ANOTHER VISIT

I give the credit to my wife, Tina who suggested we bring our son, Gabby back to a place that’s perhaps so familiar to you and me; feels like our relatives do exist there (pun intended)  hehehe

No, we did not go mall-hopping last weekend but instead revisited creatures that can remind us of our childhood.

The picture below can tell you that Gabby was too uneasy with the claws of this colorful feathered friend on his left shoulder, nevertheless still managed to smile for the cam (read : no coercion was done for him to smile, *wink*).

It has been years since we first brought him to KINDER ZOO –an interactive (read : guests can touch animals with guidance of zoo keepers) and it’s a more colorful zoo inside Manila Zoological and Botanical Park  a.k.a. the good old Manila Zoo that has been existing for more than 50 years, would you believe ?   When was your last visit to the zoo ?

Kinder Zoo is a smaller scale but with a higher rate of PhP 65 compared to the Manila Zoo’s entrance fee of PhP 40/adult and PhP 20/child below  4ft.  The 2 fees should be paid if you want to experience both and expect to see what your money’s worth.

For a family like us who have been fortunate to experience a few parks abroad, Manila Zoo suffered another comparison. Yes, we’re grateful that it is still on operations for more kids will be exposed to “most living things” quite up close, but a little more improvement and a huge reform on maintenance and cleanliness definitely won’t hurt.

Anyway, inside the Kinder Zoo, non living things like original Lego structures are installed…

Even Pooh, Piglet and Tigger can pose with you without a flicker, LOL!

Even Tortoise knows how to smile…

Manila Zoo still has its one and only large mammal…

Yes, she’s the same elephant you probably saw during your educational fieldtrips or ordinary visits to this zoo during your wonder years.

OINK!

Apparently, the zoo has improved through the years, but further development can be done to enhance it more. 

I know ecological balance can’t be totally observe in a zoo with cages and all but it’s a responsibility in a way for parents and adults like us to teach our kids about nature and get them exposed to it as close as possible.

VIEW MORE PICTURES  HERE.

MONDAY : WE HAD BREAKFAST AT 3PM

Truth is, we went to Legazpi Village in Makati just across Greenbelt 5 to try a colleague’s suggestion –for us to subject Gabby to a VTR in a talent/modelling agency for TVC (read : TV commercials).  Oops, let me clear that out :  Gabby only had his photos taken and did a VTR; no casting calls yet, people!   Of course we’ll let you know if he’ll be doing something beyond ordinary. (Well, you know for Tina and I, he’ll always be our GREATEST KID!) We just took a chance; brought him in and we’re glad that our little boy liked it!  He told us he was asked in the VTR room to smile, turn right, then left, turn the camera and smile, state his name, school and age and smile again.  If there would be no calls for a go-see or whatnot, then there’s no harm, just plain fun!

After few more steps from the agency, Tina, Gabby and I with one of our friends found ourselves seated comfortably here…

 

Who says you cannot eat breakfast in the afternoon?  In Mr. Jones, some of our favorite morning starters are served all day! (Wala lang yatang tuyo, tinapa, danggit at itlog na pula’t kamatis, hehehe)

It was our first time to try Mr. Jones, a considerably newer food place  an upscale diner at Greenbelt 5 that’s  related  to Museum Cafe (also in Greenbelt), Chelsea Market Cafe (in Serendra) and Momo Cafe (Eastwood Mall and Robinson’s Place).  According to the wait staff, Mr. Jones serves breakfast-all-day beginning 11AM.

So at around 3PM, I was enjoying one of the most delicious TAPA in town…

 

U.S. BEEF RIBCAP “TAPA & GARLIC OVERLOAD” , Php 295+.  Servings in Mr. Jones are HUGE!  Sharing is inevitable! Take my word on it : it’s one of the yummiest breakfast plate I had The beef tapa were sliced as thin as bacon strips, so flavorful that it can still stimulate your palate sans vinegar and achara(pickled papaya)!  But the achara and a little-sweet vinegar also add up to the experience!  That tapa and garlic overload rests on a bed of garlic rice… Ahhhhhh…  ang SARAP!   

