Postcard Mania # 01 : Cagayan de Oro City

Intro:

When I was in High School, Insomnia was already part of me. While waiting for Mr. Sandman to pour sand on my eyes, I came across to this movie on TV entitled "84 Charing Cross Road". Its a movie about a two-decade(1949-1969) long distance friendship (New York-London) of two people who loves books. They send not only letters but also includes postcards, food parcels,and virtually everything that the post accepts. That movie made me want to have letters and postcards and make it as my wall paper.

Hopefully  - at this times where post is becoming less important due to technology - its not yet to late to make this dream a reality. Now that I have two blogger friends who started this idea, I will now blog my postcards received. I'll also join this post crossing website so that my postcard collection will roll over.

My first postcard Blog Entry:

To start this new hobby, I'll share this.

Post card from Ms. PostcardEnthusiast.
Theme: Cagayan de Oro City (Philippines).
Post date = 12 March 2012.
Date Received = 16 March 2012

Thank you so much Ms. PostcardEnthusiast. I'll reciprocate very soon.

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot A580 in
Our Home
last 17th of March 2012

Best Food Forward 2012: the teaser

This coming weekend (24 and 25 March 2012) we are all invited to taste and see the best food in town – in the metro, probably in the country – as chefs, caterers, concessionaires and foodies alike will be marching to Bonifacio Global City to setup their booths and place their best food forward. Now on its second year, Best Food Forward is still the best food fair not only of its food but also for their generosity to give back to charity.

Last 18^th of February, yours truly was so privileged to witness and taste some of the participants’ products and creations.

First, a welcome drinks from a 12-year-old girl who is a certified bar tender. Its called "butter beer", beer topped with whip cream. I guess that whip cream has a secret ingredient too. Non-alcoholic variant is also available.

Then Pies and quiche from “Simply Pies”. Its truly simple but not easily to forget. The photo herein is just a sampler thus those pies are in half, so when you see it this weekend, it would be whole and in a cute box.

Organic and healthy pizzas from “Quantum Café”

Fried Chicken so crunchy and tasty from “Manang’s Chicken”

Kebabs? They have it too, and trust me this is you should not miss from “Skew U”

How about pinoys’ favorite chicharon? “Carlos’s Kitchen” crunchybelly cracklings really puts crunch on pork belly.

I hope you still have some space for desserts for they also have lots of it.

Cupcakes – yes that brick looking cake is still a cupcake – from “Choco ATBP” is the most “cacao” tasting choco cupcake I ever tasted. Unlike the others which tasted like processed cocoa. That Brick looking cake is the strongest, as if you are eating newly roasted cacao beans and that cupcakes are on the milder side.

 

Me love ice cream and not just ice cream but a homemade ice cream. Ice cream from “Pint” is a marriage of fruit and milk in your mouth.

Heavenly-melt-in-your-mouth cakes from “Casa San Luis”

Lastly, your boring bread or crackers will be awaken and liven up with these jams and preserves from “The Fruit Garden”

For sure and I guarantee these –featured herein- are just a teaser. The above participants have a lot in store for us. Many chefs and concessionaires are also waiting for us. Come and join us and celebrate life as we put the “best food forward” there’s many more to come so be there. If you miss it, you’ll drool waiting for next year. Lastly, don’t forget to bring those handy totes because for sure those food are so best, you’ll bring home some for your love ones.

PS: sorry for featuring this after a month, I'm currently using Compaq Presario 1456 (AMD K6-486MHz ) veteran. My fastest PC was decommissioned. My apologies.

Greatness Starts @Home: Moment of Achievement

We always say, “Prayers can move mountains”. I belong to a Catholic community at that time but still may faith is not that hard as the others. I am not convinced that prayers can really move mountains until this came to my life.

I was taking Bachelors of Science in Computer Science in a well-known college (it was now a university). I took this course simply because one, I’m into computers since High School and two, it doesn’t have a board exam. Board exam is a task that makes me nervously coward.

