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Author: Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

  • Attended Barre3 Community Class at The Spa Wellness (Trinoma, Quezon City)

    Attended Barre3 Community Class at The Spa Wellness (Trinoma, Quezon City)

    I signed up for a class at Barre3, Trinoma without knowing anything prior other than that I have to bring a small towel, water bottle, extra clothes and non-slip socks (optional) and that I should not have a medical condition. Also, I had this tiny bit of overview on Barre3 which I read from its website:

    “Barre3 evolves the dancer’s workout by combining the grace of the ballet barre with the wisdom of yoga and the strength of Pilates. Barre3 classes are set to an upbeat soundtrack and follow a vigorous pace moving through a sequence of postures designed to shape and lift the entire body.”

    As you know (or not), as much as I’m all about food, I’m all about fitness, too! Barre3 is new to me, so I’m more than willing and excited to try it. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is hard but is necessary.

    In this post, I will be sharing what I learned from attending the Barre3 community class for the first time. Also, I will listing a set of reminders on how to prepare before attending one (just in case you’re interested to join in).

    What to Do in Preparation for a Barre3 Class

    1. Wear the Right Clothes

    Upon knowing that Barre3 is a combination of Pilates, yoga and ballet, my initial thought for the appropriate attire consisted of: yoga pants, sweatshirt, sports shirt and anything comfortable. High-five if you’re thinking the same. We’re right.

    When attending a barre3 class, wearing shorts is not recommended because you will be sitting and lying down on the floor about half of the time. You don’t want your skin to be injured by friction or get really dirty afterwards. Also,  this is not the time to be wearing a ballerina’s tulle skirt.

    2. Wear Non-slip Socks or Go Barefoot

    Non-slip socks are those with grips on the bottom and have good traction. Wear these (and not thin socks or regular socks). In my case, since I don’t own a pair of non-slip socks and did not consider buying one for the sake of this class, I just went barefoot which is fine.

    3. Eat a Complete Meal

    You don’t want to feel your stomach growling because of hunger as you can’t concentrate on the barre3 workout exercises. You also don’t want to fall ill because of lack of energy. Hence, eating a complete meal is ideal to make sure that you have something substantial in your stomach at least an hour before the class.

    4. Come on Time (or Earlier to Perform Pre-warm-up Exercises)

    In any session, event or activity, coming late is a no-no, in my book. Showing up on time (or early) is a sign of professionalism and responsibility. Plus, if you’re early, you can have more time to prepare yourself by doing pre-warm-up exercises before the actual warm-up exercises. Trust me, you’ll need them.

    5. Have the Proper Mindset

    It’s good to be prepared both physically and mentally. Know that you signed up for this class not to play around, meet faces and pass time. In addition, having negative thoughts such as “I can’t do it” or “This is too hard” will not do anything beneficial for the exercise. I remember one of my friends say, “It’s all mental” 😆 and he’s right! Expect to feel body pain but accomplish your goal of finishing the class. In other terms, don’t think of giving up.

    Lessons Learned from Attending a Barre3 Community Class at The Spa Wellness (Trinoma, Quezon City)

    1. Barre3 is Not Easy

    Sure, I perform workouts regularly. However, this does not mean that I am not challenged by the exercises in this Barre3 community class. The steps were not all comfortable and familiar. Not one person in the class had been able to perform every single exercise perfectly. In the same vein, not one person in the class was discouraged either. The class had a supportive environment. Everyone worked at her own level, and the instructor was helpful.

    2. Persistence is Key

    Yup, I felt my thighs shaking. I breathed heavily with the tiny beads of perspiration forming on my back and forehead. Despite that, eyes closed, I thought and smiled to myself: I’m hooked. I may not be the best one in the class but definitely I may be one of the most persistent. When the instructor says last four counts or last 30 seconds, PUSH was all I did.

    3. Don’t Compare

    Comparing yourself against others will do no good in barre3. It’s better to keep track of your own progress so you remain focused. Don’t see the flaws of others; see yours. Have faith; your mental fortitude is half of the battle.

    This is the ends of my post. Hope you enjoyed reading! Now, tell me – have you tried attending a barre3 class before? Did you love it or hate it? Tips are much welcome! To find out more about Barre3 Philippines, check their FAQ page here.

    Barre3 Studio Philippines (inside The Spa Wellness)
    3rd Floor, Wellness Zone, TriNoma Mall, North Ave., Quezon City, Philippines
    For inquiries, contact 9008809

  • Review of Lugang Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Review of Lugang Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Last Saturday, my family and I planned to have dinner at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in SM Mall of Asia. However, because the restaurant is situated at the veranda, dining customers have to pay an additional fee (PHp 750-PHp 1500 per person) even if they are not watching the pyromusical competition from 6:30PM onwards. Hence, we resorted to dining in Lugang Café, since we had been wanting to try their food for so long.

    Lugang Café is a restaurant under the Bellagio Management Group of Companies based in Shanghai. Today, it’s considered as the best contemporary Taiwanese restaurant in Manila. Aside from Taiwanese food, this stall has been also drawing rave reviews for its healthy mix of Szechuan and Shanghainese cuisine.

