Gel Jose

Lip tints for the young and young-at-heart: Tinta ng Pak Awra

Lip tints have considerably grown in popularity in recent months, influenced, no doubt, by the trends pushed by Korean pop culture.

Lip tints or lip stains are liquid or gel-based lip colors whose pigments stay on the lips long after their watery base has evaporated, essentially “staining” the lips. The resulting stain stays on the lips for longer periods of time, unlike lipsticks and lip glosses whose waxy or oily elements make them easily wiped away or smudged.

Lip tints have become the preference of many busy working women or students who may not have the time to regularly touch up on their lip color. Also, they do away with the usual problems that women encounter with other lip color products, such as lipsticks’ tendency to smudge and lip gloss’ propensity to stick to stray hairs or food crumbs.

I recently received some samples from a new entrant to the lip tint business: Pak Awra. Marketing its lip tint products under the moniker Tinta ng Pak Awra, it currently produces six shades named with the same down-home Pinoy-based whimsy as their mother brand: Nagmamaganda, Kyat Kyat, Ganda Ka Teh, Galit na Galit, Bruhilda and Dalaginding. Retailing at Php69/tube, the lip tints are made with natural and organic ingredients, have a sweet bubble gum taste upon application and will stay on your lips from am to pm.

I received two shades to try out. One is Nagmamaganda, which has a darkish pink hue.

The other is Kyat Kyat, which, similar to its fruity namesake, has an orange-y color.

Between the two, my preference is the Nagmamaganda shade, which I think suits my style, personality and age. 🙂

The Kyat Kyat shade may appeal more to younger women, who may have more success in rocking a K-pop style ombre lip than I did.

Both lip tints are packaged in small and handy roll-on bottles which eases their application on my lips and conveniently fit into my kikay kit along with my other vanity items.

I find that it helps to shake the bottle before use. Also, lip tints generally have the tendency to dry out one’s lips so after applying the lip tint, I usually dab on some lip balm.

The lip tints also double as cheek stains, giving my cheeks a healthy and natural-looking blush.

I’m a firm believer of the #MakeupNoMakeupLook, and the lip tints provide a light color that helps me achieve a fresh yet polished glow.

Tinta ng Pak Awra lip tints do perform as advertised and their fun, irreverent branding will appeal to young women. I hope that the makers of Pak Awra will also consider another line geared towards a more mature market.

Pak Awra products can be found in its branches in:

D’ Style Hub, Damballelos Street, Frontera Building, Balayan, Batangas (open daily from 8am to 6pm)
Shopaholicz (Main), Unit 8 2nd Floor, CB Building, F. Timbol Street, San Nicholas Poblacion Concepcion, Tarlac (open daily from 8am to 7.30pm)
Shopaholicz (Mini), Caluluan Concepcion, Tarlac (open daily from 8am to 7.30pm)
Betty Booth Fashion Boutique, BienPaz Arcade, Maharlika Highway Junction, San Rafael, San Pablo City, Laguna (open daily from 9am to 8pm)
La Chicas Fashion Boutique, National Road Baytan Zone IV Iba, Zambales (open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 7pm)
ILove Shopitology Dasma, 2nd Floor, Dasmarinas Bayan (above Generika and across McDonald’s) (open daily from 10am to 9pm)

You can also order online via the Pak Awra Facebook Page or via VIBER at +63 977 1445573.

Disclosure: Product samples provided by Pak Awra for review purposes.

Young chef overcomes family misfortunes and makes name for himself with novel finishing butters

You would think that multiple misfortunes would keep aspiring chef Carlos Cabigao down.

In the year-and-a-half preceding December 2017, his family experienced several tragedies which include his sister’s involvement in an accident and a brother’s passing. While he did wallow in some sadness, even quitting his job, he decided to pull up his bootstraps (figuratively) by yearend, pooled his resources and started baking in light of the upcoming holidays. However, his family tragedies still haunted him.

“Baking tends to require a lot of love and care,” shares the young chef, “which at that time, I didn’t have.”

Fortunately, a friend suggested that he try his hand at making spreads using butters.

Finishing butter (also known as compound butter or beurre compose) are made of butter whipped with additional ingredients – such as herbs, aromatics or spices – that add flavor to the mixture. The mixture is then reformed, sometimes in plastic wrap or parchment paper, and chilled until it is firm enough to be sliced for serving.

Finishing butters are most often melted on top of meats and vegetables, enhancing the taste of these dishes. These may also be used as a spread for breads and to add to the flavor of sauces and soups.

Carlos’ finishing butters are available in two variants branded under Migu Migu: Tartufo Bianco (White Truffle) (Php320/180g) and Garlic and Fine Herbs (Php250/180g). The butters are packaged in top-sealed mason jars and have shelf life of two weeks if unrefrigerated and 6 months if refrigerated after purchase.

(Jellybeans’ Note: I tried them on pan-grilled lamb, pork chops and steaks and they were delish! The White Truffle Butter appealed to me and my daughter #ExhibitA but since Hubby is not so much into truffle, he’s partial to the Garlic and Fine Herbs variant. My son #ExhibitB will basically eat anything you put in front of him. :-))

Going into business proved to be a blessing for the young entrepreneur. It enabled him to widen his network by later joining the online group Let’s Eat Pare, whose initiatives geared towards educating and encouraging MSMEs such as seminars and gen meets helped bolster Carlos’ confidence and business know-how.

