March 2022 – Jellybeans in the City

Dreaming of living in a greener home? Check out this master-planned development in QC

Now that working remotely is as accessible as ever, many of us are moving outside the city to leave behind the concrete jungle in exchange for fresh air and proximity to nature. A recent Santos Knight Frank survey corroborates this pandemic-driven shift, with 33% of respondents now preferring to live in the suburbs, in search of low-density environments and wellness-related features.

Yet before you pack your bags and turn your back on the city for good, you might want to check SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s Vine Residences. As the name suggests, this prime gated community lies at the heart of Novaliches in Quezon City, complete with all the amenities for those who wish to live among lush greeneries and quaint spaces. A testament to its world-class features are the awards it won at the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards in 2021 — Best Upper Affordable Condo and Best Landscape Architectural Design.

Here, you can enjoy basking in the serenity only nature can bring — without having to look far and wide, or to break the bank.

Commit to a Purposeful Lifestyle at the Vine Nature Park

Named “Best Developer” in the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards both in 2020 and 2021, SMDC has been known in the industry for their commitment to sustainability. They exemplify this time and time with developments that provide safe and secure spaces, with vast, green spaces that encourage environmental stewardship and social connectedness.

At Vine Residences, this means various amenities strewn around what they call the “Vine Nature Park” that help you lead not just a healthy, active lifestyle but rather, a fulfilling one. There’s an eco and jogging trail where you can brisk walk or jog safely, day and night. There’s a private volleyball and basketball court too, where you can play friendly or competitive sports matches with your friends and family.

The best part, though, is the development’s very own Camp Hill Site, where you can spend intimate moments with your loved ones, surrounded by priceless gifts of nature. Imagine having long, tireless days of work or school – only for you to retreat in an enchanting campsite, literally a few steps away from your doorstep.

Nurture your family alongside nature

Did you know that living close to nature helps reduce stress levels, improves your mood, and has significant positive effects on children’s emotional, physical, and psychological well-being?

Now more than ever, health is of the essence. This goes hand-in-hand with the Santos Knight Frank study, which noted that open spaces, good air quality, and good views are now among the most important home considerations.

Luckily, SMDC has long been at the forefront of addressing Filipino homebuyers’ needs. Vine Residences boasts of a “Central Park,” where you will be greeted with sunken gardens, and easily, the most captivating landscapings you will ever see in a vertical residential development. Tranquil waters and spaces for meditation await you at the expansive swimming pools. There’s an outdoor children’s play zone too, to help mold and nourish your young ones.

Even more, Vine Residences is located inside the SM City Novaliches complex, giving you that extra exercise as you walk to a plethora of the area’s best restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment options. It’s also strategically located near reputable educational and health institutions, as well as major thoroughfares and transport hubs.

These, all together, make Vine Residences just the perfect place to raise your family.

Nowhere homier than the ‘Home of the Good Guys’

SMDC prides itself as the “Home of the Good Guys,” and it shows in every touchpoint the residents have everyday in the community. From the holistic features of each and every development, to the kind of security, safety, upkeep their property management team provides, to reliable internet connectivity, weekend markets, health and wellness caravans, and job caravans – SMDC encompasses true hallmarks of nation-building.

Choosing Vine Residences as your home, therefore, not only means making yourself privy to the good SMDC is doing for the country. You’re also given a chance to live in a community that empowers you to do more good, day by day.

Now is the best time to invest in real estate

According to Colliers Philippines, the Philippine property sector is set to see a positive year driven by the uptick in economic activity. “While we saw initial headwinds at the start of the year, especially [with] the spread of the Omicron variant, the gradual return of foreign professionals and turnaround in business and consumer confidence should help fuel the take-up of more residential units,” said Colliers Philippines Associate Director for Research Joey Roi Bondoc said.

Today’s economic landscape, therefore, makes up the ideal environment to invest in real estate. Santos Knight Frank backed this claim by encouraging investors to buy now while many government infrastructure projects are coming onstream. For Vine Residences, the completion of MRT-7 and the Mega Manila Subway not only means added convenience for residents, but rather, a generous increase in property values.

Colliers also reported to expect a rise in rent starting this year, which will be beneficial for those who might want to lease out their units. SMDC offers a worry-free leasing experience for interested investors with comprehensive leasing management services via SMDC Prime Key Leasing.

Vine Residences is a ready for occupancy (RFO) property, which means you can move right in, or start generating passive income in an instant.

With sprawling green spaces in a well-integrated, cosmopolitan community, Vine Residences offers a lifestyle you cannot find anywhere else in the metro.

