Cesca Wine Cafe at Il Terrazzo in Tomas Morato

===UPDATE===
This restaurant is already closed.


If you think that going to Makati or Serendra is a must for your upscale socializing needs.. you must know that Tomas Morato has something new to offer!

I've been to Il Terrazzo mall several times before and I never braved going in Cesca Wine Cafe because this is how elegant it looks...

Well, I finally had the chance and went in to try it out. Upon going in, there were far more intimidating things that greeted us that screams "Warning, warning! This resto is expensive!"


The finer things in life -- Noritake Silverwares

But, friendly waiter staffs greeted and made us feel at home. Upon sitting down, we were given the menu and some bread, butter and water. I was surprised by the price of the food!

Creamy Baked Pumpkin, laced with sweet white wine and topped with basil foam - Php 135.00 only

Because we were waiting for a friend, we decided to get some appetizers first.


Beef Tenderloin Cubes with wild mushrooms and garlic flakes stir fried in olive oil - Salpicao in short :p - Php245.00

The beef was so tender and juicy that it will make your mouth water.


Fresh Salmon marinated with sea salt, fresh dill leaves and assorted spices - Php180.00

It really tasted fresh and delicious! Actually, this would pass as an entrée. Just add rice and your good to go!


Seared boneless chicken laced with creamy green papper corn sauce - Php185.00

Looks can be deceiving as this may look like an ordinary chicken. It has a tinge taste of herbs.


Fillet of Dory served with Wasabi cream and asparagus tips. - Php225.00

Well, as others claim that their Dory melts in your mouth, this Dory does too!


Pasta in olive oil, garlic and mixed seafood with basil. - Php185.00

A must try pasta to satisfy your carbohydrate needs.


Pizza with yummmmmeeeee Goat Cheese - Php295.00

Believe me, the cheese is really filled with cheesy goodness!!!

The last but not the least.... their Blueberry Cheesecake is to die for. I can testify that this is the best cheesecake yet in Metro Manila. Don't leave Cesca without trying this dessert!

We had a great long lunch that time and I can't wait to go back there again! See? The prices are really affordable. It's actually so affordable that other restaurants you go to are even more expensive.

=========
Cheftonio
Cesca Wine Cafe Review

Do you judge people quickly?

Watch this video to start off your weekend. Happy Weekend!

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:12).”

Don't Judge Too Quickly... We Won't. - Funny bloopers R us

LG Launches The Health + Collection

What is the Health+ campaign all about?

With this campaign, LG underscores its market leadership as the first consumer electronics company to design and market a comprehensive suite of home appliances aimed at helping consumers maintain healthier homes for the family household. With LG Health+ appliances, consumers can foster healthy lifestyles in every aspect of home living, such as cooking and eating, clothing, and keeping the home clean.

According to Mr. Raymond Hernandez, corporate marketing head of LG Electronics Philippines,

“We are very pleased to roll out the Health+ campaign in the Philippines. We believe healthy lifestyles start at home. Our products are designed to make it easier for home-makers to maintain a healthy home in every aspect -- whether it is about eating healthy, keeping the air clean at home, or washing your babies’ clothes in the most hygienic way possible. We hope it will provide our customers’ peace of mind knowing that the household appliances they use everyday can contribute to the well-being of their loved ones,”

Health+ Washing Machines
Top Loading Washing Machine- Detergent Free, Health+ filter, Hygienic Tub Cleaning
People think that doing laundry regularly is enough. This is not always the case. Most allergens are difficult to remove and can require specialized products designed for the task.

LG’s top-loading washer includes a smart cleaning feature which uses a special sensor, named I-Sensor that measures residual detergent and adjusts accordingly the duration, temperature, water level and intensity for each of the washer’s four rinse stages. This ensures a complete removal of detergent residue, which can cause allergic reactions from clothing. This is especially important for homes with small children or people with sensitive skin.

The hygienic tub-cleaning feature found in LG’s front-loading washer is also available in LG’s top-loading washer. With high speed spinning, dirt and water stains on the inner and outer tub are eliminated.


Health+ Air Conditioners
Residential Air Conditioner- Five-step Advanced Filtration System, Auto Clean
Air conditioning is now more than just a cooling device. LG’s air-conditioners provide fresher, cleaner air and create a healthier home environment free from viruses, bacteria and dust through the powerful filtration system. Its advanced filtering system removes not only microscopic contaminants and dust from the air, but also house mites, pollen and pet dander to help those who suffer from allergy and asthma.

