a short trip

Sunday after Ondoy left the city, we made a short trip to the supermarket to replenish our stocks at home. That is after we have cleaned our ground floor and after ensuring that the floodwaters had already subsides outside.

We bought only those things that are necessary. We really have to be like ants so when rain starts to pour we do not need to worry anything at all. Funny but during last Saturday’s rain we were caught with nothing on our cabinet. It will be a learning encounter for us.

I hope everyone will get over this catastrophe, and that everything will be back to normal in the city.

FREE Outback Steakhouse GC

I would definitely love to win, who doesn’t anyway? Read more, click the link!

http://hitabargain.com/2009/09/07/coming-home-to-outback/

Ondoy hits metropolis

Until now typhoon, Ondoy is hitting Metro Manila and its nearby provinces. Rain is non-stop for the past 24 hours.

Earlier, we were surprised to wake up that most of our neighbors; particularly those that live on a lower ground were already drifting on floodwaters. The first thing we do is to secure our things just in case floodwaters will come inside our basement. Oliver also had to check our car, and had it transferred to a higher area. Right after, we had a quick brunch and watched the latest news on TV. Good thing that the electric power was still running so I was able to get online the whole day.

The rainfall brought by Ondoy had left many Metro Manila residents homeless tonight. How can someone get to sleep when his bed floats or his pillow does? As this happens today, I totally agree with Tim Tayag’s post on FB this afternoon that “we need to start cleaning our environment and plant trees”.

For now let us all be compliant to NDCC chief as he urges the public not to go out and stay home, don’t clog the roads. Let us all pray that the rain will stop pretty soon.

Tayong Dalawa ends...

I started this post at my office desk before I left Greenhill’s earlier, and again it’s Friday. I asked Oliver not to pick me up tonight because I plan to go home early and watched the final telecast of “Tayong Dalawa”. I am giving up Friday eat-out this time to be part of this nationwide phenomenon ending of a 9-month-old teleserye. This is something I cannot afford to miss, people at the office will surely talk about it on Monday and I don’t want to be left out :)

"Tayong Dalawa" is a story of two PMAer JR and Dave, who was friends and later on discovered their families’ dark secret. They found out that they were twin brothers. The story evolves about how they battle the war between their maternal family and their battle over the same girl, which is Audrey. It was a love-hate relationship between Audrey-Dave, Dave-JR, Marlene-Ingrid, Lola Gets-Mamita, JR-Ramon-Dave, Gretta-Audrey. Everyone was given a vital role and many of us can relate because the story is very near to reality. It can happen as we juggle and struggle in life everyday. The vanity of being rich and glamorous was perfectly depict by the character of Ingrid Garcia and the odd side of being unfortunate and miserable was then given life by Marlene Dionisio.

Overall, the story taught us about the love of a family -- the love between siblings, and the undying love even after life. As it ends tonight, I went crying. I will be missing this at primetime bida. Oh my! Would there be a sequel of “Tayong Dalawa”. Now that is the big question after another Mrs. David Garcia came to life and this David Garcia III made the finale. Let’s all watch out folks :)

I salute and thank you ABS CBN for this wonderful teleserye!

Click here for Tayong Dalawa's multiply site.

My Eau De Parfum

I am not a perfume person, not a somebody who would splurge so much on Burberry and Bulgari. But my sister does, she is so in love with those bottled perfumes. Though I heart Tommy's Truestar and Lancome's Miracle I buy them on limits, which means one bottle a year for both scent. And because I am not used in wearing it everyday, it normally last and is reserved for special occasion alone.

I didn’t say I am addicted but I really love these two –

Product Description
TOMMY TRUE STAR represents the energy, talent, and beauty of an icon, while at the same time offers a glimpse of a rare, private moment of a celebrated superstar. Notes: Illuminating Brightness Accord, Bright Watery Notes, Fluid Floral Accord, Sweet Pea, Syringa, Honeysuckle, Caressing Comfort Accord, Creamy Rice Pudding, Kashi Cereal, Toasted Wheat Grains.