My parents as a government employees, Civil Service Eligibility is a must have for them. They encouraged us – me and my two sisters – to have that exam. Again, same as the board exam, it gave me a cold shiver into my spine. I have no choice but to take it since I don’t have a government eligibility examination.

One day, I went to the main office of Civil Service Commissions. I filled up some forms and I choose to take the pen-and-paper test for Professional Eligibility. They gave me my exam permit with the date and time and location for the examination then I patiently waited for that day.

I cant recall where was the exam took place but I guess it was in public school somewhere in Project 4, Quezon City. The exam time was about seven in the morning and our home to the exam place was about two hours traveling so I need to leave the house at five in the morning.

Upon waking up, I immediately took a quick bath and dress-up. My parents was amazed why I was so early, I told them that it’s my Civil Service Exam day. Grabbing my bag with my pencils, permit. I then left the house and took the exam.

After a few months, a letter was sent to me. It formed me that I failed the exam with a grade of 60+, I really forgot. It was frustrating news. After all the hardships I took, all I got is a failing grade. I blamed President Estrada’s Impeachment Trial. Civil Service Professional Eligibility has a section for Philippine Constitution and all questions on that section was all about impeachment, which is all new to all.

On the lighter side, I took it as a “charge to experience” and “try and try until you succeed”. True enough, I found myself again applying and taking the procedures again but on my second try, something different came unexpectedly.

I woke up at 4am, boiled water for coffee. After my bath, my parents asked me where I’m going. I told them that its my Civil Exam day. Dress-up and eat a little, before I grabbed my bag to leave, my mother stopped me for they will pray over me. My heart was touched and even if my mind is telling me that any minute loss will make me late, but still my heart yielded so thus my body and spirit. I took the exam at San Francisco High School, it’s just beside SM North EDSA. I felt that this exam is easier than my first take.

After a few months, the result came thru mail. YES! I did passed with a grade of 80.7% and the passing grade is 80% so I was so thankful of that 1/7 percent. This is my highest and greatest moment of achievement I received. Receiving my Civil Service Eligibility made me realized that without faithful prayers and sacrifices we are all nothing. Thank you dear parents for teaching this virtue.

I owe it to the Lord who gave me all endurance and guided me on every step. Recalling this milestone teaches me that prayers really move mountains. Thanks to my parents who inspired me, encouraged me to achieve this goal. With out their faithful and constant prayers plus their enormous support I will be nothing. All I have to do is to yield to Christ. Truly home and family is not just the basic unit of society but it’s also the basic step towards self-development.

To my parents I offer all of my achievements to you.


PS: sorry if this entry doesn't have a picture, back then my toy camera was not loaded with film. sayang! wala tuloy akong souvenir.

Summer is hotter with Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion, Schick, & Nuffnang

My ideal Nuffnang summer is...a romantic date on the beach during sunset.

After we put sunscreen lotion, Me and Pangga will walk along the beach. Hot sand on our feet. Sun kissing our skin. Exchanging glances. Waves will be the soundtrack of our conversation. Photo walks from different angles. Then we rest to watch the sunset go by.

We then go back to our hut or cottage where the famous Visayan dish called Su-Tu-Kil and a cold cola is waiting in our table. After we eat, we head back to the beach to see the on-going night life or just interact with the locals.

Bantayan Island in Cebu or in the town of Anda in Bohol are just two destinations that I had in mind for this romantic night. This dream - well its a plan on the rise actually - will never be perfect without a Banana Boat Sunscreen Lotion. We've got you covered. Those touches and caresses is not romantic if you have a painful sunburn isn't it? Peek and kisses is not romantic too on a unshaven face. With Schick, free your skin from those itchy unwanted hairs. Smooth kiss is perfect on a smooth skin.

Oh! Dear! cant wait for this to became a reality.

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Figaro Dinner Meals

Hello, Jessie here once again! My brother's still not able to blog, so allow me to post here once again to share to you a very sweet deal I found out recently.

It's nearly the end of Valentine's Day as I type this. I am not one of those who went out with a loved one to celebrate this day as I am sure restaurants and malls would be crowded, and since payday's still a day away, I guess most of us will just have to way a wee bit longer to celebrate V Day.





