Movies I Need To Watch Before I Die

December 21, 2012

Well these are my friend Dale Marquez’s suggestions at the very least. I’ve seen some of them already – back when I was young, for film classes back in college, during film festivals, and some with friends or on my own. Here is his list but I might add a title or two. Titles in italics mean I’ve seen them.

  • 2001 A Space Odyssey
  • Let The Right One In
  • The 39 Steps
  • Pierrot Le Fou
  • 2046
  • Take Shelter
  • Memento
  • The 400 Blows
  • An Education
  • Volver
  • Donnie Darko
  • 13 Samurais
  • Blue Velvet
  • Billy Liar
  • THX 1138
  • Solaris
  • Punch Drunk Love – and I hated it
  • Malena
  • Heavenly Creatures
  • Stranger Than Fiction
  • Claire’s Knee
  • The Party
  • Man On Wire
  • The Red Balloon
  • Lost In Translation
  • Playtime
  • Le Samourai
  • Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
  • Le Bonheur
  • Blow-Up
  • All About Lily Chou-chou
  • Rec
  • The Passenger
  • Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown
  • Gummo
  • Vertigo
  • Mary And Max
  • Peeping Tom
  • Some Kind Of Wonderful
  • Funky Forest Read the rest of this entry »

OHAI! Why can’t I stop watching this video? (NSFW)

December 6, 2012

Meet Tonetta, your friendly neighborhood sicko who can give Buffalo Bill a run for his money.

YouTube Preview Image

He has 288 Youtube videos of himself singing and dancing to his own compositions. Almost all recorded from his Toronto apartment. Tonetta is not exactly a shock artist or maybe I just don’t find his videos and lyrics shocking. He is just kind of creepy and I would stay clear of him if he happens to be my neighbor lest he thinks my skin is nice and supple.

Pressure Zone lyrics

I can’t wait to put it in my mouth,
up my crack, in my ass,
I’m so horny I can choke and choke, on a cock tonight.

So men, whip it out,
make me bleed,
scream and shout.
Yeah men, show me what it’s all about
Question, when in doubt.

Hey men get it pass that pressure zone
Put that bone yeah, drive it in.
I’m so hot, oh, need a cock.
I got to guide that rocket

I can’t wait to put it in my mouth,
up my crack, in my ass.
I’m so horny I can choke and choke, on a cock tonight.

Yeah, bring it, I like it. Cream in me… feels so nice.

Hey men get it pass that pressure zone
Whoop that bone, drive it in
I’m so hot, oh, need a cock
I got to guide that rocket

I cant wait to put it in my mouth,
up my crack, in my ass.
I’m so horny I can choke and choke on a cock tonight.
I’m so horny I can choke and choke on a cock tonight.
Oh I’m so horny I can choke and choke on a cock tonight
on the cock right now (right now)
on the cock right now
oh I’m so horny
Yeah I’m so horny
oo I’m so horny
Oh I could suck a cock right now
Yeah I could suck a cock right now
Oh I could suck a cock right now.

Acacia Hotel, an unexpected warmth in Alabang’s business district

November 21, 2012
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A welcome note and card was waiting for me in the room

I was recently invited to spend a night at Acacia Hotel in Alabang. I hardly go to the South so I wasn’t aware about the hotel until I received the invite. I decided to go on a weekend to avoid the SLEX traffic but the drive there took me an hour because I kept on getting lost, no thanks to my Waze iOS app. Good thing my friend Eloisa was with me to serve as a navigator. When we finally found Acacia Hotel, we were happy that it’s so near Alabang commercial areas. Right beside it are food establishments and a few block away is Alabang Town Center and Festival Mall.

The Lobby

I was awestruck with the expansive lobby which features glass walls and richly upholstered chairs. There is a front lobby and a back lobby, both offering picturesque views of Alabang. Food is available in the area for those who don’t want buffet meals.

