4 Sebastian's Ice Cream

In times like this that you wouldn't want to go out because of the scorching heat brought by the summer season, I imagine myself getting a scoop of my favorite ice cream.

L: Chocoholics Anonymous R: Up All Night

Chocoholics Anonymous is one of their best sellers. Rich chocolate ice cream with a thick fudge with dark chocolate chunks. 

Up All Night. This one's my favorite. I love coffee-flavored ice cream. This one's has espresso fudge swirl and coffee-chocolate chunks. 

I soooper love these!! Just praises!!

Sebastian Ice Cream Studio

Location: 3F SM The Block (near cinema ticket booth) North Edsa, QC Philippines

Love, 

5 Dinner at Ristorante Bigoli

February 26, 2012 - Dinner Time. After hearing mass in St. Pio's chapel in Eastwood, me and my Grumpy went on to have dinner before we head home. Since we are on a tight budget already, I remember my friend told me about this place - yummy and affordable. Hmm.. My Grumpy was a bit hesitant at first.. 

I remember this was Fazoli's before. Not sure when this was changed to Bigoli though. We entered the place and it seems quite busy. There was a party going on, on their second floor so it was a bit noisy too. But there we're only few people in the counter ordering for their food. The place is well lighted. I like it. It didn't hurt my eyes. Eventhough it was our first time here, we didn't have a hard time choosing our food. Just by looking at the pictures and some descriptions while the cashier patiently waited for us while smiling, we got our food.

Here's what we got: 

Their free garlic bread while waiting for our food. 

The garlic bread is awesome!! It is the same garlic bread I remember when it was still Fazoli's. And these are unlimited, bottomless garlic bread. Haha! 

Pork Picatta w/ Spaghetti Marinara Php 150.00

The pork picatta is great. My Grumpy loves it. The pork is filled with ham and cheese inside and is crunchy outside. Its good because the cheese didn't overpower the overall taste of the pork. The marinara sauce is good too! 

Bistecca Classic w/ choice of Italian Rice or Mashed Potato Php 289.00

Bistecca Classic was heaven for me. They got my taste of well-done steak. The flavor is just right. They put a great twist of their premium beef, juicy and served with mixed vegetables. For the first time, I ate the veggies in my plate. Before, I usually set them aside. But this time, they smells so good. Smell like butter. So I tasted a piece of carrot, and surprisingly, I love it. I love that they put enough butter for the veggies so it won't taste like raw. And the Italian rice was a surprise. It has a distinct taste. At first, I thought I will not like it. But on my second and third spoon, I'm starting to appreciate its taste. Its really wonderful! 

A slice of All Meat Pizza Php 80

Yes, you can order for a slice of pizza. But this one was a fail. It was over-cooked. See in the photo, the ground beef (colored dark). The crust is not good, too. But still, I like its taste. 

++ Bottomless soda Php 60

++ Bottled water Php 25

----------------------------------

Total: Php 604.00

My Own Rating: 

Food: 4 out of 5

Service: 4 out of 5

Ambiance : 4.5 out 5

Money: 5 out 5

This place made it to our list. I'm inlove with the Bistecca Classic and this time, I will visit their branch in TriNoma next time. 

Ristorante Bigoli

Location: Ciitywalk, Eastwood, QC Philippines

Facebook Page: Here

Twitter: Here

Love,

3 Dinner at Causeway Seafood Restaurant

February 25, 2012 – Dinner time. I was starving for dimsum for days now. And while we are already in a tight budget because it’s almost payout time  , my Grumpy suggested that we go to Causeway. He has been telling me about his experience with this place. He said, I will literally be drowning in dimsum here.  Finally, I gave in and in just a couple of minutes, we are already in there. Since it was a weekend, the place was kinda jam-packed. I thought its gonna be all Chinese against us, but I was actually surprised that there were more Filipinos than Chinese. Haha!  Only proves that we all love to eat.

