OUR AWESOME PLANET: November 2008

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Friday, November 28, 2008

Ultimate Kapampangan Christmas Tour 2008

(Ultimate Pampanga Tour Group Photo - October 2008. Photo Courtesy of Meg Koh)

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to all Filipinos and Americans celebrating this special occasion!

I would like to personally invite OAP readers to join us for a once-in-a-lifetime Ultimate Pampanga Experience with Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks, Ivan Henares of Ivan, Spanx Enriquez of Manila Boy Blog, and yours truly.

Ultimate Kapampangan Christmas Tour 2008 |
December 20, 2008, Saturday | 7am to 12 mn

Why you should go this year?
1. A Kapampangan Christmas. Since our tour this year is close to Christmas, Claude is preparing a Kapampangan Noche Buena for us. Also, get to experience the biggest parol fiesta in the country :) See the Awesome Beauty of Pampanga!

2. Awesome 5-ways Lechon! Most of the Ultimate Pampanga Tour participants last October were raving about the 5-ways Lechon. You got to check out Ivan's post on the 5-ways Lechon: Claude Tayag's Bale Dutung, Everybody's Cafe and more from Pampanga

3. Meet Anthony Bourdain's Tour Guide in Manila and Pampanga. Two of the persons featured in the No Reservations Philippine Episode are no other than Claude Tayag and Ivan Man Dy! Get to bond with them during the tour.

4. Special Christmas Tour for a special group of 25 people only. We already have 17 reservations even before I market this tour. We are only looking for 10 more people to complete our tour this year. Join us now!

5. Plus Surprises! Here is a glimpse of what happened last year.

The Ultimate Pampanga Show-Off 2007
Claude Tayag's Bale Dutung - The Best Kapampangan Restaurant in Pampanga
a Memorable Ultimate Kapampangan Show-Off (7.30am-12.30nn)
Lunch with Claude Tayag and Among Ed (12.30pm to 4.30pm)
Ligligan Parul - Pampanga's Giant Lantern Festival (4.30pm to 12.30mn)

Tour Description
Journey to the central heartland as we immerse ourselves in things Kapampangan!

From Baroque to Betute, its fun-filled day as we poke around and get intimate with the very best of Pampanga's cultural offerings. Gawk at the jewel-box of church in Betis while wading through the lahar-buried town of Bacolor.

We'll stuff ourselves silly with the best Kapampangan fare by one of the country's best known Pampango chefs! To it cap-off, we'll have front-row view of the most dazzling display of Kapmpangan artistry- the Ligligan Parul Festival of San Fernando! A tour with nothing but Kapampangan cool!

The Tour Experience
Betis Church* Town of Bacolor* Claude Tayag's Bale Dutung Restaurant* Pampanga Specialty Shops* Giant Parul Festival in San Fernando* Plus Surprises

Rate: P4,800.00/head (full board, includes: transfers, meals,tour, Lantern festival seats and some SERIOUS food binging!)

Reserve Your Spot Online
Major Credit Cards are Accepted. No Need for a Paypal Account. The transaction is securely processed by Paypal. Plus your earn points from your Credit Card!

Pay with:
Ultimate Kapampangan Christmas Tour
P4,800/ person ($95 - Adult Rate)

Ultimate Kapampangan Christmas Tour
P2,400/ child ($45 - Child Rate 5-12 years old)

(Note: Kids below 5 years old are free)

Brought to you by the Ultimate Philippine Brothers,

Anton of Our Awesome Planet,

Ivan Henares of Ivan About Town,

Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks and

Spanx of Manila Boy.

Blog: www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627)
Email: anton@diaz.ph

November 28, 2008 in 18. Ultimate Philippines Tours, Pampanga | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets Award Winners

Congratulations to Ines Cabarrus and Elian Habayeb for the very first Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets Awards!

The two big winners during the awards are Lolo Dad's for the Best Intercontinental Cuisine and Best Chef Ariel Manuel; and Colin Mackay for People's Palace - Best Thai Restaurant and Sala Bistro for the Best Bistro!

