A taste of local Filipino flavor for a budget of $25 a day

On a budget, but want to go to the Philippines to have a bite of the famous Filipino cuisines. Having been named by host of Bizarre Foods Andrew Zimmerman as the next best thing, it wouldn't be a wonder why many have been wanting to try some Pinoy cuisine. 

We have made this list that will help you spend $25 or P1250 (assuming that the dollar exchange rate is P50 for $1) a day for some local flavor.

Breakfast:
- Pandesal (Pinoy bun) in local community bakeries may cost about P2 to P5. But, if you are wary of anything, you may try Pan de Manila, there are many branches of this bakery scattered all over the metro. It may be a bit higher than the community bakeries, but the size and quality will make up for  the P6 a piece bread
- Longaniza, Tocino, Tapa are available in carinderias. If you want to know if the place you are eating to is safe, be discerning enough to observe the foods served as well as the number (and type) of people who eat there. Don't want to try a carinderia, try Jollibee (worth P73 to 89), Adobo Connection, and even Mc Donald's (breakfast meal only, which serves between 4am to 10am)

Lunch 
(this will no longer be classified into food but by restos, since you are in a budget, we included fast food chains)
Jollibee - This is a local fast food chain (about 800 branches) that not only serves western favorites such as hotdog and burgers, but also serves Pinoy faves such as Pansit Palabok (P62 to 78), Daing na Bangus (P89 to 99), among others. If you want to try the Pinoy spagetti (which is sweet), you can do so here!

Mang Inasal- Grilled chicken Filipino Style! Also try their Halo-Halo, which Anthony Bourdain comments, "Oh, yes, halo-halo. Dig deep and you hit delicious stratas of red beans, white beans and chickpeas, cubes of red and green jell-o, young white coconut, shaved ice, and is that flan? It makes no goddamned sense at all. I love it.”

Adobo Connection - The name is a definite give away of what this resto serves.  But don;t go judging that easily as there are amany ways to cook adobo as this food chain shows us: Traditional Adobo, Adobo sa Gata, Adobong Kangkong, and even Adobo Flakes. Price range: P50 to P200.

Max's Restaurant- though this restaurant became popular because of its fried chicken, best with Banana Catsup (a Pinoy orginal), it wouldn't hurt to try other Filipino dishes such as sinigang, Kare-Kare, and nilaga that ranges from P200 (can serve 2 to 3 persons) to P800 (there are set meals available). I included this with the fast food chains as there are abound within the whole country.

Snacks
Chicharon,Cornick, are all avaiable in convenince stores such as 7-11 and Mini Stop.

Apart from Mang Inasal, do try the Halo Halo of Chowking!

Dinner
Dampa - this isn't exactly a high-end resto, but Sarah Jessica Parker did try Pinoy food here and said she loved it. This is a unique experience as you have the option of buying what you wanted cook in the Dampa market, and having it cooked the way you preferred alongside the different carinderias. Princes may vary depending on food stalls and canteens. Be sure to haggle!

Aristocrat, Dencio's, are other restaurant you can try to sample the local flavor. Dencio's will satiate your sisig yearning while Aristocrat is best known for its Fried Chicken.

Kamayan, Cabalen, Kamay Kainan offers buffet meals for about P300 to P800.

Have about a P1000 left try: Romulo's, Fely J's, Sentro, this all serve Filipino cuisines and even offer a fusion of local favorites.

Now if you want some street foods, without thinking if this will give you hearbum (:D), try:
Mercato Centrale ( a night market in uptown Fort), Cucina Andare (located in Makati CBD). Based on my experience you can get isaw (innards) , betamax (pig blood), and other street food favorites which are incredibly big in serving for 3 for P100.

Do note that the best way to eat Filipino food, as some people say, is to be invited in a Filipino home, where people will serve you local dishes made with their unique twist to a long living recipe.

Click on the links to find out more about the restos as well as the different branches.

