LIVE! Backstreet Boys : This Is Us World Tour

Finally the day has arrived! It's February 27, 2010 -- the day when I will finally see AJ, Nick, Howie and Brian in person! Yes, the Backstreet Boys are here in MANILA!

I really felt like a 13 year old again listening and singing along to their greatest hits. I can still remember the dance steps and I screamed like a high school girl upon seeing Nick Carter.

We arrived at the Araneta Coliseum just in time to settle down, buy ourselves a couple of snacks and drinks and survey the crowd.

Check out my opening video below:



Then the lights went out and everyone went wild. Out came our four favorite boys as they begin to dance and sing our favorite songs.

Presenting...Nick, AJ, Brian and Howie!!!
the best dance moves
*sigh* I love you Backstreet Boys
They sang a mix of their new and old songs. I love them all! I can't believe I have been a fan for 15 years already!

till your next concert...*sniffle*
Obviously happy after the fun concert
This was definitely the BEST concert that I've ever been to my entire life!

photo credit: Steph Haw

No better time to get HEALTHY but NOW

It has almost been a year since I finally said I Do to Paul's Will You Marry Me?. In less than 4 months, we will finally say our vows in front of God, the priest and everyone who means so much to us.

Just a year ago, I made a promise to myself to begin a more healthy way of living by eating well and to exercise more. Sure I did this for a month or so then I would go easy on myself then get back to the treadmill then out again.

I'm down to my last four months where I have to have that ideal body that I've been dreaming of my whole life.

Can I do it?

I know it won't be an easy walk in the park and for most times I would probably scold myself for, once again, cramming. However, I know that by being more disciplined and determined then I might be able to achieve some positive results.

No, I won't starve myself to death. Instead I will seriously eat healthy and will begin a more regular exercise routine.

Great timing that Del Monte sent us a pack of their delicious yet nutritious Fit 'n Right Fruit Snacks. No more bag of chips for me from this point on.. whenever I'm hungry I will just grab a handful of unsalted nuts (go brain power!) or a cup of these yummy fruity goodness.

Wish me luck, dear readers! :)

Japanese Food Fest: Omakase

I don't know why but I never get tired of sushi.

This is the reason why I immediately suggested that we dine at Omakase the moment an old college friend and her boyfriend invited Paul and I to meet up. The thought of the spicy tuna salad and the delicious sushi creations never fails to make me hungry.

As always, the entire restaurant was packed with happy customers even on a weeknight. It's a good thing that there was an available table for four that can accommodate us. It was a breeze scanning their menu as I already knew what to get.

Our Sushi Feast

Paul and I decided to share on one appetizer, a sushi platter and a savory item. We still wanted to make our dinner light so we skipped on the rice and noodle varieties.

First off was my personal favorite -- the Spicy Tuna Salad. This has a generous serving of fresh tuna sashimi cubes mixed with their special spicy dressing and garnished with tempura flakes and chopped spring onions. I also love the addition of the crunchy orange ebiko on top of the salad. This is a perfect way to start your Omakase meal. The size is good for sharing with the group.

Another favorite was the Dynamite Roll. Unfortunately, the scallop that's supposed to top the sushi was not available that evening but nonetheless, I enjoyed every single bite of this delicious sushi. Dip this into their soy sauce-mayo mix and you'll truly savor each crunchy bite.

Last was our savory pick -- the Seafood Dumplings which is like a seafood meatball deep fried and topped with swirls of the soy sauce-mayo mix, sesame seeds, spring onions and ebiko! One bite will make you crave for more. This is also perfect with their fragrant Japanese sticky rice.

There were a lot of catching up done as it has been two years since we last went out with them. It was a great evening as we laugh, ate and made plans to meet up more often from now on.

Omakase is located at the Ground Floor of Il Terrazo Mall, Tomas Morato in Quezon City. They also have a branch in Alabang and Libis. Contact them at 332-4115.

Frannywanny is looking for....

a LAPTOP.

Simply because I am soon moving on to a new phase in my life... which includes moving out from my family's home *sniffle* for a short while and leaving my precious PC behind...

