Serenitea opens at Robinson's Midtown Manila

Serenitea has become so famous among foodies, tea addicts and health conscious people. I first wrote about this "Tea Craze" in San Juan almost six months ago in May. Then I blogged about it again last August with the rumor, or more like a news, that it will finally open in Robinsons Place Midtown in Malate, Manila. Finally, two days ago, it opened its doors (or stall) to mall-goers in RP Manila.

I am a confessed addict of Serenitea's Hokkaido Milk Tea with Pearls. I ordered the same thing again. Hokkaido Milk Tea with Pearls. But this time, I wanted to try an additional topping/ingredient in my fix, so I asked them to add the egg pudding. It was okay, but the pearls are still the best. :)

I noticed that they added the sticker feature on the cups to tell which drink you ordered. It also tells what size, which add-ons, the sugar percentage you picked, and the time and amount of purchase you made. It's cool if you ask me. I wonder when this feature started? I also noticed that the stickers used in this particular branch has "San Juan" written on it. I think they have yet to produce stickers for RP Manila?

Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila!

Note: This is a personal blog post :))

I will be signing a contract that will make me employed once again! :) I am excited and nervous at the same time. I hope this new job will be as exciting, challenging and at the same time rewarding as my previous one. Thank you for all those who believed and helped me grow as a person. Shout out to the Office of the Speaker, to my bosses and colleagues and all those I have met and interacted with while I was there. I really had a grand time. This is a new adventure in my book. Let's make it as great at it can be. ;)

Zen Tea at EGI Taft Tower

Zen Tea, located at the EGI Taft Tower along Taft Avenue Manila, is a hangout place near De La Salle University (DLSU), where people have their tea fix and pass time with their friends. It's a hole in the wall stall, similar to the ones in the UP Shopping Center (SC), but it's much more cozier and cooler.

You'll have to order and pay at the cashier, then wait for your order to be called out. They have a second floor where you and your barkada or friends can sit and relax while you enjoy your tea.

They offer several tea drinks, like the Green Tea Iced Tea, Personalitea, and the Milk Teas with pearls. As you can see in the photo below, they are served in two sizes (L and XL), and with the corresponding prices.


I only got to try the NaiCha or the Pearl Milk Tea (XL at Php 50), which was supposed to be their bestseller. I can't help but compare it to Serenitea (the tea place I instantly fell in love with). I have to say it's miles away from Serenitea. I don't care if it's Php 40 cheaper, but this didn't even come close to Serenitea's Hokkaido Milk Tea. There was just something odd in the mix.

I guess I have to give it the benefit of the doubt. The other tea we got, for Tracy, was the Lemon Green Iced Tea (Php 40). I hope it was much better than their milk tea. I have to go back and try out their other tea-concoctions. Until then, this is my review. P.S. I miss my Serenitea-fix! :))

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao now in the Philippines

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, famous in Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian countries for its La Mian and Xiao Long Bao among others, opened last September 13, 2010 in the Philippines. It is located at the ground floor of Virra Mall in Greenhills, San Juan, near Häagen-Dazs.

My family decided to try out Crystal Jade a few weeks back, when we were in the area. We almost didn't make it because the restaurant closes at 9pm, and we arrived around 30 minutes before closing time. There were people still lined up since 6pm and have not been seated yet. Luckily, we didn't wait for too long to get our table.

While waiting I took photos from the outside. You'll notice that you can see the kitchen from the outside, because it's just separated by transparent glass. I guess it's part of the whole set-up, where passers-by can see how the food, especially their specialty, are made. Frankly, all I can think of while waiting was how good the Xiao Long Bao and the La Mian will be; after all, that's what they are famous for, right?


For the La Mian, we got the Noodle with Dried Shrimp & Peanut in Spicy Sauce (Php 288). I love the mix of the peanut with the noodle dish. The spiciness was just great as well. I enjoyed eating this. You have to eat it quickly, because it becomes cold fast.


Of course, we also got the Steamed Soupy Pork Dumpling "Xiao Long Bao" (Php 158 for 5 pcs.) I didn't get blown-off at first bite, but I would still say that it is good. I guess I would still go for Suzhou's Xiao Long Bao just because it's also of quality and it's more affordable.


