Frannywanny

Time surely flies when you're having fun and if you're extremely busy too. Look at that, I just realized that September is over and October has just quickly rolled in. This just means that, in a few weeks, Paul and I will be celebrating our 13th year as a couple! If you put things into perspective, 13 years is pretty much how long a student (at least in the Philippines) takes to finish his elementary and secondary studies. Why is it that 13 years seemed like forever when I was still studying and it has just zoomed so fast when it comes to me being in a relationship with Paul? OMG. Anyways, I have been mentioning on and off here how terrible my backlog is and today I'm going to prove just that. Let me talk about that amazing romantic dinner that Paul and I had... last year . I'm really sorry! I can't believe it took me close to 365 days to tell you all about it. For something this good, I should have went straight to writing about it. Anyway, we were so lucky to ...

Today, we celebrate another milestone!  Frannywanny.com has been around for 8 fun years! Together with each one of you, we went through all the ups and downs, the highs and lows; and through various restaurants, cafes and even hole in the wall finds too. We've traveled mostly all around Asia and centered our stories towards two beautiful countries that I now call home.  8 years is such a long time, I have to say. Well, the optimist in me also believes that it's also one step closer to celebrating a decade of non-stop food blogging, travelling and most of all, new found friendships. I'm currently planning a fun giveaway happening really soon so please do watch out for that.  Thank you for always being there and most of all for making your presence felt. Big hugs to all! xoxo Related posts: 1st blog anniversary 2nd blog anniversary 3rd blog anniversary 4th blog anniversary 5th blog anniversary 6th blog anniversary 7th blog anniversary

"How do you do it?" A friend of mine asked me this question a month ago when I told her that Paul and I will be celebrating our 5th year today. Time flies when you're having fun but I'll have to tell you with all honestly that it wasn't always a free and easy ride as how they would portray it in movies. Marriage, I realized, entails hard work. Well, I guess, as with anything in life, you have to work hard for what you want and I'm glad that both Paul and I want a long-lasting marriage so everyday, we work really hard for it.  Throughout this journey, there have been some tears, a million kisses and a thousand hugs. " Love is patient, love is kind ." That was what was etched onto our candle holder which I hastily bought the day before our wedding. Not really thinking much about what it meant but more because it has a pretty design. Today, that saying embodies our relationship.  Mommy would say that you'll get to learn more things abo...

More than a month ago, this blog celebrated its 7th year of existence. We all know that Frannywanny.com wouldn't be what it is now without its readers and that means YOU! Every single one of you. So, to celebrate this milestone, I had not one , not two but THREE fun giveaways for my readers both in the Philippines and in Singapore. We now come to the end of the anniversary celebration and while I have already announced the lucky winners of the 1st two contest, I'd like to do a quick recap here. Congratulations to the following readers: 1) 7th Anniversary Giveaway #1 : for Philippines readers  - Abegail Madera - Lorenzo Te - Susan Sia 2) Hee Kee DessertsGiveaway : for Singapore readers - Leila Chua - Shawn Toh 3) Morganfield's Rib Party : for Singapore readers - Tay Yong Chuen - Li Siu Ching

I came across an old quote recently: "The only thing CONSTANT in life is CHANGE."   -François La Rochefoucauld In today's fast-paced, ever-changing world, we have been witnesses to things coming and going in such lightning speed. Restaurants opening and later bidding us good bye. Take these past 6 months for example, I've had my heart broken multiple times upon hearing news after news of restaurants closing both here in Singapore and in Manila . Competition is indeed very tough in this business but together with that comes inflation of goods, shocking increase in rent and sudden death of food trends. So, when a certain restaurant reaches a milestone, a big celebration is should definitely in order! I was recently invited to try the Anniversary Set Menu of Red House Seafood who's celebrating it's 38th anniversary this year. This restaurant first opened at the Upper East Coast Road back in 1976 but has moved out of their original site years after. It l...

Exactly 10 years ago, I committed to a relationship with a guy whom, to me, I felt most comfortable with. Just like in any courtship, there were those kilig  moments, surprises that left me speechless and revelations that more and more tell me that he could be the one . I guess, of all the things that I like most about him is that we get along really well. Examples would be having similar childhood memories, sharing a similar set of interests and most especially having the same intense love for food. More than being with someone I'm romantically linked to, I found a best friend . He's the kind of person whom I really look forward to spending every single day with. Thus, from that day forward, we instantly became inseparable. As a friend has pointed out, we're our own love team most popularly known as -- Paul & Fran . My old blog post in my now hidden blog. Back when I still call him JP/Jayps short for John Paul On that fateful night when I said "yes" to...