Product Description
Lancome created MIRACLE perfume for women in 2001. Miracle perfume is a modern and sophisticated fragrance. The top notes sparkle with freesia and lychee. The power of spice breaks through the middle notes lighting the fragrance with ginger and pepper. The heart reveals sensual notes of jasmine and magnolia. A great compliment to Miracle perfume is Miracle Body Lotion, creating a serene fragrance all over. Miracle perfume is enclosed in a clear rectangular bottle, revealing the beautiful pink fragrance. The bottle is then enclosed in a pink box.

How about you? What eau de parfum makes your day?

Photo Day for Bea and Shen

I can’t help but share this photos of our babies, they getting bigger day by day and getting so kikay like Ate Sam...lol!

Shen-Shen

Oliver's two girls :)

Late Post: Busiest Sunday (Sep 20)

Sunday was generally the busiest day of our long weekend.

Oliver and I went at Henry’s father wake in Calumpang in the morning. By the way, Henry was my classmate in high school.

Then there we go, right after lunch, we drive to Cita Italia in Imus for Rhoda’s birthday. Rhoda was a former co-worker/friend, Thea's sexy mama, who left the company last year to be a doting mom and wife. There we met my office friends. It was a sumptuous lunch-merienda, which everyone enjoyed. Thank you to Rhoda and Mhel for the warm welcome.

Later that day, we (Oliver and I) together with my office friends drive to Summit Ridge Promenade in Tagaytay. And we spent the next two hours over coffee and chitchats.

L-R: Minerva, Jam, L, Ana, Jing

And this completed my day!

Bannoffee Pie P105.00 and tall Cafe Mocha

OT: I was not so impressed with the Bannofee Pie; I still loved the Dome :)

The Ring Bearer

Paolo was ring bearer during a relative’s wedding last Sunday. He was even practiced how to walk step-by-step going to the aisle and how to hold the pillow at least two weeks before the big event. Guess what happened to our little boy? He did not walk and the funny thing he doesn’t want to be photographed.

So this is the only group shot where he had a small stint.

can you pinpoint the little naughty boy?

Late Post: Friday Dinner (Sep 18)

There was nothing-extra ordinary with our Friday dinner except for those bountiful of the seas we consume: shrimp and crab plus an order of crispy Kangkong, which I find a little expensive.

Buttered Shrimp

Crispy Kangkong

I was starting to feel sick too and my appetite wasn’t so good during our Friday dinner. It was the reason why I wasn’t able to compete with Oliver and Che cracking those crab legs.

Tempura and Crabs in Chili Sauce

By the way, we had everything cooked by Squared Palutuan in Julia Vargas. Despite my ailing our night, end well :)

all smiles except for Oliver who says "talk to the hand"

Amici is Pizza Pasta Gelato

Finally, after planning for almost a month, we had our first dining experience at Amici. Though it wasn’t at Don Bosco, the Atrium branch did not disappoint us yesterday. Anyway, this will be a very short post. After bracing the traffic going to Megamall, and buying some casual clothes at the Surplus shop (jacket, shorts, etc.) we chose Amici over Tong Yang for dinner.

We had a four cheeses pizza, tomato-based pasta and two orders of gelati. I was ordering for a risotto dish but it is already sold out. It was not a lucky day for us to try their risotto, at least we have something new to look forward when we comes back.

The set we enjoyed last night at Amici –

Al Quattro Formaggi (P290.00), four cheeses pizza

Spaghetti al Pomodoro (P175.00), pasta tossed in a flavorful blend of classic tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese and fresh basil

Gelati (P55.00/cup)

Mint Chocolate and Tiramisu

Overall, it was a pleasant dinner. However, at some point Oliver was not impressed with the service maybe because it was self-service. Nevertheless, will definitely be back for Risotto Di Mare and Spaghetti Red Vongole E Gamberetti.

Click MENU here

Super Stack!

My addiction to Pringles is like my addiction to blogging lately, they are partners. I am hook to this blog thingy everyday, even without posting anything I enjoy blog hopping and following food blogs the most. And Pringles keeps me alive :)

Sour Cream & Onion, Cheddar Cheese and Original

I love Pringles, the crisps in every can of Cheddar Cheese. Moreover, with the new Super Stack packaging I get 12% more chips though some reviews says it is misleading to consumer. Wella, I don’t really care about this consumer issue (for now) because I am getting my tubes on sale. So it’s Cheddar Cheese for me, what’s your pick?

