A Guinness World Record to Empower Filipino Farmers

We’ve witnessed hundred ways of how us, Filipinos, set, tried and beat other nation’s record on the Guinness World Record. There were thousands who lined up to form a giant rainbow, another thousand to form a giant smiley, and there were those who did for a good cause, like these guys from Calata Group who recently bagged the Guinness World Record for the Largest Serving of Roast Pork!

Last November 8, Calata Corporation, one of the biggest agribusiness conglomerates in the country spearheaded an enticing and sumptuous attempt to set a world record for the Largest Serving of Roast Pork at the Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City Memorial Circle. A title which was held by Mexico, where they served 3,094.2 kilos of cochinita pibil, a popular pork dish in its Yucatan region, were now taken by our fellows who took pride of presenting 4,046 kilos of sumptuous lechon, which is a party favored dish among the FIlipino nation.

“This year, we celebrated our 16 successful years in the business by giving back to the community instead of having a lavish party. This a very momentous occasion for us and for the Philippines,” Joseph Calata, Chairman and CEO of Calata Corporation shares.

A Soothing Afternoon Treat at The Fort Strip’s Dipdenza

For almost a decade, The Fort has evolved into a new world that offers the latest and newest craze that we could enjoy while battling the metro traffic and heart. For one, it became one of the hottest spots for clubbing and night-out, then became a destination for new-concept restaurants that offers nothing but the freshest idea on food and beverages. And now, as it becomes more family friendly, The Fort Strip welcomes its newest hangout place that coffee lovers could enjoy – Dipdenza.

An international coffee shop brand that brings in the best coffee beans in the world, Dipdenza is an original concept of Angeli Albana, who’s love for coffee has gone beyond her imagination and liking. 

“Dipdenza is a play on the Italian word ‘dipendenza,’ which means addiction,” she shares.

Experiencing the “Pinaka-Panalong” Crispy Pata, Lomi and Sumat in BellaVita, Lipa, Batangas

It was a shining moment for the food industry of Lipa, Batangas as finally a well-known property brand, BellaVita, recognizes the wonderful and amazing dishes made by its locals.

From the hearty Lomi, to the crackling Crispy Pata down to the chewy and oh-so-sweet Suman, BellaVita-Lipa, on the launch of its model units, invited a number of well-known food establishments in Lipa City to battle it out and be named “Ang Pinaka-Panalo.”

Five well-known Lomi House, four favorite Crispy Pata destinations and amazing three Suman makers were took the challenge last Sunday, October 25, at the soon-to-be budding community of BellaVita in Lipa, Batangas.

Sisterfields: The Newest Farm-to-Table Tagaytay Destination

Although visiting Tagaytay wouldn't be complete without its steamy and flavorful Bulalo, The Cravings Group (TCG) headed by its mother-and-daughter tandem, President and Founder Ms. Susana 'Annie'  Guerrero and CEO Marinela 'Badjie' Trinidad, came up with a new and fresh 'farm-to-table' concept that will surely delight locals and tourists of this top go-to place near the metro.

Nestled elegantly in one of the top-of-mind hotels in Tagaytay City, Summit Ridge Hotel, Sisterfields is set to whet one's appetite with its well-thought meals and dishes perfect to create a much more memorable Tagaytay vacation. Taking pride of Tagaytay and nearby provinces’ local produce, Sisterfields is delighted to share their “Farm to Fork”, “Pasture to Plate” and “Crop to Cup” offerings.

Sisterfields takes pride of its bountiful selection of farm-to-table fares, which are locally sourced. On my first ever visit on this sunny place, aside from the well-crafted menu; we were also introduced to their blossoming garden that will soon supply their needed ingredients.

Beautiful Friendship over Seafood Island’s Sinuglaw Boodle

Friendship is like a good food. It has a nice combination of taste, full of colors that attract positivity in life and more importantly, it is something that money can’t equate to. I love having good food around just like having a good friend, who you can laugh with and spend the day in a very nice way.