For more information about SMDC’s Vine Residences, visit their official Facebook page at Vine Residences, Novaliches or their website at https://smdc.com/properties/vine-residences/.

About SM Development Corporation (SMDC)

SMDC is the largest and fastest growing real estate developer in the Philippines. Championing perfectly integrated commercial and residential environments, SMDC provides every Filipino and its investors access to a sustainable and attainable cosmopolitan lifestyle. Through masterfully planned and award-winning, complete developments, SMDC has been providing the dream homes of Filipinos in Metro Manila and other key cities in the Philippines.

Details and images provided by SMDC in a recent press release.

A taste of Southern Italy at Sicilian Roast

Hey, foodies! Want to take your taste buds on an exciting adventure?

How about a trip to sun-kissed Sicily?

Well, you won’t have to travel far to savor the rich culinary traditions of Southern Italian cuisine. Just drop by Sicilian Roast by Giuseppe Genco in Legazpi Village, Makati.

At this quiet spot in the busy commercial district, diners can sit back, relax and leisurely savor the fulsome flavors of Southern Italy as they sip on fine wines or their cocktails of choice.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, which also serves as the crossroads between various cultures, landscapes and cuisines.

Sicilian food is heavily influenced by various cultures that have existed on the island for over two millennia. These culinary traditions include the use of dried fruit, nuts and spices from Arab countries, the fondness for meat dishes from the Normans and the introduction of ingredients from the New World by the Spanish.

At its heart, Sicilian cuisine is all about the fresh ingredients that celebrate the fruits of the land and sea, made evident in Sicilian Roast’s celebrated dishes such as:

Parmesan Truffle Chips (Php250). Hand-cut potatoes, deep-fried to a gorgeous golden brown, flavored with truffle oil and parmesan cheese and served with Gorgonzola and Cream Cheese Dip.

Burrata Alla Caprese (Php370). Fresh creamy burrata cheese on a bed of romaine lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes.

Quattro Formaggio (Php430). Neapolitan-style pizza topped with a white sauce and four kinds of cheese: Gorgonzola, Smoked Scamorza, Mozzarella and Parmesan.

Tartufo Prosciutto (Php615). Neapolitan-style pizza topped with white sauce flavored with truffle cream, mushrooms, scamorza cheese, mozzarella and covered with thin slices of prosciutto.

Bellini (Php160). Cocktail made with peach schnapps and proseco.

So, foodies, if you want to expand your food horizons with the fresh flavors of Southern Italy, drop by Sicilian Roast!

Sicilian Roast by Giuseppe Genco is located at Second Floor OPL Building, Don Carlos Palanca Street corner Dela Rosa Street, Legazpi Village, Makati.

Other branches are located at:

Second Floor SM North Towers, SM City North EDSA corner North Avenue, Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City
226 Upper Ground Floor, Arton Strip, Katipunan Avenue, Barangay Blue Ridge, Quezon City

For more details about its offers, follow Sicilian Roast on Facebook and Instagram.

6 relaxing things to do during your stopover at Nuvali Park

If you’re on your way to Tagaytay, or on your way back to Manila while traversing the Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay Road, you will most likely pass by Nuvali Park.

This expansive area is designed to be an integrated self-sustaining eco-city, where various residential communities, commercial and hospitality establishments, as well as schools can be conveniently situated while also highlighting the beauty and importance of nature.

The highlight of Nuvali Park is a four-hectare multi-functional lake. This man-made water feature not only beautifies the park but it also serves as a catch basin for rainwater and a water reservoir. It also functions as a fire reserve and as a means for alternative transport within the park.

In this sprawling green space, motorists can take a break from their journey to rest and and find some fun activities to occupy their time while allowing nature’s healing touch to rejuvenate them.

Take a stroll. With all the lush greenery and tree-lined designated walking trails around the park, it would be a shame not to put on your comfy shoes and go for a leisurely ramble. It would be an enjoyable way to achieve your 10,000 steps, wouldn’t it?

Work up a sweat. If a more strenuous type of activity is more to your liking, you can always go for a a bike ride around the park (bring your own or rent one at the Lake Evozone for Php60/hour. More adventurous bikers can take a crack at the 50-kilometer mountain bike trails which may provide scenic views of Mount Makiling, Laguna de Bay and Tagaytay Ridge. The post-workout buzz will surely be worth the exertion. Be sure to bring your own safety gear (helmets and pads) as well wear closed shoes. Register at the Evo-living Center concierge with a valid ID.

