The most awaited season for all Filipinos is fast approaching and most of the Moms are getting busy. Gatherings, celebrations, and preparations, most particularly with the foods. The ones that will definitely be the star of the occasion that will enjoyed by our loved ones.

I, myself, is already busy thinking of what I will cook for that special occasion. I really love to cook for my family that is why I'm busy on this time of the year. Food is the most important for this season, gladly that I have a partner that will give an enticing looks on every serving that I will make. What else but the new Urban Kitchen collections that will really help me a lot in making the dish comes with a mouthwatering look. Also it will serve as my storage if ever they won't be able to finish the serving.



Like I mentioned I have a partner in this endeavor and Urban Kitchen just launched a new range of trendy and minimalist serveware and food containers during its #StoreAndServe – Making Life Easy launch in Sentro 1771 Capitol Commons, Pasig City held recently. I think there quite a few Dads who are there to witness and learn about the products.

The all-new Urban Kitchen Serveware and Food Keeper Collection is a perfect gift for homemakers and kitchen enthusiasts alike. Indeed it is a perfect gift for your spouses, most especially if they love to fill you with the flavorful dishes they know. With its clever and ergonomic design, the collection will surely make every wonder wo-mom’s life easier as it complements every Filipino home’s lifestyle while levelling up their dining experiences.

Products introduced during the launch include the 12" Rectangular Serveware (P129.75), 12" Oval Serveware (P129.75), Large Square Serveware with Spoon 10" x 5.5 (P149.75), 10" Square Storage Container (P149.75), and the 9" Rectangular Storage Container (P129.75). These affordable yet stylish products are available in SM Home nationwide—go get your hands on these kitchen must-haves to complete your Christmas shopping list!


Hosted by the award-winning host and modern mom Issa Litton, the #StoreAndServe – Making Life Easy launch highlighted the products’ functions as a home solution for young moms and savvy homemakers’ modern lifestyle. Also, moms and guests were given a crash course on Table Setting by food & props stylist and visual storyteller Chichi Tullao. During the workshop, the participants were taught how to set up a table as well as given tips on food styling using the different Urban Kitchen products.

Aside from the table setting and food styling workshop, the participants were also given decluttering tips and food storage hacks to maximize their kitchen and dining storage space by Kon Mari consultant Renelyn Tan-Castillejos. More than making their kitchens look organized, Castillejos also gave them practical tips on how to use the different Urban Kitchen food storage products on their space that brings joy and complement their modern living.
“Food is a big part of Filipino culture. And dining area, in fact, remain to be the heart of each home where you can entertain guests, whip up the best dish that you know of, or just lounge with the family while sharing a good meal,” shares Chriselda Chua, COO. “Through our new campaign #StoreAndServe – Making Life Easy, it is our goal to come up with innovative, practical, and well-crafted serveware and food storage products that would adapt beautifully with any contemporary home. Affordable, stylish, and ergonomic, Urban Kitchen products are a must-have not just only this holiday season, but to be part of our everyday home solutions”.

Urban Kitchen by Max.Ideas is known for its trendy, practical, genuine, and innovative product line that offers everyday home solutions in general. It is a sister company of CDC Manufacturing Corporation, the manufacturer of Melawares, the most trusted brand of tableware. For more updates about Urban Kitchen, follow its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/UrbanKitchenPhilippines/.

So, Moms what do you think of the products of Urban Kitchen? I'm sure I'll be needing some more of this collection before the holidays.

One of Michaela's highlights for 2017 is  their way of giving back to their patrons. Aside from producing and having quality products, they tend to give their customers something in return by simply having a meet and greet with one of their endorsers, Jak Roberto.
For those who doesn't know Jak Roberto that much, he is also known as the Pambansang Abs of the country, he is currently under the management of GMA Artist Center. His recent project was a primetime show entitled "Meant To Be" where he co-stared with Barbie Forteza. On the said show, Jak Roberto's character marked as Team Andoy or Team Pandesal. So in short his more known as Andoy.
Last June 25, one of Michaela's branch in 168 Mall in Divisoria, Manila held its Meet and Greet with Jak Roberto. As expected the store was packed with fans and mall goers. It was really crowded and there were too many customers who purchased some Michaela items just to have a chance to personally meet the actor Jak Roberto.





What I like about Jak Roberto is that he's accommodating and there were no dull moments with him. Michaela customers were all smiles when they left the store because they were able to meet their idol Jak Roberto.
Customers who lined-up for the meet and greet made sure that their cameras were always ready, especially when it was their time to have a moment with Jak Roberto. They were able to have a chit chat with him and of course the special photo session that they will definitely consider it as one of the special days of their lives.



As way of giving back to his fans, Jak Roberto did a special performance. He serenade the crowd with a song and of course made everyone feel how he acknowledge his fans. There were shouting and screaming heard when Jak went at the front of the store to give a chance of glimpse for his fans who would be able to join the meet and greet.

Here are some of the videos during meet and greet with Jak Roberto








Kilig moment, crying, shouting, screaming, and giving of gifts, those are memorable experiences happened during the meet and greet with Jak Roberto. Customers were very thankful to Michaela for giving them a chance to have a moment with the actor. Same with Jak Roberto who were very grateful and thankful to those who came on this event and to Michaela for getting him as an endorser.
I personally ask him why he love Michaela that much and his feelings toward the management of Michaela, and here is what Jak Roberto said.
Michaela is not new to me, I have my own bags and wallet. I personally like their products because of durability and uniqueness of designs. Michaela offers fashionable accessories such as bags, belts, shoes and umbrellas in a very reasonable price.
MICHAELA is under the company of Goldnines International Co., Ltd. Their first ever shop was opened in Juan Luna Street, Binondo Manila and the rest is history. They started in 2005 and through the years they have developed quality and excellent products that caters to different age genres. You can visit their brand as well at leading department stores nationwide.







