jE's AnAtOmY

Funtastic Shop

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:44:00 +0000

My niece Zoe turned one yesterday. Aside from her Dibo-inspired party, another thing made little Zoe so ecstatic.

Hello everybody. My name is Zoe. Meet my new best friend. Her name is Minnie.

Zoe’s mom has an online store that caters to all baby needs. Whether you simply want to spoil your babies with cute toys or you don’t have the time to go out and shop for feeding bottles because of your busy schedule, Funtastic Shop will save the day.

The purple dress that Zoe is wearing was a Christmas gift from my mom. Notice how the pretty barefoot sandals match her dress? Grab one for your little princess too.

Looking at Funtastic Shop’s catalog, I am actually amazed how cool baby things have become. Visit Funtastic Shop’s site to know what I’m talking about. :)

Funtastic Shop
http://funtasticbabyshop.blogspot.com/
Facebook Page

My Sweets Haven

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:53:00 +0000

My friend Joie finally left the corporate world to take care of her family's business and start fulfilling her biggest dream. I made a post before about a friend who wants to be pastry chef someday. I am now putting a name behind that blind item-ish post.

Joie strived so hard to get through the daily challenges of keeping up a career while still realizing her dreams. We used to endlessly share our baking stories, mine are mostly horror stories. She would teach me techniques on baking and give me tips on where to get the best ingredients.

Just recently, she put up her site to feature all of her sweet creations. I am not saying this because she's my friend or because I'm just obliged to. But everything on her site is so good! I remember not having the time to go shopping for gifts last Christmas when Joie's cookies came to the rescue. Every recipient of my present enjoyed each cookie.

If you've been reading my blog, you'll realize that I give (very) honest reviews. Of course, Joie wasn't spared of my frankness. She always asks me to taste her baked goodies and trusts me that I'll give her nothing but an honest review. Because of this, I proclaimed myself as the official taste tester of My Sweets Haven! Chos! :p

There was one time when her boyfriend Jeff and I rumbled over a piece of brownie! I was blackmailing him to give it to me but we ended up splitting it into two. Boooo, Jeff! Damot! :p

When I resigned, she thoughtfully sent me and Boyet her special heart-shaped cookies on Valentine’s Day.

She also recently made cupcakes for a friend’s baby shower.

I’m sure that Joie will soon fulfill her lifelong dream. And when she becomes the pastry chef that she wants to be, I can brag that My Sweets Haven made its debut on jE's AnAtOmY. :)

Whether you have a special occasion which you want to seal with a splash of sweetness or you simply need a sugar rush, My Sweets Haven is ready to serve you.

My Sweets Haven
by Christine Joie Relevante
Multiply Site
Facebook Page

Makiling Highlands Resort

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sun, 20 May 2012 07:07:00 +0000

I have always been tasked to organize our yearly Holy Week out of town trips. We skipped one last year since I was so busy with our wedding preparations. I’m not new in this field but I dread organizing family trips because my parents have a lot of demands and limitations. They don’t want to spend the night in a beach because they’re scared of tsunamis. Despite the many times I told them that the odds of being hit by a car are more likely than dying of tsunami, they still refuse to bend. I invited my aunt and cousins to come along with us so we need a place where food and drinks can be brought with no corkage fees. That was another consideration in choosing a resort. Most of the private resorts were already fully-booked when we inquired so we were left with one choice. My parents have already been at Makiling Highlands Resort before with some of their friends. My mom called the resort and was told that there are still available from their 10 private pools. The agent then sent us some photos of Pool #10.

Photos courtesy of Makiling Highlands Resort

We met the Gonzales family at Alabang and convoyed our way to Pansol. It was Black Saturday so traffic at SLEX was bearable. We arrived earlier than the check-in time and the group before us stayed longer at the pool than they were allowed to. The staff allowed us to stay and have lunch at one of the sheds while waiting for the pool to be cleaned.

Zoe – my super duper cute niece kept her cool despite the summer heat while everybody started feeling restless for waiting.

Don’t talk (and giggle) when your mouth is full :p

with my brother

I’m glad that we chose to stay at the private pool because there is no way that you can make me swim in their public pools. It seems that the resort is too lenient with the guests by not requiring them to swim in proper swimming attires. I saw people swimming in maong shorts, colored shirts and even jogging pants. I just think it’s not hygienic. :|

Kuya Lloyd (at the back), with Mama, Tita Flory, Zoe and Hazel

While we stayed at the shed to do some catching up, the boys opted to kill time by playing billiard. The resort has a designated area with billiard tables for the guests to enjoy.

‘Nung college kami, kopya lang kopya ‘yan sa akin ng assignments tapos lagi lang siyang nasa bilyaran! >:)

By 3PM, we were finally allowed to check-in. Because of this, my mom demanded that we should be allowed to extend for an hour the following day.

The house has two rooms which were perfect for both families. Each room has five beds and a clean restroom. The TV sets in the rooms have very poor reception. Separating the two rooms are a dirty kitchen and shower rooms for boys and girls. There’s also a videoke machine outside the rooms.

Aside from the big adult pool, there’s also a kiddie pool which little Zoe immediately took a dip into.

Family outings are boring without home-cooked meals and mouth-watering grilled dishes. We had adobo, chicharon, sisig, grilled liempo, hotdogs, isaw and inihaw bangus.

For PHP11,500 (peak rate), Makiling Highlands Resort is perfect for family and group outings.

Makiling Highlands Resort
Capt. Mamon Road,
Pansol, Calamba, Laguna

A Not So Unique Face

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:23:00 +0000

Growing up, I was really dark and very skinny. Today, I’m still dark but not so skinny anymore. Nyahahaha! At the height of Okay Ka Fairy Ko's popularity, my relatives used to call me Tweetie, claiming that I look like Tweetie de Leon. Some of my cousins treated it as an insult because her beauty is different from her mestiza counterparts. But back then, I tried so hard to hide my smile whenever they tease me. I would act as if I'm pissed off but deep inside, there's a certain level of kilig inside me. Even at a young age, my definition of beauty is far from what the norm dictates. If you were to ask me to give the name of a local celebrity from the 90's with the prettiest face, I'd say Tweetie de Leon without thinking twice. Her Heno de Pravia commercial is a classic! And looking at her ads now, it seems like she hasn't aged at all. Ngayon nyo ako tuksuhin na kamukha ko siya! Mag cartwheel ako sa tuwa! :p

When I was in high school, my classmates would always tell me that I am a Miriam Quiambao duplicate. I don't know if it was because of the similarities with our complexion or the fact that I used to slip and stumble all the time at school. It faded off quickly and I was once again JERELLT - no celebrity look-alike. It stayed that way for long and I was happy to have a unique face after so many years of being someone else's clone.

A couple of years ago, it started again. I first heard it from a cousin's friend during her wedding. My seatmate from my previous job told me the same which was somehow a reaffirmation. And on my first day on my new job, my teammate who later on also became my seatmate said the same thing. My other teammate even had to go through all the troubles of creating my "unofficial" name tag.

Don't worry, si Tanya Garcia ‘yung nakaupo sa harap ng workstation ko. May John Pratts din kami. :p

Unlike people who CLAIM that they look like a certain celebrity, I'm having a hard time seeing the similarities that others point out to me. My husband asserting in front of the mirror that his looks are a mixture of Derek Ramsay and Coco Martin is such a painful sight to see every single day. He's the opposite of his very humble wife, who despite the number of people telling her that she looks like Kris Bernal still denies it. Hindi ko naman talaga siya kamukha di ba?! I mean, she is pretty. But I just can't see the resemblance at all. Don't you dare say HEIGHT! If you do, I'll give you a virtual kick. Hiyyyaaaaaahhhh!!! :p

Then a couple of weeks ago, I was so surprised to see a mention on my Twitter account from my college classmate.

Friend’s Twitter handle hidden to protect her identity :p

In which I replied,

Ok, given that I have a model, a beauty queen and teen stars as look-alikes, does that mean that I can pass as a celebrity? I can't sing, dance or act so I definitely don't have the makings of a teen star. My height will disqualify me from being a beauty queen. So when I get tired of my day job, I can probably fulfill my dream of writing a book. And then, I can do some modeling on the side. Hahahaha! Asa, Je! Asa! :p

Casa Armas Tapas Bar Y Restaurante

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:10:00 +0000

I was extremely worried before Boyet and I tied the knot that both our schedules would not even permit us to go out on dates when we're married. I've heard so many horror stories how married couples get so busy and preoccupied with building their families making it tremendously difficult for them to spend some time together. Juggling our respective careers and our conscious attempts to save, there are times when going out had to be parked. But I realized that successful marriages involve spouses who spend some quality time together.

But then again, I found two reasons why we could go on dates more often! *wink wink* Now that we're married, he no longer needs to pick me up and drop me off at my house whenever we go out on dates. Boyet also recently learned how to drive so we are able save some precious time that we used to spend commuting.

I have been working at the Fort for almost four months now yet I still don't have the slightest interest to explore it. The streets all look the same to me and the street names still confuse me. 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd… Ang descriptive no?! :p When Boyet and I went out on a Friday night for dinner, we didn’t even try to look for restaurants at The Fort. Instead, we opted to scout for restaurants along Jupiter St. in Makati.

My online research led me to Casa Armas. We always pass by this restaurant and its posh exterior may strike as intimidating especially to diners who are working on a budget. We were hesitant at first because of the lack of parking space. But when I asked the guard, he escorted us to the paid parking lot just across the street. I believe they allot free parking spaces for Casa Armas customers.

While deciding what to get for dinner, a basket of complimentary bread was served on our table. The bread is perfectly toasted leaving it soft and moist at its core yet crunchy outside. It goes very well with the creamy butter which has a hint of sweetness.

Complimentary Bread

Because I’m a monster trapped in a girl’s body, I decided to try as much as I could from their menu. I first tried the Huevo con Atun which is simply hard boiled egg with tuna stuffing. It is a good combination but it gets overpowering after a few more bites.

I also had a serving of Pinchito de Sardina which is bread topped with pickled chili and Spanish sardines. I thought it wasn’t a good decision to get it since we were already served with free bread. But I love Spanish sardines and anything with chili is heaven for me.

