88 RESORT - Laguna

It's summer once again! :) We begin to feel the summer breeze out of unstable rainfalls. The heat of the sun and the aroma of generously drizzled land keeps us excited about getting wet and wild in beaches and exceptionally good resorts. Which reminds me of a very fine experience I had in Laguna inside a beautiful and majestic nature inspired hideaway - the 88 RESORT.

Set in the beautiful spa town of Calamba, Laguna and just 40 miles South of Manila is the place where luxury infuses with tradition. This is 88 Hotspring Resort & Spa.

Built at the base of the legendary Mount Makiling, our resort makes for a relaxing experience. Be in close proximity to lush rainforests and the largest lake in the Philippines, Laguna de Bay.

For hundreds of years, locals have been relying on Mount Makiling’s hot springs to heal and restore their bodies. We channel this miraculous water to flow into outdoor baths and spas for your enjoyment.

At 88 Hotspring Resort, the outdoor spa area spreads out to ten outdoor pools surrounded by well-maintained landscape and shaded by scattered palm & coconut trees. 

The natural garden setting and the friendly service made it possible for us to receive an award from the Department of Tourism as the Best Resort in Laguna back in 2007.

It’s time to leave the city behind you. Relax, unwind and renew your body and soul in your own tropical oasis. 

FACILITIES

FENGSHUI  ENERGY POOL

For centuries, people have been going to spa towns to experience the healing properties of hot springs. Choose pool assigned to your birth date to absorb the best Chi or energy. 

JACUZZI

The heat of the water increases oxygen flow and blood circulation. It relaxes the muscles and removes toxins through perspiration. 

HOT MINI POOL

88 Hot Spring water acts as a natural spa because it softens and whitens the skin 

HOT STANDARD POOL

Scientific study has shown that hot spring water helps in soothing nerve pains, arthritis, and muscle pains. 

KIDDIE STANDARD POOL

Scientific study has shown that hot spring water helps in soothing nerve pains, arthritis, and muscle pains. 

STANDARD POOL

ACCOMODATIONS

NIPA HUT ROOM

Locally known as the bahay kubo, the Filipino people have depended on this for shelter even before the Spaniards came to conquer the Philippines.

Made of native materials like the bamboo and the anahaw as roof, this humble dwelling has withstood the test of time and has weathered many storms. 

VILLA

Designed with the upper country house in mind, this villa provides a relaxing getaway for the whole family. Now you can really leave your worries behind you, and yes, that includes the noise of the city too.  

BAMBOO

One look at the bamboo deluxe and it already evokes warm reception and homey feeling. The very same emotions radiated by the Filipino hospitality. 

STANDARD ROOM

A retreat for friends or partners who are looking for an ideal place where they can rest, read a book, or simply while the day away. Standard rooms are near the pavilion, restaurant and standard pool. 

SMALL KUBO ROOM

Most recommended for those who would like a temporary place to secure their things while on a day tour.  

PHOTO GALLERY

*** For more information, you may visit www.88resort.com.

Gong Cha - Tea Fit for Royalty

I was not a fan of Milk Teas or tea in it's very basic form. But I was always amused by how people patronize them. So I tried to score some for myself just so I can satisfy my curiosity. I've tried a few stores and none of them impressed me, not until I tried Gong Cha that I finally realized why people go gaga over milk teas. Now I can't even help myself wanting  for more.

 

What is Gong Cha?

 

Gong Cha sets the highest standards when choosing tea materials, and takes the utmost attitude in quality control in order to provide the best tea available with considerate services to our customers.
We insist on choosing materials that are healthy to people and use only the best tea in the world to make every beverage.
Every beverage is tailored for the customers and is made by our well-trained people. You can choose the sweetness of your beverage.

** excerpt from Gong Cha Philippines

My Newest Addiction? Pearl Milk Tea with Milk Cream Topping

 

** photo extracted from Tales from the Tummy.

Advocacy of Health through USANA

USANA Health Sciences is one of America's leading companies and is known for manufacturing the highest quality product with 100% potency guarantee. Founded by Dr. Myron Wentz in 1992, USANA's mission is to develop and provide the highest quality, science based products. USANA is number one of the top four US companies who are considered to set the standard for nutritional supplement quality, potency and bioavailability, alongside with Douglas Laboratories, Vitamin Research Products and Source Naturals --according Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements 3rd Edition.


THE FOUNDER


Dr.Myron Wentz is an internationally recognized microbiologist, immunologist, and pioneer in the development of human cell culture technology and infectious disease diagnoses. He holds a B. Sc. degree in Biology from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, a M. Sc. degree in Microbiology from the University of North Dakota and a Ph. D. degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Utah. He is a recipient of the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in Life Sciences, June 2007. Dr. Wentz served as Chief Executive Officer and still serving as Chairman of the Board for USANA.  Aside from USANA, he also founded Sanoviv Medical Institute, a health and wellness center located near Rosarito, Mexico, where he served as president from 1999-2010. In 2006, he received the Children's Champion Award from Children's Hunger Fund for building the Wentz Medical Center in Uganda and for supporting CFH's nutritional supplement programs.


USANA PRODUCTS


USANA's product line includes Essentials (vitamin, mineral and anti oxidant supplements which supplies the foundation amounts of nutrients for the cells) and Optimizers (supplement products to provide you with additional nutrients to meet your specific dietary deficiency or health priority).


