How to Get Your NBI Clearance Online

Disclaimer: This photo is taken at Brokenshire Convention Center, the venue of our classes, not at NBI.

In my city, the words "NBI Clearance" are often met with dread. This is because the office always manages to be full every day, with people. The lines tend to spill on to the streets, and people begin lining up at 4am just to be first!

I haven't gone to NBI in, like, almost four years because there wasn't any need for me to go. But because I will be taking up a board exam this May, I have no choice but to get a clearance.

It's such a great thing that they have the online option now!

I didn't think much of it mainly because I was aware that you still have to go to the actual office to claim your clearance. However, when my schoolmate from UP, who is also my classmate in my real estate brokerage class, said that she used the online option and she needed to be at the office for only 5 minutes, I was sold. Since I know most are either not aware of this option or do not how it works, let me take this opportunity to be your guide. Let's begin!

Click here to know how to get your NBI clearance online.

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What I Learned from BrainFit Studio's Seminar

Last Wednesday, I attended BrainFit Studio's introductory seminar. I was excited to attend this because I have heard a lot of good things about this enrichment center. After doing some errands in the morning, including a trip to the NBI, we went to the venue, which was in Park Inn at SM Lanang. Here's what we wore:

Anyway, even after doing a couple of errands, I still arrived there early - at least earlier than most. With me were my mother and this little boy: 

My mom wanted to go, too, and I thought it was because she wanted to enroll my sister in BrainFit. Di pala. She wanted to recommend it pala to our neighbor (village president, too) and family friend whose son got diagnosed with ADHD.

While waiting, Yuri made a friend in another little child, Sophia. At first, they were not minding each other, but when the seminar began to start, they were suddenly inseparable. Or at least my son wouldn't part with her. He wouldn't even sit beside me! I wasn't able to take a photo of them because I didn't have the energy to run after them haha.

Sophia's mom told me that she found out about the seminar through my blog, but unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to get her name. (Feel free to comment if you're reading!)

Here are the things that I learned from the seminar:

BrainFit Studio is Coming to Davao!

I have good news for everyone living in Davao City. Only I think you, guys, already know because I wrote it in the title! Still, it doesn't undermine the fact that BrainFit Studio will finally be coming to Davao!

What is BrainFit Studio?

This is the official description of the enrichment center:

"BrainFit Studio is the leading provider of neuroscience-based brain fitness programs in Asia. It originated in Singapore and is already over 10 years in the region with over 5000+ data-based results from programs conducted across Asia.

Our Brain Fitness programs seek to enhance the child's learning capacity by addressing opportunity areas across (i) attention/focus (ii) auditory processing (iii) visual processing (iv) sensory-motor (v) socio-emotions.  The key targets are children aged 3 to 18."

I think our preparation for our homeschooling journey this year (this June, to be exact) is kind of an open book here in my blog. I'm still constantly searching for materials and supplementary services that can help us. So imagine how pleased I am when the bringer of Manang's Chicken to Davao contacted me to introduce his cousin to me. His cousin, in turn, told me that she is going to open a new enrichment center in the city. Little did I know that she was referring to BrainFit Studio!

I have heard a lot of great things about BrainFit and wanted to try it; the problem was the lack of a center here. Now, it's no longer a problem and I really want to hear more about it!

BrainFit Studio wouldn't be opening until March 16, but on Wednesday, February 25, they are going to hold a free seminar for everyone interested in the program. It will be held at Park Inn (behind SM Lanang) at 9-11 am. Kids are welcome, and freebies will also be given.

So, shall I see you or shall I see you?

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Lunch at Probinsya Buffet

Photo from Probinsya's Facebook page

Yesterday was my parents' 32nd anniversary and they planned to eat lunch at Vikings. However, I opposed because I am on a diet and may not enjoy it anyway.

Before anything else, OOTD as usual haha:

On Yuri: department store polo shirt, Circo shorts, and his new Oshkosh loafers 

Since everybody was still busy, Yuri and I just used the self-timer of the camera. We kept running back and forth, which Yuri enjoyed. No wonder I forgot I was still wearing pambahay slippers.

So anyway, they compromised and started to look for another restaurant. But Papa really wanted to eat buffet so we agreed to eat at a cheaper buffet where I can still eat without feeling sorry for wasted money.

Thus, Probinsya.

This is my only photo of the restaurant's facade because it was blazing hot outside. It is still January, isn't it?!

