Daily Quickie: Jollibee's Tuna Pie is back!

Daily Quickie is a short tag on the title which I use for blog entries about food I'm snacking at home, work or anywhere.

A few days ago, I received a surprise in time for our weekday merienda. Normally, I won't go giddy from fast food delivery, 'cause if you've been a long-time reader, you know how often we get fast food. I know, so unhealthy. Haha! But this was one of those rare occasions where I had a big smile on my face upon receiving the goods. Why not? It's one of my favorite items ever from Jollibee -- the Tuna Pie. Finally, it's back!!!

This might be trivial, but another thing that made me happy was the cute packaging the Tuna Pie came in with. I was given a giant box of Tuna Pie with 10 pieces of the actual pies. #TunaPieOverload! However, the Tuna Pie just like how most of my favorite Jollibee items, is only here to stay for a limited time. Available only until April 30, 2014, the Tuna Pie can be bought solo at P33, or as a value meal with regular drink at P45.

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The Sweet Spot: A Sweet Bakery & Cafe at Teachers Village

While my blog is doing better as I've expected, I don't see myself as someone worth interviewing. However, in the span of two months, I've already had two groups of college students interview me for their project. Even though I usually shy away from this kind of feature, I'm floored that they actually found me and my blog. Really, I'm beyond flattered!

Just over a month after these advertising students interviewed me for their multimedia class, I got another message from a group of college students for an interview. This time, it's for food blogging/writing as they themselves are making a food magazine for their creative writing class. And having worn the same shoes as them a few years ago, I know how hard it can be to look for someone who'd agree for an interview. So one fine weekday afternoon, we met at The Sweet Spot Bakery & Cafe at Teachers Village.

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6 New Features to Love about WeChat 5.2!

Most of my family and closest friends know this... I usually take so long to reply to text messages. And you know why? 'Cause I'm still using prepaid cards. So when you send me an SMS and I haven't replied in a few hours, you can bet your money that I'm probably in one of these 2 cases: either I didn't receive your text (which does happen every now and then), or I'm out of load and not in a location I can immediately load up.

And while the solution may be simple -- apply for a line, I know... One app has been saving me from the hassle of always buying prepaid cards, not to mention the monthly fee if I were to apply for a line. It has also been saving my family and friends from the frustration of waiting for my text. Yup, it's WeChat, the world’s fastest growing social app with over 100 million registered accounts internationally. And yup, it's free!

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Chez Karine: Macarons & More at SM Mega Fashion Hall

Even when I'm doing a certain diet, or pushing myself to go eat and live healthier, there's one thing that never fails to hold me back. You can take away my rice, pasta and bread. You can even take away my bacon! (Yes, I'm not kidding! Bacon!) But don't you ever strip me away of desserts! I'll even agree to workout harder just to keep me my sweets!

And I actually did that after being treated with tons of goodies from Chez Karine's newest branch at SM Mega Fashion Hall, which if you didn't know yet, is the latest expansion of SM Megamall. Owned by pastry chef Karen Yang-Chiang, Chez Karine which translates to "at Karen's place" and has been famous for its macarons, is a neighborhood bakery that first opened in Serendra. I've been to the place a few times now, but not as often as I'd want to. However, now that Chez Karine can already be found in SM Megamall, I don't have an excuse anymore not to frequent the shop.

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Blog Anniversary Giveaway #8: Red Onion Café

As corny as it may sound, I actually vowed to try and check out all the restaurants in UP Town Center, Ayala's newest mall along Katipunan. So when I received an invitation to try out another restaurant in UPTC, of course, I knew in an instant that I had to say yes!

Located at the back of Cotton On, Red Onion Café is the brainchild of Mark Endaya and Wen-Szu Lin, the latter of whom has worked alongside celebrity chef Martin Yan, and has managed numerous restaurants in Asia. Even before knowing all these, I already had a feeling that I'm in for a real treat. But I'm not gonna lie, Wen-Szu's impressive credentials gave me further assurance that my palate and tummy's in good hands.

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Raja: Authentic Thai Cuisine at Armada Hotel Manila

Earlier this month, I was invited by the Big Dish team to check out Raja Thai Cuisine at Armada Hotel. If you've been a reader for a while now, you probably have an idea how much I'm into Thai fare. So of course, without any hesitation, I jumped on in and said yes.

