Connoisseur Catering: A Tasteful Experience

“Food has the ability to appeal to all of our senses — the combination of colors, textures, crunches, smells and tastes that goes into preparing a meal, as well as the selection and transformation of these elements is in itself a creative process.”

Connoisseur Catering lives by this philosophy ensuring  that every catered event is a reflection of the  team’s creativity, skill and professionalism.  The chefs of Connoisseur Catering differentiate themselves from chefs of other caterers with their  artistic food styling and presentation.  For them, how food is presented is nearly as important as taste. Connoisseur Catering chefs are experts on international cuisine so fusion menus for sit down and buffet service can be customized for the client.  From Asian, Continental to Filipino cuisine, specialty dishes are also injected into their standard menus that starts at P550 ++ per head, minimum of 50 pax.  Menu consists of a salad, four (4) choices of mains: Fish or Chicken, Pork or Beef, Vegetable and  Pasta; Steamed Rice, Dessert and a bottomless drink.

Complemented with a very personalized service from venue set-up, menu planning, table centerpiece to color theme/motif, Connoisseur Catering works closely with the client and the set budget  to sort out all the details for a successful event.

From big functions to small ones, whether it’s a social event, a party or a corporate gathering, your event presents an opportunity for our team to create art – your event is our palette… their goal is to please your palate with a tasteful, well-organized and a successful catered event!

With all that said, let me share you a visual feast of what I was able to partake in one of their food sampling.

Amuse Bouche

Pate de Foie Gras

Cold Appetizer

Yogurt Infused Two-tone US apples topped with Micro-greens

 Entree

Prawn Phyllo in Fresh Tomato Chermoula sauce

 Soup

Velvety Porcini Mushroom Soup Scented with White Truffle Oil 

 Main Entree

Rosemary Crusted Lamb Rib Chop in Pinot Noir Reduction
Served with Oven-Roasted Asparagus Spears, Brussel Sprout and Shallots and
Marbled Potato Au Gratin

 Dessert Course

Connoiseur's 6-hour Slow Baked Quezo de Bola Cheesecake

For inquiries, call us at 869-3327 or email us at info@connoisseurcatering.com.ph  or visit our  website www.connoissuercatering.com.ph for our selection of menu packages  and sample set-ups.

The Power of Education in Changing Girls Lives as Seen on Girl Rising

Who is a girl?

A girl is the most beautiful part of Gods creation. She starts compromising at a very tender age. She sacrifices her chocolates for her brother. Later she sacrifices her love for just a smile on her parents face. She sacrifices her full youth for her husband and children without complain. And finally her life ends up only by compromising for others happiness. She is that creature of God who no one can compete. Respect every girl/lady in your life. You will never know what she has sacrificed for you.

That was a beautifully written piece by Ferdie Susa

But in spite of the recognition, still the girl child stands in the front-line of all forms of discrimination, stereotypes, and child abuse, still voiceless.

Tomorrow, October 11, 2013 is the celebration  of the International Day of the Girl.  As part of their global effort to promote the importance of girls education and to the rising need for empowering women Intel, Plan International, and the Asian Development Bank will screen the documentary film “Girl Rising: Educate Girls, Change the World” at various community areas nationwide starting October 11.

“Girl Rising” is a groundbreaking film directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins, which tells the stories of 9 extraordinary girls from 9 countries. With voice performances by Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Selena Gomez, Liam Neeson, Priyanka Chopra, Chloe Moretz, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Freida Pinto, Kerry Washington and Meryl Streep, “Girl Rising” showcases the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world.

Despite efforts by the government and organizations to ensure the protection of children and to provide for their special needs, more help is needed to uplift the situation of children in the Philippines because of widespread poverty, especially in the rural areas, and social inequality. According to a recent study by Plan International, girl children from poor families are disadvantaged and fall prey to child labor, exploitation and lack of access to basic services primarily because of their status in life.

