Pizza is our bonding food

Swimming Team, that's how we named our barkada here in our humble compound in Pasig. Alica thought of it because she said that it feels like we are are on a swimming trip every time we got the chance to bond together. 

Swimming team minus Alica (01-01-11)
L-R: Me, Kate, my sister, Shereen, Abe, Anne

Abe, Anne, Alica, Shereen, and Kate, we have been more than just neighbors, we've been super close friends since childhood. We always play on the streets just like normal kids do. As years pass by, our friendship grew deeper and we were inseparable. We always make sure to see each other, chitchat for hours, do movie marathon and have slumber party. Of course we eat a lot also, sometimes we cook (soggy) pancit canton (because Alica wants it that way), buy chips in stores nearby or if we have a couple more bucks, we call PizzaHut for delivery! (yay!)

However, Alica's family moved to Cubao for good so we didn't had the chance to bond again just like the good old days. I got to see her again last summer in St. Paul, Pasig for a summer job. Though we were on different work loads, we made sure we eat lunch together (aww.sweet)

Me and Alica preparing our favorite food -- PIZZA!

Then before our summer job was over, we decided to have a slumber party for the whole barkada in their house in Cubao. However, they were all not available that time because of the storm. But heck! I still went to their house and shared with them my recipe of our homemade pizza (We cooked it last New Year's Eve and I shared it to the rest of the gang except for Alica who was not present during Swimming Team's salu-salo)

Homemade Pizza with love

Join Certified Foodies’ First Anniversary Giveway where you can win gift certificates, food gift packs, cash prizes and even a food trip date with the foodie siblings! To join, click on the banner above. And we’d like to thank their partners…

Partners:

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Balut for Midnight Snack

Balut

Balut or Fertilized Duck Egg is a common street food here in the Philippines but in other countries especailly in the Western part of the world, they consider this as an exotic delicacy.

This originated in some countries in South East Asia but we Filipinos made balut (or balot, depending on pronunciation) popular.

This is usually eaten as a whole with vinegar (best when spicy) and salt, usually during night by men because it is considered as aphrodisiac.

But my dad and I prefer eating this in small pieces. We place the shell-free balut in a bowl with its "sabaw" or its broth, drizzle it with spicy vinegar and a dash of salt. We then crush the egg into small, bite-size pieces. This is best paired with rice, tonight, we partnered it with fried rice or sinangag in Filipino. Yum!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY!

Hold your horses dears, technically, we Filipinos shouldn't really celebrate this today because it is already August 6 here but, yeah. Since International Beer Day is a worldwide celebration every 5th of August, yeah. we can still, fine. celebrate. :)

This International Beer Day Celebration started August of 2008. Founded by Jesse Avshalomov, Evan Hamilton, Aaron Araki, Richard Hernandez, Tyler Burton, and Ryland Hale.

The goal of this celebration is to bring the world to together in celebration of beer. (Weird eh? I thought it should be celebrated every October. lol)

As of the moment,  International Beer Day is celebrated in 23 countries namely, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, USA, and Venezuela.

Why August? Because it is a summer weather (for Philippines, not really. But hey! It still feels good to drink beer during rainy seasons!)

And in August 2010, International Beer Day became the 6th most searched term in Google. Amazing?





Locations of bars in Metro Manila that celebrates the International Beer Day?

• No. 38 Sports Lounge and Grill, 114A Jupiter St., Bel-Air 2, Makati City
• Fever Luxe Lounge, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
• Bugsys, Salcedo Village, Makati City

For more information visit their web page here.

A Retrospect in a Retrospective: MIHCA Open-house 2011

In 2006, the Magsaysay Group of Companies welcomed a new sibling in its fold with the rise of the Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA). In such a short span of time, MIHCA established itself as the leading culinary arts and hospitality institution in the country, and has successfully launched careers for promising professionals. 

MIHCA’s fully-equipped commercial and specialty kitchens, dining rooms, bars, food science laboratories and computer rooms adhere to current industry standards and enable the students to simulate professionals in the real world. This also ensures that the level of education offered is up-to-date with current trends and techniques practiced locally and globally, thereby equipping graduates with strong foundations about the hospitality and culinary industries.

The school has also been avidly participating in activities aimed at highlighting the culinary prowess of Filipinos. Perfect examples are the school’s participation in the Guinness World Record setting feat of producing 5,845 cheese-based dishes and culinary competitions both locally and abroad where the school bagged countless awards.

