The Xin Wang Experience

I am officially a Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe fan.

I love Chinese food and am a sucker for noodles and soup. I first had my Xin Wang experience a few months ago and had a taste of their Seafood Noodle Soup. Ever since that day, I am hooked on Xin Wang.

Prepare for uncontrollable drooling tendencies, dear readers!

Here is Xin Wang, located at the back of the mall, right beside IMAX:

Once inside, one is greeted by the courteous staff, who will immediately seat you at the couch. Here are some shots of the interior of the cafe:

Nice, isn't it?

Here is the menu:

Glorious, isn't it?

Now, on to the food, mi amigos!

Luncheon Meat 'N Mushroom Cream Sauce Spaghetti for P215

We were treated to a delicious serving of creamy spaghetti with generous strips of luncheon meat and different kinds of mushroom.The pasta was perfect, and the cream sauce was just plain delectable. I will definitely order one of these again!

Seafood Egg Hor Fun for P230

The seafood lover in me just couldn't resist this mouth-watering platter of seafood goodness! At two-hundred thirty pesos, the dish boasts of a mix of shrimp, squid, fish, and another type of seafood that my hungry mind couldn't identify. I was not very happy with the noodles, though. It was a little too soggy and bland for my taste. But overall, I was quite happy with the dish.

Pork Chop 'N Egg Papaya Soup Bee Hon for P220

Want a slice of pork chop in a big (and I mean BIG) bowl of bee hon soup? Then this one will definitely fit the bill. At two hundred twenty pesos, the soup is just heavenly filled to he brim with bee hon and a big slice of pork chop right in the middle. Top it off with hard boiled egg and bits of REAL papaya, one is in for a big surprise. My pork chop was a little hard though, I wish they could have cut it into little bite size pieces. But the soup totally compensated for the meat!

Noodles Macau Style for P195

Here is a dry noodle dish fit for luncheon meat lovers! For 195 pesos a plate, experience the goodness of dry noodles topped with bits of corn, carrots, egg, and peas! Yum!

Now on the the beverages!

Mango Ice blended for P70

Iced Milk Tea Float for P95

A favorite of mine! Iced Milk Tea in an aluminum glass (gives new meaning to cold drinks!) topped with vanilla ice cream!

And the best but definitely not the least, the Xin Wang Special Mango Snow Ice!

Xin Wang Special Mango Snow Ice for P135

A bowl of ice goodness! A volcano of ice goodness! Here is an ice volcano with mango ice cream on top; and on the side you will see bits of real mango, mango syrup and mango jelly, and on the bottom: milky goodness! This is, by far, my favorite summer dessert! Mmm mmm mmm!

I have vowed to myself that I will keep going to Xin Wang until I have tasted everything on their menu! And I mean all 250 dishes on the menu! :)

Go check out Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe at the Mall of Asia!

Location: Ground Floor, North Wing, SM Mall of Asia (next to IMAX Theater), 1300 Pasay City, Philippines

Click here for the Xin Wang Facebook Page!

Contact Number:  8227518

Website: http://www.xinwang.com.ph/

What about you? Have you found a new go-to restaurant?

[An Old Post] Tito Poly

Hello, friends. I came across an old Facebook note that I wrote in 2010. This was a few months after our family lost a dear uncle. Read on, friends.

Tito Poly, you are still missed.

From left: Lau, Tita Gi, Lola Mila, Mama, Ate Ye, Daddy, Ate Kaye, Ate Merz, and Tito Poly

December 14, 2010:

"More than thirty years ago, before my aunt reached her twentieth year, she married a quiet but impressive soldier. This man became a loving husband to my aunt, a firm but loving father to my cousins, the trusted son that my grandmother had always wanted, and a brother/father to my mother and her sisters.

 Two years ago, Tito suddenly fell ill. We were stunned and saddened to find out that Tito was suffering from a heart condition - a condition that was made worse by his congenital heart disease that was not detected until recently. His condition rapidly deteriorated until that fateful day in July 2010. His wife found him unconscious on their bed and she immediately called the hospital. He was then admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he fell into a coma and could not talk nor respond. No one could get to him; he couldn't talk to us, and we didn't even know if he heard us at all. Everyone was at a loss. We waited for days; we were allowed to visit him only twice a day, an hour each time. Every time we visited him, we had to wear surgical shoes and gowns. We talked to him as often as we could; as often as the nurses and doctors would allow us. We told him how much we loved him, and that we missed him.

