FANG-IT!

Sakae Sushi

2014-02-12T17:53:00.001+08:00

Sakae Sushi was the first to introduce conveyor belt sushi in Manila way back in 2009 or at least the first to commercialize it in Manila. Conveyor belt sushi has been around since the '50 in Osaka, Japan but we used to see this kind of set up only when we traveled to our more developed Asian neighbors such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

Conveyor belt sushi is considered to be Japan's equivalent of a fast food since you can easily get your ready- to-eat food from the conveyor belt.

You can either opt to pay the per plate consumption based on the color of the plate: Blue is Php59 (approx USD1.34)/plate, Yellow is Php79 (approx USD1.79)/plate, Green is Php99 (approx USD2.25)/plate and Purple and Red are both Php109 (approx USD2.47)/plate. If you are planning on getting two or three different plates, then this would be the best option. But if you are a person who usually has a big appetite, then the best alternative would be to go for the All Day Sushi Buffet at Php 399 (approx USD9.06)/adult and Php 249 (approx USD5.65)/child. It comes with a bowl of miso soup and bottomless hot or iced green tea.

Being a 'kiasu' person, I wanted to dive in and concentrate on the purple plates as they were the most expensive. Unfortunately, when I looked at the purple plate selection, it was all fish dishes! Being allergic to fish, I had no option but to try the other colored plates instead.

In the end, wanting to make sure I made the most out of my Php399, I was able to finish food from ten plates and several glasses of the iced green tea. Stomach satisfied? hell yeah! Palate satisfied? Sadly, not as much. It's a place you go to if you are extremely hungry and you don't want to spend too much but the food selection is a bit on the limited side.

Burp!

Chinese New Year 2014 (Gong Xi Fa Chai!)

2014-02-05T08:18:00.003+08:00

The world, or at least places where there is a Chinese community, recently celebrated Chinese New Year with much fanfare (this year's fell on January 31st). The Philippines, with about 1.5 million Filipinos with pure Chinese ancestry, just recently declared the turn of the Chinese calendar, more popularly known as Chinese New Year, as a special non-working holiday (started in 2012).

Although I am one of those Filipinos with pure Chinese ancestry, our family has never been one to make a big deal out of the celebrations for Chinese New Year. It was probably due to the fact that we were usually at work/school back in those days when it wasn't considered a holiday yet.

This year was to be different as I finally realized that it being a holiday, I needed to embrace one of the most important occasions of my ancestors. The center of the Chinese New Year celebrations in the Philippines were centered around Manila's Chinatown otherwise known as the area of Binondo. Luckily, there was no need for me to drive to Binondo as my residence is a comfortable walking distance to it. As expected, Ongpin Street was closed to all types of vehicles and traffic (both human and vehicle) was horrendous around its vicinity.

Trivia: The oldest Chinatown in Asia is in Manila (established in 1594)

Ongpin Street was filled to the brim with Filipino Chinese, curious kibitzers, street vendors, foreigners, and all sorts of different people from all strata of life.

Street vendors were selling all sorts of wares that were not in the bit least Chinese related but they added color to the celebration.

A form of animal cruelty if you ask me!

Everlasting??? I thought they only sold these in Baguio.

Of course, staple shops in Binondo such as Eng Bee Tin is already a must-visit for Tikoy (glutinous rice), hopia (flaky pastry) and other Chinese delicacies were all busy. Lines were very long and this was evident in almost all the stores and restaurants. It was impossible to buy anything much less find a seat in a restaurant.

Lastly, we can never go through Ongpin Street without passing through two creeks. They still look as dirty as ever but believe me when I tell you that this is already at its cleaner state. It used to be strewn with trash and debris that if you fell into it, you could probably do a walking-on-the-water kind of miracle. However, nowadays, if you accidentally fell into the creek, you'd die first of the bacteria clinging on and entering your body before you actually drown.

It was indeed a festive celebration that happened all over Binondo but most of the noise and fanfare was concentrated in Ongpin Street. Would I still come back next year? Probably not, since I can visit any day of the week and the shops would still be there minus the crowd and the vendors and having to worry about pickpockets. However, for those not residing nearby, it is a fun albeit chaotic experience that one is sure to remember until the next Chinese New Year rolls around.

I ♥ Mulberry

2014-01-22T08:34:00.001+08:00

Ever since I could remember, after hitting a level of maturity in my adult life, I've always been fascinated with the exquisite leather goods collection of Mulberry more than any fashion houses'. Maybe its the British sensibility or the simplicity of its designs that make its collection timeless and classic pieces. Not many people recognize the brand which gives it a plus factor in my book.

I started out with this Mulberry Clipper bag which, I was so lucky to be able to find during the time when Rustan's still carried Mulberry in their stores.

It has been the most expensive purchase as far as a Mulberry product is concerned and every penny was worth it as I always get compliments from people whenever I carry it. Its not flashy as some It-bags are but it serves its purpose as a bag and the leather is just soft and supple.

My next Mulberry purchase was also made at Rustan's not long after I bought the Clipper.

It's a Mulberry passport holder made of natural black leather. Simple yet it gives your passport the needed class it craves ☻. (just make sure the Philippine Immigration officer does not recognize the brand or else....)\

Next up we have my very first Mulberry iPhone case (4S) case in black snake print.

Bought back in 2012 at a Mulberry store in Marina Bay Sands in Singapore (I clearly remember it was during Chinese New Year), I've since lost the original iPhone 4S to a thief back when I still used to take the train to work/school. Luckily the phone was not encased in it that time so I did not lose the Mulberry case. I so love the case that I decided to buy a new iPhone 4S back in November 2013 even if I knew I was going to be getting an iPhone 5S in December.

My most recent acquisition is my second Mulberry iPhone case (5/5S). I got it as a gift this time which makes it even more sweeter! (ok, it was a gift that I specifically asked for from my 'mommy' last December but its still a gift!)

The chocolate colored case is made from natural leather, it fits perfectly in my hand.

Now, here are some pieces that I would love to add to my small collection:

1. Oversized Bayswater

At a cost of approximately Php 93,000.00 (£1250), I think it will just remain as a dream as I am not willing to fork over that amount capable of feeding a family of 10 for a month (?)

2. Zip Around Travel Wallet in Natural Leather

Since I already have the passport cover, I might as well have the travel wallet to go with it. Priced at approximately Php 20,000.00 (£275)

Bric's - Servizio Straordinario

2014-01-15T08:18:00.001+08:00

I've always seen the bags and luggage of Bric's being sold at the different stores of Rustan's back in the day but aside from browsing through them from time to time, I never really gave it a thought to purchase anything from Bric's.