So what can Carlos‘ experience teach us? That setbacks may come but these can spur us to do more than we thought possible… with some help from good people, of course.

He currently sells his Migu-Migu finishing butters at Meals.ph but you might catch him at food fairs in your area soon. Check out Migu Migu’s Facebook Page for more product details.

Read more about Meals.ph’s home cooks here.

Disclosure: Information in this article obtained from email and personal interviews with Carlos Cabigao. Product samples provided by Migu Migu for review purposes.

Family’s Intro to Fat Fook at Robinsons Galleria

When you’re planning where to eat for the family’s Saturdate, and you consider the varied tastes and preferences of your family members, sometimes you just need to put your foot down, dictate where you want to eat and hope it pays off.

And sometimes, it does.

The fam’s lunch took place at the newly opened Fat Fook at Robinsons Galleria. It’s one of two existing branches in the Metro Manila, with the other one located in SM City North EDSA.

This branch is situated in the recently renovated wing of Robinsons Galleria, where a lot of new and trendy restos are expected to open.

The place is quite spacious, warmly lit and can accommodate 40 or so people. Similar to its SM North branch, it features porcelain bowls as part of its decor: this time, the bowls cover one wall, adding a quirky yet elegant Asian element to the resto’s interior.

Fat Fook offers authentic Taiwanese food. The dishes we sampled include:

Tofu with Century Egg and Pork Floss (Php198). The soft-chilled tofu was creamy and mild, and together with the century egg, the pork floss and the sweet-salty sauce, it brings a nice contrast of flavors and textures.

Taiwan Style Fried Rice (Php258). Served in a small pan, the rice is fried with a salty brown sauce and accompanied by bits of green onion and lots of savory-sweet chorizo pieces. It provides an interesting complement to the other dishes we ordered.

Taiwan Beef Noodles (Php258). Tender braised beef slices accompanied by hand-pulled noodles in a sour-and-slightly-spicy broth.

Fat Fook Chicken Chop (Php238). Juicy and tender chicken breasts coated with batter and breading, a quick hit with my baby boy!

Garlic Pork Spare Ribs (Php298). A safe bet, given that the fam has tasted this before in Chinese restos.

With all our orders, the bill amounted to just a little over Php1,500, so our Fat Fook sojourn is definitely among the more affordable of our food adventures.

I found this experience a good way to introduce the kids to new cuisines and food influences, which helps them develop a more adventurous yet discerning palate. For myself, I welcome any opportunity to go off the beaten path when it comes to food choices.

Given its affordability and fresh tastes offered, Fat Fook is among the restaurants I won’t mind returning to.

Check out my review of Fat Fook’s other branch at SM North EDSA.

4 Things to Like About The Pallet, Poblacion

The area of Makati called Poblacion, previously known as the city’s red light district, has evolved into a pretty happening place. It has given rise to concept restaurants, quick chows and bars that offer Makati workers and residents alternative choices for dining, hanging out and entertainment away from the usual malls.

One such place is The Pallet.

A food park located at the corner of Dona Carmen and Jacobo Streets in Poblacion, backroads to Kalayaan Avenue, The Pallet is an off-the-beaten track venue.

For my first-ever Looloo Rendezvoos, I was invited to check this place out and experience the various possibilities it affords to its patrons. I found a lot to like about it so I summarized them down to a list which will hopefully help fellow foodies discover a new favorite place to hang out and dine.

No. 1: Ample parking space and helpful security guard.

Having braved the rush hour all the way from QC, I was relieved I didn’t have to worry about where to park my car. Manong guard was quick to assist me in finding a spot and guiding me while I park.

No. 2: Chill surroundings.

Being located in backstreets away from all the hustle and bustle of Makati’s busy streets and surrounded by a residential area, The Pallet has a chill and relaxed atmosphere that distanced me from the usual stresses of work and traffic.

No. 3: Lots of food choices!

Given its relatively small area, I’m surprised at the number and variety of dining choices available. I’ll blog about them in more detail later but suffice to say that the foodie in me got quite excited with The Pallet’s tenants and their offerings. These include:

Mang Jose’s Ihaw Ihaw – for yummy and fuss-free grilled meats and pulutans

Antojitos – for a taste of Mexico from cheese-filled nachos and quesadillas to filling burritos and more

Asian Hawker – for a taste of Singaporean street food from the Char Kwai Teoh rice dish to the creamy Laksa

Uncle Moe’s Shawarma Hub – for a taste of Middle Eastern cuisine from the flavorful kababs to hefty shawarmas

Takohub – it was my first time to see takoyaki balls this huge!

Heath Burger – because healthy cam be tasty too, especially those mushrooms masquerading as chicken nuggets

Ramen Attack – that Tantanmen was a revelation! And the Steak & Rice got me craving for more!

Creamco Creamery – rolled ice cream that’s as pretty as it was sweet and yummy

Inum Bar – cocktails for that relaxed after-work buzz

No. 4: Live music!

On Wednesday nights this November, enjoy live music from up-and-coming artists such as DJ Aryan (90’s Night) on November 21 and DJ SP (Hiphop Throwback) on November 29.

