BeautyMNL.com: Finally a Beauty Destination For Everyone + Haul

I'm a self confessed late bloomer when it comes to make up. I don't know a lot about make ups, nor how to properly apply it, in fact, the only beauty products I use is a powder, lipstick and blush on sometimes. Well, except of course when there's an occasion and there's a make up artist who'll do my look. Although I'm not a beauty expert, I'm a certified beauty enthusiast. I like discovering new products and occasionally make purchases especially my favorites. But I rarely shop for make ups in a physical store. Since I don't know a lot, I need to research and read reviews about a certain product first before buying and it usually takes me a while so buying it online is more convenient for me. And recently, I discovered about BeautyMNL.com, finally a beauty destination for me and I will be sharing with you why it could also be your beauty destination and I'll show you my mini haul, so read on.

What is BeautyMNL?

BeautyMNL is the number 1 and the biggest beauty website in the Philippines. BeautyMNL wants us, Filipinas to feel our most beautiful every single day thus they offer something pretty and new every day! They have their own online magazine section which is called the "Bloom" that features tips, easy how-to's, and great beauty trends from celebrities and beauty gurus. Aside from their magazine they also have their Shop where you can find wide array of beauty products from both local and international brands. 

And here are the reasons why I love BeautyMNL.

1. Curated assortment of over 300 authentic beauty brands including Organics

BeautyMNL carries over 300 beauty brands from both local and international, giving us wide selection of products. This only means that BeautyMNL can cater even to our tightest budget. They also offer promos and discounts from time to time. The great part is, all their products are 100% authentic so no need to worry about getting fake ones.

With their curated "shop" section, shopping is as easy as ABC! Speaking of ABC, they have an alphabetical list of the brands, so you can just click on your favorite brand and it will redirect you to all it's products. They also organized their products according to its categories such as skin care, make up, hair care, organic, nails and scents, accessories and essentials. 

For the Green advocates, organic products from brands like Human Nature, By Nature and more that are  that are gentle, eco-friendly, and baby/kid friendly alternatives to traditional cosmetics are also available at BeautyMNL.

2. Rewarding review system

Aside from the accurate description of each products, they also have reviews from the those who purchased and have used the products. I find this very useful since I mentioned above that I do a lot of reading before actually buying. And to encourage shoppers to make their reviews, BeautyMNL rewards "Top Reviewers" with Php500 worth of credits for every 50 reviews successfully completed until they reach 200 reviews. Not only are reviewers helping other shoppers but they also get rewarded for it, awesome right?

3. "Bloom" - Insightful Online Magazine

Your daily dose of fresh, interesting tips, easy how-to's, and great beauty trends from celebrities and beauty gurus. Something new to discover from time to time that will surely make you feel like a pro!

4. More Payment options including Cash on delivery

You can select your preferred payment option, it can be via Credit Card, Paypal, Bank Deposit or if you don't have any of those mentioned above you can opt for Cash on Delivery.

5. Personal delivery service and Fast Shipping

After successfully placing your order all you have to do is sit back an relax while waiting for it. They have their own delivery service so you are sure that your package will arrive to you in good condition.

The part that I'm impressed the most is their fast shipping! For Metro Manila, you can expect your package within 24 hours or the next business day. For Provinces, it will be within 5 to 7 business days due to the holiday season. They don't ship on weekends.

I placed my order 2AM of October 14, 2016 which is Friday so I already anticipated to receive my order by Monday, October 17 which is my birthday. But around 9AM, I received a text message from BeautyMNL informing me that my order will arrive within the day. Whoa! Seriously? Almost 11AM came and knocking on our doors is my BeautyMNL rider personally handling me my beautiful package! It was like an early birthday present for me! Yey! Can you believe it, just less than 12 hours? You know when they say, that when something is too good to be true, it probably is? Well not this one! It's the fastest online shopping I've experienced so far. 

Alright so I got my package on the 14th of October but it was just last November 8 that I unboxed it and I made a VLOG for that which is on my YouTube Channel. Posting it below as well:

Can you imagine how hard was it for me to resist the temptation of opening the package? Haha! I just had the guilt feeling of opening the package and use the products without blogging about it so I had to resist the temptation. Anyway I would also like to apologize for this super delayed post, on the VLOG is my explanation why. LOL! Moving on, here's my BeautyMNL mini haul which are comprised of products that I haven't used before though they are not relatively the latest products there is. 