The eggs can be cooked the way-you-want. I asked the smiley waitress what’s best, and she recommended scrambled. Actually, I don’t mind whether it’s sunny-side-up or scrambled. But it seemed like the staff really knows their stuffs.

 

Surely, it deserves a second try on our future visits! It’s that good!

For our commercial model-to-be  cute kid, he enjoyed sipping heavenly milkshakes from a tall glass and a canister…

CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE, PhP 175+ This tasted like blended chocolate ice cream and we liked it! Gabby loved it.  What we liked about it? They serve you even the extra-blended shake in a canister if the glass is already full.  It felt like you had 2 for the price of 1.  

Tina and our friend shared  a huge plate of….

MAC N CHEESE, PhP 350+. We noticed the use of 3 different pasta : rigatoni, penne and macaroni all fused into one dish; creamy and cheesy with bacon bits and mushroom.  It was OK but would not sky-rocket you to outer space.  

Just look at the evidence that Mr. Jones’ Tapa and Garlic overload is really a must-try :

Whether Gabby will soon nail a bit player part in a TVC or NOT, we’re considering going back to Mr. Jones whenever possible if only for that tapa and to try their other breakfast-all-day menu!

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  What are your favorite breakfast meals ?

CHOCOLATES ARE LOVE

Sometimes, things we do unplanned turns out to be a pleasant one.

Last Sunday morning, immediately after we heard mass, Gabby asked Tina and I if we can go straight to grocery.  Since it wasn’t scheduled, we asked him why.  He only wanted us to buy him a box of his favorite cereals.  How can you say NO to an innocent request ?  So we went to Landmark supermarket in TriNoma to buy his cereals and some supplies for our fridge.

As I was pushing our grocery cart, Tina spotted this…

Despite the fact that we still have our stocks of chocolates in our fridge that mostly came from our relatives abroad as their pasalubong last Yuletide season, Tina still thought I’ll like it; for I am a sucker for Dark Chocolates.  She kiddingly told me that it’s already her early Valentine’s Day gift for me. I took her statement in a jiffy and smiled my widest.   I also asked her to get one for herself; I know other than the love for chocolates, she also likes tin cans. Yes, she casually collects tin cans. In a heartbeat, she also got this from the grocery shelf…

Packaging was so nice! It’s a slide-on tin can with embossed illustration of what to expect inside…

Luscious chocolate pearls!  How can you go wrong with Hershey’s ?  For only around PhP 80 per pocket-sized tin can that has approximately 20 -30 choco-pearls, it’s definitely easy on the budget!

Heavenly sweet!

Oh, and we didn’t forget to buy Gabby his request.  

Do you like chocolates have sweet tooth too ?

What’s your latest grocery finds ?

DON’T YOU MISS BAGUIO?

I do.     I have been to the country’s summer capital several times since my growing up years and every Northern trip with family and friends has been always exciting.  

It’s February once more and it isn’t only the LOVE month that coincides with the Chinese New Year (Read : Binondo, here we come!) but Baguio City will be literally in full bloom again as it celebrates PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL, one of the most famous and visited fiesta in our country.  If Pasadena in the US has Tournament of Roses, Baguio has Panagbenga!   And this month, the festivities are scheduled on 27th, Saturday, for the Grand Street Parade and the following day 28th, Sunday for the Grand Float Parade making that weekend the most colorful, extra-special and memorable to all. 

If  time and chance will only allow us, we wouldn’t hesitate to go to the City of Pines again just to experience its below 20 degree-celcius-climate and to witness its flower festival. Nevertheless, we’re  lucky enough to enjoyed it 2 years ago with my entire family.   Have you experienced Panagbenga?

