The Pinoy Wanderer

The Café Mediterranean at Resorts World Manila

2012-02-21T02:59:00.003+08:00

A day before my brother's Hong Kong vacation, he dropped by our Manila apartment so we can hang out and catch up on things. He kinda missed our usual food (pasta and pizza) and so we looked for a new restaurant to try while we were at Resorts World Manila.

After checking out some places and seeing what's on their menu, we found this restaurant that seemed worth the try. Read on to find out if it really was...

The Café Mediterranean is located on the 4th Floor of Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila and claims to be home of the best Mediterranean cuisine this side of the planet. They boast of great tasting hummus, paninis, soups, pastas, kebabs, gyro plates, moussaka and moutabal for fresh, light and healthy meals.

Since we're looking for pasta and pizza and we're new to the place, a quick scan of the menu showed us some interesting selections, two of which carried their name. If it has the restaurant's name on its name, it must be good, right? And so, here's what we ordered:

Mediterranea Pizza P345.00

Mediterranea Pizza has toppings of sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, grilled eggplant and zucchini slices, and anchovies. You can fix it with garlic sauce or hot sauce. My brother ate three slices the moment the pizza landed on our table, one after the other. LOL! It was good, I must admit.

Grilled Chicken, Mediterranean Style P265.00

What's on my plate: Grilled Chicken, Mediterranean Style. It's chicken that's marinated in a mixture of Mediterranean spices and a hint of chilli which they serve with regular pita. I love spicy food, and this one became an instant favorite.

Bolognese P230.00

On Jeb's plate is Bolognese, which is classic meat sauce on spaghettini. Though my brother said the pasta I usually cook tasted better, I still say The Café Mediterranean's Bolognese pasta lived up to expectation. I ended up eating his leftover. Haha!

French Fries! P75.00

I think I always order french fries, whenever and wherever I can. Yeah, I realize I do that. ☺

The Café Mediterranean has some interesting Mediterranean-inspired interior.

The place was well lit and the Mediterranean-inspired arrangement was quite cool, I specially liked the colorful flooring. I also fancied eating on the wooden table, reminded me of my grandma's house. The kitchen area though was a bit bare and boring and it's one side of the room so you can't help but look at it. The people were nice and accommodating and that's an important factor I watch out for when considering a restaurant.

My brother Jeb, he doesn't look hungry but believe me, he is! LOL!

The Pinoy Wanderer (that's me!) ready to take on some Mediterranean-inspired food.

     With two lemonade as thirst quenchers (P70.00 each) and a 10% service charge, we paid a total of P1,149.20. It was a nice meal and we went home really full and satisfied.

     Hope you enjoyed this post. If ever you've been to The Café Mediterranean before, let me know your favorite food from this restaurant so we can try them out the next time we're there. Talk to me on the comments' section below!

     Until my next wandering!

What Are Lawyers Here For?

2012-02-16T06:04:00.000+08:00

Time for some laugh!

I was Googling for stuff to lighten up my mood when I stumbled upon these lawyer articles that had me laughing in stitches. Sharing the ones that I found quite unforgettable, read on!

When Grandma Goes To Court

(This one here is my favorite which I shared on my Facebook two years ago).

Lawyers should never ask a Mississippi grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer.

In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know me?' She responded, 'Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you'll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.'

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?'

She again replied, 'Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.'

The defense attorney nearly died.

The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, 'If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair.'

---

The Accident

A very successful lawyer parked his brand-new Lexus in front of his office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. As he got out, a truck passed too close and tore off the door on the driver's side. The lawyer immediately grabbed his cell phone, dialed 911, and within minutes a policeman pulled up.

Before the officer had a chance to ask any questions, the lawyer started screaming hysterically. His Lexus, which he had just picked up the day before, was now completely ruined no matter what the body shop did to it. When the lawyer finally wound down from his ranting and raving, the officer shook his head in disgust and disbelief.

"I can not believe how materialistic you lawyers are," the cop said. "You are so focused on your possessions that you don't notice anything else."

"How can you say such a thing?" asked the lawyer. The cop replied, "Don't you know that your left arm is missing from the elbow down? It must have been torn off when the truck hit you."

"My God!" screamed the lawyer. "My Rolex!"

Copied from here.

---

Something for the Dear Departed

A lawyer, a used car salesman and a banker were gathered by a coffin containing the body of an old friend. In his grief, one of the three said, “In my family, we have a custom of giving the dead some money, so they’ll have something to spend over there.”

They all agreed that this was appropriate. The banker dropped a hundred dollar bill into the casket, and the car salesman did the same. The lawyer took out the bills and wrote a check for $300.

Postal Service Dilemma

The Postal Service just had to recall their latest new stamp issue. Lawyers were part of the design and people couldn't figure out which side to spit on.

Copied from here.

You First

Two lawyers were walking along negotiating a case.

"Look," said one to the other, "let's be honest with each other."

"Okay, you first," replied the other.

That was the end of the discussion.

It's a Lawyer!

A blind rabbit and a blind snake ran into each other on the road one day. The snake reached out, touched the rabbit and said, "you're soft and fuzzy and have floppy ears. You must be a rabbit." The rabbit reached out, touched the snake and said "you're slimy, beady-eyed and low to the ground. You must be a lawyer."

Copied from here.

---

Q: Why do they bury lawyers 27 feet under?

A: Because deep, deep down, they're good people!

Q: How can you tell when a lawyer is lying?

A: Their lips move.

Q. Why won't sharks attack lawyers?

A. Professional courtesy.

Q: What's wrong with Lawyer jokes?

A: Lawyers don't think they're funny, and nobody else thinks they're jokes

Copied from here.

---

There you go folks! Hope you had a good laugh like I did. Thanks for dropping by and until my next wandering!

Chef's Quarter Megamall Branch

2012-02-08T18:23:00.000+08:00

Yo, what's up?

It was a cool evening and I feel like eating my favorite comfort food so MPC (Yvette Yzon) and I scouted for a restaurant where we can get some pasta and pizza. Then we wandered into this familiar place.

The Chef's Quarter Restaurant we visited is located at
Level 3 Mega Atrium at SM Megamall.

Chef's Quarter hopes to deliver an eclectic dining experience with their Mediterranean inspired cuisine fused with regional favorites. I adopted that description from their facebook page which I liked the first time I dined at Chef's Quarter a few years back.

Anyway, I kinda miss their 'panizza' -- thus, that came first on our order...

Panizza with All Meat Toppings of pepperoni, salami, pork and beef bbq and three cheese - P290.00

Panizza is Chef Quarter's thin crust dough coated with cheese sauce and cooked in brick oven. All Meat toppings (our choice of toppings) is made of pepperoni, salami, pork and beef barbeque, and three cheese. You roll the panizza with lettuce, tomato and sprouts. The combination is surprisingly good and refreshing. It's a medley of crunch that screams of cheese and delicious but subtle meat flavors in every bite. It's really good and though it's an appetizer, I make it my main course. An order can serve at least 3 people.

For our pasta, we ordered the one that carried their name: Chef's Quarter Pasta. We also had french fries and fruit shakes.

Chef's Quarter Pasta P220.00

Chef's Quarter Pasta is fettuccine tossed in mild spicy vegetable pangritata with prawn. This is another favorite from CQ -- I enjoy their pasta everytime.

French Fries! P75.00

As thirst quenchers, we ordered Banana Shake P110.00 (for MPC) and
Cantaloupe (or Melon) Shake P110.00 (for me).

For our dessert, we asked for their best sellers. Here's what they came up with:

CQ Surprise P130.00 - white chocolate cheesecake with brulee on top, bedded on crusted Oreo cookie.

Ube Blueberry Cheesecake P130.00.

     Whenever I dine and wanna try something new, I make it a habit to ask for their bestseller to give them the chance to impress me. The desserts were good, but not really outstanding. The ube cheesecake was sweet and creamy but just too heavy for my liking. I like the CQ surprise better. But even that is not that memorable.

     With 12% service charge, we paid a total of P1,192.80. It was a meal well enjoyed. Chef's Quarter's real strength is on their steaks -- which I probably will try some other time.

     Have you dined at Chef's Quarter? Do suggest your favorite dish from this restaurant so I can try it out the next time I visit them. Talk to me on the comments' section below. Hope you enjoyed this post. Until my next wandering!

Orchard Road at SM Megamall - A Taste of Singapore

2012-01-27T02:02:00.000+08:00

Hey guys, what's up?

I was -- ehrr -- more than two hours late and so my companion was really starving when I found her at our meeting place. After some catching up, we decided to wander around the crowded SM Megamall to look for a nice place to dine and saw a familiar place that we haven't tried yet -- Orchard Road.

Orchard Road is located at the 2nd Level Bridgeway of SM Megamall and since its opening last 2010, is known for its wide array of Singaporean inspired dishes which, due to the cultural diversity of Singapore, is actually a fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western cuisines. The restaurant took its name from the famous road that's known as the retail and entertainment hub of Singapore.

