Gel Jose

Sweet dads deserve sweet chocolatey treats from Red Ribbon this Father’s Day

Hey, Daddy, we appreciate how hard you work for the family.

We know that you may have some late nights in the office, a lot of handyman tasks at home and, even take over some of our chores when we moms are too tired or busy.

We know that these various labors that you take on are just some of the sweet ways that you show your love.

So for Father’s Day, we are also giving you two especially sweet treats from Red Ribbon!

As our #BestDadEver, you get to pair a slice of Red Ribbon’s Triple Chocolate Roll – savoring its moist chocolate chiffon cake roll covered with a rich milk chocolate icing – with your morning cuppa joe. Taking your coffee break with this chocolatey treat is a welcome respite from all your work.

After indulging in your Father’s Day Feast, you know that there’s always room for dessert! You can indulge yourself with a decadent slice of Red Ribbon’s Chocolate Mousse. Sink your teeth into a rich chocolate pound cake covered by a delicious chocolate mouse and topped with Red Ribbon’s signature cream and chocolate chips.

You deserve all these sweetness and more, sweet Daddy! Happy Fathers Day!

Aside to Momshies: don’t let Father’s Day pass you by without giving the man of the house a sweet treat.

Order today at your nearest Red Ribbon store, or through the Red Ribbon app, the Red Ribbon delivery website, Red Ribbon on Facebook Messenger, or by calling the #87777 hotline. You may also place your order via GrabFood or FoodPanda.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Check out my previous posts about Red Ribbon:

Red Ribbon, Lucky Gold Plaza — Sweet snacktimes with Red Ribbon Bakeshop

Red Ribbon Coffee Caramel Crunch — SweetDelight: Red Ribbon’s Caramel Crunch Cake is back!

Shop for amazing new kitchenware on #AmazonPrimeDay

Did you use to have all these exciting plans of preparing fantastic meals at home but get bogged down by old-fashioned or obsolete kitchenware?

Are you planning to remodel and revamp your kitchen into a place where you can let your creative culinary juices flow?

Then you should start shopping for new and modern kitchen appliances soon. And there’s no better time to shop than on Amazon Prime Day.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

On July 12 and 13, 2022, e-commerce giant Amazon.com will hold a mega summer sale offering lots of deals on its myriad of products, exclusively to Amazon Prime members.

Whether you’re considering a minor kitchen upgrade or gunning for a major overhaul, shopping on Amazon Prime Day will let you score a haul that will make you excited to work in your kitchen!

Add these must-have kitchen appliances to your cart in preparation for the big sale:

Induction Cooktops

These are a type of electric cooktops which use electromagnetic waves to heat the cookware, as opposed to gas or or other electric stoves which conduct heat to the cookware. Induction cooktops have faster boiling times as well as precise temperature control, and are very easy to clean.

NutriChef Double Induction Cooktop

Ceramic Tempered Glass Induction Cooktop
Simple Electronic Plug-in Flameless Burner Design
(2) Circular Top Panel Heating Zones
Independent Configurable Temperature Zone Setting
High-Powered Heating Elements
Quickly Heats for Instant Food Prep
Safety Certified & Approved

Shop Now

AMZCHEF Double Induction Cooker

Silver edge and black polished crystal glass surface
Two independent heating zones
Power Mode and Temperature Mode
Comes with a countdown digital timer
Compatible with cast iron, iron, enameled iron, stainless steel manufactured with a magnetic bottom

Shop Now

Espresso Machines

If you ever dreamed of enjoying a freshly brewed cuppa – just like what you would get from a cafe barista – right in the comforts of home, an espresso machine may be just what you need.

Espresso machines brew coffee by forcing pressurized, nearly-boiling water through ground coffee and a filter to produce a thick and concentrated coffee called espresso.

Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Beverages: Espresso, Hot water, Coffee, Americano, Espresso Lungo
User Interface: Touch screen display
Milk Solution: Classic Milk Frother
Product dimensions: 246x371x433 mm
3 Aroma Strength Settings
12 Grinder Settings
3 Temperature settings

Shop Now

Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine

Bean-To-Brew.
Single Serving.
No Pods. No Waste.
German Technology.
Compact Size: 7” (H) 12.4” (L) 15.6”

SHOP Now

Kitchen Mixers

As appliances that grind, beat, stir and whip food, kitchen mixers have made the process of preparing dishes and culinary creations so much easier for many home cooks.

If you’re planning to try your hand at baking breads or making mousses and meringues, a higher-powered stand mixer will prove to be your best friend.

