Every once in a while, I get that irresistible craving for something sweet.
I normally give in to this craving because:
Doing so brings me so much joy (and yes, a bit of sugar rush!)
It’s so easy to get something sweet and delish from Big Al’s Cookie Jar!
Since 2004, Big Al’s Cookie Jar has been whipping up delightful desserts from its home kitchen or from its four branches conveniently located in the metro.
It also conveniently delivers its confections via GrabFood, enabling sweet-tooths like me easy access to it sugary offerings such as:
Triple Decker Cookie Jar (Php459).
This prettily packaged jar of cookies contains sixteen cookies of all three of its chewy soft-batch cookie variants: Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Macadamia and Chocolate Oatmeal Walnut. Each cookie generously laden with chocolate chips and chunks.
The strict quarantines may have been lifted by now but one of the trends they gave rise to sure looks like it’s here to stay.
With quite a number of plantitos and plantitas flexing their verdant and thriving plantbabies to their houseguests and social media buddies, we can definitely say that gardening has taken root among many of the metro’s denizens.
While gardening is a rewarding and fulfilling activity that has become increasingly popular during the pandemic, it still presents a variety of benefits that make it a hobby worth pursuing even as we continue on to our “next normal” lives.
Read on to see six reasons why gardening is good for you, even in your post-pandemic era.
1. It provides you with an opportunity for outdoor activity
Gardening is an outdoor activity that allows you to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while still practicing social distancing. After months of lockdowns and isolation, getting outside, loading up on Vitamin D from the sun and being in nature can provide a much-needed mood boost.
2. It is a way to de-stress from your increasingly busy life
Gardening has been shown to be an effective stress reliever. It allows you to focus on a simple task and can help calm your mind, reduce anxiety and even provide an outlet for your creativity. Additionally, seeing the fruits of your labor can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost your mood. Especially now that our days are filling up with so many tasks and responsibilities at work and at home, the simple joys of gardening can certainly lessen the load of our daily worries.
3. It can be your form of physical activity.
Gardening is also a form of exercise that can help improve your physical health. Tasks such as digging, planting, and weeding can provide a low-impact workout that can help increase your strength, flexibility, and endurance while burning off those pesky calories.
4. It can provide you with a steady source of healthy food.
Speaking of calories, you would need to burn off some of them to keep fot
Gardening can also provide you with fresh, healthy food that you can enjoy at home. Growing your own fruits and vegetables allows you to control what goes into your food and can provide a more sustainable and affordable source of nutrition.
5. It can help in building a sense of community with your neighbors
Gardening can also help build a sense of community. Whether you join a community garden or simply share your produce with neighbors, gardening can help connect you with others and foster a sense of belonging.
6. It can be your contribution towards sustainability.
Gardening can help promote sustainability by reducing your carbon footprint and promoting biodiversity. Growing your own food can reduce the amount of transportation and packaging needed to get food to your table, and planting native plants can provide a habitat for local wildlife.
Clearly, gardening provides a multitude of benefits beyond just a pandemic pastime. Continuing to garden as a hobby offers a sense of physical and mental health benefits, sustainability and self-sufficiency, connection with nature, a creative outlet, and social connection. So whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, there are plenty of reasons to continue gardening as a hobby beyond the pandemic.
Pictures featured in this blog post were taken during visits to EFS Garden and Pond Center.
It is a plant nursery owned and operated by Engr. Ed Santiago and Architect Errol Santiago. The nursery offers a wide range of plants and garden accessories to both novice and expert plant enthusiasts, manned by knowledgeable staff to assist you with your gardening needs and queries.
EFS Garden and Pond Center is located at Green Meadows 3 Lower Park, Green Meadows Ave, Quezon City, Metro Manila, open daily from 7am to 6pm. For inquiries, call +63 2 89824975 or email efsgardenandpondcentre@gmail.com.
To know more about its updates and offers, follow EFS Garden and Pond Center on Facebook and Instagram.
Check out my previous posts about gardening and green spaces:
Who would have thought that dining at a mall food court would give you such a superb dining experience?
Sure, food courts have their own appeal due to a variety of reasons: the variety of cuisines offered at affordable prices, easy accessibility, fast service and liveliness and bustle of the crowd.
However, the entrance of a brand new concept stall at The Landmark’s Supermart Foodcenter presents an exciting possibility for diners: personalization!
