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  • Review of Osaka Ohsho Philippines (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong)

    Review of Osaka Ohsho Philippines (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong)

    For Japanese food lovers, Osaka Ohsho would probably be a mini paradise. This is where you get a taste of different sorts of gyozas and dishes that guarantee a highly satisfying meal. It dares to cross the boundary from the usual ramen place that’s quite rampant now in the city to one that’s serving another Japanese food specialty: the gyoza. Other than the Philippines, “King of Gyoza” Osaka Ohsho has branches in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Korea.

    In my recent visit to its branch in SM Megamall Fashion Hall, I had stood witness on how the gyozas were made by hand from scratch. For less than a minute there, I thought that if anyone would like to explore the depth and complexity of preparing “The World’s Number One Gyoza,” then definitely watching behind Osaka Ohsho’s open kitchen won’t be anything less than ideal.

    It’s also wonderful how Osaka Ohsho consistently surprises and pleases customers as they keep coming up with creative and innovative kinds of gyoza. What are the brand new gyoza flavors launched this season? Let’s find out! 😉

    Review of Osaka Ohsho Philippines (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    We chose to come in for late lunch on a Saturday, yet surprisingly, the place was still packed both inside and outside. That said, do expect some buzz and noise throughout. Despite that, Osaka Ohsho in SM Megamall has a comforting aura that makes me want to return after the first visit.

    We were fortunate to get a good seating in one of those circular chairs with chic old newspaper pattern against the wall. Lightly decorated with Japanese-inspired features, this restaurant is appropriate for the modern casual-dining environment.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The minute we stepped into Osaka Ohsho, we were greeted with or get startled by a chorus of “irrashaimase.” Japanese hospitality was conveyed. The customer service was good as the service crew was attentive and provided good advice in helping diners get the best value from their food. There is no doubt that the Osaka Ohsho pays top attention to the source and quality of ingredients and team in the kitchen is effective and efficient in preparing great dishes.

    Food: ★★★★★

    Osaka Ohsho serves three traditional kinds of gyoza: Original (P175/6pcs., P350/12pcs.), Cheese (P190/6pcs., P380/12 pcs.) and Nori (P190/6pcs., P380/12 pcs.). Now, infusing some twist, the new flavors, namely the Bacon and Cheese (P190/6pcs., P380/12 pcs.) and the Peanut Butter & Banana (P190/6pcs., P380/12 pcs.), are added to the menu. The new gyoza flavors are available only for a limited time for everyone’s dining pleasure.

    Honestly, I could not tell the difference among the tastes of the original, cheese and nori apart from one another. It might be that I dipped too much miso sauce with chili oil—or that I was much overwhelmed by the superb taste of the Bacon and Cheese gyoza that I forgot how the classic ones fared. 😛

    In any case, I’m sure that all the gyozas tasted great! With one side crispy, golden brown and slightly burnt and another side with a soft skin, Osaka Ohsho’s gyozas were made with a mouthful of tender juicy minced meat fillings which had a mix of textures. The wrapper was sturdy and moderately thick, never doughy. It was tender with a bit of elastic chew and a translucency that barely reveals the stuffing inside.

    As a dessert, the Peanut Butter & Banana Gyoza is a perfect nibble for both adults and kids alike. This gyoza does not contain meat. Rather, for a good hot and cold contrast, it’s filled with Jif crunchy peanut butter and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. And no, there’s no polite way to eat it. We had no more shame in scraping the peanut butter and ice cream delight off the bowl after demolishing the gyoza. Yummy!

    Moving on, we also tried the Special Fuwatoro Tenshin Han Curry Cheese Tonkatsu (PhP 460). It’s a Fuwatoro Tenshin Han dish surrounded by a flavorful Japanese curry sauce and topped with crispy fried pork tonkatsu stuffed with melted cheese. The curry sauce surrounding the super fluffy egg omelet wrapped around rice was rich and delicious. Even without the star of the dish which is supposedly the tonkatsu, I think I’ll be completely pleased with the egg, curry sauce and Japanese rice with sesame seeds. The combination is that good.

    Another premium rice dish we had was the Fuwatoro Tenshin Han Ebi Tempura (PhP 395). It’s composed of steamed Japanese Koshihikari rice also enveloped in a soft, airy egg omelet dome immersed in a light Japanese gravy and topped with crispy fried Japanese ebi tempura. Let it sit for a moment before diving in, as the flavorful sauce will soak deliciously down into the rice below.

    Not so fond of either tonkatsu or ebi tempura? You can opt for the Fuwatoro Tenshin Han Chicken Karaage (PhP 395) or Fuwatoro Tenshin Han Mabo Tofu (PhP 380) instead. These are available as set meals good for two people to share, with six pieces of gyoza, miso soup and fruit plates.

    The Osaka Ohsho Salad (PhP 195 for half/ PhP 330 for full) looked lively with fresh Romaine lettuce, Lolo Rosa, and Iceberg lettuce mixed with cherry tomatoes, sweet ripe mangoes, grilled crabsticks, and crispy candied walnuts. The aroma which permeated each bite was Osaka Ohsho’s signature honey citrus miso dressing. Quite unique.