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the glass walls of the lobby

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the lovely chairs in the lobby

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the massive wall sculpture in the lobby

There is also Wine Buffet and Beer Buffet at the Lobby everyday from 5 PM to 9 PM. For P495+ you may enjoy unlimited wine selections. Beer Buffet is P459+ you may enjoy ice-cold beer and pair it up with à la carte tapas.

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the selections for the wine buffet

Reception Area

While checking in, guests are offered to partake light snacks and drinks free of charge. Checking in was a breeze for us and the receptionists were able to answer all our questions.

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photo from the Acacia Hotel website because I forgot to take a photo of the front desk

Acaci

The Acaci is the main dining area where daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets are served. The huge dining area is bright, airy and spacious enough for ample elbow room during the usually crowded breakfast buffet. Local and international cuisines are served every time. I was only able to try the breakfast buffet but the food selection was more than enough. There were Filipino, Asian, and Western food. They also have a good selection of imported cheeses. It was too bad I was suffering from a bad stomach from the oysters I ate at nearby Melo’s the night before.

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Acaci

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the breakfast crowd

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a good choice of imported yoghurt were served for breakfast

Function Rooms

Acacia Hotel has many functions rooms to suit different purposes from small business or organization meetings, to full-blown weddings and parties. All of the function rooms offer the following equipment:

During our brief tour of the hotel we were shown some of the available function rooms which come in different sizes, according to the needs of the guests.

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the hotel’s function rooms and its capacities

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A small function room in a round table configuration

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small function with U-shape configuration

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Grand Ballroom set up for a party

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several of this unique chandelier are all over the Grand Ballroom

Mezzanine

When we were there, a wedding was being set up at the mezzanine. It is outdoor and offers a good view of Alabang.

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a good location for a wedding

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From the third floor mezzanine, guests can see Alabang skyscrapers

The Pool

The hotel pool is also on the same floor as the mezzanine but there is still privacy for the swimmers because guest rooms and other rooms block the view from the mezzanine to the pool.

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photo taken from the hotel’s website

There are two pools (children’s pool and a small lap pool) and 1 jacuzzi. It can get very windy in the pool area but it is still very relaxing. I loved the comfortable lounge chairs which look like wood but are actually plastic.

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hotel guests enjoying the pool

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the jacuzzi is located in a more secluded section

Eloisa and I swam at night to avoid the sun. I love the effect of the blue light in the pools.

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the blue light makes it more enticing to swim

The Gym

The gym is right beside the mezzanine. I think it makes some private functions in the mezzanine awkward because of the strangers watching from the gym. The gym is packed with state-of-the-art LifeFitness equipment.

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some of the machines

Our Room

We were given a Junior Suites room. Junior Suites are corner rooms which are bigger than the Deluxe Rooms. We stayed at room 912 and this room offered us a stunning view of Alabang. Guests immediately notice the welcome note when they enter the room. In my case, I was given a welcome card and personalized stationery with the hotel’s letterhead for personal use. Fresh fruits welcomed us as well and when we returned at night, yummy desserts greeted us back when we came back when we dined out.

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what greeted me when I opened the door

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the king size bed which they dubbed the Dream Bed

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sofa, a small breakfast nook, and big picture windows

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a desk for the traveling business…or blogger. The room has free WiFi

The colors used in the room are different shades of brown and other earthy colors in keeping up with the “acacia” theme. The room is big enough for two but it might be too crowded for 3 people. Acacia Hotel is still in the process of constructing larger rooms (Executive Suite, Bridal Suite, and Presidential Suite) which might be completed by next year. Construction was going on during our stay but the rooms have good soundproofing that considerably muffled the sound of nearby activities outside the room.

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big American Standard tub

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sink and toiletries

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Pure Herbs toiletries smell really good

The bathroom is spacious with the bath tub separate from the glass-enclosed shower area. I would have preferred a bigger counter though. I love the toiletries this hotel uses. I’ve been to so many hotels where the scent of toiletries are masculine which made me resort to bringing my shampoo, conditioner and soap. Pure Herbs, the brand Acacia Hotel uses, is more unisex when it comes to scent.

