Archive for June, 2008
island cove
Despite the heavy traffic on a Monday morn, Lan and I headed over to Island Cove to do a small feature on the resort. Neither of us had been to the 36 hectare attraction, so we had no idea what to expect. Little did we know, we were in for quite a surprise.
To be honest, I figured Island Cove to be a typical small resort with a pool and a few hotel rooms. Of course, nothing could have been further from the truth… and here’s some proof:
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[click image for a larger view]Within the 36 hectare resort, Island Cove offers various amenities and activities for the whole family. At the Oceania Water Park, there’s a huge pool with a giant slide for the water lovers, as well as kiddie pool cum play area complete with water fountains and “jungle gym”. For the sporty types, there’s a gym, a bowling alley, a tennis court, as well as a basketball court. For the cerebral individuals, you can check out the life sized chess set for a quick game. The entire family can enjoy some animal fun in the Butterfly Gardens, the Reptile Zoo, feed the crocs in the Crocodile farm or check out some of the simians in the Monkey Island. There are also various wildlife in the Animal island such as Bengal Tigers, Ostrich, Cassowary and much more. And for those of you that want to get up close and personal with the fauna, you can also check out petting zoo.
If you get hungry, you have your choice of some Pinoy food at the Fishing Village (where you can also go fishing while waiting for your fare), some international rations over at Sangley Point or continental food over at the Hotel Café.
Of course, for those of you that choose to unwind, there is also a spa within the resort that offers various services and treatments for your pampering needs.
And, if you find yourself still raring to go in the evenings, Island Cove offers a few attractions and entertainment facilities for your evening activities such as the Island Sing videoke so you can belt out few tunes and the F Deck Bar for a quick nightcap or an all night drinking binge (with a live band for entertainment).
We only had a few hours to tour the area, but the spots that we visited were already more than enough to overload our visual palates and memory capacity. So until our next visit, this will have to do.
If you want to find out their rates, their special promo packages or simply get more info, check out the Island Cove website.
And don’t forget to keep checking Yehey! for Karla’s in depth article on the resort.
Special thanks to our hosts Lea Remulla-Mate and Cong. Gilbert Remulla for showing us around and answering all our queries.
flapjacks
Yesterday, I went with a few Yehey! employees to check out the rations over at Flapjacks restaurant in Greenbelt. As breakfast food is my favorite daily fare, I was excited to sink my teeth into anything that was being offered. I intentionally didn’t eat anything in the morning to increase my appetite for the up coming lunch (as I had heard that the portions were huge), but nothing could have prepared me for the feast I was about to partake in.
So, upon arrival, we each ordered our meals to try (and of course photograph). Unbeknownst to us, our host Mitzi Borbon (Marketing Manager of Fish & Co. and Flapjacks) also arranged for us to try some of their best sellers (aside from what we already ordered). As you can surmise, we had a lot of food to dig into. So, verging on committing the deadly sin of gluttony, we placed our napkins on our laps and grabbed our forks and knives and dove head in.
Here are a few photos from the BIG lunch.
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[click image for larger view]I tried not to eat too much of one dish, making sure to try all of the treats laid out before us, but before long, I noticed myself going back for second and third servings of each dish, as they were all that good. But of course, I have to list my special mentions of the meal:
- Rib Eye Steak Omelette – for the sheer creativity of putting two great ingredients together — eggs and prime rib beef! … (not to mention the healthy portions of sliced bell peppers)
- Five Stack Blueberry Pancakes - five pancakes, blueberry and a little bit of butter cream. Yum yum! No syrup necessary.
- Salpicao - this traditional Spanish tapas was given a Pinoy twist with rice and egg on the side. Think of it as a “sossy” Tapsilog.
So as we slowly felt our bellies bursting while adjusting our belts, we were in for another surprise. No it wasn’t more food… or even dessert. Instead, we were invited to another food tasting a week or so from now — for Flapjacks and Fish & Co. … both in the same day. But, hey, I’m not complaining.
chow king: chao fan
“Iba ang kain pag kanin” … is how the new Chow King Chao Fan tagline goes.