    Next, the Black Vinegar Chicken (PhP 325) turned out to be a stir-fried hodgepodge of fully marinated chicken, bell peppers and chunks of pineapples in a gloppy sweet soy-based sauce. The real deal packed a flavorful punch. It was savory balanced with a touch of sweetness and a splash of dark vinegar for a fragrant acidity. If you’re looking for something light though, this is not for you. I found that I needed rice to balance the strong flavor somehow.

    The bowl of Beef Sukiyaki (PhP 380) was anchored with thinly-sliced beef, onions, noodles and surrounded by vegetables and some mushrooms. The soup’s broth was slightly sweet, light and delicious. Everything was incredibly good and nothing was out of place, seeming like a stroke of genius. On a rainy day, I would like to come back to Osaka Ohsho and order this particularly for lunch or dinner.

    We also enjoyed the Yakisoba (PhP 348), which was presented with an assortment of veggies on top. The glass noodles were hearty and a little chewy. It was far from the instant noodle-yakisoba from groceries I’m more familiar with. You can expect a shot of freshly cooked noodles sans the weird-tasting teriyaki sauce and spice.

    Under Yakimono (Grilled) items, the Saba Shio Yaki (Roasted Mackerel) (PhP 310) is exactly the kind of fish you must order in Osaka Ohsho. It might seem simple, but getting that oily, salty fish skin to a perfectly crisp char is an art. The grilled salt-seasoned mackerel was served with finely grated daikon (I think).

    For my drink, I ordered the Fresh Mango Yakult (PhP 125) which was contained in a “gigantic” mug. It’s too sweet for me and the mango flavor overpowered the taste of Yakult. I didn’t like it very much, but I thought it’s okay as a thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    For a restaurant that takes pride in serving the number one gyoza in the world, prices on the menu seem reasonable. You don’t need to spend a fortune at Osaka Ohsho for a few delicate bites of their food. The place gets crowded even in non-peak dining hours, so it’s wise to make a reservation. 😀

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/OsakaOhshoPH” name=”Osaka Ohsho Philippines” description=”3/F SM Megamall Fashion Hall” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact +632 631-7074 or +63917 828-5011″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-12-10″ user_review=”19″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Oscar’s Deli PH (Proton Bites and 5-Star Chicken Patties)

    Review of Oscar’s Deli PH (Proton Bites and 5-Star Chicken Patties)

    As I have started blogging about food and receiving invitations to more and more food events, my knowledge on food has increased tenfold. I went places I never went before. I came to know about more dishes I never knew existed. I came to taste some of the best food in the city—that may not necessarily be categorized as “healthy.” 😛 With my current lifestyle, it’s very important to strictly maintain my body weight and fitness and at the same time get proper nutrition.

    I’ve read many articles and books on the eye-opening truth about this so-called “proper nutrition.” The secrets on how to improve health through diet have been long unveiled. However, some still choose not to care or are struggling to find the right combination of food to get them to their weight goals.

    Oscar of Oscar’s Deli PH shares that whether your goal is to lose, gain or maintain weight, dieting is supposed to be easy. In fact, it’s so simple that chances are, you already know the fundamental rules: “Eat fewer calories than what your body needs and you lose weight. In the same vein, eat more than what it needs and you gain. Eat just what your body needs and you maintain.” Aside from those, he reminds that we need to keep track of one other thing: protein.

    I’ve exchanged emails with Oscar and felt interested about his dream of a future where everyone is intelligently informed of the simplicity of nutrition. In essence, what he’s saying is that we don’t need to restrict ourselves to an obscenely limited selection of food. His mission is to contribute to a nutrition revolution by acting as a portal to nutrition research. By delivering food, Oscar’s Deli will be able to demonstrate the ease of nutrition by providing its customers with the value of information.

    It's time for a nutrition revolution!

    Out of the four products now available in Oscar’s Deli (see above photo), the Proton Bites and the 5-Star Chicken Patties were delivered to my address for me to try.

    Review of Oscar’s Deli PH (Proton Bites and 5-Star Chicken Patties)

    Proton Bites – 5 pieces (PhP 155)

    Chewing on Proton Bites was almost like chewing a Cloud 9 chocolate bar by Jack ‘n Jill. The pieces were chewy and chocolatey. The outside portion is coated with Hershey’s chocolate (loved it), while the center explodes with a richer chocolate flavor that me left wanting for some plain water to wash it down. The packaging is simple but I do suggest to have compartments in between each piece probably like how Chips Ahoy does it, because they tend to be so sticky that it’s hard to get one out without ruining the others.

