Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh

ABBEY: After more than 13 km of walk and almost all the shops are close we found our dinner served at Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh. I have a bowl of lean meat. The soup is peppery and hot which is perfect for my rice and youtiao. 

My energy got replenished after three bowls of the soup. I ate the meat later. I just enjoyed the rich pork broth.

WILL: After a long walk from Punggol Waterway to Rower’s Bay, Abbey, Chat and I rewarded ourselves with a steaming hot bak kut teh (pork soup) of RongHua at WaterwayPoint. 

We were surprised that this is better than the well-known bak kut tehs! What do I mean better? The soup is more tasty, the pepper really kicked-in, and the pork chunks are tender and  meatier. 

RongHua Bak Kut Teh is definitely recommendable. 

***

Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh

(W) http://www.ronghua.com.sg

(H) 1030am to 10pm

(A) 83 Punggol Central, #B1-23 Waterway Point, Singapore 828761

(T) 6385 8765

Beard Papa: World's Best Cream Puffs

ABBEY: Wilma was so excited when she saw the ad of Beard Papa offering durian fillings on their puffs.

She bought the original and durian. We both took one puff and she told that it’s not worth it pertaining to the durian hype as the durian taste is lacking. Turned out to be that I got the durian puff. The flavor, taste and smell is strong. Maybe in the future I’ll be friends with durian. We exchanged and she liked it. The cream is subtly sweet and the puff is flaky like croissant.

Beard Papa: World's Best Cream Puffs

WILL: I am quite shocked that we do not have Beard Papa’s review! Unbelievable that we missed it out! Oh darn! 

Of all the cream puffs, Beard Papa is my favourite. It has its somewhat crusty/crunchy bite and soft linings of bread inside. The custard is not too sweet and not that bland. The mixture is just right. Love them more when they introduced the Durian Flavour Filling! It is indeed yummy. 

Do not settle for less. Go ahead and treat yourself some Beard Papa’s cream puff! 

***

Beard Papa: World's Best Cream Puffs

(W) https://www.beardpapa.com

Famous Amos Cookie Ice Cream

ABBEY: Famous Amos introduced cookie ice cream for Mother’s Day 2019. It is Wife’s day for me and Wilma. A cup costs SGD 3.80. It taste like ChocNut candy we have in Philippines. What they did is mix their cookies with vanilla ice cream. Voila! A cold treat to beat the summer heat.

Famous Amos Cookie Ice Cream

WILL: There are ice creams and there’s Cookie Ice Cream of Famous Amos! This is in a limited number so get yours now! 

Oh ok. You want to know my takes on this. It is creamier than your ordinary ice cream and it has cookies from your favourite Famous Amos! Do I still need to talk about more on this? Haha! 

If you love Famous Amos, try their ice cream! Oh! It is quite pricey for a small cup! But why fret? Treat yourself! You deserve it! 

***

Famous Amos Cookie Ice Cream

(W) https://famous-amos.com.sg

Easy Falafel In Pita Bread Recipe

ABBEY: I met these vegetarian balls when we ordered on one of the Middle Eastern-restaurant at Clarke Quay. It made to the list of our weekly menu. Preparation will take time more than cooking. But all worth it.

Ingredients:

1 cup of dried chickpeas (soaked for 24 hours)

1 cup fresh parsley 

1 cup fresh cilantro or coriander

2 tsp coriander seeds

2 tsp cumin seeds

2 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp lemon juice

Salt and Cayenne pepper to taste

Pita bread

Sautéd onions

Yogurt sauce

200 ml yogurt

1 clove garlic (minced)

Salt and pepper

Toast coriander and cumin seeds and grind it. Mix all the remaining falafel ingredients in a food processor and have it to almost a paste. The texture will really depend on you if you want it chunky or not.

Put the mixture in the fridge for about an hour.

While waiting, mix all the ingredients for yogurt sauce and put in fridge.

Make falafel balls and fry them. You can also shape them as cakes.

Fill in your pita bread with falafel, onions and yogurt sauce. Enjoy.

Falafel in Pita Bread

VERDICT
WILL: Falafel was at my list since last year. And just last week, we got to remember to have it. As usual, Abbey had done the cooking. Hehe. 

