Here’s a short list of our Must Try Filipino Foods!

The Top Filipino Foods to Try When In Manila with the infographic from our friends at GooglyGooeys.com

Top Filipino Food to Try When In Manila Philippines

1. Adobo – Probably the most populat Filipino Dish. It is a chicken or pork stew.

2. Dirty Ice Cream – It’s not dirty, but we just call it that. Street Ice Cream FTW

3. Chicken Isaw – Isaw is the Filipino word for “intestines” and Chicken is the Filipino word for “YUMMY”

4. Crispy Pata – Crispy Pork. So crispy that they named it “Crispy Pata”

5. Pancit Palabok – Let’s just say it’s the local Filipino version of pasta

6. Kare-Kare – A stew made of Peanut Butter. Yes, PEANUT BUTTER stew.

7. Halo-Halo – This literally translates to “mix-mix.” It’s a mix of different kinds of sweets and tasty stuff that seemingly melt together into one amazing dessert.

8. Sisig – Pork…. well…. stuff…..

9. Chicken Inasal – Local grilled chicken with the special ingredient to make it Inasal

10. Balut – Duck Egg

11. Bulalo – Beef soup with bone marrow… I swear these all taste better than they sound.

12. Crispy Lechon – National dish of the Philippines! Lechon is a local pork dish.

Anyway, do tell us which of these you do get to try if you ever visit the Philippines. Again, I reiterate that they all taste better than they sound.

Just a short list with very short descriptions of the best Filipino foods you need to try When In Manila. Oh and thanks again to our friends form GooglyGooeys.com for the cool infographic! 

Top Filipino Foods to Try When In Manila Philippines: Best Must Try Local Dishes

STYLE ISLE : A Tropical Carnival Celebrating Movement & Style.

On February 24, 2012 – Friday; POLECATS Manila The Philippine’s first organized pole dance group in the country together with Swimwear Designer TWINKLE FERRAREN will come together to throw one big SUMMER SHOW/PARTY entitled: STYLE ISLE : A Tropical Carnival Celebrating Movement & Style.

It will be a combination of a full performance from the POLECATS (8 women and 1 man ensemble, performing singles, doubles and group acts) and a Swimwear/Resortwear Fashion Show; which aims to promote and inspire a healthy, fit, active and fashionably fun lifestyle.

A night of FITNESS, FASHION, FUN & TRAVEL!

This will be staged at the Lightshop Studio located at 9590 Kamagong corner Bagtikan Street, Makati; a warehouse-style venue with 30-foot ceiling height. Projected animation and visuals will cover the venue to re-create a fantasy-like ocean destination.

Tickets will be sold at PHP 1,000 and will include food, drinks and to witness a Pole performance like no other.

An exclusive swimwear fashion show featuring locally made swimsuits made with Philippine-weaves by TWINKLE FERRAREN will be showcased thereafter.

Venue will open at 8:30 pm and the event is slated to start at around 9:30 pm.

Freebies & Raffle Prizes from our sponsors will be given out on that night!

Thanks to:

BANDALS, HEALTHY BACK BAG, CURVES 360 Gym, SURFISTA Travels, FLOW SurfYogaSamba, Victoria Court and to MAKEUP ACADEMY for makeup of models / Planet ZIPS Philippines 

Media Partners:

Lifestyle Network, Livin Da Hapi Life/GMA News
7107 Islands Magazine, Modelos Magazine, Women’s Health, For The Win Magazine & When In Manila

* * *

TWINKLE FERRAREN Swimwear 2012

This summer, we’re releasing swimsuits with touches of weaves and fibers from various islands and tribes around the Philippines.

Swimsuits with accents beaded from T’boli tribes, knitted-pineapple fiber suits give an organic touch to beachwear and accessories and cover-ups that have accents that are indigenous to the islands.

