The Bicentennial Experience - From Singapore to Singaporean

ABBEY: Wouldn’t it be nice if you learn history not from a book or in a classroom but in a sensory-immersive experience? That’s why we booked the 60-minute show From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience at Fort Canning Centre.

It was divided into five parts. First is The Beginnings where it shows how Singapore began and got discoverd by her first rulers. Be thrilled when you see rain go up right before your eyes. Next is The Arrival wherein the period of Dutch and British were shown. Then the Connectivity as Singapore grew as a nation and its evolution. On this act, make sure that you stay on your sit. The Occupation is the darkest of them all literally. You will be in a darkroom listening to the stories during Japanese invasion. At the end is destiny. The last act shows how the rain became part of nation’s history from the first National Day Parade to Singapore Founding Father Lee Kuan Yew’s death.

It also exhibited Singapore’s self-determination, openness and multiculturalism that helped the nation to go forward and grow.

This was indeed a great experience for me to learn more about my host country.

The Bicentennial Experience - From Singapore to Singaporean
Introduction

The Bicentennial Experience - From Singapore to Singaporean
LOBBY

The Bicentennial Experience - From Singapore to Singaporean
Seed Conservatory

WILL: We love to know the history of just anything. You can lock Abbey and I in a room with documentaries of different nations. On that, we can learn more about nations customs, beliefs and even attitudes. Singapore is one of the best country who portrays and explains their roots. 

2019 Singapore celebrates the 200th year Raffles arrival. Fort Canning Centre was transformed and became “The Bicentennial Experience”. History came to life! Way back 700 years ago. Well, I won’t divulge too much but I learned a lot on this. It is fun as it has actors, special effects and technology involved to get the full attention of the viewers! 

Please book your FREE TICKET here: 

https://www.formpl.us/form/275376002 and learn what lies on the past! 

***

The Bicentennial Experience - From Singapore to Singaporean

(W) https://www.bicentennial.sg/the-bicentennial-experience/

(A) Fort Canning Centre 

(T) 8:50AM - 850PM

Sipo Eggs Recipe

This is very easy. I bet that you’ll be called chef by your friends after you serve this to them.

Ingredients:

15-20 quail eggs (boiled and remove the shells)

10-15 shrimp

1 pack of frozen veggies (peas, carrots, corn)

1 medium-sized singkamas (cubed)

1 can cream of mushroom

Onion (minced)

Garlic (minced)

Heavy whipping cream (optional)

Ham (optional)

Pan-fry shrimp and set aside.

On the same pan, sauté onion then garlic.

Add the frozen veggies and singkamas.

Stir fry a couple of minutes and add the shrimp (and ham).

Mix in the cream of mushroom (and cream) and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Adjust the sauce according to your thickness preference. Season to taste.

Serve.

Sipo Eggs

VERDICT
WILL: This is maybe one of the forgotten meal from Kapampangans. Why? Because Sisig took all the spotlight. Well, let’s cook and eat again the Sipo Egg. 

There’s no special ingredient but you’ll be amazed that for a small budget, you can cook a huge portion of it. Why? Because of turnip! Turnip gives a sweet flavour to it’s sauce. Indulge in beta carotene from carrots and protein from quail eggs! 

This is another meal to achieve for your next potlock or event! 

EagleWings Cinematics

ABBEY: Yey, another premium cinema. We booked a pair of Aladdin movie tickets at EagleWings Cinematic (Gold). They only have four halls. 

The SGD 30-ticket comes with the use of their lounge where they offer unlimited cold and hot drinks as well as massage chairs to relax before the movie. You can also order food you can eat either in the lounge or to be served at the theater itself. I tried their chef-recommended bacon and egg beef wagyu burger (comes with curly fries) and I have a large cup of Coke Cherry-Vanilla from their soda fountain. The patty is juicy and the cheese melted into it and the fries are crispy. We also had gelato for SGD 2. I can say that my chocolate gelato really is “chocolatey”. 

I like to commend the staff as they attended to all our concerns.

EagleWings Cinematics
GOLD Class 

EagleWings Cinematics
MENU

EagleWings Cinematics
Bacon and Egg Wagyu Beef

EagleWings Cinematics
Gelato Menu

WILL: Who loves a dull date? That is the main reason, Abbey and I are always on hunt for something new, something exciting, something that may spark joy! Aside from movie watching in your favourite cinema, why not buy a ticket to experience the comfort of being a royalty. 

Welcome to EagleWings Cinematics. Unlike other premium cinema, their gold/platinum ticket will give you an access to their lounge that serves an unlimited cola with around 40 varieties. Ohhh! I will comeback for sure for the vanilla & cherry and coke. They have free massage chairs too! You want hot drinks? They have it for you. Amazing! I ordered Fish and Chips for my dinner. 

Inside the cinema hall, it is absolutely clean. No foul odours from the carpet or from the seats. The pillows are soft too. It matches the Aladdin movie! We were served with delight. We were treated like royalties! 

Thanks EagleWings Cinematics! Will come back for sure! You are shockingly awesome! 

***

EagleWings Cinematics

(W) https://www.eaglewingscinematics.com.sg

(A) 9 King Albert Park #01-58 (S) 598332

(T) 9848 7777

Bee's Knees | The Garage

ABBEY: Our steps were rewarded by NParks through their Coast-to-Coast Mobile App and we got each a cup of coffee for free from Bee's Knees at Singapore Botanic Gardens. We chose café latte and cappuccino. I like the latter for its creaminess. 

