Year: 2024

Can ChatGPT Choose The Best Christmas Gifts For You?

Since December 25 is fast approaching and only few days left until you can buy that ‘special someone’ an item you have been brainstorming in your list of Christmas gift ideas, I asked ChatGPT what possible things it can come up with. I was surprised for the results ChatGPT can conjure with that merely a text prompt and accessing the live internet.

Below header is the prompt I gave ChatGPT. The results are surprising and something I would not expect as these results are internet searched by the AI. The outcome is the result of content creators blog post ideas of what their ideal Christmas gifts would be for this year 2024 that’s been compiled by ChatGPT into one long list.

Give me your best ideas for gifts this Christmas 2024

Here’s a curated list of thoughtful and trendy Christmas 2024 gift ideas for everyone on your list:

For Tech Enthusiasts

1. Wireless Charging Desk Mats – Combines a sleek desk organizer with wireless charging for smartphones.
2. Smart Home Devices – Newer models of smart speakers (Amazon Echo, Google Nest) or smart light systems (like Nanoleaf’s designs).
3. Portable Mini Projector – Perfect for movie nights at home or on-the-go presentations.
4. VR Headsets – The latest Meta Quest or PlayStation VR models.
5. Wearable Tech – Fitness trackers or stylish hybrid smartwatches.

For Kids

6. STEM Toys – Robotics kits or coding toys like LEGO Mindstorms or Osmo learning games.
7. Interactive Storybooks – Augmented reality books that make reading interactive.
8. Build-Your-Own Kits – Craft kits for jewelry, model rockets, or terrariums.
9. Personalized Gifts – Custom puzzles or books featuring the child’s name.

For Foodies

10. Gourmet Subscription Boxes – Monthly deliveries of artisan chocolates, coffees, or wines.
11. High-Quality Cookware – A cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven in festive colors.
12. Smart Kitchen Gadgets – Air fryers or precision sous-vide cookers.
13. Food-Themed Experiences – A cooking class or a ticket to a food festival.

For Wellness Seekers

14. Massage Gun – For muscle relaxation after workouts.
15. Aromatherapy Diffuser – Paired with a selection of holiday-scented essential oils.
16. Weighted Blanket – Cozy and anxiety-reducing.
17. Smart Yoga Mats – With built-in sensors to correct poses.

For Bookworms

18. E-Readers – The latest Kindle or Kobo models with warm light features.
19. Book Subscription Services – Like Book of the Month or Audible memberships.
20. Literary-Themed Gifts – Tote bags, candles, or mugs inspired by favorite books.

For Outdoor Adventurers

21. Portable Solar Chargers – Ideal for camping trips.
22. High-Performance Water Bottles – Self-cleaning or collapsible options.
23. Compact Hammocks – Lightweight and easy to pack.
24. Customized Maps – Highlighting their favorite hiking trails or travel destinations.

For Homebodies

25. Cozy Throws and Blankets – Weighted or faux fur for extra warmth.
26. Smart Picture Frames – Digital frames that display memories from anywhere.
27. Unique Board Games – Strategy games or quirky new releases.
28. Indoor Plants – Low-maintenance options like succulents in decorative pots.

For Fashion Lovers

29. Statement Accessories – Jewelry with unique designs or monograms.
30. Luxury Scarves – From brands like Burberry or local artisan makers.
31. Custom Sneakers – From Nike ID or similar platforms.
32. Smart Luggage Tags – That pair with an app to track luggage.

Budget-Friendly Stocking Stuffers

33. Reusable Travel Utensils – Eco-friendly and compact.
34. Fun Socks – With quirky holiday or pop-culture themes.
35. Mini Portable Chargers – To keep their devices powered.
36. Handmade Items – Personalized keychains, ornaments, or candles.

Let me know if you’d like help picking a gift for someone specific! 🎁

Let’s Go Online Shopping With Amazon And Check The Prices

I’m not going to check every single one of the items that ChatGPT has provided in the list but instead we are going to see the items that piques my interest.

Wireless Charging Desk Mats – One of technology advancement that puzzles me is wireless charging. I first experienced wireless charging with Samsung smartphones years ago. Even now it still sounds magical for me. Now ChatGPT came up with a really nice recommendation for Christmas gift ideas. I’ll definitely save up for one of these for my gift. The price of these tech gadgets range from $36.99 to $49.99.

