COCA COLA: Where Will Happiness Strike Next: OFW Project

This Christmas Season, Coca-Cola brings back OFWs to celebrate one of the most cherished occasions in the Philippines, Christmas.

Where Will Happiness Strike Next?

Video credit to owner.

ANGEL'S PIZZA PASTA COMBO: Chicken Aloha

Aloha! Angel's Pizza Pasta Combo has a new flavor that will bring summer back this season.

Angel's Pizza Pasta Combo: Chicken Aloha

Chicken Aloha is topped with BBQ Chicken Chunks, Ham, Bacon, Pineapple, Green Bell Pepper and savored with BBQ sauce and Mozzarella Cheese.

Angel's Pizza Pasta Combo is known for its satisfying amount of mouthwatering dishes and its very affordable prices! With three pizza sizes to choose from, Medium (9"), PHP340; Family (12"), PHP470; and Big Family (14"), PHP599 you will definitely love Chicken Aloha!

Order now 922-2222!

Get Cheesy with Dairy Queen

How cheesy! Introducing the Cheesecake flavors of Dairy Queen!

BONCHON: Best Chicken in the Philippines!

I love BonChon so much I claim it the best chicken here in the Philippines! I wont forget that crisp yet moist meat, no-grease skin that savors my mouth with a kick of spice and hauntingly addictive glaze.

Johnny Rockets, Eastwood Mall

It was a jam-packed Saturday evening at Johnny Rockets, Eastwood Mall and the week-long planning of this dinner with Nan (officemate) pushed through despite that.

BENMORE: Ways to Drink This Four Casks Scotch Whisky

BenMore Four Casks Scotch Whisky is a deluxe drink produced and distilled in Scotland. Matured in four different types of oak casks, this superb drink match standards of all kinds of drinkers.

FIGARO Launches Two New Fruity Flavors

Coffee lovers! Figaro Coffee Company is offering two new refreshing flavors that will surely make you go bananas.

ALFAHKR'S: A Persian Cuisine

Want a Persian Cuisine that is affordable yet sinfully tasteful? You should try Alfahkr's Persian Food, located at the heart of Maginhawa St., UP Teacher's Village, Quezon City, Philippines.

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:

Hot Fun Stuffs / Food and Fashion Blog / Baguio Girl / Mahlzeit / Ruthilicious / jared’s little corner / Stay at Home Blessings / Shy Girls Own / Travel Monologue / Delight My Appetite / Vector Dad / Pinoy Holistic Healthcare / {cherry} everyday / Jefrox News / The Misis Chronicles

The Cookie Jar / Familia Foodie / NomNom Club / Let’s Go Sago / Noob Foodie / Philippine Travel Promos / GEORYL: Welcome to Our World / Techie She / Wentot’s Thoughts / LEVYousa / Living Life to the Fullest! / Food and Happy Things / Impulsive Buyer Goes Organic / YipeeMedia / Filipino Blog / Kizuna / The Life Encounters / My bric-a-brac / The Food Encounters / The Geek Side of blankPixels / A Woman Remembers / Adventuring Foodie / Nash Goes Chenelyn / Deej Speaks / Certified Pinoy Reviewer / Kwento Ni Toto / MAG of My Life / Delectable Ideas / Joy’s Flair / Home Buddies / Mike Mamaril / Fedhz on the Go / Easy on Yz / Yz Little Steps / Samu’t Sari Online Store / Your Filipino Virtual Assistants / Filipino Virtual Assistant / Ken Avenue / Shop Pinay / Day Dreaming Mommy

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!

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.

Mango Passionfruit Herbal Tea

Recently I have been addicted to tea, an alternative for my caffeine freak body. I have tried sorts of tea concoctions like those in Serenitea. Since then, I try my best to stay away from coffee and find a teabag or buy a cup of tea.





While Andrei and I were running some errands (grocery for mom) we saw these tea products. I will honestly tell you that I was, again, been magnetized by their packaging. (lol,but whatever) Any, I bought one box later this evening. And now I am enjoying my first cup. satisfied


http://www.stashtea.com/products/products.aspx?sku=030560

Alternative to Reese's

I was skimming through my news feeds in Facebook when I came across a post on how to make your own peanut butter cups just like the famous Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I never thought making this is that easy. I'm going to make one soon!

watch video here





another alternative: Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

Casa Reyes, Greenhills

Last night when Andrei and I went to see Transformers 3 at Shangrila, but failed because of the almost-sold-out-tickets there. Then we decided to go to Greenhills hoping we could get a chance to watch it even on the last full show. Much to our dismay, all of the seats were taken and we were left with no choice but to leave.

Last night's adventure going from Shang to Greenhills made us hungry so instead of watching it, we decide to eat and splurge on food. We both want a pizza and hot wings but Andrei's allergic to that so we searched for a better choice. Then along Connecticut Carpark Arcade in Greenhills, we saw Casa Reyes (just beside Yellow Cab). They serve Filipino cuisine, perfect for us looking for alternatives to do away with chicken and pizza.





There are tons to choose from their menu. Their specialties are Crispy Kare-Kareng Bagnet, Crispy Dinuguan, Crispy Pork Adobo, Pork BBQ, Crispy Pork Binagoongan, Chicken Salpicao, Crab Omelet, and Lechon Kawali. There are desserts too, like their Frozen Brazo de Mercedes, Halo-Halo, Banana Split and Leche Flan.

We have tried the Crispy Dinuguan (pork blood stew), they used a chicharron-like instead of pork belly, pork liver and meat. It was really good though you can feel your heart twitch every time we take a spoon-full of it. We also tried their Kare-Kare (Filipino stew in peanut sauce). The beef and oxtail was cooked was good. The meat was tender and easy to chew and the vegetables weren't over cooked also. It was perfect with the bagoong (shrimp paste) served with it.

Costs:
Crispy Dinuguan - PHP 169.00
Kare-Kare (with rice and bagoong) - PHP 185.00
Plain rice - PHP 28.00
Juice (in can) - PHP 50.00
Soda (in can) - PHP 50.00

 PHP 241.00 per head

not bad for a hungry stomach. Their serving is enough for a normal-eating person. :) They don't have service charge also.