On Roadtrips and Breakfasts

There's something idyllic and saccharine about spontaneous breakfast trips..especially when you go to an unassuming, secluded place like this..

Went to Antonio's in Tagaytay for brekkie one foggy Tuesday morning. Despite only being armed with a snapshot of the directions to this beautiful restaurant, we were relaxed and we enjoyed traveling.

We decided to eat at the porch and enjoy the greenery.

The chairs caught my attention. Loving the pattern of the metal backrest.

On our way to Tagaytay, we were actually eating food that I ordered to go from a fast-food chain so we weren't that hungry. But once we saw this on the menu, we just had to try it!

Portobello Tagliatelle with Truffle Cream Sauce

This is something that I'd go back to Antonio's for. It was perfection. Even the bread was toasted to golden brown crunchiness.

 We also ordered some beef tapa with egg and my ultimate favorite breakfast drink (aside from coffee), some hot chocolate. The beef tapa was, unfortunately, nothing special.

On our way back to Manila, we passed by Rowena's and bought some tart for friends.

This is the life. Great food, great company, great random travels. <3

S goes on a Fridate at a Vegetarian Restaurant!

I am not a Vegetarian. Only Ninin is. But Nin's happy because I'm not one to shy away from vegetarian food. She even invites me whenever she hears of new vegetarian restaurants and vice-versa. We've been talking about a Vegetarian restaurant in the UP Diliman area for some time now but we've never gotten the chance to actually go there and try the food. I, however,  for numerous times, have attempted to eat there but no matter who I was with, we always backed out because the resto and parking were always full.

After several failed attempts, I was finally able to try Pino (and Pipino restaurants) two Fridays ago! Surprisingly, we were the only patrons when we arrived. Anway, enough with the small talk, I'm sure you're dying to see what we ordered.

The famous, thirst-quenching Pino Iced Tea! <3

We couldn't get enough of this! Even my "date" who isn't fond of flavored drinks asked for a refill :)

I can't stop eating this! Mushroom Salpicao

The Mushroom Salpicao can be found in the Pino and Pipino menus.

Vegetable Tempura

The vegetable tempura was okay. This dish can be found in Pipino's menu. The following dishes are all found in Pino's menu:

Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Bagnet and Tofu Stack-o with Mushroom Rice

I'm addicted to tofu again and if I haven't mentioned it before, I also LOVE bagnet. So this was a no-brainer choice for me. I was initially planning to try the Pipino main courses (like the watermelon steak or the buckwheat soba or the tofu omelette) but this dish from Pino caught my eye.

ADDENDUM (Food ordered on my 2nd time at Pino/Pipino, this time with the fambam!) -  

You can say that we were too excited to eat (and yes, soooo hungry) that I forgot to take pictures of the viands. But hey, give me a little credit.. I still remembered to take pictures of the portions I took. Haha.

Crispy Shrimps with Salted Egg

Ahhh! I'm already salivating just by looking at the picture. It was crunchy and perfectly salted. You won't stop popping some shrimp and egg in your mouth until the dish is wiped out. I should know, that's what happened to us and to our order. :))

Laing-Stuffed Crispy Pata

Red Wine Adobong Tadyang

I liked that this tasted like barbecued pork.

I can't believe it took me so long to finally try Pipino Vegetarian Food and Pino Resto Bar. If only I knew that the food is soooo good, then I would've forced my way into the restaurant much much sooner. Drooling from all the delectable pictures above? What are you waiting for? Visit them at 39 Malingap St. Teachers Village East QC.

Father's Day Brunch at Borough

Sorry for the suuuuper late post!

Before Father's Day, my sister and I were racking our brains and putting our researching skills to the test. We were on a mission to find the best restaurant where to treat our main man. Dad is really temperamental during Sundays. We don't know why but that's just how he rolls. Hehe. Lucky for us, we've already figured out how good food changes his mood.

Enter bright idea - Go for a manly man's restaurant such as Borough. It offers easy breezy, no fuzz NY comfort food such as the following:

Brooklyn Brunch Special - Brooklyn Omelette

A bit pricey but we're willing to overlook it for the cheesy goodness of this dish!

