Jellybeans in the City

Tea drinks created with passion at Royaltea, San Juan

There’s another reason for tea lovers out there to rejoice: Royaltea, the tea brand which originated from China, has further strengthened its foothold in the country through its second branch in San Juan.

Adding to Royaltea’s existing Taft Avenue branch, the newly opened store in San Juan now serves the brand’s signature tea drinks to the students of nearby Xavier School and residents of adjacent Greenhills villages.

Globally, Royaltea has over 500 stores with highest growth in number in countries such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the United States. It prides itself on only using the most premium, fresh and natural ingredients which include natural loose tea leaves and fresh fruits.

It is especially known for its Cheese Teas, beverages with rich and creamy cheese covers made from authentic New Zealand cream cheese. I was able to taste some of Royaltea’s Cheezo drinks when I dropped by for the Grand Opening of its San Juan branch.

These include:

Avocado Cheezo (Php180). Definitely one of my new favorites! The tea taste is not as intense as the Mango Cheezo’s, and the salty sweetness of the milk cap complements the earthy sweetness of the fresh avocado.

Mango Cheezo (Php180). Uses fresh mango and possesses an intense tangy-sweet taste, probably from the tea.

Very Strawberry Cheezo (Php180). Uses fresh strawberries and has an intense sweetness.

Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea with Cheezo (Php130). The caramelized sugar flavor in the milk tea and the chewy tapioca black pearls are given an added layer of flavor from the sweet-saltiness of the cream cheese cover.

The best way to drink these Cheezo drinks is to first sip from the top to really get the cheese flavor, then use the straw to sip the tea from the bottom.

I look forward to checking out Royaltea’s upcoming branches in Quezon City which are nearer my workplace: one in Sgt. Esguerra Avenue and the other in Banawe. It will be so much easier for me to enjoy the store’s myriad of offerings together with my coworkers.

By the way, did you know that Royaltea’s large cups are reusable? Bring them back with you when you re-visit the store, ask the milk tea barista to serve your drinks there, and voila! Not only have you done your part in lessening plastic waste, you also get Php5 knocked off your tea price.

This Royaltea branch is located at 67 Washington Street, Greenhills, San Juan. The other branch is located at Ground Floor, WH Taft Residences, Malate Manila.

Header image provided by Royaltea. All other photos are mine.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Four reasons why Sammy’s in Cainta is a hidden gem worth uncovering

The areas east of Manila are home to many noteworthy restaurants that satisfy the discerning foodie’s need for great food and beautiful surroundings.

Sammy’s, the rustic restaurant tucked away in one of the inner subdivisions in Valley Golf, Cainta, has a lot more going for it.

Curious yet? Read on to discover four reasons why this hidden gem should be brought out to the light of day for everyone to enjoy.

One: The warm welcome.

Sammy’s is located in a fairly hidden street in the Valley View Executive Subdivision, one of the residential villages inside Valley Golf in Cainta, Rizal. Together with my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH, I was able to locate the place thanks to Google Maps and to the cute signboard made of corrugated steel that hangs outside the gate.

When the gate opened, we were greeted by the smiling Chef Sammy Isidro and his lovely wife Dorothy. And boy, do they have a lot of fun stories to tell! (But more on that later.)

Two: The beautiful place.

The restaurant is actually located at the second floor of their house. A high ceiling decorated by hanging Edison lamps and large windows that let in lots of natural light give the room an open and airy feel. While the area is just big enough to seat twenty to twenty-four people, the layout makes it seem much bigger.

Adding character to the place is its decor which is a cross between rustic and industrial. Polished pine wood tables and woven hemp place mats complement the black and white ceramic ware and clear glassware. Clocks made of bike parts adorn one wall, while a light fixture made of pipes accent another.

Even the washroom is visually appealing: check out that kawali sink!

And the lush greenery from the trees outside provide a verdant backdrop for all of these elements, and, of course, the delicious dishes that Chef Sammy whips up in the kitchen.

Three: The delicious Indonesian-inspired food.

Sammy’s serves a carefully thought-out curation of Asian cuisine influenced, no doubt, by the seventeen years the couple spent in Jakarta. (Doing what there? Again, more on that later, I promise!)

