Adora's Move to Educate Everyone about the RH Bill

I know you guys have probably walked by Adora in Greenbelt 5 numerous times and have seen the new window display. I've done this a hundred times already. But I just really wanted to blog about it and one particular experience I had when I passed by the display a few days ago.

The New Display

Entrance to Adora

Adora in Greenbelt 5

I really like it that Adora is making an effort in letting people know about the RH Bill. I am PRO RH Bill because I believe education is the answer to our population problem. We just have to wake up and accept change. Like in Bangkok, they are supportive of their movement against AIDS and their population problem. They even have a restaurant that serves as a venue to let tourists know about the cause. Known as the Population and Community Development Association, they have the ever so famous Cabbages and Condoms Resort and Restaurant, which I was able to visit last 2009.

Me and Sam outside Cabbages & Condoms

Mannequins dressed up with condoms

What? No mint? Take a condom instead
Posing with Angel

Anyway, going back to the topic... I've seen a number of cars with bumper stickers for "Anti RH Bill." Whenever I'm driving, I just really want to bump my car into them because I am so shocked to see that there are still so many people who have a closed mind. But because I've always been trying to keep myself in the middle of things, I behave and keep my thoughts to myself.

These stickers are posted on several cars in the metro

But when I first saw the new window display of Adora, I was very pleased that this luxury brand was not oblivious to the developments in our country. I am very pleased with their decision to choose this as their new campaign. It really goes to show that they are not just a fashion brand.

The Shocker


On a normal Sunday a few weeks ago, I was passing by Adora and admiring the window display when I happened to overhear someone talk about the display. As pretty, tall and skinny that she was, I could not help but frown at disbelief. While passing by the store, she asked her friend: "Ano yung RH bill?" It was a huge shock for me because I reckoned she was someone who studied in an expensive university and she did not look young not to understand it. She was probably around 19 years old and was in college already. I was just really shocked that she did not know what the RH bill is. Amidst all the fuss about the RH Bill, where has this girl been?! Whether she's pro or against it, I think she needs to know what it truly is.

Makes me wonder... what do colleges teach kids these days? hmm....

Mary Grace Cafe: A Homey Place to Work

With my work requiring me to spend all day hooked to the internet, it comes to no surprise why I can be spotted in different cafes around the metro. If I'm not drinking coffee, I'm usually ordering tea. While there are some cafes that have exceptional food, I really can't say the same for the rest. But because I need to be hooked to the internet and to a power source, it is only practical why I would sacrifice taste just so I could get work done.

With so many people who are now frequenting cafes and are staying there for several hours, it can be hard to spot an area you can stay in. When I'm in Greenbelt, my first selection would always be the CBTL branch in GB3. But since there are so many people who are always there, I would walk all the way to CBTL-Residences to try my luck. Often, I am lucky. But for the rare instances where I don't have a place to work in, I check out Seattle's Best and then Figaro (Greenbelt 3). My selection has always been so limited. 

Thankfully, Mary Grace Cafe opened a branch in Greenbelt 2. I think they opened around April or May this year. Since I'm no stranger to this quaint cafe, I found it only fitting that I should try out this branch. I usually eat in their Serendra branch but it's too far. So when I discovered the GB2 branch, I was so excited!

Mary Grace Cafe in Greenbelt 2

Mary Grace Cafe in Greenbelt 2

When I first dined in this branch, I was very pleased with their interiors. It had the same appeal as their other branch-- only it was more spacious this time. I was really pleased to know that they have installed free Wi-Fi to all their guests. Plus, most of their tables had an extension cord so diners could plug in their laptops. I only have an issue with their extension cords because they plug each extension cord to another extension cord. My laptop's plug has a melted portion on the top because of this. I even encountered one incident where it kept sparking. :( I wish they would change their extension cords so they could avoid accidents. 

Handmade Chandeliers

I especially love the second floor-- where there was a children's corner available on one side of the room.

