Racks is finally BACK!!

Allow me to take a short trip down memory lane:
Around 10 years ago, my family would wake up extra early on a Sunday morning to have breakfast at Racks Tomas Morato. We would have our fill of their Pinoy breakfast meals with the accompaniment of Racks' signature BBQ sauce. It was also at Racks where my sister and I first fell in love with Baby Back Ribs. This, complete with Baked Potato and Baked Beans! As kids then, it was the best treat after a long week at school.

Ten whole years went by so fast, there were more establishments that opened besting each other out with their ribs, grilled chicken and whatnots. Our taste have further developed to enjoy the finer things in life knowing the difference between fine vs. fun dining. We find joy in Spiral's creative buffet and get nostalgic when dining at Dulcinea, Alex III, Sugi or Kimpura. We realized that, after watching Super Size Me, fast foods shouldn't be our regular staple and veered towards restaurants that offers healthy alternatives.

Racks slowly faded away.

With more branches that began to sprout everywhere, the quality of their dishes slowly suffered eventually hurting their business. After a couple of years, more branches closed down. Our well-loved branch at Tomas Morato also said its last goodbye.

Then it's back!!

Learning that a new corporation has taken over the Racks franchise, we were happy with news knowing that our well-loved baby back ribs with the yummiest BBQ sauce will be back! Not knowing, though, that one branch will be so close to home.

Yesterday, Paul and I celebrated our 4th anniversary at Racks Greenhills. Even before opening the menu, we both knew what we wanted to get and prayed that it will be just as good as before. Talking about the menu, I've noticed that their selection was shorter. I remember that they used to have chicken fingers and baked potato with sour cream. Where are they now? Perhaps, the new management would like to focus on their specialty before adding more selections to the list. Pretty good tactic, i guess.

Our orders came and after a couple of photo ops, we quickly dug in. The Baby Back Ribs was so tender and lean. No traces of fat which was very very gooood. Of course we enjoyed the sauce which tastes just the way that it was before. The meal was accompanied with rice and our choice of sidings. We got the baked beans which was soooo good and the coleslaw which could have been better with less cream/mayonnaise.

It was a very filling meal that we enjoyed so much. I'm glad that Racks is finally back and I hope that it's here to stay. Ü

the Verdict:
5 twinkling stars for the quality of the food
5 twinkling stars for the homey ambiance
5 twinkling stars for a very good service

obviously...
over-all verdict: 5 twinkly, burping stars!!

Viaje del Sol : A Southern Excursion

story and photos by: Frances Lorraine Haw (batch ‘00) & Stephanie Marie Haw (batch ‘03)

June 2, 2007 (Saturday) – At exactly 6:30am in the morning, we, together with 40 ICA alumnae, boarded a bus to begin our journey to find the hidden treasures of the south. The trip was organized by the officers of the ICA Alumnae Association, namely, its president, Billie Syling, and VP for Membership Kato Tantiansu.

Everything was well thought-out, from the emails that kept everyone informed, to making sure that participants were sated during the morning ride by providing us with a bottle of water and a pastry each. Truly impressive, indeed!

The trip to our first stop took more than four hours, but we hardly noticed it, as everyone was busy chatting with one another. Since the group consisted of alumnae from different batches, we compared notes about our high school days in ICA, who were under so and so teachers, and who were classmates of whom.

First stop: Kamay ni Hesus

Finally at 10:30am, we arrived at Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon. This church was founded by Fr. Joey Faller, who holds healing Masses every week. Visitors can’t miss the steep hill that was transformed into a picturesque Via Dolorosa Grotto of Healing and Purification. The hill consists of 292 steps that lead up to a 50-foot statue of the Ascending Christ. Although climbing the hill is definitely not for the faint-hearted, a number of alumnae took the challenge and climbed all 292 steps to be able to enjoy the view from above.

Kamay ni Hesus is definitely a beautiful place that is worth visiting over and over again. However, as much as we would have loved to stay longer, our stomachs started grumbling and growling, telling us that it was time to head to San Pablo City, Laguna for our next stop.

