Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Slappy Cakes is More Than Just DIY Pancakes


The well-loved pancake place has had a make over on their menu.  I was ecstatic to try them out and this time, though I've been craving for their vegan pancake batter, I visited their SM Aura branch, dined with the table-top griddles covered.

Unfortunately, I didn't make a couple of pancakes but what the heck, I was able to try some of their new menu offerings.  Please. don't tell my kids I went here, they terribly miss another gratifying and fun pancake-play-eat sesh at Slappy Cakes.


The great thing about Slappy Cakes' subtle change is that creativity in both the taste and visual perspective were at play.  All thanks to Chef Him Uy de Baron's panache in designing innovative dishes that assures quality and excellent dining venture.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

The New Food Trend at the Launch of Food Crew PH


Foodies are here to stay and the Philippines is a great pool to dip into.

According to Chef Claude Tayag, many food trends have come and go, though some have still been gaining more interests.  With this he added an up-and-coming trend, "snout to tail" also known as "nose to tail eating/cooking."

This news were shared to a select number of Instagram rockstars, food bloggers and social media influencers at the launch of Food Crew PH, held at The Cookery Place at the Kensington Place, BGC.

THE FOOD CREW PH

With the food industry burgeoning in the country via the government's food tourism campaigns, we can expect a more colorful community to celebrate this. Hence, Food Crew PH.  A collaboration between two foodies who loves taking good photos of their food, Seanta Reyes nd B'ley Villones, thought of setting up a network where they can gather foodies while getting in the boat products in the market that needed boosting.  

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Hotel Review: The Pinnacle Suites Hotel, Davao


The best part of our first day in Davao was a leisurely stay at The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites.  Our Samal Island's adventure needed to cap off with a comfortable downtime.  With our tour starting from 9 in the morning the moment our plane landed in Davao up to a long traffic down to Sta. Ana St, The Pinnacle was such a trophy for having braved the day's adventure.  


Did you know that Davao too has a Chinatown?  Unbeknownst to many, the Dabawenyo-Chinese

Sunday, March 20, 2016

My Faith Story


My husband woke me up in the middle of the night, cold and tad shivering wearing Crimson Hotel's over-sized bathrobe then he said, "Kanina pag-gising ko may katabi akong thirties ngayon may katabi na kong forties!" (when I woke up in the morning I was beside someone in her thirties, now I'm beside someone in her forties). Deep inside I cried (shet!), I'm already old!

It's my birthday today and many other birthdays have passed and I always end up thinking that my loftiest aspirations have faded further into the distance.

But nevertheless, I'm happy and contented though not yet fulfilled.  Then I hum this to myself - no matter how old you are now, you are never too young or too old for success or going after what you want.  Are you with me on this?

Half of my life was dedicated on being a wife and a mom, was I successful? Am I happy?  Bits and pieces of it were spent helping other people? Only a little percentage was left for me.  For most moms, it may not matter, regardless, it matters to me, it should to yo too!  According to the Bible we were made for a purpose.

When caught on moments when you feel you have wasted away times in your life, I always look on one person and He'd always make me feel, I shined and have given He's light on them who needed some directions.  Then my perspective on what should life be changes and I become full of hope.



He never failed me, not once in my life...

Who He is?

He's the one who said I am! The Alpha and the Omega.
My Counselor.
My family's great Provider.
The only One who accepts me for who I am, no matter what.
The One who rebuilt my life from rubles, and lifted me up to see my true potential.
The One who said "Be Still" amidst life's storms.
The one who taught me how to be strong, how to get wisdom, how to manage my family and the little money He have blessed me with.

I guess you know who I am talking about, it's Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

I've been writing about my faith in this blog, though not too often, since this blog should be about food accordingly, as it's namesake.  I know I should be writing about how I feasted on my birthday, or what I made in the kitchen for a party or a celebration.  Instead, I'm blabbering about a serious, kinda emotional matter.

What compelled me to do this, was this American Idol finalist's presentation.  Here's a video from La'Porsha Renae with a truly  moving song.


Allow me to be more than honest, like any other Christian, follower of Christ, my faith walk wasn't at all smooth, it was uphill, downhill, uphill, downhill, but you know what, when I was on that verge of giving up, He didn't!

He didn't give up on me, he even challenged me and I challenged Him back!

Before I accepted Christ to rule my life after Him saving me, I was agnostic, I was confused and relied on my instinct.  My decisions in life failed me and I struggled in the changes that followed suit, such as having a child in college, becoming a mom and settling down without being able to experience corporate life.

My parents also gave up on me and all I felt was shame, I was so unhappy, but I have to cope up.

I used to have big dreams but I settled with the fact that I have to be a good mom and housewife, then with just that, my family grew big and me growing small, my dreams for myself that is.  But I have high hopes for my kids, but those hopes may or may not rely on me still.

Until the time that I realized that everything is falling into pieces and I can only rely on Someone, barely seen and felt by many.

