Selecta's Gold Series Ice Creams

Top Chefs Rolando Laudico of Bistro Filipino, Sau del Rosario of Chelsea Market and Cafe and J. Gamboa of Cirkulo crafted masterpieces -- luxurious offering of Selecta Gold Series ice cream. Chocolate Truffles, Hazelnut Brownie and Berry Strawberry -- three elegant, mouthwatering and conventional concoctions that you will surely love and enjoy with friends and family.






I invited some friends over at my house, and we did some ice-cream tasting. No doubt, the Chocolate Truffles won me over. Two thumbs up! S liked the Berry Strawberry more. (I guess she's not a chocolate person.) Which one do you like the most?









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Havaianas Flipfloat Contest

Summertime is BEACH TIME for most of us Filipinos. A lot of us bring our flip flops with us to the beach and to our travels for comfort. What if we give you a BIG BIG, INFLATED FLIP FLOP? Now, what will you do with it?






Some would place them on their backs like a backpack, or a sun protection thing.






Some would ride it and get crazy and smack you with it. Lol.



What would you do if you're given one Havaianas Flipfloat? :P Tell me (through the comments section), and the best answer will get an exclusive Havaianas Flipfloat raft. :) That easy! DEADLINE: May 06, Wednesday



EDIT: P.S. Please include your email or whatever means I can contact you, if ever you win :) Thanks!













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University of the Philippines Graduates of 2009 have record of 18 Summa Cum Laudes

It didn't rain! No rain could stop the 4,000 graduates of the University of the Philippines Diliman from their graduation day earlier which was held in the University Amphitheater behind Quezon Hall.



Days before, UPD Chancellor Cao issued a statement regarding the graduation today, but I guess, Grace was on the graduates' side. Thank God! :)

Please be advised that



If it rains tomorrow but it stops before 3:30 p.m., then we will proceed with the commencement exercises.



If we are able to start the commencement exercises but it rains during the ceremony, the President will then proceed with the conferment of degrees before we disperse.



If we are unable to start the ceremony due to heavy rains, then we will no longer have the commencement ceremony; we will consider your degrees to have been conferred.



For your guidance. Thank you for your understanding.



CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!



Sergio S. Cao

Chancellor

Emerging as #1 Summa Cum Laude was none other than UP Chinese Student Association's (CSA) Scott Riley Ong from BS Biology with a General Weighted Average of 1.036. "The highest academic honor is bestowed on graduates with a GWA of 1.20 or better." Another Summa Cum Laude, the only College of Science and Philosophy (CSSP) Summa Cum Laude, is Laureen Carmela Lukban (who's also from CSA) from BS Psychology with a GWA of 1.114.






The top honors, in the order of their GWAs, are as follows: Juan Lorenzo B. Pablo, BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (1.061); Maria Patricia Rouelli G. Sabino, BS Computer Engineering (1.082); Mikhail P. Solon, BS Physics (1.084); Joseph Ray Clarence G. Damasco, BS Mathematics (1.107); Frances Antoinette C. Cruz, BA European Languages (1.109); Laureen Carmela B. Lukban, BS Psychology (1.114); Anna P. Canlas. BA Broadcast Communication (1.117); Jan Carlo B. Punongbayan, BS Economics (1.151) and Mark Joseph S. Tan, BS Chemical Engineering (1.16); Angelo Aresenio de Guzman Santos, BS Mathematics (1.169) and Joseph Jeeben R. Segui(1.173), both to obtain a BS Mathematics degree; Christina Marianne G. Mantaring, BS Computer Engineering (1.178); Angelo C. Ani, BS Industrial Engineering (1.191); Luther Paul dela Rosa Caranguian, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering (1.192); Shyne De Vera Galapon, BS Chemistry (1.193); Andreo C. Calonzo, BA Journalism (1.198) and Ma. Theresa S. Pamintuan, BS Business Administration and Accountancy (1.2)



In addition to the top honors of summa cum laude, UPD produced 192 magna cum laude and 810 cum laude graduates. The magna cum laude is awarded to a graduate with a GWA 1.45 and the cum laude for a GWA of 1.75.






I first met Scott and Laureen when I was a freshie applying into the University of the Philippines Chinese Student Association. Being a bibo applicant/ batch-head I was able to get all their signatures done and get to know them more. After that year, I ran for Vice-President of the organization, and won. To my delight and appreciation, I was able to serve as Executive Council with Scott (as Secretary General) and Laureen (as Public Relations Head).



During our term, we have bonded and faced a lot of triumphs and defeats. But in the end, we all emerged victorious and strong from these experiences in the Execom. I am happy to not only have met these great people, but also have spent time and have gotten to know them as a person, even before they became Summa Cum Laude.






I know deep in my heart that, both Scott and Laureen, and the graduates of UPD Batch 2009, would strive to better themselves and our nation by being the best in their fields and by giving back to our beloved country. Kudos and God Bless! :3



P.S. Congrats to Mimi Ong, Apple Mo, Kim Ong, Alvene Ngo, Rich King, Marv Chan, Lyndon Loo, Titus Tan, Emil Tapnio, John Almeda, Karen Valencia, sino pa ba? ^^;; And to everyone whom I forgot to mention.









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Mickey's Delicatessen

As most of you don't know yet, I am taking up my PA 181 or Internship in a Government Agency right now. I am assigned to the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center of the Board of Investments in Makati, with 14 other batchmates in the National College of Public Administration and Governance.





