Guess who's back?

No, it's not Erap and I think it's not even noteworthy to be excited about his efforts to resuscitate his political life.

If you grew up in the 80's and remember those days when the Araneta Center was the IN thing for Filipino families during weekends: rollercoaster rides at Fiesta Carnival, movie-watching at the New Frontier Theater, shopping at Rustan's or Ali Mall, Christmas display watching at C.O.D. or school opening shopping at SM Cubao. Then I guess you'll remember Coney Island Ice Cream.

I recall our visit to this store near Rustan's after a Sunday afternoon of strolling with my parents or my favorite Tita or Tito. Coney Island's distinctive signage of blue, red, white, a carousel and balloons can't be missed.

I could only remember my favorite which was Bubblegum flavored ice cream which has its distinctive tutti-frutti sweetness in it. There are other flavors like Chocolate Pecan Nut, Blueberry Cordial, Cherry Cordial, Eskimo Roll, New York! New York!, Pistachio, Mint Chocolate Chip among the 32 flavors available. It was just hmmmm...yummmy.


After several years of business mergers and face lifts, Coney Island All-American Ice Cream closed shop. But now, it is staging a comeback in the ice cream business with the same Trillana-De Ocampo families which owned Coney Island and Sorbetero way back in mid-70s. Now Coney Island will join their 'Go Nuts Donuts' family and shall be known as 'Go Nuts Ice Cream'. I am not exactly sure which flavors will be back but I think Bubblegum will be back starting tomorrow, November 2.

I am sure kids of my generation will troop to the 'Go Nuts Donuts' at SM Makati soon as word goes around and hopefully relive pre-Häagen-Dazs ice cream memories of their childhood.

Sources:
Photo of Coney Island Ice Cream store from 'Dear Diarya'
Thanks to Christina Trillana-Lagdameo for the heads up.
Go Nuts Donuts website

I'm wishing...

It is exactly 55 days before Christmas and soon the spooky decorations of Halloween will be replaced with the frenetic mood of the Yuletide season.

Just as the vibrant mood of Christmas will inch its way to every aspect of human activity. Coffee drinking won't be spared either.

Starbucks Coffee in the Philippines will be bringing in the Christmas season with the 'Permission to Wish' campaign starting November 4.

Coffee junkies like me will be having their fill of the festive beverages that will be available. These include Peppermint Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, and my personal favorite Dark Cherry Mocha.


I fell in love with Dark Cherry Mocha last year and I had my heart's share whether it be a hot or cold beverage. I was disappointed when it was gone after Christmas. I even e-mailed Rustans Coffee Corporation, which holds the exclusive Philippine Starbucks Coffee franchise, about getting it on the regular line-up. I got a response that my plea was duly noted. It didn't make the cut in the regular menu but I'm just as happy that it will be back.


I was really intrigued by the 'Permission to Wish' so I asked my barista friends about it. They were mum about the idea that I started to consult Lord Google. Thanks to the Starbucks Coffee Singapore website and now we can sure get a glimpse of what COULD be in store (pun intended) when November 4 comes.


Starbucks Coffee Singapore has launched their campaign today starting with their 'Say The Magic Words' Promo (from 31st Oct 2009 to 1st Nov 2009) which entitles complimentary tall-sized Starbucks festive beverages for the first 50 customers per day per store. They also have the 'A Taste For Every Wish' where customers can order Starbucks' whole cakes like 'Coffee & Chocolate Log Cake', 'New York Cheesecake' and 'Oreo Cheesecake'.

Starbucks Coffee Singapore and Philippines are part of the Asia-Pacific market. I can only surmise that they may share the same offering. I just wish the Howard Shultz franchise here will.

Methinks that, as the adage says, it's just a tip of the iceberg or shall I say, tip of the whipped cream of surprises for everybody at Starbucks Coffee.

So on November 4, "Say The Magic Words: Can I have my permission to wish?"

(Images courtesy of Starbucks Coffee Singapore)

Missing MJ

Finally saw the much-awaited posthumous rehearsal concert documentary of Michael Jackson, 'This Is It'.

What could have been the 50 "unprecedented sold-out concerts" at the O2 Arena in London was turned into this documentary film after the untimely death of the King of Pop. 'This Is It' could have been MJ's final curtain call in the music scene and the film caught a glimpse of how magical it would have been.

I practically grew up listening to MJ's songs. From the time I heard 'Ben' while watching the movie with the same title on our Sony Betamax, to music videos shown on Video Hit Parade to the dawning of MTV where I have seen 'Billie Jean' 'Beat It', 'Thriller' among many other hits, I am just bewildered by his talent. I didn't even care about those accusations hurled against him. It just outweighed what MJ accomplished. Still, MJ is just AMAZING.

As I said, the documentary was just a glimpse of THE concert. Though MJ tried to save his voice and also his energy when he danced in the dress rehearsals, one could still witness the magic that MJ casts on his fans. Just as my brothers were when they saw him perform live in Manila in 1996. My brother Eric described it as if 'a god coming down from heaven' and right there, he knew the reason why MJ's fans all over the world cry when they see him perform.

But what was astounding about this documentary was MJ's passion for his craft. He knew his songs very well even into the minute detail of a note, a lyric or a vocal effectation that he wanted. It was as if his passion for the work that he did ran into his veins like air that is life-sustaining. 'This Is It' clearly showed this passion and the more that I revered MJ. The music and the man that he was.