    5-Star Chicken Patties – 3 quarter pound patties (PhP 165)

    For the busy home cooks, ordering the 5-star chicken patties will get you covered for a hassle-free meal. All you need to do is fry-pan the filleted chicken breast and not worry about the nutrition it contains. I actually had one patty with rice for breakfast for three consecutive days, and I’m happy to report that I didn’t grow tired of the taste. 😉

    Oscar’s Deli’s chicken patties are very unlike other frozen chicken patties or those served in fastfood restaurants. This version was not dry, even though we cooked it without oil (as indicated in the instruction label). Sure, it won’t win any award for being the juiciest chicken patty ever, but it does the trick just fine. I also thought the thickness was enough and the fillet was well seasoned.

    Wrap Up

    There’s an increasing awareness and demand for health food products (diet meals, in particular) delivered to homes nowadays. Oscar’s Deli PH is not exactly that type that brings packed meals for the entire week. It has its own unique initiative and vision that is to make us appreciate good-tasting food with the right level of essentials such as protein, fiber, carbs and fats. These are for everyone and not just the health-conscious. I just find that the prices of items are a bit high as compared to similar items being sold in local supermarkets. For what they are worth, you might as well try! 😛

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://instagram.com/oscarsdeliph” name=”Oscar’s Deli PH” description=”For orders, contact 0915 502 3354 or email oscarsdeli@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-12-05″ user_review=”4″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Wild Ginger (Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati)

    Review of Wild Ginger (Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati)

    My best friend from high school suggested a meetup as we haven’t seen each other for a very long time. After changing venues about three times, we finally settled to have our lunch date at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City. The question remained: where to eat? Power Plant Mall houses a lot of exquisite restaurants at the lower ground level, yet it took me only a few minutes to choose Wild Ginger. Deciding factors were the type of cuisine and the unique presence of the restaurant in the city. 🙂

    As far as I’ve observed, Wild Ginger has only one branch, and I wonder why it has not spread out to more all these years when it serves really diverse Southeast Asian food that’s good both to the eyes and the palate. I thought this restaurant is a must-try. It aims to take customers on a taste trip through lands as mystic as India, as exotic as Thailand, and as familiar as the Philippines.

    Review of Wild Ginger (Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    With minimal decor, the interior was nothing fancy. If there’s anything worth to highlight, it’s the light-colored theme that gives a cool and relaxing vibe. A major plus has to be the cleanliness of the restaurant. Outdoor seating is also available and is good for those who enjoy watching mall-goers walk by.

    Compared to the other restaurants on the same floor, there wasn’t a huge crowd of diners at the time we came. This made me appreciate the quietness more, since we had to talk a lot to catch up on updates in life while eating.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Staffs were humble and helpful throughout our dining experience. There wasn’t any rushing involved even if we stayed for about two hours in Wild Ginger. Our glasses were quickly refilled with water and requests were granted promptly. The bill also came out in an appropriate time frame as asked.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Nasi Goreng (PhP 235) was a recommended dish by the restaurant manager. It’s a complete meal with Indonesian fried rice, egg and chicken satay skewers. Having tried several versions of Nasi Goreng from other restaurants, I found that this one is a good contender. The missing ingredient I was looking forward to taste was coconut in the rice and maybe sambal chili. 😛

    With the Curry Laksa Seafood (PhP 265), all I needed actually was a soup spoon to scoop up all the goodness in the bowl. The curry soup was made with coconut curry that’s thick, creamy and mildly spicy that didn’t upset the stomach. It had an ample portion of egg noodles mixed with tofu, vegetables, juicy prawns, fish balls, other seafood and spices. The balance of flavors was spot-on. I particularly liked the densely rich flavor of laksa with a slightly gritty texture. Fragrance was very stimulating, indeed.

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    This probably isn’t the kind of place I’d want to eat at on a regular basis, but the menu itself is good enough to bring me in. Wild Ginger features Southeast Asian food that can be playful and nicely presented. Part of the lure is the good mixture of influences—aboriginal, colonial, and modern international. Counting on the quality and authenticity of the food tastes, I’m quite sold that the price for value is fair.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://www.wildginger.com.ph” name=”Wild Ginger (The Southeast Asian Table)” description=”Lower Ground Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 02 8981859″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-11-28″ user_review=”17″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • #TeamAlphario at GTMACCON: Comic Book Characters in Live Cosplay

    #TeamAlphario at GTMACCON: Comic Book Characters in Live Cosplay

    WHAT IS GTMACCON?

    GTMACCON stands for Gaming, Toys, Manga/Anime, Cosplay, Comics Convention, and it aims to promote local comics by featuring Pinoy comic book characters in live cosplay.

    Now on its fourth season, GTMACCON adds six more comic titles to its roster, and these teams will battle it out at the main event on December 6, 2014 for the title of Pinoy Komiks Cosplay Grand Champion in a 4-minute onstage presentation.

    WHAT IS ALPHARIO?

    Alphario: The World Connection (commonly known as Alphario TWC) is a novel and manga project of Solomon Lim (Sol). The story centers around Dennis Blake, a 20-year-old photographer who wins grand prize in a photo contest organized by Shutter Technologies and is subsequently awarded an all-expense paid trip to Japan. Restless and curious, Dennis sets off in search of new friends as he embarks on a wild adventure in a different world he accidentally discovers.