My favorite thing in the room is the “dream bed.” Acacia uses orthopedic memory foam mattresses which follow the contour of the body and support the posture to reduce any pressure points while at rest. They also use luxurious sheets with 500 thread counts of soft cotton linen, duvet and pillows with goose down feathers. Guests have the option to choose from the pillow menu where one can choose from microgel, latex, and aromatherapy varieties. During my stay there, I honestly slept like a baby.

The Staff

Everyone who works in Acacia Hotel embody Filipino hospitality. Believe me when I say that they always serve with a smile. They even place their right hand over their heart to show sincerity. Eloisa and I believe this is the biggest asset of the hotel compared to others in the country.

Conclusion

I think it’s too bad for me that Acacia Hotel is very far from where I live in Pasig. I go on staycations every once in a while and I would love to have a staycation again at Acacia. I will really try to go back there and sleep again in one of their dream beds.

 

Acacia Hotel Manila
5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue,
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang Muntinlupa 1781
Tel. Nos. 7202000 and 5885888
http://www.acaciahotelsmanila.com

5 Things To Do In Las Vegas Without Spending Much

October 17, 2012

I’ve been to Las Vegas, Nevada twice and the place never fails to awe me. Las Vegas is electric and I mean this literally because of the number of times I electrocuted myself because of the static in the hotels. So here are my recommendations if ever you find yourself in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas

1. Hotel Hopping

The crown jewel of Las Vegas are their hotels which try to one up each other. Most of the hotels are within walking distance from one another. If you don’t feel like walking, cabs are pretty cheap in Vegas. Make sure to check out The Venetian, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Wynn, Bellagio, Mirage, Paris, Four Seasons, Caesar’s Palace, and Palms. Some of the hotels have free shows such as the musical fountains of Bellagio.

2. Go Outlet Shopping

Buy designer clothes for less! That’s what outlet shopping is all about. When I went to Vegas, I shopped at Las Vegas Premium Outlet South but they have other branches in the city. I bought a really cool Oakley Sweater which got a lot of praises from strangers. There’s also Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas and stand alone factory outlets.

3. Visit Pawnshops

Las Vegas has many pawn shops which is to be expected because of the gamblers who just might need extra cash. Pawn shops there might carry branded luxury items for less than retail price. You might pick up a strange object or two like the ones seen in the show Pawn Stars which is shot on location and Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.

4. Visit Museums

Las Vegas has many normal museums (art museums) but you might want to check out the quirky ones for a small fee. There’s the Mob Museum, Madame Tussaud (not really cheap), The Neon Museum, The National Atomic Testing Museum, and for the mature travelers there’s The Erotic Heritage Museum.

5. Eat for cheap

Hotel buffets in Vegas are really affordable and offer really scrumptious food. I tried the buffet at Circus Circus and was surprised at how the steak were considering how little we paid. Eating in Vegas won’t leave a dent in your wallet. I guess it’s because they want to make sure the gamblers are in a good mood for being well fed. Be on the lookout for eateries and buffets in older casinos. The restaurants in new hotels are expensive so avoid those if you are on a budget.

Las Vegas is not all about gambling. There are a lot of fun things to do there for the whole family.

Finally, a Suicide and Depression Hotline in the Philippines

October 16, 2012

Infographics from http://bridgingthebluescampaign.blogspot.com/

I’ve suffered from clinical depression ever since I can remember and there were times when things were extra challenging but there was nobody to talk to. I remember calling Dial-A-Friend but it was very late at night and nobody was answering. I also called another hotline which redirected me to a number in Korea and the girl who answered couldn’t understand what I was saying. It was surreal. Actually the whole experience was surreal and that’s how it always is when I’m in one of my depressive episodes.