If 'This Is It' is a celebration of MJ's passion for his work, it is also with deep sadness that I watched this film. 'Man in the Mirror' is my ultimate favorite MJ song because of its universal message. And MJ always performed this song at the end of his concerts. When the few strains of the notes were played in the movie, I knew it was 'Man in the Mirror' and I knew that the concert/film was about to end. I can't help but feel sad that I won't be able to see another version of MJ singing that song ever again after this film.

I sorely miss Michael Jackson but whenever I listen to his songs, I just close my eyes and the King of Pop lives.

Family Noteworthy

Happy Birthday to my brother Eric who celebrates his birthday today. Can't wait to have a taste of the much sought-after Elar's lechon.

Belated birthday greetings goes to Tita Susan and Tita Luz (Oct. 9), cousin Luis Benedict (Oct. 5), nephew Kevin (Oct. 7), Andrew (Oct. 8), godson Matt (Oct. 17), best friend Owen (Oct. 21), nephew Ram (Oct. 22), and uncle Rod (Oct. 23).

Advance Happy Birthdays to my nephew Rylan (Oct. 24) and former classmate Gyemma (Oct. 25).

I wish you all the best and God bless.

Somewhere over the fence...

"Come to our Coffee Seminar at our store tomorrow from 11 am to 1 pm. Bring your friends," reads my SMS from Noel who works at Starbucks Petron NLEX Marilao.

Uh-huh? A coffee seminar? Is there more to coffee than just what we know about its anti-oxidant properties or its caffeine benefits as a stimulant, diuretic, and a headache remedy?

I was proven wrong when I attended the Starbucks Coffee Seminar this morning.

I hauled my cousin, Camille, fellow coffee addict, JJ, and myself over at the Starbucks store along the North Luzon Expressway. JJ who is also from Bulacan would even commute as far as Trinoma just to have her dose of frappuccino. She didn't know how to get to Petron NLEX so I gave her detailed instructions that she had to prepare herself by going over a fence ('bakod'). She didn't believe at first and I told her, I wasn't joking.

So we got there early and had my tall caffe mocha just to keep me awake as I only had my cup for the day before we left home. I was surprised to see familiar faces of baristas from Shell NLEX Balagtas. Later did I know that they were having their certifications conducted.

There were only four of us, including Carms who is barista Ivanne's friend, who were there for the coffee seminar. Resident coffee master JR introduced the topic which was "Expresso Roast: A Starbucks Shared Planet Coffee."

He started off by asking us about what we thought about Starbucks' Shared Planet. I pretended I didn't know anything about it (see 'Musings on a Starbucks Tumbler Design') but still I was asked about it and had to give my answer. So, I blurted out about the campaign's vision of "ethical sourcing, environmental sterwardship and community involvement." JR expounded on the campaign and discussed about the sources of Starbucks' whole bean coffees. Thereby, introducing the Espresso Roast which was the main topic.

Cups were distributed around for the coffee tasting to commence. Astro taught us the 4 techniques of coffee tasting: smell, slurp, locate the sensation on your tongue, and describe the experience. What I really found amusing is the second step which is "slurping".

I admit, I've been drinking coffee since I was 7 years old and been afraid of scalding my tongue because of inadvertent arrogance of drinking coffee lest be caught by my parents not drinking full cream milk instead. After years of coffee sustenance, I just discovered that slurping coffee is the sanest way not to burn your tongue because air is introduced and thereby has an effect of cooling the coffee and making it palate-friendly. The louder the slurping, the better. Now, I understand why that late night radio announcer on the AM radio always slurps loudly when drinking coffee. I thought it was just his way of annoying his listeners.

We compared the aroma and taste of Caffè Latte and Caffè Americano. I particularly liked Caffè Americano because it gave a rich aroma and dense, smooth texture I always like in my coffee.

Then off with the pastry pairing because good coffee warrants good pastry. Again, I gave Caffè Americano a thumbs up for the complementary taste it brings with the brownies.

Soon came the part where we get to answer questions and take home some goodies. There were 4 loot bags and there were just 4 of us. So naturally, we just answered the question correctly and bring home a Starbucks shirt and a bag of ground coffee. Also had my complimentary tall Caffè Americano and my day is on a roll.

I came home informed and educated about my top-of-the-list-beverage and realized how much respect goes with this industry where 65,000 metric tons of coffee are consumed by Filipinos annually.*

I left the seminar wanting for more like how to use a coffee press, and methods of brewing coffee. Well, I guess I have to wait for another coffee seminar or ask the friendly barista when I get my caffeine fix.

Just as there are wine and cheese connoisseurs, I guess, coffee junkies like me can transcend their energies and study in becoming coffee experts in the future.

In the meantime, JJ just texted that she's looking forward in having a coffee klatsch and hopefully with our other friends at Starbucks Petron NLEX Marilao. She will take the liberty and spare me of telling them that they need to go over the fence to get there.

*Facts about coffee from Sunday Inquirer Magazine (October 18, 2009)
Photos courtesy of Noel dela Cruz.

Waiting Game

When 2009 ushered in, I kept a mind of utmost optimism that things will turn out the way I have planned and prayed for.

Now, on its last quarter of the year, I am still in limbo.

I can enumerate as many things I have been hanging on like a sword of the proverbial Damocles waiting to fall but am still waiting. Waiting...

Oh, when will this waiting game stop?

Photo source: "Waiting" by FriXedAirwave from deviantart.com

Kape!!!

October has been declared as Coffee Month by the Philippine Coffee Board and they have lined up activities such as seminars, coffee tours, and conferences for this caffeine-induced celebration.

Aww! I missed the seminars on coffee last week. I may have dozed off because I didn't get much coffee as I want to because my coffee maker got soaked from the floods. Need to get a replacement. Perhaps, I will have to visit the exhibits in Makati this week.