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The Great UP Sunday Picnic Brunch

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It was my first time to run under the trees of the famous UP oval for the Great UP Run. Now I understand why a lot of runners do their training runs here because of the scenic route and the shade offered by the trees. I'm starting to become a run-aholic like my friends from the H@ppy Feet running group.

H@ppy Feet organized a picnic near the lagoon in UP as a bonding moment for the group. It turned out this was one of the best Sunday Picnic Brunch I ever had.

I recorded my personal best of 75 mins for a 10k which is still relatively slower than most runners. I aim to go sub-1 hour for my 10k run and sub-7mins/km pace.  I lost 1030 calories but I think I gained more than that from the picnic. I'm running these days just to keep my current weight.

Technorati Tags: Great UP Run

 
My running buddies from H@ppy Feet. Most of us have started running for less than a year. The common thing that binds the group together is the passion for running. If you are looking for running buddies, join us at impromptu_runners@yahoogroups.com.

Also, we are looking for sponsors for the group's running shirt/ singlet. Let me know if you know of somebody who would like to sponsor H@ppy Feet.

 
Of course, our P&G running buddies are always there in all the major runs.

 
Everyone contributed to the picnic and it was a memorable Sunday Picnic Brunch. The 10k run was a good excuse to eat a lot.  I brought M Cafe's killer Jackfruit Sansrival dessert to the picnic.

 
Here is a quote from Mon Sunday, the god father with 2 decades of marathon experience, about the Sunday Picnic Brunch:

" Wow, after the wonderful race at UP Great Run was the first picnic at UP.Grabe na to. Si Trisha nagdala ng hershey mini chocolate and barbecue, Si Chai yata nagdala ng manok and saging?? correct me if i am wrong and the pang-ulam (danggit and pusit) and the sawsawan. Si Vanggie brought her home made ensalada and the healthful cucumber inspite of her hectic schedule(talagang mahal na mahal niya talaga ang Happy Feet I salute you Bangiggay) . Si Anton brought the tasty langka cake. SMith brought goldilocks cake. He also brought her beautiful wife. Si Roselle cook us first class rice from Rustan pa yata. Si Joms yata brought his good service of showing/touring us the place and made funny faces and remarks. Si Ben brought the mineral water. Si totoy, Rey and Sam pala ang doon din.Me, i brought the softdrinks. Si Eric brought a virtual lechon. Si Michelle and her friend Aljoy run the UP great run but they left early . At least she came to visit our group and meet the new members."

"After the upakan ng pagkain at kantiyawan, Nag picture taking ang group. Mga 11 am , the group dispersed and we will meet again on our practice run next week."

 
The girls of H@ppy Feet!

We can't resist not to take a picture in front of the oblacion. (Photographer on the run, Ben Chan orchestrating the UP shot)

Olay White Radiance Launch

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Photo courtesy of Cyrus of Lumina Photography

Congratulations to the Olay White Radiance Team for the successful launch last Night!

Photo Courtesy of Tony Oquias

The New Olay White Radiance Endorsers: Denise Go and Isabelle Diaz Daza

Technorati Tags: Olay

Five Cows Birthday

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Five Cows Resto and Ice Cream Bar, 4th Floor Trinoma

We decided to take a day off on my birthday and spend it with the family in Trinoma.  I was dying to try the ice cream concoctions in Five Cows, one of the hottest restaurants in Trinoma. Despite our earlier Trinoma misadventures, Trinoma is starting to show that it has more to offer even for people who live in Makati or Manila. It was now pleasant to shop around after 3 months of operation and the parking is still confusing but the security guards are more helpful.

We celebrated my birthday in La Maison, a French Casual Dining Restaurant originally based in Cebu and enjoyed the desserts at Five Cows Resto and Ice Cream Bar. On hindsight, we should have eaten our main course in Five Cows to avoid the disappointing lunch at La Maison. After lunch, we treated Aidan to a Time Zone entertainment where he rode a horse, plane, train, mini ferris wheel, and various cars.  We also did a little bit of shopping for a white chic polo which I wore for the Olay White Radiance Launch last night at Decagon.

Thanks for all those who greeted via text and email!  It actually sucks to be 33 and realize that I'm getting old. I just realized it when I attended the Olay white radiance event and most of the girls who attended are in the 18-20 age range.

Technorati Tags: Five Cows

La Maison is french for "home" and it is setup as a brasserie style restaurant and cafe. It is owned by couple Ray Francis Alcoseba and Marissa Panganiban with Robert Lilja as their chef partner. They served French inspired dishes that caters to the Filipino taste, which is why it is a bit heavy on the sauces. The Trinoma branch is their first branch outside Cebu. They became a hit in Ayala Center Cebu and in their original location in JY Square Mall in Lahug, Cebu.

La Maison Menu
Appetizers and Salad
Soups and Chowders
Barkada Family Meals
Imported Steaks
Barkada Pasta
La Maison Gourmet Sandwiches
Main Entrees
Gourmet Lunch Bento
Desserts

 
Barkada Ribs Large (P425).  Perfectly grilled Pork Ribs in Barbecue Sauce with Honey Chili Sauce.

We tried the Salmon and Mango Salad, the Pepper Steak and the Barkada Ribs. The latter one is the only one that deserves a photo because it offers a good value for your money. Although it is far from Tony Roma's ribs, the extra sauce compensates for its lack of tastiness of the meat. It was quite a struggle to slice the meat off the bones but since it is big, it is enough to satisfy our craving for this ribs.

Before heading off to Five Cows, we stopped for an Aidan photo shoot in Trinoma's garden fountains.

 
Five cows is a dessert heaven and modern interiors enhances the taste of the ice cream (somehow). I like the use of naked incandescent bulbs and bleached type of furniture  (or de stressed furntinures? not sure how they call it ) .  You'll be amazed at the wide assortment of desserts that it offers.  It is called Five Cows because there are five partners and they offer menu items like steak and ice cream which comes from cow's meat and milk.