It is amazingly delicious and to know that the main ingredient is a chickpea! Protein and fiber overload! Falafel top with caramelized onion and lemon-spiked yogurt! Yum! Do not forget the soft but chewy texture of pita bread! It is indeed a fulfilling, healthy and happy meal! 

This will be a healthy and cheap option for your diet! 

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan

ABBEY: We wanted our families to be on a trip to unwind and relax. Enter MorongStar Hotel and Resort; a 3-4-hour travel from Manila. A 2D/1N stay for 2 rooms is Php 30,500. It can accommodate up to 18 persons and has its own toilet and bath.

The resort offers basic needs for your stay: bed with clean sheets, towels and toiletries. Complimentary coffee, tea, and water is not included but can be purchased on their shop.

The features of the resort include recreational (pool table, table tennis, basketball) and water (flying fish, banana boat, kayak) sports, zipline and swimming pools. 

Our package covered all our foods. And their food is delicious. It is free flow but as per order. This is to avoid wastage. You will be charged Php 100 per 100 grams of leftover. I enjoyed calderetang baka and fried chicken. Their version of macaroni spaghetti reminds me of the same taste from my school cafeteria.

The resort doesn’t have a white sand beach but has a fine texture. I hope they can make it more cleaner as there are cigarette butts on it. We made sure that we got our full dosage of Vitamin Sea.

They have live bands every noon and evening. Good thing that there are only few channels on the TV and wifi signal is weak. Basically we’re semi off-the-grid.

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan
Room 8 Adults

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan 

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan 

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan
Kayaking 

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan
Buffet Dinner

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan
Billiards - Php100 per hour

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan 

WILL: There are thousand of islands and beaches in Philippines but there are some concerns in choosing. 

1. How far the travel time from Manila to the beach. Include the computation on traffic. 

-My first concern is the travel time. Since we are together with kids and oldies, we want total relaxation and a bonding experience. If we chose south, traffic will just stressed each one of us. So we went for North. We only traveled almost 4-hours including stopovers. 

2.How much will be the expense. Since this will be the first fruit of the rental apartment that we will use for leisure. 

MorongStar charged Php1,850 per adult and Php750.00 for kids. It includes the following:

Room: 

We occupied a room with four (4) beds that can accommodate up to 10pax. Room, sheets, towels and bathroom were clean. But it doesn’t come with a bottled water, coffee, heater and toothbrush/toothpaste. Although shampoo and soap were provided. 

Food:

The price includes a buffet dinner, plated breakfast and buffet lunch! *Busog Lusog* Food are well prepared and tasty. So what to our bulging tummies? Haha! Oh! Lookout for their crispy fried chicken and — beef! Yummy!! 

Activities:

Kayak and zipline is also together with the package. IF! A big IF, you have enough time to do it. Haha. There’s no queue but people is enjoying the calm waves, playing the sand and  just chitchatting while soaking at the water. 

3.what is the sand texture and waves on the beach. 

-Sand is fine, water is calm and quite shallow. Perfect for kids. 

One day is truly not enough on this kind of getaway! We enjoyed our stay, specially when got some time to talk heart-to-heart with my nephews, niece, Ate Precy and Papa RS! 

This is the first time that Abbey and I used the money from our rental apartment for leisure. Yes! First time! For almost 5 years, we always re-invest it to another vehicle. And we want our families to enjoyed that fruit too. 

Thanks MorongStar for the accommodation! More and more blessings to come! 

***

MorongStar Hotel and Resort - Bataan Philippines

(W) https://morongstar.com

(F) https://www.facebook.com/Morongstar/ 

Denny’s TriNoma

ABBEY: After a relaxing massage, we fill our tummy with food from Denny’s. We sat on a booth just like in a diner. 

I ordered one of their classic items:  Denny’s fried chicken. It comes with three pieces of chicken, steamed rice and gravy. The chicken were on the burnt side but they were crispy. The meat is moist though. Have chicken, rice and gravy on every spoonful for complete flavor.