    As of today, Alphario has released a total of eight (8) books, and the whole set is available for 490 pesos. They also offer other products including prints, keychains, mugs, and plushies. Alphario has also been consistently active in Philippine comic conventions.

    Last November 15, 2014, Alphario has been awarded as the Best Serialized Comic Book (Grassroots) in the Komikon Readers’ Choice Awards, an awarding ceremony that takes place every 3 years and aims to recognize the best comics in the local industry.

    Recently, Alphario has been invited to join GTMACCON, and Alphario creator Sol, along with editor Wilhansen Li (Wil), promotions staff Lorianne Halago (Yoyi), and logistics staff Mark Par (Hiro) have joined forces to form #TeamAlphario, the first team where the creators are the cosplayers.

    WHO IS #TEAMALPHARIO?

    #TeamAlphario is composed of several characters from the Alphario storyline: Dennis Blake (portrayed by Sol) the photographer, Senjo Tamura (portrayed by Wil) the lone wolf, Franck Ringe (portrayed by Yoyi) the Shutter employee, and Eurid (portrayed by Hiro) the kyvix guardian. Aside from the main cast, #TeamAlphario also includes SPOT (portrayed by Ainsley Robes) the robot dog and Jinka (portrayed by Liza Ramos) and the rest of the Dennis Blake Fan Club.

    #TeamAlphario has released numerous photos and videos online, asking for the support of the public by voting through a Facebook poll. If you wish to support #TeamAlphario, please do visit this link and click on the circle beside their name: https://bit.ly/teamalphario

    #TeamAlphario currently rehearses long hours on weekends to bring everyone an impressive presentation at the GTMACCON 4 Main Event in the Fisher Mall UGF Event Center on December 6, 2014.

  • Review of Nest Manila (The W Fifth Avenue, Bonifacio Global City)

    Review of Nest Manila (The W Fifth Avenue, Bonifacio Global City)

    There’s something about rooftops, especially at night, that I love. Maybe it’s the feeling of being above everyone else, or it’s just the chill vibe that follows and breeds romantic thoughts. Keeping a nice and modern interior, Nest Modern Table and Bar (Nest Manila) located at the roof deck of the W Tower in BGC (beside F1 Hotel Manila) is a restaurant/bar that serves a fusion of Asian flavors and Western-style cooking plus a long list of concocted signature cocktails.

    It’s good to come here if you’re looking for a decent place to celebrate a special occasion. Get a front-row seat to some of the most creative food presentations…and some really good tunes. Single and lonely this holiday season? Nest Manila also looks like a good venue to meet a potential special someone. Ayiiiiie! 😛

    Nest MNL had its soft opening last July 18, 2014. The grand launch may happen anytime soon.

    Review of Nest Manila (The W Fifth Avenue, Bonifacio Global City)

    Ambiance: ★★★★★

    As mentioned in the intro, the appeal of this restaurant on the roof deck amazes me. Having its own unique personality, the look and feel of this “restobar” is so inviting. Being at the top with this super nice ambiance felt like being in a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city scene. I thought I would want to hang here a lot if I lived in the neighborhood. But probably not during summer. This place is not air-conditioned, so the only things that can keep patrons cool are the fan and a cold drink.

    Nest MNL is where you can seek peace and stillness, and it can also be where you can just relax by listening to music. Acoustic is played every Wednesday night and they have a DJ playing songs every Friday from 10PM. Fans of R&B, on the other hand, are welcome to enjoy and rejoice on Saturdays from 10PM to about 2AM or 3AM. 🙂

    Service: ★★★★★

    Nest MNL’s staffs made good impressions from the start. They greeted us courteously upon arrival and guided us right until we got our seats, on the way to the washroom and on our way out. What made our dining experience great was their attentiveness to our requests.

    They have also given us the right sense that we were in a fine-dining setup as they’ve corrected the right placement of utensils based on the food being served and changed our plates in a timely manner.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Navigating through Nest MNL’s menu can be a little overwhelming. With so many attractive options for both food and drinks, which would you get? Here’s a rundown of items we’ve been served and maybe some, if not all, will fit your liking.

    Starters

    Coming out first with an appetizing food presentation was the Beetroot Carpaccio (PhP 300). Don’t be fooled with the flat, round, dark red thingy topped with eggs there. We all thought it was pepperoni and later felt as if cheated when we learned it was beetroot! 😆 OK lah, this was one example of a lesson saying we shouldn’t judge food by appearance. Overall, the Beetroot Carpaccio was fresh, tangy, earthy and sweet, with feta cheese, citrus, segments, candied walnuts and garlic confit.

    Secondly, Nest presented us with their signature Ham and Eggs (PhP 250). This combination had a good contrast of flavors, an exploration of taste each time with different levels of salty and savory combined.  With the egg yolk dissected, the soft-boiled egg was guaranteed cook to the right level. Asparagus and the other veggies on the same plate worked well, too.