Recently, my sister Jenn of Tara, Let's Eat! and I were at Figaro in Tomas Morato and we found a very great deal that didn't just satisfy our tummies, it also saved us precious bucks.

Figaro Dinner Meals
at Buy 1, Take 1 at 50% Off





My sister had the Chicken Rice Bake, which reminded me of the cheesy rice she used to cook for me as my packed lunch when I was still in High School. The rice was soft with mild flavors, chicken chunks, mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers. My favorite part of the dish was the cheese on top. The serving may look small, but since each spoonful is packed with goodness, it was actually enough to make one full.





I on the other hand had the Tofu Steak Rice. Tofu is one of us siblings' favorite food, and I really really love its special sauce. Sure it was a little sweet, but there was something in it that made me eat more and more of it. I actually am craving for it every now and then... simply because the sauce captured my interest and my tastebuds!

Each of the Dinner Meals cost p150. Not bad for a good meal, but currently, Figaro's offering these meals at Buy 1 Take 1 at 50% off. Now that's a very good deal - the p75 saved we could use to try another Figaro dish!





Each of the meals came with a regular glass of Lemonade.

This deal is an ongoing promotion and is happening at 6pm onwards at these participating outlets: Alabang Town Center, Cattleya, Emerald, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Shangri-La, Robinson's Place Manila, Festival Mall, Gateway, Liberty, Tomas Morato, SM City North EDSA Sky Garden, and SM City Sta. Rosa.





True, Valentine's Day just ended... but should you drop by any of Figaro's branches and spent about p500 worth of food and / or drinks, you will receive a free box of Cioccolato Morsi - valued at approximately p100. These chocolatey goodness wasn't so sweet and had a hint of alcohol, which made it really tasty. The nuts not only added texture, it also added taste to the pastry, too. These babies are only available (for free) until 15 February 2012, so grab this freebie while it's still available.

So...shall we see you at Figaro? :)

* Jessie *

Max's Restaruant Valentines Treat

*** It's been quite a while since I last posted here on my blog, far too many things to attend to,

but while I still can't fully get back into blogging,
I will give the floor to my sister Jessie for this awesome treat.***

In a few days, it'll be Valentine's Day and for sure many of us will flock to the floral and pastry shops to get our loved ones that awesome Valentine's Day gift. Here in our house, Valentine's Day isn't something we really, really celebrate... but that doesn't mean we won't be treating ourselves with some sweet gifts, right?

Max's Restaurant has been one of our family's favorite restaurants, and this Valentine's Day, they have lined up not one, not two... but five treats (courtesy of Max's Corner Bakery) to make this day of celebrating love ultra sweet.




>>> On February 10 - 14, receive a free box of 9-Piece Assorted Pastry Bites for every purchase of p1500 in any Max's Restaurant branches. Offer good for dine-in, take out, and deliveries.




>>> If 9 pieces of pastry bites will not be enough, or you just want to get the treat without having to order for any Max's Restaurant dishes, just buy your loved one this box of 15-piece Assorted Pastry Bites for only p199.




>>> Like most celebrations, Valentine's Day is often celebrated with cakes, but if you think the typical cakes are a little bit too much to eat, you may consider getting this cute heart shape Chocolate Moist Cake, for only p199.




>>> As cheesy as it may sound, most of us refer to the number 3 as something that symbolizes "I love you." With that, you may consider giving these new cupcakes, especially made for the month of hearts. From left to right: Banana-Chocolate, Black Forest, and Blueberry. Each cupcake cost p50, but if you want to go for three items to say "I love you," get the three-piece cupcake set for only p135.




>>> Also this month, you can get your preferred Max's Corner Bakery Cakes not in their typical circular shape, but in heart shape! Prices vary based on the flavor, of course.




>>> For the kids (and the kids at heart), these cute Sugar Cookies will be a sweet gift.

Max's Restaurant is really about family. Valentine's Day may be a day for couples... but we all can still celebrate it - even with friends, family, or just by ourselves. Spread the love with these treats!

