Glich's Life by Glenn Ong

Hail the Samsung GALAXY S4 as Life Companion

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:11:00 +0000

Samsung Philippines' launch of the newest Samsung GALAXY S4 last April 26 is another one for the books! With a nature-inspired theme from the entrance to the actual interiors of the event, I was really awed by how they executed the launch. But that's not the highlight of this post... it's surely the awesome Samsung GALAXY S4 smartphone itself.

If the Samsung GALAXY S3 was tagged as 'designed for humans', the Samsung GALAXY S4 is pegged as our 'life companion'. Samsung made it a point to make the features work for whatever we want to do, especially since smartphones are what we carry almost all the time these days.

At first glance, I myself being an owner of a Galaxy S3 had a hard time differentiating the GALAXY S4 from its predecessor. However, it appears that GALAXY S4 has a larger screen size and battery, minimized bezel - housed in a light (130g) and slim (7.9mm) shape upon close inspection and actual holding of the smartphone.

Here are the other specifications of the Samsung GALAXY S4:

Network: GSM/3G/HSPA+/LTE
Dimension: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in)
Weight: 130 g
Display: 5-inch HD Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen
Internal Memory: 16GB storage, 2GB RAM expandable with microSD, up to 64GB
Camera: 13 megapixels with LED flash, 4128 x 3096 pixels, auto focus
Secondary Camera: 2 megapixels
Video / Video Calling: 1080p @ 30 frames/sec, dual-video recording, and dual video call
OS: Android OS, v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
CPU: 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor
Talk Time: Up to 13 hours

So how did it become a Life Companion? Let me run down some of the coolest features of the Samsung GALAXY S4.

Dual Camera - With this feature, you as the photographer won't be forgotten as you can now use both the front and rear camera at the same time. There are different templates available, which will make it even more fun to use.
Sound & Shot - Another camera feature of the GALAXY S4, this allows us to uniquely store a short sound clip or voice together as the picture is taken. This means we can now capture special moments in the truest form imaginable.
Group Play - Create a workgroup and share music, photos, documents and games with your friends without even having a Wi-Fi or cellular signal. The best use of this is by using the Share Music option, which allows several phones to connect with each other to work as a surround sound speaker all together.
S Translator - This feature is very useful when you travel around the world very often. Using text or voice translation on applications including text message or email, this instant translator can convert text to speech or speech to text in an instant as long as you're connected to the Internet.

Other interesting features make doing things more convenient.

Samsung Smart Pause - This feature enables you to control the screen by where you look. For example, when you're watching a video, the video pauses when you look away and starts right up again when you look back.
Samsung Smart Scroll - It allows you to scroll the browser or emails up and down without touching the screen. It recognizes your face looking at the screen and movement of your wrist and then scroll the pages up or down accordingly.
Air View - Hovering with the fingers, you can now preview the content of an email, S Planner, image gallery or video without having to open it.
Air Gesture - With this, you can change the music track, scroll up and down a web page, or accept a call with a wave of your hand.

And as if those features weren't enough just yet, here's something for the heath and well-being called the S Health. The combination of sensors built within the device systematically and automatically monitors your health, surroundings ad so much more to help improve your quality of life. Also, users can check health conditions using food diary, exercise diary and sleep monitor.

The Samsung GALAXY S4 has a lot of cool features that other smartphones don't have. Some may find it just gimmick, but others like me find it useful. With the advent of multitasking these days, it's becoming a must to have a smartphone that can be considered as our life companion.

Available in Black Mist and White Frost colors, the Samsung GALAXY S4 is now available at SRP of Php30,990. You can also get it from Globe at Php1,599/month for 24 months or for FREE at Plan 2499 for 24 months.

Don't forget to follow Samsung on Twitter @SamsungMobilePH for updates and announcements. Are you getting a Samsung GALAXY S4?

Beat Summer Heat with KFC Krushers

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:13:00 +0000

Summer, oh, summer, how do I love and hate thee? There are so many reasons why I like and dislike summer - Likes: beach escapades, halo-halo, cold drinks, lesser traffic; Dislikes: scorching heat, sun burn. But on this post, let's focus on one thing I like most - drinking cool drinks to beat the summer heat!

I've recently tried two delicious KFC Krushers - Buko Pandan and Halo-Halo - which draws inspiration from two summer favorites of Filipinos. If you love eating buko pandan and halo-halo as dessert items, these drinks would definitely be something you'd like too... this time, drinking and not eating.

The Buko Pandan Krushers has a slight green-ish color with a refreshing taste of buko drink, mixed with bits of real macapuno, shaved coconut/buko meat, and green nata. I love how KFC turned a popular buko pandan dessert into a drink!

One the other hand, the Halo-Halo Krushers has a purple-ish tint with creamy ube as the star, mixed with bits of real macapuno, sweet leche flan and nata. While most of the ingredients are similar to that of the buko pandan, the taste of each drink can still be differentiated because of its base flavor.

Between the two, I like the Buko Pandan Krushers better as it really tasted like the dessert. Both drinks can be tad too sweet for some people, but will surely be loved by people who have sweet tooth. Both drinks are so refreshing too!

The Buko Pandan Krushers and Halo-Halo Krushers are available in all KFC stores nationwide this summer at only Php69.00. It might not be there for too long, so better grab 'em while it's "hot"!

KFC has also come up with a new gimmick that goes beyond anyone's definition of 'cool' - the Krushers Island Promo. Get a chance to own an island where you and seven of your friends can spend two days and three nights of fun and adventure by simply creating a meme of the Krushers Island microsite and convincing everyone just how awesome and cool you are.

For regular updates, follow KFC on Twitter @KFCPhilippines and like their Facebook page as well.

Weekend Discovery with Nescafe-in-a-can's Bianca Gonzales

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:55:00 +0000

Discovering something new is always exciting, especially when I least expect it! Do you agree?

I am very fortunate to have been invited by the makers of Nescafe-in-a-can to spend a weekend discovery to only-God-knows-where. We boarded on a bus and off we go to somewhere I don't usually go to. From the clues and trivia given on the way to our destination, I felt so much excitement!

When I was younger, I used to see Filipino movies having scenes of doing pottery. It appears fun, though dirty, because it allows one's creativity to shine through a finished product of ceramics. I felt so blessed because our first stop was at Crescent Moon in Antipolo where we got the chance to tour around the molding, heating, and painting processes. What's more, I got to actually see a revolving tray while molding the clay. Fun, yet messy if done wrong!

Our final stop was at Pinto Art Museum where we saw the different antiques and artifacts of religious miniature structures. We also got to tour around a big area where there were paintings illustrated in different mediums.

A few minutes into lunch, Nescafe-in-a-can's brand ambassador Bianca Gonzales joined us to talk about how she is really a fan of coffee and how this Nescafe-in-a-can is so convenient to lug around whenever we discover things anywhere around the Philippines.