Kitchenaid Artisan Mini Plus 3.5-Qt.

3.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl
Flex Edge Beater
Coated Dough Hook
6-Wire Whip

SHOP Now

DOBBOR 9.5QT Stand Mixer

9.5-quart large capacity to meet the daily use of the family which can up to 10 people.
660W power of planetary mixing system to evenly mix the ingredients in the bowl with low noise (＜40dB).
Tilt-head design helps the kitchen electric stand mixer to lift its head smoothly.
Five silicone suction cups on the bottom to keep it secure to your countertop with no moving.

SHOP Now

Multi-Cookers

Do you recall the times when home cooks used to slave all day in the kitchen, using various pots, pans and cooking equipment just to produce one complicated dish?

Multi-cookers do away with all of that with its ability to boil, simmer, bake, fry, grill roast, stew or steam food, all in the same device!

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker

Easy to use, easy to clean, fast, versatile, and convenient
Functions: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker & warmer
With 13 built-in smart programs

SHOP Now

MasterChef Electric 10 in 1 Multifunctional Cooker

Combines many kitchen appliances in one
Has a range of 10 smart cooking programs
Energy saving

SHOP Now

Air Fryers

Healthy eating is becoming a way of life for many of us and one way to do so is by reducing our use of oil in our cooking.

Air fryers help us achieve this by simulating deep-frying without submerging the food in oil. Hot air is circulated within the device at high speeds, resulting in crispiness that you usually get from deep-frying, but with much less oil.

COSORI Air Fryer 6.8 Qt

Patented 360 ThermoIQ Technology
Customize and save 10 cooking functions with your preferred time and temperature
Free VeSync app lets you control your air fryer remotely

SHOP Now

Chefavor Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo

Wide temperature range of 200°-450°F
The high-speed convection fans speed up cooking for a quick fried finish
Equipped with advanced over-heat protection for added safety
Watch your foods cook to crispy perfection with wide windows and an interior light
Includes wire rack, baking tray, air fry basket, removable crumb tray and tray handle

SHOP Now

Smokeless Grill and Hotpot

We’ve all fallen in love with Korean barbecue, but can you imagine the sheer gastronomic pleasure of enjoying your freshly grilled meats while slurping on freshly made soup from a Chinese-style hotpot, right at your dining table?

That’s what a smokeless grill and hotpot can do. With this gadget in your arsenal, an Asian-style food party can be done in a jiffy.

Food Party 2 in 1 Electric Smokeless Grill and Hot Pot

Fast and Even Heating Technology
Easy to Clean
Multi-functional cooker

SHOP Now

4YANG Hot Pot with Grill

Multi-function Hot Pot
Independent Dual Temperature Control
8-seconds rapid heating
Smokeless and safe

SHOP Now

So, are you now excited for Amazon Prime Day? Be sure to mark July 12 and 13 on your calendars!

Not yet an Amazon Prime member?

To take advantage of the awesome deals that await you during Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member.

You can also enjoy these exclusive benefits:

Fast and free delivery. Get two-day, next-day or same-day delivery to a US address for millions of items.
Prime Video. Get access to fresh movies releases and original award-winning Amazon productions.
Prime Reading. Get access to a rotating catalogue of e-books and audio books including one free pre-release book every month from editor’s picks.
and more!

Now, how to get your goodies home…

You might be getting worried about how much your Amazon Prime Day haul will set you back when it comes to shipping.

One way to minimize your shipping costs is by consolidating your packages via ShippingCart. It allows you to have your orders from e-commerce sites based in the US, UK, Australia and Japan delivered to a single shipping address in those countries where they are consolidated, then carefully packed into one parcel before shipping to your home address in the Philippines.

This also means that you can also purchase items that are not eligible for shipping to the Philippines!

Know more about ShippingCart and sign up for the service here. Indicate the US address provided by ShippingCart when you checkout your purchases on Amazon.com. Plus, use my code JELLYB to enjoy 15% off when you ship your consolidated parcels. (Discount will apply to first-time Shipping Cart users only. Code is valid until December 31, 2022.)

Happy shopping!

This post contains affiliate links.

Header photo by pvproductions – www.freepik.com

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin premieres July 28 only on HBO GO

The Max Original series, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, will debut its ten-episode season with three episodes the same time as the U.S. on Thursday, July 28 only on HBO GO. Two new episodes will follow on the subsequent Thursdays, August 4 and 11, with the final three episodes debuting August 18.

