DRMC Hospital Week 2016 Opens Today

The Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) is celebrating the Hospital Week 2016 with a theme, “Hospital: Kaagapay para sa Malusog na Isip at Katawan tungo sa Pagbabago”. Today is the opening day that started with a convocation, followed by a mass and a motorcade.

Food stalls were also opened serving different kinds of food and drinks. Chits were given to all employees and will be used to buy their food or drinks of their choice. It is so festive and everyone is happy roaming around watching the stalls and the bahay-kubo which is also part of the contest.

All contests will be participated by 4 divisions – Medical, Nursing, Admin and Ancillary.

For Day 2, there will be activities by Public Health Department and Medical Division Services and continuation of sports event.

For Day 3, there will be a Quiz Bowl, a press conference called Kapihan sa DRMC and bloodletting.

For Day 4, there will be again activities by Public Health Department and Medical Division Services and continuation of sports event.

The last day is the culmination day where the Search for Mr. and Ms. DRMC 2016 is one of the highlights. There will also be a Larong Pinoy, dance contest participated by the 4 divisions and awarding of winners.

All winners will represent DRMC in the upcoming CVD Sportsfest 2016, an interhospital event where different hospitals from Davao del Norte, whether private or government, will compete in various events.

It is going to be a fun week-long activity for all of us.

Dagan Para Sa Gugma

I always make sure that we celebrate Valentine’s Day in an unforgettable and unique way. So when we knew about this pre-Valentine fun run of Big 8 Corporate Hotel, we signed up. Actually, we ran out of couples shirt so we got the shirt for singles, but our category was still couples.

The program proper started late because of the rain, but it did not stop us from reaching our goal – finish the race and have fun! Licensed Zumba instructors initiated the stretching and warm up exercises so that we will be conditioned during the run.

Me and Jules ran for four kilometers together and surprisingly, we were the first couple to reach the finish line. We were so happy with this accomplishment. We won some gift certificates and pool passes during the raffle.

Together with the other couples, we were tasked to declare our promise of love to one another infront of other participants. It is such a nice feeling to tell the whole world how much you love a person. We were also given a lock to be placed in their Love Lock area.

The race began and ended with a color blast.

For Help and Health: The Million Volunteer Run 3

I have joined another fun run/run for a cause today. Actually, this should be done last December 13, 2015 but was postponed to February 6, 2016. I have never joined the Million Volunteer Run 1 and 2 before because I was not informed or maybe I was just not interested at that time.

But by the time I knew about Million Volunteer Run 3, I immediately registered, paid and got excited. Of course, this is not just a fun activity but a humanitarian one.

The Million Volunteer Run is a humanitarian run organized by the Philippine Red Cross and the proceeds of the Million Volunteer Run 3 will capacitate communities to be more prepared and resilient against the intensified and much frequent buffet of disasters that hit our country, and to raise funds to purchase lifesaving vehicles and equipment. For me, joining this kind of activity is good because I can help in their fundraising even if it is just a small amount, and running is good for the body. It is for help and health. It is like hitting two birds with one stone! The run was simultaneous on all Red Cross Chapters all over the country.

I was in the 5K Female Category and I was so surprised and amazed that I finished 5th place, because my pace was so slow. Although it was a good news for me, too bad they only gave medals up to the 4th place.

Joining the MVR3 is such an accomplishment for me. I am looking forward for the MVR4 and other activities of the Philippine Red Cross.

Coffee, Massage and More at Balai

I am sure that Balai Coffee and Spa is already popular to the people of Tagum, but not all have experienced their services.

First, Balai Coffee and Spa is a homey coffee shop that serves hot and cold coffees and teas, juices and shakes paired with sandwiches, pastas or cakes. They also serve lunch and dinner with their variety of sumptuous meals.

Second, they also have massage services. You can choose from Swedish to Shiatsu to Stone Massage in an ordinary room or couple room. Either way, you will be relaxed and de-stressed when massaged. They also had sauna.

Third, they have this service called Ear Candling or, according to Google, is a thermal-auricular therapy, an alternative medicine practice claimed to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. Although if you read scientific literature about ear candling, most of it says it is ineffective and dangerous.