Advocacies and campaigns that benefit women and children still need to be deepened and shared with the vast public. By documenting moving examples of how education can help fight gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions out of poverty, “Girl Rising” complements Plan International’s global five-year campaign, Because I am a Girl (BIAAG).

“Since its conception in 2012, our BIAAG campaign is designed to create sustainable projects in developing countries like the Philippines and to give girls access to clean water, food, healthcare, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. We are optimistic that the screening of “Girl Rising” will promote awareness on the need for education as a means to equip, enable and empower girls of all ages to acquire the assets, skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in life,” said Carin Van der Hor, Country Director, Plan International. Plan International has served the Philippines for about 52 years and continues to develop projects that address key issues affecting children.

“Most developing countries in Asia and the Pacific have earned high marks for a dramatic rise in primary education enrollment rates over the last decade, but daunting challenges remain, as the gender gap, especially in secondary education, is still very large,” said Shireen Lateef, ADB’s Senior Advisor for Gender.

With more than $8.2 billion in loans and grants to the education sector over the past 40 years, ADB has a long track record in assisting its developing member countries achieve the goal of quality education for all. Despite these efforts, millions of girls in the region have limited or no access to education.

As a founding strategic partner of 10x10, the organization that created “Girl Rising”, Intel is proud of the film and of the global social action campaign that accompanies it. Intel believes that education is a fundamental right for everyone, and that broader access to education for girls and women will significantly catalyze social progress and help drive worldwide economic growth. Intel has worked for decades to improve education globally, and has invested more than $ 1 billion on campaigns that aim to improve education in more than 60 countries over the past decade alone.

Here is a sneak preview to the movie Girl Rising.



 “We’ve seen the inspiring transformation that happens to girls and their communities when they are empowered through education. Here in the Philippines, Intel is hard at work to promote the vital message of “Girl Rising” by partnering with various organizations that help spread the word to the grassroots girl child, their parents, and their neighbors,” said Calum Chisholm, Country Manager, Intel Philippines. “More importantly, through our global and local partnerships and programs, we are able to help women develop skills for them succeed in life and prepare for a better future. Last year, Intel supported the Philippine Women Digital Literacy Campaign that trained at least 7,000 women on basic PC skills, through which they learned how to help their children with their studies, and at the same time, opened doors for work opportunities.”

Intel’s global and local partnerships and programs emphasize technology and digital literacy to accelerate change, improve lives and transform economies. Some of Intel’s successful education campaigns in the Philippines include the Intel Teach Program, which has trained over 132,000 teachers in the country, Intel Easy Steps, which trains adult learners on digital literacy skills, and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which gives young scientists the chance to showcase their projects and ideas to the world.

To raise awareness on this noble advocacy for women and girls, and reach out to more people, kick-off screenings will be held at the Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong City (October 11, 1:30 – 3:00PM), Munoz Covered Court, Betty Lou Daul Center (BLDC), Batasan Hills in Quezon City (October 11, 3:00 – 5:00pm), Children International Youth Health Corps, BLDC (October 13), Children International Merry Meal Time Facilitators, BLDC (October 26), Children International Junior Librarians, BLDC (November 16) and Children International Aflatoun Club Facilitators, BLDC (November 30).        


 Should you wish to catch the full film, please contact Camilla Calizo at group3-b@seinc.com.ph (email), 892-0247 (office) or 0917-7014890 (mobile), so we can reserve your seat at your community screening of choice (see below):

October 11 - 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Jose Rizal University, Mandaluyong City
October 11 – 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Munoz Covered Court, Betty Lou Daul Center (BLDC), Livelihood Street, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
October 13 - Children International Youth Health Corps, Betty Lou Daul Center (BLDC), Livelihood Street, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
October 26 - Children International Merry Meal Time Facilitators, Betty Lou Daul Center (BLDC), Livelihood Street, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
November 16 - Children International Junior Librarians, Betty Lou Daul Center (BLDC), Livelihood Street, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
November 30 - Children International Aflatoun Club Facilitators, Betty Lou Daul Center (BLDC), Livelihood Street, Batasan Hills, Quezon City

For more information on the film, please go to http://girlrising.com/#66-million-girls or email girlrisingph@fit-ed.org. or www.10x10act.org.

