Chunky Bites

Nasi Lemak = Good!

2010-09-24T13:23:00.000+08:00

After 12 hours of fasting and 5 hours at Medical City for diagnostic & laboratory exams, I got extremely hungry! Since Robinsons Galleria's the nearest mall to go to for lunch, I decided to walk my chunky butt there & grab some chow. When I chanced upon Nasi Lemak, I knew where I wanna eat. There were so many delectable food choices to pick from ... the best chow from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia & India. I picked the Nasi Lemak Set, consisting of moist & juicy BBQ chicken, cucumber, thin & crispy Indian papadam, egg, sambal ikan bilis (dried anchovies with spicy paste), fried kuning or fish and nasi lemak rice (coconut milk rice) with peanuts. That was good and heavy! I also ordered the Thai Pomelo salad ... fresh pomelo chunks with shredded cabbage and carrots, tossed in a sweet yet mildly spicy Thai dressing. Definitely, this salad was one refreshing treat! It was a satisfying meal for me, once again. I can't wait to try the other dishes soon! *burp*

Easy Breezy!

2010-09-15T13:39:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday, we decided to meet up with friends at TriNoMa to have dinner and watch "Resident Evil: Afterlife." We anticipated a long queue for this blockbuster movie, especially on a Sunday night. Just to avoid the hassle of lining up, we used Sureseats.com. Ticket reservations were such a breeze! After getting the
tickets, we went to Super Bowl of China for dinner. I got the Roast Pork with Bean Curd rice toppings for only Php 99! What a treat! With bottomless drinks and shrimp crackers (or kropek), that was a steal. After dinner and chit-chats, we had Dairy Queen for dessert. The Butterfinger Blizzard was such a classic favorite! Yummy! I decided not to watch the movie, simply because I didn't even catch the 1st 3 Resident Evil movies! Alone, I rode the MRT from North Avenue Station to Magallanes Station. Again, it was easy breezy ... no traffic, no big crowds and I was seated the whole trip ... all because it was a Sunday. That's why I love Sundays! I can't wait for the next weekend. *smile*

Lovin' Sundays...

2010-09-12T10:05:00.002+08:00

Waking up after hours of complete slumber on a beautiful Sunday is such a bliss! What's more delightful -- breakfast in bed! With a plate full of dilis and tomatoes, danggit, corned beef, sinangag plus a cup of hot and thick chocolate ... what more can you ask for? Oh how I love Sundays! *quality time*

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Location:Lawton Ave,,Philippines

Mmm Taco & Spag!

2010-09-10T15:44:00.003+08:00

Today's a TGI Friday and it's a holiday! I'm loving the atmosphere -- no hustle & bustle, a li'l bit of clean air & no traffic! As soon as I got out of RCBC Plaza, I knew where I was headed to. I've been craving for Pancake House's tacos and spaghetti thus, I went straight to its Waltermart branch. I ordered their House Specialties plate -- the best taco in town (ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onions & cheese in a crispy taco shell), just-like-Mom's spaghetti with meat sauce, 1-pc pan fried chicken, fresh garden salad, yummy garlic bread & traditional chunky potato salad on the side. Buuurp! *craving satisfied*

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Location:Pasay Road Skyway Offramp,Makati City,Philippines

Sopaaaas!

2010-09-08T19:40:00.002+08:00

Aaah! Just saw this photo in my phone's photo album. It's BD's chicken sopas! How I miss the hot, creamy chicken soup, full of firm-to-the-bite macaroni, shredded chicken breast, chunks of vienna sausage, crunchy julienned carrots & cabbage ... comatose, 'ika nga ni Toni! *waiting for October for BD's arrival*

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Canyon Cove Once More ...

2010-09-04T14:50:00.004+08:00

I had such a memorable 3-day weekend last week. The gang headed out to one of our favorite places, Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas. We arrived there at around 10pm on Saturday. Despite the lack of space, all 14 of us managed to squeeze our butts just to savor a great experience together. With minimal sleep and growling tummies, we went to Skyline Restaurant at the hotel for brekkie buffet. The guys went swimming at the pool, did smack-down pool fights and then had an hour of beach volleyball under the scorching heat of the sun. On our way back to Manila, we stopped at Kaye Ryan Grill in Tagaytay for dinner. Everybody were dead-tired but definitely had uber fun! I'm looking forward to another weekend get-away with these guys. *smile*

Bring It On, Breton ...

2010-09-01T11:27:00.003+08:00

Whether you’re longing for savory or sweet crepes, Cafe Breton brings you the best of both worlds. I love the sinfulness this place delivers. Last Friday night, we dropped by at its Tomas Morato branch and ordered dessert crepes to go. Got this: French pancake, filled with peanut butter, grape concord jelly and fresh bananas, folded in four and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. D-E-L-E-C-T-A-B-L-E! On the other hand, Toni, Edward and RJ got the La Pinay … crepe filled with mangoes and Nutella. Now, can you please help me spell delectable again? *crepe heaven*

Mami Goodness!

2010-09-01T07:16:00.001+08:00

For the nth time, I found myself stuck in the middle of a jam-packed MRT train northbound on a busy Friday night. Toni decided to meet me & RJ for dinner at our favorite mami house, Masuki.

Why do we love Masuki? They offer a variety of good-tasting mami, siopao and siomai at very affordable prices. I was hungry like a horse so I ordered a huge bowl of my favorite, Beef Wonton Mami … gupit noodles on steaming hot soup with tasty beef brisket, beef wonton (which you can order separately, too) and freshly chopped green onions. Mmm! I also got their Pork Asado Siopao … delicious steamed bun filled with scrumptious shredded pork. Comforting indeed. These toothsome stuff go well with black gulaman. *busog to death*

Visit Masuki at Sekai Center along Ortigas Ave. cor. Madison Street, Greenhills, San Juan City.

A Heartfelt Letter ...

2010-08-31T09:45:00.003+08:00

August 27, 2010
9:07 AM
RCBC Plaza, Makati City

Dear Longganisa,
Don’t get me wrong. You’re still one of my favorites among all breakfast items. But I had to move on, at least for this day. I needed to seek variety. I chose Delifrance’s sausage breakfast tray to satisfy my growling tummy. Delish frankfurters, 2 sunny side-up eggs, baguette with butter & strawberry jam, fresh fruit platter, premium orange juice & freshly brewed coffee made my rainy Friday! Don’t worry … I’ll be coming back to you real soon. Promise.
XOXO, Chunky

DQ Delite!

2010-08-31T07:57:00.000+08:00

After a hard day at work, nothing beats this reward: Dairy Queen! Just had DQ’s creamy, soft serve vanilla ice cream in a chocolate-and-nuts coated waffle cone. Deliciously crunchy! Jimmy had Chocolate Cheesecake Blizzard. Imagine rich, chocolate ice cream studded with cheesecake chunks. Heaven on earth! Bad points — high in saturated fat & very high in sugar. What the heck!

Mmm Burgersteak!

2010-08-30T21:21:00.001+08:00

On a budget? Craving for grilled food? Try Reyes BBQ … they offer a wide array of grilled dishes, including seafood (like bangus and squid), pork and chicken bbq. I was so hungry after work, and decided to eat late lunch at their Waltermart Makati branch. I had this … mmm good grilled hamburger steak! Their patties are juicy and grilled just right. The gravy smothered over the burgers made a big difference … made me order another cup of Java rice! For only Php 95, this was surely a good deal (especially when payday’s still a day away!)

Quote For The Day

2010-08-30T20:46:00.004+08:00

Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn.

- Garrison Keillor

Good To Be Back!

2010-08-30T20:37:00.001+08:00

After a year or so, I’ve decided to revive my nearly defunct blog … same host, same ol’ flavor. What do I need to maintain this? — time and enthusiasm to post! Gotta get this goin’! Ciao!

Sweet Delight

2009-05-15T22:50:00.004+08:00

Despite the odds we encountered on a holiday night e.g. being trapped in horrendous EDSA traffic, & being caught by the ever relentless "vultures" of the city streets ... we arrived in Timog Avenue to where our sweet taste buds got really excited!

Iceberg's never fails to amaze us sweet lovers. Jimmy ordered the Classic Halo-Halo, with all the good ingredients you can think of! Bo and I got to try their Caramel Flan Halo-Halo ... crushed ice, topped with luscious macapuno balls, sweet saba bananas and generous slices of leche flan, plus a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh I miss my Mom even more! Abbu and Badz got the Godzilla Grandslammer ... 6 scoops of ice cream (mango, avocado, strawberry, cookies and cream, cheese and ube), loaded with peaches, marshmallows, chocolate wafer sticks and whipped cream. Heaven! Nes had the Strawberry Parfait (I know you can just imagine how it looks like ... and how it tastes too!). Haaay! Dessert mania indeed. T'was worth the trip. :-P

Mother's Day with Friends

2009-05-14T15:10:00.003+08:00

Mother's Day came by and went so fast! I can't believe it's been 2 years since the last time I spent that precious day with my Mommy. How time flies! I can vividly recall those moments when Mommy was here. I just miss her. Good thing I was able to celebrate it with my good friends. That night, we had dinner at Big Buddha in Greenbelt 3 Makati ...

