A Not-So-Popular Kid | Personal Blog

January 16, 2014 - I couldn't believe that a week after my birthday, I would be given a blessing. Guess what? I was just invited to a GMA-organized event entitled Food for the Heart! Whoa!

When I received the invitation through email, I was greatly baffled, and this will be an understatement because my heart skipped and the world stopped for a split second. Now here I am, excited and proud, sharing with you what transpired during this event.

Just to avoid confusion, Food for the Heart is not a TV show of some sort. This is just organized to showcase the cooking/baking talents of GMA 7's celebrities, and to provide support to some of the artists' baking business!

A Not-So-Popular Kid with Chynna, Ryza, Ben and Bettinna

A Not-So-Popular Kid hanging out with the Celebs - Awesome right?

Food for the Heart featuring Chynna Ortaleza, Ryza Cenon and Bettinna Carlos

Brief Story of God's Small Miracles
I got extra excited when I found out that I would have an opportunity to be in an event where there are celebrities. Hence, when I looked up the venue in Google Maps (typing Highlands Coffee Quezon City), I hurriedly picked the first one that popped out, which apparently ended up to be the wrong one.

Carpooling my way to the venue, I arrived at 12:30 pm which was way early for a 3:00 pm call time. Thanks to technology and traditional book browsing, I was able to burn 2 hours of supposedly idle and waiting time. Thinking I was early at 2:30 pm, I decided to just burn the remaining minutes in the venue itself. As I entered I realized that there were no stairs leading to the 2nd Floor Balcony.

"Holy Crap... I'm in the wrong branch... wrong venue!" But you know what's worse? Well, it was my first time in QC by myself, and so I didn't know how to go to the correct venue! It was pure blessing that I met good people (e.g. the security guard, the manager of Highlands Coffee, the jeepney drivers and a few passengers) who guided me in my tiresome commute to the venue, and because God is awesome, I arrived there 4 minutes after 3:00 pm --still made it almost on time!

Chynna Ortaleza's Cherry Pizza which was actually a tart-type pasty

Getting Dumbfounded and Starstruck
Before we get into the food, let me just share with you that even if I don't consider myself someone who goes head over heels with celebrities (maybe just head to waist?), I still found myself amazed by the fact that I was seeing celebrities in person - not just 1 but 4 GMA artists namely Chynna Ortaleza, Ryza Cenon, Benjamin Alvez and Bettinna Carlos.

From left to right: Bettinna Carlos, Benjamin Alvez, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza

Aside from showcasing the desserts and a few dishes, the Food for the Heart was also a get-to-know the celebs event, and it was a nice opportunity to find out how genuine and real the celebrities were! Contrary to the impression that celebrities are snobbish in person, they were not especially Benjamin (or Ben) Alvez who was so friendly and warm. I even had some conversations with him going on wherein he talked about his sweet tooth and love for ice creams, brownies and anything sweet! Anyway, such an awesome guy! Catch him together with Ryza and Chynna, in GMA 7's Adarna after 24 Hours.

Bettinna Carlos's Baked Bites - Nutella Rock, Red Velvet Brownies and Pecan Cheescake Cup

Food Tasting
I was actually clueless when I arrived at the place. All I knew was we were going to taste some food. Later that afternoon, it was revealed that we were going to taste the goodies the artists baked or cooked themselves!

Bettinna Carlos's Baked Bites Creation

Bettinna Carlos with her Baked Bites Goodies!
Photo from GMA Network.com

Bettinna Carlos' creation called the "Baked Bites"

Bettinna Carlos prepared the following for us to taste:

The Nutella Rock - this one features a bland-to-rich flavor that unravels in your mouth
Red Velvet Brownie - the moist red velvet brownie showcases smooth texture and fantastic frosting!
Dulce de Leche Pecan Cheesecake Cup - you'll find here diversity of flavors and textures in a cup

I've crafted a separate post for all the three desserts Bettinna Carlos made. You may want to check this out: Baked Bites by Bettinna Carlos - Nutella Rock, Red Velvet Brownie and more!

Note: Bettinna Carlos already started up a business on these desserts called the Baked Bites. For more information, you may want to check out the said separate post.

Ryza Cenon's Bake Goodies and Other Dishes

Let's begin with the sweet stuff Ryza Cenon baked for the event:

Coconut-Ferrero - this one had a touch of dried shredded coconut meat, visually and tastefully enhanced by the ferrero treat on top
Cookie Butter Nutella - hmmmm, as far as I can remember, this one brought an indulgence of sweetness and chocolates!
Red Velvet Whoopie Pie - Ryza's different take of Ryza with these red velvet cupcakes or shall we call them cakewiches?
Brookies - among Ryza's creations, this is my favorite! The main feature of this heaven-in-a-cup was the creamy yet marshmallowey center! Wait, did you know Brookies is a word-blending from Brownies and Cookies?

Ryza's Coconut-Ferrero, Cookie Butter Nutella, Red Velvet Whoopie Pie and Brookies!

What really bewildered me with the sweet creations by Ryza was the art and ingenuity in each of them that resulted to unique innovations!

For orders: DM @iamryzacenon on Instagram

Benjamin Alvez and His Sweet Tooth
Food for the Heart was further graced by Benjamin Alvez, aka the boy with a sweet tooth! *haha*

Benjamin Alvez after indulging on the baked creations of Ryza and Bettinna!

It was just so amusing to see someone who really ~~appreciates~~ loves sweets so much! He was like a kid lost in a candy store with eyes blazing with passion for the sweets!

Ryza Cenon's Red Velvet Whoopie Pie

I just love the different take of Ryza with these red velvet cupcakes. The way it was made alone was enough to tantalize me, as if the syrup on top was spelled "Eat Me". However, it didn't just look good, it tasted great as well! In fact, something that I appreciated about this was the less greasiness of the filling/frosting. This made me focus more on the flavors. Despite this, I believe I still love the version of Red velvet of Bettinna more by a short margin. Sorry Ryza! *peace*

Trivia: Ryza and Bettinna both learned how to baked by just reading a "book" (yup, the same book which I unfortunately forgot).

Multitude of Brookies - now that is paradise!

Aside from sweets, Ryza also cooks some savory meals! Check this one out:

Ryza Cenon with some of her cooked dishes!
Photo from GMA Network.com

Spinach Pizza - this was supposed to be eaten when served, but since Ryza needed to pack it up, it lost that freshness that could have made this special.
Buffalo Wings - Now, this one got my attention. I just adore the spiciness and the flavor at the same time.
Lasagna - Hmmm, this Lasagna was not half as bad. Although I found it a little saltier than necessary, this Lasagna has a potential! Way to go Ryza!

Looking for some good Buffalo Wings? Check out B.Wings' Black Mamba

Ryza Cenon's Spinach Pizza, Lasagna and Buffalo Wings

Another Trivia: Did you know that Chynna and Ryza are best friends? This is why Chynna tagged along in this event. She wanted to give her full support to her bessie! However, the support didn't end there. Chynna even tried to bring something as well (even if she rarely cooks). Such a sweet best friend, right?

Chynna Ortaleza showing her love for her best friends' Cookie Butter Nutella

Food for the Heart - Chynna Ortaleza and Ryza Cenon

Chynna Ortaleza's Cherry Pizza and Banana Prune Bread
Okay, we are down to the last set - Chynna's creations!

Chynna Ortaleza - taking the challenge of cooking something for the event!
Photo from GMA Network.com

As mentioned, Chynna also prepared something for us - Cherry Pizza and Prune Bread! And you know what's lovely about Chynna? Well, the fact that she rarely cooks didn't hinder her to produce something worthwhile! That's just persistence, faith, trust and a dab of luck. Wait, let me take back the last one. Haha!

Chynna Ortaleza's Cherry Pizza and Banana Prune Bread in an Adorable Package

There's a note attached to the food package which goes like this:

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." - Virginia Woolf

Great for a first-timer - the Cherry Pizza and Banana Prune Bread of Chynna Ortaleza!

I just love the fact that Chynna used organic products to come up with these two. The robustness of flavors were so genuine and potent especially the cherry jam on top. It was definitely a great snack! The Banana Prune Bread was something amazing as well! Why? Well, hello it's prunes! Kidding aside, I appreciated how balanced the taste seemed - nothing was too overpowering which was definitely good news!

C'mon even if you deny it, your pastries tasted so amazing Chynna!

A Day Well Spent
As I near the end of this blog post, I just want to share with you how happy I was after I got home from this event. Finally, I was able to cross out a few of the items in my Bucket List such as meeting and conversing with celebrities, commuting on my own to a not-so-near place and feeling exuberantly happy for the entire week! It was truly and awesome ride, and I want to thank GMA and its Social Media team for this wonderful opportunity and experience!

Here's a snapshot of the food bloggers (which include me) and the celebrities:

A Not-So-Popular Kid with GMA 7 Celebrities

With fellow food bloggers and foodie-celebs of GMA
Photo from Rina-Barbero Zamora of rinasrainbow.net

Now, check out the apron that I got from GMA. I had it signed by the 4 celebrities!

Chynna Ortaleza, Ryza Cenon, Ben Alvez and Bettinna Carlos Autograph

My signed apron and freebies from being part of this awesome event!

Unfortunately, I forgot to let them write my name on it. Now, it didn't seem legit enough. Haha! But wait, what if I show you this?

Food for the Heart - Ryzza and Bettinna signing the aprons
Photo from GMA Network.com

Alright, so that's almost everything that transpired during the day, and I would say it's a perfect day well spent! The baked goods were as lovely as the ones who created them! Thanks Chynna, Ryza, Bettinna and Ben!

Follow @gmanetwork in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Also catch the celebs in their instagram account@abettinacarlos, @iamryzacenon, @chynsortaleza, and @benjaminalves

Photo from GMA Network.com

This blog post contains spoiler, and as you may notice this is a food blog. Anyway, I was really shaken up and moved by the finale of this series, so I wrote this up!

How I Met Your Mother - finally coming to an end
Image Source: maybegenius.blogspot.com

I just finished watching the finale of How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM), and I honestly felt heavily dragged down. It was as if all the pain in my past came rushing down to that point of time, and I have to admit that I really got shocked and (as embarrassing it may sound) slightly teary just after the last seconds of the final episode. At first I thought the sadness was attributable to the fact that the series just ended, but then it soon became clear to me that it was emanating from the emptiness I felt upon watching the last scenes (or more like the entire finale).

The Controversial Unjust Ending that Deprived Us of Happy-Ending
Now, the ending might have totally deviated from what we have in mind. Being a big fan of romanticism, I eagerly anticipated for a fairy-tale ending. This anticipation soon slowly withered away as the flow of events runs a different path.

I couldn't get passed the point that Robin and Barney’s marriage came down crashing after 3 years. To top this, it was just the beginning of the tragedy because as the final episode progressed, things started to become worse. Robin decided to isolate herself from the group, and Barney went back to his old lifestyle of meet-bang-forget schemes with girls. Sadly, it didn't just end there, since later we found out that Tracy, wife of Ted, died of an unknown illness. Soon, we learned that the entire story wasn't actually about how Ted met the kids’ mom. Instead, the story-telling was simply a subtle way of airing out Ted’s deeply-rooted affection with Robin. The ending of the series implied that Ted and Robin will finally be together after 25 years when he showed up in Robin’s apartment with the Blue French horn, and that’s it – the scene faded into black.

How I Met Your Mother Life Quotes
Image source: tinrific.tumblr.com

Honestly, I loathed for almost an hour leaving me feeling empty and despaired. Then, suddenly waves of realization just struck me after minutes of figuring out what just happened.

I finally realized that How I Met Your Mother isn't just a series about Ted and the gang. It’s a reflection of basic reality that shows both the various ups and downs of life. The way it was sincere and true (except for some exaggerations and unbelievable tales told) felt like everything was real. We might even have thought for a while that they all exist because somehow they do – through us. We see an uncanny connection with the characters (mostly emotional) due to some noticeable patterns and streaks of similarities with the things that happened to them (i.e. fights with friends, losing a loved one, broken marriages, falling in love, falling out of love, loving again and lots of those stuff). In short, we simply can heavily relate with Ted, Lily, Marshall, Barney, Robin and perhaps even Tracy.

