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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Wham Burger

When it comes to burger, most people would think about it as a comforting meal and perhaps the safest choice when craving for something fast yet satisfying. However, many will agree that not all burgers are created the same, purveyors can be partial over a tried and tested recipe with American appeal coupled with an awesome classic taste that stands out.

Back in 2000, there weren’t really too many options for something one may call an affordable legendary burger—one is left with a choice of either having a basic burger in a fast food or very expensive hotels for something fancy. This was then the beginning for good friends Tony Yap and Dondi Lazaro to profusely experiment for their own concoction. After several trials, all signs point to build their own burger brand especially when both of their friends and families gave their seal of approval with their unique recipe discovery.


Although the evolution of gourmet burger didn’t happen overnight, there was surely a good market for foodies who have grown weary of the typical offerings and go beyond the usual flavors but still affordable. Now, food lovers in the Philippines have long known that good quality burger is a must-have item in a casual-style restaurant.

Wham was near an instant hit in its first Quezon City branch for capturing the elements of what an outstanding burger should be: huge, hearty, and tucked with impeccably good beef. Celebrated for its never frozen patty perfection, the secret is also in its grilling equipment—a hybrid of electric and gas with pure charcoal on top. Cooking under the coals not only creates a savory, smoky flavor with an invitingly charred exterior, it rounds out an incomparable juicy texture in it’s strictly one third pound, certified no extender robust beef with 80-20 lean and fat. With its no short cuts, homemade-style formula that’s far from a typical fast food style or too expensive hotel burger, Wham is a bold version that sums up to affordable gourmet quality burger.


Prides itself for introducing a 100% Filipino burger brand with outstanding product and service, most people perceive that Wham is an international franchise. “The initial simplicity of the food and items inspired from my international travels very much worked. Along the way, we had to adapt to Filipino taste, like adding Spaghetti in the menu because kids loved it and wouldn’t eat anything else. And the major draw about our burger is how we cook our patty. We use the old-fashioned real charcoals”, Tony shares. While its standard speaks for the quality of the ingredients, Wham defied all expectations by introducing something far from a mundane category.

The colorful, comic-inspired interiors of the outlet is a welcoming surprise to the customers from the very beginning since it lends a fun, awe-inspiring vibe which eventually became the signature feel and look of the stores. Interestingly, one of its flagship item “Kapow” was adopted from a comic scene to denote a sound effect.


After Dondi and his family relocated to Cabanatuan, Wham officially became a family-owned business of Tony Yap with wife Camille, brother-in-laws Joby and Kiko with sister-in-law Liza. It was the then the beginning of its expansion; currently with four branches including it’s first-ever Katipunan QC, SM North Edsa The Block, Molito Alabang and Mall of Asia.

With no bells and whistles or complicated ingredients such as MSG, Wham Burgers remain on top of mind when questing for an affordable delicious burger with real beef that one can taste. Another factor that gives this classic favorite a breed apart? Side choices such as potato wedges or bite-sized chicken are satisfying and as flavorful as the mains which amps up the burger eating experience.

Wham Burgers is located at five branches: Katipunan, SM North Edsa (The Block), Molito (Alabang) and Mall of Asia. For more information,

visit www.whamburgers.com. Follow Social Media Accounts: Wham! Burger on Facebook, WhamBurgersPH on Twitter, and whamburgersph on Instagram. 

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Discover Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park

Living in the North  (Bulacan, that is) constrained me to travel the South.  Family outings are spent mostly in the sprawling resorts in Bulacan and the nearby provinces like Pampanga and Tarlac.
 
Last March 20, I’m one of the few bloggers invited to tour Island Cove Leisure Park and Hotel. I was surprised that the travel wasn’t that long. Surely, Cavitex, cut the time travel shorter as John and Joy said, "it used to take longer hours when Cavitex wasn’t there yet". They know because their family visit Island Cove Leisure Park and Hotel more than three times a year ever since their children were small.
 
Enough with words. Let me show you thru pictures why you should discover Island Cove Leisure Park and Hotel.
 
 
At Fishing Village you can go fishing and dine al fresco with family and friends
 
 
 
 
Sing your heart out at bayside KTV
 
 
 Move and dance at Interactive Game Room
 
Visit and meet animals at the zoo
 
Swim and play at Oceania
 


Have a relaxing day at Island Spa 
 
 

Dine while listening to live band perform at Sangley Point
 
 
  
  
 

 
 
Best of all, you can stay overnight in different kinds of accommodation Island Cove offers
 
 
 
 
 

 
About Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park:
 
Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park is an ISO 9001:2008 certified and an “AAA” accredited resort by the Dept. of Tourism. Located in the historic town of Kawit, Cavite, this 36-hectare Mediterranean inspired island is approximately 45 mins away from Manila. 
 
Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite Philippines 4104 | (+632) 810-7878 | (+632) 400-4273 | (+6346) 434-0210. 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Electrolux Design Lab Competition

Imagine this: You had an exhausting day at school and you can’t wait to get home and rest. On your way home, the weather was unpredictable and the pollution in the streets was horrible. As you enter your room, you realize that it is not as spotless as you hoped it was. You come in to the kitchen to find good food, but you find nothing on the dining table. You had a draining day and the last thing you would want to do is take care of the household chores.

As you let out a weary sigh, you realize that your home appliances can take care of all these. You see the MAB cleaner scanning your house and deploying its flying mini-robots to the areas in need of cleaning. Meanwhile, an Atonium 3D Food Printer has determined your nutritional needs and is working on a healthy meal for you. At the same time, the Breathing Wall started to purify the air while recreating an environment that will help you relive a happy memory. Imagine this futuristic scenario made possible by you. 
This advanced home is the brainchild of the top three winners at last year’s Electrolux Design Lab competition. 



Electrolux Design Lab 2014

This year, Electrolux, a global leader in household appliances, partnered with the University of the Philippines-Diliman, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, and University of the East-Caloocan to give design students a chance to create a thoughtful, modern home for the rest of the world to enjoy.

Design students around the globe are invited to submit innovative ideas for the future household for a chance to win € 5,000 and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux Global Design Center. 

On its 12th year, Electrolux Design Lab continues to pave the way for future visions of urban household lifestyles, with the theme Creating Healthy Homes. The competition seeks ideas for products, accessories, consumables and services for three focus areas: Culinary Enjoyment, Fabric Care and Air Purification. Through the Design Lab competition, Electrolux sees a creative and sustainable future that projects a healthy well-being and pleasant environment for everyone to live in. 

Andrea Pionilla, Marketing Manager, Electrolux Philippines, explains, “Design Lab is Electrolux’s way of fostering technological innovation. This year, we look forward to receiving creative new ideas that will promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles to millions of people around the world.” She adds, “Design students from the country are capable of competing globally and are equipped with outstanding skills and the drive to be recognized by the whole world. For the winning idea to come from the Philippines this year would be a great finishing touch.” 

All Filipino Design students are welcome to join. To enter the competition, participants should submit the following: (1) a brief of their concept; (2) a visual sketch illustrating their concept; and (3) a description of the consumer benefits. Submission of entries is from March 1 to April 6, 2014. To know more about last year’s winning entries and the details of the competition, visit www.electroluxdesignlab.com.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Pro-Earth Run

Join Pro-Earth Run on April 12, 2014 at BGC, Taguig.  For more information, you may contact EDNP Secretariat's Network Relations Officer, Ryan Alfred Go at 332-6030, 0905-5051111 or email at secretariat@earthdayphilippines.org.
 

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Nurture Run

#LetsBeReal, Filipina Mothers

We’ve all been told that breastfeeding’s best for babies; but why are less than half of Filipina mothers opting for exclusive breastfeeding?
Reality bites, and in fact, recent figures released by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI-DOST) say that breastfeeding rates are at 47 percent and more alarmingly, there are actually areas in the country that have breastfeeding rates of only 27 percent. That’s 7 out of 10 mothers who opt for infant formulas and other artificial milk substitutes.
Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding together with UNICEF are looking to shift this mindset. “Filipina mothers aren’t keeping it real and we want to help change that,” says Iza Abeja, Executive Director of Beauty, Brains & Breastfeeding.
 

Nurture Run
In keeping with the thrust to promote, support and protect the rights of the breastfeeding mother and child, BBB is organizing the Nurture Run, one of the biggest breastfeeding awareness initiatives in the country to date. More than 10,000 runners and breastfeeding advocates are expected to join Nurture Run.
Iza also shares that proceeds of the Nurture Run will go to mobilizing skilled counselors, sustaining mommy groups and organizing breastfeeding awareness activities as well as supporting Milk Banks through Milk Letting Days.
“All these initiatives will be carried out in strategic areas in the country specifically in disaster prone provinces,” notes Iza. “As the recent disasters in Tacloban, Bohol and Zamboanga have taught us, breastmilk can save lives.”
The Nurture Run is set on April 13, 2014 Sunday from 5:30 am to 10:00 am at the Quezon Memorial Circle.  It covers 3km and 5km options with race kits costing PHP 450.00 inclusive of the race bib and Nurture Run shirt. The event is co-presented by UNICEF, International Labour Organization (ILO), National Nutrition Cluster group for Haiyan/Yolanda and Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with venue-host the Quezon City Government.
“Our children deserve the most genuine form of care and nutrition they can get. Support breastfeeding and help us spread the word by joining the ‘Nurture Run.’” 
About UNICEF
UNICEF is an agency of the United Nations devoted to serving the world’s children. UNICEF began providing assistance to the Philippines in November 1948. Since then, they have been partners with the Philippine government in protecting Filipino children.
UNICEF Philippines has more than 60 people working to promote and protect the rights of children. They aim to provide the best quality of life for every Filipino child through programmes that help them survive and flourish.
About Beauty, Brains and Breastfeeding
Beauty, Brains & Breastfeeding was established and registered at SEC in 2006. It aims to bring back the breastfeeding culture in the country and elevate the stature of breastfeeding and eradicate the misconception that breastfeeding is only for those who can’t afford formula milk.
In recent years, BBB has not only participated in the promotion of breastfeeding. We have also taken part giving support to mothers. Providing free breastfeeding counseling at evacuation areas and informal settlers vulnerable of displacements in times of calamities BBB is also an active lobbyist when it comes to the protection and implementation of legislations promoting breastfeeding.
 
