_Thinking about where to go for lunch has been a daily ordeal for me and and my office mates. Being in the central district also gives us few choices to choose from when thinking about where to eat so we often stick with the usual. But when we see a poster announcing the coming of a new variety of McDonald's Burger, we definitely made sure to try how Big and Tasty it is.

I've only got to try McDonald's regular burger, cheeseburger and double cheeseburger but my office buddy is really a burger fan. I once teased her about how crazy it is to eat a quarter pounder but she just laughed and told me to try it too. Nah ah, I'm not really a burger fan, but this Big and Tasty thing captured my fancy.

The Big and Tasty costs P145 for a burger, fries and drinks. A little expensive right, but after giving it much thought, I can surely say it's worth it. The burger patty is big, and juicy unlike their other burgers. I've later learned the patty used here is the same kind used in quarter pounder. The burger is also stuffed with lots of lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. I first thought that I may not get easily get fed up of the veggies but I actually enjoyed it. The burger is so tasty you'll gonna finish it to the last bite and end up definitely full and satisfied.

This Big and Tasty burger is made even yummier with a unique Smokey sauce that has certain sweetness and spiciness in it. The cheese also made the burger more pleasing to my taste and made me munch it with so much gusto.

If you haven't tried this McDonald's Burger yet, I really hope you'll get past through staring at the menu and actually order it because, man! This is really good! How about you? What's your Big and Tasty Moment?

By Jillian Hee

I always get lazy to fix my hair because it takes too much time. As a result, my hair looks frizzy, tangled, and unmanageable everyday. To cover up this hair problem, I frequently tie it in pony tails. However, tying my hair up just added to my problems. I decided to buy a product to somehow lessen the dryness of my hair. My friend suggested Vitress Hair Polish which claims to make your hair look softer and smoother. Thinking that it might be worth it, I decided to give it a try.

Vitress Hair Polish comes in a pink tube container. It is a light and non-greasy cream used for intense hair moisturization. Upon receiving the product, I immediately squeezed the right amount of it on my palm and ran it through my hair. After the application, I noticed that my hair went a little shinier and softer. Grateful with the instant result, I applied it all over my hair and quickly saw good developments. My hair became softer, smoother and glossier. Its roughness decreased too.

Another thing I love about this product is its light smell. When I applied it, my hair smelled nice and not overpowering. It is easy to apply, non-greasy, and affordable. I can easily buy another if the tube is already empty.

The only disadvantage of this product is that its effect lasts only for a few hours. If you want to maintain its effect for longer hours, you have to reapply it often.

Overall, Vitress Hair Polish is great for dry and frizzy hair. It is perfect for the polished on-the-go look too. If you have unmanageable hair and you’re lazy to fix it everyday, this product might help you. Give this product a try and give your own judgment.

By YARobles

I have tried different facial wash like Pond's, Olay, Dove, and Eskinol just to get rid facial oil, pimples, and all others. These facial cleansers are all okay. I have tried almost all types of Pond's facial wash - all in all, I can only give five over ten rate for it. Olay and Dove facial cleansers are just fine but none of their cleansers meets my expectation.

I stopped using facial cleansers for about three months since then. I have lost my interest trying and hoping that there will be one brand that will be good enough for my face - to give complete solution to my facial skin problems. However, I went to my favorite beauty store and looked for a new brand for a facial wash. As I checked out each brand’s newest product, one brand caught my eyes.

Garnier’s new Pure Active Multi-Action Scrub has a great packaging and I love its scent. When I saw this new product, I did not think twice to purchase it. I was so excited to use it, so I immediately went home and tried it.

After I washed my face with it, I felt so refreshed and my face was so cleansed. At first, I enjoyed using it because of its smell but after a week of using it, I observed that my face is improving. I got rid of my oily skin, pimples, and other facial skin frustrations. It became now my best buddy - my favorite facial wash. I am completely satisfied with its effect on my skin.

