Pampanga: C' Italian Dining is simply superb!

We went to the 12th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta late Saturday afternoon hoping to see the night glow. But just like the hot air balloon events that morning, it did not push through since the winds were just too strong. People were joking it was all hot air but no balloons.

But that wasn't much of a setback since the highlight for the night was dinner at a by-reservation restaurant called C' Italian Dining, one of the best Italian restaurants not just in Angeles City but in the entire country. It was twice named Best Restaurant by the Philippine Tatler. We had a four-hour, 10-course dinner that night!

Chef Chris Locher prepared for us a special menu with the theme, "Chris, I'm hungry! Feed me!" And here is what we got: (1) panizza selection, served with arugula and alfalfa sprouts; (2) fine carved goose salami and tripo fino from the Piedmont presented with our special ricotta cheese enticed with lemon and virgin olive oil; (3) assorted garden green with balsamic cream; (4) spaghetti bottarga di tonno (a true gift from the gods)

(5) grouper fillet baked with virgin olive oil, tomatoes and fresh basil presented on white truffle oil enriched polenta and Italian broccoli; (6) wood fire roasted chicken with green baby asparagus; (7) pork shoulder braised with black olives and fennel served on butter whipped potatoes; (8) grilled Angus flank steak "the C' classic" served with whole artichokes; (9) lemon cheese cake and (10) chocolate panna cotta.

We were also given a wonderful white wine called Corvo Glicine right before the grouper fillet was served. I also got some kiwi and apricot-flavored Italian soda. It was no surprise that after dinner, we simply could not move!!! Indeed C' Italian Dining is worth the visit!

C' Italian Dining
Don Juico Avenue (Perimeter Road)
Brgy. Malabanas, Angeles City
+63 45 8924059
+63 45 8926993

Win a Boracay weekend party for 19 people!

Imagine this... you can bring 18 of your family and friends to Boracay on a chartered SEAIR flight, stay 3 days and 2 nights at Escondido Beach Resort, and receive P50,000 cash to splurge and a K850i to document the whole party! Sony Ericsson is giving a Boracay Party Weekend Package to one lucky purchaser of a Sony Cyber-shot mobile phone (K800i, K810i, K550i, K770i or K850i) from February 1 to March 31, 2008. For more details, visit any Sony Ericsson Concept Shop or call (02) 7891860.

Sony Ericsson Top Shot photo contest
Now this one is open to all owners of camera phones, regardless of brand. Join the Top Shot photo contest and win a SEAIR Adventure Pass for two, P10,000 in cash and a Sony Ericsson K850i Cyber-shot phone! All you have to do is upload you camera phone photos here.

Pampanga: Armando's Pizza at the Historic Camalig Restaurant

Now have you ever heard of Kapampangan pizza? If not, then you must visit Armando's Pizza at the Historic Camalig Restaurant, the old Nepomuceno rice granary in Angeles City, that had been converted into a restaurant. And what toppings might one find in Doy's Kapampangan? Longganiza, ebun buru (salted duck eggs), onions and pickle relish! It sounds nasty, but tastes heavenly!

I've always been a fan of pizza at the Camalig. The crusts are baked to a perfect crisp with a generous serving of toppings. And if you choose to bring some home to your friends and family, the packaging is a novelty as well since the pizza is placed in a bilao and wrapped in Manila paper like pansit. Well, we're passing by the Camalig after our tour on Sunday. Yum!

Historic Camalig Restaurant
292 Sto. Rosario Street, Angeles City
+63 45 3225641
+63 45 8881077

Ivan About Town meets Happy Slip

I got to meet YouTube celebrity Christine Gambito, more popularly know as Happy Slip, at the exclusive Happy Slip Meet and Greet event today. The Department of Tourism designated her as an ambassador for Philippine tourism given her popularity on the Internet. She's been traveling around the country and I'm eager to watch the videos from her tour.