Main Menu
Appetizers, Soup of the Day, and Salad
Pasta
Panini/ sandwiches, Pizza
Main Course and Steak

Dessert Menu
Marble Slab Conconctions
Old Time Favorites and by the scoop
Urban Treats (modern desserts)
Ice Cream Cakes
Ice Cream Cakes Part 2
Guilt Free Desserts, Floats, Milkshakes, Drinks

   

This place is Kids friendly with plenty of high chairs and toys to entertain the kids so that they don't roam around the restaurant. How I wish all restaurants are like this. All the place is bloggers friendly with FREE wi-fi -- yahoo!

Ferrero Crunch Supreme (P155). The Most Talked About Creation!  Classic vanilla ice cream mixed with crunchy bits & our very own conconction of choco hazelnut filling. Definitely a must try for those who enjoy a truly amazing chocolatey experience!

This is the best seller of the house and I loved it. Although, Rache did not like it because she was expecting that it contains actual Ferrero Rocher.

Rocky Almond Bars (P140). Our chef's heavenly creation of chocolate & vanilla ice cream, caramel & chocolate sauces, praline, chopped almond over an oreo crust & topped with a generous swirl of extra chocolate sauce.

It was indeed heavenly and sweet. In fact, we were not able to finish it because of its sweetness. I would take this anytime versus Gelatone's P100 gelato scoop in greenbelt. I do hope Five Cows opens in Makati soon.

Flaming Alaska (P185). a french treat with a twist of spiked sponged cake dome filled with 3 melange of assorted ice cream, chocolate cookies, nuts and smothered with meringue and served with flaming run.

If you want to get creative with your order and impress your date, order the Flaming Alaska. They would close down all the lights in Five Cows and pour the flame over this cake before serving it.

Five Cows is conveniently located in the Cinema level which is the best level in Trinoma. This is where the THX cinemas, the Timezone, Starbucks amidst the Trinoma garden fountain and rows of dessert chains: Krispy Kreme, Mrs. Fields Cafe, etc. are located.

Avenue Q Manila Cast with Princeton and Kate Monster

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Avenue Q - Final Run June 2008. 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Miss the Opening Night of Avenue Q’s Final Run!

Avenue Q Manila Cast!

I'm super excited to watch Avenue Q since January (see Avenue Q is coming to Manila). I've been listening to the entire soundtrack for a few weeks now. I always find myself singing "it sucks to be me" and "There's a fine, fine line between love,and a waste of time". I started noticing "schadenfreude" behaviors (happiness in the misfortune of others) and a little bit of racism in each one of us. I have adapted the motto, "You gotta go after the things you want while you're still in your prime." I'm going crazy over Avenue Q...

I've always wondered how the Princeton and Kate Monster love scene would look like performed by Rachel Alejandro and Felix Rivera. I'm sure Rachel Alejandro can do a good job in doing the Lucy the Slut song "I can make you feel special. When it sucks to be you." Can Aiza Sequerra portray Gary Coleman? I'm sure the pinoy cast would make us all proud similar to how Rent in Manila was better than its Broadway counterpart.

I can't wait to watch the first show. 12 days to go until opening day...

Avenue Q Manila Cast ((Thanks to Atlantis Productions for sharing this photo of the Avenue Q Manila Cast)

Felix Rivera - Princeton / Rod
Rachel Alejandro - Kate Monster / Lucy the Slut
Joel Trinidad - Nicky / Trekkie Monster
Aiza Seguerra - Gary Coleman
Frenchie Dy - Christmas Eve
Rycharde Everley - Brian
Teenee Chan - Mrs. Thistletwat and others.

What is AVENUE Q about?
" AVENUE Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q; still, the neighbors seem nice. There's Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fianceé Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his roommate Rod -- a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate. And would you believe the building's superintendent is Gary Coleman?!? (Yes, that Gary Coleman.) Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life." (About Avenue Q the Musical)

Related Posts:
Avenue Q-Manila: Is Manila ready for the Puppet's Full Frontal Nudity? (Ticket Info)
Avenue Q is coming to Manila (Jan 2007)
Meet the Cast of Avenue Q in Manila by Bachelor Girl
Avenue Q Manila FAQs by Bachelor Girl
Avenue Q Manila Asian Premiere by Bachelor Girl
Avenue Q Manila and the Straight Male by Bachelor Girl
Avenue Q Manila Atlantis Productions by Bachelor Girl

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Avenue Q Manila FAQs

The Camera That Blogging Won

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I have a unique pasalubong for Aidan today -- His First Digital Camera!  Thanks to SM Hypermarket for the camera which is the prize for the runner's up award in the recently concluded SM Hypermarket Blogging Contest.  Congratulations to all the winners and for Anito Kid for winning the Round Trip Ticket to Malaysia -- you deserve it !

We had fun last night in the Taste of Asia Bloggers Meet. Here are some of the photos of last night's event.

Travel Bloggers having fun @ Cliquebooth

Technorati Tags: SM, SM Hypermarket

 
The barbecue was tasty and everybody agrees that it was very good.

I met the wonderful mommy bloggers from the pinoy moms network.

Thanks to SM "Hypermarket" for a nice bloggers event!  The Blogging community will be forever grateful for recognizing our collective influence as "an alternative media".

Wander-ful Show!

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Wanders. (P100/ photo with cast members) Captivating, Timeless and Musical Delight. World-Class Entertainment, Never Seen Before.