Huevo con Atun PHP25

Pinchito de Sardina PHP25

We got two orders of Spanish rice and we were so surprised to find out on our bill that each plate costs PHP160. But then again, it’s worth the price. The taste and presentation are both perfect. It’s not only pleasing to the eyes but to the taste buds as well. The burst of different flavors made this special rice shine on its own. If we just knew how special this rice is, we would have simply eaten it without ordering for a viand. :p

Spanish Rice PHP160

The different meat dishes were so tempting but I restrained myself. We stay away from eating pork and beef at night so we don’t feel bloated before going to sleep. My husband also has the tendency to get sleepy after a heavy meal so I convinced him to have something lighter. We ended up getting their Gambas al Ajilo.

Gambas al Ajilo PHP365

The server put a small pot on our table with shrimps sautéed in olive oil and lots of garlic. We initially thought that the serving wouldn’t be enough to fill our tummies but we were surprised that the pot seems bottomless. We ended up munching the shrimps even after we finished the Spanish rice.

Aside from the big group behind us, Boyet and I were the only customers inside. The cozy yet elegant interior is perfect for those who seek for quick relaxation and gastronomic feast. The servers are also very attentive. Food is great but the price is quite steep. So malamang sa food court ang next date namin! Sana sa Potdog kami next! Teeehee! :p

Casa Armas Tapas Bar Y Restaurante
132 Jupiter St.,
Bel-Air Village, Makati

Making Mother's Day MoMo-liscious!

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:28:00 +0000

Although everyday should be Mother’s Day, a single day has been allotted to honor and thank all the mothers for their unending love and support. I know that all of us have an inner desire to make this day extra special and make our mothers feel how much they are loved and valued. And I know that each year is a struggle for us children to think of the best way to treat and pamper our beloved mothers. Well, worry no more! MoMo Café has something in store for all of us this Mother’s Day. I was fortunate to visit one of the MoMo Café branches a couple of years ago. And I have to say that their food, service and ambiance will surely be great rewards for all hardworking mothers out there!

❤❤❤ ❤❤❤ ❤❤❤

If anyone is worthy of a lovely treat and a big thank you, it’s your mom.

As MoMo Café continues to create a feel of comfort and convenience to its customers, the chicly-designed restaurant offers a variety of delectable dishes in time for a perfect Mother’s Day indulgence, which complements the warmth and delight inherent in every mom.

Put together only with the finest ingredients and commitment to quality, their string of offerings highlights home-cooked takes on gourmet favorites. MoMo Café has put together a P395 set menu to bring moms that flavorful dining experience. Start the feast with a garnished bowl of greens made fresh with sliced oranges that is The MoMo! Gourmet. Liven up your taste buds with the Crispy “Nacho Style” Jalapeno Cheddarella Cheese Rolls, which are a tangy mix of chili beef and beans, sour cream and salsa fresca. Then, as a highlight of the celebration, there is the Slow Roasted Herb U.S. Roast Beef Fingers in creamy au jus, and a generous serving of mashed potatoes and onion rings.

To add to these already satisfying dishes, MoMo Café is giving moms an added unlimited treat of the restaurant’s range of signature smoothies such as melon lychee, watermelon and green mango, chocnut butter finger, and strawberry granola yogurt made with an interesting fusion of flavors.

With a distinctive variety of offerings, the restaurant innovates hospitality with every visit, whether for a hearty brunch or a planned dinner. It is prominently located in Eastwood Mall, Eastwood City and Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, and caters to all—from family lunches to dining with friends.

###

MoMo Café has been bringing fun and casual dining experiences with its full selection of home grown takes on western comfort food and drinks. The restaurant is a part of the Raintree Restaurants group which has other restaurants within the metro namely: Museum Café, Chelsea Market & Café and Mr. Jones. To know more about MoMo Café, you may visit www.raintreerestaurants.com/momo or call (02) 621-6161/(02) 621-6162.

Source: GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.

Gerry’s Grill One More Time

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:58:00 +0000

It wasn't my first time to try Gerry's Grill since my previous office is just a cartwheel away from its Ayala branch. It has been our group's venue for spontaneous lunch outs, celebrating promotions or even pacifying someone's craving for sisig. We kept on coming back even if it entails joining the long queue of customers on lunch breaks and the occasional slow service especially on peak hours. Worst of all, we had to endure wearing stinky clothes after eating at Gerry's Grill probably because of the poor ventilation. Amoy sisig ka! Oo nga e, ikaw naman amoy pusit! Nevertheless, nobody can question the affordability and quality of the food they serve.

When it was my turn to treat the family for Sunday dinner, I convinced them to eat at the Robinsons Manila branch of Gerry's Grill. My brother agreed since he already had a list of dishes on his mind.

To start off our feast, we warmed up our tummies with a bowl of hot soup. It was surprisingly good given that I wasn't expecting too much from it.

Except for my mom, our family loves spicy foods. My husband used to hate the fact that I put chili in everything but he got used to it and now enjoys it too. To challenge everyone's tongue, my brother suggested we try their Chili Cheese Stick w/ Garlic Mayo Dip. I had to stop after consuming half of my cheese stick because it's too spicy. My tolerance with spicy foods is just as high as that of my dad's. They were teasing me of being a weak-hearted but I was able to convince them when they tasted my cheese stick. The chili I got was way spicier than theirs.

Although also included in the list of their appetizers, we paired the Coco Fish Fingers and Dinakdakan with rice. A dunk of the fish fingers to the tasty dip reminded me of how much I enjoyed the first time I tried it.

The Dinakdakan was also my brother's request. Dinakdakan is grilled pig's parts and is similar to sisig. But unlike sisig which is chopped and usually served on a sizzling plate, dinakdakan is cut into bigger chunks. It also has a more acidic flavor because of the vinegar. It was my first time to try it but I immediately fell in love with it - Love at First Bite. I wondered why I never tried it before.

Tinomok! Tinomok! Tinomok! It kept on repeating on my head while we were on our way to the restaurant. I am big fan of laing or any other dishes with coconut milk that’s why tinomok became an instant favorite when I first tried it years ago. Gerry’s Grill version is ground meat wrapped in taro leaves cooked in coconut milk and topped with chili. I wonder how the authentic tinomok taste like.

Most of the grilled squid I tried from different restaurants are rubbery that’s why I’m so impressed with how Gerry’s Grill come up with grilled squids that are smoky yet very tender. The flavors are also rich so there’s no need to dip it in any sauce. I was bragging to my dad how good their grilled squids are and I’m glad that Gerry’s Grill didn’t let me down.

Compared to their Ayala branch, the service at Robinsons Manila is faster. And yes, I went home with my clothes still smelling fresh. :)

Gerry's Grill
Level 3 Midtown Wing
Robinsons Place Manila

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:04:00 +0000

I am a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. A Walk to Remember is the first book I read when I realized that I am quite old to be reading Sweet Valley High. During the earlier years of his career, my college BFFs and I would stay at National Bookstore for hours salivating over his books on the racks. When our wallets would allow it, we'd brag our newly-purchased, amoy-bagong-imprentang books. But later on, my fascination on his work took on a break as I learned to appreciate other authors as well. When he went to Manila to promote The Best of Me, my interest was suddenly awakened after its hibernation. And as a good follow-up, I got The Wedding as a farewell gift from my former officemates in Navitaire.

Photo courtesy of Chod (uploaded after 10 years :p)

After reading it, I asked myself why I let this book slip under my radar. But I realized that the timing is just perfect. We're nearing our first wedding anniversary and reading The Wedding brought back a lot of memories of our wedding preparations. My husband would find me laughing and talking to myself while I was reading the book because of the many coincidences with the book and our life as a couple. Just like us, one of the characters is supposedly getting married on the day of her parents' wedding anniversary. I also reminisced all our sleepless nights, fighting over the budget and even dealing with difficult people along the way. Of course it also reminded me how nice it feels to finally walk down the aisle and marry God's best. Even if I could, I wouldn't change a single thing about that day. And if I can just get married over and over again, I'll gladly do so. Pero siyemre, same groom! *wink wink*

Some people think that because we're still on the honeymoon stage, everything in our married life is just a walk in the park (with matching flowers, butterflies and love songs on the background). More than my lack of sleep because of his snoring at night and my habit of unconsciously kicking him out of the bed while I’m sleeping combined with the constant fighting over who between him and Xiam Lim is more handsome, we also deal with serious issues that other married couples have to deal with. And reading The Wedding became a reminder that marriage is a work in progress. Although I’m married to a sweet and loving man, we sometimes argue about why he isn’t as expressive and romantic as I hope him to be. The book tells about how important it is for husbands to never stop courting their wives. Even if you know deep in your heart that you love your spouse, you must find ways to express it to keep the intimacy within your marriage.

If you are tying the knot, I highly suggest you read this book. Para alam nyo kung anong pinapasok nyo! Akala nyo puro pabonggahan ng kasal lang ang buhay?! After the wedding, you have to deal with the thing called M-A-R-R-I-A-G-E. If you're married, especially if you're having difficulties expressing what you feel to your spouse, this book will surely enlighten you.

All of my Nicholas Sparks favorites are the tragic ones so The Wedding is the first feel-good Nicholas Sparks book on my list.

The Frugal Nerd Who Loves NERDS

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:47:00 +0000

When I was asked to describe myself in one word during an orientation in my new work, I told everybody that I'm FRUGAL. Ano yun? KURIPOT! Haha!

I was raised by my parents to value money. They never spoiled me with material things or ever bribed me just so I'd behave or follow their orders. When I wanted something, I needed to work for it. When I wanted something and my parents didn't give in, I needed to save for it. In our household, throwing tantrums and resorting into rebellious ways will not help you get what you want. So at an early age, I learned the difference between my NEEDS and my WANTS.

I didn't receive any monetary allowance until I was in 5th grade. By that time, I was receiving PHP5 everyday! I would put it in my coin bank along with the money I received on Christmas from my godparents. During Christmas, I would break my coin bank to buy small gifts for the whole family. And if there's some money left, I would ask my mother to accompany me to a bookstore. Hello, Sweet Valley High! Wooohooo! Fortunately, my mother subsidized my Funny Komiks subscription so that made my budgeting a little more bearable.