Located on the top-most floor, the 14th floor, is Raja Thai Cuisine, the in-house Thai restaurant of Armada Hotel Manila. The hotel used to be Centara Hotel, a Thai hotel chain, and its current management company is also headquartered in Thailand, so I guess it is just but natural that Armada has a Thai restaurant apart from its international restaurant, Caliber Café. And if you're concerned about authenticity, then fret not. Raja's kitchen is helmed by Thai Chef Pranath Samranruen. Yup, a legit Thai chef!

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P299 Brazilian Wax at Pink Parlour's Hair Free Day this Feb. 23!

Remember my first ever Brazilian wax experience? Yup, the far-from-scary, almost painless one by Pink Parlour? Well , if you're one of those who joined my giveaway sponsored by Pink Parlour but unfortunately didn't win, or if you have been meaning to try Pink Parlour's services, then I suggest you do it this Sunday, February 23!

If you're wondering why, Pink Parlour, the rebellious sister of all beauty salons, is treating all of us this Sunday (Feb. 23) at their A.Venue branch as they hold the inaugural annual soiree, Pink Parlour's Hair Free Day! Instead of spending P900 for that almost-painless Brazilian wax, you'll get trimmed, pruned and be hair free for only P299. Now, this is something waxing regulars and even interested first timers shouldn't miss!

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Daily Quickie: Magnum Gold 2 for P100 at SM Supermarkets!

Daily Quickie is a short tag on the title which I use for blog entries about food I'm snacking at home, work or anywhere.

Remember my post when I first tried the Selecta Magnum ice cream bar? I know, it's been so long since then. Mind you though, I've had quite a lot of Selecta Magnum bars since that post. But while I skipped blogging about them (since what I usually have is my favorite almond variant), I now bring you a quickie about Magnum's latest offering.

Yup, it's the newest Magnum Gold!

This golden ice cream bar is available almost anywhere ever since its bonggang launch last February 9. However, if you don't want to shell out about P60 or more to try this, then better head on to the nearest SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket or Savemore, and get a good deal since they currently have a promo for the new Magnum Gold.

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Blog Anniversary Giveaway #7: Tempura Japanese Grill

If it isn't too obvious yet, my favorite cuisine of all time is Japanese. And if it isn't any more obvious, authentic Japanese cuisine is pretty heavy on the pocket. However, you'll have to agree with me that there are just times you want to eat your favorite food but for less. You know, like have a tasty sushi roll without having to break an arm and a leg...

The only problem with settling for fast casual restaurants is, as you know, you'd have to expect quality to be a lot lower. And this is true most especially for Japanese cuisine. However, there's a particular Japanese fast casual dining place that never fails to satisfy me while giving me the bang for my buck. Yup, it's Tempura Japanese Grill!

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Love is in the Air with WeChat!

Happy Valentine's Day, guys and gals! Whether you're single, taken or in a complicated relationship, there's no reason not to feel loved and share the love this special day of hearts. Anti-Valentine's is a thing of the past, 'cause now, you can celebrate Feb. 14 with anyone or anything you love -- family, friends, pets, or even food! Who's to judge?

Yes, I know, I already have a significant other, my boyfriend of almost 4 years. However, I don't think Valentine's Day is just for us, or for anyone who've found their other half. More than anything, this day is the perfect opportunity to show your family and friends how much you love them. Surprise them with a rose, some cupcakes, or maybe a sweet handwritten letter. Or if you're the "not cheesy" type, leave them a short note, either handwritten, or if they're far away, an IM would do. I'm sure they'd feel more than special.

But if you want to take it up a notch, why not show them how much you love them by posting a photo of you with him/her on Facebook? You can even win the much coveted iPad Air from WeChat, the hottest mobile social communications app!

To join, you'll just have to follow these simple mechanics:

• Post a photo of you and your valentine on your Facebook wall.
• Your valentine can be anyone or anything you love -- your significant other, a family member, a friend, your pet, a toy, your favorite book, favorite food, or anything.
• Add a caption of why he/she/it makes your Valentine's Day special. Don't forget to tag @WeChat Philippines and add #WeLove.
• The most "liked" and "shared" will win the iPad Air.
• The most "creative", the "sweetest" and the most "touching" will win 1,000 diamonds on Gunz Dash.
• Open from February 10 to 16, and the winner must claim the prize in Metro Manila.

So what are you waiting for? Snap away, share the love and join WeChat's Valentine's Day Promo! And while you're at it, why not download WeChat from the App Store or the Google Play Store. It's a really innovative mobile social app that lets you stay connected with your family, friends and loved ones for free by supporting the exchange of text, voice and video, stickers and even photos, through wi-fi or over data networks.

To everyone who has and will be joining, best of luck! Again, Happy Heart's Day! :)

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