Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Binondo Church: Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz

Wazzup Pilipinas !

It would be my first time to visit the Binondo church in Manila. I had the opportunity to pass the church but I never went inside to appreciate its inner beauty. I was there in Binondo to buy some "hopia" from Eng Bee Tin, so I took a few minutes of my time to take a peek inside, pray and make a wish. They say your wishes come true when you make the wish at a church that you visited for the first time, so I tried my luck that day and hoping that beliefs like those could take some effect on my life even for a small percentage.

Binondo Church, also known as Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, is located in the District of Binondo, Manila fronting Plaza Calderón de La Barca, in the Philippines. It is located in Manila’s Chinatown at the western end of Ongpin Street, Binondo.

This church was founded by Dominican priests in 1596 to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity. The original building was destroyed by a bombardment by the British in 1762 during their brief occupation of Manila at that time.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

When doing some windows shopping, bargain hunting or simply looking for a much needed accessory for our gadgets in any of the famous malls in Metro Manila, we would normally take a break by eating at one of the many fast food or fancy restaurants in and out of the mall.

I recently discovered a restaurant that brought back memories of my stay in Bangkok, Thailand. It offers authentic Thai cuisines that has the real spicy flavors and taste that's truly Thai.

Situated at the Veranda of Robinsons Galleria in Pasig, the 8 Spices restaurant is a wonderful choice that should take us way from the usual Chinese or American dishes we would normally encounter.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

I fell in love with coffee when I started working. It seems its everyone's way to keep our body off the stress before, during and after a working day. Ironically, coffee has caffeine that almost everyone knows puts you high, and more often than not alive and kicking.

Coffee at Espressamente was remarkably good! Its got just the right kick to wake you up and keep you on your toe. Complement that coffee with their sweet temptations, then you're really on the move.

Sugar, and caffeine, rush!

Wazzup Pilipinas !

I adore pizza and pasta dishes only when the restaurant that serves them could capture the fine taste that's so elusive for me. I'm really quite picky with my pizza and pasta that I prefer to eat something else if it doesn't suit my taste. I go for quality food and would not sacrifice it over quantity. There's a reason why great food costs more and it should not be because of just the restaurant brand or the ambiance.

I really try to avoid eating something that lacks the flavor that may come from the sauce or the cheese. It's amazing that Cantinetta was able to provide what I was looking for.

But they don't just serve pizza and pasta but also other superb Italian dishes that will definitely give you a memorable dining experience.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Mister Donut now has a new tasty, sweet and chewy treat for us. They are called Pon De Rings - which happens to be famous in Japan for years already...and soon to be another best seller at all Mister Donut outlets.

It actually made me wonder why its only now that we are offering this here in the Philippines. It was formally introduced to the media at the Mister Donut Cafe located at the Greenhills Shopping Center in Greenhills, San Juan, but soon it will be sold at the rest of the branches.

Though they say the chewy attribute of the Pon De Ring would only last for 5 hours tops, the sugary treats are still quite good and tasty afterwards.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

I got an opportunity to visit one of the newest options to stay in Tagaytay: Casa Alegria.

Experience one of Tagaytay's newest but beautiful getaways. Nestled in an area of Tagaytay where you can get a great view of the Taal lake and volcano, it is a true modest accommodation just waiting for a few more "upgrades" (rather developments). It has the potential to become a great place to stay. With its architecture that is a brilliant reflection of the modern lifestyle, the place will surely enchant visitors in and out of the country.

The bed and breakfast hotel has already three rooms available (and more coming soon) at a promotional offer of Php 2,500 per day, which is already a great deal considering how pleasant the accommodations are.

Join me as we tour Casa Alegria and its facilities.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Thanks to Rufo's Famous Tapa for the sumptuous meals my friends and I had earlier.

I am now reminiscing my college days when my classmates and I enjoyed the many "silog" meals at the Intramuros hole in the wall eateries.

But this time, its a homecoming treat to a past where I had to struggle quite a bit in order to pass an Engineering course at the Mapua Institute of Technology.

The days were never complete without the many "silogs" choices (Tapsilog, tocilog, porksilog, chicksilog, hotsilog, longsilog, etc.)

Wazzup Pilipinas !

After their 25th branch opening at Olympia, Makati (just right at the back of the Manila Peninsula hotel) SumoSam has opened another branch at the heart of Manila. This time its at the 4th level of SM Manila which is just right at the back of the infamous Manila City Hall, and also just a few more steps away form the walled Intramuros where my Alma Mater, Mapua Institute of Technology is located.