Of course there were days when I'd skip putting my five pesos into my coin bank and I'd buy myself some candies and chocolates. And most of time, I'd munch on this cuties…

Frugality is now part of my system. But there are days when I reward myself of good food and adventurous travels. And since my office is just a few steps away from a Candy Corner store, indulging in a box of NERDS was recently included in my luxury list. When I bought a box of NERDS a couple of months ago, I didn't realize that it would bring back an addiction that has been in hiatus.

When I feel like dozing off in the middle of the day, I'll grab my NERDS stash and eat a handful of it. When I'm out of words in the middle of writing, I'll playfully eat some NERDS straight from the box and my mind will miraculously go back to normal. And somehow, NERDS have taught me two very important lessons in life:

1.) Just like NERDS, there are people who may appear or may strike with a "sour" personality but are really "sweet" on the core.

2.) It's so damn cool to be a NERD! Teeehee!

The Biggest Hit at Valentino Resort and Spa

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:22:00 +0000

As I mentioned in my previous post, Valentino Resort and Day Spa is a good place for people who want to unwind, recharge and escape the busy city life. Although there are a few misses with the accommodation and our encounter with one of the receptionists, the resort's restaurant was able to compensate it with their delicious and affordable food and the staff's customer service. We were always greeted by the same waiter each time we go to the restaurant. Dear Valentino, you have to take care of this particular waiter (see last photo) because he is your greatest asset! The best si Kuya! ^_^

The first thing we did after freshening up was to have our lunch. Since we're a big group, we decided to split our orders into two. Boyet and I stayed with Jeff and Joie mainly because... uhhhmmm... we were seated together. But seriously, these two have the same passion for food as us two.

When there's bulalo in the menu, then bulalo will be served on the table. It was raining hard that day so it was a good way to warm our tummies. We immediately devoured on the hot clear soup. We asked Kuya if there would be an additional charge if we request for more soup. He said he'll check it first with the chefs. A couple of minutes after, he came back trying to regain his balance while holding a big bowl of soup - the same size as the bowl of the bulalo. The soup serving is actually bigger than the actual bulalo. Isang arenola!

Bulalo PHP365

Their sisig is quite different from the usual because the meat is leaner. I was expecting it to lack flavor because the pork fats are really the reason behind the sisig's to-die flavor. But I was amazed that Valentino's sisig didn't fall behind.

Sizzling Pork Sisig PHP200

In our attempt to be health-conscious and to balance our cholesterol intake, we decided to get a serving of tortang talong.

More than its taste, I'm more amazed how they managed to come up with a perfectly-shaped tortang talong! I know how to cook. My husband and even my super critical and most of the time pintasera mother both agree that I can come up with delicious dishes. But ask me to fry an egg or cook torta and it will come out all distorted.

Tortang Talong PHP90

Spending the whole afternoon swimming and catching up left us starving. We were set to go to the resort's restaurant for dinner when Marwin suggested to go out and find a place to eat. Marwin joins our out of town trips only to sleep as soon as we arrive at our destination and then tells everybody "Ang aga nyo naman matulog! 2AM pa lang no!" So when he asked us to go out that night, we were already anticipating his request. And I figured out, pagurin na namin si Marwin habang maaga pa, para makatulog ng maaga. Hehe!

The driver we hired asked someone from the resort where the nearest restaurant is. We travelled along the very dark roads of Batangas for almost twenty minutes without a single sign that we're anywhere near a place with restaurants. It's so dark that even Marwin who initiated the takutan session got scared. Since our only option outside was the nearest eatery which only serves dinuguang kambing and kalderetang kambing, we rushed back to the resort to catch their 9PM closing time. We were greeted by Kuya who was still perked up even if he was probably working the whole day.

I started feeling like a flu would knock me down so I decided to have some soup. Looking at the menu as it says that a serving of Chicken Gambo costs PHP60, I asked the waiter to give us two. But the waiter told us that the soup is already good for two people. So when the soup arrived, everybody's jaw dropped on the floor! What kind of TWO PEOPLE can consume that soup?! Galit ba kayo sa sabawwww? I had three servings of the soup while the rest had two. The soup is really flavorful and it's probably the best-tasting sixty-peso soup ever! I was so tempted to ask if they could refill the soup but I was scared that they might give in to my request. Nyaha!

Chicken Gambo PHP60

I was already full from the hearty soup but I saved some room for the other two dishes. We tried their kare-kare and calamares. Jeff and Joie ate mostly vegetables because they weren't used to the parts of the pork that were included. If it was served at home, the kare-kare would be gone in an instant! Sadly, I didn't like the bagoong. It's not really bad but I just got so used to the bagoong that my sister-in-law cooks which I would bravely fight for the BEST BAGOONG AWARD. The best thing though is that the kare-kare of Valentino is so tasty that it can already shine on its own.

Kare-Kare PHP355

The calamares didn't quite stand out. But the vinegar that comes with it was superb! Weird, sa suka ako nasarapan?!

Calamares PHP220

While still in pajamas (at di pa ko nag toothbrush), Kuya welcomed us the following day with his very energetic "Good Morning, Sunshine" greet!

Our accommodation includes free breakfast. The breakfast comes with coffee, hot choco or juice. I opted to have a cup of hot coffee to sooth my itchy throat. Everybody who got coffee agreed that it's so good! I was initially hesitant because the coffee was served with creamer on the side minus the sugar. I don't like putting creamer on my coffee so I immediately took a sip of it as soon as it arrived on the table. There's a reason that it doesn't come with sugar because the sweetness of the coffee is simply perfect! If I end up being a CEO of my own company, the first qualification of all aspiring executive assistants is the ability to make coffee that tastes like this one! Or maybe, my company's first investment is a coffee maker that can do it. Harharhar!

Coffee PHP30

Marwin asked Kuya if they have free coffee refills. He said that he'd check it with the kitchen staff and then he arrived a couple of minutes after with another cup of coffee for Marwin. He asked if anybody else wanted a refill so I smiled and handed him my cup. Hey Starbucks, move over! :p

The breakfast choices are very limited so we didn’t have a hard time choosing. Hubby opted to try out their Filipino Breakfast. Diners have the option to choose from tocino, longganisa, daing na bangus or tapang taal which was hubby’s choice. The breakfast also comes with scrambled or sunny side-up egg, and steamed or garlic rice.

Filipino Breakfast (Tapang Taal)

I planned to swim again that morning because that would be the only exercise that I'd have since time immemorial. I have been feeling a little sluggish and being the not-so-sporty girl that I am, swimming is the only sport that I can do that will not trigger an asthma attack. With this, I decided to skip rice for breakfast and settled with Valentino’s American Breakfast. Pancakes come with a serving of fruits in season and choice between sausage and luncheon meat.

American Breakfast (Pancakes with Sausage)

I was expecting a large grilled sausage but ended up eating two pieces of canned Vienna sausages. The pancakes are delicious. No need for syrup because it just has the right amount of sweetness.

Us with Kuya

Valentino Resort and Spa is not only for those who yearn for relaxation. It is also a haven for foodies!

Valentino Resort and Spa
Barangay Pinagtung-ulan,
San Jose, Batangas

Valentino Resort and Spa

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:45:00 +0000

Our group got a bit bored of our monthly dinners and decided to take it a notch. We opted to spend our March get-together out of town. Since we’re now scattered among four companies, everything was communicated via emails and text messages. We even conducted a survey to know everybody’s pulse. We were supposed to go to Eagle Point which initially got the most number of votes. But some had a change of heart when they found out that the accommodation is quite pricey. We settled for the next choice which was Valentino Resort and Spa.

On the day of our out-of-town trip, nobody complained even if we were an hour behind schedule. At least, it gave everybody plenty of time to have breakfast.

Joie paid the reservation fee and also took charge of booking a van. She did a really good job because everybody was comfortably seated. And Kuya was a very careful driver. He was also familiar with our destination.

It started raining while we were in SLEX. Because of the cool weather and the early call time, everybody fell asleep. I had to wake them up when I saw the resort’s sign telling us that we’re just a few meters away from it.

We arrived at the resort earlier than the check-in time. The receptionists are really friendly especially the pregnant lady who does not forget to seal every conversation with her sweet smile. Customer service would have been perfect if not for the middle-aged lady who made a comment that got to my nerves. They initially told us that we need to wait until 2pm before we could enter our rooms. We didn’t demand or even requested them to bend this rule. After a few minutes, they told us that the rooms are already available. When Joie confirmed if we are already allowed to use the rooms, the lady said, “Oo nga, pinagbigyan na nga namin kayong mag early check-in e.” It's not what she said but how she said it. Nobody seemed to care about the lady’s unwanted remarks so I decided to let it go. (It was after the trip when I found out that Kriska also got irritated.)

We were asked to wear wristbands all throughout our stay. The staff put the first wristband when we checked-in and they gave us a set of new wristbands with a different color to be used the following day. I know that it's for the resort's security but wearing it all day long is quite uncomfortable. And Kriska was so concerned about the out-of-place tan line that it would cause. Nyaha!

Our rooms are facing one of the resort's swimming pools which gave me the feeling that we own it. I would usually daydream about standing in my mansion's balcony overlooking my gigantic swimming pool while a secretary is standing beside me and telling me how my wealth is effortlessly increasing. But as a matter of fact, there's some truth to that. Minus the secretary and my growing wealth, we actually owned the pool that day because I don't remember a time when we needed to share it with the other guests.

The view from our rooms is priceless! Nothing beats the serenity brought by the sight of trees and the calming sound of the flowing water.

It started to rain so I was hesitant to go swimming. Mababasa rin nga naman ako, so ano pang pinagkaiba? Haha!

Just so you know, my mother NEVER allowed me to play under the rain. I always teasingly upbraid my mother over dinner that she never really allowed me to be a kid by not letting me play under the rain and even ride a bicycle. Realizing that it's my opportunity to experience it without looking stupid, I got out of the room to swim despite the rain. I saw that everybody was already in the pool and they kept on shouting that the water is so cold.

There's also a bigger pool and a kiddie pool a few meters away from where we stayed. More than swimming, we actually spent most of the time chatting while we're dipped in the very cold water. It feels so nice to be reunited with the friends I made over the past six years. We talked everything under the ~~sun~~ rain, ranging from their work issues and even reminiscing some long forgotten experiences. I realized that I know even the smallest details of how Jeff and Joie became a couple more than Joie herself!

