iPhone 4s

It was never in my plans to purchase an iPhone, any iPhone model in fact. The first and last (I thought it was) iPhone that I ever bought was in 2007 and this was the first generation of the iPhone. Not that I was unhappy with it but I got hooked on Blackberrys, BBMs and email services. My plan was to wait for the Blackberry phones that were supposed to come out early 2012 with the BB10 system in place. Announcements were made and eventually, RIM mentioned that they would come out with the new phones by the end of 2012. I was still ok with this and was actually planning on purchasing a Torch 9810 in the meantime. Until I read an article here which claims that Blackberry executives have been lying to everyone about the BB10 system. Disappointment set in and I decided to go back to what was tried and tested in the past for me, ergo, the iPhone 4s.

The iPhone 4s is the latest handset to be released by Apple which includes an 8mega pixel camera, dual core A5 chip, ios5, iCloud and of course, Siri. I won't go into details anymore about the phone as I'm sure there are a million and one websites that deal with this.

Suffice to say, I am quite happy with the performance and the connectivity choices that I have with my friends who carry iPhones. I have also maintained my old Blackberry Torch 9800 for my friends who would still like to communicate with me via BBM.

My gadgets seeing red! Red is not my favorite color (its green) but its easier to find accessories in this color.

Toy Story Land

I was able to attend yesterday's event at The Peninsula Manila's Rigodon Ballroom called "Toy Story Land Trade Launch Event: It's Playtime Challenge" courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland. A launch like this is annual activity of Hong Kong Disneyland where they host lunch for select travel agents so as to promote a new attraction/ride/event at the Hong Kong Disneyland.

As the title of the event suggests, this was going to be all about the new Toy Story Land opening in November 2011. The concept of the Toy Story Land is set on Andy's backyard wherein his toys are scattered all over. Everyone who is someone in Toy Story is included in the concept such as Woody, Jessie, Rex and Slinky Dog (Buzz Lightyear already has an existing ride at one of the other lands inside Disneyland which is why he is not present in any of the hand-outs for Toy Story Land).


Some of the travel agents waiting at the foyer of the Rigodon Ballroom. The invitation stated 1130H but the doors did not open until 1230H. Luckily, I came in late at 12noon so I didn't have to wait that long.


The stage set-up before the start of the program.


Simple yet creative center piece set up on each table. Very theme appropriate! (I got to take home four of those blocks)


Each table was equipped with these devices. It turned out this was to be used for the game during the duration of the program (we lost at a pathetic ranking of 20). The game also took so long that lunch was served at 1400H.


The toy soldiers reporting! They were clad in green from head to toe and it was as if the toy soldiers really grew and came alive!


The winning teams posing with Woody and Jessie as well as claiming their medals and prizes...I actually felt a tiny tiny tiny pang of jealousy :( I should be on the stage too claiming my prize (sore loser hehe)


Our late lunch started with Caesar Salad. Good but nothing extra ordinary.


Cajun roasted chicken roulade with grilled peppers, vegetable bouquet and steamed rice. Taste was good but the chicken was a bit tough. The hotel, I guess, is not to be blamed for this since they were told that lunch was to be served at 12noon but instead, delayed to an acid-inducing-in-your-tummy hour of 1400H.


Vanilla mille feuille with fruit coulis. Don't ask me what it means but this did not disappoint. Sweet that goes well with tea. Each dessert was presented alongside an edible Toy Story themed white chocolate 'picture' stand.



As with any Hong Kong Disneyland organized activity, this was well thought of and well prepared. All the key sales and marketing people were there to answer any queries by the travel agents. Plus the game was very engaging and fun although hunger pangs still haunt me up to this day. I look forward to personally visiting the Toy Story Land on my next visit to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Emporio Armani Caffe

On my recent trip to Ho Chi Minh city (my last visit was in 2009), I saw several improvements already. New malls were starting to pop up like Vincom Centre (office/mall combination). District 7 is fast developing and becoming an urbanized area.