With the exception of the first treat, all other treats are available the entire month of February. For more details about these treats, feel free to check Max's Restaurant Website, Max's Restaurant Facebook Page, and Max's Corner Bakery Facebook Page.

Conzace Viral Smackdown

There is this "viral" game app in facebook and its called "Conzace Viral Smackdown" brought to us by Multivitamins Conzace.


For those who doesn't know about Conzace, well, Conzace is a Multivitamin supplement from Unilab, the most trusted pharmaceutical company in the country. It has high levels of Vitamins A, C and E plus Zinc for a heavy duty body immunity.

Before I give you the game app rundown, pls do visit first and like Conzace's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/conzace. Then have your webcam ready, ill tell you why in a short while.After you like the Conzace Page, click "Conzace Smackdown" to begin the game app. Then the app will ask for the usual app permission. View and understand the game mechanics then here's how to play.

First, you need to have a webcam working. the game uses "motion detection". your motion will help you smackdown the viruses. On the first level, we need to smackdown as many yellow microbes we see on the screen by moving our body, in may case, my arm and hand. two points for every microbe we smackdown. after this level, we will get an additional 20 points the proceed to the next level.

On the second level, we must again smackdown the yellow microbes. two points per microbe BUT we must NOT hit the green germs. a deduction of three points for every green germ hits. after this level we will be given 30 additional points before going on to the last level.

On the third and last level, same mechanics as to second level but now we must smackdown the red virus. five points per yellow microbe and red virus we hit and a deduction of five points per green germs. at the end of the level, we will gain an additional 50 points to our total score.

If our total score is high enough, it will be posted on the leaderboard. View the leaderboard before starting a new game so that you will know your goal points to beat. Completing the game being on the leaderboard will give us braging rights plus gift packs will be given away by Conzace. 10 lucky weekly leaders will receive a special gift.

so, after reading this entry, log on to your facebook account and play the Conzace Viral Smackdown game. you can play the game as often as you want, who knows, you might win those gift packs and/or that special gift that Conzace are giving away.

SEE YOU AT THE CONZACE VIRAL SMACKDOWN LEADERBOARD.

my 33rd Birthday (3rd of 3 entries)

Family Lunch @ Chic-Boy part 2

27 November 2011
Chic-boy
Fairview, Quezon City

Intro:

Part 1 of the Chic-boy Family Lunch is here

On this last part of my birthday series,im sharing to you our Veggies and Dessert orders. But before i move on, i cant help but sharing my views regarding the viral photos of the so called "chic-boy scandal". that said view will be featured lastly on this post.

My sisters ordered these colorful and yummy dishes. If in case you havent seen the second part (the meat dishes) of this series, heres the link. As I said, ill feature on this post the Veggies and Desserts. My younger sister is into veggies thus we have lots of it for this occasion.

Main Entry:

(Spicy) Gising-Gising. Its like chop-suey with a spicy kick. At first i thought its not that spicy but the sauce and the chopped chili kick my throat thus my though was wrong.

Pansit Canton. Birthdays will never be complete with noddles. besides, our mother loves pansit. She can skip rice for pansit.

the most trending and most controversial (as of today) chic-boy dish is this. Kangkong sa Bawang. as its looks, we somehow guessed that Its chopped steam kangkong then sauteed and topped with garlic bits. as we are eating this, we are asking our baby sister to ask their chef on how they did this dish. its not overcooked, its crispy green, slightly oily but it's OK, it sauteed and the toasted garlic bits on top complements the texture and flavor.

as for desserts, we had:

Turones con leche. a strip of plantain banana wrapped in lumpia wrapper served with milk sauce dip.

and leche flan.

Overall, the veggies are all not overcooked, the colors are still vibrant and crispy fresh. That is why i really dont get the logic is to why someone or some entity is ruining the "kangkong sa bawang" dish. My views on the controversy is below the credits.