This is in response to the Polish bloggers ranting about Filipino street food. Their excuse was that they were travelling on a budget and that locals pointed them towards that certain type of food. So, this list will hopefully serve as a guide for people like these two tramps, who should have done research first before saying that they would rather go hungry than eat the Filipino food. 

Celebrate France! Francophonie in March

Francophonie in Manila celebrates cultural diversity and human rights in March

Manila joins in the celebration of cultural diversity and human rights as the different francophone embassies and cultural institutions come together this March for the Month of the Francophonie.

The celebration takes its name from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), an area composed of 57 member states and governments that share the French language and engage in cultural, scientific, economic, and judicial cooperation. Of great importance to the OIF are the promotion of cultural diversity and the protection of human rights, values that are inherent in the French language and in the OIF as an organization.

The commitment of the OIF to cultural diversity is proven by its geographically-diverse membership, which includes countries in Asia such as Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, and in Africa, such as Madagascar, Egypt, Tunisia and Mali. The OIF has also been active in promoting peace and engaging in conflict resolution.

Although the Philippines is not a member of this organization, the values to which the OIF stands find relevance in Filipino society.

The month-long Francophonie celebration in Manila patterns its activites on these two values, along with an appreciation for the French language.

The general public is enjoined to experience the finest in French animation through a series of film screenings at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in all weekends of March. Admission is free of charge and authentic French snacks will be available for the audience.

Different public and private Filipino high schools and universities will be testing their knowledge in the French language in a national theater contest on March 8 at the European International School. At present, over 1,500 Filipino public school are learning French as part of their school curriculum.

Critically acclaimed director Lito Casaje presents his interpretation of Jean-Paul Sarte’s Huis-clos (No Exit) onMarch 14, 7:30pm at the Rajah Sulayman Theater in Fort Santiago. The premise lies in three people condemned to spending eternity with each other in a single room in the afterlife, which ultimately leads to the play’s most memorable line, “Hell is other people.”

The Alliance française de Manille will also host the annual Printemps des Poètes, a night to appreciate and share French, English and Filipino poetry.

Finally, the Embassy of France is proud to launch a documentary video contest on the theme Les Droits de l’homme à l’ère du numérique (Human Rights in the Digital Age). Open to 18 to 25 year olds learning the French language, the contest aims to explore the role of social media both as a catalyst in protecting freedom and rights and as a means of putting these values in danger.

The winning participant will be given a 10-day, all expeses paid trip to France in July and will join a delegation representing over 120 countries to visit French institutions and meet with officials specializing in the issue of human rights.

The Month of the Francophonie is organized by the embassies of France, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Laos, Switzerland, and the Consulate of Monaco.

For more information on the Month of Francophonie, visit www.ambafrance-ph.org or www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila.

Jericho Rosales Mugshot Revealed

PRESS RELEASE: 

Manila — TV and film star Jericho Rosales is the latest celebrity to join People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia's campaign to transfer the elephant Mali from a concrete enclosure at the Manila Zoo—which is causing her pain from potentially fatal foot ailments every day—to a lush sanctuary where she can finally receive adequate veterinary care and the companionship of other elephants. Rosales is in good company: Charice, Aiza Seguerra, Dingdong Dantes, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Sam Milby, Marian Rivera, Paul McCartney, and many other stars have posed for "mug shots" in support of Mali's transfer. In addition, the world's most respected elephant experts, including Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, Dr. Philip K. Ensley, and Dr. Vicki Fishlock have stated their support for the transfer. Rosales' photo is attached and can also be viewed on the campaign's Facebook page.

In addition to starring in the new print ad, Rosales also stars in a video public service announcement (available here, with a broadcast-quality version available here), in which he calls for Mali's freedom. "All evidences tells us that Mali is lonely and badly in need of veterinary care," he says. "I don't understand why Mali's transfer has not already happened—she deserves a life that is more than the confines of the Manila Zoo."