My first visit was actually a leisure trip so I was able to visit the usual tourist spots like Cu chi Tunnel (a must), Notre Dame Cathedral, Hall of Reunification, Central Post Office, etc. This trip was a business trip (I was there to attend the 7th Vietnam ITE, more of this on another post) so I limited my free time to visiting some malls and dining out. One of the restaurants that I knew I had to try was the Emporio Armani Caffe which is located inside Vincom Centre. Opened sometime in July 2010, this is the first and only Emporio Armani Caffe in the Asia Pacific region.

One of the two entrances to the cafe. It is a 2 story establishment and it is beside an Emporio Armani boutique.

Black flooring and walls makes a dark and sombre interior.





Unlimited return to the salad bar is included for the Entree during lunch time. Salad bar includes couscous, pesto penne, veggies and others.


My salad platter. I only had a serving as I didn't want to stuff myself before partaking of the entree.



I decided to order the Chicken Milanese with the delicious Arugula salad since this was one of the cheaper items at 226,000 dong (US$ 11.30 or Php 499)


Saigon Special beer to wash down the food. 66,000 dong (US$ 3.3 or Php 148) for a bottle.


My friend, Ana, ordered the Pork Escalop at 216,000 dong (US$ 10.80 or Php 477)

My other friend, Charmaine, order the Veal Fillet priced at 376,000 dong (US$ 18.80 or Php 831).

Overall, our bill came down to 1,173,480 dong (US$ 58.67 or Php 2,600) or approximately US$ 20 per person for entree, salad and a bottle of local beer.

Personally, as with most branded/signature items, I feel that the pricing is a bit overpriced. You are paying for the brand name obviously which is also an experience by itself. But the taste falls short and is a bit 'bleh' if you ask me. Given a chance, would I go back and dine at Emporio Armani Caffe?...your treat, I definitely would! hehehe but if I had to pay for it, I'd opt for the other cheaper yet better tasting restaurants around town.

Emporio Armani Caffe
70-72 Thanh Ton Street
Ben Nghe Ward
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel (84 8 ) 38247055

Bantayan Island

Admittedly a big big big fan of Cebu, I have yet to discover places outside of the city and its nearby surroundings. Luckily, I got the chance to visit Bantayan Island last August with a couple of my good friends who are all based in Cebu.

Bantayan is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantayan_Island)

How to get to Bantayan:

From Cebu City, you can take a public bus to Hagnaya Wharf (takes about 2.5 to 3 hours). Or, you can do it like me and hitch a ride with your friends who abhor taking the public transport hehehe.

From the Wharf, you will have to take a one-hour or so ferry to Bantayan Island. The cost is very minimal for the ferry ride...only Php 180 (US$ 4) per way (non airconditioned which is fine since it is very breezy on the passenger deck). To book a hotel, you can either book through one of the numerous websites available (just google it) or just go there first to check out the hotel and book on the spot (do not do this during Easter Week as it is impossible for one to get a room during this period unless you pre book)

Bantayan Island, to me, is how I imagine what Boracay Island looked like in its early years before commercialism took over the Island. As they say, pictures paint a thousand words...

Ferry Schedules posted on the board

The Ro-ro (ferry) which can accommodate cargo and vehicles on its berth and passengers on the upper deck.

The postcard worthy scene that welcomes you as you approach Bantayan Island.

The resort where we stayed at. An air-conditioned room for four would cost like Php 1,800 (US$ 40) per night (includes 2 double beds and a day bed). My apologies as I forgot to take pictures of the room.

You can arrange with the resort to prepare you your meals and taken at one of the numerous beach front huts that surround the resort. We were spending like Php 1,000 (US$ 22) per meal for a group of 8 people.

Perfect for strolling alone on the beach...

....or with your special someone!

If you want a no fuss, low cost vacation in one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the Philippines, then go to Bantayan Island where people's smiles are still at its sincerest form.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

If you're looking for an affordable, clean, decent and conveniently-located hotel in Manila, then you don't have to look further than Hotel Kimberly. Less than a 5-minute walk away from a mall (Robinson's Place Ermita) and several dining and night entertainment options, the hotel is situated in the heart of Manila (Ermita/Malate area).