Oh yes, we sat down the table, feasting on good food! That included our favorite Lemon Chicken... crispy, breaded chicken breast fillets, smothered with tart yet refreshing lemon sauce. We also had Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli and Honey-Glazed Pork Ribs plus 2 platters of Yang Chow Fried Rice. That was really filling!

Indeed, I had a great dinner with my friends during Mother's Day. Though my Mommy's on the other side of the world, that night made me realize more that I still have a family here. Better late than never ... Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! :-P

Memorable Easter

2009-04-17T19:36:00.005+08:00

Easter essentially marks the rebirth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Alongside one of the greatest holidays in the Christian world was the resurrection of our barkada from the dark pit of miscommunication and losing in touch.

I'm glad we were able to overcome these difficult times. There was never any doubt, in my heart and in my mind, that these problems shall pass.

Easter was the perfect time for us to celebrate ... sort things out ... solve them with passionate effort.

Indeed, Easter of 2009 was one of the most memorable events for our group. Friends forever! :-P

Holy Week Food Trip

2009-04-14T12:59:00.004+08:00

During Holy Week, I had a spur-of-the-moment dinner date with friends in the Makati Avenue area. Surprisingly, a lot of the restaurants within the vicinity were jam-packed so we opted to try this generic -sounding place along Jupiter called ...

Thank God for internet ... I found out that BBQ stands for "Best of the Best Quality". I'm absolutely convinced with the acronym. Their Chicken Wings taste so good ... crunchy, light-to-the-bite crust and delectable, slightly hot meat. What's good about their fried chicken? They use extra-virgin olive oil. That explains why they're yummy! Their Grilled Chicken is tender and very tasty. The Seafood Fried Rice has lots of flavor, with generous amounts of shrimp ... I can finish one whole bowl of that! I give 2 thumbs up for the ambiance ... very nice and colorful yet cozy. The prices are pretty steep as compared to the local chicken food places like KFC or Jollibee but I can say it's reasonable because of the quality of the food they serve.
After dinner, we went on a joy ride to some parts of the metro. I don't know why, but we felt bitin with what we ate in BBQ Chicken. That's why we had this to go ...

We definitely have voracious appetites! Who says Holy Week is boring? :-P

Canyon Cove ... Again ...

2009-04-04T16:50:00.002+08:00

In a few hours, we'll be leaving the hustle and bustle of the big city ... on our way to a place we keep coming back to. It's a 2 ½ hour drive to where our barkada's heart belongs to. It's a haven for us ... a worry and stress-free world where we can be ourselves and forget our personal troubles. It's Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas. :-)

I know we'll definitely have a grand time there, as usual. I just hope in the near future, when we visit again this resort, more of our friends will join. I just miss the group. :-P

A Yummy Toned-Down Dessert!

2009-03-20T19:24:00.004+08:00

With this dessert, I got inspiration from Giada De Laurentiis' Toasted Pound Cake with Mascarpone & Amaretto. Of course, with the present world financial crisis, I need to "tone down" with regards to the ingredients used (what-ever, Vic!). I used the more spreadable Kraft whipped cream cheese and I stuck with the apricot preserves. The butter cake loaf I got was from Red Ribbon, which was good and tasty. Besides the mascarpone, I also had to omit the almond flavored liqueur and the almonds ... these are pretty lavish, hahaha!

Just toast the butter cake slices in a 350 degrees Fahrenheit pre-heated oven for about 10 minutes, until they turn golden brown. Then, spread a generous amount of the whipped cream cheese atop the cake slices, then follow with the apricot preserves. Put another cake slice atop the bottom cake. Mmmm! Even without the luxurious components that Giada used in her recipe, I still loved it! :-P

The 3 F's for Jimmy

2009-03-17T19:36:00.005+08:00

Jimmy celebrated his birthday last March 5 and during his post-birthday bash at their house in Dasmarinas Village , we just couldn't think of anything to give him but the 3 essential F's we know he'd much appreciate ...

Jimmy has always been an extremely misunderstood person, most especially by people who really don't know him, or more aptly, who judge him without giving him the benefit of the doubt. One thing's for sure, all his friends say NO. Quoting his Facebook profile, Jimmy is a hard nut to crack but one with a gooey center, and I absolutely believe this. He loves his friends so much that he considers them his own family. That's why the gift of true friendship definitely makes his day!

Do I have to explain this? Jimmy bonds with his friends a lot of times and food has always been in the scenario. Doing the potluck thing during this party was a sure hit, with lots of good stuff prepared by the barkada, including Edward's sushi and pork bbq, Rhedd and Mel's chicken-pork adobo, Dave's pasta and my potato salad, among others. We totally filled ourselves to the brim!

Of course, fun has always been one key factor to our long-lasting friendship. And during this celebration, we enjoyed surprising Jimmy with our special gifts ... including a personalized framed artwork (consisting of our 1-word descriptions of him in comic balloons, labeled with our names), and a big, fluffy teddy bear! He always initiates in giving gifts to any birthday celebrant from our barkada so it was our turn to say "Thank you & Happy Birthday!"
This may be a li'l late but to Jimmy, may you have more birthdays to come. I'm wishing you the best of everything life has to offer ... because you deserve it. For the rest of our days ... :-P

A New Entry & A New Toy

2009-03-13T18:36:00.002+08:00

I know, I know ... I haven't posted a thing here for more than a week now. Pretty surprising , I suppose. Been busy the past days ... Jimmy celebrated his birthday last March 5 and had his post-birthday bash last Saturday. It's also a critical week for me at work. Haay! But now I have the reason for me to log in to Blogspot and write a new entry ...

The new iPhone syncing with iBook

Jimmy and I got the new Black iPhone 3G 16GB at the Glorietta Globe Hub last Wednesday. I'm so loving it! I've been hooked to the internet for the past 2 nights, enjoying the thrills of having a new toy and facing an enormous amount of free apps in iTunes. Haha!
I hope I can now go back to blogging on a more regular basis. Enough of those excuses ... :-P

Mac&Cheese, Anyone?

2009-03-04T15:27:00.007+08:00

Two words: comfort food. Yup, Mac and Cheese has always been in my list. The idea of having two of my favorites, cheese and pasta in one dish is just brilliant! So whoever invented this one, I salute you! Here's my modified version of this classic ...

You might ask "Why Cheez Whiz?". Simply because it's way much cheaper than the other sharp cheeses like Gruyere or Bleu cheese. I added some smoked sausages from Earle's for that meaty flavor. Now for the procedure ...

Cook 1/2 kg macaroni according to package directions (should be al dente).
Saute your sliced sausages in olive oil until brown. Set aside.
Heat the evaporated milk (do not boil).
Make a roux out of 2 tbsps of butter and 2 tbsps of flour.
Add the hot milk slowly to the roux and continuously stir the mixture until smooth and thick. Remove from heat.
Add the grated cheddar cheese.
Add the Cheez Whiz. Stir well.
Season with salt, white pepper and nutmeg.
Add the sauce to the prepared pasta.
Add the sausage to the pasta mixture.
Blend in some grated mozzarella cheese.
Put the pasta in a baking pan.
Pop into a 350° oven and bake until the surface turns golden brown.
Voila!
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Best served with Chicken Feuillete from Le Couer de France.
Let your family and friends enjoy your dish (right, Paupau?!). :-P

Try this recipe! :-P

Crazy About Crepes N' Cream

2009-02-25T17:04:00.003+08:00

Being an ice cream enthusiast, I've always been keen in venturing into something prepared differently from the usual scoop-in-cone or scoop-in-cup ... something that can tickle my fancy as well my taste buds. Thus, this one ...

It's by Crepes N' Cream, a sister company of UCC, which offers not just sweet dessert crepes but also savory ones. You can also create your own crepe, depending on what ingredients you like. I personally chose avocado flavor ... luscious, yellow-green colored ice cream base with subtle nutty flavor and oh-so-creamy consistency, wrapped in deliciously thin crepe, topped with whipped cream then sprinkled with crunchy almond flakes. Haaay can I just stop blogging about food?! I know I can't ... :-)

The "It Still Feels Like Xmas" Sandwich

2009-02-23T16:55:00.006+08:00

You might ask "Why such a title?" I coined this mainly because the jamon de bola I used for this sandwich was from the previous Holiday season's office giveaways. Sorry if you think I wasn't creative enough. Anyway, what's more important is the end product. :-D
What we need:

For the glaze, I used 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice, 2/3 cup brown sugar and 1 tbsp of prepared mustard. The corn bread loaf was from French Baker (crusty outer layer and grainy soft main bread). I bought Washington bright red apples and green lettuce for that Christmas feel. Light mayo compensated for the overflowing calories coming from the other ingredients. :-)

For the glaze, whisk the juice, brown sugar and mustard in a bowl. Brush the sliced jamon de bola with the mixture. Then cook the remaining glaze under low heat until thickened.
Put the sliced ham inside a 350° preheated oven. Bake the ham, basting frequently with the reserved thickened glaze, for about 30 minutes.
Assemble the sandwich by spreading some light mayo on the toasted corn bread, then followed by the lettuce and the apple slices.
Put 1 or 2 slices of the baked ham then top with a cheddar cheese slice.
ENJOY! This goes best with ice cold Coke Zero!

