Robinson's Supermarket

Earlier today Dad and I went to Robinson's at Berkeley Square. It's along Commonwealth Avenue, near Power Up (if you've taken wall climbing for PE).

Anyhooo, I just want to share that the people of Robinson's Berkeley are sooo mabait! Like my dad couldn't find Reno liver spread in its usual space on the shelf. We asked and the shelf filler said "Dun po sa mga palaman" (points to the shelf). So I walk there and got the spread then back to the cart again. He even paused filling the shelves to check if I got it. When I thanked him he replied "Welcome po and thank you for shopping here."

Many times I passed by the seafood section and got as much 'good afternoons' from the man stationed there. Everyone whom I came across with in the aisles greeted me good afternoon. And finally when we were paying already, the bagger was alert to transfer our goods from the cart to the counter. Apparently he was also manning the package counter. Double duty, kaloka. After assisting people at the package counter, he came back to do his bagger duties and then brought the cart to the basement parking where our car was. After placing the last plastic bag in the car, Dad handed him 20 pesos as a tip but he declined saying "Ay sir, ok lang po, huwag na po. Balik nalang po kayo ulit dito."

Soooo cool diba? Talk about quality customer service! What amazes me is how they're so energetic and courteous the whole time. I know the management told them to be nice but the way they do it, it feels so natural! haha Unlike in SM Supermarket, it's not all the time that everyone's nice to you. Another amazing thing is that they actually say no to tips. I mean it's also additional income especially in these hard times. Let's say a bagger assists 3 customers with their grocery, each gives him 20. He gets an extra 60 pesos at the end of the day. That's enough to cover transportation and probably a small merienda. Amazing that they actually smile and decline nicely. Bilib rin talaga ako sa HR nila. I hope more supermarkets have that kind of people.

Yay to great customer service! :D

Exage

Exage talaga. I can't find the energy to write a decent post. I wanna post about my Bicol trip but I'm so lazy I opted to post photos on my Multiply account. I wish I can have my blogging energy back. 

My theory is... all my energy is on twitter. HAHAHA  It's just so much fun to tweet! Aside from seeing real time musings of my friends, I also I get so much updates there via TIME, Inquirer, and Julius Babao, showbiz feed and funny jokes from Ruffa Gutierrez, Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzalez and Pokwang, inspiration from Paulo Coelho and TheLoveStories,  pop culture and couture from Bryanboy and Tim Yap. 

I use twitter to a fault. As in minsan it's like a chatbox na between me and a contact. EXAGE I hate myself for doing it. I don't really log on to YM, nor do I post stuff on Facebook so this is the only chance I get to chitchat with them. 

Oh well, I'll leave you with this photo I took. Para naman worth it yung pag basa niyo ng post ko. HAHA

Barcelona Church in Gubat, Sorsogon

THIS IS REALLY IT!

Today the much awaited movie, Michael Jackson: THIS IS IT was released in the theaters of 99 countries all over the world.

Of course I tried to squeeze in time to watch it before I leave for Bicol even if I was alone. I'm used to watching movies alone anyway. hehe So I was there at the mall around 12:20 pm. Just enough time to grab a ticket. The movie starts at 12:45.

What's new though was the SUPER STRICT guards waiting there with the theater attendants. When I entered the theater, the attendant took my ticket, and the two guards scoured my bag (including the zipped pockets inside!) for cameras, PSPs and whatever gadget that can be used to record or take photos of the film. Well I didn't really mind coz they were very nice. And the MJ film will only be released for two weeks (with no assurance if they will release an original DVD). So the temptation of producing pirated copies is really really strong.

Inside, only the upper seats (deluxe) were allowed to be occupied. When the movie started, there were people squealing in excitement to a point that it was irritating. A lady even said "QUIET PLEASE" aloud because really, it's not like the theater is theirs.

As we watched the movie, three more guards entered the theater and stood in the aisles. From time to time they'd walk through the aisles to check if anyone's recording anything. Really strict haha

Anyhooo, about the film. No, I won't post spoilers because there isn't any story to spoil really. I was pretty emotional to a point that I really really blamed MJ's physician. (Coz diba his death was diagnosed as an overdose.) If that concert happened, it would have been the greatest concert evaaaar.