And there’s more of Baguio than Panagbenga!  What do I miss about Baguio ? Praying at the Lourdes Grotto after counting the steps up to the upper most area;  the zigzag mountainous roads on way to Philippine Military Academy;  exploring Crystal Cave; afternoon at the Wright Park and picture-taking at the gates of the Mansion;  attending mass at the Baguio Cathedral early in the morning and sipping free-flowing brewed coffee and eating a delicious hearty breakfast at Zola restaurant at the foot of the Cathedral, just along Session Road;  the restaurants along Session Road and more…

What else do I miss ?  A lot more things!  Breathtaking view of Mines View Park; the freshest veggies and strawberry-picking direct from its fields in La Trinindad, Benguet; Botanical Garden, spending an entire day at Camp John Hay;  going to the Chinese Temple-Bell Church, window-shopping at Ibay’s silver shop and a lazy stroll at Burnham Park.

We may not attend this year’s Panagbenga and still uncertain if we’ll have summer break in this beautiful place, but definitely, Baguio City will always be one of my family’s favorite local vacation spots.

What do you like most about Baguio ?

DISTURBING BEHAVIOR

If you’ve been to Boracay, or at least have read or viewed something about it, you may be familiar with this beautiful rock formation known as Willy’s Rock, the famous landmark at Boat Station One in the island paradise.  It’s entirely visible in the morning, and is always almost half-submerged during high tide in the afternoon.

We were fortunate to see it and experience the crystal-turquoise waters and pristine powdery white sand on the last week of October just last year.  

This morning, Tina and I were literally shocked; can’t help but uttered “OH MY GOD!”  when we learned from a news item reported on Umagang Kay Ganda, a local morning TV show, that the owner of the resort where Willy’s rock is located, removed and burned the image statue of the Blessed Virgin on top of the grotto because of the reason that he’s now a pastor of a certain religion thus his act, alarming the parish priest of the Island.

We honestly respect other religions and beliefs but my wife and I are disturbed why others can’t do so.

Just imagine if our 5-year-old son who was with us in Boracay last year knows about this, how do you think parents should explain that other people could do such thing to something that represents one’s faith?

DOCGELO’S EYES

Hello! I will appreciate if you can frequent (and leave comments too at  ) my other site;

I call that humble photoblog 

 DOCGELO’S EYES

See you there, OK ? Thanks!

PS :  Kindly link DOCGELO’S EYES to your sites too. Salamat!

GOLDEN SPOON : ICE CREAM LOVERS’ YOGURT

WARNING : You may exhibit SIALORRHEA (excessive drooling) LOL.

I know we observed gluttony ate too much good food last Sunday. From Cerealicious that started our day, to Pepper Lunch steaks as our mid day meals and as if we have bottomless gastric pits, we had rooms for these heavenly yummies as our late afternoon desserts…

Admittedly, I’m no expert but I certainly know my palate.  Thankfully, my wife is also sure of her taste (that’s why she married me, *wink* and we’re blessed with a son who, at the young age of 5, have been dreaming of becoming a chef one day.  Needless to say, good food is one of those tangible things that binds our family together.

Last year, my family and I tasted several (but NOT ALL) yogurts, gelato and premium ice creams around the Metro.  And since I found luxury of time to upload them back, allow me to review them all to you… just be careful, you might drool on your keyboard, *grin*

(You may click each photo to salivate enlarge)

From the creamiest and velvety ice creams, to air-less flavorful gelato and yogurts, I officially state that we like them ALL.   As I have written here before, I can never imagine a world without them.

Since I’ve tried yogurts from grocery freezers, I’ve known them to have distinctly little sour and tangy taste whether with fruity flavors or just plain.  But last Sunday, my view on yogurts’ taste was totally changed as I, Tina and Gabby were treated to GOLDEN SPOON by our friend, LG and thus, we have finally sampled a creamy yogurt that tastes like heavenly ice cream!

At the counter, you can taste-test different flavors before ordering; we even saw 2 ladies in front of us on the queue who just tasted Golden Spoon’s flavors and left the counter without an order. For us, we’re definite of our choices.  We preferred 2 of the uncommon variants;  those that are uniquely Golden Spoon flavors – CAKE BATTER and BOYSENBERRY.   They’re both delicious sans toppings; and absolutely, a must-try!  

Golden Spoon has a wide variety of toppings including hot toppings that aren’t offered in other yogurt stores.  But IMO, since  it tastes like ice cream already, it’s better enjoyed as plain unless for kids who wanted to add some colors to their desserts.