The filtration system begins with an anti-bacterial pre-filter which screens pollens, mold and large dust. It also captures fine odorous particles and completely eliminates them with a Nano Carbon filter. Nano Carbon was first used in the world as a deodorizing material. Next, the Plasma Air Purifying System developed uniquely by LG not only removes microscopic contaminants and dust, but also removes house mites, pollen, and pet fur to prevent allergic diseases like asthma. Finally, nano-sized bio enzymes attached to the K-AV filter directly penetrate the cell walls of bacteria to decompose its cell nuclei and kill the virus.

With the Auto Clean function activated, the automatic cleaning process begins as soon as the cooling cycle ends. Soft, quiet air dries the evaporator and removes accumulated condensation -- the source of mold.


Health+ Refrigerators
Top Mount Refrigerators - Door Cooling, Vitamin Plus, Green Ion
Door Cooling is a 3 way cooling system that makes air flow from the front door and circulates it through the door. It can cool food faster than any conventional model, while creating a consistent interior climate. No matter where food is placed in the refrigerator, it will be kept at an even temperature.

Vitamin Plus technology, available in LG’s top mount refrigerators, supplies vitamins to fruits to keep them fresh and to extend their shelf life. This creates the perfect conditions to preserve fresh vegetables. The humidity control system monitors moisture and keeps it at optimum levels to preserve freshness.

Another feature for food freshness is a unique Green Ion Door Cooling System. It uses a ventilation system coated in catechin, a green tea extract, to deodorize the refrigerator. Combined with a negative ion generator, this kills food-spoiling bacteria and fungi, effectively resulting in 5.7 times less fungi after seven days than conventional models. The green catechin keeps food fresh two and a half times longer than normal refrigerators.

In addition to that, their Microwave is also worth mentioning. View the image below:


In essence, this is the why the LG Health+ exists

==Video from the LG Health + Collection==



For more information, go to http://ph.lge.com/

Basaan in San Juan - June 24, 2009

I was on my way to work and wasn't expecting any traffic on June 24th because for one, it's a non-working holiday in Manila and second, pre-school, elementary and high school classes were cancelled because Metro Manila is under signal number 2 as Feria hits Luzon.

The traffic was so heavy because my usual travel to where I work takes around 7-10 minutes only. This time, we were stuck for 25 minutes in the place where it usually takes us only around 1 minute.


After turning right to Aurora Blvd, we saw a bunch of people and we were thinking, "maybe there was an accident or a stalled vehicle." Then, this is what we saw next...



It's the annual basaan festival in San Juan (In Basaan festival, residents of San Juan splash waters to motorists and passersby). It's a tradition in the Philippines according to Wikipilipinas,

Filipinos appropriately commemorate the birth of St. John (other than the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist is the only saint whose birth is celebrated in the Christian liturgy; feasts of other saints are celebrated on the day of their death), who cleansed and prepared the people for the coming of Jesus Christ by baptizing them with water.

Matthew 2:11 quotes Saint John as saying: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentence but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he sahll baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire."

Children and grown-ups alike line up the streets and generously douse passersby or unsuspecting commuters and visitors with water, with the traditional “basaan” or "buhusan" (dousing of water)- supposedly to remind them of their baptism. They also enjoy engaging in water wars and other wet games using dippers, pails, hoses and even water pistols.

This popular custom is practiced as they recall San Juan's life and mission. That is why in some places, passing buses, cars, and jeeps become the targets of water splashed and thrown about with reckless gusto.

As an example, below is a video of a truck victimized by the open-door-splash-water gang in San Juan :)



Mind you, they are not targeting public vehicles only. They did try to open our car so if I were you, make sure your locks are working properly.

Happy Fiesta, San Juan!

To know more about the Philippine culture through websites, check this out: http://www.heypinoy.com/

Chef Robert Rainford Makes His First Trip To The Philippines to Tantalise Crowds with His Skill on the Grill

Asian Food Channel’s Chef Robert Rainford Makes His First Trip To The Philippines to Tantalise Crowds with His Skill on the Grill

June 15, 2009 – The Asian Food Channel (AFC) the region’s first and only 24-hour food channel is proud to announce it is bringing over celebrity BBQ chef Robert Rainford. As part of AFC’s barbecue month this June, all AFC viewers will be thrilled to know that the channel is hosting television celebrity Chef Robert Rainford for a 3-city whirlwind tour of Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

The Asian Food Channel presents The King of Grill Robert Rainford’s first ever trip to the Philippines with The License to Grill star in Manila from the 21 to 22 June to delight local fans with his grill and share his BBQ know-how with everyone.

