Happy New Year

Since it will be a long weekend here in the Philippines, I just want to greet all of you a Happy and Prosperous NEW YEAR!!! May you have more blessings to come in the year 2012!!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my fellow bloggers and readers.

God Bless you all and your family.

Donation for the Victims of Typhoon Sendong

Starting last year, me and my college friends try to reach out to those in need every December because it is the only time that we have extra money because of 13th month pay and some bonuses for others. Last year, we went to Manila Boys Town in Marikina City to provide some orphans a little Christmas party with the help of McDonalds. It was such a wonderful event because it made those little children happy and we felt a wonderful feeling: the feeling of joy in helping others. 

This year, we plan to do it again in other orphanage in Tagaytay. But when we heard of the calamity that strucked Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao because of Typhoon Sendong, we realized that we should also help them. They need food, water and clothing but we think that what they really need is drinking water because of the scarcity of clean drinking water in the area. Since one of my college friends is working in TV5 (one of the local TV stations in the Philippines), we deposited some money in her account and she will be the one who will buy bottled water and send it in their office. She texted us and said that our money donations produced 10 boxes of bottled water and will be sent immediately to the victims of Typhoon Sendong.

After reading her message, I felt very happy because we helped other people in need again. I know that many other Filipinos are also reaching out their hands to the victims of the typhoon. The "Bayanihan" tradition in the Philippines is still alive. 

To all my fellow bloggers and readers, you can also do your part in donating. Remember that it is better to give than to receive. It doesn't matter if the donation is big or small as long as you grab the chance to help others. You can donate cash, clothes, foods, medicines and bottled water. Please see details below.

Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) Completed

After 9 long days of waking up early in bed, at last we've completed the Misa de Gallo in our local church together with my two cousins. For me, it's very hard to wake up early because the mass starts at 4:30 am so I should wake up at 3:30 am. Even though it is hard to do, I still want to do it because it's our tradition and there's an old saying that if you complete the Misa de Gallo, your wish will come true and I believe in that old saying. Because of waking up early, sometimes I fell asleep during the mass or while I'm at work. :) 

As a prize for completing the Misa de Gallo, we bought some putobumbong (a local delicacy in the Philippines during Christmas season)  and it was funded by me. :) I also want to buy some bibingka (another local delicacy) but it is already sold out.

Putobumbong

I hope and I pray that my wish will come true after completing the mass, not for myself but for other people especially the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City.

Ristorante Bigoli

Me and my girlfriend have a lot in common. And one of them is we love to eat. We love to eat in different restaurants and fastfood. We try to eat different kinds of dishes as long as we can afford to buy it of course. :)

Last November 19, we chose to dine in Ristorante  Bigoli in SM North EDSA. Ristorante Bigoli serves Italian foods (pasta, pizza etc.). They also have branches in Eastwood and TriNoma. We ordered Doppio Delizioso because it is said in their menu that it is a real value for two. It consists of  Spaghetti Bolognese, 2 pcs. Italian Chicken, 2 slices of Cheese Overload Pizza, Garden Salad, Minestrone Soup and 2 Single Served Drinks. It costs 370 pesos. Here are some of the pictures that we've got.

Free Garlic Bread

can't fight the hunger LOL

Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread

LEGO World

Last November 27, me and my girlfriend went on a date in SM City North EDSA (a mall in Quezon City, Philippines). We watched Happy Feet 2 and after that went on strolling. While doing some window shopping (our favorite hobby) , we noticed that there are many people in a certain part of the mall that were taking pictures and I also noticed a large Christmas tree so we also went on to take some pictures. But we were amazed that the giant Christmas tree and its decorations are made of LEGO bricks. There are also some landmarks of other countries that are also made of Lego bricks. I remembered when i was a little child, I used to play Lego which is owned by my cousin. Here are some pictures that we've taken.

Giant Christmas Tree made of LEGO bricks

My Girlfriend and the Christmas Tree :)

Tokyo Tower in Japan

LEGO Town

Great Wall of China

The Limo

It was a cloudy/rainy Sunday morning (December 4). After we ate our breakfast in Jollibee, we suddenly bumped into something amazing. I usually see it in Hollywood movies but this is the first time that we have seen it personally. I really want to take a picture with it much closer but the "shy" me though that if I do that, the owner will be angry with us. It is really a luxury car that may be driven by professional chauffeurs. I do hope that I can have one of these someday. Haha. Here, take a glimpse of what I am saying...

Note: The picture is taken near Eastwood in  Libis, Quezon City.  

Kart Racing

Last October 15, me and my beloved went to Enchanted Kingdom. We tried almost all the rides but there is one ride that I really want to try. It's Kart Racing. It's actually our 2nd time going to Enchanted Kingdom but during our 1st visit, we didn't try it because it is not included in the "ride all you can" ticket and the fee is a little expensive, but in our 2nd visit, I really insist that we will not leave Enchanted Kingdom unless I tried the Kart Racing. Haha.

The entrance fee for the ride is 370 pesos for the single seat kart and 400 pesos for the double seat. We've decided that we will get 2 single seat kart so we can both enjoy the ride. The ride is only for 10 minutes. The time is a little bit short but I think it's worth it.

At first, you will fill up the waiver form then you will give the money to the personnel. Then they will tell you to get the helmets. I suggest that you bring your own helmet if you have one because their helmets are somewhat old and stinks and the eyeshield of the helmets have many scratches. Then after getting your helmet you'll just have to wait for your turn.
Here are some pictures...

Feeling like a winner LOL

After finishing the ride, I felt very happy even though the time is limited and the race track is small because it was a different experience and the racer in me have just awakened... :)

Makansutra Asian Food Village

Makansutra Asian Food Village

Makansutra Asian Food Village is located at the 2nd floor Manila Ocean Park at the back of Quirino Grand Stand in Luneta. Receiving good feed back from our friends, me and my beloved have decided to dine at Makansutra for our first anniversary celebration. The ambiance is great and it was a different dining experience compared to our usual fast food dining. There are many food stalls and food choices from different Asian countries but we have decided to order Grilled Chicken in Barbecue Sauce, Nasi Lemak, Chen Tng and some fried noodles that looks like pancit canton (sorry if I forgot the dish name).

Here are some short background about Nasi Lemak and Chen Tng:

Nasi Lemak is considered to be the national dish in Malaysia but it is also sold in other Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Thailand. It is served in a platter with rice, sliced cucumbers, roasted peanuts, hard boiled egg, small fired anchovies (dilis) and chicken wings with spicy sauce. It is traditionally sold wrapped in banana leaves.

Nasi Lemak

 

Chen Tng is a recipe that originates in China. The main ingredients for this dessert are longans, lotus seeds, bargley, ginkgo nuts, gelatine sheets and tai hoi lam.

Chen Tng

Here are the other pictures of the food that we've eaten.

Grilled Chicken in Barbecue Sauce

Fried Noodles w/ ham and fried dumplings (I don't know the exact dish name LOL)