Uncategorized Archives ⋆ Leia Khu

Upside Down World Cebu

Posted on October 25, 2017January 21, 2019 by Leia Bartolome

Other than rebounding on trampolines, another fun thing to do indoors when in Cebu is taking gravity-defying photos at Upside Down World in City Time Square.

As its name suggests, this whimsical photo studio has everything the wrong way up. Their topsy-turvy themed rooms are filled with furniture and decor fixed on the ceiling that you can interact with. A little imagination and creativity are all you need to have fun here.

Do note that all kinds of footwear (socks exempted) are strictly prohibited inside their sets to maintain cleanliness. Footwear and other belongings can be stored in their lockers for no extra charge.

As someone who is spatially-challenged, I’m glad they have cordial staff who guided us all the way on how to position ourselves in front of the camera so they can help us get perfect shots! Be warned though. You may need to do a little stretching for all the back-breaking stunts you may not be prepared to do. Enjoy the photo dump 😉

KITCHEN

DINING ROOM

LAVATORY/LAUNDRY ROOM

MARKET

LIBRARY

CASINO

MAGIC ROOM

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM/PLAYROOM

If you enjoy taking wacky photos, do make a quick stop at Upside Down World. It’s a fun and memorable place to bond with family and friends. Kids of all ages (ahem) will surely enjoy. They’re open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. City Time Square is located at Phase 2 Mantawi International Drive, Mandaue City.

Tickets are priced as follows:
Adults – 350 PHP
Kids (ages 4-12) – 250 PHP
Kids (ages 0-3 years old) – Free Admission

Tedts has moved!

Posted on February 22, 2016October 7, 2018 by xerox

After more than a decade of opening its doors to the public, Tedts has finally bid adieu to their Roxas branch in favor of a bigger and better location.

Taking pride in sharing their family recipes since 2005, this homegrown cafe and bakery has now officially become a household name here in Iligan. I’ve been a Tedts loyalista for many, many years and to see them grow this big makes my heart swell with pride and joy.

Today, they have launched the soft opening of their Quezon branch which is located right across Rosalinda store.

They gave free cupcakes to their first 150 customers and featured independent music artists to play live in the background.

Tedts is known for their delicious artisan cupcakes which have become a popular pasalubong for both locals and transient tourists. Each cupcake is handcrafted with love and baked fresh from scratch everyday.

Don’t miss out on Iligan’s finest delicious treats and head on over to Tedts! In case you’re wondering, their second location at Zamora-Lluch Streets is still operating.

Cuteness Overload with Happy Pao

Posted on October 9, 2014October 7, 2018 by xerox

Cute, lovable animal-shaped steamed buns isn’t something new. Yet, I’m surprised how it didn’t really catch on any sooner here in the Philippines as it is very popular in other Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand.

But thankfully, Chowking has finally jumped on the bandwagon!

As soon as Happy Pao was launched, Instagram was on fire! These selfie-worthy treats were very hard to get a hold of considering they sell out faster than One Direction concert tickets. Haha!

When we finally got our hands on the elusive Happy Pao, it seemed like the heavens opened up and all the angels sang a beautiful song just for us.

However, I am grossly disappointed that Chowking Iligan branches do not serve Piggy Happy Pao.

Yes, I understand that they are doing this because of “religious and cultural sensitivity”. But what’s puzzling is that they serve meals that contain pork anyway. So, I don’t get it.

Disclaimer: This cute steamed bun does not contain any real pandas.

Panda Happy Pao is a sweet steamed bun bursting with velvety, smooth chocolaty goodness. Although it is served hot, I prefer to take it home with me and chill it in the fridge for a few minutes before eating it.

Happy Pao isn’t only yummy, it’s very affordable too! Get these adorable buns for only 39 PHP ala carte, 49 PHP with a drink and 117 PHP for a box of three. Happiness guaranteed! 😉

First OOTD

Posted on August 16, 2014 by xerox

Hi everyone! I know it has been awhile since I posted something on this blog. Just wanna let you know that, yes, I’m still here and I still think about you guys.

I have been aching to share a lot of things to you like my Butuan-Surigao trip, my first experience as a hired food critic, my business Agent Dolly, my food trips with le boyfie, my aerial yoga and so much more… But somehow, there’s just too much going on lately that I don’t feel like writing about them anymore. Maybe I’ll write about them some other time… However, I cannot promise that. But what I can promise is to try to keep this blog alive.