Add to that, the institute works closely with industry experts and leaders to guarantee that the level of education offered will equip graduates with strong foundations about the hospitality and culinary industries. This also ensures that graduates are up-to-date with current trends and techniques practiced locally and globally. 

MIHCA’s affiliation with the other learning units of the Magsaysay Group of Companies graduate can avail of supplemental upgrading and certificate courses for the maritime profession at the Magsaysay Training Center and the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (Cavite), while available through Magsaysay Global Services in Manila and Star of Asia in Bacolod, are healthcare certification programs. MIHCA also offers tourism courses certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

photo credit to Juan Manila Express

Retrospective: MIHCA Open-house 2011

The one-day event highlighted the school’s programs and accomplishments via a guided facility tour of the Manila and Makati campuses wherein guests (from different schools and universities) and friends from the print and social media had the opportunity to witness the students in actual classes. Held last July 22 (Manila) and July 29 (Makati), the two-part activity coincides with MIHCA’s Anniversary month that showcased hands-on training programs, laboratories and facilities – that have been designed according to industry standards. This allows for students’ intense immersion in real production kitchens, a real hotel room, real restaurants and bars and even a real ship’s cabin.

photo credit to Juan Manila Express

During the Retrospective: MIHCA Open-house 2011, those who were present got the chance to taste the student’s productions via food and beverage sampling activities. All were treated to a scrumptious buffet lunch prepared by MIHCA’s senior Professional Culinary Arts Students under the supervision of their highly-esteemed chef instructors.

photo credit to Juan Manila Express

photo credit to Juan Manila Express

MIHCA is Career-focused

The industry-relevant and globally-oriented curriculum aims to provide solid foundations for students to have a good head-start in their chosen careers in hotel service, restaurant service, cruise line service as well as travel and tourism service anywhere in the world. 

MIHCA is an integral part of the People Resources Group of the Magsaysay Group of Companies. Its exemplary graduates are highly qualified and competent candidates for deployment in the world’s largest cruise lines, hotels, resorts and tourism operations among others.

MIHCA graduates can take advantage of the overseas and local placement opportunities through Magsaysay Global Services, Inc.

For more details about MIHCA, you may visit their website http://www.mihca.com.ph and their campuses located at the following addresses: Makati Campus – 5th Floor Waltermart Mall, Chino Roces Ave. corner Arnaiz Ave., Makati City Tel: 887-53-29 / 889-1707. Manila Campus – 3rd Floor Times Plaza Building, U.N. Ave. cor. Taft Ave., Manila Tel: 524-9996 ext 600/601. In Jakarta – Jalan Tanjung Karang No.5, Jakarta 10230 Indonesia, Tel: +6221-390-8812, Fax No.: +6221-390-8894. Email: admissions@mihca.com.ph / makaticampus@mihca.com.ph.

Free McDonald's Coffee

Caffeine addicts here's one good treat for all of us!

MECHANICS
Get a free 8 oz. McCafe Premium Roast Coffee from August 8 to 12
at any McDonald's breakfast store from 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.


HOW TO GET A COUPON
Be on the lookout for the McDonald’s crew who will distribute the coupons in selected offices, universities, colleges, terminals, churches and even outside the McDonald’s stores nationwide starting August 5!







TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Present the "Free Coffee" coupon at any McDonald's breakfast store from
4:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., from August 8 to 12 to get an 8oz McCafe Premium Roast Coffee.


2. Only one (1) 8oz. McCafe Premium Roast Coffee can be claimed per coupon.
No purchase requirement.


3. Coupon will be surrendered at the counter upon redemption of the free coffee.
Redemption will be within the promo period only. No coupon, no free coffee.



4. Promo is available for Dine-in, Take-out and Drive-Thru only.
Not available for any McDelivery service.


5. Coupon cannot be used to upsize/upgrade a drink of any value meal.


6. The free coffee is non-refillable.


7. Coupon is not exchangeable for cash and/or other McDonald's products.


8. McDonald's reserves the right to refuse redemption of coupon if it was found to be
tampered with. Only original coupons or McDonald's issued coupons will be accepted.


9. Only one coupon can be redeemed in a single transaction.


10. McDonald's reserves the right to replace the free item printed on the coupon at its
discretion without any prior notice.

Visit their Facebook for more details.