Live Life to the Fullest – Epilogue of Meaningful Life Adventure

When I am running, I enjoyed it.  It is more on a fun run for me where I can exercise my legs and practice my breathing which I can go rounds for 3k-5k run in a span of 15 to 30 minutes.  That is me afterall as I do it thrice a week.

What if there is a run that would give an ultimate challenge as in pushing to the limits of running 7 hours straight?  It is a test of endurance and power knowing how long your body will it take just to finish it.   Don’t ask  me because I never had a chance to do it.

Do you know that last year, runners from all over the country and around the world gone through the same thing at McKinley Hill last 2011. Definitely, there was a winner and hailed as Rogin – E’s Last Man Running (LMR) – Alquin Bolivar.

If one can endure to do it  again, the same thing for seven hours capturing all those strength, then that is Rogin-E Last Man Running is about to offer this March 24, 2012.

What more, the Last Man Running winner will be awarded a trip to Beijing, China and entry to the Great Wall Marathon worth P150,000. The Last Woman Running will receive a cash award of P20,000.

Aside from the main event, they will also include 2 more  categories:  5 + 2k Race option, 10 + 4k Race option .  Top finishers in these categories will also win cash prizes.

To register for any of these races, entrants may register online at www.roginelmr.com or visit Last Man Running 2 registration booths at the following venues:

• Olympic Village Trinoma
• Olympic Village ATC
• Olympic Village Robinsons Pioneer
• Olympic Village Robinsons Ermita
• R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street

Walk-in participants are also welcome to register on the day of the event, provided they register at least one hour before gun start of their chosen race category.

Participants must fill out the online registration form which covers a waiver of liability.

Following are the corresponding race fee:

• LMR – P1,200
• 5+2k Race – P600
• 10+4k Race – P800

Registration is inclusive of:

• singlet
• timing chip
•  race bib
• meal stub (meal can be claimed at the breakfast banchetto in Mercato Centrale BGC).

Here are the singlet designs:

Gun start for each category are as follows:

• LMR: 2:00 am
• 10+4k: 5:30 am
• 5+2k: 6:00 am

Now are your interested?  I got lot of friends who will benefit with this one, they will surely join. If not with LMR, the other two race category would do.  If ever I will joining this one, preparation is really a must just to keep me fit.

Who knows, I might join and hopefully , I can see you in this Rogin-E LMR.

For more information, visit their website – http://roginelmr.com/.

As promised and share to you with my recent post,  I will be bringing my daughter Jam here in Nido Discovery Center’s National Astronomy Week which is the last day.    Even Jam love to go around to check the whole place again, we headed to Planetarium to watch “Ultimate Universe” and “Year 2012:  Will the World End”.

Jam was soo talkative inside relating me what she had read in the book especially when she saw the planet Mars with two moons rotating to its planet.  More and more relating topics she shared and glad to know my kid more appreciative to see the show applying what she have learned from the traditional school.

The highlight of the National Astronomy Week 2012 focused more on the discussion about enlightenment about the truth on the predicted December 21, 2012 end of the world based on the Mayan calendar.  Speculations grounded on religious perspectives.

Through these series symposium shared by different invited guest speakers during the event, their talks focused on physics and astrophysics have to say about the end of the world.

We got to see also the different meteorites that were displayed on that day.

Now the real fun begins!  Even Jam already got here during her field trip, she still enjoyed the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center.   Honestly,  I appreciated it more with her when she started to do a tour with me.

From bedroom, media city, transportation nation, spaceship earth   planets, virtual reef, robot inc and a lot more – the whole Science center holds the big convention of science concepts.

We even got to talk to Mr. T, a cartoon fish that interacted from the guests from the Virtual Reef which make the tour more interactive and digitized about Philippine coral reefs and marine life.

Below is the Earthquake simulation where Jam has to hold to the rills because it is moving .

The science museum really taught me and my kid to learn science again in fun and interactive way.  I suggest it is more appreciative if you will personally visit the educational center with your family.