Chef Rainford will be tantalising taste buds by entertaining his fans in the Philippines during these gourmet grilling dates, with his dynamic ‘wherever there’s a grill there is a way’ philosophy.

Having undergone formal training at the culinary school at George Brown College, Toronto, Chef Rainford rapidly developed a professional career in the kitchen, working with a variety of culinary talents. However, his curiosity for food and tastes, coupled with his Jamaican heritage, led him to the outdoors and the now familiar smoke of the barbecue.

A world-class chef more commonly known as the King of Grill, Chef Rainford’s passion for the barbecue allows him to transform a variety of fresh seasonal ingredients into an array of mouth-watering, creative barbecued meals.

“Having brought Licence to Grill to our Asian viewers over the past few years we are delighted to now bring the King of Grill himself, the guru of barbecuing, Chef Rainford, to the Philippines. By bringing international culinary talent like him to the region we want to continue inspiring, educating, and delighting our millions of viewers as well as both budding and experienced chefs.” commented Maria Brown, Co-Founder and Managing Director of AFC.

Ms Brown continued: “Economic conditions is withstanding, the very strong feedback from our millions of viewers and fans are telling us that they love the Channel and the stars we feature and the fact that we are bringing them to the region. We see it as a small way for AFC to let our ardent fans know that we love them, their passion for the Channel, and that we continue listening to them.”

With BBQ events galore, AFC Chef Robert Rainford is sure to satisfy all License to Grill fans and grill enthusiasts in the Philippines! The King of Grill,

Chef Rainford, will be creating a special barbecue extravaganza and a broad array of mouth-watering grill inspired delights on 21 June at Greenbelt 3 Park, Makati City and on 22 June at Alabang Town Center.

The event will be made possible by the following Presentors: Asian Food Channel, Skycable, Ayala Malls and San Remo; Other sponsors: Magnolia Chicken Station, Selecta, F&B World, Max 103.5, Jam 88.3 and Wave 89.1.

During the month of June catch Chef Rainford’s top tips and delicious recipes on ‘Licence to Grill’ every weekday at 8pm, only on Asian Food Channel, Skycable Channel 58. So there really is no excuse not to dust the barbecue down and practice your skill on the grill.



About Asian Food Channel
The Asian Food Channel (AFC) is the region’s only 24-hour food channel dedicated to airing the best food and lifestyle programming from around the region and around the world. Based in Singapore, AFC’s wide Asian distribution footprint covers seven territories and 20 million viewers, on basic tiers of all the major pay TV platforms across Southeast Asia.

The channel leads the ratings in its territories, regularly achieving the #1 lifestyle channel in terms of popularity and loyalty. It has achieved a broad following from young teenage food lovers and empty nesters to trendy urban females and aspiring male chefs. Its online presence supports the channel with program information, recipes, content and an e-commerce store. As such AFC regularly executes 360 degree advertising and marketing campaigns and solutions for leading FMCG, Financial and Travel brands.

AFC broadcasts on:
• StarHub Channel 69 (Singapore)
• Astro Channel 703 (Malaysia)
• First Media Digital 1 Channel 76 (Indonesia)
• Prime Indovision Channel 22 (Indonesia)
• Now TV Channel 527 (Hong Kong)
• Skycable Channel 58 (Philippines)

Please visit www.asianfoodchannel.com for more information


For further information please contact:

For further enquiries on Spain…On the Road Again, please contact:

Pebbles Reyes
pebbles.reyes@asianfoodchannel.com
Mobile: +63920 9040758

Why Envy?

It is foolish to envy the wicked who prosper because their prosperity is only temporary. You should appreciate what God provides and accept where God calls you.

Rather than just trying to get what you don't have or allowing bitterness to take hold in your life, patiently wait for God to act in the way that is best for you.

For it is said in the bible:
Do not fret because of evildoers; don't envy the wicked. For the evil have no future; their light will be snuffed out. (Proverbs 24:19-20)

Answer and Win Huntkey Power Supply Units! (PSU)

Please check out the complete Press Release here at the Hunkey Official Website.

Huntkey Holds Philippine Raffle Event
June 01, 2009

From June 1, 2009 until July 15, 2009 Huntkey will be holding a FREE raffle event in the Philippines where each of the 6 lucky raffle winners will receive a brand new Huntkey PSU to power up their PC system.

The event is in celebration of Huntkey being chosen as the exclusive PSU sponsor of Futuremark’s < Lords of Overclocking 2009 Competition > which is an online overclocking competition that will put overclockers hardware and tweaking skills to the test. Click the link below to know more about the event:

http://www.futuremark.com/community/competitions/overclocking/regional09/

----------------------

Huntkey is the Top 5 Power Supply provider worldwide and is well known for their performance, stability, and reliability that earned them remarkable awards.

