The Little Things

The Starbucks Tradition

2011-11-20T07:44:00.001-08:00

Since Starbucks came out with their planners, I always looked forward to seeing their design and filling up their promo card. Getting their planner has been a tradition for me.

This year, their planner’s theme was “shared planet.” You can choose from 5 shades of wood. I’ve been a fan of wooden stuff so I got really excited to get my hands on the planner. I got Spruce!

The 2012 Planner

This year’s planner also comes with a cloth pouch, a bookmark, and some coupons.

The Pouch

a closer look

coupons!!!

This year, Starbucks gave customers 2 options for collecting stickers.

Option1: 17 stickers - 9 Holiday drinks + 8 core drinks

Option2: 23 stickers - 23 core drinks

-Phoebe

PS We’re now collecting stickers for Dan’s planner :-)

Photos taken using the RetroCam app on an HTC Wildfire S

Caffe Dolce

2011-10-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Aside from auto parts, the famed Banawe area is known all over Manila for it’s hole in the wall food havens and traditional Chinese dishes. This avenue lined with culinary delights has just received another addition with the recent opening of Caffe Dolce! They have a very wide selection of unique thirst quenching beverages. Aside from being a cafe, Caffe Dolce also has entrees to satisfy your hunger. They offer healthy, delicious, vegan-friendly food! The sheer amount of quality choices will have you coming back over and over for more. Caffe Dolce has managed to get the quantity and quality equation just right! This place definitely deserves your taste buds’ attention.

Strawberry Lovers Honey Toast

Fresh Tropical Fruits Iced Tea, Cucumber Cooler, Mango Cake

Caffe Dolce

Mezzanine Level, 848 Banawe St. corner Linaw St., Brgy. Siena, Quezon City

Caffe Dolce Facebook Page

*Photos taken using a Samsung Galaxy SII

Saint's Alp Teahouse

2011-08-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Known as one of the pioneering companies of bubble tea in Hong Kong, Saint’s Alp has now set up shop in the Philippines as well! Right now in soft opening status, their Katipunan branch is now ready and waiting to give you a taste of their treats! With tea combinations galore and delicious meals to accompany your drinks, Saint’s Alp provides a haven for thirsty folks of all ages!

We were able to try their best selling Crispy Giant Chicken Breast, Crispy Chicken Skin, Taiwanese Breaded Pork Chop and tea for 2! The restaurant has a cozy feel with lots of seating available. Unfortunately the building they’re situated is still under construction so you might have to deal with a bit of hammering from the neighboring stalls.

Check em out for yourself:
2nd Floor Regis Center
near KFC across Ateneo Gate 3.5

Saint's Alp Website
Saint's Alp Philippines Facebook Page

*Photos taken using an iPhone 3GS

Ligaw (Sky Broadband: Life at 5Mbps entry)

2011-08-11T12:30:00.001-07:00

Here's our other entry to Sky Broadband's contest.

cge!(like) / comment / share the link / ENJOY!

To vote, register to cge.tv then click cge! (the button is below the video) Thanks!
:-)

How to Make PIZZA (Sky Broadband: Life at 5Mbps entry)

2011-08-06T21:28:00.001-07:00

This is one of our entries to Sky Broadband's contest.

cge!(like) / comment / share the link!

to vote, register to cge.tv then click cge! (the button is below the video) Thanks! :-)

:-)

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex

2011-07-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

Jep, the photographer, has just wrapped a up a tiring day of shooting and was heading back to the office to close up shop for the night. As he went through the routine of saving his shoot pictures and videos to a backup hard drive, he noticed a flashing notice pop up on his computer.

*ERROR COPYING: NOT ENOUGH FREE SPACE*

“Noooooooo,” Jep yelled out and cradled his head in his hands as he let the feeling of despair wash over him.

Just kidding! Haha.. I’m sure, however, that we’ve all gone through that familiar experience of running out of space. Our digital treasures we worked so hard to hoard, the crucial data needed for your next presentation, dependence on all those gigabytes has become a necessity.