Last weekend, I had a wonderful time spending some BFF moments with my good friend, Maan Pamaran, in one of the most convenient boutique hotels in the metro. A perfect break from our busy lives, the two us had an amazing “girly” pampering in the south through the wonderful amenities of our hotel and its neighborhood. And though the hotel has its own quaint and beautiful restaurant, we chose to spend our dinner at a nearby mall to see how convenient it is to be here in the south and to somehow continue my quest in discovering the southern part of Manila.

With all our excitement and hunger, our feet brought us to Blackbeard Seafood Island. A fun, quirky and adventurous dining place located at the 2nd Level of Alabang Town Center. This is actually not my first time here, but since, we’re so hungry and we couldn’t think of any dining area that serves really good food in large and generous servings, we went in and find a perfect spot where we could just talk, relax and eat – A LOT.

Mesclun Bistro: Your Mix of Wonderful Delights at Linden Suites

Aside from its convenient location, heart-warming accommodation and superb facilities and amenities, The Linden Suites in Ortigas, Pasig City, also takes pride of housing one of the classiest and comforting restaurants in the metro, Mesclun. A restaurant headed by Chef Katrina Arce Kuhn-Alcantara, Mesclun is your kitchen-dining area away from home.

Taking its name from the old Occitane for “mixture” or in popular culture, refers to a mixed greens, Mesclun fires up the kitchen of The Linden Suites sharing new and unique dishes while balancing the experience with its classy yet comfortable interior.

During my weekend stay at The Linden Suites, Mesclun served as my life-savior and life-savor as I indulged on to their mouthwatering dishes that are set to whet one’s appetite. Prices from this restaurant may be a little but high, but I can assure you that with the comfort, style and serving size that they provide to their guests, staying here over some lunch or dinner while staying at the comfort of The Linden Suites is an experience one should have.

Mesclun dishes vary from contemporary Filipino favorites to Western – mostly European – cuisines that are prepared gourmet style. Apart from Mesclun, Chef Katrina is also the mastermind behind Chuck’s Deli - an American-style super-sandwich and burger shop boasting of homemade breads and cold cuts; and Paulene Chocolat Suisses - a premium line of made-to-order chocolate confections.

My Korean Consolation

Braving the metro's traffic is probably one of the craziest thing I did a few days back. I didn't know what comes into my mind that day to take the MRT, and join the commuting public of the eastern part of the metro as they hurried back home. I found myself lost at Shaw Boulevard until my phone beeps with a notification stating that my Uber driver is about to pick me.

I could just take a ride back home, but my tummy mumbles in hungers asking for some good dinner. It was already 8 p.m. then - a 2 hour travel time from SM Mall of Asia, I reminded myself. So, instead of asking the driver to take me home, I told him to bring me to Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons, where my friends are waiting for me.

With my hunger that night, I couldn't wait for more hours to eat dinner, good thing I Am Kim, a fun quirky Korean restaurant at the lower level of Estancia Mall offers a good Bibimbap in a quick span of time.

Say Hello to Ostrich Burger!

There are only three things that I'm looking for a burger - one, must have a nice bun; two, must have a tender, juicy and nicely cooked patty; and three, must fresh veggies and cheese for additional crunch and flavor. Well, I thought that's all I ever wanted for a burger until I tasted The Ostrich Farm's Ostrich Burger.

Nowadays, people are continuously craving for good burger. But unlike before, most of us are gearing towards having a gourmet one that offers healthier option - an option that opens an opportunity to friends-entrepreneurs Frances and husband-and-wife Kristine and Jaime to introduce ostrich burger.

(from left to right) Owners Ms. Frances Medina (Chief Executive Manager, Soguilon Foods Corporation) with Husband and Wife, Mr. Jaime Jasper Lao Lim (President, Soguilon Foods Corporation) and Mrs. Kristine S. Lim (Chairwoman and CEO, Soguilon Foods Corporation)

A few days back, I had an eye-opening dinner with Ms. Frances and Ms. Kristine about the goodness of ostrich meat and how wonderful it can be a substitute to our well-loved beef burger.

