Bagoong in the name of LOVE

I can't believe we're reaching the end of another month and moving on to sunny summer March!

February has been short and sweet. Called the love month, this is when the world celebrates Valentine's Day, a day when couples would give extra time and effort in showing their affection to one another.

This year's pre-Valentine's Day dinner was spent in an old Filipiniana house where we sat on sturdy wooden chairs and ate on an equally sturdy wooden table. The specialty? Salty shrimp paste that comes in different varieties!

Welcome to the Bagoong Club.

Our Club Initiation

Paul loves Bagoong as he eats this together with a couple of his favorite Filipino dishes while I, on the other hand, tends to be more picky about it. I guess it is because of his fondness for the shrimp paste that he booked us a table at the Bagoong Club one Friday evening.

The service was superb as our order taker patiently introduced us to their best-selling dishes and even gave his personal recommendations. After giving him our orders, he served us with a plate of sliced turnip or locally known as singkamas together with a small saucer filled with two types of bagoong: Bagoong Umaga (shrimp paste with chili) and Bagoong Asya (shrimp paste with Asian flavors and spices). Admittedly, I'm not a fan of chili and spicy sauces but I liked the Bagoong Umaga better because it gives that sudden kick as I bite into my piece of juicy singkamas.

Next came our vegetable dish called Okoy (Php. 190). Typically, Okoy is a round, deep-fried treat that is made out of papaya, bean sprouts and shrimps. For me, it is the Filipino version of Vegetable Kakiage.

In Bagoong Club, our friendly server arrived with a tall vegetable tower of sliced carrots, potatoes, onion leeks and shrimps. We were surprised at the size and even had to stop for a while to think how to eat it. Eventually, we resorted to using our hands as we dip bite-size pieces of the Okoy into their house vinegar.

The Club Induction

We were having a great time enjoying the Okoy when our main dish was served. We got the Kare-kare Combination (Php. 360) which I think is the perfect solution whenever you can't decide if you want to have meat or seafood in your Kare-Kare. This dish is a local stew that is made from peanut sauce which normally contains ox tripe, ox tail and vegetables. There are also a lot of varieties in the market for those who would prefer to have their Kare-kare with seafood, pork or vegetables.

Bagoong Club's Kare-kare Combination is served with a generous serving of beef, seafoods, chicken and vegetables. This is perfectly paired with steaming rice and of course bagoong.

Official Bagoong Club Member

To complete our Bagoong Club experience, we got the Bagoong Sampler (Php. 100) which has the remaining four other bagoongs in the menu: Bagoong Lipunan (shrimp paste with alamang), Bagoong Buhay (shrimp paste infused with coconut milk), Bagoong Club Special (a mixture of the restaurant's special shrimp paste with their secret ingredient), and my favorite, Bagoong Europa (shrimp paste with pesto).

We had a wonderful time at the Bagoong Club and we can't wait to go back, this time we'll make sure to leave some space for dessert. After all, the restaurant is owned by the Sevilla family which has Chef Pixie Sevilla in charge of the cakes -- too bad, we were so full to try their Calamansi Torte which I've been hearing a lot of raves about.

Bagoong Club is located at 122 Scount Dr. Lazcano, Sacred Heart, Quezon City (near Tomas Morato). You may call them at 929-0544 or 929-5450 for reservations.

Are you a Starbuck-oholic?

Driving to work this morning, I passed by a Starbucks store and did the unthinkable. I was surprised with what I did that it got me thinking that I must be really addicted to the Green Siren.

Admittedly, I've been a fan since it first opened in Greenhills ten years ago, I've tried most of its food items and can even name all of its drinks even with my eyes closed. Come Christmas time, I make it a point to pay the store across my University a daily visit until I can finally claim my planner. Yep, I was and still am a HUGE fan.

How about you? Are you a Starbuck-oholic too?

Here's my list to tell if you are:

1) You can remember the drinks that came and went throughout your growing Starbucks years. (remember, Rhumba Frappuccino, Banana Cream and Mocha Valencia?)