Executive produced and written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and co-executive produced and written by Lindsay Calhoon Bring (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), this dark take on the teen melodrama introduces a new generation of Liars who are tormented by A – a masked killer hellbent on punishing them for the sins of their mothers, as well as their own.

Twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart. Now, in present day, a disparate group of teen girls — a brand-new set of Little Liars — find themselves tormented by an unknown Assailant and made to pay for the secret sin committed by their parents two decades ago…as well as their own. In the dark, coming-of-age, horror-tinged drama Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, we find ourselves miles away from Rosewood, but within the existing Pretty Little Liars universe — in a brand-new town, with a new generation of Little Liars.

Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, and Maia Reficco star as our new generation of Liars. The series also stars Mallory Bechtel, Sharon Leal, Elena Goode, Tony award winner Lea Salonga, Eric Johnson, and Alex Aiono.

The series is produced by Aguirre-Sacasa’s Muckle Man Productions and Alloy Entertainment (Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, You) in association with Warner Bros. Television. I. Marlene King (who developed the original Pretty Little Liars), Michael Grassi, Caroline Baron, and Alloy’s Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo are also executive producers of the series, which is based upon the bestselling series of books by Sara Shepard, published by Alloy Entertainment.

Stream or download Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin from July 28 only on HBO GO. All seven seasons of the original Pretty Little Liars are also available on HBO GO for your viewing pleasure.

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

Not yet on SKYcable? Fill up this form to apply.

Apply NOW

Images and details provided in a recent press release.

Save the Date: July 12 & 13—Amazon Prime Day Returns Offering Amazon’s Lowest Prices Ever on Select Products

The two-day savings event includes must-have brands such as Beats, Casper, ELEMIS, Levi’s, iRobot, and SharkNinja; fashion styles from Amazon Essentials and Simple Joys by Carter’s; and Amazon’s lowest prices ever on select products from Sony, Bose, and GE

Early deals start June 21, including 55% off select Amazon devices, up to 50% off Fire TV, and more deals from top brands like De’Longhi, Dove, and SodaStream

Prime members can also win big prizes by supporting small businesses from June 21 to July 11

Amazon’s annual Prime Day event is back. The 48-hour event kicks off July 12 at 3 a.m. EDT and runs through July 13 for Prime members in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, the U.K., the U.S., and for the first time ever in Poland and Sweden. Later this summer, Prime Day deals events will be held in India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as in Egypt for the first time.

Customers will be able to shop products from top national brands and more third-party sellers than last year’s Prime Day, including many small and medium-sized businesses. New deals—from fashion and electronics to toys and home—will go live throughout Prime Day, offering savings on products across categories, including from Customers’ Most Loved, Internet Famous, and a selection of Climate Pledge Friendly products.

“With the small businesses and national brands our members love and trust, we’re excited to offer some of our best Prime Day deals yet to even more customers around the world,” said Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime. “This year, we’re making it simple for members to find the best deals, from personalized deal recommendations to Alexa reminders. It’s never been easier for Prime members to shop, save, and make the most of Prime Day.”

Shop early, save big

Customers don’t have to wait to save this Prime Day. Early deals and new, member-only offerings start June 21.

Score Big on Amazon Devices: Get deals starting June 21 and save up to 55% on select Amazon devices, including Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) Kids, Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon Glow with Tangram Bits, Halo Band, Luna Controller, Fire 7 Tablet (2019 release), Echo Dot (4th Gen) with a Free Smart Bulb, Ring Alarm Security Kit 8-Piece (2nd Gen), Blink Video Doorbell, eero mesh WiFi routers, and more.
Save on Fire TV smart TVs: Starting at just $89.99, save early with Fire TV smart TVs from brands including Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, and Amazon.
- Insignia 24-inch HD Smart Fire TV: $89.99 (47% off)
- Insignia 32-inch HD Smart Fire TV: $99.99 (44% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 55-inch Omni Series 4K UHD smart TV, hands-free with Alexa: $299.99 (46% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV: $199.99 (46% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV: $259.99 (45% off)
- Amazon Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV: $284.99 (45% off)
- Toshiba 75-inch M550-Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV: $699.99 (50% off)
- Pioneer 43-inch 4K UHD Smart TV: $199.99 (37% off)
Shop on Amazon Live: Starting June 21, customers will have an opportunity to shop early Prime Day deals alongside their favorite celebrities and influencers, including Porsha Williams, Joe and Frank Mele, and Lala Kent. On June 28 at 1 p.m. EDT, Hilary Duff will join some of her favorite small business owners who will showcase their products and share inspiring stories behind their brands. To watch, visit amazon.com/liveprimeday or download the Amazon Live Shopping app on Fire TV.
Buy Now, Pay Over Time with Affirm: From June 28 through July 11, Prime members can get 0% APR on three equal monthly payments when they spend $50 or more on eligible products on Amazon upon credit approval by Affirm. For example, a $300 purchase might cost $100/month over three months at 0% APR. Visit amazon.com/affirm to learn more.
Save with new Amazon Fresh Stores Prime Benefit: Starting June 29, Prime members will save 20% on select everyday essentials at Amazon Fresh stores across the U.S. Members can enjoy this new benefit year-round by scanning their Amazon app at the register or paying with a credit card registered to their Prime account.
Earn Rewards with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card: From July 1 through July 29, Prime members get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card. Cardmembers with an eligible Prime membership can earn 6% back at Amazon and Whole Foods Market on Prime Day and 5% back year-round, plus 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back everywhere Visa is accepted.

