Choco Topps is a sweet revenge from Suncrest Foods Incorporated, the manufacturer of Cup Keyk. Remember Cup Keyk – cup cakes that come in different flavors: cheese, ube, and pandan, among others.

Yes, I am talking about the locally made cup cakes that most kids or moms  grab from grocery shelves, or conveniently  buy from the neighborhood sari-sari store that sells for P6 a piece.  I tell you these cup cakes have remained top choice for merienda treats for everyone. I believe Choco Topps, however, made a more noteworthy difference, a huge leap to say, for Suncrest to remain as one of the major players in the local food industry.

I had my first bite of Choco Topps, about  three weeks ago when my mom bought a pack for my son.  Since then I and my son have become a fan, especially me , and have since started on a contest: who eats more in a single sitting, a glass of juice clasped in one hand.

Choco Topps has chewy, chocolate icing, topped with vanilla flakes or candies, while the chocolate cake is filled with rich, vanilla cream. The last bite should already make you full; but it is seemingly just so difficult to resist for a second grab, or maybe even for a third one.

With several players in the food industry attempting to hit the market in a single shot, Suncrest must definitely be proud of their latest product, because one bite of Choco Topps truly tops it all.

FOOD and FOODIE Magazines are both published by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. Whilst FOOD is released on the 15th day of each month, FOODIE is published on a bi-monthly basis. What’s not to love about these magazines? Let me count the ways.

Though these two magazines initially project an air of class and sophistication for anything culinary, surprisingly, when you go deeper into the pages, they are actually a balanced view between the classy and what may be ordinary. The recipes are both for the upper class and the average Filipino homemaker.

Next amazing thing about them is that their stories on food and people, surrounded by the love for food and cooking, are truly engaging and strike right through the heart – of cooking, that is! Besides, you will surely learn something new from their helpful tips.

Third, if you love looking at sumptuous dishes, this is definitely it! Or if you have a passion for photography, especially food as the subject, you can refer to their photos as wonderful basis. So it’s actually not just about cooking, it’s also about picture-perfect food.

And, of course, if you just love going on a food trip with your partner, best friend, or anybody you can tag along with, then the adventure awaits in the line up of restaurants regularly featured in each issue. When you see them around the bend, and are reminded of how these magazines talk about their cuisines, don’t just pass them by. Check it out for yourself!

Buy them, and don’t keep them  to yourself.  Put these magazines in a fancy gift box and surprise a friend or two! For something as affordable as P95 each, FOOD and FOODIE Magazines are not painful to the purse.

My curiosity ended last Saturday, as I got down at the Dela Rosa parking after a half-day tour of a real estate development in Paranaque City, which awed me no end, but that’s another story.

Sandy and I thought to have lunch in Pancake House, but we found ourselves at Tsoko.Nut instead, after looking at the huge menu banner by the entrance; not that we didn’t like the classic Pancake House dishes.

It was a first for both of us, and it was like beginners’ luck.  Daing na Bangus with Pinangat was great. At P109 per order, it was a winner–not too heavy, not too light. Just enough to tide you over till snack time in the late afternoon. I would think that the other dishes were great, too, as most of them were traditional Filipino food.

I had coffee after, as I always do after a meal, but Sandy, who had the chocolate drink, told me it was too good to pass up. I decided to have one to-go, and thought it would be good to take sips in between green and red lights on the way home.  Sandy was right–it was creamy, nutty, and rich, so naturally tasty!

Why haven’t I discovered it long before? I had tried so many choco drinks before, but Tsoko.Nut’s is best so far.

This is choco cafe is for the Pinoy’s taste. And perhaps for the rest of the world.

We crave for martinis in bikinis, because this means you have worked your way out into finally getting that dream body ready for the beach, and it’s time to make a toast. For some reason, summer makes us crave for these and more. And let me tell you what I crave for this summer.

Aside from travel and more lovin’ this summer, I crave for these wonderful Boho outfits from Polyvore. A Boho look this summer? Why not? Because I believe the best thing about going Boho is that it can fit in any season. It’s just a matter of picking and matching up perfect pairs. Check out these to-die-for outfits!

Bohemian Rhapsody – by SIXella on Polyvore.com

..Boema Bella.. – by Sophie on Polyvore.com

According to WorldCloset.com, a true bohemian is a free spirit, a goddess, a lover of world culture and admirer of ethnic traditions in music, dress, and clothing. Here is my challenge: awaken your own bohemian life in these fabulous outfits! Who knows? The true you is actually that Boho look.

