4 NEW MODERN BRANCHES: McDonald’s Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

Ok, so I heard that McDonald’s will be celebrating their 30th anniversary here in the Philippines. Let’s all admit it, Jollibee is “sariling atin”, but most of us love McDonald’s more, especially their world-famous FRIES. Put your hands up if you agree with me!

So, I’ve been hearing rumors that there will be an interesting event happening on September 30th as they will re-open up four different branches in the metro, all with new and modern designs. Its like 4 different braches opening simultaneously, defintely a first for McDonald’s Philippines. Upon hearing this, I became curious about their “new look”; will it be futuristic? A farm-inspired perhaps? Or an eco-friendly and energy efficient one? What do you guys think?

Upon doing an intensive research, I found out that McDonald’s Makati Cinema Square, Greenhills, North Avenue, and Quezon Avenue will once again open its doors to customers, bearing new modern designs setting the tone for the next 30, 60, 90 years of McDonald’s in the country. According to them, the 4 braches will have stylish furniture, colorful interiors, and dynamic graphics that perfectly suit the tastes and style of the modern Pinoy.

McDonald’s will also be giving away freebies, limited edition 30th Anniversary premium items with live performances from the UP Pep Squad (Makati Cinema Square) and FEU Cheering Squad (Quezon Avenue) to bring customers right at the heart of the festivities – all this happening on September 30!

So if you are free on Friday and you’re near those four stores, too bad I’m not because of work, go ahead and visit McDonald’s anniversary stores and join the celebration of three decades of great-tasting food, excellent service, and, now, a whole new kind of dining experience.

“Love ko to!”, I know love mo din.

LET’S “PIN” – The New Social Site Called “Pinterest”

A couple of minutes ago, I was browsing my Twitter timeline when I saw this Tweet by Marie Claire fashion editor and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia:

“@ninagarcia: We tweet, Facebook, Tumblr,… Now we will need to add another social verb: “to pin”"

I checked on the attached article and found out that its about this new social site called Pinterest. I jumped off my bed and did a little research about this upcoming site which, I’m pretty sure, some of us will love.

Pinterest evolved in the idea of “collecting”. It’s like hanging a board on the wall and tacking on photographs and pictures ripped out of magazines and, in this case, users can have an infinite number of virtual pin boards. Founders Ben Silbermann and Paul Sciarra would like to turn “collecting” into the latest online addiction, creating a place where users can collect – that is, pin – pictures of all the items they find and like on the Internet.

The things you collect say a lot about who you are. For example, you love to eat (like me), with Pinterest, you can create a pinboard of the food goodies that you like to eat for the next month. If you like to travel, you can create a pinboard and compile all the places you would like to visit one day. Or, if you like fashion, you can create a pinboard of all the clothes that you are planning to wear for summer. How cool is that huh? Here are some examples:

A food Pinterest pinboard.

A fashion Pinterest pinboard.

It’s also like Facebook and Twitter. Why? Because users can follow their friends and check out the latest items that friends have pinned. They can also “like” or “comment” on a pin and, if they see something on another person’s board that they also like, they can “re-pin” it to their own board. Also, users can add a description and, if applicable, the price and eventually, Pinterest could help shoppers purchase the items they discover through the site. Friends can also create boards together which would make it easier if you are working on a project, let say a wedding.

Sounds exciting right? Here’s the not so exciting news, Pinterest is not yet open to the public. The founders said they’re still focusing on building the site. The least that you can do for now is visit their website www.pinterest.com and click “Request An Invite” then they will send you an invite soon.

I’m not sure if how will people respond to this. For me, it would be fun to create a website where you can create pinboards of interests and share it with people with the same taste, but just like Facebook and Twitter, it would hinder people to know what other people’s interests are in person, because it’s all out there in the open, making our lives an open book for everyone to see. But I’m sure all of us will have different ways on using this site so it’s still worth trying.