Ling Nam Legacy

It was a rainy Friday night for us and this time we decided to consider Greenhills for dinner (which is just 500m away from my office). Che, my sister joined us last night after she gave our Bea’s dinner back home. So, again here I am undecided –much undecided according to Oliver. Initially I wanted something sweet, just that but I know they want something fit for the rainy weather. I told them if it would be okay if we dined at Le Ching at Shopsville but it has already closed when we got there. Then, we were thinking of Don Henricos but I do not want anything like pasta and pizza again. And then, we spotted this eatery with its blinking light sign “OPEN”. It was Ling Nam. Though this Chinese eatery is an old one we never dined there before so we tried it. The place is a bit small at the ground floor because the kitchen was also there (the usual counter type Chinese resto kitchen) and nine spacious table set up. They have a second floor dining area too, which we did not consider anyway.

Ordering was a bit hard for me while Oliver and Che had already made theirs. Oliver had Bola Atay Congee, he asked for a Bola Bola Siopao and I asked the server to make it three.

Bola Bola Siopao (P55.00), Bola Atay Congee (P125.00)

Che had Crispy noodles and Lumpiang Shanghai. And then, I content myself sharing food from both them before I finally order a Porkchop Rice Meal.

Crispy Noodles (P195.00), serving is good for 2-3 persons

Lumpiang Shanghai (P90.00), Porkchop Rice Meal (P130.00)

Good thing is that Ling Nam’s serving is generous and can be shared aside from its being affordable of course.

It was very filling dinner; Ling Nam will be on my list of fast-casual dining from now on second to North Park. With its distinct delicious noodles, siopao, congee, and dimsum I could never go “undecided” next time. On our second visit, we will try a different set of their signature dishes.

And this Friday dinner wouldn’t be complete without this photo op.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Ling Nam Greenhills
Unit 115 & 211 Connecticut Carpark
Greenhills Shopping Center
Greenhills, San Juan
Metro Manila
Tel No: (632) 727-8811/722.7733
Click MENU here.

Gloria Maris and Spiral's Buffet Promo

Gloria Maris is having a Dimsum Buffet for P238.00 per head. Podium in Ortigas Center and Rockwell Makati are the only branches, which offer this promo until September 21, 2009. The afternoon buffet is from 2:30pm and 5:30pm. You may contact them at 638-2905 and 895-9741, respectively. Btw, promo is offer only on weekdays :)

Another one is Sofitel’s Spiral Mad Mondays and Thrifty Tuesdays. 50% for a minimum of four persons. Available lunch and dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays until September 29, 2009. Make your reservations now 832-6988. See flyer below.

click flyer to enlarge

what i missed is Circles Buffet Rush Promo. This one is you have to book your lunch or dinner buffet at Circles Event Cafe between September 1 to 3, 2009, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm only, and get 50% off the buffet rates when dining on September 4 to 30, 2009. Discount is applicable to a maximum of 8 persons.

expect more promos to come :)

Trade-In Sale

Last Monday when we were in MOA we passed by The Travel Club and were amazed of the crowd inside and outside this store. They were running a Trade-In Sale for luggage and travel bags. You just need to bring your old ones and instantly you’ll get off from your new purchase. I was not able to check how big the discount is, but you still have until Sunday to check out this promo.

Trade-In Sale (Sep 7-13, 2009)

Be in style when you board your next flight :)

Sarap to the Bones!

I was four year old when I first dined at Max’s and it was the celebration of a cousin's wedding. I was so delighted when a whole chicken was placed on our table; it was really something for me then. To my excitement, I even asked my parents if we could finish that. Funny, but we did!

I remember also when I was still attending secondary school and my sister, Che was then in grade school then our parents will treat us to this eatery every time we get a special recognition from school. Though the only Max’s branch near us that time was the Roxas Blvd. branch, we still get to celebrate most occasions here. Max’s restaurant is my family’s all-time favorite place to eat until now.