Rates:

Walk-Ins, P 330.00 per person while Group Tours, P 250.00.  These are inclusive of unlimited access to the galleries and exhibits and ticket to one planetarium show of choice.

Visit them:

G/F Southside Entertainment Mall
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Tel. Nos. (02) 556-0331, (02) 556-2193

For more information:

Website: http://www.sciencediscovery.ph
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/NFSDC

Every time my kids got this field trip in the metro every year, their last stop was Mall of Asia – from playing to different arcades around, getting a quick bite, shopping but most of all, visiting notable places like experience to watch in IMAX-3D presentation and going to Nido Science Discovery Center. They only told me those happy stories but never have a chance to be with them.

When I was invited to see Nido Science Discovery Center to witness National Astronomy Week between February 18 – 25, I blocked my schedule to check what is inside to verify those happy moments as kids were sharing to me.

Here is the event all about:

Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center with Philippine Astronomical Society presents National Astronomy Week – “2012:  The Universe Survvies”.  From February 18-25, 2012, witness new outer-space photo display, meteorites exhibit, amazing star gazing and Astronomy Convention Seminar by international and local speakers. 

First stop is the Planetarium. I like to check if it was the same thing when I saw it when I was in college which was just almost infront of our school. The Digistar 15-meter dome Planetarium is far, far different on how it is today.

The dome is more fully interactive, like a real time 3d astronomical escapade around back with digital sound to compliment the whole viewing pleasure.  We have watched the “2012: The Universe Survives”.  Sorry, we were not allowed to take videos nor pictures around to capture those ones.  Maybe it is also great that I can fully be concentrated on what I will be viewing rather than busy doing photo ops.

Anyway, check this link to get a glimpse on some of the shows here - http://www.sciencediscovery.ph/templates/sdc/collision.html.  Truly interactive, I may say!

The guest speakers headed by Mr. George Martin from International Planetarium Society discussed about a fascinating topic about Venus entitled “A Little Black Dot:  The Transit of Venus”.  Mr. Chris Go of University of San Carlos, a young astronomer shared also his topic “From Webcam to Hubble: An Adventure of a Planetary Imager”.

I was about to go home that night but still I got a ticket for the entrance in Stargazing which will be its last day.

Stars, planets (which can also considered also as stars) and constellations got those prominent places in the sky based on old stories.  These were confirmed true by scientists and astronomers throughout the time.

I would really like to check those myths by observing those stars through stargazing. Headed by U.P. students together with their professor who did the set-up of different telescope. We went at the back of the mall right infront of the sea shore where the we got a clear night with the bright lights of the city. With their help, we able to see distant stars and planets.

Once you saw them at the sky, expect it was not the same we were seeing in encyclopedia or the internet.  Personally, with my naked eye, I got to see the snapshots of small objects far, far millions away.

For the first telescope, got the sneak peak of Jupiter and Mars.  So it is really true, both were side by side and both separated by Asteroid belt.

Got to view also clusters of stars which is like rosary beads interconnected with one another.  I do not know if this is the “Pleiades”.   According to stories, the interconnection of the stars was actually seven.  What I have seen was only six.

From the big telescope among the three, I have seen Orion’s Belt which consist of three big bright stars in orion’s constellation known as “Three Marys” or “Tatlong Maria”

Whow, really, really nice experience to end my weekday with this fruitful yet a scientific escapade date with stars and planet.  What more, experiencing to do stargazing for the first time!

Love  to recall one of my favorite subject – Science especially the planets. All of which made me recall my love to planets, stars and constellations 101 series.  LOL!

I have no qualms to visit it over and over again Nido Science Discovery Center. I will definitely bring my kid here to experience what I had since this is also Jam’s favorite subject.