 But we finally had to let him go. The entire family was enveloped in grief. All of us had questions running through our minds. Numerous questions but answers proved to be elusive. How could someone so strong, so brave, so dependable, so invincible succumb to an illness?

 I have always seen him as a strong, silent man. Just like my own father, he was a man of few words; but when he spoke, everyone listened. But now that's he's gone, how will our family move on? He was not just a husband to his wife or just a father to his kids. He was a son to my grandmother whom he gladly took under his wing. He was a brother and a father to my mother and her sisters who lost their father when they were young.

How do you say goodbye to a husband who stood by you for more than three decades? How do you say goodbye to a father who was quiet but always ready to listen, support, teach and help you? How do you say goodbye to the man who became the brother you never had?

Until this day, those questions still have not been answered. It has been five months since that traumatic day and everyone is still trying to move on; like little babies trying to walk without the help of guiding hands...Sometimes I find myself looking for him whenever I visit their place. And after a few seconds, I silently remind myself that he is gone. I could just imagine how hard it must be for his children. And I can only pray that Tito is now with Him, smiling down upon us. He is now in a better place; a place without needles, without pain, without tears. But we still can't help but think about him.

We miss you, Tito.

P.S.:
Tito, Lola is sick and is in the ICU. The nurses won't let us in and she is really scared. Will you watch over her? Tell her we are all outside waiting for her..." 

What I want to do NOW...

When the month of May rolled in, I promised myself that every night before bed, I will watch a film which I have never seen before.

Last night’s featured movie was A Little Bit of Heaven; a movie about a woman named Marley Corbett (played by Kate Hudson), who was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. The news was broken to her by a serious Dr. Julian Goldstein (played by Gael Garcia Bernal), who eventually fell in love with her humor and resolve. In the midst of pain and suffering, Marley found a way to embrace love, reconcile with her parents, and leave her good friends with fond memories.

Granted, the movie wasn’t a tear-jerker, it wasn’t that impressive, even.

But the movie made me realize ONE thing: The best time to let people know you care is NOW.

So this week, I want to…

·         Give Mama and Daddy a kiss and thank them for their love. They are the best gifts a child can ever receive

·         Tell Kuya that even though we don’t see eye to eye most times, I love him and that I only want the best for him

·         Tell Ate that I admire her strength and that I thank her for being her; and that she is the best sister in the world

·         Tell Prince that I love him and that I wish for him to grow up t be a good, honest and smart man

·         Tell Kelvin that I love him with all my heart and that God couldn’t have given me anyone better

·         Tell Sesha that I admire her faith, resilience and strength

·         Tell Razel that I love her and I pray for Reese’s future; and that I will always be here for her

·         Tell Isha that I wish her peace of mind and the love that she deserves

·         Tell DeeJay that I wish life had treated him better and that he will always be in my thoughts

·         Tell Lola Mila that I love her and that I thank her for all the times she worried about me. I guess that what Lola’s are for. J

·         Tell my Titas and Titos that I will always be grateful for their listening ears and ready advice

·         Tell my cousins that I am honored to be called their cousin. They helped me become what I am

·         Tell my brothers, sisters, and friends that they are the amazing icing on my life’s crazy, crazy cake, and that every single moment I have spent with them is a precious moment that I will forever cherish.

·         Tell those I have offended that I am sorry and that they can hit me in the head the next time they see me (gently, please)

·         Thank all the people that I have worked with; every moment spent with them was equal to a pound of learning

·         Thank all my trainees for the laughter, learning, and inspiration

·         Tell those who I have inspired to pay it forward

·         Tell God that I am the luckiest person in the world; and that I thank Him for everything He has done and given to me and for me.

What about you? What can you do NOW?

Getting Ready for Legazpi

I am so excited for my first out-of-town-without-the-family trip for this year. What makes this trip even more exciting is that I will be travelling with our awesome TA buddies! :)

To make sure that Kelvin, our friends and I will have the time of our lives, I have prepared a list of things, places, and activities that I'd like our group to experience.

Travel buddies, read on!

PLACES TO VISIT:

1. Mt. Mayon (but of course!) and Casagwa Ruins

Mayon Volcano is renowned as the “perfect cone” because of its almost symmetric conical shape. The Casagwa Ruins are the remnants of an 18th century Franciscan church, the Cagsawa church, built in 1724 .