These are just some of the reasons why The Pallet appeals to me. Check it out and see if it might grow to be your favorite place too!

The Pallet is located at 5804 Dona Carmen corner Jacobo Streets, Poblacion, Makati City. For inquiries, email thepalletpark@gmail.com.

Disclosure: Together with other Looloo users, I was invited to join a Looloo Rendezvoos held at this venue. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

HBO original documentary “The World Behind the Teenage Psychic” premieres Dec 16 on HBO and HBO GO

HBO Asia announced recently that the brand-new HBO Asia original documentary, THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, inspired by the network’s award-winning coming-of-age series, THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, will premiere on Sunday, 16 December at 8pm exclusively on HBO GO and HBO.

The documentary follows the success of HBO Asia’s first Mandarin original drama series, THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, that premiered in 2017 with positive ratings and received recognition at the prestigious Golden Bell Awards. Filmed entirely in Taiwan, the one-hour long Mandarin documentary, THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, seeks to delve deeper into the traditions and culture that THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC is based on.

THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC follows different characters from various locations in Taiwan, as they explore how the distinct blend of Taoist, Buddhist, Chinese folklore and indigenous belief systems continue to flourish in modern Taiwan. Featuring anecdotes and stories told by an 18-year-old medium in the Sanchong district, a family of Taoist priests from Keelung city and an award-winning actress and singer whose family runs a funeral business in Nantou county, as well as a practicing priest and teacher of religious studies at Fu-Jen Catholic University, the documentary explores the rituals and beliefs surrounding the afterlife and Ghost Month in Taiwan.

Sanchong District, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Ming Yi Zhang is an 18-year-old female medium (known locally as a jitong) who acts as a vessel for the Taoist God, the Lotus Prince, at the Sanchong Xiesheng Temple in New Taipei City. In the documentary, she shares her view on the culture and practices involved on being a jitong, including self-flagellation, and how she juggles her temple and personal life. During the shoot, the crew managed to speak with the Lotus Prince through Ming Yi and sought his opinion about his young vessel.

Nantou County, Taiwan

In light of a passing in her family, the documentary also follows Golden Horse award-winning Taiwanese actress, Qian Na Lee (“The Teenage Psychic”), as she returns to her hometown in Nantou County. Having spent her childhood years in an environment bound by traditional folk practices, Qian Na offers an insight into Taiwan’s contemporary perspective of life and death.

Keelung City, Taiwan

Shot mainly in in Keelung City, the documentary follows three family members of Taoist priests whose family have served as priests in Keelung City for over 150 years. Wu Ji Lee watches as his two sons, Ming Jun Lee and Cong Hui Lee, perform sacred rituals for the first time at the annual Keelung Zhongyuan Festival, the largest Ghost Festival in Taiwan.

THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC is developed and produced by HBO Asia and marks the second original documentary for the network, following their first documentary THE TALWARS: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS that premiered in 2017. HBO Asia started producing its Original productions in 2012 and have since expanded their range of Asian Original productions to include series, movies and documentaries. To date, HBO Asia has produced thirteen Asian Originals with more slated to premiere in the coming years.

THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC premieres on Sunday, 16 December at 8pm exclusively on HBO GO and HBO (SKYcable ch 54SD | ch 168HD).

Show details and image 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.

Check out my posts on other HBO shows:

Folklore

Stream Season 1 of The Teenage Psychic on HBO Go.

This post contains affiliate links.

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Fine Filipino Food with a View at Fika, Capitol Hills

A Swedish chef whipping up Filipino delicacies.

That’s the way the cookie crumbles at Fika, the restaurant located in the out-of-the-way Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center up Capitol Hills in Quezon City.

Head chef and CEO Mats Loo hails from Sweden where the word “fika” means “having coffee and talks with friends.” Having long dreamed of having a restaurant name Fika, he made his dream a reality right up Capitol Hills in Quezon City.

Diners of Fika are treated, not just to fine Filipino food, but also to a stunning view of the city. Being located in the Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center, near Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club and Celebrity Sports Club, it is surrounded by lush greenery with a view of Quezon City all the way to Antipolo.

Also housed in the same building is the top culinary school First Gourmet Academy. It trains aspiring chefs in various courses that will prepare them for jobs in both local establishments and those abroad. Its working kitchen is also where the fantastic dishes in Fika’s breakfast and all-day menus are prepared and cooked.

I recently joined a foodie meetup held at Fika where, together with fellow foodies, I was able to sample delectable dishes from Fika’s all-day menu. These include:

Chicken Inasal (Php255). A popular Ilonggo dish, it is grilled chicken marinated in a special sauce that gave it its distinct color.

Laing (Php135). Dried taro leaves, coconut milk and chili peppers make this a winner among lovers of spicy food.

Pancit Luglog (Php195). Thick noodles sauteed in a rich savory sauced and topped with hard-boiled eggs and chicharon. A party favorite!

Pinakbet with Bagnet (Php265). A classic Ilocano dish, it’s made of stewed vegetables seasoned with bagoong and topped with crispy bagnet.

Fika Fried Rice (Php135). A recipe that came from Chef Mats’ mom, it’s a great breakfast fried rice made with chopped Chinese sausages, scrambled eggs, pork bits and various chopped veggies.