Shopping small businesses

This year we’ve made it easier than ever to support small businesses.

Win Big by Supporting Small: From June 21 through July 11, for every $1 spent on eligible small business products, customers will receive a chance to win epic prizes. In the U.S., this includes a pre-game experience and tickets to Super Bowl LVII, VIP passes to music experiences in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, tickets to a special New York City screening and cast meet-and-greet for Prime Video’s upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series, and a VIP trip to Amazon’s first-ever clothing store, Amazon Style, near Los Angeles. Plus, hundreds of thousands of sweepstakes entrants globally will have a chance to win Amazon gift cards. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Must be 18 or older to enter. To learn more about the sweepstakes and to see official rules, visit amazon.com/primedaysweepstakes.
Look for the Small Business Badge: Prime members can discover and shop products from small business brands in Amazon’s store with the new Small Business Badge. This new badge makes it easier for members to identify products from small business brands and artisans. To learn more and shop curated collections—including from Black-owned, woman-owned, and military family-owned small businesses—visit amazon.com/supportsmall.

Get ready ahead of Prime Day

This year, Amazon makes preparing for Prime Day easier and more rewarding than ever. Members can earn credit to put toward their Prime Day purchases, receive custom product recommendations, and set up deal notifications and reminders to get ready. Amazon is also offering an exclusive gaming experience just for Prime members to celebrate before Prime Day. Customers can join Prime or start a free trial at amazon.com/primeday to participate.

Create Deal Alerts for Personalized Recommendations: Prime members can subscribe to receive deal alert notifications related to their recent Amazon searches and recently viewed items. All they have to do is visit the Prime Day event page on the Amazon app between now and Prime Day to create deal alerts. Once Prime Day arrives, members will receive push notifications on any available deals.
Earn a $10 Credit Through Prime Stampcard: From June 16 through Prime Day, members are invited to explore the perks of membership to receive a $10 credit toward their Prime Day order or future Amazon purchase. To participate, members collect a stamp for completing each of four Prime activities: stream Prime Video, listen to Prime Music, borrow a Prime Reading or Kindle Unlimited book or add one to their library, and make a Prime-shipping eligible purchase. Members can visit https://amazon.com/cer/stampcard/home to learn more.
Get Deal Notifications from Alexa: Prime members never have to worry about missing a deal thanks to Alexa. Members can add products to their Wish List, Cart, or Save for Later, and then ask Alexa to notify them about the deal when it’s live or even order it on their behalf.
Set a Reminder: Prime members can tell their Alexa devices, “Remind me when Prime Day starts,” to be alerted when the two-day deals event begins.
Tune in to Ultimate Crown: On July 9 starting at 7 p.m. EDT, Prime members can tune in globally to the gaming event of the summer—Ultimate Crown—on Twitch.tv/Crown and Prime Video. An all-star lineup of gamers and streamers will battle live from Las Vegas at the HyperX Arena. Prime members will have a chance to attend in person or participate in live chats for a chance to win exclusive giveaways and gifted subs.

Prime day deliveries

Fast, free delivery of Prime Day orders is made possible thanks to Amazon’s global transportation network, which is powered by a combination of innovative technology, transportation services, dedicated associates, and partners. Amazon continues to build, innovate, and scale this network around the world—from rail and trucks to planes, vans, and more—while focusing on the safety, well-being, and career advancement of the people and partners who work across the Journey of an Amazon Package. From a veteran loading cargo into the belly of an Amazon Air aircraft to the driver who delivers that familiar Amazon box, it’s the people and partners across the operations network who make it all possible.

