Oh my Papa!

How are you planning to spend Father's Day this year? I am not sure as well. You see my dad met an accident just last week and he is still recovering from it (can't show you a picture because he does look terrible but in case you have a vivid imagination, think about a panda and then look at his eyes, that's what my dad looks like right now).

Just to give you a picture of what my dad looks like (photo grabbed from marketingtechblog.com)

However, if we were to spend Father's Day, we would definitely be having a feast! My dad loves to eat and he does really have a big appetite. He actually does not say 'no' to any type of food at all (unfortunately, I am not that adventurous).

Luckily, my online viewers in the World Wide Web, SM Supermalls have something in store for dads out there. If your pop is just like mine, a Foodie Dad well, from June 17 to 19, you can surprise your dad by taking him to a culinary journey within the walls of any SM Supermalls. There will be a wide variety of restaurants and food stops that will offer family packages and special treat to the man of the house on his special day.

If your dad is a beer enthusiast, World Brews will be the best place for him. This is where premium beers and liquors from around the world will be available. Enjoy the vast selection of food at the SM Foodcourt while your dad enjoys the discounted brewskies that various establishments have on offer!

Now, if you're dad is a die-hard Fast and the Furious fan, he can have a chance to view the cars in the City Motor Show in the SM Supermalls. Fast cars, vintage automobiles and concept cars will be part of the showcase.

For dads who are into gadgets better known as Techie Dads, they will have a chance to win cool prizes by posting their funniest #DadJokes and #DadQuotes. 

For every kind of Dad, there's a perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy and remember for a long time afterwards. Because this June, it’s all about Dad this Father’s Day at SM Supermalls!

With all these treats, my dad and I will try to see if he can go out with his sunglasses on. LOL! 

Happy Father's Day Pa! My favorite photo of us

For more details, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow its social media accounts at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Mas #MerrySMChristmas dito sa Pilipinas!

A few months back, my husband and I have decided to pack our bags and return to the motherland - the Philippines.

After a decade of working abroad, we thought why not try out and live our dream? All we have in hand were our savings and lots and lots of baggage :) Kidding aside, during those years of working abroad, I have always avoided going home for the holidays. I always tell myself, I cannot bear being happy for a few days and be miserable for the next 11 months. So I never went home.

I would always see my colleagues at work be excited as they do their own countdown of going home to be with their relatives and enjoy the festivities. I end up covering for them for a month or more so that they can be with their family.

When my husband has announced that he had enough and would want to start anew in the Philippines, I said yes but made him a deal - we would do it during the -ber months! I reasoned that at least by that time, the weather would be a bit colder and he will have less asthma attacks by then. He gave it a thought and shook my hand to seal the deal! However in reality, I really want to experience Christmas in the Philippines.

Once we reached home, I would always be in awe of department stores like SM Supermalls that will have Christmas trees decorated in various themes - white, blue, gold and red (I think this color is really for Chinese celebrating the season, but that's me). I would observe sales consultants and decorators cheerfully commanding their team on how the store or tree should be decorated. Christmas carols being played over and over. The holiday cheer (even though it's only October / November) is infectious!

The #MerrySMChristmas spirit found me!

You see in the country that we have been, Christmas is also being celebrated but you don't feel the spirit of Christmas. A country that is affluent in almost everything yet the vibe is not there. I think the expats in that country make do of what they can get.

Sabi nga nila, iba talaga ang Pasko sa Pilipinas and it is true.

Now that we are back home, I intend to spend this holiday and make it a memorable one for us and our families!

Like how the people behind the SM Supermalls tries to give a smile to every young children this Christmas. As part of their SM Cares program, they have introduced the 'Give a Bear of Joy Today'. For just PHP 200, you get to keep a bear for you or your kid and you or they get to share it with other children in orphanages or institutions who are in need of someone to cuddle :)

In the spirit of the holiday season, I know we all tend to more giving so if you want to find out more about SM's other MerrySMChristmas events, visit their website (click this  >>> http://bit.ly/MerrySMChristmas) 

To give more of the Christmas cheer because it's a #MerrySMChristmas, view this short video of how the SM elves continue to work so that you and your kids can be part of Santa's NICE list!

Now, let me go back to my own Naughty or Nice list! ;-)

 

Memberships

Are they really worth it? 

A few days after coming back home, my mom and sister have been telling me to avail of the card membership from S&R.

I think I have only been to this store once or twice when I was still in my tweens (ahem! yeah, a long time ago). I have to say I like the idea that you can buy stuff in bulk. Another interesting fact is that I (and the entire family) like love their humongous pizza slices!

photo courtesy of http://www.istorya.net/forums/food-and-dining-18/335954-s-and-r-pizza-you-better-try.html

I also know that they have reasonable sale items for their members.

R and I had a talk. He thinks the idea of being member sounds like a good idea but then also asks me if the PHP 700 membership is worth it.

Please do not take this as if we snub these kind of privileges because we are also members of the Robinsons Rewards and BDO Rewards. These two only have a minimal fee. Apart from that, we frequent the places they offer rewards to (Hello! Robinsons and SM - wherelse!). So I mean you know, you will definitely reap rewards on these cards.

I am still contemplating on this because there are a few household items that can be bought in S&R that you cannot find elsewhere. I think this is the Philippine version of Target or Costco.

Though I have also read online in one of the women sites that buying in bulk has its disadvantages too. You do not maximise the use of your supplies because you know that you have enough to cover you till you need them. A wrong notion to be quite honest because that also means you are not getting your money's worth.

I think there is an advantage in bulk buying because you and your family can share (though this can be a bit tricky especially if your siblings or family do not use the same brand!!).

The 'bugging' has stopped for now but I think I can be persuaded... most especially if my mom brings me inside the establishment. I swear I am such a fanatic now of supermarkets and homeware items. I have been transformed into being a gadget freak to a home freak (yes! cleaning items? COME TO MAMA!)

I will need to go through our budget and see if there is an excess... nuninuninu... excess? what excess???? :p