Lucky Clear Bowls

Manila

In the recent Red Hot Sale of Robinson’s Department Store, I checked what was on offer at Robinson’s Metropolis in Alabang. In their Kitchenware section, I spied these medium-sized clear bowls from a brand called Lucky which is made in Thailand at P75.00 each, quite expensive so I thought, but wait, the sales lady told me the price will be off by 25%. Feeling lucky, I brought home four pieces with a happy heart.

Gourdo’s Porcelain Bowl with Thumb Hole Handle

Manila

For years, I have been collecting plates, glasses, bowls, cutleries and anything to fancy my table tops. If others’ weaknesses are bags and shoes then kitchen stuffs are the things I always desire for.

One store I regularly visit is Gourdo’s. A specialty houseware store that sells tableware, kitchenware and baking paraphernalia.  

As I was browsing through their tableware section, I spotted this lovely porcelain bowl with thumb hole handle on one shelf. It looks chic and just cute and gorgeous.  It costs P185.00 each, although, quite expensive; however I still bought two pieces and felt delighted of my new purchase. I can use them as servers for my appetizers especially when I entertain guests at home. 

In my next visit, I promise myself to buy some of these small porcelain bowls.

Open University

Manila

It is a start of a new school year again and I’m going one level higher. Which means I’m on my 3^rd year in the Open University. This time, everything in school will be getting harder. More assignments and more projects. Not to mention, it is also the start of my research. 

See, I surpassed yet another school year through hardwork and discipline the demands of being a student and be victorious about it. One more school year to go before my graduation happens. And in that moment, I’ll be the proudest man on earth, wearing that black ceremonial gown while marching down the aisle during the commencement exercises and on the stage, I will be then receiving my most coveted diploma of my undergraduate. Thanks to the Open University, it is a privileged to be given the opportunity to continue and finish my undergraduate course. And of course my courage and willingness to finish my schooling in the middle of stresses and pressures at work. However, it is still a long way to go before that significant event of my life will take place. 

In the meantime, while at school might as well enjoy being a student in the company of my classmates and friends, who I have not been with for three months or so after our last class in second semester of last school year.     

The Open University Building

Pan de Manila's Pan de Sal

Manila

Pan de Manila SM Center Las Pinas Branch

My first encounter with Pan de Manila was at SM Southmall in Las Piñas City years ago. I was amused by the bakeshop’s interior that is patterned from an old Spanish structure. The walls are adorned with bricks and their shelves are being supported by decorative iron brackets. They also have this accent tiles used on their flooring similar to that of the Mallorca tiles.

Decorative iron bracket that supports the shelf

All their breads are baked in an old-style brick oven or pugon. The pugon reminds me of our neighbor’s bakeshop back in the province more than a decade ago. It was managed by an old couple, who, on one occasion, gave us the permission to peek inside their working area. Their pugon is shaped like a small hot air balloon and painted in white. But just before I left my hometown in late 1999, the bakeshop had closed down and never went back to its operation again.   

Brick oven or Pugon

What I like about Pan de Manila is that their breads don’t have preservatives and they always offer freshly baked breads on the shelves. They offer variety of breads too including an old time favorite ensaymada. That bread slathered with margarine on top and then sprinkled with white sugar.  

Ensaymada

I first sampled their pan de sal or Salt Bread and fell in love with it right away. It is soft and not too sweet. It does not harden immediately when left uncovered. Whenever I pass by Pan de Manila, I see to it that I must bring home pan de sal. To me, it is best served when still warm together with hot coffee, with or without the filling.

Pan de Sal or Salt Bread

No Need For Membership Card at S&R Cubao

Araneta Cubao, Quezon City

I was tagged along by my classmates after we enrolled in the Open University to go to Cubao to eat pizza. As if we are giving ourselves a treat after a horrible experience in the enrolment system that took us nearly half-day of patiently waiting for several hours just to have our subjects tagged in the registration area. Needless to say, an hour or so of bearing a pain in our limb from standing to almost static long lines in the cashier. That slow!  

Not knowing which pizza parlor we would go, I was thinking it would probably be in Pizza Hut or in Shakey's or in Yellow Cab or whichever the group would like to decide on. And then suddenly, I was surprised to see this S&R logo from afar and we are heading towards it.  As we all know, S&R is a membership shopping grocery warehouse that sell mostly imported goods. Then I asked a classmate who among them is a member of S&R, and the answer was not one of them. And I was told there is no need to present a membership card for this outlet to buy their pizza. 

Really now! Since I am not a member of S&R, I don’t need to ask favor from friends and officemates to borrow their S&R card. S&R membership card cost P700.00 and I only go there during storewide sale or if there is a promo, of course along with friends who carry the membership card. 

I was delighted, anytime I crave for S&R pizza or their so juicy burger, then off I go to S&R Araneta Cubao. It is located at the 2nd level of Puregold grocery, right in front of Abenson appliance store. They sell pizza, burger, salad, churros, Bunny ice cream, among others. And they have this combo of a huge pizza slice and large coke at Php 99.00 which is not available at their warehouse. The prices of their food items are just the same with that in S&R warehouses. The S&R Cubao is just a pizza outlet without the warehouse or the grocery. You can dine in or take out any food item. 

This S&R food outlet is located at the 2nd floor of Puregold in Araneta Cubao.

Their famous New York Style Pizza in variety of flavors.

Other food items to choose from.

Blue Bunny ice cream.

Now this is great!

And there's a long queue...

 I totally enjoyed this combo!

SBU's Chiffon Cake

Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental

I cannot remember how I got to taste the first time that famous chiffon cake from SBU. Maybe it was a birthday in one of my cousins when I was just young. Looking back, SBU is a bakeshop to-go when we speak of chiffon cake during the time when there were only few bakeshops available here in the province. I don't know how the establishment started but I am sure it is owned by a Chinese family, hence SBU stands Siao Bian Un written in capital letters as signage of their bakeshop. 

I fell in love with the chiffon cake the first time I tasted it. It smelled so delicious, soft, smooth, fluffy and decadent. Since then, it has become my favorite dessert and merienda. Whenever I get invited to a birthday party, SBU chiffon cake is the first thing I would look up in the buffet table.  And because I am so obsessed with it, I can even consume the entire cake in one day. Everytime I am on vacation here in the province, I cannot let a day pass up without indulging its yummy-ness. To me, SBU chiffon cake is happiness.

Nothing had changed, the smell, the texture and decadence are the same. I can't get enough of a slice...

SBU sells French Baquette too.

Snapshots

Taboan MArket, Oroquieta City

Snapshots from the Tabo-an market. 

Kamote / Sweet potatoes. Their flesh turn violet when cooked. Sold at Php15.00 per kilo. 

Fresh Guyabano / Sourfruit - Believed to cure the big C.

Gorgeous green Avocados - Just freshly harvested.

A basketful of Suman - A native delicacy.

Fresh Tuna cuts.

Almost seedless Papaya.