The University of the Philippines Chinese Student Association
together with KAISA will show Panoramanila Pictures’

PLONING

in the University of the Philippines Film Institute on

26th of November, 2008 (Wednesday) 5pm and 7:30pm

Tickets are priced 100 pesos (non-UP students) and 80 pesos (UP students) for both screenings. There will be an open session with the cast during after every screening.

You may contact me at superbong(at)gmail(dot)com or at 09178619022 for tickets.

Ploning Synopsis | Let us promote and support our bid to the Oscars 2009!

Year in and year out, party after party, the art of exchanging gifts has fallen into a creative rut as presents become more predictable, and recipients whittled down to a selected few.

Luckily, trendy French cafe Delifrance is adding a dash of daring and a large dose of generosity to the usual kris kringle, turning it into a metro-wide phenomenon.

With just a click on the My Secret Santa website (www.mysecretsanta08.com), Filipinos can shed off those tired Christmas hats and don, instead, a Secret Santa suit with a bottomless sack of freebies to give away.

“The My Secret Santa campaign is the first and biggest kris kringle celebration Metro Manila has ever been,” says William Tan-Untiong, President of Delifrance Philippines. “We have removed all the usual constraints of gift-giving. Now, everyone can become a Secret Santa and send delectable Delifrance treats to as many of their friends and loved ones. And yes, it’s all for free.”

Secret Santas partaking in this grand holiday gesture can choose from two special goodies: Almond Star Cookies (available from November 10 to 23) and Chocolate Chip Almond Biscotti (available from November 24 to December 7).

Almond Star Cookies are almond-topped, gluten-free cookies that are a delightful cross between a light macaron and a sweet meringue. As a playful twist to the classic German Christmas cookie, the Almond Star Cookies can charm the most discerning sweet lovers in town.

Meanwhile, the Chocolate Chip Almond Biscotti can turn up the holiday cheer with its choco-nutty goodness. Paired off with a steaming cup of Delifrance espresso, the Chocolate Almond Biscotti becomes an invigorating treat for those late-night coffee chats.

“My Secret Santa is more than just virtual greetings. Everyone who receives an e-mail gift coupon can redeem it for real treats at participating Delifrance stores in Metro Manila,” explains Tan-Untiong. “What’s great also is how the cycle of giving and receiving repeats itself. Those who get a gift from a Secret Santa can become one themselves by paying forward their goodies, so to speak. This makes for a wonderful spirit of gift-giving.”

With its My Secret Santa campaign, Delifrance is set to create Manila ’s biggest kris kringle celebration-a feat that makes this Christmas memorably sweet for all Filipinos.

To participate in the My Secret Santa campaign, simply log on to www.mysecretsanta08.com. For additional questions and inquiries, please contact the Main Office at 642-0021. Visit Delifrance branches at AIM Conference Center, Glorietta, Insular Life Bldg, RCBC Plaza, SM Makati, Ayala Tower 1, Valero Makati, Zeta Building Legazpi Village Makati, Robinsons Place Manila, U.N. Avenue, Festival Supermall, Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, The Podium, C5 Libis, St. Luke’s, Greenhills Theater Mall, Roosevelt Greenhills, Philippine Heart Center, Shell SLEX Southbound, Shell SLEX Northbound, Shell NLEX, NAIA - Domestic, NAIA 2 - International, NAIA - Old Domestic, NAIA 3, and International School Manila.

Elation: The Finest Chocolate and Shooters Buffet launched last Friday at The Grand Terrace events place in Quezon City. It’s the brainchild of the Abesamis sisters, combining flowing chocolate indulgence with shots of self-concocted alcoholic delights to reach the state of elation.

Speaking as a foodie, the chocolates were good, but it could be improved. The shooters were okay. For the price, and from the turn-out (though I really thought that people who went were really a lot younger than me - and I’m just 20), the event for me was a success!

Winner shot of the night! Summer, Winter, Autumn and Fall :3

You may check out the Elation Buffet Site for more details.

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 Bratpack invited Bloggers the other day to its flagship store launch, which was designed by multi-awarded graphic house Team Manila, in Greenbelt 5, Makati City.

Bratpack, or The Bag People, as they coined and proud themselves proves to be the quality bag authority since 1997.

But now, it not just turned choosing a bag that will fit your style and personality a Science, but also, they introduced new brands that cater to more lifestyles like skate brand DC and Sector9, Sanuk the surfers and beach bums, Skull Candy for music lovers, as well as Eastpak and Life is Good.

Bratpack is conquering a new territory, more people and of course, much more personalities.

The scrumptious dinner, which consists of pasta, sandwiches, barbecue salad, fried kangkong in lumpia wrapper, turon and kakanin, that was prepared for the bloggers was catered by Travel Cafe Philippines - also located in Greenbelt 5.

