicious. Determining the source of all emails coming into your inbox may always pose a threat due to the anonymity of the email. Click the source and determine if it is indeed coming from a legit source will let you realize, you are dealing with something sinister in your email.
3. Inspect the grammar: One important way to determine if the email is a scam will be all about the grammatical composition of the mail. In scam emails, there are grammatical errors you will find since hackers are not that well-versed with the composition of grammars with their choice of words used in their mails or message towards you.
4. Forcing to click a link: One way to know if you are receiving a phishing email is when the message is telling or demanding you to click the link. One thing more is when they will blackmail you such as terminating your channel or account if you will not click the link. This is simply a type of scam that lures you through the application of manipulation.
Always remember, knowledge is power. Awareness is the key to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of phishing scams like this.
