Get “Berry Much in Love” with these newly relaunched strawberry drinks from Moonleaf Tea Shop

Who can resist strawberries?

That vibrant red color, the rich plumpness of the fruit, the heady beckoning fragrance and the burst of fruity sweetness as you bite into it with just a bit of tanginess to make it all the more intriguing to the palate. Any encounter with this fruit is a sensual delight.

Strawberry

It’s hardly surprising, then, that this fruit becomes so prevalent around Valentine’s Day.

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

Moonleaf Tea Shop brings strawberry lovers fresh ways to enjoy their favorite fruit with the relaunch of its strawberry line of drinks under its Berry Much in Love category.

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

These drinks pair the fruity sweetness of strawberry with Moonleaf’s house-brewed black or green tea, creamy milk, and chewy coconut nata. This line includes:

Strawberry Milk Tea with Nata (Php120).

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

Strawberry Black Tea with Nata (Php100).

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

Strawberry Yakult with Nata (Php120).

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

Strawberry Milk Slush with Nata (Php160).

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

Since these drinks are best enjoyed when shared with our special someone, Moonleaf makes this drinks available on special deals which give great savings:

  • 2 Strawberry Milk Tea with Nata for Php199 (save Php41)
  • 2 Strawberry Black Tea with Nata for Php179 (save Php21)
  • 2 Strawberry Yakult with Nata for Php189 (save Php51)
  • 2 Strawberry Milk Slush with Nata for Php249 (save Php71)

Enjoy these deals until March 31, 2021.

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love
Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

Can’t wait to get “Berry Much in Love” with these drinks? Grab yours now by dropping by your nearest Moonleaf Tea Shop branch or ordering from GrabFood, FoodPanda, Shopee and Lazada.

Moonleaf Berry Much In Love
Moonleaf Berry Much In Love

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Photo credit: Massimiliano Martini on Unsplash for the strawberry photo

Grab your limited-edition Polland Special Tikoy from Shopee today!

With the Lunar New Year just a few days away, you may have hounded your Chinoy friends to send you some tikoy, am I right?

More widely known as Chinese New Year because most of the traditions surrounding it originated from China, the Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars traditional in countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam.

It is a time when families get together to wish each other good fortune, happiness and health. Among the traditions that made its way to our country are wearing red clothes, the festive Dragon Dance, the much-anticipated gifting of ampao – red envelops containing money, and the exchange of Nian gao, which is more commonly known as tikoy.

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Nian gao translates to “sticky cake” but it also has a similar sound to the Chinese term for “higher year.” Eating some tikoy during the Lunar New Year therefore symbolizes raising oneself up in the new year. It is also produced in a circular shape, the same shape as money, which is said to attract wealth.

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

The term tikoy, on the other hand, is the Filipinization of the name tike in Hokkien which translates to “sweet pastry.”

Tikoy is traditionally made with glutinous rice flour, sugar and water. It can be sliced thinly and served as is, but we Pinoys love to dip the slices in egg then lightly fry them until the the outside is slightly crisp and caramelized while the inside is deliciously chewy.

Its lucky connotation and its appeal to the tastebuds make the tikoy a highly sought after delicacy especially at this time of the year.

The good news is that you won’t have to harass your Chinoy friends for some tikoy. Getting some for yourself is easy, thanks to Shopee!

Polland Hopia and Tikoy

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. With its wide product assortment supported by integrated payments and logistics, it makes it so easy for shoppers like us to find and get what we want and need.

Take our collective enthusiasm for tikoy, for example. By housing the online store of Polland Hopia, Shopee makes it so convenient for to buy our favorite tikoy but also discover new variants that appeal to Pinoy palate such as: White Sugar, Brown Sugar, Ube, Strawberry, Pineapple and Buko Pandan. These tikoy variants are priced at Php125 for small (600 grams) and Php200 for medium (1.2kg).

Polland Hopia and Tikoy

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

But don’t stop there! Polland also made limited-edition tikoy that will surely tickle our fancy such as:

Mini Lucky Tikoy (Php100). A 300g white sugar tikoy topped with an intricate strawberry detail for “HOK,” the Chinese character for luck.

Polland Hopia and Tikoy

Fish Tikoi (Php300). A 350g meticulously handpainted fish-shaped white sugar tikoy. Fish is traditionally served during Lunar New Year because the of how the Chinese word for fish rhymes with the Chinese term for “leftover”. Eating fish during Luna New Year is said to attract bounty such that you will have a lot leftover at the end of the year.

