by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 26, 2023 | Book Reviews
About a month ago, we were able to interview author Ashley Breanne and feature her on our sister site, Hearthandhomebuddies.com. In our chats, one of the things she mentioned was that she wrote this story called The Rebound, a YA/Teen story and that it was on Goodnovel.
According to Ashley, The Rebound: The Wrong Cinderella’s Story was the first book she published on Goodnovel. This got me curious. The first book of hers that I read was The Alpha’s Girl and I liked that a lot! So, I checked it out on Goodnovel and discovered it is only 66 chapters. I can do that. I can spare the coin for that.
From page one I was transfixed. What a fun story! It is one of those that I wish was made into a movie. It is definitely going to be a teen flick and, yes, it is most definitely a Cinderella story with a twist.
But what I liked most about this story are two things. First, Caleb may be the golden boy of the school since he is the quarterback, but he isn’t a manwhore. As a matter of fact, Violet is only the second woman he has even been intimate or in a relationship with. Awwwwww!
Second, Violet is not a damsel in distress, nor is she popular. She also isn’t bullied or bookish, etc. If she were to fall under any stereotype it would probably be a loner with only one friend. But then again, she didn’t have any problem making friends with Caleb or his best friend so it is obvious that she isn’t a social recluse.
The banter … the banter is what got me. “Listening” to them was just precious! The teenage girl inside me was giggling a lot at their interactions.
I give this book all digits up, not just my thumbs. It is an easy read and very light-hearted. I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I have. 🙂
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 20, 2023 | Business
In line with their shared goal to promote and strengthen financial inclusion for Filipinos nationwide, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently rolled out the Paleng-QR initiative in Mandaue City in collaboration with GCash, the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet.
Under the joint initiative, market vendors and tricycle drivers in Mandaue Public Market can easily transact with their customers through GCash QR codes. With this, both vendors and consumers can have a safer and more seamless shopping experience. Moreover, this initiative ultimately boosts the growth of the digital ecosystem, especially in the grassroots economy.
BSP representative Atty. Charina de Vera-Yap, DILG 7 Regional director Leocadio Trovela, and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes enjoy the 1-peso street food GTreats at the GCash booth.
Locals also enjoyed exciting treats in GCash booths at the Mandaue Public Market, where they were able to experience safer and more convenient cashless transactions first-hand. With the program’s entry into the city, GCash has so far onboarded a total of 561 out of 700 market vendors in Mandaue Public Market and 100 members of the local Tricycle Operators/Drivers Association (TODA) to allow payment through the app.
In addition to providing a safer and more convenient cashless experience to vendors and their customers, GCash is also set to onboard more small merchants for GCash Pera Outlet (PO) in the city. This feature allows vendors and small merchants to earn extra income and grow their businesses by offering customers in their communities access to various GCash services such as Cash-in, Cash-out, Pay Bills, and Send Money. Currently, there are already a total of 1,006 vendors and merchants for GCash PO in the city.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes pays via QR at a fruit stand in the Mandaue City Public Market.
GCash will also conduct financial literacy sessions (FinLit) to educate its users about different wealth management options in GCash, such as GSave, GInsure, GLoans, GInvest, and more, that can help them grow and secure their accounts.
“We are very grateful to the BSP, DILG, and GCash for expanding the Paleng-QR initiative in the city. With this initiative and through GCash’s convenient services, small merchants, tricycle drivers, and consumers can now enjoy a hassle-free payment experience for their everyday transactions and have access to the various benefits of digital financial solutions. We are honored and open to having more strategic partnerships that will help Filipinos have secure and better lives,” Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said.
Driven by its shared vision of “Finance for All,” GCash, BSP, and DILG have already onboarded more vendors and tricycle drivers for the Paleng-QR initiative in various public markets in various communities all over the country.
Together with the public sector and Local Government Units (LGUs), GCash continues to build a reliable digital ecosystem to promote sustainable adoption of online financial services and make Filipino lives better every day.
About GCash
GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Finance App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones.
GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines, which is a part of the country’s leading digital solutions platform, Globe Group.
GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 15, 2023 | Food & Beverage
Manila Prince Hotel is excited to announce the reopening of its esteemed Chinese restaurant, Dragon Court. Located at the lobby level, Dragon Court’s reopening is part of the hotel’s month-long anniversary celebration. It is set to welcome guests to an unforgettable dining experience starting September 27, 2023.
Abundance of Flavors
Dragon Court’s food and beverage team underwent extensive preparation to ensure the restaurant maintains its signature taste while introducing new items to cater to the most discerning palates. Guests can expect a wide array of dishes that showcase Chinese cuisine. From delicate dim sum to flavorful specialties, every plate at Dragon Court is crafted with precision and passion.
The menu includes timeless favorites such as Shrimp Dumpling, Roasted Pork Barbecue, White Chicken with Ginger and Leeks, Eight Treasure Diced Winter Melon Soup, Honey Beef in Pepper Sauce, Lapu-Lapu Fillet in Soy Sauce, and baked Mango Tapioca Pudding.
Mid-Autumn Festival Set Menu Packages
In addition to the a la carte offerings, Dragon Court introduces Mid-Autumn Festival Set Menu packages, which include dice game paraphernalia and special prizes. These packages add fun and excitement to one’s group dining experience while celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Manila Prince Hotel’s director of sales and marketing, Marvin Kim Tan, expressed his enthusiasm about the reopening of Dragon Court. “We are delighted to reintroduce Dragon Court to our guests to celebrate Manila Prince Hotel’s anniversary. We are confident that Dragon Court will be another reason our loyal guests will keep returning to our hotel and attract new clientele.”
Starting September 27, 2023, Dragon Court will be open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call (+632) 5328 2222 or email fn*@**********ce.com for inquiries and reservations.
About Manila Prince
Manila Prince Hotel, a subsidiary of The Manila Hotel, is situated in the heart of Manila’s business district. It is close to the city’s top tourist spots and main transportation hubs. With its 300 well-appointed rooms, ten function rooms and ballrooms, an elegant lobby with 24-hour reception, a business center, a swimming pool, and gym access,
Manila Prince Hotel offers value for money and stylish comfort. Along with excellent service and luxurious hospitality, the hotel has two (2) exciting dining outlets: Marcelino Street Café, the all-day dining restaurant, and Dragon Court, the Chinese restaurant. The hotel is attached to UN Square Mall for convenient shopping and dining. These and more make Manila Prince Hotel a top choice for leisure and business travelers.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 7, 2023 | Food & Beverage
I was thankfully invited to partake in a dinner buffet at Cafe Ilang-Ilang, which included the Tuna Festival I just posted recently, and it was certainly a gastronomic delight! I thought we were going to be given a tasting menu, instead, we were allowed to eat anything in the buffet. Wow!
For those who have never been to Cafe Ilang-Ilang, let me tell you that with 18 stations to go to, it was a struggle for me to decide where to go first … everything just looked amazing! From the meat carving station (which happened to be near our table) to Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, and Italian dishes, salads, bread and cheese plates, and desserts … it was overwhelming.
Cafe Ilang-Ilang’s buffet
Angus steak that would melt in my mouth, lobster, kuracha … oh, all the sinful stuff! I was so tempted to indulge! But I was there for the tuna festival so before choosing what to eat, I went around and hunted for the dishes featured that evening.
Everything you see in the image above, I tried, except for the Tuna Whanja (upper left). I’m a fan of spicy food but looking at the dish I was intimidated by the visible chili pieces. Since I was driving home, I had to be careful with my choices.
Tuna Cottage Cheese Sandwich on Rye and Tuna Ceviche with Avocado
Raw, pan-seared, grilled, fried … I just love tuna every which way. If I had to choose a favorite, though, it would probably be the Tuna Ceviche. Weird choice, I know, since it is probably the dish that had the least preparation done to it, but I love how soft and juicy the tuna was with every bite. Although, I must confess, I did not find any avocado (which I love!) in the serving I was given.