    Next was another beautifully plated dish that had a delicious aroma. The Foie Gras and Mushrooms (PhP 550) was made with poached eggs, croutons, slices of foie gras, and balsamic-infused medley of mushrooms. It may not sound like much, but the tastes of the ingredients were powerful and compelling.

    Discover how Nest puts foie gras as one of the best pieces of meat your mouth will ever have the privilege of tasting. If you’re like me though who’s not so fond of meat, the mushrooms would be indulgent enough.

    Mains

    The Roast Chicken Supreme (PhP 280) was composed of a quarter chicken, duxelle, marble potatoes, veloute and snap peas. Wonderfully seasoned, the chicken meat was juicy, moist and tender inside. The vegetables in light sauce and the marble potatoes were quite addicting. Ordering this alone at Nest MNL will make you already full and satisfied.

    There was a winner with the taste of the 5 Spiced Roast Pork Belly (PhP 250). The quality of the soy and garlic noodle was excellent. It’s the saucing that will be remembered for its incredible depth. Adding an interesting texture to the dish and offering a refreshing twist, the Sesame Cucumber Relish was a delightful complement.

    Looking very palatable at any angle, the Rack of Lamb (PhP 950) made with Herb and Mustard Glaze and Smoked Eggplant Glazed Zucchini was tender and almost the melt-in-your-mouth type. I found that that this lamb doesn’t give an aftertaste. Getting it even for those who don’t like lamb won’t be a bad idea.

    Bar Bites

    I dipped the Beef, Cheese and Miso Spring Rolls (PhP 250) in the creamy sriracha hot sauce and mayonnaise. Sadly, I found the sauce to be so overpowering that it masked the taste that was supposed to be the star of the dish. It was a tad too spicy, though the veggies slices helped to add a refreshing touch to it. That said, I forgot to give attention to how relatively crispy the skin of the spring rolls was with each bite. Whoops. 😯

    Yakitori basically means skewered and grilled food. Everything in Yakitori (Assorted Chicken, Pork, Salmon and Shrimp) (PhP 200) was cooked to perfection. The sweetness absorbed by the meat, poultry and seafood had also brought the savory dish to the next level. It was good that the yakitori sauce was not too watery and it was able to coat the meat while successfully delivering a punch in flavor. Know that you can order the full fledged pieces, but they also come with full fledged price tags: Chicken (PhP 250), Pork (PhP 250), Salmon (PhP 350), and Shrimp (PhP 315).

    Desserts

    Can you ever end a hearty meal without some desserts? Not for us anyway, as we were pampered with the Chocolate Textures (PhP 200) with Chocolate Marquise, Raspberry Coulis, Fudge Brownies and Strawberries. It was super rich chocolate-y goodness! Just by looking at how beautiful this piece looked like, I bet anyone would easily succumb to it.

    The layers were made with different textures forming a perfect harmony. On hindsight, while I loved the cake as it was, I thought it could also be served warm. Pairing it with ice cream or a whoop of whipped cream would supplement another dimension.

    Equally tempting, Reese’s Sansrival (PhP 200) with Peanut Butter Cream and Chocolate Ganache captured our hearts as well. This is a version of sansrival that’s made glorious by virtue of its divine combination. It was very smooth and tasted decadent with its buttery and sugary goodness.

    Served warm and fresh, the Donuts and Dips (PhP 200) platter was also a hit for us. I liked how this gave us the liberty to choose among three dips: salted caramel, strawberry jam and peanut butter cream. My personal favorite had to be the strawberry jam. The donuts tasted good, with just the right amount of gooey, crunchy, and fluffy.

    Drinks

    My drink of choice for the evening was Sexy and I Know It (PhP 331) which packed Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Rose Syrup, Lemon and Maraschino Cherry Liqueur. The lingering taste of rose with a hint of vanilla helped to give a nice twist to the otherwise heavy-tasting dishes we had. Loved it! 🙂

    Smokin’ (PhP 414) – Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch, Coconut Syrup, Honey and Lime

    Green Mojito (PhP 414) – Bacardi Silver, Green Apple Puree, Green Charteuses, Mint and Ginger Beer

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    While the food and drinks at Nest MNL deserve a thumbs-up (good eats are good eats), the real treat for me was the stellar ambiance and also the service. I can’t emphasize enough how lovely this place is and how the customer service team cares about apparently everyone who walks in the door. That’s something that goes a long, long way—and what makes the prices worth the value. 😀

    Thanks to Ahia Richard for the invite. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/NestMNL” name=”Nest MNL” description=”Roofdeck, The W Fifth Avenue Building, 5th Avenue Corner 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call +63 9178749999″ rev_body=”Operating hours: 5PM to 2AM (Monday-Saturday)” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-11-26″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Eyelid Surgery at MedAsia Aesthetic Center (Timog Avenue, Quezon City)

    Eyelid Surgery at MedAsia Aesthetic Center (Timog Avenue, Quezon City)

    My mother had been complaining about consciously seeing a flesh-colored gradation because of her sagging crease on the eyelids. Whenever she applies eyeliner on, it would turn out as if there was no application done. Her worry was that as she would get older, the build-up of skin on that eye area will prompt her to open her eyes more or probably raise her eyebrows just to see. Clearly, this wasn’t plainly about an aesthetic issue.

