Gel Jose

Piestang Pinoy from 121 Restaurant

Ooh, we’re right smack in the middle of the holiday season, and I bet you’re missing the experience of going back to the province, getting together with the relatives for the annual family reunion and gorging yourself on regional dishes while joining the merrymaking of the town fiesta, right?

Well, that’s currently not possible, and, somehow, substituting a real clan get-together with a virtual party over Zoom just doesn’t feel the same.

After all, is it a real party if you all can’t partake of the same tasty delicacies?

Well, how about letting the guys at 121 Restaurant whip up a fiesta for you and your folks?

With its Pyestang Pinoy platters, you can relive your festivities virtually with well-loved Pinoy dishes with servings sizeable enough for a big family meal (Pambahay, good for 10 people), an office party (Pambatalyon, good for 20 people) or for a whole clan (Pambarangay, good for 50 people).

Take the Ati-Atihan (Php292 per person), for example. This hearty meal brings the energy of the famous Aklan festival with its inclusions of:

Grilled Liempo.

Lumpiang Shanghai.

Pancit Bihon with Canton.

Biko.

Other Pyestang Pinoy variants include:

The Kadayawan (Php274 per person): Pork Siomai, Bangus Tempura, Pancit Bihon with Canton and Sapin-sapin.
The Higantes (Php335 per person): Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit Palabok, Marinated Fried Chicken and Biko.
The Sinulog (Php370 per person). Grilled Liempo, Grilled Porkchop, Lumpiang Shanghai and Pork Siomai

Each Pyestang Pinoy Set is served with rice. Free 2-liter Coke provided for orders good for 20 people and more.

If you feel like gifting someone with a scrumptious taste of home, you can send them a Paborito Box (Php459), single servings of Pinoy faves conveniently packaged in one box. Choose from three variants such as:

Luzon: Lumpiang Shanghai, Nachos, Porkchop, one slice of Biko and one piece of Polvoron
Visayas: Pork Siomai, Cheesesticks, Pork BBQ Sticks, two pieces of Polvoron
Mindanao: Lumpiang Shanghai, Empanada, Buffalo Wings, Monggo Soup, one pack of Peanuts and one piece Polvoron

So if you’re hosting your fam’s virtual reunion, you can all be one in merrymaking and feasting on favorite Filipino dishes with 121 Restaurant’s Pyestang Pinoy.

To order your Pyestang Pinoy sets or Paborito Box, call +63 2 7577 7557 or +63 917 3296997, email sales@121resto.com or order online.

Payments via cash on delivery, bank transfer or G-Cash QR code are accepted. 121 Restaurant delivers in Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pasay, San Juan, Taguig, Paranaque, and Quezon City.

Disclosure: Product sample was provided to facilitate a feature story.

BTS #LifeGoesOn TikTok Challenge Sets a Record of 930M views in 15 days

TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile videos, today announced that BTS’ ‘Life Goes On’ which recently topped the Billboard ‘Hot 100’, hit a milestone on TikTok, setting a record of 930 M hashtag views in just 15 days.

Held from November 21 to December 5, the #LifeGoesOn challenge was a call for users all over the word to interpret and positively express how ‘Life Goes On’ in their own creative ways. The videos created with #LifeGoesOn had more than 463,276 in 15 days of the campaign.

BTS also participated in the challenge and connected with their fans by releasing TikTok videos of their own: Jin goes through a flipbook, RM and V does maple leaf art, Jimin decorates a glass bottle, j-hope takes Polaroid pictures and JungKook practises calligraphy. In response, the group’s fans, ARMY, uploaded videos of themselves dancing and singing along to the new song, as well as moments in their daily lives with friends and family.

A special ‘Life Goes On (ARMY version)’ music video will be released on the official BTS TikTok and social media channels on December 30, capturing selected video submissions that were part of the #LifeGoesOn challenge.

For more details about the challenge, visit the #LifeGoesOn Challenge Event Page.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

Creativity Lives On: DTI and PFFI showcases a new breed of creativity as the 7th Filipino Footwear Design Competition pushes through for 2020

Adapting to the age of digitally accessible media, FFDC 2020 aims to highlight the creativity and ingenuity of these Filipino creatives to a bigger online audience.

Earlier this year, the Department of Trade and Industry alongside the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc., announced the upcoming annual Filipino Footwear Design Competition for the year 2020. Since the initial call for participants, unforeseen circumstances arose and put a hold on the national contest. With the effects of the CoVid-19 pandemic that struck a nationwide quarantine as well as the recent devastating onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, FFDC 2020 seemed albeit subject to a hindered come through.