Maybelline ColorSensational Creamy Matte Brown Nude Lipstick in Clay Crush and Daringly Nude

Buttery-soft formula applies rich and creamy; delivers vibrant, opaque color payoff; glides onto lips seamlessly for comfortable wear; long-lasting formula with a shine-free, velvety finish.

 I've been eyeing on these ever since it came out, I was just hesitant to buy at first because it may not look good on me since I already have pale lips. But bought it anyway as I wanted to achieve a good natural look for everyday errands.

Maybelline White SuperFresh Powder Foundation in Nude Beige

Covers and conceals pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and other imperfections; absorbs excess oil for a fresh, radiant finish; protects against harmful UV rays and pollution; can be used wet or dry; suitable for all occasions indoors or outdoors.

Foundation is another product that I am hesitant to purchase. I use to hate how oily and sometimes cakey they turn out to be. I was in 2nd year college the last time I've used a foundation and ever since I've only used baby powder. But I'm giving foundation another chance since now I've learned some beauty hacks lol.

Skinlite Intensive Shine & Hydrate Hair Treatment

An easy, two-step hair treatment designed to revitalize hair. Perfect fo salon-less hair therapy.

My hair was bleached 2 times in just one session last June and since then I never went back to the salon for the maintenance. I know! It totally took a toll on my hair, it was dry and damaged so I bought this, but haven't used it yet. Last week I finally had my hair treated and I need hair treatment once week so I'm going to use this!

As of posting, I have used all the products already except for the hair treatment, hopefully I could post a review about these even just on social media.

Overall, I am pretty much impressed with my BeautyMNL online shopping experience. I didn't have any problem with my transaction with BeautyMNL except that I actually had a hard time deciding what to get haha. I am very indecisive and takes a while to shop, but other than that everything went well. Everything was smooth, from choosing the products through it's organized list, it's unique and beautiful packaging and most of all the superb fast shipping! Finally, an online shopping destination for all my beauty needs! I highly recommend shopping at BeautyMNL.com, and since it's holiday already they have gift bundle promos, discounts, and an exclusive holiday promo of free shipping when you spend at least Php1,500. On regular days, you can take advantage of free shipping for purchases Php2,000 and above. 

Oh and last bu not the least, if you like taking selfies (Selfie what? Lol), you can join BeautyMNL's #selfieMNL contest! Get a chance to win a Printster polaroid of your pretty face and a PHP200  worth of BeautyMNL GC! For the complete mechanics, please click here. Good luck beauties!

To stay updated with their promos and more visit their website: https://beautymnl.com/

or follow their social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeautyMNL/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beauty_MNL

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautymnl/

ShopBack sets biggest online sale with Singles Day:11/11

The Yuletide season is officially upon us. And, as the holiday cheer spreads across the country, Christmas shopping has become a daunting task instead of fun because of the congested traffic and crowd-packed shopping malls. Therefore, shopping physically for your Christmas list is something to reconsider.

Good thing there is ShopBack, the top Cashback site in Southeast Asia that allows you to shop at the biggest online stores from the comfort of your home and earn extra cash while you are at it. The site encourages Filipinos to start their Christmas shopping early and earn Cashback that can be withdrawn to a customer’s Philippine bank account. The savings can also be used to purchase even more gifts from top online retailers such as ZALORA, Lazada, Althea, ASOS, AliExpress, eBay and ever more.

If you are planning to travel outside the Philippines for Christmas, book your flights and accommodation from ShopBack’s travel partners: Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com, and earn Cashback from every transaction which you can put towards a scrumptious Christmas-eve dinner or some Christmas desserts.

ShopBack Philippines is holding their biggest online sale of the year today as an early Christmas treat to all their customers with Singles Day: 11/11. ShopBack customers can get up to 31% Upsized Cashback from top Philippine online stores, like Lazada and get the best deals of the year.

From 11 am to 11 pm today, November 11, there’ll even be best bestsellers from SanDisk, MamyPoko, Nestle, Maybelline, Cherry Mobile and more super brands, available to be purchased at only P111 after Cashback.

“We want to give Filipino customers a new way to do their Christmas shopping, and through ShopBack’s Singles Day: 11/11 Sale they can get their Christmas list completed and add more money to their savings.” said ShopBack Philippines’ Country Manager, Ms. Kristina Ay-ay.

ShopBack Philippines houses over 300 online brands and offers Cashback for every transaction made through its website. The Cashback is credited to a customers ShopBack account after a transaction is made and can then be cashed out to their local bank, PayPal or GCash account.

Ms. Ay-ay added, “The Philippines is one of the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets and through ShopBack, every Filipino will be able to save money while they shop online, especially this Yuletide season.”