For updates and more information:
 
(Press Release)


Thursday, March 13, 2014

GARAGE Young Talents at its 5th Bash!

GARAGE held the 5th Anniversary of its Young Talents in Skye Lounge last March 6, sponsored by Folded and Hung, Blackwater Scents, Skye, Saga Events and official drink sponsor, Hennessy. The event began with a fashion show by Robby Carmona and sponsored by clothing brand, Folded and Hung. It was then followed by the announcement of this year’s Young Talents list which include athlete Andre Paras, make-up artist Nikki Duque, stage actor Rafa Siguion Reyna, artist Mano Gonzales, model LA Aguinaldo, designer Lorenz Namalata, muse Janna Tee and writer Margarita Buenaventura.
Masculinity is not all about the simplest clothes a man could wear. It is not about how they wear the fashion trends. It’s about how they carry their selves in terms of style, taste and craze. Masculinity is just a word, you just have to show and create your own masculinity.
This is what GARAGE Young Talents do. They create men’s style and grooming in terms of fashion, entertainment, design, culture and arts. GARAGE also nurtures the same spirit in others by turning the limelight on individuals whose talents have made an impact in their respective fields. The magazine has been celebrating this creative force for the past five years since its inception. The past winners have included Enchong Dee, Sam Concepcion, Chris Cayzer and more.
 

 















Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Paseo Verde Model Units

LEED Inc.’s vision to create a sustainable, eco-friendly environment takes a step further to fruition with the opening of their model units at the site of their first real estate project: Paseo Verde along Real St., Pulang Lupa Uno in Las Pinas City.

Paseo Verdo is a 1.1 Hectare mid-rise condominium development which boasts to set a green standard of living for its owners. The model units: 24.70sqm and  29.5sqm studio units; 38.25 one-bedroom; 51.13 two-bedroom, and a 66.55 three-bedroom, all depict an eco-friendly way of life for its future residents.
 
All units are designed to invoke nature with the use of natural materials such as wooden accents and flooring. Walls are also painted with light colors to maximize natural illumination coming in from every unit’s large windows. Wooden mobile cabinets also adorn these spaces, and the design is consistent to that of a charming and homey cabin.

The units also make use of recycled construction materials – doors and jambs are made from recycled wood, a small step in preserving our forest / nature giving the development a rustic feel as well.

The model units also give ideas on how to efficiently use space in condo living. The studio unit for example, makes use of a cabinet as both storage for the ref, and extra storage area for other things. This same cabinet is used as mount for the tv, while a half round table set against a wall serves both a compact dining area, or instant bar during small gatherings.

Outdoor green features

Aside from the units, Paseo Verde is set to offer exceptional Green Features that define the whole project. These are amenities that focus on their groundbreaking green architecture and puts emphasis to the company’s three environment focus: Climate Change, the Clean Air Act, and the Safety and Health of its Residents.

First is the use of energy-efficient streetlights that illuminate the gated community’s grounds. The lights don’t make use of any electricity at all, and gets energy from solar panels.

Next is the rain catchment facility, which allows the whole development to make use of recycled rain water for grounds upkeep. Water from rainfalls is used to clean the surrounding, and water the green patches that make-up the lifestyle facilities. Paseo Verde at Real also has a unique ‘rain garden’ located under the property’s cistern – this serves as a natural water filter which means less water waste is thrown out of the drainage system, and in turn, lessening the chances of floods in surrounding areas during the tropical storm season.

The layout of all three towers also ensure that indoor air quality is at its best: Pocket gardens that open to large air pockets in the middle of every residential floor ensure that fresh air circulate freely around the building. This removes the stifling feeling often associated with most condo developments.

The most unique feature of Paseo Verde at Real are the bike facilities that will be made available upon construction. Aside from bike lanes, there will be permanent bike racks where lovers of the activity can park their equipment safely.

Biking will definitely be promoted by the project as they also put charging stations for e-bikes – a mode of transportation that will be encouraged for older residents.

Future homeowners will be encouraged to take public transportation through nearby transportation hubs located near the community, the proposed LRT Extension station connecting the South to other transit facilities is also a stone’s throw away. This makes it easy to move around strategic parts of the city.

Check out the Paseo Verde model units by visiting the site today. Paseo Verde at Real is accredited by the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) and a member of the Philippine Green Building Council for its steps towards promoting a sustainable community. The first tower turnover is scheduled in October, 2015. For more information, please call 854-1652.