Cheese Injected Portobello Pita Pocket

 I was excited to try this and report to Ninin because she's been dying to try a great-tasting Portobello burger. It didn't disappoint! I loved the mozzarella oozing from the mushroom. I also appreciated the crunchy, newly fried chips.

All Beef Cheeseburger

My sister said this was just okay. She was expecting it to be cheesier due to the name. She did, however, love the fries.

BBQ Pulled Pork

It also offers other classier looking, more complicated meals such as:

Homemade Pumpkin Ravioli

Seared Tuna Salad

And for dessert, we were so full but we just had to try this:

Carrot Cake

We're glad to have tried Borough. We loved most of the meals we ordered but we're hoping for better service. We don't know if they weren't that attentive because it was still early but I think that shouldn't be an excuse. And besides, there were already a lot of other customers there.

Anyway, if you want to try NY style comfort food then head on to The Podium Mall, Ground Floor (near Gloria Maris and BPI).

Get crafty!

We only have 90 days left until Christmas! I'm a crammer when it comes to shopping for Christmas gifts but over time, I've learned that it's best (financially and emotionally) to buy gifts days, weeks, even months before December 25. Aside from the gift itself, I'm also usually stressed about how the gift is wrapped. It has to be nice enough that you make the recipient more excited to get a present. For me, the greatest compliment one could get about their gift-wrapping is that the wrapping is sooo beautiful that they don't want to open the gift anymore. Hehe.

Since my addiction to kraft paper and washi tape, I've been practicing my crafting and gift wrapping skills whenever birthdays of family members are approaching.

Here are some of my Washi Tape + Kraft Paper (more like Pattern Paper) creations which you could easily do for your Christmas presents!

Used glossy design tape with washi tape

Hope my "creations" gave you wrapping ideas and inspired you to DIY. ;)

TMF Guide on how to be LikeaPOGI

Since we think Nivea's #LikeaPOGI campaign is so amusing, we've listed here a couple of pointers on how men can be LikeaPOGI! (boys, take note!)

1. Bawal pa-cool. Being cool should come naturally! Please do away with the pa-cool texts. That winking smiley at the end is so irritating!

2. Sabi nga, "ang panliligaw, parang homework. Sa bahay ginagawa". 'Nuff said.

3. Kapag 'di nasisindak pag sinabihan mong kailangan kang ipagpaalam sa strict mong parents. (Guys, one of the toughest girl "tests" kaya ito!)

4. Take note: Perfume goes a loooooong way. (Think: the axe effect)

5.  Responsible men are sexy. Find a job. Set goals. Show that you have ambition. That's sexy.

6. Flowers and gifts never go out of style!

7. Good morning / Good night texts are major turn ons. We girls like to think we are the first (and last) thing that comes to your mind when you guys wake up / go to bed.

8. Brainy is the new sexy! We can't emphasize this more. It does not mean you have to be a geek or a genius, but having a good education and treasuring it scores major points.

Any more tips? Feel free to add to our list or post on twitter with the hash tag #LikeaPOGI

Twitter Hash Tag: #LikeaPOGI
Twitter: www.twitter.com/likeapogi
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/likeapogi/

The New Pogi

Nivea has recently launched their newest campaign, Like A Pogi and we think the campaign is too awesome to keep to ourselves. The campaign stars Ramon Bautista-- Nivea's newest brand ambassador, and the man who will tell us what being "pogi" is really all about:

Oha-oha! Isn't he just adorable? He really defines the new breed of "pogi"-- those who are not just good looking but those having the right attitude as well!

We love the new campaign! Especially since you know how we think that "Brainy is the New Sexy" (culling Sherlock Holmes. hehe)

So boys, take a few tips from Ramon! Don't just rely on your looks as it can only take you so far. Nowadays being pogi is about having a good personality and knowing that the key to any woman's heart is, and has always been, acting like a true gentleman.*wink!

Be Like a Pogi!


Twitter Hash Tag: #LikeaPOGI
Twitter: www.twitter.com/likeapogi
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/likeapogi/

Love me. That's all I ask of you.

Last night my good friend and I went to see the Phantom of the Opera.

 When I first learned that they will be staging the Phantom at the CCP a year ago, I was beside myself with excitement. Finally! Something to look forward to this 2012! I remember when Cats was staged in Manila, I absolutely loved the show that I watched it three times. I was readying myself for the same experience with Phantom but because my schedule does not permit it, I'd have to make do with this one night affair.