Mali has received essentially no veterinary care for more than 36 years, leaving her to endure constant pain from debilitating foot problems. Also, elephants are highly social animals who naturally live in herds and suffer greatly in the absence of other elephants. Mali is all alone, making her transfer even more urgent.

Even if the elephant exhibit at the Manila Zoo were to be doubled or tripled in size, it would still not be adequate to house one elephant, never mind additional ones. While zoos around the world routinely spend 2 billion pesos on attempts at more appropriately sized elephant enclosures, more and more zoos have recognized that the needs of these complex and intelligent animals cannot be met in captivity. The Detroit Zoo, the ZSL London Zoo, the Toronto Zoo, the Greater Vancouver Zoo, and the San Francisco Zoo are just a few of the zoos around the world that are closing their elephant exhibits and transferring the elephants to sanctuaries. If the Manila Zoo were to follow the lead of these zoos, the decision would undoubtedly be met with accolades from around the world and set the Philippines apart as a nation highly concerned with animal welfare.

For more information, please visit PETA Asia's website FreeMali.com.

The British are Coming!

Press Release:The Great British Festival Comes to Manila

The five-month ‘THIS IS GREAT Britain’ campaign that featured a full spectrum of the best in British business and culture reaches its climax in the forthcoming Great British Festival happening at the Bonifacio High Street on March 7 to 9.

Everyone is invited to the three-day festival, which will highlight the United Kingdom’s world-class contributions in industry, entertainment, fashion, sports, education and the arts and will feature exhibitions and performances that will shine the spotlight on these areas of excellence. 

click photo to enlarge

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad is inviting everyone to join the celebration. “The Great British Festival is the grand finale of our five-month campaign which has built on the affinity Filipinos have with our country. We saw how British creativity in  music, fashion, art, writing, film and design was appreciated by those who came to our events. Shopper came out in large numbers to look at British brands that are now available here. We have reached out to the Philippines and Filipinos in turn  responded to us in a warm and loving way. We began our the campaign by going out to the community when my embassy colleagues and friends from the British Alumni Association went with me to the Philippine General Hospital to cheer up children who were unwell. We amazed and inspired people by showing what Britain does well-  a live cinematic production of Macbeth from the National Theatre, delicious food, trend setting fashion and world class education. British businesses shared their capabilities, innovations and their growing confidence in Asia as a marketplace. Our 3-day festival will bring it all together. I am inviting everyone to walk along Bonifacio High Street and come and see a great display, it is an open event and it is free! There will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.  

The weekend festivities include a Trade Exhibition featuring British brands that are familiar to many Filipinos, a Car Show of some of the world’s most iconic automobiles, an Education Pavilion where people can interact with alumni of the UK’s Chevening scholarship programme, a Visa Information booth for those interested in visiting the UK and the Britain in Miniature exhibits featuring top tourist attractions where passersby can take photos and take a selfie or two.

Catch the Younghusband brothers and Philippine Volcanoes in the Sports Area where they will coach budding athletes. Don’t miss country’s top para athletes as they demonstrate the sport of Wheelchair Basketball. Followers of British style are invited to the Fashion Show with the UK’s most well-known brands showcasing their Spring /Summer ‘14 collection. Movie buffs can grab their mats and popcorn for a Cinema in the Park and enjoy British movies under the stars. Head to the Main Stage to catch musical acts from Taken by Cars, She’s Only Sixteen, Bleu Rascals, The Bloomfields and many more.

 Admission to the Great British Festival is free.

 ‘This is GREAT Britain’ is organised by the British Embassy and its partners.  It is co-presented by Fox International Channels, Bonifacio Global City and Bonifacio High Street, in cooperation with Lee Cooper, Marks & Spencer, Surface Technology International, GSK, Jaguar/Land Rover, Pru Life UK and Fil-Anglo management & Promotional Consultants.

