Today is a new era for the World Pyro Olympics as it moves from Mall of Asia to Bonifacio Global City. The entire area that you see above is part of the viewing area. I am excited to watch the opening night of World Pyro Olympics with China and Germany. (I heard China will have a "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" musical score.)

I'm also running a WPO Twitter Contest -- get a chance to win a VIP Ticket (worth P1,500) for tonight's show!

Relate Post: Top 5 Things You Must Know Before Watching World Pyro Olympics 2009

As I was running this morning, I took the chance to capture the early morning preparations for the World Pyro Olympics.

The flags of all the participating countries were already hoisted up in front of the firing zone.

 
The VIP Area is near 32nd Street, across MC Home Depot.

It would not be a good idea to wear high heels on this kind of terrain. Wear comfortable shoes.

The Friday's Group of Restaurants, including Flap Jacks and Fish & Co, is serving dinner tonight... I heard Via Mare is also serving food in the VIP section.

Parking and the streets near the viewing area are all closed.

Mexicali and other food concessionaires are setting up in the General Viewing Area.

Portable toilets are available around the General Viewing area but you can also use the toilets in Boni High Street.

People literally camped out in front of the Nike Fort flagship store to buy the Nike Limited Edition Trainer 1 Low to commemorate Pacquio's win over Cotto.

Here is a photo of the limited edition Pacquiao Nike Shoes in Red, Blue, White Philippine Flag colors for P5,955. (Info from Jayvee's A Bugged Life)

Apparently, the Boni High Street area is all boarded up so that you cannot see the World Pyro Olympics from that area.

The Friday's area is also boarded up but you can still see the fireworks high above the sky. But it would be good to see the low level fireworks too, though.

The view from Kirin is also blocked by a huge World Pyro Olympics wall. I bet the organizers ensured that the music won't be heard as well from the Boni High Street Area.

Here is the view from the other side of the wall. The organizers are making sure that you should at least buy the entrance tickets.

World Pyro Olympics will be selling tickets onsite beginning 10am today.  Ticket booths can be located at all corners of the event site. Rain or shine, the firing will proceed. Buy Your Tickets Now!!!

Mag:net continues to enjoy an elevated and best view of the WPO 2009 show. They are having an All You Can Eat Mongolian for P350+ or Mongolian & Beer all you can for P499+ from 4pm to 9pm. Call +632 856 3400 for reservations.

World Pyro Olympics 2009 Twitter Contest!

If you are a WPO Fan, just twit "Why You Love the World Pyro Olympics" with #WorldPyro hash tag and @antondiaz . The best twit on or before 2pm today wins a VIP Ticket worth P1,500 to tonight's Opening WPO Show. You can claim the ticket onsite and we can communicate via twitter.

 Live an Awesome Life,  

Anton Diaz
Founder, OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627) 
Email: anton@diaz.ph
Add me in Twitter: antondiaz
Add me in Facebook: antondiaz
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Have you ever wondered how good Toki Japanese Fusion and Fine Dining is? This is the Japanese restaurant in front of Aubergine in 32nd and 5th building. I would recommend their lunch set meals, especially the Wagyu Beef Curry Rice! The wagyu beef is soft and the curry adds a wonderful flavor to it -- parang bistek tagalog but with creamy curry sauce. My Japanese foodie friend liked his Sushi Set meal, but I think Seryna's version is still better.

This is a short post since I only tried this during lunchtime. Let me know what you think of this place.

Dine - In Lunch Menu

Toki "Omakase" Kaiseki | Toki Teppanyaki Special "Wagyu" Course, Light Snacks (Best with Wine) |
Appetizer | Appetizer with photo | Soup Dish | Tofu Vegetable Dishes | Tofu Vegetable Dishes | 
Sashimi | Sashimi with Photo | Sushi | Roll Sushi | Fish Dishes | Fish Dishes with Photo |
Fish Dishes with Photo | Prawn Dishes | Seafood Dishes | Tofu Special - Japanese Beef Dishes |
Japanese Wagyu Beef with Photo | Meals | Noodles | Dessert 

Different Japanese rooms to entertain big groups.

There are also Teppanyaki rooms that you can reserve.

My Japanese foodie friend, Atsushi Matsuura, talking to the Japanese Service Manager of the restaurant. We are cooking up a Japanese-Filipino Foodie/Lifestyle Online Project. Sana matuloy...

 
Wagyu Beef Curry (P460 +10% sc). Beef Curry with Rice.

Sobrang sarap! I don't think this qualifies as a Japanese meal anymore except for the bento-style serving. This is their bestseller, so you've got to try this for lunch one of these days. Let me know if you like it too since it may not appeal to some people.