Interactive Storybooks – I’m so amazed now what Augmented Reality can do for the children. I envy kids of this generation as they enjoy all the new technology that I would have loved enjoying back in my days as a kid. I never knew that there were AR storybooks out there. It’s kind of obvious as I’m not a parent. Kids will have to use their smartphones to view the story in AR mode. It has the same concept as pop-up books that I also used to have as a kid but new generation version is digital. Imagine if this was in VR Goggles. Based on the Amazon store, prices range from $0 (free with Kindle unlimited membership) up to $34.99.

High-Quality Cookware – Oh, I really love cooking. This would be the 2nd most useful gift that I would love to receive. I’m already imagining the best Filipino and Asian foods I can cook with these. Adobo, Fried Rice, Lechon Kawali, Dinuguan, Lumpia, Sisig, Pancit, and so much more. I would also love to learn cooking foreign food from Japan, Italy, United States of America, Mexico, and Spain. Too many things going on in my mind about food I can’t fathom the possibilities of cuisines in my home cook menu. A set of new cookware ranges from the price of $59.98 to $549.99 in Amazon.

Portable Solar Chargers – I would love to have these gadgets with outdoor activities but I don’t do camping and similar activities a lot. The best case scenario for my to use these portable solar charges is when there’s a blackout. Blackouts happen in the Philippines when there are very strong typhoons. So it’s better be prepared for the long days of no power supply for only $8.99 to $119.99 on Amazon. It’s worth the money to survival the long dark nights.

Cozy Throws and Blankets – I need this so bad. My bedroom needs a makeover! Not lying that everything in my bedroom looks a decade old now. Having new blankets and sheets would freshen up the vibe of my place of zen and peace. Seeing these wool and fleece blankets in Amazon want me to go on a shopping spree. I already have 1 wool / fleece blanket in my room so it’s not bad adding up another one to warm me up through the long cold night. I would love to have fleece throws too when just chilling and drinking my latte in the cold rainy weekends. Great quality throws and blankets on Amazon can range from $11.99 up to an expensive price of $149 each. Out of all ChatGPT recommendations, I choose this one.

Reusable Travel Utensils – This is possibly the least needed things recommended by ChatGPT. Though this is useful for outdoor activities, I can just bring my own utensils from the kitchen and pack them myself but there is no harm is having extra travel utensils in the luggage for just $5.99 to $41.99 in Amazon.

Can ChatGPT Suggest Better Christmas Gift Ideas for 2025?

What about next year? Can ChatGPT give out a unique list of Christmas gifts or is it going to be the same trend? I’d be betting there’s going to be a lot of AR based tech suggestions as mobile phones and VR headsets are evolving fast in the tech industry and there will be also robot toys for the kids. Sadly the year 2024 is going to end soon but 2025 is going to be another exciting new year to start.

Walking around shopping in SM Seaside City Cebu isn’t easy. It’s tiring strolling through this massive infrastructure of a mall. So what’s the best thing to do after a whole afternoon of window shopping marathon? It’s to eat dinner at Zark’s Burgers. There’s lots of things to choose from the menu but what caught my eye is the Grilled Cheeseburger Meal.

Price Of Grilled Cheeseburger Meal Costs ₱ 364

When this order was served at my table, at first you might think it’s a pancake because it looks like one, but no. It’s actually is a smashed burger buns cooked flat until crispy as it’s how cheeseburgers are prepared. They don’t cook this in a charcoal grill as there are no signs of burn marks from grill patterns but they’re using a flat top grill.

There are two options you can order this in their menu. You can either choose Solo which you only get the Cheeseburger for a price of ₱ 279 or upgrade to a meal for an additional ₱ 85.

What I got from the upgrade was Regular Size Side and Drink. If you look at the picture above, my drink was a Blue Lemonade and some French Fries but totally forgot what I chose. To the fans of Zark’s Burgers; can you help me which one I got if you can recognize them. It could be either Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Texas BBQ, and Truffle based on their menu or I could’ve been served ordinary fries. You also get a box of plastic hand gloves so you won’t get your hands dirty which is good customer service.

