VETS IN PRACTICE with Doc Nielsen Donato

If you're a pet love in the Philippines and don't know who he is, then you're probably under a rock. Meet Dr. Nielsen Donato, host of hit show "Born to be Wild" and managing partner and surgeon of VETS IN PRACTICE (VIP), a leading animal hospital located in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. He also helps in Laguna Wildlife Park and Rescue Center in Pansol, Laguna. 

Doc Nielsen has always regarded his work as a blessing, his heart has always been with wild or domesticated animals. He has been in the industry for over 30 years, always making sure none of them get traumatized the minute they enter the animal hospital til they get well through treatments. This spurred from the need to take care of dogs, cats, birds and various exotic animals. Today, they already have 4 Animal Hospitals and 2 subsidiary clinics offering services in different parts of the country. In the past it was difficult to diagnose and treat animals since laboratories and surgery facilities were scarce. They have invested heavily in these to make sure proper and fast care would be available for our furry friends when they need it, especially where their locations are.

VIP will continue to be a place people could take their pets, exotic ones or not, to help keep them safe and healthy... So you too won't be stressed!

Century Properties Launch "Century NULIV"

Taking on a different outlook and listening to buyers, Century Properties knows what people need these days. With the clamor to have more space indoors and outdoors, they answer back with a new business called Century NULIV still under the Century Properties Group.

This means they will be growing the company with emphasis on low rise developments at a per project basis which would pose less risk these days.

 

 

It's a new residential concept that upscale and premium villas, homes and properties located in up and coming areas boasting innovative architectural designs fit for those who would like to invest in real estate. They're starting off with a townhouse community called Century NULIV Acqua which is a 22 multi storey home accessible via an exclusive road right behind Acqua Private Residences. This offers safety, convenience and comfort plus a generous indoor and outdoor space which is not quite a norm in projects located in Metro Manila. It's well planned, made to see lots of natural light, and space to transform into gardens, a patio or used for parking space (or could be anything you would want it to be). The three storey Rhine and four storey unit Seine are priced from 40-60 Million. Investors should take advantage of it as property value is expected to increase in the next few years. It will be available for sale soon. After this Mandaluyong project, they are doing these concepts in next planned villas at Azure North, San Fernando Pampanga soon.

President and CEO Marco Antonio says "We've given Filipinos comfort, luxury, value in this side of the world. Our vision remains to make the country a residential destination. This will help us carry the company into different market segments, like low density low rise projects, a lot different from our existing condominium properties."

Century NULIV President Monica Trajano adds "Our projects aim to be best in class. Digitalization made us make a new business model where we re-discovered our new brand, Century NULIV. It's a new way of living as it's spacious and modern, with life's essentials that the new generation aspires to have. These homes will be in key growth areas, with innovative design  and will be available in a new platform. The first is NULIV Townvillas at Acqua. It's in the middle of Mandaluyong and Makati. It's for the doers and dreamers, it's for the new generation of home owners."

Make sure you visit centurynuliv.com for more details about the property. 

Good Desserts at Meet Fresh Podium

If you're in the Ortigas-Mandaluyong area and looking for unique desserts, you might wanna try this joint called Meet Fresh. It's at the 5th Floor of the Podium mall at the back of Megamall. Honestly, I was expecting it much to be like Ice Kacang which the Tsino-Malaysians enjoy but this is more of a Taiwanese treat which they brought in for Filipinos to enjoy.

The place can seat around 30, all separate chairs in front with an Express counter on the side. They had tons of guests, but serving time was ample on regular days. I visited it again a few days ago and quality didn't go down after opening the joint a few months ago.

I ordered the Cold Tofu Pudding, Milk Tea with Pudding, Mung Bean Cakes and Peanut Mochi Combo. Everything was so good especially the Peanut Mochi which I had to order more of. The Cold Tofu Pudding comes a close second because it reminds me of cold soy milk/ chilled Taho which I often drink or consume since I was a kid. The mixture of beans and mochi on some of the items on their menu felt ingenious! You're bound to say "Why didn't I think of that?!" a couple of times. Even though we don't have a similar version of these in the Philippines, our halo-halo seems a bit close sans the fruits. 

They've got milk teas and other flavored drinks but for me, it's better to stick with the best sellers because it's a little pricey, but definitely good for sharing. Ask them if you need extra bowls because they can do that on a whim.

