Blog Archives - Page 2 of 2

Platefuly: This cafe in the South offers a Tea and Pie Party Package for only P399

If you’re looking for a cozy and delicious afternoon experience in Tagaytay, you need to check out Platefuly. This local gem started as a small passion project during the pandemic, led by siblings Luisito and Liliane Barcelon. Inspired by their mom’s home recipes, Platefuly quickly grew because of their dedication to making handcrafted, preservative-free pies and goodies. In just a few years, they became a favorite for locals and tourists alike! Afternoon Tea Set Recently, I had the chance to try their Afternoon Tea Set, and it honestly made my whole day. The set is packed with a mix of sweet and savory treats. You get to choose two flavors of savory hand pies (I picked Tuna and Spinach — both so flavorful and satisfying!) and two flavors of sweet hand pies (I went with Ube Buko, perfect for anyone who loves fruity and creamy desserts). The set also includes sandwiches, like the Roasted Chicken Cranberry and Egg Tuna — both classic, fresh, and filling. To make it even better, you also get a selection of their homemade goodies, like cinnamon and chocolate-drizzled Otap, a sweet Ladyfinger (Brojas), and their premium Lengua de Gato that just melts in your mouth. What made the experience even more special was the serving of tea! I tried both the Lemon Ginger and English Breakfast Tea. They also offer one free round of coffee if you’re more of a coffee lover like me. Hehe. The Afternoon Tea Set is priced at ₱399 per pax which I think is a great deal considering how much food and drinks you get, plus the cozy ambiance that makes you want to stay all afternoon. Looking for more? Aside from the tea set, Platefuly also offers a perfect treat for sunny days: their own version of halo-halo, beautifully layered with the classic favorites and priced at around ₱110. It’s a must-try if you’re craving something cold and sweet after your meal. If you’re in the mood for a full meal instead, Platefuly also serves hearty dishes that are just as comforting and delicious, like: These dishes show off the same homemade quality and love that made Platefuly such a standout spot. All in all, my experience at Platefuly was so comforting and memorable AS ALWAYS. You can really taste the love and effort they put into every bite. Soooo if you’re up for a place to hang out with friends, treat yourself to a slow afternoon, or just enjoy good food in Tagaytay, Platefuly is a spot you shouldn’t miss. If you want to learn more about their menu or place an order, you can visit their Facebook page: Platefuly Facebook or their website: Platefuly Website. Where to find them? Treat yourself soon — you deserve it!

Platefuly: This cafe in the South offers a Tea and Pie Party Package for only P399 Read Post »

Blog, Featured Blog, Lifestyle, Travel

Tagaytay Staycation: Hidden Paradise in the Little Santorini of Tagaytay

In the last few years, I’ve been to more than 30 staycation spots in Tagaytay. There were units that are extremely alike in terms of aesthetic and service, but there are also BNBs that made my experience so memorable that I always come back for them. One of these is The Hidden Paradise at La Bella Residences in Tagaytay. It is our third time here and our experience was still as amazing as the first time. We arrived at La Bella Residences’ lobby by 3PM and Ate Vhon, the unit caretaker assisted us in the check-in process. Keep in mind that you have to leave an identification card at the lobby that you will claim by time of check out. The Hidden Paradise at La Bella Tagaytay Upon entering the unit, you will be welcomed by the dreamy ambiance of The Hidden Paradise. On the right side stood their kitchenette where you can prepare your food during your stay. They also have a Dolce Gusto machine for coffee lovers and your payment comes with coffee capsules that you can enjoy hot or cold. Of all the staycation spots we visited, this is the only one with the Dolce Gusto machine and we just love how it makes our coffee experience better. We’ve tried brewing coffee from coffee machines at other units before, but you cannot really say if the beans are fresh and if the brew is good. That’s why this improves our mood 100x because every cup of coffee is ensured clean and delicious. Just beside the kitchen is a table for 2, we have always admired this setup because it really gives that romantic date night vibe while watching a movie. To maintain the clean and fresh atmosphere their guests love, cooking is not allowed due to the lack of exhaust system in La Bella Tagaytay. For your convenience, they provide a microwave and rice cooker that you can use for simple meal reheating. But don’t worry, there are a lot of local restaurants to explore nearby! And speaking of movies, this unit offers unlimited use of Wi-Fi and Netflix so you can binge your favorite shows on our 22-hour stay. Their sound bar wraps everything together as a complete movie night package – we love it! As for us, we have finally started watching Black Mirror’s new season which left us too traumatized to continue watching the rest of the show. Hahahahaha! Let us take this a step at a time. What else do I need to know? They also have the softest bed that can fit up 2 adults and 1 kid so if you’re planning to take your family for a quick Tagaytay escape, this might be perfect for you. During staycations, it is understandable that you have to leave the room if you want to buy snacks or supplies and what we love about this unit is that they have available snacks and drinks for sale just in case you’re too cozy to go out. Note: All proceeds from food purchases inside the unit go to Ate Vhon, the unit caretaker. So if you want to tip for her warm gestures and assistance, this would be the best way. 🙂 But if you’re craving something else, you can just go to the lobby because across the walk is a mini grocery where you can buy everything for meryenda, midnight snack, and breakfast. There are also restaurants around the area so make sure to check them out. Lastly, your payment comes with complete toiletries that you can consume during your stay including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, fresh towels, dental kits, and tissue paper. Just what I needed because I forgot my toothbrush at home. Hahahaha! Oh and I forgot to mention that the room offers mineral water to guests which is very convenient given that we run out of bottled water every time so it’s nice to stay in a place where clean water is already provided. All in all, we had a great time as always. The Hidden Paradise is our go-to staycation spot in La Bella Tagaytay and I’m sure once you had a taste of their service, you’ll love them too. Inclusions Amenities Optional Amenites with Minimal Fee Low-Season Promo Rates CHECK-IN: 3PM CHECKOUT: 12NN next day Where to find them? La Bella Tagaytay, Brgy. Neogan, Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines Facebook: The Hidden Paradise Airbnb: The Hidden Paradise How to get there? (Via commute) PS: They are offering surprise setups with minimal fee so make sure to coordinate with their account admins for your big plans. Have a great stay! 🙂

