DIMSUM BREAK: The Home of Good Chinese Food Now Open at THE ANNEX of SM City North Edsa

DIMSUM BREAK: The Home of Good Chinese Food Now Open at THE ANNEX of SM City North Edsa 

To all siomai-eating pinoys: You thought you already know your dimsum?  For all you know, what you have tried might have been nothing but dimsum with extenders and with only soy sauce and kalamansi dip to make it flavorful. It's a good thing that the Dimsum people who inculcate the Dimsum eating habit to almost every Cebuano conquers Metro Manila. Dimsum Break is now open at the third floor of SM City North Edsa The Annex. at unbelievably affordable prices! I tell you, you'll not only see but taste the big difference! In the picture above you can see the following:

• Empress roll - the one with lettuce wrap, this is my favorite! I so love how the taste slide to my tongue in every bite! Two thumbs up for this! Very healthy! Makulay ang buhay kapag kumain ng gulay!
• Shaomai - pork siomai so delicious!
• Bacon Shaomai- the sinful bacon wrapped siomai, yum yum!
• Quail's egg siomai- siomai topped with quail egg 
• Mushroom siomai - siomai with mushroom ano beh! Lol!

The above picture is only a steamer basket sampler. You can purchase them cafeteria style. Just point to what siomai you like to order and the friendly and attentive staff will serve them to you!

Crab Princers on stick are so meaty! Lasang lasa ang crab! I love it! On the side is the yummy spring roll.  The Spring rolls (P65) are cooked to a nice crisp, and the sweet and sour sauce it was drowned in was the perfect sauce for it.

Don't forget to order the foundation of Dimsum Break, their core product -the Steamed Fried Rice. Super yummy! Hahanap hanapin mo talaga! Take note Dimsum Break doesn't use MSG!

Cap your meal with the delicious coconut cream. Oh! Fall in love with their mango custard, very delicious, manggang mangga talaga!

As for the ambiance, I am sure, like me, you'll also be fascinated with Dimsum Break's Dimsum wall decor and steamer Basket lamps. It was pure genius!  I love it!

Plenty of other restaurants come and go over the decades in Cebu but Dimsum Break has very good food that stood the test of time. Today, after a couple of decades of evolution, occasional menu additions, tweaks here and there and a steady growth trend upwards, Dimsum Break stands ingrained as a legitimate piece of Cebuano culture, as much a part of the city’s landscape and history.

The movers and shakers of Dimsum Break. Thank you so much to Ms. Tish and Ms. Mae Ilagan for the invitation. The company started in 1969 as "Ding How" then became "Ding Qua Qua" then "Harbor City", and the most recent, "Dimsum Break", whatever name they use the Cebuanos will always love their Sweet and Sour Pork and Steamed Rice. They are now operating a total of 16 branches in Cebu. Having them at SM Annex is heaven's answer to all Cebuanos who are now based here in Metro Manila.

One could never have enough of Dimsum Break's offerings! Mapababalik balik ka sa mura at sarap! Try it, you'll love it!

Dimsum Break is located at the 3rd floor of SM City North Edsa The Annex.

VIDEO: Zoren Legaspi Carmina Villaroel Surprise Wedding

VIDEO: Zoren Legaspi Carmina Villaroel Surprise Wedding

Finally, after 12 years of living in together, Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi tie the knot in a surprise wedding at Fernwoods last night November 15, 2012.

All along, the unsuspecting bride Carmina Villaroel thought that the gown she's wearing is part of a “family product photoshoot” at the Fernbrook Gardens in Las Piñas City Thursday evening.

A script that only Zoren Legaspi and his “accomplices” knew  unfolded a real-life drama that brought Carmina Villaroel into tears.

“Will you marry me?” asked Zoren, who was in tuxedo,when he proposed to the unsuspecting bride. Surprised, Carmina still managed to say “yes” to her celebrity partner of 12 years.
                     

Their twins, Cassandra and Maverick, then entered the scene and demanded that their parents get married “tonight!”

Zoren and Carmina tied the knot that very evening.
   
One of the principal sponsors, former chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, Grace Poe Llamanzares said that the wedding was so touching and yes, she herself cried a few times as did many of the guests and, of course, the bride and the newly wed couple's daughter Cassandra.

It was a civil wedding officiated by Court of Appeals Justice Amy Javier.

Designer Paul Cabral organized the entire wedding ceremony.        
             

Among the principal sponsors are:

•  Kris Aquino
•  Eric Quizon
•  Sharon Cuneta
•  Ben Chan
•  Felix Ang
• John Concepcion 
•  Cory Vidanes
•  Grace Poe Llamanzares

UNIQLO: Opens in SM North Edsa Tomorrow

UNIQLO: Opens in SM North Edsa Tomorrow

Good News, mga kabagang! Special planner awaits the first people to line up before 10:30 AM and a photo booth will be set-up to capture your UNIQLO moments!