    Review of Lugang Café (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    I told my dad recently that there are more and more restaurants nowadays that have sleek and modern interior designs as compared to before when decors were nothing grand and the emphasis was only on food. One of the most eye-catching units in a restaurant must be the ceiling. And that’s exactly where your eyes would wander the moment you step into Lugang Café. Those elegant lights can’t go unnoticed for sure!

    Just like in its other branches, Lugang Café in MOA has an ambiance that’s very relaxing and upscale. Judging solely from the design, no one might easily recognize it as a Taiwanese restaurant. The tables and chairs, the counter and even the staircase are arranged neatly. Impressive and captivating are two words that are best used to describe the overall feel of the place.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Lugang Café in SM Mall of Asia rarely has a few customers. Despite the busyness of the place, good customer service was maintained throughout our stay. Staffs were knowledgeable on the menu, polite in recommending must-tries and were attentive in requests by guests.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Many people are already familiar with bola-bola siopao, meat dumplings or just plain meatball, but not many have tried xiao long bao yet. If you’re one of those who haven’t, please do yourself a favor and try it now! I bet that once you do, you’d be hard-pressed to go back for another order. 🙂

    Lugang Café is quite known for its xiao long bao as it comes in different flavors:

    • Steamed Crab Roe and Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 288),
    • Steamed Angled Loofah with Shrimp  Xiao Long Bao (PHp 228),
    • Steamed Taro Xiao Long Bao (PHp 228),
    • Steamed Chocolate Xiao Long Bao (PHp 288),
    • Steamed Kimchi and Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 268) and
    • Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 248).

    Sadly, assorted flavors cannot be taken in one order just like what Paradise Dynasty in Singapore offers. With that said, if you want to try them all, you have to get the eight pieces in the same flavor as a set one by one. And that’s exactly what I’m planning to do, since I’m very intrigued on how they taste. :’> On second thought, this plan might ruin my diet. Oh no. Cannot. I’ll just have to take it slow then. Nobody is pressuring me anyway haha.

    Officially, we got one down (five to go in my next visits)! Lugang Café’s Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao (PHp 248, 8 pieces) or “Soup Dumplings” was made with meat filling swimming in flavorful broth, all wrapped up in perilously thin dumpling skin. In the tonging process, you’ll get a burst of innards full of piping hot soup to warm your soul and a pork ball.

    I know it’s difficult to make xiao long bao, seeing the chefs perform live through the transparent glass from outside the restaurant.

    Because each piece is so tiny that it can easily fit into the mouth, I suggest swallowing it as a whole. Lugang Cafe’s version of the soup dumplings was delightful. So nice. Like a dream.

    The next dishes we had are all safe for pescetarians. Since Lent season is coming up, you might as well take note of these dishes for your own liking.

    We especially recommend the Taiwanese Salt and Pepper Squid 台灣椒鹽魷魚 (PHp 290). We love fried calamari of all kinds, so it’s no surprise that this one also became an instant favorite. Seasoned with salt and pepper, the squid chunks were lightly battered. The coating was crispy and the pieces were just tender and not rubbery. The squid, as you can see in the picture below, is not ring type like those typically in Filipino pulutan or pica-pica. Vinegar was served as perfect condiment.

    Second dish was the Spicy Garlic Fish in Claypot (PHp 340). The main ingredients included tofu and fish—skin-on, a little wobbly but plenty rich in flavor. The sauce was spicy but not so much intense that it would fire up your taste buds. A pro tip: request for chili sauce if you sense that the taste becomes monotonous.

    The Kung Pao Tofu (Vegetarian) (PHp 280) consisted of chunks of crispy tofu that stayed crispy even when they’re soaked in sauce. With lots of chili, this dish was really spicy. Want complexity? Adding black vinegar will improve the flavor.

    Finally, we had the House Special: Pineapple and Shrimps Stuffed in Crullers (PHp 290). What is a cruller? A quick search via Google revealed that “a traditional cruller is a fried pastry often made from a rectangle of dough, with a cut made in the middle that allows it to be pulled over and through itself producing twists in the sides of the donut.”

    I didn’t appreciate the presence of the crullers in this dish, and I’m not sure if they were there. What’s guaranteed is that the pineapples and shrimps made a good pairing. I’ve learned that these two are normally threaded on skewers and tossed on the grill for a fun luau-inspired dish. With mayonnaise, Lugang Café’s version almost seemed like a hot prawn salad.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    All in all, Lugang Café is a very solid choice for Taiwanese food! I’ve always had the impression that food prices here are exaggerated. Now I can say that it’s a misconception. Prices of food are decent and reasonable. Food quality is their forte and there’s no issue with anything. Sit in for a meal if you ever get a chance; you won’t regret it. Bring a friend or two since the dishes are good for sharing. 🙂 Have a blast!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lugang-Cafe/195092840524714″ name=”Lugang Café” description=”Ground Floor, South Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 02 5550219, +63 9162140822″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-19″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Other branches:

    • Ground Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City | +63 9064555879, 02 4033303
    • Second Floor, The Block, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City | 02 3328725, +63 9157469693
    • 115 Connecticut Street, Northeast Greenhills, San Juan City | 02 5420196
    • SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City | +63 9064555873
  • Philippine Mingsheng Wenyang Sports Association Thanksgiving Party 2014

    Philippine Mingsheng Wenyang Sports Association Thanksgiving Party 2014

    Philippine Mingsheng Wenyang Sports Association had its thanksgiving party last Sunday, in celebration of its eight glorious years in the field of wushu, lion dance and dragon dance. As part of the momentous occasion, we witnessed the ceremonial signing of agreement of Tong Sun and Ming Wei Dragon and Lion Dance Group who joined as member-organizations of our association.

