Food, series, a book, etc: Our team’s recommendations for the week

by Ralph Hernandez & TeamAsia-PR / January 25, 2023

Weekly work meetings are nothing unusual, but our team makes time to share little things that kept us sane that week: Be it movies, a new snack, a series that stuck with us, or even a book that enticed us. While you may have already heard about a few from this list, be sure to read on to the end for something that may also help you get through a slump. Enjoy!

Must-watch
1. The Last of Us (HBO)

You may have already stumbled upon this due to HBO’s widespread marketing, but this series (so far) is definitely worth the hype. Gamers (like me!) would attest to the beauty of the storytelling and gripping characters in the game that this series is based on and it is no surprise that it translates very well on the screen. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay are a delight to watch as the chaos of not-your-usual zombie apocalypse around them unfolds.

2. Old Enough! (Netflix)

This author’s favorite and only child-goes-on-an-errand show (and all the silly, funny shenanigans that come with it) is back on Netflix for season 2. While we only got half of the number of episodes from season 1, this time around viewers were treated to a segment showcasing how some of the kids have grown up a few years and sometimes decades after their much-supervised errands. A personal favorite is episode 3, where a brother-sister tandem had to take the ferry and a trolley for their errand. Two and a half decades later, the older sister’s son now has to go on an errand himself—with a special, super mysterious guardian watching his every move. If that seems like a fun watch for you, read about our feature on the first season.

3. The Glory (Netflix)

Song Hye-kyo, one of the most recognizable faces in the Korean television and film industry, is back in this series about extreme bullying, violence, corruption, and revenge. While some scenes may be hard to keep your eyes on, and as the series also takes its time to set up the motivation of the main character, patient viewers are rewarded with the thrilling and satisfying scheming of the shattered yet laser-focused woman to get payback against her bullies. Heads up though, part 2 of the series isn’t coming until March.

4. Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill (YouTube)

Recommended by our senior editorial manager Elton, this isekai anime sort of parodies those that came before by giving its main character a seemingly unhelpful skill especially in a medieval setting—online shopping. For those out of the loop, isekai is described by the New York Public Library as “a subgenre of fantasy in which a character is suddenly transported from their world into a new or unfamiliar one”, similar to Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan.

After the main character gets transported into a different world, he separates himself from his peers who have combat and magic skills that are useful to the kingdom facing a monster invasion. The two episodes so far follow his misadventures, which makes for a light watch perfect for lunch break or with a quick snack.

Something to munch on

1. Big AL’s Cookie Jar Chocolate Cake

Speaking of snacks, here are a few which are perfect for binge watching a series or your next movie night. This one from Big AL’s Cookie Jar looks similar to the cake from a certain viral video but this is something you definitely won’t want to smear on someone else’s face. Our media relations manager Clar adds that it’s delivery-friendly, packaged in a sturdy foil container so the cake won’t get ruined. Its icing “is good and the base is very moist,” she said.

2. No Brand Wafer Roll

Described by Angela, our media relations associate, as an “upgrade” from Stick-O, the No Brand Wafer Roll is just P52 at 115 grams and comes in three flavors: Chocolate, vanilla and cheese. It offers a premium Stick-O experience at an affordable price and easily accessible at your nearest No Brand branch.

3. Tuna Cabbage Patties with Spicy Garlic Mayo

This one needs a bit of expertise in the kitchen but just a little bit since the recipe involves common and easy-to-find ingredients. As recommended by our senior PR manager Steph, (you may follow the recipe from Cooked and Loved here) it basically calls for mixing drained canned tuna with onion, cheese, eggs, salt and pepper before frying on a pan. Pair with a simple mayo and hot sauce mixture and you’re good to go. The crispy texture blends well with the creamy spicy mayo sauce which will likely have you coming back for seconds.

For your next out-of-town trip

Plantation Bay Resort & Spa (Cebu)

Coming off a well-deserved vacation break, our media relations manager Krish recommended this spot in Mactan Island, Cebu. The management provides shuttle service to and from the airport and even within the resort. If your party is only two, you may even get to ride in a luxury car—either a BMW or a Jaguar. Based on its looks, it definitely is on the steeper side regarding the price, but Krish assures that you get what you pay for: Great service, quality amenities, beautiful accommodation, good food, and fun activities. The resort offers the usual: kayaking, paddle boarding, and biking but adds the likes of wall climbing, golf and even archery! As a bonus for beach-lovers, the sand and sea are only within walking distance.

Bring these on your trip

1. Arsenic and Adobo

If you’re the type of person who brings a paperback to a vacation, you may want to consider bringing this as recommended by our senior content creator Sam. She said, “Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala is a book that can get you out of your reading slump. It’s a cozy whodunit mystery murder with a Filipino-American as the main character. It showcases how being a ‘marites’ helps big time in solving cases. It’s an easy read that’s packed with exciting twists and turns. But what makes it more engaging for me is how Manansala wittily presented the Filipino culture and how she featured mouthwatering dishes from the Philippines.” If it’s an out-of-the country trip, this might make you miss home though. And we’re not saying that’s a bad thing.

2. Cosrx Snail 92 all-in-one cream

It wouldn’t be a proper weekly meeting without at least one skincare product recommendation from the team. This time it’s from Jamie, our media relations associate, for an all-in-one cream that is usually used as a moisturizer. Don’t be put off by it containing snail mucin as a board-certified dermatologist in the US, as interviewed by Cosmopolitan, said it contains “hyaluronic acid, allantoin, antioxidants, zinc, manganese, glycosaminoglycans, growth factors—all good stuff for hydrating, plumping, and soothing the skin, and building collagen.” Just the stuff you need after basking in the sun on your day/s off.

Before you go
If, like most of us, you struggle on focusing on a single task (like reading this quite lengthy article in one sitting) and find yourself shifting from one to the next in a matter of minutes, you may find this article in the New York Times helpful—don’t worry, it will not count towards your free articles in a month. It discussed how our brains are now wired differently due to social media and the time we spend in front of screens. It also gave tips on how to, as the title suggests, focus like it’s 1990.

Food, series, a book, etc: Our team’s recommendations for the week

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