Most of my favorites won like Je Suis Gourmand for the Best French Restaurant; Elbert's Steak House for the Best Steak House; Terry's Selection for the Best Spanish Restaurant; Abe for the Best Filipino Restaurant (I like both Abe and Cafe Juanita); Old Swiss Inn for the Best Central European Cuisine; and Aubergine as the Best New Comer. MBKRS honored Larry Cruz with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Related Posts:
My Votes for the Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets Award
The 2008 MBKRS Awards. And the winners are...

While I agree with 80% of the winners, I noticed that there are some "bias" despite the fact that it was voted by 75 judges who loves food:

1. Antonio's did not win any awards. One of the Top 10 restaurants in Asia according to Miele Guide did not win surprisingly.
2. All of the winners are located in Makati with exception of Spiral and Lolo Dad's which are located in Manila. The restaurants outside Manila did not stand any chance.
3. Zong the Fort won as the Best Chinese Restaurant? huh?
4. Sugi, which is owned by Ines' Father won the Best Japanese Restaurant. BTW, Ines and Elian are not part of the judging committee.
5. Although in the ballot, MKBRS put an option of Others, it did not matter because they were not even recognized during the awards night.

There were some bias because both the nominees and the academy of judges were decided by Ines and Elian. It would be helpful though if the names of the 75 judges will be published just to be transparent.

Update! Here are the list of the Judges who decided the winners below:
2008 MBKRS Awards Judges

Abba Napa – L’Opera
Amanda Griffin Jacob – Lifestyle TV personality
Anastacio de Alba – Alba’s Restaurante Español
Annie Nisce – Appetite Magazine
Anton Diaz – Food Blogger
Arnie del Rosario – Chaine des Rotisseurs
Audrey Carpio – Metro Magazine
Bel Castro – Manila Bulletin; Enderun Colleges
Boyet Sison – TV Personality
Cacay Moras – Lifestyle and Entertainment Specialist
Carrie Lagdameo – Je Suis Gourmand
Cecile Zamora Van Straten – Chuvaness.com Lifestyle and Fashion Blog
Chad Davis – Enderun Colleges
Chris Lacson – Habitat
Christine Nunag – F&B World
CJ Juntereal – Manila Bulletin
Coco Anne & Baby Imperial – B+C Design
Colin McKay – Sala and People’s Palace
Cristina Metelmann – Palato Fino
Cyril Ermita – Enderun Colleges
David Pardo de Ayala – Discovery Group
Dr Efren Vasquez – Café Juanita
Ed Quimson – Chef
Edward Simon – Photographer, Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets
Eri Neeman – WAVE 89.1 FM
Eric Kahn – Future Trade International
Ferdi Salvador – Discovery Group
Gabby Licauco – Powerbooks
Gene Gonzalez – Café Ysabel
Gwen Cariño – GJC Public Relations
Hossein Sohrabi – Hossein’s Persian Kebabs
James Aspinall – Call Search
Javi Berenger-Testa – Renaissance Makati City Hotel
Lexi Schulze-Testa – Media Personality
Javier Infante – Enderun Colleges
Jermaine Brown – Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets
Johnny Litton – Inquirer, Lifestyle Columnist and Host
Jenny Serrano-Silverio – ABS-CBN
Jose Mari Ugarte – ROGUE Magazine
Joshua Tiu – Zong
Katrina Tuason Cruz – ROGUE Magazine
Kimmie Assad-Lamata – Di’ Mark’s
Kitt Schroeder – Lemuria
Koby Parcell – Chocolate Fire
Lori Baltazar – Food Blogger
Lorraine Belmonte – Appetite Magazine
Louie Ysmael – Manila nightlife mogul (NUVO, Members Only, Silk)
Luis de Terry – Specialty Foods Expert
Mari Ressa – ABS-CBN
Marivic Diaz-Lim – Apartment 1B
Mark Jentes – PTFJ Ad Consult
Martin Wisniewski – Discovery Group
Mila Tan – International Food and Wine Society (Women’s Chapter)
Nino Laus – In Yo
Paco Magsaysay – Tuesday Dinner Group
Paul Huang – Fire Lake Grill
Pazzy Navarro – Pazzy Manila
Peter Jentes – Schwarzwalder
Pilar Barrenechea – Catholic Women’s Club
Rachelle Ismael – Appetite Magazine
Raymond Rufino – The Net Group
Rene Baltazar – Harbor View
Robert Spakowski – Restaurant Consultant
Rosanna Escudero – Cancer Research Advocate
Roxs Cailao – Katre
Santi Picornell – Entrepreneur
Sau Del Rosario – Kingdom
Sec. Joseph Durano – Department of Tourism
Sergi Rostoll – Barcino Gourmet
Sergio Menendez – CEMEX
Teddy Montelibano – Food and Travel Columnist
Thomas Wenger – Enderun Colleges
Tina Pamintuan – Celebrity Chef
Tita Trillo – Titania Wine Cellars, La Vigne
Tricia Tensuan – Enderun Colleges
U-Sec Oscar Palabyab – Department of Tourism
Vanessa Conanan – Enderun Colleges
Vanessa Fernando – Zafra Motors
Vanessa Vitrano – Galileo Enoteca
Werner Berger – Werdenberg Group