2) You're aware of the different promotions that happen year-round: Summer, Coffee Heritage, Christmas and Tea Lattes (which happens after Christmas)

3) You know the difference of the baristas in green vs those in black

4) You have attended a coffee seminar not only once but twice or thrice

5) The baristas know your name and your favorite drink

6) They have your drink ready the moment you step into the store

7) You have a designated spot in the store where you spend most of your day or night

8) When ordering a drink from a fastfood, instead of saying Regular or Large you would say "Tall, Grande or Venti"

9) The sight of the lighted round signage with the Green Siren puts a smile on your face

and lastly.....

10) You accidentally makes the sign of the cross as you pass/drive through a store

*image courtesy of blog.wired.com

Fun Summer Fashion

Summer is definitely my favorite time of the year!

This is the season to bring out your big, trusty shades, pull your hair up to a pony and wear your most comfortable cool attire every single day. For me, it is also when my flipflops takes the limelight and it's one of those rarest moment that for a short while, I get a little tan which quickly fades away come July. I can't wait to hit the beach or at least to get the pool parties started!

Of course, relaxing and being a little more laid back doesn't mean we shouldn't look our best. My fashion style puts comfort beyond anything else. Thus my addiction to sandals and clothes that allow me to move around freely.

However, when it comes to swim wear, I mix comfort, style and quality. I love stylish takinis that fits my body perfectly. Definitely one that I can wear as I laze around the soft, white sands of Boracay or while walking along the shore.

Last week, Paul and I were fortunate to be invited to an exclusive sneak peek on the newest Summer collection of Sassa Activewear. After the delicious Vietnamese cocktails, the fashion show began where more than 20 beautiful swim wears were modeled in front of us. It was actually my first formal fashion show event and I enjoyed it! We also noticed that the models matched their swim wear with Crocs which is perfect for that walk on the beach.

I'd like to share with you a couple of photos of the swim wear presented during the event. Click on the image to enlarge.



Sassa Activewear is available in leading department stores such as The Landmark, Robinsons, SM Hypermarts and in Market Market. You may also check out their online shop at www.myayala.com.

Summer is HERE!!!!

The temperature is fast rising!

I dream of powdery white sand underneath my feet, the sound of the waves splashing against the shore and a tall glass of Choco-Banana Shake on my hand.


Time to bring out my calendar and plan my next trip!!!

Go Mexican in Pampanga!

Finally arriving at Pampanga after our short drive via the NLEX, Paul took the Angeles exit and drove a little more until we reached a small side street with a lot of commercial establishments lined up. A closer look at these establishments and I realized that we are driving along Angeles' red light district.

During the day, we still saw a lot of local girls dressed in very skimpy day outfits and foreigners looking for a place to have lunch. Since it was Valentine's Day and the weekend of the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, there were more cars and visitors present than normal.

Luckily, Paul was able to get a good parking spot just right outside the door of our target lunch destination. Hand in hand, we walked towards the entrance with a bright yellow, red and green signage. Zapata's Cantina Mexicana, it read. We opened the big brown door and was surprised to see the place packed with more customers waiting for their turn to be seated.

Scanning the room, I saw a couple of familiar faces. Looks like a lot of Manileños also wanted a Mexican fix for lunch. We patiently waited while reviewing their menu, I could hear my stomach slowly grumbling as we made our choices. Finally, our server led us to our table. Yahoo!!

Good thing, service was fast considering that the restaurant was very very busy. Within minutes, we finally got our first order: Chips and Salsa. I love corn chips and Paul loves salsa so this was a perfect appetizer for us. The crispy chips was perfectly salted however the salsa lacks the zing! that we were hoping it would have. We even have to add in more hot sauce to perk up the flavor which helped a little bit.

Here's a new discovery, we were served with a big piping hot bowl of what the server calls Mayan Bean Soup, at first we were hesitant to give it a try because we're not really big fans of beans but after the disappointing salsa, I dipped my corn chip into the Bean Soup and guess what?! I LOVED IT! I really can't explain why it perfectly complemented my salty corn chip but the thick, slightly spicy-salty taste of the soup really was an Ole! moment.