Ferraren has been working with natural and local materials since the beginning of her career. Focusing these on swim and resortwear; she constantly develops items that showcase the country’s handicrafts and artisan skills. Back from showing and exhibiting from countries like Japan, Thailand, Italy, Korea and Indonesia; she hopes to be able to share the wonderful patterns, textiles and materials the country has to offer in her resortwear collection.

The collection includes swimwear (bikinis, one-pieces), accessories (bags, scarves, belts, necklaces) and coverups (skirts, dresses, robes).

For more info: www.twinkleferraren.com

Napa Restaurant and Bar entrance from Scout Borromeo St.

When In Manila, it pays to live a healthy and dynamic lifestyle. In a metropolis of eleven and a half million where people are too busy with work, people often neglect their health. Nevertheless, healthy foods like organic products are gaining a foot hold in the Metro and joining the bandwagon are numerous choices of healthy drinks like milk tea. The Milk Tea fad has swept the metropolis with tea stalls and joints opening left and right. Now, let me introduce you to the new place advocating milk tea as a healthy drink –  Bubbatealicious with their celebrity endorser, Jessy Mendiola.

The fluffy mascot of Bubbatealicious welcoming guests to the PressCon.

 The dimly lit registration area for those invited in the Bubbatealicious PressCon.

The When In Manila Team was given a chance to be part of this introductory press conference. The event was held in the laidback Napa Restaurant and Bar at Scout Borromeo in South Triangle, Quezon City. At the door, I was greeted by the Bubbatealicious mascot that looked very fluffy and funny at the same time. First things first, I immediately got myself a drink of Taro Milk Tea from the cart outside.

 A medium-sized serving of Bubbatealicious’ Taro Milk Tea.

I have always been a taro milk tea lover and never ordered anything in any milk tea joint other than this one. A measure of a good milk tea for me would definitely be based on how their taro is. Now, I’m proud to say that the taro milk tea from Bubbatealicious is my new favorite!

Furthermore, there were spareribs, pizza and pasta available on the buffet table but I enjoyed my taro milk tea all the more and got a second serving.

 Napa’s pasta and pizza lunch for guests, media and organizers.

After a little lunch, the program started when celebrity endorser Jessy Mendiola arrived to give a little talk on healthy living and how Bubbatealicious helped her with that. She said that she exercises regularly, avoids eating rice and pork, always think positively and of course, she drinks milk tea!

She highly recommends Milk Tea  since it has anti-oxidants from tea and calcium from milk. She even shared her milk tea habit by setting up a food cart in ABS-CBN, where she works, so that people can also enjoy a healthy dose of milk tea daily. 

 Jessy Mendiola talking about her testimonial to healthy living.

Unlike other milk tea products, Bubbatealicious’ tea is all natural and brewed in the old Chinese style to remove the excess bitterness while natural sweeteners, natural flavors and organic tapioca was added to the healthy mix. Though they are bumping against a high wall with a culture built on coffee drinking rather than tea, the company aims to inculcate a heathier milk tea drinking habit especially among the youth. The response has been good and sales have been brisk.

 Guests and media listening attentively at the event talk.

After the event, they gave each guests PhP500 worth of Gift Vouchers that can be redeemed at their SM Fairview, North, Megamall and MOA carts. I decided to treat my mom to a taste of Bubbatealicious at the Upper Ground Floor of SM North’s Central Mall and take down her feedback on the product. Arriving at their SM North cart, we saw a long line of customers waiting to order. Following a food traveler’s age-old belief, if the locals are taking time to line up for a food or drink, it means that the product is either good or cheap.

Bubbatealicious SM North EDSA’s booth with customers lining up.

 Mango Delight Pearl Milk Tea being prepared for the next customer.

My mom decided to order a medium-sized Kiwi and Dew Pearl Fruit Tea which costs PhP45 while I ordered my usual Taro Pearl Milk Tea, also medium sized which costs PhP55.

