Getting Some Sweets at the Candy Corner Carnival

No, I never grew up eating jelly beans, but some time in my past I thought I was brought up to consume tons of it...hehehe.   Yaiks, even a stroll down memory lane couldn't bring me as far as the days when I had first touched my tongue to the tarty, sugar-mealy endless sweet sensation brought about by eating a number of different-colored jelly beans.

Then this hit me, “You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans. ” Hahaha, it's a quote from Ronald Reagan, who had been a US president.
Have you seen me eating Jelly Bellies? I guess by now you are judging me.

WANTED: M&Ms Mint Dark Chocolate

Name: M&Ms Mint Dark Chocolate
Brand: Mars
Description: Consumers can add some cool to their crunch with new M&Ms Mint Dark Chocolate Candies. It’s a delicious, new way to experience the colorful, shareable M&Ms bite-sized candy they love, now with cool, refreshing mint combined with creamy dark chocolate and coated in a crunchy candy shell. Mars Chocolate has responded to consumer requests for variety and has shown proven success in adding new flavors to its iconic brands. Mint is a large and growing segment of the chocolate category.
Introduction Date: December 2011

Notes: I am dying to know where I can buy this.   If you are not based here in Manila, as I am, can you please tell me more information about this chocolate, and maybe send me some, I will just pay the shipping fee but let me know first if I can pay it.
           To you who like me, who is my friend, who have gained something by being with me or knowing, you can pay me back with a bag, oh, a big bag of these.

And this is my message to you, if you are now planning to send me some of these.

Thanks for your commit-"mint" to help me. 

Thanks for your encourage-"mint" to always do my best. 

Thanks for your involve-"mint" in my life. 

Thanks for your invest-"mint" of time and energy. 

Thanks for making each day an enjoy-"mint". 

Thanks for helping to create a nice environ-"mint"  for me to learn and grow.

 Everything you have done this year has really “mint” a lot to me!!!

Highlight on DepEd's Bro. Armin A. Luistro's Speech at MAP General Meeting

Management Association of the Philippines, a 62-year-old management organization whose 800 members represent a cross-section of CEOs, COOs and other top management practitioners from the largest local and multinational companies operating in the Philippines, just had its recent membership meeting at Dusit Thani Hotel yesterday.
MAP with their 2012 theme, "Execution with Integrity for Progress,"  also counts some top management educators as its members, which include government officials.   They run advocacy helping out enhance management skills producing professional managers and work side by side with our government's educational system.

What Happened to the Last 17 Years of our Lives?

This happened months ago.   I almost totally forgot about it.  But how could I, the best part of my life was when I was in college.   And so it was after grueling months, even years of planning a get-together, it happened.  It then donned to me that so many years have passed since the last time the three of us, Tricia, Yoj and me have gotten together.  The memory of the cold, misty weekend at Baguio with our friend who passed away, Khaye, have squeezed in to the epithelial ducts of my brain, bringing with it felicitous feelings and also sadness.
Too bad, some of the members of the batch wasn't able to join us.   Hey guys, we're not getting any younger and time will be harder to steel for moments like this.  
So to respond to TC's invitation, and her longing to get a taste of Filipino fusion from the famed Laudico couple, we all met up at the Net Two Building of Bonifacio Global City.   Yoj came from Laguna and Tricia from Katips.

Thus, an afternoon full of stories and reminiscing over a sumptuous lunch at Bistro Filipino by Chef Laudico.

Tricia, though known to our batch as TC (short for Tricia Coralejo) without hesitation ordered the 8 Pica-Pica platter.    Though I thought she will go all out with their Fusion Buffet.   I initially thought of having the same set but declined since I knew that I might not be able to have all that's in the menu, plus a known fact that each item on the menu really come with a pricey tag.   So when she decided to have the Pica-Pica, had to pick something to balance everything or start off with a healthy alternative.  So I went with the All-Organic Salad.

Fez: Serendra's Finest Moroccan Fare

Do you happen to know that a Moroccan cuisine happens to exist in the downtown Taguig?  Actually it has been for the past seven years.   Though they claim to be not purist in terms of authenticity of their cuisine, they desire to evoke a take on Moroccan with Filipino-style dining.  Since Moroccan cuisine is diverse, like our own Filipino cuisine,  it's  high time that local diners try out a more sensual kind of delectable.

Fez has been a witness to the fast-paced development of Bonifacio Global City.   Seven years ago, Fort Bonifacio was just a destination curiosity among the hip and young Manila crowd. Only Market-Market Mall dominated the landscape although peeking through boarded up malls, Ayala Properties was building the vision for what is today’s Bonifacio high street.

Candy Corner Carnival

Kids and kids at heart, here yee, hear yee!


Enter a carnival and experience a whole new world filled with sugary goodness! Join in on the games such as the Jelly Belly Bean-Tac-Toe, the Truffle Ring Toss, the Almond Roca Fortune Teller, and many more in order to earn lots of points!

Remember, the more points you earn, the more candies and chocolates you will get. So play all of the games and do your very best!!

