Tag Archives: Philippines

‘Queen of Busking’ Eloisa signs with new label, excites fans with the re-release of her best hits

During my days as a writer for INQUIRER.net, I had the very fortunate opportunity of meeting (and becoming friends with) the country’s ‘Queen of Busking’ herself, Eloisa.

Since those days, I’ve seen her grow into such an amazing singer and artist. From her various gigs in local shows and festivals to her televised performances, Eloisa is leaving a mark in the OPM industry and inspiring Filipino fans with her original songs and music.

This time, she’s once again making waves in the internet after signing with KDR Music House.

Just this week, I caught up with her to see her thoughts about this new partnership, what fans can expect from her moving forward, and how a personal milestone is influencing the way she approaches music.

Here are some of the things that she shared with me:

A partnership grounded in a shared vision

One of the main reasons why Eloisa signed with KDR Music House is that they share the same values and ideals when it comes to creating music.

“I signed with music label, KDR Music House, because I am a believer of their work ethics, integrity, and vision,” Eloisa said.

She is hopeful that this new label will be able to hone her craft in songwriting and composing, and elevate her music to reach more people locally and (hopefully) even, internationally.

Additionally, since officially signing with the label on March 12, Eloisa has re-released her 2019 hit Pag-Asa. Fans can now listen to it once again on major digital streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.

When asked what message does she want to remind fans with the song’s re-release, she told me:

“Hindi na tayo aasa sa wala. I repeat, hindi na tayo aasa sa wala. Yun lang. Salamat.”

(Don’t hope for something that isn’t there. I repeat, do not hope for something that isn’t there. That’s all [I wanted to say]. Thank you.)

Definitely words to live by!
Photo Credit: NBC via GIPHY

Fans can definitely expect more re-releases from the singer-songwriter as she continues this partnership with her new music label.

There’s still more to expect with Eloisa’s music

In addition to her busking gigs in the metro, Eloisa recently wrapped up a series of performances both in TV and on-site music events.

Last April 3, she performed on Net25 Entertainment‘s Kada Umaga segment where she delighted television viewers with her smooth vocals. Then the prior month, she graced the stage at the La Verdad Christian College, in Apalit, Pampanga, for KDR Music House’s ‘Campus Tour’ with other Filipino artists.

Indeed, it’s been a busy few months for the Pag-Asa singer. However, Eloisa promises to continue performing and sharing her music.

“I am grateful to all who follow and support the pages. They can expect that I’ll share more songs,” she shared.

Fans can stay up-to-date with Eloisa’s upcoming gigs and performances by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

Motherhood reminds her of the reasons why she continues to make music

Eloisa’s achievements don’t only exist in the music-sphere, she also celebrated a special milestone in her life — becoming a mother.

Lately, the Blanko singer continues to share small snippets of her personal life with her daughter; and to be honest, it’s heartwarming to see how sweet their relationship is.

Eloisa admits that since becoming a mother, she’s reminded of the messages her songs are trying to say, and hopes that people remember them when they listen to her music.

“Motherhood is my favorite role. I never knew a love could be so demanding, yet so deeply satisfying. It reminded me that we were all once children with big dreams, needing nothing more than love and support.
This journey has taught me to love my daughter fully—and in doing so, to finally support my younger self, too,” she explained. “These songs come from a heart that has experienced God’s kindness, patience, and grace. My only wish is to share that same love with everyone who listens.”

Truly, the messages behind Eloisa’s songs are timeless and resonate with anyone who’s experienced doubt, heartbreak, and (best of all) love. As a listener myself, I cannot wait to see what else the ‘Queen’ has to share with her fans.

Photo Credit: GIPHY

You can keep up with Eloisa by following her on social media; and until then, remember to put Pag-Asa on repeat, wherever you listen to music.

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These affordable, flavored chicken wings will definitely satisfy your food craving

NOTE: This is a personal review of the product and not a paid, branded post. This means the author does not receive any money from the publication and clicks made on this article. 

I don’t know about you but one food item that I often crave for is chicken wings. Whether it’s mixed in a sweet, soy garlic glaze or coated with a spicy buffalo flavor, it’s one dish that always seems to get my mouth watering when I see it.

So, when the Mandaluyong-based shop My Food Grabs PH let me sample their newest chicken wing variants, I was definitely excited to dive in and eat their newest creation. And here’s what I thought about it: 

The chicken wings were full of flavor

The chicken wings were carefully packed into two food containers and they came in three variants–namely, sweet soy, sweet chili, and buttered buffalo. 

The sweet soy variant and the buttered buffalo chicken wings were placed in the rectangular plastic container, while the sweet chili-flavored wings were placed inside the circular one. 

A photo of the My Food Grab PH’s food packaging.

The sweet chili wings were coated in a thick layer of sauce that dripped down when picked up. And it wasn’t necessarily spicy, but it did have a delicious sweet and tangy flavor that paired quite well with rice. 