In steps Seagate with their consumer line GoFlex drives. Priced at a very affordable rate for it’s quality, this hard drive is easy to double up on. What really makes this gadget shine however, is it’s ability to “FLEX” and convert it’s transfer type from USB2.0 to USB3.0 to SATA to Firewire! That makes it easy to pass around between all types of Computers and OS. Whether it be Mac or Windows, laptop or desktop, the GoFlex can handle em all!

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 1TB USB3.0 Php5,300.00 from ACENET

ACENET COMPUTERS INC. Greenhills
Unit U14-U15, Shopville Plus
Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan
726-4276, 725-0762, 725-0759

ACENET COMPUTERS INC. Official Website
ACENET COMPUTERS INC. Facebook Page

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY Official Website
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY Facebook Page

*photos taken using a Sony TX5

Cha Dao: The Way of Milk Tea

2011-07-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

My sister and I are fond of drinking milk tea. We're happy that a lot of milk tea places have been opening recently. It's now easier to satisfy our milk tea cravings!

This evening, I was tasked to pick up my brother in Katipunan. I've heard of milk tea places opening there so I asked my sister if she wanted to tag along and maybe have some milk tea. She agreed! She suggested that we try Cha Dao.

Luckily, there was a free parking slot when we got there. Cha Dao's shop was cute. It was small but it looked very neat. When we entered, we were immediately welcomed by the scent of brewed tea leaves!

Since it was our first time there, it took us a while to figure out what to order. We were glad that their staff were very accommodating.

Their drinks were pretty affordable. Their milk tea costs only Php75 and comes in a big glass. Their fruit teas cost Php65. Every additional sinker costs Php10.

Finally, I ordered a Lite Royal Milk Tea with Egg Pudding. I originally wanted to try their Popping Boba sinker put it was already out of stock. My sister got a glass of Mint Milk Tea with Sago. My brother had a Sweet Chocolate Milk Tea with Nata and Sago. All three of us were satisfied with our drinks!

Royal Milk Tea with Egg Pudding

After paying, they gave us a Loyaltea Card. :-)

Cha Dao Loyalty Card

I will definitely come back to try more flavors. I really want to try the popping boba sinker!

Cha Dao Tea Place
MQI Building, Esteban Abada St., Katipunan QC (Beside Kostka & Fruit Magic)
6227076 / 0917-8636644

***soon to open in Don Antonio

Cha Dao Tea Place Facebook Page
Follow @ChaDaoTeaPlace on twitter!

*photos taken using:
Hipstamatic app for iPhone 3GS
Retro Cam app for Samsung Galaxy Ace

McDonald's Coca-Cola Glass 2011

2011-07-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

Purple, Lime, Blue, Green, Charcoal, Pink

Last July 2, the Coca-Cola Glasses were spotted in McDonald's. This year though, they are sporting a new look! Instead of the usual sexy Coke bottle glasses, this year's McDonald's Coca-Cola glasses are shaped like a Coke can. You can get yours for only Php25 when you purchase any McDonald's Extra Value Meal. The glasses are available in 6 colors (as seen in the photo).

Order from McDo online, dial 8-MCDO or visit the nearest McDonald's store to start collecting!

McDonald's Philippines Facebook Page

McDonald's Philippines Website
McDo Online Delivery

*photos taken using a Canon 60D
**Social Share » Extra Excitement in your McDonald's Meal with the New Coca-Cola Can Glass Series!
***Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Congratulations Azkals!

2011-07-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Congrats to the Philippine Azkals for successfully advancing to the 2nd round qualifiers of the World Cup! Team Philippines gave Sri Lanka a 4-0 thrashing here at Rizal Stadium. After drawing their last game 1-1, our national team needed this win to guarantee us a spot in the next round. Lets keep watching and supporting our boys as they continue on their quest of World Cup history for our country!

Azkals (Philippine National Football Team) Facebook Page

Check them out on VMS!
To subscribe to exclusive videos, download the app on your smartphone then text VMS AZKALS to 2849

Want some Azkals Merchandise? Get them here!

*Video from YouTube.com (fiddlystics)

RUB Ribs&BBQ

2011-06-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, I finally met up with Empty Vanity (Michael Cuepo and Vikki Luta). Empty Vanity was our production group way back in college. I can’t really remember why we came up with the name. Sounds cool though doesn’t it?