    The event was delightfully done and was an unmatched success. It was held at Royale Sharksfin Seafood Restaurant in Quintin Paredes Street, Binondo, Manila, from 8:00PM to 10:30PM. Honorable guests who graced the event were: 菲律宾武术协会 Philippine Wushu Federation 副理事長蔡清池 Mr. Samson Co and 教务主任許一晖 Mr. Michael Co, 菲中小姐基金会 Ms. Chinatown Foundation 董事长 吴文偉 Mr. Ng, 菲华青年会指导员 Mr. Honorio Tan, 卓世欽先生夫人 Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Co, 菲律宾中国商会 Philippine Chinese Chmaber of Commerce 会长吴啓發 Mr. Jose Go, 菲中台电视台 Chinatown TV 台长施玉娥女士 Ms. Lolita Ching, Mr. Arvin Sy, 菲华电视台 Chinoy TV 制作人姚丽英女士 Ms. Loraine Tan, 东山龙狮团 Tong Sun 团长余东山先生 and 副团长 Mr. Julius Garcia, 明威龙狮团 Ming Wei 团长 Mr. Marcelino Viray and 副团长 Mr. Alie Faisal, 菲律宾明胜文扬体育会 Philippine Mingsheng Wenyang Sports Association 董事长陈德通先生夫人 Mr. Mario Tan, 会长黄正胜先生夫人 Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Sy and 总教练蔡明仁先生夫人 Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Buenviaje.

    Mr. Mario Tan, Chairman of Director of Philippine Mingsheng Wenyang Sports Association officially commenced the event and honored the guests with his welcoming remarks.

    Later, guest speakers Mr. Jose Go, Mr Armando Lutrania and Mr. Marcelino Viray, also imparted their messages.

    Ceremonial Signing of Agreement 簽署協議成为本会团体会员仪式

    As the emcee, I called the representatives of Philippine Mingsheng Wenyang Sports Association, Chairman Mr. Mario Tan and Chief Instructor Shifu Arnold Buenviaje, and also the representatives of Tong Sun Dragon and Lion Dance Group, Group leader Mr. Armando Lutrania and Assistant Group Leader Julius Garcia, for the ceremonial signing of agreement between the Tong Sun and the Mingsheng Wenyang for the Member Organization. Mr. Samson Co and Mr. Honorio Tan served as witnesses.

    This was quickly followed by the ceremonial signing of agreement between Ming Wei Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe and Mingsheng Wenyang. Again, Mr. Mario Tan and President Manuel Sy were requested to come up on stage as representatives of Mingsheng Wenyang. Represenatives of Ming Wei Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe were Troupe Leader Marcelino Viray and Assistant Troupe Leader Alie Faisal. Both parties signed, and Mr. Michael Co and Mr. John Flores stood as witnesses.

    Dinner and Entertainment

    Whetting our appetite were eight Chinese food entrees that were dished up lauriat-style. During the course of dinner, I introduced Camille Margaret Chang, who won first place in a singing contest in Uno High School (elementary division). She sang “童年” and “The Sound of Music” for us heartily.

    Next, we were presented with videos which primarily highlighted the life and experiences of members in Mingsheng Wenyang. Shifu Arnold Buenviaje also projected a video called “A Life of Dream” which featured an autobiography on his life and an inspiring moral about overcoming adversity and fulfilling your purpose and dream.

    Acts of Thanksgiving

    Five of us members shared our testimony about Mingsheng Wenyang. We were pleased to have been given the opportunity to share what we think about the organization and express our gratitude for whatever it is that we gained, learned and improved because of the team.

    Mr. Mario Tan then thanked each of us for the effort and time given to Mingsheng Wenyang. As a token of his appreciation, together with Mrs Lydia Tan, he gave a small hong bao to everyone.

    Recognition of Winners

    12 members who were most active in participating in lion dance events were granted accolade as well and were called as the “12 Magnificent.”

    Moreover, a special recognition, “Member of the Year,” was awarded to Matthew Laurenaria, for having the most number of attendances in lion dance events in 2013.

    The Mingsheng Wenyang team that won second place in the 5th World Dragon and Lion Dance Championship in Putian, China in November 2013 was given recognition and reward. The team that represented the Wushu Federation Philippines in Southern Traditional Lion Event was composed of members: Sheldon Buenviaje, Kenneth Sy, Jesse Yap, Matthew Laurenaria, Ivan Po, Reylwin Caña, Scott So and Psylyx Paras. This was not the only time that Mingsheng Wenyang had won a competition as we have been taking part in several local and international competitions.