There is more to Polyvore, click here to find similarly wonderful boho outfits.

And it’s going to be hotter, folks, which is just about the right time to usher the summer in.

I heard April 3 is a rockin’ reggae day in Eastwood Central Plaza. The event promises some good vibin’ refreshing sound of reggae music, courtesy of Reggae Mistress, at which time, has been around seven years, and fitting is this celebration of summer in the islands–some reggae music. I can’t wait to be in the midst of positive vibes!

I have seen this band capture the reggae scene, a sort of a re-living the good old days of Tropical Depression, Coco Jam, and what have you, in recent years. Small wonder that Reggae Mistress has kicked the seven year itch–with the Tengasantoses (Chong and Chang) at the helm.

This dreadlocks-donning couple is loyal to reggae to a fault, I tell you, for not having left the good vibin’ and even bringing into the scene their daughter Irene and niece Ira, the two completing the “mistress” (three misses) with Chang, the reggae mom!

With Chong, the legendary drummer, and the instrumentalists, the band’s rhythmic sound is so inviting, leaving you with no choice but dance to the beat. Believe me, there’s no saying no to the beat when you hear the percussive sounds this band creates.

Don’t believe what I say, be there on April 3 and see and believe.

]]> http://lifeinstyles.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/reggae-music-ushers-the-summer-in/feed/ 2 writeshopblog chong-copy http://lifeinstyles.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/are-you-a-minimalist-traveler/ http://lifeinstyles.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/are-you-a-minimalist-traveler/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:32:38 +0000 Writeshop Writer http://lifeinstyles.wordpress.com/?p=40 ]]> Less is more. This maxim came from a German architect named Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, pertaining to the minimalist design in architecture. But this applies well to my travel practice, which is to bring less in any of my trips, whether be it for a week or month-long travel. Yes, I call myself a minimalist traveler.

I am a minimalist traveler for only one reason – Convenience. I find utmost convenience when I simply carry a few things with me. It saves me the hassle of looking after so many bags and keeping myself responsible for it all throughout the travel time. Besides, I am forgetful, so it relieves me off the possibility of getting myself doomed after losing my things needed for the trip.

So how does one become a minimalist traveler? A minimalist traveler always and only carries three important items. These are the money belt or belt bag, a day bag, and a backpack. Money belt or belt bag. This is where you keep necessary documents most often required in the airport, like passport, travel ticket, credit card or ATM card, cash, itinerary list, and the like. You have quick access of them when urgently needed. Click here for a sample money belt.

A day bag is a day-tour bag, or like a messenger bag. This is where you store personal items, like your guidebook for the tour, foreign dictionary or phrase book, notepad, flashlight, compass, extra shirt or small towel, camera, and other things deem essential while on tour. Actually, this is sometimes accompanied by a money belt. Nevertheless, some choose to just take with them a day bag for the tour, or stick with money belt alone. Click here for a sample day bag.

One thing though to keep in mind when taking alone a backpack, that is reliability and durability of the bag. Since you are packing all your clothes and belongings inside, you need to make sure that you have a reliable and durable backpack with you. And to be assured that all clothes fit inside this backpack, rolling up your clothes is one travel tip you shouldn’t miss. Click here for a sample backpack.

Nevertheless, minimalist travelers may still vary from one style to another. Like I said, one may only bring his money belt and backpack, leaving a day bag behind. Because the truth is, a minimalist traveler can still travel with so much style.

For more travel tips, click here.

I found myself at one of the tables in Cafe Mary Grace, one of my recent favorites. You feel like you’re home at this cozy cafe, despite being in the monstrous newest mall in the city, Trinoma Mall. It’s just tucked away from the noisiest part of the mall anyway, and is strategically located across National Bookstore–buy a book there and sit down at the cafe.

Despite the really appetizing soups and pastas and sandwiches, I settled for three-cheese ensaymada and brewed coffee. Three-cheese because the Filipino sweet bread is topped with cheddar cheese, kesong puti (white cheese) and grated keso de bola.

A bite of the soft, sweet ensaymada and the salty cheese, drowned by brewed coffee was heavenly, while reading inspirational quotes from empowered women from a book I took out of one of the cafe’s bookshelves, 100 Years of Women’s Wisdom. Pure pleasure priced at P244.00, rather an inexpensive way to center yourself.

