Fine Dining at Home

Wife: “I prepare the food in less than an hour. You finish it in a few minutes. Even so, I will never get tired of cooking for you.”

Husband: “The food you serve is far more delicious than any meal a fine-dining restaurant can offer.”

These were our lines when I cooked for hubby a day after our 1st year anniversary. We both said it jokingly but it was a treasured moment worth remembering. Nothing beats a home-made meal cooked and prepared with TLC. And so, let me share the menu for that night: 

 Grilled Norwegian salmon 

 Crunchy Breaded-Shrimp

 Maki-inspired Salad

For ladies out there who want to reinvent something new or spark up a fine-dining experience at home, try cooking instead of dining out. I am no expert chef, but getting ready for more posts re: cooking milestones in this blog.

Ad Summit PH 2014

The Age of Enlightenment.  This was the theme of this year’s Ad Summit, where marketing teams and advertising enthusiasts soaked in inspiration, validation and energized motivation from the rock stars of the ad industry. Let me share with you a glimpse of our enlightened journey.



Day one started on a high note with crowd favorite Chot Reyes linking basketball and advertising.  The five-time PBA Coach of the Year and Sports5 head likened the advertising industry to a basketball game, saying
that scoring advertising three-pointers takes trust, effort, accountability and motivation (TEAM). Coach Chot made me see basketball in a different light and yes, our world of advertising has so much to learn from the
wonderful world of basketball.

Following Reyes was Y&R Asia Pacific regional executive creative director Marcus Rebeschini, who talked about taking on the Impossible. "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done," He explained that when things become difficult, many people think that what they set out to do is impossible. “You can either say it's impossible, or you can do the impossible."

From aspiration to inspiration, Sandipan Roy of Isobar, talks about how the transparency brought by the Internet has made brands more accountable to the consumer.  He discussed how the internet has changed things.  Because of technology, the four Ps of marketing no longer exist in silo of each other. With the advent of social media, Sandipan notes that purchase is no longer an isolated experience. Our social media friends provide a hyper-speed-word-of-mouth influence.



After an inspiring first day, Day two of the Ad Summit was packed with amazing case studies that provoked brands to challenge norms to truly make a difference.  Shu chang of Omnicom started the day by sharing 10
narratives that challenger brands use to overthrow competition. Chiu chang spoke about how challenger brands  can threaten big players.  Chiang said that "Digital and social media allows challenger brands with low budgets to reach consumers". Chiang also said that it's important for brands to remain true to their identity. "What's really important is to take a stance and stick by it.”  he said.








Perhaps one of the most engaging talks during the summit came from Merlee Jayme of DM9JaymeSyfu who shared various campaigns that changed the lives of people.  “Liking isn’t Helping” seeks to point out that tangible actions such as donations or volunteering are much more useful to help victims of war or natural disaster. The “Burry the Past” project has helped thousands of Filipino women whose lives have been affected by online scandals. And the Smart Text Books campaign has allowed millions of underprivileged kids access to textbooks in the form of a simcard. It was emphasized that the creative mind can do good, but the creative heart can do wonders.





On the final day of Ad Summit Pilipinas, advertising legends inspired delegates with a single message:   that brands can influence social change.

Other than the heavy rains of prizes, interactive gatherings from sponsors and star-studded activities, insights from this year’s ad summit surely created a big impact to how advertisers and the media people think and
implement things. Enlightenment it is.

Looking forward to the next Ad Summit. #adsummitph

Credits: Ad Summit Speakers, BPI Delegates

Vikings – A Feast From the Sea

It is graduation season once again and as always, parents beam at the proud moment of seeing their son/daughter climb up the stage to reap the fruits of hard work. Our tita is one of those proud parents, who decided to treat us all to a graduation feast.

Feast it is, as we found ourselves in Vikings SM Marikina. Uncover the taste of luxury – this is Vikings’ striking statement to its customers as they promote the services they offered. However, one doesn’t have to be intimated because true to its tagline, it’s the luxury buffet for every Juan! And being the Juan and Juanas to celebrate our cousin’s triumph, we started the ‘feast from the sea’.

