Quingdom.com

Boracay Break

Beaches are heaven on earth. And I feel blessed to have been able to take a week's leave from work last week and spend it in one of the world's best beaches — Boracay.

It was the perfect time to relax and spend time with family (especially with my sister Shy who came from the States) before the busyness of Christmas sets in and the new year begins.

Singapore Invasion (No Sighting of Nuvali Here)

My officemates and I have always thought about traveling out-of-the-country together. And with the interesting mix of our personalities, we expected it would be a blast. 

True enough, it was nothing short of madness! Besides getting lost in the midst of starvation and meeting a drunk Spanish guy who was stunned by my Spanish speaking skills (despite my limited vocabulary), my wallet — the sole receptacle of my cash and credit card — found its way into a luggage of a friend who went back to Manila a day earlier. Yes, I had been cashless and financially incapacitated during our last day in Singapore. If a wallet that had gotten homesick and went back home without the owner's knowledge isn't crazy enough for you, I don't know what is.

 

We purposely didn't have an itenerary for this trip. The only solid plan we had was to go and spend half-day in LEGO Land, Malaysia. We looked forward to having fun, relaxing and enjoying the company of one another. Following a particular schedule of activities cramps our style so we decided to do away with it.

Singapore fits the bill. It is one of those cities where you can just take your sweet time exploring places and trying out local cuisine because of the very efficient public transportation (MTR) and traveler-friendly locals.

None of us were first time travelers to Singapore. I myself have been to the country three times, but every visit proves to be a different experience because of the people I've traveled with.

First on the list — authentic Hainanese Chicken

We stayed at Santa Grand Hotel Lai Chun Yuen (25 Trengganu Street). It would only take you a five-minute walk to the MTR from the hotel and it is very near all the shops where you can buy pasalubong (souvenirs) at very reasonable prices. There are a lot of food choices around the area too! When in doubt, resort to the restaurants in malls.

Taking our sweet time on the walkalator

 

Sentosa!

We didn't even bother paying the famed Merlion a visit, but we were all giddy going to Sentosa.

Heaven Is For Real Movie Trailer

Based on a true story of a four-year-old boy, Colton, who had the unimaginable experience to be in heaven, Heaven Is For Real first came out as a book written by Todd Burpo. I haven't gotten the chance to read it, but I've been hearing positive things about it.

Amazing that they're turning it into a movie starring Greg Kinnear and Kelly Relly who play the role of parents to Colton. This adds to my list of movies to watch in 2014.

I just downloaded the ebook version. I better read the book first before watching it on the big screen.

 

Here's How You Can Help Typhoon Yolanda Victims

Let's all take part in helping the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan)! 

You can make pledges and send donations through GMA Kapuso Foundation.

 

From GMA Kapuso Foundation:

Kailangan po ang mga sumusunod:

BIGAS
NOODLES
BOTTLED WATER
DAMIT
GAMOT
KUMOT
BANIG
SABONG
PANLIGO AT PANLABA
BAGONG UNDERWEAR
TUWALYA
TSINELAS

Maaari pong dalhin ang inyong mga donasyon sa mga sumusunod na drop-off centers:

GMA Kapuso Foundation
2nd Floor Kapuso Center, GMA Network Drive corner Samar Streets
Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. no. 928-4299/ 928-9351

GMA Kapuso Foundation Warehouse
# 366 GMA Compound Tandang Sora Avenue
Brgy. Culiat, Quezon City
Tel. no. 931-7013

Para sa cash donation, maaari po ninyong ideposito sa anumang branch ng METROBANK, UCPB, PNB at CEBUANA LHUILLIER. Wala pong service fee na ibabawas sa inyong mga donasyon at tax deductible po ang inyong mga donasyon.

Victory Church also has ongoing relief operations. You can drop off relief goods at Victory centers untill 5:00 pm tomorrow, November 11.

From Victory Church:

WHAT TO DONATE

The following items are a priority for those affected:

• instant noodles

• canned goods

• bottled water

• biscuits

• coffee

• mats and blankets

CASH AND CHECK DONATIONS

We also accept cash and check donations through BPI direct deposit. Please check out the info below:

Disaster Relief Operations – Peso Donations
BANK NAME: Bank of the Philippine Islands
ACCOUNT NAME: Victory Christian Fellowship
ACCOUNT NO: 0063-3205-52
TYPE OF ACCOUNT: PESO Savings Account
BANK ADDRESS: Fort Serendra Branch, Ground Floor, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM

Disaster Relief Operations – Dollar Donations
BANK NAME: Bank of the Philippine Islands
ACCOUNT NAME: Victory Christian Fellowship
ACCOUNT NO: 0824-0569-27
TYPE OF ACCOUNT: DOLLAR Savings Account
BANK ADDRESS: Fort Serendra Branch, Ground Floor, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM

To donate through online facilities, click here.

 

To send donations via SMS, text

RED <space> AMOUNT

Send to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

November's Long Weekend in Instagram

Second time in Tagaytay this year. Took advantage of the long weekend brought about by All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.

Since we customarily go to the cemetery and pay our respects to our dearly departed a week before the holiday, we have the long weekend for relaxation. 

Follow me on Instagram @quingstagram.