ShopBack will surely change the way you shop for your Christmas list: Hassle-free, instant, and even

more rewarding when you can earn Cashback while you shop, on top of discounts and promo codes!

Visit https://www.shopback.ph to create an account for free or follow ShopBack Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more details on the Singles Day: 11/11 Sale.

Gotta Catch 'Em Pokemon Battle Gear with your Jolly Kiddie Meal

Hear ye, hear ye Pokemon Go fanatics! Whether young or young at heart, Jollibee adds another reason for you to enjoy your Pokemon battles with the latest Jolly Kiddie Meal offering – the Pokemon Battle Gear! 

And to our surprise, a Jolly Box was delivered to our doorstep the other day. My kids were so delighted as they unbox and saw what's inside.

Each one of them got their own choice of Pokemons and played with it right away.

When Jaear got home from work I could see that he was happy with the Pokemon Battle Gear as he's a Pokemon Go player himself.

Now kids of all ages can enjoy playing with these lovable and rare pocket monster characters, 

Pikachu, Tepig and Oshawott, along with their favorite Jollibee meals.

Unleash the powers of Pikachu Electro Launcher by attaching the electroball on its tail. Push it down to release Pikachu’s high voltage ball of lightning! 

You can also catch rare Pokemons Tepig Fireball Blaster and Oshawott Water Cannon. To ignite Tepig, insert the fireball in Tepig’s body and press the tail to fire away. 

The Oshawott Water Cannon makes a splash in the battle ground with its water squirting feature. Just detach the cap found at its back, pour water inside the body then press the button and squirt with water from Oshawott’s mouth.

Catch them all now at a store near you with every purchase of a Jolly Kiddie Meal: Jolly Spaghetti Meal at P95, Yum Burger Meal at P96 or Chickenjoy Meal at P122. Each package comes with its own Jolly Joy Box. The Pokemon Battle Gear is available in all Jollibee outlets until November 12 only so hurry, gotta catch 'em all!

More than 1M deals Await Shoppers for the Lazada Online Revolution

Online shoppers will surely rejoice for the biggest online shopping event in Southeast Asia, the 5th Lazada Online Revolution. Since its launch in 2012, Lazada Online Revolution has offered shoppers more exciting and effortless Christmas shopping experience. This anticipated shopping event will kick off on November 11, 2016, just less than 9 hours to go and it will be participated by more than 12,500 local and international brands and 6,000 merchants.

During the event several prizes were raffled off and I won Precious 100% Herbal Pillows goodies. I rarely win in raffle contests so I felt excited though I wished I won the Powerbank or the TV haha!

This year, Lazada will offer everything customers love – from huge discounts to flash sales and exclusive bundles. And, last November 3, 2016 I attended their media event where they announced this year's theme, ‘Brands for All,’ putting customers’ favorite brands in the spotlight. Customers can expect jaw-dropping, well-curated offers, and exclusive launches of branded items.

These deals come on top of the wide and growing assortment on Lazada. To date, Lazada boasts an unmatched catalog of close to 30 million products for consumers across six Southeast Asian countries. In the Philippines, the assortment grew 4x more than in 2015. 

Something to watch out for is the P11 peso deals featuring a Virtual Reality Box, LED light bulb rotating lamp and a Genius gaming mouse among many others, are up for grabs.  Limited-time flash deals on a 32” Slim LED TV for Php 5,499, a Fujidenzo 20L microwave oven for Php 1,999, a Star Mobile 4.5” smart phone for Php 999, an HP desk jet printer for Php 888, and a L’Oreal lip and cheek palette set for P399 are only some of the many highlights during this mega shopping day. Perfect value indeed for all the Christmas gift-seekers out there.

The deals extend to over 17 product categories including Fashion, Health & Beauty, Home & Living, and Electronics. Lazada is focusing deep into its customers’ interests with weekly specials- a curation of items for beauty fans, supermoms and families, techies and fashionistas.

As if these weren’t enough, Lazada will also launch games to make Christmas online shopping more fun. Follow Lazada’s social media channels to get free shopping vouchers, brand giveaways from Samsung, MamyPoko, Unilever, JBL, Lenovo, and more. To top this all, Lazada will also raffle off an Isuzu 4x4 pick up!