Go bird-watching. Nestled within the park is a 17-kilometer buffer zone and open area where migratory birds and other creatures make their home. It’s best to time your bird-watching activity between 6am to 9am or 4pm to 6pm when these creatures are most active and the sun is not so hot. Bring your binoculars so you can watch the birds up close without disturbing them.

Take a boat ride. Take advantage of the awesome views afforded by a scenic boat ride on the lake for Php100 per person.

Dine al fresco. Here, you can savor a delightful meal while in the great outdoors to refuel you for the rest of your journey. You can have a lakeside meal at one of the restaurants at Nuvali’s Solenad 1, or nibble as you browse through the food stalls every weekend during the Nuvali Mercato Centrale weekend food market.

Feed the fish. The lake is also home to a pod of koi fish who will gamely rise to the water surface for your entertainment when you drop some fish food their way.

Clearly, a stopover at Nuvali will give you a respite from the stresses of your travel and provide you with happy memories that you can take with you when you move on to your next destination.

I wish you safe travels, dear reader!

Nuvali is located along the Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay Road, Bgy. Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. For updates on its events and activities, visit its website or follow Nuvali on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

New delicious food brands at KG Hall’s Super Secret Supper Club

Do you want to explore fresh ways to enjoy your classic faves? Do you look forward to broadening your food horizons? Do you long to be in on exciting foodie adventures?

Well, along Sgt. Esguerra Street in Quezon City’s Tomas Morato area, there’s a thrilling secret that’s soon to be revealed that will surely enliven the metro’s foodies.

A Super Secret Supper Club!

This secret society will meet at KitchenGarten, a multi-functional space that houses two professional integrated cloud kitchens and a spacious event hall. The area can serve as a venue for various types of personal and commercial events and functions.

Located in a loft overlooking the main kitchen is KG Hall, an open space that can accommodate up to sixty seated guests. It’s ideal for large social gatherings such as parties and seminars.

Sometime soon, once or twice a month, KG Hall will serve as the venue for the Super Secret Supper Club, a gathering for foodies to savor the wondrous creations from KitchenGarten’s talented chefs.

Among these creations are four exciting food brands that will soon find their way into the hearts of the metro’s foodies.

Betwixt

Getting its name from the sandwich’s main characteristic – being between two pieces of bread – Betwixt serves up delightful twists through fresh takes on sandwich filling, all made from scratch, generously portioned into freshly baked, house-made bread served with root-crop chips.

(Note: The sandwiches in the pictures below are bite-sized versions for tasting). The actual sandwiches would be bigger, sized for a solo serving or might be large enough to share.)

Nosh Market

For meat lovers out there, Nosh Market serves up appetizing twists on ribs that will get you reaching for piece after delicious piece. Solo servings include your choice of Nosh’ tasty Side Kick while full portions come with your choice of two Side Kicks. Pair these viands with a the house-made iced tea – Nosh Slosh – or the various craft beers and sparkling seltzers available.

The Bakery and Estheritas

Wondering where Betwixt’s freshly baked breads come from? Not far, apparently.

Within the same kitchen is The Bakery by Nosh Market which supplies breads and loaves such as honey whole wheat, rye, Cubano, banana bread and banana muffin.

Also available are whole cakes such as Nosh Tablea Cake, Mixed Berries Shortcake and Nosh Mini Cakes.

Estheritas MNL, on the other hand, is the prime source for glammed up cakes, pies and pastries such as the La Trinidad Shortcake, Classic Pistachio Sans Rival and Classic Ensaymada.

With such delectable items on offer, KG Hall’s Super Secret Supper Club is certainly something we shouldn’t keep to ourselves, is it?

I don’t mind spreading the word about it, so do check it out!

KG Hall is located at 36 Sgt. Esguerra Street, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9am to 6pm. For event bookings, delivery orders and other inquiries, call +63 2 87406550, +63 2 77536903 or +63 917 1163693. You may also send an email to kgecorporders@gmail.com.

To stay updated on the latest promos and offers of KG Hall brands, follow them on social media:

Betwixt: Facebook | Instagram
Nosh Market and The Bakery: Facebook | Instagram
Estheritas MNL: Facebook | Instagram

Disclosure: Together with fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH, I attended a food tasting held at this venue. Food and beverage items mentioned here were served at no cost to the attendees.

MetroMart now in Davao and Bicol

Even more Filipino communities will now experience the convenience of online grocery shopping, as MetroMart – the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines – expands its services to Davao and Bicol.