Visit them:

G/F Southside Entertainment Mall
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Tel. Nos.  (02) 556-0331, (02) 556-2193

For more information:

Website:  http://www.sciencediscovery.ph
Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/NFSDC

Wow, after the vacation, work is overflowing, that means blessing is also overflowing…Happy problem indeed!

When I got back to work, it is also the start of Lenten Season – Ash Wednesday. I am a Catholic and I respect this.  Part of going to mass and putting those ashes at the forehead is also an observance of some sort of sacrifices – fasting and abstinence.

Fasting means intake of only one full meal. One has to choose either breakfast, lunch or dinner. While abstinence forbids the eat of meat made of animal fat.

Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.

Good to know there were restaurants around like Figaro who support this Catholic public penance.

I already known their other pizza flavors like Garlic/Cheese and Five Cheeses. Love simple pizza toppings and one of their new offerings which is also my favorite eversince is the Margherita flavor – a veggie small crust, crunchy pizza topped with basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Healthy indeed!

Another new offering is the Spagnolo Sardine Pizza. Sorry cannot be, even I want to taste it! Got strong allergy with Anchovies. Maybe that is the reason behind I was not that satisfied with my shoot with this one. Based with my colleague who were with me, this personalized pizza which include Spanish sardines, bell pepper, olives, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese complimented the whole flavory taste not that stingy or “malansa” taste.

For pasta lovers, Aglio Olio is a must-try! This garlicky linguini pasta is sooo simple mixed with olive oil, chilly flakes topped with parsley and parmesan cheese. Simple yet the taste is too strong for me.

All price at P 179.00 each.  I think these set of food are offered to selected Figaro branches only.

If this is not available, still Figaro got those varieties of pasta to choose from which are still light without the guilt feeling this Lenten time.

Arrabiata got this mild flavory version of not too hot nor not too sweet pasta yet not too oily. Love the combination of fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, basil and garlic in deep marinara sauce. I think this one is in a set meal where one can play around with variety of bread. I choose melted cheese mushroom bakes to go with my pasta.

See those dessert? Since this is a full meal for us, got to include a chocolate cake for me.

This Al Tonno dish can be added meal in this season. Got those tuna flakes, black olives and capers, slightly rich in olive oil. You got to sprinkle it with more parmesan cheese to make it more flavorful. Price is P 189.00.

First time to taste “My Little Osar” at Figaro. I thought this is a mocha cake. It is a sansrival where meringue is sooo crunchy and sweetness of butter cream icing is just A-ok topped with chopped cashew nuts. Price is P 119.00 and great for sharing.

Another healthy bar is Oatmeal Chocolate Chewy.  Price is P 55.00. To make it really chewy, request to heat it for serving.

There you have it.

Lenten season is a reminder how our Lord gave his life to us to save humanity.   Hopefully, simple sacrifices for a span of 40 days of fasting and abstinence serve as a reminder for us.

For more information, visit their:

Website:  www.figarocoffee.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/figarocoffeecompany

It was late then when we got back to Cebu where we came from Bohol.  Hubby were very insisted to see his office location in Cebu located at I.T. Park. Can I rest? Haaay, this his first time and he is sooo excited to explore the place and maximize those time.

Look at me in this picture, I am sooo haggard yet sooo tired! Is it obvious also I was a bit sunburned.

Well, you know me, I can easily be perked up. Food like coffee or dessert is enough for me. Back of that signage is the Figaro branch. Yes I need some kinda blast to wake me up once I got one. So hubby bribe me to have rest for a while and have a coffee. My ever, ever favorite – the cappuccino!

I saw my Figaro Card and those freebies in my bag. I wonder if this is accepted here in Cebu? My birthday will be tomorrow. Can i still avail this free cake here?

Anyway, there is no harm in trying when I asked the crew.  Yey!  I can get my  free cake.  If blueberry cheese cake is a small round size in the metro, here in Cebu, it comes in slices. Too soft for me but not that saggy. Sweetness complimented my coffee taste.

Yippee, this make my night complete! We even got to go around I.T. Park and went to Tops via motorbike after that.

