The Philippines and Beyond, and beyond 2011!

The Philippines and Beyond has been online for more than four years now. First of all I would like to thank everyone who has been with me in this journey from 2008 -- all my family, friends, acquaintances, new found friends, bloggers, writers, journalists, PR contacts, advertisers, sponsors, brands, and most of all, YOU, my readers.

Ever since, this blog has been my avenue to write, mostly about FOOD. Then it evolved, and I wrote about events, lifestyle, technology, fashion, and travel -- or a hodgepodge of a lot of things that interest me.

Design by Aaron Quinto

A lot has happened to this blog, and to me because of this blog. I tell you, I have been blessed beyond belief. Really, life is amazing! Actually, this is why I decided to bless back my readers with the blog giveaways that I did, and will do this December (the season of loving, giving, and appreciating).

Expect that this blog will have some changes. Starting with my very own .com -- THEPHILIPPINESANDBEYOND.COM. I will be more focused in bringing you to "the Philippines' best island destination food, travel and lifestyle spots and events," and sharing with you my travels "beyond the Philippines" and around the world in search for culture, design, history, and good finds. I will search for new adventures to share and tell to you! ;)

Design by Renz Bulseco. Thank you!

Also (but wait, there's more!), I am back with my brainchild, the Manila Foodistas (MF). My bestbud Tiffy Chua has been so kind to include me in the roster of the new Foodistas, who will be bringing to you awesome and yummy food finds here and around. I will be contributing there at least once a week. Yay!

Design by Danne Lim

Change is good I think, especially if it is for the better. We must constantly be challenged to do more, to fight mediocrity, to excel, to learn more, and to help, in our own little ways, for the betterment of our society.

Live Life. Carpe Diem! Merry Christmas!

P.S. I can't find the two other headers I have used on my blog in the past. Boo!

My Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009

It's this time of the year again when personalities from the blogging world are handpicked and voted for in the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blog Awards. Last year, it was our privilege, Manila Foodistas, to be honored 2008 Top Influential Blog, and we're really grateful for everyone's outpouring love and support. In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to specifically commend Filipino Voices for its continued passion and posts in informing the Filipino people, and in having a stake in our nation.

This year, I think that this blog deserves to be #1. To continue the "tradition," and to fulfill our gastronomic desires, I pass on the torch to another food blog, Patay Gutom.

Other blogs which I would like to nominate/vote for are the following:

2. Absolute Cousins
3. Happy Foodies
4. FMyLife
5. Kaya Natin
6. The Art of Changemaking
7. Through the Focal Glass
8. Video Chops
9. Pencil Pusher/Number Cruncher
10. Adaphobic

Sponsors:

Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events at Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile, Budget hotel in Makati, Lucio C. Tan Group of Companies, and Blog4Reviews.com.

A Million Thanks!

Happy Birthday to my birthday-mates Clea, Merry, Ted, Ella! :)



To those who texted, emailed, ym-ed, plurked, multiplied, facebooked, greeted me last night during the victory party (di ko na kayo iisa-isahin dahil ang dami dami dami n'yo, overwhelmingly!); to my family, wonderful slatemates (Titus, Lee, Jose, Barbie, Sheena, KKK, John, Anika, Gabby, Rinno, Laura, BJ, Austin, Dhadi, Ching, Jan, Gino, Angela and Raymund), CSA, KAISA, Absolute Cousins, APB, Bloggers/ Online friends, ISA, LEAD, Manila Foodistas, MATTER, PALS, PDA, PRIME, START, UP friends, Xavier friends, at sa mga posibleng nakalimutan ko [sorry])



Malugod na pagpapasalamat, sincerest gratitude to everyone, 謝謝你們！Sa walang sawang pagtiwala, pagsuporta't pagtulong. I have been really blessed with great friends and acquaintances. I really treasure you all! *sniff* hehe :D



P.S. Being 21 is no different from being 20, or 18... What matters is how you live your life, and what will be your legacy. (magiging 21 din kayo! bleh! haha) Carpe Diem!


P.P.S. A bit of trivia for all...today's Square Root Day. Fun! haha









Technorati Tags: bong, superbong, brian ong, The Philippines and Beyond, Philippines, birthday

I can have Gluttony everyday!

Straight from the Stove - Wicked Kitchen's Gluttony (to share) - Oven baked large chunky chocolate chip cookie with Manticado Vanilla flavored ice cream melting on top of pure heavenly dessert! I have been craving for this treat since the day we have reviewed this restaurant.






Technorati Tags: bong, superbong, brian ong, philippine food, wicked kitchen, gluttony, philippine restaurants, best desserts, chocolate chip cookie, manila restaurant, good philippine food, modern food, dessert in tomas morato, tomas morato restaurant, philippines and beyond

Tokyo Cafe in Mall of Asia before heading to the Senate of the Philippines

First time I tried Tokyo Cafe, I was with fellow Foodistas Harrell and Joey in SM North Edsa. This time around I was with Barbie, Malin, Reg and Tenai for a supposed (well it was!) group lunch meeting for our policy analysis paper before heading to the Senate to meet Senator Aquino and Senator Roxas this time around.

Anyway, my friends would always like to leave it up to me to pick where we'll be eating (always! o.O) since they say I should know where it is best to eat, and to "use the Foodista in you." But little do they know, I really don't like deciding where to eat for a group of people - especially when it's an impromptu decision I have to do.