Starting on March 28, 2022, MetroMart will provide its grocery delivery service in Davao with Robinsons Supermarket and S&R. Launching on the same day, Robinsons Supermarket will also be available on MetroMart for the Bicol area. Users in Davao and Bicol will now be able to order their complete range of groceries from fresh, frozen and dry goods from Robinsons Supermarket and S&R. And to top it off, you do not need an S&R membership to shop from S&R!

New Users of MetroMart in these locations can also get additional discounts. Use the code HELLODAVAO or HELLOBICOL to get FREE Delivery for a minimum spend of ₱1,000. Promos are applicable in their respective serviceable areas only, valid from March 28 to April 30, 2022.

“We’re excited to announce our nationwide expansion to more cities in the Philippines and to share the convenience of online grocery shopping from the MetroMart website and mobile app to more Filipino families. We are grateful for the opportunity to empower and provide income to our hardworking Personal Shoppers and Riders who are joining the MetroMart family, as well.” Stefano Fazzini, CEO and co-founder of MetroMart, said. “Stay tuned for more updates on new locations, new merchants, and more discount deals from MetroMart this 2022.”

MetroMart is the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include Robinsons Supermarket, S&R (no membership required), Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in less than 2 hours! For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/MetroMartPH. Order groceries online or download the app via http://metromart.app.link/.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

5 things to fix in your bedroom for a blissful slumber

With our very busy lives, we deserve our restful sleep as well.

After all, getting enough sleep has a myriad of health benefits that we simply can’t ignore. These include heightened immunity, prevention of weight gain, as well as improved mood, memory, productivity and heart health.

As a place to rest and restore ourselves, our bedroom needs to be set up and decorated accordingly.

So scan through your bedroom and take note of what you can improve to give yourself a well-deserved blissful slumber.

Bed.

The primary furniture in the room determines much of your comfort as you slumber. The quality of your mattress, pillows and beddings will greatly factor into your sleeping conditions.

Gadgets.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the use of electronic devices at night tend to delay the time that we fall asleep, reducing the total sleep duration. These devices also affect our brains, stimulating our minds and making it harder for us to doze off. The blue light they emit also disrupts our body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

Now, it would be highly unlikely for us to ban all our technology from the bedroom but we can pare down our use of them once we enter our sanctuary. We can avoid using them an hour before we go to sleep, place them in drawers to keep them out of sight and resist the urge to reach for them when we wake up at night.

Lighting.

Light is the key player when it comes to regulating our circadian rhythm, with the darkest possible room cited as the most conducive to sleep. Darkness also reduces potential visual distractions and disruptions to sleep.

To help make your bedroom as dark as possible, consider equipping the room with blackout curtains and a small, low-power lamp. If you still have considerable light in the space which disrupts your sleep, you may want to purchase a comfy yet close-fitting eye mask.

Ventilation and Temperature.

As we enter the hot summer months, proper ventilation and room temperature become even more crucial to catching our Zzzs. Aside from air-conditioning, you can also help cool your room down by using electric fans to circulate air, and creating cross-ventilation within the home by opening or closing doors and windows.

Scents.

Don’t underestimate the power of your nose. Some fragrances can help promote relaxation which, in turn, makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up the following morning feeling well-rested.

Clean-smelling sheets have been observed to help in promoting comfortable sleep, as well as the use of aromatherapy in the form of essential oils applied to pillows or placed in diffusers. Lavender, rose, roman chamomile, jasmine and ylang-ylang are among those that have been seen to contribute to restful slumber.

Clutter.

In the same way that messy surroundings impede your ability to work at optimum levels, clutter in your bedroom could also prevent you from getting the sleep you need.

Clear out items that do not help you relax by regularly tidying up your bedroom and storing your electronic gadgets and small items in your drawers. Vacuum your bedroom rugs and mattress regularly to get rid of dustmites that trigger allergies.

Ready to set up your room to give you the best kind of sleep?

Shop for bedroom essentials that will help you get to Sleep Town at AllHome.

AllHome is the Pinoy’s one-stop shop for all home needs. It offers an extensive range of top-quality home-improvement products such as construction supplies, hardware, appliances, indoor and outdoor furniture, homeware, décor, and even electronic gadgets all under one roof.