Binagoongan Rice (Php135). A flavorful dish made of rice, pork bits and kangkong sauteed in bagoong paste then topped with salted egg and ensalada.

Bangus Steak (Php285). The fish version of Bistek Tagalog, it features boneless bangus marinated in soy sauce and calamansi and served with lightly sauteed white onion rings.

Dinakdakan (Php140). An Ilocano dish made of various pork parts such as cheeks, liver, ears and tongue.

Sisig (Php150). Chopped pork parts are deep fried and seasoned with calamansi, mayonnaise, soy sauce and chilis.

We washed down our meal with ice blended drinks such as Choco Frappe (Php165) and Green Tea Frappe (Php175).

And since any meal wouldn’t be complete without dessert, we indulged ourselves in some freshly baked cakes, all at Php110 each:

Tres Leches

Ube Queso

Chocolate Cake

Chocnut Cheesecake

Clear winners for me are the Pinakbet with Bagnet, Fika Rice and – dare I say – all the cakes!

These Fika food sure are Fika good! Do check them out!

Fika is located at the Ground Floor, Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center, Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays at 6.45am to 10.30pm and Fridays to Saturdays at 6.45am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call + 63 917 7006588, +63 2 3553132 or +63 2 5142480.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Christmas shopping and food spree at the Holiday Bazaar, Hampton Arcade

The holiday season comes with festivities, get-togethers among family and friends, and, of course, gift-giving. Filipinos, in particular, revel in exchanging tokens of love or appreciation.

However, shopping for gifts comes with the usual stresses of traveling to stores while navigating through holiday tradfic jams as well as straining the budget.

Fortunately for Pasiguenos like me, The Food Tent PH organized a weekend Holiday Bazaar located at our own turf.

Fridays to Sundays, from 2pm to 10pm, until January 6, 2019, merchants offering food, clothes, toys, housewares and more, will converge at the front parking space of the Hampton Gardens Arcade located along C. Raymundo Avenue, quite easily accessible from almost any point in Pasig City (given our dire traffic situation :-)).

I was invited by The Food Tent PH to check out the bazaar so together with my kids, #ExhibitA and #Exhibit B, I ventured to Hampton Gardens Arcade after work for some retail adventure and bonding time.

In this Holiday Bazaar, we discovered great deals shoppers can score such as:

All original overruns from brands such as H&M, Nike, Zara Man, Forever 21, Pull & Bear, Adidas and more, discounted up to 70% off their retail prices.

Tester vials of popular fragrance brands such as Lacoste, Polo, Daisy by Marc Jacobs and Fantasy by Britney Spears, retailing for only Php80/vial as well as makeup, cosmetic kits and skincare items selling for Php500 and less.

Stuffed toys imported from Japan of popular cartoon characters like Disney’s Stitch and Angel priced at Php300.

Cute socks designed after popular characters.

Housewares and decors, gift items and gadgets and so much more!

If you find yourself hungry after all that shopping, check out the stalls offering various food items you can munch on right there or bring home as pasalubong.

Being Korean food lovers, the kids and I feasted on affordably priced offerings from Soondubu Jigae, all of which are cooked to order.

Soondubu Jiggae (Php100). The Korean soft tofu and noodle stew with shrimp, sliced pork, chicken and beef where the food stall got its name from. Served boiling hot in a clay pot, it’s mildly spicy but very hearty.

Samyeopsal with Rice (Php90). I was delighted to see that this very affordable meal already comes with ssamjang paste and lettuce, giving diners a close taste of the popular Korean grilled pork.

Rib-Eye with Rice and Mixed Veggies (Php179). The freshly grilled meat dry rubbed with Asian spices is juicy and tender (I ate it using a plastic fork!).

Other food items we sampled include:

Yummy Strawberry Cupcakes (Php30) from Purple Angel.

Dessert-and-Drink-in-One Mango Graham Shake from Mango District (Php65).

Hubby requested I bring home something for him so I got Chicharong Bulaklak (Php120/order) from a nearby stall and a Korean BBQ (Php90) from Soondubu Jigae.

And since I’ve been a good girl all week, I treated myself to a Chocolate Dreamcake from Gracie’s Kitchen (Php350).

There are lots to do, discover and enjoy at the Holiday Bazaar. If you’re in the area, do drop by for a quick meal or some Christmas shopping. Stay for a bit to enjoy open mic performances at the central stage area as well.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Stall spaces are at Php550/day. Just contact Hazel Hina of The Food Tent PH at +63 967 263 2866. This Holiday Bazaar is located at the Hampton Gardens Arcade, 100 C. Raymundo Avenue, Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City.

Photo credits: Hazel Hina of The Food Tent PH for the header photo and #ExhibitA for the Soondubu Jigae pics. All other photos are mine.

Tomochan Ramen Express, Ayala Fairview Terraces

Sometimes, you just want to console your poor tired soul with some hot ramen. The flavorful steaming broth, the firm noodles that you slurp into your mouth and tender soy-seasoned pork chashu all combine to give you a meal that warms both your heart and tummy.

However, with most ramen places charging Php300 to Php700 for a bowl, you would think that your ramen treat would be a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of thing.