What’s Inside The Grilled Cheeseburger?

It tastes so good! What you’re seeing here is smashed burger buns, burger patty, and cheddar cheese. I love a bit of crisp on the burnt burger buns ’cause it adds texture. The buns are smashed flat like a pancake which makes it easy to eat unlike big whopper hamburgers where you have to open your mouth wide to get a bite. After having a few bites and savoring the flavors of the burger, the melty cheese gives a good creamy, gooey, and smooth sensation that complements the patty but…something felt peculiar within. Something very familiar yet rarely seen in many of the burgers I’ve tried in my entire life.

I thought that my imagination might be playing with me. It was indeed cheesy but there was some spiciness to it. I got curious and opened the other half of the cheeseburger and what came upon me was bits of jalapeños swimming in melted cheese. I love it because I’m into spicy foods!

Other Cheesy Burgers Available In The Menu

This year 2024, Zark’s Burgers has a selection of Cheesy Burgers you can choose from. I can actually taste the meaty and cheesy goodness just by imagining it!

1. Cheesy Jalapeño: ₱ 229
2. Cheesy Mushroom: ₱ 229
3. Cheesy Bacon Mushroom: ₱ 244
4. Three Pointer: ₱ 244
5. Thunder Mac N Cheese: ₱ 319

Prices might change in the future due to economy. So better check their website or check their foodpanda restaurant profile near you.

Following Zark’s Burgers Facebook Page For More Burger Updates

I’m now following Zark’s Burgers Facebook Page to get the latest news on what new things they can offer in their menu, get some discounts, and maybe holidays promos. I may get some news on new branches opening just nearby me. Sadly, there are only 3 branches that I know of located here in Cebu.

3 Zark’s Burger Branches located in Cebu City:

1. SM Seaside City Cebu – they’re located at the Lower Ground floor of the mall and in the Mountain wing area.
2. SM City Cebu – they’re located at the Upper Ground floor.
3. Ayala Center Cebu – they’re located at the 4th level/floor of the mall.

Who knows, there might be something surprising posted in their Facebook page that’s worth becoming a future blog post.

I was trying to find a good spot to eat some snacks while walking around a giant mall—then I discovered Danidoo. I was craving a bite of waffles after walking in circles from shopping and getting tired. I’ve had a reasonable share of Belgian waffle inspired food before but it’s my first time with them.

Lots of Premium Belgian Waffles to choose from display but I’ve picked the one I assume I’ve never tasted before. The best thing is it didn’t disappoint me. I mean, when you look at it, the cream was overflowing in display. Just from that I knew it was going to be good.

Sweet Combination Of Strawberry Jam And Creamy Delight

In my first bite, the sweetness was dominant. Imagine the pairing of cream and strawberry jam in a combo fighting for dominance. But the tangy flavor of strawberry jam that wins against the heavy cream over the battle of sweetness.

Let’s not forget the big boss—Belgian waffle. Chewing the waffle gives this fluffy feeling as if you’re eating a cloud with a crispy texture on the side. It’s a toasty treat that breaks away from the sensation of too much sweet.

Price of Danidoo Strawberry Creme Premium Waffle

Danidoo’s must-try premium waffles are definitely worth the money you work hard from your day job. The Strawberry Creme premium waffle is very affordable at only ₱90 each piece. Their original waffle only costs ₱80 pesos each. Not premium but it’s still delicious. What matters most is that you enjoy eating their waffles!

They have other flavors I have yet to try. If you guys have tried Belgian Waffles before, what would you recommend? After trying Danidoo, I’m sure they’re one of the best Belgian waffles in Cebu!

First Time Requesting PSA Death Certificate In Cebu City

I finally decided to tackle getting my mom’s death certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority in Cebu City. I figured, “How hard can it be?” After all, it’s just a piece of paper, right? Well, let me tell you, it was a whole lot harder than I expected. I thought applying online for a queue number would make things easier, but I was wrong. The line was still ridiculously long, and the whole process felt confusing, especially for a first-timer like me. I swear, I felt like I was navigating a bureaucratic maze, trying to figure out where to go and what forms to fill out. I spent hours waiting, only to be told that the certificate wasn’t even ready yet. Apparently, there’s a whole waiting period, which I didn’t realize. Talk about a frustrating experience! I left feeling like I’d just gone through a bureaucratic maze and came out empty-handed. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but the whole process felt a bit overwhelming. Maybe it’s just the emotional stress of dealing with my mom’s passing, but I felt like I needed a vacation after that trip to the PSA. Guess I’ll have to try again another day, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for round two just yet.