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Heart Tikoy (Php100). A 350g strawberry tikoy shaped into a heart. Everyone loves a good mash-up and this tikoy serves as an adequate segue from Lunar New Year on February 12 to Valentine’s Day on February 14.

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

The sheer variety of tikoy that you can have on your table is sure to add more color and life to your Lunar New Year celebrations.

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

How about adding more luck into the mix by including Polland’s claim to fame? Since the 1960s, Polland Hopia has been producing deliciously authentic flaky-crusted mung bean cakes, known here as hopia. Aside from the classic Mongo Special (made with yellow mung beans), Polland Hopia expended its hopia repertoire to include Black Mungo (made with black mung beans), Ube (made with purple yam) and Hopia Baboy (made with wintermelon chunks and pork). With their lucky round shape and snackable size, they make for a welcome addition to your Lunar New Year spread or snack stash.

Polland Hopia and Tikoy

Polland Hopia and Tikoy

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Here’s an idea: how about gifting your pals (especially your Chinoy friends) and wishing them fortune, health and happiness in the Year of the Ox with Polland Hopia products?

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Hopia and Tikoy

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Polland Tikoy and Hopia

Let me know how it goes!

Gong xi fa cai, foodies!

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.

Not yet done with shopping for your Valentine’s Day treat for the fam? Check out this post on Valentine’s Day gift ideas available on Shopee.

Raintree #ValentineFoodCrawl: Pizza and Pasta Rendezvous at Stella Wood-fired Pizza, BGC

With Valentine’s Day just a scant few days away, the metro’s gallants and ladies fair are anticipating the time when they can meet, share a meal and have a lovely time together: their romantic rendezvous.

Bonifacio Global City is abuzz with romance as Raintree Restaurants welcomes lovers of all ages to celebrate love with special promos during the month of love.

Stella Wood-fired Pizza in Boni High Street is no exception.

Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC

The last time I was here with friends was in early 2015, when it was more of a bistro which shared a space with Rocket Room.

Stella, BGC

Back then, it served an array of pastas and pizzas, as well as other dishes of the West Coast, Mediterranean and South American variety, which incorporated natural wood in the cooking of its dishes, giving them that unique wood-fire oven cooked flavor and quality.

It closed for a while in 2017 but has recently re-emerged inside Friends & Family, the Filipino restaurant that took its previous space in BHS Central Square.

Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC

It still offers its memorable wood-fired dishes, some of which take center-stage in its Pizza & Pasta Rendezvous promo. This Valentine deals allows lovers to enjoy a delicious yet affordable meal.

Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC

For example, they can enjoy an intimate meal for two with a Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Pasta and an Aloha Pizza (with Double-Smoked Bacon and Grilled Pineapple) for just Php699.

Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC

They may also opt for a decadent Melted Garlic Cream Pasta with an Everything on It Pizza (everything includes Double-Smoked Bacon, Pepperoni, Sausage, Bell Peppers, Onions, Roasted Tomatoes, Olives and Mushrooms) for just Php799.

Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC

With these tasty and hearty offerings, sweethearts will flutter and make their way to Stella.

Stella, BGC
Stella, BGC

If you’re planning a romantic meal for you and your special someone, you better book your table soon as these Pizza & Pasta Rendezvous offers are only available within February.

Stella Wood-Fired Pizza is located inside Friends & Family, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open daily from 12nn to 9pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery via GrabFood and FoodPanda. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8917053.

Raintree #ValentineFoodCrawl: Valentine Roll at Motto Motto, BGC

Certain types of food have been known to get you in the mood for love (wink! wink!).

Called aphrodisiacs, these food stuffs are believed to arouse passions for more than gustatory delights.

But did you know that sushi also falls under this category?

The omega-3 fatty acids in the fish incorporated in sushi are said to be quite helpful when it comes le amour.

Motto Motto, BGC

When eaten together with a romantic partner, sushi becomes a sensual experience: the meticulous formation of precise shapes and colors using different ingredients, the interplay of flavors and the feel of the varying textures in one’s mouth.

Motto Motto, BGC

(Plus, sushi tends to be quite light so there’s less risk of overeating, making it a perfect date food!)

Motto Motto, BGC

To give lovers in the metro the perfect opportunity to bask in each other’s presence while enjoying good food, Motto Motto brings back its playful take on sushi: the Valentine Roll (Php395).

