Yummy finds at Purple Oven

Like how it always is with me and work, what was supposed to be a day spent at another agency became "field trip" day for us because our contact, who we were informed was just in a meeting, did not report to work that day. Boo. Such a waste of time especially since we went all the way to Ortigas for that.

Still, like how we always are with disappointments, we decided to drop by Purple Oven instead for some really tasty dark chocolate macadamia cookies!

For those who are not aware, Purple Oven is the pastry shop that supplies the baked goods of Starbucks.

I was just at Starbucks the other day and I can still taste the incredibly good dark chocolate macadamia cookie in my mouth that even if there were so many other baked goods for sale, I zoned in on this one.

The box of eight costs PhP240.00 which means each piece is at PhP40.00. Cheaper than when you get it at Starbucks right?

So happy to have dropped by Purple Oven! Really, there's always a way to turn unfortunate events to something good! Cheers to positivity! :)

For the full menu, click here

So cute, I died

Hello everyone! How are you guys? So sorry for the lack of posts. We just been super busy the past month and hardly have time to do decent blog entries.

I, for one has been very preoccupied with my new business. It's still in the soft launch stage and we're still trying to finalize our array of products but after our very successful first event last Saturday, I just can't keep it to myself anymore so here's a sneak peak:

Apart from the accent wall which also doubled as a photo wall, we also designed the food area with buntings and more oh-so-cutesy clouds:

Everything looked so adorable! We were very, very pleased at how it turned out. We're still putting in more items in our site but once we finish it, you'd all have first dibs of course!

I've always enjoyed doing creating projects co'z I'm naturally a right-brained kind of person. I'm glad I am able to share it with other people and even turn it into a profitable undertaking. Hope you support our new business!

Much love,
Ninin

Sherlock-ed

Time flew by so fast and the 2nd season of my current favorite series on tv, Sherlock, has finally come to a close :(

To sum up the 2nd season of Sherlock in a word, it would be, incredible. INCREDIBLE.

BeTv Asia was kind enough to send us a dvd copy of the first episode of the series (Thank you so much Ms. Tammi!), which also happens to be my favorite Sherlock episode as of date. The season opened with "A Scandal in Belgravia", a twist of the original, A Scandal in Bohemia.

In the episode, Sherlock and John get embroiled in the plans of the dangerous Irene Adler (Played by Lara Pulver) who is a scheming, seductive dominatrix.

I absolutely loved Irene Adler, otherwise known as "the woman"

I know... my being such a romantic has got a lot to do with it but I really enjoyed this episode because it shows another side of Sherlock I haven't seen before.

The other two episodes in the Season are, "The Hound of Baskerville", the most famous Sherlock Holmes story, and the "Reichenbach Fall" where the only solution to the case is Sherlock's own death. Gaaah, so good!

Clearly, I am a fan. I am not exaggerating when I say this but this may be the BEST Sherlock adaptation ever filmed--this coming from someone who grew up reading Sherlock Holmes. The characters are just perfect. If anything, I think the show works exactly because of this-- the uncanny choice of actors along with the desire to bring to life Sherlock's cases in the most authentic manner.

I also like how they have made the story youthful and relevant. The most common mistake other adaptations commit is staging it in the past, thinking it would make it more authentic but they only attract the older crowd. This version is so tastefully done that even if you don't know who Sherlock Holmes is, you would still get hooked on the show.

I can go forever singing praises for Sherlock but I know you get my point. :P

Let me just leave you here a fan-made trailer of my favorite Sherlock episode as of date, A Scandal in Belgravia:

Enjoy!

*Catch Sherlock every Monday, 10:55pm at BeTvAsia

And I am so sad

Maroon 5's Manila Tickets are sold out. Yeah, I know it's old news but still. *sob*

Oh Adam, I am so so sad :(

I'm kicking the curb co'z you never heard the words that you needed so bad. Kicking the dirt co'z I never gave you the things you needed to have. And I'm so sad, sad.

So I guess this is it-- the Beautiful GOODBYE.
I can't take it, you're even perfect when you cry.

 *sigh* Why are your songs so perfect?

The rain won't last forever

My heart breaks from news of devastation around the Metro. I am grateful that I am safe but my thoughts go out to those who are not so fortunate.

I am doubly worried of the rescuers and all the government employees who are out there working to serve the people. I know the government has flaws but it is during times like these that I feel proud and grateful for their selflessness and sincere concern. The people you see on the streets are the real heroes-- they are the underpaid, overworked and pure hearted people behind our government. 

I hope next time you point a finger at our government in general, you look back on this day and be reminded that majority of the people in government, the staff in particular, are not corrupt and really do have sincere intentions to serve.

For those in the private sector and everyone else who wants to help out during this time, here is a list of evacuation centers in need of volunteers and relief goods: Help the Philippines

If you cannot go out and physically help, don't feel bad. There are so many other ways to help out without leaving your house (besides, you might just become a liability yourself). Disseminating information is one way, Contacting friends and relatives is another and of course, there's always PRAYER. Our experience with Ondoy has taught has what prayer can do.

