Jollibee holds star-studded mall show to celebrate #8-7000, the country’s first nationwide delivery hotline

Jollibee, the country’s most popular fast food joint gathered hundreds recently at the launch of their nationwide delivery hotline #8-7000 via a star-studded mall show dubbed as “Isang Number Para Sa Pinas,” featuring three of their brand ambassadors Sarah Geronimo, Elmo Magalona and JK Labajo. The event was held at the open-aired SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

Pop Star princess Sarah Geronimo together with Elmo Magalona and The Voice Kids runner-up JK Labajo all starred in Jollibee’s latest TV commercial where they promote the Philippines’ very first centralized hashtag hotline. The three celebrities wowed the crowd with their electrifying performances. And they capped it off by doing a three-piece performance of the catchy #8-7000 jingle.

Savor International Flavors at the SM Mall of Asia International FoodFestival

       Manam's Pansit Sisig with generous chicharon on top

Come and stimulate your taste buds and make them experience a trip around the globe on each plate, as SM Mall of Asia holds its International Food Festival from September 5 to 30, 2014.  The MOA Eats fest has an array of exciting activities for all foodies that will surely satiate even those with discriminating palate. 

More than 50 participating restaurants will feature dishes prepared exclusively for this month-long celebration of world-class cuisine. MOA Eats diners will be in for gastronomic feasts by visiting participating restaurants. The dishes are bound to excite guests because aside from being new, they will only be made available for the duration of MOA Eats.  I've been given the opportunity to experience a preview of what foodies can expect during the MOA Eats. 

Here's a sneak peek of what to expect at Manam Comfort Filipino Restaurant and at California Pizza Kitchen: 

                                       The Manam Comfort Filipino Restaurant 

It's my first time to eat at Manam Comfort Filipino Restaurant and I'd have to say that they really lived up to their name. Manam comes from the word Malinamnam (tastes good). For the upcoming MOA Eats food fest, Manam has prepared Sisig Pancit--giving a twist on two of the classic Filipino favorites. A combination of two popular Filipino dishes: Sisig and Pancit. The said dish may look a bit weird at first since we're used to sisig served on a sizzling plate rather than on top of pancit, but it's definitely worth a try. Surprisingly, the sisig didn't overpowered the pancit when it comes to flavors. Oh, and Manam's sisig pancit is served with generous chicharon (crackling pork rind) on top.

      Manam's Famous and Innovative Dish Sinigang in Watermelon 

Also worth mentioning that you must try at Manam's are their best selling Sinigang in Watermelon--again, another twist on Pinoy's sinigang. I couldn't help but closed my eyes as I slurped the broth of this soup! Who would've thought that this innovative dish would make the best comfort food I've ever tasted? Imagine short ribs on a red watermelon and tomato soup broth--perfect on a rainy day. It had that somewhat sweet (from the watermelon, I assume) and sour (from tomatoes) flavors that will satiate even those with discriminating palate. 

                                   Deep Fried Chorizo and Kesong Puti 

                           Caramelized Patis Chicken Wings

Deep Fried Chorizo and Kesong Puti Lumpia, Kare-kare and Caramelized Patis Wings are also worth trying. But what had truly standout apart from Manam's sinigang na watermelon is the Ensaladang Namnam (tinapa flakes, mangga at bagoong, buko meat, shallots, tomatoes and peanuts). It's like giving your tastbuds some sort of exercise. It tasted somewhat salty, sweet, sour and even umami taste. With cozy ambiance, great food + excellent service, Manam's the best place to be for Filipino classic foods and for the adventurous ones, they also have twisted versions of the classic dishes. And while you're there do not forget to try their amazing fruit shakes as well. How does Mango-Ginger, Camias-Lemongrass, Strawberry-Camias and Mango-Pomelo-Coconut Cream-Sago sounds like? They're all very refreshing and not to mention healthy, without any artificial flavors! 

