Discover the Difference Smart LTE makes to the iPad

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is now offering fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular and iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular. Smart is offering these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that allow customers to connect to its fast Smart LTE network at speeds of up to 42Mbps.

As the digital media guy of El Nido Resorts, I need to be connected even on the go, even when I am traveling around, to check on my social networks and to update them. I am glad I switched to Smart because I get only the most reliable network to be wired, even on the go. I have been happy with my Smart iPhone LTE and its connection ever since I switched. I can imagine what a #SmartLTEiPad Mini would do to help me!

The wifi+4G #SmartLTEiPad mini would really come in handy because it’s easier to carry and I can stay connected even when I go to El Nido, or to other destinations. I do not have to worry about blogging and tweeting on the go because Smart has a wide coverage thanks to 4X More Fiber Power.

The fourth generation iPad features a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina display, new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera and ultrafast wireless performance. While the iPad mini is a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad, features a stunning 7.9-inch Multi-Touch display, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras, ultrafast wireless performance* and an incredible 10-hours of battery life.** Both fourth generation iPad and iPad mini come with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.

Customers can buy the new iPads at Smart Stores all over the country. For more information on plans please visit www.smart.com.ph/getmini

 

Smart continues to expand the country’s LTE network, bringing the world’s fastest mobile broadband to almost 1,000 LTE-enabled sites located in over 115 cities and municipalities across the Philippines. View the full list of areas where iPad users can enjoy the power of Smart LTE at www.smart.com.ph/lte.

Smart co-founder and Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando B. Vea shares the excitement of iPad lovers all over the country as Smart begins to offer the fourth generation iPad and the iPad mini WiFi + Cellular.

“These devices deserve nothing less than Smart LTE. Not only is Smart LTE faster and more reliable, but it is also the Philippines’ most widely-available LTE service,” according to Vea.

* Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks. Check with your carrier for details.
** Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary. 

Ilocos Sur Travel Guide

The whole Ilocos region is a great destination, but you will appreciate it even better if you can focus on each region at a given time. For instance, Ilocos Sur is perhaps the best representative of Ilocos’ significant contribution to history. Let’s check out the things to do and places to see in this place up in the map of the Philippine Islands. 

• Vigan. Oh, this town deserves a longer time under the spotlight, but in summary, it is the most beautiful heritage walk in the Philippines. Calle Crisologo, in particular, is worthy of many shutter clicks and a blog entry, perhaps even a poem! Don't forget to also check out the burnayan, where you can create a clay pot ala Demi Moore.
• Vigan Empanada. While Ilocos is home to different food specialties, Vigan empanada remains to be a favorite. In fact, everytime there is a trade fair in Manila, booths that sell Vigan empanada always have long lines of people wanting a taste of this baby! So have it right where it was created, where there’s no long line, and just the perfect setting to have a hearty merienda.
• Vigan Longanisa. Since we’re already in the topic of food, it is also worthy to mention Vigan longanisa, one that isn't typical, and can easily please your choosy palate. It is garlicky rather than sweet, and is perfect with vinegar and garlic fried rice. You will most likely be served Vigan longanisa for breakfast in your hotel!
• Sta. Maria Church. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sta. Maria church is the first stop you will make upon reaching Ilocos Sur. It has a beautiful staircase that leads to a beautiful church. If you were using a camera loaded with film, you’d start to feel bad about how you’re so limited in taking photos. Luckily, we live in the digital age.
• Baluarte. Just a short trip from the Vigan town center, Baluarte is a provate property owned by Governor Chavit Singson. Good thing he opened this to the public, because OMG this is such a hot property! It’s a zoo with a very interesting layout, which means kids will have fun exploring and adults will get in touch with their inner kid too. Although you won't be allowed to pet some animals, watching a python patiently wait for a live chicken for lunch can be quite interesting. Live Animal Planet, if you ask.

Travel Information

You can take a plane going to Laoag City via any domestic airline such as Cebu Pacific Air. From there, you simply need to take a bus ride that will take you to the land of windmills and beaches.

You can also opt for the longer, yet usually more enjoyable, mode of transportation, and that is hitting the road. Whether you go there with a driver or take a commuter bus, as long as you’re in good company, you’ll have one heck of a road trip to Ilocos Sur.

Chateau 1771, with Love

For the first time in twenty five years, Chateau 1771's executive chef, Vicky Rose Pacheco, introduces her top picks for lunch and dinner set menus for Valentine's Day: "a feast of light, fresh and festive for lunch while dinner features the rare French classics."

