SMART Partners with Cebu Pacific to Benefit Tourists

Don't you just love traveling?

I do. So does the rest of my family. When they come home from Canada, US, Australia, Ireland or any part of the world, they usually ask me to lend them phones and use a Smart sim. I've never gotten some of them back sometimes because they either forget that they're still using it or thought they've already returned it even if they haven't. It's okay sometimes, but sometimes I need those phones as backup for the current one I'm using. Not to mention it would also cost me a lot, so I prefer them using their own phones instead. Good thing there's a new partnership between Smart Communications and Cebu Pacific which starts all the good news because they're hooking them up with FREE Cebu Pacific Smart Tourist LTE SIM.

This is going to start this July 2017 until LTE SIM supplies last. They will also be supplying these SIM cards to flights from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. They will get a complimentary Cebu Pacific-Smart LTE Tourist SIM which they can activate upon arrival in the country. My relatives usually get connecting flights in Hong Kong and Japan so they will definitely benefit from this. 

They can get 1GB of data with each Cebu Pacific-Smart LTE Tourist SIM as it comes with 300MB data valid for three days, plus 700MB data reward when they top up at least Php30 of prepaid load at any Smart stations (located around the country) within three days of activation of their sim cards. This would be good for communicating with their apps, internet to confirm their flights and watch videos in their spare time. I could already see my guests enjoying this right at the airport, and I'm glad to note that they will be also distributing this in different travel expos in different countries, now isn't that convenient? :)

Not only that, they will add on 30 days access to iFlix and Php100 discount on UBER rides if they want to get picked up at the airport and arrive home safely.

That's good news.

KUMAGCOW

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ORI Japanese House at Circuit Makati

Traveled all the way down south to check out a new Japanese restaurant called ORI Japanese House at Circuit Makati. I haven't been here for years because it's too far for me coming from Quezon City. The road less traveled most likely would take me about an hour but my friend promised that it'll be worth it as the new joint serves great Japanese food which I'd take for a cheat day. ORI means "Opportunity" in Japanese and I guess the owners and their partners see this as that. I could see how they passionately want this to happen when we sat down with them for lunch. It's located at the Ayala Malls Circuit which is part of the old Sta. Ana Hippodrome which they converted into a premier mixed used land. Let's take a look shall we?

The Interiors

This place is huge. They've got several seats outside for after office hours when your friends from work promise two bottles as they serve cocktails, mocktails, local and imported beers. The place could have around 80 people, with an air conditioned area inside.

The decor is a mix of modern Japanese, a bit industrial from the exposed piping and HVAC equipment painted black. Chairs are upholstered and tables are light wood grain laden. There are a couple of fancy artwork in the glass windows, some faux Sakura trees inside as their staff greet you happily when you come in. It was a little bit nippy as it was early when I arrived so bring a jacket if may, I was okay with it as I liked it pretty cold.

The Food

They currently are on soft opening and the menu consists of your Japanese favorites. I was with friends during this time and I suggested they order the other items on the menu because I wanted to take photos of it. They gladly did and take some for their Instagram photos too. It was a mix of appetizers and mains, and they wanted to make their best sellers stand out which I'm glad to say already stood on their own. Just look at our spread!

Tuna Sashimi served with finely chopped daikon and carrots, slivers of cucumber, pickled ginger, wasabi and Kikkoman Soy Sauce. It's not fishy, you can see and taste it's fresh. It was gone after a few seconds LOL.

Salmon Sashimi was served with the same sides as with the Tuna. It's also cold, fresh, lovely and sweet.

Ebi Tempura comes in 5 or 7 pieces. Served hot, with a crispy exterior and less salt so ask for condiments if you need more. They have Tempura dipping sauce served with this as well so order heaping white rice if you're hungry.

This is their best seller called ORI Maki. It's chopped pieces of soft shell crabs served in a Nori wrapper base with Aligue Mayo Sauce and cheese on top. They torch this in front of you after they serve it, it was good that I was planning to take photos of it but it didn't last long on the table. I would highly suggest you order this if it's available, you know soft shell crab is seasonal.

An essential part of my Japanese meal are these piping hot pan fried Gyoza. Dip this in super sour vinegar with slices of pickled ginger and you'll love it. I didn't want rice that afternoon so I just enjoyed this on it's own.

This is their majestic Dragon Maki. It's a long dragon with different sections of it dedicated to Soft Shell Crab, Ebi Tempura, Crabstick, Salmon, Tuna, Tamago, Ripe Mangoes and melted cheese on top. This is literally a mouthful and perfect for sharing, especially if you can't decide what to have for dinner, it's all there!

I had this Tofu Butayaki which is like a Japanese upscale version of our Tokwa't Baboy. They use really soft pork belly meat and remove the skin then add in sliced deep fried Tofu mixed in with their special Ori Sauce which is like a sweet light soy. Pretty good and perfect for beer matches.

