Category Archives: Philippines

Passionate about Pampanga

It was a dawn gathering, outside Starbucks, in Makati. Armed with coffees and cameras, we climbed aboard a minivan and headed north, past rice fields and lakes full of water hyacinths, sugar cane and wild grasses. Our tour guide, Bryan … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Food & Wine, Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Passionate about Pampanga

Pinot 101

As you have probably realized by now, I really enjoy dining at Enderun College’s Restaurant 101, and there has been a number of lunches, dinners, wine tastings and coffee mornings over the past two years. A recent visit for a … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Pinot 101

Of Anthuriums & Fiddle Head Ferns

In the extreme heat that hit Manila last May, we drove south from the city to Los Baños, to meet a group of provinicial businessmen and women who benefit from a local micro-financing program, partially supported by a social welfare … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Of Anthuriums & Fiddle Head Ferns

Sugarleaf: guilt-free indulgence

Chefs and restaurateurs across Metro Manila are become noticeably more tuned in to healthy eating and are marketing their menus with trendy catch phrases like ‘organic’ and ‘pro-biotic’ (‘a  dietary supplement containing live bacteria, taken orally to restore beneficial bacteria … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Sugarleaf: guilt-free indulgence

Yering Station Comes to Makati

Last week Sala Fine Dining on Makati Avenue joined forces with The Wine Depot to host a dinner welcoming Australian Winemaker, Willy Lunn, to Manila. Sala has been around for about fifteen years, first in Malate, now on Makati Avenue, … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Yering Station Comes to Makati

Una Notte in Italia

School went back in August, which means we are back to horrendously early starts, long afternoons of soccer practices and weekends chock-a-block with rugby. If there is a spare moment, the boys are out in the back room madly killing … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Italy, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Una Notte in Italia

Basking in Fresh Air at Lago de Oro

Satiate your thirst for a thrilling getaway… we bring you nonstop excitement from morning to night… every corner of Lago de Oro Beach Club spells fun and adventure. You’ll never run out of breathtaking moments to savor. It was quite … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Basking in Fresh Air at Lago de Oro

Reviewing the Situation

Back in Manila after a summer abroad, I was recently thumbing through a guide book on moving to the Philippines – new arrivals needed some information I didn’t have the answer to – and as I wandered through the pages … Continue reading

Posted in Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reviewing the Situation

Gelato: a truly Italian invention

“Filipinos are not settling anymore for the commercialized, not-so-yummy, imported brands [of ice cream]” according to Filipino blogger Anton Diaz in his popular blog ‘Our Awesome Planet’. And indeed I have watched with fascination as local entrepreneurs create their own … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Italy, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Gelato: a truly Italian invention

The Culinary Heritage of the Philippines

Filipino food was prepared by Malay settlers, spiced by Chinese traders, stewed in 300 years of Spanish rule and hamburgered by American influence… Monina A. Mercado  Filipina food historian Doreen Fernandez calls this culinary fusion ‘indigenization’ – the process of … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment