Discovering The Puzzle Mansion in Tagaytay City

Tweet

Tagaytay City is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations because of outstanding scenery and cooler climate provided by its high altitude. It has a lot more to offer to local and foreign tourists.

Spending your weekend or holiday in Tagaytay with family, love ones, friends and colleagues, you're sure to have fun, find a peaceful and relaxing haven away from the rush of the big city.

The Puzzle Mansion is highly recommended as one of the places to see in Tagaytay.

This is a great area for everyone to enjoy. Nestled between hills of grass, trees and wild flowers, Puzzle Mansion is the home of Gina Gil-Lacuna, the recipient of the award, Guinness Book of World Records title “Largest Collection of Jigsaw Puzzle of Any Shape and Form.”

As the main attraction of the mansion is the mueum filled with many great and beautiful puzzles. She has now a total of 1,028 puzzles in different sizes, colors, themes and dimensions , she also has 3D and 4D puzzles. There are wood, cardboard or plastic, flat, and spherical. They are in various genres ranging from people, places, nature scenes, historical events, famous buildings and tourist spots, religious figures, fictional, animals and well known celebrities and cartoon characters. Even corporate ads and reproductions of famous paintings by famous arts masters like Van Gogh, Michaelangelo and Da Vinci.

A retired businesswoman, Ms. Gina is so passionate about puzzles. She shared with us some insights on her collections and some of the paintings and memorabilia.

"It was just a hobby at first. It takes away my stress," she said. “I started collecting and solving jigsaw puzzles at age 35 and has been pursuing my hobby for 26 years now.”

“I started doing puzzles when I got to Hong Kong and solved a 5000-piece Disney set for my son, Gino. “Every puzzle I learn, and while I travel I search new puzzles to piece together,” she added.

Thanks Ms. Gina Gil Lacuna for being so kind and accommodated us last Saturday March 23. We really enjoyed our visit. She’s so bubbly as we have great nice conversation. She want to make her visitors enjoy not only the puzzles in the gallery but the scenery and feel their second home.

Congratulations Ms. Gina and more puzzles to come.

Aside from Ms. Gina's jigsaw puzzle collection museum, the Puzzle Mansion also has the 11-room bed and breakfast amenities such as a swimming pool, a 400-square-meter function room and a 24-hour café.

Puzzle Mansion is located at Purok 4, Cuadra St., Barangay Asisan, Tagaytay City, Philippines. 

A nominal entrance fee of P100 for a guided tour of the museum. For inquiries or reservations, call (02) 661-0019 or 0905-2250229 or send an e-mail to puzzlemansion@gmail.com or visit www.thepuzzlemansion.com.

A slice of paradise! Aquaria leisure resort spells summer fun in Calatagan

Tweet

A summer adventure I enjoyed last week in Plaiya Calatagan, Batangas. Discovering Aquaria Beach Resort has been an extra-ordinary fun and memorable experience! The mere remoteness promotes a feeling of calmness and peacefulness inside me that is I always want to have. Aquaria a very nice resort for family and friends to unwind and relax, and to enjoy summer.

I'm so happy to be invited by Landco to experience Aquaria resort lifestyle. Me, with my friends and selected guests looked around the white beach, the sands and clean aquamarine water, none of us could stop saying that it was the most beautiful place we had ever seen, a paradise.

The resort, the waves and the boat accommodations were soulful. The resort is the key that will open the door even to this unique surfing experience we had.

Aquaria is the new leisure resort development by Landco. Aquaria is a 1.2- hectare world-class leisure property designed for families and friends to enjoy an exciting holiday.

A world-class lifestyle resort, Aquaria is a white beach and resort amenities that is just two and a half to three hours away from Metro Manila—a perfect alternative to going to Boracay and other far away beach destinations.

We arrived at the Aquaria before lunch time.  As much as all the guests couldn’t wait to try out the water park and the white beach, we first opted to enjoy the morning snacks and especially lunch, which consisted of the perfect summer seaside fare: lobsters, prawns, squid, chicken legs, beef kebab, and pork belly—all ready for delicious grilling.

Summer thirst quenchers were readily available, including Aquaria’s signature lemon grass tea, plus freshly-squeezed fruit juices, and liquor from the bar, which is right beside the Sands restaurant near the beach front.

After getting rested and fed, guests gamely participated in the different activities for the day:  games of soccer, volleyball and Frisbee, as well as water sports like kayaking and wind surfing. Some went boating and jet skiing, while others took a tutorial on stand- up paddle (SUP) boards.

