CupCake Lab in The Podium

It was just a craving. A craving that got us on our feet, into the car and started driving to The Podium in Ortigas Center.

CupCake Lab is a month old cupcake company in Ortigas Center. We had tried their cupcake once during a company event and ever since, we have been wanting to try their other flavors. Checking CupCake Lab out on the internet, we were able to get their phone number and their location and in a few minutes we were on our way there.

When I got to the stall of CupCake Lab on the second level of The Podium my eyes widened with excitement as I looked at the selection of cupcakes. Funny, I was ordering fast even though the sales girl was still attending to a customer. Rude huh, but that was how I felt when I saw their cupcakes. I felt that I needed to stuff one inside my mouth fast. They all looked yummy, sweet and of course 100% high in calories, but who cares? Right in front of me were hundreds of cupcakes screaming at me, saying"pick me, pick me".

I was asked to get 3 flavors but I felt that I wanted to try them all. They have a wide selection and their cupcakes come in regular and mini sizes. Confused on what to get, I asked the sales girl. She recommended their best sellers: the Red Velvet, the Ferrero and the Almond Cookie. I asked her to give me their freshest ones and she smilingly said that all cupcakes are made fresh daily but she will definitely give me the "freshest" of all. Like getting a delicate glassware wrapped, she put on her plastic hand glove and carefully got my orders and gently put them in boxes. After meticulously securing them with tapes, she slowly put them in a nice paper bag and smilingly handed it over.

At home, we acted like kids who got their first Christmas gifts under the tree, when we literally tore open the box and stuffed our mouths with the cupcakes. 

Wow! All we can say was that the cupcakes were simply amazing. They were very soft and very moist, unlike any other. The sweetness of the Red Velvet will go up to your head and will definitely make you feel like you're in cloud nine. Both the Ferrero and the Almond Cookie were fantastic too! Our friends who have tried these cupcakes were right when they said that you will keep on eating until the box is empty. Well, that's what really happened. In just a few minutes and maybe a thousand calories later, everything was really gone. 

So forget about your diet for a day and come to CupCake Lab and their cupcakes. By the way they deliver to your door steps too.

The Red Velvet

The Ferrero

The Almond Brownie Cupcake

Here is their Flavor List (Image courtesy of CupCake Lab facebook page):

Their address and contact details: (Image as seen on the paper bag).

                                   

Visit their facebook page at: CupcakeLab

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Looking For Halloween Costumes?

So it is Halloween and Christmas time again and you are searching the internet to get costumes for your parties this year. You search the internet and you will find only a handful of shops that offer a wide variety of costumes either for rent or for sale.

In this blog entry I would like to recommend two shops that you can check out to get your costume: Camp Suki and Regine's Boutique.

CAMP SUKI: Clothes and Costumes for Rent

Everybody who is into costumes, who is into events and show business or who has participated in costume parties know Camp Suki in Quezon City. The store was established in 1979 by Mr. Lito Perez and has since been a place where one can rent costumes and accessories.

Last year, during a friend's 80's costume birthday bash, Camp Suki was recommended to us by almost all our friends. We looked for it in the net and by getting directions from google map, we were able to find it.

The store was located on the second floor of a two story building. Inside, rows and rows of costumes from the 50's, 60's, 70's,80's and 90's era were there hanging for one to select. The store has Asian costumes, Royalty and Fairy Tale costumes, cowboys and Indians, angels, cartoon and comics and futuristic themed costumes. There were glass cabinets of accessories like necklaces, bracelets and sunglasses. There was also a wide selection of hats to match the costume that you chose. I can say that there really was a wide selection to choose from in the store.

When we were there we had fun trying out a lot of costumes. The store person assisted us with the type of costume that we requested. She handed us different costumes that we can try which made it easy for us.

Here is their  website: Camp Suki


REGINE'S BOUTIQUE: Clothes and Costumes for Sale

Regine Tolentino has been in showbusiness for more than 15 years and because of this she knows the importance of costumes in TV shows, commercials and movies. Her Regine's Boutique in Quezon City not only makes dresses for all occasions but also makes made-to-order costumes and RTW's for rent. The Boutique can make or provide any costume that you need, from fantasy, to different international attires, to cosplay, to super heroes. Well, name it either they will make it for you or they have it. They can also provide wigs, accessories and props to match your costume.

(Images with permission to post)

Here is their website: Regine's Boutique

Please also read this article: Fantasy Costumes by Regine Tolentino


© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co Restaurant

Whenever we go to Glorietta 3 in Makati City, we always stop by in Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant. Aside from the shrimp and seafood meals which the restaurant is famous for, we also love the design and ambiance of the restaurant. It is like dining in a restaurant in Forrest Gump, the movie. 

The restaurant is clean and the servers are friendly. From the moment you walk in, you will feel that you are at home in the restaurant. The restaurant is usually jam packed at noon and at dinner time so we always go there in the afternoon when only a handful of people are dining.

                                      

What is great in the restaurant is that the servers somewhat know you, even though you haven't visited for quite sometime. We were shocked that our previous server named JM even knew our last order which was months ago. 

We started two appetizers: the Dynamite Shrimp and the Cajun Shrimp.

Since we were shrimped out from our appetizers, in the menu under Forrest's Favorites, we chose to get the chicken cordon bleu for our main course. This was suggested by our server JM. I was craving for a heavy meal so instead of the usual mashed potato, I requested for rice instead.

