OUR AWESOME PLANET

Summer of 2008: Love for Philippines, Rogin E Update, and Taking OAP to the Next Level

Summer of 2008 is a turning point in my life. As we end the summer season, allow me to share with you my own reflections and learnings.

1. The more you explore the Philippines, the more you will love it.
I went on a blogging sabbatical and decided to explore the beauty of the Philippines. Just this summer, I've been to Coron in Palawan, Basco/ Sabtang in Batanes, Batad in Banaue, Bolinao in Pangasinan, 100 Islands in Pangasinan, Pahiyas in Quezon, Caramoan in Camarines Sur, Donsol in Sorsogon, Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte, Callao Caves in Tuguegarao, and Palaui Island in Cagayan. I met Filipinos along the way who love the Philippines because they see how beautiful it is. This is the spirit behind OAP's advocacy. I would like to show the world how beautiful the Philippines is, so that each Filipino will love their country.

2. I'm committed to improving the quality of the blog posts in OAP.
I'm taking OAP to the next level both in terms of quality and frequency of blog posts. Also, I have resolved to decline tasting previews or accept free stuff to blog about. Favorable reviews cannot be bought and I want to be objective. In the next six months, I will be writing my book Our Awesome Planet: Philippines. I would like you to be a part of it. I'll share more details about how you can contribute to the book. Also, I'm looking for a publisher who will publish an awesome book about the Philippines. If you know anyone who may be interested in this partnership, please shoot me an e-mail.

3. How to leverage blog as an effective decision making tool.
Thanks to all the parents who helped us in deciding the school for Aidan. We were able to narrow down the best pre-school for Aidan based on independent comments and suggestions from OAP readers. I plan to post our research on the different schools available in Manila.

4. You attract people with the same "core identity".
Via OAP, I was able to meet foodies, travelers and passionate Filipinos who love the Philippines. This is the single biggest reward that I get from Our Awesome Planet. Thank you for all the support and watch out for exciting things in the next few months.

5. To be a maven, you need to be emotionally independent.
I'm usually not affected by criticisms. I actually welcome them because I learn a lot. I would not tolerate, however, vulgarity in any form or shape, especially if the comments become personal attacks that degrade other people. I'm thankful to all the OAP friends who send me letters of support to continue what I am doing.

6. Public Accountability via Rogin-E contest does not work for me.
The Rogin-E biggest losers contest was really good but it did not work for me. I was able to go back to the gym but it did not help in controlling my habits in eating and restaurant hopping. It is another failed attempt for me at losing weight and I congratulate Carlos Celdran for his awesome transformation. I'm now a user of Rogin-E vitamins because I feel the difference in terms of the energy it provides me. I need to be more accountable to myself and modify my eating lifestyle

7. I hate moderating the comments.
I tried to moderate the comments for a few days as suggested by Carlos Celdran but I discovered that I hate it. I've decided to moderate the comments after publication as usual. I would also like to call on the readers to refrain from impersonating another commenter’s identity. You know what I mean. I also use the website address of commenters instead of their email address as the hyperlink of the commenters' name to protect their privacy.

8. I love P&G but it’s time to move on to a higher calling.
I am lucky to experience working in P&G. (I honestly believe that P&G is the Best Company in the Philippines (period).) I learned a lot from my 13 years career in P&G in the areas of coaching other people, project management (got certified in PMP), creating innovative information solutions, and developing winning business strategies. This is the summer that quelled the what-ifs. The road is forked and I decided to follow my passion instead and go full time as a professional blogger and internet marketer in the Philippines. By being independent, I remove any conflict of interests in future projects

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

Fluke, a Stroke of Luck

A.Venue Restaurant Reviews in OAP
Fluke
A Tale of Two Art Cafes in A.Venue
Gasthof - Home of Boracay's Famous Baby Back Ribs!
Burger Avenue's Ridiculous Challenge
Foccacia, A Slice of Italy in A.Venue Mall

I must admit that the name of the restaurant is catchy but it has a negative connotation. Fluke (pronounced as flook), literally means a stroke of luck. It is usually used to describe a one-hit wonder or in Filipino, I guess the closest word I could think of is chamba. From a home-based Miniatures Bakeshop and catering service, the Palanca family decided to setup their first restaurant at the A.Venue Mall along Makati Avenue.

I liked their best sellers -- Beef Salpicao, Three Cheese Lasagna and especially the mini-eclairs and mini-cream puffs. No doubt that this home-style cooking resto would be a hit and won't be a fluke!

Fluke Soft Opening Menu:
All Day Breakfasts, Picas and Soups | Salads, Pasta, Beef, and Pork | Chicken, Seafood, Rice Bowls, and Snacks/Merienda | Drinks, Desserts, Others

Havaianas: Flipping for the Beach Judging

Related Posts: 7 Tips on Havaianas' Flipping for the Beach Contest

I was happy to be one of the judges for the "Havaianas Flipping for the Beach" contest. Thanks to all OAP friends for all your support! I learned a lot as a judge and I want to share my learnings with you.

Learning #1: Follow the instructions to the detail or you'll get pre-screened. There were a total of 300 entries which were pre-screened to 21 finalists. The agency handling the entries removed those who did not follow instructions. Most of the criteria were focused on being unique so Boracay and Palawan entries were removed. If you join a contest, your first goal is to get past the pre-screening committee. I guess this is true for all contests -- writing or photo.

