Sunday, June 30, 2013

PODE!: Droplets of Nature Eco-Friendly Dish Washing Liquid


I haven't done a PODE (Project Overcome Domestic Entropy!) entry in a while, and after re-discovering this product at Sugarleaf's store over the weekend, I thought I to share this with you instead.

If it looks like dish washing soap and smells like dish washing soap, then it must be some kind of dish washing soap, right? Well, Droplets of Nature's Dish Washing Liquid (P156 for 250ml, P285 for 1L) sure doesn't look like dish washing soap, and smells like cinnamon and peppermint, so it definitely doesn't smell like dish washing soap, but it is! I love this stuff, it actually gets me excited to wash dishes!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Bulgogi Brother's New Barbecue Specials


One of my favorite Bistro Group restaurants is definitely Bulgogi Brothers. The servers there are always really friendly and accommodating, the portions are good for sharing, and the food is just really, really good! I would be a regular haunt for me to bring friends to, and we'd discover their dishes together.

Heck, when my dog turned one, we went to celebrate at Bulgogi Brothers' Mall of Asia branch, and they even had a cute water bowl for the very happy Mr. Wiggles Fluffybottom. Yes, he had so much Korean food that night I'm thinking of changing his name to Bulgogi Baby.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Breakfast Food Tastes Better at Sentro 1771!


Being mainly a nocturnal creature, only a few things in this world motivate me to wake up at 6 o'clock in the morning. One of them is a hearty breakfast. You'll get me up faster if thick, rich hot chocolate is involved. And to my surprise, Sentro 1771 has both, and more! I've been asking myself why I haven't discovered this restaurant sooner.

Jericho and I met up with a couple of good friends at Sentro 1771 at Serendra at 8 o'clock in the morning for a bit lot of breakfast and catching up. Coming from Las Piñas, this meant waking up two hours earlier to brave the traffic of the infamous Zapote road, and the huge delivery trucks at Coastal road, to make it to Serendra.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Solaire Resort & Casino: Dim Sum Buffet at Red Lantern


A week later after my Solaire staycation, Jericho, his sister Justice, and my brother Nap, headed back to the resort and casino on a weekday to check out Red Latern's Dim Sum Buffet (P880++ per person). I know, we just can't seem to get enough of Solaire, we just had to go back and check out their restaurants.

Read more on Solaire Resort & Casino:
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Creative Cocktail Frenzy at Eclipse Lounge
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: The Decadence of Dragon Bar
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: A Relaxing Weekend Staycation
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Dinner Buffet at Fresh
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Discover Solaire Rewards
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Blogger Comedy Night

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Solaire Resort & Casino: Creative Cocktail Frenzy at Eclipse Lounge


Whether you just want to sit back and relax after playing for hours at the casino, are a groupie of your favorite band that performs at Solaire weekly, or just enjoy trying creative cocktails, Eclipse Lounge at Solaire Resort & Casino is the place to be.

I had been hearing some wonderful things about their cocktails, and wanted to try them for myself. I got to Eclipse with Jericho and my brother, Nap, as well as Jericho's sister and her boyfriend, a little after midnight. We had gone to Yabu at MOA for dinner with Jericho's parents, and they had taken a nap at the suite. Left to our own devices, we roamed around for a place to hang out in and ended up at the Lounge.

Read more on Solaire Resort & Casino:
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Dim Sum Buffet at Red Lantern
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: The Decadence of Dragon Bar
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: A Relaxing Weekend Staycation
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Dinner Buffet at Fresh
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Discover Solaire Rewards
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Blogger Comedy Night

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Solaire Resort & Casino: The Decadence of Dragon Bar


With the rise of tea places like da.u.de Tea Lounge at BGC , Writer's Bar in Makati, and TWG, the English tradition of tea time is slowly creeping its way into the Filipino consciousness. Colorful trays and tiers-upon-tiers of scones, eclairs, cream puffs, cucumber and watercress sandwiches, danish, tartlets, and petit fours abound, and who are we, the perennial country of sweet-tooths, to resist its lure?

At Solaire, Dragon Bar is not only a mere lobby lounge, it's the place to go for excellent coffee and tea, as well as Solaire's signature cocktails, while you take a break from the casino. They take tea time to a whole new level in terms of the quality of the ingredients, to the presentation, and of course, the overall service is top notch.