Until one day in May 2012, while in Kuala Lumpur visiting one of the department stores inside Suria KLCC, I happened to look once again at the pocket collection of Bric's and this laptop bag happened to catch my attention. First it was on sale (the most important factor), and 2nd, the bag itself looked durable that I wouldn't have to worry about 'throwing' it around. I wasn't really planning on using it for my laptop but rather, it was to be utilized as a bag for my teaching stint.

Photo courtesy of http://www.brics.it/eng/

Bric's Pininfarina 14" laptop bag is a combination of nylon and leather that is fleece lined and comes with a shoulder strap.

The above bag is a collaboration between Bric's and Pininfarina (collection ranges from luggage, wallets, briefcases, laptop bag, etc). Pininfarina is best known as an independent Italian car design firm that services companies such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati to name a few.

The bag is a joy to carry since it is not too bulky and all my school materials can fit into the bag. However, one day, I noticed that the leather part on the handle was starting to unravel.

I didn't know what to do about it so I just continued to use the bag trying not to mind the damaged part of the handle. Luckily, one day, I was at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall and spotted a Bric's store (Bric's has another store located at the Aura BGC). I perused the items at the store and casually asked the SA how to handle items that have been damaged through time. The SA mentioned that Bric's can actually try to repair the damaged item and asked me to bring the item on my next visit. I returned a week after with my bag and after the SA got all my pertinent details, promised to SMS me as soon as they have news on the status on the repair of the bag. It only took a few days and I, indeed, got an SMS informing me that the bag has been fixed and ready for pick-up.

Voila! My bag is now as good as new.

When we think of Italian craftsmanship, we often associate it with good and lasting quality. I guess now I can add excellent after-service to the adjectives that best describe Italian products. Arrivederci!

Rizal Park, National Pride of Manila(?)

2014-01-08T08:14:00.002+08:00

Rizal Park (also known as Luneta Park), currently maintained and managed by the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) http://www.nationalparks.ph/index.htm, is a landmark of Manila that is not only a tourist attraction but also a favorite leisure spot of Filipinos to have a picnic with family and friends, jog around in, exercise (aero boxing, tai chi and zumba 'classes' are happening simultaneously within the park area).

Rizal Park also plays a very important role in Philippine history. Gomburza (Gomez, Burgos and Zamora), three Filipino priests was executed on the park grounds in 1872 for acts of subversion. Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, has a bronze and granite monument at the park (his remains can also be found within the monument) and most visiting foreign dignitaries make it a point to lay a wreath at the monument. Most recently, the Million People March in August 2013 was held at the park to protest the improper use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Jose Rizal's monument, which was unveiled in 1913.

Towards the latter part of 2013, the park underwent some renovation which included the installation of a new flag pole that cost Php 7.8 Million (approximately USD181,000).

I couldn't be more excited to visit the park once again at the start of 2014 to begin my road to good health by jogging at the park. 06 January 2014, I entered the park once again at around 0700H to begin my run around the park. My excitement and enthusiasm was eventually shot down by disappointment as the stench that hit me once I entered the park was totally unbearable. Imagine having to jog in a path that smelled of garbage. The 'green' men and women (NPDC) cleaners were just starting their work (or they started late) and I guess they never took into consideration that people visit the park as early as 0500H to jog or to walk around. Granted that the day before (Sunday) was the busiest at the park in terms of the number of visitors, the cleaners should have been tasked to clean the park at an earlier hour on that Monday.

I've been to Central Park in New York, Sydney Harbour in Australia and Kinabalu Park in Malaysia to name a few and none of them can be considered to be an embarrassment to the cities/countries that they represent.

Can you smell the stench?

This woman was using a hose to wash down the floor, making it dangerous for people walking and jogging through it.

To add insult to the injury, the park has just been renovated and there are already signs of substandard quality in materials used or poor craftsmanship done on the renovations. The flooring were chipped in several areas, holes were present everywhere and drainage was left unfinished.

I am fervently hoping that the NPDC does its job to make Rizal Park a park that we can be truly proud of. To be fair to them, security has vastly improved in the area. Since they have decided to do improvements at the park, why not go all the way in making the park the star attraction of Manila that it truly deserves to be.

Delsey Luggage Scale

2012-07-09T04:29:00.002+08:00

I've always been a huge fan of Delsey products specially their luggage collection as they have proven over time that they do last (some of my 'acquired' pieces were actually purchased during my mum's time). And, fact is, they are reasonably priced compared to a Samsonite, Tumi or Rimowa. Through the years, Delsey has diversified to other travel accessories such as travel pillow, luggage tag, luggage strap, umbrella, eye mask, etc.

I've learned through my travels that having to guess one's luggage weight can cause a lot of anxiety. Oftentimes, we get carried away with our shopping spree by buying a bargain or two...or three...or four (this always happens in Hong Kong!) and only to find out later on that these little bargains are to make us pay more through airline luggage overweight charges! On my recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, I decided then to actively look for a luggage scale which I can carry with me through my trips. Since I believe in the Delsey brand, it was unthinkable of me to purchase any other luggage scale than a Delsey one. There were digital scales available but I felt that they were not too accurate and I was actually looking for a 'manual' scale. I was not lucky enough to find one in Kuala Lumpur but fast forward to two months later, I would find this Delsey luggage scale at a mall in Manila (Lucky Chinatown Mall... lucky indeed). I was told by the SA that they actually sold out these luggage scales and the new orders only came in recently. I hurriedly bought it as it was the last piece available.

Although the packaging says it can hold up to 25 kilos, the actual weight that it can carry is 34 kilos or 75 lbs. There's also a tape measure hidden on the side should you need one to get the exact dimensions of your luggage.

At a cost of Php 711 (approximately USD17.34) after getting a 10% off the sticker price, it is actually a bargain of sorts...it's a Delsey after all!

Others may argue that it actually looks like a generic luggage scale that one can buy for less that Php 400 (USD9.7) and yes, although they may look similar, the Delsey one looks arguably more sturdy and accurate.

Now that I have this Delsey luggage scale, I can travel in peace knowing that I do not have to second guess if I should have to pay for excess luggage weight or not. (controlling one's shopping urges is another story though and it can't be cured by a luggage scale! :))

Goodbye iOS...hello Android!

2012-06-24T10:37:00.000+08:00

About two weeks ago, I had the misfortune of losing my iPhone 4s to some sticky fingered thieves while I was on-board the train (LRT). I was on my way to the university for my late afternoon teaching stint and, the carriage being crowded, I did not notice that all the pushing had caused my phone to land in somebody else's hands. Once I did notice that my phone was missing, I could do nothing at all but feel nauseous about it (only for a minute though). I immediately BBM'd (I had another phone in my bag) my colleague to tell him to cancel my post paid line and to ask the telecom company to deliver me a new sim card (I am actually an Infinity Smart member so membership has its privileges :) ), Since I was also registered with iCloud, I immediately went online and deleted all the information inside my iPhone 4s to avoid any future problems to myself and my friends/phone contacts.

