Sirao Flower Farm, Cebu's Little Amsterdam
Friday, November 24, 2017
cebu
I've been living in Cebu City for over a year now. I moved here, from my beloved General Santos, to pursue a career as a Structural Designer. I have yet to explore all the wonderful places Cebu has to offer. One of these places is Sirao Flower Farm, also known as The Little Amsterdam of Cebu City.
There's an entrance fee of P50.00 as means of maintenance and for further improvements.
I was immediately awestruck with the flowers when we arrived. However, after a while, I got a bit disappointed because it wasn't what I had expected. The flower garden was way smaller, there were too many people, and it really took a lot of effort to take a good photo (without any photobombs). The flowers at Sirao Flower Farm were fabulous though and the vivid colors were a fantastic visual treat for my eyes. It was also great to breathe in fresh air after being stuck in the polluted city for so long.
The famous Sirao Flower Farm was originally just meant for growing and selling flowers. However, over the years, it has attracted flocks of tourists and photo enthusiasts. The influx of people wanting to see the celosia flowers in full bloom convinced the owners to turn it into a well maintained tourist destination instead.
Previously, you would have to wait for the flowers to be in season to enjoy this spectacular site since the flowers will have to be harvested for Sinulog and All Soul's Day Season. If you didn't know, Celosia has grown to become the official flower of Cebu's Sinulog Festival. Currently, you can visit the farm all year round and still get a glimpse of a sea of flowers. The management purposely leave some flowers unharvested for the visitors to see.
To increase the European feel of the garden, several ornaments, such as a windmill, rainbow bridges, statues, bicycles, etc., can also be seen in the area.
There is also a cafe where you could enjoy refreshments like buko juice and a lot more. A lot of stores offering these are present outside for a cheaper price.
You can also purchase bundles of flowers that are grown from the garden which you can take home.
When visiting, you have to dress appropriately. It could get muddy. This means wearing your favorite white sneakers could yield an unfortunate mess.
How to get there:
The most common way to reach Sirao Flower Farm is by riding a motorcycle (locally known as habal-habal) from JY Square Mall. A bunch of drivers would instantly approach you especially if you look like tourists. P200.00/head roundtrip fare is already enough. You can discuss additional charges with your driver as an incentive for waiting for you. You can also opt to ride a taxi but the usual charge would start at P1500.00. If you have a car, you can simply just Waze it and you'll be good to go.
Tips:
- Make a very clear payment arrangement with your driver so there are no gray areas that could cause misunderstanding. Be wary of being tricked to pay more though. Some habal-habal drivers (definitely not all) are known to charge a whole lot more especially if they realize you're not from Cebu. Speak Bisaya if you can.
- If you're taking your own car, be careful as the road going up could get pretty challenging and slippery.
- Some habal-habal drivers would offer you a three-way tour, which would allow you to visit three famous Cebu tourist destinations: Sirao Flower Farm, Tops Skyline Garden and Temple of Leah. This is already very worth it. The usual price is P300.00/head, excluding entrance fees.
- Please be a responsible tourist and give respect to the management's effort of beautifying the place. Don't pick flowers, step on them or leave any trash behind. The destruction of these lovely flowers is a big price to pay for your perfect selfie. Please be mindful of other tourists as well. They, like you, are struggling to take the perfect picture too.
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Althea Un-pore-gettable Box
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
althea
I ordered this from the Althea website last October 26, 2017. It arrived at my doorstep on November 06, 2017 - just 11 days after. This is outstanding considering the free shipping fee, holidays and the 15 day guarantee from Althea. It came wrapped in their signature pink plastic bag. I expected to have their signature pink box as well but I had received their 'Happy Birthday' box instead, which is a pleasant surprise.
Contents:
Item No. 1: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Product Description: This mask with it's super volcanic cluster capsules powerfully absorbs sebum to intensively resolve pore concerns.
Product Description: This mask with it's super volcanic cluster capsules powerfully absorbs sebum to intensively resolve pore concerns.
Item No. 2: Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit
Product Description: Enriched with volcanic cluster and green complex from pure Jeju Island, this line helps control excessive sebum for soft skin.
Item No. 3: Common Labs Mild Peeling Finger Pad
Product Description: This is a mild exfoliator before you apply any other skincare product. The peeling pad provides gentle yet effective exfoliation of dead skin cells and impurities leaving your skin ready to absorb all the good ingredients in your normal skincare routine.
Item No. 4: Laneige Powder Fit Cushion SPF 50+ PA+++ No. 23 Sand
Product Description: Cream to powder twist cushion with a soft, lightweight finish, this feels just like skin.
Item No. 5: RiRe All Kill Pore Tightening Ice Stick
Product Description: It contains Icelandic glacial water which supplies moisture to loose and enlarged pores, and contains xylitol which gives a cooling sensation to the skin and helps with temporary pore tightening.
Item No. 6: My Beauty Red Ginseng Gold Hydrogel Mask
Product Description: Ginger which is 100% grown in Korea, is used in My Beauty Hydrogel Mask. Ginger is known for its high content of antioxidants. Ginger's unique substance, ginerol, helps protect and rejuvenate skin.
