The Mr. KIMBOB Experience

A lot of people were really curious upon the opening of this restaurant in the Food court section in SM Manila. Days have passed and we can see that a lot have been trying this unusual looking different combination of food in a huge plate. Last September 10, 2012 (Monday), we decided to try to eat at Mr. Kimbob: The Korean Health Food for a change.

This is their best-seller, the BIBIMBOB which are available in either Beef, Pork or Chicken which Aryl ordered. It only costs 99 pesos and consists of rice, bulgogi beef/ pork/chicken, carrots, bean sprouts, cabbage, spinach, and sunny-side egg. The right way of eating it is to mix all of the ingredients together. That way, you'll be able to appreciate the flavor more and you can't help your self from saying "mmmmm, yummmy, oishi, delicioso!" (whatever language you're using) It's definitely worth every peso. :)

As for me, I ordered the Donkatsu which I think costs me 89 pesos. It is similar to Pork Tonkatsu in Tokyo Tokyo but it has different sauce and with veggie side dish. The serving amount is huge that is why it can surely satisfy you to the fullest. :)

All in all, our visit to Mr. Kimbob had been a great experience. I wouldn't forget this day ever. It was my first day in my new work and we had a huge serving from Mr. Kimbob for dinner. :)

So for food adventurers out there, don't hesitate to try out Mr. Kimbob which can usually be found at SM Food courts near you. :)

Bear's Despedida (Bye for now)

Bear (Mark Lester) will be leaving the Philippines tomorrow 7-12-12 Thursday to Saudi and will be staying there for good. He's a very close friend to us especially Aryl, they're like brothers. He's busy recently completing his requirements, passport, VISA etc, and we're also both busy with our duties with great help from our unpredictable schedules, it's so hard to make a schedule for our reunion. With great persistence, I was able to plan a reunion a while ago, a short Lunch date at Mang Inasal near St. Luke's QC. Good thing it's my day off today, we were able to see each other again for the last time before he leave for Saudi.

This was taken a while ago at Mang Inasal near St. Luke's QC

He's a great friend; the three of us are always together when we decide to watch movies, and indulge ourselves with food. :) I have collated several pics (below) to relive the Bear memories which we'll always treasure and cherish.. :) We have tried the Unli Sushi buffet at Sakae Sushi at robinson's Ermita, then we have lots of Siomai Parties and Vincesanity (carbonara) moments.

The picture on the upper right is when we undergone IV Training at Dr. Fe del Mundo Hospital with our friends Mitch, Mark and my nephew Darren last April 2011. The two pictures on the lower part was during our First Aid and BLS training at Red Cross Valenzuela Chapter last January 2011. :) Despite of Body-aching activities, we are all happy learning together with our friends.

He'll surely be missed... :) Hope we'll still be able to see each other again.. :)

Operation Tuli by SAS Batch '88

Here's another late post. The continuation of the Medical Mission. 

 

A month after the Medical mission, Operation Tuli was successfully held last April 21, 2012 (Saturday). It was organized again by the alumni of St. Anthony School batch '88. This time they needed a lot of volunteer doctors and nurses for this mission. My nephew Darren is part of a rescue team in Makati that is why he invited some of his teammates to the Operation Tuli. 

At first, we watched the demonstration by the doctor, we then went to our stations and assisted the other doctors that will perform the circumcision. A lot of boys aged 10-13 went to the said program. We have performed circumcision to a total of 88 boys. Some of them cried while others bravely bear with the operation and some still managed to smile after.

I realized that this part of their life is an important chapter for them. As we interview some of the boys, most of them were happy because they wouldn't be teased anymore by their big brothers or other playmates while some of them are just glad they have managed to survive the operation. :)

 Here's a picture of us after the Operation tuli with my two sisters, Darren along with his team mates. We were busier this day than the previous Medical Mission. After we have finished an operation, we'll just change the equipment then we prepared and set up for another operation. We barely rest for a few minutes for our lunch break then its game time again. :)

with Batch 88 alumni and other student volunteers

It was very tiring and fulfilling at the same time. :)

Medical Mission by SAS '88

This is a very late post but still I want to share this experience. 

The Saint Anthony School Alumni Association headed by Batch 1988 has organized a Medical Mission last March 24, 2012 (Saturday) as part of the fund raising activities for the Alumni Homecoming next January 2013. 

The Batch 1988 alumni gathered these sponsors for the said event: Johnson and Johnson's, Jollibee, Magic Sarap.

