Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Puerto Princesa Underground River is now part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

Yesterday, the Department of Tourism (DOT), together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gave recognition to Puerto Princesa City and its leadership Mayor Edward Hagedorn for the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

Held at the DoT Atrium, the program was headed by no less than the Secretary of Tourism himself Ramon Jimenez, Jr., DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio Jr, who represented Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, and a representative of Secretary Jessie Robredo, together with officials of the DoT and public sector representatives. The three lead agencies of the Philippine Government gave their commendation messages to the Mayor and to Puerto Princesa.


Friday, January 27, 2012

A SLICE of life from Pia Cayetano

SLICE: A Slice of Life in Every Bite is the newest baby, a product of the "creative and entrepreneurial mind and spirit," of Senator Pia Cayetano. The restaurant cafe, which will open around first week of March, will serve breakfast all day, and desserts at the top of the menu. It's basically a cafe which serves healthy offering at the same time something worth indulging in, to make life more fun and worth it.

IMG_5286

Right now, it has a stall or cart cafe right outside their space which serves Paninis, Muffins, Cookies, Granola and Coffee. I saw the senator's Tweets about Slice the day before yesterday, and asked her about it. Since it triggered the foodista in me, I decided to have dinner and try it out with Ly, my friend from college, and now my colleague at the Department.

IMG_5220IMG_5222

We ordered Panini for dinner. Ly got the Quatro Formaggio with Pesto (Php 150), while I got the Turkey and Cheddar (Php 120). The Quatro Formaggio and Turkey and Cheddar are definitely a must try for cheese lovers. Both of them are tasty and filling, definitely a nice treat to end the day.

IMG_5245
IMG_5251

We also got the Deep Dish Cookies at Php 50 each. We tried both the Chunky Peanut Butter and the Chunky Chocolate Chip. Both are equally lovely, and perfect paired with coffee. I personally like the Chunky Chocolate Chip, but it really depends if you like chocolate better than peanut butter. I can vouch that both cookies won't fail your expectations.

IMG_5275IMG_5277

We also tried the Muffins (Php 60 each - see MUFFIN MENU here), courtesy of Sen. Pia (thank you!). We had the Sprinkle Me Cinnamon, which is actually her favorite, and the Choco Monkey PB. I am really picky on my muffins because those that I have tried before tend to be dry and "lifeless" or dull, but this is different. The two muffins really stand out because of their flavor, consistency and overall finish. Oh, I heard that they will be offering Red Velvet this February!

The Sprinkle Me Cinnamon is another banana overload muffin, with the "irresistible aroma and taste of cinnamon spice," which when "taken with high carb food lessens impact on blood sugar level. It's high manganese content is good for the bones. Recommended for those watching their blood sugar."

IMG_5267IMG_5266

The Choco Monkey PB on the other hand is a "delightful blend of everything nice from chocolate chips, peanut butter to banana." Not only is it high in fiber, but it is also loaded with antioxidants. "Both chocolate and peanut butter are anti-oxidants, which peanut butter is also a good source of protein."

Right now, they also serve Granola (Php 70 for 80g), which has oats, grains, nuts, and dried fruits. Granola is a good source of fiber and vitamins. This sure is a good breakfast treat. I am actually eating this now as I type :)

IMG_5298

Slice offers original and borrowed recipes which Pia herself likes and wants to share with others. With the help of a chef consultant, because of obvious reasons (busy schedule with her work as a public servant), she manages the cafe personally.

Asked to describe what's the inspiration behind SLICE, Pia says it "is the product of my imagination, dreams, travels, food cravings and a desire to share my ideas on healthy eating with occasional indulgences."

Ever since, she has been a fan of social entrepreneurship, healthy living, and teaching her already grown-up daughter and kids these values which she had grown-up with, and which made her what and who she is today.

IMG_5292

If I'm not doing what I am doing right now, I would probably be a chef. Beyond the love of trying new food, and tasting new things, I have a desire to cook and recreate yummy and wonderfully created dishes. I try. :)) I someday dream of having my own cafe or restaurant, some place to chill, have friends over, eat good food, and celebrate life.