Bubbatealicious is available for franchising! They are offering the options of a full store, kiosk or food cart for your franchise model of choice. Visit their website at www.bubbatealicious.com or call them at (632) 376-6052 for more information. You also can email them at info@bubbatealicious.com or drop by their office at No. 50 Scout Tuazon St., South Triangle, Quezon City for other concerns or event bookings.

 Inset: Pearl Tea selections and the corresponding prices.

 When In Manila, be sure to drop by the Bubbatealicious carts nearest in SM Malls and 168 Mall at Divisoria for their selection of milk tea flavors would surely appeal to you. Live fully and drink healthy!

Bubbatealicious 

 www.bubbatealicious.com 

(632) 376-6052 

info@bubbatealicious.com 

office at No. 50 Scout Tuazon St., South Triangle, Quezon City 

Healthy Living with Bubbatealicious Pearl Milk Tea Drinks

When in Manila, particularly when you visit the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines, many alumni and students will recommend numerous and various restaurants and food centers for you to try. Some locals allot minimal budget and try the street food (kwekkwek, fishballs, squidballs, etc.) by the Shopping Center and at some isawan, while others would go and splurge on a more exquisite dining or cafe experience. If you’re in the mood for the latter, never leave the campus until you try out the amazing and delectable food that Restaurant of Choice, or simply, ROC Cafe offers.

 Valentine’s Ambience at ROC!

I discovered ROC Cafe in my first year of teaching photography. I started mentoring newbie shutterbugs since February 2009 and, since this has been just a sideline, I tried various cafes and restaurants which could be a good “learning place” for my students. One day, when the other popular cafe in Ang Bahay ng Alumni was full, I located this other cafe at the other side of the building and was surprised to find the ambiance of the restaurant/cafe very homey. The manager was also very accommodating and gave me and my students a hearty welcome. But imagine my surprise when I did try their food: it was a eureka experience! I’ve been dining in the campus since 1998, and my first dining experience in ROC Cafe was probably one of the most memorable ever. From then on, I have been a regular customer of ROC Cafe. Proof: check out who’s the mayor of the restaurant on foursquare.com. Haha!

My personal favorite food from ROC Cafe is their ROC Burger. The burger patty has just the right taste and texture–it’s not as salty as some of the fast food burgers, and it’s not too thick as the gourmet burgers from bigwig restos, which make you feel guilty about your diet plans. The ROC Burger has always been my comfort food in the afternoons when my photography students are around the campus taking photos. I have tasted a lot of burgers almost everywhere in the metro, and for me, their burger is definitely among my top three choices when I’m drooling for one.

 Satisfy your pasta cravings with Pesto Cream.

Many regular customers also recommend their pasta offerings. My personal favorites are: the classic Carbonara, the Pinoy-stylized Tuyo Puttanesca and Little Fish (danggit in pasta!), the sausage-filled Italian Job, and the greenish goodness of Pesto Cream, topped with chicken fillet.

 An upcoming dish: Nilagang Corned Beef. I had the privilege of being among the first to try this. Yummm.

If you’re looking for a regular meal with rice, I couldn’t recommend  enough the unbelievable goodness of Kalbi Stew, the sauce of which is blended to Korean perfection. For homey cravings, you can try Country Fried Steak, their succulent version of chicken fillet, topped with hot gravy. And for those who don’t mind their diet, go for local favorites Crispy Binagoongan and Bicol Express: both are served with deep-fried pork rind and meat, with crazy spicy and milky/savory sauce for the latter. All of these dishes are served with veggies on the side.

For those who are more health-conscious, perfect for those who observe Lenten fasting tradition, you can try out their fish entrees like Bangus Mediterranean, Fish Florentine, and Pesce Parmigiana. I’m not really into fish, but I did try some before and I marveled at the spices and flavorings used in these dishes!

 A favorite of many patrons: the light and tangy Quezo Bianca!

 Spicy! Hot, hot, hot Buffalo Wings!!!