Its Metro Manila branches include:

Vista Place (Wil Tower), Eugenio Lopez Drive, Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City
E. Rodriguez Jr. Brgy. Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Starmall EDSA-Shaw, Ground, Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Mandaluyong
Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong
Vista Mall Taguig, Levi Mariano Ave., Taguig City
Vista Mall C5 Extension Road, Quirino Ave. Pulang Lupa Uno, Las Piñas City
Vista Mall Las Pinas, CV Starr Ave., Philam Village, Pamplona, Las Pinas

You may also shop conveniently online at allhome.com.ph to take advantage of AllHome’s wide array of original and top-quality items, easy payment methods and fast delivery timelines.

In-store photos taken at AllHome WCC and Libis. Used with permission.

Aegyo Korean Chicken for a yummy K-Lunch

Everytime I watch the antics of Josh Carrott and Ollie Kendal on the Youtube channel Korean Englishman, I get absolutely green with envy at the sight of those two and their friends enjoying those scrumptious Korean food.

At some point, I would get so envious that I simply have to get those delicious dishes for myself.

Fortunately, yummy and affordable Korean dishes is just a phone call away, thanks to Aegyo Korean Chicken.

It started out as a Korean mini-mart located a few blocks from my home. Thanks to this establishment, I acquired a readily accessible source for ingredients for my #SamgyupAtHome and my #HotPotAtHome adventures, including pork, beef, fish balls and lobster balls.

Recently, it started offering classic Korean dishes, so I was able treat my fam to a Korean lunch with viands such as:

Bone-in Korean Chicken (Php269 for 5 pcs | Php488 for 10 pcs). I ordered both Spicy Yangneom and Lemon Pepper flavors so that my family members who prefer spicy and non-spicy Korean Chicken would be able to have something to enjoy.

Bibimbap (Php198). A solo-sized meal all by itself consisting of steamed rice with, beef strips and veggies topped with a fried egg, all of which are meant to be mixed together for a wonderful layering of flavors.

Fishcake (Php75) and Tteokbokki (Php88). These popular Korean street food items also serve great side dishes for this Korean lunch.

Well, now I don’t have to go all #FOMO whenever Josh and Ollie feeds their guest with Korean dishes, simply because I can readily have them here at my neck of the woods.

What’s your K-food craving today?

Aegyo Korean Chicken and Coffee is located at the corner of Countryside Avenue and 4th Street, Countryside Village, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 9am to 9pm. For inquiries, call +63 915 064 2961 or order for delivery via FoodPanda.

To stay updated on its products and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Nurture your kid’s creativity at Power Mac Center’s summer art camp

If you constantly find your kid drawing in a corner or creating visual designs on their iPad, you know it’s time to take it to the next level. Premier Apple partner Power Mac Center (PMC) is opening this year’s summer art camp to welcome kids to a whole world of digital wilderness where they can develop their talent and pursue what they like through Apple technology.

From April 19 to August 30, 2022, PMC’s official training arm – PMC Business Systems, Inc. (PBSI) – will be offering “Design Trail for Kids” with six special courses covering comics creation, 2D animation, game design using various software, and building trendy filters and 3D effects. Sessions will be conducted online for kids aged 7 to 15 years old.

“Children have an active imagination, and it’s important to provide them creative outlets while also prioritizing their safety and well-being amid the pandemic. This summer, Power Mac Center goes all out in creating opportunities for kids to explore ideas and enhance their digital creative and coding skills. Should they decide to pursue graphic design, visual communication, or even coding in the future, parents are assured they have a good foundation,” said Maleng Raysag, Training Head, PMC Business Systems Inc.

PMC_summer art camp_DesignTrail_PR image 1

PMC_summer art camp_DesignTrail_PR image 2

Let your kids design the future with their imagination today! The available courses are as follows:

The Art of Comics (7 to 10 years old). Showcase your child’s ideas. Let them create their own comics with doodles, basic lines, shapes, and colors. This course will teach your kids how to maximize their iPad for art.
2D Animation using iPad (7 to 10 years old). Improve your child’s visual communication and digital drawing skills. With this course, your kids will surely learn how to turn their ideas into a motion picture.
Roblox Game Design (8 to 12 years old). Let your child build and publish their own Roblox game through the Roblox Studio.
Web Game Creation using Scratch (8 to 12 years old). Develop your child’s logical thinking skills through coding. This course will also teach your kids how to create interactive games using Scratch—the world’s largest programming language and online community.
2D Game Design with Stencyl (12 to 15 years old). Allow your kids to dive deeper into 2D game development and coding. This course will also teach your kids how to create computer games with HTML5 and build games for iOS and Android using the Stencyl software.
Building AR Face Filters and 3D effects (12 to 15 years old). Let your kids experience an interesting way of combining the real world with technology and art. This course will also teach young minds how to create customized social media face filters and 3D Portal.