What a great start of the week! Today, we hit another milestone as Frannywanny.com turns SIX ! Yes, dear readers, it has been 6 fun years of food and travel blogging and I guarantee you that there's no stopping! We all know what this also means. It's time to have some contest fun! Before I get to that though, allow me to put on my geeky glasses and to share some amazing numbers with you! Presenting Frannywanny.com in Numbers : Looking at these numbers still leaves me speechless. Six year ago, I began this blog simply because I love to write and I wanted to document my food adventures with Paul. Who would have thought that this blog has allowed me to try new things, visit a couple of awesome places and best of all, it has allowed me to meet new friends. I really am so thankful that despite being miles away from Manila, I can still strongly feel the love and support that you all have been sending my way. *big HUG everyone!* As my way of saying THANK YOU, here'...

A month ago, I launched my 5th Blog Anniversary Giveaway with a Photo Contest . This was followed by three raffle contests that happened one week after the other. The response has been overwhelming. Day by day, I would receive not less than 20 entries in my inbox. The 3rd raffle promo had the most number of entries with a total of 95 uniques! All I can say is... THANK YOU ! However, I realized that judging the Photo Contest wasn't easy. There were just so many good entries that have made me exclaimed WOW every single time the page loads! Thankfully, I have 3 other judges with me. We went through every single photo entry for no less than 5 times until we reach our final decision. It was tough, I got to admit. At some point, I wish I just have more prizes that I can give away. I'll keep the suspense a little more by announcing the winners of my Raffle Contests first: *drumroll please* (3) winners will receive a pint of Merry Moo Ice Cream of their choice: Steve del ...

This is it! This is the last round of my raffle contest and I'm so excited to finally ship out the prizes to all the winners! Don't forget that there's also my big photo contest where four exciting prizes are up for grabs such as an overnight stay at Taal Vista Hotel, Gift Certificates by The Bistro Group and a lot more! Click here for more info on how to join. So what are the prizes at stake? One lucky reader will receive (1) Team Bonchon Meal Coupon from Bonchon Chicken Philippines Round up the entire team and celebrate! Be it your group of friends, your colleagues at work or with your dearest family and head out to Bonchon Chicken to enjoy the Team Bonchon Meal (Php.645)! This is inclusive of a medium box of Bonchon Chicken with your choice of flavor -- soy garlic or spicy, my favorite Chapchae noodles, choice of two sides (I highly recommend the Kimchi Coleslaw !), 4 rice and 4 regular sized drinks. I remember treating my own team a couple of months ago a...

Something FUN and EXCITING is happening really really soon!!! Make sure to visit this blog at exactly 12:01 AM of September 9, 2012 ! Believe me, you wouldn't want to miss out on ALL the fun! :) ♥ , frannywanny

To celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary , Paul and I had a dinner date at the Marriott Cafe . I guess it must have been fate and perfect timing that the Marriott Cafe is currently having their Flavors of Asia promotions wherein a couple of Asian favorites will be featured every dinner for the entire month of July . As such, it was a perfect chance for us to relive our fun two-weeks honeymoon spent in Singapore and Malaysia , two years ago. We did nothing but to eat, eat and eat. Luckily, our honeymoon coincided with Singapore's annual Food Festival allowing us to sample and enjoy never-tried-before local fares at affordable prices. Marriott Cafe has prepared a really good spread! I began with some Vietnamese rice rolls that were carefully handmade by the happy looking Chef Phan Tien Hoa of Renaissance Riverside Saigon. Normally, I would have my rice rolls with hoisin sauce or peanut sauce but I was pleasantly surprised by this pesto-tasting green peanut sauce that was...

My mom gave me a cake today and would you like to guess what it's for? No, I didn't get a promotion at work (how I wish I did though *ahem*). No, I didn't win the lottery... and No, no baby yet in my tummy! (However, I know every single member of my family is praying for this one to come hehe!) It's because she knows that Frannywanny.com is turning a year older and my ever-supportive mom just had to make sure we celebrate this milestone thus she came home with not a slice of cake, not even a cheap cake but a huge Tiramisu from Cafe Ysabel ! So after dinner, we cleared out the table and plates and out came the huge box containing this lovely cake. Of course, a few photo op was in order and Mom stuck 4 cute candles into my cake, lit it up and told me to blow. Poor Papa, he was so confuse as he knows it wasn't my birthday but he couldn't understand why there was a cake bought for me and why on earth am I blowing four candles out. Obviously, my Dad...