Bite-sized life lessons in How I Met Your Mother are simply moving
Image source: tinrific.tumblr.com

The Practicality of the Subsequent Events
The failed marriage of Barney and Robin reminds us of the truth that sometimes people aren’t meant to be together, while Barney’s going back to his old lifestyle shows us that some people can’t really entirely change. They may at some point change, but it may also be just temporary. Tracy’s passing away makes us realize that people we love will eventually be gone, and that’s something true but hard to accept. Most important of all, Robin and Ted’s getting back together is a beautiful reminder that despite unfortunate and heart-breaking events, there’s still a room for hope and love. In short, it makes us realize that in a perfectly imperfect world, people can still manage to find happiness.

The Story Not Being About the Characters
If you will think about it, the way the story ended isn't much important because the ending isn't about Ted or any other characters. It was all about the viewers – us!

If you didn't like the ending, chances are you are holding onto something that hinders you to appreciate the good side of it. Our perspective in life plays an integral part on how we see the finale of this series. If you have a more positive outlook, you are most likely to find the ending wonderfully done. On the other hand, if you are holding onto doubts, pains, anger and other sources of negativity, you will have higher probabilities of finding the final episode disappointingly tragic and trashy. Simply put, the ending gave us the entire liberty on how to interpret and to accept the things that unraveled between the characters.

Image Source: tinrific.tumblr.com

I asked myself this question, “Why am I seeking for a happy ending in this story”, and it didn't take long before I got the answer to this. I realized that lately my life had been dull as it took unexpected downturns, and somehow I wanted an escape by projecting my life into the series. Then I further realized that the reason why I wanted a happy ending is because I want a happy ending (or happiness in general) too for myself. Later, I had a brief eureka moment, as I figured out that I have full control of my life (and even the ending, in an indirect way). Slowly, things started to clear up, and I soon realized that the ending was “happy” after all. It showed us a vibrant gleam of hope and revealed a world full of second chances.

We all know that life is a crap-load, and HIMYM didn't deny but even gracefully embraced it. This is why the ending instills on us how to swallow those bitter pills in life, and start moving forward by looking at the brighter side of things. This, my friends, made the finale and the entire series a valuable treasure for keeps.

Alba Restaurant in Two E-Com near Mall of Asia (MOA)

Alba holds a good memory for me because it is where (though not the same branch) I started my baby steps towards becoming a food blogger. It was one fine day of May 2012 when my mom and I decided to have a lunch buffet in the Makati Branch of Alba. Although I was already blogging that time, venturing into the world of "food blog" hadn't totally crossed my mind yet. As a matter of fact, if you'll take a look at my blog post about that lunch experience, you'll notice that it just looks like a journal documenting what transpired.

This is why I was experiencing euphoria as I was drafting and writing this blog post. I couldn't help but think that maybe Alba served as one of the primary catalysts that morphed me into a food blogger that I am right now.

Alba's Set Up and Interior - cozy and classy

I did a lot of talking already, so let me now share with you our dining experience here in Alba which, in a nutshell, was just above satisfactory.

As we were cordially ushered in our seats, we were immediately served with a warm soup. This notion just made a great first impression which were sustained as far as service is concerned.

Corn and egg soup freshly served as a warm welcome!

This corn and egg soup was heavily incredible with all its simplicity and smooth flavor and taste. It may not look so special in the photo, but when I look at the photo, I see imaginary colors and flair coming out of the soup bowl.

After downing all the heartwarming soup, I immediately scanned the buffet table with a camera on-hand to take photos. I have to be honest with you, I wasn't able to taste everything, but anyway, I included here almost everything you can find there on the buffet table.

Gambas Pate (Shrimp Pate), Garlic Mushroom Pate and Cheesy Pate

My favorite among the three pate available was the Gambas Pate. It just tasted so amazing and memorable, unlike the other two which I found a little off.

Tortilla Espanola - Traditional Spanish Potato Omelet

One of the dishes that wildly called my attention was the lechon which I found really photogenic. Too bad when I decided to take photo, it looked like this (after people started feasting on it):

A Fiesta Favorite Lechon in Alba Restaurant

Well, unfortunately, it didn't taste as good as it looked primarily because of the cold temperature of the dish that made the skin wrongly soggy and rubbery. Luckily, there was an alternative for it which was the Lechong Kawali which I really loved!

Lechong Kawali - crunchy and tasty the way it should be!

This lechong kawali was crunchy not unlike the other one. This just brought out the goodness in this fried dish. Plus, adding some sauce to it just made everything so wonderful!

Cold Cuts and Salami for appetizers

Salad for a fresh start here in Alba Restaurant Lunch Buffet

Tuhod y Batoc

Stewed ox-kneecap & chuck with brown sauce, mushroom, green & red pepper

Tuhod y Batoc - a fusion of Filipino and Spanish Cuisine

Although this dish could have been more tender, I like how it tasted. The flavors from the spices and ingredients used such as the bell pepper, herbs, mushrooms and whatnot were present making it "likable".

Now, even if Alba is a Spanish cuisine restaurant, it still serves some other cuisines too albeit few, such as this buffalo wings.

Sweet Buffalo Wings in Alba Restaurant

What I admired most about the buffalo wings was the sweetness (i.e. close to the taste of a barbecue) and the rather subtleness of the spiciness. However, if you are really fiery-hot-hungry, you may fail to appreciate what this dish can offer.

Croquetas de Pescado

Croquettes of fish served with aioli sauce

Croquetas de Pescado - balls of goodness!

One of those dishes that I frankly fell in love with was this croquetas de pescado! These fried croquettes of fish simply tasted amazing combined with the close-to-perfection frying. Oh, one thing that you should never forget when eating these is the aioli sauce. It stunningly brings out all the greatness in the croquettes! This is what I call simply amazing!

Champignon al Ajillo

Button mushrooms in olive oil, garlic and chili

Spanish Champignon al Ajillo

Escalivada - roasted vegetables with anchovies

Even if there were a couple of dishes or food varieties that I found amazing, there are still those who belong to the lackluster division, including this tuna adobo.

Atun Adubadas - Tuna Adobo

What didn't work out, in my opinion, was the lack of softness from the tuna. The essence of an adobo was there, but the texture didn't bring enough justice to the entire package.

The Famous Paella Valenciana

Valencian rice dish with chicken, pork, seafood and vegetables

Paella Valenciana of Alba Restaurant

Now, something that may bring appeal to you is this Paella Valenciana in Alba Restaurant. This is one of the things that made this place known. Anyway, it's a good thing to note that there were some inconsistencies with the rice dish. Before it got refilled, it was somehow salty (although the overall taste was still pretty good). It was a good thing that on the next refill, they got it just right!

Related Post: Paella in the Relik Tapas Bar in Taguig

Rollos de Pollo of Alba Restaurant

I don't know how this one is called in English, but it had some similarities with a cordon bleu except that this had a sweet savory sauce that went with it. Admittedly, I enjoyed it because of the overall blend of flavors highlighted by the cheesy center!

Pasta in white wine sauce with tomato chili sauce

Canonigo

Delectably soft meringue cake with vanilla custard sauce

Another house specialty of Alba Restaurant - the Canonigo dessert

Very similar with the dulce de leche, this famous Canonigo dessert of Alba simply blew my mind away. There are 2 main reasons why I totally found this dessert spectacular. First off, it's difficult to find something this sweet and delicate elsewhere. Second, you'll find adventure for your taste buds in this Canonigo with its light and melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with the creamy custard sauce.

Anyway, all the other desserts are the usual ones you see in most desserts. However, although there had been less varieties for the desserts, I really enjoyed them

Special Cheesecake and Tart in between of Alba

Special Cheesecake and Tart in between - I honestly failed to note how they call this

Brownies for desserts in Alba restaurant

Lychee Gelatin and more for your sweet cravings

Chocolate brownie cake to sweeten your dining experience

Alba Restaurant -Ratings
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars.
Place ★★★★☆
Variety ★★☆
Taste ★★★☆
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★

To wrap up this blog post, I would note that Alba is merely a "so-so" place to visit, as far as buffet dining is concerned. Given the variety of the food, both the lunch and dinner buffet appear to be rather wallet-wrecking as they fail to maximize the value of every penny you'll spend for the buffet. However, if you can avail of vouchers in deal sites, by all means, check this place out! Or how about ala carte dining, then?

Alba Spanish Restaurant
Location: 4th Level, Two E-Com Center, Ocean Drive, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Service Charge: 10%

Contact No.: (02) 384-6344

The first branch of CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in the Philippines located in Techno Plaza

Just yesterday (April 8, 2014), I was invited to try out the milk teas and fresh juice of CoCo. Since I always look forward to learning more about healthier lifestyle, I decided to give it a go! Now, I am going to share with you my tea-juice experience here in CoCo, but before that let me give you a brief background about this store.

A Brief Background about CoCo
Originating in Taiwan, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice started expanding in 1997 with China, where it got really known as the leading and biggest fresh-drinks brand, as its first venture. Soon after, CoCo started exploring other markets such as New York, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Los Angeles, Singapore, South Africa and eventually Philippines. Now, breaking the 1,500 mark for the number of stores worldwide, CoCo has now established a reputation as the leading freshly made-tea and juice brand.

CoCo's drinks are made with fresh leaf tea and fruits!

To keep things more interesting, CoCo invited Chris Everingham of Philippine Volcanoes to speak about health and fitness matters, where he pointed out the following:

It's good to try it your own, but oftentimes it is better to leave juicing to the expert.
Home exercises such as squats, lunges and push-up may tone and build up muscles, so this means we don't have any excuses staying fit.
Fun runs are indeed fun, but they have lower potential in making your muscles firm as opposed to sprinting.
Old habits can be replaced by knowing how to start small and providing yourself with some rewards.

Chris Everingham talks about Health, Wellness and Fitness

Anyway, Chris is such an amazing person because he just inspired me to start moving and exercising around. I had some conversation going with him, and he insisted that I should start somewhere now if I want to be fitter. He even put emphasis on his point earlier about the significance of small steps in reaching your goal.

It's Tea and Juice Time!

After the short presentation of Chris, we were introduced to the drinks collection of CoCo which I found considerably wide. There are basically 6 categories of drinks to choose from:

Fruit Tea - concoction of fresh fruits and tea leaves
Tasty Milk Tea - the traditional favorites!
Cream and Latte - comparable to tasty milk tea but only creamier with its famous salty cream
Fresh Tea - nothing but the pure goodness of tea
Juice - for a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
Chocolate - for some guilty pleasures!

The amazing and refreshing drinks of CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice!

Salty Cream Milk Tea || P90 - Regular || P100 - Large

One of the 3 bestsellers - CoCo's Salty Cream Milk Tea!

As much as I want to try everything, I couldn't because I already started to feel bloated with the other drinks I've tried. Hence, for this, I just asked my fellow blogger friend what she can say about this. She noted that it was lovely, but she would further appreciate it if the taste of the salty cream would float even more.

Here are some of the guests CoCo invited to grace the event.

Laureen Uy, Chris Everingham, Gretchen Ho and Selina Dagdag with the store owner of CoCo

Grapefruit & Orange Tea || P90 - Regular
Pineapple Black Tea Jelly || P90 - Regular

Grapefruit & Orange Tea and Pineapple Black Tea Jelly

Salty Cream Chocolate || P90 - Regular || P100 - Large + P20 for pudding

Salty Cream Chocolate with extra pudding for more fun!

This Salty Cream Chocolate was the one suggested by one of the staff when I tried ordering for something chocolate. She insisted that I try this one because it's a popular choice. Giving her the full trust, I decided to go for that one, and luckily I did because it was indeed awesome!

It had this rich cocoa taste layered upon by the subtle saltiness of the salty cream. Also, the extra pudding I asked for further added more dimension and excitement to the drink. Unfortunately, the only thing that didn't went along was the pearls. I don't know if it was just a personal preference, but it didn't sail well together with the other great components.