And with the current rice shortage, the tagline really holds more meaning, especially for people that look for rice as a staple with every meal. Good thing for us, Chow King is currently offering their Chao Fan (literally translated as Fried Rice) at lower prices and with more tasty ingredients.
At the Yehey!-Chow King Bloggers Event held at CK Eastwood, we were given a sample of the repriced and new improved offerings. And I can honestly say that all Chow King lovers and all rice freaks are gonna go nuts over the fare.
- Pork Chao Fan goes for PhP 39 – A tasty and flavorful mixture of stir-fried rice and pork slices mixed in a special sauce of shrimp paste, sacha sauce and kangkong leaves and garnished with a sprinkling of spring onions.
- Beef Chao Fan goes for PhP 49 – Another tasty and flavorful rice mix with beef chunks mixed in with a special beef sauce, cabbage, carrot bits and sprinkled with spring onions.
- Spicy Chao Fan goes for PhP 79 – Chicken Balls and tender beef cuts are the main ingredient in this tasty fried rice mix, seasoned with hot chili garlic spices and thick sweet soya sauce, with some red and green peppers for additional flavoring and texture.
- Yang Chow goes for PhP 79 – The most popular fried rice in the bunch is a flavorful mix of chorizo bits, roasted pork asado bits, a beaten egg, some fresh and crisp vegetables and topped with generous servings of sauteéd shrimp.
Of course, you always have the option to top your rice with any of the dimsum (or anything on the Chow King menu, really) available. So head on over to the nearest Chow King to get your fix of rice. You know you’ve been cutting down… but now you can enjoy your favorite staple without the guilt.
coffee bean and tea leaf: what's your story?
Right now, I’m sitting in the Coffee Bean and Teal Leaf in Bonifacio High Street in the Fort…
I’m supposed to upload the photos for my entries in the Flash Creativity Workshop, so here they are…
Obviously, this is the gratuitous shot with the logos and emblems of the brand…
I taped the napkins behind the mask. One eye features the bean, while the other, the leaf (from Coffee BEAN and Tea LEAF).
More on the event, when I have time to edit this post.
Italianni's extra
Italianni’s is currently running their “extra” campaign, wherein you are sure to get something extra special, whenever you visit one of their outlets. And, no, it’s not the free foccacia bread or free olive oil…
Based on your order, the staff will decide what’s missing from your meal and dining experience. Whether it be a pasta dish, some dessert or drinks, Italianni’s will throw in a few extras for free!
[Grilled Pork Chops Au Poivre]Yesterday, along with the Yehey staff and a few lucky bloggers, we got to taste a few of their signature dishes and beverages… and sample a bit of the extras that you just may receive.
To get your mouth watering, here’s a short list of some of the stuff we ate.
- Spinach and Artichoke Formaggio
- Creamy Mushroom Crostini
- Fried Calamari
- Sicilian Chicken Salad
- Penne Arrabiato
- Classic Carbonara
- Pepper Crusted Fish Fillet
- Parmesan Crusted Fish Fillet
- Grilled Pork Chops Au Poivre
- a feast of desserts
… and that was just in our table.
Here are a few photos from the event…
[Spinach and Artichoke Formaggio (My fave)]
[Mussels Lombardi]So on your next visit to Italianni’s, you can expect something extra in your dining experience… what it’s gonna be is a surprise.
Moto Mash Up
Continuing with its tradition of kick ass events, Motorola held a special Moto MashUp shindig last night at WareHouse 135. With food aplenty, beer and cocktails overflowing, prizes awaiting and music pumping through the night, the event was a big hit.
Featuring the stylish Motorola Rokr E8 and the very affordable Motorola W230, the local mobile set giant introduced the concept of Mash Up.
