Coffee Madness @ Starbucks

There’s nothing like a daily doze of caffeine rush into my blood stream! 

I look forward to a cup of coffee the moment I wake up, whilst on the move or at work.

I can’t imagine myself going through a full day without my morning and mid-day cups. 

Yup, I’m hooked on the stuff and it’s a habit of mine which is very  hard to break!

Going to a coffee shop has become part of my daily routine. It is a place to meet with 

friends, spend time on my own and read/write, or just sit and enjoy the ambience. 

It can just be a place to hang out or hold business meetings.

There are a lot of different cafes in the whole island of Cebu.

It can be just a local coffee shop or an internationally well-known brand.

Whichever this may be, each has it’s own way and unique style in magnetizing a customer.   

I know coz I have visited up to 6 coffeeshops with many branches all over Cebu.

How to grab hold of a Coffeemaniac?   Plain & simple …. The Triple ”A” style !

A = Aroma  …    smell of coffee                 

A = Appetizing… sweet & tasty pastries

A = Ambiance … scenery that makes the mood so tempting

Or maybe it’s the Key Senses Theory which are the Eyes, Nose & Mouth approach!

Whichever technique, this certainly works like a hypnotic spell pulling you into the shop.

Anyway, on top of my A-list is definitely STARBUCKS! 

It’s a household name!… and it would be crazy to know that someone out there doesn’t know about  SSssttaaarrbbuuuuccckkksssssssss!

So I decided to do some research … check out all Starbuck branches in Cebu!

First, I checked Facebook Starbuck Philippines but it didn’t help a bit coz this site only featured photos of Manila branches.

To help out our Cebu Starbuckers, I’ve visited 9 different locations and took some photos for you to look at.   

Oakridge Business Park Branch

      ... Starbucks Oakridge opened it's door at the heart of A.S.Fortuna, Mandaue City.  After closing Paseo Arcenas & Benedicto Center branches, this one is more bigger, more spacious and much more cozier place to hang out.  And it's nice to see a familiar face too ... Barista Cathy from Paseo branch!

Garden Row, Ayala Cebu Branch     

UF, North wing, Ayala Cebu Branch  (inside the mall)

  
Benedicto Center, A.S.Fortuna Branch

 

               ... Starbucks Benedicto has been transferred to Oakridge, A.S.Fortuna.


Marina Mall, Lapu-lapu Branch 

Paseo Arcenas Branch

     … just love it here (especially on weekends).  it's small but so so so cozy, the ambiance to die for ... 
and  wonderful baristas (chloe, cathy, jenny, starsi, leo, daisy and 2 more familiar 
faces) that never fails to give me a warm welcome. In fact I'm sitting on my favorite seat and writing this piece.  (But I’m very disappointed to know that they will be closing doors by the end of February)

Northwing, SM City NRA,Cebu  

I.T. Park, Lahug

Crown Regency, Fuente Branch 

      I'll share more photos on my future visits with the other branches.

There are things you need to know …

Research shows drinking a few cups of coffee a day can be good for you. It not only protects you against a variety of serious diseases, but can also bring a lot of pleasure into your life. 
So, to all of our fellow addicts out there, you don’t have to feel guilty anymore! Below are reasons why we think it's okay to stay hooked on the stuff.

Health Benefits:

1. Coffee is the #1 source of antioxidants in the American diet
While fruits and veggies are still the richest sources of antioxidants, Black tea and bananas came in second and third place, respectively. Surprisingly, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee provide similar amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants help your body repair damage to cells caused by free radicals.

2. Coffee increases your metabolism
Studies also show that coffee is very beneficial in terms of weight loss. It is a common misconception that coffee is an appetite suppressant, however, your morning cup can significantly speed up metabolism by about 10 percent. 

3. Coffee can improve short-term memory … keeps you awake & alert
According to studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that actually boosts brain functioning and concentration. Furthermore, coffee reduces levels of beta amyloid, a protein in the brain that is responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Coffee lowers the rates of some cancers
According to WebMD, coffee drinkers are 50 percent less likely to get liver cancer. By drinking 2 cups per day, you’re also slashing your risk of getting colon cancer by 25 percent. Some studies have also found ties to lower rates of breast and skin cancers as well.  Lowered risk of advanced Prostate Cancer. Lowered risk of Alzheimer Disease by 65%.  Cut the risk of Gallstones by almost 50%. Cut the risk of Stroke by 43% for women.  Cut the risk of Parkinson Disease by 80%.

5. Coffee is actually good for your teeth and prevent dental cavities
We all know that one of the biggest cons of drinking coffee is a stained smile, but  the beverage can also have a positive effect on teeth. People who drink coffee are less likely to have cavities. Roasted coffee beans have antibacterial effects against microorganisms like Streptococcus, which play a hand in causing tooth decay. 

6. Coffee can help prevent/ stop headaches.  Caffeine is often use as a medicine to treat headaches, especially migraine and cluster headaches.

7. Coffee protects you from cold.   Caffeine acts as decongestant as it opens narrowed bronchial tubes.

8. Coffee can be a relief for asthma.  Manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable.

9. Coffee can be a relief for pain.  Two cups of brewed coffee may reduce post-exercise muscle pain by up to 48%. In fact, a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, have shown that adding about 65 milligrams of caffeine to aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen increases pain relief by around 40%.

10. Coffee can boost mood.  Moderate intake of caffeine boosts energy and cuts depression, thanks to dopamine.

Risks:
• Increases blood pressure among people with high blood pressure.
• Causes insomnia, anxiety, and irritability.
• May worsen symptoms of PMS in some women.
• Can reduce fertility in women trying to conceive.
• Can cause heartburn and indigestion.
• May increase the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• May increase blood levels of homocysteine and the associated risk of cardiovascular disease.

