Gel Jose

Seven exciting promotions to look forward to at Shopee’s 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta

From June 22 to July 7, users can enjoy sitewide free shipping, big discounts, and exclusive offers from premium brands

It is a grand fiesta! Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta with huge discounts and fantastic promotions. Running from June 22 to July 7, 2020, Filipinos can look out for deals such as ₱7 deals, free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend for featured stores, up to 90% off on selected products, and cash prizes.

Here are seven things to look forward at Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta:

₱1.9 million in cash prizes up for grabs on July 7

On July 7, Shopee-holics can stand a chance to win cash prizes of up to a total of ₱1.9 million. Shoppers need to tune in to the following Shopee TV specials in order to win:

Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta: Shake & Win at 11:30 AM on Shopee Live and at 12 NN at Eat Bulaga GMA

Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta: Shake & Win TV Special at 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Wowowin GMA

Free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend

On July 7, users can avail of free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend all day sitewide from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Shopee will also offer free shipping vouchers from the main campaign microsite which is accessible from the homepage.

Amazing ₱7 deals

Shopee-holics can buy high-value products for as low as ₱7. On July 7, users can score a Nintendo Switch Labo Variety Kit Bundle, a Platinum KS-10 Plus Junior 2 Karaoke Player, and an ACE 32″ Slim LED TV for only ₱7.

Exclusive Discounts up to 90% off

Users can get huge discounts on various products from categories like beauty, electronics, fashion, groceries, and health & personal care. Users can enjoy exciting discounts up to 90% for items, including a Knight Black WaterProof Sport Watch, a Transcend SD Card with 128GB of memory, a JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker, and a 33 cm-Inflatable two-ring swimming pool.

Big prizes on Shopee Candy

Filipinos can win amazing prizes when they play the new in-app game, Shopee Candy. Users can stand a chance to win Shopee coins, cashback vouchers, and exclusive rewards, including a Nextbook Flexx 11 2-in-1 laptop and a Huawei Nova 3.

Convenience and bigger savings with ShopeePay

Shopee users can enjoy greater convenience and cost savings with ShopeePay. Users can enjoy special promotions and discounted offers when they pay via ShopeePay. Shoppers can check out more of the ShopeePay deals and 7.7 promotions here (https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay).

Exciting deals and promotions from leading brands

Users can look for exclusive offers and up to 90% off on products from leading brands such as Globe, Pampers, Nestle, Unilever, Maybelline, Wyeth, and The SM Store.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are excited to launch another campaign that lets our users shop conveniently and lets them save more. With the Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta, users can shop, play, redeem amazing rewards, and win cash prizes right in the comforts of their own homes. We understand the many challenges Filipinos face as they embrace the new normal, and we commit to provide them with bigger and better offers. Shopee will continue to innovate our platform to serve our users better and elevate the online shopping experience for all.”

For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/m/double-double

Treat yourself to some sweet happiness from Casa Bakes by Kayla

Let’s admit it: we can all use a bit of happiness right now. If the past few months has taught us anything, it’s to grasp at every bit of simple happiness we can to help us keep our sanity during these crazy times.

Well, how about the kind of happiness that comes in this box?

Twenty-eight-year-old bank employee Kayla Torres used to be too busy to do much at home prior to the lockdown. When the community quarantine was put in place all over the metro, she found her days a bit gloomy. To cheer herself up, she took up her old hobby of baking cookies.

“Baking and eating cookies brighten up my day,” she shares.

After trying out cookies from other internet shops (chewy ones are her fave), she decided to make her own version. When she started posting about her creations on social media, they drew the attention of friends and family who want to buy those sweet delights.

And so began Casa Bakes.

