𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Dead Simple by Peter James

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽:

Five young men went out on a stag night. The groom-to-be was known as a practical joker and his friends were determined to get even with him for the things he has done in the past. They buried the groom-to-be alive in a coffin and left him, intending to return in an hour or two just to make him taste of his own jokes, but within minutes, the three of the young men died in a horrible traffic accident and the fourth died in hospital unable to recover his critical condition. A detective named Superintendent Roy Grace investigated the disappearance of the groom and the entirety of the events. During his investigation, he has a hunch that the bride-to-be and the groom’s best friend and business partner know a lot more than they are telling.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

I really like the story! It is so unpredictable that I was not able to let go of the book until I finished it. There was a mix of emotions when I was reading it – surprised, sad, excitement, tensed, shock! Also, the plot is something new to me since I started my serious book reading. I have no idea that Peter James’ novels were made into TV series. I will read more of his novels soon.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:

4.5/5

Kookels in Tagum City

It’s dinner time and I am craving for lechon manok. So we tried the newly opened Kookels, and bought 1 lechon manok and 1 jar of atchara.

Kookels is famous in Davao City, and even so, this is my first time to try. They have a unique packaging because it is in a plastic container with lid, with a sticker as a lock or seal. Most stores use plastic cellophane, plain or customized. Aside from that, they have no lemon, soy sauce, and vinegar included but Mang Tomas sarsa sachet. We also like our lechon manok dipped in gravy so there is no problem with us if not the usual sawsawan.

They offer short orders too like pancit, lumpia, and many others that can complement and complete your lechon manok meal. Of course, the atchara as a side dish will make it better. We like it!

I will try their pancit and lumpia next time, and I will buy spicy Mang Tomas sarsa and have it ready at home so that I will have choices for the sauce.

Try Kookels and maybe it is the lechon manok taste that you are looking for.

Kookels Tagum Branch
📍Abad Santos Street, Tagum City
(beside 24 Chicken and Laughing Buddha)

PanChika by Cynthia’s Kitchen

It’s the weekend and it’s time to relax and have fun! And one of our ways of having fun is to have coffee and food.

We tried the newly opened PanChika and they now serve drinks —- coffee, non-coffee, and juices! You can now order your favorite bread and paired it with hot or cold drinks.

The new location is just across their old building. Although it is small, it has a homey vibe. There are chairs and tables outside. It is best to visit the place late afternoon for dine in, but you can order for take out anytime since the store opens at 9:30 AM ‘til 9 PM.

During our visit, we ordered the cinnamon roll, ensaymada, and coffee bun for the breads, while matcha latte and spanish latte for drinks. Their breads are big, soft, and tasty. It has the same looks with those from Bread Talk.

We were satisfied and we enjoyed the food. We will be back soon to try their other breads, paired with hot coffee.

For more information, you can browse their Facebook page.

PanChika
📍Osmeña Street corner National Highway, Tagum City

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: The Girls who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽:

There were 4 girls who met an accident 25 years ago, and 3 of them disappeared. The survivor, Olivia, had several operations on her leg because of the accident, making her walk unstable sometimes. She carries with her the guilt and pain because they were her friends.

Since it has been 25 years and still no news as to what happened to the 3 girls, a journalist named Jenna went to the place not to investigate the case but to gather infomation by interviewing Olivia, the families of the victims, and the locals, for her podcast. She believed that the information when aired, may make someone remember and will give new infomation to the authorities that might help solve the case.

But some where not happy of her being there and interviewing people. She began to receive scary messages, scaring her to leave the place right away.

Because of her journalist skills such as being observant and logical, she unravel a lot of information that is very relevant to the case.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

I was entertained by this book because I was not expecting who the culprits are. It has a great plot twist revealing them and the reason why everything happened.

While reading, I commend Jenna for being so brave despite being alone going to that place, for interviewing the bereaved families who have been clueless for 25 years as to what happened to the 3 girls, for being persistent to have the podcast whatever it takes.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:

3/5

Mombakes Davao

There is a cafe in Ecoland that is slightly seen from the highway, but you will not see how nice it is if you will not go near it or enter the place.

What I am referring to is the Mombakes Davao, that offers delicious meals and desserts, and coffee too!

We went there for dinner and we ordered the Humba Dumaguete, Pesto Chop, Salmon Lemon Garlic Pasta, matcha latte, and caramel comfort. The desserts on their chiller is so tempting so we ordered the 4-cheese cheesecake, cannolis, fudgy brownie, and Mombakes silvanas.

The food is delicious, we were full and satisfied. But if you are a rice person, the rice is not enough so you need to order more.

The place has parking space, and they accept cash and Gcash for payment. So convenient!

For more information and menu, you can check their Facebook page.

Mombakes Davao
📍Calamansi Street, Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City (Within Phoenix Gas Station and behind Yellow Cab)

Baggins’ Cafe

We passed by this café a lot of times already but it was just last night that we were able to try their food. Baggins’ Cafe is a small cafe but they have a lot on their menu. I am so glad they have plenty of toast choices.