Each online session lasts for 1.5 hours, conducted over four days (Tuesday-Friday). Classes can be availed at PHP 2,500 per student per course, which can be paid via Power Mac Center’s Web Store https://powermaccenter.com/product/pbsi-dtl001. Limited slots are available to maintain instruction efficiency, and reservation is on a first come, first served basis.

PBSI offers a wide range of creative and technical courses conducted by Apple Certified Trainers to help groups and individuals leverage Apple technology for productivity and skills enhancement. For inquiries, contact PBSI at (632) 8553 6399 and +63 908 885 6277.

About Power Mac Center

Power Mac Center is a recognized Apple Premium Reseller, Apple Authorized Education Reseller, Apple Authorized Training Provider, and Apple Authorized Service Provider in the Philippines. Power Mac Center has become a reliable retail shop and service provider of Apple products to the Filipino consumer.

Header Photo by Katerina Holmes from Pexels

#TechVocInThePhilippines: Why not?

Tech-voc professionals should be regarded as graduates with equal opportunity, job security, professional status, and recognition in our society that professionals of four-year higher education programs currently enjoy.

It’s around that time of the year again when a fresh batch of new college graduates join the workforce.

For many of these graduates, after studying and struggling for years to earn their degree, a tough road lies ahead before they land their first job. If they’re lucky, they will be able to find work that aligns with their interests and the degree they worked so hard to attain. If they are not so lucky, they may find themselves in jobs that are not related to their degree, are underpaid for the jobs that they do have, or worse, have no job at all.

In a recent report on in-demand jobs in the country, IT/Computer Software, Clerical/Administrative Support, IT/Network/System/Database and General Work are among the top specializations that are being hired. In a separate salary survey, on the other hand, Computer/IT, Services, Manufacturing and Building/Construction are among those with the highest salaries for entry-level positions.

These are jobs that the new members of the workforce could have been prepared for by a technical-vocational education.

An unpopular choice

Unfortunately, tech-voc education has rarely been a first choice among high school graduates in the country. This may be due to the perceived lack of glamor or prestige of pursuing further education in the tech-voc sphere compared to a university degree, or the erroneous impression that workers in this field lack of job security or professional status compared to their peers who took university courses. Also coming into play may be the existing bias that only the ‘bobo’ enroll in these courses.

Whatever the reason, many members of our workforce are being denied employment opportunities and productive careers simply because they did not opt to pursue education in the tech-voc field.

This is such as shame because our technical-vocational institutes (TVI), if managed and monitored well, are fully capable of producing world-class and skilled graduates at par with those of our neighboring countries. Tech-voc graduates perform key roles in various industries both local and abroad. A job-ready and globally competitive batch of tech-voc graduates joining the workforce can also greatly contribute to the national income and economy.

To get to this stage, we as a country need to place importance in the possibilities offered by the technical field in providing a decent and productive life to our citizens.

TECH VOC blog images — Existing Philippine Qualification Framework and Ladderized Program Law

A need to revise our framework

You will notice that our highly-industrialized Asian neighbors like Japan, Singapore, and Korea have made necessary adjustments in their educational system, with particular focus on academic excellence and technology innovation. By placing emphasis on citizens becoming productive and contributing members to their national economy, these heavily invested in technical training.

A local proponent for tech-voc education is Ayala Corporation CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. According to him, a vocational or technical degree should be given a prominent position in our country’s educational framework. Expanding its curriculum and significantly improving its accreditation status will help produce young graduates equipped with the specific skills that match the requirements of the job market.

The Philippines has two main government agencies tasked in providing basic education in the country: DepEd (Department of Education) for the academics and TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) which is in charge facilitating quality technical education and skills development. Ideally, these two should complement each other, with no overlapping of roles that could result in conflicts during the implementation of their programs.

However, with the implementation of the K-12 curriculum, some of TESDA’s resources have been acquired by DepEd due to the need for technical experts to handle the tech-voc curriculum.

Both esteemed educators such as University of the Philippines professor, Clarita Carlos and government administrators like Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia have cited the sorry state of tech-voc education in the Philippines and made appeals to DepEd and TESDA to focus on their respective mandates, namely basic education and in the students’ academic performances for DEPED and technical skills formation for TESDA.

An expanded role for TESDA

TESDA needs to take on the complete responsibility for technical and vocational training as a distinct and separate agency from DOLE, DTI and DepEd, with a scope beyond merely providing technical instructions and training. Its purview should include thorough skills assessment to meet globally-competitive criteria, and granting professional license to successful graduates to elevate their status to professional practitioners of their chosen skill.

