Birthday 2021

I turned thirty-five last August 13. I was fortunate to have a lovely celebration at home. It was memorable, even if the lockdown prevented me from going out. I am healthy, happy, and fortunate to have another year in this world, and those matter more than partying until the break of dawn.

We started with my favorite Taiwanese biang biang beef noodle soup from Pilya’s Kitchen at The Grid Food Market.

Then, I ordered milk tea from Cha Cha Go Visayas Avenue.

I was later surprised with cappuccino cake and gifts from my partner Lorenz. He visited me despite living near checkpoints. Massive props to him! I think he is a keeper.

We had Angel’ s Pizza in creamy spinach dip.

I was also surprised with chocolate cake from Fifth Gear. I am truly grateful and honored to be one of their blogger partners.

Lorenz gave me gifts that are meaningful and special. I will treasure these, especially the titanium promise ring. More than its aesthetic quality, I appreciate it for the significance that it holds.

I am blessed to have a supportive family, a blog that allows me to work with the best people, and a loving partner who shows up everyday. I am a very lucky girl.

Culinary Dialogue Israel-Philippines

The Embassy of Israel in Manila hosted a Zoom cullinary dialogue with Chef Yonatan Vazana and Chef Heny Sison last 11 August 2020. According to the embassy, “Our countries, Israel and the Philippines, have achieved another milestone in our friendship. The culinary dialogue even made our ties more flavorful as it showcased Israeli Chef Yonatan and Filipino Chef Heny's expertise in cooking.”

Check out the recipes for the two featured dishes from Chef Yonatan and Chef Heny. May they inspire you to have a culinary adventure during the quarantine!

Burumundi fish with Hraime sauce

By: Chef Yonatan Vazana

Ingredients:

Soybean oil

Onions

Celery

Carrots

Cumin

2 slices of fish fillet

Fish broth:

20 peeled tomatoes

5 bell peppers cut diagonally

15 garlic cloves

Half a cup of soy oil

2 lemons

1 Moroccan paprika

I cup cumin

Fish broth:

•​Put in the pot all the vegetables with a bit of oil for 10 minutes until golden brown. 

•​Cover the vegetables with water.

•​Put the fish head inside and cook for 30 minutes.

•​Add tomatoes cut quarterly and cook for 45 minutes. Put off the fire and cover with nylon paper for 30 minutes.

For the hraime sauce:

•​Shred the peeled tomatoes.

•​Transfer to a pot and add 2 cloves of garlic and bellpeppers.

•​Cook for 2 hours.

In a bigger pot, put the rest of the garlic, spices, half a litter of the fish broth and stir.

•​Add the cooked tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, then cook for 10 minutes.

•​Add all the pepper and put the fish above.

•​Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove cover then cook for additional 5 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas at Sampalok

(Milkfish in Sour Guava and Tamarind Broth)

By: Chef Heny Sison

Serves 2

Ingredients

1⁄4 cup (50 ml) Magnolia Nutri-Oil Palm oil

400 grams milkfish belly, boneless

4 cups (1000 ml) water

60 grams (1 piece) red onion, cut into 5 wedges

60 grams (2 pieces) tomatoes, deseeded and quartered

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

1 cup guava purée

1⁄2 cup tamarind juice

2 pieces guava, deseeded and quartered

2 grams (3 slices) ginger, peeled and sliced

60 grams radish, sliced

60 grams string beans, cut into 3-inch long pieces

40 grams water spinach (kangkong)

1 piece green finger chilli 

Procedure

1. Preheat a sauté pan with oil over high heat.

2. Pan-fry the milkfish until lightly brown. Remove the fish from the sauté pan and transfer it to

a plate. Set aside.

3. In the same sauté pan, sauté the red onion and tomatoes. Set aside.

4. In a medium saucepan, add in water and bring to a boil. Add in the fish sauce, sugar, guava

purée, tamarind juice, and the deseeded guava pieces. Bring down to a simmer then add in

the ginger, radish, pan-fried fish, sautéed onion, tomatoes, and string beans. Continue to

simmer until the vegetables are cooked.

5. Remove the scum that forms on the surface.

6. Serve hot. When ready, add the water spinach and the green finger chili upon serving.

For the Guava Purée:

Ingredients

5 pieces ripe guava, chopped

1 cup (250 ml) water

Procedure

1. In a small saucepan, pour in the water and add in the guava, boil until the guava has

softened.

