The Halal Guys Now Open in SM Megamall

One of the few food destinations in New York that I wanted to go to is here in Manila. The Halal Guys just opened shop at the 5th Floor of SM Mega Fashion Hall and is bringing their signature American Halal food to the Filipino public. It's been talked about, featured in different food shows, loved by thousands upon thousands of their patrons everyday. I actually visited their store yesterday and it's still super busy, the lines were still up to almost the ice skating rink and I'm not surprised.

Their meals are only made by the freshest ingredients. They've got people working all throughout the day preparing, chopping onions, peppers, cabbage, cooking rice, pita bread and putting it all together in a line. They also have men and women on the hot plates cooking the beef, chicken and other ingredients making sure you get only the freshly cooked Falafel, Chicken and Gyro just like in New York.

Don't be too shocked about the prices here because from what I got as "REGULAR" sized Combo rice meal was actually American sized! The serving was definitely too big for one person and I bet it would be okay for two people, but if you're too hungry this would definitely be filling.

The happy people at the counter would ask you about what to order. The rice meals are gigantic, be careful also if you're using the hot sauce as it is really spicy. I love spicy stuff and it was really hot for me, so just imagine if regular people would do it. 

Mr. Sy of SM was also there to witness it's opening.

Then when we got to the line, a very lengthy one at that... we ordered the combo so we could have everything in one plate!

If you see my plate, it's got a ton of that White Sauce they are known for. Make sure you've got lots of that. I also put in a ton of hot sauce because I know I can take it, not for the faint of heart though! The thing they probably should be proud of is its freshness, but be careful of the chicken and how it's cooked because I saw some of it which I felt was a little raw. (No pink on my chicken please!). But for the actual size of serving, it was super worth it! I'll go back for more! 

This is going to be rated 7/10, and if you're fond of Mediterranean and middle eastern cuisine... this would definitely be in your alley. Men, please troop to SM Megamall's Food Hall at the 5th Floor of SM Mega Fashion hall. Line up and bear it, it's worth it!

P.S. The Regular is already good for two but if you're a little hungry, get the NEW YORK size!

For more information about their restaurant:

The Halal Guys Philippines

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http://thehalalguys.com/

Maisen Opens Biggest Branch in Megamall

The well loved Maisen from Tokyo just landed in Manila. It's been dishing out the best Tonkatsu in the land of the rising sun since 1965. It also just opened a bigger store in SM Megamall and by the looks of it, it's the first one to open in any SM branch for that matter. When I asked the servers, they said they haven't really run out of people in this one and says sales have been phenomenal. The best Tonkatsu in the world is proving it's worth and we were there to witness its  grand launch a few days ago. It was also witnessed by celebrities Ruru Madrid, Gabbi Garcia, Enzo Pineda, male supermodels River Viiperi, Kevin Hub Smith, Eian Scully and executives from Suyen Corporation. The Maisen franchise has been acquired by Suyen Corporation, CEO Ben Chan, famous Chef Florabel Co - Yatco, restaurateur Rikki Dee (who's got several restaurants in his belt), Richard Gomez, Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez and the Queen of all media Ms. Kris Aquino. Izutsu Maisen Co. Ltd.'s very own President and CEO Takeshi Okamoto and Corporate Planning Director Tadakazu Fujishiro were also there to bear witness, they flew all the way from Japan. As for it's authenticity, Japanese expats who originally had it in Tokyo plus tourists who also tried it recently said it tasted the same. Now if that doesn't get you interested in trying out Maisen's Tonkatsu, you're going to have to watch this!

MAISEN Tonkatsu SM Megamall Launch by kumagcow

Maisen has their existing Greenbelt 5 branch for those in the south, whilst they also have another in SM City North Edsa for those up north. The biggest one in SM Megamall has a stand alone beverage area so service is impeccable. The Tonkatsu by far is the softest I've ever had in my entire life. I thought it would have crunch out side but it kinda just crumbles and melts in your mouth when you bite into it. It's that good! For this occasion, they also flew in Yorkshire pork for us from Japan. It was one for the books! You can imagine how the sauce, their own home made like bread crumbs, makes Maisen the number 1 Tonkatsu maker in the world! 

Now head on to SM Megamall's 3F Building A right in front of the Cinemas. Maisen isn't a fad, it's the real thing! It's legit!

For more information about the best Tonkatsu in the world:

Maisen Philippines

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http://www.instagram.com/maisenph

TV5's Official Statement On Mr. Vic del Rosario's Appointment as Chief Strategist for Entertainment

It looks like there's movement inside TV5. After breaking down most of their internal Entertainment support offices, the country's happiest network is revamping their executives as Sari Sari Network take over Entertainment requirements for the channel and putting in Mr. Vic Del Rosario as its Chief Strategist for Entertainment. TV5's CEO Noel Lorenzana acknowledges Boss Vic's expertise in producing quality shows since the 80's and the recent pool of talents they're making shows with right now. He says "We hope this partnership would bear fruit and find similar success in the future".

The Viva patriarch will now handle all existing and new entertainment shows, those that will be line produced and the network's content strategy. Boss Vic says "I am extremely excited to see the limitless possibilities of this partnership and more so to show the creative content to the public and the rest of the world". True enough, I've seen really good shows in their lineup these past few weeks and for what it's worth some of them are line produced. Hopefully this will only become another way to get the best shows out of this third and hopefully soon, a battling second rated network giving Filipinos the good TV programs we deserve.

Here's TV5's statement:

I think this is the same post vacated by Madame Wilma Galvante who is I think currently is a consultant. Here's to more good shows on Kapatid Network!

For more information about their network:

TV5 Manila

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http://www.tv5.com.ph/

Smart Comes Out with Enhanced Smart Surf Abroad 550!

Ever had the problem of going out of the country and don't know how to subscribe to roaming? Well, Smart has made it even easier for you to enjoy the freedom to surf abroad in about 112 countries by giving you the ultimate deal of Php 550 per day via Smart Surf Abroad. It's the best deal yet and include frequently traveled countries like Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, US, France, Germany, Brazil, India, Myanmar, Ukraine and others. That's not all, it's also hassle free because there's NO NEED TO REGISTER! No joke! As Smart's partner networks will automatically connect you right there and there. If you ask me, that's already a big plus in any way shape or form. You also have to remember though that it also starts at 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM so if you're going to that country, I'd suggest you turn on roaming the next day so you can max out and save a ton on your phone bill.

Speaking of phone bills, Smart gas gotten you covered on bill shock. They've got a new network lock feature does not allow roaming usage on non-partner roaming networks. Hey, that's going to make you travel a lot easier and won't connect and charge you on those networks that would charge you an arm and a leg if ever you go somewhere else. That's no UNWANTED charges and won't take a lot on your budget. I remember having problems in Singapore in the other network once and couldn't complain because they connected me even if I didn't want to. Good thing Smart's better, I'd be ready to go any place I want to without worrying about that. When I went to Jakarta a few months ago, I didn't have any problems at all and only got me charged Php 550 for a whole day of internet activities at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps (in case I need to check locations when I get lost) and Google Translate when I couldn't answer back in Bahasa as the place needs it.

Smart has everything you need now on surfing the internet when you're abroad. You just have to go there and enjoy it!

For more information about their services:

Smart Communications

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http://smart.com.ph