This is how cheap Probinsya is:

Capping Off the Afternoon with Green Coffee

After eating a hearty lunch at Belito's Vineyard, my friends and I, with the exception of Hazel who had to attend a party, went to have some coffee (read: dessert) at Green Coffee, which was just down the road.

I have fond memories of Green Coffee. It used to be my favorite coffee shop when I was still an office girl. You know, when I still had the time to actually go out to have coffee. My teammates- slash- friends- slash- kumares and I used to go to their main branch at Torres so often after work that we already had our usual table. We also loved the friendly barista who memorized our names on our second visit. Talk about great customer service!

Anyway, getting to sit down in the same coffee shop, albeit in a new branch, caused me to be a little nostalgic.

Photo by Christine Mata

However, it was no match for the trip down memory lane that my friends and I took. We were so loud and there were two toddlers pa in the group that I said we should've stayed in private Belito's. Buti na lang we were not the only loud ones hehe.

Here are what we got:

Chocolate-chip muffin (I think this was P95)

My Final Fun and Frugal Shopping Finds for 2014

A day before New Year's Eve, we shopped for our and our relatives' respective Media Noche celebrations. I ended up buying a few more things as gifts to others and myself as I realized I didn't buy anything for myself for Christmas. Not that it's necessary, just to clarify, I just want to indulge the kuripot shopaholic in me before the year ends.

This means I shouldn't break the bank, so what I bought were affordable, as in cheap finds. I know, right? Before I show you my finds, here's us before going out:

Both that shirt and those shorts used to be loose on me. Now, gaaah!

(Department store polo shirt | Forever 21 denim shorts | the usual Crocs and Coach | Aeropostale watch) 

On the boy: Mothercare shirt | Circo shorts | Nike shoes

We were off to our usual mall, SM Lanang Premier, to do the grocery. However, we first went to Robinsons Cybergate because Mama, ever the bargain-hunter, told me of a place that sells cheap clothes there. So off we went to Robinsons Cybergate! The place is called Left to Vary, and they have two puestos in the mall. We just went to one near the road because the sizes of the clothes in the puesto near the grocery are too large. 

In fairness, there are a lot of clothes there. They are all brand new naman and some are branded. Because they are too cheap, I cannot attest to their authenticity. However, it's still fun to pick out clothes and I was there to look for tops as I don't have a lot of them. That's in preparation for my classes; I don't want to wear dresses then hahaha. 

But I didn't see a lot of clothes I want that time probably because they didn't have new stocks. I'm planning to return nalang next time. Anyway, here are my shopping finds:

Unbranded striped top (original price P300, on sale at P150) and Terranova long-sleeved top (original price P300, on sale at P150)

Christmas Luncheon with Friends at Belito's Vineyard

Did I really write "Christmas Luncheon"? My friends would surely laugh at the term, but the old lady in me is pleased haha. So let me call it that, and besides, it's not as if I could call it a “party," and “get-together" is too generic a term. Riiight?

Photo by Christine Mata

So thank you for reading that totally pointless opening banter hee hee. Anyway, today, I'll tell you about this Christmas luncheon (stop trying to make luncheon happen) with my friends at this new discovery called Belito's Vineyard.

We had other options including Sea Green and Gogi Gui, but the night before our date, I suddenly craved for paella. Which, in hindsight, was weird since I am not a fan of paella. Still, I searched for the best paella in town. Tiny Kitchen wasn't an option since we didn't see it as toddler-friendly, but I stumbled upon a review of Belito's Vineyard.

No one among us was familiar with the place, but the photos of the food and the ambiance were effective enough in enticing my friends. Aha, paella, here I come!

Before I talk about the place, let me force upon show you adorable photos of us (Warning: Photo overload):

Photos above by Christine Mata

Christmas Rush

Hello friends and readers! Merry Christmas!

I'm taking a rest from all the Christmas preps that kept me busy from sun up. Man, am I so tired. After preparing food, I scrubbed the kitchen clean (at least I think it's finally clean!) and cleaned the rest of the house. All those calories I burned from general cleaning would be back later anyway. Then I figured to drop in and write a quick blog post to, well, chat and wish you well. Let me tell you about my day yesterday.

I've experienced Christmas rush yesterday. I've always avoided going out so close to Christmas, but I had two appointments yesterday. I took Yuri and my sister with me to brave the traffic.

 Taken at the restaurant where we would be eating later

First, there was no taxi available anywhere (#nocarproblems). So we walked from our village to a neighboring village where jeepneys are available to take our chances. Fortunately, a taxi passed by with a passenger, and we made a signal for the driver to come back. Buti nalang he did come back for us when he passed by many other waiting passengers. Thank you Lord!