As the final “quality control” check before graduation and the practice of their profession, passing the licensure exam becomes a mark of pride and achievement for the graduates, a basis for demanding a higher salary and compensation for their services and an undeniable proof of their parity with the technical graduates of progressive countries.

Licensure examination is but one wheel in the big cog of Philippine Qualifications Framework which supposedly sets multiple criteria to measure the quality assurance principles and standards of the Filipino professional, technician and craftsman.

Performing this mandate would require TESDA to review and rescan its current services and offers in order to attract enrollees and be an effective government agency for manpower development.

To do this, it is proposed that TESDA curriculum be organized in two tracks that serve different purposes and will be monitored accordingly:

Product-Oriented Track	*Service-Oriented Track*
No pre-requisite	Pre-requisite: HS graduate
Only product quality control	Customer and Practitioner’s Protection Service
Do not require higher academic achievement	Service-Oriented professions are measured by quality of service thru customer satisfaction
This is measured only through quality control	It promotes respect, prestige and protection to the client and also the practitioner

Product-oriented tracks may be in the form of cottage industries and are designed to provide livelihood opportunities at the barangay level to folks such as stay-at-home moms, out-of-school youths, drug dependents, seniors/retirees, jobless folks, and surrenderees, with TESDA providing the necessary tools and materials as well as equipment for this skill training. Some of these are:

PTV Tracks — Livelihood tracks aims to provide skills training to its target beneficiaries, to engage them in livelihood projects that are income generating

The Service Oriented Sector/Industry, on the other hand, are professional tracks that go beyond a simple trade, and are identified by specific specialization based on the industry qualification. These will require a high school diploma as a basic requirement. These include the following:

Giving TESDA a free rein as well as an expanded role will help it perform its main mandate faster and more efficiently to address current joblessness and lack of experts in vocational and technical skills and to uplift the status of tech-voc in the Philippines.

Now that the country is entering the COVID-19 recovery phase, opportunities abound for smart investment in tech-voc education and training to “build back better” programs and systems. These may also cater to students who dropped out during school closures and reskill or upskill those who have become unemployed.

To greatly improve employability and professional development of tech-voc students, focus must be given to developing their foundational cognitive and socioemotional skills, such as empathy and resilience, while investing in learning technology and digital skills of tech-voc instructors.

In conclusion, if TVETs are compliant with global standards and are at par with similar institutions of our Asian neighbors, the “Filipino Diaspora” will be minimized because tech-voc graduates are capable of getting better-paying jobs locally or establish their own enterprises without leaving the country.

To this end, while TESDA should be independent from other government agencies in providing technical-vocational training and education, it can be greatly helped by agencies like DepEd with its focus on the basic education of children, as well as DOLE and DTI in providing employment assistance and livelihood programs to tech-voc graduates.

Young Filipinos who wish to lead productive lives can look forward to brighter and more productive futures with the tech-voc track, provided they are given the proper incentives, multisectoral support and a supportive policy environment.

With the government, industry and the academe working together in strengthening the country’s tech-voc ecosystem and reinforcing the knowledge that the “Pinoy tech-voc ay hindi bobo,” a career in this field will become a promising path for our future graduates.

Student photos by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

Coffee appreciation at Himawari Specialty Coffee in Silang, Cavite

Personally, I can’t get started on my day without my cuppa joe first thing in the morning. I’ve found that, in order to be physically energized and mentally alert, I need to have a cup of hot coffee waiting for me as soon as I get up from bed.

At various points of the day, such as the unholy hour after lunch when I feel a wee bit drowsy or late in the afternoon when my energy levels start to dip, I would find myself reaching for another cup of coffee to get that energy boost.

Apparently, I’m not alone in my dependence on this beverage as Statista revealed in a recent study that total coffee consumption in the Philippines in 2020 reached 3.3 million 60-kilogram bags.

However, this consumption is actually driven by the demand for soluble coffee, also known as instant coffee. While so easily accessible and, for many, very affordable, instant coffee does not fully showcase the possibilities of the beverage, and that experience of enjoying an outstanding cup of coffee will remain beyond reach for a lot of people.

Introducing specialty coffee

Fortunately, there’s a coffee shop in Silang, Cavite that advocates for the highest quality of coffee, prepared according to exacting standards, so that Filipinos can discover the experience of enjoying a really good cup of this amazing beverage.

