Asian Fusion and Probinsiya Feels with Brown-Mandarin Streetfood

Have you ever been to a place that gives you very "probinsiya" feels even though you are at the heart of the metro? 

 

That's what Brown-Mandarin Asian Streetfood made me feel as soon as I stepped into their Kubo restaurant. 

Front view

Top view

The place is surrounded by big establishments and is in front of a street, but once I was inside, I was instantly transported to our province. 

Street view

 

If you are familiar with Robinsons Townville, it is just a block away. The location is accessible and easily seen for its Kubo style.  

Look inside!

I was amazed at the tables, which were made from old wooden doors with top designs of floor tiles and stones.

Wow!!!

I loved that they used recycled materials and turned them into something fantastic! 

There is also a cabana where one can relax while enjoying their Pinoy Bingsu, and this area is for people who want to chillax as well as smokers. 

Those tables made from recycled ice cream top freezers are cool too.

 

The dishes that were served to me were Kare-Kare, Steamboat, Pad Thai, and Buko Monggo Pinoy Bingsu. Let me tackle each one and give you my thoughts. 

*Kare-Kare (220 PHP)is definitely one of their best-sellers! 

The peanut sauce that they created and the fresh vegetables made this dish delectable! This all-time favorite Pinoy meal is commendable even without bagoong. I didn't even put one in! 

 

*Steamboat (200 PHP), this was my first time hearing about and trying it. 

The Chinese version of Shabu-shabu is popular with oldies and for people who are not feeling well, because it is meatless and really good to sip while it's hot! Don't miss this one when you order at Brown-Mandarin. 

 

*Pad Thai (200 PHP), this is my favorite that I finished in one sitting! Yes! 

What makes their Pad Thai different from the others that I've eaten was the small shrimp that they added, the fried eggs that I don't usually see, and the taste was not boring (nakakasawa)! Another best-selling dish from them! 

 

*Pinoy Bingsu Buko Monggo, as soon as this was placed on the table, I remembered my childhood days being happy with an ice cream bar flavored Buko with Monggo on top! 

Oh lala!!!

I was thrilled that they decided to have our own version of Bingsu and a new one on their menu! The Buko Monggo Pinoy Bingsu is composed of homemade ice cream, flavored shave ice, macapuno, and monggo. There is no sugar added because it does not require it!

 

Aside from the flavorsome foods that were offered to me, I was privileged and grateful to sit down and chat with the generous and kind owners, Miss Lit and Chef Stella.

Thank you for this photo op, Miss Lit!

 

I was overwhelmed to learn about how Brown-Mandarin Asian Streetfood started (2019) and how they came up with the concept of food (Asian fusion with a twist) and the interior (recycled materials) of the restaurant. 

And these unforgettable statements from Chef Stella will stay with me as I cook and serve dishes to my loved ones and family:

 

Cooking is sensual. When you cook, you use your five senses, and even before you finish cooking, you should already know how it tastes. 

 

Thank you for the wonderful dining experience at Brown-Mandarin Asian Streetfood! 

 

Groufie with the fantastic crew!

They are open from 11 am to 8 pm, Mondays to Sundays, at 527 Melting Pot Bldg. Omega Avenue, Greater Fairview, Quezon City.

Visit them today and make your heart and tummy happy! 

My Writer's Life Lately

I have been busy since February started. I was a bit of a slacker last month because of the week that I stayed at home. At that time, I wasn't able to write anything.

 

February 13. A day before Valentine's Day, our book anthology If I Wake Up Here Again had a virtual launch party. 

The authors were able to meet for the first time and answered amazing questions about themselves and their stories. I also had a chance to do a live reading for my story, Ileaia's First Day High. Yay! 

 

February 15. I had a deadline with TBC Publications. Not my manuscript but another's work. I was officially assigned as an English editor. 

And though I have been training for months and am still training now, I don't have confidence in the position because I'd rather write than edit. I consider it a new responsibility. I know, additional work for me, so I hope you understand while I have been really busy lately.

 

February 23. Finally, after delaying for a month, I have already claimed my certificate with the National Book Development Board. I am officially registered as an author/writer. 

I am grateful to NBDB for recognizing artists with their crafts. Free registration is open until June 30, 2022. You can check out their FB page to see how.

March is just around the corner, and I already have one important task. Yes, it is related again to writing, so if I won't be able to post or update, my apologies. Thank you for sticking around and understanding. For now, that's my life update as an author. 😊

Seven Days of Isolation and Realization

Nobody wants to get sick, especially on these uncertain days.

 

As the surge of CoVid is getting higher and stricter rules are implemented by the government, most people want to be vaccinated and be boosted. Still, the virus won't perish even in the most careful and healthy-looking individuals.