Like the Vikings who were great warriors and once ruled out the seven seas, we became warriors of a different type – food lovers ready to celebrate. We explored the area and found out that there are various food stations.  I was surprised by the extensiveness of the buffet spread. From outside, you'd think this was a small branch but I was wrong. Some favorites include the following:

 Salad and appetizer station
 Bread station – sourdough!
 Cold cuts and cheese
 Carving station – US Roast Beef and Lamb Chops are must-tries
 Barbecue station
 Korean food station – bulgogi and well, kimchi
 Chinese – dumplings and siomai
 Japanese – sushi and sashimi overload
 Dessert Station -yogurt ice cream, chocolate fountain, raspberry crepe and crème brulee
 Caviar
 Drinks Station – Twinings tea, cold juices and shakes, coffee, tea, milo shake and even San Mig beer

Plate no. 1 – The healthy plate served as appetizer. I enjoyed the pomelo salad but added a touch of cheese.

The Oyster Rockefeller also topped my list.

Plate no. 2 – A Japanese food lover at heart! After making our own chirashidon, 

we shared a plate of sushi overload.

Plate no. 3 – Time for some protein – lamb chops and mint sauce salsa.

Plate no. 4 – East meets west on my plate. 

A mixture of Korean Bulgogi and Western food (such as pizza and barbecue)

                                         

Plate 5 – Shabu-shabu – spicy broth for us.

                                            

Plate 6 – Chinese cuisine (siomai and chicken feet) – almost full this time. Haha

Plate 7 – Satisfying the sweet tooth with half order of raspberry crepe, 

fruits, yogurt and ice cream (avocado and bubble gum flavors)

As the food adventure ended, we realized that life really gives us a lot of reasons to celebrate. These gatherings do not have to be as grandiose as the way the Vikings celebrated (not stopping until their every want and need was satisfied) but what is important is to gather loved ones, share success and happiness, and be grateful for all the blessings received.

For your own food adventure, visit Vikings SM Marikina:
SM Marikina, Marcos Highway,
Calumpang, Marikina City
www.vikings.ph
Tel No.: 570-3888; 570-4888; 570-5888
Mobile No.: 0917-8766888

Have You Shared Your “Plastic Bottle”?

Last Sunday I noticed something unusual in the Kingdom Hall’s donation box. Usually, bills and coins are voluntarily (and discreetly) placed into the donation box as a testament of heartfelt contribution and support to the worldwide work. However, this time it was different. A little girl donated a plastic bottle. Filled with curiosity, I walked over and tried to take a closer look.

Surprisingly, it was not purely a plastic bottle. It was a container used by the girl for saving money in! The little girl explained that she set aside a portion of her little allowance to save and donate the money because of love. “I wanted to help others. It was my allowance savings but I’ll give it.”, she said while beaming at me.

In an era when some are quick to label people as self-centered, many young ones—including the little girl above—are proving to be just the opposite. Instead of buying her favorite toy or spending purely on recreational stuffs, she managed to voluntarily donate. We too may use our time, energy, and resources to serve others. We can learn the truth of this statement - “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” – Acts 20:35.

I learned that the total cost of the coins in the plastic bottle was around P200. This struck me. The little girl saves and donates on a monthly basis. How about us? Do we use our resources (money, time and energy) to serve and assist others? In times of calamities, loss of possessions or even death of loved ones, are we quick enough to ‘keep an eye on the personal interests of others’?  Of course there are other ways to help and serve, but we too can discover the joy of giving. How about you? Have you started sharing your “plastic bottle”?

Pag-ibig (LOVE)

Language is never a barrier to express love. This was what we experienced when we met a sister from Atlanta, USA as we welcome them to the Philippines. Age may have hindered her from learning a new language but if her tongue did not allow her to express it, her action made an even louder expression of love.

Tired from more than twenty hours of flight, she handed out a card bearing her name and a special word written with much effort.

Pag-ibig! Yes, that’s the Tagalog word for LOVE. She smiled and said feebly, “Pardon my handwriting but that’s the best I could do.” This warmed our hearts and true enough, love was felt in a universal way. A week was spent with them and it was not just the unlimited hugs, Kingdom smiles and inspiring stories that bonded us together but the ‘Agape’ love we know we’ll share from time indefinite.

Love is a quality that identifies every genuine Christian. As we grow spiritually, we ought to express it more fully. Along with deeds that reflect a self-sacrificing spirit, it is also important to have a genuinely warm feeling toward our fellow. What if problems arise or cultures don’t blend? Let us not keep account of the injury but try our best to forgive and forget.

Instead, let us always keep account in mind:
“By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” - John 13:35

Now, the sister who handed out the card to us may be mountains and oceans away, but we still keep in touch. Together we share the spirit of ‘not looking for our own interests’ but have intense love for our international brothers and contribute to peace and unity.