Looking for just a light snack? Many patrons are crazy for their Quezo Bianca, kesong puti fillet garnished with red sauce and parmesan cheese. Their Buffalo Wings earned a lot of woahs from a few friends, and a former classmate also recommend their Clubhouse Sandwich to those who opt to skip lunch or dinner.

 Have a slice of Banoffee goodness!

 And pair it with a Cappuccino or…

 Cafe Mocha! 

What is a cafe without its share of cakes and coffee? In the past two years, I’ve seen the cake offerings change every season, but in the last few months, I’ve been blown away by their own version of Banoffee Cake (banana coffee) and their recent offerings, Romeo & Juliet (chocolate chiffon cake with thick white chocolate coating) and Strawberry Banana Cake, topped with irresistible cream frosting. I recommend that you try these sweeties with their version of Cafe Mocha. 

 Chillin’ with WiFi-enabled ROC Cafe

The restaurant has free WiFi, and the music in the background is not obtrusive and will not disturb your casual conversation with your friends. Oftentimes, I see customers who just hang out here on lazy Sundays for hours and, to those who are UP alumni, you might even bump into your former classmates and professors having a meeting or even a small class in one of the tables. At one time, I even had a tête-à-tête with former UP President Nemenzo himself!

But one of the major reasons why I am a loyal patron of ROC Cafe is because of the warm service of the hardworking staff and managers. They were the ones who welcome me into their cafe, weekend after weekend. 

 Very warm service from the staff, manager, and owners.

I think I’ve become too close already with the people that I have also had a lot of conversations with one of the restaurant owners, Rosa Laurel-Liamzon. She told me about how she and her husband, Don Liamzon, met in a culinary school in New York, where they both discovered their love for food and dreamed of opening a restaurant in Metro Manila. When they got married in 2004, Don already requested for a leasing space in Ang Bahay ng Alumni as he is an alumnus of the university. It took years before they were granted the current location of ROC Cafe and with some partners, they opened the resto/cafe, finally, in 2008.

 I cannot recommend any other UP Diliman restaurant highly than ROC Cafe. True to its name, it has become so many people’s restaurant of choice!

When In Manila, be sure to try the amazing burgers at ROC Cafe!

ROC Cafe

Ang Bahay ng Alumni, Magsaysay Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

9AM to 9PM on weekdays to Saturdays, 9AM to 6PM on Sundays.

You can reserve tables by calling (02) 425 0191.

Cash and Credit Card payments are accepted. 

 The Ultimate Choice When Dining in UP Diliman: Mouth Watering Burgers at ROC Cafe 

When inManila and thinking of honing your Feature writing skills, then let the gorgeous ladies of Writer’s Block Philippines show you how.

Chockful of handy tips and precious advice, their Feature Writing 101 workshop aims to harness the hidden wordsmith in all of us.

Who knew that there was more to creating great Feature articles then having grammatically correct sentneces and catchy, lyrical  alliterations?  At Feature Writing 101, you get to learn the very basics such as characteristics of an engaging literary piece and building up on your research and resources, understand what makes a good lead, and what hooks your readers to continue going through your work.

I love how we participants are encouraged to ask questions and participate in the discussions.  As they say, the only stupid question is the one left unasked.

I especially enjoyed the actual writing and critique portion where you are given a chance to use your newfound knowledge in creating what could probably be the beginnings of your Pulitzer-award winning entry. 

So when in Manila and dreaming of becoming one helluva Feature writer, sign up for Writer’s Block Philippines‘ Feature Writing 101 workshop and be amazed at what your pen uncovers.

Writer’s Block Philippines

 http://writersblockphilippines.com/

Are you ready for another night of free flowing Tiger Beer?

When in Manila, and looking for something to do on a Friday night…why not drop by the Craft Pub and Grill and immerse yourself in a night of art, music, and world acclaimed Tiger Beer!