Before I proceed, let me just dedicate this portion to the awesome crew behind CoCo! Seeing their accommodating smiles really made me appreciate more the drinks served!

The friendly and smiling crew of CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice

The great people behind the great juice and milk tea in CoCo!

Passion Fruit Tea Burst || P90- Regular || P100 - Large

CoCo's Bestselling Passion Fruit Tea Burst

The best-selling Passion Fruit tea burst that will take you away!

According one of the staff, this Passion Fruit Tea is the number 1 best-seller among all drinks available here in CoCo. This is why when this was served to me, I got pretty excited to have a sip. I'll tell you, it was really strikingly refreshing especially with its controlled level of fruity sweetness. What made me love this even more was the excitement from the chewiness of the nata and the crunchiness of the passion fruit seeds (although I would have appreciated it more if the sago was more soft that will somehow melt as you chew).

Gretchen Ho endorsing the fresh juice and milk tea of CoCo

Gretchen Ho with the fresh juice and milk tea of CoCo

To conclude this blog post, I would say that I appreciated the drinks of CoCo for two prime reasons. First off, I just love how I can actually taste the freshness of the juice and tea. Second, CoCo's selections of fruit-tea combinations are simply amazing and totally refreshing! If you happen to be near this tea store, give it a try, and let's see how it'll go. For those who were able to try it already, share away your juice and tea experience with us!

A Simple Blog Giveaway
I'm holding off my first small blog giveaway! Hooray! I'm giving out 3 P100 GC of CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice which you may use in this branch and any upcoming branches (such as in SM Fairview and Fisher Mall this April 2014). However, instead of having 3 winners with P100 each, I am just giving all three to one (1) winner!

Good luck, my dear friends! Be sure to read the Terms of Condition of this blog giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
Location: Second Floor, Techno Plaza, Eastwood Citywalk, Libis, Quezon City

Budget: At most P100 for a large drink

Lucky Rainbow Seafood Restaurant in the street of Ongpin, Binondo

With a rather funny and interesting name, Lucky Rainbow Seafood Restaurant is now getting more and more attention due to its delicious and authentic Chinese dimsum and dishes! This incredible place (with some qualifications which you will learn more about later) is found in the long busy streets of Ongpin along the border between Sta. Cruz and Binondo, Manila.

The interior of Lucky Rainbow Restaurant - Binondo Branch

A Love at First Bite?
I was given a quick teaser introduction (of what the restaurant can offer) when my dad brought home some siomai from here. Thinking that it was just "one of those siomai (wait, how do we pluralize siomai?)", I just took a piece with lack of vigor, but that was until it touched my taste buds! Holy cow! It was pure love with all the potent flavor from the steamed wrapped meat!

Anyway, thankfully, we got the chance to visit the place itself, and try once more the siomai as well as the other dishes found here in this restaurant. Now, join me as we explore Lucky Rainbow Seafood Restaurant! Here we go!

The first one up was a component of the famous Chinese Cold Cuts, the Pork Asado!

Asado in Honey Sauce || P200

Asado with Honey Sauce of Lucky Rainbow Restaurant

Asado cooked in Honey Sauce with a hoisen-based sauce to add more diversity

This asado of Lucky Rainbow was cooked in a honey sauce resulting to a sweet and glazy appeal. As a result, the asado was delectable on its own. However, Lucky Rainbow wants to raise the foodie experience by providing a separate hoisen -based sauce, which has a strong sweet-and-peanuty tang.

Personally, I highly appreciated the dish because of its uniqueness and greatness!

If you are fonder of a leaner cut of Pork Asado, you may want to check out The Original Sa Lido Restaurant. Its asado comes with a sweeter and thinner sauce.
Yang Chow Fried Rice || P210

Chinese Yang Chow Fried Rice - Lucky Rainbow Restaurant

The Yang Chow fried rice of Lucky Rainbow to go with your dimsum dishes!

It's hard to differentiate Yang Chow fried rice from others that I tried, so I'm just gonna skip this part!

Steamed Fish Fillet with Tofu in Tausi Sauce || P280

The salty steamed fish fillet with tofu in tausi sauce

Resting on a bed of thinly sliced tofu and then blanketed with a tausi sauce, the fish fillet brought something relatively new to my taste buds. Unfortunately, due to my low tolerance on saltiness, I failed to appreciate the dish in its optimum level.

The tofu was there to cushion the salty character, but the attempt was somewhat futile. In the end, the buoyant flavor was the saltiness followed by some sweetness.

Steamed Siomai - 4 pcs || P78

The Best Siomai of Manila - Lucky Rainbow Restaurant

The best ever Steamed Siomai of Lucky Rainbow Seafood Restaurant

This siomai was by far the best I've had taking down Golden Fortune from its throne. The taste was sharp and suave at the same time highlighted by a mushroomy taste and a very subtle sweetness!

"We got a winner in the house!"

Three Cup Chicken in Pot || P280

The weirdly named dish - Three Cup Chicken in a Pot of Lucky Rainbow

This Three Cup Chicken was somehow interesting but had something a little off with its sauce. It was sweet at first, then suddenly leaves a light unidentifiable aftertaste. I dunno, maybe I just expected high because of its unusual name. Anyway, to further give you a clue about the taste, it can be likened to Sweet and Sour Pork only less sweet and more complex.

Trivia: According to my dad, the dish got its name because of the 3 special sauces used to come up with the dish!

Steamed Xiao Long Bao (or Siao Long Pao) - 4 pcs. || P98

I asked the waiter what the best seller is here in this restaurant, and he said it was the Xiao Long Bao. Putting our trust on him, we decided to order 2 of it.

Xiao Long Bao of Lucky Rainbow Seafood Restaurant

The delicate, rich and "soupy" Xiao Long Bao - something this restaurant is famous for!

The best-selling Xiao Long Bao of Lucky Rainbow Seafood Restaurant

This Xiao Long Bao (XLB) was incredibly fantastic, and so far stood out among those that I've already tried, although admittedly, I haven't tasted a lot of this one yet. Anyway, this XLB of Lucky Rainbow had a spectacular meat core that tasted genuinely Chinese with the veggy spices used. As a result, the soup inside from the steaming process tasted so awesome as well!

Related Blog Posts:

Lucky Rainbow Seafood Restaurant - Ratings
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars.
Place ★★★
Taste ★★★★
Service ★★★★
Price ★★ (I know this is a pure downer!)
Budget: at least P280 each person

With pure honesty, I really enjoyed our dining experience here in Lucky Rainbow! In fact, if there is one restaurant here in Binondo that I need to recommend, I'll put this on top of the list. The sheer downer, however, is the heavy premiums you need to additionally pay for great quality. Considering the place isn't that amazing, I don't think the the value of the peso spent here is well-maximized.

In short, the choice is yours depending on what you value more. Nevertheless, I really think you should try the Xiao Long Bao and Steamed Siomai here!

Lucky Rainbow Restaurant
Location: 839-841 Padilla St. Cor Ongpin, Binondo, Manila

Contact No.:(02) 313-8584 / (02) 733-0114
Service Charge: 10%

Other Branches:

Makati Branch - 2224 Patriarch Bldg. Pasong Tamo St. cor Don Bosco, Makati City
Quezon City Branch - Unit 201-204 Z-Square Mall, Del Monte Avenue Cor Banawe St.

Chef's Noodle from Korea to Philippines - Robinsons Magnolia

I was introduced to Chef's Noodles when it first opened in the University Mall near the school I graduated from. It became such a hit because it brought something new to the DLSU food scene. Unfortunately, that one needs to bid its goodbye this coming May 2014, since only a few people drop by the mall nowadays. Luckily, as the saying goes, when something or someone leaves another and perhaps better will take its place.

Anyway, what I want to say with my a little bit cheesy and messy introduction is that Chef Noodles recently just opened up another branch in Robinsons Magnolia, and I was lucky enough to be invited to check the place out!

The cozy interior of Chef's Noodle in Robinsons Magnolia

A Little Something About the Restaurant
Chef's Noodles is a contemporary Korean restaurant serving the creations of Celebrity Chef Choi In Sun! Aside from the noodles (as the name suggests), this restaurant also offers a sufficiently wide variety of Korean dishes which you will learn more about later.

Chef's Noodles - Robinsons Magnolia Branch

Located beside Robinsons Appliance Center and Hainanese Delights in the ground level of Robinsons Magnolia, this branch of Chef Noodles gives out a sense of exclusivity primarily because it is situated in the corner of the mall. It also provides a peaceful personal space due to the figurative warmness and coziness of the place.

A different angle showing the interior of Chef's Noodle

Now, you may have gotten bored with a lot of my blabbering, so I'm now going to show to you what we feasted on! Let's start with some amazing and interesting!

Starking Fire Sushi Collection

Sticky rice balls topped with your choice of meat that will surely delight your culinary senses. The dish is torched in front of your very eyes for added excitement.

The menu description was right! It was really exciting to watch the top of the sushi getting torched.Check out the photos below, since I got the chance to capture the torching in action.

Beef Sushi || P245

Starking Fire Beef Sushi - a signature dish of Chef Noodles

Starking Fire Beef Sushi - a signature dish of Chef 's Noodle

The process of making this sushi dish was really fascinating with all the torching and stuff. Plus, you have the option of how the beef should be done (i.e. medium rare, well done etc). However, I found this beef sushi unexpectedly plain; perhaps my taste buds were just warming up.

Shrimp Sushi || P298

Starking Fire Shrimp Sushi of Chef's Noodle

Time for some seafood with the starking fire Shrimp Sushi!

A closer look: Torching the Shrimp Sushi!

Luckily, both the tuna and the shrimp ones were enjoyable relative to the first one. I need to admit however that they still have some plainness when it ones to the flavor, but I guess that was the reason why I loved them both!

Tuna Sushi || P225

Among the 3, it was the Shrimp Sushi that I appreciated the most. The taste was just plain yet uberly fantastic at the same time! Go for the shrimp!

Bulgogi Kimbap || P125

A Korean Version of Japanese sushi. Sticky rice with combination of meat and vegetables tenderly rolled and wrapped in seaweed sheet. Accompanied with a special blend of Korean soy sauce.

Bulgogi Kimbap for appetizer in Chef's Noodle Restaurant

This Bulgogi Kimbap was nice with a noticeably weak flavor at first. Fret not, because as you consume more of it, the flavor accumulates momentum. Frankly, it wasn't way-over-the-top awesome, but I still appreciated it!

Ddukbokki Carbonara || P245

An Italian inspired dish with an Asian twist. Using soft and chewy Korean rice cake blended with creamy peppered mushroom sauce, combined with diced ham. A tryly East meets West culinary treat!

Something fun and new for your palate - Korean Style Carbonara!

I was deeply intrigued by this Korean-style Carbonara when I saw it on the menu; hence, I immediately included it in our to-order list (which I suggest you do the same thing).

The pasta is surely a must-try because of its magnificent uniqueness, and I'm sure your palate will appreciate something really new! Expect to savor prominent sweetness and creaminess together with the chewy Korean rice cake as pasta substitute.

A Friendly Tip: Although the taste is refreshingly new, you may be overwhelmed by the taste. Hence, you need someone to share this with.

Leek Shrimp Twigim || P345

A delectable good to share korean fusion dish of fresh leeks and shrimp in a special tempura batter with curry

Vegetable indulgence in this special Korean Twigim dish!

This dish offered a potent overall taste coming from three main components, namely the shrimps, the leeks and the curry. Veggy lovers will surely appreciate this (and the opposite is true)! However, be sure you are coming with a group as well because this one is made for sharing.

Pajun || P245 for Seafoood and P198 for Bulgogi

Korean version of pancakes in a light and tasty batter infused with meat or seafood and hand-picked veggies

Korean vegetable pancake with sesame seeds

This Pajun had essentially the same taste with the Leek Shrimp Twigim minus the oiliness and curry plus the egg.

Japchae || P195

Translated as "a mixture of vegetables", this dish is made with glass noodles, stir fried with various vegetables and beef in soy sauce

Korean stir-fried noodles, Japchae in Chef's Noodle

Sadly, I only got the chance to take a photo of this but not taste it, but judging on the photo, I think it may be pleasurable to indulge in.