Processing My Birth Certificate And Mother’s Death Certificate From PSA

How I Got My Birth Certificate Fast

I wanted to schedule an appointment online to get my birth certificate at Philippine Statistics Authority, but it turned out the online appointment system was only for visiting the PSA office in person, not for ordering certificates online for delivery. So, I booked an appointment through the PSA website, choosing the PSA office closest to me. I provided my information, selected “Birth Certificate” as the type of document I needed, and scheduled my appointment. I received an email with a QR code for my appointment. Since I was only getting my own birth certificate, I didn’t need to worry about authorization letters or anything like that. I just needed to bring my ID and be ready to pay the fee when I went to the office.

While I’ve already secured an online appointment for a walk-in application at the PSA Cebu City office, I won’t be able to process my birth certificate using only the online appointment. The online appointment system is only for scheduling a visit to the PSA office, not for ordering certificates online.

Here’s what I did:

1. Went to the PSA Cebu City Office: Headed to the Ground Floor of Gaisano Capital, Colon Street, Cebu City during their operating hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday).
2. Presented my Appointment Slip: Showed my online appointment slip to the information marshal for validation.
3. Filled Out the Application Form: I was given an application form to fill out with information from your Certificate of Live Birth (COLB).
4. Submit Documents and Pay Fee: Submitted the completed application form, Certificate of Live Birth, and valid ID to the transacting window. The fee for a PSA birth certificate is PHP 155.
5. Receive a Claim Receipt: I’ve received a receipt with the date and time you can claim your birth certificate. Luckily, it was processed the same day.

Important Reminders:

• Arrive Early: Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to avoid long lines.
• Double-Check Information: Ensure all the information you provide is accurate and matches your documents.
• Claim Your Certificate: Return to the PSA office on the specified date and time to claim your birth certificate.

By following these steps, you can obtain your birth certificate through a walk-in application at the PSA Cebu City office. Remember to be patient and prepared with the necessary documents.

My Mother’s Death Certificate Isn’t Available Yet

When I went to Philippine Statistics Authority Cebu City office hoping to get a copy of my mother’s death certificate, but unfortunately, it wasn’t available yet. The staff explained that the local civil registry office hadn’t submitted the document to the PSA for certification, which can take some time. Since the certificate wasn’t ready, I inquired about the “viewable online” option with the cashier. It sounded like I could request a digital copy and pay a fee to view it online, so I went ahead and did that. However, even after almost two months and multiple attempts to view the document using the access code, it still says ‘invalid’. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m hoping that once the death certificate is processed, I’ll be able to access it online. For now, I’ll just have to wait and check back with the PSA later.

Philippine Statistics Authority Death Certificate Posting Duration For Provincial Areas

The processing time for a PSA death certificate in provincial areas of the Philippines typically takes two to three months from the date the death is registered with the Local Civil Registry Office (LCR). This is longer than the one to two month processing time for deaths registered within Metro Manila.

To ensure you have a copy of the death certificate in a timely manner, it is recommended to start requesting a copy three months after submitting the death certificate to the LCR for registration. This allows for sufficient time for the LCR to register the death and for the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to process and print the certificate on security paper.

However, during my first time processing in Philippine Statistics Authority in Cebu City they stated that my mother’s date of death is too early and the results may come back as ‘negative’ and processing may take 7 months to 1 year? The staff added a something that worse case scenario could take more than 1 year for some reason. The government should add more people to work on this department and why the need to request when they should automatically process this to not let the citizens undergo so many hassles in life.

It is important to note that these are general guidelines, and actual processing times may vary depending on factors such as the volume of applications and the efficiency of the LCR and PSA offices in the specific province.