Despite these challenges, hope and optimism rose above for the local shoe industry and the organizational hosts of the competition still persevered to meet their hopes of presenting the talent and ingenuity of Filipino design and craftsmanship.

The Industry that upholds heritage and innovation

The Filipino Footwear Design Competition is the annual national competition organized to rally and present the creations of the talented designers and makers of the country. It is often a pre-set in preparation for the International Footwear Design Competition, a prestigious event that highlights footwear design concept and development on a global scale. The objective of FFDC is to encourage more local talents to pursue footwear design as a profession or business and to showcase to the world the resourcefulness and Filipino creativity.

The Department of Trade and Industry along with the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. (PFFI), serves as the host and presenter of the Filipino Footwear Design Competition. Both parties recognize the importance of raising awareness and support for the local shoe industry as well as developing a commune for skill enhancement to empower the Filipino talent pool. This coincides with DTI’s agenda of supporting the local creative industries to hone its potential towards building the Philippines as one of the top creative economies in Southeast Asia by 2030. PFFI serves as the main founding party behind FFDC given that it is the largest Filipino organization devoted to promoting local footwear. Through the leadership of DTI Regional Director Marcelina Alcantara with PFFI President Antonio Andres, FFDC 2020 will continue the legacy of creativity and innovation brought on for the past seven years.

A New Breed of Creativity

The official call for participants was held last March 2020, garnering more than 70 unique entries from a number of talented local designers. The design boards submitted are in line with the six categories presented for the competition: Men’s Shoes, Lady’s Trendy, Lady’s Leisure, Lady’s Boot, Children Shoes, and Sports Shoes. These designs then underwent the vetting process of drafting the initial shortlist of finalists who will then be given the opportunity to have their designs professionally prototyped by local manufacturers.

Launched this December 2020, the 7th annual Filipino Footwear Design Competition pushes through with the theme: Creative Virality; carrying on the objective of reaching a wider audience to celebrate the uniqueness and originality of Filipino talent. Presented by DTI alongside PFFI, and co-presented by the Philippines’ first creation hub for footwear design and development, Zapateria, the national competition gathers the community of the local shoe industry to team up in the mentorship and production of the designs of the Top 8 National Finalists; with the final output to be presented to an esteemed panel of judges.

FFDC 2020 will also host a number of experiential learning activities; setting forth a program that also empowers the new generation of local creatives. These workshops on footwear making 101, sketching, designing, and cost and projection are also offered for the public to join.

Adapting to the age of digitally accessible media, FFDC 2020 aims to highlight the creativity and ingenuity of these Filipino creatives to a bigger online audience. The development and creation process of the Top 8 National Finalists will be digitally showcased on the PFFI and Zapateria’s official Facebook and Instagram.

Links:

PFFI – https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineFootwearFederation

Zapateria – https://www.facebook.com/zapateriahub https://instagram.com/zapateriahub

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

SKY calls on subscribers to share ideas on how to spark hope and joy this season

SKY hopes that through its holiday initiatives, its subscribers will be inspired to pay it forward and truly #bethespark of hope and joy to others this season and beyond.

2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, but now more than ever, we need to feel the spirit of Christmas in our hearts. Now is the season to kindle the warmth of caring, friendship, kindness and concern to those around us.

This Christmas, SKY invites its subscribers to share ideas on how they can #BeTheSpark of hope and joy to others, and bring inspiration, light and love this holiday season.

From December 9, 2020 to January 3, 2021, subscribers can simply visit mysky.com.ph/bethespark to send their answers. Lucky subscribers have the chance to win exciting prizes fit for the season such as motorcycles, tablets, smart phones, hygiene and health essentials, grocery packages, as well as surprise treats from HBO and SKY.

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“We simply want to have our subscribers feel a sense of optimism and joy this holiday season despite everything that has happened this year. We encourage them to share and inspire others through their ideas showing their expression of love and thankfulness for what we have today” said Claudia Suarez, Head of Consumer Products Group.

SKY will also bring inspiring content as it gives subscribers opens more channels to subscribers at no additional cost from December 18, 2020 to January 1, 2021.

“Through television, families can still bond and create a festive mood despite these uncertain times,” added James Dumlao, SKY Head of Programming.

