Panciteria Lido

Panciteria Lido is one of the oldest and well established names among Chinese restaurants in the Philippines. It claims to be home of pugon (oven)-roasted asado and it has been in business since the humble days of 1936. A branch of Panciteria Lido recently opened nearby, and my uncle was the first one to check it out among our family of food lovers. He told my mom about it, so we decided to check it out and order food to-go.

We ordered chami and shrimp balls. I instantly loved the chami the first time I tasted because it was simply delicious.

That serving of chami is supposed to be good for one, but for those who are used to eating little, it would be okay for two. As for the shrimp balls, there were 7 in one serving, which seems to be enough for 2.

Panciteria Lido's shrimp balls were delicious, too, especially when dipped in sweet chili or sweet & sour sauce. The taste of shrimps is distinctive, so you get all the shrimp goodness you like.

While we still have yet to try the signature dish of Panciteria Lido (which is the asado), I'm already satisfied with the food so far. The service is also okay because the attendants were attentive and they specifically followed my mom's instructions not to put MSG (monosodium glutamate) on the food. There was no MSG because I didn't feel high or dizzy after eating, but while there's no MSG added, the food still tasted great and not bland.

Looking forward to eating at Panciteria Lido again.

If you want to find out more about Panciteria Lido, check out its official website or like its Facebook page.

Home Tablets vs Internet Tablets

While searching online for a good Archos tablet PC to buy, I came across Archos 70 Internet Tablet, a 7-inch tablet PC that can rival Samsung Galaxy Tab, and while hunting for its price, I came across another Archos tablet PC called Archos 7 Home Tablet. At first glance, they may seem similar in some aspects, but there are huge differences that can affect your tablet PC experience. Apart from the obvious difference in the name, here are the other factors which make internet tablets differ from home tablets.

Why an internet tablet is better, faster, smoother

Internet tablets perform much faster, enabling you to browse the internet, run apps or play your media at speeds 3 times faster than home tablets. This is because an internet tablet's processor is an ARM Cortex A8 @ 1GHz and its processing power is 24000 DMIPs (million instructions per second), while a home tablet's processor is an ARM 9 @ 660 Mhz with a processing power of 800 DMIPS.

Tablet PCs should have a user-friendly interface and that should start with the screen. Internet tablets have multitouch screens so they are easier to use, while home tablets may be resistive. An internet tablet's graphic coprocessor is also faster, so the Android interface is more fluid. Furthermore, you can play 3D graphic games and view your content horizontally or vertically because of the accelerometer that lets you turn the internet tablet at a comfortable viewing angle.

Internet tablets also have the latest version of Android, such as 2.2 Froyo on Archos, which is best with Adobe Flash. That way, your viewing experience is similar to how you view online content on your PC. As for the body, an internet tablet is lighter and thinner, has improved WiFi/n connectivity, has bluetooth, and can have 3G.

Playing and displaying media – Internet tablets for the win!

If you want a tablet PC for watching movies and playing music, internet tablets support more types of video and music files that are commonly used nowadays. With the right codecs, you can play AVI, MKV, WMV, MP4, and FLV videos on your tablet on higher resolution. And if you are using subtitles with extensions like .sub, .smi, .ssa, or .srt, can display them well with your internet tablet.

Internet tablets also support more audio formats including OGG Vorbis and AAC. For viewing pictures, an internet tablet can have a Photo Frame which is 3D animated and capable of displaying your pictures directly from Picassa, Flickr, and Facebook with a WiFi connection. You et perks like a camera, and you have the option to us an HDMI cable to link your tablet to a TV as well.

Additional perks

Home tablets have limited capacities at 8GB but you can expand it with the right micro SDHC, whereas internet tablets give you options between 8GB and 250GB capacities, enabling you to expand the capacity with a micro SDHC, too. Content can be streamed from your PC because an internet tablet has shared folders like UpnP and SAMBA. You can also program your internet tablet for a dual boot and buy optional peripherals for it such as a keyboard and USB host mouse and connect them via USB or BT for ease of use.