I am looking for a handy-dandy laptop that doesn't really have to be super techie (yes, I am no gamer / graphic artist / etc). I simply want something that is fast, easy to use and one that I can bring with me wherever I go. This would then means being able to blog whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.

Please send in your suggestions guys! :)

photo credit: http://yourmembership.wordpress.com/

The Breakfast Girl and her Ya Kun Kaya Toast

I can't believe I have been to Ya Kun Kaya Toast three times in the span of 2 weeks! That's a lot already given my hectic schedule nowadays.

I guess almost everyone knows how addicted I am to their delicious Lemon Iced Tea! I've been craving for it almost every afternoon! It's your perfect summer drink now that the temperature is quickly rising.

The news about my addiction and love for Ya Kun Kaya Toast must have traveled fast that the editor of Yummy.ph approached me one afternoon and asked if I would like to write about it in the website.

Of course, I said YES.

So there I was again last Sunday enjoying my breakfast with a plate of Cheezy French Toast, a bowl of soft-boiled eggs and a glass of lemon iced tea!

Paul the Milo Boy

Paul was there with me last Sunday and he was a certified Milo boy as he loves the Milo Toast with soft boiled egg and a glass of Milo Dinosaur! What a chocoholic guy, huh?

Sharing with you my article as published in Yummy.ph:

Ya Kun Kaya Toast

photo credit: Paul Ang

It was one star-studded evening...at the Yes! Anniversary Party [Photo Story]

Here are some reasons why I love my job...

... being able to see amazing party set-ups

... allowing myself to get star-strucked upon seeing lots and lots of local celebrities

... watching talented performers on stage

...and lastly, having the privilege to hang out with my pretty colleagues

It sure was a fun fun evening!

Congratulations to everyone who worked sooooo hard to make this party a SUCCESS!

How I wish you can organize my big day too.. (teehee)

Thanking my lucky stars : Pond's

I was working late at the office one Friday evening when I received a call from a cheerful-sounding lady from Pond's. As it turns out, they are currently having an electronic raffle for all SMS subscribers and she called to tell me that...I WON!!!

Of course, I had to stop for a while as my parents had given me enough warning about modus operandis and fake raffle contests that might just either get valuable information from me or worst, rob me from my hard-earned money.

I carefully listened to what she said and everything sounded credible. Instead of asking me to dictate my personal information, she even verified based on what I have submitted when I registered and all I have to do is to say yes or no.

After our brief phone call, she sent me an sms thanking me for answering her call and to expect a letter and my gift certificate after two weeks.

Well.. it has been only 10 days since then and this wonderful letter arrive via mail today.

It's a congratulatory letter by the brand manager of Pond's and a gift certificate that will entitle Paul and I to a romantic dinner at Enderun's 101 Restaurant!

Woweee!! What a lucky month this is! :)

Thank you very much Pond's!

You sure know how to make a girl feel special inside and out.

illustration credit: http://www.theproducersperspective.com/

Oishii : Sango! The Burger Master

Just recently, Paul and I went on a Chinese food fest all weekend with Le Ching and Eat Well.

This time, we're saying irrashaimase and arigato gozaimasu as we're both craving for Japanese food!

After getting all sentimental and dramatic after watching Valentine's Day, we walked out of the cinema thinking of where to eat. I spotted the bright yellow vendo machine and a couple of cute origami pieces that I suddenly blurted, "let's go to Sango!", to which Paul immediately agreed.

While we have been to Sango a couple of times before, we both agree that it's about time to go back and to enjoy their famous Master Burger and perhaps a cup of their refreshing Strawberry Soda.

Normally, I would get my favorite Yakiniku Rice Burger but I decided to try something else that evening. Obviously taking a long long time in front of the self-order machine, the friendly server called us over and offered to assist us with our orders.

Paul got the Master Cheese Burger meal (Php. 240) that comes with a small bag of fries and a cup of strawberry soda. We requested to upsize both the fries (+Php. 15) and the soda (+Php. 20) to share.