Next stop: Kusina Salud

As the popular Viaje del Sol map reads:

Patis Tesoro, renowned fashion designer and advocate of indigenous fabrics, has thrown open the doors of her enchanting country home. Chef Paul Poblador, formerly of Salud! Bistro in Baguio City, creates a memorable menu of favorite Filipino dishes with a contemporary twist.

The bright yellow signage by the gate of Kusina Salud was a welcome sight for all 42 hungry travelers. Upon entering the restaurant, we were welcomed with a mouthwatering feast. One by one, we piled our plates high with Kusina Salud’s specialties, such as Ensaladang Pako at Kesong Puti, a perfect combination of healthy fern leaves topped with the best-tasting and creamiest dressing that we’ve ever had, Kalabaw Salpicao at Aglio Olio Pasta, Binagoongang Baboy at Green Mango Salad and Tilapiang Sinugno sa Gata at Mustasa.. Of course, a meal wouldn’t be complete without dessert, and Kusina Salud made sure that we had a sweet finish with their version of Turon con Latik.

Our visit to Kusina Salud was truly enjoyable because not only did we have the chance to taste a delicious meal, but the ambience of the restaurant that depicts our rich Filipino heritage infused with other Asian cultures, complemented the entire experience.

Having satisfied everyone, we once again boarded the bus to go to our last stop.

Last stop: Ugu Bigyan, Potter’s Garden

Located in Tiaong, Quezon, Ugu Bigyan’s home is truly a potter’s haven. His workshop is a cluster of quaint huts that are surrounded by a beautiful garden. Visitors normally opt to have lunch at his place, where meals are served using Ugu’s handmade ceramic plates and bowls.

Upon reaching his workshop, we were immediately greeted by his red brick house that serves as the entry point to Ugu’s secret potter’s garden. We were then given a demonstration on the basics of pottery. Afterwards, adventurous ICAns gamely tried their hands on the potter’s wheel. What seems easy turned out to be a challenge as we found out that pottery is a very delicate form of art.

Our ICAAA officers really kept their promise when they said that this will be a culinary experience. This time, we were treated to merienda consisting of Quezon’s famous Pansit Habhab, a platter of broas, ginataan with bilu-bilo and sago’t gulaman.

Merienda was not the only highlight of this stop because being ICAns, how could we forego any chance to shop? Thus, Ugu Bigyan’s workshop was a perfect place to buy unique home decors and dinnerware.



As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. True enough, the time came when we had to return home.

With one last photo opportunity, we then left Quezon with wonderful memories, new-found friends and bags of pasalubong to bring home.

The trip was a huge success, and we are all looking forward to the next ICAn adventure!


Published at Alma Matters (The Official Alumni Newsletter of Immaculate Conception Academy)

Starbucks Coffee Breakfast Sandwiches are finally HERE!!!

with four varieties to choose from!

"thank God"

I've lost count of the million times I'd utter this expression. Normally it would be when a holiday has been declared meaning there wouldnt be classes or work the next day, or when there's a sale and i was able to score some pretty clothes for a very good price or for other reasons that i barely remember.

Today, I uttered this expression a couple of times again but for a more deeper reason.

Today started out just like any other day. I woke up feeling more aches and pains on my muscles after 3 days of roadshow. My head still feels woozy but i had to force myself to wake up to make it to the office on time. After deciding that I will get a good massage tomorrow, I got up, took a quick shower, wore my red shirt and ran down to leave for work.

After all, today will be the last day of the roadshow. The last day I would have to make 300 taster cups of beverages. It will also be the final day when I have to present my upcoming projects (although this part is fun!) to our excited partners.

The first session went by quickly, after a quick lunch, there i was at our pantry preparing the drinks.

Then it happened.

I got a text from our new partner, Zarah, who went out to complete her requirements asking me to check what was up with Glorietta because there were a lot of cops in area and she cant seem to get out. After her text, messages came in from my uncle and cousin informing me that a bomb went off at Glorietta and knowing that friday is normally my store visit day, they immediately advised me to stay away from that area.

I casually mentioned it to my sampling group as we continued to prepare the drinks. Then another message came in, this time from my sister.