Akiko Okomoto, founder and CEO of Tomochan Ramen Express, will have none of that.

“We want to be your daily ramen,” she said to a gathering of food bloggers at the Tomochan outlet at Food Choices in Ayala Fairview Terraces. “We want every individual to consider our ramen as their ultimate comfort food.”

True to her statement, Tomochan’s food offerings are priced affordably, starting with the Shoyu Basic bowl at only Php99. With this bowl, you can already slake your hunger in flavorful soy-based broth, half of a marinated soft boiled egg, two slices of tender pork chashu and firm filling noodles.

Other shoyu ramen variants are just as affordably priced with Shoyu Vegee at Php109, with the addition of vegee to the Shoyu Basic bowl; Spicy Shoyu Tantan bowl at Php129, with the replacement of the pork chashu with a spicier version; and Shoyu Special at Php149, with a whole egg and 4 slices of chashu pork.

Craving for miso-based ramen instead? No need to sweat it with the Miso Basic at Php129, Miso Vegee at Php139, Spicy Miso Tantan at Php159 and Miso Special at Php169.

If you’re hankering for a rice meal, check these out, all at only Php79:

Chicken Karaage + Rice + Cabbage

Katsu + Rice + Cabbage

Gyoza + Rice + Cabbage

Ramen + Rice Meal combos are also available, giving you quite a filling meal:

Half Shoyu + Rice Meal at Php159

Half Miso + Rice Meal at Php179

To get a Whole Ramen + Rice Meal, just add Php69 on the price of any ramen.

Additonal items such as Chicken Karaage, Katsu and Gyoza may be ordered ala carte at only Php69.

According to Okamoto, Tomochan’s name denotes a “warm and solid friendship.” By making the warmth and satisfying comfort of Japanese ramen more accessible to more Filipinos, Tomochan is helping to solidify the JaPinoy bonds of friendship and shared love of food.

Want to have that ramen craving satisfied? Head on to Tomochan Ramen Express at Food Choices, 2nd Floor Ayala Fairview Terraces, Quezon City.

If you work in Makati, check out the Tomochan Ramen Express at Food Oddyssey, 11th Floor LKG Tower, Makati City.

Carnevore Food Trip at Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse, UP Town Center

There’s something so primal about grilling food, particularly meat. Harking back to cavemen days when it was discovered that cooking food in an open flame makes it more tender and taste better, grilling has now become an advanced study in itself, with specialized tools and techniques to satisfy the most discriminating tastes among grilled food fanatics.

Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse began as a venture among siblings – right in the backyard of their house in Marikina. Having discovered the unique flavors and distinct styles of the American southwest when it comes to grilling, smoking meats in particular, they determined to bring that kind of cooking back home with them.

From its flagship store in Marikina, to this bigger store in UP Town Center in Quezon City, the Fat Daddy’s has certainly come a long way. This newer branch boasts of a spacious seating area, fun and playful decor as well as a showcase of meat rubs, condiments and sauces that the restaurant owners developed while perfecting their barbecue techniques. It is an ideal place for fun family dinners and boisterous barkada get-togethers.

Together with fellow bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here where I was able to sample many of Fat Daddy’s signature dishes.

Buttermilk Fried Livers (Php210)

Who would have thought that I will be munching on – of all things – chicken liver! But this is not your ordinary fried animal innard dish; the chicken livers are marinated in buttermilk, deep-fried, coated with Fat Daddy’s home-made barbecue rub and served with piedmont and Alabama sauces.

Jera’s Ultimate Pulled Pork and Bacon Nachos (Php330 for half serving/Php600 for whole)

A humungous pile of nachos, pulled pork barbecue, smoked bacon, salsa and sliced jalapenos, drizzled with oodles of homemade cheese sauce and Alabama barbecue sauce.

Hot Pork Poppers (Php175)

Imagine biting into thinly sliced pork belly dried to a yummy crisp and coated with homemade piedmont sauce.

Chef Pat’s Ultimate Cheese Dip (Php250)

Bless Chef Pat’s heart for this! Melted cheddar and mozzarella mixed with beef and onion make for a great dip for toasted bread and tortilla chips.

Crispy Fried Pickles (Php185)

Panko- and corn crust-coated dill pickles are deep-fried and served with Alabama-style barbecue sauce.

All those appetizers sure did their job: whet our appetites for more… because more certainly came.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the Holiday Feast Platter (Php2,699, good for 4 persons). The family’s holiday dinner will no doubt even be more festive with all its hearty inclusions:
Smoked Ham
Smoked Pork Ribs
Roasted Chicken
Barbecue Pulled Pork Salad
6 Pieces Salted Egg Chicken Wings
2 Slices of Chocolate Cake
Plain Rice
4 Glasses of Iced Tea
2 Extra Sides: choose from Southern Potato Salad, Buttered Veggies, Coleslaw, Sauteed Beans and Bacon and Chicken Macaroni Salad

I would have let this story end right here, being so full from the carnevore feast laid out for us, I was approaching food coma.

But, no, they just had to bring out dessert.

