Post X'mas, Pre-2009 Fun!

We surely didn't suffer from a hang-over in this festive Yuletide week. Last Sunday, we went to the Global City in Taguig to hang-out and have dinner. While waiting for Dave and Cholo, we broke into the busy crowd of ...

We tried their new flavor, Caramel Apple Cheesecake. Nothing fancy. I like the Iced Raspberry better. Free Wi-Fi made us preoccupied while killing time. When we were all complete, we decided to traverse the road to ...

With so much yummy food to choose from the menu, we just ordered the dishes recommended by the staff. No regrets!

To cap the night, we ended up going to one of our favorite hang-out places in the metro ...

Oh how we miss this spot! Definitely, we enjoyed every minute we were together. To all of you guys, Happy New Year and let's welcome 2009 with a bang! :-P

What A Wonderful Christmas!

My Christmas this year was far different from the previous ones .. . I got to spend the Christmas Eve and the day itself with my close friends at Edward's place. What a joyous experience it was!

I terribly miss my family, especially this Yuletide season. Spending the Christmas Eve feast with my friends definitely brought delight in my heart! We all shared the scrumptious food we ourselves prepared that night.

After indulging in awesome Noche Buena fare, we had the whole early morning for some movie marathon and endless tittle-tattle. After the Christmas daybreak, we all had our ...

We had the usual bonding over a good and satisfying meal. Much appreciated sustenance -- both literally and figuratively. :-) The day went on, with us just enjoying the company of each other.

I thank my friends for a wonderful Christmas of 2008. I hope we can do this again next year. :-P

The Christmas JimN-Eve

December 24 is not just another Christmas Eve, but it also marks the special day of one of our dear friends ...

You should see the thrill on his face and the excitement in his voice when he opened our gift for him. A once in a lifetime moment ... priceless 'ika nga. :-)

Of course, we didn't let the time pass by without belting our hearts out ... after all, we were at Music 21 Timog that night! We welcome back Willow after his long hiatus ... it was good to hear your cool, soothing voice once again! To JimNev, we wish you all the best ... the best of health, life and lovelife ... yay! :-P

Team 28's Yuletide Bash!

I whipped up a mean fiesta fruit salad last Sunday morning. Why? To feed a hungry group of people at ...

Yes, we celebrated our Christmas get-together at Joyjoy's humble abode in QC. There were a few people who didn't quite make it, but still, we had a blast! We did karaoke and some acoustic guitar sessions. Oh and of course, we DID savor the food we prepared, like the spaghetti bolognese, Hawaiian pork, lumpiang shang-hai, roast chicken, fruit punch and my salad. Yum yum!

After eating, we did our revelation for the team Kris Kringle.

Oh I love the gift Davelyn gave me ... a very cute stuffed toy, Po of Kung-fu Panda! Everyone else were very thrilled to see their gifts. Definitely, that was a good party! Merry Christmas everyone! :-P

Breakfast Heaven @Flapjacks

When I told Jimmy I was craving for some fluffy pancakes, he came up with a bright idea ... to visit Flapjacks at Greenbelt 2. So last Sunday morning, off we went to the said place.

Being one of the newest diners of The Bistro Group (of TGI Friday's, Italianni's, and Fish & Co. fame), it boasts of humongous and filling meals, catering to people who enjoy the all-day breakfast concept. Once we got there, the friendly and courteous staff readily gave their helping hands to assist us. The colorful paper tablemats caught my fancy ... brightly printed translations of “Good morning!” in different foreign languages such as “Buenos Dias!”, "Zao Shang Hao!", "Goden Morgen!" and our very own "Magandang Umaga!", among others. Riza, our server, gave free brewed coffee, which turned out to be one of their signature offerings ... endless cups 'til you give up due to palpitations! What did we order?

Jimmy got the Five-Stack Triple Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Php 350) ... 5 fluffy and rich flapjacks with traces of chocolate syrup within the pieces, laced with chocolate creme and studded with chocolate chips, with a huge chunk of semi-melted butter. He couldn't finish everything so he gave me 2 pancakes. Yay! I got The French Toast Platter (Php 285)... a filling meal consisting of 2 decadent French toasts with 2 rashers of good bacon, 2 juicy sausages, and scrambled eggs. Now was that breakfast heaven or what?!

Flapjacks offers a full menu of not just breakfast, but also lunch and dinner specials that will surely satisfy your heart's (and tummy's) desire. Are we coming back to this place? Surely! :-P

Christmas Weekend Blast

Since we figured that malls in the metro will surely be jampacked on the last weekend before Christmas, we opted to take a stroll down Bonifacio High Street instead. The weather was really nice, surprisingly after experiencing very humid visits at the said open promenade mall. That's Yuletide weather in action! Jimmy and I haven't eaten lunch that time so we both agreed on going to Market!Market! and order ...