Wanders is simply awesome. It is better to watch it without any expectation. It is like watching acrobatic acts of Cirque de Soleil, musical antics of the Blue Man group, and showmanship of a Las Vegas production. The production is created by the same group behind the production of Miss Saigon in Manila. The music is world class coming from the top musicians and singers in the industry. Calvin Millado plays the tour guide with Topper Fabregas and Cathy Azanza as Pol and Pola. Noni Buencamino acts and sings Elvis Presley and Austin Powers. The cast is reinforced by world class talents of the Russian dancers from Moscow and Belarussia and the Chinese acrobats from Henan province of China.

For me, the best ones are the Manuever's version of the Blue Man Group where they use bamboo sticks and huge trash cans to create music. Although, I thought that sequence was too short and I was craving for more of Manuevers. We also like the chinese Flight of Love which reminded me of Cirque de Soleil's Mystere show in Las Vegas. You should see the two lovers flying in the air and performing acrobatic stunts and "love scenes". Lastly, I  am amazed at the flexibility of the little chinese girls which you can see in this short video clip of Wanders.

It is still far from becoming a "world-class" show because the acrobats made mistakes. I've watched three shows of Cirque de Soleil and I've never seen any mistake in the execution of the stunts. They probably just need more practice. Also, I did not get the entire plot of the show. It appears that there was a tour guide who showed the different wonders of the world to a tourist couple. Then, they went to Las Vegas, China and other places. The tour ends in the Philippines where they "tried" to get audience participation in the final dance sequence of the show. They still have time to improve the overall story line and create a climactic ending.

Thanks to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Efraim C. Genuino for believing in this Filipino produced world-class, family oriented entertainment.  The show is for the entire family so I regret that I did not bring Aidan to watch the show. I hesitated to bring him along because I thought it was inappropriate to bring him to the Casino at night.

Technorati Tags: wanders

Wanders
Captivating, timeless, a musical delight...
WANDERS is a one-of-a-kind musical extravaganza that top bills our best homegrown talents in the entertainment scene. It showcases world-class Filipino performers who are out to captivate audiences with soulful renditions of timeless classics and vibrant dance numbers. A fusion of cultures, the show also highlights gravity-defying aerial acrobatics and stunning displays of skills by flamboyant performers from China and Russia.

Every WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, and SATURDAY
PAGCOR Grand Theater ,Airport Casino Filipino
Parañaque City, Metro Manila
Date: July 21 to Dec. 29
Telephone Number: +632 852 7758/ 54, +632 851 7690
Ticket Prices: P3000, P2500, P2000, P1500, P1200 via Ticketworld
Officiate Website: Casino Filipino Online Wanders

Mrs.Fields Cafe Bloggers Meet

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It was a good blogger's meet-up in a soon-to-open Mrs. Fields Cookie Cafe branch in Manila Pavilion. This meet-up was organized by Jayvee and served as a formal launching of his Blog and Soul movement with a tag line "If you blog it, they will come". All the bloggers were treated to a buffet of pasta dishes and mini-burgers,  free cookie samples, Mrs. Fields own line of gelato, and a take home cookie goodies. It was a nice treat from Mrs. Fields. It did not feel like a PR event but more of an EB of sort for FREE.

Some facts about Mrs. Fields Cookie Cafe:

• The first cookie cafe branch was opened in Trinoma and the second one will open soon in Manila Pavilion (sept. 1)
• Mrs. Fields is now 30 years old when it was first opened in Palo Alto by Debbi Fields on August 13, 1977. In the Philippines, Mrs. Fields arrived 12 years ago.
• They are relaunching the brand in the Philippines to attract the coffee crowd and the blogging crowd with wi-fi access (yes!)
• It is a romanticized kitchen store concept which is a unique combination of home and kitchen in a modern cafe setting.
• The brand was revitalized by the husband-and-wife team of Gerwyn and Sheryl See of Ababa corporation who bought the master franchise last year.

I love the way they are marketing the entire brand in all aspects. It was a good move to attract the blogging community. They brought it the full line of Mrs. Fields to the country and offering a wide assortment of products which include Big Cookie Cakes, Cookies N Cream Chillers,  and Gelato with Mrs. Fields cookies made by Pazzo. They launched Cookie Jar which is the official local publication of Mrs. Fields in the Philippines and the first ever Cookie Club in Town. You can join by completing 10 visits with a minimum purchase of P250 pesos then availing discounts after.

Technorati Tags: Mrs. Fields

 
We loved the cookies and their premium brownie collection which includes the Peanut Butter Dreambar. I liked the soft but firm-to-the-bite cookies with its no-holds-bar sweetness.  The cookies are really too SWEET though, and one cookie is enough to satisfy your sweet cravings.

 
It was interesting to see a gelato line made by Pazzo exclusively for Mrs. Fields. Same with the cookies, it was too SWEET for me.

 

Yummy Mrs. Fields muffins!

 

I liked this big cookie cakes which comes in 16-in round, half/ full rectangle sheet, and in 14 in heart shape form.  This gave me the idea to order the round cakes for the birthday of my team members which can satisfy up to 16 people.

 

The Dine Racoma Blogging clan with Mila Tan and the Noemi Dado blogging clan.

 

Nina (justwandering.org), Ryan, and Melo of Lakbay Pilipinas.

Marcel performed magic and despite the failed trick he was able to entertain the crowd.

Thanks to Gerwyn and Sheryl See for the warm welcome and for hosting the blog meet-up.

Ninoy Aquino's Final Words

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An Arnold Barredo Design 2003

Ninoy, we will never forget and I can only pray for such a glorious death. Thanks for the inspiration and you will live in the hearts of every Filipino. We heard your arrival speech loud and clear. We will pass on your memory to the next generation of Filipinos.

ARRIVAL SPEECH by Ninoy Aquino
The prepared speech that was never read

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through non-violence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.

Three years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis. I never sought not have I been given any assurances, or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end, justice will emerge triumphant. According to Gandhi, the willing sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.

Technorati Tags: ninoy aquino

Rather than move forward we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.