The ESSENTIALS are a combination of Chelated Mineral and Mega Antioxidant. Together, they provide a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and other plant nutrients that form the foundation of USANA's nutritional system. The ESSENTIALS were named "Best of the Best" and one of just four supplements to receive the highest, Gold Medal Rating in Lyle MacWilliam's Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, 4th Edition. The Essentials are approved by doctors and are in fact included in Physician's Desk Reference, Master Index of Medical Specialties, and Philippine Pharmaceutical Directory.


Compared to the market's most popular cell re-generating food supplement which only has 4 antioxidants, the Essentials have 20 antioxidants including patented olive extract which is known to have the highest level of antioxidants from any known source. It also has 96.1% absorption rate which is also the highest among other supplements in the US (most popular vitamin supplement is approximately 5%).


The ESSENTIALS are being patronized by St. Luke's Medical Center since 2008.


The ESSENTIALS include all optimizers except BioMega.


Other products that serve as optimizers include:


COQUINON 30 - supplies an advanced amount of Coenzyme Q10 which is vital for cardiovascular health, sound muscle function and healthy nerve function. Good for elderly, athletes, people whose lifestyle demands extensive physical exertion.


PROFLAVANOL - supplies powerful bioflavonoids from exceptional quality grape-seed extract, which is clinically proven to sustain sound cardiovascular health. It also maintains a balanced immune function and healthy, younger looking skin. St. Luke's recommend Proflavanol to be used in combination with ESSENTIALS for cancer patients.


HEPASIL - supplies important nutrients that support the liver and balance the detoxification processes within the body. Unlike leading food supplements for the liver, Hepasil has Turmeric extract which reduce the swelling of inflamed liver, something that silymarin can't do on its own.


BIOMEGA - supplies pure natural fish oil rich in Omega 3 fatty acids that are essential for optimal health and wellness. In Particular, they support healthy heart and joints. Other fish oils in the market are mostly from surface dwellers which are prone to chemicals, contaminants and mercury. Biomega sources are deep sea cold water fishes such as Deep Sea Salmon from Alaska and Sardines and Anchovies from the South Pacific.


ACTIVE CALCIUM - supplies nutrients that work together to promote strong, healthy bones. It also supports healthy muscle function and strength. Calcium supplements in the market is in solid form having high risk of kidney stones. Active Calcium is in liquid form.


PROCOSA - supplies advanced dosage of nutrients that support and maintain the cartilage in your joints. It has Glucosamine Sulfate (not Chondroitin and MSM which are macromolecules, thus aren't  effectively absorbed by the body). It can increase height even beyond 18 yrs old.


VISIONEX - provides comprehensive array of powerful antioxidants that protect the eyes against environmental factors to maintain healthy vision. Unlike other supplements which only contains Lutein (repairs outer retina only), Visionex contains Lutein (repairs outer retina), Zeaxanthin (repairs inner retina), and Bilberry Extract (antioxidant). Overall they prevent muscular degeneration in the eyes.


Apart from the products mentioned above, USANA also offers Nutrimeal (meal replacement drink mix) and Sense Skin Products.


USANA INFLUENCER


USANA is being used and patronized by popular celebrities all over the world including Jason and Naomi Priestley, Ashlan Gorse (E! News Correspondent), Derek Parra (Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist), Samuel Jackson, Aleksandra Wozniak, Tiffany Amber Thiesen (Beverly Hills 90210), Jennie Garth (Beverly Hills 90210), Mario Lopez, Thomas Dekker (Nightmare on Elm Street), Paris Hilton, Mya (R&B singer), Manny Pacquiao, Sitti, Kuya Kim, The Azkals, and many more. *Refer to USANA Influencer


Dr. Wentz has a very beautiful vision - to help people lead healthier lives - and I want to share this vision with others, with inspiration from my friend, Janine Eliza Gutierrez, who introduced me to USANA. Although obviously, USANA is business, we prefer to make it an advocacy of health as what Dr. Mentz vowed to live by.

I dream of a world free from pain and suffering. I dream of a world free from disease. The USANA family will be the healthiest family on earth. Share my vision. Love life and live it to its fullest in happiness and health. - Dr. Myron Wentz, Founder and Chairman, USANA Health Sciences.

With this, I want to share the news to you through my blog, and I hope you can help us make a difference by helping others lead healthier lives. 


For anybody who is interested, to be part of USANA or to just experience it, or should you know anybody who is in medical need of any of the products, please feel free to leave me a message. Information stated here are basic facts. You may want to discover more amazing stories about the products. Thank you!

High School Editorials

Some things I love about high school... same things I take pride of being involved with. Though I missed it in my previous years from freshman (due to my stupid coyness), I'm glad I was finally able to join the school newspaper editorial staff in my senior year. We call it ECHO, for it serves to be the students' voice.

My English teacher had always convinced me to join from the beginning of my freshman year. But I was always shy and conscious to go out of my shell. When I was in grade school, one of my advisers also convinced me to join "The Seedling", but I refused. I preferred to be in my comfort zone, away from everybody and everything else. I remember my Mom always told me that I could have been the editor-in-chief if only I listened to her. She always believed that I am the best when it comes to writing, you bet she's mother! And her faith was even stronger when she was told by my English teacher that there were only two students among the freshman year who can very well write, and I am one of them (the other student transferred to other school, does that make me the only best? hehehe... modesty aside). I should have known that mothers always know best. My regrets are existing, but I am glad I became part of the editorial for the last minute. Up to now, I still hoped that I pursued writing, and followed my dreams to be part of the best newpaper broadsheets in the country.