O. M. G.

Sweet saints above! Whatever good I ever did to deserve a taste of the Cajeta Cheesecake (Php155/slice) – a sinful variation of the dulce de leche – and the Caramel Drizzled Banana Pudding (Php170/slice) – moist butter bread drizzled with caramel and topped with home-made vanilla ice cream – I’m just glad the powers-that-be were around to see it.

The other delectable dessert treats we were able to gorge ourselves on include:

Pecan Pie (Php250)

Bacon and S’Mores Dip (Php250)

Spicy Chocolate Cake (Php125)

Pineapple Carrot Cake (Php125)

My foodie adventure at Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse was a feast for carnevores capped off with treats for sweet-tooths like me.

This Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse branch is located at the Ground Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. It is open open daily from 9am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 7174482.

Fat Daddy’s original store is located at 171 Dao Street, Marikina Heights, Marikina City, open weekdays from 12 noon to 9pm and weekends from 11am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 995 5832237.

10-day Journey to the Starbucks 2019 Planner

Every year, as part of its Christmas Traditions, coffee giant Starbucks launches a new set of highly anticipated limited edition planners. Obtainable only by completing a collection of 18 stickers given upon purchase of handcrafted beverages, it has become a must-have for many, coffee fans or not.

This year, Starbucks did a few things differently with its planner promo:

When you’ve completed your stickers, you can choose to redeem either a Starbucks Planner or a Starbucks Travel Organizer. This new variant is probably because travel ranks high in the bucket list of many coffee aficionados. In fact, I prefer it myself as I think it will be more flexible to use.
Your planner or travel organizer comes with a Christmas Traditions Starbucks card. Activating this card with at least Php500 and registering it to a new or existing Starbucks Rewards account will entitle you to join a raffle that could win you free Starbucks beverages for a year.
No more prescribed number of Christmas Blend drinks. You get stickers for every purchase of tall, grande or venti handcrafted beverage. This includes any brewed, espresso, Frapuccino or Teavana drinks purchased during the promo period.
You can collect virtual stickers using the Starbucks mobile app. No need to scour through your wallets looking for the card that houses the planner stickers. When you purchase your Starbucks drinks using the mobile app, e-stickers are automatically credited to your Starbucks account. (The downside of this is that you can no longer accept stickers from other Starbucks diners who are not collecting, unless they course the payment for their drinks through the app on your phone.)

More details on the promo can be found here.

With these changes to its mechanics and planner offer (and being an avid Starbucks fan myself), I decided to try to get a planner by going to different Starbucks outlets and trying out different drinks. I will pay for the drinks using the Starbucks mobile app on my phone so I can earn the required e-stickers for the planner.

Plus, I’ll also document the journey on my Instagram page, using the hashtag #JourneyToStarbucks2019Planner.

And now, allow me to share my Journey to the Starbucks 2019 Planner with you.

e-Stickers #1 and #2: Signature Hot Choco at Starbucks, Pearl Plaza

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Catching up on my blog backlogs and working my way towards the @starbucksph 2019 planner with my Signature Hot Choco. Got my first two e-stickers since I started today (Nov 2) and paid using my #StarbucksMobileApp. Here we go! #JourneyToStarbucks2019Planner . . . . . #chocolate #chocolates #chocolaterie #chocoholic #chocolateaddict #chocolatelover #chocolateporn #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 1, 2018 at 10:51pm PDT

My absolute fave among Starbucks drinks has always been the Signature Hot Choco. I find it rich, chocolatey and quite comforting especially when I’m dealing with work or blogging tasks.

Oh, and since I registered and used the mobile app to earn planner e-stickers on the first day of the promo, I get an extra e-sticker.

e-Stickers #3 and #4: Peppermint Mocha and Snowy Cranberry White Mocha at Starbucks, Arcovia City

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My second stop (got the 3rd and 4th e-stickers) on my way to the @starbucksph 2019 planner. This time, #ExhibitA and I got the Christmas drinks: #PeppermintMocha and #snowycranberrywhitemocha. Starbucks no longer prescribes getting the #HolidayBlends to get the planner but we just like ‘em. 📸 by @dragostea . #JourneyToStarbucks2019Planner . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn #beingjellybeans

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 3, 2018 at 6:40am PDT

Among Starbucks’ Christmas Blends, I always go for the Peppermint Mocha. The taste of rich chocolate and the cool and fresh feel of perppermint just evokes the holiday mood for me.

My daughter, on the other hand, opted to try the new Christmas Blend Snowy White Cranberry Mocha.

e-Sticker #5: Caffe Americano at Starbucks, ABS-CBN

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Got my 5th sticker for the @starbucksph 2019 with my #CaffeAmericano. Since I added #sugarandcream, this becomes a #WhiteCoffee. Btw, did you know that if you bring your own cup, they give you a Php5 discount? #tipidtips #JourneyToStarbucks2019Planner . . . . . #coffee #coffeecup #coffeebreak #coffeetime #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeelife #coffeelover #iloveyoualatte #coffeeholic #coffeeporn #caffeinefix #instacoffee #coffeeaddict #beingjellybeans #jellybeansoncaffeine

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 4, 2018 at 5:05pm PST

Since it was a back-to-work Monday and I badly needed a pick-me-up, I opted for a Caffe Americano. It’s basically espresso in hot water, which got me missing my usual 3-in-1 coffees so I added some cream and brown sugar.