When I found out from my Plurk pals that there’s now a 24-hour depression and suicide prevention hotline in the country, I felt relieved because help is finally a phone call away. I noticed a spike in suicide attempts and deaths in the Philippines recently and I feel that they could have been prevented. The hotline is 804-4673.

Clinical depression goes by many names — depression, “the blues,” biological depression, major depression. But it all refers to the same thing: feeling sad and depressed for weeks or months on end (not just a passing blue mood), accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, lack of energy, and taking little or no pleasure in things that gave you joy in the past. A person who’s depressed just “can’t get moving” and feels completely unmotivated to do just about anything. Even simple things — like getting dressed in the morning or eating — become large obstacles.

Source: Psych Central

Depression and other mental illnesses are considered a social stigma in the Philippines. Usually it’s a hush hush topic and sufferers often keep the illness to themselves for fear of being shunned by friends and family. Clearly there is a lack of correct information and education on mental health here. Even if a sufferer chooses to seek treatment, it can be very costly. An hour of psychiatric session alone can cost from P1,000 to P2,000 plus the expensive medication. Sure, there is the Philippine Mental Institute but the cases they accommodate there are extreme mental illnesses and as far as I know the staff can hardly keep up with the number of cases they have to look after. The free hotline is a huge step in depression and suicide awareness in the Philippines and I hope more people will accept that it is an illness and treat those who suffer appropriately.

To know more about the suicide and depression hotline, visit http://ngf-hope.org/

FYI, I’m pro-choice when it comes to choosing how and when to die (Read my entry about it here) but when suicide is your call for help, then the hotline is crucial.

What is my destiny?

May 10, 2012

I’m at a crossroad.

I can stay in my current lane and work for the family business but it stifles me and kind of goes against my set of beliefs. It makes good money though and working there is easy. Boring, yes, but easy and the pay is good compared to when I was working for others.

I can start my business but I sort of did this already when I bought a franchise from a small company. It’s not making money though and is pretty much a hassle.

I can be a full-fledged hedonist and just do whatever I want but that comes with a price…not just monetary.

Another option I’m currently considering is studying again. I’ve been gnawing on the thought of learning prosthetics make-up for a couple of years now but I never really thought hard about it because it will be a drastic change for me. I have to study abroad for it. I’m considering US or Canada, where there is a sure market for that career. It’s a short course actually, just several months, but the cost is staggering. I also have to consider where I will consider where I’ll live and how I’ll survive there. I can’t work in the Philippines after taking that course because the industry here hardly cares about good prosthetics and special effects and the pay will be a pittance. That means I have to leave my family, friends, and almost everything behind and start a new life elsewhere. That I’m afraid of. Very much so because socially awkward me has to make new friends again. Then I have to find replacements for the doctors I have here. What I really fear most is leaving my family behind and letting down my mother again. I know she wants us to be happy but she also wants someone to succeed her place in the business. She’ll also feel like she’s losing her daughter again (I left for the US years ago and stayed there for months). My last fear is the career might not be right for me. How would I know if I’m good at it when I’ve never tried it. For now it’s just fantasies in my head of working for the likes of Tim Burton and Peter Jackson. Drat! But I very much want to do that. To make my imaginary monsters into something physical and which can be seen on the silver screen. Even the small screen if I end up just working for direct-to-tv production, hopefully not.

Maybe this is midlife crisis. After all, I’ll be turning 35 this year and so many of my dreams I’ve given up on. I want to get rid of my jadedness and be positive. I’m happy that I have friends who support my dreams. Now it’s just up to me if this dream will go down the drain again or turn my life around.

My favorite Dr. Who Etsy finds

February 9, 2012

I’m a Dr. Who fan. I want to buy official Dr. Who merchandise but they’re too damn expensive. I’ve been looking in Etsy for nice Dr. Who items and there are a lot. They’re cheaper too so I can afford some of them. Here are my favorites.