Take pickled chilis. I first saw a bottle of these while on a trip back to Manila from Tagaytay. Conveniently, Rowena’s was on the side of the road you can stop by at. The store is littered with specialty preserves, biscuits, Barako coffee. But the pickled chilis really caught my attention–how easy to just pop the bottle open, take a few pieces, pour cane vinegar into it, and you have a hot side dish that goes perfectly well with fried or grilled fish. Incomparably delectable!

I was in Tagaytay a few days back, and stopping by Rowena’s was as natural as stopping by to get gas. You can’t miss this store, and I was excited to get my bottle of pickled chilis. Too bad it was not available. My days of frustration reached a week! And suddenly, I found myself wide-eyed when a bottle of pickled chilis appeared to me in one of the shelves of the Landmark grocery!

Isn’t that lovely? It’s German-inspired, Pfeuffer’s Gourmet Pickles Hot Pepper. My dried lapu-lapu fish just got perked! No preservatives, not salty, and hot! This is Philippine-made.

And for the skin–this oil is also hot! It’s called Chi, herbal massage and body oil, which I found in one of the streets in a city down South. I have never parted with the first bottle of this aromatic oil, perfect for relieving headaches, muscle aches, tired legs, fatigue, stress, and even nervous tension. I got my second bottle just a few days ago! Whoa!

Philippine-made, from, read: Lavandula officinalis oil, Andropogon citratus oil, and Cocos nucifera oil. I prefer Chi over those over-the-counter muscle ache liniments. It is very light and soothing. And the smell makes you want to just close your eyes and breathe deeply till you exhale all your worries away.

Vigan being reminiscent of the Spanish times, reason why I am attracted to it. Secondly, of course, are those antique shops or tiendesitas selling a huge variety of inexpensive home fixtures, decors, bags, accessories, and other stuff. When I say inexpensive buys, I mean worthy buys that can really make your jaw drop and your hands locked in prayer position, thanking the heavens for finding your way into this goldmine. Lastly, when someone offers you a free room accommodation for three days, how can you even say no to Vigan? Definitely impossible.

Even more that I failed to contain my surprise and excitement, after having known from an aging Manang, one of the sellers at Lucy’s Antique Shop in Vigan, that the old-style home divider with capiz shells is only worth P500 per panel. From my place, two panels of this kind could cost a whopping P2,000 to P3,000! Apart from being a great deal, Lucy’s can also deliver your purchases to your place if you wish to, for a certain fee, that is.

I have been drooling over this type of home divider for quite a long time. To buy such at a high cost is to buy gold with eyes shut. But look where luck further took me in Vigan—I was able to buy one panel from Lucy’s for only P400, ripping off P100 as customer discount. I know! I am still speechless until now. So save the curses, and check out the photo below.

And where did I stay the whole time in Vigan? Call it, My Father’s House Dormitelle, a rare gem located in San Ildelfonso, a few kilometers outside Vigan. Who would have even thought that in this small town lies a fantastic transient house perfect for backpackers? Matched with a relaxing and cozy ambience, this dormitelle is a fusion of the past and present. Of course, not to forget that, the dormitelle has superb customer service team as well. Here’s a teaser of the place.

Several days after, I still think of Vigan and the possible buys I need to save for, for my next visit. Because I know the old soul in me won’t get enough of this old city.

So, one afternoon, as I was finding my way through an unassuming mall in Mandaluyong City, I happened to pass by a stall just in front of the way out to the MRT station in Shaw. The lady, who was still preparing for the 10:00 am opening, was stacking pairs of sandals and putting up the price signs. One read, “P180.00 Made in Marikina.” I was curious and so I stopped by to see what was being sold.

I found sandals of leather straps and black leather soles. I tried a pair and thought they were very comfortable. And sold for only P180.00 a pair at that! What a bargain! I bought a pair, of course. I would have wanted to buy a pair with white straps, with brown straps, but my money was earmarked for something else…

Ladies who would chance upon my sleek black leather-strapped flats would ask, “Where’d you get that? They look so pretty!”

Next time you are at the Shaw-EDSA intersection, get in the Star Mall. You’ll see that the stores there are meant for people like me who would always be attracted to stuff with price tags below P200.00, but with very good quality.