A Royal Christmas Parade at SM City Masinag

In line with SM City Masinag's Fairy Tale Christmas theme, a Royal Christmas Parade was held the afternoon of November 30, 2015. SM City Masinag, just like all the other SM Supermalls, aims to give the best holiday shopping experience treats to the shoppers, hence the exciting parade presentation that brought joy to a lot of shoppers both kids and adults alike.

This marked as the first ever Christmas Parade of SM City Masinag.

The afternoon parade which was presented in two time slot, 3pm and 5pm stayed true to the "Royal Gathering" vibe of SM Masinag's Christmas theme. And just like the previous Royal event, this one also dazzled the shoppers with the familiar characters everybody loves.

Celebrate with Danes Cheese Ball, the Creamy Cheese Ball

Christmas season is upon us and I am pretty sure that most of us are already thinking and searching for new dishes for Noche Buena celebration. I have already prepared my list of dishes to cook. It has been a tradition in our family to cook 12 different dishes every Christmas to represent the prosperity we all hope to have on the next 12 months of the coming year.

Rule of thumb is, everyone in the family who is knowledgeable enough in the kitchen must have a dish of their own to prepare and it should be something new or with added twist.  So our family is pretty much enthusiastic when it comes to coming up with exciting dishes.

Last year, I went crazy over chestnut that I created a 3-course menu with chestnut as the main ingredient of the dishes. Now for Christmas 2015, I am putting my trust to our traditional Cheese Ball. And my secret is the ever reliable Danes Cheese Ball!

Serenitea Yuletide Offerings: Planner, Chocolate Drinks, and Jumbo Cups #ILoveSerenitea

Good things come in three, and this season, Serenitea offers three exciting treats for all of us; Serenitea Planner, Toblerone Chocolate-infused Drinks, and Jumbo Cups promo. Surely these things are great reason to make this Yuletide Season with Serenitea extra special.

These treats you can have for yourself, or you can have as a gift for your loved ones who also loves their Christmas be filled with Serenitea moments.

If like me, you are also I fan of Serenitea, I am guessing you would love to know more about these treats, so, read on.

A Love Letter to Chocolate Chip Army Cookies

Oh Chocolate Chip Army Cookies, how can I even begin to tell you how much your impeccable awesomeness blew me away? Perhaps by a salute? How about declaring you as one of the best cookies I have ever eaten in my years of food blogging?  I couldn’t think of any other ways right now but I am well aware that you deserve more than that.

A bite into your handcrafted cookies made me feel like I can battle the craziness of this world. It made me feel like I can soldier things out because at the end of the day, I can count on your downright deliciousness which can calm my nerves. You made me a cookie soldier.

It is so mighty courageous of you to join the food delivery landscape in Manila with only your cookies as your weapon in the midst of food delivery infested battle field. What is more courageous is the fact that you have even built a camp of your own where cookie soldiers like us may visit you and dine in. 

Beeffalo by Hotrocks

Beeffalo by Hotrocks is my newest favorite restaurant in Antipolo City. Yes, I am saying that matter-of-factly. No beating around the bush, no flowery metaphors - just straight up declaration. And if you are curious about Beeffalo by Hotrocks but don't have the time, will, energy, nor means to travel in this mountainous part of the East, fret not, for they also have a branch in Marikina City.

So Yedy, what is good about Beeffalo by Hotrocks that suddenly made it to your favorite lists? Glad you asked. Let's get on with it, shall we?

I wouldn't bore you with my very limited knowledge about the now defunct Hotrocks restaurant which I was told where the awesomeness of Beeffalo started. Let's just find comfort in the fact that the great minds behind this restaurant have the right skills and knowledge in running a restaurant worthy enough to be included on my (and your) favorite list. In short, we are in good hands here.

Angono Food Crawl at Pop Talk GMA News TV

It's all about good food with a little bit of art at tonight's Angono Food Crawl episode of Poptalk, GMA News TV Channel 11 at 8pm. Our favorite host Kuya Tonipet will be joined by actress Coleen Perez, vlogger/model Wil Dasovich, and myself as the guest food blogger.

I'm just going to keep this short and sweet as I am currently nursing a mean flu coupled with some ill bouts of asthma attacks. Yep, chills and incessant coughing while I am typing this, the struggle is real I tell you. But in due course, I will be sharing with you some behind-the-scene snapshots and stories of our shoot.

It's my second time to have a guesting at Pop Talk but compared to our LRT 1 Food Trip before, this Angono Food Crawl is close to my heart since I spent most of my growing years in this humble town tagged as the Artist Paradise before moving elsewhere to study and work. So this is pretty special to me.

Stella Wood Fired Bistro, BGC

It took me a long while to finally visit Stella Wood Fired Bistro at BGC, and when I finally did, it was such a nice experience. There are plenty of restaurants within Bonifacio High Street area of BGC but I deem Stella, which specializes in wood fired dishes is one of those well worth checking out. 

