Inspiring

I came across this while channel surfing (long weekend and mandatory bed rest do wonders... I have gazillion minutes to waste!)

The tune is catchy and when I looked at the video, it is the Philippines.

"We Can Be Anything" by Apl.de.Ap.

May this be a good example for the influential personalities. Please use your influence to bring good to our nation.

I am now preaching.

" WeCanBeAnything is an education advocacy campaign, born of a partnership between the Apl.de.Ap Foundation (AdAF) and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).

The campaign was conceived after apl.de.ap (a.k.a. Allan Pineda), the Filipino-American member of the world-famous Black Eyed Peas, expressed his desire to help improve the education situation in the Philippines.

From his own experience, he knew that, for many Filipinos mired in poverty or other difficult circumstances, education is the only long-term ticket to a better life. Unfortunately, millions among the youth are deprived of this ticket to opportunity or drop out of school for a variety of reasons. One basic obstacle is the severe shortage of public school classrooms; the Department of Education (DepEd) estimates the backlog at 66,800 classrooms as of schoolyear 2010-2011, Another factor is the barren environment for learning in many parts of the country due to scarce resources with which to set up libraries and similar facilities.

Several organizations have launched programs to address these and many other problems besetting the Philippine educational system. Through his foundation, apl.de.ap wants to be able to help some of these programs.

On a personal level, he simply wants to tell young Filipinos that he was able to go so far in life because he got an education. To deliver this message, he has composed the song, "We Can Be Anything", around which a campaign could be built.

To give apl.de.ap a platform for his advocacy, NCAF appointed him the special ambassador for education of the iamninoy-iamcory Movement in February 2011.

Through the WeCanBeAnything campaign, apl.de.ap lends his celebrity, music and personal network to rally massive support for key education initiatives, while reinforcing the broader message on the importance of education.

Proceeds from the campaign will benefit the Bayanihang Pampaaralan initiative of 57-75 movement for educational reform and the MyLibrary program of Ayala Foundation/ Philippine Development Foundation."

Shopping For The Little Miss

Person A has the cutest godchild: Leila Asyd.

For her 2nd birthday, I was requested to get a dress. I asked how much the budget is, Person A's reply: "Kahit ano"

Tip #1: If you want Person A to shell out for you, you gotta be cute ... really, really cute. Good thing I belong to this category (Bawal kumontra, blog ko 'to) =P

Kids these days are lucky, they don't have to put up with the lacy frou frous that I had to put up with 20 years ago.

Makati, 'te, at mainit pa!

I've mastered the art of shopping for toddlers and baby clothes. There are a lot of choices from Debenham's, Zara and Gap Kids, if you don't mind splurging a bit. Local brands carry good lines as well. Periwinkle, Bayo Kids, and there are scores if you visit Rustan's or any reputable department stores.

While going around  I came across these dresses that I can imagine our Lei to be in

Lovely shade of purple 

I love the floral print and the blue satin ribbon and piping.

In the end, I settled for this, a more practical yet stylish dress for the princess.

The princess has equally adorable friends.

Lady-like Sofia hugging her friend Jaomi.

Beautiful Betty

And a very cute Kirsten who participated in the longest greeting contest ala "Happy Birthday Leiiiiiii.......lllllllaaaaaaa....." 

but proclaimed the words "I Love You  Mommy" instead when she was handed the microphone.

Awww....

Remember the Scottish boy who stole my heart?

He was at the party as well.

How can you not love kids?

P.S. Photo not by Maybe She's That Girl is from this link

L'Incontro: 2010 Manila's Best-Kept Secret Italian Restaurant

For my 26^th birthday, Person A and I had a quiet celebration at L’Incontro, one of the cozy-yet-sophisticated restaurants along Reposo, Makati. If the name is familiar, it was hailed as 2010 Manila’s Best Kept Italian Restaurant, 9 months after Tina Pamintuan took ownership of the restaurant from Gino Martinel, who had to go back to Italy. Ms. Pamintuan is the Le Cordon Bleu-educated restaurateur.

For quite some time now, Person A and I have our eye on Reposo as it is the location to a lot of interesting establishments: the LRI Building – home to one of the nicest furniture shops in the city, the Room Upstairs – a cozy coffeeshop we are very interested to try, Café Caruso and L’Incontro. My birthday seems like the perfect excuse to go a bit fancy on our dining experience.

L’Incontro didn’t disappoint. The place is not intimidating: it looks like a barn with its high ceiling yet the lighting is designed to give the space a sophisticated-yet-cozy place. Service is excellent and the menu is well-explained for non-serious-foodies like us.

We started with dinner rolls

served with butter,

salsa and herbs. 

The bread tastes fresh and warm from the oven.

Spaghetti Alio e Olio(PhP 410/180)

Fresh garlic toasted tossed in extra virgin olive oil , noodles and fresh Italian herbs.

I like the quality and how the noodles is cooked. Al dente. However, personally, the overall taste is not unique and can be had in any good Italian restaurants.

If you are wondering why there are 2 prices quoted, you can order a full plate or a tasting portion. If you opt for quantity, I suggest you go for tasting portion. If you want a feast, then getting the full plate should be in order.

Risotto Mushroom (PhP 550/220)

Wild mushroom risotto of oyster, shiitake, button and Portobello with black salsa tartufo.

This is one of the best mushroom risottos I’ve tasted. The rice is al dente and the mushroom-flavored sauce is divine. The taste is subtly good and the aroma coaxes the brain to say “yum” with every bite.

Blackened Chilean Sea Bass (PhP 1150)

Sea bass with truffle cauliflower puree, brown butter and celeriac puree. The dish comes with mashed potato.

Ever since Person A and I tasted this Chilean Sea Bass dish from Sala, 

we always consider having sea bass whenever the budget permits it.

Sea bass from L’Incontro is good; it’s not one of a kind good but it’s okay. The fillet is cooked nicely, the texture of the  meat feels nice in the mouth but nothing distinct.

I had water with my meal while Person A downed his food with beer.

Ballast Point Big Eye IPA (PhP 280)

This Indian brew is awesome.  It has that bitter beer taste but it has that fruity-lemony undertone as well making it very refreshing. This is available in some of the bigger grocery stores should you want to buy one.

We ended the meal with dessert and coffee.

Tiramisu (~PhP 250)

This is a classic take on the tiramisu. The espresso-soaked sponge cake is soft, and mascarpone renders the contrasting taste. I like it.

Cappuccino (~PhP 200)

Good real coffee.

Latte (~PhP 200)

Nice cup to end a meal.

In Summary

1. L’Incontro has one of the nicest restaurant ambiance. It exudes a warm, cozy yet sophisticated feel making it perfect for dinner date, business meetings and fancy meal with friends.

2. The food is good but I personally think that I can get the same taste from other good Italian restaurants. I didn’t find the taste distinct except for the Risotto. The mushroom risotto tastes really great.

3. Price slides to the expensive side which can be expected for a fine dining place ... all in all, it’s reasonable.

L’Incontro

207 Nicanor Garcia St.

1209 Makati

63.2.899.0635