    Among the recent events where the team won was the Wushu Discovery Frienship Games, where Mingsheng Wenyang took home won 3 golds, 3 silver and 9 bronzes. In April 2013, Mr. Mario Tan led a six-member team to join the Ancestral Ceremony of the Confederation of Sarping Lion Dance in Singapore. In October 2013, we were invited to perform at the Malaysian Wenyang Sports Association 3rd Founding Anniversary at Johore, Malaysia where our eight-men team performed traditional Wushu and Lion Dance.

    These are all thanks to the members and of course, Shifu Arnold Buenviaje, the man who has been our teacher, friend and father. He’s our strength, and without him, we may just crumble like a deck of cards.

    Birthday Celebration

    For the finale, Mr. Mario Tan, Shifu Arnold Buenviaje and Mr. Manuel Sy, the three pillars of Mingsheng Wenyang, were called to cut their birthday cakes. They have celebrated their birthdays this March. Mr Mario and Shifu Arnold were both born on March 5; and Uncle Manuel, last March 13.

    Wrap Up

    Since Mingsheng has been founded in 2006, I have been one of the members who have seen its humble beginnings and watched it become what it is now. The association is able to strongly promote and provide positive and diverse wushu experiences as well as lion and dragon dances. It is a true-to-life testimony that hard work pays off. With patience and determination to share his skills and talent, our very own Shifu Arnold delivers high performance programs and several events.

    Members, both kids and adults, male and female, are all encouraged to purse not only local but also international competitive excellence. Together with leaders now in the group, they are guided in maximizing their performances and develop their full potential in the discipline of martial arts and related activities.

    Through Mingsheng Wenyang, I have learned not only how to maintain physical fitness and practice wushu but also how to stimulate dreams and make them happen. I’ve learned the real meaning of “No Pain, No Gain” and “Practice Makes Perfect” among other things. As I recognize the competent coaches and officers behind that complete the team, I am very sure that this association will go a long way.

    Although I’m not attending to practices religiously nowadays, I still carry a badge of honor. Just hearing about their success and accomplishments makes me really happy because I know they deserve it.

    All photos are grabbed and edited from Ching A. Jie's album.
  • Review of Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

    Review of Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

    My college friends and I had a mini reunion on March 9, 2014 for the opening of our time capsule. This time capsule was sealed five years ago in our last retreat program (LASARET) held in our final term as students of DLSU. It contained our letters to our future selves and to God and also our creative white paper of commitment as Lasallian achievers for God and country. It wasn’t as exciting for me because I still remembered what I had written. In contrast, my other friends had completely forgotten the messages they wrote. It was funny that some did not recognize their own handwriting!

    The person who kept the time capsule for five years was Johann who’s now permanently residing in General Santos in Mindanao. Can you believe he flew back to Manila just for this activity? Hahaha. Anyway, we had a nice dinner at Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant, Robinsons Magnolia and also a good catch-up.

    Since most of us had not tried dining here before, we all agreed to dining at Conti’s following Louie’s suggestion. I thought this joint only serves cakes and pastries, so I was a bit surprised that their menu as well comes with an array of culinary treasures served as a la carte dishes. To sum up quickly, Conti’s has “satisfied the most important of appetite”…ours! 😛 Read on for the review.

    Review of Conti’s (Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant literally has two sides: a bakeshop and a restaurant. Interior design was clean and consistent both from the outside and inside. On the bakeshop stood refrigerators, which contain their cakes, and shelves where bread, pies and other pastries are displayed. The restaurant side looked like a classy lodge where lights on the ceiling and on the sides did a good job at illuminating the area.

    With blue accents that complemented with beige and wood tones, the ambiance felt like a typical scene from a movie. My only concern is that some tables and chairs were put so closely together that some seated customers need to stand up to make way for others who want to pass between the spaces. (You can’t see that from the picture because I’m referring to the side in far-right near the POS.)

    Service: ★★☆☆☆

    It was around 7-7:30PM when we came in. Conti’s was full house and we had to wait outside in queue until our names were called. Waiting time was almost half an hour, so booking a reservation here as early as possible is very much recommended. Once we were seated, the staff took our orders quickly but served food slowly. After almost an hour of waiting, we had to call the waitresses to follow up on food.

    If we were in a game like “Diner Dash,” “Burger Rush,” “Pizza Frenzy” or “Betty’s Beer” which tests the staff’s ability to serve customers very fast, the game would have been over in like five minutes. The place was so busy at the peak of dinnertime, so maybe Conti’s can hire more employees to take care of customers or streamline their processes without compromising the quality of food.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Louie and I shared two dishes. One was Conti’s Baked Salmon (Php 360) which consisted of Norwegian pink salmon baked with a delicious topping and served with buttered vegetables and rice with almonds. (Sorry, I forgot to take an “autopsy shot” – picture of the salmon’s pinkish flesh.)

    This is one of the food I would choose to eat every day for a year, if I was asked for only one choice. Definitely, the baked salmon tasted fresh and succulent, the best baked salmon I’ve had in my life! I may either have to kidnap the cook of Conti’s and make him my kitchen-slave, or go straight to this den for my fix every time I feel like it.