Kayla’s new passion project currently offers the giant chewy cookies she so loves – the kind that’s monster-sized and packed with all sorts of good stuff that will fill your mouth with sweetness and your heart with joy. These are:

Chocolate Chip (Php215/box of 3 | Php400/box of 6 | Php575/box of 9). There’s a reason this cookie variant is always top of mind among many cookie lovers. From its sweet buttery smell, the burst of rich chocolate sweetness from the chocolate chips to the feel of the moist and gooey center that contrasts with the slight crisp at the the bottom and sides, this cookie deserves its place among the classic faves.

Reese‘s Chocolate Chip (Php230/box of 3 | Php415/box of 6 | Php590/box of 9). How can you possibly improve on a classic? Apparently, with a generous helping of Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips! The good ole’ chocolatey goodness of the chocolate chip cookie gets an upgrade with the decadent peanut butter flavor mixed in.

Birthday Cake (Php230/box of 3 | Php415/box of 6 | Php590/box of 9). A whole party packed into a cookie so you can celebrate your birthday any day you want. What can be more festive than white chocolate chips and a dash of sprinkles? Get ready to put on your party hats with this cookie.

Can’t make up your mind on which of these cookies to sate your sweet cravings on? Order a Surprise Surprise (Php225/box of 3 | Php410/box of 6 | Php580/box of 9) and get a taste of each yummy variant!

So how can you get your hands on these monster-sized bits of bliss? Simply send a message to Casa Bakes on Instagram to reserve your slot for the next batch. Online payments via Union Bank and BPI are accepted.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

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

You are SAFE at The Manila Hotel

The historic hotel partially reopens in time for its 108th anniversary with upgraded hygiene protocols for guest safety; and launches special anniversary promo.

Just a day before the historic hotel’s founding anniversary, The Manila Hotel plans to partially open its doors to its valued guests, with the famed Café Ilang Ilang, the Lobby Lounge, and the Delicatessen resuming operations on July 3, 2020. A rebirth of sorts after months of following the government’s quarantine protocols, the hotel has adjusted along with the rest of the world in navigating the “new normal,” and puts a high premium on the well-being of guests.

With the lobby shining bright anew signifying eternal hope, The Manila Hotel commemorates its 108^th founding anniversary on July 4 by welcoming guests with an enduring brand of service that is now focused on enhanced health, hygiene, and sanitation protocols in line with DOH guidelines.

As the hotel prepares for the reopening, Atty Joey Lina, the president of The Manila Hotel, assures the public, “You are safe here. We have taken every precaution to heart so you and your loved ones can have peace of mind when you visit or stay with us.”

To its valued guests who are waiting for Café Ilang Ilang to open, The Manila Hotel offers its 108^th Anniversary Promo that gives the first 108 customers for the first 108 days of its reopening (including Saturdays and Sundays) a special dining rate of only Php1,250 for lunch, and only Php1,550 for dinner. Café Ilang Ilang likewise returns with a new system for dining where guests can “order and eat all you can,” meaning they can order as much food as they want from the selection of dishes at a fixed price.

Both Café Ilang Ilang and the Lobby Lounge will be open with limited seating capacity. Thorough sanitation procedures will be implemented, and guests can order using disposable menu, eat using cutlery in sealed containers, and even use tables with acrylic dividers. Front-facing personnel communicating with guests like Guest Services Officers (GSOs) and waiters will don masks, gloves, and face shields. To limit contact with guests, Café Ilang Ilang is also fine-tuning its contactless ordering and payment system.

Adopting best practices, the hotel launches a comprehensive initiative to assure its patrons they are safe at The Manila Hotel. High-traffic public areas will have hygiene reminder signages and distance indicators, and guests will be asked to undergo mandatory temperature checks, and health declaration procedure. Limited capacity will also be implemented in elevators, while several hotel facilities will remain closed including the spa, swimming pool, gym, and other areas.

High-touch points like door handles, elevator buttons, public area furniture, and others will be sanitized multiple times per day using UV technology. Tests reveal that UV sanitation greatly reduces the bacteria count on surfaces, as demonstrated by lower RLU readings—whose value is used as a measure of surface cleanliness—after the procedure.