Led by the Lazada co-founder and CEO, Inanc Balci (center), Lazada team and VIPs from top brand partners eagerly pose for a group photo as they aim to provide Filipinos with a large assortment of products from different categories, during the Lazada Online Revolution media launch last November 3 at the Ascott BGC Ballroom in Taguig City. In the photo (first row, left to right) Bosch Business Developer, Juan Paulo Mendoza and Brand Manager, Martin Valenzuela (Power Tools); Unilever E- Commerce Manager, Kay Veloso; Nestle Sales Business Excellence and E-Commerce Head, Randy Allan Elido; ASUS PR Head, Anvey Factora; Mamy Poko Brand Manager, Ann Charmaine Obedencio; Loreal CEO Thibault De Saint Victor; Reckitt Benckiser eCommerce Manager, Justin Rafael S. Francisco; Imarflex VP Sales & Distribution, Anita Papa Senior. (Second row, left to right) Bum Fashion Marketing Manager, Stanley Briz; Platinum Karaoke Sales Director, Ankur Chaudhary, , Cherry Mobile Product Marketing Head, Lorraine Javalera; JBL/ Harman Kardon Country Head, Larry Secreto; Microsoft CBD Director, Jerry Bongco, P&G Assoc. Director of Sales, Luis Yanga; Canon Jill Santiago, SanDisk Country Sales Manager, Ron Flores; Samsung Chief Marketing Officer Chad Sotelo.

Last but not the least, Lazada has also partnered with top brands to make shopping more rewarding. Use your MasterCard to get an additional 12% off on top of already discounted prices. And if you’re feeling lucky, Isuzu Philippines is giving away a brand new pick-up for more out of town road trips, and Turkish Airlines is raffling off air tickets to fly you off to your dream vacation.

I can't wait to see more amazing deals and check off my shopping list. I know you are as excited as I am so make sure to complete your shopping lists, ready you shopping game on and enjoy more than 1M amazing deals! The good thing is Lazada Online Revolution will run from November 11 to December 12.  Visit www.lazada.com.ph or download the Lazada mobile app for free to join the biggest online shopping event of the year. 

Gift Ideas for Newly-weds and their New Home

June has always been the wedding month. But in recent years, December, aside from the usual Christmas season gatherings it is also becoming a popular month for couples to tie the knot and start a new chapter of their lives, building their own family while growing old together. The times may be shifting, but the challenge of picking the right gifts for the newly-weds still stays the same. Of course, people want to give only the best things that the couple may use in beginning their new life and that it would be a seemingly good idea to start gift hunting as early as possible.

Fortunately, Midea- the world’s leading consumer appliances manufacturer, gives well-wishers a chance to express their love and support to the newly-weds by offering some gift ideas that would definitely be loved by the couple and would help them in building their homes. Couples usually get household items such as flatware and silverware as gifts while for friends and family members who want to give something that could ease the newly-weds’ life as they start anew, small appliances still top the gift registry charts.`

Induction Cooker: Midea’s Induction Cookers has a Quick Heating Feature that cooks faster than the conventional electric stoves and because of this feature, nutrients in the food are locked in which makes it healthier. It has 8 cooking functions which make it easier for everyone to enjoy cooking without having to worry about the settings. Its flameless heating, Auto Safe shut-off, and Auto Cooling features make it safe for everyone to use. And the best part is that Midea’s Induction Cookers provide 37% savings from electrical consumption compared to conventional electric stoves.

Microwave oven: Microwave ovens may be a common option for gifts because of its versatility in function and how it quickly does some of the things needed to be done in the kitchen. But with Midea’s Digital Microwave Oven, things get done faster. It has several quick function settings which make it easier for everyone to cook, defrost, and reheat food items. Lastly, cooking food in the microwave for 3 minutes only costs Php 1.00, making it easy on the pocket.

Washing Machine: If wedding sponsors are feeling more generous, it would really be a big help for the couple to have a washing machine in their new home. Midea has a long lineup of washing machines, from the most basic to the most hi-tech of features available. Midea has a Semi-Automatic Washing Machine that has a Dual Cleaning Motion feature that cleans clothes while reducing tangles in clothing, making it very fabric friendly. Its advanced Spin Air Dry technology makes drying faster and more efficient saving more time for the couple.

Midea has several fully-automatic washing machines in the lineup too, but their iAdd Washing Machines are their top of the line. It can literally do everything for the couple, from intelligently dosing detergent and fabric softener with its iAdd feature, to its Auto Dryer Sensor which runs the ideal drying setting to avoid accidentally shrinking clothes and saving time and electricity. Midea’s iAdd Washing Machines also has IntelliClean which features 208 wash solutions for a better clean on clothes and the Smart Save inverter which reduces electrical consumption up to 62% for a quick wash cycle (for the front load model).