Ordering My Mother’s Birth Certificate And Death Certificate Online By Delivery

I think I’d rather order my mother’s PSA birth and death certificates online for delivery is a convenient option, especially if I’m very busy or prefer to avoid going to the Philippine Statistics Authority Cebu City office in person. Simply just visit the PSAhelpline.ph website, click on the “Order Now” button, and select “Birth” for her birth certificate and “Death” for her death certificate. I’ll need to provide personal information, including my name, date of birth, and government-issued ID details, as well as my mother’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth for her birth certificate, and her full name, date of death, and place of death for her death certificate. It’s convenient that PSAhelpline.ph offers various payment options, including credit cards, GCash, PayMaya, and other payment methods. The payment fee for each certificate is PHP 365.00. Once payment is complete, I’ll receive a reference number that can be used to track the status of the order on the PSAhelpline.ph website. Delivery times vary depending on location, with Metro Manila deliveries taking 3-4 working days and areas outside Metro Manila taking 3-8 working days. I’m wishing that this process goes very smooth and no delays this time.

Obtaining My Inheritance As Soon As I Can Because Of Potential Scams By My Relatives

The wait for my mother’s death certificate from the PSA feels like it’s dragging on forever. I know it takes time, but every day that passes feels like a week. I can’t help but think about my siblings. They’ve been acting strange lately, almost like they’re already divvying up Mom’s belongings in their minds. The thought of them trying to take more than their fair share of what she left behind makes my stomach churn. I’m worried about the whole inheritance thing, and I feel like I’m not prepared for the potential drama that might unfold. Getting this certificate feels like the first step in a long, complicated process, and I’m not sure I’m ready for the battles that might come. I just want to honor my mother’s memory, but I’m afraid that greed and family squabbles might get in the way.

I started working at a company in Cebu IT Park since February 5, 2024 but I’ve worked here before and it was a decade ago as Call Center Agent in the BPO Industry. Now I’m happier than before as my job position is a Game Operator in Fanyou PH. It’s an internet based company that originated in China that makes browser based video games and I’m hoping that they will open a lot of products in the future.

Working at Cebu IT Park has always been a pleasing experience. It has the same vibe as Bonifacio Global City though B.G.C. is an even bigger place than Cebu IT Park. If I was the Mayor of Cebu City, this city’s every corner will developed like a high end establishment integrated with the latest technology but that’s not what I’m blogging about.

International BPO Companies That Have Offices Here in Cebu IT Park

There a lot of very well known international companies that have offices here in Cebu City but we’ll go for the most popular ones known by everyone in United States of America.

1. JPMorgan Chase & Co. : The most popular company (in my opinion) that’s in Cebu IT Park that is also a household brand in United States of America. If you work here as Customer Service, you’ll be handling calls about fraud investigation, payments, loans, and credit card services as far as what’s described in job openings posted online.
2. Qualfon : A Business Process Outsourcing with headquarters in the state of Michigan, U.S.A.. I assume they offer jobs that are generic customer service tasks. Based on the job openings from their website it’s mostly it’s mostly I.T. related.
3. Concentrix : The last company I know that’s also from U.S.A. with its headquarters in Newark, California. The company that had operations here was Convergys but was acquired by SYNNEX to merge with Concentrix. Based on local job listings, they have a diversified portfolio of customer service work available for every Cebuano applicant.

Quikstop Was My Favorite Go To Lunch Break When I Started Out

There are 2 popular convenience stores in Cebu IT Park: 7-Eleven and Quikstop. My first choice was 7-Eleven but Quikstop became the major place to eat my lunch because Quikstop has better facilities for customers to eat like having a dining rooms. 7-Eleven in here does not have those. Quikstop menu has many homecooked-style foods you can choose from and probably that’s the reason why they’re the best convenience store in Cebu IT Park. I don’t know how many branches they have in Cebu City but if I have to choose between 7-Eleven and Quikstop…you already know what’s my choice.

After a long while, I got kind of bored eating all my lunch at Quikstop so I tried other fast foods in the area like the most famous in the Philippines which is Jollibee, a famous fast food from U.S.A. which is KFC, and a locally known fast food in Cebu City which is Orange Brutus.

There are cheaper options just outside in the corners of Cebu IT Park which are street food vendors and carinderias. For those who don’t know what a Carinderia is, it’s like fast food but the menu are mostly Filipino home-cooked meals and they are a lot cheaper which is a go-to choice for employees who are still entry-level salaries.