In the sandwich section we ordered the Chicken cordon bleu sandwich

Visit the restaurant at:

Unit 219, Level 2, Greenbelt 3
Makati City, 1200 Philippines

Or call: 

Tel: (632) 757-5154
Fax: (632) 757-5154
Email: customer@bubbagump.com.ph

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Tags: American Restaurant in the Philippines, Shrimp Restaurant in Makati, Shrimp Restaurant in the Philippines

The Ruins: The Taj Mahal of the Philippines

If you happen to be in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental and is looking for a place to visit and practice your photography skills, try to visit The Ruins in Talisay City.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro in Alabang

We first learned that P.F. Chang's China Bistro opened it's first branch in the Philippines in Alabang Town Center months ago from an American friend. Without thinking of how far it is from Ortigas Center where we live in, we rushed and drove there to try the restaurant out. It is the world famous Chinese restaurant chain and from the time it had opened, up to now, we see people from all walks of life enjoying the delectable food that P.F. Chang's offers.

Beautiful Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is a Class A top travel destination in the Philippines where one can totally have relaxation and rejuvenation. It is famous for it's Santorini style hotel, villas and terrazas and it is the perfect hideaway for everyone. It is a short, 30 minute flight away from the busy Metro Manila and is located in the beautiful island of Marinduque.

Coach Gerard Maristela and Jiu-Jitsu

                                             (Photo courtesy of Coach Gerard Maristela)

Two of my clients, sister and brother, Ms. Regine Tolentino and Coach Gerard Maristela were featured in GMA News TV "MARS". The show featured Jiu-Jitsu which is the sports being taught by Coach Gerard.

Suriya Spa, Frontera Verde

We are members of the Suriya Spa in Frontera Verde for a year now and yesterday was just our second visit there.

Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza Manila

The Seven Corners Buffet in Crowne Plaza was highly recommended to us by friends. Since were are buffet afficionados, of course we expect a lot: from the servers and from the dishes that it will offer. 

SC Issues TRO on Cybercrime Prevention Act

So it is official. The Philippine Supreme Court (SC) stopped the Anti-Cybercrime law by issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) good for 120 days.

Please read the articles about it:

SC Stops Cybercrime Law
SC Issues TRO on Anti Cybercrime Act

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Tags: Anti Cybercrime Law, Philippine Cybercrime Prevention Act

Taken 2: Is it Better than the First?

One of my clients told me to watch Taken 2. I told him that I haven't seen Taken (the first) yet and he said both are action-packed films but watch the first before watching the second movie.

That day we grabbed the copy of the 1st movie and after watching it, drove out to watch the second one. My client was right.

Taken 2 is the continuation of the first story. Almost the same plot with the story revolving around revenge. The characters (and stars) remain the same so that adds to the spark of the movie. Although, in my humble opinion, Taken is better than Taken 2 which happens to all sequels, however I can say that the second still got me glued to my seat. Still never a dull moment in the movie.

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Credits: YouTube

Tags; Taken, Taken 2, movie in the Philippines

Marriott Cafe

Marriott Cafe's Sunday lunch buffet is a weekly thing for us. The restaurant serves international cuisine as well as local selections. Everybody in the restaurant is very friendly and accommodating. The restaurant is located in Marriott Hotel Manila in Resorts World.

Bread, cheese, fruit section

 Asian and Filipino Section

Cocktails

Salad Bar

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Tags: Marriott Cafe, Marriott Hotel Manila, Marriott Hotel Philippines, Sunday Lunch buffet

Perfect Place For A Team Building

Yesterday we went on an hour drive to La Virginia Resort in Mataas na Kahoy in Batangas and joined a Team Building activity. The resort itself is big and it has lots of places to stay and do fun activities. There are a lot of swiming pools, have different themes per location, lots of gardens, has its own zipline and climbing wall.

It's More Fun in the Philippines!

The world needs to know how beautiful the Philippines is. Watch the video that I saw from YouTube and then you decide.

Credits: YouTube

Tags: The Philippines, The Philippine Islands, Philippine tourism, Philippine tourist spots

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Our Moon Cakes

I know it is kinda late but I just ate my moon cake this evening. It was given to me by my Chinese clients in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival 

To know more about the Festival, please check out this link: The Mid-Autumn Festival

Tag: Mid-Autumn Festival, Moon Cake Festival

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Cardio Kickboxing for Weight Loss

Adding variety to my workout program, I train cardio kickboxing once a week for weight loss. It is a one hour non-stop program moving from shadow kick boxing to heavy bag training then to mitt or pad training. The entire routine is followed by abdominal exercises.

Dog Grooming

We know the importance of grooming especially to our toy poodle Jules. That is the reason why we always make it a point to have Jules groomed in our favorite pet grooming shop, Pooch Park in Home Depot in Ortigas Center, at least once a month.

The Cybercrime Law Now in Effect!

A lot of commotion is now going on in the internet. In facebook, twitter and other social media, the Cybercrime Prevention Act or Republic Act No. 10175, which is now in effect starting today, since the Supreme Court has not issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) sought has been a lot of groups opposing it, is scrutinized by a lot of people. Some people call it as an "E-Martial Law" (see picture from a newspaper). Some say that it deprives people of their freedom of speech.  But us, Filipinos should first read the entire Cybercrime Law before we decide if it will do good or bad to us.

Here is the link of the Cybercrime Law or R.A. No. 10175 that I found in the internet: Official Gazette


Tag: Cybercrime Law in the Philippines

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by icorodulfo2012

Should We Ban the Writer ???

We just received our issue of the National Geographic Magazine and the Philippines was so mentioned as part of the trade in the Blood Ivory article.

Raining in The Metro

The Philippines is a tropical country and has only two yearly seasons: the rainy and the dry season. Usually the months of the rainy season start around June when the classes start, however throughout the year typhoons and tropical storms enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and bring about rain.