The highlight is the three-storey giant pool slide—Aquaria’s central and distinctive feature at the water park. Other amenities include a welcome center, a kiddie pool, cove pools, cabanas, a sunken pool bar, a food and beverage area, and separate shower and locker facilities for men and women. There are sun loungers equipped with huge umbrellas, as well as hammocks, for those who wish to enjoy the sea breezes and beach views.  

Aquaria is part of Landco’s 12-hectare Playa Calatagan Leisure Tourism Estate, which houses its various innovative resort lifestyle concepts. All of these are meant to cater to local and foreign tourists, families, and corporate guests.

Aquaria is part of a series of projects meant to fulfill Landco’s goal of turning Playa Calatagan and the rest of Calatagan into a premier tourism and lifestyle destination in the Philippines.

Soon, Landco will be putting up a world-class seaside condominium near Aquaria, just a few steps away from the beach.

Aquaria welcomes guests at P400 per head for adults and P200 per head for children, which is already an all-day access. Those who want to avail of cabanas can do so at rates of P1, 000 for the smaller ones, and P1,500 for the bigger ones (good for ten people) for the whole day.

For reservations and more information about Aquaria, call Landco Pacific Corp. at 836-5000. Landco is the developer behind other leisure resort destinations include Peninsula de Punta Fuego, Leisure Farms, Hacienda Escudero and the Playa Series—Playa Calatagan, Play Laiya in Batangas and Playa Azalea in Samal Island, Davao.

Landco Pacific Corporation is the developer of high-end leisure communities, resort-inspired condominiums and luxury home communities. For more than 20 years, the company has made its mark in Philippine real estate, and is widely acknowledged as one of the leading leisure developers.

From Manila, three hours for travel distance, boats, land resorts, type of surf, accommodations, food,  and endless ravings is so memorable. Everyone enjoyed Aquaria’s amenities and features. It is worth the travel time.

This is a trip of a lifetime and we are going to do it again, and again and again.

Artist's perspective of Aquaria

Enjoy wonderful world of Aquaria. See more photos, kindly click here.

Refresh Boracay! Tropicana Coco Quench kicks off summer in Boracay

Tweet

Mark this day! March 30 marks the Green Saturday event, with Yoga wellness morning!

And Green is definitely the color of summer, as Tropicana Coco Quench, the first locally produced coconut water in a Tetra Pak packaging, ushers in the summer season at TripAdvisor’s 2013 Best Asian Beach, Boracay.

Right at the glistening white and powdery shores of the island, Tropicana Coco Quench will be holding several activities that will take off on March 27 through the 31st. Selling and redemption booths are scattered along the three stations, and with a strong push for recycling products, Tropicana Coco Quench will give out essential summer items in exchange for empty Tetra Pak packages.

Green Saturday event, will start with Yoga wellness morning with renowned instructor, Louise Lee. There will be a sunset happy hour with overflowing coconut water, and a chill out party to cap off the night, all happening at the beachfront of Obama Grill.

Just as nature intended, Tropicana Coco Quench is a convenient way to enjoy coconut water, with no added flavors, low in sugar, and fewer calories, as compared to other drinks.

Its Tetra Pak packaging locks in the freshness and benefits found in a real coconut fruit, and improves the shelf life for up to 8 months.

Cost-Efficient and Durable Fujidenzo's Upright Chiller

Tweet

Life nowadays is getting harder and harder specially those in the middle-class, those people earning less. The high cost of living and the basic needs, food, shelter and clothes. What makes it more hard for every household is the high cost of electricity and other utilities.

We always try to find ways to lower our expenses specifically on our monthy eletricity bills without sacrificing the quality of appliances we use at home.

Fujidenzo home and commercial appliances combine style and performance to meet the high demands of fast-paced living. Fujidenzo appliances are designed to give quality performance at the most consumer-friendly prices. With Fujidenzo, you get the latest features and technologies all within the budget of the average Filipino household.

Fujidenzo's innovative range of home and commercial appliances includes refrigerators, beverage coolers, freezers, microwave ovens,washers.

Fujidenzo's latest Upright Chiller can be used as a beverage chiller for juices, soft drinks, beers and others. As a separate place to store vegetables, Upright Chiller will keep out food fresh.  If vegetables are  stored in the refrigerator, sometimes the odors of the other food affect the taste and smell of vegetables.

Stylish, cost-efficient and durable, these world class Fujidenzo brands of appliances have passed international safety standards. A high level of quality control in the manufacturing process is also constantly ensured.