Chill In Ayala Central Bloc After Work Shift Ends

The best place to stay in Cebu IT Park after a long day of work is in Ayala Central Bloc. I don’t do this often but sometimes window shopping through stores hoping to find something useful for office work. I tend to shop here once in a while when payday comes.

I Bought A New Crossbody bag from Penshoppe.

My new crossbody bag from Penshoppe has been a lifesaver. I used to carry my umbrella by hand going to work. Now there is so much space inside that it can just fit in. It can also fit 2 android smartphones, my sketchbook, pencil and pen, and lastly my self-care products. It can carry a lot more but let’s see what’s next.

Best Spot In Ayala Central Bloc To Hangout

Looking for a place to pass time and feel nostalgic? This is the spot for you and me. The place is open air so it’s only best to sit down when there’s no rain. Ayala Central Bloc is said to be known where ‘rich kids’ tend to shop and dine. The people who shop here the most are those who own condominium and apartment units in Cebu IT Park. There’s also residents in villages nearby since it’s just a walking distance from them.

A Giant Potted Plant Crosswalk Obstruction in Cebu IT Park

The biggest nuisance in Cebu IT Park is this giant pot in the middle of the crosswalk! There shouldn’t be a plant in the middle but metal poles that provide visibility of incoming traffic. Surprisingly, I have never heard of anyone else complain about this. There was one time I could not see the speeding cars that I almost met my demise.

Cebu IT Park admins, please remove this and replace them with metal poles. Metal poles would make the environment more modernized and more attractive than this abomination.

The Cebu IT Park Bus Transport Terminal At Night

This has been the best improvement in Cebu IT Park and the whole Cebu City. Ever since mini-buses have been adopted as the main transport, access to work has been at ease. Thanks to the Philippine government for getting things done.

The only downside in this terminal is at peak hours where there’s just so many people queueing in line. The line ends up as long as a group of 100 to 200 people based on my estimate. There is not even a specific time or day when it peaks. It’s just a random event. I think Cebu IT Park needs a 2nd transport terminal.

Dreaming Of Owning A Condominium Or Apartment For Ease Of Access To Work

My goal in life right now is to buy a condominium or an apartment in Cebu IT Park. It depends on how lucky I get with my career in a few years. My pay at this job isn’t enough unless I get promoted fast to a high paying job in a matter of months.

There is the option of renting but why rent when I already live in a house. Fare for public transportation is affordable. Renting the cheapest 1 bedroom condominium would cost around an average of ₱25,000 monthly. This logic does not make sense.

Let’s just see what happens with my career here in Cebu IT Park with Fanyou PH and hoping that my life will be successful here in Cebu City. This might take a long time but I know I’ll make it.

Adopting A Beloved Cartoon Style Of Art

If you’ve read my previous blog post about the beginning of developing my video game, you’ll know I was not satisfied about the initial concept design of the user interface. Everything just doesn’t feel right and looks really bizarre. It’s because I’ve used a realistic photo of a cat as reference instead of cartoon-style drawings.

I’m drawing everything really simple! So simple that I can be confident about designing and coding the game in Unity Game Engine. The inspiration comes from my childhood. My childhood cartoons were Disney and Looney Tunes…it was never about Japanese Anime. With that idea in mind, browsing through references on Google for inspiration was a breeze.

This is what I came up with:

The goal of this now new design is to have no sharp edges as sharp objects would make it look scary and curved edges would make it look harmless. At least that’s how my imagination works when it comes to cuteness.

I’m so proud of myself on the rework of the game asset UI design. Things just keep getting better and better. I’ve had flashbacks of my old art style when I did merch designs before and thought those skills from my past would be applied to video games.

This is the finalization of my concept art / design for my video game. The next update about this game is the coding part. Should I also make a portfolio page here? I’ve already made a few pencil and ink drawing illustrations for my video game anyways and having a showcase of my latest skills would be beneficial for promoting my talent and the game itself.

I’ve been brainstorming a video game of my own for so long. This dates back when I lost my career interest in becoming to be a bad-ass illustrator in comic books for Marvel and DC or even a manga artist in Japan.