Children's Corner

I also like the garden area because it's so warm and colorful-- green and vibrant. Unfortunately, the time I sat there, two girls sat next to me and smoked cigarettes. Despite all the hullabaloo about MMDA's new ordinance against smoking in public places, this did not seem to apply to them. Because I did not want to get another acute pneumonia condition, I decided to transfer inside. 

Garden area

It was too perfect! They had homey interiors, cozy ambiance, free Wi-Fi, plugs, and delicious food-- the only downfall was that their food was a bit pricey.

I know they offer quality food and the price is fine for how delicious the food is-- but I can't go there on a daily basis. Well, I can but I'll just have to end up ordering my favorite drinks and snacks. I think this is no problem though because their food has never disappointed me-- ever. Here are some of my favorite foods and drinks from Mary Grace Cafe:

1. Smoked Salmon & Cream Pasta

The pasta for those who are on a semi-diet. Let's just call it a cheat day okay? :) 

Smoked Salmon & Cream Pasta
P 251

2. Grilled Cheese Roll

You can choose to have it grilled or classic-- either way works.

Grilled Cheese Roll
P 42/ each

3. Homemade Iced Teas

You can order by glass or by pitcher-- the pitcher serves 2-3 people abundantly. My favorite is the Wild Raspberry. 

Peach Homemade Iced Tea
P 75 (glass)/ P 224 (pitcher)

4. Sansrival Cake

Oh and did I mention they have the best Sansrival cake in Manila?

Sansrival
P 90 (slice)/ P 230 (mini)/ P 610 (whole 8x8x2 inches)

So if you want good food, ambiance and a relaxed dining experience, Mary Grace Cafe in Greenbelt 2 should be your choice!

*Pictures of Mary Grace (the establishment) have been borrowed from their Facebook Page. Visit their website to find out more information about them. www.marygracecafe.com/

New Bombay: My Buyanihan Deal

I was craving to eat Indian food last time when I came across an awesome deal from Buyanihan.com. I was just checking out the website since I was new to group coupons in the Philippines. The deal was to pay P250 for P500 worth of meals. Since I had a huge craving to eat Indian cuisine, I instantly purchased 4 coupons. I paid P1000 for a meal worth P2000! Great savings!

I couldn't wait to use the coupon so the moment the deal went on last Nov. 19, I invited my eldest brother and his family to eat with me. They've been letting me join in on their family excursions so I thought I'd return the favor. Plus, he's the one who introduced Indian cuisine to me. So I thought they were the perfect companions.

We ate at New Bombay in Glorietta. I forgot they had a branch at Greenbelt 3! But it's okay, we still enjoyed the meal.

the seating in New Bombay

Out of the 4 coupons, I was only able to use 3. I added P250 to the bill because the total was P1750. I thought about using the extra coupon on another occasion. P1750 and we were so full! We ordered so many dishes already!

My nephew enjoyed the biryani!

With P1750, we were able to order: 2 orders each of Chana Dal and Mutton Rohan Josh (we got medium spicy and spicy), an order each of Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tandoori, and another chicken dish that I forgot the name.

Mutton Rohan Josh

Chicken Tandoori

Among all the dishes I ate, I especially missed the Chana Dal. It tastes like the Pinoy version of monggo soup. Instead though, it has the color yellow. 

Chana Dal
the dish I've missed!

To make the most of our bill, I invited Nathan to order a lassi shake with me. I got the sweet plain Lassi while he ordered the Mango Lassi. The mango lassi did not work though and as he mentioned, it tasted funny. Aside from making the most of our bill, we ordered lassi to mellow down the spicy dishes.

Sweet Plain Lassi

Overall, the whole experience was enjoyable. I loved returning the favor in treating my brother and his family. And with his strict diet, choosing the right restaurant is tricky. It was good we were able to eat together in an Indian restaurant after a while. I will return to New Bombay soon to finish off the remaining coupon I have.