Now, I've never been one to wallow over the loss of my material things and my next agenda was to replace my lost phone with a new one. I kind of swore that I'll never get an iPhone again as they are too popular, not just with the users and the public but also with the thieves so my options were between a Blackberry 9900 or a Samsung Galaxy Note. Since I still had my trusty Blackberry Torch 9800 with me, I'd find it weird to be carrying two Blackberry phones at any given time. I was therefore left with the Samsung Galaxy Note. With a screen measuring 5.3", I felt it might be too big for my Asian hands. I then went online to check the reviews and surprisingly, majority of the reviews were positive. The size of the phone was never a concern for the users. It was the excellent performance that a lot of people raved about.

Two days after the loss of my phone, I decided to order my Galaxy Note from Kimstore http://kimstore.multiply.com/ , a reputable online electronic gadgets store. I've never personally bought anything from Kimstore (my friends have and they all have positive things to say about Kimstore including the competitive prices and good service) but since their pricing of the Galaxy Note was the best, I decided to try their service. After a few phone calls and text messages, my new phone was to be delivered the following day at around noon time. It was a totally painless transaction, one that I wouldn't mind doing again in the future.

At a cost of Php23,200 (approximately US$ 552), the Samsung Galaxy Note is truly a joy to use. The big screen is easy on the eyes, no need to squint through small print. The S-pen made drawing at Draw Something so convenient. Adroid took me a while to understand but eventually I realized it was way better than iOS as one can configure almost everything in the phone. Some of the reviews that I read pointed to people switching from iOS to Android and now, I truly understand what they meant when they said that they didn't have any regrets at all. There are times when I even tend to ignore my iPad and BB Playbook and just use my Note to do my browsing and book reading. I think this will be my phone for a very long time (I heard though, that the new and bigger Note is to be launched this coming October...temptations, stay away from me!!!)

Size comparison between my Samsung Galaxy Note and iPod Touch

Fitflop Sling in Leather

2012-04-26T12:04:00.000+08:00

It was love at first sight when I saw this Fitflop Sling (Tumbled Leather) in Grass Green for the first time at the Fitflop kiosk at Robinson's Manila. First, it came in green, which is my favorite color. Second, it is a Fitflop, and judging from my past experience with my old Fitflop, each step has always been comfortable for my feet.

At Php 4,990.00 (approx. US$ 119.00), it certainly ain't cheap for a pair of sandals. But in my mind, I was thinking that it should be worth it. So after a few days of mulling over it, I decided to buy it.

I tried it out at home and it fit perfectly. I was looking forward to walking it out over the weekend as I was scheduled for an out-of-town overnight trip with my cousins.

My verdict: Everything was fine and comfy as I imagined it to be except for the part near the big toe that was covered by the leather part. Perhaps it was the leather lining that was rubbing constantly on the skin that, eventually, part of the skin was peeled off. I couldn't walk properly on my second day of wearing it that I wanted to throw away the sandals! But I had to remind myself of the price that I paid for the sandals. So my only solution is to cover the area with band-aid every time I am to wear these sandals.

Aesthetics: 100% Comfort: 80% (because of the peeling of the skin)

As far as Fitflop thongs are concerned, they are the best when it comes to comfort. But as for their other designs like the Sling, I would suggest for you to think twice before buying them as they may not be as comfortable.

Noontech Power Me Polo

2012-01-03T14:59:00.002+08:00

Don't you just hate it when your hand phone or tablet loses its juice and you have nowhere to charge it (either you don't have your charger with you or you're out at the mall and there are simply no outlets to plug into). I do! and it has happened to me on numerous occasions! Which is why, when I read about this device at yugatech.com, I decide to buy one at their sister site called Yugadeals. Priced at a discounted rate of Php 2,300 (approximately US$ 53.48), it was quite reasonable as it gives one around 4000mAh of battery juice. Just to give you an idea, here are the mAh equivalent for the following:

iPhone 4s: 1,432 mAh
Blackberry Torch 9800: 1,270 mAh
Blackberry Playbook: 5,300 mAh

So it means I can easily re-charge both hand phones using my Noontech portable battery should they run out of battery at the same time (one at a time though).

The Noontech portable battery is about the size of my blackberry torch 9800...and about the same thickness too but is a little bit lighter than the bb.

The package comes with the portable battery unit, manual, six head for different devices (blackberry, idevices, nokia, LG, HTC, Samsung, etc....see below) and the coiled connecting cord.

Blackberry Playbook being charged after unpacking the portable battery.

I can't wait to actually use this device when one my devices actually runs out of juice. I just have to remember to keep it charged at all time so I don't end up carrying another useless device in my bag!

iPhone 4s

2011-12-31T14:13:00.002+08:00

It was never in my plans to purchase an iPhone, any iPhone model in fact. The first and last (I thought it was) iPhone that I ever bought was in 2007 and this was the first generation of the iPhone. Not that I was unhappy with it but I got hooked on Blackberrys, BBMs and email services. My plan was to wait for the Blackberry phones that were supposed to come out early 2012 with the BB10 system in place. Announcements were made and eventually, RIM mentioned that they would come out with the new phones by the end of 2012. I was still ok with this and was actually planning on purchasing a Torch 9810 in the meantime. Until I read an article here which claims that Blackberry executives have been lying to everyone about the BB10 system. Disappointment set in and I decided to go back to what was tried and tested in the past for me, ergo, the iPhone 4s.

The iPhone 4s is the latest handset to be released by Apple which includes an 8mega pixel camera, dual core A5 chip, ios5, iCloud and of course, Siri. I won't go into details anymore about the phone as I'm sure there are a million and one websites that deal with this.

Suffice to say, I am quite happy with the performance and the connectivity choices that I have with my friends who carry iPhones. I have also maintained my old Blackberry Torch 9800 for my friends who would still like to communicate with me via BBM.

My gadgets seeing red! Red is not my favorite color (its green) but its easier to find accessories in this color.

Toy Story Land

2011-10-05T15:53:00.006+08:00

I was able to attend yesterday's event at The Peninsula Manila's Rigodon Ballroom called "Toy Story Land Trade Launch Event: It's Playtime Challenge" courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland. A launch like this is annual activity of Hong Kong Disneyland where they host lunch for select travel agents so as to promote a new attraction/ride/event at the Hong Kong Disneyland.