I can't believe it has been a year since my friend Shar opened her very own pasta store in Robinsons Galleria ! It has been a year since she asked me to invite a couple of blogger friends to try out her yummy dishes . A year has past and Goodles continues to make every pasta lover happy with new and delicious creations! Join them as they celebrate their 1st Anniversary on November 24, 2010 by offering three of their well-loved pasta choices for only P100 EACH!!! What a great deal! It's time to have Goodles for lunch, afternoon snack and dinner! Mark your calendars! :) It's a date on November 24! Terms and Conditions: - Promo is available only on November 24, 2010 from 11AM to 9PM (mall hours) - Dine-in and Takeaway is allowed - Flavors on promotion will be sold for P100 during the given time afterwhich they'll go back to their regular price - Bulk orders is allowed (call now!!) - For inquiries you may call Goodles at 0922-8737758

Have you ever been dreaming of starting your own business?  Do you have a good business idea that you wish you can make into a reality? It's time to STOP all these fantasies and make your wishes come true!    Entrepreneur Philippines is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this November and we're coming out with our thickest issue ever! That's a total of 150 editorial pages and a lot more! Read about success stories of brands that has ruled the decade and learn some tips from entrepreneurs whom we all look up to. Here's what has been keeping me busy for the past months... my pride and joy Head over to any Fully Booked branch, RB Magazine (in Megamall) and Bufini outlets and grab our special edition that comes with a Team Manila designed shirt for only P195!!! A great collaboration with Team Manila and Entrepreneur Philippines indeed!  Thank you Team Manila ! :)  Grab your copy NOW!!! :)

F is for Frannywanny and Facebook ! Continuing the celebration of my 3rd blogniversary , the official facebook page of Frannywanny.com has now been created! There, followers can expect frequent updates on my latest entries, special contests just for my Facebook friends and more! Show your love and click here to be part of my Facebook page ! :)

My dear readers, I can't believe another year has passed and I am now blowing out three candles on Frannywanny.com 's birthday cake! Looking back at the time when I started this blog, I simply just wanted an avenue to share my thoughts on the different dining experiences that Paul and I had plus a few photos, some of which were even taken using my mobile phone. Year after year, I have been blessed by meeting a couple of great blogger friends, restaurant-owners-who-eventually-became-our-good-friends and of course my treasured readers. Nothing warms my heart more by hearing all of your kind words and encouragement that makes blogging truly fun each and every day. Blogging has been and will continue to be my passion. A week is not complete without allowing my tiny fingers to type away as I share our latest food and travel finds. This blog has played a huge part of my life, it has seen me at my worst and definitely has been there at my best . As I enter my third year, I...

September is always a fun month here at Frannywanny.com simply because this blog is turning a year older again! I can't believe it has been 3 years since I first wrote about my Angel's Kitchen experience and the rest continues to follow. From then on, I've visited more than 200 restaurants here and abroad, launched more than a dozen contests and met a number of great friends and readers. For this, I am very very thankful. :) To share my blessings and happiness to everyone, I am pleased to announce the winners of the recently concluded blog contest featuring the up and coming fashion bloggers Jean and Rosz ! We ran a contest for 3 whole weeks asking my dear readers this simple question: "Who's your favorite fashion icon and is there a particular fashion trend that you love?" We got a lot of amazing answers and I left the judging to Jean and Rosz who carefully went over each entry before finally choosing the winners! Congratulations to the following ...

When I first opened my 2nd Anniversary raffle promo , I thought to myself... I'd be really happy if I'd be able to get at least 30 respondents. I also thought that most of the responses that I'd get would be from my fellow bloggers and friends. My dear readers, You just made me feel so special and loved as at the end of exactly 10 days from the start of the promo, I was surprise to have a total of 125 respondents and majority of which are from readers whom I've never met and I hope I'd be able to meet something. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on how I can improve and the things that has made you come back regularly to my blog. I am truly overjoyed hearing from all of you and thank you also to the first-timers whom I hope to see more often here :) There are times when I would just browse through your suggestions and comments and i can't help but smile while reading all your kind messages and words of encouragement to keep on blogging. All I can say is... TH...

To my dear readers and friends, I can't believe it has been exactly a year ago when I blew out my first candle ! I celebrated it simply by presenting to you my very own domain . It was like acquiring my very own home here in cyberspace. I felt the big leap towards independence. Later on, I gave this home a new look thanks to Paperbank Designs. Since then, my life as a blogger continues to soar higher and higher... I met new friends, became a Nuffnang featured blogger for the month of August, participated and won in a couple of online contests and discovered a lot of interesting finds both here and abroad. Best of all, I felt all the love that you, my readers, have been sending my way. In line with my 2nd anniversary, I wish to improve even further. I would like to hear your thoughts on the things that you would like to see and read here in my blog. I would like to know you better and hopefully, 2010 will even be a more exciting year for frannywanny.com . Please share your thoughts...

Don't your just loveeeee our beautiful cover? Beginning this July, Real Living has added more pages to give you additional home tips, more real home features and loads of tidbits for the kitchen too! Check it out as yours truly joined the editorial team during the birthday shoot! (hahaha!) Grab a copy now! :)