Butter Grill offers sizzling plates classic Filipino dishes and foodcourt faves but with a fresh twist: the diner can mix and match various items on the menu to craft a hotplate according to their specifications.
Here’s how:
First, choose your meat among Butter Sliced Pork (Php159), Butter Sliced Beef (Php249), Mixed Seafood (Php285), Peppered Bangus (Php298), Angus Burger Steak (Php315) and Beef Tendon (Php345).
Second, choose a free sauce to complement your meat: Pares Sauce, Bicol Express Gravy, Kare-Kare Gravy, Honey Binagoongan Gravy, Steakhouse Gravy, Sinigang Gravy, Kaldereta Gravy and Salted Egg Gravy.
Lastly, choose a free side to complete your meal: Butter Rice, Pancit and Sourdough Pan de Sal.
Combining items from this menu produces tasty hotplates such as:
Butter Sliced Beef in Kare-Kare Sauce with Buttered Rice
Angus Burger Steak in Steak House Gravy with Buttered Rice: my absolute fave!
Sliced Pork in Kaldereta Sauce and Pancit
Beef Tendon in Honey Binagoongan Gravy and Buttered Rice
Beef Tendon in Sinigang Gravy and Buttered Rice
With the Lenten Season coming in, you’d be happy to know that Buttergrill’s got your back for Meatless Fridays with a Buy 1 Get 1 Offer on its seafood hotplates for just Php298. Promo is available every Friday from February 24 to April 7, 2023.
Peppered Bangus in Salted Egg Sauce with Buttered Rice
Mixed Seafood in Pares Sauce with Pancit
Mix things up a bit and try some of the dishes with Butter Grill’s Sourdough Pan De Sal!
Cap your meal with something sweet and refreshing: Buttergrill’s Clear Gulaman available in Bulilit (Php49) and Giant (Php99) sizes!
Bulilit Gulaman
Giant Gulaman, good for sharing!
Here are some tips to further enhance your Buttergrill experience:
Unsure of which combination to try? Ask the servers for their recommendations!
Mix the hotplate contents well to distribute the flavors from the sauces evenly.
Allow some of the rice and gravy to caramelize (forming a flavorful tutong I’m you’ll love!)
So if you fancy a fresh take on your favorite Pinoy dishes and more, be sure to drop by Butter Grill!
Butter Grill is located at the Supermart Foodcenter of The Landmark, Makati Avenue, Ayala Center, Makati City.
Stay updated on its promos and offers by following Butter Grill on Facebook and Instagram.
Being a foodie myself, there are few pleasures in life as universal as the enjoyment of a delicious meal. From childhood memories of dinners with my family to those first kilig dates at fancy restaurants, dining on good food has the ability to bring not just satiety, but a sense of joy.
And for people like me who are passionate about food and all its delicious possibilities, there’s no better feeling than sharing their gustatory adventures with others.
That’s what I did when on the first day of our #ReturnToOffice, I took my teammates to one of my favorite places in the Tomas Morato area for our first #HappyLunch after nearly three years: SilverSpoon Kitchenette.
Located in one of the side streets off Tomas Morato Avenue, this cozy little kitchenette is a hidden gem that has been making waves in the local food scene.
The kitchenette is run by a team of passionate foodies who are dedicated to bringing dishes that are not only delicious but also made with the freshest ingredients. They source their produce from local farmers, ensuring that every dish is packed with the goodness of the season. They also instituted a quarterly showcase of classic Pinoy food from various regions to make these heritage dishes more accessible to their clientele.
However, for this particular food adventure, my coworkers and I focused on SilverSpoon’s pastas and mains, which included:
Creamy Spinach Ravioli (Php365). Handcrafted ravioli stuffed with creamy spinach filling served on a flavorful sauce bed.
Pasta al Nero (Php330). Squid ink pasta tossed with crisp vegetables and calamari.
Crispy Lechon Kawali (Php330). Deep-fried pork belly served with saffron rice with lechon sauce on the side.
Honey Garlic Liempo (Php330). Tender grilled pork belly glazed in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce and served with garlic rice.
Gambas in Tomato Sauce (Php385). Plump tiger prawns flavored with paprika and tossed in a sauce of pureed tomatoes.
Beef Salpicao (Php495). Tender beef strips and mushrooms stir-fried in Worcestershire sauce, butter, garlic and chilis served on a bed of garlic rice.
