Fun Weekend at Summit Circle Cebu Hotel

It's more fun in the Philippines if you get to travel and see not only what our natural resources have to offer, but also get to experience, interact and make friends with Filipinos, the locals of each island-destination, along the way. After all, it is really the people, us, who set the Philippine experience apart from anywhere else in the world.



Recently, I was able to go back to Cebu, the Queen City of the South, by invitation of Summit Circle Cebu Hotel (previously known as Cebu Midtown Hotel) of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) with fellow bloggers Melo, Spanky, James and Summit Media's Keisha. During the trip, I got to meet Meg and Lisette (leftmost in the photo above), both from RLC, two really nice ladies who accompanied us all throughout the trip.

Brasserie CiÇou caters Istituto Culinario launching

It was my first time to eat at Celebrity Chef Cyrille Soenen's Brasserie CiÇou, (formerly famed CiÇou at the Hotel Celeste in Makati City). Thanks to the launching of the new culinary school, Istituto Culinario, I was able to try Chef Cyrille's French degustation, which covered the whole restaurant, including its kitchen.



Students of Istituto Culinario, together with Chef Cyrille, created the whole dinner for all the guests. The food served ranged from non-meat hot station, meat station, cocktail tables, cold station, pastry station, charcuterie station, and beverage and wine station, totaling to 7 stations all-in-all.

Istituto Culinario opens to create Culinary Maestros

Istituto Culinario is the Philippines' newest, most innovative, culinary school which is committed to nurturing true "Culinary Maestros," - professional, creative and passionate all-around chefs. Istituto Culinario offers a ladderized 2-year Culinary Diploma (Culinary Arts and Food Service Management) program, leading to a full 4-year Bachelors Degree (Bachelor of Science in Food Management, Major in Food Service).



The two-year program provides students with key culinary techniques, essential kitchen skills, and a comprehensive introduction to cuisines of the world. The course at Istituto Culinario culminates with a 1,000-hour apprenticeship in a professional restaurant/ hotel kitchen, after which, the graduates may continue on with their Bachelor of Science degree, or commence their careers.

Postura Project: Wear Something Filipino Everyday!

Have you heard of the Postura Project? If not, let me tell you about this great project of Arriane Serafico, David Guison, Sarah Meier-Albano and Knox Balbastro. These four geniuses have come together in support of the Filipino clothing and fashion industries by submitting to a creative 30-day challenge to WEAR something FILIPINO everyday!


Arriane Serafico's style is a "maximalist mix of color, sparkle, and fun." David Guison presents a "Grungified street style that's dark and edgy." Sarah Meier sports a "trend-free, ghetto fab, minimalist, bohemian." While Knox Balbastro likes "ethnic Pinoy inspired, creative work wear."

I really love this project that is why I would like to promote it to my friends and readers. It's high time that we go out of our way and appreciate our own. Filipinos and our crafts, after all, are starting to compete, "trend," and be known globally. Boo yeah!

And so, I was challenged by Sarah to try it out.

19th Philippine Travel Tour Expo 2012

Today's the last day of the 19th Philippine Travel Tour Expo 2012, so I suggest you go and get the most out of the discounted travel and tourism deals over at the SMX in the SM Mall of Asia. The Philippine Travel Tour Expo will be open today from 10:00am until 7:00pm. Hurry! :)



Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., together with Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) President Aileen Clemente, Travel Tour Expo 2012 Chairman John Paul Cabalza, Philippine Airlines (PAL) President Jaime Bautista and a Citibank representative opening

Tokyo Tokyo Japanese Burgers

Tokyo Tokyo has been in the industry for a long time now. I can still remember eating there when I was a kid, and I will always order either their Tempura or Beef Misono, with additional Potato Balls, and of course, their signature Red Iced Tea. And every time, I would be contented and happy with my order.

Through the years, Tokyo Tokyo Philippines has added more items to the menu, launched more campaigns (Eat-All-You-Kanin, Watta Tempura, Tokyo Tokyo Bento, etc.) along the way, and made more tummies satisfied.