The MKBRS Awards Night Venue in Enderun Colleges

1. Best Italian Restaurant - L'Opera

2. Best French Restaurant - Je Suis Gourmand

3. Best Spanish Restaurant - Terry's Selection

4. Best Continental Cuisine - Lolo Dad's

5. Best Steakhouse - Elbert's Steak Room

The pioneers behind my favorite magazine, Rogue :)

6. Best Japanese Restaurant - Sugi

7. Best Filipino Restaurant - Abe

8. Best Thai Restaurant - People's Palace

9. Best Chinese Restaurant - Zong (fort)

10. Best Central European Restaurant - Old Swiss Inn

I can't wait to go to Thai Kingdom by Chef Sau!

11. Best Specialty Restaurant - Hossein's Persian Kebab (Makati)

12. Best Bistro - Sala Bistro

13. Best Enoteca - Barcino Gourmet

14. Best Fusion Cuisine - M Cafe

15. Best Newcomer - Aubergine

The lovely Vanessa of Galileo Enoteca (leftmost).

16. Best Restaurant/Bar - NU-VO

17. Best Wine List - CAV

18. Best Hotel Restaurant: International Buffet - Spiral (Sofitel)

19. Best Hotel Restaurant: Fine Dining - Tivoli (Mandarin Oriental) and Prince Albert (Intercontinental)

20. Best Hotel Restaurant: Specialty - Benjarong (Dusit)

21. Best Chef - Chef Ariel Manuel (Lolo Dad's)

22. Lifetime Achievement Award - Larry Cruz

Blog: www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627)
Email: anton@diaz.ph

November 27, 2008 in 13. Awesome Happenings in Manila circa 2005 onwards | Permalink | Comments (60) | TrackBack

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

After Lego Island, Enjoy Yoh-Gurt Froz!

After your Lego Island adventure, you can treat your kid to a Yoh-Gurt Froz frozen yogurt inside Hobbes and Landes.

Yoh-Gurt Froz Classic Fro-Yo Plain Medium (P80) + 3 Top-Ins (P40)

Yoh-Gurt Froz has gone a long way from the first time we tried it in Mall of Asia. This was the first Fro-yo we tasted ever in Manila but we did not like it because they were using frozen toppings. The quality of the frozen yogurt has improved over time. The frozen yogurt is noticeably tangy with a lingering taste of powder milk (which I liked).

(Click for a bigger version)

I would recommend the popular fresh fruit combination of Strawberry, Mango and Kiwi! Next time I will go all white with Nata de Coco, Mochi and Cheese combination.