On our Main Entree

This is the usual scenario, Paul and I would take a long time in deciding what to get because I would want one thing and he would prefer to get another but we would still want to share. Good thing, Zapata's has a combination platter as an answer to our dilemma. We got to choose 2-3 among the following: Tacos, Burritos, Enchiladas or Chili con Carne. Since I've been craving for Tacos and Paul wanted Buritos we got one of each and added a Chili con Carne, after all, what's a Mexican meal without Chili?

Our combination platter arrived with our three choices and a generous serving of refried beans and Mexican rice. I enjoyed my Taco with spiced beef served on a crispy corn shell and topped with diced tomatoes and grated cheese. Paul's Beef and Bean Burrito looks mouthwatering and very filling too. What we loved the most,though, was the warm Chili which has the juiciest and freshest tomatoes, onions and spices.

We chatted, ate and continued to survey the room as more and more couples are coming in. It's obvious that nowadays, Valentine's Day dates are not just limited to formal, candlelit dinners. Couples are allowed to go for what their hearts or shall I say stomaches desire, be it in a fun American diner or in a wooden, ranch-like Mexican restobar like Zapata's.

Who knows?! Zapata's delicious food might just make her say Si!

Zapata's is located at 480 Don Juico Avenue, Clarkview, Angeles City (along Fields Avenue). You may call them at (045) 892-0859.

Weekend Discovery: the Cold Spoon story

I have a new discovery and it's located along a not-so-busy road in the town of Angeles, Pampanga. It took us a while to locate it but imagine my excitement the moment I spotted the white brick wall that looks like an Eskimo's square igloo.

We entered the store and a cheerful lady greeted us hello. We gave her our order and immediately she pulled down the knob to produce a soft, white cream into a medium sized cup. Swiftly, she opened a small container which she pulled out from the chiller and piled my cup high with a generous serving of blueberries with syrup.

Ohh my mouth waters at the sight that I can't wait to take my first bite!

I've finally found Cold Spoon Frozen Yogurt and I love it!

I like the smooth texture of the yogurt as it melts in my mouth. It's sour taste was just right, enough to remind me that I'm eating a healthier alternative to ice cream. If only they have fresh fruits available then it would have been perfect.

The following day, I just had to go back. This time, I got the Strawberries in syrup and I liked it just as much as the Blueberries.

Each serving is worth the price: Small at Php. 60, Medium at Php. 90 and Large at Php. 150. The toppings ranges from Php. 15 - Php. 25 per serving.

Now, I have another reason why I should keep going back to Pampanga!

Cold Spoon Frozen Yogurt is located along Fil-Am road, Brgy Cutcut, Angeles, Pampanga.

Up, up and Away!!!

Waking up at 4AM...

Taking a short drive to the Clark Aviation Field...

Getting a good spot while receiving painful shoves and nudges from equally eager visitors...

Patiently waiting while trying in vain to get a good shot...

We've been doing all THESE for three consecutive years...

Here's why...







..and I'm excited to do all these again next year!! See ya! Ü

One Fine (Blue Water) Day...

"Do you really have to plot your schedule by the minute?", a close friend asked me as she peek into my handy planner. Actually, I've been doing this for a long time now...such a long time that I can't recall when I began to do so. "But I have to", was my only answer. A lot of things have been calling my attention lately and all of them have been pretty demanding too. Oh how I wish we have more than 24 hours in a day!

One thing's for sure though, I can't wait for the time when my To-Do list is filled with check marks and that's when I can finally sit back, relax and reward myself.

My guilty indulgence? An hour-long massage or a food spa treatment while bonding with my mom and sister. We are big fans of spa treatments and we have tried almost every single spa in the neighborhood. From small, cozy nail spas to the big, zen-like ones.

