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.