Starbucks Via Ready Brew

"Never be without great coffee" is the tag line for Starbucks newest offering (pause for effect) instant coffee.

For those who thought they would never see the day when Starbucks would begin going instant, well, the day's here. This is a surprising move because I have always had the impression that Starbucks prided itself in producing freshly brewed coffee. Ready Brew is marketed to be as close to a cup of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee as possible - it isn't your regular 3 in 1, it is 100% coffee, no sweeteners or creamers.

*Photo Credit - Starbucks Coffee

Don't return to the cube yet. Read more >>

Dong Won Garden Korean Restaurant

Tucked away at the corner of Jupiter and Polaris Street is Dong Won Garden Korean restaurant. From the outside, Dong Won looks like one of those restaurants that have been around for ages; it has the look of an old house which has been transformed into a restaurant. Inside the restaurant, the ambiance and furnishing of the place has a blast from the past look - possibly from the late 80's to early 90's. But what Dong Won lacks in decor, it makes up for in food that is deliciously diverse.

Appetizers & Sidings
After we ordered, the waiter lays out almost 10 small dishes containing different appetizers and sidings. All of which are free. Yes, you read that right FREE (which might be my favorite word next to SALE). Some of the appetizers include kimchi (but of course!), sweet potatoes, spiced vegetables, salted bean sprouts - to name a few.

Don't return to the cube yet. Read more >>

Philippines Travel Mart 2010

The 2010 Philippine Travel Mart  will be held on September 3-5, 2010 in SM Mega Trade Hall.
Buy your tickets to domestic flights at very low prices.
Go to http://philtravelmart.com/ and see what else you can discover in the Philippines.

A Letter from a Teenage Filipino to the World

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.
Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.
I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.
For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.
Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.
The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.
I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.
I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.
I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.
As a song puts it…

“And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE”

Sincerely yours,
Reigno Jose Dilao
Taken from CNN.

Fez at Serendra

To celebrate one of my close friends coming to visit Manila, we decided as to have a mini reunion of with my college friends. As usual, there was a dilemma on where to eat. It was a good thing that Kit suggested that we try Fez at Serendra, a place which was unfamiliar to most of us, but turned out to be just the right choice.

Fez is one of those places whose decor is reminiscent of an Irish pub (or at least my notion of it) - cozy and intimate interiors, wooden paneling and a large selection of liquor. Serving a fusion of Mediterranean food with a Moroccan twist, Fez is a great place to wind down after a hard day's work with good food and a night cap, or two.

Fez Pita Hummus - Mutabal

Pam Says: Yummy, flavorful and light. Perfect as an appetizer.

Stan Says: Though, it felt like eating a lot of air, it tasted delicious together with the dip. And we got some of it as complimentary. Thanks to the owner of Fez.

Don't return to the cube yet. Read more >>