Motto Motto, BGC

Made with spicy tuna, avocado and blue fin tuna marinated in sake and soy sauce, it is a perfect example of Motto Motto’s playful Japanese concept.

Motto Motto, BGC

Consisting of eight rolls fashioned into four cute heart shapes garnished with pink salt, it is a feast for the senses and is perfect for sharing for two lovebirds.

Pair it with Motto Motto’s signature refreshments and you’ve got a date!

Book your Valentine outing now as this yummy sushi dish is available only within February.

Motto Motto, BGC

Motto Motto is a collaboration between Raintree Hospitality Group and Tokyo Japan’s Piglet. It features all-day Japanese dishes that stimulates the senses and tickle the fancy, prepared and served in a fun and whimsical fashion.

If you’re looking for a fun gustatory adventure with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, Motto Motto is the place to be.

Motto Motto is located at Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open for takeout on weekdays and for dine-in on weekends. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8362173 or send a message via Facebook or Instagram. Payments via cash, GCash, credit and debit cards are accepted.

Pak! Pak! Chicken also delivers via FoodPanda.

Raintree’s #ValentineFoodCrawl: Chicken in Love Set at Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Love is in the air, and it’s even more prevalent in Bonifacio High Street where Raintree restaurants have unveiled their Valentine’s Day promo and deals.

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Raintree Hospitality Group brings fresh and exciting hospitality concepts, including hotels, food courts and restaurants. The newest among the innovative restaurant concepts it developed is Pak! Pak! Chicken.

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

At Pak! Pak! Chicken, you can expect crispy fried chicken pieces in strong delicious tastes, you’d feel like you’re being slapped with flavor… Pak! Pak!

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Check out some of its fried chicken variants:

Crispy Original + Gravy (Php260/6pcs | Php450/12pcs),

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Sweet Soy Garlic (Php260/6pcs | Php450/12pcs),

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Garlic Herb Parmesan (Php295/6pcs | Php540/12pcs),

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Old Skool Buffalo (Php335/6pcs | Php595/12pcs).

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Other variants include: Takoyaki, Smokey Hickory BBQ, Singaporean Style Black Pepper, Po’s Orange Chicken and Korean Fire Pepper.

You can also enjoy these flavors in chicken wings.

Want to make a complete meal? Pair your Pak! Pak! Chicken with sides:

Japanese Chahan Fried Rice (Php140 solo | Php350 family).

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Garlic Herb Yakisoba (Php135 solo | Php275 family).

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Creamy Kimchi Coleslaw (Php175).

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Pak! Pak! Chicken also has a special treat for its customers this month of hearts: it’s Chicken in Love Set! A special set of your choice of two chicken flavors plus Kimchi Coleslaw, Garlic Noodles or Chahan Fried Rice for just Php775, it’s great for sharing for two people.

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

So go ahead and plan your Valentine date at Pak! Pak! Chicken! This offer is available within February only.

Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC
Pak! Pak! Chicken, BGC

Pak! Pak! Chicken is located inside Motto Motto, Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open for takeout on weekdays and for dine-in on weekends. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8440219 or send a message via Facebook or Instagram. Payments via cash, GCash, credit and debit cards are accepted.

Pak! Pak! Chicken also delivers via FoodPanda.

Three reasons to say “I love you” with Ben’s Cookies this Valentine’s Day

Despite not being a regular holiday (one that gives us a day off work) – Valentine’s Day still is one of the most anticipated celebrations every year.

As a day dedicated to love in all its forms, it evokes warm and fuzzy feelings, and encourages expressions of emotions ranging from affection to grand passion.

However, some may not have the capability or the opportunity to say “I love you” to those who are near-and-dear to them. For those people, may I propose this solution: #SayItWithBens.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day
Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

Ben’s Cookies is the brainchild of cookbook writer and chocoholic Helge Rubinstein who named the business after her son.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine

From its beginnings in 1983 as a stall in UK’s Oxford Covered Market, Ben’s Cookies have extended its reach to the Philippines when it opened its first store in The Podium Mall in July 2019, followed by branches in SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day
Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

Here are three reasons why gifting your special someone with Ben’s Cookies is a good idea:

1. Ben’s Cookies are made with all the good stuff.

These palm-sized cookie treats are made with chunks – not chips – of premium chocolate, unsalted butter, wheat flour, fresh eggs, cane sugar and nuts, all freshly baked everyday.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day
Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

2. They come in delicious variants.

Love comes in wondrous variety and so do Ben’s Cookies. Check them out:

Milk Chocolate Chunk.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

Dark Chocolate Chunk.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

White Chocolate Chunk.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

Praline & Milk Chocolate Chunk.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

Triple Chocolate Chunk.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

Speculoos Cookie.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

Other cookie variants include: Fruit & Nut, Double Chocolate & Nut, Peanut & Milk Chocolate, Oatmeal & Raisin, Cranberry & White Chocolate Chunk, Lemon, Orange & Milk Chocolate Chunk, White Chocolate Chunk & Macadamia and Double Chocolate Chunk.