Wanting to have that much-awaited spa treatment soon, I was so happy to learn about the newest innovation in the spa world. Imagine the first ever Spa Movie Theater. This totally gives a different twist to the usual quiet spa environment surrounded with the sound of nature. This concept is fun and is perfect for big groups who wants to have fun and to relax at the same time. Of course, treatments that can be done in the theater is pretty limited. You can either have a Foot Reflex (with back and shoulder massage) or a Foot Scrub. Nonetheless, you can watch the latest movies, sing to your heart's content or play games while pampering your feet!

In line with Valentine's Day, I have friends who are preparing to tie the knot. Of course, it is part of tradition that the would-be brides and grooms will spend some precious hours with their closest friends and relatives in what is popularly known of as the bridal shower and the stag party respectively. However, for couples who has the same group of friends, it is also normal to just have one pre-wedding party.

Having a Movie Spa-rty is a great way to celebrate and unwind before the Big Day. Imagine treating your dearest friends and relatives to an afternoon of relaxing foot spa while watching a romantic comedy movie that everyone will definitely love.

I can't wait to drop by Blue Water Day Spa soon to have my much-awaited foot spa treatment at their Spa Movie Theater!

Contact Blue Water Day Spa at the 2nd Floor, BPI Greentop Condominium, Ortigas Avenue, San Juan, Metro Manila.

* Thanks to Francis Simisim for the photo used in this entry

Gran Torino

At first I thought it was an action film. I braced myself for lots of gory scenes and bloody fights. I was wrong. The movie talks about racial discrimination and a man who sticks by his principles no matter what or how much it will cost him.

Meet Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran who is always misunderstood by his neighbors and family members. As a retired auto worker, his day is filled with regular trips to his barber, bottles of beer and packs of cigarettes. He trusts no one except his dog Daisy.

He's your typical grouchy old man, wearing deep creases on his forward and a big frown on his face. He never interacts with his immigrant neighbors and often finds criticism in them.

This was his life every single day... up until the night a young shy boy named Thao was pressured by a group of Hmong gangsters to to steal his '72 Gran Torino. Luckily, his Gran Torino was still intact but he earned the respect of his neighbors after protecting them from the gangsters.


He was befriended by Thao's sister, Sue who shared with him stories of their past. As the days go by, his layers of hostility peels of and he learned to accept his Asian neighbors.

I really applaude Clint Eastwood for portraying the role of Walt Kowalski perfectly. It's a very nice movie that talks about certain social issues on crime, peer pressure and racial discrimination. Sadly, word has it that this will be his last movie as an actor.

Watch out for Gran Torino, showing in cinemas starting February 18! Brought to you by Warner Bros. Pictures

Oh Valentine's Day

click to enlarge
Still not sure on what to give your special someone this Valentine's Day? Check out Eastwood Mall's St. Valentine's Fair from February 8 - 15, 2009 at the Eastwood Mall Atrium.

I'm so excited as this is my sister's latest project and the stage sister in me has already set a date to visit the event and show my support. YEAH!!

A warm coffee moment at Figaro

Who would have thought that the day would come when I would be drinking and loving coffee?

This is me, the former non-coffee drinker but who still pays a visit to the Green Siren on a daily basis. I had my first dose of coffee during my work orientation two years ago. I remembered it was House Blend, said to be the smoothest and lightest among the wide range of coffee blends available. Nonetheless, it was too bitter for my taste that I loaded it with lots of milk and two packs of sugar.

That day marked the start of my love affair with coffee.

Since then, I grew fond of the different types of blends and it differs based on the region that it came from. I love anything from the Latin American region: Columbia, Mexico and Peru. I also learned to concoct my own drink from customized lattes to mochaccinos to double shot espressos with a pump of white mocha. Yum!

While waiting for my meeting to begin, I got myself a cup of Butterscotch Vanilla Latte at Figaro. It took a while for the barista to serve my order but the moment the cup was placed in front of me, I truly understood why.

It has a pretty latte art on top of the foam. I held my breath as I carefully stirred my coffee after pouring in a pack of sugar. I took a slow, long sip. Ohhhh I LOVE IT! I'm a huge fan of butterscotch but not much of vanilla so I was a bit tentative about the combination. I'm glad that the sweet butterscotch flavor perfectly complements the vanilla syrup and when mixed with Figaro's coffee, it creates a creamy, caramelly coffee drink that's perfect for an afternoon like this.