But the food is only part of the story. SilverSpoon Kitchenette is a warm and welcoming space that’s perfect for everything from a quick lunch for office workers to a leisurely dinner with friends.
The decor is simple and minimalist but has a charming vibe that makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re sitting at the bar with your coffee and a sandwich or feasting with your buddies at one of the cozy tables, you’ll be feeling quite at ease.
In a world where fast food and pre-packaged meals have become the norm, SilverSpoon Kitchenette is a refreshing reminder of what real food is all about. So the next time you’re in the mood for a meal that’s made with love and care, head over to SilverSpoon Kitchenette and prepare to be delighted.
Silverspoon Kitchenette is located at 81 Scout Gandia Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in, takeout or delivery from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries, reservations or delivery orders, call +63 917 1603327. It also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.
Plus, here’s a something to make your culinary adventure even more delightful!
Scan this code and present your boarding pass when you dine in at SilverSpoon to enjoy 10% off on your bill! (Applicable to dine-in transactions only)
For updates on its latest offers, follow Silverspoon on Facebook or Instagram.
Let’s face it: chances are, many of us aren’t money-smart.
Some of us can go through our entire lives without knowing how to make budgets work, save our earning, handle debt or even make our money grow into wealth.
Sadly, most of the education we received growing up involved practically anything except money matters. Whether this is due to the lack of appreciation of our educational institutions on financial literacy or the tendency of the academe to look down on matters of coin, this situation leaves us at a loss when it comes to financial problems.
What is money smarts?
Money smarts, otherwise known as financial literacy, refers to the knowledge and skills required to manage one’s personal finances effectively. It involves understanding how to earn, save, invest, and spend money in a way that maximizes one’s financial well-being and minimizes financial stress.
If you feel yourself lacking in any of these skills, you may need to brush up on your money smarts.
Budgeting. Can you create a budget and stick to it? Do you understand the flow of your income and expenses and therefore know how to allocate your money accordingly?
Saving. Can you put aside some money for short-term and long-term goals? Should a medical emergency that brings astronomical hospital bills, a major purchase such as a downpayment for a house, or sudden unemployment arise, will you have saved funds for it?
Investing. Can you make your money grow aside from just working several jobs, thereby getting passive income? Would you know how to invest your money and manage your risks to support your goals?
Debt Management. Would you be able to manage your debt responsibly, such as paying off high-interest debt first and avoiding unnecessary debt?
Financial Planning. Can you plan your finances for a long-term basis taking into consideration your goals, income, and expenses? Can you plot out the steps you have to take and adjustments you need to make with how you earn, spend and save your money to be able to achieve your goals?
Why is it important to have money smarts?
Money smarts is important because it allows us to take control of our finances, bringing about these benefits:
Financial Stability: It helps us ensure that we are living within our means and saving for our future.
Reduced Stress. It provides us with the know-how to manage our finances effectively, eliminating guesswork and uncertainty.
Better Financial Decisions. It allows us to make informed decisions about our money, particularly in terms of investing, saving and spending.
Increased Wealth. It helps us increase our wealth over time through making smart financial decisions and investing in our future.
How to develop money smarts
If you find yourself lacking in money smarts, it makes sense to start developing it. The prospect may seem daunting at first, but with some dedication, you can take some steps to improve your financial knowledge and skills:
Get in the know. Educate yourself about personal finance by reading books, attending seminars, or taking online courses about the basics of budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management.
Start budgeting. Creating and sticking to a budget is an essential component of money smarts. Track your expenses for a month – including all expenses such as rent, utilities, food, and entertainment – and factor those into your budget.
Set financial goals. Have a definite goal in mind to help you make smart financial decisions and stay motivated to do so while saving for a down payment on a house or paying off debt.
Start saving today. If you haven’t already, set aside a portion of your income each month for an emergency fund or long-term savings.
Manage your debt. Being entirely debt-free is not the main goal as debt can help fund investments or assets to improve your life while allowing you practice good payment behavior.
Invest wisely. Investing can help grow your wealth over time, but it’s important to get into it with eyes wide open. Research different investment options, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, and choose investments that align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Benefit from the wisdom of others. Seek advice from a financial advisor or mentor who can provide guidance and support as you work towards your financial goals. You can also make use of online resources such as MortgageCalculator.org to deepen your knowledge about personal finance.