A photo of the My Food Grabs PH’s sweet chili chicken wings.

The sweet soy variant, on the other hand, was not as “saucy” as the sweet chili one, but it was glazed evenly and topped with sesame seeds. It wasn’t too sweet either–which was good (since not everyone likes their food to be overly sweet)–and the soy flavoring gave it a nice, savory taste. 

A photo of My Food Grabs PH’s sweet soy chicken wings.

The last set of flavored wings–which is, perhaps, my favorite of the three–was the buttered buffalo wings. 

These chicken wings were such a delight to munch on as the butter gave it a sort of creamy texture that complemented the ‘buffalo wing’ flavor. And out of the three variants, this is definitely one I’d come back to order!

A photo of My Food Grabs PH’s buttered buffalo chicken wings.

Although these flavored wings don’t come with dip, I think they are flavorful enough and could stand on their own. Plus, they make for a scrumptious ulam (viand) come lunch or dinner time. 

The chicken wings come at an affordable price 

Personally, I think these chicken wings are well worth their price. Because for only 160 Philippine Pesos (PHP), you can enjoy six (6) pieces of these delectable, flavored wings. 

You can also expect more exciting things from the shop in the near future 

I caught up with store owner Sabrina Mata to get more insight on why she decided to add these flavored wings to My Food Grabs PH’s menu. To this, she said that she was inspired to create and offer new food items due to the dining restrictions brought about by the quarantine. 

“I think this is a perfect opportunity to innovate my products. So, I’ve decided to add flavored chicken [wings to the store’s existing menu] which is [made] accessible to anyone across Metro Manila through online [orders and food delivery],” she explained. 

Recently, the online store shared its newest variant, Korean spicy chicken wings. And this new addition is just the beginning of what the 25-year-old envisions for her food shop in the near future. 

“I’m planning to further innovate the products by adding more flavor options and dips to my chicken wings,” she shared. “Also, I’m planning to partner my chicken wings with french fries and bring back [customer] favorites on the menu–which are the dynamite and cheesy lumpia [dishes]. So, stay tuned!” 

You can now order and stay up-to-date with My Food Grabs PH by liking and following their Facebook and Instagram pages. Happy eating, everyone! 

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If you want to stay updated on my latest articles and stories, you can follow me on social media at Facebook.com/CMilitarWrites

My family and I just can’t get enough of this shop’s sushi bake trays

NOTE: This is a personal review of the product and not a paid, branded post. This means the author does not receive any money from the publication and clicks made on this article. 

Sometime around June of this year, I started noticing the sushi bake craze making its rounds online. At first, I didn’t necessarily understand what the dish was–I wondered, does it taste just like a maki roll? What’s in it? And is it really worth the hype?

Via Giphy

It wasn’t until October, when me and my siblings decided to try the dish out for ourselves. And upon the recommendation of my friend Mark D., we decided to order the Gyudon sushi bake tray from La Mesa Cravings.

Photo of the Gyudon sushi bake dish sent to me via Facebook by La Mesa Cravings

Initially, my whole family and I didn’t know what to expect when it arrived. But after taking the first few bites, we knew that this was a dish we would happily order again from the shop.

Here are a few reasons why I said this:

They have good customer service and the dish is complete and securely packaged

When it comes to service-oriented businesses, good customer service is key in maintaining loyalty with your target market. And La Mesa Cravings accomplishes this by not only being very responsive to inquiries on their page, but also in keeping their customers up-to-date on their orders.

Because once you have ordered and paid for the dish, the team schedules delivery based on your preference. And before the item is even sent out, they send you photos to confirm your order. So, from the get-go, you are aware of its appearance and the items that come with the dish.

Photo of the Gyudon sushi bake dish sent to me via Facebook by La Mesa Cravings

Moreover, the team places it in an aluminum foil tray and secures it with plastic cover to make sure it doesn’t move around while it’s in transit.

The sushi bake is full of flavor and very savory

The Gyudon sushi bake tray we ordered was packed with beef and sushi rice and topped off with layer of creamy cheddar cheese. The combination of these ingredients made the dish flavourful and absolutely filling. And when it’s eaten with seaweed–which comes with the order–the dish becomes almost heavenly!

Via Giphy

Even Filipino actor Paolo Ballesteros can’t seem to get enough of their sushi bake trays, sharing a review of it on his personal social media accounts.

Now, I do admit their menu items can be a bit pricey ranging from 300 to 1,500 PHP (depending on the size and variant and excluding shipping fee), but it’s well worth the price for its savoury taste and overall delicious flavour.

There are more flavors to choose from, not just Gyudon

After devouring the Gyudon sushi bake tray, my family and I are definitely eager to try out the shop’s other flavors. This includes the following variants: Green, Yellow, Red, Pink, Dragon, and Spam.

