Viva Andrada O’Flynn wins Covid Times Poetry Competition

Filipina Viva Andrada O’Flynn proves that even in times of COVID-19 inspiration can be found. Representing the Philippines, Viva recently was awarded as one of the winners of Covid Times Poetry Competition. 

A global multilingual competition, Covid Times Poetry Competition, emphasised oneness among all, breaking barriers of language, nationality and age. It unleashed poets to inspire and heal the world during this pandemic. It received more than 3,000 entries from around the world. Abdul Basit Syed, founder of International NGO “World Humanitarian Drive” (WHD) believes that words can inspire and cure the agony of staying indoors in this lockdown. WHD used poetry to inspire millions of people to fight the battle against Coronavirus.

Born in the Philippines, now UK based, Viva Andrada O’Flynn is a woman of many talents — she has also worked as a journalist, artist, event organiser, entrepreneur, and chef. Viva constantly brings pride to the Philippines. Viva also wins bake-offs. Recently she won in all three categories of a Fairtrade Bake off at St. Stephen’s Church in Cinderford. Those categories were: Vegan (First Prize), Twelve of the Same and Freestyle Categories (Both in Second Prize). Viva’s business Love Viva Cakes and Crafts won Creative Business of 2019 awarded by Women’s Business Club.

Viva is also a multi-awarded flower arranger, winning the Cheltenham Horticultural Society’s Summer Craft and Flower Show in 2019 after placing second in the 2018 edition of the contest. She also placed second in the Winchcombe Flower Show 2019 and in 2018.

Viva was previously the Coffee Shop Manager of The Friendship Café and Entrepreneur’s Champion of Create On The Square. She is now also the secretary of the Gloucestershire Filipino Association.

In Viva’s own words: “In the UK, far from family and friends back home in the Philippines, I do my best to represent where I come from. In my own way I want others to see the goodness and creativity of the Filipino people.” 

Here is Viva’s award winning poem:

My Laresio Resort and Spa Exprience

I got to be one of the bloggers to have fun under the sun in the middle of the Christmas Vacation. It was surely a hot sunny Christmas and I enjoyed my stay in Laresio Resort... Why? Laresio offered more that a dip in the cool water in a hot Christmas but also offered a really fun adventure that you will say AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN after ever activities you try...

Leresio Resort and Spa is just in Los Banos, Laguna! They offer calming nature views of the Alligator Lake and mountain ranges of Mt. Makiling with a twist of extreme activities which you can do from 7:00am-5:00pm... If you just want have that swimming time from different kinds of temperature of water, you can from 7:00am-12midnight.

Lakeside Resort and Spa is one of the best in Los Banos! They offer everything you want and need... They have different kinds of rooms and the lowest is 3,000php plus the swimming pass for 450.00php... They also have huge event areas for any occasions... Weddings, Birthdays, Concerts...Name it! They can do things beyond what you foresee... You can have team buildings in here for your company improvements... or just have the stay-cation at the heart of the nurturing Alligator Lake... 

Laresio Lakeside Resort and Spa offers more than adventure and fun. They also offer such amazing food a the Tavern ++. Filipino cuisine at it's finest from their head  chef Nanay Lisa... Yes they call their chef as Nanay Lisa because in here they treat everyone as part of the family and that includes you...

I was there

I would love to share my great story of Laresio Lakeside Resort exprience...

I arrived there early... The staff members were very accommodating with their warm greetings and smile... They offered my a seat as they attended to my every needs. They were very patient in answering my every question.  As I wait for my checked in time, they said I can roam around, have some swim and extreme activities... Since it was my first time in here, I just took some pictures of every corner of the resort. It was a breathe taking resort... By the way, they kept my things safe as I roamed around. and got my ID for their protocol when they hand over the keys Our check in time came... Everyone in their staff were very polite indeed! the one who assisted me helped me carry my things... 

Upon arriving their, I was toured around and reminded that I should take care of the things issued on us or else I have to pay for them if I losses them.  

The room was so spacious we can fit more than ten people with extra bedding and very very very clean (It is a must for my kid because he is suffering from certain allergies.)The air condition, toilet flush and showers were working good. Our room/villa was the nearest in the activity room that was why I can monitor my kid around. 