A fun way to sharpen your money smarts
Aside from providing a range of educational resources on mortgages and home buying, MortgageCalculator.org also offers free and easy -to-use mortgage calculators to help users calculate various aspects of their mortgage payments and, ultimately, their financial health.
It also houses a variety of engaging and educational money games that can help users improve their money smarts and practice their financial decision-making using real-world scenarios. Over time, as users develop their financial acumen, they also develop their confidence to make sound financial decisions in real life.
Want to try your hand at honing your own money smarts through online games at MortgageCalculator.org? Check these out:
Cashback: Give the correct change for each transaction by selecting the bills and coins needed to correctly sum to the customer’s change amount. This is perfect for teaching kids about the value of money (because they, too, need to develop money smarts!)
Stocks: Ever wondered what it was like to be one of those day traders at Wall Street? This game simulates the up- and down-trends of the stock market while the player tries to buy low while selling high.
Red Outpost: Colonize Mars by sending astronauts to harvest food and mine valuable goods. The game approximates the dynamics of building a new economy from the ground up.
Coffee Shop: Build your coffee shop business by managing your inventory, cashflow, pricing and formula taking the fluctuations on the demand for coffee based on the weather. This teaches players to balance both internal and external factors in growing a business.
Sort the Trash. Move the recycling bins across the screen to catch recyclables such as cans, cartons and bottles. This is a good approximation of the need to weed through all sorts of trash to get the items of value.
These are just a sampling of the games available at at MortgageCalculator.org. Browse through the various categories to find the games that can help you grow your knowledge and skills on financial matters while providing you with lots of fun!
By providing an engaging and interactive way to learn about business strategy and personal finance, these games make learning about money more accessible and fun, which you can then apply to your real-life money strategy.
No matter which stage in life you are right now, developing money smarts is the best way to take control of your finances to get you to achieve financial stability. Honing your financial literacy will help you make smart financial decisions to set you up in a good financial position for life. So take the time to learn about money and take full advantage of the resources available to sharpen your money smarts.
Launched last December, vivo’s slim yet powerful Y02s just got even more powerful with a storage upgrade. One of the thinnest smartphones in the industry today, the vivo Y02s now comes in a 3GB+3GB Extended RAM and 64GB storage setup to deliver an even more powerful mobile phone experience to vivo users.
Power for all
With its upgraded storage configuration, the vivo Y02s is set to deliver more productivity and an uninterrupted experience like never before. You can now store all of your important applications, photos, videos, and files for use whenever and wherever you need them. For those who are constantly on the move, this major update ensures that no interruptions such as a sluggish interface or a sudden screen freeze, occur while multitasking or taking a break for some “me time”.
Power up your day
Designed to give you power all day, this device is equipped with a 5000mAh battery capacity that is more than enough to sustain your daily errands. That means having enough power to go through daily online work meetings, photo sessions as you meet up with friends, or even squeezing in some personal time to catch up on the latest TV series. What’s even more, this phone comes with a Type-C Hi Speed Port and a 10W Fast Charge to fuel you more with an uninterrupted smartphone experience.
Power up your style
Be confident as the vivo Y02s is built with a slim (8.19mm) body that makes it easier for users to secure it safely in the pocket without having that bulky feeling, leaving you with convenience and comfort while on the go. Its easy-to-hold body frame also allows you to flaunt the vivo Y02s’ unique design to give that vibrant accent to your OOTD.
Power up your mobile phone adventure
The vivo Y02s’ 6.51-inch HD+ screen with Halo FullView Display allows users to explore an entirely different world with its immersive and interactive mobile phone display. Scream at the top of your lungs for that mobile game moment, or watch your favorite show or movie as if you’re one of the main characters.
Availability
This February, vivo extends the love by offering the slim yet powerful vivo Y02s with its massive update of 3GB RAM and 64GB internal storage for only Php 5,999! The vivo Y02s comes in two color options: Flourite Black and Vibrant Blue. The 3GB+3GB Extended RAM and 64GB Storage variant is now available at all vivo stores and kiosks in the Philippines, as well as vivo’s E-Store and official stores in Shopee andLazada.
To learn more about the vivo Y02s specifications and order details, visit vivo Philippines’ website: https://www.vivo.com/ph. For more information on vivo’s latest news and updates, please head to vivo’s official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube channel.