During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for habeas corpus. It is most ironic after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can longer entertain petitions for habeas corpus for person detained under the Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which under present circumstances can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.

The Filipino asked for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 constitution – the most sacred legacies from the founding fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps?

The nationwide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.

So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a military tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my immediate execution or set me free.

I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

National reconciliation and unity can be achieved, but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a dictator. No compromise with dictatorship.

In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

Subversion stems from economic, social, and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solution: It can be curbed not with ever increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom.

For the economy to get going once again, the working man must be given his just and rightful share or his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so must uncertainty if not despair.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald Macleish: ‘How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always and in the final act, by determination and faith.’

I return from exile and an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer – faith in our people and faith in God."

Related Posts/Sites :
The Edsa Revolution Website
a Tribute to Benigno S. Aquino Jr. 1932-1983
The Last Romantic? by Manila Boy

Manila Baywalk's New Look

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Yes, Manila Baywalk is now clean.  The only remaining evidence that there was once commercial activities happening here is the still standing huge Cafe Puro cup. There is a debate going on in Carlos blog about pros and cons of closing Manila Baywalk. The blogosphere started to get emotional about it. These are the type of news that you won't ever see in Manila's newspapers.

IN MEMORIAM... and WTF... by Carlos Celdran
Why Baywalk Deserve to Close by Annalyn
F*CK. I knew this would happen: Mayor Lim shuts down BAYWALK!!! by Manila Boy

 
Ever since Manila Baywalk was commercialized the entire place became dirty (with trash all around) and non-family friendly entertainment.  I'm not sure if I'm going to thank Alfredo Lim just yet because we don't want the baywalk to be dark and unsafe again.

Just to be clear, I'm happy that the establishments are gone to keep the area clean from trash. I do hope that it remains clean and safe where families can go to and enjoy the manila sunset.

Technorati Tags: Baywalk

Oh Boy, Oh Boy! It is another Boy!

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Oh yes, It is another boy!  Aidan is now an Ahiya with a Syoti (younger brother).

We are trying this 4D technology of In My Womb and our first attempt was not really successful. Baby 4 was being covered by the placenta so we have to return to get a full and moving shot. This is a first-come first-served basis. All the re-scans are done Tuesday/ Thursday only to avoid the long queue. By the way, no cameras nor video cameras were allowed during the procedure.

We took the cheapest 3D/4D Package (Ruby) for P3,300. It includes:
20-30 min 2D, 3D, 4D session
DVD recording set to music.
5 glossy, high resolution black/ white 3D photos
2 glossy, high resolution Sepia-toned 3D photoes
Medical Report, baby weights, estimated due date, heart rate, gender determination
Free return visit within 14 days if baby does NOT cooperate during your session.

 
Aidan is growing up quickly and this is his latest picture in Sophia Danielle Jabob's Baptism.  I can just imagine having two boys with almost 3 years old apart.

In My Womb 3D/ 4D Ultrasound Centre
G/F Park Square 2, Ayala Mall, Makati City
Mobile No. +63 917 818 6888
Website: www.inmywomb.com.ph
Email: inmywomb@yahoo.com.ph

Takbo Para Kay Ariel

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H@ppy Feet Members running for 2nd Lieutenant Ariel M. Toledo

TAKBO PARA KAY ARIEL. Sino ba si Ariel?
"This is a FUN RUN for a Cause. Proceeds will go to 2nd Lieutenant Ariel M.Toledo, Phil. Airforce, Philippine Military Academy Class of 2006-MANDALA's Magna Cum Laude and Valedictorian, 27 years old, who has been orphaned and now diagnosed with Cancer of the Bile Duct. He is in need of an amount of US$55,000.00 or approximately Php2,600,000.00 for one continuous therapy and Php2Million to cover other expenses for his sustenance and pending bills to be paid in different hospitals. His story was recently featured in ABS-CBN's Maalala Mo Kaya (June 20, 2007). "

Related Posts: Takbo Para Kay Ariel

I'm happy that I met the H@ppy Feet runners group. These group are passionate about running and even supports causes such as Takbo Para Kay Ariel. I met them in the blogosphere when I was preparing for my Milo Marathon and looking for blogger runners. These group of people are the official source of runner's information in Manila! 

Here is an un-official list of H@ppy Feet Blogger Runners:

The Bull Runner (thebullrunner.com) Coffee Mug (banggigay.wordpress.com)
o.O Surviving this lonely planet (renz.ticsay.ph)
Photographer on the Run (benmchan.blogspot.com)
RUNNING DIVA (jambalayamuzika.blogspot.com)
Habang Tumatakbo (tackbow.blogspot.com)
a one-live cat's life (witchkitty.blogs.friendster.com/the_kitty_cats_blog)
Hit me with your best shot… (hitme64.wordpress.com)

Technorati Tags: Takbo Para Kay Ariel

 
Congratulations to the Bull Runner for winning the 5th Place for Women Runners!

I felt very good about my run yesterday because I was able to sustain a 9 minutes run / 1 minute walk pacing. I run around 45 minutes which is not bad.  BTW, thanks to the companies who supported the Takbo para kay Ariel. We need more companies supporting runs for a cause such as this!

Regards,

An Intimate Champagne Brunch with connoiseur Jerome Philippon

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I miss having Sunday brunches and drinking champagne with family or friends. Two of my favorites places for Sunday brunch closed down already: Sunday Brunch @ Lumiere and Sala Sunday Jazz Brunch. These places introduced me to champagne drinks such as Mimosa  (orange with champagne) or Kir Royal (champange with a touch of sweetness from Creme de Cassis).  Sunday brunch is usually reserved for special occasions to celebrate birthdays, despedida or any milestones in your life.