SKYcable subscribers can catch Chef Jamie Oliver share his delectable recipes for the holidays as “Jamie’s Quick and Easy Christmas” premieres on Metro Channel this December 19, 8pm. Viewers can also seek the guidance of Chef Giada De Laurentiis in preparing for a fun Christmas party as the fifth season of “Giada’s Holiday Handbook” premieres on Food Network.

A holiday celebration wouldn’t be complete without films that touch the heart and inspire wanderlust. Families can begin their movie marathon session on December 24th, 5pm as they tune in to All Day Christmas movies on Lifetime, with “This Christmas Hotel” being the main film highlight. They can also opt to imbibe the holiday spirit earlier as CinemaWorld takes viewers to a virtual travel adventure experience through their themed films starting December 20, 9pm. Young adults will surely enjoy the channel’s first feature film, “Dear Lemon Lima.”

Fans can also follow their favorite talent show, “The Masked Singer” season 4, on Blue Ant Entertainment as it highlights the countdown to the most-awaited finale. Meanwhile, a special glimpse of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree can be seen in the “The Today Show” on TAP TV every 8pm.

Kids get to learn and enjoy interactive game segments in MIAO MI’s “Find with Miao Mi”. Along with their parents, they can geek out on Discovery Channel’s “Rocket Around the Christmas Tree,” wherein they can spectate the most outrageous rocket-powered Christmas tree competition starting this December 23, 9pm.

There are many more channels to choose from and there is bound to be a show that will warm and captivate the hearts of everyone in the family this Christmas.

SKY hopes that through these initiatives, its subscribers will be inspired to pay it forward and truly #bethespark of hope and joy to others this season and beyond.

To know more about SKY’s Christmas campaign, www.mysky.com.ph/bethespark

Shopee Launches 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, Celebrates 5 Years of Digital Acceleration in the Region

Shopee highlights three key trends which have shaped and will continue to drive the growth of e-commerce in 2021 and beyond: Social, Personalization, and Integration

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, wraps up the year-end sales season and marks its fifth birthday by launching its annual 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Its recent 9.9, 10.10, and 11.11 shopping events set new records and signified the changing landscape and potential of e-commerce in the region. This 12.12, Shopee celebrates five years of digital acceleration in the region and highlights three key trends that have shaped and will continue to drive the growth of e-commerce: Social, Personalization, and Integration.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee was born with the vision of making online shopping accessible, easy, and enjoyable. We built Shopee from the ground up, listening to people’s specific needs in each of our markets and turning our understanding into well-executed localized strategies that make Shopee what it is today. This year’s 12.12 Big Christmas Sale has added significance as we celebrate our fifth birthday and come together with our brand partners, sellers, and shoppers to support one another through a challenging year. As we look back on our journey, we are proud to have adapted quickly to serve the needs of our local communities.”

This 12.12, Shopee highlights three key trends that will continue to power the growth of e-commerce in 2021 and beyond.

1) Social: Bringing the human touch to online shopping

Advancements in technology, coupled with changing shopper habits, have resulted in online shopping evolving from a transactional experience. Today’s users are more social than ever, and they demand a more engaging online shopping experience with rich and unique content. In 2016, Shopee was one of the first e-commerce platforms in the region to launch a live chat function, Shopee Live Chat, enabling direct conversations between buyers and sellers. Today, an average of 30 million messages are exchanged daily on Shopee Live Chat.

Through the years, Shopee has continuously improved on and introduced new in-app engagement features such as Shopee Games, Shopee Feed, and Shopee Live to make the online shopping experience more social. Shopee anticipates that this trend will stay, with e-commerce increasingly becoming a platform through which people can connect and enjoy shared experiences. Shopee will continue to drive this trend through unique initiatives like Shopee Mom’s Club, which provides like-minded consumers with one-stop exclusive access to baby product deals and parenting content. There’s also a Book Club for a new generation of digital readers in Vietnam and a “Pawrents” club to meet the growing online demand for pet products in Singapore.

2) Personalization: Catering to the ‘Me’ economy

Personalization is critical in e-commerce today. A highly personalized experience makes online shopping more efficient, enjoyable, and unique for consumers, while also helping brands and sellers drive traffic and growth. Shopee takes a hyper-localized approach by running seven different apps in each of its markets and localizing in-app features. Shopee also continually refines its recommendation engines to offer more customized and relevant shopping suggestions to fit consumers’ needs.

For brands and sellers, offering personalized recommendations to shoppers helps increase overall awareness and conversions. Businesses that use Shopee’s in-app advertisements generate 65% more sales activity than those that do not. This is powered by Shopee’s own AI capabilities, which ensure that advertisements are delivered to the right users.