These are just some of the solutions that Midea can offer as a gift idea for weddings. Relatives and friends can still explore the selection of other Midea home solutions that can make things better for any couple’s new home. All of these home solutions offer features that are not complicated which make them consumer-friendly even to kids. They can get Midea home solutions at any branch of their retail partner all over the country, where couples can also post their gift registry.

Beginning a journey to forever in a new chapter of the newly-weds’ life takes a lot of responsibility, especially in preparing themselves for the various emotional and economic aspects of their life as a couple. Their families and friends will definitely always be there to help them through tough times and equip them with the basic things for their soon to be home in no time. Midea truly prides itself as a partner to these families and couples in making their lives more harmonious by its home-friendly solutions.

For more information on Midea’s products check out their website at http://midea.com.ph and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MideaPhilippines.

Kathryn and Liza Found their Kitchen Best Friend + Recipes!

I used to think that cooking was a daunting task reserved just for mothers and household helps. I know a lot of young people feel the same way, they don't want any business in the kitchen. But technology played a role in guiding people around the kitchen. Just like how it became a big help to me especially now that I'm a mother. Now, I just search online for cooking videos or check out “food hacks” to be able to produce any dish I want that I can, in turn, show off on social media. Cooking indeed has been an exciting task for me!

Young celebrities Kathryn Bernardo and Liza Soberano, the newest tandem to endorse AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning also enjoy cooking for their loved ones. Apart from what can be found in the Internet, Kathryn and Liza became more confident cooks because they can rely on a brand of seasoning to make delicious home-cooked dishes by bringing out the natural goodness of food. 

Experienced cooks or kitchen newbies can make AJI-NO-MOTO® their best friend in the kitchen – an ally in serving nourishing and enjoyable dishes for the whole family. The new AJI-NO-MOTO® TV Commercial features three (3) dishes to show the versatility of the product in making all kinds of dishes delicious. Among the dishes are the Omurice, a Japanese-inspired meal composed of rice and omelet, Kathryn’s Adobong Puti recipe, a different take on the classic adobo without soy sauce and the all-time favorite comfort food Beef Nilaga. See recipes below.

AJI-NO-MOTO® can be widely used in a variety of dishes because it has no smell or specific flavor of its own and can therefore be used to enhance the original flavor of food. This is a safe and quality product that is made from natural crops like sugar cane, corn or cassava and manufactured through the natural process of fermentation. AJI-NO-MOTO® enhances taste of food by providing umami taste. Umami is the fifth basic taste also described as rich, savory and ‘malinamnam’ derived from food rich in glutamate like tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, ham and seafood. 

OMURICE

Makes 2-4 servings
Nutrition Information: Calories 457 Carbohydrates 44g Protein 14g Fats 25g

Ingredients:

• Rice Mixture:
• 1½ tbsps vegetable oil 
• ¼ cup garlic, peeled, minced 
• ¼ cup onions, peeled, minced 
• ½ cup ground pork 
• ½ cup frozen carrots 
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper 
• 2 cups cooked rice, short grain 
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce 
• 1 teaspoon AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 
• Egg Mixture: 
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 
• 3 pieces eggs, small, beaten 
• 1/8 teaspoon pulverized black pepper 
• 1/2 teaspoon AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 
• 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt 

Procedure:              

• Rice Mixture 

1. Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic and onions for one (1) minute over low heat. 
2. Add ground pork and cook until brown. 
3. Add carrots and black pepper. 
4. Add rice and stir-fry for another minute over medium heat. 
5. Add soy sauce, mix well. 
6. Sprinkle AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning and mix well. 
7. Remove from fire, mound the rice on plate then set aside. 

• Egg Mixture

1. In a bowl, beat the eggs until the whites and yolks are well combined. 
2. Add pulverized black pepper. 
3. Sprinkle AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, mix well. 
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the egg mixture. 
5. Remove fried eggs out of the pan and mold it well on top of the rice. 
6. Serve with catsup. 

ADOBONG PUTI

Makes 4-5 servings
Nutrition Information: Calories 461 Carbohydrates 5g Protein 18g Fats 41g

Inredients:

• ½ kilo chicken, adobo cut 
• ½ cup vinegar 
• 1/3 cup garlic, peeled, crushed 
• 1 piece bayleaf, crushed 
• ¼ teaspoon peppercorn, cracked 
• ½ cup water 
• ½ cup cooking oil for deep frying
• 1 teaspoon AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 
• 1 tablespoon refined sugar 
• 1 teaspoon iodized salt

Procedure:

1. Combine chicken, vinegar, garlic, bayleaf, peppercorn and water in a pot. 
2. Let boil and lower heat. Simmer until tender. 
3. Drain the chicken pieces from the broth. 
4. Heat oil in another pan and deep fry chicken pieces. Return to the broth. 
5. Simmer until liquid has been reduced to half. 
6. Sprinkle AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami seasoning and sugar. Simmer for one (1) minute. 
7. Add salt and mix well. 
8. Serve hot. 