The branch is conveniently situated just a few steps away from the cinema area of SM Manila, so that means its another great dining choice for cinema lovers who want great Japanese cuisine.

SUMOSAM SM CITY MANILA is now the 26th branch to date, and I believe more branches are already on their way. This just proves that many appreciate the dishes served at Sumo Sam !

Flourish Pilipinas: Flour-Based Delicacies are More Fun in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Food conglomerate Universal Robina Corporation- Flour Division and the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board prove once again that when government and the private sector collaborate, great things can happen!

With the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supporting food tourism, both parties have formally launched Flourish Pilipinas, a campaign that recognizes and celebrates Filipino flour- based delicacies either through time-tested traditions or bold innovations.

The event was hosted by Anthony Suntay, and was attended by members of the media. Everyone there were serenaded by the celebrity couple awesome singers Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez while we were having a sumptuous lunch.

Food conglomerate Universal Robina Corporation- Flour Division and the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board prove once again that when government and the private sector collaborate, great things can happen!With the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supporting food tourism, both parties have formally launched Flourish Pilipinas, a campaign that recognizes and celebrates Filipino flour- based delicacies either through time-tested traditions or bold innovations.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

As part of the year-long commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) launched Byaheng Bonifacio: Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan at the activity center of SM The Block in North EDSA.

Byaheng Bonifacio: Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan is part of the long list of activities and events slated in 2013 to celebrate the accomplished and heroic life of Andres Bonifacio, which culminates in the sesquicentennial of his birth on 30 November 2013. It aims to renew the public’s interest in appreciating and taking pride of the history of these often forgotten, if not overlooked, sites which played an important role in the life of the Supremo, Katipunan, and Philippine Revolution of 1896. It identifies 16 important sites tracing Bonifacio’s trail from his birthplace in Tondo, Manila; to the Katipuneros’ secret meeting place in Pamitinan Cave in Rodriguez, Rizal; to his place of martyrdom in Maragondon, Cavite.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

This 2013 the Philippines economy has started on a great high and the growth forecast for this year is very optimistic. MEDIACOM Soltuions Inc. in partnership with ESQUIRE Financing Inc. present the PHILIPPINE BUSINESS EXPO 2013 (PHILBEX 2013) -“Your Business Gateway” Philippines biggest business Expo, held at the World Trade Centre (Metro Manila) on May 17-19, 2013, with over 500 exhibitors and expected 25,000 visitors, dedicated to empower the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

At the PHILBEX 2013 business owners and professionals will have the possibility to explore new business opportunities, learn the latest SME market trends, establish contacts, enhance networks, exchange views & ideas and an opportunity to promote products and services as well as acquire the latest news in technology and financing.

The New Rufo’s Famous Tapa in Makati

Wazzup Pilipinas !

After 29 years, the original moves to a bigger and better home in A.Venue.

The iconic Rufo’s Famous Tapa Makati in Kalayaan Ave. had been a favorite go-to place for delicious and affordable Pinoy dishes since its inception in 1984. It was one of the few places open 24/7 and customers came at all hours of the day. The humble, hole-in-the-wall ‘tapsihan’ became popular among International School (IS) teachers and students, employees, over-timers, and party-goers who wanted quick, affordable and satisfying comfort food.

When the landlord decided after 29 years to no longer renew the lease, Rufo’s Management quickly moved to re-locate a few steps away to its current location in A.Venue Mall, Makati Ave. “The New Rufo’s Makati” at A.Venue is now a 2-level restaurant which seats 150 people, with multiple air-con and al-fresco sections, function rooms for parties and seminars, and a 2nd floor balcony. Rufo’s A.Venue commits to maintain the same affordable prices, 24/7 operations and laid-back ambiance of the Kalayaan Ave. store while offering a safer (24-hour Security), more mainstream site beside well-known international cafes and restaurants.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Calling all baking enthusiasts! Join the URC Flourish Pilipinas Bake-off Competition. Simply submit your recipe in the Recipe Contest tab at their Facebook page.
#BakeItFunInThePhilippines

https://www.facebook.com/pages/URC-Flourish-Pilipinas/295110023949303

Now this is something interesting to witness, a tie-up with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote "bread" and "tourism".

Starting the project off with a Baking Academy and Bake-Off Competition, I would love to know more about this particular project and how everything will fit in. We would normally see "tourism" partnered with handicrafts, scenic spots, beaches, cultures, and ethnic people, airlines and other means of transportation, travel agencies, etc. It will be exciting to find out more.