Then bring the fam over to ZOORI for a truly enjoyable and magical time!
ZOORI (Zoo @ Residence Inn) is a delightful destination in Tagaytay City which provides visitors with unique and memorable experiences.
A special magic show
One of ZOORI’s chief highlights is a magic show performed by the zoo’s own staff, along with some of the resident animals.
In this highly entertaining skit, a fantastical story from the Granny sends kids Alice and Sebastian off to slumber, dreaming of being whisked away Tagaytay Never-Neverland where Lakan Taal and the White Rabbit regale them with various magic tricks such as making coins disappear, transforming flaming wands into spears and and pulling items out of a seemingly empty bag.
Later tricks incorporate the zoo’s animal’s such as rodents, spiders, reptiles, raptors, monkeys and even a huge St. Bernard in an amazing showcase of talents and exciting animal stunts.
Afterwards, brave volunteers among the audience can get really up close and personal with the featured creatures, ably assisted by the trainers and handlers.
The combination of the engaging magic tricks and the exciting appearances of zoo animals against the breathtaking view of Taal Lake make for a highly diverting experience.
Fun animal encounters
Aside from the magic show, the ZOORI also affords guests various areas where they can view and interact with the creatures which makes the zoo their home.
These include:
Zoo Grounds which hosts various wild and farm animals ranging from lions, tigers, monkeys , camels, goats and miniature horses.
The Aviary where they can view different colorful birds in their enclosure plus even feed them with their own hands.
The Serpentarium where they can check out different species of reptiles such as snakes, lizards, iguanas, turtles, and other cold-blooded creatures.
Sheep at the Zoo Grounds
Raptors at The Aviary
Snake at the Serpentarium
Colorful fish
Thrilling Rides
The zoo also offers a range of fun and exciting rides that provide a unique way to experience its beautiful natural surroundings, its diverse animal collection and its stunning views of Taal Lake and Volcano.
These include:
Zipline: Soar through the air while taking in the awesome sights
Cable Car: experience the stunning views of Taal Lake and Volcano through a slower and more peaceful ride
Horseback Ride: enjoy a leisurely ride around the zoo
Camel Ride: get your picture taken against a dessert backdrop seated on top of a real life camel
King Kong: get lifted up into the air for a bird’s eye view of the zoo
Zipline
Cable Car
Camel Ride
King Kong
Scenic dining
Exploring the zoo will definitely work up an appetite so be sure to drop by the Gazebo Restaurant for tasty Filipino dishes or at Samgyupsalamat for all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue.
View from the Gazebo
Pinoy Merienda at the Gazebo
Korean BBQ at Samgyupsalamat
Dining at Samgyupsalamat
Both of these eateries overlook the Taal Lake and Volcano, so diners can enjoy their meals while taking in the awesome scenery.
So if ever you’re in Tagaytay, don’t forget to bring the fam over to ZOORI for a a fun and magical time with animals, great food and awesome views!
ZOORI is operated by the Zoomanity Group, a leading provider of theme parks and attractions in the Philippines, with a focus on sustainable tourism and responsible animal care.
It is located at Km. 65 Barrio Neogan, Tagaytay City, open daily from 8am to 5pm.
Here’s a tip: you can get discounted tickets to Paradizoo Theme Farm by signing up for a free YOGO customer account and ordering tickets via the YOGO PH app (download now on Google Play or the App Store).
You can also enjoy savings when you book your tickets via Klook.
For inquiries, email zoomanityonline@gmail.com or call +63 046 4131244 | +63 966 1938965. Know more about Paradizoo and other Zoomanity’s attractions at zoomanity.com.ph.
Entrance rate for adults is Php249/head while for children within 3 feet- to 4 feet in height is Php199/head. Entrance for children below 3 feet is free.
Fees for additional activities include:
Zip Line or Cable Car: Php150/person
Animal Food Basket: Php20
Bird Thrill Feeding: Php10
Zing Ride for Kids: Php50/person
Horse Back Riding: Php50
Check out my previous posts about Zoomanity Group’s attractions:
Disclosure: Together with fellow media personnel and fellow content creators, I was invited by the Zoomanity Group to tour and experience the attractions at the Zoo @ Residence Inn. The tour was sponsored by the company and was not paid for by the attendees including myself.
Want to jazz up your home-cooked meals or adjust the taste of your restaurant-bought meal according to your personal taste?
