Modern Filipino Comfort Food at Sentro 1771 Fort Bonifacio

One that needs no introduction is this regular runner hangout in Serendra - Fort Bonifacio area is Sentro 1771. Remember my article last year here when I adored their breakfasts? It was mighty clear that I had to go back. It was cool because I got to also see new people and talk about pressing issues in Manila. It was comfort food, chat and a nice afternoon. How can you beat that?

Had one of their best selling drinks. This is the Dalandan Juice. It was just the right thing to have that hot afternoon after I commuted to Ayala. The traffic, long queues and travel time was an issue but when you get this... you'll forget everything. The tangy, sweet concoction was the perfect thing to douse off that heat from outside. A must try!

For appetizers, we got this Macau Chorizo and Cheese Tidbits. Not as porky as it sounds. The spices were more of a deep pepper and paprika-ish flavor. The cheese component brings this to the forefront of kids favorites so order a batch or two if you happen to have small kids with you. They'll love it!

The much talked about Sinigang na Corned Beef takes the stage and gathers some ooohs and ahhhs from the table. I distinctively remember having this a couple of months ago which was awesome, but this batch was a little off - must be something in the broth that I don't know (or the refill that happened above). I still suggest you go for this, don't ever leave that place without experiencing it because as I remembered, this was heavenly. Must take it while its hot!

I don't really eat fish that much but this one's phenomenal. I really like what they did to this "Fish of the day in Pandan". They must be changing white fish on whatever's fresh and available through the fish monger. It was really good. Meaty, flavorful and hit it with a tangy spritz of lemon plus a spicy salty mix of Soy and Chili. Argh, I miss it already!

Vegetarians need not despair as they also have these Camote Cups on the menu. Julienned slices of carrots, camote, string beans and other veggies makes this a hearty treat for those who prefer to cut down on fat. Pretty simple but you must eat this fast right after it comes out of Sentro 1771's ovens since it won't be as good when its cold. They also got herbs on it which mostly is the thing that puts flavor on this thing together with that sauce on the side. Much like a stir fry that is grilled and more hearty. You get me? :)

For someone who loves lamb meat, this is something really cool. This boneless lamb shoulder stewed with carrots, bell peppers and spices on thick tomato sauce is just the right thing to have if you craved for Sentro 1771's Lamb Caldereta. They can have it cooked a little more spicy if you prefer a HOT version of this on piping hot rice. This is our kryptonite.

Want to be more adventurous with rice? Sure! This Seafood Bagoong Rice is the perfect thing to pair with your favorite viands morning, noon and night time. The mix of rice, grilled squid, garlic shrimps and hito flakes then topped with green mangoes just spells home.

Dessert in Sentro 1771 also comes so pretty. This is their Fried Suman and Mangoes. The sticky rice is smothered with caramel syrup and topped with fresh - golden - ripe mangoes. Dreamy in every bite, this is a modern take on the Filipino mangga't suman we enjoy through the years. It's the perfect thing to end a meal.

My favorite among the things that were served that afternoon is this! It's their Keso Flan. It's a baked light no crust cheesecake served with slivers of queso de bola and salted red egg. The contrast of sweet, salty and cheesy just undoubtedly hits the spot. Never miss this one on the menu. You'll regret it.

Fluffy and crispy filo dough surrounded by chocolate and caramel lines plus cream custard and bananas blistered on top... this is their Banana Tart. It's nice and light. I thought it was going to be hard to finish this after those other items above that I ate. Surprisingly, this is so easy. I just blinked and it went poof!

Whatever the occasion, Sentro 1771 always has something new on the menu. The classic Filipino dishes even have a modern twist. Comfort food and the nicest desserts in one place... dine and be with the ones you love this year as they celebrate their 10th year. Honest and good, that's Sentro 1771 for you! 

For more information about the restaurant:

SENTRO 1771

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Visit their official website

http://www.sentro1771.net

Bench's First Store in Singapore! :)

Shoppers in Singapore especially the Filipino community should rejoice! There's a new BENCH Store in the island state of Singapore! Now, there's more reason to shop for your favorite Bench clothes, scents, accessories and items right at the city's center since it's located at the Metro Department Store Singapore.

Photo credits: Sir Ben Chan's Instagram Account.

It's so good to know that you don't have to ask your friends and family to bring you stuff from the Philippines anymore because it's conveniently all here! Imagine if you had to ask your girl friends for underwear haha! Makes sense? :))

So if you miss the brand, miss the stuff you've always wanted from the biggest lifestyle brand from the Philippines... Come visit them on their first store in Singapore and wear that Filipino shirt you've been longing for all these years! :)

Metro Paragon is located at 290 Orchard Rd #02-28 Paragon Singapore 238859

Tel: (+65) 6835 3322. Opening Hours are from 10.00 am - 9.30 pm (Mon to Sun).