I am a huge fan of Pork Katsudon (Php. 225) and this is normally my default order when dining in a Japanese restaurant. Paul couldn't even help but roll his eyes the moment he hears me ordering this. I guess, I just can't help it! This is definitely my favorite donburi!

We entertained ourselves by watching some magic show playing on TV. I just love Japanese entertainment! I can just imagine flying to Japan and watching authentic Japanese shows on their local network!

Our french fries was the first to arrive. In addition to tomato ketchup, I ordered additional tartar sauce which very much tastes and smells like egg salad. Yum! I enjoyed dipping Sango's crispy thick-cut fries into both our tomato ketchup and the creamy tartar sauce. Note that we already got the large pack and yet it's relatively smaller than its western a.k.a. American fast food counterparts.

Next came the sweet, refreshing strawberry soda. I love it that they added a slice of lemon that makes it even more refreshing. If only we can have it in a HUGE cup then we would be very very happy!

One order of the pork katsudon comes with a bowl of miso soup and some Japanese radish. I'm not really that fond of miso soup while Paul likes this so much so he happily got my bowl and slurped away. According to him, there's just too many veggies included in Sango's miso soup and the absence of the thin nori sheets that makes it extra flavorful. Wish they can make it more authentic for all miso soup fans to enjoy.

The pork katsudon was well-done. I like it that the pork was pretty lean and the rice was sticky and flavorful. The egg was soft and fluffy, just the way I like it. Look! They even added those thin nori strips on top of my donburi, hmmm I should have added those into Paul's miso soup.

Sango is known for its burger and they're really an expert on this. Paul's master cheese burger had a generous serving of meat sauce sandwiched in between lots of minced onions and a juicy slice of tomato. The burger was juicy and delicious. This is definitely a manly man's meal and Paul was obviously happy with his choice.

We had a lovely casual Japanese dinner and this really made me wish even more that hopefully we can fly to Japan soon! Keeping my fingers crossed, dear readers. :)

photo credit: Paul Ang

Sango! The Burger Master is located at the 6th level of the Shangri-la Mall. They also have branches at the Powerplant Mall, Creek-Side Mall (Amorsolo Street, Makati) and at the South Supermarket in Alabang.

Grocery Pick : Chocolatey Chuckie!

My mom asked me to pass by the supermarket to buy a can of floor wax... I came out with two big bags filled with chips, ingredients for a pasta dish and ....

THIS!

How can I resist this chocolatey goodness in a handy tetra-pak? I chilled it the moment I got home and enjoyed it with Paul this afternoon.

Yummy!

How about you? Share your Top 5 grocery picks!

Nestle Chuckie is available in almost all of your favorite supermarkets and convenience stores.

So this is LOVE

Today, Paul and I went to watch the movie entitled Valentine's Day. The story evolves around the lives of different couples and singles as they celebrate this red-letter day. It was a star-studded movie starring a couple of my favorite Hollywood celebrities -- Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway and Queen Latifah to name a few. While my first impression was that the story is the Valentine's version of another favorite film -- Love Actually, this one is more cheezy, more sentimental but yet again it is because everything happens in that special day where couples get more romantic than ever.

As the ending credits begin to roll and I started to wipe a couple of tears away, I began to think about LOVE. That four letter word that never fails to put a smile on someone's face. Everyone wants to be loved by someone, that's a fact.

Walking out of the cinema, I saw my newly-married cousin who looks totally blooming than ever. While I was just thinking how happy I am that she found her true love, I then heard someone calling my name. I turned around and it was my grade school best friend and her boyfriend. My bestfriend has been through all the ups and downs brought about by love. She has met and has learned to let go of I think a dozen or more guys and finally she has found the man whom I strongly feel is the one for her.

While Paul and I were waiting for our food to arrive, I couldn't help but smile and think of my cousin, my best friend and of Paul and myself who are all fortunate to have found the loves of our lives.