Every day, made better with Prime

Prime offers the best of shopping, savings, and entertainment to more than 200 million paid members around the world. In the U.S., that includes unlimited access to award-winning movies and series with Prime Video, ad-free listening of 2 million songs, thousands of stations and playlists, and thousands of podcasts with Amazon Music, free games with Prime Gaming, more than 3,000 books and magazines with Prime Reading, unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos, and incredible savings with Prime Day. Prime was built on the foundation of unlimited fast, free shipping. Prime members enjoy ultrafast grocery delivery and pickup from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market in more than 5,000 cities and towns, free Same-Day Delivery on hundreds of thousands of items in over 90 major metropolitan areas, and free One-Day Delivery on more than 20 million items coast to coast. Prime members also receive fast, free delivery on prescriptions from Amazon Pharmacy and prescription savings at more than 60,000 participating pharmacies in the U.S. To join Prime or start a free trial, visit amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Details provided in a recent press release.

This post contains affiliate links.

Photo credit: header image by snowing on Freepik

Plastic Bank and Coca-Cola celebrates World Oceans Day

Plastic Bank and Coca-Cola Philippines celebrated World Oceans Day through Ecosystem Impact Week held in Robinsons Place General Trias. The Ecosystem Impact Week that was held from June 8 to June 12 highlighted the progress and milestones of Plastic Bank collection community members who continuously uphold their mission to stop ocean plastic. The event was made possible in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, the Local Government of General Trias, Cavite, and Robinsons Place General Trias.

Developing Collection Communities

Plastic Bank’s collection communities are at the heart of what Plastic Bank does.

The Ecosystem Activation partnership aims to empower collection communities by supporting recycling infrastructure, skills training, and providing tools of trade for collection.

“Plastic Bank works with over 500 recycling communities around the world and over 20,000 active members. By supporting collection communities in coastal areas, we stop plastic from reaching the ocean. Our partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines has helped us reach critical scale in just two years—from the volume of plastic we collect to the number of lives we directly impact,” said Gidget Velez, Chief Country Development Officer at Plastic Bank. Coca-Cola Philippines has supported the development and growth of a new Plastic Bank Ecosystem in General Trias, Cavite.

Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste (WWW) Project

Launched in 2018, the aim of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste (WWW) Project is to help collect and recycle a bottle or can, regardless of where it comes from, for every one they sell by 2030.

As the world’s biggest beverage company, Coca-Cola Philippines recognizes its role and responsibility in helping solve the plastic crisis. The company aims to make 100% of their packaging recyclable by 2025 and use 50% recycled material in their bottles and cans by 2030.

Part of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision is supporting like-minded organizations such as Plastic Bank. During the1st year of their partnership, Coca-Cola was able to collect 100,000 kg of ocean-bound PET plastic and help improve the livelihood of local communities through plastic collection.

Emphasizing the Power of Ocean Stewardship

Every single human being who is pained by the degradation of our Ocean and acts to prevent and reverse it, is an Ocean Steward.

Whether you are Plastic Bank collection community members, a pioneering partner, or a consumer making simple choices that drive impact—you are an Ocean Steward. “As Ocean Stewards, we must be part of the solution, not the pollution. With the right collection methods—including segregation, cleaning and delivery to our collection branches—we are educating our members on proper waste management and helping communities transcend poverty,” said Rene Guarin, Philippines Country Manager at Plastic Bank.

About Coca-Cola Philippines

Coca-Cola has been refreshing Filipinos and making a difference in the Philippines for 110 years. The Philippines was Coca-Cola’s first market in Asia to begin local bottling operations. Today, the Coca-Cola system in the Philippines has evolved into a total beverage company, offering a diverse portfolio of brands in its beverage portfolio and employing over 15,000 Filipinos in over 19 manufacturing facilities and more than 60 distribution centers nationwide. As part of its long-standing commitment to the country, Coca-Cola continues to work to create a better shared future for our people, the business, our communities, and our planet by continuously supporting safe water access programs in over 250 communities, empowering around 250,000 women entrepreneurs through training and peer mentoring, and accelerating packaging collection and recycling under its global World Without Waste initiative.

About Plastic Bank

Plastic Bank empowers Ocean Stewards to stop ocean plastic. Their ethical collection communities exchange plastic for life-improving benefits. Exchanges are recorded through a blockchain-secured platform that enables traceable collection, secures income, and verifies reporting. Collected material is processed into Social Plastic feedstock for reuse in products and packaging.

PlasticBank®, Social Plastic™, and Alchemy™ are trademarks of The Plastic Bank Recycling Corporation.