Read more on Solaire Resort & Casino:
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Creative Cocktail Frenzy at Eclipse Lounge
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Dim Sum Buffet at Red Lantern
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: A Relaxing Weekend Staycation
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Dinner Buffet at Fresh
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Discover Solaire Rewards
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Blogger Comedy Night

Monday, June 17, 2013

Solaire Resort & Casino: A Relaxing Weekend Staycation


What's got my brother grinning from ear to ear, like the cat who swallowed the canary? Well, aside from the obvious, this would probably also be because this was the first time he's ever set foot inside Solaire Resort & Casino, and because I had him tag along for the ultimate weekend staycation! Who am I kidding? Yes, it's because he got his picture taken with a flock of Solaire Stunners.

Just a bit of a back story: I was lucky enough to have won an overnight stay for two at Solaire during an event, and decided to have it on a weekend so I could spend some quality time with my brother and just stay in for most of the day, watch the telly, order room service or something, and take a long, hot soak in the tub.

Read more on Solaire Resort & Casino:
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Creative Cocktail Frenzy at Eclipse Lounge
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: The Decadence of Dragon Bar
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Dim Sum Buffet at Red Lantern
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Dinner Buffet at Fresh
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Discover Solaire Rewards
★ Solaire Resort & Casino: Blogger Comedy Night

Saturday, June 15, 2013

King of the Cage Comes to the Philippines


I've always wondered: Did Brad Pitt's Fight Club character invent the MMA? Or did they put together the MMA because of Fight Club? I keed. With men nowadays getting up from their desks and couches, determined to improve their health, body, and at times, libido, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is now becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the world!

With over 400 events of blood, sweat, and tears, the Southern California-based mixed martial arts promotion, King of the Cage (KOTC) has brandished itself a name and a formidable reputation in the evolution of the full contact sport. Founder-slash-promoter, Terry Trebilcock, has propelled KOTC In the last 10 years when MMA - back then called No Holds Barred Fighting - was a sport on the verge of extinction and now on the forefront of sports entertainment.

And they have now come to the Philippines.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Lombardi's Authentic Italian at the Shangri-la Mall


I've had fantasies of going to Italy as part of a three-month Eat-Pray-Eat Some More vacation. I fondly remember my Italian Groupon counterpart ranting about how hard it is to do restaurant deals in that country - people almost never buy them. "Food in Italy is like religion," she said. "You can never compete against mama's cooking, even at 50% off!!"

My Italian vacay may not be coming to fruition just yet, but when Lombardi's Authentic Italian opened at Shangri-la Mall's New East Wing, I jumped at the chance to try real Italian food made by a real Italian chef.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Filipino Favorites with a Sentro 1771 Twist


As I'm starting to appreciate Filipino food more and more, I'm amazed at just how diverse our native cuisine really is, as well as how a simple dish can be presented 10 different ways - take the humble adobo, for example.

I had never been to Sentro 1771, so when I got invited to check them out, I was very excited, with Jericho talking my ear off about how amazing their Corned Beef Sinigang is. We brought along our friend Gerry for the lunch date, too, since it's always more fun to eat with fellow foodies. Also, Gerry happens to be Jericho's long lost uncle cousin. Small world!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Celebrate Philippine Independence Day with SocialProject.PH


Happy Independence Day, Philippines!

Ok, so we're a very proud race. A very, very proud race. Very. With the Dan Brown hullabaloo last month and the 'Proud to Be Pinoy' shout outs I've been reading on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts all day, Filipinos are not to be messed with when it comes to their country, no matter how petty and stupid the issue may be. But are you too proud to help out?

For those of you who have at least one post about how proud you are to be a child of the Pearl of the Orient, I challenge you to put your money where your mouth is and help make our country better by helping our fellow Filipinos who need an education, electricity, and some form of livelihood. Support SocialProject.PH and pick a project you would like to fund and help it reach a new milestone, and get a reward for being nice or none at all as true altruism doesn't look for rewards.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Citrus Restaurant & Lounge: A Hidden Gem in Ortigas


Ortigas used to be my backyard. I worked the graveyard shift for an international publication company, and my mornings would be spent walking from the gold Raffles building to Robinsons Galleria to catch the bus home to Sta. Mesa, or catching a movie at the Megamall or Shangri-la before my shift started. Cruising around Meralco Avenue now, everything seems foreign yet strangely familiar all at the same time. I spot a Family Mart around the corner and make a mental note to drop by later for a peek at what the Japanese 7-11 has to offer.