2. Let it cool, then purée in a blender.

3. Strain the purée twice to remove the seeds and the pulp.

For the Tamarind Juice:

200 grams green tamarind

1 cup (250 ml) water

Procedure

1. In a medium saucepan, pour in the water and add in the green tamarind, boil until the

tamarind has softened.

2. Mash the mixture.

3. Strain to get the tamarind juice and measure the amount needed in the recipe.

Gratefully Uncertain

Yesterday, I visited the Padre Pio Chapel at Libis, Quezon City. The pandemic may have prevented me from hearing mass and visiting the churches that I frequent, but that does not mean that my faith has diminished. In fact, the prevalence of uncertainty has enabled me to cling to my faith and believe more in an unseen God.

I prayed, purchased dinner from Cucina di Francesco (their Italian sausage pizza and carbonara are both to die for!), and reflected on the number of ways that the pandemic has humbled me. I am still grateful to be able to do the things I enjoy. I am thankful for my family, friends, and loved ones. I am happy to still be thriving. And while there is fear at times, I know that I will be able to make it through this.

I hope that you will also find the faith that can save you during these difficult times. Take care, everyone!

Ramen and Coffee for 2

Here’s what I learned about the Covid-19 pandemic: it won’t go away soon. This is why I am not stopping myself from living (with caution, of course).

I went on a date with my boyfriend this weekend. I had my first serving of Arakawa Abura Soba from Hanamaruken in months. It is one of my favorite Japanese dishes of all time, and I really savored it.

And since i was my late dad’s birthday recently (and it’s actually Father’s Day today), I went to Starbucks to have his favorite caramel macchiato. It was also my first Starbucks since the lockdown. It felt so good to have barista-made coffee again.

Simple joys like a favorite dish and a warm cup of coffee can make a world of difference at a time of uncertainty. I feel grateful to have my loved ones with me, and good food to keep me going. Life isn’t so bad at all.

Quarantine Drive

I drove to Maginhawa yesterday to buy food. It was refreshing to be out and about after being safe inside my own home for a week. I was out for less than an hour, but it really worked wonders on my mood and outlook in life.

I am more appreciative of the fact that I can afford to drive and buy food. I am luckier than most, and I won’t take these simple joys for granted again.

I hope that this will all end soon. For now, stay safe and healthy everyone!

Extra special Mother’s Day at home with The Manila Hotel

Mother’s Day is a yearly reminder to cherish our relationship with our moms. Given this year’s unique circumstances, many of us will be celebrating this special day at home or even away from the special women in our lives—mom, grandmas, and aunts. Still, even when fancy dinners are impossible, Mother’s Day doesn’t have to becanceled. With some creativity and preparation, you can still give the most special woman in your life the Mother’s Day she deserves. 

Clockwise from bottom: Mango Cheesecake, Ohaina Chocolate Gateau, Opera Cake, Trio of Chocolate Mousse

The Manila Hotel pulls all the stops for you to still be able to give her a memorable Mother’s Day. This home celebration will have a five-star hotel feel and The Manila Hotel will make sure it gets close to a real feast. 

The Manila Hotel’s Mother’s Day Surprise gives you discounts when you choose to order the food-and-cake bundle and pay online on or before May 8, 2020 (Friday). You may choose items from the A La Carte Menu or Home Buffet sets (Filipino, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese favorites, as well as Certified Halal items) and get a 20% discount on your food bill, and a 10% discount on the cake of your choice. 

Because mothers deserve the only the best, you can choose from our awesome selection: our decadent Opera Cake; Ohaina Chocolate Gateau, a Lifestyle Inquirer Best Dessert Winner; the mouthwatering Trio of Chocolate Mousse, and our amazing Mango Cheesecake. 

 To order or for more information, please call 8527 0011 or message 0998-9501912. 

Source: The Manila Hotel

Quarantine Joys

The enhanced community quarantine or ECQ has been challenging for all of us. We all miss our routines and our normal lives. However, I also believe that I should not take this time for granted. Life is too short, so we have to make the most out of what we have.

Here are some of the simple joys that make my quarantine memorable:

1. I enjoy driving to buy bread at Pan De Manila Maginhawa branch. I miss my foodie street, and I am glad that the bakery where I regularly buy bread, ice cream, and 3in1 coffee is open to serve us.

2. I really get excited whenever I receive my online purchases! Here I am with my box of coffee from LazMart.

3. And here I am overjoyed to receive my yarn stash from Baguio-based artisan Crocheted by Carisse. Guys, let us continue supporting small businesses during the ECQ. They need all the help during this difficult time.

