Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Nokia 6600 Fold

I recently bought a new phone, a Nokia 6600 Fold. I decided to let my Nokia 6101 retire after 3 and a half years of servitude. Its time to change the phone that I use for my Sun Network. I reserved one unit at CMK Technologies in Roosevelt, Quezon City, this is where we buy our phones all the time. I bought it for Php 13,000.00

Please visit http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_6600_fold-2357.php for a complete specification of the Nokia 6600 Fold for all those who are interested.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Pagsanjan, Laguna

This is our out-of-town escapade with my friends this holiday season. At first, we were suppose to be five, namely Aileen, Derick, Che, Ethel and Me, our plan is to visit Vigan in Ilocos Sur because we want to experience the old spanish architecture and the heritage it left here in the Philippines. But due to some uncontrollable circumstances, it is me, Ethel and Derick are the one who's available so I decided to visit Pagsanjan instead. We stayed in La Corona de Pagsanjan, one of the best hotel/resort in Pagsanjan. The rate is at Php 3500.00 and that is already a triple bed room. Afforadable huh?

Upon our arrival, we checked-in and rested for awhile inside the cottage. We dressed up to prepare ourselves for a thrilling boatride to Pagsanjan Falls. As we approached the front desk, they informed us that there was a municipal memo from Pagsanjan that the boatride will be only until the first falls since the water level of the river is high. So we decided to postpone the boatride until the next day instead we rested, slept, talked, sound tripped inside our cottage. The next day and still the same scenario, the boatride will be until the first fall only so this means that we will not be able to reach the main falls, which is the world-famous Pagsanjan Falls. We didn't let that ruined our vacation. We still paid for the fee which costs Php 800.00 that includes the life vest rental and the hard hat rental as well. Upon reaching the first falls, you will be stunned by the vendors as they give coke in cans and food to the boatmen "bangkeros" and that costs another Php 200.00 which is for me very expensive but the boatmen deserves it considering the amount of effort they put into bringing us to the falls. Another option is when you pay Php 90.00 per person and ride a raft that will lead you to the falls itself as you experience the water from the falls. A must option for the whole trip. Never miss the on hand experience with the falls. The water is cool, refreshing and very clean.

The boatride is one thrill experience. We two boatmen paddled our way through the steady stream and the rushing rapids as we route to the first falls. I was mesmerized by the scenic beauty that this place unfolded. The river is cold, though murky but still I find it clean. I am amazed at how good the boatmen were as they transverse the river on barefoot kicking rocks that blocks our way and paddled the banca smoothly. It is a good experience to actually visit some places other than beaches and resorts here in the Philippines.

More pics can be viewed at http://jonas321.multiply.com/

Pagsanjan is just a 2 to 3 hours drive away depending on the traffic volume, pass by South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Calamba. Turn right towards Calamba, Laguna. You will pass several towns such as Calamba, Los Banos, Pila, Bay, Victoria, Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Hot Pot "Shabu-Shabu" in Manila

Today is a total family bonding day with mom and auntie Vibs. First, we went to Ark salon to have our hair-cut in preparation for Stefanie's wedding, my cousin, on January 04, 2009 and then we proceed to Rustan's Makati for some stuffs that we need for the wedding. But the highlight of the day was when mom decided to have dinner in a hot pot chinese restaurant at Malate.

There's already a lot of hotpot restaurants that came to life here in the Philippines but the most delicious hotpot, also known as "Shabu-Shabu" here is in Manila. You are seated in a table with an electric stove in the middle wherein they will put a pot of soup of your choice wait til' it boils. While waiting, you will order the soup ingredients and they will serve it to you raw, yes raw! You will be the one to cook it by placing the ordered ingredients in the soup. Different hotpot restaurants have their own gimmicks that can distinctively make them unique.