What users are saying

Of course my search for a good internet tablet won't end without looking at reviews. I've read reviews about Archos 70 Internet Tablet  and Archos 7 Home Tablet from sources like LaptopMag.Com, YugaTech, and CNET, and I also came across some forums where members were trying to compare or ask for comparisons between the two Archos tablet PCs. I found that most users mentioned that Archos 70 Internet Tablet is much better than Archos 7 Home Tablet.

source for info regarding Archos' products: Archos' Compare Grid

Tea Tree Oil - Best Pimple Remedy

Tea tree oil is one of the best pimple remedies I've ever tried. In fact, I have been using it to treat pimples ever since one of my uncles gave me a small bottle of tea tree oil when he came home from Australia. That was in the early 2000s.

I managed to consume up to 3 bottles of pure tea tree oil. I do not remember the brand anymore, but it had a yellow label on a very dark brown bottle, and there's a tree on it. It performed really well in getting rid of nasty pimples, especially the cystic and pus-filled ones. However, my supply of tea tree oil from Australia eventually ran out, making me rely solely on Panoxyl's Benzoyl Peroxide.

Last December, I had another case of the darn cystic pimple on the chin, which was really an eyesore because it wouldn't go away. Fortunately, while doing one of my many episodes of Christmas shopping in Trinoma, I entered The Body Shop and saw that they carried a line of products that have tea tree oil in them.

I ended up buying these two: 

They're quite pricey but really worth buying if you want a natural pimple remedy that works.

First, you wash your face with The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash. If you let the suds linger on your face, you'll have that nice cool feeling on your skin, which I liked especially during hot, humid days. After drying your skin, you can put The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil directly on the pimple and let it dry.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash

The product claims that it "Lifts pore-clogging impurities and excess oil without over-drying skin. Breakouts are minimized with regular use."

The potent ingredients of The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash include tamaru, lemon tea tree, and Community Trade organic tea tree oil. For the eco-friendly, you'll love that it the ingredients are organically grown at the foot of Mount Kenya, so no harmful pesticides and chemicals were used.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

The product contains 15% Tea Tree Oil, which you apply directly to affected areas. It usually takes at least 3 days before you notice that large pimple shrinking, and even ads/posters on The Body Shop's stores say that. However, based on experience, it can work overnight especially if you applied it on a pimple that is just starting to grow or come out.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil is in a tamper-proof bottle. To open it, you have to press down on the cap and then twist to open. Even the nozzle where the oil comes out requires effort from the user when you are trying to pour or shake the oil onto your finger. Just shake carefully and keep your finger capped on the nozzle while shaking the bottle until oil comes out, so you lessen spills.

But because it is oil, I do not use it during the daytime unless I don't have to leave the house. I never use it before applying makeup. Instead, I use PanOxyl Benzoyl Peroxide Acnegel. I do use The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil at night whenever I have a pimple or unwanted blemishes, or whenever I sense that a pimple is starting to grow.

Why I Drink Green Tea

If you Google about green tea and its benefits, the search engine will present more than 3.7 million results. You might be thinking that this is yet another article about the benefits of green tea, well you are right. But don't worry, I'll try to make it as fun and as short as possible so you won't be bored.

That icky, bitter taste and why I love it

I learned about green tea when I wrote articles about it for my job. I read things about it and how it can help you lose weight, detoxify your body, and stimulate your nervous system. For most of you who are reading this, the line help you lose weight might have caught your interest already. I could testify that when you drink at least 1 cup of green tea a day, together with proper diet and regular exercise, it does help in shedding off the extra pounds. Because of that, I tend to recommend green tea to my friends or to anyone in general who might be looking for ways to lose weight without resorting to questionable diet pills and crash diets that only work in the short-term.

I recommend Lipton Green Tea, and I suggest not putting sugar, creamer, or milk in it to reduce your caloric intake, so when you drink it, all you can taste is pure green tea goodness. Or not. Unfortunately, not everyone can appreciate the taste of green tea. I couldn't count the number of times I heard some of my friends say, “That bitter and disgusting thing? Ew!”

While it may not appeal to sweet-toothed individuals (which most of my friends are), I still love green tea because its bitter taste helps curb my appetite, so I eat less. Furthermore, it heats up the body and promotes thermogenesis, which contributes to weight loss. Google that for further information on what it is.