Barring announcements from the government to the contrary, the hotel also plans to start accepting room bookings by August 2020. The public will be assured of rooms thoroughly cleaned first with UV-C light technology to eliminate germs, bacteria, and viruses; followed by medical-grade sterilizing and disinfecting solution. A change of fresh and sanitized linens; sanitation of touch points in the room including remote controls, lamps, etc.; and thorough bathroom disinfection are also art of the procedure. Guests will also receive personal wellness kits, issued a UV-sanitized keycard, and arrive to guestrooms with a seal of assurance that they are the first to enter the sanitized environment.

Because taking care of its own people means they can take better care of guests, The Manila Hotel has invested on testing its staff upon return to work to ensure they are healthy. The culinary team strictly adheres to stringent protocols on proper hygiene, hand washing, and food handling. Staff will be required to wear PPEs as needed, and a strict implementation of distancing measures will be done in the offices, front desk, and other areas frequent by guests.

The Manila Hotel looks forward to welcoming both loyal and new guests with the kind of service it is known for, with the assurance that “YOU ARE SAFE HERE” is not just a tagline but a commitment it truly means to uphold.

Get a taste of Asian comfort at home from boakitchen.com

Through its website, would-be diners can easily browse through and select their choices from BOA Kitchen’s takeaway menu and pay via credit card, e-wallet or mobile bank transfer upon checkout.

Asia is just full of wonder, colors and flavors, and its food even more so!

With influences from several nationalities and ethnic groups, all linked by this vast continent, Asian cuisine is a study of similarities and contrasts.

Since last year, denizens of the foodie haven Tomas Morato area in Quezon City have easy access to Asian comfort food, thanks to BOA Kitchen + Socials. This Scout Rallos restaurant prides itself on being able to bring traditional favorites from the Southeast Asian region to the local food scene, but with modern twists, making more palatable to the Pinoy diner. It has even secured a spot in Spot.PH’s list of Top 50 New Restaurants in Metro Manila. (Check out my previous dining experiences at BOA Kitchen here and here.)

It has also successfully pivoted its operations to thrive in the New Normal, first by offering party trays of its best-selling dishes for delivery during the ECQ, and now, by making its client’s ordering experience even easier and more convenient with its newly launched website: boakitchen.com.

Through its website, would-be diners can easily browse through and select their choices from BOA Kitchen’s takeaway menu and pay via credit card, e-wallet or mobile bank transfer upon checkout. Afterwards, they can opt to pickup their orders from BOA Kitchen, or have them delivered to their home (delivery fee already computed).

I tried it out to introduce my kids to Southeast Asian cuisine during our dinner. With just a few taps on my tablet, I was able to order a selection of sumptuous dishes. (BOA Kitchen’s staff even took care of the booking the delivery service for me!)

That night, my family feasted on:

Kimchi Quesadilla (Php225). A Kor-Mex fusion made with grilled tortilla filled with cheddar, mozarella, kimchi and gochujang sour cream.

Nasi Goreng Chicken (Php310). Indonesia’s version of fried rice, given a sweet and savory flavor by the use of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and made heartier by the addition of kropek, cucumber, tomatoes, fried egg and shredded chicken.

Nasi Lemak Chicken Rice Bowl (Php265). The fragrant Malaysian rice dish cooked in coconut cream and pandan leaves, served with sambal (Indonesian chili sauce), dilis (dried anchovies), peanuts and soft-boiled or fried egg and accompanied by Thai Fried Chicken. Apparently, this dish is a hit with the kiddos!

Chicken Pad Thai (Php365). One of BOA Kitchen’s best-sellers, this stir-fried noodle dish is made with rice noodles, tofu, egg, bean sprouts, peanuts and chicken bits. To fully enjoy the Pad Thai, heat the sauce in a pan, then toss the noodles in until well-coated. Let the sauce reduce for a bit before serving.

Mango Sticky Rice (Php235). Glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and topped with mango bits served with chocolate Tablea syrup. A great mix of Thai and Filipino flavors.