2. Mayon Resthouse Observatory 

A nature park where one can enjoy different recreational activities in the hearts of the Mayon Planetarium and Science Park, picnic areas, wall climbing facilities, and zip lines.

3. St. Raphael Parish Church

One of the unique attractions of the present St. Raphael Church is its altar table made of a single block of solid hardened lava. 

(photocredit: wowlegazpi.com)



4. Albay Pilinut Showroom

Established in 1936, Albay Pilinut Candy is the first pili nut candy factory in Bicol

(photocredit: article.wn.com)

5. Albay Park and Wildlife

A picnic grove and park which houses 347 animals belonging to 75 species.

(photocredit: http://www.tourifictravelservices.com)

 6. The Embarcadero de Legazpi

Bicol’s premier waterfront lifestyle and commercial hub which offers exciting different attractions such as go karting, zipline, jetski, dinning, shopping, and many more!

photocredit: www.wowlegazpi.com

 7. The Japanese Tunnel

A 40-meter lomh L-shaped and seven-feet deep tunnel used by the Japanese forces as an arsenal during the 2nd World War.

(photocredit: http://www.legazpicity.gov.ph)

8. Kapuntukan Hill (Sleeping Lion Hill)

photocredit: www.wowlegazpi.com

Because of its shape, it is also fondly and more popularly called by Legazpeños as the Sleeping Lion Hill, with the higher peak resembling a lion’s hunched shoulders and mane and the lower peak, its rump.

9. Ligñon Hill Nature Park

photocredit:  byaherosnapshots.com

A popular destination where one can enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, rappelling, paintball, airsoft, shopping, sightseeing, and dinning.

ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY:

1.  Whaleshark (Butanding) Watching
2.  ATV on foothills of Mayon Volcano
3. Extreme Mountain Biking in Albay
4. Skimboarding in Legazpi’s Black Sand Beaches
5. Hiking
6. Biking
7. Rappelling
8. Paintball
9. Wallclimbing
10. Ziplining

What else do you recommend?

[K&M] Kelvin's Message circa 2009

Another thoughtful message from the boyfriend in 2009.

This was the time when I was busy being a new trainer that we no longer had the time to spend a lot of time together.

Isn't he amaze-balls?! :)

[Kelvin's & Mine] An Old Love Letter

It's 7:10PM in Makati; and here I am, waiting for my next meeting to start. I was browsing through my personal folders when came across a message that I wrote to Kelvin about three or four years ago.

What's amazing about the letter is that even up until this day, every single line in the letter is still true. I have been very fortunate to find a love that is so rare and so precious, I thank the Lord everyday.

Please allow me to share that letter with you.

For the hopeless romantics, read on!

For the man who can never say no to me...
For my man who likes it when i pick a fight...
For my man finds it cute when I make act up...
For my man who apologizes even if I'm the one who is wrong...
For my man who still picks me up even when he's tired...
For my man who's willing to make silly faces just to make me laugh...
For my man who dances even if he can't just to see me smile...
For my man who tells me everyday how pretty I am...
For my man who always tells me to fix my hair...
For my man who calls me his PLINSESS....
For my man who surpises me even on ordinary days...
For my man who calls me in the middle of the day just to say, "I love you, honey."...
For my man who travels an hour just to see me for minutes...
For my man who waits for three hours just so we can talk for an hour...
For my man who gives me a bottle of antiseptics whenever he sees a booboo on me...
For my man who kisses my boo boo...
For my man who babytalks...
For my man who makes sure I'm always within his reach...
For my man who unconsciously reaches for my hand when I let go of his...
For my man who gives me a back and foot massage even when he's tired...
For my man who's willing to face my father's wrath just to be with me...
For my man who has introduced my not only to his family but to his friends, aunts, cousins, uncles, colleagues, relatives, nephews, grandmother...
For my man who will go on leave just to spend a day with me...
For my man who just keeps quiet and sighs whenever I scream at him...
For my man who doesn't fight back...
For a man who no longer just refers to 'himself' but now refers to 'us'...
For my man who'll sing me a lullaby so I can sleep...
For my man who will sing until his voice becomes hoarse...
For my man who will not stop singing until i tell him to...
For my man who gives me a piggyback ride...
For my man whose eyes go soft everytime he looks at me...
For my man who makes my toes curl...
For my man who makes me smile just by thinking of him...
For my man who makes me think of forever...
For my man who makes me imagine my own little boys who look exactly like him..
For my man who stays and watches my toes being painted in the salon while feeding me french fries...
For my man who makes me feel all tingly inside....
For my man who appreciates my gifts...
For my man who knows i need help even when i don't ask...
For my man who becomes upset and jealous if I don't talk to him every five minutes...
For my man whom I can talk to for hours and hours and untill the wee hours in the morning...
For my man whom I can talk to about anything and everything...
For the man whom I will say "I do." to...
For the man who will be the father of my children...
For the man that I love and the mane who I want to spend my whole life with...