Anyway, Vikki was the one who suggested that we try a new ribs&bbq place in QC. It’s located in Sct. Rallos near Shakey’s Tomas Morato. The place is called RUB. They serve really good and affordable Ribs and B-B-Q!

We had a Super Duo (Php350, good for 2) which is comprised of a whole slab and 2 sides. For the sides, we chose a Bacon&Potato Salad and a cup of Coleslaw. The ribs were really tender! We also had Fish and Chips (Php230) since we were a party of 3 and our order was only good for 2. We loved their Fish and Chips! Their Aioli dip was really yummy!!! We had a pitcher of their house blend iced tea (Php100), which I highly recommend. It has a distinct taste.

After finishing our meal, we had an order of Fried Oreos with Vanilla Ice Cream (Php140) for dessert. Yum!

Aside from their food, I think RUB is worth visiting because of their interiors. Their walls were adorned with framed motivational quotes.

*tip: pay their washroom a visit :-)

RUB Ribs and Barbecue
64 Scout Rallos,
Tomas Morato, Quezon City
622 6352

RUB ribs&bbq Facebook Page

*photos taken using a Sony TX5

Stacy's

2011-06-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

One lazy & rainy Sunday afternoon, the whole family decided to have merienda in Capitol Greenstreet. There was a new restaurant that opened there which serves breakfast food the whole day, Stacy’s!

The restaurant was well lit and had adorable interiors.

They were just on soft opening so they only had a few selections available on their menu. They had pancakes, eggs, and Filipino style for their specialty breakfast dishes. They also had pasta, salad and pastries to complement your main meals. Hopefully, they serve waffles here in the future. It would make for a tasty addition!

After ordering, they gave us a mug filled with popcorn, pretzels, and smarties so that we won’t get bored while waiting for our food.

They also lent us a tic-tac-toe board!

(Php145)

(Php165)

(Php195)

I liked their coffee coz they came in huge mugs!

Would I come back? I’d say YES!

Stacy's
Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center
1 Capitol Hills Drive
1101 Quezon City

Stacy's Facebook Page

*photos were taken using a Sony TX5

VMS: See What I'm Saying

2011-06-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

The days of misinterpreting texts is at an end! Forgotten will be, those pictures of clipart birthday cakes sent to you on your special day. The video message service has arrived! Imagine a way to communicate your messages with more expression and feeling than ever before. Details that could take minutes to take in and transcribe to text, could be sent in a few seconds from captured video. Forget the clipart, you can sing happy birthday in person and send it. Communication has evolved and is now at your fingertips! Imagine sending these to your friends:

VMS sample 1

VMS sample 2

Aside from sending video messages to one another, you can also subscribe to the Video blogs (VMS Broadcasts) of TV shows and celebrities!

*VMS needs an internet connection to work.
** Currently available to Globe Subscribers.

Try the VMS app now available in the App Store and Android Market!! You can also install the VMS app on Facebook! Enjoy!!!

More info:
VMS Philippines Facebook Page
VMS Website
Ironroad Website

The Ruins at Talisay City

2011-05-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

While on hiatus from work, I was able to visit the charming city of Bacolod. During my stay, the family brought me to a local tourist attraction known as The Ruins. A hacienda built pre 1900’s by a man of Portuguese decent, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. The structure was wonderfully crafted and had me constantly imagining how it might have looked in it’s original state a decade ago. With the hacienda’s romantic tale coupled with the intricate stonework and ageless design of the mansion, you get a history lesson at it’s finest.

Entrance Fee: Php50.00 per person

For directions see:
Bacolod City Guide: The Ruins Talisay City

*photos taken using a Canon 60D
**written by Daniel Dizon

Make Your Own Havaianas 2011

2011-05-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

I went to the Make Your Own Havaianas 2011 event last May 15 with my mom and sister. They used 3 tents for different processes this year. Tent 1 was for choosing your soles, straps, pins, and charms. Tent 2 was for putting your chosen parts together. Tent 3 was for paying.