However, even though this product is very effective, you should be careful using this. I have experienced many times that when some of it gets in my nose accidentally - I felt so irritated. Also, I recommend this facial wash because it is worth your money, but for those who have a sensitive skin, I cannot advise you to use it. If you really want to try it, I suggest that you should apply it on the back of your hand first before using it on your face to test if it will not irritate your skin.

By: Trish Zamora

My sister bought a voucher for a foot spa session for three at Pia Jane Salon & Spa. One Sunday afternoon, we visited the establishment to use said voucher and see what they had to offer.

We would have missed the place had my sister been less observant. A two-story establishment, the lower ground floor covers the salon part (hair and make-up) while the upper level is reserved for their spa services (massage and spa).

For ordinary eyes, perhaps, the place was nice enough. I, however, expected more. From its appearance, the place is no different from the handful of salons and spas I have been to since my mid-teens. And from the price of their services, you would expect a nicer ambiance.

Pia Jane's Foot Spa Service

We had to wait for over an hour to be serviced because there were a lot of clients. When we finally had service, we were sitting at a fervid part of the spa. They soaked our feet for more than half an hour on warm water and bath scrub.

When they were finally able to make room, we were transferred to the cooler and more comfortable part of the spa. I sat in a separate couch from my mother and my sister and we all had our feet massaged. Plus, the air was cooler. The staff who massaged my feet was skilled. So good, in fact, that I fell asleep for five minutes or so. The massage lasted for 15-20 minutes.

The experience was pleasant once we got passed the look of the place and the initial discomfort. 

Pia Jane Salon & Spa is located at 574-C Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City.

Price Range: Php100-Php1000 for Salon Services and Php200-Php1000 for Spa Services

If you're a '90s bug or has an aunt or uncle who is, chances are you've heard of the pop ditty called Love Will Lead You Back. It was recently remade by local R&B Princess Kyla. Its original singer is no less than Russian-American songstress Taylor Dane who will have a concert with rocker Edwin McCain this June 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

For 75% discount, you can see them live. Check out Beeconomic.com.ph for the deal.

Arts and Culture advocates will love this announcement:

Alaya Museum is giving the public FREE admission to its facility on May 18, Friday (that's tomorrow). The move is in celebration of the International Museum Day.

-- Karl

_ Guest Post by the Ticket Freak:
Metro Manila-based loner who movie crawls every week

This week's Movie: The Road

I was not able to catch The Road, a suspense-thriller from director Yam Laranas when it was first shown in local cinemas last year. When I saw it listed for screening last week, I did not hesitate to watch it. Because it recently had a Hollywood screening, it means that the movie may well be of Hollywood caliber.

After more than an hour of emotional and mental torment (this is the movie being effective in scaring me), I got out of the movie still affected by the story line's twists. The fear that the movie gave me was lingering.

The movie opening is especially chilling. With not much musical score, most of the scenes keep the viewer holding their breath.

I recommend you catch The Road while it's still in the big screen.

By Jillian Hee

Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, and Jesse Williams

There’s something about The Cabin in the Woods that made me watch it. Aside from the fact that Thor stars in it, I find the story strange and intriguing. I’ve seen its trailer and it looks different from the usual horror films I normally see. Its high critical and audience ratings made me eager to watch the film immediately.

The story revolves around five college friends who planned to stay in a remote cabin in the woods. While they stay at the cabin, bad things happen. If you think you’ve guessed what that “bad thing” happened, you’ll be surprised with twists that will arouse your curiosity up to the very end.

I have mixed emotions about this film. I do not entirely love or hate it. In fact, it is by far the most interesting horror film I’ve seen.

At first, the movie was quite exciting. The tagline “You think you know the story’” definitely lived up to the plot of the movie. Honestly, I was thinking the movie was about a group of college friends who will experience horror and killings because they have interrupted some spirits in the cabin. But it was more than that - the twists in the film made it more exciting and spellbinding.

I will not directly discuss the “twist” in the movie. But this film offers some element in which you assumed you understand what is really happening but takes it to the next level. It is full of surprises and leaves the audience curious and thinking.