Nescafe-in-a-can has three variants - Latte (flesh/brown), Mocha (blue) and Espresso (green). Whether you like it tasting milky, sweet with a hint of chocolate or intense shot of coffee, there's always one flavor that will fit you. As for me, it's a toss up between Latte and Mocha for that summer chillax flavor. Both Latte and Mocha comes in SRP of Php29, while the Espresso in a smaller can is at an SRP of Php18.

Next time we go out and explore the world, let's not forget to bring our handy companion Nescafe-in-a-can, so we can feel the delightful kick to gear us up for more discoveries we could ever imagine.

Break time is Greenwich Lasagna Supreme time!

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:01:00 +0000

"No man is an island" is a popular quotation we've all grown up to. It's true, because we all rely to our family and friends when we celebrate our successes or cry out our frustrations. And when these moments happen, it's always great to share stories over a good meal - in my case, it's Greenwich Lasagna Supreme.

I started my new journey at work last November 2012. There was the usual fear of acceptance and workload, but I'm glad I have a team who's just so warm and supportive. It was an easy time adjusting to my new company, because I have these great folks who always make me smile. In fact, they're also there to comfort me during those times I felt frustrated and depressed.

So when I got loads of lasagna at home, it didn't take a minute for me to think of who to share it with. We consumed the small boxes at home, while the huge tray of Greenwich Lasagna Supreme went with me to the office as I shared it to my team over lunch.

Greenwich's lasagna isn't new. I remember ordering it when we had events in a particular mall mainly because of its tasty flavor and satiating taste. But I'm glad Greenwich looked to further improve it even more.

Today's Greenwich Lasagna Supreme is loaded with even more mouth-watering goodness. It has thicker noodles, chunkier meat sauce, flavored with three types of cheese, and topped with a rich and creamy white sauce. It's also served with 1pc. Garlic Stix.

And as if these weren't enough, Greenwich made it very affordable for students and office professionals alike by pricing it at only Php79 for the snack size and Php99 for a full size.

With the Greenwich Lasagna Supreme being our fuel for a fun lunch break at work, we got to share more stories and laughter together - truly a moment worth remembering. Thanks, Greenwich!

KFC Breakfast Fully Loaded Meals Get Two Thumbs Up

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Looking back to my college days, I spoke about how breakfast is very important to each of us as part of my English class' persuasive speech requirement. I compared our bodies to a car engine that needs heating up and checking of water at the start of the day, after a long night of not being used.

In that speech, I mentioned how breakfast gives us the energy to boost and how it also sets the tone and mood of our entire day. Yes, I reiterate, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Having a complete breakfast meal will surely help us get up and get going.

What a great way to start off the day than by waking up to KFC's Filipino Breakfast Fully Loaded Meal (FLM) or Breakfast Steak Fully Loaded Meal.

The Filipino Breakfast FLM combines the classic Filipino favorites into one filling meal that includes real chicken longganisa, tender chicken tocino slices, garlic rice, scrambled egg, and soft chocolate chip pancakes with maple syrup and shipped butter. You may choose to get an orange juice or coffee to come with the meal.

Meanwhile, the Breakfast Steak FLM includes KFC's signature Original Recipe Chicken fillet drenched in creamy breakfast steak sauce, garlic rice, scrambled egg, and soft chocolate chip pancakes with maple syrup and whipped butter. Similar to the Filipino Breakfast FLM, a choice of orange juice or coffee awaits.

Trying out the two FLM's, I love how KFC cooked it without seemingly making me feel it's from a fast food chain. It feels like home. I initially thought the steak sauce was a soup, but it turned out to be a great addition to the delicious KFC chicken. Adding the soft chocolate chip pancakes was a great idea, as it balances out the overall taste and making it as if it's the "dessert" of the meal.

Both Fully Loaded Meals are part of the KFC A.M. Breakfast range, which also includes other freshly prepared, signature chicken meals such as the Longganisa Burger and A.M. Snacker. The two FLM's can be found in any KFC store and only costs Php105.00 each.

For regular updates, don't forget to follow KFC on Twitter @KFCPhilippines and like their Facebook page www.facebook.com/kfcphilippines. For deliveries, dial 887-8888 (for Metro Manila only) or go to www.kfcdelivery.com.ph.

Portable Madness - Braven 600 HD Wireless Speakers

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:57:00 +0000

I'm actually old enough to remember when boomboxes were a thing -- those bulky radio sets that required six size D batteries. Yes, people those days would put up with lugging a thirty-or-so pound just to listen to their music with their friends, and they were actually considered the cool ones. Nowadays, everything is about being portable. From desktops turning into tablets, to mobile phones getting smaller, lighter and thinner, the emphasis of our generation is to do away with chains that hold us down and allowing us the freedom to do anything we want, anywhere. Little gems like the Braven 600 HD Wireless Speakers make it easier for us to accomplish just that.

The first thing that you'll notice about this speaker is that it's absolutely gorgeous. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum, this lightweight speaker only weighs 12 oz. (340g) - about as much, if not lighter than, a water bottle. The ash grey matte finish on the speakers allow it to blend in to the background or stand out as a centerpiece, depending on your preference. It has no frills, no distracting elements to take away the essence of what it truly is -- a high-definition speaker.

For such a small object, the Braven 600 HD Wireless Speakers deliver the punch of a full 3.1 audio system with lots of bass to spare. It delivers a full range of sound without losses between levels. There's no lack of power here, as it can easily fill a medium-sized room with its sound. I was very pleasantly surprised to have a near audiophile-quality experience from an unexpected source.

This speaker can also do what maybe four or five other gadgets would separately; the best part is, it's extremely easy to use. It connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth with a simple press of a button, thus allowing you to be mobile with your music player while having your speakers in one place. The range is pretty limited, but it removes the inconvenience of being tied up and tangled with wires. If your device is not Bluetooth-ready, the speakers come with a 24" 3.5mm audio cable to connect into your headphone jack and act as any regular speaker. What's even better is that you can daisy chain several of these speakers to just pump up the volume.

The Braven 600 HD Wireless Speakers act as a Bluetooth speakerphone as well, with a built-in noise-cancelling microphone to provide good sound quality both to you and whoever you're speaking with. If you're like me and often are part of a conference call, I can see how convenient it would be to have your phone's speaker magnified so that you can be on the line anywhere throughout your room.

Apart from being a speaker and a phone accessory, it is also a battery charger -- that's right, you can plug in your mobile phone via the built-in powerbank without interrupting your listening experience. While the Braven 600 comes with a modest 1400mAh battery, it still gives you 12 hours of play time or 2 - 3 full charges on an iPhone 4S. Its limitation here is that it wasn't designed to charge anything more than your smartphone, so you can't use this to charge higher capacity gadgets such as tablets. Given the low capacity, it's best used for the rare occasions you desperately need to charge your phone, but hey, I challenge you to find another speaker that can do just that.