We checked their menu and saw some set meals that are good enough to try and so, here's what we ordered:


For my companion, she had Set Meal B (P195.00) which includes rice, fish & tofu in tausi sauce, pork & mushroom siomai, and mango tapioca. We added P15.00 to have an add-on regular sized soda.

For myself, I had Set Meal C (P205.00) which includes Singapore fried rice, satay chicken,
deep-fried spring rolls, and mango tapioca. Paid additional P15.00 for the add-on regular sized soda.

The lady taking my order referred me to this dish when I asked about their best sellers.
Char Kway Teow (P195.00) is flat rice noodles stir fried with prawns, Chinese sausage and sprouts.

For a first timer of Singaporean inspired food, I had fun. The chicken satay was delicious and the peanut sauce that goes with it made it more flavorful. I'm a fan of fried rice so the Singapore fried rice was deeply appreciated. As for my companion, she said the pork and mushroom siomai were delicious and the fish & tofu were good enough. Their Char Kway Teow was something new to my taste -- the stir fried rice noodles and vegetable combined with prawns and Chinese sausage was interesting and it was, in my opinion, very flavorful and satisfying. As for the dessert, mango tapioca reminded me of my mom's ginataan. I like ginataan, so I liked mango tapioca.

A glimpse on the interior of Orchard Road, the side where we were seated.

     The place was comfortably big enough to accommodate throngs of diners even during busy hours. It was well decorated and (according to my companion) except for the colored glass dividers on the far side, the overall interior was well thought of and tastefully done.

     Spending a total of P625.00, it was a tasty and satisfying dinner that I truly enjoyed. I'll probably come back to sample some more of their food, there's still a long list to go. Orchard Road, definitely, is one place where everyone can have a good time and get real value for their money.

     Have you been to this restaurant before? What can you recommend I try the next time I visit Orchard Road? Let me know on the comments' section below.

     See you on my next wandering!

For more info, visit Orchard Road's official website.

Fried Rice With A Twist - A Recipe

2012-01-22T16:23:00.000+08:00

Fried rice is a classic Chinese comfort food which is also a very popular Filipino household dish. Fried rice is normally prepared from leftover steamed rice and many other ingredients (some may be are leftovers too) that are stir-fried in a wok. Through the years, variety of other ingredients have been added to this cuisine to suit culture, necessity and even our mood.

Here's one fried rice recipe that's worth a try which I found from one of the free recipe booklets that came with my mother's grocery. Well, I tried and you can see the result. Mmm!

Fried Rice recipe with a twist!

For the achuete oil:
2 tbsp achuete seeds
5 tbsp cooking oil

For sautéing¹:
4 tbsp achuete oil (prepared earlier)
1 tbsp garlic, minced
2 tbsp carrots, finely chopped
1/2 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can corned beef (I suggest Purefoods corned beef, they have that distinct taste and texture that's so good)
1/2 tsp sugar
1 can Hunt's Pork & Beans (you may want to drain the excess sauce if you prefer)
4 cups cooked riced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions:

For the achuete oil, heat oil in a pan then add achuete seeds. Turn off the heat and steep² for 15 minutes. After quarter of an hour, strain and set aside.

Using the prepared achuete oil, sauté garlic, carrots, whole kernel corn and corned beef.

Add sugar and pork & beans, cook for 2 minutes.

Add rice. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

This recipe makes 4 to 5 servings.

NOTE: I stained my braces with this recipe. The pink rubber turned almost red -- so be careful with using too much achuete seeds. Brush your teeth right after eating too, haha!

Until my next wandering!

Cooking terms clarified:

¹ Sautéing is a method of cooking food that uses a small amount of fat in a shallow pan over relatively high heat. Ingredients are usually cut into pieces or thinly sliced to facilitate fast cooking. Food that is sautéed is browned while preserving its texture, moisture and flavor. (From Wikipedia)

² To steep is to allow dry ingredients, such as coffee, tea, or spices, to soak in a liquid until the liquid takes on the flavor (or even the color) of the dry ingredient. (From About.com)

California Pizza Kitchen

2012-01-10T18:00:00.000+08:00

I'm not sure if you've noticed but I'm quite fond of places that serves pasta, pizza and anything with tomatoes. I swear I can live on pizza all the days of my life, hah! Anyway, here's another place to visit if you're looking for quality customer service and food that promises authentic Californian kick to it.

California Pizza Kitchen or CPK boasts of its authentic California-style cuisines.

The CPK branch we visited is located at the second level of Shangri-la Mall in Edsa, Mandaluyong City. The place was kinda small but the atmosphere was surprisingly warm and people are extremely accommodating. We're not that hungry, but wanted to get full. Taking that in consideration, here's what we ordered:

Pepperoni Supremo Pizza P395 - Italian Pomodoro sauce with pepperoni,
fresh Mozzarella and Parmesan, topped with fresh herbs.

Kung Pao Spaghetti (with add-on Chicken) P435.00 - classic Kung Pao sauce
with garlic, green onions, peanuts and hot red chilies.

Their Kung Pao pasta strongly reminded me of Yellow Cab's Charlie Chan and though it's delicious (I love the fact that it's got chillies), I still prefer Charlie Chan, haha. The pizza was great, I enjoyed it.

There's a bar inside CPK if you want to get some drinks.

With my Raspberry iced tea (P105.00) and my companion's green mango shake (P175.00), and roughly around 9% service charge -- we spent a total of P1,209.11.

When I checked their menu, I saw some really interesting dishes I can't wait to try!

CPK is one place I will definitely visit again. It's one of the most respected and recognized casual dining restos in the country, and with their good food and friendly ambiance, they certainly can make your dining experience both pleasant and satisfying.

Have you dined at CPK before? Tell me about your experience on the comments' section below. Thanks for reading and until my next wandering!

*For more info, visit their website at: http://www.cpk.com.ph/

A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante

2012-01-05T18:00:00.000+08:00

     For some of us, 2011 came as a blur and just when we're getting used to things, another year has yet again came to pass. Indeed, time does fly so fast! As such, let's make every moment count by spending quality time with the people we love. And what other awesome way to spend time with them but over a table of delicious and sumptuous food?

     Hey folks, The Pinoy Wanderer is back! And before the year finally came to a close, I had the chance to dine with some of my friends and while we talk about things, events and interests, we sampled some of A Veneto's Italian cuisines. Yep, I'm back to talk about food -- again, haha!

     The A Veneto branch we visited is located at G/F SM Mall of Asia and because it's the holiday season, we waited for a while before the three of us were seated. It was around 9pm when we were ushered inside and since we were starving, we ordered something heavy. Go check what we had:

A Veneto Family Platter P300.00 - a combination of their chicken wings
with crabsticks, cheddar munchers and French fries.

New England's Best (Small) P270.00 - with ham, mushroom, green bell pepper, mozzarella cheese.

Carbonara Pasta with Chicken P315.00

     A Veneto is a casual Italian restaurant and it was my first time to visit them. The place seem ideal for group dining because their servings are huge! An order of their pasta is good to feed 2 to 3 hungry mouths. Their hot wings were tasty, their pizza good enough and the pasta made me overwhelmingly full. Talk about carbo-loading, hah! Though the crabsticks tasted like rubber (dipping it in the sauce made it taste like the sauce) and the condiments are limited, I totally enjoyed my meal. Their food is totally worth your money. Furthermore, it was fun listening to my friends' stories as they recount some events that included graphic story-telling and whatnot -- all in all, I had a great time.

     With my refillable rootbeer and 2 non-refillable iced tea, we paid a total of P1,118.25. They have 5% service charge but since it's the holiday, we still gave some tip. I might come back again to A Veneto to sample more of their dishes. I'm raring to try out their pesto with grilled chicken, I heard it's really good.

     Anyway, if you've been to A Veneto, tell me about your dining experience on the comments' section below. What can you recommend I order the next time I visit the place?

     Until my next wandering everybody!

10 Benefits of Drinking Tea

2011-12-28T04:52:00.000+08:00

I've become an avid tea drinker since I realized there's more to tea than its relaxing aroma and that mild flavor that I've gotten used to. A cup of tea holds more health benefits than you can imagine. And since some of us are looking for ways to lead a healthier life, here are few of the reasons why tea should become part of our habit.

TEA HAS ANTIOXIDANTS Tea has antioxidants which help boost our circulatory system letting blood flow properly to all our organs so they can function at its best. Antioxidants also slow down the aging process, and it help cells to repair and regenerate. Many studies suggest antioxidants also assist our bodies in preventing cancer.

TEA REDUCES RISK OF HEART ATTACK AND STROKE One of the causes of stroke is when blood clots in the arteries. Tea may reduce one's risk of stroke because drinking tea helps keep arteries smooth and clog-free.

TEA FIGHTS CHOLESTEROL Green tea have been proven to fight obesity and lower LDL 'bad' cholesterol -- the two known risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. A study in Netherlands showed that people who drank green tea lost weight and those who who took the caffeinated version lost even more. Tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols that help lower cholesterol levels.