MashUp, you ask? Simply put, it’s a merging of two things to create one cool final product. Take the Rokr E8. It’s a mobile phone, yet, it can be transformed into a mp3 player, with the click of a button. And Motorola has taken the MashUp lifestyle one step further with their line up of musicians, merging different genres and melding diverse songs, creating totally unique sounds.
On hand for the evening were Ciudad and Overtone; Radha and Top Suzara; and DJ Funk Avy and Taken By Cars. And we all got a glimpse of the intense musical mash ups.
To get a better idea, check out OdysseyLive.
Here’s my favorite video from the bunch:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55o9PDpeR2Y&hl=en]
more photos here
my Pilipinas
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[click on image for larger view]one giant step for photographers
Today, a giant step in protecting Philippine photographers rights has been taken. Anton Sheker, with the help of his lawyer, is suing a major Philippine daily for copyright infringement. His original post recounts of his photos being used in the offending publication and the steps he took in contacting the daily and the people involved. This was in October 2007.
Fast forward to today. Sheker’s new update reveals he has finally filed a case with the RTC. Now the rest of the (Philippine) photography world is awaiting the results.
Good luck to Mr. Sheker for his and his boldness to take on one of the oldest newspapers in the country. Lets hope his case serves as a warning to all other publications or individuals that do not respect the intellectual property of photographers and artists.
a taste of decadence
Sweet Tooths were in for a treat as Diamond Hotel brought a Taste of Decadence to the Archaeology Wing of the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Center in a feast of desserts.
Laid out in a wonderful spread for all attendees was a myriad of choices from cakes to pies to tarts to various other sweet treats I couldn’t even identify. The term overload soon came to mind, as I couldn’t even begin to decide which dessert to start with, let alone fit on my plate. They (DIamond Hotel) weren’t kidding when they said they boast of one of the most extensive (if not the most extensive) stand-alone dessert catering services.
So as any sensible person would do, I just dug in and chose the most appetizing treat (a feat easier said than done). And being a saccharine sucker, I found myself in heaven, popping sampler after sampler into my waiting mouth. Naturally, the sugar found its way into my system, and the sugar rush kicked in. But at this point, I was hooked. So after a few more bites, I decided to call it quits, having my fill. Plus, the fact that I could return to this dessert haven eased my thoughts for the moment.
Yes folks, for those of you that couldn’t catch this event, Diamond Hotel has established The Cake Club, a pastry paradise cum coffee shop, at the second level of the Rockwell Powerplant Mall. And to give you an idea of what you can find, here are a few of my personal faves that can be purchased when you make your first visit:
- Supermoist – Diamond Hotel’s signature moist chocolate cake made more delicious with layers of rich ganache (This is simply the best chocolate cake you will ever taste)
- Baked Cheesecake – Diamond’s classic rich cream cheese cake
- Le Royale – Dark Valrhona chocolate mousse with almond meringue and hazelnut crispy
- Green Tea Creme Brulee – the classic French dessert made extra special with a hint of Japanese Green Tea flavoring
[click photo for larger image]Goodyear brings in the Ford GTA
As an added treat to Goodyear‘s Media Roundtable, wherein we learned of the ongoing campaigns, new products and the latest innovations of our hosts, we also got to witness the fruition of the cooperation between two companies, Goodyear and Ford in the guise of the Ford GT.
The GT is one of only 2,011 2006 models existing in the world — and Goodyear recently acquired this particular unit. The car just recently arrived in the country and will be on display in SM Mall of Asia’s Main Mall Atrium from June 5-7. For a small fee, you can bring your family along and even jump into full racing gear and have your photo taken with the car, with the proceeds going to families that have been affected by the devastation of floods, storms and other natural disasters.
But if you can’t make it to the SM MOA, the car will be on display at various selected locations in the Philippines up to the end of the month.
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[click image for larger view]bring your extra
Yehey! and Italianni’s brings you another food event to enjoy!