While eating, Uncle Albert decided to join us and ate with mom and Auntie Vibs. While the siblings enjoy their company, Jaimie, Shobe and I decided to go to Starbucks Malate (Adriatico St.) to have our coffee. Afterwards, all of us, went to Cafe Adriatico for dessert.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Old Chinatown Kopitiam

I went with Jerwin, my brother, to Banawe today to install my gift and also Chin's gift on his Strada. We realized that it will actually take longer that we expect to install the said head unit and speakers so we decided to have lunch first. We just walked a few blocks along Banawe St. and on its side streets as well until Jerwin spotted a small but nice restaurant. It is Old Chinatown Kopitiam. As we enter the restaurant, we noticed that this place is actually very conceptualized. Its interior is carefully decorated with Chinese latterns, china procelain, and like what the old chinatown uses, simple table and chairs that is made from wood. That alone impresses us already. As we signal for the menu, I noticed that the price of their food is not cheap. The price ranges from 280 to 320 per dish.

We ordered the Pork Satay with Peanut Sauce, Garlic Cuttlefish and the Drunken Chicken. Upon serving the food, I must say it is yet the most delicious kopitiam that I have tasted here in the Philippines. It is soooooooooooooooooo delicious. Their speciality is the Bah Kut Teh, the famous pork rib soup in Singapore. We are sure gonna go back to this small, humble and very delicious restaurant.

Before I end this entry, I remind everyone when they visit this place, to order their famous coffee selection. It is very fragrant, full of flavour and delicious to the taste. No other commercialized cafe and coffee places can ever beat Old Chinatown Kopitiam's coffee.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This is me personally sending you, my dear readers, my warmest Holiday Greetings!

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Starbucks Planner 2009

Just wanted to share to you my 2009 Starbucks Planner. I got this at Starbucks Eastwood City. That is the nearest to my work place. I am happy that I was able to complete the stickers on my own. This means that I drank more coffee and I spent more right now hahahaha! For you to be able to get yourself a planner, you must complete 16 stickers, 8 of which is their holiday beverage (Praline Mocha, Dark Cherry Mocha and Toffee Nut) and another 8 are its regular beverages. The sticker collecting starts November 04, 2008 and ends on January 06, 2009. This is Starbucks way of anticipating the coming Holiday Season. If you enter any branch of Starbucks, you will definitely feel the spirit of Christmas. Thanks to Starbucks.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Felix Restaurant in Greenbelt 5

Christmas is always a time for reunions, parties, get-togethers, dinners and meet-ups. This is a time to share new stories with old friends or share old stories with new friends. Marvin, Polo, Jason and I decided to have our Christmas dinner at Felix Restaurant located in Greenbelt 5. Felix is owned by Florabel, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres and Ben Chan. It serves delicious fusion Filipino cuisine. There is also a significant and unique name for each dish. It is a remarkable restaurant because the food is exquisitely delicious, the place is jam-packed and the ambience is really nice. Just imagine at 9:30pm people are still willing to be placed in the waiting list just to be able to dine in this restaurant.

What we ordered are 4 dishes served in the center so each one of us can taste different dishes. We were all happy and fulfilled because it is really delicious. First, we ordered a mixed seafood wrap in a thin wrapper. The texture of the wrapper is almost paper-like. We indulged ourselves at the chicken with cheese and tomato on top, proceeded to the crispy pork, also known locally as the "lechon kawali" and for the finale, we dug to the short rib.










One thing negative about this restaurant is that you have to wait for like eternity before they will be able to serve you your food. Imagine yourself. hungry, mouth-watering and it will take around 30 to 40 mins before they will serve the food to you. I understand the place is jampacked but the restaurant should be prepared with that already. 30-40 mins of waiting time for the food is totally absurd. The service is fine but still fall short of my expectation in a fine restaurant like Felix.

Summary: The food is good, the place is great, the service is bad.

Felix
Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St., Legaspi Village, Ayala Center
(02) 729-9062

Monday, December 15, 2008

Chateaubriand and Crepes Suzette

No one can go wrong with Café Ysabel’s Chateaubriand steak and Crepes Suzette. The chateaubriand steak was made famous by Mario’s steak house and later on adopted by other fine dining restaurants. It is served sliced and then placed all on a bed of mixed vegetables with buttered pasta. The sauce is made up of a milder steak sauce (A1) and béarnaise. This is a must-try here in Café Ysabel.