Here’s what we got:

Pork Siomai - We had 4 orders of this. Sooo yummy!!

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Lechon Macau

Fish Fillet in Tausi Sauce

Boneless Chicken in Lemon Sauce

I looove the food. The pork siomai is heaven. I am a siomai person. I can have siomai for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I can eat 20-30 siomai in one sitting. Haha!  I love all that we order.

Summary:

4 orders of Pork Siomai : Php 240.00

Lechon Macau : Php 220.00

Yang Chow Fried Rice : Php 125.00

Fish Fillet in Tausi Sauce : Php 260.00

Boneless Chicken in Lemon Sauce : Php 260.00

2 Coke in can : Php 90.00

——————————————————–

Total: Php 1,195.00

My own rating:

Food : 5 out of 5

Service : 4 out of 5

Ambiance : 4 out 5

Price : 5 out 5

Causeway Seafood Restaurant

Location : 883 Banawe, QC Philippines

Contact #: (02) 740 8787

Love,

0 Dinner at Pizza Hut Bistro

February 23, 2012 – Dinner time. Me and my Grumpy decided to get a late night dinner. We can’t decide where, but we eventually got our feet in Gateway Mall, Cubao. This is the most accessible and easiest place for us with the good help of LRT.

Since it was already closing time, we didn’t bother to check out other restaurants. We immediately got ourselves a seat in Pizza Hut Bistro. I was excited to get a taste of my favorite pasta – Aglio Olio and my Grumpy on his penne in cream & tomato pasta. There were only a few tables occupied that time since it was almost closing time.

Here’s what we got:

Aglio Olio Pasta

My all-time favorite Aglio Olio of Pizza Hut was a boo that time. I dunno, but maybe it because it was already almost closing time that their cooks are anxious to go home. See from the photo that it has still some liquid with it. Tsk. And because of this, the taste was also affected.. Sad..

This one’s my 2nd favorite. My Grumpy loves this sooo much that he orders this everytime we’re in Pizza Hut Bistro.

Tuscani Roast Beef Pizza

This pizza is really good. My Grumpy didn’t like that it has mayonaise on top. But I thought, it was just right. The sourness of mayonaise was just enough to compliment the taste of the beef and cheese.

Bottomless Mountain Dew & Shirly Temple

I still love this place and their food.

Aglio Olio – Php 109.00

Penne Pasta – Php 159.00

Tuscani Pizza – Php 349.00

Bottomless Mountain Dew – Php 79.00

Shirly Temple – Php 150.00

—————————————–---------------

Total: Php 846.00

My own rating:

Food : 4 out of 5

Service : 4 out of 5

Ambiance : 4 out of 5

Price : 4 out 5

Pizza Hut Bistro

Location: GF Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao QC Philippines

Website: Here

Contact: (02) 911-11-11

Love,

18 Are You Kidding Me??

I am trying to login to my Facebook account and this is what I've been getting for the past 3hrs. At first, I  didn't bother to react. I thought, it was just a simple maintenance, so I just let go of my laptop and just watched tv. After 3hrs, i tried it again, and I'm still getting the same screen. 

This is what I'm getting after putting my email add and password

While I'm getting a bit frustrated, I tried to login using my husband's account. And guess what?? I was able to login. With no issues at all!! How cool is that, huh?! Then I tried checking my account in my Blackberry phone, I noticed that the last update was 3hrs ago. Refreshed the feeds and it won't do it. So I logged out and tried to login. And guess what again?? I am getting the same screen on my phone!! 

One last try. I tried logging in to my husband's phone's FB app. And... wallah!! same issue. I'm so frustrated and went back to my laptop and click on the "read more" part of the message in the screen. And i got this. 

With this message in my screen that I feel like I'm the only person on earth who's having this problem, I'm super frustrated!! My gedd, Facebook!!

And how would you feel if you see the last sentence on my second photo?? 