See you all tomorrow! Gate opens at 8:00 AM, Store opens at 10:00 AM. MS. IZA CALZADO will be there to welcome you all!

 

UNIQLO NORTH EDSA: Opens November 16, 2012

UNIQLO NORTH EDSA: Opens November 16, 2012

It's all system go for UNIQLO North Edsa! Woooot! UNIQLO is Japan’s leading global fashion brand. It is set to open its second store on November 16, 2012, Friday at the 2nd floor of SM City North EDSA The Block
 
UNIQLO North Edsa will be Uniqlo's second store in the Philippines. A fitting follow-up to the very successful opening of UNIQLO’s first store in the Philippines in June this year at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
 
The choice of SM City North EDSA in Quezon City was made to serve primarily Quezon City residents and other key areas in this part of northern Metro Manila. Yes! This is good news for Northern residents like me and you! 
Quezon City is an acknowledged business, entertainment and lifestyle hub, and features a large concentration of residential areas that makes it an ideal location for UNIQLO’s new store. SM City North EDSA, on the other hand, is a top-of-mind choice for shopping and leisure activities in northern Metro Manila. 
Oh la la! I am so lucky to be invited to a shopping spree at Uniqlo North Edsa two days before its grand opening on the 16th. I was able to buy two (2) pants and two (2) shirts. #Napagastos ng wala sa oras. Lol. Well, Christmas is around the corner so splurging once in a while especially if it is a sale is just okay, don't you think so?
 
I saw a couple of bloggers, members of the press, models, singers, actors, actresses enjoying shopping at Uniqlo last night. 
We had fun shopping last night! Thank you Uniqlo, sa uulitin! Pants can be bought as low as Php 590 to Php 1990. Shirts as low as Php 190, Php 290 and Php 590.
 
With the upcoming opening of its 2nd store in the country, UNIQLO is right on track in its target of opening more stores in the Philippines that will bring UNIQLO’s excellent products to more people in other areas. 
The Philippines is the 12th branch outside of Japan where UNIQLO has presence, after opening stores in the US, UK, France, Russia, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. UNIQLO also operates stores in other countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
 
UNIQLO is seen as an innovator in the global apparel industry because of its wide array of product lines that are highly functional and of outstanding quality at an affordable price. 

UNIQLO promotes its “MADE FOR ALL” philosophy, whose underlying objective is to provide casual clothing that is made for all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or any other ways that define an individual.
 
The salesman was encouraging me to buy a Ghost in the Shell Black shirt because he claimed to have sold one to Korina Sanchez.

The UNIQLO store at the 2nd floor of the SM City North EDSA The Block will be open beginning November 16, 2012,  from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.
 
Are you all gear up shopping at Uniqlo North Edsa? Don't be left behind. Be there at 10:00 a.m. sharp on November 16 2012, Friday para di ka maubusan! 

I just can't get enough of Uniqlo's Special Sale! I'll be back for more at UNIQLO SM City North EDSA Store's grand opening on Friday, November 16, 2012 at the 2nd floor, The Block, SM City North Edsa, Quezon City, Philippines! See you there!

ROBREDO'S Plane Crash is due to Pilot Error

ROBREDO'S Plane Crash is due to Pilot Error

A mixture of sadness and dismay was what President Aquino felt after investigators released their report mainly blaming the pilot for the Aug. 18 plane crash that killed Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and two others, including the pilot himself. 

A special investigation committee cited various errors by Capt. Jessup Bahinting, the most flagrant being his failure to turn back the plane to Cebu after an engine malfunctioned, showing a lack of experience to handle an emergency situation. 

The committee also blamed engine failure and poor management by AviaTour’s Fly’n Inc., including Bahinting’s supposed connivance with officers of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the issuance of a certificate of airworthiness without proper tests.
The plane crashed into the Masbate Sea.

Mr. Aquino has informed Robredo’s widow, Leni, and her three daughters of the findings.
“When I first read the initial results of the investigation, I felt a mixture of sadness and dismay,” Mr. Aquino told reporters. 

“The pieces of evidence pointed to one thing: If some people did their job, if the rules of the industry were followed, if those involved were only faithful to their obligations, the tragedy could have been avoided,” he said.

Option of turning back

Mr. Aquino said Bahinting lacked the proper experience and training for “one-engine inoperative emergency” even though some said he was an expert pilot. 

“It’s clear he failed to fly the plane safely on one operating engine. Apart from this, 23 minutes after taking off from Mactan, he became aware that the engine malfunctioned, but instead of turning back, they flew ahead to Naga,” he said. 