 

 

It was Wednesday, January 12 when I felt what I thought to be symptoms of the virus. I woke up feeling tired with a headache and muscle pain. It was unusual, especially since I was fine last night. I quickly contacted my sister and she asked several questions. She said I might have the virus. What she advised me to do was to stay at home and to avoid contact with people. I had my food delivered via Grab, and I would request the Kuya drivers to hang it on our gate. 

 

On the second day, just to be sure that I didn't contract the virus and might share it with others, I didn't go to work.

 

On my 3rd day, I had a sore throat and a clogged nose. Still, I am thankful that I have had no fever so far.

My colleagues wanted me to go to work, especially if I didn't have any more symptoms. My family advised me to stay at home and finish the isolation period, which is seven days.

 

 

Sunday arrived and I had to take the anti-gen test kit home. It was the fourth day since the onset of the symptoms. I was scared while I was waiting for the result.

 

 

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, the Almighty! I was negative!

 

It was a relief that I didn't actually have the virus.

 

 

It was also great to hear from my boss when she told me that technically I'm negative because if I hadn't, I might have infected someone since the last day that I went to work. I was truly grateful that no one of my colleagues experienced anything like what I had.

 

 

For the remaining three days of the quarantine, I continued to drink tea, ginger (salabat), eat fruits and gargle salt.

 

 

8th day. I was out of the house. It was like seeing the world differently. This is how a person feels without interacting with people and has been staying for a week inside a house. Wow! It was weird.

 

 

From my seven days of isolation, I learned a lot.

 

 

*I realized that family is family. The first one that I contacted was my second sibling, and without hesitation, she helped me financially, checking me out and asking me if I was alright every now and then. Thanks to her, I had a week of free food delivery and I experienced buying medicine and groceries online for the first time. 

 

 

*Better to be safe than sorry. I thought of my absences at work. I didn't have enough salary to survive the next few days. Yet, on top of that, my conscience would be forever guilty if one of my colleagues got sick because of me. 

Recommended food delivery: Goodah

 

*Don't ignore the symptoms. We already know about the symptoms. For almost two years, we've been socially distant quite some time, and we've had no social gatherings. So why, in the first place, would you deny that you have one? The best thing to do is recognize and accept that you may or may not have the virus, isolate yourself quickly. 

 

 

*Protect me and my loved ones. These days, being healthy is not only advisable for oneself but also for continuing to have strong immunity and mind for your family. 

 

Recommended food delivery: Teaspoon Cafe

The pandemic might stay for a while. We won't know how long the virus will stay. But one thing is for sure, try your best not to get sick and if you experience even one of the common symptoms, observe yourself and don't hesitate to isolate yourself. 

ARC review: Dating the Influencer by Mark Fermill

Reading takes time, and once given an opportunity to read a free book, grab it quickly!

I am grateful that the author, Mark Fermill, gave me a chance to have an advanced reader copy of his soon-to-be-published novel, Dating the Influencer.

I was fortunate to be one of the bloggers to receive a free copy of this book. Thank you, Sir Mark!

Blurb: 

Anica Fernandez relies on her strict schedule in order to survive. Matagal na niyang binura ang bersyon niyang baliw na baliw sa lalaki at tiwala siyang kahit sino man ang dumating sa buhay niya ay kaya na niyang baliwalain.

Not until Derrick Manalo takes notice of her. This famous fitness influencer comes into her life like a whirlwind, and Anica, who once promised herself to never fall in love again, is tested to eat her own words.

What could Derrick Manalo possibly want from her? Is it money? A simple favor? Or could it possibly be... love?

What I like about the story:

Meeting an Influencer.  Who thought that you'd meet a social media influencer in the most unexpected way? That's what happened to Anica when she met Derrick inside a bookstore. Well, that was not the meet and greet that Anica wanted, especially from an old crush.

Social media toxicity. In this age, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube are the biggest platforms to meet your idols, and these avenues are also places where people will judge you regardless of who you are. Anica is happy with her Youtube page and even her followers, but when Derrick suddenly called her up on his channel, her views and following were boosted. However, when an issue came out, netizens used these channels to destroy Anica's life and image.

Depression and Suicide.  This book not only focuses on Anica and Derrick's romance, but I commend it for touching on one of the most sensitive topics in society today. It was difficult for Anica to be in a relationship and trust another guy because of the guilt that she has been carrying since her best friend, Jonathan, killed himself. She didn't know that by opening and telling her experience through her vlog, she inspired a lot of people, particularly another boy who also tried to self-destruct himself.

How It Ends:

Anica is vlogging again, but like a confession type, and Derrick is ever so attentive!

Verdict:

I started reading this book last November, but at that time, I was not fond of Sir Mark's writing style, so I stopped reading it. Sorry! Yet, I gave it a new eye when I re-read it again, and I actually appreciated the first few pages. I continued it, and then I finished it! I was happy that I was able to meet Anica and Derrick and get a glimpse of their lives. It was like I was back to being a teenager again, that feeling of meeting your idol and stalking him on his social media accounts. It was fun! But more than that, this novel is an eye-opener about the toxicity of social media, who the influencers really are in real life, and how one mistake can change one's life, which can be prevented.