Yeah, you must not follow my foot steps. I waited for too long. Had it not been for a writing assignment I am working on, I probably missed another round of  awful lot of bliss that only food at Stella could yield.

A lot has been said about Stella Wood Fired Bistro. A little Google search and you'll be presented with some factoids about this bistro and its sister bar lounge located just right beside it, the Rocketroom.

Hizon's Catering Grand Food Tasting #HizonsFoodTasting #HizonsCatering

"What are the best and affordable catering services in Manila?" I tell you guys, this is one of the most frequently asked questions I am getting in my inbox. So when Hizon's Catering invited me to one of their Grand Food Tasting, to check out not just their food offerings but what exactly this event is all about, I figured, why not.

I've been writing about restaurants and food recommendations since 2008 but I rarely touched on Manila catering services. So despite the invite for the grand food tasting being scheduled on a Sunday, which is a family day for me, I decided to go and document the experience here on the blog for readers' reference.

Apparently, despite being known in catering industry, Hizons Catering is very active in holding free food tasting for prospected clients. I was told they have it up to three times a week sometimes. Each event is held at Hizon's Catering affiliated event venues. This way, they are able to showcase and offer their services, not to mention let the guests try their food.

Chowking Chunky Asado Siopao #BuksanParaMalaman

Have you tried Chowking's Chunky Asado Siopao yet? I have. It was very timely as I have been craving for really good siopao these past few weeks. I have my own recipe for Asado siopao but I am always pressed for time hence, a visit in my kitchen remains rarity these days. And I have not found any good place in our area that sells good siopao as of yet.

Little did I know, Chowking has this Chunky Asado Siopao which would somehow satisfy the mean cravings.

So how chunky is Chowking's Chunky Asado Siopao? Their official hashtag says it all, #BuksanParaMalaman. And that's what I did.

Premium Wagyu Burger Selections and Discounted Beer: World of Burgers at Village Tavern, BGC

So this is the story about how I single-handedly down some manly Wagyu burgers and the much needed Weihenstephan Bavarian Lager on a Friday while I watched the wold pass me by.

Okay, I'm kidding.

This blog post is about the new Premium Wagyu Burger Selections by Chef Josh Boutwood at Village Tavern in BGC. World of Burgers as they are tagged since each was inspired by flavors around the world.

I was meaning to join some friends so that I could try all four new Wagyu burgers but my schedule is so screwed I ended up facing the mission by my lonesome.  So yes, somehow, this is the story about how I single-handedly down some manly Wagyu burgers and the much needed Weihenstephan Bavarian Lager on a Friday while I watched the wold pass me by.

Or something to that effect.

Mario's Kitchen, Katipunan

Along Katipunan Avenue, there is this quaint restaurant called Mario's Kitchen. It has several no nonsense Spanish dishes on the menu and an impressive line of liquors including Portuguese wines as its arsenal. Daytime could mean a quiet but nonetheless satisfying dining experience at Mario's Kitchen. Come night time, the place easily transforms into a full on festive mode with acoustic band playing on the background.

I have very little knowledge about Mario's Kitchen prior to my visit, to be honest. Its limited online presence does not help either. So as per usual, I had to go with my gut feel which thankfully rarely disappoints me.

It turns out, Mario's Kitchen is a sort of offshoot from one of my all-time favorite restaurants, Mario's Restaurant in Tomas Morato and Baguio of the Benitez's. "Sort of", being the operative words since Mario's Kitchen is an entirely separate concept.

Chelsea Kitchen, Eastwood Mall Libis

I was at Eastwood City Libis last week working on my writing assignment and part of the itinerary of my day was to check out Chelsea Kitchen in Eastwood Mall. It is the newest branch of Chelsea Kitchen, and just like its branch in SM Megamall, it allows an easy access for busy shoppers to a much needed respite.

It was technically a brunch, my dining experience at Chelsea Kitchen Eastwood. I was dead set on just getting my job done as I have four restaurants to visit that day.

But I am not really the type who could refuse a palatable feast that beckons. So with the strategy in mind relying on the proverbial food pacing, I allowed my self to indulge at Chelsea Kitchen. 

Four Seasons Buffet and Hotpot by Vikings in Cubao, Quezon City

Upon learning that Four Seasons Buffet and Hotpot opened at Cubao in Quezon City, I thought it's mighty high time. The place is always bustling with crowd so it could use some Vikings Buffet operated restaurant. Since their flagship store at the Mall of Asia favors those who lives in the South, people from the Northern part warrants an easy access to as well.

As general rule in life, good things come to those who wait. People from that side of the Metro waited patiently. Hence, Vikings Group of Restaurants rewarded them with not just the best Hotpot restaurant in Manila but thrown in the luxurious buffet of Vikings in the mix as well. Ergo, Four Seasons Buffet AND Hotpot.