And in the spirit of putting life back to my blog, I shall now throw random photos of myself every now and then when I have nothing else to post. I know this sounds borderline narcassistic but I swear that they will never be tasteless selfies. Haha!

I’ve been thinking about injecting fashion and beauty posts on this blog for awhile now and I think it’s about time that I should.

For those who don’t know, I used to be an aspiring fashion blogger on Multiply. I would post most of my OOTDs there back when I was in college until they closed their operations.

My main influences were Style Arena, Japanese Streets and Lloyda Lim.

But obviously, I outgrew them all. I now have fully embraced the grungy and edgy chic vibe with the 90’s kind of flair. Those who know me on a personal level know that I identify myself best with this kind of style. My main influences are Jenn Im and Luanna.

But this doesn’t mean I won’t deviate from this style from time to time though. As always, what I wear depends on my mood and my hair color.

If you like to see more OOTDs on my blog, please don’t forget to show some love here so I’ll know if I should post more OOTDs in the future. Also, follow me on Instagram for more updates. Hope ya’ll enjoyed this post! 🙂

Davao-Gensan Trip Part 14: Little Kitchen Restaurant

Posted on November 8, 2013October 7, 2018 by xerox

Still unbelievably full from lunch, we opted for a light supper…

Little Kitchen Restaurant is a popular snack house in Gensan which is owned and managed by a doctor.

Originally built to cater the doctor’s patients and other people within the vicinity, Little Kitchen Restaurant unexpectedly turned out into a flourishing food business.

With the cozy atmosphere, it’s too easy to feel at home here. The wait staff are accommodating and the service is prompt.

For appetizers, we got complimentary garlic butter toasts. Loves it! Who doesn’t love free food? Hehe 🙂

For our supper, we had Shrimp Scampi Pizza. It had a crispy crust topped with olives, mushrooms, shrimp and cheese. This is one of their best sellers.

I know the pizza sounds really good on paper but it was a little too bland for my taste. It was a huge letdown for me because I really wanted to like it. Just everyone else does.

But despite being disappointed, I’d still like to go back there and sample other of their food items. I’m sure I’ll find something I’d love.

Little Kitchen Restaurant is located at Quirino Avenue, next to Calderon Clinic.

Davao-Gensan Trip Part 13: Blugre Coffee

Posted on October 30, 2013October 7, 2018 by xerox

Brewing since 1998, Blugre Coffee is a coffee shop chain based in Davao which is known for exotic durian coffee blends.

Why Blugre Coffee has made its way in Gensan is no surprise as one of the major franchisees is the power couple, Manny and Jinky Pacquiao.

Walking into the coffee shop, I was caught off guard by a strong whiff of durian aroma lingering in the air. To be blunt, the scent was a little bit off-putting because I am not particularly fond of durian… However, it was bearable.

While Blugre Coffee specializes coffee, they serve pastries, desserts and other hot and cold beverages as well.

Too full for anything else, we just had some iced latte for a little afternoon pick-me-up.

And although I was never a fan of durian, I braved myself for one of their durian coffee blends: Durian Arctic Blast… Which I painfully regretted.

Well, at least I tried. Let’s face it, it’s not for everyone. I read awesome reviews about it though and is certainly a hit with all the durian lovers out there.

Blugre Coffee is a great place for study, work, hangouts, or meetups. You don’t have to be a durian connoisseur to be here. When in Gensan, visit them at Robinsons Place or at JMP Building.

Davao-Gensan Trip Part 12: Team Pacquiao

Posted on October 26, 2013October 7, 2018 by xerox

General Santos is the hometown of Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, the “Fighting Pride of the Philippines” and the first and only eight-division world boxing champion.

Whether you’re a fan of his or not, his chain store Team Pacquiao is one of the must-go-to places in Gensan.

With several branches nationwide, Team Pacquiao carries various products and limited edition collectibles especially made for all the Pambansang Kamao fanboys to covet.

They offer Pacman must-have items like graphic tees, polo shirts, jackets, caps and other novelty items.

Spotted on their high shelves are some kick-ass memorabilia that you can’t get anywhere else in the world but here (and other Team Pacquiao branches of course). And out of everything I’ve seen, the Mad Mickey toy figure is something I’d like to bring home with me (but didn’t). I’m not gonna lie, they don’t come cheap at all.