After completing the activities, exchange your ticket with your points for loads of candies and chocolates by heading to the candy and chocolate buffet!!! The number of points you have determines the weight of chocolates and candies that you will get.

Join in on the fun at the Candy Corner Carnival by purchasing P300 worth of products or paying the P200 entrance fee.

Oh I can't wait to have all those candies in our jars! See you there!!

Win P1.3M worth of Gift Certificates from Megaworld Lifestyle Malls

Experience luxury and the high life this Holiday Season at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and be rewarded with luxurious prizes and exclusive privileges in The Good Life Christmas Promo.

Exciting shopping gifts and deluxe holiday packages await those who will spend P2,000 in single or accumulated receipts at any Megaworld Lifestyle Malls establishments from October 2012 to January 2013. Customers can even double their chances of winning when they use their Visa Card in paying for their purchases.

A lucky customer will get to live the good life in a whole new level by winning the P1.3 million worth gift certificates in the grand draw. This exclusive giveaway entitles the winner to shopping sprees, special dining treats and various complimentary services at participating establishments in Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

Lucky winners will also get to enjoy upscale dining and leisure at Resorts World Manila. Two winning patrons can relax and get cozy, with each either getting gift certificates from Maxims Hotel or complimentary vouchers from Remington Hotel.

A first-class food treat for the family is also up for grabs with the winner getting dining certificates at Mercado, Noodle Works, Passion, Ginzadon and The Terrace. Another winner, meanwhile, gets to experience the most advanced arcade and recreational games at GameZoo with free credits that can be exchanged for a Gamezoo Game Card.

Jetsetters can also win their dream vacation in The Good Life Christmas Promo with tickets for two to Moscow via Qatar Airways, an Asian cruise for four or a Romantic getaway at Misibis Bay.

Celebrate the Holiday Season at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and get a chance to win a brand new Volvo S80 or Volvo C30 and other luxurious giveaways.

Shop and dine now at these Megaworld Lifestyle Malls: Eastwood Mall, Eastwood City Walk, Eastwood Cyber & Fashion Mall, Lucky Chinatown, Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila, Burgos Circle at Forbes Town Center, The Clubhouse at Temple Drive, Paseo Center Makati and Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill. 

The grand raffle draw of the Good Life Christmas Promo is on February 5, 2013. Monthly raffle draws begin October 29.

For more inquiries, call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888, 0917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 6011, Series of 2012. See posters and flyers for more details.

Pinoy Products That Soon to be Raved For

Two nights ago, I happened to be at the media launch of the Global Pinoy Bazaar 2012 at the Indie Arts Home, Fort Bonifacio.  The Yabang Pinoy Filipino Pride movement celebrates its 8^th year by celebrating PHmade products worth buying.   Together with fellow bloggers we were introduced to their mission and vision of seeing locally made products with utmost quality and ingenuity strive the existing market with pride.  I guess I do agree with them that we can also create brands to match imported ones in terms of uniqueness and sustainability.   Topping off with the advocacy behind every name brands.  

A Freaky Suite Funfest at The Linden Suites

Halloween is a fun time of year that kids enjoy dressing up and gathering way too much candy.   Their creativity comes out and the playful side burst out more, showing how they can be really scary.   Parents also get excited buying stuff for them as October steps in, ghoulish pumpkin orange and black splashes of colors at the malls with all the different costumes gathered up in a spot in the mall stores.   It is also a fun time for kids to get together with their friends and have a party. Kids enjoy dressing up, eating fun Halloween themed foods, and playing exciting games.
But throwing a party may unlikely be among the plans of the parents, but what if I tell you that you can get a deal-worth of Free entrance to a Halloween with all the tricks and treats they could afford.
On October 27th, kids and kids at heart  parade off with creative costumes at an Early Halloween Party scheduled  with a Trick or Treat Activity!
As The Linden Suites celebrates Halloween all month long this October with a Freaky Suite Funfest for all local residents!

Definitely a bewitching October is abound with freaky sweet rates as follows:

•  Executive Room at Php 4,000/- nett 
• Studio Suite at Php 4,500/- nett, 
• One Bedroom Suite at Php 5,000/- nett, 
• Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite at Php 6,500/- nett, 
• Two Bedroom Premier/Executive Suite at Php 7,500/- nett 
• Three Bedroom Suite at Php 8,000.00 nett.
• Rates include buffet breakfast for 2 except for the Three Bedroom Suite which comes with buffet breakfast for 3!  Book early and get 10% off on room rates! 

So get a freaky suite with family and friends this Halloween! Call The Linden Suites now at 638-7878 or log on to www.lindensuites.com for more details! This Halloween Promo is valid for local residents and balikbayans from October 15 to November 4, 2012 only. Terms and conditions apply.

More value for your money:

Get the best Staycation deal for families or friends!
In partnership with Ensogo, Philippines, stay in a Two Bedroom Suite for only Php 4499/- nett (74% discount based on published rate). Click on the link below to view our deal:

http://www.ensogo.com.ph/escapes/linden-suites-10092012.html


The Linden Suites, located along San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, is within short walking distance to financial, shopping and dining hubs in the area, including Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Philippine Stock Exchange Center, SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Robinson’s Galleria, El Pueblo, and Metrowalk Complex.

