Life, Day by Day

Who would have thought that what began as an over-the-counter pizza store in Greenhills Commercial Center in 1971 would become this big?  As a student  at the University of Santo Tomas in the mid-70's,  I was very happy to see that there was a Greenwich branch in España right near the overpass!  If I remember correctly, it was  besides the St. Paul's Bookstore. I would go there at least once a week to give myself a pizza or taco treat (yes, they used to sell tacos).  This love affair ended in 1980 when I came home to the province and it was not till the '90's when they opened a small branch in Bacolod that I got to eat my favorite pizza regularly again.  As different malls started to sprout in the city, the store also established branches there.  In 1994, Greenwich was bought by Jollibee Food Corporation and from then on, it continued to grow bigger and better.  Aside from the varied pizza offerings, their menu began to include pasta, rice a...

The Multiply marketing team came to Bacolod City last August 31, 2012 to meet with bloggers and merchants alike. This is in line with their transformation from a social networking site to e-commerce.   I already knew from e-mails and other blogs that the Jakarta based (formerly Florida, USA until early 2012) company will now be focusing purely on e-commerce effective December 1, 2012.  When I first heard about it, I was a little sad but after this meeting, I understood the reasons and merits of the change. Those of us with a Multiply account need not fear that our photos, videos and blog posts will be lost  because the Multiply team will inform and guide all their members with what to do with these.  We then have an option to close our account or transform it into an online shop. I chose to close it down but at the same time I opened not one but two online shops.  Of course, I did not really know what to do with them until I attended this session with th...

When I was single, it was the struggle that I always dealt with – should I buy premade food at the grocery store, or should I buy the supplies and make it myself. Since I was young, was just eating for myself, I typically opted to buy the premade items (or just skip the grocery store in general and stay with fast food), but now I’ve changed some of my ways. Here are some thoughts on whether you should buy premade food or just make it yourself.  

Just recently I was doing some research on costumes and I saw a picture of a man wearing Lederhosen . This triggered fond memories of my childhood.   Three, in fact.  The first one is that of my grandmother and  her favorite childhood story. She had this illustrated book titled "Heidi", a novel written by Swiss author Johanna Spyri about a young orphan girl left in the care of her grandfather. My Lola Rizing loved this book and told it to me over and over again. When I learned how to read, I memorized this story by heart and even today, I still feel so close to Heidi, Peter, Clara, and of course, Grandfather.  One of my most fervent childhood wish was to live in a loft near the Alps, and I also badgered my grand-aunt who was a dressmaker, to make me a garment just like Heidi's which I later learned was called a dirndl. I will always remember Grandfather and Peter wearing breeches, which I now know as Lederhosen.  

Ever since the news of the crash of the airplane carrying DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo just off the shores of Masbate flashed on TV, a lot of mixed feelings arose in me. I do not know the man, nor am I familiar with what he has accomplished, but somehow his death became a personal loss. More so when all the stories about his exemplary life as a public servant started to be told. This country and people need men like Secretary Robredo to bring us out of the rut that we are in.  And what made this so sad was the fact that just as the light at the end of the tunnel seems to grow brighter for the Philippines, one candle was abruptly snuffed out, thus dimming the way once more.  I think I am really grieving for this country's loss.

Last July 27, Mark Magallanes of RepublicaNegrense came home to Bacolod for business and pleasure. On his itinerary was doing food reviews of famous and not-so famous food establishments in Bacolod and so, he invited some local bloggers to join him. I chose to go to Felicia's Cafe and Steak Room in 6th Street. Remember my post , about how happy I was to see that Felicia's opened a branch at Robinson's Central Citywalk and why I have never been to their main store yet? Well, now was my chance to go with a group and at the same time get to meet other bloggers.