HSMA Virtus Awards 2015

The Hotel Sales & Marketing Association launched Virtus Awards and it's the biggest and most prestigious sales and marketing competition in the travel and tourism industry. And in partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, the competition was held at Diamond Hotel last May 28, 2015 in the presence of Tourism Promotions Board COO Domingo Ramon "Chicoy" Enerio III, HSMA Chairman Ms. Rose Libongco, HSMA President Ms. Margie Munsayac, General Managers and Directors of Sales and Marketing of member hotel and resort and the media.

The HSMA is 38 years old, currently comprising 60 hotel and resort properties nationwide. With a strong focus on education, HSMA has become the industry champion in training and developing sales and marketing professionals through workshops, seminars and conferences.

The ASEAN tourism market is expanding steadily over the years, reaching 94 million in 2013. And according to Ms. Libongco the Virtus Awards aims to position Filipino sales and marketing professionals well in a wider marketplace as more properties open in the region and particularly in the Philippines. 

For more information on the 2015 Virtus Awards you can visit www.hsmaph.com And you may also e-mail them at Virtusph@gmail.com.

It's more fun in the Philippines!

Nest: Modern Table and Bar

Last Friday (November 07) I was fortunately invited on the opening of Nest Manila held at BGC, Taguig. Aside from us bloggers, the place was filled with people from our local entertainment industry.

STARTER:

We had Chunky Butternut Squash and Chickpea Soup.

Naan Bread.

Followed by Fole Gras and Mushrooms.

(Poached Egg, Croutons, Parmesan and Balsamic)

MAIN Course:

Pan Seared Snapper.

(Prawn and Salmon Roe Risotto)

5 Spiced Roast Pork Belly.

(Kurobuta Pork Belly, Soy and Garlic Noodle, Sesame Cucumber Relish)

DESSERTS:

Reese's Sans rival.

(Peanut Butter Cream and Chocolate Ganache)

Donuts and Dips.

(Peanut Butter Cream, Salted Caramel and Strawberry Jam)

Pesang Maya-Maya



INGREDIENTS:

1 kilo Snapper fish or Maya-maya belly

1 taling Onion leek

1 taling Pechay

3 pcs. Shallots

3 pcs. Ginger

3 pcs. Medium Potato

3 pcs. Siling haba

5 pcs. Saging na saba

1 tsp. Peppercorn or Paminta

1 Fish broth cube

2 tbsp. Fish sauce or Patis

5-6 cups (depende sa dami ng sabaw na gusto)rice water or Hugas-bigas

INSTRUCTION:

1. In a pot.. place rice water or hugas-bigas, Ginger, leeks, shallots, black pepper, fish sauce and bring to boil.

2. Add potatoes, then let it simmer until slightly tender.

3. Add the Saging na Saba and simmer for another minute.

4. Then gently slide in the Maya-maya and simmer for 1-2 minutes.

5. Add the Pechay and siling haba.

6. And lastly, add salt to taste.

7. Serve and arrange it in a deep bowl.

  

         
              I hope you like it. Enjoy your meal!

Dinner at Dekada

                                       

For the rice we ordered Adobo rice. It says in the menu that it is good for 1-2 persons. 

But to our surprise, the rice was for 4 persons. Lol! About the taste it was good. And I like the salted egg and most especially the crunchinest of the adobo flakes.

         This is the first time I eat Pochero and it was very tasteful. The way they cooked the beef is very tender and same with the chicken. And while we are eating I kept on saying "masarap nga cia.." and I forgot my table manners! lol! 

Thumbs up for Dekada!

So can you tell me about your food experience at Dekada?

'Til then! :)

Foodie Meetup @ Vyne by: ZOMATO

TAPAS:

Pork Chasu Bun for Php 295 only.

(Pork Chasu, Fried Quail Egg, Fried Mantao, Nori Strips, Leeks and Sesame Mayo)

I love the taste but I agree with my friend Lee that it is too greasy.

Thai Scallops - Php 300

(Seared Scallops, Mango Salad in Nuoc Cham Dressing, Sambal Mayo and Crispy Catfish)

         

Mini Crab Cakes - Php 380

(Mini Crab Cakes, Apply Mayo, Avruga and Pickled Radish)

SOUP:

         Prawn and Ravioli Laksa - Php 270

(Prawn Ravioli, Tofu, Fried Onions, Bean Sprouts and Laksa Soup)

Since I am a Laksa lover this really meets my expectations. For me the spiciness is perfect and the prawn is tender and you can even taste the coconut milk. The overall taste is just superb.