In summary, I think it's pretty plain to see that the Braven 600 HD Wireless Speakers delivers an extremely enticing package. It is extremely lightweight, enabling you to bring a full high-quality audio system without having to bring a ton of equipment. It can link up to other Braven speakers to generate even more power, it can act as a speaker for your calls, and it can even power your phone while it's at it. This isn't just another accessory to add to your collection; this is an essential necessity to have with you to complement your mobile lifestyle.

Standard Retail Price of Braven 600 HS Wireless Speaker: Php6,450.00

Available at the following resellers:

Beyond the Box
Digital Hub
Digital Walker
iStudio
Astrovision
Astroplus
iCenter - Cebu
Powerhub - Cebu

Editor's Note: This article was written by Arbi Bautista, a special writer and contributor of Glich's Life. Arbi is an IT Consultant in one of the biggest global IT companies. He is a music and photography enthusiast, and a great public speaker too. Revisions to this article were done by yours truly prior to posting. You can follow Arbi on Twitter (@sowhatifimmaria). - Glenn / Glich

Simplism Handy Cover Set for iPad Mini

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 02:50:00 +0000

It's quite exciting - the first time you get your hands on a gadget that you've been eyeing for so long. You save up for it, you skip meals, you sacrifice buying other things just to have more money to put in for that new tablet. The day comes that you finally have enough to buy your coveted toy, when suddenly, the worst happens: out of your excitement, you turn a corner, bump a wall and dent your beautiful new tablet.

Protecting your investment is always top priority, and in this case it makes sense to buy a case. There are a variety of cases today available for the iPad mini, ranging from the elegant to the heavy duty, and the most difficult choice to make is usually how you compromise between protection and aesthetics.

You usually have to ask yourself, "Do I want something that will turn heads when I'm out but won't survive a strong impact, or something that will really keep my tablet safe but is ultimately bulky and heavy?" What I have today is somewhere right smack in between -- enter the Simplism Handy Cover Case.

True to its brand name, the case features a simplistic, yet elegant design. It comes in a brown faux leather pattern and also feels like the real thing. The case is also accented by a white stitch across the back, which adds to the feel of elegance.

In terms of function, the Simplism Handy Cover set doesn't disappoint either. The coverage of the case is pretty good, ensuring that all four corners are protected while allowing easy access to the ports and buttons of the iPad mini. It also provides a snug fit to make sure that there's no chance of the tablet separating from the case unexpectedly.

A little extra that you'll find in the case is where it gets its namesake from -- in the back, you'll find a small flexible band which will allow you to slip your hand in and make it more secure to hold your tablet while in use. It's pretty useful, especially if you have a tendency to be clumsy.

With the case, you also get a few nifty accessories that come along with it. You get: a screen protector, a dust removing tape, a card leveler (for squeezing out bubbles), a cleaning cloth, and a multi-purpose stand. The stand is pretty useful, as it allows you to hold the iPad in two ways: either vertically for reading, or horizontally for typing, watching movies or as a picture frame.

The Simplism Handy Cover also claims to be 99% anti-bacterial, which of course can't really be practically tested, but will be very useful considering that most tablet owners don't bother cleaning their gadgets.

Overall, the case is certainly a good compromise between form and function. It looks clean, simple yet eye-catching, and at the same time provides good protection for your iPad mini while allowing easy grip to keep it even secure.

Suggested Retail Price of Simplism Handy Cover Set: Php1,299

Available in the following resellers:

Avant
Beyond The Box
Digital Hub
Digital Walker
E-Central
Electroworld
Gadgets in Style
Globotel
Gui
iBook
iCenter
iGig
iStore
iStudio
Lenin Computer System
Liteware
Meetrovi Mobile Shop
Mobile 1
Octagon
Podworx
Power Hub
SencoLink
Sidrah
Silicon Valley
Switch
Technoholics
The A. Shop
The Inbox Store
Wow Mobile
LMK
Games and Gadgets
Astrovision/Astroplus
Vertex, Rockwell
Fortress
Additekh
Banana Telecom

Manang's Chicken Garlic Pork Fillet et al

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 15:34:00 +0000

I've known Manang's Chicken for its tasty double deep fried crispy chicken with soy garlic sauce. But just a couple of days ago, I went to Glorietta and saw that they now have what they call as the Garlic Pork Fillet Meal. And so I decided to try it.

Since I didn't have heavy breakfast before working out at the gym, I was famished by lunch time. As such, I order A LOT! Let's start it off with appetizers.

Manang's Chicken actually has three sides - Macaroni Salad, Coleslaw, and Buttered Corn. I got the latter two since I love corn to bits and I want some veggies for my meal. Their corn was really fresh, but the coleslaw needs improvement. Both were okay, nothing fantastic, but I wish I ordered more corn, corn, corn! The small cup costs Php29, while a bigger one is at Php45.

Still trying to prepare my stomach for the main meal, I munched on the zero-oil, crispy Potato Chips. It came with several dips - creamy cheese, spicy ketchup, and garlic mayo. All three were good, but if you ask me to rank it, I'd say garlic mayo, spicy ketchup, then creamy cheese. Large size of chips come with 2 dips for Php64.

On to the main meal - the Garlic Pork Fillet meal. An order costs Php109, which includes rice, pork fillet, vinegar (with soy sauce), and regular drink.

Starting off with what's visual, the pork fillet is huge. It's fillet, so the cut is thinner than the usual pork chop. Covering the meat is a light breading fried to a right kind of crisp. As the picture shows, it's topped with tons of toasted garlic bits, which I took in like crushed chips. The garlic has mild taste and pairs well with the meat, especially when dipped in the sauce (which I absolutely love!).

With its price, I couldn't ask for anything else. The Garlic Pork Fillet meal is affordable and really filling. It's a good alternative to fast food meals, which cost almost the same if not more than this. I wouldn't say it's top-notch quality and taste, but definitely something good and worth eating once in a while.

I wanted to end my meal with a red velvet ice cream, but it was out of stock. Sad as it is, overall, I had a great meal already. And my stomach cried 'stop in the name of love' coz I'm very full.

Inboosta Travel Booster Boosts Your Gadgets On-the-go

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 06:51:00 +0000

Have you ever gone out to meet up with friends, got lost, and found your phone to have no battery when you needed to call them? Boo! Night-out ruined!

Well, fear no more. With the advent of the mobile lifestyle, manufacturers today understand that this is every mobile gadget owner’s worst nightmare. As such, they have come up with solutions to address this. In comes the the Inboosta Travel Booster, a rechargeable battery charger for your multitude of gadgets.

The Inboosta Travel Booster’s lithium-ion battery holds a capacity of 5200mAH. It's enough to get you through about 4 full cycle charges for a normal smartphone. It’s also pretty lightweight, weighing in at only 125g and is smaller, albeit thicker, than an iPhone.

It comes with five separate adaptors, which provide charging options for micro-USB, Samsung, mini-USB, PSP and Nokia gadgets. If you’re an Apple user, however, you’ll have to use your own cable for this charger.