We Pinoys have a ready solution for it: our condiments!
Whether in the form of dipping sauces (“sawsawan”) or marinades (“pinagbabaran”), we are firm believers of further improving the flavor of our food with the addition of condiments.
One condiment that I think does not get enough credit – not being celebrated as much in the local food scene as the ubiquitous patis, toyomansi and sukang pinakurat – is the liquid seasoning. A soy-based sauce that imparts a unique blend of saltiness, sweetness and umami (savory and meaty taste), liquid seasoning imparts the flavors that appeal to the Filipino palate to various foodstuffs. It is usually sold in small bottles or containers that are easy to store and retrieve from our pantries whenever we need to add some flavor to our viands.
Add to the rub and use a extra seasoning for Baked Pork Ribs
Ellie Liquid Seasoning, marketed and distributed by Benby Group of Companies, deserves some of the limelight in the Filipino kitchen.
Here are reasons why it deserves the title of #BidaSaKusina:
It’s very versatile. It can be used in a variety of dishes, whether as a marinade for meat and seafood, as a condiment for rice, noodles, and vegetables, and as a flavoring agent for soups, stews, and sauces.
It has low-fat content. Ellie Liquid Seasoning is low in fat, making it a healthier alternative to other flavorings that are high in fat and sodium that can lead to risks with your heart health.
It imparts that umami flavor. It is primarily characterized by that distinct umami flavor that adds depth and richness to dishes – that delicate balance between sweetness and saltiness that brings out the flavors of many of our favorite Filipino dishes.
It’s an affordable and easily accessible way to enhance the flavor of food. Priced affordably at Php79 (SRP) per 280ml bottle and widely available in leading retail outlets and online stores, Ellie Liquid Seasoning is very accessible, providing Filipino households with an inexpensive way to add flavor to dishes without breaking the bank.
It’s so easy to use. Need to imbue that umami flavor into your food? Just drizzle a bit of Ellie Liquid Seasoning into cooked food or pour into the marinade.
It’s proudly Philippine-made. Get your Pinoy Pride on and support this locally-made product, thereby supporting the country’s economy and the growth of its food industry.
It’s part of what makes the Pinoy dining experience unique. Filipino meals are usually served family style so condiments come into play to allow each family member to customize his meal according to his preferences. Ellie Liquid Seasoning is part of a long-standing tradition of being inclusive towards various personal tastes and preferences in every hapag-kainan.
Add to braising sauce for Beef Salpicao
So let’s give our very own liquid seasoning some love by exploring more ways to incorporate it into our cooking and by stocking our pantries with Ellie Liquid Seasoning.
It is available at leading retail outlets and online stores.
Know more about Ellie Liquid Seasoning and other Ellie PH products by following it on Facebook and Instagram.
Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature story.
Looking for a getaway from the metro’s worsening traffic and rising temperatures? Searching for a place to experience simple pleasures, learning and healthy living?
Look no further than Paradizoo Theme Farm, a 12-hectare theme park located in Mendez, Cavite which offers a combination of paradise and zoo which is uniquely relaxing and entertaining.
Now that quarantine restrictions have been mostly lifted, you can treat yourself and the family to fun, learning and relaxation here.
Here are eight things you can do at Paradizoo Theme Farm:
1. Brush up on your farming know-how.
To help address the growing problem of food security in the country, Paradizoo recently re-unfolded its Power of Three Festival which aims to promote inclusive growth in the fields of floral, vegetable and livestock agriculture. Inviting over 20,000 students, farmers and other members of the public and private sectors to free seminars on flower, vegetable and livestock care, lively discussion on farming, planting, breeding programs, as well as exhibits of various farm produce, it will provide attendees with the inspiration to start a business in agriculture.