    The other dish we split into half (in terms of portion) was Conti’s Chicken ala Kiev (PHp 240). I love the usual comfort food with an added twist. This Chicken ala Kiev was made with breaded dried fried boneless chicken filled with cheese and herbs topped with creamy sauce and served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice.

    When I first wrapped my lips around the herbs and cheese inside the chicken, I knew I was hooked. Sure, the plating looked plain but the entire dish well deserves a good chance to get the world to take notice. It was lovely!

    I didn’t bother to taste all food the rest of my friends got, as I was relishing ours. But then, Johann and G offered and it was hard not to accept the taste test even for a small smack. 🙂

    Johann ordered Linguine in Pesto Sauce (PHp 215)—rich green basil sauce served on delicious linguine. It didn’t have toppings and those little shrimps and squid which did not much contribute to the flavor, but the pesto alone was appealing and the sauce was evenly distributed. I thought adding pine nuts will add a more interesting texture to each mouthful.

    Gianne had Chicken Pastel (Php 200) which was a lot like chicken ala king. It was made with chicken chunks, carrots and potatoes with mushroom sauce eaten with flaky crust and served with garlic rice. The mushroom sauce was creamy and fragrant. A taste of its crust made me recall the crust of baked chicken pie my aunt used to order from Uno Seafood Wharf in Escolta, Manila. The flakes shattered slightly on the tooth, giving way to fluffy-yet-dense satisfyingly chewy interior of chicken and button mushrooms.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    It’s been some years since Conti’s first opened, and it’s still around. This means that they must be doing something right. The dishes were really good with reasonable prices to match.

    The restaurant was cozy and it provided an authentic experience. The only thing that suffered some hiccups was service. So I repeat, if you’re planning to dine in at Conti’s, Robinsons Magnolia, book a table right away. In another case, if you’re waiting in line for a ready table, it’s good to order food so you’d get it sooner after getting in.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/contispastryshopandrestaurant” name=”Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant” description=”Ground Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact 02 3854375, 02 6245933″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-17″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

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  • How WeChat’s Cloud Storage Service Can Save Your Day

    How WeChat’s Cloud Storage Service Can Save Your Day

    At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to use products that are useful and beloved. In some cases, these products become too “seamlessly integrated” into our daily lives that they form part of our routine. Examples are social apps we use on our mobile phones.

    Mobile apps have a stable, consistent and thoroughly addicted user base. Some provide really powerful features, while others lack a ton of it. These days, I find myself particularly hooked to using WeChat. And here’s why: this social mobile app acts as a digital notepad!

    How WeChat Backs Up Conversations

    Many forms of emergency, more often than not, require information retrieval. However, unlike good old hard copies, communications done digitally aren’t as easy to keep and store in boxes for safekeeping. Thanks to the Chat History Backup feature of WeChat, conversation histories can be saved and restored to any device for up to seven (7) days. Cue Kim Chiu’s “Isn’t it amazing?”

    WeChat’s Chat History Backup comes with a three-step process:

    1. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Chat History Backup” and then press  “Back Up” for the conversations you’d like to store.

    2. Once you’ve saved your chats, you can protect them by setting a password.

    3. To restore your conversations on any device, simply log on and tap “Restore” on the Chat History Backup window. The backed-up history will be restored to your device from the server.

    How WeChat’s Cloud Storage Service Can Save Your Day

    Below is a rundown of several instances when this cloud storage solution by WeChat saves your ass from encounters wherein you need to refer to your information while on-the-go.

    1. Retrieving important dates

    Let’s face it. We are guilty of forgetting birthdays, anniversaries, or just about any date set for yearly celebrations. Sure, our brains can handle that huge amount of data and even more, but we may just choose not to. Then again, there are details that are tagged as “more important” and “highly prioritized.” With the help of WeChat, you can give your spatial memory an instant boost by referring to conversation histories, which may contain reminders of these occasions.

    Chats with your sister could reveal her listing hole-in-the wall restaurants like 100 Revolving Restaurant in Quiapo or El Chupacabra in inconspicuous Polaris Street in Makati. Also, conversations with your best friend could remind you of the annual Art in the Park exhibit at Salcedo Village, which you’ve planned to go to together.

    2. Keeping lists

    If you observe daily routines, it’s easy to spot how digital messages have long replaced the function of tactile Post-its and refrigerator notes. Lacking several things in the pantry? Your mom could’ve sent you a grocery list via WeChat. Receiving a huge package with separate parts of a bike? One quick check of your history could bring up a message from your dad with DIY instructions—helping you assemble your gear just in time for your mountaineering trip to the dirt trails of Montalban and Camp Aguinaldo.

    3. Retrieving work exchanges

    Aside from notebooks and emails, digital conversations with colleagues have also been reference points for work-related tasks. Missed out on an important detail relayed to you by your teammate over your WeChat group? No problem. Simply retrieve your file either on your desktop, work phone, or personal phone and proceed to finishing your task.

    About WeChat

    WeChat envisions and innovates new ways for people to connect, communicate and share. A mobile social communication app designed for smartphone users, WeChat is the world’s fastest growing social app with over 100 million registered accounts internationally.