I partnered it with Reuben Sliders; corned beef, emmental cheese and Russian dressing. The combo was perfect. We also had a complimentary glasses of softdrink for checking in at their place via social media.

Bee's Knees | The Garage
Cappuccino and Café Latte - FREE (Check NParks Coast-to-Coast App) 

Bee's Knees | The Garage
Croissant with Smoked Salmon, Beetroot and Aragula - S$14

Bee's Knees | The Garage
Reuben Sliders - S$14 

WILL: Bee's Knees is one of the vouchers awarded by NParks on their Coast-to-Coast Trail program. We claimed the voucher when we targeted to explore Checkpoint 1 (Jurong Lake Gardens) to Checkpoint 4 (Adam Road). Adam Road is just few meters away from Botanic Gardens and that is the perfect place to stop, unwind and reward ourselves with sumptuous meal. 

I ordered, croissant with smoked salmon, beetroot and aragula. It is indeed a reward. Salmon has a good portion, combination of all is terrific! The free cup of coffee is creamy. Brunch with a garden ambiance is perfect for a laid back Sunday! 

Bring your love ones here whenever you are around the area. Parking lot is just opposite the restaurant. 

We will sure meet again Bee's Knees! 

***

Bee's Knees| The Garage

(W) https://www.thegarage.sg/bees-knees/

(H) 8am - 10pm

(A) 50 Cluny Park Road, 257488

(T) 9815 3213

Chicken Pastel Recipe

Don’t be intimidated by this dish.

It is easy to cook.

Ingredients:

Chicken (parts are up to your preference)

Potatoes (cubed)

Carrots (cubed)

Red bell pepper (cubed or square)

Onion (minced)

Garlic (minced)

1 can evaporated milk

1 can all purpose cream

1 can chicken or vienna sausage

Mushroom (optional)

Cheese (optional)

Pan-fry the carrots, potatoes then mushroom. Once the potatoes become translucent add the bell pepper. Fry a couple of minutes and set aside.

Sauté onion and garlic then add chicken. Once the meat turned brown, add evaporated milk and let the liquid reduce. Mix the all-purpose cream, sausage and pan-fried vegetables and simmer until you achieve the desired cream thickness. You can add cheese.

Serve with freshly cooked rice.

Chicken Pastel 

VERDICT
WILL: Ate Sol is asking what to cook on the next event at home and I remembered that Nanay cooked a creamy chicken. And now I know what it was called. The Chicken Pastel. 

My last time I cooked using a milk, it taste like a sweet caramel. Haha. Again, let Abbey do the work at the kitchen. 

When I tasted the sauce! OMG! It is my Nanay’s Chicken Pastel! Yummy, creamy, and taste like cheese! What the!! Saraaap talaga! Cook it now and let chicken reborn a new life! 

Aladdin 2019 | Disney Movie

ABBEY: There are “not-too-good” reviews about Disney’s new version of Aladdin. Same story definitely but had twists of course. Yes with an “s”; like how the wittiness of Aladdin asking Genie’s help to go out of the Cave of Wonders. Also how the first scene became like that :)

Princess Jasmine looks more beautiful as the movie progress. As expected, Will Smith delivered on his own way. No one can fill the shoes of the original Genie. Abu, Rajah, Iago, and Magic Carpet have their own funny moments. Jafar lacks a little bit of fierceness though.

Aim to achieve greater heights but watch yourself not to be greedy. And stay honest.

Aladdin 2019 | Disney Movie
EagleWings Cinematics

WILL: Do you have favourite cartoons/movies that you always watch over and over again? I have a few! And one of them is Aladdin. 

As I’ve said, I am not fan of love stories but Aladdin the movie gives a twist that makes me happy on it’s ending. What it is? That Jasmine became the Sultan. The position she is looking up to was awarded to her in the end. I like Will Smith’s spin-off of Arabian Nights and the Speechless song added to the list. 

Never fail to mesmerize me, Aladdin! Is Jafar returning? Hmmm?? 

***

EagleWings Cinematics 

(W) https://www.eaglewingscinematics.com.sg

(A) 9 King Albert Park, #01-58, Cinema Box Office Atrium, KAP Residences Mall,

Singapore - 598332

(T) 9848 7777

Samgyetang - Ginseng Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

1 medium whole chicken

Samgyetang soup pouch (jujube, ginseng and soup spice)

1 1/2 cup glutinous rice

15 cloves garlic

Green onion

Dipping sauce:

Soy sauce

Vinegar

Chopped onions

Jalapeño

Soak the glutinous rice for an hour.

Clean the chicken.

Fill up the chicken with garlic, jujube, rice and ginseng.

Put the chicken into a pot and fill with water.

Bring to a boil and simmer it until the chicken is cooked as well as the rice.

Mix all the ingredients for the dipping sauce while waiting for the chicken to be cooked.

Serve it in a bowl and garnish with green onion.

Samgyetang - Ginseng Chicken Soup

VERDICT
WILL: I saw Samgyetang meal while watching a Korean TV Show, Return of Superman. A soup that enjoyed well by Song's Triplets. Next, is when Maangchi cooked it on her youtube channel. Darn! I want that hot soup too in my plate. 

I surprised Abbey by putting it on our weekly meal list. And he doesn’t have a choice but to learn how to cook it and where he can buy those ingredients. Haha! A challenge he always loves to do! 

The soup have this herby and earthy feel. It relaxes the body and those spices gave heat from inside. Oh gurl! This is so good! This will be on our meal list again...soon! 

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