We ordered the mac & cheese, two cheese sandwich, egg & cheese sandwich, oreo & cream pancake, and strawberry & cream pancake. We had salted caramel latte and matcha frappe for drinks.

The serving size is right for the price. We were full and we enjoyed the food.

I will be back again soon, and I will try their other pancakes and breads. I’m excited for the banana overload pancakes, and banana french toast.

Try at Baggins’ Cafe for your pancakes and french toast cravings. Visit their Facebook page for menu, queries and more information.

Baggins’ Cafe
📍Purok Capagngan, Visayan Village, Tagum City

Book Review: Anna O by Matthew Blake

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽:

Anna O is about a double murder suspect but is asleep for 4 years after the crime was made. With that, the investigation is pending.

There is a clinical psychologist named Dr. Prince who specializes in sleep disorders who made a promising research paper about a diagnostic model that can help forensic psychology. Although the paper is not yet peer reviewed, the Ministry of Justice wants him to try it to Anna O, that she may wake up and proceed with the trial.

Aside from the method, he also investigated the past of Anna O and incorporate it in his process. Anna O woke up eventually but there were a lot of problems encountered along the way.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

The human mind always facinates me. I am so intrigued with this book and I am amazed with the flow of the story, on how each character and event was built up. It is clinical/medical but a layperson can really understand it. The pace is fast, so you cannot put down the book because you want to know the next scene. Yes, the plot twist is so unexpected.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:

4.5/5

Beauty Con 2024

So happy I was able to attend the Day 2 of Beauty Con 2024 as a side trip from my official business/ work-related travel. I used my Watsons Card to register. Although I can only attend the morning activities because my flight back to Davao is in the afternoon, I was still so fortunate to see Catriona Gray and Gabby Garcia in person.

There were a lot of beauty, skincare, haircare products, fragrances for men and women, and of course freebies too! I arrived early so I got a tote bag and some items from Issy. There were a lot of feeebies from other brands too, so I joined the crowd in filling in of registration forms, and lining up to get the freebies.

I want to see my favorite celebrities and beauty vloggers but their schedule is on Day 4. I think this will be one of my annual activities to look forward to, so I will save starting today.

Congratulations to the organizers of Beauty Con 2024. See you again soon, hopefully! Hope to see Jelly Eugenio, Marj Maroket, Heart Evangelista and other beauty bloggers next time.

Book Review: The Catch by T.M. Logan

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽:

The characters of the story include Ryan, the new boyfriend of Abbie, who is the daughter of Claire and Ed. Basically, the story revolved around these 4 characters.

Ryan and Abbie became a couple for 7 months want to get their relationship to the next level, so they got engaged. They also want to have the weeding in about a month since Abbie wants her grandmother to attend. The grandmother is old and sickly. Delaying the wedding day has a big chance that she can no longer attend. As parents, Claire and Ed were shocked but eventually got fine with it because they need to support the decision of their daughter.

However, Ed has a very bad vibes regarding Ryan. As a father, he has this intuition that Ryan is hiding something. He knows deep inside that whatever he is seeing in Ryan is not true.

So he made a move to know if what he sensed is true or not, in order to protect his daughter Abbie.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

This is just a typical story where someone has sensed something negative, he works his way to unravel the truth.

What I like about the story is that it has a lot of plot twists, wherein Ed has a lot of things done to discover the things Ryan is hiding, but Ryan is always 1 step behind him.

How the author describes the scene is also thrilling, I can’t let go of the book even if I know that this is a typical story.

Also, I was not expecting that there will be deaths in the main characters. It is realistic if it happens in real life.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:

3/5

Brew and Cinnamon Cafe

We tried another cafe in Davao City called Brew and Cinnamon Cafe, the one in the corner going to Guadalupe Village. It is not really new, but it is my first time to try. I went there around late afternoon, so I just ordered snacks.

The place is quiet big, and there is an upper floor to cater more customers. It is a great place to dine with friends and family.

They serve rice meals, pasta, brownies, drinks, and their famous cinnamon rolls which can be purchased by piece or by box.

I ordered the mango roll, cream cheese roll, and blueberry roll, paired with matcha latte. The cinnamon rolls were soft, sweet, and tasty. It has a different taste with other cinnamon rolls available in the market. It has a unique taste of its own, and I like all I ordered. There are cinnamon rolls available with less sugar perfect for those who want not too sweet, or those who are controlling their sugar intake.

Since I am curious with their other food, I plan to visit again soon to try their pasta and rice meals.

I now have another go-to place when I want to go and dine that is outside the mall, in the Lanang area.

Visit their Facebook page for queries and updates.

Brew and Cinnamon Cafe
📍Door 1, Ramona Building, Guadalupe Avenue, Lanang, Davao City