Bratpack is a member of the Primer Group that carries global brands that makes for a practical and personal billboard of expression for urban dwellers, promoted through collaborations with the indie art and music scenes’ finest. Inspire. Interpret. Express. For inquiries email bratpack@primergrp.com or visit their website at http:/packsforbrats.multiply.com.

Bratpack has branches at Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Galleria, SM Cagayan de Oro, SM Davao, SM The Block, SM Pampanga, SM Southmall and Ayala Cebu.

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One weekend, when my parents left all 3 of us siblings at home while they went out of town, we decided to order in food for lunch. Jugno’s Monster Pizza, the famous 20 inch pizza that will really wow you because of its size. We got the Cheez to Cheez, Spicy Taco Monster, Jugno’s Monster Special and Mexican Amigo’. We only paid for Php 519, all in all. It came with 2 kinds of sauces (one white, which reminded me of the sauce used in Shawarma; the other, the more mexican burrito-ish one)

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Besides boasting about its exceptional services, Mandarin Oriental is known for its restaurants, namely Paseo Uno and Tin Hau. My family recently ate at Tin Hau while we were checked in at the hotel. All I can say is that this is one of the best, if not the best Chinese restaurant in town.

Jason and I got the Set Menu 1, while my parents and shobe got the Set Menu 2. Their Privilege Club Set Menus are Php 850+++ per person and are good for 2. (exclusive of government taxes, local taxes and service charge)

For starters they served us with one of the best “service peanuts” (if you get what I mean). Then followed by our Sio Mai and Scallop dimsum. Heavenly!

Then came the Braised Fish Soup, Auntie Song style.

I didn’t know what was the Auntie Song style all about when I was sipping the hot yummy soup. It was until I researched later did I know that Auntie Song is supposedly a famous cook in Hang Zhou, from the Nan Song Dynasty, 800 years back up to the present. (talk about recipe perfection).

Poached green vegetables with seafood and egg white in superior consomme followed.

Wok fried fragrant rice with roasted pork,

the Chicken stewed with eggplant, Szechuan Style,

and then the Crisp fried shrimp with sliced almonds and mayonnaise.

Lychee with almonds came for dessert. The best lychee and almonds ever.

Later that evening, we came back again for the Dimsum Platter. I tell you, their dimsum’s to die for. It’s a MUST TRY when you eat at Tin Hau.

Tin Hau at Mandarin Oriental is located at the 2nd Floor of the hotel. Open for Lunch/Dim sum: 11:30am-2:30pm and Dinner: 6:30pm-10pm (Monday-Sunday). You can contact them at (02) 750-8888 loc. 2424 or 2422 for reservations. Manager: Ernest Lau Chef: Hann Furn Chen. Dress code is Smart Casual.

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A few weeks back, I brought my whole family to Havaianas’ Playback event. They literally turned part of the Bonifacio High Street grass-grounds into a whole big playground both for kids and adults with retro Pinoy games such as Piko, Patintero, Tumbang-Preso, Sipa, and a lot more.

“Before CDs, cellphones, digital media players and the internet were invented (edit: PS3, Wii, and other gaming consoles), you were the undisputed master of Tumbang Preso, Piko and Patintero” Havaianas let everyone experience “the nostalgia of your old-school glory,” and this time, with your kids.

It’s so funny seeing my mom and dad be like a kid again and played through almost every game there was.

There were even foreigners trying out these classic Pinoy games. Fun!!

What I enjoyed the most was playing Sungka with Tiffy. I really wanted to bring home the sungka board after — sadly we cannot. Oh, and I am a little better at this than Tiffy. Rematch?

They ended (or at least, partially) with drummer boys and intruments making tribal sounds. That was awesome! I do hope Havaianas will have a repeat of this great event. To Pinoy games and sheer fun and excitement.

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A month ago or so, I, together with some bloggers, were treated to Paul Calvin’s breakfast buffet. I wonder if they already have a price for their buffet already. But in any case, I would really recommend to you this place. After eating, I was told that their chef was previously from Shangri-La — and that’s why (I thought) the food was uber yummy!

What I liked the least from the food offered were the bread (I don’t know about the croissant with fruits, because I wasn’t able to taste that). I courteously told them that so that they can improve on that aspect. Everything else was fantastic! Breakfast was fit for a king. What won a lot of us was the fact that they have hot Taho there. Here are some more pictures of the yummy treat.

I sure can’t wait to head back there again and try out their other food selection, and of course, the breakfast buffet!

~o~
Paul Calvin’s Deli
Unit F 111 Forbes Town Center, Rizal Drive Bonifacio Global City
Near Mcdonalds and Forbes Wood Heights
Take Out. Grab and Go. Call Order.
Delivery. Call: +632 856-5900

Thanks to Chef Paul and Jay Em of Paul Calvin’s
Note to all: Paul Calvin’s Deli has FREE WiFi

Technorati Tags: bong, breakfast, brian ong, buffet breakfast, food, forbes town center, fort bonifacio, paul calvins deli, superbong, the fort