Just imagine our excitement when we got an invite for a Champagne Breakfast with connoiseur Jerome Philippon of Sommelier Selection. It was held at Prince Albert Rotisserie, The Intercontinental Hotel, Makati City. It was a PR event for Sommelier Selection but we came for the breakfast and to learn more about Champagne. Let me share with you my notes on the Champagne lecture so that we can appreciate this wine a little bit more.

Technorati Tags: Champagne Breakfast

 

Jerome Philippon, Wine Hunter shares his knowledge about Champagne

Champagne 101: 10 Things You Should Know About Champagne
1. Champagne is a sparkling wine produced by inducing the in-bottle secondary fermentation of wine to effect carbonation.
2. It is named after the Champagne region of France.
3. Wine is NOT made from Grapes. It is made from the terroir (pronounced as ter - ua for that french effect)
4. There are 100 grape varieties, 15 major wine regions, 250 AOC appleations outside of the Bordeaux region.
5. Terroir is the essence of the wine in the glass. It creates the specific uniqueness of that cultural pocket of the world where it grows. 
6. Four-(4) key factors of the Terroir:  a. Man, and a dose of passion, b. Climate, c. The Land, and lastly, d. The Grape.
7. A very good wine is healthy, it is a natural product and it has no bad effect like hang-over in the morning.
8. Champagne is made from three grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The first two are black grapes, the latter is white.
9. It taste fuller, fresh, lively, a little bit salty, and feels like there is something bubbling inside.
10. French Wine does not have to be expensive and a good wine would costs P400 up.

For more information: Champagne Guide

 
Poached eggs Benedictine with Hollandaise sauce, Asparagus and Smoked Salmon.

The eggs' white looks like a balloon and once you pinch it, the egg yolk would ooze out.  I still miss the 3 Egg Omelette of Sala described as very mushroomy and laced with white truffle oil, parmesan and hollandaise on top of hot toast. I can't wait for Sala to open at Lumiere's former location near PLDT's building along Makati Ave.

Crepes filled with wood mushrooms and mild goat cheese gratinated with Nutmeg milk sauce.

Nobody wants to admit that this crepe dish was a disappointment. You can see it from the number of plates that have plenty of leftovers.

Baguio Strawberry "sorbet" Champagne rose ... yum!

This is the best champagne dessert we have ever tasted. I'll do this one time at home where we will order a strawberry sorbet and pour a Champagne Rose on top of it. This gave me a good idea to bring for gatherings.

To learn more about French wines or to have a taste of unique and authentic French wine selections in Manila, Philippines visit Sommelier Selection or call Sommelier Selection at Tel.# +632-8404211; Telefax;+632-8929928 or e-mail jeromefphilippon@mac.com.

Lime 88, Street Food na Pina-Sosyal

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I must admit, we had second thoughts of going to Lime 88. It appeared like any one of those inuman place in Mandaluyong and we don't want that especially we have Aidan in tow. We saw bikers who lived in the Mandaluyong area, patronizing this place.  Sometimes, you might see Mac Mac Cardona or some of the basketball players eating here because they say, they just live nearby.

One of the reasons I agreed to do a taste test of what Lime 88 has to offer, is because of Chef Archie Val Juanta. He worked as senior chef in M Cafe and currently a chef in Paseo Uno, Mandarin Hotel. He will soon be the corporate chef of Hagen Daz, Max Brenner, Olivers, Tea n Therapy and Blue Steak and Bistro, Trinoma. Given that credentials and the ambiance of the place, you can only expect excellent food at very affordable prices.

Daryl, Earl and Chef Archie Val Juanta -- Owners of Lime 88, Mandaluyong

Chef Archie decided to convert his lola's ancestral house (these days anything old is called ancestral for sossy effect) into a restaurant. It serves Filipino Street Food with a twist or "pina-sosyal" as he would call it.  It is a very interesting concept where I can bring my visitors to an authentic street food experience prepared in a clean and nice way but of course, nothing beats the original.

I will always remember to not judge a restaurant by how it looks but by how the food would taste like. I'm going back to Lime 88 for sure and I do hope the place remains to be a secret. We almost tasted everything in the menu and this was the first time we had such a wonderful taste test experience.

Lime 88 serves a fun menu, check this out. Let me know what do you think are the most interesting one...

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The heavy rains these days ruined the al fresco ambiance of Lime 88. They have limited covered areas. Since it is an old house, there's really nothing fancy about how it looks.

 

The living room is converted into a billiards place where you can play for P100/ hour.

We stayed in a private room inside the house. You can reserve this if you want some privacy and air conditioning. 

Lime 88 Menu
Appetizers, Salad, Skewers, Poultry, Meat
Noodles, Pizza, Dessert, Seafood, Sandwiches, Drinks

 
Baked Oysters (P120) Hollandaise Asian Style, Wilted Kangkong -- The oysters come from Roxas City and my dad loved it. It would have been better served hot.

 
Balut in Red Wine Sauce (P120). Au Jus, duck eggs, butter.  It started to get interesting when they serve balut. This is the place where I can bring my company visitors to try exotic stuff like balut.  It was awesome if you like Balut.

 
Deep Fried California Maki (P150). Guimaras mango, Kani Sticks.  I like the maki with the pork belly ala sisig inside it as the main ingredient. These are the white stuffed makis in the front. 

 
Curried Fish Balls (P120). Red Curry, Coriander, Thai Chili.  Fish ball sossy style P15 for each ball -- not bad. I like the thai chili twist to this. Maybe, they could consider serving authentic fish balls ala shabu shabu style with the same sweet and spicy sauce you can find on the streets.  That's what my wife misses!

 
Quail Egg Tempura (P60). Soy mirin glaze, sinamak.  I loved this specially with the soy and sinamak sauce. Although we know that each egg is high in cholesterol as compared with the regular sized egg.

