Better Shopping Experience with Go Shopping Philippines!

The COVID-19 pandemic totally changed the way Filipinos shop or make purchases. Before, it was always about taking a trip to the nearest mall or department store, until the idea of being struck by an unseen virus drove fear into the hearts of many Filipinos.

Thankfully, merchants stepped up and went digital to provide services to customers who can’t go out. By going online, many existing and aspiring small businesses were able to survive and provide for the shopping needs of Filipinos.

But shopping purely online has its own share of problems, such as fake items, miscommunication on product specifications, late deliveries and worse, getting a product that’s not what was ordered.

The future of shopping is here... Go Shopping Philippines!

The birth of Go Shopping Philippines

These scenarios struck a chord on Neil La-as, Chief Executive Officer of Go Shopping Philippines. He then decided to establish a shopping platform that will make every Filipino’s shopping experience truly exceptional and satisfying.

“When I came up with the Go Shopping Philippines concept, it was based from my own experiences. We all share the same sentiment of receiving substandard and fake items, late deliveries, customer service that takes forever to bounce back, and being duped, only to receive items we didn’t expect when we shopped on other platforms. All these frustrations gave me the inspiration to help fix the e-commerce landscape. Seeing the immediate need for contactless purchases most especially from the blunder of 2020, I sought to come up with a solution to serve my fellow Filipinos,” La-as said.

Go Shopping Philippines is a truly homegrown Filipino e-commerce platform that serves Filipinos the way they want to be served, and more.

“I envisioned a fully digital mall, a fully virtual shopping platform where one can experience all the perks of a physical mall that is within reach with a few simple clicks to buy that favorite blouse, or swipe and you are brought to the cinema, scroll and you can reserve at your preferred restaurant and hotel, press and you can reach your doctor for an appointment, all without falling in line. As many as the combinations your hands can make, the possibilities are endless,” La-as added.

Mr. Neil La-as, CEO of Go Shopping Philippines.

La-as explained that Go Shopping Philippines is not just any ordinary e-commerce platform but a completely one-stop-shop for consumers. He said that the merchants are the ones in charge of product development, while Go Shopping Philippines, aside from the selling part, does the marketing, shipment and interaction with clients.

“The service and interactions within Go Shopping Philippines are done real-time and personal with our virtual sales representatives. Queries are entertained and they will be assisted just like in a regular mall."

La-as said that just like any physical mall, security and safety is a top concern, and they took every possible step to ensure that transactions inside the Go Shopping Philippines sphere are done and concluded safely and securely.

He also emphasized that succeeding in the digital world is about having the proper cybersecurity measures in place to protect consumers, the Go-Shoppers, tenants, employees, and the business itself from constant threats. This is the reason why, La-as pointed out, that they partnered and collaborated with one of the best in web development, researched on everything to know about consumer behavior, and in identifying what works with regard to cybersecurity while ensuring excellent user experience.

Go Shopping Philippines is more than just an e-commerce platform.

In Go Shopping Philippines, he adds, the public can forget about the fakes because they scrutinize the brands and the legitimacy of their products.

Also, La-as said they encourage businesses from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector to join them. “The MSMEs are the lifeblood of the Philippine economy in terms of GDP and employment. They are among the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic so we need to help them also for their survival. While we value the presence of large brands, we also welcome MSMEs with open arms. After all, what is an original Filipino e-commerce platform without original local products,” he continued.

With Go Shopping Philippines, they will transcend geographical borders so that every Filipino, wherever they may be, can shop with ease, comfort and safety. “You can shop in Manila, the US, and back to Mindanao without having to leave your home, where you are safe and secure. Imagine those fond malling memories you have had before, only much easier, with no traffic, long lines, for a totally worry-free shopping you can only experience with us.”

For more details about Go Shopping Philippines, visit https://www.facebook.com/PHGoShopping/.

5 Creative and Fun Ways to Celebrate Easter.

While it may not feel like it in some parts, springtime is right around the corner, and with it will come one of the cheeriest holidays of the year: Easter. If you’re the kind of person that enjoys this holiday as a time to celebrate the pleasant weather and the cutest animals, you may be looking for fun ways to celebrate this special day.

To get the most out of this lovely day, here are four creative and fun ways to celebrate Easter:

Easter eggs and a lovely bunch of Easter roses.