   Manam's Healthy shakes: Camias Lemongrass, Mango Ginger, Strawberry Camias and Mango Pomelo Coconut Milk Sago

We've also visited California Pizza Kitchen at the SM Mall of Asia branch. Here we have tried two different salads and pasta dishes. For pasta, we've had Spicy Arrabiata and Penne Alfredo and for salads, we had healthy servings of Watermelon salad and the CPK House Salad. But for the MOA Eats Food Festival, California Pizza Kitchen will be offering their delicious Caprese Pizza. Originally, it's served as a salad made from sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, seasoned with salt, and olive oil. It was made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag: red, white and green. But this time, just specifically for the SM MOA Eats Food Festival, CPK will be offering them in a pizza form. So, take advantage of it foodies, it will only be good for a limited time! 

            California Pizza Kitchen's Watermelon Salad 

                                   CPK's House Salad

                     California Pizza Kitchen's Penne Alfredo

                             CPK's Spicy Pasta Arrabiata

     CPK's MOA Eats Food Featival Offering: Caprese Pizza

There will also be live cooking demonstrations to be conducted by popular chefs from four selected restaurants. The cooking demos will be held at Tempura and Sbarro on September 5 and Claw Daddy, New Orleans and Vikings on September 12 from 5:30PM onwards. 

Exciting prizes are also up for grabs, as the Official Mall of Asia Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts gives two lucky social media enthusiasts a chance to dine with culinary luminaries at an exclusive Chef's Table meal + two roundtrip tickets to any chosen local destination via Air Asia Zest! 

As an added treat to all diners who will purchase and order the Special Eats Dish, awesome prizes will also be given away. Third prize winner gets one Air Asia Zest Round Trip ticket to any domestic destination of choice + Php10,000 worth of Gift Certificates from IHOP. The second prize winner also gets one Air Asia Zest Round trip ticket to any domestic destination + Php15,000 worth of gift certificates from IHOP. And for the lucky Grand Prize winner, he or she will receive a Round Trip Ticket for Two (2) to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Air Asia Go and a tour package! 

So mark and block those dates this September and come to SM Mall of Asia to treat your entire family or your friends to gustatory international delights. Don't miss this chance to eat an array of sumptuous international treats. Make the SM Mall of Asia International Food Festival as your ultimate dining destination.

For more details about MOA Eats Promo, visit the following SM Mall of Asia official social media accounts: 

Facebook--http://www.facebook.com/smmallofasia

Instagram--http://www.instagram.com/TheMallofAsiaOfficial

Twitter--http://www.twitter.com/TheMallofAsia

A SNEAK PEEK ON MASTERCHEF PINOY EDITION SCREENING

June 21, 2012--MasterChef  Pinoy (Philippine) Edition Screening

Venue: Oceana Restaurant, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Call Time: 8:00 AM-3:00PM

The minute we arrived at Oceana, we were surprised to see more than 1,000 people waiting for their turn to be interviewed. My friend Abby, whom I’ve accompanied to the MasterChef Pinoy Edition screening/audition was the 1,834^th applicant! She had butterflies on her stomach that she wanted to back out at the last minute upon seeing her number. It was my job to encourage her and so I told her that we'll get pass this soon. We just need to be patient enough and persevere. You see, I believe so much in my friend's skills, talents and potentials. And I am not saying this just because she is my friend, I am such a foodie so I know whereof I speak. My friend Abby does not have any culinary background yet she has traveled the world as part of her work. She used to be an international cruise photographer for five years. And in doing so, it had given her the privileged to taste almost all the cuisine there could possibly be. Add her passion and zest for cooking and anything culinary, well, she's a perfect candidate for MasterChef Philippine edition. 

The tarpaulin says:

The qualifications of the Masterchef Pinoy Edition:

You must be 18-50 years old

No culinary degree or diploma

No cooking experience in a restaurant (casual and fine dining)

No teaching experience in a cooking class or demo

And bring your specialty dish (any dish will do!)

The more than 2000++ crowd of hopefuls for the MasterChef Philippine Edition

There were lots of hopefuls (around 2000++) all waiting for their turn to meet the chef judges at the holding area. Some were doing their finishing touches on the plating or food presentation before they line up in preparation to the actual food taste screening. Viands of different kinds were all wafting in the air. There were Filipino cuisines such as Chicken Pork Adobo, Afritada, Steak, BonChon style Fried chicken, Desserts, Pasta dishes in all kinds of noodles, plus other international cuisines.