It was so cool to judge alongside Simeon Jun Ventura, Jr. , Editor-in-Chief of Mabuhay Magazine, Liza Ilarde, Editor-in-Chief of Travel Life, Anne Arcenas Gonzalez, Managing Director of Terry S.A, and Marbee Go, Travel and Tourism Editor of Manila Bulletin among others...

Learning #2: Impress the judges by making your presentation stand out of the crowd.
The most creative entry made a lasting impression thus, influenced the scoring of the judge. The judging were very subjective based on the background of the judge. In this particular contest, there were 9 judges to average out that subjective bias. Your second goal in a contest entry is to impress the judge with a presentation that would knock the judge off her chair and say wow.

Euro Wine 2008

I'm tempted to attend EuroWine @ Mandarin Oriental Manila this coming June 5, 2008 8PM Thursdays. But I'm still contemplating if the P3,000 nett price tag would be all worth it. I wanted to learn Food and Wine pairing and this is the perfect way to experience pairing European food with European wine -- Eat all you can and Drink all you can.

BTW, thanks to all OAP friends who shared their advice on where to learn Food and Wine pairing. The Best Recommendation so far is Chef Gene Gonzalez's Center for Asian Culinary Arts @ Cafe Ysabel. They have a basic course for 65,000k for 20 Saturdays (or Sundays). The tuition fee includes ingredients, a Chef's kit with the chef's knife, uniform, manual, wine pairing dinner class, and cocktails during graduation. Plus, they also add in a basic French class for better pronunciation and understanding of the French cooking terms, . Alternatively, I can just attend the three-day wine seminar of Chef Gene Gonzalez which is part of their diploma course. In the meantime, I plan to hang out in the first online Wines and Spirits Club in the Philippines founded by Gianina Gonzalez (daugther of Chef Gene).

Euro Wine featured dishes include Spain's Paella, Portugal's Bacalao and egg tarts, Germany's Thuringer sausages, and roast pork knuckle saukerkraut, France's Coque au vin and oysters, Austria's Wiener Schnitzel and linzer torte, Switzerland's Cervelat and Cheese Salad, and Italy's antipasti and tiramisu. You can pair it with the Old World Wines from Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and Germany.

I attended the tasting preview in Mandarin and we got to pair the heavy goulash soup with Terre di Chieti's Sangriovese, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Each wine enhances a different flavor of the food -- its sweetness, spiciness or its pepper taste. I personally like the combination of sweet desserts with Asti wine.

Accordionist Rudolf Kubis will perform on that night. He will be joined by Skaramouche, a jazz trio from Switzerland, Franz Langer, Austrian folk music singer , and Cynthia Saunders, Martini's bar jazz singer to provide entertainment for the Euro Wine Night.


Euro Wine 2008
Wine and Spirit Festival
Ballroom, Mandarin Oriental Manila
June 5, Thursday 8pm

For tickets and inquiries, call 750-8888 ext 2401.
Or the Lobby Shop at Mandarin Oriental, Manila.

Best Piaya in the Philippines is available in Manila!

Bailon's Piaya (P70 per pack of 10).

I love Piaya and I just learned this foodie secret from Manny. The Best Piaya in the Philippines is Bailon's Piaya and it is available in Manila! It is crispy thin but airy. The thin coating of muzcovado inside is evenly spread out so that you get a taste of it in every bite. I love the toasty taste of sesame seeds with my piaya. It is crispy when you bite into it but it becomes chewy as you go along.

Small Fresh Lumpiang Ubod (P18 per piece). They also sell these yummy bite-sized lumpia for P18 per piece which would be great for potluck sessions. Remember to keep them refrigerated because it can spoil easily.

Big Lumpiang Ubod (P28 per piece). A bigger version of the lumpia.

Let me share with you this Piaya foodie find...

Flapjacks

Flapjacks is a thin, crisp but chewy pancake with a large diameter. This is also the name of the first local venture of Bistro Group of Companies located in Greenbelt 2. Bistro Group is known for the popular International restaurant franchises in the Philippines. This includes: TGI Fridays, Italianni's, Outback Steakhouse, and Fish & Company. We were mesmerized by the orange-yellow-purple color combination with repeating shapes combination that hypnotizes you to go in. Spot.ph Editor described it as homey, retro and psychedelic like in an Austin Power movie.

Flapjacks Menu
Flapjacks Good Food All Day Menu | Ultimate Omelettes, French Toasts & Waffles | Filipino and International Favorites | Burgers & Sandwiches, Fruits and Cereals, Sides | Griddle Combinations and Hearty Soups & Salads | Desserts, Fruit Shakes & Smoothies, Maltshakes, Sodas, Floats & Ice Tea, Chilled Juices and Coffee & Tea

The food is overrated but the service is outstanding. I was hoping that this would replace our favorite breakfast place - Country Waffles, but it failed our foodie expectation.


Endless Flapjacks Blend (P85) with FREE Wifi. Coffee served in tea pot.

Despite the food, we love to hangout in Flapjacks because of the endless coffee, free Wi-fi, cozy couches and uber friendly service. Rache and I did our family planning meeting in Flapjacks for 8 hours.

Light Fluffy Pancakes stacked in 3's (P245). Whipped Butter and Maple Syrup on the sides. You have to eat the pancake with the butter and maple syrup because the taste of the pancake cannot stand on its own.