I will never take my blessings for granted again! Simple joys make my quarantine meaningful and memorable. I hope that you also have some everyday miracles that define your lockdown.

God bless us all!

Ramen at Home

Yesterday, my mom and I had delicious Yummy Tokyo ramen for dinner. They were kind enough to send me Make-at-Home ramen kits to enjoy while on quarantine. My mom cooked them- I chose miso for her, and curry ramen for me. Both were delicious!

Yummy Tokyo has invited me to the opening of their Ortigas branch right before the community quarantine was enforced. It was my last blogger event before the lockdown. I am grateful for their generosity, and for remembering me during this pandemic. I really appreciate the ramen kits as it gave me a foodie advenuture at the comfort of my own home.

If you want your own Make-at-Home ramen kits, please order from Yummy Tokyo today! They are delicious and truly worth your money.

Stay safe and healthy at home, friends!

Quarantine Shopper

Staying at home during the enhanced community quarantine can get tiresome. Fortunately, I have errands to run outside which allows me to catch some sunshine.

Traffic-free roads, sunshine, and beautiful trees were all easy on the eyes. I drove to my first destination in leisurely manner.

I was pleasantly surprised to have my car disinfected by this station located beside Quezon City Hall. Next to it was a P2P bus which serviced health workers and frontliners. Seeing these elements brought a smile to my face as it showed the collective efforts of both the public and private sectors to fight Covid-19.

I was able to purchase bread from Pan De Manila, which enforced social distancing and a no-mask, no-entry policy. I am all for these safety measures to protect both their staff and customers during the pandemic.

I can honestly live without rice but I cannot live without bread! This is simply a must during my time at home.

I was also able to catch some vegetable vendors in front of the Department of Agriculture. I bought some much-needed vegetables before going home.

It is a privilege to be able to shop for necessities during this health crisis. I am committed to staying at home because I want to be safe from the corona virus. By doing my part, I am helping our frontliners treat their patients better because I am one less patient to attend to. I am hoping and praying that we will see the end of this situation soon, so that we can all get back to our lives.

For now, I am living life one day at a time.

Bread and Coffee

It’s already the middle of week three under enhanced community quarantine. I am the family tribute so to speak. I am the one buying food for the household. This is not a problem for me as I am naturally a foodie. And I’ve been missing the outside world a lot.

I am lucky to have a bakery and coffee shop inside our neighborhood. The cafe is run by a charity that employs people with special needs, so this makes me really happy.

I bought bread for the week and also got myself a coffee jelly. It was lovely to have barista-made coffee after three weeks at home. It was simply amazing.

I will never take food and coffee for granted again.

Yummy Tokyo Ortigas

Last March 15, I attended the private opening of Yummy Tokyo’s newest branch at Rockwell Business Center Sheridan. I am a frequent diner at their Maginhawa branch, so this was such a treat. It was also noteworthy as this was my last event before Metro Manila was put on enhanced community quarantine in light of the corona virus.

The owner, Grace Catelo, personally welcomed us and shared with us her journey in building the brand. She is optimistic that Yummy Tokyo will reach more food lovers in the Ortigas business district, and that they will appreciate their food and friendly price points.

I ordered my usual tonkotsu ramen, which I paired with gyoza. So delicious!

I am thankful that their PR consultant, Mary, invited me to their opening. I am a foodie at heart, so a party with Japanese eats is definitely something I would go to before the city closes down.

Do check them out when they open on March 23rd! You won’t be disappointed.

Indulgent Wednesday

Last Wednesday, I got to eat, drink; and spend time with my Canadian cousins. It was quite a feast, and here were my favorites.

Chicken bowl from Souv

This filling rice bowl with chicken, vegetables and fries on the side has been my go-to order at Souv for quite some time now. The Greek dish is good for the soul as well as one’s health. It is truly delicious.

Spanish Latte from Arabica

This version of the classic latte is made better with some spiced milk. A yummy twist on my favorite caffeinated drink that I will surely enjoy again.

Gibraltar from Toby’s Estate

This coffee has helped me go through bad days and sleepless nights. It is my favorite off the menu item of all time.

Gallo Merlot from Grape Escape

It’s my favorite red wine, and I love how it tastes even better with pizza or tapas.

We live in trying times, but that doesn’t mean that I should quit indulging. I am blessed to have the means to do so, and I will continue to enjoy life because it is indeed too short.