It keeps me awake

Green tea also contains less calories than coffee, and it is believed to be a healthier stimulant. Just avoid drinking more than three cups if your tolerance for caffeine is low. I once drank 4 consecutive cups one afternoon, so I experienced slight tremors and the feeling of being high and restless. The feeling made me want to laugh for no reason at all and jump all over the room—in other words, it made me act crazy, like a drugged individual. Not a good idea.

It helps me lose weight and detoxify

Now, some of you out there may fancy drinking Green Tea Latte or any sweetened and more tolerable, non-bitter variants of green tea. While I occasionally enjoy those beverages from Starbucks and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, I wouldn't recommend that you take them on a regular basis because they have tons of cream, milk, and sugar, which make drinking green tea for weight loss pointless. Don't complain that you're not losing weight at all if you keep taking sweetened green tea. If you really want to experience the true benefits of green tea for yourself, take it in its purest, brewed form, or buy teabags of Lipton Green Tea.

Pure green tea also helps flush out toxins caused by an unhealthy binge. If you indulged on those yummy McDonald's double cheeseburgers, large fries and chicken nuggets or you simply overate, drink your green tea a few hours after your binge fest to get rid of the bloated feeling. Just avoid drinking it at night or you won't be able to sleep.

Straightening Iron Review: Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener

Investing on a straightening iron is a good idea if you want to have straight or manageable hair. If you have had your hair relaxed or rebonded, a ceramic straightening iron will be handy when your hair is growing longer and the wavy or curly parts are starting to show. Together with a great anti-frizz, heat protectant, and hair straightening product, you can tame the waves and have that naturally straight hair look.

I read from a few other blogs that Watsons straightening iron is affordable (it costs below a thousand pesos) and that it works well, but when the saleslady at SM Department Store tested one alongside Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener, it didn't heat up quickly. That made me choose Vidal Sassoon's straightening iron even if it cost almost Php1,200.

Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener

Comparing the two products

Two salesladies tested Watsons straightening iron and Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener on my hair. The latter heated up quickly and the temperature was steady, so it did not become scorching hot. It also performed well in straightening the hair even without a heat protectant or an anti-frizz product, while Watsons straightening iron was still taking its time to heat up to reach the right temperature.

Advantages

I like Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener because:

• It comes from a trusted brand in hair care
• It is lightweight
• 
  It has an on/off switch – so even if you leave it plugged into the socket, you can just switch it off and not have to worry about electrical fires. Of course I still recommend that you completely unplug the device.
  
• Its cord swivels
  
• The handle is ergonomic and my hands do not hurt after use
  
  
• There is a power indicator light
  
• It comes with a two-year warranty. Just be sure to keep the receipt.
  
• Multi-voltage – It adjusts automatically to the correct voltage. You may need to use an adapter before plugging it into your home's electrical socket. Don't worry, adapters are cheap and you can buy them in stores like SM Department Store or Landmark Department Store's Hardware Section, Ace Hardware, Handyman, and True Value.

Disadvantages

I did a little reading on Vidal Sassoon's straightening iron and found reviews which mentioned that strands of their hair would get caught on the device when they're running it down their hair. I experienced that myself, but there is a reason why you have to separate your hair in at least 2-inch wide parts before running your flat iron on it. Even the manual of Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener mentioned that you should start with a section of hair that is 2 inches wide and no more than ½ inches thick. That way, stray strands won't get stuck on the sides of the iron plates as you run the flat iron down the lock of your hair.

Yes, it's important to read the manual.

Use a heat protectant

I recommend using a heat protectant/anti-frizz product on your hair before using a straightening iron though. That way, heat-related damage to your strands will be minimal and you can tame the frizz, which can be caused by the heat applied to your hair. I was supposed to buy L'Oreal Paris Studio Line Hot Straight Thermo Straightening Cream, but it did not seem to be available anymore, so I settled for this product:

Special Effects Flat Iron Sheer Silky Smooth Heat Memory Flat Iron Spray

One of the salesladies recommended Special Effects Flat Iron Sheer Silky Smooth Heat Memory Flat Iron Spray. It think it's affordable at Php299.00 compared to the straightening creams and serums of more renowned, high-end brands. The smell is not overwhelming so your nose won't be irritated after use.

Spray the product on the areas where you will run your Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener, but wait for it to dry a little before running your straightening iron on it unless you want to hear your hair sizzle.