It’s reasonably pricier too than other brands. Golden Spoon Yogurt without toppings costs PhP 88 for MINI and the cups we had were sized at SMALL, costs PhP 155. You can also avail of their large tubs, pints or in cones.

On top of  its ice-cream-like taste, the edge of Golden Spoon yogurt above other brands :

Sourced via Golden Spoon

My verdict : GOLDEN SPOON is just DIVINE! Not only because it’s delicious but it’s healthier than other sweet temptations.  

Although I and Tina still prefer a bit of sourness in yogurt, I wouldn’t mind paying Golden Spoon another visit to try other flavors!

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GOLDEN SPOON,  Upper Ground Level, Shangri La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City.

WE WON AS FINALIST AT HP @ PL!

I was literally surprised to receive a call from Ms. C last Saturday afternoon; it went something like …

Ms. CVS :  Hello, docgelo?

me :  Yes, who’s on the line?

Ms. CVS :  CHUVANESS.

me ( a bit sleepy) :  who?

Ms. CVS :  Cecile.  You won! Kaya lang finalist lang.  So when do you want to get your GCs from PL-Shang ?

me : Oh, Ms. Cecile! Wow (me -wide-mouthed-drop-jaw on the phone)!!! Thank you for the call. You made my afternoon, really!  We’ll claim it tomorrow–Sunday afternoon. 

Ms. CVS : OK, i’ll just leave it Mylene (the store manager). Thanks!

me :  Bye, thank you so much (wide smile up to my ears).

         Hey, Tina, nanalo daw, finalist yung picture nyo ni Gabby! Yehey! 

And so this picture of my wife, Tina and our 5-year-old son Gabby made it as one of the finalists at HP @ PL contest, conducted by Pepper Lunch, Shangri La and HP.  We didn’t win any of the 2 units of HP Premium Printer/Scanner/Copier but are still grateful of such blessings!

We won PhP 1,000 GC from Pepper Lunch and my family’s photo landed a space at Ms. C’s blog!  View here –CHUVANESS

After we heard mass at St. Francis of Assissi last Sunday; enjoyed spoonfuls of cereals at Cerealicious in Shangri La Plaza Mall, Tina, Gabby and I with our dear friend LG, headed to PEPPER LUNCH in the same mall to claim our Pepper Money. 

It was definitely another awesome PL experience!

What did we savor?

This was my hot grill plate – SHIMOFURI PEPPER STEAK, PhP 650.  Where else can you enjoy an affordable and tender-licious beef steak in a SIZZLE-IT-YOUR-WAY-style ?  Sarap! This is my next PL favorite to Double Beef Pepper Rice.

Flipping the beef strips onto the grill in a few seconds will give you this heaven-on-a-hot-plate!

While our friend LG enjoyed his order…

SALMON PEPPER RICE, PhP 275.

Tina had her favorite (and mine too!)…

BEEF PEPPER RICE, PhP 198.

I love PL’s KANI SALAD, PhP 99 while Gabby had his MOLTEN ALA MODE, PhP 140.

We LOVE PEPPER LUNCH MORE not just for their delicious PEPPER STEAKS AND HONEY BROWN SAUCE but for being so FAMILY-FRIENDLY.  All PL people from staff to the manager are always ready with warmest smiles and courtesy. One even provided Gabby with crayons and something to color which we really appreciate.  :D  Good job, PL!

Surely, after every meal at PL, everyone’s a winner! 

Thanks again, Ms. C., PL and HP!

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PEPPER LUNCH, LG Level Shangri La Plaza /aslo in Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall.

CEREAL BLOCKBUSTERS : WE LIKE!

It is Tina more than I do, who loves cereals and can enjoy it any time of the day!  I remember when we first had our buffet-breakfast in a hotel a few years ago, she immediately went to the spread with different cereals!  I can’t blame her; everyone knows how good these breakfast-starters to our nutrition particularly to our digestion for most of them, if not all are fiber-rich! 

You can just imagine how my wife was overwhelmed to try CEREALICIOUS at Shangri La Plaza Mall last Sunday. 