Pan informed me that Papa was just around the area where the explosion happened and she asked me to check where he is already. I immediately called Papa up and thank God he told me that he is at SM having lunch. I told him that it's best to leave the area as soon as possible because another bomb might just go off. He told me he will after Mommy's done.

So I texted Mommy telling her the news. Apparently, Mommy was also at Glorietta looking for the Baby Couture stall as she was supposed to buy a bag for her god daughter. Thank God for Mommy's bad sense of direction, she somehow got lost and went the other way from where the stall was. (note: the Baby Couture is located at Glorietta 2 together with the other baby/kiddie shops at the 2nd floor). Then she heard a loud bang and felt the vibration. Thinking it must be an earthquake she entered Abensons and asked the salesman if she can stay there for safety. What scared her was when she saw a lot of people rushing out from the mall, some were hysterical, some were crying... then she heard some screaming "may bomba may bomba!" (there's a bomb! there's a bomb!).

Till now, I can still feel chills running up and down my spine. I'm so thankful that both my parents are safe. True enough,God is really good.

I was taught never to say "hate" but....

I hate the person who did this. I'm so pissed that one stupid act has brought a lot of misery (and trauma) to hundreds of people who just happen to be there at the wrong place at definitely the wrong time. It breaks my heart to see a lot of innocent people (and children) injured and killed. I'm sorry but I truly wish that person goes straight to hell... x(

photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifepaused/

One of the things i've learned even before i went to kindergarten was to say THANK YOU. I say thank you to practically everyone who has went out of their way for me or who has helped me even in the tiniest way.

In line with Toblerone's National Thank You Day, here's an artwork that I've created for Paul.

http://www.thankyou.ph/2007/10/thank-you-to-paul.html

Likewise, I would like to say thank you to everyone who's reading this right now.

Yep! I'd like to thank YOU for being a part of my technicolored life.

To my high school friends who has always been there since day 1, to my work buddies a.k.a. colleagues who makes my corporate roller coaster ride much more exciting (in a good way ha) and yes, to the friends whom i've met in the most unlikely places

T H A N K Y O U!!

sour service after a mini frozen delight (ugh!)

After a delicious dinner at Guilly Island last night, Paul and I were both craving for something sweet. Would a slice of chocolate cake suffice? nah... How about a bowl of mais con yelo or halo halo? maybe not... We were just circling around Greenhills, wasting precious gasoline and still clueless on what to have for dessert. Finally, Paul suggested that we drive to Aurora Boulevard and see if Nestle Creamery is still open. Yay! I think i am in the mood for ice cream Ü

It wasnt a long drive to Aurora Boulevard, but since it was almost 10:30PM, sadly our favorite childhood ice cream parlor is already closed :( drats..so where to next. Then Paul noticed a small Magnolia store across the street. Hmm.. could it be a Magnolia ice parlor hoping to rival against Nestle? We drove over to the other side and true enough it is a tiny (at in super mini compared to their competitor across) ice cream shop by Magnolia. At first glance, the ambiance isnt much, it somehow looks like an old fast food place turned into an ice cream store (think along the lines of Tapa King/Goto King turned Magnolia Ice Cream store). It has a small kiddie area at the side and a couple of freezers selling ice cream in pints and gallons.

We were led to a table and were given the menu. The choices weren't that much..its either you get a sundae, a waffle sundae, a banana split, parfaits, a glass of ice cream shake or an ice cream cone. There were around 4-7 varieties under each type and the price ranges from P60 - P140. The menu wasnt bad, it had photos of majority of the items being offered to give the customer an idea of what their order would look like.

Since we both loveee sundaes and waffle cones we got the banana chocolate waffle sundae to share. This is a scoop of vanilla ice cream with swirls of chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and a piece of cherry on top sprinkled with nuts and finally served on a waffle bowl. Not bad.. We decided to share on this one because it looks pretty big based on the photo.

We waited for 10 minutes until finally our waffle sundae came. First reaction: "ngak! ito na un?"

There in front of us was a tiny waffle bowl with a tiny scoop of ice cream and the works. For Php.80, we were somehow expecting something a lil bit bigger than this. Oh well...ok lang yan para di nakakataba.