10th Doctor Plush ($25) from telahmarie

tardis

TARDIS purse in poly leather ($250) from LIMOchi – thanks to Larry for this link

Dalek vinyl wall decor ($38) from WondrousWallArt

TARDIS felt plush ($75) from TheHouseOfMouse

River Song’s Diary ($45) from Taeliac Studio

TARDIS and Two Hearts Gold Necklace with Matching Earrings ($35) from TheBotShoppe

TARDIS sculpted earrings with crystals ($30) from TheBotShoppe

TARDIS felt bag ($185) from krukrustudio

TARDIS Kindle Case / Kindle 2 Case /Nook Color / Kobo Case ($35) from TheCuriousCaseLLC

Police Box Wristlet ($39) from RachelWhiteArt

TARDIS cat house ($75) from JennasRedRhino

TARDIS apron ($58) from Jordandene

 

The Coca-Cola Commercial Which Made Me Cry

December 4, 2011

This is a part of Coke’s “Where Will Happiness Strike Next” ad campaign. I think it’s brilliant and captures completely the trials and travails of Filipino OFWs.

I wonder which ad agency came up with this particular ad.

Suicide and Depression

November 9, 2011

(I started this post last Sunday and the show aired last November 6, 2011.)

While getting my much-needed (home service) massage, I watched last night’s episode of “Cheche Lazaro Presents.” The topic was on suicide. It was my first time to watch Lazaro’s show which is still similar to her former “Probe Team.”

Tonight’s topic hits close to home. Those who read my blog from when it started know my struggles with depression. I made most of the old entries about the topic private ever since I began making friends with people from Plurk and my online life drifted to real life. I decided I need more privacy so I hardly blog about personal matters anymore. The show made me break that though because I have a lot to say on the topic.

The first segment was about a family with 6 siblings, 4 of whom committed suicide. I was shocked that such situations exist in our country. I believe the depression in the said family is genetic…or they might be victims of kulam. I think it’s more of genetics though. The daughter of one of the siblings suffers from depression as well and she mentioned that she warned her friends that if they don’t hear anything from her within 3 days, they should try to contact her family or find her because she might have committed suicide. She wants to heal but it’s something she couldn’t control. She regularly sees a psychiatrist at that. I’m envious of her because of the open communication in her family and she has her friends as support group for her depression. We talk in my family but not about very personal matters. And my depression is often ignored here. As for friends, I have them naman but most are acquaintance or the friendship isn’t very deep. I only have a few close friends and one of them is mad at me and I don’t really understand why. It’s good that I am surrounded by people now but I often wish I am more sociable so I will have more friends. I also wish I could count on more people during bad times because most of the people I hang out with, we hang out just to have fun. I don’t mean any offense and I’m sorry if the wording sounds like I’m an ingrate but I really need people I could call when I’m down.

The next segment was about about a community in Palawan, the Kulbi people, who has a different look on suicide. For the Kulbi people, suicide is natural and not a result of depression. Almost every family in Kulbi has a member or a relative who has committed suicide. They committed it either to save face, to ease burden on the family, they didn’t get what they want, or because of love matters. Surprisingly, those left behind see the act as a source of pride, even heroic. Here is where you might think I’m really a nut case. I envy their community. I want to be able to choose how I die. I even admire those who have committed them because suicide is hard to do. It takes a lot of courage and guts of steel, contrary to people’s notion that it’s a coward’s way out. Believe me, I’ve tried a few times in the past but I didn’t have the courage to do it right. In the segment, there’s a Christian teacher who wants to change beliefs of the Kulbi people. She wants them to learn that suicide is bad, that it’s against her God’s teachings. But the Kubli people aren’t Christian and although they are very poor, they seemed satisfied, even happy most of the time. I really hate that woman who wants to impose her Western ideas on the poor community. Not all of them think of suicide, it just so happens that a large number who do. But what’s wrong with that? Why change if the people are content and have a different view on death? The government needs to give the Kulbi people more financial and educational support but should leave their beliefs alone!