We were served these delectable dishes:

Sammy’s Breakfast (Php390). This big-enough-for-two meal consists of Chef Sammy’s favorite breakfast meal items which include Pinoy classics such as beef tapa, tocino, longganisa and danggit, accompanied by garlic fried rice and omelet.

5-Hour Pork Belly in two ways…

With Laing and White Rice (Php290). A lean piece of pork belly is roasted at low temperature for five hours to achieve a tender texture and a smokey flavor. It is placed on a bed of homemade laing, the Bicolano staple made of taro leaves accompanied by steamed rice.

In a Cubano Sandwich with Kamote Fries (Php250). Showcasing the versatility 5-hour pork belly, Chef Sammy uses it in a hearty Cubano sandwich together with pickles, cheese and a tart sauce in a crisp Cubano bread with kamote (sweet potato) fries on the side.

Konro with White Rice (Php530). In this Indonesian version of braised beef, big chunks of flavorful ribs are slow-cooked for hours in its own drippings, thereby concentrating its flavor. By the way, this giant serving is also big enough for two.

Nasi Goreng (Php190). In this Indonesian take on the fried rice, precooked rice is flavored with kecap manis (a sweet kind of soy sauce), shallots, garlic, shrimp paste and tamarind, and made heartier with the addition of juicy pieces of chicken satay on skewers and krupuk crackers.

Mango Crepes with Vanilla Sauce (Php160). Chef Sammy first tasted this dessert when he was a waiter at La Scala years ago and his fond memories of it drove him to include it in the menu of his own restaurant.

Banana Bread French Toast (Php140). Slices of homemade banana loaf are dipped in a rich egg mixture then lightly toasted, making this dessert extra decadent.

Martabak Manis. This thick pancake dish popular in Indonesia is filled chocolate sprinkle, crushed peanuts, cheese and condensed milk. It’s not yet on the menu but given our enthusiastic reaction to it, it definitely should be.

Fresh Fruit Shakes: Ripe Mango Shake (Php140) and Banana Milk Shake (Php130).

Hot Bicolano Tabrilla Chocolate (Php65). This cup of decadently thick hot chocolate made from single-origin tabrilla from Bicol is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings when you just want to luxuriate in its sweet comfort… or any other time, really.

Four: The singing chef… and his wife!

And now for the low-down: Chef Sammy and Dorothy spent seventeen years as singers in the Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta, where they exemplified the musical prowess of Pinoys to the hotel’s international clientele.

In between his singing gigs, Sammy achieved his Diploma 1 at the Jakarta Culinary Center.

Now that they have their own establishment back home, Chef Sammy and Dorothy still break out into song from time to time, but mostly as an extra treat for their dinner guests after dessert has been served.

Imagine a Valentine’s Day date, an intimate proposal or an anniversary celebration with these two singing in the background. (Kilig time ahead!) 😍😍😍

So given all these reasons, I think it’s high time that Sammy’s become a prime destination for foodies, and not just for those living east of Manila. Don’t you agree?

Thanks to Chef Sammy and Dorothy for an awesome dining experience for me and my foodie buddies!

Sammy’s is located at 14 Raspberry Bend Street, Valley View Executive Subdivision Phase 3, San Juan, Cainta. The restaurant is open Tuesdays to Saturdays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am and for dinner from 7pm to 10.30pm, and on Sundays for breakfast from 7am to 11.30am.

Seating is strictly by reservation so call +63 939 1483960 to book your table.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meetup held here wherein food and drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Handcrafted brunch creations at Artesa Deli + Coffee, Kapitolyo

In Kapitolyo, Pasig’s foodie haven, a new mecca for brunch-aholics and more has just opened its doors.

Called Artesa Deli + Coffee (and named after the Catalan word for “handcrafted”), this cafe elevates the casual and leisurely brunch out into an artform.

Founded by three friends – Mikho Villarosa, Edrian Chua and Jef Lim – Artesa elevates seeks to be Kapitolyo’s one-stop shop for high-quality, curated yet reasonably priced coffee and food products.

My friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH and I recently visited Artesa Deli + Coffee for a late brunch experience, where we were treated to:

Chimichurri Burger (Php175). A juicy patty of 100% US beef cooked to medium doneness topped with pickled cucumbers, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and house-made chimichurri sauce with a side of crispy fried wonton chips.

Cubano (Php235). One of the cafe’s best-selling sandwiches, this dish features ham and fork-tender, smokey pulled pork accompanied by pickled cucumbers and cheddar cheese in a lightly buttered and pressed Cuban bread and also with a side of those addictive fried wonton chips.

By the way, Artesa’s sandwiches are all buildable which means that you can customize your sandwich by adding-on items such as extra beef patties, fried chicken fillets, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, bacon strips or fried egg.

Tomato Gravy Rice with Chicken (Php220). A tender fillet of chicken is battered, panko-crusted and shallow-fried to a crispy golden brown before being placed on top of steamed rice drenched in a savory yet slightly tangy gravy of beef drippings, tomato and spices, then garnished with corn kernels.

For dessert, we had a a rich New York-style Cheesecake (Php160/slice), a decadent Chocolate Cake (Php160/slice) and a delightful Black & White Cookie (Php60/piece), all of which feature an artisanal quality. (Artesa also sells whole cakes; you just need to order them three days in advance.)

We were also given our choice of drinks which included:

Espresso Soda (Php165). This is perfect for those who like to taste of coffee with a slight fizz.

Matcha Latte (Php150 for hot). A rich comforting drink made with real matcha powder.

Iced Mocha (Php150). A masterful blend of coffee and chocolate, and, thankfully for me, may even be sweetened some more with the addition of honey syrup.

Homemade Iced Tea (Php75). This drink may be served sweetened or unsweetened.

Orange Julius (Php90). This drink is reminiscent of the beverage popular when I was a kid.

Artesa’s menu is still small but well-crafted such that each item is a masterpiece, it’s taste and quality assured. These are perfect for a leisurely brunch, a quick snack in the afternoon, or any time of the day you want a tasty treat.

Thanks to the Chef Jef and the lovely staff of Artesa for having us!

Artesa also aims to highlight the quality of local micro-entrepreneurs: it sells jars of Spanish sardines, organically grown mushrooms with tinapa or tuyo, as well as spicy and garlicky cuttlefish crunch, among others. The cafe also incorporates these in some of their dishes as an ingredient or as sides. Do check them out when you visit the store.

Artesa Deli + Coffee is located at Unit 2, D Strip, Building 20, United Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11am to 10pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 945 5979018.

Papa Diddi’s celebrates ice cream day with Scoop-All-You-Can

Here’s a fun scoop (pun intended): National Ice Cream Day is coming up! To celebrate the occasion, Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream will be having a scoop-all-you-can promo on July 15 for only P250.

With a wide selection of unique flavors such as their famed Tres Leches, you can now mix-and-match different flavors and scoop to your heart’s content at a Papa Diddi’s near you. And better yet, these artisanal ice creams are made from all-natural ingredients and have less sugar content, allowing you to have as many scoops as you want, guilt-free!

To avail of the Scoop All You Can Promo, visit Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream in the following:

168 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village Quezon City
Pobstacion, L11 B4 Valdez Street, Poblacion Makati
The Community Kitchen, G/F The Community Bldg., Metropoli Drive, Metropoli Residenza, Bagumbayan, 1110 Quezon City, Philippines

Want more? Papa Diddi’s also offers a pint subscription service. Subscribers can get their ice cream fix for the summer with two handcrafted and hand-packed pints delivered fresh straight to their doorstep. Papa Diddi’s also offers an Ice Cream mobile bar for special events.

Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream is small batch, hand-mixed & hand packed all-natural premium ice cream, using produce sourced directly from farms, markets & gardens all over the Philippines.

Promo details provided by Papa Diddi’s in a recent press release.

Ramen time with Tongara Ramen, Lamp Quarters

My #RamenPhase has been going on for years now and is showing no sign of waning.

And with the metro just entering the season of ramen weather, it’s only fitting that I start looking for new ramen places to try.