Assorted Tagaytay Greens (P110). Sinamak Vinaigrette, pop nuts.  This was boring and healthy but my mom liked it.

Green Mango Salad (P110). Coriander, Nuts, Thai Chili.  This is the best salad they have to offer. The mango was not that sour and in fact it is the sweet buro kind of mango. This one taste like the Thai catfish salad minus the catfish. Gone in a minute!

Caesar Salad (P120). Pork Crackling, Salted Egg.  I love the choice of chitcharon and the itlog na pula for this caesar salad. Only thing is the vegetables appeared to be soggy, other than that, it was a good combination.

 
Grilled hito (P120). Fermented Rice, Steamed Vegetables.  Standard...  but they sure know how to grill a hito. The buro and sinamak were very good complement to this grilled dish.  My mom insisted on this hito and she was satisfied.

Green Mango Stuffed Grilled Tilapia (P120). Thai Chili, Sinamak.  This one was grilled to perfection with the sweet green mango stuff inside.

Creamy Garlic Tuyo Pastas (P120). Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Wine, Chili Flakes.  This was our Favorite!!  It was a little bit heavy and creamy but the gourmet tuyo brought this pasta to life every time you take a bite. 

Street Style Barbecue Plater (P160). Chicken feet, ears, skin, chicken intestine, peanut sauce.  Sossy Isaw and Sossy Pig ears serving... in Sinamak and the yummy peanut sauce.  Perfect for the barkada pulutan.

 
Street Style Baby Back Ribs (P150). Barbecue Sauce, Mashed Potatoes.  When we saw how big it was, we commented that it was such a good deal to order it at P150 only.  The problem is the meat was cooked hard and we did not even bother to finish this.

Osso bucco style Kare Kare (P180). Beef shank, peanuts, grilled vegetables.  This is another favorite as well. It is like eating kare kare with a tasty thick sauce, full of meat, and with a Barrio Fiesta bagoong. Highly recommended!

 
Street Style Pizza (P190). Longaniza, Tuyo, Kesong Puti.  The combination of the ingredients were perfect but the pizza was soft and soggy, needs improvement. At P190, it is better to order the other dishes.

"Sossy Scramble", Dirty Ice Cream Tempura (P100). Lambanog shooter, tsokolate-eh.  We must admit, this is the first time we have tasted Scramble that you can only in the streets of Manila.  It was OK but it was quite interesting to have this for dessert.

Churros con tsokolate-eh (P120).  Tablea, cinnamon, berry lambanog.  We did not like it because it was so deeply fried and the chocolate was diluted.

M Cafe's Casuy Langka Sansrival (P800/ Box). We immediately recognized this when they served it because Rache was raving about M Cafe's sansrival. This is not in the menu but you can order it if you call in advance. We loved this and at at last, we can now order it at an affordable price. I suggest that you call Archie (+63 916 783 8876) directly if you want to order this. Call 3 days in advance to order the whole cake.

 
License to Chill (P60). Vodka, Melon liquer, Pineapple Juice.  The cocktail drinks are also worth raving about.

Chef Archie and his culinary team. Thanks for the wonderful evening!  We will surely go back with our friends :)

Lime 88. Street Food with a Twist
160 San Rafael St. Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Phone: +632 533 7515
Mobile: +63 916 783 9976
Email: juanta_kulinero@yahoo.com

Driving Directions:
Go to the Mandaluyong circle and turn into the street with Tapa King in the corner. Turn right when you see China Bank on your right and you should be able to see the Lime 88 sign from China bank. Lime 88 is on your right side.

Opus Restobar, Metrowalk

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I got interviewed in the Living it Up show on Qtv with Raymond Gutierrez and  they showed me a list of restaurants that they will feature in that episode. I got curious with one resto in the list called Opus restobar owned by Danielle Lee.  This newly opened restobar located in Metrowalk serves Filipino Fusion Food which reminded me of Filos kind of dishes in the Fort area.  We wasted no time to check the place out.

The verdict, the Filipino dishes are something worth driving for all the way to Metrowalk. However, the entire place is a smoking area. If you eat here, you'll smell like smoke after. I thought it was illegal to have an entire air conditioned place to be a smoking area but apparently these kind of places are starting to come back.  The food is highly recommended but the place is not your ideal place to bring a date or your family (who doesn't smoke).  Good thing is you can eat in one of the Metrowalk restaurants and you can order food from Opus and they will deliver it to you. Our compliments to Chef Blanche Pontiveros for the excellent Filipino fusion dishes.

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It was surprisingly quite small. The place has a predominantly white ambiance with accent leaves and "unfinished" cement floors.

Opus Restobar Menu

Main Plate, Something Greed and Good, From Freakin Hot Lava Rocks
Cold Plates, Pasta and Sandwiches, Soup
First Flavors
Dip your Own and Sweet Endings

 
It was kinda awkward for us to bring Aidan here because of the smokers in the nearby table who arrived later than us. We had to transfer to another table away from the smokers inspite of us being the earlier seated..this irked my wife because she loves seating on a couch/ sofas.

 
Corned Beef Steak (P275++). Roasted Onions and Mushrooms with Really Good Garlic Smashed Potatoes and Soy Infused Gravy.

The best seller in the house and rightfully so. The corned beef was very tender, juicy and tasty complimented by the paste like texture of the smashed potatoes. The serving size is enough for two people so at a P300 price, it is worth it.  If there is one dish that you are going to try, this is it.

 
Marinated Tilapia (P160++).  For a resto bar, I have to commend them for serving a tasty and fresh tilapia dish. It was served with a different kind and interesting vinegar.  Our only complain was that they did not remove the scales of the fish because of the way it was cooked. We had to send this back because it was not properly cooked, good thing it tasted good. This came with a cup of rice (rice in a whisper sound because it was small). The most expensive rice we've had because a cup of plain rice cost us P30 (++ pa ata) and it was not even a high end rice and at par with the extra rice in Jollibee nor KFC which is packed.