This Southeast Asian feast was well-enjoyed by the fam! Try it out for yourself! Order now at boakitchen.com. Take advantage of the website’s launch promo and get 10% your total bill!

BOA Kitchen + Socials is located at Mezzanine Floor, 45 ABDC Building, Scout Rallos corner Scout Tuazon, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City, accepting orders Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Delivery is available only within Metro Manila.

PhilPop goes global with #MusicBreakingBorders

With #MusicBreakingBorders as its newest tagline, PhilPop is committed to celebrating and showcasing the diverse appeal of Filipino music through its Songwriting Festival.

PhilPop has always been a reliable and trusted platform in fostering appreciation for quality and original compositions that reflect Filipino culture, experience, and identity. This year, the country’s premier songwriting competition plans to continue its mission of promoting homegrown music on a scale that’s never been done before: by going global and forging regional ties.
With #MusicBreakingBorders as its newest tagline, PhilPop is committed to celebrating and showcasing the diverse appeal of Filipino music through its Songwriting Festival.

This also serves as an opportunity to empower underrated music talents from the Philippines to harness their potential in the international music arena, and give them the necessary support to widen their reach and adapt to various challenges and trends in the industry.

Music Breaking Borders

National Artist and PhilPop Music Fest Foundation Board Member and Bootcamp Master Ryan Cayabyab puts into perspective the fascinating story and direction for original Pilipino music for which PhilPop dares to achieve. “Filipino music and songs become more meaningful, more colorful and more diverse when we tear down the barriers that separate us. The color that each language brings, the unique stories that each music creator conjures or creates, and the diversity of possible creations to choose from makes for a more exciting direction for Philippine popular music to take. Hence, we in Philpop has adopted the theme, Music Breaking Borders to achieve what we have set out. The other facet of Philpop’s #MusicBreakingBorders is, you probably have guessed – the task of Philippine pop music to break barriers in the international scene,” Cayabyab shares in a statement.

PhilPop Boot Camp coach and folk icon Noel Cabangon also emphasizes the importance of giving voice to new, original Filipino pop songs from different parts of the country, and that an overwhelming number of aspiring songwriters outside Metropolitan Manila, have produced and written material that deserves to be heard on the mainstage. “The idea of breaking borders is to somehow break the “monopoly’ of music emanating from the National Capital Region (NCR).”

Cabangon explains, “We have to admit that there is a diverse musical sound of diverse influences from the regions. Music has been one of the popular art forms that expresses the culture and way of life of the people from the region. I’m not just talking about indigenous sound and ideas but distinct people’s character and sensibility. #MusicBreakingBorders is also not just an accommodation of music from the other parts of the country, but the idea being inclusive, in the sense of original Filipino music. We somehow want to break the wall of confinement in the center and allow/open the arena, and create a broader stream. Somehow this broader stream can lead all of us to the sea and to the ocean, where borders are opening up to new ideas.”

Overwhelming response

The 2020 PhilPop Music Festival started accepting entries last April 25, 2020 from all over the country in 5 different clusters: Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the National Capital Region.

More than a thousand entries have already been submitted, with original and unpublished compositions not restricted to any genre, and written in various languages—from English to Filipino, from Bicolano to Ilocano, from Cebuano to Waray, and more.

Submission of entries is still ongoing until July 4, 2020. For more details on how to join, feel free to register online via their official website.

To date, PhilPop has produced some of the biggest songs of the last two decades, including massive streaming and radio hits performed, composed and written by Ben&Ben, Thyro and Yumi, The Itchyworms, Sam Concepcion, Johnoy Danao, Kyla, and Joey Ayala—to name a few.

The respected music institution has also created a world-class and sustainable curriculum for its annual workshops and seminars, facilitated only by the best in the Philippine music industry.

This year alone, PhilPop conducted several talks and performances online through its banner showcase, Q&A + Kwentuhan Songwriting and PhilPop Live, which can be streamed on its Facebook page.