Learn more at plasticbank.com

Header photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash

A taste of Scandinavia at IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant

Have you heard of the recent trending topic called #SwedenGate? It sprang from several anecdotes shared on Reddit which recall childhood experiences of house guests not being invited to dine while at a Swedish household.

While there are myriad cultural contexts behind this custom, and recent reports do share that this practice has been dying out, it does bring to the spotlight a cuisine heretofore unknown to most Filipinos: Scandinavian food.

Recently, this cuisine became a lot more accessible to us, thanks to IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant at IKEA Pasay. Given the time and energy that shoppers expend while browsing through its displays, it’s a good thing that IKEA opened a self-service cafeteria inside the store. It has proven to be quite popular: during my family’s recent visit, we had to wait in line for thirty minutes to an hour before we were able to enter.

Since it employs a cafeteria-style self-service type of operations, we had to line up at the food counters to choose and collect our food in trays and carry them towards the cashiers. This process is greatly helped by the trollies that IKEA provided, which proved to be a great convenience due to the sheer amount of food we ended up buying.

Once we‘re done getting our food, we settled down to eat at the well-appointed dining area which is furnished with Scandinavian-style tables and chairs. Depending on the number of people in your party, you may opt for the small tables for a party of two or a get the bigger tables that can seat up to eight people.

The menu and operations of IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant are guided by its seven food principles:

Lagom – Servings that are not too hearty nor lacking, with responsible portions just right to sate one’s hunger.
Sustainable – Food items should be good for both people and the planet by sourcing ingredients from farms and fisheries that strive to protect the environment, public health, people and communities.
Plant-based – Food items that celebrate seasonal and diverse ingredients as well as make healthier and sustainable living easy.
Animal welfare – Fewer animals are used in its menu and all are sourced sustainably from farms that practice humane treatment of livestock.
Natural – Simple and wholesome dishes that reduce the use of additives while still safeguarding food safety.
Food is precious – Food waste is a no-no from farm to consumption.
Food is pleasure – Food is meant to be enjoyed with others, celebrating different cultures that come together.

The fam did take our cue from the greeting “Smaklig maltid!” (“Enjoy your meal!”) as we shared and feasted on our Scandinavian food orders:

We also enjoyed free-flowing Nordic drinks (Php50/person) to go with our food. These are sparkling or still beverages sweetened only with half the usual amount of sugar featuring flavors such as elderberry, lemon, pear, raspberry, lingonberry, and cola distributed on tap at the drink stations.

When we finished our meal, we quickly cleared our table (to do our share in helping IKEA keep its food costs low) and left so that our table can be readily used by the next batch of diners.

I’m glad that my fam was able to experience this foray into Scandinavian cuisine. #SwedenGate may son be a thing of the past, but this family’s love affair with Swedish food is just beginning.

The Swedish Restaurant is located at the 4th Level of IKEA Pasay City and is open daily, from 9:30 am to 9 pm.

To stay updated on news and updates about IKEA PH, visit its website or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

Japanese dining experience at Sandaime, Eastwood Mall

Being part of a family of Japanese food lovers, it is no wonder that we tend to seek it out every chance we could.

That’s what happened when Hubby and I started feeling hunger pangs while we were in the vicinity of Eastwood Mall, Libis. Knowing that one of our previously discovered Japanese food restaurants is in the area and has reopened for dine-in service after closing during the quarantine, we were looking forward to trying it out again.

That restaurant is Sandaime.

Sandaime is a casual dining restaurant which offers a wide selection of Japanese dishes that combine traditional Japanese sushi flavors. These include Edomae-style sushi, which are prepared using traditional sushi-making techniques and fish flown in directly from Japan. It is also known for its teishoku (Japanese meal sets).

It has re-opened with a streamlined menu from which Hubby and I ordered:

Spicy Salmon Salad (Php408). Cubes of salmon sashimi tossed in a spicy creamy sauce on a bed of lettuce and topped with crunchy tempura flakes.

Tuna Sashimi (Php388) and Salmon Sashimi (Php398). Fresh sashimi served with wasabi and Japanese soy sauce.

Ebi Tempura (Php468/5 pcs). Battered prawns deep-fried to a crunchy golden brown and served with special tempura sauce.

Tonkatsu Set (Php428). Deep-fried breaded pork cutlets accompanied by a tangy katsu sauce. This meal set includes rice and lettuce.

Looking back at our pre-pandemic visit, we were glad to see that most of what we liked then are still in the menu such as Edamame, Chicken Karaage and California Roll. Unfortunately, Oyster Overload is no longer in the menu.