As the title of the event suggests, this was going to be all about the new Toy Story Land opening in November 2011. The concept of the Toy Story Land is set on Andy's backyard wherein his toys are scattered all over. Everyone who is someone in Toy Story is included in the concept such as Woody, Jessie, Rex and Slinky Dog (Buzz Lightyear already has an existing ride at one of the other lands inside Disneyland which is why he is not present in any of the hand-outs for Toy Story Land).

Some of the travel agents waiting at the foyer of the Rigodon Ballroom. The invitation stated 1130H but the doors did not open until 1230H. Luckily, I came in late at 12noon so I didn't have to wait that long.

The stage set-up before the start of the program.

Simple yet creative center piece set up on each table. Very theme appropriate! (I got to take home four of those blocks)

Each table was equipped with these devices. It turned out this was to be used for the game during the duration of the program (we lost at a pathetic ranking of 20). The game also took so long that lunch was served at 1400H.

The toy soldiers reporting! They were clad in green from head to toe and it was as if the toy soldiers really grew and came alive!

The winning teams posing with Woody and Jessie as well as claiming their medals and prizes...I actually felt a tiny tiny tiny pang of jealousy :( I should be on the stage too claiming my prize (sore loser hehe)

Our late lunch started with Caesar Salad. Good but nothing extra ordinary.

Cajun roasted chicken roulade with grilled peppers, vegetable bouquet and steamed rice. Taste was good but the chicken was a bit tough. The hotel, I guess, is not to be blamed for this since they were told that lunch was to be served at 12noon but instead, delayed to an acid-inducing-in-your-tummy hour of 1400H.

Vanilla mille feuille with fruit coulis. Don't ask me what it means but this did not disappoint. Sweet that goes well with tea. Each dessert was presented alongside an edible Toy Story themed white chocolate 'picture' stand.

As with any Hong Kong Disneyland organized activity, this was well thought of and well prepared. All the key sales and marketing people were there to answer any queries by the travel agents. Plus the game was very engaging and fun although hunger pangs still haunt me up to this day. I look forward to personally visiting the Toy Story Land on my next visit to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Emporio Armani Caffe

2011-09-30T09:45:00.006+08:00

On my recent trip to Ho Chi Minh city (my last visit was in 2009), I saw several improvements already. New malls were starting to pop up like Vincom Centre (office/mall combination). District 7 is fast developing and becoming an urbanized area.

My first visit was actually a leisure trip so I was able to visit the usual tourist spots like Cu chi Tunnel (a must), Notre Dame Cathedral, Hall of Reunification, Central Post Office, etc. This trip was a business trip (I was there to attend the 7th Vietnam ITE, more of this on another post) so I limited my free time to visiting some malls and dining out. One of the restaurants that I knew I had to try was the Emporio Armani Caffe which is located inside Vincom Centre. Opened sometime in July 2010, this is the first and only Emporio Armani Caffe in the Asia Pacific region.

One of the two entrances to the cafe. It is a 2 story establishment and it is beside an Emporio Armani boutique.

Black flooring and walls makes a dark and sombre interior.

Unlimited return to the salad bar is included for the Entree during lunch time. Salad bar includes couscous, pesto penne, veggies and others.

My salad platter. I only had a serving as I didn't want to stuff myself before partaking of the entree.

I decided to order the Chicken Milanese with the delicious Arugula salad since this was one of the cheaper items at 226,000 dong (US$ 11.30 or Php 499)

Saigon Special beer to wash down the food. 66,000 dong (US$ 3.3 or Php 148) for a bottle.

My friend, Ana, ordered the Pork Escalop at 216,000 dong (US$ 10.80 or Php 477)

My other friend, Charmaine, order the Veal Fillet priced at 376,000 dong (US$ 18.80 or Php 831).

Overall, our bill came down to 1,173,480 dong (US$ 58.67 or Php 2,600) or approximately US$ 20 per person for entree, salad and a bottle of local beer.

Personally, as with most branded/signature items, I feel that the pricing is a bit overpriced. You are paying for the brand name obviously which is also an experience by itself. But the taste falls short and is a bit 'bleh' if you ask me. Given a chance, would I go back and dine at Emporio Armani Caffe?...your treat, I definitely would! hehehe but if I had to pay for it, I'd opt for the other cheaper yet better tasting restaurants around town.

Emporio Armani Caffe
70-72 Thanh Ton Street
Ben Nghe Ward
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel (84 8 ) 38247055

Bantayan Island

2011-09-28T18:58:00.005+08:00

Admittedly a big big big fan of Cebu, I have yet to discover places outside of the city and its nearby surroundings. Luckily, I got the chance to visit Bantayan Island last August with a couple of my good friends who are all based in Cebu.

Bantayan is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantayan_Island)

How to get to Bantayan:

From Cebu City, you can take a public bus to Hagnaya Wharf (takes about 2.5 to 3 hours). Or, you can do it like me and hitch a ride with your friends who abhor taking the public transport hehehe.

From the Wharf, you will have to take a one-hour or so ferry to Bantayan Island. The cost is very minimal for the ferry ride...only Php 180 (US$ 4) per way (non airconditioned which is fine since it is very breezy on the passenger deck). To book a hotel, you can either book through one of the numerous websites available (just google it) or just go there first to check out the hotel and book on the spot (do not do this during Easter Week as it is impossible for one to get a room during this period unless you pre book)

Bantayan Island, to me, is how I imagine what Boracay Island looked like in its early years before commercialism took over the Island. As they say, pictures paint a thousand words...

Ferry Schedules posted on the board

The Ro-ro (ferry) which can accommodate cargo and vehicles on its berth and passengers on the upper deck.

The postcard worthy scene that welcomes you as you approach Bantayan Island.

The resort where we stayed at. An air-conditioned room for four would cost like Php 1,800 (US$ 40) per night (includes 2 double beds and a day bed). My apologies as I forgot to take pictures of the room.

You can arrange with the resort to prepare you your meals and taken at one of the numerous beach front huts that surround the resort. We were spending like Php 1,000 (US$ 22) per meal for a group of 8 people.

Perfect for strolling alone on the beach...

....or with your special someone!

If you want a no fuss, low cost vacation in one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the Philippines, then go to Bantayan Island where people's smiles are still at its sincerest form.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

2011-09-28T18:14:00.006+08:00

If you're looking for an affordable, clean, decent and conveniently-located hotel in Manila, then you don't have to look further than Hotel Kimberly. Less than a 5-minute walk away from a mall (Robinson's Place Ermita) and several dining and night entertainment options, the hotel is situated in the heart of Manila (Ermita/Malate area).

Rooms cost around Php 2000++ (US$ 45++) which includes buffet breakfast for two.

Simple yet functional hotel lobby.

I personally stayed for a night in this hotel last June (my room was upgraded though) and I must say I did have a pleasant stay.