After settling down, I went  out to do some activities. I love everything in here! A lot to do but I got to do some of only I like (They are in promo of 1200php for all activities and that includes swimming pools!) I got swing in the monkey bars, did some roaring in the lake, zip lining, shooting arrows, swimming alone in the lake which was teeming with fishes! (There will be seasons that they have to harvest the fishes, may be by January-February, so expect some time that there will be only fingerlings. They allow the people around the community to get the fishes...) I got to have fun in the water. I was living my life in there that I really good h ave an entire week in here. (by the why, you have to wear vest all the time! the ph level of the lake with pull you down. Down ever be pushed by the peole around you to do extremes... No one yet had died in here but still you have to take care).



All of their people were very courteous in putting our needs first and they were very fast in responding to us. they know the whole place and what to do there. The ones who assisted us are very funny and well trained. They said they also have teaming building, seminar and workshops with the n terms of coastal protocol. they were very cautious in assisting us, especially in some touching or putting equipment on us. I salute to those polite gestures. 

 


 










 I love their pools! I got to swim from one pool to another without the stinky and stinging feeling and smell of the chlorine. They have this 40 degrees hot spring pool. I almost slept there when I had it. It was too relaxing for me. (Do note that you have to test the water firs before diving.) I also had that time of having a dip (yes only a dip! not time to swim because I watch a good movie in their large projector screen beside the pool. They have a movie theater of their own) 

Everything in here is so amazing! The place... The nature... The people... The life... being with nature for just a day is  not enough for  me... I will keep going back in here... This is where I found myself where I should just let go of what is pulling me down... take time to think about everything I should be doing and breathing in fresh air of what mother nature is offering... 











Thank you Laresio  Lakeside Resort & Spa for spoiling us! I would love to come again and again and again here!

** Want to know more about Laresio Lakeside Resort & Spa? Feel free to contact them in there website https://www.laresio.com/

The Linden Suites

eco-friendly proundly Pinoy made bamboo covered flash drive  :)

I got to be one of the bloggers who have been invite by my every true sissy Macy Santos to have a really amazing night at the Lindens Suites! It was a night of fun friendly chats and sharing of experiences in such kinds of hospitality and accommodation in Lindens Suites.

At the Linden Suites, you can rest a little easier, dine a little grander and soak a little longer.

The Linden Suites is strategically located along San Miguel Avenue which lends easy access to many of the area’s commercial establishments like SM Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza, The Podium and Robinsons Galleria, as well as local tourist destinations. Ideally situated in the heart of Ortigas Center near an array of lifestyle and leisure activities, The Linden Suites makes for an ideal sanctuary when in the vibrant city of Pasig. 

Front desk of  The Linden Suites

You can definitely rest a little easier as the hotel depicts functional simplicity and comfort through its spacious suites and refreshing ambiance. The Linden Suites’ 168 tastefully designed rooms, from Deluxe rooms to One-bedroom, Two-bedroom, Three-bedroom and Penthouse suites, are perfectly suited to satisfy your needs. The suites have fully equipped kitchen and dining all perfect for satisfaction.

Great Night at The Linden's Suites' Roof Deck

Dine a little grander while indulging in the splendid view of Ortigas Center. The Happy Chef, located at the 2^nd floor The Linden Suites, offers one of the finest local and international dining experiences. From international to authentic local delectable cuisines prepared by passionate culinary artists, you will surely experience gastronomic pleasures to suit your cravings.

Shrimp Cocktail in a shot glass

a spoonful of meatballs

Soak a little longer at The Linden Suites’ Health Club. A temperature-controlled indoor pool so you can go for a quick swim; a Jacuzzi hot tub so you can sit back and relax; and a fully equipped gym so you can keep up with your fitness regimen. The saunas and massage rooms provide a refreshing sanctuary where you can rejuvenate after a long day.

Bloggers' Appreciation Night by Linden Suites

The charm of a good life echoes throughout the facilities and amenities. All are tastefully furnished to make you feel at ease. Whether you are staying for business or leisure, at The Linden Suites, you will always find room to refresh.

Awesome Senerade in my homely comfy corner of a real soft lain-den chair

Get the best available rate when you book directly at The Linden Suites website. To know more about The Linden Suites’ online and offline promotions, visit www.lindensuites.com.  