Now, doesn't that feel like it's still Christmas? :-P

V-day with Friends

2009-02-17T18:55:00.005+08:00

Valentine's Day has always been an ordinary day for me. Why? I absolutely abhor the horrendous traffic, the jam-packed restaurants, the huddled shopping centers ... sigh. But this year, I had a different kind of V-day. It started out with ...

Meeting up with these friends of mine, despite going through the busy crowd of Greenbelt 3, was worth it. After some coffee and chit-chats, we went to Edward's in Greenhills. It was a potluck Valentine's dinner, so more than anything else, we bonded over good ...

After the sumptuous feast, we continued with our kwentuhan and other stuff. The whole night 'til almost the break of dawn, some of the guys were happily drinking and chatting, while some of us were dead tired and were snoring to the max!

As early as 6:30 in the morning, we went to the penthouse for a cold dip in the pool. Abbu was so hilarious, as usual. We definitely warmed ourselves with laughter and harutan. After breakfast, it was time for me to go to work. :-(

I definitely had a grand V-day with these guys. Now I'm looking forward to next year's celebration! :-P

The Just-Killing-Time Post

2009-02-14T16:49:00.002+08:00

The other day, I woke up pretty late than usual. I had no work so I spent the whole night just bumming around. That time, I felt the hunger pangs gnawing me and I was so craving for McDonald's Big Breakfast. Me, being such lazy bones, didn't wanna drag myself to Makati Cinema Square, where the nearest McDo is located. So, I opened my fridge and luckily found the items I needed to please the insatiable me.

Some juicy and yummy Hormel Breakfast Sausage Patties (@S&R, Php 225 per 10 patties in a box), cheesy scrambled eggs with spring onions and garlicky fried rice ... that made my day! Pardon me for writing such a post, just a spur of the moment thing while killing time. I'm meeting my friends in a while to celebrate Valentine's night. Happy Valentine's everybody! :-P

Earle's Deli-ciozo!

2009-02-12T10:46:00.002+08:00

If you're looking for delectable but reasonably priced deli products, then Earle's Delicatessen is the one to go to. When I have that desire for sausages, I always go to their branch at The Columns. They sell different cold cuts and sausages, like Beef Pastrami, Maple Smoked Ham, Kielbasa, Pepperoni, Cheese Frankfurter, among others. What's cool is that they're sold by weight ... I can buy 1 of each item, thus they are easy on the pocket. They also offer a variety of sandwiches, like Capicollo Ham Sandwich ... generous slices of spicy chili pepper-coated Italian ham, topped with onions, tomatoes and lettuce and sandwiched in what seems like a 6 inch (or more) crusty bread. At Php 117, that's quite a steal! My favorite?

This sandwich consists of just the crisp bread and the best-selling smoked sausage, bursting with cheese and spices. I like it drizzled with lots of ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard. You can enjoy this with a bottle of apple or lemon iced tea and potato chips for only Php129! Haay! I just can't get enough of writing about delish food! :-P

My Obsession with Coffee Bun!

2009-02-11T19:38:00.006+08:00

Ever since coffee buns made an impact here in Manila, I became an instant fan! I've tried different variants like Delifrance's and Roti Mum's ... and they were both awesome! This time, I'll give praise to one of the best ...

The Kopiroti Cafe at The Columns along Buendia corner Ayala is one homey hang-out for office workers and the condominium residents alike. Their black coffee (they call it Kopi) is robust and full of flavor! Added with sweet milk and sugar, that goes really well with The Kaya Toast ... toasted bread with butter and Kaya spread, which reminds me of my late Lola's coco jam. The Soft Boiled Eggs (seasoned with soya sauce and white pepper) make an interesting twist to egg preparation, which works for me. The star of the cafe is the Kopi Bun (Php40) ... nice and soft bun, oozing with butter filling and covered with a delicious and crunchy coffee crust. I can finish 3 buns in one sitting! I've purchased the Coffee Custard Bun from French Baker (Php42) and was not at all at par with Kopiroti's, in terms of the crunchiness and the filling. I prefer the Kopi Bun's rich butter filling rather than the French Baker's bland coffee custard. I love the location ... it's one cartwheel away from RCBC Plaza! Oh well, you can't blame me if I won't get tired of these coffee buns. :-P

A Shakey's-SanFo Lunch

2009-02-10T13:40:00.003+08:00

Among the different variants of pizza, the thin-crust is the one to die for! I love enjoying the crunchiness of the crust, as well as savoring the different toppings loaded on it. That's why at Shakey's, it's always pizza galore! So yesterday, we had ...

Manager's Choice has to be my ultimate pizza pick at Shakey's ... with lots of Italian sausage, beef, ham, onions and green bell pepper, plus covered with mozzarella cheese. Mmm! The Chick N' Chips were good, albeit the fried chicken pieces were a li'l bit dry. The Mojos that came with the basket were awesome ... that being one of my favorites. The House Blend Iced Tea reminded me of the ones served in bars, with it's frothy goodness. Wish they have the sugar-free version. :-)
For dessert, Jimmy and I were craving for something fruity and sweet. Thus, we went to ...

Moving into a sit-down place and offering more than caramel apple and frozen banana sticks was a good move for SanFo Treats. Of course, Jimmy ordered something chocolatey, the Chocolate Sprinkles Caramel Apple ... crunchy and juicy apple, covered with bright, golden brown and thick caramel syrup, dipped in rich chocolate and decorated with chocolate sprinkles. I had the Fried Snickers Bar ... the famous peanut butter nougat-peanuts-chocolate bar, fried and topped with a generous scoop of yummy strawberry ice cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup and surrounded by fried hotcake-like batter. Whew! That was lethal!
Oh well, after having a good pizza-chicken-yummy dessert fiesta, I can say life is really good (read my lips)! :-P

Kenny and his Sandwiches

2009-02-09T18:54:00.003+08:00

When Jimmy and I went to Market!Market!, I convinced him to go to Kenny Rogers Roasters for late lunch. Being a sandwich fanatic, I can say that this place offers really good and freshly-prepared gourmet sandwiches with very affordable prices.

Among the 14 different types to choose from, I got the Tomato Pesto Mozzarella Grilled Sandwich. I made the right choice! This healthy sandwich consists of crunchy whole wheat bread, filled with a very tasty pesto sauce, ripe and luscious tomatoes, plus gooey mozzarella cheese. Heaven! With some crispy big-cut French fries on the side and a tall glass of light iced tea, I only paid Php 119! Not bad, right? The Macaroni Salad was also good, but could be better if added with more fancy ingredients. The Corn Muffin is a given, it's one of Kenny's staples that's satisfying.

What's next to try? The Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese and the Philly Cheesesteak (roasted beef slices with mushrooms, caramelized onions and melted cheese). Now I'm salivating with excitement! :-P

A Wham-sical Saturday Night

2009-02-08T14:55:00.005+08:00

I felt utterly enthusiastic when we got to Shangri-La Plaza Mall last night, simply because of 3 reasons: 1. I haven't visited this shopping haven for so long, 2. it was yet another Saturday night out with friends and 3. I was craving big time for ...

Paupau and I got the classic Wham! Burger ... juicy, succulent 1/3 pound char-broiled burger patty, with fresh lettuce and tomatoes in a soft sesame-seed bun. The only difference: I had the Double Whammy ... 2 patties, can you imagine?! Jimmy had Bronco Burger, same banana but with crisp bacon, white onions and cheddar cheese with barbecue sauce. With onion rings and bottomless soda, that was an ultimate cholesterol heaven ... in fact, we even felt our blood pressure rising up!
After dinner, we joined our friends at the ...

We spent the night chatting, drinking booze and laughing to the max! We also gave Aki a "Bon Voyage!" gift for him to carry along on his way to United Arab Emirates... sunglasses, na bagay sa kanya!
I got home at around 3:30am this morning, with a smile on my face ... I love my friends! To Achilles, we'll miss you a lot! Good luck on your journey and your new endeavor! :-P

Beard Papa, Pinoy Version

2009-02-07T16:55:00.004+08:00

When I read Toto's blog about Beard Papa, I had this sudden urge to try the said cream puff. He mentioned there are different custard varieties in the US, like strawberry, green tea, coffee and pumpkin pie, among others. When I got to the Glorietta 4 branch, I got a bit disappointed when they only offer the vanilla custard filling, and only 3 to 4 different types of toppings like white chocolate chips, chocolate chips and white chocolate marble (Php 55). Sigh.