Benefits outweigh the risks.  So keep in mind… "LIFE IS ABOUT BALANCE." 
"NEVER GIVE IN TO EXCESS, BUT LET MODERATION  BE YOUR GUIDE."

Hairstyle with Glamour

What is it about women & her beauty regimens… the make-up, the bling-blings, designer clothes & bags… let’s not forget the Shooeeeeesssss! (and I’d say not just 1 but more… probably a 4 layered cabinet size!)   And of course the HAIRDO! 

Now the hairdo… haircut, garb, hairstyle or whatever names you call it… most women definitely makes a fuss out of it!

If you check in google or yahoo, you’ll probably crack your head coz there’s literally thousands and thousands of different hairstyles! Not just women but also for men!

Bottom line is, “if your hair looks good you feel good too!”.  Simply because a bad hair creates a negative perception of oneself.

Well, I’m not most women… I like it plain, short and simple! 

Plain = No curls, No gel, No coloring & No highlights

Short = as in opposite to long … and takes less than a minute to brush/comb

Simple = the same hairstyle for the last 20 years! … Yup, you read it right!

My hair, I blamed it all to Molly (Demi Moore), after I watched her in the movie Ghost.

Being simple doesn’t mean no restrictions.

‘Coz if I can place a sign on my head… it would read “Touch Me Not!” or “Keep Off The Grass!” …. or “For My Hands Only!”

But of course, there’s one exception to the above signs.

That is to whom I gave exclusive rights to have any contact with my hair … Allan, my one and only hairstylist for the longest time (has been working with Salon de Rose for the longest time too).

Sunday is the only free time I can get my hair done… and it has to be early in the morning just when the salon is open for business. I prefer Fuente branch coz Allan is there and secondly, I can park my car in front of the Salon (which will probably take me 7 to 8 steps from my car to entering the salon).

All Allan has to say is the magic word… “Mao ra gihapon Maam?” (translated… The same hairdo, Maam?)     

With his magic scissors, he trims, cuts & shears my hair with precision… and then PRESTO!

In just less than an hour, a simple “Bob Cut Hairdo” appeared before me as I faced the mirror. 

It maybe just a simple “Bob”, but in the world of Hair Glamour, this is one of the most  popular and in-demand hairstyle to date.

Bob Cut was discovered in Paris in 1909 and was extensively popular in 1920s as a sign of women’s liberty.  An eye-catching hairdo, it’s classic, trendy, stylish, fashionable and sophisticated.  Styling is very simple and approximately no styling aids are required. A brush or comb is all you will require to keep your hairstyle in shape. Simple Bob suits on every person and face shape. It’s also suitable for the office and easy to care for. Plus it’s not limited to any age group… young & old looks great with Simple Bob!

Which brings me to my conclusion… “NO ALLAN, NO BOB, NO GLORY!”

           “The hair is the richest ornament of women” … quote written by Martin Luther 

Hukad Experience by Ms.Scarlet

Occasionally, I would go out on a food trip adventure with friends.

Nov. 4 was the day when my friend and I went to dine in at “Hukad sa Golden Cowrie” in Ayala Terraces coz we have considered ourselves  frequent customers since the day it inaugurated.  We know we  can get excellent food at very reasonable prices plus the service I believe has improved a lot better.

We arrived at 11:30 a.m.  The waiter then took our orders.  Since we have tried different versions of the “Humba”, we decided to satisfy our craving and placed this as an additional order.

In less than 15 minutes (which  by the way I considered a “fast & timely” service), the food was served and scrumptious as always… except for the so-called “Humba”. We were dismayed coz the portions were really small, not meaty  and practically all bones.   I felt that I should bring this up to the Manager’s attention so he will be well-aware of the poor food portioning. I politely expressed our disappointment considering that it was our first taste test of their “Humba”.

He apologized for the unpleasant experience and explained nicely that each dish is already pre-portioned as to per serving.  He confessed his regret that a bad portion was served to our table and has offered to replace it right away. (…though I was a bit surprised by his offer)

After a few minutes, a newly cooked “Humba” was placed on our table.

This time the Manager approached me and was interested to know what I now think of the serving.  The dish looked more meaty and mouth-watering with the right amount of fat & chunk… top & marbled with delectable sauce. It was very tasty and titillating to our palates!

I really admired how the Manager handled the situation. His quick judgment, action & response I must say is very essential. By doing so, he pacified a guest, corrected a complaint & eliminate a bad impression on the food/service.

As we know, most or probably all of us may have been in similar situations where we experienced lousy services, badly cooked food, unsanitary conditions or the mere fact that the food server has poor hygiene & the eatery is violating health rules.

These things can be averted if we do something about it or acted on it … like ‘speak up’ for instance with a dash of tact, whether talking directly to the Manager or Owner, writing a letter of complaint or even just a phone call. In other words, DO SOMETHING & SAY SOMETHING.

Be transparent and point out your ordeal & negative experience. By doing so, we are giving them a huge favor  so they will be well aware and to use these to bring about positive changes & continually improve the quality of their customer service.

Most complaints are actually from people who do care about the places they visit. Most are not looking for freebies.  However, it is a good judgment to rectify a complaint by replacing the item in order to compensate for a bad service (this of course is greatly appreciated by the complainant).

Once the complaint is acted upon and resolved, customers are willing to return to the same restaurant.  

“The key tool of a profitable business is quality customer service & good management.”

Ms. Scarlet is a part-time writer, hospitality consultant to Hotels & Cebu's big time businesses and mind you, a hard core advocate on quality customer services. Still young but she has accomplished a lot of achievements and has gone far beyond the extremes on how to deal with complaints and managed to have a calm demeanor... which makes her one of the vital key persons in this industry.

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