You too can avail a Ficaro card where you can have a discount for every purchase plus a lot of freebies that comes with the card.

To know more with this Figaro card and freebies, visit:

Website:  www.figarocoffee.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/figarocoffeecompany

One of the coffee stores I frequently visited is Figaro.  Beside that I love their cappuccino, I am also an avid fan of their multitude of desserts especially chocolate eclair and muffins.

For clients and friends that I am always with me in the metro, we usually do our dine-out after our heavy meal with other resto and for more intimate talk, we do visit Figaro for coffee and desserts.

Great to know that Figaro expanded their offerings of food particularly healthy yet sooo enticing tastes.  What more, the price is affordable.

• Chicken Rice Bake

After 2011, got this food allergy with chicken, seafood or anything that is stench.  Quite hesitate to taste Figaro’s Chicken Rice Bake but still I got this urge to give it a try.  Love the topped creamy white sauce, melted cheese and the mixed of veggies around like bell pepper, mushrooms buttons and carrots.  I cannot distinguished the chicken because it was already blended with the rice.  I am ready with my meds in case I got those rashes but it did not occur.  I can say that the allergy prevented to occur as it was cheated with the food.  LOL!  This gave me the idea that I can still enjoy eating chicken with lot of other ingreditents around.

•  Tofu Steak Rice

Another healthy meal that I also enjoyed is the protein-rich Tofu Steak Rice.  What makes the fried tofu more delish is the topped special sauce garnished with sesame seeds and parsley. I found those tofu too limited in one serving.  I don’t know maybe I am just a fave eater of tofu which made me feel this way.

Each meal is P 150.00 and paired with thirst quenching lemonade.

This is available everyday from 6:00 pm onwards in the  participating outlets like Alabang Town Center, Cattleya, Emerald, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Shangri-La, Robinson’s Place Manila, Festival Mall, Gateway, Liberty, Tomas Morato, SM City North EDSA Sky Garden, and SM City Sta. Rosa.

What more, these dinner meals got a “Buy 1, Get 1 at 50% off” promo.

Bit sad about this, since most of my gig were in Mckinley and Mandaluyong.  Anyway, will took those efforts to visit also other Figaro branches especially in the the South like SM Sta. Rosa, Alabang Town Center and Festival Mall which was near to our home.

Since this is also a February month, Figaro got those awesome love promotion.

Instead of buying sweets for your loved ones after a dinner, Figaro is giving away free box of  4 pieces of Cioccolato Morsi Heart Sprinkles for every P500 single receipt purchase between February 13 – 15, 2012.  This is a chocolate truffle blended with rum.  I got those one piece and for me the sweetness of that bite is just enough.

For more information, visit their:

Website:  www.figarocoffee.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/figarocoffeecompany

History never looks like history when you are living through it.  ~John W. Gardner

Going back to Intramuros to tour and walk around last weekend was another blast experience for me.

Great thing, I got to experience my walk tour with hubby who was also more oriented with Intramuros spending his highschool and college days here.   When I told him that the meeting place will be Starbucks Intramuros, he had already the idea where the place was located – that was near his alma mater, Letran College.

Who can resist to indulge themselves in this sunny weather with their favorite frappuccino beverages like Mocha or  Green Tea  and dessert like their cheesy ensaymada?

Starbucks Intramuros is not your usual coffee shop you found in the mall.  To make it more historical, Starbucks’ interior is patterned with the concept of walled city which was located actually inside the prison cell during Spanish, Japanese and American regime.

Even it was quaint, this Starbucks location creates those historical intimacy to have an effort in its interior to really go back in time where Intramuros is known for – one of the Philippine’s important heritage that is found within its walls.

Truly, a captivating moments to enjoy more my coffee and will definitely comeback for more!

Hopefully, all business establishments here in Intramuros could be challenge to live again the history itself to recover the past that would introduce the present generation.