Invitation to the Power of Three Festival
Zoomanity Group President and CEO Robert L. Yupangco
Ms. Lani Lopez shares the basics of flower arrangement
Students learning about flower arrangement
You can look forward to these informative and insightful activities facilitated by well-known educators and speakers in the Agriculture sector:
February (Flower Festival Month): Art of Bonsai with Mr. Atish Dipankar Sarter (Feb 11), Flower Arrangement with Ms. Lani Lopez (Feb 18) and Idle Lands into Productive Agri-Ecotourism Farms with Mr. Ace Formaran (Feb 25)
March (Vegetable Festival Month): Successful Entrepreneur – Dragon Fruit with Ms. Eden Gutierrez Suplente (Mar 4), Let’s ONIONIZE the Philippines – Discover the Power of Onion Farming (Mar 11) and Zooper Banana Tissue Culture Technology with Mr. Rodel Anunciado (Mar 25)
April (Livestock / Digital Farming Festival Month): Rabbit Farming with Association of Rabbit Meat Producers (ARaMP) President Mr. Art Veneracion (Apr 8), Introduction to Honeybee Farming with Mr. Albee Marcia and Usapang Kawayan with World Bamboo Ambassador Dulce Punzalan and Digital Farming (Apr 22)
2. Get up close and personal with farm animals.
One of Paradizoo’s main attractions is Farm Frenzy, its animal farm where guests can interact with various domesticated animals from different areas in the country and all over the world such as Dorper sheep, Boer, Kalahari and Saanen dairy goats, Rusa and turkeys from Australia.
You can also participate in feeding and petting some of these critters while learning about their behavior and habits. You can even cuddle and purchase some of the lovable critters there such as rabbits, hamsters and love-birds to keep as pets.
Albino Carabao
Bird Feeding
Rabbit Feeding
Bull-Tes-Five, the five-legged bull
3. Indulge your inner plant parent.
If you feel like you’re a budding plantito or plantita, then Paradizoo’s Plant Me Home area is the perfect place for you. It is the section of the park dedicated to promoting sustainable farming and educating visitors about various plants and herbs, as well as their benefits.
Here, guests can learn about buy plants and seeds as well as learn about new gardening technologies such as hydroponics (growing plants without soil). You can even participate in in tree-planting activities and contribute to the park’s efforts to promote sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation.
At Paradizoo’s Vegetable Garden, on the other hand, you can see a wondrous variety of fresh edible vegetables grown using the best practices in agriculture. You can also learn about sustainable agriculture through gardening workshops and even pick and buy vegetables from the garden to take home with you.
4. Get the buzz on beekeeping.
Paradizoo is home to a Honey Bee Farm where you can learn about the importance of bees and how they contribute to the ecosystem.
Go on a guided tour of the farm where you can observe the bees up close and learn about their behavior and role in the ecosystem. The tour also includes an explanation of the beekeeping process, how honey is produced, and the benefits of honey for human health. You can also taste and buy different types of honey produced on the farm.
Paradizoo’s Beekeeper Albee Marcia
Beehive
Honey products
Honeycomb
5. Wonder at the grace and beauty of butterflies.
At Paradizoo’s Butterfly Garden is is a picturesque and peaceful place to visit, filled with colorful flowers, plants, and, of course, butterflies. Here, you can observe these beautiful critters in action as they fly, feed and flit from flower to flower.
You can also learn about the life cycle of butterflies – from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly – as well as feed the them with nectar or fruits or witness a release of newly emerged butterflies into the garden.
6. Feast on tasty farm-grown food.
The park also houses Paradizoo Cafe, a restaurant which serves a variety of dishes made with locally grown produce and fresh ingredients. The menu features a range of Filipino and international cuisines.
The cafe has both indoor and al fresco seating options, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy a meal while enjoying the park’s beautiful surroundings. The outdoor seating area is surrounded by greenery, providing visitors with a dining experience in the midst of nature.
The cafe specializes in farm-to-table dishes made with fresh produce grown within the park, ensuring that the ingredients are at their peak freshness and nutritional value. It also espouses sustainable dining practices through the use of eco-friendly packaging and dining utensils.
ParadiZoup, a version of arroz caldo made with edible starchy seeds called sorghum instead of rice
Zoompia, Paradizoo’s version of the Vegetable Lumpia
Adobo sa Puti, the Bicolano version of adobo that does not include soy sauce
Sinaing na Tulingan, a Batangueno braised fish dish
7. Achieve a state of Zen.
Enter a peaceful and relaxing state of mind by visiting Paradizoo’s Meditation Garden. Here you can find de-stress, recharge, and connect with nature by taking a leisurely walk, practicing yoga, reading a book and reflect and journal while surrounded by a beautifully landscaped scenery.
8. Take a break with a relaxing farm experience stay.
A day may not be enough time to experience all that Paradizoo Theme Farm has to offer. Take advantage of the park’s peaceful and relaxing environment, fresh air and beautiful scenery by booking a stay at its comfy and nature-inspired accommodations so you will have additional time to enjoy the park’s features.