NILAGANG BAKA 

Makes 4-5 servings
Nutrition Information: Calories 195 Carbohydrates 21g Protein 21g Fats 3g

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ liters water 
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 
• 2 pieces onion, medium-size, chopped 
• ½ kilo beef shank, cut into serving pieces 
• 2 pieces corn, cut into five per piece of corn 
• 2 pieces potatoes, medium-sized, peeled, quartered
• ½ piece small cabbage, quartered 
• 1 ½ teaspoons AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 
• 1 tablespoon iodized salt 

Procedure:

1. In a casserole, put 2½ liters of water; add peppercorns, onions and beef. 
2. Boil beef until tender. 
3. Add corn and potatoes; boil for 2-3 minutes. 
4. Add cabbage, mix well. 
5. Sprinkle AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning and simmer for 30 minutes. 
6. Add salt and mix well. 
7. Serve hot.

Travel Tips | Explore the Beauty of La Union

Situated on the North West Island of Luzon, with neighbouring provinces of Ilocos Sur, Benguet and Pangasinan and the West Philippine Sea, lies a progressive and developing province of La Union. La Union or “The Union” in Spanish holds a special spot in my heart as it is my hometown and growing up to this province I held witness to its captivating and promising beauty.

Carrying the slogan, “La Union: Where the mountains meet the sea” La Union is predominantly hilly and is surrounded by alluring beaches. Indeed you'll enjoy the best of both worlds. La Union, coined as ElYu (L.U for La Union) is also popularly known as the "Surfing Capital of the North". But more than just surfing and it's alluring beaches, La Union also has beautiful beachfront hotels, guesthouses, and inns, and a whole lot more to offer in its 19 municipalities and 1 city. And now I am very happy to know that its hidden wonders are starting to be discovered thus giving La Union the long overdue attention it deserves. 

Easily accessible, just 5-7 hours drive away from Metro Manila, La Union can be traveled back and forth in just a day for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the Metro. But if you wish to explore more of La Union or just simply relax and unwind, spend at least 2 days or more. Given its booming tourism, a huge array of accommodations are available, ranging from a hostel to luxurious hotels, depending on your budget. It's necessary to book your accommodation ahead of time to save yourself from any hassle, the good thing is, you can do that online.

Planning a vacation to La Union anytime soon? Here are more tips that will surely come in handy for that.

HOW TO GET TO LA UNION

Coming from Manila

Travel time: 5-7 hours

Fare: 400 plus

You can board the bus going to Vigan, Laoag or Abra, as these buses will pass through La Union. There’s also a bus going to San Fernando only. Most of La Union's major municipalities are just along the highway like Rosario, Sto. Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Bauang, San Fernando City- it's capital, San Juan, Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bangar, Sudipen, while other municipalities are accessible through minor roads of other towns like Bagulin, Tubao, Pugo, Burgos, Naguilian, San Gabriel and Luna. You can ask the conductor to drop you off to your destination.

Bus Terminals:

• Partas Transportation – Cubao
• 816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City

• Partas Transportation – Pasay
• Tramo corner Edang St., San Roque, Pasay City

• Partas Transportation- Sampaloc
• 1716 Vicente Cruz St Cor Laon Laan St, Bgy 488, Zone 048 Sampaloc Manila

• Dominion Bus Lines
• EDSA corner New York St., Quezon City

• Viron Transportation Co., Inc.
• 1209 Dapitan corner Blumentritt Streets, Sampaloc, Manila

GETTING AROUND LA UNION

Tricycles are commonly used to access must-see places within towns. Jeepneys and mini-buses between towns with minimal fare are also common. Car or van rentals are also available.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN LA UNION

Surf in San Juan 

Large good quality waves bringing on a good swell, primarily in Urbiztondo, SanJuan isn't called "Surfing Capital of the North" for no reason. It's actually a shame that within 2 decades of living in La Union it was just last Summer of 2015 did I get to experience surfing for the first time. And I can't wait to come back for more!