All the other dishes that follows are also good. If you ask me though, I would stick to the La Mian and the Xiao Long Bao :) We also got the Sauteed Chicken with Cashew Nuts in Spicy Sauce, served with pancakes (Php 288), Fried Rice with Diced Chinese Sausage, Shrimp & Egg in "Yang Chow" Style (Php 248), and the Radish Pastry (Php 98 for 3 pcs.). I would definitely be back for the La Mian and the Xiao Long Bao :)

Mang Inasal Delivers in Metro Manila

"Yehey! for Mang Inasal Delivery." Mang Inasal, home of the real Pinoy-style Barbeque, recently launched its newest delivery service. Just dial Mang Inasal's delivery hotline at 733-1111 for the service. Now, the yummy Inasal chicken can be enjoyed in the comforts of your own homes. Two weeks ago, we were asked to try out this delivery service. I have to say that they delivered the order really fast. I hope they will still be consistent as time goes by.
The Mang Inasal delivery guy bringing out the food from his motorcycle
All the food was neatly packed with the condiments, except for chili :( *In all fairness, I forgot to request for that*
Our order came from the branch nearest our house, the one in Puregold Fairview. They delivered one (1) order of PM1 Paa with rice and one (1) order of PM2 Pecho with rice. They also gave "extra rice" with it. I like the delivery service, and more so the food. Kudos Mang Inasal for this! Dial 733-1111 for Mang Inasal Delivery :)

Lakbay Bayan: A Local Tourism Exhibit

LAKBAY BAYAN: A Local Tourism Exhibit
Exhibit Launch: October 17, 2010 / Sunday / 4 PM – 6 PM
1F Atrium, SM Mall of Asia
Exhibit will run from October 17 to 27.

LET US HELP PROMOTE LOCAL TOURISM! :)

Senator TG Guingona asks for solutions to the illegal numbers game Jueteng

I love how Senator TG Guingona uses new media, specifically Youtube, Twitter and Facebook in bringing the Senate closer to the people. It gives the Filipino people a glimpse of what really happens in the Senate, and what Senators do. It opens an avenue where the people can really participate in legislation, through their comments, opinions and violent reactions, which will be part of the legislative solutions Senators do. I hope Speaker Sonny Belmonte does the same (Hi Apryll and Nad). That would be really really great! :)

This TGTV video above discussed about proposed solutions for Jueteng. Sen. Guingona elaborates them as 1.) Strengthen Small Time Lottery (STL) of the PCSO, 2.) Just legalize Jueteng, once and for all, and 3.) Leave it up to the Local Government Units (LGU) if they want to legalize it or not.

Now, I do not know how Jueteng works as well as others do. In fact, maybe the knowledge I have of it extends only to what I saw in the award-winning film Kubrador, and what the news bits have to say (which is very limited) about it. I think it is important to create awareness among the people of what Jueteng truly is and what is the problem about it. It is also important to involve the people (or at least those who are concerned) in crafting solutions to it. I think the best people to ask what can be done about it is those people who actually engage in Jueteng. Involve them to create better options for them to uplift their lives, and not just rely on the illegal numbers game. Let's find out what they have to say about these solutions. What are we trying to solve? Jueteng only? Or should it extend to solving why these people engage in Jueteng? Some thoughts.

As a student of public administration and of good governance, our former dean Alex Brillantes told us to always be aware and always keep an open mind, ask questions, then find the right solutions to problems we encounter. I don't think leaving it up to the local governments would be the right solution. I think a partnership of both national and local government would be better. I think that legalizing Jueteng can be looked into, but it doesn't really solve the root problem, which is already in the mindsets of the people. I think that strengthening STL also doesn't solve it. We need to change mindsets, give other options, and discipline people.

I think when the Filipino people's mind is fully aware of the problems, and government engages them, then can we find the best solutions to the problem. Or, if that doesn't work, the government must sometimes have an iron hand in implementing strategic and desired solutions based on a larger national interest for the people. We shouldn't spoon feed, we should teach and enable.

What do you think? Leave some comments, would you?

Bottoms-up at Billy Rock Shangri-la

I recently had a drink at Billy Rock Bar and Restaurant, one of the night places at the ground floor of the Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong. It is called Testify, with a description that says "drink and testify after its strong mix of vodka, tequila, gin, rum and red bull concoction." It's blue-green with lemon and ice. I suggest you mix it well to avoid unbalanced taste. The Red Bull gave it its sweetness. Oh, and you can have their billyrockers, or their signature drinks, bottomless for Php 350. :)

Here's a sample of their bar list so that you'll have a preview of what drinks they offer. The Billy Rock wines caught my attention, but I find it a lot expensive, that the one I tried back in Subic, which costs around Php 90 a can. I wasn't able to see their food choices, so I guess that's something to go back and have a look at.


For non-alcoholic drinkers, this other drink is made up of Sprite and Cherry. The combination works well if you ask me. :) I think that it's one of the good chill-out places in the area. If you don't like loud music or dimmed lights, then have your drink by the chairs and tables right outside the establishment. That's what I did, at least.