8 Mid-Night Snack with Johnny Rockets

Last Tuesday, I had the chance to meet up with one of my girl friends for 3 main reasons: 1 - so she can get her piyaya which I bought for her in Cebu when I was there 2 - so she can accompany me in giving the other pasalubongs to my Ninong and 3 - so we can catch up. Been weeks since we saw each other. She has been going through something with her family and I was busy with my personal whereabouts too. We don't usually plan our meetups. We just text each other, see if we're free, if so, then, off we go. Haha! Fiinally, we found the day and time that we're both okay. After distributing the pasalubongs to my other friends, we got ourselves into Johnny Rockets' seats in Eastwood. We're not hungry. We just want a place to catch up on our story-telling sessions. It was 10 in the evening. We were the only customer during that time. Here's what we got: 

Bacon Cheddar Burger
(we got 2 of this, one for me & for my Rain - my friend's son)

Tuna Sandwhich

Cheese Fries

Chicken Tenders

We also ordered the chocolate shake, cookies & cream shake and root beer float. The first 3 foods came in about after 20mins. The chicken tenders, probably the cook forgot about it, delivered to our table at exactly 45mins after we placed our orders. I was starting to get irritated that time. Considering that we we're the only customers that time and there were a lot of crews doing nothing. Some were actually busy rehearsing on their stupid dance performance along with the Manager On Duty. 

I wasn't able to take a picture of our shakes, but I'm telling you, they are the worst shakes I've ever tasted. Can you imagine a chocolate shake that doesn't feel like a shake? Its like melted chocolate ice cream that's not cold at all!! I kept my composure and decided not to talk to the Manager anymore. 

We have to asked for our bill twice with different crews. Because the 1st crew forgot that we asked for it, she's was busy watching her colleagues rehearsing. So I have to raise my voice and call the manager and ask her to get the bill for us. After a while, we got it. The change got back to our table after 15mins!! 

2 Bacon Cheddar Burger

1 Tuna Sandwhich

1 Cheese Fries

1 Chicken Tenders

1 Chocolate Shake

1 Root Beer Float

1 Cookies & Cream Shake

-------------------------------------

Php2,4++.00

Kaching!! Not worth it at all. Embarrasing.

My own rating: 

Food: 3 out of 5

Service: 2 out 5

Ambiance: 4 out 5

Price: 2 out 5

Date and Time of visit: February 21, 2012 - 10pm

Johnny Rockets

Location: GF Eastwood Mall Veranda, E. Rodriguez Jr., Ave., Libis, Quezon City Philippines

Contact #: 02 470 2117

2 In Love With Fireworks

Fireworks can be annoying for some. But for me and Francis, it relaxes us. I mean, watching fireworks together, looking at the sky together, this is one of our favorite bonding moments. I remember the first ever pyro-olympics years ago, we didn’t hesitate to go and see it. Also, we are literally in SM Mall of Asia every Saturday just to watch the free fireworks given by the mall. It’s like us, going to church and every Sunday, but this is our Saturday routine.  Last Saturday, we decided to go and see the pyro-olympics again with matching dinner buffet with one of the prestige restaurants which offers a very good spot in watching it. It was UK and Spain competing and they we’re both awesome.

Me and Francis enjoyed watching this. Watching together - holding hands while looking at the sky, it feels like we are giving our problems, doubts and worries in life and all other negative thoughts on us away, wishing that they will be all gone along with the fireworks.  Above anything else, I just realized, we just love to look at the sky together, either day or night.  Usually after watching fireworks displays like this, we always have the feeling of contentment and happiness together. Haha!

Even without the pyro-olympics or any just fireworks displays, simple way to bond with your loved ones.