It then shows that Snow White was right. For every girl and guy out there... someday your prince/princess will come.

photo credits: http://www.fanpop.com/

Red Letter Day at Tony Roma's

Paul and I are such big fans of ribs! We enjoy the tender, falls-off-the-bone type that was perfectly marinaded in yummy barbeque sauce and grilled to perfection.

Sure we have tried a number of rib dishes here and there but we are still in the look-out for that perfect ribs platter that will make us lick our fingers clean and leave our stomachs happy.

I've been looking forward to this year's Valentine's Day simply because Paul told me he got something planned already. You see, for probably 350 days in the year, Paul will just leave me to choose which restaurant to dine in and to plan our entire day's itinerary. For the remaining 15 days though, which includes Valentine's Day, my birthday and our monthsaries and anniversaries, then he would take charge in doing so.

He told me that we will have a fun romantic dinner in Makati and left it at that. The suspense was killing me as I was dying to find out where exactly our Valentine's dinner would be. Despite constant prodding, he kept mum saying that it will be a surprise.

So I agreed and come February 13, the night before Valentine's Day, we drove all the way to Makati. Upon reaching the Ayala - Makati Ave intersection, he made a left and was heading towards the Ayala Center. My mind went blank, there are more than a hundred food establishments in there! I just let him drove, went in the Glorietta 4 parking and held his hand as we walked up to the Ground Floor.

Then he stopped and I let out a squeal. We are dining at Tony Roma's and boy was I excited!

Just a little backgrounder, we have been planning to dine at Tony Roma's since we started dating 7 years ago but since we rarely frequent the Makati area, this plan has been pushed back and further back ever since. Finally, our plan will pushed through and here we are walking up to the 2nd floor of the restaurant.

Paul made reservations and our server led us to a nice table by the window. The ambiance was very romantic despite having a couple of tables with big families enjoying their meal.

We scanned the menu and agreed to get an appetizer and two main dishes. We have been craving for ribs and since one rib platter was not enough to satisfy our craving, we ended up getting two!

Our Tony Roma's feast

Service was very efficient and quick, while Paul was busy playing with his new camera accessory, our Onion Loaf (Php. 295 - half) arrived shortly. It's funny that we both love onion rings and fries! Paul enjoys tearing up the crunchy onion rings with his hands while I gently try to pick each piece up with my fork. He loves to cover the rings with tomato ketchup while I love dipping it into the tangy-sweet BBQ-Mayo sauce that came with it. I highly recommend this appetizer as it will surely be enjoyed by everyone on the table!

While enjoying our appetizer, our soup came next. This was actually part of the rib platter that we got. The soup of the day was Cream of Pumpkin. I still prefer Cibo's version which for me was the most delicious pumpkin soup that I've ever had so far. Tony Roma's version was a bit watered down and lacks flavor and character.

Then the stars of the show...

Paul got the BBQ Chicken and Rib combo (Php. 875) that came with a generous serving of fries and coleslaw. We shared on the BBQ Chicken Leg and I love how juicy and smokey it was. So yummy! No need to add sauce as it was perfectly marinaded and definitely well-done. We alternated between the ribs and the chicken. We were in meaty heaven.

Meanwhile, I got the Fish Fillet with Half-slab of Ribs combo (Php. 895). Unlike Paul's platter which gave a stellar performance, my fish fillet had to be sent back to the kitchen for another round at the deep-fryer.

On our first bite, we both felt like the fish meat was not as tender as we were expecting it to be. Also, it somehow tasted like soil -- a sign that the fish was not that fresh anymore. Calling the General Manager's attention, he sent the fish back to the kitchen and came back a couple of minutes after with a new one.

My platter came with baked potato and tartar sauce that I love so much. The coleslaw was also yummy but what really made my evening was the half slab of tender, juicy ribs. The meat was soft and you can easily pull it away from the bone with just a slight nudge using your fork. The sauce gave a smokey, barbecue flavor that we both enjoyed so much.

We were so full after finishing off our platters that there was no space left for dessert.

As expected, our last Valentine's dinner as boyfriend and girlfriend ended with a BANG! :)

Thank you Paul for the lovely, yummy dinner! *hugz* Looking forward to a million more romantic dinners to come!