To add, I was nonchalant when I first bit into the crunchy chocolate shell. It didn't exceed my expectations. No WOW factor, kumbaga. The custard was bland to my taste. On a happier note, at least I got to try it (and got to blog about it, hehe!). How I wish I can taste heaven with the different Beard Papa flavors in California, especially the green tea and the strawberry. Kakainggit ka, Toto! :-P

Isshin't That Good?!

2009-02-06T18:23:00.003+08:00

I got a call from Edward yesterday afternoon, inviting me and Jimmy to hang out with him while he was killing time . He was going to Tagaytay to meet his folks but he didn't wanna be a very early bird. He brought us to a simple and cozy Japanese place along Pasay Road called Isshin. This has been around for quite some time, says Edward and serves authentic Japanese cuisine. Seeing some Japanese guests that time, I totally believe on what he said.

We had California Maki and Mixed Sushi as appetizers. Being a sushi lover myself, I was pretty impressed! The Gyoza was so yummy, best dipped in the resto's concocted sauce with some sesame oil. I had a good time savoring the Tofu Steak ... smooth and nice custard-like white soy blocks, coated with Japanese crumbs and laid on a sizzling plate with a thick, savory sauce consisting of ground meat, green peas and carrots. The Chicken Yakitori and Teriyaki were equally good, with the chicken's charbroiled goodness, smothered with a delightfully sweet and gingery soy sauce marinade. They serve authentic Japanese rice, which we loved. They also offer free cold green tea and ice cream or nata de coco!
I like the place's atmosphere, being modest and non-pretentious. They have limited low tables for customers who wanna sit Jap-style. Obviously, that wouldn't work for the 3 of us, haha! The prices are budget-friendly, as compared to other restaurants. We really had a good time, thanks to Edward.
When he dropped us off near Don Bosco, Jimmy and I couldn't help but pass by Amici for additional dessert. I had a slice of Tiramisu. Yummy! Japanese and Italian ... why not? :-)

Potato Skins 102

2009-02-04T18:52:00.002+08:00

When I get home from work, I always contemplate on what to do during my spare time. More than usual, what comes in my mind is what's new to cook. Recently, I had this idea on what to prepare (and what to blog about)...

Potatoes need to be scrubbed clean and halved lengthwise. Pop them in a 350° oven for 50 minutes or until cooked through and tender. Scoop out the inner pulp, leaving the skins (set them aside). Mash the potatoes then add salmon fillet, grated Mozzarella cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, parsley flakes and season with salt and pepper. Put the mixture back into the skins and bake again for another 15 minutes or more until the cheese melts and the surface, golden brown.

Voila! Baked Salmon Mozzarella Potato Skins! These are best served with sour cream and chives. Glad Jimmy and my co-workers loved it. :-P

Tagaytay Sunday Dinner

2009-02-03T19:58:00.004+08:00

Edward needed company to Tagaytay so the more-than-willing gang tagged along. Our usual stop-over: Caltex SLEX, the one before reaching the Sta. Rosa exit. Needed some caffeine to perk me up so we went to ...

Had a tall hot Raspberry Latte ... rich and bold espresso, infused with smooth milk, with a hint of subtly tart raspberry. That surely made me wide awake afterwards!
After checking out Ed's place, we drove along Maharlika Road going to ...

Our group, well known for being "food enthusiasts", ordered the bestsellers of the famous grill. Sizzling Pork Sisig, Grilled Tuna Belly, Lechon Kawali, Molo Soup and my choice, Tinumok ... mildly spiced ground pork, wrapped in taro leaves and cooked in coconut milk. Yummy!
Gerry's Tagaytay has a cool, relaxed and well-lit atmosphere, as opposed to the Viewsite Restaurant that stood there before. I'm sure one can get a good view of the Taal Volcano during daytime. :-)
With these guys around, we can't let the night pass by without bringing out the cameras and get our ...

Thanks to Edward's new digital SLR camera, we all had wonderful photos for the night. As always, it was F-U-N! :-P

Deja Vu Along Timog

2009-02-02T18:59:00.009+08:00

"We did this before!" Yup, I could sense deja vu with last weekend's gimmick. We had our Timog Avenue experience, starting off at ...

Nothing has changed. Crowded space. Busy staff. Dirt cheap but OK buffet food (Php 199 per head). Abbu was late (but not too tardy, he was able to grab dinner). Buchi overload! After stuffing ourselves, we went next door ...

Strawberry (Php 110), being my favorite fruit, was my chosen cheesecake flavor for the night. The other guys' choices were also good, except for the dessert's elastic-like consistency . Thus, I conclude, that baked cheesecakes are more yummy and delectable! The frappes were too sweet. I had Banana-Macadamia (Php 150), wherein I barely tasted the nut component. The relaxed ambience of the place definitely made the most impact on us...

Obvious ba? We couldn't get enough of clicking the camera! After the sweet thrills, we went further down the avenue towards ...

Some light beer and soda, coupled with yet another interesting group discussion (plus Dave, Richard and Bert's jamming with the band) made this night a wonderful one, just like the previous Timog adventure we had. :-P

Talking About Megamall

2009-01-31T15:57:00.006+08:00

I've never been a big fan of Megamall. Most of the time, the large, unruly crowd ticks me off. And the washrooms ... for heaven's sake, one will have to tread the floors towards whatever far end of the mall just to take a pee. Recently, after a long period of not Megamall-ing, we went there to meet up with our friends. I was astonished to see a new wing at the Building B called the ...

Pretty neat! At least there's something relatively new to experience in that area. There are a few dining places opened already for hungry shoppers to try. There's even a chapel located at the uppermost floor of the wing. There was one shop that caught our attention, named The Soap Factory.

I like their tag line, "Freshly Baked Soaps". It's not your usual soap store... most of the items being sold look enticing enough to munch! Doughnuts of different colors, cupcakes of different varieties, and even full cakes like Black Forest are available. They also have a line of hypoallergenic and organic soaps. Nice concept indeed! And the Soap Diva? That's hilarious! Abbu, insecure ka? :-)
Of course, after visiting the Atrium, we had a filling dinner at ...

I ordered my Mexicali favorite meal ... the Beef Taco and Chicken Enchilada platter. Yum-oh! For dessert, the coffee buns by Roti Mum were the best! Coffee-crusted soft buns, filled with oozing rich butter ... how can you go wrong with that? :-)
Of course, the best part of the visit ...

... the good company of friends! With them around, I can go to Megamall anytime! :-P

Pasta 101

2009-01-30T18:44:00.002+08:00

Since I'm a sucker for a good pasta dish, I just thought of posting an entry sharing a recipe that I just concocted. It's Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Linguine with Sausage and Peppers.

Step 1: Cook linguine noodles according to package directions. Make sure your linguine will be cooked al dente (firm when bitten).

Step 2: Saute minced garlic in EVOO (extra virgin olive oil... pardon Rachael Ray for using your term)... followed by julienned green bell peppers and sliced pepperoni sausage (from Earl's Deli ... good and cheap).

Step 3: Add one bottled sun-dried tomato pesto (you can buy it from your favorite deli or grocery, or better yet the one in Caleruega!).

Step 4: Toss your cooked linguine with the prepared sauce.

Step 5: Put your pasta in a serving dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Presto! A delightful dish for pasta lovers and carbo-loaders alike. :-P

Amici = Friends :-)

2009-01-29T08:41:00.005+08:00

Me and my friends rarely go out on weekdays, but last night was one exception. We had ...

I can't deny the fact that Amici's one of my favorite restaurants, despite its canteen-like facade and ambiance. Furthermore, maybe the food is customized to local taste, but what the heck... this is the closest I can get to savoring Italian cuisine, without spending too much.

I had the Linguine Al Pesto Genovese ... firm linguine pasta, smothered with rich pesto sauce and coupled with potatoes and green beans. Jimmy had Spaghetti Aglio Olio E Pepperoncino ... spaghetti tossed in basic Italian sauce of olive oil and lots of minced garlic, added with mildly spicy red hot pepper flakes and anchovies, showered with Parmesan cheese. Yumyum! We also got the Quattro Stagioni (Four Seasons) Pizza ... thin-crust pizza goodness, topped with cooked ham, mushrooms, black olives and artichokes.
For dessert, I had a cup of Strawberry Gelato, chunky strawberries incorporated in Amici's famous mouth-watering dense ice cream. To cap it all, I had a slice of Pistachiocolatto ... moist chocolate cake with pistachio cream filling, covered with chocolate ganache icing and with pistachio bits on the side. Who says I can't have 2 desserts? :-P

We all had a satisfying night ... good food and awesome company all in one! Beat that! :-P

Sleepless Weekend

2009-01-27T19:26:00.004+08:00

Last Friday night was the start of my sleepless weekend affair. We had dinner at Edward's, and the good times rolled from ...