3. The more (cookies), the merrier.

These cookies are available by the piece at Php90 each.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

You can also get them packaged in lovely tin cans (4 pieces at Php495 or 8 pieces at Php835).

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

However, you get a pretty sweet deal when you get them by the box (Buy 5 and get 2 free at Php450 or Buy 10 and get 5 free at Php900).

Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day
Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

So bring a happy twinkle in your beloved’s eyes this Valentine’s Day by giving them the sweet delight of Ben’s Cookies.

Ben’s Cookies Valentine
Ben’s Cookies Valentine’s Day

To grab the Ben’s Cookies present for your sweet Valentine, drop by any of its stores:

  • Ground Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
  • Second Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
  • Ground Floor, Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City

You can also call +63 917 5267711 or order online.

Chef Jessie says it with Cakes this Valentine

Express your love this Valentine’s Day with gloriously delicious and amazingly beautiful cakes by Chef Jessie Sincioco.

Chef Jessie’s creations come infused with dark rich chocolate, stuffed with fresh, sweet mangoes, pressed with chopped pistachios, topped with bright berries, filled with strawberry cream or iced with ube halaya.

On top of the list is the Award Winning My Tita’s Special Treat, a delicate and moist cake sponge with puree of ripe Philippine mangoes filled with buttercream and mango slices, iced with cream cheese frosting and decorated with Chef Jessie’s signature mango rose.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

Princess Carmen is Chef Jessie’s version of sans rival with layers of luscious pistachio meringue and French butter cream filling topped with vanilla cream Chantilly and chopped pistachios.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

Strawberry Shortcake is a towering moist vanilla sponge cake filled and iced with light strawberry cream, top glazed with homemade strawberry gelee and adorned with fresh strawberries.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

Chef Jessie’s Baked Cheesecake comes with a hint of vanilla and fresh lemon with cornflake crust topped with your choice of cherry, blueberry, mango or a combination of your favorite fruit topping.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

You cannot get more chocolate than Chocolate Gateau “A La Teddy Keng” with layers of dark chocolate sponge cake filled with dulce de leche chocolate ganache, covered with a rich chocolate icing and decorated with soutache and dark chocolate flower.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

Another creation is Chocolate Fudge Cake, a sponge cake with chocolate ganache and light vanilla cream covered with dark chocolate icing and topped with fresh fruits.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

Something light and chocolaty is “All Occasion” Chocolate Mousse Cake. A light chocolate sponge cake filled with equally light chocolate mousse iced with vanilla cream Chantilly and decorated with fresh fruits in season. Sugar Free “M” Cake is for those looking for a healthy yet still delectable option. This elegantly simple cake is sugar free and gluten free, topped with a thick layer of sugar free dark chocolate mousse and laced with toasted almond flakes.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

A nod to local flavors is Ube Macapuno Cake which is ube chiffon cake filled and iced with homemade halaya mousse and generously topped with tender macapuno strips.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

For Valentine, Chef Jessie can personalize your cake of choice with your own sweet sentiments.

Chef Jessie’s Valentine’s Day Cake

Place your order 2 days in advance for pick up or delivery. Text or call 0917-896-7880, 0917-833-0797 and 0977-0976-649 or email chefjessiesplace@chefjessie.com. Pick up is at Chef Jessie’s Place located at 1997 Pililia St. corner Obrero and Tanay Streets, Makati and is open everyday for pick up and delivery from 9am to 6pm.

Ten Shopee Valentine’s Day Sale gift ideas you need to add-to-cart now!

Surprise your loved ones with gifts from Shopee’s Valentine’s Day Sale

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love. It’s also a time to recognize other equally important relationships—those we share with our family and friends.

Whether you’re celebrating the occasion with a significant other or not, remember to show your appreciation to other loved ones as well. Let them know that they’re on your mind this special day. The world could always do with a little more love to go around!

On February 14, surprise them with the thoughtful gifts below. You can get up to 90% off on these gifts and more at Shopee’s Valentine’s Day Sale.