Eat Like the Highlanders!

One of the most prominent destinations for special gatherings like weddings, baptisms, and birthday parties in the southern part of Metro Manila, Tagaytay Highlands gain its popularity to people who opt a classy yet comfortable special place while being embraced by the cold weather and backed by the magnificent and clear view of Taal Lake and Volcano.

Though, I must clearly indicate that Tagaytay Highlands is an exclusive, for-members-only destination in this part of Tagaytay City, having friends who are so generous to host your stay in this well-planned, controlled and secure property of Belle Corporations will let you enjoy these sumptuous meals that I get to enjoy during my 2-day weekend stay in this lush country-side world of Tagaytay.

Currently housing more than a dozen of well-chosen and high-standard dining facilities, Tagaytay Highlands takes pride on it dining options and its respective dishes that are set to whet one's appetite and make life truly remarkable and well-spent. From Akasaka, Bistro Saratoga, Chosun, Shakes & Soda Pops, Filipino, Highlander Steakhouse, Highlands China Palace, Highlands Golfers Lounge, Midlands Golfers Lounge, Sports Center Veranda, The Bread Shop, The Great Room, Toscana, The Highlands Kitchen, Trellis Grill and ZsaZsa’s KTV, one could just stay inside the club's premises and live a happy life filled with wonderful meals suits to one's discriminating luxury and taste.

Goodbye Puto-Dinuguan, Hello Cheese Roll-Dinuguan

One of the prominent food combinations in the Filipino food fare that I seriously love is this puto (rice cake) and diniguan (pork blood stew). The combination of salty and sour-y flavor of dinuguan goes perfectly smooth with the sweet and fluffy flavor of puto. But last weekend, as I revisited one of Manila’s pride, The Aristocrat Restaurant in Malate, I discovered a whole new world of Pinoy Merienda that brought my love to our own dishes to a new level.

Famous from its home-cooked Pinoy dishes, including tasty barbecues, the Aristocrat Restaurant is gaining more popularity with the creation of their amazing and tummy-filling Pinoy Merienda that are set to whet one's appetite at a pocket-friendly.

Café Sansó: My Latest Discovery in San Juan City

Just when you thought that San Juan City is all about bargain shops and Chinese and Filipino restaurants, here comes a coffee shop that will take your coffee experience a notch higher with its modern take on our favorite breakfast sets through Café Sansó while showcasing the artistic skills of Juvenal Sansó of Sansó Museum.

Located at 32 V. Cruz Street, San Juan City, Café Sansó recently opens its doors at the very quiet district Little Baguio to offer colorful and delectable treats that are very close to Filipino hearts – Spanish Cuisine. In line with the unique appeal of Sansó Museum, Café Sansó offers a satisfying take on renowned Spanish Cuisine by sharing its best of the best from ensaladas, sandwiches, pastas, desserts, cold cuts and beverages.

When I visited Café Sansó a few days ago, I was so lucky that there were only a few couples inside the place, who I assume are also first-timers here. I met the accommodating staff who shared their menu and told me some tidbits about the place.

All-Day Buffet at The Round Table, Kapitolyo, Pasig

If you think you’ve had the best of Kapitolyo, Pasig, wait til you visit the newest member of the astonishing restaurants in this strip. An all-day buffet offering restaurant, foodies from this side of town will surely enjoy the wide variety of food selection of The Round Table.

A sweet little nook at the heart of East Capitol Drive, The Round Table officially opens its door a few days ago to share their well-selected dishes and come up with an all-day buffet seven days a week. If you are craving for something good, filling and really affordable, this a must-experience place in this side of town.

Sweet Mother's Day at SM Mall of Asia

If there's one gift that you would want to give to the most important woman in your life today - aside from love, love, love - what would it be and why? If you'd ask me, I would like to give my mom more sweetness - something that would leave a good smile on her face and made her feel how much we love her.