Intrigues aside, MJ is a great great artist. I don't think anyone can surpass his contributions to the music industry. And he is soooo full of love. He spreads love through his music and his dance. The very same thing he tells his dancers and the people he works with. Spread the love, he says.

The best take away line for me was EVERYDAY, MAKE HISTORY.

I know he did.

BINGE!

Shoe binge, that is. No no, I did not go on another shoe spree. Well at least not yet. 

I discovered two Multiply sites that offer pre-orders for shoes that are made in Korea. The best part about it is THEY'RE SOOO CHEAP! Well not exactly 'sooooo' cheap but it's a pretty good deal considering that you can't find similar designs here. I WANNA GO TO SOUTH KOREA AND GO ON A SHOE BINGE!!!

Here are my favorites.

Php 940. 

I super love flats! They are kind to the feet. 

However the other night Farrah was telling me how she's getting used to heels. I love heels but there's such a great deal of effort to wear them. I reserve my heels for extra special occasions like formal parties, presentations and the like. Maybe one day the perfect pair of heels can change my mind. hahaha

I forgot how much exactly but I think it's at Php 1200+. Very Charles&Keith-ish right?

Php 1290 

This is my favorite. Do I buy it or not? gaaah!

For the sites, click here and here.

I also 'discovered' another shoe brand to love- J.Crew! The brand is more known for clothes that's why I only saw their shoes now. But the price is pretty steep (for my purchasing power at least hahaha!) I'll probably use their styles as reference.

I wonder when I'll stop loving shoes? But then again, they're easier to love than men. HAHAHA

It's Official!

Yes, yes! Royce is officially my favorite chocolate! I've loved chocolates all my life but this is THE bomb. I still love Cadbury white, Andes Chocolate Mints, Kinder Bueno and Almond Roca. But Royce is just too heavenly to resist.

I heard about Royce before but it wasn't available yet here in Manila. It was Sir Nestle who introduced Royce to me. Well not exactly just me. He brought home a box of Royce Nama for the class from a recent trip to Singapore. Imagine 20 little squares of chocolates sliced into tinier squares to feed a class of 60+. HAHA 

That's my little piece from Sir Nestle's pasalubong. 

And Fa's left foot. I think she was reporting her good and bad tv ad. haha

My next encounter with the chocolates was during a trip to Rockwell. I was waiting for Emm, Fa and Sherry so I decided to walk around. I stumbled upon the Royce store at the topmost floor. Of course I tried their chocolates. It's free anyway. haha

And finally, they day came when I had to give  in to temptation. Last Saturday I saw a new store in Trinoma and it was a Royce store. I was with Dianne and again, tried their chocolates. Super funny coz we wanted to try the others but we didn't have plans of buying so we just thanked them and walked away laughing.  And then days ago I was browsing blogs and found so many reviews on Royce. I've been fighting the urge to buy it because it didn't come cheap.

So yeah I totally gave in and bought a box last Thursday. I also took the chance of trying the ones I want because I was gonna buy anyway. HAHA KAPAAAAL! Anyhoo here's my Royce box.

That little sachet is the frozen gel and the silver one is sort of a 'cooling envelope' where they put the box.

Close up shot of the velvety chocolate and the tiny plastic knife that's in the box.

Fa and I call Royce an "insult to poverty". HAHA But when you think about it, oo nga naman. She mentioned last night in our brief ym conversation that they eat the Royce Chocolate Covered Potato Chips like nuts in the office. I can't even imagine buying the potato chips because I feel it's not worth the money. I'll keep trying it nalang sa free taste. HAHA

Now I'm just very worried because I only have 6 squares left in the box. hahaha I AM SOOO NOT GONNA BUY ANOTHER BOX SOON. I'll just get a pack of Andes when I finish the box. But I plan to try Machiavelli Chocolates (this is a Filipino owned brand btw) and Benoit (also locally produced by a Belgian who is married to a Filipina). We'll see if they can exceed Royce.

Have you eaten your favorite chocolate lately? Go ahead, reward yourself! yay!