My life then was just okay, but I needed something, I didn't know yet, perhaps I felt incomplete, sober, tired.  I accepted Jesus whole-heartedly and my life went pretty well until I grew in faith and served Him.  I was happily serving Him yet I forgot about my dreams, I lost my self.

Then...my family went on a heavy turn-about.  The family's faith was tried.  I thought I was strong enough for any kind of turmoil.  I discovered something that all marriaged couple despise. The reason that wrecks family life.

To add to the pain, my daughter at 5 years old got diagnosed with DKA (Diabetic Keto-Acidosis) and almost went on a coma, right before my eyes.  When she recovered, she had to go through life, struggling with the help of insulin injections.  Life became harder having to go through each day with a heavy heart, fear of losing a child, all the  WHY's unanswered, realizing that my life is crushed.

Broken, depressed and tired, I became hateful, joy was robbed off of me, I forgot I was serving the Lord, I forgot that many were relying on me, I forgot I need to live a life, God meant for me.

But then, I have to decide for my kids, for my life for and for my own happiness.  It was a choice after all.

When I talked to God about this, He said, "You have to choose, if you want a happy, fulfilling, successful life, you have to accept what you have right now, though harrowing, you need to let Me in and fix it for you?

Then He asked, "Can you be still, and allow me to speak to your storm? Bear patiently the pain until I finish fixing and reveal to you more of my promises?"

It's so easy to give up, but I was glad He was on my side, and He had been on my side all these time. So I answered Him a faithful "YES!"

That yes was my miracle.

Slowly, He lifted the pain, He brought me and my husband to a greener pasture.  We were able to change our lifestyle through God's abundant blessing, we never could have imagined.  We coped up pretty well with health issues and knowing God as our Healer.

No more pain.  No more drama.

Just like what La'Porsha sang and claimed.

Sure, there were still be times when I get scared, I get confused and I get disheartened specially during the stages of rebuilding our marriage, but when I get knocked out again with disturbances from the past, I just hold on to His words:
"But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
     Isaiah 40:31

So yes, I'm already 40, probably missed a lot but I'm not late in committing to new challenges and have opened doors to more of God's blessings, with that I can say that if it happened to me, why wouldn't healing and success happen to you too.

That is if you open yourself to God and commit to a life lived under His wings.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

New Eating Habits from the Flavors of the Philippines Festival



“Eating will never be the same,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. was quoted as saying at the 4th edition of the annual Festival de la Paella Gigante, which also formally launched Flavors of the Philippines Festival 2016 held Saturday in Greenbelt Park, Makati City.

According to him, Flavors of the Philippines envisions to position the Philippines as a “center of food and gastronomy in Asia”. “It will take us to every corner of the archipelago for gustatory discoveries—for treasures handed down from generation to generation, for fusion dishes that encapsulate the identity of the Filipino,” the undersecretary added, referring to Flavors as the uniquely Filipino taste in the much anticipated Madrid Fusion Manila 2016.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

The 4th Paella Gigante Festival


If paella-lovers were to celebrate paella day, Sociedada Espanola de Beneficencia’s “Paella de Gigante Festival” would be THE day. Held last March 12 at Greenbelt 3 Park, my friends from DOT made it possible for me to check out the event and mingle with my favorite chefs.

On its fourth year running, the Paella Gigante festival is organized yearly by SEB in partnership with LTB Philippines Chefs Association and Ayala Malls.  A 10-foot diameter paella is cooked over firewood and coal, holding gigantum of ingredients.  With 100 kilos of rice, plus a total of 265 kilos mixed savory goodness such as chicken, chorizo, seafood and vegetables on 200 liters of broth, I’m sure it can accommodate more than hundreds of people all willing to support the cause.
If that doesn’t get food lovers all het up, then maybe the presence of Manila’s top chefs who have braved the heat and have put their hearts to the event would.


Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Meeting The McDonald's Gold Standard even in Breakfast Meals


I'm sure most of us can attest that McDonald's have been a household name for many families wanting to have quality breakfast when time does not permit you to prepare one at home.  My family knows that every time we go on a road trip, McDonald's DriveThru comes to mind next.

Though my kids don't mind eating fries for breakfast, or loads of pancakes (except they can't have pancakes inside the car), McDonald's does have more than that in the menu and they are equally healthy, hefty and ones you can munch inside the car or when on a hurry.

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, unless you weren't able to get your FREE McMuffins and Sausage McMuffins  two days ago.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Kantori Yakitori


When a restaurant wall speak of something else...

I love seeing artworks in restaurants and murals are just some of the thing we can also marvel at inside common dining establishments nowadays.

But more than that, what I fancy is how they put art in the menu.  Because that is really possible and this blog have proved that countless times.  


BF Homes- Aguirre is not new to this kind of players.  A group of friends, a chef, mixologist and businessman had transformed a meager lot into a quaint tambayan for a fusion of street food and Japanese food, paired with craft beer and unique cocktail mixes.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

An AuthenticThai and Indonesian Sunday Brunch at Dewi Sri Farm


It's not wonted for us to feast on Thai and Indonesian fare especially on Sundays. Yet, for adventurous gastronomes (that's me and my hubs), the aforementioned kinds of comestibles is always a welcome feat.