Therapeutic or not, effective or not, with scientific proof or not, I tried it for the sake of trying. I just want to try it to know how it feels and I felt good. Good because I was brave enough to have a lighted candle stuck in my ear canal. The experience was worth it.

Balai Coffee and Spa is really a good place to to meet and stay connected with friends, have some relaxation, or just eat good food.

A Taste of Italy in Tagum

If you are are craving for an Italian pizza and pasta, there is no need for you to travel kilometers away from Tagum City because there is already an authentic pizza house – from their music, interior, food and drinks. Even the owner, Franco, is an Italian himself!

Letran Pizza Italiana is situated literally at the back of the Rotary Gym. As you enter the place, the aroma of freshly-baked pizza will welcome you. The place is not air conditioned but it is well ventilated and spacious. The decors and furniture are simple yet classy, and the background music is alluring even if nobody understands, except the owner of course.

We ordered three kinds of pizza (Quattro Formaggi, Tonnara and Frutti Di Mare) but to our surprise, it was knead and made infront of us. It was really made fresh! The pizzas were delicious and we want to try all of them. So there is another plan of going back to this place soon to try other varieties and their pasta.

In their menu, pizza, pasta and garden salads are available, with Italian names, but below it are lists of ingredients so that you will know if it contains pork (for non-pork eaters) or other ingredients that might trigger allergic reactions. The price is amazingly cheaper.

Franco is always around to supervise the store operations, ask customers about their experience and the food, and sometimes take pictures with them.

Letran Pizza Italiana is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 3:30PM to 10PM.

A Coffee On The Go

Coffee lovers are so happy about this new place in Tagum City, at the 2nd Floor of Gaisano Mall to be exact. They are selling frappes of different flavors and sizes!

Gourmet Frappé is a concept made by Jake Barabad, a friend and a schoolmate in high school, also the owner of Tea Zone in the 3rd Floor of Gaisano Mall.

It cannot be denied that coffee is a favorite drink whether hot or cold. The aroma itself is already an energy booster, and drinking up to three cups a day is okay. After all, aside from satisfying your craving, coffee also has health benefits like prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, lowers the risk of diabetis, liver disease and many others.

With a very affordable price compared to frappes in cafes, Gourmet Frappé’s frappes to go is surely convenient especially when you go strolling around the mall or watching a movie in the cinema with friends or family.

Try it and discover your favorite flavor now.

A Garden Called Dreanca

It is not a surprise that establishments like cafes and restaurants will sprout in Tagum City because of its promising modernization and industrialization. Students and workers residing from neighboring municipalities are regular contributors of foot traffic in the city.

Again, another cafe/restaurant has opened to cater the healthy appetite side of Tagumeños, but this time, it is on the other side of the city.

Garden Dreanca is a cafe/restaurant/hang out place for those who want to escape the rush and the stress. It has ornamental plants around that you can rest your eyes to and relax. They also have this indoor waterfalls that its sound make you feel calm.

The food is basically the same with the other restaurants since they also have chicken, pork, beef, salad, soup, sandwich, pasta and value meals. They also serve fruit shakes and juices, coffee and beer.

Outside is a wide area where they have huts if you want to stay outside, especially for those who want to smoke. They have a mini stage for the singers and instruments during nights with live band.

The place can also be reserved for occasions and they offer several packages depending on the number of guests. Although they have corkage for lechon, but you can bring cake and it is free of charge.

There is ample parking space but if you have no ride, commuting is hard especially at night since there are only a few tricycles that roam around Curvada-Magdum area.

This Valentines Day, they will be offering a dinner buffet for 349 pesos for couples only, with complimentary wine, rose and red velvet cupcake.

So if you want to just dine, unwind or hold celebrations, then Garden Dreanca is a new place to consider. They are located at the National Highway, Curvada (going to Magdum, before Merville), Tagum City. You can contact them at 0930-8238-088.

Barbershop Culture

Men really need this often – a haircut! Mostly, they visit the barbershop every two weeks, more often than women visit the salon. Students and working men maintain a clean haircut as it is required in school or in the workplace.