Gosh we were so stuffed! Imagine a platter of Soy Chicken, Pork Barbecue Asado, Hainanese Chicken, slices of Dry Chinese Sausage and Century Eggs for only Php 333... such gastronomic heaven when you're starving like a horse! Paired with Salted Fish Fried Rice with Chicken (Php 128), that was a knock-out!
After that filling meal, we went back to the Serendra Piazza and were supposed to go to Krispy Kreme for some fancy doughnuts. But this caught our attention ...

Oh my my my! Jimmy was overwhelmed with the Elvis (Php 100) ... Oreo crust filled with peanut butter creme, caramelized banana slices, slathered with chocolate and caramel syrup and Reeses bits on top. I myself was thrilled to have the Banana Monkey Pie (Php 85) ... pecan cookie crust with bananas and sweet creme frosting! We both shared the Nutter Butter (Php 85), deliciously nasty peanut butter creme, sandwiched by two huge chewy oatmeal cookies.
Now if you ask me, was that a good, sweet Saturday afternoon? I'll raise both hands! :-P

Cheers to Jason and Abi!

December 18 marks the 1st wedding anniversary of my good friend from college, Jason and his pretty wife, Abigael. They tied the knot, sans their loving folks, in Canberra, Australia last year. It was a nice and warm Thursday afternoon when they renewed their vows at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros. Now, the parents, with some family and friends, witnessed the exciting event.

Yes, I was chosen as a secondary sponsor (doing the veil). Thanks to Edward for the very nice barong tagalog ... that saved my day!
The wedding ceremony was very solemn and heart-melting. There was too much love in the air!

After the wedding, we went straight to Manila Hotel, Maynila Ballroom for the reception. Hats off to the couple and the organizer ... everything fell under good taste, from the overall look of the place, down to the table presentation and wedding banquet itself.

During dinner, an audio-visual presentation (AVP) was shown and I admit, it was a very touching one (even Abi couldn't help but shed some tears). The ceremony that day itself was showcased on that presentation ... pretty fast job (and fab, as well) by the Wally Gonzales Photography Group.
Of course, Adel and I were uber starving that time. Thank God for the wonderful food they served.

There were too much appetizers to choose from ... but I love the Shrimp and Mango Salad and the Italian deli. On my second plate, I had the Pork Medallion, Seafood Penne, Smoked Salmon Steak, Roast Beef, Chicken with Mushroom Sauce and Vegetable Medley. Haay calories galore! Oh and the dessert plate? Fresh Fruits, Leche Flan and Creme Puffs. And my favorite? Pistachio Mousse.
To Jason and Abi, cheers to your long-lasting relationship! :-P

Yo Soy Betty La Fea!

Oh my friends and their wacky antics! When these familiar-looking eyeglasses were found at Edward's place in Tagaytay last weekend, they couldn't help but grab the camera and took these photos ...

Hilarious! Now wait 'til you witness this ...

All that's missing: the thick, long hair! Peace, Abbu! :-P

Enthralled by Caleruega

After enduring a minimal amount of sleep, we still took a road trip on a bright Sunday morning going to ...

Caleruega, which is in Batulao, Batangas, is a haven for retreats and reflection activities, as well as for memorable nuptials. As seen on the pictures above, we went to the hanging walkway, where serene koi ponds can be seen. You can smell fresh air as you stroll through the brick-lined pathways and flowery gardens. Very inspiring! We weren't able to explore much of the breathtaking place, but we were able to appreciate our short visit there.
Our main reason why we went there: to buy some pesto sauces sold by the nuns. They sell different sauces and dressings (which taste really good!). They even sell freshly harvested lettuce. I was able to taste the sun-dried tomato pesto sauce with some saltines... pretty delish! Of course, I bought one for my pasta recipe. :-)
On our way back to Tagaytay, we stopped to take photos with the lush farmlands behind us ... in one with nature!

A little bit of trivia: the house behind me, Dave and Achi ... that was the love nest of Sharon Cuneta and Richard Gomez for the 2000 Star Cinema movie, "Minsan, Minahal Kita".
Showbizzzzz! :-P

A Merry Barkada Christmas!

Our barkada had a 2-in-1 celebration last Saturday night at Edward's place in Tagaytay. It was our group's 1st anniversary of being (happily) stuck together and our Christmas party as well. Due to several short stops along the way, we arrived in Tagaytay at around 9pm. Knowing our nature, once we got out of the cars, it was time for ...

Most of us were not that super hungry since we grabbed li'l bites at the gas station along SLEX. Thus, we took our sweetest time to prepare dinner that night. Everybody were busy though, doing their own thing ...