SLICE will be open until around 11pm on weekdays, and 12 to 1am on weekends. It is located at the new extension wing of the Bonifacio High Street (BHS), The Fort, in Taguig (right beside Jamba Juice). Grab a healthy muffin paired with their cappuccino or brewed coffee, a perfect pairing for a perfect hard earned day's end, or start, in your slice.

Monday, January 23, 2012

STATUS x Perou in Perouvian Wasteland

"Presenting Perou, prolific photographer of the peculiar and perverse. Peek playful portraits of prominent persons, panoramas of puzzling pedestrian patterns, piles of apparel placed precariously upon professional poseurs, plus provocative passions ("-philias") openly spied through peepholes. Proffered privately to privilege our precious pals, Perouvian Wasteland promotes a picture's power to pique participation and pool people to pursue the perseverance of art."

IMG_5103

Mr. Perou was in Manila for STATUS Magazine's Perouvian Wasteland which happened at the Ayala Museum last Saturday. It was a one-night-only exhibit of the famed British music and fashion photographer, who had the privilege to take shots of Katy Perry, Vivienne Westwood, Dita Von Teese, Jay-Z, among others. But before anything else, he had a meet and greet / workshop that morning in the same venue for would-be photographers and fashion enthusiasts.

IMG_5149IMG_5147

Meet Mr. Perou (above left) and the leadership behind STATUS Magazine in the Philippines, Ms. Rosario Herrera (above right). *handsdown* I also saw Sarah Meier-Albano and her daughter Kaya (below), and Eric Manuel (I forgot to take your photo!) :)

IMG_5156

Perou was the one who shot STATUS Magazine's December - January 2012 issue. So without further ado... The PEROUVIAN WASTELAND :)

IMG_5137

IMG_5132

IMG_5107

IMG_5106

IMG_5110

IMG_5113

IMG_5119

IMG_5131

IMG_5115

IMG_5139IMG_5143IMG_5123IMG_5129IMG_5125IMG_5121IMG_5116IMG_5111

Taipei's #1: Share Tea in San Juan

Share Tea is a Taiwanese tea-beverage store which specializes in milk tea and tea. It started in 1992 and has since expanded to over 180 stores worldwide, including Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, United States, Dubai UAE, Brunei, the Philippines, and is still expanding rapidly.

IMG_4966

Share Tea is most loved for its classic pearl milk tea drinks as well as for their other specialty drinks like rock-salt cheese drinks, natural fruit teas, and handmade taro with fresh milk, which are all exclusive at Share Tea.

IMG_4959

My second cousin, Christy, invited me to try out Share Tea. One Sunday, before going to Victory Greenhills, we passed by the tea shop to try out what they have to offer. Since Share Tea is new to me, I let them decide what they wanted me to try out.

IMG_4961
Menu of Share Tea

I tried the (a) Rock Salt Cheese with Cocoa - a mix of sweet cocoa drink with salty cheese cream; (b) Taiwan Classic Pearl Milk Tea - an all-time favorite, they say that no other milk tea comes close; and (c) Handmade Taro with Fresh Milk - A must try, handmade yam drink.

IMG_4974

The three drinks I have tried are really good and refreshing. I personally like the Cocoa with rock salt and cheese. It's comparable to Happy Lemon, or actually even (arguably) better.

The pearl milk tea is another staple. I think you can judge if the shop is good from this most basic drink they offer. After the first sip, I can safely say that Share Tea is one of the milk tea places worth going to :)

The hand-made taro drink, on the other hand, was interesting. It's refreshing and unique, but it's not for everyone I would think. For me, it lacked sweetness and texture.

IMG_4960IMG_4958

Share Tea (They Deliver!)
Wilson, Greenhills: +632-7278888
Pioneer, Pasig: +632-6545555
Facebook: Share Tea Philippines

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Filipino Innovation: Glasses Free 3D Screens

Who would have thought today's the era when glasses free 3D screens will exist? I bet 10 years ago, no one thought of this technology. During that time, probably there wasn't any 3D screens. It makes you wonder what people will be able to come up 10 years down the road.