For lunch, worth the highlight is the watercress soup with lavash bread and its relieving, sophisticated texture. A natural super food, it’s heartwarming and oozing with revitalizing nutrients. While the main course, it will give you two options, but since grilling steak is a serious business at Chateau 1771, the seared U.S. beef tenderloin with blue cheese stuffing (P1, 300+) is a hefty reward for any meat lover. Made visually appetizing with grilled eggplant, zucchini, broccoli drizzled with roasted potatoes and fragrant roasted potatoes in olive oil, rosemary, and thyme, the 200 grams of pan seared beef laced with roasted garlic bacon sauce is brimming with juices and stuffing in every slice. If a version of this kind of flavor is what you’re rooting for but shying away from meat, go for the baked fish of the day (P1, 100+)—grilled and made tender with lemon, capers, thyme, and almonds. Judging from the risotto’s heavily-packed add-ons such as squid, shrimps made tasty in chicken and fish stock then topped with butter and parmigiano reggiano as a tasty finish, the risotto is the only fitting pair for a delicately cooked main course.

Dessert is as special as it features the melon’s juicy sweetness. Called the white cloud melon sabayon, it’s a refreshing dessert, lightly sweetened with poached meringue on whisked custard with melon and amaretto.

If planning for a romantic date, fork it out with a hot French dinner affair. Inventive and made from the freshest raw ingredients, Chateau 1771’s French-themed dinner focuses on the tasty yet uncomplicated classic dishes that are hard to find. For the soup, give the Swiss brown mushroom vol-au-vent with greens, edible flowers and pomegranate dressing a try. Delicately baked and in-house made, the French puff pastry round shell is filled with a creamy mixture smacked with garlic and thyme then deglazed with wine. With Swiss browns or the baby Portobello as the star in this soup, it results to an intriguing and heartwarming full-bodied taste.

Using a prime steak cut, the U.S. Angus bone-in rib steak with café de Paris butter (P2,600+), Duchess potatoes, and grilled ratatouille is every inch an irresistible meat from its cut to flavor. A ¾ inch thick slab of meat with the bone-in, it’s meant to be smothered with café de Paris butter spiced up with tarragon, rosemary, basil, and thyme with a spike of cognac.

If in the mood to try something exotic but not exactly like it, go for the French countryside comfort--the Rougie duck leg confit (P2, 400+). Another rare find, the duck meat is cured with salt, cooked in a special Dutch oven with the most-prized duck fat giving the flavor more depth and producing a velvety piece of meat. The result? A super tender meat that almost falls off the bones!

Good meal deserves a happy ending, so try the chocolate valrhona ganache tart with gorgonzola crème brulee on the side. Marrying the slightly salty flavor of Italian blue cheese and exuberant characteristics of chocolate valrhona plus the creamy and rich crème brulee, this dessert promises a palate-tickling cross between salty-sweet.

Chateau 1771 – Greenbelt 5 is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 m.n. for Friday to Saturday. For reservations, banquets and catering services, please call 729-9760 to 61 or (0917) 8626467. Chateau 1771 is a member of the Chateau 1771 Group of Restaurants that include Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt 3, Sentro 1771 in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City and Café 1771 in El Pueblo Real de Manila, ADB Avenue cor. Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Speck CandyShell Flip for iPhone5

I got my iPhone 5 from the better network, Smart Communications. And since then, I have no regrets about owning an iPhone 5. Like every other smart phone, you have to have your phone taken cared of, protecting it from bumps, dents, and unexpected falling. After getting my iPhone 5 I know I had to have it protected, that's why I got one of the must have cases in the market - Speck CandyShell Flip.

The Speck CandyShell Flip for iPhone 5 is yet another mufti-awarded Speck CandyShell Flip version, after the CandyShell for iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

 

The CandyShell Flip features a clever flip-back panel that lets you easily dock your iPhone or use accessories like Apple's Lighting to 30-pin adapter and DJ headphones without taking off the case.

And just like every CandyShell case, it combines a hard, impact-resistant outer shell with a soft, shock-absorbent interior in a single piece, pop-in construction.

Resellers: Power Mac Center, Beyond the Box, Digital Hub, Digital Walker, iStudio, Switch, iStore, iCenter, Mobile 1, iGig, The A Shop, SencoLink.

Manang's Chicken - Ang Bagong Fried Chicken ng Pinoy

Manang's Chicken started out from the family dining table of Jill Gerodias Borja, the President and CEO of Manag's Chicken. Their family cook, whom they fondly call manang, would always whip up the bestselling "sweet, salty, crispy, juicy chicken" during family occasions. It went out to be offered in weekend markets, then finally, starting as a store in Ortigas, after it slowly gained its following due to its unique flavor. Now, they have 12 branches all over the Metro.

Their signature double deep fried crispy chicken with Manang's secret soy garlic sauce is a must try because it's the culprit, the one which started it all. You can choose from an original, mild spicy or extra spicy sauce.

 If you're not into chicken, they have just released their new food item, the Garlic Pork rice meal. "Meat-lovers rejoice! Big juicy pork chop deeply fried until perfectly crispy and topped with their special garlic topping.