TEA DETOXIFIES AND INCREASES IMMUNE SYSTEM Bacteria produces toxins that are harmful to our health and that may cause different diseases. Green tea catechins, antioxidants from green tea, have shown to possess antibiotic properties due to their role in disrupting a specific stage of the bacterial DNA replication process. Tea was also found out that it may help our body's immune system fight off infection and drinking tea effectively flushes out unwanted waste from the body, including toxins.

TEA HAS ANTIDEPRESSANT PROPERTIES Theanine, a free amino acid found in tea plants, promotes a stress-free well being . Drinking tea revives us, giving our body and mind a gentle lift so we can focus on the task at hand. Wikipedia further says that according to a study by researchers at University College London, drinking black tea can lead to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after a stressful event. Fifty minutes after being subjected to challenging tasks, subjects who had been drinking 4 cups of black tea daily for 6 weeks, had a 20% greater drop in cortisol than the placebo group.

TEA INCREASES METABOLISM Wikipedia says that clinical trials conducted by the University of Geneva and the University of Birmingham indicate that green tea raises metabolic rates, speeds up fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.In addition to caffeine, green tea contains catechin phenolics that raise thermogenesis (the production of heat by the body), and hence increases energy expenditure. There is also a suggestion that it can increase endurance in exercise by improving fat metabolism. In English, the higher your metabolic rate, the faster you burn fat, so you lose weight by just drinking tea. 5 cups of green tea a day should do it.

TEA FIGHTS DIABETES Studies show that tea can be an effective tool against diabetes because it dramatically boosts insulin activity in the body.

TEA IS CALORIE-FREE Unless you add milk and sugar, tea by itself is zero fat, zero sugar and zero guilt. Substituting tea to your usual calorie-full drink means taking at least 250 less calorie each day -- and that alone can result in losing a pound each week. Tea has nothing but good stuff in it.

TEA BOOSTS MENTAL ALERTNESS Theanine in tea increases our mental performance. Tea's astringency wakes up the nerves in our mouth, sending signals to our brain to alert our mind. So we can look forward to any task every day with an added boost to our alertness, our memory and our learning ability.

TEA GIVES YOU A SWEET SMILE Tea contains fluoride and tannins that are capable of killing and suppressing growth and acid production of cavity causing bacteria in our mouths. Have your unsweetened tea everyday on top of your brushing and flossing for a healthy and sparkling pearly whites.

Health is wealth everybody! Let's have at least five cups of tea everyday for a healthier and better US. Thank you guys for reading and if you have any thoughts about this post, let me know on the comments' section below. Until my next wandering!

NOTE: This article only deals with the effects of tea made from the plant Camellia sinensis (i.e. black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea).

*Information were collated from Wikipedia, iVillage.com and EatDrinkBetter.com.

Christmas in Manila!

2011-12-15T13:01:00.002+08:00

Hey guys! A few more days and it's already Christmas! As we look around, the world is undeniably bursting with the holiday spirit. Malls are packed with shoppers and people are scurrying about happily talking about parties, gifts and other Christmas stuff. Though this season isn't supposed to be superficial, we can't help but channel that Christmassy feeling through our gifts, delicious food, new clothes, new gadgets, cheerful outlook, forgiving feeling and the most visible of them all -- Christmas decors.

The Sky Garden at SM North Edsa. Happy Holidays everybody!

Homes and cities around the world are now sparkling with lights and the colorful Christmas decorations are giving exceptional cheerfulness and happy feeling into the air. Cliche, but definitely true, right? And so, here are some of the Christmas sights I've captured with my camera as The Pinoy Wanderer explores the city of Manila.

At Trinoma Garden. Took this picture while we were on our way to Conti's.

Still at Trinoma Garden. Bursting in red, these Poin... err, *googles spelling* ...Poinsettias
adorn the steps leading to Starbucks.

Saw these while we were boarding our cab. These posts outside Trinoma Mall
outlined with thousands of miniature lights looked fascinating

Huge colorful decors from the ceiling of Shangri-La Mall.

The Christmas Village inside Shangri-La Mall Plaza

The Mega Mall entrance. Look at all the lights!

There's a Christmas Train at the center leading to the entrance of Mega Mall.

Santa's sleigh inside Atrium at SM Mega Mall.

Saw these at the UP Diliman parking area. I'm sure they look pretty awesome at night

SM Mall of Asia looks awesome at night!

All across SM Malls, I noticed the theme revolved around lights.

We all enjoy the festivities brought about by the season, but hopefully we don't forget the true meaning of Christmas. Beyond what is perceived by the eye, more than the sparkling lights and the holiday cheers, is the true gift that was given to us by Jesus. He came here to be with us, to save us and to tell us the truth. In our own journeys, may we know in our hearts what Christmas is really about.

Nope, I'm not on sale but those Christmas trees are, haha!

So, have I been naughty or nice this year? Mmm, what do you think? Haha! That's all for now folks! If you have anything to say, do let me know on the comments' section below. Until my next wandering, see ya!

Benefits of Internet Marketing

2011-12-07T07:59:00.001+08:00

      Over the years, people have become fully comfortable with the Internet and businesses have been quick to use this to their advantage. Internet marketing, as one aspect of business, have utilized this trend so that companies and organizations, whether big or small, can reach its full potential.

     Internet Marketing (also known as web marketing, online marketing, or e-marketing) is defined by Wikipedia as the promotion of products or services over the Internet. Let's face it, most people stay online -- and what's the best place to promote products but someplace where people hang out all the time, right?

In my opinion, here are the top three advantages of Internet Marketing:

Worldwide Reach - Billboards are restricted by location and can only influence those who are paying attention to them. Consumers will hang up or put off a telemarketer as soon as they sound like they're selling something. TV and radio ads, while they do reach a wide market, are expensive, limited and still can't compare to pop-up banner ads or links on a webpage. With Internet marketing, your business can be viewed by people from anywhere in the the world. No geographic boundaries. As long as there's Internet, there is a potential client.

Inexpensive - Not only is Internet marketing fast and effective, it's also affordable. Of course, it can also be costly if you want your banner ad or link be displayed in an extremely popular website. But with the traffic that that site is getting, and compared to other forms of promotion, it is still far more affordable and definitely cost effective. And the truth is, the Internet is the biggest ad space and there will always be a room for just about any size of business for promoting their products and services.

Reach Target Audience - Sending emails which contain information about your product or services means that you will reach thousands of costumers at once. Your website is another venue where your targeted audience can learn more about what your offer. Furthermore, people who search specifically for the product that you have will be directed by search engines to your website. And since the Internet does not sleep (provided that you have an excellent server), your website is -- meaning your business -- is open all hours of the day.

     Internet marketing has also its limitations, but the benefits it can bring to a business is far greater than the risks. Besides, taking risks is all part of the ball game. A great marketing strategy, paired with great products or services is a tested formula for a successful business endeavor.

      Thank you for reading folks and until my next wandering!

     By the way, I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated for this post. However, the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Add ME on Facebook!

2011-12-06T09:34:00.001+08:00

Hey guys, what's up?

It's been a busy weekend for The Pinoy Wanderer and I'm still trying to get my thoughts organized before I publish another post. For the meantime, though it's absolutely not important, I'd like to let you know that I've made a new Facebook account specially reserved for new friends that I will meet through the Internet. So, if you have Facebook and you would like us to be FRIENDS, don't hesitate to add me.

My FACEBOOK ACCOUNT. Add me up!

You can do it several ways:

Search for my account using my name: Mikhail Lotino Montalban

Search for my account using my email: mynameismyke@yahoo.com

Or go click this LINK and add me.

Easy, right?

While you're at it and if it isn't too much to ask, do like my blog's Facebook page too. I promise not to spam your timeline, will just be posting updates from my two blogs so my posts can get to you the soonest. Here's the LINK for my blog's Facebook page.

My GOOGLE+ ACCOUNT. Add me up!

Hey, I also have a GOOGLE+ account by the way. Though I rarely use it, we can also connect through this social networking site. Here's the LINK.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Ricky Lee and Amapola, the Book Launch

2011-11-29T00:18:00.001+08:00

After three years of hard work and occasionally waking up at 3AM, Ricky Lee's second novel was officially launched last Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the Skydome in SM North Edsa. I'm grateful to be amidst the crowd who loudly applauded for Mr. Lee and warmly welcomed his new book.

Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata, Ricky Lee's second novel

Hey guys! The Pinoy Wanderer is back for the conclusion of my post about Ricky Lee and his new brainchild, 'Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata.' It was my first time to attend a book launch, and I was greatly surprised by how it was never boring and instead really entertaining. Read on to find out what transpired during the book launch.