Pampanga: Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2008 in Clark Field, Pampanga

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

FIRST FIESTA DAY - February 7, Thursday
5:30 - 7:00 am	Hot Air Balloon Flight
7:00 – 7:30 am	Paragliding Exhibition
7:40 – 8:30 am	Ultra-Light Aircraft Formation Flying
8:30 – 9:30 am	Ultra-Light Bomb Dropping Audience Participation
9:30 – 10:00 am	Sky Diving Exhibition
10:00 – 11:00 am	Kite Flying Exhibition
11:00 am – 1:30 pm	Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition
1:30 – 2:00 pm	Sky Diving Exhibition
2:00 – 2:45 pm	Army Jeep Club Demonstration
3:45 – 4:30 pm	RC Demonstration Flying
4:30 – 5:00 pm	Rocketry Demonstration
5:00 – 5:20 pm	Ultra-Light Formation Flying
5:20 – 6:00 pm	Hot-Air Balloon Fly-In
SECOND FIESTA DAY - February 8, Friday
5:30 -7:00 am	Hot Air Balloon Flight
7:00 – 7:30 am	Paragliding Exhibition
7:40 – 8:30 am	Ultra-Light Aircraft Flyby
8:30 – 9:30 am	Aerobatic Flight Display
9:30 – 9:50 am	RC Helicopter Show
9:50 – 10:20 am	Fire Fighting Exhibition
10:20 – 11:00 am	Radio Control Aircraft Flying
11:00 – 11:30 am	Sky Diving Exhibition
11:30 am – 12:30 pm	Ultra-Light Bomb Dropping
12:30 – 1:30 pm	Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition
1:30 – 2:30 pm	AOPA Aircraft Flyby
2:15 – 3:15 pm	Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition
3:15 – 4:00 pm	Aerobatic Show
4:00 – 4:30 pm	Rocketry Demonstration
4:30 – 5:15 pm	Paragliding Exhibition
5:30 – 6:00 pm	Hot Air Balloon Flights
THIRD FIESTA DAY - February 9, Saturday
5:30 -7:00 am	Hot Air Balloon Flight
7:00 – 7:30 am	Paragliding Exhibition
7:40 – 8:30 am	Ultra-Light Aircraft Flyby
8:30 – 9:30 am	Aerobatic Flight Display
9:30 – 10:00 am	Search and Rescue Flying Exhibition
10:00 – 10:30 am	Missionary Heliostat Aircraft Demo
10:30 – 11:00 am	Sky Diving Exhibiton
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition
12:30 – 1:30 pm	Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition
1:30 – 2:30 pm	Ultra-Light Flying Display
2:30 – 3:15 pm	Agricultural Plane Spray Demo
3:15 – 3:45 pm	Sky Diving Exhibition
3:45 – 4:30 pm	Aerobatic Exhibition
4:30 – 5:00 pm	Rocketry Demonstration
5:00 pm onwards	Kapamilya Caravan Variety Show
5:00 – 5:30 pm	Ultra-Light Flyby
5:30 – 5:45 pm	RC Airplane Flying Demonstration
5:45 – 6:15 pm	Hot Air Balloon Flight
6:45 – 7:30 pm	Hot Air Balloon Night Glow
LAST FIESTA DAY - February 10, Sunday
5:30 - 7:00 am	Hot Air Balloon Flight
7:00 – 7:30 am	Paragliding Exhibition
7:40 – 8:30 am	Ultra-Light Aircraft Flyby
8:30 – 9:30 am	Missionary Heliostat Aircraft Demo
9:30 – 10:00 am	RC Helicopter Show
10:00 – 10:30 am	Helicopter Flying Exhibition
10:30 – 11:00 am	Sky Diving Exhibition
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition
12:30 – 1:30 pm	Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition
1:30 – 2:30 pm	Ultra-Light Flying Display
2:30 – 3:00 pm	RC Airplane Flying Demonstration
3:00 – 4:00 pm	Aerobatic Exhibition
4:00 - 4:45 pm	Rocketry Demonstration
4:45 - 5:00 pm	Search and Rescue Exhibition
5:30 - 6:45 pm	Hot Air Balloon Night Glow
7:30 pm	Crew and Awards Night Party