MEET FRESH is at the 5th Floor of the PODIUM Mall in Ortigas Center. They are open mall hours, and is self service.

An Afternoon at The Legend Villas

I have never stayed in The Legend Villas but I've heard of it from friends. Those were good things, and I feel, I had to see it myself.

A few days before this actual visit, I had a charity event coverage which happened at the hotel's huge ballroom so I only had a glimpse of it. Their love for wood and everything pinoy are evident - and it's growing on me. It takes that feel of that tradition, of having pride in Filipino craftsmanship and paying homage to artisans that took their sweet time putting this all together.

Like clockwork, they named the hotel's restaurant after the owners real matriarch, hence Lola Maria. We had lunch with a few bloggers, which I guess is their way to introduce the place. The Legend Villas is part of the same chain of hotels that own Kabayan Hotel, The Legend Palawan, Legendary Tours (a tour company), PinoyPamilya Hotel and MyPlace. We had real homey Filipino food and yes, it's not too uptight and it felt like you were just visiting your Grandma's place. 

Fish of your dreams fixed Escabeche style, this huge 5 pound wonder was just the start of the feast!

A corner was dedicated to Pasta, which you can prepare with cream or Aglio Olio. They also have a boiler nearby so you can heat it up before consuming.

Mussels baked and topped with salty cheese, because they can have beer match this early

One of my favorites, Crispy Kangkong (swamp cabbage). Make sure you eat it while it's hot, tends to get less crunchy when air gets into play

The salad station, pretty good

My kind of fantasy, a solo Sisig Station to make sure your favorite kind of Sisig stays hot all the time

You can have it in Pork, Chicken, Bangus or Tofu

There are a few windows seats which I'd go for, the huge tables for groups. It seats around 60-80 people at a time.

Love the garden like centerpiece, albeit plastic, it's a pretty colorful sight

Halo Halo Station for all the lovely combinations you wanna do for dessert

Make it more special with Leche Flan

The Japanese food area had so much of these sushi rolls, they fill it up quite quickly

Now they also have different kinds of rooms that would serve pretty much business travelers or meeting/workshop goers which is mainly their market. They are opening up a bit with families and it is a treat because I've seen a lot of OFW's and foreign guests who are repeat clients, which some of the staff call them by first names. I've stayed long enough in the front desk to know that as I've eased in on their conversations. Pardon me as I love people watching. Here's some of the rooms we did take a look at.

The Family/Quad Room had 4 single beds and their own individual chairs on the long table. It's like having a remote office away from the regular ones you prolly stay in 8 hours a day. This would be handy for those who are here for work/seminars because we've seen a lot of that happen on this day. You also have individual sockets so you don't have to mess with other people's plugs when you need power. The bathrooms are decent too.

Team 6 is a room for 6 people. It's a loft type where you can entertain people downstairs and have your sleep on the second floor. Both floors also have TV's and a bathroom so you can use both of you're in a hurry. No overcrowding.

Rooms for PWD is also available. They have ample parking, access to wheelchairs and a wide entrance just in case you need it. It has been used a number of times so there is a need for it, you just wish it was available in other hotels.

This is the Villa Suite Deluxe room. Again has two floors to entertain people downstairs and two queen beds upstairs. I love their use of capiz and stained glass windows which gives this an authentic Filipino flair. The toilet and bath is nice too.

Oh and no, they didn't hold back on amenities because they're equipped with a gym, a jacuzzi and a pool. Staycations would be ideal even if you are from the same city.

They also have several function rooms which can serve as venues for birthdays, barbecues, meetings and just about anything you could think of. They've got pretty nice food choices and can be modified if you're a little picky or have allergies.

Check out is also a breeze because I even saw my friend go out of the hotel and it just took them a few minutes, no one will be late for their next flight. 

Hope this somehow gives you an idea about what to expect in The Legend Villas. For me, this would be perfect for OFW's or Balikbayans who would want to stay in something that reminds them of home. I have yet to stay here but I'm sure it will be very soon. I want to take a dip in the pool and have wine at the jacuzzi area, are they ready for me? LOL!

Go to LegendVillas.com.ph for more information about their rates, it's very affordable and I also have them on my IG stories, they're featured on my profile so check it out!