On June 13 and 16, Italianni’s Bonifacio High Street will treat you to a hearty lunch to introduce you to their latest promo… EXTRA.
Just make sure to bring your EXTRA anything.
But slots are very limited, so make sure to email marketing @teamyehey.com to inform us of your intent to join. And log on to Yehey! to find out the mechanics on how you can be chosen to participate in this new promo.
audi R8 launch
Releasing another monster of a vehicle, Audi recently officially launched the new R8 – a beautifully crafted automobile bred from racing championship DNA and packed with features that will make your head spin.
Don’t believe me? Here are just some of the highlights of the vehicle:
- mid-engine mounted
- Quattro technology permanent all wheel drive
- 32 valve, V8 engine
- 0-100 kph in 4.6 seconds with 420 horses under the hood and a top speed of about 300 kph
- FSI technology (the fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber giving it better engine performance and combustion efficiency)
- Racing Style cockpit
- Monoposto cockpit integrated as an autonomous unit (it is laid out as an arc that wraps around the driver)
- Alcantara leather sport seats
- Bang & Olufsen Sound System
… and the list goes on and on.
Of course, I can only dream about getting my hands on one of these babies for a test drive, let alone owning one. So till I can actually figure out a way to convince Audi to lend me one of these bad boys, I’ll just continue visiting their website and drool.
Yehey-Yahoo journey
Over the past few years, I have gotten used to seeing people leave, resign and move on to other jobs. One of the latest Yehey! employees to make the leap was our eComm manager and resident Tech Evangelist (and a huge superman freak… hence the pose), Jonas de los Reyes.
‘Nas’ (as we like to call him in the office) started out in Yehey many years back as a Channel Editor before moving to Chikka for a brief stint. After testing the waters in other areas, Jonas found his way home and returned to Yehey as the eComm Manager of Kaban, our payment gateway and online merchant enabler. And in another twist of fate, now ‘Nas’ finds himself in the US version of Yehey — Yahoo. ^_^
Oftentimes I catch him online… and I never fail to rag on him, whenever we start a conversation. He knows I’m just playing around when I call him a TRAITOR. =P And this post is proof of that (proof that I’m joking)… because despite his own shameless plug, I am also trying to spread the article of his interview. So, if you haven’t caught it floating around the net yet, here’s your chance to catch up on a bit of reading.
looking for a job?
With every ending comes a new beginning. Paolo Marinduque has been added to the list of people that have gone on to better things (or so they think ^_^) and left Yehey!, in search of greener pastures.
As a result, we now have a new opening to be filled ASAP. Your official title will be Web Communications & Services Specialist.
Here’s a little information you may need, before applying for the job:
Job Description:
1. Act as full time services officer to oversee the various Yehey! communications and community tools (i.e. Chat, Message Boards and eCards)
2. Update related articles and features in the site
3. Deal with users and act as customer care officer addressing community problems or inquiries regarding the site/service
4. Track user-related metrics for statistics and channel improvement/development
5. Conceptualize online promos to increase member usage and loyalty
Requirements:
1. Meets or completes project milestones on or before specified deadlines
2. Must possess a degree in Communication Arts, Marketing, Computer Science or any related course
3. Must be internet-savvy, with keen interest in online communities — being an active and positive member is a great advantage
4. Proficient with MS Office; knowledge in HTML, Adobe Photoshop and IRC administration is a plus.
5. Must be a team player with the ability to handle multiple tasks and interact professionally with community members
6. Must be creative with strong analytical and customer service skills
7. Must be proactive with a bright attitude
8. Must be willing to work in Ortigas, Pasig City
Fresh graduates may apply
Please send your resumés to laszlo@teamyehey.com and / or kankan@teamyehey.com.
AND please put Web Communications & Services Specialist as the Subject
PS. If you do get hired, we’ll give you a cool ID like the one shown above. >_<