War of the 2011 Journals: The 2011 Giving Journal

With the Christmas season coming in near, it can only mean one thing: time to hunt for the perfect 2011 journal! I remember my journal for 2009 was the Belle-De-Jour journal which I never got to use!

I never used this!

My journal for this year was the Navi 2010. I did use this journal but not on a daily basis because it was too heavy to carry along with my laptop.

My 2010 journal

After reading Animetric's post about the 2011 Starbucks Planner, I decided to start collecting stickers for it. Unfortunately, I found Starbucks' coffee a little too expensive, especially since they do not have free Wi-Fi. Ever since I became a freelancer, I have always frequented The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I especially love their Southern Blend iced tea because I'm not really much of a coffee drinker.

Southern Blend Iced Tea

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's 2011 Journal

While I was waiting for Angel to get off work last Friday, it was only routine for us to meet at CBTL in Greenbelt 3. Lucky enough, I got to see their new 2011 Giving Journal which they released not too long ago.

I was really excited with this journal for many reasons:

1. It looks a bit like my old planner.
2. Unlike the Belle-Du-Jour planner, it does not correlate to just a specific gender.

3. I can actually collect the stickers!
4. An order of regular or large Southern Blend = 1 sticker!
5. It's centered around the concept of Giving Back.

When I was able to see the journal, I instantaneously gave up my Starbucks' sticker collection and gave it to Angel. I really like CBTL's journal because I don't have to waste money in coffee that I don't really drink just so I could get the journal. With them, the journal is really just their present to me for being a loyal customer! ^,^

I found the right journal for me! Have you?

Makati Residents: Beware! Snatcher on the Loose

Wow.

This just in. A stranger stole my friend's laptop while she was walking home in Legaspi Park, Makati City. Her house is just 1-2 minutes away from the area and some guy suddenly snatched her laptop from her. I know I'm being stupid because there are really thieves everywhere but I did not expect there would be any in Makati City.. Let alone the CBD area! Wow! Where are our policemen? Ever since Vice President Jejomar Binay turned over his post as the Mayor of the city to his very own son (yes, his own son), things have been getting out of hand.

When VP was still the Mayor, there were no workers allowed to work on the streets of the city during office hours. I remember going home in the wee hours of the morning and they were hard at work. What's more is that they end each shift by setting aside their things and making sure that everything has been returned the way they started. Now, they leave the streets cluttered with their tools and do not even bother to finish the work they started on time. What has happened to Makati???

And wow, I was planning to transfer to Makati sometime next year. This is a HUGE disappointment since, like my friend, I am fond of walking in the streets of Makati. We have long trusted that the CBD area is safe and is being patrolled by Makati cops. Last time, I heard that there was a mugging incident in the Paseo-Ayala underpass in mid-noon yet no one did anything! It was the middle of the busy day and knowing this, I'm sure there were a lot of people in the area.

What has happened to the city I have long admired? Is this still the neighborhood I choose to live in? How can we be assured we are safe if they [Makati officials] can't even keep their residents safe? They can't even patrol the CBD streets!

My heart goes out to my friend. Good thing she was not hurt. But it looks like the thief followed her from Greenbelt, as she left work. As she told me, the thief was waiting for someone in Legaspi Park, with his motorcycle running and a helmet on his head. When she came near, he yanked her bag away.

CBD. Central Business District. W-O-W!

my friends and I with Mayor Vice President Jejomar Binay

July 20, 2010: A Hair-y Discussion

Yesterday, I was in a sudden urge to get my hair cut. But I was deciding if I should get it done by Mr. Shin (Beautybrick), Billy (Univers Kaizen) or by Nelson (Tony & Guy). Billy has long been my hairstylist until I met Mr. Shin, who Angel totally supports. Nelson, on the other hand, was the cover shoot’s hairstylist that I met. I wanted to try out his power on my hair. At the same time, I was also debating not to get my hair cut. So I decided to forget about it for the meantime.