Famous corporations such as Lenovo and Dell have already adopted Huntkey as its regular power component.

>Join the FREE Raffle <
> Rules and Regulations <

> Prizes at Stake <
> About the contest <

Will postponing classes be sufficient to prevent Ah1n1?

This years biggest issue worldwide is, one, the economic crisis and second, the Ah1n1 virus spreading all over the world. Although there are several kinds of strains, there are some precautionary measures that can be applied to prevent Ah1n1.

Just last week, a student from De La Salle University was found to be positive with the Ah1n1 virus. This was when the Commission on Higher Education declared that all colleges and university postpone their classes opening date to June 15, 2009.

The ultimate question is, won't the younger kids (grade school and high school) get infected with the Ah1n1 virus? Why did they not postpone the classes of the grade school and high school students?

In my opinion, classes should be postponed further and I think that it's better that they lessen the students' summer next year since they had a long vacation this year. This will keep everyone safer. Also, the information campaign is not sufficient. This Ah1n1 virus is overrated. Though the death rate is low, what's scary is the mutation capabilities of the virus. But, people should also know that there are far more deadlier viruses out there that can be more deadlier than the Ah1n1. Dengue is an example.

If you look at the chart below, the percentage is really low and we hope that it stays low or even become lower. (Source: WHO)

Country	Cumulative total		Newly confirmed since the last reporting period
	Cases	Deaths	Cases	Deaths
Argentina	147	0	16	0
Australia	876	0	375	0
Austria	2	0	1	0
Bahamas	1	0	0	0
Bahrain	1	0	0	0
Barbados	1	0	1	0
Belgium	13	0	0	0
Bolivia	3	0	0	0
Brazil	28	0	8	0
Bulgaria	1	0	0	0
Canada	1795	3	265	1
Chile	369	1	56	1
China	89	0	20	0
Colombia	24	0	4	0
Costa Rica	68	1	18	0
Cuba	4	0	0	0
Cyprus	1	0	0	0
Czech Republic	2	0	1	0
Denmark	4	0	3	0
Dominican Republic	33	0	22	0
Ecuador	43	0	4	0
Egypt	1	0	0	0
El Salvador	49	0	8	0
Estonia	3	0	2	0
Finland	4	0	0	0
France	47	0	21	0
Germany	43	0	15	0
Greece	5	0	0	0
Guatemala	23	0	9	0
Honduras	34	0	32	0
Hungary	3	0	2	0
Iceland	1	0	0	0
India	4	0	3	0
Ireland	8	0	4	0
Israel	39	0	6	0
Italy	38	0	8	0
Jamaica	2	0	0	0
Japan	410	0	25	0
Korea, Republic of	41	0	0	0
Kuwait	18	0	0	0
Lebanon	3	0	0	0
Luxembourg	1	0	1	0
Malaysia	2	0	0	0
Mexico	5563	103	534	6
Netherlands	4	0	0	0
New Zealand	11	0	1	0
Nicaragua	5	0	4	0
Norway	9	0	5	0
Panama	173	0	18	0
Paraguay	5	0	0	0
Peru	47	0	7	0
Philippines	29	0	13	0
Poland	4	0	0	0
Portugal	2	0	0	0
Romania	8	0	3	0
Russia	3	0	0	0
Saudi Arabia	1	0	1	0
Singapore	12	0	3	0
Slovakia	3	0	1	0
Spain	218	0	38	0
Sweden	13	0	6	0
Switzerland	10	0	0	0
Thailand	8	0	6	0
Turkey	8	0	4	0
United Kingdom	428	0	89	0
United States of America	11054	17	1001	0
Uruguay	15	0	0	0
Venezuela	4	0	1	0
Viet Nam	3	0	0	0
Grand Total	21940	125	2667	8

It is also important that the government do not disclose the information and location of people infected with the said virus to prevent it from spreading further. Doing so, they are risking more people to be infected with the Ah1n1 flu strain.

Photo from: Filipino Socialism Wordpress

On another note, I guess that the postponement of the classes in the college level might have something to do with the con-ass independence day rally that would be even bigger this Friday if the classes in the college level would already start. Otherwise, why didn't they also postpone the classes in the grade school and high school level?

For those planning to join the CONASS independence day rally, go! Let's not give chance to the government to do whatever they want. It is impossible that President GMA has no "hidden agenda" with this CONASS thing.

www.Notoconass.com

Will you go for Bayani Fernando in 2010?