After engaging in a happy feast of grilled liempo and hotdogs, lumpiang shang-hai, menudo, lechon paksiw, pizza, nachos, sapin-sapin and soda, we had one of the most important highlights of the night ...

Everyone was so ecstatic with what they received from their daddies! It was an overall success, considering we had to cancel gift-giving during certain weekends. Thanks to my daddy Mel, that piggy's so adorable!
After the "hysteria", Edward then facilitated his game for us called ...

That was so fun! Who won? Me and Jimmy! Thanks for the cool Ferrari key chains, Big Daddy!
We barely had sleep that night. All in all, we had so much joy. We thank each other for the warm and happy company... for being together almost every weekend (sometimes even during weekdays) for the past 52 weeks. As what JimNev would always utter... thru thick and thin. Cheers! To you, from us ...

Parang Christmas line ng Starbucks lang, no? :-P

The Baguio Overnight Chronicles: Camp John Hay

After leaving Inn Rocio, we decided to end our Baguio overnight journey by visiting the former rest & recreation facility for American soldiers ...

We just adore the Camp John Hay Manor Hotel, with its very awesome architecture and homey interiors. Of course, it was photo op for us that time!
Then, we visited The Mile Hi Center ...

The Mile Hi Center is a commercial complex with diners, souvenir shops, sporting good stores and a commissary showcasing different imported goods. Of course, Cholo and Dave haggled at the Penny's Worth shop to get the nice blue jacket. I was able to buy some pasalubong and tasty baked treats, too.
Our very last stop was at the former Country Waffle diner ...

There's nothing more relaxing than sipping hot, brewed coffee and savoring some flapjacks with sausages and sunny side-up egg, with the chilly breeze gently blowing against you, and the good company of close friends.
Oh yes, that was just one day in the City of Pines, but that was one very memorable and happy experience. Yup, we'll be back in January. I can't wait ... :-P

The Baguio Overnight Chronicles: Heart of the City

While Edward was attending his friend's wedding, we opted to explore the vicinity. Little did we know that Inn Rocio was just a stone's throw away from ...

Burnham Park is one of the major attractions and is within the heart of the city. It has the famous man-made lake, where one can enjoy boating. There's also a skating rink, a few restaurants, outdoor kiosks, a children's playground and an area where you can rent bicycles.
Our next stop:

It is strategically located on downtown Session Road. A wide variety of goodies can be bought here, like fresh vegetables, fresh fruits (including strawberries), peanut brittle, cookies, fresh flowers, etc. Handicrafts like walis tambo, blankets, sweaters and silver jewelry, among others, are also available here. We had to buy broccoli, cauliflower and seedless Sagada oranges... they're dead cheap here! Dave and Cholo got good bargain for the native sling bag and some scarves.
After some shopping, we got so hungry, we went to ...

The SM City Baguio was so crowded on a Sunday noon! However, the chilly weather was good enough to alleviate us from claustrophobia. The open-air mall is located on uptown Session Road, and is beautifully surrounded by towering pine trees. The verandas overlook the whole city, giving us a nice view. Oh we didn't notice how time flies so fast ... we had to go back to the inn to pack up. Sad. Next: Camp John Hay. :-P

The Baguio Overnight Chronicles: Inn Rocio

At past 3 in the morning, we headed back to Inn Rocio. Edward got a well-ventilated room good for 6 people, equipped with comfy beds (with clean beddings and thick blankets) and cable TV. The toilet and bath has an adequate supply of hot and cold water. Other plus factors include ...

The inn maybe old as the hills but it still exudes coziness and a very relaxed ambience. There are antiques all around, as well as stone fireplaces, and even Christmas decors, including a large Nativity diorama near the restaurant.

Outside the inn, you can see a wide hillside garden, boasting of different plants and flowers, including poinsettia.

The wide glass windows at the restaurant showcase the pine trees, standing mighty proud around the inn, ergo, we had these ...

We had a nice stay at this inn! One downside though ... when Edward asked for a 3-hour extension and pay extra, the lady-in-charge said we should pay for the whole day. For us, it was a li'l bit unfair, considering we checked in quite late (past 1am). Oh well, I guess rules are rules, and they don't intend to break them. Up next: roaming around the city! :-P

The Baguio Overnight Chronicles: Pizza Volante

Almost 2 hours after leaving Isdaan, we finally reached Marcos Highway. Up, up, up we traversed the zigzag road until we finally reached the point where we could see the city lights. What a sight to behold! Of course, we had to roll down the car windows to feel the chilly breeze against our faces. When we stopped at a gas station in the city proper, we just had to grab our jackets... it was uber cold!