SALAD:

Apple and Bleu Cheese Salad - Php 285

(Apple, Bleu Cheese, Cranberry, Honey Yogurt Dressing and Arugula)

East Asian Salad - Php 370

(Mixed Green Salad, Asian Slaw, Kimchi, Korean Rice Cake, Salmon Floss, Sesame Dressing)

PASTA:

For our Pasta we had Ramen Carbonara for Php 350 only.

And before they served the dish they pour the Ramen broth first. I was so amazed on how the Miso Cream Carbonara, Smoke Pork, the Ramen Broth and Sousvide Quail Egg blends in to my mouth. It was awesome!         

        Vyne Burger - Php 550.  
(200g Beef Pattie, Mushroom Ragout, Foie Gras, Bleu Cheese, Apricot Jam, Brioche Bun)

   
MAIN COURSE:

           We first had the Pan Seared Sole. I like the creaminess of the fish and what I don't like is the sweet corn puree.. well, I guess I am not a corn lover. Lol! Btw, you can order this dish for Php 420 only.

    

The second dish we had is the US Angus Ribeye Steak - Php 2,500.
(600g Prime Rib Steak, Horseradish Gremolata, Beef Jus, Fried Brussels Sprouts)

DESSERTS:

  Lemon Cheesecake (Citrus and Basil) - Php 360.
(Lemon New York Cheesecake, Lemon Custard, Basil, Chopped Pistachio, Meringue)

Blogapalooza 2014

      The biggest business to blog event will be held on September 20, 2014 at SMX SM AURA at 11am.

      And since I am a newbie in blog world, I am excited to meet the famous and influential blogger. Hope I could learn a lot from them.

     See you there!

Holiday getaway : Boracay

        La Carmela de Boracay is located between Station 2 and 3. Just a few steps at the famous crystal clear Boracay beach. The Hotel offers a good quality service and a very affordable rates.

        And one thing I like in La Carmela de Boracay is that they are the first hotel that has a swimming pool with water slide and jacuzzi. If you want to go shopping for your pasalubong's it's just a 5 minutes walk to d' mall.

        On our first day, we had lunch at Red Coconut Bar and we ordered Calamari and Stuffed Squid. The food is great but the service is poor. It took 20 minutes for their crew to take our order. hope they'll improve their service.

          The Red Coconut Bar is located at Station 2

         If you are planning to visit the scenic spots in Boracay and take stunning photographs everywhere you go. I suggest that you should try their ATV and Buggy car.

        Upon climbing the Mt. Luho you will be surrounded with all of those trees at kahit kalahati pa lang ang naaakyat makikita na agad ang beach.

          

           

         It's a breathtaking scenery when you reach the top of Mt. Luho.

          They said that your Boracay getaway wouldn't be complete if you won't try one of their water sports, such as; Parasailing(which Hubby and I did), Island Hopping, Flyfish, Banana boat and Helmet Diving(gustong-gusto namin itry but since bawal pa ang Daughter namin.. so next time na lang..)😉

         Looked like scary of being flown in the air in those parachutes. And since I am afraid of heights, one of the crew told me not to look down maybe para hindi ako lalo matakot at mahilo. And it really helps! 😉

         The Parasailing ride will last for about 10-15 minutes. And according to Hubby he felt quiet boring being airbone
from over a hundred feet above the sea.

         

         One of the famous attraction at night in Boracay is the fire dancing. A lot of people would stop by and watched them because they were all amazing.

          One of the fan of fire dancing. At talagang pinilit niya ako na papicturan sya with the dancers.

          The food served for about 10-15 minutes so we managed to take some pictures. By the way Mesa is located at North wing, level 1 at Boracay Regency.

         Mesa has 3 choices of rice. Laing Rice, Duck Basil Rice and the last but not the least is the Tinapa Rice. And since gusto ko ng may salted egg so we go for Tinapa rice. I must say, that this is the perfect rice.

          Crispy Boneless Tilapia served with four sauces: sweet and sour, bagoong, toyo with vinegar and chili sauce. Actually it even tastes delicious kahit walang sauce.

         Their version of Laing 2 ways. One is the normal way which is kinda wet and the second way is crispy. This dish is good for 1-3 persons.

         Sinigang na baboy with guava. We just want to know how would it tastes considering there is no tamarind on it. And to my surprise it tastes good at maasim-asim kahit di nilagyan ng tamarind. This is one of their bestseller.

         Our last day in Boracay. The beach looks calm kahit na naguulan na that time.

        So, this is how we spend our Christmas holiday. Hope I did'nt bore you with all this pictures.

         'Til then. Mwah.