But the traffic was worse. Actually, I would choose getting stuck in traffic than getting stuck in the road with no taxi, but you get the point. Anyway, the ride to the mall that would normally take us 15-20 minutes took us an hour. I'm sorry, Manila friends, but I'm just not used to traffic jams. But, surprise, surprise, the taxi fare only cost less than P10 more than the usual!

Lunch at Bistro Selera

My sister celebrated her birthday last Sunday and we made a reservation for lunch at Yakimix. We didn't go to Abreeza right away, though, because we had a couple of errands to do at SM Lanang.

However, after staying in SM for a while, we decided na nakakatamad na to have to go to Abreeza to eat (then back again to SM for groceries). So we cancelled our reservation at Yakimix and decided to just eat at Vikings.

However ulit, when we went to Vikings (it was just around 10), there were already several people in line. We asked the staff if there's an available table, and he said wala na. Everyone without a reservation is waitlisted and for a table pa talaga outside.

No thanks!

So we went to look for another restaurant since my sister and I were already hungry (#boa). Long story short, we decided to try Bistro Selera.

Since we were there early, they were actually still closed when we got there. The waiter immediately flipped the Closed sign upon noticing us though!

Click here to read Bistro Selera review.

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Huge Discounts Await Customers at Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes

I am a Samsung user. Well, my latest phone is not a Samsung, but I'm still using my old Samsung phone for my old number and both my old and new cameras are Samsung. (My fridge is Samsung, too. Does that count?)

Anyway, I was invited again to another Samsung event last week, and because I have been using their products, I was looking forward to attending it. Do you know why? They will be announcing their... Christmas promo!

We had lunch at Cafe Laguna. Very unfortunately, I wasn't able to bring my camera with me so all I have are phone and tablet photos. Here they are:

My sinful plate at Cafe Laguna 

To know more about Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes, here's Samsung’s press release for more information:

MANILA, Philippines – Samsung gives Pinoys more reasons to love the holidays with Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes. From November 15 – December 31, 2014, customers can get a chance to take home their favorite Samsung device at a lower cost by visiting participating Samsung Experience Shops and authorized dealers nationwide.

“We are very excited to make the holidays extra special for the Pinoys with Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes," said Rhinn Piczon, Product Marketing Head for Mobile of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation.

“We listened to what our customers want and we’re thrilled to be able to give it to them this Christmas," she added.

Included in the promo are the Samsung Galaxy V, Galaxy Tab 3 Lite, Galaxy Core 2, Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, Galaxy Grand 2, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 3.

The Samsung Galaxy V is a dual SIM phone that features a 4-inch screen and runs on Android Kitkat 4.4.2.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite, on the other hand, features a super light, slim design with a 7-inch WSVGA screen, as well as a a 1.2 Ghz Dual-Core Processor and Android Jellybean OS.

Also available at the Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes is the Samsung Galaxy Core 2 which features a powerful Quad-Core processor on Android Kitkat and a 4.5-inch large screen...

Samsung Galaxy Grand 2, with a large 5.2-inch screen an 8MP camera...

Samsung S4 which boasts of a 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED Display and 13MP rear camera...

the latest Samsung S5 which has a 5.1-inch display and 16MP rear camera, and one of Samsung most powerful smartphones in the market...

And the Galaxy Note 3 which features a 5.7-inch display and a Quad Core 2.3GHz processor running on Android Jelly Bean.

At Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes, customers can avail of their very own Samsung devices for as low as Php 7,000 less than the original selling price or get a special item from Samsung upon purchase.

MODEL	RETAIL PRICE	PROMO PRICE
Galaxy V	Php 4,990.00	Free Jelly Case
Galaxy Tab 3 Lite	Php 6,990.00	Php 6,490.00
Galaxy Core 2	Php 8,990.00	Php 6,990.00
Galaxy Tab 4 7.0	Php 11,990.00	Php 10,990.00
Galaxy Grand 2	Php 13,990.00	Php 12,990.00
Galaxy S4	Php 21,990.00	Php 19,990.00
Galaxy S5	Php 34,990.00	Php 31,990.00
Galaxy Note 3	Php 36,990.00	Php 29,990.00

Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes can be found at participating Samsung Experience Shops and authorized dealers nationwide. Per DTI FTEB-SPD Permit No. 4704.

So if you're planning to buy a phone or a tablet this Christmas, I say look no further! What about a Samsung?

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