A-Frame Exteriors
A-Frame Living and Dining Areas
A-Frame Sleeping Areas
A-Frame Receiving Area
Log Cabin (Php6,999, good for six persons). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for four people.
A-Frame (Php5,990, good for six persons). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for four people.
Tiny House 1 (Php3,990, good for four persons). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for two people.
Tiny House 2 and 3 (Php1,999, good for two people). With free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo plus free breakfast for two people.
Extra persons are charged Php700, inclusive of free entrance to ZOORI and Paradizoo, plus free breakfast.
Row of Tiny Houses
Tiny House 1 Bedroom
Tiny House 2 Bedroom
Tiny House 3 Bedroom
Now that the city life is becoming busier and more stressful, it makes a lot of sense to escape into the beauty of nature in places such as Paradizoo every once in a while.
Paradizoo Theme Farm is operated by the Zoomanity Group, a leading provider of theme parks and attractions in the Philippines, with a focus on sustainable tourism and responsible animal care.
It is located at Km. 63, Panungyan, Mendez, Cavite, open daily from 8am to 5pm.
Book your eco-farm journey by emailing zoomanityonline@gmail.com or by calling +63 046 4131244 | +63 966 1938965. Know more about Paradizoo and other Zoomanity’s attractions at zoomanity.com.ph.
Here’s a tip: you can get discounted ticketsto Paradizoo Theme Farm by signing up for a free YOGO customer account and booking via the YOGO PH app (download now on Google Play or the App Store).
Entrance rate for adults is Php199/head while for children within 3 feet- to 4 feet in height is Php149/head. Entrance for children below 3 feet is free while senior citizens and PWDs are afforded 20% discount upon presentation of ID.
Additional fees for activities include:
Animal Feeding: Php150/set
Horse Back Ride: Php100/2 rounds
Bees & Butterfly Garden: Php30/head
Fish Spa: Php149/30 mins
Tree Planting: Php100/tree
Check out my previous posts about Zoomanity Group’s attractions:
Disclosure: Together with media personnel and fellow content creators, I was invited by the Zoomanity Group to tour and experience the attractions at the Paradizoo Theme Farm. The tour was sponsored by the company and was not paid for by the attendees including myself.
The robust and complex flavors of Tanduay Asian Rum Gold is paired with the strong and bold taste of Theo & Philo’s 65% single origin Philippine Dark Chocolate for the two brands’ latest collaboration.
Marc Ngo, Senior Brand Manager and International Business Development Manager at Tanduay, said that working with Theo & Philo gave them the opportunity to showcase their rum’s distinctness and that it can be infused in other products.
“Tanduay continues to delight our customers by coming up with new product innovations. Our first collaboration with premier Filipino chocolate brand Theo & Philo successfully achieved our targets and opened new opportunities. This time, we are releasing dark chocolate bonbons that bring out the premium flavor of the Tanduay Asian Rum Gold,” he said.
Philo Chua, founder and chocolatier behind Theo & Philo, shared that they really love using Tanduay Asian Rum Gold as it can hold its own when paired with their dark chocolate.
“Our dark chocolate is a relatively high percentage dark chocolate, so it really needs something bold to go with it. We use Philippine trinitario cacao beans for making our chocolates and it can make for a strong dark chocolate that also requires big flavors to go with it,” Chua said.
Their initial brand collaboration was a chocolate bar with rum caramel filling. It was released in limited quantities back in 2019.
“It was really amazing to learn how much it got people excited to see a Tanduay chocolate bar, mainly because Tanduay for a lot of people is very reminiscent of good times shared with friends over a drink. It really is an iconic brand in the Philippines that has stayed true to its roots, and for being the oldest rum brand in the Philippines,” Chua further said.
Chua also noted that both brands trace their roots back to the Philippines’ heritage and land. The sugarcane used in making Tanduay and the cacao beans that go into Theo & Philo’s chocolates are grown in the country. All their products are likewise made in the Philippines.
Ngo shared that they are open to more collaborations with Theo & Philo and other Philippine brands featuring Tanduay’s award-winning rum products.
The new Theo & Philo Tanduay chocolate is a limited edition product.
Image and details provided in a recent press release.
Jellybeans in the City 