For more information please contact the GREAT Events team at GREAT@britchamphil.org

QC residents to pay for simple trash collection.

Although yes, it has been said that it will be an annual payment, the law passed by the Quezon City Council, and approved by Mayor Herbert Bautista is just absurd.

Trash collection just as law enforcement is a public service, and should remain free. People are already paying their taxes for that, why is there a need for an add-on?

What more, after making it an annual due, will the Quezon City government lae it to a monthly thing? Heaven forbid, that once other LGUs have seen the extra income that garbage collection has given to politicos in QC, will they follow suit? Charging everyone in the whole metropolis, then the whole country for public service.

To quote an editorial from the inquirer:

Bautista, Ferrer, et al. may cite lofty reasons for this new tax, but its arbitrary nature cannot be papered over. If something as fundamental as garbage collection can now be “taxed” separately, over and above the other requisite fees ordinary citizens have to pay the government, then what’s to stop the Quezon City government from levying payments next for, say, assigning more police presence to a particular area? Or installing new street lights? Or repairing busted pipes, putting out fires, managing traffic, saving people from floods and disasters?

Having problem with your software operations? Jinisys provides the solution.

Do you run a restaurant, resort, or even a hotel? Oftentimes, these types of businesses run through a software operation problem, which you probably have had.

However, one company can help you with these. Check out the systems that are being offered by Jinisys Software, Incorporated. These softwares will help you maximize your operations. Accounting and reservations will all be easy. Jinisys offers software that vary from hotel management system, restaurant point-of-sale system, call accounting systems and more.

Surely, Jinisys's systems will give you an increase in sales and productivity, at the same time reduce your business cost.

For more information visit Jinisys Software by visiting their site here.

Jinisys is hiring, check out their exciting job offers here.

Xmas boo boo: Christine Reyes

When asked why should we celebrate Christmas this year after a string of disasters, Kapamilya star Christine Reyes answered:

 "because it's the day out Father was born. We should give thanks."

Now, I do not know if the Honesto star, Christine Reyes is a Christian or not (but I am guessing that she is as she agreed to answer the said question), but is she serious? Christmas day is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ our saviour. Although there have been debates on whether this is the true date or not, December 25 has long been considered as the birthday of Jesus. As for our omnipotent Father, which Reyes claims as the one who had been born, he was conceived even before time began.

Has Reyes long been celebrating the Yuletide season not knowing the real reason why? Tsk tsk.

Honestly, Christine should have listened to Religion class and brush up more on her Catechism. Please read the Bible between takes, Christine. Am sure the book of Genesis will be a good start.

Posted via Blogaway

Posted via Blogaway

On Nikki Gil being a prude

Almost everyone was shocked to find out that real life celebrity couple, Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford broke up after five years of being together.

Crawford admitted that it was all his fault. Then, after months of the announcement of their separation, Gil granted an exclusive interview to cosmopolitan, hinting that Crawford had cheated.

In the interview Gil shared that she was a virgin, and commented on people saying, "that I am a stuck up prude na naghoholy holyhan."

Netizens, in several showbiz sites, were quick to  react on Gil's statement  that Crawford "lalaki sya, may pangngayalangan". Saying that it might also have been Gil's fault , and may pagkukulong din sya. After all it takes to tango.

For me, I think the issue here is whether or not Gil was a virgin not. Neither is it about Crawford having needs to fulfill his sexual urges. The issue should be about who cheated, who lied.

Looking their issue from a bigger perspective, would the people react this way to Gil if she had had sexual relations? Crawford was lured (or came voluntarily) into another woman's arms. Is not that enough reason to break someone trust, therefore saying you are truly unworthy of that person.

According to Gil, Crawford had known about her promise of celibacy and had agreed to it. If Crawford did in fact love Gil couldn't he fight off his arousal? Was not the moments he spent with the Maria Mercedes star enough? Couldn't' Crawford comfort his little buddy with his hands.