QC Hits

Yesterday, I spent my day running errands and buying stuff at Quezon City, my hometown! I started with Human Nature Cubao, the newest branch of the brand I support. I fulfilled some offline orders here to show the branch some love.

If ever you need hand sanitizers and other natural personal care products, you may also buy from my Human Nature online store. Not only will you support me, you will also be helping communities who work with the brand to provide natural ingredients and raw materials. Thank you!

Then, I had early dinner at Kanto Pares. I love pares! This Pinoy beef delicacy is my go-to comfort food whenever I want a quick and filling meal. I order extra egg and drizzle mine with soy sauce, calamansi, and chili. Sarap!

I also got to walk through Teacher’s Village and found some beautiful blooms such as this one.

My last stop was Pulseras By Kim, a well-loved studio that is known for gold-filled and gold-plated non-tarnish minimalist jewelry. I got some bow huggers for myself and new earrings for my cousin from Canada.

This shop is full of heart and the owner, Kim, has already become a friend. If you are also into everyday pieces that won’t break the bank, I suggest that you check them out! They are located right beside Holy Family School at Maginhawa.

It doesn’t take much to make me happy. A quick stroll through a familiar street, some local brands, and comfort food are all I need to have a fun day.

Here’s to more good days and happy memories!

River Beer

Yesterday, I decided to do three of my usual relaxation rituals. I went to Fred’s Revolucion Escolta for some Boondocks Brewing dubbel. It’s my favorite dark beer, and it really is worth the trip to Manila. Not to mention that Escolta has an assortment of heritage architecture and history for those who want to add some culture to their day.

Then, I crocheted inside the Pasig River Ferry. It’s safe, clean, and efficient. There’s just something about river commuting that calms my mind.

I capped off my day with a sausage dinner at UP. It was a warm night, so I bought a scrunchie from a street vendor. I used it to tie my hair in a ponytail, and it freaked me out because it was my first time to do so in six years.

So if I can start river commuting and growing out my pixie, then I am indeed ready for big changes and better things to come. Bring it on, universe!

Noodles and Milk Tea

Yesterday, I went on a food trip at Quezon City. Here’s what I had for lunch:

Sen Lek Mixed Thai Noodles (The Caf, U.P. Town Center)

This comforting noodle soup has a tasty broth. The noodles were chewy and delicious, while the beef and fish balls were all yummy. It was a filling lunch treat that I will surely enjoy again.

For dessert, I had Taste from the Greens Choco Malt Milk Tea with Cream Puff (Maginhawa). This was simply heaven in a cup. The cream puff was like pudding, but had a consistently that resembled ice cream. Meanwhile, the choco malt milk tea was perfect. It reminded me of childhood.

I hope to find more foodie finds this 2020!

Bayleaf Sunset

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to have dinner at the Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros. It has long been on my bucket list, and it certainly did not disappoint. The view was enough for me to feel satisfied, considering that I commuted there all the way from Ortigas.

I ordered a Cerveza Negra and the Bayleaf Burger. Both were delicious!

My solo dinner was a quiet time for me to be grateful for a productive February. I look forward to an even better month ahead!

Earle’s

I used to frequent this sandwich shop called Earle’s along Ayala Avenue. I was a fresh graduate with an entry-level job, and I was always hungry during lunchtime. I would cross the street to order my usual: the Black Forest ham.

I would finish off my meal with coffee and a walk around the block. I had simple joys then which still continue to this day. I still eat good food and walk to burn calories.

Today was a good day to be reminded of how far I’ve come, and how the best memories can be triggered by something as simple as a sandwich.

Udon and Beer

I have a new comfort food. It is Marugame Udon’s curry udon and beer. It is perfect after a tiring day. Do give it a try soon!

Katsu for Taal

I recently supported Yabu’s katsu for a cause. All proceeds from their sales last January 28 would go to Taal victims. Since I love Yabu and charity, this was a no-brainer for me.

I had the menchi katsu set and a cold pale pilsen. It was an amazing lunch, and it felt great to help out.

Please join me in doing more for others this year. It’s easier than you think!

Vitalis Villas

I recently spent a night at Vitalis Villas, dubbed as the Santorini of the North. I got to swim, eat delicious food such as Vigan longganisa and salted fish, and relax by our private pool.

I also got to spend much-needed time with my family. I am now back in the city, and I miss the beach already! I hope to be back soon.

The author at Vitalis Villas

Breakfast with the breathtaking view of Santiago, Ilocos Sur