Me-Anne when she found out I was leaving the company :p

Morning CRAP Buddies! (CR at kAPe)

Not far away from the pool is the resort’s playground.

Ehem!

Hubby: Baby, dalian mo mag picture! Nangangawit na ako!

We were supposed to get the quad sharing room. But when Joie and I checked the photos of the rooms on their website, we realized that the two beds will only be good for two people. When Joie called the resort, they confirmed that only two people could sleep on the beds and that additional mattresses will be provided. Breakfast will also be served to two guests. So bakit pa naging quad sharing? :p

The Room: PHP2600/night

When we entered the room, we saw a complete set of basic toiletries and fresh towels on top of the bed. I wasn't so impressed with the room but more importantly, it did give me a good night sleep. Before the one I had at Valentino, I couldn't remember the last vacation I had which rewarded me with a relaxing eight-hour sleep.

The air conditioner is working perfectly fine and the room has a small walk-in closet. The room has a small TV. Unfortunately, it only shows local channels and the reception is quite bad.

The restroom is clean and spacious. But when I took a bath, I noticed that it doesn't have a bathroom drain. I was careful not to drop anything because it would definitely be unrecoverable. Also because of the absence of the floor drain, there's a foul smell coming from the drainage.

Each room has a phone although it only connects to the restaurant and the reception. We had to knock on each other's doors or send group text messages when we needed to meet up. The room of Jeff and Joie was our constant meeting place! :p

Though the rooms lack glamour, the resort compensated it with the relaxing vibe that it offers to guests. Some of the bigger rooms are arranged to make the guests feel as if they're in a suburban village.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to try both the gym and spa. I was expecting it to be a hectic overnight trip but everybody fell asleep early. Either we were tired from work or it's just a sign that we're getting old. :p

Another thing worth mentioning is the resort's restaurant. The food and service are both commendable that I decided to dedicate a separate post for it. We had no other choice but to eat at the restaurant because the resort is a bit secluded. When we attempted to go out for dinner as Marwin suggested, the locals directed us to a restaurant. We were driving for almost twenty minutes along a very dark road but we couldn't find a single lighted establishment. We then decided to just eat at the first eatery that we'd find. But the only choice we had at that time was an eatery that only serves goat dishes so it became a unanimous decision to just go back to the restaurant.

Whether you’re with a special someone or a with a big group, Valentino Resort and Spa is a good place to relax and unwind. If you simply need a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of your city life, I recommend this place.

With our favorite waiter (You'll know why on my next entry)

Valentino Resort and Spa
Barangay Pinagtung-ulan,
San Jose, Batangas

Krispy Kreme Celebrates 75 Fun-tastic Years with the Launch of Share the Gift of Joy Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Celebrating 75 years of confectionery goodness, Krispy Kreme recently launched its 2012 campaign entitled Share the Gift of Joy.

Aimed at spreading love and putting smiles on the faces of more people, the Share the Gift of Joy Campaign allows everyone to celebrate 75 years of sharing with Krispy Kreme. With every purchase of the brand's specially-designed 75th birthday tin can, Krispy Kreme donates Php 20 to the campaign, whose total generated fund will help the brand's 12 partner charities.

Spearheaded by Krispy Kreme board members, Jim Fuentebella and Carlyn Trota, the intimate event, held at the brand's Bonifacio High Street branch, gathered representatives from all 12 charities in one room to celebrate the spirit of sharing.

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Celebrate Krispy Kreme’s 75^th birthday and help spread love by supporting the brand’s Share the Gift of Joy Campaign. With every purchase of Krispy Kreme’s specially-designed 75^th birthday tin can, P20 goes to helping 12 charities, which includes Autism Society Philippines (ASP), ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Bantay Kalikasan, Caritas Manila Inc., Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Visual Arts and Museum Division, Development and Accessibility Fund for the Deaf Inc. (DeAF Deaf Inc.), Friends of Hope Inc., ICanServe Foundation Inc., Kythe Inc., Operation Smile Philippines (OSP), Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc. (PNPCSI). For more information, you may become a friend of Krispy Kreme by visiting www.krispykreme.com.ph or by liking Chloe at www.facebook.com/ChloeKrispyKremePH. Spread happiness, share with Krispy Kreme.

Source: GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc.

SG Trip Day 3 (Part 2): Merlion Park and Food Trips at Ion Orchard and Gluttons Bay

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:30:00 +0000

The sun was still up and though we were tired after a trip to the Singapore Zoo, we went to the Orchard Road where shopping centers are everywhere. We first strolled around the Lucky Plaza to buy some souvenir shirts and spicy shrimp rolls. I know that Filipinos are all over Singapore but seeing them at the Lucky Plaza is surreal. They have banks and remittance centers that cater to the OFWs. Restaurants serve Filipino dishes and stores sell products from the Philippines. I find it amusing that Divisoria back home is dominated by Chinese but the Filipinos took over the Lucky Plaza.

Joie and Jeff needed to meet a friend so we stayed at the Ion Orchard. I was prepared to go shopping but was so surprised that everything is pricey. So instead of buying things that would probably end up collecting dust in my closet, Boyet and I decided to do what we do best together.

Food trip!!!

We proceeded to the Ion Food Court where our eyes feasted on the variety of choices. Hubby and I decided to have a little bit of everything so we scouted every store to have a glimpse of what they offer.

Korean Meatballs SGD1.60

The first stall that caught our attention sells different kinds of Korean street food. It was extremely difficult to communicate with the Korean girl manning the store so we ended up just pointing at the things we want to buy. We got Bulgogi pork for SGD1.30. The absence of a photo is proof enough that it’s delicious because after I paid for it, I saw my husband with half of the Bulgogi pork gone!

We then bought Korean meatballs from the same shop. Though it’s also delicious, it pales in comparison with the Bulgogi pork.

We also tried a rice meal which costs SGD5.60. The box has rice, 2 chicken skewers, 1 pork skewer and 1 stick of chicken balls. It was a feast of flavors in my mouth.

Rice Meal SGD5.60

While hubby was enjoying our gastronomic feast, I decided to roam around the food court one more time. I wanted to buy some dumplings but I realized that Joie promised to bring us to the Gluttons Bay. I restrained myself even if I wanted to try everything. The dumplings were calling my name while the cupcakes kept on pleading that I take them out of the rack. But my willpower prevailed and I just settled for a cold drink.

Ironically, it was my first time to try Happy Lemon even after it has already invaded the Philippines. Boyet didn’t like it which was good for me. :)

Coffee Rock Salt Cheese SGD3.50

We had a lot of time on our hands but our feet were just too tired. We’ve also walked the entire Ion Orchard so we had nowhere else to go. Instead of going somewhere else, we killed time by simply sitting outside the mall while enjoying the night.

After half an hour, we left Ion Orchard to meet Jeff and Joie at the MRT station. Our phone’s roaming wasn’t activated so there was no way for us to reach them. We patiently waited for them for almost an hour. They aren’t usually late so we thought that they got lost.

Have you seen those movies with a girl endlessly waiting for her one true love at their meeting place? She sighs while praying that the next train will bring her prince. She eagerly looks at the opening doors, hoping that the one she’s been waiting for has finally arrived. I was like that girl for almost one hour! :p

But as they say, good things come to those who wait. So to compensate for making us wait, Joie promised to treat us! Woohoo! Joie, magpa-late ka ulit! Please! :p

I thought it was going to be a short walk. But it wasn’t. Fortunately, the beautiful night view of Singapore kept us entertained.

On our way to the Merlion Park, we saw a man selling the famous one-dollar ice cream. It’s funny that some tourists were so amazed at the thought of eating ice cream with bread when in fact, it is very common in the Philippines especially when I was growing up.

Singapore’s one-dollar ice cream is a bit different than what we have back home. While we usually use monay, they use sweet white loaf bread (tasty sa Pinas). While our ice cream tends to be a little runny, theirs is perfectly frozen.

Joie’s Treat #1: Singapore’s one-dollar ice cream

We were supposed to go to Merlion Park on our first day but our schedule didn’t permit it. The initial plan was to go there in the morning to avoid the crowd. Although it was a bit crowded when we went at the park, the view was still magnificent. Sa postcard ko lang dati nakikita ‘tong merlion na bumubuga ng tubig e!

I admire the discipline of the people in Singapore. Go to Manila Bay where the sea walls are high, the big rocks are dangerous and the water is murky. You’ll see people, including kids swimming not minding the danger and health hazards. Go to the Merlion Park which is the exact opposite of Manila Bay and you won’t see a single person in the water.

Because of the large number of people spending time at the Merlion Park, it was difficult for us to get a decent shot. So after taking a few photos, we decided to go to Gluttons Bay.

I was literally dragging my feet while walking. I was also starting to feel uncomfortable because I could feel my skin was already sticky. The heat, constantly hopping from trains to buses and the strenuous walking all contributed to my discomfort. But my eyes glistened and I was immediately perked up the moment we arrived at the Gluttons Bay.

Finding a seat wasn’t easy. But luck was on our side because a group of customers were just about to leave when we arrived. We kept the seats guarded even if the tables were still being cleaned.

Apparently, Jeff and Joie met their friends at the Gluttons Bay! They had no idea where their friend would bring them. And their friend probably didn’t know that it was part of our itinerary.

Joie had already something on her mind so Boyet and I looked at the food choices. While we were walking, an old Chinese-looking man shouted at us, “Kuya, ate dito madame masarap!” HAHAHAHA!!! :)

I remember suggesting to Joie for her to try Char Kway Teow when she first visited Singapore. When she came back, she furiously told me that it tastes like sh*t. I refused to believe it because I’ve seen numerous shows in Living Asia and the Asian Food Channel featuring this popular noodle dish.

We were seated in front of a stall that sells Char Kway Teow. I really wanted to try it but Joie’s words kept playing on my mind. I convinced myself that it would probably be my only chance to try it in Singapore so I hesitantly bought it.

Char Kway Teow

It may look like trash but the Char Kway Teow I bought was very far from the way Joie depicted it. It’s really delicious. It’s salty but the hint of sweetness gave it a balance. It was hard to convince Joie to try it. But when she did, she agreed with me.