Another worth trying is “Mang Cosme’s” Crepes Suzette. This is not included in the menu but if you are close to the head waiter then you can request his very delicious Crepes Suzette. Crepes Suzette is a very simple crepe, you serve it with cream and chocolate syrup, accompany it with vanilla ice cream. The crepe cooked and folded into a handkerchief style.

Chateaubriand as explained by Wikipedia:

The Chateaubriand steak is a recipe of a particular thick cut from the tenderloin, which, according to Larousse Gastronomique, was created by personal chef, Montmireil, for vicomte François-René de Chateaubriand, (1768–1848), the author and diplomat who served Napoleon as an ambassador and Louis XVIII as Secretary of State for two years. This dish is usually only offered as a serving for two, as there is only enough meat in the center of the average fillet for two portions.

At the time of the Vicomte the steak was cut from the more flavorful, but less tender sirloin and served with a reduced sauce made from white wine and shallots moistened with demi-glace and mixed with butter, tarragon, and lemon juice. An alternative spelling of the statesman-author's name is 'Châteaubriant' and some maintain that the term refers to the quality of the cattle bred around the town of Châteaubriant in the Loire-Atlantique, France.

In a famous scene of the popular spelling bee documentary Spellbound, one little girl is transfixed with horror on hearing that she is to spell "chateaubriand."

Monday, December 8, 2008

145 Degrees Fahrenheit

The perfect temperature of the steak when served to the customer should be at 145 degrees Fahrenheit according to the waiter in this restaurant. This is where this delicious steak house got its name. This is a new steak house located along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City in the vicinity of the newly opened Il Terrazas. This is near ABS-CBN network.

It has always been the topic of discussion as to where to eat the best steak in town. We have lots of good Chinese, Japanese, Italian, American, Native restaurants but we can’t pinpoint a good steak house. There is Mario’s, Melo’s, Highlands Steakhouse, Alfredo’s but these are old steak houses already. I was surprised that there is a new kid in town that serves delicious, mouth-watering, juicy and tender steak. There are also different sauces that will compliment your steak experience here in 145 degrees Fahrenheit. They don’t drown their steak with spices, just a simple rub of salt and pepper and then grilled into perfection. Upon slicing, you will see how tender and fragrant the meat is. Upon eating, you will salivate as the real flavor of the meat will take you to heaven.

Their Ceasar salad is also something to look forward to in this restaurant. The greens are crisp, the dressing isn’t overpowering, the crutons aren’t drowned in oil. The chicken is tender, juicy and very flavorful.

The exciting part of the whole 145 degrees Fahrenheit is the Tiramisu. This is their own rendition of the famous Italian coffee companion cake, the Tiramisu. It’s not sweet, it has a strong hint of both coffee and chocolate. Truly mocha it is.

If you are coming from Makati, Tomas Morato will surely be a drive for you but definitely this is one steak house that you will surely enjoy.

145 Degrees Fahrenheit is located inside Il Terrazas along Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City (near ABS-CBN network).

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Christmas at Greenbelt with Poinsettias

Upon reaching my 2nd destination with Aileen today, I was surprised at how many pots of ponsetias are there in the huge staircase of Greenbelt 3. I have always been fascinated with this plant, its top leaves turning red on Christmas day and returning back to its original color green after. That is why this plant has always been associated with Christmas, because of the red and green color combination not even mentioning its leaves turning red on December.


According to wikipedia, the association of poinsettias and Christmas began where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan monks in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Kids Musical: "Ang Gusto Ko Ngayong Pasko"

What is Kids Musical?

Kids Musical is a production of U! Happy Events Foundation in partnership with Christ’s Commission Fellowship’s Kids Ministry, the Back Street Kids. The musical is aptly named “Ang Gusto Ko Ngayong Pasko” in the spirit of benevolence during Christmas season.

It is a 2-hour show that will star 185 kids of Mandaluyong. It will showcase their awesome talents in acting, singing, dancing and arts and crafts making.

When and where will Kids Musical: Ang Gusto Ko Ngayong Pasko be?