After indulging ourselves with herbed roast chicken, pork adobo, brazo de mercedes and lots of soda, we engaged into topics of interesting nature. Time flew so fast I didn't even notice it was already 3am! Jose Cuervo was the culprit behind that. :-)
My eyes were wide open the whole night, even though my mind was telling me to at least grab some forty winks. I guess I was just eagerly anticipating for our swimming that morning.

Brrr! The morning breeze was cold but that didn't hinder me to hit the water with a mighty splash. After almost 4 hours of immersing in the pool, we waited for our lunch ... Ed brought beef shank and vegetables from Tagaytay for some mean bulalo. Aaargh! Cholesterol goodness indeed!
I went back to Makati and met up with my brother, who's currently visiting here from Miami. It was nice to see him again. :-) Afterwards, I was able to hit the sack for an hour or so, then we went to Las Pinas to meet up again with our friends. With some light beer and chips, we played an interesting game called ...

Oh we "hate" that game, hahaha! It was surely revealing, but what the heck ... with your close friends around, it really doesn't matter anyway. My weekend was definitely sleepless but fun! :-P

Reinier Reigns!

2009-01-25T13:40:00.004+08:00

I know, I know ... this post is kinda late but hey, it's better late than never. Last January 17, our good friend, Reinier, had his post-birthday celebration at a private swimming pool complex in Miramonte Village, Calamba City, Laguna. Food, booze, karaoke, warm pool water, good music, laughter ... what a great combination!

We unquestionably had an enjoyable experience! To you, Rein ... we wish you all the best 'cause you deserve it. We heart you! :-P

Matutina's Delight

2009-01-22T19:54:00.003+08:00

On our way back to Manila, we decided to have early dinner in Pangasinan. Edward suggested this restaurant named Matutina's which, he claimed, serves good food. He surely wasn't joking about it. Albeit we had a hard time looking for this place, there were no regrets. We enjoyed their dishes without a doubt.

Our order slip: Ensaladang mangga, chicken bbq, crispy pata, sizzling sisig, inihaw na belly, Pinoy pork bbq, several cups of rice, bottomless iced tea, pastillas and the necessary condiments like bagoong, toyo and calamansi ... what a feast! May take-out pa.
That was our last meal together as a group before we parted ways in Makati. It was such a pleasure to savor quality food with your closest friends. Balik tayong Baguio! :-P

Bye Baguio ... 'Til We Meet Again

2009-01-21T15:05:00.007+08:00

We made the most of our last day in Baguio. While the guys invaded the city market for some shopping, I was snug as a bug (in a rug) while watching The Golden Globes. :-)
After leaving the inn, we headed straight to Mines View Park market for some last minute additions to our pasalubongs. Then we saw this huge St. Bernard dog up for photo op ... only 50 bucks for 3 shots. Why not? We said ...

Don't ask me why his name is spelled that way. I just saw it in Wikipedia. Hehe. Notwithstanding, the dog's still a gentle giant. Cute! :-)
Of course, we wouldn't miss going to this famous convent, well-known for their food products ...

Guess what? They now sell sugar-free strawberry jam and peanut brittle! For prices a li'l over than the regular variants, health-conscious people can now enjoy these sweets.
The cafe kiosk sells delish pastries like ensaimada, empanada, herb pesto loaves, plus they also offer cheap strawberry gelato (for only Php15 per cup). Yummy!
After some picture taking at the view deck, we headed down Kennon Road, on our way back to Maniiiilaaaaa. :-)

We truly had a grand time during our 3-day stint in the City of Pines. We'll be back soon... promise. :-P

A Mongolian Paupau Affair

2009-01-20T16:01:00.004+08:00

Whilst in Baguio, we welcomed Paupau's 23rd birthday! He totally loved what we gave him ... a pair of blue Chuck Taylor's. "That's my favorite color!", he says. By the way, he liked my rendition of the birthday song, too. :-)

To celebrate his birthday, we had Mongolian buffet dinner at...

This Mongolian barbecue in the heart of Baguio (Otek St., near the City Hall and Cafe by the Ruins) is one buffet heaven! For some mix and matching, there's a long line of metal bowls with meat (chicken, beef, pork and liver), crisp vegetables and different sauces and condiments. You can add an egg, too (with extra charge).
My bowl consisted of all meats, except liver (which I totally abhor), nearly all of the veggies (minus the bean sprouts ... high in uric acid), 1/2 cup of rice and the basic sauces (a big NO to the word "hot"). I added a hint of sweetness to my concoction by adding brown sugar and sweetened pineapple, plus a dash of sesame seeds. Voila! My very own Mongolian delight!

We then had desserts from the same place. The Blueberry, Mango, Lemon and Oreo Cheesecakes were sinfully smooth and rich ... that decadent melt-in-your-mouth goodness, the right choice to end an unforgettable dinner.

Of course, it's not a birthday dinner without the cake and candle ceremony. Paupau had his wish before blowing the candle on his blueberry cheesecake slice. Fun!
To Paupau, I wish you all the best. We're always here for you. Happy 23rd birthday, buddy! :-P

Roaming Around Baguio

2009-01-19T12:18:00.005+08:00

It was a nice and chilly Sunday when we popped out from our beds and left the inn. We found ourselves traversing the Loakan Road going to ...

This military area never fails to amaze me. I like seeing cadets either running in full battle gear or in their more sporty outfit, or walking around the area donning their patriotic uniforms and head gears and saluting you with respect and dignity. To add, the different spots inside the academy are worthy of good camera shots ... obviously. :-D
After the PMA experience, we then decided to roam ...

Like any normal Baguio visitor, we went to Wright Park (to indulge Dave in his desire to ride a "pink" horse), Mines View Park (for some pasalubongs and some buttered corn on a cob), the silver store named Pilak (right across Botanical Gardens; so Cholo can finally pick his piece) and Camp John Hay Commissary (for some hot brewed coffee and soup.) We had a good time. What a day! To follow: Paupau's birthday bash! :-P

Cafe By The Ruins ... I Love!

2009-01-16T20:22:00.007+08:00

I've heard so much above par reviews about Cafe by the Ruins and when we got the chance to eat at the said artsy dining place, I said to myself, it's definitely living up to its good reputation. The place is located right smack in the heart of the Baguio City Hall area, where the pre-war residential house of the 1st civil governor of Benguet used to stand. The overall ambiance is homey and rustic, and the interiors boast of native ingenuity. I like!

And the food? Pricey but worth every centavo. I got the Lon-Si-Log ... soft, garlicky sour pork chunks, marinated to perfection ala Longanisang Vigan, with sunny side-up egg and delectable mountain rice.

Jimmy had their famous Carbonara ... al dente flat egg noodles tossed in its creamy white-based sauce, showered with a generous amount of crisp bacon slices, and drizzled with Parmesan cheese. Most of the guys ordered Tita Susie’s Crispy Tapa ... crispy shredded marinated beef with tomato-onion relish and a cup of beef broth. Yum! Edward shared a piece of his Grilled White Goat Cheese Panini. The roasted vegetables sandwiched with the kesong-puti made it really good. What I loved most was Bingo's Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms ... cream-based pasta with slightly sweet, grainy white Ricotta and a hint of lemon, with succulent grilled Shiitake on the side, wonderfully marinated in what seemed like a balsamic vinegar-sugar base. The dish was such a gustatory delight.
Now I have to stop this. I'm hungry. :-P

Back At Inn Rocio

2009-01-15T17:21:00.003+08:00

Since most of the hotels and lodges in Baguio were fully booked during the time we visited, we once again opted to stay at Inn Rocio. This time around, we were given an 8-bed capacity room ... big enough for us big guys. I liked it. It was ...

For Php975 per person (that's 2 nights and 3 days)... not bad! With wi-fi internet, hot running water and free breakfast, why not 'di ba? It made us feel we're "home away from home", as Jimmy would put it.
One thing we discovered with the said inn ... the cafeteria's menu boasts of dishes easy on the pocket. To put it more forthright, the food is ...

With my big buddies around, it was like a grand piyesta during lunch time. We would order these staple dishes: Beef with Mushrooms (thin slices of beef in oyster sauce, with fresh mushrooms) and Lechon Kawali (pork belly, pan-roasted to crispy perfection, with tangy soy sauce and calamansi concoction for dipping). And the rice? Did I mention 20 cups per meal? With the best company of friends around, you will definitely have a whopping appetite! :-P

Killing Time in Baguio

2009-01-14T14:12:00.002+08:00

We got too early in the City of Pines so we decided to have a ...