1. Have a self-care day.

Okay, we know that this isn’t your typical Easter holiday idea but if you’re over the treasure hunts and over-done activities for this holiday, doing some self-care activities can be the perfect way to enjoy your day off. You could book a local spa, if you’re comfortable with their Covid-19 sanitization policies and social-distancing but if you’d prefer the comfort of your home, there are plenty of ways to make a spa-like ambience at home. Order roses for Easter, dim the lights, set up candles, turn on the bath, put on your favorite music and relax. You can pick out your favorite face-masks to get that deep-cleanse (did you know they have bunny face-masks out there?) and do your nails. Take time for you on this holiday—you deserve it.

2.Virtualize the holiday with your loved ones.

It’s probably been a couple of holidays that you haven’t been able to spend with your loved ones due to the pandemic. If that’s the case, consider spending this one with them, even if just virtually. From Zoom to Houseparty, there are plenty of apps to choose from so that you can connect and celebrate with the ones you love. If you have long-time Easter traditions that you always do, figure out ways to keep the traditions alive, no matter where everyone may be located at this time.

Easter dinner idea.

3.Prepare Easter goodies for a low-key dinner with friends.

Many people around the country have created small circles of friends and loved ones known as a Covid-pod. The idea is that people only spend time, for the most part, with these friends so as to still have some socializing and connection while playing it safe to avoid exposure. If this is the case for you, perhaps you can prepare a fun Easter dinner with your pod. Whether your grandma has an amazing Easter recipe or you have to come up with your own, a Easter meal with friends can be a great way to celebrate the holiday.

4. Create and send Easter cards.

Do you have friends and loved ones spread around the country? Chances are that you’re missing them and they are missing you. If you have an artistic streak or really enjoy arts and crafts, why not use this skill to not only cheer them up but have a good time while you’re at it. Not only will they be delighted to receive snail-mail from you but you’ll also get to show off a talent you may have been hiding.

Lee Jae Wook in Extraordinary You (2019).

5.Do an Easter egg hunt—at night. 

If you’ve decided to have your Covid-pod over, why not do something very traditional like an Easter egg hunt? Except, instead of chocolate bunnies, everyone will be searching for something that grownups enjoy, whether it’s small liquor bottles or gift cards to favorite stores. Look up some Easter-inspired cocktails and make it an Easter egg hunt you won’t soon forget. If you don’t have a Covid-pod per se, but are open to outdoor activities with masks and distance, this kind of egg hunt can still happen.

In Conclusion

2020 definitely made us think outside the box and because of this, we now approach holidays a bit differently; but maybe that’s a good thing. With Easter just around the corner, it’s time to start planning for a great experience. Hopefully, these ideas can get you started on a memorable Easter experience, whether you’re near family or alone at home.

6 Ways to Make Your Home More Unique.

Your home is where you eat, sleep, grow, and make a lot of memories, so why not make it perfectly unique for you? How exactly can you do that? Well, making it unique to you is something that you and only you will be able to do. However, we do have a few ideas to get the ball rolling.

Pastel colors add a nice touch.

Be Open to Big Changes

The first step of making your home more unique, is being ready for some big changes! In order to make those big changes, it is good to plan things out. That way, you are prepared and ready for whenever inspiration strikes. Whether it is changing the wall color or taking down a wall completely, you have to listen to your heart and your gut (and your budget) to see where they take you. Write out your big ideas and sleep on them before executing. This will ensure that you are indeed ready for the big change. Trust us on that one.

Use a Bold Color Palette

Don’t be afraid to mix up your living room with a turquoise couch or a purple armchair! The sky's the limit when it comes to color combos and as long as you love it, you can’t go wrong! If you are already in love with your furniture, opt for a brightly colored area rug, or use a bold tile upgrade when it comes to a backsplash project. By adding in bold colors, you will be well on your way to making your space uniquely yours.

Bold colors with a touch of your personality.

Add More Pieces of You

You can decorate your walls with personalized canvas art of your loved ones or your favorite scenic image. Like the famous saying goes, “a picture is worth 1,000 words,” so why not make those words your own and unique to you! Since we are sure it is going to be hard to choose just one image to put on a canvas, maybe go for a gallery wall! That is a sure way to make your space unique to you and your memories.

Use Birth Month Items

Figure out your birth month and use it to your advantage by decorating with its corresponding flowers and stones. Yes, there will be other people in the world, or maybe in your life, that have the same things. It might not feel as unique right away, but you can use them in tons of different ways! You are bound to make it one of a kind.

A doormat with a statement.

Get a Doormat With Personality

There are endless amounts of doormats out there, but to keep things unique, we think you should get one that properly displays your personality. It can have your family name on it, it can warn guests about the animals that live inside, or it can discuss your favorite hobby. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your house more unique. What are you waiting for?