The invite said the book launch will start at 3PM, but I heard that people were let in at around half past 3. I was finding my way in the area when I saw Elvert de la Cruz Bañares sipping his brewed coffee at Figaro. Direk Elvert, as I fondly call him, is a good friend I've met through Ms. Neriz Cruz Gabelo. Madam Neriz arrived with some of her friends approximately 9.99 minutes later. Yep, I timed it carefully coz from what I heard from Direk Elvert, she usually arrives 2 hours AFTER the event she's supposed to attend. Hah! Unknowingly, I'm part of their entourage which Ms. Neriz Cruz Gabelo had put up. With these people, I know I'm in good company.

Since we were late, we were seated at the back. Lucky for me who only have a low-powered camera -- well, we'll just have to make use of the low reso pics that you'll see on this post. *Sigh*

We were seated wayyy back of the amphitheater.

The event opened up with a tribute video coming from Nora Aunor, Piolo Pascual, and other personalities from the business. Not gonna say much, I'll let the picture do most of the story telling for you.

The program commenced at 5pm with the tribute video followed by a cosplay of the book's characters.

After the cosplay, two of the country's topnotch comedians, Ai-ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo were introduced as hosts. Throughout the program, the hosts' exchange of lines whether on-script or impromptu generated non-stop laughter from the audience.

Hosts Ai-ai de las Alas and Eugene Domingo, the duo was a riot!

Ricky Lee introduces the book: Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata.

Paulo Avelino was first to read an excerpt from the book. The audience went wild!

Mart Escudero from the movie Zombadings came up next.

Cherry Pie Picache, one of the country's most versatile actresses, also read some lines.

Acclaimed TV and film director Joel Lamangan was there too!

Dulce performed a very soulful rendition of 'Inang Laya, Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.'

Jon Santos as Oprah brought down the house! The minute she walked on stage the crowd just
can't stop laughing. Jon Santos is awesome, definitely class A performer.

Ely Buendia and his band Pupil performed two songs to the crowd's delight.

Joem Bascon was also there to read excerpts from Amapola.

Martin del Rosario came up next.

Ryan Agoncillo and JudyAnne Santos were also present. Mrs. Agoncillo looked absolutely gorgeous.

Charo Santos-Concio, president of ABS-CBN, was the last to read before Ricky Lee went back
on stage for his short speech and to formally conclude the program. Book signing started after.

The event was attended by celebrities, personalities and by common people like me. National Artist Bien Lumbera was even in the crowd. Those who attended the book launch, whatever sector of society they come from, have one thing in common: they love and respect Ricky Lee.

The Pinoy Wanderer (that's me), Ms. Neriz Cruz Gabelo and Direk Elvert de la Cruz Bañares
while waiting in line for the book signing.

After our dinner at Conti's, madam Neriz' entourage decided to hang-out at Starbucks in Trinoma Garden.
(L-R): Jeyps Quizon Herrera, Direk Elvert de la Cruz Bañares, Madam Neriz Gabelo, Richard Jaravata and myself.

Three Things:

My first book launch was fun, and now I'm a Ricky Lee fan. Did I just rhyme? Lol, nevermind!

It's great to be in the company of people who can talk about anything -- educational or otherwise. Well, later on that night, Madam and I were learning a lot from the three, so yeah, very educational indeed!

I need to have my own DSLR camera with really powerful lens. Else, I'll be stucked with blurry pictures.

If you were there on the book launch or you've read any of Ricky Lee's books, do drop a piece of your mind on the comments' section below. Until my next wandering folks! Thanks for dropping by.

Ricky Lee and Amapola

2011-11-23T03:52:00.001+08:00

Ricky Lee's second novel Si Amapola Sa 65 na Kabanata is officially launched yesterday, November 27, 2011, at the Skydome, SM North Edsa -- and I was there!

Ricky Lee, his pen is an extension of his brilliant mind.

Who is Ricky Lee?

   Ricky Lee is one of the Philippines' premier and most prized scriptwriters. He has written more than 160 film scripts which earned him countless awards locally and abroad. Most of his films have been shown in Cannes, Toronto Film Festival, Berlin Festival and other foreign film festivals. He has worked with the biggest names in the film industry to produce timeless masterpieces like Anak, Madrasta, and the classic film Himala which was voted as Best Film of all Time for CNN's Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

     Behind his outstanding achievements is a humble beginning. Ricardo 'Ricky' Lee, also a fictionist, a journalist and a playwright, is a fellow bicolano who was born and raised in Daet, Camarines Norte. His rich life story is perhaps what fed his creative mind to pen the most fantastic, heart warming stories that many intellectuals have enjoyed and perhaps will be enjoyed by the next generations to come.

Ricky Lee on the hot seat of The Bottomline with Boy Abunda, November 26, 2011.

     In his The Bottom line with Boy Abunda interview aired the night before the book launch, Ricky said aspiring writers shouldn't try to become anyone but be his or her own self. Learn from the expert, take note of their style, but in the end, they should write their own thoughts and stories, and it's their voices that will be heard in their work. As Ricky Lee always say, our life experiences and our sensibility will teach us how to write.

     According to a PhilStar report, Lee has published a total of 8 books. His first novel, 'Para Kay B (Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin),' has sold 30,000 copies in two years. 'Trip to Quiapo,' a scriptwriting manual, now serves as textbook for MassCom courses in the country. 'Si Tatang at ang mga Himala ng ating Panahon', his classic collection of articles and short stories, has become part of Filipino Literature studies. The pages of my blog is not enough to enumerate the milestones that this man has contributed to Philippine literature and to the arts. To your contentment, you can check out WikiPilipinas for an expanded list of his creative works.

Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata

     His second novel originally titled Aswang is a political satire set in the popular hang out T. Morato in Quezon City. The story revolves around Amapola, a gay impersonator, who becomes a manananggal and through a prophecy, was informed that he's destined to save the Philippines. You need to buy his book and find out how Amapola was torn between saving the country and his love for Homer, a (real) man whom he loves and loves him back. ☺

The Book Launch
     The Skydome was packed full of personalities and ordinary people who would like to show support for Ricky Lee. My friend Neriz Cruz Gabelo, also a book author and a seasoned writer in her own rights, was nice enough to invite me to the event.

Ms. Neriz Cruz Gabelo, Ricky Lee and myself as Mr. Lee signs a copy of our book...

Just so you know, I never thought that a book launch could be that fun. I was definitely entertained. Details of the event will be posted on the conclusion of this post. Until my next wandering!

*Opening photo was taken from here.
*Information about Ricky Lee were taken from Wikipedia.
*Additional information were taken from PhilStar.

ECommerce Solutions: The Business Solution

2011-11-16T04:56:00.001+08:00

ECommerce Defined

     Electronic Commerce or ECommerce is the buying and selling of products and services through the Internet or by any electronic means. When we order pizza online, buy the newest phone (before they even come out) from the manufacturer's website, or apply for a job vacancy over the Internet, that's ECommerce. Yep, we're active participants of this concept that has re-shaped the way people live and do business.

     Small and big business throughout the world has made ECommerce Solutions a part of their business plan because simply put, it is just the better way to do business. Having an online portal where you display your products/services so potential customers can check and buy them anytime within the day is already an advantage against those who don't employ this technology.

Why does having an online website for your business any good?

With ECommerce, your business has no geographic limitations. Anyone in the world is a potential customer. I personally know someone who sells clothes and stuff to her clients overseas thru her online store. Awesome, right?

It is an extension of your physical company set-up, and what's better is, it's open 24/7.

Transactions are done electronically (credit card, debit card, etc), thus easier!

Low operational cost, and there are companies who specialize in Ecommerce solutions, give them a shot. They will do the task for you.

It's easy to start, easy to maintain, and just make sure that you maintain the quality of your products and services because once testimonials from satisfied customers pour in, there's nowhere for your business to go but UP.

     And for buyers and clients, Ecommerce is an excellent alternative for shopping because finding, choosing, comparing, and buying products is easy. You can find anything you want while inside your office or at home, anytime of the day. You don't need to go from store to store just to get what you need.

     Indeed, the Internet has definitely changed the way people do business, and it's in a good and more satisfying way. We now have more time to enjoy the things or people that matters while increasing our productivity a hundredfold. ECommerce, whether we like it or not, has taken over our lives a long time ago. It's up to us to learn to adopt and make the most out of it.

     By the way, I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated for this post. However, the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

      Until my next wandering!

Pacquiao-Marquez III

2011-11-13T13:01:00.001+08:00

     On the third face off between the Filipino boxing icon Manny 'Pacman' Pacquaio and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, the fighter from the Philippines emerged victorious via majority decision.

Photo courtesy of Chris Farina (Top Rank) from Manny Pacquaio's facebook page

      The fight held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 12, 2011 lasted 12 rounds and was a tight match between the two opposing warriors. It can be remembered that the first meeting between these two amazing boxers ended up in a draw in 2004. Their second bout in 2008 was just as intense as the first though Pacman was the victor via split decision only because he was able to overpower Marquez on the third round. The third and final face off held a promise from both boxers to settle all doubts on who is the better fighter.

Tale of the tape, screenshot from their fight

Photo taken from here.