Friends who reside in Marikina have been giving me rave reviews about Tongara Ramen for some time now. Located in foodie haven Lamp Quarters, this new ramen spot is lauded for its special broth which is also its namesake: tongara – a mixture of tonkotsu, broth made from pork bones, and torigara, broth made from chicken bones. The resulting broth has an additional layer of sweet-savory flavor to it that differentiates Tongara Ramen’s offerings from those of other ramen places in the metro.

During a recent foray to Lamp Quarters with my daughter #ExhibitA, we decided to have lunch at Tongara Ramen to taste its celebrated ramen for ourselves.

Our meal included:

Tongara Ramen Junior Bowl (Php220). Don’t let its junior size fool you. We each had a Junior Bowl of Tongara’s famed ramen and it was filling enough to sate our hunger. We loved its flavorful broth and firm noodles which are well complemented by the torched tender slice of chashu (seasoned pork belly), ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg) and crisp bamboo shoots.

Chicken Karaage (Php200). Tender and flavorful bite-size pieces of marinated chicken covered in seasoned what flour and deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown. These are best sprinkled with a bit of lemon juice upon serving and dipped in Japanese mayo.

Gyoza (Php200). Japan’s famous pot sticker made of minced pork, shredded cabbage and aromatics wrapped in thinly rolled dough skins which are first steamed then lightly fried on one side to achieve a slightly crisp texture that complements the dish’s garlicky flavor. Any meal at a Japanese resto with #ExhibitA will not be complete without this dish.

So, thanks to Tongara Ramen for another mother-daughter foodie adventure unlocked!

Tongara Ramen is located at Lamp Quarters, Gil Fernando Avenue, Santo Nino, Marikina, open Sundays to Fridays from 11am to 11pm and Saturdays from 11am to 8pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 3903773 or +63 917 1794718.

HBO renews original drama series EUPHORIA for a second season

HBO has renewed the drama series EUPHORIA for a second season, it was announced today by Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming.

“Euphoria creator Sam Levinson has built an incredible world with an extraordinary cast led by the supremely talented Zendaya. We are so grateful that he chose HBO as the home for this groundbreaking series,” said Orsi. “We look forward to following these complex characters as their journeys continue through the challenging world they inhabit.”

Kicking off its eight-episode first season on 17 June and currently debuting new episodes same time as the U.S. every Monday at 10am exclusively on HBO GO and HBO (SKYcable ch 54 SD | 168 HD). EUPHORIA stars Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) who heads the ensemble cast of the show, which follows a group of high school students as they navigate a minefield of drugs, sex, identity, trauma, social media, love and friendship. The series is created and written by Sam Levinson (HBO’s “The Wizard of Lies”), who also directs five episodes of the first season.

EUPHORIA ranks as HBO’s youngest skewing drama series on the network’s digital platforms. In addition to delivering a series high for its premiere telecast, EUPHORIA continues to grow every week on HBO’s digital platforms. The series premiere night has already delivered over 5.5 million viewers across HBO’s platforms in the U.S.

EUPHORIA puts a fresh spin on the coming-of-age narrative, exploring the teenage landscape of substance-enhanced parties and anxiety-ridden day-to-day life with empathy and candor. The series follows 17-year-old Rue Bennett (Zendaya), a drug addict fresh from rehab, who’s struggling to make sense of her future. Her life changes dramatically when she meets Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), a girl who recently moved to town following her parents’ divorce, and like Rue is searching for where she belongs.

The cast for the first season of EUPHORIA includes Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Hunter Schafer, Algee Smith and Sydney Sweeney.

Hollywood Reporter hails EUPHORIA as “boundary-pushing, real and exceptionally realized,” while Variety praises the series as having an “undeniable pull that makes it too intriguing to ignore.” TV Guide calls it “lusciously shot,” and getting “more and more jaw-dropping and gorgeous as it goes on.” Indiewire notes “Zendaya is exceptional at every turn,” and Rolling Stone praises the direction as “visually striking throughout, full of moments lit to look both menacing and intoxicating.”