Joie kept on talking how they enjoyed the Cereal Prawns. My cousin also told me not to leave Singapore without trying this wonderful dish. Joie insisted to treat us. Promise, tumanggi ako ng bongga! :p

I usually eat cereals with milk and shrimp with soy sauce. But I never imagined pairing cereals and prawns. Whoever thought of doing it is a genius! The crunchy and salty cereals sort of served as the prawns' breading and toppings. It’s soooo delicious!

Joie’s Treat #2: Cereal Prawns

With full tummies, we happily left the Gluttons Bay. The next day, we went out to do some last minute shopping before heading to the airport for our afternoon flight.

This will be my last Singapore post. We were there last February and it took me two months to finish my entries. I’m such an absentee blogger! Nyaha! :p

Thank you, Singapore! Till we meet again! :)

SG Trip Day 3 (Part 1): Singapore Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 06:30:00 +0000

Our plan to be at the Singapore Zoo as it opens at 8:30 am wasn’t carried out because it was hard for us to get up early in the morning after a very packed day of activities the day before. We left the hotel almost an hour past our schedule. After the train ride to Ang Mio Kio, we bumped into another delay because we couldn’t find the bus station. After a few minutes of walking and asking for directions from a number of people, we finally found the bus station. The bus ride was longer which gave all of us the time to get more sleep.

Jeff and Joie

When we arrived at the zoo, we were greeted by a very long queue of people at the ticketing area. The long wait was compensated with a smile when I saw a Filipina crew at the reception who was proudly wearing a Philippine flag pin on the collar of her uniform. :)

Jeff and Boyet

The zoo admission costs SGD20 but we opted to avail of the admission with tram ride which costs SGD25. It wasn’t a smart move since one of the four tram stations was under construction. The tram ride also prevented us from seeing the animals up close so we ended up walking the entire zoo.

Singapore zoo may initially strike as any normal zoo. I even compared it to Zoobic Safari. But there were a lot of first times for me, and that includes the calming sight of flamingos from afar.

In the middle of our tour, Joie pointed out a stand that sells slush. It comes in tall containers with different colors. When we were at the Universal Studios Singapore, I wanted to buy a drink that was served in Transformers containers. But Bumblebee’s head costs a fortune so I convinced myself that it wasn't worth the price.

I waited for Joie to go first in buying the slush and asked for her feedback. After hearing that the slush tastes good and realizing that the water I brought was already warm after the long trip, I gave in and bought a mango slush.

Even the boys enjoyed this cold drink. It was the best way to be refreshed in the middle of the scorching heat.

Although I’m used to seeing primates in our local zoos, it was my first time to see some of its kinds. And it was definitely my first time to be up close with a giant one.

And although I’ve seen a snake that has just changed its skin, it was the first time that I’ve seen a reptile that has its skin being peeled off naturally.

Na-sunburn si kuya?!

For the first time after a long time, we saw some giraffes again. I could still remember my dismay when the only giraffe I saw at the Manila Zoo a few years ago when I went there was just a giant statue. So Joie and I exclaimed in unison, “Wow! Giraffe!”

I told myself that if I wouldn’t be seeing giraffes at the Singapore Zoo then our trip would be a big waste of my time. Luckily, I wasn’t disappointed.

Not far from the giraffes where the zebras.

Mukha rin akong zebra! Teehee!

The zoo has scheduled shows. Unfortunately, we were able to only catch one which was the Rainforest Fights Back Show. We were seated in the middle of the amphitheater so I wasn’t able to take any decent shot. But I have to say that the show was not only educational, it was also funny and very entertaining. Everybody was amazed when the animals started parading and showing their tricks.

I’d like to say that we saved the best for last but the truth is we simply had a difficult time looking for the penguins.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t been to Manila Ocean Park where the most recent addition to their many attractions is the penguins. So it was my first time to see real penguins.

I remember Joie saying that they aren’t cute in real life. Oh, how Hollywood films distorted reality. Haha! :p

SG Trip Day 2 (Part 2): Songs of the Sea and Night Life at Resorts World

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

After a very tiring yet fun experience at the Universal Studios Singapore, we boarded once again to Sentosa Express and alighted at the Beach Station to catch the 7:40 pm show of Songs of the Sea. We arrived more than an hour earlier which gave us plenty of time to roam around and have our dinner. Although we’re all adventurous eaters, we came to an agreement to eat at McDonald’s. We were all curious how different it is from what we have back home.

I guarded our seats while Jeff, Joie and Boyet placed our orders. We opted to have burgers, fries and soda. There is not much of a difference with how their burger tastes unlike if you compare ours from the burger patty used in the USA. The most noticeable with my comparison is their serving size! Nalunod ako sa Coke!

After our early dinner, we waited for the staff’s cue before entering the venue.

We availed of the premium seats for SGD15. I am not sure if it was a wise decision given that there was an old man and a very hyper girl in front of us. Instead of letting this very trivial thing get into my nerves, I just enjoyed the view of the beach.

We also had a glimpse of the sunset but I can still brag that nothing beats the surreal view of the sunset in the Philippines.

The show finally started with a group of actors singing a song that’s unknown to the four of us. We felt so out of place when they started singing a song that none of us could understand while the rest of the crowd sang along with the actors. Most of them began laughing while the four of us just exchanged sighs.

Songs of the Sea features a mix of computer animation, laser displays and pyrotechnics to name a few. Unfortunately, the show fell short of my expectations. I’m not sure if it is because USS set the bar so high that our Songs of the Sea experience wasn’t up to par. I wasn’t impressed at all.

After the show, we went back to Resorts World because Jeff said that there are free shows scheduled that night. We first went to see the Crane Dance. We were lucky to have the best seats even if we arrived just a couple of minutes before the show started.

The two huge mechanical cranes started moving which signaled the beginning of an interesting love story. After a couple of minutes, the cranes stopped moving. I initially thought that it was part of the story until they announced that they are experiencing technical difficulties. We patiently waited but there was no sign of movement from the crane so we decided to leave.

We went to the other end of Resorts World to catch the Lake of Dreams show. We quietly sat while watching the water change colors. Laser special effects also added to the appeal of the show. The show wasn’t eye-popping but it’s free so who are we to complain. :p

We had nothing else to do but nobody dared to call it a night. The four of us agreed to go to the casino since we're all so curious how it feels to be inside one. I was so excited that I even had my passport ready just in case somebody questions my age. Nyaha!

Unfortunately, we didn’t know that wearing of shorts isn’t allowed. Only Jeff was wearing pants at that time. Although disappointed, we had no other choice but to walk away. May Resorts World din kami sa Pilipinas no! >:)

Joie: Porke naka shorts wala ng pera? May pera ako no!
Je: May dress code pa pala ang mga sugarol?
Ganyan kami ka-bitter! :p

SG Trip Day 2 (Part 1): Universal Studios Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0000

It wasn’t Joie’s first time to travel to Singapore. On both occasions, the Universal Studios Singapore wasn’t operational yet. So a visit to USS was on top of our list and this made us really excited. I told her that she could get rid of anything on our SG itinerary except for USS.

Boyet and I woke up at 6 am, exceptionally earlier than our wake up time when we go to work in the morning. I made coffee using the complimentary drinks provided by Fragrance Hotel to jumpstart our day while hubby went down to buy cup noodles from the nearby 7-11 store.

We left the hotel a little before 8 am and walked our way to the MRT – Bugis station. We excitedly purchased our MRT cards which cost SGD2.60 (SGD1 refundable if you return the card), then another SGD3 for an all-day pass to Sentosa Express. Traveling by trains didn’t bother me at all given that Singapore’s railway system is very efficient. Sadly, our railway system definitely fails big time in comparison. Sorry, pero bulok talaga yung MRT/LRT natin! :(

USS does not open until 10 am so we killed time by roaming around.

Jeff and Joie

Posing in front of the USS globe entails precision and patience. If you want to capture the entire word, you need to have perfect timing in doing so. You also have to be patient since every tourist wants a spot so it’s awfully difficult to get an unobstructed view of it.

The "I've been to Universal Studios" shot :p

If you were to ask what my biggest contribution on our trip is, I booked our USS tickets online! Bwahaha! Promise, wala akong kwentang friend! :p

Come 10 am, everybody fervently rushed to the entrance. Not to disappoint the eager guests, two super cute mascots welcomed us.

Sino nga siya?

Jeff and Joie with Po

Holding a USS map, we were unsure where to go first. We decided to have our early lunch to fuel us up for the day’s activities. After our lunch, we headed to Far Far Away where the festive atmosphere somehow led us to a happy kingdom.

A grand castle brought out the kids in all of us as we enjoyed watching Shrek in 4D. The few minutes I spent inside the theater led me back to my childhood as I turned into a carefree spectator who laughs as if there’s no tomorrow. Make sure you bring a towel or an extra shirt. :)

After a quick stroll at Far Far Away, our feet brought us to Madagascar. Jeff and Boyet were both in the restroom when Joie and I saw a queue of people who were trying to get their pictures taken with the very adorable mascots. We were hesitant if we’d wait for the boys but Joie and I went to join the line. When we were already in front, the guide told us that they need to stop the picture-taking since they have a performance to catch. The mascots then performed I Like to Move It, the film’s signature song.

After their very enjoyable dance number, the mascots left leaving both Joie and I disappointed. Hours earlier, I was already looking for the lovable penguins to take my picture with them. By the time the mascots were leaving, Boyet and Jeff arrived. Tapos, sila pa 'yung nakapagpa-picture! :(

HMPPPP!!!

After our misfortune, we headed to the merry-go-round. It's a bit humiliating that aside from the parents accompanying their very small kids, the four of us were the only adults who rode the carousel.

Also part of the zone is the Madagascar: A Crate Adventure - a water ride which the kids and the kids at heart will definitely enjoy. Alex, Marty and the whole gang come to life in this ride. We shared the ride with a mother tagging along her two kids who obviously had a great time.

On our way to the next zone, we bumped into an unexpected friend.

with Frankenstein

After our short encounter with Frankie at the Hollywood zone, we saw another long line of people which we immediately joined. And when it was our turn, the tall men who seem to be molded from male mannequins apologized and told us that they have a performance to catch so the picture-taking was immediately stopped. Talk about bad luck!