Surfing lesson with husband last summer 2015

Don't know how to surf? Fret not, surfing lessons are readily available along San Juan beach and it costs around Php400 for an hour, inclusive of board rental and instructor fee. Since its launch in 2006, La Union Surfing Break is now being held every month of October. Surfing break is a festivity that is flocked by tourists for surfing, music, food and entertainment.

Beach Bumming

Sunset at San Francisco beach San Fernando La Union

If you are not into surfing then beach bumming, watching and photographing the sunset in La Union's alluring beaches is definitely a must do.

Trek and Cliff diving at Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel

I honestly haven't been here yet, where was I, 2 decades ago? LOL. But this overlooked but breathtaking attraction is perfect for adrenaline junkies. Get close to nature and enjoy its beauty as you go for an hour of trekking, then soak up in the refreshing water of Baroro river and go cliff diving if you dare!

Get adrenaline rush at Pugad in Pugo

Another one for the adrenaline junkies is the Pugad or Pugo Adventure. Get thrilled with their three ziplines, the longest and highest in Northern Philippines. Enjoy its breathtaking panoramic view of Pugo’s picturesque surroundings. ATV track and atower for rappelling and wall climbing is also available.

Take a dip at Tapuakan River in Pugo

A motorcycle road trip back in 2007 led us to Tapuakan river. Because of its pristine waters flowing from the mountain top towards the river mainstream, Tapuakan River has been awarded the Cleanest Inland River of the North. Along the river mainstream are giant boulders, engulfed into other rock formations. Entrance fee back then was Php10 there are cottages and changing areas available as well. Too bad we weren't able to back up our photos.

Get to know Ilocos heritage at Museo de Iloko in Agoo

Museo de Iloko is the old “presedencia” of Agoo. It houses artifacts and other pieces of cultural importance to the Ilocanos.

Get to know more about La Union at Museo de La Union in San Fernando

The museum showcases archeological finds in La Union which date back to Prehispanic Philippines.

Visit the Baluarte and Noble Stone House or Bahay na Bato in Luna

Luna is known for its beaches, particularly in Nalvo Sur and Darigayos- where our ancestral house is. Luna is also known for its pebbly beach, and along the stretch of pebbles rests the ruins of an old Spanish watch tower, locally named as Balauarte which stands still after more than three centuries. 

Nearby is the Noble Stone House or Bahay na Bato, it's actually a rest-house- turned-tourist-site owned by a Baguio couple. The stone house features several stone sculptures by Korean artist Vong Kim.

Admire Occalong Falls in Luna 

Another hidden beauty, occalong falls isn't that high compared to other falls but surely is worthy of a visit just to disconnect from the city and get close to nature.

Visit the Ma-cho Temple in San Fernando

The majestic Ma-cho Temple is a Taoist temple built by San Fernando City's substantial Chinese community in 1975 and is open to all worshipers and non-worshipers alike. This 11-tiered, multi-hued attraction stands on a more than one hectare of lot 70 feet above sea level and overlooking the sea. Housed in the Ma-cho Temple is Ma-cho's (Goddess of the Sea) 8 inch wooden image who is said to be the same with Our Lady of Caysasay who's wooden image was also found in Taal.

Be at peace with Nature at the hilly Botanical Garden in San Fernando

La Union Botanical Garden is home to a collection of Beautiful plants from the tropical Regions of the world. It showcases different garden themes like the serene Japanese setting, Friendship garden and more. Exotic birds like talking mynas and eagles, monkeys, iguana and other friendly animals are also put on display. 

Chase 4 waterfalls at Arosip Ecotrail in Bacnotan

Located 440 meters above sea-level of barangay Arosip in Bacnotan, Arosip Ecotrail welcomes guests with cool shades of towering trees planted along the road which is equipped with a number of tire-paths, offering a dramatic panoramic view of lowland Bacnotan. Countless springs, looking like miniature waterfalls can be seen as you go on a 45-minute descending trek where 4 waterfalls await; Zim-sim- ug Twin Falls to the east which has an estimated height of 20 feet and a basin deep of eight to nine feet, going down southwest, after a 10-minute walk, lies Pad-tok Falls which has an estimated height of 22 feet and has a shallow basin because of the usually weak flow of water, The combined water of the falls all meet in one main waterfall called Tekdag-aso which is located west of the bedrock. Going down, lays the wide and enchanting secondary basin which is most perfect for swimming. 

Witness Sillag Festival in San Fernando City

If you happen to visit La Union in summer preferably April, don’t miss out Sillag Festival of Lights which is a showcase of dramatic lighting of San Fernando skies. Sillag Festival is named after the Ilocano word “sellag” meaning “moonbeam” and started in year 2012.