They also have autographed items such as boxing gloves, coffee table books and more.

And just like a kid in a candy shop, my boyfriend was in a state of utter fascination. I swear his eyes were sparkling with joy. Haha.

When in Gensan, you should definitely swing by the flagship store of Team Pacquiao which is located at the ground floor of Robinsons Place General Santos.

Davao-Gensan Trip Part 11: Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu & Barbeque Restaurant

Posted on October 15, 2013October 7, 2018 by xerox

On the fourth day of our vacation, we took a roadtrip to Gensan…

Located at SM Gensan, Tong Yang Shabu-Shabu Barbecue Restaurant is heaven-sent for all the buffet and hotpot lovers out there.

As we came in, my jaw dropped to the floor. We were greeted with long tables filled with a wide array of fresh and delicious food selections all ready to cook and eat.

I’ve been to some eat-all-you-can buffet restaurants before but I’ve never seen anything like this.

You are given the freedom to choose your raw ingredients for cooking which can be a little overwhelming especially if you’re a first-timer like I was. They have vegetables, seafood, meat, noodles, sides, broth, sauces, condiments… You name it, they have it all – from appetizers to desserts!

One of the great things about Tong Yang is you can always come back for more food if you want to. Yes, everything is eat-all-you-can within the given three-hour time frame.

For only 299PHP/person for lunch buffets from Mon-Fri and 399PHP/person for dinner buffets from Mon-Fri and lunch+dinner buffets on holidays & weekends. Where else can you find a great deal as such this??

Too bad we were prohibited from taking close-up food photos though. Boo. Sad panda 🙁

It is also worth mentioning that they have unlimited tap beer (just add 65 PHP for beer-all-you-can), soda and fruit juices.

Please excuse our cluttered hotpot table. The left side of the table is for grilling and the right side is for stewing. I really like how you can make two stews at the same time. Really cool.

We were given sticks of butter for grilling. Don’t be shy to ask for more if needed. The butter complements the food well and makes everything taste richer. Genius.

By the way, a shoutout to our official tour guide and photographer for that day, Jed Reyes. Thanks for the treat Kuya! By the way, he’s an awesome photographer. You can check out some of his amazing shots here.

Kuya Jed observing my boyfriend as he makes sinigang for the first time. Thank God for Tong Yang’s free WiFi. None of us knew how to make sinigang so we just googled for recipes online and made it on the spot.

WADAYAKNOW. It was delicious-o!

We really had an amazing dining experience at Tong Yang. I definitely would love to come back here when I can. I suggest that you come here famished. And do bring friends and family with you because food is always better shared 🙂

Davao-Gensan Trip Part 10: Jack’s Ridge Resort

Posted on September 30, 2013October 7, 2018 by xerox

I know some of you are already aching to hear about my Waterfalling Adventure Tour but that will have to wait for now. Lemme just continue with my Davao-Gensan series so I have one less backlog to worry about (sorry guys)…

And just a little recap from where I left off last time, it was Day 3 and my boyfriend and I were at Swiss Deli enjoying everything, well, deli.

Okay, so now back to normal programming… Hehe 🙂

Perched on a hilltop, Jack’s Ridge Resort is one of the most frequented attractions in Davao. Locals and tourists all flock here to eat and relax while enjoying the breathtaking view of the city.

Did you know that Jack’s Ridge Resort used to be a part of the Japanese Imperial Army headquarters during World War II? Because I didn’t!

We had our dinner at Taklobo Restaurant, the main restaurant in Jack’s Ridge Resort. They serve delectable yet affordable traditional Filipino dishes with seafood as their house specialty.

Dining al fresco with a panoramic view over Davao’s glittering cityscape is truly breathtaking. Too bad that you can’t really see the city lights looking all pretty in the photo. I guess you just really have to be there and see it for yourself. By the way, that’s my boyfriend and his niece catching up.

Do expect a band to serenade you with classic songs as you eat.

Now let’s hop on straight to our orders, shall we?

For our appetizer, we had green mango with a dollop of bagoong on top. I know ya’ll Filipinos are salivating right now. Don’t lie!

One of our main courses: freshly fried golden brown calamares cooked to perfection. Tender and delicious!

We also had crispy and crunchy lechon kawali. I didn’t get to try this one out (I don’t like lechon if you remember) but everybody loved it. In fact, they ordered another platter of this so it really must be good!