Fujidenzo has 100 service centers nationwide. It has 2 years warranty on parts and 5 years warranty on compressor.

Here are available Fujidenzo Upright Chillers in the following models and capacities.

SUD-220A

SUD-220A

Php 59,950.00

22 cu.ft. Two door Showcase upright or beverage cooler

22.0 cu.ft. Upright Showcase Chiller

7-level Electronic Temperature Control

LCD Temperature Display

Clean Back Design

Double Glass Door

Fan-cooled System

Internal Lamp

Lighted Panel

Drain Pan

6 Adjustable Coated Wire Shelves

Elegant Handle Design

Roller Feet with Locking Mechanism

210W Input Power

SUP-140 AQC

SUP-140 AQC

Php 39,950.00

14 cu.ft. Showcase upright Premium

14 cu.ft.

Super Quick Chill Cooling System

Turbo Fan

Zero Water Drip System

Heated Double Glass Door

7-level Temperature Control

Clean Back

Heavy Duty Design

Internal SIde Lamp

Lighted Top Panel

Galvanized Inner Lining

4 Adjustable Heavy Duty Wire Shelves

Recessed Handle

Adjustable Levelling Feet

Provision for Lock

486W Input Power

SU-110A

SU-110A

Php 22,950.00

11 cu.ft. Showcase upright or beverage cooler

7-level Temperature Control

Clean Back Design

Double Glass Door

Fan-cooled System

Internal Lamp

Lighted Panel

Aluminum Inner Lining

3 Adjustable Coated Wire Shelves

Recessed Handle

Key Lock

Adjustable Levelling Feet

167W Input Power

SU-90A

SU-90A

Php 19,950.00

9.0 cu.ft. Showcase upright or beverage cooler

7-level Temperature Control

Clean Back Design

Double Glass Door

Fan-cooled System

Internal Lamp

Lighted Panel

Aluminum Inner Lining

3 Adjustable Coated Wire Shelves

Recessed Handle

Key Lock

Adjustable Levelling Feet

167W Input Power

SU-40A

SU-40A

Php 14,500.00

4.0 cu.ft. Showcase upright or beverage cooler

7-level Temperature Control

Clean Back Design

Double Glass Door

Clear Vegetable Drawer

3 Adjustable Coated Wire Shelves

Recessed Handle

Front Levelling Feet & Rear Roller Feet

135W Input Power

SU-30A

SU-30A

Php 13,500.00

3.0 cu.ft. Showcase upright or beverage cooler

7-level Temperature Control

Clean Back Design

Double Glass Door

3 Adjustable Coated Wire Shelves

Recessed Handle

Front Levelling Feet & Rear Roller Feet

135W Input Power

SUP-140 AQC

SUP-140 AQC

Php 39,950.00

14 cu.ft. Showcase upright Premium

14 cu.ft.

Super Quick Chill Cooling System

Turbo Fan

Zero Water Drip System

Heated Double Glass Door

7-level Temperature Control

Clean Back

Heavy Duty Design

Internal SIde Lamp

Lighted Top Panel

Galvanized Inner Lining

4 Adjustable Heavy Duty Wire Shelves

Recessed Handle

Adjustable Levelling Feet

Provision for Lock

486W Input Power

Fujidenzo Appliances are distributed by Exellence Appliance Technologies (EXATECH)

 For more information and updates visit Exatech and Fujidenzo websites and Fujidenzo Facebook.

Globe Business is first in Asia to achieve MEF CE 2.0 certification

Tweet

Globe Business has established yet another industry milestone as it becomes the first in Asia to earn the significant Metro Ethernet Forum – Carrier Ethernet (MEF CE) 2.0 certification on March 20, 2013, elevating its status as among top service providers worldwide which can now deliver added benefits to its customers by matching enterprise users’ application performance needs to MEF services with specific service-level agreements (SLAs).

Head of Globe Business Jesus Romero lauded the company’s latest accolade, noting that "being the first not only in the Philippines but in Asia to receive certification for Carrier Ethernet 2.0 is not only an important achievement for us but it also augurs well for the local ICT industry. It reflects our company’s genuine commitment to deliver world-class and best-in-class services to our customers."

As the pioneer of premium-grade corporate solutions in the country, Globe Business is presently the only Philippine and Asian service provider, and fourth in the world, to achieve MEF CE 2.0 certification with its point-to-point E-Line (EPL and EVPL) and multipoint-to-multipoint E-LAN services, strengthening its Ethernet services’ MEF 9 and MEF 14 certifications or MEF CE 1.0 which define Ethernet service functionality and service performance, respectively. These accreditations enhance the company’s end-to-end service Operation, Administration and Maintenance (or OAM) capabilities for the three-level Class of Service and Tier 1 service performance as they make Globe Business Ethernet services the best choice at world-class standards.