Just got my invite. Yey! Follow me www.pinterest.com/donpredilla

GOING VIETNAMESE: The Pho Hoa Dining Experience

Me and Isaac has this plan of eating all cuisines that is available here in Manila and someday, go to its country of origin to have it there and compare it with the ones that we have here. Sounds exciting huh?

So, for a newbie like me, who is so afraid of trying something new, I already tried some; Japanese, Filipino, Greek-Mediterranean, Indian and Thai. Last Sunday, he brought me to Pho Hoa. It is a chain of Vietnamese restaurants that started in California and is now all over the world. They have locations all over Asia (Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Macau), in Canada, and spread throughout the US. I think restaurant’s philosophy is to offer a “healthier food choice”.

The place was nice, although a bit small, but I think there are other branches with bigger spaces. Their menu is very interesting too, here’s what we ordered:

Pomelo Shrimp Salad, P 115.00
Now, this one caught my attention immediately since I still can’t get over that Thai Mango Salad that I had in Thailand. However, this didn’t even reached my taste buds. The waiter forgot to serve it. It was a little disappointing but we’ll have it next time.

Bún Gà Nướng, Vermicelli Bowl, P 175.00
This one I enjoyed eating. Grilled pork with vermicelli, pickled carrots and daikon, bean sprouts, and peanuts. You toss this together with a fish-sauce/vinegar based broth. Absolutely delicious.

Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts and Red Chili, P 165.00
This was Booboo’s order. Breaded chicken fillets on a savory Kung Pao sauce topped with spring onions, red chili and peanuts. So perfect for pasta, but for hot steaming rice too.

Another thing that caught our attention, actually, Booboo’s attention, was this condiment right here. Its called “Sriracha or “rooster” chili sauce” and it goes with everything. He said its his favorite hot sauce and when I tasted it, it was really hot!

Here’s the guy who brought me here. He’s very good with food.

I’m looking forward to try everything on the menu. I had a lot of fun at Pho Hoa and I would definitely return for my Pomelo Shrimp Salad. So if you wanna try something new, something fresh, and something healthy, try the nearest Pho Hoa near you. It was an experience.

Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House, Alabang Town Center
Entertainment Complex, Alabang Town Center, Alabang
Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 772-3894

FACTS & TIDBITS: Miss Universe Pageant Trivia 101

In a few hours, the world will stop as we all witness 80++ beauties from all around the world walk the stage gracefully as they compete for the title of Miss Universe 2011, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

But before we cheer for our very own Shamcey, let me share some of the facts that I got from the Internet about the pageant. I’m not really a die-hard fanatic of pageants so these is meant to just amuse people who have not religiously followed the contest. Let’s start:

1. The first Miss Universe winner, Armi Kuusela from Finland, married Filipino businessman Virgilio ?Gil? Hilario even before her reign ended. The Gil-Armi apartments, which used to stand along Ayala Avenue, was named after the couple. They owned the building.

2. The Miss Universe pageant was first held in California in 1952, a year after the first Miss World contest was staged.

3. The country with the highest number of Miss Universe winners is USA, with seven titleholders. It is followed by Venezuela with six queens, then Puerto Rico with five.

4. The Philippines’ Gloria Diaz won in 1969, the year the practice of asking the final five candidates the same final question started.

5. The Philippines has the most Miss Photogenic winners in Miss Universe with seven recipients.

6. Russia’s Oxana Fedorova holds the highest recorded swimsuit score in the Miss Universe pageant. She garnered 9.886 points. She won the title but was later dethroned; she was the first and only titleholder not to finish her reign.

7. Colombia has the highest score in evenin gown in Miss Universe history. Carolina Gomez received 9.897 points in 1994, which was held here in Manila.

8. Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza has been designing the competition gowns and national costumes of the Philippines’ representatives to the Miss Universe since 2000. He made Miriam Quiambao’s national costume in 1999, but only added beads to the vintage Halston evening gown Quiambao wore.