“They were airborne for 70 minutes before the plane crashed. That means, if they had turned back immediately to Mactan, there was a high possibility the accident could have been avoided,” Mr. Aquino said. 

The ill-fated Piper Seneca took off from Cebu International Airport for Naga at around 3 p.m. At about 4:25 p.m., it crashed into the waters of Masbate, killing Robredo, Bahinting and his copilot Kshitiz Chand, from  Nepal.

Key errors
 
Robredo’s aide, Senior Insp. June Abrazado, survived, swimming through a hole in the plane to shore. 

Malacañang honored Robredo with a state funeral.

The committee, chaired by Capt. Amado Soliman Jr., cited several key errors by the pilot, but the most flagrant was: “When the right-hand engine became problematic, he continued to fly away from Cebu instead of turning back.” 

While one engine had problems, both engines were still functioning and continued to do so for 30 minutes. And Cebu has the most modern air navigation and communication equipment, the longest runway, the widest airstrip, the most advanced and most trained crash, fire and rescue equipment, and personnel, it added. 

“Mostly it was the pilot’s inability to control that aircraft on an emergency situation where he lost one engine,” Soliman said. 

The other errors cited by the panel were:

• The pilot had no previous experience on the flight route.

• The pilot lost situational awareness with regard to the plane’s relative position to Masbate Airport.

• The pilot’s license renewal did not cover “one-engine inoperative emergency” during his proficiency flight.

• Upon entering Masbate airspace, the pilot undertook improper approach procedures, such as premature extension of landing gears and flaps, and improper approach maneuver.

Against procedures

Mr. Aquino said Bahinting’s premature extension of the landing gear and flaps ran counter to the Piper Seneca Flight Manual Procedures for twin-engine planes.
“According to the experts, this contributed to the ‘drag’ that slowed down the plane until this could no longer be controlled and it crashed,” he said. 

Accordingly, pilot error caused the crash, and Bahinting “improperly handled a one-engine inoperative emergency,” Soliman said during a PowerPoint presentation. 

Soliman said: “Among airline pilots, single engine is just a routine maneuver. I don’t know why in general aviation, there seems to be a problem. Even if you lose an engine—a twin or a multi-engine aircraft—it doesn’t have to end in an accident. But it will end in an accident if the pilot lacks the training to handle that aircraft during an emergency situation flight having lost one engine.” 

“It could have gone back to Cebu and still landed with two engines because the engine conked out 37 minutes after the first indication of trouble. So he was only 23 minutes out of Mactan. He could have very well gone back to Mactan and land with two engines.” 

Hard starting
The committee concluded that the right-hand engine experienced “hard starting” after the installation of an overhauled propeller, but this was not recorded in the aircraft logbook. 

Specifically, two screws that held the idler gear shaft in place had “material failure.” The bent edge of the lock plate that was supposed to lock the screw in place was also found broken.
The committee concluded the stoppage of the right-hand engine caused the emergency, saying the stoppage was “likely caused” by intermittent fuel supply and erratic engine firing, and the intermittent fuel supply was caused by parts failure due to bad maintenance. 

It noted that AviaTour’s was not certified by the aircraft manufacturer and by CAAP to conduct maintenance work on the aircraft. 

The committee found flaws in the management of AviaTour’s, including the improper issuance of an airworthiness certificate.

Airworthiness Airworthiness inspector Fernando Abalos approved the test flight permit for renewal of the airworthiness certificate for the plane on Jan. 7, 2012,  but there was no record in the aircraft logbook of the test flight, the committee said. 

A check with Mactan airport log showed no flight plan for the plane was filed on that day, it added. 

Capt. Federico Omolon, AviaTour’s flight instructor, testified that Bahinting asked him to sign the flight test report even though he did not fly the plane on Jan. 7, the committee said. 

On Jan. 17, Abalos endorsed the application for airworthiness certificate renewal and an entry in the database showed the documents for such a renewal had been reviewed by Abalos. On Feb. 2, the certificate of airworthiness was released to Armand Gozum of AviaTour’s, but this was predated to Jan. 7. 

‘Deception and fraud’
“Captain Bahinting connived with airworthiness inspector Abalos to expedite the processing and approval of the certificate of airworthiness,” the committee concluded. 

“It was clear that they committed deception and fraud. The cost: The lives of three people,” the President said. “This is a symptom of an anomaly in a system that has long prevailed, and which we are now addressing. We will not allow this system to continue. That’s why evidence would continue to be gathered to hold accountable those who have shortcomings on the part of AviaTour and even the CAAP.” 