During one of our lunch breaks, some of us decided to dine in and try out one of the restaurants along Jupiter Street. We ended up in Mickey's Delicatessen. Apparently, they didn't know that Mickey's just won Best Deli or Wine Bar in the recent 2008 Gold Spots Awards of SPOT.PH






We ordered the Nurnberger Bratwurst for two of my friends. It was made up of 4 pieces of the pork sausage in a white bread roll. I got to taste the "world famous sausage" and I liked it.






I, on the other hand, ordered Chili Dog just because I didn't want to order the same dish they did. I wanted to try another one of their dishes. I liked their Chili Dog as well. It was spicy. I think some people would find it too spicy, but for me, it's just how I liked it to be. The fries were perfect to go with it.






As for dessert, we had the Gelato Trio - your choice of what flavor of Gelato you'll have. We took the Pistachio, a creamy vanilla based flavor, which had a kick and Chocolate. It was really refreshing since it was so hot that day.




Mickey's Delicatessen by Michael Beck

144 Jupiter Street corner Orbit Street

Bel-Air 2 Village, Makati City

Manila, Philippines 1209

Store: +632 896-9650, 899-1440

Deli: +632 899-8080, 896-9650, 899-1440















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Blogging Through Yahoo E-mail

I just finished setting up the blogging through my email part of The Philippines and Beyond, and I'm now testing its effectivity. Cheers to all my readers and have a happy Earth Day!

Starbucks' Earth Day Promotion

Starting tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, April 22-23, Starbucks will cut off Php 40 on your favorite Starbucks beverages if only you buy with your own Tumblers, Mugs or cups. Yes, Starbucks goes green and supports Earth Day and its goal to save and protect our environment. By using your own containers, you will help Starbucks help the environment by saving cups, that will never be used again. Also, you might want to check out their tumblers, which is made of more than 60% used materials.






Try out Starbucks' newest addition, the Dark Cherry Mocha Frappuccino, or indulge yourself with the comeback drink, the Dark Mocha Frappuccino (my favorite). You might also want a bite of their Chicken Turkey Tuscan or their Raspberry Mango Cheesecake. :)














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Marks and Specer Instant Coffee Products

Food Find: Marks & Spencer Instant Mocha and Cappuccino. You just add one cup of hot water to the sachet of instant goodness, then presto, you have a nice warm yummy coffee. But it's not advisable that you drink HOT coffee this time of the year, when it's so hot outside -- you might want to chill it first before drinking. You might also want to add in some Kahlua; trust me it gets even better. But of course, nothing beats the real brewed thing. Cheers! :)









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Cebu Pacific en route to the Monastery of Transfiguration

Last Holy Week, when the rest of the people were either going back to their own provinces to be with their families or traveling to Boracay, Palawan, Baguio or other beaches and sites to be on vacation, I was en route to the Monastery of Trasfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon -- not to climb Mt. Kitanglad (though I would really would want that some other time), but to be on a retreat with the Benedictine Monks of Malaybalay.





Would you believe, it was my first ever airplane ride? Yes, finally, Cebu Pacific got the chance to fly me. Although this was my first time ever on a plane, I had once ridden on a helicopter to Batangas with my friend Matt and his family. And even though our plane was delayed for 15 minutes, more or less, I waited patiently. Of course, I wouldn't let this first time pass without a picture of myself with the plane.







We landed in Cagayan de Oro airport. From there, the van from the Monastery picked us up. It was about 2 and 1/2 hours from the airport to the Monastery, with bumpy roads and some parts being repaired. Along the way, we saw Ateneo de Cagayan or more known as Xavier University, their local Motorela (from Karitela), and the "sabit boys", who come from CDO bringing water up the mountains.






We also passed by the Sumilao Falls, which is all natural. When we passed it, water was flowing strong, unlike weeks ago, when they said it wasn't. You can see this beauty from the road, but you would want to park your car and get down to get a better view of the falls.






Part 2 of the Trip will follow soon.









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Fish and Co Fishy Goodness

Fish Around the World Platter - Malaysian, Indian, Japanese and American Philadelphia flavored fish fillet in one platter with long crispy fried potato strips and veggies (Php 795)




Ice Bomber, two layers of ice cream with cherry in the middle, a cake to really die for. It's really delicious, you have to try this. Enough said. :)









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Off to the Monastery of Transfiguration!

I will be going out-of-town (both my first airplane trip and my first trip to Mindanao) this April 4-12, on a "retreat" away from the internet, my laptop, my cellphone (as much as possible), and the business and haggardness of Metro Manila. I will be praying, thinking, reflecting, discerning and spending time with Him and myself. I hope it will be so much fun and fruitful. :) Pray for me.

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Photo by Edcel in Multiply

Malaybalay City dubbed as the "South Summer Capital of the Philippines" and "City in the Forest", is a first class component city and the capital and administrative center of the province of Bukidnon, Philippines.

The City's 25 year-old Monastery of Transfiguration on San Jose hill, is made of heavy lime blocks, designed by National Artist for architecture Leandro Locsin. The first Filipino Abbott, Fr. Eduardo Africa and former Malaybalay bishop Gaudencio Rosales inaugurated it on August 6, 1983.

"Today, 10 monks had its 7 hectares planted to rice, 25 hectares to corn, and the rest for planting the world-famous Monk’s Blend Premium coffee. It's 2-story Museum of Transfiguration Monastery (MTM) houses Dom Martin’s famous 50-piece vestment collection included in Philippines' 1998 centennial celebration. “Worship and Weave” book on the vestments won the 2001 National Book Award (art category)." [Wikipedia]

Photos By dengski from Flickr

P.S. If you want to reach me, just email me or text me if you have my number, and I will get back to you as soon as I can. See you in Summer class/ Internship.





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