As the industry progresses further into the ‘me’ economy, businesses need to innovate in order to improve the online customer journey. In the coming year, Shopee also expects to see the rise of smart shoppers, a new demographic of young, tech-savvy individuals who expect a highly personalized online shopping experience.

3) Integration: Creating a seamless customer journey

As retailers adapt to the new normal, they must deliver a seamless customer journey across all touchpoints. Shopee helps brands and sellers of all sizes by providing fundamental operational support through integrated payments and logistics, while creating innovative experiences that value-add to the overall customer journey.

Delivering an experiential home shopping experience with P&G: Together with P&G, Shopee introduced its first-ever experiential online Show Me My Home initiative, which allowed shoppers to discover and shop for P&G’s popular household items in a simulated household environment. This brought greater convenience for stay-at-home consumers, while mimicking the offline experience of walking in a store.

Yu closed, “2020 has been a transformative year. It has shown us the importance of technology and its ability to not only connect people and meet their basic needs, but also to entertain and engage. We are just at the beginning of our digital journey and looking ahead, we believe e-commerce will have an even more profound impact on businesses and consumers, creating new ways of living, working, and engaging. As we wrap up the year with the 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, let’s continue to look out for one another, uplift those in need, and welcome the new year on a high note.”

12.12 Big Christmas Sale

From November 18 to December 12, users can enjoy free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend, 20% cashback, and ₱1 deals at the Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale.

Key highlights of Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale:

Amazing promotions and big rewards with ShopeePay: From December 3 to December 11, shoppers who use ShopeePay can look forward to free shipping, discount vouchers, and a chance to win cash prizes.
#MyShopeeWish TikTok Challenge: Join the #MyShopeeWish TikTok Challenge to win prizes. The #MyShopeeWish TikTok Challenge is from December 7 to 30. Winners will be announced on January 15, 2021 on Shopee’s official social media accounts. For more information, head over to https://shopee.ph/m/my-shopee-wish.
Big discounts from leading brands: Shoppers can enjoy up to 50% off from leading brands on Shopee Mall, including L’Oreal Paris, P&G Beauty, Abbott, Unilever Home and Food, Havaianas, Nestle, Huawei, Vivo, Pampers, RB Enfagrow, and Infinix.

Additionally, brands such as Unilever, MASS Appliances, Soundcore by Anker, Platinum Karaoke, Union Appliances, Amazfit, Kyowa, PULUZ, Pedigree, Bio-Science, Organic Skin, Shigetsu, Mikana, Organic Official, INSPI, GSK, Tigernu, MetroSunnies, New Balance, Colgate-Palmolive, Haylou, Alaska, and Fila also offer amazing discounts.

For more information about Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, visit https://shopee.ph/m/christmas-sale.

Download Shopee for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.

At Tantea with the #Quarantitas

Hello, #Quarantitas! (Or should I say #QuaranTEAtas?)

While I usually claim that I’m made for quarantine, I know it can be hard to be cooped up and feeling isolated for so long. Sometimes, you long for a change of scenery, for some actual faces to look at while having spirited conversations.

Together with my fellow Titas of Manila (East) – Jen of Sand Under My Feet and Nix of I Eat and I Wander – I ventured up north for lunch date which we capped off by having our post-meal drinks at Tantea.

Located along Tomas Morato Avenue, this flagship store boasts of clean and elegant interiors with an Instagram-friendly rose wall at the second floor where tea-tas can take pictures of their teas.

Thankfully, Tantea’s adoption of sanitation and physical distancing protocols did not detract from its aesthetic and relaxing vibe. It’s still the perfect place to hang out and chat with my friends as we enjoy our drinks, which included:

Popping Boba Strawberry Yogurt (Php140). A blend of sweet strawberries and tangy yogurt with popping boba.

Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea (Php150). Strong black tea mixed with creamy milk accented with black pearls cooked in brown sugar.

Mango Cream Cheese (Php180). I’ve had a love affair with cream cheese for most of my life. Add to that richness the sweet fruitiness of mango and I’m hooked.

For one afternoon with my friends, I was able to leave the stress of working from home and overseeing my kids’ online learning to have a leisurely tea and talk session.

This made the trip so much worth the effort.

This Tantea branch is located at Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Castor Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City.

If you prefer not to leave the safety of your home, you can still get your drinks and more from Tantea by ordering via its website or Facebook Messenger.