We loved the refillable brewed coffee and big servings at House of Waffles the 1st time so we gave them the business again. And I couldn't get enough of their 3-stack flapjacks with bacon and scrambled eggs. So filling!
Next stop was ...

It was Jimmy's 1st time to visit the said Presidential vacation abode. Syempre, photo op na naman. Killing time (while waiting for us to check in later that day) has never been this fun. More posts coming ... :-P

Off To Baguio

2009-01-13T13:22:00.004+08:00

We've all waited for this. 8 people who barely couldn't contain their excitement. Yes, last Friday night, we were ...

Sweet ni Abbu, he went to our meeting place (Caltex station of Gate 5, Connecticut, Greenhills) to send us off. I'm pretty sure he was inggit to the max, thus uttering the words "'di kayo magiging masaya!". Whatever. :-)
After a few stopovers, we finally made it! Gad it was friggin' 12°C of coldness we don't experience in Manila. Of course, we were armed with our jackets, scarves and some ...

That time, we said ... "Let the journey begin!" More posts to come ... :-P

The Baguio Primer

2009-01-11T06:53:00.004+08:00

Brrr! It's friggin' cold here in Baguio. I woke up with a runny nose and a grumbling stomach. Since most of my friends are still snoring, I just opened the laptop and look at the wonderful photos we just uploaded from yesterday.

More stories to come when I get back to Manila. In the meantime, I gotta find a cup of hot, brewed coffee. :-)

Craving For Frosting

2009-01-08T17:52:00.007+08:00

I'm a sucker for sweets. Never mind hyperglycemia (or high blood sugar, in other terms). As long as I want a sugar fix, I'll get it ... without painstakingly considering the harsh effects. What's Diamicron and Janumet for, right Edward? Oh and yes, I'm nuts, too. :-D
Anyway, Jimmy and I were in Glorietta one time and, like a vampire on the loose, smelled something sugar-coated in the air. So, we bought this fancy, light blue box containing what I was desiring for at that time.

Frostings cupcakes, from the family who created the commercially available Lemon Squares baked goodies, are well-crafted, enticing desserts which can satisfy one's sweet tooth. They're not too sweet and dense, as opposed to most of Sonja's Cupcakes creations. They boast of different confections in Regular, Fruit, Premium and Extra Premium choices. We bought the Banana Peanut Butter (Php 60), Crema de Fruta (Php 60), Belgian Chocolate (Php 55) and what I grabbed right away ...

Braso de Mercedes (Php 40)! The taste is full of delight, reminiscent of my all-time favorite desert. The cake is light and not too sweet, and the torched meringue on top is just right. Yum yum indeed! The Apple Pie is good, considering the cinnamon's not overpowering.

Compared to Sonja's, Frostings is less expensive and don't use much buttercream icing. Don't get me wrong, I love them both. They just satisfy my cupcake cravings. I better end this now. I have to drink my meds ... :-P

MOA After the Holidays

2009-01-07T10:38:00.011+08:00

It was that Saturday when malls all over the metro are congested with people who can't get over that Holiday feeling. Unfortunately, we belong. Since Bert requested this meet-up, we took a chance of invading the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, despite the fear of being stuck in horrendous traffic or being fondled amongst a busy mob (that, being exaggerated). Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile try. Among other reasons, it was a special day to ...

We truly missed this guy! We were famished so we thought of going to a place to get rid of those hunger pangs. We chose ...

Tempura Restaurant is one of our favorite eating places. Why? 1. You get authentic Japanese cuisine sans the expensive prices, 2. You'll surely have Japanese rice in every meal, as opposed to some restos who serve normal Pinoy rice and 3. You'll like their ambiance, it's well-lit and cozy, plus I love their logo. Hihi!
What's worth trying? The Kani Salad (Php 115) gave us a good start. This Jap-joint favorite tastes so good, from the delectable combination of iceberg lettuce, Japanese cucumber, kani (crab sticks), topped with tobiko (orange fish roe), down to its' secret, the Japanese mayonnaise. The Caterpillar Roll (Php 140) rocks! It's maki with unagi, mangoes and cream cheese. What a fusion of flavors! I did enjoy what Badz and Abbu ordered, the Kaisen Raisu (Php 130). It's sweet and spicy rice, blended with scallops, cream dory, shrimps, carrots, asparagus and corn. Yummy! It goes well with what Jay-R got, the Spareribs Sansho Yaki (Php 225), grilled pork spareribs, with a special sauce and Japanese pepper. It's little bit salty but definitely satisfying. Jimmy gave 2 thumbs up to his dessert, Coffee Jelly (Php 55)... coffee-flavored gelatin that's right to the bite, then topped with 2 scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream. Burp!
After dinner, we went by the bay and had a couple of beers. My camera battery went dead, but we managed to take a few more shots before it completely went berserk. Nice photos, 'no?

In spite of the unruly crowd, we had so much fun. One piece of advice though ... if you don't wanna experience claustrophobia, avoid going to MOA on a Saturday. :-P

My January 1 ...

2009-01-05T20:32:00.007+08:00

It has always been the same scenario. January 1st , the day when all the mayhem from the 12MN celebration comes to a halt ... when the streets of Manila suddenly become nearly deserted ... when traffic commuters rejoice (for the meantime) ... when most people dread of going back to reality, thus invading the malls and amusement parks to relish the last days of the long vacation. Haay! Buti na lang I got an SMS from Edward inviting me to go to his place right after my work. It was fortunate that the weather that day was damp and conducive for ...

When I saw the guys swimming in the cool pool, it was very inviting. It surely was "freezing" after I made my splash! But spending time with these guys, including the fun and laughter, made it bearable.
After that chilly experience, we went back to Edward's place and waited for ...

Mmmm! The savory smell of homemade Kapampangan longganisa cooking perked up my senses! I just adore longganisa. Don't ask me why. I'm just into the sweet-salty-garlicky goodness of ground meat, stuffed in those casings. Lovely! Coupled with Ed's chicken-pork adobo, pork tocino, tuyo and my friends' company ... my 1st day for 2009 was definitely a swell one! :-P

Welcoming 2009 ...

2009-01-04T19:40:00.005+08:00

It was a much different salvo of New Year for me this time. It wasn't as noisy and festive as compared to the previous years. Secondly, my family's miles away from me. Nonetheless, I surely had a blast celebrating it with my friends at Edward's place. We all savored the ...

Oh we were stuffed to the brim! Wait, there's more! The stars of the night ...

I really don't know how I managed to feast and feast and feast! But knowing my capacity, I shouldn't be surprised at all! Haha!

One thing's for sure ... welcoming 2009 didn't have to be a hubbub full of firecrackers and pyrotechnics. Spending time with your close friends was enough to embrace the coming year with hope, peace and love! Have a prosperous 2009 to you all! :-P

The Hair Says It All

2009-01-02T18:45:00.006+08:00

In lieu of using Betty La Fea eyeglasses, this time, we used a new accessory for another wacky "photo shoot".

Did I come up with the right descriptions? Thanks to Dave for letting us use the wig. This is extremely amusing! :-P

Post X'mas, Pre-2009 Fun!

2008-12-31T18:17:00.008+08:00

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!

2008-12-30T00:11:00.002+08:00

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

2008-12-29T13:09:00.006+08:00

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!

2008-12-26T20:07:00.008+08:00

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

2008-12-23T18:28:00.008+08:00

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

2008-12-22T19:56:00.005+08:00

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!

2008-12-21T07:13:00.010+08:00

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!

2008-12-19T16:19:00.002+08:00

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

2008-12-16T15:24:00.005+08:00

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!

2008-12-15T18:42:00.007+08:00

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

2008-12-13T12:28:00.001+08:00

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

2008-12-12T13:33:00.000+08:00

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

2008-12-11T12:45:00.001+08:00

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

2008-12-10T16:27:00.007+08:00

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

2008-12-09T17:15:00.007+08:00

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

2008-12-08T13:53:00.006+08:00

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!

2008-12-06T07:48:00.000+08:00

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

2008-12-05T11:52:00.002+08:00

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

Filinvest Night

2008-12-04T14:45:00.004+08:00

After visiting Dave at the hospital, we found ourselves at the nearby vicinity, Greens & Grills in Filinvest. We had a couple of beer buckets and roasted chicken pulutan at ...

It was just the usual get-together every weekend, but we still savored the good company. Of course, after the drinking spree, we had to go somewhere to alleviate our hunger pangs. Off we went to ...

I had a satisfying club sandwich from Country Style Bistro & Deli, made from toasted ciabatta bread, with chicken mortadella, bacon and ham! The rest went to McDonald's, Mongolian Quick Stop and Jollibee. Speaking of which, some of my friends had to pose with Jollibee for some "cute" camera exposure! I call them ...

On our way back to the parking lot, we just couldn't help but had our group picture taken. We're such cam whores, hahaha! :-P

Happy Birthday, Adi!