Posted via Blogaway

No Other Woman and When the Love is Gone revivals of Pinoy Classics

 I haven't yet seen Viva Entertainment's newest outing, When the Love is Gone, but I just found a good trivia about the movie. Apparently it is a remake of the late director Danny Zialcita's classic film of love lost, gained and betrayed
.
Winner ang title ng original film: Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi. O diba? Zialcits's film stars Gloria Diaz, Janice de Belen, Eddie Garcia, Dindo Fernando, and Laurice Guillen.

Click on the video, to see some scenes from the original, as well as from the new movie.

Talking about revival films, did you know that box-office hit No Other Woman is a revival as well. It is adapted from another Zialcita work, titled Langis at Tubig.

PI think it is good that Viva is doing this, reviving old classics. Pay tribute to these classics, especially now that the movie industry is leaning towards baduy(hahahha) comedy films.

*Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinangalingan hindi makararating sa paruroonan.

TO ABS-CBN: Please learn your language

I heard it before, and  I heard it again. Each time the word comes out from one of the top TV's newscast my ears cringe.

Sincero, which I think means sincere.

Each time I hear it. Ack! This is a crime worth punishment, as it is murder, They are murdering the Filipino language. How many English words have they tried to tagalize? I understand that most of the news reports are on ad lib. Just like the time first time I heard it from Anthony Taberna on his morning show? But tonight, I do not anymore think that this is on ad lib. Henry Omaga Diaz was doing the evening newsbreak (on When a Man Falls in Love), and iIheard him say that stupefied word.   Can the ABS-CBN  News team not think of any other better word to replace this un-word? Say tapat.

Here are a few sugggestions from Google Translate

Another word that comes to mind is the Channel 2 brand name of Kapamilya.

Before when we say it is for my family, we state it as 'Para ito sa Pamilya ko', but then today: 'Para to sa Kapamilya ko.'

Well, this is great branding. But, do we want a family member to be associated with ABS?

You have to realize that the only way that the English speaking Pinoy toddlers learn Filipino from is through the media And when the media does not know how to speak Filipino properly, then what will become of our language? Shall it be butchered the same way we did to the alibata.  

I know that they say language evolves. But honestly, do we want the Filipino language to be a copycat of US English, but instead our words will end in -a or -o.

In the middle of Super Typhoon Yolanda, Corruption, and the Philippine Government

To PNoy, please instead of granting interviews to CNN to blame the LGUs, give thanks to the countries which have given their donations and admit that this 'apocalyptic' destruction caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda was unforeseen. The Philippines readied it self for a strong storm, like the storms that hit us. But the Philippines (like any other country) was not ready for this kind of devastation. As a report from the Los Angles Times did say: “Even Hurricane Katrina, the modern measure of nature’s disastrous force on the United States, pales when compared to the punch and expected devastation from Typhoon Haiyan.” Stop blaming people, but instead thank those who have helped us, ask for aid, and make sure that the relief does indeed reach the people in need.

I do agree with Anderson Cooper that it is because of the corruption, years of, decades of corruption that is why infrastructures in Tacloban are of that kind. Cooper mentioned in his report that infrastructures, like roads, are ruined and impassable as most of the money that has been set for the reconstruction and strengthening of  such went to the government's personal accounts. 

A government official tried to debunk Anderson's claim about the government. The government official said that the Philippines only has 3 (with only two in operations) C-130 aircrafts. Does the Department of Defense have any many to buy more of these aircrafts? How many years has the last one been purchased? Where did the budget for these go, in the government official pockets? Hay naku! Defensive on the accounts of theft and plunder. 

That it was why it is only on Day 5, when help from foreign countries started arriving, that the airport is being rid of debris. Only on Day 5! CNN also commented that the government is disorganized, which is true. Before Yolanda made landfall, I remember the DSWD saying that they have prepared relief goods. Nasan na? Stop blaming the impassable roads, but instead think of ways how help can reach the survivors. Try air dropping the goods. I hope that the officials still have pity in their hearts, more than the other officials form other nations. 

