It's More Fun Being a Filipino

One thing that we like about us Filipinos abroad... we always know how to have fun. Despite the distance that separates us from our families and friends back in the Philippines, we still find ways on how to entertain ourselves. We in the Pink Tarha pride ourselves in knowing that we share the same mind set that most Filipinos have all over the world, it's not only more fun in the Philippines... it's also more fun being a Filipino. 

We can't help but smile and grin at some of the photos entered in the Cebu Pacific 100 Lucky Juans contest. We can so relate in these photos of Filipinos who find ways to enjoy themselves in the United Arab Emirates. We're pretty sure Filipinos in Saudi Arabia also have these moments of fun taken in between working hours and duties. 

Take for example this video entry by Tristan Bangero, an employee of LBC, who found a solution to his homesickness. 

A video entry

He made a video of photos collected over the years so that he have something fun to watch whenever he misses his child. This "slideshow" is one cool way to reminisce happy moments to ease homesickness. I bet this would be followed with a "Gentleman" video pretty soon. ;) 

Talk about having fun in the kitchen... 

Cute puto

This photo of puto, a Philippine delicacy, is so cute! It's reminiscent of special occasions in the Philippines... or better yet, fiestas and birthdays! Juliet Constantino's home made puto looks delicious... and even more eye-catching is the use of those smiley faces that we can't help but, well, smile! 

The easiest way to have fun when we're traveling abroad? Take a photo and pose like no one's looking!  

Be your own subject.

Just look at Jojo Galve's entry where he flexes those muscles with a brightly-lit background of Doha's skyline. We're pretty sure there are more poses and photos where this came from. We can't blame him... with a gorgeous backdrop like that, we'll have fun posing too! 

And this photo's subject is a cutie: 

I'll have this baby save me! ;)

Looks like someone made fun of this baby! Haha! Isn't Lalaine Rosales' son in his Superman costume adorable? 

For more fun in the Philippines for you and your family, we encourage you OFWs in the United Arab Emirates to send in your entries in the 100 Lucky Juans contest. It's your chance to see your loved ones this October for free! Join now! Remember, even if it's more fun to become a Filipino abroad, it's best to be a Filipino in the Philippines where we are surrounded with the people who love and care for us. 

By the way... I have a secret to tell and yes, let's just keep this between us: a SALE on Cebu Pacific's MNL-DXB and vice-versa will happen soon so watch out for it. LIKE the Cebu Pacific Facebook page now to get the latest updates and promos! ;) Too juicy of a secret to keep? Okay, go ahead and share this sale alert to your loved ones and friends! ~ Sundrenched

The Pink Tarha Mornings in Jeddah, KSA

Over the weekend, this happened… 

Register here please, for a kit and a tea.

We're ready!

A different Piatto branch, a different set-up

How awesome is this option to have gelato for breakfast?! Haha!

Good morning!

It's on the little details.

The bag that contains the kit, the souvenir and the magazines.

The dining table 

The Pink Tarha, together with our sponsors, brought The Pink Tarha Mornings to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. You might be wondering why a Riyadh-focused blog would bring an event in another city that has little to do with it. Precisely our point. Jeddah needs a Pink Tarha-like blog. Or more blogs! And you know us, we love sharing! ;)

Again, why bring The Pink Tarha Mornings to Jeddah? WHY NOT? We were given a chance to do it… who are we to decline such an opportunity to meet good people in the Red Sea city? And met them we did! THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all who attended TPTM-Jeddah! We are so humbled by your presence. Some of you don't even know The Pink Tarha but you made time for us (a Friday morning at that!) to grace our event. We hope to meet you again soon. 

Have coffee! :)

What is it with us not wanting to sit in front?! Haha.

Eyecandy discussing blog writing and mobile photography

Kuya Larry discussing his idea for his future blog. ;)

Our Jeddah participants are active and so game! Thanks, y'all! :)

Thanks for coming!!! :D

It was a very interesting workshop because most of our participants were men! So cool. We didn't expect that but we're glad they weren't put off by the "girly-ness" of the event - from our kits to our souvenir bags. Haha.

The idea for this out-of-town workshop is not just a simple whim that we had. We thought it through and bless Piatto Restaurant, the official venue of The Pink Tarha Mornings - Riyadh, because they have a branch in Jeddah! (Does that mean we're looking at you now, Al Khobar?! Haha!) 

Always welcoming The Pink Tarha.

Refreshing resto; with good interiors and nice ambiance

The management and staff of Piatto has always been supportive of our endeavors and we couldn't have been more honored to have them in our event. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PIATTO! The manager, Mr. Adil Bubere, and the staff of Piatto Restaurant in Jeddah were all nice and very efficient. Thank you, guys! And my goodness, the food are all delicious! (Try their very much improved pizza and their wild chicken mushroom risotto! You won't regret it!) 

