2010 Year End Credit

Today is the start of another day, another year. Let it be filled with lots of beautiful memories like the ones I shared with my friends and relatives. I pray that 2011 will give us all a good year and nothing too tragic...

And just like my 2009 Year End Credit last year, I opted to skip out on the New Year's Resolution and instead focused on a 2010 Year End Credit...

This year though, I decided to make things a little different. Instead of last year's normal list of people I thanked for sticking with me, I decided to give out online Thank You Coupons. These coupons are reedeemable throughout 2011 and are good for single use only.

I decided to give out coupons because my blog is now centered around food. And like I always mention, food is more than eating.. Rather, it is a memory filled with good years and laughter with a specific person. Because even the food is not that great, our minds play tricks on us into thinking they are very delicious. But in truth, it was our memory with that person that led us to believe a second serving would be anything like the first. We believe the second serving will bring us back to the time we were with that special person, even for just a split second.

So without further ado, here are the receipients of this year's Thank You Coupons and where they are for:


Jesna Lem, Jenniferlyn Ruego, Hannah Barreta- Mami's (P500 worth)


Girls, whenever I go home, you never fail to meet me and make sure I am alright. In 2010, we went on one adventure and I wish we could always do that. I hope that this year, we'll be able to have another out of town trip-- one that will be worth the crazy adventure we always share. Thanks for being my friends :)

Jesna, Hannah, Trixie, Jen at Boracay
June 2010

Liza Ann and Elaine Joyce Fuentebella- [open coupon applicable four 4-5 people] (P1000 worth) 

To the two of my favorite cousins in the whole world: Thanks for the fun times we always share. Even though the three of us are literally separated from one another, we all manage to meet when we return home. Like the C.E.L. group we have established when we were still kids, I hope we always remain this close and never change. I miss the fun we used to share in our Sum-ag compound. And every time I'm in Bacolod, I'm always reminded of our younger years. I always wish we could spend more time together because a single night is simply not enough. :( 

Ann, Joy, me at Kuppa
Dec. 2010

Tricia and Jake Monfort- Mongolian Buffet in Bob's (P500)

Umm... Jake's too young to enjoy this feast so instead, let's wait till he's got an appetite as big as ours. :)

Although we've had our ups and downs, we still manage to stay friends. People have tried to ruin our friendship (lots of times) but we have been able to stay close friends. I hope our bond won't end and we'll continue to be friends. Sometimes, I miss our high school days but when I think about all the petty fights we've had, I stop and smile because I know we're a lot better now. I can still remember Andie sitting the whole barkada in a circle during lunch so that we could settle our indifferences. :) I miss you Trish and hope we could keep each other updated, no matter the distance. 

Mimi, Jake, Tricia, Trixie, Angel in Tricia's house
January 2010

Mimi Valencia and Cristel Segovia- Korean restaurant (P500 worth)


I love eating in Korean restaurants and every time I do, I always remember Mimi and Cristel. These two girls have been my long time best friends and they are always with me no matter what. We have been through hell and several misunderstandings, but our friendship continues to live on. Just like the many Korean tutor-student relationships that have a time limit, my time with these two girls are about to end (as I leave for Manila on the 11th) but our memories these past few weeks have been an addition to the many Christmases that we have spent together. May our friendship last us 50 more years :)

Mimi and Cristel, Joe-Un Korean Restaurant
Dec 2010

Angela Gabrielle Consing, Samantha Denise Hilado, Christina Ma. Cecilia Sayson- Chocolate Fondue at Manila Peninsula Hotel


Our differences make us all unique from one another. I believe that and I've got the best 3 girl friends with me to prove it. Our friendship is the perfect explanation of how different personalities best match each other. But despite our indifferences, we still manage to get along and have the best time in Manila. I look forward to seeing you girls again when I return home (although I'll be seeing Chris tomorrow). May we continue to share a great 2011 together. Thanks for the friendship and all the head whacks when I get myself into trouble. :) You girls are the best! And like Mimi, Cristel and Trish, I love you girls! :) I know for sure that without you by my side, Manila won't be as much fun this past 3 years. 

Sam, Chris, Angel, Trixie in Angel's Condo
June 2010

My One and Only Family- [open coupon] [open price]

To my crazy and big family, I hope we can all settle our indifferences. I hope that this year will be our year. I love you all and I would not trade you for anyone else.

Sheila, Trixie, Shaina, James
taken back in 2006

Kuya Richie, Bubot, Dad, Trixie, Ate Loy, Kuya Nikki, Nathan
Shabu Shabu, 2009

And of course, the last and best coupon is reserved to everyone who loves my Sisig recipe. No, I am not sharing my secret recipe. Instead, I give you each a coupon to enjoy 250g (each person) of my sisig every time I am in town. :)

My Special Sisig

Miren. Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth

As I mentioned, I was shocked to discover that there are lots of new restaurants and cafes in Bacolod since my last visit in June. Throughout the duration of my holiday vacation in my hometown, I try to discover as much of these new establishments as I can. 

