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Ex-OFW Journey: Exploring BGC, SEDA Hotel Stay, & Hidden Eats

ABBEY:  Our first stop after returning to the Philippines was Seda BGC, and it felt good to settle into a comfortable hotel right in the heart of Bonifacio Global City. After receiving our key cards, we headed straight to our room. The check-in process took a little longer than usual, but thankfully, the room itself made up for the wait. The room was clean, including the pillows and sheets, which is always important to me when staying in a hotel. Everything felt comfortable and relaxing, making it a good place to rest after our travel. Our booking included both breakfast and dinner at Misto, so naturally, we made sure to take advantage of it. One of the highlights was the seafood station. You can choose your seafood and have it grilled and served with your preferred sauce. I also enjoyed the grilled pork belly, beef sinigang, bacon and pomfret. The meat and fish from the carvery, however, were a little on the dry side. There were still plenty of choices, though, so it was ...
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The OFW Repatriation Playbook: Retrenchment, Loans, and Retiring in the Philippines

15-day YouTube Shorts series on OFW retrenchment, loans, and retirement back home in the Philippines When you pack your bags and book a one-way ticket back home to the Philippines, a flood of emotions hits all at once: relief, excitement, fear, and uncertainty. Whether you experienced sudden retrenchment—just like we did in Singapore—or you are actively planning a long-awaited retirement, the transition back home is rarely as smooth as people imagine. To help our global Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) community navigate this major life shift, we recently documented our entire journey in a  15-Day OFW YouTube Shorts Series . Moving back isn't just about packing boxes; it's about shifting your mindset, managing your money, and protecting your peace of mind. If you are currently building your exit strategy or adjusting to life back in the Philippines, here are the vital lessons every OFW needs to master. 1. Shift Your Mindset: Coming Home is Not a Failure When unexpected job losses...

100% Honest Review: Is Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie Singapore’s Most Unique Date Spot?

ABBEY:  Watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Sands Theatre left me with one irresistible craving: chocolate. So naturally, our next stop was Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie at Dempsey Road. After all, the name “Mr. Bucket” instantly brings Charlie Bucket to mind. Who knows? Maybe this is the real chocolate factory after Charlie eventually took over from Willy Wonka. To make the experience even sweeter, we booked the Chocolate Tour and Tasting , which costs SGD 20 per person . It was a fun and informative journey into the world of artisan chocolate, from learning about cacao to tasting some of their signature creations. One thing that made me especially proud was discovering that Mr. Bucket partners with cocoa farmers from the Philippines . Seeing Philippine-grown cacao featured in premium handcrafted chocolates made the visit even more meaningful. Of course, I couldn’t take my eyes off their beautiful display of colourful chocolate bon bons. Each piece looked like a tiny w...

Is Grand Circle Worth It? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical MBS Review

ABBEY:  Who loves chocolate? Me! I’ve seen Charlie and The Chocolate Factory movie versions and I’m excited to watch it on a theatre. We managed to secure promotional tickets for SGD88 each , and I couldn’t wait to experience the magic for myself. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical exceeded my expectations. While staying true to the beloved story, the production added its own creative touch that made the experience feel fresh and exciting. Every scene was carefully crafted, transporting the audience into Willy Wonka ’s magical chocolate factory. Watching the journey of each Golden Ticket winner unfold on stage was a delight. The vibrant sets, stunning visual effects, catchy musical numbers, and energetic Oompa Loompa choreography brought the classic story to life. Every performance was filled with charm, humor, and imagination, making it enjoyable for audiences of all ages. Most of all, the show reminded me of the joy and wonder of childhood. For a couple of ho...

Is Sio Pasta Actually Worth the Wait? (Great Food, But Here’s Why I Won't Be Back!)

ABBEY:  Our first attempt to dine at Sio Pasta didn’t go as planned because the queue was simply too long. Fortunately, on our second visit, the line was much shorter, and we were able to get seats at the bar within a few minutes. We ordered The Best Mentaiko Pasta and Neapolitan Beyond Neapolitan with Pork Sausage . Both dishes were cooked perfectly al dente, with each pasta offering its own unique and well-balanced flavor. Between the two, I personally preferred the Neapolitan. The rich tomato-based sauce paired wonderfully with the juicy pork sausage pieces, making every bite satisfying. The Mentaiko Pasta was flavorful as well, although I found it a little too salty for my taste. The presentation of both dishes was impressive and definitely added to the overall dining experience. Since we were seated at the bar, we also had a front-row view of the kitchen while our food was being prepared. It was interesting to watch the chefs at work, but I did notice that the food handli...