PIZZA AND HAPPINESS AT FIREHOUSE PIZZA

One of the sweetest gestures of a friend is having you around on her birthday... and this was what Sissy Bette did to us... She chose to spend her day with us here at Firehouse Pizza located at Crimson Hotel, Filinvest, Muntinlupa, Alabang

 

Firehouse Pizza is open as early as 11:00am up to midnight where you can have awesome time with your family and friends as everyone indulge into their very generous servings and mouth watering of extraordinary  pizzas, pastas, salads and more...

And so let's start to talk about what we had that day...

1. My soft yet thick serving of Italian Vanilla Ice urrCream with chocolate coated malt balls, drizzled with rich chocolate syrup and side topped with very delicate sweet roll cone  (120php)

I scream for vanilla ice cream

Yes I started backwards! I and my kid really love to do everything in food backwards... I have dessert first! This is ice cream is a champ for me... most of the time your tummy will get hurt when you have ice cream first but this  vanilla ice from Firehouse is very different because it is not too cold at all but not easy to melt... because there serving is too thick tummy won't be upset even if you are very hungry... It is like having a very nice serving of heavenly cold boiled icing at is not too sweet yet you will keep coming back for more and more and more...

2.  A bountiful bowl of Burrata Salad with such very flavorful garden tomatoes, burrata cheese, mesclun leaves drizzled with generous amount of balsamic olive oil (570php)

Burrata Salad

I can live my life with this kind of salad! Burrata Salad of Firehouse Pizza is a thumbs up for me. I can gt to eat a lot of this without the guilt of consuming too much calories... everything in this bowl is so distinct! Have a try of this and I am promising you that you will love this!

3. Mini Calzone Salad is consist of baby spinach, dried tomatoes, pesto sauce with just enough to kick start a flavor of parmesan

Mini Calzone Salad

My son like this much I didn't get a chance to really have a good criticizing of this salad... Pesto is from basil and basil is a very flavorful kind of herbs which actually is very god for you health too... I suggest to get a serving of this as my son like it so much...

Firehouse  Burrata

4. Firehouse (Burrata). This is a hand tossed perfect crust topped with generous amount of prosciutto, chorizo, meatballs and more... is one going to be one my list of favorites...That burrata serving of cream wrapped in mozzarella is really a great experience in every bite!  It is really must try of different kinds of herbs and everything nice... I ,love the crust! it is really so amazing to have that smokey flavor within without the burn. (720php).

5. Seafood (Fior De Latte) (570php) is consist of shrimps, mussels, squid, garlic, lemon zest... This isi one refreshing pizza! You everything on it sweet, sour, salty... name it!... flavors with play inside you mouth in every bite... very heavy in your tummy you will one have two slices and that's enough even if you are drunk...

Seafood

6. Shrimp Wrapped in Thinly Sliced Avocado with flavorful herbs... As is wow! yuo can never get enough on just one serving of this... all the flavors come from the freshness of the shirmp with the twist of avocado wraps... You will love this!




5. Manhattan (450php) is a mixture of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and some better with dehydrated orange. This is my kind of cocktail drink! I love this... the crunch of the citrus is a winner for me as I indulge in this kind of bitter sweet cocktail drink... Yes it is just brown... just plain brown but don't be fooled by the simplicity because this is one awesome drink to have here at Firehouse :)

Manhattan

Manhattan

7.Red Wine (Tedeschi Valpolicella Superiore 365php)... Oh my! you visit in Firehouse Pizza will never be complete with having a glass of thier fine red wine... I love this to pair with my pizza serving and salad... just perfect indeed.

Fall in Love with this red wine...

7. Strawberry Milkshake. This is made of truly heavy cream... whipped with ice and strawberry... your kids will love this... I love this.. Well I think everyone will love this. I don't really like too sweet milkshake and they do have this not so sweet one! Try this! You wont regret it!


I am very thankful for this moment of having a good time of appreciating life and food here in Firehouse Pizza in Crimson Hotel Alabang... I can't wait to visit again... :) IT IS ONE HAPPY PLACE TO EAT AND CATCH UP WITH...