Shrimp Twigim || P345

Korean version of the famous temppura dish lightly coated with seasoned twigim mix and fried until tender. Served with onion rings.

Shrimp Twigim of Chef's Noodles

Although relatively expensive compared to other disheso offered here in Chef's Noodles, this Shrimp Twigim was nice due to the freshness of the shrimps used. Also, I was able to highly appreciate the sauce because it perfectly complemented the twigim.

Bibimbap || P125

A bowl of warm white rice topped with fresh seasoned vegetables, choice of meat and special bibimbap sauce, garnished with nori strips and raw egg

Korean vegetable rice bow called Bibimbap

This is how it looks like after you enjoy mixing the Bibimbap

Chef's Noodle || Signature Dish || P225

A house specialty, this dish comprises of beef broth base with korean noodles topped with leeks, bean sprouts, fried tofu, samsek, spring onion egg roll and bulgogi

The signature Chef's Noodle - all hot and steamy

A soup that can warm you hearts - Chef's Noodle!

One thing that differentiated this Chef's Noodle among other noodles (especially the ramen) was the hint of spice found in the dish that sparks up the overall flavor. You'll find nothing too complex about the taste, so you will find it suave and enjoyable.

Oh, another thing that I love about this Chef's Noodles is the affordability, unlike other Japanese noodles that cost more than P350.

Stairway to Heaven Dessert || P175

Stairway to Heaven Ice Cream Dessert by Chef's Noodles

3 ice cream flavors in this Stairway to Heaven dessert!

Now, for the desserts, we had the Stairway to Heaven (such as fun name derived from the popular TV series a few years back). It was a nice ender, but I think it would have been nicer if we tried something more unique here in Chef's Noodles such as the Full House Sherbet, Lover's in Paris and Coffee Prince Smoothie!

In a Nutshell
I was delighted by my experience here in Chef's Noodles because of the adventure my palate had! Special mention to the Korean carbonara and the Stark Fire Shirmp Sushi! To cut everything short, I believe it is really worthwhile to dine here especially if you really adore Korean cuisine!

Now, I would love to hear from you! Share your experience here in Chef's Noodle!

Budget:At least P300 to enjoy the Chef's Noodle and a drink!

Chef's Noodles
Location: Ground Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City

Contact No.: (02) 6567033

Menu and Prices:

Since I wanted to post something other than food, I realized it wouldn't hurt to share with you guys our hotel experience in Mandarin Oriental Hotel about a week ago (April 2014).

The inviting lobby of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel

We ended up in this hotel because my mom bought a vouchers a few months ago. Luckily, they came in handy for the Holy Week vacation because at least we got to spend a day in a nice hotel without shedding out cash (i.e. we already paid for them long ago).

The comfy and cozy lobby of Mandarin Hotel perfect for just sitting back as you wait

Mandarin Oriental Hotel has been long standing for decades. According to my dad, it underwent a lot of renovations already, and the lease contract with Ayala is about to expire. Hmmm, I wonder if it will still be renewed. (Well, I hope so because they have a great swimming pool!)

Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati, Metro Manila

The three statues that will welcome you as you enter the hotel

Now, let's go check the room out!

10th Floor Hallway of Mandarin Oriental Hotel

For my brothers and I, we requested this room with a King-Size bed. Nothing extremely unique can be found in this room, but I consider it neat, peaceful and comfy (although I think the room lacks enough breathable space).

Hotel Room of Mandarin Oriental Hotel with one King-Size Bed

Okay, it was uncanny because they granted my "more breathable space" wish, but since I didn't ask for something specific, all the free space went to the bathroom! Anyway, being a bathroom person (no pun intended), I was able to fully appreciate it.

Trivia about Me: If there are parts of a house I want to invest heavily in, one of them would definitely be the bathrooms. That's how I really love awesome bathrooms!

Marble-tiled bathroom of Mandarin Oriental Hotel that will really give you your well-wished space

Oh boy, will you look at that! They have a tub! Wait, did you know I can spend an hour just by relaxing in a bath tub (of course, with water in it)?

The relaxing bath tub of Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Usually, I don't miss taking a bath in the tub, but because my brother told me the pool was great, I decided to ditch it that time. Fair enough, it was indeed a great decision! Here's a snapshot of the pool area.

Swimming Pool of Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Pool area of Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati

Not only was the pool large enough for me to lap and exercise; it was also not too cold (which made my younger brother and I believe the pool is somewhat heated).

I don't know if I'm assessing irrationally, but this could be my most-loved pool among all the pools of the hotels I've been to here in Makati.

Relax by the pool area under the cottage-like tables and chairs

Okay, for you to have a better grasp of how the pool looks like, let me share another photo of the pool.

The Large-Enough Swimming Pool of Mandarin Hotel

Great! That was almost everything about our experience here in Mandarin Hotel. Hopefully, I'll get to share more posts like this in the future, for now, let's get back to some food!

Hello friends! A few months back, I was just wishing that I'll have my blog giveaway. Just weeks ago, that wish was granted when I had my first-ever small blog giveaway. Now, I'm being more blessed, so I'm having my second one within the same month. It's just pure awesome!

Alright! With all the excitement within me, I'm now launching my second blog giveaway this month by giving out one (1)P1,000 gift certificate for Chef's Noodle Korean Restaurant!

Learn more about what you can order in Chef's Noodle by checking out my blog post about it here "Contemporary Korean Cuisine in Chef's Noodle"

To motivate you in joining this blog giveaway, check out some of the food highlights:

Of course, you shouldn't miss seeing how they torch the Starking Fire Sushi!

You will be thrilled by the Korean version of Carbonara in Chef's Noodle!

Of course, you should let this one pass - the signature Chef's Noodle!

Join the Blog Giveaway!
It's really easy to join! Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below, and you are good to go!

Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions of this Blog Giveway! Best of luck my fellow foodie friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If there is one event that I became so excited about, it will be this one. Do you remember those earlier days of our childhood when we didn't want or couldn't sleep even if we tried? Yup, it was just pure excitement that resulted to our restlessness, and that's how I felt when I got the invite.

A Not-So-Popular Kid with his Excitement
The reason why I got excited was because of two main things. First, I really love Filipino food and the way they are going to make it readily available overjoyed me. Second, the launching will take place in Pampanga home of the great cooks!

7 Eleven's Chef Creations - Affordable yet Premium Filipino Food

Latest from one of the largest convenience store chain, 7 Eleven - Chef Creations

What was this event all about?
Held in the beautiful home turned restaurant of Chef Claude Tayag and his wife called Bale Dutung, 7 Eleven gave a sneak peek of the soon-to-be launched Chef Creations! This is a new collection (containing 3 varieties) of authentic Filipino meals!

Chef Claude Tayag and Jose Victor Paterno reveal the 7-11's Chef Creations

The Chef Creations

This new product line offers premium Filipino food made affordable with its quality and taste retained. Each meal is packed in a convenient oval-shaped container that is very easy to open. More than that, every meal contains a good portion of the viand and a generous serving of rice perfect for the typical Filipino appetite.There will be 3 varieties of Chef Creations to choose from, namely:

Pulled Pork with Adobo Dip || P95
Pork Sinigang sa Kamias || P75
Pakbet with Bagnet || P89

Alright, so let's explore each of them!

Pulled Pork with Adobo Dip || P95

This is not the ordinary Adobo that you encounter daily everywhere. This twice cooked dish has all the oomph to satisfy your craving

7 Eleven's Pulled Pork with Adobo Dip

This is what you'll get when you buy one the Pulled Pork with Adobo Dip

The label is telling the truth! It was really not your ordinary Pork Adobo!

This Pulled Pork with Adobo Dip was notably tender and savory (malinamnam) at the same time. The marination process as well as the double-cooking made all the flavors seep into the meat fibers resulting to a very fine taste. Although it is already good on its own, you may still want to dip the meat into the seasoned sauce for more distinct tang.

A closer look of the Pulled Pork with Adobo Dip of 7 Eleven's Chef Creations

A closer look of the Pulled Pork with Adobo Dip of Chef Claude Tayag

Pork Sinigang sa Kamias || P75

Slow-cooked to extract the tastiest broth. Soured with real fresh kamias and served with gabi and kangkong with ample soup to keep you warm and satisfied

The Chef Creations - Pork Sinigang sa Kamias, my personal favorite

7 Eleven's Chef Creations - Pork Sinigang sa Kamias

The Pork Sinigang with a bountiful amount of meat and veggy serving

This Sinigang had a really suave taste that was noticeably free of preservatives or anything unnatural. In fact, it was one of the greatest sinigang I've tasted so far! The meat was tender and soft, and the kangkong was crunchy telling me it was indeed fresh. On top of all, this one just costs P75! Wow! I felt like a true winner here!

A closer look of the Sinigang sa Kamias of 7 Eleven's Chef Creations

Pakbet with Bagnet || P89

Fresh vegetabes sauteed with mildly salted shrimp paste, yet packed with all the alamang goodness to achieve a flavorful down-home cooked Pakbet dish, and slices of crispy Bagnet to boost the appetite

The Pakbet with Bagnet of 7 Eleven's Chef Creations

Vegetable overload in this Pakbet with Bagnet meal of Chef Claude Tayag

For veggy lovers, you will definitely adore the pakbet with all its generous serving. As for the taste, the home-made bagoong blended well (i.e. didn't overpower) with the greens making things just light! Plus, the ampalaya used wasn't bitter as it appeared, which definitely was a major plus!

Note: Chef Claude Tayag claims this as the healthiest among the 3 in the Chef Creations.

A closer look of the pakbet with bagnet of Chef Claude Tayag (7-Eleven's Chef Creations)

Is it considerably fresh?
7-11 claims to have state-of-the-art commissary where they prepare the food, so right on the spot, we can be ensured of great quality. Accordingly, they have forecasted the demand in each store, so they promise to order on time to make sure that food is fresh from the commissary. In this way, 7-11 is giving us a guarantee about the quality and freshness of the Chef Creations.

Wrapping things up
I feel strongly about the success of the creations because I believe it is something new and something good at the same time! In fact, in case I get home, and I find nothing to eat, I might go to 7-11 (which is very near our place) and have the Pork Sinigang, my most favorite among the three!

How about you? What do you think of the new product line? Let's have some discussion.

PLDT Home Bro Ultera - Ultra-Fast LTE for the Home

Foodie friends, I know we are always on the hunt for great food, and one of the best ways to spot great restaurants is by surfing online or checking blogs such as A-Not-So-Popular Kid. Due to this heavier dependence and usage of internet, our old broadband may not be able to keep up. This is one of the motivations why PLDT launched another product among its line that will revolutionize home-surfing as it utilizes the power of Long-Term Evolution or commonly known as the LTE!

Ultera can be well-paired with the new TVolution of PLDT

I know that you are raising an eyebrow (perhaps even both, but that's kinda weird), since the internet of PLDT sometimes gets shaky. Honesty compels me to admit that I need to deal with those stuff occasionally too, but we've been with PLDT for almost a decade, and all the stable days just drown out those that are not. Still, I am hoping that this new Ultera will be much better, which I believe PLDT is committed to do.

PLDT Home Bro Ultera makes streaming ultra fast as well

Will the ULTERA work in your home if you are in a condo?
This is one of the questions I raised, and they provided me an explanation regarding the matter. Before you can have your PLDT Ultera, a crew will first check the availability of LTE in your area and particularly in the place you reside (i.e. home or condo). If the signal is viable, you'll proceed with the rest of the application.

This is how the Ultera device looks like:

The PLDT Ultera LTE Device looks like this - cool right?

Just in case you are interested, here are the plans of the Ultera.