For more information about their stores:

Bench/ lifestyle + clothing

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Visit their official website

http://www.benchtm.com

Learning How To Play A Guitar

Hey guys! What's up?! How was New Year's Eve? Great!

Well I've been aiming to be more productive this year and trying to pick up a new hobby. I've been in a band during college (hi guys if you're reading this!) and I must say it's not as easy as it looks. All we had was passion and the urge to somehow, somewhere be heard when we play our music and still be together; whilst looking good for the girls. Regrets? I had a few. I never had the chance to actually learn a thing or two about playing a guitar since I'm on keyboards. I'm working on it right now and found free applications in the App Store that can help me do it since my friends are all either married and got kids. We all know how busy that is.

Fun Guitar Facts:

According to CoachGuitar.com, we can't learn fast if we use technical jargon and theory. They suggest a very practical way through visuals so we can do it like the pros. There are tons of music genres that I had to understand and read before doing this. It already gave me a heart attack when I checked out it's history here; and to tell you honestly, it was turning up a little disheartening.

I went ahead and used the application even if I was a little skeptic. Though I know I'd probably regret it if I didn't try. So after downloading it off the App Store, I opened it up and checked how it works.

 

There were four tabs on the bottom indicating Home, My Lessons, Library and Me. On the front page, it had tons of suggested music to play. It wasn't free so I skipped that. I'm so cheap!

It went through different help options but this one was important. When you are shown some instructions later, you'll have to know what finger to use while pressing on the guitar's fret. We did a few things in college that was quite similar. I used to play just the introduction part of the most popular songs but never finished playing any of them. Hence, the term "Intro Boy". 

After choosing a song on the free ones, it went to this section that had the song divided into parts. Remember those colors we mentioned earlier? This is the part where it'll make sense.

It'll tell you exactly what finger to use and illustrate when to pluck the string.  

Now don't worry too much if the music you're hearing or seeing is too fast. The application has options to either go back to the menu, put it into slow motion or just replay it. I went ahead and used the slow motion feature because I couldn't catch up. Michael Jackson's "Beat It!" is a little complicated. Dividing it into steps made it really easy and as of this writing I can already do the first two parts without help from anybody. From zero to hero. Imagine that!

The other rifts were a little too advanced for me because as you can see, it kind of forced me to use two fingers in a single fret. This is officially a fat finger problem, like when you press buttons on touchscreen.

For those who have experience reading off lyric sheets, you can view it through the TABLATURE mode if you wish to. I stayed watching the videos because I generally find that easy even if I can read notes.

In the end, you'll see how each part of the riff you did earlier will come together. The full video will also show you how easy it is to learn a new song from end to end. Now most of your friends and fans will think that you're a pro!

If you think you've already gotten bored about the free songs that are in your My Lessons tab, don't worry because they've got a whole library of the greatest guitar masterpieces available for purchase. Katy Perry and Bruno Mars did make me skip a heart beat.

If you continue to share and connect with their community through Facebook, you'll get to unlock badges and exclusive content on the application. After all, it's free on the App Store! Who knows? You might get a free song or two right after doing that!



 

For more information about the Application:

Coach Guitar

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Visit their official website

http://www.coachguitar.com/

Tip: Alternate Routes to Sky Ranch in Tagaytay

I know most of you guys have been going to Tagaytay on weekends but the holidays are really getting rough especially when traffic comes to a total halt right when you're about to get there. If you often go to that place using the same routes as with public transportation, you are bound to get stuck making your intended vacation a really terrible hour or two long traffic extravaganza. I'm here to tell you about your options so you don't have to endure that once you get to the Tagaytay crossing. Yes, there are several ways you can get to Sky Ranch without the hassle.

Route #1 -  Take the SLEX Sta. Rosa Exit. This is the easy breezy beautiful route to Tagaytay. It'll take you out of the highly dense route and go out straight on Tagaytay's Public Market. Just turn right after that and you're already in the city proper where Sky Ranch is located.

Route #2 Take the SLEX Greenfield Exit which will take you straight to the Tagaytay National Road so you can skip the little traffic in Sta. Rosa. Not too many people know this so it'll be one of the smartest way to go there.

Route #3 Take the Daang Hari. As the name suggests it is a wide street with not so many vehicles along the way. It also has some really scenic views since it passes through towns of Molino, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang. At least you won't have to go to the traffic infested Bacoor Roundabout.

For what it's worth, your family will surely enjoy SM Land's Sky Ranch since it houses the Sky Eye (highest Ferris Wheel in the country), The Riding Loop for horseback riding, the VENUE and the restaurants in this property. It's even colder now and you really get to feel like you're out of Manila when you get there. This place is right beside Taal Vista Hotel at KM60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City. They are open from 8AM to 12 Midnight for the whole month of December. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and give your family a holiday they deserve at Sky Ranch Tagaytay!

(Note: Admission fees are very minimal. A good place to have fun with your family!)

For more information about the place

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Sky Ranch