2008-12-03T11:00:00.001+08:00

December 3 marks the special day of one of my best friends ...

Nearly 30 years of good friendship with this guy has always been a blessing. Though we're thousands of miles apart now, we're still the same good ol' buddies. All the best, Adi and have a swell one! Cheers! :-P

Dave and His Asian Adventure!

2008-12-02T16:31:00.009+08:00

I was stunned when I saw Dave's status message at Yahoo Messenger last Saturday ...

weekend @Asian ... sad! :-(

Yes, he got admitted Friday night at the Asian Hospital in Alabang due to food poisoning. I got to talk to him that Saturday morning. He was alone that time and was so bored! Wawa! Through text brigade, we decided to give him a visit.

Oh yes, Dave was his usual bubbly self ... not an inkling he's sick! It was like we went to a hotel suite where Dave's checked in for the night. Speaking of which, the room's definitely A-class. And since there's wi-fi, the gang was delighted to ...

Dave's room has the following amenities and features: cable television, telephone, refrigerator, a wall-mounted blood pressure apparatus, IV pole and oxygen and suction mechanism panel, nurse call buttons, comfy seats (including a convertible sleeper chair) and a nice comfort room with hot and cold water! Pretty cool, right? :-P

Before the patient went on fasting at 10pm, we had ...

At 11pm, Dave was already fast asleep. It was indeed a worthwhile visit to our dear friend. :-P
Up next: our adventure after the visit. :-P

Yule Really Flip!

2008-12-01T18:19:00.001+08:00

It's December 1! Christmas is in the air! Why don't you treat yourself with something sweet served upside down ...

Just in time for the holidays! Yule Flip Peppermint Chip is the Blizzard of the Month for December. Peppermint candy cane pieces and oh-so-yummy chocolate chunks, mixed with creamy vanilla soft serve ... I'm now drooling! :-P

More Yuletide treats coming soon! :-P

The Lechon Aftermath

2008-11-29T00:04:00.005+08:00

Despite the hang-over from the previous night's Thanksgiving celebration, we decided to meet up at Dave & Cholo's place in Las Pinas for Sunday dinner. You see, there seemed like an overflowing supply of lechon (about 12 kilograms of pure, cholesterol-injection goodness) during that party ... so what better way to recycle the leftovers ? Ask Edward to do lechon paksiw.

Edward made a deliciously mean paksiw ... just the right taste for my palate. He also brought along Spam for more ulam that night. Burp burp burp!!!

After dinner, we traversed our way again to Aguirre Street in BF Paranaque, this time going to ...

I must say this place is at par with our favorite Aguirre hang-out, Central. They both offer good appetizers (the best tokwa't baboy!) and hard drink cocktails. I love the apple and mango vodka signature creations ... they were pretty lethal! And the beer? Literally ice-cold to the max!

Glad we found another drinking spree place in the South. :-P

Something Colorful, Alive & Funny ...

2008-11-28T10:15:00.005+08:00

As if it had risen from a deep slumber, the Secret Santa came back with a vengeance! Last Saturday at the Thanksgiving party, there were 3 major themes ...

The McDonald's Pacquiao cap of Cholo rocks! And Jimmy's Skittles ... tangy and tasty!

Majority of the guys got plants for this theme. Cholo's cactus looks so "enormous" (if you'll forgive the pun).

I adore the shirts Nes and Badz received. The highlight of the night: when Rhedd got his gift! That was bordering to meanness but to Rhedd's Santa Daddy ... that made us release a good belly laugh!

(Hopefully) For this coming Saturday ... something hairy! :-P

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T16:05:00.007+08:00

Last November 22, Saturday night, proved to be one of the most memorable moments for our group. We celebrated Thanksgiving, Pinoy style.

Although a few of our friends didn't make it, we were still complete in spirit.

As always, it was potluck time so everybody got loads of good, savory and sweet stuff.

Of course, after the festive meal, bonding was inevitable. Always FUN!

At the end of the celebration, everybody had smiles on their faces. Definitely, we all had a blast!

There's so much to be thankful for ... personally, I wanna give credit to all of these guys for the great company, the joy, the laughter, the camaraderie ... and in difficult times, for being there, the mere presence just enough to brighten up the day. I love you, guys! A big thanks from my heart! :-P

Iceberg's... I Like!

2008-11-20T17:43:00.003+08:00

Among all the halo-halos in the metro, Iceberg's, for me, is the best! Why? Plain and simple ... I just love the ingredients they include in their concoction. No kidney beans, red mung beans or kamote, which I don't like in my halo-halo. In one big cup, there's finely shaved ice, sweetened bananas, macapuno balls, gelatin strips and cubes, sweet corn, ube jam, leche flan, peach slices ... then topped with 2 scoops of your favorite ice cream (I like strawberry and langka flavors) and cornflakes. Then you can pour the milk provided, depending on your taste. Yum yum OH!

Iceberg's also offers assorted parfaits, splits and sundaes at very reasonable prices. Their menu also boasts of rice meals, pasta, sandwiches, and even chocolate fondue. Mouthwatering goodness indeed! :-P

The Rihanna-CB Invasion

2008-11-19T19:06:00.003+08:00

It was a clear, starry night when we went our way to the Bonifacio Global City open field for the Rihanna and Chris Brown: Live in Manila concert last Sunday. There were almost 70,000 people present to witness the event. What a huge crowd! Ergo, I expected the horrendous traffic within the area. In fairness, the show started almost on time, 8:10pm to be exact.

Chris Brown opened the show. He was such a dynamite on stage! Everybody felt the energy and high spirits from the 19-year old power performer. When he sang "Forever" and "With You", that made the people crazy!

After Chris Brown and some fireworks display, it was Rihanna's turn. Opening song was her hit, "Disturbia". I didn't expect that the crowd wasn't as enthusiastic as compared to the past hour. I can't blame the people ... Rihanna, for me, wasn't as good as the other R&B princesses in performing live. She did made a great effort though to perk up the concert people. And damn, she looked really hot in her black, skimpy outfit!

What made me excited? The last number, when Rihanna and Chris sang "Umbrella/Cinderella". That was good! Overall, I had a great time with my team mates. My feet surely were sore, but that was all worth it! :-P

5 In 1

2008-11-17T19:22:00.007+08:00

Oh yes, we went to 5 different places in just 1 night. Our first stop ...

Total food overload costs P199 per head, which I think is reasonable. The food was decent but the crowd? It's like I was at a piyesta in the province! A lot of people were swarming over the buffet table like crazy! If you're in a tight budget but wanna try an affordable eat-all-you-can experience, this place is just for you! One piece of advice though ... if you're a big buchi fan, be prepared for the battle! Then off we went to the neighboring place ...

This is an old-fashioned dessert café with a very comfy ambiance and a delectable selection of cheesecakes! I love the classic blueberry and the chocolate mint. The strawberry cheesecake is to die for! After some sugar-rush, off we went to ...

Hats off to Richard and Dave for rendering the crowd a heart-warming version of "It's Raining Men". Way to go! After which, we had an engaging group discussion about an interesting topic. I can say this was the highlight of the night! At 3am, we were at ...

The special bibingka was really good! 3 fresh eggs were added in the galapong batter, and the whole thing was topped with coconut, butter and salted egg. Truly delightful! Our last stop ...

Toblerone fondue! Lush melted chocolate, served with a plate of banana slices, pound cake, mango chunks, and apple slices. To add, there was free wi-fi, too! What a way to end the night with friends! 'Til next week, guys! :-P

Christmas at S&R

2008-11-16T07:43:00.000+08:00

I love the Yuletide season! The wind is getting cooler ... Christmas lights and decors brighten each and every household ... nights are now longer than days ... and the metro's getting busier!
And S&R, our favorite wholesale hub at the Fort, is not far behind when it comes to Christmas offerings. Before doing some shopping, Jimmy and I had our usual S&R meal ...

Oh yes, Ghirardelli gift items for your sweet tooth friends are available, even some cute Santa and elves containing chocolate confectionery.

The box containing 27 handmade cards is expensive, about a hundred pesos per card, but they are exquisitely made. The Joseph, Mary and Small Donkey figurine set is adorable.

A variety of Christmas trees and decors is also available in the warehouse. Running out of gift-ideas? Don't get panic-stricken. Different gift baskets are everywhere, from chocolates, to different grocery items and deli. S&R's a good place to buy all your Christmas needs! :-P

Something Hard ...

2008-11-15T14:58:00.000+08:00

This post is much delayed but hey, it's better late than never! We had our Secret Santa: something hard 3 weeks ago at Music 21 on Timog Avenue. We all had our gifts from our daddies ...

3 of us got keychains ... Abbu got a big boner (pretty hilarious!) Others received ...

That gift-giving moment was fun! Of course, we couldn't get enough of grabbing the microphones and belt out!