Shall we wait for the international media to condemn our system? After taking these harsh criticisms what then? The government does not even enhance nor enlarge its Relief and Disaster committees  and instead do what they have been doing the past years. Honestly, where will the Philippines be then? Our country has been used to typhoons, but when can we truly say that we are really ready for a typhoon this size, with zero casualties. I am not saying that this may be possible now, but I do hope that this will be possible soon. 

Shall we always rely on other countries (which I am very thankful for) to lend a helping hand?  With the money pouring in from the government budget, NGOs,and other countries, I hope that the government put some use to it. Hire survivors to help in handing out relief goods as well as to clear the streets. If ever there may be extra money, which I hope does not go directly to unworthy people's pockets, I hope that the government uses it in rebuiliding the hard hit areas. Award some financial aid to those who have lost their homes. Plan for a better Tacloban city. 

I do hope that the money sent by other countries for relief will be used to good use and none would be corrupted by the government officials.

Help the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan)

Photo from: ABS-CBNnews.com

Three weeks after a 7.2 earthquake shook Visayas (Central Philippines), particularly the Bohol and Cebu region. Another natural catastrophe hit Visayas once again. Super Typhoon Yolanda, with international name Haiyan, is one, if not the, strongest storm to make landfall in world history. (Hindi lang yang Philippines.) Yolanda, according to CNN weather, is stronger than Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy combined. As Yolanda Haiyan moves away from the Philippine Area of responsibility, we see the damage that this super typhoon has caused.  Lines of communication, electricity are down. Tacloban, Ormoc seems to be the hardest hit. (I have a friend whose family is in Tacloban, and she has not been able to reach them. Thankfully she is in Manila.) But of course, we still worry about those who have been shook hard by the earthquake, and now is sufferign more because of this.

Below are the lists of some charitable institutions which can contribute in the search and rescue operations of our kababayans in the Central Philippines:

Photo from CNN.com

Donate/Volunteer to Sagip Kapamilya, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Sagip Kapamilya welcomes canned goods, rice, noodles, water, and clothes. Visit the site anytime to help repack.
13 Examiner St. West Triangle, Quezon City, a few blocks away from Kowloon House West. For more information (such as bank accounts), visit: http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/sk/donate.html

ABS-CBN through It's Showtime welcomes pledges. Call: (+632) 4110182 to 83

Donate/Volunteer to Alagang Kapatid Inc (TV5)
Alagang Kapatid welcomes canned goods, rice, noodles, water, and clothes. Visit the site anytime to help repack.
730 Quirino Highway, Novaliches. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/AlagangKapatidFoundation/info

Donate/Volunteer to Kapuso Foundation (GMA7)
Kapuso Foundation welcomes canned goods, rice, noodles, water, and clothes. They also welcome volunteers to help repack. For more information, visit: http://www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/

Donate to Philippine Red Cross
Globe makes it possible to donate via your phone. Simply text: RED and send to  2899. Amounts accepeted are Php5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 1,000. You can also donate through: http://ushare.redcross.org.ph For more information, visit: http://www.redcross.org.ph

Donate to World Vision Philippines
Visit https://www.worldvision.org.ph/donate/emergency-relief-rehabilitation.

Donate/Volunteer at Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 
Help Pack reliefs in  Chapel Rd, Pasay City. For more information, call (+632) 851-2681

For those who are unable to contact their loved ones you may want to try Google Person Finder:  http://google.org/personfinder/2013-yolanda

Let us all do our share. If we cannot donate money, goods, then at least find some time to volunteer. Any amount of money or help that we can extend towards the typhoon victims will certainly go a long, long way.

I hope that those who stole from the kaban ng bayan, will do soemthing about this travesty. Have some conscience within them to return the money, instead of using it for personal glory but to help the Super Typhoon Yolanda's victims.