Yes, it is a combination of Vikings Buffet and Four Seasons Hotpot - Best of both worlds. So there isn't any good reason to delay your curiosity, you got to visit them the soonest just like what I did.

Giligan's Restaurant, Mille Luce The Village Center Antipolo: Unlimited Rice Meals, Cold Beer, and The Best Sisig

Giligan's Restaurant located at the new complex of Mille Luce's The Village Center in Antipolo City is one of the newest restaurants that popped in this year in town. Giligan's which has several branches in Manila is best known for their Sisig which makes them the best place for after work beer session aside from being just a dine-in restaurant.

I have been to Giligan's other branches in Manila before as most of my friends including myself are fan of their Sisig paired with ice cold beer. Since I am doing my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series, I didn't mind a visit for a decent meal instead of just popping bottles of beer.

The visit happened this evening when my father suddenly made a right turn to The Village Center on our way home. We were expecting a nice dinner at home but no one complained when the suggestion to check out Giligan's first popped in.

Salad in a Jar by Healthy Monsters PH

Healthy Monsters PH is a healthy meal delivery service in Manila that specializes in salad in a jar and cold-pressed healthy juices. I was thought this technique of putting your salad veggies in a jar if you want it to last longer than usual by some vegan friends way back and little did I know, there is already a business that offers it. 

Healthy Monsters PH uses locally sourced organic ingredients for their salads and the thing that I find most noteworthy is the fact that they made they own salad dressings.

Despite my undying love for meat, dealing with veggies has never been a problem for me. I grew up in the mountain, we plant our own veggies back home, I grew up loving salads. So this one, I am happy to share with you since it's right up my alley.

Five Things I Love About ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL @AsusPH #ZenfoneLaser #SeeWhatOthersCantSee

There are a lot of things which I love about ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL but for this blog post, I am going to narrow things down to five to keep it as uncomplicated as possible. After all, ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL is like that - uncomplicated yet efficient. Very user friendly which made me love it all the more. 

And don't we all love uncomplicated gadgets for our daily use?

I myself is guilty for having penchant for uncomplicated gadgets because as a blogger and photographer, I tend to deal with techie stuff on a daily basis. And the least thing I want to come across with is something which requires creating havoc in my brain just to get things done. 

SM City Masinag Welcomes Holiday Season with Fairytale Christmas Theme and Disney Princesses @SMCityMasinag @SMSupermalls

Today, SM City Masinag welcomes the holiday season with a Royal Holiday gathering. I am currently doing my Antipolo Food Trip Blog Series and SM City Masinag, being on of the few malls in Antipolo which houses several restaurants and food businesses is one of those which I have been wanting to explore. Being part of this event made me all the more excited with that endeavor. 

SM Supermalls nationwide is all set to give the best holiday shopping experience treats to their shoppers. One of them is SM City Masinag, hence this exciting event.

One of the highlights of this event was the revealing of the fairytale-themed centerpiece sitting amidst the Atrium. Now, shoppers can take their photos with the castle tower as their background. This will make for a good remembrance for Holiday 2015.

San Marino Tuna Laing: A New Healthy and Delicious Treat from San Marino

Tuna Laing is the new product of San Marino, a brand known for creating healthy and great tasting products. I have always loved San Marino products especially their Corned Tuna and the Blue Mackerel Steak in Tomato Sauce. These two are mainstays in my pantry. When I do not have time to cook and prepare viands, I could always count on San Marino.
 

Now that they have introduced San Marino Tuna Laing, I am super stoked to try it out.

Laing is one of my favorite viands.  It is healthy and delicious so, regardless if it is devoid of the usual meat which I love, I am still all for it. The thing is, Laing is not really easy to cook because of the preparation it entails. So when craving for Laing hit me, I still have to wait when I finally have time to cook or when I have time to visit a restaurant that serves the dish. 

TESCO Affordable British Favorites at SM Markets: Top 10 Must-Try TESCO Products #TESCOatSMMarkets @SMMarkets

This year, TESCO, a long-established UK brand considered as "Affordable British Favorites" is finally made available here in the Philippines all thanks to SM Markets. This partnership between Tesco and SM provides a great chance for Filipinos to experience British products at an affordable price. 

Relatives and friends from the UK send me some food and lifestyle products carried by Tesco but I am thankful that today, I can even buy it myself since they are now available in SM Supermarkets, SM Hypermarkets, and Savemore.

Considered as the largest retailer and purveyor of Britain’s favorite food and lifestyle brand, Tesco carries a whole lot of products to choose from. I have tried several of these items and I cannot count how many have satisfied me. I'll be dishing out more about Tesco products in future blog posts, but for now, let's narrow it down to Top 10.