However, even an exhausting plane trip from Davao didn't thwart us from driving all the way to Victoria, Laguna to nose out on to something urban dwellers have yet to take joy in.  I'm sure you might balk off the idea of a resort that has been existing for years already in the area.  Well, that's already a common thing in the country, as we have many places of interests that has to be unearthed.

One of them is Dewi Sri Farm.

DEWI SRI FARM: A Profile

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Kung Fu Panda 3 Toy in McDonald's Happy Meal

My kids just got so excited after finding out about the newest happiness in a box, what else- McDonald's Happy Meal!

It has been bringing my kids tons of fun for 20 years now and counting...Yes, I'll be having a 20-year old son, though he doesn't care much about the toys as much as he did when he was a toddler, but he does care about what's new inside a Happy Meal box.

Starting March 9, oh, that's today, corn-loving customers may choose between McDonald's Fries and yummy corn cup to complete their Happy Meal.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Epic Dining by Visa's Launch at Hide Yamamoto


I just love it when I hear or even read the word epic, especially when we are talking about eating. This word certainly have been one of the most uttered word in history in the last decade, for one it meant very great or impressive.  Merriam Webster even defined it as extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope.  

What could have been  a better word to use for Visa's new dining program for Visa card-holders. What delighted diners in its last year's run, will also delight Filipinos who deserve to indulge in good food and the good life.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

EaStar Wars, the Eggs Invasion at Century Park Hotel


A galactic Easter escapade is on our way! Join the alliance of Century Park Hotel’s bravest heroes and heroines to restore peace to the galaxy.

Celebrate a fun-filled day with your family and friends on March 27, 2016 from 9 am to 1pm at the Grand Ballroom as Century Park Hotel turns your Easter moment into a one of a kind adventure.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Davao Day One: Samal Islands Family Adventure


When I planned for our family's Davao travel, I couldn't be more honest when I said I followed a winding course.  Do allow me to assert that it isn't easy to plan out a great urban escape.

Not easy!

Being a mom who puts the happiness and comfort of the family as the topmost priority when going out of Manila for more than a day, planning a travel to Davao can be ponderous, especially when your budget is tight.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

McDonald's 'best Monday ever' awaits Filipinos on the 4th National Breakfast Day


Have you had the best Monday yet?  Well, if not, you're about to get it...

McDonald's invites everyone on March 14 for a ‘best Monday ever’ experience with the 4th National Breakfast Day! To get rid of the Monday blues, McDonald's offers its customers a reason to welcome the beginning of the week with bright smiles.


On March 14, more than 400 participating McDonald's breakfast restaurants nationwide will be giving away free McMuffins to customers from 6:00AM to 7:00AM. Each customer will be able to get his or her free McMuffin on a first-come-first-serve basis via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. 


"With the 4th National Breakfast Day, we want to remind Filipinos that at McDonald’s, they can have a great start to their day.  It is our commitment at McDonald's to provide customers with a beautiful morning experience through our delicious and quality breakfast offers,” says Kenneth S. Yang, McDonald's Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer.

McDonald’s turns the spotlight again to its McMuffin products. Made of a  freshly cracked Grade A egg, lean Canadian bacon, melty American cheese in between perfectly toasted English Muffins, the Egg McMuffin is an iconic McDonald’s breakfast item loved all over the world. Not to be outdone, the Sausage McMuffin, a juicy and savory all-beef sausage with melty American cheese in between warm, perfectly toasted English Muffins, has also definitely become a breakfast favorite.

Pumped up for your best Monday ever? Share your excitement on McDonald’s official Facebook page, facebook.com/McDo.ph, or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #NationalBreakfastDay. For more information on the 4th National Breakfast Day, visit www.mcdonalds.com.ph.

A Cooking Engagement with Kikkoman Soy Sauce at 25 Mushrooms Kitchen


I've been holding on cooking or preparing Japanese dishes for a while now, well actually ever since I fell in love with it on my first sashimi bite, it was a bit disappointing though.  I've been flicking over some of the recipes I've featured in this blog and it wasn't evident of my true preference for Japanese cuisine.  I mean my family share that same infatuation however, they never asked for me to cook it, probably I've been feeding them enough with Italian dishes.  Hahaha, or they'd rather eat at our fave Japanese restos.


No, I didn't had the courage to cook it by palate at home, nor did I enroll in a cooking class (though I've been meaning to), cause I do believe that despite the art in it, science also plays a part. Japanese cuisine is more about the clean and balanced taste, a soiree of flavors in a single spoonful, or should I say chopsticks.

Instead, I took heed in an invitation from Kikkoman Philippines for KIKKOMAN: 25MUSHROOMS KITCHEN 1st BLOGGER CLASS. 

Hence, let me share you one of Japan's best secrets.