Then, we had to go around the city to look for a place to stay for the night. We chose Inn Rocio, within the Session Road area. After dropping our things inside the room, we went out to... EAT! Then we found this pizzeria along Session Road:

The food was pretty good! For pasta, we had Bolognese and Shrimp Tomato (Php 150 each order). We also had 2 types of pizza: Hungarian and Onions and Pepperoni (Php 200 each). Both were loaded with mozzarella cheese. Yum! What I love the most ... the Waffle with Rashers of Bacon. Butter generously spread on the waffle, then soaked with syrup... diabetic rush! The Apple Pie didn't meet my expectation, though. The apples were so tart and there was too much cinnamon action going on with the slice. That was just an utter disaster!
After filling our bellies with good food, we stayed for a few more minutes for some chatting. Of course, we ended up laughing because of ...

I just couldn't control my guffaws! Dave was definitely the runaway winner! If you only know what we were laughing about ... hahaha! Next up: Inn Rocio! :-P

The Baguio Overnight Chronicles: Isdaan

When Edward asked us if we want to accompany him to Baguio City last weekend, I readily agreed, with no hesitation. It has been quite a while since the last time I went there, and it was a good opportunity for me to spend a long and enjoyable trip with my friends. We left Manila at around 4:30 in the afternoon. After a few stops along the way, we decided to have our dinner in Gerona, Tarlac at ...

Isdaan is a floating Filipino eating place, of the Barrio Fiesta chain, boasting of an overall unparalleled ambience ... with native huts all around, some stone giants and fishes fronting the place, and very well-lit facade and restaurant proper. Bamboo slats make up the entire walkway ... very Filipino! That goes well with the menu ... a wide array of native delicacies that entices one's palate. Oh we were so starving we ordered a lot!

From lechon kawali to bulalo, from sinigang na baboy to inihaw na tilapia, and so on and so forth ... you'll have a hard time choosing what dish to order! Rice is served in metal kalderos, reminiscent of my younger years without rice cookers!

After the hearty dinner, we had to go to one of the major attractions of the place ...

The Tacsiyapo wall has graffiti written all over the place, consisting of people, things or situations whom one can be angry at. For example, there's mother-in-law, boss, magnanakaw, professor, arthritis/high blood, even 5/6! For as low as Php 15 for a mug to a whopping Php1,500 for an old TV, you can throw the item and smash it onto the wall! It really depends on how angry you are, though (and on your budget, too!). :-P

On the other hand, you can request for free fish food so that you can feed the fishes all around, just like we did. Such fun! Our next stop: Baguio proper! :-P

Indulging Without Guilt

After stuffing ourselves at Zensho, we had the usual craving for something sweet. Lucky us, because just across the street, we saw ...

Edward and Bingo got the Yoh-Gurt Froz Original Strawberry and Mango Cheese while Jimmy had Buco Lychee in Belgian waffle cone. The Yoh-Gurt Froz Original is an exciting fusion of fresh fruits and frozen yogurt, 100% non-fat, low-calorie, and sugar-free. It tastes like real ice cream, sweet and not tangy minus the guilt!

I had the Classic Fro-yo, 98% fat-free soft-serve frozen yogurt ... smooth, creamy with the not-so-tart flavor of real yogurt. Mine had strawberry, banana and granola clusters while Badz & Abbu had blueberry. This healthy dessert option was really appreciated! :-P

(Zen)Sho Good!

As promised, we had dinner last Wednesday with Abbu and Badz. We miss these guys so much so we took time to spend a night with them during their rest day. And what better way to do this than to go to a Japanese eat-all-you-can, ala carte style, right along Tomas Morato. It's ...

We couldn't help but try all the delectable dishes on the menu. They cooked them fresh as we ordered. Good thing they serve not too generous portions so were able to savor everything we got.

And as usual, I had to take out my camera for some "candid" shots, haha!

Leaving Zensho that night with satisfied, full stomachs ... why not? :-P

Sugar Fix @Walnut Creek

We had a sweet Sunday afternoon when we dropped by our friend Benhur's Walnut Creek Bakeshop along Sct. Ybardolaza in Quezon City.

Oh my! I enjoyed my pasta dish, Lasagne with Hungarian Sausage and Homemade Pesto. Yum yum! For dessert, we had a slice of their chocolate macaron-like cake with chocolatey smooth, upper crust and soft, moist and chewy inner cookie with the chocolate ganache filling, and studded with coarsely ground pistachios. Oooh so good! We also had a slice of their pistachio cake... moist, not-too-sweet dense cake base with pistachio bits and icing. Sugar fix galore!
Great food, Benhur! Keep up the good job! They'll be opening their Megamall branch really soon. Watch out for it! :-P