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot A580 in
Chic-boy
Pearl Drive cor Commonwealth Ave.,
Quezon City, Philippines
last 27th of November 2011

I guess i have the right to share my views about the controversy since i was had that dish and i can tell that the controversial photo is fabricated. here are some of my observations on why i find it fabricated.

1) the kangkong, both stalk and leaves, are chopped into an average of 1cm in length but "pillar" is inches in length. So i guess if the kangkong is mishandled, "pillar" should be chopped too, but its not, its whole.

2) the fabricated photo has a hint of sauce on it (on the right side of "pillar". but the original dish doesn't have a sauce.

3) "pillar" is more thicker than the kangkong and i do believe its not the typical pest of kangkong. I havent seen such kind of pest in kangkong. snails (kuhol) are to me the pest of kangkong.

4) since "pillar" is bigger than the kangkong, it should have been seen and removed by the crew immediately. The crew will not intentionally leave it behind for it will only put their jobs in jeopardy.

5) I have many more views but it not yet that organized. But I guess, both parties are settling this issue in judicial court.

6) Fabricated or not, we should not judge the whole company by/from a certain branch's fault.

7) lastly since i have these views, i am still "team chic-boy".

agent112778 was LIVE on the "Suplado Show"

12 December 2011
Suplado Show Studio
Makati City


Intro:

Our co-blogger Ms. Stef of Life and Fever (http://www.lifeandfever.com) asked everyone to create a cancer awareness post for a charitable cause. Many responded including me. (my cancer awareness post is here.) After a few weeks, she then said that some of the responders will be given a chance to guest at the Suplado Show. She created a shorlist of guest and I am one of them. After another few weeks, That show guesting was scheduled on Dec 12 2011 and i made it.

What is the "Suplado Show":

Suiplado Show is an internet talk show aired over Digradio.PH every mondays 9-11pm. The show is hosted by Mr. Stanley Chi - a comedian and TV personality. To me, its somehow like "late show with David Letterman".

I first seen Mr. Stanley Chi on a TV show called "Front Act with Mike and Stanley". Which later becomes "Hecklines" which is aired every Saturdays 11pm over GMA News TV 11.

On with the Show:

As the time goes near 9pm, many of us invited are arriving one-by-one. When Ms. Stef and Mr. Stanley arrived, She set up the buffet table for use to eat as He set-up his desk to start the show.

We are about more than 10 invited guest and each gap will interview three guest. On the first gap, its me with Ms. Jesrhell (hurricanekitty.tumblr.com) and Ms. Gellie (gelleesh.com). I cant remember all the questions and answers that transpired on our gap. Mr. Stanley gave us many times to promote our respective blogs in between Q&As. We also had two phone-in questions and they won our tokens: caller Supermom got my GCs and; a male caller won Gellie's body care products. After our gap, Ms. Stef asked for our cameras so that she can take our souvenir photos.

* left to right : Me; Ms. Jesrhell; Mr. Stanley and Ms. Gellie

Its all fun. Im happy that i promoted my blog and i hope that the listeners on that night will come and visit my and other guests' blogs.

After i finished my dinner plate. I bid thank you and good bye to Ms. Stef then went strait home.

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Photo herein is captured using
Canon Powershot SX130is in
R&D Building
Guijo St., San Antonio, Makati City
last 12th of December 2011

agent112778 will be LIVE on the "Suplado Show"

After posting this entry, ill be going out to Makati City for the "Suplado Show" over  www.digradio.ph

Our co-blogger Ms. Stef, author of "Life and Fever" (www.lifeandfever.com) invited me and other bloggers to guest on the Suplado Show hosted by comedian and TV personality Mr. Stanley Chi. Its a once in a blue moon event for me thus it not let it pass over me. We are about six on the list but Ms. Stef said we will be more. More bloggers means more fun thus im trully excited .

To add more fun, the show and other invited bloggers will be giving away prizes and goodies as a small token of application to all lucky listeners and callers of the show. As for me, ill be giving away this Gift Certificate courtesy of Tribu Grill Express.

Its tonight (dec 12) at 9pm so do tune in. Click this link on how to tune in to the Suplado Show.

See you later!