The unfettered truth about love: PhilPop releases final batch of songs

PhilPop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, drops the final batch of songs from the South Luzon cluster.

Carefully selected from thousands of submissions, the entries from this particular group reflect the unfettered truths about romantic relationships, disappointments, and heartaches, written based from personal experiences or from the perspective of an outsider looking in.

Distributed by Warner Music and produced by PhilPop, the homegrown tracks are available today, November 27 (Friday) on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide. The entries include “Para Kay Catriona,” composed by Kulas Basilonia and interpreted by I Belong to the Zoo; “Bitaw,” composed by Keen and interpreted by Zsaris; and “Lunod,” composed by Chochay Magno and interpreted by Shaira Opsimar.

Para Kay Catriona: A Beautiful Serenade

“Para Kay Catriona” comes to terms with the painful reality of loving someone who will never be aware of your deep and strong romantic affection. Kulas Basilonia penned the track when he was aboard the bus, seeing Catriona Gray on television as she struts in the runway with her signature slow-mo twirl. “It felt as if my life is in a slow-mo too,” the up-and-coming singer-songwriter quips. “I immediately researched about her and found out that she has a Music Theory certificate from my dream school. I was amazed, and it made me daydream about the possibility of being destined together. But reality check: we’re different in a lot of ways, and I know, it’s never going to happen.”

The intricately arranged folk ballad is interpreted by I Belong To The Zoo, and produced by Caio Cadiz. Instead of synthesized sounds, Cadiz went for real instruments such as classical guitars in his attempt to record a serenade that is both heartwarming and beautifully melodic.

Bitaw: A Soulful Ballad

“Bitaw” is an emotional R&B track that centers around the dissolution of a romantic relationship, and the struggles of dealing with healing and self-love. With slinky beats and soulful delivery, the Keen-helmed song refuses to stick to the time-tested formula of pop music, tapping someone like Zsaris to interpret the material with the right balance of sensitivity and nuance.

“We are confident enough to win the vibe of the listeners,” Keen shares, beaming with so much enthusiasm and confidence. “The production team sauces up the final piece, they’ll be hearing a different approach from the original one that I made.”

Lunod: A Colossal anthem

According to composer Chochay Magno, “Lunod” is about finding merit in quitting, and how it can be liberating sometimes to just give in to loneliness and melancholy. “Sometimes quitting is winning,” the South Luzon finalist shares. “And walking away from those who failed to see your worth is your first step towards regaining yourself back.”

Magno wrote “Lunod” while lying in the sands of La Union. She attests to the power and tranquility that nature gives off, which allows her to hit the reset button and escape the toxicity of work and personal life. “I can cry my tears out without being obvious because when you’re soaked in water nobody knows you’re crying, right,” she explains. “I can shout to the waves without being judged. It’s like the sea is my witness and fortress.”

“Lunod” is interpreted by pop newcomer Shaira Opsimar, who gave justice to the song’s colossal nature and emotional depth.

“Para Kay Catriona,” “Bitaw,” and “Lunod” are are now available on streaming and digital platforms worldwide via PhilPop and Warner Music Philippines.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

Bon Appetea Milagrosa Katipunan celebrates first year

There was a time, before the pandemic struck the metro, when I anticipated visits to milk tea cafes. I find these places quote relaxing to hang out in while sipping my chosen drink.

One such place was the Bon Appetea branch in Barangay Milagrosa along Katipunan.

Located at the crux of Quezon City, Pasig and Marikina, it offers the metro’s denizens a haven where they can de-stress and enjoy their milk tea of choice as well as nourishing servings of comfort food.

Before the pandemic, I dropped by to enjoy a cup of Salt & Cheese Foam Wintermelon (Php135). I’ve long been a fan of salted cheese topping on my drinks and I was glad I was able to get a taste. I also brought home a pair of Nirvana Milk Tea (Php80 regular | Php100 medium | Php110 large | Php140 extra large) for the kiddos. This refreshing combination of assam black tea and wintermelon already came with chewy black pearls.

A few weeks after that visit, the pandemic changed the restaurant scene forever. Bon Appetea Milagrosa was able to transition to this new normal by partnering with delivery platforms to supplement its own delivery service. It applied strict sanitation and safety protocols such as twice-a-week disinfection, footbaths, temperature scanner and alcohol dispensers as well as socially distanced seats for the riders.

With these in place, Bon Appetea was able to continue servings its customers, not just with its signature drinks but also with satisfying dishes such as its Sirloin Tapa (Php149). Tender and flavorful bits of marinated and fried beef sirloin served with garlic fried rice and scrambled cage-free eggs.