     Early on in the match, Pacquiao fans are getting worried because Marquez is proving how he's a tough opponent to beat. On the 9th round, Pacquiao is bleeding because of a split lip and the Pinoy fighter still has not found his rhythm in the fight. Fans are speculating that the only way for Pacman to win the match was to knockout Marquez. This was indeed a really close fight and fans throughout the world have mixed opinions on who is the real winner.

     Here are the statistics from the match to help the fans understand why Pacquiao won:

Pacquaio apparently threw (142) more punches than Marquez and also managed
to land 176 on Marquez compared to Marquez' 138. That's 42 more punches coming
from Pacquaio and hitting Marquez fair and square.

More POWER punches came from Pacquaio as well.

And here's where all the punches landed with Marquez getting
all the left and right hook on the face.

     Here are the judges and their scores: Robert Hoyle 114-114, Dave Moretti 115-113, and Glenn Trowbridge 116-112, in favor of Pacquaio. All judges are from Nevada. With this win, Manny Pacquaio retains his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

     On the Post-Fight PressCon that followed, Bob Arum (Pacquaio's promoter) brought up the possibility of a fourth fight.

Screen capture from Manny Pacquaio's facebook page.

     Congratulations Manny! No matter what, the Filipinos are proud of you.

Related articles for additional reading:

Round-by-round details from ABS-CBN

Maria Aragon sings Philippines National Anthem for Pacquiao-Marquez third bout

Pacquiao salvages majority decision vs Marquez

Buko Lychee Salad

2011-11-10T20:31:00.000+08:00

     For many of us, the up and coming Christmas season is one of the busiest and happiest of holidays. It's a time for many things, among others, it's a time for delicious and yummy food and desserts!

     Hey folks, The Pinoy Wanderer is back to share one of the recipes I learned from our neighbor and probably an economical addition to the Noche Buena this Christmas Eve.

My version of Buko-Lychee Salad, got this recipe from the neighbor.
This dessert gives you more chance to enjoy the refreshing taste of buko
with the subtle but enjoyable taste of lychee.

      Read on to find out how to prepare this simple yet delectable dessert...

Ingredients

1 box 250 ml Alaska All-Purpose Cream*

1 can 300 ml Alaska Condensada*

3/4 kilos shredded buko meat

1/2 kilo fresh and deboned lychee or 2 cans 500 g. whole lychee

Ingredients for the Buko-Lychee Salad

**If you wanna use fresh lychee, be prepared to get busy removing the skin and the bone. And if lychee is not in season, longan is a good alternative.
*Attention Alaska, free advertising for you guys, LOL!

Instructions

Whip the condensed milk and all-purpose cream. If you're too lazy to use the blender, just mix them in the bowl, no big deal. ☺

Combine all the ingredients and chill.

When serving, you can opt to top it with grated cheese for added flavor.

Simple and easy, hope you guys enjoyed this dessert. See you on my next wandering!

Pork and Mushroom in Sour Cream Pasta

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000+08:00

     I discovered this recipe many many years back when my mom and I are finding a new way to cook our pasta for Christmas. I did a few adjustments to the ingredients and it turned out quite well. On my birthday month, I'd like to share with you this rich and creamy pasta recipe with a subtle kick of pineapple.

Pork and Mushroom in Sour Cream Pasta: my version of pasta carbonara

      Here's how to prepare this yummy pasta recipe...

Ingredients

1/2 kilo San Remo Fettuccine

1/2 kilo lean ground pork

1 big can pieces and stems mushroom, drained

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

oil for sautéing

For the sauce

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1 & 1/4 cups evaporated milk mixed with 3/4 cups water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1 cup Del Monte unsweetened pineapple juice

2/3 tsp. iodized salt (or 2 tsp. iodized rock salt)

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 each, red and green bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup grated cheese (or as much as you want)

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package instruction. (We usually drop in a bouillon cube so the pasta can have a flavor on its own. For this recipe, drop in a chicken bouillon cube if you want but do away with the salt if the pasta package instruction calls for it).

Sauté pork until brown then add the mushrooms. Season with soy sauce and pepper. Drain excess oil and set aside.

Melt butter in a pan. Add flour and mix thoroughly until mixture is consistent. Remove from heat then gradually add the milk mixture while stirring constantly.

Drop in the two chicken cubes and simmer over low heat until sauce thickens. Add the pineapple juice, cooked meat and mushrooms, bell peppers and season with salt and pepper.

Add the cooked pasta and blend thoroughly. Top with grated cheese and enjoy!

What's Your Scent?

2011-11-04T00:08:00.000+08:00

     Our choice of scent should be a reflection of our personality. That's why we gotta know ourselves first before investing in a brand that becomes our smell every time we present ourselves to the world.

How well do you know yourself?

     Hey guys! The Pinoy Wanderer is back for the conclusion of the post Cologne or Perfume? which I posted a few days ago. I will be sharing with you some of the tips I found on the Internet on how to choose the perfume that's right for us and how to properly apply them. Also included in this post are some of the perfumes (or colognes) that I'm recently using as well as the favorites I've had in the past.

How To Choose Our Perfume

First rule: Know what you like.

     Ever heard of olfactory memory? This refers to our ability to recall smells (tons of them) that are stored in our memory since the day we were born. Throughout time, we associate smells with the events in our lives. So when we like a certain perfume scent, that's probably because our brain recalls a certain olfactory memory associated with that smell such as a triumphant moment, the company of people we like, or probably the smell of someone we miss.

     Taking this in consideration, check out the previous perfumes you've owned and although they are of different brands, you might notice some similarity like they belong to the same classification (citrus, woody, etc) or they are a combination of the fragrance classifications of the ones you already have. Therefore, choosing your next buy will be easy: sample the ones coming from the same perfume classification because it is what you like, fasho.

Second rule: Smell the perfume from your own skin.

     Do not just smell the perfume from the bottle or on the test strip nor check how it smells on someone else because perfume reacts differently on different individuals. Dab it on your wrist, but do not rub it as it may destroy the molecules of the notes. A person's body chemistry and body temperature reacts to a given scent, and the result varies from person to person. So, apply it on yourself, and using the knowledge from my previous post, wait awhile for all the notes (top, middle, base notes) to appear and see whether you like the scent and then decide. This goes without saying that probably you need an entire day to decide whether you like the prospect or not.

Third rule: Do not overdose your nose.

     Our nose might not be able to smell properly if overwhelmed with perfume scents (also referred to as olfactory fatigue). So it's advisable to try just approximately three scents at a time and inhale coffee beans in between each sampling to restore your olfactory sensitivity.   But if there aren't any coffee beans, take a deep breath through your nose and smell your hanky, shirt or anything that's not scented. And if it can be helped, don't rush your decision -- after-all buying a perfume is a really serious business. Walk around, go to work and come back later when you've finally decided you like the smell.

Aside from the rules I've mentioned above, other considerations include:

Budget - how much are you willing to spend? You can ask the sales personnel to provide you with samples that's within your budget range.

Time - what time of the day are you gonna wear it? There are perfumes designed to be worn during the day (lighter scents), for evenings (more intense scents) or just for all day fun.

Personality - don't buy a perfume that's very sporty if you aren't that kind of person. And don't buy perfumes that smells like your dad if you're not even half his age. As I've mentioned earlier, our scent should mirror our personality. And, it should enhance but not overpower who we are.

How to Wear it Right**

Choose the perfume you'll use depending on the occasion.

A cocktail party, a meeting with one or two people, a day at the office, a corporate event, these occasions demand a little sophistication. So go with a subtle scent that does not jerk an unsuspecting nostril out of its peaceful reverie.

If you want to make a splash at a wedding, a party or on a night of clubbing, go in for something stronger, but nothing too loud, unless a 'loud' image is what you really want to project!

We all want to be accepted and your choice of perfume should complement what you stand for.

Don't splash the perfume all over your clothes. Apply it behind your earlobes, the upper sides of your palms and on the right and left side of your neck. Those are your pulse points and the fragrance will sustain for a longer period. Besides, this way you won't soil your clothes.

Do not rub your wrists together after spraying on perfume because this reduces the effect of the top layer of perfume.

Another subtle way to apply perfume is to spray it into the air and walk through it. Now, you are soaking in your favorite scent!

Keep the spray away from your nostrils, else you might inhale the chemicals. This could lead to breathing trouble.

How much should you apply? One round of application to all the pulse points will do. Unless you perspire a lot, in which case, you could go in for round two.

Many people love to spray perfume everywhere, including their hair, handbag, cushions and sheets. Well, go ahead and indulge yourself. But when it comes to spraying it on to your silk or tie, restrain yourself, else you will end up ruining your best garment!

My Favorite (and Current) Perfumes

     Here are my favorite perfumes that I'm currently using now with a short description I took from the web. I am not a perfumer so I will rely on the professional's descriptions. Bottom line is, I use them because I like them.

Still unused, lol!