Today, MICHAELA can be found in different department stores nationwide with 126 branches and counting in and out Metro Manila.
For more details log on to www.michaela.com.ph / www.facebook.com/MICHAELA.Philippines Twitter: @_michaela_ph Instagram: @_michaela_ph

 Lechon Anyone?

Filipinos love to eat Lechon and we always crave for that different aroma of a roasted meat, right?  So, here is something that will surely make you crave to chow down some lechon after reading this.  So I'll be sharing my experience and my story to you, readers, on what is new in town.

Few weeks ago, I was given a chance to interview the owner Balamban Liempo together with the other bloggers.  They are Jojo and Honey Vergara who came from the town of Balamban.  Both of them were formerly employed in a company but wanted to have a business on their own, so in July 2009 they decided to have a grill station in their own garage and that's where it all started.

Mr. Jojo Vergara, Founder and CEO said that "There are no brand of liempo here in the Philippines, so we named it Balamban Liempo, since we offer Grilled Liempo and Lechon Manok."

Balamban is a small town in Cebu City where both of the owners came from.  With their love to their home town they include its name to their brand. Balamban is a town known for having a native method of grilling liempo (pork belly) using local herbs and secret ingredients.  And with the love of the owners they are now sharing what Balamban can offer when it comes to roasted liempo or pork belly as Balamban Liempo opens its first takeout counter in the country's financial center.

Giving every Filipino in Metro Manila a combined unique taste of Cebu Lechon and its local herbs and spices, Balamban Liempo offers a convenient and affordable gourmet liempo experience for Filipinos.

It emanates an aromatic smell of fresh herbs and spices. Balamban Liempo is a golden brown slab of marbleized pork belly which possesses a tangy taste with a hint of spice.


Another popular take-out item is the Balambanok. This has the same unique herbs and spice found in its liempo stuffed inside, resulting in a distinct taste not found in other brands of lechon manok.

"The opening of the first branch in Makati today is a milestone for Balamban Liempo." said founder and CEO Jojo Vergara. Balamban was located in the busy streets of Guadalupe near the market so it is very much noticeable for the public. 


As far the taste is concern, it is very unique and flavourful, it is very distinct on the usual Lechon that I've tasted here in Metro Manila.  I like it, especially the aroma.  At first I was hesitant to taste it because I don't eat much vegetable and it looks full of greenish leaves around it but I was wrong. I love the taste, I let my parents and my hubby taste it also, they just say, it is really different and they like it very much.

Actually, my hubby and parents wanted me to order it again but unfortunately, the location of Balamban is in Makati, we are here in Quezon City. So imagine the distance.  Hopefully they will put up a take out store also in Quezon City.

"We plan to reach a hundred branches by July of the present year," said Vergara. The homegrown Cebu-based food chain currently boasts of over 80 outlets nationwide.


Balamban Liempo is located at No. 2131 Nuestra Seniora st., Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City
Mobile no. 0932-965-4962 and like their Facebook account here

Jodi Sta. Maria as Maya in the teleserye “Be Careful with my Heart” is doing good now and really the story is leveling up. Aside from the Teleserye, Jodi also have her business which named Happy Barn Milkshake Factory.


Last September 8, 2013 she opened her 2nd store located at Rustan's Marketplace, Power Plant Mall.  Her 1st branch is located at Rustan's Supermarket, Evia, Daang Hari, Las Pinas and held its Grand Opening two (2) months ago.


Presents in the store opening are her jodinatics fans, bloggers and her managing partners Abegail Del Mundo and Janssen Muñoz.  All the Managing Partners are really hands on with their business, they really know how to manage and even the operation as well.



It seems that their products are most likely for the kids, the ice cream and the flavorings.  But I think it's also great for moms and dads who are a kid-at-heart.  Hahaha, like me as a mommy I really love the milkshake and I tried their best seller – the Spectacular Cookie Butter Milkshake.  According to one of the store crew it's really a big hit flavour.


Aside from the milkshake they also offer Eggettes – a popular snack in San Francisco, Canada and Hong Kong.  It is a ball waffle that is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside.  Its really good partnered with their milkshake and my kids love it very much.


According to Jodi Sta Maria, they want to provide a happy feeling to everyone who visits their stores with their special offerings like the shakes, eggettes, their baritas (staff) and their store design.  For the info their ice cream is sugar free, 98% fat free and with very low lactose content so this is just for those who have lactose intolerant problem.  Jodi is very proud that they are the first and only milkshake bar in the country serving shakes that is Fortified with Prebiotics to aid digestion and calcium absorption. They partnered with a European company to provide such a healthy benefit to their consumers. “We want people to drink not just happy thoughts, but healthy thoughts as well!' said Actress Jodi Sta. Maria.



So Mommies, try to visit their 2 branches and let you and your kids taste their special milkshake.  They will soon open a branch in Market Market BGC, Taguig City.

For more information visit their facebook account https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyBarnMilkshakeFactory and follow them on their twitter and instagram: @thehappybarn.