Polagram PH: Turn Instagram Photos into Magnets in Manila!

I decided to try out Polagram.ph after someone commented on my Canvas Prints in Manila post form 2 years ago. One of my favorite things to do is to take photos and post on Instagram. I ordered 20 2x2 magnets for Php 778 (minimum starts at Php350 with 9 magnets). It comes with free shipping!

I ordered some family photos to be posted on our fridge, that way, people at home get good vibes whenever they go to the kitchen.

I wasn't able to get screenshots of all the steps, but it's quite straightforward: 1) Log in with your Instagram account. 2) Choose the photos you want to print. 3) Put in the shipping details. 4) Pay with Paypal or Over the Counter.

The main tough part for me was when I need to remove some items, I had to re-choose everything all over again, so make sure you choose carefully before hitting Submit Order. Plus, my internet was wonky when I clicked pay with Paypal so I ended up submitting twice, generating 2 order numbers. The folks at Polagram quickly addressed it, so no problem.

After choosing, this is the next page with the order summary

Put in the shipping details after the order summary.

I'll be updating this along with the results of the actual magnets! I can't wait!!! I got a text from PolagramPH saying my magnets will arrive on Friday (48 hours after my order), such good customer service! :) I'll append this post with an update on the actual magnets.

Update: I got the magnets this morning, as theyve committed! It's set on a card. I love them! :) They're now stuck on our fridge.

Newel Kena Rags2Riches Bag

Throughout the month of March, I've been itching to buy a new bag. After searching online all over, I ended up obsessing for 3 days of the Holy Week holiday over the bags from Rags2Riches (http://www.rags2riches.ph).

[It's been a month since I made my last entry. I haven't done much except work and watch tv series... and go out and eat with friends... not much time to write before.

I've asked my friends and family for their opinions... I've gone through online shopping sites Zalora, Ava, and the R2R site itself! I ended up buying from the Aranaz store in Powerplant Mall because I didn't want to pay for the shipping fees and I wanted the blue one.

So here it is! Isn't it pretty?

I use it now as my main bag for work and weekends. It goes well with jeans!

At the first day, I thought it was kind of heavy. The blue weave fabric is quite thick. After that, it's not so heavy anymore.

For the t'nalak weaves at the sides, it will tend to fray so be careful with it.

The bags are made by artisans from not so well-off communities in the Philippines and they get paid fairly for it (not get exploited by middle-men). Normally, they would be forced to work for 70php a week (that's already a meal for the average Makati person). With Rags2Riches, they have the opportunity to get 1000php a week.

The materials they use are also upcycled. The fabric used in making the weaves are scraps.

Read more about their story here.

Moving forward, I'll be more conscious about the things I buy... if there is an eco-ethical and fair trade alternative, I'll veer towards that instead, though not necessarily cheaper. Normally, I would go for low-cost... but you never really know if it's cheap because someone got poorly-paid for it along the way.

Canvas Printing Services in Manila Philippines

I've been looking for a service that can print my Instagram Photos into something that I can frame for a limited budget in Manila.

Before now, I've only known about Instacanvas, which is US-based, and they sell the 12x12 inch canvas for 39.95 USD + 9 USD for shipping fees. It's too steep for me and I don't think I'm their target market since I earn in Philippine standards. [Plus, I joined Instacanvas with the seller-mindset rather than a buyer-mindset...]

I've recently tried out Pop Print Photos (http://www.facebook.com/popprintphotos). I ordered their 12x12 Xintra Print as a gift. I got this one for PhP 900 (inclusive of VAT & Shipping).

After a week of settling the order details and the payment details, it arrived! I was happy with the quality and that the photo didn't come out pixelated, considering I took and edited the photo in my iphone using Snapseed and Instagram.

My niece and her canvas

My niece hung her picture on the doorknob, thought it would be funny

Vacation Planning for 2013

My college friends have decided that 6 of us are going to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (in Bataan) sometime in the early 2013. No particular month locked in yet. We got saw this deal in Deal Grocer.