We were in a hurry to finish our meal and escape from the smoky ambiance. Another thing they need to get rid of are the flies that keep on bothering us..where did this come from? I don't know but they need to find a way to ban the flies inside! The candles didn't work.

You need to go all the way at the back of Metrowalk to find Opus. It is beside the Tiangge/ play area on the Ground floor.  They only accept cash payment as of the moment.

Opus Restobar
Outlet 5, Metrowalk
(at the back of Metrowalk beside the tiangge)
Meralco Avenue, Pasig City 1605
opus_restobar@yahoo.com
For Reservations: +632 638 7142

Special Moments @ SM . MOA

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Official Entry to the SM Hypermarket Blog Writing Contest

I hate supermarkets.  I drag my feet every time my wife would suggest to go to one. I don't like to go from one aisle to another in search for diapers or milk. Most of the supermarkets in Manila are not designed for you to hang around.  The only time I would go to one would be to do a store check of our products as part of work. I also do shelf management for supermarkets so every time I go to a supermarket, it reminds me of that work. Maybe, I hate supermarkets because I don't like following a certain routine or I don't cook at all (surprisingly). My wife can attest to the number of arguments and negotiations just to convince me to shop in a supermarket on a weekly basis.

There is only one supermarket that I love going to. I love going to SM Hypermarket in Mall of Asia which I think is the best supermarket in Manila!

Top 8 Things Why We Love SM Hypermarket in MOA

1. SM Hypermarket in MOA, is Aidan's playground. You should hear Aidan say "Papa, go SM" with a paawa effect facial expression. We love it because it is spacious, and there is enough carts with this little Tykes car. We never had a problem getting one of these cars even on a peak hour like Sunday evening. We would imagine that this is the MOA race circuit for Aidan and racing through the food section, to the non food,  all the way to the apparel and appliance section.  Going to SM is a special bonding moment for the entire family.

2. Best Value for Pampers. We know that the prices in SM are a little bit higher than Cash and Carry, Puregold, Shopwise or Robinson's which are SM's competitors in the Mall of Asia catchment area. We live in the area and my wife would alternate between Cash and Carry or Puregold to get the best deals.  But buying the Pamper's XL 34's with free 6 pads is more than enough motivation to go to SM Hypermarket. We know that this is the best place to buy Pampers and Mr. Sy would ensure that it stays that way.

Technorati Tags: Philippines supermarket, SM, SM Hypermarket

3. Exclusive Foodie Products like Mother Earth. We know that you have to drive all the way to Pampanga just to buy Mother Earth goodies. Also, you can get most of the delicacies in the Philippines in SM MOA if you are craving for one. They also have Cebu Lechon available in Taste Asia beside the Supermarket. They have a wide assortment of fresh products that are very competitive in price even vs. Cash and Carry.

4. Big and Breathable.  We usually shop during peak hours and we don't have any problem with it. The hypermarket has high ceiling and offers breathable spaces for you to relax if you want to avoid the crowd. We would go to the apparel and appliance section if we want to do a leisure drive around the hypermarket. Check out lines are short and we are always the second in line. There was no occasion where we have to wait 30 minutes or more in the check outs.

5. Retailtainment Live. There are a lot of entertaining demo booths like this Knorr Kitchen or Anlene's Calcium Check up. If I want to be in touch with competitors activity in the supermarkets, I just need to go to SM MOA and you'll already get a sense of the battle for consumer minds. We also like the high tech price barcode checkers located strategically around the supermarket. There are a lot of exciting innovations happening in MOA so the shopping experience is "unique" every time you go there and not the usual boring shopping list routine.

6. Kids Essentials Heaven.  After the race around the supermarket, we would have a pit stop in Kids Essentials area where Aidan can check out all the toys. There is an extensive assortment of toys made from China so some of the prices are reasonable. This pit stop is risky because we might end up buying a toy for Aidan that is expensive with no canvassing being done by my wife.

7. Parking was never a problem.  The best part is parking was never a problem except when it rains heavily.  We usually change to a normal supermarket cart where Aidan can sit and we would run to the parking lot with the cart. Usually, I hate bringing the "stuff" and load it at the back of the car but not when it becomes another special bonding occasion between you and your son.

8. Taste Asia, still the Best Kept Secret in Mall of Asia.  I've raved about Taste Asia @ MOA about a year ago. Since then, they now have an airconditioned area and they still serves the best of the Philippines. It is a Dampa with a Tiendesitas concept where you can find Filipino delicacies and food that you would crave for.  Where can you find delicious filipino food at only P500 where you get pancit canton, sisig, pusit and pinakbet good for 5 people? We love eating Sunday Dinner here and in the end, may take-out pa.

For us, SM really stands for Special Moments Hypermarket. Thanks to SM for being part of our lives. We are looking forward to more excitement in your store....

Related Posts:
Be updated and interact with SM Hypermarket through their blog

SM Hypermarket Blog Writing Contest
Taste Asia @ MOA- Best Kept Secret in Mall of Asia

Join us in Bloggers Party at Taste Asia on August 23
What: SM Hypermarket Invites Bloggers to Party!
When: August 23, 2007, Thursday, 7:30 pm
Who: bloggers of any size, age, status or whatever
How: Just leave a comment on my blog or any of the coordinators blogs
Why: Party and awarding ceremonies for the winner of the SM Hypermarket blog writing contest
Where: Taste of Asia (beside SM Hypermarket), SM Mall of Asia

Wensha Spa in Manila: My running days will never be the same again...

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I'm happy that Wensha Spa has opened its second branch in Manila. I'm excited because it is the first 24 hours Spa in the CCP area.  When I was training for the marathon, my usual route was from the DLSU area to SM Mall of Asia and back.  As I finish my 10k run, I thought of going to a spa to rest and have a foot massage after. Problem is, most of the spa in Manila and Pasay Area opens at around 11am.