    WeChat empowers users in fun and dynamic ways by bringing together messaging, social communication and gaming in one seamless, interactive experience, with comprehensive privacy and security settings that can be tailored as needed.

    WeChat is an all-in-one app that enables users to add friends with several innovative features. These include highly convenient and reliable QR code scanning, phonebook and location-based connection services such as “Hold Together”, “People Nearby” and “Shake.”

    The platform facilitates social interaction with real-time “Walkie Talkie,” “Voice Call,” and “Video Call.” Supported on data networks and Wi-Fi, WeChat makes it easy to stay connected with friends anywhere, anytime. Users can choose to communicate and share photos one-on-one, or within their closed social network through “Moments”.

    The popular WeChat Sticker Shop has a variety of fun animated emoticons to express any emotion.  Also, with a host of addictive WeChat Games, users can play and challenge their friends on the move, share scores and even find competitors nearby.

    WeChat is available free for download on Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows operating systems.

    Learn more about WeChat and download the app at www.wechat.com
    WeChat Philippines Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WeChatPH

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  • Tech in Corporate: Capitalizing on the Power of Smartphones for Business

    Tech in Corporate: Capitalizing on the Power of Smartphones for Business

    Many individuals swear by their smartphones. These internet-capable, hand-held gadgets are perhaps the solutions to many of their day-to-day problems. Want to find out what’s going on the world today? Reading the news on the phone’s web browser can do that. How about locating a specific restaurant downtown or conference rooms in Manila? No problem. Turn on the GPS and internet (be it mobile data or Wi-Fi) and type the keywords in your respective map or other related application such as Zomato. What about keeping in touch with a high school pal? Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have mobile app versions as well.

    Capitalizing on the Power of Smartphones for Business

    The smartphone-craze has reached Philippines shoes as evidenced by the 39% increase of smartphone sales reported last year. The rise of affordable and homegrown phones has also prompted more Pinoys to join the bandwagon.

    Indeed, to own a smartphone nowadays isn’t just a luxury but also considered a necessity. This specifically applies to both employees and employers.

    Let’s focus on the latter.

    A lot of smartphone manufacturers tailor their handsets according to the needs of  businesspeople. They make phones that enable a plethora of apps to function. From then on, accessing documents, watching recorded seminars, replying emails have never been this convenient.

    In a marketing perspective, smartphones can make or break a business owner. How?

    Online presence went mobile ever since the inception of such nifty gadgets. It has indeed become an integral part of marketing for both SMEs and corporations. With just a tap of the finger, consumers can find what they are looking for. As long as you play your cards right, it won’t be long before your target audience can find your business.

    • Generating new leads. People want information right then and there — and they want it on their smartphones. Banking in on mobile marketing is a fantastic way of letting your customers know where you are and what you are up to. If you have a website or blog, make sure it is optimized for mobile use.
    • Increasing sales. Existing marketing methods can only do so much. This generation is definitely inclined to anything over cyberspace. It’s a complete miss not to enjoy the low cost and high attention rates brought about by mobile marketing.
    • Connecting with customers. Building solid relations with your market is key to long-term success. This becomes even more possible with the advent of smartphones. With your company’s social media pages and website/blog, customers can now interact with you. In return, their feedback can guide you in your future strategies — be it customer service improvement or new product ideas.

    Wrap Up

    Smartphones are perhaps every entrepreneur’s miracle — a gadget that allows them to multi-task, receive and send information, and advertize. We’re definitely excited to see what awaits the future for such well-crafted gadgets to the business sphere.

    This is a guest post by Regus PH. Regus PH is one of the country’s leading providers of business solutions either for small start-ups to huge corporations. They have a wide array of serviced accommodation to suit every individual or organisation’s requirements. Regus offers meeting rooms, office spaces and virtual offices. They are currently located in Makati, Manila and Cebu City.
  • Review of COCA Restaurant (SM Aura Premier, Taguig)

    Review of COCA Restaurant (SM Aura Premier, Taguig)

    My friend, Anton, celebrated his birthday with us in COCA Restaurant in SM Aura last week. I came straight from work hurriedly, in the hope not to miss much on both food and conversation. Unfortunately, I failed to arrive in time for the appetizers, blaming the heavy traffic along EDSA.

    On other news, the mini get-together with my college friends has been fun like always. I also felt glad to be in the company of people who care deeply about what they eat. With that preface out of the way, get ready to dig in!

    To give a brief overview, COCA Restaurant was founded in 1957 by Mr. Srichai Phanphensophon and his wife, Mrs. Patama, in Soi Dejo, Thailand. The husband-and-wife tandem started the food business with a small restaurant that could accompany only 20 seaters. But look at how COCA has grown through more than half a decade! It has branches in Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Laos, Myanmar, South Korea and China and just last year (2013), the Philippines.

    The name “COCA” is derived from Mandarin “kekou” (可口), which means “appetizing.” In writing, it’s the same “COCA” as in Coca-cola, which in Chinese is “kekou kele” (可口可乐). COCA Restaurant is pioneering in Thai-style “Suki” steamboat dining. With COCA sauce that’s made by the owner himself, customers may rest assure to enjoy a truly mouth-watering experience.