Cowin Wireless Sweatproof Earphones

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Has your brother ruined several earphones while working out? Get him the Cowin Wireless Sweatproof Earphones. It touts water-resistant earbuds, superior sound quality, and up to six hours of playtime.

Xiaomi Mi Band 5

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Encourage your dad to get started on his fitness journey with the Xiaomi Mi Band 5. This smartwatch tracks steps, distance, and calories burned. It also monitors the heart rate and sleep cycle. The battery can last up to 20 days on standby.

Pineng Powerbank

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Is your sibling’s phone constantly running out of juice? Get them the Pineng Powerbank, which has built-in battery protection to prevent overcharging and short-circuiting. It runs on a capacity of 3.7V/20 000mAh 74Wh and can charge two devices at a time.

Sesame Street Sleepwear

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Treat your pamangkin to cute new jammies. Each pajama set is made of cotton spandex, so it’s breathable and comfortable to wear. This also comes in adult sizes perfect for kids at heart.

Bling Light 3D Night Light

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Know someone who’s obsessed with all things hallyu? Buy her this adorable finger heart-shaped Bling Light 3D Night Light! This compact lamp comes with three light color options: yellow, white, and warm white.

Vice Cosmetics Kavouge Everyday Palette

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

For your makeup junkie pal, the Vice Cosmetics Kavogue Everyday Palette features 12 multi-purpose powders for filling in the brows, adding color to the cheeks, and creating flawless eye looks. This product also comes with a handy makeup mirror.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

If you’re tired of your sister constantly rummaging through your skincare stash, it’s time to help her build her own regimen. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser is non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and fragrance-free. It effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup while retaining moisture.

Eco Natural Bamboo Toothbrush

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Help a friend through their sustainability journey with gifts that won’t end up in landfills. The Eco Natural Bamboo Toothbrush is made of a durable bamboo handle and petroleum-based plastic bristles that will biodegrade within months.

Gun Massager

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Your super mom works hard to take care of the whole family, so treat her to a well-deserved massage. This Gun Massager alleviates muscle stiffness and enhances blood circulation. It also features four massage heads and six variable speeds.

Anti-Aging Eye Patches

Shopee Valentine's Day Sale

Everyone has that one busy tita. She’ll love using these Anti-Aging Eye Patches during her downtime. These soothing, moisturizing collagen patches are great at reducing puffy eyebags and dark circles.

Don’t miss out on the chance to score big discounts on these gifts and more at the Shopee Valentine’s Day Sale. Enjoy up to 90% off until February 14.

For more deals, don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay! Until February 28, enjoy 10% cashback on all cashback shops when you use ShopeePay.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Images and details provided in a recent press release.

Classic kakanin from Ka Mely’s Bibingka

So much of my childhood merienda memories involve kakanin – native delicacies usually made with glutinous rice, sugar and coconut milk.

You would think that we would have run out of ideas on what to make with kakanin at some point, but, no. We Pinoys have a extensive plethora of snacks or desserts that fall under this category.

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

After doing a bit of grocery shopping with Hubby, I happened upon a stand selling products from Ka Mely’s Bibingka, Atbp.

This Cainta-based food business got its start when the Alcantara family matriarch Amelia – also known as Ka Mely – decided to expand her Bibingka-selling business to include the production of native delicacies. Today, it is a well-established food manufacturer with three physical stores as well as regular resellers.

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

I had the idea of introducing kakanin the kiddos for our afternoon snack, so I brought home:

Bibingka (Php180 for small). The rice cake made with sticky glutinous rice topped with caramelized sugar and coconut cream.

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Suman sa Ibos (Php10/pc). The most prevalent suman variant which is usually unsweetened and wrapped in palm leaves. I have two ways to enjoy this suman: one is at room temperature and dipped in sugar, another is lightly fried in vegetable oil until the outside is slightly crispy but the inside is still chewy, then slathered with butter and sprinkled with sugar.

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Suman sa Lihiya (Php25/pc). A suman variant which is made with lye-treated glutinous rice which is usually served doused with latik, or caramelized coconut milk.

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Sure these snacks are practically all carbs but they made for a good intro for my kids for the wonders of Filipino delicacies!

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

While I got my kakanin from a kiosk, you can have your kakanin delivered to your home by ordering from Ka Mely’s Bibingka, Atbp on Facebook or Instagram or calling +63 2 85155467, +63 917 8533766 or +63 908 8876992. Payments via BDO bank transfer, GCash or COD (via pabili service) are accepted. Ka Mely’s Bibingka Atbp products are delivered from Cainta, Rizal to anywhere in the metro.