Tagaytay Staycation: Hidden Paradise in the Little Santorini of Tagaytay Read Post »

Blog, Speaking Engagements

How I Partnered with 500+ Brands as an Influencer Before Turning 25

Becoming a content creator and partnering with over 500 brands before turning 25 wasn’t something that happened overnight. It was a journey of persistence, rejection, and learning how to turn my passion into a career. From getting my first-ever gifted collaboration to working with government-backed projects, my influencer journey has been about more than just numbers—it’s about impact. If you’re dreaming of working with brands but don’t know where to start, here’s my story and what I learned along the way. 1. My First Brand Deal & The Feeling of “Making It” I still remember my first collaboration—it was with a skincare brand that sent me three items for review. It wasn’t paid, but it didn’t matter. After pitching brands for so long and creating content without expecting anything in return, seeing that email made me want to cry. It was the validation I needed that my efforts were finally being recognized. Lesson: You don’t need a massive following to start. You just need consistency, passion, and the courage to put yourself out there. 2. From Cold Pitches to Big Opportunities When I was starting out, I sent over 50 pitches and got just one response. Rejection was normal, and honestly, it was discouraging. But I didn’t stop. I kept refining my pitch, improving my content, and showing up every day. Fast forward a few years, one of my most unforgettable collaborations was with Cavite State University and DOST PCAARRD for Kwentong TechTrans. As an ambassador, I got to travel across Luzon, covering stories from different communities. That moment made me realize that being an influencer is more than just promoting brands—it’s about storytelling and creating meaningful content that goes beyond myself. Lesson: Rejections are part of the process. Keep improving, keep showing up, and eventually, the right opportunities will come. 3. Building a Brand That Attracts Brands One thing I’ve learned in the past few years? Set yourself as the standard. Instead of chasing trends, I built my personal brand around who I truly am. I showed up as myself, whether in coffee content, lifestyle posts, or brand collaborations. That authenticity made brands trust me because they saw me as more than just an influencer—I was a storyteller, a community builder, and someone who genuinely loved what I shared. Lesson: You don’t have to fit into an industry mold. Being you is your biggest selling point. 4. The Secret to Landing More Brand Deals So how did I go from one brand deal to 500+? Lesson: Treat every brand deal like an opportunity to prove yourself. The better your work, the more brands will want to work with you. 5. If You Want to Be an Influencer, Start Today If I could give one piece of advice to new creators, it’s this: Start today. You don’t need fancy equipment, a huge following, or a perfect feed. You just need to start. The best influencers aren’t the ones who waited until they were “ready”—they’re the ones who took action despite the uncertainty. Lesson: Stop overthinking and start creating. The first step is always the hardest, but it’s also the most important. Final Thoughts My journey to 500+ brand collaborations wasn’t just about free products or paid deals—it was about learning, growing, and proving to myself that I could do this. SO PLS PLS PLS REMEMBER THAT whether you’re just starting or already creating content, remember: opportunities come to those who show up consistently. Your dream brand collaboration? It’s waiting for you. But first, you have to take that leap. 🚀

How I Partnered with 500+ Brands as an Influencer Before Turning 25 Read Post »