This workshop's kit

The souvenirs from Camel Corner

We were also blessed to have Camel Corner, the home of KSA souvenirs and gifts, in this leg of The Pink Tarha Mornings series. They gave us souvenirs - keychains, magnets, figurines, and coasters - to give away to our participants. Camel Corner is one store that doesn't stop amazing us; it continuously comes up with products and stuff that bears witness to our lives in the Kingdom. I would love to have a pink stuffed camel! *wink* Haha. THANK YOU, CAMEL CORNER! 

Mr. Kenji Solis of PEBA Inc.

As we said in the website of The Pink Tarha Mornings - Jeddah, this event is also being done to raise donations for the distressed OFWs in the Tent City in Jeddah. (Read about the Tent City here. An article coming up asap.) We asked assistance and help from the good people of the Pinoy Expats/OFWs Blog Awards (PEBA Inc.) led by their hardworking founder, Mr. Kenji Solis. PEBA, if you remember, was the first award-giving body that gave us a trophy for being the second best OFW/expat blog in the world (at least in their side of the cyber-world). We believe in PEBA's cause and we know they have always the OFWs' best interest in their hearts. THANK YOU, PEBA INC.! Also, thanks for Sir Kenji for discussing Adsense... we learned a lot!

We would like to thank JOLLIBEE KSA (esp. to Mr. Billy Junn Tabares, marketing manager) for sponsoring the groceries which we gave to the people in the shelter inside the Philippine consulate in Jeddah. And to generous individuals who supported this cause: Mr. JULIUS ALFONSO and Ms. JOHARAH PABALATE for sponsoring the stuff we gave to the Tent City. Jou, our good friend and official photog of The Pink Tarha (naks, may ganon?! Hehe!), who is also the editorial manager of Destination Riyadh, was responsible for the copies of Destination Jeddah and Destination Riyadh. Thank you, Rumman Company, publisher of both magazines, for the free copies we gave to our participants. 

More details on the Tent City on an article we will publish in the blog soon.

Our friend Jou behind the lens.

To our friend, MS. JAMILA MAE FERNANDEZ, who didn't need to come but she did anyway for the sake of simply being our friend (such an awesome friend!)… THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ganda! Your presence made this event more meaningful to us. We would have been bored without your sunshine. Haha! To Sampaguita Pride who can't be with us because she's currently pursuing a career in the Philippines, we miss you, girl! We wish you could have been with us on this day.

To our families and friends who believe in us and encourage us to achieve greater heights in our personal and social lives… THANK YOU! WE LOVE YOU! 

Despite the fact that Nas Air cancelled our flight back to Riyadh (needless to say, we are never flying via Nas Air again… or okay, maybe not any time soon), that we met a few rude people in our stroll in Jeddah (long story!), and that we had to endure a 12-hour bus ride (which was better than we expected, really)… we are grateful beyond belief for all these blessings. We found greater happiness in making this event possible and successful and having the support of the best people in the world. We are surrounded by pure awesomeness! TYL. ~ Sundrenched

You can check out a few photos of the event in our Instagram: thepinktarha.

Family First

What is the essence of being an OFW if not for family? 

It's hard enough that we have to fly thousand of miles away from home to provide for them but for most Filipinos abroad, saving up for a vacation back to the Philippines can pose some financial difficulties. Lucky for us, Cebu Pacific is starting to offer direct AND very affordable flights from Dubai to Manila and vice versa. 

I was looking through the entries of the 100 Lucky Juans on the Cebu Pacific's Facebook Page and found myself drawn to these three photos in particular:

I really liked this photo from Karen Cabangon because it reminded me so much of how most ordinary days in the Philippines feel like with our families. Lounging around the "sala" with the electric fan on, watching TV and enjoying a glass of cold softdrinks in the afternoon. They looked really happy in this photo and that kid is just sooo cute! I also liked that she took the time to tell us her story in the caption section. Truly vacation would be grander if the whole family could come along. 

This photo from Michael Grace reminds me of my own experience of flying with Cebu Pacific with my friends just last year and it's always a scenic shot to show that you and your loved ones are doing some traveling (I have the same photo, standing outside the aircraft). What I really enjoy about the idea of Cebu Pacific is that they've made air travel accessible and affordable to every Filipino. Whether its because you want to see your friends and family or because you just want to visit a new province/city in the Philippines that you've never seen before. I do believe that everyone should travel, if given the chance. :) 

And of course, the picturesque capture of the Burj Khalifa by Roland Sapnay is simply perfect especially since Cebu Pacific is currently promoting its upcoming direct flights from Manila to Dubai. Dubai is a very cosmopolitan with a cityscape that any person can be at awe of. There are thousands of OFWs based in Dubai and the UAE and they will surely benefit from this offer by Cebu Pacific. I am sure that this can bring them closer to their loved ones here in the Middle East and back at home. 

As OFWs, we do travel in and out of the country more often than we would want to. However, no matter where we go, it's always about our families. We wouldn't have chosen to become OFWs if not for them. So whether we bask under the desert sun of the Middle East or as we gaze into the bright lights of the big city, in our hearts, home and family is where we all want to be. 

Join the 100 Lucky Juans for a chance to win a free flight from Dubai to Manila! Details can be found here. 