Despite the rise of fast food chains offering fried chicken, baked chicken and roasted chicken, Oliver and I continue to savor the S to the B experience and this is what we had last Sunday….

Hototay soup, with shrimps and molo (P107.00)

Spring Whole Chicken, (P293.00) and Fresh Lumpia Ubod (P52.00)

It was a quick dinner at the Mall of Asia, after we found out that Yakimix is not yet open (MOA branch). How do you like Max’s chicken anyway?

Idle for a day...

Like I told you, I went to work yesterday with my team. We spent the whole day moving out old files from our cabinets, and boxed up most of them so we can send it at the storage area in Pasig. Anyway, we had Yoshinoya for lunch and KFC for dinner. I was literally tired and exhausted, and went to sleep early. That ends my Saturday.

Well, today I managed to stay home after several attempts of going to the mall earlier. My body aches, and the gloomy weather is “so nakakatamad” so I decided to sleep this afternoon. I know it’s not the usual weekend for me, but I am thankful I survived today without spending even a single centavo...yey! That’s really something for me to be happy. The “ber” month just barely started and everyone looks forward on the coming holidays. And whenever I think of it, I know it will be another month long of spending hard earned money so I need to save (a little will do..). I need to save so I can shop gifts for family and friends. And I need to save for this trip early next year. Lastly, I need to save for 2011 even if 2010 is just coming in next year :)

Tomorrow, we might drive to Makati because I have some errands to do. For now, let us all have dinner. Enjoy my Pork Sinigang, which I cooked earlier for Oliver. He is nursing a bad cold since Friday so I think something like this would make him well pretty soon.

A blessed Sunday everyone!

Upcoming Two Long Weekend

Hay! Another long weekend will start tomorrow and another one will start on the 19th.

Well, my team and I will be working tomorrow. Sunday and Monday – no plans yet.

Then on September 19-21 will be off to Cavite for another fun-filled weekend with my family. We will also be celebrating my parents wedding anniversary. I am thinking of Conti’s, Max’s or Josephine this time.

For now, let me finish my workloads.

Happy Friday folks!

click link from Inquirer.net ==>> Breaking News

Christmas is around the corner.

When we passed by Ayala Avenue last Saturday night, I was delighted to see the Christmas lanterns lighted. It was an early greeting from the Ayala’s and this thing excites me more than anything else – the Christmas Holidays!

Today officially starts the “ber” months, and for me this day starts the countdown for Christmas! Though it’s a bit early to make wishes and gift list, or even organize a holiday vacay, party or get-together I started writing mine as early as today so I will not be missing anything at all.

Last year I asked Oliver as early as August for a new timepiece, and I got it a week before Christmas. This year I want a new timepiece (again), a TechnoMarine MoonSun but I know it’s too expensive. I could settle for Cruise model anyway :)

The second option is a pair of gold Rositas earrings :)

You see I only ask gifts from my husband because I don’t expect family and friends to shop for me unless it’s their free will. Nevertheless, I would be willing to receive new havies as Christmas present (size 39/40 please…hehehe).

I have a partial Gift List for people dear to me but this still unofficial.

For my parents, I want to give them a new wedding bond. Will probably check Ongpin for this.
For Arman & Che, I have no idea yet but will pretty come up with something unique of course.
For Sam & Paolo, the usual I shop clothes for them and a unique toy would do.
For my in-laws, will probably send them a mobile phone.
For my office friends, and family relatives will send them box of goodies.
For Bea and Shen, a new wardrobe, and a trip to the beach (hopefully)
For my dear Oliver, a new toy honey. It’s a surprise!

Included on my planning is a trip down south (CamSur) by October, then a road trip going to the north (Ilocos) by November. Come December I want to experience the laid-back Cebu trip or another trip to Baguio with the entire family. I hope even only one of this vacay adventures would happen soon :)

Family & friends gathering will surely be part of my calendar. Then we need to come up with a grand garage sale by early December. Moreover, with anticipation we can continue our small charity works before Christmas time.

Feel the spirit everyone!