Season one credits: EUPHORIA was created and written by Sam Levinson, who also serves as executive producer; executive producers Ravi Nandan, Kevin Turen, Drake, Future the Prince, Hadas Mozes Lichtenstein, Ron Leshem, Daphna Levin, Tmira Yardeni, Mirit Toovi, Yoram Mokady, Gary Lennon and Jim Kleverweis; transgender consultant, Scott Turner Schofield; consultant, Jeremy O. Harris. Produced in partnership with A24 and based on the Israeli series of the same name, which was created by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin, from HOT.

About HBO GO

HBO GO is an internet-based service that allows subscribers unlimited access to stream and download anytime, anywhere, a wide range of Hollywood blockbusters, all-time favourite kids’ programmes as well as unedited original versions of all HBO Original content from the U.S. and Asia, at the same time as they premiere. Live TV streaming of HBO Asia’s bouquet of channels are also available. The service is accessible on all mobile devices through the HBO GO App and on computers.

In the Philippines, HBO GO is exclusively available to SKYcable subscribers. For more information, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo.

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 HBO shows:

SKYcable brings “Shark Tank” via world’s first tech and entrepreneur TV channel TechStorm beginning July 2019

Shark Tank, the business-themed show that has become a culturally defining series and inspired a nation to dream bigger is set to premiere exclusively on TechStorm, the World’s First Tech & Entrepreneur Channel available on SKYcable this 15th July.

“Southeast Asia has become a hotspot for tech startups across the globe and is continuously experiencing an unprecedented boom. As a result, we’re seeing markets like Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines emerge to meet the needs of its rapidly growing ecosystem. We are exhilarated to bring Shark Tank on TechStorm to connect with entrepreneurial community eager to see more of the investment action, be entertained while they pick up business pitch tips from the world’s most well-known investor names on the show. We are confident that our fans will love Shark Tank which will have its Philippine premiere on July 15 in addition to a compelling line-up of best in-class, first-run and exclusive entertainment across tech and entrepreneurship theme”, said Debbie Lee, Founder of TechStorm TV.

“The addition of TechStorm to our line-up is SKY’s way of continuously providing Filipinos the best, not only in entertainment choices, but innovative programming offers as well that support specialized and diverse interests of our market ,” SKY Head of Programming and Airtime Sales James Dumlao said.

TechStorm will air first on SKYcable in the Philippines.

The number one business-themed reality and Emmy Award-Winning series that features multi-millionaire and billionaire tycoons known as sharks who give budding entrepreneurs the chance to secure business deals will be available Mondays to Thursdays at 9PM.

The show was launched yesterday, July 11, at co-working space Acceler8 in Rockwell, Makati via a panel discussion on tech start-ups in the country, which featured QBO president Butch Meily, South East Asia tech celebrity influencer Willy Foo, Ideaspace Executive Director Diane Eustaquio, and was moderated by the founder & CEO of TechStorm TV, Debbie Lee.

In line with this major show launch, TechStorm will also be bringing some of the biggest and award winning international Tech & Entrepreneurship shows including Pop Up Start Up, The Gadget Show, Buy It Now and Futuristic China which will be running First & Exclusive only on TechStorm TV.

TechStorm is available on SKYcable channel 212 via its Select service in Mega Manila. Subscribers can choose to add the channel in their line-up for only P20 a month. Visit mysky.com.ph/gettechstorm or call 418 0000 to subscribe.

About TechStorm

TechStorm is the world’s first one-stop media destination that celebrates the world’s fastest rising stars in Technology and Entrepreneurship available across 20 countries in Asia Pacific. Its 24 hour channel programmed in HD showcases compelling line-up of best in-class, first-run and exclusive entertainment across tech and entrepreneurship themes.

TechStorm is a next-generation international media owned by TechTV Network Pte Ltd with its global headquarters in Singapore, serving a global and pan-Asian tech loving fan base.

The company’s dynamic leadership team has more than 30 years’ of combined domain expertise in technology, international media and business; fueled by the passion to drive change, be the voice for the unsung heroes in the technology sector and give Asia’s rising entrepreneurship community global recognition that they deserve.