Tony Roma's Restaurant is located at the Ground Floor of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. Call them at 757-1926.

p.s. my apologies for the poor photo quality... i think it's about time to buy a new camera :)
p.p.s. Red Letter Day stands for any day with special significance. For us, it is during Valentine's Day, our anniversary and soon our BIG day wherein we are thankful for having each other.

The Marshmallow Test

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

When we were kids, my mom would tell me that I have to be a marshmallow kid. She didn't mean that I have to be soft, sweet and fluffy instead she was trying to tell me to learn to be more patient which eventually will improve my EQ. I have always been the impatient type, wanting to get things right away. I guess I have to learn a thing or two from these cute little ones.

This video was very entertaining :)

Watch how each kid strive to wait to get their 2nd piece of marshmallow.

Happy Soles will flipflop their way to Brazil!

I remember the day when I bought my first pair of Havaianas. It was a laid-back Saturday back in 2005 wherein I was leisurely strolling around The Podium Mall. With no where else to go, I decided to check out this sports retail shop that carries brands like Roxy, Quicksilver and Havaianas.

After scanning through the rack, my eyes zeroed in on this cute pair of baby blue flipflops that has a thicker sole giving me more height. It didn't took me that long to decide that I wanted this pair of flipflops! I didn't even bother returning it to the box. Instead, I requested the sales clerk to box in my worn out shopping sandals as I will be wearing my new pair of flipflops. Within minutes, I walked out the store as a proud and happy owner of my first ever Havaianas Joy.

Since then, my Havaianas Joy has been my constant companion wherever I go. It has accompanied me to several domestic and international destinations already, it has been there through my ups and downs and it has been and continues to be my weekend buddy most especially whenever I'm in the mood to take a short stroll around the neighborhood.

My love affair with my Havaianas grew since then...from my Havaianas Joy... I also have my very own customized pair and a whole lot more. I think I actually have more pairs of flipflops that I have of shoes! I guess, one pair is just not enough to flipflop my way around town!

This year, Havaianas Philippines aims to make someone's travel dreams come true!

Imagine going on an all-expense paid trip with 3 of your friends to beautiful Brazil where you can travel all the way from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro. You can shop till you drop at the Havaianas Concept Store along Oscar Freire street, home to Brazil's fanciest boutique stores!

Lastly, you can see the iconic Christ the Redeemer which was the very same one shown in the movie Romeo and Juliet.

This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime moment and all you have to do is to answer this very simple question:

If anything was possible, what would you do to make the world happy for a day?

Answers may be uploaded on the Happy Soles will travel to Brazil Official Site or via the roving video booths that may be seen in various major malls around the city.

Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!

The top ten entries will be shortlisted by the panel of judges and the public will then vote to determine the winner!

The grand prize winner will not only be able to have that amazing trip with 3 of his/her friends to Brazil but will also take home a complete travel must-haves from David & Goliath, Aloha Board Shorts, Havaianas and Sony!

The 2nd to 10th placer will also get prizes from Havaianas and a brand new Sony Cybershot camera!

Not bad, huh?

Check out the Happy Soles will travel to Brazil Official Site for more details of the promotion.

Good luck!!! :)

Happy Hearts Day

Paul, you sure know the way to a woman's heart...

Happy Valentine's Day and Kiong Hee Huat Tsai to everyone! :)

Saturday Brunch at Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Not-so-early this morning, I met up with my fellow bloggers at Ya Kun Kaya Toast in Ortigas for a fun Saturday brunch session.

Our brunch was hosted by Richard Co, the branch owner, who shared with us his story on how Ya Kun Ortigas started. Best of all, he gave us a taste of his best-selling Kaya toasts and drinks too!

While choosing our drink, Richard carefully explained the difference between the Coffee/Tea O and Coffee/Tea C. The O meaning dark in Chinese, is served plain black while the C is served with evaporated milk. Meanwhile, the plain Coffee or Tea is prepared with condensed milk. Just like how we would enjoy it in Singapore, expect that their coffee is on the sweet and milky side.