The Linden Suites is committed to provide excellent personalized service to both business and leisure, long and short term stay guests. Watch out for future promos exclusive for local residents through www.lindensuites.com or (through-delete) visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/lindensuites.

A Blooming Foodie Find at the 27th Negros Trade Fair

Picture taken from the net

   Before I move on to the details let me ask you first, have you eaten a flower?  Or have you at

least tried something with a flower, cooked or raw, or infused with?  

   If you don't know, there are edible flowers.  As I was searching Google, there are 42 flowers that can be consumed.   I used to know petals or flowers as garnish for salads and desserts.  But come to think of it, we always use squash blossoms in our local veggie dish (Dinengdeng).   I have actually featured one recipe in our Kulinarya group.   Let me give you a couple from the list of these edible flowers.  

   Chamomile, chrysanthemum, jasmine and lavander are famously used in teas, that is if you love teas.  Rose petals, angelica (like what is used in Lemuria), chervil, basil, cilantro even our national flower, the fragrant sampaguita (an extravagant ice cream with floral infusion can be savored at Ilustrado) are good addition to regular salads, soups and other desserts.

   So, during my last visit at a trade fair which was at the 27th Negros Trade Fair at the Rockwell tent last September 30, I particularly fancied one product.  Among the many Negrense food featured in the event, this booth made a mark on my "Most Interesting Food Breakthrough."  It's from Daily Apple.   

The Daily Apple is a company that makes available to health buffs the full range of nutraceuticals and food products manufactured at the state-of-the-art Herbanext Farms and laboratories in Bago, Negros Occidental.

   The culinary use of flowers dates back thousands of years to the Chinese, Greek and Romans.  Many cultures use flowers in their traditional cooking, even in our provinces.
One yummy chummy that stood up is their award-winning Sweet Roselle Chips.
   I was talking about flowers in culinary settings, right?  This discovery had spun my head off.  A crushed-dried cherry looking stuff mounded on a bowl seemed to be gaining interest among the crowd at the fair.  Overhearing from a fellow visitor, "Here check this out, it's candied flowers..."  I immediately crossed over from Carmela's Kitchen booth to Daily Apple's.
   The roselle plant, also known as Hibiscus Sabdariffa, red sorrel, Indian sorrel, Jamaican sorrel, Florida cranberry, eggplant rose, rosella, java jute, and Mei Gui Qie, has been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine. The plant is used in a variety of ways, including teas made from the flowers and oil pressed from the seeds that is rich in gamma tocopherol.
   Here are the nutritional benefits one can get from consuming Roselle products, such as teas, jams and candies.

• Weight Loss aid (reduces the absorption of dietary carbohydrates)
• Antiseptic  (ability to kill bacteria)
• Aphrodisiac (mildly enhances libido)
• Astringent (ability to firm, restores tone)
• Cholagogue (enhances digestion, stimulates secretion of bile)
• Demulcent (soothing for mucous membranes, relives pain and inflammation of membranes)
• Digestive (improves peristalsis which helps move food along the gastrointestinal tract)
• Diuretic (reduces buildup of excess fluid in the body)
• Emollient (leaves are used externally to smooth and soften skin)
• Laxative (stimulates evacuation of the bowels)
• Cooler (helps lower high body temperature)
• Sedative (reducing or relieving anxiety, stress, irritability, or excitement)

***Resource: http://suite101.com/article/hibiscus-tea-a-powerhouse-of-health-benefits-a408993

   Here are the candied roselle calyses mixed with another of their snack product, Banana Turmeric chips.   Roselle chips taste like mild  prunes, with a hint of cranberry.  It's actually fruity, no substance of being floral, it doesn't even have that strong flowery scent that rose and sampaguita have.
   I'm still thinking of a way to incorporate it into my cooking, but if you want your salad to ave an ump, try putting some nibs of these roselle instead of grapes or raisins.  Will update soon, whenever I have put it in a granola, or a trail mix, oh and how about making white chocolate barks with it.  It would be a great Christmas gift.

   Aside from the healty snack packages, Roselle calyses were also made into jams.  Looks like your favorite imported jams?  They actually taste better too.  It's not overpoweringly-sweet.   Just the right kick of saccharine enough to subtly sweeten your crackers or toasts.  Jams like these would be great mixed with muffin or cake batter, specially with it's tartness.  Also best topped on my dark chocolate ice cream, or on hot waffles  or pancakes.  Ahh, the possibilities are endless.

See consistency, gelatinous and appetizing.

   It also come in this elegant looking, 160 gm jar.
   What's best is that it's rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins, making it to be one of the superfoods readily available to munch on, in the end making us not only extremely healthy but younger-looking.

   Since their main store is in Bacolod.  You can order via their website:  http://www.dailyapplestore.com

Or go to their store  at 
Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas,
basement area near BDO (westlane wing)

or 

Kiosk at SM Sta. Rosa,
Gr. Flr.  Center Area, Laguna