Denny’s TriNoma
Spicy Sriracha Burger

Denny’s TriNoma
MENU

Denny’s TriNoma
MENU

Denny’s Fried Chicken

WILL: I am craving for a good beef burger after our massage and found Dennys along TriNoma’s rooftop garden. 

The beef patty is shockingly flavourful and juicy. The distinctive milky taste of it burst in every bite! I asked Abbey to try it for him to confirm my delight on that meal! Hehe. It is not that spicy. 

A nice place to bring along your date for a fancy and restaurant grade fastfood meal.

***

Denny's Trinoma

(W) https://www.dennys.ph

(A)Level 4 Garden Restaurants TriNoma Quezon City

(T) +63 2 86256361

The Peninsula Manila Hotel - 5-Star Luxury Hotel Makati

ABBEY: When I was working in Makati, I always admire the fountain facade of The Peninsula Manila. And promised to myself to have a night stay there someday.

And it happened but there’s no water now in the fountain. No lights either. Upon checking in, we were led to our room. We got a tub, yey. 

And as anniversary gift, we got wine and cheese. Then Personal Touch really proved their name. They put an arch of balloons over the bed, a heart shape made of chocolate gold coins with small messages and a bouquet of blue rose pastillas. All these were Wilma’s plan and I was surprised. After a shower with fragrant toiletries we soaked in the tub. Maybe that’s why I slept so well not to mention the clean sheets and soft pillows.

We flexed our muscles at their gym. Spent 15 minutes in treadmill and the rest for chest, abs and triceps. That’s the first time I got a spotter. We replenished our energy at the buffet. I liked the crunchy daing na bangus and vigan longganisa, dipped them in spicy vinegar and ate with garlic fried rice. Wow. I also had pork siopao, corned beef rice bowl and honey glazed ham. Our stay is refreshing and I feel that it’s worth the price.

 

Staycation

The Peninsula Manila Hotel - 5-Star Luxury Hotel Makati 

WILL: Everyone of us have this wish..a “someday” and “I hope I can” murmurs in our head, right? The Peninsula Manila is one for Abbey and I. When I was working at Makati and the bus will approach the hotel’s gusting waterfalls on its facade, I always awed by its beauty and there’s a whisper on my head “When Wilma?”. 

I almost forgot about this because I forgot to include it to my physical list but when Abbey requested if we can re-trace Makati (our dating site) the Peninsula Manila came to light.  On that, we looked for a good deal which we found at booking.com Php 5k++(buffet breakfast included). 

It is scorching hot outside the street of Makati and the buzzing noise of engines are inevitable but when we stepped in at the hotel, the whole scenario changed. Whoahhh! It is cold, really cold that you need to put your jacket on and totally peaceful. The hotel projects luxury and technology! From the high ceiling at the lobby, relaxing lights, velvety soft carpet, the command apparatus at the bedside, separate toilet and bath. Loved it! 

This is the first time that one of the attendants from conceirge, not a bellboy, showed our way to our room. She explained the room and greeted us on our anniversary. One more thing! They are very cooperative in pulling off my surprise room arrangement for my husband. Yes! They are very responsive in assisting me. They also surprised me and my husband with a bottle of wine, an array of cheese and amount of bread. Hospitality at it’s finest. Thanks Peninsula Manila! 

The gym shockingly came with an instructor! They are there not only to assist you on your queries but also to spot you. The gym seems complete of the necessary machines and gadgets for your workout. 

We enjoyed well our breakfast buffet. I stuffed my tummy with bagel, cheese and grilled mushroom! Yiheeee! 

Thank you so much The Peninsula Manila! You made our dream not only came true but extra special and very memorable! Kuddos to Kelvin who is patiently replying on our emails. ‘Till then! 

***

The Peninsula Manila Hotel

(W)https://www.peninsula.com/en/manila/5-star-luxury-hotel-makati

(A) Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, 1226 Makati City, Metro Manila, Republic of the Philippines

(T)+63 2 887 2888

Avengers: Endgame

ABBEY: By this time all the spoilers were already out. We watched Avengers:Endgame in IMAX 3D and it was superb. 