You can also play different board games and with other toys inside Hobbes and Landes. Setting up a Yoh-Gurt Froz inside was a brilliant idea :)

Hobbes and Landes
Bonifacio High Street
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Blog: www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627)
Email: anton@diaz.ph

November 26, 2008 in 16. Crazy over Frozen Yogurts | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack

How to Surprise Your Kid with "The Legend of the LEGO Island"

Most kids love and play with Lego at home. At home, we only have a few Lego blocks and Aidan would love to create a boat or an airplane. You would need a lot of imagination to create one just from a few standard blocks.

This is my cue to tell him a story of an Island entirely made of Lego in a far far away land...

Of Big Ships and a Shipyard entirely made of Lego...

An island where the citizens and buildings are made of Lego...

Legends of actual airplanes made of Lego...

I let him imagine what a lego gasoline station would look like...

Aidan's favorite is the helicopter and I would share stories about helicopters flying over the Lego Island...

If he loves horses, tell a story about a farm full of trees, corns pineapples and horses...

Or tell a story about MRT Lego trains around the island...

LEGO ISLAND CHARITY CAMPAIGN
Entrance is FREE to see the Lego Island Exhibit. It is a fund raising campaign for UNICEF and WORLD VISION to aid in their efforts to help the Filipino Children. (see: official mechanics)

For every P50 Donation, you'll get:
- a chance to guess the number of LEGO Santa Claus mini-figures in the Christmas Land
- the first (5) correct entries or the closest guess (without going over the actual number) wins a LEGO Set.
- all entries will be checked on January 11, 2009 and posted at hobbes & Landes Fort on January 13, 2009

For every P300 Donation, you'll get:
- one (1) raffle entry where you can win a Canon Printer or a Special Lego Set (2 winners every week), or three (3) Grand Prize winners of a Canon Camera and a Special Lego Set.
- a chance to build with a bucket full of LEGO bricks (which means you cannot bring it home)
- after building your LEGO creation, Canon will take your picture and post it on the LEGO Photo wall above and uploaded to LEGO Christmas Land.

(Warning: The website is just another LEGO marketing gimmick, the photos are not even uploaded immediately. I guess that is why there is no commitment on when it will be uploaded, maybe next year :)

For every P200 donation, you'll get:
- get and build your own LEGO mini Santa Claus OR Christmas Tree. (You can choose to build a Mrs. Santa Claus )
- after building your LEGO creation, Canon will take your picture and post it on the LEGO Photo wall above and uploaded to LEGO Christmas Land (asa pa :)
- the best part is, you can take home your LEGO Santa Claus!

Aidan with his LEGO Santa Claus! (at least, already uploaded in OAP :)

He was so happy and when we came home, he introduced the Santa to his LEGO friends at home.

LEGO ISLAND
Located in front of Hobbes and Landes in Bonifacio High Street Makati
Mondays to Thursdays 12nn to 9pm
Fridays to Sundays 12nn to 12mn (?)

Blog: www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627)
Email: anton@diaz.ph

November 26, 2008 in 09. Best Places to Bring Your Kid | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Takoyaki Man in Hana

Why settle for anything less than the authentic Takoyaki? Manila is crazy over Takoyaki these days and I'm glad that Hana is selling an authentic Takoyaki in Little Tokyo.

Meet Takumi, the Takoyaki Man who has been cooking authentic Takoyaki for less than a month now in Hana.

Takoyaki (P100 for 6 pieces).

So far, this is the best Takoyaki for us, better than the New Hatchin Takoyaki. It uses a sweeter Okonomi Sauce with bits of Nori, Tenkatsu (dried fish), Spring Onions, and Kyupy (Japanese Mayonnaise) on top. The Takoyaki is also bigger than usual with red ginger, a secret Takoyaki mix, and a big chunk of Octopus inside.

We decided to eat in Hana. It is a smaller resto with 3 normal tables and 1 private Japanese table. Hana is famous for their Kakigori, a Japanese shaved ice dessert. The owner is a big fan of the Giants Baseball Team in Japan.