COFFEE FARMING: Through the eyes of a city dweller

COFFEE FARMING: Through the eyes of a city dweller

For one who made Metro Manila his or her home for a long time, the mention of the word "farming" or "coffee farming" brings to mind the need of being under the scorching heat of the sun and, during rainy season, wading through muddy fields.

That should not always be the case.

There is more to coffee farming than meets the eye based on our recent trip this year to the Nestle Experimental and Demo Farm (NEDF) in Tagum, Davao Del Norte.  It is so awe inspiring that I wish someday I will be able to have my own coffee farm.

After that experience, how I view coffee - and coffee farming - will never be the same again.

Fun Facts about Coffee

• Coffee is big business — it's one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world.
• Did you know that coffee has no calories? It is naturally a no calorie drink.
• 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide, making it the most popular beverage.
• 91% of coffee consumed is taken at breakfast. 
• 79% of coffee consumed is served from the homes of coffee drinkers.
• The second place where coffee is most consumed is in the workplace.
• A coffee drinker averages 2-3 cups of coffee a day.

Please read: http://www.travelonshoestring.com/2013/03/coffee-from-farm-to-cup.html

Live Well Love Well

Live Well Love Well

Procter &Gamble Philippines partnered with Robinson's Supermarket and launched the very first ever P&G and Robinsons Supermarket's First Annual Live Well Love Well Mom-Me-Time Event. The event was hosted by the charming Dimples Romana. The other celebrity moms who graced the event are the following ( in no particular order): 

• Camille Prats-Linsangan
• Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan 
• Abbygale Arenas-de Leon

Being a mom, you should also celebrate the goodness and value of healthy living through the Live Well Love Well campaign.

The Robinsons Supermarket Wellness Mania Campaign has five booths: 

1. Hair Makeover Booth 
2. Make-Up Booth
3. Facial Massage Booth
4. Hand Massage Booth
5. Delicious and Nutritious Salad Bar

Experts are on hand in each  booth to provide shoppers with tips and advice on how to start living a healthy, happy lifestyle. 

The shoppers were given free hair makeovers and make-up sessions in one of the booths. Another booth gives free facial and another booth gave free hand spa massage.The Delicious and Nutritious booth features a salad bar and ready to eat healthy food. 

Ten (10) lucky shoppers won a bagful of special items from P&G. Plus, one (1) lucky mom won the latest iPhone 5c smartphone. Congrats!

TRESTON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE:Christmas Bazaar for a Cause

TRESTON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE:Christmas Bazaar for a Cause

Earlier today, we were invited to cover the last day of the two-day bazaar held at Treston International College entitled A Christmas to Remember: Christmas Bazaar for a Cause. The bazaar was held yesterday and today (December 13 and 14, 2013) at the Ground Floor of the school premises.

The two-day bazaar highlighted, among others, the entrepreneurial spirit of Treston International College students. The bazaar was participated in by the different school organizations. There were cooking demo/workshops and a photo booth.

The proceeds from the school org’s bazaar will go to Treston’s outreach programs for the Typhoon Yolanda victims.

Treston gave their donations to the Philippine Red Cross. The active participation of the students made their event a fun and meaningful one.

AYUTTHAYA THAILAND: DIY By Train

AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND: DIY By Train

In the past, my brother and I usually celebrate New Year's Eve in Thailand because it is generally peaceful there during that time of the year. Also, almost everything is dirt cheap, from hotels, inns, food and pasalubong shopping. Yes, shirts, blouses, pants, bags and shoes are priced less than those in the Philippines. For us, however, Thailand is not only a shopping haven but also a place to immerse ourselves on the history and culture of the Thai people .

For such immersion, one of our favorite destinations in Thailand is its ancient city of Ayutthaya, which lies about 90 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts of numerous historic ruins. 

The cheapest and most scenic way to reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya, Thailand from Bangkok is by train. The train regularly departs from Bangkok's Hua Lumpong Train Station and makes a stop at Ayutthaya Train Station before proceeding to its destination. 

The trip usually takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the type of train service. Second-class seats (A/C) cost 245 baht, third-class is just 15 baht (!) (there are no reservations and seats are not guaranteed). Trains from Bangkok to Ayutthaya leave from Hua Lumpong station every hour from 4:20 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Check timetable first. (Please note that fares listed on the Thai railways site are out of date and incorrect).

At the entrance of Hua Lumpong station, go past anyone who offers to help you and  go to the ticket counter. Many of these very friendly people are up to something. Yes, even those who are at the tourist information counter near the entrance of the train station. They will try to offer you the services of the travel agencies at the second level of the station. If you ask for a copy of the map of Ayutthaya, those at the tourist information counter may tell you that they ran out of maps and will offer to accompany you to the travel agencies at the second level to ask for maps. Once you get inside the office of one of the travel agencies there, the staff will persuade you to avail of their services and to take other modes of transport. You can always refuse and get copy of the maps just the same. Note that you may also ask for copies of the map of Ayutthaya at the Ayutthaya train station. 

So, beware of persons identifying themselves as persons working for the railway station. They, more often than not, mislead and persuade you to use other means of transport. They may also give false information. We had a first hand experience of this scheme when we asked if the train for Ayutthaya has left already. The one we asked was offering to help us get a cab instead. It turned out that the train was still at the station.  

Although in the past, railway employees preferred not to sell 3rd-class tickets to foreigners, the employees, as of 2011, were explicitly offering 3rd-class seats to foreign tourists as a standard option. Also note that some train stations (for instance, Bang Khen) do not appear on the sites map, and that tickets may even be cheaper than those published in the internet. If you have local friends, they may have some good advice on how you can get cheap train tickets.