And fortunately for us (and other sushi bake fans), shop owners Joezel and Ivy Malang-Cruz are now offering the La Colección gift box. This is a set order that allows you to choose four out of their seven sushi bake variants to try and feast on this holiday season.

  Here’s a sample photo of their La Colección gift box. Photo Credit: Facebook.com/lamesacravingsyt

If you’re interested in knowing more about this San Juan City-based shop, you can visit their Facebook page or subscribe to their YouTube channel for more details. 

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If you want to stay updated on my latest articles and stories, you can follow me on social media at Facebook.com/CMilitarWrites 

I bought a Harry Potter–themed box online – was it worth it?

As a Potterhead, I have always wanted to buy some of the Harry Potter-themed subscription boxes featured by YouTubers like The Potter Collector. Unfortunately, because many of these boxes cannot be shipped to my country, I have never been able to purchase one. 

So, you can understand my excitement upon finding out that local artist Ella Mercado was selling her own Wizarding World-themed boxes online. Immediately, I purchased her limited edition Potterhead box 2.  

Now, before I share with you my review of it, I would like to note that this article is not sponsored and that I have purchased the box on my own volition. Therefore, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are that of my own and are not influenced by external factors. With that said, let me continue with my thoughts on the item… 

On packaging 

When the box was delivered to my house, I was disappointed to see that a portion of the plastic had either been chewed off by a rat or partially burned as seen in the photos below. 

However, this is not the fault of the seller but perhaps, the courier for not taking better care of the item. Luckily, none of the items inside were damaged, but the box was frayed in the corner. 

The box itself is plain brown, with a few Harry Potter-themed stickers on it. When opened, you can see that the items are carefully wrapped in yellow japanese paper–which I love since I am a proud Hufflepuff–and joined with a rolled-up map of the Wizarding World on top. 

Inside the folded-up yellow paper are the following items (which I will go into further detail later): 

– Four (4) glittered postcards that feature scenes from the movie 
– Nineteen (19) glittered sticker pieces
– Three (3) pins
– One (1) Deathly Hallows necklace
– Three (3) Daily Prophet posters
– One (1) Quibbler poster
– One (1) Hogwarts acceptance letter signed by Professor McGonagal 
– One (1) copy of the Hogwarts rules and regulations

On the Wizarding World Map 

The Wizarding World Map was printed on a thick, yellowish-brown paper and its illustrations are printed with black ink (the teaser video I made for this changed the color of the details on the map–making it purple instead of black).  

I consider this item as one of the highlights of this Harry Potter bundle. Not only was it rolled up well but it was very detailed and showed almost all the locations of the Wizarding World–From Hogsmeade to Hagrid’s Hut in the Hogwarts campus. 

It’s definitely a worthy piece of merchandise in this bundle. 

On the glittered postcards  

Personally, I like almost anything that’s been bedazzled or glitter-fied. And these postcards are no exception. 

I like how they were printed clearly on quality glittered paper. And that the scenes chosen were memorable moments from the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone movie. 

On the glittered sticker pieces 

These stickers are my absolute favorite from this box! They are not only made from what looks like waterproof, glittered paper, but they are also masterfully designed by the artist. 

I especially love her designs on Hedwig, Dobby, and the Sorting Hat.

On the pins

There are three pins in this lot: a Butterbeer shrink pin, a cat-themed button pin, and a Harry Potter enamel pin. 

All three pins are very cute and well-designed. Although from the three, I absolutely love the Harry Potter enamel pin as it is very detailed and it features the infamous Quidditch scene in the first film.  

These, again, are a win for me. 

Via Giphy

On the Deathly Hallows necklace  

After seeing the quality of the stickers, postcards, and pins, I was excited to see the next item. To my surprise, I ended up greatly disappointed with the Deathly Hallows necklace. 

The reason I said is because the lock on the necklace won’t even open and the chain is not long enough to fit over the head. This makes it unwearable and honestly, quite useless as an accessory.  

On the Quibbler and Daily Prophet posters

What I love about these posters is that they are about the A5 size so they are quite small and are perfect for displaying. 

The text and illustrations of the posters are also very clear and readable, making it a good addition to the box. 

On the Hogwarts acceptance letter and the rules and regulations 

Like the posters, these were also printed quite well and the text is clear. The only thing I really have to comment here is that I kind of hoped that the letter would be more personalized because at the moment, it does say “Dear (Your name)” in the acceptance letter.

So, through it all, one question remains: was it worth the buy?  

Generally speaking, I am happy about this purchase but if I could, I would have preferred if the item was maybe 100 Pesos cheaper, especially since the lock on my necklace wasn’t functioning. 

Other than that, I still do consider this as a worthy buy since I was able to receive a cool set of well-made Harry Potter stickers, pins, postcards, and posters. And I was also able to help a local artist continue to share her work with the world. 

Via Giphy

So, if any of you are interested in checking this item out or looking through her other Harry Potter-themed boxes (yes, she has more), you can check out the artist’s Shopee account here.