This year’s MYOH was very organized and efficient. There were no long lines. There were no long hours of waiting in line. It was really hassle free! Good job Terry SA and Havaianas Philippines!

This year's packaging:

Here’s my pair:

sole: slim orchid rose
strap: slim silver logo
pin: Harajuku
charm: black crystal

*The Harajuku pin costs Php100. The proceeds will go to Red Cross to help the Tsunami victims in Japan.

Where: Rockwell Tent
Price: Php 845++

Make Your Own Havaianas site
Havaianas Philippines Facebook page

*photos taken using a Sony TX5

iPod nano 6th Gen

2011-03-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

The moment Apple announced the new iPod models last year, I immediately fell in love with the iPod nano 6G. A small square device that is multi-touch enabled and is packed with 8gb/16gb of memory.

Luckily, I got one last V-day!

He gave me a 16gb Product RED nano (with personal engraving at the back... an online store exclusive!) which made me feel like a lottery winner! HAHA

The beauty of using a regular iPod is that you can listen to music without interruptions (phone calls/ sms/ notifications). The nano can also be used as a storage device, as a radio, and as a watch (my favorite feature!). The album art that fills the whole screen also adds to the nano’s charm.

Oh! I also found a cute and affordable watch strap for the nano in Switch, TechnoHub. An iDevil silicone watch strap which only retails for Php500. Pretty great deal!

iPod nano 6G SRP:
8gb Php7,990.00
16gb Php9,790.00

More information in these sites:
Apple’s Official Site
Apple Store Philippines
Switch Facebook Page

*Photos taken by an iPhone (Hipstamatic app) and a Sony TX5

Razer Orochi

2011-02-23T00:26:00.000-08:00

We recently got a new addition to Dan’s gaming arsenal. The Razer Orochi! A mobile gaming mouse for precision shooting, hacking and slashing on the go. Razer really sets you up by providing detailed documentation, a support case and custom usb wire for when you can’t use bluetooth. Pairing with pc and mac is a breeze. I got mine connected and running in an instant! The teflon under-lining helps the mouse glide smoothly over surfaces providing clean movement and speed. The size and form is just right for the hand, providing a solid feel and fit just like it was made for you.

Price: Php3999
Razer Orochi Page
bought from Foxcom Gilmore

*Photos taken using a Canon 450D

Hong Kong 2010

2011-01-28T06:35:00.000-08:00

So you’re working hard, earning your pay, doing the day to day grind. The monotony and stress of the daily habits are bound to take it’s toll on you sooner or later. A big vacation is just what you need to refresh and enjoy your hard earned benefits! Allow us to point you in an ideal direction for this choice: Hong Kong! One of the main trade hubs of Asia, HK provides a dizzying amount of activities to occupy your vacation itinerary! A shoppers paradise, a cuisine fan’s dream and a tourist friendly metro, Hong Kong will be a memorable and enjoyable trip for anyone.

We recently visited right before Christmas with much help from PAL’s Mabuhay Miles Promo. Their rates are very budget friendly and promos for flying dates are many and often.

We were able to book and stay at one of Shangri-La’s boutique hotels, The Traders Hotel. They did a stellar job on their hotel. Luxury, coziness and design all get 5 stars for me. Not to mention their very affordable rates. Try to book in advance because this hotel is quite popular. Their breakfast buffets at the hotel never failed to satisfy our tastes and tummies with the wide variety and delicious cooking.

Going around the city is a breeze. Hong Kong did an amazing job with infrastructure which resulted in easy commutes that never seem dull. Shops line the subways, signage is also a breeze since they provided both chinese and english translations for all roads, stops and landmarks.

Malls abound in Hong Kong, boutiques of all products are situated in their respective hot spots. Electronics, clothes, food and markets all have their respective districts that specialize in their type of product. You will need “days” just to take them all in and I’m sure we had to fast forward through a lot of other shops due to the staggering amount of selections to choose from.

Hong Kong’s main tourist draws are provided by Disneyland and Ocean Park! Both will find ways to entertain you all day albeit in different ways. Disneyland tends to focus more on fanfare and parades, showcasing a slew of plays and presentations based on their shows and characters. I heard the Lion King show is one of the most popular. Ocean Park located near the harbor, will have you ooohing and ahhhing with their massive selection of rides and water shows! Roller coasters and nature trips are this parks crowd pleasers. You might not be able to try them all in one day unless you come real early!