Eternity for Men Aqua by CK - this is an update of Calvin Klein's Eternity for Men, which celebrated twenty last year. The fragrance has blue juice and is described as modern aquatic-woody. The fragrance consists of top notes of chilled cucumber, citrus cocktail, water lotus and watery green leaves. The heart notes are plum, pepper, red berries, lavender and white cedar. Base notes is a mixture of sandalwood, guaiac wood, patchouli, and musk.

Halfway gone :-P

CK Free - top notes include absinthe, jackfruit, thailand staranise, juniper berry. The heart is a blend of buchu, suede, coffee absolute, and tobacco leaves. The base is composed of Costa Rican ironwood, oakwood, patchouli, and Texan cedarwood. Fragrance category is woody and has an energetic, confident feel.

Bvlgari Pour Homme and
Pour Homme Extreme

Bvlgari Pour Homme - Top notes include lavender, tea, nutmeg, bergamot. The heart notes is a blend of cyclamen, iris, coriander, pepper, rosewood and drydown is a mix of tonka bean, amber, musk, vetiver and cedar. Fragrance category is woody and has an elegant, masculine and modern feel.

Bvlgari Pour Homme Extreme - A fresh and vibrant interpretation of Bvlgari Pour Homme. Destined for men who are looking for a contemporary classic fragrance with character and sparkle. Top note consists of darjeeling tea, ifescent. Heart note is Papyrus wood and base note is amber musk.

A few drops left :'-(

Black by Kenneth Cole - Black is masculine and modern, as timeless as the color itself. An energetic mix of mint, lotus flower, exotic woods and sensuous musk that is metropolitan and masculine.

25% left :-(

Nautica Voyage - the scent opens with cool green leaf and fresh cut apple. The heart blends drenched mimosa, water lotus, and deep aquatic elements with the ‘sailcloth accord’. The woody drydown is a mix of moss, cedarwood, musk, and amber.

And a new favorite which is a birthday gift from my bestfriend tokzzz:

Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani - A resolutely masculine fragrance born from the sea, the sun, the earth, and the breeze of a Mediterranean island. Transparent aromatic and woody in nature Aqua Di Gio Pour Homme is a contemporary expression of masculinity in an aura of marine notes fruits herbs and woods. Notes include Marine Notes Mandarin Bergamot Neroli Persimmon Rosemary Nasturtium Jasmine Amber Patchouli Cistus.

My Acqua Di Gio will arrive in December, it left Italy the other day and now probably cruising the Mediterranean.

Some of the perfumes I've enjoyed in the past are: Clinique Happy, Tommy Hilfiger and Echo by Davidoff. I also kinda liked Lacoste red until I discovered 11:55 from Oxygen which smelled strongly so much like it. After I finished the Lacoste red bottle, I instead bought 11:55 -- so much cheaper and just as fun. LOL! I still have a small CK Be and haven't used it as often. And Salvatore Ferragamo, a gift from an ex girlfriend, made me smell sooo mature. If you're gonna use it, one spray is good for two days.

Perfumes I've used in the past. Bvlgari is truly an old favorite...

     If you plan to give me perfume as a gift, you'll notice that most of the ones I had are fragrances classified under woody, oceanic or citrus. Anyway, this is just wishful thinking, I seldom get gifts, even on my birthdays or Christmas. *sigh*

     Oh, and one other thing, when buying your perfume, don't just buy because they're popular. Make sure it suits your age too. You can't be 50 and still smell like a little young girl finding sweetly her way thru high school giggling. LOL!

     How about you, what's your favorite perfume? Tell me on the comments' section below, I'd be glad to know about them. Until my next wandering, see ya on my next post!

CREDITS:
*Some information were taken from Fragrantica and HowStuffWorks.
**How To Wear It Right tips taken verbatim (with a little modification) from rediff.com.

Cologne or Perfume?

2011-11-01T17:28:00.000+08:00

     I used to have this idea that colognes are for men, and that perfumes are, well, for women. Until I did a bit of research and realized that this is not exactly accurate. Somehow true but not that accurate.

One of the perfumes I'm using at the moment...

Perfumes: A Background

     According to Wikipedia, the word perfume is from the Latin per fumus meaning "through smoke." Perfumery or the art of making perfumes began in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt -- and was further refined by the Romans and Persians. Upon further reading, I found out that it was the French who developed this art into becoming an industry which remained steadfast until today. Wiki further says that between the 16th and 17th century, perfumes were used primarily by the wealthy to mask body odors resulting from infrequent bathing. Mmm, this last piece of trivia is interesting...

Perfumes are made with three layers of fragrance called notes:

Top notes (also called head notes) is the initial scent and evaporates real quick This is what you smell upon applying the perfume and will usually last 10-20 minutes before it evaporates.

Middle notes (also called the heart notes) emerges while top notes is slowly leaving the building. This layer together with the next one is what gives the perfume it's character. The 'heart' becomes apparent anywhere from 2 minutes to 1 hour after wearing the perfume and may last about 3-6 hours on the skin.

Base notes (also called drydown) brings depth and solidity to the perfume and is usually perceived 30 minutes after application. Some base notes are known to linger even after 24 hours.

So What are Colognes?

     Eau de Cologne or simply Cologne (German: Kölnisch Wasser which means “Water of Cologne”) is a perfume in a style that originated from Cologne, Germany. Colognes are single layered perfumes thus somehow less potent than typical perfumes.

The standard classification of perfume scents are as follows:

Floral - created mainly from flowers such as roses and jasmine, easily the largest category. They are often fused together to create a distinct smell. Different sub-groups include floral, soft floral and floral oriental.

Oriental - A combination of spices, amber, balsams and resins to create a scent that's suggestive of warmth and exotic sensuality that's rich and musky. Different sub-groups include soft oriental, oriental and woody oriental.

2010 Version of the Fragrance Classification

Woody - built on base notes of bark and moss, conjuring winding forest paths. Unisex than other fragrance categories but appeals more masculine. Sub-groups include woods, mossy woods, dry woods and aromatic.

Fresh - this category has these popular sub-groups

citrus - created from citrus fruits such as lime, lemon, tangerine and mandarin, the citrus fragrance projects a sharp, tangy aroma. This category is naturally refreshing and uplifting.

fruity - main notes include berries and other non-citrus fruits.

green - sharp, grassy notes blended with pine, juniper, leaves and herbs to to produce a sporty and brisk appeal.

water/oceanic - first appearing with Christian Dior's Dune in 1991, these scent uses a blend of synthetic compounds to evoke natural aromas such as mountain air, ocean spray or clean linen to produce a crisp and fresh scent.

Here are the classification of perfumes based on the potency or strength of their essential oils (also referred to as aromatic compounds or natural essential oils/perfume oils):

Perfume Extract (or simply perfume): 15-40% essential oils (accdg to International Fragrance Association or IFRA, the typical is ~20%)

Eau de Parfum (EdP), Parfum de Toilette (PdT): 10-20% essential oils (typical is ~15%), sometimes listed as "eau de perfume" or "millésime"

Esprit de Parfum (ESdP): 15-30% essential oils, a seldom used strength concentration in between EdP and perfume

Eau de Toilette (EdT): 5-15% essential oils (typical is ~10%)

Eau de Cologne (EdC): Chypre citrus type perfumes with 3-8% essential oils (typical is ~5%)

Perfume mist: 3-8% essential oils (typical non-alcohol solvent)

Splash (EdS) and After shave: 1-3% essential oils

Perfume oils are often diluted with a solvent. By far, the most common solvent for perfume oil dilution is ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and water. Perfume oil can also be diluted by means of neutral-smelling oils such as fractionated coconut oil, or liquid waxes such as jojoba oil.

Caring for Perfumes

Fragrance compounds in perfumes will degrade or break down if not properly stored in the presence of

heat

oxygen

light, and;

extraneous organic materials.

     I twitted earlier this year that I keep my colognes/perfumes inside the fridge to prevent them from evaporating. I am somehow right even before I did this research. You see, the air-conditioning is not turned on all the time thus at times it can get too hot inside my room (Philippines is a tropical country specially with the global warming, pffft!).

     To properly preserve perfumes, keep them away from sources of heat and store them where they won't be exposed to too much light. An opened bottle will keep its scent intact even after several years as long as it is well kept and protected from the factors mentioned above. The presence of oxygen inside the bottle and other environmental factors, however, can and will alter the smell of the fragrance in the long run.

So, is it Cologne or Perfume?

     The term "cologne" can be applied to perfumes for men or women that are single scented, but modern convention in the English language dictates that it should be assumed the term is most likely when talking about men's fragrance. So whether it's a perfume for men, it should be referred to as cologne. However, this convention does not apply to everybody, especially to the Germans.

Hope you guys learned something from this post. Up next on The Pinoy Wanderer are the colognes (err perfumes, now I'm confused which term to use!) that I have used recently. And some tips on how we can choose our perfume. Thanks for reading!