My Pet Game Concept

I’m not going to hide my major influence for this video game. The game is called “Tamagotchi” and it was once a huge craze when I was a kid. It’s one of those core memories between me and my mother. When I was young, I kept nagging my mother buy me a Tamagotchi but she doesn’t want me to get addicted to it. When I persisted and she bought me my favorite toy…that’s when I knew my mother really loved me. Overall the theme of the game is Medieval Fantasy Pet Game.

Sketching The UI Design

First I started off with a really rough sketch with the layout of the user interface. I want the overall aesthetic of mobile pet video game to look really cute. The game will be Rated-E for everyone from young and old to play. It’s a game for all ages.

On the top you see in-game icons like Home, Inventory Bag, Food & Water, and Hunting. In the bottom you’ll see Health, Food, and Water bars to monitor the survival of your digital pet. During the sketching period, I know the design isn’t what I really envisioned. It looks really weird since a realistic photo reference was used. Even for the icons, I’ve used references using Google Image Search.

Laying Down The Ink

I’ve redesigned the pet. Tried to make it more simple by inking with less details but I’m still not satisfied. I still don’t feel satisfied about the style that I’m going for. This was a tiring process to deal with. I really just wanted for this phase to finish.

You can see how I wanted this to look like an American Cartoon with rounded eyes. Even made it to have a happy expression with a happy smile and tongues out. Also added a heart shaped fur on the chest yet everything still seems lacking something.

Future Changes To The Design

Since I’m not really satisfied of the Inking results of the initial sketch. I will surely try my best to make the design as cute as I can. I don’t feel the game will be loved by the masses. What needs to be done…is more brainstorming in the weekends.

What’s The Hype Behind Sizzling Zapper?

This is probably one of the best products released by Orange Brutus Cebu. I’m an Orange Brutus Kid as I grew up eating in this fast food chain since my mother introduced me to this place. Ever since then, I’ve been a loyal customer.

Do you guys know what’s best about Orange Brutus? They serve their food freshly cooked. Just like this Sizzling Zapper Fried Chicken that on a sizzling hot plate. It may not be obvious in this picture but in reality it was smoking hot.

The flavor is indeed spicy but not hot. It does not burn your mouth as you get to enjoy the crispy fried chicken indulged in gravy. I’m not an expert in gastronomy but I’m pretty sure the secret spice is in the gravy.

Price Of Sizzling Zapper By Orange Brutus In Cebu

A very delicious Cebuano meal for a very affordable price of only Php 165 with drink of your choice (the one I ordered had Pepsi). You can also order the meal without drink for a price of only Php 140. You can have an additional Go Sizzling Delight for a price of only Php 40 with toppings extras like cheese, egg, garlic & green onions which sadly I didn’t opt for. Oh yeah, they also have their Zapper Burger which I will have to try later.

The best reason why I always want to dine in at Orange Brutus is they deliver your order to your table. It’s because, here in the Philippines, most fast foods don’t deliver your order to your table but you have to pick it up at the counter. It’s a hassle when you have a lot of food on your pan walking to your table and accidents happen when customers bump into each other and drop their food. Ordering again will waste time.

Crispy And Juicy Fried Chicken Swimming In Spicy Gravy

Wow, just…WOW. If you look closely, you can see it’s smoking hot. The presentation alone is so appetizing and sizzling. The tiny flag has always been a cute addition to fast food serving.

The serving size of the Sizzling Zapper is good enough for the average Filipino to fill the stomach but for a bigger guy like me – I need two servings of Sizzling Zapper!

The secret spice is in the sauce. I can tell even though I’m not a gastronomic expert. The reason why this meal is drenched in gravy because all the spice is in there. Every time I chew, there’s just this sensation of heat spreading all around my tongue when the sauce is all over my oral cavity. I might be wrong but maybe next time I’ll try eating the crispy fried chicken without the gravy.

Orange Brutus Meaty Chicken Is Not All Flour And Batter!

This is clear evidence that the Sizzling Zapper isn’t just all flour and batter! It’s a delicious fried chicken fillet. When it’s your first time getting into Orange Brutus in Cebu specially when you’re a foreigner, I would recommend you order ‘Sizzling Zapper‘ as your first rice meal.