Wazzup Pilipinas !

URC Flourish Pilipinas Baking Academy and Bake-off Competition

Mechanics:

This competition is open to all eligible Filipino Citizens who are 18 years of age as of January 2013 who meet the requirements stated herein. All employees and relatives up to the second degree of affinity and consanguinity of URC Flour, its subsidiaries, affiliates, agencies and sponsors are automatically disqualified from entering this contest.

There will be three awards in two categories:

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES

FOR OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF BAKERIES and BAKESHOPS, INDEPENDENT BAKERS, BAKING INSTRUCTORS AND PROFESSIONALS

1. GLOBE AWARD – This category is open for all recipes using hard flour (URC’s Globe or Blend 100 Flour).

2. SAMPAGUITA AWARD – This category is for all recipes using soft flour (URC’s Sampaguita Soft Flour).

NON- PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CULINARY, BAKING, FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT COURSES:

1. DAISY AWARD – This category is for all recipes using cake flour (URC’s Daisy Cake Flour).

HOW TO JOIN THE CONTEST

All Contestants must fill out an entry form which can be accessed through the Recipe Contest tab in the URC Flour/Flourish Pilipinas Facebook page. It can also be downloaded from the URC Flour website.

All finalists must agree to participate in a bake-off in the following designated areas:

GMA Manila June 15

LUZON Baguio July 6

VISAYAS Cebu July 27

MINDANAO Davao August 10

Where applicable, URC Flour shall provide the transportation, food and accommodations of qualified finalists in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. URC Flour shall cover only the transportation, food and accommodations of a qualified finalist in a URC designated hotel.

JUDGING CRITERIA

All entries must meet the requirements of the Recipe category entered. Recipes not meeting contest criteria will be disqualified. Entries must be the original recipe of the entrant.

Judging will be done by a panel consisting of a representative of URC Flour Technical Group and two other food professionals designated by URC Flour using the criteria outlined below:

Taste 20%

Appearance,creativity and plating 15%

Use of local and indigenous ingredients 10%

Extent of use of URC flours in required category 30%

(Globe / Blend 100, Sampaguita, and Daisy)

Extent of use of eligible products 25%

(See list below for corresponding points)

TOTAL 100%

Eligible Products and Points Assigned (5 points each):

Bakewell Siliconized Paper, Saf Yeast, McCormick Flavors and Colors/ Suchero Sugar, Corman, Brim, and Tulip Chocolate

Judges will disqualify previously published recipes such as but not limited to those in cookbooks, magazines, from food companies, food blogs or recipe website and winners in cooking contests.

Contestants are required to certify on the information, or belief, that their recipes are their original creation and have not been published or publicized and have not won a cooking or baking contest. All submitted recipes automatically become the property of URC Flour.

Judges reserve the right to disqualify an entry that does not meet contest criteria. Decisions of the board of judges are final in all matters pertaining to this Contest.

Deadline of Submission of Entries:

Entries from GMA and Luzon April 30, 2013

Entries from Visayas, Mindanao May 31, 2013

All recipes/ entries must include a 4R (4” x 6”) color photograph of the finished product. All recipes/ entries must be submitted to the Flourish Pilipinas Facebook Page or emailed to Kayla Andrea at operations@dtc.com.ph.

All recipes shall be screened and tested by the URC Technical Group which shall determine the finalists who will compete in each area.

BAKE-OFF

For each area, there will be two (2) finalists for Globe Award, two (2) finalists for Sampaguita Award, and two (2) finalists for Daisy Award.

All finalists will be required to participate in the area-wide bake-off.

GMA Manila June 15

LUZON Baguio July 6

VISAYAS Cebu July 27

MINDANAO Davao August 10

ALL STUDENT FINALISTS must agree to demonstrate his/her recipe entry to the URC Technical Team in a separate session in his/her school or home prior to the actual Bake-Off.

Each student finalist will be given ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000) to cover the cost of this demonstration.

SELECTION OF WINNERS:

There will be one (1) winner per category in each area : Globe, Sampaguita, and Daisy.

Venue of the bake-off will be determined by URC Flour Division.

PRIZE STRUCTURE:

All twelve (12) winners i.e., three (3) winners per area will receive the following prizes:

Globe - P10,000 in cash, 1 Kitchen Aid K45 Mixer, Medal and Supply of Participating Products

Sampaguita - P10,000 in cash, 1 Kitchen Aid K45 Mixer, Medal and Supply of Participating Products

Daisy - P10,000 in cash, 1 Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer, Medal and Supply of Participating Products

Companies and Schools represented by the winners shall also receive a trophy.