Hidden away in the condominium building of the Renaissance 3000 in Ortigas, lies a gem of a restaurant, wine lounge, and events place called Citrus Restaurant & Lounge, that serves up everything from sandwiches, tapas, as well as Filipino, Spanish, and Italian comfort food. With a lot of their clientele being expats and businessmen, I was curious to discover what people kept coming back for, so one sunny afternoon, Jericho and I found ourselves seated by Citrus' comfortable booths, waiting in anticipation see what made everyone coming back.

Friday, June 7, 2013

F1 Hotel Manila: Bonding Over Barbeque at the Canary Lounge


Growing up in Dubai, I have fond memories of meeting with family friends almost every Saturday (the equivalent of a Sunday over there) to relax, unwind, put a few lamb chops on the grill, and just have an old fashioned barbecue. I have fond memories of backyard barbecues growing up, and only wish we'd still have them now that everyone's grown up.

F1 Hotel Manila let's you reminisce or create your own happy family memories at the Canary Lounge this month of June, with a variety of different types of barbies to chose from.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

F1 Hotel Manila: Master Chefs Share Their Regional Recipes


What do you get when Master Chefs from all over the Philippines come together to share recipes and swap stories? Magic. And that's what happened at the F1 Hotel Manila when Executive Chef Sau del Rosario invited talented chefs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to join him for a food demonstration of regional favorites at F All Day Dining.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

F1 Hotel Manila: LUZVIMINDA - a Filipino Festival of Flavors


Buffets - they're more fun in the Philippines!

In honor of June being the month of our independence, F1 Hotel Manila is holding a month-long buffet - the LUZVIMINDA Filipino Festival of Flavors. Delicious Filipino favorites are given an upgrade, with mouthwatering darlings like the Sisig Foi Gras, Whole Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaves, and Garlic Steamed Curacha, are featured along side a wide variety of Filipino recipes that originate from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

A concept of the new Executive Chef, Sau del Rosario (whose infectious grin is shown above) and Chef Willie Ertez, they sought out and put together the best chefs in the country who had a passion for their regional cuisine. Chef Martin Jickain, represents good ol' Luzon cooking, Chef Karl Noel and Chef Paul Sidney represent the flavors of Cebu, and the lovable Chef Ed Tuazon brings the best of Davao to the table.

Monday, June 3, 2013

F1 Hotel Manila: The Ultimate Staycation in BGC


With the incredible growth of the Philippine economy, more and more Filipino families have taken to giving themselves a pat on the back and a well-deserved lifestyle upgrade. When three years ago, a staycation meant getting takeout at Andoks, buying a big tub of Selecta ice cream at the nearest 7-11, and sitting down to a Harry Potter movie marathon with the kids for the rest of the afternoon, today it means checking into a nice hotel, sleeping in while the kids amuse themselves by the pool, and piling your plate with more bacon than you can actually eat during the breakfast buffet before checking out.

Saying that I was ecstatic after getting invited to stay at F1 Manila Hotel for the weekend is an understatement. I was over the blippin' moon! Jericho and I were at the hotel bright and early on a Saturday morning the hotel is located along 32nd street at Bonifacio Global City, a walk away from St. Luke's Medical Center. It can be a bit bothersome to find by car - you need to be constantly looking up as the hotel's signage isn't that visible on the street. I like to think of it as a hideaway from the city, in the city.

I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before (I think I was just way too excited for the weekend staycation) that I sorely needed a strong cup of coffee while waiting for the others at F1's premium lounge. This weekend was going to be a celebration of sorts - a celebration of having celebrity chef, Sau del Rosario, come in as F1's new Executive Chef, a celebration of Filipino flavors with the month-long Luzviminda buffet happening at F All Day Dining, and our dear Hefy Foodie's birthday celebration!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Hyatt Hotel & Casino Launches the Women's Experience


Remember when leaving home was the most amazing thing ever? Travel, especially business travel, has become increasingly stressful and tiring, especially for women, who pack everything but the kitchen sink and then try to flirt our way out of paying for excess baggage. Let's get back to the time when travel made you feel relaxed, restful and, last but not least, happy. Here we'll be posting about how to live the good life while on the road with topics such as: how to maintain your daily routine, the best foods to boost the weary traveler, secrets to a restful sleep, and more.

Thank goodness for the Hyatt. They listened and are here to change all of that, with new amenities for the female traveler in mind. While each feature was driven by insights from women travelers, Hyatt believes all guests can appreciate these new enhancements. The launch of these new amenities and services marks the first milestone in Hyatt’s evolution of hospitality, which include changing the conversation with hotel guests, unleashing a spirit of innovation, and perfecting new concepts through rigorous research and in-hotel testing.