Sandaime Japanese Restaurant is located at the Ground Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City, open for dine-in, pick-up and delivery. For reservations and orders, call +63 915 3373278 or +63 928 50 2487.

Merienda meetup at Bench Cafe, BGC

Merienda – or minindal – is a time-honored tradition in this country. A light meal or snack in the afternoon often figures as highlights in our childhood, and carries on to our adulthood in the form of coffee breaks.

During a recent meetup with my OFW friend, Tina, I revisited this childhood experience with classic merienda fare at Bench Cafe in BGC.

Bench Cafe is an offshoot of the top Filipino clothing brand Bench in partnership with restaurant developer Foodee Global Concepts. This restaurant brand centers around its concept of combining traditional and modern takes on Filipino food.

Its flagship store in BGC also provides a posh yet comfortable background in which diners can fully enjoy its Pinoy dishes. Tables and chairs are amply spaced in a spacious floor space brightly lit with both natural light and pendant lighting and tastefully highlighted with wall art.

This well-appointed eatery served as our venue for a long-awaited get-together. Due to quarantine restrictions, Tina was unable to come home to the Philippines for two years so I jumped at the chance to check out Bench Cafe’s OG branch for our meetup.

Our merienda included:

Pancit Guisado (Php259 good for two | Php420 good for four).

A hearty dish of stir-fried noodles mixed with meat, shrimp and vegetables, and topped with pork rind, this dish is usually a highlight for many of my afternoon snack times at home.

Flan B (Php219).

Bench Cafe’s version of the Pinoy classic custard and caramel dessert topped with macapuno, always a sweet and creamy indulgence!

Classic Turon ala Mode (Php55).

A crispy fritter made with banana encased in lumpia wrapper with caramelized sugar topped with ube ice cream, another merienda staple.

Ube Halo Halo (Php99/12oz | Php145/16oz).

A thirst quenching dessert and icy beverage made with coconut shaved ice with garbanzos, caramelized banana, leche flan and nata de coco topped with ube ice cream and rice krispies.

These Pinoy favorites on the table and my dear friend to catch up with made my merienda experience at Bench Cafe so special.

Check it out! Drop by this branch at the second floor of Bench’s flagship store at 9th Avenue corner Lane O Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global Citt, Taguig, open daily from 10am to 7pm.

Other branches are located at:

Level 2, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Ground Floor, Padre Faura Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila

You may also order for delivery via GrabFood.

Stay updated on Bench Cafe’s offers and promos by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Don’t Skip Dad’s Day: 3 gift ideas for Father’s Day

Buying gifts for mom can be a bit tricky, but we’re sure you’ll agree that picking gifts for dad is an unmatched kind of difficulty. Father’s Day is just around the corner and we are sure you are still struggling with what to get him. We know this, he basically claims to want nothing when asked.

Power Mac Center’s Don’t Skip Dad’s Day campaign offers the most exciting deals specially made for our loving fathers. We have rounded up the best tech gifts that he will surely use. Side note, all of these practical finds come with a discount!

So whether you’re looking for a gift for your all-around dad, your hardworking father who deserves a break, or your dad on the go who loves adventures, we have just the right gift idea for you!

For the all-around dad

All-around dads deserve all-around gifts! Present and active in all respects of work, house, and fatherly duties, surely your multifaceted dad is an incredibly dependable person. On his special day, what he needs is an equally reliable device that he can count on whenever he performs his tasks.

Get your hands on these Apple products with up to a big discount! Power Mac Center offers up to P12,000 off on iPhone 13 and up to P8,490 off on iPad Pro M1. These exciting gifts that reflect how much you support all his ventures will definitely surprise him on Father’s Day.

Wait, there’s more! You can also enjoy up to P3,000 off on AirPods Pro and up to P1,500 discount on select Apple Watch series.

These promos are available in Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, Web Store, Viber Store, and The Loop by Power Mac Center official stores on Lazada and Shopee.

For the hardworking dad

Dads are like superheroes we can always count on to protect the family. On his special day, why not return the favor even with just a simple gesture? Give him the essential accessories so his day-to-day devices are protected, too. With a strong focus on his work, a perfectly functioning charging cord and an undamaged iPhone case are not at the top of his priority list. Nothing screams thoughtfulness more than recognizing the little things and understanding his needs.

Power Mac Center gives you up to 95% discount on accessories like cases, charging cables, connectors, storage, audio, and car accessories. And if you’re feeling a little extra, get the rest of the family too to purchase gifts for dad to get free shipping when you purchase a minimum of P2,500 worth of accessories on Power Mac Center online stores from June 15 to June 19, 2022.