For those who couldn't decide whether to get coffee or tea, why not get the Ying Yang which is part coffee and part tea. I was one of those who was having a hard time in deciding and at the same time, this combination stirred my curiosity that I knew I just have to try this.

It's also interesting to watch how your coffee is being prepared. Following the Singaporean tradition, the coffee is brewed in a metal pot with a long spout and net-like strainer. The coffee is then transferred from one pot to another in order to bring out the flavor. This is done several times before it finally gets poured into your cup.

Meanwhile, we all agreed to try all of his Ya Kun Toast offerings in order to get a taste of each and every variety. Of course, all food items has Kaya served together with it.

In Malaysia and Singapore, Kaya is a jam that's made from thick coconut milk, eggs and sugar. It has a thick and sticky consistency and is popular in these two countries as part of their morning meal.

In between stories shared back and forth, we enjoyed the wide array of Ya Kun Toasts that were served to us this morning.

Here are some of my favorites:

French Toast with Kaya (Php. 60). Singapore's version of this American breakfast treat. It has the same soft, creamy bite that I love so much in a regular french toast but because of the addition of the Kaya jam, this is much sweeter than normal.

Cheezy French Toast with Kaya (Php. 75). Similar to the French Toast, this one has a slight salty hint from the cheese but do mix it with the Kaya jam and enjoy the sweet-salty mix in every bite. I am definitely going back for more!

Peanut Butter Toast (Php. 45/Php 75). I'm a huge peanut butter fan and this is definitely something all peanut butter fans should try. It's a step up from our usual peanut butter sandwich as it is served with a small slice of butter. I also enjoyed dipping this into my Ya Kun soft-boiled egg. My taste buds were having a feast as they get to enjoy all the sweet-salty taste coming from the unique combination of the Kaya Jam, the egg and a lot more.

Of course, no trip to Ya Kun would be complete without getting their Soft-Boiled Egg (Php. 40 for 2 eggs). Add a swirl of the signature Singapore soy sauce (yes, the same one served together with the authentic Hainanese Chicken Rice) and break the egg white to let the yolk ooze out. The perfect way to enjoy this is together with a slice or two of your favorite Ya Kun toast and a cup of Yin Yang. Ohhh..breakfast heaven. :)

It surely was a fun brunch with a fun fun bunch! Thanks to Richard, who hosted a mini raffle contest, six bloggers went home happy with 1 liter of Ya Kun's delicious and refreshing Lemon Iced Tea each and a couple of GCs!

This was surely a great way to start a relaxing weekend!

click to see menu

Ya Kun Kaya Toast Ortigas on Google Map

Ya Kun Kaya Toast is located at the G/F FERN Bldg., Escriva Drive cor. Gen. Araneta St., San Antonio Village, Ortigas, Pasig. Call them at 470-4285. They're open from 7AM to 11PM daily.

Related Posts:
Az Video Blog : Ya Kun Kaya Toast Ortigas
Ya Kun Kaya Toast is now in Manila, Philippines! by Animetric

A Sweet Surprise by Toblerone

Look what greeted my tonight after spending the entire day taking care of my mom at the hospital?

The biggest Toblerone bar that I've ever seen!

I can't wait to share this with my grandparents, parents and of course Paul!

This is what Valentine's Day is all about, spreading the love to everyone!

Thanks so much Toblerone and GMCI! *hugs*

Valentine's Day 101

Speaking of love and celebrating Valentine's Day, Toblerone will help us enjoy the day with our loved ones minus the cost.

Check out the Toblerone Fanpage where you can interact with fellow fans and chocolate lovers! There's also a gift-giving application that will allow you to send virtual sweet treats to your friends and loved ones.

In the mood to play Cupid? Try this cool matchmaking application where you can mix and match buddies online to check their compatibility and romantic potential!

This somehow reminds me of my Casio Digital Diary back when I was in Grade School where we can play cupid to friends and their crushes by entering their birthdays and other details.