I rooted for the Avengers to triumph over Thanos and they did but without casualties like Mr. Tony Stark for one. He was the one who wants to move on after he got the chance to come back to Earth. Maybe he had the “itch” after Antman’s pitch of time machine. Also I don’t know why after all the strength that Captain Marvel showed she got so weak just from a throw from Thanos. Where have all the power gone? 

Both Ironman and Black Widow wanted the event to be reversed and both of them didn’t see the fruits of their labor. At last Captain America got to marry the girl of his dreams. I thought he liked Bucky more than her. Haha. 

Maybe the lesson is don’t mess with time and just move on.

Avengers: Endgame

WILL: I did not like the fact that the EndGame story resorted to a time machine? What the! 

Time machine or going back to history to amend something really pisses me off. I am not sure if I expect too much or what. And the worst thing my favourite IronMan died!! Grrrr!

Worth watching? Yes! For the sake of closure of the series. 

***

Shaw Theatre Waterway Point

(W) www.shaw.sg

(A) B2-11, Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Central, 828761

(T) 6738 0555

The Spa Wellness at TriNoma

ABBEY: With so much stress and pressure from our last apartment project, we booked for a massage at The Spa (Trinoma) for me, Wilma and Ate Sol. 

I chose Aromatherapy (lavender oil) Swedish massage. I washed before the session and had a cup of ginger tea. My masseur hit all the right spots that I want to feel relaxed and I even slept. It was so good when I heard my back crack as well as my neck. I felt I was more “aligned” after the massage. 

I had two more ginger tea and I’m done.

The Spa Wellness at TriNoma
Massage Area

The Spa Wellness at TriNoma
Ladies Area

The Spa Wellness at TriNoma
Shower Area

WILL: We put a lot of stress on my sister’s shoulders and for her to relax, Abbey and I went to The Spa for some muscle kneading! 

The Spa is one of somewhat a luxury spa in Manila. We booked at their TriNoma branch, Ate Sol and I requested for a deep tissue massage. 

Upon getting inside the place, you can feel its serenity. The shower area is clean and sad to say that the steamroom is not available that time. The locker is spacious but I find it quite unhygienic that I need to put my shoes together with my stuffs inside it. 

The massage did not satisfy me nor relax me. Why? The massage area is very-very cold! Even the masseuse turned off the AC it is still cold and stiffens my body even more! And I requested for deep tissue massage but Ms Joy seems to have no energy to knead my aching muscle. Huhu. 

Abbey and Ate Sol are totally satisfied with their massages. Well, maybe they have the good masseurs. Hmp! 

Worth to visit and experience. But be clear on how hard your massage will be. 

***

The Spa Wellness

(W) http://www.thespa.com.ph/ 

(H) Monday to Thursday 12noon - 10pm / 11am - 10pm

(A)Level 3, Wellness Zone, TriNoma Mall, North Avenue QC

(T) 900 8809

Royal Palm Restaurant's Lunch Buffet @ Orchid Country Club

ABBEY: So much to be thankful for. That’s why we decided to catch up with our friends over lunch at Royal Palm @ Orchid Country Club.

They have Western, Indian, and Asian dishes.

They had me at tandoori chicken. I really love those specially with mint chutney, briyani rice, naan or pita bread.The chicken shawarma tasted a bit different as they put sweet-chili sauce on it.

I also liked their first batch of baked fish with tomato. They were crunchy and firm. Coffee, tea and softdrinks are in free flow. For dessert, you can have brownies, cheesecakes, kuehs and hot dessert. All of these are for SGD 24.90 per person when you purchase Fave.

 Royal Palm Restaurant's Lunch Buffet @ Orchid Country Club
Outdoor Vibes

 Royal Palm Restaurant's Lunch Buffet @ Orchid Country Club
Indian Station

 Royal Palm Restaurant's Lunch Buffet @ Orchid Country Club
Puffs and Rolls Station

WILL: We booked 2 restaurants but the price was hiked-up due to Easter celebration. I looked for a good deal, of course using FAVE, and I saw the Royal Palm International Cuisine located at Orchid Country Club. 

Exactly 12noon they opened their door. There is a live music and the singer go round to check-out the diners experience and what they are celebrating. Yes! It is my birthday and our anniversary celebration! Yey! 