The Good
I like how this was made with a simplistic design. The red logo and blue LED lights contrast well against the all-white body of the unit and makes it look classy without being flashy, as other mobile chargers over tend to do.

Contrast to other portable chargers, the Inboosta Travel Booster has two output ports, allowing you to charge two units simultaneously, so you can have your phone charging at the same time as your tablet, provided that you have a second cable though.

To try it out, I plugged my iPhone 4S into the recharging unit from 0% and it was able to charge the phone within an hour, as if I had it plugged into a wall socket.

The Bad
Right off the bat, what I didn’t appreciate was the fact that they didn’t include a wall socket adaptor for charging the unit. The manufacturer recommends plugging the charger into a USB socket or using your own adaptor. I understand it’s not mandatory, considering it’s safe to assume you have your own if you own any of the mobile devices the unit compatible with, but a price decrease would have at least justified the absence of a wall plug.

It also takes a long time to charge – manufacturer specifications state that the Inboosta Travel Booster takes around 7-13 hours of charging itself, so you’ll definitely want to use this unit only in times when you REALLY have to charge your gadget and remember to charge the battery charger once you reach a wall socket.

The Verdict
While the Travel Booster does not boast any extraordinary features or even the biggest capacity, it is indeed one of the smallest and lightest units available in the market. The design is nice but standard, and the long charge time is quite disconcerting, considering that the point of having a battery charger is to allow you to be mobile.

Overall it wouldn’t be my first choice, but that doesn’t discount its usefulness. It certainly serves its purpose if you don’t want to shell out more money for one of the bigger capacity chargers available in the market. It will charge you up some, but will leave you wanting more.

Inboosta Travel Booster comes in colors like white, purple, blue yellow, green, and pink. A 4400mAH model is also available.

Suggested Retail Price:

Inboosta Travel Booster 4400mAH - Php1,990
Inboosta Travel Booster 5200mAH - Php2,490

Available in the following stores:

Switch
Digital Hub
Astrovision
Astroplus
Banana Telecom
Beyond the Box
Digital Walker

SereniTEA Welcomes 2013 with New Drinks, New Branch

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 07:21:00 +0000

I've known SereniTEA to be the first and only teashop in the Philippines to utilize a tea espresso machine in brewing its tea products. Since it started a couple of years back, a lot of customers like me keep going back to SereniTEA despite several other brands that opened.

This 2013, SereniTEA announces two great news that will surely make SereniTEA-lovers excited.

New SereniTEA drinks by February

Yes, you read it right! There's going to be a whole bunch of new drinks coming our way by the last week of February. Lucky me, I've got to taste some of it before it goes public. Here's a rundown of some of them.

Yakult lovers like me would love the Tropical Yakult (top) and Lychee Yakult (bottom right). These drinks are Yakult-based concoctions, where one is mixed with lively tropical fruit flavor and the other one with lychee flavor. Both drinks were very light and refreshing, but I prefer Lychee more for its distinct taste.

Also included in the picture is the SereniTEA-trademarked Chaffe' Milk Tea (bottom left). It's that one drink that brings together the taste of tea and coffee together. Though combined, I was still able to distinctively taste the tea and coffee, and suggested that SereniTEA offers customers with option for additional coffee shot.

I'm not a fan of both chocolate and green tea, but I surprisingly loved the new Cocoa Green Tea Frost. The match-flavored foam topping was sweet and creamy, which when mixed with the cocoa drink tasted great! SereniTEA tipped us to sip the foam from the cup rather than mixing it straight away with the tea.

SereniTEA also welcomes a new addition to its sinkers list called the Chocolate Pudding. Now, customers can have a choice between the Egg or Chocolate Pudding. Featured above is the Okinawa Milk Tea with chocolate pudding.

Another exciting new drink that I really liked was the Cookies and Cream Milk Tea. It uses assam as its base tea, then mixed with special cream and crushed cookies.

There are tons more of new drinks coming to the SereniTEA branches very soon, so watch out for that.

New SereniTEA branch in Cebu by March

It's time to celebrate as Cebuanos will now have their very own SereniTEA branch in the first week of March.

It will be located at the Ground Floor Calyx Building right across McDonalds drive-through, W. Geonzon Street corner J. Abad Santos, Cebu IT Park, Apas, Cebu City. It will be open 11am to 11pm daily.

Like the usual opening or anniversary treat, SereniTEA will offer its famous Jumbo Cup (one-liter tea goodness) drink promo for one day only! Don't miss its opening!

Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini Launches, Exclusive to Globe

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 04:54:00 +0000

The question "does size matter?" only gets asked when people have naughty conversations. But with Samsung, size - whether small or big - is definitely not a problem. After the immense success of Samsung Galaxy SIII comes a miniature version called the Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini, which has the same powerful performance and function in a new form and size.

The Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini still carries the same philosophy as the rest of the Galaxy line of smartphones - that is, "designed for humans." Having it in a smaller form factor as compared to its predecessor, the SIII Mini provides the perfect grip and ergonomic handling.

Enjoying movies, photos, and web browsing is still very much achievable even with a small and sleek design thanks to its 4.0" WVGA Super-AMOLED display and 5 megapixel camera. Powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, the unique Samsung feature called Pop-up Play for multi-tasking purposes can be enjoyed seamlessly.

An heir of the Galaxy SIII, the SIII Mini has the same intelligent features like the Smart Stay (which detects if the user is looking at the display and keeps the display from timing out until the user looks away), Smart Alert (which detects when a user returns to the phone and gives him a brief vibrating nudge to inform about missed calls, calendar events, and new messages), and Direct Call (which allows a user to make a call simply by lifting the phone to the ear while writing or reading a message or while specific contact details are brought up to the display).

For people with smaller hands who want an easy grip of a smartphone without sacrificing the features and capability, the Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini is really for you. Running on the latest Android OS, Jelly Bean, the SIII Mini retails for only Php14,990! It is available in four colors - Marble White, Pebble Blue, Garnet Red, and Titanium Gray.

What's more, the Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini is exclusive to Globe until February 28, 2013. It is being offered FREE through Globe's customizable plans - Globe My Super Plan 999 (Php999 consumable, 50MB data, 2 freebies changeable monthly) or Globe My Super Plan Unli Surf Combo 999 (unlimited data, 1 freebie changeable monthly).

What do you ENJOY? Post a picture and win!

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:53:00 +0000

I'm sure several of you have heard of Enjoy Philippines in the past. For the benefit of those of who haven't, Enjoy is the Philippines' premiere loyalty and privilege marketing program.

The Enjoy Philippines kit allows one to enjoy over Php300,000 worth of deals at the country's top establishments for only Php1,995 per kit. With discounts every single day of the week for places in Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and Shanghai, it's really a great buy!

Imagine, you can get a free upsize from the likes of Fruit Magic and Coffee Bean every single day, a 10% discount on purchases at Digital Walker and Digital Hub, and a lot more!