Another pleasure we constantly tried to enjoy there was the amazing food. Almost anywhere we went, whether it be a small noodle house near the hotel, or a grand family style chinese resto, we were never disappointed. Even street food such as grilled squid or cuttlefish made us wish for a branch at home.

By the end of our stay, we all wished we didn’t have to go home yet. We longed to experience more of this enchanting city. We made a decision that we’d definitely come back for more. Hopefully it’s soon!

Traders Hotel

508 Queen's Road West

Western District

Hong Kong

Telephone Number: (852) 2974 1234

Fax Number: (852) 2974 0333

HK Disneyland Resort

Penny’s Bay Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Ocean Park

Aberdeen, Hong Kong

*photos taken using the following:

Canon 450D

Sony T90

Sony TX5

iPhone 4

iPhone 3

Marshall Major Headphones

2011-01-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

Marshall, known widely by guitar enthusiasts for their amps, has decided to take on a new territory. Meet the Marshall Major. We decided to go for the headphones since both Phoebe and I are fans of the solid sound and comfort they deliver compared to the smaller in-ear types. We managed to nab a pair right before their official release in the Philippines and we were not disappointed. Stylishly decked out in gold signatures and black leather, these headphones venture away from the traditional glossy-plastic future styles that most are going for. The famous Marshall brand makes it’s name known in white on black leather, giving the headphones an overall sleek, retro yet durable look/feel. As for the sound? We weren’t disappointed!

Spotted in Digital Hub.
SRP: Php4,650

Better hurry! It’s currently sold out in the Marshall headphones site.

Marshall Headphones Official Site
Marshall Headphones Facebook Page

*photos taken using a Sony TX5

Cerchio

2011-01-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

New to the Quezon City scene is home turned resto, Cerchio (pronounced as tzerhr.kyoh; Italian for circle). Celebrating a Christmas-slash-New Year get together between friends, we got to sample quite a few of their dishes. With its modern circular interiors and posh ambiance, you wouldn’t think the establishment was once an apartment. A plethora of cuisine to choose from with drinks ready for the after party make this place a fine selection for nights out in QC.

Cerchio's signature drink: Cool as a Cucumber

Spring Rolls

Peking Style Tortilla Wrap

Oven Baked Crispy Pata

Peri-Peri Chicken

Prices range from Php500-700 per person

Cerchio
76 Sct. Limbaga, Tomas Morato, Quezon City
(02)3550998/(02)3515279

Cerchio Restaurant and Lounge Facebook Page

*photos taken using a Canon 60D unless otherwise specified

Uncle Cheffy: Brick-Oven Global Cuisine

2011-01-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

One of our recent out-and-abouts around town brought us to Eastwood Mall in Libis. Looking for a different twist of taste, we found ourselves intrigued by the interesting treatment Uncle Cheffy offered to your normal Pizza. We sat ourselves down and ordered away! First, I must warn you, a lot of their meals are better enjoyed with more company. We couldn’t order their titillating platters for fear of not being able to finish the food! We ended up with Beef Medallion - Steak Tagalog and a Brick oven baked Uncle Cheffy Favorites Panizza. I must also commend their fast and courteous staff for making our dining even more enjoyable.

Prices range from: Php500-700 per person

UNCLE CHEFFY
Eastwood
2/F Eastwood Mall Veranda, Eastwood City, Libis
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(02) 383-7215

FORT
Bellagio II, Forbes Town Center,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

Uncle Cheffy Facebook Page

*photos taken using a Canon 60D

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-27T19:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Lemon

2010-11-27T09:23:00.000-08:00

Freshly squeezed and set in the heart of Greenhills Shopping Center, Happy Lemon is open for business! They're still in a dry run stage so go over, savor their flavors and treat your tongues to this Taiwan based tea bar. No food here so far, just all the mixes you can imagine for lemons, teas, and yogurt! They have a healthy amount of concoctions that should cater to all types. I think the only trick here is taking the time to experiment with their flavors. The ingredients may seem strange at first but I think that with a little experimentation, you'll find your favorite in no time. Give 'em a try now!