Dec. 13, 2008, Saturday, 2:00 in the afternoon is a date to remember. It will be held at St. Paul ’s University Quezon City at the James B. Reuter Theater.

How to get there?

St. Paul ’s University Q.C. is at the corner of Aurora Blvd. and Gilmore Ave. Take the LRT 2 if you’re coming from Antipolo side (westward) or Quiapo (eastward).

What are the objectives of the event?

This project aims to develop the talents of these kids and cultivate other values that they may learn from this endeavor. One is discipline. The kids have been learning and practicing for the Kids Musical for 9 weeks now and this has created a sense of discipline and perseverance among them with the guidance of their able artistic directors, U! Happy Events volunteers and Back Street Kids teachers.

These kids get educational assistance through the generous provisions of CCF-Back Street Kids. Another very important goal of the project is to help sustain these classes conducted for the Kids. They are taught catechism, arts, music among others. The development programs that the kids go through help them in character building to become good and productive citizens.

The proceeds of the event will be forwarded to CCF-BSK for the educational programs that run for these kids. They have been running Saturday classes and other off-campus activities just out of generous provisions from partners. The goal is to tap more kids in the vicinity and sustain their scholarships.

How else can you help?

This whole endeavor is out of the benevolent hearts of that organizers and partners. You too can help!

1. Purchase a ticket for P500. Each ticket shall cover for the costs of the production, sponsorship for a kid, and the rest for the scholarship program ran by BSK. Your P500 comes with a Krispy Kreme doughnut, Nestle ice cream and URC loot bag (our generous sponsors). You may bring a kid (14 years old and below) with every ticket you buy.
2. Volunteer! We need partner volunteers during the event! Sign-up now if you’re interested:
a. Kids’ Aide (Production Assistants) – to handle the kids during the rehearsals on Dec. 13 (8am) and during the program proper during pre and post performances.
b. Technical Assistants – with expertise on lights engineering, musical scoring, stage design and setup; to help on called dates between Dec. 8-13.
c. Make-up Artists – do not have to have certifications =). Anyone who’s into hair and make-up styling are invited! Will be requested to bring make-up and other styling gear to be shared with the performers.
3. Help spread the word!
a. Talk about the event among your friends and family. Encourage them to take part in this worthwhile cause.
b. Post info about our event on your multiply, facebook, friendster, blogs and other public online communities to create massive promotion. We’re sharing herewith the invitation for the event. Post this article too please.

We hope to hear from you! This will be a very different and more meaningful Christmas this year!

Other information available at:
http://www.clickthecity.com/event/detail.asp?evid=21743
http://ufoundation.multiply.com/video/item/5/Ang_Gusto_Ko_Ngayong_Pasko_Teaser_Video?replies_read=3

Monday, December 1, 2008

It's A Small World After all... at Capricciosa

Its my 2nd time in Capricciosa, this time I'm with Dad and my brother, Jerwin. I ordered what Achie Jen, Cathy and I ordered during my first visit since I want Dad to try how delicious this Italian restaurant is minus the pizza. Minus the pizza? I know you are going to ask why... mainly because Dad wants to order something else... instead of the pizza, we ordered the very delicious, juicy and tender Roasted Chicken w/ Rosemary and the very very delicious Tuna and Calamari Salad.

The chicken is roasted to perfection as the juices and the flavours are still intact. When one slices the chicken, you can actually see the juice leaking out of its meat and the aroma of rosemary. Truly a mouth-watering experience. The salad on the other hand is equally delicious as its lettuce are fresh and crunchy with tuna and calamari. The dressing is the tuna itself as well. It is unique and remarkable.

Now, you are again wondering why I am saying its a small world after all? Because the owner of this restaurant is not only the wedding dress maker of Achie Jen but also the "barkada" of my brother in Xavier School. It's really a small world isn't it? Well, this time we were given an on the house pumpkin pie. Where else can you see and buy a pumpkin pie? Well, you can find it here in Capricciosa. Upon tasting this pie, I must admit, it is very foreign to my tastebuds. Pumpkin pies are famous in the United States and Europe but never in the Philippines but nonetheless no matter how foreign it is, it is still baked deliciously and tasty.