    Looking at the mirror every day, she seemed to focus her gaze on the aging folds on her lids and became genuinely curious on the eyelid surgery called blepharosplasty. This procedure can lift sagging skin around the eyes, decrease bags around the eyes, and diminish eyelid puffiness. See wikipedia page for more information: What is blepharosplasty?

    So upon seeing a deal online (PhP 31,000 PhP 8,999), she decided to go for the eyelid surgery at MedAsia Aesthetic Center without batting an eyelash. In full support, I accompanied her to visit Renouve Aesthetic and Wellness Center, a partner of MedAsia, in Timog Avenue, Quezon City on November 8, 2014, Saturday.

    Eyelid Surgery at MedAsia Aesthetic Center (Timog Avenue, Quezon City)

    Consultation to Examine Patient’s Eligibility

    The first step was a consultation with the cosmetic surgeon named Dr. Anthony Joson. He said not everyone is eligible to go through this kind of surgery. The doctor has to see if there would be enough flesh left if ever the excess skin on the lids is removed. He determined that my mom’s case is positive for the treatment and so it was safe for her to proceed.

    Dr. Joson also pointed out that the resulting effect of the eyelid surgery may not last for forever since it’s normal for people’s skin to age. As aging continues, there is no stopping the excess skin to reappear on the upper eyelid. But for most people, it lasts for long years. Removal of hooding and upper eyelid skin is a procedure that is performed only once.

    Key Takeaways – When to Consider Eyelid Surgery

    • If you have excess, hanging skin covering the natural fold of the upper eyelids
    • If you have loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids over the eyelashes that impairs your vision
    • If your eyelids appear puffy, making your eyes look tired and aged
    • If you have deep grooves under your eyes
    The "Before" Picture

    Preparation – Drawing of Markings

    For the second step, Dr. Joson made precise markings to indicate where excess tissues will be removed in the upper eyelids. Anesthesia was injected (no sedation) so my mom won’t feel anything throughout the procedure, otherwise it would be really painful.

    I then excused myself from the operating room because I don’t like seeing blood and all kinds of surgery-type things that may cause me to pass out. Hihihi. 😛 I was only called back to the room after 40 minutes when the surgery was done.

    The Eyelid Surgery Procedure

    Typically in blepharosplasty, the surgeon removes tissue through incisions using surgical instruments, including scalpels, surgical scissors, radiofrequency cutting devices, and sometimes, cutting lasers.

    Dr. Joson recounted that he made a small incision across the natural crease of my mom’s upper lids. Through the slits, fat deposits and excess tissue were removed. Incisions were stitched up with dissolvable sutures. Here’s how my mom looked like right after the eyelid surgery:

    Aftercare and Recovery

    Mom was prescribed medicines to relieve pain and also antibiotics to take for the next seven days. Swelling is expected to become minimal after a week. To reduce swelling, she had to apply cold compress on her eyes and follow the surgeon’s instructions for care. Doing strenuous activities must be avoided.

    Also, to protect the eyes from irritation and probably to disguise oneself from going through the surgery (in case you don’t want others to know), wear dark sunglasses. Normal activities can be resumed a week after the eyelid surgery. Scars will be hidden in the natural eyelid creases, making them almost indiscernible.

    The stitches were removed on the fourth day. Here’s how my mom looked after:

    Wrap Up

    I don’t personally know anyone who has gone through the eyelid surgery except for my mom. I thought that sharing her experience will help others who are interested in blepharoplasty know more about it and not feel scared. If you have been wanting to have the excess skin obscuring the natural fold of your eyelids removed, you can consult with a cosmetic surgeon and check if you’re a good candidate.

    Mom felt satisfied with the resulting appearance after the eyelid surgery at MedAsia. The hooded skin on her upper lids is now gone, making her appear younger. She’s also happy that she doesn’t anymore experience vision problems related to overhanging eyelids. 🙂

    I’ll be posting her picture after a month when recovery is full. She’s applying Contractubex, an effective treatment that promotes the healing process of the skin and reduces scarring from within.

    About MedAsia

    MedAsia Aesthetic Center is an organization consisting of well-known cosmetic surgeons in the country and the first to offer a formal training program in cosmetic surgery. The center has the aim of contributing to the onset of the medical tourism trend that’s estimated to be a substantial income-generating business.

    MedAsia is backed by seven well-respected cosmetic surgeons in the country who have studied and trained locally and abroad. They are also members of international organizations such as the International College of Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, International Society of Aesthetic Surgery and the Asian Pacific Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

    Enhance and Boost Your Natural Beauty with any of these 15 treatments: Diamond Peel for the face, Diamond Peel for the underarm, Whitening Treatment for the underarm, Whitening Treatment for the inguinal, Whitening Treatment for the underarm, Warts removal for the face, Warts removal for the neck, Facial cleaning, IPL for the upperlip, IPL for the lower lip, IPL for the underarm, IPL for the bikini line, RF for abdominal area, Eyelash Extension, Eyelash Perm and Waxing for small body area.