Using Vidal Sassoon V Style Compact Straightener with Special Effects Flat Iron Sheer Silky Smooth Heat Memory Flat Iron Spray give you good results. The frizz is tamed and the flat iron's effect on the hair lasts longer, enabling you to have straight hair throughout the day. Special Effects Flat Iron Sheer Silky Smooth Heat Memory Flat Iron Spray is also continues to tame most of the frizz, which is good if you're in the Philippines where the weather can be very humid.

On Antibacterial Soaps: Safeguard vs Vaseline 2-in-1 Soap

There are different brands of antibacterial soaps nowadays and in the Philippines, the leading brand so far is Safeguard. It is available in different colors and scents, and the reason for the variance is perhaps to match the personal preference of every consumer or user. Then came Vaseline 2-in-1 Skin Soap, which comes in different variants and colors as well, but this time, Vaseline claims that its antibacterial soap performs better than its competition because it can kill more germs, especially the ones that can cause diarrhea and pneumonia. Vaseline calls its soap “2-in-1” because apart from getting rid of the germs, it also nourishes your skin, leaving it feeling clean and moisturized after use.

"Ang Vaseline ay mayroong 100% soap - walang gawgaw o tapioca starch!"
("Vaseline contains 100% soap - no cornstarch or tapioca starch!")

Vaseline's antibacterial soap line comes in liquid soap form and the typical bar foam. Safeguard used to have a body wash variant in the Philippines, but it was phased out for some unknown reason after being in the market for only a few months. So, between Vaseline 2-in-1 Soap and Safeguard, which one is better?

What's that starchy feeling after using Safeguard?

When Vaseline 2-in-1 soap was first introduced to the Philippine market, one of its earlier TV commercials depicted someone bathing with a competing soap. It is easy to assume that it is Safeguard, and it said that it had gawgaw or starch. I have been using Safeguard since I was a child because it was the commonly-used antibacterial soap in my household, and lately, I have been noticing that each time I'm washing my hands with it, my skin feels so dry and there's this powdery substance on my palms. I thought I simply failed to rinse the soap properly, but it keeps happening every time I wash my hands with Safeguard. So, what happened? Is Safeguard really being manufactured nowadays with starch?

So, one day, I decided to try Vaseline 2-in-1 soap. I bought its Healthy White variant from SM Hypermart at SM North EDSA, used it as soon as I got home, and was happy with the results. The scent was not overwhelming and my skin did not feel dry and there was no powdery residue on my palms a few minutes after drying them.

The other night, I had to replace the Safeguard soap which is used for washing hands with my bathroom sink. I realized I still had another Safeguard white soap in stock, so I decided to use it. It is one of the latest stocks related to the raffle promo where you can win a million pesos or freebies from Jollibee. While opening the package, my focus drifted to the list of ingredients, particularly to the words Tapioca Starch.

Can you find Tapioca Starch?

There you go.

Perhaps it's the one causing the powdery feel on my palms.

Which one lasts longer?

I remember the Safeguard TV commercials in the late 80s and in the early 90s. Those TV commercials demonstrate that Safeguard lasts longer even with frequent use, compared to its competitor back then, Lifebuoy. I can say that Safeguard does last longer. In fact, it can last for months if you are using it as a hand soap and not as a bath soap, and when I compared Safeguard with Vaseline 2-in-1 soap, it still wins when it comes to longevity.

I choose Vaseline 2-in-1 Skin Soap

Safeguard commercials and print ads claim that experts (i.e. Doctors, surgeons, and other medical practitioners) still prefer Safeguard, so it is easy for the public to think that it is the best antibacterial soap in the market. However, its manufacturer may have to check on the tapioca starch or any other ingredient which is causing that powdery and dry feeling on the skin of some users.

Because of that powdery and dry feeling that Safeguard leaves on my skin, I currently prefer Vaseline 2-in-1 skin soap because it does leave my skin feeling clean and moisturized.

Vaseline 2-in-1 Skin Soap's ingredients.

Using Day Creams At Night – Is That Okay?

Each time you browse for moisturizers in drug stores, supermarkets and beauty shops, you see them in different variants such as the day cream and the night cream. Such variants are popular among anti-aging moisturizers and whitening creams. Basically, the day cream is meant to be used during the day, while night cream is supposed to be solely used at night only.