The show lasts for two and a half hours. The first part of the program was simply magical from the staging, the songs, the overall effect-- it was all so bewitching! I was so hungry at the time because I didn't get to eat lunch but I was so pleased with the show that I was able to forget about my hunger for a while.

But the 2nd half came and I found myself zoning out. For me, the test of whether the show is good or not is if it is able to keep me "present" the entirety of the show. Present means either I stay awake or fully engrossed in each and every scene. However, during the second half, I found my mind wandering off to where I'd like to eat after the show. I thought I was the only one zoning out but a few minutes after, I saw my friend starting to fall asleep! Lol! So okay, maybe we're just so dead tired and hungry but it is what it is. That was what happened and I'm just relaying it so there. Judge for yourself :)

Still, congratulations to the whole cast! Talent-wise, you guys are phenomenal!

 

As for my outfit, I decided to go with this short tube dress from Forever 21. I just love how plain it is which makes it the perfect canvass to so many different looks in the future. For last night, I opted to go the "cute" route with this studded peter pan collar and ribbon belt, also from Forever 21.

Here's a closer look at my accessories:

It's blurred, I know, forgive me. And I don't quite get why the dress suddenly became purple? Perhaps it's the lighting. I took this shot when I got home under white light.

So there goes my Phantom of the Opera experience! I can't wait for the next musicale!

Save Zane

We don't normally blog about personal causes but I realized that when it's someone you know, you can't help but go out of your way and break your own rules just because you care.

This is a story about Zane.

Zane is the brother of a friend of mine. He was born with Biliary Atresia, a fatal and rare liver disease. When he was still a baby, he underwent a procedure which allowed him to function and live life to the fullest. Sadly, now that he is 15 years old, Zane's life is again at risk as he has been diagnosed with Cholangitis.

At the moment, Zane is a picture of a boy in pain. He is jaundiced or has yellowish eyes and skin,
he suffers from severe skin itching and losing weight. 

Zane needs to have a liver transplant. Doctors estimates the operation between 4 to 5 million pesos. It is a huge amount that their family does not have at the moment. Their father, who has been their sole provider, can no longer go back to work because of heart problems. 

---
It breaks my heart when I hear of stories like this because I've been there. Fortunately for me, mama did not have to go through such a costly operation but everyday for the seven years that my mom was burdened by her disease, money was always an issue. My mom passed away this February and looking back, I kind of wish there was something--anything, at any cost, we could have done to prolong her life. 

That is why I am appealing to you all to reach out to Zane. Life is indeed fleeting but every second is precious. Each ticking of the clock that life allows Zane to have, is a lifetime worth of memories his family will carry with them.

I wish there was some way we could raise funds for Zane but for now, may I just request you all to like Zane's FB page. 1 like = 1 hug for the little boy. It's a small act but this could put a smile on Zane's face, and right now, I couldn't ask for more.

Help save Zane! Hit "like"! SaveZaneStayAlive

VegetariaNININ goes to the Grocery

Yesterday I went to the grocery and it's one of those days when I really realized how "vegetarian" I am.

My cart full of vegetables. Bow.

Usually, I skip the frozen section except maybe to get frozen peas or corn but since I was in a good mood, I went around and looked at everything on display. Well, to my surprise, I found a freezer containing not just one but a handful of vegetarian goodies!

So many vegemeat! I'm not a fan of vegemeat but I appreciate them a lot because for a "converted" vegetarian, there are days I really do miss the texture of meat.

 I don't know what vegelona is! Any ideas?

I was so excited! Normally, I get my vegemeat from Varona's near Manila Sanitarium but it has been more than a year since I last bought some. I'm just glad to know that these items are available in the supermarket. Please don't ask me if I have a signature vegemeat dish co'z I don't.  I still believe in going the natural route which means, the closest I get to "meat" would be tofu and mushrooms.

So with a freezer full of choices, what did I get? This.

I didn't eat a lot of tocino when I was still a carnivore. I didn't enjoy then so this might come as a surprise to those who know me. The reason why I got this is because it's one of the few things inside the freezer that I haven't tasted yet-- and you know how curious I always am :P

Hooray for accessible vegetarian food! Thank you South Supermaket for carrying these! :)