Price range from Php70 to Php150

Crispy Cocoa Matcha with Brown Sugar Jelly | Lemon Green Tea

Happy Lemon
Ground Floor, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan

Happy Lemon Facebook Page
Happy Lemon Site (flash site in Chinese)

*photos taken using a Sony TX5 & iPhone 3GS HIPSTAMATIC

BBB: Big Better Burgers

2010-11-25T01:56:00.000-08:00

My ideal burger tastes something like this: a thick, heavy, tasty, charcoal grilled patty, smothered in layers of cheese, melting and blending with the meaty taste. Sounds too good to be true? Guess what! We found it! Bigger Better Burgers is my new favorite burger joint! These guys managed to squeeze the quality of a delicious gourmet burger, and mark it with a 'fast food burger' price tag. No more overpriced mediocre patties! These are burgers worth craving and since they're cooked properly, I can eat a lot more of it!

Big Better Burgers Commonwealth

Try it for yourself!

Price Range: from Php100 to Php200

Big Better Burgers

Katipunan

Prince David Condo, Katipunan Ave., QC

Commonwealth

Royal Place, Don Antonio, Commonwealth, QC

02-4425495

Fairview

Cinema level, SM City Fairview, Quirino Ave. cor. Regalado St.,

Greater Lagro, QC

02-3527208

Cubao

SM Cubao, Araneta Center, Cubao, QC

02-7093021

SM City North EDSA - Annex

UG/F Annex, SM City North EDSA, North Ave. cor. EDSA, QC

02-3326578

Sucat

G/F Pergola Mall, Aguirre St. B.F. Homes, Sucat, Parañaque City

02-4757126

Alabang

Studio One, Filinvest Alabang Northgate, Muntinlupa City

02-8465827

Taft Ave.

2/F University Mall, Taft Ave., Malate, Manila

02-6666023

Check them out:

Big Better Burgers Facebook Page

*photos taken using a Sony TX5

OCTOBOY: Japanese Sizzling Pizza

2010-11-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

Fresh on the streets of Tomas Morato spouts a new Japanese culinary delight, Octoboy! Specializing in Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki dishes, they provide a new treat for Japanese food enthusiasts. We tried their specialties and were delighted! Great for a light dinner, a hearty snack or even drinks after work with friends. Their food will not disappoint.

Prices range from Php150 to Php400

Octopus Takoyaki

Octopus Okonomiyaki

OCTOBOY

Tomas Morato

Unit 2-C 186 Tomas Morato St. corner Sct. De Guia. Q.C.

02-3848506

Banawe

670 Banawe Street Corner Retiro, Brgy. Siena, Q.C.

02-4092704

Check them out:

OCTOBOY Food Express Facebook Page

OCTOBOY'S Japanese Pizza and Takoyaki Facebook Page

*Photos taken using a Sony TX5

N8: Nokia's Newest Media Phone

2010-11-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

Nokia’s latest venture into pocket media territory is being steered by its flagship N series model the N8! Boasting pioneer features that take media and data management to new heights! This device is the first of it’s kind to put the abilities of HDMI and Dolby Digital sound in the palm of your hands. The phone also provides USB-On The Go support (to access/transfer files from a USB drive), a vibrant AMOLED screen and 16GB of storage (expandable via a microSD slot) for your mobile media needs. It’s Carl Zeiss lens and xenon flash equipped 12-megapixel camera is also top of the line for phones. Nokia managed to wrap all these features and more into a sleek metal casing that feels right at home in your sweaty hands. All these and it’s reasonable price tag, make it a very alluring gadget on any techie’s Christmas wishlist.

Price: around Php21,000 - Php23,700

To see more tech specs and an in depth review, check out:

GSMArena Nokia N8

Nokia Philippines N8 Page
Nokia N8 Philippines Users Facebook Page
Nokia Philippines Facebook Page

*photos taken using a Canon 450D

** Thanks to Stella Abesamis for lending the phone