    [schema type=”review” name=”MedAsia Aesthetic Center – Renouve Aesthetic and Wellness Center” description=”TIMOG: Room 402 Transorient Maritime Building, 66 Timog Avenue, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 399-4484, 0917-3032735″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-11-24″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

    Other branches:

    ANTIPOLO: Unit 303 Rikland Centre, Marcos Hi-way, Antipolo, Rizal
    Tel. (02) 400-5819, 0917-3032733

    CAINTA: CVS Homes 1, Felix Ave., Cainta, Rizal
    Tel. (02) 240-6066, 0919-9962419

    LIBIS: Vignet Centre Building Rm 206 E Rodriguez Jr Avenue Bagong Bayan Libis Quezon City
    Tel. (02) 654-0516, 0917-8732012

    MANDALUYONG: 3rd flr. Starmall EDSA, Shaw cor EDSA Bvld., Mandaluyong City
    Tel. 0928-7967514

    MARIKINA I: 26A Tuazon Ave Brgy. San Roque Marikina
    Tel. (02) 531-4710, 0917-5759217

    ORTIGAS: 2nd flr. St. Francis Square, Julio vargas Ave., Ortigas, Pasig City
    Tel. 0919-9945948, (02) 570-5411

    PASIG: 2nd Floor, Ever Gotesco Mall Riverside Drive, Pasig City
    Tel. (02) 531-8189, 0927-8061517

    STRATA 100: RM 411 Strata 100 Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Pasig City
    Tel. (02) 542-4455, 0910-54035398

  • Cyburban-based Berghaus Urban Adventure Games 2014 (Circuit Makati)

    Cyburban-based Berghaus Urban Adventure Games 2014 (Circuit Makati)

    Thanks to Franc‘s invitation, I was able to hop on to the opportunity to join the much talked about Berghaus Urban Adventure Games at Global Circuit Event Grounds in Circuit Makati last Saturday, November 15, 2014. Berghaus is a UK-based outdoor clothing and equipment company which promised to take adventure racing to the digital age for the first time in the Philippines.

    Before the event, I must have had read the same blog posts published about FAQs and mechanics of the game for over 10 times. Yup, that was how anxious I was for it! The sentence “THIS is not your usual adventure game.” was among the most striking, as it left me hanging with mixed emotions. Not usual?? 😯 I certainly did not have any idea on what kind of physical and mental challenges to expect apart from those that were given away on the Cyburban-Berghaus page:

    “We have sports checkpoints (football, frisbee, basketball, etc.),
    parkour obstacles and cross-fit challenges that will test the players’ fitness levels
    in strength, balance, agility, skill and tenacity.”

    I’m not good at any of those mentioned sports and they didn’t sound fun to me either. Haha! Nevertheless, I looked forward to trying them and doing all that’s required for the sake of experience and enjoyment as well as helping the team score points. I’ve set my heart and mind to it and came the earliest to the venue on the big day (an hour before the orientation proper)—even ahead of the organizers. #DiMasyadongExcited 😉

    Circuit Makati at 4:20AM

    4 Things I’ve Learned From the Cyburban-based Berghaus Urban Adventure Games 2014 (Circuit Makati)

    1. Mobile Data Connection (or Wi-fi Connection) can be a Deal Breaker

    The Berghaus race featured an app-based race format, the first of its kind, where teams composed of three members each would receive challenges on Android mobile phones. (Note: For now, the Cyburban app can be downloaded only from Google Playstore and I’m not sure when it will become also available in the AppStore.)

    For every completed challenge, we had to scan a QR code to accumulate points. These points were updated online and in real-time. All members of the team were advised to use the Cyburban app and the points will be reflected in all devices. There was a leaderboard showing the rankings of the teams. That said, a basic fundamental in the Berghaus Urban Adventure Games was reliable mobile data or wi-fi connection.

    Many times, we met the “Network Error” notification since we could not establish a good 3g connection/wi-fi. We had to retry the connection over and over and wait until the answer is verified before we could move on to the next stop.

    2. Get Together With the Right Team

    Getting together with the right team is important, as you’ll spend a fair bit of time in the game. We joined the Competitive category and that meant us playing for four hours, whereas those who joined the Fun category played in an unlimited number of hours. The timer began as soon as one of us in the team hit the “Start Game!” button on the Cyburban app.

    Team FrancRamon :)

    This style of adventure-racing is a team sport so we could only cross the “finish line” together. Some challenges required only one person to achieve the goal, while most required all of us three to participate. A mismatch in the commitment to the tasks would open the door for frustration, so it’s a good idea to get a balance of personalities.