That fact aside, we ended up eating in Tokyo Cafe - one safe decision, I guess. :)

Mango Chicken Salad (Php 170) - Chicken salad, ripe mango, grapes and romaine lettuce

Shrimp Aglio Olio (Php 240) - Medium-spiced pasta with hot green peppers, garlic, and shrimp sautéed in olive oil

Kani Crab Sandwich

And a Chicken Burger (Sorry, I forgot what the name of this dish was) for Ms. Gepte

Over-all it was a little bit pricey, but the food was comforting. In the end, we added an extra order of french fries to satisfy everyone's craving (after we all devoured Reg and Tenai's plate of fries).

You can also visit Manila Foodistas' Restaurant Review | Tokyo Cafe for more information about this restaurant. :)

AFICS Team Building Food

Of course, with any gathering or any activity, there must always be food to satisfy and re-energize the people, right? And so, these are the food pictures I took from the Batangas trip. Obviously, I am trying to make you hungry :P Well, I hope you enjoy! :)

Leslie's Restaurant pics are from Gwen. You can visit Manila Foodistas for our Leslie's Restaurant post. :)

AFICS Team Building Food is part 2 of 2 posts

My Top 10 Influential Blogs (updated!)

Actually, I knew about Janette Toral's Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs campaign long ago, but I was just really having a hard time picking which blogs to nominate. Now I feel obliged to post mine, since Tiffy posted hers already, and I just found out that you don't need to list 10 blogs all at once. :)

1. Manila Foodistas - I am proud of this blog, and of what we have accomplished. It's our brainlove child, and I really do hope it gets noticed and appreciated :3 Enjoy!!

2. Mrs. Awesome Planet by Rache Diaz - I love reading her blog. It's a "slice of Manila's hidden places, food and travel secrets through word-of-mouth, shared with a mommy twist."

3. Visit Sagada - This site really helped me and my friends in planning for our supposed Sagada trip which didn't push through (I would really love to go there someday..sniff.. haha)

4. Manila Fashion Observer for Sanriotown - "a mixture of paradoxes" as described by Sanriotown people because first, she's not based in Manila, and her blog's not all about fashion. (It has food, Hello Kitty, toys, sights, etc posts also).

5. Filipino Voices - I recently learned about this blog collaboration. It focuses on issues about politics and society with specific touch on human and civil rights. Through the issues and commentaries tackled within this blogging network, I am hoping that concern and action be generated.

6. flipflopping my way around town - It's Fran Haw's "girly-girl's guide to the best things in life." Though, truly, it is one of the "guide to the best things in life," I beg to disagree that it's "girly-girl"; it could be for guys too you know. HAHA! Best of luck Fran!

7. University Student Council - Blog of the current UP USC :)

8. AmongEd.Org - Simply put it, transparency and people's participation through the internet and the blogs.

9. Oddball - A blog of Mayor Jessie Robredo: "Putting our people first, Development that matters"

10. Eksena Manila - The Philippines based Eksena Manila is a group of young developing community of 100 [and counting] agents in the process of establishing their name and reputation to match the global Improv standards, inspired by New York, USA’s Improv Everywhere.

Foodistas at Table for Three, Please.

The Foodistas were Table Guests at Table for Three, Please, as they feature Antipolo's street food. One thing's for sure, they surely loved the adventure. :3

Foodistas in Antipolo

The Foodistas went to Antipolo today to do a little project (feature on street food) for Table for Three, Please. The place we went to is just outside the Antipolo Church, where the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is at. We all entered the church, and Joey took some shots. I prayed for peace of heart and mind for my friends and for myself. We proceeded to business after - went to the Pasalubong Center, where all the manangs are selling Antipolo and Philippine products.

After buying food, interviewing, taking pictures, we decided to dine at Vieux Chalet for lunch, since we were around the area already. It was a road trip! :3 We didn't know where it was. We got lost (slash) felt we were lost, but Vieux Chalet was worth it and all that! At the end of the trip, we hit two birds with one stone - the feature and the resto review. I had a great time :)

MF @ Vieux Chalet Photo from: Joey

After everything, I got off at Katipunan, had my hair cut (my hair's not ugly anymore Achi Denise) and waited for Aldwin at Ateneo before going to Earl's house for a little class reunion. Earl just got back from Cornell and we had dinner at his house; plus we played Wii (Super Smash Brothers and Mario Party for the win). Too bad I didn't get to take pictures. Good thing Alex Uy brought his camera...and took all the shots.

ADMU's Church of the Gesu

Megamall Meeting

The Foodistas ate at Rai Rai Ken for their meeting. Those present were Hannah, Mark, Joey, Harrell, Pat, and me. I dragged my shoti (little brother) along because we were suppose to shop for clothes after. We ordered the Garlic Chili Ramen, one of the Rairaiken's Originals, and the 3 Kinds Bento under the Sumo Bentos menu. 

Garlic Chili Ramen (Php 165) Photo By: Mark Wu

3 Kinds Bento (Php 280) Photo By: Bong using Mark's D-60

After lunch, we decided to review Bubble Tea at Bldg. B, near the Food Court. I ordered the Strawberry Milk Tea (large). Watch our for the review at Manila Foodistas. :)

Strawberry Milk Tea (Php 95) Photo By: Mark Wu

After everyone left, Jason and I shopped for clothes to wear at Mica's debut. Luckily, we found something at Cinderella's. 

Rai Rai Ken

LGF Bldg. A

SM Megamall

Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave.

Mandaluyong City, MM.

Tel No. +632-633-5046

Bubble Tea

LGF Bldg. B

SM Megamall

Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave.

Mandaluyong City, MM.

Tel No. +632-638-7479