 

Congratulations, Mark Fermill, on your newest gem, "Dating the Influencers." This book will be out by next month! Perfect for a heart's day reading pleasure!

What's Your Plan in 2022?

Can you feel that double digits are lucky numbers? I am looking forward to 2022, especially since it is just a few weeks away.

 

So, do you have plans or goals for the upcoming year? I have! That's why I was very excited about buying planners. 

 

Last year, the usage of planners was wasted because of a pandemic. Yet, everything seems to be getting back to normal nearing the end of 2021.

 

I bought two planners (I might add one for handy purposes) to get me pumped for next year. Let's peruse their pages and see what's in store for us.

 

📒Belle De Jour Classic Planner (699 php) 

First time to have it personalized!

I have been a BDJ user since 2013. For this, I didn't buy one yet, but a good friend of mine shared her prized BDJ Travel planner. 

 

When I saw the 2022 cover of BDJ, I was thrilled. I loved the Bella who represented the Universe, and my intuition told me that perhaps it would attract the goodness of the coming year. 

 

And so, without hesitation, I was one of the first 100 who pre-ordered the BDJ kit using Billease loan. (I posted a blog about it. You can read it here: https://perksbewithyou.blogspot.com/2021/11/billease-my-loan-partner.html )

Here are some of the contents of the BDJ 2022 planner:

~Dream Board

~Key Projects Overview

~Goal Setting

 

If you are planning to buy or have already purchased the BDJ 2022 planner, check out the back page because my name is included as a token of gratitude for being one of the first 100 pre-ordered customers. Sweet! Thank you, BDJ! 

 

Wait... 

There's another one that I want to feature too. Because I didn't plan to have one planner, but two for 2022! 

 

📔365 Days Limelight Planner (299 php) 

A vlogger friend of mine posted about the 365 Days Limelight Planner from the National Bookstore. At that time, I was truly curious, but I already had other planners, so I didn't buy one. 

 

Lo and behold, I really waited for this year's edition and I actually liked the designs! I picked the Earth-style because I haven't had one like this! 

 

Here are some of the contents of the 365 Days Limelight planner:

+Bucketlist

+Highlights

+Birthday Tracker

 

Whether you decide to also have a planner or not, be sure to plan something for the coming year. 

Love these stickers!

Long or short-term goals, it doesn't matter. As long as it makes you look forward to 2022, so be it. 

I cannot wait to use these planners on the first day of the year! 

#PerksNewDiscoveries: Facial Hubs at Pasig City!

2019 was the last time that I had facial service, but it sounded like it was a long time ago.

 

I have a bad case of pimple break out that turns sadly into maskne. It has gotten worse in this half of the year. As much as I wanted to get rid of them by going to a dermatologist, the budget is waving.

 

Luckily, I had a chance to experience not only once, but twice, the free facial services. I was one of the lucky winners of the Skinefique Aesthetics and Wellness' opening giveaway last June. 

Their clinic is located on the 2nd floor of the RNV Building in Rosario. It is in front of the Sorrento Oasis condo. The easiest way to go there is via Grab, but you can also ride a tricycle going back to the main road, then hail a jeepney to Mrt Shaw when going home.

 

I won 1000 php worth of GC for their facial services. Nonetheless, I paid an additional 500 PHP to use their Premium Acne Control, which was not included in the prize. It felt like it was my first time having a facial service because of the pricking of my pimples and getting rid of my blackheads. 

My face was refreshed, relieved, and relaxed at the same time. Yay! They offered to sell me their skincare products, but I refused because I was still hesitant to jump into one.

 

My second facial service happened just last month. I won again, but this time it was from Montinola Aesthetic Center Laser Center's Facebook giveaway. Again, I was not familiar with the area, so I took a Grab from Mrt Shaw and was dropped off at the Tri-Ax Two Center Bldg. in Buting. There is a Yellowcab store in front of them and Max's nearby.

 

I loved the interior of the beauty center. Their staff was very welcoming and friendly. They even gave me a glass of water as soon as I sat down on their lovely sofa. I was surprised to have a free skin consultation with none other than the owner, Dr. Madz Roxas. She asked me what service I wanted to avail of from their beauty services. I was not really into enhancement or changing something about my body, so I took the chance of having a facial service again. 

 

I showed her my main concern, and she was the one who suggested that I have their Detox Acne Facial. After the much-needed facial, I couldn't help but check out their acne products and I bought their Retinoic cream, which was my first encounter with it. It was also recommended by one of their beauty staff. I paid 600 php for it and I am still applying the cream at the moment.

 

Aside from the free facial services, I was truly grateful that my acne concern was finally addressed. There were the usual products that I used that made my face oily and dry. I have combination skin now, which is not actually nice. That's why I would really invest in the proper skincare products to control and hopefully get rid of my maskne.