Facebook Messenger Rooms is now available in the Philippines

With the lifestyle changes happening due to the pandemic, more and more people are now shifting to work-at-home arrangement and digital platforms. Most of the meetings and webinars are now done online thus, it's no surprise that Facebook comes up with something to address this need.

Thus, after a few weeks of waiting, Messenger Rooms is now available here in the Philippines. This latest feature is a new way to hang out with your friends, employees, teammates or clients on video chat.

Create and share a link, and anyone can join, even if they don't have a Facebook account.

The best part about this is that Messenger Rooms lets you host up to 50 people with no time limits. This is a nice alternative to Zoom's free plan of which has a limit of 40 minutes only.

Just like other video conference app, you also have the ability to share your screen which is important during presentations.

Anyway, since this is relatively new. We'll continue using it for a more comprehensive review. Until then, have fun with the "room."

Here's a quick guide on how to use it:

1. Open the Messenger app.
2. Tap the People tab at the bottom right of the screen.
3. Tap Create a Room, and select the people who you want to join.
4. To share a room with people who don't have a Facebook account, you can share the link with them.

REVIEW: Vikings Luxury Buffet Delivery and Take Out - Eat like a Viking at Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed our way of life. With most of us shifting to working at home, online shopping and home delivery services, businesses have become more creative and innovative in their business model and service delivery.  This includes our favorite buffet restaurant - VIKINGS LUXURY BUFFET. 

Thus, for my birthday, we decided the have a Vikings buffet at home for a minimum booking of 5 persons at Php 500 per head*.

However, we got an extra Php500 discount for our booking (continue reading below to find out how) and got all of these for Php 2,000 only :) 

*Rate per head vary per branch. NCR, Cebu and Davao branches is at Php 600 per head. 

To create your own buffet, just pick from the menu: 

• Two (2) appetizers
• Two (2) salads
• Three (3) rice and vegetables
• Five (5) main courses
• Two (2) desserts
• Two (2) drinks - one juice and one soda

And here's what we got. :) 

For appetizers: 

Assorted Maki and Sushi

Ebi and Vegetable Tempura

For salads:

Potato Salad

Macaroni Salad

For rice and vegetables

Shanghai Fried Rice

Mashed Potatoes

Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables

For dessert

Blueberry Cheesecake

5 pcs revel bars that are so delicious (highly recommended!)

For main dishes

Main Course Platter - Pork Humba De Cebu, Roasted Chuck Eye with Roasted Peppercorn Sauce, Chicken Parmigiana and Seared Salmon in Risotto Style Potatoes and Corn

Chinese Noodles

Food choices vary per branch so, you might have to check their respective Facebook pages for an updated menu. :)

How was the experience? 

We are happy with the food. Both the potato and macaroni salads are in generous servings as well as the Chinese noodles which I think can serve 6-8 persons. The seared salmon was a big chunk and it was delicious making it "sulit" :) 

The roasted chuck eye steak was around 9 slices which may not be enough if you are a steak-lover. Also, since they included mixed vegetables as a side dish of the main courses then, you can consider ordering something else for "rice and vegetable."

They also included drinks in the package. So, we got cucumber agua fresca and 1 bottle of Pepsi. So, everything was complete for our small party and we did not have to prepare anything else. :) 

Birthday Promo

Now, the best part? Vikings continues to make our celebrations special with us by extending the 4+1 birthday promo. Since it was my birthday yesterday, we only paid for 4 pax and thus, got an additional discount of Php 500. :) 

They even sent their signature cake with a candle. 

Thank you, Vikings SM Bacolod. :) 

If you are interested to also have Vikings at home, this is now available in their different branches nationwide. Just message them on their Facebook page for reservation and booking. :)