These offers are available at Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, Web Store, and The Loop by Power Mac Center official stores on Lazada and Shopee.

For the dad-on-the-go

Still confused about what to get your gym buff dad? If he doesn’t skip leg day, then you definitely shouldn’t skip dad’s day. You can allow him to try new Saddle Row classes for a change. It can be the next fun activity he can enjoy with you or your mom. Plus, with its health and fitness benefits, it will be well worth it, too!

In collaboration with Saddle Row, Power Mac Center gives you the exclusive opportunity to try out the best fitness classes, like indoor cycling and indoor rowing. Purchase a minimum of P30,000 worth of items at Power Mac Center and The Loop stores to be one of the five lucky winners of a whopping P10,000 gift certificate from Saddle Row, where your dad can engage in a holistic level of fitness that will benefit his health and mental well-being.

Launched in 2015, Saddle Row is a boutique fitness concept creating tailor-fit indoor workouts for cycling and rowing. If you’re looking for a safe and smart fitness experience in the shortest possible time for your dad, let him try Saddle Row’s indoor workout programs.

Take advantage of the week-long promos of generous discounts from June 14, 2022 (Tuesday) to June 19, 2022 (Sunday). Sale activities are available at all Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, web store, Viber store, and Power Mac Center official Lazada and Shopee stores.

For more information on the amazing deals, click here and follow Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Subscribe to the PMC Viber community for any inquiries or to learn the updates about the latest Apple offerings.

Photo credits:

header photo by Julian O’hayon on Unsplash
in-article photos by Jeremy Bezanger and Daniel Romero on Unsplash

Grupo Meal at Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Capitol Commons

One thing most of us have been looking forward to – after two years of lockdown – is the freedom to come together with friends to catch up on each other’s goings-on since the pandemic.

Thankfully, with the easing of quarantine restrictions, larger groups of people can now gather in restaurants for meetings and celebrations.

That’s what happened recently when my division’s head at work got all of my workmates and myself together and treated us to dinner.

And the venue for this heretofore unprecedented gathering among officemates who have all been working from home for the past two years is Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken in Capitol Commons.

Thanks to a relatively balmy late afternoon weather, we were able to opt for the larger tables outside which could be positioned to accommodate our large group as opposed to the booth tables inside the restaurant which can only accommodate six people per table.

The resulting al fresco dining arrangement allowed our group to all sit together and share a delicious meal while enjoying boisterous banters and teasing.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken is a fast-casual full-service restaurant known for its signature dish: the Peri-Peri Chicken.

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken brings about this famous dish by marinating a whole chicken overnight in a special mixture of peri-peri (bird’s eye) chili, herbs and spices, then charcoal-grilling it to a gloriously golden hue.

This flavorful and juicy grilled chicken dish is best enjoyed with one or a combination of the restaurant’s eight signature sauces representing various gastronomic destinations, ranging from mildly sweet (Cajun Remoulade, Hoisin Sesame and Sweet Soy), medium spiciness (Garlic Brew, Spiced Vinegar and Mesquite BBQ) and hot (Chili Peppa and Harissa Exotica).

My workmates and I enjoyed this dish and more during our get-together:

Appetizers

Loaded Pica Sampler (Php320). Assorted pica-pica good for sharing consisting of Salted Egg Crispy Chicken Skin, Salted Egg Potato Chips and Peri-Peri Dynamite.

Peri Nacho Bake (Php395). Peri-Peri’s twist on the trendy sushi bake wherein crisp nachos are dipped into a savory cheesy baked dip.

Fish Sticks (Php310). Battered fish fingers deep-fried to a beautiful golden btown.

Mains

Chorizo Bolognese Platter (Php560). Spaghetti topped with tomato sauce and homemade chicken chorizo.

Carbonara Platter (Php560). Spaghetti tossed in creamy white mushroom alfredo sauce and bacon.

Chicken & Rib Grupo (Php2,414). One whole Peri-Peri Chicken and One Whole Slab BBQ Pork Ribs served with 6 java rice, 6 regular sides and drink.

Like I always say, good food and good company lead to great moments!

So why don’t you take advantage of the loosening quarantine restrictions and bring your friends and work pals to Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken for a great time!

This Peri-Peri branch is located inside Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 1am and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 2am.

Other outlets are located in the following areas:

Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Marikina: SM City Marikina
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Pasay: Resorts World Manila
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
Quezon City: Eastwood Mall, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

To know more about Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, browse through its website , or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East — Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, SM City East Ortigas

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Tomas Morato