The next segment was an interview with the mother of Natasha Goulbourn, a pretty and privileged girl who committed suicide because of depression. The mother ignored the signs of depression manifesting in her daughter. In the end, Natasha took her life at such a young age. The mother, Jean, has come to terms with what happened and has founded the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation whose aim is to spread awareness on the disease as well as to prevent more suicides from happening. I’ve read about the foundation before and I commend them for their efforts. The country needs more organizations/foundations such as hers.

The last interview was with an eccentric man whose depression manifested when he was in 3rd year college. Mine was officially diagnosed when I was in 3rd year college, the time when I had my first breakdown. But I’ve known that something was wrong with me when I was still in grade school. The eccentric man narrated that he always thinks about suicide but never actually tried. He also mentioned that he attends Mood Harmony (or whatever it is called) which is a regular gathering of doctors and depressives and they talk about whatever they want to share. I think I want to attend the gathering, just to see what it’s all about and if it could help me.

My depression has been with me ever since I can remember but I’m more stable now. I’m not sure if my psychiatrist is the right one for me but at least the medicines seem to work. I also try to go out regularly with friends and do projects/hobbies, anything to occupy my mind. I still find it very hard to sleep but I’m pretty much “normal” lately.

I commend Cheche Lazaro for doing a show on suicide and depression but I wish it was shown during prime time. People need to be aware of this disease. Normal people just see depression as pag-iinarte or that it will go away just be being positive and thinking happy thoughts. I wish that were the case. Depression is hard to beat alone, it’s almost impossible to beat without the help of medical professionals. Positive thinking is easy to say but for depressives, it’s next to impossible to do. You see, those who are having depressive episodes have little energy. We/they are very sensitive to the littlest emotions and there is a tunnel vision of me against the world. Most see it as selfishness but that is not the case at all. The tunnel vision and the heightened emotions cannot be controlled without external help. It is easier to just follow the downward spiral and not fight the depression. Suicide is not an easy way out, contrary to society’s opinion. Suicide is very hard to do. Believe me. I’ve been there several times. It takes courage and iron will to successfully do it. I honestly admire those who have done it successfully because I can’t. I know this is so taboo but that’s how I really feel about the issue. I want to be able to choose how I will die and maybe when I feel I’m ready, even if I’m not depressed at that time, but I feel that it’s the right time to go, I hope I will have the courage to do it. I don’t think what I just said has anything to do with my depression. It’s just the way I think.

The impoverished who suffer from this disease are really victims here. Seeing a psychiatrist and the cost of medicines are very expensive. Very very expensive. The poor’s only hope is through a few foundations, maybe their religion, and the National Mental Hospital which is full to the brim and couldn’t accommodate or entertain all sufferers. And what about the sick who doesn’t live in Imperial Manila? Where can they go for help? There should be more help available for those who want to be healed. At least the show is a good start because they made people aware of the disease and that it’s manageable. This problem should be tackled during prime time though, not when Philippines is asleep and the channel needs a filler for late airtime.

fell down the stairs

My teeth are A-OK says Dr. Karla Domingo

October 18, 2011

A few weeks ago, I was invited to K Dental Studio which is owned and operated by Dr. Karla Domingo. I immediately noticed the lovely spa-like interior which is a far cry from the dental clinics I’ve been to. I’m not scared of going to dentists. In fact, I tend to fall asleep during procedures. However, I know that providing a comfortable atmosphere will put patients at ease.

K Dental Studio's waiting area

As you can see from the photo above, it looks more like a nail pampering salon than a waiting area. As Dr. Karla Dominguez explained later to us, her philosophy is to offer a more personal and long-term approach to dental care and patient-dentist relationship. People usually think of going to their dentist when they are already in pain or when they remember that they need cleaning. Dr. Karla wants to change this mindset by offering more of a lifestyle center than a clinic. With a more hands-on and personal approach and by keeping in constant touch with patients/clients, the hesitancy of visiting the doctor will be lessened thereby preventing tooth problems which otherwise might be too late to fix. Read the rest of this entry »