Sushi Lunch Set (P480 +10% sc). A platter of 8 kinds of sushi.

Toki Japanese Fusion & Fine Dining
2nd Floor, 32nd and Fifth Bldg., 32nd St. corner 5th Avenue
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 1634
Mobile: +63927 226 1866, +63917 863 5035
Telephone Number: +632 856-7295
Contact Person: Keitaro Kawasaki, Service Manager
Email: kkawasaki@pims.ph, tokifoodhaus@pims.ph

Live an Awesome Life,  

Anton Diaz
Founder, OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627) 
Email: anton@diaz.ph
Add me in Twitter: antondiaz
Add me in Facebook: antondiaz
Add me in You Tube: antondiaz

Kirin is the only Chinese restaurant in the Serendra and Boni High Street area that is worth trying out. They serve Hongkong Cantonese-style dishes that are pwede na. For me, the Best Chinese Restaurant in Bonifacio Global City is Eat Well! Delicious Kitchen, followed by Zhu Chinese Cuisine and next would be Kirin Chinese Dining. I'm not a fan of Fu despite the fact that it is associated with Hai Shin Lou. I would rather go across the street to Market! Market! and eat at Hap Chan.

The price is relatively affordable but you would notice that the serving sizes are smaller than usual. We love eating dimsum after walking around Boni High Street in the evenings, so this place hits the spot in addressing that late-night craving. Kirin is also one of the restaurants that would have a good view of the World Pyro Olympics (if you eat in the al fresco dining area).

One night, my kids and I went on a boys' night out and ended up eating dimsum. :) Aidan loves Hakaw like his dad and loves siopao (his two cheeks look like siopao too!) Syoti Joshua is following Aidan's lead most of the time. (Para silang Batman and Robin.)

During weeknights, they are about 20% occupied, so you can really hang out with friends over dinner.

Dimsum, Steamed Rice Roll, and Congee | Roasting, Rice Toppings, and Soup |
Noodle Soup/ Boiled Soup, Fried Rice, Steamed Rice, Baked Rice, and Rice Toppings, Fried Noodle |
Chinese Classic : Pork, Chicken, Seafood, Beef, Vegetables |
Chef's Recommendation: Pork, Chicken, Beef | Seafood, Vegetables |
Desserts, Recommended Drinks, Drinks

Spinach and Quail Egg Soup (P78 +10% SC).

Sarap! This Spinach soup could rival our favorite Spinach soup in Lutong Macao.

Pork Asado Siopao (P88 +10% SC).

Not bad. It's a good starter for your meal.

King Shrimp Hakao (P110 +10% SC).

It doesn't have the usual "fillers" and is just composed of really good, fresh shrimps wrapped in wonton wrapper. It is a bit small though...

Shao Long Pao (P98 +10% SC).

Don't order this. They probably don't know how to make good Shao Long Pao yet.

Fresh Shrimp Steamed Rice Roll (P145 +10% SC).

It is indeed fresh, and it tasted clean with the sauce.

Steamed Fish Fillet with Garlic (P280 +10% SC).

It tasted like Dory Fillet served with Mami noodles. Interesting combination.

Sauteed Broccoli Flower with Garlic (P198 +10% SC).

This is our favorite vegetable dish in any Chinese restaurant. Aidan loves broccoli.

Roasted Pork (P198 +10% SC).

I would recommend these "lechon" cubes -- very tasty because of the crunchy skin and thin layer of fat.

Yang Chow Fried Rice (P180 +10% SC).

Yummy but a bit heavy, particularly if you order it for a late-night dinner.

Deep Fried Chicken with Spicy Chili Szechwan Style (P260 +10% SC ).

I've been craving for good Szechwan-style dishes in Manila. I still can't find a good place for it. In the meantime, this is a good dish to order (but it is deep fried -- although not that oily).

So, what's your favorite Kirin dish?

Kirin Chinese Dining
by T.P. Choi Restaurant, Inc.
Building 7, Bonifacio High Street,
Global City, Taguig City
Telephone: +632 799-9338
 

Live an Awesome Life,  

Anton Diaz
Founder, OurAwesomePlanet.com
Mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627) 
Email: anton@diaz.ph
Add me in Twitter: antondiaz
Add me in Facebook: antondiaz
Add me in You Tube: antondiaz

In this video, Rob Crisostomo, VP Marketing of La Mancha, and Stephen Ku, WPO Event Organizer for 2009 (he has a cult following in the cool events circle), answered the following questions:

• What's the story behind why World Pyro Olympics transferred from MOA to Bonifacio Global City?
• What's the difference between PyroMusical and the Traditional Fireworks?
• What can one expect from a Stephen Ku-organized World Pyro Olympics 2009 event?
• Will there be heavy traffic around the Bonifacio Global City area?
• Is it safe to watch this land-based pyrotechnics exhibition?