This 2013, Glich's Life has partnered with Enjoy Philippines to celebrate life with whatever you enjoy the most. We love it when people share things with us! We're giving away 3 Enjoy Philippines kit to lucky winners.

It's very easy to join! You'll need your creative juices flowing. Check out the steps below. This contest is open to all Facebook users within the Philippines. It runs until February 6, 2013. What are you waiting for? Snap and post now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember, the key thing that we want to see here are pictures of what you enjoy.

Crumpler Western Lawn Review

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:34:00 +0000

Ahh... Crumpler bags. How much do I love thee? Let me count the ways. This Australian-based brand has been one of my personal favorites since I bought my first one. They’re tough, tear-proof, secure, weather-resistant, and look cool as heck.

What started as a messenger bag company evolved into a well-renowned go-to brand for professional photographers to weekend campers, and for good reason – they deliver high quality bags that really break the mold without breaking your stuff.

The Outside

We see a good example of this in The Western Lawn, one of the mid-sized messenger bags by Crumpler. At first glance the all-black bag really looks like every other black bag out there, with the exception of a gray outer flap lining covered in multi-colored logos just peeking through to get noticed.

The thick webbed straps look sturdy enough to carry around an elephant without breaking and wide enough to get a secure fit around your body. The dual Velcro straps holding it in place provide a firm grip and let you know your things are secure inside. Even being all black, you can’t help but admire the casual beauty of its simplistic yet out of the box design.

The Inside

If the all black exterior sends the message that your bag is serious and will fall in line with you to the library, the colorful interior says that the library you are going to is a flash-mob party waiting to happen, turning the volume up beyond the limit. Seriously, the black exterior is highly deceiving in making other people think this bag is plain and boring. The interior is littered with reds, greens and blues against a funky glitter-ball style gray pattern.

Apart from the shocking style you’ll find inside, you’ll also see that this bag is very spacious. Measuring at 39.5 cm x 25 cm x 15.5 cm (width, height, depth respectively) with a volume of 11 liters, this bag can hold a good majority of your daily cargo. I was able to fit in the following: 1 15.4” laptop, charger / adaptor, two notebooks, three pens, one ID with lanyard, an external hard drive, a water drinking bottle and a pair of headphones with case – that’s more than what people normally bring to work or school, and in such a small space.

The downside here though is that you have to get creative with how you pack your things. Being that it is an open messenger bag without any dividers, there will be a strong tendency that your stuff will be moving around inside, and you’ll need to have good special reasoning ability to manage packing all your stuff without having them bounce around.

The Final Verdict

This Crumpler Western Lawn bag is the perfect merger between form and function. Not only does it look good enough to get compliments from strangers, it also has enough space to carry all your daily needs around without having to worry about getting your stuff wet or having other people steal them.

With it's price, you definitely get more than what you pay for in a bag that’s designed to outlive its service guarantee. My bags have lasted longer than 5 years without needing more than a spot clean here and there – I don’t see why this won’t last even longer when you get your own.

Suggested Retail Price of Crumpler Western Lawn: Php3,250.00

Available at the following stores:

Crumpler Bonifacio Highstreet
Crumpler Trinoma
Crumpler Megamall
Crumpler Robinsons Ermita

Justin Bieber as new Adidas NEO Style Icon

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Hey! The Adidas NEO label announces POP/R&B superstar Justin Bieber as its new style icon. As an ambassador, Bieber will lead NEO label's stylish and fresh teen looks through a two-year partnership until the end of 2014.

Apart from making appearances in major markets and social media throughout 2013, Justin will front NEO’s seasonal campaigns under its “Live Your Style” positioning, with Spring/Summer 2013 to debut in February. Teens will be able to shop for his favorite NEO looks and personally selected styles for each season.

“I found a real connection with NEO because it is about fashion, freedom and being true to who you are. With my new album, Believe, I am spreading the message of believing in yourself. The first step is showing who you are, and one of the great ways to showcase yourself is through fashion. For me style is an adventure, something to have fun with and NEO believes this too,” Justin Bieber said.

To watch the video message of Justin announcing the news, go to Facebook.com/adidasneolabel. To stay up to date on all things NEO, including the label’s fresh new looks and Justin Bieber’s seasonal favorites beginning 2013, visit www.adidas.com/NEO.

The adidas NEO Label is available in selected SM Department Stores, Robinsons Department Stores, Toby’s, Planet Sports and other sports stores nationwide.

AIAIAI Tracks: Subtle Becomes Too Simple

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 12:40:00 +0000

When using open-ear headphones, you have to remember that they do not provide sound quality as deep and rich as their full ear counterparts. That being said, I proceeded to approach reviewing AIAIAI’s basic headphone offering, the AIAIAI Tracks, with a little reservation.

This Denmark-based company is certainly no short-comer to the market, as Copenhagen is known for producing some of the best audio equipment in the world. I wanted to see how they could improve an intrinsically flawed design and deliver excellent sound quality while building on a simplistic design.

First Impressions

The packaging of a product always sets the tone for what to expect. While I was accustomed to headphones that came with all the little bells and whistles, such as sticker logos and flashy product line cards, AIAIAI Tracks took the less distracting route and brought in only an instruction card with how to assemble your product. Yup, that’s right – the headphones actually require some assembly.

The over-all theme here is simplicity, and they do this very well. The bright colors of the headphones stand out against the contrast of the box's white color. The headphones themselves look decent enough to stand out, but don’t hold up enough against most of what’s available in the market. I understand they went for simple in this design, but in my personal opinion they made it a little too simplistic on this one, bordering on not getting enough for what you pay for.

Construction

The headphones feel pretty durable, with the headband being solid enough to withstand a lot of punishment but lightweight enough to not be a bother to transport. The ear cup foams are comfortable to wear, even on long listening sessions. They don’t look like they won’t rip easily too, so that’s another plus.

The cables feel good to the touch and don’t tangle, even when you carelessly throw them in your bag. Over-all, the headphones are light, strong and well-made as well as look good to boot.

Accessories

What you get in the box are: the headphones with remote and microphone, the steel headband, two pairs of different color headband connectors and an instruction manual.

The controller was a pain though. The buttons were hard to press and would not respond unless you gave them a firm push with the thumb. Having a built-in controller should make your headphones easier to use, but that little annoyance made it frustrating to deal with. No bells and whistles to be found here – just straight-to-goodness earphones.

Sound Quality

As I mentioned earlier in this article, open-ear earphones come with the intrinsic problem of not being able to deliver rich sound quality due to the lack of noise isolation. Headphones of this class normally make up for this by delivering better sound at louder volumes, and the AIAIAI Tracks headphones are a bit disappointing in this aspect.

As always, I used Far East Movement’s track Like a G6 to test sound quality. Right off the bat, I noticed that there was a big gap in the bass department. It was there, but not strong enough. Even boosting up the EQ to higher levels didn’t improve the sound much, and for acclaimed “award-winning” headphones, it was surprising that the pair didn’t deliver.