Its next generation MEF CE 2.0 also extends the original purpose of Carrier Ethernet with added vital features, including easier interconnection with global Ethernet providers and partners for multiple standard service types as well as enabling new levels of efficiency for mobile backhaul.

Globe Business Head of Enterprise Segments Grace Castillo assured that “with our MEF CE2.0 certified services, we can deploy our products and solutions much faster, provide guarantee to customers of globally-compliant services which will work seamlessly with their network and allow end-to-end visibility to perform faster issue identification and resolution as well as ensure SLA delivery.”

“What this means in terms of Classes of Service is that our customers can run multiple and critical applications while we assist and support them in prioritizing which ones can pass through Ethernet traffic. Likewise, we can conduct non-intrusive tests with added testing parameters leading to quicker turn-around time in pinpointing issues and resolutions, less service downtime, ensure SLAs and improve after-sales support. This gives them a definite advantage when subscribing to our MEF CE 2.0-certified Ethernet services,” she added.

Meanwhile, Globe Business Head of Business Products and Services Francisco Claravall confirmed that “this accreditation from a global-certifying IT body is actually the result of the hard work and commitment put in by our Data Network Planning and Engineering, our Product Management team, as well as our colleagues from Tellabs and Iometrix through extended days and nights of continuous, round-the-clock assessing and resolving issues during the course of the certification tests. Our synergies were focused toward the collective goal of giving the country its first MEF CE 2.0 certified-service through Globe Business.”

Already, Globe Business customers have commended its move to take its Ethernet services several notches higher, as attested by a long-time client and local insurance giant Philamlife: “We’ve known Globe Business to be at the forefront of innovation in the Philippines.  Being the first locally to be MEF CE 2.0 certified and, better yet, in Asia, is a breakthrough not only for the company but for the country as well.  This demonstrates that the Philippine telecommunications and ICT industry are moving ahead, with Globe Business leading the way,” said Nilo Zantua, Vice President and Head of IT Infrastructure of PhilamLife.

Romero commented: “We believe that more than just an accreditation document, this acknowledgment from a global certifying body will translate into tangible benefits that our customers will feel and will be delighted about:  simpler and faster deployment as well as standardized services that offer them more choices, giving them more reasons to be with Globe Business over and above any other provider.”

Being a non-profit organization, MEF sets global standards on Ethernet services in terms of reliability, speed and SLAs and promotes worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services.

With the recent conferment of the MEF CE 2.0 certification, Globe Business revalidates its MEF 9 and 14 compliances as it tests its network’s capabilities for Service OAM for end-to-end management outlining three levels of Class of Service: low, medium and high, and conducts a more rigid performance analysis based on MEF-defined performance objectives and performance tiers which the company convincingly excelled-in for all of its Ethernet services.

FIRST IN ASIA. Globe Business Head Jesus Romero proudly announced that Globe Business is  the first telecoms services provider in Asia to earn the Metro Ethernet Forum – Carrier Ethernet (MEF CE) 2.0 certification on March 20, 2013. “This certification elevates the status of Globe Business as among top service providers worldwide. It is not only an important achievement for us but it also augurs well for the local ICT industry. It reflects our company’s genuine commitment to deliver world-class and best-in-class services to our customers,” he said. Globe Business is presently the only Philippine and Asian service provider, and fourth in the world, to achieve MEF CE 2.0 certification. This means that Globe Business can deploy its products and solutions much faster, and guarantee customers of globally-compliant services which will work seamlessly with their network.

THE GLOBE BUSINESS TEAM recently received the prestigious Metro Ethernet Forum – Carrier Ethernet (MEF CE) 2.0 certification on March 20, 2013—making Globe Business the first telecoms provider in Asia and only the fourth the world to be certified for its point-to-point E-Line (EPL and EVPL) and multipoint-to-multipoint E-LAN services, strengthening its Ethernet services’ MEF 9 and MEF 14 certifications or MEF CE 1.0 which define Ethernet service functionality and service performance. This means that Globe Business guarantees customers of globally-compliant services which will work seamlessly with their network and allow end-to-end visibility to perform faster issue identification and resolution as well as ensure SLA delivery. This makes Globe Business Ethernet services the best choice at world-class standards.