We made a quick stop at Lights, Camera, Action which is situated in the New York zone. Inside, Steven Spielberg greeted the guests giving an overview about special effects. We were in front of the line which gave us the impression that we'd get the best view of the show. When we entered the main sound stage, I realized that it was a bad idea. Thunder, lightning, rain and fire effects awed the audience. The show ends as the boat slams, causing a huge splash of water to hit the audience especially those who are in front. Siyempre, basa kami!

Sci-Fi zone is probably the coolest for it boasts the very famous Transformers ride. All of us were so excited to try it. We were fortunate that the line was manageable when we arrived. The path to the ride itself is already an adventure. When the ride began, boys and girls kept on screaming! It was simply the coolest! After the ride, I felt invincible. It's as if I had a vital part with the Transformers' victory over the Decepticons! :p

It would be a nice idea if we have such a cool 3D ride here in the Philippines. Tapos Enteng Kabisote in 3D?! Haha!

Hubby convinced us to try the roller coaster. He failed. I know that I vowed to stick with him for better or for worse. But a roller coaster ride is an exception to the rule! Since nobody dared to try it, he courageously went all by himself. But if there's any consolation, hubby was seated along with a nice Indonesian who also went to try the ride alone. Best Wife Award goes to me! Haha!

We skipped the indoor roller coaster at the Ancient Egypt zone. We used the long line and the fact that you need to leave your valuables in a locker as excuses not to try this ride. But of course, you know the real reason.

The young guys manning the entrance of Treasure Hunter invited us to try it. After reading the overview of the ride, we decided to give it a try. But the queue was so long. We wanted to retreat but still opted to proceed.

The guests are required to ride a jeep which gives them the feeling that they are part of an expedition. Unfortunately, we weren’t happy with it. The experience didn't compensate the hassle of falling in line. It just went around the area with fake snakes and fake rats and the ride was finished in just a couple of minutes. Sorry, pero corny talaga!

The Lost World was the last zone. We first tried the aerial ride called Canopy Flyer. The words canopy and flyer scared me to death. I’m glad I tried it although I think my screams damaged my husband’s eardrums. I specifically loved, and I screamed the loudest at the part wherein the ride is giving you the feeling that you are about to fall from it.

After the Canopy Flyer, we tried the child-friendly Dino-Soarin’ ride.

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure is a white water raft ride. We saw how guests come out of the ride all wet so it was a unanimous decision among the four of us to skip it. So instead of trying it out, we all decided to go back to the Transformers ride! Bwaha!

On our way out as we head to the next part of our itinerary, we stopped by the shops that sell candies and chocolates. My eyes sparkled and my mouth watered at the sight of all the candies and chocolates. It’s definitely a haven for those with a sweet tooth.

Scholars Hotpot Pte Ltd

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0000

If our feet could only raise a white flag, it definitely would. After a very exhausting first da y, we all agreed that we deserve a break and took a cab on our way to the hotel. We didn’t dare to move further so we decided to have our very late dinner at Scholars Hotpot Pte Ltd which is just a few steps away from Fragrance Hotel. The place looks posh as it’s adorned with fancy decors. It’s surprising that since we arrived in the afternoon and when we came back from the tour at 10:30 pm, the restaurant was still full of customers.

We discreetly peeked at their menu and wasn’t surprised at all that their food is pricey. Well, it is already expensive for us who convert everything to Philippine Peso. We still decided to go inside when we noticed that they have value meals for only SGD6.

A waiter approached and asked us if we would avail of their barbecue. The guy knows very little English so it was extremely difficult for us to communicate. He even called another staff member who answered our questions while his eyes are on his PSP. He wasn’t a big help either. So we just connected the dots and figured out that what they were offering us is their eat-all-you-can deal.

Since the price for their eat-all-you-can offer is double-digit, we stood by our decision to skip it. After we placed our orders, one guy from the other table talked to us. He said we might need help so he explained to us that the price already allows us to eat everything served on the side table. We smiled and thanked him. :)

I opted to have green tea not knowing that it’s way different than what we usually have back home. I was expecting it to have a hint of sweetness but I felt like I was drinking a cold water mixed with soil and grated leaves. Fortunately, my loving husband offered to exchange his soda for my green tea.

Our food started to arrive one by one. I got their Sizzling Sweet and Sour Pork. My plate wasn’t appealing and I started having flashbacks of how I was unimpressed with the Hainanese chicken I had earlier that day. I cringed the moment I tasted the sauce. The sourness definitely overpowered its sweetness. But my perception changed the moment I mixed the sauce with the rice and ate it with the tender pork. It miraculously became delicious! Haha!

Sizzling Sweet and Sour Pork SGD6

I was so envious with hubby’s French Pork Chops. Not only does it look appetizing, it tastes good too. The pork chops are so tender and flavorful. He even asked for a second serving of rice. Topped with fried egg, I bet this is also perfect for breakfast especially if paired with a cup of hot coffee!

French Pork Chops SGD6

We left the restaurant almost midnight but the place was still so alive. The buffet table was still open and there were more people inside than when we came in an hour earlier.

Scholars Hotpot Pte Ltd
23 Middle Road
Bugis St., Singapore

SG Trip Day 1 (Part 2): Singapore Flyer, ArtScience Museum and Sands SkyPark

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:20:00 +0000

After we were warmed up from walking along Bugis St., our adventure continued as we head to our next destination. Jeff and Joie said that the Singapore Flyer is within walking distance. Trusting their judgment, Boyet and I followed their lead. I was starting to feel exhausted when we passed by the hotel we were checked-in. And when we had to climb up the overpass to reach the Suntec City, my knees were actually trembling and half of my legs were already numb.

The stroll along the Suntec City was refreshing and gave us some time to recuperate from the scorching heat outside. We also met a very friendly Filipina who is working in an optical shop. May bumili ng RayBan e! Clue: Hindi ako! :p We asked her for directions and she was surprised when she found out that we're planning to walk our way to the Singapore Flyer. She said that walking is manageable but she wouldn't suggest it.

Before I knew it, we were back on enduring the heat outside. Fortunately, there were a couple of tourists in front of us who also seem to be headed to the Singapore Flyer. Joie kept on pointing at the flyer to calm me down telling us that we're near since we could already see it. Je, ayan na o! Malapit na, promise! Seriously, I think you can see the flyer even if you're in Malaysia! :p

After the excruciating walk and tons of oil secreted from our bodies, we finally reached the Singapore Flyer. We paid SGD29.50 for a thirty-minute ride on the giant Ferris wheel.

with Hubby

Joie and Jeff

We were the only people inside the capsule. My first thought was that I was finally able to sit down after hours of walking. But it suddenly shifted the moment I had the bird's eye view of the city. Juggling my picture-taking skills and fighting my fear of heights wasn't an easy task. But the breathtaking view somehow made my fear subside a little.

While we were still planning our itinerary, Joie informed me that we're going to the Singapore Flyer. I was so tempted to beg off but didn't want to be a killjoy. Joie knows my fear of heights and probably felt my agitation so she assured me that I wouldn't even feel that we're moving. She's absolutely right!

After the Singapore Flyer ride, we rushed to the ArtScience Museum. I asked Joie if we could watch Wicked but the ticket price is way beyond our budget. So I made a compromise that I'd be willing to skip Wicked for as long as we go to the ArtScience Museum at the Marina Bay Sands. Fortunately, I found an ally in Jeff who is also a geek! Nyaha! ^_^

Ticket costs SGD25 which already includes access to both the Titanic and Cartier exhibitions. Boyet paid for our tickets while Jeff paid for theirs. When one of the staff member who is a Filipino noticed that we were together, he told us that they have a group package so we were only asked to pay SGD20! Wohooo!

Understandably, cameras are not allowed inside the museum so our only photos are those taken at the entrance.

We first went to the Titanic exhibition. Commemorating its 100th anniversary, the exhibit features different artifacts from the sunken ship. Featured in the exhibit are the personal belongings of some passengers, actual equipment used and footage of the expedition to name a few. They also put up a prototype of the grand staircase.

Each artifact tells a story of one of the worst tragedies in our history. The stories from the survivors also played a crucial part in reliving that fateful night. Apparently, there are real accounts of the priest and the orchestra who gave comfort to the distressed passengers who were about to face death. I really thought that these parts of the movie Titanic were just included to add drama to the film.

The last part of the exhibit features a list of all the passengers who died and survived, still segregated by class. I was sitting on a bench in front of the giant board which lists all the names of those people. They are strangers to me but I felt goose bumps while looking at their names.

The grief was turned into amazement when we transferred to the Cartier exhibition. Offer me 100 Louis Vuitton bags and I'll probably say no to the offer. Ask me to kill for a Cartier watch, and I'll probably do it. Hahahaha! Of course, I'm just kidding.

We saw all kinds of Cartier watches. At the end of the exhibit, there was a short film that narrates how a single Cartier watch is made. Every watch is carefully designed and hand-crafted. And I didn't know that each piece is meticulously tested to ensure the desired quality. My jaw kept on dropping in astonishment while watching the short film.

The night was still young so we decided to head to the Sands SkyPark. We knew that it closes at 10 pm but we still took the risk even if it was already past 9 in the evening. When we reached the ticketing area, the receptionist warned us that the SkyPark is about to close in 30 minutes. While we were rushing, a woman asked to take a picture of our group. We were hesitant because of time constraints but she insisted. The guy behind the camera probably noticed that our faces are all crumpled so he shouted, "Ngiti ng bonggang-bongga! 1-2-3!" Hahahaha!

I wasn't expecting the SkyPark to be crowded given that it was a Thursday night and the place was about to close. But every corner of the park was occupied. I couldn't even get a decent shot so I ended up just cropping my photos to exclude someone else's leg or butt from the frame.

The SkyPark provides a different perspective of the city as compared with the one provided by the Singapore Flyer. Singapore's night life is just so alive as seen from up above the SkyPark. It was a memorable sight but I just can't say it's worth my SGD20. Maybe because we were just in hurry that's why I wasn't able to appreciate it better. ;-)

It was already past 10 in the evening but we still haven’t had our dinner. That one, on my next post! :)

See Part 1 of our adventure here.