The other sound levels were just okay – for an expensive pair of headphones, I was expecting to be blown away, but was left disappointed. It’s not that the sound was bad, mind you. It was just not enough.

Final Rating

As before, here are my final scores of the headphones:

Construction: 4 / 5
Sound quality: 2.5 / 5
Aesthetics: 3 / 5

Over-all, I was left disappointed by this pair. Without considering the price point, the pair was just an okay pair. It was well-built, sure, but both sound quality and aesthetics were mediocre at best.

Bringing back the price factor, there are a lot of other headphones available in the market that are cheaper and can deliver better performance. If you’re looking for a basic pair of headphones for everyday use that will last though, you could pick up this pair and not be disappointed.

Suggested Retail Price of AIAIAI Tracks: Php3,250.00

AIAIAI Tracks is available in the following stores:

Astrovision
Beyond the Box
Digital Hub
Digital Walker
Egghead
Futureworld
PC Hub
Technoholics

Holiday season is the time to get out more!

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:13:00 +0000

The month of December is either a hit or miss to different kinds of people - it's good for many because of the merry-making the holidays give us; while it's hassle for some due to traffic and crowdy places. How ever you look at it, December as a holiday season is the best time to relax, eat a lot, and get out more.

I've had so many instances when I'm away from home, far from the usual urban setting I'm used to be living every single day. And since we can't control circumstances, there are times I really tend to forget paying for my bills. Lo and behold, BPI Online is there ready to accept my payments 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Did you know that you can win an all-expense paid trip for four to seven top destinations (Bohol, Davao, Boracay, Cebu, Legazpi, Iloilo, and Puerto Princesa) in the country, 3D/2N accommodations, and pocket money worth Php24,700.00 by simply paying your bills via BPI online, phone, or mobile phone? Yes, absolutely.

So how can we Get Out More with BPI?

Enroll any BPI, BPI Family or BPI Direct account to BPI's 24/7 banking channels (Express Online, Express Mobile or Express Phone).
Pay monthly bills through any of these channels. Every Php50.00 bill successfully paid is equivalent to a raffle ticket.
Two raffle entries will be awarded to the first qualified payment made to a unique merchant reference/account number during the promo period. Succeeding qualified payments will earn one raffle entry each (in the succeeding calendar month).
Promo period is only until December 31, 2012.

Do you transactions anytime and anywhere with just a few clicks from BPI channels. No need to worry about unpaid bills, so go and get out more this holiday season.

Fujifilm Philippines Launches X Series Cameras

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 01:51:00 +0000

Digital cameras and dSLR cameras are essential to most people who love to take photos and videos, because smartphones are still not at par with it in terms of power and flexibility.

Earlier this year, Fujifilm Philippines, a subsidiary of the Fujifilms Corporation in Tokyo has established its presence in the here in our country. Aiming to reach a wider market in the local market, the company launches a wide product line-up to cater to the different needs of consumers.

If last year’s Fujifilm X series cameras namely the X100, X10 and the highly acclaimed X Pro 1 changed the landscape of digital photography all over the world, the new Fujifilm X-E1 and X-F1 are equally as powerful.

The Fujifilm X-F1 is a premium quality digital camera with a premium design in a compact body. With its perfectly matched lens and sensor, careful attention to detail on appearance and design, and accessible technology, the Fujifilm X-F1 is set to hit the stores this November. It is available in Black, Red, and Brown with an SRP of Php21,500.

Fujifilm X-F1 Key Features:

Manually twisting mechanical zoom ring for turn-on and zooming
F1.8 (wide) – F4.9 (telephoto) 4x Fujinon optical zoom lens (25-100mm, equivalent 35mm format) and up to 8x Intelligent Digital Zoom
12 megapixel 2/3” EXR-CMOS sensor with EXR-Auto
OIS: Optical Image Stabilization
3.0-inch/460k dot premium clear LCD monitor with tempered glass to protect from scratch
Motion Panorama 360 for seamless panoramic shots in a snap
Artistic effects including 6 “Advanced filters” with 11 patters and 5 “Film simulation modes” for additional creative expression, plus an individual shutter 3D shooting option to create a 3D effect from 2x2D shots
Full HD movie recording with the ability to zoom and to take photographs during movie recording

On the other hand, the Fujifilm X-E1 is the perfect travel companion for its lightweight and compact body. It has an interchangeable lens system that allows anyone to turn simple landscapes into dramatic cinematic scenes. The SRP for X-E1 (body only) is Php42,900 and X-E1 (with kit lens) is Php64,950. Meanwhile, the 18mm lens is at Php25,650; 35mm is Php26,990; and 60mm is Php28,600.

Fujifilm X-E1 Key Features:

350g weight
23.6mm x 15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS with primary color filter
2.8-inch/460k dot premium clear LCD monitor with tempered glass to protect from scratch
Motion Panorama 360 for seamless panoramic shots in a snap
Artistic effects including 6 “Advanced filters” with 11 patters and 5 “Film simulation modes” for additional creative expression, plus an individual shutter 3D shooting option to create a 3D effect from 2x2D shots
Full HD movie recording

Apart from the X series, Fujifilm will also launch three additional categories – the Super-Zoom Bridge Cameras, All Terrain Cameras, and Start-Up Cameras. Prices for Super Zoom will range from Php9,950 to Php14,500; All Terrain from Php7,499 to Php10,590; and Start Up from Php3,330 to Php5,999.

Fujifilm Philippines is located in The Enterprise Center, Tower 2, 10th Floor Ayala Ave., Makati City.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Fujifilm Philippines

December Fever Giveaway #2: Qrius Digital Accessories

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:20:00 +0000

With the generosity of our friends from Qrius, they have partnered with Glich's Life to giveaway awesome prizes not only to one or two, but THREE WINNERS! It's a happy holiday indeed and truly a December Fever to remember!

First up, if you haven't read about our feature of unique and function Qrius products, do so now by heading on this link.

Next, here's what the three winners will get.

One winner will take home a MiniDock worth Php890
One winner will get the Metal Cordies worth Php650 and Wrapster worth Php290, total of Php940
One winner will take home a StickyPad worth Php380 and Wrapster worth Php290, total of Php670.

Joining is easy! Simply follow the instructions below and enter your details for a chance to win. The giveaway is open from December 10 to December 24, 2012. Winners will be announced thereafter. Only Metro Manila residents are allowed to join, since prizes will have to be claimed from Power Plant Mall in Rockwell. Participants may only win once.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are you waiting for? Ready, set, join!

Be Like A Pogi with Nivea for Men Multi Effect 8 Products

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 15:40:00 +0000

What does it take to be like a pogi (handsome) - a branded apparel, a sophisticated set of products or an expensive gadget? No, it's not in the grandest things that dictate how handsome a man can be. It is the confidence and humility that he brings wherever he goes.

Confidence, in one aspect, comes from having a clear, healthy and oil-free skin. And this is what Nivea for Men Multi Effect 8 can give. I've been using two products that I'd like to share with you. These products have greatly helped maintain my skin.