###

About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.

Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

About Plan International
Plan International is a global children’s development organization that works in 69 countries across the world. Plan’s vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s right and dignity. Because I Am A Girl is Plan’s global campaign to fight gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions out of poverty.

Let's Eat and Win at SM Foodcourt

Coming home with a brand new Suzuki APV van after having a sumptuous meal at an SM Foodcourt, without even paying for the van, may be beyond one's reason or might even be shocking to many.   But what if I tell you, you could be that very person, or wait it might be me.  

Starting October 18, 2013 until January 19, 2014, SM Supermalls will open their promotion for SM Foodcourt's LET'S EAT AND WIN!  Considered to be SM Foodcourt's biggest promotion for this year, they will be raffling off  6 Suzuki APV vans in the raffle draws, TAX FREE and more instant prizes.

To be able to qualify for the raffle draw here are the easy steps you need to do:

1.  Simply buy your meal costing P250 on a single receipt  with any Coca-Cola product at participating SM Foodcourt tenants.  

2.   The customer's receipt is equivalent to a PROMO peel-apart card with a raffle coupon.  You may get instant prizes or Try Again message.  

3.   Then fill up the coupon with the necessary details like customers complete name, home address, telephone number, email address, customer signature, Foodcourt branch & amount purchased.

4.   Customers must drop his/her entry at the designated drop box located at the Foodcourt area redemption booth.  

Instant Prizes include snap watches, yard cups, placemats, eco bags, free upsize on any Coca - Cola product and free Coke in cans.

 Cut-off date of submission of entries will be on the following dates:

1st Draw Cut Off Date
                
       Entries must be up on November 19, 2013 at the end of mall operating hour. There will be two (2) winners for Luzon entries and one (1) winner for Visayas and Mindanao entries.

2nd and Last Draw Cut Off Date
        All entries until January 17, 2014 at the end of mall operating hour. There will be three (3) winners from the combined entries of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

 Raffle Draw will be on the following dates, so better take note of this date as well.

November 28, 2013- First 3 cars will be drawn at SM SOUTHMALL. All raffle entries from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao should be at SM SOUTHMALL on or before November 27, 2013 at the end of mall operating hours.Note: Two (2) tambiolos will be used. One is for the Luzon entries and one for the Visayas & Mindanao entries

January 24, 2014 – the last and final three (3) cars will be drawn at SM NORTH EDSA. All raffle entries from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao should be at SM NORTH EDSA on or before January 23, 2014 at the end of mall operating hours.

Note: one tambiolo will be used for the combine entries of Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao.

More reminders:
  * All entries submitted and received after the first draw cut off will be included in the 2nd and final draw.
  * Non-winning entries of the 1st draw will no longer be included in the 2nd and final draw.
  * There will be five (5) winners from Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao entries and one (1) guaranteed winner from Visayas and Mindanao for a total of six (6) lucky winners for the whole duration of the promo.
   * Winners will be notified via mobile or landline number, email or registered mail
   * The 20% tax for prizes exceeding Php10,000 shall be shouldered by SM Supermalls, any other expenses incurred-- that may  include the transfer expenses, shipment charges and unit registration shall be shouldered by the winner.
   * The raffle draw winners may only redeem their prize within sixty days (60) after notification, otherwise, prizes shall be forfeited in favor of SM Foodcourt and Shopping Center Management Corp. (SCMC) with prior DTI approval.
   * Customer may win only once on the raffle.    
   *A DTI representative will be present during the raffle draws and the promo organizers decision is final and irrevocable with concurrence of DTI.