My room was quite spacious and even featured a LCD TV which even some 4-star hotel don't offer. The hotel also offers free Wi-fi in all guest rooms! (which hopefully will become a standard in all hotels all over the world)

The bathroom included a bath tub (not included in the picture and is quite spacious.

The main and only dining area serves buffet breakfast. As with the rest of the hotel, menu selection is very basic...you have your egg station, bread, cereal, fruits, juice, 2 or 3 hot items, rice and bread. Nothing exceptional but enough to fill one's tummy and start of the day right. Dining area is also noticeably clean, a huge plus.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

770 Pedro Gil Street

Malate, Manila, Philippines

Tel (63 2) 5211888

Fax (63 2) 5267270

Website: http://manila.hotelkimberly.com/index

Moshi Moshi Pop Phone

2011-09-25T11:25:00.003+08:00

Call me crazy...or quirky but I like unique looking stuff or gadgets. So it should come as no surprise that my latest purchase is the Moshi Moshi Pop Phone by Native Union (http://www.nativeunion.com/hk/popphone.html).

"Designed by the French designer David Turpin the POP handset combines classic style with a contemporary edge and is finished with a luxurious soft-touch texture. The handset has been manufactured with a high quality speaker and microphone and can be used with all mobile phones when fitted with the correct adaptor (sold separately) and when fitted with a USB adaptor (sold separately) can be used for VOIP computer telephone calls (Skype, Google Talk...). This product is fitted with a 3.5mm jack (compatible with the iPhone)."

Ordered this via Dimensione Robinson's Ermita and it cost Php 1875 (US$ 43). You can buy this directly though at Dimensione High Street.

The Pop Phone is supposed to reduce the phone radiation that is emitted by putting our handphones beside our ear every time we use one.

Some famous people that have been 'caught' using the Pop Phone:

Lenny Kravitz

Jamie Lee Curtis

...and Chef Roger Perez (who?!?!?!?!) hehehe. He's a good friend of mine, as well as being the Executive Chef of Manila Pavilion Hotel, and I took a picture of him while he was using my Pop Phone (he thinks I'm crazy for buying/using one so here's revenge hehehe)

White Eleganza!

2011-08-15T11:17:00.004+08:00

I recently had my sofa set re-upholstered as they were already looking run down and all torn. After picking my first and second choice colors for the German leather that was to be used for the re-upholstered sofa set, I only had to wait around 12 days for it to be delivered back (I told them not to rush since I wanted this to be perfect and quite possibly to last another 10 years like how the original did)

The original color of the set was gray. I decided to go a different shade by choosing light tan (first choice) and medium tan (second choice). Last Saturday, the sofa set was finally delivered. Imagine my surprise when they took out the set from its plastic covering. It was in white, or off-white, or ivory, or whatever name it is called! I have to admit that, unconsciously, I've always wanted to have a white sofa set as it looks all clean and elegant. But, I'm also a realist. We have kids at home plus I have five dogs so its not ideal to have anything in white, much less a leather sofa set.

After the initial shock, I carefully inspected the workmanship and I have to say that it is just perfect. The leather is soft to the touch yet it is firmly packed with the foam used inside.

I was also worried that my newly bought throw pillow would not match the set as I had a mocha or tan set in mind. Luckily, white is quite flexible so the throw pillows fit in without any color clash or anything.

Like anything in life, what is one to do when thrown something that one did not expect...one has no choice but to accept it....with some rules added in:
1. no dogs allowed on the couch (except if the nanny remembers to keep their paws clean)
2. no eating or drinking allowed on the couch
3. kids are supposed to sit like they have a stiff back and no unnecessary movements allowed

Enjoy the pictures!

Tower Burger

2011-08-04T15:18:00.002+08:00

At Php 110 (US$ 2.75) each on a la carte or Php 140 (US$ 3.5) with fries and soda, the Tower Burger is the latest addition to the menu selection of KFC, otherwise known as Colonel Sander's house of chicken.

According to KFC's website, the Tower Burger is "layer after layer of so good while you enjoy an original recipe fillet, premium cheese, lettuce and mayo topped with a crunchy hash brown"

My initial reaction on the first couple of bites was that, this is just a regular chicken fillet sandwich with a hash brown squeezed in between the fillet and the bun! But as you delve deeper into the sandwich, the flavors begin to mash with one another creating a sandwich that you wouldn't mind eating another one of. That is, if you still have the appetite for it. (a friend of mine told me he could actually eat 3 of these!?!?!)

Should you stick to your regular beef burger then? The answer is actually up to you and your personal preference. But for me, this is to be my burger of choice for the moment...so good!

Fred Perry...part 2

2011-08-04T12:03:00.004+08:00

And then, there were three...three Fred Perry holdalls, that is. As mentioned previously on my post about Fred Perry holdalls which you can find here, I am a big big fan of these bags. Add to this that Fred Perry was on sale, who could resist???

Without further ado, here comes Holdall #3

White, admittedly, is one bag color that is very difficult to maintain but it is also one of the most versatile and attractive color to carry.

I had to visit the shop twice before I did finally decide to purchase the bag since I felt that I am not exactly an expert in keeping my bags from getting itself dirty (its their fault actually! hehe) but after throwing caution to the wind (and the prospect of getting another holdall), I went for it. Only to find a teeny-weeny bit of red spot on the front pocket. After discussing this with the shopkeeper, she (her name's Joanne) decided to give me an extra 5% discount on top of the discounted price truly making this holdall a bargain.

Mulberry Daria Drawstring...NOT!

2011-07-25T09:10:00.006+08:00

It is a rare occurrence in my life when I go to the mall or shopping complex and have a specific item in mind that I have to purchase. I usually wander aimlessly in the malls and just purchase something that catches my attention or in most cases, just window shop. But yesterday was a different story. I was wandering around the shopping malls of Makati (Glorietta and Greenbelt) for the sole purpose of purchasing a new set of throw pillows for my soon-to-be-re-upholstered sofa set.

First stop was this big department store which is a store that I rarely visit. But I do wanted to see if they offered anything different from what they usually have on display in their other stores. They did, fortunately, but I ended up not buying it since the price was a bit too high (Php 500 or US$ 12 per piece) and I was supposed to buy 8 pieces of it!

Since the houseware section of this department store is on the uppermost floor, I think this was on the 4th level, I had to find my way down the department store and I decided to pass by the other sections since I was already there (window shopper in me couldn't resist as always).

I was walking past the ladies hand bag/purse section and something caught my attention. It was a collection of women's hand bags from my favorite luxury brand in the world, Mulberry. I was so shocked to see Mulberry bags in the middle of the store, a purveyor of affordable items. I then decided to take a closer look and, lo and behold, it was a copy (read: fake) of the original Mulberry Daria Drawstring.