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Special Viewing Area - P500 - Folded & Hung Stores

The Special Viewing Area will have a better view of the firing site, supported by a sound system. Spectators in this area will have access to Special Viewing open field areas, and an option for tented seating by selected restaurant concessionaires. Ticketholders to this area will also have access to the General Viewing Area.

Available at:
* Selected Folded & Hung branches in Glorietta, Shangri-La, Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, Unimart, Alabang Town Center, Trinoma, The Block, and Gateway* (except those in SM Malls for obvious reasons)
* TGIFridays Branches
* World Wide Womb* 4B Valdecon Building, Jupiter St., Makati City (Call 868 6908 or 384 0239, Jaja/Jobelle/Maryann)

VIP Area - P1,500 (inclusive of Dinner) - Please call +632 568-6908, 384-0239

The VIP Area has the most exclusive and central view of the firing, supported by a premium sound system. Enjoy a tented, seated buffet dinner by Via Mare. Whole table reservations are available for groups of 10. Limited seating capacity available. Ticketholders to this area will also have access to the Special Viewing Area and General Viewing Area.

Available at:
* Via Mare Head Office* 7503 Bagtikan St., Makati City (Call 890 8090, Ella/Imelda/Glen)
* World Wide Womb* 4B Valdecon Building, Jupiter St., Makati City (Call 868 6908 or 384 0239, Jaja/Jobelle/Maryann)

For more info and for season pass tickets: visit WorldPyroOlympics.com - Official Website

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(Click here for a larger image)

SHUTTLE BUS ROUTES Drop Off and Pickup Points:

1 - Ayala MRT Station to Front of Fort Plaza
2 - McKinley Hill to Front of Fort Plaza
3 - Ayala Center to Front of HSBC 5th
4 - Kalayaan Makati to Front of Every Nation
5 - C5 Near Levi Mariano to Market! Market!

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GO TO WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS:

a. You may park your cars at the following off-site parking areas:
- Dela Rosa 1 & 2 car park, Makati City
- Solaris car park, Makati City
- Park Square 1, Makati City
- McKinley Hill, Taguig City
- Philippine Army compound, Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio

b. Shuttle services are available with minimum fare at the following points to Bonifacio Global City:
- Ayala Avenue (in front of Rustan's)
- McKinley Hill
- C5 (near Levi Mariano, Taguig City)
Bus leaves every 30 minutes, starting at 2PM

c. Take the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) to the Ayala MRT Station and ride The Fort Bus to Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

d. If you are using motorcycles or scooters, there will be a designated parking area near the event site.

e. Taguig (E3S) electronic tricycles within Bonifacio Global City are available.

f. Experience Bonifacio Global City's pedestrian-friendly roads and just walk to the event site.

NOTE: 32nd STREET WILL BE CLOSED ON WORLD PYRO DATES!

Mag:net Cafe has the best vantage point because it is elevated (located on the 2nd floor), where you can see the crowd and the fireworks at the same time. It has a veranda that faces the World Pyro exhibition. Hopefully, you can still hear the music of the fireworks there.

mag:net Cafe
Bonifacio High Street
5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
Telephone: +632 8563400
Mobile: +63 920 979 3400
Email: magnetcafegroup@gmail.com
Visit www.magnet.com.ph

I would recommend reserving the al fresco tables at Kirin Chinese Dining. At night, it would be cool and you'd have an enviable view of the World Pyro Olympics while eating dimsum. :) Across it is just an Aldo retail shop, so Kirin can really occupy this entire al fresco hallway. Reserve Now!

Kirin Chinese Dining
by T.P. Choi Restaurant, Inc.
Building 7, Bonifacio High Street,
Global City, Taguig City
Telephone: +632 799-9338

Finally, Stock Market and T.G.I.Friday's Bonifacio Global City would also have a great view from the outside tables. I'm sure this will be the most festive -- but also the most crowded -- area there.

The Stock Market
Quadrant B3
Bonifacio High Street
5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
Telephone: +632 8566300, 8566301

T.G.I. Friday's
Quadrant B3
Bonifacio High Street
5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
Telephone: +632 856-2996

P.S. Employees from Del Monte, Outcomm, and Alveo would have a great view of the World Pyro Olympics 2009 from their offices. Lucky guys. :)