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.

Photos courtesy of: http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net

It’s your life, so be willing to be fully responsible for it. Take charge of your own destiny.

Don’t sit around hoping somebody will give you a break. Get busy and do the work that will enable you to live life fully on your own terms.

Avoid falling into the trap of blaming others for your situation. For when you assign blame to others, you are putting yourself under their control.

Instead, put yourself and your life under your own control. You know what’s best for you, so do what is necessary to make that happen.

If you could use some encouragement, give it to yourself. When there’s something you don’t know how to do, take it upon yourself to learn.

The fulfillment you seek is something you must create as a result of your own responsibility, commitment, discipline and efforts. Get focused, get busy and experience the outstanding joy of living life on your own terms.

I Choose…
to live by choice, not by chance;
to make changes, not excuses;
to be motivated, not manipulated;
to be useful, not used;
to excel, not compete;
I choose self-esteem, not self pity;
I choose to listen to my inner voice,
not the random opinion of others.

“Take every chance you get in life because some things only happen once. Do now that makes you happy.”

The first time I saw this commercial that talked about the 100-year old man who made a visit to his newborn great grand daughter, the values and authenticity are so real. I will not lost a chance on commercials that astonished me which gave substance and meaning to the viewer. I did several posts about commercials or videos which is not only viral but give the meaning of life. I am not paid with this but basically I am endorsing it to convey the real meaning of the message within.

This gave me a goose bump nostalgic moments. We were a family that grandparents were very, very close to our heart that reminded my lolo (grandfather) who were died 10 years ago. I am still lucky I have with me my grandmother, my Mommy Lola which we fondly called. Her wisdom and being healthy gave the manifestation of zest for life. Her joys were still very heart warming to us.

For me, it is not more about the Coke commercial. It gave a move to a goal in life, finding what makes you happy, its secret. Time passes very quickly and before we knew it, another day has passed by. Take every chance you get in life because some things only happen once. Do now that makes you happy.

I also love to share this full of quotes about what Life can offer:

Life can seem ungrateful and not always kind
Life can pull at your heartstrings and play with your mind

Life can be blissful and happy and free
Life can put beauty in the things that you see

Life can place challenges right at your feet
Life can make good of the hardships that we meet

Life can overwhelm you and make your head spin
Life can reward those determined to win

Life can be hurtful and not always fair
Life can surround you with people who care

Life clearly does offer its ups and its downs
Life’s days can bring you both smiles and frowns

Life teaches us to take the good with the bad
Life is a mixture of happy and sad

So…..

Take the life that you have and give it your best
Think positive, be happy let God do the rest

Take the challenges that life has laid at your feet
Take pride and be thankful for each one you meet

To yourself give forgiveness if you stumble and fall
Take each day that is dealt you and give it your all

Take the love that you’re given and return it with care
Have faith that when needed it will always be there

Take time to find the beauty in the things that you see
Take life’s simple pleasures let them set your heart free

The idea here is simply to even the score
As you are met and faced with Life’s Tug Of War

~ Author Unknown

My name is Lolo Mario and in my 100 years of life,
I have been lucky, lucky to have been born like you
To have friends and family
To live a happy life to this day
You have been born in challenging times
The world is a big place
It’s so easy to get lost
To guide you, my advice is simple
Go find what makes you happy
Time flies by so fast
Don’t waste it on non-sense
And no matter where you end up
Don’t forget where you came from
Looking back on all my years
I am grateful for every moment spent
With my friends and family
Now I can see that 100 years
is not nearly enough time
To spend with them
Happiness is your birthright
Your friends and family will help you find it
For 100 years of happiness, thank you very much!

“Spend plenty of time together.  Get exciting yet spontaneous talk that will later bring both of you the spark of memories when you first fell in love.”

Me and hubby were quite sad when I was invited the partner launch of Enchanted Kingdom and Coca-Cola because we will be missing our kids with us who enjoyed more the attractions and took the most of the unlimited rides and attractions.

Anyway, both of us just enjoyed it as some sort of a date between us.  We love always the Wheel of Fortune where we can get at the top shooting the whole compound of Enchanted Kingdom and seen the greenery of the south.  Maybe even I will go round and round several times, we will still do it.

As we got the chance to talk to each other before new year’s eve, our resolution is still to have a time between the two of us without  literally the kids. People say that once both are married, it is done deal.  We spent time going around and enjoyed the parade for the whole afternoon.

Sounds really funny to date a hubby.  Anyway,  I would like to share with you simple tips, my insights why is it important.

Importance of Dating in a Marriage:

• One must realize that to keep the marriage always alive, the love rekindled by giving time to each other.  Thus, relationship with marriage become still fresh and interesting everyday.

• It is not necessary to be with one another always.  Spending quality time is enough.

• There were times when we were both alone, we clashed on certain ideas.  When kids were around, we avoided heated discussions just for them not to hear it.  When both talk personally and understand with each other, bitterness and resentments fade away, relationships rejuvenated and strengthen more the closeness.

Do this every week by routines and you will see the difference.  Make it a habit and give priority. It will become natural that you like the experience to be with one another.  Problems and issues will always exist but if you have control to every situation, your marriage will be able to face any storms.

I remembered my parents and grandparents always told us, only two of you started the family.  Children will leave you in the future.  You are all ended alone again.  True indeed!   Dating breaks the rut of daily life.  Spend plenty of time together.  Get exciting yet spontaneous talk that will later bring both of you the spark of memories when you first fell in love.