All recipes/ entries must be submitted to the Flourish Pilipinas Facebook Page or emailed to Kayla Andrea at operations@dtc.com.ph ON OR BEFORE April 30, 2013 (For Entries from GMA and Luzon) and ON OR BEFORE May 31, 2013 (For Visayas, Mindanao). For more information, contact Kayla at 02-892-5842 or visit the Flourish Pilipinas Facebook Page.

Bake It Fun In The Philippines!

#BakeItFunInThePhilippines

https://www.facebook.com/pages/URC-Flourish-Pilipinas/295110023949303

Per FDA Permit # 0324 Series of 2013

Monday, March 11, 2013

Globe Launches BlackBerry Z10 with Best Plan Deals, Offers LTE Version at No Extra Cost

Globe Telecom officially launched the new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone with its suite of fully-customizable unlimited mobile surfing plans bundled with unlimited browsing, consumable amount for calls and texts, and freebies. The leader in postpaid is also offering the BlackBerry Z10 LTE at no extra cost.

Subscribers can get the BlackBerry Z10 for free at Globe Unli Surf Plan 1799 over a 30-month contract. With Globe Unli Surf Plan 1799, subscribers get unlimited and worry-free mobile surfing, P800 monthly consumable amount for calls and texts, and three (3) call and text freebies.

For consumers who opt for a shorter lock-up period, they can avail of the BlackBerry Z10 for free for as low as P1999 monthly at Globe Unli Surf Plan 1799 with P200 monthly cashout over a 24-month contract.

“Finally, the BlackBerry Z10 has arrived in the Philippines and Globe is very excited to offer the latest BlackBerry smartphone to our subscribers under our roster of postpaid plans. Filipinos are huge fans of BlackBerry and as such, we expect a strong demand for the new BlackBerry Z10. With our strong partnership with BlackBerry, subscribers can definitely rely on Globe for the best BlackBerry Z10 offers and deals,” said Martha Sazon, Head of Globe Postpaid.

Sazon added, “The BlackBerry Z10 works best with an unlimited surfing plan from Globe so you can enjoy unlimited and worry-free mobile surfing, a monthly consumable amount for calls and texts, and freebies. Subscribers can further boost their plans with unlimited add-on services available for as low as P349 monthly. Finally, with the Globe Guarantee and an upgraded Globe network with a more aggressive LTE rollout nationwide, subscribers get the best BlackBerry Z10 experience that no other network can provide.”

The new BlackBerry Z10 is the first BlackBerry smartphone to launch with the re-designed, re-engineered and re-invented BlackBerry 10 platform, giving customers a powerful and unique new mobile computing experience. The BlackBerry Z10 smartphone is the fastest and most advanced BlackBerry smartphone yet, and offers customers a smarter experience that continuously adapts to their needs. With BlackBerry 10, every feature, every gesture, and every detail is designed to keep customers moving with new advancements that customers will love.

“We are excited to launch the new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone with Globe in the Philippines. We believe customers will be delighted with the faster and smarter experience from the powerful BlackBerry Z10 running on the Globe LTE network to keep them moving,” said Cameron Vernest, Country Director for the Philippines at BlackBerry.

Interested subscribers can pre-order the BlackBerry Z10 from Globe starting March 9, 2013 at www.globe.com.ph/bbz10. The BlackBerry Z10 will be officially available in Globe Stores nationwide starting March 19, 2013.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Binibining Pilipinas 2013: A Treasure Trove of Beauty and Talent

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Beyond beauty of face and figure, the golden batch of Bb. Pilipinas is also teeming with talent.

I was excited to attend this event - the same way I was excited when I watched the Talent Competition of Miss Philippines last year. But this one was open for the public to watch at the sidelines.

Miss Philippines organizers chose to present it to an exclusive few, but the organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas has chosen an open area instead so many people will have the opportunity to watch beauty and talent unfolding right before their eyes.

Sixteen of the fifty official 2013 Binibining Pilipinas candidates strutted their stuff at the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 Talent Competition recently held at the Gateway Mall Activity Area.

The lovely girls displayed an array of talents that ranged from singing to magic to hula hooping. The roster of judges included Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Head , Tim Yap Philippine Star Columnist, Samboy Lim, Ginebra San Miguel Coach, RJ Ledesma, TV host and Uno Magazine Editor, Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner Up, Chit Guerrero, ABS-CBN Special Projects Head, and Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) board member Conchitina Bernardo, and artist Betsy Westendorp.