Rooms cost around Php 2000++ (US$ 45++) which includes buffet breakfast for two.

Simple yet functional hotel lobby.

I personally stayed for a night in this hotel last June (my room was upgraded though) and I must say I did have a pleasant stay.

My room was quite spacious and even featured a LCD TV which even some 4-star hotel don't offer. The hotel also offers free Wi-fi in all guest rooms! (which hopefully will become a standard in all hotels all over the world)

The bathroom included a bath tub (not included in the picture and is quite spacious.

The main and only dining area serves buffet breakfast. As with the rest of the hotel, menu selection is very basic...you have your egg station, bread, cereal, fruits, juice, 2 or 3 hot items, rice and bread. Nothing exceptional but enough to fill one's tummy and start of the day right. Dining area is also noticeably clean, a huge plus.

Hotel Kimberly Manila

770 Pedro Gil Street

Malate, Manila, Philippines

Tel (63 2) 5211888

Fax (63 2) 5267270

Website: http://manila.hotelkimberly.com/index

Moshi Moshi Pop Phone

Call me crazy...or quirky but I like unique looking stuff or gadgets. So it should come as no surprise that my latest purchase is the Moshi Moshi Pop Phone by Native Union (http://www.nativeunion.com/hk/popphone.html).

"Designed by the French designer David Turpin the POP handset combines classic style with a contemporary edge and is finished with a luxurious soft-touch texture. The handset has been manufactured with a high quality speaker and microphone and can be used with all mobile phones when fitted with the correct adaptor (sold separately) and when fitted with a USB adaptor (sold separately) can be used for VOIP computer telephone calls (Skype, Google Talk...). This product is fitted with a 3.5mm jack (compatible with the iPhone)."

Ordered this via Dimensione Robinson's Ermita and it cost Php 1875 (US$ 43). You can buy this directly though at Dimensione High Street.

The Pop Phone is supposed to reduce the phone radiation that is emitted by putting our handphones beside our ear every time we use one.

Some famous people that have been 'caught' using the Pop Phone:

Lenny Kravitz

Jamie Lee Curtis

...and Chef Roger Perez (who?!?!?!?!) hehehe. He's a good friend of mine, as well as being the Executive Chef of Manila Pavilion Hotel, and I took a picture of him while he was using my Pop Phone (he thinks I'm crazy for buying/using one so here's revenge hehehe)

White Eleganza!

I recently had my sofa set re-upholstered as they were already looking run down and all torn. After picking my first and second choice colors for the German leather that was to be used for the re-upholstered sofa set, I only had to wait around 12 days for it to be delivered back (I told them not to rush since I wanted this to be perfect and quite possibly to last another 10 years like how the original did)

The original color of the set was gray. I decided to go a different shade by choosing light tan (first choice) and medium tan (second choice). Last Saturday, the sofa set was finally delivered. Imagine my surprise when they took out the set from its plastic covering. It was in white, or off-white, or ivory, or whatever name it is called! I have to admit that, unconsciously, I've always wanted to have a white sofa set as it looks all clean and elegant. But, I'm also a realist. We have kids at home plus I have five dogs so its not ideal to have anything in white, much less a leather sofa set.

After the initial shock, I carefully inspected the workmanship and I have to say that it is just perfect. The leather is soft to the touch yet it is firmly packed with the foam used inside.

I was also worried that my newly bought throw pillow would not match the set as I had a mocha or tan set in mind. Luckily, white is quite flexible so the throw pillows fit in without any color clash or anything.

Like anything in life, what is one to do when thrown something that one did not expect...one has no choice but to accept it....with some rules added in:
1. no dogs allowed on the couch (except if the nanny remembers to keep their paws clean)
2. no eating or drinking allowed on the couch
3. kids are supposed to sit like they have a stiff back and no unnecessary movements allowed

Enjoy the pictures!