SEA Games 2019: Raising the Pinoy Flag, We Win As One
By ketchupthelatest - December 13, 2019
I didn't really expect to be this engrossed with the 30th SEA Games this year as my country plays host. It's the fourth time the Philippines has hosted the Southeast Asian Games which happens every other year. I've read and heard some controversy about the preparations but I just brushed it aside, knowing that people tend to make a big deal about politics in pretty much about everything.
There were also a lot of things going on at work (I work as a Virtual Assistant!) which I think needs more time and attention.
As days drew closer to the opening of day last Nov 30, I was surprisingly getting excited! I saw a lot of adverts on SKY channels giving us a preview on what to expect about the SEA Games. It was 12-day action-packed event participated in by 11 member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam; with 530 sports events and a total of 5,630 athletes participants.
The day of the opening had wonderful reviews all over the internet. It was definitely one for the books. Indeed, it uplifted everyone spirits as Filipinos, as cliche as it may sound. And at that instant, we felt united despite many differences. The opening number was spectacular, the dances, songs, costumes, and the venue itself--- all the details were perfect.
Christmas beverage
Starbucks 2020 Planners and Christmas Collection
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year since I was a kid. Now as an adult, Starbucks' holiday offers make it even more exciting. The much sought-after Starbucks Planner and travel organizer, holiday-themed food goodies, holiday collectibles such as tumblers and mugs, Christmas Starbucks Card and of course the season's featured beverages. All these make 'ber' months a little more merry and festive. Agree?
For this year, they've got exciting new Christmas merch everyone is sure to love.
First off, tumblers, mugs and reusable cups! They have a whole lot of new colorful Christmas designs to choose from. And get this, they released the limited edition Starbucks Flask which can hold your favorite beverage wherever you go!
Also, grab the Starbucks Holiday Polar Bear Snow Globe if you want your desk or table to have that winter feels.
And for the most awaited part.. the Starbucks Planner 2020. Many are making this as a yearly tradition: collecting stickers for every beverage purpose to redeem their much-coveted price: The Starbucks Planner or Travel Organizer!
For 18 stickers, you get to own a planner or travel organizer for free which comes in different colors and designs. Gray and pink for the planners, green and choco brown for the travel organizer. Each comes with its own matching case.
Redemption of the items will be until March 6, 2020 at any Starbucks store in the Philippines. So keep enjoying your coffee and work your way to owning your new planner!
***Visit this link for more details about this promotion
Select Soy Sauce and Sukang Puti now in Visayas and Mindanao
Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation Launches Select Soy Sauce and Sukang Puti in
VISMIN
Filipino well-loved dishes: Pancit and Adobo cooked with Select soy sauce and sukang puti
As a mom, being the one in-charge of our kitchen, I am always on the lookout for things that give ultimate value for money. For sure, I am not alone in the unwritten rule that grocery food items need to be both great-tasting and affordable to be in my grocery list! Do you agree?
And since no Filipino table is complete without our well-loved comfort food such as adobo and pansit, moms and dads or anyone in the family who loves cooking, particularly those from the Visayas and Mindanao would be delighted to know that Luzon's favorite brand, SELECT soy sauce and suking puti is finally available in the area.
I attended the product launch here in Davao City at dusitD2 (Dusit Thani Hotel) last week and the chef prepared the above-mentioned Pinoy dishes using Select soy sauce and sukang puti. We had the chance to sample them and personally I can say that they certainly tasted good. I liked it that the adobo had the classic taste, not too sour and with a hint of sweetness in it.
dusitD2 Exec Sous Chef Rauzer Garcia's sulit sarap meals
To give you a background, Select is produced by Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation which is a trusted brand by Filipinos. For 44 years now, the company and the Select brand is synonymous to quality and taste, essential elements of a product that make food taste extra special.
Select is proudly Philippine-made. It is the brands mission is to provide high quality, healthy,
cooking products that are affordable to the average Filipino consumer.