How’s the food? If you love curries, you will like Royal Palm. I am delighted that they offer salmon head curry! It is a must to try! Oh! Dip the fried mantau on it’s sauce. Yumm!! Their kway teow has this chewy texture and a “restaurant” quality. Freshly cooked pita bread. 

The place is spendid, far from the stress of the city.

***

Royal Palm @ Orchid Country Club 

(W) http://royalpalmocc.com.sg

(H) 12noon - 10PM

(A)Orchid Country Club #01-21, Social Club House, 969162

(T) 6752 2167

COLLIN'S® Restaurant at Cineleisure

ABBEY: After Wilma’s beauty treatments, it’s time to have our lunch. We had it at Collin’s (Cineleisure Orchard). The place is cozy; it also has booths like in diners. 

I had their Signature Crispy Chicken Cutlet that comes with fries, coleslaw, buttered corn, mesclun salad, and garlic and cheese sauce. The salad dressing has a hint of orange as it was tangy and sweet while the corn is soft and juicy. The main item didn’t disappoint. It was crispy, moist and no bones. All you have to do is cut it to bite-size pieces and enjoy. All this for 15 SGD+. With all the flavors, it’s a good thing they serve fruit-infused cold water as well as warm.

COLLIN'S® Restaurant at Cineleisure
Signature Roasted BBQ Sauce Pork Ribs (1/2) Slab

COLLIN'S® Restaurant at Cineleisure
MENU

COLLIN'S® Restaurant at Cineleisure
Signature Crispy Chicken Cutlet 

WILL: Abbey is not yet finished with his April’s Dine-Out plan. After my hair removal sessions, we went to Collin’s Grille at Orchard ??. 

I want a rice and a pork for my meal, so I ordered Collin’s Signature Roasted BBQ Sauce Pork Ribs. The flavour sipped deep inside the pork meat. It is tender and proves that it is one of their signature dish. The meal doesn’t come with a rice, I ordered one cup of it. Well, it is a delight! Yummmm!! 

The price is just like Astons and the good thing is you do not need to beat yourself with a long queue. 

***

Collin's Restaurant

(W) https://www.collins.sg

(H)11:00am to 11:00pm Daily

(A)8 Grange Road B1-08/09 (S) 239695

(T) 6732 0773

Tuna Prata Roll Recipe

1 can of Spicy Tuna

2 medium size onion 

4 medim size tomato

Sour cream 

6 prata 

Sauté the onions using the oil from canned tuna. After 5 mins toss in the tuna and let it simmer for 15mins. 

Cook the prata as per label’s instruction. 

Lay the prata on your plate, put the cooked tuna on it together with the fresh tomato and sour cream. Roll! 

Enjoy! 

Tuna Prata Roll

VERDICT
ABBEY : I keep on thinking what tuna prata roll looks like. Wilma cooked it. Oh, it’s a roll or you could say a wrap. Quick to whip up and flavorful. The mix of tuna, tomatoes, and sour cream is superb.

30-Day Gratitude Challenge

30-Day Gratitude Challenge

April 1

ABBEY: Thanks for this challenge to give emphasis on how we should be grateful for all the blessings we receive everyday.

WILL: Thank you for the Rainy Monday! 

April 2

ABBEY: Thanks for being able to wake up early, I’m able to jog in the park and arrived at workplace 30mins ahead of the time. Got to indulge in the nasi lemak version of IKEA with chicken chop.

WILL: Thank you for a good seat and a quiet MRT ride. 

April 3

ABBEY: Thanks for the confirmation of Wilma. The months of hardwork paid off.

WILL: Job confirmation. Thank youu!!! 

April 4

ABBEY: Able to progress the migration of our documents to new site.

WILL: I have an understanding husband. 

April 5

ABBEY: Thanks for the red flag that was tagged to our team to further improve our process for our service. Thanks that I found the style of bouquet that I’ll give Wilma for our wedding anniversary.

WILL: Yey! Only one invoice left to bill 🤗. 

April 6

ABBEY: Thanks for having sleep until noon

WILL: Laid Back Saturday! Weeeee!!! 