The Ultera Plans
HOME Bro Ultera Basic

Initial Cash Out: P999
Activation Fee: P2,000
Monthly Service Fee: P999
Maximum Speed: 3 MBPS
Recommended Usage for Optimum Speed: 10 GB

HOME Bro Ultera Max

Initial Cash Out: P1,599
Activation Fee: P1,500
Monthly Service Fee: P1,599
Maximum Speed: 5 MBPS
Recommended Usage for Optimum Speed: 15 GB

This is the wireless Ultera device that enables you to connect to PLDT's LTE

HOME Bro Ultera Pro

Initial Cash Out: P1,999
Activation Fee: P1,000
Monthly Service Fee: P1,999
Maximum Speed: 10 MBPS
Recommended Usage for Optimum Speed: 30 GB

Important Note: Upon exceeding this amount, the speed may drop to 30% of the original speed

Together with SPINNR, Ultera makes you download music in a snap!

Here are the rest of the things that happened during this new product launch!

Sam YG and Andi Manzano as the hosts of the ULTERA launch

A portion of the program illustrated how fast the LTE speed of Ultera through the #SpeedYouCantBeat challenges.

The first one was burger eating versus downloading 10 songs.

Burger eating against downloading 10 songs - PLDT Ultera

Here's Jeric Teng playing the challenge of shooting 30 balls versus uploading 30 photos.

Jeric Teng in the PLDT Ultera #SpeedYouCantBeat Challenge

Jeron Teng as one of the brand ambassadors of PLDT Ultera

A fantastic dance performance that really wow-ed me!

Okay, so there was this really cool and great DJ in the event place providing super awesome music!

The "highest paid" DJ according to Sam YG

Anyway, I really enjoyed this PLDT Ultera product launch, and I have to say that I was impressed with the newest offering! Hence, if the LTE happens to be available in your place, I urge you to make the switch (e.g. from the regular wired broadband).

The Bale Dutung welcome arc in Angeles Pampanga

Located in the peaceful city of Angeles in Pampanga, Bale Dutung (translated as House of Wood) is the humble abode turned restaurant of Chef Claude Tayag and his wife Maryann. Unlike any other restaurants, this is a very special one, since you can only dine here with reservation. This explains why House of Wood is only open occasionally.

Garden of Bale Dutung in Angeles City, Pampanga

The magnificent garden of Bale Dutung that gives a refreshing sight!

A Dab of Luck
Bale Dutung was the chosen venue for the launch of the newest premium Filipino meals in 7-Eleven (read more about it here: 7-11's Chef Creations by Claude Tayag), and since I was fortunately invited to the event, I got to try dining here in Bale Dutung!

Now, as you may observe through the photos, Bale Dutung really captures the eye with the refreshing and inviting sights (i.e. the garden, the pond and etc.).

The alluring pond with this stunning statue in Bale Dutung

As you may know, Chef Claude Tayag, aside from being known as a great chef, is also a well-renown artist. This may give explanation as to why the place looks really fascinating! Every corner is really a picture-perfect spot for your selfies or any other photos.

The Beautiful House of Wood (Bale Dutung) in Pampanga

More of the beautiful mini-garden of Bale Dutung

If you found the outside fascinating, you'll find the inside just as much with all the wooden stuff and artsy elements found almost everywhere.

Bale Dutung (interior) in Angeles City, Pampanga

Okay, now that you've seen the spectacular place, let's now proceed with the food. Hmmmm, how about some lechon as a starter (served by Chef Claude himself)?

Chef Claude Tayag with his Four Ways Lechon

Chef Claude Tayag serving probably the best lechon in the Philippines!

The Famous Four Ways Lechon

The authentic Filipino lechon called Lechon Four Ways of Bale Dutung

Looking at the lechon from afar, I didn't expect the skin to be as crunchy. However, when I had a bite of it, lo and behold the heavens just came down. I may have been exaggerating, but I honestly found it the crunchiest and tastiest I tasted all my life!

Crispy roast pork skin in Liver Sauce of Bale Dutung

The best about this lechon was that the flavor and tastiness was really skin deep penetrating down to the meat fibers.

Ensaladang Pakô (Fiddle head fern salad)

Bale Dutung's Ensaladang Pako with Quail Eggs

Sadly, I was too distracted by the lechon and other delights that I forgot to try this one.

Lechon Tortilla (Crispy Roast Pork Flakes on a Tortilla)

Lechon flakes from the roasted pork belly shredded into flakes

Being in Bale Dutung will definitely be part of my 2014 highlights because of the diversity of Filipino food I was exposed to. Can you believe that the pork belly can be turned into flakes, and then placed in a tortilla wrap? It was just bliss at its purity.

Maryann Tayag preparing the unique Lechon Tortilla that will put halt to your world!

When all done and dolled up, this is how the tortilla will look like:

Lechon Tortilla of Bale Dutung - a must try

Lechon Tortilla of Bale Dutung with flavors dancing in exaltation!

After placing the flakes on top of the tortilla wrapped, the onions and tomatoes will follow. It will then be garnished by the coriander and the special Oriental sauce that will breathe more life to it. This sauce is made of basil and coriander which originally a Vietnamese-Thai recipe altered to become more sour than spicy (to adapt to the Filipino palate). For me, the sauce was the crowning glory of the dish that brought a diversity and avalanche of flavors!

Sinigang na Lechon (Pork Meat in Sour Soup)

A Filipino classic dish with a twist - Sinigang na Lechon of Bale Dutung

Although I found it really sour than what I can tolerate, it was such a nice dish. I never knew that lechon can be used for sinigang.

The Pork Sisig

The pork sisig of Bale Dutung in Pampanga

This sisig was the version with relatively bigger chunks with a taste leaning more towards salty. It is best paired with the pig brain that has a semblance with a liver in terms of the flavor and texture.

Note: There is a simple restaurant (or more like an eatery) in Sampaloc that offers delicious Ilocano Bagnet Sisig! You may want to read about it here: Ilocano Dishes in Tinuno Grill and Cafe.

*Ahem ahem* Drum roll please!

Kare-Kareng Laman Dagat (Seafood cooked in Peanut Sauce)

The Must-Try Kare-Kareng Lamn Dagat by Bale Dutung

Kare-Kareng Dagat by Bale Dutung - The most unique Kare-Kare I've had so far

If you've closely tuned into my blog, you'll know that I am not fond of coconut milk in dishes. However, that was broken by this Kare-Kareng Laman Dagat.

The plating of the Kare-Kareng Laman Dagat of Chef Claude Tayag

Moving on, this Kare-Kareng Laman Dagat was definitely exquisite and unique! As implicitly stated, it was my first time to have a Kare-Kare dish that had some coconut milk, and NO I am not complaining because I found it brilliant! The coconut milk just embraced all the zests in the dish and unifies them all into one solid palatable experience.

Undoubtedly, the seafood was fantastic in terms of quality and freshness too. This is why I sensed perfection in this amazing dish.

Now, when I thought the goodness just peaked there, it just didn't. This next dish which was the dessert served was definitely GOLD!

The Paradiso Dessert

Dessert of yam (ube), and coconut (macapuno), eggyolk (pastillas) in water buffalo (carabao) milk

The carabao's milk was cooked in a way that it solidifies and somewhat caramelizes (i.e. indicating it was also sugarized). It was really fun to eat it because you need to scrape the cooked milk, get a portion of the three balls, and munch it in. However, you need to be warned that extreme pleasure will follow!

The mouthwatering epic Filipino dessert in Bale Dutung called Paradiso

Not only was I fell in love at the first sight, but also on the first bite! It had an stupendous presentation and the marvelous taste (top-notch!). You'll surely never find this anywhere else but here!

No wonder it is called "Paradiso" - you will experience Paradise by eating this jaw-dropping dessert!

Anyway, there you have it - Bale Dutung "The House of Wood". I sure hope that you can drop by this place even once in your lifetime because I'm telling you, you are missing quite a lot of things! Now, do you know places that can top this one off? Share them away. Also, I'll be excited to hear the dishes you want to try here in Bale Dutung!

Bale Dutung (House of Wood) in Pampanga
Location: Villa Gloria Subdivision, Angeles City, Pampanga
Contact Number: (045) 625-0169, (02) 668-4038

Menu and Prices can be accessed here.

The LPark LG LSeries III Launch held in Trinoma Activity Center

As we may have observed, both Apple and Samsung are currently dominating the market share for smart phones or mobile phones in general, but I think that's because the two were practically heavily hyped up. Now, I don't want to be blinded by the two, so when I was asked to attend this LG event to know more about their phones (especially the newest among the line which is the LSeries III), I decided to give it a go.

Before we delve into the specs and prices of the newest phones, let me just briefly share with you what transpired during the product launch held in the Trinoma Activity Center.

Exhibition and Somewhat Crazy Stunts
When I reached the venue, I was curious as to why there were a lot of people looking at the event center when the official program hadn't even started yet. Then, I adjusted my gaze towards the one they were looking, and I said "Ohh, that's why!".

Bicycle stunts during the LSeries III Product Launch

Skateboard Stunts in Trinoma Activity Center

Skateboard Stunt - LG supports the lifestyle of the adventurous ones

Now, check this out. During the event proper there was this performance where a number of guys did some of the parkour thing. Amazing! Here's a snapshot of a guy doing a parkour jump!

Man doing a parkour jump that was really fascinating

Okay, now let's proceed with the 3 newest phones in the LSeries III!

The new 2014 LSeries III of LG with Knock Code feature

The LG L40 Smart Phone Specifications

The LG L40 of the newest LSeries III

Okay, since I'm trying my best to be somewhere close to Tech bloggers, I've tabulated the important specs of the smart phone (including the price).

Model	LG L40
CPU	1.2GHz Dual Core
CONNECTIVITY	USB 2.0 HS Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 3.0 EDR
DIMENSIONS	109.4 X 59.0 x 11.9mm
COLOR	Black, White
OS/UI	ANDROID Kitkat
BATTERY	1,549 mAh Li-Ion (Typ)
DISPLAY	Size: 3.5” Resolution: HVGA (480x320)(165ppi)
CAMERA	3MP FF
MEMORY	4GB eMMC + 512 MB LPDDR2 RAM Expandable up to 32 GB
DATA SPEED	HSDPA 14.4Mbps (Not LTE capable)
KEY UX	Knock Code^TM, Guest Mode^TM, QMemo, Fast Snapshot, Capture Plus, Easy Home, Wireless FM Radio with Alarm
No. of SIM SLOT	Dual
PRICE	Php 4,790

The LG L70 Smart Phone Specifications

The LG L70 of the newest LSeries III

Model	LG L40
CPU	1.2GHz Dual Core
CONNECTIVITY	A-GPS, BT 4.0, USB 2.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
DIMENSIONS	127.2 x 66.8 x 9.5mm
COLOR	Black, White
OS/UI	ANDROID Kitkat
BATTERY	2,100 mAh Li-Ion (Typ)
DISPLAY	Size: 4.5” Resolution: WVGA (480x800)(207ppi)
CAMERA	Back: 5MP Camera with LED Flash Front: VGA
MEMORY	4GB eMMC + 1GB LPDDR2 RAM Expandable up to 32 GB
DATA SPEED	HSDPA+ 21Mbps (Not LTE capable)
KEY UX	Knock Code^TM, Guest Mode^TM, QMemo, Plug & Pop, QSlide 2.5, Capture Plus^TM, Clip Tray^TM, Panorama Shot (2D)
No. of SIM SLOT	Dual
PRICE	Php 8,490

The LG L80 Smart Phone Quick Info

The LG L80 of the newest LSeries III

This model is yet to be officially released to the market, so there's no price yet given. Also, the specs released were limited to the following:

5.0" IPS Display
1.2GHz Dual Core
Android Kitkat 4.4

How Does the LG Knock Code Work?
I got curious how this new Knock Code Lock System works, so I asked one of the gals there, and she showed me how. Fortunately, I was able to record it. Check it out:

What I like about the knock code (versus the pattern lock) is that it doesn't leave a prominent smudge that can be analyzed for unauthorized access of your phone. Hence, I found it really intuitive and smart. Plus, according to the LG crew, there are 80,000 possible combinations of knock code, so it's very hard to break as well.

The New Ambassadors of LG Phones
The Latest LSeries III also has its newest brand ambassadors namely Andre Paras (of UP Fighting Maroons), Kiefer Ravena (of Ateneo Blue Eagles), Thomas Torres (of DLSU Green Archers) and Maxene Magalona.