"A husband and wife Chinese migrants established Essential Manufacturing in 1975 with Select
Soy Sauce and Select Vinegar as the company's main products. With limited capital, they started
a small business with minimal production and distribution limited in Luzon," said Joseph Charles
Cruel, the managing director of Wellmade.
"We're a year short of turning 45 years old. We took small yet sure steps with the company's
growth. This year will be another milestone for Wellmade when the Select products will start its
distribution in Visayas and Mindanao," he said.
Going Fresh and Healthy with Natureal Juice
I first saw this brand of juices in malls around the city a few years ago and instantly fell in love with it. Hands down, it's really great-tasting with just the natural fruit taste, no more, no less. Since then, our family has become regular consumers up to this day.
Last week, I was invited to be part of the Fresh Day 2019 event for bloggers and from there, I got to know the story behind Natureal Juice.
THE LITTLE STORY behind Natureal Juice
Did you know that the creators of Natureal Juice are avid fans of calamansi juice?
They realized there's something about real fresh, homemade calamansi juice that wasn't present in any of the calamansi juice options available in stores or groceries today. They just don't taste the same. The creators of Natureal Juice saw this as an opportunity to develop something they know the local market wants but do not have convenient access to just yet. And that's how Natureal Juice Calamansi came to be —real and fresh calamansi juice with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Natureal Juice released two more flavors: Mango Fusion and Passion Fruit, both with calamansi juice infused into the formulations as well. The Natureal Juice first made its debut in SM Lanang Premier's Weekend Bazaar last October 2015.
In 2016, Natureal Juice launched its first permanent kiosk in SM Lanang Premier. Since then, it has opened several more outlets around Mindanao. Natureal Juice has also launched seasonal flavor, Green Mango.
The Long Term Solution: Renewable Energy
the long term solution would be to utilize renewable sources of energy
(photo credit: https://medium.com)
Did you guys know that the Philippines is a country that relies heavily on importing energy from foreign sources? Despite this fact, the country still faces an energy crisis. In some parts of the archipelago, 12- hour power outages aren't so uncommon. Now, you may ask, what would be the solution for this? The answer is renewable energy.
The nation is very energy-hungry, and the number one energy resource that satiates this
thirst are fossil fuels. A recent statistic states that the Philippines depends on fossil fuels for over
73% of its energy needs. And as the country's population continues to grow, so will its demand for energy. If the nation continues to rely on non-renewable sources of energy, there will eventually be a point wherein these sources will run dry. Since fossil fuels take millions of years to come into existence, it is impractical to rely on them forever. Fossil fuels also contain high amounts of carbon and are the leading cause of global warming.
However, as of recent times, another statistic states that the Philippines relies on 30% of
its energy generation on renewable energy. Since the nation is near the equator, it is
understandable that we would be utilizing and harvesting solar energy. Solar energy, in many
ways, is the complete opposite of fossil fuels. It is renewable, which means that we cannot run
out of solar energy for as long as the sun is alive. According to NASA ( National Aeronautics and Space Administration ), the sun is expected to live for another 6.5 million years. Solar energy is also abundant. The US Department of Energy states that in a single hour, the power we receive from the sun is more than the whole world uses in a year. If an energy source is both renewable and abundant, then it is also sustainable. In other words, if we cannot over-consume a resource, then it is considered to be sustainable.
Jolly Claro Palm Oil
Palm oil talk with Jolly Claro Palm Olein
By ketchupthelatest - July 29, 2019
Jolly Claro Palm Oil gathered bloggers from Davao City last week for an informative discussion about PALM OIL.
Palm oil, among the different kinds of cooking oil in the market, is the widely used cooking oil in most Filipino homes and in Southeast Asia. As the name implies, palm oil is extracted from the flesh of the palm fruit.
Aside from being affordable, it also has a high smoke point suitable for high heat cooking.