Me and my nephew Darren volunteered as nurses for the Medical Mission. We were signed up by my sister Vilma which is part of the Batch 88 organizers. The stage is where the admitting area was held. The canteen was transformed to the Medical mission area. Everyone has a lot of things to do in every area, we are divided into Admitting, Medical, Dental, Blood Sugar,  ECG and Giveaways for the patient.I was assigned in the ECG station, Darren was in the Admitting section. My sister Vilma is responsible for giving goods to the patients and my other sister Ghie helped the mascot Jollibee in giving away free slippers to the patients.

Free slippers for everyone.. :)

I met Nurse Gen from Arguelles. She taught me additional information about ECG and I helped her in assisting the patients. Mostly of the patients that we catered to in ECG were elderly.

There are a lot of patients who came during the Medical Mission. We started at 8am and yet there are a lot of people already in line for the medical mission as early as 7am. After the event, every volunteer also received some goods and snacks. Despite of the hard work, heat and excitement, we had our lunch then took some pictures.

Here's Jollibee posing with the alumni of Batch 88.

Tired Jollibee... :p

There's no more rewarding feeling than doing some volunteer work and seeing a lot of people happy after helping them. :) I'm so thankful to my sister that I was able to experience this. It was a lot of fun and can't wait for the next one. :)

Vincesanity and FFF with BF and BFF... :)

Last April 27, 2012 (friday), my bf (Aryl) and bff (Bear) has decided to visit our house and make our lunch. We often had this reunion wherein we indulge ourselves with food. :)  We have already tried the Siomai Party several times (Siomai from David's Tea House) then we had also tried the Unlimited Suhi Buffet at Sakae Suhi Robinson's Manila last July 2, 2011. So much fun and it made us so full because we ate a lot (see the plates :p) and didn't ate another sushi since then (kidding!) :p

Sakae Sushi experience

They bought some ingredients for carbonara and fish fillet. Our friend Bear cooked the sauce for the carbonara. :) I cooked the pasta and help with the materials and ingredients... :) They named their own version of carbonara VINCESANITY and there's another version called Poor Man's carbonara. :) Aryl made the FFF (Fried Fish Fillet) :) I think it was past 2pm then, that's why we we're hurrying up so we could eat it. So hungry. T_T

Hooray for teamwork... :)

Aryl happily grates the cheese.. :)

And here's the end product of our bonding in the kitchen... :)

Vincesanity (carbonara) and Fried Fish Fillet

We talked about many things while enjoying the food. :) Then we watched Mission Impossible 4 and Seven Swords. :) Then we ate it again.

Yummy much ^_^

Itadakimasu! (Let's eat)

 It is indeed a great day. Looking forward to another bonding moment with them.. :) 'Til next time. :)

Chicken BonChon Mania (now in SM Manila!)

Have you ever tried a different kind of fried chicken from Chicken BonChon? If not, then it's time to explore those taste buds! Chicken BonChon is a South Korean-based fried chicken franchise restaurant. It is very famous in New York and other states of America, that is why it is often quoted as the Best Chicken in America. There are also branches in Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and it is finally here in the Philippines. Mr. Scott Tan owns the Philippine franchise who franchised it directly from South Korea.

Here are the menu offered in Chicken BonChon which are all available in different branches in Manila and other branches in the Phlippines. 

From Chicken BonChon Philippines Facebook page

I first tried BonChon in Greenbelt 1 branch which was introduced to us by my friend Josephine during our reunion last December 21, 2011. I liked it a lot especially the garlic flavored chicken. What makes it different from other fried chickens, is that it is cooked-to-order, double fried and hand brushed piece-by-piece with their savory secret sauces. There'd this Soy Garlic Sauce and the Hot Sauce. I want others to try it too, that is why last December 23, 2011, we (Me and Aryl) ate again at BonChon this time on the Ayala Triangle Gardens Branch. There are a lot of people who are in line to eat at BonChon that it why it is wiser if you'll reserve early especially when you're already hungry. We watched the Lights and Sounds Show as we wait for our turn. Despite of the long queue and hours of waiting, the food is surely worth the wait. :)

Good news to Manila residents, because Chicken BonChon is finally coming at SM MANILA!!! I swear, when I first saw the huge tarpaulin, it was like a eye-popping, jaw-dropping reaction and said Oh my God!  Here we are with my nieces Macy and Denice and nephew Nico posing on the BonChon tarpaulin. Excited much.. :)

Mark your calendars everyone! :)

 

Chicken BonChon opens at SM Manila (4th floor near SM Cinemas) on APRIL 28, 2012 (Saturday) 10:00 am - 9:00 pm. See you there.. :)