I just have to warn you that as film goes on, it gets graphically intense and scary. However, its conclusion seems strange. The ending, even though unexpected, made the film funny and disappointing at the same time.

Overall, the movie is imaginative and interesting. If you want something different from the usual horror movies, The Cabin in the Woods may appeal to you but if not, you might consider watching other films.

By YARobles

Most people these days buy cheaper items and compromise quality. However, being practical is far more different than being a wise spender. To spend wisely, you need to consider three things at the same time - budget, price, and quality.

Tip #1: Price Check

Be wise enough to know about the price of the items you need or want to buy. You can ask any of your friends or relatives who are frequent shoppers, check online, or canvass to see the price yourself beforehand. Checking the item’s price will help you budget your money more wisely. Also check the price of an item after a mall announced a sale day - to be sure that you really got a discount on the items you will purchase.


Tip #2: Budget Well

Know first your budget and then create a shopping list. Set your budget in each item - be sure that you know the prices of the items you want or you need to buy. To budget your money wisely, you should know your priority - your needs first and then your wants. Also, consider setting apart five to ten percent of your money for your savings.


Tip #3: Choose Quality

Don’t settle for the cheapest items because they are usually in low quality. It’s better to choose a particular known brand for an item that is on sale. The popular brands that are trusted because of the quality of their items must be on the top of your list.

You should take shopping seriously. Always consider these three tips for a wise shopping experience so that you can spend wisely, save more money, and avoid fraudulent discounts. You will surely have quality items that you can use for a long time.

By: Trish Zamora

Having a snack in the middle of the morning is an indulgence that I seldom partake in. However, when I do get the chance, I grab it.

An errand had me hurrying through the revolving doors of Shangri-La Plaza. Once the errand was done, my feet led me to Secret Recipe for an indulging brunch.


Dining in Style

Secret Recipe has numerous branches in Manila, but their Shangri-La branch is my favorite so far. They have about tables that seat 20-30 people inside while their tables on the terrace seats another 20. I took a booth outside as it was more intimate during that time of day. After a hard shift at work, I needed the peace and quiet.

The booths were comfortable and their staff ensured that I had everything I needed.

Perfect Place for a Snack

For brunch, I ordered their Cornish Chicken with a pot of jasmine green tea.

Their Cornish Chicken pie is served hot, just the way I liked it. Unlike the other pies I've tasted, Secret Recipe's is a delicious combination of spicy cornish chicken wrapped in soft, crunchy crust.

And the tea. Mmm, the tea. A small pot of steaming organic jasmine tea, served with sugar and a smaller pot of cream. This pot is great for two servings. They also offer a choice of Earl Gray and English Breakfast tea.

Service Staff is Okay-ish

I asked one staff what he would recommend for lunch. He paused for a long time before answering. Mind you, this was not a test of their skills; I just couldn't decide what to eat and thought that he could help me out.

Must-Try Items

I have acquired a few Secret Recipe favorites through all the times I have visited the place. Following is my list of Must-Try Secret Recipe Items.

• For lunch or dinner, try their Asian food selections. My favorites are Green Curry Chicken (real spicy, unlike the other curry dishes I've tried) and the Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (great for chilly and rainy days).

• Their Roasted Chicken with Turmeric Sauce is always a treat. The sauce perfectly combines with the chicken and the side dishes of vegetables make the dish all the more wonderful. 
  
• Ah, the cheesecakes. Perfect for dessert, they have a wide variety of cheesecakes to offer. My personal favorite is the marble cheesecake which, when paired with hot jasmine green tea, is a nice  conclusion to a lovely meal.
• For cold drinks, their special blend of Iced Tea is always a must-try.  I don't know what it is about this drink that makes me return to Secret Recipe, especially on a hot summer's day. 
  

If you are looking for a quiet place to have brunch, Secret Recipe is a restaurant I recommend.

Price Range: Php100-400