About SKY Cable Corporation

SKY Cable Corporation is a leading cable and broadband technology provider in the Philippines, offering an array of innovative and pioneering products with rich content delivered on various platforms. Its products are a showcase of top-of-mind choices among Filipinos: SKYcable, known for its top-notch programming; SKY Fiber, which offers complete entertainment & internet bundle with fiber-boosted broadband, HD Cable TV and mobile internet options; SKYdirect, a direct-to-home television technology that brings superior cable entertainment nationwide; SKY on Demand, an on-demand video streaming and entertainment service allowing content viewing on any screen. SKY Cable is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company.

Show details and images provided by TechStorm in a recent press release. All other photos are mine.

Tea time at Tea Bubble House, Greenhills

Well here’s a piece of good news for you tea lovers out there!

Another tea store from Taiwan has set up shop in out shores and, this time, it’s in one of the metro’s favorite shopping mecca, Greenhills Shopping Center!

The first local outlet of the pearl milk tea pioneer Chawanjia, Tea Bubble House carries over the mother brand’s style of using good ingredients and practices in making its drinks.

Tea bubbles (or what we call boba or pearls) have evolved from just mere add-ons to our drinks to elements that provide essential bite textures that add to the uniqueness of our beverage.

Tea Bubble House produces four kinds of cassava-based pearls in-house: mango, dragon fruit, blue and white pearls. The mango and dragon fruit pearls are made with real locally-soutced fruit so each bite gives you that fresh fruity taste. The blue pearls, on the other hand, incorporate the edible butterfly pea flower, giving them that distinct color.

Recently, my foodie friends and I were able to sample some of its six drink series (which come in 500ml and 700ml sizes). These include:

Rainbow Pearl Milk Tea (prices range from Php100 to Php120).

Milky Shake (Php115 each).

Refreshing Fruit Tea (prices range from Php120 to Php135).

Crystal Iced Tea (Php125 each).

Rainbow Specialty (prices range from Php115 to Php130).

Rainbow Fruit Dirty Tea (Php140 each).

Being a sweet-tooth, I naturally gravitated towards the creamy or milkier dessert-type drinks such as the milky shakes and the rainbow fruit dirty teas. I found the interaction of the fruit and tea flavors with the creamy textures quite appealing.

Still, depending on my mood, I would probably find myself going for the lighter and fruitier versions in later visits.

So, before or after a spate of shopping, why not drop by at Tea Bubble House to quench your thirst or sate your bubble tea craving?

Many thanks to Bunny of Always the Funny Girl for extending the invitation and to the folks Tea Bubble House for all those teas!

Tea Bubble House is located at Second Floor, VMall Bridgeway, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City. For delivery, call +63 2 2562314 or + 63 917 3007932.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in food drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Philippine Fashion Revolution 2019

The second batch of designers for the upcoming Philippine Fashion Revolution who will parade their creations featuring Philippine weaves on the runway on September 22-23, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center, Aura Taguig City was recently announced.

Armand Marco specializes in elegant bride and groom wear which highlights his exquisite craftsmanship and his eye in combining textures and fabrics.

Johnny Abad, the current President of Designer Circle Philippines (DCP), is one of the Philippines’ top designers whose designs showcases his proudly Filipino philosophy: Sa isip, salita, gawa, at disenyo.

Gil Macaibay, the Prince of Haute Couture who hails from Cagayan de Oro, will also be showcasing his ingenuity on Philippine weaves.

Joseph Palma, a young, budding fashion designer who also doubles as a stylist draws his inspiration for his designs from his travels.

Glenn Lopez, another member of Designer Circle Philippines (DCP), has dressed up Miss Cuba in the recent Miss Intercontinental that featured Philippine designers with the theme of Filipiniana design.

Philipp Tampus was hailed by the Cebu Daily News as the Prince of Fashion for his eye for fashion showcased in his collection with intricate designs and fabulous color combination.

Richard Papa’s designs are sleek, chic, and modern with clean lines that shouts conservative elegance and sophistication.

Rey Lazaro showcases his craft from lavish bridal gowns to Flores de Mayo gowns.

Paul Semira, another member of Designer Circle Philippines, recently designed a Sagala gown in the prestigious Flores de Mayo for Gretchen Ho.

