Friday, February 15, 2008

Pampanga: Last day at the 12th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

It was the last day of the 12th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta last Sunday and we were hoping that today wouldn't be like the previous day. We got our wish! At least our waking up in the wee hours of the morning paid off. Although it was a bit cloudy, the winds weren't strong so the hot air balloons were able to inflate and take-off.

We were lucky to get photographer's passes for the group (they only sell 100 passes a day) which allowed us to come close and literally touch the hot air balloons! By 7:30 a.m., most of the hot air balloon had taken off for their hare and hound race. And we were off for breakfast at VFW. I took these photos using my Sony Ericsson K850i.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

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

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

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.

Friday, February 08, 2008

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

Thursday, February 07, 2008

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.
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