This year, Tokyo Tokyo's starting the year with a bang, as it takes Japanese food to a different twist and approach.

Alchemy's Macaroon Magic

If you are looking for something special, extraordinary, and even magical to try out, then "Alchemy is your portal to a sweet otherworldly experience. With an enchanting array of delightful confections, you’d wonder what mystery goes on in the kitchen," says Meryl Go, the owner and maker of Alchemy's fresh, flavorful and yummy macaroons! :)



I got to try Alchemy's Macaroons recently, thanks to Meryl, who sent me some of the magical macaroons. It was a perfect gift to share during Valentine's but it doesn't hurt to give it out as gifts or as a surprise even after hearts day.

Edible Art in Cakes by Swell Sweets

Can you guess who this is? Yes, you've guessed right. It's a giveaway, because of the names of the two senators below. It's Senate President and Impeachment Court presiding officer Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Yesterday was his birthday, and Swell Sweets, together with Solar News, presented the honorable JPE with a birthday cake. It was not any ordinary cake because it looked like this... The whole impeachment court mock-up, complete with all the senator-judges, with the celebrant, oh, and the lead prosecutor Niel Tupas and lead defense Serafin Cuevas. Fun! :)

J.Co Donuts & Coffee Philippines opens this March 15, 2012

Remember my post last year, "J.CO Donuts and Coffee will soon invade the Philippines!"? Well, it is nearing its March 15, 2012 opening at The Strip in SM Megamall, and everyone is very excited about J.Co Donuts & Coffee's opening in the Philippines. In the meantime, its really soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and yummy donuts are slowly invading foodies and food bloggers' hearts, and becoming a really big hit.



J.Co Donuts & Coffee Philippines has a lot to offer. They have a variety of premium flavored donuts to choose from. My favorite and their bestseller is the Alcapone, which is made of chocolate and almonds. One can never go wrong with that combination. They also have different flavors such as the "Heaven Berry (Strawberry heaven, made with strawberries and cream), Choco Caviar, Cheese Me Up (sweet-savory delight), Why Nut (American peanut butter filling and premium white chocolate topping), Green Tease (Matcha green tea imported from Japan), Choco Loco and a lot more."

2nd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge

The 2nd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is all set this April 28-29, 2012 at the municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, which will bring Island to Highlands adventure to both participants and those who just want to experience a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Here's a promotional video/ teaser by the DOT Region XI (Davao) of what to expect if you're joining the 2nd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge. This was taken during last year's competition.

Octoboy's Sizzling Japanese Pizza

My cousin Lujean wanted us to try Octoboy, a restaurant famous for their Sizzling Japanese Pizza, she said. At first I thought it was little bit weird, because "Japanese" and "pizza" do not really go well together, or not at all. But a few weeks ago, Ly and I got to try Octoboy at Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Marriott Hotel's Sunday Brunch Buffet

"We've expanded our menu, and widened your smiles," carries the new advertisement of Marriott Hotel's Marriott Cafe Sunday Brunch buffet. Last Sunday, some bloggers, including myself, were treated to the Sunday Brunch buffet of Marriott Cafe. It wasn't my first time to try Marriott Cafe's buffet selection, so I was expecting to see some new stations and inclusions to the brunch buffet. I wasn't disappointed.

Coca-Cola's President for Happiness

2012 marks 100 years of Coca-Cola. In line with this, Coke recently elected a Coca-Cola President for Happiness, named Caloy. His job description is simple, to make you and me happy. :) Here's a youtube video of Caloy, the Coca-Cola President for Happiness, addressing everyone.

Aria opens at The Fort Bonifacio High Street Central

Aria Cucina Italiana is now open at the Fort Bonifacio High Street Central, the new wing, in Taguig, located just adjacent SLICE. I brought my boss and colleagues at the Department to try this restaurant, which is on its soft-opening last week, and all I can say that it passed our "Standards" (no pun intended). I can't wait to go back for more!