Archive for March, 2008

Vigan, Ilocos Sur Trip 2008

Saturday, March 29th, 2008

Our destination is Pagudpud for the Holy Week, but since it is a 12 hr drive, we stopped by at Vigan for a one night experience just to make the time spent for driving worthwhile. We left the house (Pacita) at 4:30 AM (Holy Thursday) and reached Vigan at around 6:00 PM. Everyone slept amid unbearable traffic in the NLEX (North Luzon Express Way) all the way to…….hmmm some place in Bulacan but I can’t remember….well, I was the only one awake, I guess it’s what you get after drinking a cup of coffee (with 1 1/2 teaspoon concentrated coffee). We stopped by at Tapa King (Petron NLEX) for breakfast. After finishing a plate of Tapa King, I arose from my seat and hurriedly went to the washroom but shockingly I ceased to walk after seeing the unexpected queue. It’s the longest washroom queue I have ever seen in my entire life just imagine, a certain portion of the MEN’s room is occupied by WOMEN (look at the pictures below), now how crazy is that? Despite my frenzied kidney cursing me for not letting it get off, I had endure the painful moment until we reached the next gas station not filled by leakers. We came across a bunch of people carrying a cross and some are hurting themselves by whipping their backs using a whip with metal thorns (I’m not sure what do you call that thing) but to commemorate Christ’s suffering, it’s their own way of contrition. We had our lunch at Nena’s Garden Restaurant along the Highway, I can’t seem to remember if it was in Dagupan or Pangasinan but anyway….the food sucks……after feeding our stomachs, we regretfully went back to the van and start hitting off the road again for Vigan. There were also numerous scenic views on the way so I never hesitated to take pictures (look at the pictures of the bridge and the estuary – river meets the sea). After two stops at the gas station we reached Vigan at around 6:00 PM and checked in at Cordillera Inn. I have tasted the famous Vigan Empanada in Tiendesitas before because a friend once told us that it is something that we shouldn’t miss and he is correct. A huge part of my expectation is to taste a genuine Vigan Empanada cooked from Vigan. After fixing our things in our hotel room, we went out to stroll at the streets of Vigan and along the plaza there was a pile of Empanada vendors making the much anticipated Vigan Empanada. I bought two and couldn’t wait to have my first bite but as soon as I had my first bite, for a moment there, I was in awe because of disappointment, it wasn’t like the ones I have tasted from Tiendesitas. I’m trying to compel myself to think that perhaps we just bought it from the wrong vendor. The food in the hotel where we stayed is also disappointing but the rooms are ok, so oh well, to sum up Vigan, it is not an ideal place for vacation but its still worth visiting, perhaps to stop by, if you have a long drive and spend a few hours is not bad. If you have an eye for Photography and has interests in antiques and heritage places then it is a marvelous place for you. Looking at the heritage houses, It seems as if you are back in Spanish time, some of them are even dilapidated because of time nevertheless you will be enchanted with enigma by the presence of the colonial remnants that surround you.

 

Please visit the gallery for more pictures. The rest of the trip shall be published in the days to come…LOL

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Krispy Kreme Ayala branch is now OPEN!

Friday, March 28th, 2008

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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Ayala Av. branch officially opens (March 28, 2008 6:00 AM). As part of their Opening Promo, the first 300 customers got awesome freebies. The first customer got a 1 year supply of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, 1 dozen per week, plus he got the chance to have his photos taken and be published on several magazines (LOL aba publicity rin yan so kasama na rin yan sa papremyo diba, kaya wag kayo ma inggit I heard may interview din saka may autograph signing pa bwahahahah). The second customer got a six months supply, 1 dozen per week. The third customer got a 3 months supply, 1 dozen per week. Those who are on the fourth to 300th place got a one month supply, 1 dozen per week. The first customer is from Bulacan I heard that he was on the queue since 2 PM March 27 (grabe diba? adik sa donut san ka pa? wahahahaha) I even heard that the second to the fourth customers are the first customer’s friends (so adik sila sa donut diba). One of my friends is the 57th customer her husband is the 58th customer and their helper is the 59th customer, they were there at 3:30 AM (wahahahaha ang galing). CONGRATULATIONS JEANIE PARA SA AMIN IKAW PA RIN ANG NUMBER 1

April 1, 2008

We claimed Jeanie’s prize, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE ULTIMATE MAGNIFICENTLY AMAZING ORIGINAL KRISPY KREME GLAZED (1dozen) Yum Yum. As usual the queue is unbelievable but amazingly we were given special treatment because Jeanie is one of the winners. So we didnt have to take a queue, instead, one of the Krispy Kreme peeps got our coupon and delivered our donuts to our table instantly. Too cool huh?!

RELATED LINKS:

Food Tripping

5 months and counting……

Thursday, March 27th, 2008

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Grabe almost 6 months na simula nung nag resign ako sa Epixtar hanggang ngayon wala pa rin ang back pay ko……………………………nakaka-inis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! grrrrrr kelan niyo ba balak ibigay yun???????????????????