Obviously not satisfied with our first order, we got a chocolate sundae also to share. Again, another tiny sundae was served to us. After we signaled the waiter for our tab, he approached our table and said "P140 po maam" and just held on the bill tray waiting for us to pay up. This was the first time i've encountered this approached here in the Philippines and I must say I was pretty surprised by it. Normally, servers would leave the money tray on the table of the customer and will only go back after a couple of minutes or once given the signal by the customer himself. After paying our bill, another server brought our change back. Ok na sana but when she saw a piece of table napkin on the floor, she picked it up and placed it on our table. Sue me for being maarte but i was appalled by her action. It was good enough that she saw the napkin on the floor and decided to pick it up but why does she have to put it on our table? I was thankful that there was no gooey, disgusting matter stucked to the napkin but still. She could have just threw it in their trash bin, right? ugh.

the mini ice cream sundaes were pretty forgivable, the lack of varieties understandable but the service given was horrible.

the verdict: negative stars for Magnolia ice cream shop (may utang pa sila)

i am still sticking to Nestle Creamery and obviously Nestle doesnt have to worry about their "competitor" across the street.

to China i will go..to China i will go!!!

Here's some good news to all travel bugs out there...


Cebu Pacific website

Yipeeeeee!!! :)

Rant: Nacho Fast Podium

I love nachos! I particularly like it with beef paired with either cheese or salsa or both. However, no matter how much i love this type of snack, i always believe that hygiene and other QA factors will always be at the top of my list (and i think this makes perfect sense).

After shopping at Podium last saturday, my sister and I were both craving for nachos. Our initial plan was to dine at Fuzion and avail of their free nachos but sadly there were no available tables and it looks like there won't be any for the next 30 minutes or so. So we moved to plan b. We decided to try NYPD and to satisfy our craving, i'll buy nachos from the Nacho Fast stall nearby.

On Nacho Fast

Being a nacho fan, I can say i am a regular of Nacho Fast Rockwell where i would buy a bag of chips to take home with me. On other occasions, this is also where my friends and i would have lunch if we want something fast and yummy. Thus, I am not a newbie on this brand of nachos and i can say that they have one of the best tasting nachos around.

from Yummy to Yucky...

I got one order of Beef and Salsa. While preparing my order, i was surprised to see the attendant got a bag of frozen ground beef out of the freezer, cut the bag open, poured the beef into a plastic container, placed the container into a microwave oven and tadah! after less than 3 minutes, the oven began beeping. I even asked her if the beef is ok na and she told me in an irritated voice that yes it is. Ok so maybe she was annoyed why i am asking a lot of questions but hello, that's my food you're preparing.

Next the salsa, she did the same thing all over again: got the bag of cold salsa out of the ref, opened the plastic, poured the salsa in a container and without even bothering to warm up the sauce, she began scooping this into my bowl of nachos. So fine...cold salsa over nachos it is.

So i paid her P85 for my order and brought this to our table at NYPD. Steph got the first chip and didn't say anything. So I assumed that it was ok. When i bit into mine i immediately noticed that the beef was cold..not cooked cold but frozen cold. EWWW... looking closely at the beef, obviously its still frozen because there are tiny white spots that kinda resembles that of tiny icicles..yep, the same kind that you'd see on any frozen meat or food item.

I brought the bowl of nachos back to the stall and told the girl that the beef was still cold and i want it changed. I'm afraid that she'll still serve the frozen beef, i told her to just change my order to Cheese and Salsa and quickly asked her if the cheese is also frozen. Good thing she have the cheese ready and it looked pretty ok to me. So after preparing my 2nd order with a huge pout on her face, I asked her for a refund on the remaining balance. You see, the beef and nachos was P85 while the cheese with salsa was only P74. That means i should get P11 back, right? But nooo....miss nacho fast doesn't have any intention on giving me back my money. She just stared at me with a mean look obviously not wanting to give my money back. This was until she realized that I am pretty stubborn and i am not leaving without getting the balance. So she finally gave up and returned my P11 with a matching mean glare.

We finally had our nachos with cheese and salsa but sadly it wasn't very good. The nachos has this powdery texture, the cheese bland and the salsa...very very very cold.

I am definitely keeping out off this stall....