Diana at the Sunday Legaspi Market

Aloha Everyone,

Three weeks ago, we first saw Diana’s signage advertising her specialty Bulalo, but she had none to sell. Diana promised to make them for me the following week. 

Three weeks have gone by including Christmas Sunday and New Year Sunday when all Legaspi Market stalls were closed.

Diana’s Bulalo is excellent. J.J. also purchased Arroz Caldo from her. When I asked her which province she went to spend Christmas, she smiled and whispered “Hong Kong”. Diana clarified that she went to Hong Kong for Christmas but couldn’t buy anything as the merchandise are too expensive. 

She also stated that she and her traveling companions had to get Rapid Antigen Test everyday during their stay. If the authority catches your non-compliance, she was told that there will be a HK$10,000 fine.

The two of us also have our favorite vendors for mangosteens, avocados, paella plus freshly baked bagels. It was a fun market day and we came back with sufficient provisions for 3 meals and breakfasts for the two of us.

Aloha -- Cathi

Visiting Richard & Terttu at their Home

Aloha Everyone,

Usual driving time between Makati to Alabang is 60-90 minutes. The weather cleared and, with no traffic, it meant we only had 30 minutes driving time each way.

The 5 hours we spent visiting Richard & Terttu was filled with stories of their recent travels to the USA and the Panama Canal cruise. The four of us also spent time reminiscing about the days when our children were small. We also caught up with more recent activities including that of their 6 grandchildren and our one granddaughter.

We appreciated the homemade lunch and enthusiastically savored freshly blended bananas and frozen strawberries.  

Their dining room have Spanish Wrought Iron Outdoor Window Grill. The day was unusually cool and breezy. With the windows open, there was no humidity.  

A glimpse of the fading sunset gave us a wonderful exclamation to this lovely day!

Aloha -- Cathi

“No Brand” Brand Merchandise

Aloha Everyone,

The fact the name is widely advertised as “No Brand” and have their retail stores within  shopping malls, shelf spaces are sectioned off within supermarkets as “No Brand” means they indeed are private label brand merchandising.

Based on our research, No Brand is a franchise from one of Korea’s largest retailers, Emart. Products are snacks, beverages, frozen food, Korean beauty products and home essentials.

Fashioned after “Muji”, the No Brand concept of Japanese products, E-mart Incorporated is South Korea’s largest retailer offering accessibility in multiple format. It has over 250 branches worldwide. Ownership in the Philippines is the same group who own and operate Robinson Supermarkets. Online shopping with free delivery is heavily promoted.

For example, I was looking for surgical quality, 3-layers face masks in different colors. Yes we have them but it must be ordered online. Could we get laundry soap in pods, yes but online only and so on. One has to have a local mailing address (not via Concierge at our condo) and ability to send and receive texting using a local number.

Aloha -- Cathi

Hazardous Weather

Aloha Everyone,

We are exchanging a flurry of email messages with friends in the East Coast to the West Coast, as well as those who live in the Midwest and in the Southwest desert land.

Treacherous road conditions are impacting travel plans as well as schools and work schedules

In the Philippines, multiple flooding and landslide caused by Tropical Storm Nalgae left fatalities in Cebu and Northern Mindanao.

Our current residence in Makati is not cold but cooler then in early October when J.J. and I initially arrived. One must always be prepared for sudden heavy deluge but you can see the sun and the blue sky at different times of the day.  Humidity remains high. We have to continue using the AC in our condo.

Sending you our thoughts and best wishes for your safety and health.

Aloha -- Cathi

Walk-ins at David’s Salon

Aloha Everyone,

The weather’s been dreary and my long bangs kept on covering my eyes. The two of us have scouted a couple of pleasant looking beauty salons. The first place was still closed for the New Year. The second shop was too small and too busy with a long queue of people waiting.

We approached David’s Salon with an intention of making reservations for the latter part of the week.  They desk informed us they were not busy. The appointment could be early afternoon. It actually worked out well. 1:00 pm gave us about 40 minutes to have a quick lunch. Back at David’s Salon with 2 minutes to spare.

The salon’s founder is David Charlton from England. According to the company website, their first salon opened in 1989. It is now the biggest chain of salons in the Philippines with over 200 branches all over the country.

Located just across the street from Makati Diamond Residence, during our 90 minutes appointment, I saw several customers walking in from the hotel.

I am pleased with the quality of work and we will return and request for the hardworking 3 individuals who attended to us.

Aloha -- Cathi