According to PhilPop 2020 President Ricky Vargas, the country’s biggest songwriting competition aims to strengthen its presence by “coming up with digital initiatives and strategies to engage future music industry professionals with different approaches in songwriting, production, and other modes of creative expression that are at par with international standards.” He adds, “Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we remain as a stabilizing force in discovering world-class songwriters and composers, and making sure that their work stands out in terms of innovation, cultural pride, and global appeal.

Advice to aspiring composers

When asked about his advice to new and upcoming composers and songwriters, Ryan Cayabyab shares a few important reminders to achieve their goals of making it to the international stage. “The balance to be original and to be universal all at the same time is the key that anyone aspiring for global recognition needs to achieve. It also means that a careful balance between science and art should be the direction to take. This will entail a lot of observation and experimentation and a lot of creative spirit and practice to get to that point where one is ready to take flight! Like all types of experiments, there will be a lot of failures along the way, so we need to be prepared for the long haul: prepared physically, mentally and emotionally.” Noel Cabangon encourages everyone to focus on honing the talent and turning the process into a habit. “Get inspired, keep on writing, open your ears and eyes to new ideas and transform and them your own.”

PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year’s PhilPop is co-presented by SMART, MERALCO, and MAYNILAD.

Details and photo provided by PhilPop in a recent press release.

Singapore nu-jazz outfit The Steve McQueens drop soulful new single ‘Firefly’

Singapore nu-jazz band The Steve McQueens have released their long-awaited brand new single ‘Firefly’ via Singapore based indie label Umami Records, exactly 143 weeks after their last release, full length album ‘TERRAЯIUM’ in 2017. The release comes fresh off the band’s ‘Nerd Lounge’ tour at the start of the year where they played shows at the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, Tokyo Big Romantic Jazz Festival and the Esplanade Singapore.

The Steve McQueens have provided the following statement announcing the new song:

“Firefly generates its own light
Firefly generates its own beauty
Passion flies like fire
Passion dies with no desire
Passion is beauty
– The Steve McQueens”

‘Firefly’ is the lead single of The Steve McQueen’s new EP ‘Nerve Endings’, scheduled for release on 7 August 2020, featuring music from the band’s ‘TAPE’ tour in 2018. The band is currently writing and recording new material for their fifth album, ‘The Observer’, to be released in 2021. The band provides some insight into the thinking behind the project: “The Observer stands apart, an indifferent spectator at the ongoing culture clash between the jazz traditionalists and the new guard, smiles quietly to himself and just makes music.”

‘Firefly’ by The Steve McQueens is available everywhere at this link.

About The Steve McQueens

The Steve McQueens refuse to be pedestrian; they don’t live in the transient, or the touch-and-go. Swerving between cool seduction and gripping magnetism, they are ambitious to light the world up with their progressive brand of self- titled neo- vintage soul- funk. They have played to growing attention at festivals like the Tokyo Jazz Festival and Summersonic (Japan), Java Jazz (Indonesia), SingJazz (Singapore), Melbourne International Jazz Fest (Australia) and Jarasum International Jazz Festival (Korea). The quartet formed in 2013 as a forging of four mercurial talents in Singapore, a small country punching above its weight in Southeast Asia’s music scene. Critically acclaimed, The Steve McQueens will leave an indomitable mark on any listener with their music.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster thus far has included releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Swipe, Match, and Win: Play Shopee Candy and win a brand new laptop and smartphone at Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale

From June 22 to July 7, users can enjoy free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend and redeem amazing prizes weekly with Shopee Candy.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches a new in-app game, Shopee Candy, just in time for Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale. Shopee Candy players can redeem prizes, win cashback vouchers, and earn Shopee coins. From June 22 to July 7, shoppers can look forward to free shipping on selected stores, flash deals, and fantastic promotions from leading brands at Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are excited to introduce our latest in-app game, Shopee Candy, just in time for Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta. Shopee will continue to provide users with more rewarding games and entertaining offers as Filipinos continue to play, work, and shop from home.”