And to go with all that, we also had soup and fried rice (no Filipino meal is ever complete without rice). Everything was gooood. And as someone who isn’t really into Filipino cuisine… that says a lot. 🙂

Other hotspots to check out at Jack’s Ridge Resort are:
Kai’s Bar and Grill
Karlo’s Gourmet and Coffee
Kool Kat’s Pool
Tap Room Piano and KTV
and more!

Too bad we didn’t get to have enough time to go around and explore the whole place though. And so I would love to go back to Jack’s Ridge Resort just because there’s so much more to see.

I also want to marvel at Davao’s cityscape during the daytime and then watch the sun set from there next time. That’ll be a spectacle for sure!

Jack’s Ridge Resort is located at Shrine Hills, Matina. For more info, you can visit their website by clicking here.

PSA

Posted on September 18, 2013 by xerox

I am sorry to interrupt my Davao-Gensan series but I have a special announcement to make…

Technicolor Waves of Rhapsody just turned 2 today! Can you believe it? Because I still can’t! I never even thought I would last a year…

What started out as a mental and writing exercise has now become a hard habit to kick.

I, first, want to give a big, big thanks to my boyfriend. If not for him, this blog would not have existed. His encouragements and gentle prodding lead me to believe that I actually do have the ability to express myself through writing.

Two years ago, I’ve always second-guessed myself because I never was confident enough of my writing skills. It was only through constant blogging that I slowly gained my confidence. Looking back, I know that I have improved so much and I know there is even more room for improvement.

Second, I would like to thank you readers for your support. As cheesy as it may sound, yes, you guys are one of the reasons why I keep on writing. I just want to give you all cyber hugs right now so you can all feel the fuzzy love I have for you. Hehe.

Also, I’m really excited to tell you guys that tomorrow I will have a waterfalling adventure tour (WAT 2.0) with my fellow bloggers (please don’t mind my iffy hair)…

I am very privileged and humbled to meet these lovely people. And I think it’s only right that you should get to know these people too.

Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Marky Go – http://www.nomadicexperiences.com/
Doi Domasian – http://thetravellingfeet.com/
Me
Glen Santillan – http://www.escapemanila.com/
Shugah Pauline Kang – http://www.wandershugah.com/
Tzaddi Esguerra – http://wheresburger.tumblr.com/
Lisa Marie Mirasol – http://www.pinaytravelista.com/
Lovette Jam Jacosalem – http://www.traveljams.com/
Gabriel Billiones Jr. – http://neoticviews.blogspot.com/
Alexander Siacor Singcol Jr. – http://www.chooseiligancity.com/
John Badawi
Yobz Tolentino (my boyfriend) – http://ayosaoi.wordpress.com/
Ferdz Decena – http://www.ironwulf.net/
Fredda Ruth Rosete – http://www.freddaruth.com/
Razaleigh Kate Jumawan – http://www.fourhappypeas.tumblr.com/
Kathleen Grace de Garcia – http://www.dasocialclimber.com/
Clement Dampal – http://www.bestspotsph.com/

Please note that this is not everyone. For those who are not in the picture, I will post their names and links as soon as I can get them.

By the way, we all received a shirt, an ID and a special gift pack!

Inside the paper bag are…

Revicon and Enervon to give us that added boost of energy for tomorrow’s waterfalling adventure; Alaxan and Biogesic to combat muscle injuries that might happen; Asian Secrets Lulur Indonesian Whitening Body Scrub to whiten our skin after being exposed for hours to harsh sunlight; Swish mouthwash to have fresh breath; and pH Care Intimate Wash because we need to feel fresh all the way down there too. Haha!

I want to especially mention the sponsors. If not for them, there will be no WAT 2.0!

Unilab
Jollibee
Iligan Paradise Resort
Jacko’s Kan-Anan
Silvestro’s
Calda Pizza
Red Planet
NPC Nature’s Park
Rent.ph
Tatay’s Grill
Greenwich
Jasmine Pensionne Home
Kopi Luwak
Keepsakes Iligan
GTC Gerona Town Center
Aruma Coffee Lounge
Perfect Wedding
Councilor Frederick Siao
Bob NY USA
Jesbey’s Diner
Delecta
Iligan de Piaya
Linamon’s Best
JCreations
New Horizon
Third Team Media
Iligan City Government
Iligan Chamber
IHARRA

That’s all for now and I gotta go because I have to be up early tomorrow morning. Bisous!