Tuna with Egg

Thursday, March 27th, 2008

This is our baon for today, as I dont have the luxury of time to prepare a true ulam in the mornings. Preparation time is 3-5 minutes and cooking time is roughly 8-10 minutes.

Tuna with Egg

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Ingredients:

1 can of tuna in vegetable oil

2 eggs, beaten

tomatoes

garlic

onion

olive oil

pepper

salt

bell pepper ( I prefer the red ones)

carrots (small cubes)

Directions:

On a skillet drizzled with olive oil saute garlic, onion, tomato and bell pepper. Add carrots and stir. Add tuna, pepper and salt stir and let it simmer. Pour beaten eggs on top of it, when cooked flip it over on the other side. Serve it on top of rice.

Note:

I only used 1 egg thats why hindi siya mukhang omelette. If you use 2-3 eggs for a can of tuna it will look like an omelette when cooked - parang torta. Masarap din siya try niyo, hindi pa siya kakain ng madaming oras, saglit lang gawin.

Rice Game

Monday, March 17th, 2008

Play a game by clicking the link below  and help end hunger.

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http://www.freerice.com/index.php

Wag niyo tingnan!!!

Monday, March 17th, 2008

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HOT or NOT??

Sino yan sa palagay mo?

Holy Week Trip

Monday, March 17th, 2008

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I can’t wait for our North Luzon Expedition wahahaha Oh did I say Expedition? Uy watch out, mag po post ako ng pics soon…………………..mga Bacolod friends papunta na din ako jan so kita kits!!!!!!!!

Mom and Dad Baby Shower - (Couples Baby Shower)

Monday, March 17th, 2008

Title: Mom and Dad Baby Shower

Theme: Loco Roco

Motif: Green and Yellow (as if, we have followed it ha!ha!)

Food:

Chicken Carbonara, Spaghetti, Pizza, Barbecue, Fried Chicken and Nachos.

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Chicken Carbonara

Ingredients:

Garlic, White Onions, Bell Pepper, Butter, All Purpose Cream, Cream of mushroom, Chicken Breast Fillet (cut in cubes), Grated Cheese, Pepper, Salt, and Fetucine Pasta

Directions:

  1. Saute garlic, onions and bell pepper.
  2. Mix in Chicken and a little salt until cooked.
  3. Add All Purpose cream and Cream of Mushroom, mix well.
  4. Pour sauce over cooked Fetucine Pasta and garnished with pepper and grated Cheese.Spaghetti

Spaghetti

Ingredients:

Ground beef, Linguini Pasta, Basil Leaves, Tomato Sauce, Onions, Garlic, Olive Oil, Pepper, Cheddar Cheese, Rosemary, Oregano

Directions:

  1. Saute garlic and onion in Olive Oil
  2. Add Beef and littl salt until cooked.
  3. Add Basil, Rosemary and Oregano.
  4. Pour Tomato Sauce, Mix well and let it simmer.
  5. Pour Sauce over sooked Linguini garnished with Black Pepper and Grated Cheese.

My Very own Nachos

Ingredients:

Nacho Chips, Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic, Olive Oil, Pepper, Tomato Paste, Basil, and Cheese

Directions:

Saute garlic and onions add beef and salt until cooked, add basil and tomato paste, mix well.

Salsa:

Mix sliced tomatoes, onions, bell pepper and basil, add a little pepper and salt

Placed nachos on a Large Plate topped with ground beef, salsa and grated Cheese.

Potato Salad

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Ingredients:

Potatoes, Sugar Beets, Sugar, Celery, Pineapple tidbits, Sweet Pickle Relish,Carrots, Chicken Flakes - (breast - boiled), Cheddar Cheese (cut in small cubes), Raisins, Mayonnaise, and Pepper

Directions:

  1. Boil potatoes and sugar beets until just cooked.
  2. Drain, once cooled, slice them in cubes.
  3. Mix everything
  4. How much (Mayo, Salt and Sugar), would depend according to your taste.

Motif: Green and Yellow (as if, we have followed it ha!ha!)

Decors: Balloons and (It’s a Boy) Banner

Supposed to be Games: Cotton ball Game and Drink Up - Hindi nag show up on time yung iba eh so ayun!

We have also gave the Mom-to-be a Scrapbook (for future reference, commemorating the event LOL) pictures (to be forwarded later), and cards for embellishment.

Acknowledgement:

Maraming Salamat Kay Chelot, Aldo, Gino, Mheangs, Tini, Jeanie and Jef.

$5 Bill Makeover

Friday, March 14th, 2008

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The US Treasury has made a change in the $5 Bill by adding a touch of purple to the bill. The most noticeable difference is the splatters of light purple at the center of the bill that fuse into gray near the edges. It will also feature an enlarged “5″ printed in high-contrast purple ink in the lower right corner of the back of the bill. Everything else remains the same.

The Bill goes into circulation today.

The non-purpleified bills are still  useable as long as they aren’t counterfiet. So no worries! 

Balatyagon

Friday, March 14th, 2008

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Na bilin sa isa ka pulungkuan wala sang tupad, sila tana ara sa pihak, ngaa ayhan?