Thad Carreon, hailing from Isabela, has designs that range from minimalist to couture.

Yako Reyes makes eye catching streetwear that are comfy, stylish and out of the box.

Akmad Kari Jr. hails from Mindanao where he infuses his work with weaves creating a modern and sophisticated look on the runway.

Santa Emmanuelle’s expertise is Haute Couture characterized by elegance and sophistication.

Richie Bondoc, a contestant of Project Runway Philippines 2, decided to fulfill his dreams to have his own name imprinted in the fashion industry after the show and work on streetwear to cocktail dresses to gowns and men’s wear.

Jennica Castro’s collection promotes arts, culture together with fashion.

Melvin Lachica plays with different silhouettes and incorporates his design with abstract pieces makes his collection standout.

Velano Hibaler is an artisan shoemaker who creates handmade sneakers which you won’t get to see, or wear, in your everyday life.

Marjorie Lee Gumabay’s gowns, dresses, and collection are truly awe-inspiring, like a fairytale come true.

For more information, contact marketing partner PMCM Events Management at 0917 8344978 and 501 0029 or email pmcm.events@gmail.com and look for Miss Mys Sandico.

This event is produced by Lynn Bentsen Fashion & Talent Academy.

Event details and photos provided by the event organizer through a recent press release.

Get ready for unli ramen at Yummy Tokyo, Maginhawa!

The rainy season is upon us. With those rain clouds come a bit of cooler weather, giving us Metro Manila denizens a much-welcome break from the heat.

But with those rainshowers and cool breezes come the craving for something hot and hearty that will warm the stomach and soothe the soul.

What better way to enjoy the rainy season than to sit down and slurp on some tasty ramen?

How about taking on Yummy Tokyo’s Unli Ramen offer?

But first, let’s get to know Yummy Tokyo and its ramen offerings.

After meticulously developed his ramen recipes, self-taught ramen master Jin Chiba left his corporate research job, found a partner who helped him launch his own brand of ramen in the Philippines, and thus, Yummy Tokyo came to be.

My friends from #SaanSaPH recently visited its store along Maginhawa Street and sampled some of its dishes, which include:

Tantanmen (Php189). Did you know that this ramen dish originated from China where it was known as “Dandanmen?” It became popular in Japan’s northern prefectures where its miso, peanut and sesame base was perfected. I like the peanutty taste, its flavorful ground pork topping and its slightly spicy kick.

Miso Ramen (Php149). Initially having gained foothold in the Sapporo and Hokkaido prefectures, it is made by incorporating lots of miso (soybean paste) with meat stock, resulting to a hearty and slightly sweet soup. Topped with a slice of tender chashu, it is quite a filling meal.

Seafood Ramen (Php149). Originating from Nagasaki, this ramen dish with a scallop base and topped with shredded cabbage, kani sticks and narutomaki, it is lighter than the other ramen dishes.

Tonkotsu (Php129). One of my all-time favorites, the soup for this ramen dish originating from the Fukuoka and Kyushu prefectures is made by boiling pork bones, fat and collagen for hours, resulting in a creamy and flavor-filled broth.

Cold Ramen (Php149). The idea behind this ramen dish originating from the Tokyo and Honshu prefectures is to top cold ramen noodles with assorted vegetables and meat then toss them in a vinegary dressing which makes for a refreshing meal.

Now, about that Unli Ramen. For only Php399, you can stuff yourself with all the broth, noodles and toppings your heart and tummy can hold.

Rainy days don’t seem so sad now, do they?

Want to take your ramen experience home with you? Why not bring home some of Yummy Tokyo’s Ramen Kits (prices range from Php149 to Php169) to enjoy the store’s tasty and authentic ramen dishes at home.

Many thanks to the folks of Yummy Tokyo for having us!

This Yummy Tokyo branch is located at 103 Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village East, Quezon City (inside Moonleaf Tea Shop Compound), open daily from 4pm to 12 midnight.

Another branch is located at the Fourth Floor, East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange, Ortigas Center (inside Moonleaf Tea Shop), open weekdays from 11am to 6pm.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers of #SaanSaPH, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held here wherein in food items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.