La Union is also home to some historic churches:

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Charity in Agoo

Better known as Agoo Basilica, it's dedicated to Our Lady of Charity. It is the seat of the Santa Monica Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union under the Vicariate of St. Francis Xavier (Vicar Forane Father Raul S. Panay).

Sts. Peter and Paul Church Bauang

It's one of the oldest church in the country which was founded in 1580 and was canonically finished on 25 April 1587 by the Augustinian missionaries.

Pinadangan Ruins in San Fernando

Pindangan in the Ilocano dialect means a place where meat is sun dried with salt for preservation. Here you can see the buttresses and walls of the ruins of one of the oldest church which was built in the year 1764. Behind the ruins is the monastery of the Carmelite Sisters the caretakers of the glorious landmark.

Cathedral of St. William the Hermit in San Fernando 

Also known as the San Fernando Cathedral. It's patron saint is William the Hermit (or William the Great) (died 10 February 1157), the founder of the Catholic congregation of Williamites, a branch of the Hermits of St. Augustine. The town feast is celebrated every February 10.

Namacpacan Church in Luna

Also known as the Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church. Formerly called as Luna Church, The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.

All these tourist attractions are easily accessible whether you will be staying in San Fernando City or San Juan.

WHERE TO EAT IN LA UNION

Some of La Union's specialty dishes are dinengdeng - a bagoong based vegetable stew, dinakdakan- an Ilokano food containing pork snout, pork ears and pig brain and is similar to sisig, pinapaitan- a soup dish mostly composed of cow or goat innards and a lot more. These are always available in small karinderya in every town of La Union. However, these days, a lot of resorts and restaurants have emerged offering more food choices for everyone. 

Here are some of the must-try restaurants in La Union (particularly in San Fernando and San Juan):

Night Market in San Fernando

Every night some roads along San Fernando dry market are closed for this night market. Here you can see food stalls offering comfort foods and street foods.

Halo-Halo de Iloko

Enjoy rustic, homey ambiance while devouring on their local Ilokano dishes offering with okoy and halo-halo as their specialty. 

Address: Zandueta St, San Fernando, La Union

Cafe Esperanza

Classic Filipino delicacies.

Address: Gen. Luna St, San Fernando, La Union

Midtown Food Palace

Looks like an upscale Karinderya serving decent local Filipino favorites.

Address: Quezon ave, San Fernando, 2500 La Union

Sunset Bay Resort

Good food by the beach.

Address: Canaoay Community School, Airport Rd, San Fernando, La Union

Patio del Sol Seafood Restaurant

Latin-American Seafood beachfront restaurant

Address: 39 San Vicente Road | Brgy Pagudpud, San Fernando La Union

Thunderbird Resort
A piece of Santorini in San Fernando, Thunderbird offers pleasure and luxury. A resort and casino in one with choices of delectable dishes. 

• Olives Restaurant- serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine
• Ouzo Restaurant - offers Mediterranean and Asian dishes
• Pianosa Deli Café- offers midday or after-meal treat

Address: VOA Compound, Pennsylvania Avenue San Fernando City, La Union

Gefseis Greek Grill

Get a taste of authentic Greek cuisine

Address: Urbiztondo Beach Urbiztondo, San Juan, 2514 La Union

Tagpuan

Affordable restaurant offering classic, comfort Filipino dish.

Address: Manila North Rd., Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union

El Union Coffee

Coffee shop and roaster, serving great coffee in surf town since 2013.

Address: Kilometer 274+600 MacArthur National Highway, Barangay Urbiztondo San Juan, La Union

Mad Monkeys

Serves burgers with a little taste of madness

Address: Urbiztondo Beach San Juan, La Union

Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel

Offers a wide range of international and local cuisine. Open for non-guests.

Address: MacArthur Hwy, San Juan, La Union

Surf Shack

Laid back bar and restaurant 

Address: 239 National Highway, Urbiztondo, 2514 San Juan, La Union 

I'll be honest, some of the places or spots I mentioned above are fairly new to me since I moved to Manila in 2010. And for the past 2 decades of my stay in La Union my life mostly revolved around San Fernando City. Upon writing this, I realized that I missed out on a lot of things back then. So now La Union is definitely on my bucket list. Aside from visiting my parents there, I promised myself that I'll see more of La Union. So this post will be updated as soon as I check off all the things listed here. 

Hope you find this post helpful and if you have any tips you want to add up on the list,please feel free to share.