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Ka Mely’s Bibingka

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

Enjoy a funtabulous February on HBO and HBO GO

February may have less days than the other months of the year but it certainly won’t lack for movie magic.

Whether on your large-screen TV via HBO (ch 54 SD | 168 HD on SKYcable) or your handy mobile device via HBO GO, you can enjoy blockbuster movies as soon as they have their TV premiere.

Enjoy a fantabulous February when you catch these new movies on HBO and HBO GO.

Unpregnant
Premieres Saturday, 6 February at 9pm

Seventeen-year-old Veronica never thought she’d want to fail a test—that is, until she finds herself staring at a piece of plastic with a blue plus. With a promising college-bound future now disappearing before her eyes, Veronica considers a decision she never imagined she’d have to make. This never-taken-lightly decision leads her on a 1000-mile hilarious road trip to New Mexico over three days with her ex-best friend, Bailey where they discover sometimes the most important choice you’ll make in life is who your friends are.

This HBO Max original film adapted from the young adult HarperCollins novel by authors Jenni Hendriks (How I Met Your Mother) and Ted Caplan (music editor for The Hate U Give, The Greatest Showman) offers a mix of humor and grounded human emotion as it tackles complicated friendships and the difficult road to adulthood, all while in a stolen Trans-Am. Stars Haley Lu Richardson, Ramona Young and Sugar Lyn Beard.

Birds Of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Premieres Saturday, 13 February at 9pm

Harley Quinn is back for more freaky fun and malevolent mayhem, as she dumps the Joker and teams up with Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from Gotham City crime czar Roman Sionis. Stars Margot Robbie, Mary Winstead and Ewan McGregor.

Dolittle
Premieres Friday, 12 February at 9pm

After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr.John Dolittle, famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures. Stars Robert Downey Junior, Tom Holland and Emma Thompson.

Midway
Premieres Sunday, 14 February at 9pm

This epic war picture chronicles the ferocious battle that occurred from June 4-7, 1942. Six months after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy and a squad of intrepid fighter pilots take part in one of the most vital fights of World War II: the Battle of Midway. Stars Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson and Woody Harrelson.

Allen vs. Farrow
Premieres Monday, 22 February at 10am on HBO GO with a same-day encore at 10pm on HBO

From award-winning investigative filmmakers Kirby Dick & Amy Ziering and Amy Herdy comes this four-part documentary series that goes behind decades of sensational headlines to reveal the private story of one of Hollywood’s most notorious and public scandals: the accusation of sexual abuse against Woody Allen involving Dylan, his then seven-year-old daughter with Mia Farrow; their subsequent custody trial, the revelation of Allen’s relationship with Farrow’s daughter, Soon-Yi; and the controversial aftermath in the years that followed. Once celebrated for their on and off-screen partnership, Farrow and Allen’s lives were irrevocably fractured and their sprawling family torn apart with the public disclosure of the abuse allegations and the vitriolic disputes that followed.

This gripping series interweaves new investigative work – meticulously pieced together via intimate home movie footage, court documents, police evidence, revelatory videotape and never-before-heard audio tapes – with exclusive, in-depth interviews on the subject with Mia Farrow, Dylan Farrow, Ronan Farrow, family friend Carly Simon, prosecutor Frank Maco, relatives, investigators, experts and other first-hand eyewitnesses – many of them speaking publicly about the events for the first time. The series also includes prominent cultural voices exploring Allen’s body of work in a broader context and reflecting on how public revelations about the personal lives of artists can lead to re-evaluations of their work.

Allen v. Farrow includes an intimate look at Farrow and Allen’s charmed courtship and emergence as one of Hollywood’s power couples, making thirteen influential films together over a decade. Over time, Allen becoming a father figure to Farrow’s children as well as their shared children. Yet, threaded throughout all of their professional success and personal achievements, there were dark undercurrents at play.

Allen v. Farrow examines the shattering effects of trauma on a family and is a haunting depiction of the skepticism and backlash that can result from an accusation

The Invisible Man
Premieres Saturday, 27 February at 9pm

In a terrifying modern tale of obsession inspired by the classic monster character, Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss stars as a young woman who escapes her abusive relationship with an optics engineer only to have him fake his death and return as the titular terror –who makes it his sole mission to terrorize her. Stars Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge and Oliver J Cohen.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

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Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.