Haircut with Mr. Shin, Nov. 2009 (me, Mr. Shin, Angel)

I was scheduled for an interview with Stefan Wilczynski of Basement Salon for SPARK Magazine in the evening so I headed there via MRT. If you ask me, I’m fond of using the MRT since it reminds me so much of the trains of Hong Kong and Bangkok. And I was so fascinated by those transportation options that every time I ride in our own, I still feel like I am in another country.

MTR Ride in Hong Kong

The only thing that bothers me with our MRT is the fact that people don’t have discipline. I mean, come on! I know everyone wants to get inside a tram the soonest time possible but can you at least wait until people have stepped out? Plus, look around you. You can’t act all “siga” /tough and cut in front of other people who are lining to step inside the train. This, I think, is one of the biggest flaws of our country. I’m sure if we (Filipinos) follow rules like in Thailand, I’m sure our system would be orderly!

Angel, Me, Sam on our way back to Siam, Bangkok MRT

So anyway, when I got to EDSA Shangri La, I was an hour early. I decided to get coffee and gather my thoughts on what the interview will be. When it was time for the interview, I arrived in Basement Salon and talked with Stefan. He was very accommodating and interesting to talk to. I learned a lot of tips from him. But of course, those tips will be featured in the blog of SPARK.

Towards the end of the interview, I got a little surprise. The surprise was so good that I wanted to hug him and burst into tears. It’s really something unexpected and I was so honored for even just hearing about it. I know I’ve long had a problem with this and here he was—the remedy within arm’s reach. [The surprise will be revealed on Thursday’s post!]

After the interview, I rushed back to Makati, ate dinner by myself at Pepper Lunch. If you ask anyone, they will tell you that I am such a big Pepper Lunch fan. There are times that I would just pass by the store in Greenbelt 5 and would have a sudden craving for Beef Pepper Rice simply because I smelled it by passing.

Tonight though, I wanted something else.

I tried their Combo Cut Steak & Hamburger. I didn’t like it. = ( It’s best I stick with my favorite: Beef Pepper Rice!

Inception: A Must Watch

Last night, I watched Inception with Angel, Sam, Martin, and Mark. We caught the 11pm show at Greenbelt 3. I was so excited to watch the movie and it did not disappoint me. After watching the movie, we all headed to McDonald's to get some food after our minds being totally blown away.

Here are some of the reasons why I loved Inception:

1. It's another mind-boggling movie that will leave you with an open-ended questions.. 'Did Leonardo DiCaprio get stuck in Limbo?', 'Did Ken Watanabe really die?', 'Was Leo able to return to his family?' Nobody knows....

2. Awesome effects. I haven't seen effects this AWESOME for a long time. And the plot was done in a really smooth manner that there really wasn't any room left for doubting it.

3. Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Need I say more? I did not watch (500) Days of Summer and up until now, I don't intend to even though it was Joseph and Zooey Deschanel (whom I truly love!). My "situation" during the time it was shown would totally pave ground if I watched it. So I decided not to... So since 10 Things I Hate About You, this is the first time I saw Joseph.



4. Marion Cotillard plays Leo's wife. If you don't know her, you need to watch Jeux d'enfants or Love Me If You Dare. It's one of my favorite movies of all time! Even though it was in French, I did not care! French lessons anyone?!



5. Cillian Murphy. When he came onscreen, Angel and Sam were grinning to each other. I didn't know who he was until I remembered he was from Red Eye. Oh and he apparently played The Scarecrow in Batman. I haven't watched it though.

6. It has some light comedy to it. The ongoing bickering between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy was so typical.

7. I love a good mystery. And Inception was made truly well. I'd like to watch it again!

For those who still have not watched it, why should you go spend P200 on Eclipse when this is a better movie? I'm not a die hard Twilight fan but there was one time I was a fan. I am still interested but it's not worth my money. :D

Martin, Sam, Trixie, Angel, Mark *Picture by Mark

*Photos taken from the internet.