7 Natural Ways to Boost Your Mood.

We all get in moods that we can’t explain as though there is a cloud above our heads. Some of us call them funks, others don’t know what to call them, and they can occur for almost no reason at all. Whether you’re feeling down or know that you can feel better, there are ways to improve your mood. Here are natural methods for boosting your mood.

Kim Woo Bin in Uncontrollably Fond (2016).

1. Play With a Pet

Dogs and cats and great companions that can help you feel more relaxed and happy just by being around them. Anything from playing with your pet to petting them can instantly boost your mood. Even something as simple as seeing your dog get excited when you get home from work can make you happy.

Animals can often sense when you’re feeling down and will want to comfort you. If your dog or cat walks over to you and lays on or near you, take this as an opportunity to care for your own wellbeing and that of your pet companion.

2. Go for a Walk

When people are in less than ideal moods, they often leave the house to go for a walk. Walking can help someone who is angry calm down and ultimately boost their mood. Sports shoes for women are great for walks when you need to take some time to yourself. If you’re the type of person that uses fitness activities to keep their mind positive, these shoes also make a great running or cardio shoe.

Cha Eun Woo frosting a cake!

3. Make Yourself a Treat

While you should never stress eat, eating a sweet treat can boost your mood when you’re feeling low. If you take the time to bake your favorite dessert, you may also find your mind is taken off of anything that’s causing your bad mood. Then, after your treat has cooled down, you can slowly eat your cookie, brownie, or cake so that you focus only on the taste of the food instead of your surroundings or anything that’s causing you stress. This is a type of mindfulness that gets you to focus on your sense of taste so that you can free your mind of stress and anxiety.

4. Try Yoga

Similar to other fitness activities, yoga can improve your mood by making you focus on the task at hand. Not only that, but yoga also makes you focus on your breathing. With your mind completely focused on your yoga session, you’ll be able to free your mind of anything that’s bothering you, helping you boost your mood. Also, because exercise releases endorphins, your mood will be instantly boosted after you’ve finished your routine.

5. Pamper Yourself

If you’re feeling down, you can try pampering yourself to boost your mood. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be able to reprioritize and put yourself first, something that you might not be doing. You can pamper yourself in a number of ways that don’t require a trip to the spa. Instead, you can do your nails at home, put on makeup, and do your hair so that you feel your best. Giving yourself that extra bit of confidence even when you’re home alone can boost your mood while giving you something to do.

Chani, Cha Eun Woo, and Hwang In Yeop in True Beauty (2021).

6. Call a Friend

Talking makes us feel better when we’re not feeling like ourselves. Calling a friend and talking about anything can help you take your mind off of any stress and have a fun conversation that lifts you up. Whether you call your mom or your bestie, you can vent about what has got you down so that you can release some of the stress that you’re feeling while ultimately taking away its power over you.

7. Eat Healthily

Believe it or not, sometimes it could be your food that’s making you feel down. Eating unhealthy, salty, greasy food can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. Eating better snacks like carrots and cucumbers can help you feel better because it helps your body digest, giving you more energy.

Cooking with my Air Fryer | Cheesy Baked Bangus.

Just like chicken and tofu, bangus (or milkfish) is also a staple in this household. Whether it's sinigang, bistek, daing, or tinapa, there just has to be a bangus dish in our meal plan at least once or twice a week. And why not? Aside from its versatility, bangus is healthy, flavorful, and definitely more affordable than pork or beef.

Today, I tried to be more adventurous with bangus, instead of the usual air fried tinapa or daing. I baked it, and topped it with cream and lots and lots of cheese. It was a hit with my son, who almost finished the entire bangus in one sitting!

Cheesy Baked Bangus

Ingredients:

500 grams boneless bangus

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup all-purpose cream

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup melting cheese

For the toppings:

1/2 cup melting cheese

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1 to 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese

If you're out of mozzarella, you can use cheddar cheese instead.

Procedure:

1. Preheat the air fryer at 190° Celsius.

2. Season bangus with salt, pepper, and paprika.

3. Prepare the cream mixture by mixing the mayonnaise, all-purpose cream, garlic powder, pepper, sugar, and melting cheese in a small bowl. 

4. Place the bangus skin side down in a greased baking tray.

5. Spread the cream mixture on top of the bangus. (Mixture is good for two pieces of bangus.)

6. Top with different cheeses.

7. Set your air fryer to Bake mode and bake at 180° C for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden.

Many thanks to Ms. Lhen de Castro, founder of Bake and Cook PH, for this recipe! Watch how she made this Cheesy Baked Bangus on her Youtube channel. :)