Chairman, as people call him, is a professional Mechanical Engineer. He has built some of the country's tallest buildings, shopping malls, industrial and residential subdivisions. "BF" also owns the BF group of companies.

He was,
-the former secretary of DPWH
-former mayor (3 terms) of Marikina
-confered the Doctor of Humanities
-Honoris Causa
-The outstanding Filipino award for government service
-HR Reyes Academic medallion of honor

I liked one of his sayings and it goes...

"As a leader, I cannot cry with the poor for if my eyes are blinded with tears, how will I lead them out of poverty?"

photo from: Manila Photos (blogspot)

It was just lately that I realized that there were some deeper explanation on why he would shoo-away the illegal sidewalk vendors. Chairman BF might not get the votes of those illegal vendors but, he will get the votes of those legal vendors inside the market!

In another point of view, how many people have you heard died because BF drove them away of the pedestrian lane for selling? None! How many people have died because they do not have sidewalks to walk on thus, making it more prone to cars hitting them. Have you ever thought of that way?

Another project is the gwapotel. It is not your ordinary hotel. It's a place where you can sleep and stay for 10 hours for just 25 pesos. With that, you get 8 minutes of shower time for free! (additional 5 pesos for another 8-minute extension) (Boys and girls part their ways on the lobby).

Of all the possible candidates for the 2010 presidential run, only Chairman Bayani Fernando have demonstrated the political will this country needs.

Of course, other presidentiables have their own advantages. Will you go for BF?

DLSU - Taft Manila student positive with Ah1n1 virus

I just checked all news sites and confirmed that a DLSU - Taft Manila student was checked positive for being infected with the Ah1n1 virus.

Classes in DLSU would be suspended for 10 days from June 4 to 14, Duque said.

Duque advised all the school students, particularly those who came in close contact with the infected student, to observe self quarantine and avoid malls and other crowded places.

According to sources:

-The said exchange student arrived here on May 12, 2009.
- She went to attend classes last May 25, 2009, which was the start of the trimestral classes for DLSU - Taft.
- She (the Japanese exchange student) was discovered to carry the Ah1n1 virus just last May 29,2009

So, does this mean that the virus has already spread?

Related news:
ABS-CBN News - DLSU suspends classes due to A (H1N1) case
GMA News - DLSU student is RP's latest A(H1N1) case - DOH
Laakomaisip.blogspot.com - De La Salle University suspends their classes due to h1n1

Tech: Wacom Launches Intuos 4 tablet

Tokyo, Japan - Wacom unveils the long anticipated Intuos 4, a revolutionary new professional pen tablet that delivers new features and unparalleled performance to... blah!

I won't go into the PR stuff released! This is a blog and I am going to write what I want to write - My own review and experience with the new Wacom Intuos 4!!!


I am not a tablet user. Although I've been wanting to buy one ever since, the monetary side of me won't allow me. First of all, these gadgets are not cheap. The Wacom Bamboo ( low end, I think ) costs around 6,000 pesos already. This new baby here, the Wacom Intuos 4 costs around 12,000 pesos (smallest).

Wacom Intuos 4 reads "professional". As we all know, Wacom is the market leader for tablets like these. They only make tablets unlike other competitors which has a wide array of products. This means that the full attention of the R&D would be more focused in developing their only product.

Back to the Intuos 4, using it is as natural as it can be. It's just like using a pen and paper. The touch ring and the radial menu has a lot of functions that it can actually replace your keyboard! It's sensitivity is amazing! A Wacom tablet was used for producing the first ever animation made in the Philippines - Dayo!

Click the ff for:

• The Technology
• The Tablet
• The Pen
• The Driver Software
• Download Technical Specifications (PDF Format)

Here are the benefits of using a Wacom Intuos 4:

• Improved Workflow
• Natural Feel
• High Performance
• Enhanced Control
• Intuos4 Photo Gallery
• Reasons to Upgrade

To make it easier for buyers to specify what they want, they named the 4 sizes (and their prices):

Intuos4 Small (PTK-440): 12,650 Peso
Intuos4 Medium (PTK-640): 19,350 Peso
Intuos4 Large (PTK-840): 26,050 Peso
Intuos4 X-Large (PTK-1240): 42,050 Peso
(all prices include Tax)

Don't let the prices scare you away. You are buying an investment, not a gadget that's only a fad!

Below are some videos that will show you what the Wacom Intuos 4 can do.
Drawing Optimus Prime using MS Paint and Wacom Intuos 4.


IronMan Sketch using Wacom Intuos 4


Where to buy? Store Locator