Himawari Specialty Coffee is a coffee bean roasting shop located along the Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay Road. It sells single-origin roasted beans sustainably sourced from various countries. It differentiates itself from other coffee shops by offering specialty coffee – those which come from green coffee beans of exceptional quality which are farmed, roasted and brewed to a significantly higher than average standard.

The shop is helmed by its Master Roaster, Mr. Yutaka Shinozaki, whose pursuit of knowledge and skills in specialty coffee has earned him 100 points in the Coffee Skills Program and a diploma from the Specialty Coffee Association.

“I want to introduce specialty coffee here in the Philippines,” he said.

To this end, he established the Himawari Coffee Shop in 2019 and regularly holds coffee brewing workshops at the store on Saturday afternoons.

During my recent visit to his shop, Mr. Shinozaki provided a crash course on what goes into specialty coffee which he summarized into three elements: the bean, the roasting process and the brewing method.

The bean.

Specialty coffee begins with single origin beans grown in select altitudes, climates and soil, and nursed for years before harvesting. These beans are free from defects and picked at their peak of ripeness.

“There are two main types or species of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta,” shared Mr. Shinozaki. “Robusta is mainly for instant coffee. Arabica is for coffee shop practice.”

He further explained that there may be differences in levels of quality among Arabica beans. “The lowest grade of Arabica are normally used by some commercial coffee shops. They say that they are using Arabica, yes, that is correct. But it is the lowest grade, meaning low-quality and cheap. So they are using cheap beans but selling at high price.”

Specialty coffee, on the other hand, is made from the highest quality of Arabica beans, as certified by the Specialty Coffee Association.

The roasting process.

Mr. Shirataki personally roasts the green coffee beans for up to twelve minutes in a 180-deg C roaster, taking careful note of the measurements and resulting flavor profiles.

The beans are lightly roasted, going from a light green color to beige to medium brown, throughout the process. A light roast ensures that the distinct tastes of the coffee depending on the region where it was sourced are discernible.

Common lore is that coffee is best when its freshly roasted, but Mr. Shirataki shares that immediately after roasting, the beans are still emitting some gases so it is best to wait for up to three days before brewing.

To maintain the freshness of the roasted beans, they are stored in air-tight containers at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

The brewing method.

The final element to creating the delicious cup according to Mr. Shirataki is the brewing method.

“To make a good cup of coffee, of course, you need good beans. But you also need to know how to make good coffee. Even with the same bean, if you don’t know, your cup is different from our cup.”

Brewing specialty coffee to bring out all its natural goodness requires a very specific method and measurements. The process begins with grinding the fresh-roasted beans only when you’re ready to brew and pre-heating the equipment that you will use.

The ground coffee is placed onto the filter, then 20ml of freshly boiled water is poured over the grounds to let them expand or “bloom.” After thirty seconds, 140ml of water is slowly poured over the bloomed coffee for a minute, making sure that the white foam – which has a bitter taste – that appeared on top of the grounds does not touch the filter so as not to transfer the bitter taste to the coffee.

Whew! All that effort just to get a cup coffee. However, for true coffee lovers, that perfect cup of coffee is well worth all that effort.

Visitors of Himawari Specialty Coffee can enjoy hand-drip hot coffee by the cup for:

Specialty Coffee (Yirgacheff from Ethiopia, El Jagar from Costa Rica, Fazenda and Ipanema from Brazil, Mandheling from Indonesia): Php250/cup (roasted beans also available in 100g pouch for Php1,000)
Local Beans (Mt. Apo and Bukidnon): Php150/cup (roasted beans also available in 150g pouch for Php400)
Mimawari Premium Blend: Php200 (roasted beans also available in 100g packs for Php200)

Those who want to munch on something as they sip their coffee can also enjoy Japanese cream-filled pastries such as the Chocolate Eclair (Php120)and the Cream Puff (Php120) or the Japanese-style Cheescake (Php200) which has a smooth and silky cheesecake layer.

Whether you’re a true-blue coffee fan or a casual coffee drinker, Himawari Specialty Coffee is definitely worth a visit. Here, you can enjoy your favorite beverage or expand your coffee horizons. Doing so will also support the continued growth and richness of our own coffee culture.

Himawari Specialty Coffee is located at CVI Building along the Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay Road, Sitio Muson, Silang, Cavite. To order its specialty coffee beans, visit its online store.

To stay updated on its offers, follow Himawari Specialty Coffee on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a workshop and coffee tasting held here. Food and beverage items mentioned here were served in exchange for this feature at no cost to me.