If you want a Vitamix Blender but can’t afford it, I found a much cheaper alternative that is almost as good as the real thing. It’s called Drink Machine. My neighbor in Siargao found it on some buy-and-sell site and recommended it. When I was in Manila, I gave them a call and they delivered the very same day (COD only). It’s what we’ve been using for our green smoothies and soups in Siargao for over a year now.

In Cebu, our cheap, old blender finally ground to a halt. I called the Drink Machine people on Monday and asked if they delivered to Cebu. They said they could send the blender over by AP Cargo. On Tuesday, I sent them a message at 3 PM that I had deposited P3,200 into their bank account. By 6 PM, they had an airway bill number for me. By noon yesterday, the blender was sitting on our kitchen counter in Cebu. (We paid P424 to AP Cargo for the delivery.)

Drink Machine. +63-905-243-4176. I have no ties to the company and have no idea who or what is on the other end of that line. All I know is that when I need a blender, they deliver.