Ina Ongsiako with Andre Paras, Kiefer Ravena, Thomas Torres and Maxene Magalona

The LG Ambassadors with Ina Ongsiako giving a preview of the LSeries III

Here's a snapshot of them with the LG LSeriesIII:

The Newest LG Brand Ambassadors - Thomas Torres, Maxene Magalona, Kiefer Ravena and Andre Paras

Some notes from the blogger:
Although in terms of the specs and some features, LG's LSeries III phones may fall somewhat short. However, for the very affordable prices of each phone, I think it's already a decent or potentially a good buy!

More celebrity shots:
Here are the solo shots of Maxene Magalona, Andre Paras, Kiefer Ravena and Ina Ongsiako:

Project Pie near Mall of Asia in Blue Bay, Pasay City

It has been a little more than a year since Project Pie landed here in the Philippines. You may probably tell me that I'm too late blogging about it, but I'll go by the saying "It's better late than ~~pregnant~~ never". (Oh shucks, who placed the cornball here?)

Anyway, I'm very proud to say that I finally got to try the pizzas of Project Pie! Since I am euphoric about it, let me provide you a documentation of the wondrous experience my family and I had in this place in Blue Bay, Pasay City (near Mall of Asia).

Note: Although you may keep on hearing that it is in Mall of Asia, it is not.

The Project Pie Logo - A Kustom Pizzeria

The Place full of Good Vibes and Awesomeness
As you enter the place, you'll be greeted by a neat and spacious interior, although ironically, the seats are limited (compared to the number of customers during peak hours) while those located outside may not be ideal during summer.

Another thing that I find amusing here in Project is the presence of quotable or hash-tagable (if such a term exists) quotes found on some of the walls. There are also witty lines such as "Rest Day" when a drink isn't available and "Get as much tissue as you want (but think about the trees)". For sure the Project Pie here in Blue Bay is filled with a lot of good vibes!

More of the interior of the Project Pie in Blue Bay, Pasay City

To top it all, the crew of Project Pie are all nice and bubbly singing cheesy songs or any upbeat songs that just pop into their minds! Frankly, I haven't seen a crew that happy - and it was overflowing and spilling onto us the customers!

The awesome crew of the Project Pie in Blue Bay, Pasay City

Pay as You Order
Now, Project Pie is a pay as you order restaurant, but that's not interesting. What's worth the attention is the entire ordering process. First, you start with the dough (oh, your name will be asked as well). From there, you may either choose the house specials or create your own, but even if you choose the former you may still tweak it and add or remove something. As one of the crew puts it, "The sky is the limit." On this stage, the sauce will be placed on the pizza.

The designing phase, putting on the toppings, of Project Pie

Next, you'll be moving on to another crew who'll be helping out in putting the toppings. If you chose to innovate your own, you'll be the one to point out which one will be included. Finally, you'll end up with the paying section.

Afterwards, you'll have to wait about 5 to 10 minutes before your pizza gets served (as they call out your name). This is where they bake the pizzas:

The Really, Really Hot Oven in Project Pie

Classic Caesar Salad || P165

Romaine, Parmesan, Croutons, Caesar Dressing

The Classic Caesar Salad of Project PIe

It is good to have something first as you wait, so we ordered a Classic Caesar Salad to jump-start our appetite. It was simple and straight to the point, and we liked it that way. Plus, it was just light on the tummy perfect for giving our stomach a soft jolt.

Pizza Salad || P245

Mixed Greens, Grilled Chicken, Feta, Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Balsamic Dressing on warm pizza dough

The Pizza Salad of Project Pie - a heavier version of salad

In case you want to combine your salad with your main meal, you will love this Pizza Salad that comes with a balsamic vinegar. Although it is heavier than the Classic Caesar Salad, it is considerably lighter than your regular meals.

Project Pie's Build Your Own Pizza || P285
Almost all of us opted for building our own pizza. My mom on the other hand picked half of #2 and #6.

Project Pie Pizza #2 and #6 - Order by Number

Although I am discouraging you to order by number, these pizzas with pre-determined toppings are not half as bad. However, I still believe that the customized one can potentially taste better (if you know how to combine stuff).

Pizza by my Younger Brother

Project Pie's customizable Pizzas!

Mozzarella, Feta, Parmesan, Pepperoni, Crumbled Meatballs, Bacon, Grilled Chicken, Green Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, Fresh Mushrooms, Fresh Chopped Basil

By the way, my brother is claiming Project Pie as the Best Pizza Place he'd been to, but I disagree with him. You'll learn what's the Best for me later.

Pizza by my Older Brother

All meat-all cheese pizza of Project Pie

My brother asked for an all-cheese, all-meat pizza with some mushrooms, pineapples and basil

Pizza by A-Not-So-Popular Kid and her Sister

Red sauce, all-cheese, walnuts, prosciutto, grilled chicken, fresh basil and onions

A Not-So-Popular Kid Pizza - the best pizza in the world!

What I practically love about the pizzas of Project Pie in general is the thin crust that I found so tasty and delightful! Also, I love how fresh the ingredients are as evidenced by the fantastic taste!

On the other hand, what I love about our personalized pizza was the interesting blend of flavors especially coming from the walnuts. I just realized it walnuts go well with some pizzas!

Here's the thing. Sometimes, choosing a lot of topping on a pizza won't do (but sometimes it does). Putting this in reverse - Choosing pizza with only a number of toppings may result to an amazing one if you know how to combine stuff.

Bestselling Banana Nutella Dessert || P145

Project Pie's Best Selling Dessert - the Banana Nutella Pizza

Banana Nutella Dessert of Project Pie that is chocolaty!

Initially, we didn't intend to order some desserts, but one of the crew insisted that we try the Banana Nutella. Since he assured us that it will be great, we ordered! Fortunately, he was right!

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll practically marry this one! The awesome blend of cinnamon, banana and Nutella produces a remarkable taste that is lovely!

Project Pie - Ratings
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars.
Place ★★★☆
Taste ★★★★★
Service ★★★★
Price ★★★☆
Budget: P350 each person for a customized pizza and beverage up to 3 refills

Overall, we really enjoyed our experience here in this pizzeria basically due to the extremely fine quality and taste of the pizzas. In addition, the vibrancy of the place made us feel overjoyed as we left, but although this may not be the best pizza I'd had (since My Kitchen's Pizza still holds the title), it still places well as second with a good lead. If you haven't tried it, well you should sometimes! It will definitely worth paying a visit!

Friends, let me hear what you have to say about this place. I will be glad to engage into a conversation with you.

Project Pie - Everyday Artisan Pizza
Location: Bluebay Walk EDSA-Macapagal Pasay
Contact No.: (02) 463-7122

KyoChon has finally arrived here in the Philippines with its first store in SM Megamall

I'm very excited to share with you that the "most famous chicken franchise in Korea" called KyoChon has finally arrived in the Philippines with its first outlet in SM Megamall (Ground level of Building B). Established in 1991, KyoChon specializes on providing top-quality chicken in variety of flavors, as well as other Korean dishes such as Kimchi and the like.

Although it may sound closely to BonChon, KyoChon is entirely different because it claims to be non fast-food restaurant (unlike the former). As a matter of fact, this is the first promise that KyoChon is committed to keep. The second and third one is interrelated and that is to use only natural ingredients together with the fresh & healthy chicken!

KyoChon's 3 Main Promises to Customers

Kyochon's Secret

Natural Ingredients
Kyochon's Authentic Original Sauces
Light and Less Greasy Recipe - a result of the double frying method (chefs will know the reason behind this)
Hearty Recipe - Kyochon promises to offer consistently good dishes by strictly following the standard recipe on the manual

Here's a preview of the potato wedges, one of the side dishes you may order in Kyochon.

KyoChon wedge potato - Crispy and Delicious

Note: I've heard that the Kimchi rice is really top-notch! Maybe you can check it out!

Now, let's talk about the chicken!

The Honey Series

Sweet honey sauce and moist chicken. Sweet and crispy. Choice of Original or Combo.

The Honey Series of Kyochon Chicken

One of the natural ingredients to sweeten something is to use honey, and that is what Kyochon is actually doing. Hence, for those who have prominent sweet tooth, you may go for the honey series!
The Kyochon Series

Rich taste from garlic and soy sauce. Light and slightly salty. Choose from Original, Stick, Wing and Combo

The Original Kyochon Series - just right for the adventure your palate seeks

The Kyochon series showcases the "garlic meets soy sauce" flavor!

The Red Series

Spicy and hot, Korean red pepper taste. Choose from Original, Stick Wing & Combo.

The Red Series - the spicy version of the Kyochon Chicken

If you are a heat-lover, you should definitely try the Red series, which is the spicy version of the KyoChon Chicken! This one offers a different kind of spiciness because Kyochon uses no other than Korean red peppers.

The Salsal Series

Rice-battered, boneless & skinless breast and thigh meat. Savory and crispy. Options of Salsal or Soy Salsal

The Salsal Series of KyoChon Chicken - bite into the crunch

You may be smiling or laughing right now because of the name Salsal, but I guess that word refers to White Meat or Boneless meat. I'm not sure about it, but it certainly does not pertain to the one you have in mind. What you'll find interesting about this dish is the crunchiness coming from the rice bubbles. To top it all, this dish comes with two special sauces that will add more bountiful flavor to the chicken.

The two sauces are the jambalaya sauce (savory taste) and the honey mustard sauce (creamy and sweet). Both will be served with the Salsal, so you'll have freedom as to what sauce to put. Some foodies exert creativity and blend the sauce together. You may want to try that as well.

Alright, so I hope you enjoyed this sneak preview of what KyoChon can offer. Of course there are still a lot to discover, so you may want to drop by the first outlet of Kyochon in the Ground Level of Building B, SM Megamall!

The RSM Lutong Bahay in Tagaytay

Labor Day spells out "family bonding", so that's what we did on May 1! As a normal family thing, there were some deliberations made first, and after several minutes, it was decided that the destination would be Tagaytay, a great choice for days this hot!

Truthfully, I am not well acquainted with the the place, so I needed to ask my friends about good restos to visit. Good thing my awesome friend Nica responded and gave me a number of options. One of those was this restaurant that you're currently reading about - RSM Lutong Bahay.

The RSM Lutong Bahay near Taal Volcano in Tagaytay

The Facade of the RSM Lutong Bahay - delivering good food for 10 years already!

The main reason why Nica recommended this place was the magnificent view of the Taal Volcano and the lake surrounding. However, according to her, it's not only the view that is worth paying and visiting for.The food are also something to look forward too!

Anyway, before we begin exploring the dishes. Let us first take a look at the beauty of the place.

The traditional Filipino interior of RSM Lutong Bahay in Tagaytay

Based on my observation, RSM has three (3) areas.

The Indoor Area - there is nothing much to see here, and the air circulation isn't as good
The Semi-Outdoor Area - this is halfway in and halfway out, meaning you'll see the clouds from here, but you won't see the Taal Volcano from that spot
Outdoor Area - this is the coolest part (not unless the sun is too extreme), since it's open air.

If you get extra lucky, you may get the seat where you can have this view:

The amazing view of Taal Volcano and the Lake from RSM Lutong Bahay (Tagaytay City)

As mentioned, RSM Lutong Bahay became famous because of the good view of the volcano. It's really magnificent. You will love the cool breeze and the awesome sight!

Alright, now that you've seen the refreshing view from RSM Lutong Bahay, let's go check out the food!

Inihaw na Pusit Lumot || P95 per 100g

The smokey and fresh inihaw na pusit in RSM Lutong Buhay

This grilled squid of RSM offered a smokey taste that was really distinct, and unlike some restaurant, this didn't have much sweetness (though not in a bad way), letting you focus on the grilled flavor.

Sinigang na Bangus sa Miso || P365

Sinigang na Bangus sa Miso in RSM Restaurant (Tagaytay)

Creamy Sinigang na Bangus sa Miso that is not too sour!

This dish came in first, actually and we all loved it! The soup had a thicker consistency than some of the sinigangs we know due to the miso, which made every sip a delightful experience. As for the taste, it was both rightly sour and malinamnam.