And as one of the top palm oil brands in the country, JOLLY CLARO undergoes a unique 5-step process to meet high-quality standards.
It is made from 100% pure palm olein. Palm oil is semi-solid at room temperature while Palm olein is the liquid part of palm oil.
Three times refined and 2x filtered! That is why it is clearer and does not get rancid easily.
Davao dining
Unli Samgyupsal plus more in Gangnam in Davao Restaurant
By ketchupthelatest - May 02, 2019
Spicy, sweet and tangy Korean street food? Unlimited Samgyupsal? Bibimbap? Kimchi?
If you're drooling with the mention of these food, then head over to Gangnam in Davao Restaurant located along Pryce Business Park, beside Landco in J.P. Laurel Bajada or at their branch at the ground floor of Abreeza Mall, Davao City .
Chef Edwin doing a Samgyupsal demo
Their Head Chef, Edwin Manabat tells us that they serve authentic Korean dishes that's made affordable to Davaoenos. They also made some twists to some dishes to adapt to Filipino palate for a more satisfying dining experience that's only unique with Gangnam.
How I Got Hooked With Game of Thrones
By ketchupthelatest - April 18, 2019
the heartwarming reunion of Arya and Jon
Two years ago, we moved in to our new home here at the southern part of Davao City. Our village was relatively new. No cable tv and internet connection were available yet at that time in our location. Can you imagine having three teenage kids who would go restless without these things? Internet and cable TV used to be a luxury back in the day but now it's considered a necessity.
My 2nd son was in his crafty self, downloading episodes of popular tv series and movies so we would at least have some form of entertainment in our new abode. Good thing, it was Christmas vacation, giving them more free time to watch and play. He then downloaded all the previous episodes of Game of Thrones (GOT), alternately playing on the TV screen with another favorite series called Brooklyn 99.
Then it caught my fancy. I easily fell in love with the cinematographic and mind-blowing scenes, grandiose set and costumes, not to mention the catchy British accent that can be heard from the characters. It felt funny because I used to agree with those who posted Facebook statuses saying, "I have never seen a single episode of Game of Thrones..etc.. etc" each time a new season comes on TV. The tables have turned, indeed!
Filmed in several countries in Europe, the much-talked about TV series also brings me to the fantasy world of kingdoms, rulers, colorful medieval-style battles and way of life. Of course, while it cannot be denied that the show also has its share of highly sexual and bloody violent scenes, my growing fascination for GOT goes far more than that.
Bran Stark
#DavaoFoodCrawl: Chillin' At Mugshots Wine and Cafe
By ketchupthelatest - March 22, 2019
a view from the outside
After a hard day's work, we all want to take a breather, let the afternoon traffic pass and just chill before going home. Of course, we deserve it after the grueling hours we spent at the office/workplace. Mugshots Wine and Cafe owner, Beau Ma had this in mind when he conceptualized this wine and coffee place 2years ago. He wanted this to be a meeting place of people--old and new friends alike, who'd like to enjoy a good cup of coffee, beer or wine and great food.
A quick glance at their industrial-style interior and store facade, you would think it is a bar that purely serves wines and beer. But no. They also serve your favorite cup of coffee, tea, smoothie and milk.
Beer and more beer!
Heineken Draught half pint, Php80; full pint, Php150
#DavaoFoodCrawl: Sumptuous Eats at Kitsune - Japanese Casual Dining
With the growing number of Japanese restaurants in the city (or in the country as a whole), it is safe to say that Filipinos in general love Japanese food so much. And why not? We have welcomed Japanese cuisine with great enthusiasm because they are well-balanced and flavorful. Plus, they are not far from the taste we are accustomed to.
The same reason goes true with the owners of Kitsune-Japanese Casual Dining, who put up their restaurant because they have always been fascinated with the Japanese culture: their colorful traditions, unique clothes, interesting folklores, amazing work ethics and of course their food.