The interiors is impressive, dainty and attractive, likewise the menu.

How do you like your cereals served ? As Cashewblanca or The Karate Kit ?  You may want to try My Best Friend’s Pudding or I-Rone Man perhaps?

You might be fascinated with Bidget Jones’ DiaReese and Pirates of the Cadbury-ean!  Or may prefer Harry Butter Finger of Azkaban and/or Nutting Hill.

Yes, the menu of Cerealicious is entirely named after famous blockbuster movies with a twist depending on the yummies on its cup or bowl.

So the difficulty lies on choosing what to enjoy! Look at how my family was so engaged at the fantastic menu…

 

Tina and Gabby were so delighted to sample these…

JUMANGO. Cornflakes, Mango, Honey Crumble for Tina.

Roll the dice and go on a journey with exciting mix of Cornflakes, mangoes, honey crumble  and strawberry syrup. Your palate will go wild with this all-time hit. So in this game, can you guess my name?  Jumango!  

THE GUMMI RETURNS. Honey Stars, Gummi Bears, Marshmallows for Gabby.

Nothing quite like gummies to bring you back to life. You get a chest load of Honey Stars, Gummi Bears, Marshmallows to cast a spell of happiness not even Imothep can break.

At Cerealicious, there are also milkshakes, crepes, pancakes, oatmeal bowls, ice cream splits, cereal toppings tried and tested to be certified hits!    And did I tell you already that their cereals are so easy on the pocket ? Trailer (small bowl) only costs PhP 60 and Blockbuster (big bowl) only costs PhP 110.

We heard mass that morning before grabbing a spoonfuls of cereals from Cerealicious.  Posts on our wonderful lunch and merienda to follow soon!  What a fine Sunday with family that was!

How was the start of your week ? 

Do you like cereals ?

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CEREALICIOUS 2nd Level Shangri La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City.

 

MY COUSIN’S WEDDING

A  Reading from the Book of Corinthians 13 : 1-7

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

This was the passage I read at the church last Thursday, 28 January 2010 at my cousin’s wedding who renewed her vows to her good husband whom she married about 5 years ago in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  It made me a bit nostalgic because (if my memory serves me right) it was the same biblical verses she read on my wedding to Tina (who esle? LOL) 6 years ago. Incidentally, it was also the reading we heard at mass just last Sunday.

The wedding last week was appreciated by the family, relatives and friends who weren’t able to join them in their initial celebration of the sacrament of matrimony.

The solemn ceremonies at the Shrine-Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina City was followed by a fun wedding reception held at The Glass Garden in Santolan, Pasig City.

There were the usual essentials to a reception : a quartet and a soloist set the party in a casual mood yet lovely; flowers, food, wine, the venue and the attendance of their guests made everything extra special.

We went in full force! Well, not actually; 2 of my brothers were apparently no-show for some reasons but I came with Tina and Gabby, my youngest brother, JC who stood in our brother’s behalf as one of the secondary sponsors and our Dad was present too. He wouldn’t miss it for the world because it served as another reunion-party with our relatives from US; the first was held 4 days prior to this wedding when we all attended our Lola Tentay’s 90th birthday.

The chocolate-addicts and the kids-in-us were unleashed upon seeing these little something on our table…

Tina, Gabby and I smiled our widest when we saw these M&M chocolates -both plain and with nuts!  I personally thought it was already their favors until we received a laced box with can opener. It has a white calla lilly design which was the predominant flower from church to our tables.

The spread was provided by Josiah’s Catering.  Guess what most everyone enjoyed that evening…

Forgive me, for having lechon twice in a week! Oink, oink! LOL  

There were so many entrees and desserts to choose from the buffet spread but my votes went to these toothsome chocolate cupcakes and panna cotta trio – in mango, strawberry and chocolate which to our delight were served chilled.   

The night was filled with love, joy and fun moments shared to their guests.  And everyone who attended will agree that one of the highlights of that evening was my cousin’s dance with my uncle…

To Melai & Matt, Best wishes & Congratulations!

May God bless you more as you enjoy your life together, forever and ever, Amen!

Cheers!

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What do you like most about weddings ?