Chicken Feast at BBQ

IF THERE IS one thing mainstream about the food in Saudi Arabia, it's the chicken. In my mind, chicken would probably constitute more than half of the meat market (lamb is mostly for special occasions and beef is not commonly consumed except for steak). Growing up here, I've been so accustomed to chicken dishes that even when I go home to the Philippines, often times I'd still prefer chicken over pork. 

So how can a restaurant market chicken beyond the usual allure of the local broasted chicken shop, kabsa joint or shawarma place? Say hello to BBQ Chicken. 

While some of their menu items are indeed, barbecued... BBQ actually stands for Best of the Best Quality Chicken. You won't miss this newly opened restaurant sits in the heart of Thalateen St. with their hot, red sign that reads, "BBQ" 

The ladies and I were in a for a massive chicken treat as we browsed through their menu, intrigued by  three, four even up to five ways that they cook their chicken. But before that, let's look into their interiors first:

The staircase entrance that leads up to the Family Section is a bit narrow but once you get to the second floor, you can choose from either a booth section or open area, which are both spacious and well-lit. They also have a lot of wall art, from funky graffitis to framed quotes and photos on fun dining. You will also find a children's playroom for all your kiddos to go play. 

The service was cordial and we were seated to our booth by the waiter. We intentionally did not eat lunch that day because we knew that we were going to try out this restaurant later that night so if you see the huge number of dishes that we ordered, please don't be too judgmental. ;P

LBC All Box Promo

Clothes, bags, shoes, perfumes, soap, chocolates… nope, they're not things you can find in my closet. They're things you can find inside a Balikbayan Box… the ubiquitous presence that 'goes' with every Filipino abroad, and back to the Philippines.

For us Filipinos , sending balikbayan boxes is not only a trend but a culture. If a Filipino residing or working abroad hasn't sent one balikbakayan box in his/her time overseas, his/her overseas life remains unfulfilled, haha. We OFWs in Saudi Arabia are known for sending a lot of balikbayan boxes filled to the brim with rubber shoes, clothes, chocolates, fragrances… and soap (yes, even the powdered detergent… because well, they're really cheaper here.) The cargo industry is thriving in the Middle East! 

As OFWs who work hard for the things we send to our loved ones in the Philippines, we shouldn't just settle for fly-by-night cargo companies that promise quick delivery at cheap prices but doesn't get the job done. Did you know that there are a lot of cargo companies blacklisted by the Department of Trade and Industry because apart from boxes and packages not arriving their destination, some arrive with dents or holes, or worse… incomplete and manhandled stuff inside? Tsk, tsk. Also, most cargo companies have a standard box they use and aren't flexible enough to receive various sized boxes. 

That is why, LBC came up with their latest Any Box Size Acceptance Promo where boxes of different sizes are accepted at special rates. LBC, known as the number 1 courier company in the Philippines with over 1,000 branches in the Philippines, opened its first branch in Batha, Riyadh on December 1, 2011.

LBC in Batha (quite obvious eh? :P)

With LBC's Any Box Size Acceptance Promo, even durable drums and oversized boxes are now accommodated. LBC Sea Cargo doesn't have a per kilometer charge, chargeable weight (no per kilo charge) bill of lading, and hidden charges. They offer free pick-up, door-to-door delivery and guaranteed weekly shipping. But get this… when you drop off the box (instead of having them picked it up in your place), you get a SR 15 discount!

(Click for larger version.)

You also get updated regarding your boxes' whereabouts via text alerts. This promo runs from April 1 until June 30, 2013. Prices apply to Riyadh only. LBC's Jeddah and Al-Khobar branches will open soon.

LBC also offers air cargo. For air cargo, they offer sending documents and packages for as low as SR50 and SR60 respectively. The heavier the padala, the lower is the per kilogram charge. (Item may be charged either by volume or by weight.) It doesn't have any per kilometer charge and ships to the Philippines twice a week. You can also send electrical gadgets like cellphones, tablets, and laptops!

Rates for air cargo.

Customers can also follow-up their packages by connecting online with LBC's customer service via LBC Livetalk. Just visit LBC's website or Facebook page for more information.

Now, if you can send a big drum home to the Philippines, what will you send? I'll probably send fresh camel milk or gasoline (because they're cheaper here right?!). Haha. Kidding, kidding. We're sure no matter what the contents of your balikbayan box are, they will bring smiles to your loved ones' faces. :) ~ Sundrenched

LBC RIYADH 

Store 14-16, Abi Alabass cor. Al Murshidi Streets 

(near Pinoy Supermarket) 

Batha, Riyadh, KSA 

T: +966547212962, +966536130643, 

+966-11-4012709, +966-11-4028369, +966-11-4091678 

LBC JEDDAH (opening soon) 

Store 175, Jeddah International Market (SARAWAT) 

Madinah Road, Jeddah, KSA 

T: +966508199437, +966543291624 

LBC AL KHOBAR (opening soon)

King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz St. Cross A (near Ramaniya Complex beside Seven Eleven) 

Al Khobar, KSA 

T: +966508213741, +966543407283