The revelation gets nearer and nearer! Next up: something alive and something colorful (2 in one weekend!). Yay! :-P

The Unlimited Rice Poster Boy

2008-11-14T12:02:00.001+08:00

Since a lot of the guys were not available last Sunday night for the Secret Santa, we just met up for dinner at Mang Inasal along Makati Avenue. Yum yum pecho ... that's what I ordered ... again.

And guess who's the poster boy for the resto's Unlimited Rice promo?

"Kumbinsing!", Richard! :-P

World Bangin' Meal

2008-11-13T17:50:00.004+08:00

After spending the whole night (and morning) at Bert's place in Rockwell, we went to Power Plant for a filling lunch. All of them had Japanese food, but I was drawn to the neighboring store ...

It's not your usual hot dog kiosk that sells tender, juicy wieners... it lives up to its' name "haute dog". Imagine this... a large sausage on a fresh, hotdog bun with lots of variety (different choices of dressing or favorite toppings). I got the All-Day Breakfast ... mushrooms, tomatoes, relish, scrambled egg and cheese sauce. Delish to the max! I also got German potato salad and Spaghetti Bolognese as side dishes. A li'l bit pricey but hey, you'll have your money's worth. :-P

3 Special Birthdays

2008-11-10T18:37:00.005+08:00

Our Friday night was filled with fun, food and laughter as we greeted ...

We had so much beer, soda, tequila and FOOD!

What's more important: we were able to celebrate the very special birthdays of 3 very endearing people in our lives!

Happy birthday, BERT, CHOLO AND BADZ! :-P

The Zhu-cret Recipe Experience

2008-11-09T12:00:00.006+08:00

It has always been a pleasure to spend a nice weekend evening with close friends. What better way to bond is to have a sumptuous dinner with them! We had a craving for Chinese chow so we went to TECOMA Bldg at 5th ave. cor. 32nd in Bonifacio Global City and tried ...

We had ourselves full with these delicious food! I also commend the courteous staff and the enticing bright pink motif of the place. Of course, it was a time for us to have a nice conversation!

We weren't done yet. We had to do dessert! Next door ...

I was supposed to order Chocolate Banana (I tried it once, but don't ask me when since it is so ancient and irrelevant)... but I decided to try the White Chocolate Macadamia. Yummy!
Thanks, Nes and Pau for spending a delightful night with us! :-P

Something Scary ...

2008-11-05T16:55:00.004+08:00

It was All Saint's Day last Saturday, but we still decided to meet up for Secret Santa! The theme was very apt for the occasion ...

Oh yes, the 3 of us didn't receive our gifts. Wawa talaga! I'm sure we'll get 2 this coming weekend! ;-)

Lucky them! I like Badz' bear ... it's his replica! Dave's skull with goo and worms inside is disturbing! Edward also got a skull, but better than Dave's. Pau's mouse is slimy! Cholo's cellphone accessories are cute! Jimmy got the VCD of Shia LaBeouf's "Disturbia". Can I borrow? :-P
After the gift-giving @WG, we looked for a good place to eat and we found ourselves in Malate at ...

Gosh we were friggin' hungry! Next up ... something alive! :-P

Trick or Treat

2008-11-04T15:01:00.003+08:00

It was Halloween last Friday and since some of us were free that night, Edward invited us over his pad for "Trick or Treat".

Edward prepared dinner for us. Yeah, we brought some candies and chocolates, just to be "in" to the tradition. After that, we watched "The Orphanage"... a pretty intense Spanish movie that gave me goose bumps! At around 4am, the guys went to sleep while I, after a 1-hour power nap, got off the La-Z Boy and started preparing breakfast.

Wow, I was able to survive the whole night! The secret?

Spending Halloween with these guys was definitely F-U-N! :-P

Bigoli, My Golly!

2008-11-03T12:26:00.000+08:00

Whilst at Trinoma during the Job Fair, we were wondering where we could have a filling and delicious lunch. We decided to try...

My major comment? It's undeniably Fazoli's in every aspect, from the restaurant concept down to the menu. I can say Fazoli's is much better though. The breadsticks are good, but not served that too often as compared to Fazoli's where you can get a handful of the yummy bread every time you want.

The spaghetti bolognese was good enough, better than Chef D'Angelos. And the chicken? I miss Fazoli's! The white pizza was tasty, in fairness. What I liked here? The bottomless drinks! I just can't get enough of the lemon iced tea and the orange juice.

I'd like to commend the staff though. They were nice and courteous enough despite the flaws I've mentioned.

Bigoli... why don't you try it and see for yourself. :-P

Job Fair Fun

2008-11-02T12:13:00.003+08:00

Last Wednesday, we were assigned to help the Recruitment people at the ...

It was a worthwhile experience ... actually, much better than being stuck in RCBC plaza! Davelyn and I are more willing to volunteer again! Thanks to Jo-An and Mel for being so accommodating.
Our team mates visited us. They stuffed themselves at...

Yeah, Davelyn was so star-strucked! Bea Alonzo made her day! :-) Of course, we had our side trips! We just had to do this ...

Hahaha! I'm such a kid ... at heart. :-P

I Love the Salcedo Market!

2008-10-31T12:17:00.001+08:00

Even after a late Friday night out, I still managed to wake up early the following day. Why? It's Salcedo Market Day! I've been wanting to go back to this haven but my Saturday mornings are rarely sked-free. Good thing I had that chance last weekend. What does Salcedo Market offer? Fresh produce like ...

Nice! It doesn't just offer these stuff, there are a lot! Some of which are ...

Mmmm! Makes you wanna eat more and more! And yes, there are MORE!

Just taking these pictures can make you burp with satisfaction! My favorites?

I just love the craft kiosks, especially the one offering Yuletide decor. I can smell Christmas fast approaching! And oh, the empanadas? Try the Chicken ala King and the Roast Beef... yum-oh! My 2 thumbs up to the Bud-Bud Kabog suman ... they use the finest ingredients like wild millet seeds and they even offer the sugar-free variety! Simply superb.
How I wish I can go the Salcedo Market on a regular basis. :-P

Something Soft ...

2008-10-30T13:28:00.004+08:00

Hello... Secret Santa is back! Sorry we had to skip something hard, but no worries... the entry's soon to follow! Anyway, we had gift-giving last Saturday night at Edward's place. The theme:

Dave and Abbu didn't receive their gifts, too. Wawa!

Shoo ants! There's too much sweetness around... ;-) I love Richard's duckie. The big one comes with 3 small ducklings. Cute!

Jimmy got a rubber tit! Haha! I love Badz' snake pillow! To my daddy, I agree... the mouse inside is indeed soft.

Update: The others got their gifts the following week. As they say, better late than never!

Next week... something scary! Boo! :-P

Big Daddy's Birthday Bash

2008-10-29T18:25:00.004+08:00

We had a grand celebration last Saturday night in Greenhills. It was ...

We had a blast! Of course, there were tons of laughter, Q&A, booze and ...

We, as a group, were not complete ... we missed our dear friends who were not able to come, but we surely celebrated it as one, happy family!

To Edward, we wish you good health and more fruitful years to come! We love you, Big Daddy! :-P

Sundae Friday!

2008-10-28T12:00:00.000+08:00

After dropping by the Party A-venue in Timog last Friday night, we went to Burger King just a few blocks away for some Whopper, fries, soda and sundae!

We love sundaes! :-P

Korean That Night

2008-10-27T16:33:00.005+08:00

It was Edward's birthday last Thursday. For dinner, he brought us to...

I haven't really explored the Korean cuisine but I definitely had a good time that night! Korean Palace Restaurant offers traditional Korean food such as Bulgogi (Korean Barbecue), Goo-E (Pan-grilled meat), Kimchi and other savory stuff. I love the Beef Stew!

Even Dave and Jimnev had their chopsticks in full swing! Thanks Edward for a wonderful evening! :-P

Bataan Beach Madness

2008-10-23T14:44:00.009+08:00

October 12, lunchtime... our bags were packed, our minds were set to some party fun... Off we went to ...

It was a long 4-hour ride to Ralph's private resort in Morong, Bataan... but it was all worth it!

We had lotsa chow, booze, karaoke and even fire-dancing from Ralph!

Some even got wasted, thanks to the very potent brandy and Red Horse (as the chaser) combination. Even though we just stayed overnight, we definitely had a swell time!

Our photos show how we want more team buildings like this! Uber fun! :-P

New Look

2008-10-21T17:47:00.005+08:00

Yes, I am officially a 4-eyed nerdy! The ophthalmologist during my physical exam told me I have astigmatism (OD or right= 75 & OS or left= 50). Then he prescribed me to wear glasses to correct it. I had my Oakley Wiretap shades replaced with lenses. Jim also had his Rudy Project glasses fixed. I hope I'll get used to wearing prescription glasses real soon! :-P