Location:

Landmark: almost infront Letran College and across Bureau of Immigration
Puerta Isabel II, 15-A Muralla St. cor. Magallanes Drive
Intramuros, Manila
Phone Number: (632) 527-4282

This is a Travel Write-up entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 organized by IntramurosManila.Asia. 

IBC 2012 is fully supported by the Intramuros Administration, Barbara’s Restaurant, Celdran Tours, Mabuhay Guides, Pilgrimage Pilipinas, Castillan Tours, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., DigiEntrepreneur, DigitalFilipino, Third Team Media, Payless Pancit Shanghai, Ruthilicious, Ruthilicious Fanpage and GadgetGambit.com.

“Keep striving to outdo yourself with each post. As much as you can, maintain a level of quality to keep readers coming back”

Love to start my week with organizers and students who are clamor for e-commerce learning.  Actually this invite came from a fellow blogger who cannot accommodate the request because of other commitment came along.  She posted it to us for those who were interested to pitch in.  I volunteered to share myself to students up north and my passion to blogging.  There were others who also volunteered and glad that I was picked among them.

Miriam College is celebrating their Business Week with a theme “Amplifying Modern Pinoys Through E-Commerce”.  Graduating students took the responsibility to organize the event – getting students involve by attendance, setting the venue and picked the speakers for each topic.  Considering their hectic schedule, they still find time to focus on timely trend outside keeping them aware what is really “in”.

I got my fair share and here were some my thoughts:

When I started to involved myself to blogging, more and more were interested how we did it. Great that I got mentors and bloggers’ group around me to continue this passion even I am just starting to slowly monetized with it.  Actually, it is not more on monetizing.  It is more on passion how you will surpass each learning you got.

These were my five tips I gave:

• Strive to know everything as you can

• Be passionate on what you are doing

• Write what you feel, be honest

• Always take responsibility

Crowds were also participating when you see them lot of questions and writing while they were listening to you – a fulfilling yet notable experience to share again myself to the future yuppies.

With every single person I come into contact, I can either giving love or not.   Based on what I  give, that is what I receive.

Not only on Valentine’s day, give love to others through kindness, encouragement, support, gratitude, or any good feeling.  Definitely, this will come back in multiples.

Look for the things you love in a relationship more than you notice negative things,  Constantly, it will appear as if something incredible has happened to the other person. You have to be happy to receive the happy versions of other people!

The force of love presents you with a whole array by choosing to love.

Life is presenting every person and circumstance to you so you can choose what you love and what you don’t love. When you react to anything you are reacting with your feelings, and as you do, you are choosing it!

Changing the way you feel is easy compared to running around trying to change the circumstances of the outside world. Change your feelings and the outside circumstances will change!  This is how I perceive my love to be special.

Spread the love of life!

“Historical heritage has to preserve to appreciate our present and future to connect everything in harmony.”

Intramuros is very close to me if we were talking about memorable places here in Manila. Maybe because my college life started here but mostly my heart also belongs here where me and hubby were just a step away from our college school – I am from PLM and he is from Letran.

If way back 25 years ago, there was resto like Barbara’s, we have gotten this already as our nostalgic exquisite escapade date in celebrating occasions like Valentine’s day or our anniversaries.   When I got also  my first consultancy work 10 years ago nearby when we were passing by, we thought Barbara’s Restaurant was a venue for wedding reception in San Agustin Church or Manila Cathedral.

But my perception changes when I was invited to check this resto again.  I was challenged to be part of  Intramuros contest simply because I like to be involved in  creating awareness of this forgotten historic preserved walled city.  I have submitted my entry with Calamba-Online together with hubby’s collection of photos even we found ourselves hectic with our schedule.  Honestly, we really find time to do this as we were longing to express how really is sooo fun living here in the Philippines.