    I was grateful that I had Franc and Jham with me in the team. Both of them are experienced runners and endurance athletes who regularly go through intensive training programs to be ready in time. It was my first time to meet Jham but I’m glad that we also got along well. Franc was supportive as usual and competitive in the best possible way. 🙂

    Quests we’ve accomplished are as follows:

    • Berghaus Social Challenge – posted a selfie picture on Instagram inside the Berghaus photo frame
    • Object Hunt – found and uncovered hidden QR codes everywhere
    • Toby’s Sports Challenge – tent folding, hula hoop, basketball, skateboard, darts challenge, football goal and football freestyle
    • Trivia and Riddles – solved mind-boggling trivia and riddles with the help of Google search 🙂
    • Crossfit Halcyon – burpees and jumps over a box, sled pulls, pack run challenge (carry 40kg sand bags and run)
    • Parkour Obstacles – the floor is lava (complete a circular course with a twist), parkour speed, get over it, rolling hills (roll on a hill), animal relay (crawls), through the wire

    3. Safety First, Regardless of the Weather

    Weather was not cooperative. It was drizzling before the game began all the way through the end. I thought the light showers would signal cancellation of the activity, but it didn’t. Instead, we just had a slight delay because the organizers needed more time to set up. Fair enough.

    As weather plays a significant factor in the comfort and performance level, the lesson here is to always come prepared whether it’s rainy, cold, windy, or dark and think of safety foremost. Choose running shoes that will be able to grip the slippery pavement. Wear a cap or raincoat or carry an umbrella like we did. It would be miserable to be drenched to the skin in rain.

    4. You Vs. Yourself

    Typically, competition is defined as an engagement where opponents push one another to achieve excellence while abiding by the rules of the game and playing to their utmost abilities. On the other hand, competition works to inspire us to perform better while learning valuable lessons about teamwork, goal setting, and staying cool under pressure—without trapping us in drama, ego bruising, and poor sportsmanship.

    Ultimately, it’s about challenging the self and knowing if and how we can beat our own previous bests by some substantial margin.

    Wrap Up

    The Cyburban-based Berghaus Urban Adventure Games 2014 was a success. It was a great chance for us to take another step along our own path and take pleasure in learning about the game and about being gracious in both victory and defeat. This kind of outdoor adventure offers curious athletes, friends, and families an opportunity to try different sports and challenges to push themselves to the limit. For more stories about our experience, you may visit Franc’s detailed post about the event. 🙂

  • Review of Komoro Japanese Dining (SM San Lazaro, Manila)

    Review of Komoro Japanese Dining (SM San Lazaro, Manila)

    Named after “Komoro,” a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Komoro Soba Japanese Dining serves Japanese food at affordable prices. This restaurant was established in the Philippines on the same year my sister was born: 1992. Yet, it was only two Sundays ago when we took our chance to dine in as we incidentally had an appetite for some Japanese food, after pampering our nails at Nails in Style in SM San Lazaro.


    Note: Komoro Japanese Dining’s first branch is in SM Megamall.

    Review of Komoro Japanese Dining (SM San Lazaro, Manila)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Decked out in earthy tones and illuminated by ambient lights, Komoro Soba Japanese Dining has a cozy setting with an attempt to give a “Japanese” feel as seen through the minimalist decors on the walls. Furnishings consisting of regular and cushioned chairs provided comfort. The side interior featured an understated backdrop for the open kitchen where we saw how the food were being prepared. So at any point in time, guests could be entertained with some action and activity while waiting for orders.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Komoro Soba Japanese Dining worked mostly as a fastfood restaurant. Diners have to order and pay upfront at the counter, while taking food references from the menu behind the cashier. Our orders were served fast and the servers were alert enough to keep their eyes on the tables. They took initiatives on their duty roster (e.g. taking away done dishes and refilling water to our glasses) even when no one else offerred.

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    The Tentoji Don (PhP 125) consisted of an assortment of a piece of deep-fried prawn tempura, okura and seaweed tempura. The tempuras, considering that they were freshly served from the kitchen, failed to please. They were not crunchy and flavorful enough. Objectively, the batter was not light, flaky, and fluffy as it should be. Dipped in soy sauce, the okura wound up being a nest of deep fried veggies stuck together.

    The Gyu Don (PhP 99) was also not up to the standard. The meat in the beef bowl was not of good grade; most of the flavor depended just on the sauce that provided a right degree of fragrance.

    The broth in Niku Udon (PhP 128) was light and clean, and the thin beef slices went well with the udon. It was good that the noodles were not overcooked but kept its elasticity and firmness. There was a subtle taste of the miso on the soup which didn’t create a lasting impression.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Komoro’s food prices reminded me of Don Don, the Japanese restaurant we used to frequent in EGI Taft Tower (now closed) when we were still in college. Food here are really affordable and okay even for a student’s budget. However, one can’t expect much out of it. Komoro Japanese Dining has satisfied our hungry stomachs, but overall tastes of the dishes—at least of what we had—were not all that great.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/Komoro.Philippine” name=”Komoro Japanese Dining” description=”Second Floor, SM City San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 5242296″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-11-14″ user_review=”15″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]