This is their Tonkotsu Ramen. They use pork bone broth, fresh noodles, slices of pork chasu, wood ear mushrooms, soft boiled egg and chopped scallions. As preference, I put tons of Shichimi Togarashi which is a mix of spices that includes red chili pepper, orange peel, sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, ginger and seaweed. You can find it in most Japanese ramen shops so just ask if you need more. It's hearty and perfect for the rainy season. I would ask for more chili on mine, just ask the kind servers for condiments if you need it. They don't have condiments on the table perhaps as it would make the spread cluttered. Add a little salt if you need to. Albeit a little pricey (this one is Php 420), it's all worth it with the quality of ingredients they use. 

 Now there's a great reason to visit the little known mall in this area. If you're looking for a Japanese fix, just go to Ori Japanese House at the Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati. The place looks nice, the service is good and is very family friendly. They also have a section inside from VIP guests, so just reserve if you need to. You deserve more, you deserve to visit Ori Japanese House at Ayala Malls Circuit Makati.

For more information about their food:

ORI Japanese House

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

ORI Japanese Home Facebook Page

Say Hello To CIGNAL Entertainment

Cignal TV has already gotten a remarkable subscriber base in the Philippines and is still changing viewing habits of Filipinos - from big blockbuster US series to "Kinain na ng Sistema" K Dramas, we still succumb glued to the TV as content consumption is continually evolving. Cignal knows it's time for local networks and entertainment comapnies to step up to the plate and start to etll really GOOD stories which can take them to different places, play with our emotions and change us in the process. Stories that are able to move us, motivate us to listen and watch more intelligent and relevant shows that connects with the global Filipino. This is why they have launched CIGNAL ENTERTAINMENT, a full entertainment brand that is going to cater to what Filipinos love.

Ms. Jane Basas, CIGNAL TV President says "We have 1.8 Million Cignal subscribers and about 65.9 Million mobile subscribers with the Smart/PLDT group, we are taking up the challenge to bring you fresh and relevant content for Filipinos that will be available in different platforms from the small screens of your mobile phones to the huge screens of theaters and more. We are now going to be the one to deliver stories. We guarantee that all of it are of quality. Cignal cannot so this alone and we have worked with the amazing content creators to the Philippines to bring you the best. So if you want to also create content with us, we are open! We want to create and put it across all platforms to make it available in mobile and other channels. I am very humbled to be among these great people who have done so much in the industry."

We were given a treat by Pinopela who recently won in Singapore for Best Acapella group. 

As for it's opening salvo, Cignal Entertainment will present "Tukhang" a mini series that talks about socio political and criminal justice set in a drug warzone and third world country like the Philippines. This will also be presented in 4 parts, starred by James Blanco, Karel Marquez, and is directed by Lawrence Fajardo. Not only that, they are also preparing to do other genres like "Tabi Po", Advocasine 1 and 2 plus the much awaited spinoff of the critically acclaimed movie Die Beautiful called Born Beautiful. Cignal Entertainment also has continued to partner with top story tellers in the country like Sari Sari Network, Unitel, Idea First, Content Cows and Masque Valley Productions. They also are contiuing their search for the up and coming content creators, directors, producers, writers together in CineFilipino. It will be shown on July 22 in Colours, Sari Sari and Bloomberg TV Philippines, all on CIGNAL TV.

You better be ready!

KUMAGCOW

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Laugh and Cry to TOFARM's "Kamunggay"

I thought it was the same thing as the Moringa plant, and I was right. Kamunggay is the Visayan dialect equivalent of the lovely and nutritious Malunggay plant common in Filipino vegetable dishes and they named it after this with good reason. In a town and era where global warming got the Filipinos to undergo famine and hunger, the townspeople had one thing to do in order to survive, that is to plant food. There are really resilient and industrious ones, and there are those who chose not to work at all. That's where the conflict begins because these unscrupulous people started stealing from the old farmer, and get away with it.

Albeit heartbroken and furious about the situation, a lot of them got by with just making soup with the "Kamunggay" plant and got nourished fairly. It's a fight for survival, for ethics, how to deal with people who steal, how to make them pay for it, or just let them be. It's a story of family in the Cebuano and Mindanaoan Visayan dialect where you'll love the quirps of giving up, the act of giving, and bearing the fruits of your labor. All in that thin line of choosing what is right and wrong. 

"Kamunggay" includes actorsKent Raymond Basa, Roger Gonzales, legendary singer Ms. Dulce Cruzata, Skyzx Labastilla and indie singer Bayang Barrios. They will tell you their individual stories and you'll learn how it affects everyone in the community.

This entry is written and directed by famed director Victor Acedillo Jr. who also did "Kakampi" in last year's festival. They make you see a lot of small funny things, and perhaps attempt to make you cry about how the life story ends for these characters. The festival runs from July 12-18 and will show this and other entries at SM Megamall, SM Manila, Greenbelt 1, Robinsons Galleria and Gateway Mall in Cubao.

This will be a good addition to your must watch films during the TOFARM Film Festival. Make sure you support this worthwhile projects made to uplift the lives of farmers across the country!

KUMAGCOW

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