I am a person who love antique old-fashioned interiors.  Maybe this the reason why I fell in love immediately with Barbara’s Restaurant superb architectural historical collections.  One can educate your eyes seeing those vintage yet contemporary structure -  a hued feeling of nostalgic travel characterizing aesthetic Spanish century era. Even the dining table has this detailed back draft and even put a candle light in the middle to make each eating experience so formal.

They started to served the buffet dinner  at exactly 6:30 pm.  All delicious local dishes are combination of  Spanish and Filipino cuisine.  Overall, food at Barbara’s Restaurant increased the tradition of creating awareness not only to Filipino alike but also foreigners’ appreciation to Filipino culinary flavors.

Got to feast with food like:

• Cream of Asparagus as the entry soup
• Linguini Alessandro for pasta
• Main dishes like Roast Pork Loin, Baked Red Snapper, Lemon Peppered Chicken with Mango Salsa
• Veggie like  Fried Lumpia
• Salad mixed with lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes with shrimp paste or vinaigrette for dressing
• For desserts, we’ve ate squares of  – Brazo de Mercedes, brownies topped with cherry, buko pandan in jelly and banana fritters
•  Ginataang Halo-Halo and Coffee Jelly are also served in a wine glass

I did not get all the pictures of those food.  We were bit worried that the lines were getting longer and bystanders will be keep on waiting.  These people were not use to foodies like us to take more, more pictures in the buffet table and then eat after that.

Maybe my suggestions would be to put more veggies a lot from their usual/traditional servings.   Since this is a buffet style,  food personnel around should be alert in refilling the food ASAP.

I may say, the P 545.00 total price for the food is all worth it.   I suggest you get the dinner buffet with the cultural show.

These were some of the desserts:

During the dining out experience, guests have the opportunity to watch cultural entertainment.  Philippines’ rich historical events was diversified by citing ethnic narration up to colonial legacy expressing to dances ensemble by live serenade of different string instruments.  The stylistic costumes and dances are recreated with superb performances in one entertaining presentations.

The repertoire of expressing those dances was a total far cry that came to life’s enrichment of Filipino culture by Folklorico Dance Troupe. To name a few dances  that I remembered – from Igorot, Banga, Carinosa, Pandango sa Ilaw, Sayaw sa Bangko and Tinikling which represented the regional dances from south to north.   This was kinda deja’vu for me recalling my PLM college days where I was once one of the cultural dancers of Hiyas ng Manilad Dance Troupe where we also performed from different events and organizations.

Check also the complete schedule below.  Take note that the resto is not opened during Sundays.

Barbara’s Restaurant offered also a private function room which is a perfect spot for weddings, company outing,  family reunion, conferences, trainings and seminars. The place is design in lushly Spanish-style century.

Great to know that management behind this resto still has this effort to preserve our architectural history – from interiors, food and cultural show.  As they say,  the best prophet of the future is  our past.   How will we get to the future without knowing really our past. In some ways, all of it should be connected to appreciate what we have now.

Barbara’s Restaurant is highly recommendable if you really love to experience the true Filipino culture.  Definitely, I would like to bring my parents, relatives and friends especially those who are balikbayans to refresh and taste again to a fine dining experience with a twist of our heritage together with the cultural show with visual festivities.

Location:

Address:  General Luna Street Plaza San Luis Complex, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
Landmark:  Beside San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila

Other Contact Information:

Landline No.:  (632) 527-3893, (632) 527-4086
Mobile No.: +63 917 838 7545
Email: barbarasrestaurant@yahoo.com

For more information, visit their:

Website:  http://barbarasrestaurantandcatering.com/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbaras-Restaurant

This is a Food Write-up entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 organized by IntramurosManila.Asia. 

IBC 2012 is fully supported by the Intramuros Administration, Barbara’s Restaurant, Celdran Tours, Mabuhay Guides, Pilgrimage Pilipinas, Castillan Tours, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., DigiEntrepreneur, DigitalFilipino, Third Team Media, Payless Pancit Shanghai, Ruthilicious, Ruthilicious Fanpage and GadgetGambit.com.