There are a few legitimate things that we need in everyday life - food, air, money (keeping it…read morereal), love (keeping it cheesy), and gas. Yes, gas. No, not the one you get when you laugh too hard. I'm talking about the gas (or rather oil) that literally fuels the factories and vehicles we all rely on. There are so many options for us to gas-up, but ninety percent of the time, we head for the branch of Petron in Pamplona Dos, along Alabang - Zapote road. It's not just convenient because it's right outside our village, but the service is wonderful. It can get busy during the rush hour, which I believe is a sign that they have good service, since most gas stations have the same rates. Despite the rush, they gladly offer to check on the coolant and water level of my car, clean the windshield, and check on the tire pressure. Props to our favorite gasoline boy Jonass (yes double S).

Those who have been living in the south for more than two decades will understand that there is a…read morespecial fondness we have for Total Gas Station along Commerce avenue, mostly because this was the first one in that area. It was a meeting place for out of town trips, coffee in the evening, or just pick-ups. Driving from Nuvali in Laguna on a hot summer afternoon, I suddenly saw that my car was going to overheat anytime. Panicky, I slowed down, made it safely through the exit, and headed towards Total for assistance. Despite not fueling up, they willingly helped me with the car. I must admit that I knew nothing at that time and was afraid to call my Dad. However, I felt safe as I saw that the gasoline attendant who assisted me knew what he was doing; giving me instructions from time to time to check if the temperature was improving. I was so relieved with the help I received that, despite his refusal, I insisted on handing him a hefty tip.

The Shell station along Dona Soledad Extension has become our favorite for filling up despite being…read morea little out of the way when we are headed for Manila or Makati. The reason is that the service they provide is just a wee but friendlier and faster than its competitors, of which there are three others along Dona Soledad Avenue. There may be differences in the price of gasoline, but these are almost inconsequential. As for performance, it's really hard to tell the difference. It's enough to say that all gasolines sold in the country deliver the goods. Some may be better than others, but just like the differences in pricing, the differences are hardly noticeable. Like many of the full service gas stations, this one has a place to rest and have a bite and a drink. In this case, it's a MiniStop, which opened very recently. Need to use the john? They allow anyone to use theirs, even ordinary commuters. What I like best about this station is the openness. It's not as crowded as the other gas stations in the vicinity. If anyone tells you that all gas stations are the same, don't believe it. Some are really better than others, and in the case of this Shell station along Dona Soledad Extension very near the corner of Russia, both service and products are A-1 for me. Four stars for this service station, folks.

Yay, they have soy milk! It comes in 3 flavors: original, chocolate and matcha. If you're looking…read morefor something dairy-free, vegan, and relatively healthier than most of their sugar-laden drinks full of preservatives, artificial flavours and colours and whatnot, soy milk will be your best choice. I had matcha soy milk, and added basil seeds, with just 25% sugar and it was really good. Also...Basil seeds?!?! Strange but a really interesting addition to your drink to give it some texture. Imagine bigger versions of chia seeds, with the same outside texture of a papaya seed--gelatinous and chewy. They don't taste like anything much but one can assume these are healthier than tapioca pearls and take less effort to chew because... I don't even bother chewing them as they are tiny. HAHA.

When the milk tea scare hit Manila a few weeks ago, you would think it would stop me from buying…read moremilk tea from my favorite source. But of course it didn't. Right after news of that unfortunate event happened, I was at Infinitea buying my favorite drink. Why? It's not that I am reckless or that I really don't care about what happened. It's really more of me trusting Infinitea because I know that they are a good brand with the highest quality standards. Funny enough, I found several people hanging out in the branch that same day. I guess they feel the same way about Infinitea. It may seem strange to want to hang out at a tea place in a gas station, but I love the mood here. Very relaxed. The seats are comfy. The magazines are new. The place is generally quiet and has good wifi, so I can get in few articles while waiting for my order. My favorite is their mousse line, particularly the strawberry mousse. It's like drinking melted ice cream -- smooth, creamy and delightfully sweet.