Love,

nessie

0 A Fire In The Soul : A Cantata

A Fire in the Soul: A Cantata tells the story of a crucial event in the history of the Lasallian mission in Southeast Asia. On February 12, 1945, as American forces bombarded the City of Manila, a group of Japanese soldiers entered the De La Salle College campus on Taft Avenue and attacked the people who were living there. Twenty-four men, women, and children, and 16 La Salle brothers died in the massacre.   War turns human beings into monsters. It also forges heroes out of its flames. We tell this story to honor their memory, their service to humanity, and to remember them eternally.

Created by Gabby Fernandez and directed by Peque Gallaga, the Cantata is one of the highlights of the yearlong centennial celebration of De La Salle University (DLSU) in the Philippines. Vicente Garcia Groyon wrote the libretto and Von de Guzman composed the music.

A Fire in the Soul: A Cantata will have two performances only: February 26 (Sunday - Matinee) at 3pm and February 27 (Monday - Gala Night) at 8pm. Both shows will be held at Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium at the 7th Floor of Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall of DLSU.

The Casts

The cast includes Michael de Mesa (Br. Egbert), Franco Laurel (Br. Antonius), Al Gatmaitan (Br. Mutwald), Jonel Mojica (Br. Friedbert), Miguel Castro (Br. Arkadius), Floyd Tena (Br. Athanasius), and Naomi Sison (Alma Mater). 

Also, joining them are Onyl Torres (Japanese Captain), Nazer Salcedo (Japanese Soldier 1), Gary Fabricante (Japanese Soldier 2), and John Gilbert Arceo (Japanese Soldier 3).  

Narrators are Jaime Fabregas, Ricky Gallaga, Conchita Castillo, Dado Jose, Tanya Lopez, and Louie Zabaljauregi. 

Featured in this production are the different La Salle singing groups, namely: De La Salle Inner Soul, De La Salle-Zobel Chorale, La Salle Centennial Orchestra, La Salle Centennial Chorus. Some kids of La Salle-Greenhills are also part of the show. 

Joining the Production and the Artistic Team are Mio Infante (Production Design), Dong Calingacion (Technical and Lighting Director), GA Fallarme (Projection Design), Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC (Executive Producer), and Lore Reyes (Line Producer).  

The Narrators

For the matinee performance on February 26, 2012 (3pm), regular tickets are at P200, while student rates are at P100. For the gala show on February 27, 2012 (8pm), orchestra seats are priced at P500 (regular)/ P250 (students) and balcony seats at P250 (regular)/ P200 (students). 

For more information, please call the DLSU Centennial Office at (632) 524-4611 local 290 or email perla.garcia@dlsu.edu.ph.  

Follow De La Salle University on:

Website: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph

Facebook: http://facebook.com/DLSU.Manila.100

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dlsumanila

Tumblr: http://dlsumanila.tumblr.com

YouTube: http://youtube.com/DLSU100

30 His 32nd in Diamond Suites & Residences

We celebrated Francis’ 32nd birthday in Cebu when I was finishing my turnover to my employer. We stayed at Diamond Suites &Residences. I was able to stay here I think 2yrs ago during our Company’s Christmas party. He love the place. Since it was Valentine’s week, we got our room at a discounted rate. The room is really worth it. We had 2 double-size beds (one for each of us). Haha!   The crews were all so polite and nice. There is still on-going constructions on the upper floors for more expansions. Even the construction workers were really polite.

This is also best for both business men. They have conference rooms big enough to accommodate 50-90 people aside from its business center in where their clients can check their emails online, print their iteneraries or just any business discussions. Oh, by the way, wi-fi is available to all rooms, for free!!

And I fell in love with the pink couch in the reception area. I sooo love it!

The infinity pool is at their 6th floor. And it’s really really nice. I love it that it’s on its highest floor and you get to have a view of the busy streets of Ayala Business Center. There was little rain showers so, it was a bit cold and windy. But, the water was warm and very relaxing. We both love it that we I got to enjoy the water and he enjoyed the air and the view while chatting with each other, talking about our next iteneraries. Haha!