Food for thought: Recipes to get you through a week of fasting and abstinence

Tweet

Holy Week calls for an entire week of fasting and abstinence. This means that your list of meal choices gets drastically trimmed down. But there are still plenty of meals you can whip up at home that are still scrumptious but guilt-free. Here are some great dishes with their corresponding recipes to try out courtesy of Philips.

Prepare a simple pasta dish with portabello mushrooms for the family this Holy Week and stay true to your fasting and abstinence duties. Usually an extender for meat dishes, the mushroom will surely provide a healthy alternative from the usual meaty pasta. Definitely this will be one of the go-to dishes for an entire week.

But just because you have to abstain from meat, doesn’t mean you have to forego nutrients. Seal in all the nutrients of all the ingredients of the pasta dish as well as every meal you wish to cook with the Philips Induction Cooker HD4932.

By utilizing 2100 W high power for fast heating, the Philips Induction Cooker HD4932 reduces 1/3 of your cooking time, which ultimately results in more nutrients sealed in your food. It quickly starts cooking at the touch of the start key and is also extra safe for children with its cool-to-touch surface.

Another great meal you can’t afford not to cook for the Holy Week is something freshly steamed. If you’re fond of steamed dishes, steamed lapu-lapu (grouper fish) might’ve instantly popped into your head already.

Fish in itself is already a healthy and delicious meal. But for it to be steamed instead of fried only makes it even more mouth-watering and rich with nutrients.

Boost the flavor of your steamed lapu-lapu with your own combination of herbs and spices using the Philips Food Steamer HD9140. Its Flavour Booster improves steamed food with delectable herbs and spices without doing anything more than popping herbs into the booster. The steamer requires little effort to operate with its digital timer and a Keep Warm function to keep food ready for serving all the time.

Finally, what’s a healthy Holy Week meal without the finest fruit juices? Make tasty and fresh fruit juices at home without any hassle using the Philips Juicer HR1871.

The Philips Juicer HR1871 features an extra large feeding tube that allows whole fruits and vegetables to be put in and juiced without pre-cutting or peeling. It is also easy to use and clean, and produces 10% more juice compared to other juicers. It can also juice up to 2.5 liters of juice in one go without having to empty the pulp container. A powerful 800 W motor ensures that you can juice even the toughest ingredients. Try mixing a unique recipe of organic pineapple, ginger and apple juice or mix and match your own fruits and veggies with the family.

Make abstinence and fasting something to look forward to with these healthy yet guilt-free recipes for the entire family. And amid all the vacation plans for the Holy Week, be sure to remind yourself that the Holy Week is also a time dedicated to reflection.

Philips Induction Cooker HD4932 Recipe

Baby Portabello Mushrooms and Conchiglie

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes (including boiling of pasta)

Ingredients

500 grams conchiglie

6 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

500g organic portabello mushrooms

1 red bell pepper, julienne

¼ cup red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Italian parsley, sliced

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated

A cup of baby rocket

Salt and pepper, to taste

Procedure

1. Using Philips Induction Cooker HD4932, cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain.
2. Sauté garlic, mushrooms, bell pepper until soft.
3. Stir frequently.
4. Stir in red wine vinegar, parsley and parmesan cheese.
5. Toss rocket before serving. Serve with a slice of focaccia.

Philips Food Steamer HD9140 Recipe

Steamed baby lapu-lapu fillets with organic vegetables and sweet potato mashed

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 10 mins

Ingredients

4 pcs (150g each) baby lapu-lapu fillets

Salt and Pepper

Few branches of coriander

25g ginger, minced

50g red onions, minced

25g white stalk lemongrass, minced

50ml extra virgin olive oil

Banana leaf

200g sweet potato

Procedure

1. Pre-heat Philips Food Steamer HD9140
2. Season lapu-lapu with salt and pepper; add ginger, lemongrass, coriander, red onions and brush with olive oil
3. Wrap fish with banana leaf
4. Peel and cut potatoes into cube
5. Steam then serve

Philips Juicer HR1871 Recipe

Organic Pineapple, Ginger & Apple Juice

Preparation time: 10 -15minutes

Serves 4 persons

Ingredients

3 apples, cored

Half lime

¼ piece of fresh ginger

1 whole pineapple, cored

6 tbsp organic honey (optional)

4 strands mint leaves

Procedure

1. Extract apples, pineapples and ginger in the Philips Juicer HR1871
2. Add honey, ice and some lime juice
3. Garnish with mint leaves and a slice of lime
4. Add ice
5. Serve