Every mornings, I use Nivea for Men Multi Effect 8 Cooling Volcanic Mud Foam. The formulation of this product uses the Volcanic Mud Technology with Salicylic Acid and natural Menthol. With just a size bigger than the usual pea, it already leaves my skin feeling clean, cool, and refreshed.

The cooling effect brought by the menthol is already felt while I massage the volcanic mud foam on my face. I love the smell that emanates even after I rinse it off. More so, I like that it not only cleans, but also provides a long lasting oil control effect.

By the end of the day, I use Nivea for Men Multi Effect 8 Face Wash instead. It is formulated with Carnitine, Salicylic Acid Technology and Mineral Magnesium. It has beads that deeply cleanses to remove dirt and oil, which is good way to flush the dirt out deposited by pollution from air.

Only a small amount of Face Wash already leaves the skin smooth and refined. Since I started using this product, I have noticed that my skin isn't as oily as it was before when I wake up the next morning. Clearly, it helps control the oil secreted by the skin overnight.

These Nivea for Men products are called Multi Effect 8 because it helps fight the 8 main problems of oily skin:

Deeply cleanses and purifies the skin
Provides oil control effect
Prevents and reduces acne
Removes whiteheads and blackheads
Unclogs and refines pores
Refreshes the skin
Prevents dry and taut skin feeling
Smoothens and evens out the sin

After using the Nivea for Men Multi Effect 8 products daily, my skin has definitely seen improvements. Try it out for yourself too! Both variants only costs Php139.00 per 100mL.

Want to get more tips on how to be Like A Pogi? 'Like' the Nivea for Men Facebook Page or follow @NiveaForMenPH on Twitter.

QRIUS Affordable and Unique Gift Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 15:34:00 +0000

A few more days left before Christmas and you haven't even started your Christmas shopping yet? Don't fret! I have recently discovered QRIUS, a brand that carries products from Quirky, Blue Lounge, Basupo, Kichito and more!

Qrius made me curious. Taking a peek at their website QRIUS.PH, I see that they have various items on home and living, kitchen, bath and digital accessories, which are by the way very affordable and useful.

The Home and Living items of Qrius are the ones that can make our lives more organized and manageable. The prices range from Php280 to Php3,500. Click here to view other products.

For the Kitchen section, they have products that can aid in making meal preparations faster and helping the kitchen look cleaner. Prices range from Php220 to Php2,200. Click here to view other products.

Onto the Bath section, Qrius offers items that can help in maintaining a cleaner and sleeker comfort room. Prices range from Php350 to Php1,200. Click here to view other products.

Last section is on Digital Accessories, where most of my interest is. From cable management tools to docking stations, Qrius prices for these items range from Php230 to Php2,800. Click here to view other products.

Below are some of the items I was able to use.

The first one that I fell in love with is called the Stickypad (Php380). It's a thin yellow-green sticky mat that securely holds sunglasses, mobile phones, coins, paper, etc whether placed in the car or outside the refrigerator. Pictured above is my BlackBerry Bold 9700 on my dashboard, which didn't fall at all amidst humps and bumps. The Stickypad comes in mini, small, and medium in black, yellow-green, and white colors.

Next up is the Wrapster (Php290) that double functions as an iPhone stand and an ear bud holder for management of cords. It's very lightweight and pocket-friendly, and works very well for its purpose. The colors available are white, charcoal, purple, and blue.

The Bandits (Php450) are rubber materials that are very much useful for areas without hooks. You can wrap it around your items, put it around poles to allow you to hang watches, ID laces and keys or use it altogether to connect to form a bigger band. It comes with four large, three medium, and three small bands.

With Qrius' Minidock (Php890), you now have the option to charge your iPod or iPhone without laying it on a dirty table or floor. Simply connect one end with USB to the Apple charger and dock the iPod or iPhone to start charging. With its small size, it's easy to lug around when traveling.

Last but not the least are the Cordlets (Php430), which help manage cords. Each box comes with a set of four adhesive cord anchors/wraps in either charcoal or white color.

I highly recommend Qrius as gift items this holiday season, because their products have the "oomph" factor, functionality, and good price tag. In addition, their items are of excellent quality and make, simple yet elegant.

Got interested? Don't forget to check out their website at Qrius.ph or their physical kiosks at the 3rd Floor of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Rustan's Shangri-la and Rustan's Makati. They offer free shipping for orders Php1,000 and up, as well as gift wrapping services of Php100 per checkout.

Qrius

3/f Power Plant Mall, Rockwell

Rustan's Shangri-la

Rustan's Makati

December Fever Giveaway #1: Coloud The Pop In-Ear Headphones

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Hey guys! It's been a long time since we last had a giveaway here on Glich's Life. As this December is the Christmas month and at the same time my birth month, it's just very apt to giveaway a couple of prizes in what I'll call December Fever Giveaway!

For the first giveaway, we'll be raffling off a brand new Coloud in-ear headphone that you can bring wherever you go - it's called The Pop Blocks! Blocks is an assortment that uses two or more contrasting colors to create a color block effect.

Coloud The Pop is built with angled ear buds, which are ergonomically designed to give a better in-ear fit. It comes with small, medium and large replacement caps for you to decide which better fits your ears. It also features a standard microphone and push remote, a tangle-free flat cord, and the Zound Lasso (a flexible plug that doubles as a lock to keep your cables in place when the pair is not in use).

It can be yours for FREE by joining below. This giveaway runs from December 2 to December 16, 2012. One winner will be announced here thereafter. Please make sure to follow the instructions carefully.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Milo Overload: Cereal Drink with Soya

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:54:00 +0000

I was sent with several sachets of Milo Overload several weeks ago. Seeing that it's more than just a normal Milo drink with its "cereal drink with soya" description, it got me very interested.

Without any kissing in the a$$, Milo is one chocolate drink I really love - in fact it's my favorite when at work. It keeps me from losing my focus when I become hungry.

So I decided to give it a try one morning. I partnered it with the good ol' pandesal (bread), since I'm drinking it hot. Not to say that you can't drink it cold, huh!

One sachet of Milo Overload is good for one serving. At roughly Php6.00 per sachet, we get the same hearty and flavorful Milo chocolate milk, but with combined soft cereals and soya powdered milk.

Simply pouring the contents in a glass, putting in hot water, and mixing it instantly gives a healthy and delicious drink. Since it has bits of cereals, it's more filling than just having the Milo milk. Since it is very easy to prepare, drinking it anytime of the day is so convenient.

Try it for yourself!

Spicy Bikkuri Ramen, Ebi Buns, Cheese Gyoza from Ramen Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:54:00 +0000

It's not a secret on this blog that I love Japanese food. So when I was invited to try out new items at Ramen Bar in Robinsons Magnolia, the foodie in me got excited!

Ramen Bar is located at the third floor of the newly opened Robinsons Magnolia. It's at the left side of the mall, near a rear entrance. You wouldn't have a hard time finding it, since it is brightly lit and has its big sign board.