    * For validation purposes, a winner will be asked to provide the following upon claiming of the prize:
·         Any two (2) valid government identification cards
·         Registered mail, email and text message sent by SM Foodcourt Management

   *  In case of lost winning raffle stub, winner must present the following:
·         Notarized Affidavit of Loss
·         Registered mail, email and text message sent by SM Foodcourt Management
·         Two (2) valid ID’s

   *   Should a representative claim the prize, he/she should present the following:
·         Notarized Authorization Letter;
·         Registered mail, email and text message sent by SM Foodcourt Management
·         Two (2) valid ID’s of winners;
·         Two (2) valid ID’s of authorized representative

   *  List of winners will be posted in all participating branches of SM Foodcourt, may be published in major newspaper, and an announcement at SM Facebook fan page.
   * Color of car may vary from what is shown in the collateral material of this promotion.
   *  All prizes are not convertible to cash.
   * Promo is valid for dine-in and take-out orders only.
   * The promo is not valid with any other on-going promotions and discounts.
   * All employees of the participating sponsors, its advertising/media agencies; employees of SM Supermalls and its subsidiaries; employees of the promo agency; and their relatives up to the third civil degree of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from joining the promo.

So, see you at any SM Foodcourts and let's fill up with meals and bring home prizes.  Make sure to mark your calendar starting October 18, 2013.

Coffee Origins 2013 at Greenbelt

When the alarm clock rings in the morning, most of the times if not always, first to come in mind is this "first morning taste." 

It may not always be a pleasant one, but it gives me a sense of presence and aliveness. It also helps me to slow down and not rush into the hustle of the kitchen and the day. 

One of the most delightful part of my morning is that first sip of my coffee- not so sweet, mellow, soft and strong, with a bitter after-note, always being accompanied by the first ray of sunlight bearing the beginning of a new experience.

I remember this taste and whenever I need a second of peace and gladness, I think about it. 

Yet, creating an afternoon taste for it on a day, is already a reward.

With the delight it gives me in my every sip, more thoughts about it come to me, like how I can taste other variants, how to learn more about coffee production, how I can give back to the coffee producers and farmers (both local and abroad) by not only consuming.

Until, I saw the poster above in Facebook.

If you are a coffee lover like us, you can join us witness an event, taste coffee variants and come home educated with more scoops about our daily indulgence.  As the Philippine Coffee Board Inc.(PCBI) and Ayala Malls  collaborate once again for the 11^th year now to present COFFEE ORIGINS 2013.  Dubbed as the country’s biggest coffee event, thousands of coffee cups are given away for free to all mall-goers.

The event is set for October 10-22, 2013 and is supported by URC’s Great Taste, Cream All non-dairy creamer, Aquabest purified water, Suchero coconut sugar, coffee roasters like CRAI, Gourmets,  Siete Baracos, coffee machine dealers like Hawaiian Coffee, government agencies like DA-AMAS, DTI Kalinga, ARMM and the Province of Cavite’s- Cavite Coffee Development Board and Café Amadeo.

This is an annual event to show that Ayala Malls support  the development of the Philippine coffee industry as they showcase the brew in a most upscale venue, which befits the specialty coffee promotion.

Media companies like Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Times and Business World , Herword.com and High Life also are supporting the promotion of the event.

There are also new supporters like The  Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) which will showcase sugar  products like Muscovado and coconut sugar and coffee products as well.  PEF will also be organizing knowledge events on coffee.  Landbank of the Philippines(LBP) will be supporting the 6^th National Coffee Summit on Oct 23, a perfect culminating event for October’ festivities.

The Coffee seminar on Coffee Basics and How to Put up a Coffee Shop will be held October 19 in Enderun Colleges. Latte art demos will be scheduled in Commune Café in Salcedo Village, Makati.

As they have declared October to be the coffee month, they will be sharing a host of activities which we all can partake on:

October 10-22, 2013 COFFEE ORIGINS Greenbelt 5 Gallery

         At COMMUNE Cafe: Barista demos and Coffee seminars
         October 16 
         Coffee 102  -Third wave coffee 2-5 pm

October 17  2-4 pm
Barista demo- Latte Art
Jay can feature Commune's Latte art, animals, rosettas, etc

October 18- Davao SMX
Opportunities in Coffee seminar by Davao Chamber of Commerce
9am-12 nn

ENDERUN:
October 19
Coffee 101- Full course 9-12
How to Put up a Coffee Shop- 2-5pm

October 23 -6th National Coffee Summit, Landbank Plaza, Malate, Manila
October 26- Coffee Tour- Cavite

Call 8131028 or 0908-8831218 for reservations for the summit and seminars. You can also look up Facebook:Philippine Coffee Board, Twitter: philcoffeeboard and Instagram:Philippinecoffee.