Tinutong Laing || P185

A non-spicy version of Laing in RSM Lutong Bahay

This creamy laing was a little different because it didn't have a bite of spiciness. However, since I am not much fan of spicy food, I was able to really enjoy this laing.

Sizzling Tuna Sisig || P330

The not so awesome but still nice Tuna Sisig of RSM Lutong Bahay

Next one was the Tuna Sisig which was relatively a lackluster as opposed to the other dishes we ordered. Perhaps it was because of the lack of balance between the spiciness and the flavor itself. Well, at least they didn't use canned tuna for this, unlike other restaurants I've been to.

Inihaw na Liempo || P250

The amazing Inihaw na Liempo of RSM Lutong Bahay

Another reason why we somehow ignored the tuna was this Inihaw na Liempo, which all of us agreed to be really amazing! As a matter of fact, we hailed this as the winning dish among all those we ordered because of its pleasurable sweetness and smokey flavor.

RSM Bulalong Tagalog || P550

The famous bulalo of RSM Lutong Bahay in Tagaytay

I know this is something that RSM is famous for, but I just found it "good" since something was stealing the attention away. On the other hand, my brother found it awesome, so I leave the judging on to you. Anyway, both of us agreed that it had generous serving of meat which was lean.

Okay, so basically, that was all that we had during our great lunch experience here in RSM Lutong Bahay. Here's our happy faces as proof that our tummy got happy as well.

A Not-So-Popular Kid in the RSM Lutong Bahay of Tagaytay

Before we wrap things up, let me share again some photos of the place to convince you to visit this amazing place!

The semi-romantic place in Tagaytay called RSM Lutong Bahay

Hmmmm, I'm thinking that this may be a decent place for lovely dates because of the serene ambiance, so you may want to consider this. Now, how about you imagine yourself being in this photo:

The outdoor area of RSM Restaurant in Tagaytay

Enjoy great meals and wonderful landscape here in the outdoor area of Tagaytay

Amazing isn't it?

RSM Lutong Bahay - Ratings
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars.
Place ★★★★☆
Taste ★★★★☆
Service ★★★★
Price ★★★☆

There is an apparent premium on the prices of the dishes (perhaps because of the ambiance and stuff), so expect to shed out some of your hard-earned cash, but based on our experience, it was all worth it! What I mean is both the food and the sight to behold are worth of the considerably expensive dishes here in RSM. In other words, I truly recommend this as one of the cool destination here in Tagaytay.

RSM Lutong Bahay
Location: Maharlika East Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact No.: (046) 483-1866 or (046) 544-0128
Store Hours: 7:00am to 12:00mn (daily)
Service Charge: 10% before VAT

The facade of Bag of Beans in Tagaytay City

When I was browsing for some good eats in Tagaytay, I kept on stumbling upon Bag of Beans (BoB). Although this suggests that this restaurant is already too common for a place to pick in Tagaytay, I still made sure that we would drop by the restaurant even just for some desserts. Fortunately, my wish just came true.

And so by the time we got there, I was blown away by both by the beauty and structure of the restaurant. The first floor houses the souvenir store where you can purchase some pasalubong like coffee beans, breads and stuff.

Bag of Bean's first floor housing all your pasalubong (food souvenir) needs

Then the "second floor" which is the restaurant proper can be accessed by going down the stairs. And holy cow, I got surprised by the charm of what stumbled upon me. I have to exaggerate a bit, but it felt like I was in another dimension. Let me share you the view I got:

The amazing view of the "second floor" of Bag of Beans in Tagaytay

Now, let's sidetrack a little as I share this shot with you. Even if you'll say that it is amateurish, you won't prevent me from feeling proud with this shot because of the good light orb effects.

Colorful ceiling lamps in the garden like restaurant proper of Bag of Beans

Here are some more of the photos I took here in Bag of Beans.

The famous coffee shop in Tagaytay called Bag of Beans

I have to admit this -- I really fell in love with the place. It was very serene and lovely with all the furniture design and the suitable environment!

More restaurants to check out in Tagaytay

RSM Lutong Bahay - get a taste of the famous bulalo and catch a breathtaking view of Taal Lake and Volcano here!
Antonio's Breakfast - classy restaurant (with amazing garden) for some great breakfast dishes

Coffee Bar - where all the good stuff begin brewing!

I haven't mention this, but I will now -- Bag of Bans restaurant is considerably huge with a lot of seats available; however, even such is the case, you might still be asked to wait for a while for some space to free up. Fret not because you can go around and be bewildered by the great sights such as this:

Adorable tables and chairs in Bag of Beans of Tagaytay City

Okay, now that we've taken a look at the place, let's go check the sweets out next.

Blueberry Cheesecake || P150

The highly delectable Blueberry Cheesecake of Bag of Beans

This cheese cake had a thick layer of whipped cream, followed by a thinner layer of cream cheese, and ultimately the solid crust. What I admired most about this dessert was its sufficient sweetness. Also, the overall appearance of the cake was mouthwatering.

Apple Pie ala Mode || P155

The sweet apple pie ala mode of Bag of Beans in Tagaytay

This apple pie was sweeter than what I call optimum, but the ice cream really complimented the taste of the pie (albeit making the sweetness more afloat). Also, since the apple filling was warm, it created a great sensation in the mouth (i.e. cold and warm battle).

Note: I recommend this for those with highly prominent sweet tooth.

Black Forest Frappe || P145

A perfect blend of coffee, chocolate, milk and cherry

This Black Forrest drink highlighted a fine coffee taste with a blend of chocolate and bits of cherry. The resulting mix was extremely fine that I personally found not overwhelming. Also, this frappe is a bestseller according to the waiter (who apparently has a same first name as I do).

Iced Caramel Machiatto || P115

An interesting mix of caramel and coffee that will tickle the taste buds

This machiatto had a very nice concoction of caramel and coffee with subtle warmness. The bottom layer contained the warm coffee portion and the upper layer contained the cool caramel drink. My younger brother really enjoyed this machiatto but mentioned that it has an "umay" factor.

Frozen Chocolate || P115

Straight and smooth chocolate goodness - Bag of Beans

Now, if you want something simple and straight to the point, you may want to go for this frozen chocolate. It featured a classic sweet milk chocolate blend. Nothing more and nothing less.

Fresh Watermelon Shake || P125

Fresh Fruit Juice of Watermelon in Bag of Beans

A refreshing watermelon fruit drink in Bag of Beans to beat the summer heat!

Now, in case you don't enjoy coffee, and you are not in a mood for some chocolate. You may want to go for the fresh fruit shakes of Bag of Beans. Of course you won't find anything so special about this drink, but it's definitely refreshing and possibly healthy.

Bag of Beans - Ratings
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars.
Place ★★★★☆
Taste ★★★★☆
Service ★★★☆ The staff are often all busy serving the customers
Price ★★★★ Competitive enough (as for the drinks and desserts)

Alright! That one practically wraps up our BoB experience. However, one thing still stirs my curiosity, and that's the non-dessert selection of Bag of Beans. Perhaps you have an idea that you want to share with us (e.g. other recommendables here in this resto). I'd be happy to hear them from you!

Bag of Beans
Location: 115 Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City
Service Charge: 10% on price (after VAT)

The beautiful church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Tagaytay City

We wanted our Tagaytay Trip, which coincidentally was our family get-together day, to be extra special. Hence, we planned to include visiting a nearby church in our agenda, and upon studying the locations and proximity of our to-visit places, we identified the Our Lady of Lourdes Church to be the ideal church to visit.

The photo above shows how the church looks like, and I think you'll agree with me that it looks really wonderful! Come on! Let's explore the place a little more!

If you happen to see this while traversing the Tagaytay Nusugbu highway - you've found Our Lady of Lourdes

The Place
If you happen to be not religious or Christian for that matter, you may still appreciate the place because of the serene environment. Also, it's a good place for meditation or reflection.

Beauty in simplicity in the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

Our Lady of Lourdes Mass Schedules
I took a photo of the mass schedules just in case you want to hear a mass.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Tagaytay) Mass Schedules

Here in this place, you will also see a Mama Mary statue. As you may know, Lourdes was one of the children who've seen the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so it's significant to this parish.

Statue of Mama Mary in Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Statue of Mama Mary in the serene mini-garden of the parish

The Candle Chapel
One of the things I really appreciated in this place was the Candle Chapel which is a "shrine" for prayers and wishes.

The Candle Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Church - a place for prayers and wishes

Once I went inside, I immediately felt the solemnity of the chapel. Hence, I offered my prayers and lit some candles, which by the way are color coded depending on your prayer intentions.

The solemn interior of the Candle Chapel in Tagaytay

The candles are for P5.00 each (but you pay on a honesty basis). Don't worry, the proceeds all go to the scholars of the parish. Light all the colors of the candles if you want, you are hitting two birds with one stone. The first one is helping the youth gain more knowledge, and the second one is praying for your dreams and other intentions.

Light a candle for your prayer intentions in the Candle Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes

Now, let's get a view of the church itself, but before that let me share this photo of me with the image of Jesus:

A Not-So-Popular Kid in the Our Lady of Lourdes Church

I really felt a wave of positive aura when I visited the church (perhaps because it was my first time there). Hence, I prayed for a wish. I don't know if you've heard it before, but a lot of people say that you can make a wish if it's your first time to visit a church. I don't believe in superstitions, but there's no harm in praying for a wish, right?

Alright, now that I've stalled too much already, let me show you the interior of the church:

Interior of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tagaytay

I know it looks simple, but I think it was that simplicity that made me really appreciate the church.
Trivia: A lot of couples choose this as their wedding church, you may want to have your here in the future.

Okay, now shall we discover some good eats in Tagaytay? Check out my other blog posts:

RSM Lutong Bahay - have a magnificent view of the Taal Volcano and Lake here as you enjoy good food!
Antonio's Breakfast - expensive, but a beautiful place for Filipino Breakfast favorites
Bag of Beans - good place for coffee, cakes and even other dishes!

The interior of the bigger Arya in the Robinsons Midtown Wing

The Arya and the Arte
Ever since I’d started seeing Arya in Robinsons Midtown wing, I made it a tradition to just ignore and pass by the restaurant. I don’t have a very specific and well-grounded reason behind it, but I just kept on “judging the book by its cover”. It was as if something within me was telling not to eat there because I may not enjoy the food. It was so presumptuous that I even disregarded the fact that a good number of people eat there, and that Arya has been in the 2nd floor of Robinsons Ermita for quite some time now (meaning, it was good business which translates to good food). Oh wait a minute! I just remembered that one of the shallow reasons I used to rationalize my decision never to eat there was that the place didn't seem that inviting to me, but rather saw it somehow hostile (most probably because it was relatively new to my eyes and as well as taste).

Another view of the interior of Arya Persian Restaurant

Anyway, just one fine night of May, my sister decided to set a date for some catch-up dinner. We were supposed to eat elsewhere inside the mall, but restaurants were already closing that time. Hence, we opted to dine in Café Breton (which is one of the restaurants located outside the mall with extended operating hours). Unfortunately, the staff weren't accommodating at all. In fact, they just kept on passing by us as if we didn't exist making us feel unwelcomed and slightly disappointed.

Honestly, that one almost blew it. I mean, we had no other options but to try Arya, and just as you expected we ended up dining in that restaurant (which is the reason why I have this post). Anyway, pardon me for the long introduction, but I just felt like documenting that one. Since I already blabbered too much, let’s now explore Arya!

Note: There are two Arya branches here in Robinsons Midtown. The first one is on the second floor of the inner mall, while the second one (which is where we dined in) is on the ground floor accessible outside.