The railway station at Ayutthaya is across the river from the historic city proper. You can take a short ferry ride across this river. From the railway station, you walk across the main road and down the small street towards the river. Ferry boats across the river run every few minutes and cost 4 baht. This is much cheaper than taking a cab or tuktuk that passes over a bridge towards the city proper.

Source: www.ayutthaya-trip.com

At the other side of the river, you can walk, rent a motorcycle or a bicycle to go around the historic sites. 

Enjoy Ayutthaya!

FOG CITY CREAMERY and EMPERADOR DELUXE: Fruit and Nuts De Luxe ice cream

FOG CITY CREAMERY and EMPERADOR DELUXE: Fruit and Nuts De Luxe ice cream

Fruit and Nuts De Luxe ice cream

Imagine yourself eating a luxurious decadent brandy ice cream with apricots, pistachios and almonds in the comforts of your home. Impossible? Of course not! Fog City Creamery's take on a deconstructed fruit cake is so perfect for the holidays!

Miss Edylyn Gamboa-Liu  (Fog City Creamery owner) and Mr. Carlos Vergara  (Managing Director for International Spirits of Emperador Distillers, Inc.)

Emperador Distillers, Inc. collaborated with Fog City Creamery to create a delightful flavor highlighting Emperador Deluxe Brandy specifically made for the holidays. We are so pleased to have been given a chance to taste the high quality artisan ice cream Fruit and Nuts Deluxe. Every scoop of Fruit and Nuts De Luxe ice cream oozes with dried apricots, pistachios (my favorite nuts), almonds and Emperador Deluxe flavor.

The new holiday flavor: Fruit and Nuts De Luxe ice cream is a runaway winner this holiday season. I so love it! All I can think about is my return trip to their pick-up points so I can buy more ice cream to share with my family and friends. 

You ought to try this new flavor guys! Fog City’s delicious all natural ice cream only uses the best quality ingredients from around the world. Their ice cream contains absolutely no preservatives or artificial stabilizers. Their commitment to freshness and quality means that you are always assured of good quality ice cream with only the freshest ingredients that are free of chemicals. It has organic ingredients that are good for our body.

You could order Fruit and Nuts De Luxe ice cream at Focaccia Restaurant located at the ground floor of A. Venue Mall in Makati with telephone number (+632) 729-9403 or cellphone number 0917-883-3344 or e-mail them at info@fogcitycreamery.com 

You could also check them at Fog City
or you could also schedule to pick it up in Valle Verde 5, Pasig City.

Focacia Restaurant's wall decor.

Follow Emperador De Luxe on Facebook or visit www.emperadorbrandy.com

CHEER UP: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

CHEER UP: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Happy Morning! Smile! When you're feeling blue and when it seems the whole world is against you, fear not! Because when God is with you, who will go against you? Straighten your shoulders. Then breath in and breath out. Smile! Cheer up!

Be happy! God has given you another day to smile and be well! Cheer up! Shake away all your frustrations, anger and fears.

Today is a brand new day! Another day, another hour, another minute, another chance to be good. Don't waste your chance! Do good and be good.

MISS EARTH 2013: Miss Venezuela

MISS EARTH 2013: Miss Venezuela

Congratulations to Miss Venezuela Alyz Henrich! Miss Earth 2013.

Photography by Jory Rivera

ANNE CURTIS: Tweets Apology to Fans

ANNE CURTIS: Tweets Apology to Fans

,

“I’m sorry if I have let my fans down…”

We all make mistakes, but not everyone owns up to them. It's unfortunate that this incident happened. But the most important thing is Anne Curtis owned up to her mistakes and apologized to the people involved.

Whether you admit it or not, it takes a lot of courage to own up to one's mistakes and apologize for one's actions. We all make mistakes but not everyone owns up to them. 

Accepting responsibility for what she did is commendable.  It takes a big person to admit that they made a mistake and to say "I'm sorry." I am proud to be an Anne Curtis fan.

Good for you, Anne. Doing the honorable thing will always pay forward with reciprocity of honor. 

Here is Anne Curtis-Smith’s full apology:

"Hey, everyone. I will be making my official statement now and after this, I will not be giving any interviews about this issue anymore.

I choose to do this right away because I’ve always been an open book and I don’t like to hide anything…"

"For those who have read about the issue, yes, most of it is true. I admit to that and I have apologized to all parties included immediately…

When I was told of my behavior AND the person who started all of this, due to this person’s inappropriate behavior, apologized to me too…"

"Just as I did. Which I accepted, too. I choose not to go into details because I’m not the type to ruin someone else’s name.

Now…I had been on the super popular juice cleanse for three days and attended in my bachelorette that night, had one too many drinks…"

"Which led to some of these unfortunate events. That’s why they say, “Drink in moderation.” I will charge it to experience and a lesson learned.

I’m sorry if I let any fans down…As you all see, I’m just like any other person that makes mistakes in life…"

"Thank you to everyone that has messaged me about their support. With where I am today I owe all of you my honesty. Good night."

Anne did not identify who it was who committed “inappropriate behavior.” John Lloyd Cruz, who was allegedly also drunk like Anne, was allegedly playfully flirting with Anne that night” until that incident near the comfort room. 

But since the parties involved have apologized to each other already, let’s hope that the whole thing would be put to rest. After all, all’s well that ends well.  

To Anne Curtis-Smith:

I'm impressed. It takes great moral fortitude, humility and courage to so graciously take responsibility for your actions and their consequences. I truly respect how you've handled this situation, Anne. Just don't do it again. Blessings to you & yours! #honor #respect #bigperson #respect begets respect.

Picture Source: Google. Credits to the owner. 

You may want to see: http://www.webmags.info/2013/12/anne-curtis-slapped-john-lloyd-cruz-and.html