Aspirants look for their specialty dishes and making sure everything is in order before they present to the judges. 

There were two microwave ovens for the applicants' use if they opt to reheat the food before they serve it to the food tasting chef judges. But my friend Abby chose to have a cold pasta instead. 

Mrs. Dulce Agrabioso of Fairview had traveled all the way to SM MOA for this event.

It felt like fiesta because there were different viands, dishes and cuisines to choose from. Only you're not allowed to eat them right away. But after the judges had shortlisted the participants, some of them would just give away the food to the crowd. That's why I've said it looked and felt like a fiesta--because some foods were given for FREE! 

Applicants lining up with their specialty dishes.

I somehow pity those who did not make it because they had probably exerted too much effort by preparing the dish and going to SM Mall of Asia so early in the morning. Some were probably up by 2AM just to get the dish done and in time. Actually, my friend Abby herself only had an hour of sleep. And we had to wait for long hours, we've been there for almost 9 hours before she had her dish presented to the judges. 

One-on-one interviews during the screening process.

Abby's Sophia Loren Al Torno

It was a good thing that Abby made it. My friend Abby brought along with her an Italian-inspired specialty dish called Sophia Loren Al Torno pasta. It is a fusilli pasta dish infused with the refreshing zest of lemon, chunky tuna with Italian parsley, thyme, garlic and drizzled with olive oil. Abby named it before her favorite Italian actress named Sophia Loren. It looks pretty simple yet when you taste the said dish, it’s really refreshing but never overpowering. It had the perfect balance of flavor, texture and taste. It actually cleanses the palate. And I am not saying this just because Abby is my BFF. I am praising her recipe and specialty dish because it really was delicious and quoting what the judge chef said, “This dish is very refreshing!”

Participants go crazy as they rush and cram for the final touches of their food presentation.

The Oceana was still jampacked even during sunset.

 Abby did passed the said grueling screening and audition. She said she did not expect that although we both hoped and prayed for God’s will. But that’s not the end of her journey though, but it’s only the beginning. For in the next few weeks or months, she will again undergo other screening, and hopefully, she could make it until the last where she had to allot 6 to 15 weeks of taping for the Masterchef Pinoy Edition on ABS-CBN to be hosted by Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo.

To my good friend, Abby, here’s hoping you could make it to the top finalists. I’m with you all the way, dear. Good luck and my prayers are with you! Keep it up and congratulations! I am so happy and proud of you! J

Gong Cha's now in the Philippines!

Gong Cha is now in the Philippines!

Gong Cha finally opened its doors to the Philippine market this month of May. Located at the ground floor of SM Mall of Asia, it offers customers the best milk tea experience ever.

A combination of the characters “gong” (貢) which means reward or contribution and “cha” (茶) referring to the tea plant, Gong Cha refers to the best tea offered to the Emperor in ancient China.

Gong Cha was first launched in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2006. There are over 100 outlets worldwide spreading from Taiwan to Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, China and now the Philippines.

Gong Cha sets the highest standard when choosing materials, and takes the most severe attitude in quality control in order to provide the best tea with the most considerate services to the customers.

The company insists on choosing materials that are healthy to people, and use Taiwanese fresh tea to make every beverage. So sever is the quality control that even though the liquid tea doesn’t go bad, it is thrown away every four hours.

Gong Cha offers beverages such as blended with coffee, caramel, chocolate and milk.  They also have ice cream for those with extra sweet tooth. But one MUST try their Gong Cha House Special. It is a combination of brewed green tea with sweetened creamed milk for a delightfully unique blend. It’s perfect for soothing the mind, body and soul. 

Every beverage is tailored for the customers and is made by well trained people. Customers can choose the sweetness level of their order.

Truly, Gong Cha makes the best milk tea ever an affordable luxury for everyone.

Gong Cha – SM Mall of Asia

First floor, Entertainment Center (near Timezone and Crepes and Cream)

SM Mall of Asia

Pasay City, PhilippinesWebsite: http://gongcha.ph

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gongcha.ph

Twitter: http://twitter.com/gongchaphil

E-mail: contact at gongcha.ph