9. Venezuela is the first and only country to bag a back-to-back victory in the Miss Universe pageant.

10. Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2004, was trained by Peter Sereno, a Filipino.

11. In 1999, Botswana sent Mpule Kwelagobe as its first ever delegate to the pageant and she won the title.

12. In 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan was crowned in Mexico City, Mexico in another controversial competition. All ten finalists were brunettes.

13. Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta’s (India) finalist interview was the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest, as her perfect interview saw a majority of the judges giving her the maximum 9.99 mark.

14. Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado, of Venezuela, was warned to be possibly dethroned by the organization because she exceeded the maximum weight required during her reign, but the requirement was not enforced.

15. Did you know that in its entire pageant history, no winner of the Miss Congeniality Award has ever gone to win the Miss Universe title? This proves that being the friendliest and/or the most well-liked won’t bring you to the top in this competition.

Goodluck Shamcey! Happy watching everyone!

Note: To all die-hard fanatics and Pageant Gurus out there; all information were gathered from the Internet. If there are things here that are incorrect or inaccurate, please let me know. Thanks!

WHY NOT A PINOY DESIGNER? Shamcey Supsup’s Miss Universe 2011 National Costume

Today, I’ve decided to watch the local news since I woke up very early (good luck sa akin mamaya). While watching the headlines, they showed Shamcey Supsup on stage wearing, what appears to be, her National Costumer for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in São Paulo, Brazil, to be aired next week.

Hmmm, white top, gold bottom, and a crown? Did she win already? In fairness, she looks pretty, but isn’t it too shiny? Is this really our National Costume? After doing some research, I found out that our very own Rajo Laurel sketched a design for Shamcey’s costume this year and also, Venus Raj’s costume last year. Let’s take a look at Venus Raj’s costume last year that was designed by Alfredo Barraza, a Colombian designer who also did her evening gown.

For reference, here is what Rajo Laurel sketched for Venus Raj. It is inspired by the pintados. Doesn’t it look amazing?

Now check out what Rajo designed for Shamcey this year, if he had the chance to dress her:

Doesn’t it look sexier, amazing, and more Filipino? The palayoks (or whatever that is) as a head-piece is so Pinoy. I just don’t get it, why pick a non-Filipino designer to dress our own candidate? Simply because Miss Araneta is a Colombian native? For me, Shamcey would look amazing in this. Her costume is so conservative (MANANG) compared to our Asian fellas, Miss Thailand, Indonesia and Japan, who started showing some skin since 2006. Sayang. Oh well, good luck nalang siguro.

Credits: photos were taken from http://www.missosology.info and starmometer.com

SWEET. SOUTH. SEPTEMBER: Krispy Kreme At Festival Mall, Alabang

ATTENTION my fellow “Southerners”!

This is to inform you that we will all have a Sweet September with the arrival of the original, the amazing, and the everyone’s favorite doughnut company, Krispy Kreme.

Yes, you heard it. Krispy Kreme will open its doors to the people of the South Metro, who, over the years, been making that extra effort to go to Makati or Taguig just to buy a dozen “Original Glazed” donuts to bring to their families; myself included. The branch will be located at the 2nd Level, Festival Super Mall in Filinvest, Alabang and will start welcoming hungry guest on September 3, this Saturday.

AND FOR THE GOOD NEWS!!!

To celebrate their opening they will be giving away Free Half Dozen Original Glazed Donuts to the first 100 guests. If you happen to be the 101st guest, no worries, they will still be giving away a Free Lotta Latte to you and other guests thereafter. How’s that for a grand opening huh? So try to be there as early as you can.

I’m wondering though as to why they chose Festival Mall over Alabang Town Center, considering the fact, and I know that some of you will agree with me, that ATC is more frequented by people who don’t mind spending more for coffee, pastries, and dessert. Maybe because Festival Mall has a higher foot traffic. Oh well.

But regardless, I know that it will be a success and I’m happy that they’re gonna come near me.