We are so much stronger than this.
 

Keep safe everyone!
The rain won't last forever.
Remember, God promised us a rainbow.

Popping Pearls

Ever had popping pearls with your milk tea?--when I mean popping, I mean popping. It bursts.

Well, I was in SM Molino the other day and saw this Kiosk for Ochado, a milk tea brand from Japan:

Being a big milk tea drinker, I couldn't resist trying it especially since I saw that they offered milk tea with "popping pearls".

They call it "pop eggs" milk tea.

Since it is also one of their best sellers, I gave in to my curiousity and bought a large cup for myself. How was it? Super FUN! It does pop in your mouth! The pearls are made from a thin layer of jelly with liquid inside (much like the idea of xiao lang bao, with soup inside a dumpling). The pearls taste like coffee jelly and mixes very well with the mild milk tea. It was super fun and really tasty too! I tried very hard to take a picture of the pearls but everytime I'd put 'em between my teeth for a picture, they'd burst immediately.

I am super glad to discover the Ochado brand at SM Molino, now I have more reason to frequent the mall-- if only to try their other flavors like the Roasted Tea with Azuki beans or Matcha Milk tea! Yum!

For more information, you may check out Ochado Philippines' facebook page here: Ochado Philippines 
or their official website, ochado-philippines.com

Cinemalaya awarding recap

It's a week late, my apologies, but here's a recap of the Cinemalaya awarding night in pictures:

Of course, a pic with my favorite up and coming superstar, Jerica:

I am personally glad she was the one chosen to sing the Cinemalaya theme, she made it so relevant and youthful. If you've heard the original version, you'd know how "old" it sounds. Here's a video of her stellar performance!

Sorry for the very few pictures, I realized all my pictures were blurred and I was too busy tweeting results live I didn't get to concentrate. Congratulations btw to all the winners!

Here's an outfit shot to cap off this post:

Dress Shirt - Folded and Hung | Black and pink pumps: Janylin

Had to make do with the full scale mirror in the ground floor co'z I had no one to take my picture :( And to make it worse, we got stranded in CCP co'z of the storm and flooding-- all that while there was no electricity! If you've been in CCP you'd know how old the building is and how there are so many ghost stories there--well, I kind of have a third eye, so being stranded in the Center, in the dark, freaked me out BIGTIME.

Still, what an amazing day--no, make that what an amazing Cinemalaya week it was! Can't wait for Cinemalaya 2013!

Here's the list of winners:

A. SHORT FEATURE CATEGORY

Award 
Awardees
1. Best Screenplay 
Sigrid Andrea Bernardo of
Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong
(Waiting to Whisper)
2. Best Direction 
 Sheron Dayoc (As He Sleeps)
3. Special Jury Prize 
Manenaya (Waiting)
4. Best Film 
Victor

B. FULL-LENGTH CATEGORY

THE NEW BREED

Award 
Awardees 
1. Best Sound
Aparisyon
2. Best Original Music Score
Mikey AmistosoDiego Mapa Jazz Nicolas of Ang Nawawala (What Isn’t There)
3. Best Editing
John Wong and
Rona Delos Reyes (The Animals)
4. Best Production Design
Benjamin Payumo
of Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino  (Calle Marino)
5. Best Cinematography
Tristan Salas (Diablo)
6. Best Screenplay
Rody Vera (REquieme)
7. Best Performance of a Supporting Actor
Joross Gamboaof Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino   (Calle Marino)
8. Best Performance of a Supporting Actress
Anita Linda (Santa Niña)
9. Best Direction
Mes de Guzman (Diablo)
10. Best Performance of an Actor
Kristoffer King (Oros)
11. Best Performance of an Actress
Ama Quiambao (Diablo)
12. Special Jury Prize
REquieme
13. Best Film
Diablo

DIRECTORS SHOWCASE

Award 
Awardees 
1. Best Sound
Ditoy Aguila of Kalayaan (Wildlife)
2. Best Original Music Score
Diwa de Leon (Kamera Obskura)
3. Best Editing
Vanessa de Leon of Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets)
4. Best Production Design
Adolfo Alix, Jr. of Kalayaann(Wildlife)
5. Best Cinematography
Albert Banzon of Kalayaan (Wildlife)
6. Best Screenplay
Jose Javier Reyes of Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets)
7. Best Performance of a Supporting Actor
Art Acuña of Posas (Shackled)
8. Best Performance of a Supporting Actress
(ensemble)
Judy Ann Santos
Iza Calzado
Janice de Belen
Agot Isidro of Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets)
9. Best Direction
Raymond Red (Kamera Obskura)
10. Best Performance of an Actor
Eddie Garcia (Bwakaw)
11. Best Performance of an Actress
(ensemble)
Judy Ann Santos
Iza Calzado
Janice de Belen
Agot Isidro of Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets)
12. Special Jury Prize
Kamera Obskura
13. Best Film
Posas (Shackled)