Just to give you an idea, below is a picture of the original and a similar model from the same line:

Mulberry Daria Drawstring.

A similar bag to the above is the Mulberry Daria Hobo.

Now I do not mind copies. Even fashion houses do this occasionally on an unconscious level. Think Mulberry's Alexa and Proenza Schouler's PS1. I've also seen some Bottega Veneta Intrecciato looking bags in some other department stores but, at least they don't label it as Bottaga Veneta or include the logo of the bag (not that Bottega Veneta has a very distinct logo). But if the copy copies everything from the details to the exact logo, then it becomes an imitation that is similar to pirating movies.

The bags that I saw on display are actually made by P------- Bags, which is a local brand that is exclusively carried by this Department Store.

Article from a newspaper dated 18 August 2010 about P------- Bags.

MANILA, Philippines - Many Filipinos have grown up with P-------- shoes, and today, with a new generation rediscovering this iconic brand, -- has introduced a new bag collection to complement its exciting fashion-forward look.

After all, what’s a girl to match with her stylish shoes? And the P------- bag collection rises to the occasion by echoing the brand’s affordable luxury and appeal. In an array of neutral shades and offbeat colors, interesting silhouettes, patterns and details, P------- bags merge high style and functionality.

P------- redefines the term “arm candy” with big, bold, detailed, and textured bags perfect for daytime appointments and evening occasions. You’ll look every inch polished in P------- bags with a glossy finish, as well as intricate weaves and stitched quilting. Details like oversized links, tiny handles and shiny hardware go well with today’s best-selling P------- shoes. Multi-tasking fashionistas will also love the way P-------’s modern shapes and practical designs open into expandable multi-compartments to help them organize their busy day.

Unfortunately, affordable luxury and appeal means copying everything from the bag itself to the iconic mulberry tree logo in gold plate. The cost of the bag is Php 1,299 (US$ 30) or thereabouts. (an original Mulberry Daria Drawstring is priced around Php 30,000-40,000 (US$ 697-930) as this is from past season's collection). Without further ado, I present to you the P------- bags as displayed in this department store. (I just think this department store has the social responsibility of not allowing fakes to be sold outright in their stores, what do you think?)

The Fireplace

2011-06-23T12:54:00.006+08:00

I usually do not entertain the idea of having dinner unless it is to be with the company of very good friends or my dear cousins but, last night, we had to fulfill our acceptance of an invitation from our friends from Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila to dine at The Fireplace. Jay Serrano (Director of Sales) and Jeff Poon (scion of Maxim's Manila and Sales Manager for Travel) graciously invited us to sample their new scallop dishes and we could not say no (yes we could, but who turns away a free meal or two!)

The exterior of The Fireplace which kind of reminds me of some fancy steam train that one sees in Western flicks

The inner dining area.

A closer look at the open kitchen.

Simple yet elegantly set up table for a party of eight.

Menu with corresponding prices placed at the entrance of the restaurant. You might need to enlarge it a bit as the lighting was a little bit dim-ish to keep with the ambiance.

First of all, a short description of The Fireplace based on the hotel's website "Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila introduces the perfect spot for wining and dining – The Fireplace. This upscale grill room offering perfectly cooked prime meats and seafood showcasing culinary excellence and offers an interactive dining experience that is unique to Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.

Be charmed by the elegant brass interiors and open kitchen concept, with its large wood-fired oven located in full view of the guests as the chefs prepare their dishes.

A fine wine library with a vast selection of European and New World wines is another attraction of The Fireplace, where a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere, matched with excellent cuisine, provides a dining experience like no other."

One of the wine storage facilities/cooler that lined the side wall of the restaurant. This one contained a selection of champagnes.

Now on to the food that we partook of last night. For starters, I had half a serving of their Millionaire's Salad.

The salad included pan-fried foie gras, prawns, seared scallops, organic leaves and raspberry vignairette. Now why only half a serving? For one, a whole order may be too much for one person as you may still want to enjoy the other courses. Should you wish to order this salad, I would suggest for two people to share it. This is a fantastic salad and one of the highlights of the evening's meal if taken in moderation.
Price: Php 1400++ (US$ 32++)

Next came my soup which was Oven baked onion with gruyere cheese, or as my boss would say, is just a fancy name for French Onion Soup.

Beautifully presented, I could not help enjoying this familiar and tasteful soup. The gruyere cheese sticking to the outside of the bowl which was meant as an 'ornament' to enhance the look of the soup was so good that I could not help peeling it off and eating it with my soup. I could only finish 3/4 of the bowl and it felt like the bowl was bottomless!
Price: Php 430++ (US$ 10++)

Next came the main course and piece de resistance, Surf and Turf. It consists of a piece of US Prime Rib, Scallops and some veggies. This dish is actually part of the special Scallop menu at The Fireplace which will only have a limited run (until end fo June, if I'm not mistaken). Scallops are specially flown in from the USA.

The prime rib, served medium as I requested was soft and juicy and quite tasty. The scallops though, were not what I anticipated it to be. Being of Chinese heritage perhaps, I've been exposed to scallops at an early age and although not a food connoisseur, I can say that this has not been the best scallops I've ever tasted. Overall, the dish was good but not excellent.
Price: Php 2000++ (US$ 47++)

And the finale? A bowl filled with Chocolate Soup. Those infected with a sweet-tooth (like myself) will enjoy this dessert as it ultimately chocolate-y. I finished the whole bowl without getting any quesy feeling so it must really be good. The small scoop of vanilla ice cream in the middle helped neutralize the chocolate overdose a bit.

All in all, I would say that The Fireplace is an enjoyable place to dine in specially if you have a lot of spare change to spend. They have a wide selection of steaks that would make any steak lover drool. Wine lovers will also be bombarded with a diverse list of wines from practically all wine-producing countries (France, Italy, Chile, Australia, US, etc). Value for money is good at The Fireplace so make your next romantic date at The Fireplace.

The Fireplace @ the 5th Floor
Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila
1588 Pedro Gil corner
M.H. del Pilar
Malate, Manila 1004
Philippines
Tel: (+63 2) 2451234
Website: www.manila.casino.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/restaurants/index.jsp#9062005
Open only for dinner: 1800-2300H daily

The A.Venue Hotel Suite & Antel Spa Suites

2011-05-22T18:14:00.009+08:00

The A.Venue Hotel Suite and Antel Spa Suites are two condotels (a combination of residential units and hotel rooms) that are located inside the Antel Lifestyle City along Makati Avenue, Makati City.

Inside the Antel Lifestule City, you will find the the two earlier-mentioned condotels, a mall and an event venue call A. Venue Hall. A third tower/condotel is soon to rise by the name of Serenity.