CREDITS:
*Most of the information from this post are taken from Wikipedia, verbatim parts are italicized.
*Additional information were taken from About.com and Bankrate.com.
*Calvin Klein photo taken from Google Image search.
*Fragrance pyramid photo taken from Wikipedia.

The Rumor Before Pacquiao-Marquez III

2011-10-30T11:53:00.000+08:00

While Manny is preparing for his upcoming fight with Juan Manuel Marquez -- he also needs to prepare for yet another bigger fight of his life: the ANNULMENT of his marriage with JINKEE PACQUIAO.

According to the news from TODO! Entertainment website, Jinkee decided to annul her marriage with the pound for pound king because of the news scorching the headlines that Manny allegedly fathered a child with a certain Kat Ordoñez. While we're not certain of the truth of this rumor yet, it can be remembered in a report from ABS-CBN that Manny's friend, Lito Camo, already denied that Manny is indeed the father of Ordoñez's baby. The news of Manny having a child with Ordoñez caught on press when he and close friend Lito Camo stood as the baby's godfather last September 17 at the St. Francis of Assisi Church.

The source from TODO! Entertainment said that the lawyers will work on the couple's annulment as soon as possible. The source also added that Jinkee decided she no longer will have involvement in any of Manny's activities and needless to say, she also won't go to Las Vegas to witness Manny's fight against Manuel Marquez.

Whatever the truth is, I still hope that Manny will emerge victorious in his forthcoming fight this November. Who says sports is the same as marriage? See you guys on my next wandering!

UPDATE November 01, 2011: From ABS-CBNnews.com, Pacquiao denies rumor that Jinkee wants an annulment. In the report, Jinkee will be flying to Las Vegas on the 6th and will still be watching Manny's fight against Marquez on the 12th. Also on Jinkee's itinerary is her business meeting with the socialite Paris Hilton.

*News taken from TODO! Entertainment
*Picture taken from Google Image search

How to Cook Pork Siomai, The Pinoy Wanderer Style

2011-10-27T15:30:00.000+08:00

Earlier today, Jeb and I got hungry. We've gotten tired of fast food but we're not that keen to spend much just to satisfy our hunger. So, we decided to cook a dish that's a common favorite, economical and something that we haven't prepared before. We decided to cook -- (drum roll please) -- pork siomai!

Folks, this time, The Pinoy Wanderer will attempt to become a cook. Disclaimer: I can cook but I'm not really a cook. I hope that made sense. Besides, there's always Google, LOL!

Pork siomai (or steamed pork dumplings) is a very popular dim sum dish and a household favorite among many Filipinos. I googled a recipe that looks easy enough to prepare and asked Jeb to buy the ingredients. Here's the revised version of that Pork Siomai recipe:

Ingredients

For the pork siomai:

1/2 kilo ground pork

1 medium sized carrot, finely chopped

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup spring onion, chopped

1/2 cup cornstarch or flour

1 small pack Maggi Magic Sarap*

1 small pack Namnam*

1 tsp pepper

1 pack siomai wrapper or wonton wrapper

For the Chili Sauce:

1/4 cup Chillies (Siling Labuyo), finely chopped

1 pack Maggi Magic Sarap

3 bulbs garlic, peeled and minced**

cooking oil

*Yep, that's right, two competing seasoning brands. Now we're sure of a successful first attempt!
**According to our Landlord's help, siomai is best with lots and lots of garlic.

Siomai Cooking Instructions:

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Put inside the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

After the specified time, prepare the siomai. Use about 1 tablespoonful of siomai filling and put it on the center of a wrapper. I'm sure you've seen how a siomai looks like, do your best to produce something like that. And, be patient enough to finish all the prepared filling. We sort of got tired after wrapping the fifth siomai. Pfffttt!

Note: You don't really expect guys like us to own a steamer, right? So, the best thing to do is call on the neighbor and borrow a steamer and other stuff that you might need. Flash a sweet smile while you approach them. Works every time!

Brush oil on a tray of steamer then arrange the siomai inside. Be careful to allow some space between each to prevent them from sticking to one another. Steam for about 25 - 45 minutes, or fry in cooking oil until soft brown.

Siomai Chili Sauce Cooking Instructions:

Simmer the chopped siling labuyo in bit of water to cook it. After the water has drained, remove from pan. Heat some oil and fry the minced garlic until golden brown. Season with Maggi Magic Sarap. Add the simmered siling labuyo and cook until the chillies look dry and cooked in coil.

Our very own pork siomai, cooked from scratch. Hurrayyyy!

Serve your pork siomai with a soy sauce dip seasoned with calamansi and garnished with chili sauce. Eat it any way you want. See you guys on my next wandering! Enjoy!

Going To The Movies

2011-10-26T01:02:00.001+08:00

     Going to the movies is one of the most effective ways to have fun even on the most boring day. But what does it take to have a successful movie experience? A few things actually: a great movie (of course!), your favorite people (if you wanna tug along someone), your favorite snacks, AND! (putting on some heavy emphasis here) -- an excellent movie house.

A. Bichara Silverscreens Entertainment Center
Magallanes corner T. Alonso St., 4500 Legazpi City, Philippines

     I was in Bicol from late March until third week of July and since there was nothing much to do at home, going to the movies on idle weekends has become one of my hobbies. So folks, let me tell you about one of my favorite movie houses in the country and probably my most preferred cinema in the south.

Geographical location of A. Bichara Silverscreens Entertainment Center
courtesy of Google Maps. (Click the image to enlarge)

A Little Background

     A. Bichara Silverscreens Entertainment Center houses three cinemas (Premiere 3D Cinema, Exclusive Cinema and Silverscreens 3) inside A. Bichara Mall located at Magallanes corner T. Alonso St., 4500 Legazpi City, Philippines. I've been going to this movie house since my college days and it probably holds some of my fondest memories with friends and ahurmmm -- loved ones. And this year during my vacation, I have grown exceptionally fond of their Premiere 3D Cinema, myself being a sucker for 3D movies.

A. Bichara Silverscreens Entertainment Center, Premiere 3D Cinema Lobby

The Premiere 3D Cinema Lobby

     The Premiere 3D Cinema lobby looks neat with it's very Asian design and cool lighting. On the far end across the lobby is the snack bar where you can get some popcorn, chips and soda. (My mom and I usually get coke floats and fries from Jollibee tho. No offense to the snack bar, lol!)

The ticket booth for Premiere 3D Cinema, Exclusive Cinema and Silverscreens 3

The Price

     They have an impressive and updated movie line up and they show blockbuster movies the same date as their worldwide screening so you really won't miss much. Imagine my surprise when I paid for my movie ticket when I watched Green Lantern on 3D last June. A regular movie goer needs to spend only P200.00 to watch a 3D movie (the price is dependent on the movie, but this is the usual) and if the cinema is not packed full, you can watch as much as you can. It's not block screening my friend! The benefits of being in the province and having very few people, lol!

Inside Premiere 3D Cinema

     The interior of the cinema is quite impressive. With plenty of leg room and truly comfortable seats, they have made my movie experience satisfying every single time. And if I may add, their luxurious seats are comparable to the seats inside IMAX theaters here in Manila, while you spend less (more than half the price actually) to enjoy watching a blockbuster movie in 3D.

I grabbed this photo from their facebook page taken during
Transformers: Dark of the Moon's first week screening.

     One other cool thing about Premiere 3D Cinema is their state of the art sound system. One of the best I've experienced so far. The sound is crisp, clear and detailed. I remember one particular explosion scene from Transformers: Dark of the Moon -- my Mom banged her head on the seat out of surprise because of the 3D effect enhanced furthermore by the tremendous explosion sound. We had a great laugh out of that afterwards.

A 3DM gets a pre-owned 3D glasses and
exclusive discounts on the ticket prices.

Promos

     As far as I know, for only P500.00 locals may apply and become a 3DM. This exclusive club provide their members with IDs and their own 3D glasses which comes with a free pouch and can be personalized with their names. Valid for a year, members not only get to use their own 3D glasses (which they deposit at the counter at the end of the movie) but they also enjoy discount on their tickets. Instead of paying the regular P200.00, members only pay P130.00 for their own ticket. Awesome, right?

A. Bichara Silvercreens Entertainment Center Privilege Card

     They also gave me a Privilege Card which they stamp every time I buy a ticket. The card says I get a free ticket on my 6th visit. Another cool thing!

     If ever I'm back in the province, you'll probably see me with my mom queuing for ticket at the A. Bichara Silverscreens Premiere 3D Cinema. I usually get a seat in the last row of the lower deck. Gives me a bigger view of the screen like watching in an IMAX theatre, but not too big (like sitting in the front row) that I strain my neck or that I need to move my head left to right to see what's going on in the screen.

     So, if you are in the area or will have a vacation in Legazpi, don't forget to check this place out. Besides, that same building is home for some of the more prominent hang out places in the city, like Bar 101.