Item No. 7: Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Product Description: Supple Preparation Facial Toner is formulated with a base of various botanical extracts to balance the skin's PH level and provide full nourishment to the skin. It also helps prepare the skin to better absorb following products and boosts their effectiveness.
Product Description: Supple Preparation Facial Toner is formulated with a base of various botanical extracts to balance the skin's PH level and provide full nourishment to the skin. It also helps prepare the skin to better absorb following products and boosts their effectiveness.
Free Random Samples:
Random free samples are part of this box. I misunderstood the box description that it would contain 20 random samples. I was really excited because who doesn't love free samples right? I got disappointed when I only received 8 samples. Reviewing the box description now, they really didn't say it would have 20 samples but the sentence used could easily get misleading. It wasn't just me either. Althea's Un-Pore-gettable Box somehow got negative reviews because of this. Regardless, I am very happy with what I received.
Free Sample No. 1: IOPE Dermal Trouble Cleansing
Free Sample No. 2: Madagascar Centella Asiatica Cream
Free Sample No. 3: Mamonde Hydrating Flower Essence Mark Narcissus
Free Sample No. 4: Dear, Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil
Free Sample No. 5: Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum
Free Sample No. 6: Skin Miso Pore Corset Serum
Free Sample No. 7: CP-1 Premium Silk Ampoule
Free Sample No. 8: Pure Smile Black Pearl Mask
Bonus Product Haul (not included in box, bought separately)
Item : Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel
Product Description: Made from 92% Aloe Vera gel, Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel is enriched with vitamins and can be used for just about anything, from soothing sunburns to hydrating the skin and hair in the form of a mask, to an everyday moisturizer for supple skin.
Overall Verdict: Althea's Un-pore-gettable Box is surely worth it. It only cost me P1450.00 (28.50USD), this already includes free shipping. These products would cost a total of P4780.00 (94USD) when bought individually, and that's if you buy it from Althea. Prices could still increase if bought elsewhere. Althea sells such awesome Kbeauty products for way cheaper prices. If you ever find any of their boxes in stock, consider yourself lucky. Fortunately, this one is still available. You can get it here.
I'm looking forward to trying all of these products, most especially the Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Toner because it's been all over Instagram. I'm excited to try the Laniege Cushion as well because it's my first ever Laniege product. The brand has gotten lots of rave and love from beauty lovers worldwide. Can't wait to use Innisfree's Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask also, like the former, it has gotten great reviews and the packaging is too fabulous not to pay attention to. Common Labs' Mild Peeling Finger Pad is interesting as I have not tried (and seen) anything like this before. RiRe's All Kill Pore Tightening Ice Stick, is equally intriguing as well. I could already imagine how refreshing it must feel to use it (basing this from the packaging and smell alone). I will be posting separate reviews of these products once I've used them.
Note: This post is not sponsored in anyway.
I'm looking forward to trying all of these products, most especially the Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Toner because it's been all over Instagram. I'm excited to try the Laniege Cushion as well because it's my first ever Laniege product. The brand has gotten lots of rave and love from beauty lovers worldwide. Can't wait to use Innisfree's Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask also, like the former, it has gotten great reviews and the packaging is too fabulous not to pay attention to. Common Labs' Mild Peeling Finger Pad is interesting as I have not tried (and seen) anything like this before. RiRe's All Kill Pore Tightening Ice Stick, is equally intriguing as well. I could already imagine how refreshing it must feel to use it (basing this from the packaging and smell alone). I will be posting separate reviews of these products once I've used them.
Note: This post is not sponsored in anyway.
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Review: Nature Republic Given by Nature Tea Tree Mask
Monday, November 6, 2017
beauty |
| Nature Republic Given by Nature Tea Tree Mask Sheet |
Product Description: Nature Republic's Given By Nature Tea Tree Mask Sheet keeps your skin smooth and flawless with tea tree extract.
If you've had problems with acne before, you probably already heard about the miracle ingredient that is tea tree. Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca, is known for its antiseptic properties, hence it is effective in treating acne.
The mask comes in a typical sheet mask packaging. The design of which looks sleek, clean and green (because it's from nature, duh). Opening the mask, you'll smell a scent similar to tea tree oil, but not the in-your-face kind. The sheet is flexible enough to fit my face well which I like since most face masks do not.
Upon using Nature Republic Given by Nature Tea Tree Mask, I did not feel any itch or stinging sensation but I what I did feel is a refreshing cooling feeling. After taking the mask off after 20 minutes or so (it says 10-15minutes on the directions but who cares), my face is noticeably moisturized and smooth. I also noticed that some brewing zits were prevented from surfacing after using this (Yey!). I really think if I use more of it, it would help prevent pimples.
All in all, Nature Republic Given by Nature Tea Tree Mask is a great face mask to have a stock of, especially for days when you find a pimple that's ready to take surface and raise havoc. Take caution if you have sensitive skin though. I've read that some people are allergic to tea tree. This mask also contains alcohol which can be drying for some people.
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