There is currently a re-branding of the hotel name to include the Best Western name, a chain of mid to low level hotels in the US and around the world.

THE A. VENUE HOTEL SUITE

Let us go first to the tower that was built 3 years ago, The A. Venue Hotel Suite.

The hotel lobby felt like a residential condominium's lobby more than a hotel's. It was quite cramped and low-ceilinged. Since the owners of the Antel group actually specialized in residential condominiums, it was quite understandable why the hotel has this kind of lobby for its first hotel venture.

I was then ushered to a show-room with a one-bedroom unit being first in their showcase.

A spacious kitchen compared to the kitchen of the two-bedroom unit although I doubt if anybody really ever takes the time to cook when staying in hotels like these. Cutleries and plates and other cooking equipment are available upon request.

A writing desk squeezed in instead of a side table is a fantastic idea to maximize the space available.

No bathtub but who actually takes the time out to soak oneself in hotel bathtubs...i certainly don't.

Now this is a little jiffy if you ask me since the chair is actually blocking the closet door and there is nowhere else to put the chair into.

And the two bedroom unit:

I like the flexibility of the center table which can be flipped on its side to function as a mini table to put your popcorn bowl and drinks should a movie night be desired.

A table for four is a bit of a squeeze to use as there is not much space to move around when you're seated beside each other.

As I mentioned earlier, I prefer the layout of the kitchen for the one-bedroom unit as this one seemed to be added as an afterthought since there still some available space (which I'm sure it ain't)

The second toilet located beside the 2nd bedroom.

The master bedroom bed.

A suitably sized lcd TV inside the master bedroom although the dangling power box is an eye sore.

The master bedroom toilet with a bathtub.

The 2nd bedroom.

The corridor at The A. Venue Suites.

On top of this, The A. Venue Suites has a Grand Ballroom and three other smaller function rooms, Business Center, Infinity Pool and Kid's Pool, Wi-fi (charged), spa, gym, Coffee shop, Laundry service, and Parking.

The A. Venue Hotel Suites

Antel Lifestyle City

7829 Makati Avenue, Makati City, Philippines

Tel: (63 2) 4030865 / 4030888

Fax: (63 2) 4030854

Website: http://www.avenuehotelsuites.com/index.php

ANTEL SPA SUITES

Antel Spa Suites is the second hotel built by the Antel group and it seems they have started to do a little bit of research on how a hotel should look like. The lobby was airy, spacious and had a high ceiling. It looks very much like a proper hotel lobby.

The only room type available was the Studio Suite which is adequately sized and furnished.

For such a small room, it comes equipped with a kitchenette and dining table. A welcome addition for occasions when you want to eat inside your hotel room and not do it on your bed.

The bathroom, although compact, comes with a bathtub. I just hope its not too tight sitting on the toilet seat.

A shot taken from the hotel hallway.

Facilities of the hotel include a Spa, Infinity Pool, Gym, Laundry Service, Coffee Shop, Business Center and Parking.

Antel Spa Suites

Antel Lifestyle City

7829 Makati Avenue, Makati City, Philippines

Tel: (63 2) 4030808

Fax: (63 2) 4037572

Website: http://www.antelspahotelsuites.com/index.html

The Rotisserie

2011-05-19T19:37:00.003+08:00

Aren't there times that you wished you could just take a relaxing and un-hurried dinner with friends with the ambiance of a fine dining restaurant. I do! Which is why for my post birthday treat this year (my birthday is actually in February but we always wait for the group to be complete before we do any celebrations, thus, this dinner happened early part of May), I decided to introduce my friends to The Rotisserie.

According to The Rotisserie's press kit "Preserving a traditional exceptional food and service, Rotisserie is the home of Manila's Prime Rib of Roast Beef and Caesar Salad. Take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce the flair of the Old Manila through Rotiserrie's classic vintage setting"

The Rotisserie has been around for more than 30 years if my memory serves me right and this restaurant used to be THE restaurant to be seen. Nowadays, it seems as if the restaurant has lost all its glory and the young ones would not even be familiar with this restaurant.

Be prepared to spend a bit when you dine at The Rotisserie. Expect to spend at least Php 2,000 or US$ 46 per person, not including the drinks yet. I was fortunate to personally know the Food and Beverage Director as well as the Executive Chef of the hotel and I asked them to prepare a special menu for me and my friends at a very special price (hotel director's privilege which I was able to "borrow").

First off, we had the complimentary bread basket. Remember this is in a fine dining setting so we expected the food to be served one at a time and at a slow pace. It helped that there was an abundance of bread for us to help ourselves and satiate our hunger while waiting for each of the dishes to be presented.

Our soup came out next. Lobster Bisque it was. Very thick and tasty. You immediately know that this is no run-of-the-mill bisque.

The Caesar Salad which was tossed by the maitre d' at the salad tossing station (?). The dressing was perfect as was the generous topping of cheese and bacon bits.

My entree consisted of Roast Beef and Prawns. Now, The Rotisserie has always been known for its Roast Beef and this is where we would find out if the restaurant was able to maintain the perfect way of preparing this dish. I am usually not a fan of steaks or beef for that matter but since this is what the restaurant is famous for. I, of course, would not want to miss the chance of tasting it once again.

Certainly, the roast beef was excellent. Topped with the gravy, it was soft, chewy and delicious. The prawns were also very good and taking their shell off was a breeze. I was the only one presented with this combo dish (my friends were given the roast beef + sea bass combination) since I am allergic to fish.

My friends also enjoyed their roast beef serving. Unfortunately, the sea bass was a disappointment to all. The general consensus was that it was not fresh. A pity since it looked very appetizing.

Last came the dessert. Tiramisu with a side scoop of ice cream. Everyone sang praises for this light and tasteful end to our meal. I expected it to be mediocre but to my pleasant surprise, it was so good that I wanted a second serving.

All in all, it took us more than two hours to finish our meal. I also brought in a bottle of red wine (corkage waived upon my request) to compliment our roast beef. For special occasions, I would highly recommend this restaurant as it oozes of romance and Old World charm as they claim. The price as I mentioned earlier is hefty but in the end, your taste buds are satisfied as only a proper find dining restaurant can satisfy it.

The Rotisserie

3rd Floor, Manila Pavilion Hotel

U.N. Avenue, Ermita, Manila

1000 Philippines

Tel: (63 2) 5261212

Mon-Fri lunch: 1130H to 1500H

Mon-Sat dinner: 1830H to 2230H

Closed on Sundays

Tokyoflash Japan

2011-05-15T14:10:00.004+08:00

On my recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, I did a lot of window shopping although I didn't have anything in particular that I wanted or needed to buy. That is until I browsed through a watch shop at the Pavilion Mall. I remembered that I had been looking for a gold Nooka watch which is quite difficult to find in Asia. I then noticed this gold watch from Tokyoflash Japan which had a different way of displaying time. I first read about Tokyoflash Japan months ago on both engadget.com and luisaviaroma.com.