     Thanks for visiting The Pinoy Wanderer, and thanks for reading. If ever you've visited A. Bichara Silverscreens Premiere 3D Cinema before, tell me about your movie experience on the comments' section below. I would be delighted to read about them. Until the next wandering! See you at the movies!

*As indicated within the image, photos are courtesy of Roy Magdaraog Photography and Dencio Photography .
*You can visit and like ABSEC's facebook page for more details.

Super Bowl Of China

2011-10-22T06:19:00.002+08:00

If I'm craving for Asian cuisine with a kick of Chinese, Super Bowl of China is one of the places that comes to mind. And so while my brother is still on leave from work, we visited a Super Bowl of China branch located at The Atrium in Megamall.

The Super Bowl Of China branch we visited
is located at the 4th Floor of The Atrium in Mega Mall.

Super Bowl of China has a wide range of enjoyable dishes that has captured the Filipino taste through the years. They offer soups & congee, dim sum (you definitely should try their dimsum platter), noodle dishes, rice & toppings, roasts, and main dishes of chicken, pork, beef, seafood and vegetables. Of course they have the usual drinks, fruit shakes and desserts.

We were a bit hungry so we decided to indulge a bit on our usual favorites. Here's what we ordered.

Super Bowl Fried Rice P295.00
Rice sauteed in their signature Super Bowl fried rice sauce blended with assorted seafood,
mushrooms, mixed vegetables, tomato sauce, and topped with BBQ pork asado,
roast chicken, crispy shrimp, and whole peanuts.

Sauteed Mixed Vegetables P180.00
Sauteed Baguio Beans, black fungus, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, and turnips.

Lechon Macau P275.00
Deep fried crispy pork belly cutlets seasoned with select Chinese spices
and served with Hoisin Sauce on the side.

The Super Bowl Fried Rice is fantastic specially if you don't mind gaining a few pounds after eating. It's a complete meal and good even on its own. The rest of the entree definitely satisfied our hungry stomachs. And since we're both guys, we had no trouble finishing all that up. *Burp!* My brother usually wears something lose whenever we go out on food trips. As for me, I needed to consciously inhale to tuck my tummy in. LOL!

This is how our table looked like. While they prepare our food, they
serve guests with their free chicharon (prawn crackers).

Super Bowl of China never fails to delight us with their good food, cool ambiance and accommodating staff. It's always a great place to bond with friends or family while enjoying a great and satisfying meal.

How about you? Have you visited any of the Super Bowl of China's branches in the metro? Tell me about your dining experience in the comments' section below. Would be glad to read about them. ☺

Thanks for reading and don't forget to come visit The Pinoy Wanderer again sometime soon. See ya!

Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant

2011-10-18T02:39:00.000+08:00

     Even before putting up The Pinoy Wanderer, Conti's has been one of my favorite restaurants. I will most certainly explore unfamiliar territories in the future but I also feel that it's a must to re-visit old places and confirm why they are my favorites. And so yesterday, after attending the 5:00pm mass at The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, I had dinner with bes TL at Conti's in Serendra.

The Conti's Pastry Shop & Restaurant we visited last October 16, 2011
is their branch located in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

   There were other diners waiting to be seated when we got there but we were given a table ahead of the waiting list because we only needed a table for two. Another friend's supposed to be with us but the guy's got other priorities and he never bothered to inform he won't make it. Yeah, he will be spanked. ☺

     Anyway, people waiting to be seated is usual every time I visit Conti's. Though it's my first time in the Serendra branch, the scenario is the same nonetheless. I frequently order Chicken Ballotine or Chicken Roulade but this time I ordered Chicken Marsala. And knowing that it will not let me down, I recommended Chicken Ballotine to bes TL.

My order: Chicken Marsala P195.00
Slices of chicken breast with mushrooms in marsala wine sauce,
served with Russian potato salad and buttered corn rice.

Bes TL's order: Chicken Ballotine P225.00
Meat-stuffed boneless chicken breast rolled in creamy sauce,
served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice.

     And for our drinks, I ordered Melon shake (the really nice lady taking our orders informed me that they ran out of Melon shake so I opted for Pineapple shake instead) and bes TL requested for Yellow Mango shake.

Our drinks: Pineapple Shake P65.00
and Yellow Mango Shake P80.00.

     It was my first time to order Chicken Marsala and though it overflowed with sauce (look at the photo), it was a truly enjoyable meal. The side dish (Russian potato salad), from what I can taste, has bits of chicken, potato and carrots. I like the color but I must admit the potato's a bit hard. I enjoyed my dinner and from what I can see and hear across the table, bes TL did too. If I'm not trimming on my carb intake, I would've ordered extra garlic rice which btw is exactly what bes TL did. He ordered an extra serving of garlic rice. I'm sure he'll kill me for mentioning this on my blog. I repeat, he gobbled up two big cups of garlic rice! LOL!

     Now here comes a favorite part, desserts! My favorite Conti's dessert is their famous Mango Bravo. Each huge slice is at P145.00. Mango Bravo is one of their best sellers so it's no wonder it's out of stock for the day. Too bad really since I was raring to recommend it to my companion. Here's what we had instead:

My dessert: Moist Chocolate Cake P70.00
Layers of moist chocolate cake coated with rich fudge icing.

Bes TL's dessert: Bananalicious Pie P80.00
Buttery crust filled with vanilla ice cream and chunks of ripe bananas
topped with cashew nuts, chocolate and caramel syrups on whipped cream icing.

     Going to Conti's is always worth the dining experience every time. The prices are really reasonable, the food is great and the people are really nice. There's a lot of other items on the menu that I haven't tried yet so I'll probably visit Conti's again sometime soon.

     If you've been to Conti's, what's the favorite food or dessert that you can recommend to my readers? Tell me about your Conti's dining experience on the comments' section below.

      Thanks for reading and until my next wandering. See ya!

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes at The Coffee Beanery

2011-10-13T06:11:00.000+08:00

The Pinoy Wanderer is back to talk yet again about food. But this time it's going to be about desserts.

The Coffee Beanery that we visited is located at the

5th Level of Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Edsa.

     After attending the 5:00pm mass last Sunday at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, the three of us (Hannah, Jeb and myself) headed to Edsa Shangri-la to try out Cravings' unlimited coffee and cakes. I've been to Cravings with some of my friends last month but we got there a bit late for the unlimited coffee and cakes promo. (I talked about it on this post). This time my siblings and I got there earlier so yeah, cakes -- here we come!

A Little Background

     When we got there, I understood that it was The Coffee Beanery who actually owns the promo. However, referring to it as Cravings unlimited coffee and cakes isn't entirely wrong as they are on the same company. According to WikiPilipinas: The Coffee Beanery started its operations in 1997 as part of the business line of its mother restaurant Cravings. It started as a coffee bar that was placed inside Cravings outlets to complement the casual dining concept of Cravings.

Unlimited Coffee

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes at The Coffee Beanery is P150.00

     As soon as we were seated and they got what we wanted, the friendly waitress served us with hot and delicious-smelling coffee that we fixed with brown sugar, creamer and steamed milk. Yep, this coffee is unlimited. All you need to do is get their attention if you want a refill.

Unlimited Cake

     I'm not sure which and how many variety of cakes they serve but we were able to taste five of them. Check them out.

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes: Tiramisu

     The first serving for me was Tiramisu. Yep, I kinda noticed that they come in small slices but hey, it's unlimited. You can just ask for more.

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes: Double Chocolate

     Then they served me with Double Chocolate. This one's a favorite. After eating this particular slice, I kinda lost track of what I ate next. Haha!

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes: Choco Caramel

     I think the third one I sampled was Choco Caramel. This one's nice too! I stopped asking for refills after this but I was able to taste what Jeb and Hannah had on their plates.

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes: Devil's Food Cake

      This one's called the Devil's Food Cake. We were joined a bit later by Israel and this is the one that has agreed to his liking.

Unlimited Coffee and Cakes: Choco Pastillas

     This one here is Choco Pastillas. The slice is bigger because Hannah probably got tired of calling them time and again to refill our plates so she asked for a bigger serving.

The Verdict?

     I had two cups of coffee and I finished three tiny slices of cake. I seldom enjoy hot coffee, but this one I did. Most of the cake agreed with me. They were delicious, moist (my goodness, I'm trying to recall how my baking teacher describes a good cake) -- uhm, they melt in the mouth? Haha! I was definitely satisfied, and they sure made up for it since the last time i was there. It was a P150.00 well spent specially if you are into cakes.

     The people who attended to us were nice and accommodating. That's one of the things I consider when going back to places where I dine to spend quality time with family or friends.

L-R: My brother Jeb, myself, Israel and my sister Hannah.

      By the way, The Coffee Beanery don't just serve coffee. More than just a coffee shop and just like their mother restaurant, they have all day meals that I will probably try the next time I visit them.

     Have you been to The Coffee Beanery and have tried their unlimited coffee and cakes? Tell me about your experience on the comments' section below. If you haven't yet, I recommend that you do.

      Until my next wandering. See ya!