e-Sticker #6: Cold Foam Iced Espresso at Starbucks, Sunnymede IT Center

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6th sticker unlocked for my @starbucksph 2019 planner with my #ColdFoamIcedEspresso. Just the right chill for this warm sunny day. Btw, any #greenthumbs here? Did you know you can request the barista for used #coffeegrounds that you can use for your garden? #gardeningtips #gardenhacks #plantingtips #JourneyToStarbucks2019Planner . . . . . #coffee #coffeecup #coffeebreak #coffeetime #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeelife #coffeelover #iloveyoualatte #coffeeholic #coffeeporn #caffeinefix #instacoffee #coffeeaddict #beingjellybeans #jellybeansoncaffeine

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 4, 2018 at 8:42pm PST

I headed to a relatively nearby Starbucks outlet which I have never ventured to and got myself Cold Foam Iced Espresso. Ice-cold espresso is poured into my Starbucks tumbler through creamy cold foam made from blended non-fat milk.

e-Sticker #7: Iced Shaken Black Tea with Ruby Grapefruit and Honey, at Starbucks, Eugenio Lopez Drive

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Apparently, too much #jellybeansoncaffeine yesterday is bad so I dialed back and opted for a #freshandfruity #BlackTea with Ruby Grapefruit and Honey. 7th e-sticker unlocked! #journeytostarbucks2019planner . . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn #beingjellybeans

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 5, 2018 at 5:06pm PST

Apparently, I’ve had too much caffeine. (The things I go through for a Starbucks planner, hehehe!) After a bout of headaches the previous night, I decided to dial down on the caffeine and went for an Iced Shaken Black Tea with Ruby Grapefruit and Honey. This drink is light, fruity and and refreshing, a good thirst-quencher.

e-Sticker #8: Iced Shaken Hibiscus Tea at Starbucks, ABS-CBN

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Still on my #HibiscusTea phase following yesterday’s caffeine overdose. Did you know that hibiscus tea has been used in some parts of Africa to lower body temperature, treat heart disease and sooth a sore throat? Anyway, 8th e-sticker unlocked! #journeytostarbucks2019planner . . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn #beingjellybeans

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 5, 2018 at 9:09pm PST

As I was still on hiatus from too much caffeine, I continued my affair with tea by getting myself an Ice Shaken Hibiscus Tea to go with my packed lunch. This pretty fuchsia-colored drink is a great chaser for my burger baon.

e-Stickers #9, #10 and #11: Green Tea Cream, Dark Mocha Frappuccino and Iced Matcha Espresso Fusion at Starbucks, SM East Ortigas

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Took my need for e-stickers as an excuse to spend some time chatting with my mom and my daughter. #3GenerationsOfWomen bonding over @starbucksph’s #greenteacream, #darkmochafrappuccino and #icedmatchaespressofusion. 9th, 10th and 11th e-stickers unlocked! #journeytostarbucks2019planner . . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn #beingjellybeans

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 6, 2018 at 6:07am PST

I made a last-minute errand to the mall the excuse to treat my mom and my daughter #ExhibitA to post-dinner drinks. My mom got herself and Green Tea Cream, while my daughter went for a Dark Mocha Frappuccino. I, on the other hand, got an Iced Matcha Espresso Fusion which combines coffee, tea and skimmed milk in one pretty and earthy beverage. We basically were three generations of women bonding over coffee.

e-Sticker #12: Iced Shaken Hibiscus Tea with Pomegranate Pearls at Starbucks, Timog

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Got my 12th e-sticker when I took out an #icedshakenhibiscusteawithpomegranatepearls at @starbucksph Timog. It’s not too sweet and the pearls burst with real #pomegranatejuice with every sip. #journeytostarbucks2019planner #instatea #instateatime . . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 6, 2018 at 9:26pm PST

On my way to work, I dropped by the Starbucks outlet at the Imperial Palace Suites and got myself an Iced Shaken Hibiscus Tea with Pomegranate Pearls to go. I drank this exotic concoction to revitalize myself while catching up on emails.

e-Sticker #13: Cold Foam Iced Espresso at Starbucks, Eugenio Lopez Drive

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13th e-sticker unlocked with this @starbucksph #coldfoamicedespresso. #ColdFoam is a relatively new addition to the things you can add to modern beverages. It’s frothed cold by blending non-fat milk until smooth. What you get is the feel and taste of the cream in your drink, without the actual cream. #journeytostarbucks2019planner #jellybeansoncaffeine . . . . . . #coffee #coffeecup #coffeebreak #coffeetime #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeelife #coffeelover #iloveyoualatte #coffeeholic #coffeeporn #caffeinefix #instacoffee #coffeeaddict

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 7, 2018 at 8:18pm PST

At this sprawling Starbucks store, I had a Cold Foam Iced Espresso together with a Chicken Salad Croissant for lunch. Being used to sweets, I had to add two packets of brown sugar to the mixture. Fortunately, I brought my Starbucks tumbler. I just did a little shake-shake-shake to adequately mix the drink and sugar.