Fruit Gastronomy Event: When Hawaii Meets Philippines

   A growing body of research proves that fruits are critical to promoting good health. In fact, fruits together with vegetables should be the foundation of a healthy diet.   Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and disease-fighting phyto-chemicals.  Those basic facts paved way for me to consider juicing and serving more fruits to my family.

   Despite the well-known understanding that fruits should be included in a healthy diet, many are still falling far short of the recommended intake.  Adding to this, the serious issues surrounding local markets who happen to get less support to be able to cultivate more land areas to support the fruit market and thus sell the produce at a more affordable costs.

   Our country is blessed with good soil to bear fruit trees in abundance, we even host exotic fruits which are richer in anti-oxidants and cancer-prevention properties and can complement well with our home-grown dishes.  I’m sure dishes like “Pininyahang Manok, Binakol, etc. hold special mementos to you.  

Now, wouldn’t it be interesting if we learn more about it through a series of activities and a sumptuous sampling of even more degustative  spread highlighting these humble fruits.

   So come with me and my kids to the Fruit Gastronomy Event on October 28, 2013 at MoCa Farm, Padre Garcia, Batangas.  

   A famous Hawaiian fruit Guru and Chef, Ken Love, will conduct a six-hour agri-culinary event and sit-down dinner for the public from 9 AM to 3 PM.   The event features Filipino fruit dishes created from recipes of Ken Love and many well-respected, local Chefs. All of the food used for the event is fresh and locally grown. Farmers will be present to discuss how high-quality fruit is grown, why it’s healthier and tastes better. Mr. Love will also have a presentation on topics of Farmers and Chefs relationship and the creation of Agri-culinary tourism. 

   Ken Love has been passionate about local fruits and vegetables since the 1980s when he saw exotic mangoes, avocados and papayas rotting on the roadsides of Hawaii Island. Since that time he has championed the replacement of imported fruits and vegetables with high-quality locally grown foods in restaurants, by grocers and supplied by wholesalers. Mr. Love shares his enthusiasm throughout Hawaii and across the Pacific Ocean and now for the first time in the Philippines. 

   The event is sponsored by the Rare Fruit Society of the Philippines and features many well-respected chefs and farmers from across Luzon. According to one of the organizer of the event, Gigi Morris of MoCa Farm, “This unique event will give local chefs and local farmers and producers the chance to introduce to consumers high-quality, local fruit and how to prepare it.”

  The event showcases dishes by Chef Ken and other highly respected Filipino Chefs using local, in-season fruits as the main ingredients. The event features an early sit-down dinner with recipes created for the event by participating Chefs. 

   Ticket for the event is at 750/person.

   RSVP by calling/texting Mercy Beria at 09103652941 or Gigi Morris at 0919-479-0566 or through email address gigi@gigimorris.com

DepEd taps ICTSI Foundation to co-manage ASEAN Schools Golf Tourney

Do you think the next Tiger Woods would come from Asia?
Well here's one good news for golf players and fanatics.  Our country will host this year's ASEAN Schools Golf Tourney.   And mom's you may want to check this out if you want your kids get involved in sports like golf.

Just today, the Department of Education (DepEd) and ICTSI Foundation Inc. joined hands as they have signed an agreement to co-manage the golf tournament of the ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) which will take place in Splendido Country Club, Taal, Batangas November this year.  The event is said to happen on November 25-29, 2013.

Education Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera and ICTSI Deputy Executive Director Filipina  Laurena were the ones who signed the agreement.  This will authorize the ICTSI-FI to manage the tournament as one of the major sponsors and partners in the 2013 ASG golf tournament.