My running days won't ever be the same again because of Wensha spa. I'm now looking forward to the days I would run my 10k, because I can justify the P500 foot massage after each run.  Care to join me in one of my weekend runs...

I like the overall concept as it introduce new ways to enjoy your spa experience. First, all the massage treatments includes a buffet and unlimited servings of soup and drinks. But don't expect too much on the food because it 's nothing to rave about (hmm, I should complain once I get to be a regular there). Second, you can stay for as long as 12 hours. In fact, you can decide to sleep after the massage and no one would wake you up. Third, it uses a unique sensor type locking mechanism to ensure security of your belongings in the locker.  The prices are quite reasonable and I love the P800 body and foot combination for one hour where two therapist would massage you at the same time.  Isn't it just great?

It is a legit spa and there is no "happy endings" in this place or else, I'll be banned from going to this place by you know who.... I do hope it gets a better reputation from its Timog counterpart where they say that people who work in the nightclubs are their usual customer in the early mornings after their "night" shift.  Since they just opened, the crowd is in their late 20s / early 30s and I do hope it will maintain a friendly atmosphere.

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You can check out the Wensha Spa Services.  I would recommend the Body and Foot combination which they call promo 1 for P800. 

 
This is the dining area where you can see the buffet at the far end of the picture.  I enjoyed the soup and unlimited drinks. They also have a chinese ala carte menu and variety of desserts. In the dining area, one thing that you won't miss is the TV show projected on the walls. This is just the to watch basketball or boxing games with other people. 

   v
This is how the men's locker room looks like. On the left, you will enter into the shower and sauna area.  It is mostly patronized by Pinoy. The shower cubicles have frosted glass doors and a mirror in front of you so that you can see yourself when taking a shower.

 
The dining area is quite big and I like to hang out in this area with friends.  After this, you enter into the Men's massage area where you are greeted by a brightly lit hallway with bamboo trees and white pebbles along the path.

 
Most of the rooms are private room that can accommodate two people.  All the massage beds are relatively new so it is nice to sleep here after the massage. The therapists came from the Timog branch and I should say that their massage passed my standards.

Here are the address:
Wensha Spa CCP
Besides Legend Restaurant and in front of World Trade Center along Buendia
For inquiries, call 832-0515. Wensha Spa is open 24/7

Wensha Spa Q.C.
Timog corner quezon avenue (across the former circle theater).

 

Pink Kitchen Diary

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Lunch Time Crowd @ Pink Kitchen

As I expected, the Pink Kitchen was very successful. We spent Saturday Lunch, Merienda and Dinner at the Pink Kitchen. It was a one-of-a-kind food trip that we will never forget. First time that we stayed in a place to eat for almost 8+ hours. The best way to describe it is by this equation: Pink Kitchen = The Best of Salcedo Market + The Best Home-Based Desserts and Catering + The Best of ABS-CBN's Chef + Chefs and Student's Service of Enderun. All of the foodies and chefs came out to fully support The Pink Kitchen for the benefit of ICANSERVE for the early detection of breast cancer.

Cooler Dinner Night @ Pink Kitchen

It was impossible to eat everything. It got confusing at some point which food you would get. Despite the high price of the food, it was OK because we know that the profits would go to a breast cancer cause. We had to rely on the "buzz" and "word-of-mouth" from table to table as each one votes which are the best food in the Pink Kitchen. I tried to capture that "buzz" so that you can order from some of them and enjoy them with your family and friends. What's your favorite food in the Pink Kitchen?

Enjoy this list of the Best of Pink Kitchen...

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Suman's Indian Dessert Balls taste like super sweet leche plan in a ball soaked in syrup.

"Originally from New Delhi, India, Suman Gogna moved to the Philippines 27 years ago. She established herself as an entrepreneur by starting Gifts of the Maharani – an Indian boutique in the year 2000. "

"Now, she is popularly known as source of the most unique and exotic collection of Indian jewelry, clothing, fabrics, and home accessories. She keeps her collection updated by personally hand-picking and designing items upon her frequent visits to various cities in India.

"Suman eventually realized that aside from the thrill of showcasing her vibrant culture through her items, she wanted to give people a taste of authentic Indian cuisine. By putting together countless authentic spices through her Indian food preparations, Suman’s friends continually anticipate her invitation to Indian-set meals at home, which also extends to small-scale catering services."
(source: Chefs of Pink Kitchen)

Suman Gogna
Maza Masala
Authentic Indian Cuisine
+63 917 831 7288
+632 631 6983
samgogna@yahoo.com

 
Pink Kitchen diners were constantly raving about the Tarte Tartins with Foie Gras. We loved it too!  You should try their monthly degustation dinners at The Academy of International Culinary Arts.

"Hi everyone! Gourmandise is happy to announce its new menu avilable only for the months of July and September. (There will be no dinner in August). The degustation dinners on JULY 21 and SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 will be held in The Academy for International Culinary Arts located on the 2nd Fl., Skyway Twin Towers, Captain Henry Javier St in Pasig at 7 pm. Limited seating capacity so please reply asap and as always, feel free to bring your own wine. There is no corkage fee. Here's the menu at Php 2,000/person:" (Check out: Sunshine Puey's Degustation Dinner)

Sunshine Puey & Rob Pengson
Gourmandise Catering
Assorted tarte tartins with foie gras

Gourmandise Catering <gourmandisefood@gmail.com>

Related Posts:
Sunshine Puey, Goddess of Degustation and Roberto Pengson, Culinary Kung Fu Master

 
We were too full to try Lemongrass. But one of these days, I would like to taste their authentic Vietnamese and Thai food.

Ying Villanueva and Mine