For the 2nd stop of the Davao Food Crawl, Davao Digital Influencers (DDI) bloggers and vloggers were all excited to visit Kitsune. It is located at the south side of Davao City, along Juna Subdivision in Matina fronting Values School.
Davao Food Crawl
#DavaoFoodCrawl: Shatter Kebab + Hummus' Mediterranean dishes
Back in the day, when restaurants in Davao City weren't as diverse and plentiful as they are now, I would easily quip shawarma if asked about Mediterranean/Persian dishes. As years went by, food scene in Davao got bigger giving us more choices to satisfy our palates. So yes, there's more to Persian food than just shawarma. Don't get me wrong, I love shawarma coz of its satisfying taste that fills me whenever I'm hungry but not in the mood for a rice meal.
Last weekend, I joined other bloggers and vloggers of the Davao Digital Influencers (DDI) for the first wave of Davao Food Crawl (DFC) which was initiated to help homegrown restos and food establishments strengthen their online presence.
Our first stop is at Shatter Kebab + Hummus which serves authentic Mediterranean food along Torres St. It is located in an alley with other restaurants, their place is not really big but exudes warmth as if to say that you're in for a good food experience.
They served us 4 of their best-selling dishes: Hummus Trio, Ultimate Kebab Platter, Shakshuka and Smoked Chicken Shawarma.
Hummus Trio (P245)
This is their signature Hummus that is served in 3 different ways: Classic, Baba Ganoush and Roasted Beet Hummus. Comes with pita bread
Loving the Honey Soap from NLIHome
Like most girls, I am always on the lookout for breakthrough products on beauty and skincare like soaps, creams or lotions. And since soaps are the most affordable ones to try, I easily get fascinated when new ones are introduced either through product demos or launchings.
Just recently, I attended a Korean beauty and skincare brand launch at a downtown hotel here in Davao City. They are called NLIHome. They carry a wide range of products like Cellin (premium cosmetic/skincare), Honey Soap, toothpaste, hair care treatment and many more.
For this post, I am going to focus on the Honey Soap since I was able to try it for several days now already.
Marks & Spencer lowers prices in the Philippines
By ketchupthelatest - February 24, 2019
Great news to M&S fashionistas and avid customers!
Marks & Spencer has announced that is has lowered prices in the Philippines by an average of 18% across Womenswear, Menswear and Lingerie. In particular, Womenswear prices were lowered by an average of 28%!
The 'New prices you'll love' campaign was recently kicked off, when Filipino customers will be able to purchase Marks & Spencer's quality products at new prices from all Marks & Spencer stores in the Philippines.
Square Neck Cami
M&S Collection Shirt, M&S Collection Short, Trainer
My Polvoron Story
My version of Polvoron
Polvoron has been one of my favorite comfort food since I was a kid until now. My earliest memory of it was cooking sweetcorn which was given by our local Catholic churches and community chapels then I just added some sugar or sometimes with milk.. payts na! As in lipay kaayo ko every time muabot supply ni Mama sa sweetcorn.
So that was polvoron for me back in the day.
Then I learned to cook the real deal from scratch using the basic ingredients: flour, sugar, powdered milk and butter or margarine. Ingon pa sa akong uncle sa way pagdapig dapig , gamay na lng daw ang kulang makulbaan na dapat si Goldilocks. Ambot lng pud ug tinuod.. pero mahurot man pirmi akong luto sa una.
So yun, I still make it from time to time for my kids and family.. Most times though, I just sneak a small piece of Goldilocks classic polvoron (my favorite variant) being sold at 7-11 at 11 pesos to satisfy my cravings (free plug!).
And since it's been a while now, and medyo stress sa work lately.. I decided to leave my pc for a while and cooked a bowl of my favorite polvoron ala A-an. ❤
How about you? Got some memories about your favorite local delicacy, too?
Note: Polvoron is called 'shortbread' in other countries
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