It also supported its local community by donating meals and face shields for the medical and security personnel of nearby Quirino Medical Center.

With dining in at restos now making a comeback just as Bon Appetea Milagrosa celebrates its first anniversary, it’s all geared up with a strong WiFi connection and spacious dining areas, ready to receive customers who will visit its premises.

Those who prefer not to leave home can still have their meals delivered via GrabFood, LalaFood and FoodPanda.

As part of its anniversary celebration, Bon Appetea is giving Buy One Large, Get One Medium deals on its House Pearl Milk Tea, Lemon Yakult Tea and Tropical Passion Fruit Tea until November 30.

This Bon Appetea branch is located at YDG Building, 219 Katipunan Avenue, Barangay Milagrosa, Blue Ridge, Quezon City.

Miley Cyrus drops retro-inspired album, Plastic Hearts

After peaking at No.1 on iTunes Philippines with her first single “Midnight Sky” and revamping the ‘80s discotheque with her Dua Lipa-assisted jam “Prisoner,” pop trailblazer Miley Cyrus makes an explosive return with the release of her highly anticipated new album, Plastic Hearts, out now via RCA Records.

Miley’s seventh studio album features collaborations with Billy Idol, Joan Jett and Dua Lipa. In a handwritten letter about the new album, Miley recalls that she began writing the album over two years ago.

“Thought I had it all figured out,” she wrote. “Not just the record—its songs/sounds but my whole fucking life. No one checks an ego like life itself. Just when I thought the body of work was finished it was all erased, including most of the music’s relevance because everything had changed.”

Built around retro-inspired bangers and thumping stadium anthems, Miley’s new sound gives listeners a renewed sense of appreciation for music made in the ‘70s and ‘80s, as seen in her cover art, which was photographed by iconic rock & roll photographer Mick Rock. Rock adds Miley into the list of artists and legends that he has photographed over the years, including David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, and Debbie Harry.

So far, Miley has released two singles from the album: “Prisoner” feat. Dua Lipa, which was accompanied by a shamelessly campy rock video featuring the dynamic duo, and directed by Alana Oherlihy and Miley, plus Miley’s summer hit, “Midnight Sky.”

Image and details provided by RCA Records in a recent press release.

Guiltless goodness for the fam from Koomi

If you want a break from your usual milk teas and coffee frappes, then you might want to consider yogurt drinks from Koomi.

This chain got its start in Australia, showcasing natural probiotic drinking yogurt combined with fresh ingredients in healthy and tasty icy drinks.

Yogurt is definitely good for you: it aids digestion and is high in calcium so it’s good for your bones.

Add in healthy natural sweeteners like fruit honey and you’ve got a wholesome drink to cool you down and nourish you. The drinks have winsome names, too, which will bring a smile to your face as you enjoy them.

In one of the last sweltering Sunday afternoons of November, I decided to treat the fam to Koomi drinks which, thankfully, just became available in our area through GrabFood’s long-distance delivery.

These included:

Avo Nice Day (Php187). Natural drinking yogurt blended with fresh avocado and fruit honey. My perennial order because I love avocado-based drinks so much!

You’re the Berry Best (Php154). For the Hubby who takes over cooking chores for me and always factors my snacks into his food delivery orders, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, strawberry and fruit honey.

Mango Moo (Php143). My daughter #ExhibitA is nuts about mango so she requested for this blend of natural drinking yogurt, fresh mangoes and fruit honey. Here’s a hack: she mixed some crushed grahams from my baking supplies into the drink and made herself a yogurt-y mango float.

Chewy Chewy Oats (Php143). For my little boy #ExhibitB who missed his breakfast cereal, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, chewy oats and fruit honey.

Stick-on-Me Purple Rice (Php138). I introduced my yaya to the wonders of Koomi with this signature concoction of natural drinking yogurt, purple sticky rice and fruit honey.

Since I opted for the Aussie blend for these drinks, they all feature a more pronounced tanginess of the yogurt. If you’re not into that, you can always opt for the Filipino blend which has cream added to the mixture to align the drink to Pinoy tastebuds.

So if you’re in the mood for a different kind of drink that will give you guiltless goodness, do give Koomi a try. It has stores in The Podium, Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Power Plant Mall, SM Aura, Double Dragon Pasay, SM San Lazaro and VMall Greenhills.

You may also course your order through GrabFood like I did.