In my personal opinion, tuna ceviche is a fancy way of saying Kinilaw na Tuna. If you don’t know what that is, it means that raw tuna is covered in vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar is what cooks the fish.
Now, I don’t know if this is how they made that dish, but that is how it tasted. Fyi, kinilaw na tuna is one of my favorite dishes so it definitely got a thumbs up!
Tuna Salad with White Beans
The Tuna Salad with White Beans was another favorite of mine as it is smooth and creamy.
Tuna Salpicao
The one I was most excited to taste, to be honest, was the Tuna Salpicao. I’m a big fan of beef salpicao and chicken salpicao … I can even cook both! It is honestly an easy dish to make and so delicious! I was curious to know how it would translate with tuna as the main ingredient.
What I discovered is that if we don’t eat this immediately the tuna becomes dry and tough so, word of advice … when this is served to you, ask for more sauce to put on it and try to eat it immediately.
The Spicy Tuna Spring Rolls held no surprise but I like spicy tuna and I like spring rolls so I got it anyway. Yum!
At the back of the photo are Tuna Empanadas. I didn’t get to taste them anymore because everytime I went to that station they would run out! That’s apparently how good they are. Based on that alone, I would have to assume I missed out on something wonderful but there just wasn’t space left in my tummy after. 😀
I ended the evening with Pear Sorbet and a macaron.
Who am I kidding? I ended the evening with several bowls of pear sorbet, macchiato gelato, mango crepe, and several macarons! Lol! Anyone who has been at a buffet with me knows my favorite station is the dessert station and I made sure to leave room for those lovelies.
In five words I would describe my experience with Cafe Ilang-Ilang and their Tuna Festival as “a party in my mouth”. That’s a party I would love to attend again soon.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 5, 2023 | Food & Beverage
Tuna Festival at Cafe Ilang Ilang
The Tuna Festival of General Santos City celebrates the ocean’s bountiful offerings with diverse activities that mirror the city’s vibrant marine industry. In celebration of this tradition, Café Ilang-Ilang embarks on a culinary journey highlighting the ocean’s prized gem — tuna.
“Tuna is a true gem of the ocean, and we want to highlight its amazing flavors through a variety of dishes. Our goal is to provide our valued guests with an exceptional dining experience that celebrates this extraordinary fish,” stated Ester Joy Yap, Assistant Food and Beverage Director of The Manila Hotel.
The Tuna Festival at Café Ilang-Ilang promises a gourmet adventure that showcases a wide array of tuna dishes and an extensive buffet selection. Some of the dishes included are Tuna Kilawin, Tuna Chicharon, Sinigang Tuna Panga sa Miso, Bistek Tuna Belly, Tuna Bicol Express, Sizzling Tuna Sisig, Tuna Kare Kare, Tuna-Shrimp Paella, Grilled Tuna Steak, Tuna Putannesca, and Indian Tandoori Tuna Kebab.
These dishes are available on a rotating line-up at Café Ilang-Ilang’s lunch and dinner buffet until September 30, 2023.
Join us in celebrating the Tuna Festival at Café Ilang-Ilang and revel in a seafood sensation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Philippine seas. For more information, please call (+632) 8527-0011 or (+632) 5301-5500 or email re************@************el.com.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel is the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel has continuously provided the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience.
It has over 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms, including three (3) ballrooms. The hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and the Manila Hotel Health Club.
The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery that offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through different artists’ objective points of view.
It has six (6) dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang, which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
The one I was most excited to taste, to be honest, was the Tuna Salpicao. I’m a big fan of beef salpicao and chicken salpicao … I can even cook both! It is honestly an easy dish to make and so delicious! I was curious to know how it would translate with tuna as the main ingredient.
The Spicy Tuna Spring Rolls held no surprise but I like spicy tuna and I like spring rolls so I got it anyway. Yum!
You must be logged in to post a comment.