Mr. Aquino ordered an audit of  the permits and licenses issued by the CAAP and the strengthening of the rules for the operations of  flying schools and airtaxis. 

“We don’t want this tragedy to happen to anyone,” he said. “Jesse would want us to learn from the tragedy that befell him. Let’s not allow his passing to come to naught.” 

CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss III ordered the creation of a special investigating committee to look into the administrative and criminal culpabilities of CAAP and AviaTour’s personnel. 

“AviaTour has been suspended but not its personnel, not yet. We need to go through due process,” Hotchkiss said.                                                                                   SOURCE: Inquirer

BIGBY'S: CDO's Premier Café & Restaurant

BIGBY'S: CDO's Premier Café & Restaurant

Whenever you are in Cagayan De Oro City, don't you dare miss Bigby's to-die-for Cookies ‘N Caramel Cheesecake (Php 199)! It is one of the excellent cheesecakes I ever tried! It has a very refined texture, light and melting, not too sweet and yet so yummy! It is topped with cookie bits, which is an American twist on the European pastry crust. The caramel swirl sauce gives the cheesecake an extra oomph! Highly recommended! Rating: Five fingers out of five. Mapa-pa-appear kayo sa sarap!

For the taste teasers, we had Tijuana Quesadillas. Pan-grilled Tortillas with garlic and cheese stuffings. 1/2 order is only Php 99.00

Tiki Wacky Chicken Salad: Php 295.00. A chunky salad treat with tomatoes, yellow mango, grapes, walnuts, cheese, croutons and creamy chicken salad on top of romaine lettuce.

 

Fire-grilled Boomerang shrimp Go-lite: Php 285.00

Uncle Sam's Roast Beef. Slow Roasted U.S. Beef served with pan gravy: Php 290.00

 

Rack-A-Bye Baby Back Ribs: Php 399. Oh la la! Finger-licking goodness of tender smoky barbecued pork ribs. Super sa sarap ang barbecue sauce nila. Ang sarap!

 

Bigby's Quality Food Corporation was conceptualized in 1998 by 3 friends who created Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant. 

 Refined food with great atmosphere. 

Bigby's Cafe first opened in December 8, 1998 at #89 Hayes St., Cagayan de Oro City. Bigby's revolutionized dining habits of Cagay-anons by offering a variety of internationally-famous food with big servings at very competitive prices in a family-friendly atmosphere. 

It tested Cebu market by opening a 2nd branch at the Ayala Entertainment Center, Cebu City on August 16, 2001.

It opened it's 3rd branch at the SM Cagayan de Oro Mall on August 4, 2003 and launched franchising program in 2004 by opening in Gaisano City Mall Bacolod City on May 2004 and SM City Davao on June 2004. 

The first store was relocated to Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City on April 26, 2005. Bigby's opened a 3rd franchise at SM Bacolod on May 16, 200. It opened a 4th branch at SM North Wing, Cebu City on February 8, 2008 and opened a 4th franchise at Metro Lifestyle Center, Torres-Jacinto Extension, Davao City on August 8, 2008 and it just opened it's new branch at Centrio Ayala Mall in Cagayan de Oro City last November 9, 2012.

By the way, Bigby's Quality Food Corporation is also the owner of Missy Bon Bon breadshop which started as a kiosk located at Robinsons Mall Cagayan de Oro on December 4, 2009. Missy Bon Bon opened its full store on April 16, 2010.

MISSY BON BON BREADSHOP: CDO's Bread and Gelato Haven

MISSY BON BON BREADSHOP: CDO's Bread and Gelato Haven

 

We were walking inside the newly opened Ayala Centrio Mall in Cagayan De Oro when we chanced upon a very refreshing restaurant.  It is just inside Bigby's restaurant. There's a long line of customers buying gelato. This got me curious, so I went inside and had taste samples of their gelato. I super like their peanut butter gelato! Only Php 55.00 per cup.

 

I learned that Chef Anne, who is among the first batch of CCA graduates 15 years ago and one of the partners of Missy Bon Bon, studied in the South of Italy just to learn gelato making. Gelato is made with milk, sometimes skim-milk as opposed to cream which gives Gelato a much lower milk fat content. Less milk fat allows the flavors of Gelato to really stand out compared to the more blended flavors of Ice Cream. They buy cow's milk from local farmers in Bukidnon to support the local industry in Mindanao.

A box of 6 pieces Delicious Bread Pastel costs only Php 70.00

This cute bottle of distilled water costs Php 35.00 only.

On the lookout for a local restaurant in CDO? Then never miss to try the gelato, breads and pastries at Missy Bon Bon.

 

Their on-going promo of Buy 1 take 1 on selected breads and pastries is a winner! How I wish they have a branch here in Metro Manila.