PBA Opens "Liga ng mga Bida" (League of Heroes) in MOA Arena

It was a little troublesome to actually do it this weekend because typhoon Lando and a 5.2 earthquake happened. Nevertheless, the show must go on and they're doing it in big fashion this Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Concentrating on the theme "Liga ng mga Bida", they're up to show the Filipino basketball fans the heart, the courage, the skill they put into every game this season. Live performances from the current Asia's Got Talent Champion El Gamma Penumbra, runner up Junior New System will shock and awe audiences when it opens tomorrow. Aside from that, they're also going to have talented rapper and hearthrob ABRA plus talented Aya of Project Pinas to give a new spin to this year's theme signifying the Filipino basketball player's dream!

The long awaited parade of muses will also take place with Max Collins for Blackwater, Karylle for Global Port, Eula Caballero for Meralco, MJ Lastimosa for NLEX, Julie Ann Marie Bourgon for Rain or Shine, Alexa Micek for San Miguel Beer, Alyzza Valdez for Talk N Text and Mika Reyes for Barako Bull. I was actually looking forward to some surprises in this lineup but who knows what will happen right? That part starts at 5PM. 

PBA Superstars James Yap, Terrence Romeo will also show what they're made of this 2016 season so make sure you watch out for their games. The first one will happen right after the ceremonies and will have the 7PM battle between Rain or Shine and Star. All these games will be covered by the happiest network in the country TV5!

For more information about their network:

TV5 Manila

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

Perfect for the weather: Converse All Star Rubber

Most of my readers and friends know that I'm a shoeholic. Let's just say it's a little problem already because I have about 172 shoes from my last count and I don't think I'm stopping. When I was invited to the Converse store in Glorietta a few days ago, I immediately tried to calm myself on what was about to happen. You see, I don't really mix well with shoe stores and Converse is pretty much a staple. I have about 20+ of that already and this time, I'm already shaking because they just launched Converse All Star Rubber. Yes, your favorite everyday shoe just got revamped into a more weather friendly form and they're out on stores right now.

The shoes are quite amazing as it is rubberized on the upper side so it repels water, it's got waxed laces so you'll be dry when it's get splashed on top. It's also got a different lining inside called French Terry so even in this cold weather, your feet is going to stay warm. This is part of the Converse Fall Holiday 2015 Weatherized Collection. You may check out this video I made at the store during the preview.

Converse Rubber by kumagcow

As you can see, they've got it in different colors. You can collect the Converse Black, Gloom Green, Thunder Grey and Casino Red. I specifically chose the Casino Red because I'm a UE Red Warrior, go figure!

It's wonderful, it's comfortable, it's not too hot actually. I had a hunch it was going to be a little sweaty because of the material, but surprisingly it was totally okay. I love it and I'll wear my Rubber Chucks aka Chucks All Star Rubber whether it's sunny or a rainy day!

For more information about their shoes:

Converse Philippines

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http://www.converse.com.ph/

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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