Shopee Candy

Shopee Candy is an easy switch-and-match game that appeals to users of all ages. Players simply have to switch and match candies to achieve the goal of each level before running out of moves.

Participants can earn as many points as they can get and redeem their rewards after the game. Users can stand a chance to win Shopee coins, cashback vouchers, and special prizes, including a Samsung Gear VR, A&S S200 Slim HD TV, Xiaomi Mi A3, FUN SNAP iDol Drone FHD, Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, Nextbook Flexx 11 2-in-1 laptop and a Huawei Nova 3.

Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta
From June 22 to July 7, Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta offers up to 90% off on select items, weekly flash deals, and promos as low as ₱9. Users can look out for exclusive offers from leading brands such as Globe, Pampers, Nestle, Unilever, Maybelline, Wyeth, and The SM Store.

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

Image and details provided by Shopee in a recent press release.

Step into fairyland with this treat from Graffiti Desserts

It was originally thought that the Black Forest Cake (or Gateau, if we are to judge by the complexity of this confection) got its name from the Schwarzwald (“Black Forest” in German). It is a densely forested mountain range in Southwest Germany which was said to have inspired the Grimm brothers to write the tale Hansel and Gretel.

The Schwarzwald is known for its rain-blessed, lush and verdant forests, attracting tourists from all over the world who want to experience that fairytale setting.

Well, imagine ending a meal with that fantasy tableau right on your dessert plate.

New online store Graffiti Desserts recently introduced its signature offering: the Black Forest Floor. This unique creation deconstructs and reimagines the classic Black Forest Gateau as the Shwarzwald’s lush forest floor.

In each cup of this ingeniously crafted dessert are elements of the Black Forest we know and love, but with a few tweaks.

Moist chocolate cake, cherries marinated in amaretto and a layer of cocoa and crushed peanuts make up the “soil” which surrounds a “mud pool” of salted milk chocolate ganache. Nestled amidst candy twigs and pebbles, dried rose petals and a green tea butter crumble which serves as a “moss” covering is a gold tinted dark chocolate cream dome “egg.”

You could say this dessert might just be too pretty to eat but what a loss that would be to your other senses.

From the exotic blend of fruity and rich chocolate scents to the interesting variations in texture inside your mouth, to the explosions of salty-sweet, chocolatey, fruity and candy flavors on your tongue, every spoonful is like digging into the forest floor for buried treasure.

Graffiti Desserts is the brainchild of Rain, a twenty-six-year-old entrepreneur who partnered with classically trained baker to bring about unusual desserts. This new entrant into the busy metro food scene seeks to differentiate itself from other dessert shops by “taking inspiration from every direction, rethinking sweets and changing the dessert landscape in the process.”

Well, I’m already a fan.

I’m also excited about the next product it will launch. I heard it will be similar to the Black Forest Floor – introducing a new spin to an old classic and inspired by nature.

In the meantime, dessert lovers out there can get your hands on your own little pots of Black Forest Floor by sending Graffiti Desserts a message through Facebook or Instagram, indicating your number of orders, name, contact number and delivery address. Online banking payments via BPI, BDO and Metrobank are accepted.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

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

Chef Jessie’s creations are now available for delivery and pickup!

Fans of Chef Jessie Sincioco will surely be glad that her well-lauded creations will be easily accessible to them as we all enter the New Normal.

From her memorable beginnings as the baking category grand prize winner in The Great Maya Cookfest in 1983, becoming the very first Filipina Pastry Chef in 1990, her hands-on management of upscale restaurants through own company JCS Gastronomie, Inc, to being hand-picked to cook for His Holiness Pope Francis during the Pontiff’s 2015 visit to the Philippines, Chef Jessie has shown time and again that she can adapt to the changing needs of her clientele while maintaining the quality and craftsmanship her food creations have become known for.