April 7

ABBEY: Thanks for having a good time doing the test walk for Nature Park Coast-to-Coast trail.

WILL: Marveling the beauty of scenery at Waterway Park to Coney Island. 

April 8

ABBEY: Thanks for the knowledge to take all the tasks at hand in the office

WILL: Thank you for Grab’s $1 Assam Laksa promotion. 

April 9 

ABBEY: Thanks for our 8th year anniversary. Wilma liked the bouquet I gave and we had dinner for our celebration.

WILL: 8th Years full of Respect, Faith, Courage and Loyalty! (if you know us, you will have an idea about this. Haha!) 

April 10 

ABBEY: I asked Wilma to bring me something for dinner and I got a burrito.

WILL: Booked my waxing session 

April 11

ABBEY: Thanks for the 36th year of my wife’s existence. She really is a jewel to be treasured.

WILL: Thank you. This is LIFE! 

April 12

ABBEY: Thanks that we’re able to enjoy and appreciate dance numbers from Dance La Vie.

WILL: Thank you for a husband that is truly dedicated and enjoying his job.

April 13

ABBEY: I was able to resolve the issue we had for our weekend work.

WILL: Thank you Real Time for choosing our home in Anny’s birthday celebration

April 14

ABBEY: Had the whole day to accompany my wife to her beauty labs.

WILL: Husband joined me on my sessions at Spa D’Or and Ginza Calla. 

April 15 

ABBEY: Thanks that I was able to whip up a chicken soup that my wife wants. Thanks for the opening of the last season of Game of Thrones.

WILL: Game of Thrones + Billions + Tinola!  What a life!!! 

April 16 

ABBEY: Thanks for the hot sun that dried our clothes.

WILL: Sarap ng chili sa vegetarian stall ni Auntie! 

April 17 

ABBEY: I had IKEA’s version of Nasi Lemak Fish Cutlet. It was good.

WILL: Ikea Date Night 

April 18 

ABBEY: Thanks for the strength to clean the house

WILL: Thanks Grab for a smooth late night ride. 

April 19 

ABBEY: I slept for 10 hours straight.

WILL: 15hours sleep! Sarap! 

April 20 

ABBEY: Thankful for the endurance to walk 13 km from Punggol to Selatar Airport and got a hot bowl of bak kut teh

WILL: Even with flu, I finished a 13km walk for NParks Coast-to-Coast. 

April 21

ABBEY: Celebrated all our accomplishments, birthday, and anniversary for the month of April by having a lunch buffet with friends

WILL: Celebrated many blessings at Royal Palm Club. 

April 22

ABBEY: Thanks for the healing from flu (Vitamin C overdose)

WILL: Abbey, even sick, managed to cook for dinner. 

April 23  

ABBEY: Thanks for another couple of KFC Zingers for free.

WILL: Thankful for the perfect ginisang munggo of Chef Abbey 

April 24 

ABBEY: Thanks that I was able to cook two dishes; cajun chicken and salted egg mushroom.

WILL: Lush Representative helped me to choose for best bath bomb! 

April 25 

ABBEY: Thankful for finishing the work before my leave and capped the day watching Avengers: Endgame

WILL: Congratulations to me! I reached office on my target time! 7AM! 

April 26 

ABBEY: Thanks for my wife’s surprise for our anniversary and we had a trip to memory lane of Makati.

WILL: Thank you for my appreciative husband. Thank you to Personal Touch and The Manila Peninsula for flawless cooperation and communication. 

April 27 

ABBEY: Thanks to Tatay’s birthday celebration. We enjoyed the party and a lot of catching up.

WILL: Saw some of our relatives. Thank you for celebrating Tatay’s birthday with us. 

April 28

ABBEY: Thanks for having the opportunity to sing at the church.

WILL: Hannah and Sam nailed it at KFC! They know how to budget the money in ordering food at the counter. 

April 29 

ABBEY: Thanks for being reunited to Wilma again even being separated only for a night.

WILL:  Finally with Abbey again! A comfortable abode at MorongStar with our families. 

April 30

ABBEY: Thanks for the Vitamin Sea at Morong beach resort.

WILL: Finally! Soaked our body in a sea! Therapeutic!