The Food
Arya Dip Platter || P292

A Halal certified combination of Hummus, Motabal, Tzitziki & Mirza Ghasemi served with 2 pieces of Pita Bread

The pita bread that comes along with the Arya Dip Platter

The warm pita bread that comes along with the Arya Dip Platter

Arya DIp Platter: Hummus, Motabal, Tzitziki & Mirza Ghasemi

I have to admit; I got intimidated by the looks of the dips. All of them were fairly new to my sight, and definitely to my taste buds. However, I just let the air of adventure within me to manifest. Let me share with you a little something more about the dips (based on my Google search):

Hummus (upper left) - an Arabic food dip or sauce made from cooked and mashed chickpea (a type of legume) usually mixed with tahini (a paste resulting from mashed sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic
Motabal or Mutabbal (lower right) - almost similar with Hummus but with a different base; rather than using chickpea, eggplant (aubergine) is used
Tzitziki (upper right)- a dip made out of seasoned yogurt often with herbs or fruit extracts
Mirza Ghasemi (lower left)- mashed eggplant usually seasoned with garlic, tomato, turmeric, oil or butter, salt and pepper; has a subtle sweetness from the tomato

The last two mentioned dips were the ones I was able to appreciate.

Arya Salad || P183 (Single) || P292 (Share) good for 2-4 || P392 (Family)

Crispy romaine lettuce cucumber, walnuts, olvies, capers tossed in balsamic mustard sauce

nThe refreshing but plain Arya Salad of Arya Persian Restaurant

I initially thought that the ones surrounding the plate were sliced banana, but when I took a closer look, they were cucumbers. Ha! They fooled me big time (although I would have preferred if they were really bananas).

Anyway, this salad was satisfyingly refreshing in terms of the freshness and the selection, but I wasn't able to appreciate the dressing because it matched the taste of a sweet Asian dressing (with a texture of thousand islands). Nevertheless, in its totality, I give it a above satisfactory stamp - thanks to the walnuts!

Arya Sini Kamel (Combination of White & Red Meat) || P1,209

Skewers of Mourgh Koobideh, Bareh Koobideh, Beef Koobideh, Royal Joojeh, Mahi Kabab & Migu Tanoori served with rice platter, grilled tomatoes and onions. Good for 3 to 5 persons.

The rice platter that goes along with the Arya Sini Kamel platter

Honestly, the nosebleed-inducing terms of the kebabs and skewers are not just hard to pronounce, but somehow difficult to do a quick search on. Anyway, let me share with you the content of this platter (from left to right of the photo):

Grilled Chicken or Mourgh Koobideh
Grilled Lamb or Bareh Koobideh - Good quality! I totally loved this, and the best in the collection!
Grilled Chicken Cubes (not the Knorr kind of cubes) or Royal Joojeh
Grilled Shrimps or Migu Tanoori (although I can't verify if this one really pertains to shrimps)
Grilled Fish or Mahi Kabab

Note: Koobideh is a Persian minced meat kebab

The Arya Sini Kamel - collection of fine kebabs of Arya Persia Restaurant

Among the collection, I enjoyed the lamb the most, followed by the shrimps, beef, fish then chicken (both of them). Yes, I know you've noted of the price, and basically each stick costs at an average of P200. However, I would say that it wasn't a total wrong buy because of the good quality of grilling as evidenced by the taste. Still, I may go for the solo purchase of the kebabs. In that way, I can eliminate the chicken (be it the cubes or the koobideh) in my selection.

A closer look of the kebabs of the Arya Sini Kamel

Arya Persian Restaurant - Ratings
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. Ratings pertain to this dining experience alone.
Place ★★★☆
Taste ★★★☆
Service ★★★★
Price ★★★
Budget needed: at least P500 for a meal per person with appetizer (excludes drinks and desserts); solo diners should prepare to spend more, since the dishes are mostly good for 2 (except for the platters)

After this dining experience, I realized that I'd been too judgmental with Arya without me knowing what I've been missing. Well, I admit that my experience wasn't extremely superb, but the restaurant still deserves my attention. After all, Philippine Tatler wouldn't give recognition and awards to Arya for consecutive years if it doesn't have something great to offer. Anyway, I am glad to say that with this food exploration, I am eager to try more Persian dishes be it in here or in other restaurants!

How about you guys? What do you think of the place? I will definitely love to hear from you!

Arya Persian Restaurant
Location: Ground floor, Midtown Wing of Robinsons Place Manila, Adriatico cor Pedro Gil, Ermita, Manila
Service Charge: 10% on price (after VAT)

Blog Giveaway - P1,000 GC for Kyochon

Greetings dear readers of this blog! I hope you are all having a great time, and of course enjoying the posts here in A Not-So-Popular Kid! First off, I want to grab this opportunity to thank all those who are continuously supporting me and this blog. I'm getting some of the inspiration to write from all of you!

Hence, to give back something in return, I am once more handing out one (1) GC worth P1,000 for KyoChon Korean Restaurant which just recently opened its first store here in the Philippines!

Read more about the Launching and some of the food sneak peeks here: KyoChon Philippines Opens Up Here in Manila

Anyway, let me share some photos of the famous chicken you can have in Kyochon.

Join the Blog Giveaway!
Friends, it's really easy to join this blog giveaway I've prepared for you! Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below (wait for it to load), and you are good to go! Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions of this Blog Giveway! Best of luck my fellow foodie friends!

I'm hoping for your continuous support everyone! Much love from me to you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Cafe Astoria of Astoria Plaza Hotel in Ortigas

To celebrate the day dedicated to mothers, we treated our mom to Cafe Astoria, the in-house restaurant of Astoria Plaza (which is a full-service residential hotel). We've heard that although this hotel isn't that grand, it still has a lot to offer when it comes to the food and hotel service; hence, we decided to check it out by dining in its restaurant.

Cafe Astoria's dining table and couch

The Restaurant
As you may note on the photo above, Cafe Astoria has a modern appeal with its chosen color schemes of gray, silver and other complimentary colors. This, together with the interior arrangement, produces a cozy ambiance, mixed with a moderate level of classiness. Also, one of the things I adored most were the highly comforting couches which made me feel totally at ease!

More view of the classy interior of Cafe Astoria

Buffet or Ala Carte?
Although it is usually common to try out first the buffet of restaurants, we didn't because the selections on the buffet table didn't seem to make the buffet price look worth it. Hence, we opted for the ala carte, which I suggest you do the same in case you want to check this place out.

For your reference, here are the buffet prices. The lunch buffet costs about P700++ while the dinner buffet costs about P600++. The difference was brought by the unavailability of the carving station for the roasted stuff. However, if you'll still think about it, the price is still relatively affordable.

Alright, now that you have an idea of Cafe Astoria, let's move on with the dishes we had!

The Food
After ordering, we were immediately served one complimentary bread and butter each. (Note: You may still ask for more in case one isn't enough for you). I just felt happy because I love restos that provide complimentary stuff - luckily Astoria is one of them!

The complimentary bread and butter in Cafe Astoria

Anyway, the first one that came up was the soup my mom ordered!

Soup of the Day - Cream of Asparagus || P120

The Cream of Asparagus of Cafe Astoria

One thing that grabbed my attention was the messy plating, and since this was the first dish, I got a little disappointed, and scared (that all the other dishes would be like it). This feeling was further provoked when I took a sip of the soup. It was way too salty! Of course, other flavors (the good ones) were there, but then the saltiness kept on driving your attention only to it. However, upon diluting it with a lot of water, the soup turned out way better.

Honey Grilled Pear Bleu D' Auberge Salad || P230

Served with candied walnuts, sweet dried cranberries & raspberry dressing

Since my family loves salad as a starter, we made sure we would be having one. Coincidentally, I'm currently loving walnuts, so when I saw a salad that has walnuts with it on the menu, I didn't look for anything else, and immediately uttered the dish to the waiter.

Unfortunately, the salad wasn't remarkably fantastic, but I still enjoyed it with its light and refreshing fruity taste. The reason why it could have been better was because it was short on the dressing. Of course the walnuts were there to make things things go jumping with craze! However, beware because that's a bias remark from a walnut-die-hard lunatic. Anyway, I still am suggesting that you try this dish!

Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls || P120 - affordable but plain

Julienne vegetables rolled in rice wrapper, infused with hot peanut sauce and coriander sweet chili sauce

The Vietnamese Spring Rolls of Cafe Astoria

The Vietnamese Spring Rolls with an appealing plating and presentation

Surely I wouldn't prevent you from trying this dish because it is so affordable! Can you actually believe that this one just costs P120? However, don't have much expectation with this dish. My sister and I both agreed that the rolls were bland on their own, and heavily rely on the sauce provided.

Getting a little bit doubtful
With the first three orders that was served first, I couldn't help myself but to almost declare Cafe Astoria as a place not for some food exploration. However, that suddenly turned the opposite direction when the remaining dishes were served! But first, let me share this awesome picture of us:

A Not-So-Popular Kid with the awesome family in Cafe Astoria

The Better Batch
Luckily with all the great quality and taste of the remaining dishes we ordered, I almost forgot about the "lack of thrill" with the rolls and the soup. Let's first start with this dish:

Korean Style U.S. Beef Bulgogi Rice || P280

With vegetable bibimbap kimchi and fried egg

Perfect for those dining in solo - Korean Beef Bulgogi

Remarkably sweet and tender, this Korean Beef Bulgogi was able to bring delight to our palates! I have to give it to them - they really had this done really well!

Bagnet Binagoongan || P290

Crackling pork belly tossed in spiced anato shrimp paste, simmered in coconut cream

The must-try Bagnet Binagoongang of Cafe Astoria

This Bagnet was plainly awesome with its sweet binagoongan sauce with touch of coconut milk! It was finely cooked that the blend of flavors was so smooth and suave! On top of that, you will fall more in love with the awesome dish because of the crispiness of the Bagnet! You shouldn't definitely miss this one out!

Kare-Kare || P350

Stewed oxtail, tripe and Angus Beef chuck roll in peanut sauce and vegetables served with shrimp paste

The Kare-Kare of Astoria Plaza Hotel

Filipino Kare-Kare Close Up - Astoria Plaza Hotel

A closer look of the Kare-Kare

We found the Kare-Kare okay with its mildly sweet peanut sauce, but it turned out awesome because of the balance in the flavors. Plus, as opposed to the relatively expensive Kare-Kare of other Filipino Cuisine restaurants, this one was more generous as to the meat, oxtail, tripe and etc.

Related Post: The Kare-Kareng Laman Dagat by Bale Dutung in Pampanga - seafood kare-kare with a mouthwatering twist

Smoked Paprika Roasted Salmon Filet || P495

Salmon fillet marinated in olive oil, garlic, mix herbs and Hollandaise mousseline butter sauce

The surprisingly affordable Roasted Salmon of Cafe Astoria

When we speak of a salmon, what immediately comes into my mind is "high price", but this one is a non-conformist! Cafe Astoria was able to price its salmon dish fairly!

You will enjoy this dish because of the refreshing sweet-tangy sauce that goes along with the roasted salmon! Amazing!

Baked Spinach Eggplant Lasagna || P225

Fresh spinach and eggplant lasagna with pimiento bechamel

Baked Spinach Eggplant Lasagna of Cafe Astoria

The cheesy baked lasagna that will capture the hearts of the cheese lovers!

A closer look of the fantastic baked lasagna of the Cafe Astoria

Wait, were you able to catch a glimpse of the price? Yeah, P225 for this good-for-sharing dish!

This Baked Spinach Eggplant Lasagna was a genuine cheese haven (hence, expect a strong tang of cheese), with a buoyant taste of the white sauce unifying the overall flavor. Aside from that, because of the extreme goodness of the sauce, the taste of the eggplant was almost perfectly concealed! Hence, those who don't like veggies may still appreciate this pasta dish!

And oooops! I think we've reached the last dish that was served. Let me provide a mini-recap through this rating overview of the restaurant.

Cafe Astoria - Ratings
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. Ratings pertain to this dining experience alone.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★★
Service ★★★★☆
Price ★★★★★
Budget needed: at least P380 per person (of at least 3 people) for a feasty experience covering your appetizers, main course and dessert

Without any exaggeration, I was seriously caught by surprise by the affordable prices in Cafe Astoria. What was even more surprising was the fact that these dishes were still of high quality despite price, and that's something you can call as "maximized value of money"!

Friends, to tell you honestly, I can't wait to go back here in this underrated restaurant, and try other dishes! Needless to say, Cafe Astoria just stole my heart!

Cafe Astoria in Astoria Plaza

Location: 15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Business District Pasig City
Service Charge: 10% before VAT

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