SG Trip Day 1 (Part 1): Bugis Street and Temple Hopping

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Jeff created a very detailed itinerary for our Singapore trip. Our first day would start an hour after our arrival at Singapore. He didn’t realize that it was so impossible given that our carrier was Cebu Pacific. :p

We first checked-in at Fragrance Hotel and freshened up a bit. We lost a precious hour and a half due to our delayed flight and didn’t notice that we still haven’t had our lunch. Having no idea where to go, we decided to walk along the hotel vicinity with a lot of maps on our hands.

We landed on Queen St. and spotted Tastebud Foodcourt. The choices were a bit limited but we finally settled with the store that sells Hainanese chicken.

I was extremely excited to finally be given the chance to taste Singapore’s Hainanese chicken without knowing that we’d be eating a lot of it in the succeeding days. Promise, napurga ako sa Hainanese chicken!

Chicken Noodles SGD3

I got their Chicken Noodles while Boyet opted for their Chicken Rice. The taste of the noodles is so weird. I could taste some raw flour in it. There was also nothing exceptional with the chicken. It was so bland so I put as much sauce and chili paste in it which actually enhanced the flavors a bit. Boyet didn’t enjoy his choice either. But it was 3:00 pm so we had no choice but to engulf whatever was on our plate.

Chicken Rice SGD3

We rested for a few minutes after our late lunch. We then started walking and felt so disappointed when we saw a long chain of restaurants and food stalls a few meters from the food court.

The street market in Bugis is somehow similar to our Divisoria, only cleaner and less crowded. Aside from food, clothes, souvenir items and electronic equipment being sold, I also spotted people giving massage services along the road. I even saw an old man who looks like he’s pricking pimples on his client’s face. I have no idea what that was.

I told myself that it was still too early to spend on shopping so I resolved on simply checking out the street market. Along the way, we spotted a giant Buddha. Apparently, it’s a very big coin bank which houses monetary donations.

We then headed to the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple. This is a very popular temple among the local devotees of the Goddess of Mercy. The large number of people who flocked the temple when we were there is a proof to that.

We didn’t go inside for two reasons. First, the smell of the incense is too strong.
Second and more importantly, we were careful not to offend their beliefs or appear to be disrespectful if we make one wrong move since we are not familiar with their traditions.

Also in Waterloo St. is the Sri Krishnan Temple. It's quieter and less crowded than the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.

We saw a barefoot man in robe and a long line of shoes and slippers at the entrance of the temple. I took a peek and saw some men offering their prayers inside the temple. Though the first temple looks grander, Sri Krishnan's intricacy in its humble architecture can't be denied.

Used to only seeing mostly Catholic churches in the Philippines, having a glimpse of the two temples was a breath of fresh air. It is a reminder that behind a progressive country lies a diversity of culture.

As we head to our next destination, Joie requested if we could stop by a store so she could try Singapore’s milk tea. After a couple of minutes, we spotted Ice Togo.

The variety of choices was definitely overwhelming. My neck was strained trying to figure out what to get from their giant menu. So Boyet asked the female staff member, “Ate, anong bestseller nyo?” Ate graciously replied, “Tango Ice Mango po, Sir.”

Tango Ice Mango SGD4.20

I was furious when I found out that my husband paid SGD4.20 for that drink. It was our first day in Singapore and I was still consciously converting everything to Philippine Peso. I noticed how my husband kept on giving the drink to me no matter how I try to refuse it. So when I finally gave in, I came to realize that it’s good. It was a perfect way to perk us up for our next activities that day.

See Part 2 of our adventure here.

The Sad Truth: 20 Reasons I Dislike the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:45:00 +0000

I’ve been seeing links of the video 20 Reasons I Dislike the Philippines on my FB feeds. I haven’t been paying attention to it but not until today. The video is a 14-minute narration of Jimmy, an American guy who’s been living here in the Philippines for three years.

He started with his first reason, that Filipinos put giant garbage cans to open manholes instead of providing a permanent fix to it. As a matter of fact, it is a sad truth. But for Filipinos who are naturally resilient, we call it resourcefulness. Instead of waiting for our not so competent government officials to fix the problem, we provide an interim solution.

Some of the things he raised are a bit exaggerated. And the constant “pissing me off” and “fu*k” is really irritating. But sadly, most of the issues he pointed out are true. Oh how I cringed at seeing those public restrooms. For a country with people who take a bath twice a day, it’s really ironic that our public restrooms are disgusting. So those who think that there is no truth in what this guy is saying, raise your hand! Those hands are the hands of the hypocrites.

I bet a lot of Filipinos are going berserk over this guy. They are probably calling him names. Those who are hungry for attention will even go to the extremes of calling our government to deport him or demand for a public apology just like what they wanted from that Taylor whoever who does not even know the difference between Indonesia and Philippines. But come to think of it. Everybody can also come up with a list of the things he dislikes about China, Korea, India, USA, or any other countries in the world.

This guy is irritated with a cock’s sound but for Filipinos, it signifies the beginning of a new day, God’s way of reminding us that we are still alive for others are not given the same chance. And yes, it is our cheapest alarm clock!

It’s also not our problem that we have competent English teachers, the most probable reason that Koreans stay here.

And for your information Jimmy, there are also hot lady boys in your country; but the ones in Thailand are probably the hottest. :p And also for your information, Filipinas are not made to be HOT. They are born and raised to be a loving wife and a caring mother.

So we have two choices here. We can kick this guy’s ass and call him an ingrate for mistreating the country who has been his second home for the past three years. Or we can do our part in showing the world that we are working out our shortcomings as a nation. As a matter of fact, we don’t owe it to the world. We owe it to ourselves.

And to our government especially to the Department of Tourism, instead of criticizing and downplaying this viral video, why don’t you (or we as a nation) just thank Jimmy for showing us the truth? We can come up with 20 million things to love about the Philippines but the sad truth still remains - that our country needs some serious transformation! Jimmy just provided 20, there are actually a lot more! (i.e. inefficient railway system, abusive cab drivers, undisciplined motorists and corrupt traffic enforcers to name a few) Huwag tayong masyadong balat sibuyas!

FYI: There are also videos of 20 Reasons I Like the Philippines on channelfix.com.

Myron’s Place

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:30:00 +0000

I asked my closest friends from Navitaire if we could meet over dinner at least once a month. A lot of our friends have left the company with the promise to have this tradition live on. But because of our very busy schedules, we end up having a get-together once in a blue moon. So when it was my turn to leave (insert sad face here), I made them swear to give some time for us to catch up once in a while. Fortunately, after our first dinner last January which was organized by Kriska, Me-Anne was able to setup another one.

Me-Anne chose Myron’s Place as the venue for our second monthly dinner date. She initially told me that it’s located at the fifth level of Greenbelt 5. Then I got another message correcting her first information as Myron’s Place is at the mall’s ground floor. She gave me the direction over the phone. I was walking along the very narrow alley beside the chapel but I retreated. Posh restaurants are situated in that area and I realized that there is no way that my friends would choose such a place. I called Me-Anne and she confirmed that I was on the right track all along. I was so surprised to see all of them sitting prim and proper inside a very quiet restaurant. Haha! :p

I already arrived with some starters already served on the table. We started our meal with some of their complimentary bread with butter.

Complimentary Bread

Two plates of Oysters Rockefeller were also served. Sitting on a bed of salt were baked oysters topped with a generous amount of cheese and bacon. My first bite of the baked oysters was heavenly! Will you ever go wrong with oysters, bacon and cheese? I was actually fortunate enough to be seated in front of Marwin who is not allowed to eat oysters.

Oysters Rockefeller PHP380

I noticed chunks of meat on a small platter. I asked them what it was and nobody could answer me. It was suggested by the wait staff since it’s one of their bestsellers. Apparently, it’s Myron's Best Rib Eye Hash... Ever! Yes, that’s actually the name of the dish.

The meat is mixed with chunks of potatoes and white onions. The spring onion toppings also enhanced its already succulent flavors. Jeff was actually so tempted to order a cup of rice. Kanin na lang daw ang kulang, shawarma rice na! Though a bit pricey, I have to admit that it’s really delicious.

Myron's Best Rib Eye Hash... Ever! PHP625

I was still full from the two slices of pizza I consumed a couple of hours before our dinner so I just settled for a pasta dish. Moroccan Lamb Fettuccine sounded so classy, thus I gave it a try.

I failed to realize that the word Moroccan is synonymous with strong flavors. Argh! Joie and Nanet who also got their other pasta dishes did not enjoy either. The rest of the guys who chose their Mojito Chicken and Baby Back Ribs took pleasure from their plates.

I kept on telling them that it tastes like a mechado gone bad. I think it may taste good for other people but not for me who is not accustomed to such strong flavors.

I asked the waiter to wrap my leftovers. My husband ate it for dinner. He surrendered. It ended up as my brother’s breakfast the following day. Akalain mo, umabot pa ng almusal! >:)

Moroccan Lamb Fettuccine PHP395

I think we were the noisiest group inside the restaurant. We kept on laughing at how we ended up in such a sashal place. Chod shouldered the bill for the appetizers and the service charge which was good news for us. Promoted e! :p

Myron's Place
G/F Greenbelt 5
Ayala Center, Makati

Where We Stayed: Fragrance Hotel - Bugis

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:15:00 +0000

Joie and I got really busy prior to our SG trip. The fact that I was taking on a new job didn’t help either. I felt really bad that I wasn't able to help her look for a hotel for our vacation.

Staying in a hostel was not an option for us. It may be cheaper but the thought of sleeping with strangers is really creepy. Jeff’s talent of connecting real-life situations to the horror movies he has watched will definitely add to our discomfort and paranoia. Time is also very precious when you’re on a vacation so falling in line just to use the common restroom is a big hassle.

We were surprised that most of the hotels in SG cost an arm and a leg. We were supposed to book Fragrance Hotel in Geylang. Known as the red light district of Singapore, our two boys were dismayed when they found out that the hotel was already fully-booked. Fortunately, we were able to book Fragrance Hotel in Bugis for SGD98/night. When converted to peso, it’s almost close to the cost of hotels when we’re going on out-of-town trips.