This place has definitely made it to our list. If ever, we will go back to Cebu, I’d like to stay here again. We had a good time staying here. Francis and I had a chance to talk a lot of things about us. We just enjoyed the moments that we’re here and not thinking about our jobs. Spending the whole day with my husband is priceless.

Love,

nessie

Diamond Suites & Residences

Location: #8 Apitong St., cor Escario St., Cebu City Philippines

Website: Here

Contact Details: Here

1 Dinner at Conti's

Last Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 was our monthsary. We headed to see a movie then went to a dinner. We decided to try and visit Conti's again, in TriNoma Mall. The place is as usual jam-packed that we have to wait for merely 20mins to be seated. Since it's full, the place was really noisy. We can't even hear ourselves talking to each other. Even we we're talking to the waiter to give our orders, both us and the waiter needed to raise our voice in order to hear each other, literally. 

I am really not a fan of this place. I thought their food is just so-so. Nothing to crave about. Except of course for their desserts. Aside from you won't have the feeling that you're in a little classy restaurant like this, this branch in TriNoma will give you the feeling of being in a fast food chain. 

Here's what we got this time.

I got myself brewed coffee. See, they served this with the ordinary creamer. Gosh. 

For me: Chicken ala Keiv.  Two Thumbs down.

For Him: Grilled Pork Chops. Uhm, pwede na daw.

Appetizer: Gambas. Thumbs Up.

Dessert: Slice of giant Mango Bravo cake. 4 thumbs up.

Total catch on our wallet: Less than a thousand. But I feel like, it's not worth it. 

My own rating: 

Food: 2 out of 5

Service: 3 out 5

Place: 3 out 5

Value: 3 out of 5

Sigh,

2 The Cebu Cathedral Museum

When me and my Grumpy was in Cebu last week, we had the chance to visit this place. Eventhough I stayed in Cebu for almost 3 yrs, I was not able to get inside of the museum. We we're welcomed by a friendly guard and accompanied us to the reception area where we pay the entrance fee, Php50 for each person. There were a group of students who's doing their educational trip that time, so the place is kinda crowded. 

I must say this place is well-loved. While undergoing renovation, you can feel the solemnity and there was a breath of fresh air inside even it its old already. Its just a little heavy and sad for us because according to the receptionist, they have been gathering funds for the renovation for almost 3yrs now. 

Since 1800, this has survived earthquakes, typhoons, wars and all other elements, the museum building is the rectory of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. This now serves as ecclesiastical museum showcasing regional church facade and artifacts.

First stop is the Carmen Collection in their small-restored chapel. 

The Altar. See the image in the middle?

And here's on the second floor collection: 

The Humble Beginnings:
Hand-writter letters of Mother Teresa, Mama Mary Stampitas & Letters of St. Peter

The Road To Cebu

A Cardinal For Cebu
Some of Cardinal Vidal's collections

The Gathering of The Saints

And when we we're about to leave, we checked what's in the back door and we saw the car that Pope John Paul II used when he was in Cebu. 

The museum is very organized. Each piece of artifact is carefully displayed with captions about them for the visitors to read and learn. 

We also found out that this place has its courtyard which is big enough for functions like birthdays, wedding receptions and other parties. And they accept these type of happenings in the museum. I think, this will be very nice for our lolo and lola's golden wedding anniversary even our parent's wedding anniversary.

If you will have the time to visit Cebu, I recommend, you include this place in your itenerary. And if you some money to spare, please do not hesitate to donate them and it will a great help for the restoration of the building. 

Love,

Photo Credit: Suroy Sa Sugo

The Cebu Cathedral Museum

Address: Manalili corner P. Gomez St., Cebu City Philippines

Contact #: 032 412 3455

How to get there: 

By cab: All cab drivers knows this place.

By public jeepneys: Those with 21A or 21D

From Basilica del Sto.Nino: Just 5mins walk

Entrance fee: Php50