From the seasonal menu, I ordered the Bikkuri Ramen (Php380), which is miso mixed with chili and minced pork. I was afraid that it's too spicy, but still decided to give it a try. I guess my taste for spicy food has become better and stronger over time.

I love how the ramen was served fresh and hot from the kitchen. Apart from the fact that it was spicy and very flavorful, Ramen Bar did a good job in making sure the noodles weren't overcooked. The eggs could be a bit wetter, but it's not a biggie. And oh, the minced pork had a generous serving too! I did not make a wrong choice after all. Love it to up to the last drop!

Another something to try are the Ebi Buns (Php220). In between the mantou (Chinese steamed buns) is the shrimp patty lying on top of a piece of lettuce, flavored with a bit of wasabi mayo. Since I liked it, I took two buns, one after another. If you're afraid of the "wasabi" - please don't, because it's not spicy. It's yummy.

Lastly, I managed to try out the Cheese Gyoza (Php180). At five pieces per order, this appetizer is unique for its combination of cheese and pork, friend to crunchiness. Each bite gave me the usual ground pork mixed with veggies, and of course, the cheese.

Other items included in the seasonal menu are as follows:

Shoyu 2.0 Ramen - Shoyu Ramen with a new lighter pork/chicken broth;
Kakuni King Ramen - Generous portions of Kakuni in the new lighter soup broth;
Curry Chahan

Depending on how big your appetite is, one could finish a bowl of ramen by himself - just like me. However, those who want to try several other items can make do with sharing two ramen bowls, and additional appetizers and side orders. This way, you'll end up feeling full and satisfied.

For more information and updates, 'Like' Ramen Bar Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter @RamenBar.

Ramen Bar
3/F Robinsons Magnolia
Aurora Blvd. cor. Hemady St., New Manila, Quezon City

Yoogane Brings Korean Taste to Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:50:00 +0000

One of Korea's most visited restaurants, Yoogane has been franchised by a group of owners to bring the Korean (spicy) taste here in Manila, specifically at Il Terrazzo in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Yoogane is known for its Dak Galbi, a delicious South Korean dish generally made by stir-frying marinated diced chicken in a gochujang (chili pepper paste) based sauce, and sliced cabbage, sweet potato, scallions, onions and tteok (rice cake) together on a hot plate.

The first thing I noticed upon entering the restaurant were the colorful and fun-looking paintings on the walls and the cooking tubes above the tables. There was also one area with two tables, surrounded by a wooden barrier, great for small groups of about 12pax.

Yoogane's Grilled Pork Belly Strips (Php180) isn't bad at all. It was cooked just right without the over toast taste, and came out tenderly enough to enjoy it piece by piece. What made me like it even better is that it wasn't too greasy as normal pork belly strips would be.

The Chap Chae (Php200) is the usual Korean noodles stir fried in sesame oil with various vegetables. This dish was flavored with soy sauce and sweetened a bit with sugar. Sesame seeds served as garnish.

They also have Beef Bulgogi (Php220), which consists of marinated thinly sliced beef. I would say it tasted normal, but at least it wasn't cooked in a bad taste.

The Korean Style Seafood Pancake (Php165) is a surprise awaiting to be eaten. It's filled with small pieces of squid and shrimp, and chopped veggies. It has a side of sweet sauce, which makes the pancake flavorful.

Now on to the main dish - dak galbi. There are three ways on how we can enjoy it:

Choose from the chef specialties or main dishes from the menu. This includes Marinated Chicken Galbi, Char-grilled Chicken Galbi, Sliced Pork Belly, Assorted Seafood, etc. Prices range from Php190 to Php240.
Choose your add ons. This includes mozzarella cheese, golden mushrooms, sweet potato slice, ramen noodle, white rice, and more, with prices ranging from Php40 to Php90 each.
Wait for it as the staff cooks it for you.

Pictured above are the Mozzarella Stuffed Dok Boki (Php70). These are Korean rice cakes with mozzarella cheese in it, which tastes really good when mixed with the main dishes.

This is the Marinated Seafood Fried Rice (Php190). Instead of rice, we asked to replace it with ramen noodles. Depending on the level of spiciness you can take in, you'd either like it or not. As for me, I absolutely love it! The pieces of shrimp, squid, and fish mixed with ramen and Korean spices were definitely a good combination.

Another spicy dish that we got is the Char-Grilled Chicken Galbi (Php220). We had it with sweet potato and mozzarella stuffed dok boki. The chicken was not cooked nicely, without being dry. When partnered with plain rice, it's perfect!

I don't usually eat Korean food, since I'm more into Japanese cuisine. However, Yoogane gave me a great reason to come back and taste the other Korean dishes out there. I must say that eating spicy food may not be for everyone, but I recommend that you try it out once in a while for variation and experience. You could request for a mild spice if you wish.

To get more updates and information, follow them on Twitter @yooganephil and like their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YooganePhilippines/.

Yoogane Dak Galbi Philippines
G/F Il Terrazzo Mall,
Tomas Morato Ave. Cor. Scout Madrinan St.,
Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City
Open Monday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm
Tel. No: (02)966 2348 / (63917) 515 7960

Create Personalized Karaoke Invite and Spend Happy-Together Time

noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Richmond Ong) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:09:00 +0000

More than money, I really value relationships the most in this lifetime. It’s the relationships that make life more meaningful and worth it. It’s the precious moments with friends and loved ones that enrich each experience from any activity. It’s the victories and downfalls with people who matter to me that leave life-long lessons, which help me become a better person.

Spending time with the ones that matter most to us can be done personally or virtually. Whatever way you choose to do it, it all starts with a simple invitation.

I have recently discovered the Spend Happy-Together Time app on Facebook, which allows us to get our personalized invitation, karaoke style. I find the app cool, because it’s a one-of-a-kind video invitation. And since it’s personalized, the person you’re inviting will feel extra special.

Here’s a sample video I made to invite my friend Sabrina to Baguio. Listening to it makes me smile, since it’s so cool! The app is personalized, singing the invitation to the tune of The Turtles’ song called “So Happy Together”.

Link: https://apps.facebook.com/refreshvideoke/index.php/gallery/gallery_f/109

You, too can make your own personalized karaoke invitation in a short span of time. Simply follow the steps below and you’re on your way to having one of the coolest virtual invitations to spend happy time together.

Go to the Spend Happy-Together Time Facebook app at https://www.facebook.com/bpi/app_414238415306251.
Personalize your invitation by filling in the blanks.
Once submitted, they will record the lyrics for you.
Wait for an email from spendhappytogethertime@gmail.com informing you that your karaoke invite is now ready.
Send it to your friend and enjoy the bonding moment with each other!

What are you waiting for? Whether you want to invite your friend or loved one to a game at school, an out of town trip or just a simple dinner at the nearby restaurant, starting it off with a cool karaoke invitation will surely make them feel special.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with BPI.