So there you are!

What about you? What do you want to say to your man?

An Old Post.

I miss you. I remember the first day I first met you. You scared the hell out of me. I thought you wouldn't approve of me. I thought you wouldn't think I would be good enough for the man you've always treated as your brother. But I was wrong. The first time i met you, you treated me like a friend, like a sister. For that i will be forever grateful. you became a brother to me- someone i could call on whenever Kelvin and I had a problem. you were always there whenever Kelvin needed a brother to share his problems with. you accompanied Kelvin whenever he picks me up. You were there when you surprised me on my birthday. You smeared cake on my face. You laughed at my jokes. You were there to sympathize with your brothers and sisters.

I remember the days when a brother or a sister would celebrate a birthday. You guys would plan for days just to make that certain birthday special.

I remember the spontaneous trips to Tagaytay, to coffee shops, or to a brother's house. I remember how loud everyone laughs.

I remember the days you and Kelvin would sweat it out in Don Bosco sparring against each other. Or trying to trick Sir Noli into thinking that you were doing your sit-ups right.

I remember a party at your house.. you got so drunk you were screaming at the top of your lungs, "TA! What is your emotiooonnn?!?!?!" 

I remember the night when you saw me sleepwalking out of the house.. if you hadn't seen me i would have been found sleeping next to pineapples the next morning.

I remember the days when we'd hang around your house.. You'd come down wearing your boxers without a care in the world.. not even caring that there was a great big hole in them.

I remember the days when Kelvin and I would go to your house just to play with instruments, and chat at Starbucks... And see you in Waltermart with a girl in tow.

I remember the day you and Kelvin went to my house to drink.. you got me so drunk i was crying for you not to stare at my feet.

I remember the day you threw up along the South Luzon Expressway.

I remember how quiet you were... We never really got to talk seriously but you were always a strong but silent force.

I remember the day you broke a bottle because you were so scared of a frog.

I remember celebrating your birthday in Club Je... You were so drunk you were just lying on the couch not caring that everyone was recording how drunk you were.

But do you know what I remember the most? The love.. The way you drop whatever it is that you are doing just to be with a brother or a sister... The way you just stand there, letting your brother or sister know that you're there.. The way anyone can call you anytime and never doubt that you'll answer.

I even miss the days I had to drag Kelvin out of Arena.. LOL

I miss you. I miss all of you.

June 8, 2010.

Lists and Time

Do you sometimes feel like life is dumping a whole load of things on  your plate; and that there are a whole bunch of stuff that need your attention? 

 Things like work, school, meetings, reviews, bills, reports, tests, dates, deadlines, family events, night out with friends, vacations, dates, pets, and a lot more!

photocredit: www.smallbizbigresults.com

Do you ask yourself, "Which do I do first? There are just too many things and soooo little time!"

photocredit: onlinebusiness.volusion.com



Well, I do. At times I even feel like I'm drowning. I find myself looking down on my To-Do list and see that there are just too many things on there; there are just too many things that need my attention. And for one second, I felt like slumping on the ground and letting out a full blown tantrum.

photocredit: finerminds.com

But, I am a grown woman. I make things happen. 

Allow me to share with you an inspirational article. Read on and be inspired!

credit:: http://academictips.org

I have decided to stop wasting time complaining about the things that I have to do.

I have decided to "save" time by not worrying.

My clock is running. I will make most of my day and spend my time wisely by doing things that matters. I will stop worrying and complaining.

Every minute spent on worrying is a minute wasted.

Stop worrying and start enjoying!

Presenting my new To-Do List!

 What is on your To Do List?