Like women, men also like a barbershop with good ambiance. Well, if you are looking for one, there is a barbershop with nice interior and fully-airconditioned with a haircut price of 50 pesos. Only 50 pesos for yours or theirs (in case you don’t know what specific haircut that suits you) style of haircut. Yes, they give advice for a suitable hairstyle for you. But then they are more of an “old school” hairstyle.

This barbershop is called Barbershop Culture, located at Door 3, GECP Building, Arellano Street, Tagum City. It is the road going to University of Mindanao, the big two-storey building on the left.

It is just a small space, has four comfortable barber chairs but all the barbers are experts in whatever style you want. The place has a minimalist design that gives you a homey and relaxing feeling. The place is really neat and clean.

Aside from haircut and shave services, they also promote the use of pomades, since gels can make hair dry. Pomades are sold in different fragrances. My husband bought this sweet-smelling Cherry Bomb pomade.

With a tagline Cuts x Shaves x Pomades x Lifestyle, Barbershop Culture is a hit when it comes to students and working men with a tight budget.

Visit it now and make a shift. Make Barbershop Culture part of your lifestyle.

Estrella’s Kitchen & Cafe

A new chic and posh cafe has just recently opened in Tagum City. I believe that they are still on the process of fixing and finalizing things because lighted signage outside the building is still not visible, only a tarpaulin at the outside front that tells you that you are on the right place.

A few of my friends were there during the soft opening that’s why I heard about this place. The explorer in me was triggered again so I dragged along my daughter and head there.

Estrella’s Kitchen & Cafe is located at the 3rd floor of Reno Building, Osmena Street. Confused? Well, it is across the City Hall, along Goldilocks Bakeshop. The main reference point is the DW Electronics. If you are there, then it is on the third floor. The stairs going to the third floor is beside DW Electronics. Still confused? Well, just ask the security guard at the DW Electronics.

Going to the third floor was not easy especially if you are in high heels. I just got out from the office so I was still in complete uniform, but the delicious food was my motivation to reach there. There was no signage on the sides but when you reach the third floor, you can see the welcome signs and you can smell the aroma of good food being cooked.

It was almost full. We asked for the menu and I was surprised that the prices were quite high compared to other cafes in Tagum City. Honestly, the prices are not student-friendly, but the servings were generous. We ordered pasta, salad, breakfast meal, dessert and drinks. Yes, they have breakfast meal served all day.

Photo grabbed from Estrella’s Kitchen & Cafe’s Facebook Page

Photo grabbed from Estrella’s Kitchen & Cafe’s Facebook Page

The Fruit and Nut salad was colorful and really appetizing. There was a little dressing and the veggies were not really wet, but when you eat it, it was flavorful. Well, when I eat vegetable salad, I want the dressing to be a little soupy. The sauce of their Mushroom and Cream has a right consistency and it tasted perfectly for me. The dessert called Pot De Creme is delicious too, perfect for those with sweet tooth.

Since this is our first time, we will visit again to taste their other food. For my first time visit, I can say that I was really satisfied and I’m craving for more.

If you are planning to visit, they are open from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM and from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Zumba With A Twist

December 1, 2015 was a special day for Big 8 Corporate Hotel because it was the lighting of their Christmas Tree. Their tree is the highest in Visayas and Mindanao in a hotel-set up. There were also Christmas decorations all around the hotel.

To make the event more meaningful, they conducted a Fitness Color Blast Zumba wherein powders of different colors were thrown at us while dancing, making different color combinations on our white dri-fit shirts.  The Big 8 Hotel staff randomly throw it at us, in front and at the back of our shirts. No worries because the colored powders were nontoxic and easy to wash.

We really had fun and it was my first time to join this kind of Zumba. I called it Zumba with a twist. The instructors were also very good as they can really make you move and dance. Their choice of music were also good.

Photo grabbed from Davnor Photographers Society Facebook Page

I am into Zumba about three years now and I really like it because you are just dancing and it is already your workout! Hundreds of calories are already burned.

I hope to join more Zumba parties and extraordinary Zumba parties such as this.