    Review of Coca Restaurant (SM Aura Premier, Taguig)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    The inviting, warm tones of the dining room spells romance and privacy, bested by the matching dark wood furniture and sheer green curtains. The place looks as outlandish and elegant as ever! It’s easy to judge that COCA Restaurant is a high-caliber, modern place featuring a mix of Thai and Cantonese cooking. At a glance of its chic interior design, I was in awe.


    Service: ★★★★★

    The thing I don’t like in eating crabs is that it has to be messy, and getting its white meat out with spoon and fork or chopsticks proved to be a challenge. COCA Restaurant already knows that, so the waiters often approached us as they offered wet tissue and pincers.

    Other good points worth to mention: The attending waiter helped in cooking food in the hotpot and as well helped in moving us from two separate tables to a bigger table where 11 of us could fit. He refilled our empty glasses with water and even replaced mine as requested immediately. He also took our group picture repeatedly in a friendly manner, until we were all satisfied with the quality of the shot. Yay!


    Food: ★★★★☆

    We started with the Emperor’s Platter with Ojiya (PHp 2750). Okay, let’s say it all together: it had assorted meat, seafood, vegetables and glass noodles. It’s an admirable execution of shabu-shabu or steamboat-style course. All the ingredients were in the proper size without any of them being overwhelming. My favorite among the bunch has to be the enoki mushrooms! It was a decent foundation of our meal.


    Perusing the list of soup bases, we vetoed clear chicken broth (quite bland in taste) on one side and tom yum (sour and spicy) on the other. Both were prepared with fresh ingredients, herbs and spices. The induction plate was right in the middle of our round table. Without the long wait, the broth bubbled away and we began dropping the ingredients into it.


    Packed with various items, the hotpot broth had developed more flavor. Some ingredients like the tofu benefited from a longer soak. Soon enough, we got them out using the wire strainer, careful not to overcook.

    Along with our pot of steaming broth, we also enjoyed the Pacific Sunset (PHp 1700), which consisted of live king crab, squid, tiger prawn, pork sausage, corn with a hint of spice and aromatics. I could hardly rank the various seafood in order according to my liking, since everything was equally delicious indeed.


    The Pacific Sunset came with this platter of garlic bread which was not crunchy as expected. You may forget it and opt for rice instead.

    On the menu, COCA offers rice in different variants: Shrimp Fried Rice (PHp 200, Small; PHp 300, Large), Roasted Duck Rice (PHp 280), Roasted Pork Belly Rice (PHp 280), and COCA Yang Chow Fried Rice (PHp 200, Small; PHp 300, Large). I bet the first three are super strong in flavor, so the best, if you still intend to eat flavored rice rather than just plain white rice, would be the Yang Chow. And that’s exactly what we had. The judgement? I loved it, more than David’s Tea House‘s version.

    Sliced thinly, against the grain, the tender slips of Steamed US Prime Striploin in Soy Sauce and Ginger (PHp 650) were a chamion. The meat was lean, supple and well-seasoned, like Maru Korean Restaurant‘s beef hash. It gets beefier when you get your second piece. If there’s one complaint to be made, it’s that it runs a tad on the greasy side. But sometimes, that’s exactly what makes it more appealing. In any case, white rice will be a great accompaniment.


    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    A reliable, recommendable Thai-Cantonese spot is a hard to find these days, so I’m happy to point you to this one. However, unless you’re a gambling man, a meal here (or most other restaurants in SM Aura, for that matter) can feel a little unnerving because of the prices. With exceedingly expensive amount tagged to each dish on COCA Restaurant’s menu, the ordering process is most difficult. You have to make sure to get the right stuff to get your money’s worth, of course.

    Then again, if you want to skip navigating the list for long, feel free to order the same dishes we had as these represent a portion of sure-fire hits that are guaranteed to result in return visits.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/COCArestaurantPH” name=”COCA Restaurant” description=”5/F SM Aura Premier, Sky Park, McKinley Parkway McKinley Hill, Taguig” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 218-1110″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-03-10″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Grilla Bar and Grill (Poblacion, Makati)

    Review of Grilla Bar and Grill (Poblacion, Makati)

    Grilla Bar & Grill in Makati isn’t exactly in my radar since it’s far from my place and I don’t like Filipino cuisine very much. Still, I had no qualms in attending Grilla’s taste-testing event last Saturday. This 2014, Grilla is celebrating a huge milestone as it remains to be standing strong in the restaurant business for 16 years. Wow! This only means that many customers are patronizing their food and are in full appreciation of their dishes which are scoured from all over the archipelago.

    Below is a picture of me and Grilla Bar & Grill’s head chef. Together with the owners, he welcomed everyone heartily. We were served with some seriously tasty food on an exotic yet accessible menu that eschews the entrees for something much more than your usual Filipino food.

    Review of Grilla Bar and Grill (Poblacion, Makati)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Dinner at Grilla is a dignified affair. Even with the menu comprising of mostly pulutan finds that complement beers and alcoholic drinks, the atmosphere is modern and classy. The lights are almost dim. The couches are comfortable, and the bar’s counter looks like the center of attraction upon entrance.