When shopping for such moisturizers, it is easy to notice how most night creams tend to be much pricier than day creams. This is because night creams tend to have more potent ingredients which work as your skin regenerates during sleep. If you notice, night creams are also feel heavier and thick on the face, while day creams feel lighter and can be worn under makeup. Day creams also have sunscreen, which is important so your skin is protected from the sun's UV rays that can cause premature ageing and skin cancer. Sunscreen can also help prevent your complexion from getting dark because of the sun.

However, for those who want to save money, they might think of using day creams at night. There is nothing really wrong with that, but if you want the best results on your skincare regimen, investing on a night cream might be a much better choice than solely relying on a day cream for both daytime and nighttime use. Your night cream of choice can help your skin repair itself properly while you sleep.

I use whitening moisturizers, and some of the best night creams which I have used so far include the following:

• Pond's Flawless White Re-Brightening Night Treatment
  
  
• Nivea Visage Sparkling Whitening Night Care
  
  
• Garnier Light Overnight Whitening Peeling Cream
  
  

But before you try any of these products, consider determining your skin type first. Some night creams may be too thick and heavy for your skin, so you end up waking up with a greasy face, which is unpleasant. I have combination skin, and I use Pond's Flawless White Re-Brightening Night Treatment.

My recommended nighttime regimen: Cleanse your face with your facial wash of choice, apply toner, apply eye cream or your spot treatment product, and finish with the night cream. Don't forget to apply the night cream on your neck, too.

SkinWhite 3-in-1 Face Cream Powder in Light Beige

A friend and I would sometimes talk about whitening products and she mentioned SkinWhite 3-in-1 Face Cream Powder, which she claims to be a convenient product especially when you are in a hurry and have no time to put on actual makeup. Out of curiosity, I tried it out and bought the Light Beige shade.

Price: 57.00 at Landmark supermarket in Trinoma
Scent: Okay. It smells good but not overwhelming
Texture: Smooth and easy to apply on the face. It's also light and it spreads evenly
Coverage: Light to medium. It provides ample coverage which hides dark spots and pimple scars. If you have dark circles under your eyes, the product won't completely hide them. It also lasts a long time as long as your face is not sweaty. It just feels like applying Maybelline BB Cream alone and not using concealer and and pressed powder after doing so.
Score: I'd give it an 8/10

I've been using the product for over a week now and I am happy with it. It's great as daytime makeup especially if you have no time to apply foundation, concealer, powder---the works. However, I recommend applying sunscreen with higher SPF first because this SkinWhite product only has SPF10 (if I remember it correctly from the box), which is not enough nowadays. I use Belo Essentials Sun Expert for the face and it has SPF40. Apply sunscreen on your face, let it settle or dry first, apply SkinWhite 3-in-1 Face Cream Powder, and then you're good to go.

The product is also available in the shade of White. I mistakenly bought that shade at first, thinking that it the product only comes in a single shade. I wouldn't recommend it for girls with a morena, olive or tan complexion because it will make your face look blotchy. Use the Light Beige variant if your skin tone is not naturally fair.

Olay Natural White

I’ve been looking for alternatives to Pond’s Flawless White Visible Lightening Day Cream and I came across Olay Natural White, which I first heard of from one of my friends. I read a some testimonials and reviews on the product and most girls gave positive feedback regarding Olay Natural White. I also asked my friend how it was and she mentioned that it helped improve her skin’s condition. So, I decided to give it try.

I only bought the small 20-gram tube for trial purposes. I tried Olay Natural White for 7 days and I didn’t see any improvement. In fact, it only darkened my complexion further. After 7 days of continuous use, the colour of my face became 2 shades darker than the rest of my body.

It was not exactly specified how much UV protection it gives, but I would not recommend it to people with olive or dark skin but would like to lighten their complexion a little.

However, if you have naturally fair skin, it will probably work for you, and you’ll probably love its light and non-greasy texture as well as its scent.

Days after I stopped using Olay Natural White and reverted back to Pond’s, the complexion of my face lightened again. So, I guess I could recommend Pond’s Flawless White to people who do not have naturally fair skin but would like to lighten or improve their complexion.