I'm pretty much looking forward to it! The place looks great. :) Hope we're not going to be disappointed.

Cowgirl Annie Steak from Brickfire Oven

Last Saturday, I had dinner in Katipunan in lieu of the Ateneo Bonfire. We ate at Brickfire Oven (behind McDonalds).

I ordered the Cowgirl Annie Steak (120 PHP). It's pretty good and the serving size was alright for 120. Good for the wallet of college students. Don't expect Mamou-steak level, though. :)

Instagram, Instacanvas, and Help Needed

One of the things that I've really been into these days is Instagram. I've been into "amateur photography" for the longest time, usually using my sister's digicam or using mobile phones (before, Nokia N97, now, iPhone 4). Instagram has just been the most convenient app to use right now. In 2 months, I've got over 250 photos (addict!).

Since I mix personal photos with artsy-fartsy photos, it's great that there's Instacanvas to allow me to select photos which I categorize as the latter. :) Instacanvas also allows me to sell my photos, but I'd only get 8USD out of the 39USD. I'm not exactly hopeful on selling photos in the Philippine market as 39USD seems too steep. But then, I'm aiming to advertise through the Instacanvas page to link up with buyers from other countries!

With that, I need your help to get to the feature page! Please vote for the picture, we only have until today (Oct 15 afternoon)! If you don't think it's vote-worthy, that's alright. :)

This particular photo was taken last Saturday on my way to my university. This is the J Ruiz Station of LRT2 in Metro Manila Philippines. There were only very few people, so I was confident enough to take my phone out. :P Doesn't it look like the train stations in Europe? LRT2 is the best train line in Metro Manila :)

Check out the rest of my gallery here: http://instacanv.as/yvettety

Misibis Bay Legazpi Trip

A bunch of us went on a trip to Misibis Bay in Legazpi City over the weekend. One of my friends got the deal from Deal Grocer and we tagged along.

I'd say overall that the "feel" of Misibis Bay resort is comparable to Anvaya Cove. Price-wise, i cant compare it because Anvaya involves membership-related costs and we also got Misibis for a good deal. For the purpose of comparison, I'll take a stab at sharing the highlights of the trip.

The view from our room

1) The hospitality of Misibis is tops. All of the staff is very warm and friendly. Their "good morning" is genuinely friendly. When you come out of the coaster, you're greeted by tribal dancers, cold towels, snacks, and fancy calamansi juice.

Ibalong Dancers

2) The non-motor activities are free and the people are eager to serve and help you out. We went snorkeling and we went on a sailboat trip around the island. We would have taken up more activities like windsurfing. The games are also free! We played some foosball and billiards.

The game room slash bar

3) The package comes with a free tour around Legazpi (i think this is optional). We went to Ligñon Hill to see the city from the top. We got to see the Mayon Volcano in the Cagsaua/Cagsawa Ruins, and we went to the Our Lady of the Gate Parish. Our tour ended in the Pili-Nuts and Legazpi Souveneir store. Our tourguide happened to be our snorkeling guide. :)

Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa Ruins

Saints, Jesus, and Mary in Our Lady of the Gate Parish

4) Our breakfast and dinner buffet comes with the package for the room! The food was good, especially the Filipino food and the grilled meat/fish. Stay away from the Roast Beef Pizza, though. It looks good, but it was tough to eat.

At the Spices Restaurant

The dinner table

5) The swimming pool with the bar connected to it with underwater stools was cool. I didnt get to try drinking in the pool, but looks like it's a lot of fun!

Overall, I really enjoyed the stay. 3 days has been too short, but if i stayed too long, I'd get too fat. :D

I'd definitely want to go back. There's a deal right now in Deal Grocer, but ill need to save up for it again!

From outside the front desk

Our room was at the top floor

The garden