One of the new establishments that really caught my attention is a new cafe located in the area where the old The Gypsy Tea Room used to be. The new cafe, Miren., features delicious cakes, pastries, sundaes, paninis and pastas. 

Apart from the delicious dishes, the cafe is full of white decors and a mural of a pinkish hibiscus plant on one corner, a dragonfly on the other. 

Since they were celebrating Christmas, the centerpieces on each table was a ceramic Santa Claus figurine. I'm curious to know what they will be substituting them with after the holiday season. 

This makes me think Santa was held up by the tooth fairy :)

Upon arrival, Mimi, Cristel, and I headed straight to the displayed cakes. We couldn't decide what to order because everything looked so delicious! We wanted to try everything but that was bad for our pockets and our diets tummy too! In the end, we settled for different things...

the cakes on display

even the cupcakes looked delicious!

Cristel ordered the Vanilla Sundae which came on a hearty bowl topped with almonds, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, a cherry and a Stik-o stick. 

Vanilla Sundae, Miren.
(P60)

Mimi's order was a slice of the Strawberries and Cream cake which reminded me of Strawberry Shortcake. It was a chiffon cake sandwiched with a thin layer of strawberry sauce and topped with more strawberry goodness.

Strawberries and Cream, Miren.
(P70)

My order came last... a slice of Red Velvet Cake. I don't like chiffon cakes but this particular cake blew me away. I really liked it because it was not too sweet. My two other friends also liked my order so we decided to share.

Red Velvet Cake, Miren.
(P70)

All in all, I would return to Miren. and I would definitely recommend it to those who have a sweet tooth. Unlike the other pastry shops in Bacolod, the cakes here are good and not too sweet. Plus, they are reasonably priced!

Miren. is located at the Ground Floor of Lopue's Mandalagan Annex Building, Mandalagan St., Bacolod City. It is in the vicinity of Chicken House Mandalagan, Orange Gallery, and Cafe Joint. 

I Am Grateful For... Sept. 11, 2010

In lieu of my Life Coaching session last Thursday, I was asked to write 5 things that I am grateful for on a daily basis. So here is my list today:

1. I am grateful for the chance of getting to sleep and rest the whole day. I rarely get to do this as I am so busy with work. Today though, I was able to rest and watch some of my favorite movies on HBO. Yes, this includes A Very Brady Sequel. No matter how many times I watch this movie, I just can't get enough of it. Even if there are people who say that it's such a nonsense movie, I absolutely love The Brady Bunch and wish they were back on screen!

Image via FilmCritic.com

2. I am grateful for work. Because even if I am working as an independent contractor, I still get to find new clients and those who are really interested in having me on board their team. I get to work in my own pace yet still deliver the quality of work desired from me.

3. I am grateful for the fact that there are people who care and love me. Even if I am who I am. They text me and let me know they care in the most unexpected ways. Like today, one of my best friends Cristel sent me a text informing me that Daniel Henney (my only Korean crush) MIGHT be in the Philippines. ^,^ We researched this bit together and found that he was with Rain in Manila Hotel press-con last Sept. 9. Awww...

Image via fathinaina.blogspot.com

4. I am grateful that another best friend, Sai, is in zen mode when I got to talk to her  this noon.  

Hopefully, she and Pat will get through the problem they are both currently facing. ***Hugs to you both!***

5. Lastly, I am grateful for today. For nothing bad happening to me and those around me. 

Going Home For A Break

stressed out

After a few months of non-stop writing/working, my body suddenly decided to give up. Ever since the incident happened last November, I have focused all of my energy on working. Even during Christmas Eve and New Year, I was working my butt off. It was the only way I could stop thinking about the crap I went through.

Well, anyway. That's until I experienced total body malfunction. Since December 24, I have been experiencing a weird bowel movement. It would go on and on for several days and even came to a point I couldn't eat anything 'cause I would run to the comfort room in the middle of the meal. I thought it was finally over last January 2. But it came back a few days later.

My friends are getting worried and they keep telling me to go to the Doctor. I'm just too lazy to go to the doctor instead of waiting when I could get some work done. And besides, whenever I think of going to the doctor, the symptoms stop. So it really leaves me confused. I have lost weight ever since December (I hope I have). But even if I'm not so sure of this, I can feel it.

One of my closest friends, Cristel, mentioned that I might be stressed out already. Working for me right now is an addiction. Whether if I'm home or if I go out, I always have my laptop with me and be in Coffee Bean so I can use unlimited WiFi. But for these past two days, I have not brought my trusted companion out. I have to take a break.

After several hours and days of deciding whether or not I should go home (to Bacolod), I finally agreed to go because my dad offered to buy me my plane ticket. While I will be doing a "little" work in my 4 days stay at home, I will also be going out a lot with my friends.

One of the scheduled trips I have with my friends is the USLS Sportsfest which we will be watching with Mimi, a Korean dinner, a mini-reunion with my College friends, and some hanging out with guy friends. I hope by the time I get back to Manila, I have already recovered and I can revert back to the old me who can write 50 articles a day without feeling sick.

Wish me luck guys... And Bacolod friends, see you tomorrow Jan. 18-22!