"The Philippines volunteered to host the ASG Golf Tournament to jump-start our participation in the ASEAN Schools Sports Council and to get us ready for the 2014 ASG which we will host next year. This is also an opportunity to showcase the Philippines beyond our golf courses," said Rivera.  

Playing as the major sponsor, the ICTSI Foundation shall be providing the tournament director, referees, scorers and  services related to the actual technical administration of the games.  Our country also boasts of world class golf course, thus they will also provide for the use of the golf course, golf carts, caddy services, lockers, the clubhouse, sound system and other equipment and facilities necessary for the games.

The Philippines through DepEd is a regular and active member of the ASEAN Schools Sports Council (ASSC) which conducts the annual ASG. It aims to enhance camaraderie among students around the region and to provide opportunities for school athletes to engage in cultural exchange.

ICTSI-FI was established by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) to manage the latter’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. It supports the growth potentials of the youth in the fields of sports, education and community service.

As part of their agreement, DepEd shall provide the ICTSI Foundation Inc. all the relevant 2013 ASG-GT information for the ICTSI’s team to deliver their commitment.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries such as Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, are the said  participants of the golf tournament.

π Breakfast and Pies

   One fine, not so sunny Sunday, a respite from the stormy weather we had been having for weeks, we made our way to Teacher's Village.  It was a first time for all of us, to visit the esteemed food strips of Diliman.  Good thing there was less traffic, and my girls didn't mind the long drive.  Well that's because I promised them stacks of priced pancakes for their afternoon snack.

   After reading about the newly opened restaurant of Chef Ed Bugia - known for his vegan resto, Pipino and it's sister resto bar, Pino, I instantly calendared the next Sunday for our next family dine-to experience.   

   π Breakfast and Pies is the third resto opened on the building where Chef Ed have the two sister restos.  

   π is a bit tucked on the extreme left of the building.  My kids were a bit adamant to go in when they saw that Pino Resto Bar looked liked their sort of venue with wall to wall humongous doodles.  But when I told them that it's a vegetarian resto they concluded with  π.  Also, let me just inform you that the place is not that big with just three rows of seating and would probably seat only about 25 people at a time.  

   The place was simple without paying much attention to interiors and colors.  Gray bare cemented walls, wooden chairs and tables, aluminum cups containing utensils, very industrial-style, which my husband liked, by the way.

  However, I found these DIY lamps very interesting.  One of my girls even told me if we will be whisked away after we eat, they somehow resemble wire whisks with light bulbs inside.  Whatcha think?

   From the resto's namesake, they whip up a storm of breakfast meals for breakfast lovers like my kids.  My kids will work for slices of bacon, dripping in it's own maple or smoked flavored oil.  They would do chores for stacks of pancakes and waffles.  They would even paint a picture of you for a comforting bowl of champorado, but make sure it's pure cocoa or Belgian dark chocolates used for it.

   Yes my family (except me) is a bunch of suckers for all-day breakfast meals.  Let me just also mention our fanaticism with Flapjacks to support that.

   So here are what everyone had.

Big Bite! The Northern Food Festival

If you have been eating your way around the Philippines, you know where to go for authentic heirloom and traditionally land-marked dishes - Pampanga.  It has been a beacon to the culinary landscape which brought foodies to the central plains and making it as the top stop-over for gastronomic delights when journeying the rest of Luzon.

Here is a wonderful news to all you foodies out there wishing to have a food trip up North.   Pampanga will again be the new food tourism venue as  MarQuee Mall, Ayala Mall’s first dining, shopping and entertainment destination north of Manila presents “Big Bite!  The Northern Food Festival” at the MarQuee Park, Angeles City, Pampanga from October 18 to 20, 2013.

Some Kinda Food Tasting

Summer Citrus Salad

   I'm often invited to food tastings and restaurant reviews and would often times ask for the "Lady Iron Chef's" spirit to guide me.  There are no secrets to food tastings anymore, though, at time bloggers and reviewers go out of bound in their say about the food served to them.  There are talks on the side of being biased, making the review extra appealing for the readers which eventually turn out to be their customers.  Let me just point out that I try my best to give my honest to goodness opinions in all my reviews.