 

Family Summer Outing @ Llanes Resort, Laguna

It's summer time again and our awaited summer outing has finally come. We have spent 2 days and 1 night at Llanes Resort, Pansol Laguna last April 14-15, 2012. Since March came, we have so many things to celebrate about such as Graduation days and Birthdays. Luckily, the day of our outing fell exactly on my birthday April 15, that is why it is very special for me and will surely be on my list of top memorable birthdays ever. :) 

Aside from our tarpaulin, I made a greeting page for everyone who has something to celebrate about. Including Kuya Jake's Birthday on March 28, 2012 (sorry, it's not on the picture). We started a small program with a prayer then opening remarks by my mother and brother. Then started lunch by blowing the candles from lots and lots of cupcakes.

While, waiting for the sun to go down, we have divided into 5 groups with 4 members each and adapted the name of the houses in Hogwarts (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Hogwarts) and used the point system as well. We played some games such as tattoo modeling, Scavenger hunt, Egg hunt, Karaoke, Jumping rope, 7-up and Pinoy Henyo. I have prepared most of the games we played and it is very nice to know that everyone is not only participating but also enjoying themselves.

The Search for Best Tattoo Model 2012

This is the compilation of the pictures in one of our games (The Search for Best Tattoo Model 2012). The tattoos are sponsored by my brother Ronald in the upper left. Everyone enjoyed picking the tattoo they want and started putting them already. And some got carried away and placed the entire pad on his chest. haha :p 

We started swimming as soon as the afternoon shade came, we played some more games such as dodge ball and volleyball in the pool, longest breath underwater and worm. We ate some snacks and swim some more until it's late at night.

I woke up at 8am the next day and everyone greeted me a Happy Birthday. It was indeed very happy thanks to all of my brothers and sisters who made it all happen. The sun was shining so bright, and the water in pool is so hot even the water from the shower and faucet, that is why we didn't swim much during noon. We tallied the scores from the games we played: Hufflepuff team is the 4th runner-up, Gryffindor is the 3rd runner up, Slytherin came in 2nd, Ravenclaw (our team) won the 1st runner-up and Hogwarts became our champion during our Familympic Games 2012. :) We even had an awarding ceremony, and handed out certificates for the team and individuals who won in the games.

Before leaving the resort, it wouldn't be complete if we (me with my nieces Macy and Denice) wouldn't have out ten shots picture taken as well as our family picture together. We soon left the place group by group and thankfully, everyone arrived in their homes safely. This day is surely a day that I would never forget. Hope to have a part 2 next year... :)

MDV Group picture

Our family's wacky shot :p

Family Comes First

Since this is the first post ever for my new blog, I decide to write something that everyone can relate to. Whether it is Nuclear (mother + father + children), Extended (M+F+C+aunt/grandparents/cousins etc), or raised by a Single Parent, raised by Grandparents, and even Broken ones are what we all still consider  as FAMILY.

courtesy of  IMDb.com

"Family Comes First" is a common phrase nowadays but I encountered it first or at least realized its real meaning while watching the movie "Click" by Adam Sandler in 2006. It's about a workaholic architect who finds a universal remote control that can take him to different parts of his life. It was great at at first but the remote has a mind of its own and fast-forwarded his life even if he doesn't want it to. He ended up missing important moments and events of his family's life. He was given a second chance and then realized that he should cherish every second spent with his family.

From then on, that phrase has become memorable for me and has applied it ever since. I loved my family ever since but loved them even more after watching and realizing their value. I always remind myself that anybody can bring you down or turn their backs at you, your classmate, workmates, partner, even your friends can do so, but only your Family will always be there to support you, will be waiting for you with welcoming open arms even if you forget, leave or run away from them.

I wrote this to remind myself and others that no matter how busy we are with our studies, work, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, partner, we must always make time to be with our family especially when one of them is celebrating their Birthday, Anniversary, Christmas Party or even just a simple family gathering. We might not know this, but our mere presence means the world to our family who is celebrating an occasion. 

I want to introduce to you my family. :) This was taken last Christmas 2011. I'm the youngest in the family, I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters. My father died when he was only 54 years old, I was only 7 years old then. My mother remained strong despite our loss and she managed to unite our family, make us happy and instill us values that she learned from her parents and experience. 

"We may not have a large house, luxurious cars, or huge amount of money, but I know that as long as we have each other, we'll be happy."

 I love my family so much, they have been such a blessing in my life.