I'm hooked! Now I want another cup of Figaro's Butterscotch Vanilla Latte!

My Shopaholic Confession

Hi!! I'm Fran and I'm a Shopaholic.

"Stress is inevitable." My mom would always remind me everytime she catches me opening a box of chocolates or a bag of tortilla chips and I would always use stress as my reason for eating my heart out.

She's right, after all, it is our responsibility to manage the things that stresses us out. As my way of balancing things out in my life, I would allot certain periods during the weekend where I would spend time alone and give in to whatever makes me happy at the moment.

This includes getting my monthly manicure and pedicure treatment, indulging in a massage or visiting my favorite mall to shop.

Then comes the confession...

Ohh...if only shopping can be considered a sport. I would probably be one of the first to sign up for varsity.

I'm a big fan of price-off promotions and freebies. Thus, my undying love for bazaars and the ever famous Greenhills tiangges (retail market). I still remember how I would update myself with the different mall-wide sales and would make it a point to be there on the first day. I truly find satisfaction in being able to purchase a lovely pair of shoes at 10% off!

The Shopaholic and The Book

I love chic lit books! I particularly the Shopaholic series that's written by Sophie Kinsella. Just imagine my excitement when I found out that the first book will actually be made into a movie! I can't wait to watch Rebecca Bloomwood as she shops her heart out with the craziest purchases! I also can't wait to watch how she meets and eventually falls in love with Luke Brandon, who I hope will turn out to be as handsome as I imagine him to be.

See you all as we catch Confessions of a Shopaholic in cinemas starting February 18,2009!

Related post: Little Miss Shopaholic

My Top FIVE tips to enjoy the 14th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Did You Know?

...that this year is supposed to be the 13th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) but the organized decided to skip the number 13 due to superstitious beliefs and thus making it the 14th.

... that Hot air Balloons were once used as a mode of transportation back in the days?

... that 25 balloons will be joining this years event making it the biggest so far. There will be teams from all over the world coming from Hungary, France, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, USA, Japan and a lot more!

This year marks the 3rd consecutive year that Paul and I will travel all the way to Clark, Pampanga to watch colorful, big, hot air balloons fly and fill up the sky.

Through the years, we've encountered standing in line to buy our tickets, getting stuck in a really bad traffic jam on our way out of the field and realizing that our kite was defective. These I would call the pains of a Hot Air Balloon Fiesta fan.

We've learned so much since then, we now have our strategies and best of all, we make the most of the weekend to unwind, relax and enjoy what Pampanga has to offer for its guests.

I would like to share with you my Top FIVE Tips to make the most of your Hot Air Balloon Experience:

#1 Know the schedule, go EARLY

We have barely a week to go before the opening of the PIHABF and to make sure you catch the activities that you want to watch, better download a schedule of here.

Calculate your travelling time, normally it would take you an hour and a half from SM North EDSA to Pampanga (take the Angeles exit).

#2 Buy Tickets before going

The last thing you want is to miss the Hot Air Balloon flight simply because you're still standing in line to the ticket counter. Make an early head count and purchase your tickets (Php. 100 each) via Ticketnet.

#3 Bring a Kite

Oh, how it feels to be a kid again! After watching the balloons fly, now it's the turn of a hundred colorful kites! There are booths that will sell kites or you can always bring your own. Price starts at Php 50 a piece.

#4 Can't travel that early? Stay overnight.

We realized that it is more convenient to go to Pampanga a day in advance, book a room at either the Holiday Inn, Fontana or Oxford and wake up at 6AM to make it to the 7AM Hot Air Balloon Flight.

#5 Try the best restaurants that are only found in Pampanga

Through the years, my list of favorite restaurants keep getting longer and longer. This year, we're aiming to dine at Zapata's, C Italian and Cold Spoon. Wish us luck!

I hope that this guide will help you maximize your Hot Air Balloon Fiesta experience. See you all there!!