e-Sticker #14: Snowy Cranberry White Mocha at Starbucks, ABS-CBN

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14th e-sticker unlocked with my well-deserved hot #snowycranberrywhitemocha in between meetings. Got an alertness boost with some creamy sweetness. Weekend on in 10… 9… 8… .#journeytothestarbucks2019planner . . . . . #coffee #coffeecup #coffeebreak #coffeetime #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeelife #coffeelover #iloveyoualatte #coffeeholic #coffeeporn #caffeinefix #instacoffee #coffeeaddict

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 9, 2018 at 1:04am PST

I went for a well-deserved coffee break in between meetings at the office. I opted for a hot version of the Snowy Cranberry White Mocha, one of the Christmas Blends. The toasty taste of the mocha with a creamy feel and a shot of alertness-boosting espresso gave me some much needed mojo to carry myself through the rest of day.

e-Sticker #15: Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew at Starbucks, UP Town Center

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15th e-sticker unlocked with my #vanillasweetcreamcoldbrew. And since I need something light to tide me over until the heavy lunch I’m expecting, I snacked on some @imohsohealthy fruit crisps. #journeytostarbucks2019planner #beingjellybeans . . . . . . #coffee #coffeecup #coffeebreak #coffeetime #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeelife #coffeelover #iloveyoualatte #coffeeholic #coffeeporn #caffeinefix #instacoffee #coffeeaddict #healthyfood #healthyeating #healthydiet #healthymeal #fitfood #eatrightnotless #eatsmart #feelgoodfood

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 9, 2018 at 8:01pm PST

On my way to a foodie meetup, I whiled away the time at this Starbucks branch in UP Town Center.

I got myself another cold brew drink I’ve been wanting to try: the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. Starbucks’ signature cold brew (coarsely ground beans steeped in room temperature or cold water for 14 hours) is topped with a house-made vanilla sweet cream float that slowly cascades down the cup, tempering the coffee with the smooth vanilla flavored cream.

e-Sticker #16: Iced Shaken Green Tea at Starbucks, Ayala Fairview Terraces

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Unlocked my 16th e-sticker with this #IcedGreenTea at @starbucksph’s branch in Ayala Fairview Terraces. Something light to quench my thirst on my way to a foodie meet up. . . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn #journeytostarbucks2019planner #beingjellybeans

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 10, 2018 at 11:58pm PST

On my way to a foodie meetup at this mall which is so far from my usual haunts, I got myself an Iced Shaken Green Tea at its Starbucks outlet to tide me over and quench my thirst. What a relief it was to sip on something cold and light after braving the Commonwealth traffic!

e-Stickers #17 and #18: Dark Mocha Frappuccino and Vanilla Cream Frappucino at Starbucks, SM East Ortigas

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…and tadaaaah! Unlocked the 17th and 18th e-stickers with my #vanillacreamfrappuccino and #ExhibitA’s #darkmochafrappuccino at @starbucksph’s SM East Ortigas branch. I chose the teal-colored travel organizer which should fit nicely in my bag when I got out. It’s been a great 10-day #journeytostarbucks2019planner. And who knows? We still have some time until the new year. I might start collecting for an #instagramgiveaway soon. Watch out for the blog post on this journey at beingjellybeans.com. . . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Nov 11, 2018 at 4:40am PST

My reward for myself and for #ExhibitA after accomplishing our weekend errands is treating ourselves to a slice of richly decadent Blueberry Cheesecake at Starbucks.

My daughter opted for her favorite Dark Mocha Frap but, in keeping with my resolution at the start of this journey to try out new drinks at every opportunity, I went for the Vanilla Cream Frappuccino. It’s an all-white concoction made from vanilla bean, milk and ice topped with whipped cream. Plus, it’s thankfully free of caffeine
so I can look forward to a good night’s rest in preparation for another busy work week.

And so… ten days after I started collecting e-stickers, here’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Presented with the choice between a Starbucks Planner or a Travel Organizer, I opted for the latter as I think it’s more handy and suits my journaling and note-taking style better. And veering away from my usual preference for neutral colors, I chose the teal-colored option.

From this journey, I guess you can say I’m a Starbucks fan. What I like about this experience is that it encouraged me to explore more of Starbucks’ beverage offerings other than my usual orders (inspired decision to do away with the required number of Christmas blends stickers, Starbucks!). I discovered some new drinks that appealed to me like the iced shaken teas, cold foam and cold brew beverages.

As my way of thanking you for reading through this journey, here are some of the intel I gathered from being such a Starbucks coffee addict that you may find useful:

Did you know you can save some cash when you bring your own mug or tumbler to Starbucks to hold your drink orders? The baristas will slash off Php5 off your drink bill.
Better yet, join the Starbucks Rewards Program. You get a free grande-sized drink of your choice (with a complimentary add-on) after purchasing 12 drinks. You also get a free drink or a free dessert on your birthday.
Did you know that you can request the baristas to give you spent coffee grounds which you can use to fertilize your garden? These are best for plants that grow well in acidic soil.
It’s not on the menu but most hot drinks have a short size which will normally cost Php5 less than the tall-sized version of the drink. Short drinks are not eligible to get planner stickers, however.
If you’re concerned about the amount of calories in your drink, you can either order teas or get your espresso or frappe beverages with soy milk or non-fat milk minus the whipped cream.

See you on my next foodie adventure!

Check out my other recent post about Starbucks: Tea 101 at Starbucks, SM East Ortigas