My R75 Tokyoflash watch.

From www.tokyoflash.com : If you're looking for a watch that simply tells the time, then our watches are probably not for you. We design wearable art, many people don't appreciate art but many people do.

If your sole reason for buying a watch is to tell the time, we would recommend purchasing another watch brand that does just that. If you have a cell phone, computer, PDA or wall clock, the chances are you don't even need to wear a watch, so why purchase a Tokyoflash watch?

You have to press one of the two buttons to show the time. Above is actually the date display...five dots mean the month of May and the number 12 being the date.

The beauty of Tokyoflash is that its unique. I don't think I would see a lot of people wearing these on the streets of Manila. Also, it has 3 different ways of telling time. Call it selfish but it gives me a bit of pleasure knowing that people can't easily read the time on my watch when they secretly steal a glance at it hehehe.

Tokyoflash actually has other watches with an even more unique way of telling tiime but honestly, they are too complicated even for me.

The cost of my tokyoflash watch? RM599 (Malaysian Ringgit) or approximately Php 8,386. But I haggled my way (truth is there is a discount price so I didn't really haggle) and I only paid RM410 or Php 5740. Tokyoflash's website lists it as US$ 153.16 or Php 6,585 (doesn't include shipping and taxes yet) so I guess I got a good bargain. It's also way below the price of a Nooka gold watch which is approximately Php 10-12K.

My old silver Nooka watch on the left most. Gold Tokyoflash watch on the middle. Xemex silver watch on the right most.

iPod Touch

2011-03-17T20:14:00.004+08:00

After months and months of contemplating, I was finally convinced (coerced, is a more appropriate word, I think) into purchasing my first iPod Touch. Why coerced? Well, on my last visit to Hong Kong, I was torn between buying an iPhone4 or a camera. I ended up buying the camera since I thought this would be a more useful gadget for me. I also made up my mind that an iPhone is not for me since:

a. everyone already has one and I'm quite happy with my BB

b. I was one of the first to have the iPhone1 back in 2007 and that was enough to satiate my iPhone craving.

'nude' ipod Touch

But I wanted to try facetime. I also wanted to be able to upload photos instantly to my facebook account like my friend Kim does. I know I already have an iPad but iPads don't have cameras (iPad2 has it) and the iPad isn't really one of the handiest gadgets to lug around specially when you're travelling. So what's the next best alternative to an iPhone that will not break the bank? An Ipod Touch! I checked out the prices in Hong Kong and with the exchange rate, I figured it would still be cheaper to buy my iPod Touch here in the Phils. What I did was buy a case in Hong Kong from an Apple store as there were more choices and the prices were more favorable in Hong Kong.

Beside the iPod Touch case I bought in Hong Kong for only HKD139 (Php 795) which comes with screen protector and earphone detangler

I also already have an iPod Shuffle which I bought last December and its really been super handy whenever I use it to go jogging around Luneta Park. But lately, outside of jogging, it's been frustrating not being able to select the music that you want to hear. I wasn't really in a rush to buy an iPod Touch but at the back of my mind, I kept on thinking about the case that I bought in Hong Kong that is just gathering dust in my cabinet (here's where the 'coercing' part comes in and a poor excuse to purchase something,but I couldn't help it! hehehe). So, before I could stop myself, I ended up buying my iPod Touch!

Beside my iPad and iPod Shuffle

I bought the cheapest entry level model which is just 8gb. I haven't really toyed with it yet as I only plan on using it as a music player. The apps I have in my iPad are already enough for me and I could see the advantage of having a huge screen such as the iPad's. The case from Hong Kong though is now hugging my iPod Touch so I guess everyone is happy (except my wallet). How much was it? P10800 or US$ 245.

Color me red! My iPad, iPod Touch and Blackberry Torch. Red is actually not my favorite color, it just so happen that most cases that are available are either in black or red and I didn't want to go black.

Behind the scene.

Kaos

2011-03-14T08:31:00.005+08:00

Instead of spending the whole of yesterday at home just lazing around, I had to drag myself to watch Kaos at Resorts World with my 2 cousins and their 4 kids and husband since we had already purchased the tickets since last February.

"Kaos with The Manila Symphony Orchestra. A classic adventure of a handsome prince, a beautiful maiden and an interfering advisor. A never ending search for true love...Las Vegas meets Broadway in a one-of-a-kind musical spectacle never before seen in the Philippines.

The Story In a medieval kingdom, a lonely prince peers into a magical mirror and falls in love with a beautiful maiden from the future. As the past and the future converge, the two discover a love that transcends time and overcomes seemingly impossible odds.

This is the story of KAOS, a visual and musical spectacle unlike anything Manila has ever seen" as per the official website of Kaos at www.rwmanila.com/kaos

Plus: The whole stage was spectacular and to quote them, it is really a stage unlike anything I have ever seen. The stunts and acrobats were likewise breath-taking. Even if you know that the clumsiness of the performers were all part of the act, the people in the audience could not help but loudly gasp as death defying scenes unfolded on the stage. The live animals, a white lion and tiger (first time I've seen them live) were a thrill to watch as you wonder if they would suddenly attack the audience (I was seated at the balcony so I wasn't really worried about myself hehe)

Minus: The storyline was a bit on the boring side. Its the usual prince who goes looking for the love of his life with an antagonist trying to prevent him from doing so. Maybe the show is really targeted for the children who wouldn't really care about the storyline but instead focus on the death defying stunts. I did ask the kids who were with us on how they felt about the show and most of them said they almost fell asleep in the middle of the show. The music selection was also so-so although the female lead did have a powerful and enchanting voice. The male lead's voice (not Gian Magdangal but his alternate) was not as good and powerful as I expected it to be. Plus, I didn't feel whatever feelings he wanted to convey to the audience...feelings such as love, desperation, etc.

Overall, I didn't mind having to spend Php 1,100 for the ticket as it was entertaining in most ways but its not a show that I would want to come back to watch again.

Photographs are not allowed to be taken during the entire show so I didn't get the chance to take any photos although towards the end of the show, I did manage to take a shot, afterwhich, security personnel approached us to tell us that taking photos is still not allowed even after the show.

Ticket prices:
Upper Balcony P988
Balcony P1,188
Deluxe P1,888
Premiere P2,688
VIP P2,888

The theatre is not that huge so the Balcony tickets were adequate as long as you get the center seats.