This Mother's Day, we have a million and one ways to show to our super moms how thankful we are to have them in our lives. May it be through flowers, chocolates, greeting cards or just a simple kiss on her cheeks, I know that you wouldn't let this day pass without letting her feel that we care for them; that they are the most important woman in our lives; that we love them so dearly that we can't afford to loose them.

I know my mom very well. Spending my entire existence by her side, I know what would make her so happy. Do you know what it is? Yep, yep, yep - FOOD. My mom who knows how to cook well, has a huge love for food too, next to us, her sons and daughter. Hehe. And that one food that really sweeps off her feet - DESSERTS.

Good thing, at SM Mall of Asia, most of its food stores have a sweet offering to all moms this Mothers' Day weekend that moms, dads and children would surely love and enjoy.

Aussie Fruits: Now in Season!

Just when you thought you had the freshest, juiciest and most delicious export fruits from China, Europe and America, the Land from Down Under is back to impress the Philippine market with their baskets of freshest, juiciest and most delicious export fruits that come in its healthiest and juiciest form! Now in Season, here comes Australia's grapes, pears and stonefruits (peaches, nectarines, plums)!

"Starting this month, shoppers of Robinsons Supermarket, Rustan's Supermarket, S&R, and Shopwise can enjoy these delicious produce from Australia," shared by Australia's ambassador to the Philippines, Bill Tweddell.

Together with industry representatives Jeffrey Scott (CEO, Australian Table Grape Association), John Moore (CEO, Summerfruit Australia), Olivia Tait (Market Development Manager, Apple & Pear Australia Limited), Hang Do (Trade and Investment Specialist, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Infrastructure) and Anthony Weymouth (Senior Trade Commissioner, Austrade), the Ambassador launched 'Now in Season 2015', Australian Embassy's effort in bringing Australia's best produce, at Sofitel Manila.

Organic Love at Pioneer St. Market

Just when you thought you've seen and experienced everything, here comes another place to check out offering amazing delights every single day - the Pioneer Street Market. A new organic food haven right in the heart of Mandaluyong City, Pioneer Street Market or Pioneer St. Market boasts for its artisinal image that is completed with a wide variety of fresh produce and unique pieces that will complete your "weekend" market hunting.

A wide lot located right beside HMR Store in Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City, Pioneet St. Market opens its doors last month to a number of food concessionaires that are eager to offer unique and must-have fresh and freshly made food items to set a healthier and more exciting options to foodies and non-foodies alike.  

Your Lafanggero chanced upon this place last weekend during my pursuit of discovering this side of the metropolis. A very quite spot, which is mostly surrounded by offices and warehouses, Pioneer St. Market offers a breather to working employees around the area as well as a wonderful food oasis for food hunters who wanna try something healthy but are still very affordable and filling.

A Filipino-Scottish Wedding Meant to be Devoured

An unfamiliar music was playing as I entered the hall. It wasn't a wedding, but I can sense some love in the air. Lights were dimmed, and series of video clips were being projected in one of the vacant walls of the room. The video was dramatic but appealing, and a large table - very large, actually, that could seat 30 people all together - was placed at the center of the room, adorned with certain uniqueness but wasn't intimidating at all. There was a bit sense of awkwardness in the air at first, but when everyone got to know one another, the  crisp air was filled with laughter and cheers - a sound meant to bind people together to enjoy a special occasion.

I dunno what has gotten in to my mind to be in an event like this. I don't usually get invites for this kind of sophisticated events, so every time I got into one, bet I'm pretty sure that people around me would feel the inconvenience in the way I move, in the way I talk. I'm just glad that I'm look quite well to be here.

Held at Commissary in White Space Events Place in Makati, along with a number of writers from different glossies, newspapers and popular websites, your Lafanggero was invited to a night of whisky-lechon degustation dinner with Glenfiddich's Southeast Asia brand ambassador Mr. Matthew Fergusson-Stewart.