With the metro now under a general community quarantine, with some restrictions still being applied to people’s movement, especially when dining out, Chef Jessie has made many of her celebrated culinary ouvres available via pick up and delivery, some of which were sent to me to sample and enjoy with my family.

Ciabatta Bread (Php100/loaf). Italy’s response to the French baguettes, this long, flat and rustic-looking loaf of bread (named after the slippers it resembled, apparently) was only invented in 1989 by Arnaldo Cavallari, but has the look and taste of old-fashioned breads. It’s perfect as an accompaniment to pastas and other savory dishes or as an appetizer when slathered with butter or dipped in to oil and balsamic vinegar.

Chef Jessie’s Special Dip for Bread (Php450 for 220g bottle). Speaking of dips, I also received a bottle of finely chopped red and green bell peppers, pimiento and grated parmesan in herbed olive oil, which went so well with the ciabatta bread. I liked the dip as is but Hubby preferred adding more grated parmesan to the dipped bread. Aside from snacking on the bread and dip while binge-watching on Netflix, we also included this combo to our meal when I cooked up some Creamy Pesto Chicken for the fam’s dinner.

Chocolate Gateau ala Teddy Keng (Php1,000 for 6-in | Php1,500 for 8-in). Chef Jessie’s version of the decadent chocolate cake, this confection is made of alternating layers of light chocolate cake and rich chocolate cream filling all covered with a rich, shiny ganache and decorated with an unfurling flower fashioned from chocolate.

As you can see from the description, this gateau is a chocoholic’s delight! Named after one of Chef Jessie’s friends, The Landmark founder Teddy Keng, the cake is said to be a rich, generous and subtly sweet as he is. Well, high praise indeed!

These culinary delights and more are available at Chef Jessie’s Place, the newly-built building which houses Chef Jessie’s pattiserie, restaurant and corporate offices. You can read more about it here.

Chef Jessie’s Place is located at 1997 Pililla corner Obrero and Tanay Streets, Valenzuela, Makati City, open daily from 9am to 4pm for pick up and delivery. To order, text or call +63 917 8967880, +63 917 8330797 or +63 977 0976649 or email chefjessiesplace@chefjessie.com.

Missing the experience of fine dining? Well, here’s some good news: Chef Jessie Rockwell Club is now open everyday from 10am to 5pm for dine-in. Prior reservations are required at +63 2 88906543, +63 2 88907630, +63 2 77290122 or +63 917 8967880. Read about my fine dining experience at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club here.
Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

UE Jam Sessions pay tribute to the frontliners with original song, “Lalaban Tayo”

UE Jam Sessions (UEJS), the premiere music organization in University of the East, released a tribute music video dedicated to the medical practitioners and frontliners of the country, who are risking their lives amidst the pandemic crisis.

“Lalaban Tayo” was written by Jenny Legapi, arranged by Choi Felipe, and executive produced by Tommy Tanchanco. Featuring 34 singers and musicians from UEJS Manila and UE Caloocan, the collaborative effort was recorded and filmed during the lockdown period in the confines of their own homes.

Despite the limited resources and massive challenges that the students have to go through in the recording process, they were able to improvise and produce a studio-recording quality of the uplifting pop-rock anthem that champions the daring and uncompromised sacrifices of our modern day heroes. It’s their contribution for all the hard work that our medical, security and essential frontliners had to endure during these uncertain times.

“As we move forward in these trying times, we put our hopes in one another,” 12 Stone Records CEO Tommy Tanchanco shares. “Reshaping our lives this quarantine can never be easy for all of us, but still, let us not forget those people who risk their own lives on the front line and go beyond their call of duty.”

Its accompanying music video, which was edited by Cher Manulit, interspersed individual recordings from the participating student-musicians with inspiring clips showcasing the acts of kindness and compassion of our frontliners, particularly those in the medical field.

“Lalaban Tayo (A Special Tribute To Frontliners)” is now released via 12 Stone Records.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.