   Well, that being said I was again able to sample some signature dishes which will be flaunted on October 19's fundraising event dubbed as Dine for the Youth, organized by ASSAP (Aktibong Samahan sa Paranaque).

 But this time, it was a one of kind.  The invited diners were to rate the dishes which were more pleasing, then were asked to choose which would make it to the list of the menu to be served on the night of the event.

   Here are what we had.

   First on the parade was Summer Citrus Salad prepared by the chef of Urban Farm.  It was the photo on the top of this post.  

   A refreshing take on the usual ho-hum salad.  The usual daily greens were graced with orange slices, grapes, baby tomatoes and what do you know crispy fried calamare.  The choice for dressing was impeccable, with citrusy and a subtle hint of sweetness from the balsamic vinaigrette.

   Just in the nick of time, came Chef Toper de Guia, owner of Toperios Catering carrying bags of  piled up covered hot bowls of what seemed to smell like a buffet.

 Pork Hamonado

TRAVEL: God-Color Blue is Showcased in Antulang Beach Resort, Dumaguete

Beyond this thick-bushed and comfortly-shaded pathway leads to an overlooking wonder that promises to exhilarate your jaded lives.

Antulang Beach Resort

Last Sunday at New Life Center (The Fort), Pastor Mitch preached about bringing out God-colors in the world.  As highlighted during the preach, this Bible verse aptly illustrates the inspirational message.

Matthew 5:14
The Message (MSG)

14-15 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! 

I believe exploring our country's grand resorts are great ways to enjoy and show the God colors in the world.  The verse can apply to many things, but certainly the beauty of nature is one of them, more so those that are not discovered and seen by many, those that are tucked away to be found like a jewel in grains of sand.

The majestic beauty of the rainbow marvels the love bestowed upon by God to us, however, as much as I would want to discuss all these colors, I will touch only on color blue.  Its meaning and significance, in how I see it in nature.

Philippines, being an archipelago of 7,107 islands is richly blessed with pristine beaches.

And one of the best that our family have unearthed is Negros Oriental's jem- Antulang Beach Resort.

See for yourself and be mesmerized...

Do you know why the sky and water blue?
Blue signifies hope and God's grace, oh so lavished upon us, His beloved.  Why is it that whenever we are down-trodden or hurting we look at the sky?  There we look for answers, we look for God.  And somehow it gives us comfort and soothes our aching heart.
Blue speaks to us of the eternal presence of the Lord.  It symbolizes the heavenly realm, prayer, authority, revealed God, divinity,  over comer, revelation knowledge.

Here at Antulang, blue is everywhere!

Antulang is cradled atop a cliff facing Sulu Sea.

Antulang's  location at the southern tip of the Negros Island is the perfect place for solace.  They have a lighthouse as well and this makes the resort even more unique and special in that one can see both sunrise and sunset.  Also, standing on the resort’s balcony at the middle and facing the sea on a clear day, Apo Island (on the left) and Dipolog (on the right) are both visible.

Here are my two kids preparing to snorkel and swim in the crystal clear water.

My cousins who are from Bayawan, Negros were having the time of their life catching the waves.  They never knew of the place with this beauty exists.

The only resort that has a salt-water infinity pool.  On the photo above is their kiddie pool, and my girls just loved every moment of that dip.

Waldo’s Bar offers meals and other beverages which may be enjoyed with an overlooking view of the seascape.  This is where we had our lunch.
The entrance for a day-tour is only P 250 which is consumable for lunch meals.  The day tour includes the use of the pools  and exploring the whole resort.

 There is something about plants, nature, all of the outdoors that reminds us that we are just a tiny dot in the universe and that we are all part of a greater plan, God's plan. Wherever you reside or travel to, take time to see, hear, and feel the gift of nature! And don't forget about the taste for the abundant food nature and the earth gives us!

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