Chinese New Year at Manila Pavilion Hotel

We may be in the Philippines, and some of us may hate the Chinese for taking some of our precious islands, but when Chinese New Year hits the world, there's definitely one big and colorful celebration in every little Chinatown in the world to usher this new beginning.

And last Chinese New Year, February 19, since the government finally declared it as a special non-working holiday in the whole country, I went out to somehow celebrate this festive day with some friends. Guess where our feet took us? Yep, to the newly renovated Manila Pavilion Hotel!

This Chinese New Year, Manila Pavilion Hotel highlighted the sounding and colorful festivity of our fellow Filipino-Chinese through an Oriental buffet that features the most amazing and filling dishes of our Chinese friends.

Shakey’s Celebrates 40 Years with ‘1 to 40’ Meal Deal

For 40 years, Shakey's has been sharing to Filipino families their best tasting dishes from Salad, Pastas, Chicken, Soup, Mojos, Pizza and many more. And this year, as it celebrates its anniversary, Shakey's is giving all its guests exactly what they want.

This year, Shakey’s encourages guests to create their own meal through the Shakey’s 1 to 40 meal deal. Choose any three food items and one dessert or drink from a preset selection of Shakey’s bestsellers and put them together as your personalized meal of choice! All items included in the selection are good for four. Guests can choose from large thin crust servings of the brand’s 17 pizza flavors, family sized Chef, Caesar, Tuna Caesar, Greek and American Salad, Classic Spaghetti, and Carbonara Supreme Platters, Five-piece Buddy Pack Chicken ’N’ Mojos, Mojos Supreme, and 4 Solo servings of Hearty Italian, Chicken ’n’ Corn and Creamy Mushroom Soup all for Php 1,240.00.

#MOASweetEats: Valentine's Day Made Sweeter with Made in Candy

How would you want your Valentine's Day? Or should I ask how would you like your Valentine's Day be remembered? Sweet, sweeter or sweetest? Come over at Made in Candy at SM Mall of Asia, and see what they prepared for this Love Month and for the #MOASweetEats!

Now, there's a new way to express you sweetest love to your special someone, coated with sweetness and designed with all of the loveliest thing, Made in Candy's Valentine's Rock series will surely melt everyone's heart.

This Season of Love, four exciting and really cute designs are created by Made in Candy for sweethearts and for everyone  to enjoy. Every bottle of Made in Candy's Valentine's Rock series is composed of four cute and lovely designs. There's the Heart, the Diamond, the XOXO and the Teddy Bear.

#MOASweetEats: Lovely Valentine's Treats from The Old Spaghetti House!

For those love birds who are still looking for a nice, lovely place where they could find spend their splendid evening with high-quality but affordable lovely meals on this enchanting Valentine's Day, well The Old Spaghetti House at SM Mall of Asia has prepared something nice that sweethearts could enjoy today.

I'm a believer of expressing love shouldn't be expensive, so knowing that there are these kind of restaurants who prepared something sweet and nice for couples who are on a tight budget sound really good and deserve such a promotion from foodies like me. Thanks for #MOASweetEats, these promos are made possible!

#MOAsweetEATS: Shrimp-y Goodness this Valentine's at Shrimp Shack

They say, "It's the thought that counts", but here at Shrimp Shack at SM Mall of Asia, lovely couples don't have to sacrifice their love and/or their money to get good-tasting yet affordable Valentine treats because here, Love Month mean Surf and Turf!

As the prime destination and biggest mall in Asia brings MOA Sweet Eats in preparation for Valentine's Day, participating food establishments have prepared delectable and lovely Valentine offerings that couples who are on a budget could enjoy. From a la carte to set menus, love birds this month can indulge on Shrimp Shack's mouth-watering dishes that will bind two loving hearts more.

Garlic Shrimp Scampi - Php245.00

For those people who are on to rice (just like me), Shrimp Shack is sharing their Surf & Turf and Surf & Surf meals that are truly filling and affordable. These set meals comes with two – yep, not one but TWO – cups of rice!