I’ve learned…. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I’ve learned…. That when you’re in love, it shows.
I’ve learned…. That just one person saying to me, “You’ve made my day!” makes my day.
I’ve learned…. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I’ve learned…. That being kind is more important than being right.
I’ve learned…. That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I’ve learned…. That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
I’ve learned…. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I’ve learned…. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I’ve learned…. That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I’ve learned…. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I’ve learned…. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I’ve learned…. That money doesn’t buy class.
I’ve learned…. That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I’ve learned… That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I’ve learned…. That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
I’ve learned…. That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I’ve learned…. That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I’ve learned…. That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I’ve learned…. That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I’ve learned…. That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I’ve learned…. That there’s nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.
I’ve learned…. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I’ve learned…. That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
I’ve learned…. That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I’ve learned…. That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I’ve learned…. That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.
I’ve learned…. That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I’ve learned…. That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I’ve learned…. That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
I’ve learned…. That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.
I’ve learned…. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
I’ve learned … That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.
I’ve learned…. That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Written by: Andy Rooney

“If gastronomy is the art of cooking, then I am probably traveling into good eating.”

One of my favorite training consultancy venue is Venice Piazza here at Mckinley Hill, Taguig City.  Every time,  my fellow consultants gathered together in this place, we made it a point to pick one resto where we indulge ourselves into good food.  Maybe part of getting our inspiration to deliver more our conduct productively as consultants is to have a simple conversation, exchanging ideas especially if you find wisdom to those simple talks.

Maybe one seating in one resto for our bonding moments like getting main meal and a drink would cost us P 200.00 or more.  For the dessert and coffee, more or less, it is just the same price. We have almost go rounds on the different restos here at Venice considering we were doing our conducts here for more than 2 years already.

What if you will given a chance to hop from different restos here in Piazza tasting their signature specialty dishes as in everything from appetizer, main course, dessert and beverages for only P 600.00?  I just did and truly a gastronomic adventure for a foodie lover like me!

What I did was to invite my fellow consultant and foodies who are also bloggers like me to experience the festive taste of flavors at Venice Piazza. We have also that chance to harness  our passion to see different styles of food preparation, took shots for every food that was served and what I enjoyed most were the sharing of food taste jumping from one plate to another.

I have heard the last year’s Food Adventure was a success but did not have that opportunity to travel that culinary tasting.  Great that they were taking it back and even better with 14 restaurants participating to dine at.

The food adventure that I have had these passport and wristband that lets you jump from one resto to another.  The passport will also served as your guide to the menu dishes you love to try.  The passport is not allowed for sharing but one can come back on the next day to try other dishes.  If you will ask me, we tried to conquered all those servings in one night.  Good luck for us, that is all I can say.

Sharing all the delightful food varieties that I dig in that night and also my recommendations in case you decided to do your food trip adventure.  Actually, after that, I did not know how I got home.  Two dishes alone, I was almost full enough.

• Pho Hoa’s Pomelo Salad – ever since this was my favorite with Pho Hoa.  If ever I will be in the diet, the pomelo salad is enough for me.  I also got two to three servings of this which I have asked my fellow foodie to allowed me to eat their share.

• Little Asia’s Shrimp Curls or  Vietnamese Spring Rolls were such a hit for me.  You have to eat it while it was still hot or else, this would be lump to taste.

• Blackwood Bistro’s Penne Putanesca – when this was served, I was almost full.  Still got a spoonful of it and the sauce is just right with the pasta.

• Kuse’s Lechon Kawali or Spicy Chicken Relleno – I highly recommended more the lechon kawali, so crispy!

• Old Vine’s Grilled Fish Fillet or Chicken Barbeque – I took a pick more with fish fillet, much healthy perhaps.

• Pincho’s Duo of Buffalo Chicken Fillet with Chips and Salsa – big serving for an appetizer

• Empire’s Grilled Tuna or Empire Signature Salad – love the exquisite taste of tuna with light dressing rather than their tossed greens with slices of grilled chicken.

• Red Crab’s Dory Fillet or Stuffed Beancurd with Crab Relleno – the presentation is too perfect but sorry the taste is not that appealing.  Both were too blunt.

• Ramen Bar’s Karaage and Kakuni Buns – pork belly buns were such a hit together with the fried chicken.

• Sol Gelato – one can choose from any two 2 gelato flavors, there were varieties of flavor to choose from, still love hokey-pokey and banofee combination. Have a chance again to taste ferrero and dark chocolate combination.  To know more about varieties of  flavors available, kindly check my link post below from Sol Gelato:

http://livelifefullest.com/2011/12/16/indulge-with-sol-gelato/

• Yo Swirls by BTIC either Original Mango or Vanilla Chocolate Yoghurt

• Figaro’s Coffee  either brewed or iced coffee.  Have picked Ice Coffee.

• Coffee Bean’s Hot Tea Latte where 6 delectable flavors to choose – Chai, English Breakfast, Tropical Passion, Matcha Green Tea, Apple Pie.  Love still the Moroccan Mint Tea

Aside from that, passport holders or those who are participating can avail discounts and freebies by all participating restaurants on weekends and weekdays like:

• free upsize on any coffee/tea based or original ice blended drink at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
• free upsize of gelato piccolo to grande and grande to extra grande at Sol Gelato
• 50% off on frozen yogurt scoops and soft-serve frozen yoguts at Yoswirls

and definitely a lot more to offer!

My gastronomical adventure to food with Venice Piazza is really a blast. If this is the art of cooking, then I am probably travelling into good eating with great company of friends around me.

So what are you waiting?  Head on to the  food adventure at Venice Piazza and taste the flavors of 14 restaurants for only P600.00 every Saturday and Sunday starting January 7 to March 31, 2012 from 4pm to 9pm.

For more information, visit their:

Website:  http://megaworldlifestylemalls.com/main/venicepiazza/info/promos/91/Food-Adventure-at-Venice-Piazza
Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/VenicePiazza
For the full mechanics of the promo, visit their: Facebook Note link