FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Green Mango is up for the greatest blow-out this summer! Enjoy a delicious meal anytime of the day for only P39! From breakfast to lunch to merienda up to dinner, Green Mango certainly won’t ruin your budget. All your cravings will be satisfied with All Day 39! Meals: from Value breakfast meals, to Rice N’ Sides, to merienda meals such as the new and delicious “Burgerdesal”, Spaghetti, Canton Guisado, Palabok, and Grilled Pandesal, each available for only P39! So, what are you waiting for? Any time hunger sets in, rush to the nearest Green Mango branch and experience delight with ALL DAY 39! (Green Mango has branches at Valeria, E. Lopez, Jaro Plaza, Jalandoni, SM City, Nelly’s Garden, and Plaza Libertad. For delieveries, call 508-18-18)

I just drank a bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy . They say it’s got ‘no preservatives added’. Aw, c’mon, it’s bottled juice. Is that even possible? So, I thought maybe they got Ethan Hunt and his team to do the impossible. Geez, I got off to a corny start, now what? I know, I’ll just drink another bottle to convince me of that claim. Hey, if it's really what it claims to be, then no harm done. If otherwise, I still can live to tell about it - I think. I didn’t believe it the first time I heard it’s got no preservatives added. So I read the ingredients (even the fine print) and everything checked out! It really has NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED! That means it doesn’t have ingredients that may turn out to be allergens, or worse...carcinogens! Whew! Now that’s healthy goodness that tastes so good, I am now “almost” assured it's really free from preservatives. Hmmm, just almost? Maybe another bottle would change “almost” to “really 100%”! Yeah, a third bottle might just do the trick. So ok...

Californiaberry is now open at SM City Food court area , among the very first frozen yogurt (fro-yo) store in the city. Franchisee couple Reginald and Annabelle Mocling never doubted that opening a branch in SM Iloilo is going to be a great success. Since Californiaberry non-fat frozen yogurt opened its first flagship store in Silver City Ortigas, it started taking the franchising scene by storm and growth was unstoppable. http://justthotushudknow.blogspot.com/ Currently, the company is operating 14 stores in Metro Manila with one provincial branch in Davao. Set to open new branches in Sta. Lucia Grand Mall Cainta, Ateneo Katipunan, Festival Mall Filinvest Alabang, UST Manila, Waltermart Makati, SM Fairview, SM Novaliches, and SM Davao, fro-yo proves to be not just another fad. Francorp, a worldwide leader in franchise development and consulting awarded Californiaberry in 2009 as the fastest growing franchise store in the country with a profitable turn out. For more information, che...

One Nation to Start the World’s Longest Christmas Celebration December may be the start of Christmas for the rest of the world. But here in the Philippines, Christmas history is made–because the world’s favorite season of the year starts a hundred days early. As early as September 4, Eden Cheese–the country’s well-loved cheese brand spearheads the world’s longest Christmas celebration with Eden’s Sarap ng Pasko: 100 Days of Christmas . Previously igniting the joy and faith of Filipinos nationwide in last year’s Keso de Gallo, Eden is back to once again bring the warmest and tastiest Yuletide tidings to everyone, reminding Filipino of hope and unity. 100 Days. 100 Towns. 100 Unique Dishes “It is very evident that Filipinos have an innate sense of early excitement for Christmastime whatever situation they may be in,” Kraft Foods Philippines’ Category Marketing Manager Alex Dan Tacderas explains. “That is why we wanted to embody this excitement and bring the entire nation together for ...

Not one, but four, soup creations were presented to us, as together with some members of the Iloilo Bloggers Inc ., I was invited for another series of food tasting session at G reen Mango Filipino Fastfood chain's Nelly Garden branch . We were given a chance to taste of the restaurants newest product days ahead of its scheduled debut on Green Mango 's menu. Dubbed as SoOohpas , this collection of four well-loved Filipino soups is the latest addition to Green Mango 's menu. First served was Green Mango Goto . A flavourful rice porridge served with harboiled egg topped with fried garlic and chives. Though I found it a bit salty at first but really enjoyed it until the tasting bowl went empty. Though most Ilonggos aren't familiar with goto, Green Mango 's version will surely wouldn't fail. Next one is a very familiar soup, Green Mango Arroz Caldo and by the looks and taste of it, I predict this would be the selling among the four soups. Familiar and very ...

An invitation from one of Iloilo City's top bakeries for an afternoon of coffee, tea and chocolates is one temptation I easily gave in. In preparation for it's annual chocolate festival, Tinapayan Bakeshop has invited members of Iloilo Bloggers Inc . for an exclusive look of what's to come and expect on its 5-week long chocolate festival. Sinful Desires at Tinapayan , officially starts on Monday Sept. 27, 2010, and in the next five weeks, Ilonggos will again go loco over choco as the bakeshop highlights chocolate based cakes, breads and pastries on top of their usual line of baked products. Each week, Tinapayan will showcase a selected number of chocolate based products like breads and choco bars plus a featured cake of the week. Plus for a minimum purchase (PhP25) of any of their products, one can get to experience a dip on a 4 feet tall chocolate fountain. The previous two years saw Chocolate Fashion highlighting Iloilo's first and only chocolate festival with also...

Green Mango Filipino fast food chain adds four new items to its menu. Debuting today , Sept. 16, 2010, are four soup dishes collectively known as SoOohpas . These will give diners variation during snack time or perfect sides for rice combos during mealtimes. Its addition to the menu comes in very timely as the rainy season creeps in and the BERrrrr months have made its presence felt. Choose among goto , arroz caldo , sotanghon and beef pares with prices ranging from Php29 to Php49. Green Mango Goto is a savoury congee that comes in plain (PhP29) or with egg (PhP39). Green Mango Chicken Arroz Caldo has a flavourful yellowish congee that comes in plain (PhP29) or with egg (PhP39). Green Mango Sotanghon is a vermicelli noodle soup made with vegetables and comes in plain (PhP29) or with egg (PhP39). Green Mango Beef Pares is made with tender beef cubes with a sauce of different spices and served with meke , vermicelli noodles or rice. (PhP49)

Auntie Anne's Pretzels located at SM City Iloilo is turning 1 year old and to celebrate it they're giving away pretzels. On September 9, 2010 from 4 to 6pm, every purchase of their regular, specialty or premium pretzels, entitles one to have a free Twist Tasters Pretzel . These pretzels will have new flavours - Berry Strawberry, Dark Choco and Choco mint!

Hotel Del Rio is giving away 4 buffet dinners for the most liked Hotel del Rio Moments . Just share any of your major, major happenings that were made even special by Hotel del Rio. Be it a celebration, a family gathering, some fun and frolic in the hotel or anything that puts the hotel in the picture. For more info check out Hotel del Rio in Facebook .

Together with some Iloilo bloggers and other members of the media, I was invited for yet another food tasting session at Bluejay Coffee and Deli . Dubbed as “Must Try Meals”, this offering is part of the restaurant's thrust to capture the mass market. It was sort of a twilight zone seeing items at Bluejay priced below their usual range. It is indeed a testament of how keen the café is in its efforts to expand its customer base. First to be served is a staple in almost all food shops – a burger combo. From the simple snack shops and fast foods to specialty restos, this combo is always among the best sellers as Filipinos have adapted this American innovation – with mouths wide open. For only P49, Bluejay’s Chef Burger combo is very much worth the price since it is better tasting than almost all other burgers. It won’t be easy find an item like this elsewhere; served at this price, tasting this good and at an ambiance like that of Bluejay 's. The patty was fried crisp served with...