Jeff and Joie did most of the research. And I must say that they did a very good job in it. Fragrance Hotel – Bugis is barely a 10-minute walk from the MRT station and is surrounded by restaurants. It is actually beside a 7-11 store. Suntec City and Raffles City are also within walking distance.

The receptionist told us that they are still cleaning the other room and asked if it’s fine with us if we could all stay in one room until they’re done cleaning. It took him a couple of minutes to tell us what he wanted to say so the other receptionist butted in, “Ma’am, sir, nililinis pa po kasi ‘yung isang kwarto kaya kung ok lang po dun muna kayo sa isang kwarto. Tatawagan na lang po namin kayo kapag ready na 'yung isang room.” Hahahaha!!!

I think the Filipino receptionist is the “face” of the hotel. His picture is shown in the hotel’s website and even in the slide show at the hotel’s reception area. Iba talaga ang Pinoy! :)

We told Jeff and Joie that they could have the first available room. The first thing Joie and I checked was the restroom. It is a bit cramped but way better than Acuatico’s bathroom. Our room has the same size but I think that ours is arranged better making it look more spacious. Joie was so envious when she saw that our room, especially our bathroom looks bigger than theirs.

There’s no divider so everything gets wet when we take a bath. Haha! Despite the size, the bathroom is clean. They provide basic toiletries and a set of clean towels. The hand wash smells so good! Taking a hot bath after a whole day of walking is absolutely a luxury.

The room has a TV but there are only 9 channels, one of which is just showing a frozen image of something. There are two sports channel and BBC. It doesn’t even have a movie channel! But who needs TV when you’re out as early as 8 in the morning? :p

The room is also equipped with a DVD player. But of course, we weren’t able to use it.

Because of the size restriction, the cabinet is also small but we were still able to hang some of our clothes.

The hotel also provides complimentary coffee and two cups of purified water. The room also has an electric kettle which we used to prepare coffee and cup noodles.

Disclaimer: The bottled water in the picture was from 7-11.

The room is also well-lighted. Every corner of the room has lights. Whether you want to simply read a book, or play board games with your friends, the room has the perfect light setup for any activities.

The air-conditioner is working perfectly. You have the option to control it in one click. The bed is comfortable and big enough for two people. The sheets are also clean, no foul smell or whatsoever. The pillows are so soft which aided in giving us a sound sleep after a very tiring day.

Our room has a giant wall mirror which I personally loved. It gave me the chance to look at myself from head to toe before hitting the road. Nyaha! To add to that, hidden in the room’s drawer is a blow dryer! Ang vain ko lang! :p

I wasn’t expecting the hotel to be a comfortable place to stay in considering its price. With its affordability and perfect location, staying at Fragrance Hotel – Bugis was certainly a good decision.

Fragrance Hotel - Bugis
33 Middle Road, Singapore

Kimono Ken

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

My brother told the whole family that we’re off to Shangri-La mall instead of the usual Robinsons Place. He planned on buying a new television to match the PS3 that he purchased last Christmas. Ganun talaga 'pag single! According to forums, there’s a store in Shangri-La that sells cheaper TVs. Even if it troubled my parents to go out of their comfort zone, they had no other choice but to give in to my brother’s request. Besides, the PHP7000 price difference couldn’t be denied.

I’ve been to Shangri-La a couple of times before for my annual physical examination since it houses one of the very few Healthway branches that accommodate company APE.

Even if we can already afford it, my parents still look at every restaurant in Shangri-La mall as pricey. Adding to our stress in finding for a place to have dinner is the fact that we weren’t familiar with the place. So after we’re done with our grocery shopping at Rustan’s, we settled for Kimono Ken because it was the first restaurant we spotted. My brother also suggested it since he has already tried eating there before.

Cowboy Roll PHP180

My brother highly recommended their Cowboy Roll and Miso Soup. Both were really good. I like that their version of the miso soup has a lighter taste.

Miso Soup PHP50

Everybody agreed that Kimono Ken’s chahan is better than the one from Tempura Japanese Grill. It isn’t oily and the rice has the perfect consistency. The carrots and spring onions also added color to the fried rice. The chahan's flavor was evident yet it didn’t overshadow the taste of the other dishes.

Chahan PHP65

Whenever I see tofu steak on the restaurant’s menu, I make sure to try it out. You can never go wrong with tofu steak. The fried tofu is mixed with minced pork and vegetables. The thick sauce with a hint of sweetness is what sets it apart from the other tofu steak. This is definitely a must-try!

Tofu Steak PHP190

We also ordered their Beef Teriyaki but the pictures I took suddenly disappeared from my camera. Haha! Aside from the usual sweetness brought by the teriyaki sauce, I could taste lots of garlic in it. The sesame seeds did not only enhance the taste of the beef teriyaki but also added a distinct aroma to it. This is also a must-try.

Their Seafood Teppanyaki was also good. Both the seafood and the bean sprouts were cooked to perfection. I liked how the vegetables have remained crunchy which complemented the texture of the different kinds of seafood.

Seafood Teppanyaki PHP340

The 5-pc Ebi Tempura arrived last on our table. We thought it would be the highlight of our dinner. We were expecting it to steal the show but it turned out to be a real downer. It was very oily and the breading was also awful. It was as if we were eating raw flour. The prawns were large but tasted so bland. Everything on our table was good except for the tempura. It’s something I wouldn’t pay for PHP330. :'(

Ebi Tempura PHP330

Kimono Ken
LG Level
Shangri-La Mall, Manadaluyong City

Supplier Review: Ian Santillan Photography

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:30:00 +0000

I know that it’s inexcusable to write a supplier review barely nine months after our wedding day. But even if I write this post ten years from now, the rating and review will definitely be the same. As a matter of fact, I’m so tempted to just give the rating, post the photos and let them speak for themselves.

Looking for a wedding photographer was a very tedious four-month task for us. I was looking for a photographer who does not only take photos of details but who also has an eye to capture emotions. Ian Santillan was virtually unknown to me. His name did not even pop once when I checked online for wedding photographers in the Philippines. So when a friend mentioned his name in passing, my then fiancé and I immediately checked out his portfolio not knowing that we’d both fall in love with his photos.

When my mom asked us how much we’re spending for the photographer, her follow-up question was whether it already includes the video package. Her eyes got bigger in amazement when I told her that we’re getting a separate supplier for the video coverage. But after seeing our prenuptial photos, she was more than convinced that we got the best deal ever. And after seeing our onsite AVP, she had nothing but good words for Ian. Besides, with all our requests granted and a lot of favors given to us, we couldn’t ask for more!

His eye for details is simply extraordinary. I like how he used anything inanimate in sight to highlight his subjects. All his shots are astonishingly creative. It’s as if every click of his camera turns into a story.

Especially during the wedding preparation, Ian and his team made sure that they work as discreetly as possible. I’ve seen some wedding photographers who are adding stress to the bride by rushing them and giving complex instructions. With Ian, it was the opposite. Since he tries his best to go unnoticed, he was able to capture a lot of candid moments.

My best friend and one of my maids of honor frankly told me that I’m photogenic but I don’t know how to project in front of the camera. As a result, I look really horrible in pictures. But according to her, Ian was able to bring out my natural smile which was translated into beautiful photos. Years from now, I can probably tell my grandchildren that I looked gorgeous on my wedding day. And for that, I owe Ian my life! Hahaha!!!

The use of the bride’s veil is probably Ian’s signature style. Even if I’ve seen him do this trick with other brides, he makes sure that the bride’s personality still stands out.

Hubby told me that Ian is his favorite among all our suppliers. I bet this is because Ian always asks him to kiss me! I smell connivance! :p

To return the favor, Ian made sure that my husband looks good in his photos. It’s not everyday that I consider my husband as a handsome guy. Our wedding day is one of the very few instances which I thought so. :p

I could sense Ian's frustrations when he couldn’t execute his plans or when he is being limited by circumstances just like the time when our prenuptial shoot was cut short. On our wedding day, our OTD coordinator asked us to leave the hotel early because some roads are closed for the Independence Day celebration. This meant less time for Ian to take my photos. Despite the drawback, he managed to take some very good photos while I was inside the bridal car. He said, “First time ko ‘tong ginawa ha!”

And even with the limited time for the post-nuptial shoot which he even had to share with Inxites, he still managed to make the most out of it.

I envy people who make a living out of their passion. When you see Ian’s work, it reflects that he is not doing it for the money but rather answering his calling of making a once in a lifetime event more memorable. It’s also a nice add-on that he is very fun to work with. It was as if Boyet and I got a friend who happens to know how to use a high-tech camera. He made sure that we were at ease during our prenuptial shoot and our wedding day. Even our close friends got the chance to enjoy his company because his warm personality is very evident.

I know that wedding suppliers are paid to do what they are supposed to do. But Ian gave us something beyond what we expected from him. His smile is infectious. His kindness is refreshing. His creativity is impeccable. His passion is absolute. I know he is already big in the wedding industry. But I’m sure that his brilliance will reach more people in no time. Words will never be enough to express our gratitude to Ian for treating our wedding as if it was his own.

Check out our onsite AVP here. Until now, watching it still brings tears to my eyes!

Ian Santillan Photography
Rating: 5+++++/5 <-- I was so tempted to have the plus signs written until the next line! :)

A Breeze of Good Deeds # 28: TamTam is finally home...

noreply@blogger.com (jerellt) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:00:00 +0000

I wasn’t able to catch Wish Ko Lang yesterday. So thank you, Chod for sharing these links.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

So TamTam is finally home. I’m very glad he is.

I don’t know with my other friends who helped him last Christmas, but how come I didn’t feel any anger when I found out about the truth?

Maybe because my father taught me that when you see someone who needs help and you deeply feel that he needs it, go on and help without thinking twice. He probably has reasons why he made up those stories. He was probably scared to face the family that he left behind.

Or maybe because more than the fact that we helped him, he was actually the one who helped us. He made us realize how lucky we are, that the problems we are facing are just trivial compared to his. We are lucky to be surrounded by our loving family and friends. And though I always complain about my legs getting tired from walking all day, I’m still lucky because there are people like TamTam whose probably only wish is to experience that same pain.

Or maybe because I’m just happy that he’s finally reunited with his family. And I’m glad that in some ways, my friends, relatives and all the other strangers who reached out to him, became his family while he was away from his own.