    This branch has two floors and both floor areas are spacious. Grilla Bar and Grill must be a hit for those celebrating their birthdays, graduation, anniversaries, job promotions, etc., as it can accommodate plenty of guests on board.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The staffs were friendly and service was good and fast. I can’t comment any further as we were held in a group for the special event and I’m not sure how they function in normal day-to-day dining scenarios.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    We started with Tofu and Sigarilyas Sisig (PHp 145), which unlike the regular sisig we know, did not consist of pig cheeks, ears and snout. Rather, it was more like a treat for vegetarians. Little squares of tofu and chilies abound. Squeeze that calamansi to make each bite more flavorful. It’s the kind of “pulutan” dish that’s easy to love.

    Next was Ilocos Dinuydoy (PHp 300), a traditional Ilocano dish made of mashed squash and ampalaya with bagnet on top. When anyone at your table cries out with squeamishness, feel free to ignore them and order this to complete your meal with veggies and meat in one go. I didn’t eat the pork part. I can only comment that it smelled really good, one that would take you straight to “pork heaven.” The mashed squash was nice and the taste was not overbearing.

    There are times when you’ll want something more then just a sour soup that warms the soul. In these situations, if you’re fond of Filipino food, pretty much you would end up getting a bowl of sinigang soup. But check this out: Beef Kansi (PHp 345) is a cross between a sinigang and bulalo soup that’s famous in Bacolod. The taste of sinigang x bulalo indeed is super strong, so eat it with rice. A soup like this shouldn’t be relegated to just in the rainy season. You may be happy to enjoy it during summer, too.

    Inihaw na Manok sa Sinampalukan (PHp 225), or in English, grilled chicken in tamarind stock, is another dish that needs to be paired with rice unless you want that sourness and saltiness to emanate and rejoice in your mouth. The texture of the chicken was a knockout; its taste was just like fresh from the grill. After it’s put into the soup, the combination was structurally sound.

    Of the offerings, Inadobong Tilapia sa Gata at Sili (PHp 225) is the one I vote as best. The crisp fish came bathed in a pleasingly salty, buttery-coconut broth laced with some spice. The delicacy in the layering of texture and flavor was apparent. It’s good to eat the tilapia together with rice and those greens in a mouthful.

    Poqui Poqui (PHp 145) is simply eggplant torta cut into small strips. It’s a relatively light option among all these dishes. I prefer it with tomato catsup. 🙂

    Lechon Liempo ala Cebu (PHp 850/kg) looked so fatty so I didn’t bother to taste it even a bit. I thought the pork actually went overboard on the oily cravings upfront. With visible pools of grease, the meat might have lacked the wealth of flavor that serves as a lifeline for many of health and diet-conscious folks. It’s okay to give it a shot if you’re really a huge fan of lechon liempo.

    Cebu is known for its chicharon and Grilla Bar and Grill’s Chicharong Cebu (PHp 160). The pork skin was freshly fried and it had all the right textures: crispy, crunchy and bubbly. It gives you much more than your average snack. It’s obviously not the healthiest or most sophisticated, but just the best when you’re hungry, broke drunk or all three.

    Pork BBQ and Salted Egg Triangles (PHp 185) had a sheer contrast of salt and sweet tastes. Dip the fried triangles in vinegar and you might find yourself gasping in awe. However, again I warn you: the dish is quite oily. Soak it on tissue paper to rid some excess oil.

    Grilla-a-Palayok (PHp 695) consisted of maya-maya, mussels, shrimps, clams, thinly sliced beef and pork shortplate cooked over very hot stones served with pork lemongrass broth, sinamak, grilled eggplant and nilasing na mangga. The soup base, poured from the kettle, was lightly sour. I don’t know what the kitchen was trying to imply but we found that there were still sands inside the shells (clams and mussels). Did they purposely wanted to retain the sands? Of course, there’s the natural saltiness we tasted. On another regard, the presentation of food was unavoidable. I mean, look at that smoke from the earthen pot!

    Okay, let me take back what I said… More than the Inadobong Tilapia sa Gata at Sili, the Halo Halo Spring Rolls (PHp 135) which was made of jackfruit and banana wrapped in spring roll wrapper (lumpia/turon) topped with ube ice cream was the one I liked best. This dessert came as a delightful surprise. With warm spring rolls and decadent cream, it’s the perfect ending to a scrumptious Filipino meal.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    We walked away really stuffed. Grilla Bar and Grill in Makati is an all-time good restaurant you’d want to visit for a good bonding with friends, especially those who want to get high at night. With entrees ranging from over PHp 100 to PHp 400 on the average, the prices are friendly. It’s wise to share small plates as food’s portion sizes are generous.

    If you’re into drinking alcohol, their menu is perfectly set up for it. My only advice is to order rice because almost all the dishes are very salty. Probably that’s what Ilocos cuisine is primarily about.

    Thanks, Aldous, for the invite!

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    Other branches:
    Ground Floor, Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan City | 02 7266200
    Sumulong Highway, Across Valley Golf, Mambugan, Antipolo City | 02 5700499