Meet 3D Vizion, a Filipino owned company, which makes the glasses free 3D technology available to Filipinos and to the world. It is a budding Filipino company whose goal is to "revolutionize the country's advertising landscape and put us at par with other nations using the glasses free 3D screens as its main platform," says its President and CEO, Ms. Karina Bantug.

vintage car 1 & audience Jan182012
Photos courtesy of 3D Vizion and GeiserMaclang PR

Something that is predicted to "redefine the viewing experience," the glasses free 3D screens is 10 times more effective to leave a photographic memory, or a lasting imprint, compared to the 2D counterpart. It has a track record of "heightened engagement, yielding 92% in memory retention," with "68% of the said statistics displaying a higher probability of following the experience with a purchase."

Katrina shares that "a US study discovered that when used in a mall, the sales of the brand featured in the glasses-free 3D screen went up at least 12% in addition to the store reporting a 34% increase in consumer traffic."

IMG_5084IMG_5086IMG_5090IMG_5091

The first idea that struck me and lingered in my mind that night when the glasses free 3D screens were shown to us, was the great potential of the technology to be used in the tourism promotions of the Department of Tourism, and its latest campaign, "It's more fun in the Philippines."


Imagine this: A 30 seconder that will capture your eyes, your senses...the beauty of one of the Philippines' 7,107 island destinations. The majestic Bohol. It will show you the tarsiers with their big eyes, the whales and dolphins swimming, going up to see the chocolate hills, river cruising along Loboc, entering really old and wonderfully made churches, and the local cuisine. Definitely, it will show you why "It's more fun in the Philippines". :)



Imagine this, the Islands Insider (by The Extra Mile Productions) of Gabby and Ginggay in 3D? WOW! FUN!! (Catch The Islands Insider on National Geographic Channel, coming really soon!) :)

buffalo & audience_v3 Jan182012bullet train & audience_v3 Jan182012
Photos courtesy of 3D Vizion and GeiserMaclang PR

Not only cars, buffaloes or bullet trains can be projected on the screen, but also almost anything under the sun. Think of the possibilities in a few years time, who would know. As people watch less and less TV, and divert their attention to what's online, the 3D Screens without the glasses is a innovation that would definitely catch someone's attention. Soon, gone will be the days of the print, stills, and 2D, which could be really boring. People will find more and more ways to interact, to experience, to grasp reality.

P.S. Thank you to 3D Vizion, GeiserMaclang and Jewels Sision for the photos. Thank you to Gabby Malvar and Ginggay Hontiveros for sharing their "Islands Insider" trailer on the beauty of the Philippines. Last but not the least, visit Amorita Resort (official sponsor) when you're in Bohol, Philippines!!! :)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Aria Cucina Italiana's Free Trip to Boracay

You have probably heard about and tried Aria Cucina Italiana in Boracay. Unfortunately, I haven't been to the place, but I saw it packed with people. I have only been to Boracay once, and it was because of a sponsored trip from FOX and Selecta. We were following a schedule, so I did not get the chance to eat at the famous Italian restaurant in Boracay. Fortunately for me and everyone who's in Manila, Aria Cucina Italiana will be opening their first branch in Manila! :)

contest poster A3 FINAL

Spinaci e Funghi
"Aria is a modern and contemporary Italian restaurant that has a menu inspired by the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. First opened in Boracay, one of the world's top beach destinations, in 2003, Aria elevated the standards of restaurant designs in the beautiful island with its stylishly modern, tropical interiors and cozy ambiance and turned itself into one of the top destinations in the island."
"Fast forward to today, Boracay's most celebrated Italian restaurant will finally open its doors in Manila, at the Fort Bonifacio, Global City. Making their delicious seafood and meat dishes, mouthwatering homemade pastas, fresh green salads, excellent wine and their famous woodfire oven-baked pizzas."
Fettucine Nere in Crema di MareFlan al Cioccolato

Aria Cucina Italiana is sponsoring an all-expense paid trip for (2) two and Aria GCs to Boracay, Philippines on their Aria Cucina Italiana Facebook page. All you need to do is "LIKE" their Facebook page and answer their promo question: "Tell us why you need to know the secret to Aria's famous pizza" there.

Quite honestly, I am excited to try this restaurant out once it opens this January 28, 2012, and see for myself what the other foodies are raving about. I will surely update you with a blog post once I have already tried Aria.

Map

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails